Week in Review
November 15 - 21, 2003
Terrorism and Prevention in Israel
Palestinian terrorist kills two soldiers
A Palestinian gunman killed two Israel Defense Forces
soldiers standing at a checkpoint on the Tunnel Road, linking Jerusalem and
the Gush Etzion, HA'ARETZ reported. The soldiers were identified as Sergeant
Major Shlomi Belsky, 23, of Haifa and Staff Sergeant Shaul Lahav, 20, of Kibbutz
Shomrat.
The attack came as Palestinian factions discussed conditions for a new cease-fire.
According to initial security reports, the terrorist came from the nearby village
of El Khader. He was driven to the site, but then approached the checkpoint
by foot. Armed with a Kalashnikov automatic rifle hidden in a rolled up prayer
mat, he took cover in some bushes, and opened fire at the soldiers. The town
of El Khader and nearby Bethlehem were turned over to Palestinian security control
on July 2, at the start of the last hudna. The Bethlehem area has been considered
extremely quiet, with no incidents reported in the last few weeks.
Speaking from Brussels, Minister of Foreign Affairs Silvan Shalom said, "There's
no doubt that after what happened this morning, the possibilities of discussions
toward preparations for renewal of the [peace] process appear very distant."
Despite the three and a half weeks of apparent quiet, there have continued to
be over 40 impending attack warnings each day.
Funeral arrangements are under way for both the soldiers.
-from Israel Line on Tuesday, November 18, 2003
Jordanian terrorist shoots five tourists near Eilat
A Jordanian terrorist opened fire today in the Jordanian-Israel border crossing terminal north of Eilat, wounding five South American tourists, one of them critically, HA'ARETZ reported. The gunman, who slipped through the Jordanian border terminal, fired a number of bursts of automatic fire before Israeli security guards at the site killed him on a no-man's land strip, some 20 meters from the Israeli side of the terminal. Jordan condemned the attack, saying that the gunman had acted alone. "This was a individual act by a sole gunman," Jordanian Minister of State and government spokesperson Asma Khadr said. "We condemn this incident and Jordan's stance is clear against any acts of violence that target civilians," she added. Jordanian authorities made several arrests following the attack. Menachem Zelihovsky, a senior official of the Israeli Ports Authority said that the group of tourists was in the process of entering Israel while a number of trucks waited on the Jordanian side of the border. The terrorist apparently hid among the trucks, opening fire about 20 meters from the entrance of the terminal. Guards of the airports authority shot him shortly after he started firing.
-from Israel Line on Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Thirty three-year-old Patricia Nureta from Ecuador has died from the gunshot wounds she sustained Wednesday at the border crossing with Jordan when a Jordanian gunman opened fire on a group of tourists before being shot dead by Israeli security, Israel Radio, KOL YISRAEL, reported. Nureta was operated on at Soroka Hospital in Beersheva but did not survive the gunshot wounds to her head. Four other Ecuadorian pilgrims were lightly wounded and treated in Yosephtal Hospital in Eilat. The gunman, a truck driver from the Jordanian town of Zarka, passed through the Jordanian border terminal and started shooting at the tourists from a no-man's land area between the two terminals.
-from Israel Line on Thursday, November 20, 2003
24 Killed in Attacks against 2 Istanbul Synagogues
Security cameras captured on video one of the suicide bombers who carried out the attacks against two Istanbul synagogues on Saturday, killing 24 people, including 6 members of the Jewish community, and injuring 300, Israel Radio, KOL YISRAEL, reported. Turkey's Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu said Turkish experts were now trying to identify the bomber and indicated that his country would find those responsible for the blasts.
Al Qaida claimed responsibility for the two car bombings, issuing two separate statements. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan said Turkish intelligence officials were investigating Al Qaida's claims.
Israeli intelligence and explosives experts are working with Turkish teams to investigate the bombings. Minister of Foreign Affairs Silvan Shalom said that Israel would assist in the rebuilding of the two synagogues.
Foreign Ministry Director-General Yoav Biran briefed the cabinet on the attacks, saying approximately 100 of the nearly 300 wounded were Jews, according to THE JERUSALEM POST. Seventy of the Jewish wounded are still in the hospital, and four are listed in serious condition, Biran said, adding that while the attacks were aimed specifically at the Jewish community, they were also against Turkey. "This is an additional link in the chain of global terrorism," he said. "These attacks must be viewed in the context of anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli incitement in the Arab world, and in light of recent anti-Semitic outbursts in Europe," Biran told the cabinet. "Israel expects the international community to take practical steps against terrorism in addition to condemning the attacks."
Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry has warned travelers planning to go to Turkey to take every precaution. A spokesman said that the ministry has decided not to issue a warning on visiting Turkey. Over 300,000 Israelis visit Turkey annually, making it the most popular destination for Israeli tourists.
