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Israeli forces demolish 22 homes in Khan Yunis

14 December 2003


This morning, in the latest attack against Palestinian civilians and property, Israeli occupying forces destroyed 22 houses in the Khan Yunis refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip. Contrary to Israeli claims that the houses were uninhabited, preliminary investigations conducted by PCHR revealed that the Israeli military operation left 178 Palestinian civilians (25 families) homeless. In addition, homes belonging to 6 families (approximately 40 civilians) have become uninhabitable. 

$193m in relief needed for refugees in the West Bank and Gaza

12 December 2003


Three years of curfews, closures and conflict in the West Bank and Gaza have plunged two-thirds of the population into dire poverty, increased hunger and restricted access to health and education. Today UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees and the largest humanitarian agency in the region, launches an emergency appeal to the international community asking for $193 million to relieve some of the suffering in the occupied territories in 2004. 

UK breaking arms sales rules, says rights group

25 July 2002

Last week, the UK’s Foreign Secretary Jack Straw revealed that his government had granted export licences for parts due to be fitted in US- made F16 fighters, bound for Israel. Straw said the ‘head-up’ display units concerned - manufactured by BAe Systems - account for less than 1% of the jets’ value. But the Jerusalem-based Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights (LAW) argues that the deal contravenes the EU’s 1998 code of conduct on arms exports. 

Review: Arna's Children

Arjan El Fassed 11 December 2003


Speechless. Silent. I could not move. I just sat there, watching the screen, the scrolling text of dedication and the names of Arna’s children: Youssef, Nidal, Ashraf, and Ala. Arna’s children form a small theatre group of Palestinian children in Jenin. Arna’s son Juliano, director of this film, was directing the theatre group. All those years, from 1989 to 1996, Juliano filmed the rehearsals and performances of the plays. He films Ala sitting on the ruins of his home blown up by Israeli soldiers, growing up to become a fighter in Jenin. EI’s Arjan El Fassed saw the film and comments. 

Intifada spurs Palestine internet boom

Laila El-Haddad 11 December 2003


“The internet, with its ability to transcend borders, distance and government censorship, has become the preferred medium of information exchange for local Palestinians and foreign activists alike. Notable among the online activist initiatives is the site known as The Electronic Intifada. The site has been credited with bringing increased prominence and visibility to the Palestinian cause in the media in recent years”, reports Laila El-Haddad for Al-Jazeera.net. 

Book review: Resistance - My Life for Lebanon

Maureen Clare Murphy 18 December 2003


The greatest struggle in Soha Béchara’s life was not plotting to assassinate Antoine Lahad, the Lebanese chief of militia in Israeli-occupied Southern Lebanon during the 1980s. Rather, her true test was somewhat parallel to that of her home country of Lebanon — to survive living under the tyranny of the occupying Israelis. But in Béchara’s case, her prison was a literal one. However, Béchara’s memoirs are missing that extra layer of narration that would let readers in on the true mental process of someone who is ready to give their life for their country. 

Book Review: "Reporting from Ramallah" (2003)

Tina Dybvik 11 December 2003


In the foreword to Reporting from Ramallah: An Israeli Journalist in an Occupied Land (2003), filmmaker and activist Rachel Leah Jones describes Amira Hass’ body of work as the complete story on the confiscation of land, paving of bypass roads, and expansion of Israeli settlements. These 37 selected writings form a shorter chronological account aimed primarily at a target audience of Israeli Jews. Hass is an Israeli journalist and recipient of the UNESCO Guillermo Camo World Press Freedom Prize for 2003. From 1993 to 1997, she reported exclusively from Gaza. Tina Dybvik reviews Hass’ new book. 

Weekly report on human rights violations

11 December 2003


This week, Israeli forces killed two Palestinian children. A Palestinian prisoner died from torture and medical negligence in an Israeli detention centre. Israeli forces invaded Ramallah on the West Bank and several other areas in the occupied Palestinian territories. During invasions in the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces demolished eight homes in Rafah and Khan Younis and razed agricultural lands. Israeli forces raided Palestinian homes and imposed a tight siege. 

Rafah: Israeli forces kill 5 Palestinians and demolish 9 homes

11 December 2003


On Thursday morning, 11 December 2003, Israeli occupying forces killed 5 Palestinians, injured 13, and destroyed 9 houses during a military incursion into the al-Salam neighborhood in Rafah. Israeli occupying forces stated that the aim of the operation was to arrest a Palestinian wanted for involvement in attacks against Israeli targets. Willful killing of civilians, and extensive destruction of civilian property carried out wantonly without military necessity, are war crimes. 

Academics, activists and writers oppose "Geneva Accord"

11 December 2003


More than 500 academics, civil society leaders, activists, and journalists signed a public statement “The Reality of the ‘Geneva Accord’ ” expressing their opposition to the document. The undersigned, consider the “Geneva Accord” as “inconsistent with the prerequisites of a just and durable peace”. The petition will be presented to, among others, all US members of Congress, the European Union, the Arab League, and various international organizations and figures.