|
Dr. Aaron Lerner:
"For some reason the "scorecard" doesn't indicate how many civilians
were wounded by police. MK Michael Eitan (Likud) who chairs the
Knesset Law Committee (and supports disengagement) complained today
that police dealing with crowds at Gush Katif were not wearing their
ID tags in violation of the rules. Eitan noted that the
apparent decision of the officers to send their men in without the
required ID's gives the policemen the message that they can use
brutal force as they cannot be identified by their victims - while
at the same time sending the message to the civilians that the
police intend to go on the rampage with the consequence that
emotions can rise on both sides. Before the operation there were
reports that the police planned to wear special vests with their
names on them and that the vests would be issued at the last minute
so that civilians would not be able to disguise themselves as police
during the expulsion." By Dr. Aaron Lerner. VPM Shimon Peres was asked by Israel Radio anchor Arieh Golan in a live interview broadcast this morning about the various Palestinian leaders who have called from continued attacks against Israel. Peres replied that "what terrorists say doesn't matter - they are hurting the Palestinians more than they are hurting Israel." Golan declined to remind Mr. Peres that he used virtually the same argument during the entire course of Oslo to defend Yasser Arafat and others who, as an old Foreign Ministry information campaign used to put it "mean what they say". Former Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has said Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Gaza pullout plan could put Israel in mortal danger. Mr Netanyahu, who quit the Cabinet on Sunday, said a planned port in Gaza could act as a "terrorist base" that would be a direct threat to the region. Mr Sharon hit back by labelling Mr Netanyahu's resignation so close to the pullout as "less than honourable". Israel plans to withdraw thousands of settlers and soldiers next week. The well-known rivalry between the two men deepened as an opinion poll was published showing a clear lead for Mr Netanyahu among members of the governing Likud party. The poll, shown on an Israeli television network, showed 42% of members would back Mr Netanyahu in a party leadership vote, while only 27% supported the prime minister. An earlier poll for the Haaretz newspaper put Mr Netanyahu's support at 47% and Mr Sharon's at 33%. In a speech to the Knesset on Wednesday, Mr Netanyahu took particular aim at the plan for Egypt to take control of its border with Gaza and the likely construction of a seaport in the territory. "A port could represent a mortal danger," said Mr Netanyahu, who is also a former prime minister. "We are allowing the creation of an independent terrorist base in Gaza to which arms will flow from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq. "We are facing a global enemy which threatens not only Israel but Egypt and Jordan as well. Ariel Sharon: "To resign a week before the implementation of one of the most complex and difficult decisions ever for the state of Israel is less than honourable . Who will stop this terrible danger? Apparently not the Israeli government which is blindly stumbling." Mr Sharon responded by accusing Mr Netanyahu of shirking responsibility by choosing to leave the government so close to the start of the withdrawal. "The only thing I can say is that to resign a week before the implementation of one of the most complex and difficult decisions ever for the state of Israel is less than honourable," he told MPs. Mr Sharon added: "I don't know why he resigned. He supported the disengagement plan many times in the past." Opponents of the pullout have been filling the plaza in front of the Western Wall for a prayer protest. "Some are weeping," she says. "The rabbi leading a special prayer of confession called this a time of mourning." The Israeli government has told the 8,000 settlers and the soldiers that protect them they must leave the Gaza Strip by 17 August. About 5,000 Palestinian security personnel are to be deployed to prevent militant attacks during the withdrawal, agencies reported. West Bank: Four small settlements in the West Bank are also to be evacuated. Some see the Gaza withdrawal as a ploy by Israel to consolidate its grip on the West Bank, but Vice-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert rejected that. "The pullout is in no way an attempt to trade Gaza for the West Bank," Mr Olmert, who replaced Mr Netanyahu as finance minister, told reporters. He said he hoped the move would lead to the resumption of peace talks with the Palestinians, who he called on to "rise to this opportunity". The Tender for Smart ID Cards is Underway. The tender for the production of smart ID cards for Israeli citizens, initiated by the Ministry of Interior and government, was launched last week. The deadline for submitting proposals is December 1st 2005 and, if all goes well, the mass production of the ID cards will commence around October 2006. The smart ID card is a digital card similar to a credit card, on which a computer chip is implanted. This card will replace the current blue ID card. This card provides the digital identification of its owner and can greatly help in the prevention of counterfeiting, further enabling Israeli citizens to perform significant transactions over the Internet, such as digitally signing forms or providing remote recognition. The ID card is a contact card requiring the user to slide it through a special scanner and enter a secret PIN (Personal Identification Number) code, similarly to the manner in which the ATM (Automated Teller Machine) is operated. Citizens will be able to purchase a card scanner for their home computer for less than $100 and whoever is unable to afford one, will be able to use one of the hundred information kiosks to be established by the Ministry of Interior. These self-service centers will enable the citizens to enter their cards into a scanner and access all of the most sensitive governmental services that require secured identification. West Bank 'militants' arrested. Israeli soldiers have arrested 10 alleged members of Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad during overnight raids in the northern West Bank. The Palestinians were detained during two operations in villages close to Jenin and Nablus. An M16 assault rifle was also discovered during the Jenin raid, an Israeli army spokeswoman said. Israel is planning to remove four small Jewish settlements in the Jenin area as part of its disengagement plan. The Israeli army has recently resumed its targeting of Islamic Jihad after a truce agreed in February broke down. Under that agreement Islamic Jihad and fellow militants Hamas agreed to halt attacks on Israel in a deal brokered by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. But the truce had recently broken down with the Palestinians and Israel blaming each other for the resumption of violence in Gaza. Islamic Jihad has claimed responsibility for two suicide bombings carried out in Israel during the truce. The group recently said it would suspend attack rocket attacks on Israel during the disengagement from the Gaza Strip and the four small West Bank settlements.
U.S. Department of Defense - Israeli Ministry of Defense Joint Press Statement. The strategic alliance between the United States and Israel reflects common understandings of the global security environment. In this cooperative relationship, the United States and Israel share information and consult on possible threats to U.S. and Israeli defense interests. The U.S. Department of Defense and the Israeli Ministry of Defense have signed an understanding that is designed to remedy problems of the past that seriously affected the technology security relationship between their defense establishments and which begins to restore confidence in the technology security area. In the coming months additional steps will be taken to restore confidence fully. The signing of this understanding underscores the commitment of the U.S. and Israel to work together to address global security challenges. Cooperation between the U.S. and Israel is important to the security of the Middle East and we expect that cooperation to continue. Police interrogating illegals" trying to leave Gaza Strip. Israel Police Disengagement Spokesman Dr. Avi Zelba told IMRA this
evening that the Israel Police are inspecting every car leaving Gush
Katif to find people trying to leave Gush Katif who had been there
without permission. The police are removing the "illegals" from the
vehicles and interrogating them in order to determine how they
illegally entered Gush Katif and if this is their first offense. It
is expected that those who were multiple offenders may be brought
quickly before a judge. Zelba noted that of the 1,040 "illegals"
trying to either enter or leave who have been interrogated to
date by the police none were charged. An IDF officer was severely wounded and four additional soldiers were lightly wounded as a result of IDF tank fire at a Palestinian gunman after he opened fire at an IDF post nearby. During the night Palestinians opened fire in several incidents at the community of Kfar Darom in central Gaza Strip. One of the sources of the fire is a Palestinian multi- story building which is located several dozens of meters north of the community and overlooks the whole community. An IDF tank which was located in the community returned fire at the Palestinian gunman which was inside the house. As a result of the fire an IDF vehicle which had arrived at the scene in order to prevent further shooting from the house, was hit. The Palestinian gunman was also hit. An IDF officer was severely wounded and four IDF soldiers were lightly wounded during the incident. They were evacuated to a hospital to receive medical treatment. The families of the officer and soldiers have been notified. IDF forces are currently conducting searches in the area of the house in order to locate the Palestinian gunman and to confirm that there are no other gunmen in the area. The IDF is currently investigating the circumstances of the incident. DM Mofaz: Israel will react with full power after first rocket from West Bank. By Dr. Aaron Lerner. Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said in a live appearance this evening on Israel Television Channel One's "Politics" program that he expects the security situation to improve and "quiet" significantly after Israel completes its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. When the program host noted Military Intelligence Director Aharon Zeevi Farkash's warning today that the Palestinians were exploiting this period to develop and expand their strength and that rockets can be expected to be fired from the West Bank in the future, Mofaz retorted that the IDF would respond harshly with all of its force to destroy the source of fire after the very first rocket is shot. The program host noted that he has been in the news business for many years and he can still recall how virtually the same warning was given with regards to how the IDF would respond to Palestinian mortar or rocket fire. "And the first time there was an attack we went into "open broadcast" mode, with everyone waiting to see what the response would be. And now, many thousands of mortar and rocket attacks later, they still can't be stopped." Mofaz replied that "this time it will be different." Participants in the panel that followed the Mofaz interview from both the Left (including Shlomo Ben Ami) and Right agreed that under the post-disengagement scenario Mr. Sharon has proposed that terror can be expected to increase. Sharon : "Images From Gaza Withdrawal Are Heart-Breaking."
Photo: Jewish settlers weep and embrace after being told by Israeli policemen to leave the Jewish settlement of Ganei Tal, in the Gush Katif settlement bloc, southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday. Sharon, once the most powerful patron of the Jewish settlement movement, told settlers their presence in Gaza, among some 1.3 million Palestinians, had not been in vain. Speaking at a joint news conference with Israeli President Moshe Katsav, he also urged settlers not to attack police and soldiers verbally or physically. "I'm appealing to everyone. Don't attack the men and women in uniform. Don't accuse them. Don't make it harder for them. Don't harm them. Attack me. I am responsible for this. Attack me. Accuse me," Sharon said. Katsav cut in to correct the prime minister's choice of words. "You mean criticize, not attack," Katsav admonished. Sharon did not respond. Israeli security forces have warned that Sharon, like his slain predecessor Yitzhak Rabin, could be targeted by extremists. Sharon said he was moved by TV images of the Gaza pullout, and praised settlers and troops. "The pictures we see are heartbreaking, they are also breaking my heart," he said. "But I have to say to the residents, with all the difficulties and terrible pain they are facing . . . they are acting in a respectable restrained manner. They are making a great effort so that the evacuation will proceed quietly." Sharon said the pullout from Gaza did not mean the settlement movement had failed. "I think it is important that they (Gaza settlers) know that what they did was not in vain," Sharon said. "There are certainly great achievements, with the big (West Bank) settlement blocs that will remain in Israeli hands. They will remain territorially linked to Israel." The prime minister said settlers had to adjust to changing realities. "True, they had a dream, and I did too, that can we hold on to all the territory, or most of the territory. But things have changed," he said. Sharon defended his decision to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank, saying he did it for the good of Israel. "I believe with all these difficulties, Israel will come out stronger," he said. Sharon acknowledged that the Palestinian security forces have managed to control militants in recent days. However, he added: "We have to remain on guard, and I hope they (the Palestinians) will understand that to make progress on the road map, they have to halt terror completely. Israel will not compromise on this issue." The road map is an internationally backed plan for the creation of an independent Palestinian state. It requires Palestinians to halt terrorism and Israelis to stop settlement expansion - obligations that neither side has met.  Gaza
settlers defy evacuation deadline. Many attack Israeli troops.
By Amy Treibel.Photo: sraeli soldiers form a line in front of burning tires protesters used to block the main gate during a demonstration against the disengagement plan in the northern Gaza settlement of Elei Sinai, early Tuesday Aug. 16, 2005. Israel plans to evacuate all 21 settlements in the Gaza Strip Wednesday. NEVE DEKALIM, Gaza Strip -- Extremists pelted soldiers with eggs and stones and danced in synagogues, defying orders for Jewish settlers to evacuate Gaza by midnight Tuesday under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's historic plan to "disengage" from the Palestinians. As the deadline passed, a few of Gaza's 21 settlements were deserted but thousands of settlers and their supporters remained in other outposts, settling down for the night to await a dawn confrontation with Israeli forces prepared to forcibly evict them. Settler leaders shouted over bullhorns for protesters to go to bed and conserve their strength. Earlier, some 2,000 Israeli troops poured into Neve Dekalim -- the largest settlement and epicentre of resistance.
Soldiers marched in formation through the gate and fanned out through the village. Commanders carried maps, and troops took up positions near the industrial zone, linking arms to form a cordon. Other soldiers went house-to-house, trying to persuade residents one last time to leave voluntarily. At times, both settlers and soldiers were reduced to tears as they argued over wisdom of Israel's abandoning Gaza, land seized from Egypt in 1967 and the focus of deadly Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades. One woman was overheard telling a soldier how her mother was forced to pack her bags and flee Nazi Germany. "Just remember that you are the evil one who is throwing me out of my house," the woman said, rebuffing the soldier's offer of help. Moments before midnight, scores of settlers were in synagogues in several Gaza communities, dancing around sacred Torah scrolls. They waved flags and sang nationalist songs in a show of defiance against Sharon's plan to unilaterally hand the territory to Palestinian control. Israeli officials said about half of the Gaza's 1,600 settlement families had left voluntarily.
At least three settlements were abandoned, and several more were nearly deserted. Military spokeswoman Miri Regev said the army would assist anyone who wanted to leave voluntarily, even after the deadline. Earlier in Neve Dekalim, the army burst through the main gate to clear the way for about 120 moving trucks. Within hours, a crowd blocked the trucks from entering, and scuffles erupted when security forces tried to push the crowd back. Protesters hurled bottles, eggs and stones, and set fire to garbage bins and tires. Smoke blackened the air. Police said four officers were hurt -- one by an unspecified liquid thrown in his face. Settlers in several farming communities burned their greenhouses and homes rather than leave them behind. One man punched holes in the walls of his house with a sledgehammer. Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz said he expected the evacuation to take two about weeks. "I look with hope to the future, that the price we are paying ... will in the end bring about a positive change in Israel's situation," he said. Israeli authorities said once Gaza is cleared of civilians it will take several weeks more before Israel finishes dismantling its military installations and relinquishes the coastal strip. The fiercest resistance came from some 5,000 Jewish nationalists who slipped into Gaza over the past few weeks to reinforce the anti-withdrawal camp. Police handcuffed and detained several withdrawal opponents Tuesday, seeming to target the infiltrators. Sharon has said giving up any territory and taking down settlements is very painful, and this week's confrontations could help his argument that Israel is making a huge concession that deserves international recognition. By nightfall, three settlements -- Dugit, Peat Sadeh and Rafiah Yam -- were abandoned, and most residents had left three others. Several others were thinning out. Hundreds of diehard opponents continued trying to reach Gaza, trampling over Israeli cropland near the border to circumvent army roadblocks. Police set up more roadblocks late Tuesday to stop them. About 1,000 more protesters camped outside Sharon's Jerusalem residence. The military commander of the Gaza sector, Maj.-Gen. Dan Harel, said the army had been working with the Palestinian Authority on the evacuation and the "co-operation is very good." At Israel's request, Palestinian police dispersed several marches that were threatening to move toward Israeli positions, he said. The level of Palestinian attacks had fallen sharply, he said, with only three incidents recorded since the evacuation began Monday. No one was hurt in any of those. Palestinians held noisy demonstrations in Gaza City to celebrate the pullout. Young men cruised the city in open cars, some firing rifles into the air and brandishing rocket launchers. Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia told his cabinet he was forming eight teams to co-ordinate the takeover of settlement land, and was including representatives of the militant Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements. The Gaza withdrawal is a landmark moment in the Middle East conflict. Although Israel has relinquished other land to Egypt captured in 1967 in exchange for a peace treaty, this is the first time it is withdrawing from territory claimed by the Palestinians for their own state. Sharon's critics say he's giving away Gaza and getting nothing in return. Some say Gaza is part of the Jews' biblical heritage, and Sharon has no right to abandon it. British Prime Minister Tony Blair sent Sharon a message of support. "I greatly admire the courage with which you have developed and implemented this policy," he wrote.
