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October 25-29, 2004
- YITZHAK RABIN
- Israel Remembers Yitzhak Rabin
- DISENGAGEMENT PLAN
- Knesset to Vote on Disengagement Plan Today
- Gaza Pullout Plan Wins Resounding Majority
- PM Sharon Reasserts Opposition to Referendum
- U.S. and EU Welcome Knesset Vote on Disengagement
- SECURITY
- IDF Enters Khan Yunis in New Anti-terrorism Sweep; 2 Soldiers Seriously Wounded
- Egypt Announces Arrest of Five Plotters of Sinai Attacks
- IDF Ends Counter-Terrorism Operation in Khan Yunis
- Six Wounded in Shooting, Mortar Attack near Morag
- Soldier Killed in Mortar Attack on Morag Yesterday - IDF Nabs Suicide Bomber
- YASSER ARAFAT
- Arafat's Health Condition Deteriorates Sharply
- IDF Plan Dubbed 'A New Leaf' For Day After Arafat
- PA Chairman Arafat to Receive Treatment in Paris
- DIPLOMACY
- 10 Years Since Peace Treaty Between Israel and Jordan
- HOME
- African Diplomats Visit Sderot
- New Ultra-Modern Airport Terminal Inaugurated
YITZHAK RABIN Israel Remembers Yitzhak Rabin
Wednesday, October 27, 2004Israel marked today nine years since the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. Though Rabin was assassinated on November 5th, 1995, today's commemorations take place on the Hebrew date of the assassination. The country's flags were lowered to half-mast at all public institutions. The formal ceremony was held at Rabin's grave on Mt. Herzl at 3 p.m. with President Moshe Katsav and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in attendance. Following the ceremony, the Knesset held a special discussion at 5 p.m.
Dalia Rabin-Pelosoff, Rabin's daughter, called out to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon: "Today we are with you and are concerned for your welfare." Referring to the Knesset decision on Tuesday to approve the Gaza Strip disengagement plan, Rabin-Pelosoff noted that, "again we hear the bitter sounds of incitement and threats and curses. The rabbis have not changed their ways, and again Pulsa Dnura curses are in the air. The horror is still lurking out there with the handwriting in blood written on the wall."
Sharon recalled his memories from the night of the assassination and paid respect to Rabin's devotion and unwavering loyalty to the State of Israel. "We walked a long path together, Yitzhak and I, dedicated and loyal to the protection of the State of Israel," Sharon said. "The darkness of that night has not left us and will never expire since the most unbelievable and unimaginable has happened."
In his speech, standing over Rabin's grave, Sharon admitted that he and Rabin were constantly at odds but that their friendship was deeper than any of their arguments. "We had many arguments but they never took away from our deep friendship and were never personal," he said. "If however in the heat of the arguments, I said things that should not have been said, I am sorry."
DISENGAGEMENT PLAN Knesset to Vote on Disengagement Plan Today
Tuesday, October 26, 2004The Knesset is to vote on the disengagement plan this evening, as demonstrations for and against the plan are expected to continue throughout the day, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is assured the support of at least 65 Members of Knesset. Voting discipline has not been imposed on Likud MKs, and at least 17 of them intend to vote against the plan. Ministers who vote against it are liable to be fired.
The plan submitted to the Knesset is the exact version approved by the cabinet on June 6, which states explicitly in its first clause that the approval of the plan by the government was "not a decision to evacuate settlements." Sharon does not intend to ask the Knesset again for approval for the evacuations, according to his advisers.
For the evacuation to be carried out, the cabinet must meet again to decide which settlements will be evacuated and when. The Knesset must also approve the disengagement plan implementation legislation in three readings. The bill being drafted by the government determines compensation and evacuation procedures. Under the bill, which is to be brought for a first reading on November 1, settlers who leave the Gaza Strip and relocate to the Galilee or Negev will get a $30,000 bonus.
Gaza Pullout Plan Wins Resounding Majority
Wednesday, October 27, 2004Prime Minister Ariel Sharon won a historic victory Tuesday night as the Knesset approved the disengagement plan in a 67-45 vote with seven abstentions, HA'ARETZ reported. Traditional Knesset party lines shattered as Labor, Meretz and two Arab MKs joined about half of the Likud faction and all of Shinui to deliver Sharon a victory vote. The prime minister's plan includes the withdrawal of all the settlements and armed forces from the Gaza Strip and the northern West Bank.
