Discussion about 09/11/2001: [imra] Daily digest - Volume: 2 Issue: 1354 (15 messages)

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

[imra] Daily digest - Volume: 2 Issue: 1354 (15 messages)

imra Wed Mar 22 00:23:19 2006 Volume 2 : Issue 1354

In this issue of the imra daily Digest:

In an unusual public statement, Zakaria Zubeidi,
chief of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in Jenin,
admits that his organization receives operative
assistance from Hezbollah (funds, arms and training),
and that the organization exerts much influence on him
President Abbas Handed Government Lineup and Its Agenda
Press Release - PSR Poll No. 19 (16-18 March 06)
Poll: Settlers don't trust state institutions
3 Reports on Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms
Shlomo Dror: Kerem Shalom crossing
could have handled goods instead of Karni
Acting PM Olmert Tours Rutenberg Power
Station in Ashkelon [no restrictions on IDF]
MEMRI: The Will of Al-Qaeda Commander in
Saudi Arabia [equally against Christians and Jews]
Our World: Israel's uninformed electorate
Transcript: Kol Yisrael Radio Interview of Esther Pollard
on US Supreme Court Dismissal of Jonathan's Petition
Lieberman: Olmert plan strengthens Hamas
Two reports - Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms
Health Ministry: Bird Flu Poses No Danger To The Public
Pollards Grateful After US Supreme Court Dismissal
Excerpts: Bad news for Jordan's mothers.
Opportunity for secularists in Arab society.21 March 2006

----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: In an unusual public statement, Zakaria Zubeidi,
chief of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in Jenin,
admits that his organization receives operative
assistance from Hezbollah (funds, arms and training),
and that the organization exerts much influence on him

From:
Dr. Reuven Erlich
Director
The Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
at the Center for Special Studies (C.S.S) Intelligence and Terrorism
Information Center at the
Center for Special Studies (C.S.S)

The Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center

Download PDF file
www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/pdf/zakaria_zubeidi_e.pdf

The Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center is the educational and
documentary center of the national memorial site of the Israeli intelligence
community. It is located at the Center for Special Studies (C.S.S.), at
Gelilot near Tel Aviv, and specializes in information about intelligence and
terrorism. It regularly releases exclusive information on its Internet site,
both in Hebrew and English ( www.terrorism-info.org.il ), a large
percentage of which is based on original Palestinian documents captured by
Israeli forces.

------------------------------

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: President Abbas Handed Government Lineup and Its Agenda

President Abbas Handed Government Lineup and Its Agenda
www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_new/english/details.asp?name=14566

GAZA, Palestine, March20, 2006 (IPC+ Agencies) -[Official PA website] After
the Popular Front For Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) took its crucial
decision in the last moment not to join Hmas led governmnet, the Prime
Minister Designate Ismael Haneya brought to his meeting with the President
Mahmoud Abbas Sunday evening the line-up of his government enlisting 24
ministers, dominated strongly by Hamas leaders in the absence of other
Palestinian factions.

The President Mahmnoud Abbas announced that he would transfer the list to
the Palestine Liberation Organization's executive committee within 48 hours,
after which the proposed cabinet is to be brought before the Palestinian
parliament for confidnece vote.

Abbas undesrcosred that hard challenges and stumbling blocks are rife in his
way and the new governmnet but with good wlling and resolvness such
challenges could be coped with.

"I met with Ismael Haneya and presented the list of ministers whom he
proposed, within 24 or 48 hours I will convene meeting with PLO executive
committee to be briefed on the new line-up," Abbas said in a press briefing
in the presidential compound in Gaza city following the meeting with Haneya.

He said further" after that a transaction would be taken, the government
will be set before the legislative council for approval then a decree
accrediting the government line-up."

The matter is not simple," said Abbas. "We and the new government are facing
difficulties and obstacles, but with determination and will, God willing we
will overcome such challenges."

Questioned about whether he accepted Hamas's agenda for the government or
not the president Abbas elaborated "all matters will be discussed with the
executive committee."

After meeting with Abbas, Haneya signaled out Sunday that Abbas will study
the proposed cabinet saying, "I can say that the trend is positive, toward
constitutional stability in the Palestinian arena."

Haneya asserted that key of the portfolios were handed to the prominent
leaders of Hamas movement, pointing out that Dr Mahmoud Zahar foreign
minister and Said Sayam interior minister.

He also elaborated that the new government will include 14 ministers from
the West Bank and 10 others from Gaza Strip and a Christian. Technocrats and
independents dominated Hamas- led cabinet.

Israeli fear and rejection

An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Israel
will refuse any contacts with a "terror" government led by Hamas and
continue to withhold PNA worth tax and customs payments as long as Hamas
disagree to renounce violence, recognize Israel and previous agreements.

On her part, Foreign Minister Tizivi Livni said that that dedicated teams
are gearing to persuade the world public opinion not to recognize a
Palestinian government led by Hamas

During the weeking meeting of the cabeint, Livni told the ministers that the
teams will continue efforts among members of the international community in
a bid to prevent any erosion in the prerequisites posed by Israel, including
recognizing Israel, dismantling the terror organizations, and honoring
agreements signed by the Palestinians.

On his part, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said Sunday night that Palestinian
Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) was facing his moment of truth
in authorizing the makeup of the Hamas government, which would turn the
Palestinian Authority into a terror entity.

Mofaz said " it was clearly a Hamas government that does not hide its
intentions. If Abu Mazen fails to act now and brings the cabinet to the
parliament's approval, he will officially turn the Palestinian Authority
into a terror entity."

------------------------------

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Press Release - PSR Poll No. 19 (16-18 March 06)

20 March 2006
PRESS RELEASE
Palestinian Public Opinion Poll No. (19)
ON THE EVE OF THE FORMATION OF THE NEW PALESTINIAN GOVERNMENT, HAMAS'
POPULARITY INCREASES AND FATEH'S DECREASES, BUT A MAJORITY OF THE
PALESTINIANS WANTS THE CONTINUATION OF THE PEACE PROCESS AND THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ROAD MAP
16-18 March 2006

These are the results of the latest poll conducted by the Palestinian Center
for Policy and Survey Research in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip during
March 16-18, 2006. Total size of the sample is 1270 adults interviewed face
to face in 127 randomly selected locations. Margin of error is 3%.

