Subject: Israel News: February 23-March 2, 1998
Date: Mon, 2 Mar 1998 23:07:55 +0000
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Subject: Arutz-7 News Brief: Friday, February 27, 1998
Arutz Sheva News Service
Friday, February 27, 1998 / Rosh Chodesh Adar, 5758
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. NETANYAHU BLAMES SYRIA FOR HIZBULLAH SUPPORT
2. ISRAEL BECOMING DENSE
1. NETANYAHU BLAMES SYRIA FOR HIZBULLAH SUPPORT
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu blamed Syria this morning for supporting
Hizbullah as a means of pressuring Israel to withdraw from the Golan
Heights. Mr. Netanyahu, who spoke today to members of the Keren HaYesod of
Canada, said that Israel will withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon
only when "we are sure that Hizbullah will not continue to attack us." He
said that Israel is prepared to talk with Syria on any topic, including a
withdrawal from the Golan.
2. ISRAEL BECOMING DENSE
A six-year study recently presented to President Weizmann predicts that by
the year 2020, the population of Israel will exceed 8,100,000, making
Israel by far the most densely populated developed country in the world.
Israel will be more than 2.5 times more densely populated than Japan and
the Netherlands, and there will be a serious shortage of land for
residential construction. Over 250 leading scientists and experts
participated in the study.
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From: Arutz-7 Editor <editor7@virtual.co.il>
To: arutz-7@ploni.virtual.co.il
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Sunday, March 1, 1998
Arutz Sheva News Service
Sunday, March 1, 1998 / Adar 3, 5758
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. PA PREPARING FOR WAR
2. GOV'T DISCUSSES FOREIGN WORKERS, LEBANON, ETC.
3. "KILLER WATCH" INITIATED
1. PA PREPARING FOR WAR
IDF Chief of Staff Amnon Lipkin-Shachak said today that the smuggled
weapons discovered over the weekend on the Dead Sea border were
destined for the Palestinian Authority. Two boatloads of weapons and
ammunition were discovered Friday night when two Arabs from the
Palestinian Autonomy attempted to smuggle them from Jordan across the
Dead Sea. A reserves unit apprehended one of the infiltrators, but
the other escaped. The two boats were captured, and 67 Kalachnikov
rifles, dozens of guns, and much ammunition were seized.
"Only the Palestinian Authority has the ability, the infrastructure
and the money with which to carry out an operation of this magnitude,
and all signs point to them as being behind the smuggling," said
Israeli security sources. "Criminals do not use this type of weaponry,
and terror organizations do not use it in such quantities."
Arutz-7 correspondent Haggai Huberman notes that less than two months
ago, PA Security Head Jibril Rajub attempted to organize the smuggling
of anti-tank weapons via the Dead Sea, but that this too was foiled.
Huberman notes that the large-scale Palestinian attempts to bring in
more and more weapons, together with the building of many underground
bunkers and concrete-enforced shooting points at the entrances to PA
cities, are but a few of the indications that the Palestinians are
industriously preparing for a war with Israel.
2. GOV'T DISCUSSES FOREIGN WORKERS, LEBANON, ETC.
Today's weekly government meeting dealt with the issue of foreign
workers and Lebanon, among other issues. The Prime Minister first
congratulated new Transportation Minister Shaul Yahalom on his joining
the government, Minister Rabbi Yitzchak Levy on assuming the post of
Education Minister, and Labor Minister Eli Yeshai on the birth of his
son. A ministerial committee, headed by the Prime Minister, was
established to decide how to meet the increased needs of the
construction industry for additional workers. The government announced
that it continues to stand by its policy of reducing the number of
foreign workers in the State of Israel.
Concerning Lebanon, Prime Minister Netanyahu said that Israel would be
willing to withdraw its forces, in keeping with U.N. resolution 425,
but it would not do so unilaterally. Netanyahu said that such a
withdrawal would lead to increased Hizbullah rocket attacks on the
Galilee. Defense Minister Yitzchak Mordechai concurred with these
sentiments. Science Minister Michael Eitan said that this represents a
"new policy" on the part of the government. Mordechai leaves tomorrow
for Paris for talks on the Lebanese situation.
Two ministers joined the security mini-cabinet today: Rabbi Yitzchak
Levy of the NRP, and Eli Yeshai of Shas. They replace David Levy, who
resigned two months ago, and the late Zevulun Hammer.
