[imra] Daily digest - Volume: 2 Issue: 1366 (14 messages)

imra Fri Apr 7 00:23:48 2006 Volume 2 : Issue 1366

In this issue of the imra daily Digest:

Excerpts: Irresponsible criticism.
Demise of Arab League summits? 5 April 2006
Steinitz warns of military infrastructure in Gaza
Continuation of Security Chaos in the Gaza Strip
through Misuse and Mishandling of Weapons
BAE EXPECTS SAUDI DEAL SOON
Final Results compared to last pre-election Polls
& Likud members prefer Netanyahu over Shalom 49%:26%
Nine Kassams fired at Israel in 24 hours
[IDF continues shelling empty fields]
Excerpts: Permanent Egyptian venue for
rab summit meetings.
Turmoil in Lebanese politics.6 April 2006
Jordanian PM:Jordan supports
the Palestinian's right of return
Qassam attacks up despite IDF efforts
Acting PM Olmert Speaks With
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak
Hamas rejects Abbas security plan
Gaza pull-out gets environmental clean bill of health
Weekly Commentary: Does Peretz want to work
on his C.V. instead of for the People?
Palestinian Police Officer Seriously Injured by
Palestinians in El-Bureij Refugee Camp

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Excerpts: Irresponsible criticism.
Demise of Arab League summits? 5 April 2006

Excerpts: Irresponsible criticism.Demise of Arab League summits? 5 April
2006

+++ARAB NEWS (Saudi) 5 Apr.'06:"Out of Ideas? Then Curse the West" Abdul
Rahman Al-Habib . Al-Watan -
QUOTE FROM TEXT:
"out of ideas ... Simply write an article cursing the United States of
America! "
"terrorism against the West that is committed by one of our children,
"critics" end up ...painting complex conspiracy theories that depict us as
the victims"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXCERPTS:

...Arab writers and columnists have a tendency to affirm populist notions,
whether they're good, bad, factual or false ...
For a writer, is there anything easier than serving up paragraphs of
emotion-driven rhetoric? Is there anything easier than repeating platitudes
and re-hashing clich�d ideas?
If a columnist runs out ... of ideas for the day? Simply write an article
cursing the United States of America! That's an easy way to earn a day's
pay.
Never mind entering the difficult path of hard research and analysis ...
Forget about it. It's too easy to toss out some hackneyed diatribe against
America.
Unfortunately... writers who practice disciplined criticisms about topics
closer to home, end up being drowned out.
.... Our society is one that lacks dialogue and rejects the mere concept of
criticism. ... In our society, criticism is a synonym for defamation.
As a result, many columnists resort to criticism as a form of attack,
against each other, against the West, against America. It is rare when we
find a thoughtful attempt at understanding others and their views that come,
just as ours do, from their cultural, political and social backgrounds.
. . ..
... when something tragic happens, such as an act of terrorism against the
West that is committed by one of our children, our "critics" end up falling
back into the trap of painting complex conspiracy theories that depict us as
the victims.
When we, Arabs and Muslims, ask ourselves why we are behind in development,
the answer is always satisfactory: because of the West and its agents, of
course! And when we ask ourselves why the West is developed and advanced,
the answer is always satisfactory: because the West stole the sciences of
our ancestors and they are still plundering us to advance themselves! . .
.

+++JORDAN TIMES 5 Apr.'06:"Is Khartoum's the last Arab summit? " by Hasan
Abu Nimah

QUOTES FROM TEXT:
"Arab League summits.... are simply non-events"

"each successive Arab summit has achieved less and less"

"the dwindling interest or capabilities of Arab leaders"

"Arab masses view meetings of their leaders with utter indifference ...
mockery disbelief and even contempt."

