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Subject: Arutz-7 News: August 27 - September 2, 1998
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1998 17:21:29 -0800
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From: Arutz-7 Editor <editor7@virtual.co.il>
To: arutz-7@ploni.virtual.co.il
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Thursday, August 27, 1998
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Thursday, August 27, 1998 / Elul 5, 5758
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. BOMBING IN TEL AVIV
2. SYRIA: IDF REINFORCING TROOPS IN NORTH
3. HOW THE PALESTINIANS VIEW THE ISRAELI LEFT
4. LANDAU DISPARAGES PA HELP
1. BOMBING IN TEL AVIV
The number of injured from the bomb that exploded in downtown Tel Aviv this
morning has reached 21. Two people are in moderate condition, while the
others, including two children, were lightly hurt. The bomb, which was
described as not large, had been placed in a garbage can near a bus stop.
An eye-witness said, "As soon as I heard the blast, I ran over, and saw a
girl missing a leg, and a car that was destroyed, and everything all turned
upside down." A catastrophe was averted in that the many passengers who
alighted from the bus only two minutes before the blast had already
dispersed when it went off.
Police announced that the explosive was comprised of between 500 grams and
1 kilogram of standard explosives and nails. It was placed in the garbage
can somewhere between 4 AM, the time that the cans were emptied, and 8:40
AM. Some 80 apartments and 10 stores were damaged by the blast.
Police presence has been reinforced in Tel Aviv as well as in Jerusalem,
following the explosion. Prime Minister Netanyahu said today, "This attack
is another sign that terrorism is directed against all of us. There is
terrorism not only in Hevron, but everywhere, and we must fight it
aggressively." Ahmed Tibi, Arafat's advisor, condemned today's Tel Aviv
bombing, in the name of the Palestinian Authority. The PA did not issue
any condemnation following the recent terrorist-killings in Maon, Yitzhar,
and Hevron - all of which are in Judea and Samaria.
2. SYRIA: IDF REINFORCING TROOPS IN NORTH
Damascus Radio reports that Israel is reinforcing its forces in southern
Lebanon. It claims that over the past 24 hours the IDF has mobilized tanks
and armed cars in the area. It was learned today that a majority of
ministers at yesterday's security mini-cabinet meeting was in favor of
reprisal attacks deep into Lebanese territory, but the move was vetoed by
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yitzchak Mordechai.
3. HOW THE PALESTINIANS VIEW THE ISRAELI LEFT
Middle East Media and Research Institute (MEMRI) reports that of the many
recent articles published in the Palestinian press on the ties between
Israeli peace movements and the Palestinians, most of them have been
strongly critical. Palestinian Legislative Council member Al-Manar has
said that only after Israeli peace movements successfully pressure the
Israeli government to accept Palestinian demands, would it be morally just
to pursue informal ties and co-existence between them and the Palestinians.
In addition, the Israeli left is largely seen as an integral part of
Zionist occupation, and the Israeli Zionist majority itself is perceived as
a monolithic entity whose very essence is occupation and opposition to the
Palestinian "just and legitimate demands." Israeli peace activists are
also included in this category because "all peace activists serve in the
Israeli army," according to Palestinian National Institutions Authority
member Mutasm Qshu. Other opponents of the ties with Israeli peace movements
perceive the Israelis as patronizing, "[viewing] themselves as the
instructors of Palestinians," and trying to distort the Palestinian
position to correspond to the position of the Israeli left. One PA
official has even claimed that the Israeli peace movements were trying to
`brainwash' Palestinian youth, so they would comply with the Israeli
solution to the conflict.
Even those Palestinians who support relations with Israelis do so primarily
because of their potential for advancing Israeli concessions. Similarly,
they claim that because no progress is being made through official
channels, Palestinians should focus on the informal channels, in order to
put pressure on Israeli decision-makers. Some proponents have gone so far
as to claim that relations with Israelis would help Palestinians if
Israeli-Palestinian violence erupts again. Editor and columnist Hasan
Al-Batal writes that the ties being developed with the Israelis might prove
worthwhile on "the day the war over the establishment of the Palestinian
state breaks... Then, we will need all [Israeli] voices, demonstrators and
articles.... [This] will also reduce the thickness of the Merkava 2 tank
and the imperviousness of the Israeli officer commanding this tank."
