At the government meeting held on Sunday, October 21, 2007, Israeli Security Agency chief Yuval Diskin revealed that the PA had released three previously detained terrorist operatives belonging to a squad which had planned to assassinate the Israeli prime minister. Ehud Olmert’s convoy arriving in Jericho on August 6, 2007. The meeting was heavily guarded after information had been received that there was a planned attempt on his life (Loay Abu Haykel for Reuters, August 6).Overview 1. At the government meeting held on Sunday, October 21, 2007, Israeli Security Agency chief Yuval Diskin revealed that the PA had released three previously detained terrorist operatives belonging to a squad which had planned to assassinate the Israeli prime minister. The attack was to have been carried out during the prime minister's late June visit to Jericho . The visit was cancelled (apparently for political reasons) and rescheduled for August 6. 2. The details of the affair are the following: 1) At the end of June 2007 the ISA gave the Palestinians the names of the members of a terrorist squad who were planning to attack Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The attack was to be carried out at a meeting with PA Chairman Abu Mazen scheduled for the end of June in Jericho . That meeting was not held, but as a result of the information reinforced security measures were in place for the prime minister and his entourage during his August 6 visit to Jericho . 2) Following the information given to the Palestinian security forces by Israel , they detained three terrorist operatives . Two other members of the squad were detained by the Israeli security forces. Two of those detained by the Palestinians belonged to the National Security Force and the third served in General Intelligence. Two of the three were also members of Fatah-Tanzim. 3) The terrorist operatives who were detained admitted that they had planned to shoot at the prime minister's convoy . Nevertheless, all three operatives held by the Palestinians were released on September 26 when the investigation ended. The Palestinians issued contradictory versions of their release: Palestinian “security sources” told a journalist from the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz that they had been released “by mistake,” and that once the mistake had been realized they were again detained. On the other hand, Palestinian “political sources” claimed that the three had been released because they hadn't had a serious plan for carrying out the attack ( Ha'aretz , October 22). 4) The terrorist squad was composed of armed members of the Palestinian security forces with easy access to Jericho . They were supposed to be part of the PA's outer security ring along the road leading to Jericho or around the Intercontinental Hotel, the destination of Olmer's convoy ( Yediot Aharonot , October 22). 3. Ha'aretz reported that last Friday, October 19, the Palestinian security forces again detained two of the three terrorist operatives previously released . According to the same report, Israel detained the third terrorist previously in Palestinian hands. The PA allowed Israeli newsmen to hold short interviews with the two terrorists currently imprisoned in Jericho , in our assessment, in an attempt to deflect Israeli accusations. The two, Muhammad Gharouf and Muhammad Hamdan, were interviewed by Ha'aretz and Yediot Haaharonot reporters and as expected, denied Israel 's version ( Ha'aretz , Yediot Aharonot , October 22). PA responses 4. High-ranking Fatah, Palestinian security force and PA responses to Israel 's accusations were generally unreliable and full of gross contradictions . Some completely denied the existence of a plot to assassinate the prime minister, while others tried to minimize the severity of the issue. Some (including the heads of the Palestinian security forces) admitted that three members of the terrorist squad had been detained, adding that two were still in custody, while glossing over their release and redetention, typical of the PA's revolving door policy under Arafat. 15. The main responses follow: 1) Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad , before meeting with Israeli Knesset Chairman Dalia Itzik, told Israeli journalists that the three suspects detained by the PA had been released after an interrogation lasting three months because no evidence was found against them. However, a few minutes later, meeting with her alone, he told her that he had ordered the two be detained again last Friday, October 19, after learning about the incident for the first time. Fayyad admitted that “it was a mistake, it was a failure of our systems” ( Ha'aretz , Ma'ariv , October 22). His remarks were not quoted by the Palestinian media. 2) On October 21 General Tawfiq al-Tirawi, head of Palestinian General Intelligence , told the Palestinian news agency Wafa that the members of the squad were still in custody and being investigated . He added that the affair should not be used as an excuse to delay Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Interviewed by Agence France Presse on October 21, he stated that two men had been detained and were being interrogated and that the investigation was continuing. Head of Palestinian Military Intelligence Brigadier General Majid Faraj claimed that the men who had been detained were innocent of the accusations made against them. He said that two were still in custody and that the third had been released because no evidence had been found against him (Ma'an News Agency, October 21). 3) Fatah spokesman Ahmad Abd al-Haman denied everything the head of the ISA had said. He said that “the story is a fabrication intended to cast doubts on the efforts made by Fatah and President Abu Mazen to achieve a just peace between the Palestinian people and the Israeli people.” He called upon all the media “to stop dealing with this lie” (Wafa News Agency, October 21). Fatah/Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade issued a blanket denial of the entire affair (PalPress News Agency, October 21). 4 ) Yasser Abd al-Rabbo, secretary of the PLO's executive committee , also claimed that “the Israelis fabricated the event to harm the peace process.” He stressed that the PLO was determined to keep to the peace process. He added that even if it were proved that operatives from Jericho had planned to assassinate Olmet, which he claimed was not true, Israel did not have to punish the entire Palestinian people (Voice of Palestine Radio, October 21). Israeli responses 6. When Israel learned of the release of the three terrorists it contacted the PA though political and security channels and protested the affair, which was a return to the revolving door policy prevalent under Arafat. In addition, important Israeli figures have not entered Jericho and the areas under full PA control since the end of September. 7. On October 21 a foreign ministry spokesman said of the affair that Israel had spoken to the Palestinian leadership on a number of occasions about the rush release of the suspected terrorists by the Palestinian security forces, which the Israelis call the revolving door. He added that Israeli Foreign Minister Tsippi Livni had also spoken about it with her American and Palestinian interlocutors. Ha'aretz reported that last Friday (October 19), during a meeting of the negotiation team held in Jerusalem , Israel lodged a formal protest with the PA concerning the release. The previous day the Israeli foreign minister had told Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad that “the return of the revolving door policy harms Israel 's ability to trust the Palestinian side.” 8. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert sent a similar message to United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice last week ( Ha'aretz , October 22). Interviewed on the plane to Paris he said that the PA's release of the terrorists involved in the affair could not be overlooked. However, he added that he did not intend to allow the incident to affect negotiations with the Palestinians or his meetings with Abu Mazen (Ynet, October 22). A “high-ranking political figure close to the prime minister” said: “I consider it a very serious matter. The affair makes us additionally very apprehensive about the general condition of the Palestinian Authority as a partner. The release of those who planned the assassination does not make add to trust between the two parties in the political process” ( Yediot Aharonot , October 22). 1 According to the revolving door policy prevalent under Arafat, terrorists were detained by the PA to give Israel and the United States the false impression that genuine measures were being taken to prevent terrorism. Most of the detainees were released after a short period of time once a superficial interrogation had been conducted and without their preparations for terrorist attacks having been foiled.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Amnesty criticizes Palestinian infighting
Human rights group slams rival factions for harming civilians during clashes. Hamas government spokesman says, 'We acted out of necessity to put an end to chaos in Gaza' Amnesty International on Wednesday harshly criticized rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah for harming civilians in their deadly infighting.
The international human rights group released a 58-page report titled "Torn apart by factional strife," and said about 350 Palestinians were killed during the first months of 2007 in infighting in the Gaza Strip. Many of the dead were noncombatants, Amnesty said The clashes peaked in mid-June, when Hamas militants thrashed pro-Fatah security forces in the Gaza Strip and overran the territory.
After the Hamas takeover, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah dismissed the Hamas-led Cabinet and formed his own government, which controls the West Bank. Hamas, led by deposed Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, continues to rule Gaza.
During the clashes, militants mounted attacks from civilian apartment buildings and hospitals and targeted rival patients in their hospital beds, the London-based organization said. Fighter used crowded residential neighborhoods as war zones, firing mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and bullets from civilian buildings.
The Abbas government condemned the report, and a Hamas spokesman said his government wants to "open a new page" through dialogue with Fatah.
In examples cited by the report, a child running to a shop buy candy was killed by shrapnel, a young woman heading to a school exam died from a sniper bullet, and a peaceful march through Gaza City to demand an end to the clashes came under fire that killed three civilians.
'We have acted according to law'
Amnesty charged that militants were killed by rivals while in captivity, and others were maimed, often by shooting captives in the shin bones and knees. Civilians also suspected of loyalty to rival groups were drawn into the conflict, the report said. Pro-Fatah security forces snatched Husam Abu Qinas, a 35-year-old tiler, and threw him off a roof, in apparent retribution for Hamas militants throwing a security force official off a high-rise hours before.
Amnesty International said after rival factions formed separate governments in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, both cracked down on suspected rival loyalists.
In the Gaza Strip, members of the Hamas military wing act as police and have detained and tortured Fatah activists and critics. Hamas police routinely beat protesters to break up demonstrations, and have roughed up journalists covering the events, Amnesty said.
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In the West Bank, pro-Fatah security forces detained about 1,000 Hamas sympathizers and members, forcing many to sign statements condemning the Islamic group and disavowing their loyalties to it. Although most were held briefly, many reported being ill-treated or tortured, Amnesty said.
Fatah loyalists have also acted against Hamas sympathizers with impunity, smashing up Hamas-linked institutions, kidnapping and harassing loyalists, the rights group said.
Ashraf Ajrami, a minister in the West Bank government, said the report was baseless.
"I don't think they tried very hard to find out the truth," he said. "We have acted according to law."
Taher Nunu, a Hamas government spokesman, said his movement had acted out of necessity to put an end to chaos in Gaza.
"We regret the victims that fell during the internal clashes. ... Our concern was to defend civilians and our people," he said. "The solution to the disagreement is not by laying blame but is by returning to dialogue and opening a new page."
The international human rights group released a 58-page report titled "Torn apart by factional strife," and said about 350 Palestinians were killed during the first months of 2007 in infighting in the Gaza Strip. Many of the dead were noncombatants, Amnesty said The clashes peaked in mid-June, when Hamas militants thrashed pro-Fatah security forces in the Gaza Strip and overran the territory.
After the Hamas takeover, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah dismissed the Hamas-led Cabinet and formed his own government, which controls the West Bank. Hamas, led by deposed Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, continues to rule Gaza.
During the clashes, militants mounted attacks from civilian apartment buildings and hospitals and targeted rival patients in their hospital beds, the London-based organization said. Fighter used crowded residential neighborhoods as war zones, firing mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and bullets from civilian buildings.
The Abbas government condemned the report, and a Hamas spokesman said his government wants to "open a new page" through dialogue with Fatah.
In examples cited by the report, a child running to a shop buy candy was killed by shrapnel, a young woman heading to a school exam died from a sniper bullet, and a peaceful march through Gaza City to demand an end to the clashes came under fire that killed three civilians.
'We have acted according to law'
Amnesty charged that militants were killed by rivals while in captivity, and others were maimed, often by shooting captives in the shin bones and knees. Civilians also suspected of loyalty to rival groups were drawn into the conflict, the report said. Pro-Fatah security forces snatched Husam Abu Qinas, a 35-year-old tiler, and threw him off a roof, in apparent retribution for Hamas militants throwing a security force official off a high-rise hours before.
Amnesty International said after rival factions formed separate governments in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, both cracked down on suspected rival loyalists.
In the Gaza Strip, members of the Hamas military wing act as police and have detained and tortured Fatah activists and critics. Hamas police routinely beat protesters to break up demonstrations, and have roughed up journalists covering the events, Amnesty said.
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In the West Bank, pro-Fatah security forces detained about 1,000 Hamas sympathizers and members, forcing many to sign statements condemning the Islamic group and disavowing their loyalties to it. Although most were held briefly, many reported being ill-treated or tortured, Amnesty said.
Fatah loyalists have also acted against Hamas sympathizers with impunity, smashing up Hamas-linked institutions, kidnapping and harassing loyalists, the rights group said.
Ashraf Ajrami, a minister in the West Bank government, said the report was baseless.
"I don't think they tried very hard to find out the truth," he said. "We have acted according to law."
Taher Nunu, a Hamas government spokesman, said his movement had acted out of necessity to put an end to chaos in Gaza.
"We regret the victims that fell during the internal clashes. ... Our concern was to defend civilians and our people," he said. "The solution to the disagreement is not by laying blame but is by returning to dialogue and opening a new page."
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Sderot home suffers direct hit in latest Kassam rocket attack
Several hours after an IAF strike left a senior security official in the Hamas government dead, Palestinians fired a ninth rocket into the western Negev on Tuesday. Although no casualties were reported in the attack, the rocket hit a house in Sderot, causing several people to suffer from shock.
The latest Kassam attack came shortly before 7 p.m., with one rocket landing in a residential neighborhood in Sderot and another landing in an open field belonging to a western Negev kibbutz.
The other seven rockets landed in different areas not far from the Gaza periphery. No casualties or damage were reported in the attacks.
On Tuesday afternoon, an Israeli aircraft attacked a car in central Gaza, destroying the vehicle and killing Mubarak al-Hassanat, a Hamas man described by Palestinian officials as an Interior Ministry member. The ministry oversees all Hamas security forces in the Gaza Strip.
Hassanat, 37, also was a top member of the Popular Resistance Committees, a Hamas-linked group that frequently fires rockets into Israel.
The IDF confirmed the airstrike, saying the car was carrying a senior operative responsible for rocket and mortar attacks on Israel.
Overnight Monday, IDF troops operating in Jenin shot and killed two senior Islamic Jihad operatives in a gunfight that ensued after the two resisted arrest. An IDF officer was lightly wounded in the exchange.
The operatives were Khaled Hussein, who was suspected of planning suicide bombings and shooting attacks, and his assistant Tarek Abu Ali.
The two were carrying large amounts weapons when they were killed.
Six other Palestinian terror suspects were arrested in Jenin by a force from the Nahal Brigade.
Meanwhile, an explosive device was thrown at IDF troops operating in Bethlehem Monday night. No one was wounded and no damage was reported in the attack.
IDF troops arrested 19 Palestinian suspects in the West Bank overnight, Army Radio reported.
AP contributed to this report.
The latest Kassam attack came shortly before 7 p.m., with one rocket landing in a residential neighborhood in Sderot and another landing in an open field belonging to a western Negev kibbutz.
The other seven rockets landed in different areas not far from the Gaza periphery. No casualties or damage were reported in the attacks.
On Tuesday afternoon, an Israeli aircraft attacked a car in central Gaza, destroying the vehicle and killing Mubarak al-Hassanat, a Hamas man described by Palestinian officials as an Interior Ministry member. The ministry oversees all Hamas security forces in the Gaza Strip.
Hassanat, 37, also was a top member of the Popular Resistance Committees, a Hamas-linked group that frequently fires rockets into Israel.
The IDF confirmed the airstrike, saying the car was carrying a senior operative responsible for rocket and mortar attacks on Israel.
Overnight Monday, IDF troops operating in Jenin shot and killed two senior Islamic Jihad operatives in a gunfight that ensued after the two resisted arrest. An IDF officer was lightly wounded in the exchange.
The operatives were Khaled Hussein, who was suspected of planning suicide bombings and shooting attacks, and his assistant Tarek Abu Ali.
The two were carrying large amounts weapons when they were killed.
Six other Palestinian terror suspects were arrested in Jenin by a force from the Nahal Brigade.
Meanwhile, an explosive device was thrown at IDF troops operating in Bethlehem Monday night. No one was wounded and no damage was reported in the attack.
IDF troops arrested 19 Palestinian suspects in the West Bank overnight, Army Radio reported.
AP contributed to this report.
Abu Hilal Talking with Abbas is of no use
From Arab media:
GAZA, (PIC)-- Khaled Abu Hilal, the secretary general of the Fatah Al-Yasser movement, has affirmed that inter-Palestinian dialogue without PA chief Mahmoud Abbas being involved was the only way out of the current Palestinian political impasse. Abu Hilal said that Abbas is a well known "American Israeli tool" and dialogue with him would not bear any fruit especially as far as returning cohesion to national unity.
He opined that Abbas would serve as a "Trojan horse" that would try to acieve American and Israeli goals in the autumn conference.
The secretary general charged that PA security apparatuses in the West Bank are implementing what their counterparts in Gaza were doing before their defeat such as coordinating with occupation and arresting strugglers.
He also charged "treacherous elements" in Ramallah with attempting to instigate strife in Gaza.
GAZA, (PIC)-- Khaled Abu Hilal, the secretary general of the Fatah Al-Yasser movement, has affirmed that inter-Palestinian dialogue without PA chief Mahmoud Abbas being involved was the only way out of the current Palestinian political impasse. Abu Hilal said that Abbas is a well known "American Israeli tool" and dialogue with him would not bear any fruit especially as far as returning cohesion to national unity.
He opined that Abbas would serve as a "Trojan horse" that would try to acieve American and Israeli goals in the autumn conference.
The secretary general charged that PA security apparatuses in the West Bank are implementing what their counterparts in Gaza were doing before their defeat such as coordinating with occupation and arresting strugglers.
He also charged "treacherous elements" in Ramallah with attempting to instigate strife in Gaza.
Peacemaking truths and lies
For 60 years Palestinian and Arab leaders have been lying to their people. Creating and sustaining the lie that the Palestinian refugees of 1948 would return to their original homes and lands makes it almost impossible for President Mahmoud Abbas to reach an agreement with Israel on this, the most central issue in the conflict. Abbas and most of the Palestinian leaders from his Fatah movement have long realized that there could not be any real return of Palestinian refugees to Israel proper, but despite the fact that they have acknowledged this in private discussions with Israelis, they have not yet said it in public. The original 700,000-800,000 Palestinian refugees today number some 4.5 million (no one knows the exact figure of the refugees and their descendents which have been granted refugee status by the UN). In the West Bank and Gaza, not including the Palestinian diaspora, one of every two Palestinians is considered a refugee. Abbas' largest opposition to any agreement with Israel that includes concessions on the refugee issue comes from this very large segment of the population.
