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Desert’s Sand and Rocks Become Precious Resources in West Bank Dispute
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/07/world/middleeast/07westbank.html
By ETHAN BRONNER
Published: March 6, 2009

Mystery terrorist was targeted for assassination
By ADAM GOLDMAN AND RANDY HERSCHAFT, ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITERS
Last updated February 11, 2009 1:36 p.m. PT
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1110ap_mystery_terrorist.html

Mystery terrorist was targeted for assassination
By ADAM GOLDMAN and RANDY HERSCHAFT, The Associated Press
Wednesday, February 11, 2009; 4:36 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/11/AR2009021102261.html

• Washington Post: Checkpoints: They Make You Stop and Think, by DeNeen L. Brown (28 July 2008).
  This op-ed describes the checkpoints recently set up in a crime-ridden neighborhood in Washington DC, and then mentions others across the world and throughout history, including Israeli checkpoints in occupied Palestine. But the op-ed focuses mostly on their good points bringing law and order to lawless places, and only mentions briefly their abuses, and does not mention at all when they are used as a political tool to destroy society, as they are being used in Palestine.

• New York Times: , by Nicholas D. Kristof (24 July 2008).
  In this incredible column, Mr. Kristof gives intelligent rebuttals to some of his pro-Israel readers, and in the end suggests that the candidates relate to Israel with tough love - insisting they do the right thing such as not attack Iran and halt settlement building and expansion. The two issues covered the most are settlements and the wall. Also discussed is the point that if Israel does not help the two-state solution happen, then the one-state solution will happen because of the demographics.

• Miami Herald: BOOK REVIEW: The Dr. Doolittle of the West Bank, by Marjorie Kehe (7 June 2008).
  This wonderful book review is about a book that describes the tiny zoo found in Qalqilya in the West Bank. This city is also known for being completely surrounded by Israel's separation barrier in its most oppressive form. The review describes how the zoo's animals are an analogy for the Palestinian residents of the West Bank who are being held like prisoners by Israel's walls, and the irrepressive spirit to survive and thrive and dream of the zoo's curator and veterinarian, Sami Khader, who is an inspiration to us all.

• New York Times: Israel's 'American Problem', by Jeffrey Goldberg (18 May 2008).
  This fascinating op-ed by Jeffrey Goldberg theorizes that the settlement movement is right now the greatest danger to the future of Israel because it is not allowing a viable Palestinian State to be established in the West Bank, and as a result the Palestinians will increasingly focus on creating true equality for themselves in Israel itself as Israel increasingly takes over the West Bank, and because there will soon be more Palestinians in the region than Israeli Jews, then this will mean that in the true democracy and equality they are working toward they will be able to exercise their voting rights and vote for the end of the Jewish State and the Jewish-dominated government.

• Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 60 years on, the Arabs still thwart peace,
  Washington Post: The Miracle, at 60,
  both articles by Charles Krauthammer (16 May 2008).
  Once again Charles Krauthammer completely blames the Palestinians for the conflict with Israel, while ignoring their perspective which is so thoroughly documented by both UN official agencies as well as Israeli and world scholars.

• Chicago Tribune: Quirky Israeli activist: Abie Nathan 1927 ~ 2008, by Isabel Kershner (31 August 2008).
  Quote from article - "'Peace pilot' used stunts to call for diplomacy among Mideast leaders".

• Christian Science Monitor: A summer camp for political dissenters in Israel, by Danna Harman (27 August 2008).
  

• Chicago Tribune: West bank: Israeli troops may have broken protocol in boy's death (31 July 2008).
  "RAMALLAH— Israeli troops trying to repel rock-throwing Palestinians did not have permission to use live rounds, Israeli officials said Wednesday, but a Palestinian autopsy showed that a 10-year-old boy killed in the clash was shot by an assault rifle. Palestinian forensic doctors found that Ahmed Moussa was struck in the head by a single bullet from an M-16 rifle, said Said Abu Ali, governor of Ramallah. Ahmed was killed Tuesday in the village of Naalin during one of the frequent protests over Israel's separation barrier. The Israeli military said it would start a probe."

• Washington Post: Israeli Man, Palestinian Child Killed In Attacks Pair Died in Violence Between Jewish State, Fighters With Hamas, by Griff Witte (6 June 2008).
  It was remarkable to note how in this article's description of the violent 3-way wrestling match between Israel, Abbas and Hamas, no mention was made of Israel refusing to halt settlement expansion, which makes a viable Palestinian State virtually impossible. It was truly biased and misleading to accuse Abbas of threatening the peace talks by making overtures to Hamas when those talks are virtually already dead because of Israel refusing to halt settlement expansion in violation of its agreements made at and following the Annapolis Summit.

