Occupied Palestine: News and Articles

News

IOF troops storm Nablus, Palestinian youth wounded
Palestinian Information Center 8/26/2007
NABLUS, (PIC)-- IOF soldiers stormed the West Bank city of Nablus at dawn Sunday from all axes in line with their daily incursions into the city where a Palestinian young man had his hand amputated when an explosive device blasted near him. Local sources said that the IOF troops infiltrated the Asker refugee camp east of Nablus and areas west of Nablus firing sonic bombs and gas canisters on citizens. They said that a young man was carried to hospital after an explosive device blasted near him and had his hand cut off. The IOF command on Sunday acknowledged that two of its soldiers were wounded Saturday in the Palestinian resistance joint attack north of the Gaza Strip. Two Palestinian fighters were killed in the attempt after successfully crossing the separation fence erected by the IOF troops between the Strip and the 1948 occupied lands.

ISRAEL-OPT: Ban on truckloads of paper set to hit Gaza schools
Naela Khalil/IRIN, IRIN - UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 8/27/2007
Because of an Israeli ban on deliveries of paper to Gaza, some 200,000 children will begin the new school year on 1 September without the books they need, UNRWA said - JERUSALEM, 26 August 2007 (IRIN) - The Israeli ban on deliveries of paper to Gaza is not only threatening to create a shortage of textbooks in the Strip but also shining a spotlight on what constitutes legitimate humanitarian aid. Israel is allowing in food, medicines and fuel, which it sees as essential aid, but not paper, even though many would see education as a vital sector in need of all the support it can get. "Some 200,000 children will go into our classrooms on 1 September, and won't have the books they need," John Ging, the Gaza director of UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, told IRIN.

Family of assassinated child reveals barbaric conduct of Israeli soldiers
Ma'an News Agency 8/26/2007
Tulkarem – Ma'an – The Israeli occupying forces shot intensively at a child on Friday, while he was sitting in a fig tree in Seida village, near the northern West Bank town of Tulkarem. 11-year-old Mahmoud Al Qarnawi was left bleeding on the ground by the Israeli troops. When his mother asked the soldiers if her son was alive, they said "maybe". The child had Israeli citizenship, but was visiting his relatives in the Palestinian West Bank village. Ma'an's correspondent in Tulkarem met with Mahmoud's family. They said that Israeli Special Forces had shot and killed the child. Mahmoud's sister, 16-year-old Ruqaiya, said she had watched as Mahmoud was murdered. "Terrifying"Ruqaiya said, "I heard the sounds of intensive shooting behind the house, I opened our gate to see what was happening and one of the soldiers shot at me.

Palestinian prisoner in Israeli jail was beaten to death, Asrana confirms
Ma'an News Agency 8/26/2007
Jerusalem – Ma'an – Asrana (our prisoners) media office in Jerusalem on Sunday blamed the Israeli authorities in Ramla prison for the death of Palestinian detainee 'Umar Masalmah, aged 24. Masalmah, from Hebron, was allegedly in good health just two days before he died, on Saturday. Director of the Asrana media office, Munqith Abu Roumi, said the organisation can confirm that Masalmah died after being severely beaten by Israeli soldiers." We have established, through the other prisoners, that the man was attacked and beaten by the Israeli soldiers," said Abu Roumi." At Ramla jail he was attacked and severely beaten by the soldiers," said Aby Roumi.

Al Mezan condemns Israel's denial of ID for 100,000 Palestinians
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, ReliefWeb 8/26/2007
Over 100,000 Palestinians who live in Gazaand the West Bank, but do not hold ID cards produced by Israel, have been stripped from their civil and political rights. This situation has continued since those returned to the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) after the signing of Oslo Accord and the establishment of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in 1994. Deprivation from their civil-political rights has led to serious violations of their economic, social and cultural ESC rights as well. Israel, which maintains full control over OPT's borders as well as the civil registry, refuses to grant IDs for this group of Palestinians. Without an ID card, Palestinians' movement between Gazaand the West Bank, or leaving either, is impossible.

Settlers, state discuss legalizing some outposts, removing others
Nadav Shragai, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
The Yesha Council of Settlements is negotiating illegal outposts with Defense Minister Ehud Barak's bureau. The main points of the agreement being hammered out are to evacuate outposts to which no legal solution can be found, while legalizing some and moving others. According to unconfirmed reports in the Hebrew daily Makor Rishon, the Yesha Council has agreed to move the largest of the outposts, Migron near Beit El, after no way of legalizing the community could be found, including attempts to show that at least some of the land was purchased over the past year by Jews. In a flyer distributed to synagogues on Shabbat, the Yesha Council reported on the meetings underway with the Defense Ministry, and attempted to explain its stand, saying, "Dialogue with the Defense Ministry will be conducted with complete transparency vis-a-vis the residents of the outposts.

Peace Now: W. Bank roads being paved to tune of NIS 315 million
Jonathan Lis, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
At least six roads or parts of roads are currently being paved in the West Bank for the benefit of settlers, at a cost of at least NIS 315 million, according to a new report by Peace Now. All of these roads, covering 33 kilometers in total, lie east of the separation fence - i. e. , in land Israel does not seek to keep under a peace agreement. Since they serve only a small number of inhabitants, and do not serve the Palestinians at all, the state is spending what amounts to about NIS 50,000 per car on these roads, the report claims. One new highway will connect four settlements east of Jerusalem - 2,500 residents and less than 500 cars - with the capital. One of these settlements is Strategic Affairs Minister Avigdor Lieberman's hometown, Nokdim, the 10-kilometer road was approved when he was transit minister.

Peace Now report: Settlers enjoy luxury roads
Efrat Weiss, YNetNews 8/26/2007
Organization says State invests large sums in constructing highways for settlers in West Bank, while shortage in funds leaves infrastructure within Green Line lacking - While the State of Israel invests millions in constructing roads in the West Bank, it neglects infrastructure development within the Green Line, thus contributing to the increase in road accidents in the country, the Peace Now organization claimed Sunday. According to a report compiled by the group, 33 kilometers of roads are currently under construction in the area east of the separation fence, with an investment of some NIS 315 million. "The State spends at least NIS 50,000 for each settler's vehicle, on infrastructure and new roads. While people in Israel get killed on a daily basis due to a shortage in funds for infrastructure, the...

Islamic Jihad in violent exchange of fire with Israeli forces near Jenin
Ma'an News Agency 8/26/2007
Jenin – Ma'an – The military wing of Islamic Jihad, the Al Quds Brigades, claimed responsibility on Sunday morning for armed clashes with invading Israeli forces in Qabatiya, near the northern occupied Palestinian West Bank refugee camp of Jenin. The brigades issued a statement announcing that "one of our groups of fighters confronted the Israeli forces when they stormed the town of Qabatiya, southern Jenin, and detonated many bombing devices, in addition to exchanging fire with the Israeli soldiers; hitting many of them." The statement added, "The operation was part of the retaliation for Israeli assaults and crimes against Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza Strip." [end]

Israeli forces abduct brother of fighter killed on Saturday in Jenin
Ma'an News Agency 8/26/2007
Jenin – Ma'an – The Israeli occupying forces on Sunday abducted the brother of the 'Martyr' Alaa Abu Surour, who was assassinated by Israeli soldiers on Saturday in Jenin. The Israeli troops launched a search campaign in Jenin refugee camp and Qabatiya, both in the northern occupied Palestinian West Bank. The military wing of Islamic Jihad, the Al Quds Brigades, clashed with Israeli soldiers and exchanged fire during an incursion into Qabatiya early on Sunday morning. The brigades said that they used machine guns and hand-grenades during the clashes. Local sources informed Ma'an's correspondent that the Israeli forces arrested 19-year-old Mustafa Abu Surour, the brother of an Al Quds Brigades fighter killed in Jenin on Saturday. The soldiers were deployed outside the Abu Surour home and ordered the...

