June 30 2004

Israeli troops besiege Gaza town, kill Palestinian
The 16-year-old was killed as he tried to plant a Palestinian flag on a mound of earth as dozens of other youths pelted Israeli armour and soldiers with stones.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L30377163.htm


Analysis: Change the fence route in northeast J'lem too
However, the court also considered the hardship caused to Palestinians, stating that if these hardships are unacceptable, the fence must be moved. Now the verdict must also be applied to the route of the fence in northeast Jerusalem, before life in the area is completely disrupted.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=445786&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Israeli supreme court orders changes to West Bank barrier route
"The court ruled that the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) Commander should reduce the infringement upon the local inhabitants, even if it cannot be totally avoided, by altering the path of the fence in most areas complained of in the petition."
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/93020/1/.html


West Bank barrier should be torn down: Palestinian PM
"It is not about changing the route or not," Qorei told reporters in the West Bank town of Ramallah. "It's a wall, a separation wall which is being built on the Palestinian territories. It's a racist separation wall and therefore it should fall. There is no other alternative."
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/92967/1/.html


West Bank villagers sceptical of barrier changes
"But we don't trust the Israeli authorities," said Abia Hassan. "They will just find a way around it." Unusual in a case against the barrier's routing, the villagers were joined by 30 Israelis from a nearby Jerusalem suburb who feared it would destroy good historic relations with their Palestinian neighbours.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L30210050.htm


Israel won't allow return of Nativity Church deportees
The thirteen men were originally exiled to Europe for one year. According to EU reports, their stay in European countries has already been extended twice, and cannot be legally extended a third time.
http://web.israelinsider.com/bin/en.jsp?enPage=ArticlePage&enDisplay=view&enDispWhat=object&enDispWho=Article%5El3802&enZone=Security&enVersion=0&


Latest Israeli Invasion of Beit Hanun Leaves 21 Citizens Wounded and Massive Destruction
military invasion of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanun continued, as medical sources reported 21 citizens wounded, in addition to several journalists and an ambulance crew, due to the heavy and random Israeli gunfire...
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/185.html


6 Civilians, including Child, Wounded by Two Incident of Booby-Trap Explosion
Medics at al-Khalil Hospital reported that six civilians were differently wounded when a bobby-trap, left by Israeli soldiers, exploded. The wounded suffered from burns allover their bodies as a result of the blast.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1135


Israel to build new wall in Gaza: diplomatic sources
They said Israeli army planned to stay in the town for three weeks to stop Palestinian militants firing al Qassam homemade rockets at Israel and to build the new wall as well
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/30/content_1557572.htm


Palestinian Prisoners Face Torture, Harsh Conditions in Israeli Jails
The PPS sources added that the young prisoners, in Biniamin prison, confessed some accusation under torture. The sources added that insects cause dermatitis for tens of prisoners.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1128


Palestinian gunman attacks Israeli guards
forces and the gunman traded fire for several minutes, said Adi Klein, a spokeswoman with the Israeli Airports Authority, which oversees border crossings. No one was injured in the attack, and the gunman apparently fled...
http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/lateststories/index.ssf?/base/international-15/108860126037200.xml


Palestinian resistance blasts Zionist army tank in the Strip
Both military wings issued a joint communiqué, a copy of which was handed to the PIC, explaining that an explosive device was blasted in the tank before the Mujahideen fired an RPG at it scoring a direct hit. It affirmed that the tank was seen ablaze as Zionist tractors dragged it into a nearby settlement.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/am/publish/article_6388.shtml


IOF Opens Fire at Journalists in Beit Hanoun
Hatem Mussa, said that Israeli soldiers opened heavy fire at an armoured car, which was carrying some journalists working for the American Associated Press News Agency, while covering events of Israeli soldiers' incursion into the town.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1131


IOF Destroys Civilian Facilities in Beit Hanoun
Palestinian municipal sources reported that the campaign of destroying the city infrastructure inflicted a grave damage to further number of civilians facilities; they deliberately destroyed water pies and the sewage service.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1137


New Zealand increases aid to Palestinian homeless
New Zealand on Wednesday slammed Israel's recent destruction of Palestinian homes in the occupied territories and donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to a UN organization helping the Palestinian refugees.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=445710&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


NIS 150m earmarked to secure settlements beyond fence
The Knesset Finance Committee authorized a transfer Wednesday of NIS 150 million to create security zones around 40 West Bank settlements. The budget was given to create special security zones to secure settlements that will remain beyond the West Bank separation fence.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/445847.html


Israeli violations of Palestinian rights at record levels: rights group
Troops operating in the Gaza Strip had killed dozens of innocent civilians while the building of the West Bank separation barrier was in violation of both human rights and international law, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) said.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=7&u=/afp/20040630/wl_mideast_afp/mideast_israel_rights_040630150456


French FM meets Qureia
"We think that this situation should come to an end because he is the legitimate and elected president of the Palestinian people, and this is another aim of my visit," said Barnier, who expressed support Tuesday for a multinational force in Gaza.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=445430&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


PNA to implement security plan within five weeks: official
Hindi told reporters that "the PNA security plan is based on the principle of the supremacy of law and regulations and will be implemented within five weeks after the Israeli evacuation of the strip."
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/30/content_1557147.htm


PCHR Condemns Israeli Aerial Attack on a Press Office in Gaza
According to PCHR's preliminary investigations, at 00:02 on Tuesday, 29 June 2004, Israeli helicopter gunships launched 4 missiles at al-Jeel press office owned and managed by journalist Mustafa al-Sawaf on the third floor of al-Shawa and Husari building at al-Wihda Street in the center of Gaza City.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article2852.shtml


Annan appeals to Israelis and Palestinians to fulfil Road Map obligations
At the same time, "the Palestinian Authority should take decisive action to halt all acts of terrorism against Israeli civilians. It should also take steps to reform Palestinian security forces and empower the position of Prime Minister," he added in a statement...
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=11198&Cr=palestin&Cr1=


It's only a choir
For all Palestinians, Ramallah, Jerusalem and Bethlehem are now three separated, closed-off entities, with a sea of Israeli obstacles and bans separating them. For Christian Palestinians, these three cities were once one unit connected by familial and economic ties, with religious rites and services provided by Christian communities.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/445469.html


Don't Call it a Wall
A year ago, I urged readers to forget about President Bush's "Road Map to Peace" – on which so much attention was wasted at the time, by now a dead letter – and concentrate on the real map of Palestine, radically changed by the construction of Israel's Apartheid Wall, which was virtually ignored by the international media.
http://www.antiwar.com/hacohen/?articleid=2898


More than a million bullets
We'll hit the Palestinians until the recognition of their weakness vis-a-vis Israel's might is burned into their consciousness. This is the only way they will understand that they are best off coming to terms with their inferiority and accepting Israel's demands.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/444992.html


Population trend takes a negative turn in Israel following 2000 intifada
"For the first time Israelis are discovering new nationalities. There is an increasing trend of taking foreign passports, the idea of a way out, of an escape route if things get really bad," says Michael Shalev, a sociologist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=5746


How Arafat was tarred by faulty Israeli intelligence
Though Arafat did seek to turn the intifada to his advantage once it had started, it was, in essence, a spontaneous, popular revolt against Israel's continued occupation, and the realization that Oslo could never end it. It was also, implicitly, directed against Arafat and his insistence that Oslo could end it.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=5&article_id=5744


Ralph Nader Calls Israel a "Puppeteer"
Israeli puppeteer travels to Washington. The Israeli puppeteer meets with the puppet in the White House, and then moves down Pennsylvania Avenue, and meets with the puppets in Congress. And then takes back billions of taxpayer dollars.
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=64895


Report: $20B of Iraq's Oil Revenue Unaccounted For By U.S.
The Bush administration handed over power to Iraq without properly accounting for what it has done with some $20 billion of Iraq's own money. This according to a new report published Monday by Christian Aid - a leading British charity.
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/06/30/1514255


Flood of small arms in Iraq threatens region-study
More than 8 million small arms fell into private hands in Iraq when the U.S.-led invasion ousted Saddam Hussein, creating a threat to regional stability for years to come, a new study said on Wednesday. "What used to be a typically armed Middle East society has become one of the more heavily armed places in the world,"
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N29557795.htm


Saddam handed to Iraqis to face trial
Iyad Allawi, Iraq's interim Prime Minister, said that Saddam Hussein would be charged along with 11 former members of his regime on Thursday although the trial might be months away. The former Iraqi leader will be charged with the massacre of Kurds in Halabja in 1988, the invasion of Kuwait in 1990 and the Iran-Iraq war said Salem Chalabi...
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/story.jsp?story=536625


Army announces emergency call-up of 5,600 former soldiers for Iraq duty
For the first time in more than a decade, the Army is forcing thousands of former soldiers back into uniform, a reflection of the strain on the service of long campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.
http://www.boston.com/dailynews/182/wash/Army_announces_emergency_call_:.shtml

June 29 2004

Industrial Estates Along the Wall
The farmers of Irtah, a village near the West Bank market town of Tulkarem, can still see their land. But they haven’t had access to it for more than a year because the trenches, walls and barbed wire of Israel’s "security fence" lie between their hilltop homes and the fields. Now the Israeli army is threatening officially to confiscate the 500 dunams they are forbidden to access (1).
http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=22&ItemID=5735


Israeli Soldiers Attack Peace Activists in Salfeet
Tens of Palestinian and foreign peace activists suffered suffocation, and others arrested, as Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) fired "tear-gas" canisters at a peaceful march organized in Salfeet against the Israel's Apartheid Wall, witnesses said.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1010


Palestinian stage prayers, protests against Israel barrier
A few miles further west, around 600 Palestinians from the village of Iskaka also prayed on their land and demonstrated against the confiscation of their olive groves. Hundreds of hectares (acres) will fall on the Israeli side of the barrier being built in this area to protect the Jewish settlement of Ariel, one of the largest in the West Bank.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayArticle.asp?col=&section=middleeast&xfile=data/middleeast/2004/June/middleeast_June516.xml


The occupier is not convinced
Gaza's isolation from the West Bank is a geographic fact. But the process of disconnecting Palestinian areas from each other within the West Bank constitutes a brutal change in both the natural geography and the political geography determined by the Green Line.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/439549.html


Egypt and Jordan under pressure to take role in occupied territories
Zachariah Zubaidi, the articulate young commander of al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade in Jenin, was roused from one of his hiding places a week ago with the news that a mysterious group of strangers was in town. They turned out to be Jordanians - Amman later said they were inspecting Jordanian-funded facilities in the West Bank city.
http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1087373111487&p=1012571727172


IOF Destroys House and Arrests 2 Citizens in Gaza
Israeli troops besieged several houses and destroyed the houses of Abu Thaher, they also arrested two citizens from the same family. The bulldozers razed arable land also, witnesses said.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1009


Arafat refugee climbdown stuns Palestinians
Furthermore, the Palestinian leader told the paper that the PLO had dropped an Arab summit resolution, calling for a just solution of the Palestinian refugee problem based on UN General Assembly Resolution 194.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/099302D3-6D30-487D-BD86-B796CC3E6A71.htm


A Jewish state? `Definitely'
A solicitous host and lively raconteur, he apparently feels he must still hold some cards close to his chest for that last, fateful hand that he plainly believes he alone will yet play, one day, with Ariel Sharon or another Israeli leader.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/440479.html


Stop the Wall Caravan Kicks Off in Leiden, Netherlands
On June 5th, and 6th, in remembrance of Naksa day, and the complete occupation of Palestine, including the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, the Stop the Wall group in the Netherlands launched a national project entitled, "Stop the Wall Caravan!"
http://stopthewall.org/worldwideactivism/585.shtml


IAF helicopter fires missiles in Gaza Strip
The first strike hit a metal workshop with three missiles. Israel had targeted the workshop several months before. The second strike hit another empty building that had been destroyed in a previous Israeli raid into the neighborhood. The third strike, which came just minutes after the first one, hit a second metal workshop with two missiles.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/440750.html


Two-mile Gaza moat to foil tunnels to Egypt
The defence ministry invited companies yesterday to bid for the contract. The ditch will be between 15 and 25 metres deep and stretch for two and a half miles. The Israeli army has demolished thousands of houses and dozens of Palestinians have died in Rafah in raids the army says are aimed at uncovering the tunnels.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1241572,00.html


Israel Plans 'Remote Control Border'
The Israeli army envisions a "remote control" border with the Gaza Strip after a troop withdrawal, including unmanned patrol cars and computerized observation posts that would automatically spot and kill attackers, a military official said Friday.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=1312&e=1&u=/ap/20040618/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_palestinians_6


Report: Palestinians fire new type of rocket at Sderot
The more sophisticated rocket, called a Nasser 3 rocket, carries more explosive material and has a longer range than the type of Qassam that Palestinians usually use in attacks, according to the report.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/440750.html


Washington post Daily: Israel Tortures Palestinian Prisoners
In a report “Israel’s Example” published by the Washington post today, the newspaper wrote “ the Palestinian prisoners are being exposed to harsh torture measures including being  forced to keep standing on their foot for days, tied with no-backs chairs, listen to very loud music, placed in cold or sun-heat and  disallowed to use toilets”.
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/108.html


UN urges Iraq to protect Palestinians living in Baghdad
Saddam's government rented apartments for Palestinians, paying as little as $1 a month to landlords afraid to object. UNHCR has estimated that thousands of Palestinians were evicted from their homes in Iraq after the overthrow of Saddam.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/440800.html


Qureia: Palestinians drafting deal on post-pullout Gaza rule
The Palestinian Authority and militant groups in the Gaza Strip have begun drafting an agreement on how to run the territory jointly after an Israeli withdrawal, officials said Friday.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/440227.html


French FM Barnier leaves Sunday on first Middle East trip
In line with long-standing policy, Israel has said it is opposed to Barnier's meeting Arafat. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has made clear he will not receive any foreign visitor who also sees the Palestinian leader.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=10&u=/afp/20040618/wl_mideast_afp/france_mideast_040618155352


Israeli Closure Leaves Palestinian Economy Paralyzed
by closing the main commercial crossing into Gaza Strip. Israeli occupation forces have closed the four-kilometer Al-Muntar crossing, an economic lifeline for transporting 95 per cent of the strip’s exports and imports on a daily basis, for over three months now.
http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2004-06/18/article05.shtml


IDF suspends unit charged with death of crippled Palestinian
An Israel Defense Forces unit responsible for killing a handicapped Palestinian man in the West Bank has been removed from the West Bank and stripped of all its operational tasks, in accordance with an order issued Wednesday...
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=440742&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Arab-Americans meet Powell; Group assails US Mideast policy
"We need to have the administration show a balance in their foreign policy," Oakar said. She added that there is no hope for peace in the Middle East as long as the United States is not perceived as an equal partner."
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/arabtimes/world/Viewdet.asp?ID=2741&cat=a


UN agency says despite security concerns, refugees still returning home to Iraq
Elsewhere in the region, 170 Palestinians who fled Iraq last year have now left the Jordanian border and returned to Baghdad, Mr. Janowski told a press briefing in Geneva. “The refugees said they had given up hope of finding a new home in the Middle East and preferred to return to Baghdad.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=11086&Cr=iraq&Cr1=


Palestine: Perception and Reality
What ended Apartheid was the Anti-Apartheid Movement's excellent and powerful campaign, with really high quality design, packaged and speaking in the language of the society it was aimed at. You couldn't walk down a high street and not see a FREE SOUTH AFRICA T-Shirt on someone.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article2827.shtml


A poetics of return
The refugee camp on the edge of Jericho where I grew up wasn't home. Home was in Palestine: "There, on that mountain peak" where "our houses stand from ancient times", in the words of a poem I memorised in grade school. There, "my eyes behold their playground/ but my feet cannot seek it."
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/695/op32.htm


Terms and timing
Other senior Labour figures, however, say "most of the details have been agreed upon" for Labour joining the coalition following "secret talks" in recent weeks between Sharon's people and Peres. "The problem," says one Labour Party source, "is that Sharon doesn't have a majority in the Likud Knesset [parliamentary] faction."
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/695/fr2.htm


France and Germany to Open a Cultural Centre in Ramallah
France and Germany will inaugurate Saturday in Ramallah (Palestinian territories), a French-German cultural centre built by Palestinian architects, the French Foreign Ministry announced Friday.
http://www.aps.dz/an/pageview.asp?ID=65416


Amstaff dog who killed girl will be used by security forces
The American Staffordshire dog that killed a four year old girl in Tel Aviv on Thursday night will not be put to death, as originally thought, but rather will be used by security forces for its operations.
http://www.maarivintl.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=8732


China Opposes U.S. War Crimes Immunity, Imperiling UN Measure
China plans to reject continued immunity of U.S. citizens from prosecution by the International Criminal Court, because of the abuse of Iraqi prisoners, according to the country's United Nations envoy. The stance may align a majority of the Security Council against the protection.
http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=artt7lvxaV0Y&refer=us


With great Diligence, in Iraq
Big money is being made in Iraq by American and British security firms, some of them headed by former senior officials, among them George Bush senior. Among those who sign up as security personnel are drug and arms dealers, as well as former servants of dark regimes of the past.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/440463.html


Kurdish leader says Turkey now accepts autonomy for northern Iraq
"A Turkish delegation visited us on June 9 and told us of an extremely positive policy under which Turkey will not oppose an autonomous status for Kurdistan within a federal Iraq," Barzani told the Arabic satellite television channel Al-Jazeera.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=6&u=/afp/20040618/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_kurds_turkey_040618174622


US holding thousands in secret jails
Among the detention camps that the US government refuses to disclose but have been reported to Human Rights First by "multiple sources" are a centre in Kohat, Pakistan, near the Afghan border; al-Jafr Prison, a US Central Intelligence Agency interrogation facility in Jordan; and a facility on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia...
http://www.khilafah.com/home/category.php?DocumentID=9709&TagID=2

June 28 2004

Download the Campaign Call to Action for the ICJ Ruling on July 9th
Please download the Campaign Call to Action, and distribute it to activist and solidarity networks, as well as any meetings or events you hold around the ICJ ruling. You can also view the Call to Action in our Worldwide Activism section.
http://stopthewall.org/activistresources/606.shtml


July 9 & 10: Days of Action: "We Demand Justice for Palestine Now!"
The foundation of Israel in 1948 has resulted in the destruction of over 400 Palestinian villages, dozens of massacres of Palestinians at the hands of Israeli Forces and the destruction and theft of massive amounts of land. Today, the Apartheid Wall is condensing all of the crimes of Israeli Occupation into one project.
http://stopthewall.org/worldwideactivism/605.shtml


200,000 people out of bounds
Salayme and his colleagues, the neighboring council heads, say that Israelis who are in favor of the separation fence neither know nor understand what is currently happening in these neighborhoods. Were they to visit there they would be astounded - it's simply madness...
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/444251.html


Update on Four Palestinians Arrested in A-Ram on Saturday, 26 June 2004
The Israeli security services are claiming that these two men and two children are a `security threat', and are seeking to continue holding them for an indefinite period of time to `finish' interrogating them.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/palmedialert/message/203


Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory Request for advisory opinion
Opinion to be rendered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), principal judicial organ of the United Nations, in the case concerning the Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (request for advisory opinion), will be transmitted in full, live, on the Court’s website (www.icj-cij.org) on Friday 9 July 2004, from 3 p.m.
http://www.icj-cij.org/icjwww/ipresscom/ipress2004/ipresscom2004-26_mwp_20040625.htm


Israeli Bulldozers Demolish 15 Palestinian Houses and Factory
The said houses located near al-Matahen checkpoint. The owners were scattered and became homeless, witnesses said. Palestinian security sources said that Israeli bulldozers and tanks moved into al-Qarara and destroyed the said houses.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1107


Israeli Military Escalation in Rafah, Civilian Shot Dead, another Wounded
Medics at Nasser Hospital confirmed that al-Bateekh was shot dead with a number of live bullets allover the body. The dead body was found stony as he was left bleeding for long hours by the Israeli soldiers.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1105


Palestinian Rockets From Gaza Kill Two Israelis
Today, the rockets claimed two lives just yards from a small kindergarten building — a 3-year-old boy on his way to the kindergarten with his mother, and a 50-year-old Bukharan immigrant from the former Soviet Union sitting on a sidewalk bench nearby.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/28/international/middleeast/28CND-MIDE.html


3 Palestinians Killed and a Number of Houses and Civilian Facilities Destroyed
IOF killed 3 Palestinians, including an 11-year-old child, and wounded 7 others, including another child, in Khan Yunis. Israeli helicopter gunships also attacked and destroyed 2 civilian facilities in Gaza City.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article2845.shtml


Civilian Wounded, 3 Others Arrested in WB
Palestinian medical sources in Jenin said that a 16-year-old boy, Jihad al-Sa'di, was shot in the leg with live bullets. Witnesses said that al-Sa'di was shot inside his home when IOF indiscriminately opened fire at houses in Jenin.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1099


Israeli outpost blown up
Palestinian militants dug a tunnel under an Israeli army outpost in the heart of Gaza and exploded a huge bomb there yesterday, collapsing a concrete building and wounding at least five soldiers. The army declined comment on reports that soldiers were also killed in the attack...
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/CalgarySun/News/2004/06/28/517238.html


Israeli Copters Launches Two Missile Raids in Gaza
In the first strike, the Israeli helicopters fired three missiles at the metal workshop belonging to the citizen Mossa Abu Sha’ban, setting it on fire. The same metal workshop was pounded by IOF missiles a fortnight ago. Shortly afterwards, IOF copters fired nine missiles towards a metal foundry
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/172.html


Israeli army blows up two Palestinian ministry buildings
The two buildings, each had five stores, had been deserted since the beginning of the Palestinian Intifada (Uprising) almost four years ago after the Israeli army established a military base and lookout posts to observe the nearby crossroad.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/29/content_1552453.htm


Rights groups back Palestinians
Mr Gold's organisation, the Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, was among a number of rights groups trying to raise awareness last night in Tel Aviv of what they say is an increasing and systematic use of torture on Palestinian prisoners.
http://news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,9972141%255E1702,00.html


Israel shuts down all terminals and passage around Gaza
The Israeli army has divided the Gaza Strip into three isolated areas and prevented Palestinians from having access inside the Gaza Strip...
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/28/content_1550193.htm


Major measles immunization campaign launched in OPT
UNICEF launched a major measles immunization campaign in the West Bank and Gaza Strip today, aimed at providing more than 540,000 children aged 9 – 59 months with a safe injection of measles vaccine and a doses of Vitamin A.
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_22021.html


IDF expected to launch large-scale operation in Gaza
Following the consultations between Sharon and Mofaz it was estimated that as opposed to previous attacks, the IDF will not make do with aerial bombings and will launch an operation in the Gaza Strip that will likely last several days.
http://www.maarivintl.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=9159


PCHR calls for Amendments to the Electoral Law of Local Councils
PCHR hoped that latest decisions taken by the Palestinian Cabinet with regard to elections of local councils would be implemented, especially the 10 May 2004 decision to hold the elections in stages next August, beginning in Jericho.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article2847.shtml


Mbeki to Address the United Nations African Meeting
South Africa is hosting the two-day conference, which is hoped will find solutions to the ongoing violence in the Middle East. The meeting will focus on promoting support for international efforts to stop the deteriorating situation in occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200406280933.html


Israel's Sharon narrowly beats no-confidence vote
Labour had offered him a "parliamentary safety net" to support the Gaza plan and is widely expected to discuss joining a new national unity government, but introduced a no-confidence motion on Monday for the first time since the Gaza plan passed.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L28253830.htm


Israeli Labor lawmaker resigns
Burg, who served in the Knesset for more than 16 years, has become embittered by a number of party colleagues, particularly those who favor joining a unity coalition led by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Burg has rejected requests from Labor Chairman Shimon Peres...
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/28/content_1550097.htm


New Website Developed on the Issue of Christian Zionism
Both, Gary Burge & Don Wagner, are members of the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation's Advisory Board, and have a long history & experience in dealing with the issue of Christian Zionism.
http://www.unobserver.com/layout4.php?id=1772&blz=1


The Illegality of South Africa's Occupation of Namibia
Subsequent International isolation, economic sanctions and diplomatic pressure supported the South African Anti-Apartheid Movement in its struggle against a racist and colonialist regime and have brought South African Apartheid to an end. What follows is the complete ruling, as issued by the ICJ on 21 June 1971.
http://stopthewall.org/internationallaw/607.shtml


The Deafening Noise in the Occupied Territories
Here I find myself benefiting from a bloody conflict, from the reality of an on-going ruthless Israeli occupation and an apartheid sort of domination that my state, Israel, excercises over the Palestinians, a domination which robs them of their chances of free human development, and endangers the normal future of my people, the Israelis.
http://www.counterpunch.com/hass06282004.html


US: Anti-Islam hatred at new high
Death threats against American Muslims have risen and mosques have been vandalised. "Since 9/11, every time there is an incident overseas attributed to Muslims or Arabs, we go on orange alert ourselves," said immigration solicitor Sohail Muhammad.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/834641A5-3F08-49A0-90D2-885EFE28FF97.htm


Family of soldier killed in Gaza outpost blast slams IDF
"The army says they don't know what happened yet? The Palestinians filmed it. The army should go to them and see it," he added. "My son is gone and I want to know that his loss is not for nothing," cried Nissim's father, Aharon.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=444774&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Israel among 7 countries offered NATO 'partnership'
The partnership with Israel, Jordan, Egypt and other countries in the region will enable these states to strengthen military relations with NATO, and ensure that invitations are sent to foreign ministers and defense ministers, along with top military figures, to NATO meetings.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=444504&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Israeli policy harms world Jews interests
The first annual report of the Jewish People Policy Planning Institute (JPPPI) said Israeli government does not take into consideration world Jewry when making policy, accusing it of not thinking about the possible result of its actions.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/28/content_1550105.htm


Roundup: Iraqis react differently to power handover
"No one would imagine the existence of the largest American military deployment in the world having no reflection on the geo-political balances of Iraq and the neighboring countries," said the professor.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/29/content_1552412.htm


$20m 'hole' in Iraqi funds held by US-led authority
"What has the coalition got to hide by not making such information available? Is it putting the cash to the best use for the people of Iraq? Or is it rewarding US companies with lucrative contracts? All this sets a bad precedent for the incoming Iraqi government."
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/story.jsp?story=535744


Saddam-Era Flag Remains Iraq's Symbol
The proposed new flag, approved by the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Governing Council, sank in public esteem faster than a stone in the Tigris river after a firestorm of criticism that the new banner ignored the country's Islamic and Arab character — and looked too much like the Israeli flag.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=540&e=20&u=/ap/20040628/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_saddam_s_flag


British soldier killed, two wounded in southern Iraq
"I can confirm, unfortunately, that one British soldier has been killed and two have been injured," a Ministry of Defence (MOD) spokeswoman told AFP without giving any information on the extent of the injuries." What we believe so far is that it was an improvised explosive device used against a mobile patrol," she said Monday.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=9&u=/afp/20040628/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_britain_toll_040628155536

June 27 2004

Court halts construction of fence near A-Zawiya
The court will discuss in the coming days the villagers' petition against the constriction of the fence, which they claim cuts through their lands and separates them from areas that are an integral part of their lives...
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1088305772742


Five Palestinians, Four Israelis Arrested in A-Ram Protest
All nine were taken into custody between 4:30 and 5:30 PM. At approximately 8 PM, the Israeli activists were given an offer to be released, the Jewish Israeli activists refused to be set free in solidarity with the Palestinian detainees who were not only being treated much more violently...
http://www.palsolidarity.org/pressreleases/PR_26Jun04_22_44_50JerusalemISMMediaOffice.htm


Palestinians, Internationals and Israelis Come Together to Oppose the Apartheid Wall in Faqqua
Israeli, Palestinian and international peace activists joined together in the northern West Bank village of Faqqua to illustrate their steadfast opposition to the Israeli Apartheid Wall. At 11:00 AM, approximately 200 Palestinians and internationals – the majority of them wearing numbers on their chests to symbolize the imprisonment caused by the Wall...
http://www.palsolidarity.org/reports/writings/26Jun04_20_36_45JeninISMJenin.htm