Palestinians urged to remain calm: Meanwhile, Palestinians have been asked to wait patiently for the Gaza pullout to conclude. "There is a requirement to ensure the withdrawal take place in a civilized manner,'' Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told The Associated Press. "We will be able to show the world we deserve independence and freedom.'' Abbas warned Palestinians not to engage in looting after the withdrawal. He also asked them not to celebrate too openly, because the government seeks full independence in Gaza and sees Israel's withdrawal as only a minor victory. "The Israelis are still occupying our land. The road is still long ahead,'' Abbas said. Analysts say the greatest challenge awaiting Abbas is getting Hamas and other militants to obey the current ceasefire with Israel. Attacks have continued despite the upcoming pullout, some even injuring Palestinians. PM SHARON CONVENES MEETING OF MINISTERIAL DISENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE. (Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser). Prime Minister Ariel Sharon this evening convened a meeting of the Ministerial Disengagement Committee. Committee members approved increasing the number of hotel rooms designated to absorb settlers from the Gaza Strip and northern Samaria from approximately 1,000 rooms to approximately 2,000 rooms. At the behest of Prime Minister Sharon, it was also decided to offer settlers lodging at full board, with the number of rooms allocated to each family being in proportion to the size of the family. Prime Minister Sharon instructed the relevant officials to promote - as much as possible - the arrival of new residents to the south of the country in the context of Disengagement Plan. The Prime Minister said that several groups of settlers have expressed interest in moving their residences to the Negev and added that the Government would make every effort to put such plans into practice. Committee members made a series of decisions regarding the construction of temporary and permanent housing for Gaza Strip and northern Samaria settlers. Approximately 130 additional deluxe 90-square meter mobile homes will be ordered for families that have already reached agreement with the Government; public institutions and areas will be built in communities that are designated to absorb settlers (Yad Binyamin, Mavki'im, Karmiya, Or Haner and Mefalsim); and infrastructure planning will proceed regarding the construction of permanent housing in Bustan Hagalil, Magen Shaul and Ein Zurim. Committee members approved assistance for bereaved families in moving the graves of their loved ones from the Gaza Strip to inside Israeli territory. Prime Minister Sharon announced that the Committee would hold an additional discussion on Thursday, 18.8.05. By Dr. Aaron Lerner. Briefing by Head of Gaza DCO. Key Points from the press briefing held earlier today by Colonel Yoav Mordechai, Head of the District Coordination Office: Over the past two months, there have been intensive negotiations between the IDF and the Palestinian Authority (PA), which started with meetings between defense ministers Shaul Mofaz and Nasser Yusef and worked their way down to the level of battalion commanders and field officers. Joint control centers of the IDF and PA Security Forces at Erez and Rafah are currently operating. The Palestinian deployment of forces throughout the Gaza Strip that began on Sunday was the result of negotiations on Sunday between battalion commanders. 24 battalions of Palestinian Security Forces have been deployed, which is estimated at 10-11,000 men. The goal is to build a blocking wall of joint forces near the settlements. The Palestinian street is not aware that the IDF does not intend to hand over control over the strip for a month and half, because it will take time to remove all of the military assets in the strip. This lack of understanding is due to inaccurate reporting and premature Palestinian celebrations. After the evacuation, the IDF will maintain a strong presence and will not allow anyone inside evacuated communities until the military evacuation has been completed. A quiet disengagement is in the Palestinian interest, so the IDF expects the PA to maintain control over Hamas. The IDF is prepared to use force if fired upon during the evacuation but hopes it won't be necessary
Photo: Palestinian Kassam missiles. frequently launched by Palestinians against Israelis villages and towns. They said targets of the Hizbullah-financed missiles would include Israel's international airport at Lod. So far, Hizbullah has been funding operatives of the ruling Fatah movement and the Iranian-sponsored Islamic Jihad to develop and produce the missiles. The sources said these operatives were based in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, Middle East Newsline reported. [In the United States, two employees of a shipping company have pleaded guilty in connection with a planned shipment of night-vision goggles and infrared sights to Hizbullah.  The two employees comprised a Lebanese and an Israeli and were arrested in New York City in an FBI sting operation.] Israeli authorities have arrested two members of the Hizbullah-financed cell, established in early 2005. Officials said the cell comprised members of Fatah and Jihad who sought to carry out missions for Hizbullah. Photo: Kassam carried on shoulders by Hammas terrorists. Hizbullah was said to have stressed the need to develop missiles that could strike Israeli communities either in the West Bank or Israel. The sources said Hizbullah urged operatives to manufacture Kassam-class short-range missiles designed by Hamas. "The cell operatives repeatedly attempted to manufacture projectiles including Kassam rockets, and carried out an experiment that failed to launch two Kassam rockets at the [northern West Bank] community of Kadim," an Israeli government statement said on Aug. 2. The two leading operatives in the Hizbullah-financed cell were identified as Raid Higawi and Yussef Aziz. The sources said Higawi confessed that Hizbullah funded and supported the cell. The sources said Hizbullah was also funding similar efforts in the West Bank city of Nablus. Hamas was also said to have been involved in these efforts. Source: World Tribune. Syria breaks military ties with Lebanon; U.S. eyes Egypt, Jordan to play new supporting roles Geostrategy-Direct, www.geostrategy-direct.com, August 16, 2005. Syria has severed its 30-year-long links with the Lebanese military. Lebanese sources said the Syrian Army has suspended training and procurement programs with Beirut's military. Syria has ended the supply of ammunition, logistics and spare parts required to maintain the Lebanese military. "Syria provided us with just enough to maintain basic defensive operations," a source said. "As of June 30, that ended as well." Meanwhile, Egypt has offered to participate in an Arab effort to rebuild Lebanon's military. U.S. officials said Egypt has agreed to a Bush administration plan for an Arab effort to train and equip Lebanon's military and security forces. Lebanese sources said that for years Syria looted Lebanese military warehouses to help maintain their troops in Lebanon. At the same time, Damascus also transferred surplus Soviet-origin T-55 main battle tanks and 130-mm artillery systems. Many of these platforms could not be operated because of a lack of maintenance and spare parts. Syria withdrew its troops from Lebanon in late April 2005. Since then, Syria's military has shunned Lebanon as border tensions developed. On Aug. 1, Damascus failed to send a Syrian military delegation to attend Lebanese Army Day celebrations. No explanation was given, but sources cited calls by the new government of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora to disarm Palestinian militias supported by Syria. Syria has also halted training courses for Lebanese officers. Egypt and Jordan have discussed helping train and supply the Lebanese Army with U.S. support and France has also raised such a possibility. U.S. officials said Cairo has offered to train Lebanese soldiers for eventual deployment in southern Lebanon, now controlled by the Iranian-sponsored Hizbullah. "We think the Egyptian offer of training and other support is an excellent one," said Assistant Secretary of State David Welch. "And it's good that some of our moderate Arab friends are stepping forward in the Lebanese context and in other contexts to offer such assistance. It's up to the Lebanese government if they want to avail itself of that, but we have no objection." Welch did not identify other Arab countries that have offered to help train the Lebanese military. But officials said Jordan has already relayed such a request to the State Department. Under the plan, the U.S. would pay Arab countries to train Lebanon's military and security forces. Officials said Egypt would be responsible for training both the military and paramilitary security forces in an effort to impose order in such areas as southern Lebanon. "We are going to organize an assessment of the Lebanese security forces if we are invited by the Lebanese government to do so," Welch said. "I have some expectation that we will be. As you know, in the past we have had some limitations on providing military support to the Lebanese government. But there's a different environment now and a different context, and we would look at that." Officials said Hizbullah would be the leading challenge to the Lebanese military and security forces. Hizbullah has refused to surrender its weapons and officials said Iran continues to supply and train Hizbullah. "There is absolutely no reason in the world why Lebanon's military cannot disarm Hizbullah, control the nation's borders and assume a long-overdue and effective role in the fight against terrorism," said Rep. Tom Lantos, ranking Democrat on the House International Relations Committee. "The Lebanese army has 70,000 increasingly well- trained and well-armed troops. Hizbullah, according to all experts, has a tiny fraction of that," he said.
Photos from L to R: #1. An Jewish settler stands outside her home where protesters set up a burning barricade inside the Jewish settlement of Neve Dekalim, in the southern Gaza Strip Wednesday Aug. 17, 2005. #2. A Jewish settler stands next to her family's belongings packed into a truck and trailer as they prepare to leave the Jewish settlement of Neve Dekalim, in the southern Gaza Strip Wednesday Aug. 17, 2005. Besides attacking troops, demonstrators – many of whom were not settlement residents, but who came to protest the withdrawal -- also tried to disrupt the departure of settlers who had chosen to leave. Non-residents are believed to constitute the majority of those mounting the strongest opposition to the withdrawal. According to police spokesperson Avi Zelba, about 500 people illegally in Gaza were arrested overnight, and dozens were caught trying to enter from Israel. The army estimates as many as 5,000 have illegally entered Gaza from Israel in recent weeks. About 2,000 Israeli soldiers are deployed in the settlement. They are making one last effort to urge residents to leave on their own. Earlier, the army said that security forces had detained 50 Israelis Tuesday, in clashes with police and soldiers who were attempting to hand out final eviction notices. Most of those detained were in Gaza's largest Jewish settlement, Neve Dekalim, where CTV's Janis Mackey Frayer says opposition to the withdrawal has been the most intense. "There was very fierce reaction today," she told CTV early Tuesday. "Israeli soldiers and police literally had to cut down the gate to this settlement." Just 24 hours earlier, the settlement had been barricaded when security forces attempted entry to deliver 48-hour eviction notices. Returning Tuesday with more than 100 moving trucks, the barricade was dismantled and soldiers and police with their arms locked together again moved in. "It was an intensely emotional scene," Mackey Frayer said. "A lot of soldiers were upset by this as well, despite weeks of training to deal with what is seen as a traumatic incident." Despite intense resistance in some quarters, three Gaza settlements and two West Bank communities were already empty by nightfall, with another five in Gaza headed the same way. At a news conference Tuesday, Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said he hoped at least half of Gaza's 8,500 residents would be out by midnight. "We will make every effort, the army and the police, to have law and order in this process and anyone who acts illegally will be treated according to the law," Mofaz said. Other sites of opposition include:
"They've gone to great lengths to make sure this is a lawful and democratic process," Mackey Frayer said, noting the series of votes and court rulings that preceded the final approval of Sharon's cabinet on Monday. The evacuation of all 21 Gaza settlements is slated to be completed by September 4, followed shortly after by the withdrawal from another four in the West Bank. The settlers will either be moved to temporary housing in Israel, some will stay with relatives, while others will go to hotels. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has hailed the withdrawal as a historic first step to a broader Israeli retreat, while the militant group Hamas has characterized the plan as a victory for their campaign of violence. Brg. Gen. Dan Harel told AP the co-operation with the Palestinian Authority has been very good. Only three Palestinian-related attacks have occurred since Monday, he said. UNFORGETTABLE SAD DAYS IN THE HISTORY OF ISRAEL
Thousands of Israeli troops drag sobbing Jewish settlers out of homes, synagogues and even a nursery Photos from L to R: #1. Israeli police officers out of the Jewish settlement of Neve Dekalim, in the Gush Katif bloc of settlements, in the southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday. #2. Trying to shame Israeli troops, a settler holds up her baby in front of the soldiers who were waiting to evict the settlers from their home in the Jewish settlement of Neve Dekalim, in the southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday. DE LAFAYETTE: "THIS COULD BE THE MOST IMPORTANT AND COSTLY DECISION EVER MADE IN THE HISTORY OF ISRAEL!" NEVE DEKALIM, Gaza Strip- Thousands of Israeli troops dragged sobbing Jewish settlers out of homes, synagogues and even a nursery school Wednesday and hauled them onto buses in a massive evacuation, fulfilling Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's promise to withdraw from the Gaza Strip after a 38-year occupation.
Israel to Retain Full Security Control of Northern West Bank. 'Gaza Would Be Similar to Area A, West Bank to Area B': Israeli Diplomat. Palestine Media Center - PMC [Official PA website]. The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on Tuesday reported to the United States security envoy William Wards and the international Quartet of peace mediators that Israel would retain overall security responsibility and the "right to take action" in the northern West Bank after evacuating four small Jewish colonies from the area early next month. "Overall security responsibility will remain in our hands," The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday quoted an Israeli senior diplomatic official as saying. "No one can expect us to leave completely. We reserve the option to go into those areas and conduct searches," the official said, adding: "This area is within jogging distance of Afula, and is a major stronghold for renegade groups, such as the Aksa Martyrs Brigades." Using Oslo terminology, he said that following disengagement, "Gaza would be similar to Area A, while northern Samaria (West Bank) would be akin to Area B." He said that while the PNA would have administrative control of the abandoned settlements in northern West Bank, they would fall under overall Israeli security control, even if the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) would not be deployed on every hill, The Post reported. The situation would be reevaluated if the PNA proved able to control the northern West Bank, he added. According to the Israeli cabinet resolution adopting the disengagement plan in June 2004, "Israel will evacuate an area in Northern Samaria (Ganim, Kadim, Sa-Nur and Homesh), and all military installations in this area, and will re-deploy outside the vacated area." The resolution also said that, "upon completion of this process, there shall no longer be any permanent presence of Israeli security forces in this area. The move will enable territorial contiguity for Palestinians in the Northern Samaria area." The IOF on Tuesday closed part of the northern West Bank to "Israeli civilians" to keep Israeli opponents of the withdrawal out of the area, Israeli radio reported. Palestinian officials have confirmed to The Jerusalem Post that they have been told this by Israel as well. Palestinian Interior Minister Nassr Yousef expressed fears that Israel would retain effective control of the northern West Bank after the planned withdrawal. A Western diplomatic official told the Post that Yousef complained to US envoy Lt.-Gen. William Ward during a meeting on Tuesday. "In the meetings that we have held in the last 48 hours with the Israelis, our teams told us that Israel may change their minds about pulling out of the north West Bank," Yousef told reporters after a meeting with General Ward. "This is a source of worry and we told General Ward and the international groups we met today about our concerns," he added. On Monday Israel ruled out giving the Palestinians their own gate to the world, insisting at the last minute Monday it will control traffic in and out of the Gaza Strip after Israeli settlers and soldiers leave, vindicating Palestinian fears of transforming the Gaza Strip into the world's largest prison. The PNA had confirmed that Israel's unilateral withdrawal "will not change the legal status" of the "evacuated" areas and the Jewish state "will remain an occupying power."