"confidence in the people at the top is getting thinner"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FULL TEXT:
Arab League summits used to be important political events watched with
interest from near and far. Nowadays, these summits are simply non-events
and the one just held in Khartoum is likely to be the last for years to
come.
Indeed, each successive Arab summit has achieved less and less, and the one
in Khartoum set a new low standard that will be hard to beat. No further
decline in Arab summit performance looks possible.
In former days, Arab capitals competed for the privilege of hosting the
summit. Now they do their utmost to avoid it; Saudi Arabia has declined to
host the next summit, as it was scheduled to do, and three years ago, the
United Arab Emirates gave up the honour to take its turn as dictated by
alphabetical order, leaving Lebanon to perform the duty instead.
The dwindling interest or capabilities of Arab leaders are also indicated by
the decline in their attendance. Almost half skipped the Khartoum summit. At
the popular level, the situation is barely different; Arab masses view
meetings of their leaders with utter indifference at best, but also with
mockery, disbelief and even contempt. While the gulf separating people from
their leaders in many Arab states is growing wider, their confidence in the
people at the top is getting thinner.
Arab summits in the past produced decisions that had considerable impact on
both regional and international affairs, or at least perceptions of these
affairs. People all over the Arab world valued the positions of their
leaders, which often demonstrated ample political will. Even when they were
inadequate, and failed as a result to meet people's aspirations, they still
meant a lot as they represented a serious effort within the limits of the
possible. Failure was mitigated by commitment, while inability to do better
was compensated by the will to act and confront issues as they arose.
Perhaps the most severe blow which Arab joint action received was the
criminal decision of the former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to attack,
occupy and annex the neighbouring state of Kuwait in August 1990. That
blunder, and its disastrous consequences, split Arab governments as never
before. It was hard to imagine how, in the aftermath of the war that that
crisis precipitated, Arab relations would be able to recover. Nine Arab
states, Egypt and Syria in addition to all the Gulf states, including Saudi
Arabia, joined the US-led coalition which attacked and defeated Iraq in
1991. The other Arab states were either sympathetic to Iraq, and therefore
opposed the war, or chose to stand on the sidelines. The net result was that
the Arab position was fragmented, and if the Arab states managed to continue
to hold Arab League meetings on a regular basis, although without Iraq for
some time, that was no more than a thin veneer of pretence to save face. The
harsh reality was that Arab relations were hit hard, their interests became
more contradictory and any possibility of genuine joint action was severely
curtailed.
Attempts to hold Arab summits in the years that followed the first
Iraq-Kuwait crisis were met by clear procrastination. The pretext was always
that the Arab political climate was not conducive to any possible summit
success, or that Arab disagreements and differences were so wide ranging
that a great deal of preparation was required to ensure positive results.
Those who argued at the time, including myself, that summit meetings are
particularly be required when there are disagreements and differences did
not realise that the inter-Arab rift was much deeper than mere
disagreements; there were drastically diverging interests.
Since then, Arab states have been pursuing national rather than pan-Arab
policies and positions, totally directed towards internal issues and
self-preservation. Most Arab states' efforts became guided by what serves
the specific interests of that state only, rendering any joint action within
the Arab League an empty formality.
By the turn of the century, and with the rise of the second Palestinian
uprising, an emergency Arab summit was held in Cairo to deal with the grave
situation in Palestine (October 2000). In that meeting, agreement was
reached to hold Arab summits annually and automatically, without the
marathon consultations which preceded former summits every time they were
suggested. Hailing this as a great achievement, the very important fact that
summits were not, and should not have been, intended as ends by themselves
as much as they should have been sought to seriously address emerging
problems was overlooked. Arab meetings at summit level have been convening
every year since the 2000 Cairo meeting, but with no spirit, no achievement,
no impact and no serious debate over common Arab issues. Leaders as well as
people have lost interest in the summits; people even started to ridicule
these meetings.
The last summit has revealed beyond doubt the bankruptcy of joint Arab
political action, as well as the Arab inability to have any meaningful
effect on either regional or international politics. It is clear that Arab
states have lost any initiative with respect to the two major problems in
the region: Iraq and Palestine. None of their usual appeals, expressions,
condemnations or calls are taken seriously by anyone, especially not those
who sign their names on them. There is even good reason to doubt, based on
past experience, that some specific financial commitments to Darfur and the
Palestinians will materialise when the time comes for that.
The gradual devaluation of Arab summitry has reached the bottom in Khartoum.
What is needed now is not another summit to emphasise the failure but a
serious review of the entire state of affairs of the Arab nation. It is
wrong to believe that one Arab state can thrive no matter how much wealth it
can accumulate while the others are suffering and sinking. We are destined
to be part of one nation. The more we succumb to the temptation of
selfishness and introversion the more we contribute to destroying the only
guarantee for our collective security and survival, and that is our
commitment and ability to unite our goals and to act together as the
Europeans did, building the European Union from the rubble of World War II.
How is it that the Arab states, seemingly with so much more in common, have
pitifully achieved so much less?

Sue Lerner, Associate - IMRA

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Steinitz warns of military infrastructure in Gaza

Steinitz warns of military infrastructure in Gaza
JPost.com Staff, THE JERUSALEM POST Apr. 5, 2006
www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1143498801132&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Outgoing chairman of the Knesset Defense and Foreign Affairs committee Yuval
Steinitz warned on Wednesday that the Palestinians were establishing
military foundations in Gaza.

He noted that the weapons were being smuggled through Egypt. The increase in
their military capabilities also included infiltration of al-Qaida agents
into Gaza, Steinitz said in an Israel Radio interview.

