Monday, August 16, 2004
Monday, August 16, 2004
Elder of Ziyon
THE Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, has enriched a privileged inner circle of cronies and salted away billions of dollars in secret bank accounts, according to his former treasurer.
Jaweed Al-Ghussein, 74, described last week how, during his 12 years as chairman of the Palestine National Fund, the financial arm of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, he gave Arafat a monthly cheque for $10.25m — amounting to $123m (£67m) every year.
He was told the money was being spent on the Palestinian movement’s paramilitaries and on families who had lost “martyrs” in the struggle.
He was troubled by Arafat’s fondness for a system of patronage whereby he would hand bodyguards wads of cash from a briefcase he kept in his office and instruct them to take it to individuals he had decided to help. Each day the briefcase would be refilled from bank accounts that Arafat controlled.
Al-Ghussein, who resigned in protest at Arafat’s financial practices in 1996, has urged his former friend to let a new leader take over the Palestinian Authority.
Jaweed Al-Ghussein, 74, described last week how, during his 12 years as chairman of the Palestine National Fund, the financial arm of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, he gave Arafat a monthly cheque for $10.25m — amounting to $123m (£67m) every year.
He was told the money was being spent on the Palestinian movement’s paramilitaries and on families who had lost “martyrs” in the struggle.
He was troubled by Arafat’s fondness for a system of patronage whereby he would hand bodyguards wads of cash from a briefcase he kept in his office and instruct them to take it to individuals he had decided to help. Each day the briefcase would be refilled from bank accounts that Arafat controlled.
Al-Ghussein, who resigned in protest at Arafat’s financial practices in 1996, has urged his former friend to let a new leader take over the Palestinian Authority.
Monday, August 16, 2004
Elder of Ziyon
The Key to Jihadist Ideology and Strategy
When trying to explain the Islamists' global campaign of mass murder, both liberals and conservatives, despite their fierce mutual disagreements, make the same underlying mistake. People on the anti-war left believe that Al Qaeda attacked us because we're imperialist, or because we're racist, or because we don't do enough for Third-World hunger (yes, there are people who actually believe the hunger argument; most of them are Episcopalians). By contrast, many people on the pro-war right, especially President Bush, believe that the Islamists hate us for our freedoms, opportunities, and overall success as a society. In other words, the left believes that the Islamists hate us for our sins, and the right believes that they hate us for our virtues. Both sides commit the same narcissistic fallacy of thinking that the Islamist holy war against the West revolves solely around ourselves, around the moral drama of our goodness or our wickedness, rather than having something to do with Islam itself.
When trying to explain the Islamists' global campaign of mass murder, both liberals and conservatives, despite their fierce mutual disagreements, make the same underlying mistake. People on the anti-war left believe that Al Qaeda attacked us because we're imperialist, or because we're racist, or because we don't do enough for Third-World hunger (yes, there are people who actually believe the hunger argument; most of them are Episcopalians). By contrast, many people on the pro-war right, especially President Bush, believe that the Islamists hate us for our freedoms, opportunities, and overall success as a society. In other words, the left believes that the Islamists hate us for our sins, and the right believes that they hate us for our virtues. Both sides commit the same narcissistic fallacy of thinking that the Islamist holy war against the West revolves solely around ourselves, around the moral drama of our goodness or our wickedness, rather than having something to do with Islam itself.
Monday, August 16, 2004
Elder of Ziyon
Terror group threatens Dutch with 'Islamic earthquake':
AMSTERDAM — Muslim extremists have threatened an "Islamic earthquake" and "nights of bloodshed" in the Netherlands unless Dutch troops are withdrawn from Iraq. The warning came a day after a Dutch soldier was shot dead in southern Iraq.
"We address this message to all crusader countries plotting against the Muslims, and which are sending forces to Iraq and Afghanistan, especially Italy and the Netherlands," organisation al-Tawhid wa al-Jihad said on an website on Sunday.
Al-Tawhid wa al-Jihad is said to be group connected to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the reputed leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq.
