Monday,
June 30
Al-Aqsa
Martyrs Brigades Kill Construction Worker, Denounce Cease-fire
Krastyu
Radkov, 46, was hit in the head and died a short time later
after efforts to resuscitate him failed - just one day after the
three main Palestinian groups - Hamas, Fatah and Islamic Jihad -
announced the cessation of attacks on Israelis. A
local leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, which is affiliated
with President Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement,
said his armed group was behind the attack near the city of Jenin
and that it would not abide by the ceasefire announced on Sunday.
The Associated Press carried a statement for a group of militiamen
in Jenin which said: "We do not agree with the cease-fire.
This is our first action. This is the beginning." (From Ha'aretz)
more
Arafat's
Fatah Faction Joins Hamas, Islamic Jihad Cease-fire
The mainstream
Palestinian Fatah movement, headed by Yasser Arafat, on Sunday joined
a truce declared earlier by militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
A statement issued by Fatah said it would halt all military operations
in accordance with an Egyptian initiative calling for a six-month
truce.
Israeli officials warned that the truce could be used by militants
to regroup for more attacks against Israel. The government wants
the Palestinian Authority to dismantle militant groups like Hamas
and Islamic Jihad, as required by the U.S.-backed "road map"
to Mideast peace and Palestinian statehood by 2005. (From
Ha'aretz) more
The
full texts of the cease-fire statements.
Poll:
57% of Palestinians Oppose Ending Armed Intifada
A public opinion poll carried out
by the Palestinian Center for Public Opinion showed that more than
57% of the Palestinians are opposed to ending the armed intifada
against Israel. The poll also showed that 64% of the Palestinians
support Arafat as opposed to 41.4% who support Abbas. (From Jerusalem
Post) more
Israel
to Pull Out of Bethlehem on Wednesday; IDF Hands Over Security in
Gaza
Israeli and Palestinian officials
finalized details Monday for the withdrawal of IDF troops from the
West Bank city of Bethlehem, which is to begin Wednesday. Earlier
Monday, Palestinian Authority police forces took over security responsibility
for the Gaza Strip's main highway artery from the Erez Crossing
in the north to Khan Yunis in the south. The "Tancher"
highway stretch, which had been closed to Palestinian motorists,
was opened from Netzarim Junction to the Gush Katif intersection,
two sites of frequent violence in the past. (From Ha'aretz) more
Israel
and the U.S. Discuss Security Fence
Responding to doubts expressed
by U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice regarding the
construction of a security fence separating Israel and the West
Bank, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon explained that the fence was by
no means an attempt to draw up permanent borders but only served
as a deterrent to ongoing Palestinian terrorist infiltration into
Israel. Rice told cabinet ministers that the United States viewed
the fence as "problematic" because it gives the “impression
that even if Israel did not intend to, it has set down circumstances
that can unilaterally change the border that is meant to be agreed
upon through negotiations with the Palestinians." Sharon told
Rice Israel would address the United States’ concerns but added,
"Don't pressure us on security issues, because we have nowhere
to go." Sharon stressed that there was one issue Israel would
not compromise on - the security of the country and its citizens
- and that the fence fulfilled a vital security need. "In addition
to being proactive we also have a need to operate defensively, and
that is why we are building the fence," Minister of Finance
Benjamin Netanyahu said. "250 Palestinian suicide bombers have
entered Israel from the West Bank, but not one from Gaza. Building
the fence is not a political move, it is a security move,"
he added. Shinui Ministers Yosef Lapid and Avraham Poraz also voiced
their support of the fence, claiming that most Israelis do not view
it as the basis for setting borders. (From Ha'aretz) more
Pakistani
President: We Must Weigh Opening Ties with Israel
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf
yesterday said that his country should seriously consider recognizing
Israel and establishing diplomatic relations with it. Musharraf
had made similar comments before, but Israel interpreted these as
a largely meaningless gesture meant to shore up his image in the
U.S. Israeli officials stressed, Musharraf is unlikely to follow
through on this opening unless he musters significant public backing
for such a step. Israel currently has no ties of any kind with Pakistan,
and Pakistani passports even state that they are valid for entry
into any country but Israel. Israeli sources attributed Musharraf's
apparent change of heart regarding ties with Israel to his new strategic
alliance with the U.S. and the recent thawing of relations between
India and China. (From Ha'aretz) more
Interior
Minister Calls for Full Recognition of Reform, Conservative Conversions
