To: arutz-7@IsraelNationalNews.com
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@IsraelNationalNews.com>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2000
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2000 / Elul 26, 5760
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. TALKS TO BEGIN IN WASHINGTON
2. FINAL OR NOT?
3. SHARON TO TEMPLE MOUNT
4. P.A. TEXTBOOK: "ISRAEL MUST BE DESTROYED"
5. BARAK MAY FORM NARROW GOV'T
6. THE NATIONALITY CLAUSE
1. TALKS TO BEGIN IN WASHINGTON
The Israeli and Palestinian negotiating teams are on their way to
Washington for three days of talks, following last night's meeting
between Prime Minister Barak and Yasser Arafat in the former's home in
Kokhav Ya'ir. The meeting did not produce any significant
developments, according to Palestinian sources afterwards. Deputy
Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh, too, admitted to Arutz-7 today that
there were no real developments, although "the positive environment
[at the meeting] is also progress." Prime Minister Barak calls the
round of talks that is about to begin "possibly the last round in the
current framework."
A group of Kokhav Ya'ir residents demonstrated today against the
presence of Arafat in their community. Resident Eldad HaLachmi told
Arutz-7 today, "We don't want this child-murderer in the house down
the block... Some of those who protested today voted for Barak, but
we call on him not to bring this murderer here any more. Let him host
Arafat somewhere else, and I'm sure the residents there will protest
too..."
Danny Yatom, Barak's security chief of staff, announced today that
Israel would not agree to either Palestinian or international
sovereignty over the Temple Mount: "Israel will not give up its
sovereignty in Jerusalem or on the holy sites to Judaism." This,
despite reports of the latest American proposal to grant sovereignty
over the Temple Mount to the UN Security Council and several Arab
countries, with Palestinian custodianship. Arafat-aide Nabil Sha'ath
said today that the Palestinians would be willing to consider a
proposal to station an international supervisory force on the Temple
Mount, if the sovereignty there was exclusively Palestinian.
Regarding the unresolved refugee issue, Danny Yatom said that Israel
will not agree to allow more than a small number of Palestinian
refugees to enter Israel, and these only for purposes of family
reunification.
2. FINAL OR NOT?
Justice Minister Yossi Beilin said today that there is no choice now
but to reach a limited agreement excluding issues such as Jerusalem
and the refugees, "as long as it stipulates the framework for talks on
these two issues."
His colleague Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh feels, however,
that there "is no point" in reaching such an agreement: "An agreement
without Jerusalem will not have the aspect of finality that is very
important to us. We want a final agreement that will put an end to
this conflict once and for all, and will leave some 80% of western
Eretz Yisrael officially in our hands." Sneh expressed the opinion
that Israel's sovereignty on the Temple Mount must be manifest as
follows: "The situation will continue as it is now, but there must be
a sign clearly showing the Jewish People's absolute bonds with the
Temple Mount. Our forefathers did not pray to Shuafat or to Ras
el-Amud, they prayed to the Temple Mount... Even I, not a religious
man at all, say this."
3. SHARON TO TEMPLE MOUNT
Opposition leader Ariel Sharon is determined, despite Palestinian
warnings, to ascend to the Temple Mount this Thursday afternoon. Likud
MK Ruby Rivlin said that he would accompany Sharon, even if the police
ask them not to carry out the visit - "which they would never dare to
do. Can you imagine a situation in which an Israeli is not permitted
onto an Israeli-sovereign site?" Palestinian sources say that the
visit will "not pass quietly," and that they may even attempt to
prevent it.
Meanwhile, the Palestinians are stepping up their Temple-denial
campaign. "The Israelis claim that under the mosques is the Holy
Temple," Palestinian 'Information Minister' Yasser Abed Rabbo told the
French newspaper Le Monde yesterday. "From an archaeological
standpoint, I am convinced that there never was a Temple [there]. They
have dug out one tunnel after another, and have found nothing. And
even if there was a Temple there, is anyone permitted to use a history
of 3,000 years to claim [sovereignty]?" The First Temple was built by
King Solomon some 2,850 years ago, and the Second Temple was destroyed
by the Romans 1,930 years ago.
Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Yigal Amedi (Likud) was asked by Arutz-7's
Haggai Segal today why "we don't see the municipality as a body
fighting against the threats hovering over the city." Amedi
responded, "I can reassure you [in this connection] that we are very
lucky to have, at this critical juncture, a mayor such as Ehud
Olmert... We are closely tracking all the developments, but we don't
have to scream and sit in protest tents, but rather do the work more
thoroughly and deeply. We are working together with other nearby
localities, etc."