Palestinian brigades launch projectiles at Israeli targets
Ma'an News Agency 8/26/2007
Gaza – Ma'an – The military wing of Fatah, the Al Aqsa Brigades, claimed responsibility for launching two homemade projectiles at the Israeli Western Negev town of Sderot on Sunday afternoon. The brigades issued a statement announcing that "the operation was part of the retaliation for Israeli aggression against Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza Strip." The Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) claimed responsibility for launching two homemade projectiles at the Israeli-controlled Erez Crossing, between Israel and Gaza, on Sunday afternoon. The brigades issued a statement: "the launching of the projectiles was part of the retaliation for Israeli aggression against Palestinians."

Kfar Sava Court rules entering ruins of Homesh is not illegal
Yuval Azoulay, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
The Kfar Sava Juvenile Court ruled that entering the ruins of the evacuated settlement of Homesh is not a criminal offense. The ruling can no longer be appealed as more than 30 days have passed since the ruling was made. Justice David Gadol rejected the state's position and ruled that a girl who had been arrested for attempting to enter the ruins of Homesh did not violate any law and, therefore, could not be remanded. The judge ruled that the Disengagement Law, on which the state bases its prohibition on entering the ruins of Homesh, was legislated in order to enable the evacuation of the settlement as part of the disengagement two years ago, and must not be utilized for a different purpose. The prosecution presented the court with an additional legal basis for banning entry to the Homesh ruins - an...

Judge rules: Visiting Homesh no longer a crime
Efrat Weiss, YNetNews 8/26/2007
Juvenile court judge states Disengagement Law no longer valid, and therefore prohibition on visiting former settlement is null - "The penal chapter of the Disengagement Law has completed its role, and therefore suspects cannot be brought before a court based on it," Judge David Gadol of the Juvenile Court in Kfar Saba ruled recently. Gadol, who presided in a hearing on the remand extension of a teenage girl who was arrested after visiting the evacuated settlement of Homesh, said that the girl did not commit a criminal offense because the law in question - which bars Israelis from visiting the former settlement - was no longer valid. Ever since the evacuation of the West Bank settlement during the disengagement in summer of 2005, thousands of right-wing activists and settlers have tried marching to Homesh and visiting there.

State requests 5 life sentences for driver of suicide bomber
Yuval Azoulay, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
The state requested on Sunday that the Tel Aviv District Court hand down five consecutive life sentences to an Israeli Arab who drove a suicide bomber to the location of an attack in 2005. 28-year-old Ashraf Keisi, from Baka al-Garbiyeh transported a Palestinian suicide bomber to a Tel Aviv nightclub, where he blew himself up, killing five people and wounding 50. The police representative at Tel Aviv District Court said of Keisi on Sunday morning, "To our disgust he is Israeli, was born and grew up here, and has Jewish friends. He worked for Jews and for a spent a large part of his life in Israeli society. Maybe this why he refused for the terror attack to be perpetrated in Hadera, where he has friends and relatives." "He decided who would live and who would die, he decided when and where the attack would take...

6 Palestinians arrested near border fence
Hanan Greenberg, YNetNews 8/26/2007
IDF continues to investigate Saturday's infiltration, considers enhancing fence. Meanwhile, six Gazans believed to be seeking information for terror groups caught trying to cross the fence yet againIDF forces arrested six Palestinian youths trying to cross the border fence from the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday. The youths were taken in for questioning and IDF sources believe the six were sent to gather information for terror organizations. The incident occurred just one day after two gunmen carrying an explosive device managed to infiltrate into Israel. A military source said on Sunday, "Yesterday's infiltration would not have been possible if information had not been collected in advance. The Palestinians know that the border fence is military territory and that anyone hanging around there is taking a huge risk.

Leftist Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades members survive an assassination attempt in Beit Hanoun
International Middle East Media Center 8/27/2007
The Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, the armed wing of the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), reported on Sunday afternoon that one of its groups survived an assassination attempt by the Israeli army in Beit Hanoun, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. The Brigades issued a press release stating that one of its groups fired homemade shells at Eretz Crossing, and the Israeli towns of Ashkelon and Sderot, and that shortly after that an Israeli military helicopter targeted them with several missiles and opened fire at a number of houses. The fighters escaped the shelling unharmed, the brigades stated. The Brigades added that on the anniversary of the assassination of its secretary-general, Abu Ali Mustafa, it reaffirms its commitment to resistance and steadfastness.

IOF acknowledges injury of 4 soldiers in resistance attack
Palestinian Information Center 8/26/2007
GAZA, (PIC)-- The Israeli occupation forces on Saturday evening acknowledged that four soldiers were injured in the blast near a Hummer military jeep at the gate of Karm Abu Salem crossing east of Rafah district. The Hebrew radio said that the four were wounded when an explosive device was blasted in their jeep near the security fence separating the Gaza Strip from the 1948 occupied Palestinian lands. The Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas Movement, had taken the credit for that operation that was coupled with firing a number of mortar shells at the IOF military positions near the crossing. The armed wing said that the operation was videotaped and would be soon distributed to reporters, stressing that the raid was in reprisal to the continued IOF aggression on the Palestinian people.

IDF: Hamas targets troops, civilians near Gaza
Avi Issacharoff Amos Harel Yuval Azoulay and Yoav Stern, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
Hamas is stepping up efforts to carry out attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers near the Gaza perimeter security fence, army sources said yesterday, after Israeli forces killed eight Palestinians and an Arab-Israeli boy in the West Bank and Gaza over the weekend. Palestinian sources told Haaretz that the organization was using other Gaza militant groups to escalate hostilities with Israel and close down the Erez Crossing. Israel Defense Forces troops pursued and shot dead two armed militants yesterday after the men got past the security fence around the Gaza Strip and opened fire on an IDF post. One soldier was lightly wounded in the ensuing shootout, the IDF Spokesman said. Both militants, who were carrying weapons and explosives, apparently belonged to the Popular Resistance Committees, an independent militant group inspired by Lebanon's Hezbollah.

Students fleeing Sderot schools
Matan Tzuri, YNetNews 8/26/2007
Number of children attending coming school year in rocket-battered town continues to drop as parents send children to other towns in protest of gov't's failure to fortify schools - Some 700 out of 4,100 Sderot students have decided not to attend school in the town this year in protest of the continued rocket attacks and the government's failure to fortify the schools. Over the past few months, many parents have been doing everything in their power to transfer their children to other schools, and while some parents filed applications to the municipality, others simply changed their addresses on their IDs in order to have their children placed in other schools. According to the town's data, only 3,400 students will be attending local schools this year compared to 4,100 in 2006, and only 750 children have been registered for kindergarten compared to 900 last year.

Rahat mayor: IDF killing of Israeli Arab boy may spark violence
Yoav Stern, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
"If the rumors about Mahmoud's death turn out to be true, it might inflame the public," Rahat's mayor Talal al-Karnawi warned Saturday, referring to the killing of an 11-year-old Arab-Israeli boy by security forces in the West Bank town of Tul Karm on Friday. Mahmoud al-Karnawi was visiting his mother's family near Tul Karm when Border Police officers stormed the building in pursuit of a wanted militant. Mahmoud, who lives in the southern Bedouin town of Rahat with his parents, was killed in the crossfire. Rahat's mayor, Talal al-Karnawi, demanded the Israel Defense Forces explain the incident and provide information on how the boy was killed. The IDF's statement on the case expressed sorrow at the boy's death. "It is unclear whether the boy was shot by the troops or by terrorists," the army added.