Steinitz said that Israel might have to implement a Defensive Shield 2
campaign - referring to the exhaustive series of operations in spring 2002,
representing the first time the IDF entered major Palestinian cities since
the intifada started in October 2000.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Continuation of Security Chaos in the Gaza Strip
through Misuse and Mishandling of Weapons

PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms
Misuse of Weapons by Armed Groups and Security Personnel

Field Update
5 April 2006

Continuation of Security Chaos in the Gaza Strip through Misuse and
Mishandling of Weapons

Over the past two days, the Gaza Strip has witnessed 3 incidents involving
the misuse and mishandling of weapons, one of which led to the accidental
killing of a father by his son, south of Gaza City. In Jabalia, an armed
group kidnapped a prisoner who was being transported from court to the Gaza
Central Prison. In addition, a university student was injured by a bullet
fired accidentally by a friend on the campus of Al-Azhar University.

PCHR's initial investigation indicates that at approximately 15:30 on
Tuesday, 4 April 2006, Mahmoud Mustafa Mohsin El-Qassas (51) was seriously
injured, while he was sitting beside his son, Gazi (19). The son was
cleaning a firearm, when a bullet was accidentally fired, hitting the father
in the abdomen. Mahmoud was taken to Shifa Hospital, where he was later
pronounced dead.

Earlier on the same day, an armed group intercepted a police vehicle. They
kidnapped the prisoner Ahmad Shafiq Khalil Abdallah (30), while he was being
transported from Jabalia District Court to Gaza Central Prison. He was
taken to an undisclosed location.

PCHR's initial investigation indicates that, at approximately 14:20, gunmen
traveling in several cars intercepted a police vehicle in front of Jabalia
District Court, in the north of the Gaza Strip. The vehicle was
transporting Ahmad Abdallah from the court to Gaza Central Prison. He was
kidnapped after the gunmen fired at the vehicle and was taken to an
undisclosed location. After 3 hours, the gunmen handed the kidnapped
citizen over to the Police, who brought him to the prison. Abdallah was in
court with regard to financial disputes between him and a number of traders.

Mohammad Saqir El-Khaldi (26) was injured on Monday, 3 April 2006, by a
bullet that was accidentally fired from a friend's firearm in Al-Azhar
University.

PCHR's initial investigation indicates that at approximately 11:30 on
Monday, 3 April 2006, Mohammad Saqir El-Khaldi, a 26-year old resident of
the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City, and a member of Force 17, was
hit by a bullet in the pelvis. The bullet was accidentally fired by a
friend, while he was handling a firearm on the campus of Al-Azhar
University. The injured man was taken to Shifa Hospital for treatment. He
was admitted to the intensive care unit due to the severity of his injury.

PCHR is very concerned over the continued number of deaths and injuries
resulting from the misuse of weapons, which is has become a prominent
feature of the ongoing security chaos in the region. The Centre stresses
the importance of protecting civilians and ensuring their safety in
accordance with international humanitarian law. The Centre calls upon the
Palestinian National Authority to take preventive measures to prevent such
incidents and safeguard the safety of citizens.

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
-----------------------------------
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and write "subscribe" in the subject line.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: BAE EXPECTS SAUDI DEAL SOON

BAE EXPECTS SAUDI DEAL SOON

LONDON [MENL] -- BAE Systems expects Saudi Arabia to soon sign a contract
for the purchase of the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter-jet.

Industry sources said BAE has assessed that Riyad would sign a contract for
at least 24 Eurofighters over the next few months. The sources said BAE has
advanced quickly in the effort to draft a multi-billion dollar contract with
the Saudi Defense Ministry.

On March 28, technical teams from Britain and Saudi Arabia signed documents
for the procurement of the Eurofighter. On Tuesday, Crown Prince Sultan Bin
Abdul Aziz, who is also the kingdom's defense minister, said the Saudi
leadership has been studying the proposed agreement.

"They are now being studied by the political leadership [before] signing
them," Sultan said. "The deal is on course, and there are no obstacles to it
because it is in the kingdom's interest."
====
NOTE: The above is not the full item.
This service contains only a small portion of the information produced daily
by Middle East Newsline. For a subscription to the full service, please
contact Middle East Newsline at:
editor@menewsline.com for further details.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Final Results compared to last pre-election Polls
& Likud members prefer Netanyahu over Shalom 49%:26%

Final Results compared to last pre-election Polls & Likud members prefer
Netanyahu over Shalom 49%:26%

Aaron Lerner Date:5 April 2006

#0 = Final actual results

#1 Telephone poll of a representative sample of 503 adult Israelis
(including Arab Israelis) carried out by Maagar Mochot on 25 March after the
end of the Sabbath for the Mishal Cham television program..

#2 Telephone poll of a representative sample of adult Israelis (including
Arab Israelis) carried out by Dialogue for Channel 10 and Haaretz on 26
March 2006 (poll completed early afternoon)..

