http://www.debka.com/article.php?aid=1030
Washington Sees Gaza Withdrawal as Stage One of Rapid Israeli Rollback
Full Version: What's Up in the Middle East
Common Ground Common Sense > Issues that Affect Our Lives > Foreign Policy and National Defense > Foreign Policy & National Defense Issues Archive
Uri Avnery is an incisive spokesman for the Israeli peace movement. He
is no lover of Sharon's policies, as the following comment shows:
Carl Coon
________________
PLANNED MESS
A year after the decision to evacuate 1700 settler families from the
Gaza Strip, nothing is ready. The building of new homes for them has
not even begun.
At the same time, the government is building with great energy
thousands of housing units for the West Bank settlers.
Conclusion: The fiasco of the resettlement of the Gush Katif settlers
is a planned failure. Sharon wants to create the impression that the
evacuation of the small settlements in Gaza is a huge undertaking,
straining his capabilities to the utmost, so that no one should even
dream of evacuating 200 thousand settlers from the West Bank.
That is a false presentation.
When Israel will reach the conclusion that all the occupied territories
must be evacuated, it will be equal to the test. The sooner this
happens, the easier and cheaper it will be.
The continuation of the occupation will be by far more expensive.
972-3-5221732
Please help us by sending donations to
P.O.Box 3322, Tel-Aviv 61033,
Phone 972-3-5221732.
www.gush-shalom.org
Requests for information about current actions:
info@gush-shalom.org
Gush Shalom ad published in Ha'aretz,
May 27, 2005
is no lover of Sharon's policies, as the following comment shows:
Carl Coon
________________
PLANNED MESS
A year after the decision to evacuate 1700 settler families from the
Gaza Strip, nothing is ready. The building of new homes for them has
not even begun.
At the same time, the government is building with great energy
thousands of housing units for the West Bank settlers.
Conclusion: The fiasco of the resettlement of the Gush Katif settlers
is a planned failure. Sharon wants to create the impression that the
evacuation of the small settlements in Gaza is a huge undertaking,
straining his capabilities to the utmost, so that no one should even
dream of evacuating 200 thousand settlers from the West Bank.
That is a false presentation.
When Israel will reach the conclusion that all the occupied territories
must be evacuated, it will be equal to the test. The sooner this
happens, the easier and cheaper it will be.
The continuation of the occupation will be by far more expensive.
972-3-5221732
Please help us by sending donations to
P.O.Box 3322, Tel-Aviv 61033,
Phone 972-3-5221732.
www.gush-shalom.org
Requests for information about current actions:
info@gush-shalom.org
Gush Shalom ad published in Ha'aretz,
May 27, 2005
-----------------------------------------------------------
LEBANESE SEEK DISARMED HEZBOLLAH
By Joshua Mitnick
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
-----------------------------------------------------------
BEIRUT ? Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon in compliance with a U.N. Security Council resolution has led to growing support for the second part of the resolution ? a demand that the Hezbollah militia give up its arms.
With parliamentary elections to begin this weekend, both politicians and citizens are questioning whether Hezbollah should be left with the sole responsibility for ?resistance? against Israel.
?We can't let Hezbollah decide alone whether there will be peace or war in Lebanon. They have to consult with the other Lebanese factions,? said Massoud Ashkar, a 47-year old Christian businessman.
According to Michel Lourna, a columnist for Lebanon's French-language daily, Louraine Du Jour, most of the political parties that oppose continued Syrian influence in Lebanon also support forcing Hezbollah to give up their weapons.
If a coalition of anti-Syrian parties wrests control of parliament from the pro-Syrian loyalists that dominate the present government, the issue of Hezbollah disarmament is likely to be come a priority for the new government.
?There is a large consensus in Lebanon that Hezbollah must sooner or later give up their arms,? Mr. Lourna said. ?But the leaders insist that this issue should be resolved within the government, and among the Lebanese people.?
In the five years since Israeli troops pulled out of southern Lebanon, Hezbollah has insisted that the ?liberation? was incomplete, pointing to the disputed Shebaa farms region.
The Shi'ite militia, whose name translates to ?Party of God,? has used the complaint as a pretext to shell Israeli positions on a mountain overlooking Shebaa, as well as cities along the northern border.
Critics argue that a solution to the Shebaa dispute should come from the United Nations.
They note that it is not clear whether the territory in fact belongs to Syria, which would also weaken Hezbollah's campaign.
Mass protests demanding Syrian withdrawal after the February assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri focused Lebanon's and the world's attention on U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559.
Approved in the fall, the resolution calls for the dismantling of all Lebanese militias in addition to an exit of Syrian troops.
Today, Hezbollah is the only one of several militias that fought during Lebanon's civil war to retain its weapons.
Since demonstrations demanding Syria's withdrawal, Hezbollah has mobilized hundreds of thousands of its Shi'ite followers in a counterdemonstration that branded the anti-Syrian faction as puppets and tools of U.S. intervention.
Hezbollah argues that the upheaval known as the ?Cedar Revolution? simply replaced Syrian domination with American and French domination of the country.
Leaders of the Islamic organization ? which controls 13 of the 128 seats in parliament ? have argued that they've defended Lebanon against Israel over the past five years by remaining armed.
?When they wanted to take away the arms of Hezbollah, everybody went into the streets,? said Hassan, a 60-year old businessman who attended a rally on Wednesday. ?It could have become an uprising. If somebody does something good for the country, you should treat him well.?
Hassan, who owns a business in the Beirut slum of Dahiyeh where Hezbollah's main offices are located and where women dress in all-covering burqas, said he contributes to the group because it has set up a social network of schools and hospitals that help the country's Shi'ite underclass.
Hezbollah killed hundreds of Americans in the 1980s in bombings of the U.S. Embassy and of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut. It also kidnapped Western journalists, teachers and aid workers.
The Iranian-financed group is considered a terrorist organization by the United States.
http://insider.washtimes.com/articles/norm...26-101203-5614r
LEBANESE SEEK DISARMED HEZBOLLAH
By Joshua Mitnick
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
-----------------------------------------------------------
BEIRUT ? Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon in compliance with a U.N. Security Council resolution has led to growing support for the second part of the resolution ? a demand that the Hezbollah militia give up its arms.
With parliamentary elections to begin this weekend, both politicians and citizens are questioning whether Hezbollah should be left with the sole responsibility for ?resistance? against Israel.
?We can't let Hezbollah decide alone whether there will be peace or war in Lebanon. They have to consult with the other Lebanese factions,? said Massoud Ashkar, a 47-year old Christian businessman.
According to Michel Lourna, a columnist for Lebanon's French-language daily, Louraine Du Jour, most of the political parties that oppose continued Syrian influence in Lebanon also support forcing Hezbollah to give up their weapons.
If a coalition of anti-Syrian parties wrests control of parliament from the pro-Syrian loyalists that dominate the present government, the issue of Hezbollah disarmament is likely to be come a priority for the new government.
?There is a large consensus in Lebanon that Hezbollah must sooner or later give up their arms,? Mr. Lourna said. ?But the leaders insist that this issue should be resolved within the government, and among the Lebanese people.?
In the five years since Israeli troops pulled out of southern Lebanon, Hezbollah has insisted that the ?liberation? was incomplete, pointing to the disputed Shebaa farms region.
The Shi'ite militia, whose name translates to ?Party of God,? has used the complaint as a pretext to shell Israeli positions on a mountain overlooking Shebaa, as well as cities along the northern border.
Critics argue that a solution to the Shebaa dispute should come from the United Nations.
They note that it is not clear whether the territory in fact belongs to Syria, which would also weaken Hezbollah's campaign.
Mass protests demanding Syrian withdrawal after the February assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri focused Lebanon's and the world's attention on U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559.
Approved in the fall, the resolution calls for the dismantling of all Lebanese militias in addition to an exit of Syrian troops.
Today, Hezbollah is the only one of several militias that fought during Lebanon's civil war to retain its weapons.
Since demonstrations demanding Syria's withdrawal, Hezbollah has mobilized hundreds of thousands of its Shi'ite followers in a counterdemonstration that branded the anti-Syrian faction as puppets and tools of U.S. intervention.
Hezbollah argues that the upheaval known as the ?Cedar Revolution? simply replaced Syrian domination with American and French domination of the country.
Leaders of the Islamic organization ? which controls 13 of the 128 seats in parliament ? have argued that they've defended Lebanon against Israel over the past five years by remaining armed.
?When they wanted to take away the arms of Hezbollah, everybody went into the streets,? said Hassan, a 60-year old businessman who attended a rally on Wednesday. ?It could have become an uprising. If somebody does something good for the country, you should treat him well.?
Hassan, who owns a business in the Beirut slum of Dahiyeh where Hezbollah's main offices are located and where women dress in all-covering burqas, said he contributes to the group because it has set up a social network of schools and hospitals that help the country's Shi'ite underclass.
Hezbollah killed hundreds of Americans in the 1980s in bombings of the U.S. Embassy and of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut. It also kidnapped Western journalists, teachers and aid workers.
The Iranian-financed group is considered a terrorist organization by the United States.
http://insider.washtimes.com/articles/norm...26-101203-5614r
--------------------
Abbas Sees Mixed Results in His Meeting With Bush
--------------------
He lauds the U.S. push for peace but gets nowhere with his idea for informal talks.
By Doyle McManus
Times Staff Writer
May 28 2005
WASHINGTON; Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday applauded the Bush adminis- tration's stepped-up efforts to negotiate peace between Israel and the Palestinians, but he acknowledged that President Bush did not support his proposal to initiate informal talks on major issues holding up an accord.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...0,4981048.story
Abbas Sees Mixed Results in His Meeting With Bush
--------------------
He lauds the U.S. push for peace but gets nowhere with his idea for informal talks.
