This is the most incredible and heinous form of reporting I've seen in a long while. While I would argue that Sharon is a war criminal bent on destroying the possibility of a Palestinian state, these accusations are totally baseless, and do more to discredit the opposition than they do to bolster it.

No wonder you wouldn't bother putting an email address up for verification.

I don't understand why anyone would bother responding to such a crazy story. Such postings should be left to die a lonely death.

It is obvious to me that the posting was done by a jerk and a trouble-maker. It was not done by any rational, responsible pro-Palestinian person. It would by my guess, that this posting was done by a Pro-Israeli person in order to smear progressive voices.

Most of us have seen equally absurd anti-Palestinian postings by alledged Israeli supporters.

Those of us who defend free speech know that all crap of this kind, by anyone, does a diservice to IMC.

jerusalem.indymedia.org/news/2002/03/1269.php

No Movement Possible: Inhabitants of the city are under complete curfew. There is absolutely no freedom of movement, even for ambulances, doctors or international agencies, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). There is no medical access. Palestine Red Crescent medical relief workers have not been permitted to provide medical services to the local population. Israeli forces are firing on anyone walking out on the streets.

On Thursday, based on fears of an Israeli re-invasion, more than 500 inhabitants, including foreign nationals, lined up in the mud and rain at the Qalandiya checkpoint--the only exit point from the city allowed by Israel--begging Israeli soldiers to allow them to escape. In response, Israeli soldiers fired over their heads, exacerbating the panic and causing most to simply return to Ramallah.

Israeli Forces Using Human Shields: Israeli soldiers are occupying an increasing number of private residences and detaining the residents collectively in single rooms, with little or no access to telephone lines, news coverage or even food and water. In some cases, tens of civilians (including entire families) are being held in one room. Meanwhile, Israeli occupation soldiers have taken up armed positions in the houses or apartments of these residents. Civilian detainees include foreign nationals.

No Access to the City: The ICRC, the UN and other humanitarian agencies are unable to access the city or to access the civilian detainees and other prisoners.

Food Resources Limited: There is no food entering Ramallah and no one is allowed to restock. There will shortly be a food and drinking water crisis. Some parts of Ramallah are already without water altogether. Israeli soldiers are also eating the food of residents while taking up positions in their houses.

Electricity Being Cut: Large parts of Ramallah are without electricity and heat. The weather has been raining and unseasonably cold - residents have been struggling to keep warm. The lack of electricity also means that residents are without television and any news reporting of the situation outside their homes. Many residents of the city rely on cellular phones for communication and without electricity they are unable to recharge their phones. Therefore, the population is being held in isolation and there is increasing fear and confusion. Also, some telephone landlines have been cut.

Prisoners Being Taken: Israeli forces are taking Palestinians prisoner, in the streets and in house-to-house searches. Israeli troops are calling upon all male residents between the ages of 16 and 40 in some neighborhoods to "surrender". The wounded are being treated roughly and being denied medical access. Now, their fate is unknown. There are reports of summary execution of some prisoners. The ICRC does not have access to them to ensure adherence to international law, and specifically the Geneva Conventions.

Gratuitous Vandalism and Destruction: There are on-going spiteful acts of destruction. Most commonly, Israeli tanks are driving over and flattening cars whether on the streets or parked on pavements in front of residences. Personal property inside houses is being destroyed in house-to-house searches. www.indymedia.org/front.php3