Once more the mountain roared and produced nothing. The much acclaimed visit of the US secretary of state, Colin Powell, to Israel and Palestine to implement the road map ended in total failure. Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon thinks he has won a victory by defeating the latest peace effort, but regular EI contributor Hasan Abu Nimah argues that Palestinians, Israelis and the United States all emerge as losers. Read more about The mountain roared: Powell's Road Map fiasco
On 8 May 2003, the Electronic Intifada obtained and published the text of a document distributed by the Israeli military to foreign diplomatic representatives, entitled “Form to be filled out and submitted to IDF authorities prior to entry to the Gaza Strip”. EI’s Nigel Parry and Ali Abunimah look at the document, at Israel’s recent actions in Rafah, and wonder at the new entry conditions which require internationals to affirm they won’t hold Israel responsible for harming them: “I am aware of the risks involved and accept that the Government of the State of Israel and its organs cannot be held responsible for death, injury and/or damage/loss of property which may be incurred as a result of military activity.” Read more about Israel's 'We have the right to kill you' visa for Gaza
Even today, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon tries to ignore the plight of Palestinian refugees. In fact, in an interview with Israel Radio, Sharon insisted that Palestinians drop their demand for the refugees’ right of return “if negotiations are to proceed.” Read more about No Sharon, we won't drop the right of return
The Electronic Intifada has obtained the text of a document distributed by the Israeli military to foreign diplomatic representatives. The document is entitled “Form to be filled out and submitted to IDF authorities prior to entry to the Gaza Strip” and is aimed at excluding foreign peace activists from undertaking nonviolent direct action against Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip. Read more about Text of new IDF declaration to be signed by foreign nationals entering Gaza
The Golan Heights cast a shadow across the Middle East peace discussions, but are seldom mentioned. Eleven months ago Nick Pretzlik and his wife stood close to the UN flag in the Syrian ghost town of Quneitra, and looked across the closed borders of Syria and Israel to the green and pleasant landscape of the Golan Heights. Read more about Whatever happened to the Golan Heights?
“For a fraction of a second, I was panic-stricken. The terrible monster coming towards me was not more than five meters away and continued to move as if I weren’t there. The giant bulldozer pushed a great heap of dirt and boulders before it. The driver, two meters above me, seemed a part of the machine. It was clear that nothing would stop him. I jumped aside at the last moment. Some weeks ago, in a similar situation, the American peace activist Rachel Corrie expected the driver to stop. He did not, and she was crushed to death.” Israeli activist Uri Avnery reports on the progress of Israel’s apartheid wall. Read more about The Evil Wall
While the Dutch celebrate the 58th anniversary of Germany’s capitulation, which meant the end of German occupation, activists organized a street theatre performance in the centre of Amsterdam raising awareness about military occupations supported by the Dutch government. Read more about Pro-Palestinian activists enforce a mock checkpoint in centre of Amsterdam
