HHMI Newsgroup Archives
To: arutz-7@IsraelNationalNews.com
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@IsraelNationalNews.com>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Wednesday, December 13, 2000
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2000 / Kislev 16, 5761
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. YESHA RESIDENTS BLOCK ARAB TRAFFIC
2. NETANYAHU AND SHARON
1. YESHA RESIDENTS BLOCK ARAB TRAFFIC
Despite the IDF Chief of Staff's order to prevent men-only Palestinian cars
on Yesha roads, free Arab travel continued in many places this
morning. Jews throughout Judea and Samaria blocked dozens of intersections
to Arab traffic today, including at Ofrah, N'vei Tzuf, Beit El, Kiryat
Arba, Talmon, Ateret, and more. The police and army did not intervene in
the Yesha Council-organized project.
An Israeli school bus from Morag to N'vei Dekalim was shot at this morning;
no one was hurt. Last night, a woman - Rabbanit Rachel Yom-Tov, a mother
of nine - was wounded and is in moderate condition when her car was shot at
near Morag. Israeli soldiers killed three Palestinian terrorists today who
attempted to infiltrate the Kisufim Checkpoint from Gaza. East of
Kalkilye, Palestinians shot at two Israeli cars; no one was hurt. There
was firing onto a Hevron IDF force; no one was hurt. A bus in the Galilee
- near the Arabeh Arab village, west of the Kinneret - was stoned by
Israeli-Arabs; two passengers were lightly wounded.
IDF special forces killed Hamas terrorist leader Abbas al-Awai via
long-distance sniper fire in Hevron today, according to Palestinian
sources. Hamas threatens to avenge his death. The killing is the latest
in a series of several successful similar operations against Tanzim leaders
by Israel.
2. NETANYAHU AND SHARON
Binyamin Netanyahu and Ariel Sharon, the two contenders for the Likud's top
spot, addressed the Likud Central Committee last night. Netanyahu lashed
out at the political and security approach of the Barak government, and
promised to take a "different approach" for peace - one that would demand
long-term quiet from the Palestinians before handing them any
territory. Greeted with loud cheers, Netanyahu praised Sharon for the way
he ran the party in the past year and a half, and promised to work together
with him no matter what the final results of the primaries would be. He
attacked Barak: "You resigned as Prime Minister only in order to run
again? The entire public realizes that this is simply a trick to hold on
to power... Your concessions have led to an intifada and lynchings... I
will lead to a cold peace with the Palestinians - because we have to
recognize the reality."
Sharon, in his speech, said that as Prime Minister, he would establish a
national emergency government, with Netanyahu as Deputy Prime Minister and
Foreign Minister, and Labor leader Ehud Barak as Deputy Prime Minister and
Defense Minister. The party members greeted the proposal with derision.
The Likud voted to allow Netanyahu to run for the leadership of the party -
in elections next Tuesday - even though it is not certain that he will be
allowed to run. He is currently disqualified for running for Prime
Minister because he is not a Knesset Member. The Knesset voted today,
however, to approve the first draft of a bill allowing a non-MK to run -
informally called the "Netanyahu law" - and will probably pass its first
reading this afternoon. Another scenario in which Netanyahu would be able
to run is if the entire Knesset is dissolved, leading to general Knesset
elections. However, this possibility is beginning to appear more and more
unlikely, as Shas and Labor - fearing the results of a general election -
are against such a possibility.
Government Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said that his party agreed to the
Netanyahu law "to show the country that we are not afraid of running
against Bibi [Netanyahu], or anyone else." The Labor party is, in fact,
more interested in the Netanyahu law passing than in the Knesset
dissolution: Even if Netanyahu beats Barak for Prime Minister, at least
the left-wing parties will be spared the wrath of the voter in general
elections. Both laws will probably be ready for final legislation next
Monday - but if one passes, then the other one is likely not to. The
question, therefore, is which one will be presented first? This is solely
the prerogative of Knesset Speaker Avraham Burg, who is expected to go with
his party and present the Bibi law first.
Moshe Feiglin, head of the Zo Artzeinu movement who has been waging an
independent run to head the Likud, may not be able to run against Netanyahu
and Sharon for this position. The reason is that Feiglin has been a member
of the party for only six months, while the regulations require nine
months. Feiglin's representative has turned to party head Sharon, who is
authorized to waive the above requirement.