"Expect a hell that will turn your nights into bloodbaths," warned the statement posted on an Islamic website and addressed "to the European countries.... to the Dutch government and people."
The group warned the Netherlands that the statement was "a final message that we are sending to you, and it is a simple message, namely the pullout of Dutch forces from Iraq."
"Or else, your fate will be similar to the fate of Italy and other states," which have been the target of deadly terror attacks, it said.
AMSTERDAM — Muslim extremists have threatened an "Islamic earthquake" and "nights of bloodshed" in the Netherlands unless Dutch troops are withdrawn from Iraq. The warning came a day after a Dutch soldier was shot dead in southern Iraq.
"We address this message to all crusader countries plotting against the Muslims, and which are sending forces to Iraq and Afghanistan, especially Italy and the Netherlands," organisation al-Tawhid wa al-Jihad said on an website on Sunday.
Al-Tawhid wa al-Jihad is said to be group connected to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the reputed leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq.
"Expect a hell that will turn your nights into bloodbaths," warned the statement posted on an Islamic website and addressed "to the European countries.... to the Dutch government and people."
The group warned the Netherlands that the statement was "a final message that we are sending to you, and it is a simple message, namely the pullout of Dutch forces from Iraq."
"Or else, your fate will be similar to the fate of Italy and other states," which have been the target of deadly terror attacks, it said.
Monday, August 16, 2004
Elder of Ziyon
I guess that we can't expect normal human behavior for $2 billion a year.
Egyptian Government Weekly Magazine on 'The Jews Slaughtering Non-Jews, Draining their Blood, and Using it for Talmudic Religious Rituals': "
Hussam Wahba, a columnist for the religious Egyptian weekly magazine 'Aqidati, [1] published by the Al-Tahrir foundation which is linked to the ruling National Democratic Party , wrote an article based upon blood libels and accusing Judaism of promoting ritual murder"
Egyptian Government Weekly Magazine on 'The Jews Slaughtering Non-Jews, Draining their Blood, and Using it for Talmudic Religious Rituals': "
Hussam Wahba, a columnist for the religious Egyptian weekly magazine 'Aqidati, [1] published by the Al-Tahrir foundation which is linked to the ruling National Democratic Party , wrote an article based upon blood libels and accusing Judaism of promoting ritual murder"
Monday, August 16, 2004
Elder of Ziyon
A report shows U.S. pension funds indirectly support terror
NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. public pension funds indirectly support terrorists by investing billions of dollars in companies that do business in nations that sponsor terrorism, a think-tank said in a report on Thursday.
"Let's not mince words, this enables terror by propping up and providing life blood to these terror-sponsoring regimes," Frank Gaffney, president of the Center for Security Policy, told reporters in a conference call unveiling the 111-page report.
Gaffney later told Reuters in a telephone interview he hopes the report will help launch a divestment movement similar to the one directed against South Africa's apartheid regime.
"I'm looking for tools that can help win the war on terror," Gaffney said. "We ought to give it a chance to work against people who are trying to kill us."
The biggest public pension funds currently have $188 billion invested in companies doing business in Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, and Iraq when ruled by Saddam Hussein, the report said.
The six nations are on the U.S. State Department's list of states that are believed to sponsor terrorism. Cuba is also on the list. Iraq would be removed from the list when the new government officially denounces terrorism, a State Department spokesman said.
The pension systems generally held 15 to 23 percent of their assets in companies allegedly doing business in the six nations, the report said.
It said the largest public pension fund, Calpers, the California Public Employees Retirement System, has over $17 billion invested in 201 companies doing business in countries the United States accuses of sponsoring terrorism.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. public pension funds indirectly support terrorists by investing billions of dollars in companies that do business in nations that sponsor terrorism, a think-tank said in a report on Thursday.
"Let's not mince words, this enables terror by propping up and providing life blood to these terror-sponsoring regimes," Frank Gaffney, president of the Center for Security Policy, told reporters in a conference call unveiling the 111-page report.