FOR 40 years, Israeli leaders have been lying to their public. Creating and sustaining the lie that Jerusalem was united and that all of united Jerusalem will be the eternal capital of the State of Israel makes it nearly impossible for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to make the necessary concessions on the Jerusalem issue to reach an agreement with the Palestinians. It is really quite amazing that the majority of Israelis continue to hold onto the lie in believing that Jerusalem is truly united. Jerusalem has not been a united city since the time of the British Mandate. Most Israelis have never visited (nor do they care to visit) most of Palestinian east Jerusalem. Areas such as Sur Baher, near Kibbutz Ramat Rahel; Jabel Mukaber just past East Talpiot; Sawahre, an Area A Palestinian village near Bethlehem; Walajeh, between Gilo and Bethlehem; and Um Tuba, which is next to Sur Baher, all have no meaning to Israelis.
In fact, most Israelis believe that the state should not invest money in those places thereby providing for equal education and public services. Thus there are parts of the "eternal capital" that look like the undeveloped parts of a Third World country. Ten kilometers from downtown west Jerusalem looks like parts of Calcutta. Almost no Israeli politician has ever visited these places and even the Jerusalem mayor probably isn't even aware or simply doesn't care that these Palestinian neighborhoods are part of his responsibility as Mayor.
Are those Israelis who speak against dividing Jerusalem willing to fight and perhaps die (or to send their children to fight and perhaps die) so that Um Tuba will remain part of the "eternal capital" of Jerusalem? I seriously doubt it.
PEACEMAKING will require from the leaders to undo the web of lies they have helped to spin for so many years. It is time to be honest with both publics. Palestinians have to understand that despite their understanding of "justice" - meaning to them that Palestinian refugees must be allowed to return to their original homes, this is simply impossible. Not only do their original homes no longer exist, their villages and towns have been replaced by others who are already living there 60 years. There is also a fundamental contradiction in seeking "two states for two peoples" while adhering to the "right of return" at the same time.
PALESTINIANS say: Recognize our right of return, and we'll negotiate the implementation details; anyway most refugees will not choose to go back. This kind of open ended "solution" would never be accepted by any Israeli leader.
It is not unreasonable for Palestinians to demand that Israel acknowledge its part in the creation of the refugee tragedy; that Israel contribute generously to an international fund for paying compensation and resettlement money to Palestinian refugees.
Adhering to the position that Israel must recognize the "right of return" is a non-starter.
Similarly, Israeli leaders must have the courage to say out loud that Jerusalem is a divided city today and that in the framework of an Israeli-Palestinian agreement, the Palestinian parts of east Jerusalem will be the capital of the future Palestinian state.
Most Palestinians have already come to terms with the reality that the Israeli neighborhoods - or what they refer to as settlements - in east Jerusalem will remain under Israeli sovereignty. The residents of Ramat Eshkol, French Hill, East Talpiot, Ramot, Pisgat Ze'ev, Neve Ya'akov and Gilo need not worry.
The Clinton parameters - a blue-print for a final status agreement - which most Palestinians today accept, ensure that those neighborhoods would remain part of Israeli Jerusalem.
JERUSALEM is arguably the most "segregated" city in the world. There are almost no areas where Israelis and Palestinians live together. A division along demographic lines is completely possible. The implementation of that division could be based on security realities.
Lastly - though perhaps most importantly - is the Temple Mount or Harem al Sherif. There are really only two possible options for dealing with the most holy of holy places: dividing the control and sovereignty; or transferring the control and sovereignty to a third neutral party.
In either case, both sides would have to agree to preserve the holiness of the sites for each other and for the future. Practically this means that neither side would be able to build, dig, tunnel, or even repair structures or elements that are underneath the holy places.
Jews claim that the Temple Mount is the most holy of holy places for them. The place where the Holy Temples stood, and where most Jews believe lie their remnants has, by Jewish law, been beyond our reach because we believe that the Temple can only be rebuilt only by God after the Messiah comes. We have left this issue in the hands of God for over 2,000 years, surely that will not change because of agreement with the Palestinians and the Muslim world that will recognize the control that they already have on the Mount.
In exchange Palestinians and Muslims would also recognize Israeli and Jewish control over the Western Wall with the same limitations regarding digging and tunneling underneath these sensitive areas.
With this understanding, Jerusalem would be finally recognized as the eternal capital of Israel, but only after Jerusalem is also recognized as the eternal capital of Palestine.
It goes together - this is the truth and the truth must be told.
The writer is co-CEO of the Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information.
This article can also be read at http://www.jpost.com
Peacemaking truths and lies
Gershon Baskin , THE JERUSALEM POST Oct. 22, 2007
For 60 years Palestinian and Arab leaders have been lying to their people. Creating and sustaining the lie that the Palestinian refugees of 1948 would return to their original homes and lands makes it almost impossible for President Mahmoud Abbas to reach an agreement with Israel on this, the most central issue in the conflict. Abbas and most of the Palestinian leaders from his Fatah movement have long realized that there could not be any real return of Palestinian refugees to Israel proper, but despite the fact that they have acknowledged this in private discussions with Israelis, they have not yet said it in public. The original 700,000-800,000 Palestinian refugees today number some 4.5 million (no one knows the exact figure of the refugees and their descendents which have been granted refugee status by the UN). In the West Bank and Gaza, not including the Palestinian diaspora, one of every two Palestinians is considered a refugee. Abbas' largest opposition to any agreement with Israel that includes concessions on the refugee issue comes from this very large segment of the population.
FOR 40 years, Israeli leaders have been lying to their public. Creating and sustaining the lie that Jerusalem was united and that all of united Jerusalem will be the eternal capital of the State of Israel makes it nearly impossible for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to make the necessary concessions on the Jerusalem issue to reach an agreement with the Palestinians. It is really quite amazing that the majority of Israelis continue to hold onto the lie in believing that Jerusalem is truly united. Jerusalem has not been a united city since the time of the British Mandate. Most Israelis have never visited (nor do they care to visit) most of Palestinian east Jerusalem. Areas such as Sur Baher, near Kibbutz Ramat Rahel; Jabel Mukaber just past East Talpiot; Sawahre, an Area A Palestinian village near Bethlehem; Walajeh, between Gilo and Bethlehem; and
Um Tuba, which is next to Sur Baher, all have no meaning to Israelis.
In fact, most Israelis believe that the state should not invest money in those places thereby providing for equal education and public services. Thus there are parts of the "eternal capital" that look like the undeveloped parts of a Third World country. Ten kilometers from downtown west Jerusalem looks like parts of Calcutta. Almost no Israeli politician has ever visited these places and even the Jerusalem mayor probably isn't even aware or simply doesn't care that these Palestinian neighborhoods are part of his responsibility as Mayor.
Are those Israelis who speak against dividing Jerusalem willing to fight and perhaps die (or to send their children to fight and perhaps die) so that Um Tuba will remain part of the "eternal capital" of Jerusalem? I seriously doubt it.
PEACEMAKING will require from the leaders to undo the web of lies they have helped to spin for so many years. It is time to be honest with both publics. Palestinians have to understand that despite their understanding of "justice" - meaning to them that Palestinian refugees must be allowed to return to their original homes, this is simply impossible. Not only do their original homes no longer exist, their villages and towns have been replaced by others who are already living there 60 years. There is also a fundamental contradiction in seeking "two states for two peoples" while adhering to the "right of return" at the same time.
PALESTINIANS say: Recognize our right of return, and we'll negotiate the implementation details; anyway most refugees will not choose to go back. This kind of open ended "solution" would never be accepted by any Israeli leader.
It is not unreasonable for Palestinians to demand that Israel acknowledge its part in the creation of the refugee tragedy; that Israel contribute generously to an international fund for paying compensation and resettlement money to Palestinian refugees.
Adhering to the position that Israel must recognize the "right of return" is a non-starter.
Similarly, Israeli leaders must have the courage to say out loud that Jerusalem is a divided city today and that in the framework of an Israeli-Palestinian agreement, the Palestinian parts of east Jerusalem will be the capital of the future Palestinian state.
Most Palestinians have already come to terms with the reality that the Israeli neighborhoods - or what they refer to as settlements - in east Jerusalem will remain under Israeli sovereignty. The residents of Ramat Eshkol, French Hill, East Talpiot, Ramot, Pisgat Ze'ev, Neve Ya'akov and Gilo need not worry.
The Clinton parameters - a blue-print for a final status agreement - which most Palestinians today accept, ensure that those neighborhoods would remain part of Israeli Jerusalem.
JERUSALEM is arguably the most "segregated" city in the world. There are almost no areas where Israelis and Palestinians live together. A division along demographic lines is completely possible. The implementation of that division could be based on security realities.
Lastly - though perhaps most importantly - is the Temple Mount or Harem al Sherif. There are really only two possible options for dealing with the most holy of holy places: dividing the control and sovereignty; or transferring the control and sovereignty to a third neutral party.
In either case, both sides would have to agree to preserve the holiness of the sites for each other and for the future. Practically this means that neither side would be able to build, dig, tunnel, or even repair structures or elements that are underneath the holy places.
Jews claim that the Temple Mount is the most holy of holy places for them. The place where the Holy Temples stood, and where most Jews believe lie their remnants has, by Jewish law, been beyond our reach because we believe that the Temple can only be rebuilt only by God after the Messiah comes. We have left this issue in the hands of God for over 2,000 years, surely that will not change because of agreement with the Palestinians and the Muslim world that will recognize the control that they already have on the Mount.
In exchange Palestinians and Muslims would also recognize Israeli and Jewish control over the Western Wall with the same limitations regarding digging and tunneling underneath these sensitive areas.
With this understanding, Jerusalem would be finally recognized as the eternal capital of Israel, but only after Jerusalem is also recognized as the eternal capital of Palestine.
It goes together - this is the truth and the truth must be told.
The writer is co-CEO of the Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information.
This article can also be read at http://www.jpost.com
http://www.jpost.com /servlet/Satellite?cid=1192380625954&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%
FOR 40 years, Israeli leaders have been lying to their public. Creating and sustaining the lie that Jerusalem was united and that all of united Jerusalem will be the eternal capital of the State of Israel makes it nearly impossible for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to make the necessary concessions on the Jerusalem issue to reach an agreement with the Palestinians. It is really quite amazing that the majority of Israelis continue to hold onto the lie in believing that Jerusalem is truly united. Jerusalem has not been a united city since the time of the British Mandate. Most Israelis have never visited (nor do they care to visit) most of Palestinian east Jerusalem. Areas such as Sur Baher, near Kibbutz Ramat Rahel; Jabel Mukaber just past East Talpiot; Sawahre, an Area A Palestinian village near Bethlehem; Walajeh, between Gilo and Bethlehem; and Um Tuba, which is next to Sur Baher, all have no meaning to Israelis.
In fact, most Israelis believe that the state should not invest money in those places thereby providing for equal education and public services. Thus there are parts of the "eternal capital" that look like the undeveloped parts of a Third World country. Ten kilometers from downtown west Jerusalem looks like parts of Calcutta. Almost no Israeli politician has ever visited these places and even the Jerusalem mayor probably isn't even aware or simply doesn't care that these Palestinian neighborhoods are part of his responsibility as Mayor.
Are those Israelis who speak against dividing Jerusalem willing to fight and perhaps die (or to send their children to fight and perhaps die) so that Um Tuba will remain part of the "eternal capital" of Jerusalem? I seriously doubt it.
PEACEMAKING will require from the leaders to undo the web of lies they have helped to spin for so many years. It is time to be honest with both publics. Palestinians have to understand that despite their understanding of "justice" - meaning to them that Palestinian refugees must be allowed to return to their original homes, this is simply impossible. Not only do their original homes no longer exist, their villages and towns have been replaced by others who are already living there 60 years. There is also a fundamental contradiction in seeking "two states for two peoples" while adhering to the "right of return" at the same time.
PALESTINIANS say: Recognize our right of return, and we'll negotiate the implementation details; anyway most refugees will not choose to go back. This kind of open ended "solution" would never be accepted by any Israeli leader.
It is not unreasonable for Palestinians to demand that Israel acknowledge its part in the creation of the refugee tragedy; that Israel contribute generously to an international fund for paying compensation and resettlement money to Palestinian refugees.
Adhering to the position that Israel must recognize the "right of return" is a non-starter.
Similarly, Israeli leaders must have the courage to say out loud that Jerusalem is a divided city today and that in the framework of an Israeli-Palestinian agreement, the Palestinian parts of east Jerusalem will be the capital of the future Palestinian state.
Most Palestinians have already come to terms with the reality that the Israeli neighborhoods - or what they refer to as settlements - in east Jerusalem will remain under Israeli sovereignty. The residents of Ramat Eshkol, French Hill, East Talpiot, Ramot, Pisgat Ze'ev, Neve Ya'akov and Gilo need not worry.
The Clinton parameters - a blue-print for a final status agreement - which most Palestinians today accept, ensure that those neighborhoods would remain part of Israeli Jerusalem.
JERUSALEM is arguably the most "segregated" city in the world. There are almost no areas where Israelis and Palestinians live together. A division along demographic lines is completely possible. The implementation of that division could be based on security realities.
Lastly - though perhaps most importantly - is the Temple Mount or Harem al Sherif. There are really only two possible options for dealing with the most holy of holy places: dividing the control and sovereignty; or transferring the control and sovereignty to a third neutral party.
In either case, both sides would have to agree to preserve the holiness of the sites for each other and for the future. Practically this means that neither side would be able to build, dig, tunnel, or even repair structures or elements that are underneath the holy places.
Jews claim that the Temple Mount is the most holy of holy places for them. The place where the Holy Temples stood, and where most Jews believe lie their remnants has, by Jewish law, been beyond our reach because we believe that the Temple can only be rebuilt only by God after the Messiah comes. We have left this issue in the hands of God for over 2,000 years, surely that will not change because of agreement with the Palestinians and the Muslim world that will recognize the control that they already have on the Mount.
In exchange Palestinians and Muslims would also recognize Israeli and Jewish control over the Western Wall with the same limitations regarding digging and tunneling underneath these sensitive areas.
With this understanding, Jerusalem would be finally recognized as the eternal capital of Israel, but only after Jerusalem is also recognized as the eternal capital of Palestine.
It goes together - this is the truth and the truth must be told.
The writer is co-CEO of the Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information.
This article can also be read at http://www.jpost.com
Peacemaking truths and lies
Gershon Baskin , THE JERUSALEM POST Oct. 22, 2007
For 60 years Palestinian and Arab leaders have been lying to their people. Creating and sustaining the lie that the Palestinian refugees of 1948 would return to their original homes and lands makes it almost impossible for President Mahmoud Abbas to reach an agreement with Israel on this, the most central issue in the conflict. Abbas and most of the Palestinian leaders from his Fatah movement have long realized that there could not be any real return of Palestinian refugees to Israel proper, but despite the fact that they have acknowledged this in private discussions with Israelis, they have not yet said it in public. The original 700,000-800,000 Palestinian refugees today number some 4.5 million (no one knows the exact figure of the refugees and their descendents which have been granted refugee status by the UN). In the West Bank and Gaza, not including the Palestinian diaspora, one of every two Palestinians is considered a refugee. Abbas' largest opposition to any agreement with Israel that includes concessions on the refugee issue comes from this very large segment of the population.
FOR 40 years, Israeli leaders have been lying to their public. Creating and sustaining the lie that Jerusalem was united and that all of united Jerusalem will be the eternal capital of the State of Israel makes it nearly impossible for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to make the necessary concessions on the Jerusalem issue to reach an agreement with the Palestinians. It is really quite amazing that the majority of Israelis continue to hold onto the lie in believing that Jerusalem is truly united. Jerusalem has not been a united city since the time of the British Mandate. Most Israelis have never visited (nor do they care to visit) most of Palestinian east Jerusalem. Areas such as Sur Baher, near Kibbutz Ramat Rahel; Jabel Mukaber just past East Talpiot; Sawahre, an Area A Palestinian village near Bethlehem; Walajeh, between Gilo and Bethlehem; and
Um Tuba, which is next to Sur Baher, all have no meaning to Israelis.
In fact, most Israelis believe that the state should not invest money in those places thereby providing for equal education and public services. Thus there are parts of the "eternal capital" that look like the undeveloped parts of a Third World country. Ten kilometers from downtown west Jerusalem looks like parts of Calcutta. Almost no Israeli politician has ever visited these places and even the Jerusalem mayor probably isn't even aware or simply doesn't care that these Palestinian neighborhoods are part of his responsibility as Mayor.
Are those Israelis who speak against dividing Jerusalem willing to fight and perhaps die (or to send their children to fight and perhaps die) so that Um Tuba will remain part of the "eternal capital" of Jerusalem? I seriously doubt it.
PEACEMAKING will require from the leaders to undo the web of lies they have helped to spin for so many years. It is time to be honest with both publics. Palestinians have to understand that despite their understanding of "justice" - meaning to them that Palestinian refugees must be allowed to return to their original homes, this is simply impossible. Not only do their original homes no longer exist, their villages and towns have been replaced by others who are already living there 60 years. There is also a fundamental contradiction in seeking "two states for two peoples" while adhering to the "right of return" at the same time.
PALESTINIANS say: Recognize our right of return, and we'll negotiate the implementation details; anyway most refugees will not choose to go back. This kind of open ended "solution" would never be accepted by any Israeli leader.