#3 Telephone poll of a representative sample of adult Israelis (including
Arab Israelis) carried out by Dahaf for Yediot Ahronot on 26 March 2006

#4 Telephone poll of a representative sample of adult Israelis (including
Arab Israelis) carried out by Teleseker for Maariv on 26 March 2006

Knesset election vote expressed in mandates[current in brackets]
#0 is actual outcome

#0 #1 #2 #3 #4
29 34 36 34 34 [00] Kadima
12 12 14 13 14 [40] Likud
19 19 18 21 17 [22] Labor
00 00 00 00 00 [15] Shinui (both the party and the break-away "Secular
Zionist Party")
12 08 11 11 12 [11] Shas
10 07 08 07 07 [08] Arab parties
05 06 06 05 05 [06] Yachad [Meretz]
09 08 12 09 11 [07* & 6] National Union & NRP
11 15 07 12 12 [07*] Yisrael Beiteinu [Lieberman]
06 07 06 06 06 [05] Yahadut Hatorah
07 02 02 02 02 [00] Gil [retired people's party headed by Rafi Eitan]
* National Union & Yisrael Beiteinu together have 7 seats

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: Nine Kassams fired at Israel in 24 hours
[IDF continues shelling empty fields]

Nine Kassams fired at Israel in 24 hours

JPost.com Staff, THE JERUSALEM POST Apr. 6, 2006
www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1143498808762&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Nine Kassam rockets have been fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip in the
last 24 hours.
All the rockets landed in open territory, wounding no one and causing no
damage.

In response, the IDF renewed bombing of Kassam launch sites in Gaza.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Excerpts: Permanent Egyptian venue for
rab summit meetings.
Turmoil in Lebanese politics.6 April 2006

Excerpts: Permanent Egyptian venue for Arab summit meetings.Turmoil in
Lebanese politics.6 April 2006

+++THE DAILY STAR (Lebanon)6 Apr.'06:" to fund permanent summit seat" (AEP)

QUOTE FROM TEXT:
"to hold annual summits and other major Arab meetings there could solve
many political, security and financial problems"

"each delegation ... will foot its own bill"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXCERPTS:

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will fund the construction of a permanent seat for Arab
summits in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm al-Sheikh... Egypt will
offer the land ... .
...Saudi Arabia ... argued that such meetings should take place in Egypt,
which hosts the headquarters of the 22-member Arab League.
. . .
The Saudi-Egyptian agreement to hold annual summits and other major Arab
meetings there could solve many political, security and financial problems
... .
Under the new arrangement, each delegation participating in an Arab summit
will foot its own bill, the official said. - AFP

+++THE DAILY STAR (Lebanon) 6 April '06:"Can Hariri keep juggling clashing
agendas?" by Michael Young, Opinion Editor

QUOTE FROM TEXT:
"Saudi calculations ... Assad must remain in power ... Lebanese Sunnis and
Shiites must remain on good terms"

"any broad Sunni -Shiite agreement would be difficult to oppose without
Christian opposition (Marionite)collaboration (and) playing up to American
and French opposition to Syria.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXCERPTS
... Unless something damning emerges in the next United Nations report on
Rafik Hariri's murder, Emile Lahoud is likely to stay on for the foreseeable
future. ... .
The real story ...is the political apprenticeship of Saad Hariri, ...,
Hariri is juggling contradictory agendas - that of the parliamentary
majority he supposedly heads as it faces a resurgent Syrian threat; and that
of his own Saudi patrons, who (with the Egyptians) want to see Syrian
President Bashar Assad survive politically and yearn for the UN inquiry to
be aborted.
. . .
Saudi calculations go beyond ensuring that Assad remains in power.....
Lebanon's Sunnis and Shiites must remain on good terms. That is why Hariri
has been wary of confronting Hizbullah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah in
the national dialogue. It also explains why the two men were recently
engaged in advanced negotiations over a new president, though Syria's
insistence on keeping Lahoud in place was one reason why they went nowhere.
... Jumblatt ...was not particularly confident that the inexperienced Hariri
would hold his own with one of the more seasoned political actors around.
... also feared that Hariri, in his zeal to see Lahoud ousted, might,
consciously or not, become a partner in a quid pro quo satisfying the
Saudis, Egyptians, Hizbullah and Syria. ... ..
... Hizbullah endorses the president's removal, in exchange for which Hariri
defends Hizbullah against the disarmament clause in UN Security Council
Resolution 1559 and looks the other way on the Lebanese-Syrian delimitation
of the Shebaa Farms border. ... In that way, Lebanon would have a
pro-Syrian head of state for six years, whereas Lahoud only has a year and a
half left in office ... .
In order to block such a plan, Jumblatt has done two things. He has insisted
that Lahoud's departure must follow a "road map" (effectively a package
deal) that also includes Hizbullah concessions on its weapons and the Shebaa
Farms; and he has publicly praised both Michel Aoun and Charles Rizk, two
presidential hopefuls, warning Hariri that he might support either man in
torpedoing a bad deal on the presidency.
Jumblatt ...knows the president will be out by the end of next year, and he
prefers the parliamentary majority to use its electoral strength then to
bring someone independent of Syria to power.
. . ..
While the alliance between Hariri and Jumblatt is sturdy... . The Druze
leader will continue to seek the support of Maronite politicians ...he knows
that any broad Sunni-Shiite agreement, blessed by the Saudis and Egyptians,
would be difficult to oppose without Christian collaboration. A necessary
adjunct to this tactic is playing up American and French opposition to Syria
... .
.Hariri must more clearly define where his interests lie. ... a Saudi
creation ..., his only real salvation is to become indispensable to his
sponsors, so that in weakening him they weaken themselves. That means Hariri
must balance Saudi concerns with those of his domestic partners, who feel
threatened by the kingdom's indulgence for Assad. Inherited power can
sometimes be far more poisonous than the kind you amass on your own ..