*******************************************************************
To: arutz-7@IsraelNationalNews.com
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@IsraelNationalNews.com>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Thursday, December 14, 2000
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Thursday, Dec. 14, 2000 / Kislev 17, 5761
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. LIKUD WILL HOLD TWO VOTES
2. YESHA POPULATION UP
3. PALESTINIAN VIEW OF THE INTIFADA
1. LIKUD WILL HOLD TWO VOTES
The Likud decided today how it will deal with the problem of choosing
a party head who may not be allowed to run for Prime Minister: two
separate votes will be held. Front-running candidate Binyamin
Netanyahu is seeking the party leadership, but as a non-Member of
Knesset, he will be ineligible to run for Prime Minister unless the
relevant "Netanyahu amendment" is passed in the Knesset. The Likud
internal elections for party head will be held on Monday, before the
fate of the above amendment is decided, and they will be held in two
phases: One that will feature candidates Netanyahu, Ariel Sharon, and
anyone else who wishes to run - and one in which the list of
candidates will not include Netanyahu. The party will officially
accept the relevant results after it is known if Netanyahu may run for
Prime Minister.
Another scenario in which Netanyahu would be permitted to run for
Prime Minister is if the Knesset is dissolved, leading to general
elections within ninety days. This is the preferred alternative for
the Likud and for Netanyahu, as the polls show that the nationalistic
parties would make significant gains in such elections. The 17-MK
Shas party, however, is against the idea - and its votes will
apparently carry the day. Shas is now the focus of right-wing
pressure, and Yisrael Beiteinu party leader MK Avigdor Lieberman
explained why:
"This is the first time that we have a chance to break the traditional
stale-mate between right and left. If Knesset elections are held, we
will be able to form a strong, homogeneous, stable right-wing government that will be able to govern without fear of being toppled
all the time. However, I am not optimistic that the dissolution bill
will pass, and it is very sad..."
Shas party leader Eli Yeshai explained to Arutz-7 today why his party
is now against dissolving the Knesset: "First of all, we can't
predict if in fact the right-wing will gain Knesset seats or not - the
Arabs, for instance, will probably gain, as will [anti-religious]
Shinui. Secondly, in any event a national-unity government will be
established... Third, if there are general elections and the
right-wing wins big, in any event Netanyahu will be toppled once he
reaches an agreement with Arafat, just like he was after the Wye
Agreement. So why should we go through this whole mess again?..."
Likud MK Uzi Landau implied, however, that Shas' fears of losing
Knesset seats is what is motivating it to object to new elections:
"Barak and Shas are trying to pull a trick on the public by preventing
it from choosing its representatives in the Knesset... Shas is
rewarding Barak for his dirty trick [of a few days ago, in which he
resigned so that Knesset elections would not have to be held]. I
would recommend that the Likud not field a candidate at all for Prime
Minister if Knesset elections are not held."
Former Prime Minister Shimon Peres has not denied the increasing
reports that he may run for Prime Minister as head of the Meretz
party. His close confidante Justice Minister Yossi Beilin is against
the move.
2. YESHA POPULATION UP
While the population of the rest of Israel is growing at a modest
annual rate of 2.2-2.4%, the Jewish towns of Judea and Samaria are
increasing at close to a 10% rate. Government statistics released
this week show that the population of Israel stood at 6.3 million at
the end of September - 1.7% higher than at the end of 1999. The
population of Yesha increased by 13,000 over the first nine months of
this year, compared to some 12,000 during the entire year of 1999.
The increase was most notable in the religious towns of Upper Modi'in
and Upper Beitar - 18.3% and 16.3%, respectively. Alon Shvut grew by
12%, and Beit El by 7.1%.
3. PALESTINIAN VIEW OF THE INTIFADA
Sakhr Habash, a member of the Fatah's Central Committee, gave a
comprehensive interview to the PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida concerning
the Intifada and its political goals on Dec. 7. Following are
excerpts from the interview, provided by Middle East Media and
Research Institute (MEMRI):
"After the Camp David Summit it became clear to the Fatah movement, as
brother Abu-Ammar [Yasser Arafat] had warned, that the next phase
requires us to prepare for conflict [with Israel], because PM Barak is
not a partner capable of complying with our people's aspirations...
