To: arutz-7@a7.org
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@a7.org>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Monday, Aug. 2, 1999
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Monday, Aug. 2, 1999 / Av 20, 5759
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. LEVY: NO NEED FOR A CRISIS
2. BARAK IN MOSCOW
3. PALESTINIAN UNITY
4. ACTING EU PRESIDENT HALONEN VISITS
1. LEVY: NO NEED FOR A CRISIS
The meeting between Israeli and Palestinian representatives on when and how
to implement the next stages of the Wye Agreement all but blew up last
night. No date was set for another meeting, and both sides released
somewhat forceful announcements afterwards. A senior Palestinian figure
said last night that Ehud Barak's behavior is beginning to remind him of
Binyamin Netanyahu, and then Yasser Arafat himself, for the first time,
accused Ehud Barak of attempting to delay the implementation of the Wye
Agreement. The remarks come less than a week after Arafat agreed to a
two-week delay in order to examine Barak's proposals.
Ehud Barak, for his part, criticized the Palestinians. "We are committed
to the implementation of Wye," he said in Moscow today, "and the hardening
of the Palestinian position in response to all our proposals is very
puzzling." Foreign Minister David Levy made similar public statements,
saying that there is no need for there to be a crisis. The Prime
Minister's Bureau expressed late last night "its dismay over the fact that
the Palestinians have refrained from exploring ways to effect a more
successful - for both parties - implementation of the Wye River
Memorandum." The Prime Minister's spokesman continued, "Israel has
proposed genuine progress, while the Palestinians have responded in a rigid
fashion, ostensibly for internal reasons. The Prime Minister's Bureau is
hopeful that the constructive proposals raised by Prime Minister Ehud Barak
will receive the appropriate serious consideration of the Palestinians."
Minister Chaim Ramon explained today that a primary reason for Barak's
insistence on delaying part of the Wye withdrawals is that, "close to ten
[Jewish Yesha] communities will be almost completely or significantly
surrounded by Palestinian territory, leading to a situation with definite
potential for friction." At yesterday's Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister
Barak asked the ministers not to come to any agreements with their
Palestinian colleagues, so as not to "unbalance the negotiations."
2. BARAK IN MOSCOW
Prime Minister Barak met today with Russian President Boris Yeltsin in
Moscow. At issue: the continued transfer of Russian nuclear technology to
Iran, as well as the Middle East diplomatic process. Relating to another
issue of great Israeli concern, Yeltsin sharply condemned the increasing
displays of Russian anti-Semitism. A senior diplomatic source claims that
American officials promised Barak, during his recent visit to Washington,
that if Russia does not desist from providing nuclear know-how to Iran over
the next three months, the U.S. will impose sanctions on Russia.
3. PALESTINIAN UNITY
Yasser Arafat's attempts to unify the Palestinian ranks met with a degree
of success yesterday. He met with a delegation from the PFLP terrorist
group with which he has been estranged since the signing of the Oslo peace
accords. "It was a major success," said Salim al-Zanoun, a senior Fatah
leader and speaker of the Palestine National Council. Abu Ali Moustafa,
deputy leader of the PFLP, conceded that the Oslo agreement "must be
recognized as a political reality." His chief, George Habash, did not show
up, refusing to meet with Arafat because the latter ostensibly revoked
portions of the Palestinian charter calling for the destruction of Israel.
Arafat is scheduled to meet later in the week with Naif Hawatmeh, leader of
another PLO faction, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
PLO official Hanan Ashrawi said that the unified front may cause the PA
position vis-a-vis Israel to become more hard-line.
4. ACTING EU PRESIDENT HALONEN VISITS
The current President of the European Union, Finnish Foreign Minister Tarja
Halonen, arrived in Israel today for a two-day visit. She conducted a
working lunch with Foreign Minister David Levy this afternoon at the King
David Hotel in Jerusalem, and is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Barak
tomorrow evening. Halonen, accompanied by European Union special envoy
Miguel Moratinos, will also meet with Regional Cooperation Minister Shimon
Peres, visit Yad Vashem, an Israeli hi-tech company, and the Palestinian
Authority. During her talks here, the EU President is expected to address
the matter of bilateral relations between Israel and the European Union.
