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Israeli raid kills 11 Palestinians, dozens wounded

Palestinian Center for Human Rights 19 February 2003

Israeli occupying forces last night killed 11 Palestinians, including two brothers and their cousin whose bodies were removed from the ruins of a house. In addition, 5 civilian facilities were destroyed and raided and a school was damaged, when the Israeli forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles and helicopters and covered by intense shelling, invaded areas of Gaza City. 15 Palestinians, including a physician, were injured by Israeli shelling. 

Sharon Trial: 12 February 2003 decision of Belgian Supreme Court explained

International Campaign for Justice for the Victims of Sabra and Shatila 19 February 2003

The following background to the Belgian Supreme Court’s landmark decision explains the 12 February 2003 ruling. The Court drew a clear distinction, however, between Ariel Sharon and the rest of the accused. For the former, being Prime Minister of Israel, enjoys procedural immunity from prosecution under international customary law so long as he holds that position. The others accused do not, however, enjoy immunity, and their trial can go forward. Prepared by the legal team for the survivors and Laurie King-Irani. 

Bedouins of the Negev: Israeli ctizens or punishable trespassers?

Maha Qupty 18 February 2003

Bedouins are famous for their generosity. It is well known that Bedouins will graciously host strangers for days without asking their name, the reason for their visit, or the length of their stay. Today, Bedouins of the Negev, who have experienced 50 years of systematic human rights abuses, threats of transfer, land confiscations, and house demolitions, are facing renewed pressures from discriminatory planning maps and Israel’s Green Patrol — which Bedouins call the “Black Patrol.” A community many had forgotten is growing angrier and more vocal. Maha Qupty reports on the challenges confronting Bedouin Palestinian citizens of Israel. 

UN worker Iain Hook shot in back, autopsy shows

18 February 2003

“Mr Hook suffered a single gunshot wound to his abdomen and died in an ambulance on his way to hospital. A new UN report, handed to the New York Times, claims he was shot in the back from at most 30 yards away. Peter Hansen, commissioner general of UNRWA, said the UN report also found that contrary to some claims by the Israeli government, no Palestinian militants were in the UN compound at the time of the shooting.” The latest news on the investigation of the killing of Iain Hook in the pages of The Evening Star. 

Suffering of Palestinians, Israelis can end only through political solution, UN envoy says

United Nations 18 February 2003

The suffering of Palestinians and Israelis - the deaths and injuries, the economic devastation, the profound insecurity - can end only through a political solution, a top United Nations envoy in the Middle East, Terje Roed-Larsen, said today at a meeting in London. 

Do not sit under the olive tree

Roy Brad Asira, Palestine 16 February 2003

Suddenly there is the sound of footsteps, we turn and see four Israeli soldiers, guns trained on us. The sergeant starts yelling at us in Hebrew. I tell him that I only speak English, and ask him what the problem is. He demands that we lift our jackets. I repeat that I am from England, and why does he want me to lift my jacket. He asks what I am doing here, and I say walking with a friend. “You came all the way from England to go for a walk?” 

Living war on day 242

Amer Abdelhadi Nablus, Palestine 16 February 2003

Palestinians in Nablus today lived through a real war. A war you expect to see only in movies. Only difference here: we get to see it and watch for real. Amer Abdelhadi writes on day 242 from Nablus. 

Belgium's Challenge to War's Ancient Calculus

Laurie King 17 February 2003

“After nearly two years of reversals of fortune and near-death moments, the landmark case lodged by survivors of the Sabra and Shatila massacres was resurrected and revitalized last week, offering renewed hope to human rights activists and victims of state crimes throughout the world and posing challenges to those who have enjoyed impunity for far too long.” Laurie King-Irani, an EI founder and the North American Coordinator of the International Campaign for Justice for the Victims of Sabra and Shatila, looks at the implications of a decision by the Belgian Supreme Court last week.