[The Intifada] did not break out in order to improve our bargaining
ability in the negotiations, nor as a reaction to Sharon's provocative
visit to Al-Haram Al-Sharif: this was only the spark... The Intifada
endorsed the PLO's national plan that reflects the aspirations of our
people: the establishment of an independent state with Jerusalem as
its capital in the borders of June 4, 1967, and ensuring the Right of
Return and compensation for Palestinian refugees...
"When we declare the establishment of a state and independence, we
will have the right to liberate the rest of the occupied land... [At
Camp David] we thought that President Clinton would be able to put
pressure on the Israeli government before leaving the White House so
that Barak would agree to a political solution acceptable to us. But
it became clear that the American position coincides with the Israeli
position: sharing sovereignty over Al-Haram Al-Sharif [the Temple
Mount] with us, and dividing East Jerusalem into four or five parts in
order to guarantee Israeli control there."
"...The Intifada must continue. When the Zionist society has suffered
heavy losses, it will demand that its government achieve a peace based
on international legitimacy... Any damage we cause to the Zionist
society and to American interests will bring us closer to our goal..."
"...I support the kind of armed struggle that will shake up the enemy
and make the lives of the settlers unbearable. This is what will
force them to evacuate our land, which they took by force with the
support of the Israeli army."
****************************************************************
To: arutz-7@IsraelNationalNews.com
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@IsraelNationalNews.com>
Subject: Arutz-7 News Brief: Friday, December
15, 2000
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Friday, Dec. 15, 2000 / Kislev 18, 5761
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINE:
NETANYAHU-SHAS SHOWDOWN
The war of nerves between Binyamin Netanyahu and the Shas party
continues. Both are anxious that Netanyahu be the next Prime Minister
- but they have different ideas on how this is to be done. To avoid
the problem of Netanyahu's not being a Knesset Member, and therefore
unable to run in Prime Ministerial elections, Netanyahu and the Likud
are working for the dissolution of the Knesset, which will lead to new
general elections. The Likud is likely to gain from such elections.
Shas, however, is fearful that it will lose ground in such elections,
and therefore wishes to suffice with Prime Ministerial elections; Shas
would solve Netanyahu's ineligibility problem by pushing a special
"Netanyahu law" enabling non-MKs to run.
In an effort to force the issue, Netanyahu threatened yesterday that
he would not offer his candidacy for Prime Minister if general
elections are not held. A Shas leader responded that it was not
committed only to Netanyahu, and that it could easily transfer its
support to another Likud candidate, namely, MK Silvan Shalom. Both
Likud and Shas members criticized Netanyahu for publicly issuing such
a threat. It was later reported that Netanyahu had offered to grant
Shas representation in his government in accordance with the party's
present size; Shas has denied such reports.
Netanyahu told Yediot Acharonot, Israel's largest daily newspaper,
today that even if Barak signs an agreement with the Palestinians, "it
will not obligate our new government. The Oslo agreement is dead and
buried. [Barak's] Camp David understandings were a catastrophe."
National survey results publicized today show Netanyahu leading Barak
by close to 20 percentage points. Races between Ariel Sharon and
Barak, and between Netanyahu and Shimon Peres, would be closer - but
in no case, according to the polls, would the Likud man lose to the
left-wing's candidate.
Meanwhile, Moshe Feiglin continues his lonely struggle for the
leadership of the Likud. A radio ad running this week on his behalf
calls on Likud members to vote for him in the upcoming primaries:
"Likud member: Netanyahu will continue the Oslo process - but this
time, he'll do so in your name! There is only one Likud candidate who
demands the immediate end to the Oslo process - Moshe Feiglin. Give
him your support!"
*****************************************************************
To: arutz-7@IsraelNationalNews.com
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@IsraelNationalNews.com
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Sunday, Dec. 17, 2000 / Kislev 20, 5761
------------------------------------------------
Delivered Daily via Email, Sunday thru Friday
--- See below for subscription instructions ---
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. RUSHING TO AN AGREEMENT, AT THE EXPENSE OF JERUSALEM
2. OTHER OPPOSITION COMMENTS
3. SHAS TO DECIDE TOMORROW ON NEW KNESSET ELECTIONS
1. RUSHING TO AN AGREEMENT, AT THE EXPENSE OF JERUSALEM
Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami departs for Washington tomorrow night
for the official resumption of talks with the Palestinians - in what
opposition members call the "biggest disgrace in modern democratic
history." An anonymous source in the Clinton administration reports
that Israel has agreed to cede control of the Temple Mount, in
exchange for a Palestinian willingness to push off discussion of the
refugee issue. Barak's office denies this, but Yasser Arafat
confirmed it.
