News and Media - Israeli Consulate, SF - Week in Review - April 26

April 26 - 29, 2005

DEATH OF EZER WEIZMAN
- Israel Pays Last Respects to President Ezer Weizman
SECURITY
- Palestinians Fire Qassam Rocket at Sderot
- Qassam Rocket Lands Near Anti-Pullout March in Gaza
- Two More Boy Bombers Nabbed in West Bank
- Hezbollah Nabs and Later Returns Two Israelis
- PA Arrests Two Al-Aksa Members Firing Qassams
DIPLOMACY
- Syria Leaves Lebanon
- Ahead of Israel Visit, Putin Calls for Mideast Conference in Moscow
- Putin in Israel Meets with Katsav and Sharon
- Putin Says He Will Help Rebuild Gaza Infrastructure
DISENGAGEMENT PLAN PREPARATIONS
- Five Israeli Teams Will Coordinate Gaza Pullout with Palestinians
ECONOMY
- Israel-PA Trade Grew by 37 Percent Over Past Four Years
- Foreign Investment Likely to Reach Record $15b in 2005

DEATH OF EZER WEIZMAN

Israel Pays Last Respects to President Ezer Weizman
Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Ezer Weizman, the seventh president of the State of Israel who died on Sunday night at age 80, was being laid to rest this afternoon at the Or Akiva Cemetery alongside his son, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. Today, almost all of Israel's political and military leadership was present at the memorial ceremony his honor during which President Moshe Katsav, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, current head of the Israel Air Force, Maj.-Gen. Eliezer Shkedi, and Weizman's daughter Michal delivered eulogies.
Before becoming the country's popular seventh president, Weizman distinguished himself as a legendary Air Force pilot, a skillful diplomat, and a turbulent politician.
Sharon said Weizman always believed in Israel's ability and in the courage of its citizens. "You stood up against any show of weakness", Sharon said, adding, "Ezer, we are accompanying you in your final path but your legacy will never be forgotten. A sense of hope and resilience is following you, not that of despair and grief."
In his eulogy, President Katsav described Weizman as one of the nation's most influential leaders, saying he "contributed greatly to the change of the Arab world's attitude towards Israel. Due to his resolve and faith, he was among those who lead Israel to signing the peace treaty with Egypt."
An aerial demonstration will fly over Or Akiva at the end of the funeral. The formation will include several F-16s from the 101st squadron, the first combat squadron to be under Weizman's command. Full story
> Ezer Weizman's biography

SECURITY

Palestinians Fire Qassam Rocket at Sderot
Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Palestinian terrorists fired a Qassam rocket at Sderot early this evening, HA'ARETZ reported. The rocket landed near the town causing no damage or injuries. Earlier today, Israel Defense Forces soldiers arrested three Hamas members close to Qalqilyah in the West Bank. The three were found with explosive devices, and were planning to carry out an attack inside Israel.
In other news, a number of Hamas leaders currently residing overseas are reportedly planning to return to the Gaza Strip following Israel's withdrawal from the area this summer. According to a report in the London-based Asharq Al Awsat, Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouq, the deputy head of the group's political bureau, is among those set to return to Gaza if Israel transfers control over the border crossings to the Palestinian Authority. Hamas chief, Khaled Mashal, however, does not plan to move to Gaza at this stage, the report said.
Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said Monday that he expected Hamas to hand in its weapons after the elections to the Palestinian parliament in the summer. Full story

Qassam Rocket Lands Near Anti-Pullout March in Gaza
Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Palestinian gunmen fired a Qassam rocket that landed a few dozen feet away from an anti-disengagement march held in the Gaza Strip today, HA'ARETZ reported. A soldier was lightly wounded after he was hit by the rocket's shrapnel. The Qassam struck as the march walked past "Mouassi", the Palestinian area in the heart of Gush Katif. Minutes later, a mortar shell landed in the central Gaza town of Neve Dekalim, causing no injury.
About 30,000 protestors participated in the march this afternoon. The Yesha Council and the campaign against the withdrawal had hired some 600 buses to bring in marchers who were protected by Israel Defense Forces troops and helicopters. Full story