Sue Lerner, Associate - IMRA

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Jordanian PM:Jordan supports
the Palestinian's right of return

Bakhit Stresses Jordan's Support to Palestinians
www.petra.gov.jo/nepras/2006/Apr/06/54.htm

Baqaa, April, 6(Petra - Jordan news agency) -- Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit
stressed that Jordan will remain the closest to the Palestinians and their
issue.

During his visit on Baqaa camp and other neighboring areas, Bakhit said that
the historical and geographical factors contributed to creating a special
Jordanian- Palestinian ties. '' We are one family and we have to preserve
the security and stability of Jordan,'' said the premier, noting that having
a stable and strong Jordan is very important to serving the Palestinian
issue.

Bakhit also stressed Jordan's stands which supports the Palestinian's right
of return.

He added that Jordan hosts about 40% of the Palestinian refugees, noting to
the government's role in providing services to refugees.

On the other hand, a number of speeches delivered in which the speakers
expressed pride over the Hashemite leadership, stressing their loyalty to
Jordan and its leadership doesn't contradict with their legislative right of
return.

//Petra//

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Qassam attacks up despite IDF efforts

Qassam attacks up despite IDF efforts

Ynet reveals that since IDF stepped up anti-Qassam efforts last week by
firing shells from the air, sea and land, rocket attacks have increase by 10
percent; 'wintry conditions disrupted activity' army explains

Hanan Greenberg YNET 6 APril 2006
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3237145,00.html

Since last week, when the IDF began firing shells from the air, the sea and
land at areas in north Gaza, there has been a 10 percent increase in the
number of Qassam rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, Ynet has learned.

On Thursday morning two Qassams were fired at Kibbutz Zikim, after 8 rockets
were fired at Israel on Wednesday.

Later Thursday, the shrapnel of a shell fired by the IDF toward the Gaza
Strip hit a home in the southern community of Nativ Haasara, causing damage
to the roof. There were no reports of injuries. Earlier, local residents
complained that they were bothered by the shell fire as much as by the
firing of Qassam rockets and asked the IDF to deal with the matter.

The IDF explained that the wintry conditions disrupted its operation against
Qassam cells, but vowed to keep up the pressure. The al-Aqsa Martyrs'
Brigades, which has been responsible for the most Qassam attacks, remains
undeterred.

On average, 20 to 25 rockets are fired every week, but 40 rockets have been
fired since Sunday. Most rockets fall in open fields, in the sea or in the
Gaza Strip.

No one was injured and no damage was caused in the attacks, although a
number of bystanders were treated for shock.

All this happened in the midst of Operation "Southern Arrow," during which
the Israel Air Force launched raids at access roads, buildings and fields
used by Qassam cells.

'Terror groups more motivated'

On Tuesday, Palestinian civilians were injured when the IDF fired shells at
Qassam cells operating near residential areas.

The issue of Qassam fire was raised during a meeting of top security
officials who updated Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz with the progress of the
operation.

Security officials said there has been a rise in Qassam attacks in 2006.
Officials also said terror groups are ever more motivated to dispatch
suicide bombers to Israel and shoot at Israeli cars traveling in the West
Bank.

Officials linked the rise to unprecedented sums of money transferred from
Lebanon, Syria and Iran to Palestinian terror groups.

"We have to make the utmost effort to allow the citizens of Israel to
celebrate Passover," Mofaz said during the meeting.

Mofaz ordered the IDF to cooperate with Israel Police to arrest illegal
Palestinian aliens and send them back to the West Bank as they constitute a
security threat.

