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Subject: Arutz-7 News: December 29, 1998 - Jan 5, 1999
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1999 15:45:47 -0800
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From: Arutz-7 Editor <netnews@a7.org>
To: arutz-7@vjlists.com, arutz7-b@vjlists.com
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Tuesday, December 29, 1998
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Tuesday, December 29, 1998 / Tevet 10, 5759
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON MAY 17
2. SHARON MAY RUN; MORDECHAI AND LIVNAT MAY WALK
3. PALESTINIANS WANT "ANYONE - JUST NOT NETANYAHU"
4. P.A. PREPARING "INTIFADA OF THE SETTLEMENTS"
1. ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON MAY 17
The date for Israel's upcoming national elections has been set for May
17th, the 2nd of Sivan, four days before the Shavuot holiday. So
determined the Knesset Law Committee today, after representatives of the
two large parties, the Likud and Labor, agreed on the date last night. MK
Rabbi Laizerson (United Torah Judaism) objected to the date on the grounds
that "the week before the Festival of the Receiving of the Torah is not the
proper time for holding elections."
2. SHARON MAY RUN; MORDECHAI AND LIVNAT MAY WALK
Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon made a surprise announcement last night that
under certain circumstances, he would run for Prime Minister. The
statement followed by 24 hours his speech at the Likud convention, in which
he said that he does not want to be Prime Minister. The deadline for
registering to run for the Likud nomination for Prime Minister is this
coming Sunday night.
Ministers Yitzchak Mordechai and Limor Livnat continue to be the subjects
of speculation as to their political plans. Mordechai said today that he
is still considering his steps, as well as "the persons with whom I best
feel I can advance the State of Israel." He has met recently with Prime
Minister Netanyahu, representatives of the new Shachk-Meridor party, and
with Labor party leader Ehud Barak several times. Mordechai said today, "I
am a Likudnik."
NRP Ministers Rabbi Yizchak Levy and Sha'ul Yahalom refused to comment
today on reports that the party may pass an internal resolution in favor of
the Wye agreement. The purpose of such a resolution would be to cause more
hawkish MKs such as Chanan Porat and Tzvi Hendel to leave the party.
Ma'ariv's political commentator Menachem Rahat reports that by accepting
the Wye agreement "with certain conditions," Yahalom hopes to restore the
party's more "moderate" image, thus attracting the voters of the Meimad
movement. The feeling is that in any event, Benny Begin's new
nationalist-camp party will garner much support from those who in the
right-wing camp who voted for the NRP in the previous elections.
3. PALESTINIANS WANT "ANYONE - JUST NOT NETANYAHU"
The Palestinians are preparing for the Israeli elections, with one goal: to
remove Binyamin Netanyahu from power. An analysis of the PA strategy by
Roni Shaked, published in today's Yediot Acharonot, explains its main
elements: the prevention of terrorist attacks, the downplaying of the
intention to declare a Palestinian state, and the uniting of the various
Israeli-Arab lists into one political party. "This time, we will not
repeat past mistakes," say senior Palestinian Authority officials. "The
main thing is to remove Netanyahu from power. Barak, Shachak, Meridor -
just not Netanyahu."
4. P.A. PREPARING "INTIFADA OF THE SETTLEMENTS"
"Now, after the Intifada of the Prisoners, the Palestinians are preparing a
new one: the Intifada of the Settlements." So claims an article by Khaled
Abu Toameh, in the recent edition of the Jerusalem weekly Iton
Yerushalayim. The story, re-circulated by the Government Press Office,
says that the Palestinian Authority plans mass demonstrations and clashes
with Israeli soldiers and Yesha residents in protest over the "expansion of
Jewish communities and the paving of bypass roads." PA figures were
encouraged by what they feel was a successful "Intifada of the Prisoners,"
as the subject received top priority in the Israeli agenda, and even
President Ezer Weizmann hinted his support for the release of Palestinian
prisoners by saying, 'Until when will we continue to hold them?' PLO
Executive Committee member Zakaria al-Agha said, "There is no alternative
at this stage to popular opposition to the settlements and the settlers.
This is a burning issue which can not be postponed. All forces and
resources must be united in the struggle against the settlements."
