January 10 - 14, 2005

• SECURITY
  • IDF Officer Killed as Hezbollah Increases Attacks in Israel
  • Gideon Rivlin, Father of Five, Killed in Morag Attack
  • Air Force Destroys Car Bomb in Gaza
  • Six Israelis Killed in Terror Attack at Gaza's Karni Crossing
• POLITICS
  • Knesset Approves New Government
  • 2005 State Budget Passes First Reading
  • Peres' Responsibilities in New Post Defined
• DIPLOMACY
  • Israel-Russia Crisis Over Missile Sale to Syria
  • FM Shalom: Israel Has Asked Russia Not to Sell Missiles to Syria
  • EU Foreign Policy Chief in Israel
• PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS
  • Abbas Elected New Palestinian Leader with 62.3 Percent of Vote
  • PM Sharon and Abbas Hold Phone Conversation
• TSUNAMI
  • IsraAID Sets Up Relief Camp in Sri Lanka
  • Fifth Israeli Victim of the Tsunami Identified
• HOME
  • Supreme Court Allows Lesbian Couple to Adopt
  • Western Wall Is Most Visited Tourist Site in Israel

 

SECURITY

IDF Officer Killed as Hezbollah Increases Attacks in Israel
Monday, January 10, 2005

Israel Defense Forces Captain Sharon Elmakias who was killed in a Hezbollah-staged roadside bomb attack on Sunday, was laid to rest today at the Atlit cemetery, Israel radio, KOL YISRAEL, reported. Elmakias, a 23-year-old from Atlit, had served in the Golani Brigades for five years and was due to leave the army in two months. He is survived by his parents and two sisters. Three other soldiers were wounded in the Hezbollah attack during which an explosive device was detonated as an IDF convoy passed through the Har Dov area in northern Israel.
According to THE JERUSALEM POST, Hezbollah has stepped up its involvement in terrorist operations in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. A senior defense official said today that the Lebanese terror group had invested at least $9 million in 2004 to carry out attacks against targets in Israel - a sum which represents about 10 percent of the group's annual budget. The official added that during last year, Hezbollah had been responsible for about 20 percent of the operations against Israeli civilians and soldiers.
Hezbollah's attack on Sunday sparked heavy exchanges of fire between IDF forces and the terror group's members, which lasted for almost three hours. Retaliatory fire from IDF gunship killed a French officer serving with UNIFIL, and wounded a Swedish soldier from the international peacekeeping force.

 

Gideon Rivlin, Father of Five, Killed in Morag Attack
Wednesday, January 12, 2005

Gideon Rivlin, a 50-year-old Israeli father of five, was killed and three Israel Defense Forces soldiers were wounded today when an explosion occurred near an army jeep patrolling along the hothouses of Morag, a Jewish town in south Gaza, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. One officer was moderately wounded in the attack and two soldiers suffered light wounds. They were evacuated to the Soroka Medical Center in Beer Sheva.
Rivlin, a resident of Gush Katif 's Ganei Tal, was a private contractor who worked for the Gaza Regional Council as well as the security establishment. He was in the midst of constructing a security fence near the hothouses of Morag when the explosion occurred. Rivlin was a father of five who moved to Gush Katif in 1978.
Nir, his oldest child, gave the following account to Israel Radio: "This morning, like every morning, we went to work, my father and I. I was supposed to start working in Morag tomorrow and I asked him what the security situation was there. He said he was already on the way there to check on it. I was on my way out of the Gush [Katif], when I heard that there was an explosion in Morag. I turned around and started heading in that direction. I tried to reach him on the cell phone, but he didn't answer me. When I got to Morag, I waited for the wounded to be evacuated, and he was not among them."
Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack, saying two of its members set off an explosion and were killed in a gun battle with troops.
Earlier today, two senior Hamas fugitives were killed in a gun battle with security forces in Karwat Bani Zeid, northeast of Ramallah.

 

Air Force Destroys Car Bomb in Gaza
Thursday, January 13, 2005

An Israel Air Force helicopter fired missiles at a suspected Palestinian car bomb in the Gaza Strip today, destroying the vehicle, HA'ARETZ reported. The car was parked in a field overnight and no one was inside when the missiles blew it apart. An Israel Defense Forces source said the size of the explosion indicated the car had contained explosive material. "We attacked a suspicious car in an open area south of the Jewish town of Kfar Darom and identified a hit," he said. "The explosion in the car after it was hit was significantly stronger than would have been the case from a missile alone, indicating that it contained explosives."
This afternoon, Palestinians fired a Qassam rocket at Jewish town in Gush Katif, causing damage to some buildings.
In the West Bank, two wanted Fatah members apparently on their way to carrying out a shooting attack were detained for questioning.
In other news, a Palestinian civilian was killed during an IDF arrest raid in the northern Gaza Strip this morning. The IDF said troops fired near the man's vehicle because he was speeding toward them and they feared an attack was imminent.

