October 2003

Nusseibeh and Ayalon Face Strong Opposition in Seattle

Haithem El-Zabri 7 November 2003


Seattle’s Palestinian community, together with Arab and American supporters of the Palestinian cause, have expressed clear opposition to the Nusseibeh-Ayalon “peace proposal” which dismisses the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes. Sari Nusseibeh and Ami Ayalon came to the University of Washington - Seattle on October 23rd, 2003, to present their plan, and were met with visible opposition from local community groups. Haithem El-Zabri reports for EI. 

The role of the international media in the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

Siham Rashid 31 October 2003


The following text is from a seminar presentation, “An Overview of the Role of the International Media Regarding the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict”, given by Siham Rashid, Director of the Public Relations Department, Palestinian Counseling Center (PCC) on 29 August 2003. Hosted by the Alternative Information Center (AIC), the seminar was titled “A Middle East Without Wars and Oppression is Possible: An International Seminar on the Palestinian Struggle and Globalization”. 

British Jews and Israel

Michael Halpern 31 October 2003

The Board of Deputies was founded in 1760, and claims to be the national representative body of the British Jewish community. As such, it exists to defend the rights and interests of that community in the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, under the direction of its chief executive, Neville Nagler, those aims have been suborned to an agenda whereby it has become a political pressure group for the Israeli government, whose policies are anathema to a large section of British Jewry. Michael Halpern wrote this letter in the Daily Telegraph. 

Third Annual Palestine Solidarity Conference, Ohio, Nov 7-9

31 October 2003

Among other things, participants of the conference will gather to network, educate and strategize ways in which to build support for an already existing divestment campaign, designed to put an end to the Israeli occupation and stop military and financial aid to Israel in all its forms. In addition to featuring a series of educational workshops, activist training sessions, panel discussions, and speakers throughout the weekend, community members are encouraged help celebrate the will and spirit of resistance characteristic of the Palestinian people by experiencing the music, poetry and art that will be featured during the social and cultural events on Friday and Saturday evening. 

Checkpoints and dust: A day with the Nablus distribution team

Zeina Mogarbel-Vallès Nablus, Palestine 28 October 2003

It’s ten o’clock in the morning. The 10 members of the UNRWA distribution team watch Ahmed as he slowly walks the 100 metres that separate him from the armed soldier. A few moments later all can they see is the back of a blue UN vest confronting a green uniform. The men do not speak. They have been waiting at the Beit Iba checkpoint, five kilometres north-west of Nablus, for more than two hours, and still have a long way to go before they reach their destination. 

Weekly report on human rights violations

30 October 2003

This week, Israeli occupying forces have killed 11 Palestinian civilians, including three children. They have escalated violations of human rights against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), including extra-judicial and willful killings, indiscriminate shelling of residential areas, incursions into Palestinian areas, house demolitions and land leveling. They have also continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPTs. 

Ramadan begins in Jenin

Nick Pretzlik Jenin, Palestine 29 October 2003

“The Holy Month of Ramadan, marked by fasting and reflection, has begun and energy levels seem low. But in any case, people have little to do. The Palestinian economy is dead and what money remains in Jenin is slipping away fast — most of it into Israel itself to pay for electricity, gas, water and telephones, to list just a few of the bills which have to be settled. None of the money comes back. It is hard for a large family to live on just US $10 per day and be energetic.” Nick Pretzlik reports from Jenin. 

Geneva Accord: Why can't the PA learn from its mistakes?

Hasan Abu Nimah 30 October 2003


It is astonishing how little the Palestinian leadership learns from its past mistakes? asks regular EI contributor Hasan Abu Nimah. The so-called “Geneva Accord” — an unofficial document agreed upon by former Israeli officials and Palestinians linked with the Palestinian Authority — is a new blunder that will do enormous harm to the Palestinian position, while doing nothing to extricate the Palestinian leadership from its sinking state. Abu Nimah looks at some the agreement in detail and looks at its provisions on key issues like land and refugees. 

