To: arutz-7@IsraelNationalNews.com
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@IsraelNationalNews.com>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Monday, August 21, 2000
Arutz Sheva News Service
<www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Monday, August 21, 2000 / Av 20, 5760
------------------------------------------------
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. ANOTHER BARAK AIDE QUITS
2. EITAN WOULD SEE LEVY BACK IN LIKUD
3. PALESTINIANS DEMAND EASTERN JERUSALEM - OR NO DEAL
1. ANOTHER BARAK AIDE QUITS
The Prime Minister's Office appears to be falling apart. Following the
controversial resignation of Deputy Director Shimon Batat last week,
Director Chaim Mandel-Shaked made a similar move this morning. Shaked had
wanted to leave several months ago, but Barak asked him to wait until after
the Camp David summit. Barak announced this afternoon that the position
will remain empty for now, and that Shaked's authorities will be divided
between Barak's security advisor, Gen. (res.) Danny Yatom and top aide
Yossi Kucik.
Shaked said today that he would remain loyal to Prime Minister Barak, and
denied the quotes attributed to him last night and today. He was quoted as
having sharp criticism of the Prime Minister's functioning, and saying,
"Ever since he lost his Knesset majority, he has stopped being Prime
Minister and has become Director of the Office - and the problem is that he
does not realize it." Israel Television reported last night that Shaked
confirmed reports of a "break" between National Security Advisor Danny
Yatom and the heads of the Mossad and the IDF, and termed it a "danger to
state security." Barak's military secretary, Gadi Eisenkot, is also
considering resigning, as is Barak's diplomatic advisor, Tzvi Shtauber.
In light of the resignations of Batat and Shaked, the Likud, the NRP, and
Shas have called upon the Prime Minister, also, to resign. "Barak has led
the country to a dysfunctional state," reads a Likud statement. "He has no
government, his Office is falling apart, and his aides are abandoning him."
2. EITAN WOULD SEE LEVY BACK IN LIKUD
Likud MK Michael Eitan continues to set his eyes towards new
elections. After publicly lambasting Binyamin Netanyahu last week, he
called upon his party to reserve Knesset seats on its list for David Levy
and other MKs who vote to topple the government. "Such a move may not be
particularly aesthetic," Eitan told Arutz-7 today, "but it is legitimate
and must be enacted in order to bring about the desired change... This
strategy was used by the late Menachem Begin who, over the years, worked to
bring more and more entities into the classic Herut party. Netanyahu, in
1996, offered the parties of David Levy and Rafael (Raful) Eitan five seats
each - this was an unbelievable sacrifice for the party at the
time. Barak, too, reserved places for Levy and Meimad with the same goal
of creating a broader front." Eitan noted that some of his party
colleagues are against reserving seats for "outsiders."
Eitan clarified what he wrote in his public letter to Netanyahu last week,
and said, "I merely called upon him, for the sake of the party, not to
announce his candidacy for party head, but rather to return as a regular
member or minister, so that many of those who left the party over the past
few years will feel that they can return."
Eitan was asked by Arutz-7's Haggai Segal today why his party is having
such difficulty in garnering the 61 signatures needed for a special
mid-recess no-confidence vote in the Knesset against the Barak
government. "It's because a Knesset Member voting to topple the government
is not only voting against the Prime Minister, but is also voting against
himself," Eitan explained. "He cannot help but ask himself where he
himself will be after the new elections..."
3. PALESTINIANS DEMAND EASTERN JERUSALEM - OR NO DEAL
The Palestinian leadership convened in Ramallah today, and came up with a
decision that seems to have placed yet another obstacle along the Oslo
path. No final-status agreement will be reached with Israel, reads the
decision, until the Jerusalem issue is resolved and until eastern Jerusalem
is transferred to Palestinian control. The decision emphasized that the
Palestinians negate any form of Israeli sovereignty over eastern Jerusalem.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will meet in Cairo with high-ranking
representatives of three Middle East entities today: Syrian Foreign
Minister Farouk A-Shara, PLO chief Yasser Arafat, and Israeli MK Yossi
Sarid. Israel's Ambassador to Egypt, Tzvi Mazal, sent a telegram last night
to the Foreign Ministry in which he reported that Cairo is continuing to
act in the international arena against Israeli interests.
