HHMI Newsgroup Archives

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

Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Monday, Apr. 9, 2001 / Nissan 16, 5761 - Tonight's Count: 2 Days to the Omer
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. IDF RETALIATES AGAINST HEAVY PALESTINIAN MORTAR FIRE
2. ISRAELI-ARAB MURDERED BY PALESTINIAN TERRORISTS
3. WATER CRISIS: DRASTIC CUTS EXPECTED

1. IDF RETALIATES AGAINST HEAVY PALESTINIAN MORTAR FIRE
After Palestinians fired four mortar shells last night towards Kibbutz Nachal Oz, the IDF destroyed three PA posts from where the shells were fired. The Palestinian shells hit an area that is within pre-1967 Israel, east of the Gaza Strip. Aircraft did not participate in the Israeli attack, which hit Palestinian para-military and Fatah stations. From Friday through last night, the Palestinians fired 32 mortar shells towards Israeli communities and army targets in and around Gaza.

No let-up in Palestinian use of mortar shells against Israel is expected; on the contrary. It is assumed that the mortar launchers are either manufactured in Gaza or are smuggled in from Egypt.

In other Palestinian attacks today, fire was directed at an IDF jeep early this afternoon, west of Ramallah; no one was hurt, the jeep was damaged, and IDF soldiers fired back. Terrorists also shot at the Shomron town of Shavei Shomron, northwest of Shechem; no one was hurt, and IDF soldiers did not return fire. Palestinian fire was directed last night at the large hareidi town of Kiryat Sefer, east of Modi'in; one home was hit, but no one was hurt.

Arabs from Gaza vandalized equipment at the Karni Crossing over the weekend, including setting fire to one of the terminals. The crossing services thousands of Arab workers who enter Israel from Gaza. The army closed it down for a short while today in response to the vandalism.

A PLO Force 17 terrorist was shot by an IDF patrol near Bituniya, in the Ramallah district last night. He was spotted while placing a roadside explosive device in the area; the bomb did not explode. PA sources reported today that the wounded terrorist later died of his wounds.

The members of the National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu party - including Ministers Rehavam Ze'evi and Avigdor Lieberman and MKs - will meet with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon tonight. On the agenda: Israel's reactions to the Palestinian terrorism and attacks, and a request to toughen them.

2. ISRAELI-ARAB MURDERED BY PALESTINIAN TERRORISTS
An Israeli-Arab from Hadera, Mamoun Balar, was murdered yesterday morning in the PA-controlled city Tulkarm by Fatah terrorists. Balar was killed as he entered a shop he owns in Tulkarm; his body was not transferred to Israel. The terrorists apparently suspected him of collaborating with Israel.

3. WATER CRISIS: DRASTIC CUTS EXPECTED
The water crisis is apparently worse than originally feared, and Water Commissioner Shimon Tal has called for "cuts in everything." An updated estimate of available potable water for the year 2001 shows that Israel has 475 million cubic meters of water less than it needs to meet its water requirements - 20% worse than previous estimates. This past March was the driest March in over 40 years. Water experts in the north forecast that many water sources in the north will dry up this summer, and that there will be water shortages in many areas of the country. Tal said that he hopes the government will authorize his recommendations on water saving and consumption cutbacks.

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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, April 10, 2001

Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Tuesday, April 10, 2001 / Nissan 17, 5761
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. IDF AVENGES LATEST MORTAR ATTACKS
2. MK HENDEL: GOV'T HAS GOOD INTENTIONS
3. TURNING BACK THE FAITHFUL

1. IDF AVENGES LATEST MORTAR ATTACKS
Arab terrorists taking cover in the PLO autonomous areas today continued their program of firing mortar shells at Israeli civilian targets. Today, terrorists launched three rockets towards the Gaza Jewish community of Katif. One rocket landed near the community industrial park and another adjacent to several homes; nobody was injured. Last night, terrorists targeted the community of Nisanit in Gaza. Nobody was injured there, either. The IDF this morning retaliated by firing two surface-to-surface missiles at PA military targets in Gaza. One was aimed at the Arafat-directed "naval base" in northern Gaza, the other at PA intelligence headquarters in Dir-el-Balah. Prime Minister Sharon and Defense Minister Ben-Eliezer were visiting IDF Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Shaul Mofaz at the IDF post near Kibbutz Nachal Oz, outside of Gaza, at the time of the IDF strike. Nachal Oz has itself been the target of PLO mortar attacks over the past couple of weeks. Speaking to reporters today, Sharon said that he is confident that Israel will be able to win what he said he expects to be "a long, complex, and difficult campaign."

