The Gaza invasion What should Abu Mazen do?

Prompted by the arrests of 8 Ministers of the Hamas-led PA government and a further 25 Hamas-affiliated PLC members, in addition to the 12 PLC members who were already in prison, the Near East Consulting team on Thursday night 29 June and Friday morning 30 June conducted a short phone survey in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip mainly asking the respondents what Abu Mazen should do given the current situation. In total, 704 interviews were successfully completed. The margin of error for this survey is +/- 3.6 with a 95% confidence level. Given the current situation in which 8 PA Ministers and 20 PLC members have been arrested in the latest military invasion, what should Abu Mazen do?

46% Call for an emergency government
08% Dissolve the PA
20% Call for international control
22% Let the situation take its course
04% Hand-over control to Jordan & Egypt

In light of the situation, some people are calling upon Abu Mazen to take full control over the government, do you agree or disagree?
50% Agree
50% Disagree

Factional trust: Before Israel's military actions 24 June 2006 Fateh 38% Hamas 30% PFLP 2% Others 5% Do not trust any 25%. Since Israel's military actions  30 June 2006. Fateh 34% Hamas 24% PFLP 2% Others 7% Do not trust any 33%

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JUNE 2006 MAJOR NEWS

Imad Abu Hamad,  head of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades organization in the Gaza Strip, was injured in an IDF aerial attack.

 In a security forces operation tonight, June 20th 2006, Imad Abu Hamad, head of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades organization in the Gaza Strip, was injured in an IDF aerial attack. As part of the continuous effort of security forces to target terrorists in the Gaza Strip, IDF forces targeted Imad Mahmad Ibrahim Abu Hamad, 36, resident of Gaza city, who directed terror attacks against Israel and was deeply involved in the funding and establishing of the organization's rocket launching capabilities. Hamad, a former intelligence officer in the Palestinian police, had undergone extensive military and surveillance training. He began his activity against Israel in the early 90s, when he served in Fatah's shock troops in northern Gaza. During his time he recruited and trained many military units. In 2002 Hamad began operating under the command of Jammal Abu Samhadana in the" Popular Resistance Committees" organization. In this role he established close contacts with Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon, and with several activists in Gaza and in the West Bank. In mid 2004 Abu Hamad returned to operate in the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades organization, establishing himself as a central contact between Hezbollah and the 'Al Aqsa' infrastructure in the field. During this time Abu Hamad pursued and directed various terror activities, among them attempts to kidnap Israeli civilians. He also gathered intelligence on the locations of Israeli forces and civilians for future attacks. On Passover eve on April 12th 2006, Abu Hamad was responsible for dispatching two armed gunmen who were killed on their way to carry out an attack inside an IDF base located near the security fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel. Abu Hamad is also known to have smuggled large amounts of weaponry into the Gaza Strip, for the use of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. Recently, Abu Hamad was involved in an attempt to carry out a large scale terror attack at the Karni crossing and in attempts to smuggle suicide bombers into Israel through Sinai. The IDF is determined to continue its battle against the terror organizations. The responsibility for the continued rocket fire from the Gaza Strip lies with the leadership of the Palestinian Authority.

Peres Center for Peace: Severe, Ongoing Harm to Palestinian, Israeli Private Sectors due to Limited Functioning of Karni