Omar Masalma, detainee number 191 who dies in Israeli prisons
International Middle East Media Center 8/27/2007
The Nafha Society for Defending the Detainees' Rights and Human Rights, slammed on Sunday the ongoing Israeli violations against the detainees and their internationally guaranteed rights, and stated that detainee Omar Masalma, who died recently of medical negligence in an Israeli prison, is detainee number 191 who dies in Israeli prisons. The Society stated that over the past seven months, four Palestinian detainees died in Israeli prisons, which is another proof of the Israeli violations and illegal practices against the detainees. The Society also said that Israel always disregarded several cases of medical negligence which led to the death of dozens of detainees, in addition to not investigating dozens of "sudden death" cases, especially in interrogation centers. -- See also: Palestinian prisoner dies in Israeli jail of medical negligence

IDF officer in Dahariyeh scandal defends op in TV report
Yuval Azoulay, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
The platoon commander in custody after being charged with grievous bodily harm during an operation in Dahariyeh last month said in a video-taped testimony aired Friday night on Channel 2 that he got into trouble because of his desire to carry out his mission. The commander and his father, who were interviewed by Channel 2 on Friday night, said the fact that the charges against him had been released in the media presented him in a negative light. The officer, a lieutenant, is charged with abducting a Palestinian taxi driver, handcuffing him and taking his taxi to Dahariyeh, south of Hebron. One of his soldiers then opened fire on an unarmed Palestinian, wounding him in the shoulder, and left the scene without offering medical assistance.

Journalists union in Gaza calls for protest against EF attempts to arrest AFP director
Ma'an News Agency 8/26/2007
Gaza – Ma'an – The Palestinian journalists union in the Gaza Strip called for a demonstration to be held in protest against Hamas' Executive Forces' attempts to arrest Agence France Presse (AFP) Director in Gaza, Sakhir Abu Oan. The union issued a statement saying that "the union refuses all forms of oppression which aim to conceal the facts on the ground." The statement appealed to all factions, authorities and non-government organizations to take steps to show solidarity with journalists and end lawless practices in the strip. The EF attempted to arrest Abu Oan on Saturday evening after storming his house. Many journalists were at Abu Oan's home and prevented his arrest. [end] -- See also: Interior ministry denies attempt to arrest journalist

Journalists demonstrate against EF practices in the Gaza Strip
Ma'an News Agency 8/26/2007
Nablus – Ma'an – Palestinian journalists on Sunday held sit-in demonstrations in several West Bank cities in protest against Hamas' Executive Force attacks on journalists in the Gaza Strip. In Nablus dozens of journalists, Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) members, union members and representatives of the ministry of information participated in a protest in the city centre. Protestors raised posters calling for the cessation of assaults and aggression towards journalists in the strip. Many participants delivered speeches condemning EF practices. [end]

Hamas tries to arrest prominent Gaza journalist
Associated Press, YNetNews 8/26/2007
Group's gunmen arrive at home of AFP reporter Sakher Abu El Oun, who criticized Hamas' crackdown on journalists, threaten to detain him; El Oun's colleagues form human chain around his house to prevent arrest - Hamas militiamen tried to arrest a prominent Palestinian journalist late Saturday, but left the scene at the urging of Hamas political leaders after a group of reporters blocked the force from entering the man's home. The attempted arrest of Agence France Press reporter Sakher Abu El Oun came a day after Hamas beat a group of journalists covering a demonstration protesting the Islamic militant group's rule in the Gaza Strip. Abu El Oun, who heads the Gaza journalists' union, harshly criticized the Hamas crackdown. About 15 Hamas security men arrived at his home late Saturday, saying they had orders to arrest him.

Interior ministry denies attempt to arrest journalist
Palestinian Information Center 8/26/2007
GAZA, (PIC)-- Ehab Al-Ghussain, the spokesman of the PA caretaker government's interior ministry, has denied media rumors that the ministry's executive force had encircled the house of journalist Sakhr Abu Oun in Gaza Saturday night in a bid to arrest him. Ghussain in a press release said that members of the executive force had arrived to the house of Abu Ouna, who is a member of the Palestinian journalists' syndicate, to ask for his statement about a certain case. "What happened was an exchange of heated debates", Ghussain explained. The spokesman said that he rushed to the scene along with the caretaker government's spokesman Taher Al-Nono and the issue was wrapped up on the spot. He added that the executive force members left the scene after knowing that Abu Oun was a journalist... -- See also: Journalists union in Gaza calls for protest against EF attempts to arrest AFP director

PA arrests eight Hamas members
Ma'an News Agency 8/26/2007
Bethlehem – Ma'an – The Hamas movement said that the Palestinian Authority arrested eight of its members in the West Bank on Sunday. Hamas said that Mohammad Badran and Moaath Masri were arrested in 'Askar refugee camp and Eba, east of the northern West Bank city of Nablus. In addition, four brothers were arrested, Ismael, Nasir, Mansour and Waddah Abdulkarim. In the Salfit area, south of Nablus, the PA arrested Saad Yousef and in Jenin, Slama Khamaysa was arrested. [end]

PCHR Calls for Rescinding the Decision of the Nablus Police Chief for Licensing Peaceful Demonstrations
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights 8/26/2007
PCHR strongly condemns the announcement made by the Palestinian Police Commander in Nablus that states, "banning the organization of any assembly, demonstration, or march except after the obtainment of official permission issued by the legal specialized authority according to Palestinian Law. " The Centre affirms that this announcement is a flagrant violation of basic human rights and public freedoms, especially the rights of freedom of expression and holding general assemblies, which are rights, protected by Palestinian Law and international human rights standards. The Centre warns against the implications of this announcement, which undermines human rights; and calls for its annulment. The Center's preliminary investigation indicates that on Wednesday, 22 August 2007...

PLC member urges caretaker government to commit to unity government agreements on agriculture
Ma'an News Agency 8/26/2007
Ramallah – Ma'an – Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) member, Bassam As Salihi, on Sunday urged PM Salam Fayyad's caretaker government to be committed to agreements on the development of the agricultural sector. The agreements were ratified by the now-deposed unity government. As Salihi issued a statement affirming the importance of the agricultural sector, especially in confronting Israeli settlement activity and the land-annexation wall. As Salihi said that the unity government agreed to increase its support to this sector by at least three percent of national income and to increase job opportunities in agriculture. [end]

Caretaker government: Social and political freedoms should be according to law
Palestinian Information Center 8/26/2007
GAZA, (PIC)-- The caretaker government headed by Ismail Haneyya confirmed on Saturday its respect for social and political freedoms and the people's right to demonstrate in accordance with the law as well as its respect for freedom of press and media, warning that any assaults on journalists and reporters will be severely punished. In a statement received by the PIC, the government reconfirmed that it will not tolerate anyone who tries to bring about chaos and riots in the Gaza Strip and will hold accountable the perpetrators, highlighting the state of calm, security and stability which the Gaza Strip has enjoyed over the past couple months. For his part, Taher Annono, the spokesman for the caretaker government, underlined the obligation to respect public freedoms, factions' freedom to work according to law including the Fatah faction...

Hamas: Abbas's security apparatuses declined morally and politically
Palestinian Information Center 8/26/2007
GAZA, (PIC)-- Fawzi Barhoum, the Hamas spokesman, stated that the security coordination practiced by Fatah-affiliated security apparatuses with the Israeli occupation against the higher national interests of the Palestinian people is a decline in the moral, political and security values, confirming that Hamas will continue exposing this shameful collaboration. In a press release received by the PIC, Barhoum highlighted Hamas's right to resist the Israeli occupation and to protect the land and Palestinian people in view of the Israeli ongoing aggressions and the political arrests practiced by PA chief Mahmoud Abbas's security apparatuses against Hamas members and sympathizers. The spokesman denounced the ongoing repressive practices against civil liberties at the hands of Abbas's militia, especially against media and press reporters and headquarters...