Segal did not let up: "For instance, other endangered localities have
established organizations: the Golan has the Golan Residents
Committee, and Judea and Samaria has the Yesha Council. But in
Jerusalem we don't hear anything." Amedi: "On Sukkot, for instance,
we will have a major campaign bringing many people to see the city and
to see what is at stake here... You can rest assured that we are
doing everything that has to be done..."
4. P.A. TEXTBOOK: "ISRAEL MUST BE DESTROYED"
Fifteen newly-printed Palestinian text books still define Israel as a
"conquering state," and one - a sixth-grade book originally published
in 1965, which has been printed again and again since then with barely
any changes - even states, "There is no alternative other than to
destroy Israel." One or more of the books mention Jaffa and Acre as
occupied lands that must be recovered, while Jews are mentioned as a
target of Islamic scorn.
Media research analyst David Bedein reports that although the
Anti-Defamation League demanded last year that the PA institute a more
Israel-friendly curriculum, Director Abraham Foxman met with Yasser
Arafat last week and did not register a complaint about the new books.
The meeting was described by Yediot Acharonot as "a lively discussion
of the peace process," but, according to participants, Palestinian
education was not mentioned. After the meeting, Foxman - who did not
review the new text books - handed Arafat a letter stating, "We are
encouraged by reports that the new textbooks do not have incendiary
anti-Israel or anti-Jewish passages. However, we are disappointed
that the textbooks appear to do nothing to... promote tolerance
between Palestinians and Israelis." Bedein questions why the ADL
relies on false "reports," and did not investigate the books
first-hand. He also notes that the annual ADL-funded survey of
worldwide anti-Semitism is devoid of a study of the Palestinian
Authority schoolbooks, and that the ADL website section on PA
anti-Semitism has not been updated in two years.
Bedein further notes that Meimad leaders issued an ultimatum to Prime
Minister Barak two months ago, threatening to quit the coalition if
Arafat and the Palestinian Authority do not cease the incitement
emanating from their official media and school system. Since then,
"the consistent incitement of Arafat's official media and schools has
only increased... [as] has been dutifully reported by Palestinian
Media Watch," reports Bedein, yet Meimad is still in the government
and its leaders have not responded to questions from journalists as to
the fate of the ultimatum.
5. BARAK MAY FORM NARROW GOV'T
Prime Minister Barak confirmed today that he is conducting coalition
negotiations with the Shinui, Am Echad, and Democratic Choice parties,
which comprise a total of 10 seats. Together with Meretz and Center -
10 and 6, respectively - this would give Barak 50 seats. These would
be bolstered from the outside by 10 Arab MKs, giving him the support
of half the Knesset. Shinui leader MK Tommy Lapid claimed today to be
close to joining the coalition.
Shas leader Eli Yeshai said that a left-wing anti-religious coalition
of this nature is like a "private club, detached from the problems of
Israeli society - reminiscent of a government-in-exile in a Tel Aviv
cafe."
6. THE NATIONALITY CLAUSE
The Knesset Law Committee will vote next week on Acting Interior
Minister Chaim Ramon's demand to nullify the "nationality" clause in
Israeli citizens' identity cards. Ramon said today that if the
committee votes against the proposal, he will turn to the Supreme
Court, "which I am sure will validate my position." Jewish Agency
head Salai Meridor said in response, "Specifically now, when the
foundations of Zionism are being undermined, we must not blur Jewish
identity, and we must not erase the nationality clause."
*******************************************************
To: arutz-7@IsraelNationalNews.com
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@IsraelNationalNews.com>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2000
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2000 / Elul 27, 5760
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. PALESTINIANS WOULD RATHER WAIT IT OUT
2. NO ENTHUSIASM FOR MINORITY GOV'T
3. SHARON AND PARTY TO TEMPLE MOUNT
4. SHEMITTAH SOLUTIONS
5. NETANYAHU TO BE CLEARED
6. THE LATEST IN "SECULAR REVOLUTIONIZING"
1. PALESTINIANS WOULD RATHER WAIT IT OUT
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has made it clear to Yasser Arafat
that it is not worth his while to sign an agreement with Israel at
this juncture. Arutz-7 correspondent Haggai Huberman reports, based
on Israeli government sources, that Mubarak told Arafat at their last
meeting, "Clinton is a dead horse - you have no reason to rush to sign
an agreement. Better wait for the next President."
