HHMI Newsgroup Archives

To:            arutz-7@israelnationalnews.com, arutz-7b@israelnationalnews.com
From:          Arutz-7 Editor <feedback@israelnationalnews.com>
Subject:       Arutz-7 News: Monday, December 24, 2001
Arutz Sheva News Service
  <http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Monday, Dec. 24, 2001 / Tevet 9, 5762
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
   1. ARAFAT IRRELEVANT BUT TALKS CONTINUE
   2. WILL ARAFAT ATTEND SERVICES IN BETHLEHEM?
   3. ARAFAT HONORS "OUTLAWED" TERRORIST GROUP
   4. US SENATE APPROVES AID FOR MIDEAST
1. ARAFAT IRRELEVANT BUT TALKS CONTINUE
Despite calling Yasser Arafat "irrelevant" and the Palestinian Authority an 
entity that supports terror, a joint statement issued by Prime Minister 
Sharon and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres today announced that Peres is in 
fact holding secret talks with Palestinian representative Abu Ala in an 
effort to end the current violence.  Today's statement, released by the 
Prime Minister's media advisor, is an about-face from yesterday's 
announcement, which dismissed the notion that such talks were taking place.
Today's statement confirms that Prime Minister Sharon knew that Peres has 
been meeting with Abu Ala.  Tourism Minister Rabbi Benny Elon is now saying 
that by allowing the talks to continue, Sharon is in fact contradicting 
government policy decisions that there would be no negotiations with the 
Palestinian leadership under fire.
2. WILL ARAFAT ATTEND SERVICES IN BETHLEHEM?
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said last night that he will allow PLO leader 
Yasser Arafat to visit Bethlehem for Christmas tonight, if Arafat arrests 
the terrorists who murdered Minister Rechavam Ze'evi.  Israel says that the 
terrorist cell which perpetrated the assassination is just  a few blocks 
away from Arafat's Ramallah office. But Ali Jada of the PFLP gang, which 
took credit for the crime, said their location was unknown even to him, so 
there was no way Arafat could find them.  Much pressure has been placed on 
the government by the United States, the European Union and the Vatican to 
enable Arafat to go to Bethlehem this evening.  In some countries, the 
media claimed to see no connection between Israel's demand that Arafat 
arrest the assassins, and his desire to attend midnight mass.
Earlier Arafat told reporters, "Who does Sharon think he is to prevent me 
from going to Bethlehem?"  Arafat remains in his Ramallah office.  He has 
been grounded there since Israel destroyed his helicopter fleet some two 
weeks ago.
3. ARAFAT HONORS "OUTLAWED" TERRORIST GROUP
While PLO leader Yasser Arafat has recently given well-publicized promises 
to President Bush and Prime Minister Sharon that he is outlawing terrorist 
organizations, the Palestinian leadership continues to express its 
solidarity with terrorists when addressing Arab-speaking 
audiences.  According to Palestinian Media Watch (PMW), this past Saturday 
the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) held a ceremony in 
honor of its 34th anniversary.  The PFLP is the terrorist organization that 
murdered Israeli minister Rechavam Ze'evi.  Not only did the PA permit the 
celebration of the "outlawed" organization, Arafat also sent his cabinet 
secretary Ahmed Abed Al-Rahman to deliver a speech in his name.  A 
translation of the speech reveals that the PA praised the PFLP and lauded 
the unity of "all Palestinian factions."
To guarantee that the message of unity reach a wider Arab audience, 
yesterday's official Palestinian Authority daily newspaper published a 
lengthy front-page article covering the event in great detail.  The article 
included a photo of Arafat's aide Al-Rahman speaking at the event, during 
which time he expressed disdain for the US and Israel.  He also said that 
while a hard line has been adopted, [the international arena is being 
handled] with wisdom and caution, in order to foil the conspiracy of Sharon 
and his American allies."