************************************************************
To: arutz-7@IsraelNationalNews.com
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@IsraelNationalNews.com>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2000
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2000 / Av 21, 5760
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. ARAFAT DIGS IN
2. TWO MORE BLOWS TO BARAK
3. BARAK'S MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR GIFT TO ARAFAT
4.. IF WE CAN ONLY MAKE IT THROUGH THE SUMMER...
1. ARAFAT DIGS IN
Meretz party leader Yossi Sarid, who met with Egyptian President Hosni
Mubarak yesterday, says that Egypt is not willing to take steps to
moderate Palestinian demands on Jerusalem. "I saw no signs of
Egyptian flexibility," Sarid said. "Mubarak told me that the
Palestinians should insist on full sovereignty over all of eastern
Jerusalem, except for the Jewish quarter and the Western Wall."
Palestinian Television, in its Hebrew broadcasts last night, announced
that Arafat will not agree to give up even the Jewish quarter and the
Western Wall.
2. TWO MORE BLOWS TO BARAK
The prestige and leadership of Prime Minister Barak suffered yet
additional blows over the past 24 hours. Attorney-General Elyakim
Rubenstein ordered him yesterday not to assign any further diplomatic
missions to businessman Yossi Ginosar until the potential "conflict of
interests" problem is conclusively examined. The decision follows a
petition to the Supreme Court by MK Tzvi Hendel (National
Union-Yisrael Beiteinu), who asserted that Ginosar's business ties
with leading Palestinian figures disqualified him from acting as an
Israeli diplomatic representative.
In addition, Barak-aide Tzvi Shtauber resigned from his position as
diplomatic advisor yesterday - the third close aide to leave Barak's
team within a week. Barak announced that he will not name a successor
to Shtauber for the time being.
Editorials in both Ma'ariv and Ha'aretz have strong criticism of Prime
Minister Barak today, in light of the recent resignations. Ma'ariv
claims that loyalty seems to be the sole qualification for senior
officials at the Prime Minister's Bureau:
"Forget ability, capability, qualifications for the post... If the
person is loyal - this is enough to get him the job... Regrettably, loyalty
is also the sole yardstick for dealing with those who are leaving.
Instead of listening to what [those who resigned are] complaining
about, most of the rage and fury being directed at them is over their
reneging on the debt of loyalty."
From Ha'aretz:
"The Prime Minister's Bureau is falling apart... From numerous
reports, one receives the impression that Barak is unable to control his team,
and also that he is the cause of their frustration and confusion...
The officials who are leaving. lack an independent political agenda,
[and] their criticism is, therefore, worthy of attention... The
failures in his office are... testimony to [Barak's] amateurish
management... The breakdown in his office is strengthening the
impression that the end [of the present government] is near... [He
should] set up an office which runs harmoniously... Otherwise, the
people will increasingly demand to know how he can possibly manage
complex affairs of state if he cannot even achieve peace in his own
bureau."
3. BARAK'S MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR GIFT TO ARAFAT
Three oil companies demand that Israel actualize its legal rights and
allow them to drill for oil off the Gaza coast. Their Supreme Court
suit of yesterday maintains that the government is refusing to take
advantage of its Oslo-mandated oil rights there, in areas that contain
billions of dollars worth of gas and oil. The three companies
requested a permit to drill there as early as a year ago, and attached
a legal opinion stating that according to international law, Israel -
not the Palestinian Authority - is sovereign over the area and is
authorized to grant drilling permits. Then-Infrastructures Minister
Eli Suissa (Shas) agreed that Israel is sovereign, but in light of the
diplomatic sensitivity of the issue, transferred the final decision to
Prime Minister Barak. Suissa told Arutz-7 this morning,
"I proposed to the Prime Minister, in writing, that we explore the
waters jointly with the Palestinian Authority. I received no answer from
him, despite further queries on the issue, and only later found out
that Barak had given in and granted exclusive drilling rights to the
PA. This was a clear surrender for no reason, and with nothing in
exchange, of something that belongs to us - not to mention the loss of
billions of dollars for the State. Barak simply made a decision by
himself, without consulting me, or anyone else, exactly as he usually
does..."
