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Subject: Arutz-7 News: October 5-6, 1997
From: Arutz-7 Editor <editor7@virtual.co.il>
To: arutz-7@ploni.virtual.co.il
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Sunday, October 5, 1997
Arutz Sheva News Service
Sunday, October 5, 1997 / Tishrei 4, 5758
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. NETANYAHU UNDER FIRE FOR BOTCHED ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
2. MINISTERS DEFEND NETANYAHU
3. ISRAELI MEDIA FACES CRITICISM
4. ISRAELI AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS
5. SHAMIR: BACK TO BASICS
6. TWO PARDONS, FOUR REDUCTIONS
7. DANGER SIGNALS FROM EGYPT
8. 'PEACE NOW' AND FEISAL HUSSEINI
9. CONGRESSIONAL LETTER AGAINST RESUMPTION OF AID TO PLO
1. NETANYAHU UNDER FIRE FOR BOTCHED ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
The failed assassination attempt in Jordan is the central item in the news
today. First, the background: Two Mossad agents, posing as Canadian
tourists, attempted to kill leading Hamas figure Khaled Mash'al in Amman
eleven days ago. After a short chase, they were apprehended by Jordanian
security officials. In the meantime, the condition of Mash'al began to
deteriorate, and doctors said that his life was in danger. King Hussein
phoned U.S. President Clinton to tell him that if Mash'al died, the
consequences might be catastrophic. Clinton reportedly contacted
Netanyahu, asking him to disclose which poison had been used so that the
correct antidote could be administered. Israel then dispatched to Jordan a
senior security official and a doctor with a drug to neutralize the poison
used against Mash'al. In an interview with a Jordanian newspaper, Hussein
later said ominously, "If we had not received a treatment for Khaled
Mash'al, which enabled us to restore his health, we would have taken many
actions [against Israel]."
Last Sunday, Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai, National Infrastructure
Minister Ariel Sharon, Cabinet Secretary Danny Naveh - as well as Prime
Minister Netanyahu, according to some reports - made a secret trip to
Jordan to meet with Crown Prince Hassan about the issue. Israel understood
that the release of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, which occurred last week, together
with the dispatching of the antidote, would gain the release of the two
Mossad agents. So far, however, the agents have not been released, and it
is possible that Israel will have to free additional Hamas terrorists
imprisoned in Israel. King Hussein was reportedly furious that the
attempted assassination took place on Jordanian soil. It is believed that,
following the peace treaty with Jordan in 1994, Yitzchak Rabin forbade
Mossad operations in Jordan. It has also been reported, though, that at
the same time, Rabin demanded that Hussein not allow Hamas to act freely in
Jordan, and that the King in fact acceded to the request, allowing only
political activities.
The opposition has widely criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu for his
"inexperience and arrogance." Labor MK Dalia Itzik said, "He has brought
us a diplomatic crisis with Jordan and Canada [which objects to the use of
Canadian identities for the agents], anger from the U.S., and a situation
where Hamas is pictured as being the victim of terror."
2. MINISTERS DEFEND NETANYAHU
The security cabinet met this morning and heard a briefing concerning the
failed assassination attempt in Jordan. Afterwards, the government met for
its weekly meeting, chiefly devoted to the same issue. A statement read by
Cabinet Secretary Danny Naveh following the meeting did not concede that
Israel had been behind the attempt, but explained why Mash'al was worthy of
being a target: "The government is not at liberty to disclose details of
the issue, but it will continue to fulfill its obligations to fight terror
wherever necessary and without compromise. Mash'al is number one in Hamas,
who has been responsible for the deaths of many innocent Israelis." Prime
Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met afterwards with opposition leader MK Ehud
Barak this afternoon, and briefed him on the developments in the Mash'al
story.
