The reason the move is surprising is because the head of the university is moderate Sari Nusseibeh. Now the Palestinian Liberation Organization representative in Jerusalem, Nusseibeh has called repeatedly for a compromise on the Palestinian refugee right of return in exchange for a peace settlement. His name recently topped the list of Palestinians signing a petition calling for an end to Palestinian armed operations against Israeli civilians.

"This is a racist move and in complete violation of the Oslo Accords," raged information minister Yasser Abed Rabbo. Even though those Palestinian-Israeli peace agreements have more or less besen canceled due to Israeli invasions of Palestinian-controlled territory, Israeli authorities also used them to justify the closure. The police warrant, written in Hebrew, said Nusseibeh's office was "operating in violation of the Oslo Accords."

Nusseibeh was in Greece at the time of the closure and has yet to comment. However, some Israeli officials have already expressed disapproval. Former justice minister Yossi Sarid called it a "resounding slap in Nusseibeh's face," and said that the closure proved that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon "would never forgive anyone on the Palestinian side who seeks peace."

Meanwhile, Israeli-Palestinian meetings are picking up once again. Just one day after Israeli foreign minister Shimon Peres and newly-appointed Palestinian finance minister Salam Fayyad met to discuss economic issues and easing the lives of Palestinians, another bilateral meeting was held in West Jerusalem on July 9. This time interior minister Abdel Razzaq Al Yehyia and local government minister Saeb Erekat met with Peres and other Israeli officials to discuss "broader issues." Although Erekat contends that the Israelis only wanted to talk security, he said Palestinians demanded an Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian cities, an end to the siege, a release of Palestinian Authority funds and a return to peace process negotiations.

On July 9, Israel announced that it may release confiscated Palestinian Authority tax money of a reported NIS 2 billion or $44 million on condition that the funds are not used to "finance terror." The funds have been withheld from Palestinians since the start of the Intifada.

And throughout the week, Palestinian President Yasser Arafat continued to make changes within his Authority, the most surprising of which was his July 4 discharge of West Bank preventive security chief Jibril Rjoub. Former Jenin governor Zuheir Manasreh is to replace him.

Initially, Rjoub did not take well to the announcement. "Changes are logical but the manner was disrespectful," he said, referring to the fact that he first learned of his discharge through an Arab intelligence apparatus, then through Arab satellite channels and finally through civil affairs minister Jamil Tarifi.

Later, in an interview with Al Quds newspaper, Rjoub softened his tone. "The decision is not open for discussion," he said. "I will not allow myself or any other officer to rebel against the decisions of the president."

Arafat reportedly offered Rjoub Manasreh's previous position as Jenin governor, but the discharged security chief says he is not planning to accept any new position right now.

Although there has not been a single suicide bombing inside Israel since the French Hill attack on June 19, Israel has in no way eased its stranglehold on Palestinians in the West Bank. The seven major Palestinian cities remain under curfew lifted several hours every few days for residents to stock up on food. Around Palestinian population centers, additional roadblocks persist on West Bank roads and the assassination of Intifada activists continues.

On July 4, 46-year-old Aqsa Martyrs Brigades leader Jihad Omarin was killed in Gaza along with his 28-year-old nephew Wa'el when the car they were riding in burst into a great ball of fire. Then on July 8, Islamic Jihad activist Muammar Daraghmeh was shot and killed in the Jenin village of Yamoun. Palestinians say he was ambushed by an Israeli special forces unit that shot him in the leg and left him to bleed to death. Israel has yet to claim responsibility for the killing.