Israeli
Rights Group Calls for Crackdown Against Army's Abuses
Yahoo! News, December 31, 2002
WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec 31 (OW-US) - Israel's leading human rights monitor in
the occupied territories is calling on the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to
fully investigate and take strong action against troops engaged in the degradation,
humiliation or beating of Palestinian civilians.
Tibi
going to High Court after CEC disqualifies him
Ha'aretz, December 31, 2002
The Central Elections Committee yesterday rejected a request to disqualify
the Hadash-Ta'al party from the Knesset race, but approved the disqualification
of the party's No. 3 candidate, MK Ahmed Tibi. The controversial Tibi will
now appeal to the High Court of Justice against the decision to ban him from
the race.
2002
worst year for Israeli economy since 1953
Globes, December 31, 2002
Central Bureau of Statistics: GDP is expected to fall by 0.5% next year, following
a 2% decline in the past two years. -- 2002 was Israel’s worst year
for recession and unemployment since 1953, the year of austerity. The Central
Bureau of Statistics 2002 summary reports a steep drop in growth, investments,
exports, residential construction, and the standard of living.
Army
plans watchtower defenses for Jewish settlements
Jerusalem Post, December 31, 2002
The military is bolstering protection for Jewish settlements by building watchtowers
around some of them, Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Ya'alon told the
Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Tuesday.
Israel
Destroys More Palestinian Homes, Palestinians Appeal for Protection
Palestine Chronicle, December 31, 2002
DURA, West Bank - Palestinians facing the full-might of the
Israeli army are appealing for protection from what they term
“Jewish Nazism,” as Israeli troops stepped up repressive
measures, including demolition of Palestinian homes.
Prominent
human rights activist to be deported as 'threat to the state'
International Solidarity Movement, December 31, 2002
After being detained at the airport, bundled up in a blanket and forced on
to a plane which refused to take her, Angie Zelter, a prominent nonviolent
peace and human rights activist has today lost her deportation hearing in
the Tel Aviv District Court.
Arafat
Welcomes U.S. Call for Cease-Fire
The Guardian, December 31, 2002
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) - Yasser Arafat said he welcomes a U.S.-backed call
for an immediate cease-fire with Israel, but stopped short of committing to
steps the Palestinians would be required to take ahead of such a truce.
PMO
criticizes updated road map
Ha'aretz, December 31, 2002
Officials in the Prime Minister's Office yesterday conducted an initial review
of the updated "road map" for an Israeli-Palestinian agreement, which was
relayed last week to Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
IDF
kills Gaza man in Negev infiltration bid
Ha'aretz, December 31, 2002
A terrorist who infiltrated from Gaza was killed yesterday morning in a clash
with Israel Defense Forces soldiers near Kibbutz Be'eri in the Negev. In another
incident, soldiers shot and killed a Palestinian near Jenin, after a Palestinian
vehicle edged their jeep off the road. And a third Palestinian was killed
in a gun battle with the IDF in Nablus.
Justice
Minister: Committee made a mistake barring Tibi from Knesset
Jerusalem Post, December 31, 2002
Justice Minister Meir Sheetrit (Likud) said Tuesday that the decision by the
Central Election Committee to disqualify MK Ahmed Tibi from running in the
national elections on the grounds that he supports terrorism was a mistake.
Arab
lawmaker Bishara denies he supports terrorism
Jerusalem Post, December 31, 2002
The Central Elections Committee is deliberating six petitions to disqualify
Arab lawmaker Azmi Bishara's Balad party from running in the upcoming Knesset
election.
IOF
Force Palestinians to Choose Their Own Type of Torture, Beat Boy to Death
Palestine Media Center, December 31, 2002
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) killed five Palestinians in the past twenty-four
hours, one was a teenager beaten to death by Israeli soldiers Monday night
in the re-occupied southern West Bank city of Hebron, Palestinian medical
sources said.
Troops
Use Palestinians as Human Shields
Palestine Chronicle, December 31, 2002
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM - Israeli troops killed four Palestinians yesterday as
a leading Israeli rights group said the army beat Palestinians and use them
as human shields to fire on stone-throwing crowds.
Israel
Cracks Down on Gaza, West Bank, Kills 5 Palestinians
Islam Online, December 31, 2002
GAZA CITY, December 31 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - A Palestinian man
was shot dead early Tuesday, December 31, by Israeli occupation forces overnight
in the Gaza Strip, bringing the death toll from a day of heavy clampdown on
the Palestinians to five, as the year ended on a much less hopeful note than
it began.
Palestinian
Deaths Mount with New Gaza Violence
Bradenton Herald, December 31, 2002
GAZA - Israeli soldiers and Palestinians fought gunbattles near a Jewish settlement
in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, which left one Palestinian dead, as violence
in the region intensified.