According to this reasoning, concludes MEMRI, Israeli Arabs as well as much
of the Israeli media will serve as a fifth column when war comes, weakening
Israeli military might.
4. LANDAU DISPARAGES PA HELP
In the wake of today's terrorist attack in Tel Aviv, Arutz-7 spoke to MK
Uzi Landau (Likud), head of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense
Committee. Mr. Landau noted that today's bomb in Tel Aviv "reminds us of
the fact that the Jewish people live in the midst of a hostile Arab
population that wants to harm us. We should also understand that Tel Aviv
is just a few kilometers away from Palestinian-controlled Area A, which
houses a well-developed terrorist infrastructure." According to Landau,
the events of the last week "teach us that we must stand shoulder to
shoulder, from Kiryat Shmonah, to Hevron, to Tel Aviv to defend ourselves."
When asked about Palestinian security cooperation with Israel, Landau
explained that such help is sporadic, and that "even when Arafat does
cooperate, it's a temporary measure aimed at fostering long-term strategic
interests. In this respect," Landau continued, "there is little to
distinguish between the ultimate goals of the PA and those of Hamas."
*******************************************************************
From: Arutz-7 Editor <editor7@virtual.co.il>
To: arutz-7@ploni.virtual.co.il
Subject: Arutz-7 News Brief: Friday, August 28, 1998
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org
Friday, August 28, 1998 / Elul 6, 5758
------------------------------------------------
Delivered Daily via Email, Sunday thru Friday
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. PM OFFERS FOREIGN MINISTRY TO SHARON
2. WEIZMANN REMARKS AT HOSPITAL VISIT
1. PM OFFERS FOREIGN MINISTRY TO SHARON
Prime Minister Netanyahu has offered the post of Foreign Minister to
Ariel Sharon. The position was originally occupied by David Levy, who
resigned eight months ago. Ha'aretz newspaper reports that the
appointment is designed to mollify the nationalist camp in
anticipation of an upcoming withdrawal from Judea and Samaria.
Sources close to Sharon confirmed the reports, but emphasized that the
offer would not reduce Sharon's objections to a withdrawal from 13% of
Yesha. They pointed out that Sharon sees Netanyahu's insistence on
Palestinian reciprocity "in a positive light."
2. WEIZMANN REMARKS AT HOSPITAL VISIT
Seven of those wounded in yesterday's bomb blast in Tel Aviv are still
hospitalized. Two of the victims - Rachel Philips of Holon and Michal
Matityahu of Modiin - are still listed in moderate condition.
President Weizmann, after visiting the latter today, commented on the
political situation. He said that he senses that new elections are
close, and "the closer, the better." Previous comments of this nature
by the President have caused stormy controversies regarding the
President's right to publicly express his political opinions. He also
related to former Chief of Staff Amnon Lipkin-Shachak's possible
intentions to enter politics. Referring to Prime Minister Netanyahu's
statement to the effect that Shachak belongs more to the left-wing,
Weizmann said, "I am not sure what is right-wing and what is
left-wing. These terms are out-dated. Some people have one way to
achieve peace, and some have another way. It could be that Shachak
belongs to one way or to the other."
***********************************************************************
From: Arutz-7 Editor <editor7@virtual.co.il>
To: arutz-7@ploni.virtual.co.il
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Sunday, August 30, 1998
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Sunday, August 30, 1998 / Elul 8, 5758
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. YESHA COUNCIL PROTEST VIGIL
2. TALKS: MOVEMENT AND THREATS
1. YESHA COUNCIL PROTEST VIGIL
A dozen Yesha Council leaders held a protest vigil outside the Prime
Minister's Office this morning, demanding that the negotiations with
Arafat be halted until he stops encouraging terrorism. Minister Shaul
Yahalom made a similar demand at today's Cabinet meeting. The Yesha
representatives sent a letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu today, in
which they wrote, "The Palestinian Authority incites [to murder],
dispatches the murderers and covers up for them. An additional
withdrawal means a larger terrorism infrastructure and more killings.
