HHMI Newsgroup Archives

To:            arutz-7@israelnationalnews.com, arutz-7b@israelnationalnews.com
From:          Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@israelnationalnews.com>
Subject:       Arutz-7 News Brief:  Friday, February 9, 2001

Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Friday, Feb. 9, 2001 / Sh'vat 16, 5761
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
   1. SHARON PREPARES AS COALITION TALKS ENTER HIGH GEAR
   2. POWELL TO ISRAEL

1. SHARON PREPARES AS COALITION TALKS ENTER HIGH GEAR
Prime Minister-elect Sharon's schedule for today included several important meetings.  He began by meeting with Prime Minister Barak; this is their first post-election meeting.  Sharon was then to meet with IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Sha'ul Mofaz, American Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk, and UN Mideast envoy Terje Larsen.  He will meet early next week with the heads of the Mossad and the General Security Service.

Meanwhile, coalition negotiations continued.  First to meet with the Likud coalition-forming team today was Labor.  Ariel Sharon was adamant throughout the election that he would form a national unity government - i.e., a government comprising the two largest parties.  The Laborites received a generous offer:  the same number of portfolios as Likud, and their choice of two of the top three - Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Finance.  Labor is considering the offer, but party members said, "Portfolios are not a substitute for the peace process.  Let's see what the coalition guidelines will be."  Many in Labor are against joining a government with Likud, but it appears that, despite Justice Minister Yossi Beilin's threat to quit the party, Shimon Peres will have his way and Labor will join the Likud.  Likud sources say they will give Labor until the end of next week, and if a unity government is not formed by then, they will form a narrow government.

The Likud team met last night with representatives of Shas (17 MKs) and Nation Union-Yisrael Beiteinu (7).  Shas demands the Interior Ministry and other portfolios, as well as Deputy Ministers in the Education and Justice Ministries.  National Union representatives would not discuss the party's demands with the press, but Arutz-7 has learned that these include two Ministries and the Chairmanship of the Knesset Law Committee.  MK Rabbi Benny Elon has been in the forefront of calls for a national unity government, but party spokesperson Ilanit Namair said today that the party would join it only if the guidelines were in keeping with its red lines, such as the stipulation that no Yesha settlements would be dismantled.

Next in line to meet with the Likud team was the National Religious Party.  The NRP is asking for the Education Ministry and/or possibly another ministry such as Transportation, together with a foothold in the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the chairmanship of an important Knesset committee.  Likud MK Limor Livnat, who served as Communications Minister under Binyamin Netanyahu, confirmed today that she is interested in serving as Minister of Education - but that Sharon had made no promises.  Both Shas and NRP clarified that they would be willing to downgrade their demands on behalf of a unity government.

2. POWELL TO ISRAEL
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, in office less than a month, will visit Israel and meet with Prime Minister-elect Ariel Sharon in two weeks.  The White House announced last night that the Clinton understandings would no longer serve as the basis for future talks between Israel and the Palestinians.  Ehud Barak and Bill Clinton similarly said yesterday that the proposals need not obligate the Sharon government.  Palestinian Legislative Council Chairman Abu Ala said, however, that what was achieved at Taba cannot be erased, and threatened that a demand to do so will "increase the Palestinians' frustration and will lead to further bloodshed."

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To:            arutz-7@israelnationalnews.com,arutz-7b@israelnationalnews.com
From:          Arutz-7 Editor<neteditor@israelnationalnews.com>
Subject:       Arutz-7 News:Sunday, February11, 2001

Arutz Sheva News Service
  <http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Sunday, Feb. 11, 2001 / Sh'vat 18, 5761
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
   1. COALITION TALKS NEARING COMPLETION
   2. YAHALOM: TALKING THEORY WILL ONLY LEAD TO PROBLEMS