Arafat
Fears More Violence if War on Iraq - Paper
Macon Telegraph, December 31, 2002
BRUSSELS - Palestinian President Yasser Arafat was quoted on Tuesday as saying
war against Iraq would lead to increased violence between Israelis and Palestinians
because world attention would be focused elsewhere.
Banks
market value down 33% to NIS 10.8b in 2002
Globes, December 31, 2002
A “Globes” study shows that the five largest banks lost an aggregate
NIS 10.8 billion in their value on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in 2002.
Sharon
fires Deputy Minister Naomi Blumenthal
Ha'aretz, December 31, 2002
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon wrote Deputy Infrastructure Minister Naomi Blumenthal
Tuesday that he has no choice but to fire her, following the letter sent by
her attorney explaining why she did not cooperate with police investigations
into allegations of vote-buying in the Likud party primaries.
Election
Committee expected to disqualify MK Azmi Bishara
Ha'aretz, December 31, 2002
In the wake of much-criticized decisions to disqualify the Knesset candidacy
of Arab MK Ahmed Tibi and allow extreme rightist Baruch Marzel to run, the
Central Elections Committee was meeting Tuesday to consider a request to strike
the candidacy of Arab MK Azmi Bishara and his Balad list.
Soldier,
two civilians wounded by rocket fire near Rafah
Ha'aretz, December 31, 2002
An IDF soldier was moderately injured and two civilians sustained light wounds
Tuesday afternoon after an anti-tank missile was fired at a construction site
near the Termit outpost on the border between Israel and Egypt near Rafah.
Reports:
Israeli Population Not Guarded
The Guardian, December 31, 2002
JERUSALEM (AP) - More than 1.5 million gas masks issued to Israelis are defective
and some of the smallpox vaccine used on 17,000 health workers may be ineffective,
Israeli newspapers reported Tuesday. The military replied that the Israeli
public is well protected.
1.7
million have wrong gas masks
Ha'aretz, December 31, 2002
In case of a chemical or biological attack on Israel, many Israelis wearing
gas masks distributed by the army will be affected, since at most only a third
of the masks distributed will be effective for the user, according to the
defense establishment's top expert on protection against biological and chemical
warfare.
IDF
Chief Ya'alon rejects reports of defects in gas masks
Ha'aretz, December 31, 2002
IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon on Tuesday rejected reports of problems with
gas masks distributed to Israelis, saying that people who want to accelerate
the introduction of a new gas mask are behind the claims, Israel Radio reported.
Labor
leader Mitzna under police probe
Jerusalem Post, December 31, 2002
Police launched an investigation today into suspicions that Labor Party leader
Amram Mitzna okayed a building permit as a favor to a contractor who gave
him office space for his election campaign, Army Radio reports.
Sharon
lobbies elections panel to keep Mofaz on Likud list
Jerusalem Post, December 31, 2002
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's bureau chief, Dov Weisglass, is meeting Tuesday
afternoon with Likud MK Michael Eitan, vice-chair of the central elections
committee, to ensure that the Likud representatives vote in support of keeping
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz on the Likud Knesset list, Israel Radio reports.
March
and Rally to Take Place in the Tulkarem District
International Solidarity Movement, December 31, 2002
The National Committee Against the Apartheid Wall/Governorate of Tulkarem,
Palestine is organizing activities against the construction of the Apartheid
Wall on Thursday January 2, 2002 in Tulkarem. Palestinian farmers throughout
the Tulkarem District are losing access to their land as a result of the construction
of the wall. It is estimated that the construction of the Apartheid Wall will
lead to the effective annexation of 10% of the West Bank's land.
How
US helped Iraq build deadly arsenal
Times of London, December 31, 2002
DONALD RUMSFELD, the US Defence Secretary and one of the most strident critics
of Saddam Hussein, met the Iraqi President in 1983 to ease the way for US
companies to sell Baghdad biological and chemical weapons components, including
anthrax and bubonic plague cultures, according to newly declassified US Government
documents.
Iraq
Vows to Fight Much Harder Than in 1991
Yahoo! News, December 30, 2002
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq will fight much harder than it did in the Gulf War
(news - web sites) over Kuwait if the United States launches an attack in
the coming months, Iraq's trade minister said on Monday.
Iraqi
president adviser says US lures scientists
Jordan Times, December 31, 2002
BAGHDAD (R) — A top adviser to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein said on
Monday the United States wanted to tempt scientists to leave Iraq and lure
them into giving false information in return for financial gain.
No
Excuse for Quick Iraq Strike, Says U.N.'s Annan
ABC News, December 31, 2002
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Tuesday there was
no argument for a U.S. strike against Iraq before late January, while ordinary
Iraqis held out hope that the New Year would bring no war at all.