No further territory must be handed over to them! We turn to you:
Stop the murders! Stop the negotiations for the withdrawal
immediately!"
Ministers Tzachi Hanegbi, Ariel Sharon, Limor Livnat, and Shaul
Yahalom visited the demonstrators today as a sign of solidarity with
them. Maaleh Adumim Mayor Benny Kashriel told Arutz-7 today, "The
Yesha Council has announced clearly that it will not support any
government that withdraws from Yesha. We expect that this government
will stop these foolish negotiations, and instead invest more in the
war against terrorism." Beit El Mayor Uri Ariel said, "We call upon
the government to stop the negotiations and to start building in
Yesha. At the very worst, negotiations may be conducted for the
permanent-status arrangement, but not for these interim withdrawals,
which give us nothing except more murderous terrorism."
2. TALKS: MOVEMENT AND THREATS
Arutz-7 correspondent Haggai Huberman discussed today some of the
recent developments in the Oslo process negotiations. He said that
the Israelis have come to "far-reaching agreements" with the
Americans, though not with the Palestinians, on various issues of
reciprocity. "Netanyahu gave in a while ago on the issue of
extradition of terrorist murderers," Huberman said, "but has agreed
with the Americans on a U.S.-Israeli-Palestinian supervision mechanism
to ensure that the murderers are in fact being held in Palestinian
prison. Other topics that were concluded with the Americans include
the reduction of the Palestinian police force, the collection of
illegal Palestinian weapons, and PA accountability on its fight - or
lack thereof - against terrorism." Huberman emphasized that though
the Palestinians were not a party to the agreements, Netanyahu feels
that the PA will not be able to object to the American position.
Huberman said that, contrary to widespread reports, Netanyahu is
insistent on the PLO charter being changed by the Palestinian National
Council, and not by some lesser body.
Huberman also said that Netanyahu has given in on his idea of calling
the withdrawal from the Judean Desert "Area D," and has agreed to
consider it "Area B [Palestinian administrative control] with building
limitations." He pointed out that it is not true that all Area B will
automatically become Area A [full Palestinian control] in the final
agreement. He also noted that the Palestinian police will not be able
to operate within the Judean Desert.
Land of Israel Knesset Front Chairman MK Michael Kleiner told Arutz-7
today: "The moment of truth - the government decision on a withdrawal
- is coming very soon. We have said that if the government decides to
withdraw, we will quit the coalition. The Prime Minister has given in
on all of his demands [in the talks with the Palestinians], in a very
humiliating manner.
Regarding the changing of the PLO charter, there has been some sort
of unclear compromise that will enable the PA to get away with all sorts
of vague announcements. We in the Eretz Yisrael Knesset front have to
be prepared to pass the word to every Jewish home in Israel, and maybe
in the Diaspora too, that we are standing at the moment of truth. The
PA will be receiving the mountain ridge, which gives them control over
all of Yesha, and in this way they will demand Um el Fahm [a city in
the Galilee] tomorrow, and Jaffa the next day..."
Kleiner continued, "Our threat to topple the government has largely
been effective in preventing an agreement until now. We are telling
Netanyahu that he should give up his quest to carry out a withdrawal
against his party platform, and instead we want to work together with
him and we will support him. Even if the government falls then, he
will be able to go to the electorate as one who has protected the Land
of Israel and he will win the election. Otherwise, our threat to
topple him will continue to be in force. We always tell him this
message, and until now it has worked. If he remains loyal to what he
has written and said, everyone will stand behind him. But if he
behaves like a [left-wing] Mapai party member, his political support
will crumble, and a right-wing alternative to the Likud will have to
arise."
