All Content

They can't distinguish the forest from the trees

Shraga Elam 22 January 2003


Why did a dyed-in-the-wool military man and leader of the “Labor” Party, Amram Mitzna awaken such strong expectations among veteran Israeli Peaceniks? Why is the Iraq war almost a non-issue for the majority of Israeli peace activists? It is known that the Israeli government might use the Iraq war in order to expel as many Palestinians as possible. Isn’t that reason enough to give the subject a much higher priority on the political agenda of Israeli peace movements? Israeli peace activist and journalist Shraga Elam answers the questions in this feature from Between The Lines. 

Israeli troops devastate West Bank village market

Justin Huggler 22 January 2003

Israeli soldiers demolished 62 shops at a market yesterday, destroying the livelihood of hundreds of Palestinians. In the early morning, about 300 troops streamed into the market, just outside the village of Nazlat Issa. They brought seven bulldozers. Villagers poured out to protest as the bulldozers tore down the village market, the main source of income for Nazlat Issa’s 2,500 residents. Justin Huggler reports in the Independent. 

On violence and the Intifada

Ali Abunimah 22 January 2003


For decades, the unbearable cost of the occupation was borne almost exclusively by the Palestinians. Today it is falling a little more evenly. This is the grim political calculus that ensures there is enough support to keep suicide attacks going, while Israel’s collective punishment of the entire population, and assassinations of political leaders, ensure there is always a sufficient supply of hopeless volunteers ready to fulfill any mission in revenge. EI’s Ali Abunimah argues that attacks on Israeli civilians must stop, but that it is a mistake to believe that these attacks are what stand in the way of peace. 

Israeli forces destroyed the Nazlat 'Issa market harming the livelihood of hundreds of families

B'Tselem 22 January 2003

Yesterday, Tuesday, 21 January 2003, Israeli security forces destroyed dozens of structures in the Nazlat ‘Issa Market. Nazlat Issa is a Palestinian village located in the Tulkarm district in the West Bank. On Monday, 20 January, 2003, B’Tselem issued an urgent letter to the Israeli defense minister. 

'Divine Intervention' features at Rotterdam International Film Festival

Arjan El Fassed 20 January 2003


The award-winning Palestinian film Divine Intervention, directed by Elia Suleiman, will feature during the Hubert Bals Fund Harvest at the showcase for contemporary world cinema, the Rotterdam International Film Festival in the Netherlands. Moreover, ‘Divine Intervention’ is nominated for the Amnesty International -DOEN Award, a prize for films about human rights. 

Objectors to military service in Israel go on hunger strike in prison

Gush Shalom 20 January 2003

On Thursday, 16 January 2003, two imprisoned conscientious objectors to military service, Noam Bahat and Hillel Goral, went on hunger strike. Both are among the signatories of a letter signed last year by over 300 high school students, declaring their refusal to serve in the Israeli army. An alert from several Israeli activist groups outlines their opposition. 

Hearts and Flowers

Annie Higgins Jenin, Palestine 20 January 2003

Every home has flowers. “It’s because we want to show that we still find beauty in spite of all the difficult conditions,” explains Im Ayman. But I suspect the tradition pre-dates Israel’s oppression. It must have its roots in the ancient gardens of peasants and urban classes alike, in a common appreciation of nature’s gifts. Annie Higgins writes from Jenin. 

Palestinian goes on hunger strike

Audrey Gillan 20 January 2003

A Palestinian who had been tortured before his arrival in Britain has gone on hunger strike after having been held for 13 months without charge. Mahmoud Abu Rideh is detained under anti-terrorism provisions. He was transferred from Belmarsh high security prison to Broadmoor high security mental hospital last August under the orders of a judge, because he was seriously mentally ill. Audrey Gillan outlines his situation in The Guardian.