Qaffin Nonviolently Attempts to Reach Land Isolated behind the Apartheid Wall
Approximately 6,000 dunams consisting of 1,010 olive trees lie trapped behind the Apartheid Wall, which is built one to four kilometers in from the Green Line in the area of Qaffin. This isolated land represents 60% of the total land belonging to Qaffin, and another 500 dunams were destroyed for construction of the Wall.
http://www.palsolidarity.org/reports/writings/26Jun04_20_29_04TulkaremISMTulkarem.htm


Israeli Soldiers Use Poisonous Gas against Peaceful Demonstration
The committee said, in a press release, that Israeli soldiers used a poisonous gas against protestors of the yesterday demonstration against the Apartheid Wall in Jerusalem. This gas has dangerous effects on nerves, and causes severe conditions of suffocation and unconsciousness...
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1095


Khalid Al-Salfiti from Jerusalem & Salfit: Wherever I Go, the Occupation and its Wall Will Follow
I don't know what we will do. We live in Ar Ram, just before the Kalandia checkpoint, and the Occupation is building the Wall right now and will close off that whole area. How will my grandchildren get to school? One of my grandkids' schools is meters away from the house, but with the Wall it will take hours to go through checkpoints for him to get there.
http://stopthewall.org/communityvoices/603.shtml


Weekly Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
Israeli occupying forces have perpetrated more violations of human rights against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). Human rights violations perpetrated by Israeli occupying forces included willful and extra-judicial executions, incursions into Palestinian areas, indiscriminate shelling and house demolitions.
http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/W_report/English/2004/24-06-2004.htm


Dozens of injuries in Gush Katif
Five Israel Defense Forces soldiers were injured Sunday evening after an explosion went off at an army outpost located near the Gush Katif Junction in the Gaza Strip. Two additional soldiers were said to be trapped under the rubble of the outpost.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=444106&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Two Palestinians shot dead
TWO Palestinians, one a 13-year-old boy, were shot dead by Israeli troops today in the southern Gaza Strip, Palestinian medical and security sources said. They were killed after troops manning an observation post near the settlement of Neve Dekalim opened fire, the sources said.
http://news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,9975774%255E1702,00.html


Israel continues military actions in Palestinian lands
the Israeli forces broke into Al-Qarara area amid intensive shooting and started razing vast areas of agricultural lands in addition to storming into a Palestinian national security post and ransacking its contents.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/27/content_1549769.htm


PPS: Prisoners Subjected to Sever Torture
Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) said Sunday that Palestinian prisoners of "al-Maskobya" and "Askalan" Israeli detention centers are subjected to torture and maltreatment by Israeli jailers...
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1090


Four Citizens Arrested as Israeli Settlers Continue Rampage
Municipal sources in the town of Beit Foreek said that the mayor of the town was arrested and led to the nearby "Ari'el" illegitimate Israeli settlement, as three more citizens were arrested and Israeli settler militias continued their rampage in Hebron.
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/169.html


IOF Bars Medical Teams From Helping The Palestinians
IOF stationing at the steel gate erected at the entrance of the West Bank town of Azoun Atma, Qalqielia, barred today a vehicle boarding a medical team belong to the Ministry of Health from entering the town to be back to work at its clinic.
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/171.html


Palestinians vow revenge
Tens of thousands of mourners paid their last respects Sunday to seven Palestinians, including three senior militant commanders, killed during a major Israeli operation in this West Bank town. About 30 000 people packed the streets of Nablus chanting demands for revenge...
http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_1548809,00.html


Court orders peace activist deported for trying to cross into Gaza
O'Keefe served in the Marines in the 1991 Gulf War and in Iraq, where he said his experiences had turned him into a peace activist. He said he had organized hundreds of Americans and citizens of other Western countries to act as "human shields" in Iraq.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=444102&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Peaceful March Welcomes Freedom Summer 2004 to Western Ramallah
Today’s demonstration began western Ramallah’s participation in Freedom Summer 2004, and more activities will be held in all villages of this area to join with all Palestinians in their effort to highlight the legitimate Palestinian freedom struggle being silenced and violently crushed by the Israeli Occupation.
http://www.palsolidarity.org/reports/writings/26Jun04_20_32_56RamallahISMRamallah.htm


Slain Palestinian Militant Had Stood Up to Arafat
"Abu Sharkh had threatened Arafat that if the Brigades' demands for democratization were not met, the armed groups which form the bulk of the younger generation would leave Fatah or carry out elections in defiance of the old guard," a senior Fatah official said.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=5522678


French FM risks ire of Israel by meeting besieged Palestinian leader
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, having declared Arafat an absolute obstacle to peace, has been trying to persuade European Union governments to follow the United States' lead and cut off all contacts with his long-time enemy. While his Italian and German counterparts Franco Frattini and Joschka Fischer both chose not to meet Arafat on recent trips to the region...
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=10&u=/afp/20040627/wl_mideast_afp/mideast_france_040627131339


Occupation forces end Nablus raid as Palestinian PM says killing is part of Israeli policy
The PM stressed that the Israeli crime in Nablus is a strong message to the Quartet, UN, and the international community, adding that Israel is either a state above the law or it has to be stopped. He affirmed that if Israel did not end its aggression the chaos will prevail in the region.
http://www.albawaba.com/news/index.php3?sid=279812&lang=e&dir=news


Health Minister Calls on WHO to Dispatch Inquiry Committee to OPT
Palestinian Health Minister Dr. Jawad al-Tibi called Saturday on the World Health Organization WHO to immediately dispatch an inquiry committee so as to inspect facts on the ground in the Occupied Palestinian Territories OPT.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1086


Karni reopens for shipping between Israel, Gaza
In response, the PA announced that fruit shipments from Israel into Gaza would be ceased until full transport was restored on both sides. According to the Agriculture Ministry, Israeli farmers suffered some NIS 71 million in losses, a figure expected to reach NIS 100 million by the time full trading is restored
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/444077.html


Annan: UN can't prevent Israel from destroying Palestinians' homes
"I don't have an army and there is no way we can force the Israeli government to behave humanely toward the Palestinians." Annan didn't explain UN powerlessness vis-à-vis the Palestinian plight. He refused to answer questions on the role of the United Stats, Israel's guardian-ally, in preventing the international organization from giving justice to the Palestinians.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/am/publish/article_6319.shtml


Barak says 'factual inaccuracies' in Clinton autobiography
rejecting assertions by Bill Clinton that Barak bore major responsibility for the breakdown of Israeli-Syrian peace talks in January, 2000, said Sunday that the former president's account of the negotiations was based on "factual inaccuracies on the simplest of levels."
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/444063.html


Gov't okays anti-radiation pills for Dimona residents
Israel Defense Forces soldiers will distribute the pills house-to-house to some 100,000 residents of Dimona, Yeruham, Arad, Yavne and a number of Bedouin settlements. The distribution will take place within two months.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/444059.html


ElBaradei: Israel should talk about nuclear-free Mideast
MOSCOW - Israel should start talking seriously about ridding the Middle East of nuclear weapons, whether it admits to having them or not, the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Sunday.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/444036.html


Pathology meets Peace
Amira Hass knows what she is talking about. She means that Israel does not only suffer from insecurity, but also, from a pathology that allowed its government to use brutality, killing, and destruction to a terrifying degree. Israel suffers from the disorder of the untreated victim who suddenly possesses power and much power.
http://www.amin.org/eng/eyad_elsarraj/2004/jun27.html


As some Gaza Israelis seek exit, others dig in
"I love this place, but I'm ready to go," said Arieh Sheetrit, who moved to Nisanit in 1991, and who lives in an elaborate 2,000-square-foot home with fruit trees in the yard and with what neighbors describe as the greenest lawn in the community. "The sooner it happens, the better," the 58-year-old settler said.
http://www.boston.com/news/world/articles/2004/06/27/as_some_gaza_israelis_seek_exit_others_dig_in/


New Iraq PM promises amnesty for insurgents
Days before he is installed as Iraq's interim Prime Minister, Iyad Allawi has expressed understanding for Iraqis who have acted against the US-led occupation "out of a sense of desperation", and says that he plans to offer them an amnesty.
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/story.jsp?story=535599


Attacks on Iraqi pipelines, oil installations, and oil personnel:
1. June 12 [2003] — attack along the 600 mile (960km) pipeline that carries crude oil from Iraq's northern fields near Kirkuk to Turkey's port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean Sea...
http://www.iags.org/n062604.htm

June 26 2004

Yedioth camerman beaten by Border Police at fence protest
Gush Shalom chairman Uri Avnery said that the protest had been quiet and included several MKs and Palestinian clerics. Participants had walked down the main road in A-Ram and along the fence route, Avnery said, when "suddenly, without prior warning, the police began throwing dozens of stun grenades."
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/443608.html


Anti-Wall Nonviolent Protests in Tulkarem and Jenin
Over 800 Palestinians including around 45 Israeli and International peace activists marched together in the village of Qiffin north of Tulkarem in protest against building the separation wall in the West Bank.
http://www.imemc.org/headlines/2004/June/week4/062604/ism-anti-wall.htm


The Apartheid Wall in Anata: Targeting Workers, Targeting Houses
Occupation plans are to turn Anata into a canton linking between the northern and southern Palestinian ghettos which will be created by the Wall. Anata will be surrounded by the Wall from all sides, together with the Shu'fat Refugee Camp and Dahiyat Assalam.
http://stopthewall.org/latestnews/601.shtml


World court to rule on Israel's West Bank barrier on July 9
The United States, the European Union and Russia -- co-sponsors of the roadmap with the United Nations -- also did not attend hearings saying the ICJ was the inappropriate venue for the case. However, both the United States and the EU have vehemently objected to the barrier
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1512&ncid=1312&e=5&u=/afp/20040625/wl_afp/mideast_icj_barrier_040625113621


Israeli soldiers shoot at Christian Aid observers
Two days later a group of British MPs and peers also came under fire in the same place. Much of the section, called the Brazil area of Rafah, has been demolished by Israeli tanks and bulldozers. People who have lost their homes are living with relatives or in rough tents slotted in between the wreckage.
http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/480fa8736b88bbc3c12564f6004c8ad5/e7d264d130d3927a85256ebe00748de2?OpenDocument


Child Prisoner Petition / Adopt a Child Prisoner
While international law states that child imprisonment should be used as a measure of last resort, the Israeli occupation forces view it as a matter of routine, arresting around 750 minors in 2002. When children are arrested they are usually taken to adult military detention centres and interrogation centres.
http://www.dci-pal.org/prisonweb/childprisoners.html


Six Palestinians Found Dead in Nablus-Witnesses
Palestinian medics who checked the bodies said they had been riddled with bullets. Earlier on Saturday Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian gunman who military sources said had confronted soldiers (Israeli Occupation Forces)
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=5521136


Two Palestinian youths killed as Israeli army continues Nablus operation
Sporadic overnight violence in the northern West Bank has left two Palestinian youths dead and several others wounded as UN human rights experts called for an international protection force to be set up in the Palestinian territories.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=17&u=/afp/20040626/wl_mideast_afp/mideast_unrest_040626073609


A Rafah Citizen Dies of Wounds, IOF Demolishes Homes
The officials mentioned also that three other civilians have been shot and wounded near the Palestinian-Egyptian borders, after the Israeli soldiers, manning the border line, opened heavy gunfire on the nearby houses in both Albarahma and Yebna neighborhoods.
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/160.html


50,000 Palestinians Sealed off in Israeli Siege of Nablus
completely isolating at least 50 thousand people, bombing houses and blowing up doors and making detentions en masse, as they shot dead two teenagers and wounded at least 12 others, during the biggest military onslaught in the Casabah district of the northern West Bank city.
http://www.palestine-pmc.com/details.asp?cat=1&id=1351


IOF Detains Dozens, Turns Houses into Military Barracks in Nablus
IOF soldiers turned the old city into a real big jail as they occupied more than 20 houses, turning them into military barracks. They added that the Israeli troops turned a center of “Khan al-Tuja into a military barrack where the Israeli soldiers detained more than 30 civilians, including women and children.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1079


American Woman Detained at Israeli Airport Resists Deportation
“Can you believe the Israeli government is threatened by a 5’4” tall 110 pound designer with asthma simply because during my vacation I planned to cross the border and see the Israeli occupation with my own eyes?” says Petter.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/palmedialert/message/202


MP out to promote peace process in visit to Gaza
The conference, organised by the Palestinian Council on Foreign Relations, will bring together Palestinian women leaders and female European Parliamentarians who will contrast their different experiences of public life.
http://w3.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge/story.asp?StoryID=56971


Official Spokesman Calls for Protecting the Palestinian People from Israeli Aggression
The Palestinian official spokesman held the Israeli Government responsible for the ongoing military escalation in the Palestinian cities, calling for dispatching international observers to protect the Palestinian people from the Israeli aggression and racism.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1068


Burns: U.S. will do utmost to help disengagement plan succeed
"I stressed President Bush's determination to do everything that the United States can to help seize the opportunity presented by the Israeli initiative," he said. The undersecretary is currently conducting a tour of the region to mobilize support for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=443541&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Israel must implement its security obligations: PNA official
"The PNA is wandering how could Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon's unilateral evacuation plan be implemented as part of the roadmap plan and we asked the US administration to answer that," Erekat said.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/26/content_1548742.htm


Arafat's chief of staff may be appointed PNA interior minister
According to the same source, Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman did not ask Arafat to appoint Rahim as interior minister but urged Arafat to designate someone who can assume security responsibilities.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/26/content_1548753.htm


Powell dismisses likening Iraq situation to Israeli occupation
On the Middle East peace process, Powell repeated his country's commitment to the road map, adding that President George Bush "planned to do everything he could to move forward" with the Israeli plan to pull out from Gaza.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=443561&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Syria's Assad cuts short China visit to avoid meeting Olmert
The sources added that Chinese leaders wish to take part in the international diplomatic efforts concerning the Middle East, and have therefore tried to arrange a meeting between the Syrian leader and the Israeli deputy prime minister.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=443589&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


UN: Palestinians need protection
"We would urge the (UN) Security Council to authorise an international protection force in the occupied Palestinian territories to ensure that human rights violations cease," UN officials, monitors and independent experts said in a statement following a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/57E36CEE-79BE-44E3-99CE-4F5F4EF490B8.htm


Palestinians manufacture first ever firefighting vehicle
The commander also underlined that it cost only 30,000 dollars while importing a similar car cost around 200,000 dollars. The project took four months, he said, noting that his command was also improving ambulance and rescue vehicles in a project that cost 270,000 dollars offered by the Italian government and the UN program.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/am/publish/article_6282.shtml


Arafat commits to truce during Olympics
"I announce our commitment and respect of the Olympic truce," Arafat said. "We hope that the revival of this ancient, noble tradition will help create a world that enjoys peace, justice and security for coming generations."
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L2652081.htm


What Vanunu knows
If Vanunu were free to talk, he might remind the world that the greatest threat to Middle East peace comes not from Baghdad but from Tel Aviv. And if he were free to leave the country he might inspire a campaign in the west to disarm the only rogue nuclear state in the Middle East.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/comment/0,10551,1247081,00.html


Potent bid to thwart Gaza pullout
A rising political figure, Moshe Feiglin is pushing a Bible-influenced vision for Israel's future... "The disengagement has no logic, either military, demographically, or otherwise," Feiglin says, before heading to a lobbying session at the Knesset. "It is simply a desire to disengage from Israel's Jewish identity."
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0625/p06s02-wome.html


Removing Arafat from Palestine
Blaming Israel only for deciding to send Yasser in exile will not do. Israel as a state may clearly be termed a terrorist state, while the Palestinians are terrorists individually for their just cause.
http://nation.ittefaq.com/artman/publish/article_10277.shtml


Congress to Sharon: Take All You Want
This was not just another "pro-Israel" (or, more accurately, "pro-Israeli right") resolution, but an effective renunciation of the post-World War II international system based upon the premise of the illegitimacy of the expansion of a country’s territory by military force.
http://www.antiwar.com/orig/zunes.php


Palestine Participates in Frankfurt International Book Fair 2004
Palestinian participation in the fair includes an exhibit-show about holy Jerusalem, showing four films and a poetic evening by the Palestinian famous poet Mahmoud Darweesh, as well as a special show for the artistic band of Ramallah, a show for plastic arts and another for photos.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1073


Paris To Name Street After Herzel
The proposal immediately triggered an outcry from pro-Palestine organizations, saying the measures flies in the face of thousands of Palestinians who fell victim to his Zionist doctrine.
http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2004-06/26/article06.shtml


Syrian daily highlights China's supports in Mideast peace process
The official daily newspaper Syrian Tishreen on Saturday listed China "on top of the states" that supported the Arab cause and Syria's efforts to achieve peace based on the land-for-peace formula.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/27/content_1548962.htm


The American Conservative Interview
I distinguish the people from the government. Washington has been supporting despots, dictators, and oligarchs in many countries those states for a variety of purposes. Washington supported in weaponry and money Saddam Hussein. He was the US's anti Communist dictator until 1990.
http://www.votenader.org/why_ralph/index.php?cid=73


Bush to meet NATO with EU backing on Iraq
US President George W. Bush won the European Union's unconditional backing for Iraq's new leaders just four days before they take power, as well as its support for NATO to train the fledgling Iraqi security forces. "I think the bitter differences of the war are over," Bush said...
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=5&u=/afp/20040626/wl_mideast_afp/eu_us_summit_040626163930

June 25 2004

The Court will render its Advisory Opinion on Friday 9 July 2004, at 3 p.m.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ), principal judicial organ of the United Nations, will render its Advisory Opinion in the case concerning the Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (request for advisory opinion) on Friday 9 July 2004.
http://www.icj-cij.org/icjwww/ipresscom/ipress2004/ipresscom2004-23_mwp_20040625.htm


Standing against the Claws of the Wall
Along the route of the separation barrier in the West Bank, a new culture is springing up: on one side, soldiers and bulldozers; on the other, Israelis and Palestinians embracing the land and the trees, trying to save them both.
http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=22&ItemID=5783


Dozens of Residents Wounded in Salfit during Anti Wall Protests
Tens of Palestinians were wounded, Thursday, during protests against the construction of the Separation wall which is continuously swallowing the Palestinian land.
http://www.imemc.org/headlines/2004/June/week4/062504/anti-wall.htm


The Christians and the separation fence
The West Bank separation fence is seriously damaging the 'Christian Triangle' in the Bethlehem area. Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian Christians in the United States are trying to breach the wall of evangelical support for Israeli policies.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=443449&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


"ONE PALESTINE, NO BANTUSTANS, RIGHT OF RETURN FOR ALL PALESTINIAN REFUGEES NOW"
Yet the post-apartheid ANC government has strengthened trade and diplomatic links with Israel, which is itself a racist and apartheid regime. The ANC continues to allow Jewish mercenaries to flout our laws and fight in the Israeli Occupation Forces, and has publicly declared their support for Israel's Bantustanisation, or 2-state solution, of Palestine.
http://southafrica.indymedia.org/news/2004/06/6217.php


Using Dogs Against Prisoners is Not a Secret Anymore
The American newspaper “Washington Post” revealed lately methods used by the Israeli army against the Palestinians detainees, and said that “it in fact exceeds the brutal methods used by American soldiers in Abu Gharib prison in Iraq”.
http://www.imemc.org/headlines/2004/June/week4/062504/using-dogs.htm


Day to Day: Life in Occupied Palestine
Whatever its bias, mainstream press coverage of the middle east overwhelmingly ignores the daily life of people living under occupation. But without understanding the conditions that Palestinians deal with every day, how can a coherent account of the situation and its attendant crises be attempted?
http://dominionpaper.ca/features/2004/06/25/day_to_day.html


Palestinian shot dead by Israeli troops in West Bank, others wounded in Gaz
Meanwhile, two Palestinian teenagers and a 12-year-old boy were wounded by Israeli gunfire in the Brazil refugee camp in Rafah... Meanwhile, two Palestinian teenagers and a 12-year-old boy were wounded by Israeli gunfire in the Brazil refugee camp in Rafah...
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=6&u=/afp/20040625/wl_mideast_afp/mideast_unrest_040625191657


Israeli Soldiers Wound 3 Palestinians in Nablus
"The IOF took over a number of Palestinians' homes in the old city of Nablus and demolished a house, while paramedics were not able to reach the said area to evacuate the injured", local sources said.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1066


2 Civilians Arrested, House Blown up in WB
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF arrested Friday a civilian in Jenin, another in Ramallah and dynamited a house in Bethlehem, witnesses said.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1065


Losing control over the outposts
Various terms and interpretations are used to describe the outposts. There are illegal outposts and there are unapproved outposts. There can be a legal outpost, parts of which have not been approved. The Americans are asking how it's possible to build a synagogue and public buildings on an unapproved outpost.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/443159.html


Israel: 'Torture: It Won't End Until We Speak Up'
On 26 June is the International Day for Support of Victims of Torture. Amnesty International-Israel Section, the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture in Ramallah, Defence for Children International/Palestine Section, the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel...
http://www.unobserver.com/layout5.php?id=1768&blz=1


UN human rights investigators denounce Israeli actions
In a joint statement issued after a weeklong annual meeting, about 30 special rapporteurs urged the Security Council to deploy an international protection force to stop the "abuses".
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/443561.html


Protest planned for Palestine meeting
It would also join "social movements" and the Muslim Judicial Council in a march on the United States consulate, the coalition said in a statement on Thursday. It said it believed the South African government had betrayed the Palestinian struggle and its own history of fighting for freedom.
http://iafrica.com/news/sa/130734.htm

Palestinians: Israel is using "sinister chemical gases" to disperse demonstrators
According to Bassam Abu Madhi, head of Salfit Health Department, the gases used by the Israeli police against demonstrators on Tuesday caused "serious involuntary convulsions." "This shows that the gases have a certain effect on the central nervous system."
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/am/publish/article_6269.shtml


Fatah military wing opposes truce with Israel
A leaflet noted that "the brigades oppose any projects of trucewith the Zionist enemy until it (Israel) commits to theinternational legitimacy and peace process through specific termsand accords that meet with Palestinians' aspirations."
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/25/content_1545840.htm


Turkey To Send Humanitarian Aid To Palestine
Turkey will send humanitarian aid, worth of one million U.S. dollars, to Palestine. The aid, aiming at improving living conditions of Palestinians, and contribute to the economy of Palestine, covers various areas extending from food to health and infrastructure to education.
http://www.turkishpress.com/turkishpress/news.asp?ID=21547


If properly managed, Gaza pull-out could spur peace process, Annan says
"If it is done in the context of the Road Map and it is a total withdrawal from Gaza, to be followed by similar steps in the West Bank, it could re-energize the peace process," he said. "The international community should be prepared to work with both parties to manage the withdrawal in order to avoid a situation where the withdrawal leads to even further chaos,"...
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=11155&Cr=middle&Cr1=east


Palestinians must control Gaza assets, says World Bank
The report was yesterday delivered to Yasser Arafat in Ramallah and to the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem. It proposes that the legal framework establishing the agency be established before the Israeli withdrawal begins and that the agency report to the Palestinian Legislative Council.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/443151.html


Eitam plans to present a bill preventing soldiers from evacuating settlements
Israeli MK Effi Eitam, from the National Religious Party, said Friday that he plans to present a bill to the Knesset, which according to Eitam, if passed could prevent soldiers form participating in any evacuation of settlements.
http://www.imemc.org/headlines/2004/June/week4/062504/Eitam.htm


Israel's withdrawal plan for Gaza will not benefit local economy, World Bank warns
The international quartet - the US, United Nations, European Union and Russia - is expected to cite the report's findings to persuade the government of Ariel Sharon, Israeli prime minister, to do more to end the economic isolation of Gaza.
http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1087373262465


Mofaz meeting Burns
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and US envoy William Burns are currently meeting to discuss the implementation and security implications of the disengagement plan.
http://www.maarivintl.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=9051


Noam Chomsky
The two brutal regimes were Saddam Hussein's and the US-British sanctions, which were devastating society, had killed hundreds of thousands of people, were forcing people to be reliant on Saddam Hussein. Now the sanctions could obviously have been turned to weapons rather than destroying society without an invasion.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/3732345.stm


Nasrallah: 'Mistake' led to deaths of 3 IDF soldiers
"A mistake was made," Nasrallah said. "We expected the Israeli vehicles to be armored." The explosive device used against the IDF vehicle in which the soldiers were traveling, Nasrallah said, was too strong for an unarmored vehicle.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/443440.html


Bush, Chirac, Sharon named 'Islamophobes' of 2004
The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) selected the three in their annual "Islamophobia Awards" to highlight what they described as growing anti-Muslim prejudice. "It is with great sadness that we reveal this year's winners," the group said in a statement.
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/443553.html


US military launches another Iraq strike targeting suspected Zarqawi hideout
"This operation employed precision weapons to target and destroy the safe house," he added. A senior military official said 20 to 25 people were killed in the attack... The total death toll from the three raids is 59 to 64 people...
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=1&u=/afp/20040625/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_us_040625201045


Firebrand Iraqi preacher slams hostage beheading but also blames Bush
Radical Iraqi Shiite leader Moqtada Sadr denounced the beheading of American hostage Paul Johnson by Islamists in Saudi Arabia, saying the execution had cast a slur on Islam's reputation.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=8&u=/afp/20040625/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_us_shiites_sadr_040625180818


U.S. Soldier's Lawyer Says Iraq Abuse Widespread
Senior military officers were aware of widespread abuse of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. soldiers, and lower-ranking troops should not be made scapegoats, the lawyer for an accused female soldier said Friday.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=5516889


EU-US Summit: End the EU's embarrassing silence on US torture
The Open Letter says President George W. Bush should not leave Ireland without a clear message from the EU: that torture and ill-treatment must never be encouraged, condoned or ignored, and that the EU therefore expects its single-most important partner to abide by the absolute ban on torture laid down in international law.
http://news.amnesty.org/mav/index/ENGEUR016242004

June 24 2004

UN puts cost of rebuilding Rafah homes at $45 mln
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said it had neither the money nor the land to provide homes for more than 9,000 needy refugees. A total of 15,000 people in Rafah have been made homeless during the conflict. "The housing problem in Rafah is reaching crisis level," UNRWA said. Of the $45 million, the agency said it was $35 million short.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L24575986.htm


Palestinians: Israel is using "sinister chemical gases" to disperse demonstrators
Palestinian health officials have accused the Israeli army of using "sinister chemical gases" to disperse demonstrators protesting Israel's annexation wall in the West Bank. Other symptoms caused by the new gases include extended blurred vision, enlarged eye pupil, serious mental confusion and stomach pains.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/am/publish/article_6269.shtml


Um Ghazy dreams of hugging her son away from prison walls
“I have been waiting for long 16 years, for the day of my sons’ freedom, dreaming of him knocking the door and saying “Am Home”, dreaming of hugging him for several hours, and crying”, the mother said.
http://www.imemc.org/headlines/2004/June/week3/062104/umgazy%20feature.htm


ELECTIONS ARE THE KEY TO MIDEAST PEACE
So far, the US and Israel have not supported such a move. But it should not be impossible to get the US to shift its position. What could be more "un-American" than preventing people from voting? The US in turn can engage Israel to make elections feasible.
http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1087373186386&p=1012571727088


Arab boycott warns Caterpillar not to sell equipment to IDF
"Your insistence to go on supplying the Israeli army with bulldozers and other equipment that helps it to destroy Palestinian lands and houses ... would eventually lead to halting any dealing with your company by all Arab countries," according to the letter...
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=443103&contrassID=1&subContrassID=8&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Army fury at Hebron soldiers' brutality exhibition
"We would be quite happy if they were going to investigate the crimes committed against Palestinians. But this is just an attempt to keep us quiet. The problem is not with what the soldiers say they have seen, it is with the army as a whole," said Yonathan Boumfeld, one of the organisers.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,1245950,00.html


Reform Movement rabbis set to condemn house demolitions
The Reform Movement's top religious body is expected to issue a statement condemning administrative home demolitions carried out by the Israel Defense Forces as contradicting "the character of Israel as envisioned by the founders of the Jewish state."
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/442607.html


