Election Elation
After years of gloom, Palestine woke up this week to a celebration never before witnessed. Huge signs of leading candidates to presidency have replaced posters of martyrs and Intifada graffiti.…
Tulkarem refugee camp: Stories of endless suffering
Translated and edited by Saed Bannoura, IMEMC Residents of Tulkarem refugee camp live a life filled with daily fears, while the non-stop military invasions by the Israeli soldiers and their…
Hamas Confirms Election Boycott, Won’t Back a Candidate
Hamas Gaza Leader Said Siam confirmed Saturday that his group does not intend to take part in the January 9 presidential elections, calling Hamas members and supporters to not arrive…
Hilltops Settlers Gathering in Gaza Settlements to Obstruct Pullout
The Israeli army has reported that young West Bank settlers are arriving in numbers into Gaza settlements to join attempts to disrupt the implementation of the disengagement plan. Army officers…
Army re-invades Khan Younis refugee camp
A few hours after evacuating from Khan Younis refugee camp, in Gaza, the Israeli army reinvaded it, fired at dozens of homes and bulldozed family farmlands. The Israeli army claimed…
Hamas Confirms Election Boycott, Won’t Back a Candidate
A leading member of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Said Siam, confirmed Saturday that his group does not intend to take part in the January 9 presidential elections. He called…
Israeli State Prosecutor Official: We All Know Wall is Illegal
The head of the international section of the Israeli state prosecutor’s office, Lawyer Iriet Kahan, told the Israeli newspaper Youdot Ahranot that Israel knew from the beginning that the route…
New Israeli Cabinet Pending UTJ’s Top Rabbis Approval
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is waiting for the Council of Torah Sages to approve of his coalition agreement with the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party, then will present his…
14 Hebron residents arrested
Sunday morning, Israeli soldiers arrested fourteen residents of Hebron after invading the city and several surrounding villages, and conducting military searches of homes. A local source in Hebron reported that…
Egypt Calls on Israel to Fulfill Commitments, Halt Military Offensives
In a statement on Saturday, the Egyptian foreign ministry called on Israel to fulfill its commitment to help Palestinians run smooth and democratic elections, saying that Israeli escalations, especially in…
Israeli State Prosecutor Official: We All Know Wall is Illegal
The head of the international section in the Israeli state prosecutor office Lawyer Iriet Kahan told Israeli newspaper Youdot Ahranot, in a special interview, that Israel new from the beginning…
EU Diplomat: Israel Exerting Pressure to Rehabilitate Refugees in Arab Countries
According to the Saudi newspaper Alwatan, a European diplomat said that Israel is exerting pressure on the United Nations to allocate hundreds of millions of US dollars to rehabilitate Palestinian…
Egypt Calls Israel to Fulfill Commitments, Halt Military Offenses
Egyptian foreign ministry called Israel on Saturday to fulfill its commitments to help Palestinians run smooth and democratic elections, saying that Israeli escalations, especially in the Gaza strip, would hinder…
New Cabinet Bending UTJ’s Top Rabbis Approval
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is waiting for the Council of Torah Sages approval of the coalition agreement with United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party in order to present his cabinet…
Hilltops Settlers Gathering in Gaza Settlements to Obstruct Pullout
The Israeli army has said lately that young West Bank settlers are arriving in numbers into Gaza settlements to join attempts to disrupt the implementation of the disengagement plan. Army…
11 Palestinains, one Israeli soldier, tens injured in Khan Younis army raid
Palestinian soruces reported that two Palestinains were killed in an airstrike carried out by the Israeli army in Khan Younis earlier on Friday raising the death toll of the so…
A smile behind bars, hope under siege
Trasnlate by Saed Bannoura, IMEMC Despite the loneliness of detention, detainees in several Israeli prisons and detention camp have overcome the high walls and barbed wires with a smile, a…
The Red Rooms
In the west Bank settlement of Adam, from a far distance, one can see lit houses equipped with spot lights on the sides of well paved roads. For Palestinian “A…
Some Gaza Settlers Agree to Leave Voluntarily
Most settlers of the Pa’at Sadeh settlement have reached an agreement with the Israeli Disengagement Administration for a collective move to a Moshav inside Israel, should disengagement go ahead. Pa’at…