Arutz-7 correspondent Haggai Huberman said today's response was prepared in advance "and drawn from the army's bank of targets... Two missiles hit the Sudaniyeh base northwest of the Jewish community of Dugit on the beach. This was a key PA training facility for Arab snipers and others learning various forms of combat." Despite the loss absorbed by the PLO as a result of today's IDF strikes, Huberman concluded, "our actions to date seem to be just slightly stronger than those during the Barak era. They certainly cannot be counted on to secure a decisive win in this war."

2. MK HENDEL: GOV'T HAS GOOD INTENTIONS
Prime Minister Sharon met with the Knesset members of the National Union-Yisrael Beitenu party last night to discuss the security situation. One of the participants was MK Tzvi Hendel, who also happens to be a resident of Gush Katif. "We sat and talked with Prime Minister Sharon for almost two hours," Hendel explained today. "It would be wrong to say that I left the meeting more calm, with the sense that everything will be okay...But there is hope. This government has good intentions, but we told Mr. Sharon that the government's actions - its use of [Foreign Minister Shimon] Peres [to meet with PLO officials] for instance, does not reflect the approach we feel Israel should take...You don't speak to murderers, you hit them..."

Hendel said that Sharon assured the concerned MKs "just as he repeated to the media today - that he has a clear plan for battling the Arab terrorism...we didn't leave with clear answers to our concerns, but we were given a promise that we will see practical results in the days to come..." Speaking on Voice of Israel radio earlier in the day, party colleague (Infrastructures Minister) Avigdor Lieberman was more confident of the government's direction. Lieberman asserted that within two months' time, the government will have the situation totally under control.

3. TURNING BACK THE FAITHFUL
Thousands of Jews arrived this morning at the Western Wall plaza to participate in the traditional Passover "Birkat Cohanim" or Priestly Blessing ceremony at the Wall. Later, many of the Jews gathered at the gates of the Temple Mount, and insisted on the right to ascend the Mount to pray there only to find that the gates were locked.  Indications that the effort would be unsuccessful were evident early today when Jerusalem Mufti Sheikh Aqrama Tsabari issued a threat to Jews - particularly members and supporters of the Temple Mount Faithful organization - warning that attempts by Jews to pray on the Mount "would result in widespread Islamic violence."

Speaking with Arutz-7 this afternoon, Temple Mount Faithful leader Gershon Solomon expressed his disappointment with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's failure to open the Mount for Jewish worshippers. Solomon said that this was in violation of the Prime Minister's prior commitment to instruct security forces to permit Jewish worshippers to ascend the Mount. Solomon also explained that as he approached the entrance to the Temple Mount along with members of his group today, he carried with him a scale model of the Third Temple designed by architects hired by his organization. "Our message is clear: The Temple Mount never was and never will be a center of Islam. The Beit Hamikdash (Temple) is not some sort of mystical concept, but rather a very real one, a structure that will be re-built in our days.."

Touring in Judean Hills communities, President Moshe Katzav responded to reporters' questions on the issue. He opined that the Temple Mount should be opened to Jewish worshippers, but with a caveat - "that it only be done in coordination with the Muslim Waqf."

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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, April 11, 2001

Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Wednesday, April 11, 2001 / Nissan 18, 5761
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. SHARON PLEDGES TO KEEP YESHA AND GOLAN COMMUNITIES INTACT
2. PLO STRUCTURES DESTROYED IN OVERNIGHT OPERATION
3. ARAFAT CHANGES TUNE AFTER US PRESSURE
4. GOV'T POLICY UNCLEAR

1. SHARON PLEDGES TO KEEP YESHA AND GOLAN COMMUNITIES INTACT
Perhaps in an effort to assuage the fears of those who anticipate a renewal of negotiations with the PLO, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon says he will not uproot any Jewish communities in the context of a future diplomatic deal with the Arabs. In an exclusive interview with Ha'aretz newspaper, Sharon said: "I do not see any reason to evacuate any settlements. As long as there is no peace, we will remain there. If after some time - God willing, there is peace, there will certainly be no reason" to prevent Yesha residents from staying in their communities. He added that he has no right as Prime Minister to make any compromises in Jerusalem, either. Regarding Syria, Sharon asserted, "We cannot come down from the Golan Heights," explaining that a withdrawal from the Golan or the Jordan Valley would create an existential threat for the State of Israel. In Sharon's words, the Yesha communities "guard both the birthplace of the Jewish people and also grant us essential strategic depth to protect our existence."

