From: heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 1997 11:21 PM
To: Hebraic Heritage Newsgroup
Subject: Arutz-7 News Brief: Wednesday, November 19, 1997
From: Arutz-7 Editor <editor7@virtual.co.il>
To: arutz-7@ploni.virtual.co.il
Subject: Arutz-7 News Brief: Wednesday, November 19, 1997
Arutz Sheva News Service
Wednesday, November 19, 1997 / Cheshvan 19, 5758
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. GOV'T OFFICIAL TOURS TEMPLE MOUNT
2. NETANYAHU'S OVERSEAS' MEETINGS
3. NETANYAHU'S DOMESTIC PROBLEMS
4. A NEW LIKUD?
5. A NEW PM?
6. RELIGIOUS COUNCIL REFORM
SPECIAL INSERT: U.S. CONGRESSMEN AGAINST SYRIAN DRUG INVOLVEMENT
1. GOV'T OFFICIAL TOURS TEMPLE MOUNT
Attorney-General Elyakim Rubenstein paid a short visit to the Temple Mount
yesterday. He wanted to personally investigate the illegal construction
being carried out by the Moslem Waqf at the site. Accompanying Rubenstein
were his aide Atty. Noam Solberg, Old City Police Commander Meir Givati,
and GSS representatives. The visitors were heavily guarded. Rubenstein,
an observant Jew, immersed in a mikveh (ritual bath) before he entered the
Mount, as required by Jewish Law. Members of Chai Vekayam, a movement
which encourages freedom of Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount, expressed
satisfaction that governmental figures were taking interest in the
goings-on at the Temple Mount.
Rubenstein sent a secret letter a month ago to Prime Minister Netanyahu, in
which he warned that the Waqf construction on the Temple Mount constitutes
a danger to Israel's sovereignty there. Netanyahu promised that he would
convene an urgent meeting on the topic, but has not yet done so. On
October 30, Arutz-7 reported that the Supreme Court had rejected a petition
demanding that the Attorney-General be ordered to execute his authority
against the illegal construction; Rubenstein claimed in court that the
construction does not damage the site, and is not in "substantial"
violation of the building code.
2. NETANYAHU'S OVERSEAS' MEETINGS
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu returned this morning from his visit in
London, the U.S., and London (again). He will meet this afternoon with the
security cabinet, and brief the ministers on his meetings with British
Prime Minister Blair, U.S. Secretary Albright, and Jordan's King Hussein.
Hussein asked Netanyahu not to attack Iraq, and at least not to overfly
Jordan's airspace in case of such an attack. In early December, Netanyahu
is scheduled to visit Germany, and afterwards meet with U.S. President Bill
Clinton.
3. NETANYAHU'S DOMESTIC PROBLEMS
The Prime Minister also has a series of domestic-political meetings with
Likud Ministers and MKs today, in light of the increasing opposition to his
leadership within the Likud. He refused to relate to a question posed to
him today regarding alleged plans to fire Minister Limor Livnat because of
her opposition to him. Minister Michael Eitan, who has expressed support
of the Prime Minister, met with Minister Livnat, and MKs Boim and Shitreet
today to discuss the internal Likud problems and their demands upon Mr.
Netanyahu. Minister Ariel Sharon said that he would not participate in any
attempt to depose the Prime Minister; Minister Hanegbi said that in his
estimation, Netanyahu will overcome the current crisis.
In an early afternoon meeting between Likud MK Silvan Shalom and the Prime
Minister, Netanyahu agreed to the establishment of an investigative
committee headed by a retired judge which will probe into the events at the
recent Likud convention. Netanyahu will announce in advance his acceptance
of all of the committee's recommendations.
