OPT: Where have all the trucks gone? Gaza's goods crossings appear as quiet as the surrounding Negev
The roads to Gaza were long, dusty and, apart from Israeli military vehicles, almost completely empty on October 24 as tanks doing military exercises were far more prevalent than trucks carrying goods towards the border. The crossings are the only way Gaza can receive goods and Israel has been blockading them since June, recently tightening the blockade further with cuts to fuel and pending cuts to electricity. The once busy checkpoint crossings now lie empty.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/SSHN-78GK3J?OpenDocument&rc=3&emid=ACOS-635PFR

Palestinian Primary School in Fasayil to be demolished on the 29th of November!
On the Thursday, the 17th of October the Israeli Occupation Forces issued a demolition order for Fasayil's primary school and yet another Palestinian family's home in the village. Construction work requires a permit from the Occupation authorities but since the occupation of the West Bank in 1967 not one has been granted. The systematic ban on destruction is clearly aiming at driving out Palestinians of the Jordan Valley.
http://stopthewall.org/latestnews/1542.shtml

Another Voice: RAISE YOUR VOICE PALESTINE! *** C O N C E R T ***
[RAMALLAH] Palestinian grassroots activists and organizations will hold a free outdoor concert on Wednesday, October 31, calling for a just peace based on respect for human rights and international law. The concert will bring Palestinian folklore together with rap, and poetry together with politics, as Palestinians raise their voices for freedom, justice and unity. Artists who are contributing their talents to this event include Reem Talhami, Jamil Al-Sayeh, DAM, Boikutt (Ramallah Underground), the Al Awda Dabkeh Troupe, Yalalan and more. In addition, words from the Bishop Attallah Hanna, the Refugee Right to Return Coalition, the Bil'in Popular Committee, and the Boycott, Sanctions, and Divestment Campaign.
http://www.palsolidarity.org/main/2007/10/30/another-voice-raise-your-voice-palestine/

Human rights organizations petition supreme court demanding an injunction against Israeli government
The petitioners argued that, contrary to the governments' claims that the population of Gaza will be only slightly harmed, the implementation of this decision could cause widespread humanitarian damage.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/SSHN-78FHZ6?OpenDocument


Israel is the worst colonial regime: UN special rapporteur
"The Israeli occupation is a colonial regime and an illegal military occupation from the UN's point of view, it continues to annex more Palestinian lands; and thus the Israeli occupation is the worst in the history of colonialism," Ziegler stated in a TV interview.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/en/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MDI46m9rUxJEpMO%2bi1s7leKnnQwmY9duRHZ09yVBqV%2fphl5aopldmusl%2bua7P5TW300dIVvWcHJnTWasRg3bcbYdgKJrCu1eyPsUMRVnl%2fX56Xpaqlv37tbMzwshG3w%3d

Russia condemns 'isolation' of Gaza
Russia attacked Israel's sanctions against the Gaza Strip on Monday, condemning the "isolation" of the Palestinian territory through fuel and power cuts which it said would fail to reduce extremism. "The isolation and the reprisals which affect the most basic needs of the civilian population have little chance of being a method for fighting extremism," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
http://www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.php?area=mideast&item=071029171951.qc1g72xq.php

European commissioner slams Gaza sanctions
In a meeting with President Peres, Benito Ferrero-Waldner blasts Israel's plan to cut power supply to Strip; warns failure of Annapolis conference may cause further escalation.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3465284,00.html

France criticizes Israel's˜collective punishmen"of Palestinians
The spokesperson for the French Foreign Ministry on Monday issued a statement condemning the Israeli decision to cut fuel supplies and electricity to the people of Gaza.
http://www.imemc.org/article/51161

Israel's decision to cut power in Gaza is illegal, says UN
The UN's top official in Gaza will tell British ministers today that Israel's cuts in fuel and power to the Palestinians violate international law, while the isolation of Hamas has strengthened extremism and started to drive non-affiliated moderates who can leave Gaza to do so.
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article3109896.ece

Israel told not to cut Gaza power
Israel's attorney-general has told the government it can not cut electrical power to the Gaza Strip as part of its sanctions against the Hamas controlled territory.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/A833EBAD-917F-4B90-AC2D-E92CE9AD9E15.htm