By Doyle McManus
Times Staff Writer
May 28 2005
WASHINGTON; Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday applauded the Bush adminis- tration's stepped-up efforts to negotiate peace between Israel and the Palestinians, but he acknowledged that President Bush did not support his proposal to initiate informal talks on major issues holding up an accord.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...0,4981048.story
Uri Avnery: Buying off the settlers:
When the police are faced with right-wing rioters they never use tear gas, rubber-coated bullets, salt bullets or water cannon - which are routinely used against Jewish peace demonstrators, not to mention Arab ones, who may be confronted with live rounds too.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article8966.htm
http://snipurl.com/f829
When the police are faced with right-wing rioters they never use tear gas, rubber-coated bullets, salt bullets or water cannon - which are routinely used against Jewish peace demonstrators, not to mention Arab ones, who may be confronted with live rounds too.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article8966.htm
http://snipurl.com/f829
--------------------
Israeli Cabinet Agrees to Free 400 More Prisoners
--------------------
Releases will complete the pledge Sharon made in February, a move he says is necessary to shore up Abbas in his attempt to quell violence.
By Ken Ellingwood
Times Staff Writer
May 30 2005
JERUSALEM; Israel agreed Sunday to free the last 400 of 900 Palestinian prisoners whose release Prime Minister Ariel Sharon promised during a February summit in Egypt.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...0,6106717.story
Visit latimes.com at http://www.latimes.com
Israeli Cabinet Agrees to Free 400 More Prisoners
--------------------
Releases will complete the pledge Sharon made in February, a move he says is necessary to shore up Abbas in his attempt to quell violence.
By Ken Ellingwood
Times Staff Writer
May 30 2005
JERUSALEM; Israel agreed Sunday to free the last 400 of 900 Palestinian prisoners whose release Prime Minister Ariel Sharon promised during a February summit in Egypt.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...0,6106717.story
Visit latimes.com at http://www.latimes.com
--------------------
Son of Slain Former Leader Triumphs in Beirut Vote
--------------------
By Megan K. Stack
Times Staff Writer
May 30 2005
BEIRUT; Saad Hariri, the son of assassinated former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, swept parliamentary elections in Lebanon's capital Sunday, inheriting the public mantle left by his father and shoring up his chances of becoming prime minister.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...,0,339541.story
Son of Slain Former Leader Triumphs in Beirut Vote
--------------------
By Megan K. Stack
Times Staff Writer
May 30 2005
BEIRUT; Saad Hariri, the son of assassinated former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, swept parliamentary elections in Lebanon's capital Sunday, inheriting the public mantle left by his father and shoring up his chances of becoming prime minister.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...,0,339541.story
Hariri Bloc Sweeps Beirut Parliamentary Elections
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=DB0950:2F72C9D
Landslide victory went to list of candidates headed by Saad Hariri,
son of slain former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri
Saad Hariri, right, son of Lebanon's slain former Premier Rafik
Hariri, seen in poster, and Hariri's widow Nazek The Interior Ministry
in charge of parliamentary elections in Lebanon announced a landslide
victory for the son of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in the
Beirut district. Three more rounds of voting in other regions of the
country lie ahead.
In the first vote since the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanese
territory, official results are in from the first round of voting in
Lebanon's parliamentary elections. The landslide victory went to the
list of candidates headed by Saad Hariri, the son of slain former
Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Interior Minister Hassan al-Sabaa read the results on Monday.
He announced the names of the candidates who secured the 10 seats
still being contested during Sunday's vote. The Hariri ticket had
already secured the nine other seats for the Beirut district, which
were uncontested. Minister al-Sabaa says Saad Hariri's party secured
the most votes overall and all 19 seats in Beirut.
After the death of the elder Hariri in a bomb attack on February 14,
his son Saad, a businessman in Saudi Arabia, returned to Lebanon to
continue his father's political legacy. The assassination united many
of the opposition parties, who called for the removal of Syrian troops
from Lebanon.
The elections, the first to welcome outside observers, was declared
free and fair by the head of the European Union election observer
team.
Less than 30 percent of the 400,000 registered voters in the Beirut
district cast their ballots on Sunday.
Many supporters of Christian politicians boycotted the elections,
declaring that a 2000 electoral districting law still in use did not
properly represent them. The Free Patriotic Movement, led by former
General Michel Aoun, who returned from exile earlier this month,
posted "no vote" signs throughout the Christian suburbs in Beirut.
Despite the low turnout, the Hariri camp claimed victory within hours
of the polls closing Sunday night, and fireworks lit the skies, as
crowds celebrated the victory.
The elections in Lebanon are held in four stages by region. The next
round of parliamentary elections will take place in south Lebanon on
Sunday.
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=DB0950:2F72C9D
Landslide victory went to list of candidates headed by Saad Hariri,
son of slain former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri
Saad Hariri, right, son of Lebanon's slain former Premier Rafik
Hariri, seen in poster, and Hariri's widow Nazek The Interior Ministry
in charge of parliamentary elections in Lebanon announced a landslide
victory for the son of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in the
Beirut district. Three more rounds of voting in other regions of the
country lie ahead.
In the first vote since the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanese
territory, official results are in from the first round of voting in
Lebanon's parliamentary elections. The landslide victory went to the
list of candidates headed by Saad Hariri, the son of slain former
Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Interior Minister Hassan al-Sabaa read the results on Monday.
He announced the names of the candidates who secured the 10 seats
still being contested during Sunday's vote. The Hariri ticket had
already secured the nine other seats for the Beirut district, which
were uncontested. Minister al-Sabaa says Saad Hariri's party secured
the most votes overall and all 19 seats in Beirut.
After the death of the elder Hariri in a bomb attack on February 14,
his son Saad, a businessman in Saudi Arabia, returned to Lebanon to
continue his father's political legacy. The assassination united many
of the opposition parties, who called for the removal of Syrian troops
from Lebanon.
The elections, the first to welcome outside observers, was declared
free and fair by the head of the European Union election observer
team.
Less than 30 percent of the 400,000 registered voters in the Beirut
district cast their ballots on Sunday.
Many supporters of Christian politicians boycotted the elections,
declaring that a 2000 electoral districting law still in use did not
properly represent them. The Free Patriotic Movement, led by former
General Michel Aoun, who returned from exile earlier this month,
posted "no vote" signs throughout the Christian suburbs in Beirut.
Despite the low turnout, the Hariri camp claimed victory within hours
of the polls closing Sunday night, and fireworks lit the skies, as
crowds celebrated the victory.
The elections in Lebanon are held in four stages by region. The next
round of parliamentary elections will take place in south Lebanon on
Sunday.
'Cedar' revolutionaries want more reform for Lebanon
Dissatisfied with the elections, many are now questioning politics as
usual. By Annia Ciezadlo
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0531/p07s02-wome.html?s=hns
Q&A: Lebanon's parliamentary elections
A Q&A with Nicholas Blanford, the Monitor's correspondent in Beirut, on
Lebanon's parliamentary elections.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0531/p25s01-wome.html?s=hns
Dissatisfied with the elections, many are now questioning politics as
usual. By Annia Ciezadlo
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0531/p07s02-wome.html?s=hns
Q&A: Lebanon's parliamentary elections
A Q&A with Nicholas Blanford, the Monitor's correspondent in Beirut, on
Lebanon's parliamentary elections.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0531/p25s01-wome.html?s=hns
Israel strikes Gaza refugee camp :
Witnesses said two Palestinian civilians were hurt when the aircraft fired three missiles at the camp.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4592417.stm
Power, propaganda and the promised land:
Euphemisms thwart understanding and resolution of Israeli/Palestinian issue
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20...z1e29power.html
http://snipurl.com/f8wx
State land, state people:
Israeli land grab threatens Palestinian village of Wadi Foqeen
http://www.redress.btinternet.co.uk/foqeen.htm
http://snipurl.com/f8wy
Witnesses said two Palestinian civilians were hurt when the aircraft fired three missiles at the camp.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4592417.stm
Power, propaganda and the promised land:
Euphemisms thwart understanding and resolution of Israeli/Palestinian issue
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20...z1e29power.html
http://snipurl.com/f8wx
State land, state people:
Israeli land grab threatens Palestinian village of Wadi Foqeen
http://www.redress.btinternet.co.uk/foqeen.htm
http://snipurl.com/f8wy
Low turnout mars Hariri election win in Beirut:
Pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud blamed Lebanon's electoral law on Monday for the low turnout in parliamentary polls in Beirut, but stayed silent on the sweeping win scored by his slain political rival's son Saad al-Hariri.
http://snipurl.com/f8x7
Pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud blamed Lebanon's electoral law on Monday for the low turnout in parliamentary polls in Beirut, but stayed silent on the sweeping win scored by his slain political rival's son Saad al-Hariri.
http://snipurl.com/f8x7
Israeli firms 'ran vast spy ring' :
At least 15 Israeli firms have been implicated in the espionage plot, with 18 people arrested in Israel and two more held by British police.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4594255.stm
http://snipurl.com/f9vr
Israeli planner says don’t rule out Osiraq-like strike on Iran:
Military action would not stop Iran’s nuclear programme but could be a last resort to delay any quest for an atomic bomb, the mastermind of Israel’s 1981 air strike on the Iraqi reactor at Osiraq said on Monday.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article8987.htm
http://snipurl.com/f9vs
At least 15 Israeli firms have been implicated in the espionage plot, with 18 people arrested in Israel and two more held by British police.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4594255.stm
http://snipurl.com/f9vr
Israeli planner says don’t rule out Osiraq-like strike on Iran:
Military action would not stop Iran’s nuclear programme but could be a last resort to delay any quest for an atomic bomb, the mastermind of Israel’s 1981 air strike on the Iraqi reactor at Osiraq said on Monday.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article8987.htm
http://snipurl.com/f9vs
Hamas to boycott repoll:
Hamas had made a strong showing in recent municipal elections only to see victories in three Gaza Strip towns quashed by a court after Fatah allegations of fraud.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/CBB...D1E7D371859.htm
http://snipurl.com/f9vu
Israel's 'Mr. TV' assails occupation of West Bank:
"Since 1967, we have been brutal conquerors, occupiers, suppressing another people,"
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/05/31/news/jerus.php
http://snipurl.com/f9vv
Hamas had made a strong showing in recent municipal elections only to see victories in three Gaza Strip towns quashed by a court after Fatah allegations of fraud.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/CBB...D1E7D371859.htm
http://snipurl.com/f9vu
Israel's 'Mr. TV' assails occupation of West Bank:
"Since 1967, we have been brutal conquerors, occupiers, suppressing another people,"
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/05/31/news/jerus.php
http://snipurl.com/f9vv
Outgoing Israeli Military Chief Warns of Renewed Palestinian Violence
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=DB6C3E:2F72C9D
Lt. General Moshe Ya'alon predicts violence unless Israel agrees to
further withdrawals from Palestinian areas Israel's army chief of
staff is leaving office warning of renewed violence with the
Palestinians unless Israel agrees to further withdrawals from
Palestinian areas.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon swore in former air force chief,
Dan Halutz as the country's new chief of staff. Mr. Sharon welcomed
his new military chief with a demand for the "right answers" to the
"complicated and difficult" situation facing Israel today.
