Abbas: Situation in Rafah Crossing is Stable. RAFAH, (WAFA - PLO news agency)- President Mahmoud Abbas said on Sunday that the situation in Rafah International Crossing is stable, confirming that the anarchy which prevailed recently on the borders has ended. Speaking to journalists during his visit to Rafah International Crossing point, Abbas reiterated that the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) will accept a third party along with the Palestinian and Egyptian, to supervise the crossing point. He made it clear that the PNA is exerting utmost efforts to reach a solution regarding the crossing point to be opened regularly, saying that the Palestinian will not accept an anarchy but a systematic way based on agreements with all the parties.

Sinai-Gaza border open to smugglers, no plans to unite Rafah. By Dr. Aaron Lerner. Israel Radio reported this morning that security sources say thousands of  rifles have been smuggled from Egypt to Gaza and that they are concerned that "balance breaking" weapons such as anti-tank missiles, anti-aircraft missiles and long range Katyushas have been smuggled in. IMRA commented: "There is a typo in the website article indicating smuggling into Israel...It should be noted that if the PA now seizes such "balance breaking" weapons and incorporates them into their own arsenal that the "balance" will remain broken". Israel Radio Arab Affairs Correspondent Avi Yissakharov reported this morning that despite Palestinian and Egyptian efforts the border remains open to drug and arm smugglers who continue punching holes in the border and moving material. Yissakharov also said that there is no truth to the report yesterday in the London-based newspaper al-Quds al-Arabi  that the Palestinian Authority and Egypt are holding secret negotiations in a bid to redraw the Gaza-Egypt border in the southern Gaza Strip. Yissakharov explained that the al-Quds report relied on an Op Ed on a website.

ISRAEL PREPARES FOR ROCKET STRIKES. TEL AVIV-Israel's military has launched preparations to respond to the prospect of Palestinian missile and rocket strikes on major cities in the Jewish state. Military sources said the General Staff has assessed that over the last week Palestinian insurgents and the Palestinian Authority obtained weapons that could change the balance of power with Israel. They said these weapons could threaten such major Israeli cities as Ashkelon as well as Israeli civilian and military aircraft in much of southeastern Israel. "We are now operating on the assessment that the Palestinians have Katyusha rockets that could travel at least 25 kilometers as well as surface-to-air missiles," a military source said. On Sunday, thousands of Hamas fighters, many of them in military uniforms,  paraded through the streets of Gaza City to celebrate the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Hamas exhibited hundreds of rocket-propelled grenade launchers and a range of missiles, including what operatives termed the enhanced Kassam-class, short-range missile.

Erakat: Abbas to Discuss With Sharon the Final Settlement Issues. RAMMALLAH, (IPC+ Al Ayam Daily) [Official PA website]-- The local newspaper "Al Ayam" quoted, in its online edition, Dr. Sa'b Erakat, chief negotiator, saying " in Sharon -Abbas meeting slated early October will focus on a number of issues , first and foremost, the final settlement issues; borders, refugees, water and others. Erakat explained that the president Abbas "will set forth in the meeting the Israeli withdrawal issue from Gaza Strip and not make Gaza first and last. It should be attached with other withdrawals from the West Bank and Jerusalem, meant a withdrawal to 1967 borders in order to establish a sovereign Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as the capital as penciled in by the international resolutions." As the Palestinians are concerned about turning Gaza Strip into a big jail, the chief negotiator made clear that the president Abbas will request Sharon for a full Palestinian control on the border terminals and crossings and the airport as well as uplifting the restrictions strained the free movement of the residents and goods amongst the districts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In the anticipated meeting, as Erakat added, the President will stress on the need to stop all forms of settlement activities in the West Bank and halt the ongoing construction of the Apartheid wall. On the meeting's agenda also, the upcoming Palestinian parliamentary voting, scheduled on 25 January and the Israeli remarks, spurring insolent intervention in the Palestinian internal affairs. Erakat hoped Israel to live up its due obligations in such high sensitive profile for the Palestinian political life in addition to its commitments in terms of the Road Map peace plan and set a specified date to allow things back to pre 28 September 2000, mainly representing in the uplift of all forms of siege, the release of all the Palestinian prisoners under no criterion and solve the wanted people and deportees issue. Questioned about whether the issue of releasing the prisoners from Gaza Strip after the Israeli withdrawal from the Strip, would be raised on the table, Erakat remarked "any negotiation could deliberate over the issue of the detainees of Gaza Strip in the Israeli jails aside of the other prisoners from Jerusalem, West Bank and the Green Line."