2. PLO STRUCTURES DESTROYED IN OVERNIGHT OPERATION
The IDF continues to strike at the Arab terrorist infrastructure in Gaza. Last night, an IDF team entered the town of Khan Yunis and destroyed several buildings that were discovered to be the source of the mortar fire on IDF posts and civilian communities in Gaza in recent weeks. IDF spokesman Ron Kitri explained today that last night's operation was merely part of a long-term plan to strike at the sources of terrorism. IDF Gaza commander Brig.-Gen. Ya'ir Naveh said that the IDF action was a response to "months of attacks on Neve Dekalim and other Gaza communities...the Palestinian Authority is behind these attacks, either directly, or indirectly - by turning a blind eye to those cells planning them." IDF intelligence sources believe that the PLO has discovered mortars to be effective weaponry, facilitating minor strikes on communities beyond and adjacent to the 1967 "Green Line."

Last night, too, Arab terrorists fired mortar shells at communities and posts in Gush Katif.

Gaza Regional Council head Aharon Tzur said that he was pleased with the IDF operation, since it showed "what the army can do if its hands are untied. The real litmus test, though, is consistency; if this was a one-of-a-kind event, then we will not have accomplished anything.  If the move represents a change of direction, letting the army enter Area A to do what it has to do to stop terrorism, then it's a welcome development." Y-net reported late this afternoon that PA forces have issued a warning call to residents of Ramallah to "beware of the penetration of Israeli forces into Ramallah, in a manner similar to last night's entry into Khan Yunis."

3. ARAFAT CHANGES TUNE AFTER US PRESSURE
Yasser Arafat seems to have learned from the zig-zag approach of his former counterpart, Ehud Barak. In the wake of the IDF operation in Khan Yunis overnight, the PLO early today announced that it would not participate in any meetings dealing with security cooperation between itself and Israel. Arafat advisor Nabil Abu Radeina went so far as to condemn what he called the "Israeli attack" saying that such operations are part of "an Israeli plan to weaken the Palestinian Authority and its institutions and to harm the Palestinian people."  After pressure was exerted by US Secretary of State Colin Powell, the American CIA, and European Union officials, however, Yasser Arafat late this afternoon gave the green light for his representatives to attend the meeting. The US ambassador to Israel is expected to host the gathering in his Herzeliya home this evening.

4. GOV'T POLICY UNCLEAR
Recent assurances by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that he has a coherent pro-active plan for dismantling the Arab terrorist infrastructure in Judea, Samaria and Gaza were apparently contradicted this morning by two senior members of his own government. IMRA's Dr. Aaron Lerner notes that Foreign Minister Peres, speaking on Voice of Israel radio, asserted that the IDF has been instructed to only retaliate, but not initiate, strikes against Arab terrorist targets.  Defense Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer, also a member of Peres' Labor party faction in the National Unity Government, confirmed that this is indeed the Sharon government's policy. Ben-Eliezer said that the main difference between the Barak and Sharon administrations is that the new administration refuses to negotiate under fire. Likud MK Yuval Shteinitz, however, said on the same program that Israel would be ill-advised to take a reactive approach; in Shteinitz's view, such a strategy would allow Arafat to "call the shots," deciding which forces to expose to attack and which to keep in reserve for future battles.