Gaffney later told Reuters in a telephone interview he hopes the report will help launch a divestment movement similar to the one directed against South Africa's apartheid regime.
"I'm looking for tools that can help win the war on terror," Gaffney said. "We ought to give it a chance to work against people who are trying to kill us."
The biggest public pension funds currently have $188 billion invested in companies doing business in Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, and Iraq when ruled by Saddam Hussein, the report said.
The six nations are on the U.S. State Department's list of states that are believed to sponsor terrorism. Cuba is also on the list. Iraq would be removed from the list when the new government officially denounces terrorism, a State Department spokesman said.
The pension systems generally held 15 to 23 percent of their assets in companies allegedly doing business in the six nations, the report said.
It said the largest public pension fund, Calpers, the California Public Employees Retirement System, has over $17 billion invested in 201 companies doing business in countries the United States accuses of sponsoring terrorism.
Monday, August 16, 2004
Elder of Ziyon
Revealed: 20 al-Qaeda suspects on Scots hit-list
BRITISH security services have compiled a ‘hit-list’ of 20 al-Qaeda terrorist suspects who are living in Scotland and said to be connected with a plot to unleash mass murder on the streets of the UK.
The dossier, compiled by MI5 and Special Branch, contains the names of more than 80 alleged extremists across Britain whom security services allege were involved in a plan to kill, using the deadly poison ricin.
The 20 suspects living north of the Border are all Muslims and based in the Central Belt. Some are said to be British citizens.
BRITISH security services have compiled a ‘hit-list’ of 20 al-Qaeda terrorist suspects who are living in Scotland and said to be connected with a plot to unleash mass murder on the streets of the UK.
The dossier, compiled by MI5 and Special Branch, contains the names of more than 80 alleged extremists across Britain whom security services allege were involved in a plan to kill, using the deadly poison ricin.
The 20 suspects living north of the Border are all Muslims and based in the Central Belt. Some are said to be British citizens.
Monday, August 16, 2004
Elder of Ziyon
Haaretz - Israel News - Bomb that exploded at W. Bank checkpoint was meant for Haifa
Haifa was the original target of the bomb that exploded Wednesday south of the Qalandiyah checkpoint in the West Bank, killing two Palestinians and wounding six Israeli Border Policemen, interrogation of the three-member terrorist cell has revealed.
The bomb was smuggled inside a baby carriage.
The three suspects, members of Fatah's armed wing in the Jenin region, were all arrested in less than 48 hours after the attack.
Just hours after the blast, 29-year-old taxi driver Bassam Abied of Arabe village was arrested in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Abied gave interrogators information leading to the arrest of another cell member, Mohammed Ayoush, also a 29-year-old from Arabe.
Early Friday morning, Border Police located the third suspected cell member, Wail Na'irat, 29, of the West Bank village of Mitlon, hiding out at a mosque in the village of A-Ram, north of Jerusalem.
The investigation indicates that the attack was planned by the Fatah's senior operatives in Jenin, Zakaria Zubeidah and the cell's direct handler, Mohammed Abu-Khalifa.
They planned to have the bomb detonated at the Talpiot outdoor market in Haifa.
Haifa was the original target of the bomb that exploded Wednesday south of the Qalandiyah checkpoint in the West Bank, killing two Palestinians and wounding six Israeli Border Policemen, interrogation of the three-member terrorist cell has revealed.
The bomb was smuggled inside a baby carriage.
The three suspects, members of Fatah's armed wing in the Jenin region, were all arrested in less than 48 hours after the attack.
Just hours after the blast, 29-year-old taxi driver Bassam Abied of Arabe village was arrested in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Abied gave interrogators information leading to the arrest of another cell member, Mohammed Ayoush, also a 29-year-old from Arabe.
Early Friday morning, Border Police located the third suspected cell member, Wail Na'irat, 29, of the West Bank village of Mitlon, hiding out at a mosque in the village of A-Ram, north of Jerusalem.