U.S. EASES RULES ON AID TO EGYPT. WASHINGTON, DC- The United States has significantly eased requirements for aid to Egypt. Officials said the U.S. Agency for International Development has agreed to ease conditions for more than $1 billion in funding to help Egypt's economy and social services. They said the State Department has sought to ensure this funding despite Egypt's longtime failure to fulfill the terms of assistance. AID has accepted a State Department recommendation that would facilitate the relay of $800 million to Egypt under the Cash Transfer Program -- meant to help the economy as well as health, education and environment -- over the next three years, officials said. They said the United States has shelved hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. civilian aid to Egypt because it failed to carry out economic and civil reforms. In July 2005, the Government Accountability Office detailed the U.S. effort to ease Egyptian aid requirements. The report by the congressional watchdog was ordered by House International Relations Committee chairman Rep. Henry Hyde amid questions regarding the feasibility of U.S. aid to Cairo.

Poll of Likud Central Comm. Members: 54.6%:39.0% Sharon won't leave party if  primaries advanced. By Dr. Aaron Lerner. The following is IMRA's translation of results of a telephone poll of 300 Likud Central Committee members carried out by Shvakim Panorama for Israel Radio's "Another Matter" program on 14 September 2005 [that is presented on the website of the radio station. (http://bet.iba.org.il ). In another two weeks the Likud Central Committee will decide if the primaries for the chairmanship of the party should be advanced.  Do you support or oppose advancing the primaries to November? Support 47.6%. Tend to support 3.5%. Tend to oppose 2.8%. Oppose 42.6%. Haven't decided yet 3.4%. Do you support or oppose the compromise proposed by ministers Shalom,  Hanegbi, and Livnat, to have the primaries in February? Support 39.0%. Oppose 58.9%. Haven't decided 2.1%.  Will Ariel Sharon leave the Likud and establish an independent list if it turns out that he loses the vote in Likud Central Committee regarding the date for the primaries? Yes 39.0%. No 54.6%. Don't know 6.4%. Do you personally intend to come to the meeting of the Likud Central Committee on 26 September in order to vote on the question of advancing the primaries? Yes 96.5%. No 2.1%. Haven't decided 1.4%. Of the following candidates who do you support for the position of chairman  of the Likud and its candidate for prime minister? [IMRA: All members of the Likud vote in the primaries.] Sharon 45.8%. Netanyahu 27.0%. Landau 19.2%. Feiglin 3.5%. Undecided 3.8%. Other 0.7%. What do you think will happen at the vote of the Likud Central Committee regarding advancing the primaries? Will pass 47.3%. Won't pass 46.9%. Don't know 5.8%.
 

Shooting Attack Thwarted South of Nablus. Shooting attack thwarted: IDF forces identified 4 Palestinian youths advancing along a road south of Nablus between the Jit and Tapuach junctions, north of the Israeli community of Itzhar and behaving in a suspicious manner. The force uncovered 3 loaded handguns and additional ammunition concealed on their person and during the security check it was revealed that three of the four youths are wanted for investigation. According to the initial questioning of the youths they had planned to use the guns to carry out a shooting attack against vehicles traveling along the road. The weaponry was detonated in a controlled manner by Border Police sappers. The youths were taken for questioning by security forces        

Gazans loot greenhouses, police try to impose order after Israel's pullout. NEVE DEKALIM, Gaza Strip - Palestinians looted dozens of greenhouses on Tuesday, walking off with irrigation hoses, water pumps and plastic sheeting in a blow to fledgling efforts to reconstruct the Gaza Strip. American Jewish donors had bought more than 3,000 greenhouses from Israeli settlers in Gaza for $14 million US last month and transferred them to the Palestinian Authority. Former World Bank President James Wolfensohn, who brokered the deal, put up $500,000 of his own cash. Palestinian police stood by helplessly Tuesday as looters carted off materials from greenhouses in several settlements, and commanders complained they did not have enough manpower to protect the prized assets...Read the full article in Internet format

PALESTINIAN GRENADES THROWN AT NETIV HA'ASARA. This evening, Palestinians militants and streets enraged protesters threw 2 grenades from northern part of  Gaza  across the security fence at an IDF patrol  stationed outside Moshav Netiv Ha'asara. No casualties or damage were reported. The Israeli patrol did not return fire. The two grenades and other home-made bombs  exploded  approximately 150 meters from the moshav itself. It has become evident that the total Gaza pullout will not refrain the Palestinians from further attacks and terrorism operations. More Palestinian demonstrations are scheduled for tomorrow. The big march is scheduled for the coming Friday. Two Palestinian Kassam rockets were seized  today by an Israeli IDF patrol during an attempt by two Palestinians to cross the border.