1. COALITION TALKS NEARING COMPLETION
Prime Minister-elect Ariel Sharon and Prime Minister Ehud Barak met today to discuss both their impending "changing of the guard" - upon the formation of a new government, Sharon will replace Barak as Prime Minister - as well as issues related to the coalition negotiations.  Sharon offered Barak the position of Defense Minister - a position that Barak now holds - but the Prime Minister said that his original decision to resign is still in effect.  Shimon Peres, currently the Minister of Regional Development, said today that he would be interested only in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Likud MK Ruby Rivlin explained to Arutz-7 today why his party had offered Labor its choice of any two of the three most prestigious government ministries - Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Finance:  "If we want a true partnership with Labor, then two of the top four positions - not including the Prime Minister - must go to our partner."  Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert, a member of the Likud negotiating team, said that although Labor has been offered an equal number of ministries as the Likud, the Likud would retain the Education, Justice, and Public Security portfolios.  Olmert said this afternoon that the successful completion of coalition negotiations appears to be closer.  Although Barak and Peres continue to wrangle over who will lead the coalition negotiations, there appears to be a majority within Labor to join the unity government; a final decision will apparently be made on Thursday.

In what appeared to be last-minute pre-agreement tough talk, Labor coalition-talks representative Dalia Itzik said that the Likud negotiators had not formulated clear guidelines, and that "if by
tomorrow they don't present us with a basis on which to establish such a government, we will not join."  After a Likud-Labor meeting today, Likud members said that they had heard the Labor demands, and will present their response tomorrow.

2. YAHALOM: TALKING THEORY WILL ONLY LEAD TO PROBLEMS
"Will you remain in the government if it agrees to the dismantling of settlements?"  So did Arutz-7's Uzi Baruch ask National Religious Party MK Sha'ul Yahalom today.  Yahalom had said earlier that his party position is that a national unity government between the Likud and Labor is of utmost importance, thus giving the question extra poignancy.  His response:

"I think there is absolutely no need to even address this question, as it is totally theoretical and has no practical ramifications.  The NRP platform is clearly against the removal of even one settlement - but it could be that Sharon has to go to the world and say that he is willing to make "painful concessions."  Everyone now knows, however - and this could be the only good thing that came out of the Barak government - that Arafat was not even willing to accept 98% of Yesha, together with the division of Jerusalem and some form of sovereignty or control on the Temple Mount - Barak was pleading with him to accept all this, or at least just to write a letter to Clinton saying that they were on the right track - but no, Arafat would not do this and did not agree.  So we now know that in this generation, for as long as we have a right-wing government and don't make stupid mistakes that bring the left back to power, there is no chance for an agreement - and this is in accordance with our position.  So why do we have to deal with theoretical issues?"

Baruch: "But maybe it's not so theoretical.  I ask you what will the NRP do if the Sharon government decides to evacuate isolated settlements?  Will it resign?"

Yahalom: "Why should I answer this question?  Why should we deal with questions that demoralize our public?  I'm telling you that such a thing could never happen - for we know that Barak already agreed to evacuate and dismantle 50 Yesha towns, and Arafat didn't agree; so you think he will agree to accept a handful of isolated settlements?  So why should we, for no reason, answer these questions about things that can only end up in arguments?"

Baruch, recalling similar situations in the past when the NRP was very hesitant to leave the government, insisted: "Why can't you just declare here that if a decision is made to evacuate settlements, the NRP will leave?" Yahalom: "Because I protest the very question.  Because our job now is to form a government [headed by] Sharon, and I trust the Likud that they will not even come near the concessions that Ben-Ami and Beilin and Barak were willing to make.  So let's say I give you the declaration that you want - what will be the headline?  "Split in the National Camp!" or some such.  Who needs this?  Why not come with strength and unity?  Let's not deal with theory, but rather with practicality, and I am confident that on the practical matters there is no difference between Sharon and us."

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To:            arutz-7@israelnationalnews.com,arutz-7b@israelnationalnews.com
From:          Arutz-7 Editor<neteditor@israelnationalnews.com>
Subject:       Arutz-7 News: Monday, February 12, 2001

Arutz Sheva News Service
  <http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Monday, Feb. 12, 2001 / Sh'vat 19, 5761
------------------------------------------------

TODAY'S HEADLINE:

LIKUD TURNS DOWN LABOR DEMAND; BEN-AMI SAYS IT'S TIME FOR
INTROSPECTION The Likud has responded negatively to some of the Labor party's demands in the coalition negotiations - and some Labor participants are not optimistic about the chances that a national unity government between them will actually be formed.  Sharon's negotiating team told Labor that it does not agree to include a clause in the government guidelines calling for the "dismantling of individual settlements if need be."  Labor negotiators said that their Likud counterparts refuse to formulate specific guidelines.

