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To:            arutz-7@israelnationalnews.com, arutz-7b@israelnationalnews.com
From:          Arutz-7 Editor <feedback@israelnationalnews.com>
Subject:       Arutz-7 News: Monday, August 6, 2001
Arutz Sheva News Service
  <http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Monday, Aug. 6, 2001 / Av 17, 5761
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
   1. IDF TO CONTINUE HUNTING DOWN TERRORISTS
   2. WHAT WILL BE THE END?
   3. ARAB MKs OPENLY SUPPORT TEL AVIV SHOOTING ATTACK
1. IDF TO CONTINUE HUNTING DOWN TERRORISTS
The IDF spokesman released a statement following yesterday's downing of 
arch-terrorist Amar Mansur Hassan Madiri saying that the army "will 
continue its preemptive strikes in order to protect and defend the citizens 
and soldiers of the State of Israel."  According to the release, Madiri had 
become, over the last few months, a top aide to senior Hamas terrorist Fuaz 
Badran in Tul Karem.  In the framework of his new "responsibilities," 
Madiri was directly involved in enlisting, training, and dispatching 
suicide bombers to population centers.  Specifically, Madiri was 
accelerating preparations for a major attack to involve mass casualties in 
the next few days.  IDF choppers fired direct hits on Madiri's car 
yesterday, thereby ending his terrorist career.
Defense Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer revealed that at 6 AM today, a 
suicide bomber was captured in the Tul Karem area.  He was the intended 
recipient of one of the explosive belts that were in Madiri's car, who was 
killed yesterday in an Israel Air Force raid.
Yesterday, the Defense Ministry published "a partial list of Palestinians 
who continue to plan and carry out attacks after Israel's request for their 
arrest."  Deputy Defense Minister Dalia Rabin-Pelossof said, "We have 
concrete evidence that these people are involved in preparing suicide 
bombings and making explosives."  Ahmed Qurieh, speaker of the Palestinian 
Legislative Council, said that the Israeli offensives against terrorists 
may force the Palestinian leadership to return to "underground resistance."
2. WHAT WILL BE THE END?
What will be the end? This was the question which Arutz 7 Editor Haggai 
Segal posed to Tourism Minister and Security Cabinet member Rechavam Ze'evy 
in today's news magazine.
Rechavam Ze'evy:  "The end will be that the Jewish nation will establish 
roots and hold on to its land; the Land will belong to the People of 
Israel, and only to them."
Haggai Segal: When will happen?
RZ:  It depends on us - civilians, soldiers, government officials - all of us.
HS:  Despite protests from persons like yourself [who demand more decisive 
actions], Ariel Sharon is clinging to a policy of slow, pinpoint 
retaliations against specific terrorists.  He is not launching an offensive 
against Arafat and the entire terrorist infrastructure...  But recently, he 
is striking at the terrorists more.  Does this encourage you that Sharon 
may be coming around?
RZ:  ... It doesn't encourage me that Sharon may be coming around, but it 
does encourage me that the conflict is being forced to a point of 
escalation.  Then, without Sharon wanting it, and despite the brakes that 
Peres is applying, we may find ourselves in a real confrontation with the 
Palestinians.  This will enable us to teach them the lesson that they need 
and are waiting for a long time... I suggested to Barak and to Sharon that 
we don't have to retake the [PLO-controlled] areas.  Rather hit them hard 
and pressure them in their 'soft spots' - they have many such spots.  Then, 
when they scream, we set rules and conditions.
HS:  Do you have an audience with the Prime Minister to discuss these issues?
RZ:  Yes, we talk, and he hears me out.  But he very much values the 
national unity government.  He sees it as a strategic asset of prime 
importance.  He is concerned that a change of policy in the direction that 
I suggest will cause Peres and his friends in Labor to quit the coalition - 
even though it's not clear that all of them would leave.  Therefore, even 
against his own fundamental, personal beliefs - and I know the man for tens 
of years - he runs things in a way that keeps Peres satisfied.  In other 
words, not to act, not to respond, not to fight, not to initiate, rather, 
talk about it.
HS:  Is Sharon waiting to reach such point where even if he strikes 
according to your plan, he will have Peres' support?