*************************************************************************
To: arutz-7@a7.org
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@a7.org>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Tuesday, August 3, 1999
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Tuesday, Aug. 3, 1999 / Av 21, 5759
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. NEW RIGHT WING COALITION ON THE HORIZON?
2. ON THE DIPLOMATIC FRONT
3. PALESTINIANS AND ARAB MKS RESPOND TO SYRIAN INSULT
1. NEW RIGHT WING COALITION ON THE HORIZON?
Efforts have begun to form a new 27-member right wing faction in the
Knesset, composed of the Likud, National Union and Yisrael Beitenu
parties. Initiating the move is Yisrael Beitenu leader MK Avigdor
Lieberman, who yesterday wrote Likud Chairman Ariel Sharon, "Crucial
decisions face our people over the next year. At this time, the
national camp representation in the Knesset is weak and divided."
If Likud Knesset faction whip MK Ruby Rivlin is any indication,
however, such a move is far from being realized. Speaking to Arutz-7
today, Rivlin said "it is still too early to tell, but first steps can
be taken to create a united parliamentary faction. Over 9 MKs are not
represented on Knesset committees including our 19th MK and four from
each of the National Union and Yisrael Beitenu. They are out in the
cold because the current rule is that a party must have 5 MKs in order
to earn representation on a Knesset committee. An alliance between us
would solve that problem," Rivlin observed.
A solid strategic political alliance, however, "requires the other
parties to engage in some introspection," Rivlin said. "They have to
understand that tiny remnants of larger parties do not serve the
national camp's interests. The only solution is for them to unite
around the Likud, a party that unfortunately went astray from its
principles, by going along with Oslo and permitting its leader to sign
the Wye Accord. It must be clear, though, that the Likud will not make
an ideological turn to the right. We have to honor agreements. we view
ourselves as a party capable of leading the whole country." Engaging
in his own moment of personal introspection, Rivlin added, "We
accepted the rules of the game, and washed our hands of
responsibility...I blame myself for transforming from an ideologue
into a pragmatist, which in the end, incidentally, proved not
particularly helpful." Relating to the current negotiations with the
Palestinians, Rivlin said that he supports Ehud Barak's tough stance,
adding that he would "aid the Prime Minister in his efforts to stand
up to pressures exerted on him by [MKs] Yossi Beilin (Labor) and Yossi
Sarid (Meretz)."
2. ON THE DIPLOMATIC FRONT
Prime Ministerial aide Danny Yatom today deflected assessments that
negotiations with the Palestinians have reached a "point of crisis."
Yatom, who returned last night with the Prime Minister from Russia,
labeled the crisis "a mere Palestinian negotiating tactic." Meanwhile,
Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat today called upon the
European Union to intervene in the negotiations by pressuring Israel
to implement the Wye withdrawals, "and to aid in removing all of the
other stumbling blocks standing in the way of the Peace Process."
Reports from Syria indicate that President Assad is prepared to make
small border changes on the Golan Heights in the framework of a peace
agreement with Israel. Assad has sent a message to this effect to
Barak as part of his secret negotiations with Israel, taking place via
an American go-between. The Syrians are reportedly prepared to
normalize relations with Israel, if Israel announces at the start of
the talks that the Golan is Syrian territory.
3. PALESTINIANS AND ARAB MKS RESPONDS TO SYRIAN INSULT
Meanwhile, the PA today called on Assad to fire his Defense Minister,
Mustafa Talas, who, in the course of a condemnation of Yasser Arafat
"for remaining silent regarding Jerusalem, used obscenities to
describe the Chairman." The Defense Minister's comments - published
widely in the Lebanese press - were delivered in a festive speech
yesterday honoring the Syrian and Lebanese militaries. PA Cabinet
Secretary Ahmed Abdel Rachim called the comments "a severe blow to the
symbol of the Palestinian nation," adding that "it would be more
appropriate for the Defense Minister to worry about liberating the
Golan Heights than to engage in slander." Talas vehemently denied
using obscene language in reference to Arafat, though he admitted
having lambasted what he called Arafat's "policy of concessions."