Israeli Attorney General prohibits Gaza electricity cut-off; allows blockade
The Israeli Attorney General, Menachem Mazuz, ruled on Monday that he is requiring the Israeli government to temporarily delay its plan to cut off electricity to the 1.4 million residents of the Gaza Strip, but he added that it is acceptable for Israel to cut Gaza off from the outside world.
http://www.imemc.org/article/51162

Cutting off Gaza power could result in environmental disaster outside Strip as well
On September 19, 2007 the Israeli government decided to adopt sanctions against the civilian population in the "hostile entity" of Gaza. Every Qassam that lands in Israel will come with a price tag: cutting off the electricity or fuel supply, based on the assumption that undermining the normal day-to-day lives of Gaza residents would have positive political implications for Israel.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3465227,00.html

Israeli army invades Bil'in village; kidnaps one international
The Israeli army on Tuesday invaded the village of Bil'in, located near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, kidnapping one international.
http://www.imemc.org/article/51172

Palestinian family attacked; Mother kidnapped
Israeli forces on Tuesday attacked the home of a Palestinian family near the northern West Bank city of Jenin, kidnapping one woman in the process.
http://www.imemc.org/article/51178

Israeli settlers release waste-water on Palestinian land
Israeli settlers from the illegal settlement of Alon Mureh, located near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, on Tuesday released a quantity of waste-water on Palestinian-owned land in the area.
http://www.imemc.org/article/51181

IDF reservist killed in gunbattles in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza
Five other soldiers hurt in West Bank and Gaza, one seriously; Hamas gunman also killed in Khan Yunis.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/918073.html

Hamas: PA security forces arrested 12 Hamas members in the W. Bank on Sunday
Hamas sources reported on Monday that Palestinian Security Forces, loyal to Fateh movement, in the West Bank, arrested on Sunday twelve Hamas members and supporters in Nablus, Jenin, and Tulkarem districts.
http://www.imemc.org/article/51164

Report: 360 Palestinian children are imprisoned by Israel, facing harsh conditions
The Wa'ed Society for political prisoners and ex-prisoner, reported on Monday that the Israeli army continued its violations against the Palestinian people, continued the arrest campaign.
http://www.imemc.org/article/51165

Syrians stage sit-in to demand Israeli release of prisoners
Dozens of Syrians staged a sit-in outside the offices of the International Red Cross in Damascus on Tuesday to demand that Israel release Syrian and other Arab prisoners from its jails.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=918525&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1

Jews worldwide to rally for kidnapped IDF soldiers
Jewish communities worldwide will hold prayer vigils for Israel's three kidnapped soldiers on Tuesday as part of a World Solidarity Day, slated to be the largest solidarity event for the three to date.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=918240&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1

24 hurt in clash between police, Druze in Galilee
Eight Druze residents and twelve policemen were injured Thursday morning when clashes erupted in the Druze village of Peki'in in the Western Galilee between police and local residents. Two of the Druze residents and one of the policemen were seriously injured. Peki'in residents said that police fired live ammunition and tear gas towards a group of Druze youths during the clashes.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=918498&contrassID=1&subContrassID=7

Video: From inside Israel's Ketziot prison
Via a smuggled cellphone, Palestinian prisoner speaks of the Ketziot prison clash of October 22.
http://palestinianpundit.blogspot.com/2007/10/video-from-inside-israels-ketziot.html

American firms to advise Palestinians on security forces
American firms selected by the the U.S. administration will advise the Palestinian Authority on the organization, training and equipment of its security forces, according to Jacob Walles, American consul general in Jerusalem.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=918241&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1

Israel sees Palestinians too "exhausted" to rebel
Israeli intelligence believes that Palestinians would lack the will for a new popular uprising against occupation should an upcoming peace conference fail to meet their expectations, a senior official said on Monday.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071029/wl_nm/palestinians_israel_uprising_dc_1;_ylt=Ar5roXNTplC9.gvTo8rYf3sUvioA

ANALYSIS: IDF's tactical upper hand over Hamas is shrinking
The casualties Israel has suffered during offensive operations in the Gaza Strip - three dead in the past three months - hint at a troubling trend: The Israel Defense Forces' tactical advantage over Hamas in Gaza is shrinking.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/918243.html

Archbishop Hana: Jerusalem should be placed at top of agenda
The Christian Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia, Attallah Hana, on Tuesday called on called on the Palestinian negotiating team to place the status of Jerusalem at the top of the agenda at the upcoming Annapolis conference.
http://www.imemc.org/article/51182