Major General Dan Harel of the Southern Command addressed residents of the Gaza Strip in a letter: "In accordance with the law to actualize the disengagement plan, 2005, and in accordance with the government's decision and the order of the Prime Minister, residents have been asked to clear out their houses and leave the Gaza Strip by midnight of the 14th of August, 2005. Photo: Major General Dan Harel. At this hour, the period of 'willing evacuation' will cease and the check point at the entrance of the Strip will be closed to entering citizens. After midnight on the 14th of August, continued stay in the Gaza Strip will be considered illegal. The letter went on to say that, "over the years the IDF has protected the Gaza communities with a sense of unity with the residents and a feeling that it was carrying out a national mission. So too now, during this operation, The IDF will act with a sense of commonality with the Gaza residents, sharing their journey and pain. With that said, the IDF as the army of a democratic country, will complete the mission in its entirety." The Chief of Staff of the Southern Command, Brigadier General Guy Zur, also addressed a letter to Gaza residents, delineating the procedures to be followed by the army during the upcoming evacuation: "On the morning of the 15th of August 2005, security forces will arrive and give you orders to vacate your homes. Assistance will be given to residents who choose to leave before midnight of the 16th of August in order to make any last minute organization they need to do easier for them. Assistance will be given by soldiers and moving companies upon request to pack away personal belongings and public property (not including business property). Also, those who choose to leave before this time will be allowed to leave in their own private vehicles. Also, those who leave by the designated time will be able to choose how they part from their homes. Jewish extremists against Gaza pullout could be held without charge or trial JERUSALEM- Israeli Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz said Saturday he would consider holding Jewish extremists bent on derailing Israel's upcoming Gaza Strip withdrawal without charge or trial, after a Jewish army deserter opposed to the pullout shot four Israeli Arabs to death. Israel has frequently employed the procedure, known as administrative detention, against Palestinians, but rarely uses it against Jews. Mofaz acknowledged that an intelligence desk set up to deal with the withdrawal "didn't operate well" in the case of Thursday's attack, when the soldier opened fire on a bus in a northern Arab town. "We will also consider something that I oppose but the Shin Bet (security service) recommends: We will consider administrative detentions . . . of all those the Shin Bet recommends," he said. He would not estimate how many people might be detained under such circumstances, but said the detentions would be "pinpointed." Soldiers went to the extremist West Bank settlement of Tapuah, where Eden Natan-Zada, 19, fled after he deserted, but did not find him there, Mofaz said. "That doesn't mean that everything was done," he said. "When you have a deserter missing for 45 days, gun in hand, in the Tapuah area, and parents who cautioned (the military) about him, that should have set off alarm bells." The boy's father said he had asked the army to find his son. He said he was concerned his son's weapons would fall into the hands of fanatics in Tapuah. Israeli Arab leaders meeting in Nazareth criticized the government for failing to intercept Natan-Zada before he attacked. The soldier, who was wearing the skullcap, beard and sidelocks of an ultra-Orthodox Jew, opened fire on the driver then killed three other passengers before he was subdued and beaten to death by an angry crowd. "This man's name was known to the Shin Bet, and the army didn't let police know he had deserted . . . He had a uniform and a gun, and was wandering free," said Mohammed Barakeh, a legislator. "Just as they go after act against Palestinian 'ticking bombs,' so should they act against Jewish 'ticking bombs,' " the Haaretz newspaper cited Ibrahim Sarsur, a leader of Israel's Islamic Movement, as saying. The two were among hundreds of Arab leaders who met to discuss how their angry community should respond to the slayings. They agreed to hold a mass protest, but did not set a date. Although the mood among Israeli Arabs is grim, they "don't want to respond in an incendiary way," Barakeh said. Sarsur called on the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which has threatened retaliation for the attack, to "mind its own business and let the (Israeli) Arab public handle the matter," Haaretz reported. Although meeting participants advocated non-violence, the potential for friction was inherent in the Islamic Movement's call for a mass turnout at a Jerusalem shrine that is a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Barakeh said the Islamic Movement issued a statement urging Israeli Muslims to turn out in force at the Temple Mount, or Haram as-Sharif, compound on Aug. 14, a Jewish holy day when many observant Jews are expected to visit the site to pray for the cancellation of the withdrawal. By Amy Tebel. VPM Peres: "Bush doesn't object to settlement blocs - if Palestinians don't." Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres told Israel Radio in a live interview broadcast on Israel Radio this morning that the meaning of the much touted letter from President Bush (that is frequently cited by the Sharon team as a key justification for withdrawal) is that "President Bush does not object to Israel retaining large settlement blocs - if the Palestinians agree". Peres suggested that while it appears from previous negotiations that the Palestinians may agree to a land swap that would enable Israel to retain the Etzion Bloc as well as Maaleh Adumim and a "tightly defined Ariel bloc" that he is certain that retention of Hebron would be a non-starter with the Palestinians. With regards to if the US is interested already in another retreat after the retreat planned now from Gaza and northern Samaria, Peres observed that if another retreat is not worked on immediately after the currently slated retreat that further withdrawals could be expected to be postponed until after Israeli elections take place. By Dr. Aaron Lerner.
The Military Advocate General instructed today, that investigation should commence regarding the officer, Lieutenant Amital Bar'el, who was photographed yesterday calling on soldiers serving at the Kissufim pass to refuse orders. The officer's commanders are currently looking into the implementation of disciplinary steps against the officer. The investigations will be carried out by the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the IDF and all findings will be passed onto the Military Advocate General who will decide how to proceed. The IDF will continue to act decisively against any manifestation of insubordination, or outspoken call to refuse orders, or any expression of personal political views within the framework of army service. The IDF does not choose its missions, as challenging as they may be, and it is the responsibility of its officers and soldiers to faultlessly complete those missions. By Dr. Aaron Lerner. Israel elected deputy chairman of UN Disarmament Commission. (Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman). Israel last night was elected to the deputy chairmanship of the United Nations Disarmament Commission (UNDC). The position will be filled by Meir Yitzhaki, deputy director of the ministry's department for arms control. The UNDC is a subsidiary body of the General Assembly and serves to recommend to it ways to solve problems on the global agenda of disarmament. The decisions taken by the UNDC form the basis for future international action in disarmament. Formed in 1978, the UNDC's mandate is to deal with both conventional and nuclear disarmament. Israel's election represents an impressive achievement at the UN and an expression of its effort to become substantively integrated in various UN activities. In addition, Israel's election to the sensitive task of nuclear disarmament is an expression of its professional capacity to contribute to a field that is itself problematic for Israel. By Dr. Aaron Lerner. Ami Ayalon Concedes Maximum 70 cars participated in pro-disengagement public campaign. By Dr. Aaron Lerner. Former Shin Bet
security service chief Ami Ayalon conceded in a live interview
broadcast this morning on Israel Radio that a maximum of 70 cars -
"and at times fewer" participated in a heavily publicized
pro-disengagement public campaign he carried out along with the
Council for Peace and Security [termed by its critics the "Council of
ex-brass for any and every withdrawal"]. "If you count the people we
passed by there were thousands", Ayalon noted. Dubbed "Leaving Gaza -
Returning to Zionism," the heavily publicized campaign was said to
"shake up the silent majority that supports the pullout plan, rather
than leaving the streets to the disengagement opponents". It remains
unclear if the poor turnout will have an impact on the financial
support that various foreign governments and other foreign elements
have provided to the efforts of Ayalon and the "Council for Peace and
Security" to promote various withdrawal schemes. Israel is set to remove all its forces from the Egyptian border as part of its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz says. Israel had originally planned to leave a small number of troops to police the "Philadelphi Road" border area, a major conduit for arms trafficking. But progress between Israel and Egypt at recent security talks has reassured Mr Mofaz, reports say. A force of 750 Egyptian policemen is now expected to secure the border. "I will not leave an enclave there. As far as I am concerned, by the end of the evacuation [in October] ... we will be out of Philadelphi Road," Mr Mofaz told the Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot. But he added that the agreement was dependent on guarantees yet to made by the Egyptians. Relations between Israel and Egypt have improved in recent months, with both countries keen to ensure that Palestinian militants Hamas do not fill a vacuum left by the Israeli withdrawal. An Israeli parliamentary committee had warned against the plan to station Egyptian troops along the Gaza-Egypt border. The panel said it believed Egypt may use the move as a way to regain military control in the Sinai region. Only "tens" at ending of Ami Ayalon's heavily advertised pro-disengagement campaign. Ynet reports that "tens" of people participated in the event at Zion Square in Jerusalem marking the culmination of Former Shin Bet security service chief Ami Ayalon's heavily publicized pro-disengagement public campaign that he carried out along with the Council for Peace and Security termed by its critics the "Council of ex-brass for any and every withdrawal". Ayalon received considerable airtime before the closing event - with both interviews and mention on the hourly news. The group also paid for a series of radio advertisements calling on people to attend the event. Dubbed "Leaving Gaza - Returning to Zionism," the campaign was supposed to "shake up the silent majority that supports the pullout plan, rather than leaving the streets to the disengagement opponents". It remains unclear if the poor turnout will have an impact on the financial support that various foreign governments and other foreign elements have provided to the efforts of Ayalon and the "Council for Peace and Security" to promote various withdrawal schemes. By Dr. Aaron Lerner. Poll: 57% support disengagement, Likud split into Sharon and Netanyahu wings would get 51 seats combined. By Dr. Aaron Lerner. Adult Israelis (including Israeli Arabs) - week of 29 July 2005. Sample size not indicated. 49% Satisfied with Sharon. 62% Feel personally secure. 57% Favor disengagement [54% among Jews]. Who would you vote if elections were held today and the Likud splits? . Results presented in mandates - current Knesset in [brackets] - poll ignores that Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu will not be running together with National Union. 30 [---]Likud - Sharon wing. 21 [---]Likud - Netanyahu wing 51[40] Total Likud of two wings. 18 [22] Labor (with Amir Peretz's One Nation). 09 [15] Shinui. 10 [11] Shas. 07 [07] National Union [with Yisrael Beiteinu]. 06 [06] Yachad [Meretz]. 04 [06] NRP. 05 [05] Yahadut Hatorah. 10 [08] Arab parties. Grade from 1 to 10 (averages) on how the following have handled the matter of the disengagement so far: IDF 7.1, Prime Minister Sharon 5.4, Disengagement Authority 5.3, Settlers 4.9. Which side do you agree with in the dispute that residents of various locations in Israel and environmentalists have with the cellular telephone companies regarding the health risks of cellular antennas? Environmentalists 78% Cellular companies 13%. Would you agree to have a antenna for a cellular telephone company on your roof in return for a monthly payment of $ 1,500 - $ 2,500? Yes 12% No 82%. There were rumors circulating at the start of the week that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had a heat attack. How did the rumors reach you? Word of mouth 4% Media 57% Didn't hear 39%. When you watch television who usually holds the remote control? Father 18% Mother 15% One of the kids 16%. Do you usually watch the same channel the whole night or switch between channels? Same channel 13% Switch 72%. When you watch television at home what do you usually do during the advertisements?. Watch 8% Do something else 57%. Watch and do something else 24%. Knesset Orders Full Investigation of Prime Minister Sharon's Appointee to Coordinate Disengagement Policies. By David Bedein. On Thursday, July 28th, 2005, MK Uri Ariel's office informed the press that the Knesset has formally delegated the Israel State Comptroller to launch a formal investigation into the allegations that Eival Giladi, appointed by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to coordinate public policies of Israel's Disengagement process, remains in a situation of conflict of interests, since Giladi also administers the Portland Trust, whose task it is to raise half a billion dollars of capital to develop housing and business interests for Palestinian Arab interests who would replace the Jewish communities slated for eviction. MK Ariel asked for a copy of the conflict of interests agreement which the PM office had announced on July 26th that Giladi had signed an hour before the Knesset Controls Committee had met on that same day. However, the PM office would not provide a copy for the Knesset. An examination of the official Knesset record of July 13th, 2005 finds that the government of Israel had already misled the Knesset on this matter, when an Israeli government minister, Meir Shitrit, responded to MK Ariel's questions about Giladi's conflict of interest by saying that Giladi had already signed the conflict of interest agreement, which the PM office admitted on July 26th to the Knesset Committee that he had not done so. With disengagement public policy being coordinated by Giladi, the question remains as to whether Giladi will remain in his position and whether Giladi represents the tip of the iceberg of Israeli government conflicts of interest. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Controversial curse film.
The Peace Now movement in Israel has
called on a television station not to show a controversial film by
right-wing extremists. The
footage shows a ceremony in which the extremists call for the death of
the prime minister, Ariel Sharon. In it several men pray for Mr Sharon
to be killed because of his plans to pull out of Gaza and parts of the
West Bank. By paying for the rights to the video the Channel 2 in
Great Britain program was an accessory to a crime, said Peace
Now. The film is scheduled to be broadcast as part of the Channel 2
current affairs program Mishal Kham. A trailer has already been
broadcast and shows a group of men performing the rite of Pulsa Denura
- an ancient curse with its origins in Jewish mysticism. Pulsa Denura
means "whip of fire" in Aramaic. Participants in the ceremony call
upon angels of destruction to refuse to forgive the subject of the
rite and to kill him, using a series of curses from the Bible. The
ceremony was performed by far-right extremists in the months before
the former prime minister, Yitzhak Rabin, was assassinated in November
1995. Although his assassin was not associated with the group that
called down the curse, the ceremony added to the feverish mood that
preceded Rabin's killing. Rite 'despicable': That is why Mishal
Kham believes it is justified in showing the footage, which was filmed
last Thursday in the small northern town of Rosh Pina. But the
decision to air the video has provoked controversy and condemnation in
some quarters of Israel - as has the fact that the program
reportedly paid the right-wingers $5,000 for the footage. Avi Barzilai
is the executive producer at rival TV station, Channel 10, and has
dismissed the rite as "a despicable ceremony by despicable people
bought and broadcast by individuals who pretend to be journalists and
would do anything to raise their ratings". A spokesman for the Peace
Now movement, Yariv Oppenheimer, said: "Mishal Kham's willingness to
pay for the tape makes it an accessory to a crime, and a major inciter
of violence". Peace Now has called on the regulatory body for TV to
stop the full broadcast of the tape. On Israeli Army radio, one of the
leading right-wing rabbis, Beit-El Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, said the Pulsa
Denura ceremony was the act of extremists, who were only after media
attention. "Don't give people ideas. The media have no small part in
this agitation," he added. Certainly, the broadcasting of the footage
comes at an extremely volatile time in Israel, as settlers and their
supporters intensify protests against Mr Sharon's withdrawal plan, due
to begin in August. By Sebatian Usherr. Israel will surround Gaza with impenetrable barrier system with fences, electronic sensors, watchtowers mounted with remote-control machine-guns and hundreds of video and night-vision cameras. The Running about 60 kilometres around the seaside territory, the new barrier will cost about $220 million and will be completed by mid-2006, military officials said. EREZ CROSSING, Gaza Strip- Israel will beef up its border with the Gaza Strip after next month's withdrawal, the army said Thursday, disclosing details of a high-tech triple complex to ring the coastal strip with what they hope will be the world's most impenetrable barrier. The barrier system will surround Gaza with fences, electronic sensors, watchtowers mounted with remote-control machine-guns and hundreds of video and night-vision cameras, the military said. In the West Bank on Thursday, Israeli forces killed an Islamic Jihad activist in an arrest raid. Soldiers surrounded a house in the village of Shufa and ordered everyone out. The activist's father emerged and said no one else was inside, but a dog sent in by soldiers found the suspect, and soldiers killed him. Army Radio reported he was involved in the July 12 suicide bombing in the nearby city of Netanya that killed five Israelis. Visiting Gaza on Thursday, Vice-Premier Shimon Peres called for massive international aide to upgrade the crossings for the good of the Palestinian economy. "We don't want to leave Gaza and keep Gaza closed. We want to facilitate movement of people and movement of goods," Peres said during a tour of two of the crossings. Peres, who is overseeing the economic issues connected to the Israeli withdrawal, could face significant challenges in carrying out his plan - especially the cost. Peres said roughly $120 million US is needed to improve the three main crossings. He said the money would be used on new technology that would allow goods to move quickly in and out of Gaza, and to reduce the wait times for Palestinian labourers entering Israel. Israeli officials already have begun making improvements to the Erez crossing, the main entry point for Palestinian labourers. A concrete shell that will become a high-tech pedestrian crossing is under construction. Israeli officials said the terminal is expected to facilitate passage of 20,000 to 30,000 workers a day, three times the number permitted now. But Israel's main concern is keeping Palestinian attackers out. About 100 suicide bombers have infiltrated Israel from the West Bank during more than four years of conflict, but the current relatively simple fence around Gaza has prevented most infiltrations by armed Palestinians. On Thursday the military laid out its plans for the new barrier, including new army bases and seven-metre concrete walls around nearby Israeli communities to stop Palestinian sniper fire. The new Gaza barrier draws on experience from the West Bank barrier Israel is building and the high-tech border fence with Lebanon, the army said, but it will be more advanced. Palestinians trying to infiltrate Israel would first encounter fence made of coiled razor wire. They would then have to cross a patrol road before reaching the current barrier, a fence with electronic sensors that sends a signal to a central command whenever it is touched or cut. If they passed this barrier, they would have to traverse a 130-metre swath of land filled with motion sensors and scanned by an array of day-and night-optical devices, before reaching the third and newest electronic fence. Watchtowers armed with remote-controlled machine-guns are to be built every two kilometres, and within a year, remote-controlled unmanned vehicles will begin patrolling the area. By Daniele Hass. Investigation Commences of Alleged Corruption on the Highest Level of the Disengagement Process. By David Bedein Photo:
Brig. General Eival Giladi.