It is not unreasonable for Palestinians to demand that Israel acknowledge its part in the creation of the refugee tragedy; that Israel contribute generously to an international fund for paying compensation and resettlement money to Palestinian refugees.
Adhering to the position that Israel must recognize the "right of return" is a non-starter.
Similarly, Israeli leaders must have the courage to say out loud that Jerusalem is a divided city today and that in the framework of an Israeli-Palestinian agreement, the Palestinian parts of east Jerusalem will be the capital of the future Palestinian state.
Most Palestinians have already come to terms with the reality that the Israeli neighborhoods - or what they refer to as settlements - in east Jerusalem will remain under Israeli sovereignty. The residents of Ramat Eshkol, French Hill, East Talpiot, Ramot, Pisgat Ze'ev, Neve Ya'akov and Gilo need not worry.
The Clinton parameters - a blue-print for a final status agreement - which most Palestinians today accept, ensure that those neighborhoods would remain part of Israeli Jerusalem.
JERUSALEM is arguably the most "segregated" city in the world. There are almost no areas where Israelis and Palestinians live together. A division along demographic lines is completely possible. The implementation of that division could be based on security realities.
Lastly - though perhaps most importantly - is the Temple Mount or Harem al Sherif. There are really only two possible options for dealing with the most holy of holy places: dividing the control and sovereignty; or transferring the control and sovereignty to a third neutral party.
In either case, both sides would have to agree to preserve the holiness of the sites for each other and for the future. Practically this means that neither side would be able to build, dig, tunnel, or even repair structures or elements that are underneath the holy places.
Jews claim that the Temple Mount is the most holy of holy places for them. The place where the Holy Temples stood, and where most Jews believe lie their remnants has, by Jewish law, been beyond our reach because we believe that the Temple can only be rebuilt only by God after the Messiah comes. We have left this issue in the hands of God for over 2,000 years, surely that will not change because of agreement with the Palestinians and the Muslim world that will recognize the control that they already have on the Mount.
In exchange Palestinians and Muslims would also recognize Israeli and Jewish control over the Western Wall with the same limitations regarding digging and tunneling underneath these sensitive areas.
With this understanding, Jerusalem would be finally recognized as the eternal capital of Israel, but only after Jerusalem is also recognized as the eternal capital of Palestine.
It goes together - this is the truth and the truth must be told.
The writer is co-CEO of the Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information.
This article can also be read at http://www.jpost.com
http://www.jpost.com /servlet/Satellite?cid=1192380625954&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%
Hamas: Palestinian people victim of genocide, world should move to save them
Comment: This is from an Arab news media-note the victim angle now being played by Hamas. They must be in trouble if they are playing this tune.
GAZA, (PIC)-- The Hamas Movement on Monday called on the world community to step in and save the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip from a systematic Israeli genocide that started with the tight blockade imposed on it more than 16 months ago Sami Abu Zuhri, a spokesman for the Movement in Gaza, warned that the humanitarian conditions in the Strip were rapidly deteriorating due to the tight siege.
He said that goods started to disappear from shelves in the markets and medical supplies were running out of stock to the extent that some urgent surgeries were delayed due to the lack of anesthetics.
The spokesman urged the international community and the Arab and Islamic countries in particular to assume their responsibility towards such a genocide before it was too late. "We are witnessing mass murder before the very eyes of the world," he elaborated.
Abu Zuhri affirmed, however, that the continued siege would not force the Palestinian people to surrender their constants or acquiesce to occupation's dictates.
GAZA, (PIC)-- The Hamas Movement on Monday called on the world community to step in and save the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip from a systematic Israeli genocide that started with the tight blockade imposed on it more than 16 months ago Sami Abu Zuhri, a spokesman for the Movement in Gaza, warned that the humanitarian conditions in the Strip were rapidly deteriorating due to the tight siege.
He said that goods started to disappear from shelves in the markets and medical supplies were running out of stock to the extent that some urgent surgeries were delayed due to the lack of anesthetics.
The spokesman urged the international community and the Arab and Islamic countries in particular to assume their responsibility towards such a genocide before it was too late. "We are witnessing mass murder before the very eyes of the world," he elaborated.
Abu Zuhri affirmed, however, that the continued siege would not force the Palestinian people to surrender their constants or acquiesce to occupation's dictates.
Abbas puts best face on peace process, 'hopes' agreement can be reached by end of 2008
Comment: Fro an Arab media source
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed confidence Monday that a solution would be found to the Middle East crisis before the end of 2008. He also stressed the importance of reconciliation with Hamas. Meanwhile, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak warned Monday that if a US-sponsored peace summit ends without a concrete result it could have serious consequences, according to a newspaper interview.
Abbas, who arrived in Indonesia Sunday for a three-day visit, is seeking support from Muslim allies in Asia ahead of a US-hosted conference involving Israel and the Palestinians.
Washington hopes it also will relaunch negotiations to create a Palestinian state.
Abbas said the Palestinians were in "serious talks" with the Israeli side ahead of the talks.
"Then we can meet to discuss the details which we hope will be finalized by the end of 2008 and will culminate in a peace agreement between us and the Israelis," he said after talks with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Abbas also said Hamas, which he expelled from the Palestinian government after Islamic militants violently seized control of the Gaza Strip in June, was "an important part of the Palestinian people."
"However, they have carried out a coup d'etat against the legitimate government that could divide our unity and dissolve the efforts of peace," Abbas said.
He acknowledged, however, that "we cannot move unless we work together" with Hamas.
But Israel's government said it would only welcome Hamas' involvement if it agreed to recognize Israel, halt violence and accept past peace agreements.
"We see Hamas, unfortunately, as part of the problem, not part of the solution," Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said in Occupied Jerusalem.
Abbas' first stop in Asia was Malaysia, and he is to travel next to Brunei. Indonesia, which does not recognize Israel, is a secular nation with 235 million people, nearly 95 percent of whom are Muslims.
Abbas said Indonesia would participate in the upcoming peace talks. Yudhoyono, meanwhile, expressed support for the formation of a Palestinian state.
"All the Indonesian people and government fully support the Palestinian struggle to become a free nation, to be independent, to live in peace with support from the international community," he said at a joint news conference.
The summit on Palestinian statehood is expected to take place in November or December in Annapolis, Maryland.
In Israel, Premier Ehud Olmert will submit to Parliament anything agreed with the Palestinians as a basis for the Middle East conference, the attorney general's office said Monday.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed confidence Monday that a solution would be found to the Middle East crisis before the end of 2008. He also stressed the importance of reconciliation with Hamas. Meanwhile, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak warned Monday that if a US-sponsored peace summit ends without a concrete result it could have serious consequences, according to a newspaper interview.
Abbas, who arrived in Indonesia Sunday for a three-day visit, is seeking support from Muslim allies in Asia ahead of a US-hosted conference involving Israel and the Palestinians.
Washington hopes it also will relaunch negotiations to create a Palestinian state.
Abbas said the Palestinians were in "serious talks" with the Israeli side ahead of the talks.
"Then we can meet to discuss the details which we hope will be finalized by the end of 2008 and will culminate in a peace agreement between us and the Israelis," he said after talks with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Abbas also said Hamas, which he expelled from the Palestinian government after Islamic militants violently seized control of the Gaza Strip in June, was "an important part of the Palestinian people."
"However, they have carried out a coup d'etat against the legitimate government that could divide our unity and dissolve the efforts of peace," Abbas said.
He acknowledged, however, that "we cannot move unless we work together" with Hamas.
But Israel's government said it would only welcome Hamas' involvement if it agreed to recognize Israel, halt violence and accept past peace agreements.
"We see Hamas, unfortunately, as part of the problem, not part of the solution," Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said in Occupied Jerusalem.
Abbas' first stop in Asia was Malaysia, and he is to travel next to Brunei. Indonesia, which does not recognize Israel, is a secular nation with 235 million people, nearly 95 percent of whom are Muslims.
Abbas said Indonesia would participate in the upcoming peace talks. Yudhoyono, meanwhile, expressed support for the formation of a Palestinian state.
"All the Indonesian people and government fully support the Palestinian struggle to become a free nation, to be independent, to live in peace with support from the international community," he said at a joint news conference.
The summit on Palestinian statehood is expected to take place in November or December in Annapolis, Maryland.
In Israel, Premier Ehud Olmert will submit to Parliament anything agreed with the Palestinians as a basis for the Middle East conference, the attorney general's office said Monday.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb
PA interior ministry arrest local spies searching for Shalit
GAZA, (PIC)-- The PA interior ministry of the legitimate PA government of Premier Ismael Haneyya has arrested a group of local spies working for the Israeli occupation and searching for the captured IOF serviceman Gilad Shalit. PA security sources in Gaza unveiled to the PIC correspondent that the arrested group comprises four persons played an active role in helping Israeli intelligence agents in kidnapping Mohawish Al-Kadi, the public relation officer in the ministry's executive force, last month in Rafah city, south of Gaza Strip.
The sources also added that the group was recruited and trained for spying in the West Bank before their Israeli handlers sent them to Gaza Strip to gather intelligence on the whereabouts of Shalit.
Shalit has been in captivity for more than a year now due to Israel's rejection to swap him with Palestinian women and children jailed in Israel.
One of the arrested collaborators acknowledged his group's role in the kidnapping of Kadi, saying that they spent two months in monitoring the PA security official before arranging for his abduction with IOF commandos.
"I was told by the Israeli intelligence officers to settle in a place near to Mohawish residence in order to closely monitor him as the Israelis believed he (Mohawish) possesses information on the whereabouts of Shalit", the arrested spy unveiled.
Investigation conducted by the PA security departments in Gaza city over the case of Mohawish led to the ring of spies as one of them was summoned to the PA internal security department for interrogation before acknowledging his role in the crime and exposing his partners.
The Israeli intelligence agents succeeded in trapping and kidnapping Mohawish in a complicated operation in coordination with misled local spies involving a lot of tactics before transporting him by an Apache copter into areas inside the 1948-occupied Palestinian lands.
The sources also added that the group was recruited and trained for spying in the West Bank before their Israeli handlers sent them to Gaza Strip to gather intelligence on the whereabouts of Shalit.
Shalit has been in captivity for more than a year now due to Israel's rejection to swap him with Palestinian women and children jailed in Israel.
One of the arrested collaborators acknowledged his group's role in the kidnapping of Kadi, saying that they spent two months in monitoring the PA security official before arranging for his abduction with IOF commandos.
"I was told by the Israeli intelligence officers to settle in a place near to Mohawish residence in order to closely monitor him as the Israelis believed he (Mohawish) possesses information on the whereabouts of Shalit", the arrested spy unveiled.
Investigation conducted by the PA security departments in Gaza city over the case of Mohawish led to the ring of spies as one of them was summoned to the PA internal security department for interrogation before acknowledging his role in the crime and exposing his partners.
The Israeli intelligence agents succeeded in trapping and kidnapping Mohawish in a complicated operation in coordination with misled local spies involving a lot of tactics before transporting him by an Apache copter into areas inside the 1948-occupied Palestinian lands.
and the attacks continue
6 Qassams land in Negev; no injuries reported Palestinians in north Gaza fired six Qassam rockets toward the western Negev on Monday. No injuries were reported.
The al-Quds Brigades, Islamic Jihad's military wing, claimed responsibility for the attacks. "The barrage was part of our decision to point our weapons only toward Israel," the group said in a statement.
Two rockets landed near the Erez Crossing, another hit the Yad-Mordechai Junction area, while a fourth landed in close proximity to a kibbutz in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council.
Security forces were still searching for the landing sites of two additional Qassams.
Two fires broke out as a result of the rocket fire – one near an avocado grove and another near Nativ Ha'asarah.
Sderot Mayor Eli Moyal, who resumed office after taking a leave of absence due the police investigation against him, told Ynet, "I do not see a change in our situation. We're maintaining a certain level of alertness even if during a period of relative calm."
The al-Quds Brigades, Islamic Jihad's military wing, claimed responsibility for the attacks. "The barrage was part of our decision to point our weapons only toward Israel," the group said in a statement.
Two rockets landed near the Erez Crossing, another hit the Yad-Mordechai Junction area, while a fourth landed in close proximity to a kibbutz in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council.
Security forces were still searching for the landing sites of two additional Qassams.
Two fires broke out as a result of the rocket fire – one near an avocado grove and another near Nativ Ha'asarah.
Sderot Mayor Eli Moyal, who resumed office after taking a leave of absence due the police investigation against him, told Ynet, "I do not see a change in our situation. We're maintaining a certain level of alertness even if during a period of relative calm."
Livni: Palestinian moderates can't implement deals
Foreign minister says there is a gap between the will of pragmatic Palestinian leaders to reach understandings with Israel, and their ability to implement those agreements; states moderate Arab countries, international community must support peace talks "It is now clear that the true conflict in the region is not between Israel and the Palestinians, or between Jews and Arabs, but between moderates and extremists," Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Monday in the NATO-Israel Conference held at the Herzliya Interdisciplinary Center.
"Therefore," she continued, "our policy must be a dual policy, one which combats the extremists and isolates them on the one hand, while at the same time strengthens the moderates and builds with them bridges of understanding and cooperation."
Referring to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, Livni said, "With the pragmatic leaders in the Palestinian Authority, we share a common vision and common objectives. We share the vision of two states, two homelands…. living side by side in peace and security.
"It would, however, be naïve to assume that there are no differences of interests between the two sides. Therefore we must pursue a process and dialogue in order to bridge the differences," she added.
The foreign minister stressed that Israel and the Palestinians would have to bridge two major gaps: The first, that in the process of resolving the conflict both sides would have to give up on some of their historical dreams, and the second - the gap between the understandings reached and the ability to implement them.
"There is no disputing the fact that there is a gap between the will of the pragmatic Palestinian leaders and their capability to execute. Even if we do, hopefully, resolve the principle issues relating to the Palestinian state, it is clear that we cannot just separate and throw the key to the other side and hope for the best," Livni stressed.
'Arab world must support peace talks'
"The Gaza experience is a living example of what the world cannot afford," Livni stated. "Israel fully withdrew from the Gaza Strip, thus terminating its so called occupation of the Strip, and allowing the Palestinians to establish independent governance. In return, we received increased terror, daily Qassam rocket attacks against cities in Israel and the establishment of a Hamas stronghold on our southern border.
"We must ensure that there is an efficient and effective government which takes control over the area and prevents attacks against Israel," she concluded.
In her speech, Livni said that Israel would be willing to participate in any kind of negotiations based on the road map for peace. She also called on the international community and the moderate Arab countries to support the talks.
"The Arab and Muslim world must adopt any decision that the Palestinians accept, and not dictate the results. They must participate in any meeting that is convened, and not present conditions for their participation. Instead of waiting till the end of the conflict in order to normalize relations with Israel, they can take steps now, as Israel takes steps towards the Palestinians," she said.
"Therefore," she continued, "our policy must be a dual policy, one which combats the extremists and isolates them on the one hand, while at the same time strengthens the moderates and builds with them bridges of understanding and cooperation."
Referring to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, Livni said, "With the pragmatic leaders in the Palestinian Authority, we share a common vision and common objectives. We share the vision of two states, two homelands…. living side by side in peace and security.
"It would, however, be naïve to assume that there are no differences of interests between the two sides. Therefore we must pursue a process and dialogue in order to bridge the differences," she added.
The foreign minister stressed that Israel and the Palestinians would have to bridge two major gaps: The first, that in the process of resolving the conflict both sides would have to give up on some of their historical dreams, and the second - the gap between the understandings reached and the ability to implement them.
"There is no disputing the fact that there is a gap between the will of the pragmatic Palestinian leaders and their capability to execute. Even if we do, hopefully, resolve the principle issues relating to the Palestinian state, it is clear that we cannot just separate and throw the key to the other side and hope for the best," Livni stressed.
'Arab world must support peace talks'
"The Gaza experience is a living example of what the world cannot afford," Livni stated. "Israel fully withdrew from the Gaza Strip, thus terminating its so called occupation of the Strip, and allowing the Palestinians to establish independent governance. In return, we received increased terror, daily Qassam rocket attacks against cities in Israel and the establishment of a Hamas stronghold on our southern border.
"We must ensure that there is an efficient and effective government which takes control over the area and prevents attacks against Israel," she concluded.
In her speech, Livni said that Israel would be willing to participate in any kind of negotiations based on the road map for peace. She also called on the international community and the moderate Arab countries to support the talks.
"The Arab and Muslim world must adopt any decision that the Palestinians accept, and not dictate the results. They must participate in any meeting that is convened, and not present conditions for their participation. Instead of waiting till the end of the conflict in order to normalize relations with Israel, they can take steps now, as Israel takes steps towards the Palestinians," she said.
Hamas is creating humanitarian crisis to pressure Israel'
Hamas is unnecessarily endangering Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip by generating phony humanitarian crises, head of the Gaza Coordination Liaison Administration (CLA) Col. Nir Press said Monday. On Sunday night, Gaza's Shifa Hospital claimed that due to tight Israeli restrictions on imports into Gaza, it had run out of anesthetic for surgeries, and as a result had canceled all but the most critical procedures.
In an interview with The Jerusalem Post on Monday, Press dismissed the claims and said that in a meeting he held Sunday afternoon with Palestinian Health Ministry officials he was informed that the hospitals were running "low" on the anesthetic. On Monday morning, less than 24 hours after making the request, Israel transferred 151 nitrous oxide gas balloons to Shifa Hospital.
"It is the Palestinians' responsibility to order the supplies," Press said, noting that despite the daily rocket attacks on Israeli towns - on Monday 10 rockets and shells pounded the western Negev - Israel continued to transfer medical goods and supplies into Gaza whenever they were ordered.