• New York Times: Blair unveils proposals to improve life on the West Bank, by Isabel Kershner (14 May 2008).
  This article describes the efforts of Tony Blair, envoy of the Quartet, to make changes in the occupation which would make it easier in the daily lives of Palestinian people living in the West Bank. This included mostly economic development projects as well as measures to ease restrictions on movement through the West Bank. This is seen as a way to support to efforts of PA President Mahmoud Abbas to work toward the two-state solution. But once again the only problem is Israeli restrictions on all of their plans.

• Washington Post: Born at the dawn of a new state: Two men's lives reflect divergent fortunes of Jewish, Palestinian peoples, by Griff Witte (8 May 2008).
  Griff Witte's article attempts to be balanced by reviewing the lives of two men born in adjacent towns in what is now Israel - one is a Palestinian and one is a Jewish Israeli. But the main question that plagues Mr. Witte's article once he paints a sympathetic picture both mens' lives is that he cannot understand then why the conflict between their two societies continues. The answer is simple - that Israel stole the Palestinian homelands in 1948, and even now Israel continues to steal their lands in the occupied territories to make settlements and in the Negev from the Beduoins.

• New York Times: "Israel's tactics thwart attacks, with trade-off", by Isabel Kershner (3 May 2008).
  This article sides with Israel on the debate between security vs. civil rights. What the author of the article ignores or misunderstands is that the Palestinians and international human rights groups claim that Israel applies its security measures way beyond what is necessary for security to the extent that suggests that Israel has alternative motives to actually destroy Palestinian society, not to just halt terrorism.

• New York Times: Jews, Arabs and Jimmy Carter, by Ethan Bronner (7 January 2007).
  This book review is an excellent example of the POV that is very prevalent in America that cannot imagine a Middle East without Israel - that regards such ideas as only the utter delusions of the most radical Muslim followers, and unimaginable to sane and reasonable minds. Some other examples of this POV found in the review are the ideas that the main motivation behind the separation barrier is more land acquisition, and that Israel's transgressions are of minor consequence on the international stage. What he doesn't realize is that what is significant on the international stage is the totality of crimes Israel has committed which together total a major affront to international law, which range in number and severity far beyond the minor transgressions the author mentions in his review. He also mentions how some pro-Israel supporters wonder why Carter has such a problem with the Jewish people, but Carter and those who agree with him don't have a problem with the Jewish people but with the Zionists, whom they see as a sub-group of Jews who have no regard for the rights of the Palestinian people.

• New York Times: U.S. Speeds Up Bomb Delivery for the Israelis, by David S. Cloud and Helene Cooper (22 July 2006).
  This article describes rushed procedures used to re-arm Israel with smart bombs due to its immersion in a war situation. The shipment was part of a larger order already ok'ed by congress. The move is feared to anger Arab governments because it has the appearance of the USA arming Israel just as Iran rushes to arm Hezbollah, and that the USA is actively supporting Israel's bombing campaign in Beirut which is controversial.