Israeli troops wound 3 Palestinians in Nablus
Witnesses said a number of young Palestinians threw stonesagainst the Israeli soldiers who responded by opening fire andinjured the three. The sources, meanwhile, said that the Israeli militarydemolished a number of Palestinian homes in Nablus, and paramedicswere not able to reach the said area to evacuate the injured.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/24/content_1545748.htm


3,345 Palestinians killed in uprising: report
among the killed Palestinians there are 617 children, 233 women, adding that 270 Palestinians were killed after they were targeted from air by F16 war planes and Apache attack helicopters, 90 of them were not targeted. It said that 106 Palestinian pregnant women and patients died on roadblocks and checkpoints
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/24/content_1543535.htm


Two Arab Knesset Members Denied Sessions for Criticizing Israeli Crimes
The Knesset’s decision came after these two Arab MKs had criticized strongly the Israeli forces' actions in the Gaza Strip city of Rafah on May 2004, particularly, bombing with missiles a peaceful Palestinian demonstration in the Rafah City, that claimed the lives of at least 15 civilians, mainly children.
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/154.html


Statement by P10K founder in Tel Aviv court
For the record, my purpose in Israel and Palestine was, and shall remain even after my departure, to further the P10K Mission of truth, Justice and ultimately Peace. Among the primary objectives of this mission was to secure a P10K ceasefire "Agreement in Principle".
http://www.p10k.net/UpdateItems.asp?ID=57


Israel hails House vote on Bush Mideast stance
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's senior side Dov Weisglass Thursday hailed as "one of the most important days in Israel-United States relations" an overwhelming U.S. House of Representatives vote to "strongly endorse" President George W. Bush's April 14 declaration...
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=442593&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Mideast Envoys Back Egypt Pressure on Palestinians
Representatives of the Middle East Quartet -- the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations -- met in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Taba, a venue chosen in recognition of Egypt's role in working with the Palestinians.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=5506660


Queria agrees to consolidate PA security forces by September
The various Palestinian Authority security agencies will be consolidated by September, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia said in an interview with the Palestinian newspaper Al-Ayam published Thursday.
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/443016.html


BBC and the Middle East
The struggle between Israel and the Palestinians is shown, most especially on mainstream bulletins, as a battle between two 'forces', possessed equally of right and wrong and responsibility. It is the tyranny of spurious equivalence.
http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=22&ItemID=5770


SA to Host Conference On Palestine
The meeting starts in Cape Town on Tuesday and President Thabo Mbeki is expected to officially open it under the theme: "Achieving the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people - The key to peace in the Middle East".
http://allafrica.com/stories/200406240599.html


World Bank opposes int'l custodianship for settlements
the team proposed the creation of the temporary agency, staffed by Palestinians and international advisors and professional experts, who would be responsible for the evacuated settlements and for the just distribution of property to Palestinians.
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/443063.html


Palestinian children rally against U.S. in Gaza
"Our kids need protection against death by American Apache helicopters, not summer camps," said Abdel-Raouf Barbakh, an activist in a Palestinian children's rights group that organised the protest.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L24575861.htm


US-Egyptian-Israeli-Palestinian meeting to be held in October: Qurei
Qurei told the Ramallah-based "Al-Ayyam" daily that the EuropeanUnion might also join the four-way meeting that will be held on a high level, adding that the whereabouts of the meeting haven't beenfinalized.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/24/content_1545467.htm


Erakat anticipates assistance, but not forces, for securing Gaza
"Egypt and Jordan will not have any security role if -- when -- Israel withdraws from Gaza or the West Bank," Erakat told reporters here. "This is a role only confined to the training, the equipping of our security forces that were largely damaged in the last three years," he said.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=9&u=/afp/20040624/wl_mideast_afp/us_mideast_gaza_egypt_040624181410


Camp David was Clinton's failure
You quote Bill Clinton as blaming Yasser Arafat for the failure of the Camp David talks (G2, June 21); yet you say nothing about Clinton's unerring, documented support for Israeli Zionism and its US lobby. What Clinton told you is a favourite myth.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,1246020,00.html


Reforms to be implemented in PNA institutions: official
However, the committee is only responsible for reforms on the civil and administrative levels, elections and activating the judiciary system rather than security issues, said the official.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/24/content_1543532.htm


Tell Arafat: NO TO RACISM! SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO RETURN!
Al-Awda, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition, once more calls on President Arafat to uphold the Palestinian refugees' right to return to their original homes and lands in accordance with the provisions of the Palestinian National Charter adopted by the Palestinian National Council in 1968, International Law and pertinent United Nations resolutions.
http://al-awda.ca/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=154


An Interview with the Coalition Against the Deportation of Palestinian Refugees
They had actually scheduled his hearing at 1pm, lied to him, and packed him off to a New York county jail... They lied to him, they lied to us, repeatedly, so that they could deport him as quickly as possible.
http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=1&ItemID=5765


A `non-intelligence' approach
Over 42 percent believe the goal is to end Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip and set up a Palestinian state, while 61 percent support continuing the "armed struggle" following an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, according to the Bir Zeit poll...
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/442630.html


Jordan to provide support to Palestinians: King Abdullah
The king made the remarks when meeting with visiting PalestinianPrime Minister Ahmed Qurei. Abdullah said that any steps that Jordan takes on training thePalestinian security forces will be done through coordination withthe Palestinian National Authority (PNA).
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/24/content_1545757.htm


Sharansky: 100,000 immigrants from FSU in next five years
"The numbers of FSU [former Soviet Union] immigrants have dropped significantly. If there are no dramatic changes, I do not expect more than 100,000 immigrants to arrive in the next five years," Sharansky said during a question and answer session with Haaretz readers.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=443093&contrassID=1&subContrassID=7&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


MID-EAST COVERAGE BAFFLES BRITONS
The report takes issue with a tendency in the media to present the problem as "starting" with Palestinian action, while Israelis were seen to be "responding" with actions that were explained and contextualised.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3829967.stm


Israel army says Gaza pullout to cost $200 million
The sources said the army estimated that the redeployment of forces would cost more than one billion shekels ($222 million). This cost would be in addition to an estimated $300,000 per family expected to be paid to some 7,500 Israeli settlers to be evacuated from Gaza.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L24616190.htm


At Least 85 Die in Rebel Attacks in Five Iraq Cities
At least 85 people died and more than 320 were wounded in Iraq on Thursday when insurgents launched bloody assaults in five cities to disrupt next week's formal handover to Iraqi rule. Three U.S. soldiers were among those killed in bold assaults on Iraqi security forces in Baghdad and the mainly Sunni Muslim cities of Baquba, Falluja, Ramadi and Mosul.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=5507534


NATO could agree to help train Iraqi forces
"There is a (UN) Security Council resolution. There is a fully legitimate interim government in Iraq. NATO should never slam the door in (Allawi's) face," he told reporters in a pre-summit briefing. De Hoop Scheffer confirmed that he had received a letter from Allawi on Monday requesting NATO's help
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=5&u=/afp/20040624/wl_mideast_afp/nato_iraq_040624195437

June 23 2004

Another disaster for Palestinians
Since 1967, Israeli policy in East Jerusalem has been designed to encourage Jewish Israeli settlement and to decrease the number of Palestinian residents through a series of punitive building and residency laws that are only applied to non-Jews. The wall excises Palestinian communities from the landscape of East Jerusalem...
http://www.bitterlemons.org/issue/pal2.php


Deep-rooted corruption in Palestine
Israeli television showed trucks transporting cement from a factory originally owned by Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmad Qureia to the Israeli settlement of Ma'ale Adumim, east of occupied Jerusalem. Qureia reportedly had transferred ownership of the plant to other members of his family.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article2843.shtml


State mulls probe over funding for outposts
The State Prosecutor's Office is considering ordering a full-scale investigation into suspicions that the treasury and Housing Ministry transferred tens of millions of shekels to budgets that were used to build infrastructures for illegal outposts in the territories...
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=442416&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


IDF raids photo exhibit for evidence of violence
The IDF's Military Police yesterday raided the "Breaking the Silence" exhibit of photographs taken by soldiers during their military service in Hebron, confiscating a folder containing newspaper clips about the exhibit as well as a videotape including statements made by 70 soldiers...
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/442138.html


IDF questions reservists who organized Hebron photo exhibit
According to Boimfeld, the IDF didn't launch the probe in order to reform the practice of troops in Hebron, but rather to prevent other soldiers from revealing the realities of their service.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/442123.html


Army probes Hebron 'abuse'
Entitled Breaking the Silence, it included claims that stun grenades were thrown at Palestinian children for fun. Car keys confiscated from Palestinians were also among the exhibits. Among the alleged cases of intimidation, soldiers told of harassing a bride and groom.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3832397.stm


ACT Appeal: Emergency Assistance, Occupied Palestinian Territories
ACT member in Gaza, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) working through the Near East Council of Churches (NECC) seeks the financial support to meet the immediate needs of the Palestinian families who lost homes in the recent military operation by providing emergency cash assistance.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/108800499551.htm


IOF Kills 2 Injures others in Gaza
Khaled al-Shinbari 21, and Ibrahem Salha 21, were instantly killed after having been shot with Israeli gunshot in Beit Hanoun. Ahmed al-Masri suffer critical wounds as he was shot with several bullets, medical sources said.
http://english.wafa.ps/cphotonews.asp?num=503


Attack on Beit Hanoun Continues, 3rd Citizen Killed
Witnesses said that Israeli troops, shot dead Abu Sa'da during their ongoing razing of arable land in the city, adding that he is the third citizen to be murdered in less than 24 hours. In addition, two brothers, Mohammed and Dawood Wahdan were also arrested by IOF.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1050


IOF Kills a Photographer in Nablus, Arrests Six Others
The Israeli occupying forces (IOF) shot and killed a photographer in the city of Nablus and arrested six others while they were preparing to cover a ceremony at the Al Najah University in the city.
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/151.html


UN: 3,437 Palestinians, 942 Israelis killed since Sept. 2000
During this same period, 33,770 Palestinians and 6,008 Israelis were wounded, according to a senior UN source. Prendergast's report painted a "gloomy picture" of the Palestinians' situation and was "pessimistic" regarding their expected future.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=442584&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Israelis better at manipulating media
Almost always those visitors felt afterwards that what they saw did not correspond with the image of Palestine they had before. Somehow the impact and scope of occupation were never really understood except after experiencing it first hand.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/0944B35C-4811-4F44-88EF-F96684DF85F7.htm


Factory closure another economic blow to Gaza
Factories and workshops in the heavily guarded industrial park bordering Israel employ 4,500 Palestinians, many of whom support large families. "At least 35,000-40,000 people will go from barely making it to below the poverty line," said Yasser Najjar, a Palestinian Foreign Ministry official who deals with economic issues.
http://www.azdailysun.com/non_sec/nav_includes/story.cfm?storyID=89401


Jewish Agency won't help evacuate Gaza infrastructure
The agency said it will only help in the resettlement of Israelis evacuated from the Gaza Strip into new homes in the Negev and Galilee regions.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/442539.html


House endorses White House position on Israel, Gaza pullout
The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday joined President George W. Bush in backing Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw from all Gaza Strip settlements and confirming that a new Palestinian state, rather than Israel, should take in Palestinian refugees.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=442593&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Sharon Plans to Confine Arafat 'For Next 45 Years'
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat will not be allowed to leave his West Bank headquarters “for the next 45 years,” Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said today.
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3106862


Arafat meets Egypt envoy, says West Bank pullout must accompany Gaza exit
"The withdrawal from Gaza which the Israelis are speaking about must be accompanied by a withdrawal from the West Bank and be fully incorporated under the terms of the roadmap to enable creation of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital."
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/91629/1/.html


Palestinians want more US pressure on Israel, action plan for roadmap
Erakat, who met here with Secretary of State Colin Powell, said he had also asked Washington to support Egyptian-Jordanian efforts to retrain the Palestinian security forces and to provide assistance for planned general elections.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=8&u=/afp/20040623/wl_mideast_afp/mideast_us_palestinians_040623180629


Egypt: IDF must quit Gaza before we assume security role
Egypt is demanding that the Israel Defense Forces ceases operations in the Gaza Strip as a precondition to deploying security advisers to the area. The Egyptians have also proposed that international forces be deployed at the Gaza port and airport after the IDF withdrawal.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/442152.html


U.S. Says Backs Egypt's Mideast Initiative
The United States backed Wednesday Egypt's campaign for an Israeli-Palestinian agreement on Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and said it would do what it could to take advantage of Israel's own Gaza initiative.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=564&ncid=564&e=7&u=/nm/20040623/ts_nm/mideast_usa_egypt_dc_1


'Desperate' need for political solution to Middle East conflict - UN official
Events in the past month showed yet again how desperately the people of the Middle East need a political solution to their long conflict, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=11128&Cr=middle&Cr1=east


Palestinian musician expresses cultural pride with his art
"Perhaps it was because they felt, maybe rightly, that Arabic music was from the age of defeats. But after the intifada a new pride took hold, and we wanted to show that Arabic music was not about defeat and Arabic culture was not a defeated culture."
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=4&Article_id=5524


Redrawing borders, increasing oppression
The wall is in fact part of the ongoing Israeli settlement expansion strategy that includes East Jerusalem, which is considered by the Palestinians, under international law, and in the official position of almost every country in the world to be part of the Palestinian occupied territories.
http://www.bitterlemons.org/issue/pal1.php


Gaza plan will 'imprison Palestinians'
Speaking in Ram Allah on Tuesday, Mustafa Barghuthi, secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative, accused the Israeli prime minister of seeking to turn the Gaza Strip into the "biggest prison in the world".
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/CAA5C6B9-BA9F-45E3-9700-9A94349D34B3.htm


Book by CIA official slams US war on terrorism, Iraq
"We are fighting a worldwide Islamic insurgency -- not criminality or terrorism -- and our policy and procedures have failed to make more than a modest dent in enemy forces," he said. He said the threat from radical Islam is rooted in opposition not to American values, but to policies and actions, particularly in the Islamic world...
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=17&u=/afp/20040623/wl_mideast_afp/us_attacks_cia_qaeda_040623080801


UN Meetings supporting palestinian rights, middle east peace
The United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People will convene the United Nations African Meeting in Support of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2004/gapal955.doc.htm


Thais urged to leave Gaza after worker killed
She said there were more than 20,000 Thais working in "safe areas" in Israel, but did not know the exact number of Thai workers in the Gaza Strip after about 500 of them had been told to leave the area by April.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/BKK123191.htm


Anti-terror war 'pretext for abuses'
Amnesty has been calling on the US and Gulf countries to bring detentions within the rule of law. "Under international law, these detainees must be given immediate access to lawyers, allowed to contact their family and to challenge the legality of their detention," spokesman Neil Durkin said.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,1245192,00.html


Sadr's movement refuses to take part in Iraqi national conference
It was impossible to know if the move was a definitive slamming of the door or just political jockeying for power. " We reject the invitation," close Sadr aide Sheikh Ahmed Shaibani told AFP. " We have examined the invitation over the past three days and reached the conclusion that it does not take into account enough the importance of our movement," he said.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=9&u=/afp/20040623/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_us_transition_sadr_040623182652


Deformed newborns increase in Iraq due to radiation
"One of the most important reasons is direct exposure to radiation, which caused the increase in the rate of deaths among Iraqi children," said Abdul Majeed. "New cases were found in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities," she said. Meanwhile, Abdul Majeed pointed out that radiation would have a long impact.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/23/content_1543474.htm


US military confirms air strike on Fallujah town
The airstrike came only days after a similar attack on Saturday that leveled a building of suspected safehouse for al-Zarqawi's network. "Wherever and whenever we find elements of the Zarqawi network, we will attack them," he added. (sound similar to IOF & Sharon?)
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/23/content_1540924.htm


U.S. Will Hold Saddam Even After Transfer
But U.S. forces won't let go of the former dictator, even after Iraq regains its sovereignty next week, because it doesn't have a prison strong enough to hold him, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=540&e=17&u=/ap/20040623/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_saddam

June 22 2004

Nonviolent Protestors Stop Bulldozers in Az Zawiya
The military began pushing and beating the group of Palestinians, Israelis and internationals. Two Israelis were beaten severely. The army threw sound bombs and tear gas directly at protestors. Many were injured due to the gas.
http://www.palsolidarity.org/reports/writings/22Jun04_10_29_32QalqiliaJessica.htm


Scores of the Palestinians Wounded during a Peaceful Protest in Al Zawyia including a Minister
troops used force against the peaceful demonstrators, firing live, rubber coated steal bullets and tear gas canisters resulting in the wounding of tens including the minister in Charge of The Apartheid Wall Portfolio the deputy Qadora Fares, who has lost his conscience due to inhaling the tear gas canisters.
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/145.html


House Demolished by IOF in Jerusalem
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) demolished early Tuesday a civilian house owned by Taleb Zahaikeh in Jabal al-Mukaber area of Jerusalem City under the pretext of furthering the construction of the Apartheid Wall, the family members said.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1044


The Apartheid Wall Threatens to Intensify a History of Land Confiscation in Deir Ballut
The Apartheid Wall will surround the village, along with Zawiya and Rafat, in order to annex the two settlements of Peduel and Ale Zahav as well as tens of thousands of dunums of the three village’s lands (including the lands for the new settlement). If the Apartheid Wall is constructed, then only the built up area in Deir Ballut will be left for the village, which is only about 720 dunums.
http://stopthewall.org/latestnews/595.shtml


A Patient Dies at Rafah Border Crossing of Israeli Delays
Khalil Abu Teir, 58, was clearly in a good health when he entered the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing, according to security sources, but died suddenly upon crossing to the Egyptian side, after being detained for seven hours at the Israeli side.
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/138.html


Palestinians want to go home from Iraq-IRIN
Thousands of Palestinian refugees are stranded in Iraq, and their situation even more precarious since the removal of Saddam Hussein’s government according to the U.N. Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN).
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/108792089952.htm


Queen Elizabeth To Decorate Palestinian Physician
He said the British consul told him he was chosen for his earnest humanitarian efforts in the occupied Palestinian territories, especially after refusing to leave Jenin during the massive Israeli raid in April 2002.
http://www.islamonline.org/English/News/2004-06/22/article07.shtml


IOF Wounds Child, Dynamites 2 Houses in Central Gaza
Witnesses told WAFA that the IOF, backed by two military bulldozers and military vehicles, moving from Israeli colony of “Kfar Daroom”, incurred into the city and opened intensive fire shooting against the civilians’ houses, wounding a child.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1039


Two Palestinians killed in northern Gaza army incursion
Two Palestinians, one of them an armed militant, were killed during an Israeli army incursion in Beit Hanun... Palestinian security sources had told AFP early Tuesday that Israeli armor rolled into the Beit Hanun area, leveling farmland and with troops taking over a house.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1512&ncid=1512&e=2&u=/afp/20040622/wl_afp/mideast_unrest_gaza_toll_040622135825


9 Civilians Arrested by IOF in Jenin and Nablus
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested early Tuesday five civilians in Qabatia town of Jenin City and incurred into two other villages of the city, local sources said.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1040


Shooting at MPs won't do any good
On Friday I enjoyed, if that is the right word, being a first-hand witness to an example of policy failure in action. The Israeli Defence Force deployed on the border between Egypt and Gaza saw fit to open fire on a group of unarmed people inspecting the area, who had arrived in clearly marked UN vehicles.
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,9115,1244473,00.html


RSF condemns violent attacks on Palestinian journalists
"Last week, the army resorted to intimidation and threats and fired tear gas canisters directly at journalists, injuring two of them. It is evident that during its operations, the Israeli Army systematically obstructs the work of Palestinian journalists.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article2841.shtml


Palestinian factions oppose Egypt, Jordan security role after Gaza pullout
"Our steadfast people expects from our Arab brothers the logic of support and not the logic of security which cannot be acceptable." It would suggest "the Palestinian people are the problem rather than the unfair occupation of our land."
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1514&ncid=1312&e=7&u=/afp/20040622/wl_mideast_afp/mideast_040622114743


Fatah rejects communique opposing Egypt's security role
The Fatah movement denied on Tuesday any connection with a communique issued earlier by the Palestinian factions which rejected an Israeli pullout plan and the Egyptian role due to be played in the Gaza Strip.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/22/content_1540534.htm


U.S. envoy: Israel must freeze settlements, dismantle outposts
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon should dismantle settlement outposts and freeze building in other Jewish settlements in keeping with commitments he gave the United States, the U.S. ambassador to Israel said Tuesday.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=442032&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Palestinian group talks peace
The al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades drew up an agenda for negotiations with the Palestinian leadership in the coming days, according to Brigades commander Zakaria Zubaidi. Speaking to journalists in Jenin, Zubaidi said the document was the first ever produced by his group and would be sent to President Yasir Arafat and PM Ahmad Quraya.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/7FA42748-CCF5-42BC-8C48-36F2B93232CF.htm


Israel denies allegation that it trains Kurds in N.Iraq
Earlier on Tuesday, Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said Israel had informed them that the news stories about relations between Israel and the Kurdish groups in Iraq were baseless.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/22/content_1540565.htm


Thailand may stop sending workers to Israel
The Thai government is considering suspending the sending of Thai workers to Israel after a Thai worker employed at a Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip was killed in a clash between Israel Defense Forces troops and Hamas guerrillas, officials said Tuesday.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=441995&contrassID=1&subContrassID=7&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Labor files first no-confidence motion since pullout passed
The Labor Party submitted a no-confidence motion Tuesday evening over the country's socio-economic situation, for the first time since the government approved Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's disengagement plan.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/442080.html


French FM visits Jordan on second leg of Mideast tour
In Cairo, Barnier said France, and Europe as a whole, was ready to back an Egyptian initiative to guarantee security in the Gaza Strip after an expected Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian territory.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/91332/1/.html


Palestinian security forces to rule Gaza: security chief
Chief of the Palestinian General Security Services Abdel-Razeq Al-Majayda said Tuesday that the Palestinian security forces planned to rule the Jewish settlements and military bases in the Gaza Strip after the expected Israeli evacuation.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/22/content_1540625.htm


Israeli Jews want to encourage Arabs to leave-poll
Israeli Arab lawyer and researcher Nimer Sultany said the survey only confirmed hostility that Arabs, who make up about 20 percent of the population in Israel, have long felt. "The Arab citizens face discrimination in daily life, in the university, on the football field," said Sultany
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L22635024.htm


New Book: Bad News from Israel
The study suggests that television news on the Israel/Palestinian conflict confuses viewers and substantially features Israeli government views. Israelis are quoted and speak in interviews over twice as much as Palestinians and there are major differences in the language used to describe the two sides.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article2842.shtml


FREEDOM SUMMER PALESTINE 2004
In 3 days the Palestinian people will announce the beginning of Freedom Summer Palestine 2004 – a 56-day campaign (one day for every year of displacement and dispossession) against occupation and oppression.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/palmedialert/message/199


Ya'alon, Steinitz exchange barbs over Iraq hearings
In a letter Lieutenant General Ya'alon sent to members of the Knesset panel, he blasted Rivlin for summoning him for clarifications following the IDF's refusal to allow a senior intelligence officer to speak at a committee hearing last week on the war in Iraq.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/442002.html


Egypt asks Israel to halt military operations in Gaza Strip
The request was made in the lead-up to the talks Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman will hold Wednesday in Jerusalem and Ramallah on the matter of security coordination.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/441716.html


Journalist in Vanunu case barred from Israel as 'risk to security'
Meir Vanunu, the nuclear technician's brother, criticised the ruling as an attempt to prevent Mr Hounam testifying when the Israeli Supreme Court considers Mr Vanunu's appeal next week against a ban on leaving the country, imposed when he was freed in April after serving 18 years
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/story.jsp?story=533916


Disengaging Resistance
The defeat by his far-right constituency in the party referendum on May 2 was a further indicator that Israeli party politics is beholden to the extremists of the extreme. Despite this early setback, Sharon’s plan retains the support of the majority of Israeli Jews and will continue rolling.
http://stopthewall.org/analysisandfeatures/596.shtml


What Feiglin understood long ago
Some months ago, some bold-spirited leftists from the Meretz party and elsewhere declared that Netanyahu is better than Sharon because he is more pragmatic. The proof: Netanyahu carried out the Hebron agreement. This assessment would be funny, were it not so pathetic.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/441695.html


Wolfowitz: US military in Iraq for years 'entirely possible'
"We're fighting an enemy, which is a very determined enemy, which is determined to try to upset this process, and I think is going to make a particularly determined effort over the next six months or so because once there's an elected government I think they're going to face a very, very serious defeat, which they're trying to prevent,"...
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=5&u=/afp/20040622/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_us_transition_040622185657


Saboteurs Blast Oil Pipeline in Iraq
Saboteurs blasted a key oil pipeline transporting crude oil from the northern town of Beji to one of the countries largest oil refineries — another in a series of attacks targeting Iraq's infrastructure, authorities said Tuesday.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=540&e=9&u=/ap/20040622/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_oil


Auditors criticize US management of 20-billion dollar Iraq fund
Auditors working for the United Nations have strongly criticised the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority for its management of the 20 billion dollar fund from oil sales, which it said is "open to fraudulent acts" it was reported.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=11&u=/afp/20040622/wl_mideast_afp/un_iraq_us_funds

June 21 2004

Bulldozers begin working in Deir Ballut village
The wall will completely isolate these agricultural villages from their land as most of the village land will be on the Israeli side of the wall. The village has been told that they will lose 99 percent of their agricultural land. The villages will lose their access to the rest of the West Bank as well as Israel.
http://www.womenspeacepalestine.org/news21jundb04.htm


15 Palestinians hurt during anti-fence protest in West Bank
Some 15 Palestinians, including a baby girl, suffered injuries from tear gas during clashes Monday afternoon with Israeli security forces during a demonstration against the separation fence near the West Bank village of Dir Balut, close to Qalqilyah.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/441591.html


Two no-confidence motions defeated in Knesset
The second no-confidence motion, presented by Yahad-Meretz, was defeated 55-15, with 28 abstentions. Members of the Labor and National Union Knesset factions abstained from voting on the motion, which protested the construction of the separation fence near the West Bank settlement of Ariel. (Israeli Democratically supported Apartheid!)
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/441473.html


Israeli Bulldozers Flatten 2 Palestinian Houses in Bethlehem
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) destroyed Monday two Palestinian houses in Bethlehem and handed the owners of 28 other houses notifications of destroying their houses, witnesses said.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1031


Israeli Soldiers Steal the Flowers of Nablus for Prison
Aseel Al Hendi, born on October 10, 1989 and a ninth grade student at the Al Fatemiya School in Nablus, was arrested on the dawn of June 16, after large forces of the Israeli occupation surrounded her family's house and ordered all dwellers to come out barefooted with their house gowns.
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/126.html


Israeli Soldiers Arrest 25 Palestinians in WB
IOF stormed into the town and broke into two pool clubs, arresting 25 Palestinians all ages between 17 and 20 years old. The IOF had also raided at pre-dawn on Monday the West Bank town of Salfeet and started razing Palestinian owned land...
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1033


Israel plans to relocate Gaza settlements
Sharon made the approach to The Jewish Agency, which is committed to assuring the future of the Jewish citizens of Israel. But Palestinian residents of the areas, which are known in Arabic as al-Naqab and al-Jaleel, fear the move will come at their expense.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/FA8D9685-11F8-4281-B4D4-DFB3379BC22B.htm


Poll: 64% of Israeli Jews support encouraging Arabs to leave
A University of Haifa poll released Monday reveals that a majority of the Jewish public in Israel - 63.7 percent - believes that the government should encourage Israeli Arabs to emigrate from Israel.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/441646.html


Palestine issue confuses Britons
A new survey has shown that many people in Britain think the Palestinians are occupying Israeli territory and not the other way round. Despite extensive media coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, some Britons think Palestinians are refugees from Afghanistan.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3827207.stm