Press said that orders were usually placed by the Palestinians days in advance and that Sunday's sudden announcement "was a spin by Hamas and an attempt to put pressure on Israel by creating a humanitarian crisis."
He said that the incident resembled Palestinian claims a few months ago that due to Israeli restrictions on the crossings they ran out of gas needed to operate the Gaza power plant and as a result large parts of the Strip were left without electricity for several days. Also then, Press said, Hamas unnecessarily disrupted Palestinian civilians' lives to try to create an image that a humanitarian crisis was developing in Gaza.
"These are examples of how Hamas wants to create humanitarian crisis," he explained. "They wait until the last moment and then tell us they are running out of supplies so they can create this image of a crisis."
While Israel was preventing the transfer of raw materials into Gaza - such as pipes that could be used to manufacture Kassam rockets - Press said that any order of medical supplies or food was immediately processed. He said that the CLA also allowed a number of Palestinians to cross from the Gaza Strip into Israel for medical treatment daily.
Meanwhile Monday, in an effort to improve health conditions in the West Bank, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Maj.-Gen. Yusef Mishlav allowed 120 Palestinian medical students to enter Jerusalem to complete their studies. Some of the students are from the Gaza Strip and have been studying medicine for the past six years at Al Quds University.
The Foreign Ministry also approved a plan to train Palestinian medical teams at Hadassah-University Hospital, Ein Kerem. Under the plan, Palestinian doctors, nurses and technicians will be trained at the Israeli hospital and in addition receive a monthly stipend of $643.
On Thursday, a joint Palestinian-Israeli conference on gynecology and childbirth will be held at the French Hospital in Nazareth. The IDF has allowed 50 Palestinian doctors to enter Israel to attend the conference.
In an interview with The Jerusalem Post on Monday, Press dismissed the claims and said that in a meeting he held Sunday afternoon with Palestinian Health Ministry officials he was informed that the hospitals were running "low" on the anesthetic. On Monday morning, less than 24 hours after making the request, Israel transferred 151 nitrous oxide gas balloons to Shifa Hospital.
"It is the Palestinians' responsibility to order the supplies," Press said, noting that despite the daily rocket attacks on Israeli towns - on Monday 10 rockets and shells pounded the western Negev - Israel continued to transfer medical goods and supplies into Gaza whenever they were ordered.
Press said that orders were usually placed by the Palestinians days in advance and that Sunday's sudden announcement "was a spin by Hamas and an attempt to put pressure on Israel by creating a humanitarian crisis."
He said that the incident resembled Palestinian claims a few months ago that due to Israeli restrictions on the crossings they ran out of gas needed to operate the Gaza power plant and as a result large parts of the Strip were left without electricity for several days. Also then, Press said, Hamas unnecessarily disrupted Palestinian civilians' lives to try to create an image that a humanitarian crisis was developing in Gaza.
"These are examples of how Hamas wants to create humanitarian crisis," he explained. "They wait until the last moment and then tell us they are running out of supplies so they can create this image of a crisis."
While Israel was preventing the transfer of raw materials into Gaza - such as pipes that could be used to manufacture Kassam rockets - Press said that any order of medical supplies or food was immediately processed. He said that the CLA also allowed a number of Palestinians to cross from the Gaza Strip into Israel for medical treatment daily.
Meanwhile Monday, in an effort to improve health conditions in the West Bank, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Maj.-Gen. Yusef Mishlav allowed 120 Palestinian medical students to enter Jerusalem to complete their studies. Some of the students are from the Gaza Strip and have been studying medicine for the past six years at Al Quds University.
The Foreign Ministry also approved a plan to train Palestinian medical teams at Hadassah-University Hospital, Ein Kerem. Under the plan, Palestinian doctors, nurses and technicians will be trained at the Israeli hospital and in addition receive a monthly stipend of $643.
On Thursday, a joint Palestinian-Israeli conference on gynecology and childbirth will be held at the French Hospital in Nazareth. The IDF has allowed 50 Palestinian doctors to enter Israel to attend the conference.
Monday, October 22, 2007
We Don't Want To
Prof. MK Arieh Eldad
As if possessed, Sect'y Rice is pushing Annapolis.
The story is told of Boy Scouts who are supposed to be doing one good deed every day. When their scoutmaster asked his scouts to tell about their good deeds, each scout
She's enlisting Arab leaders from Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
reported that he "helped an old lady across the street." The scoutmaster was quite familiar with the quiet neighborhood and therefore surprised at the sudden rise in the number of old women who needed assistance. He questioned his charges and discovered that the were all talking about the same street and the same woman. And when he asked why it took five scouts to help one elderly citizen cross one street, he learned that the woman didn't really want to cross it.
As if possessed, Condoleezza Rice is pushing Ehud Olmert and Abu Mazen to the Annapolis Conference. And though she represents the world's single superpower, she feels she needs assistance to execute this mission. She's enlisting Arab leaders from Egypt and Saudi Arabia to help both sides to cross the street and reach a place neither of them wants to be. The "joint statement" that she is writing and violently putting into the mouths of Olmert and Abu Mazen may turn out to be deadly. All of us may choke on it.
Listen to Abu Mazen and his spokesmen. They are making every possible demand in the world, so that Israel won't be able to agree to them: all of Judea, Samaria and Gaza, and, of course, Jerusalem; and just in case Olmert, in his desperation, consents, they have added extravagant demands for border areas from before the Six Day War. To ensure that even a bankrupt like Olmert will not be able to make obligations at this fire sale, they have added the demand for freedom for all PA prisoners, the right to open Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem, return of the terrorists deported from the Church of the Nativity, and immediate retreat to the September 2000 lines (these are the lines from which the Arabs launched the second intifada, in which Yasser Arafat and Abu Mazen's Fatah terrorists killed more than 1,000 Israelis); in addition, they demand the execution of the third stage of the Oslo Accords, an end to building in the settlements, and a cessation of the construction of the Mughrabi Bridge in Jerusalem.
There's no doubt that if they were to get promises from Olmert that all those demands would be met, then they would soon be demanding a controlling share of Teva pharmaceutical company, the appointment of Azmi Bishara as chairman of the Jewish Agency, and the return of Amir Peretz to the post of minister of defense. And just to eliminate any doubts, they have made a small prediction. If the conference fails, the region may be plunged into violence. This is not, heaven forbid, a threat, just an assessment.
Condoleezza herself has said the situation will be a disastrous if the sides do not accede to her demands. And when the Egyptian foreign minister, who fears a collapse of the talks, warns that the conference should be held only after both sides are ready, she shrugs her shoulders and moves on. Really, what does it matter if the old lady does not want to cross the street? Ms. Rice wants to establish a Palestinian state here and now.
Abu Mazen knows that he may lose everything if Israel has lost its mind and does not stop Olmert in time. If Israel removes its forces and retreats from Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem, Hamas will take over these territories in a matter of hours. Then, Olmert, Chaim Ramon, Avigdor Lieberman and Tzipi Livni will discover
What does it matter if the old lady does not want to cross the street?
that Shuafat and D'hiyat Al-Barid are not just Arab neighborhoods in Jerusalem that they have never been to, populated by lots of Arabs living off our social security money, but they are a noose to the north, south and west of Neve Ya'akov and Pisgat Ze'ev. Then, even the demagogues ranting about the Arab demographics in Jerusalem will understand that ceding sovereignty in the Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem is a sure-fire recipe for turning the Israeli capital into another Baghdad. Abu Mazen doesn't care if Jerusalem is destroyed, but he does not want to lose the little he has just because of the whims of an American secretary of state and the incredible weakness of Olmert and his associates.
The failure of the Annapolis Conference is written large on the wall. The results of this failure will bring us disaster. Only one disaster might be worse: that which would befall us were the conference to succeed and Olmert to establish, in Annapolis, a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. Therefore, there's an urgent need to come up with an alternate good deed for Condoleezza Rice - a worldwide project that could bring her a Nobel Peace Prize without our having to pay for it with our blood and the future of the State of Israel.
Al Gore has already taken global warming; but the bees are disappearing, and hunger and AIDS are destroying Africa, and the Muslims want to take over Europe - so why shouldn't she try to be useful somewhere else? Please understand, Dr. Rice, we really don't want to cross the street.
As if possessed, Sect'y Rice is pushing Annapolis.
The story is told of Boy Scouts who are supposed to be doing one good deed every day. When their scoutmaster asked his scouts to tell about their good deeds, each scout
She's enlisting Arab leaders from Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
reported that he "helped an old lady across the street." The scoutmaster was quite familiar with the quiet neighborhood and therefore surprised at the sudden rise in the number of old women who needed assistance. He questioned his charges and discovered that the were all talking about the same street and the same woman. And when he asked why it took five scouts to help one elderly citizen cross one street, he learned that the woman didn't really want to cross it.
As if possessed, Condoleezza Rice is pushing Ehud Olmert and Abu Mazen to the Annapolis Conference. And though she represents the world's single superpower, she feels she needs assistance to execute this mission. She's enlisting Arab leaders from Egypt and Saudi Arabia to help both sides to cross the street and reach a place neither of them wants to be. The "joint statement" that she is writing and violently putting into the mouths of Olmert and Abu Mazen may turn out to be deadly. All of us may choke on it.
Listen to Abu Mazen and his spokesmen. They are making every possible demand in the world, so that Israel won't be able to agree to them: all of Judea, Samaria and Gaza, and, of course, Jerusalem; and just in case Olmert, in his desperation, consents, they have added extravagant demands for border areas from before the Six Day War. To ensure that even a bankrupt like Olmert will not be able to make obligations at this fire sale, they have added the demand for freedom for all PA prisoners, the right to open Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem, return of the terrorists deported from the Church of the Nativity, and immediate retreat to the September 2000 lines (these are the lines from which the Arabs launched the second intifada, in which Yasser Arafat and Abu Mazen's Fatah terrorists killed more than 1,000 Israelis); in addition, they demand the execution of the third stage of the Oslo Accords, an end to building in the settlements, and a cessation of the construction of the Mughrabi Bridge in Jerusalem.
There's no doubt that if they were to get promises from Olmert that all those demands would be met, then they would soon be demanding a controlling share of Teva pharmaceutical company, the appointment of Azmi Bishara as chairman of the Jewish Agency, and the return of Amir Peretz to the post of minister of defense. And just to eliminate any doubts, they have made a small prediction. If the conference fails, the region may be plunged into violence. This is not, heaven forbid, a threat, just an assessment.
Condoleezza herself has said the situation will be a disastrous if the sides do not accede to her demands. And when the Egyptian foreign minister, who fears a collapse of the talks, warns that the conference should be held only after both sides are ready, she shrugs her shoulders and moves on. Really, what does it matter if the old lady does not want to cross the street? Ms. Rice wants to establish a Palestinian state here and now.
Abu Mazen knows that he may lose everything if Israel has lost its mind and does not stop Olmert in time. If Israel removes its forces and retreats from Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem, Hamas will take over these territories in a matter of hours. Then, Olmert, Chaim Ramon, Avigdor Lieberman and Tzipi Livni will discover
What does it matter if the old lady does not want to cross the street?
that Shuafat and D'hiyat Al-Barid are not just Arab neighborhoods in Jerusalem that they have never been to, populated by lots of Arabs living off our social security money, but they are a noose to the north, south and west of Neve Ya'akov and Pisgat Ze'ev. Then, even the demagogues ranting about the Arab demographics in Jerusalem will understand that ceding sovereignty in the Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem is a sure-fire recipe for turning the Israeli capital into another Baghdad. Abu Mazen doesn't care if Jerusalem is destroyed, but he does not want to lose the little he has just because of the whims of an American secretary of state and the incredible weakness of Olmert and his associates.
The failure of the Annapolis Conference is written large on the wall. The results of this failure will bring us disaster. Only one disaster might be worse: that which would befall us were the conference to succeed and Olmert to establish, in Annapolis, a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. Therefore, there's an urgent need to come up with an alternate good deed for Condoleezza Rice - a worldwide project that could bring her a Nobel Peace Prize without our having to pay for it with our blood and the future of the State of Israel.
Al Gore has already taken global warming; but the bees are disappearing, and hunger and AIDS are destroying Africa, and the Muslims want to take over Europe - so why shouldn't she try to be useful somewhere else? Please understand, Dr. Rice, we really don't want to cross the street.
Archaeologists find link to 1st temple in controversial J'lem dig
Here is the beginning of my post.
These types of finds are what the Palestinians fear because it counters their rewriting of history which denies existence of the First and Second Temple. In fact, this deceit is not new and is precisely why the Al Aqsa mosque and Dome of the Rock were built directly over the site of the Jewish temples.
Archaeologists find link to 1st temple in controversial J'lem digBy Nadav Shragai, Haaretz Correspondent and The Associated PressIsraeli archaeologists overseeing a contested dig at Jerusalem's holiest site for Muslims and Jews stumbled upon a sealed archaeological level dating back to the era of the first biblical Jewish temple, the Israel Antiquities Authority said Sunday. Islamic authorities responsible for the Old City compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary, said the dig was part of infrastructure work at the site to replace 40-year-old electrical cables. But the Islamic Trust denied that any discovery was made, or that any Israeli archaeologists were supervising the work.
On Sunday, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced that it had discovered fragments of ceramic table wares and animal bones dating back to the first Jewish temple - from the 6th to the 10th centuries B.C.The finds also included fragments of bowl rims, bases and body sherds, the base and handle of a small jug and the rim of a storage jar, the agency said in a statement.The site represents the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It houses both the Al Aqsa Mosque and the gold-capped Dome of the Rock, Islam's third-holiest shrine, built over the ruins of both biblical Jewish temples. Archaeological digs for a renovation project earlier this year by Israeli authorities next to the holy site sparked protests by Muslims. Jon Seligman, Jerusalem regional archaeologist for the Antiquities Authority, said the find was significant since it could help scholars in reconstructing the dimensions and boundaries of the Temple Mount during the first temple period. "The layer is a closed, sealed archaeological layer that has been undisturbed since the 8th century B.C.," he said.But the Public Committee Against the Destruction of Antiquities on the Temple Mount, a group of Israeli archaeologists, downplayed the findings, saying the dig was conducted in an unprofessional manner without proper documentation.
The group previously condemned the maintenance works, which included using a tractor to dig a trench, charging that digging at such a sensitive site could damage Bible-era relics and erase evidence of the presence of the biblical structures. "I think it is a smoke screen for the ruining of antiquities," said Eilat Mazar, a member of the committee.Seligman said the maintenance work was necessary to accommodate the thousands of worshippers who flock daily to the site.
He said no damage was caused to the site and added that the discovery was merely a pleasant surprise. "That's what makes this [archaeology] so interesting," he said. "You never know what you are going to find. It is always a bit of an adventure."
Archaeological remains dated to the First Temple Period discovered on the Temple Mount
(Communicated by the Israel Antiquities Authority)During a recent archaeological inspection on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem carried out by the Israel Antiquities Authority over maintenance works of the Waqf, a sealed archaeological level probably dated to the First Temple Period was exposed in the area close the southeastern corner of the raised platform surrounding the Dome of the Rock. Archaeological examination of a short section of this level, undertaken by Yuval Baruch, the Jerusalem District Archaeologist, uncovered finds that included fragments of ceramic table wares and animal bones.
The finds are dated to the eighth to sixth centuries BCE. Yuval Baruch of the IAA, Prof. Sy Gitin, Director of the William F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research in Jerusalem, Prof. Israel Finkelstein of Tel Aviv University and Prof. Ronny Reich of Haifa University examined the finds and the archaeological data and reached the conclusion that the characteristics and location of the finds may aid scholars in reconstructing the dimensions and boundaries of the Temple Mount during the First Temple Period. The finds include fragments of bowls, including rims, bases and body sherds; the base of a juglet used for the ladling of oil; the handle of a small juglet and the rim of a storage jar.
The bowl sherds were decorated with wheel burnishing lines characteristic of the First Temple Period. In addition, a piece of a white washed handmade object was found. It may have been used to decorate a larger object or may have been part of a figurine. An archaeological seminar concerning these finds and their archaeological interpretation will be organized by the Israel Antiquities Authority.
These types of finds are what the Palestinians fear because it counters their rewriting of history which denies existence of the First and Second Temple. In fact, this deceit is not new and is precisely why the Al Aqsa mosque and Dome of the Rock were built directly over the site of the Jewish temples.
Archaeologists find link to 1st temple in controversial J'lem digBy Nadav Shragai, Haaretz Correspondent and The Associated PressIsraeli archaeologists overseeing a contested dig at Jerusalem's holiest site for Muslims and Jews stumbled upon a sealed archaeological level dating back to the era of the first biblical Jewish temple, the Israel Antiquities Authority said Sunday. Islamic authorities responsible for the Old City compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary, said the dig was part of infrastructure work at the site to replace 40-year-old electrical cables. But the Islamic Trust denied that any discovery was made, or that any Israeli archaeologists were supervising the work.
On Sunday, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced that it had discovered fragments of ceramic table wares and animal bones dating back to the first Jewish temple - from the 6th to the 10th centuries B.C.The finds also included fragments of bowl rims, bases and body sherds, the base and handle of a small jug and the rim of a storage jar, the agency said in a statement.The site represents the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It houses both the Al Aqsa Mosque and the gold-capped Dome of the Rock, Islam's third-holiest shrine, built over the ruins of both biblical Jewish temples. Archaeological digs for a renovation project earlier this year by Israeli authorities next to the holy site sparked protests by Muslims. Jon Seligman, Jerusalem regional archaeologist for the Antiquities Authority, said the find was significant since it could help scholars in reconstructing the dimensions and boundaries of the Temple Mount during the first temple period. "The layer is a closed, sealed archaeological layer that has been undisturbed since the 8th century B.C.," he said.But the Public Committee Against the Destruction of Antiquities on the Temple Mount, a group of Israeli archaeologists, downplayed the findings, saying the dig was conducted in an unprofessional manner without proper documentation.