Several Arab MKs planning to visit Syria in the next few days are
considering canceling their visit in protest of the incident. Arab MK
Taleb A-Sana says that he expects a clarification from Syria on the
matter.
**********************************************************************
To: arutz-7@a7.org
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@a7.org>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Wednesday, August 4, 1999
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Wednesday, August 4, 1999 / Av 22, 5759
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. SNEH: ISRAEL ISSUES DEMAND, NOT ULTIMATUM
2. PREPARATIONS FOR WITHDRAWAL HAVE NOT BEGUN
3. GOLAN CAMPAIGN GATHERING MOMENTUM
1. SNEH: ISRAEL ISSUES DEMAND, NOT ULTIMATUM
Arutz-7 spoke today with Labor MK Ephraim Sneh, who has served in the
past as Deputy Defense Minister and is scheduled to be appointed
tomorrow to the same post. Sneh said that Israel's demand that the
Palestinian Authority apprehend the terrorists "is a standing demand,
and is not connected with the negotiations." When asked if it is
merely a demand, or an ultimatum, Sneh answered, "It is a demand.
There is nothing on which to make it conditional."
2. PREPARATIONS FOR WITHDRAWAL HAVE NOT BEGUN
The security establishment has not received instructions from the
political echelons to prepare for the Wye withdrawals. A senior
military figure has said that he heard about Prime Minister Barak's
planned Wye timetable only over the radio. He further said that the
Americans well know that the Palestinians have not fulfilled their
part of the Wye agreement. Meanwhile, leading Palestinian figures
continue to object to Barak's proposals, claiming that he simply wants
to avoid his Wye obligations.
Arutz-7 correspondent Haggai Huberman reports that neither has the
military received instructions to prepare new withdrawal maps, and the
present maps were prepared under the Netanyahu government. "There
were seven points of contention between Yesha settlement
representatives and the government," Huberman recounted, "and these
issues were left open... The Yesha Council has been informed that it
will take part in the preparation of the new withdrawal maps."
In a related item, Prime Minister Barak has decided that almost all of
the new civilian outposts in Judea and Samaria will remain in place.
It was reported that O.C. Central Command Maj.-Gen. Moshe Ya'alon, who
informed the Yesha Council of the decision, qualified the news by
saying that some problems remain with a few of the outposts. Ya'alon
has denied the reports. Barak's decision not to dismantle the
outposts is a result of an oral promise he made during coalition
negotiations with Yisrael B'Aliyah leader Natan Sharansky.
Reactions from the left have come fast and furious. Meretz demands
that the relevant ministerial committee be convened immediately to
deal with what it labels the "illegal" outposts. Sources close to the
Prime Minister estimate, however, that the objections will be
overruled once the committee convenes. Peace Now leader Musi Raz is
incensed by Barak's acceptance of the status quo, saying "protests
will begin even sooner than anticipated, assuming that this policy
supportive of the settlements and against the rule of law and the
peace process continues..."
3. GOLAN CAMPAIGN GATHERING MOMENTUM
Arutz-7 correspondent Haggai Seri reports that the campaign to save
the Golan is well underway. A host of new spokesmen have recently
been trained, and many others are working in organization, publicity,
and fundraising. The goal of the campaign is to "win" the referendum
on the Golan, which was promised by Barak before any withdrawal is
carried out. The campaign's organizers assume that a peace treaty with
Syria means a total evacuation of the Golan - something which only a
minute percentage of Golan residents supports, even among those who
support a partial withdrawal.
Various task-force teams have been assigned to different population
sectors. The "hareidi task force" has met with leading Kabbalist
Rabbi Kadouri, and the Russian-immigrants team hosted Yisrael Beiteinu
MK Avigdor Lieberman in the Golan today. Another team will work with
left-wing voters, as has one for various political parties, and a team
has even been formed for Israeli-Arabs, who will be reminded that a
Golan evacuation may mean expropriation of lands, at their expense.
Large signs in favor of keeping the Golan have been plastered over
Haifa and the north, and the rest of the country will soon follow.