Huberman explained, "First of all, the U.S. has long ceased regarding
Egypt as an impartial mediator... The Palestinians have also begun
thinking that they should wait until after the elections, and this is
because Arafat realizes that he cannot unilaterally declare a state -
the leaders of many countries told him so. He therefore knows that he
needs an agreement with Israel, but he also wants the extra goodie
that comes along with it - the huge sums of aid that Clinton promised.
The Palestinians feel that a new Congress and a new Administration -
even if Gore wins - will not feel obligated to fulfill the promises
made by Clinton."
Three days of talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians begin
today in Washington. U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright says
that she does not have any new ideas to present. State Department
elements are said not to be very optimistic about the talks.
2. NO ENTHUSIASM FOR MINORITY GOV'T
Labor party seniors are doubtful that Prime Minister Barak's attempts
to form a minority government of 50 MKs, with the outside support of
the ten Arab MKs, will succeed. Minister Chaim Ramon says that it
will be impossible to pass the national budget with such a government.
Two other likely partners to such a government also poured cold water
on the idea: MK Roman Bronfman (Democratic Choice) said that a
minority government would not be able to rule properly, while MK Amir
Peretz (Am Echad) said that there are no coalition negotiations with
his party. Shas leader MK Eli Yeshai said yesterday that a minority
left-wing coalition would be "reminiscent of a government-in-exile in
a Tel Aviv cafe."
3. SHARON AND PARTY TO TEMPLE MOUNT
Likud leader Ariel Sharon now plans to bring all 17 of his party's MKs
to the Temple Mount on his visit there tomorrow. Party whip Ruby
Rivlin, On the other hand, has backtracked somewhat from his strong
stand of yesterday, and now says that the faction will "take the
opinion of the police into account before deciding whether to go up to
the Mount." The Moslem Waqf Director on the Mount informed the police
today that Sharon's visit is "undesirable" and "is liable to cause
problems and clashes." Waqf and Fatah leaders called today upon all
Palestinians to come to the Temple Mount tomorrow.
4. SHEMITTAH SOLUTIONS
The vegetable raisers' organizations have all signed the "heter
mechirah" with the Chief Rabbinate for the Shemittah year, which
begins this Saturday. Given the Torah's commandment to Jewish farmers
to let the land lay fallow during the once-every-seven-years Shemittah
year, the "heter" permits farmers to sell their lands to non-Jews and
continue to raise and sell produce. Hareidi organizations, preferring
not to rely on this mechanism, have signed agreements with some 1,500
Arab farmers to purchase their produce during Shemittah.
Under a third option, known as Otzar Beit Din, rabbinical courts
assume control over the fields, and appoint the farmers their agents
to harvest and sell the produce; no profits are permitted. In any
event, the Ministry of Agriculture and Vegetables Council have agreed
that no vegetables will be imported from abroad, and in case of a
shortage, they will be purchased from the Palestinian Authority.
5. NETANYAHU TO BE CLEARED
Binyamin Netanyahu's return to national politics will apparently be
paved tomorrow, with the expected announcement by Attorney-General
Elyakim Rubenstein of the dropping of all charges against him.
Netanyahu had been accused by the police of not returning gifts he
received while in office, and of accepting free services from
contractor Avner Amedi in exchange for unspecified benefits; Amedi
himself, who signed a plea-bargain agreement with the Prosecution,
said that he never received any benefits from Netanyahu. State
Prosecutor Edna Arbel had been in favor of pressing charges against
Netanyahu.
Rubenstein's report, in which he explains why he is closing the file -
lack of evidence - will express criticism of Netanyahu's behavior. The
former Prime Minister, who is visiting the U.S., has advanced his
arrival from the U.S. by one day, and will arrive tomorrow. Charges
against his wife Sarah have also been dropped.
Reactions in the Likud to Netanyahu's expected return to politics were
mixed. MK Michael Eitan praised Rubenstein's decision, but said, "He
will not be the star to save the Likud. I would like to note that he
resigned from the leadership of the Likud not because of the police
investigation against him, but because of his defeat in the election.
Nothing has changed politically that would justify his return to the
arena." Arutz-7's Haggai Seri reports that several Likud members with
Prime Ministerial ambitions of their own - Ariel Sharon, Silvan
Shalom, Meir Shetreet, and even Limor Livnat - maintained a 'wait and
see' approach. One of Netanyahu's main supporters, MK Yisrael Katz,
said today, "A giant majority of the Likud supports his return and is
hoping that he will become head of the party." A close former aide to
Netanyahu, Yisrael Beiteinu MK Avigdor Lieberman, predicted today that
Netanyahu will not make an immediate decision regarding his political
plans.