The investigation indicates that the attack was planned by the Fatah's senior operatives in Jenin, Zakaria Zubeidah and the cell's direct handler, Mohammed Abu-Khalifa.
They planned to have the bomb detonated at the Talpiot outdoor market in Haifa.
Monday, August 16, 2004
Elder of Ziyon
Israel Defense Forces - The Official Website: "A Palestinian responsible for preventing terror attacks strikes an Israeli community
Yossef Ahmad Hassan Hanany, 29 years old from Beit-Furik, served in the operations branch of the Palestinian preventive intelligence service in Ramallah.
Friday, August 13, 2004, Hassan Hanany carried out a shooting attack near the Itamar community in the northern West Bank, murdering the civilian responsible for the security of the community.
Hanany arrived at the entrance gate of the community armed with a Kalashnikov Rifle and opened fire at Israeli civilian vehicles. The security chief of the community reached the location following the shooting and after fire exchange erupted between him and the terrorist, he was severely injured and later died of his wounds. The terrorist took the security chief's weapon, and tried to infiltrate the community in order to attack the residents of the community. Civilian security guards arrived at the scene, and after exchanges of fire, they killed the terrorist.
The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade claimed responsibility for the shooting attack. The dispatchers of Hassan Hanany were Ahmad Atta Ahmad Abu-Saltah, 25 years old from Balata refugee camp, and other Tanzim terrorists from the camp."
Yossef Ahmad Hassan Hanany, 29 years old from Beit-Furik, served in the operations branch of the Palestinian preventive intelligence service in Ramallah.
Friday, August 13, 2004, Hassan Hanany carried out a shooting attack near the Itamar community in the northern West Bank, murdering the civilian responsible for the security of the community.
Hanany arrived at the entrance gate of the community armed with a Kalashnikov Rifle and opened fire at Israeli civilian vehicles. The security chief of the community reached the location following the shooting and after fire exchange erupted between him and the terrorist, he was severely injured and later died of his wounds. The terrorist took the security chief's weapon, and tried to infiltrate the community in order to attack the residents of the community. Civilian security guards arrived at the scene, and after exchanges of fire, they killed the terrorist.
The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade claimed responsibility for the shooting attack. The dispatchers of Hassan Hanany were Ahmad Atta Ahmad Abu-Saltah, 25 years old from Balata refugee camp, and other Tanzim terrorists from the camp."
Monday, August 16, 2004
Elder of Ziyon
President Bush has launched a drive to halt illegal immigration across America's porous southern border, amid growing fears that terrorists may be using Mexico as a base camp before heading to Arizona, Texas and California.
A string of alarming incidents has convinced Bush administration officials that lax immigration rules, designed to cope with the huge numbers of illegal entrants from Mexico, have become a significant loophole in the war on terror.
Over the past month, border agents from Arizona and Texas have anonymously reported recent encounters with dozens of Arab men, who have made their way across the 2,000-mile Mexican border.
Patrol agents told one Arizona newspaper that 77 males "of Middle Eastern descent" were apprehended in June in two separate incidents. All were trekking through the Chiricahua mountains and are believed to have been part of a larger group of illegal immigrants. Many were released pending immigration hearings. According to Solomon Ortiz, the Congressman for Corpus Christi in Texas, similar incidents are "happening all over the place. It's very, very scary".
The two groups of Arab males were discovered by patrol guards from Willcox, Arizona. "These guys didn't speak Spanish," said one field agent, "and they were speaking to each other in Arabic. It's ridiculous that we don't take this more seriously. We're told not to say a thing to the media." A colleague told the paper: "All the men had brand-new clothing and the exact same cut of moustache." Local ranchers have also reported a rise in the sightings of large groups of young males.
Last month, border patrol agents at McAllen airport, Texas, arrested a woman believed to be Pakistani, who was carrying a false South African passport. The woman, Farida Ahmed, is still being questioned by the FBI. She was travelling to New York, and admitted to having illegally crossed the Mexican border. She was still carrying a pair of wet jeans in her travel bag.