ISRAEL: ALL THE NEWS SECTION

SEPTEMBER 2005: 1-Rioters Infiltrate Evacuated Gush Katif. 2-JEWISH AGENCY TO BRING STUDENTS FROM NEW ORLEANS TO STUDY IN ISRAEL. 3-Alberta Govt. and JNF-KKL Signing $1 Million Declaration of Partnership in Water Research. 4-The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Offers Scholarships at Its Rothberg International School. 5-Poll of Likud members: Sharon 38%:Netanyahu 44%,  42%:52% advance primaries. ISRAEL NEWSFLASH . Part 1 ISRAEL NEWSFLASH. NEWS HEADLINES: SEPTEMBER 2005:  1-Prohibition of Entry into Gaza Strip. 2-Erez Security Crossing VIP Terminal Reopened. 3-[No exchange]Israel to Transfer Body of Hizbullah Terrorist & convicted rapist to Lebanon. 4-Israel's Withdrawal from Gaza was due to Palestinian Resistance, Kaddoumi Says. 5-PNA Rejects Maintaining 'Synagogue Trojan Horse' in Gaza Israel's Supreme Court: 38 Synagogues Must Be Preserved in Gaza Strip. 6-HADASSAH APPLAUDS SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE’S REAUTHORIZATION OF THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT. 7-Israeli-Palestinian Meeting Fails to Reach Deal on Rafah Terminal. 8-Poll: 49%:46% Likud Central Comm. oppose early primaries. 9-Departure of an IDF Humanitarian Aid Delegation to New Orleans. 10-PM Sharon Meets With Spanish Foreign Minister Moratinos. 11-University of Haifa Responds to Tulane Students' Needs. 12-PM SHARON CONVENES MEETING OF MINISTERIAL DISENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE. 13-VPM Peres to be responsible for setting post-retreat security arrangements.14-Israel foregoes on security in Northern Samaria, expected to fold on border passage security. ISRAEL NEWSFLASH . Part 2 ANARCHY IN GAZA STRIP. Thousands of Palestinians raided evacuated Gaza Strip settlements in the wake of the IDF's withdrawal, resorting to an orgy of looting and vandalism. Palestinian security forces at first attempted. In Internet format EXIT OF IDF FORCES FROM GAZA STRIP COMPLETED Declaration regarding end of military rule in Gaza Strip. Tonight, the Head of the Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Dan Harel signed a declaration stating the end of military rule in the Gaza Strip. This follows the evacuation of all IDF forces from the region and the handing over of control of the region to the Palestinian Authority; in accordance with the decision of the Israeli Government.  This declaration annuls the declaration signed June 6, 1967 by the former Head of the Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Yishayahu Gavish declaring the start of military rule in the area.  This is the final legislative act taken by an IDF commander in the Gaza Strip after 38 years of IDF presence in the region.   MORE NEWS AND STORIES JUNE-JULY NEWS AUGUST NEWS: Part1 P,2 P.3  P.4 SEPTEMBER NEWS: Part1 P.2 SEPTEMBER 2005 (PART ONE) Part1 *Russian expert: Israeli withdrawal could provoke regional war. (Internet format  or File) *Netherlands: No distinction between political and terrorist Hezbollah branches. *PRIME MINISTER SHARON SENDS CONDOLENCES, OFFERS AID.  *Cancellation of Turkey Travel Warning.  *Taiwan human rights group says current Chinese written characters for 'Jews' are biased.    *U.S. CHANGES POLICY IN PLEDGE ON 1949 LINES  *Foreign Ministry Spokesman Regev Clarifies FM Shalom's Remarks. (Internet format  or File)  *Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres Statement after meeting with EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and Secretary-General of the Council of the EU, Javier Solana. (Internet format  or File) *Settlers possessions being looted in Gaza. (Internet format  or File)  *Hamas training recruits for new women's military wing at secret site in Gaza. (Internet format  or File)   *PM Sharon's Office: Nothing preventing Egypt from independently opening passageway with Gaza after IDF pullout. (File)  *Eitan Haberman, Legal Advisor to Likud Party: Sanctions possible for acting against party ideology. (Internet format  or File)   *NIF Fellowship promotes the Agendas of ICAHD and ISM NGO. (Internet format  or File)  *The Vatican has rejected Israel's criticism that Pope Benedict XVI failed to condemn Palestinian militant attacks against Israel in his recent remarks. (Internet format  or File)  *Israel's Defense Ministry: "Iran could destroy the Jewish state with two atomic bombs." Deputy Defense Minister Zeev Boim: "Iranian missiles tipped with a nuclear warhead could destroy Israel." (Internet format  or File) *Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has moved to end a dispute with the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI has accepted an offer to visit Israel. (Internet format  or File) *Israeli policeman stabbed in Hebron.  (Internet format  or File)  Israelis hunt for lost Gaza pets.  (Internet format  or File)  *Israeli woman who set herself afire to protest Gaza withdrawal dies in hospital. (Internet format  or File)       *Israel confirms big jump in population of West Bank. (Internet format  or File) *Poll: 36%:46% Advance elections, 56%:39% religious-secular rift to widen; Likud members: Sharon 36% Netanyahu 43% Landau 12%. (Internet format  or File) *Poll: 54%:42% Evacuate [at least some] settlements; 41%:57% Advance elections; 62%:36% Failure in treatment of settlers. (Internet format  or File) *Poll: 19% Feel negative towards settlers, 57% struggle against disengagement  was correct. (Internet format  or File)   SEPTEMBER 2005 (PART TWO) Part 2 *Conviction of PLC Rep. Houssam Mahmoud A'Rahman Hader...In Internet format *Deputy FM: No Definite Date for Abbas-Sharon Meeting Yet....In Internet format *Pakistani-Israeli Normalization Deal Draws Wide Palestinian Anger, Astonishment...In Internet format *Hysterical reaction of Yoel Marcus to early Likud primaries - call for more retreats before elections....In Internet format *Still No PNA-Israeli Agreement on Rafah, Compromises Discussed Egypt, Israel Sign Salahuddin (Philadelphi) Route Pact, Amend 1978 Peace Treaty...In Internet format *Poll: Ranking of Likud candidates - disengagement opponents at top, 57%:39% Advance primaries. The following ranking of Likud candidates was prepared by the Dahaf for Yediot Ahronot, based on a survey of 407 members of the Likud Central Committee who were asked to choose 15 candidates on 29-30 August 2005...In Internet format *Mofaz: 'No threat to Israel'. (Internet format  or File) *Shlomo Dror explains significance of Israel-PA customs union arrangements. (Internet format  or File) *Livni: Pay protesters full compensation. Justice Minister to recommend Gaza residents who refused to leave homes receive near-full compensation. (Internet format  or File)