Another former top Netanyahu aide, Uri Elitzur, said, "This whole
investigation was something that never should have started. These
were very insignificant things, but were blown out of proportion by a
network powered by the media, police, and some politicians." Elitzur
expressed the hope that Netanyahu would return to politics, and
attacked Eitan's remark that nothing had changed politically: "What
has happened is that Barak has brought the country even lower than
anything we ever dreamt: his concessions to Arafat leave us
practically naked; his government has fallen apart - supported only by
an unprecedented 30 MKs; the Prime Minister's Office is one big
mess... For these reasons, the Likud must field a candidate who can
win and who can govern." Elitzur later clarified: "Netanyahu has
proven himself as one who can stand up to pressures - his goal was to
make the Palestinians lessen their expectations, and he was in fact
the first one to make Arafat sweat... He is not of Gush Emunim, true,
but then again, a Gush Emunim candidate will not win a national
election. Netanyahu would definitely be tougher than is Barak on
matters such as Jerusalem, giving away settlements, and a withdrawal
from Judea and Samaria."
Elitzur added, "Some say that Netanyahu should make his decision
[whether to return or not] only after it becomes clear whether Barak
reaches an agreement [with the Palestinians] or not - but I don't
agree. I am not concerned for Netanyahu's career, but for the
country; if he waits [until after an agreement], there will be nothing
left for him to save."
MK Benny Elon, leader of the 7-seat National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu
Knesset faction, said that he is very happy for the Netanyahus:
"Finally, the right-wing can sit back and enjoy the fact that justice
has been served, and we hope that the decision will include
Netanyahu's two aides as well. [From the political standpoint,] I can
only say that I hope his decision [whether to return] will be quick,
so that we don't have to waste energy on in-fighting between
ourselves, and thus lose our momentum. Right now, the left is falling
apart - as is written in Psalms, 'the workers of iniquity shall be
scattered' - the conglomeration of One Israel no longer exists... and
we just have to keep the momentum going."
6. THE LATEST IN "SECULAR REVOLUTIONIZING"
The latest sign of the "secular revolution:" Acting Interior Minister
Chaim Ramon announced today that municipal councils in Israel may pass
by-laws permitting the sale of pig meat within their boundaries.
National Religious Party head Rabbi Yitzchak Levy showed his disgust
by predicting that this would lead to a disgraceful end to the
government.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the British Commonwealth, has
called on all European rabbis to fervently call upon the Government of
Israel to put an end to the "secular revolution."
*********************************************************
To: arutz-7@IsraelNationalNews.com
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@IsraelNationalNews.com>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Thursday, Sept. 28, 2000
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Thursday, Sept. 28, 2000 / Elul 28, 5760
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. ARABS ATTACK ISRAELI POLICE AS LIKUD VISITS TEMPLE MOUNT
2. TALKS SUSPENDED OVER YESHA CONSTRUCTION
3. PRAYING FOR A JEWISH JERUSALEM
4. NETANYAHU CLEARED OF CHARGES
5. LIEBERMAN'S RABBI ON LIEBERMAN
1. ARABS ATTACK ISRAELI POLICE AS LIKUD VISITS TEMPLE MOUNT
The Temple Mount is quiet but tense. Police are poised at the Mugrabi
Gate, next to the Western Wall, in case Arabs attack again. Dozens of
officers were hurt this morning when Arabs hurled large stones at
them. The police were escorting Likud Knesset members on a visit led
by Likud Party Chairman Ariel Sharon. Party spokesman Ofir Akounis
says the visit was a statement to show that the Likud would retain
control of the Mount; "every Jew has the right to pray there." Chief
of Police Yehuda Wilk says that it was important to let Sharon ascend
the Mount to show that there is free access to all. Police say
they'll ensure the safety of any Knesset member - Jew or Arab - who
wants to visit. Indeed, three Arab Knesset members were present on
the Mount this morning. The Temple Mount compound is administered by
the Moslem Waqf, and Sharon said today that he saw how the Waqf
construction has permanently damaged ancient Jewish archaeological
finds. Jerusalem district commander Yair Yitzhaki says police tried
to prevent violence by talking with the Waqf beforehand, but they were
not interested.
Sharon told reporters, "I came here as one who believes in coexistence
between Jews and Arabs. I believe that we can build and develop
together. This was a peaceful visit. Is it an instigation for
Israeli Jews to come to the Jewish People's holiest site? The
provocations came, unfortunately, from the other side, to a large
degree in answer to incitement by Arab Knesset members." The Likud's
MK Reuven Rivlin says, "Today's incident proves that they don't want a
single Jew in Jerusalem, or a single Jew anywhere in Israel." After
visiting the Mount, Sharon said a chapter of Psalms at the Western
Wall.