For further details, contact PSR director, Dr. Khalil Shikaki, or Walid
Ladadweh at tel 02-296 4933 or email pcpsr@pcpsr.org

If elections are held today, 47% would vote for Hamas and 39% for Fateh. In
the Gaza Strip, Hamas receives 51% of the vote and Fateh 37%. (In this poll
46% said that on the day of the elections in January 25, they have voted for
Hamas and 44% said they have voted for Fateh. The actual official figures of
the Palestinian Central Elections commission gave only 44% for Hamas and 41%
for Fateh.)

In the view of 37% of the public, Hamas won the parliamentary elections
because voters wanted first and foremost an Islamic Palestinian authority
that rules according to religious Sharia. But 36% believe that Hamas won
because voters wanted first and foremost a clean authority that fights
corruption, 9% said voters wanted first and foremost a strong authority that
ends
anarchy, and 7% said voters wanted first and foremost a fighting authority
that resists occupation.

In the view of 52% Fateh lost the elections because voters wanted first and
foremost to punish it for the spread of corruption while 19% think it lost
first and foremost because it was divided and leaderless, and 17% because it
failed to end anarchy, and 5% because of the peace process

70% expect Hamas to succeed, and 22% expect it to fail, in leading and
managing the Palestinian Authority. 69% are not worried and 30% are worried
about their personal freedoms now that Hamas has won the elections.

68% believe the PA can not manage without international financial support
and 50% expect that support to be terminated. But 78% believe that Hamas
will find alternative Arab and Islamic sources. Despite international
pressure, 59% believe Hamas should not recognize Israel and 37% believe it
should.

75% say that Hamas should engage Israel in peace negotiations. 64% identify
themselves as supporters of the peace process and only 14% say they are
opposed to the peace process. 53% want the newly elected authority to
implement the Road Map and 49% want it to collect arms from the armed
factions while 21% do not want it to interfere in the arms of the factions
and 27% say the PA should enact laws that allow the factions to keep their
arms. 82% support integrating armed groups in the Palestinian security
services.

93% believe the US and Britain are implicated in the Israeli attack on the
Jericho jail and the arrest of Ahmad Sa'adat. But a majority of 51% supports
only peaceful Palestinian responses to that or no response at all. A total
of 46% support various responses ranging from attacking and burning offices,
kidnapping of American and British nationals, or even armed attacks against
American and British nationals.

In other domestic affairs:

44% want to give the Palestinian Legislative Council more powers than the PA
president while 19% want the opposite and 32% want to give the two equal
powers.

44% believe the most serious problem confronting the Palestinians today is
unemployment and poverty, 25% believe it is the continuation of the
occupation, and 24% believe it is corruption and lack of reforms.

75% say they and their families do not feel secure and safe under the
Palestinian Authority

91% say there is corruption in the PA today, but for the first time since
1996, 65% among those think that corruption will decrease in the future.
------------------
This PSR survey was conducted with the support of the Konrad Adenauer
Foundation in Ramallah.

------------------------------

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Poll: Settlers don't trust state institutions

Poll: Settlers disengage from state

Recent survey shows most settlers distrust police, High Court, State,
citizens living within green line and, mostly media; Rabbis remain popular,
some 46 percent say they respect IDF. Large number of settlers say religious
nationalist parties, Yesha failed in protecting their cause

Guy Mei-Tal YNET 20 March 2006
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3229931,00.html

A poll conducted among settlers after the evacuation of the Amona illegal
outpost has found that two-thirds of the community are disappointed and
angry with the State's policy towards them, Israel's leading newspaper
Yedioth Ahronoth reported Monday.

Some 71 percent of settler youths who took part in the poll said they trust
no one in their struggle against government plans to evacuate more settlers
from the West Bank.
Demonstration

Gaza evacuees protest salary failures / Shmulik Hadad

Former Gush Katif settlers say they have yet to receive promised salaries
while attending conversion courses for other professions; staff at
Employment Service refuses to speak to demonstrators
Full story

The poll, which was conducted among 828 respondents from 43 settlements,
also probed the popularity of Yesha council leaders and religious
nationalist parties.

About 56 percent of respondents said the National Religious Party and
National Union party "failed," with only 14 percent expressing satisfaction
with their policy.

The Yesha Council also saw its popularity drop, with 49 percent of
respondents saying its leaders' strategy towards the government failed, in
comparison to 25 percent who approved of the council.

Rabbis were the most popular among respondents.

'Bond between army, settlers must be strengthened'

Three in every four respondents said they do not trust the High Court of
Justice, two-thirds distrust the Israel Police, and one-third said they
distrust Israelis living within the green line.

The media is perceived as the most anti-settler institution, with 83 percent
saying they distrust its coverage of their cause.

About 46 percent said they trust the IDF in comparison to 29 percent who
said their trust in the military institution has dwindled since the August
disengagement from the Gaza Strip.

Despite the alarming findings, 62 percent of polled youth said
confrontations with the army and the police during the disengagement and the
evacuation of Amona have not deterred them from enlisting to the national
service.

Only 20 percent said they will not serve the army.

Settler leader Pinchas Wallerstein said the poll's findings are reassuring,
citing that a mere 7 percent of respondents said they support having
recourse to violence should the government go ahead with further pullouts
from the West Bank.

"Despite the disappointment with the security forces the IDF enjoys a
favorable treatment when the High Court and the police's popularity have
dropped. We need to invest a lot of time in strengthening the bond between
the army and the people so that the split does not widen," he said.

(03.20.06, 11:34)

------------------------------

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: 3 Reports on Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms

3 Reports on Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms

PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

#1 Security Chaos and Proliferation of Weapons
Clashes between Armed Groups or with Security Forces

Field Update
20 March 2006

4 Persons Injured in an Armed Clash between Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and
Palestinian Police

Four Palestinians were injured in an armed clash between members of the
al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and Palestinian Police on Salah al-Din Road, near
Beit Hanoun in the north of the Gaza Strip. The injured included 2
policemen, a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, and a civilian
bystander.

According to preliminary investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately
09:30 on Monday, 20 March 2006, an exchange of fire took place between
members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah
movement, and Palestinian Police on Salah al-Din Road leading to Beit Hanoun
crossing. A Police officer, Na'el Nizar Abu Salmeya, 32, from al-Shati
refugee camp, was injured by shrapnel to the abdomen. The armed group had
closed the road with explosive devices, and deployed its members on both
sides of the road. They intercepted Palestinian police vehicles on their way
to Beit Hanoun crossing to escort the chief of Palestinian police, Major
General Alaa' Hosni. They were demanding jobs and registering their names in
the security forces' lists.

