The IDF arrests 2 Palestinian fishermen who stray into a closed military zone off the coast of Gaza, blows up their boat “as a precautionary measure”; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis. An Israeli court upholds an IDF order to demolish 120 newly built Palestinian homes in Bayt Sahur; the Palestinian Christian group Arab Orthodox Housing Project, which constructed the houses, appeals to the Israeli High Court. (ICHAD, JP 5/6; PCHR 5/8)
Bush names career diplomat Paul Bremer as presidential envoy to Iraq to serve as civilian administrator of Iraq, with seniority over Garner. Bush made the change to elicit more financial assistance fr. countries that had been withholding support out of discomfort over the “military hue” of U.S. reconstruction efforts. Since retiring fr. government in 1989, Bremer has worked with Henry Kissinger’s consulting firm. (NYT, WP, WT 5/7)