Cabinet ministers Uzi Landau (Likud) and Zevulun Orlev (National Religious Party) and deputy minister Michael Ratzon (Likud) were among those who voted against the bill. In accordance with the warning he had given those within the Government who opposed his plan, Sharon fired Landau and Ratzon immediately after the vote.
Meanwhile, the High Court of Justice rejected today four petitions to halt the work of the Disengagement Administration until the completion of the process to legislate for the disengagement compensation bill.
PM Sharon Reasserts Opposition to Referendum
Wednesday, October 27, 2004Following the Knesset vote in favor his disengagement plan, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon faced down rebels ministers from his Likud party on Tuesday night, saying he would not give in to threats to hold a national referendum on the matter, HA'ARETZ reported. Minister of Finance Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Education Limor Livnat, Minister of Health Dan Naveh and Minister of Agriculture Yisrael Katz threatened minutes after the vote that they would resign in two weeks if Sharon failed to heed a National Religious Party demand for a referendum. But Sharon indicated that he would not allow threats to force him into a referendum on his plan. "I will never give in to pressures and threats and I won't accept any ultimatums. A person can change their mind from time to time but not give in to pressures and ultimatums. My position on the referendum is unchanged - I am opposed because it will lead to terrible tensions and a rupture in the public."
As for the four ministers threatening to resign, he said only, "They'll get an answer."
U.S. and EU Welcome Knesset Vote on Disengagement
Wednesday, October 27, 2004The White House has praised the Knesset approval of the disengagement plan, Israel Radio, KOL YSRAEL, reported. The White House spokesman said the plan had the potential of being historic and an important step in fulfilling President George W. Bush's vision of two states living side by side in peace and security.
The European Union also welcomed Knesset approval of the disengagement plan. Dutch Foreign Minister Bernart Bot, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, said the vote would be an important step towards resolving the Middle East conflict if the withdrawal becomes part of a peace agreement with the Palestinians. The EU said the pullout must take place under the road map peace plan, and should be a move towards a two-state solution.
SECURITY IDF Enters Khan Yunis in New Anti-terrorism Sweep; 2 Soldiers Seriously Wounded
Monday, October 25, 2004Three Israel Defense Force battalions accompanied by infantry units and helicopter gun ships entered the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis Sunday night, MAARIV reported. The operation was launched in response to repeated mortar shelling of the nearby Gush Katif settlement bloc over the weekend, in which Hamas militants fired some 20 mortar shells, damaging five houses but causing no casualties.
The IDF units took over all areas from which mortar shells had been launched, hundreds of meters deep into Palestinian territory. An IDF Southern Command officer stated, "We will be wherever Kassam rockets and mortar shells are fired from. Our aim is to enter deep into Palestinian territory in order to clamp down on the terrorists." According to defense officials, over 200 mortar shells were fired at Gush Katif settlements from the area of Khan Yunis during this month alone.
In the course of the raid, two IDF soldiers, one an officer, were seriously wounded this morning when an anti-tank missile was fired at their tank in the town. Palestinians reported that fourteen people were killed and 70 sustained injuries during the overnight and dawn clashes. The IDF said it had identified hits on 13 armed Palestinians.
Meanwhile, Palestinians fired three Kassam rockets at southern Israel this morning - two landed in the western Negev, a third near the Sderot cemetery - but no injuries or damage were caused.
Egypt Announces Arrest of Five Plotters of Sinai Attacks
Monday, October 25, 2004Five Egyptians were arrested on suspicion of plotting three near-simultaneous car bombs at a hotel and resort in Sinai that killed at least 34 people, including 12 Israelis, earlier this month, HAARETZ reported. In a statement released today, the Egyptian government named the mastermind of the attacks as Palestinian Ayad Said Salah, who died in the October 7 explosion at the Taba Hilton hotel along with a fellow plotter, Egyptian Suleiman Ahmed Saleh Flayfil. The Interior Ministry added that five Egyptians had been arrested and two remained at large in the plot. The Taba Hilton was heavily damaged in the worst of the three blasts. Two other car bombs exploded at bungalow campgrounds in Ras al-Satan, also in the Sinai Peninsula. The resorts were packed with Israeli tourists who had traveled there during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
IDF Ends Counter-Terrorism Operation in Khan Yunis
Tuesday, October 26, 2004Israel Defense Forces troops withdrew from the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis following a 24-hour operation aimed at preventing the launchings of mortar shells at Gush Katif, MA'ARIV reported. Troops took control of all areas from which mortar shells have been launched, hundreds of feet deep into Palestinian territory. Two IDF soldiers were seriously injured by an RPG anti-tank missile. The soldiers, who sustained shrapnel hits in the chest, were evacuated to the Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva.
