Israel’s Bank Hapoalim and Discount Bank announce plans to terminate all dealings with banks in Gaza, fearing prosecution in light of Israel’s 9/19 declaration of Gaza as “hostile territory”; at Israel’s request, the suspensions are delayed until Israel’s Postal Bank can expand operations to assume sole control of clearing international financial transactions with Gaza. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-Bireh (raiding the home of Palestinian Council [PC] mbr. Maryam Saleh [Change and Reform], confiscating a computer and documents, arresting her son), Nablus and nr. Bethlehem, Ramallah. Jewish settlers and right-wing activists announce plans to set up 5 new unauthorized outposts in the West Bank; 1,000s of activists are expected to take part in the effort during the upcoming week-long Sukkoth holiday 9/27–10/2. (NYT 9/26; OCHA 9/26; PCHR 9/27)
Tuesday, September 25, 2007