The group previously condemned the maintenance works, which included using a tractor to dig a trench, charging that digging at such a sensitive site could damage Bible-era relics and erase evidence of the presence of the biblical structures. "I think it is a smoke screen for the ruining of antiquities," said Eilat Mazar, a member of the committee.Seligman said the maintenance work was necessary to accommodate the thousands of worshippers who flock daily to the site.
He said no damage was caused to the site and added that the discovery was merely a pleasant surprise. "That's what makes this [archaeology] so interesting," he said. "You never know what you are going to find. It is always a bit of an adventure."
Archaeological remains dated to the First Temple Period discovered on the Temple Mount
(Communicated by the Israel Antiquities Authority)During a recent archaeological inspection on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem carried out by the Israel Antiquities Authority over maintenance works of the Waqf, a sealed archaeological level probably dated to the First Temple Period was exposed in the area close the southeastern corner of the raised platform surrounding the Dome of the Rock. Archaeological examination of a short section of this level, undertaken by Yuval Baruch, the Jerusalem District Archaeologist, uncovered finds that included fragments of ceramic table wares and animal bones.
The finds are dated to the eighth to sixth centuries BCE. Yuval Baruch of the IAA, Prof. Sy Gitin, Director of the William F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research in Jerusalem, Prof. Israel Finkelstein of Tel Aviv University and Prof. Ronny Reich of Haifa University examined the finds and the archaeological data and reached the conclusion that the characteristics and location of the finds may aid scholars in reconstructing the dimensions and boundaries of the Temple Mount during the First Temple Period. The finds include fragments of bowls, including rims, bases and body sherds; the base of a juglet used for the ladling of oil; the handle of a small juglet and the rim of a storage jar.
The bowl sherds were decorated with wheel burnishing lines characteristic of the First Temple Period. In addition, a piece of a white washed handmade object was found. It may have been used to decorate a larger object or may have been part of a figurine. An archaeological seminar concerning these finds and their archaeological interpretation will be organized by the Israel Antiquities Authority.
Is Summit significant or isn’t it
Ted Belman-Israpundit
Why is plan to kill PM being revealed now? In this government, where information is so tightly controlled, there is generally a reason why certain bits of information are released to the media, especially if those bits happen to be particularly juicy. And so, following the leaked report that Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) head Yuval Diskin revealed during Sunday’s cabinet meeting details of a Fatah plot to kill Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during a drive to Jericho this summer, one basic question needs to be asked: What was the interest in this information coming out now?
And then he provides the answer
Public pressure against the Annapolis process won’t hurt Israel’s negotiating position. For instance, if the Palestinians show no flexibility in their demand that the document being negotiated be rich in detail and include a timetable - something Israel is opposed to - then the assassination plot, the PA’s reaction to it and the ensuing uproar in Israel could, if Olmert so decided, be used as a reason to call the whole thing off.
Revelation of the plot now provides Olmert with a precious commodity in his negotiations: room to maneuver.
In line with this Haaretz reports Knesset must see joint declaration before peace meet according to Olmert.
“Every document which expresses Israeli commitment to a significant political-military matter… will be brought before the Knesset… in accordance with the accepted practice of the State of Israel and as the government of Israel has been doing for generations with regard to significant political documents.”
Before leaving on Sunday to sisit Sarkozy Olmert announced Annapolis conference will not bring historic breakthrough, it “is not meant to be an event on its own or an event for an agreement or a historic breakthrough”.
Olmert said the conference should instead be viewed as a chance for the international community to support statehood negotiations, expected to formally begin following the gathering.
What crap. The international community needs no opportunity to support negotiations, it does so every day.
But more important is the suggestion that “formal negotiations” will commence following the conference. Accordingly the summit which “is not meant to be an event on its own or an event for an agreement or a historic breakthrough” is in fact a watershed moment that separates informal negotiations from “formal” negotiations.
How can it be insignificant and significant at the same time. Why don’t they bypass the Summit and just go to “formal” negotiations. Why indeed.
And if it is insignificant, why is Rice pushing for it as it possessed.
Why is plan to kill PM being revealed now? In this government, where information is so tightly controlled, there is generally a reason why certain bits of information are released to the media, especially if those bits happen to be particularly juicy. And so, following the leaked report that Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) head Yuval Diskin revealed during Sunday’s cabinet meeting details of a Fatah plot to kill Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during a drive to Jericho this summer, one basic question needs to be asked: What was the interest in this information coming out now?
And then he provides the answer
Public pressure against the Annapolis process won’t hurt Israel’s negotiating position. For instance, if the Palestinians show no flexibility in their demand that the document being negotiated be rich in detail and include a timetable - something Israel is opposed to - then the assassination plot, the PA’s reaction to it and the ensuing uproar in Israel could, if Olmert so decided, be used as a reason to call the whole thing off.
Revelation of the plot now provides Olmert with a precious commodity in his negotiations: room to maneuver.
In line with this Haaretz reports Knesset must see joint declaration before peace meet according to Olmert.
“Every document which expresses Israeli commitment to a significant political-military matter… will be brought before the Knesset… in accordance with the accepted practice of the State of Israel and as the government of Israel has been doing for generations with regard to significant political documents.”
Before leaving on Sunday to sisit Sarkozy Olmert announced Annapolis conference will not bring historic breakthrough, it “is not meant to be an event on its own or an event for an agreement or a historic breakthrough”.
Olmert said the conference should instead be viewed as a chance for the international community to support statehood negotiations, expected to formally begin following the gathering.
What crap. The international community needs no opportunity to support negotiations, it does so every day.
But more important is the suggestion that “formal negotiations” will commence following the conference. Accordingly the summit which “is not meant to be an event on its own or an event for an agreement or a historic breakthrough” is in fact a watershed moment that separates informal negotiations from “formal” negotiations.
How can it be insignificant and significant at the same time. Why don’t they bypass the Summit and just go to “formal” negotiations. Why indeed.
And if it is insignificant, why is Rice pushing for it as it possessed.
Behaviour Analysis of the Friend
Steven Shamrak
"Frankly, it's time for the establishment of a Palestinian state," Rice told a news conference with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas "The United States sees the establishment of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution as absolutely essential for the future…"
Whose future Dr. Rice? If Israel continues to give up Jewish land to enemies, there is no future for Israel and the Jews! These questions must be asked: Why are strangers, who have no interest in the future of Jewish people, so easily selling out Jewish land to the enemies of Israel? Why are so many educated idiots meddling in Israel's affairs, pretending to be a friend? The answer is simple: Because Jewish leadership allows it!
And who is a judge? I have not heard of a plan for the return of occupied Mexican territories by USA! Wouldn't it be "absolutely essential" and moral for the US to return California, Texas and other states to Mexico, pay compensation and recognise the rights of American Indians to their land, and to re-unite Panama and Colombia? The list of US 'morality' is enormously long!
Just because the US needs Arab oil and is playing games with oil rich Arab countries, it does not mean that it has the right to push Israel toward self-destruction! Jewish international politeness does not work! Our enemies and 'imaginary' friends consider it as a sign of weakness! That is why any 'little piglet' (the individuals or countries that have no moral standing and are deliberately ignoring the truth about Middle East conflict) feel the right to dictate to Jews what to do! "With the friend like this, who needs enemies!" So, we must say to all our pretend friends: " Frankly… dear, I don't give a damn. Just leave us a lone and get lost!"
Why is there such an urgent interest in the creation of a Palestinian terror state just 15 months before leaving office? Is it the need to distract public attention from the failure of the Bush administration in Iraq and Afghanistan or, call me cynical, in order to secure the future lucrative offers from Arab controlled corporations after Rice and Bush leave the office? Haven't they done enough damage with the useless war in Iraq and wasteful distribution of billions of dollars to the 'friendly' corporations, while Islamic terror still thrives and is still supported by so-called moderate Arab states!
"Frankly, it's time for the establishment of a Palestinian state," Rice told a news conference with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas "The United States sees the establishment of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution as absolutely essential for the future…"
Whose future Dr. Rice? If Israel continues to give up Jewish land to enemies, there is no future for Israel and the Jews! These questions must be asked: Why are strangers, who have no interest in the future of Jewish people, so easily selling out Jewish land to the enemies of Israel? Why are so many educated idiots meddling in Israel's affairs, pretending to be a friend? The answer is simple: Because Jewish leadership allows it!
And who is a judge? I have not heard of a plan for the return of occupied Mexican territories by USA! Wouldn't it be "absolutely essential" and moral for the US to return California, Texas and other states to Mexico, pay compensation and recognise the rights of American Indians to their land, and to re-unite Panama and Colombia? The list of US 'morality' is enormously long!
Just because the US needs Arab oil and is playing games with oil rich Arab countries, it does not mean that it has the right to push Israel toward self-destruction! Jewish international politeness does not work! Our enemies and 'imaginary' friends consider it as a sign of weakness! That is why any 'little piglet' (the individuals or countries that have no moral standing and are deliberately ignoring the truth about Middle East conflict) feel the right to dictate to Jews what to do! "With the friend like this, who needs enemies!" So, we must say to all our pretend friends: " Frankly… dear, I don't give a damn. Just leave us a lone and get lost!"
Why is there such an urgent interest in the creation of a Palestinian terror state just 15 months before leaving office? Is it the need to distract public attention from the failure of the Bush administration in Iraq and Afghanistan or, call me cynical, in order to secure the future lucrative offers from Arab controlled corporations after Rice and Bush leave the office? Haven't they done enough damage with the useless war in Iraq and wasteful distribution of billions of dollars to the 'friendly' corporations, while Islamic terror still thrives and is still supported by so-called moderate Arab states!
Beilin's senior partner: Islamic Jihad
How did Beilin manage to post such amazing accomplishments? The answer is comprised of two parts. The first part is that Beilin and the Beilins didn't do it alone. They have a senior partner: Islamic Jihad. I'm not talking about the small group by that name, but rather, the broad phenomenon of murderous Palestinian terrorism.
When buses explode and Qassam rockets fly, and we have blood and fire on the streets, people are desperately looking for a solution and are willing to buy a cure from a witch doctor who they didn't treat seriously until yesterday.
Yet here also comes the second part of the answer to our riddle: Beilin spoke. He was there. He promised he has a cure. Talk is an important matter. We must not underestimate talkers or those who raise false hopes.
I'm not saying, heaven forbid, that Beilin and Meretz have deliberately become the Jihad's spokespeople, but in practice, in terms of the effect on Israeli public opinion, this was akin to cooperation between a mute and an amputee - An Arab movement that has hands that can cause damage, but no mouth to speak with, and a Jewish group that has a big mouth, but no hands.
Beilin's talk along with the deeds of suicide Islam created a joint powerful effect, which pushed public opinion and the political system far to the left, not out of hope, but rather, out of despair.
When buses explode and Qassam rockets fly, and we have blood and fire on the streets, people are desperately looking for a solution and are willing to buy a cure from a witch doctor who they didn't treat seriously until yesterday.
Yet here also comes the second part of the answer to our riddle: Beilin spoke. He was there. He promised he has a cure. Talk is an important matter. We must not underestimate talkers or those who raise false hopes.
I'm not saying, heaven forbid, that Beilin and Meretz have deliberately become the Jihad's spokespeople, but in practice, in terms of the effect on Israeli public opinion, this was akin to cooperation between a mute and an amputee - An Arab movement that has hands that can cause damage, but no mouth to speak with, and a Jewish group that has a big mouth, but no hands.
Beilin's talk along with the deeds of suicide Islam created a joint powerful effect, which pushed public opinion and the political system far to the left, not out of hope, but rather, out of despair.
Al-Qa'eda No 2 tells followers to help Hamas
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and his rival, the militant Islamic movement Hamas, received public shows of support today from two diametrically opposed camps Al-Qa'eda No 2 tells followers to help HamasBy Charles Levinson in JerusalemLast Updated: 2:05am BST 27/06/2007· Father fears for captive Israeli soldier · Alan Johnston forced to wear a bomb belt Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and his rival, the militant Islamic movement Hamas, received public shows of support today from two diametrically opposed camps.
Ehud Olmert shakes hands with Mahmoud Abbas at the regional summit in Egypt
The leaders of Egypt, Jordan and Israel stood by Mr Abbas at a four-party summit in Egypt aimed at strengthening his position. Meanwhile Ayman al Zawahiri, al-Qa'eda's deputy leader, called on Muslims to send money and weapons to Hamas in an audio tape posted on the internet. The competing endorsements highlighted the division in the Palestinian territories as the Gaza Strip, ruled by Hamas and cutoff from the outside world, and the West Bank, controlled by the more secular Fatah party and set to receive an influx of aid dollars, grow further apart. Mr Zawahiri's support for Hamas signaled a 180-degree shift by Osama Bin Laden's lieutenant, who in March accused the movement of surrendering Palestinian rights after it signed a power sharing deal with Mr Abbas' Fatah party.Ten days ago, however, Hamas seized power in the Gaza Strip, routing the Fatah-dominated security services.
Now Mr Zawahiri is calling on the movement, which was founded in 1987 as an offshoot to Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, to impose Islamic rule, and encouraging al-Qa'eda's allies across the Muslim world to lend their support. "Provide them (Hamas) with money break the siege imposed on them by crusaders and Arab leader traitors. Facilitate weapons smuggling from neighbouring countries," Mr Zawahiri said in his taped statement. Al-Qa'eda's endorsement, however, puts Hamas in a difficult situation as it manoeuvres for a resumption of ties with Mr Abbas' government in the West Bank and an end to international boycott. Hamas also receives money, arms and training from Iran, whose Shia allies in Iraq are embroiled in a vicious sectarian war with Sunni al-Qa'eda there. Mr Zawahiri's statement of support may also, however, help Hamas shore up support among its more hardline followers in Gaza, the West Bank and elsewhere in the Sunni Arab world, many of whom share sympathies with al-Qa'eda.
Mr Zawahiri's past criticisms left observers wondering if perhaps Hamas was losing its grass roots credibility as an uncompromising Islamic resistance movement."One day Zawahiri is against Hamas, and now he is with us," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum told The Daily Telegraph. "There is a big difference between al-Qa'eda and Hamas. We respect all the religions of the world including Judaism and Christianity. We believe in moderate Islam and democratic processes."The meeting between Mr Abbas, President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, King Abdullah II of Jordan, and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in the Sinai beach town of Sharm al Sheikh was further upstaged by a second audio tape of Corporal Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier captured exactly one year ago by Hamas and two other militant factions.In the first proof that he was still alive, Mr Shalit, 20, called on Israel to meet his captors' demands and release Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli jails. "I have been in prison for an entire year and my health is deteriorating. I need lengthy hospitalization,"
Mr Shalit said in the tape which was posted on the Web site of Hamas' armed wing the Ezzedine al Qassam Brigades. "Just as I have parents, a mother and father, thousands of Palestinian detainees have mothers and fathers whose sons must be returned to them."At the summit in Egypt, Mr Abbas is looking to Israel to make concessions that will bolster his standing on the Palestinian street and strengthen his hand against Hamas, including releasing more tax dollars, providing military equipment such as armoured vehicles and bulletproof vests, and removing some of the 500 roadblocks that have corralled Palestinians into cantons across the West Bank.Israel, which wants Mr Abbas to crack down on militants in the West Bank, made a "gesture of goodwill" this evening by agreeing to release 250 Fatah prisoners. Hamas denounced the summit which began with a handshake between Mr Abbas and Mr Olmert. It was the two leaders first meeting since April. "Abbas slams the door on dialogue with Hamas and opens the door wide to the Israeli occupation," said Hamas' Mr Barhoum."This summit legitimizes the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian people."
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Ehud Olmert shakes hands with Mahmoud Abbas at the regional summit in Egypt
The leaders of Egypt, Jordan and Israel stood by Mr Abbas at a four-party summit in Egypt aimed at strengthening his position. Meanwhile Ayman al Zawahiri, al-Qa'eda's deputy leader, called on Muslims to send money and weapons to Hamas in an audio tape posted on the internet. The competing endorsements highlighted the division in the Palestinian territories as the Gaza Strip, ruled by Hamas and cutoff from the outside world, and the West Bank, controlled by the more secular Fatah party and set to receive an influx of aid dollars, grow further apart. Mr Zawahiri's support for Hamas signaled a 180-degree shift by Osama Bin Laden's lieutenant, who in March accused the movement of surrendering Palestinian rights after it signed a power sharing deal with Mr Abbas' Fatah party.Ten days ago, however, Hamas seized power in the Gaza Strip, routing the Fatah-dominated security services.
Now Mr Zawahiri is calling on the movement, which was founded in 1987 as an offshoot to Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, to impose Islamic rule, and encouraging al-Qa'eda's allies across the Muslim world to lend their support. "Provide them (Hamas) with money break the siege imposed on them by crusaders and Arab leader traitors. Facilitate weapons smuggling from neighbouring countries," Mr Zawahiri said in his taped statement. Al-Qa'eda's endorsement, however, puts Hamas in a difficult situation as it manoeuvres for a resumption of ties with Mr Abbas' government in the West Bank and an end to international boycott. Hamas also receives money, arms and training from Iran, whose Shia allies in Iraq are embroiled in a vicious sectarian war with Sunni al-Qa'eda there. Mr Zawahiri's statement of support may also, however, help Hamas shore up support among its more hardline followers in Gaza, the West Bank and elsewhere in the Sunni Arab world, many of whom share sympathies with al-Qa'eda.