Arafat wasted no time after receiving such a nice gift, and a British
company immediately paid the PA millions of dollars for the privilege
of preparing a seismological mapping of the area. The mapping has
recently been concluded, and with the British company preparing to
begin initial drilling, the companies could take it no longer, and
turned to the courts. They demand that the government fulfill the
Oslo agreement and jointly develop the potential oil fields, and
prevent the PA-commissioned British company from drilling.
4. IF WE CAN ONLY MAKE IT THROUGH THE SUMMER...
Shmuel Tal, Israel's new Water Commissioner, is already warning of
tough times ahead. Even if this coming winter's rainfalls are
average, farmers' water quotas will still have to be cut by 50%, he
said yesterday. Tens of thousands of dunams of orchards will have to
be abandoned in case of a dry winter. Tal said that under no
circumstances will he agree to a further lowering of the Kinneret's
"red line," such that water will not be drawn from the sea if it
reaches a low of 214 meters below sea level. It currently stands at
-213.20, and is dropping an average of a centimeter each day.
***********************************************************
To: arutz-7@IsraelNationalNews.com
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@IsraelNationalNews.com>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Wednesday, August 23, 2000
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Wednesday, August 23, 2000 / Av 22, 5760
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINE:
1. SHARON WILL WAIT
Likud leader Ariel Sharon, who had been talking recently of holding
internal elections for party head within three months, has decided to
wait until after the Knesset makes a final decision on advancing the
national elections. For Binyamin Netanyahu, Sharon's main challenger
at present, the original time span was too short, and his camp is
therefore pleased that it now has an opportunity to get itself
organized for the primaries.
Attorney-General Rubenstein's decision as to whether or not to indict
Netanyahu in the Amedi and gifts cases, it has now been learned, will
be released only next month. Judicial sources claim that even if
Netanyahu is not indicted, Rubenstein will still issue a detailed
opinion, thus that the former Prime Minister may come out technically
innocent, but not totally clean.
Likud Knesset faction head Ruby Rivlin has succeeded in gathering 59
MK signatures for a no-confidence vote in Prime Minister Barak. These
include all of the opposition parties - Likud, Shas, National
Union-Yisrael Beiteinu, United Torah Judaism, National Religious
Party, and Yisrael B'Aliyah - plus MK Maxime Levy of One
Israel/Gesher. Rivlin hopes to obtain the signature of Gesher leader
David Levy as well. The critical 61st vote, however, remains elusive.
It may be MK Chaim Katz (Am Echad), or MK Moti Zandberg (Shinui), but
the latter's party has officially decided not to support a mid-recess
no-confidence motion. Arutz-7's Knesset correspondent Haggai Seri
reports that a vote by Zandberg against Barak could cost him his place
in the party, "and he is not likely to risk his political career for
this." The only remaining option for the Likud, then, may require
patience, i.e., waiting for the Knesset-dissolution bill - which
passed its first reading on the last day of the previous Knesset
session - to proceed through the necessary committees and readings.
The advantage of this bill for the opposition is that its passage
requires only a simply majority, and not 61 MKs.
