In this issue:

Open Letter to 'Palestinian Partisans' from a Commander of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising

State's AID Report Shows Palestinian Suffering Under Israeli Occupation

UN General Assembly Demands Israel Cease Military Incursions

Rumsfeld's 'Ugly American' Act Hits Palestine

Rumsfeld: 'Off the Reservation'

Arafat's Cabinet Ministers Meet Powell, as IDF Killings Escalate

Hamas Threat to Kill Sharon Follows Wave of IDF Assassinations

Iraq Invitations Weaken U.S. War Drive

From the Vol.1,No.23 issue of Electronic Intelligence Weekly
MIDEAST NEWS DIGEST

Open Letter to 'Palestinian Partisans' from a Commander of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising

Dr. Marek Edelman, the deputy commander of the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto uprising, (and the last surviving commander of the uprising,) wrote an open letter to the Palestinians to end violence and open negotiations. The letter, reported in the Israeli daily Ha'aretz Aug. 9, is extraordinary, and is causing great consternation in Israel. It was released shortly after EIR's expose of the use of Nazi Warsaw Ghetto tactics against the Palestinians.

The letter, an urgent call for peace, is unique, in that it does not mention the word "terrorism" once, and is addressed to Palestinian "partisans." Edelman is not a Zionist, and lives in Poland.

Edelman addresses "the commanders of the Palestinians' armed organizations and the partisan organizations, and the soldiers of the armed Palestinians organizations." He writes that, "In 1943, we fought for the life of Jewish society in Warsaw. We fought solely for life, not territory and not for national identity.... Our weapons were never aimed at a defenseless civilian population. We did not kill women and children."

He goes on to say that, "To this day, a partisan struggle in the cities has never succeeded anywhere in the world, but the armies we fought against also never won. This war also will not lead to any solution. Once again, blood will be spilled needlessly, and people on both sides will lose their lives."

He said that in the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, "we never gambled with our lives. We never sent our soldiers to a certain death. After all, you only live once. A man must not take another's life. It is time for everyone to understand that."

He advises the Palestinians to learn from the Irish, where "ardent enemies sat around the same table," and from the fall of the Communist regime in Poland, "which was brought down without a single shot."

Edelman then addresses both sides: "You and the state of Israel must alter your approach.... You must want peace in order to save the lives of hundreds if not thousands of people to create a better future for your relatives and children." He says he decided to write to "the commanders of the armed organizations" because of his experience, which has found that they have the biggest influence, compared to civil and political elements.

Edelman writes that a possible mediator does not have to be "a politician." Instead, "A man with an unshakeable moral authority, who puts living in peace and honor, above all political goals, is preferable."

Simha Rotem, another former Warsaw Ghetto fighter, who brought the letter to Israel, suggested that Edelman could play the role of mediator.

Edelman was a member of the Bund, and became a deputy commander of the Jewish Fighting Organization (ZOB) during the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. He stayed in Poland after the war instead of going to Israel, because he didn't support Zionism. He was imprisoned during the military regime in Poland in the 1980s, and later joined Solidarnosc.

The open letter is an initiative that appears to have followed discussions which included Palestinians.

State's AID Report Shows Palestinian Suffering Under Israeli Occupation

A report by the State Department's Agency for International Development (U.S.AID) says that "a humanitarian emergency" exists in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; with children five years and under, and women at risk. Preliminary findings of a U.S.AID-sponsored study to uncover the extent of food shortages and humanitarian needs since September 2000 in the West Bank and Gaza Strip (WBGS) conclude that the "WBGS, and especially the Gaza Strip, face a distinct humanitarian emergency in regards to acute moderate and severe malnutrition," which is exacerbated by Israeli military "curfews, incursions, border closures, and checkpoints" which disrupt supplies of food.