 

Six Israelis Killed in Terror Attack at Gaza's Karni Crossing
Friday, January 14, 2005

Six Israeli civilians were killed and four were wounded, two of them seriously, in a terrorist attack Thursday night at the Karni crossing into the Gaza Strip, Israel Radio, KOL YISRAEL, reported. Four of the dead were employees of the Israel Ports Authority working at the crossing and the two others were truck drivers. Three of the dead were residents of the western Negev town of Sderot: Dror Gizri, Herzl Shlomo, 51, and Ivan Shmilov, 54, were buried at the Sderot cemetery this afternoon. The other two people killed are Munam Abu Sabia, 33, from Daboriya, and Ibrahim Kahili, 46, from Umm al-Ghanem. Four Israelis were wounded in the attack, three seriously. They were evacuated to the Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva.
The attack started at around 10:30PM when Palestinians fired mortar and hit the back of a building used for security checks on goods transiting through the crossing. A few moments later a large bomb containing some 150 kilograms of explosives went off next to the dividing wall separating the Israeli and Palestinian sides of the crossing. The explosion cut a hole into the wall allowing three terrorists to cross over into the Israeli side and open fire on the people present there, killing six of them. Soldiers and security guards at the scene returned fire, killing the three terrorists.
Hamas, Fatah's Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and the Popular Resistance Committees claimed responsibility for the coordinated attack.
In response to the attack, Minister of Defense Shaul Mofaz and IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon announced today Israel was immediately closing the three checkpoints connecting the Gaza Strip to Israel and Egypt until the Palestinians take steps to fight terrorism.

 

POLITICS

Knesset Approves New Government
Tuesday, January 11, 2005

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's new government was narrowly approved by the Knesset on Monday, HA'ARETZ reported. The coalition agreement passed thanks to the support of the left-wing Yahad faction, and despite the opposition of 13 members of the Likud. The new government, which is comprised of the Likud, Labor and United Torah Judaism, was approved by a vote of 58-56, with six abstentions.
In addition to Yahad's support, Sharon owes his victory to a decision by two Arab MKs, Talab al-Sana and Abdulmalik Dehamshe of the United Arab List, to abstain instead of joining the other Arab parties in voting against the coalition accord.
Sources in Sharon's office said that one of the new government's first moves would be to reopen coalition talks with Shas. The ultra-Orthodox party's entry has become vital following Monday's vote during which 13 Likud MKs de facto quit the coalition by casting no-confidence votes against the prime minister.
Meanwhile, Sharon must pass the 2005 budget by March 31, or new elections will automatically be called.

 

2005 State Budget Passes First Reading
Wednesday, January 12, 2005

The 2005 state budget passed its first reading in a 64-53 vote this afternoon, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. Just before the vote began, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon secured a majority for the budget after the 13 Likud 'rebels' decided to support it. In a joint statement, the rebels said that they hoped their support would convince the prime minister to change his stance about a national referendum for the disengagement plan. They said they would reconsider their decision when the budget comes for its second and third readings next month. Sources in the Prime Minister's office said that Sharon continued to oppose holding a national referendum on the issue.
It is the second time that Minister of Finance Benjamin Netanyahu has brought the NIS 890 million 2005 budget before the Knesset for a first reading. Two months ago, Netanyahu submitted the budget to the Knesset, but he was forced to cancel the vote after failing to secure a majority. In December, the bill was rejected in its first reading after Shinui voted against it and left the coalition.

 

Peres' Responsibilities in New Post Defined
Friday, January 14, 2005

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has finalized the responsibilities assigned to Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres in the new government, Israel Radio, KOL YISRAEL, reported. Peres will represent the government on issues regarding civilian and economic development, and deal with raising funds for the disengagement plan. The vice prime minister will also be in charge of devising an economic development plan for the Gaza Strip, and developing economic ties with the Palestinians after the pullout. Peres will also have responsibility for the development of the Negev and the Galilee, and will head a ministerial committee set up to deal with the subject.