A string of alarming incidents has convinced Bush administration officials that lax immigration rules, designed to cope with the huge numbers of illegal entrants from Mexico, have become a significant loophole in the war on terror.
Over the past month, border agents from Arizona and Texas have anonymously reported recent encounters with dozens of Arab men, who have made their way across the 2,000-mile Mexican border.
Patrol agents told one Arizona newspaper that 77 males "of Middle Eastern descent" were apprehended in June in two separate incidents. All were trekking through the Chiricahua mountains and are believed to have been part of a larger group of illegal immigrants. Many were released pending immigration hearings. According to Solomon Ortiz, the Congressman for Corpus Christi in Texas, similar incidents are "happening all over the place. It's very, very scary".
The two groups of Arab males were discovered by patrol guards from Willcox, Arizona. "These guys didn't speak Spanish," said one field agent, "and they were speaking to each other in Arabic. It's ridiculous that we don't take this more seriously. We're told not to say a thing to the media." A colleague told the paper: "All the men had brand-new clothing and the exact same cut of moustache." Local ranchers have also reported a rise in the sightings of large groups of young males.
Last month, border patrol agents at McAllen airport, Texas, arrested a woman believed to be Pakistani, who was carrying a false South African passport. The woman, Farida Ahmed, is still being questioned by the FBI. She was travelling to New York, and admitted to having illegally crossed the Mexican border. She was still carrying a pair of wet jeans in her travel bag.
Monday, August 16, 2004
Elder of Ziyon
Target Vienna?: (click on link for picture)
I'm not real sure what to make of this, but the following image was uploaded yesterday to an FTP server used by Al Qaida supporters from Europe.
This is an underground parking garage [tiefgarage] in the center of Vienna in the immediate vicinity of the Vienna State Opera House, the Grand Hotel and numerous other tourist attractions. We don't have enough information yet about the file, who posted it, who is linking to it, etc., to be able to accurately assess whether this is a potential target, and if so, how great and imminent a threat it is. However, in light of what is above the tiefgarage...
...it seems best to post this and err on the side of caution. [The arrow in the photo above indicates an entrance to the underground garage.]
Thanks to Rosh Gadol for help with this report, and to B-52 for noticing the map on the ftp server.
Posted by aaron on Saturday, 14 August, 2004 @ 09:17:48
I'm not real sure what to make of this, but the following image was uploaded yesterday to an FTP server used by Al Qaida supporters from Europe.
This is an underground parking garage [tiefgarage] in the center of Vienna in the immediate vicinity of the Vienna State Opera House, the Grand Hotel and numerous other tourist attractions. We don't have enough information yet about the file, who posted it, who is linking to it, etc., to be able to accurately assess whether this is a potential target, and if so, how great and imminent a threat it is. However, in light of what is above the tiefgarage...
...it seems best to post this and err on the side of caution. [The arrow in the photo above indicates an entrance to the underground garage.]
Thanks to Rosh Gadol for help with this report, and to B-52 for noticing the map on the ftp server.
Posted by aaron on Saturday, 14 August, 2004 @ 09:17:48
Sunday, August 15, 2004
Sunday, August 15, 2004
Elder of Ziyon
Terrorists and Weapons Apprehended in Gush Katif:
05:38 Aug 16, '04 / 29 Av 5764
(IsraelNN.com) Security forces last night apprehended three terrorists in the area of Gush Katif Junction. Ten Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifles were found in their vehicle.
05:38 Aug 16, '04 / 29 Av 5764
(IsraelNN.com) Security forces last night apprehended three terrorists in the area of Gush Katif Junction. Ten Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifles were found in their vehicle.
Sunday, August 15, 2004
Elder of Ziyon
According to documents recovered from Yasser Arafat’s Ramallah headquarters, he has paid Rabbi Moshe Hirsch tens of thousands of dollars to obtain his continued support. The documents were recovered from Arafat’s office by IDF troops during Operation Defensive Shield.
According to correspondent Haggai Huberman, Hirsch received $25,000 in January 2002 and an additional $30,000 when he signed on the dotted line, officially lending his support to Arafat.