Family of Palestinian prisoner in need of urgent medical treatment appeals for his release
Ma'an News Agency 8/26/2007
Nablus – Ma'an – Family of Palestinian prisoner Jihad Ibrahim Al Awja, aged 36, from 'Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus, appealed to human rights organisations to campaign for his release as his health is deteriorating. The family said that Jihad was abducted from his home and severely beaten before he was incarcerated in Huwwara detention centre. His health started to deteriorate after that and he was transported to an Israeli hospital before being detained in Ofer jail, near Ramallah. Al Awja's mother said "we were unable to visit him and we didn't know where he was being held, especially in the beginning." The prisoner's relatives said he is suffering from severe pains in his head, lungs and joints, and needs urgent treatment. Jihad Al Ajwa is a father of four children. -- See also: Family of Palestinian sick detainee appeals for saving his life

Delays at checkpoints challenged
Roee Nahmias, YNetNews 8/26/2007
Medical organizations file petition with High Court of Justice following report showing 73% of ambulances delayed at entrance to east Jerusalem in 2007 - A petition was filed with the High Court of Justice Sunday, requesting the state be ordered to implement the procedure of "treating a West Bank resident who arrives at a checkpoint in emergency medical condition", and allow the transfer of the sick and injured in need of urgent medical care to medical centers in east Jerusalem. Physicians for Human Rights, the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, and the local council of Izariyah filed the petition following the publication of a report by PHR, which examined the issue of Palestinian Red Crescent ambulances transferring patients to advanced hospitals in east Jerusalem.

Refugees to study in Israeli schools
Moran Zelikovich, YNetNews 8/26/2007
Dozens of Sudanese children to be integrated into Israeli school system with help of special classes - Seventy-six Sudanese refugees, ages four and up, will be integrated into the Israeli school system during the coming academic year, according to an announcement by Education Minister Yuli Tamir Sunday. The Sudanese children will be enrolled in Israeli grade schools and high schools despite the fact that their parents are in the country under refugee status, and without permanent housing. According to the child protection law, any child who has been in Israel for over three months must be integrated into the country's school system, regardless of their parents' civil status. Thirty-five of the children will be integrated into Eilat schools, 23 in schools belonging to the Eilot regional...

Palestinian child suffers burns in fire at refugee camp on borders
Palestinian Information Center 8/26/2007
DAMASCUS, (PIC)-- A five-year-old Palestinian child suffered moderate burns when a fire broke out in one of the tents in the Walid refugee camp pitched on the Iraqi-Syrian borders on Friday then extended to reach her family's tent, eyewitnesses told PIC. The refugee camp, which accommodates around 1,160 Palestinians fleeing persecution in Iraq, was the victim of a number of natural disasters over the past few months including tornados, floods and fires that left a number of them hurt. The refugees live under harsh conditions in the middle of sizzling heat in summer and very cold weather in winter in the absence of the simplest human or health conditions. Moreover, armed militias attack those refugees every now and then. Thousands of Palestinian refugees in Iraq have been seeking any means to flee that country since its occupation by American forces in 2003.

Religious fervour induced over theft of Palestinian land
International Solidarity Movement 8/25/2007
22/08/07 - From August 18th, 2007 through to the 22nd, international Human Rights Workers (HRWs) in the Susiya region noticed an increase of activity on Palestinian land. The land in question, belonging to a family in the region, has been arbitrarily declared by the military as a "special security area,". The essential meaning being that Palestinians are not allowed to be on the land. Along with this order, no one is to be allowed to build on or work the land. At least one month ago settlers erected a tent on the hilltop of the land in question. The tent, a square, roofed structure, co-joined a rectangular garden surrounded by cut tree branches. On August 19th, 2007 the settler erected a second, smaller, roof-less tent in the area of the first tent. The following day, he moved much of the contents of the first tent to the second...

VIDEO - Settlers Violate Court Stipulations in Wrestle for Palestinian Land
International Solidarity Movement 8/25/2007
August 20, 2007 - Shortly after 4 pm, local Palestinian residents alerted four international human rights workers to the illegal presence of Israeli settlers working on Palestinian land off the main highway between Susya and Karmel settlements. Ownership of this land has been an on-going dispute between the legitimate Palestinian land-owners, who have filed complaints against the settlers for illegally planting grape vines and constructing fences trying to lay claim to the land, and the military and police-backed settlers themselves. The issue has been brought before Israeli court with the last date for a decision set for September 25th. The court will then decide who exactly the land will belong to, though the land can only legitimately be declared Palestinian, as they are the original landowners. The settlers have, at every point, made illegal claims to the land...

Work Continues on South Hebron Farm In the Face of Settler Pressure
International Solidarity Movement 8/25/2007
On the evening of Friday August 24th humanitarian workers from groups including the ISM, CPT and B'tselem accompanied the Jabaari family to their farm located between the exclusively Jewish Kiryat Arba and Givat Harsina settlements, near the old city of Hebron. For a number of months now, a tent erected by local settlers on part of the Palestinian family's farm has been used as a synagogue. The Jabaari family claims that the tent and a pathway joining the settlements are illegal, and have shown deeds for the land to police in order to prove that they are the rightful owners. Despite this the police have not attempted to deconstruct either of the aforementioned structures, nor have they requested that the settlers leave the land. Six international activists joined ten Palestinians and two Israelis to farm the land and monitor the situation...

Umm Salamuna Demo Proceeds, Despite IOF Interference
International Solidarity Movement 8/25/2007
On Friday August 24 at 12:00pm around 40 Palestinians and 40 internationals gathered in Umm Salumuna, in the region of south Bethlehem, to protest the building of the apartheid wall. The village had been declared a military zone by the IOF, thus preventing anyone who didn't live there from entering by road. However, this did not make it illegal to be present within the village because soldiers at the checkpoint did not present a map of the declared closed area. As a result of this restriction, the internationals and Palestinians who did not live in the village were forced to enter through grounds owned by a Palestinian from the area. At the beginning of the demonstration the Palestinian community gathered for prayer on part of the site that had been destroyed for the building of the annexation wall.

Colored People to the Back of the Bus
Yifat Appelbaum, International Solidarity Movement 8/25/2007
PHOTOS - This summer, the International Solidarity Movement, Art Under Apartheid, Tel Rumeida Project and Glasgow Palestine Human Rights teamed up to take over 100 Palestinian children from Hebron to the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem and the beach in Jaffa. This was no easy task. West Bank Palestinian residents over the age of 16 are not allowed into Israel but those under 16 are allowed. In fact, there is no legal way to prevent them from entering because they do not have ID cards yet. But most of these kids will never get to visit Jerusalem or go to the sea because their parents are not allowed in to take them. Although we knew it was permitted to take these kids across the checkpoints (we checked with the the Association for Civil Rights in Israel) into Israel, we decided to check in with the District Coordination Office (DCO) of the Israeli military...

Israeli jails are miserable and unbearable says Nafha prisoners' society
Ma'an News Agency 8/26/2007
Nablus – Ma'an – The Nafha prisoners' society on Sunday condemned what it described as the Israeli prisons' authorities neglect of healthcare in Israeli jails and maltreatment of Palestinian prisoners. The society issued a statement decrying the terrible conditions for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and stating that the prisons are miserable and unbearable. The society urged human rights organisations to intervene, and advised Palestinians to bridge gaps in order to confront the Israeli occupation in a united way. [end]

IDF still holding Sudanese refugees in hostel after 3 weeks
Nurit Wurgaft, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
The Israel Defense Forces has been holding some 20 refugees and migrant workers from Africa - including pregnant women and a 10-year-old boy who was separated from his parents while crossing into the country - at a soldiers' hostel in Be'er Sheva for the last three weeks, even though the police and Israel Prisons Service are supposed to deal with infiltrators once they cross the border. This is apparently the longest the army has ever held a group of infiltrators. The IDF said it is holding the Africans because the refugee camp at Ketziot Prison has no more room. But nongovernmental organizations active in the field, such as the Hotline for Migrant Workers, claim that the IDF has no authority to hold the infiltrators, and is also not prepared to care for them.