Interior Minister Avraham Poraz
called on Monday for Reform and Conservative, as well as Orthodox,
conversions to be recognized for citizenship purposes for applicants
living in Israel. Currently Israel recognizes any conversions performed
abroad, but only Orthodox conversions are recognized of those performed
inside the country. Poraz told the Knesset Immigration Committee
he has found no evidence of any "legal ruling that gives the
Chief Rabbinate a monopoly here on conversion." Justice Minister
and Shinui Party chief Tommy Lapid said restrictions against Reform
and Conservative rabbis, who represent 85 percent of American Jewry
will lead to Israel's isolation from those communities. (From Jerusalem
Post) more
Tuesday,
July 1
US
to Monitor PA's Dismantling of Terrorist Organizations
Heeding
Israeli concerns that the three-month intra-Palestinian cease-fire
(hudna) may be used by Hamas to regroup and rearm, the US is dispatching
two generals to monitor Palestinian Authority action to dismantle
the terrorist organizations. According to senior Israeli officials,
the generals will be able to pass on to Washington an independent
military assessment of whether steps are taken during the cease-fire
period to dismantle the terrorist military infrastructure, and whether
the organizations are continuing recruitment and the smuggling of
weapons. The generals, who
will augment the US monitoring team here headed by US special envoy
John Wolf, are expected to arrive by the end of the week. (From
Jerusalem Post) more
Palestinians
Fire on IDF Post in Gaza Strip Violating Ceasefire
In the first shooting attack since
the handing over of security responsibility to the Palestinian Authority
in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian gunmen opened fire on the IDF's Yasmin
post near the settlement of Ganei Tal in Gush Katif. There were
no injuries, but damage was caused to the army position. (From Jerusalem
Post) more
The
White House Considers Aid to the Palestinians
The Bush administration is considering
increasing aid to the Palestinians and providing the first direct
assistance to the Palestinian Authority, administration officials
said today. They said the aid would go toward improving the authority's
intelligence and security apparatus and easing living conditions
in the West Bank and Gaza. An initial expenditure of $300 million
is being considered by the C.I.A., the officials said. There were
reports in Israel that the figure of $1 billion was discussed within
the administration as aid for the Palestinian Authority. But officials
said that number was so large it probably could not be absorbed
by the authority at present. The Palestinian Authority already receives
a little more than $1 billion a year from outside sources, principally
from the European Union and the Arab League, although that amount
includes the $200 million in American aid. The money would help
the Palestinian Authority deal with Hamas and other militant Palestinian
groups responsible for attacks on Israelis. (From NY Times) more
Police
Start to Reopen Temple Mount to Jewish and Christian Visitors
Nearly
three years after Jerusalem's Temple Mount was declared off limits
to non-Muslims, Jerusalem police have begun permitting some small
groups of Jewish and Christian tourists as well as Israelis to reenter
the site, police said Monday. Fearing renewed Palestinian violence,
police barred non-Muslims from entering the Temple Mount after Ariel
Sharon's controversial visit in September 2000. The 33 months since
has been the longest period Judaism's holiest site has been closed
to Jews and Christians since the unification of Jerusalem in 1967.
Police said that the groups are not permitted to enter any of the
mosques on the grounds of the site. All the visits were coordinated
in advance with police, meaning that those who were allowed entry
over the last several weeks had advance knowledge of the new situation
before it was made public. (From Jerusalem Post) more
Wednesday,
July 2
PM
Sharon Met with Palestinian PM Abbas
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and
his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas at Sharon's Jerusalem
office for afternoon talks on the implementation of the internationally-brokered
road map. Sharon and Abbas will be meeting again in the coming week
to discuss the release of Palestinian prisoners. Sharon told Abbas
that Israel would consider releasing Palestinian prisoners who are
not connected to the murders of Israelis. The prisoner release was
one of the Palestinians' key demands at the meeting.
In a public statement ahead of the talks, Sharon said that Israel
would not stop its efforts to fight against terror, and warned Abbas
that there could be no peace as long as terrorism continued. Sharon
said that Israel was willing to pay a painful price for peace with
the Palestinians, and maintained that Israel does not want to rule
the Palestinian people, but would rather live with them side by
side. "We are before a new opportunity for the possibility
for a better future for both peoples," Sharon read from a statement.