According to defense officials, over 200 mortar shells have been fired this month at Gush Katif's Jewish communities from the area of Khan Yunis. The number of attacks increased after Thursday's successful preemptive strike against Hamas' chief in the Gaza Strip, Adnan al-Roul.
In addition, seven houses were razed during the IDF incursion including the home of Hamas' chief in Khan Yunis, Mohammad Sinwar. A total of 17 Palestinians were killed during the course of the IDF actions - the large majority of them were armed.
In other news, the security coordinator at an outpost near the West Bank Jewish town of of Yitzhar shot and killed an apparently unarmed Palestinian man today. Settlers said the Palestinian had entered a house in the outpost, and the security coordinator chased the Palestinian and shot him. Security forces detained the security coordinator for questioning after the incident.
Six Wounded in Shooting, Mortar Attack near Morag
Thursday, October 28, 2004Six Israelis were wounded this afternoon in a combined shooting and mortar attack near the Gaza Jewish town of Morag, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. Some of the wounded were airlifted to Soroka Medical Center in Beer Sheva, and others were evacuated by ambulances of the Gaza Coast Regional Council. On September 23, three soldiers were killed and a fourth moderately-to-seriously wounded when Palestinian terrorists infiltrated an IDF post on the southern side of Morag. Dozens of mortars were fired in recent months at Morag, which is located between Khan Yunis and Rafah.
Also today, two mortars were fired at Israeli communities in Gush Katif, in the south Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported but houses were damaged in the attack.
In other news, the IDF is investigating the circumstances in which an eight-year-old girl, Rania Iyad Aram, of the Khan Yunis refugee camp was killed overnight Wednesday near the neighboring town of Ganei Tal.
Soldier Killed in Mortar Attack on Morag Yesterday - IDF Nabs Suicide Bomber
Friday, October 29, 2004Sergeant Michael Chizik, 21, of Tiberias was killed Thursday and six other soldiers from the Givati Brigade's Shaked battalion were wounded in a mortar shell attack on an Israel Defense Forces outpost at the Jewish town of Morag in the southern Gaza Strip, HA'ARETZ reported. Chizik was buried in the military section of the Tiberias cemetery at noon today. Chizhik made aliyah from the Ukraine along with his mother and sister in 2002. His father remains in the Ukraine.
In other news, IDF troops operating in the West Bank before dawn today arrested a woman suspected of planning to carry out a suicide bombing. She was arrested at the Ein Beit al-Ma refugee camp near Nablus.
In addition, IDF forces detained 17 other wanted Palestinians in overnight operations. Two people were arrested near Jenin, one was nabbed near Nablus, five were apprehended in the vicinity of Bethlehem, six in Hizme, south of Ramallah, and three were arrested in Beit Omar, north of Hebron.
In the West Bank on Thursday night, an IDF undercover unit killed two wanted Hamas leaders in Qalqilyah, and troops also shot dead an armed Palestinian in Jenin.
YASSER ARAFAT Arafat's Health Condition Deteriorates Sharply
Thursday, October 28, 2004Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat's health condition deteriorated sharply Wednesday night as he lost consciousness, and a team of Jordanian doctors, headed by his personal neurologist, Ashraf Kurdi, was urgently summoned to join the Tunisian and Jordanian doctors already treating him, HA'ARETZ reported. Egyptian and Jordanian doctors arrived in Ramallah today to treat Arafat.
Minister of Defense Shaul Mofaz was meeting this evening with defense officials to discuss the situation in the PA. Earlier, Sharon held a separate security assessment. Israel assured the PA today that Arafat would be permitted to return to the West Bank if he needed to go abroad for medical treatment.
Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi said today that no single person was likely to take over for Arafat, either in the case of his death or in the short term, while he recovers. She said multiple Palestinian officials would be taking over individual tasks while Arafat is incapacitated, adding that the officials are working to avoid public panic.
IDF Plan Dubbed 'A New Leaf' For Day After Arafat
Thursday, October 28, 2004The Israel Defense Forces Central Command has been working for the past year on a plan entitled "A New Leaf," which explores military options for "the day after" Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat's death, HA'ARETZ reported. One topic considered is the possibility of a serious deterioration of the security situation in the territories in the immediate aftermath of the Palestinian leader's death. Should widespread violence erupt in the West Bank and Gaza, IDF commanders will be instructed do everything in their power to prevent a flare-up and reduce friction between troops and Palestinian demonstrators. Commanders will also be told to make every effort to prevent demonstrations from overrunning IDF roadblocks and settlements.