PA: Olmert, Abbas to meet again this week
Avi Issacharoff, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
Palestinian sources say another meeting is expected this week between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, who said yesterday the PA would not consent to population exchanges as part of a permanent agreement that would leave some settlement blocs with Israel. Abbas was speaking at a meeting in Ramallah with members of the leftist Israeli party Hadash. The sources told Haaretz there has been little progress in Palestinian-Israeli talks toward drafting an agreement of principles ahead of a regional conference scheduled for November in the United States. Olmert and Abbas will ultimately decide the content of any such agreement, the sources added. Meanwhile, tension remains high in the Gaza Strip, where Hamas security forces brutally dispersed a demonstration Friday by thousands of Fatah supporters.

Leaked Kadima document implies Israel may agree to prisoners swap for Shalit in order to obtain public confidence
Ma'an News Agency 8/26/2007
Bethlehem – Exclusive – Ma'an received a leaked document from the Israel PM Olmert's ruling Kadima party, which elucidates the possibilities of an Israeli-Palestinian prisoners' exchange. The document, which is in Hebrew, said Israeli evaluations suggest there will be an opportunity for a prisoners swap in the near future. This opportunity has resulted from internal Israeli conditions, which implies there is strong criticism of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's policies, especially with regards to social and economic projects, and because no remarkable security achievements have been accomplished. The document also said that Olmert is aware that his government needs a great accomplishment at social and security levels in order to obtain public confidence.

Egyptian officials enraged by airport harassments
Smadar Peri, YNetNews 8/26/2007
Leading Egyptian officials and businessmen announce they will stop visiting Israel due to repeated delays, humiliations at Ben Gurion Airport - Leading Egyptian businessmen and officials at the Trade and Industry Ministry in Cairo are threatening to stop their visits to Israel due to what they describe as the harassment and humiliation they are repeatedly subjected to upon entering and leaving the country. Chairman of the Federation of Egyptian Industries Galal el-Zorba announced that he planned to discontinue his trips to Israel following the "harassments, delays and humiliations," at the airport, the passport control, and by security guards. Prominent businessman Alaa Arafa has also decided not to come to Israel anymore, and other businessmen plan to follow suit.

US congressmen, community leaders on solidarity visit to Israel
Ynetnews, YNetNews 8/26/2007
Delegation of US congressmen and community leaders from New York arrives in Israel in show of support for country. Group to meet Prime Minister Olmert, visit north, Sderot - A delegation of US congressmen and community leaders from New York will visit Israel this week to express solidarity with the people of Israel. The visit is sponsored by the New York Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), which works to strengthen relationships between the Jewish community and government and public leaders on all levels. The group includes Congressman Gary Ackerman and Congressman John Hall, as well as religious leaders and representatives of the African-American, Hispanic and Asian-American communities in New York. The mission is being accompanied by Michael Miller, JCRC executive vice president & CEO.

'Hamas planning mega-terror attack in Israel'
Ronny Sofer, YNetNews 8/26/2007
Deputy Shin Bet chief tells cabinet Palestinian organization instructed by headquarters abroad to carry out mass attack; says arms smuggling, shootings and rocket attacks have increased - Hamas may carry out a mega-terror attack, the Deputy Shin Bet Chief, known only as Y, told cabinet members Sunday. "There were clear orders from the Hamas headquarters abroad to Hamas here to carry out a mass casualty attack in Israel," he said. According to Y, the Hamas leadership in Gaza is experiencing "deep strategic complications." The organization is frustrated by its lack of success in gaining legitimacy in the international arena, particularly in Europe. They are also having trouble running the government, particularly in controlling internal checkpoints and, in general, in positively impacting daily life.

Shin Bet: Hamas in Syria plans suicide bombings
Amos Harel Barak Ravid and Avi Issacharoff, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
The security services are increasingly concerned that the Hamas leadership in Syria is intensifying efforts to undermine the diplomatic dialogue between Israel and the Palestinian Authority through a series of spectacular terrorist attacks. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas are scheduled to meet in Jerusalem tomorrow as part of their push toward an "agreement of principles" ahead of the regional summit organized under U.S. auspices for November. At an intelligence briefing during the cabinet meeting yesterday, the deputy head of the Shin Bet said the Hamas leadership in Damascus has instructed West Bank-based militants to attempt a large-scale attack inside Israel." There are efforts by Khaled Meshal [Hamas' political bureau chief based in Damascus] and...

Mishaal in Qatar within Arab tour to explain events in Palestine
Palestinian Information Center 8/26/2007
DOHA, (PIC)-- Khaled Mishaal, the supreme leader of the Hamas Movement, is scheduled to confer with the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, in Doha on Sunday on latest developments in Palestine. Ezzet Al-Resheq, political bureau member of the Hamas Movement, said in a press release that the Hamas delegation would have other meetings with Qatari statesmen during the official visit. He explained that the Movement's leadership was embarking on an Arab tour to explain its views regarding latest Palestinian developments and means of solving the current inter-Palestinian political rupture. The Hamas leaders would deliberate with the Qatari leadership on the best means to settle the Palestinian political deadlock, Resheq noted, adding that the delegates would brief the Amir on the siege still imposed on the Palestinian people and the Arab role in this regard.

The Islamic Development Bank offers emergency humanitarian and medical assistance to victims in Bangladesh, Lebanon and Palestine
The Islamic Development Bank Group - IDB, ReliefWeb 8/12/2007
The IDB President, Ahmad Mohamed Ali, indicated that the IDB is providing US$ 1,780,000 following the floods that have afflicted nearly half of the land area of Bangladesh, displaced a large number of persons and destroyed several academic facilities of the country. He stated that US$ 270,000 of the amount will be provided as an emergency grant for the purchase of needed relief items in coordination with the competent government authorities of Bangladesh and that the remaining US$ 1,500,000 will be provided as a concessionary loan designed to help rehabilitate affected public utilities. The President further stated that the IDB is providing a grant of US$ 50 thousand for the purchase of relief items and medicines to help the victims of hostilities at the Nahrel Bared refugee camp in northern Lebanon in collaboration...

Islamic movement – 48: No one is authorized to cede an inch of Aqsa Mosque
Palestinian Information Center 8/26/2007
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- Sheikh Kamal Al-Khatib, deputy leader of the Islamic movement in the 1948 occupied Palestinian lands, has warned of a prepared plan to concede parts of the Aqsa Mosque to the Israeli occupation." No one is authorized to give up one inch of the Aqsa soil," Khatib said while pointing to a report published by Hebrew daily 'Ha'aretz' that PA chief Mahmoud Abbas was ready to cede part of the Aqsa Mosque in a final settlement to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Khatib noted that the published plan indicated that the PA presidency would accept the offer that sovereignty underneath the Aqsa Mosque would be for the Zionists. The Islamic leader warned the Palestinian negotiator not to register his name in history that he was the one that gave up the Aqsa, affirming, "We will never authorize anyone to give up one inch of the Aqsa's soil..."

Peres hopeful of peace outline
AFP, YNetNews 8/26/2007
In interview with Tokyo newspaper Peres outlines two- track policy for peace, says improved economic conditions may lead to peaceful coexistence - Israeli President Shimon Peres said Saturday that he hoped to have an outline of a peace deal with the Palestinians before an international conference in November. In an interview with the Nikkei business daily, Peres said he would seek to make peace with the Palestinians by promoting economic aid and political negotiations in tandem. "I think we have a good chance now because the whole world is supporting (Palestinian president Mahmoud) Abbas," he told the paper. "To work out the details (of the political if not the geographical outline of a future Palestinian state) will take more time, but (as for) principles, yes, we can achieve an agreement" before the autumn peace conference, he said.

