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Joint Israeli, Palestinian operations center to monitor disengagement. Israel and the Palestinians are setting up a joint operation center to monitor Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. The operation center is to be located on the Israeli side of the Erez crossing into Gaza. It is expected to be open for four hours Thursday and Friday, but operate around-the-clock beginning Sunday. The room is to be equipped with communications equipment to monitor the Israeli settlements to be evacuated, as well as the positions of Palestinian security forces, who are being deployed to ensure calm. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon warned that if there is Palestinian fire, Israel would respond sharply. At the same time, according to officials on both sides, the Palestinian Authority and Hamas agreed to set up a committee that will monitor the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Hamas, however, turned down a demand by PA president Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) that it forego military-style victory celebrations during the pullout. Hamas spokesman Mushir al-Masri also said the organization reiterated its refusal to disarm.-IBA

Poll of Likud members: Netanyahu 42% Sharon 27%

תוצאות סקר "הגל החדש" בקרב מתפקדי הליכוד

Police Commissioner's message to police declines to call for restraint.

Photo: Moshe Karadi.

Dr. Aaron Lerner:" While Minister of Internal Security Ezra called on the police to show restraint this morning in a live interview broadcast on Israel Radio - with Ezra even citing incidents of police violence, Israel Police Commissioner Moshe Karadi opted to join President Katzav in issuing messages that decline to call on the police to show restraint. Instead Karadi asserts that "The Israel Police has shown and will continue to show self-control and restraint" - implying that the various beatings were not particularly troubling and then sends the clear message "it will not tolerate civil disobedience, the disruption of everyday life and incitement. If necessary, we will act with resolve and without compromise in dealing with such incidences." When one considers that Karadi's office already assured his men in a pamphlet that the Police will not only defend cops who are sued by civilians but even pay the fines for them even if they were negligent "so long as this is not an instance of behavior that constitutes a radical deviation from the carrying out of your role"  it appears the Karadi has given a very bright green light to the police to give the broadest possible interpretation to his call below to "act with resolve and without compromise"


Disengagement Message From Israel Police Commissioner Moshe Karadi. A  Special Message From The Commissioner [Israel Government Press Office.
The Disengagement Plan
Police Officers, Commanders and families:

The Israel Police stands on the eve of one of the most complicated, sensitive and challenging operations that it has ever known - the Disengagement from the Gaza Strip and Northern Samaria. The disengagement affects each and every one of us. It strikes an open nerve and questions our very ideals, faith and way of life. As policemen and women, we are attentive and sensitive to the difficulties and pain of those settlers who are to be evacuated from their homes. At the same time we are determined to carry out our mission, doing so with the realization that this is the ultimate test of a law-abiding, democratic Israeli society. For the past several months the Israel Police, in conjunction and close cooperation with the IDF, has been continuously analyzing and planning for the day of disengagement, ensuring that we are prepared to the very best of our abilities. During this time we have had to deal with new and previously unknown issues and to come up with creative solutions and guidelines. In addition, we undertook specialist training of our security forces, coaching them individually and together in their respective units for the task ahead - one which demands the highest of standards operationally, ethically and psychologically. Now that the disengagement is almost upon us, and several thousand policemen and policewomen have been deployed to deal with the recent anti-pullout demonstrations, I wish to emphasize several important points:

1. We are obligated to carry out the decision of the Government of Israel and it's Knesset, to the letter, while at the same time adhering to the values and ideals of the Israel Police.

2. As the days pass by and we come closer to the withdrawal, the public debate has become more intense and vocal. The Israel Police has no part in this debate. Every police officer, as an individual and as a citizen, has the right to hold personal opinions regarding today's political agenda. However, it is forbidden for him (or her) to air his views publicly and to allow this to influence his professional conduct.

3. The recent events, leading up to and during the disengagement, provide a challenge for the Israel Police in its ability to enforce the law with minimal use of force. The Israel Police has shown and will continue to show self-control and restraint, making every effort to conduct a dialogue and reduce tension on all sides. The police, as the law-enforcing body in a democratic society, will permit freedom of expression and legitimate protest. However it will not tolerate civil disobedience, the disruption of everyday life and incitement. If necessary, we will act with resolve and without compromise in dealing with such incidences.

4. The disengagement process is of great public interest.  We should be aware that we are being closely scrutinized both by the public at large and by those soldiers who are serving shoulder to shoulder, along side of us.

5. Most of the operations occurring inside the first and second security cordons will take place within the areas of Samaria and the Gaza Strip and will therefore require a high degree of alertness and the complete enforcement of operational procedures in order to ensure the security, safety and well-being of all those involved. The professionalism and determination that you have exhibited during the last few months, as officers and commanders, in coping with your assignments, is stronger than ever. This is in part as a result of our preparation and training and also due to the fact that each unit is fully equipped to carry out its task. This preparedness can be attributed to the hard work of hundreds of officers and commanders, and was recently put to the test during demonstrations occurring within the last few months. In the course of these events, you exhibited impressive leadership qualities and overwhelming responsibility thus enabling the police to accomplish its mission in a most dignified manner. The experience gained provides us with hope and confidence for the difficult days ahead. We now need to gather all our resources and inner strengths so that we may successfully implement the disengagement programme, whilst at the same time continue to serve the public and provide daily policing and law enforcement. I am fully aware of the excellent quality of our police officers and commanders, and therefore I'm sure that at the end of the day, we will successfully carry out our mission and in doing so, collectively contribute to the democratic character of our nation. Therefore, dear families, now more than ever, you are asked to show a great deal of understanding, support and partnership so that we may conduct this operation in the best way possible. I would like you to know that we are doing everything in our power to assist you during this trying time. With much gratitude for being fully committed and supportive,

