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Bargouthi: `“The Initiative is not a new faction; it is to create a wide Coalition’
Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, Secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative said that the Initiative is not a new faction but it came to create the widest National Coalition, with a new…
Jibreel Al-Rajoub, advisor of the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat for National Security affairs
PNN: How do you view the latest Israeli offensive in Gaza Strip? Rajoub: The Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip and other areas in the West Bank reflects the…
Exclusive Interview with the Nuclear Whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu
By: Johannes Wahlstrom, Jerusalem Ten minutes stroll northward from the lively alleyways of the Old City and its renowned Golden Dome lays one of the Holy Land’s smallest parishes; the…
Palestinian Resistance between slogans and Facts
Rumors of differences and interior crises between the military wings of Palestinian factions, especially Fatah, required clarification in order to unveil the nature of conflict among the two sides. Linda…
Three Palestinians, six Israelis killed attack on Karni crossing
The death toll in Thursday night’s attack on the Karni crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip has risen to nine including three Palestinians and six Israelis. Three Palestinians who…
Army Officer Wounded in Confrontation with Settlers
An Israel army officer was lightly wounded overnight in a confrontation with Jewish settlers near the West Bank city of Nablus. Three settlers posting flyers calling soldiers to refuse orders…
Resident killed in Khan Younis
Friday at night, Israeli soldiers killed a resident in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, after firing at dozens of homes A Palestinian medical source in Khan Younis reported…
Gaza completely sealed
Following Thursday night’s attack, the Israeli foreign ministry Shaul Mofaz decided to impose a strict closure over the Gaza Strip, closing its border crossings and roads. “Eretz, Karni and Rafah…
PNGO Network condemns the closure of the Rafah-Egypt border crossing
The Palestinian Non-Government Organization Network strongly condemned the Israeli closure of the Rafah – Egypt border crossing trapping thousands of the Palestinians on both sides of the crossing. Rafah crossing…
Poll: `“Palestinians may not support ending the Intifada
The Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey in Ramallah, predicted that the popular support to the newly elected Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbasm, doesn’t necessarily mean a support to end the…
Israel Opposes Cease-fire, complains about Abbas’s Lack of Action
The Israeli army official said newly elected Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has done nothing to deal with Palestinian resistance groups. ‘Abu Mazen must take matters into his hands immediately,’ a…
Palestinian Local Elections begin in ten locations in Gaza Strip
Preparations for the local government elections begin on Thursday in ten locations in the Gaza Strip slated for January 27. 478 candidates, 83 of them are women, are competing…
Cement walls and barbed wires separate the detainees in Ansar 3 prison
Detainees in Ansar 3 detention, in the Negev desert, warned of the risks and effects of the barbed wires and walls surrounding the sections of the detention camp, completely isolating…
Dr. Hisham Sharabi, Palestinian philosopher dies in Beirut
Dr. Hisham Sharabi, a Palestinian philosopher living in Beirut , died on Thursday in exile far away from Jafa after leaving it during the war in 1947 and was only…
Gilboa prison administration limits the visitations only to 70 detainees
Prison administration in Gilboa detention limited the number of Palestinian detainees who are allowed to have their visitation rights to 70 detainees, excluding the rest of the detainees and ignoring…
Abbas: Will Implement Road Map Commitments, Expects Israel to Do the Same
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Thursday the Palestinians intended to start carrying out their road map commitments. The road map, in its first phase, calls on Palestinians to end…
Israeli High Court Freezes Building of Separation Wall near J’lem
The Israeli High Court of Justice on Thursday evening ordered a halt to the construction of large sections of the West Bank separation wall in Jerusalem area. The order came…
Poll Shows Majority Support Pullout & Referendum
According to a Haaretz newspaper poll, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s ‘disengagement government,’ enjoys the support of the majority of voters, but a majority of voters also support the referendum…
Conjuring tricks
In an age in which an individual from any social class anywhere in the world can grasp the meaning of political freedom, political sovereignty can no longer be expressed without…
Gaza completely sealed