The Israel Parliamentary Knesset Oversight Committee, which oversees
all aspects of Israel Government Accountability, chaired by Member
of Knesset Dr. Yuri Shtern, has summoned the Israeli official
appointed by the Prime Minister of Israel to implement the
Disengagement to explain a potential conflict of interest that could
bring the disengagement process to an unexpected halt. The hearing
will take place at the Knesset on Tuesday, July 26th, at 9:30 a.m.
Summons have also gone out for representatives of Israel's State
Comptroller, The Office of the Prime Minister, the Israeli Police
and the Israel Ministry of Justice to also appear. What has been
widely reported in the Israeli media is that the head of the
coordination and strategy team in the Prime Minister's Office in
charge of Disengagement, Eival Giladi has also been named as CEO of
a massive business venture for Palestinians in Gaza, known as "The
Portland Trust". Giladi's highly publicized role in the Portland
Trust is to raise half a billion dollars in business loans for
business and housing development programs for Palestinians in Gaza,
in order to facilitate the construction of 150,000 homes that would
be replace the housing in 22 Jewish communities of Katif - the same
communities where Giladi is set to oversee their demolition. In
other words: Giladi stands to profit from ventures that would help
Palestinians who would benefit from the removal of Jews from their
homes - providing Giladi a private financial incentive for him to
succeed in his position. The logical question to ask would be
whether Giladi has signed any kind of standard civil service
agreement with the office of the Prime Minister of Israel that would
constrain Giladi from entering into any potential conflict of
interest in his role public service position. One month ago, after
Israel Resource News Agency in Jerusalem first raised the
possibility of a potential conflict of interest, the spokesman of
the Israel Civil Service Commission told the IMRA news agency in
Raanana that the commission would look into the matter. Since then,
the commission spokesman has not returned any calls in this regard.
Two weeks ago, the spokesman of the Prime Minister told Makor Rishon,
a weekly newspaper published in Tel Aviv, Israel, that Giladi had
indeed signed an agreement that would obviate any potential conflict
of interest. However, the spokesman was not willing to provide the
media with a copy of the agreement. Instead, the Prime Minister's
spokesman has asked that any requests to review Giladi's agreement
be processed through the new Israel Freedom of Information Act, a
procedure which usually takes several months. Well after the
disengagement process has been completed. Meanwhile, the businessman
who is the overall investor in the Portland Trust is Sir Ronald
Cohen, the British billionaire who has recently bought a controlling
interest in Bezek, the Israeli communications conglomerate which
holds a monopoly over telephone land lines in Israel. Sir Ronald
Cohen is not only well connected in Israel. Cohen is also a well
known advisor and supporter of Gordon Brown, the British Chancellor
of the Exchequer, the ministry of finance. The Cohen appointment of
Giladi presents yet another potential of conflict of interest, since
the Portland Trust's corporate portfolio openly states that one of
the purposes of the trust is to advance the interests of both the
British government and the European Union. With the U.K. assuming
the chairmanship of the EU for the next six months, this carries
even greater importance. The Knesset investigation will also have to
determine is whether Giladi, an appointee of the office of the Prime
Minister of Israel to implement the disengagement process, is at the
one and the same time also advancing the diplomatic interests of
foreign powers in that same disengagement process. The Knesset Committee investigation of Giladi may lead to questions about another key Israeli official's potential conflict of interests - The Prime Minister's most important advisor, Dov Weisglass. Weisglass did sign a standard anti-conflict of interest agreement with the legal advisor of the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel, which committed Weisglass to not engage in any Palestinian business connections, so long as he held public office, which our news agency has reviewed. There is no stipulation that Weisglass cannot resume Palestinian business connections when he leaves public service. Since Weisglass's law firm holds a contract for representing casino development under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority, the recommendation of the Portland Trust for further casino development inside the Palestinian Authority would be of particular interest to Weisglass, should be decide to leave his public position. In sum, all mainstream Israeli media outlets have publicized Giladi's parallel appointments to the run the disengagement process for the Prime Minister office and to run a corporation for Palestinian development when he will see personal financial stake in this process. No media in Israel have called into question what seems to be a clear conflict of interest. Until now. All this, with the implementation of the Disengagement scheduled to commence less than three weeks after the Knesset investigation of corruption on the highest levels of the Disengagement Process will begin.
Photo: The terrorist, Jihad Shahada. Photo credits: Yael Bar- Hillel, IDF spokesperson. In a joint IDF, ISA and Israeli police operation last night, July 23rd, 2005 a Palestinian terrorist wearing an explosive belt was arrested near the Israeli kibbutz of Nir- Am in the western Negev. Security forces spotted the terrorist, who had infiltrated the security fence surrounding the northern Gaza strip and subsequent searches were conducted in the area by forces in an attempt to apprehend him. The terrorist, Jihad Shahada was identified and arrested by an IDF force last night near kibbutz Nir Am. The 5 kg explosive belt he had been wearing was detonated in a controlled manner by IDF sappers. Jihad Shahada, born in 1987 and a resident of the Jabaliyah refugee camp in the northern Gaza strip is a member in the Shuhada El Aktza terror network within the Fatah organization. An ISA investigation into the incident revealed that Shahada was dispatched by Salem Tabat to carry out the suicide bombing attack in a central and heavily populated area in Tel Aviv. This morning Israeli policemen arrested another Palestinian man in Jaffa. The Palestinian, aged 25 and a resident of the Gaza strip had apparently infiltrated into Israel with the would-be suicide bomber Jihad Shahada and aided him in the terror attack attempt. The Palestinian is being questioned by security forces. This is yet another attempted suicide bombing attack originating from the Gaza strip. The most recent attempt was in June 2005 when a young woman attempted to enter Israel through the Erez security crossing wearing an explosive belt. The woman had planned to carry out a suicide bombing attack inside Israel 92 infiltration attempts into Israel from the Gaza strip have been thwarted by security forces since the beginning of 2005. This is the first Palestinian terrorist who has managed to infiltrate Israel from inside Gaza since the beginning of the year. The IDF remains determined to battle terrorism and defend the safety of the citizens of the state of Israel. Haifa University Survey Finds Jewish Settlers in Gaza More Militant than Judea-Samaria Settlers on Eve of Disengagement.
HAIFA- Settlers in the Gaza area are much more
likely than Samaria-Judea residents to object to any disengagement plan to
evacuate Jewish settlements. By the same token, fewer Gaza settlers than
those in Samaria and Judea believe that increased compensation will make it
easier to carry out the disengagement plan. The greater militancy of Gaza
settlers shown by these and other findings of a University of Haifa survey
explains statements and actions of settler leaders from the two areas in last
week's march on Gush Katif. The University's National Security Studies Center
carried out the wide-ranging telephone survey of more than 1,000 Yesha
settlers in May and June. Among the findings, 81% of the Gaza settlers object
to any evacuation plan, compared with 62% of Jewish settlers on the West
Bank. As for increasing compensation to evacuated settlers, 77% of the
Samaria-Judea residents favor this step as an inducement to move, compared
with 68% of the Gaza residents. More than half of the latter (58.5%) think
soldiers should refuse to carry out evacuation orders, while only 37% of the
Jewish West Bankers agree. Although 4.7% of the Gazans would be ready to join
an independent paramilitary organization in order to prevent the evacuation of
Jewish settlements, only 2.5% of the Jewish settlers in the West Bank would do
this. Ironically, though, the survey found slightly more of those in Judea and
Samaria justifying the use of violence against other Jews in the context of
the struggle for Greater Land of Israel, 9.1% vs. 7.7%. Less than 1% in either
group would resort to some sort of less lethal weapon, such as knives or
rocks, against public figures advocating disengagement or against security
forces. Almost no one said they would take up firearms against fellow
Israelis. Large percentages of the settlers believe that extremists in
their midst harm the whole settlement enterprise. As would be expected fewer
Gaza settlers agree with the statement (42%) than Judea-Samaria residents
(54%). Similarly 44% of the latter say that isolated settlements should be
abandoned in order to preserve the large settlement blocs. Only 25% of the
Gaza settlers agree. Nearly 13% in both groups believe that a Jewish
underground is legitimate in the struggle to preserve the integrity of the
Land of Israel. The Haifa University survey also related to contradictions
between Jewish Law, Halachah, and the laws of the State. More than half of all
Yesha residents (52%) believe that the opinion of rabbis on the settlement
issue is more important that that of elected political leaders. More than
half of the Gaza residents (55%) do not feel obligated to follow a State law
that is in contradiction with Halachah; 46% of those in Judea and Samaria take
this stand. Finally, the Gaza area settlers believe more firmly in the right
of Jews to settle in all parts of the Promised Land, 90.5% vs. 79% of Jewish
West Bank settlers. By Dr. Aaron Lerner.
ISRAEL SUMMONS VATICAN- SHOCKED BY POPE'S OMISSION. NEW YORK- Consulate General of Israel in New York: "The State of Israel is enraged at the conspicuous absence of Israel in the list of countries hit by recent terrorist attacks cited by Pope Benedict XVI in his July 24th Sunday Sermon. The Pope condemned "the execrable terrorist attacks which caused death, destruction and violence in different countries including Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, and Britain," but did not mention the horrendous attack that took place in Israel last week. The terrorism that strikes Jews in Israel- including the attack last week that resulted in the murder and injury of many teenagers and children- is almost always immediately condemned by leaders of the free world. The Vatican's failure to condemn the latest attack cries to the heavens: aside from the moral lack thus revealed, it can only be interpreted as giving the stamp of approval to acts of terror committed against Jews. The stark omission of Israel by the Pope also encourages extreme anti-peace elements and weakens moderates. We expected different behavior from the new Pope, who from the beginning has expressed his views on the importance of relations between the Church and the Jewish people, especially this year, which "marks 40 years to the proclamation of the Nostra Aetate". We expect Pope Benedict, who called for "a dialogue among three religions that recognize Abraham as their father" to condemn the vicious terrorist attack directed at the Jews, just as he condemned other terrorist attacks. The Vatican's ambassador in Israel was summoned today (Monday, 25 July) to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem and informed of the above mentioned points." Communicated by David Saranga - Consul for Media & Public Affairs. PROCEDURES FOR RELEASE FROM CUSTOMS OF WIRELESS SATELLITE EQUIPMENT DURING THE DISENGAGEMENT PERIOD, 1.8-1.10.05 (Communicated by the Communications Ministry Deputy Director-General's Office). Following is a translation of a 22.7.05 letter from Communications Ministry Deputy Director-General Moshe Galili regarding the release of wireless satellite equipment from the Dept. of Customs and VAT during the disengagement period, 1.8-1.10.05: "1. A large number of journalists are expected to arrive in Israel between 1.8-1.10.05 in order to cover the implementation of the Disengagement Plan. 2. In continuation of a 20.7.05 discussion at the Foreign Ministry, it was requested that the Dept. of Dept. of Customs and VAT - during this period only - enact a special procedure to release journalists' wireless satellite communications equipment, such as SNG/satellite communications briefcases. 3. This SNG equipment will be released upon presentation of the necessary Dept. of Customs and VAT documents; the Dept. of Customs and VAT will admit it for entry under the Carnet de Passage (CP) procedure. Communications Ministry approval will not be required. 4. Mobile satellite broadcasting units that arrive at Ben-Gurion International Airport during this period will be released according to the regular procedure upon Communications Ministry approval even if the importation is carried out according to the CP process. 5. Regarding mobile satellite broadcasting units, GPO Director Daniel Seaman has been asked to update all of the foreign networks in Israel that even at present the following advance import process must be carried out: Receiving signed, written approval from five companies that provide satellite services in the State of Israel, that they are incapable of providing this service. Only after five such detailed approvals are received from the Israeli companies will the Communications Ministry act to provide for the release of the foreign company's mobile satellite broadcasting unit from the Dept. of Customs and VAT." By Dr. Aaron Lerner. Some 5,000 Israeli police and soldiers on Tuesday began practicing the forcible removal of Jewish settlers from their homes. ZEELIM MILITARY BASE, Israel - Some 5,000 Israeli police and soldiers on Tuesday began practicing the forcible removal of Jewish settlers from their homes, in the largest dress rehearsal yet for next month's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. The training ground, at a desert military base, was a mock Arab village initially built to train Israeli security forces in urban warfare against Palestinian militants. Next month, more withdrawal drills will be held at an Israeli communal farm which more closely resembles a Jewish settlement in Gaza. Commanders said Tuesday that about 50,000 police and soldiers will participate in the removal of 9,000 settlers - 8,500 in Gaza and 500 in four small settlements in the northern West Bank. The forcible evacuation is to start Aug. 17, and last about three weeks. Security forces will be deployed in several circles, with about 14,000 police and soldiers directly involved in the removal of settlers and the remainder protecting the frontline forces from possible Palestinian fire and securing the access roads to Gaza, where anti-pullout demonstrators are expected to stage rallies. Each settler family will be evacuated by a 17-member force, the police commander of the operation, Haggai Dotan, said at the start of Tuesday's drill. "We will come early in the mornings to introduce ourselves, not say why we are there, but rather how we are going to carry out the evacuation," he said. Yael Hartmann, an army spokeswoman, said the troops removing the settlers will not carry guns or batons, but will have non-lethal means, such as water cannons, for crowd control. It remains unclear whether settlers will voluntarily hand over their weapons, many of them army issue, before the withdrawal, or whether they will be disarmed by the security forces. Each unit will have several female officers to remove settler women, many of whom are religious and observe a strict separation of the sexes. Settlers who climb onto rooftops to evade the security forces will be dragged into containers dangling from cranes, military officials said. Once a house has been emptied, the settlers' belongings will be packed into boxes and removed by private companies. Initially, settler leaders said there would be large-scale resistance to the withdrawal. However, government officials have said nearly half of the settler families have in the meantime sought compensation, suggesting that a growing number would leave voluntarily. Security officials are most concerned about hundreds of withdrawal opponents, including extremists, who have sneaked into the Gaza Strip in recent days to reinforce the settlers. "This is very sensitive for us, and a very different mission from what we have previously trained for," Yiftah Rontal, the commander of the army's ground forces, said of the removal of settlers. Israeli Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz observed Tuesday's drill at the mock village, spread out over flat desert terrain and surrounded by wire fence. Tents were pitched in the camp and groups of soldiers and police were being briefed by their commanders, sitting in the shade or leaning against walls of box-style buildings. Some 5,000 security forces will train at Zeelim this week, and an additional 7,000 next week. In August, another drill will be held at Keren Shalom, an Israeli communal farm. In other developments Tuesday: -Jerusalem planning authorities have authorized construction of a Jewish neighbourhood in the Muslim quarter of the Old City, a plan liable to inflame tensions with the Palestinians, the Maariv newspaper reported. Palestinians vigorously object to Jewish expansion in the eastern sector of the city, which they claim as the capital of a future state. City councilman Pepe Alalo said the plan is to build 30 apartments and a synagogue in the Muslim quarter, Maariv said. The plan must be still be approved by regional planners. -The Palestinian Authority has set dates for final rounds of local elections that are being watched as a barometer of the rising power of Hamas militants and the decline of the ruling Fatah party. The most significant round of local voting is to take place Dec. 8 in the cities of Nablus, Hebron, Khan Yunis and Gaza City. -Gesher, a group devoted to dialogue between religious and secular Jews in Israel, has set up a hotline for callers interested in discussing the Gaza pullout. The withdrawal plan has created a rift in Israel society, and has provoked fears that some opponents will turn to violence in an effort to derail it. By Daniel Haaz.
