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June 6 - 10, 2005
- SECURITY
- Arabs Stone Police, Jews on Temple Mount
- Three Killed in Qassam Attacks in Gaza as Violence Flares Up
- IDF to Increase Security Infrastructure in Har Dov Area
- Palestinian Violence Continues in Gaza
- PA Releases Terror Suspects Involved in Tel Aviv Stage Night Club Bombing
- Terror Suspects in Attack Against Israeli-Owned Hotel in Kenya Go Free
- DISENGAGEMENT PLAN
- IDF: All Reserve Combat Units to Be Drafted for Pullout
- Gaza-Hebron Train Project Proposed
- PM Sharon Rebuffs Critics: Government Fully Prepared for Upcoming Pullout
- Israel's High Court Rejects Petitions Against Disengagement Law
- Israel and PA Discuss Pullout Coordination
- JEWISH-CHRISTIAN RELATIONS
- Pope Benedict XVI to Meet Jewish Leaders At the Vatican
- Pope to World Jewish Leaders: I Am Committed to Fight Against Anti-Semitism
- PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS
- Abbas Meets with Palestinian Factions' Heads
- ARAB WORLD
- Israel Concerned as Hezbollah and Allies Sweep Elections in Southern Lebanon
- HIGH TECH
- Google to Launch Israeli Subsidiary
- Silicon Valley's Venture Capitalists to Visit Israel
SECURITY Arabs Stone Police, Jews on Temple Mount
Monday, June 6, 2005Several hundred Arabs stoned police and Jewish visitors on the Temple Mount Monday, lightly injuring two Jewish visitors and a police officer, as the nation marked Jerusalem Day and the reunification of the capital thirty-eight years ago, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. Police fired several stun grenades to disperse the rioters, and arrested a Palestinian who tried to attack a Jewish visitor, Jerusalem police spokesman Shmuel Ben-Ruby said.
The violence broke out at 9:15 am as a small group of Jewish visitors who were touring the ancient compound accompanied by police came under a hail of stones. Police quickly rushed reinforcements into the Temple Mount, and dispersed the rioters. After being rebuffed by police, several hundred Arab teens retreated towards the al Aksa Mosque, where they congregated for a tense half hour, chanting nationalist slogans and waving the flags of the Islamic Movement. Full story
Three Killed in Qassam Attacks in Gaza as Violence Flares Up
Wednesday, June 8, 2005Palestinians from the Hamas and the Islamic Jihad fired a total of 14 Qassam rockets at Israeli communities in Gaza on Tuesday, killing three people, two Palestinians and a Chinese citizen working in the town of Ganei Tal, Israel Radio, KOL YISRAEL, reported. Five other workers were wounded when the hothouse they were in sustained a direct rocket hit. The terrorists also fired anti-tank missiles and mortars.
According to HA'ARETZ, Hamas and Islamic Jihad also resumed fire on Sderot on Tuesday. A volley of Qassams was fired at the city in the morning, causing panic and damage to several apartment buildings. Several hours later, another barrage was launched, causing no damage. Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Dan Halutz visited Sderot Tuesday evening, saying "we will do whatever is necessary when we decide to do so. There is no doubt that at a certain point our patience will run out."
IDF officials explained that Israel would refrain from responding at this time, in order to allow Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to handle the crisis by himself. Abbas is scheduled to visit the Gaza Strip today to talk to Hamas leaders about enforcing calm.
Also on Tuesday, IDF fire in Rafah killed a civilian, apparently an Egyptian, who was attempting to cross the border in the direction of the PA.
In another incident, two armed Palestinians were killed in an exchange of fire with soldiers from the IDF's Duvdevan unit during an operation to arrest wanted operatives in Qabatiya, near Jenin. One was a wanted Islamic Jihad operative and the other was reportedly a policeman. An IDF officer was also lightly wounded. Full story
IDF to Increase Security Infrastructure in Har Dov Area
Wednesday, June 8, 2005The Israel Defense Forces is planning to invest millions of shekels in beefing up security installations along the northeastern border in the Har Dov area in answer to continued attacks by Hezbollah in the region, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Moshe Kaplinsky approved a plan to this effect last month, but it does not include the erection of a new fence in the area. At present an electronic fence exists, but it covers only parts of the border in the vicinity of Har Dov. Hezbollah has exploited gaps in the fence to penetrate Israeli territory and to place explosive devices there. Full story
Palestinian Violence Continues in Gaza
Thursday, June 9, 2005Following a mortar attack against the Jewish town of Netzarim in the central Gaza Strip Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces briefly entered Palestinian territory in the Strip to carry out counter-terrorist actions, Israel Radio, KOL YISRAEL, reported. Eight tanks and armored vehicles entered the Palestinian area, while soldiers surrounded a building from where shots had been fired.