• Chicago Tribune: Israelis fearful of Russian claim on central Jerusalem property,
  Washington Post: Russia's Jerusalem land claim worries Israelis,
  both article-versions by Tia Goldenberg, Associated Press (7 October 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israel switches from U.S. cluster bombs, buys local, by Dan Williams, Reuters (30 September 2008)- because Israeli bombs are supposedly more humane by being more efficient and self-destructing.
• Washington Post
  Israelis welcome Jewish New Year, by Shawna Ohm, Associated Press (29 September 2008) - as Israeli Jews celebrate the New Year, Israel closes the West Bank, and Olmert declares the necessity of retreat from the West Bank in order to allow a viable Palestinian State. The article then gives the demographic stats that tell why this is neccessary but does not actually explain the connection.
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Washington Post:
  Israel closes off Palestinian territories,
  Chicago Tribune:
  Israel closes off Palestinian territories for Jewish New Year; Palestinians denied entry,
  both article-versions from Associated Press (28 September 2008).
• Chicago Tribune AP Interview: Blair says West Bank life must improve at faster pace, asks Israel to ease bans,
  Washington Post Blair to AP: West Bank downward spiral halted,
  both article-versions by Karin Laub, Associated Press (5 September 2008) - but growth is still slow largely because of Israeli restrictions - "... the World Bank said in a report in April that the Palestinian economy won't grow this year, largely due to Israeli movement restrictions.".
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution
  WORLD IN BRIEF: Border police guilty in kidnap rampage, from News Services (4 September 2008) - quote from article "Two Israeli border policemen were convicted of manslaughter after they kidnapped a Palestinian teenager and threw him from a moving jeep during a 2002 rampage in the West Bank city of Hebron. The men face up to 20 years in prison, the Justice Ministry said. According to prosecutors, Shachar Botbeka, Denis Alhazov and two other officers spent their last day of service in Hebron throwing tear gas and stun grenades and abducting four Palestinians. One of the victims, 17-year-old Amran Abu Hamadiya, struck his head on the road and died after being hurled from the jeep, which was traveling at 45- to 50 miles an hour, according to court documents. The two other border policemen in the case reached separate plea bargains."
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution
  2 police convicted in death of Palestinian teen, Associated Press (3 September 2008) - quote from article "Two Israeli border policemen have been convicted of manslaughter after they kidnapped a Palestinian teenager and threw him from a moving jeep during a 2002 rampage through the West Bank city of Hebron..."
• Chicago Tribune UN peacekeeper killed in blast while clearing unexploded ordnance in south Lebanon,
  Washington Post UN peacekeeper killed by blast in south Lebanon,
  both article-versions from the Associated Press (3 September 2008) - he was participating in a mine-clearing operation.
• Washington Post
  Group: Georgia admits to dropping cluster bombs, Associated Press (1 September 2008) - quote from article "A prominent human rights group says Georgia has admitted dropping cluster bombs in its military offensive to assert control over the restive province of South Ossetia. Human Rights Watch says it has received an official letter from Georgia's Defense Ministry that acknowledges use of the M85 cluster munition near the Roki tunnel that connects South Ossetia with Russia. The M85 is the same weapon that was used extensively by Israel in its 2006 war with Hezbollah in Lebanon."
• Chicago Tribune, Palestinians remain squeezed in Iraqi 'homeland' between fear and uncertain future,
  Boston Globe,
  Washington Post: Iraq's Palestinians still live in fear,
  both article-versions by Karin Laub and Sameer N. Yacoub, Associated Press (29 August 2008).
• Chicago Tribune Israeli peace pioneer Abie Nathan, who flew to Egypt and ran peace radio station, dead at 81,
  Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Washington Post: Israeli peace pioneer Abie Nathan dies at 81,
  both article-versions by Aron Heller, Associated Press (27 August 2008).
• Chicago Tribune Bank of China denies accusations in US lawsuit of aiding terrorists, says it will fight case,
  Washington Post Bank of China denies aiding terrorists,
  both article-versions from Associated Press (27 August 2008) - Israel accuses Chinese Bank of sending money to Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
• Washington Post
  Israeli peace pioneer Abie Nathan dies at 81, Reuters (27 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israel opens checkpoint for Palestinian traffic, Reuters (21 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Palestinians shoot back at Israelis -- with cameras, by Alistair Lyon, Reuters (20 August 2008) - Palestinian residents of Hebron complain of frequent attacks by Israeli settlers, and then the Israeli police and soldiers will do nothing, so human rights groups have begun supplying video cameras to the Palestinians so they can show the world what is going on. The article gives in-depth description of the situation with the settlers. The article also mentions that the settlements and land annexations are illegal.