Wrangling within Labor continues, as Barak and Peres each claim that they should lead the negotiations.  In addition, Barak also demands the right to name the Labor ministers, while Peres insists that a party committee be established for the task.  As far as the ministries that Labor ministers will be assigned, Peres demands only the Foreign Ministry - "I want to contribute to the peace" - while Barak has been offered the Defense Ministry by Sharon, and may be wavering on his decision to resign.  If Barak sticks to his decision to quit, and if a unity government is formed, Defense will apparently go to Housing Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, a former IDF General.  Ben-Eliezer became the second Labor figure - after Avraham Burg - to propose his candidacy for the party leadership.  At a press conference in Tel Aviv today, he said that he is totally confident that he can rehabilitate the party after its crushing Prime Ministerial election defeat.

One Labor party leader who will not be joining a unity government is Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami.  "I respect the public craving for a unity government," he said today, "but it is clear to me that the path that I helped lead has not won the public trust - and whoever does not merit the public trust must perform some introspection.  The proper place for introspection is in the opposition."

The National Religious Party faction also convened today, and announced that although it strongly favors a unity government, it would not join such a coalition at any cost.  "If the coalition
guidelines include the possibility that settlements may be dismantled, we will not join," stated the NRP.

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To:            arutz-7@israelnationalnews.com,arutz-7b@israelnationalnews.com
From:          Arutz-7 Editor<neteditor@israelnationalnews.com>
Subject:       Arutz-7 News: Tuesday, February 13, 2001

Arutz Sheva News Service
  <http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2001 / Sh'vat 20, 5761
------------------------------------------------

TODAY'S HEADLINES:
   1. WHAT THE COALITION GUIDELINES LEFT OUT
   2. OTHER COALITION PROBLEMS
   3. SHARON GOES INTERNATIONAL

1. WHAT THE COALITION GUIDELINES LEFT OUT
The coalition talks for a national unity government [Likud and Labor] appear to be headed to a successful conclusion, following an agreement yesterday on the guidelines by future Cabinet Secretary Gid'on Saar and Labor party Minister Chaim Ramon.  It is still not clear whether it will be a party committee or Ehud Barak who will appoint the Labor party's ministers in the new government.

The general guidelines agreed upon yesterday do not include a clause guaranteeing the integrity of Jerusalem, nor do they promise that Israel will not withdraw from the Golan Heights, nor do they permit the construction of new Yesha communities.  Some reactions to the proposed guidelines:

Likud MK Avraham Hirschson demands that the Jerusalem clause be inserted, as "Jerusalem was the major issue in the election, and it was that which gave Sharon his sweeping victory."  Hirschson further said that if Sharon does not agree, he would bring the matter to the Likud Central Committee for a final decision.

Regarding the Yesha towns, MK Benny Elon (National Union) said:  "As long as the guidelines don't include something that is contrary to the fundamentals of Jewish belief, they are merely words.  We need not fall into the trap that the left-wing is setting for us, and cause dissention within the nationalist camp."  He noted that construction in Yesha had continued even under the Barak and Rabin/Peres governments.

Atty. Elyakim Ha'etzni, on the other hand, sees the clause precluding new settlements in a very negative light:  "Our new government, supposedly right-wing, sees the Yesha enterprise as a problem that must be restricted.  Even natural growth, which the guidelines permit, will be overseen by the Defense Minister - who will be of the left-wing.  We have reached a situation that is simply heart-breaking.  After four months where the residents of Yesha showed such nobility, unprecedented in the world, under fire, with so many sacrifices - and then there were elections, and their supposed champion has risen to power - and then they receive such a slap in the face..."

The lack of mention of the Golan does not worry the residents there.  Uri Heitner, spokesman for the Golan Residents Committee, said that even the Labor party knows that Israel will not withdraw from the Golan Heights, as a majority of the public is against it.

2. OTHER COALITION PROBLEMS
While the negotiations for the national unity government seem to be progressing, individual objections have been heard from various quarters.  Some in the Likud object to the naming of Ehud Barak as Defense Minister, while others cannot tolerate a possible appointment of Shimon Peres as Foreign Minister.  Former Likud Prime Minister Yitzchak Shamir told the Jewish Press that he regrets that the Likud leaders are willing to "give away everything" in exchange for a national-unity government.  "It's one thing to have Ehud Barak in Defense," Shamir said, "but Peres must under no circumstances be allowed to be Foreign Minister."