Following Thursday night’s attack, the Israeli foreign ministry Shaul Mofaz decided to impose a strict closure over the Gaza Strip, closing its border crossings and roads. “Eretz, Karni and Rafah…
One killed, four wounded in al-Boreij refugee camp in Gaza
The Israeli army invaded the al-Boreij refugee camp in central Gaza Thursday morning with dozens of tanks and armored vehicles, killing one Palestinian and wounding four others. According to a…
Beit Lahia resident killed, pregnant woman wounded
Thursday morning, Israeli soldiers fired at a car in the Bedouin village, north of Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip, killing the driver and wounding a pregnant woman he…
Eight Israeli soldiers convicted of abusing Palestinian workers
The Israeli Central Court convicted, Thursday, a commander of serious violations and abuse against Palestinian workers on a checkpoint, near Jerusalem, and pinching their money. Officer Nier Levi, from the…
Likud ` Shas coalition talks are progressing
The ultra-orthodox Shas Party is considering joining the government in a coalition with Likud and Labor without receiving any ministerial portfolios, Israeli sources reported on Thursday. In exchange, Shas is…
Israel asks Russia not to sell arms to Syria
Israel asked Russia to halt its arms sales deal with Syria in which it will buy advanced shoulder launched surface-to-air SA-18 missile known as Igla. The Israeli defense establishment expressed…
Report: 312 child prisoners, abused and deprived of their basic rights
The Palestinian Ministry of Detainees and Ex–detainees Affairs accused the Israeli government of continuously violating the rights of the Palestinian detainees, including children, and depriving them of their fundamental rights…
Sharon Wins, State Budget Approved
The Knesset on Wednesday approved the first reading of the 2005 State Budget bill after the Likud rebels decided to support it.  The bill was passed by a majority…
One Israeli Settler, Three Palestinians were killed in Gaza Strip
Israeli military sources reported that one Israeli was killed and four others were injured on Wednesday, when an roadside bomb detonated near their vehicle by the settlement of Morag in…
Two killed in the West Bank
Wednesday morning, Israeli soldiers killed two residents in the village of Qarawa Bani Zeid, near the northern West Bank city of Ramallah after breaking into a building in the village.…
Two Palestinians, One Israeli Settler were killed in Gaza Strip
Israeli military sources reported that one Israeli was killed and four others were injured on Wednesday, when an roadside bomb detonated near their vehicle by the settlement of Morag in…
Six new ministers to be assigned in Qorei’s government
A Palestinian source in Ramallah reported Wednesday that the new Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) asked the current Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmad Qorei, to form a new government.…
Israeli Arab Islamic Leader to be released in Six Months
In a plea bargain with the state prosecutor and the lawyers of the Northern Islamic Movement leader Sheikh Raed Salah, the later admitted of committing security offenses in exchange of…
Sharon Wins, State Budget Approved
The Knesset on Wednesday approved the first reading of the 2005 State Budget bill after the Likud rebels decided to support it. The bill was passed by a majority of…
Operative Plans to Carry Out Disengagement Finalized
Israel army and police announced Wednesday morning that they have finalized operative plans for the evacuation of the Gaza Strip and West Bank settlements under the disengagement plan, Israel Radio…
Israel wants the U.S. to Fund Wall Checkpoints
Israel has requested that the United States help in financing the set up of new crossing points and upgrade existing ones along the separation wall. The estimated cost of the…
PA National Security Advisor Resigns
Palestinian National Security Adviser Jibril Rajoub resigned his post to allow newly elected President Mahmoud Abbas to implement his plans to reform PA security. ‘I resigned to allow Mr. Abbas…
U.S. Urges Abbas to Strengthen Security
The U.S. State Department urged new Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to strengthen security forces on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. In a phone conversation on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary…
EU’s pivotal role in Middle East peace
Palestinian elections took place on 9 January. EU monitors observing the election process have seen Israel’s wall, that in the words of John Dugard, the UN Special Rapporteur for Human…
U.S. Urges Abbas to Strengthen Security
The U.S. State Department urged new Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to strengthen security forces on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.  In a phone conversation on Tuesday, U.S.…
Operative Plans to Carry Out Disengagement Finalized
Israel army and police announced Wednesday morning that they have finalized operative plans for the evacuation of the Gaza Strip and West Bank settlements under the disengagement plan, Israel Radio…
Votes, jokes and dreams
