News

Eyewitnesses of tomorrow's news

Nigel Parry St. Paul, Minnesota 1 April 2002

There is a desperate need to stress that Israel’s claimed “war against terrorism” in Ramallah and elsewhere is actually a war against the Palestinian population. What ‘gains’ Israel may later claim should be fundamentally undermined in the minds of all decent people by Israel’s scattered application of its violence and the endemic collective punishment it employs against all Palestinians to achieve these supposed ‘gains’. 

Too many images to process now

Catherine Cook Ramallah, Palestine 31 March 2002

It has been about two hours since my electricity came back on. The electricity to my neighborhood was cut around 9:30am on Friday. Since then, I have relied on word of mouth and the occasional transistor radio for information. Comparatively speaking, this neighborhood has been relatively unscathed. We have tanks posted across the valley from us and every now and again they make their way towards our building, but as of yet, it has been quiet, save the occasional outburst of gunfire. 

At night, recalled back to the office

Arjan El Fassed Ram, Palestine 30 March 2002

I had to return back to the office. In particular to check on unconfirmed and confusing reports from Ramallah about the situation of around thirty Palestinian policemen. I had just returned back to our appartment in Dahiya al-Barid after visiting Sheikh Jarrah with Annet. We visited the hotel where a part of the group of international solidarity activists have been, had dinner, and bought an international phonecard. 

'Back at the office'

Arjan El Fassed Ram, Palestine 30 March 2002

The last thing I did before leaving the office yesterday was writing a press release about the five Palestinians found dead in Taiboun building by Dubai bureau chief Maher Shalabi. His story was confirmed by Michael Holmes of CNN. 

Appalling accounts

Palestine Monitor Ramallah, Palestine 29 March 2002

This has been the second day of the appalling war against the Palestinian civilian population in the West Bank and the first day of attacks, siege and curfews also in areas located in the Be [sic]. Throughout the whole day, thousands of new soldiers were deployed inside Ramallah and, as we write, even more are heading towards the already besieged and occupied city. 

'The Israelis took over my house'

Maha Sbitani Ramallah, Palestine 29 March 2002

Today at 5:00am I was awakened by what sounded like huge trunks, when I looked out the window I saw several tanks. 1/2 hr later the Israeli soldiers rang the bell - we did not answer - then I heard them coming up the steps (obviously broke in the main door). The pounded the door to the house, My husband opened the door, to find endless huge guns pointed at us. 

'Surrender'

Hanan Elmasu Geneva, Switzerland 29 March 2002

Further reports from Ramallah state that, in addition to those being rounded up in Al Bireh, Israeli soldiers have been calling for males, in some areas between the age of 14 - 40, to ‘surrender’ themselves in other areas of Ramallah. House to house raids continue, and those detained are also being held in classrooms in nearby schools and, in one instance, a bakery in lower Ramallah. None of those detained from yesterday or today have been released, so it is unclear what their current situation is. The number of detainees is yet not known.