World Food Programme says situation continues to deteriorate in the occupied Palestinian territories

28 October 2003

Christaine Berthiaume of the World Food Programme said that she had been in the occupied Palestinian territories last week. The situation in that region continued to deteriorate. A WFP study showed that more than 50 per cent of the inhabitants of the occupied territories lived below the poverty line. 

A disastrous dead end: the Geneva Accord

Ali Abunimah 28 October 2003


Because of the Oslo process, the basis for a viable and minimally fair two-state solution has been completely destroyed. The Israeli “peace camp” and the Palestinian leadership ought to have learned from the calamities they helped bring about and changed their ways. The so-called “Geneva Accord,” an informal agreement prepared by Israelis, led by former Labor Justice Minister Yossi Beilin and other Oslo-era luminaries, and Palestinians close to Yasser Arafat, demonstrates a determination to repeat the tragic errors of the past. EI’s Ali Abunimah explains. 

Wanted: A US intifada against impunity at home and abroad

Laurie King 25 October 2003


“What is desperately needed in the US, as a new presidential race heats up, is an intifada against impunity at home and abroad. Such a campaign could benefit progressives in the U.S. as they gear up for the elections. Progressives must seriously, critically, and courageously begin to engage with others in discussing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its roots in a brutal and dehumanizing occupation that no democracy should be dirtying its hands supporting.” Electronic Intifada co-founder Laurie King-Irani looks at the mobilizing role of justice in global and local campaigns for political change. 

Discrimination Down Under? Sydney gives Ashrawi the cold shoulder

Allan Ramsey 25 October 2003

“Dr. Hanan Mikhail Ashrawi is a woman, a professor of English, an international human rights activist, and a politician. A year ago she was chosen, unanimously, to receive the 2003 Sydney Peace Prize. The Premier, Bob Carr, will present Ashrawi with her award at State Parliament in 12 days. The first four recipients of the annual prize were honoured at functions in the Great Hall of Sydney University. However, for Ashrawi, the Great Hall is out of bounds.” Allan Ramsey of the Sydney Morning Herald asks why. 

Commission of Inquiry reveals US-Israeli cover-up of U.S.S. Liberty attack

Sarah Weir 25 October 2003


A new report released on Capitol Hill today by former officials from the highest level of the American military and government reveals that Israel “committed acts of murder against American serviceman and an act of war against the United States” when it deliberately attacked the American Navy Ship USS Liberty in 1967, killing 34 and wounding 172 American crewmembers. Israel had alleged that the two-hour attack with napalm, missiles, and torpedoes was a mistake. After remaining silent for more than three decades, Captain Ward Boston, the Chief Attorney in the Navy’s original 1967 Court of Inquiry into the case, describes in a sworn affidavit how he and many others were ordered to never speak about the attack on the USS Liberty. 

Weekly report on human rights violations

23 October 2003

This week, Israeli occupying forces escalated violations of human rights against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), including extra-judicial and willful killings, indiscriminate shelling of residential areas, incursions into Palestinian areas, house demolitions and land leveling. They have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and 21 Palestinians, including 2 children, a woman and a doctor, were killed by Israeli occupying forces. 

Israeli Military Appeals Committee upholds unlawful transfer order

23 October 2003

An Israeli military appeals committee today issued a decision to uphold an “assigned residence” order issued against 5 Palestinians from the West Bank on 14 October 2003.  The original order, signed by Major General Moshe Kaplinski, GOC of the Central Command, subjected a total of 18 Palestinians to periods of “assigned residence” in the Gaza Strip, effectively transferring them from their places of residence in the West Bank. 

Media coverage of Middle East situation among issues discussed at seminar on conflict in region

21 October 2003


The international media seminar on the question of peace in the Middle East, now taking place in Seville, Spain, reaffirmed the utility of dialogue and mutual understanding. The participants heard four speakers in the morning session and four speakers in the afternoon session of the two-day meeting. In his opening remarks, the moderator, Shashi Tharoor, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, expressed his hope that the seminar would be an occasion for dialogue and conciliation rather than condemnation and criticism. 