But, it was the outgoing army chief, Lt. General Moshe Ya'alon, who is
making news. The general was replaced by his civilian bosses just
months before Israel's controversial withdrawal from the Gaza Strip
and small portions of the northern West Bank.
In an interview with the Haaretz newspaper, General Ya'alon warned of
further violence, an eventual war with a future Palestinian state and
said he feared for the future of his own country.
The outgoing military chief said the disengagement from Gaza,
scheduled to begin in August, will not lead to calm. He predicted
violence would erupt unless Israel clearly signals its intention to
withdraw from other Palestinian areas as well.
He also warned of an eventual war with a future Palestinian state
because he said, Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas has not
given up on the right of return of Palestinian refugees to their
original homes inside Israel.
The right of return is one of the key issues to be decided in any
final peace agreement. Israel says it cannot allow Palestinians to
return to the homes they fled or were driven out of during the 1948
Mideast war because that would be demographic suicide and destroy
Israel as a Jewish state.
The general also said the current emphasis on a two-state solution
does not really address the Israeli-Palestinian problem. Without
elaborating, he said it is not a "relevant" solution, but rather a
story the Western world tells with western eyes.
General Ya'alon had few good things to say about the Palestinian
Authority, calling it "armed gangs that play at pretend democracy."
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=DB6C3E:2F72C9D
Lt. General Moshe Ya'alon predicts violence unless Israel agrees to
further withdrawals from Palestinian areas Israel's army chief of
staff is leaving office warning of renewed violence with the
Palestinians unless Israel agrees to further withdrawals from
Palestinian areas.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon swore in former air force chief,
Dan Halutz as the country's new chief of staff. Mr. Sharon welcomed
his new military chief with a demand for the "right answers" to the
"complicated and difficult" situation facing Israel today.
But, it was the outgoing army chief, Lt. General Moshe Ya'alon, who is
making news. The general was replaced by his civilian bosses just
months before Israel's controversial withdrawal from the Gaza Strip
and small portions of the northern West Bank.
In an interview with the Haaretz newspaper, General Ya'alon warned of
further violence, an eventual war with a future Palestinian state and
said he feared for the future of his own country.
The outgoing military chief said the disengagement from Gaza,
scheduled to begin in August, will not lead to calm. He predicted
violence would erupt unless Israel clearly signals its intention to
withdraw from other Palestinian areas as well.
He also warned of an eventual war with a future Palestinian state
because he said, Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas has not
given up on the right of return of Palestinian refugees to their
original homes inside Israel.
The right of return is one of the key issues to be decided in any
final peace agreement. Israel says it cannot allow Palestinians to
return to the homes they fled or were driven out of during the 1948
Mideast war because that would be demographic suicide and destroy
Israel as a Jewish state.
The general also said the current emphasis on a two-state solution
does not really address the Israeli-Palestinian problem. Without
elaborating, he said it is not a "relevant" solution, but rather a
story the Western world tells with western eyes.
General Ya'alon had few good things to say about the Palestinian
Authority, calling it "armed gangs that play at pretend democracy."
Car Bomb Kills Anti-Syrian Journalist in Beirut
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=DBB6E7:2F72C9D
Lebanese prime minister condemns blast while anti-Syrian groups blame
remnants of Syrian intelligence regime
Lebanese police officers guard car destroyed by explosion in Beirut,
Thursday
A car bomb killed a prominent Lebanese journalist in Beirut Thursday.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nagib Mikati condemned the explosion, while
anti-Syrian groups blamed remnants of the Syrian intelligence regime
for the blast.
Rescue teams raced to the site of a powerful bomb blast that rocked
the Christian suburb of Achrafieh in Beirut Thursday. The blast killed
journalist Samir Kassir of the Lebanese daily newspaper, An Nahar.
According to officials at the scene, Mr. Kassir died instantly, as the
bomb exploded when he started the ignition of his car outside his
home.
Scene of car bombing Mr. Kassir is known for speaking out against the
Syrians, who occupied Lebanon for more than three decades before they
pulled out of the country at the end of April. A spectator at the
scene of the blast, Pamela Abinader, says Mr. Kassir was also a
teacher.
"It's my teacher. It's Samir Kassir, that's what they said. Because he
was doing research on the Syrians here," she said.
Although a team from the United Nations has confirmed the withdrawal
of Syrian troops, there is still a strong belief that Syrian
intelligence forces are operating in Lebanon.
A friend of Mr. Kassir, Adib Farha, describes the victim as a "true
patriot." Mr. Farha, a political analyst with connections to the
opposition parties, says "this is probably a message to Gibran Tueini,
the newly elected member of parliament and the publisher of An Nahar,
as well as to the opposition in general."
The first round of parliamentary elections were held in Beirut last
Sunday and there are three more rounds to go, staggered over the next
three Sundays. Beirut's elections saw a clean sweep by an opposition
bloc, headed by Saad Hariri, the son of the slain former Prime
Minister Rafik Hariri.
Although five bombs have targeted Christian areas around Beirut since
March, this is the first one since the bombing of Rafik Hariri to
target such a prominent figure.
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=DBB6E7:2F72C9D
Lebanese prime minister condemns blast while anti-Syrian groups blame
remnants of Syrian intelligence regime
Lebanese police officers guard car destroyed by explosion in Beirut,
Thursday
A car bomb killed a prominent Lebanese journalist in Beirut Thursday.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nagib Mikati condemned the explosion, while
anti-Syrian groups blamed remnants of the Syrian intelligence regime
for the blast.
Rescue teams raced to the site of a powerful bomb blast that rocked
the Christian suburb of Achrafieh in Beirut Thursday. The blast killed
journalist Samir Kassir of the Lebanese daily newspaper, An Nahar.
According to officials at the scene, Mr. Kassir died instantly, as the
bomb exploded when he started the ignition of his car outside his
home.
Scene of car bombing Mr. Kassir is known for speaking out against the
Syrians, who occupied Lebanon for more than three decades before they
pulled out of the country at the end of April. A spectator at the
scene of the blast, Pamela Abinader, says Mr. Kassir was also a
teacher.
"It's my teacher. It's Samir Kassir, that's what they said. Because he
was doing research on the Syrians here," she said.
Although a team from the United Nations has confirmed the withdrawal
of Syrian troops, there is still a strong belief that Syrian
intelligence forces are operating in Lebanon.
A friend of Mr. Kassir, Adib Farha, describes the victim as a "true
patriot." Mr. Farha, a political analyst with connections to the
opposition parties, says "this is probably a message to Gibran Tueini,
the newly elected member of parliament and the publisher of An Nahar,
as well as to the opposition in general."
The first round of parliamentary elections were held in Beirut last
Sunday and there are three more rounds to go, staggered over the next
three Sundays. Beirut's elections saw a clean sweep by an opposition
bloc, headed by Saad Hariri, the son of the slain former Prime
Minister Rafik Hariri.
Although five bombs have targeted Christian areas around Beirut since
March, this is the first one since the bombing of Rafik Hariri to
target such a prominent figure.
Israel Releases Nearly 400 Palestinian Prisoners
(http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=DBB6EA:2F72C9D
Move comes just weeks before scheduled summit between Israeli Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
Palestinians just released from Israeli prisons hang out of a bus
window as they are welcomed by family and friends in the West
BankIsrael is releasing nearly 400 Palestinian prisoners, just three
weeks before a scheduled summit between Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
and President Mahmoud Abbas.
The prisoners began boarding buses for the ride to various drop off
points and their return home to Gaza or the West Bank. They were
greeted by cheering relatives as they stepped off the buses. Some of
the prisoners kissed the ground, others waved Palestinian flags.
The release has been a long time in coming. According to the overall
cease-fire agreement struck between Mr. Sharon and Mr. Abbas at their
February summit in Egypt, Israel agreed to release 900 Palestinian
prisoners.
Five hundred were released shortly after the summit, but numerous
delays kept the rest from being set free. Israel holds about 8,000
Palestinian prisoners
Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the release comes at a
time of calm. Mr. Olmert told Israel's Army Radio the release is to
send a sign of support for the Palestinian Authority.
The release comes three weeks before another summit between Mr. Sharon
and Mr. Abbas. Their meeting, scheduled for June 21 has been worked
out by senior Sharon aide Dov Weissglass and Palestinian chief
negotiator Saeb Erekat.
Mr. Erekat told Palestinian radio, the summit would focus on various
issues - first and foremost how to ensure that Israel's withdrawal
from the Gaza Strip in August becomes part of the "road map" Peace
Plan and not a one-time unilateral action.
Palestinians want to resume full negotiations according to the
internationally-sanctioned road map, which calls for a number of steps
to lead to a final agreement and an independent Palestinian state.
Israel says it supports the road map, but says the Gaza withdrawal,
while it may be coordinated with the Palestinians, is a unilateral
move that is not part of the road map plan.
(http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=DBB6EA:2F72C9D
Move comes just weeks before scheduled summit between Israeli Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
Palestinians just released from Israeli prisons hang out of a bus
window as they are welcomed by family and friends in the West
BankIsrael is releasing nearly 400 Palestinian prisoners, just three
weeks before a scheduled summit between Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
and President Mahmoud Abbas.