2. TALKS SUSPENDED OVER YESHA CONSTRUCTION
The PLO has called off negotiations with Israel - until Israel stops
building in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza (Yesha). U.S. Secretary of State
Albright is arriving in Jerusalem tonight, and Arabs want the U.S. to
pressure Prime Minister Barak to stop construction. The Israeli
newspaper Ha'aretz quotes a source in the prime minister's office as
saying that while the current construction is based only on permits
from previous governments, Barak will not scrap future plans. The
source explains that no building is planned for at least three months,
so if an agreement is reached, those plans will be moot - and if the
land stays Israeli, the building is none of Arafat's business.
3. PRAYING FOR A JEWISH JERUSALEM
One of America's largest groups of observant Jews is challenging every
Jew to stop the plan to give away the Temple Mount to Yassir Arafat or
the United Nations. The National Council of Young Israel
<webmaster@youngisrael.org> is asking
every rabbi to read a statement
from Malcolm Hoenlein, the executive vice chairman of the Conference
of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. Hoenlein
criticizes the giveaway: "On Rosh Hashana we will read 'Akeidas
Yitzchak,' the account of Abraham's test of faith, when he was asked
to sacrifice his son, Isaac. That took place on this same holy site,
the Temple Mount. Our essence as a people is embedded in the bedrock
of this mountain. For decades we have worked to keep the UN out of
Israeli issues. Can anyone now seriously consider giving the Security
Council oversight of our most sacred site?"
The head of the PLO's Israel desk, Sufyan Abu Zaideh, warns that
unless Jerusalem is divided "fifty-fifty... there will be a war here."
But former Foreign Minister David Levy told Arutz Sheva today that
most Israelis won't approve Barak's extreme concessions on Jerusalem.
4. NETANYAHU CLEARED OF CHARGES
The Likud's Ariel Sharon is welcoming his old rival, former Prime
Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, to join the fight to topple Ehud Barak.
Likud members expect Netanyahu to try again for the top job, after
Attorney General Elyakim Rubenstein announced today that he will not
charge him with any crime. Netanyahu had been suspected of keeping
gifts that he received while in office and of trying to get the state
to pay for work done for him personally. But the attorney general
says there is not sufficient evidence. Netanyahu returns to Israel
today from the U.S. and is expected to comment later on Rubenstein's
decision.
5. LIEBERMAN'S RABBI ON LIEBERMAN
U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman's own rabbi disagrees with some of
Lieberman's public moral positions because, he says, they're against
the Torah - and Rabbi Barry Freundel says, "If people decide not to
vote for him because they don't like his politics, I'm perfectly
happy." Lieberman is a Democrat and the first self-proclaimed
observant Jew to run for vice president. In an exclusive interview,
Rabbi Freundel says that Lieberman has admitted to him through third
parties that he was wrong to say on one of North America's biggest
radio programs that "there is no ban whatsoever" in Judaism against
intermarriage, but more than a week later Lieberman has yet to admit
his mistake publicly. Freundel hopes he does, but "I'm not a
political adviser to Joe Lieberman."
Freundel says he also disagrees with Lieberman's positions permitting
abortion and against moving the U.S. embassy now from Tel Aviv to
Jerusalem. "Of course, it should be" moved. He also disagrees with
Lieberman's stand on Jonathan Pollard, in jail in the U.S. on charges
of spying for Israel. Lieberman wrote a letter to Bill Clinton urging
him to deny clemency, even though many Jewish leaders have called
Pollard's sentence excessive. "A lot of people at the synagogue
disagree" with Lieberman.
"I am not advocating that people should vote for him. I am advocating
only that people have to look at the totality of the individual.
Everybody has shortcomings. Everybody does things wrong. The reality
of the situation is he is still a person who keeps Shabbos, who keeps
Kashrus, who has advocated for things like controlling violence and
pornography in children's video games, who took a very moral stance
against his own president, who has done other kinds of things that one
should be proud of."
Freundel says that Lieberman's statement that Judaism allows
intermarriage is "absolutely not in keeping with halacha" [Jewish
law]. He says it's a "basic point" in Judaism and "I don't know how
he could have missed it." On Jewish political issues like the embassy
and Pollard, "the fact that he may have come to a different conclusion
about that doesn't mean that he's a bad person."
*******************************************************