The clashes between the two sides intensified as police reinforcements were
brought to the area. The clashes continued until 10:00, and resulted in
injuring 3 people:
1. Nazih Rashid Abu Odeh, 25, from Beit Hanoun, injured by a live
bullet to the left foot when he was driving a tractors;
2. Mowaffaq Jama'an al-Nansh, 22, from Beit Hanoun, one of the
gunmen, injured by a live bullet to the right thigh; and
3. Mohammed Abu Sitta, 31, from Beit Hanoun, one of the gunmen and a
member of the Preventive Security Service, wounded by a live bullet to the
right hand.

At approximately 10:30, a number of the guards of chief of the police, Major
General Alaa' Hosni arrived at Balsam Hospital in Beit Lahia. They opened
fire inside the hospital. They transported their colleague who was injured
in the aforementioned clash from Balsam Hospital to Shifa Hospital in Gaza
City.

PCHR is concerned about the continuation of internal violence, which
constitutes a continuum of the state of security chaos in the Occupied
Palestinian Territory. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian National Authority,
represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate these attacks, and bring
the perpetrators to justice.

#2 Security Chaos and Proliferation of Weapons
Misuse of Weapons

Field Update
20 March 2006

Two Persons Seriously Wounded Due to Misuse of Weapons

At approximately 13:00 on Sunday, 19 March 2006, Mohammed Shaheen Khader,
43, a taxi driver working at Rafah International Crossing Point, was
seriously wounded by a live bullet to the head. A number of members of the
al-Aqsa Martyrs of Fatah movement traveling in a civilian car (white
Mercedes) opened fire, because a traveler whom they were waiting was late in
arriving at the Palestinian side due to technical problems at the crossing
point.

At approximately 13:30 also on Sunday, an explosion occurred inside a house
belonging to 'Emad Hassan Taha, 34, in Nusairat refugee camp in the central
Gaza Strip. Taha was seriously injured. According to Palestinian security
sources, the explosion resulted from a locally made bomb.

#3 Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms
Attacks on Public Institutions and Officials

Field Update
20 March 2006

Armed Groups and Families Attack Public Institutions in the Gaza Strip

On Monday, 20 March 2006, armed groups and families attacked public
institutions and officials in the Gaza Strip, in the context of the state of
security chaos in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

At approximately 01:00 on Monday, 20 March 2006, an armed group belonging to
Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah movement, stormed the
electricity generation facility to the north of Nusairat refugee camp in the
center of the Gaza Strip. The gunmen stormed the facility under heavy
gunfire in an effort to pressure the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to
provide jobs for them.

According to PCHR's initial investigation, a National Security Force
dispatch arrived at the scene to clear the gunmen from the facility.
However, the gunmen refused and exchanged fire with the National Security
Force for nearly 2 hours. The clash resulted in the injury of a National
Security Force officer, Na'el Khamis Abu Khadra, 25, from Nusairat refugee
camp, who was hit with a bullet to the abdomen. He was evacuated to the
al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, where his condition was described
as serious. The attack on the station continued until 04:00, when the gunmen
left the station.

It is noted that the electricity generation facility came under several
attacks by armed Palestinian groups in the past. The last attack was on 11
March 2006, when a number of Fatah gunmen tried to storm the facility. They
were requesting jobs.

At approximately 08:00, a number of persons from the Abu Draz family closed
the gate of al-Karma Military Hospital in 'Abasan village, east of Khan
Yunis. They requested the medical crew of the hospital to suspend their
work. They declared the closure of the hospital until the achievement of
their demand that 5 members of the family being employed. The
administration of the hospital was forced to close the hospital and transfer
patients to other hospitals in Khan Yunis.

At approximately 09:00, 4 armed persons from the Shahwan family opened fire
near Khan Yunis Central Court that was considering the case of murdering one
of their relatives. The Palestinian police tried to close the area, and
members of the Shahwan family set fire to tires. At approximately 11:50, as
the police were escorting the defendants out of the court, a number of
members of the Shahwan family three stones and two locally made bombs at the
police. Police officers opened fire in the air to disperse them. No
casualties were reported.

At approximately 10:00, at least 40 militants from the al-Aqsa Martyrs
Brigades, the military wing of Fatah movement, closed the road leading to
the governmental compound, which included the Ministry of Finance, in
al-Remal neighborhood in Gaza City. They besieged the building claiming
that they have not received their salaries for several months. Half n hour
later, the police arrived at the area. The militants who took position on
the roof of the building clashed with the police for half an hour. Two
staff members of the Palestinian Foreign Ministry in the area were wounded:
1. Salem al-Farra, 35, wounded by two live bullets to the thigh; and
2. Suleiman al-'Aklouk, 27, wounded by a live bullet to the hand.

PCHR is concerned about the continuation of these dangerous attacks, which
constitute a continuum of the state of security chaos in the Occupied
Palestinian Territory. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian National Authority,
represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate these attacks, and bring
the perpetrators to justice.

------------------------------

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Shlomo Dror: Kerem Shalom crossing
could have handled goods instead of Karni

Shlomo Dror: Kerem Shalom crossing could have handled goods instead of Karni

Aaron Lerner Date: 20 March 2006

Despite terror warnings, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz decided Monday to open
the Karni border crossing that links Israel and the Gaza Strip. The
crossing will open Monday afternoon for only several hours to transfer basic
goods to the Palestinians out of fear that a humanitarian crisis will
develop in Gaza.

Shlomo Dror, spokesperson for the Coordinator of Activities in the
Territories, told IMRA today that the alternative Kerem Shalom crossing,
that is fully equipped with screening and other equipment, could have
readily handled the traffic. The Kerem Shalom crossing typically handles
goods passing between Egypt and the PA via Israel.

MK Uzi Landau (Likud) criticized the decision today, saying that "it would
be better for the trucks to drive a few more kilometers than for the lives
of Israelis to be endangered."

Critics point out that the Olmert Administration failed miserably in
handling the challenge of explaining to the world that the Palestinians were
to blame by preferring to have Palestinians starve than for the goods to go
through Kerem Shalom. It is noteworthy that Shimon Peres, who would have a
key role in a Kadima coalition, took a lead today in undermining Israel's
information campaign efforts by justifying the opening of Karni rather than
criticizing the Palestinians for refusing to allow Kerem Shalom to be used
for the movement of goods between the PA and Israel.