"Go to the West Bank!" yelled the soldier

Nick Pretzlik Wadi al Naam 22 October 2003

“Democracy is more than simply paying taxes and having the vote. It requires the state to ensure that every citizen enjoys equal rights and access to justice — something Arab citizens of Israel clearly do not enjoy. Until early 2002, out of 3,000 Bedouin cases brought before Israeli courts, not one had been decided in favour of the Bedouins. Not one! For the Bedouin of Israel, democracy is a myth, as it is for the rest of the 20+ percent of Israel’s population that is not Jewish.” Nick Pretzlik reports on a new house demolition campaign — inside the Green Line. 

One State: threat or promise of peace?

Hasan Abu Nimah 22 October 2003


In a recent visit to Luxembourg, Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher voiced his grave concern over the fading promise of a Palestinian-Israeli settlement, based on two-state solution. What he said sounds more like a recognition of a harsh reality than what may otherwise be viewed as a warning to avoid the worst. Warnings of this kind were heard before, from prominent Arabs, Israelis and others. They were hardly heeded, or even taken seriously. Most of us assumed that such warnings were no more than good efforts to expose the dangers of Israeli procrastination, with the positive intent of urging parties to work harder for peace. 

Senior Israeli pilot condemns air strikes that hit civilians

Mark Willacy 21 October 2003

Israeli F-16 warplanes and Apache helicopters have been busy over the skies of Gaza, launching four separate strikes against Hamas targets in the space of a few hours. The attacks have killed at least six people, including two Hamas militants and a civilian bystander, and wounded more than 30 others, including a baby and several young children. In an interview with AM, one of Israel’s most decorated fighter pilots has condemned air strikes which hit innocent civilians as “immoral” and “unlawful”. Mark Willacy reports for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 

Court martial of five occupation refuseniks

Adam Keller Tel Aviv 21 October 2003

Today, the cross-examination of Shimri Tzameret, Adam Maor, and Noam Bahat was scheduled, the other two - Chaggai Matar and Matan Kaminer had theirs already in September. The prosecutor, Captain Yaron Costelitz, had managed to prepare himself by obtaining a considerable number of leaflets and press releases by the various refuser movements, as well as the full text of Shimri’s “prison blog”. 

Israeli forces raid mosque and Al-Jazeera office in Ramallah

Arjan El Fassed 21 October 2003

The Arab news channel Al-Jazeera reported that Israeli forces have launched a major raid on Ramallah. Israeli forces entered the city shortly after 16.30 GMT and imposed a curfew on residents of the center of the city. They surrounded the Abd al-Nasir Mosque and people inside were told to leave in groups of four and present identity papers, the Arab news channel reported. 

Israeli airforce kill 7 Palestinians and wound 58 others in two other aerial strikes

21 October 2003

Following 3 aerial attacks earlier on Monday, Israeli occupying forces conducted a further 2 aerial attacks yesterday evening in the Gaza Strip. In the fourth aerial attack in 24 hours, 7 Palestinian civilians, including a child and an on-duty doctor, were killed in Nusseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. 

Media watchdog slams US, Israel

20 October 2003


Reporters Without Borders, a top media watchdog, has accused Israel and the United States of unacceptable behaviour towards journalists in occupied Palestine and Iraq. RSF said on Monday the US had caused the deaths of five journalists in Iraq. And it said the Israeli army was guilty of injuring and threatening journalists in the West Bank and Gaza. The Israeli army’s repeated abuses against journalists in the occupied territories constitute unacceptable behaviour by two nations that never stop stressing their commitment to freedom of expression. 

Speakers in UN GA emergency session condemn Israel's construction of 'security barrier', expansionist policies

20 October 2003

Following the Security Council’s failure to act last week regarding the security barrier being built by Israel in the West Bank, the General Assembly met this afternoon, at the request of Arab nations, to consider a resolution declaring the barrier illegal. 

Adalah: "Israeli plan to demolish Palestinian homes in Negev, the Galilee and the 'Triangle' is illegal"

14 October 2003

Adalah submitted a letter, dated 2 October 2003, to Attorney General Elyakim Rubenstein, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Minister of Internal Security Tzachi Hanegbi, and Minister of Industry and Trade Ehud Olmert, challenging the legality of a recent government plan, as reported in the Hebrew press, to increase the demolition of homes throughout the country belonging to Palestinian citizens of Israel. 