Annan
Sees No Basis for War, Christopher Says N.Korea More Dangerous
Islam Online, December 31, 2002
BAGHDAD, December 31 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) – U.N. Secretary
General Kofi Annan underlined Tuesday, December 31, that he sees no basis
at present for the use of force against Iraq while former U.S. secretary of
state Warren Christopher stressed that North Korea and terrorism were more
dangerous.
U.S.
Firms Fear Stronger Boycott Campaign If Iraq War Erupts
Islam Online, December 31, 2002
CAIRO, December 31 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Businesses selling
American brand names, products and services in the Middle East fear that a
U.S.-led war in Iraq would trigger an even stronger Arab boycott campaign
against them.
Split
at U.N. Over Products That Iraqis May Import
New York Times, December 31, 2002
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 30 — The Security Council, acceding to anxious
pressure from the United States, voted today to revise a list of goods that
must be approved by the United Nations before Iraq can import them.
White
House Cuts Estimate of Cost of War With Iraq
New York Times, December 31, 2002
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 — The administration's top budget official estimated
today that the cost of a war with Iraq could be in the range of $50 billion
to $60 billion, a figure that is well below earlier estimates from White House
officials.
Analysis:
Pentagon build-up reaches unstoppable momentum
The Guardian, December 31, 2002
The Pentagon's order to deploy large numbers of combat troops, warplanes and
a hospital ship in the Gulf have created a near unstoppable momentum towards
war with Iraq, US military analysts said yesterday.
Iraq
Warns of Heavy Losses if Attacked
The Guardian, December 31, 2002
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - U.N. arms inspectors fanned out Tuesday to six sites
suspected of involvement in the making of banned weapons, as an Iraqi Cabinet
minister warned the United States of ``the heaviest losses'' if it attacks.
U.S.-British
Jets Bomb Iraq Facilities
The Guardian, December 31, 2002
WASHINGTON (AP) - American and British warplanes flying multiple missions
attacked Iraq air defense facilities after an Iraqi fighter jet penetrated
the southern no-fly zone, the U.S. mowing crowds.
Continued
Turkish military up in northern Iraq
Arabic News, December 31, 2002
The Turkish daily Hurriyet said yesterday that the Turkish military build
up has continued its flow into north Iraq through al-Khabour border Gate and
that 100 military armored vehicles crossed the Gate on Saturday in addition
to various types of weapons and military units in preparations for a military
operation against Iraq.
Iran,
Russia will not offer Saddam Hussein asylum
Arabic News, December 31, 2002
Both Iran and Russia yesterday denied news rumored recently by the mass media
on the possibility of offering the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein the right
of asylum to one of the two countries in order to spare an American war against
Iraq.
Pahad
Warns of Fallout If US Invades Iraq
AllAfrica.com, December 31, 2002
A range of severe consequences will flow from a US war against Iraq, including
the need for contingency plans to assist thousands of South Africans living
in the Middle East, says South African Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Aziz
Pahad.
Maher:
Intifada, not on agenda of Palestinian factions
Arabic News, December 31, 2002
Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher said Monday that halting the Palestinian Intifada
was not on the agenda of the meeting of the Palestinian factions in Cairo.
Israeli
daily and Qatar's alliances
The correspondent of the Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot in Qatar, Orali Kats,
has stated that Qatar "keeps on dancing in all weddings." She explained that
Qatar keeps its relations with Israel and maintains a dialogue with the US
and Europe and on the other hand keeps liaison with the Arab states and lashes
continuously from the channel of the Islamic organizations.
U.S.
readies tribunals for terrorism trials
Miami Herald, December 26, 2002
Guidelines are nearly finished -- WASHINGTON - The Pentagon is oiling up legal
machinery that hasn't been used since World War II as another weapon in the
war on terrorism: special military tribunals to try selected terrorist suspects.
New
tourism study finds Intifada created greater reliance on Israeli patrons
Globes, December 31, 2002
Before the Intifada only about 40% of hotel visitors were Israelis, compared
with 86% in 2002. -- A group of Israeli academics have just completed research
into the crisis faced by the Israeli hotel industry resulting from the Intifada
which may be relevant in other countries suffering a downturn in tourism following
terrorist attacks.
Tunnel
to be built under Trans-Israel Highway to bypass graves
Ha'aretz, December 31, 2002
A compromise deal was reached Tuesday after four days of riots between police
and the ultra-Orthodox regarding the opening of the Trans-Israel Highway,
according to which the state will pay NIS 10 million to build a tunnel under
the ancient cemetery that was the center of the conflict.
Police
anti-terror unit to handle bio-terror
Ha'aretz, December 31, 2002
The Police Special Anti-Terror Unit, known by its Hebrew acronym, Yamam, is
to be responsible for dealing with terrorists equipped with biological or
chemical weapons.