The prisoners began boarding buses for the ride to various drop off
points and their return home to Gaza or the West Bank. They were
greeted by cheering relatives as they stepped off the buses. Some of
the prisoners kissed the ground, others waved Palestinian flags.
The release has been a long time in coming. According to the overall
cease-fire agreement struck between Mr. Sharon and Mr. Abbas at their
February summit in Egypt, Israel agreed to release 900 Palestinian
prisoners.
Five hundred were released shortly after the summit, but numerous
delays kept the rest from being set free. Israel holds about 8,000
Palestinian prisoners
Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the release comes at a
time of calm. Mr. Olmert told Israel's Army Radio the release is to
send a sign of support for the Palestinian Authority.
The release comes three weeks before another summit between Mr. Sharon
and Mr. Abbas. Their meeting, scheduled for June 21 has been worked
out by senior Sharon aide Dov Weissglass and Palestinian chief
negotiator Saeb Erekat.
Mr. Erekat told Palestinian radio, the summit would focus on various
issues - first and foremost how to ensure that Israel's withdrawal
from the Gaza Strip in August becomes part of the "road map" Peace
Plan and not a one-time unilateral action.
Palestinians want to resume full negotiations according to the
internationally-sanctioned road map, which calls for a number of steps
to lead to a final agreement and an independent Palestinian state.
Israel says it supports the road map, but says the Gaza withdrawal,
while it may be coordinated with the Palestinians, is a unilateral
move that is not part of the road map plan.
Israel Says Syria Has Test-Fired Scud Missiles
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=DBF343:2F72C9D
Israeli military officials say air defense systems detected three
launches last Friday Israel says Syria has test-fired three Scud
missiles - the first such tests since 2001.
Israeli military officials said their air defense systems detected the
missile launches from northern Syria last Friday. They said one
missile broke up over Turkey, showering debris on two towns.
Turkish officials say Syria has informed them that the incident was an
accident that happened during a military exercise. Turkish authorities
say no injuries were reported.
There has been no public comment from Syria.
Israel's military described the tests as an act of defiance toward the
United States and the United Nations, which pushed Syria to withdraw
its troops from Lebanon this year.
Israeli officials also expressed concern that the missiles could carry
chemical weapons capable of hitting Israeli targets.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=DBF343:2F72C9D
Israeli military officials say air defense systems detected three
launches last Friday Israel says Syria has test-fired three Scud
missiles - the first such tests since 2001.
Israeli military officials said their air defense systems detected the
missile launches from northern Syria last Friday. They said one
missile broke up over Turkey, showering debris on two towns.
Turkish officials say Syria has informed them that the incident was an
accident that happened during a military exercise. Turkish authorities
say no injuries were reported.
There has been no public comment from Syria.
Israel's military described the tests as an act of defiance toward the
United States and the United Nations, which pushed Syria to withdraw
its troops from Lebanon this year.
Israeli officials also expressed concern that the missiles could carry
chemical weapons capable of hitting Israeli targets.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.
Lebanese President Asked to Resign Over Journalist's Death
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=DBF344:2F72C9D
Killing of Samir Kassir, well-known for his anti-Syrian writing, spurs
opposition parties to organize vigils, protests in his memory
Poster of Samir Kassir shows him looking off towards the An Nahar
newspaper headquarters where he used to work in downtown Beirut (VOA
photo - C. Giardino)Lebanon's opposition is calling for the
resignation of pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud, following the
assassination of an anti-Syrian journalist.
Church bells rang out in the Christian neighborhood of Achrafieh
Friday, just 24 hours after a prominent Lebanese journalist was killed
by a car bomb in this same area. The killing of Samir Kassir,
well-known for his anti-Syrian writing, is spurring opposition parties
to organize vigils and protests in his memory.
Journalists and media personalities gathered at Martyr's Square in
downtown Beirut, standing silently with their pens in the air paying
homage to their slain colleague. Many Lebanese, including Joseph
Loutfi, accuse Syria of orchestrating the bomb attack.
"It's given adrenaline for other people to go down to the street and
say that we are not in a state of peace," he said. "We are still in a
state of assassination chain. Because after assassinating Mr. Hariri,
we protested against Syria, and we said, 'it's cool now, we have to
rebuild our Lebanon.' But after yesterday, they have told us, 'you
Lebanese people, you are not in peace. We are not finished yet. We can
kill wherever we want.'"
A night time vigil in Beirut for assassinated Samir Kassir (VOA photo
- C. Giardino)The death of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in a
bombing in February united the opposition parties to demand the
withdrawal of Syrian troops, who had occupied the country for three
decades. A United Nations team has confirmed that Syrian troops have
left the country, but many still believe that Syrian intelligence
officials are operating inside Lebanon.
The killing of Mr. Kassir has once again united the opposition parties
in a new call for President Emile Lahoud to step down from office. Mr.
Lahoud has condemned the attack and denied any role.
Members of the opposition have also broken with the Free Patriotic
Movement, led by former General Michel Aoun, who returned from exile
last month to run in the parliamentary elections currently under way
in Lebanon.
The opposition has referred to General Aoun as a maverick and says he
must break his election alliances with former Syrian allies, if he
wants to remain in the opposition coalition. The second round of the
parliamentary elections will take place in the south of Lebanon on
June 5.
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=DBF344:2F72C9D
Killing of Samir Kassir, well-known for his anti-Syrian writing, spurs
opposition parties to organize vigils, protests in his memory
Poster of Samir Kassir shows him looking off towards the An Nahar
newspaper headquarters where he used to work in downtown Beirut (VOA
photo - C. Giardino)Lebanon's opposition is calling for the
resignation of pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud, following the
assassination of an anti-Syrian journalist.
Church bells rang out in the Christian neighborhood of Achrafieh
Friday, just 24 hours after a prominent Lebanese journalist was killed
by a car bomb in this same area. The killing of Samir Kassir,
well-known for his anti-Syrian writing, is spurring opposition parties
to organize vigils and protests in his memory.
Journalists and media personalities gathered at Martyr's Square in
downtown Beirut, standing silently with their pens in the air paying
homage to their slain colleague. Many Lebanese, including Joseph
Loutfi, accuse Syria of orchestrating the bomb attack.
"It's given adrenaline for other people to go down to the street and
say that we are not in a state of peace," he said. "We are still in a
state of assassination chain. Because after assassinating Mr. Hariri,
we protested against Syria, and we said, 'it's cool now, we have to
rebuild our Lebanon.' But after yesterday, they have told us, 'you
Lebanese people, you are not in peace. We are not finished yet. We can
kill wherever we want.'"
A night time vigil in Beirut for assassinated Samir Kassir (VOA photo
- C. Giardino)The death of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in a
bombing in February united the opposition parties to demand the
withdrawal of Syrian troops, who had occupied the country for three
decades. A United Nations team has confirmed that Syrian troops have
left the country, but many still believe that Syrian intelligence
officials are operating inside Lebanon.
The killing of Mr. Kassir has once again united the opposition parties
in a new call for President Emile Lahoud to step down from office. Mr.
Lahoud has condemned the attack and denied any role.
Members of the opposition have also broken with the Free Patriotic
Movement, led by former General Michel Aoun, who returned from exile
last month to run in the parliamentary elections currently under way
in Lebanon.
The opposition has referred to General Aoun as a maverick and says he
must break his election alliances with former Syrian allies, if he
wants to remain in the opposition coalition. The second round of the
parliamentary elections will take place in the south of Lebanon on
June 5.
South Lebanon Heads to the Polls for Parliamentary Elections
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=DC4091:2F72C9D
Elections mark first time in 30 years Lebanese are voting without
Syrian troops in country
Lebanese women cast their ballots in Nabattiyeh
Voters in southern Lebanon go to the polls Sunday in the second round
of the country's parliamentary elections. These elections mark the
first time in 30 years that Lebanese are voting without Syrian troops
in the country.
In the first round last Sunday in Beirut, candidates opposed to Syria
won all the seats, but two pro-Syrian groups have their base in
southern Lebanon and their candidates are expected to win most of the
seats.
The south is the stronghold of the militant group Hezbollah, which has
allied itself in this election with the Amal movement led by Nabih
Berri, the speaker of parliament and a supporter of Syria. The
Hezbollah-Amal coalition is expected to sweep the majority of the 23
seats in the south. Six of those seats have already gone to coalition
candidates because no one was running against them.
Speaker Berri is urging the people of southern Lebanon to go to the
polls in force, but many, like Joseph Loutfi, say there is a lot of
voter apathy surrounding these elections because everyone already
knows which side is likely to win.
"This election, it's a game after all. It's already planned and it's
already done. But what will it affect? It will affect nothing," said
Mr. Loutfi.
The first round of elections held in Beirut last Sunday saw less than
30 percent of voters casting their ballots.
Hezbollah, which the United States has declared a terrorist
organization, is pushing for a greater turnout in the south the group
says a big turnout will strengthen its demand that it be able to hold
on to its weapons. A United Nations resolution passed last year calls
for the group to disarm.
Many Christians in the south are calling for a boycott of the
elections because they say the electoral districts there are
configured in a way that makes it all but impossible for Christian
candidates to win.
These parliamentary elections are the first to be held in Lebanon with
the assistance of international monitors. The European Union election
team in Lebanon declared the first round of the elections to be free
and fair. The third, and likely most contested round of voting, will
take place in the Mt. Lebanon region of the country on June 12.
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=DC4091:2F72C9D
Elections mark first time in 30 years Lebanese are voting without
Syrian troops in country
Lebanese women cast their ballots in Nabattiyeh
Voters in southern Lebanon go to the polls Sunday in the second round
of the country's parliamentary elections. These elections mark the
first time in 30 years that Lebanese are voting without Syrian troops
in the country.
In the first round last Sunday in Beirut, candidates opposed to Syria
won all the seats, but two pro-Syrian groups have their base in
southern Lebanon and their candidates are expected to win most of the
seats.