Palestinian detainees from the West Bank remain in detention on Erez crossing pending unlawful transfer

15 October 2003

PCHR is following with grave concern the situation of 18 Palestinians from the West Bank, who are currently being held by Israeli Occupying Forces at the Erez military compound, pending the completion of the procedures for their transfer to the Gaza Strip.  

Weekly report on human rights violations

16 October 2003

This week, Israeli forces killed 10 Palestinians, including three children. Israeli forces moved into Rafah refugee camp, killed 8 Palestinians and destroyed 170 houses. Israeli forces moved into Qalqilya and Tulkarm and imposed a curfew. Israel continued its campaign of arbitrary arrests and detentions. Israeli forces razed more areas of agricultural land in the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces demolished a home in Nablus. Israeli forces ordered the transfer of 18 Palestinians from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip. 

Said's work towards artistic cooperation celebrated in music performance memorial

Maureen Clare Murphy 16 October 2003


A concert memorial celebrating the life and work of Edward Said, performed by Daniel Barenboim and other musicians involved with their West-Eastern Divan workshop, which gathers outstanding young musicians from Israel and Arab countries, and puts them together into one orchestra, demonstrated that music offers a space for fundamental human connection. Baremboim also emphasized to the audience that they must carry on Said’s fight for social justice in Palestine and elsewhere. Maureen Clare Murphy reports. 

Palestinians find their voice online

Mark Glaser 15 October 2003


Palestinian Internet users have had many choices when it came to staying up with the conflict with Israel on Arab-language news sites. Now there are a growing number of English-language sites that emphasize the Palestinian position, and are carrying that position to a far wider audience.  Online-only news sites such as the Palestine Chronicle and Palestine Monitor provide eyewitness accounts to flare-ups throughout the region. Then there are news portals such as Electronic Intifada that combine original commentaries and news with views from other outlets. 

Palestine/Israel: One state for all its citizens

Ali Abunimah 15 October 2003


Peace in Palestine through territorial partition is a doomed fantasy and the time has come to discard it, writes EI co-founder Ali Abunimah. It is the moment, therefore, for us to declare the era of partition over and commit to a moral, just and realisable vision in which Israelis and Palestinians build a future as partners in a single state which guarantees freedom, equality and cultural self-determination to all its citizens. 

US, Israel destroying the UN system

Hasan Abu Nimah 14 October 2003


Israel’s flagrant violations of international law, and the United States’ use of its veto to block any action to restrain Israel and resolve its conflicts with its neighbors, is leading to the wholesale destruction of the UN system and a return of the law of the jungle, writes regular EI contributor Hasan Abu Nimah. 

Qibya: 50 years of injustice and impunity

Eric Ridenour 14 October 2003

“Despite being the architect of the horrible tragedies at Qibya as well as Sabra and Shatila, Ariel Sharon is, for the most part, strangely immune from criticism for these incidents. A man with Mr. Sharon’s bloody record should not enjoy impunity. After he leaves office, Ariel Sharon should finally be held accountable for his sordid past. Justice 50 years late is better than no justice at all.” Eric Ridenour revisits a war crime committed half a century ago. 

PRCS responds to humanitarian emergency in Rafah

14 October 2003

On 9 October 2003, at approximately 10:30pm, the Israeli Army invaded Tal As-sulttan and the Rafah border area with Egypt. Israeli army tanks and bulldozers supported by fighter helicopters entered from Zu’rob Circle through Al-Qasas region in Yabna destroying and damaging homes, cars, streets and just about anything that got in the way before redeploying to the outer perimeters of Rafah at 11:00pm on 11 October 2003. 

UN to host media seminar on peace in Middle East

14 October 2003


The question of peace in the Middle East will be the subject of an international media seminar organized by the Department of Public Information (DPI) on 21 and 22 October in Seville, Spain. Co-hosted by the Three Cultures of the Mediterranean Foundation, the two-day meeting will bring together present and former policy-makers from Israel and the Palestinian Authority, as well as senior United Nations officials, international experts and representatives of the world media. 