A large water tank is on its way from the Golan to Jerusalem today,
and residents of the capital will be able to avail themselves of its
contents. The purpose, according to the gimmick's organizers, is to
remind the public that one-third of the country's water sources is in
the Golan.
********************************************************************
To: arutz-7@a7.org
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@a7.org>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Thursday, August 5, 1999
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Thursday, Aug. 5, 1999 / Av 23, 5759
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. LIKUD JOINS GOLAN FRAY
The Likud Knesset faction convened this morning to discuss the efforts
to save the Golan. Yesha Council head Benny Kashriel arrived in the
Golan today to coordinate common aspects of the struggle for the Golan
and for Yesha.
**********************************************************************
To: arutz-7@a7.org
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@a7.org>
Subject: Arutz-7 News Brief: Friday, August 6,
1999
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Friday, Aug. 6, 1999 / Av 24, 5759
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. YESHA-GOLAN COOPERATION
2. ASSAD RESPONDS TO CLINTON
1. YESHA-GOLAN COOPERATION
The mayor of the Golan's largest town - Sammy Bar-Lev of Katzrin - has
joined the Council of Jewish Communities in Judea and Samaria. He
said today that the move is part of the struggle against the Prime
Minister's intentions to uproot Yesha communities. Yesha Council
leaders, hosted by the Golan Residents Committee, toured the Golan
yesterday. The two bodies agreed to cooperate in their mutual
struggles against territorial concessions by the government.
2. ASSAD RESPONDS TO CLINTON
The White House is "disappointed" with the letter of response it has
received from Syrian President Assad. U.S. President Clinton sent
Assad a warm letter after Ehud Barak's visit to Washington, urging him
to "seize the window of opportunity" created by Barak's election.
Assad's return letter was not only two weeks in coming, but it did not
"provide an opening of hope for a breakthrough," according to White
House staffers. Barak himself said yesterday, "If I just get into the
room with Assad, there should be no problems in reaching a deal."
**********************************************************************
To: arutz-7@a7.org
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@a7.org>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Sunday, August 8, 1999
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Sunday, Aug. 8, 1999 / Av 26, 5759
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. ARAFAT REFUSES TO MEET BARAK
U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has decided to postpone her
trip to the Middle East for several weeks, in light of the crisis in
the talks between Israel and the Palestinians. Yasser Arafat has so
far turned down Prime Minister Barak's invitation to discuss the
impasse with him. Yesterday, for the second time in a week, Arafat
emotionally called upon his Palestinian listeners to "march to the
walls of Jerusalem." At a gathering in Gaza, he called upon "every
child to wave a Palestinian flag on the Temple Mount." Unlike last
Tuesday, however, yesterday he did not use the term Jihad [holy war].
Arutz-7 correspondent Ariel Kahane noted that Arafat's belligerent
style of the past few days is reminiscent of the way in which he
reacted to diplomatic crises with previous Prime Ministers Rabin,
Peres, and Netanyahu.
Arutz-7's Yehoshua Mor-Yosef reports that the Palestinians continue to
demand the implementation of the Wye Agreement without delay, while
Barak was quoted yesterday as saying that the entire process may take
four years - and not 15 months, as he said in Washington. Barak told
his Cabinet today that if Arafat rejects his proposal to delay the Wye
Agreement, Israel will begin carrying out the next stage of the Wye
withdrawals as early as next month.
On the Syrian front, President Assad's letter to U.S. President
Clinton has been forwarded to Israel. Assad demands a preliminary
meeting with the Americans to decide on the pre-conditions for the
beginning of talks with Israel. The official Syrian press condemned
the postponement of Albright's trip to the region, saying that this
gives Israel more time to delay the peace process.