Jihad militants attack settlement in southern Gaza
The group also reaffirmed its commitment to the choice of resistance until the Israeli occupation and settlements are ousted from the Palestinian lands. "Our militants fired two Saraya rockets against the Jewish settlement of Gadid..."
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/21/content_1538088.htm


Israeli troops kill Palestinian
The Israeli army said troops opened fire on a Palestinian tractor driver who approached an Israeli army position near the settlement of Kfar Drom during an attack involving mortars, missiles and automatic weapons fire.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,9916992%255E1702,00.html


Hamas Urges PA to Trial Officials Who Provided Cement to the Separation Wall
Saleh was kicked out of a PLC meeting dedicated for issues related to corruption and cement smuggling to Israel. Saleh accused most PLC members with ignoring the interests of ordinary Palestinians by focusing on legislations to raise their salaries and improve their pension conditions.
http://www.imemc.org/headlines/2004/June/week3/062104/hamas%20urges.htm


High Court puts Givat Haroeh evacuation on hold
Fourteen families live in the outpost, which is located close to the settlement of Eli, and is connected to the water system and the electricity grid, and has a paved road leading to it.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/441596.html


Fatah official holds collaborators responsible for attack on his car
"I don't have enemies within my people and I don't even have personal protections, but my problem is with the Israeli occupation forces," Hassan told reporters. The Palestinian police had started investigating the incident...
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/21/content_1538244.htm


Islamic Movement calls for release of group's leadership
The arrests were condemned at the time by the Islamic Movement spokesman, Sheikh Hashim Abd El-Rahman, who accused Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of putting "the Islamic Movement on the list of political targets for arrest."
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=441551&contrassID=1&subContrassID=7&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


PFLP armed wing rejects Egypt's security initiative
The PFLP, the second national faction after Fatah in the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), warned of what it called the "secret hands of America and Britain that began to infiltrate into occupied Palestine areas."
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/21/content_1538143.htm


PNA interior minister presents security requirements to Egypt
Palestinian Interior Minister Hakam Balawi said on Monday that he had presented to Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman a list of requirements to rehabilitate the Palestinian security apparatuses.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/21/content_1538107.htm


France would join "international presence" in Gaza Strip: Barnier
France is prepared to take part in an "international presence" in the Gaza Strip following a planned Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian territory, French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier revealed.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=19&u=/afp/20040621/wl_mideast_afp/mideast_france_egypt_040621112945


US envoy to visit Palestinian territories on Saturday: Erekat
"William Burns is due to visit the territories on Saturday to convene with Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei and a number of PalestinianNational Authority (PNA) officials," Erekat told "Voice of Palestine" radio.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/21/content_1537989.htm


Peres wants West Bank pullout
Israel's opposition leader said Sunday his Labor Party will not join the government unless Prime Minister Ariel Sharon agreed to negotiate a planned Gaza evacuation with the Palestinians and accompany it with a large-scale West Bank withdrawal.
http://www.southbendtribune.com/stories/thisday/nation.20040621-sbt-MICH-A10-Peres_wants_West_Ban.sto


UAE denies talks on Israeli liaison office: newspaper
A government source had rejected the story as "Israeli propaganda," the paper said. "Israel is trying to gain some assets for the so-called Gaza separation plan," the source was quoted as saying.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/21/content_1537848.htm


UN seminar decries anti-Semitism, urges stepped-up global response
The Secretary-General acknowledged that the UN's own record on anti-Semitism has at times fallen short of the Organization's ideals. "The General Assembly resolution of 1975, equating Zionism with racism, was an especially unfortunate decision. I am glad that it has since been rescinded" - in 1991.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=11103&Cr=tolerance&Cr1=


Egypt not to allow Israel to dig moat in S. Gaza: Erekat
"Egypt has interfered upon the Palestinian Authority's request and will rehabilitate the Palestinian security services and assume its responsibilities on the borderline, but it will not accept to establish an inland waterway that will turn the Gaza Strip into a big jail,"
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/21/content_1537992.htm


Swapping the right of return for the holy sites
Relinquishing complete sovereignty over the Temple Mount is exceedingly difficult for Israel and for the Jewish people, but it is necessary. This is similar to the difficulty Palestinians confront when considering a compromise regarding the right of return.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/441246.html


Clinton: Israel Must Work With Arafat
"Unless they just want to wait for him to become incapacitated or pass away or unless they seriously believe they can find a better negotiating partner in Hamas ... then they need to keep working to make a deal," The Guardian quoted the former president as saying.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&ncid=519&e=12&u=/ap/20040621/ap_on_re_us/britain_clinton_1


Israelis 'using Kurds to build power base'
The article was written by Seymour Hersh, the Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter who exposed the abuse scandal in Abu Ghraib. It is sourced primarily to unnamed former and current intelligence officials in Israel, the United States and Turkey.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,1243588,00.html


Coming soon: A Jordanian college degree in Israel
Nor was their request routine or predictable, during the period of home demolitions in Rafah: to establish the first Arab university in Israel, with Jordanian funding and academic sponsorship, and with the option of bringing students from all over the Arab world.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/441257.html


Changing fortunes lead Soviet Jews from Israel to Russia
The Russian economy that was on the verge of collapse is now booming, while the Israeli economy is sinking under the weight of the intefadeh. Israelis live in a state of siege.
http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2004/06/20/world/russianjews040620


Nader Taps Green Activist As Running Mate
``This is an opportunity for Nader to make an overture to the party membership,'' said Ben Manski, one of five co-chairs of the Green Party. ``I think it certainly would put him much more in the running but not a guarantee.''
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4229196,00.html


Abu Ghraib prison guard in Iraq wants Rumsfeld to testify: lawyer
Seven soldiers, implicated in abusing Iraqi detainees, have said they were encouraged by military intelligence officers in the drive for information about the insurgency dogging the Americans.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=13&u=/afp/20040621/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_prisoner_abuse_040621141040


Iran Seizes Three British Vessels, 8 Crewmen
"This morning three British vessels with eight crew entered the Islamic Republic of Iran's waters and Iran's naval forces, acting on their legal duty, confiscated the vessels and arrested the crew," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said in a statement.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=5473446


4 US soldiers killed in attack west of Baghdad
Television footage showed four bloody bodies of the US soldiers laying on the ground in a building in al-Ramadi city, some 100 km west of Baghdad. The US military has no immediate comment on the incident.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/21/content_1538059.htm

June 20 2004

18 hurt in anti-barrier demonstration
Eight protestors, including Israeli left-wing activists and foreign activists, were hurt by tear gas and rubber-coated bullets during an anti-barrier demonstration in the al-Zawya area.
http://www.maarivintl.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=8789


Israeli Caterpillars Continue Uprooting Olive Trees in Al Zawyia
The Israeli occupying forces (IOF) caterpillar bulldozers uprooted on Saturday nearly 100 olive trees in Al Zawyia village, west of Salfeet province. The IOF caterpillar, supported by combating helicopters, had fired flare grenades.
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/119.html


No safety net for annexation
Under cover of these `clean' expressions, a plan for the de facto annexation of some 150 square kilometers in the heart of the northern West Bank - including Ariel, Immanuel, Karnei Shomron, Kedumim and other settlements - is being implemented. This plan does not accord with Israel's promises to the American administration
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/440541.html


45 Female Prisoners Isolated as Two Teen Girls Still Held in Israeli Prisons
Israeli occupying authorities have recently isolated 45 Palestinian female prisoners of the "Telmond" and "Al-Ramlah" prisons, after having protested decisions to deny them access to high school final examinations, sources at the Committee to Defend Family in Nablus City, reported.
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/124.html


Haaretz journalist Hass awarded Anna Lindh award
Lindh was stabbed to death in Stockholm in September. Hass, who lives in Ramallah, was cited for her "courageous reporting" from the West Bank and Gaza, which "contributes to a better understanding of Palestinian life under Israeli occupation."
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=440864&contrassID=1&subContrassID=7&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


The story TV news won't tell
For 10 years Tim Llewellyn was the BBC's Middle East correspondent. In this passionately argued polemic he accuses British broadcasters, including his former employer, of systematic bias in covering the Arab-Israeli conflict, giving undue prominence to the views of Jerusalem while disregarding the roots of the crisis...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,1242896,00.html


5 Civilians Including, Woman, Arrested in WB
Eyewitness, Mohammed al-Fares, told WAFA reporter that Israeli soldiers, stationed at al-Bathan military checkpoint, ordered him to bush his car to the valley but he refused. Thus, they beat him up and ran over his vehicle with a "Hammer" military jeep.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1025


Angry Palestinians demonstrate in Rafah
Chief of the Committee for the owners of Demolished Houses, Abdel-Hakim Issa, said protest was aimed at the Palestinian Authority's indifference to their living conditions. "We have five essential demands that the PA has to implement. Otherwise the committee will escalate its protests,"...
http://www.washtimes.com/upi-breaking/20040620-111204-8694r.htm


Israeli Secret Plan to Plunder Palestinian Water
Israel, which wants the US to fund the project, would guarantee safe passage of the water across its territory in return for an agreement that Israel can continue to take the lion's share of the waters of the West Bank.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1022


Siyam: Resistance Will Continue as Long as Israeli Occupation Remains
The senior political leader in the Islamic Resistance movement (Hamas), Saeed Siyam, asserted that the resistance will continue as long as the Israeli occupation remains in the Palestinian territories, pointing out that the withdrawal from Gaza was not the end of things.
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/122.html


Israel Says Gaza Trench Plan Not Set in Stone
Israel said Sunday no final decision has been made on digging a trench on the Gaza-Egypt border despite having invited bids for the proposed project Palestinians condemn as a fresh attempt to pen them in.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=5463982


Israel allows in Palestinian workers for first time in three months
Israel has been barring Palestinian workers from entering the country after the killing of Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin on March 22 to ward off retaliatory suicide bombing attacks.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/20/content_1536158.htm


PNA formulates plan to ensure security after Israeli pullback from Gaza
"There is written plan attached with maps that show how theJewish settlements will be handed over," Majayda told reporters. "All we need is an Israeli military withdrawal and securityequipments in order to assume our responsibilities." he said.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/20/content_1535403.htm


EU offers conditional backing for Israel's pullout from Gaza: French FM
Israel's intention to evacuate Gaza and some West Bank settlements, "must be taken into consideration," the official Al-Ahram daily quoted Barnier as saying in an interview published Sunday. " The European Union has taken note of this commitment. It is prepared to offer support under certain conditions," he said.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040620/wl_mideast_afp/egypt_france_mideast_iraq_040620165504


Israeli agents working in Iraq's Kurdistan, Iran: report
Members of Israel's Mossad secret service are among the agents working in Iraq, where some pose as businessmen, but in reality are training Kurdish commandos in the northern part of the country, the report in New Yorker magazine said.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=11&u=/afp/20040620/wl_mideast_afp/us_iraq_iran_israel_040620201124


Israel moves closer to setting up office in Abu Dhabi
Israel is taking steps to improve its relations with the Arab world following the approval of the disengagement plan, and is holding advanced talks for the opening of a quasi-diplomatic office in the United Arab Emirates to represent Israeli interests in the area, according to diplomatic sources in Jerusalem.
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/440911.html


Israeli MPs file petition against decision to close case against Sharon
A backlash was brewing against a decision not to indict Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites) for corruption over a property deal as two MPs filed a petition with the supreme court.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=5&u=/afp/20040620/wl_mideast_afp/israel_sharon_corruption_040620122127


Peres: Netanyahu's economic policies are 'greedy capitalism'
"The government's economic policies have resulted in 6,000 millionaires and 6 million beggars," Peres said at a Labor Party conference in Tel Aviv, adding that the question was not an economic but a political one. "If we stay in the territories we'll find ourselves without a society," he said.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/441188.html


Israel bars journalist Peter Hounam reentering country
Interior Minister Avraham Poraz banned BBC journalist Peter Hounam from entering Israel. Hounam was arrested for a period of 24 hours approximately one month ago after he held an interview with Mordechai Vanunu.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=441205&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


British MPs 'fired at' in Gaza
"I thought 'they're trying to kill us'," she told BBC News Online. Speaking from the West Bank city of Hebron on Saturday, the peer said they would be demanding an explanation and apology from the Israeli ambassador to Britain when they returned on Monday.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3821485.stm


“ Irreversible Mental Damage” - By: Uri Avnery
the “Quartet” accepted the “Revised Disengagement Plan” of Ariel Sharon. This means that the United Nations, the European Union, the Russian Federation and the United States confirmed this document. I wonder if any one of the honorable diplomats has read the document with their own eyes.
http://www.amin.org/eng/uri_avnery/2004/jun19.html


U.S. activists meet Hezbollah officials in southern Lebanon
meeting Hezbollah officials and demonstratively throwing stones towards Israel. The group visited the area a day after the U.S. State Department barred American diplomats and other government staff in Lebanon from travelling to some areas south of Beirut owing to security concerns.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=441170&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Hizbollah anti-aircraft fire hits Israel-sources
hitting an Israeli army base but causing no casualties, Israeli security sources said. They said Hizbollah was believed responsible for the salvo, which came shortly after Israeli warplanes flew over the frontier.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L20500584.htm


IAF planes strike Hezbollah position in south Lebanon
The Hezbollah salvo came shortly after IAF warplanes flew over the frontier. The Shi'ite militant group did not immediately comment. The attack, during which shell fragments landed in an army base east of the border town of Shlomi, came amid heightened tensions between the Jewish state and Hezbollah.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/441047.html


Al-Arabiya: Mubarak won't appoint VP before Germany trip
Pan-Arab satellite television network Al-Arabiya negated on Saturday reports aired by rival Al-Jazeera, according to which Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will appoint a vice president before leaving for Germany on Sunday to have an operation for a slipped disc.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=440858&contrassID=1&subContrassID=8&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Is Criticism of Israel Anti-Semitic? - By Norman Finkelstein
Finkelstein, both of whose parents were Holocaust survivors, says "The Holocaust Industry is, as I conceive in the book, institutions, organisations and individuals who have put to use Jewish suffering for political and financial gain."
http://www.workingtv.com/main12.html


Unhappy with Mideast conflict? Tell U.S., not Cat
Cat is not selling machinery in defiance of any U.S. government sanction of Israel. Indeed, the Bush administration apparently has little or no objection to the Israeli government's stance regarding the Palestinians.
http://www.pjstar.com/news/editorials/b3b7059l058.html


A Meditation on Bush and Blake
But religious warriors like Bush and bin Laden see morals not as human customs but as divine commissions. They believe in their righteousness and the evil of the other. They believe they are a higher law.
http://www.counterpunch.com/christian06192004.html


Jordanian king discusses future of Iraq with US Congress delegation
Jordan is expected to get a total of 450 million dollars in economic and military assistance from the United States for 2004. Amman is one of Washington's closest Arab allies and among one of the largest recipients of US aid...
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=7&u=/afp/20040620/wl_mideast_afp/jordan_us_iraq_040620165703


Missile strike by US kills 22 civilians in Iraq
US air forces fired two missiles into a residential area of the troubled Iraqi city of Fallujah yesterday, killing 22 people and sparking a bitter row just 10 days before the country is supposed to come under Iraqi control. Angry local people said at least five children and three women were among the dead...
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/story.jsp?story=533378


Allawi to take charge of security in Iraq
"I have directed that the immediate priority is to establish an effective Iraqi command and control system to integrate all these forces, while I will have ultimate responsibility for national security," Mr Allawi said on Sunday, 10 days before he formally assumes office.
http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1087373127791&p=1012571727172


Iraq war adds up to very little
Next week the magic show is scheduled to begin. On Wednesday, official responsibility for managing Iraq is to be transferred to the provisional government. The U.S. will return the designation "conqueror" to the United Nations; and formally it will heed policies set by Iyad Alawi's government.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/440897.html

June 19 2004

Nonviolent Resistance Continues in Az Zawiya
Bulldozers continue to destroy the land and livelihood of the village of Az Zawiya. Over 200 villagers have been injured in two weeks of ongoing protest. Az Zawiya community urged all Israeli and international activists to come tomorrow and join them in their nonviolent struggle against the construction of the wall.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/palmedialert/message/198


Palestinian struggle against apartheid wall: video and photos
The start of work around Ariel, which lies some 20 kilometers inside the West Bank, comes despite Washington’s long standing objections to the controversial barrier, which were reiterated Tuesday.
http://www.labournet.net/world/0406/wall3.html


UN warns Caterpillar that sale of bulldozers to Israel may implicate company in human rights violations
Commissioner on Human Rights – Jean Ziegler – wrote to Jim Owens, CEO of Caterpillar Inc., to express deep concern “about the actions of the Israeli occupying forces in Rafah and in other locations in Gaza and the West Bank, using armoured bulldozers supplied by your company.”
http://www.unobserver.com/layout5.php?id=1752&blz=2


Israeli soldiers shot at us, say MPs
The incident happened yards from the spot where the British peace activist Tom Hurndall was shot in the head last year as he tried to guide Palestinian children to safety. Last night Mr Blunt, the chairman of the Conservative Middle East council, said: "It is absolutely appalling. If the Israeli soldiers are prepared to do this to people who are clearly with the UN it is no surprise that so many Palestinians have been killed."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,1242732,00.html


Israeli Bulldozers Uproot Palestinian Trees in Gaza
one bulldozer and several armoured vehicles moved at least 500 meters in the depth of the Palestinian-controlled land and uprooted olive and palm trees as well as razed arable lend.
Nasser Abu Timah, one of the owners of the said land, said that Israeli bulldozer razed his land planted with wheat and uprooted 20 olive trees.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1019


IOF Informs Families their Homes to be Razed
Several Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) tanks, jeeps and armoured vehicles raided on Saturday at pre-dawn the neighborhood of Johr el Deik east of the Israeli colony of Nitzarim in southern Gaza city, residents and security sources said.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1014


Israeli Soldiers Showers Woman with Severe Beats after Cursing Her
Israeli occupation soldiers physically attacked early Saturday a woman from al-Fondoq town of Qalqilya on the military gate placed at the entrance of Hibla town, southern the city, witnesses said. They told WAFA that the Israeli soldiers showered Qahira Muhesen 42, with severe beats and repulsive curses.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1018


IAF helicopters target metal workshops in Gaza Strip
Israel Air Force helicopters fired missiles at a metal workshop late on Saturday, in the Al-Muazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. According to Palestinians sources, three people suffered light injuries in the attack.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=440750&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Palestinian ambulance under fire
Dr Ghassan Hamdan, Head of PMRS services in Nablus, insisted that this ambulance was a target of Israeli soldiers’ bullets even though it was transferring an injured person to Hospital. They shot at the ambulance to prevent the emergency medical team from carrying out their essential humanitarian work.
http://www.labournet.net/world/0406/pmrs1.html


Kassams fired on Israeli towns
Kassam rockets were fired on the Israeli settlement in Nisanit in the Gaza Strip today, Saturday. Another was fired on the town of Nativ Haasarah, inside the Green Line. No damages or injuries were reported.
http://www.maarivintl.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=8744


The EU Reiterates its Rejection to The Forceful Resetting of Borders in ME
The EU called Israel to respect its commitment towards the International conventions and to stop the home demolitions and to remove the settlements and the West bank separation wall. These comments by the EU came in a statement published Friday in the European Summit in Brussels…
http://www.imemc.org/headlines/2004/June/week3/061904/eu-summit.htm


Israeli Occupation Ravages in Occupied Territories
Witnesses accounted on that several Israeli soldiers physically abused Qahera and kicked her with their foots and tried crash her by a military jeep but the passers there could managed to escape her inevitable death and hurried up to drag her away . She was admitted to Raphedia hospital of Nablus.
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/115.html


IAF helicopters target metal workshops in Gaza Strip
Three people were lightly wounded in the attacks, hospital officials said. Hours later, two homemade Qassam rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip, aimed at Israel. The two fell in an open area in the northern Strip. There were no injuries or damage caused.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/440750.html


Egypt urges Israel to stop operations after pullback: Qurei
He added that "Egypt demands that the United States and thequartet should provide unlimited support for its efforts to get outof this debacle." "Egypt also demands that the Palestinian National Authorityshould put in place a definite body with which Egyptian securityexperts, to be deployed in Gaza, would deal,"...
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/20/content_1535378.htm


Palestinian leadership under pressure to strike Gaza deal with militants
With Israeli plans to pull out of the Gaza Strip gathering pace, the Palestinian leadership is under mounting Egyptian pressure to reach a deal with militant groups on the future administration of the territory.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=4&u=/afp/20040619/wl_mideast_afp/mideast_egypt_040619195727


Egypt is not substitute for Palestinians in Gaza: FM
"Israel has destroyed the Palestinian infrastructure andaccordingly paralyzed the Palestinian police forces, therefore,they could not fulfill their duties," he said.   Maher also reiterated that Arafat is the legitimate leaderelected by the Palestinian people...
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/19/content_1534622.htm


Peres stipulates Labor joining coalition on joint peace plan
Labor Party chairman Shimon Peres in an interview to the New York Times laid out for the first time the conditions under which his party would join Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's government, saying that Labor would refuse to join a government that doesn't have a joint peace plan.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/440833.html


Former French PM: Creation of Israel by Balfour Declaration a Historic Mistake
Rocard, who is also a well-known member of the French Socialist Party, was delivering a lecture at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina on June 16, in which he said that the Balfour promise England gave to the Jews to create a national homeland for them in Palestine was a "mistake".
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/112.html


Needed: Palestinian Unilateralism - By: Daoud Kuttab
And while it is not fair to expect symmetry from the occupier and the occupied Palestinian leaders can’t sit idly by. What is badly needed is for the Palestinian Authority to try and carry out some more political acts that can help kick start real bilateral negotiations.
http://www.amin.org/eng/daoud_kuttab/2004/jun18.html


Jerusalem, Al Quds, Yerushalaym
This methodology is completely oblivious to one of the many important issues for Palestinians -- Jerusalem. Ever since the occupation commenced, Palestinian Jerusalemites became victims of a torturous process of ethnic cleansing, yet rarely, if at all, are they represented by mass media, whether in the United States or Europe.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article2830.shtml


Art imitates life in Gaza
"I picked up my brush and dark colours, and I worked in the moment when it was all happening, so the lines were sharp and there is drama in the pictures. "The suffering in Rafah was terrible."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3815111.stm


Druze Refuseniks: “Jailors and Soldiers in the Army Represent the Uniform they Wear"
The Israeli Knesset discussed the issue of the Druze refusniks, in a special private session, which proves the Knesset concerns on this issue. The number of Israeli Jewish Refusniks is also rising. The number of the refusniks is currently 617 according to their organization 'Courage to Refuse".
http://www.imemc.org/headlines/2004/June/week3/061904/druze-refuse.htm


Palestinians begin drafting deal on how to run Gaza
Asked if he would not hesitate to fight against Hamas militants in Gaza if necessary, Arafat said: "Even against anyone from Fatah who" breaks the law. The Palestinian Authority and militant groups in the Gaza Strip have begun drafting an agreement on how to run the territory jointly after an Israeli withdrawal
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=5436


Arafat recognises Jewish state and limit to return of refugees
Yasser Arafat has told an Israeli newspaper that he recognises Israel's right to remain a Jewish state and is, therefore, prepared to accept the return of only a fraction of the Palestinian refugees.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,1242419,00.html


The death of facts in the Land of Darkness
The ones who first understood the passing of the facts, this national desire to feed on doubt, were Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival in the art of spin championship, Ariel Sharon. It is no coincidence that the two, both after and in spite of everything, continue to lead on all blockbuster lists of the battle for the leadership.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/440508.html


Syria plans U.S. Accountability Act
He said among the reasons for adopting the U.S. Accountability Act are "Washington's policy in the Middle East region, its unlimited support for Israel in addition to the Syria Accountability Act" under which U.S. sanctions were imposed on Damascus.
http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040619-061730-6647r.htm


Arabs react to Johnson's slaying
While many Arabs said they were horrified by the circumstances of Johnson's death, they predicted the recurrence of such incidents as long as Israel wreaked havoc in the West Bank and Gaza with impunity, and US-led forces continued to occupy Iraq.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/9313DF97-A30B-489D-95FF-780D752E3968.htm


Egypt's Mubarak to undergo back surgery in Germany
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will appoint a vice president before leaving for Germany... channel did not disclose the identity of the future vice president. Mubarak, who has ruled Egypt since 1981, has never appointed anyone to the vice presidency - the route to the presidency in the two previous transfers of power in Egypt.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/440858.html


Three-Month-Old Baby Ali Dies in Iraq
Baby Ali's suffering illustrated the plight of Iraq's children, who are still lacking proper medical care after more than a year of U.S. military occupation. The hospital where Baby Ali was treated had no proper equipment to take blood and stool samples needed to pinpoint the type of diarrhea which afflicted him.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=540&e=8&u=/ap/20040619/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_baby_ali_dies


Annan raps U.S. on dodging war-crimes before global court
He is expected to press his case at a luncheon with council ambassadors on Friday. And next week more than 40 nations are scheduled to debate the measure in a public meeting, at which time U.S. abuse of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan is bound to be mentioned.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=440761&contrassID=1&subContrassID=8&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Iraq, 1917 - By Robert Fisk
Yes, we are preparing to give "full sovereignty" to Iraq. That's also what the British falsely claimed more than 80 years ago. Come, then, and confront the looking glass of history, and see what America and Britain will do in the next 12 terrible months in Iraq.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article6337.htm


Chopper strike kills 20 Iraqis in Falluja
In April, hundreds of Iraqis were killed in fierce fighting between US Marines and guerrillas in Fallujah, some 50 km west of Baghdad. A truce was later agreed, under which an Iraqi force was put in charge of security in the city.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/19/content_1535282.htm


3,000 more UK troops for Iraq
Officials said yesterday the corps would be "temporarily extracted" from Nato to make it more politically acceptable to members of the alliance - notably France and Germany - that were opposed to the war, as well as Russia and many Iraqi leaders.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1242629,00.html


Iraq's Watan Party asks Bremer to cancel wrong decisions before leaving
Mishaan Al Juboory, head of WatanParty, called on US civil governor of Iraq Paul Bremer to cancelall his wrong decisions before leaving the country, said localnewspaper Al Itijah Al Akhar on Saturday.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/20/content_1535384.htm

June 18 2004

Industrial Estates Along the Wall
The farmers of Irtah, a village near the West Bank market town of Tulkarem, can still see their land. But they haven’t had access to it for more than a year because the trenches, walls and barbed wire of Israel’s "security fence" lie between their hilltop homes and the fields. Now the Israeli army is threatening officially to confiscate the 500 dunams they are forbidden to access (1).
http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=22&ItemID=5735


Israeli Soldiers Attack Peace Activists in Salfeet
Tens of Palestinian and foreign peace activists suffered suffocation, and others arrested, as Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) fired "tear-gas" canisters at a peaceful march organized in Salfeet against the Israel's Apartheid Wall, witnesses said.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1010


Palestinian stage prayers, protests against Israel barrier
A few miles further west, around 600 Palestinians from the village of Iskaka also prayed on their land and demonstrated against the confiscation of their olive groves. Hundreds of hectares (acres) will fall on the Israeli side of the barrier being built in this area to protect the Jewish settlement of Ariel, one of the largest in the West Bank.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayArticle.asp?col=&section=middleeast&xfile=data/middleeast/2004/June/middleeast_June516.xml


The occupier is not convinced
Gaza's isolation from the West Bank is a geographic fact. But the process of disconnecting Palestinian areas from each other within the West Bank constitutes a brutal change in both the natural geography and the political geography determined by the Green Line.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/439549.html


Egypt and Jordan under pressure to take role in occupied territories
Zachariah Zubaidi, the articulate young commander of al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade in Jenin, was roused from one of his hiding places a week ago with the news that a mysterious group of strangers was in town. They turned out to be Jordanians - Amman later said they were inspecting Jordanian-funded facilities in the West Bank city.
http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1087373111487&p=1012571727172


IOF Destroys House and Arrests 2 Citizens in Gaza
Israeli troops besieged several houses and destroyed the houses of Abu Thaher, they also arrested two citizens from the same family. The bulldozers razed arable land also, witnesses said.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1009