***********************************************************************
From: Arutz-7 Editor <netnews@a7.org>
To: arutz-7@vjlists.com
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Wednesday, December 30, 1998
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Wednesday, Dec. 30, 1998 / Tevet 11, 5759
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. PRESIDENT WEIZMANN BACK IN POLITICS
2. LEVY TO JOIN LABOR? KLEINER'S RESPONSE
3. REFORM CONVERSIONS RULED LEGAL
4. RAFUL JOINS RACE; YESHA COUNCIL STAYS OUT
1. PRESIDENT WEIZMANN BACK IN POLITICS
President Ezer Weizmann is working to unify Ehud Barak and Amnon
Lipkin-Shachak with the aim of toppling Binyamin Netanyahu. In recent
meetings with friends, Weizmann has said that the split between Barak
and Shachak hurts the political left and helps Netanyahu. The
President was to have met Shachak for the second time in a week today,
but he cancelled at the last moment because of the negative publicity
surrounding the issue.
Weizmann has refrained from denying the reports. Speaking with
reporters today, he said, "The country is facing difficult times, and
I will do whatever I feel is right to help it." Likud MK Doron
Shmueli demands Weizmann's resignation: "He has placed himself at the
head of the opposition groups working against Netanyahu. he must
resign so that the Presidency can be rehabilitated." Even Meretz MK
Dedi Tzucker criticized Weizmann, saying, "His intervention only
dirties those who wish to replace Netanyahu, and deters others who
would like to join these efforts." Health Minister Yehoshua Matza
said that Weizmann must be removed from his post, on the grounds that
he is using his position as President for partisan political
consultations.
2. LEVY TO JOIN LABOR? KLEINER'S RESPONSE
Representatives of David Levy and Ehud Barak were scheduled to
continue negotiations this morning to unite the Gesher and Labor
parties in preparation for the elections. Yesterday, Barak and Levy
announced a deal in which Gesher would support Barak for Prime
Minister, in exchange for guaranteed slots on the Labor Knesset list.
Sources in the Labor party expressed the hope that the deal would
prevent MK Chaim Ramon and others from leaving the party. Levy denies
the reports of an imminent deal between the two.
MK Michael Kleiner, one of the original Knesset Members of Levy's
Gesher list, and who now heads the Knesset Land of Israel Front, said
that he originally joined Gesher in 1996 because its platform called
for, among other national priorities, the strengthening of the Yesha
communities. Kleiner suggested that Levy's recent moves were not a
product of ideology but rather of political opportunism: "Ten years
ago, they would have been furious in [Levy's hometown] Bet She'an if a
politician pulled off such a move. But today, the differences between
the Likud, Labor, and the new centrist party are virtually
non-existent economically, socially, and politically. The majority of
MKs are no longer against the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The only differences remaining between them are those of tone.
Today's political arena consists of coalitions interested in amassing
power, and they hire the people who they think will help their team.
Israeli politics now works on the model of a soccer team: A club
lacking a forward or defense-man checks the market to see who's
available, and 'free agents' search for teams who require their
particular skills. Barak was lacking a certain nuance in his Knesset
list, which David Levy conveniently fits. The only ideological
movement is the new nationalist-camp party under the leadership of
Binyamin Ze'ev Begin [to which Kleiner belongs]."
When Arutz-7's Ariel Kahane then observed that Kleiner was utilizing
the interview to "plug" his new party, Kleiner responded: "No, I am
using this opportunity to continue to battle for the Land of Israel,
for ideology, for clean politics, and for the awareness that it is
impossible to separate between ideological and personal fidelity."
3. REFORM CONVERSIONS RULED LEGAL
Another possibly precedent-setting court ruling in matters of religion
in Israel. Jerusalem District Court Judge Vardi Zeiler ruled today
that Reform conversions to Judaism must be recognized by the State.
The ruling refers to 23 non-Jews who underwent a Reform conversion
ceremony. In response to the decision, Knesset Law Committee Chairman
Chanan Porat said that he will submit a proposal to the Committee as
soon as this Monday stipulating that only Torah-acceptable conversions
will be recognized, in accordance with the Ne'eman commission
recommendations. He and Chief Rabbi Bakshi-Doron sharply criticized
the court today, while Meretz MK Yosi Sarid praised its "integrity and
courageousness."
4. RAFUL JOINS RACE; YESHA COUNCIL STAYS OUT
Tzomet leader Rafael Eitan announced last night on an Israel
television political affairs program that he still hopes to contribute
to Israeli society, and is therefore declaring his candidacy for Prime
Minister. Eitan expressed his opinion that any party running in the
elections should concurrently run a candidate for Prime Minister.
