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To:            arutz-7@israelnationalnews.com, arutz-7b@israelnationalnews.com
From:          Arutz-7 Editor <feedback@israelnationalnews.com>
Subject:       Arutz-7 News Brief:  Friday, August 10, 2001
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Friday, August 10, 2001 / Av 21, 5761
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
   1. ISRAEL RETALIATES POLITICALLY
   2. INSIDE LAST NIGHT'S CABINET MEETING
   3. THE ARAB REACTION
   4. SHARON INVITES PARTIES TO JOIN COALITION
1. ISRAEL RETALIATES POLITICALLY
While the IDF engaged in some retaliatory measures last night, the most 
significant steps taken by the Government of Israel were in the political 
realm: Israel closed the Headquarters of the Palestinian Authority in 
Jerusalem known as the Orient House.  Overnight, Police and IDF forces 
entered the building, unfurled an Israeli flag over the structure in place 
of the PLO one, and removed all the pictures of Faisal Husseini which 
decorated the exterior courtyard and walls of the building.  All computers, 
documents, and files in the building were confiscated.  A loaded Uzi 
sub-machine gun which was found on premises led to the arrest of seven Arab 
guards.  Also last night, PA operations in eight other Jerusalem buildings 
were terminated.
Israel's takeover of the Orient House caught the PLO by complete 
surprise.  Reporters in Jerusalem and PA areas say that while the PLO 
expected extensive Israeli retaliation raids against installations 
throughout Judea and Samaria, they were sure that Israel would never touch 
the Orient House.  Prime Minister Sharon clarified in a closed meeting that 
Israel's presence in the Orient House is not a temporary one, but 
"forever.  We are exercising our sovereignty over Jerusalem," said the 
Prime Minister.
David Bedein of Israel Resource News Agency says that while every Israeli 
government in the past 8 years has declared that Jerusalem will remain 
unified under Israeli sovereignty, the same governments condoned the 
operation of PA institutions in Jerusalem.  "The most blatant was the 
Orient House where PA officials would receive foreign dignitaries and 
diplomats for meetings.  Moreover, terrorist offensives and strategies were 
actually planned at meetings held at the Orient House.  Its massive 
computer network, now in the hands of Minister of Public Security Uzi 
Landau, contains details of terrorist activity and precise data on pre-1948 
houses and real estate which the PA planned to claim in Israeli courts."
During a visit to the Orient House this morning, Minister Uzi Landau said, 
"Once Israeli begins enforcing the law in Jerusalem and preventing the 
waving of the PLO flag, we will be able to gradually halt  terrorism."  The 
Council of Jewish Communities in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza congratulated the 
government on asserting Israeli sovereignty in its capital, "albeit, ten 
years late."
In other retaliatory moves following the Jerusalem bombing attack, the PA 
headquarters in the Jerusalem suburb Abu Dis were taken over by Israeli 
forces.  The grandiose structure was built to serve as a future PA 
parliament as part of the Beilin-Peres-Abu Mazen plan to divide Jerusalem 
and establish the capital of a Palestinian state in its eastern, 
Arab-populated suburbs.  The IDF spokesman says that the building directly 
served the military arms of the PA including: Force 17, General 
Intelligence, Preventive Security, Military Intelligence, and the 
Palestinian police.  Part of the building sits on Israeli land, a reality 
that has been overlooked by previous Israeli governments.
2. INSIDE LAST NIGHT'S CABINET MEETING
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and fellow Labor party Ministers Matan Vilnai 
and Ephraim Sneh were the only three cabinet members who did not support 
the government's decision to take over strategic PA buildings in and around 
Jerusalem.  Peres, an Oslo architect, remains an ardent supporter of 
returning to the negotiating table with Yasser Arafat, regardless of 
whether the PLO implements a ceasefire first.