*************************************************************
To: arutz-7@IsraelNationalNews.com
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@IsraelNationalNews.com>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Thursday, August 24, 2000
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Thursday, August 24, 2000 / Av 23, 5760
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. LIKUD TURNS DOWN BARAK'S NAT'L UNITY PROPOSAL
2. SHINUI TURNS DOWN LIKUD PROPOSAL
3. PERES CRITICIZES
1. LIKUD TURNS DOWN BARAK'S NAT'L UNITY PROPOSAL
Prime Minister Ehud Barak has now turned to the Likud to help prop up
his government. He said today that if it becomes clear in the next
few weeks that there is no chance for an agreement with the
Palestinians, he will invite the Likud and other parties to join a
broad national-unity government. Barak did not rule out the
possibility of including Shas in the coalition, but said that there
are "other more natural partners, such as the Likud, Shinui, and
Meretz." In a radio interview this morning, Barak said, "I know that
Likud leaders have their hesitations at present, and that they are not
totally comfortable with the diplomatic process. But they are good
people, and want to help the country too. I therefore say to them:
Come, and together we will make the changes so necessary to further
the interests of the State."
Likud leader Arik Sharon, turning down the offer today, said that in
light of Barak's far-reaching concessions, especially in Jerusalem,
and in view of his "acute internal-policy failures," he sees no reason
to join Barak's government. Likud MK Yisrael Katz, speaking with
Arutz-7 this morning, elaborated: "The same Prime Minister who wants
a 'secular revolution' has his partner, Abdel Malek Dahamshe, speaking
at a conference in Jordan in favor of the division of Jerusalem [see
below]."
News Editor Haggai Segal interjected: "Maybe if the Likud joined the
coalition, Barak would not need to rely on Dahamshe, and would
moderate his views?" MK Katz: "Barak has already gone way beyond the
Zionist consensus - in the framework of 'land for peace,' he tried to
give away all of the land, with no peace to show in exchange. He
essentially accepted the principle of a Palestinian 'right of
return'... We have a Prime Minister who is panicking; he has lost his
majority both in the Knesset and in the public. He has no agenda, and
so he is trying to artificially create one. We must not be naive: the
Israeli left is a covenantal partner of radical Arabs, and it cannot
change its political agenda for long... Why should the Likud throw
him a political life preserver?"
Likud MK Uzi Landau said that a national-unity government would be
desirable - but only after Barak is replaced by a "more worthy
candidate" in the new elections. MK Meir Shitreet, on the other hand,
said that a national-unity government should be explored, if Barak is
in fact willing to discuss new coalition guidelines.
2. SHINUI TURNS DOWN LIKUD PROPOSAL
Shinui leader Tommy Lapid, meanwhile, announced today that his party
would not join either of the Likud's Barak-stopping initiatives -
neither the mid-recess no-confidence motion, nor the proposed
legislation forbidding Barak to convene another summit with the
Palestinians under the present political circumstances. Prime
Minister Barak has invited Lapid for a meeting to be held next week.
Before the Camp David summit, Lapid explained to Arutz-7 why he would
not vote no-confidence in the Prime Minister: "We are in favor of the
diplomatic process, and don't feel it is proper to put a stumbling
block before him as he heads to negotiate a peace deal. It's
legitimate to vote against whatever deal he may come back with from
Camp David, but to vote against the trip itself takes away any chance
of us knowing what deal could have been struck." Lapid said at the
time that he is opposed to any form of return of Arab refugees, and
noted, "I hope that he brings back an agreement that we can accept
without threats [of war], but if we don't think the agreement is
satisfactory, we will vote against it."
Arutz-7's Yosef Zalmanson today asked Tzachi Moshe, Lapid's spokesman,
if, in light of the agreement that appears to be developing between
Barak and Arafat, and in light of Lapid's previous statements against
several aspects thereof, would it not be appropriate for Shinui to
vote against Barak now? "We have not yet seen any agreement, and we
are in favor of the peace process, and we will therefore not topple
Barak before we have seen what type of agreement Barak may be able to
bring back," was the response.
3. PERES CRITICIZES
Has Shimon Peres mellowed out? The Minister for Regional Development,
in an interview with Ha'aretz, said that Ehud Barak "erred when he
agreed to discuss the division of the Old City." Peres said that
Israel must not give away the site on which stood the Holy Temple,
even at the expense of no agreement with the Palestinians. He agrees,
however, that outlying neighborhoods such as Shuafat can be given
away, and even objects to the demand that the Palestinians formally
agree to the "end of the conflict."
