August 5, 2005

The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Dura and Hebron (occupying 1 house in each as an observation post), Nablus, Nur al-Shams r.c.; fires on residential areas of Rafah. Israeli Palestinians observe a day-long general strike to protest the 8/4 Shafa ‘Amr attack. (HA, IMEMC 8/5; PCHR 8/11)

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) targets for “progressive engagement” 5 corporations (Caterpillar, Citigroup, ITT Industries, Motorola, United Technologies) it believes “contribute to the ongoing violence that plagues Israel and Palestine.” The church, as shareholders in these companies, will lobby them to halt actions that support occupation, threaten to divest if they do not. (AP, HA 8/5; Boston Globe, Seattle Times, NYT 8/6; CSM 8/8)