Gaza pullout nears JERUSALEM- Less than a month before Israel begins pulling out of Gaza, almost every major issue about the territory's future remains undecided. What will happen to the settlers' houses and greenhouses? Who will control the Gaza-Egypt border crossing? How will Gazans export goods, and will they be able to reopen their airport?
Palestinian officials are desperate to resolve these issues and show their people they are taking a decisive role in this historic event. But Israel, which holds most of the cards, remains ambivalent: hoping to negotiate a smooth withdrawal while not being drawn into too many commitments. Co-ordinating the pullout is considered so crucial to Gaza's future success, and that of subsequent Mideast peace efforts, that international mediators, including U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, have been working to push the two sides into agreement. "The Palestinians need answers from the Israelis, and the Israelis need answers from the Palestinians," Rice said during a trip here that ended Saturday. Neither side wants a post-pullout Gaza to explode in chaos, plunge deeper into poverty or fall under the control of the Islamic Hamas group. And they have met regularly to co-ordinate efforts to prevent Palestinian militants from attacking soldiers and settlers during the pullout, which would invite an Israeli response. "We both have the same interests in (a quiet) withdrawal," said Tawfiq Abu Khoussa, a spokesman for the Palestinian Interior Ministry. But their interests diverge on other issues, and a recent wave of violence further postponed efforts to resolve them. Palestinian Interior Minister Nasser Yousef met Israeli Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz on Sunday, the first high-level meeting since an Islamic Jihad suicide bombing July 12 killed five Israelis in the town of Netanya. "We want to co-ordinate as much as we can to save trouble and save time," Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres told The Associated Press on Sunday. "But we are not desperate." The Palestinians are growing increasingly frustrated and concerned that Israel is only interested in preventing attacks during the pullout and is not committed to resolving the other issues, which are of great concern to them. "We are 23 days away from the evacuation, and they still don't know what they want," said Diana Buttu, a legal adviser to the PLO who has participated in many of the co-ordination meetings. One of the hurdles is that the pullout was designed as a unilateral move. When Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon unveiled it a year and a half ago, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was still alive and the two sides were mired in unrelenting violence. Arafat's replacement, Mahmoud Abbas, is seen as a more acceptable partner, and Sharon decided to co-ordinate the pullout with him. But there is also strong international pressure, including from the United States, for Israel to help make a Palestinian-ruled Gaza a success, and Israel has no interest in watching its neighbour turn into a desperately poor terror haven. Abbas is hoping a co-ordinated pullout will boost his domestic standing and justify his policy of negotiating with Israel. Hamas, the strongest challenge to Abbas, claims its attacks are driving Israel out. There has been some movement. Israel has told the Palestinians they may start building a seaport, a project that will take several years. However, Israel balks at reopening the Palestinian airport, which would only take a few months. Israel fears militants could smuggle arms over the border or through the ports. Israel appears likely to allow the Palestinians to shuttle trucks and buses between Gaza and the West Bank and to consider allowing either a rail link or a sunken road to be built as a more permanent connection between the two, separated by about 40 kilometres of Israeli territory. But other issues remain undecided. Most pressing is what will happen to the settlers' greenhouses and the rubble from their homes after the pullout. Israel wants the rubble to stay in Gaza or be buried in Egypt, but the Egyptians and Palestinians have expressed no interest in taking it. "A lot of this may come together in the coming days, because ultimately both sides have an interest," Peres said. By Ravi Newsman. Palestinian gunmen kill 2 Israelis, wound 4 in Gaza Strip attack
An Israeli woman is comforted shortly after a shooting attack by Palestinian gunmen on her arrival at the Kissufim checkpoint just outside the Gush Katif bloc of Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip early Sunday JERUSALEM - Palestinian gunmen opened fire on an Israeli vehicle travelling on the main road connecting Gaza Strip Jewish settlements to Israel early Sunday, killing two Israelis and wounding four others, rescue workers said. The Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades and the Islamic Jihad claimed joint responsibility in a phone call to The Associated Press Sunday for the attack. A third group, called the Popular Resistance Committee, was also involved. Al Aqsa is a militant group loosely linked with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah faction. Abbas has been leading efforts to end attacks on Israelis. The violence came as U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice left the region after a three-day visit aimed at shoring up a fragile truce. Israel and the Palestinians declared an end to more than four years of fighting in February but after months of relative calm there has been a flare in violence over the last two weeks. Three of the wounded in the latest attack were in a serious condition and being airlifted to hospital in the nearby Israeli city Beersheeba. The fourth person was lightly wounded. The Israeli army said troops in the area then clashed with the gunmen and were carrying out searches. Settlers said one of the Palestinian gunmen was shot dead by soldiers but the military could not confirm this. On Saturday, the army said it had captured a would-be suicide bomber armed with a five kilogram explosive belt, who infiltrated Israel from the Gaza Strip. The 18-year-old Palestinian, identified as Jihad Shahada, from the Jebaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, told police interrogators he planned to blow himself up in the Tel Aviv area, the army said. A second man was later arrested in Jaffa, adjacent to Tel Aviv, the army said. Following the capture, APTN footage showed the youth lying on the ground in the field, his hands and legs tied. He was then led away to an army Jeep. Shahada tried to detonate the explosive-packed belt he was wearing but the device failed, Haaretz newspaper reported. The bomb was safely detonated by military sappers. Earlier in the month, an Islamic Jihad suicide bomber killed five Israelis in the seaside town Netanya. However, the military said Shahada was a member of the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades. A spokesman for the militants in Gaza denied any connection to the incident. "This man is not a member of Al Aqsa and Al Aqsa is not involved in this fabricated Israeli story," said the spokesman, identifying himself only by his nom de guerre, Abu Ahmed. Almost all of the more-than 100 suicide bombers have come from the West Bank of the Jordan River and not Gaza, which is completely surrounded by a fence. This was the first successful infiltration from Gaza into Israel this year, the army said. During her visit, Rice met separately with Israeli and Palestinian leaders over three days - the third time that has happened since she took over at the State Department in January. Rice went to the region in a hastily arranged trip to try and rescue the shaky Mideast truce amid an escalation of violence, determined Israel's mid-August withdrawal from the Gaza Strip go ahead as planned. However, Rice won no new commitments during the fresh round of shuttle diplomacy. "There are discussions, meetings, going on between the two sides and I think they're making some progress," Rice said after lengthy meetings Saturday with Palestinian leaders. Rice: "The Palestinians need answers from the Israelis and the Israelis need answers from the Palestinians..."
JERUSALEM- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice brought the "weight of the United States" to bear on fragile talks over Israel's handover of the Gaza Strip to the Palestinians, but she won no new commitments during a fresh round of shuttle diplomacy. "There are discussions, meetings, going on between the two sides and I think they're making some progress," Rice said after lengthy meetings Saturday with Palestinian leaders. "I think we can close many of these issues very expeditiously with enough will and perhaps a change in view here or change in view there," Rice said in the West Bank city of Ramallah, where Palestinians have their headquarters. The chief U.S. diplomat met separately with Israeli and Palestinian leaders over three days - the third time that has happened since she took over at the State Department in January. Israel plans to begin withdrawing troops from the impoverished seaside territory in mid-August. Jewish settlers who do not leave voluntarily will be evicted. With less than a month to go, Palestinians say Israel has failed to give any assurance it will allow free passage of goods and people into Gaza, which Israel borders on two sides. Several other issues are unresolved and probably will linger through the period of the Israeli pullback. Israel has held the Gaza territory for three decades. Under an international blueprint for peace, the land would become part of an eventual independent Palestinian state. Palestinians say U.S. President George W. Bush's administration is not using its position to demand that Israel, which receives more than $2 billion (euro1.65 billion) a year in U.S. aid, provide specifics on border access and other matters. Rice could threaten, for example, to condition some aid on Israel's performance in maintaining easily accessible borders, said Diana Buttu, a legal adviser and spokeswoman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. "She has incredible power and the incredible ability to change Israeli policies," Buttu said. "That leverage, that ability to influence, is not being exerted in its full force. We're hoping to see more." U.S. officials say that is not Rice's job. The U.S. has no formal role in the Gaza pullout plan, but it has tried to help guide the process. Washington is Israel's closest ally and has been more involved than anyone outside the region in the long road toward brokering peace among Israel and its Arab neighbors. "The Palestinians need answers from the Israelis and the Israelis need answers from the Palestinians," Rice said. "We are talking to both parties. That's why I'm here ... to help bring the weight of the United States." Israelis and Palestinians are meeting regularly to prepare for the withdrawal. Jewish settlers who see the land as part of Israel's birthright oppose the pullout. It is viewed with skepticism by many Palestinians who say Israel never will fully relinquish control. Among the practical questions are what to do with the remains of Israeli houses and commercial greenhouses the settlers will leave behind. A broader issue is how Palestinians will travel and conduct business between Gaza and the larger, separate West Bank territory. Rice kept her Middle East schedule open to allow for as much shuttle diplomacy as needed, or perhaps a three-way meeting with Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. She saw Israeli officials before and after the visit to Ramallah. On a side trip, Rice visited Lebanon, where elections have diminished Syrian political influence and car-bomb attacks have targeted politicians and others. A small bomb went off in Beirut, the Lebanese capital, hours after Rice left on Friday. Much larger and deadlier bombings followed in Egypt. "There needs to be a different kind of condition here in the Middle East so that extremism doesn't flourish," Rice said in Ramallah. Rice was generous in her praise for Abbas, who took over as Palestinian leader in elections following the death of Yasser Arafat, whom Bush shunned. She commended the Palestinians for "ongoing efforts to enforce the rule of law in the West Bank and in Gaza." That was a reference to recent clashes between Palestinian police and gunmen from the militant group Hamas. The U.S. lists Hamas as a terrorist organization. By Ane Geraan
The Supreme Court rejects the
petition of Corporal Avi Beiber MINISTERIAL DISENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETS AHEAD OF IMPLEMENTATION OF DISENGAGEMENT PLAN. (Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser). Prime Minister Ariel Sharon today chaired a meeting of the Ministerial Disengagement Committee ahead of the implementation of the Disengagement Plan. A Disengagement Authority team briefed ministers on the format for moving residents of the Gaza Strip and northern Samaria to immediate housing sites and - afterwards - to temporary housing. The Government is preparing for residents of the Gaza Strip and northern Samaria to be absorbed at several centers where they will be met by professional teams that will include - inter alia - social workers, health and education system representatives, Disengagement Authority representatives, Amigur representatives and employment center representatives. The teams will see to the residents' needs and assist every eligible family in finding housing and in locating its possessions. In order to provide the residents with housing in the interim period until the move to their temporary/permanent housing, the state has rented approximately 1,000 residents in hotels and guest houses. The Ministerial Committee decided today that these hotels will be available to residents as of the beginning of August in order to enable them to leave the areas designated for evacuation as early as possible and thus give themselves better conditions in which to get organized. Construction and Housing Ministry Director-General Shmuel Abuav told ministers that his ministry is preparing a list of approximately 1,500 temporary housing solutions. The Ministry has signed 650 contracts for rental apartments around the country; the list of rental apartments is expected to reach approximately 850. Dir.-Gen. Abuav said that as of today, the Government is in contact with approximately 100 families who have expressed interest in renting apartments from the list, with the pace of residents' requests for such solutions growing daily. Plans for evacuating synagogues and cemeteries in the Gaza Strip and northern Samaria were presented. Meir Spiegler, who is responsible for religious services, said that there are approximately 30 synagogues, eight religious schools and one religious council in the aforementioned areas. Equipment in these institutions has been fully catalogued and will be put in storage. A special team composed of representatives from the IDF Chief Rabbinate (http://tinyurl.com/bw7cq) and the security establishment will verify that holy objects are handled appropriately and will be stored safely. Regarding moving graves from the Gaza Strip, IDF Chief Rabbi Brig-Gen. Yisrael Weiss said that a team under his supervision will accompany the enter sensitive process from start to finish. Rabbi Weiss said that his people will be at the families' constant service and will be able to provide such advice as may be necessary. Prime Minister Sharon added that, "This is a delicate issue and I request that it be dealt with with due seriousness." Prime Minister's Office Director-General Ilan Cohen said that Israel's Chief Rabbis Yonah Metzger and Shlomo Amar have given him their unequivocal opinion that all graves had to be evacuated to within the State of Israel after the evacuation of the civilians. Ministers were updated on an appeal which bereaved families have submitted to the High Court of Justice regarding the moving of graves from the Neveh Dekalim cemetery. By Dr. Aaron Lerner.
