PM Fayyad says Palestinians are committed to green development as well
as independence. Palestinian state building efforts extend into
occupied East Jerusalem. The eviction of a Palestinian family by
settlers in Jerusalem and new Israeli legislation requiring
referendums on peace deals stir tensions. Palestinian courts differ on
punishing land sales to Israelis. Occupation forces destroy a
Palestinian home in Jerusalem. Pres. Abbas says PLO headquarters will
eventually be in Jerusalem. Hamas officials say Fatah officials can
only leave the Gaza Strip if Hamas operatives are released in the West
Bank. Doubts persist about progress on peace. Israel's claims to
Jerusalem leave it internationally isolated. Ha'aretz says Israel's
leaders have handcuffed themselves to the extreme right. Amira Hass
says Israeli generals and not just soldiers should face charges over
the use of human shields. Palestinians clash with occupation forces
over home demolitions. 100 leading Norwegians call for a cultural
boycott of Israel because of the occupation. Alon Ben-Meir says Robert
Wexler would make a good Mideast envoy. Palestinians might use the
Kosovo model for a declaration of independence. The Forward profiles
an Israeli Bedouin diplomat. PLO officials say they will insist on a
complete settlement halt.
American Task Force on Palestine - 1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20006 - Telephone: 202-262-0017