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Israel: Dart shells pose civilian threat

16 June 2001

Human Rights Watch today welcomed Israel’s announcement that it will investigate the June 9 tank shelling that killed three Palestinian Bedouin women. The women were killed and three other people injured when the shells sprayed razor-sharp darts, known as flechettes, in a populated area where they lived between Gaza City and the Israeli settlement of Netzarim. Human Rights Watch said that the findings of the investigation should be made public and those found responsible held accountable. 

On settlement trade, Europe doesn't stand tall

Peter Lagerquist 8 April 2003

Various EU members have taken differing positions on settlement trade, but the consensual mode of EU foreign policymaking has allowed the lowest common denominator position to prevail. Despite escalating controversy over the settlement trade dating back to 1998, and calls in 2002 by the European Parliament to suspend free trade with Israel outright, the EU’s executive tier has so far stymied any action. What is more, over the past five years, this inaction has gradually shaded into active intervention to forestall, and ultimately render near impossible, future remedies. 

No security without human rights

2 June 2002

One aspect of the conflict, which has perhaps received less public scrutiny than it deserves, are the weapon systems and military tactics being deployed by the IDF. And yet, the flow of weaponry into the area and the manner in which arms are used are key elements in helping to explain the appallingly high casualty rates - and how to prevent them. 

Restrictions on defense sales to Israel deal hard blow to UK exporters

29 July 2003


Defense industry exporters in the UK have reported significant losses due to a government policy to restrict the sale of military equipment to Israel. British defense exports to the Jewish state dropped from 22 million British pounds ($35.7 million) to GBP10 million over the past year, reported Guardian. Britain imposed a de facto arms embargo on Israel last year, applying to military equipment that could be used in Israel’s continuing operations in the Palestinian territories. Each application must be examined on a case-by-case basis. 

Member of faculty peace group calls Israel's settlement policy the main obstacle to peace, believes Israeli security depends on ending occupation

6 July 2003

Portland peace activist William Seaman has just returned from a family reunion in the Negev Desert of Southern Israel at Kibbutz Nir Oz. “I left never dreaming that it would be almost exactly twenty-five years before I’d return,” said Seaman. “And I certainly never thought I’d be traveling from the desperate poverty and desolation of occupied Gaza to a reunion on a kibbutz just a few kilometers on the other side of the border.” 

Road Map diplomacy conceals 'politicide' of the Palestinian people

Steve Niva 11 August 2003


With media coverage so tightly focused on the diplomatic maneuvering surrounding President Bush’s Road Map peace initiative, it is easy to lose sight of the fact that Israel continues to implement a devastating set of policies that are endangering the social and national existence of the Palestinian people. In fact, Israel’s grudging participation in the Road Map process is little more than an effort to buy time for these policies to achieve this outcome. Professor Steve Niva reports after returning from Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories as part of a trip organized by Faculty for Israeli-Palestinian Peace.