A poll commissioned by the Prime Minister's Office indicates that
Benny Begin's new nationalist-camp party will receive nine seats in
the next Knesset. The National Religious Party will, according to the
poll, drop from nine seats to six. Other forecasts: Labor - 28;
Likud - 24; Shas - 13 (up from 10); the new Shachak-Meridor centrist
party - 13, and Meretz and United Torah Judaism will retain their
strengths - nine and four seats, respectively.
The Yesha Council decided today that it will not officially endorse
any of the Prime Ministerial candidates. This will give each member
freedom of choice, such that Aharon Domb can publicly support Prime
Minister Netanyahu, while Uri Ariel can continue to work on behalf of
Benny Begin
********************************************************************
From: Arutz-7 Editor <netnews@a7.org>
To: arutz-7@vjlists.com, arutz7-b@vjlists.com
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Thursday, December 31, 1998
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Thursday, December 31, 1998 / Tevet 12, 5759
------------------------------------------------
Delivered Daily via Email, Sunday thru Friday
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*********************************************
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. COURT RULING SETS OFF CONVERSION DEBATE
2. NETANYAHU OFFERS DOMB CAMPAIGN POST
3. DOMB WILL NOT REPLACE PORAT IN KNESSET
1. COURT RULING SETS OFF CONVERSION DEBATE
The Knesset will renew its deliberations on the conversion-to-Judaism
bill next week. The bill was frozen six months ago in order to allow
a compromise to be reached, but the religious parties have said they
will wait no longer. Their initiative came in reaction to yesterday's
Jerusalem District Court ruling recognizing 23 Reform and Conservative
conversions for the purpose of statistical purposes. Prime Minister
Netanyahu announced later today that he will convene the coalition
party heads on Sunday to attempt to have the Ne'eman commission
proposals passed into law.
Contacts are being held with the Labor party for the same ends.
Other reactions to yesterday's court decision:
* The Interior Ministry, headed by the Shas party, announced that it
would appeal.
* MK Alex Lubotsky (Third Way), who has been working for a compromise
on the issue, was critical, saying that the ruling bypasses the
Supreme Court which is presently deliberating on the issue.
* Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, speaking at a seminar dealing with
Jewish assimilation today, was critical, and said that its timing was
"strange."
* Education Minister Rabbi Yitzchak Levy said there that the decision
opens a large door to assimilation. He said he hopes that the Supreme
Court will recognize the tragedy that it could cause, and will retract
it.
MK Rabbi Avraham Ravitz (United Torah Judaism), speaking with Arutz-7
today, said, "Sometimes one can just go crazy with what happens here.
Eleven Supreme Court justices are deliberating on this issue, and
because they recognize that this is not just a purely legal issue, but
rather an ideological-religious issue, they don't want to decide all
by themselves, but would rather have the Knesset - the nation's
representatives - decide the matter. And then suddenly, another
judge, whom I have heard is a very distinguished judge, decides to
make a snap decision, instead of waiting the two additional months
that the Supreme Court gave the Knesset." Rabbi Ravitz added, "The
fact is that the Ne'eman commission has come up with a compromise.
Although we can't accept this compromise - as it provides for Reform
and Conservatives education for potential converts - some 80 Knesset
Members do accept it. This will provide for conversion only according
to Halakhah [Jewish Law]."
2. NETANYAHU OFFERS DOMB CAMPAIGN POST
Yesha Council Secretary-General Aharon Domb confirmed today that Prime
Minister Netanyahu had offered him an important position in directing
the upcoming election campaign. Domb said that the offer had more to
do with the Prime Ministerial race, rather than the general Likud
campaign. He said that he is seriously considering the offer, "not
because I am in complete agreement with Netanyahu's policy, but
because of today's political reality. I think that among those who
are close to the political line in which I believe, the Prime Minister
has the best chance of winning.
I have no qualms with Benny Begin, of course. I have not hidden my
belief that the Wye agreement represents a serious danger for the State of
Israel." Domb said that he asked the Prime Minister for a week to
consult with friends, and with "my closest advisor, my wife."
Regarding the Yesha Council vote yesterday that individual Council
members are not bound to follow a uniform political line in the
upcoming elections, Domb said, "This decision shows the Council's
maturity. I think that our decision is both balanced and correct.
The only thing I am finding hard to digest and even to imagine is that
if I were to accept Mr. Netanyahu's offer, I would be featured in the
media and television competing against my colleagues in the Yesha
Council who hold different views than I do."