Hirsch is affiliated with a fringe extremist segment of the ultra-Orthodox Neturei Karta sect which does not recognize the legitimacy of the State of Israel, and goes so far as to express support for a Palestinian state since members feel Israel may not run affairs in the Land of Israel until the Messiah is revealed.
According to correspondent Haggai Huberman, Hirsch received $25,000 in January 2002 and an additional $30,000 when he signed on the dotted line, officially lending his support to Arafat.
Hirsch is affiliated with a fringe extremist segment of the ultra-Orthodox Neturei Karta sect which does not recognize the legitimacy of the State of Israel, and goes so far as to express support for a Palestinian state since members feel Israel may not run affairs in the Land of Israel until the Messiah is revealed.
Sunday, August 15, 2004
Elder of Ziyon
You don't have to be Jewish to have chutzpah.
Terrorists On Strike
16:35 Aug 15, '04 / 28 Av 5764
Meals are not being served today to hundreds of Arab terrorists imprisoned in Israel - because they have embarked on a hunger strike. The terrorists demand better humanitarian conditions, though no fewer than 70% of them are estimated to have Jewish blood on their hands in one way or another. The strike is expected to spread from the 3-4 prisons in which it began today to many others across the country.
"For inhumane people to demand humanitarian improvements is an absurdity bordering on contempt," said Yehudit Dasberg today. Mrs. Dasberg, who has been in the forefront in the struggle against releasing terrorists from prison, adopted her two young grandchildren after their parents - Yaron and Effie Ungar - were murdered in a Hamas terror attack in June 1996.
"As far as I'm concerned," said Public Security Minister Tzachi HaNegbi on Friday, "they can starve until they die." Prison Service officials said that they did not take this literally, and would in fact have medical staff on hand to ensure that this did not happen. Government officials have said, however, that they do not plan to give in to the terrorists' demands.
The imprisoned terrorists demand the removal of the glass walls separating them from their visitors, as well as other improvements in their visiting arrangements. They also want telephones in their cells or wings, as well as the right to have cell phones, a computer in each cell, no Value Added Tax on their canteen purchases, air conditioners in their cells, no more body checks, and more.
The Prison Service responded to their refusal to take meals by taking away the televisions from their cells, canceling all visitations and sports activities, and more.
Prison and police officials say that they will not give in on any demands that have to do with security. "The jails have become, over the past few years, top headquarters for the Palestinian terror organizations," they say. Dozens of terror attacks have been planned during this period by imprisoned terrorists, with the aid of cell phones smuggled to them by visiting relatives. Some 850 such phones were found and confiscated over the past year.
"We would rather see terrorists die of hunger than to see Israeli citizens murdered in terror attacks," unnamed prison officials said. The strike is not expected to be a short one. Jerusalem police have stepped up their preparedness to meet the threat of possible Arab violence in solidarity with the striking terrorists.
PA prime minister Ahmed Qurei took advantage of the situation to demand the release of all 8,000 PA prisoners being held in Israeli jails. "The release of all the prisoners is an essential condition for any solution or progress in the peace porcess," he said today. "The government regards the prisoners issue as being at the top of its list of priorities."
Terrorists On Strike
16:35 Aug 15, '04 / 28 Av 5764
Meals are not being served today to hundreds of Arab terrorists imprisoned in Israel - because they have embarked on a hunger strike. The terrorists demand better humanitarian conditions, though no fewer than 70% of them are estimated to have Jewish blood on their hands in one way or another. The strike is expected to spread from the 3-4 prisons in which it began today to many others across the country.
"For inhumane people to demand humanitarian improvements is an absurdity bordering on contempt," said Yehudit Dasberg today. Mrs. Dasberg, who has been in the forefront in the struggle against releasing terrorists from prison, adopted her two young grandchildren after their parents - Yaron and Effie Ungar - were murdered in a Hamas terror attack in June 1996.
