Yesh Din, Bimkom, and HaMoked highlight the close link between “settlement, violence, and [. . .] fragmentation” jointly perpetrated by Israeli settlers and soldiers, following Minister Smotrich's directive, “maximum territory with minimum population.” They welcome the decision by the UK and 12 other countries to ban imports from settlements.
Government wants higher turnout to show president is in charge of the country. In fact he faces serious difficulties and does not want an international tribunal into the assassination of Lebanese ex-PM Hariri.
A bomb explosion has wounded at least five people. The Nahr el Bared ceasefire holds, but the Defence minister repeats his ultimatum that Fatah al Islam rebels give in or face a massive military incursion. France’s Foreign minister arrives today.
Accusations against the PKK followed a little too quickly and the terrorist group vehemently denies involvement. The attack comes after a spate of violence which seems bent on derailing the reform process which the country is struggling to implement.
In an official statement the Iraqi cabinet pledges protection to Christian families persecuted by Islamic extremists and condemns all violence perpetrated against the Christian community. Christians in Iraq welcome favourably the government’s statement, but call for “concrete steps”. Muslim religious leaders speak out in defence of their “Christian brothers”.
No one has so far claimed responsibility for yesterday’s bomb attack on the commercial heart of the Turkish capital, which upon till now had remained untouched by violence. Maximum reserve surrounding investigations: the type of explosive found on the site –A-4 plastic explosive – leading to suspicions of Kurdish rebel involvement. But the possibility of a suicide bomber behind the attack is not excluded.
Solana, on visit to Beirut, express European solidarity with the population, army and government of Beirut. On the round, food water and electricity run out but Fatah al-Islam terrorists refuse to give in.
The offer of a ceasefire between the Lebanese army and Fatah Islam falls on deaf ears; the offensive targeting the Palestinian refugee camp Nahr al-Bared resumes. This morning three soldiers are killed, one of them a 24 year old youth. In Beirut a car bomb explodes in the Sunni quarter wounding 7 people. According to the procurator general the violence in the North and the attacks on Beirut have “strong links”.
Gulf Cooperation Council interior ministers agree to joint support for regional and international efforts to combat the problem, voice support for Iraq and appeal to international community on behalf of Palestinians.
Fr. Nawzat P. Hanna was released yesterday after three days in captivity. Currently he is in safe keeping in the capital, but he bares marks of having been beaten. Baghdad’s auxiliary bishop: “Let u spray that these episodes do not happen again and that our priest finds the courage to remain in Iraq, to serve his Church”.
Battles continue in the Northern city in the aftermath of yesterday’s violence between the army and militants from the Palestinian group linked to al Qaeda. Political leaders and population are unanimous in their condemnation. Even the Sunni Mufti accuses the group of misusing Islam. Patriarch Sfeir condemns the clashes.
Msgr. Warduni confirms: “we are in constant contact with his abductors, and we are praying for his release”. Rumours, spread yesterday, of Fr Nawzat’s release are quashed. The priest is now in his third day of captivity. Meanwhile the Christian exodus from the capital continues: an NGO in Dora counts the remaining families and urges then not to flee.
Death comes everyday to the Gaza Strip from Israeli attacks and Palestinian factional infighting, while in Sderot people live in terror of rocket attacks. Israel, Egypt, the United States, the United Nations, and the European Union are slow in seeking the only possible solution: a peace treaty between two states based on mutual security and prosperity.
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