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres explained to members of the cabinet at the 
late night meeting that he objects to a forceful military reaction to the 
attack, and called upon the ministers to "keep things in proportion."  In 
reaction, ministers at the meeting said, "Enough is enough.  This cannot 
continue anymore."  Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said that the 
Jerusalem slaughter requires a retaliation that sends a "clear and 
unmistakable" message to Arafat.  Minister of the Interior Eliyahu Yishai, 
head of the Shas Party, speaking by telephone from overseas, told the Prime 
Minister that "there is no more point in pursuing dialogue" with 
Arafat.  Yishai gave his agreement to "any action that the Prime Minister 
recommended."  Deputy Defense Minister Dalia Rabin-Pelosof stated that in 
her opinion the decision taken was appropriate.  However, "much more 
extreme proposals were discussed.  Much more extreme," she 
emphasized.
3. THE ARAB REACTION
Spontaneous mass expressions of joy broke out yesterday afternoon in 
various cities under the control of the Palestinian Authority when the news 
of the Jerusalem slaughter became known.  In Jenin, home town of the dead 
terrorist, and elsewhere in Judea, Samaria and Gaza, hundreds of Arabs 
danced and sang in the streets, fired guns in the air and praised Hamas and 
the Islamic Jihad for killing the Jews.  Islamists handed out candies and 
knafe (sweet cakes) to the crowds in a traditional symbolic reinforcement 
of their belief that there should be no sadness at the death of a 
"martyr."  The father of the perpetrator of the Jerusalem bombing told 
reporters today that he and his wife are proud of their son's action.  An 
Islamic Jihad spokesman declared, "Even the animals in the fields are happy 
about this attack."  Elsewhere in the Arab world, particularly in 
Palestinian villages in Lebanon, there were similar spontaneous, joyful 
reactions to the murders.
4. SHARON INVITES PARTIES TO JOIN COALITION
Prime Minster Ariel Sharon called upon the National Religious Party (NRP) 
and the Central Party to join the government immediately.  Sharon made it 
clear to NRP leader MK Rabbi Yitzhak Levy that Israel is now facing a 
difficult political and military situation, and that the coalition needs 
reinforcement for its policies.  While expressing his willingness to 
consider the offer, Levy said that the closure of the Orient House and "a 
low-level bombing in Ramallah," is not a sufficient response, and that more 
meaningful steps need to be taken.
The NRP has been demanding more active policies against the Arab 
terrorists, and thereby garnering support among right-wing voters.  It 
appears that, in his attempt to convince the NRP to join the government, 
Ariel Sharon is seeking to guarantee the support he needs in the cabinet in 
order to carry out forceful military and diplomatic actions.
Sharon also spoke with MK Dan Meridor of the Center Party, which has moved 
to the right after its left-leaning members quit the Knesset.  Negotiations 
with both the NRP and Center party are expected to continue next week.
********************************************************************
To:            arutz-7@israelnationalnews.com, arutz-7b@israelnationalnews.com 
From:          Arutz-7 Editor <feedback@israelnationalnews.com> 
Subject:       Arutz-7 News: Sunday, August 12, 2001
Arutz Sheva News Service
  <http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Sunday, August 12, 2001 / Av 23, 5761
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
   1. GOV'T CLOSES MORE PLO OFFICES IN CAPITAL
   2. ORIENT HOUSE WAS ESPIONAGE CENTER
   3. INSIDE THE CABINET MEETING
   4. MILD INT'L CONDEMNATION OF ORIENT HOUSE TAKEOVER
   5. EU AND JAPAN TO FUND REBUILDING IN PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY
SPECIAL INSERT: TOURISM MINISTER EXPLAINS GOV'T POSITION
1. GOV'T CLOSES MORE PLO OFFICES IN CAPITAL
In the Arab-populated Jerusalem suburb Abu Dis, the IDF paid a return
visit this morning to take over yet another office of the PA which was
operating illegally in the capital.  The IDF spokesman has not yet
confirmed the operation, but Arab sources say that the IDF closed off
the area of the PA Communications and Media Center, took over the
building, ordered all employees outside, and began a search. 
Employees of the PA's Telecommunications Company will be given
permission to re-enter their office in coordination with security
officials on site.  The Coordinator of Gov't Activities says, "It is
not the intention of the defense establishment to disrupt the
commercial business activities of the company.  It wishes to permit
the normal management of economic-commercial related issues."