 

DIPLOMACY

Israel-Russia Crisis Over Missile Sale to Syria
Wednesday, January 12, 2005

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Saltanov visited Israel today and discussed with government officials a recent crisis between Moscow and Jerusalem over alleged Russian plans to sell Syria missiles capable of striking targets within Israel, HA'ARETZ reported. The details of the crisis were reported today in the Moscow daily Kommersant.
Saltanov, who arrived in Israel on Tuesday, met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Silvan Shalom, Vice Premier Shimon Peres and senior Foreign Ministry officials. According to the report, Russia intends to sell Syria, the Iskander missile, developed in the 1990s, and capable of reaching nearly all of Israel, including the nuclear reactor site outside Dimona.
Israeli military officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, have expressed concern that the missiles would get into the hands of Hezbollah and disrupt the military balance in the Middle East.
The Russian daily reported that Israel recalled its ambassador in Russia over the deal. Israel has briefed the American administration on the crisis in its relations with Russia. Meanwhile, tension is mounting in Jerusalem ahead of Syrian President Bashar Assad's first visit to Moscow, on January 24th. Assad will meet with President Vladimir Putin and discuss bilateral cooperation in various fields.

 

FM Shalom: Israel Has Asked Russia Not to Sell Missiles to Syria
Thursday, January 13, 2005

Marking Israel's first public acknowledgement that Russia is considering the sale of sophisticated missiles to Syria, Minister of Foreign Affairs Silvan Shalom said today that Jerusalem had asked Moscow not to go through with the deal, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. "I passed this message on to the deputy Russian foreign minister [Alexander Saltanov], who visited the region recently," Shalom said. "I passed on the message that Syria is a country that supports terror and transfers weapons to Hezbollah, and that the whole world is working to isolate it owing to its support of terror. There is no reason why Russia should go against this trend. I hope that a satisfactory solution will be found to the problem," Shalom added.
Shalom said that Russia, as a member of the Quartet, understood the need for regional stability.
On Wednesday, senior diplomatic officials pointed out that Israel anticipates the United States to work towards a cancellation of the deal because of concern that sophisticated missiles would be smuggled into Iraq and endanger American troops there.

 

EU Foreign Policy Chief in Israel
Thursday, January 13, 2005

The smoothness of the Palestinian Authority elections, coupled with the cooperation the PA received from Israel, foster hope for progress in Israel-Palestinian relations, European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana said today, HA'ARETZ reported. Solana, speaking at a press conference after meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Silvan Shalom in Tel Aviv, said he and many others expect Israel and the new Palestinian leadership to begin working together.
"I hope that for now what they have to do is talk and to begin working together," Solana said. "This is my dream and I think this is what many many of the people expect to happen."
Solana and Shalom were expected to discuss bilateral relations between Israel and Europe. His visit is also focusing on the situation in the region in the wake of the PA elections as well as on relations between Israel and Europe and their "joint struggle against the threat of terrorism," the Foreign Ministry said. Solana is on a Middle East trip which includes stops in Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan and Egypt.

 

PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS

Abbas Elected New Palestinian Leader with 62.3 Percent of Vote
Monday, January 10, 2005

Final election results tallied today showed that PLO chief Mahmoud Abbas became the new Palestinian Authority chairman after winning 62.3 percent of Sunday's vote, HA'ARETZ reported.
Abbas' main challenger, independent candidate Mustafa Barghouti, won about 20 percent of the vote, and five other candidates obtained marginal scores.
Hamas announced today it would work with Abbas - despite misgivings about what it said were voting irregularities, including a decision to keep polls open two hours longer than planned. Hamas had called for a boycott of the election, but did not try to disrupt the vote.
Abbas declared victory on Sunday, on the basis of exit polls showing him winning with a comfortable margin. He dedicated his victory to Yasser Arafat. "We offer this victory to the soul of the brother, martyr Yasser Arafat and to all Palestinians," Abbas told a jubilant rally of his Fatah party in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Sunday. "There is a difficult mission ahead to build our state, to achieve security for our people, to give our prisoners freedom, our fugitives a life in dignity, to reach our goal of an independent state," he said in to hundreds of cheering supporters.