The south is the stronghold of the militant group Hezbollah, which has
allied itself in this election with the Amal movement led by Nabih
Berri, the speaker of parliament and a supporter of Syria. The
Hezbollah-Amal coalition is expected to sweep the majority of the 23
seats in the south. Six of those seats have already gone to coalition
candidates because no one was running against them.
Speaker Berri is urging the people of southern Lebanon to go to the
polls in force, but many, like Joseph Loutfi, say there is a lot of
voter apathy surrounding these elections because everyone already
knows which side is likely to win.
"This election, it's a game after all. It's already planned and it's
already done. But what will it affect? It will affect nothing," said
Mr. Loutfi.
The first round of elections held in Beirut last Sunday saw less than
30 percent of voters casting their ballots.
Hezbollah, which the United States has declared a terrorist
organization, is pushing for a greater turnout in the south the group
says a big turnout will strengthen its demand that it be able to hold
on to its weapons. A United Nations resolution passed last year calls
for the group to disarm.
Many Christians in the south are calling for a boycott of the
elections because they say the electoral districts there are
configured in a way that makes it all but impossible for Christian
candidates to win.
These parliamentary elections are the first to be held in Lebanon with
the assistance of international monitors. The European Union election
team in Lebanon declared the first round of the elections to be free
and fair. The third, and likely most contested round of voting, will
take place in the Mt. Lebanon region of the country on June 12.
Hundreds Mourn Slain Anti-Syrian Journalist in Lebanon
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=DC4092:2F72C9D
After assassination of Samir Kassir, opposition parties are calling
for pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud to step down from office
Casket of Samir Kassir is paraded through streets of Beirut for
funeral, SaturdayIn Lebanon, mourners gathered in Beirut for the
funeral of a prominent journalist killed in a car bombing on Thursday,
amid calls for an international investigation of his murder.
The casket of journalist Samir Kassir, draped in a Lebanese flag, was
carried from the headquarters of An Nahar newspaper, where to worked,
through the streets of downtown Beirut.
Mourners wearing red and white, the colors of the Lebanese flag and
carrying pictures of Mr. Kassir, applaud as the casket was carried
past the parliament building to a Greek Orthodox church.
Giselle Khoury, widow of slain journalist, cries as she leaves
churchSeveral opposition leaders were among those attending, including
Saad Hariri, the son of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who died
in a bombing in February, as well as the outspoken leader of the
Druze, Walid Jumblatt.
Mr. Kassir wrote a front-page column for An Nahar, a leading daily
newspaper, and often spoke harshly about the Syrian occupation of
Lebanon, which ended in April after three decades.
The general manager of An Nahar and recently elected member of
parliament, Gibran Tueni, speaking to VOA at the funeral, said he
suspected Syria was behind the bombing. Damascus denies the
accusation.
Gibran Tueni, General Manager of An Nahar newspaper"I think this is an
assassination, which is targeting all of Lebanon; free Lebanon, free
journalists and free people," Mr. Tueni said. "And I think this is,
you know Samir Kassir, is at the base of the Independence '05, and I
think that Syrians are going to still try just to get rid of our
independence."
The Independence 05 movement was initially organized to force Syrian
troops to leave Lebanon. Although the United Nations has confirmed
they have left, there is strong speculation that their intelligence
forces are still operating in Lebanon.
The United States has asked the United Nations Security Council to
expand its investigation into the death of former Prime Minister
Hariri to include Mr. Kassir's murder.
Mourners threw rose petals at casket of Samir Kassir After the
assassination of Mr. Kassir, opposition parties are calling for
pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud to step down from office.
The assassination comes in the midst of parliamentary elections. The
second stage of the four-part poll is scheduled for Sunday.
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=DC4092:2F72C9D
After assassination of Samir Kassir, opposition parties are calling
for pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud to step down from office
Casket of Samir Kassir is paraded through streets of Beirut for
funeral, SaturdayIn Lebanon, mourners gathered in Beirut for the
funeral of a prominent journalist killed in a car bombing on Thursday,
amid calls for an international investigation of his murder.
The casket of journalist Samir Kassir, draped in a Lebanese flag, was
carried from the headquarters of An Nahar newspaper, where to worked,
through the streets of downtown Beirut.
Mourners wearing red and white, the colors of the Lebanese flag and
carrying pictures of Mr. Kassir, applaud as the casket was carried
past the parliament building to a Greek Orthodox church.
Giselle Khoury, widow of slain journalist, cries as she leaves
churchSeveral opposition leaders were among those attending, including
Saad Hariri, the son of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who died
in a bombing in February, as well as the outspoken leader of the
Druze, Walid Jumblatt.
Mr. Kassir wrote a front-page column for An Nahar, a leading daily
newspaper, and often spoke harshly about the Syrian occupation of
Lebanon, which ended in April after three decades.
The general manager of An Nahar and recently elected member of
parliament, Gibran Tueni, speaking to VOA at the funeral, said he
suspected Syria was behind the bombing. Damascus denies the
accusation.
Gibran Tueni, General Manager of An Nahar newspaper"I think this is an
assassination, which is targeting all of Lebanon; free Lebanon, free
journalists and free people," Mr. Tueni said. "And I think this is,
you know Samir Kassir, is at the base of the Independence '05, and I
think that Syrians are going to still try just to get rid of our
independence."
The Independence 05 movement was initially organized to force Syrian
troops to leave Lebanon. Although the United Nations has confirmed
they have left, there is strong speculation that their intelligence
forces are still operating in Lebanon.
The United States has asked the United Nations Security Council to
expand its investigation into the death of former Prime Minister
Hariri to include Mr. Kassir's murder.
Mourners threw rose petals at casket of Samir Kassir After the
assassination of Mr. Kassir, opposition parties are calling for
pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud to step down from office.
The assassination comes in the midst of parliamentary elections. The
second stage of the four-part poll is scheduled for Sunday.
http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Archive/Editoria...+5-Jun-2005.htm
summary of Editorials from the Hebrew Press
summary of Editorials from the Hebrew Press
Jerusalem orders Palestinian homes to be demolished :
Jerusalem's city council has ordered one of the largest mass demolitions in the city's recent history, with plans to raze the homes of about 1,000 Palestinians in a neighbourhood claimed by Israeli squatters.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2...1499116,00.html
http://snipurl.com/fdn3
Palestinian Jewish settlers?:
A group of Jewish colonists from the illegal West Bank settlement of Kadim are planning to ask Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas for political asylum and keep their houses despite Israel's planned disengagement.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/147...67CA42BC0EF.htm
http://snipurl.com/fdn5
Outrage greets new Israeli military chief :
The appointment of Dan Halutz as the Israeli military's new Chief of Staff has infuriated many Palestinians who consider the former Commander of the Israeli Air Force a criminal.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/38C...DB406473FB4.htm
http://snipurl.com/fdn6
Israeli Spy Affair: AIPAC Source to Be in Court June 13 :
Larry Franklin, the Pentagon worker who is accused of passing information to two American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) analysts, faces a court hearing June 13, his attorney Plato Cacheris said.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=83321
http://snipurl.com/fdn7
AIPAC the unstoppable :
The fact that AIPAC never had to register as a foreign agent demonstrates Israel is an integral part of the body politic, a de facto 51st state of the union.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article9060.htm
http://snipurl.com/fdn8
Israel bugged Syrian first lady’s e-mails:
THE personal computer of Syria’s British-born first lady was bugged by Israeli military intelligence to build up a profile of her husband, President Bashar al-Assad, it emerged last week.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article9061.htm
http://snipurl.com/fdn9
Israel: Spy Software Code Had Design Flaw June:
The spy software at the center of an Israeli economic espionage scandal quietly harvested stolen business documents and e-mails from victims' computers, and secretly transmitted them to a computer in London, where police arrested a key suspect.
http://snipurl.com/fdna
Mossad spied on far-right Austrian :
THE ISRAELI secret service spied on Jörg Haider, the right-wing Austrian populist, using one of his closest aides to gather information on his contacts with Arab dictators. Peter Sichrovsky said that he had been a Mossad informant for five years until retiring from politics in 2002.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,251-1637080,00.html
http://snipurl.com/fdnb
In case you missed it:
Israel Is Spying In And On The U.S.?
Fox News has learned some U.S. investigators believe that there are Israelis again very much engaged in spying in and on the U.S., who may have known things they didn't tell us before September 11. Fox News correspondent Carl Cameron has details in the first of a four-part series.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article7545.htm
http://snipurl.com/eo3i
The tie that binds China, Russia and Iran:
From the perspective of Russia and China, Iran is integral to thwarting the Bush administration's foreign policy goals, which is why they have been strengthening their ties with Tehran - and selling it increasingly sophisticated weapons.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article9057.htm
http://snipurl.com/fdnc
Kuwaiti speaker criticises US envoy for Iran remarks :
Kuwait's parliament speaker yesterday criticised remarks by the US ambassador over Iran's nuclear programme, in which he called on the Gulf states to take a firm stand against it.
http://snipurl.com/fdnd
Along An Imaginary Axis:
Iran from the Inside: Iran wants nuclear weapons as a deterrent against the threats made by the US and Israel, and these concerns about future preemptive strikes by the US are founded in fact. - The hypocrisy of the Bush administration couldn't be more transparent.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article9062.htm
http://snipurl.com/fdnf
India will not bow to US pressure on Iran gas deal - minister:
India on Saturday [4 June] said it would not come under pressure from any country over its proposed 4.16bn USD [US dollar] Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline and that its decision would be based on the interests of its people.
http://news.monstersandcritics.com/mediamo...deal_-_minister
http://snipurl.com/fdng
U.S. May Push U.N. to Punish North Korea :
The Bush administration may ask the United Nations to punish North Korea for refusing to return to international talks about its nuclear weapons program, Pentagon officials say.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/stor...5053811,00.html
http://snipurl.com/fdnh
UN 'scapegoat' fires back :
The only United Nations official to be fired over the Iraqi oil-for-food scandal has hit back angrily saying he has been made a "scapegoat.''
