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Love and marriage in Israel

Suraya Dadoo 7 November 2003


In February last year, Gili and Sagi, a young Israeli couple, were “married” at sea - a marriage that was not legally recognised by the State of Israel. Although they are both Jewish, the couple objected to the only marriage option open to them in Israel: an Orthodox Jewish ceremony. Instead, they chose a marriage contract that they drew up themselves, together with a lawyer, thus rendering their union illegal. Israel’s marriage laws have been criticised by both Israelis and Palestinians alike for being discriminatory. Suraya Dadoo takes a look. 

Olympia conference remembers Rachel Corrie and Rafah

candio. 7 November 2003


The Second Annual Conference of the Peace and Justice Studies Association took place from October 9-12 in Olympia, Washington at The Evergreen State College. The title of the conference, ‘Fostering Alternatives to Violence,’ was deeply felt by the participants whose talk frequently turned to the post-September 11th world, the Bush administration and the conflicts in Iraq and the Occupied Territories. Educators, students, artists and activists joined to discuss progress and problems within the movement. candio. reports from Olympia. 

Time is on whose side?

Michael Shaik 7 November 2003


Recently, Palestinian farmers living in proximity to Israel’s Separation Wall received an order signed by Major General Moshe Kaplinski, commander of Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank, declaring that their lands lying between the barrier and the border with Israel had been classified as “a closed military zone”. Henceforth, the order stated, only Israeli citizens and Jews from other countries would have unrestricted access to these lands. Palestinians who wished to enter or continue living in these areas would have to apply for special permits. Michael Shaik comments. 

The side I see: Thoughts during the olive harvest

Flo Razowsky West Bank 7 November 2003


I’ve come to this world as an outsider, as one actually born to the occupiers — to struggle, to learn and to carry the truth home. It has been over six months now since I set foot on this much disputed land for the second time in my life. This land that I, my allies, and those I have come to support, call Palestine. Flo Razowsky considers two gulfs — one between the two sides, another between life on the ground and the muddy picture of that life that reaches television sets in the US. 

Weekly report on human rights violations

5 November 2003

This week Israeli forces killed a Palestinian resident of Askar refugee camp in Nablus. Israeli forces conducted a number of raids on Palestinian homes and towns. Israeli construction of the internationally condemned separation wall in the West Bank. Indiscriminate shelling of Palestinian residential areas continued. Despite an announcement that it would ease the closure, Israel continued its tight siege on Palestinian towns, villages and refugee camps. Travel at the Rafah terminal was restricted, Israeli forces restricted the movement of ambulances and medical personnel in the West Bank. Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian civilians crossing military roadblocks. 

OCHA: Despite Israeli announcement, Israel's siege on Palestinian towns has not eased

6 November 2003

Information from OCHA Field Offices collected during the week indicates that despite some limited improvements in the Southern West Bank, the blockade of Palestinian towns has not eased since Israel’s announcement on November 2 and 5 that its blockade of Palestinian towns would be relaxed. 

Special Rapporteur on adequate housing urges the international community to protect Palestinians and remove Israeli impunity

6 November 2003

The Special Rapporteur on adequate housing of the Commission on Human Rights said today that the Israeli army has destoyed an estimated 4,000 homes over the past three years, leaving thousands of people homeless, many of whom are women, children and elderly persons. The Special Rapporteur urges the international community to act decisively to protect Palestinians by taking urgent steps to remove the impunity that Israel enjoys. 

Speakers condemn Israeli's human rights violation in Occupied territories, call for international disengagement force, as Fourth Committee continues debate

6 November 2003

The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) met this morning to continue its discussion on Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories. 

UN Social Committee approves draft resolutions on Palestinian children

6 November 2003

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today approved a draft resolution on the situation of Palestinian children. The draft resolution was approved in a vote of 86 in favour to 4 against, with 58 abstentions. The text would have the General Assembly stress the urgent need for Palestinian children to live a normal life free from foreign occupation, destruction and fear in their own State, and demand that Israel respect relevant provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and relevant provisions of the Geneva Convention. 

Grave concern expressed over deteriorating situation in Occupied Palestinian territories, as Fourth Committee takes up report on Israeli practices

5 November 2003

Expressing grave concern over the deteriorating situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, the Chairman of the Special Committee established to investigate Israeli practices in those territories presented his annual report to the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) this morning.