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

Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Thursday, April 12, 2001 / Nissan 19, 5761
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. SHARON ON HEVRON
2. BEILIN DEFENDS ARAFAT ON NATIONAL TV
3. NO LET-UP IN ATTACKS

1. SHARON ON HEVRON
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon proposes that every student in the State of Israel be obligated to visit Hevron's Jewish Quarter as well as the Cave of the Patriarchs. In an interview with Yediot Acharonot newspaper, Sharon says that the Jewish people's roots are in Hevron, adding that the Jews who have come to settle there "have taken upon themselves a job for which we must all thank them..If these Jews were not there, then other Jews would not be able to visit the Cave of the Patriarchs." In his lengthy interview in Ha'aretz - published in the paper's internet edition today - Sharon added: "No people has a monument like the Tomb of the Patriarchs, where the patriarchs and matriarchs of the nation are buried: Abraham and Sarah, Yitzchak and Rebecca, Jacob and Leah. No people in the world has a historical asset like that. When I visit Washington, I look at the people who are standing at the foot of the Washington and Lincoln monuments, and they were truly great individuals. But here, in Hevron, we are talking about 4,000 years. 4,000 years. After all, what is Tel Rumeida? It is ancient Hevron. That is where King David was crowned."

In the Yediot article, Sharon harshly criticizes Housing Minister Natan Sharansky for publicizing his plans to expand Yesha communities, saying that the government needs "less talk and more action."

The full text of the Sharon interview with Ha'aretz can be found at http://www.haaretzdaily.com/htmls/kat26_2.htm

2. BEILIN DEFENDS ARAFAT ON NATIONAL TV
Oslo architect Yossi Beilin's visit with Yasser Arafat in Ramallah yesterday earned the former a lengthy interview spot on Israel's Channel One Television last night. Dr. Aaron Lerner of Independent Media Review and Analysis today summarized the main points made by Beilin during the interview:

*Arafat cannot be expected to order the Arabs to stop the violence since they will not honor his order to stop shooting.

*It was Ariel Sharon - by his visit to the Temple Mount last fall - who set off what the Arabs call the six month mini-war - dubbed by them as the"Al Aqsa Intifada."

*PA Minister Falouji's statement in February that the PA prepared for the violence before the Sharon visit is false - he made the claim, says Beilin, since Falouji was formerly in Hamas and wished to embarrass the PA. (ed.: Following is an excerpt of the Falouji speech, courtesy of MEMRI: "Whoever thinks that the Intifada broke out because of the despised Sharon's visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, is wrong, even if this visit was the straw that broke the back of the Palestinian people. This Intifada was planned in advance, ever since President Arafat's return from the Camp David negotiations, where he turned the table upside down on President Clinton. [Arafat] remained steadfast and challenged [Clinton]. He rejected the American terms and he did it in the heart of the US.")

*Ehud Barak made a mistake when he submitted a report to the Mitchell Committee that blamed the Palestinians for the violence rather than Ariel Sharon.

* Israel should resume full negotiations with the PLO while the violence continues. Arab violence may continue with the negotiations, with the violence ending along with "progress" in the negotiations.

* The Jordanian-Egyptian proposal (that would remove any restrictions on the PA so that it could more easily bring in more weapons and distribute them and make additional preparations for additional attacks against Israeli targets) should be accepted.

Foreign Minister Shimon Peres last night said the latest proposal by senior PA official Ahmed Qeri - also known as "Abu Alla" - warranted consideration. At yesterday's Beilin-Arafat meeting, Qeri - who was also in attendance - called for a cessation of warfare in return for Israel relaxing all closures on PA areas. Although he also issued a call for the resumption of talks, senior Israeli government ministers have rejected what they view as just the latest PA ploy; they are insisting that the warfare come to an end unconditionally prior to Israel making any new "gestures towards peace."

3. NO LET-UP IN ATTACKS
Throughout the late night and early morning hours, Arab terrorists continued to rain down mortar shells on the Gush Katif Jewish communities as well as the southern border between Israel and Egypt. Mortar shells landed in Nisanit, Kfar Darom and Netiv Ha'asarah, while an anti-tank missile exploded adjacent to Ganei Tal. No injuries were reported in any of the attacks. Public Security Minister Uzi Landau this morning called for a continuation of IDF pre-emptive strikes against Arab terrorist strongholds in the Gaza Strip.

By afternoon, Arab terrorists had hurled 23 hand grenades as well as dozens of firebombs at the IDF post adjacent to Rafiach. They also fired bullets at the post, injuring two soldiers serving there. Arutz-7's Moshe Pri'el reports that IDF soldiers returned fire. Arab also opened fire this afternoon on IDF forces near the Neve Dekalim industrial park.