Rafah demolished

10 July 2003


EI’s Arjan El Fassed visited Rafah, which is located on the southern border of the Gaza Strip. Repeatedly, Israeli occupying forces have demolished hundreds of homes in this area. This has been the scene of killings, large destruction and razing of lands and the place where Israeli forces killed American peace activist Rachel Corrie and journalist James Miller. 

Eyewitness account of the invasion of Rafah

Lora Gordon Rafah, Gaza Strip 14 October 2003


Then the streets started screaming and we were running almost without thinking, down the edges of the street around the people who had lost their fear, around donkey carts loaded full, ran until we fround a corner to turn into and then we ran past families and children, through narrow streets far enough from the main street not to know the worst, far enough that we were the ones spreading the news that the army had come back. When it left, it left not through the streets as it had come, but by creating a path through the homes still standing in Yibneh, demolishing anything in its way and driving over the remains. Laura Gordon writes from Rafah about the invasion. 

Michigan Jewish activists hold vigils outside conservative synagogue

Henry Herskovitz Ann Arbor 14 October 2003


A small group of Jewish activists have organized to vigil in a solemn, dignified manner, the only conservative synagogue in Ann Arbor, Beth Israel Congregation. Our group is not completely Jewish — many non-Jewish supporters have elected to stand with us out of their convictions, and we are grateful. Vigils are scheduled for the start of worship services on Saturday mornings — we have completed three vigils so far and look forward to many more. Henry Herskovitz reports. 

Rafah besieged and under constant attack

Mona El-Farra Gaza Strip 12 October 2003

The Israeli army invaded the Rafah Refugee camp last night in an operation that they said would go on for one week. Ambulance drivers, out of desperation resort to rough unpaved roads out of Rafah to try to evacuate the seriously injured casualties, this under threat of Israeli army tank and machine gun fire against anyone trying to circumvent checkpoints. Mona al-Farra reports. 

Peace process for dummies

5 December 2003


Peace process for dummies as explained through the eyes of a war-monger, or a peacenik, or demolition man, or the terminator, or who’s that person on the couch in front of new kids on the settlement. Are you intimidated and confused by Ariel Sharon? Do you find that traditional newspapers are overloaded with technical details and maps you’ll never use? Do you postpone important life decisions because you just don’t want to deal with them? Then the latest For Dummies series, “Peace Process for Dummies” is for you. 

First Intel Computer Clubhouse launched in Middle East

6 October 2003


The Intel Corporation, the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and the Welfare Association (WA) — a Palestinian non-profit foundation — officially launched the Intel Computer Clubhouse in Ramallah, the first in the Arab Middle East. “The Intel Computer Clubhouse is an extraordinary opportunity for the young people of Ramallah,” said Rafiq Husseini, Deputy Director General for the Welfare Association. “Palestinian youth will have a safe place to interact with one another.” 

Israel must answer

Arjan El Fassed 3 May 2002

SO, Israel has decided not to co-operate with a United Nations fact-finding mission into the military assault on the Jenin refugee camp. But this must not prevent the UN from dispatching a fact-finding team immediately. 

StopTheWall.org Site Launched by the Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign

Stop the Wall 10 October 2003


After months of anticipation, the Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign formally announces the new website for mobilizing to Stop the Wall in Palestine, at StopTheWall.org. The Stop the Wall site comes at a time when the Apartheid Wall’s pace is accelerating daily throughout the West Bank, making momentum and solidarity around the Campaign urgent. 

The mirror of fire and tears

Lora Gordon Rafah, Gaza Strip 10 October 2003

Tanks cut off the main road between Rafah and Khan Younis (the city just north of Rafah) by driving ten tanks right in front of the European Gaza Hospital, the only decent hospital south of Gaza City, and the road has been closed for days. The week before this closure, Rasha spent 5 hours one day waiting for Abu Holi to open so she could go home and the next day it closed all night, leaving her to sleep at her friend’s sister’s house in Gaza City after waiting for 4 hours in a hot taxi in line with hundreds of cars waiting for the checkpoint to open. I compare our worlds, like parallel universes, squinting at each other from both sides of a mirror. Laura Gordon reports from Rafah. 