Some Gaza Settlers Agree to Leave Voluntarily
Most settlers of the Pa’at Sadeh settlement have reached an agreement with the Israeli Disengagement Administration for a collective move to a Moshav inside Israel, should disengagement go ahead. Pa’at…
Local Palestinian elections begin
Palestinians have begun voting in municipal elections in the occupied West Bank , just weeks before a presidential ballot to choose a successor to the late Yasser Arafat . Palestinians…
The Little Town of Bethlehem
This Christmas when the Christian world raises its voices in joyful choruses to the song, ‘Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem’, I will remain silent in protest over the Israeli army’s…
Some Gaza Settlers Agree to Leave Voluntarily
Most settlers of the Pa’at Sadeh settlement have reached an agreement with the Israeli Disengagement Administration for a collective move to a Moshav inside Israel, should disengagement go ahead. Most…
Four brothers arrested east of Nablus
The Israeli army invaded Askar refugee camp, in the east of Nablus, in the northern part of the West Bank, and arrested four brothers. A Palestinian security source in Nablus,…
3000 Palestinians disabled in the Intifada
Dr. Allam Jarrar, director of the rehabilitation program at the Palestinian Medical Relief Society reported that attacks against Palestinians by Israeli soldiers and settlers have resulted in 10.000 wounded over…
Three students arrested in the south of Hebron, one wounded
The WAFA news Agency reported that Israeli soldiers shot on Wednesday three school students and arrested a resident after invading the village of Yattah , south of Hebron . The…
Missile fired at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis
A Palestinian security source in Khan Younis reported that a military apache fired a missile at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. The…
Blair: London Conference to Integrate Disengagement with Road Map
Visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Wednesday afternoon that his call for n international Middle East peace conference in London aimed at providing a passage for parties to move…
What Stands Behind Sharon’s Insistence not to Attend London Conference?
Even against the advice of his foreign minister Silvan Shalom, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ruled out any level of Israeli participation in the proposed London Middle East peace…
The Little Town of Bethlehem
This Christmas when the Christian world raises its voices in joyful choruses to the song, ‘Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem’, I will remain silent in protest over the Israeli army’s…
Egypt-Israel Negotiating Deployment of Border Troops
Egyptian Intelligence Minister Omar Suleiman met Tuesday with Amos Gilad, head of the political-security branch in the Defense Ministry. The two are working on the details of the deployment of…
Blair to Meet Israeli and Palestinian Leaders Today to Promote ME Peace Conference
British Prime Minister will meet with Palestinian and Israeli leaders on Wednesday morning after arriving in Israel Tuesday night coming from Iraq . Israeli officials said that Blair will separately…
Labor Approves Coalition Deal with Likud
The Labor Party Central Committee on Tuesday approved the coalition deal with the Likud Party. The coalition agreement is expected to be signed in few days. Labor central committee also…
Settlers Use Orange David Stars in a Protest against Pullout
Settlers, protesting against Gaza Pullout on Tuesday, used orange Star of David badges, reminiscent to the yellow stars Jews were forced to wear during World War II. The settlers’ new…
Child wounded near Hebron
The Israeli army invaded Halhoul, north of Hebron, Sunday night, and fired at dozens of homes, moderately wounding one child. A medical source at Hebron hospital stated that Wisam Abu…
Elections without Democracy
in the Bantustans – the equivalent to today’s walled in Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The thought was that if people elected local officials, even to…
Mallouh: `“The PFLP is Unified and Strong in its annual anniversary`
Mallouh, deputy secretary general of the second biggest party in the PLO, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The leader of the front, Ahmad Sa’adat, is also detained…
Child wounded near Hebron
The Israeli army invaded Halhoul, north of Hebron, Sunday night, and fired at dozens of homes, moderately wounding one child. A medical source at Hebron hospital stated that Wisam Abu…
Rana’s blood and her last supper
Last Supper 7-year-old Rana Syiam had with her family in Khan Younis, ended with blood and tears after a bullet fired by Israeli soldiers entered her head and exited…
