To: arutz-7@a7.org
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@a7.org>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Monday, August 16, 1999
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Monday, Aug. 16, 1999 / Elul 4, 5759
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. CAR BOMB EXPLODES IN PA-CONTROLLED HEVRON
2. HEVRON'S JEWS RESPOND
1. CAR BOMB EXPLODES IN PA-CONTROLLED HEVRON
A car bomb exploded last night in the Palestinian-controlled H-1 section of
Hevron, within earshot of the Jewish Community in Hevron - in an apparent
"work-accident" by Arab terrorists. The perpetrators - two brothers who
are members of Hamas - were recently released from Israeli prison after
serving over five years for terrorist activities. They attached the bomb
to a toy truck, and hoped to detonate it by remote control. After extended
investigations, Israeli security officials feel that the Arabs intended to
detonate the car bomb adjacent to Jewish homes in Hevron.
The Palestinian Authority says that the explosion was caused not by a car
bomb, but by another bomb that was in proximity of the vehicle. The PA
continues to claim that it is pursuing the two terrorists, and has arrested
two people in connection with the explosion.
Arutz-7 correspondent Kobi Sela adds that fortunately for Israelis, the two
terrorist brothers were poorly trained in the operation of electrical
systems and explosives. IDF security officials noted, however, that the
incident shows that the Palestinians are improving their ability to carry
out long-distance attacks via remote control devices. Overall, Sela
reports, Hamas and Islamic Jihad operational abilities have been weakened
in recent months, but motivation to carry out attacks remains high. IDF
officials say that the PA has put a red light on "serious" attacks such as
bus explosions, but that more "minor" acts of terror, such as individual
murder attempts or the hit-and-run attack at the Nachshon Junction last
week, are "overlooked" by the PA leadership.
2. HEVRON'S JEWS RESPOND
Hevron's Jewish community noted this morning that the thwarted car-bomb
further proves that land transferred to the PLO serves as a base for terror
attacks, "as opposed to inspiring peace between Israel and Palestinian
Arabs." Minister of Industry and Trade Ran Cohen (Meretz) repeated his
call this morning to uproot Hevron's Jewish community should its
representatives not agree to reinforce school buses and vans with
bullet-proof glass. "I don't want to be responsible for people who are
willing to offer their children as sacrifices," Cohen said. "In the
past,
the Netanyahu government was willing to take responsibility for this
craziness, but that government was itself crazy. The residents of Hevron
are no different than the American suicide cults."
Yonit Avichzer, who lives in the Avraham Avinu complex in Hevron, explained
to Arutz-7 today why she and her co-residents object to the IDF's defense
measures: "For 50 years already the Arabs have been trying to take our
land. This is nothing new. Today, one of their ways is shooting cars on
the road. For this reason, the security forces wish to protect us by
bullet-proofing our cars. We object, first of all, because a state is not
to get 'defensive' against threats against its citizens, and lock them up
inside cages, but is rather supposed to fight back. We feel that if we show
our own strength [by not accepting these defensive measures], we will
strengthen the entire country. The country and the government are strong,
but this potential has to be actualized... Throughout our history, we have
shown that we are very strong. Our nation simply needs a catalyst that
will present it with its own inner truth. We must therefore continue to
live here naturally, despite the threats, and be strong and not fear...
Otherwise, there is no end - what about when there is terrorism in Tel
Aviv, such as bus attacks - will people there be told not to ride in buses
for a few months?"
"Ran Cohen says that you are simply crazy," Arutz-7's Haggai Segal
challenged her. Yonit Avichzer responded, "This is the second issue I
would like to address - the practical level. The fact is that these
measures simply don't work. When the Arab stone-throwing began, [Hevron
leader] Rabbi Levinger was very against the idea of getting protective
windows for cars, and he was right, because then the Arabs began with the
idea of shooting. When [the army] bullet-proofed our buses, Nachum Hoss of
blessed memory was killed when a terrorist threw a bomb on top of the bus.