Arafat refugee climbdown stuns Palestinians
Furthermore, the Palestinian leader told the paper that the PLO had dropped an Arab summit resolution, calling for a just solution of the Palestinian refugee problem based on UN General Assembly Resolution 194.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/099302D3-6D30-487D-BD86-B796CC3E6A71.htm


A Jewish state? `Definitely'
A solicitous host and lively raconteur, he apparently feels he must still hold some cards close to his chest for that last, fateful hand that he plainly believes he alone will yet play, one day, with Ariel Sharon or another Israeli leader.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/440479.html


Stop the Wall Caravan Kicks Off in Leiden, Netherlands
On June 5th, and 6th, in remembrance of Naksa day, and the complete occupation of Palestine, including the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, the Stop the Wall group in the Netherlands launched a national project entitled, "Stop the Wall Caravan!"
http://stopthewall.org/worldwideactivism/585.shtml


IAF helicopter fires missiles in Gaza Strip
The first strike hit a metal workshop with three missiles. Israel had targeted the workshop several months before. The second strike hit another empty building that had been destroyed in a previous Israeli raid into the neighborhood. The third strike, which came just minutes after the first one, hit a second metal workshop with two missiles.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/440750.html


Two-mile Gaza moat to foil tunnels to Egypt
The defence ministry invited companies yesterday to bid for the contract. The ditch will be between 15 and 25 metres deep and stretch for two and a half miles. The Israeli army has demolished thousands of houses and dozens of Palestinians have died in Rafah in raids the army says are aimed at uncovering the tunnels.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1241572,00.html


Israel Plans 'Remote Control Border'
The Israeli army envisions a "remote control" border with the Gaza Strip after a troop withdrawal, including unmanned patrol cars and computerized observation posts that would automatically spot and kill attackers, a military official said Friday.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=1312&e=1&u=/ap/20040618/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_palestinians_6


Report: Palestinians fire new type of rocket at Sderot
The more sophisticated rocket, called a Nasser 3 rocket, carries more explosive material and has a longer range than the type of Qassam that Palestinians usually use in attacks, according to the report.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/440750.html


Washington post Daily: Israel Tortures Palestinian Prisoners
In a report “Israel’s Example” published by the Washington post today, the newspaper wrote “ the Palestinian prisoners are being exposed to harsh torture measures including being  forced to keep standing on their foot for days, tied with no-backs chairs, listen to very loud music, placed in cold or sun-heat and  disallowed to use toilets”.
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/108.html


UN urges Iraq to protect Palestinians living in Baghdad
Saddam's government rented apartments for Palestinians, paying as little as $1 a month to landlords afraid to object. UNHCR has estimated that thousands of Palestinians were evicted from their homes in Iraq after the overthrow of Saddam.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/440800.html


Qureia: Palestinians drafting deal on post-pullout Gaza rule
The Palestinian Authority and militant groups in the Gaza Strip have begun drafting an agreement on how to run the territory jointly after an Israeli withdrawal, officials said Friday.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/440227.html


French FM Barnier leaves Sunday on first Middle East trip
In line with long-standing policy, Israel has said it is opposed to Barnier's meeting Arafat. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has made clear he will not receive any foreign visitor who also sees the Palestinian leader.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=10&u=/afp/20040618/wl_mideast_afp/france_mideast_040618155352


Israeli Closure Leaves Palestinian Economy Paralyzed
by closing the main commercial crossing into Gaza Strip. Israeli occupation forces have closed the four-kilometer Al-Muntar crossing, an economic lifeline for transporting 95 per cent of the strip’s exports and imports on a daily basis, for over three months now.
http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2004-06/18/article05.shtml


IDF suspends unit charged with death of crippled Palestinian
An Israel Defense Forces unit responsible for killing a handicapped Palestinian man in the West Bank has been removed from the West Bank and stripped of all its operational tasks, in accordance with an order issued Wednesday...
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=440742&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Arab-Americans meet Powell; Group assails US Mideast policy
"We need to have the administration show a balance in their foreign policy," Oakar said. She added that there is no hope for peace in the Middle East as long as the United States is not perceived as an equal partner."
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/arabtimes/world/Viewdet.asp?ID=2741&cat=a


UN agency says despite security concerns, refugees still returning home to Iraq
Elsewhere in the region, 170 Palestinians who fled Iraq last year have now left the Jordanian border and returned to Baghdad, Mr. Janowski told a press briefing in Geneva. “The refugees said they had given up hope of finding a new home in the Middle East and preferred to return to Baghdad.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=11086&Cr=iraq&Cr1=


Palestine: Perception and Reality
What ended Apartheid was the Anti-Apartheid Movement's excellent and powerful campaign, with really high quality design, packaged and speaking in the language of the society it was aimed at. You couldn't walk down a high street and not see a FREE SOUTH AFRICA T-Shirt on someone.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article2827.shtml


A poetics of return
The refugee camp on the edge of Jericho where I grew up wasn't home. Home was in Palestine: "There, on that mountain peak" where "our houses stand from ancient times", in the words of a poem I memorised in grade school. There, "my eyes behold their playground/ but my feet cannot seek it."
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/695/op32.htm


Terms and timing
Other senior Labour figures, however, say "most of the details have been agreed upon" for Labour joining the coalition following "secret talks" in recent weeks between Sharon's people and Peres. "The problem," says one Labour Party source, "is that Sharon doesn't have a majority in the Likud Knesset [parliamentary] faction."
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/695/fr2.htm


France and Germany to Open a Cultural Centre in Ramallah
France and Germany will inaugurate Saturday in Ramallah (Palestinian territories), a French-German cultural centre built by Palestinian architects, the French Foreign Ministry announced Friday.
http://www.aps.dz/an/pageview.asp?ID=65416


Amstaff dog who killed girl will be used by security forces
The American Staffordshire dog that killed a four year old girl in Tel Aviv on Thursday night will not be put to death, as originally thought, but rather will be used by security forces for its operations.
http://www.maarivintl.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=8732


China Opposes U.S. War Crimes Immunity, Imperiling UN Measure
China plans to reject continued immunity of U.S. citizens from prosecution by the International Criminal Court, because of the abuse of Iraqi prisoners, according to the country's United Nations envoy. The stance may align a majority of the Security Council against the protection.
http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=artt7lvxaV0Y&refer=us


With great Diligence, in Iraq
Big money is being made in Iraq by American and British security firms, some of them headed by former senior officials, among them George Bush senior. Among those who sign up as security personnel are drug and arms dealers, as well as former servants of dark regimes of the past.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/440463.html


Kurdish leader says Turkey now accepts autonomy for northern Iraq
"A Turkish delegation visited us on June 9 and told us of an extremely positive policy under which Turkey will not oppose an autonomous status for Kurdistan within a federal Iraq," Barzani told the Arabic satellite television channel Al-Jazeera.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=6&u=/afp/20040618/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_kurds_turkey_040618174622


US holding thousands in secret jails
Among the detention camps that the US government refuses to disclose but have been reported to Human Rights First by "multiple sources" are a centre in Kohat, Pakistan, near the Afghan border; al-Jafr Prison, a US Central Intelligence Agency interrogation facility in Jordan; and a facility on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia...
http://www.khilafah.com/home/category.php?DocumentID=9709&TagID=2

June 17 2004

P10K Founder Beaten in Israeli Jail
Irish Political Activist Ken O'Keefe suffered concussion and bruising at the hands of an Israeli prison guard Monday evening, five days into his hunger strike against detention and possible deportation. He was arrested last Thursday for attempting to enter Gaza to discuss the P10K plan with representatives from Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
http://www.ramallahonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1943


Protesters clash with troops at W. Bank fence building site
Clashes between security forces and demonstrators continued Thursday along a section of the West Bank separation fence near the Jewish settlement of Ariel. Security forces fired tear gas in an attempt to disperse the Israeli and Palestinian protestors.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/439867.html


Support the People of Beit Surik's Resistance to the Apartheid Wall
The people in the village of Beit Surik call upon all organizations and groups to immediately support their resistance to the Apartheid Wall, as they struggle to protect their lands and their livelihood.
http://stopthewall.org/latestnews/588.shtml


Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign: News from the North
The Occupation Forces continue to use wild boars as yet another weapon against people's lands, and as an intimidation strategy to prevent the farmers from reaching their lands. Last week the wild boars released by the Occupation Forces in the isolated lands of near Qalqilya, attacked the Farmer Omar Hanun, 50 years old.
http://stopthewall.org/latestnews/589.shtml


2 Years of the Apartheid Wall - Resistance Must Continue!
June 2004 marks the second full year of construction on the Apartheid Wall, which is ripping its way through Palestinian lands at an ever-increasing pace. Beginning in the North, the first phase of this colonial project stretched some 145km through the Jenin, Tulkarem, and Qalqilya districts, with devestating effect.
http://stopthewall.org/worldwideactivism/587.shtml


UN aide warns U.S. firm over selling bulldozers to IDF
The sale of bulldozers by Caterpillar Inc. to the Israel Defense Forces could violate Palestinians' human rights, a United Nations human rights investigator has warned the U.S. heavy equipment maker.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=439974&contrassID=1&subContrassID=8&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Two Houses Destroyed in Gaza
Um Mohammed, the owner of one of the house, told WAFA that Israeli troops stormed her house amid intensive fire, assaulted the family members and arrested her two sons, Abdulrahman 14, and Abdullatif 20. She added that the soldiers gave her just ten minutes to evacuate properties before destroying her home.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1005


Israeli Soldiers Demolish House in Jerusalem
Witnesses told WAFA that Israeli soldiers, backed by bulldozers, demolished the house of Ma'moon al-Abassy after assaulting his family and sending him to "al-Maskobya" detention camp in Jerusalem.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=997


American citizen Brooke Atherton threatened with deportation
She was enrolled in an Arabic language course being offered by Holy Land Trust in Bethlehem but is being denied permission to attend.  Israeli authorities have refused to give any reason for her deportation and Israeli courts have refused to issue an injunction to allow her to remain in the country...
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/palmedialert/message/196


Ministry of Prisoners: Israel Deals with Lawyers and Prisoners as "Terrorists"
Al-Shofani revealed that the "Binjamin Prison" lacks of the minimum need of human and medical services. He made clear that the prisoners suffer from some kinds of dermatitis, lack of medicine and food.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=998


Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli occupying forces conducted 14 military incursions into Palestinian areas, during which they destroyed razed 315 donums of Palestinian agricultural land and 12 houses.  They also arrested 4 Palestinian civilians in the central Gaza Strip.
http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/W_report/English/2004/17-06-2004.htm


Israeli Occupation to Close down Educational Institutions In The West Bank
The IOF commander of the so- called the “military administration “of the West Bank Élan Bazz circulated letters  to several higher education facilities in the West Bank , in which he warned  that the ‘Israeli occupying authorities’ examine the possibility to take strict measures against academic institutions had it gone ahead in the so- called incitement activities.
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/107.html


Former head of prime minister's bureau accused of incitement
Nekuda editor Uri Elitzur, said "the uprooting of a settlement is illegal and shocking and thus justifies the refusal of orders, violence excluding the use of firearms, and any method by which an individual is able to defend his home from which he is being evicted for political reasons."
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/440415.html


Israel issues tender for moat on Philadelphi Route in Gaza
The Defense Ministry announced Thursday morning that it is issuing a tender for the construction of a moat along the Philadelphi Route on the Egypt-Gaza border, aimed at deterring the smuggling of weapons over the frontier into Palestinian areas.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/440418.html


B’Tselem: Permit System to Cross "Apartheid Wall" is Racist
"Absurdly, only Palestinians require permits. According to Civil Administration directives, Jews can freely enter the Seam Area, even if they are not residents of Israel. By contrast, Palestinians wanting to obtain a permit face a bureaucratic nightmare", B'Tselem added.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=1002


Palestinians closing in on unification deal
The Palestinian ambassador to Qatar has told Aljazeera.net he expects a unification deal to be signed between the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian factions in the near future. The Palestinian Authority was working hard to unify all Palestinian factions under one leadership to prevent Israel from initiating an internal Palestinian conflict, Tahseen Mikati said.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/1FF2493B-E2F9-4B63-AE2F-39FBBBBBCB93.htm


Shin Bet collaborator suddenly deemed security risk
must therefore soon return to Palestinian-controlled land. He will have to leave the children born to him in Israel, and since he used to be a collaborator for the Shin Bet security services, he may become a target of the security forces in the Palestinian Authority.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/439986.html


Feature: Fishing in Gaza water a nightmare for Palestinians
As the boats are fighting the tide and vanishing behind the waves, Ramy Baker, 25, is standing at the wharf in suspense, expecting one of the boat-owners may hire him as a day fisherman after Israeli naval fired and destroyed his anchored boat with several missiles.
http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/17/content_1532311.htm


Israel Army arrest Islamic Jihad leader in Jenin
Daraghmeh is known to be a prominent militant in the current Intifada (uprising) and has been wanted by the Israel for the past three years. Israeli army has arrested three of his brothers during raids carried out in Jenin.
http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/17/content_1532415.htm


Israeli army raids central Gaza Strip town
witnesses said the Israeli military stormed into the area and stationed in the streets while breaking into Palestinians' houses before arresting a number of them. In another development, Palestinian security sources said that the Israel Army arrested earlier two Palestinian fishermen...
http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/17/content_1532188.htm


Labour backing bolsters Sharon
Israel's opposition Labour party backed Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in a crucial parliamentary vote yesterday, a day after he was cleared of corruption charges, boosting Sharon's plan to pull out of the Gaza Strip.
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/LondonFreePress/News/2004/06/17/502298.html


Mubarak, Qureia talks on post-pullout Gaza cancelled
The reasons for the cancellation were not made clear, but there are suspicions the president's poor health led to the canceling of the meeting. Palestinian sources said Qureia would instead hold talks with the head of Egyptian intelligence, Omar Suleiman.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/440227.html


Qorei calls for US backing to Egypt security offer should Israel leave Gaza
Qorei, at a news conference here with Arab League chief Amr Mussa, said that "for the Egyptian mission to succeed, it is necessary to get the unconditional support from the quartet, specifically from the United States."
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/90563/1/.html


Erekat says he will meet with Powell on June 23
Erekat told "Voice of Palestine" radio "I will convene with Powell and a number of US Senators to discuss the Israeli unilateral evacuation plan from the Gaza Strip and its intention to expand its Jewish settlements in the West Bank."
http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/17/content_1532154.htm


Egypt to deploy 30,000 soldiers on borders with Gaza
It said, according to the Israeli center of documents and information based in Belgium, Egypt and the United States have reached a deal that stipulates the deployment of Egyptian soldiers on the Egyptian-Palestinian borders.
http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/17/content_1532263.htm


France refused to Call Off Meeting With Arafat
France has decided not to bow to the Israeli pressure to cancel the meeting of the French Foreign Affairs Minister Michel Barnier with President Yasser Arafat during his visit on the agenda to the Middle East this June.
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/104.html


Hungary quits pro-Palestinian UN panel
The Hungarian mission to the United Nations received accolades this week from its Israeli counterparts and US Jewish groups for resigning from a UN committee best known for promoting the Palestinian cause and denouncing Israel.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1087441299597


Israel to partially open Erez passage in Gaza
Director General of the Ministry Zainab Al-Ghuneimi told reporters that "we have been formally informed by the Israeli authorities about re-opening the Erez passage on Friday after a military closure lasted a hundred days".
http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/17/content_1532412.htm


Israel provides U.S. with list of 40 removed roadblocks
The American administration expressed satisfaction with the removal of the roadblocks, but made clear they expected the fulfillment of other commitments, on the issue of the outposts and construction in the settlements.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=439968&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Ralph Nader: Conservatively Speaking
The other thing is that we are supporting the Israeli military regime with billions of dollars and ignoring both the Israeli peace movement, which is very substantial, and the Palestinian peace movement. They see a nuclear-armed Israel that could wipe out the Middle East in a weekend if it wanted to.
http://www.amconmag.com/2004_06_21/cover.html


Sharon: I am following in Begin's footsteps
Speaking at the dedication ceremony of the Menachem Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem, Sharon quoted Begin as having said it was his duty to carry out the controversial evacuation of Yamit as part of the 1979 peace treaty with Egypt. "Until the day I die, I will carry this pain in my heart," Sharon quoted Begin as saying.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=439970&contrassID=1&subContrassID=7&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Peres: Leave the Settlers Under Palestinian Sovereignty
Shimon Peres has offered a novel suggestion regarding Jews who refuse to leave their homes in the Gaza Strip: “They can stay and live under Palestinian sovereignty if they wish.” The chairman of the Labor Party said this at a meeting of the Zionist Workers Committee in Jerusalem.
http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=64224


Background / Israel's new peace groups - a field guide
In a come-from-behind landslide, Likud members responded to an all-out settler campaign and repudiated Ariel Sharon's withdrawal proposal in a referendum the prime minister had vowed to honor.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=439899&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Israeli charged in scheme to send Hezbollah high-tech goods
The head of a Canadian shipping company and an Israeli citizen were indicted Wednesday for a scheme to ship the highest level of night-vision equipment to Hezbollah.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=439973&contrassID=1&subContrassID=8&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Bush backs Rumsfeld in hiding of Iraq prisoner
U.S. President George W. Bush voiced support for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Thursday after the Pentagon said Rumsfeld ordered the detention of a "terrorist suspect" in Iraq who was held for more than seven months without notifying the Red Cross.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=440428&contrassID=1&subContrassID=8&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


How Reagan Armed Saddam with Chemical Weapons
Iraqgate was written by Douglas Frantz and Murray Waas and published in the February 23, 1992, Los Angeles Times. Headlined, "Bush secret effort helped Iraq build its war machine", the article reported that "classified documents obtained by the LA Times show ... a long-secret pattern of personal efforts by [George Bush senior]--both as president and vice president--to support and placate the Iraqi dictator."
http://www.counterpunch.org/dixon06172004.html

June 16 2004

Plan to build West Bank fence near Ariel stirs U.S. anger
The U. S. State Department leveled criticism at Israel on Tuesday, in light of reports Israel is building its West Bank separation fence in the region of the settlement city of Ariel, despite agreements on to the contrary reached with the United States.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/439491.html


Bulldozers begin Ariel barrier
The Ariel settlement bloc is one of the largest of the Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territories. Under international law all settlements in what is considered occupied territory are illegal. A United Nations report has condemned the barrier as illegal and tantamount to "an unlawful act of annexation".
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3811883.stm


Action Against the Wall in Iskaka and Az-Zawiya
Wall building started on Tuesday in Iskaka. On Wednesday, June 16, 2004, the villagers along with international and Israeli protestors managed to stop the work of the bulldozers for the day. The illagers have asked for people, Palestinians, Israelis and international activists to come tomorrow Thursday June 17th to join in protests.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/palmedialert/message/195


“This damned, racist wall”
FOR RESIDENTS of Jerusalem, the week was dominated by the start of construction of a concrete wall which will split the neighborhoods of Dahiet Al Barid and Al Ram down the middle and off from Jerusalem, leaving an estimated 80,000 residents isolated from Jerusalem and the medical and educational services there, as well as from their jobs and places of worship.
http://www.palestinereport.org/article.php?article=398


UN expert warns Caterpillar against selling bulldozers to Israel
Jean Ziegler, the United Nations' special expert on the right to food, said he sent a letter to Caterpillar chief executive James Owen expressing concern "about the actions of the Israeli occupation forces in Rafah and in other locations in Gaza and the West Bank."
http://www.mytelus.com/news/article.do?pageID=cp_business_home&articleID=1639511


Notorious House-Demolition Campaign in Jerusalem
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) furthered Tuesday houses demolition in Sameer Amis and Qalandia areas of Jerusalem City in a campaign of annexing vast areas for the construction of the Apartheid Wall, witnesses said.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=989


Israeli Army Damages Mosques in Nablus
Troops entered the narrow alleys of the Old City area of Nablus around midnight, blowing up doors and walls in a hunt for fugitives, witnesses said. The sounds of the explosions reverberated throughout the city. The army did not immediately comment on the damage caused to the mosques...
http://news.findlaw.com/ap_stories/i/1107/6-16-2004/20040616000009_17.html


Barghouti's wife asks Hezbollah's help to release her husband
Fadwa Barghouti, wife of detained Secretary General of Palestinian mainstream Fatah movement in the West Bank Marwan Barghouti, on Wednesday called on Lebanon's Hezbollah, or Party of God, to include her husband in any prisoners' exchange deal with Israel.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/16/content_1529863.htm


Israeli veterans show occupation's ugly side
There's a Jewish settler carrying an assault rifle with a decal attached to the magazine clip: "Kill 'Em All, Let God Sort 'Em Out." There are Palestinian prisoners cuffed and bound and the harsh landscape of a Palestinian neighborhood from which shots are routinely fired at Israeli troops.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/chitribts/israeliveteransshowoccupationsuglyside


IOF Kidnaps High-School Student Beats him Up
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) kidnapped and assaulted on Tuesday a high-school student in the West Bank city of Ramallah, witnesses said. Witnesses revealed that an IOF patrol stopped Omar Ayoub 18, while he was on his way to have high-school final examinations...
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=988


Israeli undercover forces raid Jenin
Two teenage Palestinian girls were arrested by Israeli occupation forces in the northern West Bank city of Nablus. Israeli public radio alleged that Majda al-Kukhun and Asal Musa al-Hindi, 15-year-old classmates, were in fact "two wanted Fatah women".
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/A9EE831E-3278-4CD9-8B26-8C48CACA4061.htm


Israeli troops kill one Palestinian in Nablus
Palestinian medical sources reported on Wednesday the killing of a Palestinian during an Israeli military raid in the northern West Bank refugee camp of Balata. Israeli forces stormed into the refugee camp and opened fire against Palestinians, instantly killing Salah Lahwani...
http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/16/content_1529622.htm


Islamic Jihad activist killed in Jenin by special Israeli unit
Palestinian sources said that an Israeli undercover unit stormed into the refugee camp and opened fire on Majed Sa'di, a member of Jihad,  while he was sitting in a restaurant. The sources said that Sa'di died instantly, adding that the Israeli undercover units arrested three other Palestinians.
http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/16/content_1529538.htm


Hamas militant killed in mysterious explosion
Palestinian witnesses said that they suddenly heard a huge blast, and then found the body of Awmi Taha in his house in Zaytoon neighborhood. They said that Taha was apparently preparing a bomb to be used against Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip.
http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/16/content_1527694.htm


Israeli town attacked by Palestinian homemade rockets
"A group of our militants have fired two Nasser 2 rockets against Sedorot established on the Palestinian lands occupied in 1948, " the group said in a leaflet. The brigades said that militants returned to their base safely after the attack...
http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/16/content_1529731.htm


þIsraeli troops arrest two Palestinian fishermen, injure another
An Israeli gunboat unleashed fire at a fishing boat sailing offshore the al Sufaniya beach in Gaza, intercepted the boat and detained the two fishermen, Rami al Hbail and Ahmad Murad, a spokesman for the Palestinian National Security said in a statement.
http://www.kuna.net.kw/English/Story.asp?DSNO=641379


7 Civilians Arrested in Jerusalem, 3 in WB
Witnesses said that IOF troops rolled into al-Ram village of Jerusalem, started a large-scale search operation of houses and arrested 7 unidentified civilians, of whom one was only known.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=991


Israeli Bulldozers Raze Land in Rafah
Israeli bulldozers, backed by armoured vehicles, rolled amidst intensive fire into the western part of Rafah and razed arable land. In the meantime, Israeli troops blocked Salah al-Dine main road connecting the northern and eastern parts of Gaza, Palestinian security sources said.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=992


PNA slams Israel for expanding West Bank settlements
"Building hundreds of housing units in the settlements in the West Bank and in the area near Jerusalem would certainly undermine the roadmap plane and the plan of pullout from Gaza at the same time," said Erekat.
http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/16/content_1529583.htm


Chinese envoy reviews Mideast trip
Chinese special envoy on Middle East issues Wang Shijie said Wednesday that China is willing to see the scenario of an independent state of Palestine coexisting peacefully with Israel.
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200406/16/eng20040616_146573.html


Israel Approves Wider Settlement Expansion in the West Bank
Slamming all calls and peace accords to halt the Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank, Sharon's government is considering building thousands more units in West Bank settlements, in line with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to keep large chunks of the territories but give up the Gaza Strip...
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/101.html


PNA accuses Israel of misleading world
The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on Wednesday accused Israel of deluding the world by saying that a new stage of peace with the Palestinians is coming while continuing its military offensives all over the Palestinian territories.
http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/16/content_1529725.htm


þFrance implicitly rejects pressure to boycott Arafat
The French government on Wednesday indicated it þwould not cede to any pressure to boycott a meeting with Palestinian leaderþ Yasser Arafat when French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier makes his first þvisit to the region at the end of June.þ
http://www.kuna.net.kw/English/Story.asp?DSNO=641350


Abbas calls upon PNA to implement roadmap plan
Palestinians former Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, known as Abu Mazen, called upon the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to unify its security apparatuses that the roadmap plan for peace in the Middle East had called for.
http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/16/content_1529842.htm


Annan calls for focus on majorities for peace among Palestinians and Israelis
“It would be especially helpful in the present climate for civil society on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to focus particular energy on countering the view that there are no serious partners for peace on either side,” he said in a message delivered by Under-Secretary-General...
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=11063&Cr=Middle&Cr1=East


Senior Egyptian delegation in Gaza on June 25
A high-ranking Egyptian security delegation is due to arrive here on June 25 to observe dialogue between the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and other nationalfactions.
http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/16/content_1527695.htm


CIA director meets with Egyptian president for Palestinian-Israeli discussion
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met with CIA Director George Tenet on Wednesday to discuss Egypt's role in assisting the Palestinians after Israel withdraws from the Gaza Strip. Presidential officials gave no further details.
http://cbsnewyork.com/international/Egypt-US-Palestinians-ai/resources_news_html


The Palestinian Refugee Problem Revisited
The bulldozers have been working around the clock building the separation barrier, and it is now clear that the end is at hand. The residents' expulsion is imminent; they will soon be forced to move from their homes and ancestral land.
http://www.counterpunch.org/gordon06152004.html


Review: "A Stone's Throw Away" and "The Children of Ibda'a"
Both of the films A Stone's Throw Away and The Children of Ibdaa investigate the thoughts and lives of a handful of children from the Deheisheh refugee camp, an impoverished refugee town on the outskirts of Bethlehem. Together, they illustrate that what drives Palestinians to commit violence, and how children need something to make their lives meaningful...
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article2819.shtml


Focus / What Mazuz never mentioned
But Mazuz preferred to emphasize that negotiations over, and the signing of, the agreement between Appel and Gilad "took place while Sharon was in the opposition and was not in a government position from which he could help Appel in his businesses."
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/439542.html


The stronger side creates reality
According to books written by insiders in the Ehud Barak government, Gilad Sher and Shlomo Ben-Ami, about the peace process, Steinberg served as adviser to the head of the Shin Bet security service. He worked in this role until a year ago.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/439571.html


Qurei, Peres continue contacts on peace issues
"Peres is a person who believes that there is a Palestinian partner," he added. Abu Lebda said that if the left-wing Labor Party headed by Peres joins the current government of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, there will be a chance to convince the Israeli government that there is a Palestinian partner.
http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/16/content_1529723.htm


Al-Qaida planned attacks during PM's visit to White House
Bin Laden wanted to draw a connection between Al-Qaida terrorism in the United States and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He believed his terror attacks in the U.S. would be seen as a punishment for the American administration's pro-Israel policy.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/439910.html


Mazuz meets state prosecutors in effort to calm controversy
There were several petitions and letters of protest circulated around the State Prosecutor's office regarding Mazuz's critical remarks. "You must apologize immediately, in a public manner to the people you have offended, honest public figures who cannot comment on your decision,"...
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/439814.html


Iraq Rebels Stage More Attacks, Oil Exports Choked
Anti-U.S. guerrillas trying to discredit Iraq's new interim government killed an Iraqi oil official and attacked foreign contractors on Wednesday after strangling the country's oil export lifeline.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=5439300