Moshe Karadi
Inspector-General

President appeals for national unity; apologizes for uprooting settlers. President Moshe Katzav addressed the nation Wednesday night and urged unity ahead of the disengagement. The president's emotional appeal was simultaneously broadcasted on all television networks. He said that what unites the people is greater than what divides them. President Katzav apologized to the settlers and asked them to forgive the state for uprooting them. He said, "In the name of Israel, I ask your forgiveness because we are asking you to leave your homes after decades." The president cited the heroism of the people who the state sent to settle in the Gaza Strip despite the dangers they faced. He told them that they had made historic achievements but now must honor the Knesset's decision and not cause a split in the nation which is what Israel's enemies are waiting for. Knesset Member Zvi Hendel (National Union) said its too bad the Israeli people did not hear Katzav warn them before the World Bank released its report indicating that the Sharon government is one of the most corrupt in the Western world. He said it's too bad that we did not hear him when Sharon acted like a dictator and threw the results of a democratically conducted party referendum into the garbage, and fired ministers in order to create an artificial majority in the government for the disengagement. IBA

Joint Israeli, Palestinian operations center to monitor disengagement. Israel and the Palestinians are setting up a joint operation center to monitor Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. The operation center is to be located on the Israeli side of the Erez crossing into Gaza. It is expected to be open for four hours Thursday and Friday, but operate around-the-clock beginning Sunday. The room is to be equipped with communications equipment to monitor the Israeli settlements to be evacuated, as well as the positions of Palestinian security forces, who are being deployed to ensure calm. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon warned that if there is Palestinian fire, Israel would respond sharply. At the same time, according to officials on both sides, the Palestinian Authority and Hamas agreed to set up a committee that will monitor the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Hamas, however, turned down a demand by PA president Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) that it forego military-style victory celebrations during the pullout. Hamas spokesman Mushir al-Masri also said the organization reiterated its refusal to disarm. IBA

PM warns of incitement campaign against him. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has warned of a campaign of incitement that is being waged against him and of serious and often crude pressure on cabinet ministers. He charged that rabbis are taking part in the campaign of incitement and calling for the refusal to evacuate. Sharon said that one of the heads of the rebels has been active in the United States Congress calling on members to prevent military aid to Israel after the disengagement. The prime minister said he planned to compete for Likud Party leader and win in order to head the next government. Sharon repeated that he would not negotiate over Jerusalem, settlement blocs in the West Bank would be fortified and Palestinian refugees from 1948 would not return to Israel. In an interview televised Wednesday night on Channel One, the prime minister accused Binyamin Netanyahu of having personal motives for resigning from the government. He said that quitting on the eve of the disengagement and the debate on the state budget is running way from responsibility. Prime Minister Sharon said that Netanyahu's resignation at this time is less than honorable. Reka.

Abbas Demands Rice to Press on Israel to get out from Rafah Border Crossing. GAZA,  (IPC+Agencies)-[Official PA website]--Nabil Abu Rudenh, the spokesperson of presidency said that the president Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) made a telephone conversation with the USA Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice briefed her on the Palestinian preparations for impeding Israeli pullout from the Strip. "President Mahmoud Abbas gave his assurance that the Palestinians were ready for the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip," the spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudenh, said in Gaza City. In his conversation with Rice, Abbas also urged the top US diplomat to put pressure on Israel to withdraw its troops from the Egypt-Gaza border crossing, where Cairo is slated to deploy 750 border guards under a tentative agreement. Meanwhile, the premier Arial Sharon asserted just days before the impeding pullout from Gaza that he will retain control on the settlement blocks in the West Bank an illegal home of further 245,000 settlers. Sharon said in interview with the Israeli TV Channel "one "The settlement blocs will continue to exist. I will not negotiate on the subject of Jerusalem. The blocs will remain territorially linked to the state of Israel." "At the same time, there will be no return of 1948 Palestinian refugees to Israel,", in reference to the indigenous Palestinians, who were displaced from their cities , towns and villages upon the creation of Israel in 1948. In the same context, the Israeli daily Jerusalem post quoted the Vice Prime Minister Ehud Olmert saying Wednesday that Israel's Gaza pullout will be "complete," and will include a withdrawal from a critical road along Gaza's border with Egypt, known as the Philadelphia corridor, although he said an agreement for the pullback there would likely be reached only after the evacuation of the Gaza settlements "We will not be in any territory that is part of the recognized boundaries of Gaza," he said. "We will be completely out." "The pullout from Gaza is in no way an attempt to trade off Gaza for the West Bank," Olmert said in a Jerusalem address to members of the foreign press sponsored by the Washington DC based pro-Israel advocacy group 'The Israel Project.' "This may be suspected by some, and misinterpreted by some, but this is not the policy of the government of Israel," he said. Olmert also said that the government was prepared to carry on negotiations with the Palestinians after this month's disengagement according to the internationally-backed peace plan "Road Map".
 

Many thousands pray at Western Wall against disengagement Pullout foes to hold mass rally at Kikar Rabin. Tens of thousands of disengagement protesters took part Wednesday night in mass prayers at Jerusalem's Western Wall. Among those attending were three former chief rabbis, Rabbis Yosef, Shapira, and Eliyahu. The police estimated that around 70,000 people were present at the Western Wall, while the organizers put the figure at as many as one hundred thousand. A huge rally is called to start at 7 p.m. Thursday at Tel Aviv's Kikar Rabin. Organizers are expecting up to 110,000 people will attend the last mass protest before the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and four northern communities is due to begin next week. Reka

Soldier jailed for activist death.