There are 1,000 ways that the terrorists can find to get around these
measures..."
**********************************************************************
To: arutz-7@a7.org
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@a7.org>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Tuesday, August 17, 1999
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Tuesday, August 17, 1999 / Elul 5, 5759
------------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINE:
1. BARAK PLANNING FOR PRE-FINAL STATUS AGREEMENT
What is Ehud Barak really planning? This oft-asked question receives
yet another answer from Yediot Acharonot in today's edition of the
paper. Journalists Shimon Shiffer and Nachum Barne'a claim that Barak
plans to sign a pre-final status agreement with Yasser Arafat that
includes the uprooting of remote Yesha settlements, the isolation of
others, and the release of almost all terrorists imprisoned prior to
the signing of the Oslo agreement in 1993. Speaking with Arutz-7
today, Shiffer added that Barak has targeted a summit meeting for next
February, at which Israel will agree to recognize a Palestinian state.
"In exchange for these concessions," Shiffer explained, "Barak will
push for a joint declaration of principles for final status talks
between the two sides, as well as for Palestinian acceptance of a
revised Wye withdrawal map tied to these final status talks."
Regarding the location of future planned withdrawals, "Barak feels
that Netanyahu erred in agreeing to forfeit parts of the Judean
Desert, and that such a move was more a response to pressure from
Yesha leaders than a correct strategic move. The Prime Minister has
therefore instructed officials in the Defense Ministry to draw up new
maps, and most of the third withdrawal will take place in the mountain
ridge (central Samaria)," Shiffer said. "In Barak's plan, Jerusalem
and its vicinity are to remain under complete Israeli control."
Shiffer then explained what's in it for Arafat: "Barak estimates that
Arafat is aware of his own age and health situation, and will
therefore be prepared to come to an agreement in order to become the
first president of his longed-for state of Palestine." However,
Arafat's right-hand man and possible successor, Mahmoud Abbas - also
known as Abu Mazen - said today, "No Palestinian leader will not dare
agree to borders that do not give us all the territories captured by
Israel in 1967." At the same time, however, Abbas ruled out a clash
with the Barak government, which he called a "government of peace."
Shiffer concluded, "I personally don't think that a 100-year-old
conflict can be resolved in six months. When I trace the tactics of
Yasser Arafat since the start of Oslo, it is clear that he is using
the approach that was once Israel's trademark: attaining sovereignty
over land little by little, dunam after dunam."
*************************************************************************
To: arutz-7@a7.org
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@a7.org>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Wednesday, August 18, 1999
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Wednesday, August 18, 1999 / Elul 6, 5759
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. BARAK "HELPING" CLINTON HOLD UP EMBASSY MOVE
2. NAVEH: BARAK DISTORTS WYE
1. BARAK "HELPING" CLINTON HOLD UP EMBASSY MOVE
Prime Minister Ehud Barak is pressuring U.S. Congressmen to halt the
plans to move the American Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to
Jerusalem. Barak told Congressman Jim Bunning three days ago that
such an American initiative could harm Israel's chances of reaching a
deal with the Palestinians. Reactions included:
* Likud leader Ariel Sharon sharply attacked Barak for "weakening
Israel's hold on Jerusalem."
* Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert called Barak's actions "intolerable."
* United Torah Judaism Knesset faction head Rabbi Meir Porush said
that it's not Ehud Barak's decision as to whether the embassy will
relocate, and that his advice to American representatives to delay the
move was "political light-headedness."
* Housing Minister Rabbi Yitzchak Levy (NRP) says that he is certain
that the U.S. embassy will be transferred to Jerusalem. He recommends
that a borough be established in the city for all the countries that
will follow the U.S. in moving their embassies to Jerusalem.