Agriculture Minister Rafael Eitan rejects the criticism proffered against
Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding the decision to order the killing of
Khaled Mash'al. Eitan said that the government must fight the leaders of
the terrorist organizations wherever they may be. Former Mossad heads
Nachum Admoni and MK Gideon Ezra also expressed similar sentiments. Ezra
told Arutz-7 today, "This is an all-out war, of which the removal of Hamas
leaders is an important element. After the killing of Fathi Shkaki, and
Yihye Ayash, Hamas took a very long time to recover." Ezra said that
Netanyahu did not initiate the idea of killing Mash'al: "Mash'al has been
known to the Mossad not just as a political figure within Hamas, as his
title implied, but as an out-and-out terrorist," Ezra said. Minister Ariel
Sharon also said that Mash'al stands at the head of the Hamas terrorist
organization. Sharon emphasized that the Prime Minister reviews Mossad
recommendations, and not vice-versa. The remarks were made in response to
a report of the Sunday Times of London, to the effect that Netanyahu had
insisted on the assassination attempt, despite objections of the General
Security Service.
3. ISRAELI MEDIA FACES CRITICISM
A Jordanian journalist has expressed sharp criticism of the Israeli press
in its behavior regarding the Mash'al issue. Journalist Ghazi Sa'adi said
today that the widespread coverage given the story in Israel forced the
Jordanians to harden their position. Sa'adi said that similar Israeli
media behavior concerning the Azzam Azzam story prevented its quick
solution. Israeli journalist Uri Auerbach said that he detects a certain
satisfaction within the Israeli press to "delve into and uncover the gory
details on Israeli military and intelligence failures that occur under the
present government." He said that this is not only undesirable, but even
dangerous. Auerbach, who appears as a co-host once a week on a popular
Voice of Israel radio talk show, told Arutz-7 that he does not wish to see
official censorship, but rather more "self-restraint" on the part of the
Israeli press. He said, "Why aren't other questions being raised, such as
why does Hamas merit such preferential treatment in Jordan? Why is it a
given that Sheikh Ahmed Yassin receives a royal welcome in Jordan? These
are the questions that must be raised." Yediot Acharonot reporter Roni
Shaked told Arutz-7 that we must remember that Hamas is the enemy of
Israel, and not of Jordan, where it is a legal political party. He said
that Mash'al had substituted for Abu Marzuk as Hamas leader until earlier
this year, while the latter was in American prison.
4. ISRAELI AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS
New Israeli Ambassador to Jordan Oded Eran presented his credentials in
Amman today. Jerusalem sees the ceremony, together with the participation
of King Hussein, as a positive signal from Jordan that the Mash'al issue is
drawing to a close.
5. SHAMIR: BACK TO BASICS
Arutz-7 conducted an interview with former Prime Minister Yitzchak Shamir
today, an excerpt of which follows:
Q: Mr. Shamir, do you sense an attempted "smear campaign" in the wave of
criticism directed against Prime Minister Netanyahu following the failed
assassination attempt in Jordan?
A: What, are you coming to defend him? I'll tell you: someone who does not
believe in the integrity of the Land of Israel, is mistaken in everything,
from A to Z. This is the basis of everything. I can never have anything
to say in his defense... What, can you trust a man who does not believe in
Eretz Yisrael, or in settlement in the entire Land? You can't trust him in
anything... Everything is interconnected... Someone who does not believe in
the integrity of the Land of Israel, and is willing to give away
significant parts of the Land, is not worthy of our coming to his defense."
6. TWO PARDONS, FOUR REDUCTIONS
In honor of the New Year holiday, President Ezer Weizmann pardoned two Jews
convicted of killing Arabs, and commuted the sentences of four other
security prisoners, upon the recommendation of Justice Minister Tzachi
Hanegbi. Ze'ev Wolf and Gershon Hershkowitz were released from prison on
Wednesday after serving four years of a ten-year sentence. The two were
convicted in July 1993 of throwing a grenade into a butcher's market in the
Old City of Jerusalem, killing an Arab trader. In addition, Yoram
Skolnick, who had been convicted for shooting and killing a bound terrorist
in March 1993, had his life sentence shortened to 15 years. Three others
who were involved in capital crimes against Arabs had their sentences
reduced to 22, 20, and 13 years respectively. Aryeh Shumer,
director-general of the President's Residence, said that Weizmann's
decisions were unrelated to the recent release of Hamas founder Sheikh
Ahmed Yassin.