In the past two days, 15 mortar shells have been fired a IDF posts and civilian towns in the Gaza Strip and the western Negev.
A Qassam rocket was fired at a Gush Katif town in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday night. No one was hurt. Two mortar bombs were fired overnight.
In Jerusalem, a policeman was stabbed Wednesday evening on Jaffa Street in the center of Jerusalem. He was taken to Shaare Tzedek Hospital in moderate condition. The assailant, from the Shuafat refugee camp, was detained shortly after he carried out the stabbing.
In the West Bank, a soldier was lightly hurt Wednesday night during disturbances in the Akab village, near Ramallah.
Meanwhile, an Israeli drone fired on Wednesday evening two rockets at a car carrying Hamas gunmen near Khan Yunis; the four gunmen escaped unharmed.
PA Releases Terror Suspects Involved in Tel Aviv Stage Night Club Bombing
Friday, June 10, 2005The Palestinian Authority released today two Islamic Jihad members jailed since February on suspicion of involvement in the suicide bombing attack at the Stage nightclub in Tel Aviv in which five Israelis were killed, YNET reported. Two additional Islamic Jihad members arrested in connection with the attack are expected to go free on Saturday.
Following the bombing, Israel was able to target some of its direct planners - those arrested by the PA are believed to have assisted the terrorist in carrying out the attack.
Islamic Jihad has repeatedly demanded the release of the detainees to senior PA officials. During their meeting with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday, Jihad leaders finally obtained a positive answer to their request.
"This is an important victory for Palestinian resistance and for Palestinian unity," a Jihad member said.
Israeli Government sources in Jerusalem blasted the PA for resuming the "revolving door" policy, whereby terror suspects are detained and released shortly thereafter. Full story
Terror Suspects in Attack Against Israeli-Owned Hotel in Kenya Go Free
Friday, June 10, 2005A Kenyan court decided on Thursday to release six suspects charged with involvement in an attack against an Israeli-owned hotel in Mombassa in 2002 that killed 15 people, including three Israelis, YNET reported. Foreign Ministry Deputy Director for Africa Affairs, Miriam Ziv, said she planned to summon the Kenyan ambassador to a meeting and demand that Kenya continue to act to bring those behind the terror attack to justice.
Israeli Ambassador to Kenya Gilad Milo expressed disappointment that one of the accused in particular had not been found guilty, despite evidence he had assisted the perpetrators of the attack in renting an apartment.
"We, as Israelis with bitter experience, define anyone who drove a terrorist as aiding and abetting murder," he said. "Regarding that person, we are talking about someone who knew what he was giving a hand to."
The car bombing at the Paradise hotel in Mombassa killed two Israeli children and a tour guide, as well as 12 Kenyan dancers who welcomed the guests. Another 80 people sustained wounds in the attack. Several minutes before the attack, a terror cell fired two missiles at an Israeli airplane leaving Kenya, but missed the target. Full story
DISENGAGEMENT PLAN IDF: All Reserve Combat Units to Be Drafted for Pullout
Monday, June 6, 2005All of the army's reserve combat units will be called up for military duty ahead of this summer's implementation of the disengagement plan, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. The mobilization of Israel Defense Forces reserve soldiers has already begun, in preparation for Israel's withdrawal from Gaza and the northern West Bank, a senior IDF officer said. While regular service soldiers will carry out the actual evacuation, reservists will take over their standard duties.