Not
interested and not shy to say it
Ha'aretz, December 31, 2002
Apathy seems to be the common Jewish reaction in the U.S. to Israel's upcoming
elections -- NEW YORK - Jews in America, who are identified as "politically
involved" more than any other minority in the U.S., have lately begun to show
great interest in the elections - not those weeks away in Israel, but in the
U.S. presidential elections in November 2004.
Soldier's
manslaughter trial hinges on constitutional issue
Ha'aretz, December 31, 2002
A six-year-old law that seals a soldier's testimony during a debriefing inquiry
after an incident so the soldier cannot be liable for criminal prosecution,
is being challenged by an Israel Defense Forces defense attorney. He is representing
a soldier accused of negligent homicide in the shooting death of a passenger
in a car that was taking a dirt road to evade a checkpoint.
Jordanian
experts resume repair work on Temple Mount
Ha'aretz, December 31, 2002
A Jordanian delegation resumed repair work on the Temple Mount's southern
wall in Jerusalem's Old City yesterday. The delegation, headed by Raef Najim,
vice president of the state-run Jordanian Construction Company and a former
Jordanian minister responsible for the Jordanian waqf (Islamic religious trust),
has been authorized to work on the Temple Mount by Israel's government.
Minister
urges Israelis to hoard water in case of chemical attack
Jerusalem Post, December 31, 2002
Infrastructures Minister Effi Eitam urged Israelis today to begin hoarding
water and keep at least a 12-liter (quart)- per person supply on hand, in
the event of a chemical warfare attack.
Islamic
Movement heads questioned over alleged incitement
Jerusalem Post, December 31, 2002
The head of the Islamic Movement, Sheikh Raed Salah and his deputy Sheikh
Kamal Khatib were questioned Tuesday buy police over alleged incitement at
a rally in Um El Fahm, Israel Radio reported.
German
Nobel Laureate: Bush "Threat to World Peace"
Palestine Chronicle, December 31, 2002
"Grass, dubbed the 'German Conscience', felt that there is a resemblance between
Bush and one of the Shakespearean characters who had a psychological complex
.." -- BONN - Renowned German writer Guenter Grass, attacked U.S. president
George W. Bush, saying he is a threat to world peace, adding that his actions
are based on a disturbed familial atmosphere.
PLO
Central Council to Meet, Ratify Key Reforms
Palestine Chronicle, December 31, 2002
"Shaath told Reuters the post of prime minister would not be filled until
a Palestinian state had been created .." -- OCCUPIED JERUSALEM - The Palestine
Liberation Organization’s (PLO) Central Council (CC) will meet next
month, January 9, for the first time in two years to ratify key steps in reforms
to the Palestine National Authority (PNA).
Hizbollah
detonates leftover Israeli bombs
Jordan Times, December 31, 2002
BEIRUT (AP) — Hizbollah on Monday said a huge blast that rocked a Syrian-Lebanese
border area the night previous, sending ambulances rushing to the scene, was
caused by detonating left over Israeli bombs.
Views
of world elite at core of U.S. problems abroad
Yahoo! News, December 30, 2002
The Pew Global Attitudes Project's recent gargantuan survey, which stretched
its tentacles across 44 countries and included some 38,000 people, found that
America's rating has slipped, but ''a reserve of goodwill toward the country
still remains.'' That seems a windfall for America's image abroad compared
to the decisively negative views we discovered in our own yearlong study of
foreign elite opinion.
Budget
Proposal for FY2003
Palestine Media Center, December 31, 2002
Excerpts from the Statement of the Minister of Finance to the Palestinian
Legislative Council December 31,2002
PLO
Central Committee to Meet Jan 9… if Israel Allows It: Erakat
Palestine Media Center, December 31, 2002
The Palestine National Authority (PNA) confirmed on Sunday that Palestine
Liberation Organization’s (PLO) central committee would attempt to meet
in the reoccupied West Bank town of Ramallah on January 9, but was not sure
the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) will allow the PLO delegates to meet as
planned.
Occupation
Chronicle Events in Palestine
Palestine Media Center, December 31, 2002
IOF Kill Palestinian Civilian in Khan Younis / Boy Beaten to Death in
Hebron / Teacher Murdered in Jenin / IOF Open Fire at Nablus’ Residents,
Kill One Civilian and Wound Three Others / IOF Demolish Stores and Factories
in Bethlehem
At
the end of 2002, child sentenced to 6 months jail for throwing stones
LAW Society, December 31, 2002
Yesterday, Monday, December 30, Zakir ‘Arar (16) from Qarara Bani Zeid
near Ramallah was sentenced to 6 months administrative detention from December
23 2002 until June 22, 2003. The charge, warranting six months jail was rock
throwing and posing a danger to the security of the region.