TEL AVIV,  (WAFA- PLO news agency)- The Peres Center for Peace said that there is a severe and ongoing harm to Palestinian and Israeli private sectors due to limited functioning of Karni commercial crossing at the north of the Gaza Strip. In an e-mail sent Wednesday to WAFA, the Center stated that despite Israeli Minister Amir Peretz statement that he instructed the army to open Karni to the movement of goods from the Gaza Strip, only small improvement in the crossing's throughput. It said the economic impact of this "improvement" has been negligible and exports during this period have been only "symbolic". "For instance, during this period, the Crossing was closed to the export of Palestinian goods for 8 days, on days in which the crossing was open, a total of 454 trucks left the Gaza Strip, an average of 23 trucks a day, the Center said. "Meanwhile, imports have improved slightly and since Peretz's statement, with an average of 400 trucks entering the Gaza Strip every day. Moreover, there is an enormous gap between the number of entering and exiting trucks that is disproportionate to the population's needs." For the purpose of comparison, the Center added, in the Agreement on Movement and Access signed in November 2005, it was established that the Government of Israel would allow the exit of 150 trucks per day by the end of 2005, and 400 trucks per day by the end of 2006. "These specific numbers were chosen according to an estimation of what would be necessary to improve economic development and the humanitarian situation. In reality, Israel is currently permitting the exit of only 10% of the number of trucks agreed upon for the end of 2005." Peres Center said the Karni Crossing operates for an average of 7 hours a day, and considering the small number of trucks being allowed to exit, it is clear that the crossing is operating at a very limited capacity, and is producing low throughputs, well below its potential capacity. "The justification for such limited operating hours is unclear, as the security argument regarding the danger of working after daylight hours is no longer relevant in the summer, when there is 12-13 hours of daylight," it argued. "The resulting limited quantity of goods reaching the Gaza Strip leaves the 1.4 million Palestinians with a minimal livelihood and only basic subsistence, preventing both basic economic functioning and any real humanitarian improvement," the Centre mentioned. "Despite the military reality and the threats to the crossing, the optimal balance point must be found between Israel's legitimate security needs and opening the Palestinian population's lifeline." It revealed that the limited functioning of the crossing continues to exacerbate the economic and humanitarian collapse in the Gaza Strip, causing fatal harm to the private sector in the Gaza Strip, and the loss of tens of millions of dollars to the Palestinian economy. "Dozens of factories and greenhouses have already closed and thousands of people have lost their jobs. The closure of the crossing has also caused heavy damage to the Israeli private sector at the level of tens of millions of shekels (Israeli currency) in the textiles, furniture, agriculture and other industries," the Center stated. "This situation disallows the continuation of bilateral trade between the two sides, and puts an end to the economic relations between the parties - to the dismay of both sides," it added. "The status of the Karni Crossing has a major impact on the definition of Palestinian-Israeli relations. The solution or lack of solution to the problem will undoubtedly dictate the direction of future economic relations between Israel and the Palestinians, and will ultimately influence prospects for future economic cooperation," it said. Peres Center considered that Peretz declaration regarding the opening of the crossing and its functioning capacity should be translated into a clear policy, that "should be implemented on the ground in an expedient manner in order to address this current crisis."
 

PM Olmert Convenes Ministerial Disengagement Committee to Discuss Assistance to the Residents. (Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser). Prime Minister Ehud Olmert this morning  convened the Ministerial Committee on Implementing the Disengagement Plan in order to discuss assistance to residents.  Industry, Trade and Employment Minister Eli Yishai, Justice Minister Haim Ramon, Interior Minister Ronnie Bar-On, Minister Rafi Eitan, Minister Yitzhak Cohen and the Directors-General of the ministries concerned attended. SELA Disengagement Authority Director Yonatan Basi gave the Committee a status report, including details on claims filed with the Authority, and the compensation that has been paid for residences, businesses, agriculture and the Erez Industrial Zone.  The Committee was also briefed on the situation at the temporary and permanent residential housing sites, the special social assistance provided to evacuees and the Authority's work with the various local councils that have absorbed evacuees. Prime Minister Olmert said that since this was a population group that underwent a trauma, it had to be treated with flexibility and special attention. The Committee made the following decisions: * To allocate NIS 1 million to the Housing and Construction Ministry for statutory and infrastructure planning for the construction of permanent housing at kibbutz Palmahim.  Contacts on implementing the planning will be carried out after receiving commitments from groups of families from Elei Sinai that would like to build homes at Palmahim. * To allocate, in the framework of the SELA Disengagement Authority's current budget, NIS 2 million for the following goals: Collecting information on public structures and institutions in the communities that were evacuated in the context of the Disengagement Plan; and drawing up plans for the construction of public structures, including feasibility studies and the preparation of cost estimates. * To allocate to the Prime Minister's Office, in the framework of the SELA Disengagement Authority's operating budget, a supplementary budget of NIS 18 million for contacts with hotels and guest facilities and companies that are providing economic and/or other assistance services, via the Defense Ministry, for the continued lodging of residents of the Gaza Strip and northern Samaria in the context of their moving to temporary housing by the end of this month. * To transfer advances of 50% of the amounts to be determined for assistance to local councils that have absorbed evacuees. Prime Minister Olmert said: "Dealing with the evacuees is a special mission that must be carried out with empathy and patience.  While there is no place to apologize for Government decisions, we must understand those who carried on their backs legitimate Government decisions.  We must act to provide answers also for those for whom no solutions have been found in existing frameworks.  Education is an issue of utmost importance and we must act with full sensitivity while providing full assistance.  We have more than a moral obligation to see to the last of the evacuees and to handle them with sensitivity."