Edward Said's journey to Ithaka

Joseph Massad 10 October 2003

“ ‘Joseph, are you still sleeping, it’s 8am already?’ These are the first words I would hear upon picking up the phone three, four times a week,” writes Joseph Massad. The powerful teasing voice on the other side was that of Edward Said. Massad remembers his dear friend and teacher, and contemplates how the legacy of this exemplary scholar and public intellectual can teach us how to continue our journey. 

Weekly report on human rights violations

9 October 2003

This week Israeli forces killed six Palestinians, including a child and an elderly man. Two were killed in an extra-judicial execution in Tulkarem. Israeli forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Israeli forces moved into Jenin and carried out retaliatory attacks against Palestinian civilian and property. Israeli forces razed hundreds of donums of Palestinian agricultural land in the Gaza Strip. In Rafah, Israeli forces demolished five homes. Israeli forces indiscriminately shelled Palestinian residential areas and fired missiles on a home in Gaza City and al-Boreij refugee camp. Israeli forces demolished three homes as part of the continued campaign of retaliation against the families of wanted Palestinians and those who allegedly carried out armed attacks against Israeli targets. Israeli forces continued to use Palestinian civilians as human shields in Israeli military operations. This week, the Israeli Minister of Defense decided to intensify the construction of the “separation wall”. The Gaza Strip was divided into four isolated zones. Palestinian communities in the West Bank were separated from one another and Palestinian vehicles were prohibited from traveling on the main roads in the West Bank. 

Israeli forces kill six Palestinians, 30 civilians wounded in Rafah refugee camp

10 October 2003

Early this morning, Friday October 10, 2003, Israeli occupying forces conducted a large scale incursion into the Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border in the southern Gaza Strip. Under cover of intense shelling and gunfire from tanks and helicopters, Israeli forces invaded the area which is one of the most densely populated in the Gaza Strip. 

Art review: Mind, Body and Soul of Palestine - A Photo Journal Exhibit

Maureen Clare Murphy 9 October 2003


In Mind, Body and Soul of Palestine: A Photo Journal Exhibit, time, imagery, and stereotype are challenged and contradicted. Indeed, some of the imagery in the photographs contradict each other, causing the viewer to reconsider what they know about this country called Palestine that is constantly being reported but seldom understood. The show is presented by al-PHAN (which stands for Palestinian Humanities and Arts Now), a Chicago-based not-for-profit organization, and will be traveling around the U.S through next spring. 

Al-Sayafa: A Case Study in Dispossession

Jacob Pace Gaza City, Palestine 7 October 2003


We were sitting outside a small shack at the edge of a Bedouin community in the Northern Gaza Strip region of Al-Sayafa. Abu Housa, one of the Bedouin elders, sat with us speaking in quick, expressive Arabic phrases, spreading his arms and flinging his hands about, the gestures adding emotional context to words that, for the most part, I could not understand. When we first arrived at the community we were quickly invited to sit in the shade of the shack and offered tea, as is customary here. Jacob Pace writes from Gaza City. 

Speakers in Security Council denounce Israeli attacks in Syria

5 October 2003

The Security Council met in emergency session this afternoon, at the request of the Syrian Arab Republic. In a letter dated 5 October 2003 addressed to the President of the Council, Syria’s Permanent Representative, Fayssal Mekdad, requested the convening of the meeting to consider the violations of Syrian and Lebanese airspace committed the same day by the Israeli air force, and the missile attack carried out by the latter on the same day against a civilian site situated inside Syrian territory. 

Remembering Sabra and Shatila -- and Atoning

Ellen Siegel 3 October 2003

“Last year, 20 years after the massacre, I returned to Beirut to be part of the commemorative events. I was there during Yom Kippur. I tried to find the remaining Jews of Beirut, but could not. I wanted to spend this day with them. Instead I went to the Khiam detention center — a place where Palestinians and Lebanese were held during the Israeli occupation of the south, many of them tortured. It was fitting to be in a place where one could ask for forgiveness for the sins committed in this horrendous chamber of horrors by my people.” Ellen Siegel, a registered nurse and an active member of the US Jewish peace movement, examines Yom Kippur’s meaning from a unique angle. 