Photo: Israeli Tourism Minister Avraham Hirchson. "The rise heralds a new era for the Israeli economy." Statistics released today by Israel's Ministry of Tourism and Central Bureau of Statistics show tourist arrivals to the country jumped 29 per cent in June to 157,000. In the first six months of the year 864,200 tourists entered the country, 27 per cent more than in the same period last year. Two thousand people arrived aboard cruise ships in June 2005 compared to none in June 2004. "We are witnessing enormous momentum in tourism," says Israeli Tourism Minister Avraham Hirchson. Director General Eli Cohen credits the ministry's efforts to bring additional cruise companies to Israel's shores for the rise in the number of tourists arriving by sea. The monthly report shows 159,000 visitors entered Israel in June, a 31 per cent rise over the same period last year. Out of 864,200 tourists arriving between January and June, 751,700 came by air (up 25%), with 33,500 flying directly to the southern resort of Eilat (a 30% rise). 110,700 arrived overland (up 48%). 3,800 tourists arrived by cruise ship, compared to none last year. Israel's Ministry of Tourism anticipates that nearly two million tourists will visit the country by the end of 2005. By Dr. Aaron Lerner. Chief of Staff Met with Heads of Religious and Secular Pre-Army education. Chief of Staff, Lieutenant-General Dan Haluz, met with the heads of both the religious and the secular pre-army education programs (that exist for soldiers who request a year of study before serving). During the meeting, the Chief of Staff recognized the immense contribution to the IDF made by alumni of the educational programs. He acknowledged that the alumni are noticeably often found in combat units and demonstrate outstanding quality as officers and combatants. He added that until now there had been no open refusal of orders by the alumni. The chief of Staff also called to mind and quoted his recent letter which stressed the importance of vigorously completing the disengagement mission with compassion and intelligent compliance. It was jointly agreed in the meeting that the army is the body that defends the state of Israel; as such it is imperative to maintain it in its entirety, to maintain its unity and to prevent the spread of refusal to comply with orders. With that said, it was also agreed that sensitivity was needed in taking into account the feelings of the soldiers. Even in these trying times, during this complicated situation, camaraderie, mutual responsibility and mutual trust would all still be maintained, as well as the common desire to address complex situations in order to prevent a blow to the unity of the army. Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs:" Behind the Headlines: The escalation in terrorism in Gaza and disengagement." In the last few days, we have witnessed a new wave of terrorist attacks against Israel. Many innocent Israeli civilians have lost their lives, in the wake of a suicide bombing in the Israeli coastal city of Netanya and the ongoing onslaught of mortar and rocket attacks against the town of Sderot and the Israeli communities in the western Negev and the Gaza District. The Fatah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist groups are making an intense effort to bring about a conflagration and an escalation as Israel carries out its disengagement from Gaza. As the Disengagement draws nearer, the terrorist attacks are ever increasing. In spite of declarations by the Palestinian Authority that calm is in the Palestinian interest, and their lukewarm condemnations of terrorism, the PA has been totally ineffective in the face of terror. Aside from a few sporadic and fruitless actions, President Mahmoud Abbas and other PA officials are unwilling to confront the terrorist organizations, in order to fulfill their commitments to stop terrorism and dismantle the terrorist infrastructure. The PA and the Palestinian population, as well as Israel, have a clear interest in an orderly handover and continued operation of the crossing facilities, both during and following the disengagement. Israel, for its part, has a vested interest in ensuring that the population is able to maintain a dignified and secure way of life. Nevertheless, just as in the past, the implementation of understandings and coordination with the PA is dependent upon calm. The deteriorating situation in Gaza, the continued mortar and rocket fire on Israeli communities and the suicide bombings are undermining the key understandings reached with the Palestinians regarding the disengagement. The current situation cannot continue. Israel has an obligation to defend its citizens, and will not tolerate a campaign of murderous terrorism waged against its people. In the absence of effective actions on the part of the PA to stop the mortar and rocket fire on Israeli communities, Israel will have to take the initiative, and will do whatever is necessary to stem the rocket fire: Israel is prepared to intercept those carrying out the shooting, to take action against the terrorist handlers and will target the terrorist infrastructure in all its aspects. In spite of these difficult events, Israel is still striving for peace. Notwithstanding the wave of terrorism, Israel is determined to advance the peace process with the Palestinians, including the implementation of its disengagement initiative, scheduled to begin in less than a month. Israel will not allow the terrorist organizations to dictate the realization of the disengagement initiative which is intended to promote peace. The disengagement will be carried out on schedule. At the same time, Israel will do everything in its power to quell the fire and to take action against the terrorist organizations which spark the fire. Israel calls on the international community to bring its influence to bear on the PA leadership, so that it fulfills its commitments and takes immediate and effective action to stop the rocket attacks against Israeli civilians, dismantles the terrorist infrastructures and restores calm to the areas under its control. 2 Heads of the Islamic Jihad Terror Infrastructure in Yamun were Killed
In a joint IDF, ISA and Israel Police arrest operation today
(Tuesday, July 19th 2005) in the village of Yamun, northwest of Jenin, Ibrahim
Abhara and Warad Abhara, heads of the Islamic Jihad terror infrastructure in
Yamun were killed. The two were involved in planning and carrying out numerous
deadly terror attacks against Israeli targets and persisted in doing so during
the recent period of declared calm. This morning (Tuesday), during an arrest
operation in the village of Yamun, west of Jenin, forces encircled the
building in which several wanted terrorists were hiding. The forces called for
the wanted men to exit the structure and arrested two wanted Palestinians who
came out of the building and surrendered. The forces called repeatedly for the
other terrorists to exit the building but the terrorists remained inside the
building. The forces began to demolish the structure, at which point two
wanted terrorists exited the building, wearing flak jackets and armed with
guns and grenades and opened fire at the soldiers. The soldiers returned fire
and the two terrorists were killed in the exchange of fire.
The terrorist Ibrahim Abhara - 28 years old and a
resident of the village of Yamun, Abhara was the head of the Islamic Jihad and
Tanzim terror infrastructures in Yamun. He was an expert in the production of
explosive devices, explosive belts and was one of the leading manufacturers of
explosive devices in the Jenin area. He was involved in planning and
dispatching numerous suicide bombing attacks, shooting attacks and the
detonation of explosive devices, some of these were thwarted by security
forces. A bullet proof vest and an M-5 assault rifle were found near his body.
Wanted Hamas Terrorist Killed by Security Forces in Khan Yunis. In a security forces operation yesterday morning (17/07/05) in Khan Yunis, Sayid Isa Jabar Tziam, aged 31, a senior member of the Khan Yunis Hamas infrastructure was targeted and killed. Tziam was involved in several deadly terror attacks in the past and was currently involved in planning future terror attacks. Sayid Tziam, was involved in numerous terror attacks in which Israelis were murdered, among these are infiltrations into Israeli communities, the firing of mortar shells at Israeli targets and the detonation of tunnels and explosive devices. Sayid Tziam headed several terror cells responsible for firing mortar shells from Khan Yunis on dozens of occasions, in one of which an Israeli civilian was murdered in Neve Dekalim in September 2004. Tziam was currently involved in continuously directing mortar shell attacks against Israeli targets. In June 2004 Tziam was involved in the terror attack on the IDF "Orchan" outpost near the Gush Katif junction in which an explosive tunnel which was detonated under the outpost killed an IDF soldier and wounded five other soldiers. In November 2002 Tziam was involved, along with additional senior Hamas members from Khan Yunis, in the murder of two Gush Katif residents in the greenhouses of the Israeli community of Slav.
THE ESHKOL REGIONAL COUNCIL ON THE ROAD TO THE DISENGAGEMENT (Communicated by the Eshkol Regional Council Spokesman). The implementation of the planned disengagement is about to begin and preparations are underway in the Eshkol Regional Council to supply services to all journalists working in this area. A communications center will be set up by the IDF spokesman on the grounds of the Regional Council Campus. Here information and material relating to the events will be made available to journalists. In addition daily news briefings will be conducted. During the period of the disengagement itself, we expect changes in the organization of traffic flow due to the heavy use of the road system by the military. The Eshkol Regional Council will collect all information concerning traffic conditions in the entire area adjacent to the Gaza strip and will constantly update residents in real time through the means of cell phones. The information will include road closings and other important events. Journalists who are interested in being included in the list of those receiving updated traffic information by SMS are asked to indicate this in the proper place below. there will be a small charge for this service. The Eshkol Regional Council has published a map of the area that includes all main and secondary roads, information on restaurants and entertainment opportunities, as well as additional services that are available during the duration of the disengagement. The map can be obtained at the offices of the Eshkol Regional Council or upon request it will be sent by mail. At the moment the map is only in Hebrew but an English version is being prepared and will be made available shortly. Information about local accommodations is also available. We are prepared to supply guides fluent in the journalist's language to those journalists who are interested in exploring and learning about this area. In addition we will answer all questions that we receive by telephone, fax or e-mail. In order to establish a direct and efficient contact please supply the requested information (name, media type, phone number, cellular phone Number [Would you like to receive SMS traffic updates for a small fee?], pager service & subscription number, e-mail address, address, and comments/special requests) and send it to: info@eshkol-region.muni.il. We look forward to close contacts in the near future
ARAB ROCKET KILLS AN ISRAELI WOMAN
JERUSALEM, Israel. Hours after Israeli forces raided the home of a 67-year-old British citizen in the West Bank and killed a militant - incidents that further shook a five-month truce already threatened this week by a suicide bombing. Two rockets exploded Thursday afternoon in the village of Nativ Haasara. One hit a house and killed a woman in her 20s, the military said. The second destroyed a parked car. A Palestinian militant group, the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, said the rocket attack was retaliation for the killing of the militant. In an angry reaction, David Baker, an official in Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's office, charged that the Palestinian Authority was responsible because of its "refusal to fight terror." He added: "We will not allow our citizens to be murdered, and if the Palestinian Authority doesn't take necessary steps to prevent terror, we will." Rockets also exploded in an army base and a Gaza settlement, slightly wounding several Israelis. In the past, Israel has retaliated for such rocket barrages by sending tanks into northern Gaza, but it has refrained from that since a truce was declared Feb. 8. Early Thursday, Israeli forces shot and killed a fugitive in the West Bank city of Nablus in one of several arrest raids overnight - a sign of escalating violence that could spiral out of control and torpedo the truce, although Israel and the Palestinians have an interest in maintaining the calm at least until Israel completes its pullout from Gaza and part of the West Bank in the summer. The militant who was killed, Mohammed Alassi, 28, was a local leader of the Islamic Jihad militant group and was planning attacks against Israel, the army said. Others in Nablus said he was a member of a different militant group, the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, linked to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement. Islamic Jihad carried out a series of attacks on Israeli targets in recent months, including a suicide bombing outside a shopping mall in the Israeli seaside city of Netanya on Tuesday that killed five people. The fifth victim, a soldier, died Thursday. After the bombing, Sharon ordered his security forces to target Islamic Jihad leaders. Abbas, who condemned the bombing, criticized the Israeli raid into Nablus and called on all sides to show restraint. "That is what we call a cycle of dirty violence," he said. "We believe that this will lead only to the destruction of the peace process." Early Thursday, soldiers surrounded the Nablus house where Alassi was staying and demanded he surrender, said Maj. Sharon Asman. Alassi and another militant fled, and the soldiers ordered them to stop. One man returned to the house and was arrested, but Alassi continued running and was shot and killed, he said. The raid took place at the home of Hannah Alassi, 67, a British citizen who moved to Nablus in 2002 and was not related to the fugitive. The army said Hannah Alassi was an activist who gave refuge to militants. Hannah Alassi said she was a journalist who made television documentaries and filed stories to radio stations and magazines on the Middle East conflict. She said Mohammed Alassi was not in Islamic Jihad, but rather in Al Aqsa, a militant group responsible for scores of attacks on Israelis but unconnected to the suicide bombing in Netanya. Elsewhere in the West Bank overnight, Israeli forces arrested 10 other Islamic Jihad suspects, the military said. Visiting German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer on Thursday scolded the Palestinians for failing to stop militants. Using unusually strong language after meeting Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, Fischer said, "Terrorism will have no positive results, and there will be no chance to establish an independent Palestinian state as long as violence and terrorism continue." The upsurge in violence comes a month before Israel's pullout from the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank. Sharon ordered the Gaza Strip settlements closed to all non-residents on Wednesday to prevent Israeli extremists from moving there to resist the pullout. Speaking to police Thursday, Sharon said violence would not stop the pullout and urged security officers to ignore settlers' calls to disobey orders to evacuate the 25 settlements. He said there would be "zero tolerance toward the extremists, the violent and those who refuse to serve." By Marc Levy. Six IDF soldiers
on trial for refusal Israeli troops kill policeman in hunt for Islamic Jihadists
TULKAREM, West Bank - Israeli troops reoccupied the West Bank city of Tulkarem early Wednesday, killing a Palestinian policeman in a firefight and arresting five Islamic Jihad activists after the militant group killed four Israelis in a suicide bombing. Tuesday's bombing outside a shopping mall in the coastal city of Netanya rattled a 5-month-old truce. But Israel, the Palestinian Authority and most Palestinian militant groups have an interest in minimizing violence ahead of Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and four West Bank settlements in mid-August. Israel on Wednesday closed the settlements marked for evacuation to all non-residents to prevent protesters from reaching the area ahead of the pullout. In response to the bombing, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ordered security forces to step up operations against Islamic Jihad, which has claimed responsibility for a series of recent attacks, and to "hit the leadership" of the group. "We will not stop until they (Islamic Jihad) stop the terrorist murders," he said Wednesday. In a statement posted on Islamic Jihad's website Wednesday, Abu Dajana, the spokesman for the group's militant wing, threatened retaliation if Israel targets the group's leaders. The army also sealed off the West Bank and Gaza Strip, barring all Palestinians from entering Israel, a routine measure after attacks. Troops entered the West Bank town of Tulkarem in search of the bombing's masterminds and blew up a storage shed they said they said housed an explosives laboratory. Israel handed Tulkarem to Palestinian control four months ago as part of what was to have been a gradual Israeli withdrawal from West Bank cities. Israeli cabinet ministers said Wednesday the process had been frozen. The bomber was Sami Abu Khalil, 18, from the village of Atil near Tulkarem, 12 kilometres east of Netanya. On Tuesday evening, he detonated 10 kilograms of explosives strapped to his body outside a shopping mall in Netanya. He killed two 16-year-old girls and a 31-year-old woman. A 50-year-old woman died in the hospital Wednesday. Atil is under full Israeli control, and officials acknowledged a failure by intelligence to detect the plot. Palestinian security officials said the Islamic Jihad cell that recruited Abu Khalil had also been responsible for a Feb. 25 suicide bombing that killed five Israelis outside a Tel Aviv nightclub. The security officials said the Iranian-backed Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah prodded the cell into action and apparently provided funding. Israel's police minister, Gideon Ezra, demanded Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen - long reluctant to act against militants - finally crush Islamic Jihad. "Abu Mazen has to understand that these things don't just hurt Israel . . . in the end it will bring down his government," Ezra told Israel Radio. "His job now is to catch the people. He has the opportunity and the police, and to say 'I can't' is not an excuse. He has to try and he has to do it." Late Tuesday, Abbas used unusually strong language to denounce the bombing, calling the perpetrators "traitors." "There is no rational man who can do these things on the eve of the Israeli withdrawal from 22 settlements," Abbas said. But pressure on Abbas is growing. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said: "We must see actions that send a message that terror will not be tolerated." EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana met with Palestinian officials Wednesday. "I think that the condemnation will not be enough. There has to be an action, and I think somebody has to be arrested," he told reporters. Israeli troops entered Tulkarem early Wednesday, declaring a curfew and conducting house-to-house searches. Palestinian police - whose presence had been prominent since the handover in March - disappeared from streets and checkpoints, replaced by Israeli jeeps. The army operation began early Wednesday when undercover troops stormed a Palestinian checkpoint, Palestinian security said. Police at the roadblock did not recognize the armed men in civilian clothes as Israeli soldiers and opened fire. The soldiers returned fire, killing one of the police officers and critically wounding a second. Minutes later, a large force flooded Tulkarem and an adjacent refugee camp. "The specific goal of this operation is to destroy the Palestinian Islamic Jihad infrastructure in Tulkarem and its surroundings," Brig. Gen. Yair Golan, a West Bank military commander, told Israel's Army Radio. "If the Palestinian Authority doesn't deal with the terrorism . . . then we will be forced to do so." In Gaza, two foreign aid workers, one British and one Austrian, were kidnapped from a Palestinian refugee camp, but were released less than 24 hours later. The men arrived Wednesday evening at PLO headquarters in Gaza City, accompanied by Palestinian police and officials from Abbas' Fatah movement. The two had been working on a water development project in Gaza, when they were snatched from their car by in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza overnight. The kidnappers apparently were a local gang using the hostages as bargaining chips to try to get some of its members released from prison, according to an Austrian official who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of damaging the talks. By Ali Daragme
Chief of Staff LTG Dan Haluz, discussed the events of the day and the newly
issued army order while addressing the briefing, following the concluding
ceremony of the completed 'Barak' course at the Command and General Staff
College that he was attending in Glilot. "The closure of the Gaza Strip is a
constraint," Said the Chief of Staff with reference to the necessary closure of
the Strip. "Had we been able to wait, we would have done so. The closure has
resulted from the strength of the opposition. We foresaw that it was likely to
only get stronger thereby hindering the IDF from completing its mission. We
decided therefore to close the Strip and have raised the issue before the higher
echelons of the government."
