http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=17767
Israeli foreign minister studies EU proposal to deploy multinational forces in Gaza
Date: 03 / 12 / 2006 Time: 17:26

Bethlehem - Ma'an - The Israeli daily newspaper, Maariv, mentioned on Sunday that the Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni is considering the European Union's proposal to deploy a multinational force in Gaza, similar to that deployed in southern Lebanon.

The newspaper added that the proposal had been submitted to the Israelis several weeks ago, long before the ceasefire agreement had been reached. It has been claimed, however, that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is inclined to reject the proposal.

Maariv also stated that Olmert had initially rejected the deployment of multinational forces in southern Lebanon, until convinced by the foreign ministry "of the usefulness of that step". Consequently, the newspaper says, there is a possibility that Olmert may accept a similar arrangement in Gaza.

http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=17769
Untie a complex knot with your teeth! Ma'an Editorial
Date: 03 / 12 / 2006 Time: 19:35

Bethlehem - Ma'an – Editorial - The declaration by the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas that the unity government negotiations have come to an impasse, again brings the Palestinian arena to a crossroads with the dangers of inter-Palestinian confrontation threatening.

Frankly speaking, the gestures of that confrontation are closer than at any other time. That announcement has aroused a state of desperation and frustration in the Palestinian street after average people have, for weeks, been optimistic for a happy end to the crisis. That optimism, however, has revealed only a mirage.

Despite the fact that President Abbas had, at several times, expressed his care for preventing the Palestinian people having to face any domestic confrontation, the news that he intends to "untie the complex situation with his teeth", having failed to untie it with his fingers, renders us all afraid of what the Palestinian scene is awaiting. Any negative developments, in that already-crowded scene will increase the suffering of the people, with more poverty, hunger and lack of security.

If the news about the president's will to dismiss the government and charge a new figure with the task of composing a new government is correct, this will, aside from issues over its legality, collide with the Hamas majority in the PLC. Consequently, the dismissed government would be temporarily in charge, until the new one gets the approval of the PLC. Since that will can not happen if Hamas oppose the new government and continue to hold a majority in the PLC, the dismissed government will remain legal regardless of the various frictions, polarizations and disputes that will, once again, add to the people's suffering, division, poverty and desperation.

Given the greatness of the dangers that await the Palestinian arena, however the Palestinian president manages to untie this complex situation, both sides of the disagreement, and all participants in government and civil society are called anew to face the failure of dialogue with only more dialogue, since it is the only means to overcome obstacles and bridge the gaps. Once the pressurized situation explodes, nobody will be safe of the consequences and shrapnel. The only party which will win will be the enemies of the Palestinian people, who have long been waiting to watch brothers' swords crossing against each other.

We believe that Hamas, with its parliamentary majority, are called to show more domestic flexibility, for the sake of achieving solutions at the expense of proportions of portfolios.

http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=17759
In a blow to peace, Amir Peretz rejects spread of ceasefire to West Bank; renews military operations
Date: 03 / 12 / 2006 Time: 15:30

Jerusalem - Ma'an – Many of those who were counting on, or at least hoping for, a balanced Israeli position on the fragile ceasefire holding out between Israel and the Palestinians were disappointed by statements from the Israeli minister of defense, Amir Peretz. Peretz has decided to exclude the West Bank from the ceasefire agreement, and announced that the Israeli army will resume full operations there.

Peretz has issued orders to his soldiers to shoot at Palestinians launching projectiles at Israeli towns from the Gaza Strip.

Peretz stated "I have given orders to the army to open fire against the launchers", and, when addressing the cabinet, he declared, "there are still some projectiles being launched against Israel. Palestinians should prove that they are able to commit to the promises they made."

Prime Minister Olmert stated, "we should act in a responsible way, and study all sides of the issue. We have strategic promises from European countries and the USA, although they don’t look at things the same way we do."

Peretz stressed that Israel is not even considering the expansion of the ceasefire to include the West Bank, and said that Israel is continuing its operations against the "terrorist" organizations. He stated that Palestinians launched 15 projectiles at Israeli towns a week ago, although seven landed in the Negev.

He also claimed that the announcement about the truce came as a direct result of Israeli pressure and the international diplomacy which exerted pressure on the Palestinians.

The minister of defense believes that the truce might culminate with the release of the Israeli soldier, he added, "the truce should be conditioned, we have shown our self control."

He expressed anger at what he said called "the smuggling of money through the Rafah crossing, as Zahhar did."

Peretz also announced said that some concessions will be given to Palestinians over the Christmas and new year period, including giving permission for 500 Palestinian Christians from the Gaza Strip to visit the West Bank, and permission for 1200 of the Christians in the West Bank to visit Jerusalem and Nazareth.

http://www.imemc.org/content/view/23038/1/
Palestinian Authority to include disabled in govt., while challenging Israeli attacks on disabled
Palestine News Network - Monday, 04 December 2006, 02:06

On the occasion of the international day to honor the disabled, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights is calling on the international community to intervene in Palestine. The call is issued to all parties of international law makers, including the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, all components on the United Nations, and intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations.

The Gaza City-based NGO, PCHR, is calling for said parties to pressure the Israeli military authorities to cease and desist its violations of the norms of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and to stop its violations against the Palestinian civilian population.

The PCHR also called for the immediate cessation of all violations by the Israeli military occupation authorities against Palestinians with disabilities, including the killings and injuries to which they have been subjected. “All attacks against institutions of the care, rehabilitation, and education of the disabled must also stop.”

Sunday's statement includes a call to the international community to force the government of Israel to abide international law, to respect international conventions and human rights treaties, including those for the disabled. They called on donor countries to immediately stop their complicity in the United States-led political and economic blockade as the “economic and social aspects are devastating to all levels of Palestinians society, leading to further impoverishment, deprivation, and deteriorating living conditions.”

The Palestinian Authority is being tasked to update the Rights of the Disabled Palestinian to aid in helping the disabled provide decent lives for themselves and their families through increased education and work programs. The PCHR is also calling for ministries and government institutions to adhere to the provision of the law in order to ensure that the minimum of five percent of ministry and government positions are held by disabled people.

Since the Intifada began in September 2000, Israeli forces have killed 79 Palestinians with disabilities such as Down Syndrome.

http://www.imemc.org/content/view/23037/1/
Islamic Jihad threatens to pull out of ceasefire, Hamas suspends its participation
IMEMC & Agencies - Monday, 04 December 2006, 00:45

"The calm is on the edge of collapse due to the continued Zionist violations and the attacks against our Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza", stated Abu Ahmed, spokesman for the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad in Gaza, on Sunday.

Abu Ahmed pledged that the group would carry out attacks against Israel within the next day, in response to "more than 70 violations of the ceasefire" by Israel. He added, "Nobody should blame us for any reaction our brigades take in the coming hours in response to the violations by the Zionist occupation."

Meanwhile, the Hamas movement also announced the suspension of its participation in the ceasefire, stating that "the discussion of the issue in the current circumstances stands against Palestinians. The internal situation should be given the top priority".

In a statement issued in Gaza, the movement stated "the comprehensive truce should come as part of a comprehensive national program for the next stage. Maybe the truce can be part of it, but this time is needed to make sure it is mature and ready."

Israeli forces have killed seven Palestinians in the seven days since the ceasefire took effect. At the same time, the Israeli Defense Minister has accused the Palestinian side of violating the ceasefire, saying that fifteen homemade shells have been fired by rogue Palestinian resistance fighters across the Gaza-Israel border, causing no injuries or damage.