Two Soldiers Killed in Iraq Rocket Attack
A rocket slammed into a U.S. logistics base near the city of Balad Wednesday afternoon, killing two U.S. soldiers and wounding 21 people, the military said. Fourteen of the injured were taken to the U.S. Army's 31st Combat Support Hospital...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45195-2004Jun16.html

June 15 2004

PA ambulance hit by IDF tear gas during anti-fence demonstration
Israel Defense Forces soldiers who clashed Sunday with Palestinian and Israeli demonstrators in the West Bank village of Azawiyeh over the route of the separation fence near the Alei Zahav settlement fired a tear gas canister at an ambulance that was evacuating casualties.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/439097.html

Construction work starts in Iskaka on Wednesday
Iskaka is located deep inside the West Bank, at least 10 miles from the Green Line. The construction of the Wall in the district of Salfit will de facto annex most of the villagers' farmlands to Israel in order to include illegal settlement blocs within the wall.
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/palmedialert/message/194

Urgent call: come help stop the wall in Iskaka village
Bulldozers will begin to work on the wall in Iskaka on Wednesday! The village has asked for internationals and Israeli’s to come to Iskaka on Wednesday at 9am. Demonstrations in Az Zawiya are also continuing so please try and send people to both villages.
http://www.womenspeacepalestine.org/newsjun1404.htm

West Bank land grab to offset Gaza pullout?
According to Israeli press sources, the seizure of the land has already started around at least three Jewish settlements - Ariel, Kedumim and Immanuel. Some reports say Israeli army officers have handed Palestinian farmers notifications informing them of confiscation of their land.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/ACFF4401-CF6B-455C-B972-4AC35DDCB94B.htm

Israel plans new West Bank settlements
The Israeli daily Maariv on Tuesday reported that Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz had asked the military to draw up plans within three months for building thousands of homes in three of the settlement blocs - Gush Etzion, Maale Adumim and Ariel.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/648C3916-41CE-4160-8398-66248FE441E2.htm

IOF Wounds Woman, Arrests her Son, Divides Gaza into 3 Parts
Palestinian woman was wounded and her son was arrested Tuesday by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) in the neighbourhood of al-Mughraqa, south of the Gaza Strip, Palestinian security sources and witnesses said.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=971

NIS 300m budgeted for settlements outside fence
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have authorized a new budget of NIS 300 million to fortifying settlements outside the separation fence. This is separate from the defense budget and is soon to be brought to the Knesset Finance Committee.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/439098.html

House Detonated in Bethlehem
Witnesses revealed that IOF troops stormed the city at pre-dawn, surrounded the two-storey house of Ahmed Hassan, forced the household to vacate, dynamited it and then blew the house up.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=973

US bulldozer firm in Mid-East row
The company supplies armoured bulldozers to the Israeli army that are used to demolish Palestinian homes. Human rights official Jean Ziegler expressed "deep concern" over the sales, in a letter to Caterpillar. Human rights groups estimate that around 3,000 Palestinian homes have been demolished since 2000.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3805677.stm

Relatives of prisoners stage sit-in before the Red Cross
Nablus - A committee grouping representatives of relatives of Palestinian detainees in Zionist jails today staged a sit-in before the Red Cross offices in the West Bank city of Nablus demanding a lift of the ban on their visits to their next of kin.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/am/publish/article_6112.shtml

Military crime without punishment
Uprooting trees in the garden and breaking down the main doors to the house, the troops locked the 43 members of the household into one room roughly four by two metres in size, and positioned their snipers on the top floor.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/5BE668B1-C19C-43EA-931E-AC5F429CFD8D.htm

Israeli troops seal off Gaza
The Abu Huli checkpoint, which divides northern and southern Gaza, was closed on Tuesday morning with cement blocks and sand barricades. In the south, hundreds of passengers were stranded overnight at the Rafah crossing on the border with Egypt, unable to return to Gaza or continue onward to other destinations.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/A690A5AE-72A7-4AF8-9A47-8AAA340D97F9.htm

Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP)
The number of Palestinians dependent on humanitarian assistance is growing. Almost 40% of the population – or about 1.4 million people – are facing particular hardship and are food insecure. They rely on assistance, mostly food, to supplement their incomes. Of these, around 600,000 people are depending almost entirely on outside aid.
http://domino.un.org/unispal.nsf/47d4e277b48d9d3685256ddc00612265/f577cb21869cd5eb85256eb00051606f!OpenDocument

Border policeman acquitted in fatal shooting
accused of killing Nasser Abu al-Qia'an in July of last year. Digudker claimed his life was in danger because al-Qia'an had tried to run him over. The prosecution argued that this was not possible since the policeman was standing next to the window when he aimed the shot.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/439088.html
  US judge puts Jewish leader on trial
The Jewish Defence League's Earl Krugel is also accused of attempting to blow up the office of an Arab-American congressman. US District Judge Ronald Lew on Monday invalidated a plea bargain struck earlier between prosecutors and Jewish Defence League (JDL) for breaching the terms of the plea deal.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/68515CD7-5FED-408E-9BF9-312523A61925.htm

Official calls for protecting al Aqsa Brigades militants
Head of Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei's office Hassan Abu Lebda said that the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) must protect and support the militants of the Al-Aqsa Brigades, the armed-wing of the Fatah movement.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/15/content_1527549.htm

Egypt seeks Israel's approval on Palestinian dialogue
They said Egypt is attempting to seek Israel's approval to lift the ban imposed on a number of Palestinian representatives, including those of Islamic Jihad (Holy War), Islamic resistance movement Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/15/content_1527573.htm

Gilad defends the way he did job
Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Gilad, head of the political-security branch established by Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz for him in the Defense Ministry, yesterday rejected accusations that he distorted intelligence assessments about Yasser Arafat and the prospects for peace, made against him in recent days.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/439136.html

Poems About Palestine To Be Published
A committee of scholars and experts will evaluate the poems under the supervision of the SDPN poetry committee. Poets have until July 5th, 2004 to submit their work to the SDPN office in Tehran.
http://www.mehrnews.com/wfNewsDetails_en.aspx?NewsID=86923&t=Cultural

Compensate settlers for what?
For what exactly should we be compensating the settlers who will be evacuated from Gaza? For the damage they caused the state for decades? For the scandalous economic price of their living in Gaza? For the blood needlessly spilled over them?
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/439110.html

Analysis / Sharon and the rebels who knew
It was as if they were sure, ahead of time, that a weak Sharon, the prime minister of a minority government who had already fired two ministers last week and bade farewell to another minister and a party and a half from his coalition, would be detered from yet another round of firings. And they were quite right.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/439095.html

Meanwhile, in the West Bank
Ariel Sharon's plan to dismantle the settlements and withdraw the Israel Defense Forces from the Gaza Strip has over the past few days been enjoying burgeoning international support, which is intended to constrict Sharon's freedom of movement, so that Israel will be obliged not only to plan the evacuation but also to carry it out.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/439133.html

'The Other Occupation'
If we are talking about humanity, it is very necessary to have those who have been in conflict for a half century [to live] in one community for the humanity in general. Its another thing that I don't believe in separation between people, whatever their religions, their nationalities. There are people, they are humans -- and they have to live together.
http://mcfinland.vassar.edu/othereyes/archives/000652.html

Proving criminal intent may fall on the `separation fence' between dad and cash
An inordinate and groundless sum of money was poured into the account of the Sycamore Ranch, owned by brothers Omri and Gilad Sharon. The money was for Gilad Sharon and came from the contractor David Appel. Is it possible that the boys' father, Ariel Sharon, was not aware of this?
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/439099.html

Both George Bush and Ariel Sharon Agree: Rob the Palestinians
ON APRIL 14 George W. Bush gave presidential blessing to Israel’s extensive acquisition and occupation of Palestinian territory by force of arms. In effect, he approved conquest that is expressly outlawed by the United Nations Charter and other international agreements, prohibitions that both Israel and the United States have long been pledged to support.
http://www.wrmea.com/archives/June_2004/0406010.html

Mending America's image in the Arab world: a reforming challenge for Washington
The United States is now an occupying power of an Arab Muslim country. A Western statesman once remarked: "Occupation is occupation as there is no such thing as liberal occupation!" One can add: "There is no such thing as occupation for freedom and democracy!"
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=5&article_id=5273

Scottish parliament asked to support global Concert for Palestine
A motion now before the Scottish parliament calls on the chamber to support a recently launched appeal for a global concert in defence of Palestinian human rights. Presented by Labour Party parliamentarian Pauline McNeill...
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article2817.shtml

Explosions on pipelines cut Iraqi oil exports by half
Coalition officials fear that insurgents will step up attacks on infrastructure targets as the date of power transfer from the US-led coalition forces to the Iraqi government on June 30 approaches.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/15/content_1527576.htm

June 14 2004

Women of Ar-Ram Take to the Streets
On Wednesday, June 16, 2004, women of Ar-Ram will hold their first women-only demonstration against the wall and against the Israeli military occupation. They will be joined at 2pm at the Martyrs' Square in Ar-Ram by Israeli and international activists in their protest against the construction of the Wall throughout their town.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/palsolidarity/message/989


Anti-fence protesters clash with IDF troops near Al-Zawiya
IDF troops fired tear gas at the demonstrators, who were gathered at the same site where scuffles broke out last week. Dozens were wounded in clashes Thursday, when IDF troops fired rubber-coated bullets and tear gas at Palestinian and Israeli demonstrators, including women and children...
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=438620&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Israel Annexes 150 Kilometers in Northern West Bank
The IOF issued orders for the confiscation of Palestinian–owned land to start within two weeks for the construction of Israel’s Apartheid Wall east of the illegal Jewish settlements of “Ariel”, “Kedumim” and “Immanuel” in the northern West Bank, as the construction of a new settlement is being planned near Wallajeh village, south of Jerusalem.
http://www.palestine-pmc.com/details.asp?cat=1&id=1338


Despite U.S. deal, Israel starts Ariel fence
Israel has started preparations for the construction of the separation fence east of the West Bank Jewish town of Ariel, and also the Kedumim and Immanuel settlements. Two weeks ago, Defense Ministry officials sent Palestinian residents of the Salfit town, south of Ariel, preliminary appropriation orders for land upon which the fence is to be built.
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/438675.html


Israeli Colonizers Seize Building in Jerusalem
Witnesses told WAFA that tens of Israeli colonizers backed by soldiers, took over a building in al-Mesrareh neighborhood and started to replace its doors and windows with new ones with intention to have it as a dwelling.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=968


Walls and Checkpoints - By URI AVNERY
I thought it was terrible. I was wrong. It is far, far worse!--These words sum up my feelings at that moment. I was standing on a hill overlooking the infamous Kalandia checkpoint. Below me was a narrow road, packed with Palestinians in the blazing sun, 30 degrees centigrade in the shade (but there was no shade) trudging towards the checkpoint.
http://www.counterpunch.com/avnery06142004.html


Head of al-Aqsa Brigades in Nablus killed in IAF strike
The head of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in the refugee camp Balata in the West Bank city of Nablus Khalil Marchoud was assassinated in an IAF strike, Army Radio reported Monday.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1087182008298


8 Prisoners Go Through Solitarily Confinement in Cells of Israeli Jail of “Beer Sheba”
They told WAFA that the prisoners are dragged on the floor with their hands and legs cuffed into the cell’s walls in a humiliating way, causing them wounds and infections.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=966


MOH Medical Team’s Access Denied by IOF IN Qalqilya
The council told WAFA that the Israeli soldiers, stationed at the military gate erected at the town entrance denied a medical team, from the Palestinian Ministry of Health, access through the gate. The team was to give dosages of vaccination for children.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=965


12 Civilians Arrested in WB
Witnesses told WAFA that 15 Israeli tanks stormed Jenin City, amid intensive gunfire, broke into several houses, took over some of them and arrested three brothers Badei, Jawad and Jawdat Khaled Masharfeh.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=960


IOF Arrests 6 Civilians in Bethlehem
Witnesses revealed that IOF tanks rumbled into Bethlehem from different directions, incurred into Raas Fatees area and al-Karkafa neighborhood, amid intensive gunfire, launched an all-out search operation and arrested Feras Salhab 22, and Mahmoud Abu Hlayyel, taking them to an undisclosed place.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=962


Palestinian PM to hold Cairo talks on Egypt's role in Gaza plan
Palestinian prime minister Ahmed Qorei is to hold talks in Cairo later this week to discuss Egypt's involvement in the planned Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip (news - web sites), senior Palestinian sources said.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=15&u=/afp/20040614/wl_mideast_afp/mideast_gaza_palestinian


France, Israel to sign $150m-$200m weapons deal
France and Israel are expected to announce the signing of the biggest weapons deal between the two countries since the French embargo on weapons sales to Israel prior to the Six-Day War.
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=438887&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Bush to set up Palestinian-Israeli-US channel: Abbas
Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organization Mahmoud Abbas said Monday that US President George W. Bush informed him of his intention to establish a Palestinian-Israeli-US channel of communications to discuss the final status issues.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/14/content_1525310.htm


Israel's Sharon survives no-confidence vote
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon survived a no-confidence vote over his Gaza pullout plan in Israel's parliament on Monday after receiving a boost from reports that he would avoid charges in a bribery scandal.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L14374119.htm


Arafat calls for immediate Israeli pullout
Arafat told reporters "Israel has to immediately start evacuating the territories in accordance with the roadmap plan that we have agreed upon for months and has not been implemented till now".
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/14/content_1525312.htm


Al-Aqsa Brigades chief denies ready for ceasefire after Israeli withdrawal
"We will only halt our operations under four conditions," Zakaria Zubeidi, commander of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in the Jenin area, told AFP. He listed them as an end to the blockade on the headquarters of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, an Israeli withdrawal from the occupied territories, the dismantling of settlements and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=5&u=/afp/20040614/wl_mideast_afp/mideast_unrest_jenin


IDF removing obstacles to Palestinian travel in West Bank
In all, about 40 obstacles will be removed, or about one-third the number of barriers put up in the West Bank after the outbreak of Israeli-Palestinian fighting in September 2000. The travel restrictions severely disrupt daily life in the West Bank and have devastated the Palestinian economy.
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/438978.html


East J'lem man admits planning to bomb PM's office
A 48-year-old Palestinian man from the Old City of Jerusalem has admitted, during questioning by the Shin Bet security service, that he planned to carry out a bombing inside the grounds of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Jerusalem office.
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/439014.html


Israel said working to house Palestinians in Gaza
Sources in the Prime Minister's Office said Israel's evacuation from Gaza is intended to help bring about the rehabilitation of the Palestinian refugees - as well as take the focus off the Palestinians' claim of a right of return to Israel.
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=438602&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


OIC Highlights Palestine and Iraq Issues
Earlier today, foreign ministers attending the 31st Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) directed discussions toward Palestine and Iraq. Guinea Foreign and Cooperation Minister, Mamadi Conde, said on behalf of the African countries, that Palestinians would eventually live in a state that is free, secure, and whose capital is in Jerusalem.
http://www.zaman.com/?bl=international&alt=&trh=20040614&hn=9513


EU Council welcomes new proposals for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza
The statement said that the council recalled the statement of Quartet (the European Union, the United Nations, the United States,Russia) "welcoming and encouraging such a step, which should provide a rare moment of opportunity in the search for peace in the Middle East."
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/14/content_1525538.htm


British Royal Decision to Grant Palestinian Doctor British Empire Order of Merit
Dr. al-Aseer, a specialist in eye surgery in al-Shifa Hospital in Jenin City, told WAFA that the British General Consul in Jerusalem phoned him informing about the Queen decision of granting him the high-rank Badge of Honor among 39 others in Britian next November.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=961


No longer quite so unilateral
This will be the fourth such meeting with the Egyptian official since the beginning of this year. This means that regardless of the popular Israeli slogan to the contrary, "There is someone to talk to." Palestinian spokesmen have disclosed large sections of the plan.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/438653.html


Bush foreign policy comes under renewed attack, from within
The statement echoes an attack last month by 53 former US diplomats who accused the Bush administration of sacrificing America's credibility in the Arab world - and the safety of its diplomats and soldiers - because of its support for the Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,1238009,00.html


Taking the High Ground - By Thomas L. Friedman
First, a few facts: After years of bloody guerrilla warfare that cost Israel dearly in lives and treasure, on May 22, 2000, Israel unilaterally withdrew from south Lebanon to the internationally recognized border. On July 27, 2000, the U.N. passed Resolution 1310, confirming that Israel had "withdrawn its forces from Lebanon in accordance with Resolution 425."
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/13/opinion/13FRIE.html


Get ready for the mother of all petitions
The State Prosecutor's Office is getting ready for "the day after" the decision is announced by Attorney General Menachem Mazuz regarding the involvement of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his son, Gilad, in the Greek Island-Ginnaton affair.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/438666.html

June 13 2004

Making More Refugees
The bulldozers have been working around the clock building the separation barrier, and it is now clear that the end is at hand. The residents' expulsion is imminent; they will soon be forced to move from their homes and ancestral land. This, at least, is the impression I had after leaving the small village Nu'eman.
http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=22&ItemID=5700


Abu Jihad from Deir Ballut: We are Isolated for Settlement Expansion
What is harder on the people is that to return to their homes they are forced to suffer humiliations, and long hours waiting before being allowed to pass back through the checkpoint. This is in addition to the terrorization the Occupation forces are using against the people in these houses, trying to force them to leave the area that Occupation forces wish to confiscate for settlement construction.
http://stopthewall.org/communityvoices/580.shtml


Nine-month-old baby wounded in Rafah
A nine-month-old baby girl was shot and wounded Sunday as Israeli troops stationed on the borderline between the southern Gaza Strip and Egypt opened fire at Rafah refugee camp, Palestinian medics said.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/13/content_1523235.htm


Parliamentarian Human Rights Officer: Barghouthi’s Trial Unfair and Violation of Law
Schwartz protested, in a letter sent on Saturday to the head of the Lebanese House of Representatives and the chairman of the Arab Parliament Federation, Nabih Barry, the Israeli verdict against the Palestinian MP Barghouthi.
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/078.html


IOF Wounds Two Citizens as Settlers Set Groves on Fire in West Bank
The Israeli occupying forces (IOF) shot and wounded two citizens in different parts of the Palestinian territories, while armed settler militias set olive groves on fire in Salfit and an Israeli force occupied a house opposite to the presidential premises in Ramallah.
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/079.html


Israeli troops demolish Palestinian house in Gaza Strip
The witnesses said that a convoy of Israeli army tanks, accompanied by a bulldozer, stormed the al-Garara area north of Khan Younis and leveled the house of Jumi'an al-Smeiry to the ground.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/13/content_1523238.htm


Israeli Colonizers Assault Villagers in Qalqilya
They said that Israeli colonizers, supported by soldiers, assaulted Nouh Abu Daya and Awad Abu Daya, spoiling their crops. Witnesses added that the soldiers held the Abu Daya family for several hours, threatening them to grape their land.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=957


March For a Free Palestine Ends in 15 Arrests
On the third day of the G8, the March for a Free Palestine, calling for an end US aid to Israel and the destruction of the Wall, began at Overlook Park and ended in a 9 mile breakaway march to the entrance of the Sea Island Causeway, the road that leads to the G-8 summit location.
http://atlanta.indymedia.org/feature/display/30295/index.php


Palestinian Worker Wounded in Gaza
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) wounded Sunday a civilian in the northern Gaza Strip city of Beit Hanoon, Palestinian medical sources said. Medical sources revealed that Ahmed Abu Sa'ada, sustained several wounds in the hand and the arm as well as a severe bleeding in the back and the abdomen.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=949


Al-Aqsa claims Israeli troops target leader
Lengthy exchanges of fire have been heard around Mr Zubeidi's home in the town's refugee camp and one of his assistants has been wounded in the hand. "The Israelis tried to assassinate our leader in Jenin but he has escaped," the Brigades said in a statement.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200406/s1130977.htm


IOF Wounds Civilian, Arrests Another in Jenin
Palestinian security sources confirmed that the IOF stormed several civilian houses and turned them into military barracks, shortly before arresting a civilian Faisal Qariny 45, whom was led into an unknown place.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=950


Israeli Army is using "chemical gas" on Palestinians - Israeli peace activists
The Israeli army is using a chemical gas that causes harmful effects in the occupied West Bank according to the website of the Israeli peace block "Gosh Shalom". This group says that it has submitted an official complaint to the Israeli army authorities in this regard.
http://www.kuna.net.kw/English/Story.asp?DSNO=640526


PPS: 541 Civilians Arrested since the Beginning of 2004
PPS said that 541 civilians were arrested by IOF, including 53 children and 5 women, in Hebron City. PPS sources added that IOF intensified its aggressions against civilians in Hebron, as it arrested more than 20 civilians in the city and its al-Aroub Refugee Camp.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=953


“Peace Now”: More than 102 Outposts Established in The West Bank, 55 in Sharon’s Tenure
Israeli sources said yesterday that Bareif Ovenhaimer , chief of the “peace now” movement , anti Israeli occupation and settlement in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) demanded the leadership of the leftist labor party set conditions before Sharon government in exchange of providing “safety net” for the government...
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/082.html


Israeli army sets up new post in southern Gaza Strip
The residents said that a number of Israeli tanks and bulldozers placed big cement rocks and barbed wire to set up a military post between Namsawi neighborhood and the cemetery west of Kahn Younis.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/13/content_1523234.htm


Qurei says Palestinian dialogue to be held monthly
"The meetings asserted the importance of resuming the Palestinian dialogue without any reservation and all issues are presented to discussions and taking into consideration the entire previous dialogues," Qurei told the Voice of Palestine radio on Sunday.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/13/content_1523258.htm


Jewish Settlers Look Into Compensation Package
Dozens of Israeli settlers have asked Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's office for details of compensation for leaving their homes voluntarily under a government evacuation plan, political sources said on Sunday.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=5407369


Too early to talk about ending resistance: Hamas
However,it was too soon to talk about ending the resistance since the Israeli aggressions were still underway and Israel seems not serious about its evacuation, added Abu Zuhri. He, meanwhile, noted that the Palestinian unity and partnership were also stressed at the Saturday meeting.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/13/content_1523159.htm


Sharon grounds ministers during disengagement votes
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told the cabinet in its weekly meeting Sunday that he would not allow ministers and deputy ministers to be absent from Knesset (Parliament) votes on his disengagement plan.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/13/content_1523247.htm


Report: Israel would move two crossing points in Gaza pullout
The Erez crossing, the main entrance for Palestinian workers into Israel - and site of a joint industrial zone whose impending closure was announced last week - will shift northward into Israel.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/438589.html


Unemployment to top 70 pct in Gaza after Israeli pullout
The Palestinian Foundation for Media and Development (PFMD) said Sunday that unemployment is expected to exceed 70 percent once Israel completes the implementation of its unilateral disengagement plan in the Gaza Strip.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/13/content_1523239.htm


Pressure Grows for Inquiry Into Israeli Military Intelligence Assessments of Yasser Arafat
Israeli military intelligence officers have joined with opposition parties in calling for an investigation into assessments that influenced the government's decision to cut off contacts with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
http://www.voanews.com/article.cfm?objectID=86893045-2884-469A-B986E7F8153AFDE2


A dream abandoned for a price
The equally hypothetical settlement dismantling deadline of September 2005 is part of the charade. So, too, is the negotiation plan: first the settlers are to be asked to leave voluntarily, and then there is to be a forcible evacuation of 7,500 settlers.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/438272.html


Unilateral steps aren't enough
Government ministers, and apparently also the majority of Israel's public, have concluded that, just as it is impossible to continue to control 1.2 million embittered, densely packed Palestinians in Gaza, so too should voluntary organizations be encouraged to assume responsibility for humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/438270.html


Gush Katif settlers mobilize to raise broad public support
Kobi Bournstein, a member of the action committee, said at the end of last week that the committee intends to orchestrate activities aimed at rousing broad popular opposition to the Gaza withdrawal plan.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=438286&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Netanyahu: Labor must accept economic policy in coalition
Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Sunday, and told him that Labor joining the coalition should be conditioned on the party's acceptance of the government's economic policy.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/438285.html


Abbas: I quit in part because of threats on my life
Abbas told Newsweek that his resignation had been motivated by three factors: "Sharon didn't give me anything. Secondly, I was attacked by my colleagues, and thirdly, Bush was reluctant to help."
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=438596&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Iraqi minister is shot dead in Baghdad
Bassam Salih Kubba, Iraq's senior career diplomat, was sitting in the back seat of a car being driven to the Foreign Ministry. Near the al-Assaf mosque in Azamiyah, a Sunni Muslim district notoriously hostile to the occupation, gunmen drove up behind him and opened fire.
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/story.jsp?story=530952

June 12 2004

Edward Said: The Last Interview
Please take a look at this propaganda on Guardian, claiming Edward Said being Egyptian and NOT Palestinian. This is an old Zionist propaganda... Please visit it, and send comments to film.editor@guardianunlimited.co.uk ... " In 1991, the Egyptian-born author and critic Edward Said..."
http://film.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/Critic_Review/Guardian_review/0,4267,1235688,00.html


Israeli Military Started Demolishing Homes in Northwestern Jerusalem
The Israeli military gave its first order for a house demolition in the village of Beit Surik four weeks ago. Members of surrounding communities gathered to show support for the el-Sheakhs, a family of 12 spanning four generations. The house, which Zaenb el-Sheakh and her husband built, received an Israeli license in 1985.
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/palmedialert/message/192


Israel Uses Chemical Weapons against Palestinian Civilians
The Israeli Peace Bloc said that Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have used a tear-gas which causes state of comma, against Palestinian demonstrators. In a press release issued Saturday, the bloc said that it protested against the "chemical war" the IOF uses against disarmed Palestinian demonstrators.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=947


IRISH ACTIVIST BEGINS 14-DAY HUNGER STRIKE TO PROTEST C.R.H. COMPLICITY IN HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
Amnesty International recently stated that “C.R.H, through its subsidiaries Mashav and Nesher, is likely to be providing the raw material of the fence/wall. If so, it would contravene the U.N. norms on the responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises with regard to Human Rights (2003).”
http://www.unobserver.com/layout5.php?id=1733&blz=1


Fatwa against Palestinians working on wall
An old edict, or fatwa, was renewed because Israel had started building the barrier, condemned by Palestinians as a land grab, in Arab neighbourhoods in and around Jerusalem. Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967 and later annexed it in a move not recognised by the international community.
http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=World_News&subsection=Gulf%2C+Middle+East+%26+Africa&month=June2004&file=World_News2004061232728.xml


Chinks in the wall
As planners of the barrier decide where to draw the line along Jerusalem's northern municipal borders, Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Ehud Olmert dropped a political bombshell this week by saying that he envisions at least six outlying east Jerusalem Arab neighborhoods being transferred to full Palestinian control in the future.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1086836428941


Barguthi affirms that occupation will end due to Palestinian determination
Marwan Al-Barguthi, Fatah Movement leader in the West Bank, has affirmed in his isolation cell in Beer Sheba jail that Zionist occupation would ultimately end due to the Palestinian people’s determination.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/am/publish/article_6062.shtml


Israeli Settlers Plunder the Water Resources in Hebron
Tens of thousands of Palestinian families in the West Bank, mainly in the Hebron City, have been going through scarce of water resources as the Israeli occupying authorities take over these resources for the sake of Israeli settlers based illegally on Palestinian-owned lands, water experts say.
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/072.html


IOF Wounds Woman Inside Home, Razes Vast Areas of Arable Land
The security sources said that the Israeli soldiers, stationed at the vicinity of Israeli military outpost of “Kisofeem”, opened random fire at the civilian houses in the area, critically wounding a woman inside her home.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=942


Zionist authorities arrest US marine peace-maker
The Israeli apartheid regime has arrested a former US Marine and initiator of the Human Shield Action to Iraq named Ken O’Keefe, accusing him “of endangering Israeli security.” O’keefe reportedly was arrested Thursday while attempting to enter the Gaza Strip.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/am/publish/article_6075.shtml