4. A NEW LIKUD?
A judicial opinion prepared by the Knesset Legal Counsel, Tzvi Inbar,
states that for a new Knesset faction to use the name "Likud," at least 17
members of the 32-member Likud-Gesher-Tzomet Knesset faction would be
required to join it. The memorandum also states that in such a case, the
name would not be merely "Likud," but "Likud-Gesher-Tzomet." The Likud
list of today is comprised of Gesher, headed by David Levy, which broke
away from the Likud before the previous election campaign, and Tzomet,
headed by Rafael Eitan. The three parties formed one list for the purpose
of the 1996 elections. A new Knesset faction bearing a different name may
be formed with less than 17 members.
5. A NEW PM?
Menachem Rahat, reporter for Maariv, told Arutz-7 of a "quick, simple, and
elegant" plan that is being discussed to replace Netanyahu with Jerusalem
Mayor Ehud Olmert. The plan involves four stages, of which the first is
the hardest: convincing two other Likud hopefuls, Roni Milo and Dan
Meridor, to stand behind Olmert, who is considered more acceptable to the
religious and nationalist publics. After that, 61 MKs can vote to topple
the government, thereby bringing about new Knesset elections, while 80 MKs
are needed to merely depose the PM. The plan calls for the latter. After
Netanyahu is fired by the Knesset vote, according to the plan, new
elections for PM between Ehud Barak and Ehud Olmert will be called. Rahat
explained, however, that the plan may never get off the ground because Milo
and Meridor have not yet been convinced, and because Netanyahu - who will
meet today individually with some of his internal opponents - has already
begun calming the atmosphere within the Likud.
6. RELIGIOUS COUNCIL REFORM
The members of the Knesset Interior Committee met this morning with the
Chief Rabbis to discuss the functioning of the Local Religious Councils.
They decided to establish a committee which would propose structural
changes in the Councils. It was agreed by all that there are too many
persons receiving high salaries in the Councils; in Rehovot, for instance,
there are nine Deputy Council Heads, and in Netanya there are six.
SPECIAL INSERT: U.S. CONGRESSMEN AGAINST SYRIAN DRUG INVOLVEMENT
The letter below, signed by 24 U.S. Senators and Congressman, calls upon
President Clinton to leave Syria on the list of countries involved in drug
trafficking.
Congress of the United States
Washington, DC 20515
14 November 1997
The President of the United States
Executive Office of the President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
We note with concern that you have not included Syria and Lebanon on the
annual Majors List of drug producing and trafficking countries sent to the
Congress. By this act, you have, in effect, remove Syria from consideration
on its cooperation on drug control issues. The arguments
advanced in your transmittal letter to Congress, however, seem to be based
on assumptions supported neither in the relevant law or by the facts. Even
should the facts justify the decision to ultimately certify Syria and
Lebanon, however, we are also concerned about the method by which this
momentous decision was reached. This change in policy and approach was not
discussed with Congress nor was there an effort made to establish the
justifications for this action. Instead, the decision was made in a most
indirect way at the end of the Congressional year, thus precluding debate
or public discussion of the issues.
For these reasons, we hope that you will reconsider the decision to place
Syria and Lebanon on the Majors List. That change will then provide the
Administration, Congress, and the public the opportunity to discuss the
merits of this decision publicly, with ample time to reflect on the
justifications for such a decision.