TO HEAR RADIO ISRAEL CLICK HERE HEADLINES Prohibition of entry of Israeli citizens and permanent residents into the Gaza Strip through the Erez crossing. In light of security assessments and due to the current situation in the Gaza Strip, the IDF will not permit Israeli citizens and permanent residents to enter the Gaza Strip beginning tomorrow morning. The order applies to media representatives as well, and will remain intact until further notice is given.   ANARCHY IN GAZA STRIP. Thousands of Palestinians raided evacuated Gaza Strip settlements in the wake of the IDF's withdrawal, resorting to an orgy of looting and vandalism. Palestinian security forces at first attempted to resist the masses, but in most cases were overwhelmed by the mobs and gave up...Read the full article in Internet format. EXIT OF IDF FORCES FROM GAZA STRIP COMPLETED. This morning,, at 7:00 a.m., IDF forces completed their exit from the Gaza Strip, within the framework of the Disengagement Plan, as decided upon by the Israeli government  All IDF forces left the area safely. The movement of the IDF forces out of the Gaza Strip was carried out in organized convoys which exited simultaneously from four different locations.....Read the full article in Internet format. PLO REFUSES ISRAELI PRESENCE IN CROSSING POINTS. GAZA, (WAFA - PLO news agency)- The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee (EC) refused any Israeli presence and control of Gaza crossing points. In a meeting on Sunday in Gaza city headed by President Mahmoud Abbas, the EC. said that such Israeli presence constitutes a breach of all international legitimacy standards and human rights laws....Read the full article in Internet format. Declaration regarding end of military rule in Gaza Strip. Tonight, the Head of the Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Dan Harel signed a declaration stating the end of military rule in the Gaza Strip. This follows the evacuation of all IDF forces from the region and the handing over of control of the region to the Palestinian Authority; in accordance with the decision of the Israeli Government.  This declaration annuls the declaration signed June 6, 1967 by the former Head of the Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Yishayahu Gavish declaring the start of military rule in the area.  This is the final legislative act taken by an IDF commander in the Gaza Strip after 38 years of IDF presence in the region.  ISRAEL'S MILITARY DOES NOT EXPECT GAZA RETALIATION. TEL AVIV- Israel's military does not envision major retaliation for Palestinian missile and rocket strikes from the Gaza Strip. Israeli military sources said the General Staff has quietly assessed that the government of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon would not approve any major combat operation in the Gaza Strip. The sources said the government would instead appeal to the United States and the Palestinian Authority to halt the attacks on the Jewish state. "We are not going to look f