AIPAC Plan Relocates US Embassy to Jerusalem as Undivided Capital of Israel by 2005 and Congress Pass it
According to the AIPAC’s transcript, which Al-Bayan daily received a copy of, it revealed that the American embassy would be relocated permanently to Jerusalem by 2005 and recognized the so-called "undivided Jerusalem" including the Dome of the Rock as the capital of Israel.
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/071.html


Erekat accuses Israel for sabotaging peace process
Erekat told reporters that "Israel's decision to establish the separation wall around Jerusalem in order to alienate the city from its surroundings is part of the Israeli faits accomplis that sabotage the peace process."
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/12/content_1522546.htm


Report: Military attacks against the Palestinians in the Past 24 hours
The number of Palestinians killed within 24 hours is two Palestinians including a child, while soldiers wounded 22 residents, including 7 children. Meanwhile, soldiers arrested 18 Palestinians, uprooted 435 trees while bulldozing 90 Dunums.
http://www.imemc.org/headlines/2004/June/week2/061204/report-offenses.htm


Help Rafah
The Women's Empowerment Project of the widely respected Gaza Community Mental Health Programme is trying to set up a service as urgently as possible to deliver practical help from counselling, to coping with scarce food and water resources. The British Shalom-Salaam Trust is asking for support in setting up this service.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,1237221,00.html


Gaza's economy to be hit hard by shutdown of Erez industrial zone
"It is very regrettable for those workers and entrepreneurs that had facilities there," said Nigel Roberts, head of the World Bank in the Palestine. "It means that favorable access to the Israeli market will no longer be available," Roberts told AFP.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=3&article_id=5162


Special Rapporteur on violence against women to visit Palestine
Yakin Ertürk, Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights on violence against women, its causes and consequences, will visit the Occupied Palestinian Territories from 13 to 18 June 2004. Mrs. Ertürk aims to gather first-hand information on the question of violence against women during times of conflict.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article2814.shtml


Zionist intelligence airlifts ancient Jewish library from Baghdad to Tel Aviv
The sources said that a special Mossad team a few days after the fall of the former Iraqi regime in April last year visited Baghdad and seized the library in cooperation with the American CIA officers. The ancient Jewish library contained precious and priceless copies of the Torah and the Talmud in addition to other writings in Hebrew that dated back 2,500 years.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/am/publish/article_6057.shtml


Hamas: Attacks against Israel will continue after Gaza pullout
" We do not trust the Israelis and we do not trust that the Israelis are going to withdraw from Gaza while they are speaking of controlling the sea and the air. Until the occupation completely ends, our resistance will continue,"
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/438200.html


Arafat to join Fatah armed-wing into PNA security forces
They said the measure is supposed to be part of the Palestinian reforms implemented in the security services, in anticipation for the expected Israeli military evacuation of the strip.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/12/content_1522545.htm


Palestinians accuse Jordan of sending officers to W. Bank
Jordan, which with Egypt has offered to train Palestinian security forces to take over areas of the West Bank and Gaza Strip where Israel plans to end its occupation, denied the report that Jordanian army officers had secretly toured Jenin.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/438193.html


Nabil Shaath: Arafat accepts Egypt's proposals
Last month Suleiman gave Arafat a June 15 ultimatum to come up with a plan to reduce the number of PA security forces from 12 to three and to relinquish control over them. The Egyptians want the security forces placed under the control of the PA Prime Minister and Interior Minister.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1087025355333


Report: Peres, Turkish PM discuss recent bilateral tensions
Labor Party Chairman Shimon Peres met Friday night with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Chicago to discuss recent diplomatic tensions between the two states, Israel Radio reported.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=438192&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


On This Day 1964: Nelson Mandela jailed for life
The leader of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa, Nelson Mandela, has been jailed for life for sabotage. Seven other defendants, including the former secretary-general of the banned African National Congress (ANC), Walter Sisulu, were also given life prison sentences.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/june/12/newsid_3006000/3006437.stm


Annan offers international help in implementing pullout plan
The prime minister is expected to update his cabinet Sunday on the progress of committees set up to oversee the withdrawal under the terms of the plan approved by the government last week, Israel Radio reported.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/437949.html


Compensation plan to persuade settlers to leave Gaza homes
A steering committee on evacuating the settlements decided that voluntary evacuation should begin next month and continue until August next year. From September 21 Gaza settlements will be declared closed military zones and any remaining settlers will be removed by force.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,1237156,00.html


Top Israelis Boycott Reagan's State Funeral
With that in mind, Israel's failure to send any important leaders to Reagan's funeral was a diplomatic, political, and cultural slap in the face that should not go unnoticed in the Bush administration, the Republican and Democratic parties, the John Kerry campaign, and the American media.
http://www.counterpunch.com/madsen06132004.html


Iraqi minister killed in Baghdad
Mr Qubba, the ministry's senior career diplomat, was shot in the stomach. He was taken to hospital but died shortly afterwards, the spokesman said. His driver was also hurt but there are no details so far of his injuries.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3800513.stm


Use of Dogs to Scare Prisoners Was Authorized
U.S. intelligence personnel ordered military dog handlers at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq to use unmuzzled dogs to frighten and intimidate detainees during interrogations late last year, a plan approved by the highest-ranking military intelligence officer at the facility, according to sworn statements the handlers provided to military investigators.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article6316.htm


Michael Moore: Blair, you're next
Moore, director of "Fahrenheit 9/11," the documentary critical of US President George Bush and the Iraq war, said on Friday that he now wants to take a closer look at the British leader's role in backing the war in Iraq and sending troops into harm's way.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/DC3F6A61-BB76-44CF-A0A2-459DE1223B0C.htm


UN sources: Special Iraq envoy Lakhdar Brahimi announced his resignation
Many understood that Brahimi's role was also to assist in making the major appointments in the new government. But the Americans and the Governing Council members close to them were not about to clear the way for the UN envoy.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/438212.html

June 11 2004

An obligation to truth
When Edward said he would like to do it I asked Charles Glass, a mutual friend and reporter for ABC News, if he would ask the questions. We filmed in Cambridge, in November 2002, over a period of three days. Edward Said: the last interview is showing until 22 July at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Mall, London SW1 (020 7930 3647)
http://www.newstatesman.com/site.php3?newTemplate=NSArticle_Books&newDisplayURN=200406140033


Palestinians Resist Racist Zionism in Ar Ram and Say No to the Apartheid Wall
Mobilization is underway today in the Ar Ram area, where Palestinians continue to resist the Apartheid Wall. Demonstrations are scheduled following Friday prayers and will continue through the week, as Occupation Forces are working at a fast pace, quickly demolishing the area.
http://stopthewall.org/latestnews/575.shtml


Fatwa bans Palestinians from work on separation fence
A Palestinian parliamentary investigation found Thursday some Palestinian companies had sold cement to Israel that it had used for building settlements in the West Bank, although there was no proof of any link to work on the fence.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/438158.html


Court Denies Jews Joining Anti-Wall Appeal
The Magistrate's court in Tel Aviv refused to allow 20 Israelis to join an appeal submitted by Palestinians from Jabel Al-Mikaber against the Separation wall. The court claimed that the Jewish residents have no direct relation with the subject of the appeal.
http://www.imemc.org/headlines/2004/June/week2/061104/court-rejects.htm


Irish Activist Begins 14-Day Hunger Strike to Protest C.R.H Complicity in Human Rights Violations
The hunger strike has been initiated in an attempt to focus attention on direct Irish complicity in the construction of Israel’s Apartheid Wall, which violates International Law and contributes to grave human rights violations of the Palestinian people.
http://www.palsolidarity.org/pressreleases/PR_10Jun04_03_51_16otherCaoimheButterly.htm


Private plan would see Jewish neighborhood south of J'lem
The project's architect, Shlomo Eshkol, estimated that the neighborhood will be able to absorb 55,000 residents. If the project is approved by city planners, it will create an unbroken settlement sequence between Jerusalem and Gush Etzion.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/438070.html


Palestinians torn on Israel idea to cede Arab areas
He said Israel would also retain more central Arab neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem, which Palestinians want as the capital of a future state. Palestinians said they could not in principle accept a plan to split the Arab sector of the city.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L10612301.htm


Arab countries urged to employee Palestinian workers
An official of the Palestinian Trade Union in Gaza on Thursday called upon Arab countries to employ Palestinian workers who lost their jobs after Israel had suddenly closed the industrial zone of Erez near the borders between Israel and the northern Gaza Strip.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/11/content_1520807.htm


Palestinians Lack Water in Hebron
Palestinian water experts said that tens of thousands of Palestinians families suffer from lack of water and thirst because of Israel's monopolization of Palestinian water resources. The statistics added that the agricultural land suffer desertification as Israel pumps most of the Palestinian waters into Israel and the colonies.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=939


Soldier lightly hurt in Jenin; 2 Palestinians killed in West Bank
Troops arrested 18 wanted Palestinians in Jenin, Ramallah and Hebron. On Thursday, IDF troops shot and killed two Palestinians in the West Bank in separate incidents on Thursday. A 13-year-old boy was shot in the head in the city of Nablus, medics said.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=437807&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Report: Qureia advancing Israel-Egypt prisoner exchange
A senior Palestinian source told the Kul al-Arab newspaper that Qureia presented the plan to Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman at their meeting several weeks ago in Ramallah. Qureia relayed information on the contacts he is conducting to Fatah leaders incarcerated in Israel.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/438144.html


`This is what I saw'
The personal involvement of Lisa Nirgad as an observer and reporter of events at the Qalandiyah roadblock is what gives credibility to this book, which makes palpable the well-known observation that for evil to prevail, good men must do nothing.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/437878.html


Israel offers cash advances to settlers
Israeli government plans to offer financial incentives, including cash advances, to Israeli settlers who leave the Gaza Strip voluntarily, officials said Thursday, in a sign that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon wants to complete much of the pullout well before a September 2005 deadline...
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/11/content_1520674.htm


NRP's Orlev satisfied with reassurances on pullout timetable
Even the moderate wing of the National Religious Party would vote to quit the coalition if the timetable for implementing the disengagement plan that was published in Haaretz on Thursday is accurate, faction chairman MK Nissan Slomiansky warned Thursday.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=438071&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Annan offers international help in implementing pullout plan
Annan called both Sharon and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Friday to thank them for their joint efforts to prepare security arrangements for Gaza after an Israeli withdrawal, government sources said.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/437949.html


SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN TO VISIT OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES
Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights on violence against women, its causes and consequences, will visit the Occupied Palestinian Territories from 13 to 18 June 2004. Mrs. Ertürk aims to gather first-hand information on the question of violence against women during times of conflict.
http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/A37D1097A549D0C8C1256EB0004983C1?opendocument


Turkish envoy to return to Israel after 'positive' consultations
Still, it is not usual for a foreign minister, in this case Turkey's Abdullah Gul, to announce to the media the intention to return an ambassador for consultations. The move was well-planned in Ankara to have the maximum media effect.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=437872&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Palestinian septuplets all die
The babies -- four girls and three boys -- were born after a 27-week pregnancy and weighed between 550 grams (19 ounces) and 760 grams (27 ounces), they added. The mother, who already has a four-year-old daughter, had been undergoing fertility treatment.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/89594/1/.html


A comic actor's grief resonates with Israelis
Offstage, he is now devoting his energies to getting Israel out of the coastal enclave, calling for a withdrawal in interviews and appearances so that, he says, other Israeli families can be spared the loss of their sons and the Palestinians can also be spared suffering and death.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0611/p06s02-wome.html


Bravo for the G8! Now, words must be translated into action
These words, from an official G8 summit statement, speak volumes: "Our support for reform in the (Middle East) will go hand-in-hand with our support for a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement to the Arab-Israeli conflict" based on UN resolutions.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&article_id=5156&categ_id=17


Foreign Affairs panel MK: Gilad didn't shun Arafat as partner
"All the evaluations of the research department before the Camp David talks and before the intifada talked about Arafat's intentions to give the diplomatic process a chance. We even analyzed his flexibility limits, when he would agree to sign and when he would refuse to sign," Malka said.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/438148.html


Cement and Corruption
The nine-member panel of the Palestinian Legislative Council had, at the time, acted upon the Palestinian State Controller’s report that found that nearly half of the authority’s $326 million 1997 budget had been lost through corruption or financial mismanagement.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article2813.shtml


Illegal Israeli actions in Occupied East Jerusalem
It has been more than three weeks since the Security Council adopted resolution 1544 (2004), in which the Council, inter alia, called on Israel to respect its obligations under international humanitarian law, and insisted, in particular, on its obligation not to undertake demolition of homes contrary to that law.
http://domino.un.org/unispal.nsf/47d4e277b48d9d3685256ddc00612265/f5d871448af1c26085256eb0004e9876!OpenDocument


Popular misconceptions
Is Yasser Arafat really aiming for the destruction of Israel, rather than a solution to the conflict? This perception has been turned into conventional wisdom in Israel - but many in the intelligence community just don't believe it.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/437895.html


Four comments on the situation
"America demands immediate evacuation of outposts: No excuses left." With all due respect to the "senior member of President Bush's entourage" whose remarks were given front-page coverage in Haaretz, this threat can be filed away as a bunch of hot air.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/437928.html


Settlements and Israel's Quagmire
No matter how you look at it, Israeli settlements are leading the Israelis to a monstrous nightmare. If they get rid of the settlements, there is likely to be a civil war with Jewish settlers. If they don?t get rid of the settlements, bi-nationalism becomes a reality and the Jewish character of Israel dissipates.
http://www.mediamonitors.net/sherri72.html


`Do not have children if they won't be healthy!'
A shocking new study reveals how key figures in the pre-state Zionist establishment proposed castrating the mentally ill, sterilizing the poor and doing everything possible to ensure reproduction only among the `best of people.'
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=437879&sw=%20Tamara%20Traubmann


Freedom summer Palestine 2004 Planning
The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) invites you to join the Palestinian people for Freedom Summer Palestine 2004 - a 56 day campaign (one day for every year of displacement and dispossession) against occupation.
http://www.aloufok.net/article.php3?id_article=1318


Syrian calls for peace talks with Israel draw U.S. skepticism
State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said "we would certainly welcome any real willingness to move forward on peace with Israel and peace in the region."
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=437875&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Intelligence officers approved intimidating prisoners with dogs
Two handlers even had a contest to see who could use their dogs to frighten more Iraqi prisoners into urinating on themselves, a military intelligence interrogator told investigators, according to the statements obtained by Friday's edition of the daily.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=3&u=/afp/20040611/wl_mideast_afp/us_iraq_prisoners_dogs_040611143023


Sunni cleric urges Iraqi military officers to join insurgency
"The absence of combat experts from the battlefield is treason, in all senses of the word. It's treason againt God, the prophet and the nation the experts belong to," he said. " Where are they? Those members of the community who enjoyed many privileges, none of the others enjoyed," during the reign of Saddam Hussein's now-banned Baath party, he said.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=15&u=/afp/20040611/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_us_sunni_040611154230

June 10 2004

Cement for Palestinians used in settlements
the cement was to have been used to build houses for Palestinians, some made homeless by Israeli raids during more than three years of violence. "The (investigation committee) decided to transfer the whole file to the attorney general. All those responsible must face legal procedures,"
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L10346742.htm


Irish woman begins hunger strike
"It is shameful that an Irish company should profit from anything that is as immoral, unjust and destructive as the construction of this wall," she said. Campaigners have repeatedly condemned the wall, which is eight metres high in some places, as a land-grab, isolating Palestinians, separating families and cutting them off from places of work, worship and schools.
http://u.tv/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=46709&pt=n


The Apartheid Wall in Ar Ram Reinforces Zionist Apartheid
This new map shows the devastating path of the Apartheid Wall through the Ar Ram area, which is currently the Palestinian gateway between Jerusalem and Ramallah. Though construction first began in the area last February, the recent days have marked a heightened urgency in resistance to the Wall’s construction in this area
http://stopthewall.org/maps/574.shtml


72 people injured in third day in a row of protests for Az Zawiya villagers
According to the village medical clinic, 72 people were injured and treated in the clinic. Of these injuries 10 were from rubber bullets (most shot below the waist but a few on the upper torso), one person was treated for a broken leg, one villager was hit in the head by tear gas canister, others were hit by sound bombs which were aimed at them.
http://www.womenspeacepalestine.org/news9junazzawiya.htm


Jewish residents join appeal against separation fence in J'lem
Some 20 Jewish residents of Jerusalem have joined the appeal of the Arab neighborhood of Jabel Mukhaber against the Defense Ministry's order to confiscate their lands to build the separation barrier. The appeal is to be heard in Tel Aviv's Magistrate's Court on Thursday.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=437373&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Occupation forces arrest female schoolteacher
Zionist occupation forces arrested at dawn today a Palestinian female schoolteacher after breaking into her house in the city of El-Bireh to join her husband in Zionist jails. They noted that her eldest son is no more than three years old.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/am/publish/article_6043.shtml


Israeli soldiers' photos from Palestine prompt investigation
The soldiers took the photographs during compulsory military service in the divided city of Hebron, and they're now in an exhibition called Breaking the Silence. Although the images don't show overt abuse, the soldiers say the photos demonstrate how to many of the troops, the Palestinians became sub-human.
http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2004/s1128405.htm


Eyewitness: Aid work in Gaza
Today is the second day of the incursion in Zaitoun. Our urgent priority is to facilitate the passage of lifesaving services, such as ambulances and fire engines, through military checkpoints to areas caught under the strict curfew.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3791293.stm


Israel to Destroy Settlers' Homes in Gaza
Explaining the decision to destroy homes as they were evacuated, Shoval said many Israelis did not want to see Palestinian flags flying from homes once occupied by Israeli Jews (illegal setllers).
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040609/ap_on_re_mi_ea/us_israel_1


Lapid: New law needed before settlers can be compensated
Justice Minister Yosef Lapid said Thursday that special legislation is necessary for residents of settlements slated for evacuation to receive compensation payments for leaving their homes.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/437369.html


Palestinian shot dead in Gaza strip
The witnesses said that the Israeli army tanks rolled into the village and reached the school of agriculture amid heavy gunfire, adding that the soldiers took over the roof of the building and snipers opened fire at anything moving.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/10/content_1518224.htm


IOF Kills Citizen, Arrests 4 in Jenin
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) killed Thursday Palestinian citizen and arrested four others in the West Bank city of Jenin, Palestinian medical sources and witnesses said. Mamon al-Zarini 25, was killed after having been shot with several bullets in different parts of the body.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=925


2 Palestinians reportedly killed by IDF
Palestinian sources are reporting that two people have been killed by the IDF in Judea and Samaria. One of those killed, 13 year-old Hani Kandil, was short by soldiers in the old city in Nablus. Another youngster was killed after he stoned soldiers at a West Bank village.
http://www.maarivintl.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=8451


Ex-Marine Mobilizes 10,000 Observers To Palestine
The P10K Force will "expose the truth about the conflict and document human rights violation", Ken O'Keefe told a press conference in occupied East Jerusalem Wednesday, June 9, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).
http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2004-06/10/article01.shtml


Tank lanes built between new Jenin homes
UNRWA decided, after a debate on the issue, to take 15 percent of the original area of each destroyed house and use the area to widen roads so that in the future it would be possible for Israeli tanks to pass more easily. The homes are being rebuilt by UNRWA with a $29 million grant from the United Arab Emirates.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/437313.html


10,000 tons of fruit destroyed in past 2 months due to closure of Karni crossing
The transfer of agricultural produce from Israel to the Gaza Strip was halted by Palestinians in response to measures implemented by the security establishment, which prevents almost entirely the transfer of vegetables from the Gaza Strip into Israel.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/437831.html


Israeli, Palestinian advertisers push 'campaign for peace'
Some 40 Israeli and Palestinian members of the media will meet in Jordan at the end of this week to try and find a way to promote the brand name of peace. They hope the meeting will lead to a "campaign for peace"...
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=437699&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


On This Day 1967: Israel ends six-day war
Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eshkol justified the pre-emptive strike on Egypt, Jordan and Syria by saying his country was acting in self-defence. The assault that ended 10 June changed the face of the Middle East conflict. It also displaced some 500,000 Palestinians who fled to Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/june/10/newsid_3047000/3047177.stm


G8 calls for emphasis on road map
The G8, at their annual meeting in the Georgia resort of Sea Island, said it welcomed Israeli plans to withdraw from all Gaza settlements and from parts of the West Bank, after the cabinet approved Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's controversial proposal.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/437833.html


situation on ground in occupied palestinianterritories ‘bleak’
The situation on the ground in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem was very bleak, and the overall political situation was very volatile, the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People was told today...
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2004/gapal954.doc.htm


Jewish Lobby Campaigns Against Euro-Palestine Slate
French rights and civil society advocates vying in the European parliament elections under a pro-Palestinian platform are facing a vicious campaign from the extremist Jewish right, trying to depict them as a threat to France.
http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2004-06/10/article04.shtml


Settlers vow to defy calls to leave Gaza
Jewish settlers reacted angrily to reports on Thursday that Israel will encourage them to leave the Gaza Strip in return for compensation, with many vowing they would not leave.
http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1086445574340&p=1012571727172


Court to debate legality of National Union ministers' dismissal
Supreme Court President Aharon Barak decided Thursday that a panel of seven justices will hold a hearing a week from Sunday on the legality of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's dismissal of National Union ministers Avigdor Lieberman and Binyamin Elon.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/437814.html


More Arab than the Arabs?
We often accuse it of distancing itself from Islam and the Arabs and currying favour with the West. And it has strong and well-publicised ties, military and political, with Israel. Yet over the past few days, Recep has voiced strong-worded criticism -- unreported in our official media -- of Israel's barbaric acts in Palestine and the current US administration's
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/694/op3.htm


Only game in town - By Azmi Bishara
Sharon has left it up to those Arab governments keen on sustaining their good relations with the US to prevent any potential development of such capacities so that Israel will not have to be “forced”into repeating its incursion into Gaza. Not only is this threat made explicit in Sharon's plan, but Bush in his letters to Sharon has pledged his support...
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/694/op8.htm


Military Intelligence presented erroneous assumption on Palestinians
Major General Amos Gilad, head of Military Intelligence's research division when violence erupted in October 2000, persuaded the cabinet to accept an erroneous view of the cause of the violence, and hence the mistaken conclusion that there is no Palestinian partner for peace...
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/437319.html


The tail in search of a dog
The Labor Party has lost any lust for power. When Likud was in the opposition, its leaders disdained no political maneuver - whether legitimate or slightly less so - to shorten the days of the Barak government.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/437341.html


Bush opens new rift over Middle East plan
Turkey and Jordan were broadly supportive of the plan. But leading Arab states including Saudi Arabia and Egypt snubbed the event to protest what they view as heavy-handed US attempts to impose western values on their cultures.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,1235377,00.html


IDF troops arrest Hamas man during his wedding
The decision to carry out the arrest operation during the man's wedding was taken because the Hamas operative had been in hiding for the past three years, taking extraordinary measures to avoid being discovered.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=437807&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Israel releases extremist settler
In May 2002, he was charged with supplying explosives to settlers who tried to blow up an Arab girls' school. An Israeli court accused him of leading a Jewish "terrorist cell".
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3795663.stm


Jordan's Queen Rania Gets Military Rank
Jordan's King Abdullah II granted his wife, Queen Rania, the honorary military rank of full colonel in the armed forces Thursday, the official Petra news agency reported.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=540&e=9&u=/ap/20040610/ap_on_re_mi_ea/jordan_queen_military

June 09 2004

Resistance to the Wall Continues for the Third Day in Zawiya
The people in Zawiya village continued today to confront the Occupation bulldozers destroying their land for the Wall’s path. For the third day in a row the people in Zawiya village stood in front of the bulldozers, facing the Occupation machinery determined to resist the Apartheid Wall.
http://stopthewall.org/latestnews/572.shtml


15 peaceful protestors injured in Az Zawiya village while trying to stop Apartheid Wall
Hundreds of villagers including women, children and elderly people held a spontaneous protest by marching to their land to stop the bulldozers. They were accompanied by internationals from Sweden, Australia Canada England and America. As they were trying to get to their land they were stopped by tens of canisters of bulldozers being thrown at them.
http://www.womenspeacepalestine.org/news8junazzawiya.htm


Barrier work starts in middle of Jerusalem street
Massive concrete blocks run down the middle of a commercial street in suburban East Jerusalem, marking a path for an Israeli wall that will soon cut off Palestinians from neighbours across the road. Israeli bulldozers, protected by armed guards, tore into the street on Wednesday in the Palestinian suburb of Ram for a third day
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L03460816.htm


The largest German conference on Palestine since the beginning of the al-Aqsa Intifada calls to Tear Down the Apartheid Wall!
German solidarity groups and members of the peace movement marked the occasion of the anniversary of the West Bank and Gaza Strip Occupation in ’67, and held a national conference against the Apartheid Wall currently being constructed in Palestine.
http://stopthewall.org/worldwideactivism/570.shtml


Civilian Killed by IOF in Jenin
Medics at Suleiman Hospital, in Jenin, said that Ghassan Ayash 39, died of strong heart attack after Israeli soldiers criminally stormed his house and started terrifying the household with heavy shooting and stun grenades.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=917


Civilian Killed, another Wounded in Gaza
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) killed Wednesday afternoon a civilian and wounded another in the northern Gaza Strip City of Beit Hanoon, Palestinian security sources said.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=924


Israel's Common Use of Torture Must be Exposed - By Mustafa Barghouthi
The pictures of American soldiers torturing prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq have shocked the world. To the Palestinian people however, these photographs of hooded or naked figures come as no surprise. For the tens of thousands of Palestinians who have served time in Israeli prisons, the pictures only bring back memories of their own torture.
http://www.counterpunch.com/barghouthi06092004.html


Palestinian Prisoners suffer Israeli Jailer’s Humiliation
PPS said that Israeli jailers of the prison are practicing severe and humiliating practices against prisoners as they force them to strip their clothes off and immorally search them. The society appealed to the international community to take the case of Palestinian prisoners into consideration.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=921


15% rise in settler attacks against Palestinians since Jan.
The past few months have seen a significant increase in the number of attacks carried out by settlers against Palestinians, particularly in the northern West Bank and Hebron areas, according to data released Wednesday by Samaria and Judea region police.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/437203.html


Israeli strike on Gaza workshop
Witnesses say the workshop, in Shati refugee camp on the Gaza City beach, was used to make motorcycles. Israel has frequently targeted such Palestinian workshops. Two people were slightly wounded in the attack, witnesses said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3789061.stm


17 Civilians Arrested in WB
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested Wednesday seventeen civilians in separate incidents in different West Bank Cities, witnesses said. Witnesses said that IOF jeeps, stormed Qalqilya City, amid heavy shooting, broke into several houses and arrested eleven civilians, leading them to an unknown place.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=918


PCBS' Jerusalem Statistical Yearbook
as a result of the expansion and annexation wall; 130 households consist of 637 person in Jerusalem governorate were displaced, 7,946 Donums were confiscated, 2,422 Donums of which were agricultural land, and 2,072 Donums were shoveled, 766 Donums of which were agricultural land.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=923


Hamas plans to attend Cairo talks on Gaza pullout
Hamas and other Palestinian groups plan to meet Egyptian officials to discuss Egypt's proposals to help stabilize Gaza after any Israeli withdrawal, Hamas' top official in Lebanon said Wednesday, adding that the group's contribution would be "frank and open."
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/437273.html


Source: PM meet Labor for coalition talks in coming months
"The government in its present structure will eventually discontinue. Eventually it will have to bring in the Labor Party," the government official said, declining to say when Labor might join the coalition.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/437110.html


Sharon discusses Gaza withdrawal plan with EU's Solana
"Solana said the European Union supports the disengagement plan and will be ready to help as much as necessary in its successful implementation," a statement said, noting that Solana congratulated Sharon over the plan's approval.
http://www.eubusiness.com/afp/040609171645.6m7qg7kj


Visiting Swedish Minister accuses Israel of acting illegally
“You are violating international law. The disengagement plan will only be successful if you also evacuate all settlements in Judea and Samaria,” declared Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Laila Freivalds, during a meeting with Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom in Israel, this morning.
http://www.maarivintl.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=8407