-from Israel Line on Monday, November 17, 2003
At least 26 Killed in Istanbul Blasts - Israel Extends Condolences to Turkey and the UK
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Minister of Foreign Affairs Silvan Shalom expressed their deep shock over today's terrorist attacks in Istanbul and extended condolences on behalf of Israel to the government and peoples of both Turkey and the United Kingdom, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. Five days after two suicide bombers attacked synagogues in Istanbul, killing 23 people, the commercial center of northern Istanbul was hit by a series of explosions today, killing at least 26 and wounding 400, Among the fatalities was British Consul General Roger Short. According to initial security reports, the attacks were all aimed at British targets: the British consulate, the British HSBC Bank and a new shopping center.
"Terror is a global phenomenon and the community of nations must unite against it while ensuring the values of democracy, freedom and liberties," Shalom said.
The counter-terrorism division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement warning against travel to Istanbul until a full assessment of the circumstances surrounding these terror attacks is completed. Israel's Ambassador to Turkey Pinhas Avivi has established a "situation room."
According to Turkey's Minister of Interior, today's bombings are linked to the synagogue attacks.
-from Israel Line on Thursday, November 21, 2003
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, is slated to hold talks
in Rome today with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, HA'ARETZ reported.
Sharon is expected to discuss with the Italian leader a pending EU condemnation
of Israel's West Bank security barrier and its snubbing of EU Middle East envoy
Marc Otte. Sharon, who arrived in Italy on Monday, two days after 24 people
were killed in twin bomb attacks on synagogues in Istanbul, will also be lobbying
for Italian support against an upsurge of anti-Semitic incidents. Ahead of his
talks with Berlusconi, Sharon met with Italian Defense Minister Antonio Martino
in Rome on Tuesday morning. The two discussed Iran's nuclear program and Syrian
support for terrorist organizations.
During the meeting, Sharon repeated the position that if the Palestinians were
to embark on a new cease-fire, Israel would also take steps to ensure calm.
"[Berlusconi] is a staunch fighter against anti-Semitism and therefore I think
he will beopen to our complaints and also to action that can be taken in Europe
to stop this," Sharon's spokesman Ra'anan Gissin said. Sharon has a warm relationship
with Berlusconi, under whom Italy has become a solid ally of Israel despite
strong EU criticism of Israeli military action to quell a three-year-old Palestinian
uprising. "Italy headed by Berlusconi has proven to be a very loyal and staunch
friend of Israel in a Europe that is not so friendly to Israel to say the least,"
a senior Israeli official said.
-from Israel Line on Tuesday, November 18, 2003
Meeting in Vienna today, the Israeli and Austrian foreign ministers stressed that the historical bond linking their two nations has impelled them to put aside four years of strained relations and rekindle their friendship, HA'ARETZ reported. In the first visit of an Israeli foreign minister to Austria since a diplomatic crisis broke out in 1999, Minister of Foreign Affairs Silvan Shalom said his government was convinced of the conservative Austrian leadership's commitment to fighting anti-Semitism, and ready to work closely with Austria once again. Israel withdrew its ambassador to Vienna in 1999, after the government formed a coalition with the Freedom Party, a right-wing force whose leaders have pandered to lingering anti-Semitic elements in Austria. The party remains in the governing coalition today; however, it lost much of its former strength following last year's elections, which saw a sharp decline in its support.
When asked why Israel decided to mend relations with Austria, despite the same government remaining in power, Shalom cited recent symbolic acts by Austrian officials indicating remorse for the country's role in the Holocaust. In particular, he mentioned a visit by Austrian Foreign Minsiter Benita Ferrero-Waldner to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial during an official trip to Israel in July.
-from Israel Line on Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Alliance Between North American and Israeli Technology CommunitiesBlue Knot, a networking alliance launched last year to link North American Jewish tech professionals, expanded its horizons with the launch of Blue Knot Israel, GLOBES reported. Blue Knot Israel links the North American and Israeli technology communities. It also connects Israelis in the technology sector to each other, and is intended to enhance the link between the Israeli technology community and the global network of Jewish technology professionals. Blue Knot is a national effort of United Jewish Communities (UJC) and the Jewish Federations of North America.
-from Israel Line on Wednesday, November 19, 2003
With Flags and Hugs, Delegates at UJC Assembly Show Solidarity
JERUSALEM, Nov. 17 (JTA) — Waving Israeli, American and Canadian flags and hoisting signs naming their hometowns, thousands of delegates at the Jewish federation system’s General Assembly wound their way through the back alleys, markets and main streets of Jerusalem, vowing to stand by Israel.
Some 4,300 North Americans and 2,000 Israelis have gathered in Jerusalem this week for the annual assembly of the United Jewish Communities, the umbrella organization of North American Jewish federations.
Under the theme “With Israel, In Israel: Shaping Our Common Future,” the 2003 assembly featured a welcome by Israel’s president and prime minister. Delegates were scheduled to tour the country, visiting a range of sites from immigration and absorption programs and high-tech companies to programs to aid needy Israelis.
On Monday’s solidarity march through Jerusalem, soldiers and delegates linked hands and danced the hora, vendors at the Mahane Yehuda market cheered, Israeli folk music and shofars blared, and blue and white balloons bobbed overhead. More
- from JTA News on Monday, November 17, 2003
http://www.jta.org/page_view_story.asp?strwebhead=G%2EA%2E+delegates+show+solidarity&intcategoryid=4