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(Mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
Website: http://www.imra.org.il

------------------------------

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Acting PM Olmert Tours Rutenberg Power
Station in Ashkelon [no restrictions on IDF]

[IMRA: "the Acting Prime Minister emphasized that no restrictions have been
imposed on IDF actions" = the best that the IDF can do to stop rockets
slamming into the power station is to fire artillery shells into empty
fields? It should be noted that Mr. Olmert cites this achievement as a
model for security in the center of the country after the retreat he
proposes is carried out.]

Acting PM Olmert Tours Rutenberg Power Station in Ashkelon
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert today (Monday), 20.3.06, toured the
Rutenberg Power Station in Ashkelon. Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, National
Infrastructures Minister Ronnie Bar-On, Ashkelon Mayor Ronnie Mehatzri,
senior Israel Electric Corporation officials, Mekorot representatives and
senior Israel Police officers (inter alia) accompanied the Acting Prime
Minister.

Acting Prime Minister Olmert held discussions on issues related to the city
of Ashkelon, including security, the absorption of Gaza Strip evacuees, the
employment situation, etc.

Acting Prime Minister Olmert commended the Israel Electric Corporation on
its incoming and outgoing Directors-General. Regarding the security
situation, the Acting Prime Minister emphasized that no restrictions have
been imposed on IDF actions and noted that the security forces have had many
recent counter-terrorist successes.

Acting Prime Minister Olmert said that the Ashkelon region was vital to the
State of Israel: "This is a region that must attract both a strong
population and tourists. The State of Israel will not countenance actions
that harm the region's quality of life. We cannot detail everything but we
are optimistic regarding our counter-terrorism efforts and I believe that
terrorism will be significantly reduced."

------------------------------

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: MEMRI: The Will of Al-Qaeda Commander in
Saudi Arabia [equally against Christians and Jews]

Special Dispatch - Saudi Arabia / Jihad & Terrorism Studies Project
March 21, 2006
No. 1120

The Will of Al-Qaeda Commander in Saudi Arabia Fahd Al-Farraj

To view this Special Dispatch in HTML, visit:
http://www.memri.org/bin/opener_latest.cgi?ID=SD112006 .

The following are excerpts from a recorded will of Al-Qaeda Commander in
Saudi Arabia Fahd Al Farraj, aired on www.alsaha.com on March 17, 2006.

TO VIEW THIS CLIP: http://www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=1078 .

The will of Commander Fahd bin Farraj Al-Jweir Al-Farraj, one of the
commanders of the Al-Qaeda organization in the Arabian Peninsula.

Fahd Al-Farraj in training in the Arabian Peninsula.

The Battar Camp.

Drive the polytheists out of the Arabian Peninsula

Fahd Al Farraj: "I want to clarify and to reiterate the goals we wish to
accomplish, with Allah's help, and to respond to some doubts about the
mujahideen, raised by the scholars of evil, who level such accusations
against them. First of all, the goal of our jihad is to elevate the word of
Allah, to drive the polytheists out of the peninsula of Muhammad, to apply
his law in all aspects of life and on all people, and to remove injustice
from our oppressed brothers everywhere."

[...]

"To all the Muslim peoples wherever they may be, I say: How long will you
remain silent? How long will you accept this humiliation and degradation?
How long will you continue to be ruled by the law of the tyrants, yet remain
silent? Where is your Islam? Where is your worship of Allah? Islam is not a
religion in name only - it is a religion of faith and action. The
Crusaders, the Hindus, the Zoroastrians, and their apostate helpers rule and
control you and your brothers. They are fighting against your religion, and
are fighting you in your livelihood. They are violating your honor, yet you
remain silent. Have your humiliation and degradation brought you that low?
Would you agree to become apostates, Jews, or Christians? Would you agree to
abandon the religion of Islam?"

[...]

"I ask every Muslim on the face of the earth: Would you agree that one of
these infidels enter your home, and violate the honor of your sister, your
mother, or your daughter? Of course you would not. The women in Palestine,
Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya, Indonesia, Kashmir, and the Philippines are our
sisters, our mothers, and our daughters. I am amazed how you can continue to
sleep undisturbed, while your brothers are being killed, and the honor of
your sisters is being violated. Awaken from your slumber, and support your
oppressed brothers. Fight for the sake of Allah, and you will receive one of
the two good things: victory or martyrdom."

[...]

"To the security forces, I say: I am amazed at you. When you are told to
wage jihad, you cling to this world. But when [Saudi Interior Minister
Prince] Naif Bin Abd Al-'Aziz tells you to sell your souls to his government
and to fight for his sake, and to defend the Americans, in exchange for
3,000 riyals and hell - you are willing to sell your souls cheaply. Have you
stooped so low? Are your souls worthless for you? He calls you 'martyrs of
duty,' but think what you will say to Allah if you meet him, after having
killed a mujaheed who fought for the sake of Allah, in order to defend the
Americans, or if he killed you when you were defending the tyrants. Stop
working for the tyrant, and join the mujahideen, otherwise - you know full
well who the mujahideen are, and what they have prepared for those who stand
in their way."

[...]

"To the Saudi government, I say: All I say to you is what the Prophet
Muhammad said to the infidels of Qureysh, when he was alone: 'I have brought
slaughter upon you.' By Allah, your kingdom will come to an end. The
mujahideen will defeat you. Do you know why? Because Allah supports us, and
no one supports you. Do you know why? Because Allah said in the Koran: 'If
you support Allah, He will support you,' and we trust and believe in the
promise of Allah. If you only knew what our young men have in store for you,
you would be busy arranging your escape from this peninsula."

[...]

"To the Americans, I say: Get out of the peninsula of Muhammad, and all the
lands of the Muslims, and stop supporting the Jews in Palestine and the
Christians in the lands of the Muslims. Otherwise, you will encounter only
death, destruction, and explosions."

*********************
The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) is an independent,
non-profit organization that translates and analyzes the media of the Middle
East. Copies of articles and documents cited, as well as background
information, are available on request.

MEMRI holds copyrights on all translations. Materials may only be used with
proper attribution.