"As far as I'm concerned," said Public Security Minister Tzachi HaNegbi on Friday, "they can starve until they die." Prison Service officials said that they did not take this literally, and would in fact have medical staff on hand to ensure that this did not happen. Government officials have said, however, that they do not plan to give in to the terrorists' demands.
The imprisoned terrorists demand the removal of the glass walls separating them from their visitors, as well as other improvements in their visiting arrangements. They also want telephones in their cells or wings, as well as the right to have cell phones, a computer in each cell, no Value Added Tax on their canteen purchases, air conditioners in their cells, no more body checks, and more.
The Prison Service responded to their refusal to take meals by taking away the televisions from their cells, canceling all visitations and sports activities, and more.
Prison and police officials say that they will not give in on any demands that have to do with security. "The jails have become, over the past few years, top headquarters for the Palestinian terror organizations," they say. Dozens of terror attacks have been planned during this period by imprisoned terrorists, with the aid of cell phones smuggled to them by visiting relatives. Some 850 such phones were found and confiscated over the past year.
"We would rather see terrorists die of hunger than to see Israeli citizens murdered in terror attacks," unnamed prison officials said. The strike is not expected to be a short one. Jerusalem police have stepped up their preparedness to meet the threat of possible Arab violence in solidarity with the striking terrorists.
PA prime minister Ahmed Qurei took advantage of the situation to demand the release of all 8,000 PA prisoners being held in Israeli jails. "The release of all the prisoners is an essential condition for any solution or progress in the peace porcess," he said today. "The government regards the prisoners issue as being at the top of its list of priorities."
Sunday, August 15, 2004
Elder of Ziyon
By Yonatan Lis and Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondents and agencies
Israel Defense Forces troops stopped a 14-year-old Palestinian Sunday at the Anabta roadblock east of Tulkarm in the northern West Bank as he attempted to carry a bag with 900 rifle bullets across the roadblock.
Soldiers stopped the boy as he tried to get around the checkpoint. Apparently unaware of the contents of the bag, the boy told soldiers a man had paid him NIS 10 to take the bag into Israel. He said the man crossed the checkpoint on foot and boarded a cab for Tulkarm.
Israel Defense Forces troops stopped a 14-year-old Palestinian Sunday at the Anabta roadblock east of Tulkarm in the northern West Bank as he attempted to carry a bag with 900 rifle bullets across the roadblock.
Soldiers stopped the boy as he tried to get around the checkpoint. Apparently unaware of the contents of the bag, the boy told soldiers a man had paid him NIS 10 to take the bag into Israel. He said the man crossed the checkpoint on foot and boarded a cab for Tulkarm.
Sunday, August 15, 2004
Elder of Ziyon
TEHRAN - A senior Iranian military commander said on Sunday Israel and the United States would not dare attack Iran since it could strike back anywhere in Israel with its latest missiles, news agencies reported.
Iranian officials have made a point of highlighting the Islamic state's military capabilities in recent weeks in response to some media reports that Israeli or U.S. warplanes could try to destroy Iranian nuclear facilities in air strikes.
Iran last week said it carried out a successful test firing of an upgraded version of its Shihab-3 medium-range ballistic missile. Military experts said the unmodified Shihab-3 was already capable of striking Israel or U.S. bases in the Gulf.
"The entire Zionist territory, including its nuclear facilities and atomic arsenal, are currently within range of Iran's advanced missiles," the ISNA students news agency quoted Yadollah Javani, head of the Revolutionary Guards political bureau, as saying.
"Therefore, neither the Zionist regime nor America will carry out its threats" against Iran, he said.
Iranian officials have made a point of highlighting the Islamic state's military capabilities in recent weeks in response to some media reports that Israeli or U.S. warplanes could try to destroy Iranian nuclear facilities in air strikes.
Iran last week said it carried out a successful test firing of an upgraded version of its Shihab-3 medium-range ballistic missile. Military experts said the unmodified Shihab-3 was already capable of striking Israel or U.S. bases in the Gulf.