Sderot: Qassams land during president's visit. Two rockets land in Sderot area as Katsav, Peretz visit Qassam-battered town. 'I have no intention of making restraint part of my work plan; restraint has run its course - we have the moral legitimacy to act,' defense minister says. President: PA leadership directly responsible for rocket attacks. Leaders set to meet with hunger strikers in show of sympathy for residents' distress. Two Qassam rockets landed Monday afternoon in the Sderot area at the same time President Moshe Katsav was visiting the southern town with Defense Minister Amir Peretz. One rocket landed north of the town, while the other fell at the local cemetery. A woman suffered from shock, but no damage to property was reported. While visiting Mayor Eli Moyal's Sderot Municipality office, Katsav said that as far as Israel is concerned "the Palestinian leadership is directly responsible (for the rocket fire.) We will not examine each Qassam to determine which faction owns it; the Palestinians have a leadership, they have a chairman, an Authority and a parliament - and they are all responsible. "Since the disengagement military action aimed at thwarting their activity has become legitimate," the president added. Peretz, who accompanied Katsav to Moyal's office, said "I have no intention of making restraint part of my work plan; restraint has run its course. We have the moral legitimacy to act." The defense minister added that he is making every effort to stop the Qassam fire, adding that the attacks did indeed stop temporarily after he had relayed a harsh message to leaders of Palestinian groups. "I have the moral legitimacy to act because I am a man of peace," Peretz said. "We have answers and we will not put and the area's children at risk," he said. "I hope that in the coming days we will see a change in the terror organizations and that they will realize that they must halt their fire; there is no distinction among the factions - this is the message here. At the entrance to the town, the two were met by Anat Shaviro (47), a resident of Sderot who complained to them of the fragile security situation, but mostly of her financial difficulties. "I cannot even have a Bar-Mitzvah for my son," she said. Katsav and Peres promised to help her. 'I am sure I will bring calm back to the area'. Peretz and Katsav are set to visit the hunger strikers tent in town, where Sderot residents have been protesting in the last week and-a-half, in a show of sympathy for their distress in face of the ongoing rocket strikes. The president's visit has postponed for a short while the locals' plans for an escalation of protest activities, but the town's people stated they will  go ahead with the plans once Katsav leaves. In the framework of the protest, Sderot members intend to block the entrances to the town and bar all passage into Sderot. Earlier Peretz told the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee "We are using all the tools and are implementing all the steps before entering a massive operation," hinting that Israel was working to convey diplomatic messages to Hamas leaders. "If that doesn't help," Peretz said, "I am sure I will bring calm back to the area. I will not allow the fire to continue." "There is no doubt that the organizations operating today understand our message, but if it does not bring calm, we will definitely step up operations and stop the fire," he added. Sderot children were treated to a field trip on Monday to get their minds off the routine of rocket drills, at least for a little while. Twelve buses packed with 550 4th-6th graders arrived at the National Yarkon Park and the Fortress of Antipatrus by Rosh Haayin as part of an initiative by the Nature and Parks Authority. 'Power should be shut down in Gaza' "My parents are already looking for apartments outside of Sderot and  Ashkelon because of the Qassams," sixth grader Danny Iskov told Ynet. "I don't  want to leave my friends though." Meanwhile, opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu slammed Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for his treatment of the incessant Qassam rocket fire. "The prime minister doesn't see, hear or act because he is abroad all the time," Bibi said. "He did not even phone the Sderot mayor, and passed by him in a Knesset corridor as if he was air." According to Netanyahu, "the power should be shut down in Gaza, not in  Sderot. The prime minister's primary responsibility is to look after the  well-being of all the citizens." "We are with Sderot," he said. By S. Haddad . Ian Marcianno contributed to the report