Barak has apparently ordered a thorough check as to how the story was
leaked to the press in the first place. Former Israeli liaison to the
U.S. Congress Yoram Ettinger offered Arutz-7 some background on the
story: "This is not the first attempt by the Prime Minister to
postpone the embassy move. When he visited the States several weeks
ago, he met with the pro-Israel Aipac lobby, and instructed its
members not to push the embassy issue at that time. Details of that
request were communicated in direct and indirect ways to senior U.S.
politicians. A total of 84 out of 100 senators - who were ready to
grant Barak a gift by passing a law that would obligate the President
to avoid procrastinating any longer - were shocked by the news.
Democratic Senator Joseph Lieberman, a close political ally of
Clinton, was among those taken aback by Prime Minister Barak's words."
News editor Ariel Kahane cited Barak's claim that in any event,
Clinton plans to delay the embassy move for another year. "This
comment indicates two things," Ettinger said. "It shows a complete
lack of understanding of the American system of government. Congress
is not inferior to the President, and does not simply act according to
his dictates, but is an autonomous body equal to the President in the
framework of mutual checks and balances. Incidentally, there is
nothing more upsetting to a legislator than to be told that he must
'wait for the go-ahead from the President' - especially for a
conservative-minded Republican legislator who functions as a political
opponent of the Democratic President! Secondly, the impression left
in Washington is that Jerusalem has been placed on the negotiating
table. Barak claims that raising the issue now 'will make
negotiations difficult.' If Jerusalem is not on the negotiating
table, why is it harmful to negotiations to move the embassy? If
Barak expresses hesitation and doubt regarding Jerusalem - which is
supposedly Israel's red line - Congressmen and Senators are wondering
what to expect from him on Yesha and the Golan!"
Ettinger added that American legislators were hoping to lower
Palestinian expectations: "The [Congressman] were hoping to
contribute to a more realistic Arab approach in the negotiations by
making the non-negotiability of Jerusalem a concrete 'given.' Barak
has now fed the other side's radical expectations, which in the end,
will itself hinder the negotiations."
2. NAVEH: BARAK DISTORTS WYE:
In light of remarks by government figures that the Wye Agreement
requires the release of terrorists, Arutz-7's Ariel Kahane spoke today
with MK Danny Naveh (Likud), who served as the Cabinet secretary in
the previous government and who led the talks with the Palestinians.
Naveh said:
"Israel agreed at Wye [in October '98] to release 750 imprisoned
Palestinians. But it was already known at that time that there were
no more than 200 security prisoners without blood on their hands. This
situation wasn't convenient for the Palestinians, and they tried to
re-open this issue, but the Netanyahu government stood firm. Now, the
present Barak government is attempting to distort the facts, in order
to prepare the way for its goal, which is to release terrorists with
blood on their hands. This is, in my eyes, very grave." Naveh said
that this is not a matter of interpretation, and that the Americans
publicly announced that the Israeli position in this issue [see below]
was the correct one. "It is unfortunate that Barak does not have the
integrity to stand up and tell the public that he wants to release
terrorists who have murdered, and instead he attempts to blame the
previous government."
On March 1, 1999, the Foreign Ministry publicized the following:
"The release of prisoners by Israel was not specifically included in
the Wye Memorandum, but it was agreed that 750 prisoners would be
released in three phases. Israel has released prisoners in full
compliance with both the Wye understanding and the Interim Agreement,
and with Israel's clear statement at the Wye talks that it would not
release prisoners that were members of the Hamas or Islamic Jihad
organizations or who have blood on the hands. Although the provisions
of the Interim Agreement and the Wye understanding on this issue are
perfectly clear, the Palestinian side has raised new demands,
insisting on the release of terrorists with blood on their hands,
which have no basis in any of the agreements between the two sides."
Naveh said that he is saddened to see that since the establishment of
the Barak government, "there has been an increase in terrorist
activity against Israel. I hope that this does not stem from a
Palestinian perception of weakness within the Barak government, but I
fear that it does. If Barak in fact releases these terrorists, this
will be interpreted as a further sign of weakness, and this could
encourage more violence and terrorism. What is required now is a
policy of strength and firmness."