4. US SENATE APPROVES AID FOR MIDEAST
The United States Senate has approved a $15.4 billion foreign aid bill that 
reserves much of its help for her Middle East allies. The bill, which has 
already passed in the House of Representatives, will now go to President 
George W. Bush for his signature.  Once again, Israel and Egypt will be the 
main beneficiaries of U.S. foreign legislation.  Israel is slated to obtain 
$2.04 billion in military aid and $720 million in economic aid.  Egypt will 
receive $1.3 billion in military aid and $655 million in economic 
assistance.  Middle East policy experts both in the United States and in 
Israel have recently questioned whether Congress is justified in providing 
Egypt with vast military capabilities, since Egypt currently does not have 
any known enemies in the region. These experts fear that if the Arab world 
were to launch a war against Israel, Egypt would then use the acquired 
weaponry against the Jewish State.
*******************************************************
To:            arutz-7@israelnationalnews.com, arutz-7b@israelnationalnews.com 
From:          Arutz-7 Editor <feedback@israelnationalnews.com> 
Subject:       Arutz-7 News: Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2001
Arutz Sheva News Service
  <http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2001 / Tevet 10, 5762 - Fast of Tevet
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
   1. PLO WANTS FURTHER TALKS WITH PERES
   2. ARAB INCITEMENT CONTINUES
   3. ZOA LEADER: PA JAILS ARE A COMPLETE FRAUD
1. PLO WANTS FURTHER TALKS WITH PERES
Yasser Arafat met with aides in Ramallah today and decided to continue
diplomatic negotiations with Israel.  The senior PLO leaders discussed
the status of the ongoing contacts between their own Abu Ala and
Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres.
Minister of National Infrastructure Avigdor Lieberman (Yisrael Beitenu
Party) criticized Prime Minister Sharon for breaking his word by
allowing Peres to negotiate with the PLO without consent from the rest
of the coalition partners.  It was revealed yesterday that not only
was Prime Minister Sharon fully aware of the clandestine talks being
held between Peres and Abu Ala, but that he expressed general support
for them as well.  However, Lieberman said that he did not plan to
stir up a government crisis over the issue.
2. ARAB INCITEMENT CONTINUES
The official Palestinian Daily, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, accuses Israel of
stealing Arab body parts for use in Israeli hospitals.  The article,
translated into English by Palestinian Media Watch (PMW), says that
Israel defiles the bodies of Arab "martyrs" - those killed in battle
with the IDF - and uses the body parts for Israeli patients in need of
transplants. These allegations are the latest in a series of false
claims made by the PA.  Other examples include the claim that Israel
systematically injects Arabs with the AIDS virus.  In response to the
claim that Israeli helicopters drop poisoned candy to Palestinian
school children as part of a "genocide" plan, the IDF spokesman said
in May, "It goes without saying that these claims are totally
unfounded, and are just another aspect of the wild Palestinian
incitement against Israel and another example of PA's lack of
credibility."
3. ZOA LEADER: PA JAILS ARE A COMPLETE FRAUD
Reacting to a recent report in Ha'aretz, Zionist Organization of
America (ZOA) President Morton Klein said yesterday that Arafat's
"so-called jails are a complete fraud."  According to Ha'aretz, the
bombs that murdered two American citizens in Israel in 1997 and
wounded 11 other Americans were constructed by two Arab terrorists
while they were "imprisoned" in Arafat's Jericho jail.
In a press statement, Klein noted that Palestinian-Arab terrorists who
have murdered Americans and Israelis are still living freely in
Arafat-controlled territory.  The ZOA president urged the Bush
administration to demand that Arafat surrender all those involved in
attacks on Americans for prosecution in the United States, just as the
U.S. is demanding that the Taliban surrender Osama Bin Laden.  Klein
recommends that if Arafat refuses to do so, the U.S. should respond by
ending all relations with his terrorist regime.