Meanwhile, Minister of Defense Shaul Mofaz has asked the settlers slated for evacuation to voluntarily move their children elsewhere before the implementation of the pullout in order not to expose them to unnecessary trauma. Mofaz also said that the army would collect all weapons from the settlers; if they refused to cooperate, Mofaz said, the IDF would forcefully confiscate them. Full story
Gaza-Hebron Train Project Proposed
Tuesday, June 7, 2005Vice Premier Shimon Peres is set to meet Tuesday with Quartet Special Envoy for Disengagement, James D. Wolfensohn to discuss improvements to Palestinian daily life and a potential train line from Gaza to the West Bank, YEDIOTH AHRONOTH reported. For the railroad, the pair is considering a plan based on the "Euro-tunnel" model. Should the plan come to fruition, Palestinians would enter the tunnel at the Erez Checkpoint and exit in Hebron.Prime Minister Sharon has reportedly agreed to the project, as it would minimize Palestinian road traffic between Gaza and the West Bank. Wolfensohn called the meeting to discuss ways for him to assist in the short term. His term of office ends in December, the projected end date for the disengagement plan. During a five-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories, Wolfensohn - a former head of the World Bank - is expected to attempt to accelerate the pullout program and push for funding from the international community. Senior advisor to Peres, Einat Wilf, told Ynet the project is in both Palestinian and Israeli interests. "The train is meant to serve Palestinians, but would cross Israeli territory," she said. "We are investigating the possibility that an international force would agree to carry out the project, or to build terminals at either end [...] It is a better alternative to free-flowing Palestinian road traffic in Israel," she said. Wolfensohn is also expected to present plans for a Gaza-Ashdod train line. Full story
PM Sharon Rebuffs Critics: Government Fully Prepared for Upcoming Pullout
Wednesday, June 8, 2005Prime Minister Ariel Sharon adamantly rebuffed today recent criticism that the government was insufficiently prepared to carry out the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank this summer, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. Opening this morning's Knesset Disengagement Committee meeting, Sharon said, "There have been unbridled attacks on the government recently, and I have no doubt that they are driven by political motives."
Sharon confirmed in no uncertain terms that despite what he referred to as "incitement" and other delay tactics, the disengagement would be carried out. "I want to say unequivocally that it will be carried out on schedule and in accordance with government and Knesset approval. Israel will leave Gaza and northern Samaria," Sharon explained.
"I have given instructions to publish announcements within a few days regarding the addresses of apartments [to house evacuees] and the number of rooms in them. It will be impossible to claim that there are no apartments or that people don't know where to go," Sharon said. Full story
Israel's High Court Rejects Petitions Against Disengagement Law
Thursday, June 9, 2005The High Court of Justice has rejected 12 petitions challenging the constitutionality of the Disengagement Implementation Law in a 10-1 vote, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. The verdict also noted that the lands of the West Bank and Gaza Strip were not legally included within the borders of the State of Israel, and that Israel did not have jurisdiction over these territories.
The petitions, filed by representatives of settlers slated for evacuation as part of Israel's plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank, also challenged the Evacuation Compensation Law. Although the court upheld the legality of the withdrawal, it rejected four particular provisions of the law dealing with the terms of the compensation to be paid to evacuating settlers. Full story
Israel and PA Discuss Pullout Coordination
Thursday, June 9, 2005Minister of Defense Shaul Mofaz met Wednesday night with Palestinian Authority Interior Minister Nasser Yousef to discuss the coordination of the disengagement plan, HA'ARETZ reported. The two agreed that Israel would hand the PA the timetable of the pullout's implementation.
"The two ministers agreed to coordinate the security side of the withdrawal at the ministerial level and on the level of security planning," said Tawfiq Abu-Khoussa, a spokesman for Youssef, adding teams from both sides would meet next week. "They plan to tackle every detail of the withdrawal plan," said Abu-Khoussa.
An Israeli Defense Ministry official said there would be "coordination in the field" to enable the Palestinians to deploy security forces "to make sure that militants don't take over" areas vacated by Israel.
Mofaz also demanded that the Palestinians prepare to prevent mortar fire and arms smuggling into the Gaza Strip during the disengagement. The two sides also agreed to form a special Palestinian force with the task of preventing outbreaks of violence and looting of the evacuated settlements in the Strip. Full story
JEWISH-CHRISTIAN RELATIONS Pope Benedict XVI to Meet Jewish Leaders At the Vatican
Wednesday, June 8, 2005Pope Benedict XVI will hold talks with the president of the World Jewish Congress, Edgar Bronfman, and other senior representatives of Jewish organizations at the Vatican on Thursday, HA'ARETZ reported. It is the first the meeting between the new pontiff and the heads of international Jewish organizations since the former's election two months ago. Bronfman will be accompanied by a large delegation of representatives of the United States' three main Jewish denominations as well as by senior members of large Jewish organizations.
The focus of the meeting will be a new joint initiative established by the Jewish Congress and the Holy See for the struggle against AIDS in Africa. The participants will also ask the pope to give his patronage to a series of interfaith meetings between Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders.
