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Qibya: 50 years of injustice and impunity

Eric Ridenour 14 October 2003

“Despite being the architect of the horrible tragedies at Qibya as well as Sabra and Shatila, Ariel Sharon is, for the most part, strangely immune from criticism for these incidents. A man with Mr. Sharon’s bloody record should not enjoy impunity. After he leaves office, Ariel Sharon should finally be held accountable for his sordid past. Justice 50 years late is better than no justice at all.” Eric Ridenour revisits a war crime committed half a century ago. 

PRCS responds to humanitarian emergency in Rafah

14 October 2003

On 9 October 2003, at approximately 10:30pm, the Israeli Army invaded Tal As-sulttan and the Rafah border area with Egypt. Israeli army tanks and bulldozers supported by fighter helicopters entered from Zu’rob Circle through Al-Qasas region in Yabna destroying and damaging homes, cars, streets and just about anything that got in the way before redeploying to the outer perimeters of Rafah at 11:00pm on 11 October 2003. 

UN to host media seminar on peace in Middle East

14 October 2003


The question of peace in the Middle East will be the subject of an international media seminar organized by the Department of Public Information (DPI) on 21 and 22 October in Seville, Spain. Co-hosted by the Three Cultures of the Mediterranean Foundation, the two-day meeting will bring together present and former policy-makers from Israel and the Palestinian Authority, as well as senior United Nations officials, international experts and representatives of the world media. 

Rafah demolished

10 July 2003


EI’s Arjan El Fassed visited Rafah, which is located on the southern border of the Gaza Strip. Repeatedly, Israeli occupying forces have demolished hundreds of homes in this area. This has been the scene of killings, large destruction and razing of lands and the place where Israeli forces killed American peace activist Rachel Corrie and journalist James Miller. 

Eyewitness account of the invasion of Rafah

Lora Gordon Rafah, Gaza Strip 14 October 2003


Then the streets started screaming and we were running almost without thinking, down the edges of the street around the people who had lost their fear, around donkey carts loaded full, ran until we fround a corner to turn into and then we ran past families and children, through narrow streets far enough from the main street not to know the worst, far enough that we were the ones spreading the news that the army had come back. When it left, it left not through the streets as it had come, but by creating a path through the homes still standing in Yibneh, demolishing anything in its way and driving over the remains. Laura Gordon writes from Rafah about the invasion. 

Michigan Jewish activists hold vigils outside conservative synagogue

Henry Herskovitz Ann Arbor 14 October 2003


A small group of Jewish activists have organized to vigil in a solemn, dignified manner, the only conservative synagogue in Ann Arbor, Beth Israel Congregation. Our group is not completely Jewish — many non-Jewish supporters have elected to stand with us out of their convictions, and we are grateful. Vigils are scheduled for the start of worship services on Saturday mornings — we have completed three vigils so far and look forward to many more. Henry Herskovitz reports.