Two More Boy Bombers Nabbed in West Bank
Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Two Palestinian 'boy bombers', aged 15 and 16, were arrested at the Jalama checkpoint near Jenin in the West Bank today, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. The foiled attacks were the fourth attempt in recent months to use children or teenagers to carry out bombings against Israel. Israel Defense Forces troops found 11 explosive devices, including several pipe bombs, on the teenagers. A homemade gun was also discovered. An IDF military commander said the two had been paid NIS 100 (approximately $24) each to detonate the bombs near soldiers manning the checkpoint.
Also today, Jerusalem police went on a heightened state of alert following intelligence warnings indicating that a Palestinian terrorist may try to carry out a suicide bombing in the center of the city. The alert comes as hundreds of thousands of Israeli visitors and tourists flocked to the capital for the Pessah holiday. Full story

Hezbollah Nabs and Later Returns Two Israelis
Thursday, April 28, 2005

Two Israeli residents of the northern village of Ghajar, located along the Lebanese border, were kidnapped earlier this month by Hezbollah members from Lebanon, HA'ARETZ reported. The two, who live on the Israeli side of the village, were forcibly taken to the Lebanese side of the border on April 7, it was revealed today.
The Israel Security Agency said Hezbollah's interrogation of the two included threats and violence, and lasted four days, after which they were returned to Israeli territory.
Upon their return, the two were interrogated by the ISA to confirm that Hezbollah did not direct them to gather intelligence information in Israel. After it was made clear that there had been no such threat, the two were released. Full story

PA Arrests Two Al-Aksa Members Firing Qassams
Friday, April 29, 2005

Palestinian security forces have arrested two members of the Al-Aksa Martyrs Brigade on suspicion of firing Qassam rockets into Israel, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. Meanwhile, Palestinians fired shots towards an Israeli post near Neve Dekalim in Gush Katif this afternoon. No one was injured and no damage was reported.
In other news, five Israelis were brought in for investigation by the police on suspicion of throwing stones at a Palestinian truck near the village of Hawara. Police and IDF forces are searching for an additional suspect in the town of Givat Ronen, near Har Bracha.

DIPLOMACY

Syria Leaves Lebanon
Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Syrian soldiers have left Lebanon after three decades of direct military involvement by Syria in the country, YNET reported. "Farewell to our brothers in the Syrian Arab Army!" a Lebanese officer shouted at a ceremony held in the Riyyak airbase in the eastern Bekaa Valley, before the last troops piled into buses and headed toward the border.
However, many analysts estimated that if the withdrawal meant the end of Syria's domination of Lebanon, it did not mean a complete halt of its influence within the country. Samir Baroudi, a political scientist at Beirut's Lebanese American University, explained: "Definitely there will be a reduction in Syrian involvement in internal Lebanese affairs; they will no longer select high-ranking officials. But there will continue to be high-level coordination between the two countries as far as bilateral economic relations and the overall peace process in the Middle East."
The anti-Syrian opposition welcomed the pullout. "This is a historic day for Lebanon," opposition legislator Nayla Mouawad said. "It ends a long period full of mistakes and hegemony. The withdrawal met the opposition's demands and leads the way for new balanced relations with Syria." Full story

Ahead of Israel Visit, Putin Calls for Mideast Conference in Moscow
Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Russian President Vladimir Putin called today for a Middle East peace conference in Moscow this autumn, and said he would discuss the proposal with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon during his visit to Israel, set to begin later in the day, HA'ARETZ reported. Putin's arrival in Israel tonight will mark the start of the first official visit by a Russian - or Soviet - head of state in the country. Government sources said the trip was important by virtue of it taking place, and that it was an indication a growing Russian interest in the region.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said Israel would not object to an international conference held under the terms of the road map, but indicated much needed to be done first. "Israel has accepted the road map, and the second stage of the road map specifically mentions a conference," Regev said. "So we don't have a problem with a conference, but obviously we have not reached the second stage of the road map yet." Full story