Translated by Saed Bannoura In spite of the fatigue which wore out the supervisors of the voting process and the vote counting, some of the ballots found in the…
Resident killed in Tulkarem, two wounded
Tuesday evening, undercover military units from the Israeli army shot a resident near Al-Salaam junction in the southern entrance to Tulkarem refugee camp, two residents were wounded. A medical source…
Knesset Approves the `“Disengagement Cabinet`
The Leftist Yahad Faction and the United Arab list rescued Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in the Monday’s Knesset vote. The “disengagement cabinet†was approved with 58-56 even as the…
Sharon, Abbas to Meet in Few Days
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is planning to call Palestinian president-elect Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday to congratulate him on Sunday’s election victory. Government sources said on Monday that arrangements were…
Sharon Congratulates Abbas for his Victory
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called newly-elected Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday to congratulate him on his election victory, but dismissed reports on a likely soon meeting. Palestinian official…
Israel Peace Activist Tali Fahimeh trial began on Tuesday
The central court in Tel Aviv accused, on Tuesday morning, the Israeli peace activist Tali Fahimeh of ‘helping the enemy during war’. Fahimeh did not respond to the accusations and…
Army demands authorization to demolish 3000 homes in Rafah
The Israeli security said on Tuesday, that the army demanded the Israeli High Court to approve the leveling of 3000 Palestinian homes in Rafah, in the southern part of the…
Soldier jailed for lying during probe into the death of ISM Activist
Israeli media sources reported that the soldier who lied during the probe into the death of Tom Hurndall, the British volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement was sentenced to five…
PA Security Council to Oversee Armed Forces
According to a bill to be presented to the Palestinian Legislative Council, the newly elected President Mahmoud Abbas will be ‘supreme commander’ of PA security forces, but unlike Yasser Arafat,…
PA National Security Advisor Resigns
Palestinian National Security Adviser Jibril Rajoub resigned his post to allow newly elected President Mahmoud Abbas to implement his plans to reform PA security. ‘I recommend speeding up the combining…
Readings in the Results of Palestinian Elections
Participation: Around 41% of all allegeable Palestinian voters voted in the presidential elections, yet they constitute 71% of registered voters. In practice, the Palestinian legislative council decision to allow the…
Sharon Calls Abbas, Congratulated Him on Election Victory
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called newly-elected Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday to congratulate him on his election victory, but dismissed reports on a likely soon meeting. Palestinian official…
Knesset Approves the `“Disengagement Cabinet`
The Leftist Yahad Faction and the United Arab list rescued Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in the Monday’s Knesset vote. The “disengagement cabinet†was approved with 58-56 even as the…
Resident killed in Tulkarem, two wounded
Tuesday evening, undercover military units from the Israeli army shot a resident near Al-Salaam junction in the southern entrance to Tulkarem refugee camp, two residents were wounded. A medical source…
Sanaqra: `“We will not lay arms as long as the occupation remains`
Ala ‘ Sanaqra, the general leader of Al-Aqsa brigades in the West Bank , the military wing of Fatah, said on Tuesday that the brigades will not lay their arms…
Knesset Approves the `“Disengagement Cabinet`
The Leftist Yahad Faction and the United Arab list rescued Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in the Monday’s Knesset vote. The “disengagement cabinet†was approved with 58-56 even as the…
Sharon, Abbas to Meet in Few Days
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is planning to call Palestinian president-elect Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday to congratulate him on Sunday’s election victory. Government sources said on Monday that arrangements were…
Sharon Congratulates Abbas for his Victory
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called newly-elected Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday to congratulate him on his election victory, but dismissed reports on a likely soon meeting. Palestinian official…
Trial of Israel Peace Activist Tali Fahimeh trial begins Tuesday
The central court in Tel Aviv accused the Israeli peace activist Tali Fahimeh of ‘helping the enemy during war’, in opening statements of her trial Tuesday. Fahimeh did not respond…
Reading the Results of the Palestinian Elections
Participation: Around 41% of all eligible Palestinian voters voted in the presidential elections, constituting 71% of registered voters. In practice, the Palestinian legislative council decision to allow those who did…