'Israel's weapons used against Jews'

Terrorist says that rifles transferred last week by Israel to Abbas for security have been employed in shooting attacks against Israelis. Weapons transferred last week by Israel to Force 17, the presidential guard units of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, will be utilized for attacks against Jews, a senior member of Force 17 told WorldNetDaily in an exclusive interview today. The militant, Abu Yousuf, hinted the weapons already were used in two shooting attacks the past few days that killed one Israeli civilian and wounded another. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced earlier this week he had approved a shipment of weapons and ammunition, which reportedly include over 370 assault rifles and were destined for Force 17. The shipment reportedly  originated in Jordan and needed Israel's approval for transport. Olmert said the shipment was meant to bolster security forces loyal to Abbas amid an increasingly violent power struggle between the PA chairman's Fatah party and Hamas, which won recent Palestinian parliamentary elections. "I did this because we are running out of time and we need to help Abu  Mazen," Olmert told reporters Tuesday. The weapons reportedly were escorted by Israel to Ramallah and to the Gaza  border where they were received by Force 17 members.

Weapons 'won't be used against brothers'. Abu Yousuf said the weapons will be fired at Israelis. "These weapons will not be used in an internal war but against Israelis," he said. "Force 17 is proud that we were the first to lead the Palestinian people during tough times such as resistance operations (against the Israeli army during large-scale operations in northern Samaria in 2002). We will also be the first to lead the Palestinians in the current struggle against Israeli occupation." Several Force 17 members, including Yousuf, also are members of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, a terror group linked to Abbas' Fatah party responsible for scores of suicide bombings and shooting attacks. Yousuf himself previously participated in anti-Israel terrorism, including recent shootings, attacks last month against Israeli forces operating in Ramallah and a shooting attack in northern Samaria in December 2000 that killed Benyamin Kahane, leader of the ultranationalist Kahane Chai organization. After the Kahane murder, Yousuf was extended refuge by Yasser Arafat to live in the late PLO leader's Ramallah compound, widely known as the Muqata. Yousuf still lives in the compound. Abbas earlier this week appointed Mahmoud Damra to head Force 17. Damra, who is on Israel's most wanted list of terrorists, was offered shelter in Arafat's compound in Ramallah in 2002 after Israel accused him of masterminding a string of terrorist attacks. Israeli security officials say that since September 2000, Damra has led a terror cell based in Ramallah that has carried out deadly attacks, including shootings at Israeli vehicles, attacks against Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria and the planting of roadside bombs. Yousuf told WorldNetDaily Israel transferred the weapons to his Force 17 unit "for its own political purposes. We are not concerned with the reasons. The weapons will not be used against our brothers, only (against) Israelis."

Rifles already employed for terror

Sources close to the Al Aqsa Brigades told WND assault rifles transferred by Israel to Force 17 already were used in two separate anti-Israel shooting attacks in recent days. One attack killed a 35-year-old Israeli Arab on a major West Bank highway on the outskirts of Jerusalem this past Sunday. Israeli security officials say the shooters likely mistook the victim for a Jew. The second attack, which occurred Tuesday on the same highway, lightly wounded an Israeli. Yousuf refused to confirm whether Israeli weapons were used in the recent spate of highway shootings, but he hinted the information was accurate. He told WND members of Al Aqsa Brigades live with him in the Muqata and that "resistance tools" are shared regularly. Reproduced with permission from WorldNetDaily

