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Humiliating Arafat

Hasan Abu Nimah 16 July 2003


Mahmoud Abbas was chosen by the United States as an unelected, alternate Palestinian leader who could be bullied and bribed into doing what Yasir Arafat failed to do earlier. Abbas is now anxiously and willingly treading exactly the same path of surrender and obedience that Arafat trod before him. Except, in Abbas’ case, it will not take him as long to reach the same dead end in which Arafat finds himself. As Israel makes new threats against Arafat himself, regular EI contributor Hasan Abu Nimah explains why. 

Mabrouk

Toine van Teeffelen Bethlehem, Palestine 15 July 2003

Mabrouk (“blessings to you”) is an Arabic expression to congratulate people. You not only use it on occasions like a birthday but also when something new has been bought, like clothes, or in the case somebody has moved to another house. Saying mabrouk confirms that your interlocutor made the right choice. Arab culture has more of such customary expressions. They are not just polite ways of showing that you know the rules of address - like in the West - but they are said in an often quite enthusiastic and involved manner showing that the speaker has been alert and has detected something new or special. Toine van Teefelen writes from Bethlehem. 

From a lost refugee

Shaker Khazal Borj El Barajneh refugee camp 15 July 2003

I come from a small deprived Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon called Bourj Al Barajneh. Something special about my camp is that it rains day and night, during summer and winter. It rains tears that are a result of future worries, present fears, and past dark memories. 

Destruction in Khan Yunis

9 July 2003


The footage shows the road from the edge of Khan Yunis to Al-Mawasi, a narrow strip of coastal land trapped between the sea and the Israeli settlement bloc of Gush Qatif. In the area between Khan Yunis and the settlement, Palestinian homes have been demolished and fired upon. 

Israeli High Court denied request for interim injunction on extra-judicial executions by the State of Israel

7 July 2003

At a hearing held today at the High Court of Justice on Israel’s assassination policy, the Court denied the petitioners’ request for an interim injunction prohibiting the assassinations and granted the State 60 days to reply to the arguments presented by the petitioners including the opinion of first president of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and world renowned expert on International Humanitarian Law, Professor Antonio Cassese, that determines that the assassinations are war crimes. 

Nablus-Qalqiliya road

8 July 2003


On the road from Nablus to Qalqilya the roads are practically completely closed for Palestinian traffic. Two ambulances wait for this checkpoint along with other transport vehicles. Despite the hodna (“ceasefire”) announced by Palestinian groups, Israel did not ease restrictions of movement in and around the city of Nablus. 

Tragedy and inspiration in Nablus

Jenny Gaiawyn Nablus, Palestine 12 July 2003

Today no-one is being allowed to leave Nablus, not internationals (who the Israeli military are usually happy to see the back of), or the family with five small children who Freda saw while at the checkpoint this morning, waiting in the overpowering sunshine. This is a small example of how the Roadtrap to Peace is going nowhere for the people on the street. Jenny Gaiawyn writes from Nablus.