Acting Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami continues to search for a way
out of the Oslo morass. He will meet with Egyptian President Hosni
Mubarak in Alexandria today, in another attempt to find a magic
formula to solve the Jerusalem issue. Ben-Ami is also scheduled to
meet tonight with American mediator Dennis Ross, who in turn will meet
with Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat. Yasser Arafat, who met with
Mubarak earlier this week, will do so again in two days.
**********************************************************
To: arutz-7@IsraelNationalNews.com
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@IsraelNationalNews.com>
Subject: Arutz-7 News Brief: Friday, August 25,
2000
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Friday, August 25, 2000 / Av 24, 5760
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. UNITY CALLS FROM THE RIGHT
2. PM TRAILING NETANYAHU
3. A BRUSH WITH PEACE
1. UNITY CALLS FROM THE RIGHT
Calls are now emanating from the right-wing National Union party for a
national unity government. MK Tzvi Hendel has issued a public appeal
to Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Likud chief Ariel Sharon to form such
a coalition. According to Hendel's proposal, a new agenda should
stress the necessity of "healing the nation's wounds" - including the
establishment of peace between the Jews of the country, and the
closing of the state's socio-economic gaps. Arutz-7 Knesset
correspondent Haggai Seri adds that several weeks ago, MK Rabbi Benny
Elon - also of the National Union - came out in favor of a unity
government.
At present, yesterday's refusal by the Likud to join Barak remains in
effect. Speaking with Arutz-7, Likud MK Danny Naveh echoed party
leader Sharon's disenchantment with the idea. Minister for Immigration
and Absorption Yuli Tamir (Labor), who accompanied Prime Minister
Barak to Camp David last month, also rejects the idea of a national
unity government. In Tamir's view, "Israel must first make peace with
the Palestinians, and only thereafter consider national unity." Dr.
Aaron Lerner of IMRA notes that Barak's call for the Likud to join his
coalition was conditional, dependent on the failure of the
still-intensive talks between Acting Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami,
the Egyptians, and the Palestinians.
Barak's apparent "turn right" has enraged Knesset members of the
Meretz party. Both former Industry Minister Ran Cohen and MK Zehava
Galon said last night that they are now considering running party
leader Yossi Sarid for Prime Minister in the upcoming elections.
Political pundits have noted that such a move would mark a major
setback for the Israeli left, as it would split the vote of Labor and
Meretz supporters in any upcoming Prime Ministerial elections.
Meanwhile, acting Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami's meeting yesterday
with Egyptian leaders in Alexandria produced what Ben-Ami declared
were "some interesting ideas" for approaching the issue of Jerusalem.
Although the minister did not fill in reporters on the exact content
of the meeting, Israel television said last night that Egyptian
President Hosni Mubarak was informed that Israel was willing to offer
the Palestinians sovereignty over two buildings in the Moslem Quarter
of Jerusalem's Old City, as well as an arrangement according to which
the Temple Mount would heretofore come under "the sovereignty of God."
The latter idea was floated by the Vatican several weeks ago during
US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's meeting with Church
officials.
2. PM TRAILING NETANYAHU
Prime Minister Barak's ability to survive political crises have not
particularly impressed the Israeli public. A poll conducted by Mina
Tzemach's Dahaf Institute, published in today's Yediot Acharonot,
indicates that Binyamin Netanyahu would defeat Ehud Barak by a margin
of 47-43% if elections were to be held today. Most of those
questioned also said that they "do not believe" Ehud Barak and "do not
rely on him" as the country's leader. Some two-thirds of respondents
gave the Prime Minister a negative rating for his overall performance
as Prime Minister.
Barak heads to Ankara, Turkey on Monday for talks with officials
there. The Prime Minister will reportedly explain to Turkish leaders
the reasoning behind Israel's Camp David positions. Barak's office
said today that discussions will also focus on the tightening of
security ties between the two countries.
