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Weekly report on human rights violations

Palestinian Center for Human Rights 15 May 2003

Israeli forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas, accompanied by indiscriminate shelling. Israeli forces raided Khan Yunis refugee camp, demolishing homes and wounding twenty Palestinian civilians. In Rafah and Deir al-Balah, Israeli forces demolished 18 homes. In Beit Hanoun and Khan Yunis large areas of Palestinian agricultural land were razed. Israeli forces continued to shell Palestinian residential areas indiscriminately. Israel continued its arbitrary arrest campaign. Three internationals were arrested at the ISM offices in Beit Sahour, including a researcher of Human Rights Watch. Israel continued its tight siege on Palestinian towns, villages and refugee camps. 

The guaranteed failure of the Road Map

Tanya Reinhart 15 May 2003


“Every few months, a ‘peace plan’ is pulled out of the drawers of the White House and keeps the public discourse busy for a few weeks. Although this ritual has a fixed pattern and predetermined end, it is curious that many in Israel are still tempted to believe that this time it is different. The Road Map announces that this time “the destination is a final and comprehensive settlement of the Israel-Palestinian conflict by 2005”. To check if it offers anything concrete in this direction, it is necessary to first get clear regarding what the conflict is about.” Israeli academic Tanya Reinhart writes in Yediot Aharonot. 

Step Forward, Tony Blair

Ali Abunimah 14 May 2003


It took just a few hours for US Secretary of State Colin Powell’s mission to implement the road map to founder on the rocks of Israeli intransigence. Ariel Sharon’s “gestures” to humor his American guest lasted barely longer than the visit itself. EI’s Ali Abunimah argues that the Americans need an ally who is unconstrained by domestic political considerations when it comes to Palestine-Israel. The perfect candidate is Tony Blair, who claimed before the Iraq war that could lead, not just follow the United States. If so, Palestine is the perfect opportunity for him to do so and here is precisely what he should do. 

The mountain roared: Powell's Road Map fiasco

Hasan Abu Nimah 14 May 2003


Once more the mountain roared and produced nothing. The much acclaimed visit of the US secretary of state, Colin Powell, to Israel and Palestine to implement the road map ended in total failure. Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon thinks he has won a victory by defeating the latest peace effort, but regular EI contributor Hasan Abu Nimah argues that Palestinians, Israelis and the United States all emerge as losers. 

In wake of Jayson Blair scandal, NYT assures that creative writing on Middle East will continue

Najeeb Al-Anbarri 13 May 2003


The New York Times is reeling from a humiliating scandal in which it was found that reporter Jayson Blair had been fabricating breaking news scoops during the Washington sniper saga, quoting people he had never spoken to, regularly plagerising copy from other reporters’ work, and claiming to travel to cities and towns across the United States that phone records and a lack of travel expenses did not support. Times executive editor, Howell Raines, spoke to concerned parties at a recent press conference in New York, NY. BNN’s Najeeb Al-Anbarri was present at the conference but has lost his ticket stub so therefore requests that you take his word for it.