Freddy Skolnick, father of Yoram, told Arutz-7 today that he is very
disappointed with the decision. "How can the hand [Weizmann's] that signed
the release orders of [women] terrorists who killed Jews, and who have
nothing but killing and destruction on their minds, allow Yoram Skolnick to
remain in prison? His decision shows a lack of moral courage," he said.
Mr. Skolnick said that his son has served four and a half years in prison
thus far.
7. DANGER SIGNALS FROM EGYPT
A senior Egyptian government official has threatened that his nation will
provide military assistance to the Palestinian Authority in case of a
violent clash between Israel and the PA. Arutz-7 correspondent Haggai
Huberman reports that Mahmoud Karim, Egypt's Ambassador to the Palestinian
autonomy, participated in a ceremony last week in Gaza in commemoration of
last September's violence during which PA police opened fire on IDF
soldiers, killing 15. Karim said, "Egypt, its President, its government,
and its people, are concentrating their forces on behalf of the Palestinian
nation and its achievement of its full rights." Today's edition of the
Egyptian newspaper Al Ahram reported that Egypt is interested in cutting
down on the number of Israelis visiting the country, and has instructed its
Tel Aviv consulate to slow down the process of issuing visas to Israelis.
President Mubarak, in a speech in commemoration of the 24th anniversary of
the Yom Kippur War, said that peace in our region is "facing a grave danger
and a difficult hour."
8. 'PEACE NOW' AND FEISAL HUSSEINI
Peace Now has removed its protest tent from the site of the Jewish presence
in Maaleh HaZeitim (Ras el-Amud). A Peace Now spokesperson announced that
the organization had coordinated the move with Feisal Husseini of the
Palestinian Authority.
9. CONGRESSIONAL LETTER AGAINST RESUMPTION OF AID TO PLO
Several leading Congressmen recently sent a letter to their all of their
Congressional colleagues, calling upon them to oppose the resumption of
American financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority. On August 12,
the MEPFA (Middle East Peace Facilitation Act) expired, and the signatories
to the letter accuse the Clinton Administration of "moving aggressively to
have MEPFA renewed... [thus seeking] to thwart the will of Congress." The
letter, initiated by Appropriations Committee member Rep. Michael P. Forbes
(R-NY), states that the Administration is circumventing review procedures,
and adds, "If the Oslo process is to have any meaning, the actions of all
parties, including those of the United States, must be able to withstand
public scrutiny." The letter notes that the U.S. has provided nearly $300
million to the PLO since September 1993, during which time "the PLO and
Palestinian groups operating under its
jurisdiction have been responsible for the deaths of over 300 Israelis and
Americans." The full text of the letter appears below.
Congress of the United States
Washington, DC 20515
September 24, 1997
Dear Colleague:
We are calling upon our colleagues to oppose the
renewal of the Middle East Peace Facilitation Act (MEPFA) or the
enactment of any legislation that would authorize the resumption
of any U.S. assistance, directly or indirectly, to the Palestine
Liberation Organization (PLO), the Palestinian Authority (PA), or
any other Palestinian entity.
It is our understanding that the Administration is moving
aggressively to have MEPFA renewed in the final weeks of this
congressional session. In doing so, the Administration seeks to
thwart the will of Congress, which chose in July not to renew
MEPFA due to the failure of the PLO to fulfill its commitments
under the Oslo Accords, and in particular, its pledge to cease all
support for terrorism.
Since September, 1993, the PLO and Palestinian groups
operating under its jurisdiction have been responsible for the
deaths of over 300 Israelis and Americans and the injury of
hundreds more. During this same period, our nation has
provided nearly $300 million to the PLO.