The IDF has also been holding discussions on the question of where Arafat would be buried. The PA chairman has in the past stated that he wished to be buried on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem - an option unlikely to be accepted by Israel. As an alternative, Arafat could be laid to rest in Abu Dis, on the outskirts of East Jerusalem, from where the Temple Mount can be seen. Another alternative is for Arafat to be buried in the Gaza Strip.
PA Chairman Arafat to Receive Treatment in Paris
Friday, October 29, 2004Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat landed in Paris this afternoon and he will receive medical treatment at a military hospital outside the French capital for a suspected leukemia, HA'ARETZ reported. Arafat left his Muqata headquarters in the West Bank at about 7:20 AM today for the first time in more than two years. Jordanian helicopters transported Arafat from Ramallah to Amman from where he flew to a military airfield near Paris aboard a military plane equipped with a medical team.
Senior Palestinian officials said Thursday night that Arafat's succession - while the Chairman is receiving treatment in Paris or after his death - would be assumed by Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), who would become PA Chairman, and Ahmed Qurei (Abu Ala) who would continue in his current role as prime minister.
DIPLOMACY 10 Years Since Peace Treaty Between Israel and Jordan
Tuesday, October 26, 2004Today marks the tenth anniversary of the signing of the peace treaty between Israel and Jordan, HA'ARETZ reported. Israeli ambassador to Amman, Yaakov Hadas, described the bilateral ties between the two countries as dynamic, saying that, "It is true that not everything is bright, and there is no festivity. But ties are definitely developing and there is daily cooperation between the two sides."
Yishai Shorek, head of the Israel-Jordan chambers of commerce, said, "There is no doubt the economic ties between the countries are very beneficial to both. These are stable ties that are constantly being developed."
One of the most notable achievements of the peace accord is the development of the industrial park where several dozen Israeli and Jordanian companies cooperate and export to the United States without tariffs. These companies are said to be a great boost to the Jordanian economy.
The major obstacle to bilateral ties remains the Palestinian question. Many Jordanians fear that Palestinians might be tempt to cross the border to settle in Jordan.
A mass demonstration by those opposed to normalization took place in Amman today, reflecting the extent of the opposition to a rapprochement with Israel.
HOME African Diplomats Visit Sderot
Thursday, October 28, 2004Eight African diplomats paid a solidarity visit to Sderot on Wednesday as part of a trip organized by the Foreign Ministry's African division, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. The idea of the trip came about after the Ministry realized that none of the representatives in Israel from African countries had ever been to a development town, and that none of them knew of the danger the people of Sderot are exposed to from constant Palestinian rocket attacks. The African delegation was headed by Ivory Coast Ambassador Leon Houadja Kacou Adom, Dean of the Africa Corps, and Cameroon Ambassador Henri Etoundi Essomba, who is dean of the whole of the diplomatic corps. The visit proved to be particularly emotional when Ethiopian Ambassador Negash Kibret met Gabi Amusu, an Ethiopian immigrant whose daughter Dorit was killed on Sukkot by a Qassam rocket as she and a cousin, who was also killed, played outside her home. Sderot Mayor Eli Moyal described to his guests what life is like in Sderot under the threat of Qassams. The diplomats asked questions about psychological and social work support facilities.
New Ultra-Modern Airport Terminal Inaugurated
Friday, October 29, 2004Prime Minister Ariel Sharon inaugurated Ben-Gurion Airport's newest international terminal, Terminal 3, on Thursday, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. "Even as this country still battles its enemies, we are striving for modernity and a better future," Sharon said, addressing hundreds of guests and dignitaries gathered to mark the completion of the country's most sophisticated infrastructure project. Conceived in 1994 under Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Terminal 3, better known as Ben-Gurion 2000, was supposed to harness the economic boom of the mid-'90s and the region's peaceful avenue. Due to a series of delays and obstacles, Ben-Gurion 2000 quickly became synonymous with the slow and often-costly progress of modern infrastructure.
Full operation will begin Tuesday afternoon when an El Al flight departs the facility for New York. An hour later, a Swiss Airlines flight will be the first foreign carrier to arrive at the terminal. At a cost of $1 billion, Terminal 3 is for all purposes a new airport. The old terminal will cease to function and all non-domestic activities will be relocated to the new terminal's concourses.
Encompassing 270,000 square meters, Terminal 3 offers 133 check-in counters, three concourses, 22 moving sidewalks, all in one of the world's most advanced airport facilities.