Shalit's family 'celebrates' second birthday in captivity
Jack Khoury, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
Friends and family of the Israeli soldier abducted by Palestinian militants last year plan to celebrate his 21st birthday tomorrow in a public rally in Tel Aviv. Gilad Shalit's relatives plan to place a large birthday cake in the middle of Rabin Square. The organizers will hand out refrigerator magnets reading: "Gilad Shalit, we're waiting for you back home," and "Indifference can kill." Shalit was abducted near the Gaza security fence on June 25 last year by a group of militants from Hamas, the Popular Resistance Committees and a previously unknown group calling itself the Army of Islam. Hamas has reportedly been holding Shalit since the abduction." It's not a real party but we will have it just to remind everyone that Gilad isn't here with us," says Gilad's cousin, Eyal Raz, who helped organize the event.

Former ambassador causes diplomatic faux pas
Roee Nahmias, YNetNews 8/27/2007
Naftali Tamir causes unpleasantness between Israel, Australia after helping former security officer for the embassy remain in the country after his work contract had expired - Efforts by the Israeli ambassador to Australia to help a former security officer extend his stay in the country in order to study apparently led to diplomatic unpleasantness between the two nations. The security officer for the Israeli embassy in Canberra asked former ambassador Naftali Tamir to grant him permission to remain in Australia for the few months between the conclusion of his employment contract and the start of the school year of an Australian university he wished to attend, instead of having to fly to and from Israel for bureaucratic purposes. According to sources in Jerusalem, the ambassador was meant to instruct the officer... -- See also: Racist comment cuts short ambassador''s term

Israel ignores plight of former teen 'agent'
Yoav Stern, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
In perfect Hebrew, Jackie (not his real name) recounts the story of how he lost his identity in a perilous game of international intelligence. As a Lebanese Druze boy of 14, Jackie would cross the border to meet his Israeli contacts. Eventually Jackie fled Lebanon and settled in Tel Aviv. However, he says the state he once served now refuses to acknowledge his existence. Jackie, 31, has lived in Israel since 1992 - half of his life. Some of that time he spent as a homeless person, sleeping on the beach. He would use the beach faucets for water. "I can get by wherever you put me," he says. He is now trying to do just that, by preparing a law suit against the state for refusing his request for Israeli citizenship. In 2000, he became active in the community of Lebanese exiles living in Israel - predominantly Christian...

Awad: "Internal Security device, women police force, will start operating in Gaza in the coming days"
Wissam Afifah, International Middle East Media Center 8/27/2007
Dr. Mohammad Awad, secretary-general of the ministers' council of the dissolved government in the Gaza Strip, stated on Sunday that the Internal security devices and the women police force, in addition to the coastal guards will start operating in the Gaza Strip in the coming few days. He added that the government, which was dissolved by Abbas but continued to function under Hamas in the Gaza Strip, approved several appointments of officers to run the coastal force, women police force and internal security. Awad stated that these devices will operate in order to implement law and order to provide the residents with the needed security. He also said that the government respects the rights journalists and media agencies and that they should be able to move freely and report from anywhere in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Education, Defense clash over Sderot schools
Barak Ravid and Mijal Grinberg, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
Education Minister Yuli Tamir's overview to the cabinet yesterday of the school situation in Sderot devolved into a confrontation with Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai over measures to protect the schools against rocket strikes. Tamir said she wanted the defense minister "to sign off on guaranteeing the pupils' safety" so that schools in Sderot and communities around the Gaza Strip could open next week. Deputy Defense Minister Vilnai countered however: "The defense minister will sign off on that if you guarantee no violence in schools and if the transportation minister guarantees there will be no traffic accidents." The Sderot parents' committee was enraged by Vilnai's statement, which they said just goes to prove their claim that the schools are currently not safe.

Closing the High Court's doors
Ze''ev Segal, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
The Justice Ministry, at the request of Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann, is currently discussing a proposal to limit standing in the High Court of Justice to those who are directly affected by a government act, such as in the case of the revocation of a license. The result of such a change would be that public petitioners - organizations as well as individuals - would not be able to file High Court petitions seeking to ensure that government authorities abide by the law or advance public ethics. Although limiting standing may initially seem to be a mere procedural issue, it is no insignificant matter, as it would put an end to petitions that involve general harm to entire populations. Over the past two decades, the High Court has heard public petitions of great importance - such as those filed against the...

Dahlan not offered any political position by Abbas
Ma'an News Agency 8/26/2007
Bethlehem - Ma'an – An informed source on Sunday refuted reports published in the media regarding President Abbas offering Mohammad Dahlan a political position for the Palestinian Authority. Since Fatah strongman and former Palestinian National Security Advisor, Mohammad Dahlan, returned to the Palestinian territories, several days ago, there have been rumours regarding his future in the Palestinian arena. The source said "since Dahlan resigned as national security advisor, the president has not offered him any other position." [end]

Stop sanctimonious ranting, says Olmert
Ronny Sofer, YNetNews 8/26/2007
With school year around the corner, cabinet discusses situation in Sderot, Gaza vicinity communities. 'What we're planning is revolutionary,' says PM - With the new school year approaching, Sunday's cabinet meeting revolved mainly around the fortification efforts made in Sderot and the Gaza vicinity communities' schools. Education Minister Yuli Tamir told ministers about the troubled area's preparations for the school year, and asked the defense forces "to vouch for the safety of Sderot's school children." Deputy Defense Minister MK Matan Vilna'i (Labor-Meimad), filling in for Defense Minister Ehud Barak, responded by saying "I'll vouch for that if the education minister vouches for no violence in schools and if the transportation minister guarantees no more car accidents.

Cabinet secretary: Reduce number of gov't meeting attendees
Ronny Sofer, YNetNews 8/27/2007
Ministers, senior officials furious at Oved Yehezkel following document aimed at holding quieter and more organized meetings, fight leaks to media - Ministers and senior officials are furious over a document issued Sunday by Cabinet Secretary Oved Yehezkel, according to which the presence of people who are not ministers at government meeting should be significantly reduced. The document also orders civil servants to only bring one assistant to the meetings with them, shut off their cellular phones and not bring laptops along without receiving an approval in advance. In the full document obtained by Ynet, Yehezkel wrote that "when I took office I noticed that the cabinet meeting is attended by government workers, ministers' assistants, bureau chiefs and such position holders, whose presence does not contribute to the discussions in any way.

It's up to the ultra-Orthodox
Haaretz Editorial, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
Israel has come to terms with the fact that the ultra-Orthodox sector does not cooperate with the Compulsory Education Law and conducts its own segregated and closed education system that refuses to incorporate basic subjects such as the sciences, civics, Hebrew and English. The state has thus failed in its obligation to young ultra-Orthodox people, preventing them from realizing their basic right to an education. Ultra-Orthodox rabbis are convinced that their formula for educating their children is the winning one. They do not want to waste precious time on secular studies when a child's soul is being molded. There will be time for such studies when the child is older, says Rabbi Yisrael Eichler. From the ultra- Orthodox point of view, childhood ends only after marriage.

Liberaland and Haredistan
Carlo Strenger, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
The burning of the Alei Shalechet crematorium probably doesn't surprise anyone who has been following Israel's ongoing culture war. However, Shas Minister Yitzhak Cohen's statements have raised the stakes. He said he would push a bill criminalizing cremation, a bill that would "put an end to those who are implementing a Final Solution once again." ... Here is a suggestion that might please Cohen: Maybe we should start thinking seriously about a federative model for the State of Israel. The U.S. federative model, for example, allows sub-states to decide independently on such fundamental matters as the death penalty. For the sake of argument, let us assume there will be an ultra-Orthodox canton, Haredistan, and there will be a secular canton, Liberaland.

Associates: Ayalon waiting for offer from Barak to enter cabinet
Mazal Mualem, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
Associates of Labor MK Ami Ayalon said over the weekend he was waiting for a proposal from Defense Minister Ehud Barak that would allow him to join the cabinet. Ayalon came in second to Barak in the Labor Party primary earlier this year. His associates said Ayalon was willing to join the cabinet as a minister without portfolio if he had powers to deal with improvements on the home front proposed by the state comptroller after last year's Second Lebanon War. Barak's associates said he intended to invite Ayalon to join the cabinet soon, but granting widespread authority on the home front was a complex issue involving the defense minister, his deputy and the prime minister. Infrastructure Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer has opposed Ayalon's membership in the cabinet as vice premier, a title now held by Barak.