*******************************************************
To:            arutz-7@israelnationalnews.com, arutz-7b@israelnationalnews.com 
From:          Arutz-7 Editor <feedback@israelnationalnews.com> 
Subject:       Arutz-7 News: Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2001
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2001 / Tevet 11, 5762
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
   1. NAVEH CRITICIZES ARAFAT;  CHAOS IN KNESSET
   2. ARAFAT'S ISLAMIZATION OF BETHLEHEM
   3. BEN-ELIEZER: I WILL LEAD LABOR OUT OF THE COALITION
   4. SHARON REJECTS ELON/LIEBERMAN DEMAND
1. NAVEH CRITICIZES ARAFAT;  CHAOS IN KNESSET
Minister Danny Naveh said from the Knesset podium today: "Arafat is
not a Christian saint but rather a Muslim terrorist."  Naveh was
delivering the government response to the Knesset inquiry into why PLO
Chief Yasser Arafat was not allowed to visit Bethlehem for Christmas. 
Arab Knesset members heckled Naveh who pressed on to recount instances
of Muslim Arabs who defiled young Christian Arab girls while the PLO
police did nothing to stop or prevent the crimes.  At this point, the
Knesset chamber descended into chaos.  Knesset members almost came to
blows.  The Knesset guard rushed in but, without success, attempted to
calm the Arab Knesset members.  In the end, five Arab parliamentarians
were escorted out, and the session was temporarily suspended.  When
the members re-assembled, Naveh documented his charges and asked, "How
can Arafat be portrayed in the world as a Christian saint, when such
atrocities occur under his jurisdiction?"
Even when the agenda moved onto other items, tension hung in the air. 
When Arab MK  Taleb A-Sana rose to the podium to address a different
topic, he began a tirade against Naveh which included a long list of
insults.  When he refused to retract his remarks, the chairman of the
session called on security guards to remove A-Sana from the podium.
Some Labor and Meretz Knesset members submitted a complaint to the
Knesset Ethics committee against Minister Naveh's remarks.
2. ARAFAT'S ISLAMIZATION OF BETHLEHEM
Former Israeli liaison to the U.S. Congress Yoram Ettinger said
yesterday that Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Authority have
succeeded in reducing the 60% majority of Christians in Bethlehem and
neighboring Beit-Jala to a 20% minority.  According to Ettinger,
Arafat tipped the demography by changing the cities municipal
boundaries and incorporating thousands of additional Muslims into the
district.  Many Christians have fled Bethlehem after suffering Muslim
intimidation and violation of their civil liberties by the PLO.
Ettinger charges that local Muslim Fatah gangs continue to desecrate
Christian cemeteries, churches, convents, and monasteries.  Also, the
chant, "After we do away with the Saturday People [the Jews], we shall
take care of the Sunday people [the Christians]," has been heard
during anti-Israel PLO rallies.  PLO terrorists shooting at
Jerusalem's southern neighborhood Gilo purposely position themselves
next to or in Christian homes, hotels, and churches in hopes of
creating Christian casualties when Israel returns fire.  The Christian
casualties provide "proof" for the PLO propaganda machine to create
the illusion that Israel attacks Christian property.  According to the
plan, Christians of the world will then condemn Israel and side with
the Muslims in the current Oslo War.  Ettinger's reports entitled
"Jerusalem Cloakroom" are posted at:
http://www.acpr.org.il/cloakrm/index.html
3. BEN-ELIEZER: I WILL LEAD LABOR OUT OF THE COALITION
Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said today that the Labor party
would quit the Sharon government if he feels that the party can't
advance its political or economic agenda.  According to all estimates,
Ben-Eliezer will win today's re-vote for Labor Party chairman and
candidate for prime minister.  The initial vote, which took place on
September 4, was surrounded with controversy.  Knesset Speaker Avraham
Burg claimed victory over Ben-Eliezer in what appeared to be one of
the closest internal party votes in the nation's history.  However,
Ben-Eliezer's camp alleged that forgeries in the voting took place at
41 polling stations throughout the Druze sector.  In one voting
station, there were more ballots cast than eligible voters.  The Druze
community that brought Burg the victory in the September 4th vote is
boycotting today's runoff.  A short time before the close of the
polling places, Labor officials report that less than 10% of eligible
voters turned out to cast their ballot.