FM Livni addresses EU ministers in Luxemburg
(Communicated by the Foreign Minister's Bureau). Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni today concluded her two-day visit to the European Union's Council of Ministers in Luxemburg by stressing the common goals of Europe and Israel. "There is complete agreement between Israel and the European Union on the central objectives of the political process, in particular the existence of two national states," she told the ministers. "This is our joint interest and goal. Even if there are differences of opinion between us from time to time concerning the correct way to achieve this goal, these are only on the tactical level and not on the substantive level." Livni's words were welcomed by her European counterparts, both in working meetings with them as well as at open sessions. "Both sides understand today that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is no longer a zero-sum game," she said. "Instead, there is the understanding that we must act jointly in order to find a solution that will be good for all sides." She noted that, "The Middle East conflict has claimed a great number of victims, some of them innocent civilians. The international community must make a clear moral distinction between the terrorist who seeks to kill civilians, women and children, supported by a society that sanctifies deliberate attacks on civilians and considers terrorists to be cultural heroes, and a society engaged in an ongoing struggle to defend its citizens from terrorism; a struggle that sometimes, to our sorrow, entails harm to the innocent. Civilians will never be a military objective of the IDF." Minister Livni added that, "Only within the framework of action in defense of our civilians can Israel's military operations in the territories be understood." She lauded the EU's position on the Hamas government in the Palestinian Authority, praising its steadfast stand on the three minimal conditions for its becoming a partner in negotiations (abandoning terrorism, recognizing Israel, and fulfilling previous PA agreements). "Only such a position can convey an unequivocal message to terrorism and strengthen the moderate elements in the Palestinian leadership," Livni said. With regard to the international mechanism for transferring money to the Palestinian people, Livni said that, "Israel fully shares in the necessary distinction between the need to preserve the illegitimacy of the Hamas government and the need not to punish the Palestinian population and to provide for its needs. We must ensure that this mechanism does not legitimize Hamas either directly or indirectly." European External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner characterized Livni's visit as a "step forward in the upgrading of Israeli-European relations." Considerable progress was achieved in a number of areas on Israel's agenda with the EU, particularly Israel's request to be included in the EU educational agreement (which today has only three non-European signatories: the US, Japan, and Australia), to join the European space program, the EU environmental agreement, and the union's R&D program. The EU has such agreements with only three other countries: Turkey, Egypt, and Morocco. Minister Livni held a marathon of political meetings with her European counterparts, among them the foreign ministers of Britain, Austria (whose Ursula Plassnik is the current EU Council president), Finland (the next council president), Greece, Denmark, Holland, Poland, and Luxemburg. She also met with the foreign ministers of the European troika, with External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and with High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana. In addition, Livni held a working meeting with her Egyptian counterpart. The visit concluded with Minister Livni's appearance before the EU council's plenum.
 

FM Livni meets with Russian envoy Yakovlev. (Communicated by the Foreign Minister's Bureau). Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni met today  with Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy to the Middle East, Sergei Yakovlev. She told him that a two-state solution means two nation states, where each provides a suitable solution for its people." She said that the international community must make it clear to the Palestinians that their demand for a solution to the refugee problem can only be achieved in the framework of an independent Palestinian state. Just as Israel serves as a national home to the Jewish people, and the establishment of the state resolved the problem of the Jewish refugees, so will the establishment of a Palestinian state be the national solution for the Palestinians, including their refugees. Foreign Minister Livni added that a message to this effect from the international community would further a two state solution and serve the real interests of solving the conflict. Livni sees the international community as playing a central role in promoting an arrangement that will meet the needs of both parties: "Israel hopes to advance the peace process in cooperation with the Palestinians, not without them." The Russian envoy reiterated his country's position in support of Israel's well-being and security. Earlier, Foreign Minister Livni spoke by phone with her German counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. They discussed the results of her visit to Luxembourg where she appeared before the plenum of the EU-Israel Association Council and met with eleven of her colleagues.

