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Humanitarian consequences of Israel's military operation in Nablus

8 January 2004


On December 26, Israeli forces invaded Nablus, announcing a curfew. Israeli forces entered Balata refugee camp and the old city of Nablus. Several homes in Nablus, mainly in the old city were occupied. Israeli forces continued military operations, with house occupations and demolitions until they withdrew on January 6. Three Palestinians were killed on 3 January by direct live ammunition used by Israeli soldiers. A fourth Palestinian was killed during the funeral of these. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs released an initial report. 

Nablus: Resistance Under Occupation

The Electronic Intifada Nablus 2 January 2004


In the midst of an already month-long invasion, the sheikhs announced over the mosques for everyone to yell from their windows and their roofs “Allahu akbar” (god is great) together for an hour. It began with the voices from the mosques, together, “Allahu akbar” again and again, the voices growing louder and prouder with each chant. Then, a chorus began from the old city, and then the mountains and the camps. Thousands of different voices, in different rhythms and tones, yelling and chanting together, their sound almost drowning out the noise of the tank fire around them. Kelly B. writes from Nablus. 

Jerusalem: The Wall at the End of the Cul-de-Sac

Michal Schwartz 12 January 2004


Until recently, when any of the hundred thousand people in Al Eizarya, Abu Dis or Sawahre wanted to reach Jerusalem, all they had to do was take Al Eizarya’s main road, which connects to the Jerusalem-Jericho road, and within minutes they could reach the Old City. Those days are gone. Today the Al Eizarya road comes to a sudden halt at a wall two meters high, topped by rolls of barbed wire. What was once a major artery has become a parking lot for service cabs. If you want to get to Jerusalem, the expedition goes on for an hour or more. Michal Schwartz writes in Challenge. 

And the world sleeps

Lora Gordon Rafah, Gaza Strip 10 January 2004


Oh goodness, I went to the souq (“market”) today with Mahmood’s mother. She woke me up at 8:30am instead of 6:00am while I lay in bed for two hours imagining the day to be later than it was, floating between nightmares and day dreams. So I got dressed and we walked out, Saturday morning 9:00am, sunshine painting the streets and the asbestos roofs and the mothers like sun-dried raisins elbowing their way to this or that stand to haggle over prices. She stopped me here at this jilbab or that jacket, announcing the prices so proud of a certain bargain you would think she herself was selling the goods this morning. 

Weekly report on human rights violations

8 January 2004


This week Israeli forces killed 10 Palestinians, including four children. Two of the victims were killed in an extra-judicial execution. One of the victims was run over by an Israeli settler. Israeli forces invaded a number of areas in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. Israeli forces raided Palestinian homes and detained a number of citizens. Israeli forces demolished at least 28 homes in Rafah, Khan Yunis and Deir al-Balah. Israeli forces razed more than 150 donums of agricultural land in the Gaza Strip. Israel continued indiscriminate shelling of Palestinian residential areas and Israel continued to impose a total siege on the occupied territories. 

The media, nuclear power, and failed peace: An interview with David Hirst

Maureen Clare Murphy 9 January 2004


David Hirst worked as The Guardian’s Middle East correspondent from 1967 to 2001, and authored the classic book The Gun and the Olive Branch: The Roots of Violence in the Middle East, which was published in its third edition in 2003 with a new 120 page foreword. From Beirut, Hirst spoke with EI on the bias of the American media towards Israel in its coverage of the conflict, the implications of Israel’s nuclear aresenal, and how Israel is more of a strategic liability than asset for the U.S. Listen to the interview or read the interview on EI. 

Masked men assault Arabiya correspondent in Gaza

8 January 2004


Seif al-Din Shahin, Gaza correspondent for the al-Arabiya satellite channel, was traveling in his car with ‘Emad ‘Eid, correspondent for al-Manar. They had just left the offices of Arabiya in the center of Gaza city. Five armed individuals, four of whom wore masks, intercepted the car, dragged Shahin from the vehicle and then proceeded to beat him. The group then escaped. Shahin was taken to al-Shifa hospital in Gaza city. He had sustained bruises throughout his body. He was threatened a few days ago about comments he made in his reports. 

Edward Said puts the Palestinian narrative of struggle in a global context in “Culture and Resistance”

Maureen Clare Murphy 9 January 2004


The interviews by David Barsamian with Edward Said in the new book Culture and Resistance: Conversations with Edward Said do not provide any in-depth analysis on a given topic. But they rather serve as meditations - if one can consider Osama bin Laden, malnutrition in Gaza, and misunderstandings between the U.S. and the Arab world topics for meditation. Not intended to provide precise, detailed historical analysis of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the book rather functions to provide a unique perspective on some of the most important problems that plague the world by one of the world’s preeminent thinkers. Maureen Clare Murphy reviews the book for EI. 

Arab and Jew: Being young in a troubled land

Melissa Rafah, Gaza Strip 7 January 2004


“Khaled is 19 years old but he comes across as being much older. He is very tall and slim but his face exudes experience and wisdom. Despite his quiet demeanour, he displays confidence and independence that was learned from growing up in a difficult situation. Khaled is great at dealing with people; he can be soft and kind to children but at the same time strong against those trying to take advantage of him. I have met few with a better understanding of life than Khaled. He understands and accepts the bad as much as the good in life and really understands how the world works.” ISMer Melissa recounts conversations with Palestinians and Israelis. 

Sarra Checkpoint: A Week of Severe Abuse

4 January 2004


Today B’Tselem released a report describing a series of cases of severe abuse by Israeli soldiers over the past week at the Sarra checkpoint, near Nablus. B’Tselem took testimonies from ten Palestinians who were assaulted during the last week of December. The abuse included a mock execution, severe beatings and tying up the victims. The abuse occurred on a regular basis. The IDF’s siege policy, now in force for over three years, has resulted in severe human rights violations at checkpoints.