Israel closed down the Orient House in Jerusalem, along with nine
other offices of the PA, early Friday morning, in a political
retaliation to the massacre of 15 civilians and the injuring of 120 by
an Arab suicide bomber on Thursday
Spokesperson for the Arab League Hanan Ashrawi was informed last night
by Israel police that she will not be allowed to enter Jerusalem
following her incitement of Arab demonstrators to violent acts against
police on Saturday near the Orient House.  In fact, when she reached a
police checkpoint on her way to Jerusalem this morning, she was forced
to make a U-turn and go home.  Ashrawi condemned the limitation on her
movements.
2. ORIENT HOUSE WAS ESPIONAGE CENTER
Minister of Public Security Uzi Landau says that the documents and
databases recovered from the Orient house are being meticulously
examined.  Some of the information has already been transferred to the
General Security Service (GSS).  Investigators uncovered weapons and a
vast array of documents and computer files of important intelligence
information, including maps and photographs of Israeli police and
other Israeli security forces in operation, and documentation
pertaining to the vast ongoing illegal construction in the Arab sector
of the capital.  Also confiscated were files on every Jewish community
in Judea, Samaria and Gaza which were to one day serve vital for PA
forces in a military offensive against Yesha communities.  Police
sources say that the material will keep many people busy for a long
time.  Minister Landau says that he has been working to close down the
center of PLO activity in Jerusalem since taking office 5 months ago,
and he sees it as a "historic privilege" to be the government minister
to carry out the order, thereby "restoring Israeli sovereignty" to all
parts of Jerusalem.
A look at the Oslo agreements
<http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/go.asp?MFAH00qa0> shows that opening PLO
offices in Jerusalem is a blatant violation of them.  The
Israeli-Palestinian agreements specifically provide that Jerusalem is
excluded from Palestinian jurisdiction (Interim Agreement, Article
XVII.1).  Moreover, the Interim Agreement states that all PA offices
can only be located in areas under Palestinian territorial
jurisdiction in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza (Interim Agreement Article
I.7).
The left-wing Gush Shalom group says that the closing of the PLO
Orient House was a blow to its activities.  A statement released by
the group reads in part: "What was hardly mentioned in the media was
the special role this place has for the Israeli peace camp.  In no
other Palestinian venue were peace-seeking Israelis such frequent
visitors, always made to feel at home and engage in fruitful
discussion and dialogue."
How long will Israel keep the Orient House?  Jerusalem Mayor Ehud
Olmert says that he spoke with the Prime Minister on this very
question: "'I can to tell you,' he said to me in no uncertain terms -
in the strident Arik [Sharon] voice that I have known for years - 'in
the most clear-cut way that we will never move from here. We will
never evacuate the Orient House.'"
Olmert was asked if the decision to keep the Orient House would hold
in tact under the heavy international pressure.  Olmert: "There is no
'heavy international pressure.'  There is heavy media pressure.  There
is nothing that the Israeli media will balk at doing in order to
undermine our position on this, as well."
3. INSIDE THE CABINET MEETING
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres continues to press Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon for the immediate renewal of talks with PLO leader Yasser
Arafat.  Peres, who was opposed to the Orient House takeover, now
stresses that the need for renewed negotiations was greater than ever.
 Sharon remained firm in his position that negotiations would not
resume until there is a total cessation of terrorism.  But, Peres says
that is not calling for diplomatic negotiations at this time, but
rather talks to achieve the very ceasefire which Sharon is waiting
for.  Regarding this idea, Sharon told reporters: "We do not pay
protection money. We have made that clear a hundred times. It is not
even an issue.  We do not pay for the cessation of terrorism.  We will
not pay them not to kill us."
Sharon called on Peres to honor the majority cabinet opinion not to
negotiate under fire.  Peres and Sharon met alone for two hours
following the cabinet session, due to the sharp exchange of views
between them during the meeting.  After their tete-a-tete, they
declared that they will continue their discussions at another time.
Later in the day, Shimon Peres spoke before members of the Labor Party
Central Committee in Shefayim.  Peres called for easing restrictions
placed on the Arabs, pulling back IDF forces, loosening the closure of
several Arab towns, and stopping "Israeli incitement."  Angry Labor
Committee members interrupted his speech several times, with shouts
of: "You are the foreign minister of Israel, and not of the PLO!"