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/World/GF06Wd07.html
http://snipurl.com/fdni
Lebanon enters second phase of voting:
With 23 seats up for grabs in the south of the country, political analysts are predicting an alliance between former rival Shia groups Hizb Allah and Amal will sweep Sunday's polls.
http://snipurl.com/fdnj
Jerusalem's city council has ordered one of the largest mass demolitions in the city's recent history, with plans to raze the homes of about 1,000 Palestinians in a neighbourhood claimed by Israeli squatters.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2...1499116,00.html
http://snipurl.com/fdn3
Palestinian Jewish settlers?:
A group of Jewish colonists from the illegal West Bank settlement of Kadim are planning to ask Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas for political asylum and keep their houses despite Israel's planned disengagement.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/147...67CA42BC0EF.htm
http://snipurl.com/fdn5
Outrage greets new Israeli military chief :
The appointment of Dan Halutz as the Israeli military's new Chief of Staff has infuriated many Palestinians who consider the former Commander of the Israeli Air Force a criminal.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/38C...DB406473FB4.htm
http://snipurl.com/fdn6
Israeli Spy Affair: AIPAC Source to Be in Court June 13 :
Larry Franklin, the Pentagon worker who is accused of passing information to two American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) analysts, faces a court hearing June 13, his attorney Plato Cacheris said.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=83321
http://snipurl.com/fdn7
AIPAC the unstoppable :
The fact that AIPAC never had to register as a foreign agent demonstrates Israel is an integral part of the body politic, a de facto 51st state of the union.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article9060.htm
http://snipurl.com/fdn8
Israel bugged Syrian first lady’s e-mails:
THE personal computer of Syria’s British-born first lady was bugged by Israeli military intelligence to build up a profile of her husband, President Bashar al-Assad, it emerged last week.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article9061.htm
http://snipurl.com/fdn9
Israel: Spy Software Code Had Design Flaw June:
The spy software at the center of an Israeli economic espionage scandal quietly harvested stolen business documents and e-mails from victims' computers, and secretly transmitted them to a computer in London, where police arrested a key suspect.
http://snipurl.com/fdna
Mossad spied on far-right Austrian :
THE ISRAELI secret service spied on Jörg Haider, the right-wing Austrian populist, using one of his closest aides to gather information on his contacts with Arab dictators. Peter Sichrovsky said that he had been a Mossad informant for five years until retiring from politics in 2002.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,251-1637080,00.html
http://snipurl.com/fdnb
In case you missed it:
Israel Is Spying In And On The U.S.?
Fox News has learned some U.S. investigators believe that there are Israelis again very much engaged in spying in and on the U.S., who may have known things they didn't tell us before September 11. Fox News correspondent Carl Cameron has details in the first of a four-part series.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article7545.htm
http://snipurl.com/eo3i
The tie that binds China, Russia and Iran:
From the perspective of Russia and China, Iran is integral to thwarting the Bush administration's foreign policy goals, which is why they have been strengthening their ties with Tehran - and selling it increasingly sophisticated weapons.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article9057.htm
http://snipurl.com/fdnc
Kuwaiti speaker criticises US envoy for Iran remarks :
Kuwait's parliament speaker yesterday criticised remarks by the US ambassador over Iran's nuclear programme, in which he called on the Gulf states to take a firm stand against it.
http://snipurl.com/fdnd
Along An Imaginary Axis:
Iran from the Inside: Iran wants nuclear weapons as a deterrent against the threats made by the US and Israel, and these concerns about future preemptive strikes by the US are founded in fact. - The hypocrisy of the Bush administration couldn't be more transparent.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article9062.htm
http://snipurl.com/fdnf
India will not bow to US pressure on Iran gas deal - minister:
India on Saturday [4 June] said it would not come under pressure from any country over its proposed 4.16bn USD [US dollar] Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline and that its decision would be based on the interests of its people.
http://news.monstersandcritics.com/mediamo...deal_-_minister
http://snipurl.com/fdng
U.S. May Push U.N. to Punish North Korea :
The Bush administration may ask the United Nations to punish North Korea for refusing to return to international talks about its nuclear weapons program, Pentagon officials say.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/stor...5053811,00.html
http://snipurl.com/fdnh
UN 'scapegoat' fires back :
The only United Nations official to be fired over the Iraqi oil-for-food scandal has hit back angrily saying he has been made a "scapegoat.''
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/World/GF06Wd07.html
http://snipurl.com/fdni
Lebanon enters second phase of voting:
With 23 seats up for grabs in the south of the country, political analysts are predicting an alliance between former rival Shia groups Hizb Allah and Amal will sweep Sunday's polls.
http://snipurl.com/fdnj
Hezbollah, Allies Sweep Vote in Lebanon :
Hezbollah, the armed group considered a terrorist organization by the United States, and its allies swept voting in southern Lebanon during the second round of nationwide parliamentary elections, the interior minister said Monday. Israel, which has long clashed with the group, expressed its concern.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/stor...5055496,00.html
http://snipurl.com/feea
Hezbollah, the armed group considered a terrorist organization by the United States, and its allies swept voting in southern Lebanon during the second round of nationwide parliamentary elections, the interior minister said Monday. Israel, which has long clashed with the group, expressed its concern.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/stor...5055496,00.html
http://snipurl.com/feea
--------------------
In the Mideast, Steps Forward
--------------------
June 6 2005
The "two steps forward and one step back" peace process between Israel and the Palestinians was seldom better demonstrated than last week. Israel made progress by freeing 400 Palestinian prisoners and setting June 21 as the date for a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Then it stepped backward by forging ahead with plans to build still more houses in the largest West Bank settlement, despite U.S. demands that settlements not be expanded.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editor...ment-editorials
In the Mideast, Steps Forward
--------------------
June 6 2005
The "two steps forward and one step back" peace process between Israel and the Palestinians was seldom better demonstrated than last week. Israel made progress by freeing 400 Palestinian prisoners and setting June 21 as the date for a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Then it stepped backward by forging ahead with plans to build still more houses in the largest West Bank settlement, despite U.S. demands that settlements not be expanded.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editor...ment-editorials
http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?Stor...06-112004-8393r
Defense chiefs seek to head off ceasefire collapse
Joshua Brilliant
Defense chiefs seek to head off ceasefire collapse
Joshua Brilliant
Surge of Violence Threatens Mideast Cease-Fire Voice of America
Deadly Israeli raid and barrage of Palestinian attacks threaten fragile ceasefire agreement.
http://csmonitor.com/2005/0607/dailyUpdate.html
http://csmonitor.com/2005/0607/dailyUpdate.html
Palestinian killed during raid on West Bank:
A Palestinian was killed by Israeli soldiers during an incursion into the northern West Bank town of Qabatiya on Tuesday, medical sources have said.
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?sf=2749&cli...38B253&set_id=6
http://snipurl.com/ff9b
Illegal settlers received millions in grants:
The scale of Israel's illegal land grab in the occupied territories was disclosed yesterday when the government's own investigation found at least £9 million of taxpayers' money was recently used for illegal Jewish outposts.
http://snipurl.com/ffk3
AIPAC: Israel's real Olympics took place in Washington:
Whenever Congress approves the transfer of USD 2.5 billion in military aid to Israel, or when the U.S. supports Israel during a U.N. vote, the lobbyists have something to do with it.
http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLa...3091368,00.html
http://snipurl.com/ff9c
US report criticizes human trafficking in Israel:
A US State Department annual report on human trafficking released Friday ranked Israel in the second tier of countries, alongside Egypt, Syria, Afghanistan, Congo, and Japan.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pag...d=1117766124553
http://snipurl.com/ff9e
US cautions EU over Syria deal:
Washington has urged the EU to hold off on signing a trade and aid pact with Syria, citing its doubts that Damascus withdrew all intelligence agents from Lebanon and was allowing fighters to enter Iraq.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/BEC...8B36A0D1A38.htm
http://snipurl.com/ff9f
A Palestinian was killed by Israeli soldiers during an incursion into the northern West Bank town of Qabatiya on Tuesday, medical sources have said.
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?sf=2749&cli...38B253&set_id=6
http://snipurl.com/ff9b
Illegal settlers received millions in grants:
The scale of Israel's illegal land grab in the occupied territories was disclosed yesterday when the government's own investigation found at least £9 million of taxpayers' money was recently used for illegal Jewish outposts.
http://snipurl.com/ffk3
AIPAC: Israel's real Olympics took place in Washington:
Whenever Congress approves the transfer of USD 2.5 billion in military aid to Israel, or when the U.S. supports Israel during a U.N. vote, the lobbyists have something to do with it.
http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLa...3091368,00.html
http://snipurl.com/ff9c
US report criticizes human trafficking in Israel:
A US State Department annual report on human trafficking released Friday ranked Israel in the second tier of countries, alongside Egypt, Syria, Afghanistan, Congo, and Japan.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pag...d=1117766124553
http://snipurl.com/ff9e
US cautions EU over Syria deal:
Washington has urged the EU to hold off on signing a trade and aid pact with Syria, citing its doubts that Damascus withdrew all intelligence agents from Lebanon and was allowing fighters to enter Iraq.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/BEC...8B36A0D1A38.htm
http://snipurl.com/ff9f
http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?Stor...07-110350-1189r
Politics & Policies: Little change in Syria
Claude Salhani
Politics & Policies: Little change in Syria
Claude Salhani
US Rejects Contacts With Palestinian Militant Group Hamas
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=DCDBF0:2F72C9D
Bush administration decision based on organization's decade-long
presence on State Department's list of foreign terrorist The Bush
administration said Tuesday it has not changed its position of
refusing to deal with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, despite
that organization's recent electoral successes. The group has long
been designated a terrorist organization by the State Department.
Candidates from Hamas have won several recent local elections in the
West Bank and Gaza, and the group had been expected to make a strong
showing in parliamentary voting that had been set for July but
postponed by Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas.
But the Bush administration is making clear that despite European
calls for engagement with Hamas, it is not changing its refusal to
deal with the group, based on its decade-long presence on the State
Department's list of foreign terrorist organizations.
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw caused a stir in Israel this week
when he disclosed that British diplomats had had some contacts with
Hamas politicians, even though he said Britain had not changed its
policy of spurning talks with groups linked to terrorism.