Sincerely,
Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-IA)
Sen James Inhofe (R-OK)
Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO)
Sen. Paul Coverdell (R-GA)
Sen. Alfonse D'Amato (R-NY)
Sen. Orin Hatch (R-UT)
Rep. J. C. Watts (R-OK)
Rep. David McIntosh (R-IN)
Rep. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)
Rep. Jim Talent (R-MO)
Rep. John D. Fox (R-PA)
Rep. Jim Saxton (R-NJ)
Rep. Jerry Weller (R-IL)
Rep. Gerald Solomon (R-NY)
Rep. Randy Cunningham (R-CA)
Rep. Tillie Fowler (R-FL)
Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX)
Rep. James A. Gibbons (R-NV)
Rep. Mike Forbes (R-NY)
Rep. Michael Pappas (R-NJ)
Rep. Asa Hutchinson (R-AZ)
Rep. Jim Ryun (R-KS)
Rep. Ron Lewis (R-KY)
Rep. Chip Pickering (R-MS)
*******************************************************************
From: newsdesk@iipub.com (MED News Desk)
To: headline@iipub.com (Mid-East Dispatch)
Subject: MED Daily Headline News
Reply-to: newsdesk@iipub.com
THE MID-EAST DISPATCH
DAILY HEADLINES NEWS REPORT
** 1 King Hussein Meets Netanyahu
** 2 US May Send More Fighters to Gulf
** 3 Gov't Minister to Meet Pollard
** 4 The Truth Is the Real Tragedy
** 5 Other GSS Agents Suspected
** 6 Clinton Orders More Planes to Gulf
** 7 Intelligence Insists Iraq Threat "Limited"
** 8 Egyptian-Palestinian Military Meetings
** 9 Netanyahu-Hussein Meeting Good
** 10 Palestinian Support for Iraq
-*-
** 1. KING HUSSEIN MEETS NETANYAHU
Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu has cut his US visit short to fly
back to London where he will meet with Jordan's King Hussein this
evening. At a news conference yesterday, Netanyahu was initially vague
about his trip but eventually he revealed that he had engagements that
were essential to developments in the Middle East.
According to political sources in Jerusalem the Prime Minister's
meeting with King Hussein will focus on the situation in Iraq. In a
speech yesterday before the World Affairs Council, Netanyahu admitted
that Saddam Hussein's expulsion of American members of the UN arms
inspection teams is a serious matter, but Iran's weapons build-up is a
greater threat.
He warned that Iran is going unchecked as it builds up a stockpile of
nuclear and ballistic missiles. {MA'ARIV 11/18 H}
** 2. US MAY SEND MORE FIGHTERS TO GULF
Pursuing diplomacy and military threats, the US is considering sending
more fighter planes to the Gulf region, as well as increasing the
amount of oil Iraq can sell to buy food and other humanitarian goods.
US officials said Washington was considering increasing its fighter
aircraft, including Stealth fighters and B-1 or B-2 bombers, to
reinforced aircraft carriers already in the region.
Aides to US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright suggested increasing
the amount of oil Iraq could sell under the oil for food deal.
US officials said if Iraq cooperated on arm inspections, Washington
would consider increasing the amount of oil sold as well as expediting
some of Iraq's requests for food and other goods.
Iraq's UN ambassador, Nizan Hamdun rejected the proposal as a
non-starter. {KOL ISRAEL 11/18 H}
** 3. CLINTON ORDERS MORE PLANES TO GULF
President Bill Clinton has ordered an additional forty-five war planes
to the Persian Gulf. The US has resumed U2 surveillance flights over
Iraq without incident.
Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov has announced that President
Boris Yeltsin and the Iraqi deputy Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz have
put together a proposal that would prevent any confrontation. Russia's
ambassador to the UN indicated that Russia wanted the UN Security
Council to assure Baghdad that the report by the UN commission
overseeing weapons inspections would not be biased.
The Russians also want an assurance that the UN will lift sanctions
against Iraq once the commission certifies that Baghdad is complying
with UN orders to destroy weapons of mass destruction.
White House spokesman said Washington has not yet seen the details of
the Russian proposal but the US and Britain will oppose any measures
which would threaten the independence and integrity of the UN
commission. {KOL ISRAEL 11/19 H}
** 4. INTELLIGENCE INSISTS IRAQ THREAT "LIMITED"
Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai met with leaders of the security
establishment in his office yesterday. According to Intelligence
assessments, Israel is not connected to the Iraqi confrontation and
therefore the threat is limited.
At the same time, Israelis are being urged to make sure they have
valid gas masks and other related equipment. The demand for
information about gas mask distribution centers has jammed the
switchboards at the Home Front command centers. In recent days there
have been large numbers of complaints that the telephones are
continuously engaged. {KOL ISRAEL 11/19 H}
** 5. EGYPTIAN-PALESTINIAN MILITARY MEETINGS
Military cooperation between Egypt and the Palestinian Authority has
apparently begun. An official Palestinians military delegation made
an official visit to the Egyptian army, at the invitation of the
Egyptian armed forces.