"When we launched this operation, which is medium in scale, I was clear that
we will not have a decrease in Qassam fire in the short term. To reach a
decrease in the number of Qassams fired at Israel we need patience, to give
those on the other side time to internalize what they will loose if the
firing continues," a security official said.

The operation is aimed at applying as much pressure as possible on terror
groups to deter them from firing Qassams.

"I am not sure the hastened fire is a result of the military operation, but
they are certainly motivated. Following the IDF's withdrawal from Gaza 82
terrorists were killed, some belonging to Qassam cells. If they continue
this way, the number will only increase. We will respond to every attack and
no doubt they will pay the price," the official said.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades: IDF sells lies

On the opposite side, no is getting overly excited over the IDF threats. Abu
Ahmad, a commander at al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, the armed wing of the Fatah
movement in the north of the Gaza Strip, told Ynet that ever since the
beginning of the intifada and the beginning of the launching of the rockets
onto Israel, the IDF had tried to stop the Qassams using dozens of methods.

According to Abu Ahmad the IDF has failed. "There is no chance that they
could stop the attacks. We open fire from anywhere, at any time we choose,
out of houses, groves, vehicles. The IDF cannot control the entire area at
any given time. Instead of trying to stop the attacks, the Israelis should
stop the escalation and only then we will stop the firing," he added.

Abu Ahmad said that the more fire the IDF uses, the more his people are
motivated. "The IDF sells lies to the Israeli people. There is no chance
that the resistance will stop or the rocket launching will stop. The only
changes we're considering regarding the Qassam launchings relate to their
precision and distance. The rockets caused the disengagement and no one will
stop them."

Sderot Mayor Eli Moyal has warned in the past that the Qassam attacks will
increase following the elections, and as far as he is concerned - the
prophesy was fulfilled.

"All the shells that the IDF is firing are just a waste. We think that a
ground operation is inevitable and the IDF thinks so as well. The
Palestinians escalate the attacks mainly to target the power plant and other
strategic installations. We must simply kill anyone who is shooting at us. "

For many residents of Nativ Ha'asara the past week was especially difficult.
"Other than the Qassams attacks, the IDF shelling was more annoying. Last
Saturday was really insane. The IDF must have fired at least 200 shells
causing the children and the residents here to panic. We wanted the IDF to
cease its fire because the shells were more nerve-racking than the Qassam
attacks," a resident said.

The IDF is expected to set up an extra missiles battery near the Gaza Strip,
in an effort to quell the fire of Qassam rockets from the tiny coastal
territory. The army so far fired artillery rounds at Qassam launch pads
using one battery.

Ali Waked and Shmulik Hadad contributed to the report

First Published: 04.06.06, 18:10
Latest Update: 04.06.06, 20:27

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Acting PM Olmert Speaks With
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak

Acting PM Olmert Speaks With Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak

(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Thursday, 06 April, 2006

Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert this evening (Thursday), 6.4.06, spoke
with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who telephoned in order to
congratulate him on being asked by President Moshe Katsav to form a
government and to wish him success. The two men agreed to meet immediately
after the formation of the government.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Hamas rejects Abbas security plan

Hamas rejects Abbas security plan

Thursday 06 April 2006, 18:59 Makka Time, 15:59 GMT
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/E446A139-9E17-4131-8578-7B8C621245CC.htmThe

Haniyeh and Abbas have conflicting political agendas

The Palestinian prime minister has rejected a decision by the president to
assume security control over the Gaza Strip's border
crossings.

The decision by Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday night highlights tensions with
Hamas in the wake of the Islamist group's victory over the president's
long-dominant Fatah in elections in January.

Officials close to Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, said he had come under
pressure from the European Union, which threatened to withdraw its monitors
from the key Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt in response to Hamas's
rise to power.

But Ismail Haniyeh, the prime minister, said on Thursday: "The government
does not accept the creation of parallel bodies that may take away its
authority.

"This is an elected government, not an appointed one. Brother Abu Mazen
confirmed to me more than once that he will not touch the authority of the
current government."

He said that he would meet Abbas later on Thurdsay to discuss the crossings
and other security concerns.
Political crisis

Abbas's office issued a presidential decree late on Wednesday taking over
the Gaza crossings.

Analysts said that this could spark a political crisis, something some see
as inevitable because of the conflicting political agendas of the two sides.

Hamas is sworn to Israel's destruction, while Abbas and Fatah want a
negotiated two-state agreement to end conflict.

Talal Awkal, a Palestinian political analyst, said: "There is a fear we may
have two governments, justified by the challenge that whenever Israel
threatens to block something we transfer it into the president's authority."

Tensions

A security official said that Abbas named Rashid Abu Shbak, currently head
of the powerful Fatah-dominated Preventive Security Service, as chief of
internal security.