PLO founder dies
Ma'an News Agency 8/26/2007
Bethlehem – Ma'an – A member of the Arab Nationalist Movement's liaison department, Ahmad Mahmoud Al-Jamal, died on Saturday. Al-Jamal was born in 1940 in the Palestinian village of Lubya. He was one of the founders of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO). Al-Jamal worked in the PLO's Damascus-based office until his death. [end]

Channel 1 won't finance Gitai's new film due to his left-wing politics
Assaf Carmel, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
The Israel Broadcasting Authority's Channel 1 television committee on Thursday rejected a proposal seeking to help finance a new film by Israeli director Amos Gitai, citing the filmmaker's left-wing politics and the fact that he lives outside Israel as reasons. IBA Director General Mordechai Shklar proposed participating in the financing of the controversial director's new film, as well as purchasing for the authority nine of his films for broadcasting on Israeli television. The rejected proposal would have cost at least $200,000. Gitai's new film "Hitnatkut" (disengagement) is almost complete, and deals with Israel's unilateral pullout from the Gaza Strip in 2005. The film is scheduled to premier next month at the Toronto film festival.

The girl who urges children to fight Israel ... with clean teeth
Conal Urquhart in Rafah, The Guardian 8/26/2007
In pink flares, an embroidered shirt and neat headscarf, Saraa Barhoun is the new star of Hamas TV, spearheading efforts to persuade the youth of Gaza and the West Bank to follow a path of religious devotion, resistance to Israel and clean teeth. Last week Palestinians had nothing to watch but the 11-year-old and her co-presenters Haloul, a bumblebee, and Farfour, a mouse that advocates violence against Israel, because power cuts knocked out satellite TV, leaving them with only Hamas's al-Aqsa Television. Saraa, who lives with her family in Rafah, has undoubted star quality. Her Arabic is eloquent beyond her years. Her father is a teacher of Islam and she has learnt well. Saraa explains her role as twofold - to help the West understand Islam and to be a role model for Palestinian youth.

Six artists interpret beauty on the verge of ruin
Kaelen Wilson-Goldie, Daily Star 8/27/2007
Review - BEIRUT: What do gangly television antennae, fragile orchids, a crude magician, a few jagged edges of drywall and a ceramic heap resembling primordial sludge have in common? In the context of "Less Roses," an exhibition of new works by six contemporary artists on view at Galerie Sfeir-Semler, they all, each in their own way, speak to the city of Beirut and its peculiar urban condition. Curated by German photographer Elger Esser, "Less Roses" gives shape, image and form to a quality of the Lebanese capital that cannot really be captured or represented - its simultaneous ability to attract and repel. Those who love Beirut as they hate it, who relish its chaos as they complain of its lawlessness and who bask in its beauty as they bemoan its decline and decay will have no problem grasping the immediacy and relevance of this show.

Student business leaders show off plans to improve society
Tali Heruti-Sover, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
Students in the 2008 Young Business Leadership Program completed the first stage of their program in an impressive ceremony held at the Nahalat Yitzhak Youth Village last Thursday evening. The approximately 100 participants, who include Jews, Arabs, Druze, Ethiopians, Russians and representatives of all facets of Israeli society, took part in a summer camp that marked the opening of the annual program. The program was initiated by the Israeli Center for Management in order to encourage a culture of excellence and leadership among Israeli youth, and to imbue leaders and managers with social responsibility and ethics. The program identifies students in 10th and 11th grade who are academic, social, community and other leaders. Participants attend a two-week long summer camp where respected members of the Israeli business community teach them to design business plans.

Civil Aviation Authority strike to affect charter flights
Tani Goldstein, YNetNews 8/26/2007
Workers plan to strike starting Monday morning in protest of recruitment of employees on personal contract basis; charter flights which have not been approved yet will not be able to take off - Israeli Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) workers intend to strike starting Monday morning. Seventy employees will not come to work or carry out work-related tasks, including approval of flights and air traffic control. As such, charter flights that have not yet been approved will not be able to take off until the strike ends. Only a small number of charter flights will take off on Monday, and if the strikes continue all charter flights may be stopped completely. The workers decided to launch the strike in protest of tenders issued by the Transportation Ministry for the recruitment of employees on...

iPhone system hacked, service available in Israel
Ehud Kenan, YNetNews 8/26/2007
Three Israeli computer engineers hack Apple's data protection, making iPhone services available through local carriers - Three Israeli computer engineers managed to hack Apple's iPhone system, making it available for use through Cellcom and Orange, Ynet learnt Sunday. The three were also able to lend the iPhone a Hebrew interface, thus breaking Apple's restriction on using the the phone only through the AT&T company in United States. Apple launched the iPhone in June, granting AT&T and a few European carriers an exclusive two-year distribution deal. Ever since iPhone's launch, many have tried to overcome Apple's data protection. Last Friday a group called iPhoneSIMfree. com said it had developed a piece of software that, when installed on an iPhone, allows the use of rival mobile services.

3 Lebanese Army soldiers die in battle in Nahr al-Bared
Daily Star 8/27/2007
General Suleiman predicts fighting will end within 10 days - Three Lebanese soldiers were killed in fighting with Islamic extremists at a Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon, a day after the militant's families were evacuated, the military announced Sunday. The army said the three soldiers were killed Saturday "while carrying out their military duty" at the Nahr al-Bared camp. It did not elaborate or say how they were killed. The deaths raise to 148 the number of soldiers who have died since fighting between the army and al-Qaeda-inspired Fatah al-Islam militants erupted three months ago. On Friday, the families of the besieged militants who had been caught inside the camp - 25 women and 38 children - were evacuated, clearing the way for a final military assault against remaining fighters inside.

Jordan's king urges speeding up the nation's nuclear program
The Associated Press, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
Jordan's King Abdullah II urged his government Sunday to speed up in implementing the country's nascent nuclear power program in a bid to cut energy imports, the official Petra news agency reported. Following up on his January announcement of his intentions to develop a peaceful nuclear program, the king stressed the need for an alternative energy source to generate electricity and desalinate water in the face of the rising costs of imported energy. This issue is one of the most important challenges Jordan faces requiring radical solutions in the long term, Abdullah told the first meeting of the recently formed Supreme Committee for Nuclear Energy Strategy. Minister for Scientific Research Khaled Toukan told the committee that nuclear energy would constitute 30 percent of the total amount of energy produced in Jordan by 2030, based on studies his ministry has conducted.

France ready to open up to Syria if it stays out of Lebanon
Middle East Online 8/26/2007
Kouchner promises opening up to Syria in a 'spectacular way' - French FM says Damascus must not 'create obstacles to Lebanon's sovereignty' during elections. - PARIS - France is ready to open up in a "spectacular way" to Syria if it stops meddling in Lebanon, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said in a newspaper interview Sunday. Kouchner said he hoped that Syria would "not create obstacles to Lebanon's sovereignty" when it holds presidential elections beginning next month to choose a successor to pro-Syrian president Emile Lahoud. "If Syria does not create obstacles to Lebanon's sovereignty (... ) then France will open up to Damascus in a spectacular way," Kouchner said in the popular Le Parisien newspaper. "But for this to happen, we would need guarantees," he added, without elaborating.

Local residents optimistic ahead of British withdrawal from Basra
Agence France Presse - AFP, Daily Star 8/27/2007
BASRA: After four and a half inconclusive years of fighting, British forces are to pull out from their last base in the oil port of Basra and trust their Iraqi comrades to take their place. When the 500 troops evacuate Saddam Hussein's former palace on the banks of the Shatt al-Arab waterway and withdraw to a desert airbase, they will leave behind a city in the grip of a brutal turf war between rival militia. Nevertheless, Iraqi forces and war-weary local civilians are hopeful that the redeployment, which will leave 5,000 British troops in the country to train and support Iraqi forces, will herald a new start for Basra. "I believe the security apparatus will be able to control the situation if [the British] withdraw completely," said Brigadier Ali Ibrahim of an Iraqi army border guards unit.