RZ:  When Sharon pursues the plan that we suggest, Peres can get up and 
quit the government.  It may very well be that only some of them will leave 
and Labor will split.  The Labor party is not currently in a situation 
where one person commands the respect and obedience of the entire 
party.  The party is very divided, and in a very difficult position.  I'm 
not rejoicing at the weakness of my rival when I say that, but we don't 
have to be overly concerned if they leave the coalition, because a strong 
stable government will remain if part or even all of Labor leaves.  Then, 
Sharon can implement a policy that he believes in, preached for, and acted 
on throughout his entire life.
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres for his part had harsh words for Prime 
Minister Ariel Sharon's policy of restraint, insisting that the government 
should immediately return to the negotiating table with the PA.  Peres 
stated that the current government policy was not heading in any direction, 
and there is a need to come to an agreement with the PA, divide the land, 
and create a border between the nations.  Peres stated if this were not 
done, Israel would soon be faced with the demographic reality of an Arab 
majority.  Peres made his comments in a forum with several cabinet ministers.
Commentator Jay Shapiro told Arutz Sheva today that one of Sharon's main 
problems is that there hasn't been a general Knesset election since May, 
1999.  The election which brought Sharon to office with an unprecedented 
62% majority was a race for Prime Minister.  But the balance in the Knesset 
does not reflect the public's change since Camp David and the Rosh Hashanah 
mini war.  "Much has happened since May, 1999.  It's not clear who Peres 
represents anymore.  It is very likely that if elections were held today, 
Labor would not be a serious partner in the coalition.  Sharon is forced to 
balance a government based on a Knesset which no longer represents public 
sentiment.  If Sharon wanted to show true leadership now, he would call for 
a general election, right in the middle of all that is happening.  It will 
do Sharon good both politically and internationally."
3. ARAB MKs OPENLY SUPPORT TEL AVIV SHOOTING ATTACK
Knesset Member Talab El-Sana (United Arab List) called yesterday's shooting 
in Tel Aviv "a legitimate part of the Palestinian struggle."  Justifying 
the attack during a media interview to an Abu Dhabi channel, MK El-Sana 
added that the attempted mass murder was "of a special quality, targeting 
military personnel and not civilians... There can be no guilt feelings in 
this case."  Eight soldiers and two civilians were wounded in the assault 
on Kaplan Street.  Minister of Public Security Uzi Landau called the 
statement "treason."  MK (Shinui) Tommy Lapid called upon the Arab MK to 
resign from the Knesset.  Minister without portfolio Danny Naveh says that 
he intends to legislate a law that will require Knesset members to declare 
allegiance not only to Israel, but to Israel as a Jewish State.
Later today, Arab MK Azmi Bishara (Balad) declared that he agrees with 
El-Sana's "every word."  Bishara says that the criticism of El-Sana is an 
attempt to silence Arab Knesset members from expressing their opinion.  It 
is not yet clear if Attorney-General Elyakim Rubenstein will indict 
El-Sana, or on what charge.
******************************************************************
To:            arutz-7@israelnationalnews.com, arutz-7b@israelnationalnews.com 
From:          Arutz-7 Editor <feedback@israelnationalnews.com> 
Subject:       Arutz-7 News: Tuesday, August 7, 2001
Arutz Sheva News Service
  <http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2001 / Av 18, 5761
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
   1. PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY IN SHAMBLES
   2. LEFTWING OVERTURES TO ARAFAT
   3. INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL OFFENSIVES
1. PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY IN SHAMBLES
The Palestinian Authority is facing troubles of such magnitude that
analysts say the Arafat regime may be nearing its end.  Some
institutions within the PLO-controlled areas are on the verge of
financial collapse.  Many aspects of the PA courts, welfare projects,
and low-level law enforcement are no longer functioning.  Segments of
the Arab population that were sympathetic to Arafat are shifting
support to the Islamic fundamentalist organizations Hamas and Islamic
Jihad.  Senior Arab leader Ziad Abu Ziad admits that the PLO
leadership is losing control over the Hamas and Islamic Jihad. 
Apparently out of desperation, Arafat loyalist Marwan Barghouti has
sent calls to the rival Islamic movements to join together in a
national unity leadership.  In a Ramallah press conference, he said
that there is an "urgent need" for the various groups to unite.