Known by their Tattoos, Fast Shooting, Russian Snipers in Israel’s Army
Israeli sources revealed information about Russian Snipers recruited to the Israeli Army to join the army’s military operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. These recruits, according to…
Khan Younis families stranded and scattered after weekend’s assault
Feature, IMEMC Staff, December The Israeli assault on Khan Younis refugee camp in southern Gaza Friday and Saturday has left hundreds homeless, searching through the rubble for their belongings, and…
Elections without Democracy
During the 1970’s, the apartheid government of South Africa sought to bolster its claims to legitimacy by allowing elections in the Bantustans – the equivalent to today’s walled in Palestinian…
Israel Won’t Participate in the U.K. Called Peace Summit
Israel supports a Middle East peace conference planned by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, but won’t participate in it, Israeli senior political sources said Friday. Israel supports a Middle East…
Army encircles Qalqilia
Soldiers encircled Qalqilia, in the eastern part of the West Bank, and barred the residents from entering or leaving the city Palestinenet news website said that soldiers barred the residents…
Five residents killed in Khan Younis, dozens of homes leveled
Israeli army tanks and bulldozers rolled into the Khan Yunis refugee Five residents killed in Khan Younis, and bulldozed dozens of homes. The Israeli army raided, on Thursday at dawn,…
Five residents killed in Khan Younis
Israeli army tanks and bulldozers rolled into the Khan Yunis refugee Five residents killed in Khan Younis, and bulldozed dozens of homes. Israeli army tanks and bulldozers rolled into the…
Killing Palestinian Children is No Longer a Big Deal
 Regarding Gideon Levy’s column–Killing Children is No Longer a Big Deal, Haaretz’s , 10/17/ 04. I disagree with Mr. Levy–killing Children is No Longer a Big Deal–indeed it is. But…
Rana’s blood and her last supper
Translated by Saed Bannoura-IMEMC Last Supper 7-year-old Rana Syiam had with her family in Khan Younis, ended with blood and tears after a bullet fired by Israeli soldiers entered her…
Feature: ‘Checkpoints; different shapes, locations, same suffering’
Translated by Saed Bannoura, IMEMC Checkpoints spread all over the Palestinian areas, separating the cities, villages and refugee camps from each other, and generate daily events and stories of continuous…
Israel’s Shameful Home Demolitions: an open letter to the Israeli Government
To the Ministers: Mr. Paraz; Mr. Lapid; Mr. Mofaz and PM Sharon: Gentlemen: How many times must decent people write and ask you to stop your cruel and illegal home…
Mallouh: `“The PFLP is Unified and Strong in its annual anniversary`
Translated by: Saed Bannoura Unlike other interview with political leaders, in fancy offices and on comfortable desks and chairs, Palestine News Network held this interview over the phone with Abdul-Rahim…
Sharon: Arafat’s Illness Won’t Delay Pullout
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told Egyptian President Hosni Mubark on Thursday that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat’s health condition will not affect, change or delay, the evacuation of Gaza settlements…
Political Prisoners and SMS messages
Translated by Saed Bannoura In spite of the bad conditions in detention, restrictions and continuous assaults, Palestinians detainees continue their achievements and creativity and challenge high walls and prison bars.…
Opposition Groups & Elections
Contrary to 1996 elections, most Palestinian opposition groups decided to take an active role in the planned for January 9, PA presidential elections. Even when it seems that the Islamic…
Al-Mawasi Residents Face Daily Hardships
Trans and Edited by Saed Bannoura, IMEMC Residents of Al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, face daily hardships and violations, that make their daily life…
Yahad Saved Sharon’s Gov’t
Yahad’s abstention saved the Israeli government from being toppled down by depriving opposition from the needed 61 votes. Even when the two no-confidence motions passed, the opposition victory was only…
Sharon Aides, Shas Holding Talks Over State Budget
Representatives of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Shas party officials began negotiations over support for the annual budget on Tuesday afternoon in Jerusalem. MKs Eli Yishai headed Shas delegation,…
Fatah Won Al-Najah Univ. Elections, 1st Time in 8 Years
The Palestine Liberation Movement (Fatah) won student elections at the West Bank’s largest university, Al-Najah in Nablus, on Monday for the first time in eight years. Fatah won 38 seats…