Iraq's Shiite, Sunni, Kurdish leaders reach consensus on key laws
Compiled by, Daily Star 8/27/2007
Iraq's top Shiite, Sunni Arab and Kurdish leaders announced on Sunday they had reached consensus on some key laws that Washington views as vital to fostering national reconciliation, as beleaguered Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki slammed US and French officials calling for his ouster. US aircraft attacked targets throughout the country on Sunday, as Shiite militiamen temporarily took over a post evacuated by the British Army in Basra as tens of thousands of Shiites began an annual pilgrimage to Kerbala amid tight security and fears of violence. The appearance of Maliki on Iraqi television with the other leaders was a rare show of public unity amid crumbling support for the prime minister's government. The other officials at the news conference were President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd; Sunni Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi;...

Iran vows to use 2,000-pound smart bomb against enemies
Compiled by, Daily Star 8/27/2007
Iran vowed on Sunday to use a new 2,000-pound (900-kilogram) "smart" bomb against its enemies and unveiled mass production of the new weapon, state television reported. In the long-running feud over Iran's nuclear-energy program, Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said on Sunday that the country's nuclear activities had not slowed, even as diplomats said the Islamic Republic had made little headway in enriching uranium. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is expected to issue on Wednesday a detailed report on Iran's nuclear activities. Tehran first announced development of the long-range guided bomb on Thursday, saying it could be deployed by the country's aging US-made F-4 and F-5 fighter jets. "We will use these [bombs] against our enemies when the time comes," Defense Minister Mustafa Mohammad Najjar said on state television on Sunday.

Articles
Ugly mountain air

Yehuda Litani, YNetNews 8/26/2007
      Israelis vacationing at Kfar Etzion's guest house will have no problems traveling to their destination. The same is not true for the area's Palestinian residents.
     Kibbutz Kfar Etzion's guest house, in the heart of Gush Etzion, is offering the public the chance to stay there over Rosh Hashana and enjoy "its magical, countryside atmosphere". An email sent out by Kfar Etzion's field school says that guests will enjoy "pleasant and peaceful surroundings, large lawns, wide-ranging lessons from top rabbis, tours of Kfar Etzion, the Song of Songs garden, and mountain air as clear as wine and a spectacular view".
     And indeed, why not take up such a pastoral offer? Particularly given that the guest house is "only 12 minutes from Jerusalem and 15 minutes from Beit Shemesh".
     But what can be done about the fact that stuck within these short distances, as if to annoy, are the Arab communities, towns and villages that surround Gush Etzion? The residents of these communities are not as lucky as those of Gush Etzion, or any other Israeli citizen, because they cannot travel to Jerusalem, a journey of 12 minutes, or to Beit Shemesh, a 15-minutes' drive.
     Most of these people are not permitted to leave the area, while those fortunate enough to receive the authorization to do so, face a far longer journey because of searches and security examinations at checkposts and crossing points.
     Often, permission to travel is turned down for petty bureaucratic reasons, or just plain heartlessness, such as in the case of 18-year-old Radi al-Wachash, who was injured in a road accident in the Bethlehem area on June 29.

Action Alert: Al-Hadidiya and Hamsa (Jordan Valley) to be evacuated
Stop The Wall 8/25/2007
      Update On Hadidiya
     Occupation forces on the morning of 23rd of August razed the Bedouin village of Humsa close to Haddidiya for the second time in two weeks.
     At around 8.00 am, ten occupation vehicles and a bulldozer rolled into the village. They demolished three barns owned by Abdullah Hussein Bsharat, along with three houses belonging to his family, and confiscated a water tank. His son Salah Abdullah Hussein Bsharat had his tractor confiscated. A third villager, Abdullah Hafez Sharat had his house destroyed along with two sheds, for the second time in 10 days. The Occupation forces later demolished the home of Suleiman Abu Liqbash and his animal shacks.
     A taxi driver who brought passengers to the area had his car documents, taxi permit and identity card confiscated by occupation forces. Muwafaq Abu Wahdan, from the nearby town of Tubas, was forced to abandon his vehicle, and was detained at the Hamra checkpoint for a number of hours until his ID was returned. The targeting of an individual simply because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time is typical of the arbitrary repression that characterises life under the Occupation.
     As a consequence of the destruction of Humsa and al-Hadidiya, two families numbering 25 people are without shelter under the burning August sun (temperatures were reaching 43 degrees in the shadow that day) and deprived of their only access to water resources. The villagers were unable to remove all of their belongings from their homes before the demolitions began, although they saved what they could. -- See also: For Photo Story, Click Here -- See also: For Photo Story, Click Here

Outposts and peace don't mix
Haaretz Editorial, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
      Aside from the publication date, it is hard to find any differences between the weekend reports of an emerging agreement on settlement outposts between Defense Minister Ehud Barak and settler representatives and those on the outposts agreement Barak reached with the Yesha Council in 1999 when he was prime minister and defense minister. Once again, talks are reportedly being held on how many outposts the settlers will evacuate voluntarily, in exchange for the state "laundering" other outposts. Judging by the previous round, the outposts slated for laundering will indeed be legalized, the settlers will vacate a few rusty shacks, and most of the outposts will remain in place. The defense minister's office is not embarrassed to say that Barak "is studying the issue and has not yet formulated a position."
     The incentive for these talks is not a governmental commitment to enforcing the law in the West Bank, sparing the Israel Defense Forces from having to devote troops to defending land thieves and saving the public treasury tens of millions of shekels a year in expenses. Nor does the urgency stem from the previous government's promise, under the road map peace plan, to evacuate all outposts established after March 2001. The talks also have no connection to the report on the outposts that attorney Talia Sasson submitted to Ariel Sharon's government two and a half years ago. Just as with the nine houses that were evacuated in the Amona outpost in early 2006, here too, were it not for fear of a Peace Now petition to the High Court of Justice, it is very doubtful the authorities would have roused from their lengthy slumber.

Failed marks in comprehension
Akiva Eldar, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
      If a law student had written that a Supreme Court ruling ordering changes to the route of the separation fence could be compared to a situation in which the judiciary intervened in a government decision to bomb the nuclear reactor of an enemy state - he would receive an "F." Had he compared the situation of Palestinian landowners, whose rights are violated by the fence, to the victims of a vital military operation, it would have shown that he did not read the assigned material. However, when such comparisons are being made by the recipient of the Israel Prize in Law, it is hard to decide which is worse: the fact that Prof. Daniel Friedmann has not read the Supreme Court rulings, or that Justice Minister Friedmann is deviously enlisting security issues in his war against the Supreme Court.
     Indeed, the petitions to the High Court of Justice and the rulings ordering corrections in the original route of the separation fence are causing delays in the completion of the work, and are harmful to the security of Israeli citizens. But those responsible for this ongoing failure are not the people sitting on the bench of the Supreme Court. It is not the justices who drew the route of the fence near the settlement of Tzofin in the northern West Bank, in keeping with the blueprints of plans for an industrial zone that is to be set up in that area (and whose establishment has not even been approved). The Defense Ministry, with the full backing of the Prime Minister's Office, has presented this encroaching settler route as a "security route." According to a letter sent by Attorney General Menachem Mazuz to then defense minister Amir Peretz, this was arranged behind his back.

The IDF in the toy store
Reuven Pedatzur, Ha'aretz 8/26/2007
      At first, it was the concerned parents who contributed about NIS 8 billion to the coffers. Next, the uncle from America sent a surprise package containing an additional NIS 2.5 billion, with a promise of NIS 126 billion during the coming decade. And now the children are quarreling - after they have all of a sudden rece