Weekly
News
For November 8 - 14, 2003
Terrorism
and Prevention in Israel
Terrorist
arrested while planning to attack synagogue. The Israel
Security Agency and police recently arrested an Islamic Jihad
terrorist who was planning an attack in Afula and a suicide
mission on a synagogue in the nearby town of Shaked. The
terrorist told officers that he had diverted his attack from
Afula to Shaked due to heavy police presence in the area.
After receiving intelligence information, Israeli forces were
able to arrest him before the synagogue attack. More
Baby
Formula Causes Death of 3 Infants
In
recent weeks, three infants have died from neurological and
cardiological disorders in Israel. Lab tests confirmed
that the deaths were caused by the newborns being fed non-dairy
baby formula that completely lacked vitamin B1 (thiamine).
Remedia is an Israel-based food distributor that imports the
special line of non-dairy formula from Germany. In April,
its baby formula was changed and vitamin B1 was no longer added,
although it was still listed on the formula's ingredients.
Israel's Ministry of Health has launched an investigation into
the matter, in the meantime banning the consumption of Remedia's
non-dairy baby formula. Two separate lawsuits have been
filed against the company. More
Palestinian
Cabinet Approved
On
Wednesday, the Palestinian Legislative Council approved the
new cabinet of Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei, despite complaints
about Arafat's continued control over security forces. The Palestinian
Prime Minister called for a cease-fire with Israel and a return
to peace talks. Ra'anan Gissin, an aide to Prime Minister
Ariel Sharon, said that, "any Palestinian government must pass
the test of performance, then we can move quickly forward to
the next stage." The United States was critical of Arafat
retaining control over security forces, insisting that Palestinian
terrorists and military organizations be disarmed and dismantled.
More
BBC
Reports PA is Paying Off Al-Aqsa Brigades Men
The
Palestinian Authority is transferring up to $50,000 a month
to members of the Al-Aqsa Brigades, a militant organization
affiliated with Fatah, according to a report to be published
Sunday by the BBC. A minister in the previous PA government
headed by Mahmoud Abbas told the BBC that the payments were
an attempt to prevent Al-Aqsa Brigade members from carrying
out suicide bombings.
Meanwhile, the CBS television program "60
Minutes" reported that Yasser Arafat is transferring $100,000
a month from PA monies to his wife, Suha, who is living in Paris.
The report emphasized that the Suha Arafat's monthly support
payments come from Palestinian Authority public monies in Yasser
Arafat's private accounts. According
to calculations presented on "60 Minutes," Arafat
has succeeded in transferring no less than $800 million of international
aid money given to the Palestinian Authority to secret bank
accounts over the past 10 years. More
Israeli
Government Approves Prisoner Swap
On
Sunday, the Israeli government approved the framework principles
for the agreement to release Israeli prisoners and hostages
held in Lebanon. In exchange for kidnapped soldiers Adi
Avitan, Benny Avraham and Omar Sawaid, and kidnapped citizen
Elhanan Tennenbaum, Israel will release over 400 prisoners and
detainees held in facilities under its control. Terrorists
with Israeli blood on their hands will not be released.
In addition, the Israeli government reiterated its commitment
to continue working for the return of captured navigator Ron
Arad. More
UN
Report on Security Fence is Inaccurate
The
United Nations Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian
Affairs recently released a report on Israel's security fence.
Israel's Foreign Ministry called the report wildly inaccurate,
saying that it "simply harms the trustworthiness and credibility
of the UN. It is the result of unprofessional work, and
simply reflects Palestinian propaganda." The Foreign Ministry
is weighing the measures to take in protest of the report.
More
Israeli
Officials in Washington DC
Israeli
Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in Washington, DC this
week to discuss the current political situation in Israel, the
economic reforms that were recently instituted in Israel, and
investment opportunities in Israel. He met with Secretary of the
Treasury John Snow, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice,
Vice President Richard Cheney and members of Congress.
Israeli Minister of Defense Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Shaul Mofaz was
also in Washington, DC this week. During his visit, Minister
Mofaz held talks with his American counterpart, Secretary of
Defense Donald Rumsfeld. In addition, he met with Vice President
Richard Cheney, Secretary of State Colin Powell, National Security
Advisor Condoleezza Rice, members of Congress, and Jewish community
leaders. More
Symposium
on Women in Conflict Resolution in Haifa
A
symposium recently took place at the Golda Meir Mount Carmel
International Training Centre in Haifa. Entitled "Women's
Voice in Conflict Resolution and Peace-building," participants
from around the world held seminars on the political and economic
empowerment of women, the promotion of sustainable human development,
and education towards tolerance and respect. More
