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CAMERA's half-baked attack on Cook

Nigel Parry 30 August 2003


In the rare event of articles critical of Israel breaking into the mainstream US media, a flood of denunciations from letter writers and Zionist lobby groups usually follows. Editors insist that their coverage is not affected by such tactics. But the truth is that these well-financed groups believe it is worth investing huge amounts of time, energy, and money in organising these campaigns. On 27 May 2003, a commentary piece by British journalist Jonathan Cook, entitled “A cage for Palestinians: A 1,000-kilometer fence preempts the road map”, was published in the International Herald Tribune. EI’s Nigel Parry looks at one instance of the lobby in action. 

Violence will end when occupation ends

Hasan Abu Nimah 29 August 2003


The two devastating bomb attacks in Baghdad and Jerusalem last week have further confirmed the fragile nature of measures taken so far to deal with the two complex issues of Palestine and Iraq. It was particularly shocking, and deeply agonising to realise that even the United Nations’ Baghdad headquarters would not be spared the evil of those whose main interest, it seems, is only to spread death, destruction and total chaos. The United Nations, and the many noble people who fell victim in the senseless, horrendous attack had no reason to be there other than to help the Iraqis overcome the suffering of the war, and provide them with much needed assistance to rebuild their shattered country and battered society. Yet, argues regular EI contributor Hasan Abu Nimah, the lesson of these atrocities is once again that occupation breeds chaos, violence and endless resistance. 

Regional Focus: The problem of Arab reform

Ali Abunimah 30 August 2003


The Arab states are in desperate need of reform. Their hundreds of millions of people — the vast majority of them under age 30 — lack the basic freedoms and opportunities that they crave. EI’s Ali Abunimah considers the vexing problem of what can be an agent for much needed change. Some believe that an external “shock,” like the US invasion of Iraq can shake things up for the better. Abunimah believes its urgent that we search for a more positive and constructive path to democracy. 

A cage for Palestinians: A 1,000-kilometer fence preempts the Road Map

Jonathan Cook 27 May 2003

The security wall Israel is hastily constructing around the West Bank - officially justified by the need to stop terror attacks - will cage in more than 2 million Palestinians. Another electrified fence is already imprisoning 1 million Palestinians in Gaza. Little attention has focused on this wall, mainly because it is assumed it follows the Green Line, the internationally recognized border that existed between Israel and the West Bank until the war of 1967. But Sharon admitted in a recent interview with the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth that the wall will be at least 1,000 kilometers long (625 miles), whereas the Green Line is only 360 kilometers long. Jonathan Cook writes from Nazareth. 

Israeli forces kill 4 Palestinian activists in latest extra-judicial assassination in Gaza City

25 August 2003

PCHR strongly condemns the latest extra-judicial assassination carried out by Israeli occupying forces in Gaza City on Sunday, 24 August 2003, which left dead 4 members of the military wing of Hamas movement, the Ezziddin al-Qassam Brigade. PCHR is deeply concerned about the persistent escalation of aggressive acts carried out by Israeli occupying forces in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. PCHR is especially concerned by the Israeli government’s official adoption of the policy of extra-judicial assassinations; the only state in the world which openly commits such crimes. 

PCHR calls for transfer of registration of NGOs to PA Ministry of Justice to protect independence of Palestinian civilian society

28 August 2003

On 19 August 2003, the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) approved in a first reading a draft law submitted by the Palestinian Authority cabinet. This draft legislation included amendments to the Law of Charitable Societies and NGOs which provided that the authority to register and supervise such groups would be transferred to the Civil Work Affairs Bureau. 

PCHR calls upon the Palestinian Authority to cancel its decision to freeze funds of charitable societies

28 August 2003

PCHR is deeply concerned with regard to the latest measures taken by the Palestinian Monetary Fund against dozens of charitable societies and NGOs, including freezing their accounts in all banks inside the Occupied Palestinian Territories.  PCHR asserts that these measures violate human rights standards, and warns of the tragic consequences for thousands of poor Palestinian families which receive social, educational, health and relief services from these organisations.  

Weekly report on human rights violations

28 August 2003


This week, Israeli occupying forces escalated their illegal military actions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), causing more casualties among Palestinian civilians. PCHR is concerned that further escalation may take place, as Israeli officials stated that Israeli occupying forces would continue to target Palestinian activists. In flagrant disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians, Israeli occupying forces committed more extra-judicial assassinations. They invaded the northern West Bank towns of Nablus and Jenin.