IDF aerial attack against terror cell en route to launch Katyushas (Communicated by the IDF Spokesperson). The IDF carried out an aerial attack in the northern Gaza Strip against a vehicle loaded with rockets and carrying a Islamic Jihad terrorist cell en route to launch long-range Katyusha (Grad) rockets against Israel. Thirty-eight rockets have been launched at Israel from the northern Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours; over 100 rockets have been launched at Israel since Friday, 9 June 2006. According to Palestinians reports three terrorists who operated in the cell were killed, as well as eight civilians. After the attack the terror cell was seen removing the rockets from the vehicle. "I state clearly that we are saddened by the deaths of these innocent Palestinians but hold absolutely no responsibility for them. The responsibility lies entirely on the shoulders of the Palestinians," said the Chief of Staff Dan Halutz last night, who added that "the incident must be evaluated in its context, which is that Palestinians attempted to launch Grad rockets against Israel, and we acted with determination to prevent their firing." This is the fourth time in the past two months in which terrorist cells attempt to launch Grad rockets at Israel. On Knesset election day (March 28)
a rocket fell south of Ashkelon; about a month later another attempt was thwarted. On the third attempt, which occurred on May 15, the rocket hit an Israeli community north of the Gaza Strip, and damaged civilian infrastructure. These rockets are capable of causing much more serious damage than the Qassam rockets, because they can reach a range of 15 to 20 kilometers and carry much more explosives. Since Friday morning terrorists have launched over 100 projectile rockets at Israel, 38 of these within the last 24 hours.

Sharabati Wall
By The Jewish Community of Hebron


Yesterday afternoon Hebron appealed the IDF decision to rebuild the Sharabati Wall. The appeal was presented to Supreme Court justice Prokatzia, who is not know for her right-wing leanings. It requested a temporary injunction preventing rebuilding of the wall. The appeal contained several points, however it centered around the forced closing of the Hebron kindergarten, which is illegal. The judge ordered the government to respond to Hebron's charges, and recessed, waiting for the response. The government never responded. And the judge went home without ruling one way or the other. A few hours later IDF attorneys appeared at the judge's home, begging her to reject Hebron's appeal. She did so, and signed an order okaying the rebuilding of the wall. So much for the high court of 'justice,' This morning, at about 5:30, dozens of police, riot squad, border police, soldiers and officers appeared at the Avraham Avinu neighborhood. The quickly realized that community residents were not going to surrender quietly to the planned wall. A group of over 20 girls had locked themselves into the community kindergarten, one of the areas declared officially off-limits, part of the 'closed military zone.' It took the security forces a couple of hours before they were able to break thru the kindergarten gate and pull the girls down, some of whom were sitting atop the building's roof. Fortunately no one was injured but 19 of the girls were arrested. Some were pushed and shoved, others man-handled, and others, carried away. A few were released and others were taken to court in Jerusalem, where the prosecutor is demanding that some be remanded in prison until the conclusion of all proceedings against them for having 'attacked the police.' The girls are all minors, between the ages of 12 and 15. Following the arrests, workers moved in and started the process of rebuilding the Sharabati wall. The work has continued all day and will continue tomorrow, when they are expected to finish. A Hebron spokesman issued the following statement: We have been inundated with queries, 'why the protest?'  It should be clear: we have no intentions of living behind walls, especially when they are built to protect Arab terrorists. The IDF knew very well how to expel some 10,000 people from their homes, when the reasons suited them. There is absolutely no reason in the world why a known terrorist family should be awarded a home overlooking a Jewish neighborhood in Hebron. Their presence is a constant danger to the neighborhood's children and other residents. We will continue to protest the existence of the wall until it is removed from our midst, one way or another.
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Peretz signals end of military restraint

Shortly after IAF air strike against Qassam cell in Gaza, defense minister says 'restraint shown after incident on Gaza beach has ended'
By Hanaan Greenberg


Defense Minister Amir Peretz on Tuesday signaled the end of Israel's military restraint after the recent incident in which seven Palestinian civilians were killed. "We showed restraint in the face of the international outcry over the incident on Gaza beach but this has come to an end," he said on a tour in the north. Peretz spoke minutes before an air strike in Gaza in which 9 Palestinians were killed when the air force targeted a van carrying Islamic Jihad terrorists on their way to fire rockets into Israel. Peretz spoke during an exercise of the Home Front Command. Peretz also met with Northern Command chief Maj.-Gen. Yoav Galant and Southern Command chief Maj.-Gen. Udi Adam. Peretz recently instructed the army to be vigilant while carrying air strikes in Gaza to avoid harming innocent civilians. 'Civilian casualties cannot be totally avoided'
At least five civilians were killed in Tuesday's strike, less than 12 hours ahead of the publication of the results of a military probe into the killing of seven members of the Ralia family on a Gaza beach Friday afternoon. "No evaluation will alter our commitment to defend the citizens of Israel. If the probe proves that it is was not an IDF shell we will launch a PR campaign," said Peretz when asked about the probe. IAF Maj. Gen. Eliezer Shkedy said although the Air Force spares no effort to avoid harming civilians, civilian casualties cannot be totally avoided since terrorists operate from within populated areas.