The survey shows that, cumulatively, 54.5% of Palestinian children from six months to five years of age suffer from either acute or chronic malnutrition, which includes severe, moderate, and mild cases of malnutrition. The various categories of hunger for these children break down as follows:

*9.3% of Palestinian children in the occupied territories (WBGS) suffer from a "acute malnutrition or wasting," which the report describes as "inadequate nutrition in the short term."

*13.2% are chronically under-nourished, "implying a state of long-term undernutrition."

*The cumulative number of children of severe, moderate, and mild cases of malnutrition is 22.2%.

The situation in the Gaza Strip is worse than the West Bank, where 17.5% of children are victims of chronic malnutrition, compared to 3.5% in the West Bank.

Another metric used in the survey, was the incidence of anemia found in children and women in the WBGS. Anemia is a by-product of malnutrition, which can cause impaired learning and growth (in children), low birth weight and/or premature infants, fatigue and diminished physical and mental activity (in adults), and decreased immunity from infectious diseases (all ages). The report found, to date, "Nearly one-fifth of Palestinian children (six months to five years) are moderately and/or severely anemic" across the whole WBGS. Specifically, 19.7% suffer from severe or moderate anemia. If one adds to this the number of "mild" cases of anemia in these children, then cumulatively an incredible 43.8% of WBGS children suffer from anemia.

Anemia was also measured in women ages 15 to 49 years. Ten-point-eight percent of women suffer from severe to moderate anemia. Add to this the number of "mild" cases, and the percentage shoots up to 48.6%.

An InDepth report is planned for EIW next week.

UN General Assembly Demands Israel Cease Military Incursions

A United Nations General Assembly resolution, passed on Aug. 5, demands a cessation of Israel's military incursions, and the withdrawal of Israeli occupying forces from Palestinian areas to the positions held prior to September 2000. It also demands the sending of urgently needed assistance and services to help in alleviating the "current dire humanitarian situation facing the Palestinian people, and to assist in rebuilding and revitalizing the Palestinian economy." The resolution will not change the situation on the ground, and is weaker than the original version submitted by Egypt, Qatar, Sudan, and Palestine, but the discussion around it reflects the growing international concern over the humanitarian catastrophe developing in Palestine. One hundred fourteen nations voted for it, and only four against it: Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, the United States, and Israel. Eleven other nations abstained.

Rumsfeld's 'Ugly American' Act Hits Palestine

U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld completely embraced Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories, becoming first U.S. cabinet member, since 1967, to endorse the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The foolish remarks by Rumsfeld, who appears increasingly short-tempered, nasty, and dishonest at briefings and press conferences, have already been denounced by some State Department spokesmen, and even by the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Daniel Kurtzer.

Furthermore, Rumsfeld's anti-Palestinian stupidity erupted the same day, Aug. 6, that the Washington Post revealed that a low-level RAND analyst, one Laurent Murawiec, had been brought into the Defense Policy Board, by suspected Israeli agent, and war-plotter, Richard Perle, to motivate U.S. attacks on Saudi Arabia, including seizing the oilfields, and overthrowing the Saudi royal family (see article, InDepth). Within 24 hours, the Defense Department had to "clarify" (i.e., retract) both Rumsfeld's occupation remarks, and the anti-Saudi briefing, leaving observers to wonder if Rumsfeld is working for the Likud Party, the "Wolfowitz cabal" or both, against the President of the U.S.A.

Regarding Palestine, Rumsfeld told a Pentagon "town meeting" for employees on Aug. 6, that, "My feelings about the so-called Occupied Territories are that there was a war. Israel urged neighboring countries not to get involved in it once it started. They all jumped in and they lost a lot of real estate to Israel because Israel prevailed in the conflict." Not only is this contrary to U.S. official policy, but is simply not true. If you attack your neighbor, as Israel did in 1967, how would he not get involved?