PA newspaper Al-Hayat al-Jadida reports that the visit included many
meetings, including one with the Egyptian Chief of Staff. The Oslo
accords stipulate that the PA is forbidden from establishing an army.
A month ago, the Egyptian ambassador to the PA threatened that his
country would offer military aid to the PA in case of a clash with
Israel. {ARUTZ 7 11/18 H}
** 6. NETANYAHU-HUSSEIN MEETING GOOD
Last night, Prime Minister Netanyahu met with Jordan's King Hussein
outside London. The closed door meeting lasted over two hours. At the
conclusion of the meeting it was reported they focused primarily on
the Iraqi situation. They also discussed the peace process with the
Palestinians. The atmosphere of the meeting was described as good.
{KOL ISRAEL 11/19 H}
** 7. PALESTINIAN SUPPORT FOR IRAQ
According to David Bar Illan, the head of Information and Policy
Planning in the Prime Minister's Office, the Palestinian Authority is
encouraging support rallies for Saddam Hussein within the autonomous
areas.
Hundreds of Fatah activists demonstrated in Shechem yesterday, calling
upon Saddam to rocket Tel Aviv with bombs. Further examples of recent
pro-Hussein statements by the Palestinian Authority follows.
"The aggression against Iraq is aggression against Palestine... anyone
who does not say "no" now to the US is the enemy of Palestine..." says
an article in the official Palestinian Authority newspaper Al-Hayat
Al-Jadeeda, November 12, 1997
"The Fatah central committee condemns the American escalation against
Iraq and the disregard for the suffering of the Iraqi people for
years... the movement called upon all the official and popular Arab
forces to unite in order to face the challenge confronting the entire
Arab nation...The US began escalating tensions through the Americans
in the international inspection teams according to Washington's
instructions..." - statement issued by Yasser Arafat's Fatah faction
of the PLO on November 11,1997, (Voice of Palestine, November 11,
1997; Al-Hayat Al-Jadeeda, November 12, 1997)
"History will not remember what is known as the United States, but it
remembers Iraq, the cradle of civilization, and Palestine, the cradle
of religions. History remembers every piece of Arab land, because it
is the bosom of human civilization. On the other hand, the murderers
of humanity, the creators of the barbaric culture and the
blood-suckers of nations, are doomed to death and destined to shrink
to a microscopic size, like Micronesia." Hafez al-Barghuti, editor of
the Palestinian Authority official newspaper, Al-Hayat Al-Jadeeda, in
an article on November 15, 1997 entitled "America's Arrogance"
"The enemies of Islam are doing everything they can to humiliate the
Arabs and Muslims, and it is within this framework that one must view
the current attempt to humiliate Iraq." - Yusuf Salameh, Palestinian
Authority Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, in a Friday prayer
sermon at a mosque in Gaza, (Palestinian Television, November 14,
1997)
The Palestinians "reject American and Western threats to carry out a
military aggression against Iraq." statement issued by the Political
Committee of the Palestinian Authority's Legislative Council on
November 10, 1997, (The Washington Post, November 11, 1997)
"Oh Saddam, my dear, drop your bombs on Tel Aviv" - chant by
Palestinian demonstrators in Ramallah during a rally of support for
Iraq (Reuters, November 10, 1997)
"At a meeting in Tulkarem, PLO factions called upon the Arab states
and peoples to stand by Iraq's side...They also called upon the
Palestinian people to undertake public activities which would
emphasize the bonds of solidarity with Iraq." - report in the
Palestinian newspaper Al-Ayyam on November 9, 1997 {MED, GPO 11/18 H}
****
Copyright (c) The MidEast Dispatch, 1997. The MidEast Dispatch is an
independent news service, and is not affiliated with any political
party or government agency.