*****************************************************************
To: arutz-7@a7.org
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@a7.org>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Monday, August 9, 1999
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Monday, Aug. 9, 1999 / Av 27, 5759
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. PALESTINIANS CLOSE OFF YESHIVA
2. BARAK-ARAFAT MEETING STILL UNCERTAIN
3. JORDANIAN PROFESSIONALS AGAINST NORMALIZATION WITH ISRAEL
4. MOSLEM BOYCOTT OF BURGER KING
1. PALESTINIANS CLOSE OFF YESHIVA
The Palestinian-imposed closure on Yeshivat Od Yosef Chai at Joseph's
Tomb in Shechem was renewed again today. The PA was angered yesterday
by patches of grass that the yeshiva students attempted to plant on
the yeshiva grounds. Grass has not grown there ever since the fire
that gutted most of the compound during the battles of Sukkot 1996,
and the PA rightly suspected that the students wished to rectify the
situation. Israeli Border Guard policemen, not wishing to clash with
the PA, clashed with the students instead, and prevented them from
entering the compound today. The students later accused one of the
soldiers of hitting and pulling the beard of one of their number; a
Border Guard spokesman said the incident began when the students
jumped on one of the jeeps.
Six weeks ago, the PA similarly closed off the yeshiva when the
students attempted to bring in a medicine chest. Yeshiva spokesman
Yehuda Libman told Arutz-7 today, "Unfortunately, this is a ritual
that has repeated itself over the past few months. The Arabs are not
letting us through, and as a sign of protest, we are remaining here,
at the entrance to Shechem, and are trying to find some shade in which
to study. We hope that our pressure will work, and that we will be
allowed back into the Yeshiva as soon as possible."
In other Palestinian Authority news, the PA continues to refuse to
allow Palestinians to work in the Jewish communities in Gush Katif.
Dozens of youths, members of .the Moledet party, arrived in Netzarim
today and plan to work there for the next few days, and Moledet
secretariat members are expected to join them on Wednesday. Also in
Gaza, Hamas leader Ismail Abu Shanab, who was arrested only a few days
ago, has been released from Palestinian prison. In recent interviews
with the Arab press, he called outright for terror attacks against
Israelis.
2. BARAK-ARAFAT MEETING STILL UNCERTAIN
The chances of a meeting between Barak and Arafat tomorrow continue to
be small. The two may meet on Friday or at the beginning of next
week, however. The Prime Minister's Office announced that Israel
still stands by its proposal to delay the third Wye withdrawal until
the final-status stage.
3. JORDANIAN PROFESSIONALS AGAINST NORMALIZATION WITH ISRAEL
The Jordan Times reports that the leaders of Jordan's 14 professional
groups are considering strong sanctions against Jordanians who pursue
their studies in Israeli universities. Jordan's professional
associations have a strict anti-normalization policy, which prohibits
members from conducting any activities with Israel or the Israelis.
The presidents of the professional associations recently discussed a
recommendation by the anti-normalization committee that would ban
graduates from Israeli universities from becoming members in Jordanian
associations.
"[The presidents] will send a letter to the Higher Education Council,
asking them not to recognize academic degrees from Israeli
universities," said Ali Abu Sukkar, president of the
anti-normalization committee. "We will call on families not to send
their [children] to Israeli universities, and we will call on the
students not to be involved in Israeli cultural activities." Members
could face penalties ranging from a warning to expulsion for one year.
Professional who are not registered as members in the appropriate
association may not be able to practice their professions in Jordan.
IMRA notes that several months ago, Jordanian Television showed the
late King Hussein addressing the professional associations'
leadership, and directing them to keep out of foreign affairs.
4. MOSLEM BOYCOTT OF BURGER KING
A coalition of Moslem organizations has announced a worldwide campaign
to boycott Burger King restaurants. A press release circulated by
American Muslims for Jerusalem last week explained that "Burger King
ignored Muslims' concerns over the opening of a restaurant in
Palestinian-territory occupied by Israel." The restaurant in question
is located in a new shopping mall in Ma'aleh Adumim. Located just 10
minutes north-east of Jerusalem, Ma'aleh Adumim was founded in 1982,
received municipal status in 1991, and now boasts some 28,000
residents. Prior to leaving office, former Prime Minister Netanyahu
approved a plan to expand Ma'aleh Adumim's city borders up to the
Jerusalem neighborhood of French Hill.