On the other hand, Likud MK Chaim Katz said today that Barak's smashing electoral defeat last week shows that the people want him out of office.  He added that based on Barak's history of zig-zagging, he is unworthy to serve in a senior government position.

Labor MKs Uzi Bar'am and Eli Goldshmidt submitted their resignations today to Knesset Speaker Avraham Burg.  They will be replaced by Moti Mish'ani - a member of David Levy's Gesher faction with right-wing tendencies - and former MK Effie Oshaya.  In other personnel changes in the Knesset, Shas MK David Tal resigned from his position as Labor and Welfare Committee Chairman.  He hopes to be named head of the Knesset Law Committee - a position to which MK Benny Elon has his eyes turned.

3. SHARON GOES INTERNATIONAL
Prime Minister-elect Ariel Sharon has sent emissaries to Europe and the U.S. to explain his policies.  Former Defense Minister Moshe Arens will meet today with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, together with Zalman Shoval and Dore Gold.  The three Israelis will also meet with members of the American National Security Council.  Former Israeli Ambassador in Paris Ovadiah Sofer will meet in Paris with French President Jacques Chirac and with European Union leaders in Brussels.

"I have a double message," Sofer told Arutz-7 today.  "A message of peace, on the one hand, but also a very strong message regarding Israel's security.  Our intention is to prevent the European Union from taking unilateral initiatives, and to increase cooperation with our new government...  The situation here is complex:  The French government is also a national-unity one, yet we must explain the new security-oriented approach of the Israeli government, and how the policy of restraint and holding back has brought about the deterioration of the situation..."  The French government announced at the beginning of the mini-war that Sharon was not welcome to visit France because of his alleged role in the violence, but Sofer assured the listeners that this was merely a "passing episode" and that France has announced that it will abide by the democratic choice made by the Israeli public.

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To:            arutz-7@israelnationalnews.com,arutz-7b@israelnationalnews.com
From:          Arutz-7 Editor<neteditor@israelnationalnews.com>
Subject:       Arutz-7 News: Wednesday, February 14, 2001

Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2001 / Sh'vat 21, 5761
------------------------------------------------

TODAY'S HEADLINES:
   1. COALITION NEGOTIATIONS
   2. SHARON MEETS WITH YESHA LEADERS

1. COALITION NEGOTIATIONS
The negotiations for the national-unity government continued this afternoon, on the backdrop of calls to "hurry up and form the government already."  On the agenda for today: internal issues such as the draft of yeshiva students, as well as the question of who will receive which portfolio.  Attorney-General Elyakim Rubenstein informed Prime Minister-elect Sharon that he will not be allowed to appoint Tzachi HaNegbi or Avigdor Lieberman as ministers in his new government. HaNegbi has been indicted on charges of breach of trust regarding a non-profit road-safety organization, and Lieberman faces an indictment on charges of insulting a policeman. The Knesset refused to remove his parliamentary immunity, thus that he cannot be brought to trial.

2. SHARON MEETS WITH YESHA LEADERS
Sharon met Yesha Council leaders, including spokesman Yehoshua Mor-Yosef, in the Knesset yesterday.  Mor-Yosef recounted what happened:

"Sharon repeated over several times that the present security situation cannot continue - we could see that this was a very burning issue for him.  But we expressed our skepticism to him, because if the Defense Minister is Ehud Barak, then he [Sharon] may not be able to implement the strong policies that he favors.  The same with the Yesha communities - Sharon, who is responsible for much of the construction and many of the towns here in the past decades, is very interested and sympathetic to us, and talked with longing about the hilltops, etc.  He wanted to know why this spot hasn't been built up, and what about that spot - but again, we explained that in the end, the Defense Minister - who is responsible for everything in Yesha because of the
military government there - will be able to stop things.  Sharon thinks that he will be able to control things; he's not naive, and he knows that it will not be simple, but he feels that the way will be found to build there.  It won't be easy for us, we will have to work hard, but I think we can assume that there will be at least as much construction as there was under the previous government - which was not a small amount."

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