"The entire Zionist territory, including its nuclear facilities and atomic arsenal, are currently within range of Iran's advanced missiles," the ISNA students news agency quoted Yadollah Javani, head of the Revolutionary Guards political bureau, as saying.
"Therefore, neither the Zionist regime nor America will carry out its threats" against Iran, he said.
Sunday, August 15, 2004
Elder of Ziyon
Wonder if anyone will protest this fence?
Globes [online] - Magal to participate in tender for European separation fence
Globes [online] - Magal to participate in tender for European separation fence
Sunday, August 15, 2004
Elder of Ziyon
The Debate about Getting Out of Gaza - Max Singer
*
The current focus in Israeli discussion on whether some Jews have to leave their homes makes consideration of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Gaza disengagement plan unnecessarily and harmfully divisive and misses the real issue of whether the current proposal improves or worsens Israeli security now and for the future.
*
The widespread agreement among Israelis that ultimately Gaza should not be part of Israel is virtually irrelevant to the question of whether Gaza disengagement is good for Israel now. Opposition to the proposal is not based on a concern for keeping Gaza.
*
Gaza disengagement needs to be evaluated on the assumption that it will result immediately or shortly in the loss of Israel's ability to control Gaza's borders with the world. It is unlikely that even the Israeli leadership believes that Israel can control these borders if it "gets out of Gaza" as he proposes.
*
Because the military benefit to the Palestinians of being able to import advanced weaponry, foreign political activists, and foreign military into Gaza will probably increase the military burden on Israel, the virtue of Gaza disengagement must be in its political benefits.
*
These political benefits have to be greater than the political cost of giving a victory to terrorism and encouraging Muslim and other supporters of the Palestinians. The prime minister and his advisers have not articulated a vision of how the disengagement will improve Israel's relationship with the Palestinians or how Israel's general political position would be improved by the disengagement (apart from President Bush's letter); it is only said that Israel can't keep everything and must do something now.
*
However, if the U.S. war against terrorism improves the political environment in the Middle East, Israel might be better off "disengaging" later rather than now. Furthermore, postponing disengagement might enable Israel to strengthen those in the U.S. who favor a realistic policy toward the Palestinians rather than giving support to the State Department approach.
*
Unless the Israeli public hears how valid security concerns are going to be addressed, the popular notion of getting out of Gaza could face rising opposition.
*
The current focus in Israeli discussion on whether some Jews have to leave their homes makes consideration of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Gaza disengagement plan unnecessarily and harmfully divisive and misses the real issue of whether the current proposal improves or worsens Israeli security now and for the future.
*
The widespread agreement among Israelis that ultimately Gaza should not be part of Israel is virtually irrelevant to the question of whether Gaza disengagement is good for Israel now. Opposition to the proposal is not based on a concern for keeping Gaza.
*
Gaza disengagement needs to be evaluated on the assumption that it will result immediately or shortly in the loss of Israel's ability to control Gaza's borders with the world. It is unlikely that even the Israeli leadership believes that Israel can control these borders if it "gets out of Gaza" as he proposes.
*
Because the military benefit to the Palestinians of being able to import advanced weaponry, foreign political activists, and foreign military into Gaza will probably increase the military burden on Israel, the virtue of Gaza disengagement must be in its political benefits.
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These political benefits have to be greater than the political cost of giving a victory to terrorism and encouraging Muslim and other supporters of the Palestinians. The prime minister and his advisers have not articulated a vision of how the disengagement will improve Israel's relationship with the Palestinians or how Israel's general political position would be improved by the disengagement (apart from President Bush's letter); it is only said that Israel can't keep everything and must do something now.
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However, if the U.S. war against terrorism improves the political environment in the Middle East, Israel might be better off "disengaging" later rather than now. Furthermore, postponing disengagement might enable Israel to strengthen those in the U.S. who favor a realistic policy toward the Palestinians rather than giving support to the State Department approach.
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Unless the Israeli public hears how valid security concerns are going to be addressed, the popular notion of getting out of Gaza could face rising opposition.
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