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Activists commemorate Intifada anniversary in four European cities

9 December 2003


Pro-Palestinian activists made a checkpoint in the midst of exit S104 and S105 of the A10 ring road around Amsterdam. Motorists were checked. At the end of the checkpoint the motorists were handed a flyer in which explanation was given about the checkpoint and the occupation in the daily lives of ordinary Palestinians. During this action four activists were taken into custody. The action took place in commemoration of the start of the Intifada, the Palestinian popular uprising in 1987. 

The right of return and the right of choice

Rifat Odeh Kassis 10 December 2003


Fifty-five years have past since the United Nations set forth the specific framework for resolving the Palestinian refugee case. On December 11, 1948, the UN adopted resolution 194, affirming their right to return to their homes of origin, property restitution and compensation for losses and damages. Palestinian refugees should be free to seek their right to repatriation, regardless of what negotiators acquiesces to. Rifat Odeh Kassis comments. 

World Bank grant to sustain education, health and social services

5 December 2003


The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved this week a US$15 million trust fund grant to the West Bank and Gaza which aims to sustain the delivery of education, health and social welfare services under today’s emergency conditions. This grant is the third in a series of ESSP operations, now totaling US$60 million from the Trust Fund for Gaza and the West Bank. The ESSP operations form a major part of the Bank’s response to the economic crisis associated with the Palestinian intifada. 

UNGA requests International Court of Justice to issue opinion on Separation Wall

8 December 2003


The tenth emergency special session of the 191-member United Nations General Assembly this morning adopted a resolution asking the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to issue an advisory opinion on the legal consequences of Israel’s construction of a separation barrier in the West Bank. The text was adopted by a recorded vote of 90 in favour, to 8 against, with 74 abstentions. The Hague-based ICJ, established in 1946, is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. 

One democratic state might be the solution (2/2)

Rifat Odeh Kassis 7 December 2003


The two-state solution might have been possible some years ago. Not any more. Rifat Odeh Kassis concludes that the realties, which Israel itself created on the ground are beyond the scope of honest co-existence simply because too much water has flowed under the bridge of this conflict. In the aftermath of Oslo, it became apparent that Israel was quite unwilling to countenance even some objective essentials and fundamentals in the route to peace. To persist with the idea of a two-state solution is to ignore reality. 

One democratic state might be the solution (1/2)

Rifat Odeh Kassis 7 December 2003


The two-state solution might have been possible some years ago. Not any more. Rifat Odeh Kassis concludes that the realties, which Israel itself created on the ground are beyond the scope of honest co-existence simply because too much water has flowed under the bridge of this conflict. In the aftermath of Oslo, it became apparent that Israel was quite unwilling to countenance even some objective essentials and fundamentals in the route to peace. To persist with the idea of a two-state solution is to ignore reality. 

Indictment against Israeli soldier in killing of Palestinian child in Gaza

6 December 2003


Mahmoud Al-Talalqa was killed on 1 March 2002, while he was playing in the street with his friends near the al-Nada housing project in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, after afternoon prayers. According to a preliminary investigation conducted by PCHR’s into the incident, al-Talalqa was shot at close range by an Israeli soldier. In response to a complaint submitted by PCHR on behalf of the family, the office of the Israeli Military Prosecutor of the Southern Command stated on 4 December that an Israeli soldier has been charged with “causing death by negligence.” 

Israel unlawfully transfers 12 Palestinians

5 December 2003


In the last 24 hours, Israeli Occupying Forces transferred 12 Palestinians from the West Bank, to the Gaza Strip.  Eight of the group were moved to the Gaza Strip yesterday evening; the remaining four Palestinians were moved to the Gaza Strip at approximately 1:30am this morning. This follows a ruling issued by the Israeli High Court yesterday morning approving transfer orders issued against the group. PCHR Condemns this latest transfer within occupied territory as a violation of international human rights and humanitarian law. 

Weekly report on human rights violations

4 December 2003


This week Israeli forces killed 12 Palestinians, including four children. Israeli forces invaded a number of towns and villages in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. During the invasion of Ramallah, Israeli forces killed four Palestinians, including a child, and demolished three buildings. In Rafah Israeli forces demolished four homes. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces razed agricultural land. Israel continued to indiscriminately shell Palestinian residential areas in which a number of Palestinian civilians were wounded.