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More Measures in Jerusalem
A report prepared by an Israeli special commission which was published on January 28 in the Israeli press has revealed Israeli plans to maximize “security” measures in East Jerusalem. Among the long list of suggestions and recommendations made by the commission are measures such as prohibiting the Mu'athen from calling Muslims to prayer, imposing control over Arab auditors, transferring government offices to the Arab sector, and other measures related to hospitals, medical services and public order.
Is He Crazy?
Israeli security forces arrested Vladimir Fridovich on charges of planning to assist Hamas in launching attacks on Israel. Fridovich, who immigrated from Russia one year ago has been diagnosed as mentally unstable after being examined by a number of psychiatrists. Apparently Fridovich was hiding Hamas leaflets in his home which were discovered by a neighbor. When questioned about the leaflets, Fridovich replied that he was planning to help Hamas kill people.
Eruption of Violence
Following the death of Palestinian prisoner Nidal Abu Srour on January 29, clashes erupted near Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem which were ongoing at press time. Two Palestinian policemen and one young man were injured when Israeli soldiers opened fire at protesters near the Tomb. More violence occurred in Jerusalem on January 31 when a Palestinian girl stabbed an Israeli soldier near Damascus Gate. Palestinian sources confirmed that a Palestinian woman was later arrestefollowing the incident.
Child Labor
A number of Palestinian children celebrated 'Eid al-Fitr by selling tea at parks throughout Gaza despite the bad weather conditions. A recent study conducted by the Ministry of Social Affairs indicates that thousands of Palestinian children in the West Bank and Gaza are forced to find work because of the harsh economic conditions they live in. The study also notes that there are approximately 24,000 children between the ages of 12 and 16 who work at various jobs that are hazardous to their physical and psychological well being.
Fairouz Donates Award
Renowned Lebanese singer Fairouz donated the 1997 al-Quds Award to Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem in a show of support to the Palestinian people. She expressed her hope that the award money will be utilized to for the benefit of the institutions.
Tragic Accident
Three siblings from Allar village near Tulkarm, ages 4 to 6, were killed in a fire on February 1. Apparently, the three children of Ibrahim Taqatqa, two boys and one girl turned on an electric heater and fell asleep while their parents were out, causing a massive fire.
Laid Off
The Israeli Income Tax Department in Jerusalem informed an employee of 25 years that his services are no longer required. Jerusalem resident Mufid Jabir was promptly discharged from his job on grounds that he does not hold an Israeli passport and is therefore no longer eligible for the position.
Prison death
Twenty-eight year old Naser al-Hroub was found hanged in his prison cell on February 3 in the Doura police station in Hebron. Al-Hroub was summoned to the police station for investigation on criminal grounds and left alone in a cell to write his involvement in the offenses, but was later found dead. Apparently he had hung himself by his shoelaces. The preliminary investigations of the autopsy showed no signs of beating or bruises on the body. However investigations are still underway to discover the circumstances surrounding his death.
Indicted
Three Israeli border policemen were indicted on January 22 by the Jerusalem District Prosecutor's Office on charges that they attacked two Palestinians from al-Khader with boards and stones last August after they were stopped, checked and ordered to board the jeep. According to the charge sheet, the three policemen conducted a series of aggravated attacks on Imad Mussa and Mohammed Ranim. Two of the policemen are said to have tied Ranim's legs to an army jeep, dragging him behind. As part of a plea bargain, the charges against the policemen were brought down after they admitted to the incidents and “assault with aggravated intent” was erased from the original charge by the district prosecutor. The remaining counts against the three include: kidnapping, use of threat, abusing the power of their position and destroying evidence.
Stranded at Borders
Fifty Palestinians living in Lebanon have been stranded on the Syrian-Turkish border for the past month since they have no entry permit for Lebanon. One Palestinian official reported that eight families coming from Libya and other countries which do not host Lebanese embassies have been stranded in the Bab al-Hawa region in Syria. The Syrian government refuses to allow them into its territories as a way to reach Lebanon, and Turkey will not allow them to return.
Out on Bail
Israeli extremist Avigdor Eskin was released on bail last week by a decision of an Israeli court. Eskin, who was accused of planning to throw the head of a pig wrapped in pages of the Quran inside al-Aqsa mosque, made bail of NIS500,000 on January 21.
Beefing up Security
Israel heightened its security presence in Jerusalem on January 23, dispatching thousands of policeman and border patrols throughout the city. The increase of security is due to alleged information received by the Israeli security services concerning armed attacks by Hamas on Israeli forces and settlers. The Palestinian Intelligence Service has denied transferring any such information to the Israelis, maintaining that the meetings held between the two sides did not broach the issue of security whatsoever. Another reason for Israel's clampdown on the city was the Friday noon prayers; hundreds of thousands of worshippers arrived at al-Aqsa mosque to pray on the last Friday of Ramadan.