Army demands authorization to demolish 3000 homes in Rafah
The Israeli Security spokesperson reported on Tuesday that the army is demanding the Israeli High Court to approve the leveling of 3000 Palestinian homes in Rafah, in the southern part…
Soldier jailed for lying during probe of death of British peace activist
Israeli media sources reported that the soldier who lied during the probe into the death of Tom Hurndall, the British volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) was sentenced to…
Solana: Israel did not fulfill its commitment to facilitate Palestinian Elections
On Monday, European Union (EU) Foreign Policy Officer Javier Solana criticized Israel for obstructing the Palestinian Presidential elections held on Sunday. Solana told reporters during his visit to the information…
PA Security Council to Oversee Armed Forces
In a new bill to be presented to the Palestinian Legislative Council, the newly elected President Mahmoud Abbas will be ‘supreme commander’ of Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces, but unlike…
Abbas wins about 62 percent in the PA Chairmanship elections
The Central Election Committee declared on Monday in a press conference held in Ramallah the partial results of the Palestinian presidential elections. Dr. Hanna Nasser, the head of the committee…
International community welcomes Abbas victory
The partial results of the Palestinian presidential election declared on Monday declaring the victory of Mahmoud Abbas, the chairman of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) were met with a wide…
Results to be published soon amidst accusations of fraud
While Abbas declared his victory, final results will be published Monday around noon time. Exit polls released shortly after voting centers closed Sunday evening gave Mahmoud Abbas, the PLO leader…
Two hours after closing the voting centers, Abbas declares victory
Two hours after closing the voting centers on Sunday night, Palestinian Liberation Organization leader and fatah candidate for the PA chairmanship election delivered his voctory speech without waiting for primary…
Army Dismisses 6 of the Officers who Signed Refusal Letter
Israeli Central Command Officer Moshe Kaplinski dismissed Sunday six of 34 Israel reserve army officers who signed a letter stating they would refuse orders to evacuate settlements. Army source said…
At least 71% of the Palestinian voted on Sunday
Sunday at 21:00 the election centers of the Palestinian presidential election closed it doors after extending the voting period for two additional hours; at least 71% of the eligible voters…
Sharon : Monday Knesset Poll is a No-Confidance Vote
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon reacted to the Likud rebels decision to vote against the new cabionet buy calling for considering the Knesset vote on the new cabinet a no-confidence…
Population Increase in Settlements, especially Gaza Strip Ones
The number of settlers living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip settlements increased by 6 percent last year. According to statistics published Sunday by the Israeli Interior Ministry’s Population…
Votes, jokes and dreams
Translated by Saed Bannoura, IMEMC In spite of the fatigue which wore out the supervisors of the voting process and the vote counting, some of the ballots found in the…
PA Interim Chairman: Legislative Elections on July 17
While the polling stations to elect the Palestinian Authority Chairman will open doors Sunday 7:00 a.m., Palestinian Interim Chairman Rohi Fatouh announced Saturday, his last day as chairperson, that legislative…
Election Latest Updates
Source close to former US President Jimmy Carter said that finally Israel agreed that the 160,000 allegeable voters in East Jerusalem will be allowed to vote in any of the…
Serious Problems Facing Jerusalem Voters
Only a small fraction of the estimated 160,000 eligible Palestinian voters in East Jerusalem were permitted to cast their ballots in the city. The vast majority of Jerusalem Arabs were…
Abbas: Hamas Asked its Supporters to Vote
PLO head and the leading Presidential Candidate Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday as he left the PA headquarters in Ramallah that all Palestinian factions, including Hamas, asked their supporters to vote,…
Soldier Killed in an Explosion in Shaba’ Farm
Israeli soldier killed in the explosion at Shaba’ farm; French officer in the UNIFIl killed in the Israeli shelling of areas inside Lebanon. Israeli sources said that the soldier killed…
Sharon Presented Coalition Deal to Knesset
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon submitted Sunday the coalition agreement joining the Likud, Labor and United Torah Judaism parties to the Knesset, Israel Radio reported. However, Likud rebels said that…
Palestinians Steadily Moving Toward Democracy
Reports arriving to IMEMC election center indicate that elections are running smoothly, with insignificant disruptions only. Based on a sample from selected centers across the Palestinian territories, a high turnout…
Ballot Boxes Laid on their Side in Jerusalem?