The Administration's effort to renew MEPFA circumvents
committee oversight and review procedures. Without so much
as a hearing, a floor debate, or an opportunity for public
comment, the Administration is attempting to use the FY 1998
Foreign Operations Appropriation bill, now in a House-Senate
conference, to re-authorize legislation that is technically complex
and politically charged. If the Oslo process is to have any
meaning, the actions of all parties, including those of the United
States, must be able to withstand public scrutiny.
We strongly and unequivocally oppose the
Administration's blind support of the undemocratic, corrupt PLO
and call upon all Members to soundly reject any attempt to
restart the flow of money to that organization. Not only has the
PLO flagrantly violated its own commitments under Oslo, but it
has also admitted to the misappropriation of hundreds of
millions of dollars in foreign donors assistance.
Funding in support of peace must not be channeled under
the cover of darkness to a PLO leadership which, just this week,
called publicly for the destruction of the United States and its
allies, and continues to provide safe haven to known killers of
Americans.
We urge all Members of Congress to stand united in
opposition to the renewal of MEPFA at this time and to join us in
our efforts to promote peace, protect the lives of our citizens, and
preserve the integrity of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
(signed)
Rep. Michael P. Forbes (R-NY), Member, Appropriations Committee
Rep. Jim Saxton (R-NJ), Member, National Security Committee
Rep. Benjamin A. Gilman (R-NY), Chairman, International Relations Committee
Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN), Chairman, Govt. Reform & Oversight Committee
Rep. J. C. Watts, Jr. (R-OK), Member, National Security Committee
Rep. Sue Kelly (R-NY), Member, Banking & Financial Services Committee
Rep. Jerry Weller (R-IL), Member, Ways & Means Committee
Rep. John Hostettler (R-IN), Member, National Security Committee
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From: Arutz-7 Editor <editor7@virtual.co.il>
To: arutz-7@ploni.virtual.co.il
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Monday, October 6, 1997
Arutz Sheva News Service
Monday, October 6, 1997 / Tishrei 5, 5758
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Delivered Daily via Email, Sunday thru Friday
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Premiering this Wednesday Night:
Nadia Matar
The Weekly Women-In-Green Hour
9:00 - 10:00 PM on 97.3 FM
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. PRISONER SWAP EXECUTED
2. YASSIN: THE FIGHT CONTINUES
3. ILAN SAADON REMEMBERED
4. PORAT SLAMS HUSSEIN, OPPOSITION
5. NOT THE WAY IT USED TO BE
6. ISRAEL'S POSITION WEAKENED
7. GOV'T TO AGREE TO PARTIAL HALT
8. RESIDENTS WON'T NEED PERMIT TO GO HOME
9. AMERICAN PUBLIC BACKS ISRAEL
10. WEIZMANN IN WASHINGTON
1. PRISONER SWAP EXECUTED
The two Mossad agents imprisoned in Jordan have been freed, and Israel
later today freed a group of 22 terrorists. The deal began with the
granting of Israeli permission for Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin
to depart Jordan for Gaza today. The two Mossad agents were allegedly
involved in the assassination attempt upon Hamas chief Khaled Mish'al.
The 22 terrorists freed are apparently not of the Hamas, but of the
Popular Front, and were not involved in murderous crimes.
The Jordanian request to allow a Royal Jordanian Air Force helicopter
to fly Yassin from Amman to Gaza was received in Jerusalem yesterday,
only a short while before Israeli Ambassador to Jordan Oded Eran was
to present his credentials in Amman. The Jordanians hinted that only
if the request was approved would the ambassadorial ceremony be held
as scheduled. Israel rejected a Palestinian request to allow Yassin
to return to Gaza as early as yesterday, thus allowing King Hussein to
bask in his success for another day - at Arafat's expense. Prime
Minister Netanyahu will hold a press conference at 6:30 this evening
at which he will discuss the events of the past days.