3. "KILLER WATCH" INITIATED
Stanley and Joyce Boim, whose son David was murdered by Arab
terrorists in May 1996 outside Beit El, have initiated a program
called Killer Watch, for the purpose of monitoring the whereabouts of
Arab terrorist murderers who have found refuge in the Palestinian
autonomous areas. In an announcement released today, the Boims
declared, "We wish to encourage people to make direct calls to the
American Ambassador to Israel and the Israeli Prime Minister's Office,
to make sure that the "murderers welcome" policy of the Palestinian
Authority be stopped."
In a related item, U.S. Congressman Jim Saxton (R-NJ) wrote a letter
to U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Martin Indyk asking for
clarifications on the topic of the "extradition" provisions of the
Oslo accords. "This is one of the most important provisions of the
Oslo agreement," said Saxton, "yet the PA has blatantly violated this
provision by failing to honor a single request for transfer. To make
matters worse, instead of jailing or transferring these terrorists,
the PA has been employing them in their police force."
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From: Arutz-7 Editor <editor7@virtual.co.il>
To: arutz-7@ploni.virtual.co.il
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Monday, March 2, 1998
Arutz Sheva News Service
Monday, March 2, 1998 / Adar 4, 5758
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. WITHDRAWAL FROM LEBANON UNDER CONSIDERATION
2. BAKER TO CLINTON: SADDAM MUST BE DEALT A STERN BLOW
3. TEL AVIV COMPROMISE
1. WITHDRAWAL FROM LEBANON UNDER CONSIDERATION
Hints at a possible Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon continue to be
voiced by government figures. Defense Minister Yitzchak Mordechai
said today, during a visit of wounded soldiers in Haifa's Rambam
Hospital, "We will make every effort to attempt to find a security
arrangement, if one can be found, under which the Lebanese government
and army will do what they have to do in order to bring about a change
in the present situation in Lebanon... I recommend that we be
realistic, however. We will have to deal with these problems for a
very long time..." Yossi Goldberg, mayor of the northern township of
Metullah, warned today against a unilateral withdrawal. He said that
it could lead to a return to the period when Arab terrorists
infiltrated into Israel from the north to attack Israelis and take
hostages.
Science Minister Michael Eitan told Arutz-7 today that a withdrawal
from Lebanon, in accordance with U.N. resolution 425, would be a wise
move. The resolution stipulates that Lebanon must work to ensure
Israeli security on its border. "It is of course not the Lebanese who
will guarantee the security of Israel's northern settlements," said
Eitan. "It will rather be the combination of the IDF's power of
deterrence and the international political atmosphere created by an
Israeli withdrawal. We see how hard the United States worked to
ensure a supportive political climate for its attack on Iraq - an
Israeli withdrawal would similarly create a very supportive
atmosphere." Eitan added that it goes without saying that such a
withdrawal must be carried out with the cooperation and input of the
military echelons.
Moledet MK Maj.-Gen. (res.) Rehavam Ze'evi told Arutz-7, "An
arrangement wherein the Lebanese Army stands on the other side of the
border and takes responsibility could be workable. But to rely on
UNIFIL, which has never succeeded anywhere else, is not a good idea.
The best that UNIFIL could do would be to prevent Israel from
responding militarily against Hizbullah attacks."
2. BAKER TO CLINTON: SADDAM MUST BE DEALT A STERN BLOW
James Baker, former Secretary of State of the United States, is
convinced that Saddam Hussein will violate the agreement he signed
last week with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Anan. In an op-ed in The
New York Times, Baker calls upon U.S. President Clinton to prepare to
deal a comprehensive blow to Iraq the moment Saddam violates the
agreement, and not to suffice with local jabs. Baker estimates that
war will break out in the Persian Gulf within two months.
3. TEL AVIV COMPROMISE
A shaky compromise has been reached in Tel Aviv between proponents of
the religious status quo in the city and those opposed. The Tel Aviv
municipality voted yesterday to allow the opening of stores on
Shabbat. At the same time, however, 20 members of the 27-seat council
signed a charter that they would not legislate or call for changes in
the status quo in other religious matters. Rabbi Mordechai Yitzhari,
head of the united religious front in the municipal council, told
Arutz-7 today in answer to a question, " I would not categorize Tel
Aviv mayor Roni Milo as anti-religious, but rather as someone who goes
with the majority." He noted that Milo was also the first to sign the
voluntary charter promising not to make further changes in the status
quo.