• Washington Post
  Around the World: ISRAEL - No Charges in Killing, from News Services (14 August 2008) - quote from article "An Israeli tank crew who killed a Reuters cameraman and eight bystanders in the Gaza Strip four months ago acted properly and will not face legal action, Israel's senior military lawyer has concluded. The military advocate general told the international news agency in a letter sent Tuesday that troops could not see whether Fadel Shana was operating a camera or a weapon but were nonetheless justified in firing a shell packed with darts that killed him and eight other Palestinians ages 12 to 20."
• New York Times
  World Briefing | Middle East - Israel: No Penalty in Journalist’s Death, Associated Press (13 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Around the World: UNITED NATIONS - World Food Program Targets 16 Needy Spots, from News Services (13 August 2008) - the UN has included the Palestinian occupied territories amongst the most neediest spots for food assistance.
• Washington Post
  Israel clears troops in death of journalist, by Josef Federman, Associated Press (13 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israel clears troops who killed Reuters cameraman, Reuters (13 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Around the World: ISRAEL - Officer in Abuse Case Quits Command, by Nora Boustany, Associated Press (8 August 2008) - but he gets a position elsewhere in the Israeli military.
• Washington Post
  Officer in prisoner abuse video quits command, by Steve Weizman, Associated Press (7 August 2008).
• Chicago Tribune
  Gaza Palestinians to spy in exchange for treatment,
  Washington Post:
  Activists: Israel bullying ill Palestinians to spy:
  both articles by Diaa Hadid, Associated Press (4 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israel sends Gazans who fled Hamas to West Bank, by Mohammed Assadi, Reuters (4 August 2008).
• Washington Post
  Fleeing Hamas, Fatah men enter Israel, by Ibrahim Barzak, Associated Press (3 August 2008).
• Chicago Tribune
  In demographic race for Jerusalem, Palestinian discovers home is no longer home,
  Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Boston Globe,
  Washington Post:
  For Jerusalem Palestinians, home not always home,
  all 3 article versions by Karin Laub, Associated Press (2 August 2008) - this article describes how Israel is attempting to win the demographic race for Jerusalem using inhumane methods such as land policy, home demolitions, wall, discrimination in building permitting, etc., and yet is still losing.
• Chicago Tribune,
  Palestinians turn savvier in protesting Israel's West Bank separation barrier, but at a cost,
  Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Washington Post:
  Palestinian protests against barrier turn savvy,
  all 3 articles by Diaa Hadid, Associated Press (31 July 2008) - this article describes the inhumane impact of the wall on Palestinian villages, and their mostly non-violent protest strategizing in response.
• Boston Globe,
  Washington Post:
  Official: Palestinian boy killed by live round, by Mohammed Daraghmeh, Associated Press (30 July 2008).
• Boston Globe
  Boy dies by Israeli gunfire in West Bank, witnesses say (30 July 2008),
  Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Washington Post:
  Boy killed by Israeli fire in West Bank (29 July 2008),
  both articles by Diaa Hadid, Associated Press.
• Chicago Tribune
  Parched Palestinians plead with Israel for water to drink,
  Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Boston Globe,
  Washington Post:
  Palestinians call on Israel to rethink water deal,
  these articles by Mohammed Daraghmeh, Associated Press (27 July 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israeli soldier filmed shooting near Palestinian, by Diaa Hadid, Associated Press (21 July 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israeli army probes shooting of bound Palestinian, Reuters (21 July 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Washington Post:
  Israel shoots smuggler on Syrian border, Associated Press (19 July 2008).
• Washington Post
  Around the World: Israelis Kill Syrian Smuggler, from News Services (20 July 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israeli troops kill Syrian drugs smuggler: army, Reuters (19 July 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Washington Post:
  Israel didn't know of cluster bomb use, Associated Press (19 July 2008).
• Washington Post
  Reuters Top News Summary: Israel makes arrests in alleged plot against Bush, Reuters (19 July 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israel makes arrests in alleged plot against Bush, Reuters (18 July 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Israel arrests six on al-Qaida links,
  Washington Post - Israel arrests 6 men over al-Qaida links,
  both articles by Matti Friedman, Associated Press (18 July 2008).
• Washington Post
  Jewish-Muslim spat sours Saudi interfaith meeting, by Andrew Hay, Reuters (18 July 2008).
• Washington Post
  Freed Lebanese prisoners vow to fight Israel, by Zeina Karam, Associated Press (17 July 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Chicago Tribune,
  Washington Post:
  Israel fears Hezbollah attacks on northern border, by Laurie Copans, Associated Press (14 July 2008).
• Miami Herald
  Israeli troops kill gunman in West Bank clash, by Ali Daraghmeh, Associated Press (11 July 2008).
