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Open letter to Madonna

Angela Godfrey-Goldstein 15 September 2004


Madonna - Esther, shalom, salaam, welcome. On behalf of Israeli Jews, and Palestinian or Israeli Christians and Muslims seriously opposed to your highly controversial visit, we ask you, with compassion, to reconsider the consequences of coming to Israel/Palestine in this context. This visit takes you to the heart of Occupied Territory in Bethlehem: a closed-off prison, a ghetto, whose civilians now have no work, no freedom, no life. They’ve finished their savings, live now on food handouts from foreign donor agencies. They’ve had their land taken, they have no justice through the courts, this entire city of ordinary folk trying to live a decent life, is imprisoned, while Israel calls the shots. 

Demand investigation into alleged execution of five Palestinians

15 September 2004


At 1:00am the Israeli Army attacked homes on Old Najav Street in Nablus, West of the old city. Five young men were killed and one eleven year-old girl. Medical examination evidence suggests the five men were executed. International Solidarity activists, who are presently accompanying UPMRC medical teams in the area, interviewed the Director of Rafidia Hospital, Dr. Samir Abu Srour, where the five men and the young girl were taken. According to Dr. Srour, four of the five men were shot in the head at close range. The bullets did not pass through their skulls and instead exploded the young men’s heads, indicating that they were shot at close range. 

Civil Society Conference presented with action plan to support Palestinian rights through international law

14 September 2004


The International Conference of Civil Society in Support of the Palestinian People concluded its work today by hearing a presentation of the “2004-2005 Plan for Action to support Palestinian rights through international law and the United Nations”. According to the draft plan of action, adopted by the Conference Steering Committee, internationally coordinated action would be developed to escalate pressure to end the Israeli occupation and achieve the realization of Palestinian rights. To that end, NGO’s participating in the Conference would work together to educate people and to pressure Governments to move towards strict enforcement of the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. 

Jenin: Israeli forces kill three Palestinians in extra-judicial execution

14 September 2004


An Israeli attack helicopter fired a missile at a grey Mazda on a road near the municipality of Jenin. The missile struck the car and destroyed it completely. Medical aid arrived at the car and three bodies were pulled from the car. The bodies were transferred to Dr. Khalil Suleiman Hospital in Jenin where the bodies were identified as Mahmoud As’ad Abu Khalifa, Yamen Jamil Abu al-Haija and Amjad Husni Mahmoud al-Hajja. The three victims had survived an assassination attempt in August. Then a Palestinian child was injured when a missile hit her family home. PCHR strongly condemns this attack and remains concerned. 

Without peace settlement, both sides face continued violence, UN civil society conference told (2/2)

13 September 2004


Drawing on the success of similar events in 2002 and 2003, the United Nations International Conference of Civil Society in Support of the Palestinian People opened at the United Nations Headquarters this morning. Unless a peace settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians was reached — and that could only be achieved through official political negotiations resulting in an agreement between the parties — both sides would face the grim reality of a never-ending stalemate and continued violence, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today at the opening of a two-day United Nations International Conference of Civil Society in Support of the Palestinian People.Conference of Civil Society in Support of the Palestinian People. 

Without peace settlement, both sides face continued violence, UN civil society conference told (1/2)

13 September 2004


Drawing on the success of similar events in 2002 and 2003, the United Nations International Conference of Civil Society in Support of the Palestinian People opened at the United Nations Headquarters this morning. Unless a peace settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians was reached — and that could only be achieved through official political negotiations resulting in an agreement between the parties — both sides would face the grim reality of a never-ending stalemate and continued violence, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today at the opening of a two-day United Nations International Conference of Civil Society in Support of the Palestinian People. 

World Bank supports water and sanitation project in Gaza

14 September 2004


The World Bank approved this week a grant of US$7.8 million to the Palestinian Authority to deal with the impending public health, safety, and environmental hazards stemming from the lack of proper treatment of wastewater in North Gaza. The North Gaza Emergency Sewage Treatment project is the fourth in a series of water and sanitation projects supported by the World Bank Trust Fund for Gaza and West Bank since 1993. Although 64 percent of the wastewater is collected in Gaza, most of it is not properly treated, contributing significantly to contamination of the coastal aquifer and seashore, including beaches. 

The Vanunu Epilogue

Am Johal 13 September 2004


If East Jerusalem had an unofficial mayor, it would be nuclear whistle blower Mordechai Vanunu. When the church bell rings at noon at the Anglican cathedral of St. George’s in East Jerusalem not far from Damascus Gate in the Old City, chances are it’s Mordechai Vanunu ringing the bell. From that vantage point, he looks down on the Jerusalem court house where he was originally sentenced to eighteen years in prison for divulging Israel’s nuclear secrets. Am Johal reports on Vanunu’s experience since prison. 

Weekly report on human rights violations

9 September 2004


This week Israeli forces killed 22 Palestinians, including three children. 14 of the victims were killed in an Israeli missile attack in Gaza City. One of the victims was killed in another extra-judicial execution. Israeli forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Israeli troops moved into the northern Gaza Strip. Israeli forces demolished four homes and razed 32 donums of agricultural land in the southern Gaza Strip. Israeli forces demolished two homes in the West Bank. Israeli continued the siege on the occupied Palestinian territories and continued construction of the wall. 

Israeli forces kill 4 Palestinians in Gaza

9 September 2004


For the second day, Israeli forces continued their offensive on large areas of the northern Gaza Strip, perpetrating what may amount to grave breaches of international humanitarian law. Israeli forces killed four Palestinians, including a 10-year-old child. Israeli gunfire and shelling wounded 50 others. Israeli forces used excessive lethal foce against unarmed civilians. PCHR’s investigations strongly indicate that Israeli troops used excessive lethal force against unarmed Palestinian civilians, without adhering to the principles of proportionality and distinction. PCHR is concerned that this offensive could be similar to that of an earlier offensive on Beit Hanoun.