In his new post, Abu Shbak would be in charge of Preventive Security, police
and the civil emergency services.

The interior minister, Saeed Seyam of Hamas, has authority over the three
security services. Although Abu Shbak would be answerable to Seyam, only
Abbas would be able to dismiss him, the official said.

Haniyeh said he would discuss with Abbas disputes over who is responsible
for the security forces. The outgoing interior minister, from Fatah, said
last week that Seyam had no authority over larger security agencies.

Reuters

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Gaza pull-out gets environmental clean bill of health

Gaza pull-out gets environmental clean bill of health
http://postconflict.unep.ch/presspalestinemarch2006.htm

New UNEP report on the Gaza Strip provides important lessons for possible
further Israeli disengagements in the West Bank
JERUSALEM, 30 March, 2006 - The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
has revealed the results of the first major investigation into the
environmental impact of the Israeli disengagement from Gaza last year. By
and large, the UNEP scientific assessment report gives the Gaza pull-out an
environmental clean bill of health.

The release of the report and the lessons it draws are given an added
significance coming just days after this week's Israeli elections. "Any
further Israeli pull-outs from the West Bank now have an important
ecological benchmark by which they can be judged", said Klaus Toepfer, UNEP
Executive Director.

The environmental impact of the former Israeli settlements in the Gaza strip
was limited and should not constrain Palestinian
land-use plans, according to the UNEP report, "Environmental Assessment of
the Areas disengaged by Israel in the Gaza Strip".

Other than some localised pollution and issues associated with asbestos, the
assessment did not find contamination of water, land or buildings that poses
a significant risk to the environment or public health. As long as
recommendations concerned with the necessary clean-up implemented, there are
no environmental constraints to Palestinian settlement in the area, the
report says.

Apart from being good news for the environment, as well as possible future
economic investment in Gaza, the report also demonstrates how environmental
issues can be a potential bridge-building element between the Israelis and
the Palestinians as they seek to find new grounds for cooperation.

"The general clean bill of health on this aspect of Gaza's environment is
welcome news for everyone concerned with the environment, long term
stability and economic progress of the region," said Mr Toepfer.

"The assessment not only provides the necessary foundation for future social
and economic development in Gaza, it also demonstrates how environmental
cooperation can be a positive tool in the peace process," Toepfer continued.
"This report is published at a time when intensive political discussion is
underway to resolve the challenging problems in the region. It is my sincere
hope that cooperation on environment can serve as a confidence building tool
between the parties," he said.

The report looks at water quality, soil/land contamination, hazardous waste,
asbestos and coastal zone issues in the areas disengaged in the Gaza Strip
by Israel in September 2005.

Prepared at the request of the Palestinian Authority and with the
cooperation of the Israeli government, the aim of the assessment was to
provide a snapshot of the environmental conditions in the former settlement
areas, and to identify any areas of immediate concern before resettlement
and new construction takes place.

Using satellite imagery, earlier reports and feedback from Palestinian,
Israeli and international sources prior to the disengagement, UNEP
scientists identified approximately 100 areas of interest including
industrial buildings, waste disposal sites, agricultural plants and storage
tanks.

The relevant sites were then investigated on the ground during a UNEP field
mission to the former settlements in December
2005. Samples were produced in triplicate and sent to the Palestinians and
Israelis, as well as an independent laboratory in the UK.

The UNEP report provides preliminary recommendations for local solutions to
tackle some of the identified environmental problems such as the clean-up of
oil spillages.

At the Erez Industrial Estate, the site of most of the soil pollution, the
report recommends a detailed assessment of the affected area followed by
clean-up of the contaminated sites, including cleaning of spilled oil, and
its proper disposal, from an extensively damaged power generation plant.

The removal and disposal of rubble remains a major activity to be undertaken
prior to large-scale resettlement in the areas concerned. During this
period, issues associated with asbestos need to be handled carefully so as
not to expose workers to unnecessary harm, says the UNEP report. The same is
the case with the refurbishment of buildings which also may contain asbestos
material.

UNEP is working closely with the United Nations Development Programme /
Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP), which has
been entrusted by the Government of Israel, the Palestinian Authority and
the Office of the Special Envoy for the Quartet, Mr James Wolfensohn, to
carry out the task of clearing and recycling the more than 1.2 million tons
of rubble produced by the destruction of the settlements in the Gaza strip.

Other than contaminated soil and asbestos, the assessment did not identify
major sources of hazardous wastes in the region. It did, however, locate a
number of unlined dumpsites, mostly receiving household and agricultural
wastes, sometimes in old quarries. The report recommends that these areas
are delineated on the land-use map restricting their use and further site
specific investigation and risk assessment undertaken to decide upon the
final plan for each of the identified dumpsites.