3. A BRUSH WITH PEACE
A Jewish man last night got a chance to taste the fruits of
Middle-Eastern peace. Voice of Israel radio reported today that as the
man dropped off Arab workers at a junction north of Jerusalem Thursday
evening, several Palestinians blocked the path of his car and then
hurled rocks at his windshield, shattering it. The stunned driver was
then kidnapped by his attackers, who blindfolded him and transported
him to a refugee camp, where he was physically beaten and relieved of
his wallet. After the assailants fled the scene, the driver managed
to call home on his cellular phone. He was soon rescued by police.
***************************************************************
To: arutz-7@IsraelNationalNews.com
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@IsraelNationalNews.com>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Sunday, August 27, 2000
Arutz Sheva News Service
<www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Sunday, August 27, 2000 / Av 26, 5760
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. MAJORITY OF MKS SIGN ON BARAK-BLOCKING BILL
2. IN SEARCH OF A NATIONALIST CONSENSUS
3. PM: ARAFAT HOLDS KEY TO FUTURE
1. MAJORITY OF MKS SIGN ON BARAK-BLOCKING BILL
Sixty-two Knesset members are sponsoring a new bill aimed at
preventing Prime Minister Ehud Barak from signing diplomatic
agreements as long as he does not have a Knesset majority. The bill
was initiated by National Union MK Rabbi Benny Elon. Should the bill
pass - as it is expected to - a minority government would be unable to
legally sign deals that entail the transfer of sovereignty to a
foreign entity or the alteration of the country's borders. Arutz-7
Knesset correspondent Haggai Seri reports that the 62nd name on the
list is that of MK Chaim Katz (Am Echad) - whom Ehud Barak has been
courting, of late, to join his coalition.
"This is not just another bill," reports Seri. "It is an amendment to
the (quasi-constitutional) Basic Law: Government. This means that
what has been dubbed a 'law to block Barak,' will be even more
far-reaching, and would bind any future minority government."
Speaking with Arutz-7 today, MK Elon said: "It's true that we have not
yet obtained the 61 MKs required for toppling the government; that's
one matter. But Mr. Barak cannot operate as if he heads a majority
government ... All of the legal experts I have spoken to about this
amendment, including the bill's author, Prof. Eliav Shochatman, feel
that such a move would have great constitutional significance. We
hope to pass it. It is important to both the Land of Israel and to
the democracy of the State of Israel."
Correspondent Seri notes that despite the 62 signatures, opposition
Knesset members are not prematurely celebrating. Knesset Speaker
Avraham Burg (Labor) refused to conduct a special mid-recess
preliminary vote on the bill, but did agree to an initial debate on
the matter during the recess. As a result of Burg's decision,
opposition forces will be hard-pressed to pre-empt any Barak-Arafat
summit this fall.
2. IN SEARCH OF A NATIONALIST CONSENSUS
MK Tzvi Hendel (National Union) is trying to get all of the national
camp's parties to select and support one candidate for Prime Minister.
To this end, Hendel hopes to arrive at a formula for "open leadership
primaries" in which voters from all of the national camp parties will
participate. Meanwhile, Zo Artzeinu leader Moshe Feiglin is preparing
to field his candidacy as the Likud party nominee for Prime Minister.
A gathering of pro-Feiglin activists is slated for this Thursday
evening at the Jerusalem Convention Center.
3. PM: ARAFAT HOLDS KEY TO FUTURE
Prime Minister Barak says that "the ball is in Yasser Arafat's
court." Speaking at the weekly cabinet meeting, Barak explained that
it is Arafat who must now decide whether or not he wishes a deal.
"If not," Barak warned, "he (Arafat) will be responsible for the
situation that results." Barak added that although contacts are being
conducted at various levels, "we will only know in which direction the
process is headed when Arafat comes to a decision in the weeks ahead."
Barak also boasted of Israel's success in elucidating its diplomatic
position on the relevant issues to the international community.
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