The Prime Minister said last night, however, that he intends to reach
an agreement with Arafat even if it costs him his seat as Prime
Minister. IMRA noted today, in the name of Israel Radio's diplomatic
correspondent Yoni Ben-Menachem, that Barak asked his ministers at
today's cabinet meeting to give him their full support in the upcoming
negotiations, even though they will not be aware of their full
details. President Moshe Katzav said today, "I am sure the government
understands that it cannot take upon itself any obligations on the eve
of elections."
The opposition is enraged at what it sees as Barak's desperate
attempts to remain in office. Likud MK Yuval Shteinitz told Arutz-7
today that Barak's defense - that the Israeli electorate will be free
to vote for or against whatever agreement he reaches, and that he is
willing to risk his chances at winning the election in order to obtain
peace for Israel - is totally unacceptable:
"The severity of this is, I think, unprecedented in the history of
Israel, and possibly in the history of all democracies. Barak is
conducting negotiations with Arafat, not only under fire and threats
of terrorism - which itself is a calamity - but while Arafat and [Arab
MK Ahmed] Tibi are holding him by his throat and are able to blackmail
him with the threat to call upon the Arab public [which generally
votes almost en-masse for Labor - ed. note] not to vote for him. I
don't know of any other greater disgrace in modern history...
"These negotiations are critical for the State of Israel; after Camp
David, Barak said that the concessions he made there were no longer
valid - and here we see that he is offering even more! How much more
so is it damaging to the next government of Israel to come to an
agreement, and then disingenuously say that the public will be free to
reject it. It will make it very hard for the next government to
function... A transition-Prime Minister is not even allowed to make
political appointments... - how much more so should he not make such
far-reaching decisions such as those that will result from
negotiations with Arafat! Barak is practically placing himself, with
full awareness, in a position of being blackmailed - and under such
circumstances, is waging these most critical negotiations. Believe
me, in my worst nightmares, I never imagined that Barak could lead us
to such a terrible situation."
Likud leader Ariel Sharon said today that he would not accept any
agreement with the Palestinians signed by a Prime Minister "who is
supported by less than 1/4 of the Knesset and who has resigned - such
an agreement would be non-binding from an ethical standpoint." On
Friday, front-runner Binyamin Netanyahu said the same: "Even if Barak
signs an agreement with the Palestinians, it will not obligate our new
government."
2. OTHER OPPOSITION COMMENTS
David Levy, former Foreign Minister and ex-ally of Barak, said today
that Barak is making "a wild run to save his political skin, which
will bring catastrophe upon Israel, in a far-reaching agreement whose
terms are dictated by the other side in the knowledge of the troubles
that the government finds itself."
Yisrael B'Aliyah party leader MK Natan Sharansky said that Barak has
no authority to conduct negotiations, and that the Prime Minister is
helping Clinton at the expense of the sanctity of Jerusalem. The
Yesha Council blames today's terrorist attempts in Gush Katif -
attacks on school buses, and more - on Barak's policy of negotiating
while under fire. MK Rehavam Ze'evi (National Union) said, "How can
it be that Jewish students are attacked by gunfire on their school
bus, while Israel hosts those who send the attackers?"
3. SHAS TO DECIDE TOMORROW ON NEW KNESSET ELECTIONS
The Knesset Law Committee voted 9-6 today to approve the "Netanyahu
law," enabling non-Knesset Member Binyamin Netanyahu to run for Prime
Minister. What made the passage notable was that Netanyahu himself is
against the bill, and hopes it will fail tomorrow's first reading in
the Knesset. The reason he objects to it is that he prefers that the
Knesset be toppled, so that in addition to Prime Ministerial
elections, Knesset elections will also be held. In this latter
scenario, non-MKs are permitted to run for Prime Minister even without
special legislation. Most Likud members on the Law Committee voted
today against the Netanyahu law, while most of One Israel and all of
Shas supported it.
The tensions between the Likud and Shas continue. Shas MKs were upset
with the Likud today for not voting for the law, claiming that the
Likud violated its agreement to support it. Likud MK Tzachi Hanegbi,
however, accused Labor and Shas of perpetrating a trick in order to
avoid Knesset elections in which they are sure to lose seats.