The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI)
P.O. Box 27837, Washington, DC 20038-7837
Phone: (202) 955-9070
Fax: (202) 955-9077
E-Mail: memri@memri.org
Search previous MEMRI publications at www.memri.org

------------------------------

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Our World: Israel's uninformed electorate

Our World: Israel's uninformed electorate
Caroline Glick, THE JERUSALEM POST Mar. 20, 2006
www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1139395642779&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

On the eve of the Knesset elections, Israel faces multiple challenges.
Hamas, in appointing technocrats and terrorists to run its new government is
showing that it is possible to learn from the Nazi model of governance. Even
genocidal mass murderers who seduce their societies with delusions of racial
and religious supremacy can receive international acclaim if they make the
trains run on time.

Israel's political spectrum is divided between the Left, represented by
Kadima and the Right represented by Likud. Kadima wishes to contend with the
Hamas threat by making a public show of shunning Hamas while surrendering
Judea and Samaria to the terror organization.

The Likud points out that surrendering Judea and Samaria to Hamas will make
it impossible to defend the rest of the country. Since Likud doesn't think
that Israel should surrender its right to defend itself by turning its
heartland over to a global terrorist organization which together with Fatah
and Islamic Jihad has already murdered over 1,100 Israelis and remains
committed to annihilating Israel, it objects to surrendering any territory
to Hamas.

It has been repeatedly noted in this column that the Israeli media has
blocked all public debate on this issue. The media mollycoddles politicians
on the Left - applauding them for mindlessly repeating the talking points
they received from their public relations advisers. Politicians on the Right
on the other hand are harassed, insulted and forced on the defensive for
daring to suggest that expelling Israelis from their homes and transferring
their land to Hamas might not be in Israel's best interest.

It isn't just issues related to Israel's national security that are shunted
under the rug by our media stars as they obsess over our politicians'
relative likeability and body language. All issues of concern are ignored.

A week before the elections, it seems worthwhile to look at a few of these
other issues so that we will at least have some idea of what is at stake.

FIRST, WE have the economy. Of all the parties running in these elections,
only two have enunciated their economic policies in any coherent manner.
Likud, led by Binyamin Netanyahu is a free market, small government party.

Labor, led by union boss Amir Peretz who oversaw the Histadrut labor union
as it plunged into bankruptcy taking several workers' pension funds with it,
and held the national economy hostage to its illegal general strikes,
maintains that Israel must adopt the South American socialist model that has
done such wonders for the Argentinean, Venezuelan and Bolivian economies.

The front-running Kadima party has outlined no economic platform. Acting
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert both promises to continue the free market reforms
Netanyahu pushed through as finance minister, and to reverse them, while his
deputy Shimon Peres promises an end to "piggish capitalism."

Kadima's incoherence serves its needs in the election season because the
only question that the media considers relevant or newsworthy is whether a
candidate or a party expresses sufficient "social sensitivity." Translated
into talking points this means that candidates are judged by the amount of
contempt they level against Netanyahu for having implemented free market
reforms.

While Netanyahu's reforms caused a large, sustained drop in unemployment and
moved Israel from the brink of economic collapse to become the fastest
growing market in the Western world, the media barrages the public with
unsubstantiated, and transparently imaginary statistics proclaiming that a
quarter of Israel's children are starving.

Aside from the invisible hundreds of thousands of starving kids, no one
seems to care that workers just barely scraping the borders of the middle
class are paying 33-40 percent income taxes, or that VAT - a regressive tax
if there ever was one - is 16.5 percent. It doesn't seem to bother anyone
that our markets are run by monopolists that overcharge us for everything
from food to housing to banking services because they can because they are
monopolists.

All the journalists who ooze "social sensitivity" never seem to make a
connection between overtaxed business owners and unemployment or low wages
for skilled and unskilled, educated and uneducated workers. Given the
media's love affair with South American socialism, it should surprise no one
that those minor parties that have something to say about the economy
generally say that they hate and oppose capitalism and small government.

ASIDE FROM the economy, there is the issue of Israel's constitutional
crisis. During the course of the campaign, there have been several notable
episodes which illustrated the depths of Israel's constitutional morass.

First we have the interim government's treatment of the Knesset's
investigative committee into police brutality against protesters at Amona
last month. Acting in clear contempt of the Knesset, Internal Security
Minister Gideon Ezra and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz barred their senior
officers from testifying before the committee. The fact that as government
ministers in a parliamentary democracy they are constitutionally bound to
uphold the decisions of the Knesset seems to have made no impression
whatsoever on the ministers - who have the full support of the media in
their law-breaking activities.

Then we have the odd decision by Attorney-General Menachem Mazuz to appoint
himself arbiter of what decisions the interim government is allowed to make
before the elections. Last week, Mazuz ordered the Health Ministry's
medications committee, which is responsible for determining what
prescription drugs should be covered by state medical insurance, to desist
from convening until after the elections. It never seemed to occur to Mazuz
that it might not be any of his business whether the committee convenes
since absolutely no legal issue is raised by the schedule of its meetings.

Mazuz's decision to turn a committee of civil servants into a matter under
his purview is just the latest in a series of dubious if not downright
unacceptable maneuvers on his part that have served to empower him far
beyond what any reasonable person would deem reasonable.

Following Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's massive stroke in January, Mazuz
invented a bit of Orwellian legalistic gobbledygook by defining Sharon's
condition as of one of "temporary incapacity of a permanent character."

Mazuz had good reason to act as he did. If he had simply declared that
Sharon was "permanently incapacitated" - which he is - then a complicated,
multi-step procedure for selecting and approving a new prime minister and
government would have been set in motion, the results of which are unclear.
But by declaring Sharon "temporarily incapacitated on a permanent basis,"

Mazuz blocked that procedure from taking place. In so doing, he seized the
power to select the prime minister from Israel's elected officials,
effectively anointing himself the prime minister's sole elector.

Israel's constitutional crisis has two central characteristics - the Knesset
is emasculated and the legal establishment as represented by the
Attorney-General and the Supreme Court is disproportionately empowered. By
all rights, this state of affairs should have been a major issue in the
election campaign. Yet, it has received no attention.

Before his temporary incapacitation of a permanent nature, Sharon and his PR
consultants began espousing support for constitutional reform that would
transform Israel from a parliamentary democracy to a presidential democracy.
Since Olmert replaced Sharon, Kadima has been all but silent on the issue.

For its part, Labor members have repeatedly voiced their satisfaction with
the current imbalance of powers. This makes sense because in constitutional
matters, the state prosecution and the Supreme Court routinely rule in
accordance with their members' leftist political beliefs thus empowering the
Left well beyond its numerical support among the public.