Rebuilding Jenin

2 October 2003

There is a hole at the heart of Jenin camp. A hole where there once stood more than 400 refugee homes. Right now the site of the hardest-fought battle of Israel’s Operation Defensive Shield is still known as “ground zero” by locals, but within a year UNRWA hopes to transform several acres of mud into a community of modern shelters for almost 2,000 people. 

The glove does fit: A reply to Alan Dershowitz

Norman Finkelstein 30 September 2003

Alan Dershowitz either cannot or refuses to understand why there is a controversy surrounding The Case for Israel. Perhaps Norman Finkelstein can enlighten him. Quite simply, the book he claims to have written is a hoax: (1) substantial swatches are lifted from another notorious hoax on the Israel-Palestine conflict, (2) it is replete with egregious falsifications, and (3) the few scholarly sources actually cited are mangled beyond recognition. 

"Move on and forge ahead": Remembering Edward W. Said

Zaineb Istrabadi 2 October 2003

“Edward Said also wrote tirelessly about the Arab and Islamic world. He himself felt that even though born into a Christian family, he very much was part of Arab-Islamic civilization. It distressed him that Arabs and Muslims, and that Islam itself were presented in negative terms in the mass media and he wrote many articles criticizing their portrayal in newspapers, magazines, and film.” Zainab Istrabadi remembers the man she worked with for nearly a decade in the pages of the Turkish daily, Zaman. 

B'Tselem: Israel's recent proposal on the wall will harm tens of thousands of Palestinians

30 September 2003

Setting the route of the third stage of the separation barrier so that it passes east of the settlements of Ariel, Qedumim, Immanu’el, and Qarne Shomeron – in accordance with the proposal put forward by the Minister of Defense and the Prime Minister – proves once again that the defense establishment’s decisions regarding the barrier are based on unacceptable political considerations. 

Weekly report on human rights violations

2 October 2003

This week, Israeli forces killed 9 Palestinians, including a child, and more than 30 others were wounded. This week, Israeli occupying forces have perpetrated more violations of human rights against Palestinian civilians in the occupied Palestinian territories, including extra-judicial and willful killings, indiscriminate shelling of residential areas, incursions into Palestinian areas, home demolitions, land leveling and arrests. 

Israeli activists seek global help to save Palestinian home

2 October 2003


The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions has issued an urgent appeal to every person concerned with justice, human rights and peace in the Middle East to help save the home of a Palestinian family that has been demolished four previous times. Global citizens are asked to urgently contact their political representatives to demand that the Israeli government rescind the order against the house immediately. The true reason for not granting permits and demolishing homes is to confine Palestinians to bantustans. 

A message from Gaza

Mona El-Farra Gaza 2 October 2003

I am not a politician or a political analyst to write an analysis about Palestinian people’s life under 36 years of Israeli occupation. I am an activist in social and health work, I am one who has experienced and witnessed many acts of aggression, violence and injustice by the Israeli army against my people. 

Rafah: Israeli forces demolish 18 Palestinian homes, leaving 44 families homeless

1 October 2003

This morning, Wednesday, October 1, 2003, Israeli occupying forces demolished 18 houses in Block L of the Rafah refugee camp, in the southern Gaza Strip. The demolition operation took place under intense shelling and indiscriminate shooting within the camp and was followed by further shelling as Israeli forces withdrew. 

What's law got to do with it?

5 October 2003


Al-Bassaleh’s Loreh Al-Malekeh has just scooped Israel’s pop music story of the year! Here she reports on Israel’s exciting new entry into next year’s EuroVision music competition. Following in the gender-bending footsteps of Israel’s award-winning pop diva, Dana International, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will don a full Tina Turner wig, a black suede miniskirt, and fishnet stockings to perform a new twist on a 1980s hit song at next year’s contest. In the intro to a new rock video featuring Sharon in drag, the hardline PM gushes with gratitude.