Nablus Bomb Hideout
An intelligence unit of the Palestinian police discovered another hideout in Nablus containing five time devices used for explosives, one Uzi sub-machinegun and a number of hand grenades. Two Palestinians were arrested for interrogation. The weapons were found in the house of Hamas member Ayman Halawe, 23, an engineering student at Birzeit University, who was arrested by Israeli occupation forces on January 18 at a checkpoint on the Nablus-Jerusalem road.
Threatened Courtyard
British archeologist Simon Gibson, who works for the London-based Exploring Palestine Fund, has said that water wells located beneath al-Aqsa mosque courtyard are threatened with collapse. This threat has recently been increased during the month of Ramadan since thousands of worshippers stream into the courtyard everyday for prayer. Islamic waqf officials have placed the blame on Israeli authorities who have been conducting excavations in the area as of late which has caused cracking in nearby buildings. His claim has been disputed by Israeli officials.
A Spray of Chemicals
On January 24 and for the third time in one week, Israeli helicopters sprayed toxic chemicals over 125 dunams of agricultural land in the village of Ithna in the Hebron district in an attempt to destroy crops. Area farmers have complained that their crops are suffering from the chemicals.
Converting Children
A Muslim judge recently denounced the Israeli policy of converting Muslim and Christian children for adoption in Israel or abroad, saying that the Israeli adoption services have no respect for the children's religion. Ahmad Natour, head of Islamic Appeals Court sent a letter to Israeli government legal advisor Elyakim Rubenstein condemning the conversions and expressing Arab anger and resentment of this violation of religion. Israel has admitted to the recent conversion of at least five Arab children for adoption abroad although this process has been ongoing for many years.
Suspects Arrested
Two Palestinians from the Negev villages of Rahat and Kseifeh suspected of planning armed operations in West Jerusalem, were arrested by Israeli security on January 26. Israeli police claim the two, who were detained near the village of Yihoura south of Hebron, were carrying weapons to launch an attack including a number of explosives in one man's car. The families of the two men denied that their sons had any affiliation to Hamas. Head of Palestinian General Intelligence Tawfiq Tirawi has denied that the Palestinian security apparatus had any knowledge of the incident or was informed of any such arrest. Israeli security forces stated that it was Israeli endeavors which frustrated the operation.
Bad Fish
A number of Palestinians from the Bethlehem district were admitted to hospital on January 26 after consuming frozen fish which had been sold past its expiry date. According to a spokesperson for the Bethlehem municipality, the fish was infected with fungus harmful to the kidneys. Palestinians accused Israeli merchants and their Palestinian counterparts of selling expired food in the Palestinian territories.
Oslo Statistics
A letter presented to the Swedish cooperation minister Pierre Schori by the Palestinian Legislative Council, indicated that 10 percent of West Bank lands have been confiscated since the signing of the Oslo Accords as part of mass settlement activities. Other statistics show that a total of 540 Palestinian homes have been demolished and plans have been drawn for 7,500 Jewish settlement housing units to be built in 65 out of the 144 settlements since the agreement was signed. This entails a settler population increase of 20 percent.
Deported
Israeli occupation troops deported Hasan and Salah Hantouli from their hometown of Silet al-Thaher in the Jenin district on January 27 on the grounds that their “legal residency in theterritories has expired.” The two men were stopped at an unexpected checkpoint where they were arrested and deported to Jordan.
Final Warning
Palestinian police issued al-Risala newspaper its final warning to shut down on charges of publishing an inciting article against the PA. Editor-in-chief of the newspaper, Saleh al-Bardaweel, received a summons order to present himself at the police station where he was issued the final official notice of closure. Bardaweel explained that the published article criticized the way in which supreme court judge Qusay al-Abadleh was discharged and the PA's handling of the issue. The newspaper had been previously closed last September for three months on charges of criticizing Egypt. Bardaweel claimed the summons was illegal on grounds that freedom of press is not under the jurisdiction of the executive service, but the jucicial authorities, which decide if the newspaper is in violation of any publication laws.
Sentences Reduced
On the occasion of 'Eid al-Fitr, President Arafat reduced the sentences of two Islamic Jihad detainees, Omar Shalah and 'Aziz Shami. Shalah, who was sentenced to 25 years and al-Shami to 15, have both spent a total of 35 months in detention and have had their sentences reduced to five years.