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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
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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.

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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."

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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!"

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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
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Delivered Daily via Email, Sunday thru Friday
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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.

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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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