Continuing this unique interpretation of history, Rumsfeld reportedly said that Israel has repeatedly offered to pull back from the territories, but "at no point has it been agreed upon by the other side." He then attacked the Palestinian Authority (which was beginning meetings with Secretary of State Colin Powell the next day in Washington), saying, "Maybe it will take some Palestinian expatriots coming back into the region and providing the kind of responsible government that would give confidence that you could make an arrangement with that would stick." As for the settlements, he said "Focussing on the settlements ... misses the point. Settlements in ... the so-called occupied areas ... (were) the result of war, which the [Israelis] won."

Rumsfeld: 'Off the Reservation'

The anti-Palestinian statements by Rumsfeld pit him against 35 year of U.S. policy, and against the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly, which denounced the Israeli occupation.

A senior Israeli intelligence source commented to EIR on Aug. 7 that Rumsfeld should be confronted in public on his outrageous statement. "What's the difference between Saddam Hussein invading, Kuwait and Israel invading the West Bank?" He wondered why the question has not been brought up at the Defense Department or State Department press briefings.

According to U.S. Today, Tamara Wittes of the Middle East Institute ridiculed Rumsfeld, saying, "The idea of calling into question the illegitimacy of the acquisition of territory by force is odd, to say the least. It runs a little bit off the reservation."

Arafat's Cabinet Ministers Meet Powell, as IDF Killings Escalate

Palestinian advisor to President Yasser Arafat, Saeb Erekat, asked a Washington press conference on Aug. 7, "Where do you think I come from— from Mars? I am part of President Arafat's leadership." Erekat was referring to Rumsfeld's statements that Israel could not be transferring territory to the Palestinian Authority because of the PA's terrorist links. "I thought there was only American foreign policy," said Erekat, who is in Washington for meetings with Secretary of State Powell and other Administration officials, along with two other members of Arafat's cabinet. Erekat said that "We will not accept Israeli occupation under any circumstances," and said that the removal of Arafat is "unacceptable. Arafat is the elected President of the Palestinian people and the alternative to him is chaos."

In fact, Erekat's rhetorical question about how many policies does the Bush Administration have, is not a joke. Aside from the intense internal battle, where the "Clash of Civilizations" cabal is trying to force Bush's hand in invading Iraq, there is also the factor that President Bush is furious with Ariel Sharon. Bush reportedly now sees— after the Gaza Strip massacre of Palestinian civilians, including infants and children— that Sharon is deliberately using bloodshed to wipe out progress in any negotiations.

In a press conference with Powell on Aug. 8, Erekat reported that the Palestinian delegation, which included the Cabinet Ministers for Commerce and Security, had held a "very in-depth, serious discussion" on four tracks: the political track; the human catastrophe that's facing the Palestinian people; security, and reform.

"And I would like to say to the Secretary that the Palestinian reform is Palestinian reform," emphasized Erekat. "It's done for Palestinian interests by Palestinian will, and it's not being dictated by anybody. And we hope that this reform will be helped and encouraged by starving the attempts of deform that the Israeli re-occupation constitute as far as our towns, villages, and refugee camps, which have turned out to be the biggest prison in history."

With Powell next to him, Erekat stressed that, "50% of Palestinian children under the age of five are facing malnutrition; 48% of Palestinian women are anemic; 1/3 of the Palestinian population live on hand-outs. There is a serious threat for outbreak of diseases." (see above report by U.S.AID) He said they appreciate that Powell already spoke to Kofi Annan about the "human disaster that's engulfing 3.3 million Palestinians."

Erekat added, "The Secretary assured me, and asked me to convey to the Palestinian people and the Palestinian leadership, the commitment of this Administration as far as the political outline, whether outlined by President Bush's speech at the United Nations or Secretary Powell's speech in November, and also Prince Abdullah's initiative which was adopted by the Arab League, 242, 338, that the endgame is specified with a Palestinian state." He said that they "hope" to see the timelines for this "endgame." The next phase of the talks is about security.

