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UNCTAD stresses vital role of small-, medium-sized enterprises in rehabilitation of Palestinian economy

21 September 2004


Unless immediate action is taken to improve the supply capacity of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the Palestinian economy will be effectively transformed into one of subsistence, warns a new UNCTAD study.  The study notes that the protracted conflict in the occupied Palestinian territory has generated profound structural distortions and changes in the functioning of these enterprises that are unlikely to be reversed once political stability is achieved. It examines the SMEs’ contribution to economic growth by shedding light on their life cycle and the factors influencing their establishment, survival, growth and decline before and after the ongoing crisis. 

Liberation Art of Palestine

Zachary Wales 21 September 2004


Samia Halaby was twelve-years-old when Israeli soldiers arrived in Jerusalem. Born in the midst of Palestine’s bloodiest uprising against British occupation, Halaby was no stranger to colonial oppression, but something was different this time. She sensed it in the indescribable arrogance a British soldier used when he searched her school bag: His expressions, his motions, were the presage of a storm. As a Palestinian artist, Halaby’s work is, intrinsically, cultural resistance. Compared to many of her contemporaries, her circumstances have been rather fortunate. Following several years of exile in Beirut, her family moved to the U.S., where Halaby studied Cubism, Soviet Constructivism, American Abstract Expressionism and the Mexican Mural Movement. 

Al Haq condemns assassinations in Nablus and Jenin

16 September 2004


Al-Haq strongly condemns the gross violations of international law displayed by Israeli authorities in the recent events involving extra-judicial killings and targeted assassinations of 12 Palestinian political activists within the past three days alone. According to eye-witness reports, Israeli forces had used deadly force from the start. In all three cases, the killings were carried out using live ammunition and the firing of missiles from tanks or helicopters. These constitute a blatant disregard for the fundamental right of everyone to the right to life and security of person, and demonstrate indiscriminate and excessive use of force by Israeli occupying forces. 

Israeli forces kill Palestinian and wound eight in another extra-judicial execution

19 September 2004


On Sunday Israeli aircrafts fired two missiles at a blue Volkswagen Golf, that was traveling at the crossroads of al-Jalaa’ Street and al-Lababidi Street in the center of Gaza City. The two missiles hit and burnt the car. The driver, Khaled Abu Silmiya from al-Shati refugee camp was instantly killed. He was a member of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigade, the military wing of Hamas. In addition, eight passing Palestinian civilians were injured by shrapnel from the missiles, and the injuries of two of them were described by medical sources as serious. Israeli authorities soon admitted responsibility for this attack and claimed that they were able to kill a wanted Palestinian in Gaza City. 

Beyond the Advisory Opinion: Possible Future Strategies

Jeff Handmaker 20 September 2004


The International Conference of Civil Society in Support of the Palestinian People concluded its work this week. According to an adopted plan of action, internationally coordinated action would be developed to escalate pressure to end the Israeli occupation and achieve the realization of Palestinian rights. Jeff Handmaker, an international human rights lawyer and regular contributer to EI, participated at the conference and presented a paper with Susan Akram on legal strategies. 

UNRWA Opens Nimreen Children's Music Centre in Yarmouk

16 September 2004


To the rhythms of classical Arab and Palestinian music, UNRWA Commissioner-General Peter Hansen today inaugurated the Nimreen Children’s Music Centre, which for the first time will provide professional music tuition on classical Arabic instruments to 40 gifted students from UNRWA elementary schools in Yarmouk. The children will be selected from a pool of more than 8,000 pupils in the age range 7-9 years, grades 3-5. The Centre, housed in a classroom in UNRWA’s Nimreen school revamped for its new purposes, is a small but well-furnished music studio, with sound and recording equipment, air conditioning and sound insulation. In Syria, UNRWA provides assistance to some 417,400 refugees. 

UN reports another 'bad month' in Middle East, calls for return to peace plan

17 September 2004


With a marked increase in the number of casualties on both sides of the conflict, a resumption of suicide bombings, and no good news to report on the implementation of the “Road Map”, it had been a bad month in the Middle East, Under-Secretary-General Kieran Prendergast told the Security Council this morning. As had too often been the case in recent months, there was little positive and much discouraging to note and report, he said. Especially troubling was the continuing void in terms of an active peace process. Absence of hope for a peaceful settlement led to despair, strengthened extremists and was a sure recipe for continuing violence and instability. 

Unburied

Laurie King 17 September 2004


“This week, as the survivors of the Sabra and Shatila massacre remember their dead, Ariel Sharon, the man deemed ‘personally responsible’ for the massacre by Israel’s 1983 Kahane Commission, is planning an official visit to Holland. When Ariel Sharon steps off the plane, he will be treading not only on Dutch soil, but also on the bodies of the dead of Sabra and Shatila. Legally, the massacre and its victims remain unburied. It is Holland’s shame to assume that rolling out a red carpet of welcome can cover the corpses of Mr. Sharon’s victims, whose number continues to climb with each passing day.” EI co-founder Laurie King-Irani remembers a massacre that many prefer to forget. 

Prisoner Stories: Sleiman Sari al Sa'di's sons

Rima Merriman Jenin 17 September 2004


Less than a month after being released from prison, Omar al Sa’di was arrested at the Huwara checkpoint . The reserve sentence associated with his previous sentence means that he is guaranteed four years in prison no matter what. Two informers who are currently themselves in Israeli prisons have accused him of being the leader of a group opposing Israel, they themselves confessing to being part of that group. He is also accused of trying to fire in the air near an Israeli settlement and of trying to attack Israeli collaborators. His parents have a document in Hebrew specifying these accusations, but because they can’t read the language, they know only roughly where the names are in the document of those accusing him. 

Prisoner Stories: Mohammad Hussnee Zeidan

Rima Merriman Jenin refugee camp, Palestine 16 September 2004


Ahmad Zeidan was only fifteen when his brother Mohammad (20) was arrested and imprisoned by Israeli forces in April of 2002. In his pocket, he keeps two passport-sized photos, one of his brother Mohammad and one of his cousin. Nicknamed Abu al-Baha’, Ahmad’s cousin (pictured right in one of Palestine’s ubiquitous martyr posters) was shot dead at the age of 22 in May this year in one of the frequent Israeli invasions of Jenin refugee camp that Israeli forces make to assassinate Palestinians accused of “terrorism” against Israel. In his billfold, Ahmad also keeps a letter written to the family by his brother from prison letting them know what had happened to him. It is penned carefully on a fragile silver-backed paper wrapper.