In a recent survey, Labor Party central committee members said that
Prime Minister Sharon is more worthy to lead the country than Burg or
Ben-Eliezer.  The Labor members admitted that they longed to reconnect
to nationalistic values of the early years of Labor and to distance
themselves from today's "extreme left."
4. SHARON REJECTS ELON/LIEBERMAN DEMAND
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon last night rejected a demand made by
Ministers Benny Elon and Avigdor Lieberman (NationalUnion/Yisrael
Beitenu) that he halt negotiations with the PLO that include talk of
establishing a Palestinian State.  In a letter to Sharon, Elon and
Lieberman demanded that the issue of a Palestinian State first be
brought for approval in the cabinet.  Contrary to Sharon's initial
rejection, government aide Gideon Sar later told ministers Elon and
Lieberman that in fact no final decision had been made regarding their
request.
*******************************************************
To:            arutz-7@israelnationalnews.com, arutz-7b@israelnationalnews.com 
From:          Arutz-7 Editor <feedback@israelnationalnews.com> 
Subject:       Arutz-7 News: Thursday, Dec. 27, 2001
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Thursday, Dec. 27, 2001 / Tevet 12, 5762
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
   1. SHARON CLARIFIES POSITION ON TALKS WITH PLO
   2. BIN LADEN BLAMES ATTACKS ON ISRAEL
   3. BEN-ELIEZER IS NEW LABOR CHAIRMAN
1. SHARON CLARIFIES POSITION ON TALKS WITH PLO
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced today that he will not agree to
a Palestinian state before the cabinet deliberates the issue. 
Speaking at Likud Party headquarters in Tel Aviv, Sharon acknowledged
that there has been a decrease in terrorism, but attributed it to the
IDF's initiated operations and not to a change in Arafat's policy. 
Sharon reiterated that there will be no "diplomatic negotiations" with
the PLO under fire, rather "negotiations for a cease-fire."  Regarding
the Abu Ala - Peres agreement in the making, Sharon said that there
are many problems with it.  The Prime Minister added that in the event
that a cease-fire is achieved, he himself would lead any diplomatic
negotiations.
2. BIN LADEN BLAMES ATTACKS ON ISRAEL
In a five-minute excerpt of newly-released videotape, Osama Bin Laden
blames the September 11 attacks against the United States on its
support for Israel.  In the video, which was broadcast on the
Qatar-based Al-Jazeera television network, Bin Laden said, "Our
terrorism against the United States is blessed, aimed at repelling the
oppressor so that America stops its support for Israel."
On the videotape Bin Laden also accuses the United States of having an
"indescribable hatred of Islam."  The entire tape runs thirty-three
minutes and will be shown on Al-Jazeera today.  The tape was
apparently filmed two weeks, ago, exactly three months after the
terrorist attacks on America.  Without revealing the source of the
videotape, the Al-Jazeera television network claims that it has
knowledge that Bin Laden is alive.
Since the September 11 attacks, Bin Laden has repeatedly tried to draw
a connection between the bombing of the World Trade Center and the
Pentagon with US policy towards Israel.  While PLO leader Yasser
Arafat has publicly distanced himself from Bin Laden's comments in
order not to appear in the eyes of the world as one who approves of
his terrorist activity, thousands of Arabs living in the PLO areas
danced in the streets as the Twin Towers in Manhattan crumbled.  Since
then, Arabs living under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority
have held numerous rallies expressing solidarity with Bin Laden.