**********************************************************************
To: arutz-7@a7.org
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@a7.org>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Thursday, August 19, 1999
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Thursday, August 19, 1999 / Elul 7, 5759
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. FOREIGN MINISTER LEVY: PALESTINIANS WANT TO QUIT OSLO
2. PRISONER IMPASSE MAY NOT LAST LONG
3. BARAK: "I'M IN FAVOR OF EMBASSY MOVE"
4. AUTHOR: PEACE PROCESS MAY HIT ISRAEL WATER-WISE
1. FOREIGN MINISTER LEVY: PALESTINIANS WANT TO QUIT OSLO
Foreign Minister David Levy accuses the Palestinian Authority of
having no intention of coming to an Oslo-mandated final-status
agreement following the Wye withdrawals. He cited the recent public
Voice of Palestine radio statements of Palestinian senior figure
Yasser Abed Rabbo, who said that after Wye, there will be no
final-stage agreement unless Israel agrees to return to the pre-Six
Day War borders. Abu Mazen recently made similar threats. Levy said
that the present impasse in the talks has been artificially created by
the Palestinians.
2. PRISONER IMPASSE MAY NOT LAST LONG
The Prime Minister's Media Advisor announced today that the Israeli
and Palestinian negotiating teams are in "disagreement" regarding
Israel's release of Arab prisoners. The Israeli representative, Atty.
Gilad Sher, emphasized to his Palestinian counterpart, Saeb Erekat,
that the Wye Agreement makes no distinction between security prisoners
and criminals. The Palestinian side rejected the Israeli government's
approach and demanded that Israel commit itself to release 650
security prisoners and to not release criminals at all. No date for
further talks between the sides has yet been set.
Asked to comment on the above announcement, Meir Indor, chairman of
the Terror Victims Association, said, "This is either an attempt to
lull us into inaction, a call to encourage us to strengthen our
support of the government's firm positions on these issues, or a
combination of both. In any event, this shows the importance of our
public activities and protests against the release of terrorist
murderers."
Arutz-7 has learned that a senior figure in the Prime Minister's
office warned this week that a large-scale release of terrorists would
occur soon, and said that those working against such a release had
"fallen asleep at their posts." As if to bear this out, terrorist
Ahmed Al-Ar'i, who murdered Israeli policeman Moshe Carmeli in Gaza 25
years ago, was released from prison this morning. The security
cabinet accepted a Palestinian plea to pardon Al-Ar'i, who was the
longest-serving terrorist in Israeli prisons.
3. BARAK: "I'M IN FAVOR OF EMBASSY MOVE"
Prime Minister Ehud Barak met a group of 12 American Congressmen, who
are visiting Israel as guests of AIPAC. In probable response to
severe criticism of his reported attempts to delay the American
Embassy's relocation to Jerusalem, Barak told the group that he
unequivocally supports the move of all embassies, especially the U.S.
Embassy, to Jerusalem. Barak told the Americans that he expects the
embassy to be moved after the one-year presidential waiver expires.
He added that Jerusalem will remain united under Israeli sovereignty,
and that this has been the determined position of every Israeli
government, including the present one.
4. AUTHOR: PEACE PROCESS MAY HIT ISRAEL WATER-WISE
A new book called "The Politics of Water in the Middle East," written
by Dr. Martin Sherman of Tel Aviv University and the Ariel Center for
Policy Research, claims that Israel cannot afford to give up the Golan
Heights, even if only for its water value. Speaking with Arutz-7
today, Sherman said that the Golan affects some 1/3 of Israel's water
supply, as the entire Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) is dependent upon the
Golan. "If we forfeit the Golan, we lose the drainage basin and have
effectively lost control of the Kinneret... Those who wrote that the
Golan has only 10% of Israel's water supply are probably referring to
the amount of water physically present there at any given time."