Mr Zawahiri's past criticisms left observers wondering if perhaps Hamas was losing its grass roots credibility as an uncompromising Islamic resistance movement."One day Zawahiri is against Hamas, and now he is with us," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum told The Daily Telegraph. "There is a big difference between al-Qa'eda and Hamas. We respect all the religions of the world including Judaism and Christianity. We believe in moderate Islam and democratic processes."The meeting between Mr Abbas, President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, King Abdullah II of Jordan, and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in the Sinai beach town of Sharm al Sheikh was further upstaged by a second audio tape of Corporal Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier captured exactly one year ago by Hamas and two other militant factions.In the first proof that he was still alive, Mr Shalit, 20, called on Israel to meet his captors' demands and release Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli jails. "I have been in prison for an entire year and my health is deteriorating. I need lengthy hospitalization,"
Mr Shalit said in the tape which was posted on the Web site of Hamas' armed wing the Ezzedine al Qassam Brigades. "Just as I have parents, a mother and father, thousands of Palestinian detainees have mothers and fathers whose sons must be returned to them."At the summit in Egypt, Mr Abbas is looking to Israel to make concessions that will bolster his standing on the Palestinian street and strengthen his hand against Hamas, including releasing more tax dollars, providing military equipment such as armoured vehicles and bulletproof vests, and removing some of the 500 roadblocks that have corralled Palestinians into cantons across the West Bank.Israel, which wants Mr Abbas to crack down on militants in the West Bank, made a "gesture of goodwill" this evening by agreeing to release 250 Fatah prisoners. Hamas denounced the summit which began with a handshake between Mr Abbas and Mr Olmert. It was the two leaders first meeting since April. "Abbas slams the door on dialogue with Hamas and opens the door wide to the Israeli occupation," said Hamas' Mr Barhoum."This summit legitimizes the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian people."
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AMADINEJAD AND THE SAUDIS PLAN TO DISRUPT FREE SPEECH ON AMERICAN CAMPUSES STARTING TOMMORROW (Monday)
Phyllis Chesler
We have just been informed that President Amadinejad, who himself enjoyed no disruption when he spoke at Columbia University has said he “supports” the disruption, by American students and faculty, of the handful of panels and lectures at Columbia University and at the more than one hundred other universities where Islamo-Fascist Awareness Week will take place from October 22nd to October 26th, 2007
By the way, the term “Islamo-fascism” was coined by Algerian Muslims and ex-Muslims to characterize the Islamic fanatics who slaughtered 150,000 of their Algerian Muslim brethren in the 1990s—and all in the name of Allah.
I am speaking at Columbia on a panel with my esteemed colleagues Ibn Warraq and Christina Hoff-Sommers on the evening of October 24th. David Horowitz, whose Freedom Center has organized the week-long Teach-In, is speaking there at noon on October 26th.
There will be security, cameras, and perhaps even media. These add-ons have become increasingly necessary in order that those who hold minority anti-fascist viewpoints may nevertheless engage in the joys of academic freedom.
We have also just been informed that Saudi money, (what an everlasting surprise), has apparently funded the various pro-Palestinian, anti-American, and anti-Israeli campus groups to launch a defamation and disruption campaign against us. And, the religious Jewish left has also weighed in with an emailed campaign that opposes our telling the truth about how Muslims are blowing other Muslims up, and persecuting women, intellectuals, and homosexuals.
Apparently, if you don’t blame America first, and Israel soon thereafter; and if you don’t continually apologize for the Christian Crusades and for the West’s past colonialism and imperialism—you do not deserve to speak or, perhaps, to live. This way of thinking represents an utter failure to understand that jihad against infidels and other barbarisms are intrinsic to the Arab Muslim Middle East and were not necessarily caused by Western actions.
As to Columbia: In 2004, my answer to a single question sparked a near-riot and I had to be hustled out for my safety. In 2005, the graduate students at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA—the group that invited Amadinejad), boycotted a student-organized and rather illustrious panel about Israel of which I was a member. Also in 2005, at an all-day conference with enormous security, my words still “provoked” a planned pro-Palestinian “acting up” (or is it “acting out” or “shaking off?”). There is more. You get the picture.
Today, speaking the truth about fascism means that you have to do so under hostile and perhaps even dangerous working conditions. The truth-tellers are defamed as “fascists” and “racists.” Those who silence all free speech other than their own view only themselves as anti-racist liberators.
I will have more to say about this. Stay tuned.
We have just been informed that President Amadinejad, who himself enjoyed no disruption when he spoke at Columbia University has said he “supports” the disruption, by American students and faculty, of the handful of panels and lectures at Columbia University and at the more than one hundred other universities where Islamo-Fascist Awareness Week will take place from October 22nd to October 26th, 2007
By the way, the term “Islamo-fascism” was coined by Algerian Muslims and ex-Muslims to characterize the Islamic fanatics who slaughtered 150,000 of their Algerian Muslim brethren in the 1990s—and all in the name of Allah.
I am speaking at Columbia on a panel with my esteemed colleagues Ibn Warraq and Christina Hoff-Sommers on the evening of October 24th. David Horowitz, whose Freedom Center has organized the week-long Teach-In, is speaking there at noon on October 26th.
There will be security, cameras, and perhaps even media. These add-ons have become increasingly necessary in order that those who hold minority anti-fascist viewpoints may nevertheless engage in the joys of academic freedom.
We have also just been informed that Saudi money, (what an everlasting surprise), has apparently funded the various pro-Palestinian, anti-American, and anti-Israeli campus groups to launch a defamation and disruption campaign against us. And, the religious Jewish left has also weighed in with an emailed campaign that opposes our telling the truth about how Muslims are blowing other Muslims up, and persecuting women, intellectuals, and homosexuals.
Apparently, if you don’t blame America first, and Israel soon thereafter; and if you don’t continually apologize for the Christian Crusades and for the West’s past colonialism and imperialism—you do not deserve to speak or, perhaps, to live. This way of thinking represents an utter failure to understand that jihad against infidels and other barbarisms are intrinsic to the Arab Muslim Middle East and were not necessarily caused by Western actions.
As to Columbia: In 2004, my answer to a single question sparked a near-riot and I had to be hustled out for my safety. In 2005, the graduate students at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA—the group that invited Amadinejad), boycotted a student-organized and rather illustrious panel about Israel of which I was a member. Also in 2005, at an all-day conference with enormous security, my words still “provoked” a planned pro-Palestinian “acting up” (or is it “acting out” or “shaking off?”). There is more. You get the picture.
Today, speaking the truth about fascism means that you have to do so under hostile and perhaps even dangerous working conditions. The truth-tellers are defamed as “fascists” and “racists.” Those who silence all free speech other than their own view only themselves as anti-racist liberators.
I will have more to say about this. Stay tuned.
Houston Four Muslim students accused of preparing to join the Taliban and fight U.S. forces overseas
Which mosque did these students attend? What do they teach there? Who funds it? Did the imam know about these students' plans? Did he approve? Does anyone know? Does anyone care? "Student faces more charges in 'battlefield jihad' case," by Cindy George for the Houston Chronicle (thanks to all who sent this in):
Federal prosecutors have filed additional charges against Adnan Mirza, one of the four Muslim students accused of preparing to join the Taliban to fight U.S.-led forces overseas.
Mirza, 30, was accused of planning to engage in "battlefield jihad" in the Middle East and financially supporting the terrorism group....
The charges include 10 firearm possession offenses, the alleged purchase of ammunition at a gun show for use during a paramilitary exercise and two conspiracy counts related to the training and financial support. He is accused of failing to secure a work visa before starting a job and overstaying his visa.
The indictment also alleges that $1,000 earmarked for Taliban fighters and their families passed through Mirza's hands.
Mirza, who had been studying biomedical technology at Houston Community College before his arrest last November, engaged in firearms training eight times at Houston-area campsites and shooting ranges from May 2005 through June 2006, the indictment alleges.
Why would a student of biomedical technology want to join the jihad? Doesn't poverty and alienation cause jihad? What's that? Study after study has shown that jihadists are generally wealthier and better educated than their peers, and that they're actually ideologically motivated? What are you, some kind of Islamophobe
Federal prosecutors have filed additional charges against Adnan Mirza, one of the four Muslim students accused of preparing to join the Taliban to fight U.S.-led forces overseas.
Mirza, 30, was accused of planning to engage in "battlefield jihad" in the Middle East and financially supporting the terrorism group....
The charges include 10 firearm possession offenses, the alleged purchase of ammunition at a gun show for use during a paramilitary exercise and two conspiracy counts related to the training and financial support. He is accused of failing to secure a work visa before starting a job and overstaying his visa.
The indictment also alleges that $1,000 earmarked for Taliban fighters and their families passed through Mirza's hands.
Mirza, who had been studying biomedical technology at Houston Community College before his arrest last November, engaged in firearms training eight times at Houston-area campsites and shooting ranges from May 2005 through June 2006, the indictment alleges.
Why would a student of biomedical technology want to join the jihad? Doesn't poverty and alienation cause jihad? What's that? Study after study has shown that jihadists are generally wealthier and better educated than their peers, and that they're actually ideologically motivated? What are you, some kind of Islamophobe
"Gaza takeover was serious mistake'
Hamas's violent takeover of Gaza in June was a "serious strategic mistake," a former Hamas government spokesman wrote in a scathing letter posted on a Web site affiliated with Hamas' political rival, Fatah. It is unusual for Hamas members to go public with internal disagreements, and it was not immediately clear whether the five-page letter by the former spokesman, Ghazi Hamad, was intended for publication.
Hamad could not be reached for comment Sunday.
He stepped down from his post after Hamas defeated Fatah-allied security forces in Gaza in a week of fighting this summer. Hamad stayed on as a consultant to the head of the Gaza government, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh.
In the letter, Hamad wrote that Hamas paid a high price for the takeover of Gaza, including increasing international isolation and even tighter economic sanctions.
"I think what Hamas resorted to - the military resolution in Gaza - was not justified," he wrote. "I consider it a serious strategic mistake that burdened the movement with more than it can bear."
"True, it resolved a security problem, but it created a thousand political problems that we didn't need," he wrote. Hamas "became isolated, besieged, in a narrow strip (Gaza). The grip increased, the closure tightened, and people's suffering increased."
In a sign of his despair, Hamad wrote: "Oh God!! Where did we get to and where does this lead us? What catastrophe awaits us?"
Hamad has become increasingly distant from the group's official stance. Last week, he said Hamas had no objections to negotiating with Israel if it was in the interests of Palestinians.
The group quickly disavowed Hamad's statement, saying he only spoke for himself; Hamas refuses to recognize Israel or negotiate with it.
Hamad could not be reached for comment Sunday.
He stepped down from his post after Hamas defeated Fatah-allied security forces in Gaza in a week of fighting this summer. Hamad stayed on as a consultant to the head of the Gaza government, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh.
In the letter, Hamad wrote that Hamas paid a high price for the takeover of Gaza, including increasing international isolation and even tighter economic sanctions.
"I think what Hamas resorted to - the military resolution in Gaza - was not justified," he wrote. "I consider it a serious strategic mistake that burdened the movement with more than it can bear."
"True, it resolved a security problem, but it created a thousand political problems that we didn't need," he wrote. Hamas "became isolated, besieged, in a narrow strip (Gaza). The grip increased, the closure tightened, and people's suffering increased."
In a sign of his despair, Hamad wrote: "Oh God!! Where did we get to and where does this lead us? What catastrophe awaits us?"
Hamad has become increasingly distant from the group's official stance. Last week, he said Hamas had no objections to negotiating with Israel if it was in the interests of Palestinians.
The group quickly disavowed Hamad's statement, saying he only spoke for himself; Hamas refuses to recognize Israel or negotiate with it.
Palestinian PM Suspects in plot against Olmert back in custody
The Palestinian militants suspected of plotting to attack Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's convoy earlier this year were arrested for a second time on Friday and will face a military trial, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said on Sunday. The Palestinian militants suspected of plotting to attack Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's convoy earlier this year were arrested for a second time on Friday and will face a military trial, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said on Sunday. Olmert said Sunday that Israel would "not look the other way" on a plot by a terrorist cell from Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah faction to attack his convoy this past summer in the West Bank city of Jericho.
Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin told cabinet members on Sunday the Fatah cell had planned to carry out the attack as the convoy entered the West Bank city on August 6, en route to the prime minister's meeting with Abbas.
Israeli security sources said the cell planned to fire on the convoy, and had made preliminary preparations for the attack, which primarily included intelligence gathering. According to the sources, the terrorists were members of the PA security forces, and therefore knew the convoy's route as well as security arrangements. Following the incident, Israel gave the PA intelligence information regarding the terrorists' identities, and several were arrested by the PA intelligence services. Several additional Fatah men were arrested by Israel during West Bank raids.
Nonetheless, the PA last week released those terrorists it had detained, despite the fact that, according to Diskin, they had admitted to planning the attack. Palestinian PM: Suspects have been arrested again In talks with Knesset Speaker Dahlia Itzik later in the day, Fayad said that he had ordered the suspects arrested anew as soon as he learned that they had been released after their first incarceration. Fayad added that the intelligence given to Israeli security sources regarding the arrests of the suspects was not detailed enough, adding that he expected further information to be released. The Palestinian prime minister also said Sunday that Olmert was never seriously threatened by an assassination plot by Palestinian militants and promised to do his best to rein in West Bank gunmen. "There was nothing imminently dangerous," Fayad said as he arrived for a meeting in Jerusalem with Israeli officials. "We are trying the very best we can to bring law and order to the cities, villages and areas that are under our control." < utmost with incident views Israel source:>A senior political source in Jerusalem said Israel views the incident, and especially the fact that potential assailants were initially released, with utmost severity.
The source added that the Prime Minister's Bureau has submitted a harsh protest to Abbas' office, and Israel expects the PA to take action on the matter. PA intelligence chief Tawfiq Tirawi told Haaretz that the PA still has two suspects in custody that are under investigation and confirmed that the arrests were made after Israeli security officials handed their names over to the PA. Tirawi denied that members of the cell were released, but declined to provide further details. The August meeting was Olmert's first with Abbas in the West Bank after seven years of conflict, and the location was seen as significant as the content.
Ministers and MKs call for protest of PA conduct Labor Party minister Ami Ayalon said that, in response to Diskin's report, he had decided to cancel a scheduled meeting with PA Prisoners' Affairs Minister Ashraf Al-Ajrami in protest of the PA's conduct. In addition, the Shin Bet ordered Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik to move to Jerusalem her meeting Sunday with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayad, which was originally scheduled to take place in Jericho. Shas Party sources called Diskin's report "more proof that the Annapolis summit should not be held as a diplomatic summit, but rather solely as an economic summit." National Religious Party Chairman Zevulun Orlev called on Olmert to "immediately halt his contacts with Abu Mazen [Abbas] and announce the cancellation of the summit as long as Abu Mazen continues to provide cover for terrorists." National Union MK Aryeh Eldad added that, "Olmert must recite the traditional blessing, for having been saved from an assassination.
Abu Mazen should recite a blessing for having a partner like Olmert, because anyone else would have cut off negotiations long ago, and the State of Israel should say a blessing for getting rid of Olmert." National Union MK Zvi Hendel said that Olmert should be examined "by the best professionals, because a situation in which the prime minister is willing to meet with those who freed terrorists that tried to assassinate him, is not politics but rather insanity." Kadima MK Zeev Elkin urged the prime minister to "freeze all talks on gestures to Abu Mazen until the members of the cell are taken back into custody and tried." National Union MK Effi Eitam said "Olmert must awaken from the pointless dream of a moderate partner in Abu Mazen."
Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin told cabinet members on Sunday the Fatah cell had planned to carry out the attack as the convoy entered the West Bank city on August 6, en route to the prime minister's meeting with Abbas.
Israeli security sources said the cell planned to fire on the convoy, and had made preliminary preparations for the attack, which primarily included intelligence gathering. According to the sources, the terrorists were members of the PA security forces, and therefore knew the convoy's route as well as security arrangements. Following the incident, Israel gave the PA intelligence information regarding the terrorists' identities, and several were arrested by the PA intelligence services. Several additional Fatah men were arrested by Israel during West Bank raids.
Nonetheless, the PA last week released those terrorists it had detained, despite the fact that, according to Diskin, they had admitted to planning the attack. Palestinian PM: Suspects have been arrested again In talks with Knesset Speaker Dahlia Itzik later in the day, Fayad said that he had ordered the suspects arrested anew as soon as he learned that they had been released after their first incarceration. Fayad added that the intelligence given to Israeli security sources regarding the arrests of the suspects was not detailed enough, adding that he expected further information to be released. The Palestinian prime minister also said Sunday that Olmert was never seriously threatened by an assassination plot by Palestinian militants and promised to do his best to rein in West Bank gunmen. "There was nothing imminently dangerous," Fayad said as he arrived for a meeting in Jerusalem with Israeli officials. "We are trying the very best we can to bring law and order to the cities, villages and areas that are under our control." < utmost with incident views Israel source:>A senior political source in Jerusalem said Israel views the incident, and especially the fact that potential assailants were initially released, with utmost severity.
The source added that the Prime Minister's Bureau has submitted a harsh protest to Abbas' office, and Israel expects the PA to take action on the matter. PA intelligence chief Tawfiq Tirawi told Haaretz that the PA still has two suspects in custody that are under investigation and confirmed that the arrests were made after Israeli security officials handed their names over to the PA. Tirawi denied that members of the cell were released, but declined to provide further details. The August meeting was Olmert's first with Abbas in the West Bank after seven years of conflict, and the location was seen as significant as the content.