Putin in Israel Meets with Katsav and Sharon
Thursday, April 28, 2005

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is carrying out the first-ever visit by a Russian or Soviet leader to Israel, is meeting this afternoon with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. Sharon expressed his pleasure about the timing of Putin's visit, which is close to the anniversary of the end of World War II. Sharon told Putin at the opening of their meeting: "We will never forget how the Soviet Union liberated the concentration camps."
The Russian President met with President Moshe Katsav earlier today. During their talks, Putin hinted that if Iran did not cooperate with the international community regarding its nuclear development, Russia would support taking the issue to "other venues," most likely the UN Security Council. He also said he opposed the acquisition of nuclear weapons by Iran.
He stressed that Russia's aid to Iran's nuclear program was for peaceful purposes only. He insisted that in their deal, Russia had stipulated that spent nuclear fuel sent to Iran be returned to Russia.
After meeting with Katsav, Putin said the missile deal that Russia had signed with Syria did not pose a threat to Israel. He added that missiles which have a 300-kilometer range and thus could threaten Israel, had been excluded from the deal. Full story

Putin Says He Will Help Rebuild Gaza Infrastructure
Friday, April 29, 2005

Russian President Vladimir Putin said today his country would help rebuild Palestinian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, HA'ARETZ reported. Putin appeared to be offering the Palestinians help in maintaining order and provide services after Israel pulls out of Gaza this summer. Putin was speaking at a joint news conference in Ramallah with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas after the two men met for several hours today, at the end of Putin's three-day visit to the region.
Putin is also determined to arm the Palestinians, despite Israel's objections, Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister and Information Minister Nabil Sha'ath told Saudi newspaper Al Watan. Palestinian officials indicated that Putin's plan to give the PA 50 armored personnel carriers and two helicopters was subject to Israeli approval. Israeli approval of Putin's plan appears unlikely.
"First let's see some steps toward peace and then it will be possible to strengthen the Palestinian security forces, which are meanwhile taking part in fighting against us," an Israeli government source said. Full story

DISENGAGEMENT PLAN PREPARATIONS

Five Israeli Teams Will Coordinate Gaza Pullout with Palestinians
Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Israel has set up five inter-ministerial teams for economic coordination for the disengagement plan, GLOBES reported. The teams, which will answer to the office of Vice Premier Shimon Peres, will coordinate economic issues with the Palestinians, and handle inter-ministerial staff work in Israel.
The economic development team will deal with issues and ventures intended to improve the economic circumstances in Gaza after Israel's withdrawal. In contrast to the past, Israel now believes that the Palestinians will carry out projects and ventures, with the involvement of the international community. A second team will deal with issues related to the planned Gaza port. The third team will coordinate issues related to transit points, in view of the need to upgrade them to meet the needs for expanding trade between Israel and the Palestinians. The fourth team will deal with future trade arrangements following Israel's withdrawal. The fifth team will deal with the transfer of Israelis' assets in the settlements to the Palestinian Authority. Full story

ECONOMY

Israel-PA Trade Grew by 37 Percent Over Past Four Years
Thursday, April 28, 2005

A Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce survey conducted ahead of the implementation of the disengagement plan has found that Israeli-Palestinian Authority trade totaled $1.9 billion in 2004, GLOBES reported. Bilateral trade grew 37 percent over the preceding four years, rising from $1.4 billion in 2001 to $1.9 billion in 2004.
Israeli exports to the PA totaled $1.6 billion in 2004, and imports totaled $300 million. Eighty-four percent of Israeli-Palestinian trade comprised Israeli exports. Israeli exports to the PA grew by 38 percent, from $1.1 billion in 2001 to $1.6 billion in 2004, accounting for 4.4 percent of total Israeli exports.
Israeli imports from the PA rose by 30 percent, from $240 million in 2001 to $300 million in 2004, accounting for 0.8 percent of total Israeli imports.

Foreign Investment Likely to Reach Record $15b in 2005
Friday, April 29, 2005

In its latest issue of BOI, the Bank of Israel's economic survey, published Thursday, the Bank of Israel predicts that foreign investment in Israel will reach a record $15 billion in 2005, assuming that the current pace of foreign investment continues, GLOBES reported. BOI states that global economic recovery and the improvement in the Israeli economic fundamentals and geopolitical circumstances supported long-term foreign investment in Israel in 2004.
Foreign investment totaled $4.05 billion in the first quarter of 2005, including $1.68 billion in foreign direct investment, and $2.37 billion investment in securities. Of the latter, $1.33 billion was invested in securities traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE): $1.09 billion in stocks and $240 million in bonds. Full story

Note that Israel Line was not published on Monday, April 25, 2005 due to the Passover holiday.