************************************************************************
From: Arutz-7 Editor <editor7@virtual.co.il>
To: arutz-7@ploni.virtual.co.il
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Monday, August 31, 1998
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Monday, August 31, 1998 / Elul 9, 5758
------------------------------------------------
Delivered Daily via Email, Sunday thru Friday
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. ZIONISM AND JEWISH IDENTITY WILL BE EMPHASIZED, IF SCHOOLS OPEN
2. PA EXECUTION FOR CRIMINALS, NOT TERRORISTS
3. PM WILL HAVE TO EXPLAIN CONTRADICTION
1. ZIONISM AND JEWISH IDENTITY WILL BE EMPHASIZED, IF SCHOOLS OPEN
"Zionism and Jewish identity" must be the educational emphasis during
the new school year, according to Prime Minister Netanyahu. Speaking
at yesterday's Cabinet meeting prior to the new school year, he said
that the Cabinet would conduct special meetings on educational issues
- one each on Jewish heritage, scientific and technological education,
and higher education. Education Minister Rabbi Yitzchak Levy said
today that he cannot be 100% certain that the school year will begin
on time, because of strike-threats by the teachers unions, but that
"with strong efforts by all of us today and tonight, I am sure that we
will be able to open the school year tomorrow as scheduled." The main
unresolved issue is the remuneration to teachers for extra-curricular
activities outside of school. Rabbi Levy, speaking on Arutz-7,
emphasized the importance of student trips throughout the Land of
Israel, as well as museum outings and the like. He said, "The nature
of negotiations of this sort seems to be that the issues are settled
at the last second."
When asked what would be the "new innovation" of the coming school
year, Rabbi Levy answered, "An educational system does not work on
'great new innovations,' but rather on small innovations. This year,
these innovations include more self-rule for schools, increased use of
computers, and an emphasis on this year's educational theme, 'respect'
and inter-personal relations."
2. PA EXECUTION FOR CRIMINALS, NOT TERRORISTS
Following yesterday's rushed Palestinian Authority execution of two PA
policemen who murdered two Arabs, PA seniors rushed to explain why
this policy would not be implemented on terrorists who killed Jews.
Palestinian National Council member Ziyad Abu-Ziyad said today, "What
some people call a terrorist is actually a national freedom fighter
according to others. He cannot be compared to those who commit a
straightforward criminal murder."
Dr. Aaron Lerner of Independent Media Review and Analysis (IMRA)
interviewed Freih Abu Medien, holder of the Justice Portfolio in the
PA, on this topic today. Following are some excerpts from their
conversation:
IMRA: Do you see yesterday's executions as setting a precedent for
future cases, or was it an exception?
Medien: Any crime committed by murderers as what happened last week
will be dealt with by the same standard... Otherwise we are going to
have people taking revenge. We are going to face civil war between
the people themselves, because we are a conservative society . If we
don't do this then the people will think seriously about revenge and
then this will make for bloody crimes also. So in this case we have
to move and accept the judgment of the military court. . . .
IMRA: What about people who are selling land to Israelis?
Medien: According to the judgment of the law or the courts. And when
the judgment is capital punishment - why not? We should take the
green light from the law. Otherwise we couldn't give any decision for
capital punishment.
IMRA: Do you see this as [applying also to those] who were involved
in attacks against Jews?
Medien: Actually, we are not thinking of these cases. We are
thinking about internal business. Things which could lead to civil
war. What I mean is that in a conservative society where there are
big clans, big tribes, then when something happens this can be very
dangerous for us.
IMRA: One last question. There is talk of an American proposal that
the people on the Israeli list for extradition be held by the PA in a
location. Is there a legal framework for doing such a thing inside the PA?
Medien: ...Absolutely all the people on the list which Israel has
sent to us are now serving in prison - either life imprisonment or
twenty years or fifteen years. When they finish their sentences in
our jails we are ready to transfer them to Israel.