Hebrew News Editor: Haggai Segal, Yehoshua Mor-Yosef
English News Editor: Hillel Fendel
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From: Eddie Chumney
Subject: Israel News 2/23/98 - 3/1/98
To: <HEB_ROOTS_CHR@geocities.com>
Israel News
February 23 - March 1, 1998
TEMPLE MOUNT
MORE ARRESTS FOR ATTEMPTS AT JEWISH PRAYER ON
TEMPLE MOUNT IINS News Service - Israel-2/23
A Chai Vekaiyam member was arrested by police this morning as he
tried to pray on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City, the
holiest site to the Jewish people. Yesterday, another Chai
Vekaiyam member was taken into custody for having begun to pray
while he was on the Mount. Chai Vekaiyam vows to continue its
struggle to ensure Freedom of Worship for Jews in Israel, stated
the organization's founder and director, Yehuda Etzion.
JERUSALEM MUFTI SUBMITS RESIGNATION TO JORDANIAN OFFICIALS
Kahl's I&G News 2/25/98 Israel Television Channel 1 Network in
Arabic 1700 GMT 19 Feb 98
Informed sources in the Awqaf Department in East Jerusalem told
our correspondent Kayid Zahir that Jerusalem Mufti Shaykh Abdin
submitted his resignation several days ago to Jordanian officials in
light of the fact that the Jordanian authorities transferred some of
his powers, foremost of all the post of chief justice and head of the
higher appeals court, to Shaykh Salhab, director general of the
Islamic Awqaf. The sources said that the Jordanian Awqaf Ministry
has not decided yet whether to appoint a new mufti to replace Shaykh
'Abdin.
NEWBORN BABIES OF PRIESTLY CASTE SOUGHT
March 1, 1998 By Dina Kraft, Associated Press JERUSALEM (AP)
Wanted: baby boys to be raised in an isolated compound for the
first 13 years of their life. If the legendary Jewish Temple is
rebuilt, the children will be ready to serve as high priests.
That's the offer a Jerusalem-based religious group is making to
ultra-Orthodox parents in an intensive campaign to recruit boys
for the Jewish priestly caste known as Cohenim.
The high priests would be needed to ritually purify the Jewish
people if the ancient Jewish Temple, destroyed by the Romans
2,000 years ago, is rebuilt in the Old City of Jerusalem.
"We need families to donate their children for the cause it
will be hard at first, but once we start more will follow,'' said
Rabbi Yosef Elboim of the Movement for Establishing the Temple.
So far, several families have expressed interest, and at least
one woman who is due to give birth in two months has agreed to
have her son raised for the priesthood. "We hope he will be our
pioneer we will start with him,'' said Elboim, who is in charge of
finding the children. Altogether, the group hopes to bring together
about 20 babies to raise. The boys would grow up in a special
compound, which has already been donated by a yeshiva, an Orthodox
Jewish school. Frequent visits would be allowed by parents, relatives
and friends, who would have to observe strict rules governing
defilement.
Until at least their 13th birthday, the boys would live on an
elevated floor of the compound, because touching the ground could
result in ritual defilement due to contact with unknown graves.
Some in Israel fear that extremist groups might seek to rebuild
the Temple on a site where some of Islam's holiest shrines are
located a move that would likely lead to an explosion of
violence.
PEACE PROCESS
ISRAEL TO RETURN ONLY 9% OF WEST BANK'
By David Makovsky Ha'aretz Diplomatic Correspondent - Ha'aretz
2/23/98
Regardless of U.S. proposals, the government will not budge from
its view that it needs to retain 64 percent throughout the
interim agreement, so it can retain cards for the final status
deal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told an American visitor
last week. "There can be five American plans, but I won't give
anything that leaves us with less than 64 percent, because it
affects our security. We need territory so we have something to
trade in final status," Netanyahu reportedly said.
If Israel indeed seeks to keep 64 percent of the territory, this
would only permit Israel to withdraw 9 percent for the first,
second and third pullbacks combined, since currently the
Palestinians have partial control over 24 percent of the
territories and 3 percent exclusive control, for a total of 27
percent. The 64 percent is the map that has been drawn by
National Infrastructure Minister Ariel Sharon.
NETANYAHU CALLS FOR INTENSE MIDEAST PEACE PUSH
JERUSALEM (AFP, February 23, 1998)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday called for
intense face-to-face talks with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat
to broker a definitive peace agreement. "We should sit down
together Mr. Arafat and myself in the presence of the Americans,
for example at Camp David in the United States, to solve the
problem and reach an historic accord," Netanyahu said.
PALESTINIANS THROW STONES, ISRAELI SOLDIERS RESPOND
WITH GUNFIRE February 25, 1998 By Samar Assad, Associated
Press Kalandia Refugee Camp, West Bank (AP)
In a scene reminiscent of the six-year intefadeh, Palestinians
battered Israeli army jeeps with stones from rooftops today, and
Israeli troops fired live rounds as they came to the rescue of a
trapped soldier. The clashes began after the army sealed off
the main entrance to the Kalandia refugee camp north of
Jerusalem, the site of frequent stone-throwing incidents in
recent days.