Hamas Threat to Kill Sharon Follows Wave of IDF Assassinations

During the week of Aug. 5-10, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) carried out a record number of assassinations of Palestinian militants. At the same time, the Israeli Supreme Court authorized the demolition of 43 homes of Palestinians who are "related to" suicide terrorists. The Court decided that these demolitions— without warning— are okay, because Israel is "in the middle of a war."

The IDF assassinations which have especially hit Hamas, have now prompted a counter-threat against Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his son. After IDF snipers killed Hussam Hamdan, 27, a member of Hamas's military wing, in revenge, said Hamas leader Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi, "I demand and urge the military apparatus of Hamas to target ... Sharon personally and to target his house and his son."

Aug. 7 was one of the bloodiest days of the war, with the IDF killing six Palestinians— five of them "militants," and one policeman. The IDF killings took place while the Shin Beth was engaged in "security talks" with Palestinian security officials, including Gaza leader Muhammed Dahlan, and as Palestinian Interior Minister Yahiyah arrived in Washington, D.C., for talks with the Bush Administration.

Iraq Invitations Weaken U.S. War Drive

Despite bellicose statements from White House and NSC spokesmen, deriding Iraqi invitations to the UN and to the U.S. Congress to come to Baghdad to discuss weapons inspections, the Iraqi diplomatic initiatives are winning over more opponents to the war against Iraq. Unfortunately, the U.S. is stubbornly slamming the door on any diplomacy— a position rejected by European and other governments.

On Aug. 4, the Arabic-language Al-Hayat newspaper reported that the UN's Chief Weapons Inspector Hans Blix turned down the Iraqi invitation. Reflecting the U.S. opposition, he said, "Psychologically, I think it would be better that an official of my political standing does not go to Baghdad before [the Iraqis] accept inspections," because it would "raise expectations without foundation."

Blix cautioned that "The situation will be much worse if I visited Baghdad and the talks fail. We do not want hopes raised." But, he left the door open.

One day later, Iraq invited members of the U.S. Congress to visit Iraq and "inspect." In a letter to Congressmen, the Speaker of the Iraqi National Assembly, Dr. Sadoun Hammadi, said that the main cause of hostilities has been the lack of contact between the two countries, and also the lack of information.

Hammadi's invitation followed that from Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri, to the UN's Hans Blix. Excerpts from the text follow:

"My colleagues in the Iraqi National Assembly and I have watched with interest statements made by a number of U.S. legislators, such as Senator Arlen Specter and Representative Dennis J. Kucinich, in which they remind President George W. Bush that, according to the Constitution of the United States of America, it is the authority of the U.S. Congress to wage war, including the now threatened war against Iraq. This has prompted me, encouraged also by my fellow legislators in the Iraqi National Assembly, to address this letter to you:

"Sirs,

"One of the biggest problems that has existed since 1990 between our people and country, on the one hand, and the successive U.S. administrations on the other, along with the stubborn injustice and incessant aggression and destruction inflicted upon our country and people, and the comprehensive blockade unjustly imposed on our population for twelve years now, has been the absence of all channels of dialogue between our two countries... This has meant that your Congress and, hence, the American people, have unfortunately been deprived of any genuine opportunity to see the facts of the situation for what they really are, ... so that they would neither do themselves the injustice of deciding and acting on ignorance, nor bring injustice to those affected by their decisions. ...

"I hereby extend, on behalf of the National Assembly of Iraq, an invitation for a delegation to visit Iraq, comprising whatever number of Congressmen you see fit, accompanied by experts in the fields you deem relevant to the purpose of the visit, i.e., chemical, biological, and nuclear. The members of such a delegation will no doubt be equipped with whatever data your government chooses to supply them with in substantiation of its misguided claim that Iraq has produced chemical and biological weapons, and is in the process of constructing nuclear weapons."

While the U.S. Congressmen, under the thumb of the right-wing neo-cons, and Likudnik Joe Lieberman, refused, other international parliamentarians are planning such trips, leaving the U.S. further exposed as a superpower imitation of war criminal Ariel Sharon's refusal to ever negotiate with the leaders of Palestine.

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