• Washington Post
  Around the World: THE MIDDLE EAST: Israelis Kill Gaza Youth, from News Services (11 July 2008).
• Washington Post
  Fayyad calls on Palestinians to defy Israeli army, Reuters (10 July 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Chicago Tribune,
  Denver Post,
  Philadelphia Inquirer,
  San Francisco Chronicle,
  Washington Post:
  Israel says 2 Arab citizens helped al-Qaida, by Laurie Copans, Associated Press (9 July 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Chicago Tribune,
  Philadelphia Inquirer,
  San Francisco Chronicle,
  Washington Post:
  Group: Palestinians shorted by West Bank police, by Diaa Hadid, Associated Press (9 July 2008)
  This article describes study showing unfair treatment of Palestinian civilians by Israeli police working in the occupied territories - the group is 'Yesh Din'.
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Chicago Tribune,
  Denver Post,
  Philadelphia Inquirer:
  Israel's separation barrier unchanged, by Diaa Hadid, Associated Press (9 July 2008) - Israeli military disobeys Israeli Supreme Court orders to move parts of separation wall, claiming budgetary problems.
• Washington Post
  West Bank taps run dry due to drought and Israeli controls, by Mohammed Assadi, Reuters (9 July 2008).
• Washington Post:
  Israel hindering Palestinian aid effort: officials, by Francois Murphy, Reuters (8 July 2008).
• Washington Post - At least 10 hurt at curfewed Palestinian town, by Rebecca Harrison, Reuters (7 July 2008).
  Washington Post - Israel extends curfew in Palestinian town, Reuters (7 July 2008)
  Boston Globe,
  Washington Post - Israel blocks West Bank village over protests, by Wafa Amr, Reuters (5 July 2008).
  These three articles describe violent confrontations between Israeli military and protesters (including Palestinian, Israeli and international) against the construction of the separation barrier near the West Bank Palestinian village of Nilin. One article also mentions the ICJ ruling against the wall.
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Chicago Tribune,
  San Francisco Chronicle,
  Washington Post:
  On sale now in Jerusalem: Priestly garments, by Matti Friedman, Associated Press (7 July 2008). This article describes a non-violent Jewish extremist group that advocates destroying the Al Aqsa mosques in order to rebuild the Jewish Temple, which the Palestinians find very provocative.
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Chicago Tribune,
  Denver Post,
  San Francisco Chronicle,
  Washington Post:
  Smugglers kill officer on Egypt's border with Israel, Associated Press (7 July 2008).
• Washington Post
  Victims of attacks in Israel sue Lebanese banks, Reuters (7 July 2008).
• Washington Post
  Jerusalem bulldozer killer acted alone: police, by Rebecca Harrison and Ori Lewis, Reuters (6 July 2008). This article mainly describes Israeli plans to destroy the family home of the Palestinian driver of the bulldozer including allowing demonstrators in support of demolition at the home by settlers and others. The article also describes the separation wall, and the annexation of East Jerusalem as not recognized by the international community.
• Washington Post
  Israeli troops kill Palestinian teen, Reuters (27 June 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Chicago Tribune,
  Philadelphia Inquirer,
  San Francisco Chronicle,
  Washington Post:
  Palestinians: 2 killed after army raid, by Ali Daraghmeh, Associated Press (24 June 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israeli forces kill 2 Palestinians in West Bank, by Atef Saad, Reuters (24 June 2008).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution
  Philadelphia Inquirer:
  Conference seeks to strengthen Palestinian police, by Geir Moulson, Associated Press (24 June 2008).
• Philadelphia Inquirer (22 June 2008),
  Washington Post (15 June 2008)
  West Bank poverty pushes boys into work force, by Muhammed Muhaisen, Associated Press (thus dropping out of school at very young age).
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
  Miami Herald,
  Philadelphia Inquirer,
  San Francisco Chronicle,
  Washington Post:
  Man killed sneaking from Egypt to Israel, by Ashraf Sweilam, Associated Press (19 June 2008).
• Washington Post
  2 indicted in death of Palestinian leader's son, by Hussein Dakroub, Associated Press (17 June 2008).
  (accused of working with Israeli intelligence)
• Washington Post
  West Bank poverty pushes boys into work force, by Muhammed Muhaisen, Associated Press (15 June 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israel curbs Palestinian building on disputed land, by Dalia Nammari, Associated Press (14 June 2008).
• Washington Post
  Palestinians take hard route to Beijing, by Kareem Khadder and Ori Lewis, Reuters (12 June 2008) (describes the struggle of Palestinian Olympic athletes training under Israeli occupation).
• Miami Herald
  Washington Post
  Israeli troops kill Gaza militant, Associated Press (8 June 2008).
• Miami Herald
  Washington Post
  Hamas fighter killed in Gaza fighting, Associated Press (6 June 2008).
• Washington Post
  Israel retaliates for Hamas shelling, kills 1, Associated Press (6 June 2008).
• Washington Post
  Egypt deploys hundreds of policemen on Gaza border, Reuters (6 June 2008).
• Boston Globe
  Bin Laden says Palestinians' cause at heart of terror fight, Associated Press (17 May 2008).