Dozens hurt in train accident. [IMRA: The continuation of Qassam attacks this morning kept the pressure on DM Amir Peretz to approve military action (he went so far as to have his wife speak on the radio to defend him).  The train accident though should give Peretz a break for a while as the media goes through its traditional cycle of coverage of the accident: coverage of the accident itself, follow  up with wounded, determining who to blame for the accident.], By Dr. Aaron Lerner.


Dozens of passengers hurt after train making its way from Tel Aviv to Haifa hits car stranded on railroad tracks, derails in Herzliya area. At least two train cars overturn; 30 injured evacuated to hospitals so far, one in serious condition. Dozens of passengers were hurt Monday noon after a train that was making its way from Tel Aviv to Haifa crashed into a car in the Beit Yehoshua vicinity north of Herzliya. At least two train cars overturned as a result of the collision. One source reported that at least 150 passengers were wounded. Thirty injured people have been evacuated from the scene of the accident to the Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in Hadera, the Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba and the Laniado Hospital in Netanya. The Magen David Adom emergency services reported that one of the people evacuated was seriously injured, two were moderately injured and the rest sustained light wounds.
Video: Channel 2. Train supervisors called for assistance and requested that helicopters be dispatched to the place. According to an initial report, dozens were hurt in the accident. Eyewitnesses told Ynet that passengers who were trapped inside the train smashed the windows in a bid to escape the overturned wagons. All railroad traffic between Tel Aviv and Haifa has been suspended on both directions.Sources in Israel Railways told Ynet that shortly before the crash, inspectors warned the train conductors that the barrier near Beit Yehoshua has been breached, but the warning apparently came too late, as the train's conductor did not have enough time to brake, and consequently hit the car stranded on the railroad. An Israel Railways employee told Ynet that large rescue teams are already at the scene, attending to about ten injured people. "As far as I know, no one was killed in the accident. The locomotive and the first two cars flipped over as a result of the derailment. We are currently busy rescuing the passengers," he said. Simona, one of the passengers on the train, recounted the accident: "I sat in the car and felt a massive jolt and then the train derailed. a window was broken and we climbed outside. We turned over and I heard cries and screams." According to Simona, "the train was not quite full at the time of the clash." Another passenger, David, told Ynet: "I can see the first cars that flipped upside down. People are trapped inside and gas is leaking from the train. We were instructed to stay away from the train. Rescue teams are pulling the injured one by one from the cars." -By Raanan Ben-Zur. Oren Rice and Meital Yasur-Beit Or contributed to the report.

Poll: Public opposes Olmert's Convergence Plan 56%:37%
By Dr. Aaron Lerner  

The following are the results of a poll of a representative sample of 515 adult Israelis (including Israeli Arabs) carried out on the evening of 7 June by Dialog for Haaretz.  The poll was supervised by Prof. Camille Fuchs of Tel Aviv University.  Sample survey error +/-  4.4 percentage points: Do you support convergence?  [AL: aka "Consolidation" aka withdrawal from most of the West Bank], Support 37% Oppose 56% Don't know 7%. Do you think that the Convergence will be carried out or not? Yes 51% No 32% Don't know 17%. Are you satisfied by the performance of: Olmert: Yes 35% No 35%, Livni: Yes 53% No 17%, Peretz: Yes 31% No 41%. Who should be the next president - Rabbi Lau or Reuven Rivlin? Lau 47% Rivlin 28% Other replies 25%. Who should be the next president (open question). Peres 32% Lau 26% Aharon Barak 16% Rivlin 8% Ben Eliezer 4% Other 13%. Who should be the next leader of the Likud? (Likud voters only). Netanyahu 67% Katzav 13% Shalom 9% Other 9%. Are you