Another factor leading to disenchantment in the Arab street is the
precision of the Israeli strikes against Arab terrorists.  Israeli
bombs and missiles reach top-level terrorists when they briefly step
into a phone booth, or meet in supposedly top secret hide outs.  The
PA is deemed helpless in providing protection in the areas under its
control.  In an attempt to regain some popularity, the PA began
hunting down collaborators with Israel, and handed down the death
penalty on several suspects in ten-minute trials.  Recent reports
indicate that some Palestinian leaders are busy securing for
themselves places of refuge in various Arab countries should they need
to escape on short notice.
2. LEFTWING OVERTURES TO ARAFAT
Despite his earlier statements that there was nothing to speak about
with the PLO leadership until the Arab attacks came to a total halt,
Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer announced on Monday that he is
in favor of resuming talks with Yasser Arafat.  He added that
negotiations with senior officials of the Palestinian Authority are
not efficient and that Arafat alone was capable of bringing an end to
the Arab violence.  Peres too said yesterday that he favors an
immediate resumption of diplomatic negotiations with Arafat.  In an
interview on Israel television, the Defense Minister, a candidate for
the chairmanship of the Labor Party, sent a personal message to
Arafat.  Using the PLO leader's nom de guerre, Ben-Eliezer said, "Abu
Amar, I guarantee your safety. Do not fear. We want you to continue
leading your people towards the direction of peace."  The Council of
Jewish Communities in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza was quick to comment
that before the Defense Minister hurries to guarantee Arafat's
security, it would be appropriate for him to fulfill his obligation to
the citizens of Israel and guarantee their security in Tel Aviv and on
the roads in Yesha.
While Ben-Eliezer and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres are in favor of
talks with Arafat, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon remains opposed.  He
told a Hadassah Women's Organization gathering on Monday that there
would be no return to the negotiating table "under fire."  Yesterday,
Sharon reiterated to the new US Ambassador to Israel, Dan Kurtzer,
that there must be a seven-day quiet period followed by six weeks of
tranquility without attacks before proceeding to the implementation of
other stages of the Mitchell Plan.
3. INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL OFFENSIVES
On Monday, the Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher called the
Israeli government "a gang of assassins". Maher said that no civilized
country could accept the behavior of the government of Israel as it
continues to carry out "assassinations" in violation of international
law.  Israel's policies will drag the entire region into war, he said.
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Anan called upon Israel to
refrain from its current policy of preemptive offensives against
terrorist targets. He called on both sides involved to abandon the
violence and return to dialogue in order to achieve a political
solution. Anan provided no indication of how an end to the violence
was to be achieved, although the Group of Eight Industrialized Nations
has called for international observers to be stationed in Israel.
Although holding a positive view of the Secretary-General's call to
return to the negotiating table, Foreign Minister Shimon Peres was
less than enthusiastic about the possibility of international
observers in Israel. The Foreign Minister told the Russian emissary to
the Middle East on Monday that the deployment of international
observers in the region would not provide the solution to the ongoing
warfare. He explained that since the observers would not have access
to Hamas bomb facilities where explosives for attacks are prepared and
suicide bombers set out for attacks, they would only be able to report
on attacks after they occur and not prevent them.
***************************************************************
To:            arutz-7@israelnationalnews.com, arutz-7b@israelnationalnews.com 
From:          Arutz-7 Editor <feedback@israelnationalnews.com> 
Subject:       Arutz-7 News: Wednesday, August 8, 2001
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Wednesday, August 8, 2001 / Av 19, 5761
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
   1. ISRAELI MINISTER: UN BECOMING ALLY OF TERRORISTS
   2. LABOR PARTY SHOWDOWN
   3. ISLAMIC OPPOSITION AND THE PA REACH "UNDERSTANDING"
   4. PA SERMON: PEACE THRU KILLING JEWS
1. ISRAELI MINISTER: UN BECOMING ALLY OF TERRORISTS
Yesterday, the UN added insult to injury by its handling of the UNIFIL
videotapes affair.  After their first viewing of the UN videotapes
which document the aftermath of October's kidnapping of three Israeli
soldiers on the Lebanese border, the Israeli team had planned to
summon medical and forensics experts to glean further information in a
second viewing, but the UN informed them that they would not be
allowed to view the tapes again.  Infuriated by the latest effrontery,
the Israelis stormed out of the UN offices.  Foreign Minister Shimon
Peres reacted by saying that he stands fully behind the Israeli demand
to watch the tapes as many times as necessary.  Minister of National
Infrastructures Avigdor Lieberman attacked the UN for becoming "a
natural ally of terrorists like the Hizbullah" and called for the
immediate removal of UNIFIL forces from southern Lebanon.
Today, however, a compromise was reached between the Israeli
Ambassador to the UN, Yehudah Lankri, and UN representatives, whereby
the Israeli experts will view the tapes again today, examine the
articles from the scene of the kidnapping and be allowed to send other
experts to one more viewing, to be arranged for the families of the
soldiers.  The screening for the families is to take place in Austria
next week, but it is questionable if the families will show up. 
Family members told Arutz 7 that "the personal items belong to us, not
to them."  If the UN refuses to release the items, the families say
that they simply will not attend the video screening.  Family members
said that the behavior of the UN gives reason to suspect that the
international organization is collaborating in a terrible crime.
Israel also maintains that there is a third video tape of the
kidnapping itself, which the UN is denying.
It will be recalled that the UN initially denied the tapes' existence.
 The UN then admitted to holding one tape, then to a second and the
bloodied belongings of the captives.  The UN then agreed to a viewing,
but only an edited version which obscures the features of the
Hizbullah terrorists caught on film.  After refusing to allow an
Israeli team of specialists to view the tapes in Israel, the UN
invited the Israelis to watch them at UN Headquarters in New York. 
The Israelis complied, under protest, and the team of experts arrived
in America earlier this week.
2. LABOR PARTY SHOWDOWN
Knesset Speaker Avraham Burg officially began his campaign for the
leadership of the Labor Party on Monday.  Burg says that the main
problem plaguing the party is "the infighting, the divisions, the
slander."  He promises leadership "that is no longer a one-man show,
that of a team."  Burg's competition for the top spot is Defense
Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, who has made a decided shift to the
political left in recent days.  Ben-Eliezer, like Foreign Minister
Shimon Peres, has called for a return to negotiations with Yasser
Arafat, despite the ongoing terrorist war.  Two weeks ago, the Defense
Minister opened his campaign with a press conference at which he
emphasized his credentials and political experience to enable him to
rehabilitate the party.  The winner of the race will be Labor's
candidate for prime minister in the next national election.
Primaries are scheduled for September 4, but Labor's central committee
will convene next Sunday (August 12) to decide whether or not to delay
them and for how long.  Former MK Gedalia Gal is backing a petition to
delay the primaries because, "holding the Party primaries now would
lead to Labor leaving the government."  While both candidates have
expressed opposition to a postponement, chairman of Burg's election
campaign Avi Yehezkel says that Ben-Eliezer is actually behind the
initiative, together with Shimon Peres, in what he termed "the
ultimate 'stinking maneuver..,'" alluding to the term the late Prime
Minister Rabin once used to describe a tactic of Peres.  Last week,
Ben-Eliezer obliquely implied that the Burg camp was inciting against
him among Arab constituents upset with the government's defense
policy.  The Labor prime ministerial candidate usually receives some
95% of the Arab vote.  Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak sent a letter
to Ben-Eliezer yesterday expressing support for his candidacy for
leadership of the Labor Party.
3. ISLAMIC OPPOSITION AND THE PA REACH "UNDERSTANDING"
Ynet reports on the details of an "understanding" reached between the
Palestinian Authority and Islamic terrorist organizations including
Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Marxist Popular Front for the Liberation
of Palestine.  In an attempt to create a "national unity" leadership,
the sides have agreed on several points, which include integration of
the opposition groups into the Palestinian Authority administrative
structure and a continuation of the armed struggle until achievement
of an independent Arab state in the territory of Judea, Samaria, Gaza
and Jerusalem.
According to Ynet, the Tanzim, under the leadership of Marwan
Barghouti, are interested in formalizing their de facto cooperation
with the Hamas and to weaken some PLO leaders.  Meanwhile, PLO leader
Ahmed Abdel Rahman is quoted as saying, "Oslo is dead, and the group
most damaged by it are actually those who supported Oslo.  Therefore,
the time has come for those who opposed Oslo and those who supported
it to come together for the battle being waged by the Palestinian
people."
4. PA SERMON: PEACE THRU KILLING JEWS
What follows are selections of Friday's sermon (August 3, 2001) on
official Palestinian Authority TV.  The selections are provided by
Palestinian Media Watch.
"Allah shall make the Moslem rule over the Jew, we will blow them up
in Hadera, we will blow them up in Tel-Aviv and in Netanya in the
righteousness of Allah against this riff-raff, we will fight against
them and rule over them until the Jew will hide behind the trees and
stones and the tree and stone will say: 'Moslem! Servant of Allah,
there is a Jew behind me, kill him!'
"We will enter Jerusalem as conquerors, and Jaffa as conquerors, and
Haifa as conquerors and Ashkelon as conquerors, we are certain that
the victory is quickly coming, as we bless anyone who rises against a
soldier, we bless all those who educate their children to Jihad and to
Martyrdom, blessings to he who shot a bullet into the head of a Jew...
"I heard a youth say, 'Oh, Sheikh, I am now 14 years old.  I have 4
more years and then I will go to blow myself up among Allah's enemies,
I will blow myself up among the Jews.'"  I said to him, 'Allah should
let you merit Martyrdom and let me merit Martyrdom'...
"All weapons must be aimed at the Jews, at the enemies of Allah, the
cursed nation in the Koran, whom the Koran describes as monkeys and
pigs, worshippers of the calf and idol worshippers.
*****************************************************************
To:            arutz-7@israelnationalnews.com, arutz-7b@israelnationalnews.com 
From:          Arutz-7 Editor <feedback@israelnationalnews.com> 
Subject:       Arutz-7 News: Thursday, August 9, 2001
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Thursday, August 9, 2001 / Av 20, 5761
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINE:
ARAB SLAUGHTERS 18 IN THE HOLY CITY
An Arab suicide bomber entered the Sbarro Restaurant in the center of
Jerusalem shortly before 2:00 PM today, positioned himself in the
center of a crowd, and within seconds detonated a powerful charge
leaving 18 dead, and another approximately 80 injured, some still
fighting for their lives.  Among the wounded were small children and
babies.  The powerful blast rocked and showered the area with shards
of glass, metallic fragments and nails.  Eyewitnesses report that they
knew immediately the blast was a terrorist bomb, adding that the sound
of the explosion was ear piercing.  The Sbarro Restaurant, on the
corner of Jaffa Rd. and King George St. was totally destroyed in the
explosion.
The scene was one of panic and horror.  Bodies were strewn all over. 
The busy location is just a two-minute walk from the Machane Yehuda
marketplace where thousands make their way to shop for the upcoming
Sabbath.  Nechemia, an eyewitness, was in a nearby restaurant and
described what he saw: "I saw a young girl on the ground with blood
gushing from her head and mouth.  She signaled me for help, and when I
went over to her, I realized that I couldn't help, because I am not a
medic.  I ran to alert a medic of her condition, and he came over.  I
am in shock."
The response by emergency personnel to the blast was almost
instantaneous; their units have been on heightened alert in the
capital in recent weeks, in light of intelligence community warnings
of impending attacks.  The first police and ambulances arrived within
two minutes, and began to assess the horrific site.  All major
hospitals in Jerusalem immediately implemented disaster plans, such as
calling on all off duty personnel to report for duty.
Police are not releasing details at this time but they state with
confidence that the bomb was very big and contained a large amount of
steel nails, which was immediately evident in the number of wounded
arriving in area hospitals punctured by the nails.  There are
conflicting reports that in subsequent searches, police reportedly
found and safely dismantled a pipe bomb at the scene.
At 4:13 PM, while dozens of persons uninjured by the blast were
standing near the scene, pandemonium again struck as reports of a
second bombing at Jerusalem's Central Bus station spread through the
crowd.  Police and ambulance sirens again filled Jaffa road, and the
crowds dispersed in fear of being caught in yet another atrocity.  But
this second alert proved to be a false alarm.  As it turned out, a
tire blew on this hot August day.
As is always the case following major attacks, phone systems,
especially cellular telephone providers, crashed due to the sudden
demand by persons trying to reach loved ones.  Telephone lines in the
capital remained strained for an hour and many persons were unable to
verify the whereabouts of family and friends who might have been in
the area of the massacre.
In a televised exchange of views, Ehud Ya'ari, Israel Television's
expert on Arab terrorism, said that anyone, like my colleague here
Danny Rubenstein (Haaretz's Arab Affairs editor), who says that the
suicide bombings are the Arab response to our taking down their
leaders, is simply not reading the map and what they are saying. 
"They are in the midst of a terrorist offensive, continuing from where
the 1948 War of Independence left off."
*****************************************************************

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