An Israeli ex-soldier who killed UK peace activist Tom Hurndall in the Gaza Strip has been jailed for eight years. Ex-sergeant Taysir Hayb was convicted of manslaughter at an Israeli military court in June for shooting Mr Hurndall, of north London, in April 2003. He was sentenced to seven years for manslaughter and one year for obstruction of justice.

ZOA CRITICIZES BUSH PRESSURE TO STOP ISRAEL FROM RESPONDING TO ARAB TERRORISM. New York - The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has strongly criticized the Bush Administration for demanding that Israel not respond in any serious way to the murder of Israelis by Palestinian Arabs.  The New York Times reported (8/7/05) that U.S. General William Ward, who is working on reforming Palestinian security services, "confirmed that American pressure helped stop the Israeli military two weeks ago, when it was poised to go into Gaza after a suicide bombing and rocket and mortar attacks that killed six Israeli civilians.  Ward predicted that there would be similar discussions should the possibility arise again." ZOA President Morton A. Klein said, "This pressure by the Bush Administration to stop the Jewish state of Israel from appropriately responding to Palestinian Arab terror has repeatedly occurred throughout his administration.  Only last week, Sec'y of State Condoleezza Rice demanded that Israel 'exercise restraint' in responding to the murder of Jews by Palestinians, while at the same time demanding that Israel transfer combat support equipment, weapons and ammunition to the Palestinian Authority. (Ma'ariv, 7/29/05). "We also remember Sec'y of State Colin Powell's condemnation of Israel's response to Palestinian attacks on Israeli citizens as being 'excessive and disproportionate.' (4/14/01) Powell also said of Israeli killings of Hamas leaders 'We have spoken out and condemned this targeted killing; this kind of response is too aggressive.' (CNN - 8/1/01). "We also will never forget President George Bush himself publicly criticizing Israel for killing the two Hamas terror leaders, Sheikh Yassin and Dr. Rantisi saying it was 'unhelpful'.  His spokesman Scott McClelland said Israel 'should exercise restraint (3/22/04), and State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said, 'we find the killing of Yassin not an act of self-defense...we find it deeply troubling.'" (3/22/04).
The Sunday New York Times article begins by saying, "The Bush Administration has increased pressure on the Israeli government...according to American, Israeli and international officials."  It continues by saying, "Israeli officials, who agreed to speak only on background because of the sensitivity of the topic, acknowledged the new pressure from Washington... Ms. Condoleezza Rice in particular has been forceful and even abrupt in her dealings with senior Israeli officials including the foreign and defense ministers, Silvan Shalom and Shaul Mofay.  On her recent trip here, she treated meetings with them in their offices as her meetings, taking control of the agenda and even announcing when the meetings would end, the Israeli officials said." Two weeks ago, the Israeli Ha'aretz reported on her meeting with Israeli officials saying Rice was "full of demands on Israel, she ticked us all off...she twisted our aim and said we had to make all kinds of concessions to Mazen."  They added that Rice "ranted and raved" against Israel, but when it came to PLO Chief Abbas she "praised his leadership abilities and his war on terror."  Klein added, "It is becoming more and more clear that Rice and President Bush are not fair to Israel in the U.S. approach to the Arab war against Israel.  They seem to be on the side of Abbas and his terrorist regime.  The U.S., in fact, should be on Israel's side.  Israel is their loyal, democratic peace-loving ally while the PA has shown themselves to be
terrorist dictators, who don't fight terror or end incitement against Israel. "President Bush and Sec'y Rice should be aware that Americans support Israel and understand its difficult situation.  A recent McLaughlin & Associates poll commissioned by ZOA showed that by a margin of 3 to 1, Americans believe that a Palestinian state's goal will be the destruction of Israel - not peace with Israel.  Americans also oppose U.S. aid to the Palestinians by 80% to 12%.  And by a margin of 63% to 5%, Americans believe Jerusalem should remain under Israeli sovereignty. "Especially during an era of international radical Islamic terror, President Bush and Sec'y Rice should not be demanding that Israel exercise restraint against Palestinian terror while complimenting the regime that allows or promotes terror. "In borrowing a similar phrase Elie Wiesel used in front of President Reagan, I would like to say,  'Mr. Bush, your place is with the victims of Islamic terror, the democratic State of Israel, not with the perpetrators and facilitators of terror, Abbas and the Palestinian Authority.'  Mr. Bush, stop appeasing the Palestinian Authority, stop pressuring Israel, and start
pressuring the Palestinian Authority."

Israeli Official: Building Gaza Port But Will Work Out Controls Before Finished. By Dr. Aaron Lerner. In response to MK Binyamin Netanyahu's warning today that if the Gaza Port is opened that Gaza will be flooded with weapons, a "senior Israeli Government source" told Israel Radio this afternoon that while Israel has agreed to allow the Palestinians to build the Gaza Port that before the port is finished proper arrangements will be made to insure that smuggling does not take place and that Israel will not allow the port to open if such arrangements have not be made. There was no indication in the report broadcast on Israel Radio if the Israel Radio correspondent asked the "source" if they considered the possibility that when the port is completed that Israel may find itself in diplomatic situation that the world community that contributed to build the port will support the Palestinian rejection of Israeli "demands" and various nations simply challenge the Israeli naval blockade. It should be noted that while Israel does carry out various simulations that the goals of the "red team" are rarely in line with what policy critics warn they are.  For example, those simulating the leadership of the Palestinian side in such simulations typically are not trying to manipulate the situation to be able to engage in a war of attrition while enjoying cover as weak.  Instead the simulations assume that the Palestinian leaders actually want peace with Israel to eternity etc. but are weak.