Elsewhere, sporadic Arab gunfire brought about the closing of the Bethlehem bypass road for several hours today. A tank fired one shell at the source of the gunfire. During the morning hours, a soldier of the Shimshon unit was shot by terrorist sniper fire while on duty at a checkpost between southern Jerusalem and Bethlehem on the Tunnels road, also known as the Bethlehem bypass road. The attack took place close to the turnoff to village of Beit Jala. The soldier, who was hit in the jaw, was rushed to the trauma unit of Jerusalem's Hadassah Ein-Kerem Hospital. Trauma unit officials listed the soldier in moderate-to-serious condition upon arrival.

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To: arutz-7@israelnationalnews.com, arutz-7b@israelnationalnews.com
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@israelnationalnews.com>
Subject: Arutz-7 News Brief: Friday, April 20, 2001

Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Friday, Apr.13, 2001 / Nissan 20, 5761
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TODAY'S HEADLINE:

1. HOLOCAUST WEBSITES
Holocaust Remembrance Day is next Thursday, April 19th. Jacob Richman has provided a list of 86 educational websites for background on the topic. Following are just a few of those links:

Yad Vashem - Jerusalem http://www.yadvashem.org.il

The Simon Wiesenthal Center http://www.wiesenthal.com

A Teacher's Guide to the Holocaust (USF) http://fcit.coedu.usf.edu/Holocaust/ Holocaust

Teacher Resource Center (TRC) http://www.Holocaust-trc.org/

AMCHA - Israeli Centers for Holocaust Survivors and the Second Generation http://www.amcha.org

The Centre of Organizations of Holocaust Survivors in Israel http://www.survivors-holocaust.org/

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum http://www.ushmm.org/

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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, April 15, 2001

Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Sunday, Apr. 15, 2001 / Nissan 22, 5761
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. NO SIGN OF QUIET; "STOP THEM, THEY'VE GONE CRAZY"
2. MEETINGS CONTINUE AMIDST STRONG CRITICISM
3. TO AND FROM ISRAEL

1. NO SIGN OF QUIET; "STOP THEM, THEY'VE GONE CRAZY"

Maj.-Gen. (res.) Yossi Peled, who served as an aide to former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, told Arutz-7 today that there is no need to wonder any longer whether the Palestinians have declared war on Israel: "The Palestinians are throwing everything they have at us; that's war! Those who hesitate to call this a war do so because the PA has not used planes and tanks - but that's because they don't have any!" Peled said, however, that this does not mean that Israel should retaliate with everything that *we* have: "Everything must be done in proportion. But we must do whatever necessary to ensure that our citizens can live their lives safely. True, the attacks cannot be stopped in 24 or 48 hours, but over the course of a period of time, it is definitely a realistic goal to have the Palestinians wondering whether it is worth it for them to continue [the violence]. I'll say again what I've been saying for months: We have to act in a way that will have Arafat go running to the Americans, begging them to 'stop those Jews, they've gone crazy.' What Sharon has done so far is the beginning of this process."

2. MEETINGS CONTINUE AMIDST STRONG CRITICISM
The Sharon government continues to talk with leading Palestinian Authority figures. Foreign Minister Shimon Peres met at the end of the week with Abu Ala to discuss the possibility of renewing negotiations between the sides. Even more significantly, Omri Sharon, the Prime Minister's son, met again last week with Yasser Arafat in Ramallah. GSS head Avi Dichter also took part. It was Sharon, Jr.'s second meeting with Arafat in two weeks. MK Tzvi Hendel (National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu) said that the meeting was an outright violation of the Prime Minister's pledge to the National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu faction last week that there would be no negotiations with Palestinian leaders while their attacks on Israel continue.

Attorney-General Elyakim Rubenstein also criticized Omri's meeting with Arafat. "Sending a family member to official meetings is not the way a properly-run country does things," Rubenstein said today at a ceremony in honor of retiring Supreme Court Justice Yitzchak Zamir.

3. TO AND FROM ISRAEL
The United Parcel Service (UPS) is now running daily routes to Israel. So reports The Fortnightly (www.atid-edi.com). UPS Israel says that the inclusion of Israel in the company's daily flight schedule will greatly help UPS clients and Israeli exporters, allowing them to benefit from overnight courier services. Over the past six years, UPS Israel has become a major local courier service, holding a 60% local market share. Minister of Transportation Ephraim Sneh noted recently that the company is increasing its activities in Israel at a time when other airlines are cutting back their routes to Israel.

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