Israeli security insisted that East Jerusalem ballots boxes should be laid on their side and that boxes should be transported to the central election committee centers in Abu Dis and…
Barghouthi Files an Official Complain over Usage of ‘Easley Removable’ Ink
Presidential candidate Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi filed Sunday an official complain at the headquarters of the Palestinian Election Committee in Ramallah, saying that the ink used to prevent fraud in today’s…
Halting Qassam’s in Exchange to Releasing More Prisoners
Israeli sources reported on Saturday that Israel is already preparing for the renewal of negotiations with the new Palestinian leadership and a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and…
Voting Started, Yet Beta Village Still Under Curfew
Israeli army continued Saturday with imposing a curfew on the residents of Beta village south of the West Bank city of Nablus for the second day. Local sources reported on…
Senior Rabbis Leading the War against Disengagement
Senior rabbinical figures are expected Sunday to come out in support of the refusal to obey orders to evacuate West Bank and Gaza Strip settlements. Key Rabbis, including former Sephardi…
Media Report: Sharon Might Visit Jordan Soon
The Qatar based Al-Watan newspaper said Saturday that a recent warm up in Israeli-Jordanian relations might lead to a soon Israeli Prime minister Ariel Sharon visit to Jordan soon. According…
Joint Arab-Israeli Protest against House Demolitions in Arab Israeli Village
Several hundreds of Taayush activists, both Jewish and Arab, and residents of the Wadi Ara region protested Saturday near the village of Arara on Saturday against the planned demolition of…
Army kills a Palestinian north of Khan Younis
Saturday morning, Israeli soldiers killed a 61-year-old residents east of Al-Matahin checkpoint, north of Kahn Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. Dr. Moawiya Hassanen, head of the…
Israel Reverses Decision to Halt Operations during Palestinian Elections
Israel is considering renewing military operations inside Palestinian populated areas after an Israeli soldier was killed in a military attack in the West Bank. The Palestinian Authority was made aware…
International Observers Touring Roadblocks
Some international observers were touring army roadblocks in the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Saturday to check whether Israel kept a promise to ease travel for Palestinians during elections.…
If Elected, Abbas Will Ask Qurei to Form New Cabinet
PLO leader Mahmoud Abbas said Friday that if he wins Sunday’s election, he will ask Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei to form a new cabinet. Abbas comments followed recent reports about…
Latest Election Poll: Abbas 51.8%; Barghouthi 25.3%
The latest public opinion poll carried out by PCPO between January 5-7 indicated that PLO head Mahmoud Abbas is still leading the presidential race with 51.8% followed by Dr. Mustafa…
Preparations for Voting Completed
The Palestinian central election committee said Thursday that preparations for voting have been completed. According to the committee, 1,757,756 eligible voters will be able to vote in 1,072 centers, where…
Israeli Police Detain Candidate Dr. Mustafa Barghouti
Palestinian Presidential candidate Mustafa Barghouti was detained by police Friday as he tried to enter the Old City of Jerusalem to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque; second time during the…
Israeli is considering renewing its invasions in the West Bank
Israeli is considering renewing it military operations in the Palestinian territories, in spite of its statements to halt operations ahead of the Palestinian presidential elections on Sunday. The Israeli government…
Israeli Officers Back Away From Refusal to Evacuate Settlements
The 34 reserve officers who signed a letter stating they would refuse orders to evacuate settlements expressed reservations regarding their declared refusal, according to Israeli army sources. The officers’ letter,…
Two Gaza Strip residents killed in separate incidents
Friday Evening, Israeli soldiers killed one resident in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. In a separate incident, a resident of Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City was also killed…
Two settlers killed, three wounded near Nablus
Friday afternoon, Palestinian resistance fighters fired at settlers’ cars driving on the Tafoah Junction near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, killing two settlers and seriously wounding three others.…
Settler Rabbis Urge Soldiers to Oppose Disengagement
Any officer who fails to retract his signature from the refusal petition within 24 hours will be stripped of his rank and ousted from the army, Israeli Chief of Staff…
Shalom: Israel Began Pullout; PA: No Evidence on Ground
Israel has begun to pull troops out of West Bank cities to avoid interfering with a January 9 chairman election, Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said Thursday. Shalom spoke at…