PA: Israel Attempts to Trade WB Territorial Contiguity with Transportation One
The United States turned down an Israeli request for funds to pave and upgrade alternative West Bank roads for Palestinians. The newly proposed routes are to replace existing roads, which…
Two Female settlers apprehended, stealing olives
Israeli newspaper online Haaretz said police arrested two female settlers while stealing olives from a Palestinian olive grove near the village of Sinjil north of Ramallah. The two girls who…
The First after Arafat’s death, Sha’ath meets Shalom
The Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Sha’ath met his Isreli counterpart Silvan Shalom on Monday, the first time since the death of the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat on November 11.…
Hamas Seeks Unity Government, Ready for Truce
Hamas West Bank leader Sheikh Hassan Yusef told Israel Radio that Hamas is willing to join a unity government with Fatah, and would agree to a limited cease-fire during final…
Israeli Interior Minsiter: ‘In 48 hours I will be out ofiice’
As the crises between the Israeli prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his main ally in the government coalition Shinui party deepens, Interior Minister Avraham Poraz (Shinui) announced Monday that he…
Two activists, one Israeli solider killed in the Gaza Strip
Two members of the resistance were shot dead on Monday afternoon after attacking a military post on Carni-Netzarim settlement road, south east of Gaza. An Israeli military source said that…
Abbas: Jordan to Help Revive Peace Talks
Leader of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, Mahmoud Abbas, said on Monday that Jordan has promised its support to help revive the stalled Middle East peace process. ‘We need Jordan’s support……
Abbas: Jordan to Help Revive Peace Talks
Leader of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, Mahmoud Abbas, said on Monday that Jordan has promised its support to help revive the stalled Middle East peace process. ‘We need Jordan’s support……
Engagement in a military court
Mona Al-Adra, 22 year old, surprised the military judge in Ofer military court when she stood in the court and asked the judge to allow her to be engaged to…
On the day of International Solidarity with the Palestinian People
The date of 29 November was chosen because of its meaning and significance to the Palestinian people. On that day in 1947, the General Assembly adopted resolution 181(II), which came…
Sharon, Abbas Prepared to Meet
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and PLO leader Mahmoud Abbas separately told Newsweek that they are prepared to meet each other. “When they would like to meet, we will meet.’…
Sharon, Abbas Prepared to Meet
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and PLO leader Mahmoud Abbas separately told Newsweek that they are prepared to meet each other. “When they would like to meet, we will meet.’…
PA to Disband Gaza ‘Death Squad’
The Palestinian Authority said Saturday it will disband a small Gaza security force known by Palestinians as the death squad. The head of the Palestinian Authority Preventive Security Service, Brig.…
Shinui Won’t Agree to Money Deal with Ultra-Orthodox
Shinui head, Israeli Justice Minister Yosef Lapid told Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Sunday afternoon that his party will not agree to the transfer of Millions of Shekels to…
Shinui Won’t Agree to Money Deal with Ultra-Orthodox
Shinui head, Israeli Justice Minister Yosef Lapid told Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Sunday afternoon that his party will not agree to the transfer of Millions of Shekels to…
Palestinian Officials to Egypt on Saturday
Palestinian informed source said that a top Palestinian delegation will head on Saturday to Egypt for talks with the Egyptian officials. Palestinian President Rouhi Fattouh, head of the Palestinian Liberation…
Nine Candidates so far for PA Presidency Race
Palestinian sources reported that so far, nine Palestinians declared their intention to run for the upcoming presidential elections and expected the number to raise. The candidates so far are, Sheikh…
Prisons Administration bars entry of winter clothes and covers
Palestinian Prisoners Society, in Hebron, said that the Israeli Prison Services barred entry of winter clothes and covers to the detainees an Atzion detention near Hebron. Amjad Al-Najjar, head of…
With No Comments
The Wireless exchange between soldiers prior to the confirm Killing of Iman Alhamas 13, at the Girit outpost near Rafah. Recorded and broadcasted by Israeli TV channel 2. -we identified…
Omri Sharon, PA Officials to Meet in U.K.