Israel's ambassador to the Vatican, Oded Ben-Hur, noted that this is the first time that the pope is privately receiving a delegation of senior members of international Jewish organizations. He described the meeting as "an additional step in the construction of relations being formed between the Vatican and Israel and the Jewish nation." Full story
Pope to World Jewish Leaders: I Am Committed to Fight Against Anti-Semitism
Thursday, June 9, 2005Pope Benedict XVI assured Jews around the world today that the Catholic Church remained fully committed to fighting anti-Semitism and carrying out more reflection on the moral and historical implications of the Holocaust, HA'ARETZ reported. The pope made these comments in his first audience for leaders of the world's largest and most representative Jewish groups from Israel, the United States, Europe and Latin America.
He praised a landmark document of the 1962-1965 Second Vatican Council, recalling that it urged greater understanding and esteem between Christians and Jews and that it "deplored all manifestations of hatred, persecution and anti-Semitism."
The Pope added: "At the very beginning of my pontificate, I wish to assure you that the Church remains firmly committed, in her catechesis and in every aspect of her life, to implementing this decisive teaching."
Speaking in English, the German pope told the 25 world Jewish leaders that he intended to carry on the work of his predecessor, John Paul II. Full story
PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS Abbas Meets with Palestinian Factions' Heads
Friday, June 10, 2005Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has urged Hamas and other radical Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip to abide by the unofficial truce, and stop launching rocket and mortar attacks on Israeli settlements and cities, HA'ARETZ reported. Abbas, who met in his office in Gaza City with representatives of several Palestinian groups on Thursday, stressed that the truce was a Palestinian interest.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhari said his movement "remains committed to the truce, but, at the same time, maintains the right to respond to Israeli aggression on the Palestinians."
Islamic Jihad leader Sheikh Nafez Azzam also expressed his group's commitment to the truce, but called on all Palestinian factions to reconsider their position "in light of continued Israeli violations of the calm."
Meanwhile, Hamas' top official in the West Bank, Hassan Youssef, disclosed that his movement had been holding "low-level" meetings with American and European representatives, but refused to elaborate. Full story
ARAB WORLD Israel Concerned as Hezbollah and Allies Sweep Elections in Southern Lebanon
Monday, June 6, 2005Israel expressed concern following news that Hezbollah and its allies had won south Lebanon's elections by a landslide on Sunday, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. Hezbollah hopes its victory will prove its strength and send a message of defiance to the United States, which has led the international pressure for the group to disarm.
In Jerusalem, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said it was not happy about such a vote in the region bordering northern Israel. "If Hezbollah was only a political party, we in Israel wouldn't be as concerned as we are. Hezbollah is obviously not simply a political party, rather it is a heavily armed terrorist organization," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev.
"The solution to Lebanon's problems begins with a full implementation of (UN Security Council Resolution) 1559, which calls for the disarming of groups like Hezbollah," Regev said. "While we don't like ballots for Hezbollah, it's the organization's bullets that really concern us." Full story
HIGH-TECH Google to Launch Israeli Subsidiary
Monday, June 6, 2005Internet portal giant Google is about to open an Israeli subsidiary and plans to create a Hebrew version of its portal Web site, HA'ARETZ reported. Google is currently interviewing candidates for the CEO position for its Israeli operations. Last week, two business development managers from the Google branch in London visited Israel and met with managers of major portals and Hebrew language Web sites to find future business partners. If Google indeed expands its operations to Israel, it will provide tough competition to Israeli portals, which include Ynet, Walla!, NRG, Nana, and Golden Pages. Google would compete directly with MSN Israel, which is the only content portal in Israel that belongs to an international company, Microsoft.
Google has had a Hebrew language site for several years. It primarily serves as a search engine and is very popular in Israel. The site is managed from London. Full story
Silicon Valley's Venture Capitalists to Visit Israel
Monday, June 6, 2005A delegation of 40 representatives of top venture capital firms in California's Silicon Valley will soon visit Israel, YNET reported. The delegation is being organized by the California-Israel Chamber of Commerce, and includes some of the country's most important venture capital companies, including Lightspeed, Siliconn, Ernst &Young, Pillsbury and Withrop Shaw Pittman. The delegation also includes representatives of the Silicon Valley Bank, which supplies financial services to high-tech and bio-tech companies and plans to open a branch in Israel to cater to local high-tech companies. During the visit, the group, which altogether manages an estimated $15 billion, is set to visit 20 Israeli start-ups, including CrossID, Xtellus, cVidya, DoubleFusion and Xloom. Full story
Israel Line Sources: Ha'aretz | The Jerusalem Post | Ynet News | Kol Yisrael | Globes | The Marker
