jfjfp logo

P.O.Box 37402, London N3 2XG jfjusticefp@yahoo.co.uk

 

The news  22-28 March 2004

the assassination


The USA vetoed a Security Council motion condemning the killing of Sheikh Yassin, even though the text also included a condemnation of terrorism.

But the wave of international protests later led the State Department to harden its initially neutral if not supportive line. This reflected the conflicting pressures on the Administration.

EU nations also condemned the assassination.

The killing was widely interpreted as part of an effort to establish that any Israeli withdrawal from Gaza would not be seen as a sign of weakness.

But the assassination could only have the effect of weakening the PA in Gaza to the benefit of Hamas. From now on it will be impossible for the PA in Gaza to act against the movement. Indeed the very future of the PA was seen as in question.

Ben Kaspit in Maariv was fearful of the consequences.

Jonathan Freedland in the Guardian predicted that the killing would strengthen extremism.

Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative and President of the Palestinian Medical Relief Committee, discussed the assassination with Israeli academic Neve Gordon.

Shimon Peres said he would have voted against the killing if he had been in the Government.

Daniel Ben Simon wrote a fascinating account of the mixed reactions of Israeli settlers and employers in the Gaza strip.

The killing caused outrage across the Arab world.

Steve Niva examined the pattern of Israeli killings that break Hamas cease-fires and are followed by retaliation killings of Israelis.

Robert Fisk pointed out that Israel had Sheikh Yassin in its prison and let him go free.
Sheikh Yassin had offered Israel a 30-year truce in 1997, according to the former Mossad agent involved in the talks that led to his release.

Akiva Eldar gave a nuanced analysis of Sheikh Yassin’s positions.

Bradley Burston speculated about who might be next on Israel’s hit-list.

Amira Hass spelt out the grisly consequences of the Israeli toll of innocent lives taken as ‘collateral damage’ in its assassinations, and explains how Israel’s defence establishment cultivates the sense of existential threat among the Israeli public.

Akiva Eldar reported on studies of the psychological damage being inflicted on both sides by the conflict.

Yossi Melman gave a fascinating historical account of Israel’s policy of targeted killings.

Reactions in the Middle East and world press were summarised in Guardian Unlimited.

An article in the US political magazine The Nation summarised the widespread critique of Sharon’s actions.

under occupation


Sixty prominent Palestinians signed an appeal calling for a new non-violent mass ‘intifada’ rather than a violent response to the Yassin assassination.

In Gaza, Hamas seems to many to be the only hope.

The family of a 16-year old suicide bomber expressed outrage at his recruitment. Palestinians suggested the incident was fabricated.

In three villages near Nablus 16,000 Palestinians have been isolated to ‘protect’ half-empty settlements.

Marcus, an ISM volunteer in Balata refugee camp, was an eyewitness to the killing of a Palestinian child.

Shirley Williams, on a tour of the Occupied Territories with a group of Parliamentarians, explains why Sharon’s ‘withdrawal’ plan means the end of any peace process; and sees a vigorous Palestinian civil society.

Palestinian political expert and pollster Khalil Shikaki argues that elections are the only way to establish a legitimate Palestinian authority.

‘Death in Gaza’, the film that British cameraman James Miller was making when the IDF shot him, has been completed by his friends and will be shown in this country in April. Steve Niva, a former academic colleague of Rachel Corrie, sets the record straight on the situation in Rafah and the house demolitions which she was helping to resist when she was killed.

inside Israel


Meron Benvenisti, former deputy mayor of Jerusalem, weeps for George Khouri, a Palestinian killed ‘by mistake’ by Palestinians; and for the victims on both sides.

Danny Rubinstein gave an account of the Khouri family’s history and background - a fascinating and informative vignette of Palestinian history in Israel.

The State Department made clear it would not agree to Sharon’s request that it support Israeli annexation of settlement blocks in return for withdrawal from Gaza.

Avi Shlaim wrote in praise of the five imprisoned refuseniks.

The Knesset voted down a bill for civil marriage. Only seven Labour members voted for it. Rabbi Avi Shafran explained why such religious laws are essential to preserve Israel’s ‘Jewish identity’.

Adalah, the legal centre for Arab minority rights in Israel, has won a High Court injunction to halt the spraying of Beduin crops in the Negev.

Pnina Feiler, mother of the Swedish-Israeli sculptor Dror Feiler, has been battling away as an activist for 70 years.

elsewhere

The European Union has adopted a common policy statement on democratic reform in the Middle East

Al Jezeera and other Arabic TV channels have been discussing the issue of the status of women in Arab countries.

American Jewish activists are divided over what approach to take in the Presidential elections.

>

2002

 

 

 

 


 

 

add Refusnik Watch auto-updatee to your site The Combattants' Letter Yesh Gvul Shministim add Refusenik Watch autoupdate to your site
add this to your site