3. DOMB WILL NOT REPLACE PORAT IN KNESSET
In response to the story in Ma'ariv that the NRP is trying to present
a more "moderate" image by offering him a position on its Knesset list
in place of Chanan Porat or Tzvi Hendel, Yesha Council leader Aharon
Domb stated, "This story took me by complete surprise. Not one of the
writers talked to me. I did not get any direct offers from the NRP at
all. Sha'ul Yahalom spoke to me about the general situation, but
that's it. But allow me now to save both him and others some time:
My teacher Chanan Porat, as well as Tzvi Hendel, are much more
qualified than I am for the Knesset, and for the NRP. I do not want
to be involved in legislation and policy, but rather on the practical
aspects of settlement. I don't intend to compete in the framework of
any party in the next elections."
Chanan Porat, speaking with Arutz-7 today about the issue today, said,
"This is not a personal matter between Yahalom and myself. Rather, we
disagree on the issue: Yahalom has more or less accepted the Wye
Agreement and its consequences, while Tzvi Hendel and I and others
have not given up and continue to say that we must fight against those
agreements." Porat said that the NRP must formulate the position that
it will present to the voters on these issues within two weeks.
***********************************************************************
From: Arutz-7 Editor <netnews@a7.org>
To: arutz-7@vjlists.com, arutz7-b@vjlists.com
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Sunday, January 3, 1999
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Sunday, Jan. 3, 1999 / Tevet 15, 5759
------------------------------------------------
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. ARAFAT'S PLANE IS A HAZARD
2. ELECTION NEWS:
1. ARAFAT'S PLANE IS A HAZARD
Yasser Arafat's private plane is a hazard to Israel's air safety - or
at least it has been, in recent weeks. Arutz-7 correspondent Haggai
Huberman reports, "With the opening of the Dahaniyeh airport, the
Palestinians apparently want to show that they are responsible for
their own airspace. This notion contradicts the Wye agreement, which
states that flights in and out of the airport are subject to Israeli
aviation regulations. On at least two occasions in recent weeks -
once when Arafat returned from Europe, and again when he returned from
Egypt - he did not submit a request in advance for Israeli approval of
his flight plans. On both occasions, Arafat's pilot contacted Israeli
air-traffic controllers only once he had already reached our
airspace." Huberman added that experts in the field have declared
that such behavior greatly endangers other airliners entering Israeli
skies. "The Israel Air Force could potentially shoot down such a
plane if it suspects that it might be a hostile intruder," said
Huberman. Israel has issued a protest to the Palestinian Authority on
the matter.
2. ELECTION NEWS:
Dan Meridor and Amnon Lipkin-Shachak have still not agreed who will
lead their new centrist party, despite having met twice last week. Former
Tel Aviv Mayor Roni Milo, their third partner, criticized Meridor for
not relying on recent polls to determine who should lead the party...
The former Director of the Prime Minister's office, Avigdor
Lieberman, announced the formation of a new immigrants' party this morning. The
new party, which will be called "Yisrael Beiteinu" [Israel is our
Home], will compete with Yisrael B'Aliyah for the Russian immigrant
vote. Lieberman said at the press conference that he would "support
Netanyahu with all my might" for Prime Minister. In answer to a
question by Arutz-7 correspondent Asi Talmon, Lieberman said that he
would view the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state as a
declaration of war against Israel...
Moshe Arens, former Defense Minister under Likud Prime Minister
Yizchak Shamir, is considering running for head leadership of the Likud party.
Arens is waiting for the results of an internal Likud survey which
will help him decide whether to enter the fray against Binyamin
Netanyahu and Uzi Landau. The deadline for submitting one's candidacy
for party leadership has been extended until next Sunday...
Communications Minister Limor Livnat is still having trouble deciding
her political future. She is reported to have rescinded her agreement to
join Meridor's party at the last minute because of the likely presence
there of such left-wing politicians as Chaim Ramon, Avraham Burg, and
even Shachak himself. There have also been reports that Livnat may be
interested in joining the new right-wing Tekumah party.
***********************************************************************
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@a7.org>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Monday, January 4, 1999
Reply-to: netnews@a7.org
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Monday, January 4, 1999 / Tevet 16, 5759
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. ARAB STATES ADVISE PA TO PUSH OFF DECLARATION
2. CONVERSIONS IN ISRAEL: STATUS QUO
3. POLITICS
1. ARAB STATES ADVISE PA TO PUSH OFF DECLARATION
Senior figures in the Palestinian Authority have reported that Egypt
and Jordan are pressuring it to delay its declaration of a state.
