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Recent developments give 'glimmer of hope' to Middle East peace process - UN envoy

United Nations 19 May 2003

The situation in the Middle East provided for a “ray of light and a glimmer of hope”, Terje Roed-Larsen, Special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority, said this afternoon at Headquarters as he answered correspondents’ questions about his briefing to the Security Council yesterday. 

The use of human shields and the destruction of homes during the Israeli invasion of Nablus

B'Tselem 29 March 2003

The following are testimonies that residents of Nablus gave to B’Tselem’s researchers. The testimonies indicate that, during the IDF’s invasion of the city, which began on 19 February 2003. The soldiers used civilians as human shields, in violation of the state’s commitment to the High Court of Justice, and blew up the interior of houses. 

PCHR deplores Israel's unprecedented actions against internationals

Palestinian Center for Human Rights 18 May 2003

Israeli authorities are continuing to impose severe measures on internationals moving in and out of the Gaza Strip. As of today, 18 May 2003, with the exception of some United Nations staff and a small number of humanitarian workers, internationals are being prevented from entering or leaving the Gaza Strip. 

18 UN agencies and NGOs protest Gaza closure

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East 19 May 2003

On 11 May 2003, the Israeli authorities closed the Erez crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip in both directions for internationals, except for holders of diplomatic visas or passports. The closure affects virtually all international staff of United Nations organisations, NGOs and other humanitarian and development agencies. 

Traces of poison

Salman Abu Sitta 4 March 2003

Israel, not Iraq, holds that distinction of being the first country in the region to use weapons of mass destruction with genocidal intent. Salman Abu-Sitta digs into a dark history. 

Haifa Sports Club in Iraq: The Latest Palestinian Refugee Camp

Majid Jarrar 18 May 2003


The soccer field at Haifa Sports Club was once full of the sounds of children playing. Now, this playground has been remade into a tent city for Palestinian families made homeless by war and prejudice. On the field stand 63 new, white tents set up by the Iraqi Red Crescent Society in order to lodge some 240 families left homeless since the collapse of the former government. 

UN Human rights expert slams Israel on violations of the right to housing

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) 17 May 2003

The Special Rapporteur on adequate housing of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Mr. Miloon Kothari, has expressed concern over the sharp rise in the destruction of property and land in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT) since the build-up to the war in Iraq.