Prime Minister Sharon is meeting with members of the National
Religious and Central Parties tonight to negotiate their joining the
coalition.  Sharon initiated the meeting in an apparent attempt to
broaden the coalition should Peres and some Labor ministers quit.
4. MILD INT'L CONDEMNATION OF ORIENT HOUSE TAKEOVER
The US Department of State issued an official condemnation of the
takeover of the Orient House and other PA institutions, and Secretary
of State Colin Powell telephoned Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
expressing his concerns over the "political escalation."  Powell noted
that in the past, Israel had turned a blind eye to the Palestinian
Authority's political activities in the Jerusalem building.  The
Russian Federation also condemned the Israeli actions in Jerusalem and
Abu Dis.  In an ABC interview, US President George W. Bush sufficed
with a general statement that both Israel and the PA were not doing
enough to end the fighting and return to the negotiating table.
Herut Chairman MK Michael Kleiner says that Israel should have seized
the opportunity to hit harder: "We would have earned a similar measure
of condemnation for a considerably more effective move such as
conquering the PA and expelling Arafat."
5. EU AND JAPAN TO FUND REBUILDING IN PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY
The European Union and the Governments of Norway and Japan have
expressed willingness to undertake the rebuilding of structures in the
Arab villages of Rafiah and Khan Yunis that were destroyed by Israeli
forces in retaliatory operations.  Extensive and ongoing shooting
attacks were launched throughout the Oslo War upon Jewish homes from
Khan Yunis, and upon IDF positions from Rafiah.  The price tag
according to PLO sources is $3 million.  The rebuilding and the
collection of international funding will be accomplished via the
United Nation's UNRWA forces.
SPECIAL INSERT
TOURISM MINISTER EXPLAINS GOV'T POSITION
Minister of Tourism and Security Cabinet member Rehavam Ze'evi, in an
interview on Israel Radio, expressed his view of the Israeli actions
taken following last Thursday's suicide bombing in Jerusalem. He said
the takeover of several PLO offices in Jerusalem and Abu Dis was a
"smart action, but not enough.  We need to respond all along the [PLO]
front, from Rafiah to Jenin."
The Minister said that the world will always criticize our retaliatory
raids, "What do we expect - that they will applaud our operations?  Of
course when we retaliate, when we respond, they will be against us,
but we do not live for world applause.  And if we have to do it, then
we'll do it without sympathetic understanding.  I always like to say
that there was one nation in the world that earned a lot of sympathy,
but it no longer exists.  It was called Biafra, but it is no more.  So
I am willing to forego the sympathy.  Of course I will attempt to sway
world opinion in our favor, but if the choice is between world
approval or doing what is necessary, then we will do what we have to
do.
"The Orient House was operating in violation of the agreements - which
prohibit [PLO] political activity in Jerusalem.  The Orient House is
dead. Attempts to revive it - a demonstration, another protest,
another shoving match with Hanan Ashrawi - will ultimately pass and it
will fade from the horizon.  There will be no political activity of
the Palestinian Authority, of the PLO, in the city of Jerusalem. 
Jerusalem is our sovereign capital, and it is inconceivable that ten
offices were operating in Jerusalem under complete jurisdiction of the
Palestinian Authority.  No nation on earth would accept such an
arrangement, but now when we respond to it, everyone gets upset.  In a
few days they will forget about it, although the things that will make
it forgettable are not necessarily things that will make me happy."
"The capture of the Orient House was not a preemptive strike against a
terrorist act. It was a signal to Arafat, 'Look here, you cannot send
grief and death to us and continue as if nothing happened.  You will
lose that which you've already gained in the past.'  All the previous
governments knew that the Orient House had to be taken out, but they
displayed restraint.  If Arafat had not yet understood the rules, he
certainly does now.  The fact is that in the last few days, he already
arrested one or two terrorists who were on their way to carrying out
suicide attacks.  I believe that the suicide attacks were halted due
to his understanding that he is starting to lose altitude and
political assets.
"Arafat intended to appoint someone instead of [the late] Faisal
Husseini [Director of the Orient House], who did actually concern him
as a potential rival, someone more to his liking or perhaps no one at
all.   But now, Arafat lost the place to appoint someone to.  He can
appoint someone at his own house. At his house, he can appoint someone
for Israel affairs, for Jerusalem affairs, but not in the city of
Jerusalem. Only the Government of Israel and the Jerusalem
Municipality will run Jerusalem and certainly not a foreign, hostile
organization."
While the operation was important for raising Jewish morale, it
"definitely had added value in terms of the war on terrorism, because
Arafat saw that he was losing political assets.  Regarding combatting
terrorism, there is a whole host of actions that we have yet to take. 
I think Arafat is much better at convincing [Israel to act] than I am
in this regard.  When I suggest something it requires a long
incubation period, sometimes months, sometimes more than that.  This
could be seen in the previous government as well as in this one. 
Until they agreed to finally take down the Twin Towers overlooking
Netzarim Junction [from which Arab snipers shot at Jews in the
intersection], it took a few months, but they ultimately did it and
Netzarim Junction is now quiet.  Thus far, I proposed eighteen
possible actions, only two of which were carried out.  That means that
there are still sixteen waiting to be unleashed.
"People ask, 'When are you going to stop shooting at empty
headquarters of Force 17? When are you going to stop shooting at
sandbags and concrete walls? When will you start to really fight?'
That is the real picture of Israeli public opinion that does not
necessarily get reflected in the nice polls that appear in the
newspapers.  The public definitely expects from the Sharon government
to provide them with the security we promised.  And security means
hitting back at those who seek our death."
Minister Ze'evi then turned to his analysis of the current Israeli
government.  He says that "there is a joint interest in maintaining
the unity government. In today's cabinet meeting, Prime Minister
Sharon reiterated that it is of primary importance.  Since both sides
see [national unity] as important, they will both compromise now and
again.  A unity government doesn't mean that everyone thinks the same
thing, but that each side gives in a bit.  They could continue 'living
together' for a long time if they want to.  If it were up to me, the
unity government would not exist, because I see it as a government of
paralysis...  But both Sharon and Peres are old-timers in politics and
are very clever, and they will avoid all the pitfalls and mine fields
along the way."
***************************************************************
To:            arutz-7@israelnationalnews.com, arutz-7b@israelnationalnews.com 
From:          Arutz-7 Editor <feedback@israelnationalnews.com> 
Subject:       Arutz-7 News: Monday, August 13, 2001
Arutz Sheva News Service
  <http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Monday, Aug. 13, 2001 / Av 24, 5761
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
   1. SHARON GIVES PERES GREEN LIGHT FOR TALKS WITH PA
   2. BEN-ELIEZER: CLOSURE WILL PROMPT ARAFAT TO ARREST TERRORISTS 
   3.EFFORTS TO BROADEN COALITION 
   4. BURG URGES PERES TO STAY IN GOV'T
   5. "REVOLVING DOOR" POLICY 
   6. TERRORIST'S FAMILY COULD NOT BE PROUDER
1. SHARON GIVES PERES GREEN LIGHT FOR TALKS WITH PA
In a one-on-one session between Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres following yesterday's cabinet meeting,
Sharon authorized Peres to begin a dialogue with senior PA officials. 
Sharon refused Peres' request for a direct meeting with Arafat.  Peres
had been pressing the Prime Minister for a long time to negotiate
under fire, but until now, Sharon refused to budge on the issue. 
According to the agreement, Peres will meet with PA officials in a
clandestine fashion, far away from the media and will be accompanied
by Major-General Giora Eiland who will provide expert counsel on
security matters.  Talks with PA officials will only deal with
"efforts to achieve a cease-fire" and will not include political
issues that would constitute diplomatic negotiations.
2. BEN-ELIEZER: CLOSURE WILL PROMPT ARAFAT TO ARREST TERRORISTS
Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer stated on Sunday that the
cabinet decision to take over the Orient House and other PA offices
sends a message to PA leader Yasser Arafat that he does have something
to lose.  The defense minister said that while the PA will work with
unyielding tenacity to enlist the support of the international
community against Israel, the bottom line is that Arafat now
understands that ongoing terrorism will result in significant losses
of strategic importance.  Ben-Eliezer said that this would ultimately
prompt Arafat to do a great deal more to thwart attacks.
Police Chief Miki Levy revealed today that the order to seize Orient
House extends for only 6 months.
3. EFFORTS TO BROADEN COALITION
The Center and National Religious (NRP) parties are not jumping at the
opportunity to join Sharon's government.  NRP leader Rabbi Yitzhak
Levy says that there is no agreement yet between his party and the
Prime Minister.  Following last night's hour and a quarter meeting
with Sharon, Levy said that his party is demanding far more decisive
and extensive steps to combat terrorism.  Levy was angered by the
agreement made on Sunday afternoon by which Foreign Minister Shimon
Peres may resume negotiations with senior PA officials.
The Center Party will meet later today to decide on Sharon's offer to
join the government.  Before the vote, the Prime Minister will submit
to this party a written coalition agreement.  The Center and National
Religious parties number 5 Knesset members each.  The Labor-Meimad
party numbers 24 Knesset members.
4. BURG URGES PERES TO STAY IN GOV'T
Knesset Speaker Avraham Burg, who is a candidate for the Labor Party
leadership, called upon Foreign Minister Shimon Peres to remain in the
national unity coalition, saying that nothing would be gained by
leaving the government at this time.
Burg blasted Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, whom he will face
in the primaries for Labor Party head, for voting in favor of the
Orient House capture against Peres and the Labor Party position.  Burg
expressed concern that the capture of Orient House causes significant
damage to Israel in the eyes of the international community.  Burg
added that division among the ranks of the Labor Party only serves to
strengthen the right-wing.
Labor Party officials announced that internal primaries for party
leadership will be held on September 4.  The person chosen as leader
automatically becomes the party's candidate for prime minister in the
next national elections.
5. "REVOLVING DOOR" POLICY
In the past few days, Yasser Arafat has released from detention three
Hamas terrorists who were involved in the June 1, 2001 attack at the
Tel Aviv Dolphinarium, which claimed the lives of 21 Israelis, as well
as additional attacks.  The three - Kasem Nazal Suwei, Ibrahim Dahmas
and A'a Rahman Hamad, prominent Hamas killers from the Kalkilya area -
had been detained by PA police on various dates in the wake of Israeli
and international pressure.
Kassem Suwei is the brother of Tzalah, the terrorist who perpetrated
the July 1994 suicide bombing on a #5 bus in Tel Aviv which killed 21
people.  Suwei was active in the gang that also included Said Hotri,
the terrorist who perpetrated the Dolphinarium attack.
A'a Rahman Hamad was involved in the suicide attack on the #5 bus and
served six years in an Israeli prison for this.  Immediately upon his
release in October 2000, he became involved with the Hamas military
command in the Kalkilya region.
Ibrahim Dahmas is also a member of Hamas' violence unit.  He was
active in the gang that included Said Hotri (see above) and Fadi
A'amar, the terrorist who perpetrated the March 28, 2001 bombing at
Neveh Yamin.  Dahmas had also been planning to perpetrate a suicide
attack himself.
During their detention, the PA police refrained from questioning the
three and sufficed with holding them under lax supervision in
comfortable quarters.  Hamas exerted considerable pressure on the PA
to release them.  Last week, "the door again revolved," and they were
set free.
6. TERRORIST'S FAMILY COULD NOT BE PROUDER
The parents and family of the Wall Street Cafe suicide bomber,
Mohammed Machmud Bakr Nasr, 28, from Kabatia, south of Jenin, could
not be prouder of their son/relative who they explain "died a holy
martyr."  The father told the Reuters News Agency that his son left
his place of employment to become more active in the Islamic Jihad and
continue the struggle against "the Jews, our enemy".  He added, "This
is the only language they understand."  Hundreds of supporters
gathered at the family home in Kabatia on Sunday night to congratulate
them on their son's committing suicide.
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