Arutz-7 correspondent Haggai Huberman reports, "Of late, Arafat is
under real pressure from the Arab states not to declare a Palestinian
state on May 4th. They seem to feel that this might play into the
hands of Netanyahu, who may respond by annexing large portions of
Judea and Samaria. These countries prefer that any such declaration
should be issued when Israel finds itself in greater isolation.
Moreover, many Arab countries are not particularly thrilled with the
idea of a Palestinian state. Jordan is certainly against the idea,
and Syria sees Israel as 'Southern Syria' and the Palestinian
ambitions as an irritant. A few days ago, [Egyptian President] Hosni
Mubarak dumped a pail of cold water on his Arafat's head, by also
advising him to avoid the May declaration. Mubarak was quite insulted
when Jordan's King Hussein was given the honor of participating in the
Washington signing ceremony after the Wye talks."
Huberman reports that the Palestinian Authority may go along with the
wishes of the Arab states, declaring only their 'right' to a state,
and not an actual state itself. "Arafat has a personal interest in
declaring the state as soon as possible, since he doesn't know how
much longer his health will hold out, and would enjoy going to the
next world as the president of a Palestinian state," surmised
Huberman.
2. CONVERSIONS IN ISRAEL: STATUS QUO
A proposal to legislate the Ne'eman committee recommendations into law
did not receive a majority in the Knesset Law Committee today. The
hareidi parties objected to the recommendations, which call for
conversion only according to Halakhah [Jewish Law], but also allow the
Reform and Conservative movements to teach the future converts. The
conversion laws will therefore not be changed before the next Knesset
convenes, after the elections in May.
3. POLITICS
The final readings of the law to dissolve the Knesset will be voted
upon today. It is expected to pass, although some Knesset elements are
making last-minute efforts to convince other Knesset Members to absent
themselves from the vote. 61 MKs must vote for it in order for it to
pass.
Prime Ministerial-hopeful Dan Meridor, formerly of the Likud,
revealed his political platform this morning. "There is no alternative other than
a 'territorial compromise' in Judea and Samaria," he said. Meridor
also spoke of the importance of peace with Syria, although he did not
say whether he supported a withdrawal from the Golan. He is now
reportedly considering running for Prime Minister independently of
Amnon Lipkin-Shachak.
Uzi Landau, running against Binyamin Netanyahu for leadership of the
Likud, said today that the Likud's chances of winning the national
election with Netanyahu at the helm are "zero." Landau said that the
Likud is a dying movement - "its branches are closed, and its
institutions are paralyzed." He said that so many voters on the right
are disenchanted with Netanyahu that "once they have voted for their
chosen parties in the first round, there will be nothing to drive them
to vote for Netanyahu in the second round..."
Reports that Prime Minister Netanyahu intends to appoint two new
ministers to the government - Likud MKs Sha'ul Amour and Meir Shetreet - did not
make many coalition partners happy, and they are apparently not even
true...
**********************************************************************
To: arutz-7@a7.org
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@a7.org>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Tuesday, January 5, 1999
Reply-to: netnews@a7.org
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Tuesday, January 5, 1999 / Tevet 17, 5759
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. MOLEDET AWAITS UNITY CALL
2. SHORTS
1. MOLEDET AWAITS UNITY CALL
Moledet leader MK Rehavam Ze'evi expressed a measure of frustration
today at not knowing where his party stands in the preparations for a
united nationalist bloc to run in the upcoming elections. "Moledet
believes that all the national camp parties should unite into one
party, or a federation, so that votes won't go to waste, as they did
in 1992," Ze'evi told Arutz-7 today. "I read in the paper that Benny
Begin is planning to meet with all the elements in the nationalist
camp, including Moledet. Every day I await his call, but it hasn't
come." Ze'evi said that neither has any one from the Tekumah movement
contacted him. "Time is running short, and we have to know where we
stand."
Ze'evi sent a letter to MK Begin yesterday, requesting that
negotiations begin to bring Moledet into the new nationalist-camp
party. "There won't be an argument between you [regarding the
arrangements for a united list]?" asked Arutz-7's Haggai Segal. "Of
course there will be arguments, on many topics - how to arrange the
list of candidates, and how to spend the money, and the source of the
money, and more. We will need a lot of good will, and an openness to
compromise, in order for this initiative to succeed," Ze'evi answered.
Ze'evi will meet with Uri Ariel, a leader in the Tekumah movement, in
Beit El today, although he said that the meeting will deal primarily
with other matters. A poll carried out this week by the Yesha Council
shows that the nationalist parties will lose between one and three
Knesset seats if they do not run jointly.
************************************************************************