NETANYAHU HAS stated his preference for a reform of the method of electing
Knesset members. The Likud supports splitting the ballots so that 60 members
of Knesset will be selected directly by voters on a regional basis while the
other 60 will continue to be elected by the proportional party lists.

There can be little doubt that a movement away from proportional elections
will not only increase accountability by tying parliamentarians to their
constituents, it will also eliminate some of the smallest splinter parties
and so stabilize Israeli governments.

In the next few years, Israel's security, economic growth and constitutional
order will all be challenged in both familiar and unfamiliar ways. Sadly,
because of our media's temporary bias and superficiality of a permanent
nature which causes it to squelch all public debate on all the issues of the
day, as we go to the ballot box next week, we will be casting votes that
will influence how those challenges will be met without the least awareness
of either the issues at stake or the manner in which the political parties
will contend with them.

Then again, since they have never been challenged on any of these issues,
most of our politicians are also unaware of them.

------------------------------

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Transcript: Kol Yisrael Radio Interview of Esther Pollard
on US Supreme Court Dismissal of Jonathan's Petition

Transcript: Kol Yisrael Radio Interview of Esther Pollard
on US Supreme Court Dismissal of Jonathan's Petition

J4JP Release - March 21, 2006

Kol Yisrael's broadcast anchor, Yaacov Achimeir, interviewed Esther Pollard
in Hebrew on Reshet Bet, 21 March 2006. The transcript of the interview
appears below as translated by J4JP.

YAACOV ACHIMEIR: We turn now to Esther Pollard, the wife of Jonathan
Pollard, convicted of espionage on behalf of Israel - he is sitting in
prison in Butner USA. I ask you, dear lady, do you have any expectations of
the upcoming Israeli elections in Israel?

ESTHER POLLARD: Here's the issue, Yaacov, with regard to what is happening
to my husband: this is the first time in the history of modern espionage
that an agent has been forced to face a court of law on his own, in the
country where he operated, without receiving any support from the country
which sent him and for whom he sacrificed himself.

Yaacov, it is now 21 years! Ayfoh HaBoosha?! (Where is the sense of shame?!)
To this very day they are not working for Jonathan's release and not giving
him any backing!

YAACOV ACHIMEIR: But, Prime Ministers, when they meet with the Presidents -
the latest one is President Bush - the say that they keep bringing up the
issue of Jonathan Pollard with the president.

ESTHER POLLARD: That's just what they tell the Israeli media. But to us they
have been saying, look there is still an on-going legal initiative. But now,
Yaacov, no one can claim that there is still an on-going legal initiative!
It is over. Every additional minute that Jonathan remains in prison his
life is at risk. The government - the Prime Minster must act at once -
before this day is over!

The decision of the Supreme Court to dismiss Jonathan's case - like all of
the previous dismissals by the courts - was based solely on technical
considerations, with absolutely no consideration given to the substance of
Jonathan's petition.

YAACOV ACHIMEIR: They refused, in the United States.

ESTHER POLLARD: They refused to hear it.

YAACOV ACHIMEIR: They refused to allow his attorneys to see additional
documents.

ESTHER POLLARD: No. That's not it. They simply refused to hear the petition.
This is exactly what happened with all of Jonathan's previous petitions as
well. People have the impression that perhaps Jonathan's case was not
convincing enough - but that is not so - the court simply rejected the
petition without ever hearing it, without ever considering the actual merits
of the case - on technicality only.

YAACOV ACHIMEIR: But now I would like to return to my first question, the
one that is close to my heart, with your permission, Esther Pollard: what do
you expect from whomever is be elected to lead the Government of Israel
with regard to the issue of Mr. Pollard, your husband?

ESTHER POLLARD: (responds with a pun in Hebrew) You know, even the ordinary
citizen on the street understands that whomever is willing to leave a
wounded soldier "me'akhora" (behind) is not capable of leading the nation
"Kadima!" (forward)

Whenever I am out in public, people come up to me again and again to express
their outrage at the ingratitude and irresponsibility of the Government,
which instead of freeing from captivity the one who served the State and
saved the lives of Israeli citizens, just threw him to the dogs.

As long as we do not see Jonathan Pollard here, there is no relying on the
promises of any political party or of any Israeli leader.

YAACOV ACHIMEIR: And how do you feel about the struggle that is not being
waged in the United States by American Jews on the issue of Pollard, perhaps
out of fear that that will be accused of dual loyalty?

ESTHER POLLARD: They take their marching orders, their instructions, from
the Government of Israel. As long as the Government of Israel continues to
turn its back on Jonathan everyone else will continue to do the same.

I want to repeat and reiterate: He is in mortal danger. Every additional
moment, every additional second that Jonathan remains in prison, his life
hangs in the balance. There is no reason to wait to bring him home in a
coffin, G-d forbid!

If Ehud Olmert - our current prime minister - if he does not immediately
turn to President Bush to demand an immediate end to this travesty, and to
free my husband after 21 years in prison, then Mr. Olmert will personally be
sentencing Jonathan to death.

YAACOV ACHIMEIR: I thank you very much, Esther Pollard..

ESTHER POLLARD: Thank you.

YAACOV ACHIMEIR: Good morning to you! And good morning to your husband
Jonathan, in FCI Butner in the United States!

SEE ALSO: (coming soon to www.jonathanpollard.org)

Hebrew Text: Pollards Respond to US Supreme Court Dismissal of Petition -
Media Release

English Text: Pollards Respond to US Supreme Court Dismissal of Petition -
Media Release

Click here to hear the above interview in Hebrew

------------------------------

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Lieberman: Olmert plan strengthens Hamas

Lieberman: Olmert plan strengthens Hamas
By Mazal Mualem Haaretz 21 March 2006
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/696507.html

Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman yesterday launched his first
attack on Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's plan for a further unilateral
withdrawal in the West Bank.

"The more Kadima talks, with excessive confidence, about Olmert's diplomatic
program, the less likely it becomes that we will be in the next government
headed by Olmert," Lieberman said in an interview with Haaretz, adding that
the plan already has caused Israel damage vis-a-vis Hamas, the international
community and Israeli Arab extremists.

Many political pundits have cited Lieberman as a likely member of Olmert's
coalition after the elections. However, Lieberman told Haaretz that he would
not sit in any government that included Olmert's withdrawal plan in its
guidelines.