3. BEN-ELIEZER IS NEW LABOR CHAIRMAN
Gaining about 90 percent of the vote, Defense Minister Binyamin
Ben-Eliezer emerged victorious on Wednesday becoming the new chairman
of the Labor Party.  Ben-Eliezer defeated Knesset Speaker Avraham Burg
for the position in an election surrounded by controversy.  Less than
1 percent of the Druze sector voted in yesterday's polling stations,
protesting allegations of forgeries in the initial September 4
election.  Just over 3500 (27% of eligible) voters participated in the
re-vote, which was held in some 40 polling stations.  Concerning his
victory Ben-Eliezer stated that one of his main goals includes
focusing on uniting all of the different Labor Party factions.
*******************************************************
To:            arutz-7@israelnationalnews.com, arutz-7b@israelnationalnews.com 
From:          Arutz-7 Editor<feedback@israelnationalnews.com> 
Subject:       Arutz-7 News Brief:  Friday, Dec. 28, 2001
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Friday, Dec. 28, 2001 / Tevet 13, 5762
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINE:
NO-PEACE TALKS CONTINUE
Abu Ala of the Palestinian Authority, who is conducting pre-ceasefire
peace talks with Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, expresses "cautious
optimism" about their outcome.  He told reporters in Cairo today that
no agreement has yet been reached, but "we are exchanging ideas about
the establishment of a Palestinian state in the 1967 borders with
Jerusalem as its capital."
Reports until now have stated that the talks are concentrating on a
Palestinian state on 42% of the area, that which was given over to the
PA in the past 8 years.  The state would be established after six
weeks of a total ceasefire and a PA war against terrorism, including
the collection of illegal weapons.  Prime Minister Sharon told Knesset
Members of the National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu faction last night that
the proposals under discussion are not acceptable to him.  The talks
will resume next week.
*******************************************************
To:            arutz-7@israelnationalnews.com, arutz-7b@israelnationalnews.com 
From:          Arutz-7 Editor <feedback@israelnationalnews.com> 
Subject:       Arutz-7 News: Sunday, Dec. 30, 2001
Arutz Sheva News Service
  <http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Sunday, Dec. 30, 2001 / Tevet 15, 5762
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
   1. NUMBER OF TERROR ATTACKS DOWN
   2. SHARON CLARIFIES POSITION ON TALKS WITH PLO
   3. SHARON TO POWELL: ARAFAT NOT PREVENTING TERROR
   4. LEFT WING SHOWS SUPPORT FOR NUSSEIBEH
1. NUMBER OF TERROR ATTACKS DOWN
Arabs have carried out fewer attacks over the last two weeks than over
the same period in previous months.  In today's cabinet session, Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon attributed the decrease in violence to the IDF's
extensive counter-terror operations which have targeted numerous
terror cells.  Sharon further said that there is heavy international
pressure on Arafat to stop the attacks.  A senior IDF official told
Arutz Sheva's Haggai Huberman, "The fact that IDF tanks are positioned
400 meters away from Arafat's Ramallah offices, and there is no world
outcry, is bothersome to Arafat and is forcing him to limit terrorist
activity."
Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said Saturday night that the PLO
is busy training suicide bombers and preparing car bombings as part of
an "infrastructure for war."  He told an audience in Holon, "From
their standpoint, the Arabs are engaged in all-out war with us, even
though it is difficult for us to consider this a full-scale war.  If
they had tanks and warplanes, they would undoubtedly use them against
us."
Nevertheless, Ben-Eliezer said that if the Palestinian Authority
starts arresting wanted terrorists and thwarting attacks by Arabs
against Jews, then Israel will "start implementing the Mitchell plan",
referring to the resumption of Israeli concessions in exchange for
cessation of attacks, based on an outline put together by an
international commission lead by former US senator George Mitchell.
Ben-Eliezer said over the weekend that a Palestinian state would be
established one day, adding that the timetable was totally dependent
on the PLO.  He supports the meetings that Foreign Minister Peres has
been holding with PLO official Abu Ala, reasoning that diplomatic
talks should not be neglected even during times of violence.
PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat telephoned Ben-Eliezer on Thursday night to
congratulate him on winning the Labor party election.  The Defense
Minister told Arafat that he must do more to rein in terror groups.