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,"...Read the full article.

An indictment was filed against Rabbi Lt. Amital Barel. An indictment was filed today against Rabbi Lt. Amital Barel from the Gaza division's Northern Brigade for subordination, instigating subordination and conduct unbecoming an officer. The defendant arrived at the Kissufim security crossing dressed in a military uniform and wearing officer's ranks and insignia on July 24th, 2005. The officer then proceeded to call out against the orders given to the soldiers, officers and policemen present at the crossing. According to the indictment, the officer attempted to convince the soldiers not to carry out the orders given to them within the framework of the disengagement plan.  The military prosecution has requested that the officer remain in custody until all legal proceedings against him are complete. The IDF expects its officers to set a personal example of conduct, even when the missions at hand are in opposition with their private opinions. The IDF will continue to act decisively against any show of insubordination or enticement to do so and also against the declaration of any political stance while in serving in the military. The IDF does not choose its missions, difficult as they may be, and its soldiers and officers must carry out these missions in their entirety

Dissident: "IRAN HAS 4,000 CENTRIFUGES"

Photo: Two technicians adjust their protective wear, alongside a box containing uranium ore concentrate, known as yellowcake, at the Uranium Conversion Facility of Iran.

VIENNA, Austria- Iran's president said Tuesday he will submit new proposals in negotiations over his country's nuclear program but denounced a European offer of aid as an "insult," as the UN nuclear agency tried to resolve the crisis without referring Tehran to the Security Council. While the International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-country board considered a new warning to a defiant Iran to suspend its atomic activities, fresh areas of concern emerged Tuesday. An exiled dissident said Iran recently produced 4,000 centrifuges capable of enriching uranium to weapons grade. Alireza Jafarzadeh, who helped uncover details of Iran's program in 2002 that fuelled U.S. suspicions the country was trying to build a nuclear bomb, told The Associated Press the centrifuges are ready to be...Read the full article

The U.S. Embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia will be closed on Monday and Tuesday due to a threat against U.S. RIYADH, Saudi Arabia- The U.S. Embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia will be closed on Monday and Tuesday due to a threat against U.S. government buildings, the embassy said Sunday. In a statement, the embassy said mission personnel will limit their non-official travel during the next two days and urged Americans to keep "a high level of vigilance."...Read the full article.

Israeli Finance Minister Netanyahu quits. JERUSALEM- Israeli Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resigned from his post Sunday to protest next week's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank, a ministry spokesman said. Netanyahu, seen as Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's biggest political rival within the Likud Party, submitted a letter of resignation during the weekly Cabinet meeting Sunday, said the Finance Ministry spokesman, Eli Yosef. The resignation will take effect within 48 hours. After Netanyahu submitted his resignation, the Cabinet gave its final approval to the first stage of the Gaza pullout — the dismantling of the isolated Netzarim, Kfar Darom and Morag settlements. Israel plans to begin removing some 9,000 settlers from their homes, starting in days. All 21 Israeli settlements in Gaza and four in the West Bank are marked for dismantling. Netanyahu, a former prime minister and political hard-liner, has long been conflicted over the Gaza withdrawal. He has voted in favor of the pullout in the Cabinet but also tried to torpedo the plan in parliamentary maneuvers. Netanyahu is expected to challenge Sharon for party leadership ahead of the next election. The Tel Aviv stock Exchange's Maof index dropped nearly 3 percent within minutes after the resignation was announced. Netanyahu led efforts to streamline the Israeli economy, often adopting harsh measures to implement his austerity plan.

Netanyahu's Resignation Letter. [Unofficial translation by IMRA/Dr. Aaron Lerner]

7 August 2005

Mr. Ariel Sharon
Prime Minister
Jerusalem

Sir;

From the first conversation when you presented your plan to me, I told you that I oppose unilateral withdrawal without anything in return, that in my estimation will strengthen the forces of terror. As a minimum I asked for the inclusion of the settlement blocs within the security fence before the beginning of the withdrawal and the holding of the Philadephi Corridor in our hands.  In this way we would be neutralizing the impression that we are running away from terror and instead shows that we are choosing a new defense line in accordance with out national interests.  In addition, we set that after then the Government would be able to consider if to decide on the evacuation in light of the reality developing in the area. To my sorrow, the security fence has not been completed around the settlement blocs, the Philadelphi Corridor will be handed over to the  Palestinians, and worse than that, we will allow the Palestinians to open a sea port that will be open to the terror boats.

Photo: Israel's Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures during a press conference announcing his resignation, in the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem, Sunday.

To my disappointment, the Government ignores reality.  As I warned, the Hamas is strengthening, the terror continues, the firing of rockets and mortars on our communities has not ended, and terror elements proclaim that they will move the rockets that drove us out of the Gaza Strip to Judea and Samaria, and from there will operate them until "the complete liberation of  Palestine." I do not know when the terror will break out in full force.  It is possible that it will take a month or two or a year or two.  It is possible that the terror will first break out in Judea and Samaria.  I hope that it won't break out at all.  But just as I warned in 1993 that the Oslo Agreement will bring attacks from Judea and Samaria and rockets from Gaza, so I unfortunately am convinced today that the current move will bring in the course of time to an increase in terror rather than a decrease.  As you know full well, security officials also confirm that in the wake of the unilateral withdrawal they expect an increase in terror in the mid-run. In summary: it is becoming increasingly clear that the unilateral withdrawal under fire doesn't give us anything.  The opposite; it endanger the security of Israel, divide the Nation, and sets the principle of withdrawal to the '67 lines that are no defendable.