"Olmert's plan not only strengthens Hamas in the Palestinian Authority. It
also proves to Sheikh Ra'ad Salah [head of the Islamic Movement Northern
Branch] and extremist elements among Israeli Arabs that not only pressure
from outside, but also pressure from within will in the end guarantee them
effective autonomy in the first stage, a state of all its citizens in the
next, and ultimately, the end of the State of Israel," he said.

"Unilateral concessions do not achieve security; they bolster terror," he
continued. "Fleeing the territories is an end in itself."

Recent polls have shown Yisrael Beiteinu gaining strength, making it a
potentially important player after the elections. Lieberman sees the attacks
against him by both Labor and Likud as confirmation of his importance, and
believes that he may even have the power to determine the shape of the next
coalition.

However, Likud's recent campaign to label him a "leftist" who plans to form
a government with Kadima, Labor and Meretz - which was prompted both by
Lieberman's attack last week on Likud Chai rman Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he
termed a serial panicker, and by his public refusal to be part of a
"blocking majority" that would prevent a Kadima-led government - could
potentially cost Lieberman some support on the right. This prompted him to
issue his denunciation of Olmert's withdrawal plan yesterday.

In the interview, Lieberman noted that three reasons were given for the
disengagement from Gaza: It would improve Israel's security, strengthen
moderate elements in the PA, and enable Israel to strengthen its hold on
West Bank settlements. But in practice, he said, all three arguments have
proven false: "Since we fled Gush Katif, not a day has passed without
Qassams and mortars falling not only on Sderot, but also throughout the
western Negev"; Hamas won the PA elections; and instead of saving West Bank
settlements, "we're talking about evacuating 90 percent of the territory."

"It's clear that a flight from Judea and Samaria would perpetuate Hamas rule
for the next century, and prove to the Palestinians that they can achieve
diplomatic gains through pressure and terror," he added.

The plan also has caused damage internationally, he said, because "the
entire world now takes this [the withdrawal] as a given. Arik [Sharon] was
far more taciturn, and rightly so. He succeeded thanks to his silence. A
prime minister must accomplish things via actions, not words. You can talk
in the opposition."

Lieberman also scorned Olmert's plan for "convergence" behind the separation
fence, citing examples such as the Maginot Line, the Bar-Lev Line and the
Berlin Wall to support his contention that no wall in history has ever
succeeded. "Even if we returned to the 1967 borders, to the last inch, no
one believes that we would be able to live here in security, that the terror
would end," he added.

Lieberman argued that Israel must ignore the PA and reach an agreement
instead with Egypt, Jordan and the Quartet on Israel's final borders.
Without such an agreement in hand, he said, there is no point to any further
withdrawal.

He also told Haaretz that if he did join a Kadima government, he would
demand the public security portfolio.

Likud and Labor sources charged in response to the interview that Lieberman
and Olmert already have agreed to form a coalition, and that since Olmert's
plan will probably not be implemented during his first year in office in any
case, Lieberman's opposition to it is no obstacle.

------------------------------

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Two reports - Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms

PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

#1 Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms
Extra-judicial Assassination of Citizens for Suspected Treason

Field Update
21 March 2006

2 Palestinians Killed by Palestinian Armed Groups in the West Bank

Two citizens from Salfit were killed in the span of 48 hours, in two
incidents of extra-judicial assassination, perpetrated by armed Palestinian
groups against suspects of collaboration with Israeli security services.

PCHR's initial investigations indicate that at approximately 12:30 on
Monday, 20 March 2006, a civilian vehicle stopped in front of the home of
Ahmad Nasim Ahmad Salim, a 25-year old resident of Salfit, southwest of
Nablus. A masked gunman, armed with an automatic rifle, came out of the car
and rang the door bell. When the aforementioned citizen came out, the gunman
fired at him, hitting him with a bullet in the mouth. The man was taken to
the emergency hospital in the town, where he died shortly after arrival.

At approximately 20:00 on Saturday 18 March 2006, an unidentified gunman
fired at Khaled Samih Younis (40) as he and his wife were standing in front
of their house in the Kfar Saba neighborhood in Qalqilya. He was hit with
several bullets that killed him instantly.

It is noted that, on 26 February 2006, the body of Kamel Yousef Khalil
El-Edra (35) was found in an open area in Hebron. He was killed by an
unidentified armed group. PCHR's initial investigation indicated that the
killing was motivated by suspicion of collaborating with Israeli security.

PCHR condemns the falling of victims through extra-judicial assassinations
by armed Palestinian groups for suspicion of collaboration with Israeli
security, and:
- States that these crimes are a form of extra-judicial
assassination, and a flagrant violation of human rights;
- Legal dealing with suspected collaborators with the occupation is
the task and duty of the Palestinian National Authority and its branches.
This process must be conducted within the framework of the law, ensuring the
legal rights of suspects. This includes their right to a fair trial; and
- Reiterates its strong rejection of the death penalty under any and
all circumstances. This penalty is a flagrant violation of human rights,
especially the right to life and the right to freedom from torture and cruel
and inhumane treatment.

#2 Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms
Attacking Public Institutions and Officials

Field Update
21 March 2006

Attacking the Director of Military Police in Khan Yunis

An armed group intercepted the vehicle carrying the Director of Military
Police in Khan Yunis, and severely beat him in the central part of the Gaza
Strip.

PCHR's initial investigation indicates that at approximately 22:30 on
Monday, 20 March 2006, a "Hyundi" with 5 gunmen inside intercepted a
military vehicle transporting the director of military police in Khan Yunis,
the officer Reziq Mohammad Abu Shahma (44), and 3 assistants. The incident
took place along Salah el-Deen Road, near Al-Quds Open University Campus
west of El-Bureij refugee camp. As soon as the military vehicle was stopped,
2 cars came from the east. The "Subaru" and "Renault" were full of gunmen
firing in the air and in the direction of the military vehicle. They ordered
Abu Shahma and the others with him to come out of the car. After they came
out, the gunmen severely beat them all over the body. The gunmen then
withdrew from the scene.

Abu Shahma was taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir El-Balah, from
where he was transferred to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society Hospital in
Khan Yunis due to the severity of the injuries.