2. YASSIN: THE FIGHT CONTINUES
Terrorist chief Sheikh Yassin, on the eve of his departure to Gaza
this afternoon, said that there would not be a cease-fire, and that
the violence would continue, until the Israeli conquest ends. He was
greeted in Gaza by thousands of supporters in a massive welcome
ceremony arranged by the Palestinian Authority. Yassin was
accompanied by helicopter to Gaza by King Hussein.
3. ILAN SAADON REMEMBERED
In Ashkelon, a street was named today in memory of Ilan Saadon, the
soldier whose murder was masterminded by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.
Families of terror victims called a press conference last night in
Jerusalem, at which they protested the freeing of Yassin. Others also
protested the release of Yassin, demanding the simultaneous release of
Jewish prisoners presently in jail for politically-motivated crimes
against Arabs.
4. PORAT SLAMS HUSSEIN, OPPOSITION
MK Chanan Porat, faction leader of the National Religious Party, said
today that we cannot afford to ignore the actions of King Hussein in
the Mish'al-Yassin story. "Hussein gives the royal treatment to
Hamas' guiding force Sheikh Yassin, allows Mish'al to run Hamas
without being disturbed, and then dares to demand the release of
additional terrorists. This is not what is expected of a partner in
true peace." Porat expressed criticism of representatives of the
opposition who do not display "minimal restraint in this complex
situation in which we find ourselves. No one will deny them the right
to criticize the Prime Minister or his decisions, but they must
understand that every failure of the security forces is a failure of
the State of Israel and a danger for its citizens. There is therefore
no place for gloating and cynical efforts to reap political profit in
this situation."
5. NOT THE WAY IT USED TO BE
Haggai Segal, editor of today's Arutz-7 news hour, pointed out to the
listening audience today that the roles were reversed three years ago:
Binyamin Netanyahu was head of the opposition, while Ehud Barak was
IDF Chief of Staff, during the failed attempt to rescue kidnapped
soldier Nachshon Wachsman. Segal played the following sound clips,
beginning with an excerpt from a commentary by Nachshon's mother
Esther (to be aired tomorrow on Arutz-7), showing in glaring contrast
the difference between then and now:
Clip #1 - Esther Wachsman: "In the final analysis, Binyamin Netanyahu
did exactly what I would have expected him to do - to pursue terror
without stopping, and to fight it and its leaders wherever and
whenever necessary. When our son Nachshon was kidnapped and held
ransom by Hamas, the government under the late Yitzchak Rabin did not
enter into negotiations with them, despite all our pleas on behalf of
our son's life. The Government of Israel announced that it does not
give in to terror and blackmail. Instead, it executed a military
action, based on the decision of one man [Rabin]. That action, too,
was impulsive, careless, and not smart; it failed, and my son was
murdered. Did we hear such an outbreak of criticism on the part of
the opposition then against that failure?"
Clip #2 - Question by an Arutz-7 interviewer to then-opposition
leader Netanyahu: "Throughout the entire episode of the kidnapping of
Nachshon Wachsman, the opposition expressed total support for the
Prime Minister [Rabin]. Even after its tragic end, the opposition
expressed support for the government. Mr. Netanyahu, did this support
come because you felt that a time of crisis was not a time for
infighting, or did you really think that all of the actions that were
taken were correct?"
Netanyahu: "First of all, the basic decision not to surrender to
terror was correct, and that has always been our position. This is why I
gave full backing to the Prime Minister to implement this policy..."
Clip #3 - then-Chief of Staff Barak: "The unity that has been shown
throughout this time of crisis will hopefully be preserved for the
future tests that will face us."
6. ISRAEL'S POSITION WEAKENED
Arutz-7 correspondent Haggai Huberman reports that Israel's opening
position when the negotiations resume tonight with the Palestinians
does not bode well. The Israelis know that one of their chief demands
of the PA - that it fight Hamas to the bitter end - has been weakened. The
Palestinians will be able to claim, "How can you demand that we fight
Hamas, after you yourselves have freed Sheikh Yassin, you did not
demand the extradition of Abu Marzuk, you freed Rantisi from prison,
and you even sent a medicine to Amman to save Khaled Mish'al? Even
you have not succeeded in fighting Hamas!" The Americans, too, will
be able to make similar points, although it is known that they were
far from displeased with the Israeli concession on the Abu Marzuk
issue, as his extradition to Israel would have sparked terror attacks
on American targets. Huberman reports that had the Mish'al
assassination succeeded, he would have died of what would have
appeared to be natural causes a day or two after the agents had left
the country.