Speaking after Sharon, Abbas echoed the words of his counterpart,
saying that "a just peace will bring a better future for everyone,"
whereas killing and destruction merely sowed hatred. He said that
the Palestinians wanted to end the conflict with Israel, and would
do so through diplomacy. (From Ha'aretz) more
IDF
Handed Over Security Control of Bethlehem to Palestinian Authority
Police
The IDF handed over security control
of Bethlehem to Palestinian Authority police at 4 PM today. Bethlehem
residents clapped as a column of Palestinian police in dark blue
uniforms marched from their barracks toward the center of town.
Alla Husni, Director of the Palestinian police for the northern
West Bank stated that the PA and its assorted security units are
assigned to keep the peace in Bethlehem in addition to preventing
terrorist attacks against Israel are "prepared for the job."
Symbolically important Bethlehem becomes the second area handed
over by Israel under the US-backed peace plan. (From Jerusalem Post)
more
Israel
to Fight for U.S. Visa Exemption
Israel has launched a diplomatic
offensive to persuade the United States to exempt Israelis from
requiring a visa to enter the country. Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom
raised the issue with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell two weeks
ago. Shalom's initiative follows new regulations that became effective
on Tuesday, making it much harder to obtain a visa. Under the new
rules, prompted by the September 11, 2001, terror attacks and subsequent
fierce domestic criticism of America's visa procedures, all Israelis
between the ages of 16 and 60 must have a personal interview with
an American official before getting a visa. This is expected to
create huge delays - travel agents predict up to several months
- since the embassy has received no extra funding and hired no additional
staff to carry out this task. There are only 27 countries, almost
all of them European, whose citizens are allowed to enter the U.S.
without a visa. (From Ha'aretz) more
Israeli
Tennis Pair Advance to Historic Semifinal Appearance at Wimbledon
Yoni
Erlich and Andy Ram advanced to the semifinal of the men's doubles
at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon yesterday
beating the second-seeded pair Mark Knowles of the Bahamas and Canadian
Daniel Nestor. The semifinals appearance is the best ever achievement
by Israeli tennis players at Wimbledon. The duo will now face one
of the most formidable doubles pairs in the world - Australian Tod
Woodbridge, who is regarded as one of the best doubles players in
the world, and Swede Jonas Bjorkman, ranked fourth in the tournament.
Shahar Peer also had a successful day at Wimbledon yesterday advancing
to the last 16 of the women's tournament with a 7-5 6-1 6-3 win
over Vojislova Lukic of Yugoslavia. (From Ha'aretz) more
Thursday,
July 3
Four
Israelis Injured in Rocket Attack in Gaza
Four Israelis were wounded
when rockets were fired at the Jewish community of Kfar Darom from
the Palestinian town of Dir al-Balah Wednesday night. In addition,
Palestinian terrorists fired at the Israel Defense Forces from the
Israel-Egypt border area in the Gaza Strip and threw grenades at
them, causing no injuries.
Meanwhile, the army reopened the Gush Katif Junction in the Gaza
Strip to Palestinian traffic early this afternoon after temporarily
closing it in the morning following the rocket attack in the area.
The junction is on the main north-south road in the Strip, which
had been closed since Palestinian violence erupted, but was reopened
earlier this week following the declaration of a truce by the leading
Palestinian terror organizations. Israel has demanded that the Palestinian
Authority arrest the militants who fired the rockets. Moreover,
in the wake of the latest terror incidents, the IDF filed a formal
complaint with the PA today alleging violations of their recent
agreements.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas condemned Wednesday night's
rocket attack as well as Monday's shooting in the northern West
Bank, in which a foreign worker from Bulgaria was shot dead. Abbas,
who toured today the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanun from where
the IDF recently withdrew, called them both "acts of terror."
Palestinian Minister of Security Affairs Mohammed Dahlan said today
the PA was seeking the members of the group responsible. Echoing
a statement Abbas made Wednesday, Dahlan said the PA would pursue
anyone who violates the cease-fire agreement. (From Ha'aretz) more
Israel
Begins Goodwill Gestures with Top Prisoner Release
Israel released Palestinian terror
suspect Colonel Suleiman Abu Mutlak Thursday who in the past served
as the head of the Gaza Strip security service, as a gesture of
goodwill toward Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas. Abu Mutlak
was arrested this past May on suspicion of terror involvement. Abu
Mutlak is believed to be responsible for a bus attack in November
2000 near the Gaza Strip settlemetnt of Kfar Darom, in which two
Israelis were killed and several children were severly injured.
