Hamas, now refusing to disarm after Israel’s pullout, outnumbers Palestinian security forces three to one in Gaza

Hamas leaders step up their challenge to Israel and Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas’ effort to assert control over Gaza after Israel’s withdrawal next week. Friday, Aug. 12, the head of Hamas’ Qassam Brigades, Ahmed al-Ghandour, declared they would keep their guns to continue the fight against the Jewish state. Hamas gained the upper hand in recent clashes with Palestinian Authority security forces in the Gaza Strip, exhibiting numerical superiority (3:1) and, for the first time, the features of a guerrilla force. Qassam and mortar launchers mounted on vehicles painted in army camouflage colors showed up in the streets. Moreover, some 3,000 of the 10,000 enlisted Hamas fighters belonging to a newly-formed Popular Army unit were held in reserve. Our military sources reveal that these conscripts are given three to four weeks of basic military training and sent home with their side-arms and a call-up code. This code broadcast over the public address systems of their mosques is the signal for them to report to their regional commanders. The Palestinian Authority has no such force at its disposal. The Hamas spokesman therefore had enough muscle behind him to announce Hamas would not join Palestinian security agencies but preserve its independence and structure and increase its force. Al-Ghandour also reiterated the group’s goal which was to draw the Islamic state of Palestine “from the sea to the river and from Lebanon to Egypt.”

Iran pursues heavy-water reactor that could produce weapons-grade plutonium.

KHONDAB, Iran- As the United States and Europe struggle to stop Iran's uranium development, the Iranians are pushing ahead on another track that could also lead to a nuclear bomb: construction of a heavy-water reactor that can produce weapons-grade plutonium. It will take at least another four years for Iran to complete the reactor, making it a less immediate worry for the West than the uranium program, parts of which are either in operation or ready to go at a moment's notice...Read the full article.   In Internet format.

Photo: More powerful successors to the  Iranian Shahab-3 missile could launch satellites—and nuclear weapons.

Are Iranian nukes inevitable?

Iran’s proclaimed desire to launch a satellite sometime this year seems to indicate that they see their rockets as something more than just glorified Scuds.

Writing in the French establishmentarian newspaper Le Monde, Socialist legislator Jean-Michel Boucheron makes the case that Iran not only wants nukes, but that the regime in Tehran will ultimate get them, and that this is pretty much of a good thing. While Americans might regard this as a defeatist attitude, it is quite consistent with one strain of French strategic thinking, which holds that the more nuclear proliferation, the better. As proof, Boucheron claims that since Israel has had the bomb, it has not been attacked by the neighboring states. In fact, Israel’s bomb did not prevent Egypt and Syria from launching the Yom Kippur War in 1973. He also claims that the low level of war between India and Pakistan has been due to the nuclear standoff between these two states. Yet, in 1971, both sides managed to limit what could have turned into an all-out apocalyptic conventional war without either nation possessing nuclear weapons. Aside from his doubtful use of historical examples, the problem with this theory is that it can be easily and catastrophically disproved by a single nuclear explosion...Read the full article.   In Internet format

Bush warns Iran on nuclear plans

Rafsanjani:  "Our people are not going to allow their nuclear rights to be seized."

US President George W Bush says he still has not ruled out the option of using force against Iran, after it resumed work on its nuclear program. He said he was working on a diplomatic solution, but was skeptical that one could be found. The UN's atomic watchdog has called on Iran to halt nuclear fuel development. Iran, which denies it is secretly trying to develop nuclear arms, restarted work at its uranium conversion plant at Isfahan on Monday. "All options are on the table," said Mr Bush, when asked about the possible use of force during an interview for Israeli TV. "The use of force is the last option for any president. You know we have used force in the recent past to secure our country," he said. The president wants to send a clear warning to Tehran, although in reality the US already has its hands full in neighbouring Iraq. 'Cost them dearly': The former Iranian President, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, has expressed surprise at Thursday's call by the UN nuclear agency, the IAEA, for Iran to suspend its nuclear activities. The IAEA asked its chief, Mohamed ElBaradei, to report on Iran's compliance by 3 September. Speaking at Friday prayers in Tehran, Mr Rafsanjani said western opposition to Iran's decision to resume its nuclear programme would, as he put it, cost them dearly. "Our people are not going to allow their nuclear rights to be seized," Mr Rafsanjani said. He said he was astonished that no country opposed the European Union-sponsored resolution, adopted by the IAEA, that urged Iran to stop any work on processing uranium for enrichment. He emphasised that Iran's decision to resume its nuclear programme was irreversible, and said his country could not be treated like Iraq or Libya. The IAEA's 35-member governing body met in emergency session this week after Iran ended a nine-month suspension of work at Isfahan. Iran insists it needs nuclear power as an alternative energy source, but Western nations fear it has plans to produce nuclear weapons.