Ministers and MKs call for protest of PA conduct Labor Party minister Ami Ayalon said that, in response to Diskin's report, he had decided to cancel a scheduled meeting with PA Prisoners' Affairs Minister Ashraf Al-Ajrami in protest of the PA's conduct. In addition, the Shin Bet ordered Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik to move to Jerusalem her meeting Sunday with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayad, which was originally scheduled to take place in Jericho. Shas Party sources called Diskin's report "more proof that the Annapolis summit should not be held as a diplomatic summit, but rather solely as an economic summit." National Religious Party Chairman Zevulun Orlev called on Olmert to "immediately halt his contacts with Abu Mazen [Abbas] and announce the cancellation of the summit as long as Abu Mazen continues to provide cover for terrorists." National Union MK Aryeh Eldad added that, "Olmert must recite the traditional blessing, for having been saved from an assassination.
Abu Mazen should recite a blessing for having a partner like Olmert, because anyone else would have cut off negotiations long ago, and the State of Israel should say a blessing for getting rid of Olmert." National Union MK Zvi Hendel said that Olmert should be examined "by the best professionals, because a situation in which the prime minister is willing to meet with those who freed terrorists that tried to assassinate him, is not politics but rather insanity." Kadima MK Zeev Elkin urged the prime minister to "freeze all talks on gestures to Abu Mazen until the members of the cell are taken back into custody and tried." National Union MK Effi Eitam said "Olmert must awaken from the pointless dream of a moderate partner in Abu Mazen."
Senior Hamas figure criticizes takeover of Gaza
Ghazi Hamad, former spokesman of Hamas-led government, calls group's four-month rule of Strip a 'trap'. 'Instead of expanding its relations with the Arab and international community, Hamas has become isolated and besieged in the narrow strip,' he says A well-known Hamas figure on Saturday publicly criticized the group's seizure of the Gaza Strip, in a rare case of open dissent within the ranks of the Islamist group.
In a letter addressed to Hamas leaders, Ghazi Hamad, a former spokesman of the Hamas-led government who speaks frequently to Israeli media, called Hamas' four-month rule of the coastal enclave a "trap".
Infighting
Gazans fear return of security anarchy / Ali Waked
Attempts to mediate between Hamas, clan affiliated with Fatah fail; at least six people killed in clashes, including 13-year-old boy
Full story
"I have regarded it as a grave strategic mistake," Hamad said in his letter, published on the Palestinian Web site AMAD. "Instead of expanding its relations with the Arab and international community ... (Hamas) has become isolated and besieged in the narrow strip."
Hamad himself declined to comment on the letter.
A Palestinian official familiar with the matter said the letter was not intended for publication.
Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in June after routing forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas's secular Fatah faction.
Abbas responded to the takeover by dismissing a Hamas-led unity government and appointing his own administration in the occupied West Bank.
Hamas: Hamad only speaking for himself
Since June, Israel has tightened its economic and military hold on the Gaza Strip, worsening living conditions for Gaza's 1.5 million residents.
Hamas has refused to renounce violence, recognise Israel and abide by interim peace agreements as demanded by the United States and other major Western powers.
Hamas leaders have proposed a long-term ceasefire in return for Israeli withdrawal from land it captured in the 1967 Middle East war.
"It is hard for Hamas leaders to admit their mistakes, but I tell them that admitting mistakes is something that does not go against their religion," Hamad said in the letter.
Hamad said the takeover was placing Hamas under heavy domestic pressure, causing "a thousand needless political problems".
Hamas officials declined to comment on Hamad's letter.
Hamas has tried to distance itself from Hamad since the former government spokesman voiced support for negotiations with Israel. Hamas said Hamad was only speaking for him
In a letter addressed to Hamas leaders, Ghazi Hamad, a former spokesman of the Hamas-led government who speaks frequently to Israeli media, called Hamas' four-month rule of the coastal enclave a "trap".
Infighting
Gazans fear return of security anarchy / Ali Waked
Attempts to mediate between Hamas, clan affiliated with Fatah fail; at least six people killed in clashes, including 13-year-old boy
Full story
"I have regarded it as a grave strategic mistake," Hamad said in his letter, published on the Palestinian Web site AMAD. "Instead of expanding its relations with the Arab and international community ... (Hamas) has become isolated and besieged in the narrow strip."
Hamad himself declined to comment on the letter.
A Palestinian official familiar with the matter said the letter was not intended for publication.
Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in June after routing forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas's secular Fatah faction.
Abbas responded to the takeover by dismissing a Hamas-led unity government and appointing his own administration in the occupied West Bank.
Hamas: Hamad only speaking for himself
Since June, Israel has tightened its economic and military hold on the Gaza Strip, worsening living conditions for Gaza's 1.5 million residents.
Hamas has refused to renounce violence, recognise Israel and abide by interim peace agreements as demanded by the United States and other major Western powers.
Hamas leaders have proposed a long-term ceasefire in return for Israeli withdrawal from land it captured in the 1967 Middle East war.
"It is hard for Hamas leaders to admit their mistakes, but I tell them that admitting mistakes is something that does not go against their religion," Hamad said in the letter.
Hamad said the takeover was placing Hamas under heavy domestic pressure, causing "a thousand needless political problems".
Hamas officials declined to comment on Hamad's letter.
Hamas has tried to distance itself from Hamad since the former government spokesman voiced support for negotiations with Israel. Hamas said Hamad was only speaking for him
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Yaalon: Gaza operation postponed due to commercial considerations
Pending deal with British Gas caused cabinet not to order an IDF operation in Gaza; going through with deal means Israel would be funding terror used against it, says Former IDF chief Former IDF Chief of Staff Moshe (Bugi) Yaalon said Sunday that the government's decision not to engage in a ground operation in the Gaza Strip was largely based on financial, commercial considerations.
In an article published on the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs' website, Yaalon wrote he believed that the possibility of a natural gas deal with British Gas "played a major role in the cabinet's decision not to order an IDF incursion in Gaza, despite the some 1,000 rockets fired on Israel's south since Hamas took over the Strip in June of 2007."
Gas Deal
British Gas to sign $4 billion deal with Israel / Ynet
London Times reports British Gas close to signing deal to supply Israel with gas from off-shore field near Gaza. Hamas says will block deal
Full story
British Gas, along with Lebanese and Palestinian businessmen, operates a gas field just off the coast of Gaza; over the past decade or so, the company has been negotiating natural gas rights with Israel, but so far nothing has come of those discussions.
A risky deal
Such a deal, wrote Yaalon, bears many risks, especially when you consider the hold radical Islam now has on Gaza, and the ominous signs that the West Bank may follow in the same footsteps.
Funneling some $1 billion from Israel to Palestinian, or Palestinian-held bank accounts, would essentially mean that Israel would be funding the very terrorists attacking it, wrote Yaalon.
According to the article, the person pushing for the deal to go through is former British Prime Minister and now Quartet's Middle East envoy, Tony Blair. Former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, he added, was against the British Gas deal, as is Mossad Chief Meir Dagan. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, on the other hand, seems very much in favor of it.
Should such a deal materialize, said Yaalon, many terror groups, including the Islamic Jihad, may be inclined to attack the British Gas' oil rig off the coast of Gaza, and should the Israel Navy be assigned to secure the facility, it might find itself engaged in multiple fronts.
British Gas is bidding against Egypt and businessman Yossi Maiman's EMG in its attempt to strike a natural gas deal with Israel. Olmert, unlike his predecessor, is keen on renewing the negotiations with British Gas, but the company seems to have lost interest. Israel is currently buying natural gas from the Yam Tethys Group.
The Prime Minister's Office was not available for comment.
In an article published on the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs' website, Yaalon wrote he believed that the possibility of a natural gas deal with British Gas "played a major role in the cabinet's decision not to order an IDF incursion in Gaza, despite the some 1,000 rockets fired on Israel's south since Hamas took over the Strip in June of 2007."
Gas Deal
British Gas to sign $4 billion deal with Israel / Ynet
London Times reports British Gas close to signing deal to supply Israel with gas from off-shore field near Gaza. Hamas says will block deal
Full story
British Gas, along with Lebanese and Palestinian businessmen, operates a gas field just off the coast of Gaza; over the past decade or so, the company has been negotiating natural gas rights with Israel, but so far nothing has come of those discussions.
A risky deal
Such a deal, wrote Yaalon, bears many risks, especially when you consider the hold radical Islam now has on Gaza, and the ominous signs that the West Bank may follow in the same footsteps.
Funneling some $1 billion from Israel to Palestinian, or Palestinian-held bank accounts, would essentially mean that Israel would be funding the very terrorists attacking it, wrote Yaalon.
According to the article, the person pushing for the deal to go through is former British Prime Minister and now Quartet's Middle East envoy, Tony Blair. Former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, he added, was against the British Gas deal, as is Mossad Chief Meir Dagan. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, on the other hand, seems very much in favor of it.
Should such a deal materialize, said Yaalon, many terror groups, including the Islamic Jihad, may be inclined to attack the British Gas' oil rig off the coast of Gaza, and should the Israel Navy be assigned to secure the facility, it might find itself engaged in multiple fronts.
British Gas is bidding against Egypt and businessman Yossi Maiman's EMG in its attempt to strike a natural gas deal with Israel. Olmert, unlike his predecessor, is keen on renewing the negotiations with British Gas, but the company seems to have lost interest. Israel is currently buying natural gas from the Yam Tethys Group.
The Prime Minister's Office was not available for comment.
Power rests in the hands of Arab clans
Hamas to Gaza clan Hand over weapons Hamas issued an ultimatum over the weekend to a powerful Fatah-affiliated clan in Gaza City to hand over its weapons or face a massive attack.
The ultimatum came after two Palestinians were killed in fierce clashes that erupted between members of the Hils clan and Hamas's security forces in the Shajaiyyeh neighborhood of Gaza City.
One of the victims was Muhammad al-Sussi, 13, who was killed while he was on his way to school. His younger brother was moderately wounded. The second victim was identified as Muhammad Hils, 22. Eyewitnesses said he was killed when he tried to fire a rocket at Hamas members.
At least seven Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the clashes between the two parties last Thursday.
Hamas officials in the Gaza Strip told The Jerusalem Post that the members of the Hils clan had refused to surrender their weapons as part of a campaign aimed at ending anarchy and lawlessness. They also accused the Hils clan of standing behind a series of attacks on Hamas figures and institutions in the Gaza Strip in recent weeks.
"We are determined to disarm this clan and force them to hand over all those who were involved in the anarchy," said Ihab al-Ghissin, spokesman for the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Interior. "We have declared a state of emergency and our security forces have been instructed to use force to end this case."
Ghissin also accused the Hils clan of firing a mortar rocket at a school earlier in the day, wounding three girls. He added that dozens of gunmen belonging to the clan had set up makeshift roadblocks in their neighborhood and planted roadside bombs to prevent the Hamas security forces from entering the area.
"The Hils clan, like many other families in the Gaza Strip, had become accustomed to the state of anarchy and lawlessness that prevailed before Hamas took over," he explained. "But they don't realize that now that Hamas is in control, no one is above the law."
Several other clans have since agreed to surrender their weapons to Hamas. One of them was the notorious Dughmush clan, whose members were responsible for a spate of kidnappings of foreign nationals in the Gaza Strip over the past two years. Shortly after Hamas came to power, the Dughmush clan agreed to release kidnapped BBC correspondent Alan Johnston.
Representatives of several families living in the Shajaiyyeh neighborhood expressed their support for Hamas's efforts to disarm the Hils clan, saying the time had come to impose law and order on the streets. The families said the presence of gunmen and thugs on the streets had terrorized the public.
In Ramallah, Fatah spokesman Ahmed Abdel Rahman condemned Hamas for targeting the Hils clan and other residents of Gaza City.
He said Hamas's "crimes" were a sign of its growing weakness and political bankruptcy. He also hailed the clan as a "patriotic" family that had long been struggling against Israel.
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The ultimatum came after two Palestinians were killed in fierce clashes that erupted between members of the Hils clan and Hamas's security forces in the Shajaiyyeh neighborhood of Gaza City.
One of the victims was Muhammad al-Sussi, 13, who was killed while he was on his way to school. His younger brother was moderately wounded. The second victim was identified as Muhammad Hils, 22. Eyewitnesses said he was killed when he tried to fire a rocket at Hamas members.
At least seven Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the clashes between the two parties last Thursday.
Hamas officials in the Gaza Strip told The Jerusalem Post that the members of the Hils clan had refused to surrender their weapons as part of a campaign aimed at ending anarchy and lawlessness. They also accused the Hils clan of standing behind a series of attacks on Hamas figures and institutions in the Gaza Strip in recent weeks.
"We are determined to disarm this clan and force them to hand over all those who were involved in the anarchy," said Ihab al-Ghissin, spokesman for the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Interior. "We have declared a state of emergency and our security forces have been instructed to use force to end this case."
Ghissin also accused the Hils clan of firing a mortar rocket at a school earlier in the day, wounding three girls. He added that dozens of gunmen belonging to the clan had set up makeshift roadblocks in their neighborhood and planted roadside bombs to prevent the Hamas security forces from entering the area.
"The Hils clan, like many other families in the Gaza Strip, had become accustomed to the state of anarchy and lawlessness that prevailed before Hamas took over," he explained. "But they don't realize that now that Hamas is in control, no one is above the law."
Several other clans have since agreed to surrender their weapons to Hamas. One of them was the notorious Dughmush clan, whose members were responsible for a spate of kidnappings of foreign nationals in the Gaza Strip over the past two years. Shortly after Hamas came to power, the Dughmush clan agreed to release kidnapped BBC correspondent Alan Johnston.
Representatives of several families living in the Shajaiyyeh neighborhood expressed their support for Hamas's efforts to disarm the Hils clan, saying the time had come to impose law and order on the streets. The families said the presence of gunmen and thugs on the streets had terrorized the public.
In Ramallah, Fatah spokesman Ahmed Abdel Rahman condemned Hamas for targeting the Hils clan and other residents of Gaza City.
He said Hamas's "crimes" were a sign of its growing weakness and political bankruptcy. He also hailed the clan as a "patriotic" family that had long been struggling against Israel.
This article can also be read at http://www.jpost.com /servlet/Satellite?cid=1192380607795&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
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“Its time to lure Syria away from Iran”
"Maybe it's time to employ the carrot and lead international negotiations with Syria," which could remove it from the sphere of Iran and Hizbullah, outgoing IDF deputy chief of General Staff Maj.-Gen. Moshe Kaplinsky told the Washington Institute for Near East Policy in Virginia on Saturday.
However, in his remarks he also suggested that the stick of decisive sanctions against Syria had not yet been tried. "There are no real sanctions today against Syria," he said.
He said that he was leaving his position in two weeks and was speaking for himself and not for the Israeli government or the IDF.
The outgoing deputy chief of staff also discussed weapons smuggling by Hizbullah and the organization's attempts to rearm itself, build new fortifications and train its operatives, despite UN resolutions. "If nothing changes in the situation in Lebanon, somebody will have to change the situation. I include preemptive strikes," he said.
In the event of another war with Hizbullah, "we learned from the last war that we have to give our troops the right objectives and be more decisive, and we will manage," Kaplinsky said, adding that "the next round will take us less time. We will send our ground forces more quickly."
But he said that it would also be necessary to hold territory in Lebanon for long periods of time in order to dismantle Hizbullah. In such a scenario, he said he expected Syria to play a role similar to the one it had played in last summer's war by providing weapons and other peripheral support for Hizbullah, but "they will not activate their forces in order to help Hizbullah."
Kaplinsky said Israel would also not seek direct confrontations with Syria in such a scenario. "Israel has no intention of going to war with Syria," he said.
However, in his remarks he also suggested that the stick of decisive sanctions against Syria had not yet been tried. "There are no real sanctions today against Syria," he said.
He said that he was leaving his position in two weeks and was speaking for himself and not for the Israeli government or the IDF.
The outgoing deputy chief of staff also discussed weapons smuggling by Hizbullah and the organization's attempts to rearm itself, build new fortifications and train its operatives, despite UN resolutions. "If nothing changes in the situation in Lebanon, somebody will have to change the situation. I include preemptive strikes," he said.
In the event of another war with Hizbullah, "we learned from the last war that we have to give our troops the right objectives and be more decisive, and we will manage," Kaplinsky said, adding that "the next round will take us less time. We will send our ground forces more quickly."
But he said that it would also be necessary to hold territory in Lebanon for long periods of time in order to dismantle Hizbullah. In such a scenario, he said he expected Syria to play a role similar to the one it had played in last summer's war by providing weapons and other peripheral support for Hizbullah, but "they will not activate their forces in order to help Hizbullah."
Kaplinsky said Israel would also not seek direct confrontations with Syria in such a scenario. "Israel has no intention of going to war with Syria," he said.
Shuafat area residents split over plan to divide Jerusalem in two
Just where the smell coming from piles of garbage becomes pungent and impossible to bear, the Shuafat refugee camp - home to some 20,000 people who hold Israeli identity cards but see themselves as Palestinians - begins. "We have been waiting for many years for Jerusalem to be ours again, and we will wait a few more for this to happen. This camp's residents are more Jerusalemites than [Prime Minister] Ehud Olmert, because they are real refugees whose houses were occupied and for all of these years, they've had their lives on hold," Khader Dibes, a camp official, told The Jerusalem Post.
Shuafat, the only Palestinian refugee camp within Jerusalem's jurisdiction, is one of a few Arab villages which, according to a plan proposed by Vice Premier Haim Ramon, will be transferred to the PA under a final-status agreement.
The refugee camp extends over 203 dunams (50 acres) of the Shuafat neighborhood, and is run by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA.)