At a news briefing here, coinciding with President Bush's White House
meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, State Department
Spokesman Sean McCormack said U.S. policy against contact with
designated terrorist groups like Hamas is unchanged despite the
group's electoral success.
He said official American dealings are with the moderate Mr. Abbas and
his administration, and that the U.S. hope is that as the electoral
process in the Palestinian areas continues, it will transform the
thinking of voters, who will spurn extremism and support parties that
can deliver peace and a better life:
"We believe that elections can have a transformative effect, not only
on the populace but on individuals within the political process.
President Abbas ran on a platform of peace and security and we believe
that the Palestinian people want the same things that everybody wants:
they want to be able to send their kids to school; they want to live
in peace and security; they want to have a more prosperous life," he
said. "So we believe that people will vote for candidates that have
that platform."
Under questioning, Spokesman McCormack dismissed as hypothetical the
notion that holding elected office might transform Hamas members, and
make them acceptable dialogue partners for the United States.
Hamas, its name an Arabic acronym for Palestinian Islamic Resistance
Movement, was formed in 1987 as an offshoot of the pan-Arab Muslim
Brotherhood.
The State Department's most recent report on global terrorism, issued
in April, said that elements of Hamas have used political and violent
means, including suicide bombings, to pursue a goal of establishing an
Islamic Palestinian state in Israel and the Palestinian areas.
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=DCDBF0:2F72C9D
Bush administration decision based on organization's decade-long
presence on State Department's list of foreign terrorist The Bush
administration said Tuesday it has not changed its position of
refusing to deal with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, despite
that organization's recent electoral successes. The group has long
been designated a terrorist organization by the State Department.
Candidates from Hamas have won several recent local elections in the
West Bank and Gaza, and the group had been expected to make a strong
showing in parliamentary voting that had been set for July but
postponed by Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas.
But the Bush administration is making clear that despite European
calls for engagement with Hamas, it is not changing its refusal to
deal with the group, based on its decade-long presence on the State
Department's list of foreign terrorist organizations.
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw caused a stir in Israel this week
when he disclosed that British diplomats had had some contacts with
Hamas politicians, even though he said Britain had not changed its
policy of spurning talks with groups linked to terrorism.
At a news briefing here, coinciding with President Bush's White House
meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, State Department
Spokesman Sean McCormack said U.S. policy against contact with
designated terrorist groups like Hamas is unchanged despite the
group's electoral success.
He said official American dealings are with the moderate Mr. Abbas and
his administration, and that the U.S. hope is that as the electoral
process in the Palestinian areas continues, it will transform the
thinking of voters, who will spurn extremism and support parties that
can deliver peace and a better life:
"We believe that elections can have a transformative effect, not only
on the populace but on individuals within the political process.
President Abbas ran on a platform of peace and security and we believe
that the Palestinian people want the same things that everybody wants:
they want to be able to send their kids to school; they want to live
in peace and security; they want to have a more prosperous life," he
said. "So we believe that people will vote for candidates that have
that platform."
Under questioning, Spokesman McCormack dismissed as hypothetical the
notion that holding elected office might transform Hamas members, and
make them acceptable dialogue partners for the United States.
Hamas, its name an Arabic acronym for Palestinian Islamic Resistance
Movement, was formed in 1987 as an offshoot of the pan-Arab Muslim
Brotherhood.
The State Department's most recent report on global terrorism, issued
in April, said that elements of Hamas have used political and violent
means, including suicide bombings, to pursue a goal of establishing an
Islamic Palestinian state in Israel and the Palestinian areas.
Rice Criticizes Allies In Call for Democracy
By Glenn Kessler
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, June 20 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Monday sharply criticized Egypt and Saudi Arabia for democratic failings, mounting a direct challenge to autocratic U.S. allies in the Middle East and calling on governments in the region to embrace "certain basic rights for...
To view the entire article, go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...er=emailarticle
By Glenn Kessler
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, June 20 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Monday sharply criticized Egypt and Saudi Arabia for democratic failings, mounting a direct challenge to autocratic U.S. allies in the Middle East and calling on governments in the region to embrace "certain basic rights for...
To view the entire article, go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...er=emailarticle
http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?Stor...20-093436-3280r
Plan set to demolish Israeli homes in Gaza
Nicholas Kralev
Plan set to demolish Israeli homes in Gaza
Nicholas Kralev
QUOTE(Snuffysmith @ Jun 21 2005, 05:01 AM)
http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?Stor...20-093436-3280r
Plan set to demolish Israeli homes in Gaza
Nicholas Kralev
Plan set to demolish Israeli homes in Gaza
Nicholas Kralev
What a shame. They are really really nice homes, and most Pals live in squallor. If they could only get organized, they could make use of them.
Oh well, more tragedy for that troubled area.
QUOTE(jeffmoskin @ Jun 21 2005, 01:30 PM)
What a shame. They are really really nice homes, and most Pals live in squallor. If they could only get organized, they could make use of them.
Oh well, more tragedy for that troubled area.
Oh well, more tragedy for that troubled area.
So these homes are being demolished so that the Palestinians can develop their own construction industry in that area? Yes, too bad they can't find some use for those homes.
QUOTE(amy @ Jun 21 2005, 10:39 AM)
So these homes are being demolished so that the Palestinians can develop their own construction industry in that area? Yes, too bad they can't find some use for those homes.
I dunno about construction. The area is mostly ag right now, but there are big problems for the future. This piece is from yesterday's NYT:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/20/internat...agewanted=print
June 20, 2005
Time Runs Short to Settle Economics of Gaza's Future
By STEVEN ERLANGER
JERUSALEM, June 16 - With Israel's pullout of settlers from the Gaza Strip looming in mid-August, officials on the Palestinian and Israeli sides agree that their coordination is lagging badly, particularly on economic issues important to the Palestinian population of Gaza.
It seems highly unlikely, the officials say, that the greenhouses, which currently produce 15 percent of Israel's agricultural exports and employ 3,500 Palestinians, will be handed over fully functioning to the Palestinians, allowing them to pick up that portion of the market to Europe.
That uncertainty is compounded by the possible continuation of the laborious, security-focused method of checking perishable Palestinian agricultural exports, which would make it very difficult to keep those specialized greenhouses as a viable business, at least in the medium term.
Those topics, as well as how to preserve the customs union of the West Bank and Gaza and Israel and how to improve freedom of movement in the West Bank, have been central to the discussions being held by the two sides, the World Bank, foreign donors and James D. Wolfensohn, a former president of the bank, who was asked by the United States and other countries to try to coordinate and energize the process.
Security coordination - to try to ensure that the nearly 9,000 Israeli settlers in Gaza and a few hundred more in the West Bank can be evacuated peacefully - is finally moving ahead, officials say. On Wednesday, for example, in a meeting of Israeli and Palestinian commanders, Israel promised to hand back the major West Bank town of Jenin to Palestinian security control before the pullout, to better enable the Palestinians to patrol the area that will be evacuated.
But the linkages between security, freedom of movement of both goods and people and economic development are particularly intricate and highly politicized. Israel's prime minister, Ariel Sharon, is trying to reinforce his support on the right before the divisive Gaza pullout, with polls showing a drop in approval for the plan. And Palestinian leaders fear that Israel will use the withdrawal to consolidate its hold on the rest of the West Bank.
Muhammad Dahlan, the Palestinian minister overseeing coordination of the pullout, says Israel is withholding important information and maps about the settlements and he calls coordination "a sham." He complains that Israel refuses to allow the Palestinians to reopen the Gaza airport or to arrange "safe passage" from Gaza to the West Bank.
Mr. Dahlan said recently that if the Israelis are trying to use "Palestinians as partners in trying to turn the Gaza Strip into a large prison, then the Palestinians are simply not going to be their partners."
Israeli officials play down Mr. Dahlan's public complaints as grandstanding for a skeptical Palestinian audience and praise him for his practical grasp of the issues.
Eival Giladi, a former general who is coordinating the pullout for Israel, says one Israeli aim is to help the Palestinians.
"We want to hand over living businesses to help the Palestinian economy," Mr. Giladi said in an interview, arranging with the Dutch, for instance, to keep their market quotas open to Palestinian produce that can replace Israeli settler produce. "We're trying to create the situation necessary for the Palestinian Authority to lead, to establish law and order, create jobs and give Palestinians the good governance they deserve."
Israel does not want to hand over assets to militant groups like Hamas that are responsible for killing Israelis and who are rivals to the Palestinian Authority, Mr. Giladi said. Nor does Israel want to compromise its security interests and reduce its ability to protect its citizens from terrorism.
But maintaining security is the prime goal, with a revitalized Palestinian economy second, he said, especially when Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, is not satisfactorily cracking down on armed militants.
This means that Israel will not dismantle its system of checkpoints and barriers that strangles the Palestinian economy. Yet eliminating that system would do more for the Palestinian economy than any asset handed over in Gaza, according to the World Bank and United Nations aid officials. And without more confidence about internal Palestinian reform and better governance, donor countries and investors will not make crucial long-term investments.
The problems are clearest in three pressing issues, the officials say.
First is the fate of the greenhouses, which enclose some 1,000 acres and have sophisticated machinery and irrigation systems. Donor countries will not further compensate Israeli settlers to get them to keep the greenhouses functioning until the last minute, and Israeli officials complain that the Palestinians will not discuss their handover except to say that the businesses would be privatized somehow and not taken over by the Palestinian Authority itself.
The second issue is how to export perishable agricultural goods from Gaza quickly. Now, the Israelis simply drive their produce on protected roads directly to Israeli ports. But export of Palestinian goods can take days because of slow security-focused inspection and other measures that involve loading and unloading small pallets by hand. The Israelis say the Palestinians can start to build a seaport, but that will take years. And they refuse to allow the Gaza airport to reopen.
Mr. Wolfensohn is trying to devise a solution involving terminals with sophisticated scanners and security checks that would allow containers or trailers to pass unopened without more than random checks, even if there is a change of truck cab and driver on each end. But such a solution will not materialize by summer's end.
