Subject: Israel in the News: June 8-14, 1998 Date: Fri, 19 Jun 1998 00:04:57 +0000 To: "Arutz-7 List"<heb_roots_chr@geocities.com>
From: Eddie Chumney To: heb_roots_chr@geocities.com Subject: Israel in the News Israel in the News June 8 to 14, 1998 JERUSALEM JEWISH SETTLERS TAKE OVER JERUSALEM HOMES June 8, 1998 Jerusalem Jewish settlers took over four homes in Arab East Jerusalem overnight, igniting scuffles in which a leading Palestinian was injured, Israeli police said on Monday. Faisal al-Husseini, the Palestinian official responsible for Jerusalem affairs, said he was hit on the head, apparently by a stone, when he joined Palestinians and Israeli peace activists in confronting the settlers. Saeb Erekat, chief Palestinian peace negotiator, warned of the potential for "major grave consequences'' if the settlers were not evicted. Peace activists and Palestinian residents said the land was owned by Arabs. But an Israeli spokesman, David Bar-Illan, said members of the right-wing Elad group owned the homes. "This is an absolutely legal transaction,'' he told Reuters. FAISAL HUSSEIN ISSUES A CALL TO MOSLEMS; "COME AND LIVE IN JERUSALEM" (IsraelWire-6/8) The PLO Authority (PA) Minister of Jerusalem Affairs, Faisal Husseini, has issued a call to Arabs and the Moslem world, to "come to Jerusalem and set up roots in the capital." Husseini stated if necessary, he will enlist the masses who will turn out innumber, to protect the "Islamic and Arabic character of the city." The PA minister was addressing a conference of international youth dealing with Jerusalem. The event took place in Morocco. PALESTINIANS CALLED TO `MOBILIZE' AGAINST JEWISH SETTLEMENT June 10, 1998 By Hilary Appelman, Associated Press Jerusalem (AP) A top Palestinian official today called for the Palestinian people to "mobilize to defend Jerusalem'' against the expansion of Jewish settlements. Palestinian Cabinet Secretary Ahmed Abdel Rahman reacted angrily to the Israel Interior Ministry's decision Tuesday to approve the construction of new housing for a Jewish religious seminary in east Jerusalem on land originally slated for an Arab girls school. "This decision by the Israeli government is a continuation of the Israeli aggression toward the city of Jerusalem in order to make it a Jewish city and deport all the Arab citizens from Jerusalem,'' Abdel Rahman told The Associated Press in the Gaza Strip. "The people have to mobilize to defend Jerusalem and the holy places.'' Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat called the Israeli decision "another violation'' of the Israel-Palestinian peace agreements, which say neither side should make unilateral changes to the status quo before a final peace settlement that would determine the fate of Jerusalem. PREPARATIONS FOR WAR IDF TRAINING TO FIGHT IN BUILT-UP AREAS IN WEST BANK TOWNS Kahl's I & G News 6/12/98 Hatzofe in Hebrew 7 Jun 98 pp 1, 2 Report by Moti Zaft The IDF's [Israel Defense Forces] Central Command has in recent months trained its units to fight in built-up areas in case a violent confrontation breaks out with the Palestinian police that will require the reoccupation of the Palestinian autonomy towns. The increase in such training is due to assessments that the likelihood of such a confrontation has risen in the wake of the Palestinian inflexibility, which is causing a deadlock. During the exercises the soldiers are trained in fighting in built-up areas. Still, the IDF strategy is to do everything possible to prevent a reentry into the Palestinian towns even if such a confrontation breaks out and to maintain that possibility as a last option to be used only if there is no alternative. The lesson of the exercise held by the Central Command about a year ago, which trained the units to fight the terrorists' army in Judaea and Samaria, showed that the IDF could come out of such a violent confrontation with the Palestinian police with low casualties on our side and with a large number of casualties on the Palestinian side. RUSSIAN TECHNOLOGY PROVIDING SYRIA WITH ADVANCED WEAPONRY (IsraelWire-6/11) Russia has sold its advanced Cornet anti-tank missile system to the Syrian government. It is considered to be among the more sophisticated anti-tank missiles available. According to IDF intelligence reports, the acquisition of the new missiles by the Syrians is a major leap forward for Syria, and a worrisome one for Israel. Despite this, intelligence officials have not altered their assessment, maintaining a Syrian offensive against Israel is most unlikely at this time. The Russian media reports that Syria will receive over 1,000 of the advanced missile systems, which have a range of 5.5 kilometers (3.3 miles). The system is laser guided, extremely accurate, and may be fired from an armored personnel carrier. PENTAGON TO SELL PATRIOT MISSILE SYSTEM TO ISRAEL June 12, 1998 Washington (AP) The Pentagon plans to sell a $73 million Patriot missile system to Israel. Israel needs this surface-to-air equipment, which will include radar sets, spare and repair