3. PM WILL HAVE TO EXPLAIN CONTRADICTION
In response to a question by Communications Minister Livnat at a
Cabinet meeting last week, Prime Minister Netanyahu denied the
existence of a rough draft of an agreement with the PA that was
allegedly submitted by Atty. Shlomo Molcho to Yasser Arafat. However,
Yediot Acharonot reports today that such a document does exist.
Minister Livnat said last night that she is "surprised" and "expecting
clarifications from Prime Minister." Education Minister Rabbi Yitzchak
Levy echoed this expectation, in a talk with Arutz-7 today. A
reaction emanating from the Prime Minister's office explained that
there are several unsigned drafts.
********************************************************************
From: Arutz-7 Editor <editor7@virtual.co.il>
To: arutz-7@ploni.virtual.co.il
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Tuesday, Sept. 1, 1998
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Tuesday, September 1, 1998 / Elul 10, 5758
------------------------------------------------
Delivered Daily via Email, Sunday thru Friday
--- See below for subscription instructions ---
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
PREPARATIONS IN YESHA
The IDF has begun preparations to erect fences around Yesha
communities. The Central Command even plans to fence in the entire
city of Maaleh Adumim - population 25,000 - as well as the urban
community of Givat Ze'ev. The Yesha Council objects to the fences,
saying that it will not solve the security problem, but will merely
impede the growth of the towns.
**********************************************************************
From: Arutz-7 Editor <editor7@virtual.co.il>
To: arutz-7@ploni.virtual.co.il
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Wednesday, September 2, 1998
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1998 / Elul 11, 5758
------------------------------------------------
Delivered Daily via Email, Sunday thru Friday
--- See below for subscription instructions ---
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. WEIZMANN CONTINUES CONTROVERSIAL POLITICAL ACTIVITY
2. SLOW PROGRESS ON LAW TO DISSOLVE KNESSET
3. MUBARAK ON THE TEL AVIV BOMBING
1. WEIZMANN CONTINUES CONTROVERSIAL POLITICAL ACTIVITY
President Weizmann continues to work actively for new elections. He
said today that he fears that there will be a major outbreak of
violence if the government is not replaced soon. Weizmann met two
days ago with opposition leader Ehud Barak, and will meet today with
Gesher party leader MK David Levy. He plans to meet with other key
MKs in the coming days. The Tsomet party called upon the President to
resign in light of his political activity. MK Aryeh Deri of Shas also
had strong criticism of Weizmann, saying that the President is
basically calling upon the public to vote for Labor.
2. SLOW PROGRESS ON LAW TO DISSOLVE KNESSET
The Knesset Law Committee convened this morning in a stormy session
discuss the proposal for the dissolution of the parliament and the
holding of new elections. The bill was given preliminary Knesset
approval on the last day of the previous Knesset session. Sixty MKs
voted in favor, including most of the five MKs of the government
coalition's Third Way party. Committee Chairman Chanan Porat told
Arutz-7 today that the proposal to nullify the direct-election system
of the Prime Minister should be considered before new elections are
discussed. Porat has come under strong opposition criticism for his
stand. Meretz MK Dedi Tzucker said that Netanyahu has lost his
majority in the Knesset, "which is the ultimate manifestation of
public feeling," and that Porat must not impede this issue with
technicalities.
3. MUBARAK ON THE TEL AVIV BOMBING
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak commented on the August 27th
terrorist bombing in Tel Aviv which injured 20 people. Mubarak's
remarks were reported in the Egyptian daily newspaper Al-Gomhouriya on
August 28. He said, "The bombings which took place in Tel Aviv are
the natural result of the torpedoing of the peace process in the
Middle East. since the coming to power of the Likud government headed
by Netanyahu. Such explosions will continue so long as the Tel Aviv
government [sic] adopts a position which is opposed to peace and so
long as the land is not returned to its Palestinian owners." In a
letter to the Egyptian President, the Anti-Defamation League wrote,
"We find it shocking that you would excuse acts of terrorism because
of political conditions. Furthermore... Hamas and Islamic Jihad step
up terrorist attacks precisely when there is rapid movement in the
negotiations."
**********************************************************************