News Editor Haggai Segal noted that the working assumption of those
supporting a peace deal with Syria is that "the Syrians will commit
themselves not to disrupt the flow of water from the Golan to the
Kinneret." Sherman responded: "If I would tell you that you are about
to sign a contract with a cruel murderer and drug dealer who pledges
that he will guard your precious resources - would you sign it?"
Segal said, "Well, let me rephrase the question: Syria is also dry and
in need of water. If Israel does not forfeit the Golan, Syria's
problem will intensify, ultimately leading to a war between the
countries." Sherman: "There is a certain contradiction in what you're
saying: Now you are suggesting that Syria may go to war with us if it
faces a water shortage, while you previously said that Syria could be
counted on to guard Israel's interests in a peace deal between the
countries. If Syria finds itself in trouble at any time, why should
it prefer Israel's water interests over its own? In any event, the
Golan's water is not what will cause Syria to go to war - if anything,
it will be Turkey's control over the Euphrates River waters...
Incidentally, Syria has already shown that it does not abide by water
deals. In the past, it failed to honor all sorts of joint
arrangements it signed with Jordan involving dams on the Yarmuk
River."
The Oslo process, too, threatens Israel's water supply, says Sherman.
"The mountain plateau of Judea and Samaria also provides 1/3 of the
country's water, in very rough terms. in addition, the plateau plays
a critical role in national water management, as a place where surplus
Kinneret water is stored during particularly rainy years. This
function becomes crucial in dry years. If we give up on the mountain
plateau, this system simply breaks down."
*************************************************************************
To: arutz-7@a7.org
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@a7.org>
Subject: Arutz-7 News Brief: Friday, August 20,
1999
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Friday, August 20, 1999 / Elul 8, 5759
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. ARAFAT HONORS MURDERER
2. SUIT FILED AGAINST WAQF CONSTRUCTION ON TEMPLE MOUNT
1. ARAFAT HONORS MURDERER
Yasser Arafat awarded the highest Palestinian decoration yesterday to
terrorist murderer Halil Al-Ra'i. Al-Ra'i was convicted 25 years ago
of killing Israeli policeman Moshe Carmeli in Gaza, and has sat in
Israeli prison ever since. This week, in a gesture to the Palestinian
Authority, Israel released him from prison. Arafat informed Al-Ra'i
that he was receiving the "Jerusalem Decoration" in recognition of his
"struggle."
2. SUIT FILED AGAINST WAQF CONSTRUCTION ON TEMPLE MOUNT
A suit was filed in the Supreme Court yesterday, demanding that the
government and the Antiquities Authority prevent the Moslem Waqf from
continuing its building activities on the Temple Mount. The
petitioners, members of the Ne'emanei Har HaBayit movement (Temple
Mount Faithful), claim that the Waqf is destroying ancient Jewish
artifacts near the Hulda Gate on the southern side of the Mount, and
is causing irreparable damage. The suit further claims that the
authorities "close their eyes" to Waqf violations of the law and to
its erasure of evidence of the Temple Mount's Jewish history. Still
another claim is that the area in question may provide a solution for
still-denied Jewish prayer on the Mount, and that the Waqf activities
there are designed to prevent the future implementation of this
option.
**********************************************************************
To: arutz-7@a7.org
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@a7.org>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Tuesday, August 24, 1999
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Tuesday, August 24, 1999 / Elul 12, 5759
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. PA WILL DEMAND RIGHT OF "RETURN"
2. ALBRIGHT HOPES FOR AGREEMENT
1. PA WILL DEMAND RIGHT OF "RETURN"
The Palestinians will demand the right of return of Palestinian
refugees to Israel in the framework of the final-status talks. So
said today in Qatar terrorist leader Naif Hawatme, adding that he and
Yasser Arafat came to an agreement on this point during their meeting
two days ago. Many of the "refugees" lived in mandatory Palestine for
two years or less before Israel's War of Independence.