parts and support and test equipment, to continue the upgrade of its air defense capabilities, a Pentagon statement said Friday. "The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region,'' said the statement. "There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.'' "This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country,'' added the statement. US MIDDLE EAST TERROR WARNING Washington, DC (EmergencyNet News) 6/12/98 The United States said on Friday that it is increasing security at embassies and other facilities in the Middle East and South Asia and is advising U.S. citizens to be alert and inconspicuous when traveling in the region. The U.S. State Department said it was taking seriously a renewed threat from exiled Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden, who told ABC News this week he would target all Americans in his jihad (holy war) on U.S. forces in the region. In a Public Announcement that was issued on Friday, the DoS said: "In an apparent reference to Americans, he (bin Laden) said that he did not distinguish between military and civilians. Both groups are targets." The Public Announcement also noted that bin Laden, during a 26 May news conference, implied that some type of terrorist action could be mounted within the next several weeks. CLINTON SEEKS $294 MILLION FOR CHEMICAL WEAPONS PROTECTIONS June 8, 1998 Washington (AP) President Clinton asked Congress on Monday for $294 million to help protect Americans against chemical and biological attacks. The request followed weeks of administration warnings about the country's vulnerability to terrorists using such weapons. NATO HOLDS MILITARY DRILLS IN NORTH CAROLINA By Misti Lee, Camp LeJeune, N.C. (Reuters) June 6, 1998 Soldiers from 12 former Soviet bloc nations practiced riot control, cleared simulated mine fields and battled phantom snipers Saturday in NATO-sponsored military exercises in North Carolina. About 2,000 foreign troops from NATO "Partnership for Peace" nations joined American, Canadian and Dutch soldiers for the largest NATO exercise in the United States this year, officers said. The operation, named "Cooperative Osprey '98," runs through Wednesday at the Camp LeJeune U.S. Marine Corps base in North Carolina. NATO's "Partnership for Peace" is a military cooperation program with some two dozen states in eastern Europe and Asia, many of whom already participate in NATO-led missions. PEACE PROCESS ARAB NATIONS IN UN SLAM ISRAEL (IsraelWire-6/7) Arab member nations of the United Nations Saturday spoke out against Israel and its nuclear capability. The statements coincided with the Security Council condemnation of India and Pakistan, for their recent nuclear tests. Member nations criticized the international body for not taking steps to force Israel to disarm itself of its nuclear weaponry. Among those leading the attack against Israel was the Egyptian ambassador. ARAFAT PROMISES A PALESTINIAN STATE WITHIN TWO YEARS BONN (June 7, 1998, AFP) Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat said he was confident a Palestinian state would be created by 2000 despite fierce Israeli opposition, in an interview with a German newspaper to appear Monday. "I do not threaten, I keep my promises; this state will certainly become a reality before the turn of the century," Arafat told Die Welt. "We cannot obtain our independence or freedom unless we declare a state for the Palestinians," he said. NETANYAHU CONSIDERING REFERENDUM ON TROOP WITHDRAWAl June 9, 1998 By Dafna Linzer, Associated Press Tel Aviv, Israel (AP) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seriously considering letting the Israeli public vote on a U.S. proposal for a further troop withdrawal from the West Bank, his aide said Tuesday. Palestinians, who have already accepted the American proposal, criticized the move as a stalling tactic and called on Israel to implement peace accords it has already agreed to. But Netanyahu insisted public input was important on such a crucial decision. "It is obligatory, above all, that there be broad public support so the rifts in the nation will heal and we have domestic peace, not just external peace,'' he said in an interview on Israel Radio. 'FOREIGN REPORT': SYRIA EAGER TO RESUME TALKS By Douglas Davis London (June 14) Jerusalem Post Syria is demonstrating greater willingness and flexibility in contacts aimed at resuming peace talks with Israel, according to Foreign Report, the weekly newsletter published in London. The newsletter, published on Thursday, quotes "well-placed sources" as saying that recent weeks have witnessed considerable "creativity" by the Syrians in attempting to find a formula that will permit the resumption of talks. While Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has already agreed to "take note" of non-binding agreements reached by previous Israeli administrations, the Syrians are now willing to accept that the previous agreements will serve as a "basis" for talks in the future. The new diplomatic ambiguity from Damascus is said