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Open Letter to Kofi Annan

15 March 2005


“Your visit takes place at a particularly sensitive time, when every action has most serious long-term ramifications. Precisely because of the importance of your visit here, the choice to include certain sites on your itinerary and exclude others is crucial…In particular, we wish to stress continuing construction of the so-called “Separation Wall.” All across the West Bank, entire communities are being cordoned off, many losing their land. Palestinian towns, especially around Jerusalem are being cut down the middle or surrounded and made into isolated enclaves, with a massive dislocation of trade, education, health services, access to religious sites and every facet of normal daily life.” 

Rachel Corrie: On the Anniversary of a Death

Alison Weir 16 March 2005


There is a quiet battle going on for the memory of a young woman who could have been my daughter, or perhaps yours. On one side are those who would like to erase her from history - her actions, her beliefs, her murder. If they are unsuccessful at that, they will settle for posthumous slurs on her character, falsifications of her death. On the other side are those who feel her shining principles should be praised, her courage honored, her death grieved. On this side are those who believe that heroism is noble, bravery admirable, and compassion for others the most fundamental form of morality. 

Family of Rachel Corrie files suit against Caterpillar, Inc.

16 March 2005


March 15, 2005, New York, NY — The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) and partnering law firms today filed a federal lawsuit against Illinois-based Caterpillar, Inc. on behalf of the parents of Rachel Corrie, the 23-year-old American peace activist and student who was run over and killed by a Caterpillar D9 bulldozer on March 16, 2003. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western Federal District of Washington, alleges that Caterpillar, Inc. violated international and state law by providing specially designed bulldozers to Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) that it knew would be used to demolish homes and endanger civilians. 

Fear and loathing across the Middle East

Hasan Abu Nimah and Ali Abunimah 15 March 2005


Since the war in Iraq and Bush’s re-election we have witnessed the collective surrender by large segments of European and Arab ruling elites, as many allow themselves to become tools of Bush administration policies, write EI contributor Hasan Abu Nimah and EI co-founder Ali Abunimah. UN missions in Lebanon, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan’s visit to Jerusalem, and recent EU statements about about Iran represent the reassertion of a western double standard that reinforces regional fears that international law is a weapon to be used only to punish disobedient Arab and Muslim countries, while Israel is totally exempt from all enforcement action. 

Protesters blast Kofi Annan for refusing to visit the Wall

15 March 2005


Ramallah, West Bank, 14 March 2005 — While villagers were delayed, and in many instances barred entry at Occupation Checkpoints throughout the West Bank, a huge crowd of over 5,000 thronged the streets of Ramallah to protest at the gates of the Muqata’, the compound of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), where Secretary-General of the UN Kofi Annan was holding talks with Mahmoud Abbas. Deep hostility has been created by Annan’s refusal to visit any areas of the Apartheid Wall, or any of the refugee camps which had invited him. 

Budrus tears down the Wall!

15 March 2005


Budrus, Ramallah, 11 March 2005 — In response to an unprovoked military invasion in the West Bank village of Budrus, villagers, who have been struggling against the Wall for more than one year, tore down pieces of the Separation Fence which is built on their land. During a wedding celebration early Friday afternoon in Budrus, Israeli military and border police jeeps invaded the village. After the military left through the gate in the fence, villagers followed and forced the gate open. They then damaged several dozen meters of the structure while shouting “No to the fence! Yes to peace!” 

Fatah in the throes of a power struggle

Khalid Amayreh 13 March 2005


A power struggle is taking place within the Fatah movement, the organisational and political backbone of the Palestinian Authority. The main contention is between the movement’s old guard, eager to retain power, and younger leaders at the intermediate levels, protesting against their marginalisation and what they call “rampant despotism and authoritarianism” by the senior leadership. The latest expression of the simmering discontent within Fatah’s rank and file took place on Wednesday when about 250 Fatah members in the Gaza Strip decided to quit, citing chaos and “personalisation” of leadership. 

Hamas move gets mixed reactions in Gaza

Laila El-Haddad 13 March 2005


Palestinians in Gaza have reacted to the Hamas decision to contest legislative elections this July with a mixture of ambivalence and approval. For some the decision was not particularly significant. Some are excited to hear about the decision and say they woul vote for Hamas candidates. Hamas won a significant majority in seven of the 10 municipalities and local councils that held elections on 27 January. The councils consist of 118 elected officials, 77 of whom are Hamas representatives. Hamas had previously boycotted legislative elections in 1996 because of its opposition to the 1993 Oslo peace accords that mandated the ballots. 

Hamas to contest legislative elections

Khalid Amayreh 12 March 2005


Hamas, has decided to participate in legislative elections in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip this summer. The decision on Saturday, which had been widely anticipated, was announced by Hamas leader Muhammad Ghazal during a news conference in Nablus in the West Bank. Ghazal said the decision was motivated by Hamas’ desire to serve the interests of the Palestinian people. “We are responsible to our people, not to Israel and the United States,” he said. Ghazal said the second Palestinian intifada against Israeli occupation effectively dismantled the Oslo agreement, making it possible for Hamas to take part in the elections.