PM Sharon Appoints Minister Olmert as Acting Finance Minister.

Photo: Ehud Olmert.

PM Sharon Appoints Minister Olmert as Acting Finance Minister (Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser). Prime Minister Ariel Sharon this evening (Sunday), 7.8.05, informed Minister Ehud Olmert that he intends to appoint him as Acting Finance Minister.  He added that he intends to continue [the Government's] economic policy and submit next year's draft state budget to the Government for approval this Tuesday as planned. Prime Minister Sharon and Minister Olmert will meet tomorrow morning in order to further discuss the work and maintaining the Government's targets.

Olmert, 59, has been in the Israeli government since 2003 and is Israel's Vice Prime Minister. He became Sharon's closest, most outspoken Likud ally as he maneuvered to overcome internal mutiny over the Gaza pullout plan. Olmert, a Likud moderate, often locked horns with Likud hard-liners like Netanyahu and gained a reputation for floating vaguely dovish ideas on defusing conflict with the Palestinians, such as a more significant pullout in the West Bank.

Poll: Sharon/Peres/Lapid Party 38 seats, Slated for evacuation: 71% have no alternative housing prepared, 55% don't plan to leave
By Dr. Aaron Lerner   

Dahaf for Yediot Achronot. Adult Israelis (including Israeli Arabs) - week of  12 August 2005 [days before evacuation slated to begin].

If Knesset elections were held and the Likud split into Likud headed by Netanyahu and Likud headed by Sharon how would you vote?
Results in mandates, undecided deleted from calculation- current Knesset in[brackets] [IMRA: Does not add to 120 seats - only 112]
14 [40] Likud-Netanyahu party
29 [00] Likud-Sharon party
16 [21] Labor (with Amir Peretz's One Nation)
08 [15] Shinui
09 [11] Shas
09 [08] Arab parties
08 [06] Yachad [Meretz]
04 [07*] National Union
05 [07*] Yisrael Beiteinu [Lieberman]
06 [05] Yahadut Hatorah
04 [06] NRP
* National Union ran with Yisrael Beiteinu with total 7 mandates

If Knesset elections were held and Sharon, Lapid and Peres joined to make a party and Likud was headed by Netanyahu how would you vote? Results in mandates, undecided deleted from calculation- current Knesset in [brackets] [IMRA: Does not add to 120 seats - only 110 ]
38 [00] Sharon-Peres-Lapid party
14 [40] Likud
07 [21] Labor (with Amir Peretz's One Nation)
00 [15] Shinui
11 [11] Shas
09 [08] Arab parties
08 [06] Yachad [Meretz]
06 [07*] National Union
06 [07*] Yisrael Beiteinu [Lieberman]
06 [05] Yahadut Hatorah
05 [06] NRP
* National Union ran with Yisrael Beiteinu with total 7 mandates Sample size not indicated

For or against disengagement plan?
Total: For 58% Against 33%
Likud Party members: For 42% Against 54%

Who do you want to head the Likud?
Likud members: Sharon 38% Netanyahu 53%

Who is more trustworthy - Sharon or Netanyahu?
Total: Sharon 40% Netanyahu 20%

The following questions were answered by a sample of residents of Gush Katif and northern Samaria:

Would the disengagement have been stopped if Netanyahu had resigned earlier?
Yes 63% No 29%

Why did Netanyahu resign?
Political interests 56% Ideology 27%

How will you act on evacuating day?
Resist with force 11% Passive resistance 50% Won't oppose 14%

Is the public sensitive to the situation of the settlers?
Mostly yes 39% Mostly no 48%

Have you prepared alternative housing?
Yes 29% No 71%

Will Jews hurt Jews?
Certain yes 3% Think yes 18% Think no 35% Certain no 38%

When do you plan to leave?
Before 15th 10% 15-17 31% Don't plan to 55%

What is your feeling before the evacuation?
Optimistic 48% Ready for clash 7% Fear/desperation 38%

Yediot Ahronot 12 August 2005.