PCHR strongly condemns this attack, which constitute a continuum of the
state of security chaos in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Centre
calls upon the PNA, represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate
these attacks, and to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Public Document
**************************************
For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8
2824776 - 2825893
PCHR, 29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip.
E-mail: pchr@pchrgaza.org, Webpage http://www.pchrgaza.org
-----------------------------------
If you got this forwarded and you want to subscribe, send mail to
request@pchrgaza.org
and write "subscribe" in the subject line.

------------------------------

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Health Ministry: Bird Flu Poses No Danger To The Public

Health Ministry: Bird flu poses no danger to public

21 Mar 2006

(Communicated by the Health Ministry Spokesman)

As of 21 March 2006, avian flu has been found in the turkey coops of four
agricultural settlements in the south and center of Israel. In a further two
settlements, chickens have been found dead from bird flu. The disease has
not been found in a single person in Israel, and the poultry handlers
initially suspected of having been infected were examined by the health
services and found to be free of the disease.

Immediately following the discovery of the outbreak, the ministries of
Health and Agriculture carried their prepared guidelines and began culling
affected birds. On instruction from the World Health Organization, all bird
life in a 3-kilometer radius of the center of the infection are being
destroyed.

The Health and Agriculture ministries are acting in accordance to the
instructions issued by all relevant international organizations. All persons
regularly handling poultry or who are regularly in their proximity are being
tested by the health authorities.

All poultry coops in Israel, and all agricultural produce markets, are
managed to the highest professional standards. They are scrupulously clean
and strictly supervised by the relevant authorities. The country's health
and agricultural systems are among the best in the world and the supervision
of animal and public health, as well as food products, is meticulous.

The government of Israel will continue to observe all relevant international
guidelines. There is no reason whatsoever to forgo visiting Israel due to
this unfortunate outbreak. Israel is one of the most advanced states
worldwide as regards agriculture and health care and there is no risk
whatsoever to the health either of its residents or of people who come to
visit.
[For further information in Hebrew: www.health.gov.il ]

------------------------------

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Pollards Grateful After US Supreme Court Dismissal

Justice4JP Release - March 21, 2006

Jonathan and Esther Pollard wish to express admiration, gratitude and
profound respect to their American attorneys, Eliot Lauer and Jacques
Semmelman, for their heroic, undying, untiring efforts to secure justice for
Jonathan Pollard, against insuperable odds. Their courage, determination,
dedication and devotion to the truth has done the Jewish People great honor
and been an enormous Kiddush HaShem.

Fighting a battle for justice - uphill all the way - against 3 government
agencies determined to prevent the truth in this case from ever coming to
light, Lauer and Semmelman fought all the way to the Supreme Court without
ever breaking stride or becoming discouraged in the face of utter corruption
and behind-the-scenes subversion.

The American Justice, Intelligence and Defense Departments have for 21 years
thrown their full weight into subverting the rule of law to ensure that
Jonathan Pollard, the Jewish agent of the Jewish State, never gets his day
in court and that he remain in prison as a constant symbol for use against
Israel and against the American Jewish community. In their intransigent,
two-decades-long subversion of justice for Jonathan Pollard, these agencies
have repeatedly demonstrated that their hatred for Israel far outweighs any
regard they have for the rule of law or for the American Constitution.

Even the support of some of the greatest legal minds in America was of no
avail. Among the influential signees of Amicus Briefs to the court in
support of Pollard's case were such illustrious names as Anthony Amsterdam,
Charles Ogletree, Charles E. Rice and Michael Tigar. Among the important
legal organizations supporting Jonathan's brief were the American Civil
Liberties Union and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
This heavyweight support was of no avail in face of the massive subversion
of the courts by the Justice, Intelligence and Defense Departments. Their
stubborn opposition caused the entire legal struggle to be calculatedly
sandbagged at the outset of every filing, and the merits of Pollard's case
were never reached. Every filing was summarily dismissed on spurious and
flimsy technicalities.

Refusing to give in to the subversion, and more determined than ever, Lauer
and Semmelman took Pollard's the case all the way to the American Supreme
Court. This final avenue of appeal behaved no differently than the lower
courts: it subverted justice by simply refusing to hear Pollard's petition.
Contrary to misinformed media reports, Jonathan Pollard did not lose the
case; it simply was never heard.

Justice4JP released the following statement to the Israeli media today.
Translation below is provided by J4JP:

US Supreme Court Hammers Final Nail in the Coffin
of Hopes to Secure Justice for Jonathan Pollard Via Legal Avenues.

J4JP Release - March 21, 2006

ESTHER POLLARD: "Jonathan's very life is at stake. If the Prime Minister
will not respond at once - even before the day is done - by making an
immediate appeal to President Bush to release my husband, then he personally
will be sentencing Jonathan to death."

The US Supreme Court yesterday dismissed Jonathan Pollard's final petition,
driving the last nail into the coffin of hopes to secure justice for
Jonathan Pollard via the US legal system. Here are some of the comments
Esther Pollard made in the Israeli media today:

"The decision of the Supreme court is disappointing but not surprising. The
dismissal of this petition, just like all the ones that preceded it, was
based solely upon legal technicality; the merits of the case were never
reached."

"Israel's abandonment of her agent, my husband, Jonathan Pollard, was never
a problem that could be solved via the American legal system."

"The real issue is: this is the first time in the history of modern
espionage that that an agent has been forced to face a court of law on his
own, in the country where he operated, without receiving any support from
the country which sent him and for whom he sacrificed himself."

"From the outset Jonathan never had any chance of receiving justice from the
Americans as long as the country that sent him, and for whom he sacrificed
himself, continued to turn its back on him."

"Whenever I am out in public, people come up to me again and again to
express their outrage at the ingratitude and irresponsibility of the
Government of Israel, which instead of freeing from captivity the one who
served the State and saved the lives of Israeli citizens, just threw him to
the dogs."

"For years we were told to be patient, that there is an on-going legal
initiative. No one can say that any longer. It is over. This was the final
nail in the coffin of our hopes of securing justice for Jonathan via the
American system of justice."

"Every additional minute that Jonathan spends in prison he is in mortal
danger. Every additional moment, every additional second that Jonathan
remains in prison, his life hangs in the balance. There is no reason to wait
to bring him home in a coffin, G-d forbid!"

"If the Prime Minister will not respond at once - even before the day is
done - by making an immediate appeal to President Bush to release my
husband, then he personally will be sentencing Jonathan to death." -30-

Discussion about 09/11/2001

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

[imra] Daily digest - Volume: 2 Issue: 1354 (15 messages)

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