to reflect a growing apprehension that Syria will again be left on the sidelines as Israel strikes a separate deal to extricate its troops from the security zone in south Lebanon. Syria is concerned that it has failed to scuttle Israel's initiative over a withdrawal and is reportedly apprehensive over efforts by both Washington and Paris to encourage Lebanon to accept the plan, based on UN Resolution 425. By the same token, the resumption of talks with Syria could remove some of the pressure on Netanyahu - from Washington and his own domestic constituency - to reach a deal with the Palestinians. The newsletter quotes sources in Netanyahu's office as say that he would go "a long way" to accommodate the Syrians. HAMAS SAYS IT BEING ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN ARAFAT GOVERNMENT June 13, 1998 Gaza City, Gaza Strip (AP) The radical Islamic group Hamas said Saturday it is weighing an invitation to join the government of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Hamas, which bitterly opposes the peace accords between the Palestinians and Israel, has never before sought an official position in the Palestinian Authority. However, Hamas representatives were asked to meet Tuesday with Arafat to discuss participation in the next government, said Hamas spokesman Mahmoud Zahar. "This offer is being studied in Hamas right now, and we will respond in the right time,'' he said. Tayeb Abdel Rahim, the secretary-general of Arafat's office, confirmed the government's overture to Hamas. "We are inviting all factions those who participate in the government and those who do not, including Hamas to participate in consultations on the new government,'' he said Saturday. Arafat is reshuffling his government in the coming week to avoid a no-confidence vote by the Palestinian Legislative Council. The potential rapprochement could signal an attempt by Arafat to neutralize the growing Hamas challenge to his authority. But the effort could also complicate Arafat's dealings with Israel and the United States. The two countries have been pressuring the Palestinian leader to crack down on militant groups like Hamas, which has killed scores of Israelis in recent suicide bombing attacks. PREPARATION FOR MILLENIUM ISRAEL PREPARING FOR THE MILLENIUM PILGRIMAGES (IsraelWire-6/9) According to officials in the Ministry of Tourism, as many as 4.5 million Christian pilgrims will visit Israel during the year 2000, to retrace the steps of Jesus in Jerusalem. Tourism officials are still developing plans to cope with the anticipated gridlock that will exist in the Old City, particularly in the Via Dolorosa and other prominent Christian sites. By the time the millenium arrives, a total of $600 million will have been spent to accommodate the influx of pilgrims. Yesterday, Tourism Minister Moshe Katzav unveiled the official logo of the Millenium at the Western Wall, showing the world the "official logo" of the millenium. At present, Jerusalem now has 8,000 hotel rooms and it is constructing an additional 2,000 to meet the demand of the anticipated Christian pilgrims. ARAFAT INVITES POPE TO BET LECHEM FOR MILLENNIUM (IsraelWire-6/14) PLO Authority Chief Yassir Arafat has extended an invitation to Pope John Paul to visit Bet Lechem (Bethlehem) in the year 2000 and said the Pontiff had reacted positively. According to a Reuters report, during a brief private audience, the Pope told Arafat he would pray for the "Palestinian nation" and that he believed good will by both Israelis and Arabs was needed to revive the stalled Middle East peace process. "Certainly, I will pray for you and your nation," the 78-year-old Pope told Arafat during the public picture taking session after their private talks. A Vatican statement issued later said Arafat, who is on a two-day visit to Italy, told the Pope "of the tragic situation of the Palestinian people, while the peace process is threatened by all sides". "When I met His Holiness this morning, we had wide-ranging talks on (the millennium celebrations in) Bethlehem. I also invited His Holiness to participate with us in this event. I had a positive reaction from him," Arafat told reporters afterwards. A PA official travelling with Arafat told reporters after the Papal audience: "The Vatican as always gave its support to any initiative which could unblock the currently deadlocked peace process." The Pope has a standing invitation from Israel, Lebanon and a number of other countries in the area, as well as from the PA, to visit Holy Land sites during or before the millennium year marking the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of Christ. A Palestinian leader said after talks with Italian officials that Rome had decided to give $3.5 million more aid to the PA, of which $2 million will go to Bethlehem for infrastructure and $1.5 million to refugees in camps inside Lebanon. ANTI-SEMITISM & PREPARATION FOR PERSECUTION RUSSIAN JEWS SAY ANTI-SEMITISM TESTING THEIR LIMITS June 8, 1998 By Judith Ingram, Associated Press Moscow (AP) The cluster of