It is hoped that the information generated by the assessment will be used
for longer-term planning of various resource uses, including land use
planning, agricultural use and solid waste management systems.

UNEP will be providing all the information gathered in a web-based
information system to the Palestinian Authority, and is
preparing to assist further on priority issues like clean-up activities,
training on asbestos removal and the development of relevant environmental
management plans.

The UNEP assessment in Gaza was financially supported by the governments of
Switzerland and Sweden.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Weekly Commentary: Does Peretz want to work
on his C.V. instead of for the People?

Weekly Commentary: Does Peretz want to work on his C.V. instead of for the
People?

Aaron Lerner Date: 6 April 2006

Israel Labor Party Chairman Amir Peretz hit the ground running as Minister
of Labor in the Kadima-Labor ruling coalition. The "Peretz Police", Ministry
of Labor inspectors dramatically beefed up in numbers and decked out in new
distinctive uniforms, make headlines daily as they go after violators of the
various Israeli laws designed to insure both a safe work environment and
proper compensation for all workers. Polls taken six months into the
administration found that Peretz, who frequently joined the Peretz Police in
high profile cases, enjoyed the highest performance rating in the cabinet.

"As Kadima's key partner in the coalition we have greatly influenced the
budget", Peretz explained, "but with the budget set I don't have to sit in
the Ministry of the Treasury. My place is in the Ministry of Labor, where I
can deliver, hands on, on our promises to our constituents."

That's what I was hoping Peretz would do.

But as of today it appears that Mr. Peretz has decided that it is more
important for him to work on his C.V. (job resume) than work for the People.

Political analysts explain that Peretz wants to be Minister of Defense so
that the public will consider him more appropriate for the prime minister's
post. But doesn't Peretz realize that as Defense Minister he may end up
bearing the brunt of an ever growing public frustration over the
deteriorating security situation?

Sure there will be IDF successes, but those will be marked by photo ops with
Prime Minister Olmert and praise for Olmert's brave and wise decision to
approve the operations.

And while Peretz may decorate the positive IDF photo ops featuring Olmert,
he will find himself in the center of the spotlight when he is sent to try
and placate the angry residents of neighborhoods and communities hit by
Palestinian terror or represent the government in other uncomfortable
situations.

In the coming days we will see if Peretz has the sense to avoid this
ego-baited trap,

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: Palestinian Police Officer Seriously Injured by
Palestinians in El-Bureij Refugee Camp

PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

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

Field Update
6 April 2006

Police Officer Seriously Injured in El-Bureij Refugee Camp

2 Palestinian gunmen fired at a Palestinian police officer in El-Bureij
refugee camp, hitting him with several bullets to the abdomen and pelvis.
The officer was transferred to Israel for treatment due to the severity of
his injuries.

PCHR's initial investigation indicates that at approximately 14:30 on
Wednesday, 5 April 2006, two gunmen fired at Captain Maher Ibrahim Shehada,
a 33-year-old resident of El-Bureij refugee camp. The officer was hit while
he was standing at the entrance to the refugee camp on Salah El-Deen Street.
He was injured by several bullets to the abdomen and pelvis, and was taken
to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir El-Balah. He was then transferred to
Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, and from there to an Israeli Hospital, due to
the severity of his injuries.

It is believed that the attack took place against the backdrop of the
officer's participation, in his capacity as an officer in the police rapid
intervention force, in clashes between the police and families in Gaza City
two weeks ago. Two people, from the El-Deiri and El-Baba families, were
killed and 3 others were injured during these clashes.

It is noted that armed clashes broke out on 22 March 2006 between
Palestinian police and gunmen from the El-Oweidat and other families. The
clashes took place in the El-Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City and were
sparked by the kidnapping of a policeman from the vicinity of the Nile
Secondary School for Boys on the same day. The clashes resulted in the
death of Eyad Mohammad Suliman El-Deiri (18) and the injury of 4 others.
Three of the injured were taken to Shifa Hospital for treatment and the
fourth was treated in Al-Quds Hospital. On the evening of the same day,
Al-Quds Hospital announced the death of the child Khalid Mohammad El-Baba, a
14-year-old resident of the Zaitoon neighborhood of Gaza City. The cause of
death was a bullet that had penetrated the right arm and chest. The
following day, 50 pupils, believed to be from the families that clashed with
the police, started a fire at the Nile school.

PCHR is gravely concerned over the repetition of these attacks, which are a
continuation of the security chaos in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The Centre calls upon the Palestinian National Authority, 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
-----------------------------------
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and write "subscribe" in the subject line.

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

From: imra-owner@imra.org.il
Subject: IMRA Subscription Info

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

End of [imra] Daily digest - Volume: 2 Issue: 1366 (14 messages)
**********