Palestinian residents of the camp pelted army jeeps with stones,
and Israeli soldiers responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. Some
tear gas canisters landed near a girls' school in the camp. The jeeps
left after coming under a barrage of rocks, leaving behind one soldier
who took refuge in a Palestinian shop. The soldier fired live bullets
at the rock-throwers, the shopkeeper said, until the jeeps returned to
rescue him.
ISLAMIC EDICTS CONCERN U.S. OFFICIALS
February 25, 1998 WASHINGTON
U.S. intelligence officials say they're taking seriously
purported Islamic religious edicts advocating attacks on U.S.
civilians and allied interests worldwide. The purported decrees by
unnamed clerics were tied to U.S. Middle East policy overall, not
merely possible U.S.-led strikes on Iraq, averted for now, in the
standoff over U.N. arms inspections.
Despite the deal between Iraq and U.N. Secretary General Kofi
Annan that ended the immediate threat of U.S. military action,
"We are still concerned about the threat,'' a U.S. intelligence
official told Reuters. "It is something that is being taken very
seriously.''
A text published Monday in the Arabic-language London newspaper
Al-Quds al-Arabi said guerrilla attacks should continue until
U.S. forces "retreat'' from Saudi Arabia and Jerusalem.
"The ruling to kill the Americans and their allies civilians
and military is an individual duty for every Muslim who can do
it in any country in which it is possible to do it in order to
liberate the al-Aqsa mosque (in Jerusalem) and the holy mosque
(Mecca) from their grip,'' it said.
DEFECTOR SAYS SOVIETS HAD MAJOR BIOLOGICAL
WEAPONS PROGRAM February 25, 1998 NEW YORK (AP)
The former Soviet Union had "hundreds of tons'' of anthrax
bacteria and lesser amounts of the smallpox and plague viruses
ready to launch by missile in case of a world war in the 1980s, a
high-level defector says. Dr. Kanatjan Alibekov, who headed a
branch of the Soviet biological weapons program before he defected to
the United States in 1992, believes a vestige of the cold war-era
program still exists in Russia, he said in The New York Times today.
"They continue to do research to develop new biological agents,'' he
said. "They conduct research and explain it as being for defensive
purposes.'' He said hundreds of tons of anthrax bacteria and scores
of tons of smallpox and plague viruses could have been mounted on
intercontinental ballistic missile warheads on several days' notice in
the early 1980s.
IDF INTEL: IRAQ RETAINS MASS DESTRUCTION CAPABILITY
Int'l Christian Embassy Jerusalem 2/25/98 quoting from Channel
One TV in Israel
The head of Israel's Military Intelligence confirmed Tuesday
that, despite the serious weakening of the Iraqi armed forces
since 1991, that country's ability to produce non-conventional
weapons remains intact.
Addressing the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee,
Major-General Moshe Ayalon said that several thousand Iraqi
scientists have received technological training in the West
giving them the know-how to manufacture chemical and biological
weapons.
He also cited information provided in 1995 by Saddam Hussein's
defected son-in-law Hassan Kamal which led UN inspectors to
biological weapons and production documents concealed in a hen
yard; this after repeated Iraqi denials that it possessed any
such weapons. Ayalon said Iraq is believed to have successfully
hidden a few dozen missiles and some launchers. According to
him, reports of Iraqi warplanes having been fitted out to carry
and spray biological agents are true, and he believes these
aircraft are able to penetrate Israeli airspace.
IRAQ WORKING ON UNMANNED PLANE
February 26, 1998 By John Diamond, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) [Excerpt]
A U.S. intelligence official confirmed Wednesday that Iraq was
attempting to develop an unmanned aircraft that could be used to
deliver biological weapons on targets as far away as Israel.
The pilotless aircraft program, elements of which have been
previously reported by the defense publication Jane's, was the
focus of a report Wednesday on "The CBS Evening News.''
The intelligence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity,
said Iraq was trying to convert an L-29 trainer jet into an
unmanned delivery system for the biological agent anthrax. The
jet would have a range of about 500 miles, great enough to reach
targets in Israel as well as most of the U.S. force
concentrations in the Persian Gulf. But one version of the
aircraft recently crashed during a test flight, and Iraq has not
yet developed a tank that could be filled with a biological agent and
attached to the aircraft.
************************************************************************
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