2. ALBRIGHT HOPES FOR AGREEMENT
U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will arrive in Israel next
week.
She hopes and expects to oversee the signing of an accord between
Ehud Barak and Yasser Arafat regarding the manner in which the Wye
Agreement will be implemented. The Palestinians object to the
inclusion of a stipulation that a final-status agreement must be
reached within five months. Conflicting reports continue to emanate
from the Israeli and Palestinian sides as to what has or has not been
agreed upon in the talks; the Palestinians report that the Israelis
have approved the opening of a passage between Ramallah and Gaza on
Jan. 1, 2000, while Israel denies this.
Justice Ministry officials are continuing to work on formulating the
wording and other details of the promised referendum bill regarding a
withdrawal from the Golan Heights. Ha'aretz reported today that
Israelis will be asked to vote "for" or "against" a peace deal with
Syria. Uri Heitner of the Golan Residents Committee told Arutz-7
today that he doesn't believe everything he reads, but that in any
event this formula is unacceptable. "It's clear that formulating the
question in this way will not give us much of a chance," Heitner said,
"and we demand to have a say in phrasing the question." Justice
Minister Beilin began preparations for the referendum immediately upon
taking office, in order that a future peace agreement not be held up
for even a day. The Golan Residents Committee has invited Secretary
Albright to meet with them and hear why it is crucial that the Golan
remain in Israeli hands.
************************************************************************
To: arutz-7@a7.org
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@a7.org>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Wednesday, August 25, 1999
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.a7.org>
Wednesday, August 25, 1999 / Elul 13, 5759
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINE:
1. SAFE-PASSAGE FOR WHO?
The so-called "safe passage" route for Palestinians between
PA-controlled areas in Gaza and Judea/Samaria is still mired in
controversy. So reports Arutz-7 correspondent Haggai Huberman.
"Israel is attempting to stand firm on whatever security issues are
still salvageable after the Wye negotiations," he said. "Until Wye,
Israel insisted that all Arabs travelling along the route require
advance security clearance. Israel dropped this demand at Wye.
Another concession made by Israel relates to security checks: Until
Wye, the IDF demanded that it conduct the checks on incoming
Palestinian cars. At Wye, the Israeli negotiating team agreed that PA
paramilitary policemen would search the cars and passengers, under
Israeli supervision. This means that Palestinians will be able to
freely traverse Israeli territory, without being checked by Israeli
security."
Members of the security establishment told Huberman this week that,
after the above two concessions, Israel cannot withstand any more
'safe-passage' compromises. Israel is therefore standing firm on the
issue of the location of the northern checkpoints. Two roads are
slated to reach PA territory from Gaza, Huberman explained - one from
the Erez checkpoint through to Bet Guvrin in the northern Negev
towards Hevron, the other from Erez to Latrun, through Beit Horon up
to Ramallah. "Regarding this second, more northern road, the
Palestinians want their checkpoint to be located under the Latrun
bridge, in close proximity to the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway. They
argue that since this the official location of the 'Green Line,' this
is where Palestinian territory begins. Israel, for its part, first
insisted that the checkpoint be located near Ramallah, and has now
compromised on Mevo Horon - only a few kilometers east of Latrun."
Another issue of dispute, Huberman reports, is what traffic will be
permitted to travel on the new road. Israel wants a gradual opening
of the route, first to convoys of buses, then to convoys of private
cars, and only later to individual private vehicles. Huberman noted,
"As it is, the movement of lone vehicles along the route is fraught
with security risks: When a vehicle leaves Erez, it will be given a
sticker to put on its window. Officials at Erez will call ahead to the
checkpoint at the other end, and the car will have a certain amount of
time to reach the final destination. If the car does not arrive
within that time, Israeli security forces will begin a search - but it
is obvious that by the time a search begins, a car bomb could already
be in Ashkelon or Tel Aviv."
**********************************************************************