Letter from IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz on
Disengagement
The Israeli Knesset and government have accepted a decision. We, as
commanders and soldiers of the Israeli Defense Force, are obligated to carry out
that decision, in cooperation with the Israel Police, to the fullest STATEMENT BY PM SHARON REGARDING THE AGREEMENT WITH EGYPT ON THE PREVENTION OF SMUGGLING IN THE PHILADELPHI CORRIDOR AREA. (Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser). Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced today, during his meeting with President Moshe Katsav ( http://tinyurl.com/bzypl ) that after the agreement with Egypt regarding the replacement of Egyptian police forces by Egyptian border guards in order to prevent arms smuggling in the area of the Philadelphi corridor is initialed, it will be submitted to the Cabinet for discussion and a decision, following which it will be submitted to the Knesset for approval. The Prime Minister said that he would do this even though Attorney-General Meni Mazuz has determined no substantive change in the peace treaty with Egypt ( http://tinyurl.com/83wkd ) is involved and that, therefore, the aforementioned agreement need not be submitted for Knesset approval. By Dr. Aaron Lerner.
PM SHARON: "WE WILL NOT ALLOW THE
DISRUPTION OF DAILY LIFE." GAZA PULLOUT TO GO FULL SPEED AS PREVIOUSLY PLANNED. ISRAELI MINISTERS TO WEAR BULLETS PROOF VESTS. By Nigel Huntington and Ben Zorab, World Jewish News Agency Foreign Correspondents. JERUSALEM - Israel's cabinet on Sunday put an end to a proposal to postpone the next month's Israeli pullout from Gaza and limited areas in the West Bank. For the first time ever, Israeli ministers were "rehearsed and measured" for bullets-proof vests personal safety and protection precaution measures against attacks from furious opponents and mobs. The 21 Israeli ministers gathered on the upper floor of the building of the internal security for bullets proof jacket measurements by Israel's Shin Bet security service. The historical and heated 18-3 cabinet vote found Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the major architect of the pullout, opposing Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a powerful rival of the Israeli disengagement plan. Prime Minister Sharon, once again stated to the media and mobs outside the Knesset " The pullout will strengthen Israel's hold on its main West Bank settlement blocs and will secure the safety of Israel." Angry settlers and their strong supporters claim that Sharon will be forced into further pullbacks if he goes ahead with this one. Orthodox Jews dominating the opposition echoed the anger and dissatisfaction of Sharon opponents and went on to state that the government cannot relinquish any part of G-d-given biblical lands of Israel. And the angry mobs displayed their opposition by using orange ribbons on car antennas, massively blocking highways and randomly attacking Palestinians in Gaza. However, World Jewish News Agency recent polls show a significant increase in support for the Israeli withdrawal. Results reveal that the support climbed to 62 per cent from 53 per cent in early June. The opposition as expected was down to 31 per cent from 38 per cent. So far, nine Israeli settler families have moved out of their homes. Finance minister, Netanyahu has changed his stance on the pullout several times for the past 4 months. At one time, he voted in favour of the withdrawal, provided that the cabinet would be required to approve each stage of the of the pullout separately. Insiders told the World Jewish news Agency that Prime Minister Sharon is seriously and irrevocably considering firing Minister Netanyahu if he does not vote with the government. DF Spokesperson : Islamic Jihad has Killed 10 Since Sharm Accords. Despite the cease fire declared at the Sharm Al Sheik summit on 8 February 2005, the Islamic Jihad terror organization has left itself out of the agreements and has persisted in its attempts to carry out attacks against Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers. The following is a list of terror attacks carried out by the Islamic Jihad organization and attacks thwarted by security forces since the Sharem summit: 25/02/05 - Suicide bombing attack at the "Stage" nightclub in Tel Aviv, 5 Israeli civilians were murdered and dozens more were wounded. 28/02/05 - thwarting of a car bombing near the Israeli community of Mevo Dotan. The car was to be detonated next to a school bus or an IDF force. 02/05/05 - Staff Sgt. Dan Telesnikov was killed near the village of Tzeida, north of Tulkarm during an attempt to arrest two armed Islamic Jihad terrorists. 31/05/05 - Thwarting of double suicide attack in Jerusalem. 11 Islamic Jihad terrorists from northern Samaria and the Ramallah ? Bethlehem areas were arrested along with the two explosive belts. 20/07/05 - Shooting attack near the village of Baka El Sharkiya: Palestinians opened fire at two Israeli civilians traveling near the village, one Israeli was murdered and the second was wounded lightly. 12/07/05 - Suicide bombing attack carried out in the city of Netanya, 3 civilians were murdered and over 90 additional civilians were wounded. Since the Sharm summit, Islamic Jihad has murdered 9 civilians and an IDF soldier while wounding hundreds of additional civilians. By Dr. Aaron Lerner. IDF OUT OF BETHLEHEM THIS WEEK, DESPITE TULKAREM EXPERIMENT?-- Former IDF Commanders speak out -- As reported last week, the Israeli government is still planning to transfer control of Bethlehem to the PA. Road blocks around Bethlehem have been removed, including areas that have served terrorists in the past, who fled after murdering Jewish motorists on the Gush Etzion - Jerusalem highway. In the light of yesterday's terrorist attacks and the IDF redeployment in Tulkarem, creating another haven in Bethlehem would seem to be a ludicrous step at this point. IDF Commander in the territories, Yair Golan told Israel Radio this morning that in Tulkarem they had relied on the PA to take control and keep the peace, but that clearly we cannot do so now. Hundreds of local residents from Efrat and Gush Etzion protested the plan, along with Minister Yisrael Katz, who called upon PM Sharon to stop a plan that would increase terror and shed innocent Jewish blood. For further IDF commentary and details from recently retired IDF army commanders - General and Captain - who just completed command duty on the front lines in Gaza and the Shomron, and leading intelligence officials, please contact Ruthie Lieberman, jaffestrategies@gmail.com General
closure on the Judea and Samaria and Gaza Strip areas.
In accordance with a decision
made by the political echelon and in light of the current security
assessment, a general closure will be placed on the Judea and
Samaria and Gaza Strip areas. This closure follows the suicide
bombing attack yesterday June 12, 2005, in the city of Netanya, in
which 3 Israeli civilians were murdered, and dozens more were
wounded. The closure is effective as of this morning and will
continue until a renewed security assessment is held. Throughout the
duration of the closure humanitarian cases will be handled and
approved by the District Coordination and Liaison offices. By Dr.
Aaron Lerner. Vice Prime Minister Peres Statement. Communicated by Jill Marie Reinach Foreign Media Advisor to Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres. Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres stated today to reporters at an airport ceremony: "Israel should utilize all necessary means to put an end to the evil and murderous hand of the Islamic Jihad. The Palestinian Authority should act strongly and decisively against Islamic Jihad terrorists who are not only breaking the Palestinian Authority's commitments to Israel and the international community, but who are also making jest of the ceasefire. "In addition, there must be a distinction between the terrorists and innocent people that have no hand in these activities, and we must encourage those who are against the terrorists." PM Ariel Sharon orders Israeli forces to target leaders of Islamic Jihad. LOD, Israel - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Wednesday he ordered his security forces to target the leaders of Islamic Jihad in the wake of a suicide bombing by the Palestinian militant group that killed three people in the Israeli seaside resort of Netanya. The bombing Tuesday came despite a shaky five-month-old truce that has greatly reduced violence between Israel and the Palestinians. Speaking to a group of new immigrants at Ben Gurion International Airport, Sharon expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and promised swift retaliation. "Yesterday I ordered the security forces to increase our actions and hit the leadership of the Islamic Jihad. We will not stop until they stop the terrorist murders," he said. Sharon also ordered the Gaza Strip settlements closed to all nonresidents on Wednesday to keep out protesters opposed to Israel's planned withdrawal from the communities, according to Israeli media and government officials. IDF
SPOKESPERSON ANNOUNCEMENT: Following the publication of Prime Minister
Ariel Sharon's order today on restricting entry into the Gaza Strip,
GOC Southern Command Maj.-Gen. Dan Harel has declared a full entry
restriction order into the Gaza Strip. The
restriction on entry does not apply to residents of the area, as per
the list valid as of 17.3.05. Additionally, the order does not apply
to security forces personnel, firefighters, Magen David Adom personnel
and others whose entry is permitted by the authorities. Additionally,
Maj.-Gen. Harel declared an order restricting movement in the area
adjacent to the Gaza Strip, an area delineated between the security
fence surrounding the Gaza Strip, Route #232, Route #34 Route #3411.
In this area, disruption and limitation of travel and movement are
expected, due to the necessity of the IDF and the Israel Police to
delay and prevent radical elements from reaching the Gaza Strip area.
The Restricted Entry Order was issued in order to prevent attempts by
various elements to disrupt and thwart the evacuation of communities
in Gaza within the framework of the Disengagement Plan (http://tinyurl.com/43l87).
The issuing of the order, in coordination with the Israel Police, was
timed as such in light of the uncontrolled entry of extremist elements
into the area and in light of efforts to organize a large-scale march
into Gaza. Following the declaration of the restriction of entry into
the Gaza Strip, the IDF will operate a special Permit Office to allow
Israelis living in the Gaza Strip to file requests for entry into the
Gaza Strip for a predefined period of time, for their guests,
relatives and any additional persons whom they wish to bring into the
area. In addition, the Permit Office will issue permanent
certificates to residents of the area and temporary permits for any
additional persons who wish to enter the Gaza Strip, and whose entry
is allowed by the Permit Office. The Permit Office, which will be
managed by the Homefront Command, will operate according to the
responsibilities delegated to it by Maj.-Gen. Harel, and in keeping
with Southern Command policy as determined by periodic security
assessments. The Permit Office will operate 24 hours a day; its
phone numbers will be published shortly. In addition to the opening of
the Permit Office, the Home front Command will operate a National
Information Office to provide responses and instructions via telephone
or the internet, to every civilian who is interested in clarifying
matters related to the restriction of entry into the Gaza Strip, the
procedure for issuing permits and the regulations of the restriction
policy as they are periodically determined by Maj.-Gen. Harel. The
Information Office will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week; its
telephone number will be published shortly. The IDF, in cooperation
with the Israel Police, will take all measures necessary to minimize
the disruption of the daily lives of the Israeli residents of the Gaza
Strip. In addition to the opening of the Permit Office and the
Information Office, the IDF and Israel Police have reinforced the
personnel at the crossings into the Gaza Strip in order to aid the
residents of the area and to minimize the possibility of complications
that may arise regarding the entry of the residents or their relatives
and guests into the Gaza Strip. The IDF and Israel Police remain in
close contact with the leaders of the Israeli communities in the Gaza
Strip and are updating them regularly on developments. The IDF will
continue to periodically reassess and re-evaluate the necessity for
restricted entry. By Dr. Aaron Lerner. WAFA:
Abbas Condemns Natanya's Attack Against Israelis.
RAMALLAH, (WAFA-PLO news agency)-
President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Tuesday the terrorist attack against
Israelis in Natanya, describing it as a crime against the Palestinian
people. Abbas added that the perpetrators of this bloody attack are
working against the interest of the Palestinian people, asserting that
no national patriot can ever commit such a folly. "There is no doubt
that those people are committing stupid acts and they must be
punished" Abbaas said "I confirm that the Palestinian factions who
signed the Cairo agreement have no relation with such an attack and
the Islamic Jihad has officially announced it is not responsible for
this attack". President Abbas extended his profound condolences to the
families of the victims, wishing a speed recovery for the wounded. By
Dr. Aaron Lerner. Forced evacuation of Gaza settlements will begin on August 17
Photo: Palestinian cabinet minister Mohammed Dahlan, a top official in charge of preparing for the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, left, listens to former World Bank President James Wolfensohn, as they brief the media after their meeting, in the West Bank town of Ramallah, Predicted forced evacuation of settlements in the Gaza Strip will begin on August 17, 2005. Settlers remaining in their homes at that time will face severe financial penalties, said a senior Israeli official. Before the evacuation begins, Israeli troops will go from house to house to inform settlers in houses marked for dismantling. Settlers who ignore the order will not be eligible for special government grants. National Security Council head, Giora Eiland "The prime minister ordered the work to go ahead even faster."
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has ordered quicker work to finish Israel's contentious West Bank separation barrier, especially the section enclosing Jerusalem, a senior official said Wednesday - and Palestinians responded that Israel is trying to dictate borders while taking over their part of the disputed city. "The order is to progress wherever possible," National Security Council head Giora Eiland told Israel Radio. "The prime minister ordered the work to go ahead even faster." Started more than two years ago, the 680-kilometre barrier is still only about one-third completed, blocking access from the West Bank across Israel's narrowest point, 15 kilometres from the Mediterranean Sea and Israel's main population centres. Holding up the process is a combination of court appeals, funding shortages and lack of government prioritizing. Despite periodic declarations, Sharon's government has not shown determination to finish it. Palestinians say the barrier dips into their territory to encircle settlement blocs, in effect annexing about seven per cent of the West Bank to Israel. The most sensitive section is Jerusalem, where the route of the barrier cuts the West Bank off from east Jerusalem, a traditionally Arab section which the Palestinians claim as the capital of the state they want to create. In appeals to Israel's Supreme Court, Palestinians have successfully challenged the route of the barrier in several places where it cuts villages off from their farmland or creates other hardships. Some cases are still pending, blocking construction along key points of the planned route. "Regarding our position at the Supreme Court, we will try to speed it up and put forward our position in a more convincing way so these holdups can be resolved," Eiland said. The Haaretz daily reported Wednesday that Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz has presented a modified route for the barrier around the Ariel settlement, deep in the West Bank, removing some Palestinian villages from the enclosure - an attempt to avert court challenges. The report could not be confirmed. "Jerusalem is a priority, and we hope that if the legal issues of Jerusalem can be resolved, it will just be a matter of months to finish the fence and close off Jerusalem as we originally intended," Eiland said. Israel began building the barrier of fences, trenches, walls and electronic devices at the height of violence with the Palestinians, when several times a month, suicide bombers were crossing the unmarked line between Israel and the West Bank and blowing themselves up in Israeli cities. Violence has dropped significantly since a February ceasefire, and there have been only four suicide bombings in Israel in the past year. Israelis say the partially-built barrier, along with other security measures, have succeeded in foiling dozens of suicide bombing attempts. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Sharon's order "undermines the efforts to revive the peace process." "We urge the U.S. and President (George W.) Bush to exert maximum efforts in order to have Mr. Sharon comply with the cessation of violence and cessation of building the wall," Erekat said. Pressure to complete the barrier coincides with Israel's planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank. Military and security officials warn that West Bank violence could resume after the summer pullout. A senior Israeli official said Wednesday his government will ask Washington for hundreds of millions of dollars to help foot the bill for the $2 billion US pullout. Also Wednesday, Sharon spokesman Asaf Shariv said an agreement with the Palestinians over destroying houses in the Gaza settlements stands. "Israel will demolish the houses," he said. "The Palestinians will take care of the debris and will not bear the expenses." He said either Israel or an international agency would foot the cleanup bill, which would be small compared to the overall cost of the operation. Shariv said Sharon and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas presented the accord to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during her visit last month. He said final details would be worked out in the coming days.