 

PM Sharon and Abbas Hold Phone Conversation
Tuesday, January 11, 2005

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called the newly elected Palestinian Authority chairman, Mahmoud Abbas, today to congratulate him on his victory on Sunday's elections, HA'ARETZ reported.
A senior Palestinian official said that the two leaders spoke for about 10 minutes, but gave no additional details as to the exact content of the two leaders' exchange.
Earlier today, Sharon told his new cabinet that he expected to meet with Abbas in the coming weeks. Speaking at the first meeting of his new cabinet approved by the Knesset Monday, Sharon said that the two would meet in order to advance a number of issues, centering on Palestinian efforts to end terrorism.
Also today, President Moshe Katsav called Abbas to congratulate him on his election victory, and to express the hope for further reconciliation. New Vice Premier Shimon Peres has also phoned Abbas to offer his compliments. "Israel will do all it can to help the Palestinians establish a democratic government, so we can live in peace as two democracies side by side," Peres said.
In other news, Palestinian National Security Adviser Jibril Rajoub announced his resignation today. Rajoub was for years the strongest figure in West Bank security apparatus. Rajoub is the first senior Palestinian official to resign since Abbas won his landslide victory.

 

TSUNAMI

IsraAID Sets Up Relief Camp in Sri Lanka
Tuesday, January 11, 2005

A group of Israelis from IsraAID, a coordinating body of Jewish organizations worldwide and non-governmental organizations based in Israel, arrived in Sri Lanka late Monday night to set up a relief camp, as part of the Israel Campaign For Southeast Asia Disaster, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. Members of IsraAID's 15-person team are identifiable by their t-shirts sporting the words "Israel Relief Force." The shirts have attracted a good deal of positive attention from local Sri Lankans, who have rushed to volunteer their services, according to Gal Lousky, an IsraAID coordinator.
The group's plan involves three main components: a field kitchen manned by local cooks, a field infirmary, and an area for orphaned and lost children to receive the care and attention they need. Lousky said the group's concept was unique in that no other organization in Sri Lanka was involved in covering every single aspect of the relief effort. IsraAID is collecting donations, sending people, and cooking food all by itself. She said that the efforts would focus mainly on the children's welfare, and getting 5,000 people fed per day.
The funding for the campaign is being provided by Israelis, and European and American Jewish communities.

 

Fifth Israeli Victim of the Tsunami Identified
Tuesday, January 11, 2005

The announcement this morning of the identification of the body of Meri Politi, an Israeli traveler who disappeared when the tsunami hit Southeast Asia, brought the number of Israelis killed in the disaster to five, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. Politi, 40, from Hod Hasharon, had been vacationing with her husband, David, in Thailand when the tsunami struck. David returned to Israel last Sunday to receive medical treatment for the injuries he suffered.
Four previously identified victims - Sharon Haliel, 22, from Gan Yavne, Hemda Cohen, 53, from Rishon Lezion, Zohar Aloni, 25, from Tel Aviv and Esther Levy, 57, from Ra'anana - were flown back to Israel and buried.
The identification of Politi's body has reduced the number of missing Israelis to two. The private search for Uzi Shagai, and his girlfriend of three years, Aya Shifra, who went missing in Thailand, was called off. A private team had sought the two 27-year-olds, last known to be in Kalook, Thailand, at the time of the tsunami. Their travel documents and passports were found last Sunday.

 

HOME

Supreme Court Allows Lesbian Couple to Adopt
Monday, January 10, 2005

In a breakthrough for same-sex couples, the Supreme Court ruled today in 7-2 decision that two lesbian women who have been living together for 15 years are allowed to adopt each other's children, HA'ARETZ reported. The women have had three children in the last 15 years, all through a sperm bank. In 1997 they petitioned the Ramat Gan Family Court seeking the right to adopt each other's children, and court recognition of their joint parenthood. The court rejected the petition, but did grant them guardianship of each other's children, a precedent that has since become customary. Their appeal to Tel Aviv District Court for adoption was also rejected. Three years ago, the women appealed to the Supreme Court, which decided an expanded panel would hear the case.

 

Western Wall Is Most Visited Tourist Site in Israel
Wednesday, January 12, 2005

A survey conducted by the Geocartographic Institute on behalf of the Tourism Ministry revealed today that the Western Wall is still the most visited site by foreign tourists in Israel, HA'ARETZ reported. The findings are based on tourist visits during the first half of 2004. According to the survey, 53 percent of all tourists visited the Western Wall in the first half of 2004. The second most visited site was the Jewish Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem. Old Jaffa came third, followed by the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Christian Quarter, the Via Dolorosa, the Tower of David, Massada, and Caesarea.
The poll also reveals that 75 percent of tourists visited Israel independently, while 13 percent came on organized tours. Eighty percent of tourists said their trip to Israel was very good, or excellent. On a scale of 1 to 5, the average score for overall satisfaction from a trip to Israel stood at 4.2. Ninety-five percent of tourists said they would encourage their friends to visit Israel, and 73 percent said they had no security concerns during their visit there.

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