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AIPAC Investigation Resumes After Hiatus

3 December 2004


The FBI resumed its investigation of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the pro-Israel lobby in Washington, on December 1st when agents searched its offices for the second time in three months and served subpoenas on four senior AIPAC staff. Those subpeonaed are required to appear at a grand jury regarding the alleged acts of espionage involving a Pentagon employee and AIPAC. The man at the center of the investigation is Larry Franklin, an Iran analyst who works in the office of William Luti, who in turn is in charge of the Iran desk in Douglas Feith’s office. 

Four Birzeit University Students Illegally Deported to Gaza

Birzeit University 2 December 2004


The four deported students are among the last Gaza students still studying in the West Bank.� In 2000, there were over 300 Gaza students studying at Birzeit University, in 2004 there are only 39.� Since October 2000, the Israeli Authorities have made it virtually impossible for Palestinians to gain or renew the permits required by Israel, the occupying power, to move between the West Bank and Gaza Strip.� Gaza students enrolled in universities in the West Bank have been forced to either overstay their original permits, facing all the ramifications that this entails, or to drop out of university entirely. ï¿½ 

World Bank: Little chance of economic revival without lifting closures

2 December 2004


A disengagement plan that is accompanied by a rolling back of Israel’s closure policy and a stronger Palestinian commitment to reform will bring the Palestinian economy out of its present stagnation, according to a World Bank report released today. Titled Stagnation or Revival? Israeli Disengagement and Palestinian Economic Prospects, the report further asserts that only significant new efforts by both parties can justify a major increase in donor aid beyond existing levels. The report states for an economic recovery to be possible, Israel will need to roll back the security-related system of restrictions on the movement of people and goods imposed since the beginning of the intifada. 

Glasgow University students propose Vanunu for Rector

Muhammad Idrees Ahmad 2 December 2004


Mordechai Vanunu may have been forgotten by the rest of the world; Israel may have used the death of Yasir Arafat as a diversion to arrest Vanunu again, but the students of the University of Glasgow are intent on bringing him back to the limelight. Mordechai Vanunu, the man who risked it all to draw the world’s attention towards the nuclear ambitions of Israel and was thrown into prison for an extended period, has been nominated to run for Rector at this institute which is one of the four oldest in Britain, and one of its most prestigious. 

Lives torn apart in Ramallah

Charles Stratford Ramallah, Palestine 2 December 2004


“My son was shot by them on a day like today,” says Georgette, “the bullet passed straight through his chest but he’s alright now, thank God.” She leans frailly on the fence that separates our gardens in Ramallah. “Best you not go out just yet, if you need anything just ask.” The Israeli Defence Force are in town again. They’ve been here all night arresting men suspected of involvement with armed resistance groups. They bang on doors and pull young Palestinians into the back of waiting jeeps. They come and go as they please. 

General Assembly concludes debate on Palestine

1 December 2004


Convinced that achieving a final and peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine — the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict –- would serve as the cornerstone of stability in the Middle East, the General Assembly today adopted resolutions concerning Palestine, Jerusalem and the Syrian Golan, among others. the world body stressed the need for Israel’s withdrawal from the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967 and the realization of the Palestinian people’s inalienable rights, primarily the right to self-determination and to an independent state. Additionally, the Assembly called on both sides, the diplomatic Quartet and other interested parties to work to halt the situation’s further deterioration. 

Former minister lashes out at PA

Khalid Amayreh 29 November 2004


A former Palestinian official, who survived an assassination attempt earlier this year, has attacked the Palestinian Authority, charging it with widespread mismanagement. Nabil Amr, the former Palestinian information minister, warned that Palestinians have to choose either genuine democracy based on the rule of law or national demise. He said the Palestinian Authority (PA) suffered from “rampant misgovernance, lawlessness and a lack of accountability”. Amr returned this week to his home town of Dura, southwest of Hebron, after a lengthy recuperation in Germany, where he had his right leg amputated. He survived an attempt on his life in the West Bank town of Ramallah a few months ago. 

Palestine poll contender withdraws

Khalid Amayreh 28 November 2004


A contender for the forthcoming Palestinian presidential election has withdrawn from the race, citing serious flaws undermining the legality and legitimacy of the vote. Talal Sidr, who was the first candidate to nominate himself as successor to the late Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat, said on Sunday that voter registration will deprive hundreds of thousands of Palestinians of their right to vote. According to the Palestinian Authority (PA) election committee, up to 72% of eligible voters have registered for the 9 January elections. “The right thing to do is to allow every Palestinian man and woman bearing an identity card to take part,” said Sidr during a press conference in Hebron. 

Israelis shoot 4-year-old child in Gaza

Khalid Amayreh 1 December 2004


Israeli forces have shot and seriously wounded a four-year-old Palestinian child in Rafah, in southern Gaza, witnesses and medical sources said. Palestinian medical sources listed Shayma Hasan Abu Shammala in critical condition after she was hit by several bullets fired by an Israeli soldier manning a military tower near the Egyptian-Gaza borders on Sunday. Muawiya Hasanayn, head of the emergency department at the Palestinian health ministry, said the child was transferred to the European Hospital in Gaza due to the gravity of her condition. Witnesses said the child was playing in the backyard of her home when the soldier opened fire on her. 

Break up of Palestinian "death squad" is not enough

28 November 2004


In a press conference he held in his office on Saturday, 27 November 2004, Brigadier Rashid Abu Shebak, the head of the Palestinian Authority Preventive Security Service in the Gaza Strip, announced the disbandment of the Security and Protection Department, known locally as the “Death Squad,” and stated that its members would be reassigned to various departments of the security service.  PCHR welcomes this announcement, but believes it is not enough to restore order, ensure the safety and security of people and enforce the rule of law. The Palestinian Authority should take other measures to end the state of security chaos.