A short ceremony will precede the opening of the negotiations tonight,
at the Laromme Hotel in Jerusalem, with the participation of Foreign
Minister David Levy, Abu Maazen, and Dennis Ross.
7. GOV'T TO AGREE TO PARTIAL HALT
The Netanyahu government is prepared in principle to agree to a
temporary halt in construction in Judea and Samaria, as preparations
are made for the resumption of the negotiations. Government sources
told Arutz-7 that the government will not agree to a complete halt in
Yesha construction, but rather to a cessation in the building of new
neighborhoods that are somewhat distant from the present communities.
The halt would be in force for a period of six to nine months.
Minister of Science Michael Eitan told Arutz-7 today, "We must never
agree to such a condition."
8. RESIDENTS WON'T NEED PERMIT TO GO HOME
A hard week for the Hevron Jewish Community has ended with a minor
victory:
The IDF has cancelled an order it issued a week ago declaring Beit
Schneerson a closed military zone. The events developed as follows:
For several weeks, the security personnel had been using the Beit
Schneerson hallway as a "base," causing tremendous filth and bother
to the building's residents and visitors. The residents appealed to a
Jerusalem court. In response, the IDF declared the main hallway of
the building, home to 8 families, a closed military zone, making it
off-limits to all civilians unless they received a special permit.
The residents again appealed, this time to the Supreme Court, and the
IDF cancelled the order.
Other recent difficulties for the Jewish residents in Hevron included
a decision by Prime Minister Netanyahu to forbid the installation of a
new water piping system between the Avraham Avinu neighborhood and
Beit Hadassah. As a result, the community will be forced to continue
to truck water in from Kiryat Arba. The repaving of King David
(Shuhada) Street, which has so far cost its sponsor - the United
States - twice the million dollars that were budgeted for it,
continues to be a bone in the throat of the Jewish community. In
addition to the grave security danger posed by future Arab traffic
there, the Arab construction workers, overseen by an American foreman,
"forgot" to install any type of sewer system on the two-mile-long
road.
9. AMERICAN PUBLIC BACKS ISRAEL
A poll of 1000 registered American voters, commissioned by Middle East
Quarterly magazine, shows that the American public continues to be
solidly behind Israel. By a 47 to 13% majority, Americans feel that
Israel is more serious than the Palestinians about trying to achieve
peace in the region. 63% feel that the Palestinians would continue to
engage in terror even after the establishment of a Palestinian state;
only 20% disagree. In a head-to-head comparison between Prime
Minister Netanyahu and Yasser Arafat, the Americans deem Netanyahu
both more pro-American (27 to 5 %) and more admirable (17 to 4 %) than
Arafat. Eight times more Americans point to Arafat as "associated
with terrorism" than to Netanyahu (40 to 5%). A resounding 4-1
preference for Israel (48 to 12%) is manifest by the answer to "To
whom are you more sympathetic, the Palestinians or the Israelis?"
Regarding the issue of Jerusalem, which touches not on questions of
American political interests but rather on religious and emotional
chords, American voters endorse exclusive Israeli control of Jerusalem
by an almost 3-to-1 ratio (60 to 22%). Yoram Ettinger, a commentator
on Israeli-American relations, told Arutz-7 today that he fears that
the Clinton Administration is politically and diplomatically mistaken
in planning to use the present crisis to further pressure Israel.
10. WEIZMANN IN WASHINGTON
President Ezer Weizmann will pay a visit to President Bill Clinton in
the White House today. A major topic of discussion will be the
problem of Iran's nuclear arming.
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