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Poll: 52%:35% Support disengagement, 92% protests no impact, plurality - ministers opposing disengagement should resign, 30%:51% Netanyahu's resignation mistake, 24 mandates for Sharon party. By Dr. Aaron Lerner

The following is IMRA's translation of results of a telephone poll carried out by "Brain Base" ["Maagar Mochot"] of a representative sample of 502 adult Israelis (including Israeli Arabs) and 411 Likud members for Israel  Radio's "Another Matter" program on 10 August 2005 on the website of the  radio station. If Knesset elections were held and the Likud was headed by Netanyahu and Sharon headed a new party how would you vote? Results in mandates, undecided deleted from calculation- current Knesset in  [brackets]
17 [40] Likud-Netanyahu
24 [00] Sharon party
21 [21] Labor (with Amir Peretz's One Nation)
07 [15] Shinui
10 [11] Shas
12 [08] Arab parties
07 [06] Yachad [Meretz]
05 [07*] National Union
04 [07*] Yisrael Beiteinu [Lieberman]]
06 [05] Yahadut Hatorah
06 [06] NRP
01 [--] Tafnit headed by Uzi Dayan [does not pass minimum]

* National Union ran with Yisrael Beiteinu with total 7 mandates

Who will gain the most from the implementation of the disengagement? Total: Sharon 45% Netanyahu 14% Both equally 8% Other 33%. Likud members:Sharon 41% Netanyahu 16% Both equally 4% Other 39%.

Was it a political mistake for Binyamin Netanyahu to resign from being
Finance minister? Total: Yes 30% No 51% Other 19%.

Who do you support to head the Likud in the upcoming Knesset elections? Likud members: Sharon 38% Netanyahu 41% Landau 12% Feiglin 2% Other 7%.

And if there are only two candidate? Likud members: Sharon 39% Netanyahu 49% Other 12%.

Christian Allies Caucus MKs to meet with Asian Christian leaders in Korea at  the second Jerusalem Summit Asia. Summit expected to draw over a thousand religious, political, and business leaders, from ten Asian countries, to Israel's side

Jerusalem, Israel- Over a thousand Christians from ten Asian nations will gather in Seoul, South Korea for the second Jerusalem Summit Asia, 2005 on August 10-11. Following the success of the first Jerusalem Summit Asia last year in Manila, the Kingdomizer Mission Aliance of Korea, Asia's largest church, and the city of Seoul offered to jointly sponsor and underwrite the Summit in 2005 in cooperation with the Christian
Allies Caucus and Jerusalem Summit officials.  Reverend Yong-gi Cho of the Yoido Full Gospel Church and Seoul's Mayor Myung Bak Lee will host the event. The Christian Allies Caucus will be represented by its chairman, MK Yuri Shtern, caucus member MK Chemi Doron, and Josh Reinstein, Caucus Director. Dmitry Radyshevsky, Executive Director of the Jerusalem Summit will lead a delegation of Israeli academics that will present at the Summit. Last year's conference succeeded in establishing a cooperative working relationship in support of Israel, and a Christian commitment to playing an activist role in petitioning their governments to support the State of Israel in the international arena. "Building Peace on Truth: Truth-Based Media" will be the theme of this year's Summit, which will focus on strategies for defending Judeo-Christian values in the face of the growing threat to western civilization posed by radical Islam. The Asian Jerusalem Summits were inspired by the annual Jerusalem Summit held in Israel. Dmitry Radyshevsky, Executive Director of the Jerusalem Summit, has announced plans for a Jerusalem Summit Africa and New Europe for the coming year. "The threat of terrorism driven by radical Islam is global and so the response must be international as well. Christians and Jews, together, will meet this challenge to our way of life, and with God's help, we will prevail", said Radyshevsky. Speaking of relations between Israel and Asia, MK Dr. Yuri Shtern, Chairman of the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus said, "Asia is Christianity's sleeping giant. The importance of an alliance between Asian Christians and the people of Israel cannot be overstated."