2. SHARON CLARIFIES POSITION ON TALKS WITH PLO
Sharon declared at the opening of this morning's cabinet session that
negotiations toward a Palestinian state may not begin until the issue
has been decided in the government.  Talking with Arutz Sheva today,
Gov't Spokesman Raanan Gissin rejected the term "negotiations" to
describe the talks between Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and PLO
official Abu Ala: "There are no negotiations going on. I reiterate
what the Prime Minister has said many times over the last weeks and
again in today's government meeting: the sole purpose of the contacts
is to bring about a cessation of violence, terrorism and incitement. 
That is the mandate that Mr. Peres has, and that is the purpose of the
continuing contacts that he conducts with the leaders of the
Palestinian Authority."
But Gissin did not deny that Peres is talking about a Palestinian
state even before government approval.  Regarding reports in Israel's
daily Yediot Acharonot that Peres and Abu Ala are nearing agreement on
a Palestinian State in almost half of Judea, Samaria and Gaza, Gissin
said, "Any ideas that are being raised and have not been brought to
the government are clearly not representing the Israeli government
position."  Sharon admitted last week that he is fully aware of
negotiations being held between Peres and Abu Ala.
National Union/Yisrael Beitenu (NUYB) faction leaders said that they
were comforted by Sharon's declaration this morning against
negotiations with the PLO before government approval.  MKs Tzvi Hendel
and Uri Ariel, who introduced a proposal to the NUYB central committee
to back out of the coalition over the ongoing diplomatic contacts with
the PLO, said that following Sharon's clarification, they favor
staying in the government.  Deputy Minister Yuri Shtern (NUYB) said
today that he trusts Sharon's statement limiting Peres' mandate to
cease-fire talks only.
3. SHARON TO POWELL: ARAFAT NOT PREVENTING TERROR
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell
on Friday that Yasser Arafat is not taking the necessary steps to
prevent terrorism.  The Prime Minister briefed Powell on the current
situation in Israel and said that the PLO has not yet arrested wanted
terrorists, including the murderers of the late Tourism Minister
Rehavam Ze'evi.
Powell phoned Yasser Arafat Friday night.  PLO officials report that
in the course of their 25-minute conversation, Powell praised the
PLO's efforts to stop attacks.  He also promised Arafat that he would
pressure Israel to relax restrictions on Arab residents.
4. LEFT WING SHOWS SUPPORT FOR NUSSEIBEH
Several hundred members of the Israeli left, along with other
demonstrators who flew in from Western Europe, marched down
Jerusalem's main streets on Friday carrying banners against Israel's
policies in Yesha (Judea, Samaria and Gaza).  The participants also
inaugurated a center for dialog and joint activities between Arabs and
Israelis.  According to Michael Widlanski of TheMediaLine.org, the
main goal of the demonstration was to show support for Sari Nusseibeh,
Yasser Arafat's Jerusalem Affairs coordinator, who many on the left
have labeled a "moderate."  The demonstrators, including former
Israeli justice minister Yossi Beilin, protested Nusseibeh's arrest by
Israeli police two weeks ago when he attempted to hold an illegal
reception at a Jerusalem hotel.
Shalom Goldstein, the Arab Affairs Advisor for the Jerusalem
Municipality notes that despite Nusseibeh's "moderate" positions when
addressing Israeli audiences, Nusseibeh told the Arab-language press
that he is in favor of a full "right of return" by Palestinian Arabs
to Israel.
In addition, Nusseibeh, was caught during the 1991 Gulf War providing
Iraqi intelligence officials with information to help Iraq direct its
SCUD missiles onto Israeli cities.  Nusseibeh, who lived in Israel at
the time, would telephone the Iraqi ambassador in a neighboring
country and advise him where to fire the next scuds for best effect. 
Nusseibeh was arrested by Israel's counter intelligence agency (Shin
Bet) and after the war ended, under pressure from the Israeli left,
was allowed to voluntarily leave the country for three years.
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