young men loitering across the street from a Moscow synagogue looked like any other bunch of teen-agers with a spring evening stretching before them and nothing much to do. But the 10 soon found their entertainment, chanting: "Beat it to Israel, Jews! Heil Hitler!'' There was a time when Borukh Gorin might have brushed it off as a rebellious teen-age outburst, not worth reporting to police. But that same day, arsonists attempted to set fire to his synagogue, and a Jewish cemetery in Siberia was desecrated. A few days earlier, a bomb damaged another Moscow synagogue. "These displays are all tests of how we'll react, how the authorities will respond,'' said Gorin, editor of the Jewish monthly Lechayim (To Life). "If the reaction isn't strong enough, they'll do it again.'' The recent physical and psychological attacks have frightened Jews, who had just begun to feel comfortable with their identity after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union ended state-sponsored anti-Semitism. For the first time in decades, being Jewish wasn't something to hide in Russia. Jews no longer faced the officially propagated image of Israel as a terrorist state or newspaper caricatures of the Jew as a humiliated weakling or a conniving thief. But anti-Semitism didn't melt away with the Soviet state. New voices have risen, from rabidly anti-Semitic newspapers sold across the country to Jew-baiting orators at rallies marking every national holiday. Some politicians are increasingly speaking against a reputed Jewish influence, citing Jews like powerful financier Boris Berezovsky. And more extremists are entering politics, such as the ultranationalist Russian National Unity paramilitary organization that plans to run in next year's parliamentary elections. NETANYAHU OPPOSES NEW "ANTI-MISSIONARY" BILL Intl Christian Embassy Jerusaelm 6/10/98 The Israeli government will "pass no laws which limit freedom of religion", Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's media advisor David Bar-Illan this week reassured Christians concerned about pending "anti-missionary" legislation. This latest statement was elicited by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) after a new measure passed preliminary reading in the Knesset last month calling for a three-year prison sentence or a NIS 50,000 (approximately US$15,000) fine for anyone found guilty of "preaching with the intent of causing another person to change his religion". In a response to the Christian Embassy this week, Bar-Illan said the Prime Minister's Office understood Christian concerns about Pinhasi's bill, and explained: "These preliminary readings are usually declarative and practically inconsequential. Bills introduced by coalition members are routinely voted for, almost automatically, by all coalition members present. Then they go to the relevant committee for deliberations." Bar-Illan confirmed that the bill was "unacceptable to us" and reiterated Shetreet's pledge that it would "die in committee". "Let me assure you again that Israel will pass no laws which limit freedom of religion and contravene the international conventions to which it is signatory," he wrote. ONE-WORLD CASHLESS ECONOMY CASHLESS SOCIETY PROPOSED FOR THE WELLINGTON CITY NZ NZ Watch Digest 6/5/98 Mondex NZ says Wellingtonians will have a choice over the smartcards they use for their electronic cash in the future. Wellington City plans to introduce disposable stored-value cash cards for use around town, as part of a step towards widespread use of smartcards. "In the future, Wellingtonians will have a choice over which smartcard they use - Mondex, VISAcash or potentially others." Launches and on-going trials of the Mondex system are underway in places such as New York, Hong Kong, the Unites Kingdom and Canada. "Wellington will be linked into a global cashless community." Although not mentioned in this specific article, other news items mentioned that the intentional use of these cards was for Council services, such as Library payments, rates, to buy small purchases such as lunches from participating stores, and phone calls all combined into the one card. The claim is that it will be one card, one electronic system, just as they do with EFT-POS. MONDEX USA AND BURGER KING LAUNCHES SMART CARD by David G.W. Birch - June 8, 1998 via "Koenig's Watch [Bill Koenig] Mondex USA and Burger King Corp. are set to launch their joint smart card test today east of New York City. For the first time, a retailer will distribute Mondex cards and allow for reloading of value on their chips. The cobranded cards will also be the first in the country combining Mondex electronic cash with a retailer's loyalty point system. The test is scheduled to run six months at four locations in the Long Island suburbs of East Meadow, Garden City, and Westbury. Terminals have been operating for two weeks at a store in the Roosevelt Field Mall -- a "beta site" designed to ensure the public launch would be bug-free. *******************************************************************