This is not the way to achieve peace.

I always thought that the withdrawal from Gaza is possible in an agreement or for a reasonable consideration.  That is not the case now.  Therefore, what are we receiving in return for the withdrawal?  What are we receiving for uprooting families with their children, their homes, their graves! We will receive an Islamic terror base. After the terror attacks in New York, Washington, London and Sinai, the world begins to understand that it is necessary to fight terror and not make compromises.  The international community understands more and more that it is impossible to fight terror by running away from it, because the accumulating experience shows that the terror only strengthens and pursues us.  And yet Israel, which showed the world the way to fight terror, now, goes in the completely opposite direction. In recent months I hoped that the Government would open its eyes against this clear reality and change direction. But the opposite happened.  A balanced Government that reflected the will of the People in the last elections has turned into a Government that carries out automatically policies that oppose the principles of the Likud and the mandate that we received from our voters.

Mister Prime Minister, you could have kept a balanced National Government. You could have prevented the splitting of the Nation.  Over the course of months I asked for a national referendum that would maintain unity in the Government and the Nation.  To my sorrow, you chose to oppose it, as before you chose to ignore the referendum of the Likud members that you initiated and whose results you promised to honor.  Now, in these hard days before us, the need for reserve, control and responsibility from all parts of the Nation and the Government is greater than ever. All this time I remained in the Government despite my growing opposition to the withdrawal given the developments.  I did this as an attempt to minimize the dangers and damages resulting from the unilateral withdrawal.  An attempt that to my sorrow has been exhausted.  And I did it out of responsibility to my position as minister of the treasury.   We are in the middle of carrying out a revolution of reforms and privatizations unprecedented in the market, which will strengthen the State of Israel and its economy.  These days I completed the two last reforms, in banks and reducing taxes, and I prepared a responsible State budget that I developed in complete coordination with you. When I entered my position two and a half years ago, the Israeli economy was on the edge of collapse.  Today this economy is healthy, growing and vibrant.  If the economic policies that I led are not changed, the growth will continue and reach all parts of the Nation. Today we reached the moment of truth.  There is a way to reach peace and security.  Unilateral withdrawal under fire without compensation is not the way.  I am not prepared to be a partner to a step that ignores reality and blindly advances the establishment of an Islamic terror base that will  threaten the State.  I am not prepared to be a partner to an irresponsible move that endanger the security of Israel, divides the Nation, sets the principle of withdrawal to the '67 lines, and in the future even endangers the unity of Jerusalem.

Therefore I advise today of my resignation from the Government.

Best regards,
Binyamin Netanyahu

Netanyahu Resigns, Communicated by The One Jerusalem Team

Dear Friend of Jerusalem,

Today, Benjamin Netanyahu surprised the political world by resigning from Israel's government. He left behind a legacy of transforming Israel's economy ― enabling it to compete in the 21st century. Some of Netanyahu's free-market economic agenda is not yet enacted, but he obviously feels that he must leave that sphere for another task ― leadership of Israel's nationalist camp, which has been the target of a government pursuing a policy of handing the terrorists Israeli land for nothing in return. Today, at a news conference, Netanyahu proclaimed, "Here in the Middle East, there is a way to make peace, and this is not the way." He argued that this government did not have a mandate to throw Jews from their homes and to reward the terrorists. He also referred to Condi Rice's recent proposal to give guns and ammunition to Palestinian terrorists when he said, "we are once again talking about giving them guns, it is unbelievable... the Disengagement strengthens Hamas and it leads to them eventually reaching Jerusalem."

Until he made his decision public, Netanyahu's close aids urged him to stay in the government, but he held true to his belief that the Retreat from Gaza was endangering the security of the nation and the foundations of Zionism. For Netanyahu, rewarding terrorism has never been the answer. Now Israel has a national leader to lead the charge against appeasement. Look for One Jerusalem's Chairman, Natan Sharansky, to be at Netanyahu's side in this important campaign. As you know, Natan resigned from the government months ago for the same reasons. With Natan's international stature combined with Bibi's stature at home and abroad, at last Israel and the world will begin to understand that the Retreat does not have popular support in Israel and that it will have a negative impact on the international war on terror.

You can be assured that should there be pictures of Hamas and other terrorists groups proclaiming victory in Gaza, young would-be terrorists will begin signing up in Gaza, The West Bank, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, etc. Bibi is giving a much needed shot in the arm to the anti-appeasement forces that must triumph if we are ever to vanquish our enemies. Sincerely yours, The One Jerusalem Team

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT AND MESSAGE FROM WORLD JEWISH NEWS AGENCY. URGENT APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC

Turkey Travel Warning. (Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser). The National Security Council HQ has today,  issued the following statement: "In light of the revelations regarding serious concrete terrorist threats at coastal sites in Turkey, the National Security Council Counter-Terrorism HQ hereby issues a temporary travel warning, which is likely to be short, until the threats are lifted.  Until such time, all Israeli citizens are warned to avoid visiting or staying in a coastal strip in southern Turkey between Alanya and Kemer.  Recommendations against staying close to Turkey's borders with Iran and Iraq remain in force.  Israelis are likewise called on to be alert and maintain the recommended rules of behavior throughout Turkey."