Minister of Security Affairs Mohammed Dahlan personally asked for
Abu Mutlak's release so he could assist the minister in reorganizing
the Palestinian Authority's security establishment. Another 10 Palestinian
security prisoners were to be released later Thursday. (From Jerusalem
Post) more
Bush
Commends Israeli Pullout
On Wednesday, President Bush spoke
by telephone to Prime Minister Sharon and commended him for an Israeli
troop pullback from Bethlehem and part of the Gaza Strip. During
the call, Bush invited Sharon to Washington in September. Speaking
to reporters at the White House on Wednesday, Bush said Israel and
the Palestinian Authority were making progress on the road to peace.
But he cautioned that militant groups like Hamas "may be willing
to attack" to spoil the positive trend. "They hate Israel,
they hate the idea of peace," Bush said of Hamas. Bush also
urged the Palestinians to work to develop institutions of peace.
"The Palestinian people must know that by accepting a peaceful
government, there's a better day ahead for them when it comes to
making a living," he said. "And so we will work with all
parties to promote economic development and a secure environment."
(From Ha'aretz) more
IDF
Protests Lax Egyptian Security Against Infiltration
Israel Defense Forces officers
have passed on a protest to the Egyptian military with regard to
the numerous infiltrations of terrorists - mostly Palestinians -
from Egypt into Israel over the past two years. The protest was
voiced during the most recent periodic meeting between officers
from the two armies. In 2002, the IDF counted some 1,000 incidents
of infiltrations across the border with Egypt - between the Rafah
border post and Eilat. This year has seen a slight fall-off in the
infiltrations. Most of the infiltrations have been criminally motivated.
In many cases, drugs and commodities were smuggled, and women were
brought into the country on prostitution rackets. Nevertheless,
some of the infiltrations have been security-related. Since 2001,
the IDF has reported six incidents in which terrorists have infiltrated
across the border with Egypt for the purpose of carrying out attacks.
In most of these incidents, the infiltrators turned out to be Palestinian
residents of the Gaza Strip who were unable to carry out terror
attacks inside the Green Line due to the perimeter fence around
the Strip, and chose instead to cross over from Rafah into Egypt,
head south and then attempt to re-enter Israel across the Sinai
and Negev border, which is less protected. According to the IDF
officers, Egypt does not conduct sufficient security checks at the
Cairo Airport and the Suez crossing, does not filter out individuals
with ties to terror organizations, and does not prevent such individuals
from approaching the border with Israel. The defense establishment
believes that pressure on Cairo from Washington will lead to an
improvement in cooperation in this area. (From Ha'aretz) more
UNESCO
Awards Tel Aviv-Jaffa Heritage Site Status
The
United Nations
Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization on Thursday awarded the city of Tel Aviv-Jaffa
the status of a site of world heritage, for its historical urban
buildings in the Bauhaus style. The buildings, built in the 1930s,
put Tel Aviv on a list of just seven cities to receive the award,
among them the Brazilian capital of Brasilia. The award brings with
it opportunities for increased tourism to the city, which already
operates a walking tour of Bauhaus buildings; a spokesman for Tel
Aviv municipality said that the decision could be worth as much
as NIS 32 million in added revenue. (From Ha'aretz) more
Ministry of Tourism Spokesman Announcement
Bank
of Israel Goes Global
On June 30, 2003, the Bank for
International Settlement (BIS) announced its decision to invite
the Bank of Israel to become a member of the organization. “The
invitation to Israel to join the BIS reflects appreciation of the
level of Israel's economic development and its ability to contribute
as a member in promoting the financial and banking issues dealt
with by the BIS,” the Bank of Israel announced. The BIS, headquartered
in Basel, Switzerland, is the oldest international financial organization,
having been founded in 1930 as part of the Hague Convention. About
fifty central banks are currently members. The aims of the BIS are
to promote monetary and financial cooperation between central banks,
and its activities have widespread influence that extends to non-member
countries. (From Arutz Sheva) more
Shekel
at Highest Rate Against Dollar Since December 2001
The shekel gained on the dollar
Thursday and reached its highest conversion rate since December
2001. The Bank of Israel set the representative trading rate at
4.294 shekels per dollar, as the shekel has continued to grow stronger
since the renewed peace process has moved further, with the IDF
moving out of Bethlehem most recently. (From Jerusalem Post) more
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