************************************************************************
From: Arutz-7 Editor <editor7@virtual.co.il>
To: arutz-7@ploni.virtual.co.il
Subject: Arutz-7 Op-Ed: The Next Move Ends the Game
THE NEXT MOVE ENDS THE GAME
by Elyakim Haetzni
Arutz Sheva Israel National Radio
=====<http://www.a7.org>======
Aired on April 7, 1997 / Adar Bet 29, 5757
In this article:
1. The Match Opens
2. Reaction From the Right
3. Arafat's Bad Move
4. The U.S. to the Rescue
5. The Match Nears its End
1. THE MATCH OPENS
Minister Natan Sharansky once said to Netanyahu, "You thought the game
was chess, but the Arabs are playing checkers." He was referring to
the Arabs' skillful maneuvering past Netanyahu's cautious steps.
Let's review the moves until now:
1) First, Netanyahu sent MK Mickey Eitan to sign a joint memorandum
with Labor's Yossi Beilin, agreeing to give away major portions of Yesha
before the final-status negotiations, thereby leaving some 100
settlements in a state of siege - something like the yeshiva at
Joseph's Tomb in Shechem.
2) Then his close aide David Bar-Illan announced that he would
support a "limited" Palestinian state.
3) The next moves were to give over Hevron, release the women
terrorists, and agree to three terrible withdrawals - all this while
keeping the settlements on frozen hold for nine months
2. REACTION FROM THE RIGHT
In response, part of the right - the Land of Israel Knesset front -
went into active opposition, and the pressure worked: Netanyahu thawed
the settlements, and agreed to build on Har Homa. This move -
shifting the diplomatic front to Jerusalem - was a clever one: the
opposition from the right calmed down, and the opposition from the
left was pushed into a corner, as it could not afford to look as if it
was against Jerusalem. On Jerusalem, there is a national consensus.
3. ARAFAT'S BAD MOVE
So then it became Arafat's turn. He's a terrorist, so he responded
with terrorism and blood. But this turned out to be a bad move, as
the terrible scenes from the Cafe Apropos slaughter - and the visions
of what could have been as a result of two attempted suicide
explosions in Gush Katif - helped strengthen Netanyahu's standing.
The violent Arab demonstrations were clearly not an expression of
popular support, as any novice television viewer could notice that
they were staged - there were plenty of students and soldiers, but no
women or others present. Arafat stopped the first withdrawal, and the
painful closure on his territories continues, and time is beginning to
work against him.
4. THE U.S. TO THE RESCUE
So what happens? A new Arafat-American initiative is born in order to
extricate him from the pit, to squeeze out more concessions from
Israel, to cut away more live flesh. Albright and Clinton hint to
Netanyahu, "you want an end to terror, and you also want to build Har
Homa? OK, fine, but you know that there's no free lunch - all you
have to do is agree not to build anything else in Yesha or Jerusalem."
And so, they hope, they will bring him to the same level - and the
same government - as Shimon Peres. After all, he has already agreed
to a Palestinian state, and has agreed to give away most of the land,
and now just one more little freeze - and "Shalom on Yishmael."
5. THE MATCH NEARS ITS END
We now approach the critical stage: Netanyahu's next move, one way or
another, will end the game. If he withstands the pressure, he will
have won the game of chess: checkmate to Arafat, the end of Oslo, the
salvation of the People and the Land of Israel.
But if, heaven forbid, he agrees to cease construction in Jerusalem,
the game is over - and we lose. In such a case, it would have been
better if he would not have begun to build in Har Homa in the first
place - for this means nothing more or less than limited sovereignty
in Jerusalem. Let us remember the Hasmonean Tunnel: it is open, true,
but the price was Hevron, the women terrorists, and 50% of Yesha. If
he loses the Har Homa game also, he will have gained Har Homa - but
lost Jerusalem. There have already been hints that the crucial plans
for connecting Maaleh Adumim to Jerusalem will be shelved. If this is
the case, then Sharansky was right: The Arabs are playing chess, we're
playing checkers - and we lose.
===================================
Elyakim Haetzni is a former Knesset Member of the Techiya party and a
prominent attorney in Yesha.
*************************************************************************
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