The camp borders the Arab neighborhood of Shuafat to the east, as well as Pisgat Ze'ev to the north and French Hill to the south.
However, Nabil Abu Issa, head of the village of Muchtar, located a few hundred meters above the refugee camp, told the Post that he doesn't see himself as a Palestinian. "We don't want to be under Palestinian authority. We are Jerusalemites, we vote for the mayor and for the Knesset. We are part of this place and unless there are no two countries for the two people, we will stay here. It would be a mistake to hand over these villages; it would cause a mess and a bloodshed. What [would] happen if Israel gives us to the PA? How can a family prevent the rocket launchers from taking over their house and firing at Jerusalem? If I would have to, I'll take my family and move to east Jerusalem, Jaffa or Haifa," Abu Issa said.
Ramon's plan was first floated a few weeks ago and managed to create a storm of protest from both Arabs and Jews. It proposes splitting Jerusalem, transferring the city's Arab neighborhoods to Palestinian control and giving up sovereignty over parts of the Old City (excluding the Jewish Quarter and the Western Wall.)
A report published last February by the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies predicted that if current birth rates in the Arab and Jewish sectors continue, by 2020 the majority of Jerusalem's children would be Arab and that Arabs would constitute 40 percent of the city population.
"The story of demographic pressure was sold to [US President George W.] Bush, and this is why he said a two-state solution is necessary, but the threat no longer exists - only bad counting and calculating," Michael L. Wise, a physicist and expert in mathematic modeling techniques told the Post.
"Of course there is so much to do when it comes to strengthening Jerusalem's Jewish population, since every year 6,000 residents leave due to lack of employment opportunities, affordable housing and security problems. The easy solution is to split Jerusalem, but there is another way, like expanding its territory to the east," Wise said.
The Arab villages Ramon has suggested be transferred to Palestinian hands includes mainly poor, overpopulated and overcrowded neighborhoods such as Shuafat, Anata, Kfar Akeb, northeast of Jerusalem, Ras Hamis to the north and Abu-Dis to the east.
Kareem Jubran, a field researcher with the B'Tselem human rights organization, said that the security fence's route would leave Kfar Akeb and Ras Hamis out of Jerusalem's jurisdiction, depriving some 50,000 residents of municipally-supplied services.
"Even now, these services are not being supplied by the Jerusalem Municipality. There are no health and sanitary services, and [residents'] freedom of movement and right to earn a living are heavily damaged because of the many checkpoints. The residents are afraid their residency might be taken away, so many simply moved to east Jerusalem neighborhoods," B'Tselem spokeswoman Sarit Michaeli said.
Dibes also describes rampant neglect in the camp. "[There are] a lot of drugs, theft, and security problems, but the Israeli police won't enforce the law here," he said.
"They refuse to enter this place. On the other hand, they won't let us establish our own police force and so this place is sort of a Wild West," said Dibes.
Dibes was born in Beit Nativ, a village next to Abu Gosh, and at age two came to Shuafat with his parents. "[Drugs are sold] 20 meters away from the Israeli checkpoint, but the IDF soldiers there tell them, 'Don't sell to the Jews and we will leave you alone,' so how can we handle this problem?" Dibes asked.
The plan's proposals for dealing with the capital's holy sites has also stirred controversy. Neither Jerusalem Affairs Minister Rafi Eitan nor PA Minister for Jerusalem Affairs Adnan Husseini (former director of the Islamic Wakf, which administers the holy site of Al-Aksa) supports the plan to transfer the area to neutral rule.
"Dividing the sacred area of the mosque is not acceptable at all... We are perfectly capable of taking care of our sacred places, and we don't need anyone's help," Husseini said.
"East Jerusalem is an occupied city and it will be the capital of the Palestinian state. This is how we understand it, and it's fair and logical for everyone," Husseini said last week.
Asked about the plan to transfer Arab villages to the PA, Husseini said the initiative would be appreciated, but first "we have to start with the Old City... Jerusalem is the key for peace in the region. Without solving this dispute, the conflict will never end," Husseini said.
Eitan, who recently replaced Ya'acov Edri as Israel's Jerusalem affairs minister, expressed his own objections to this plan "as a final destination and as long as there is no one to negotiate with."
"Shortly after I was appointed to this position, I decided to examine these Arab neighborhoods," he said.
In Eitan's opinion, most of the residents in these Arab villages want to remain under Israeli sovereignty, "because the municipal services are better, they receive national insurance, water, electricity, and soon they will be connected to the sewage delivery system and will get better sanitary services," he said.
"For our safety, the only option is to keep these villages under our control. I believe that this plan will be off the table soon," Eitan added.
In the meantime, Knesset members have been busy tying Olmert's hands. On Thursday, a majority of MKs, including 30 coalition members, signed a petition calling for Jerusalem to remain undivided. In addition, a bill calling for a special majority of MKs in any vote on significant decisions regarding the capital's fate is on its way.
Residents of the Jewish neighborhoods adjacent to the Arab villages in question also sound worried. "A decision like this would make Pisgat Ze'ev a Jewish enclave within Palestinian territory, and not the other way around," Eli Ben-Hemo, a local official from Pisgat Ze'ev told the Post.
"If a plan like this is executed, people would rather leave than live a couple of meters from a border that could turn this place to another Sderot," Ben-Hemo said.
Uri Michaeli, chairman of the French Hill residents' committee, said he believed that annexing these Arab villages in after the Six Day War and giving their residents citizenship was a fatal mistake.
"The residents of Issawiya, for instance, keep building illegally," he said.
Michaeli thinks that all the talk about plans to split Jerusalem only causes trouble. "More people emigrate from Jerusalem every year and it creates security problems. I fought in the Six-Day War. We came here in 1972 to build a Jewish neighborhood, but we have to live with Arab neighbors who prefer to keep their distance. They're not part of the neighborhood, they send their children to different schools, they don't speak Hebrew, they just cause us all great discomfort."
Shuafat, the only Palestinian refugee camp within Jerusalem's jurisdiction, is one of a few Arab villages which, according to a plan proposed by Vice Premier Haim Ramon, will be transferred to the PA under a final-status agreement.
The refugee camp extends over 203 dunams (50 acres) of the Shuafat neighborhood, and is run by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA.)
The camp borders the Arab neighborhood of Shuafat to the east, as well as Pisgat Ze'ev to the north and French Hill to the south.
However, Nabil Abu Issa, head of the village of Muchtar, located a few hundred meters above the refugee camp, told the Post that he doesn't see himself as a Palestinian. "We don't want to be under Palestinian authority. We are Jerusalemites, we vote for the mayor and for the Knesset. We are part of this place and unless there are no two countries for the two people, we will stay here. It would be a mistake to hand over these villages; it would cause a mess and a bloodshed. What [would] happen if Israel gives us to the PA? How can a family prevent the rocket launchers from taking over their house and firing at Jerusalem? If I would have to, I'll take my family and move to east Jerusalem, Jaffa or Haifa," Abu Issa said.
Ramon's plan was first floated a few weeks ago and managed to create a storm of protest from both Arabs and Jews. It proposes splitting Jerusalem, transferring the city's Arab neighborhoods to Palestinian control and giving up sovereignty over parts of the Old City (excluding the Jewish Quarter and the Western Wall.)
A report published last February by the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies predicted that if current birth rates in the Arab and Jewish sectors continue, by 2020 the majority of Jerusalem's children would be Arab and that Arabs would constitute 40 percent of the city population.
"The story of demographic pressure was sold to [US President George W.] Bush, and this is why he said a two-state solution is necessary, but the threat no longer exists - only bad counting and calculating," Michael L. Wise, a physicist and expert in mathematic modeling techniques told the Post.
"Of course there is so much to do when it comes to strengthening Jerusalem's Jewish population, since every year 6,000 residents leave due to lack of employment opportunities, affordable housing and security problems. The easy solution is to split Jerusalem, but there is another way, like expanding its territory to the east," Wise said.
The Arab villages Ramon has suggested be transferred to Palestinian hands includes mainly poor, overpopulated and overcrowded neighborhoods such as Shuafat, Anata, Kfar Akeb, northeast of Jerusalem, Ras Hamis to the north and Abu-Dis to the east.
Kareem Jubran, a field researcher with the B'Tselem human rights organization, said that the security fence's route would leave Kfar Akeb and Ras Hamis out of Jerusalem's jurisdiction, depriving some 50,000 residents of municipally-supplied services.
"Even now, these services are not being supplied by the Jerusalem Municipality. There are no health and sanitary services, and [residents'] freedom of movement and right to earn a living are heavily damaged because of the many checkpoints. The residents are afraid their residency might be taken away, so many simply moved to east Jerusalem neighborhoods," B'Tselem spokeswoman Sarit Michaeli said.
Dibes also describes rampant neglect in the camp. "[There are] a lot of drugs, theft, and security problems, but the Israeli police won't enforce the law here," he said.
"They refuse to enter this place. On the other hand, they won't let us establish our own police force and so this place is sort of a Wild West," said Dibes.
Dibes was born in Beit Nativ, a village next to Abu Gosh, and at age two came to Shuafat with his parents. "[Drugs are sold] 20 meters away from the Israeli checkpoint, but the IDF soldiers there tell them, 'Don't sell to the Jews and we will leave you alone,' so how can we handle this problem?" Dibes asked.
The plan's proposals for dealing with the capital's holy sites has also stirred controversy. Neither Jerusalem Affairs Minister Rafi Eitan nor PA Minister for Jerusalem Affairs Adnan Husseini (former director of the Islamic Wakf, which administers the holy site of Al-Aksa) supports the plan to transfer the area to neutral rule.
"Dividing the sacred area of the mosque is not acceptable at all... We are perfectly capable of taking care of our sacred places, and we don't need anyone's help," Husseini said.
"East Jerusalem is an occupied city and it will be the capital of the Palestinian state. This is how we understand it, and it's fair and logical for everyone," Husseini said last week.
Asked about the plan to transfer Arab villages to the PA, Husseini said the initiative would be appreciated, but first "we have to start with the Old City... Jerusalem is the key for peace in the region. Without solving this dispute, the conflict will never end," Husseini said.
Eitan, who recently replaced Ya'acov Edri as Israel's Jerusalem affairs minister, expressed his own objections to this plan "as a final destination and as long as there is no one to negotiate with."
"Shortly after I was appointed to this position, I decided to examine these Arab neighborhoods," he said.
In Eitan's opinion, most of the residents in these Arab villages want to remain under Israeli sovereignty, "because the municipal services are better, they receive national insurance, water, electricity, and soon they will be connected to the sewage delivery system and will get better sanitary services," he said.
"For our safety, the only option is to keep these villages under our control. I believe that this plan will be off the table soon," Eitan added.
In the meantime, Knesset members have been busy tying Olmert's hands. On Thursday, a majority of MKs, including 30 coalition members, signed a petition calling for Jerusalem to remain undivided. In addition, a bill calling for a special majority of MKs in any vote on significant decisions regarding the capital's fate is on its way.
Residents of the Jewish neighborhoods adjacent to the Arab villages in question also sound worried. "A decision like this would make Pisgat Ze'ev a Jewish enclave within Palestinian territory, and not the other way around," Eli Ben-Hemo, a local official from Pisgat Ze'ev told the Post.
"If a plan like this is executed, people would rather leave than live a couple of meters from a border that could turn this place to another Sderot," Ben-Hemo said.
Uri Michaeli, chairman of the French Hill residents' committee, said he believed that annexing these Arab villages in after the Six Day War and giving their residents citizenship was a fatal mistake.
"The residents of Issawiya, for instance, keep building illegally," he said.
Michaeli thinks that all the talk about plans to split Jerusalem only causes trouble. "More people emigrate from Jerusalem every year and it creates security problems. I fought in the Six-Day War. We came here in 1972 to build a Jewish neighborhood, but we have to live with Arab neighbors who prefer to keep their distance. They're not part of the neighborhood, they send their children to different schools, they don't speak Hebrew, they just cause us all great discomfort."
PM heads to Europe to push Iran sanctions, discuss ME parley
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert departs Sunday night for talks with the new leaders of France and Britain to press for intensified sanctions against Iran. He will also seek support for Israel's position on the peace process ahead of the Annapolis conference.
On Monday Olmert will meet in Paris with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Talks are also scheduled with Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and representatives of the French Jewish community, the largest in Europe.
On Tuesday the prime minister will meet in London with his British counterpart Gordon Brown, who took office in June. He will also meet with British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs David Miliband and with the head of the opposition, Conservative Party leader David Cameron. Talks are also scheduled with leaders of the British Jewish community.
France and Britain are the European Union's two permanent representatives on the United Nations Security Council. The body is set to meet before the end of the year to discuss a new package of sanctions against Iran as part of efforts to thwart Teheran's nuclear program.
Paris has significantly toughened its position on the Iranian nuclear threat since Sarkozy was elected president five months ago. Britain also supports considering new sanctions against Iran.
But efforts to achieve an international consensus on stepping up sanctions are opposed by Russia and China, who make up the other permanent members of the Security Council, along with the US, which backs tougher sanctions.
In talks in Moscow on Thursday, Olmert was told by Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia understands Israeli concerns over Iran. At the same time there was no indication that Moscow will back a new package of sanctions.
Israel has kept a low profile on Teheran's drive to acquire a nuclear potential, stressing that a nuclear Iran would pose a threat to the whole region and the world at large.
The prime minister's spokeswoman Miri Eisen denied that Olmert's trip to Europe, coming on the heels of the meeting with Putin, represented Israel raising its profile on the Iranian nuclear question.
"Israel still sees this very much as a world issue," Eisen said, noting that other issues are also on the agenda as Israel seeks to encourage economic support for the Palestinians and European backing for the work of quartet envoy Tony Blair.
Eisen noted that the trip to Europe was planned a long time ago and Olmert's hasty visit to Moscow was a question of finding a time that suited both leaders.
Also on the agenda during Olmert's talks in Paris and London will be efforts to revive the peace process.
Sarkozy said Friday he would tell Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that "now is the time" to make peace with the Palestinians.
Sarkozy said he would make the same case as the one he made to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas last month in New York.
"My message to Mr. Olmert will simply be that ...the time has come to make peace," Sarkozy told a news conference after an EU summit in Lisbon. "Now is the time to take risks and build a lasting peace."
Israeli and Palestinian delegations held another round of talks in Jerusalem on Friday aimed at reaching agreement on a joint statement of principles to be presented to the Annapolis gathering.
It was agreed that a new round of talks will be held in the coming days. The chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qurei dismissed reports of a crisis in the talks. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said in-depth discussions had been held and some progress had been achieved.
Palestinian Prime Minister Salaam Fayad will meet on Sunday with Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik, Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Tzahi Hanegbi, and seven other Knesset members from various parties.
The meeting is part of Itzik's efforts to "broaden the dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians," the speaker's spokesman Ilan Ostheld said. Itzik had hosted Fayad at her Jerusalem residence two months ago.
On Monday Olmert will meet in Paris with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Talks are also scheduled with Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and representatives of the French Jewish community, the largest in Europe.
On Tuesday the prime minister will meet in London with his British counterpart Gordon Brown, who took office in June. He will also meet with British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs David Miliband and with the head of the opposition, Conservative Party leader David Cameron. Talks are also scheduled with leaders of the British Jewish community.
France and Britain are the European Union's two permanent representatives on the United Nations Security Council. The body is set to meet before the end of the year to discuss a new package of sanctions against Iran as part of efforts to thwart Teheran's nuclear program.
Paris has significantly toughened its position on the Iranian nuclear threat since Sarkozy was elected president five months ago. Britain also supports considering new sanctions against Iran.
But efforts to achieve an international consensus on stepping up sanctions are opposed by Russia and China, who make up the other permanent members of the Security Council, along with the US, which backs tougher sanctions.
In talks in Moscow on Thursday, Olmert was told by Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia understands Israeli concerns over Iran. At the same time there was no indication that Moscow will back a new package of sanctions.
Israel has kept a low profile on Teheran's drive to acquire a nuclear potential, stressing that a nuclear Iran would pose a threat to the whole region and the world at large.
The prime minister's spokeswoman Miri Eisen denied that Olmert's trip to Europe, coming on the heels of the meeting with Putin, represented Israel raising its profile on the Iranian nuclear question.
"Israel still sees this very much as a world issue," Eisen said, noting that other issues are also on the agenda as Israel seeks to encourage economic support for the Palestinians and European backing for the work of quartet envoy Tony Blair.
Eisen noted that the trip to Europe was planned a long time ago and Olmert's hasty visit to Moscow was a question of finding a time that suited both leaders.
Also on the agenda during Olmert's talks in Paris and London will be efforts to revive the peace process.
Sarkozy said Friday he would tell Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that "now is the time" to make peace with the Palestinians.
Sarkozy said he would make the same case as the one he made to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas last month in New York.
"My message to Mr. Olmert will simply be that ...the time has come to make peace," Sarkozy told a news conference after an EU summit in Lisbon. "Now is the time to take risks and build a lasting peace."
Israeli and Palestinian delegations held another round of talks in Jerusalem on Friday aimed at reaching agreement on a joint statement of principles to be presented to the Annapolis gathering.
It was agreed that a new round of talks will be held in the coming days. The chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qurei dismissed reports of a crisis in the talks. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said in-depth discussions had been held and some progress had been achieved.
Palestinian Prime Minister Salaam Fayad will meet on Sunday with Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik, Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Tzahi Hanegbi, and seven other Knesset members from various parties.
The meeting is part of Itzik's efforts to "broaden the dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians," the speaker's spokesman Ilan Ostheld said. Itzik had hosted Fayad at her Jerusalem residence two months ago.
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