PCBS: Number of Colonizers in OPT in 2004 Reached 440,415. RAMALLAH, (WAFA-PLO news agency)- Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) said that the number of colonizers in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) in 2004 reached 440,415 colonizers, including 432,275 in the West Bank and 8,140 in Gaza Strip. In a report about Israeli colonies in OPT for the year 2004, (PCBS) said today that the percentage of colonizers in OPT, according to 2004 data, equaled 10.6% of the total population of the OPT with the highest percentage at Jerusalem Governorate at 37.5%...Read the full article.

Abbas asks Rice to pressure Israel to withdraw Rafah crossing demand. Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) asked United States secretary of state Condoleezza Rice to pressure Israel to drop its demand for an Israeli presence at the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. The Palestinian leader and Secretary Rice are said to have spoken Wednesday night about Israeli-Palestinian coordination in advance of the disengagement.

Commander of the Southern Command: As of Midnight 14/08/05, Staying in the Gaza Strip Will be Illegal. 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....Read the full article.

Mass rally in Rabin Square, Tel Aviv. To protest the Sharon plan at 6:45 pm foreign press briefing, behind the main stage. Speakers include leaders of the national camp – former government ministers and members of Knesset, Yesha Council heads. Tens of thousands are expected, in a follow-up to Wednesday's massive Kotel prayer.

Gunmen kidnap senior Iraqi official in Baghdad; 5 more Americans killed.

Photo: Sisters of Muthana Ahmed mourn at the sight of his coffin during a funeral procession for him and two others Wednesday in Baghdad, Iraq. The three were gunned down by unknown attackers Tuesday on their way to the Sunni al-Yaman mosque in Baghdad.

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Gunmen kidnapped a senior Interior Ministry official in the heart of the Iraqi capital Wednesday, and the U.S. military reported that five more American soldiers had been killed. The latest violence came as Iraqi politicians intensified talks to try to meet a Monday deadline for finalizing a constitution. Brig. Gen. Khudayer Abbas...Read the full article.

Poll on media coverage - 50%:38% too much coverage of disengagement. By Dr. Aaron Lerner  The following is IMRA's translation of results of a telephone poll carried out by "Brain Base" ["Maagar Mochot"] of a representative sample of 491 adult Israelis (including Israeli Arabs) for Israel Radio's "Another Matter" program on 10 August 2005. To what extent do you follow each of the following via the media (radio, TV, newspapers, internet): [percent who replied considerable  + very great extent] Security 76% Disengagement 47% Politics 44% Education 43% Economy 37% Society 36%. Would you like coverage of the following to increase as compared to current media coverage?: [percent who replied yes  + absolutely yes] Security 44% Politics 27% Education 57% Economy 43% Society 44%. Do you agree with the assertion that the media is giving too much coverage to the disengagement and not enough to social and education matters? No 38% Yes 50% Other 12%
 

Syrian MP Muhammad Habash on the Prophet Muhammad's Ecological  Project of Cleaning Al-Madina of the Garbage Thrown by the Jews.

Habash: Few people know that when the Prophet Muhammad reached Al-Madina, he initiated an ambitious project to preserve its environment. Bilal said that when the Prophet's companions reached Al-Madina, they all contracted fever because of the filthy environment. The Jews used to throw away dung, body parts, and stuff. The Jews used to throw them away outside the eastern gates of Al-Madina, and when the eastern wind blew, it would make them sick. The Jews used to do this in Al-Madina. The settlements of Bani Qureiza, Bani Qaynuqa' and Bani Nadhir - they were located where the eastern wind would come from. Instead of being refreshing, this wind made people sick.

Host: The eastern wind in springtime served as the muse for many a poet...
Habash: Yes, but it turned into a poisonous wind from the amount of filth thrown by the Jews at the gates of Al-Madina. The Prophet Muhammad considered it a duty for the nation to protect and preserve the environment. He initiated this ambitious project, and when He entered a mosque, He said: "The mosque's garbage is the dowry of the black-eyed virgins." Source: Memri.

President al-Assad Conferes With Iranian Counterpart. Tehran , ( SANA-Syrian News Agency ). President Bashar al-Assad and his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday evening held a meeting in the presence of both countries' official delegations. Later, the two presidents held bilateral meeting where President Assad congratulated President Ahmadinejad on taking over his high post, wishing him success. Talks during the meeting dealt with the bilateral relations between Syria and Iran and means of boosting and developing them in all fields, where both sides reviewed outcomes of the joint Syrian-Iranian Higher Committee's meetings, expressing satisfaction over these outcomes. They underlined the importance of deepening those relations in the economic, trade and investment domains in the interest of the two brotherly countries. Presidents al-Assad and Ahmadinejad discussed the regional and international developments in addition to the latest developments on the Palestinian and Iraqi arenas, terrorism and fighting it, as well as the stalled peace process in the region. Viewpoints were identical on issues discussed, where both presidents stressed commitment to help the Iraqi people preserve territorial integrity, achieve security and stability in Iraq . The two sides underlined support to the underway political process in Iraq with participation of all Iraqi people to run their own affairs and restore Iraq sovereignty. Both presidents also showed support to the Palestinian people to restore legitimate right to return home, independence and establish their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital. The two sides agreed to continue coordination and consultation between both friendly countries.

Mennonite Central Committee - Promoting Conflict via Divestment.  By Ariel Rosenzveig.

The Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) was founded in the 1920s and currently is supported by 15 separate church groups as "the relief, development and service arm" of the Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches in Canada and the United States. According to its mission statement, the group claims to "seek to demonstrate God's love by working among people suffering from poverty, conflict, oppression and natural disaster." The MCC is involved in numerous humanitarian endeavors around the world, including several projects in the Middle East. According to its website, the MCC "began relief work in Palestine in 1949 following war and the creation of the state of Israel, which left 700,000 Palestinians as refugees." (The context of the Arab invasion in 1948 has been erased from this distorted background.). As detailed in NGO Monitor's previous analysis, in addition to its relief role, the MCC is actively involved in the political activities of radical Palestinian groups. This analysis highlighted MCC support for the "Bridges Not Walls" campaign, an initiative that notably lacks any reference to the impact of Palestinian terror. Similar biases were found in MCC's July-September 2004 "Peace Office Newsletter", including highly political attacks against Israel, that labeled the construction of the security barrier as an Israeli "systematic land-grab policy". This language repeated the political rhetoric of Palestinian groups, ignores the terrorism that led to this response, and has no place in the activities of a humanitarian organization. Despite the claims made in the response from MCC Executive Director Ronald J.R. Mathies, the organization's radical pro-Palestinian approach continues. For example, MCC provides subsidies to radical Palestinian political groups. Including BADIL, an advocacy group for Palestinian refugee claims and the subject of previous NGO Monitor reports. BADIL's application for UN recognition was recently rejected due to its extremist political position.

The Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center, a self-described "ecumenical grassroots" Christian organization that claims to work for peace and justice in the region, is also the recipient of MCC assistance. The MCC website documents that it supports Sabeel's "efforts to strengthen the witness of the local Palestinian churches for justice and peace." In reality, Sabeel's actions demonstrate its commitment to an extreme anti-Israel agenda that promotes and fuels conflict, in place of working towards peace and reconciliation, all with the support of the Mennonite Central Committee. A January 9, 2004, article by Sabeel founder and director Naim Ateek goes as far as blaming Israel for the actions of suicide bombers that prey on Israeli civilians. Ateek attacks Israel for "trampling Palestinian dignity and brutalizing their very existence." (See also Robert Everett and Dexter Van Zile, "Reawakening the teachings of contempt", Jerusalem Post, January 23, 2005.). The MCC, through Sabeel and other allies, is also involved in promoting the extremist political campaign designed to isolate Israel through calls for boycott and divestment. MCC's own role in promoting a radical pro-Palestinian position is repeated in a June 2005 article entitled "Peace building in Palestine/Israel: A Discussion Paper", re-posted on the Faithf utures Foundation website. The author alleges that, "Time and again Israel has ignored United Nations resolutions and international law." This is a distortion of international law based on a highly selective analysis of the UN, which also ignores the history of military aggression against Israel, in violation of the UN charter and relevant resolutions. The author also refers to "the Nakba, or catastrophe, of 1948", thereby adopting the Palestinian mythology which erases the Arab military invasion. In addition, the article repeats the standard anti-Israel condemnation of the separation barrier, again without providing the context of terrorism.

In summary, while claiming to work for all people "suffering from poverty, conflict, oppression and natural disaster," the MCC applies this principle selectively. This NGO has adopted radical Palestinian positions and erased terror attacks against Israelis, further fuelling the conflict instead of
promoting reconciliation and compromise. By using the resources provided for humanitarian activities to promote extremist political campaigns against Israel, MCC has violated its mandate.
 

The funerals have been taking place amid heightened security of the four Israeli Arabs shot dead on a bus by a 19-year-old Israeli army deserter.

Thousands of mourners marched behind the coffins of two sisters in the town of Shfaram, where extra police have been dispatched in case of unrest. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called the shooting a reprehensible act by a "bloodthirsty terrorist". The 19-year-old gunman was lynched by an angry crowd after the attack. The army said the teenager, named as Eden Nathan Zaada from the Jewish settlement of Tapuah in the West Bank, had deserted in protest at the Gaza pullout. He was wearing his army uniform and a skullcap when he opened fire in the northern Israeli Arab town. Israel is due to pull its settlers and soldiers out of the Gaza Strip later this month, and correspondents say there have been fears of attacks by Jewish settlers opposed to the withdrawal. Thousands of Muslims, Christians and Jews joined a procession through Shfaram in honour of the four victims, said to be two Muslim sisters and two Christians. Both Israeli Arabs and Jews have come from surrounding areas to express their solidarity, our correspondent says, placing flowers and candles at the scene of the shooting. As the procession moved towards the burial site, the mourners chanted their condolences. "Don't be sad," they told the women's mother. "All the children here are yours."

Retaliation threat: Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has condemned the killings as a "savage crime" and criticised the Israeli government for doing too little to protect Palestinians, the AFP news agency reports. The Palestinian militant group Hamas has threatened retaliation for the attack, in which at least 20 people were wounded. Israel's chief of police, Moshe Karadi, has urged all Israelis to remain calm and await an official inquiry into the incident. Israeli media reports say three teenagers were arrested in Tapuah on Friday on suspicion that they knew of Zaada's intentions. Thousands of Israeli officers were earlier sent to northern Israel around Shfaram and to Jerusalem to prevent potential violence. Fears of disturbances at the city's Temple Mount, a site holy to both Muslims and Jews, eased as Friday prayers came to an end without incident. Arab Israeli leaders have urged people to show restraint during demonstrations in Shfaram after the funerals, Israeli police spokesman Avi Zelba told Reuters news agency. A general strike was declared by Israeli Arabs across Israel. Stability fears: Mr Zaada, described by the army as having a "problematic background", was believed to be a member of the outlawed extremist Kach party. He is said to have deserted his unit a few weeks ago, after refusing to take part in the evacuation of Jewish settlements. His father, Yitzhak Nathan Zaada, said he had asked the army to find his son because he was worried his gun might fall into the wrong hands. "I wasn't afraid he would do something," he told the Associated Press news agency.