Netanyahu has threatened not to run at all for Prime Minister if the
Knesset is not dissolved; the Shas counter-point - that it will not
mind supporting the Likud's Silvan Shalom for Prime Minister instead
of Netanyahu - has been neutralized by Shalom's announcement today
that he will not run. On the other hand, Netanyahu himself has not
yet decided for sure whether he will carry through on his threat.
Shas' final decision will be made tomorrow by its Council of Sages,
headed by Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef.
***************************************************************
To: arutz-7@IsraelNationalNews.com
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@IsraelNationalNews.com>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Monday, December 18, 2000
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Monday, Dec. 18, 2000 / Kislev 21, 5761
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. ISRAELI OFFER NEARS PALESTINIAN DEMANDS
2. POLITICAL TURMOIL
3. RABBIS SPEAK OUT
1. ISRAELI OFFER NEARS PALESTINIAN DEMANDS
While the war continues at home, Israel's delegation for the
resumption of the negotiations with the Palestinians will depart for
Washington tonight. The Israeli offer as of now apparently includes:
* control of the entire Temple Mount;
* 95% of Judea and Samaria;
* all of Gaza;
* and thousands of square kilometers in Halutza (southeast of Gaza) in
exchange for settlement blocs in Shomron, Gush Etzion, and around
Jerusalem.
Israel will also be mentioned in the agreement, according to the
Israeli proposal, as having "a historical bond with the Temple Mount."
The remaining points of dispute continue to be the refugees and the
Palestinian demand for full sovereignty over the Temple Mount. Prime
Minister Barak, who agreed at Camp David to allow 100,000 refugees to
enter Israel, is now reported to be leaning towards an increase of
that number.
2. POLITICAL TURMOIL
The Shas Council of Torah Sages, headed by Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef,
decided today to object to the bill to dissolve the Knesset. It is
now almost certain that their 17 MKs will tip the scales against the
passage of the bill - which will be submitted for final readings this
afternoon. However, the Likud still has one card left to play in
order to force Shas to change its mind: a vote against the "Netanyahu
bill."
To explain: Netanyahu is leading Barak in the polls by a wide margin,
and Shas is in fact very much in favor of Netanyahu becoming Prime
Minister. This can only happen, however, in one of two ways:
* If the special "Netanyahu bill" is passed, enabling a non-MK (such
as Netanyahu) to run in the special Prime Ministerial election; or
* if the Knesset is dissolved today, leading to general Knesset
elections in which even a non-MK can run for Prime Minister. Shas
seems to have effectively vetoed the second option; but if the Likud
vetoes the first option - by voting against the "Netanyahu bill," as
it announced it will do - Shas may rethink its position and decide to
vote in favor of dissolving the Knesset.
Shas leader MK Eli Yeshai countered the above Likud threat by
announcing that if the "Netanyahu bill" does not pass, Shas will
support Ariel Sharon for Prime Minister. It is not certain, however,
that Shas would in fact be happy with Sharon, who has shown
willingness to compromise on religious matters.
If the Knesset is not dissolved, there will be no general Knesset
elections, and a special election for Prime Minister, necessitated by
Prime Minister Barak's resignation last week, will be held on February
6th.
Shas' current decision places Binyamin Netanyahu in an awkward
situation. Netanyahu threatened last week that he would not run if
the Knesset were not also dissolved. The former Prime Minister fears
that if he wins the Prime Ministerial election, as is expected, he
will not be able to function with a right-wing bloc of only 58-60 out
of 120 MKs. Netanyahu is scheduled to hold a press conference later
this afternoon.
Israel's political establishment now awaits, with baited breath, the
following three developments scheduled to occur today in as-yet
undetermined order:
- the fate of the bill to dissolve the Knesset;
- the fate of the Netanyahu bill;
- a final decision by Netanyahu as to whether he will run or not.
3. RABBIS SPEAK OUT
Former Chief Rabbis Avraham Shapira and Mordechai Eliyahu released a
statement today condemning any talk of concessions in Jerusalem and
especially on the Temple Mount. The rabbis made clear their opinion
that any such concession is opposed to the Torah; Chief Sephardic
Rabbi Bakshi-Doron recently said that concessions in Jerusalem would
be acceptable for peace. Rabbis Shapira and Eliyahu said that talk
along these lines strengthens the enemies of Israel and places all
worshippers at the Western Wall in danger of their lives.
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