UN to co-host media seminar on promoting peace in the Middle East
Policy-makers and senior journalists from around the world will gather in Beijing next week for a two-day seminar, co-hosted by the United Nations and China, focusing on “the role of civil society in promoting a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.”
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=11005&Cr=middle&Cr1=east


Renewed attention urged for situation of Palestinian refugees
Since September 2000, the number of Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip relying on UNRWA for food aid has risen from 130,000 to 1.1 million. In the same period, the proportion of Palestinians living belowthe poverty line has increased from 20 percent to 60 percent.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/09/content_1515288.htm


Sharon to eventually add Labour to govt-official
Centre-left Labour, a supporter of withdrawals from occupied land, has signalled it might provide Sharon with a political lifeline after he lost his parliamentary majority on Tuesday when a pro-settler minister resigned.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L09576307.htm


Pullout panel urges ministries to begin preparations for exit
"The ministries were asked to accelerate the pace of their work to implement the different aspects of the plan," the Prime Minister's Office said, adding that the committee would meet again at the end of the month.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/436822.html


Ruling due next week on whether to indict Sharon
Sharon could be forced from office if indicted, which would probably derail his landmark Gaza withdrawal plan. But Israeli media reported in May that Attorney-General Menachem Mazuz was leaning against charging Sharon, who denies any wrongdoing.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L09574521.htm


Court: Gilad Sharon should not be charged with contempt
Petah Tikva Magistrate's Court ruled Wednesday afternoon that Gilad Sharon had abided by a court order to hand over documents related to the Greek Island bribery case and therefore should not be charged with contempt of court.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/437246.html


Israeli Director Dedicates Cannes Prize To Palestinians
She told France’s Le Monde newspaper on Saturday that she had frequently refused to cooperate with the state-run Israeli television, saying it introduces cinema "dressed in a military suit".
http://islamonline.net/English/News/2004-05/23/article04.shtml


Interview with George Galloway, British Member of Parliament
British weapons were being used in the occupied territories... The so-called ethical foreign policy of Mr. Blair doesn't seem to draw any lines around General Sharon. Mr. Blair is not against dictatorships - it depends only whether that dictatorship obeys orders.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article2805.shtml


Among The Settlers - Will They Destroy Israel?
Today, the Jews have a national home, a potent Air Force to protect it, and the patronage of the most powerful country on earth. Today, the Jewish claim to the West Bank and Gaza is one of appetite, not of starvation.
http://www.peacenow.org/nia/news/newyorker1.html


Analysis / Economic step out
Industry Minister Ehud Olmert's announcement yesterday about the zone's closure marks the collapse of a 10-year-old philosophy - that Israel-Palestinians peace agreements can be strengthened by promoting economic ties between the two sides.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/436843.html


EU candidate backs Iraqi and Palestinian uprisings
To enthusiastic applause, Mr Mirza, who is standing in London for election to the European Parliament today, said: "We want justice and peace in Iraq and Israel. That's why we support the intifada and what we've got in Iraq is an intifada.
http://www.borehamwoodtimes.co.uk/news/newsroundup/display.php?artid=497982&FROMPAPER=edgwaretimes.co.uk


ICRC Freezes Israeli MDA’s Membership, USA Replies by Withholding $25M of Its Funding
A senior official at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said the entry and full membership of the Israeli Magen David Adom (MDA) was currently frozen mainly because of the continued violence in the region practiced by the Israeli occupying forces against the dispossessive Palestinians.
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/054.html


France and US at odds over Iraq at G8
"I do not think that it is NATO's job to intervene in Iraq," Mr Chirac told a news conference. "Moreover, I do not have the feeling that it would be either timely or necessarily well understood. I see myself with strong reservations on this initiative."
http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1086445517182&p=1012571727172


Iraq welcomes new UN resolution
"We welcome the unanimous vote of the Security Council and we are about to take further steps towards reasserting our sovereignty and regaining decency," said Feisal Amin al-Istrabadi,senior legal advisor to the foreign minister of the interim Iraqi government...
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/09/content_1516223.htm


Saboteurs Blow Up Key Iraqi Pipeline
Saboteurs blew up a key northern oil pipeline Wednesday, forcing a 10 percent cut on the national power grid as demand for electricity rises with the advent of Iraq (news - web sites)'s broiling summer heat.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=540&e=2&u=/ap/20040609/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

June 08 2004

Occupied Palestine: Women And Girls Lead Blocking of Bulldozers in Az Zawiya
Several hundred villagers gathered in the village at 9:00 a.m. and attempted to march to the land, but were blocked by seven jeeps of soldiers and border police who threw sound grenades and shot rubber bullets, injuring at least one person.
http://www.cmaq.net/fr/node.php?id=17105


In Salfit and Jerusalem: The Occupation Begins Buildings Two Ghettos in One Day
However, Occupation forces didn’t begin until well after sunset yesterday, to ensure that they could destroy large areas of lands and uproot trees without anyone able to witness their crimes. The Occupation bulldozers worked throughout the night and continued to raze the land and uproot the trees throughout the day.
http://stopthewall.org/latestnews/568.shtml


Israeli Troops Disperse Peace Activists’ Demonstration by Live Bullets, Wounding Four Including a Child
Palestinian medical sources said Monday evening that four anti-Apartheid Wall demonstrators were reportedly wounded in Al Zawya Village of the West Bank including a seven-year-old child.
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/044.html


Israeli Forces Blockade Palestinian Sick Women with Her Six Kids for Two Days
The life of the citizen Om Abed Allah Al Sumeiri, 43, has been at risk due to the shortage of the medication she was used to take for treatment of asthma as the Israeli occupying troops cordoned off her house for the second day in row in Al Qarara town...
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/050.html


Residents of Bizzariya, Palestine Reclaim their Freedom of Movement
Bizzariya, Tulkarem, Occupied Palestine - Nearly 200 villagers, internationals and Israelis, removed three roadblocks of rocks, rubble and dirt from the road between Bizzariya and Anabta on Tuesday morning [ed: June 8th] using their hands, shovels, picks and a bulldozer.
http://www.cmaq.net/fr/node.php?id=17108


Demonstration in Switzerland Againt Caterpillar and it's Role in Builiding the Apartheid Wall
Today, no-one can ignore the fact that Caterpillar is a driving force in destroying Palestinian houses and in the construction of the Apartheid Wall. States and private firms can no longer continue to collaborate with Israel, less they make themselves accessories to war crimes!
http://stopthewall.org/worldwideactivism/569.shtml


Peace Index / Israeli Jews still backing Sharon
The most common public perception is that the force the IDF used against the Palestinians during the Rafah operation was appropriate, and the majority say the use of force in Rafah was justified, even taking into account the damage caused to Israel's international image because of it.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/435929.html


Palestinians tell of army abuse
"They gathered everyone present into a single room and then began pulling apart everything in the house, rifling through all the cupboards and the furniture." The soldiers had beaten one of her brothers, Samih, and one of her nephews, Fadi. "They threatened me with a knife to prevent me from crying out," she added.
http://news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,9790949%255E1702,00.html


Israeli Restrictions against Palestinian Citrus
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) prevented exporting Palestinian agricultural products, banning citrus from accessing into "al-Montar" border crossing, east of Gaza, Palestinian Ministry of Agricultural (PMA) sources said.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=914


IDF kills three Palestinian civilians
Three Palestinian civilians, including a man crippled in the first intifada and a mentally handicapped youth, were killed by the Israel Defense Forces in separate incidents in the territories during the past 48 hours.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/436368.html


Palestinian young man wounded in Khan Yunis
A Palestinian young man, Ebraheem Al-Baqari, was wounded Tuesday when Israeli soldiers opened their fire randomly near Neve Dekalim settlement, said a Palestinian medical source in Khan Yunis.
http://www.kuna.net.kw/English/Story.asp?DSNO=639193


Israeli Helicopters Strike Hamas Office
Witnesses said the target was a Hamas office at the entrance to the Shati refugee camp. There was no immediate word of casualties. Ambulances raced to the scene. The air strike came a few minutes before midnight.
http://www.dailycomet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040608/API/406080932


Five Israelis treated for shock after Qassam lands near Sderot
Five Israelis were being treated for shock Tuesday afternoon after Palestinians fired a Qassam rocket at the road between Sderot and Yad Mordechai. Two vehicles were damaged by the rocket...
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/436759.html


7 Civilians Arrested in WB
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested Tuesday seven civilians in the West Bank cities of Nablus and Bethlehem, witnesses and Palestinian security sources said.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=912


P10K: 10,000 international observers needed in Palestine
In response to unheeded and repeated calls for "International Observers" from the G8, the UN, President Arafat, the Arab League, NGO's and many more, the P10K Force is now forming for deployment to the OPT, and intends to remain there until the application of international law, which demands full Israeli withdrawal.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article2801.shtml


Turkey Contributes 100 Thousand U.S. Dollars To Palestinian Fund
Turkish Labor and Social Security Minister Murat Basesgioglu on Tuesday presented Turkey's cheque worth of 100 thousand U.S. dollars as contribution to Palestinian fund formed within International Labor Organization (ILO).
http://www.turkishpress.com/turkishpress/news.asp?ID=20865


Govt provides aid to Palestinian refugee camp
The Federal Government says Australia will contribute $500,000 in humanitarian relief to Palestinians in the Rafah refugee camp in Gaza. Australia's contribution to the UN Rafah Emergency Appeal will help supply shelter and medical assistance.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1127205.htm


U.N. wins promises of aid for Palestinian refugees
Representatives from 91 countries and international agencies attended a two-day meeting in Geneva to boost humanitarian assistance to 4.1 million Palestinian refugees in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L08183734.htm


Arafat to oversee PA preparations for Israeli Gaza pullout
The committee's final composition and its functions are still being discussed by Arafat and Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, Egypt's minister who is responsible for the Palestinians' situation and their security.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=436425&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


NRP's Eitam and Levy quit gov't to protest pullout plan
"This prime minister must be removed from office," he said. Eitam also called on the nationalist camp to "unite and act against this government and against this terrible decision."
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/436641.html


Israel-Palestinian clash, not Iraq, the "mother of all conflicts" : EC chief
European Commission chief Romano Prodi warned the Middle East would never know peace without a solution to "the mother of all conflicts" raging between Israel and the Palestinians. "There is only one conflict," Prodi said.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=9&u=/afp/20040608/wl_mideast_afp/g8_iraq_eu_mideast_040608185820


Nasdaq market appoints director for Israel
The Nasdaq stock market said on Tuesday it would expand its international activities through the appointment of a new director for Israel, the country with the most Nasdaq listings outside North America.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=436725&contrassID=1&subContrassID=4&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


UNICEF witnesses cumulative effects of the conflict on health of Palestinian children
In various parts of Rafah, deliberate destruction of water and electricity infrastructure is threatening the health situation of the resident population in the absence of running water. The WHO warns of an acute threat of the outbreak and spreading of diseases in this context. Hundreds of homeless...
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article2800.shtml


The toothpaste is out of the tube
Some say the vote in the Knesset is meaningless. There's no precedent in this country for a prime minister implementing revolutionary initiatives when half his party is unsupportive, and the leading lights of the party are trying to trip him up.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/436403.html


Settlers to be compensated according to family, house size
Knowledgeable sources say that the current assessment is that every evacuated family will receive an average of $300,000 in compensation. Thus compensation for the 2,000 families living in Gaza will run to between NIS 2.7 billion and NIS 3 billion.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/436660.html


Israeli government in new turmoil as coalition partner chief quits cabinet
But another of the NRP's six deputies, Welfare Minister Zevulun Orlev, has decided to remain in the cabinet. Orlev was reported to be furious at his colleagues' decision and had urged them to reconsider.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040608/wl_afp/mideast_040608172158


Hizbollah Attacks Israeli Posts in Shebaa Farms
one day after Israeli warplanes raided a Palestinian base near Beirut. Israeli military sources in Jerusalem said one Israeli soldier was lightly wounded in the attack involving anti-tank missiles and mortar shells.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=5374489


Israel sends letter to UN protesting Hezbollah attack
Israel sent a protest letter to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Tuesday to complain about Hezbollah's shelling of Israeli positions on Har Dov earlier in the day...
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/436197.html


Britain investigating 75 complaints against troops in Iraq
Abuse claims first surfaced on May 1 when the Daily Mirror newspaper published dramatic photographs apparently showing British troops beating and urinating on a hooded Iraqi detainee.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1515&ncid=1515&e=5&u=/afp/20040608/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_britain_prisoners_040608172039


Six coalition troops killed in demining operation in Iraq
Of the soldiers killed in the blast, two are from Poland, three from Slovakia and one from Latvia, Gnatowski said. He also said the blast was an accidental explosion and several other soldiers were also injured in the accident.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/08/content_1514888.htm


The rich have been warned to leave Baghdad. But for the poor, there is no escape from crime
Usually the family of the hostage is told to call a Thuraya satellite phone number. The failure of the US security forces to help Iraqi police track a Thuraya call is a major source of complaint among the officers. "They gave us the information only once," Col Mahmoud says.
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/story.jsp?story=529272


Militia won't leave Najaf shrine until 2005
Shia militiamen loyal to leader Muqtada al-Sadr have vowed not to withdraw from the most sacred shrine in the holy city of Najaf until a democratic Iraqi government takes power in January 2005, according to Tuesday's China Daily.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/08/content_1513679.htm

June 07 2004

UN agencies urge Israel to ease restrictions so Palestinian students can take exams
“Failure to sit for these exams will result in forfeiting the entire school year,” said David S. Bassiouni, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Special Representative in the West Bank and Gaza. “Students will not be able to study in universities and they will be forced to repeat their studies next year.” he added.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=10969&Cr=Palestin&Cr1=


IOF Wounds and Arrests Civilians in Salfeet
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) attacked Monday a peaceful demonstration protesting the Apartheid Wall, injuring one citizen and arresting several others, in the city of Salfeet, witnesses said.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=909


Ar Ram: A Ghetto for Sixty Thousand People
Occupation forces today began blocking all the side roads along the western edge of the main road between Ramallah and Jerusalem in preparation for starting construction of the Apartheid Wall.
http://stopthewall.org/latestnews/567.shtml


Soldier claims IDF smuggled troops in ambulances
"The IDF used ambulances to smuggle in fighters during operation 'Defensive Shield' in 2002", claims Zohar Shapira, one of the initiators of the elite 'Sayeret Matkal' unit refuseniks' letter. Yesterday, Shapira published an on-line article in which he claims that IDF soldiers used ambulances for non-medical purposes during the operation.
http://maarivintl.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=8221


Child Killed, Woman Critically Injured by IOF in Khanyounis
youth was wantonly killed by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) in the Gaza strip city of Khanyounis. Earlier on Sunday, IOF shelled the civilian houses in the city neighborhood of al-Namsawy, critically wounding a woman...
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=898


Israeli Missiles Prevent Palestinian Ronaldo from Playing Football
Hamad al-Nairab, 11-year-old, Palestinian boy from the Refugee Camp of al-Shaboura in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah (125,000 population), lost his leg in the "eventful" Israeli raid on a peaceful march in Rafah on May 19th in which 70 civilians were killed and wounded, children were the vast majority.
http://english.wafa.ps/cphotonews.asp?num=497


Rare septuplets born to Palestinian
They said Hala Eid, 26, from the nearby West Bank city of Bethlehem, bore four boys and three girls -- the smallest of which weighed 540 grams (19 ounces) -- by Caesarean delivery overnight at Makassed hospital in Arab East Jerusalem.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L071174.htm


Paralyzed Palestinian Man Killed
Arafat Yaacoub survived so many shootings during the Israel-Palestinian conflict that his family felt God was watching over him. But on Sunday, Israeli soldiers shot Yaacoub for the fourth time, and killed him.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=1312&e=1&u=/ap/20040607/ap_on_re_mi_ea/palestinian_shot_again_1


Aging and his 7 Sons Arrested in Ramallah
Israeli troops, backed by tanks, rolled into Deir Ghassana village, stormed several houses and smashed property and furniture... broke into the house of Othman al-Shareed 80, arrested him together with his seven sons, leading them into an unrevealed spot.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=908


CONFERENCE ON MEETING HUMANITARIAN NEEDS OF PALESTINIAN REFUGEES OPENS IN GENEVA
Moreover, the message underlined the upsurge of violence in recent months, particularly in Rafah last month where the demolition of Palestinian homes by the Israeli army had resulted in a significant loss of Palestinian life.
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2004/pal1994.doc.htm


Israel accused of dumping toxic wastes in sea
"This procedure will lead to a serious environmental problem and will disturb the environmental balance in addition to polluting the water and spreading diseases," said Yussef Abu Safeya, head of the Palestinian Environment Quality Authority.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/07/content_1512739.htm


Islamic Jihad armed wing attacks Jewish settlement in Gaza
Saraya al Quds, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, on Monday claimed responsibility for firing two homemade rockets at the Jewish settlement of Neveh Dekalim in the southern Gaza Strip.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/07/content_1512628.htm


Rockets fired from Lebanon land near Israel Navy vessel
Later on Monday evening, however, a military source reported the rockets were aimed at Israeli land targets and not at the naval vessel. The army said the rockets were fired by a Palestinian organization.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=436197&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Israel Attacks Palestinians in Lebanon
In Jerusalem, the Israeli military confirmed an airstrike near the Lebanese capital. Lebanese officials said the Israeli planes fired at least four rockets at targets in the hills at Naameh, about five miles south of Beirut.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=540&e=2&u=/ap/20040607/ap_on_re_mi_ea/lebanon_israel


How a Warning Shot Kill a Wheel Chaired Palestinian
It is becoming harder to listen to army spokespersons’ accounts on incidents that includes the killing of local Palestinians, especially when the killings take place in a clash with stone throwing youths.
http://www.imemc.org/headlines/2004/June/week1/060704/wheel-chaired.htm


On This Day1981: Israel bombs Baghdad nuclear reactor
The Israelis have bombed a French-built nuclear plant near Iraq's capital, Baghdad, saying they believed it was designed to make nuclear weapons to destroy Israel.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/june/7/newsid_3014000/3014623.stm


UNRWA: Don't forget Palestinian refugees
UNRWA is concerned that the international community has increasingly overlooked the appalling living conditions of Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria who are heavily dependent on the aid organisation.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/F6551BB6-7F01-4F09-A798-F7ADDB8F47C3.htm


'48 beats '67 in battle over right of return
The man who courageously declared his willingness to forfeit the right of return is Sari Nusseibeh, in his joint platform with former Shin Bet director Ami Ayalon. Yossi Beilin's and Yasser Abed Rabbo's Geneva Initiative also contains a Palestinian willingness to give up the right of return
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/435561.html


Analysis / No tears for Barghouti
In the past, he has often criticized Arafat and accused senior PA officials of corruption. That is why word on the street has it that there may have been whistle-blowers in the Palestinian leadership who helped bring about Barghouti's arrest and are content to see him sitting in jail.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/435898.html


Shalom: Egypt can deploy 130 more troops on border
Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom told Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak during their Monday meeting in Cairo that Israel will agree to the deployment on the Gaza border of 130 Egyptian security personnel more than permitted in the Israel-Egypt peace agreement...
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/436315.html


Arafat accepts Egypt's security demands-officials
"Arafat accepted the Egyptian ideas on security reforms to avoid confrontation with Egypt. He believes Israel will not accept Egypt's ideas for a truce and a safe corridor between the West Bank and Gaza. So why have a showdown with Egypt now?"
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L07457608.htm


RUSSIA WANTS SHARON'S DISENGAGEMENT PLAN MADE PART OF COMPREHENSIVE MIDEAST SETTLEMENT PROCESS
The important thing is not to let the peace process stop when implementing measures envisaged by Sharon's plan, to make them part of the comprehensive settlement process on an internationally recognized legal basis," Yakovenko pointed out.
http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=4423509&startrow=1&date=2004-06-07&do_alert=0


Sharon Survives No Confidence Bid in Parliament
His brittle coalition passed its first test today, when the parliament rejected a motion of no confidence by 46 to 31 with 15 abstentions. The opposition Labour Party abstained – assuring Sharon’s survival for now.
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3031932


Reagan, friend of Israel
Despite these incidents, Reagan won the status of friend of Israel due to the strategic letter of understanding he signed with the Begin-Sharon government in 1982 - "The paper still used by all of us to this very day,"
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/435885.html


Five Israeli Arabs indicted for planning to abduct soldiers
Moussa and Anbatawi told investigators that they formed the cell in order to murder soldiers and take their weapons to carry out further attacks. The two admitted to throwing firebombs at police cars at the Golani and Beit Rimon Junctions.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=436217&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


UN envoy welcomes Israeli cabinet’s decision on settlement withdrawals
The senior United Nations envoy for the Middle East, Terje Roed-Larsen, today welcomed the Israeli cabinet’s decision to begin preparations for a withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=10978&Cr=middle&Cr1=east


Israeli invasion of 1982 haunts survivors
Many were disfigured as a result of Israel's use of cluster bombs, which international laws ban in civilian areas, and whose delayed and far reaching explosion causes wide-ranging damages. Estimates place the number killed at around 20,000, those wounded at 30,000, while approximately half a million people were made homeless.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=4900


Analysis: Aluf Benn on changes made to Sharon's pullout plan
The actual implementation of the evacuation will require additional approval by the government, in accordance with the compromise that was reached and that enabled enlistment of the support of the senior Likud ministers for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=435879&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y


Is Sharon’s Disengagement Still Sharon’s Disengagement?
Some describe the Israeli cabinet decision to approve the repeatedly revised disengagement plan as a historic decision; others are saying that with the decision around evacuating settlements postponed to later, they can barely see“disengagement” in the approved plan.
http://www.imemc.org/headlines/2004/June/week1/060704/disengagement.htm


US and Iraq work toward new UN resolution
But diplomats said it was doubtful Washington would agree to the language France had suggested. On Monday, Russia also said it still had reservations, but was pleased at changes in the amended resolution.
http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1086445472427&p=1012571727172


Report: Russia doubts US Middle East reform plan
Arab leaders have accused the United States of trying to impose its views while ignoring the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which they see as the source of the region's troubles. Some US lawmakers and European officials have said a better proposal would be one that encourages reform in the Middle East "from within."
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1086577711232


Doctrines And Visions: Who Is To Run The World, And How? - by Noam Chomsky
We have just passed the first anniversary of the President's declaration of victory in Iraq. I won't speak about what is happening on the ground. There is more than enough information about that, and we can draw our own conclusions. I will just mention one aspect of it: What has happened to Iraqis?
http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=40&ItemID=5660

June 06 2004

PA condemns Barghouti trial
"This is an illegal court and it passed an illegal sentence and we don't accept it or even recognize it," said Erekat. Erekat urged the whole world to intervene to help get Barghouti out of prison.
http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20040606-082304-1072r


"Freedom Summer 2004" Campaign to be launched Against Israeli Occupation
June 26: the national day against the Apartheid Wall: Demonstrations from all the Palestinian territories would march towards the Aaprtheid Wall, including all age groups, as the demonstrators would wear shirts with number tags on them, so they would look like prisoners, referring to the big prison the Wall has created.
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_06/034.html


Israeli barrier blocks access to basic services
The impact of Israel’s “security fence” in the West Bank is expected to be one of the main topics at a conference on Palestinian refugees in Geneva this week. Ahead of the Swiss-backed United Nations meeting, swissinfo’s Anna Nelson takes a first-hand look at the effects of the wall on Palestinians living in its shadow.
http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/Swissinfo.html?siteSect=105&sid=4980712


Anti-Wall Protest at AL-RAM
Gush Shalom and Ta'ayush activists joined Saturday Palestinians in Al-Ram, north of Jerusalem in a protest against the separation Wall, which is running through the middle of their neighborhood, cutting it away from Jerusalem and surrounding villages.
http://www.imemc.org/headlines/2004/June/week1/060604/anti%20wall%20protest.htm


Court sentences Marwan Barghouti to five life terms
Before his sentencing, Barghouti delivered a political speech in Arabic, in which he said the judges were cooperating with the occupation and were as bad as IAF pilots who dropped bombs on children.
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/435748.html


'My liberty is when the occupation ends'
"The intifada will triumph," Barghouthi shouted as he was led away, his hands raised in a victory sign. "I don't care whether I am sentenced to one life sentence - or 10 or 50 - my day of liberty is the day the occupation ends." Barghouthi, who celebrated his 45th birthday on Sunday...
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=123&art_id=qw1086526081997B253&set_id=1


Settlements Are Planned As Barriers
While the state of Israel and the Bedouin comminutes are still negotiating how to solve the problems, the ministerial committee for the development of the Negev and the Galilee decided some three months ago to form a team to locate lands for new Jewish settlements in the region to block the Bedouin's expansion.
http://www.imemc.org/headlines/2004/June/week1/060604/settlemnts%20barriers.htm


IDF troops kill wheelchair-bound Palestinian north of J'lem
Palestinian sources identified the man as Arafat Ibrahim Yakub, who was wounded in the first intifada and had been confined to a wheelchair since 1987.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/435881.html


Mistreatment and Beating of Mr. Jamal Ibrahim El-Tamimi
On 27 May 2004 at 2 am, the army forcefully entered his house again, beat his sister who tried to object to the forced entry with their gun butts, and dragged Mr. El-Tamimi by his throat out of his house. There, he was subjected to severe beating and threatened with death if he fails to put an end to the stone throwing.
http://www.alhaq.org/interventions/israeli_authorities/mistreatment_and_beating_%20of_jamal_ibrahim_el_tamimi.htm


3 Civilians Wounded in Rafah
Witnesses said Hussein was shot in the head as Israeli soldiers opened heavy fire at Palestinian houses in the neighbourhood of al-Barazil, near the borderline with Egypt. Two more citizens were also wounded as a result of the Israeli gunshot, witnesses said.
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=tech_news&id=895


Israeli army carry out arrest campaigns in Nablus
Israeli force stormed into Al-Makhfeya neighborhood in Nablus and the Balata refugee camp and threw tear gas and stun bombs, causing suffocation to a number of residents. The Israel Army had also imposed tight curfew in the said neighborhood and surrounded a mosque, as well as detaining the worshipers inside it...
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/06/content_1510832.htm


EU increases annual funding for UNRWA
The delegation, in its talks with Lebanese officials, had focused on "the Conference on Humanitarian Aid to Palestinian Refugees in the Near East, Setting up Partnership Relations to Help UNRWA," which is due to open Monday on the UN premises in Geneva.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=4863


US warns against 'bantustans'
Bantustans were tribal states declared independent by the South African government during the 1970s in the hope of staving off the collapse of the apartheid system. The comments came as the Israeli cabinet prepared to vote on Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's to unilaterally withdraw from the Gaza Strip.
http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_1538554,00.html


Sharon Cabinet Seen Passing Watered-Down Gaza Plan
A compromise between Sharon and hard-line ministers means the cabinet would give support in principle to his proposal to "disengage" from conflict with the Palestinians but without any mention of removing Jewish settlements, political sources said.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=564&ncid=564&e=6&u=/nm/20040606/ts_nm/mideast_dc_72


Sharon says Israel will leave Gaza by the end of 2005
"Most of the people of Israel understand the tremendous significance of the plan ... It is a decision that is good for Israel's political standing, economy and the demography of the Jewish people in the land of Israel.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/435566.html


Israeli high court rejects petitions seeking delay of pullout vote
Justice Edmond Levy earlier on Sunday proposed that the cabinet postpone its discussion on the so-called Sharon plan till Tuesday during a hearing on four urgent petitions against Sharon's decision to dismiss far-right ministers...
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/06/content_1510921.htm


National Religious Party to convene on whether to stay in gov't
MKs estimated that national elections are near and that Sharon's government would fall sooner rather than later. Party members decided to try and forge ties with Likud MKs opposed to the disengagement plan, and agreed to initiate a campaign in the Knesset aimed at toppling Sharon's government.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/435849.html


Egypt to Arafat: Reduce number of security organizations
According to the Egyptian demand, the commanders of the three organizations would answer to the interior minister and prime minister. According to Palestinian sources, the Egyptians have made it clear to Arafat that he must unite the security organizations as soon as possible...