The AMJ press release writes that the restaurant in Ma'aleh Adumim,
which was part of the area captured by Israel during the Six-Day War,
"makes Burger King a party to illegal occupation." In a second press
release, AMJ proudly announces that the Arab League is due to convene
in September to consider a resolution calling for the boycott, which
would force the closure of established Burger King locations in Saudi
Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
*******************************************************************
To: arutz-7@a7.org
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@a7.org>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Tuesday, August 10, 1999
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Tuesday, August 10, 1999 / Av 28, 5759
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. POLICE SEAL UP WAQF BREACH IN TEMPLE MOUNT WALL
2. BARAK URGED TO PROTECT JEWISH RIGHTS ON MOUNT
3. LEVY MEETS KING
1. POLICE SEAL UP WAQF BREACH IN TEMPLE MOUNT WALL
The Jerusalem Police responded forcefully last night to a Moslem Waqf
provocation on the Temple Mount. The Moslems attempted to break open
an entrance to the Temple Mount at the Hulda Steps on the Mount's
southern wall yesterday, but the police - fulfilling a decision made
by Prime Minister Barak - sealed it up over the course of the night.
Barak stressed at today's government meeting that police activity was
merely an act of law enforcement, and that the law will be enforced on
the Temple Mount in the future. The Prime Minister's Office accused
the Palestinians of a blatant violation not only of local building
regulations, but also of the status quo on the Temple Mount. The
Jerusalem Police were deployed in large numbers in the Old City today,
but all was quiet. Police Chief Yehuda Wilk stated this afternoon
that police will be quick to respond to future similar incidents.
Journalist Nadav Shragai told Arutz-7 today that the Waqf has been
consistently attempting to gain control of the entire southern-wall
area, which may in the future be opened to Jewish prayer under the
final-status arrangements with the Palestinians. "They have readied
the area under the southern part of the Temple Mount for another
prayer hall, and the government was very much aware that their next
step would be to prepare an entrance from the southern wall. The
government therefore showed them that it will not tolerate such a
move."
Likud leader Ariel Sharon congratulated the government on its firm
response, although he added that Barak's willingness to make
concessions is that which invited the Palestinian provocation.
Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert, who will be running against Sharon for
the party leadership in September, criticized Sharon's criticism,
saying that there were similar provocations under the previous
government as well.
2. BARAK URGED TO PROTECT JEWISH RIGHTS ON MOUNT
Groups advocating Jewish rights on the Temple Mount have already urged
Prime Minister Barak to take advantage of the recent Moslem
provocation at the holy site. The El Har Hashem group [To the
Mountain of G-d] and Chai Vekayam [Alive and Enduring] demanded that
Jewish prayer be permitted within the compound. A spokesman of El Har
Hashem noted that the Moslem Waqf has obliterated or otherwise damaged
Jewish artifacts and archeological remains from the First and Second
Temples. "The status quo is a fiction," he asserted. "In recent
years, two new [Moslem] underground prayer halls have been opened.
The renovation works have damaged historical finds from the Jewish
period, and we assume that this is being done purposely. The Barak
government, faced with this new affront, should have... announced that
a new special Jewish entrance to the site is to be opened. In
addition, a location for Jewish communal prayer, away from the Moslem
buildings in the compound, could have been established."
Yehuda Etzion of Chai Vekayam commented, "This is another expression
of the increasing brazenness of the Waqf, in light of the continuing
failure of all Israeli governments to enforce Israeli sovereignty on
the Temple Mount." He said that this Thursday afternoon at the same
spot, a previously-scheduled re-enactment of a Biblical and Talmudic
custom will take place: the "declaration of the new month" of Elul.
The shofar will be blown, and special prayers will be recited,
according to customs that continued to be practiced for hundreds of
years after the destruction of the Second Temple.
3. LEVY MEETS KING
Foreign Minister David Levy arrived this morning in Amman, Jordan for
talks with Jordan's Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and King
Abdullah. Deputy Foreign Minister Nawaf Massalha accompanied Levy on
the trip. Levy told reporters afterwards that the King had accepted
his invitation to visit Israel in October. Other Foreign Ministry
elements said that the King made his visit to Israel contingent upon
progress in the "political process."
**********************************************************************