PRESIDENT MOSHE KATSAV: EXTREMISTS MIGHT TRY TO KILL PRIME MINISTER ARIEL SHARON. By Mordecai Ben Zvi, World Jewish News Agency, Staff Writer
J ERUSALEM - Insiders in Jerusalem told the World Jewish News Agency that the Israeli President Moshe Katsav is extremely concerned with the "personal safety" of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. The president fears that extremists might try to kill the Prime Minister. President Moshe Katsav warned Monday that hard-liners and extremists who are participating in the protests could resort to extreme violence and assassination. President Katsav told the Israel Army Radio "Protesters are definitely trying to carry out extremists acts such as killing the prime minister," he called on settler leaders and especially rabbis, to calm down their anger and to temper their continuous calls to oppose the withdrawal plan of the Prime Minister. He added: "Some misguided individuals may come and say 'I need to save the state of Israel because the rabbis say Israel is in danger." The Israeli President warned the protesters that the statements of the rabbis should not be taken out of context. He cautioned them about misinterpreting the intentions of the rabbis. "Misunderstanding the opinions of the rabbis could and would lead to mass confusion and regrettable tragic events. Regrettably, Rabin's killer, Yigal Amir, cited rabbinical rulings as his justification for shooting the prime minister. He told the mobs that already gathered outside the Kensett and the presidential villa that the terror atmosphere they are creating is similar to "the period that preceded the 1995 assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin" Indeed, the situation in Israel is volatile and most definitely agitated and turbulent. Series of assassinations, killings and destruction of properties of Prime Minister Sharon's strong supporters are taken very seriously by the Israeli internal security forces and the IDF. Today, the Shin Bet security service fitted all the Cabinet members for bullet proof vests, citing concern they might be targeted by Jewish extremists. Protests turned violent last week when a small group of extremists took over buildings in Gaza, clashing with security forces and Palestinians. The opponents also scattered spikes and oil on the main Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway. Settler leaders on Monday drew up a code of conduct to deter followers from violence during protests against the upcoming Gaza pullout, and Israel's president warned that the increasingly charged climate could lead to political killings. In one incident that raised an outcry in Israel, Israeli teens attacked a Palestinian youth, throwing large rocks at his head as he lay unconscious and bleeding. In the incident, captured by TV cameras, one of the attackers could be heard shouting "let him die." The settler initiative was launched after protests turned bloody last week, raising fears of greater confrontations during the pullout from Gaza and four West Bank settlements, scheduled to begin in mid-August. Today, Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz reiterated that the government would deal harshly with violent protests. "I have instructed the armed forces in the Gaza Strip and the northern West Bank to act against every incident of violence and every violation of the law with zero tolerance," Mofaz told an economic conference.ISRAEL'S WARNINGS Senior Israeli officials say the military will
respond more aggressively to Palestinian attacks and warn the current
flare-up in violence could delay Israel's plans to pull out of the
Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank this August.
The warnings follow an unusually heavy barrage of rocket and mortar attacks by Palestinian militants and the deaths of two members of Hamas. Israeli Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz has ordered the military to respond more vigorously and use all necessary means, to halt attacks by Palestinian militants in Gaza. The decision was made during a meeting of military and security chiefs. Deputy Defense Minister Zeev Boim also sent a message to the militants - stop the attacks or risk collapse of the cease-fire, which has lasted for more than three months, despite some violations. The deputy minister told Israel Radio that if the militant attacks continue the security forces will respond more forcefully. He said Israel wants calm before its planned disengagement from Gaza and he warned there will be no Israeli withdrawal under fire. The warnings follow a flare-up in violence during the past two days. Early this week, a Hamas militant was killed, apparently while preparing to plant a bomb along the heavily patrolled Gaza border with Egypt. Later, Palestinian militants launched dozens of mortar shells and crude Qassam rockets at Israeli targets, mostly settlements inside Gaza. Israel launched a helicopter missile strike against what military officials said was a group of Hamas militants firing more rockets. One militant later died from wounds sustained in the attack. Tawfik Abu Khufa, spokesman for the Palestinian Interior Ministry, blamed Israel for trying to stir up trouble. He said the Israeli helicopter missile attack meant that Israel had already reverted to its practice of targeted assassinations. He accused Israel of trying to provoke violence. Some Palestinian officials are expressing frustration with the militant groups for not sticking to the cease-fire they agreed to, but many also blame Israel for not doing enough to ease conditions for Palestinians. Israeli officials say the Palestinian Authority has not done enough to crack down on the militants. Some say the current upsurge in violence is also a sign of Hamas flexing its muscle after doing well in recent local council elections. Despite the latest violence, senior officials from both sides have met to try to prevent further escalation.-Sonya Pace London.
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Rallies against Israel Palestinians held protest rallies on Sunday to mark the anniversary of Israel's creation 57-years ago. Israel described the observances as "discouraging."
Sirens wailed in the West Bank and Gaza Strip as Palestinians marked what they call the "Nakba" or "catastrophe" of Israel's creation in 1948. Traffic came to a standstill and people stopped and observed two-minutes of silence, in solidarity with the the so-called 700,000 Palestinians who "lost their homes and became refugees." The sirens are reminiscent of observances in Israel marking Holocaust Remembrance Day. Thousands of Palestinians held protest marches, demanding that refugees be allowed to return to their homes in Israel. "We are looking forward to see that the world would support the Palestinians to achieve their national rights and to have their independent state on the 1967 borders," said Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia. In a speech to the Palestinian parliament, Mr Qureia said, "Jerusalem is under occupation, Jewish settlements are expanding daily and the hopes for peace are faltering." But Israel's Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said peace is faltering because of observances like the Nakba. "The very fact that the Palestinians celebrate the 15th of May, which was the day of the proclamation of the state of Israel, as the day of disaster is very discouraging because it shows a state of mind still disposed to looking at the state of Israel as an obstacle that must be removed, rather than a reality that must be reconciled with," he said. Mr Olmert said he hopes the Palestinians change their attitude, and the sooner the better.
Suicide bombing in the heart of Israel thwarted IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Ya’alon: "IDF no longer demolishes homes of terrorists." IMRA: "When this minor was arrested, the other youth turned himself in to IDF soldiers at the Hawara crossing, fearing that his house would be demolished." If the youth followed the news he would have known that the IDF no longer demolishes homes of terrorists. Background Information attributed to "Security Sources" [Distributed by the IDF Spokesperson's Office] The IDF, in conjunction with the ISA, recently shut down a Nablus-based Tanzim terrorist cell, which had been in the final stages of executing a suicide terror attack inside Israel. The cell, operatives of which were from the Askar and Balata refugee camps in Nablus, recruited Palestinians as young as fifteen and sixteen to carry out the attack. A number of the recruits were brought in under the command of Tanzim operatives directed by Hizbullah terrorists in Lebanon. Eight Palestinian youths were amongst the operatives detained. Half of these were in charge of still further recruitment, while the other half had themselves been recruited to carry out suicide attacks. One of these, a 15 year-old resident of the Askar refugee camp, admitted that he had been recruited this past week to carry out a suicide attack inside Israel. In his investigation he admitted that in January 2005 he approached Mahmed Walid A-Fatah Nakiv, a 21 year-old Tanzim operative, and volunteered to carry out a suicide bombing attack in order to become a "martyr" like his friend Aamar Alfar, who carried out the suicide bombing attack in the Carmel Market in November 2004, in which three Israelis were killed and 40 were wounded. Nakiv, also a resident of the Askar refugee camp, was involved in aiding wanted operatives in carrying out shooting attacks and weapons smuggling. Two other Palestinian youths arrested were also recruited as suicide bombers by the Tanzim cell. The youths, aged 15 and 16 from Askar refugee camp, admitted that two months ago they were recruited to carry out a suicide attack targeted at an IDF officer and three IDF soldiers at an IDF security crossing. During questioning, one of the two youths stated that he had already been filmed in Nablus, reading his statement of intent to carry out a suicide attack, with a picture of Halil Marshud in the background. Marshud was the former head of the Tanzim in Balata, who had dispatched suicide terror attacks and who was killed in June of 2004. The youth further stated that Aala Snahara, the head of the Tanzim in Balata, was aware he had been recruited. He went on to state that he had tried to volunteer for a suicide mission a week before being recruited, approaching Mahmed Tzubhi Tzabah Hashash, a 17 year-old resident of Balata. His request was rejected by certain Balata operatives, who deemed him too young for the mission. The plan to carry out the attack against the IDF officer and soldiers was eventually cancelled because it became too well known. The second minor admitted that two weeks prior to his arrest, he was recruited a second time by Balata operatives to carry out a suicide terror attack inside Israel. When this minor was arrested, the other youth turned himself in to IDF soldiers at the Hawara crossing, fearing that his house would be demolished. The aforementioned Mahmed Hashash was arrested as well after a 15 year-old Palestinian youth from the Askar refugee camp stated in his questioning that Hashash, along with other youths, had attempted to recruit him to carry out a suicide bombing attack. After the minor refused, the group convinced him to carry out a terror attack at the Hawara crossing using two pipe bombs, which he would detonate against IDF forces at the crossing. On May 22 nd, 2005, the minor was arrested at the Hawara security crossing. The youth was arrested after arousing the suspicion of the IDF soldiers securing the crossing, who searched the youth and uncovered the two pipe bombs on a belt under his clothing. Also arrested were 20 year-old Samir Ahmed Hassan Hashash and 17 year-old Mahmud Hamdan A-Hadi Shtivi, who were among those responsible for recruiting the youths who were to carry out suicide bomber attacks. The two are residents of the Balata refugee camp. The discovery of this terrorist cell and its activities are additional proof of the fact that Tanzim operatives in Balata refugee camp continue to recruit suicide bombers, many of which are minors, and plan terror attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers. IMRA, Dr. Aaron Lerner.
Israel Air Force Chief Says Iran Seeking Nonconventional Weapons
The commander of the Israel Air
Force has said that Iran is making "enormous efforts to acquire
nonconventional weapons" and also that it is making similar efforts
"to achieve a capability to reach very long distances". In an
interview with Israeli TV, conducted by Sheli Yehimovich, Maj-Gen
Eliezer Shqedi said the Iranians "already have surface-to-surface
missiles that, if launched from Iran, will reach Israel". The
following is an excerpt from the recorded interview broadcast by
Israeli Channel 2 TV on 2 July. [Passage omitted] [Yehimovich] In view
of the results of the Iranian elections, which are causing some
uneasiness, as well as the assessment that Iran will soon possess a
nuclear bomb, does the option of an Israel Air Force [IAF] raid on
Iranian nuclear reactors seem more plausible? [Shqedi] There is
one certain thing about Iran: They are making enormous efforts to
acquire nonconventional weapons overtly, but mainly furtively. In
addition, they are making major efforts to achieve a capability to
reach very long distances both with surface-to-surface missiles and -
[Yehimovich, interrupting] Are we their target?
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JERUSALEM-
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Wednesday defended his decision to
give up the Gaza Strip, saying that while the images of settlers
being dragged out of their homes were "heartbreaking," the pullout
would make Israel more secure and help it hang on to large West Bank
settlement blocs. 
Photo:
A settler refuses to let into his house a group of soldiers that
came to appeal to him to leave of his own will, in the southern
Gaza Strip settlement of Neve Dekalim.
Sanur
settlers vow to fight to the bitter end.
By Janice Freyers. As Israeli troops
make their final preparations for next week's immense Gaza
withdrawal, they are expecting the greatest resistance to come from
the remote Sanur settlement in the West Bank. Hundreds of supporters
are joining the town's residents, ready to take part in what they
believe to be a holy war." As long as we're needed we'll stay. We'll
quit our jobs, we won't go to school," Amos Azaria said. The
settlers are moving into old U.S. army tents and rundown trailers,
preparing for when the month-long pullout begins Aug. 15. There are
21 Gaza settlements and four isolated West Bank settlements that
about 40,000 police and soldiers will evacuate – Israel's largest
ever peacetime operation. 
Israeli
forces are concerned that 10,000 supporters could join the 600
already estimated to be camping in Sanur, creating further tensions.
Security forces have practiced the withdrawal using the American
tactic of playing heavy rock music, which they hope will drown out
chanting. The town was originally a colony for Russian artists, and
was founded in 1987. One of those artists, Julia Sega, remembers
another evacuation. During the Second World War, when her family
fled Ukraine from the Nazis. Sega is angry that she will be forced
from her home once again, in what she views as an unnecessary and
pointless operation. "No one is sure that this will succeed. How
many times can they make the same mistake?" she said. Sanur
residents have so far only shown passive resistance. They managed to
stall the construction of an army service road by standing with
babies in front of bulldozers. And they routinely tell soldiers they
should be ashamed for going against their own people. But Sanur is
also home to radical idealogues who see the town's settlement as
their birthright. The settlement is in the Dotan Valley, where the
bible states that Joseph was sold into slavery thousands of years
ago. The settlers have transformed an old mosque into a synagogue,
with an antagonistic sign posted outside that reads in Hebrew: "No
dogs. No Arabs." While some settlers in the Gaza strip have handed
in weapons prior to the withdrawal, there has been no such agreement
in Sanur, which concerns security forces. Although there is a
religious law forbidding the firing on fellow Jews, so only
non-Jewish troops may be targeted, the military is worried that some
settlers are getting hand-to-hand combat training, to physically
assault troops.
Israel:
Hizbullah funding missiles that could reach airport.
TEL AVIV - Israel's military reports
Hizbullah has poured tens of thousands of dollars to fund
development of Palestinian missiles in the West Bank. Israeli
security sources said the missiles were meant to be used against
Israeli cities in wake of the military's withdrawal from the
northern West Bank in September. 
Many
demonstrators remain past Gaza deadline.
Large numbers of Jewish extremists
refused to honour an Israel government order to evacuate the Gaza
Strip by midnight Tuesday (4 p.m. EDT). Instead, some threw eggs at
Israeli troops while others danced in synagogues in Neve Dekalim,
the largest settlement in Gaza.
Commander
of the Southern Command: As of Midnight 14/08/05, Staying in the
Gaza Strip Will be Illegal. 
Photo: Dov Weisglass.
Suicide Bombing Attack Thwarted in Joint IDF,
ISA and Israeli Police Operation.
Photo:
Palestinian Major General Ahmed Eid, gestures next to Israeli army
officers in this file photo. Less than a month before Israel begins
pulling out of the Gaza Strip in mid-August 2005, almost every major
issue about the territory's future remains undecided.
Photo:
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks to media during a
joint press conference with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud
Abbas, not seen, in the Palestinian Authority headquarters in the West
Bank city of Ramallah, Saturday.
Photo:
Staff Sergeant Roy Nissim, killed in a bombing at the Orcha Outpost.
Photo:
sraeli soldiers arrest a foreign activist during a protest against the
construction of Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank village
of Ematain, near Qalqilya, Thursday.
Photo:
A relative of Palestinian police officer Mohammed Shehada grieves
during his funeral in the West Bank town of Tulkarem, Wednesday.
Israeli troops reoccupied Tulkarem early Wednesday, killing Shehada in
a firefight.
Photo:
Masked militants of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine march
during a rally to mark the anniversary of the death of one of their leaders in
Nablus, West Bank, Wednesday.
Photo:
Israel's President Moshe Katsav: "Some misguided individuals may come
and say 'I need to save the state of Israel because the rabbis say
Israel is in danger."
Photo:
Shaul Mofaz.
Photo:
Maj-Gen Eliezer Shqedi
Photo:
Palestinians collect body parts of two Palestinian militants of the Al Aqsa
Martyrs brigades killed east of Gaza city, Sunday. (AP/Hatim Mousa)
Photo:
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon listens during a meeting with his Likud
party ministers at the Knesset, or Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem Monday.
Sharon said that a cabinet decision to free 400 Palestinian prisoners was
"part of Israel's effort to help the moderate Palestinian forces.'' AP
Photo.
Photo: