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To: arutz-7@israelnationalnews.com, arutz-7b@israelnationalnews.com From: Arutz-7 Editor <feedback@israelnationalnews.com> Subject: Arutz-7 News: Sunday, Sept. 30, 2001
Arutz Sheva News Service <http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com> Sunday, Sept. 30, 2001 / Tishrei 13, 5762 ------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES: 1. PALESTINIAN VIOLENCE CONTINUES APACE 2. CABINET GIVES ARAFAT ANOTHER 48 HOURS 3. MK COHEN PROMISES CHANGE WITHIN 2-3 WEEKS
1. PALESTINIAN VIOLENCE CONTINUES APACE Security officials reported last night that there had been close to 60 Palestinian attacks on Israeli targets over the Sabbath in what at least one Knesset Member called the "worst day of warfare" during the current year-long round of hostilities. The terrorism continued intensely today as well, while amidst it all, Israel's security cabinet decided to give Yasser Arafat yet another 48 hours to bring quiet.
2. CABINET GIVES ARAFAT ANOTHER 48 HOURS In the wake of, and/or despite, the increased Palestinian violence over the weekend, the security cabinet convened by Prime Minister Sharon last night decided to give PLO chief Yasser Arafat another 48 hours to prove that he is taking the ceasefire seriously. At the end of that period, the cabinet will reconvene to decide on its next steps. Foreign Minister Peres explained that the weekend's violence occurred only to mark the one-year anniversary of the start of the current violence, but that the "ceasefire was to begin in practice" only today.
In the meanwhile, Israel will continue easing the restrictions on the Palestinians, as agreed upon during the Peres-Arafat meeting.
The cabinet decision of last night implied that if the violence continues, Israel would resume its offensive activities in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza.
PA leaders continue to say that they will not arrest the terrorists wanted by Israel - although this is a principle clause of the ceasefire agreement reached by Peres and Arafat.
3. MK COHEN PROMISES CHANGE WITHIN 2-3 WEEKS Arutz-7's Ariel Kahane spoke with Housing Minister Natan Sharansky, who offered his opinions on the matter:
"No, I do not believe that there is any chance that Arafat will stop the terrorism. [In response to Kahane's question, 'So why did you ministers agree to give him another 48 hours?', Sharansky responded:] We have taken the necessary steps to protect Israel's security, but it is clear that within 48 hours, Arafat will not stop the violence and that will be the end of the ceasefire... We're not talking about hypothetical threats, but rather that we will resume doing things, such as entering PA areas and taking other offensive actions, that we did up until just a couple of weeks ago."
When asked why his party does not join the National Union party's initiative to ban any further Peres-Arafat meetings and even to fire Peres, Sharansky said, "Regarding the meetings, we have written to Sharon protesting these meetings, and in fact we have caused some limitations to be imposed upon them. But regarding the other issue - it's not a personal matter against Peres, and I have been and continue to be in favor of the national unity government... We must do everything we can in order to ensure that there not be two voices in the government, but a split in the nation would be even worse. If Labor quits the coalition, there is a good chance that we will face opposition rallies of tens or hundreds of thousands, and other internal pressure, in favor of reaching agreements with the Palestinians that are not good for us."
Kahane then asked MK Eliezer (Cheeta) Cohen (National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu) why his party has not left the coalition - despite its strong hints of last week that it would do so in the event of a Peres-Arafat meeting. "We never threatened," Cheeta said, "and in fact I believe very strongly in what they used to say in the Westerns: 'If you want to shoot, shoot - don't just talk.' We don't believe in threats. If we decide that it's time to leave, it could be that one day you'll wake up and find that we haven't even informed the media, Heaven forbid - but we'll have left the government...
"What happened in the last couple of days," MK Cohen continued, "is not only that Peres and Arafat did not reach an agreement to begin negotiations, but yesterday, with over 50 Arab attacks, was the most violent day since the beginning of the current hostilities. Our forces also fought back, and 11 Palestinians were killed... Every child in Israel sees that Peres failed... I agree that we did not want a Peres-Arafat meeting, but the bottom line is that it's no big deal since in the end, Peres did not get what he wanted from it... We have been telling Sharon for two months that we don't want this meeting; but our position is that Peres should be the one to leave the government; why should we have to leave?"
When asked to explain why his party continues to do nothing more than to talk to Sharon, Cohen answered, "Allow me to remind you that Ariel Sharon is the Prime Minister, and he still insists on this national unity government. But I know Sharon, and I say that in the end he'll get tired of this game. Speak to me in another 2-3 weeks, and let's see where Sharon will be, where Peres will be, and where we'll be. If the situation doesn't change, I can promise that we'll no longer be in the government."
MK Michael Kleiner responded to the above remarks: "I felt sorry for Cheeta [MK Cohen], to whom I usually enjoy listening to in the Knesset when he speaks so eloquently about nationalist matters, but here he was trying to defend the indefensible. The fact is that all the ministers of a government are responsible for its policies and Peres' meetings and everything... He said that there is a majority within the government against the Peres-Arafat meeting, so why did it happen anyway? How much time can they say they are trying to influence from within? ... The fact is that if Arafat is our Bin Laden, as Sharon has said, then a meeting between our Foreign Minister and Arafat totally sabotages this line of reasoning. It shows that there are two types of terrorism: legitimate terrorism, like Arafat's, and the other type..." Kleiner said that in his opinion, the nationalist parties should quit the coalition, "and then either Sharon will call new elections, in which the nationalist camp will gain electorally, or he will form a 65-seat nationalist government..."
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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, October 1, 2001
Arutz Sheva News Service <http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com> Monday, Oct. 1, 2001 / Tishrei 14, 5762 ------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES: 1. PERES CONTINUES TO MEET 2. PALESTINIAN MUFTI FORBIDS MOSLEMS TO JOIN ANTI-TERROR COALITION
1. PERES CONTINUES TO MEET Foreign Minister Shimon Peres met yesterday in Jerusalem with PA senior officials Saeb Erekat and Abu Ala in an atmosphere described as "tense and difficult." The two sides blamed each other for violating the ceasefire, and no agreements were reached. The Palestinians did agree, however, to Peres' request for another meeting.
Peres, who recently criticized the IDF for trying to undermine the ceasefire, has been taken to task even by many on the left for his remarks. Defense Minister Ben-Eliezer released a statement to the effect that there "is no place for remarks by political leaders against IDF officers," and that they "detract from the strength of the IDF at a time when it is in the midst of an intensive fight against terrorism." Columnist Uzi Benziman, writing in Ha'aretz yesterday, praised Peres for "fulfilling a thankless role [of] trying to push the government into talks with the Palestinians," but then noted,
"As impressive as Peres' adherence to the path of peace may be, he is in danger of falling prey to getting carried away with the concept and his heartfelt desires. From the outset, [he] has been suspected of being primarily concerned with saving his honor, and the honor of the Nobel Peace Prize he received; and this is the light in which his actions should be understood.
"In other words, he is seen by his critics... as a selfish politician who is striving, first and foremost, to rehabilitate his prestige. This suspicion is reinforced when Peres attacks the IDF and accuses it of foreign considerations and conducting an independent policy in opposition to the spirit of government decisions.
"The decisive fact is that the IDF, and Military Intelligence in particular, correctly predicted the developments in the Palestinian Authority and its intentions, and then translated its diagnosis into a reasonable operational language. This fact is lost on the initiator of the Oslo idea: he repeatedly argues that process that began in September 1993 is threatening to drown not because of an inherent flaw, but due to the mistakes made in its implementation - particularly during the periods of the Benjamin Netanyahu and Ehud Barak governments...
"Claims of this kind expose Peres to a predictable beating: in a competition between his credibility and that of Military Intelligence and the General Staff, the foreign minister will emerge with his tail between his legs..."
2. PALESTINIAN MUFTI FORBIDS MOSLEMS TO JOIN ANTI-TERROR COALITION MEMRI - The Middle East Media Research Institute - reports that the PA Mufti in Jerusalem has called upon Muslims not to join the American anti-terrorism coalition. This past Friday, Sept. 28, 2001, the PA's Mufti, Sheikh Ikrimah Sabri, encouraged the worshippers in the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount to oppose the coalition. Following are excerpts from the sermon:
"...our Prophet says in a long tradition (Hadiph): 'It is forbidden for a Muslim to go against another Muslim, against his life, his properties, and his honor (wife).' It is forbidden from the religious legal aspect that a Muslim would kill another Muslim; this killing is regarded as a severe sin. There are tens of verses, and hundreds of traditions that forbid it. It is far more sinful for a Muslim to ask for the help of a non-Muslim to kill another Muslim. This is a grave heresy...
"Oh Muslims, brothers in faith everywhere, from the pulpit of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque we call upon America, the superpowers and the states that aligned in a military pact, we tell all of them: 'No to war, because it brings hardships on all mankind.' [We say] no to the killing of innocents, no to the killing of elderly women and children, no to [being under your] guardianship. 'No to [your] intervention in other peoples' issues..."
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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: Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2001
Arutz Sheva News Service <http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com> Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2001 / Tishrei 16, 5762 ------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. LAST NIGHT'S TERRORIST MURDERS
2. ISRAELI RESPONSE
3. THE ARAFAT CONNECTION
4. STATE DEP'T: ANTI-U.S. TERRORISM IS DIFFERENT THAN ANTI-ISRAEL
TERRORISM
5. YESHA COUNCIL UP IN ARMS
1. LAST NIGHT'S TERRORIST MURDERS The two young victims of last night's terrorist attack are Pvt. Liron Harpaz, 19, of Elei Sinai, and her friend Assaf Yitzchaki, 20, of Lod. They will both be buried this afternoon. Three Arab terrorists infiltrated Elei Sinai, about ten kilometers south of Ashkelon, around 7:30 PM last night, shortly after the end of the holiday. They opened fire and threw grenades in all directions, killing the two and wounding sixteen others. These included two toddlers, 3 and 4 years old; 13 are still hospitalized, including one in serious but stable condition.
The three terrorists were killed by IDF soldiers. One was killed towards the beginning of the attack, and two were later felled by IDF sniper fire after they took over a house in the community. The soldiers continued searching Elei Sinai for several hours afterwards to ensure that no terrorists remained.
Residents in Elei Sinai said that they have long warned that the army's protection of their area is not sufficient, and that sections of the fence separating the town from the PA areas are penetrable. One resident said today, "It must be understood that our three [northern Gaza] communities - Elei Sinai, Dugit, and Nisanit - are preventing the terrorists from entering Ashkelon and the electric plant there."
Roni Dudi, Elei Sinai local council head, told Arutz-7 today, "We are a strong community, and nothing will move us from here. We have a strong social fiber, as well; although we are a secular community, we have hired a community rabbi who lives here... It is just too bad that for years we have been complaining of security problems, and they nod their heads but do nothing. The electronic fence that we have is simply not enough; even if an electronic warning is given off when terrorists approach, by the time the army realizes that there has been a penetration, the terrorists are at our homes, as happened last night... We demand that there be another outer perimeter fence, so that the fence around our community is the second-level of protection, not the first. Tonight the Defense Minister is supposed to be here for a meeting, and we will again make this demand. We are not asking for extravagant things; we're not asking for the army to take over several kilometers south of Elei Sinai, but rather just enough to make it safe for us."
2. ISRAELI RESPONSE Prime Minister Sharon's hastily called security cabinet meeting at 1 AM this morning quickly made its mark when army the army went into past-ceasefire mode, and bombed a key Palestinian military target. Four enemy security officers and two civilians were killed. The Israeli attack targeted a car adjacent to a PA military post in the Gaza Strip.
In addition, the IDF entered PA-controlled territory in the northern Gaza Strip from two directions this morning. There are no immediate plans to leave the area, although military sources said they would not remain there indefinitely. The immediate objective is to protect Elei Sinai and nearby communities from further terrorist incursions. Other ceasefire restrictions on the army, such as limited open-fire orders, have been relaxed as well.
Cabinet Secretary Gideon Sa'ar said that it is impossible, under the current circumstances, for Israel to continue the current format of ceasefire. "We are in a complex situation," he said, "in which the ceasefire understandings do not exist on the ground. Arafat is covering up for terrorists and his forces are engaged in terror. We would rather that the Palestinian Authority thwart terrorism, but when it does not do so, we will do so."
3. THE ARAFAT CONNECTION Although last night's attack was carried out by Hamas terrorists, President Moshe Katzav said today that he has learned that Arafat knew in advance of the plans to commit last night's terrorist attack in Elei Sinai. Katzav said that Arafat is responsible for the killings, and that Arafat is the one who creates the atmosphere encouraging the terrorists to act. "Instead of uprooting them, he hides behind them," the President said.
MK Tzvi Hendel (National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu) says he has been informed by security sources that the perpetrators were trained by the PA's Muhammad Dahlan's Preventive Security agency.
4. STATE DEP'T: ANTI-U.S. TERRORISM IS DIFFERENT THAN ANTI-ISRAEL TERRORISM The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has strongly protested a statement by the State Department that while terrorists attacking America are trying to destroy it, terrorists attacking Israel are merely trying to "resolve political issues." State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said at his daily press briefing on September 27, 2001: "Essentially, there are, on some planes, two different things. One is that there are violent people trying to destroy societies, ours, many others in the world. The world recognizes that and we are going to stop those people. On the other hand, there are issues and violence and political issues that need to be resolved in the Middle East, Israelis and Palestinians."
The ZOA noted that just hours after Boucher's statement, another round of intensive Palestinian Arab terrorism wounded six Israelis in 12 separate attacks, including ten shootings. In a telegram to President Bush, ZOA National President Morton A. Klein wrote:
"It is outrageous for your State Department to suggest that Palestinian Arab terrorists are not seeking to destroy Israel, but are merely trying to resolve 'political issues'. The terrorists who are murdering Israelis seek to destroy Israel just as the terrorists who have murdered Americans seek to destroy America. We urge you to make it clear to the State Department that the United States does not regard Palestinian Arab terrorism against Israel any less seriously than any other terrorism."
5. YESHA COUNCIL UP IN ARMS The Yesha Council held an emergency session this morning, in the wake of last night's murderous attack, and decided to begin a public and political campaign on behalf of a "significant change in Israel's war against terrorism." A massive rally has been called for Oct. 22 in Zion Square in Jerusalem, with the theme: "Throw out Arafat, Fight Terrorism." A statement released by the Council said, "Unfortunately, after over 200 days of grace, the Sharon government has not fulfilled its promise to restore security to Israel's citizens. The Sharon government is transmitting confusion and lack of purpose in its fight against terrorism."
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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: Thursday, Oct. 4, 2001
Arutz Sheva News Service <http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com> Thursday, Oct. 4, 2001 / Tishrei 17, 5762 ------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES: 1. SPATE OF PALESTINIAN TERRORISM HITS ISRAEL 2. SHARANSKY IN ARUTZ-7
1. SPATE OF PALESTINIAN TERRORISM HITS ISRAEL A plane with 66 passengers - apparently all of them Israeli - headed from Tel Aviv to Russia crashed late this morning under suspicious circumstances, one man was killed and seven were wounded in a terrorist attack in Afula this afternoon, and four Israelis were wounded in two serious terrorist attacks yesterday and last night.
Siberia Airlines' flight 1812 from Tel Aviv to Russia, carrying an estimated 66 passengers and 12 crew members, crashed into the Black Sea early this afternoon. The pilot of a nearby plane reported seeing an explosion on the ill-fated flight before the crash. Bulgarian authorities deny that the plane made a stopover in its capital city before heading on to Russia. All departing flights from Ben Gurion International Airport have been canceled for now.
In Afula, a terrorist dressed as an IDF soldier opened fire inside the central bus station in Afula just as a busload of passengers was disembarking. Miraculously, only one person was murdered before security guards shot and killed the terrorist. The wounded, including two in critical condition, were taken to Afula's HaEmek Hospital. Afula is located halfway between Hadera and Tiberias.
2. SHARANSKY IN ARUTZ-7 Housing Minister Natan Sharansky (Yisrael B'Aliyah), visiting in Arutz-7 studios today, said, "The country is essentially in a state of war, but we many here seem to prefer not to see it that way." Arutz-7's Haggai Segal asked Sharansky what exactly did the cabinet meeting resolve at its emergency meeting this past Tuesday night. Sharansky responded,
"Firstly, it was decided to remove the restrictions on the IDF that had been placed upon it for the ceasefire; everything is now back to the way it was before the ceasefire. Prime Minister Sharon emphasized to the Chief of Staff that he may use any means he deems necessary to fight the war against terrorism. The second thing that was decided was to firmly demand that the U.S. add Islamic Jihad, Hizbullah, and Hamas to the list of terrorist organizations."
Sharansky said that it is hard for Israel to make such a demand unless "we show that we are investing all our efforts into fighting terrorism at home... As it is now, we have some people who say that Arafat is a partner, or a half-partner. There are those in our government who say that the U.S. is not interested in fighting [Palestinian terrorism] - but I say that in order to get the U.S. to fight without compromise, we ourselves have to take a clear stand."
MK Benny Elon (National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu) says that he is determined to quit the coalition if Ariel Sharon allows Peres to meet Arafat one more time. Such a meeting is currently planned for the day after Sukkot, Oct. 10. He said that he would resign even if his party as a whole does not do so. Sharansky said that he greatly respects Elon, but feels that threats to break up the national unity government are not the proper way to deal with the matter.
Entertainer Sefi Rivlin has quit the Likud. Rivlin, who appeared in Likud campaign broadcasts in the past, explained that Prime Minister Sharon's consent to allow Foreign Minister Peres to meet with Arafat was the straw that broke the camel's back for him.
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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, Oct. 5, 2001
Arutz Sheva News Service <http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com> Friday, Oct. 5, 2001 / Tishrei 18, 5762 ------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINE:
1. PM SHARON TO BUSH: "DON'T APPEASE THE ARABS AT OUR EXPENSE" Prime Minister Ariel Sharon held a press conference last night following the downing of the Russian passenger plane over the Black Sea - which took off from Israel's Ben Gurion Int'l airport with mostly Israelis on board - and in the wake of the deadly Arab terrorist attack in Afula which claimed the lives of three Israeli citizens.
Sharon said: "Today a Russian plane en route from Tel Aviv to Novosibirsk, carrying 66 passengers and 12 crewmen, went down. This is a terrible tragedy for both Israel and Russia. I spoke today with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and we agreed on full cooperation between Israel and Russia in investigating this tragic incident. I have also instructed Israel's Minister of Transportation, Dr. Ephraim Sneh, to coordinate activities in this regard."
"Today, Israel suffered another heinous Palestinian terrorist attack [in Afula], which took a heavy toll: Three dead and seven wounded. All our efforts to reach a cease-fire have been torpedoed by the Palestinians. The fire did not cease, not even for one day. The Cabinet has therefore instructed our security forces to take all necessary measures to bring full security to the citizens of Israel. We can rely on ourselves only."
"We are currently in the midst of a complex and difficult political campaign. I call on the Western democracies, and primarily the leader of the free world, the United States: Do not repeat the dreadful mistake of 1938, when enlightened European democracies decided to sacrifice Czechoslovakia for 'a convenient temporary solution.' Do not try to appease the Arabs at our expense - this is unacceptable to us. Israel will not be Czechoslovakia. Israel will fight terrorism."
"There is no 'good terrorism' and 'bad terrorism,' as there is no 'good murder' and 'bad murder.' Terrorism, as we witnessed this week in Elei Sinai, is worse than murder. We have been fighting terrorism for over 100 years. Unfortunately, there is no swift and immediate solution, but if we confront this terrorism united, we will be able to overcome it and bring peace. And we shall overcome."
Since the Prime Minister's speech last night, more details surrounding the downing of the passenger plane have been uncovered. While conflicting reports continue to emanate from the Russian media regarding the recovered cockpit of the plane, Russian authorities released an official statement today saying that the door to the cockpit had holes in it which resemble those of bullets. Further examination is necessary to verify that the holes were caused by bullets. United States officials say that the plane was apparently downed accidentally by a surface-to-air missile during a large-scale Ukrainian military exercise. But, Ukraine says that the plane was far out of range of any missiles used in the exercise. Sixteen bodies have been pulled from the water. An Israel Air Force Hercules cargo flight with search and recovery teams on board is still awaiting the necessary permits to enable it to takeoff and join the rescue efforts in the Black Sea. An Israel Navy ship will also join the search early next week.
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