Israeli MK Omri Sharon (Likud) will lead a group of Israeli officials in talks with PA officials set to take place in the U.K. next week, British newspaper the Telegraph…
Fatah’s RC Approves Abbas’s Nomination
PLO new Head Mahmoud Abbas was officially nominated as Fatah’s candidate Thursday by the Fatah Revolutionary Council. The revolutionary council, in its Thursday meeting, unanimously approved Fatah’s central committee decision…
Zionist Council: Over Half of new comers to Israel not Jews
The Zionist Council will publish its annual report soon. Early findings reveals that more Jews left Israel than moved in during the year 2004. According to information from the Israeli…
Sharon Ignores Shinui’s Threat, Pushes for Budget Deal with UTJ
Ignoring Shinui’s party threats to quite cabinet, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is pushing for a deal to secure the United Torah Judaism party support for the 2005 state budget.…
Sa’adat: `“P.A leaders are committed to negotiations and unoptimistic`
Aranbs48 news website interviewed the Secretary General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Ahmad Saadat, who is currently jailed in a Palestinian prison in Jericho under…
Palestinian Prisoners in Israeli Jails Face Serious Hardships
Raed Mahameed, lawyer of the Palestinian Prisoners Society, said that detainees in the Negev detention camp and Majeddo told him that they are facing daily hardships, violations and over crowded…
Disengagement Might Threaten Israel’s Exploitation of WB Water
Israeli Sources warned that the intended withdrawal from areas in the northern West Bank could threaten Israel’s ability to control the northwestern WB aquifer. According to the same source, Palestinians…
Life Term Sentence to A Palestinian Activist
An Israeli military court in Ofer detention, near Ramallah, sentenced a Hamas activist to one life term after charging him participating in killing two Israeli soldiers. The Palestinian Prisoners Society…
Sharon Demands More Egyptian Efforts to Prevent Arms Smuggles
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has called on Egypt to prevent arms smuggling into the Gaza Strip beyond deployment of forces at the border zone. ‘It is not enough to…
Katsav: We will stop building the wall if cease-fire is reached
In a statement he gave to the Israeli newspaper Ma’ariv, the Israeli President Moshe Katsav, said, he suggests stopping building the West Bank wall if a permanent cease-fire agreement is…
Israel Dismisses Calls for Goodwill Gestures
On Tuesday Israel dismissed Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov’s proposal to dismantle West Bank outposts and release political prisoners. “There is no place for new initiatives before a new Palestinian…
Sheikh Hasan Yousef; `“interrogators were trying to blackmail me`
After he was released from detention, Sheikh Hasan Yousef talks to the PNN in an exclusive interview about the long solitary imprisonment and interrogation. Sheikh Hasan Yousef, who was released…
UN envoy: Syria Agrees to Talks without Conditions
Syrian President Bashar Assad is ready to resume peace talks with Israel ‘without conditions,’ the top United Nations envoy to the ME Terje Roed-Larsen said on Wednesday. ‘President Assad has…
Straw Pleased by Israel’s Stance on PA elections
he was encouraged with Israel’s approach to Palestinian January 9, presidential elections. ‘I have been much encouraged by the very positive messages that you [Shalom] have given me today about…
High Court Allows construction of J’lem Wall Route
Israeli High court of justice rejected Wednesday a petition against Jerusalem section of the wall revised route, paving the way for army to resume the construction of the stalled barrier.…
Wall’s Revised Route Still Pending Sharon ’s Approval
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is considering delaying bringing the revised route of the separation wall for cabinet approval. Sources in the Israeli Prime Minister’s Bureau said on Tuesday that…
Three youths wounded, two arrested south of Hebron
Soldiers raided the village of Yatta , in the south of Hebron . They shelled a home, moderately wounding three youths, and arrested two residents. A medical source at Abu…
Israel Prevents Palestinians from using Ben-Gurion airport
The Israeli General Security Service, known as the Shin Bet, prevents Palestinians from using Ben-Gorion international airport in Tel Aviv claiming security reasons, Israeli sources reported on Wednesday. Palestinians who…
Caterpillar dismisses calls to stop selling Bulldozers to Israel Army
The giant heavy products company ‘Caterpillar’ dismissed calls to cease its bulldozer sales to the Israeli army claiming that all sales conform with the American trade law within the Foreign…
Our own Palestinian De Gaulle
There is now a chance for peace – but not because of Arafat’s death Published in the Guardian on November 12, 2004 Throughout his political career, Yasser Arafat was the…
Sheikh Hasan Yousef; `“interrogators were trying to blackmail me`
Translated by, Saed Bannoura, IMEMC After he was released from detention, Sheikh Hasan Yousef talks to the PNN in an exclusive interview about the long solitary imprisonment and interrogation. Sheikh…
Russian Snipers in Israel’s Army
Translated by George Rishmawi Israeli sources revealed information about Russian Snipers recruited to the Israeli Army to join the army’s military operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. These…
The Palestinians After Arafat
Before the death of Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat on November 11th, 2004, there had been an enormous amount of speculation raised, and analysis offered, concerning the issue of succession.…