Still, Mr. Giladi says that Israel "will do everything we can" to speed perishable produce in and out of Gaza. Mr. Dahlan says those are empty words.
Finally, there is the crossing at Rafah between Egypt and Gaza. Who will inspect goods and people passing into Gaza, currently done by Israelis, so that the uniform customs envelope is preserved between Gaza, the West Bank and Israel? To break the envelope would mean a different customs regime for Gaza and the West Bank, unacceptable to the Palestinians and confusing and costly to everyone.
Israel wants not only to ensure that weapons, explosives and wanted terrorists are not smuggled into Gaza, but also that cheap goods, counterfeit pharmaceuticals and even dangerous toys do not get into Gaza and then resold in Israel.
The World Bank proposed using a foreign private company for a transitional period. But Israel, which does not want to rely on Palestinian customs officers and does not want to leave its own officials behind in Gaza, has rejected this proposal.
"It's a genuine debate in our system," a senior Israeli official said. "Treasury, responsible for customs, is very concerned about what will happen after disengagement. But there's mounting pressure from the donors to go private."
One solution might be to allow only luggage through Rafah, even if that luggage is stuffed with contraband for resale, and ensuring that all commercial goods go through other crossings. "Then if all goes well, and Gaza settles down," the official said hopefully, "we can look at it as a confidence-building measure and move on."
Beirut bomb kills ex-communist chief:
Nasir Qandil, a former member of parliament, told Aljazeera that Hawi had an important role in organising resistance against Israel and that was the reason for his slaying.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/423...54A1CE002A2.htm
http://snipurl.com/fqia
Nasir Qandil, a former member of parliament, told Aljazeera that Hawi had an important role in organising resistance against Israel and that was the reason for his slaying.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/423...54A1CE002A2.htm
http://snipurl.com/fqia
US and Israel close to deal on arms sales:
Israel is regularly among the top five international weapons exporters and in 2002 reached third place after the US and Russia.
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/b89a6982-e0b9-11d...000e2511c8.html
http://snipurl.com/fqic
Israel is regularly among the top five international weapons exporters and in 2002 reached third place after the US and Russia.
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/b89a6982-e0b9-11d...000e2511c8.html
http://snipurl.com/fqic
Video: Mosaic: World News Reports from Middle East TV For 06/20/05:
The nation's only uncensored compilation of daily television news reports from more than 15 countries in the Middle East. QuickTime Video.
http://snipurl.com/fqid
The nation's only uncensored compilation of daily television news reports from more than 15 countries in the Middle East. QuickTime Video.
http://snipurl.com/fqid
http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?Stor...21-075826-4546r
Sharon, Abbas, fail to resolve differences
Sharon, Abbas, fail to resolve differences
Israel revives assassination policy :
"The attempt yesterday to kill an Islamic Jihad leader in Gaza signaled the resumption of the targeted killing policy," an Israeli security source told Reuters.
http://snipurl.com/fro1
Sharon: “Israel to transfer Bethlehem, Qalqilia to P.A within 2 weeks” :
Meanwhile, Sharon said that the Israeli army “will have no more restraint” and will target members of the Islamic Jihad claming that the movement did not halt its attacks against Israeli targets, and is not committed to the truce.
http://snipurl.com/fro3
Israel carries out West Bank arrests :
Israel has arrested more than 50 Palestinians in an apparent turnaround on its pledge to show restraint during the ceasefire.
http://snipurl.com/fro4
Withdrawal is a prelude to annexation :
US hypocrisy is not new but Condi Rice has taken it beyond chutzpah
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article9226.htm
http://snipurl.com/fro5
Judge slams Israel for inaction over probe into Israeli Arabs deaths :
Retired Supreme Court Justice, Theodore Or accused the state of Israel of ignoring the findings of the probe into the deaths of 13 Arab citizens of Israel by the Israeli police in October 2000.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article9223.htm
http://snipurl.com/fro6
Video: Mosaic: World News Reports from Middle East TV For 06/21/05:
The nation's only uncensored compilation of daily television news reports from more than 15 countries in the Middle East. QuickTime Video.
http://snipurl.com/froa
"The attempt yesterday to kill an Islamic Jihad leader in Gaza signaled the resumption of the targeted killing policy," an Israeli security source told Reuters.
http://snipurl.com/fro1
Sharon: “Israel to transfer Bethlehem, Qalqilia to P.A within 2 weeks” :
Meanwhile, Sharon said that the Israeli army “will have no more restraint” and will target members of the Islamic Jihad claming that the movement did not halt its attacks against Israeli targets, and is not committed to the truce.
http://snipurl.com/fro3
Israel carries out West Bank arrests :
Israel has arrested more than 50 Palestinians in an apparent turnaround on its pledge to show restraint during the ceasefire.
http://snipurl.com/fro4
Withdrawal is a prelude to annexation :
US hypocrisy is not new but Condi Rice has taken it beyond chutzpah
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article9226.htm
http://snipurl.com/fro5
Judge slams Israel for inaction over probe into Israeli Arabs deaths :
Retired Supreme Court Justice, Theodore Or accused the state of Israel of ignoring the findings of the probe into the deaths of 13 Arab citizens of Israel by the Israeli police in October 2000.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article9223.htm
http://snipurl.com/fro6
Video: Mosaic: World News Reports from Middle East TV For 06/21/05:
The nation's only uncensored compilation of daily television news reports from more than 15 countries in the Middle East. QuickTime Video.
http://snipurl.com/froa
Israeli Soldiers "Getting Away With Murder" - HRW:
Israeli soldiers have killed an average of more than one Palestinian civilian per day since the current intifada uprising began in 2000, but only a handful of cases have even been investigated, according to a new Human Rights Watch (HRW) report.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article9251.htm
http://snipurl.com/fsk4
White House declines to criticize Israel assassinations:
The White House on Wednesday declined to criticize Israel for resuming an assassination policy against Islamic Jihad militants and called on the Palestinian leadership to do more to combat "terrorist" groups attempting to derail peace efforts.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N22692399.htm
http://snipurl.com/fsk5
Israel: Detainee blinded during interrogation :
Lawyer of the Palestinian Prisoners Society, Fahmi Shqeirat, reported that detainee Salama Mohammad Rashaida, 30, from Bethlehem, lost his sight as a result of torture in Asqalan detention.
http://www.imemc.org/index.php?option=com_...=11956&Itemid=1
http://snipurl.com/fsk6
Church may black firms over Israeli 'occupation':
The Anglican Church is expected to back a report tomorrow urging it to disinvest in companies that "support the occupation" of Palestinian lands
http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtm.../23/nchur23.xml
http://snipurl.com/fsk7
Confronting Israeli Myth-Making:
Propagandists on behalf of Israel - become increasingly deceptive and malign -- and increasingly effective – with time.
http://www.counterpunch.org/christison06222005.html
Video: Mosaic: World News Reports from Middle East TV For 06/22/05:
The nation's only uncensored compilation of daily television news reports from more than 15 countries in the Middle East. QuickTime Video.
http://snipurl.com/fsk8
Israeli soldiers have killed an average of more than one Palestinian civilian per day since the current intifada uprising began in 2000, but only a handful of cases have even been investigated, according to a new Human Rights Watch (HRW) report.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article9251.htm
http://snipurl.com/fsk4
White House declines to criticize Israel assassinations:
The White House on Wednesday declined to criticize Israel for resuming an assassination policy against Islamic Jihad militants and called on the Palestinian leadership to do more to combat "terrorist" groups attempting to derail peace efforts.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N22692399.htm
http://snipurl.com/fsk5
Israel: Detainee blinded during interrogation :
Lawyer of the Palestinian Prisoners Society, Fahmi Shqeirat, reported that detainee Salama Mohammad Rashaida, 30, from Bethlehem, lost his sight as a result of torture in Asqalan detention.
http://www.imemc.org/index.php?option=com_...=11956&Itemid=1
http://snipurl.com/fsk6
Church may black firms over Israeli 'occupation':
The Anglican Church is expected to back a report tomorrow urging it to disinvest in companies that "support the occupation" of Palestinian lands
http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtm.../23/nchur23.xml
http://snipurl.com/fsk7
Confronting Israeli Myth-Making:
Propagandists on behalf of Israel - become increasingly deceptive and malign -- and increasingly effective – with time.
http://www.counterpunch.org/christison06222005.html
Video: Mosaic: World News Reports from Middle East TV For 06/22/05:
The nation's only uncensored compilation of daily television news reports from more than 15 countries in the Middle East. QuickTime Video.
http://snipurl.com/fsk8
http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?Stor...23-030246-1016r
Rice challenges Syria over Iraqi border
Rice challenges Syria over Iraqi border
http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?Stor...23-114145-8822r
Politics and Policies: Kuwait OKs women vote
Politics and Policies: Kuwait OKs women vote
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/24/internat...i=5070&emc=eta1
US Sees Consensus That Syria Foments Strife in Lebanon and Iraq
Steven Weisman
US Sees Consensus That Syria Foments Strife in Lebanon and Iraq
Steven Weisman
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/25/internat...059&partner=AOL
Palestinian Gunmen Open Fire New Hebron, Killing Israeli, 17
Palestinian Gunmen Open Fire New Hebron, Killing Israeli, 17
http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?Stor...24-034051-7306r
Politics & Policies: Technology of terror in Beirut
Claude Salhani
Politics & Policies: Technology of terror in Beirut
Claude Salhani
Israel Set to End China Arms Deal Under U.S. Pressure
By Scott Wilson
JERUSALEM, June 26 -- Under pressure from the Bush administration, Israel has agreed to cancel an arms deal with China and allow U.S. officials to review its future weapons transactions in an effort to resolve tension between Jerusalem and Washington, usually in lockstep over security matters.
To view the entire article, go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...er=emailarticle
By Scott Wilson
JERUSALEM, June 26 -- Under pressure from the Bush administration, Israel has agreed to cancel an arms deal with China and allow U.S. officials to review its future weapons transactions in an effort to resolve tension between Jerusalem and Washington, usually in lockstep over security matters.
To view the entire article, go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...er=emailarticle
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