PA negotiator: No talks without timeline for Palestinian state
The chief Palestinian peace negotiator said Tuesday that there would be no talks with Israel unless a deadline is set for establishing a Palestinian state. Palestinian officials have repeatedly said they want a detailed timeline for talks that are expected to begin in earnest after a U.S.-sponsored Mideast conference in November or December.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=918557&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1

Advisor to Abbas: Palestinians demand the Jewish neighborhoods in eastern Jerusalem
A PALESTINIAN VIEW-A closed file an interview with Adnan Husseini.
http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=36597

Abbas urged to stop meeting Israeli officials
"Calling off all the scheduled meetings with Israeli officials is the best reaction to the Israeli imposing of collective punishment on our people in Gaza," the statement said.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-10/29/content_6971825.htm

Al-Qassam Brigades: we will attack Israel should targeted assassinations continue
A spokesperson for the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, on Tuesday stated that the group would strike inside Israeli territory should Israel not halt its policy of targeted assassination across the Palestinian territories.
http://www.imemc.org/article/51177

Ashrawi: Palestinians face one of most difficult phases in their history
The Palestinian people have plunged into a deep depression with unemployment and poverty at record levels, and peace with Israel is the only answer, longtime Palestinian lawmaker Hanan Ashrawi said Monday.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=918475&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1

Mayor: 'Concessions in Jerusalem akin to disembowelment'
Uri Lupolianski slams Cabinet's apparent willingness to cede control of several neighborhoods in capital as part of final deal with Palestinians. Deputy Prime Minister Lieberman relents that refugee camps adjacent to city are burden but says Israeli sovereignty over Old City, neighborhoods non-negotiable.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3465550,00.html

Palestinian census carries sobering subtext for Israelis
An expected spike in population could loom large in future negotiations with Israel.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1030/p07s01-wome.html

Iranian foreign minister meets Hamas officials in Syrian capital
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki met in Damascus Monday with Palestinian officials, including some from the militant Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups, a week before a meeting in Syria meant to counter a U.S.-hosted Mideast conference in the fall.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=918238&contrassID=1&subContrassID=1

Grand-Children of the Holocaust turning Gaza into another Ghetto Warsaw
While the world is looking on passively, Israel is perfecting its strangulation of the Gaza Strip's 1.4 million civilians. On Sunday, Oct. 28, the Israeli army reduced by more than 20% fuel supplies to the Strip. More cuts are slated to take place in the next few days and weeks, according to Israeli officials.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/en/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%252bcOd87MDI46m9rUxJEpMO%252bi1s7DLkNC%252b%252f4vak6rR2HiVWprBb7Me2r5M%252bigURF8BeDHoVqOcCfgizQwPrKOfeRGqPPZGfUeOi18PVftUAvm4PP8TSZKDJWcxieA2ZobXpIVlg%253d

Palestine asks FIFA to reschedule Singapore match
The Palestine football federation urged FIFA on Monday to re-schedule its qualifier with Singapore for the 2010 World Cup explaining its no show on the pitch because Israel denied them travel permits.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071029/wl_mideast_afp/fblwc2010asiasinple_071029193846;_ylt=ArOEWb0_TbuA4RjVFyADxnIUvioA

Hamas boy band to bring harmony to Gaza
Hamas militants have launched a new weapon in their struggle with Israel: a troupe of honey-voiced singers known as Protectors of the Homeland. Wearing crisply pressed fatigues in urban camouflage blue, the six band members gather each day to practise in an old office within the Gaza City police headquarters.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/30/wisrael230.xml

The easiest solution
Twenty-four Palestinian and Israeli men and women sat outdoors in a circle on a sleepy street in al-Ram, Palestine. Spread about the garden and into the house-office are five other groups of similar size and make-up. For many, it is the first time to a Combatants For Peace event. Most of them have never even met someone from the "other side" before except in the worst of circumstances in very different roles. You can tell who the new ones are right away by the way they hang back and observe.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article9063.shtml

It's Judeo-Fascism Month in Israel
You may have noticed that conservative students and their mentors have just concluded "Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week" on American college campuses. The goal, according to the David Horowitz Freedom Center, was to "draw attention to a leading issue of our time, radical Islam and terrorism."
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=918502&contrassID=1&subContrassID=7