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Surreal times before war

Diaa Hadid Ram, Palestine 23 February 2003

The tragedy at hand is the reality of virtually no West Bank or Gazan having gas masks, the even more real fear that the war on Iraq, as it has already, will be used to carry out more willful killings, more extra-judicial assassinations, more home demolitions, more arrests, more closure, more curfew, more, always more of the same. Diaa Hadid reports about the surrealism surrounding the pre-war. 

What they say

Annie Higgins Jenin, Palestine 23 February 2003

“As we are settling onto our floor-level mattresses for the night, Raghda kisses me on the four diamond-points of my face, ‘That’s how you kiss a shahid on the bier!’ She has experience with a number of family members.” Meanwhile, the Middle East Editor of an American-based international newspaper derides the experiences of Palestinians. Annie Higgins writes from occupied Jenin. 

Angry Bedouin find loyalty to Israel goes unrewarded

Conal Urquhart 22 February 2003

“Bassim Jrafat, an imam in Zarzir, said 60 per cent of the town’s residents no longer agreed with serving in the IDF. He feels it is wrong for Bedouin to serve in the Israeli army and was dismissed by the Ministry of Religion when he refused to lead prayers at the funeral of a Bedouin soldier.” The Observer’s Conal Urquhart reports from the Negev on rising Bedouin dissatisfaction with their role and status in Israeli society. 

Nablus: "What are the reasons?"

Amer Abdelhadi Nablus, Palestine 21 February 2003

For everything that we do, there is a reason. For every aggression there should be a reason but what possible reason there could be for attacking Nablus the way it is being targeted now is totally puzzling. Amer Abdelhadi ponders recent Israeli violence in Nablus. 

Weekly report on human rights violations

Palestinian Center for Human Rights 20 February 2003

In the past two weeks, Israeli occupying forces have escalated their illegal military actions against Palestinian civilians and property, using various kinds of weapons.  The Israeli military perpetrated more illegal actions and human rights violations against Palestinian civilians, including willful killings, shelling of and incursions into Palestinian areas, house demolitions, and agricultural land leveling.  In the past two weeks, 32 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 6 children and a woman, were killed by Israeli forces, and 6 others were killed in a mysterious explosion which the Israeli army is suspected of being involved in. 

Israel seeks to counter Belgian war crimes ruling

Marc Perelman 19 February 2003

“Israel is seeking to mobilize American and Jewish support for a diplomatic battle with Belgium after the Belgian Supreme Court upheld a law that would allow the prosecution of Israeli officials — including, eventually, Prime Minister Sharon — for war crimes related to their role in the Sabra and Shatila massacre two decades ago.” The Forward’s Marc Perelman provides a thorough overview of the judicial, political, and diplomatic repercussions of a landmark ruling by the Belgian Supreme Court last week.