Photo: The 19-year-old is said to have deserted his army unit with his gun.

His son had said he would find time to return his weapon, he added. Mr Sharon condemned the attack, saying: "This terror incident is a deliberate attempt to harm the relations between the citizens of Israel. "Terror between civilians is the most dangerous thing for the future of Israel and its democratic stability," he added. Settler groups have also denounced the violence. The bloodiest attack on Arabs by a Jewish extremist dates back to 1994, when a US-born Jew, Baruch Goldstein, shot dead 29 Muslims at a mosque in the West Bank city of Hebron.

Deceptive Saudi Reform Organization. By Dr. Joseph Lerner.  London-based "Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia (MIRA)" is often treated as pro-democratic.  Alex Roberts' "How Not to Encourage Democracy in the Middle East", Dec.3 '03  for the Institute for American Values  revealed MIRA's Islamic extremist objectives.  On July 14, 2005, the U.S. Treasury Office of Foreign Control put MIRA  on its List of Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organizations. IMRA does not know what measures the British government has taken against MIRA, but it is at least active enough to have been quoted at length as reformist in Agence France Presse (AFP) in The Jordan Times, 10 Aug. '05 article "On the prospect for Saudi reform".  The AFP writer Ali Khalil doesn't recall that AFP itself had identified MIRA as a conservative Islamic group as noted in the Roberts story, which follows:

How Not to Encourage Democracy in the Middle East. By Alex Roberts. Last month, the Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia (MIRA), a London-based Saudi dissident group, called for national protests over the Saudi government's refusal to implement political reforms. As a result, hundreds of Saudi citizens took to the streets of Riyadh on two separate occasions in October-rare occurrences in the deeply conservative Kingdom.  MIRA's protests drew much sympathetic attention from the Western media. For example, the Associated Press reported that hundreds had gathered in Riyadh to demand more freedom and democratic reforms. A lengthy article in the New York Times described MIRA's commitment to promoting ``freedom of expression and freedom of assembly" in Saudi Arabia. Should we be optimistic? Are liberal Saudis challenging the House of Saud's conservative Islamist government? Alas, no. The Western media's portrayal of a liberal David fighting a Wahhabi Goliath is mistaken and misleading. What almost all reports fail to mention is that MIRA has only one ultimate goal: a more Islamic, more conservative Saudi Arabia. The group's ``commitment to democracy" is temporary and purely tactical. Its members believe that democratic reforms in Saudi Arabia would erode the ruling family's autocratic power and provide MIRA with an ``in," a foothold from which to pursue its radically conservative political agenda.  Rest assured, if MIRA ever came to power, establishing a meaningful  emocracy in Saudi Arabia would be the last thing on the group's agenda.  MIRA's stated commitment to ``freedom of expression" and liberalism should also be taken with more than a grain of salt. As Mamoun Fandy describes in Saudi Arabia and the Politics of Dissent, the group selectively uses liberal rhetoric to garner support in the West and to destabilize the ``insufficiently Islamic" Saudi regime. Indeed, upon consulting MIRA's website (www.yaislah.org), one finds that the group views religious freedom as a terrible affront to Islam, whose values, according to MIRA, ``have no room for subjectivity."  Still, the Associated Press article of October 14, without qualification, calls MIRA a ``champion of a liberal, moderate system of government." The article represents MIRA as being of the same ilk as 50 Saudi women arrested in 1990 for protesting the national ban on women's driving. What does MIRA actually think about those protests? According to their website, MIRA believes they were part of a ``secularist scheme" that seeks to ``destroy what is left of Islam in Arabia" and to ``complete the westernisation project there."

More disturbingly, MIRA has been linked to al-Qaeda. In 1996, MIRA's president and founder, Saad al-Fagih, purchased a satellite phone later used by al-Qaeda in planning the attack on the U.S. embassy in Nairobi. Also, according to The New Republic, Mr. al-Fagih's close associate, Mohammed al-Masari, admits having collaborated with bin Ladin in the past. MIRA's writings are clearly sympathetic to militant Jihadism. An essay by MIRA entitled ``Options are Limited" states that, ``no matter how much those flatterers try to pick and choose half quotes and misrepresented dictums, the truth remains that Islam. really calls on its followers to overcome opponents and reach the whole world with its universal message. No one who aims at turning this confrontation into a peaceful dialogue shall succeed." Another essay states that ``Bin Ladin is a good warrior, faithful to his cause . Muslims look upon the U.S. from various angles and each glance is enough to precipitate strategic hatred"-in other words, al-Qaeda is Islam's ambassador to the world. If MIRA were to ``reform" Saudi Arabia, the West could expect more anti-Americanism and extremist violence. Despite all of this, the BBC still reprints the PR pieces from MIRA's website and ignores the pro-Jihad ones. While Agence France-Presse accurately identified MIRA as a conservative Islamist group, most of the reporting on MIRA and the Riyadh protests seriously misinformed the public. In place of news stories that  reflected the true range of MIRA's stated political objectives, readers received a romanticized, superficial, and inaccurate portrayal of MIRA as a progressive underdog fighting for liberal democracy. We need better, less reluctant reporting on MIRA and on the Islamic Diaspora's political movements in general. The stakes on these issues are quite high. A growing number of Muslims and Arabs are actively seeking true liberal democratic reform in the Middle East. With these movements come unique prospects for cultivating solid Islam-West relationships based on shared political values and common interests. However, such opportunities could be squandered if genuine liberal Muslim voices are lost in a sea of misinformation and duplicitous rhetoric.