Monday, May 15, 2006

[imra] Daily digest - Volume: 2 Issue: 1391 (15 messages)

imra Mon May 15 00:28:31 2006 Volume 2 : Issue 1391

In this issue of the imra daily Digest:

Excerpts: Moderate Islamic Indonesia.
Vengence in Gaza 13 May 2006
MEMRITV: Former Hizbullah Sec-Gen Criticizes
Hizbullah for Relations with Iran
US Foiling Quartet's Bid to Pay Salaries
of Palestinian Employees
President Abbas to Visit Russia on May 14-15
Jordan: The hidden weapons still in the
Kingdom represent big threat
Syria Denies Training Hamas
Dr. Joseph Lerner dead at 84
Dr. Joseph Lerner - funeral details
Dr. Joseph Lerner - more funeral details
Dr. Joseph Lerner - more funeral details
Council budgets may fund anti-pullout campaigns
Jordan:About 2,500 Immigrants to Arrive
in Israel This Summer
CABINET COMMUNIQUE
Government Policy- Principle
Guidelines - Olmert Administration
4 reports of Palestinian Security Chaos
and Proliferation of Small Arms

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Excerpts: Moderate Islamic Indonesia.
Vengence in Gaza 13 May 2006

Excerpts: Moderate Islamic Indonesia.Vengence in Gaza 13 May 2006

+++ARAB NEWS (Saudi) 13 May '06:(Indonesian President)Yudhoyono Urges
Muslims to Shun Extremism", Agence France Presse

QUOTES FROM TEXT:
"urged Muslims to shun extremism'

" 'We oppose violence, radicalism and,of course, terrorism' "

"(Indonesia)moderate version of Islam and democratic credentials as an
example to other Muslim nations"

NUSA DUA, Indonesia, 13 May 2006 - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono .... urged Muslims to shun extremism in their fight for justice
and prosperity.
Yudhoyono also called on eight mostly-Muslim countries whose leaders were to
hold a summit in Indonesia... today to be part of a global partnership to
rebuild Islamic civilization.
"The civilization of Islam was great in the past ... "But now Muslims have
been left behind in many fields, the president told the congregation
attended by delegates to the fifth summit of the Developing 8 (D-8)
grouping.
"That's why we have to work together to build a strong partnership to fight
for justice, peace and prosperity for all nations and countries all over the
world," he said.
Yudhoyono said ...." "We oppose violence, radicalism and of course
terrorism. ..." he said.
... The D-8 group consists of Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia,
Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey. The forum focuses on commercial and economic
cooperation among member states, including in the areas of science, industry
and investment.
Indonesia has been courted recently by both the United States and Britain
who are keen to hold up its moderate version of Islam and democratic
credentials as an example to other Muslim nations.
In contrast, the US and its European allies have been on a collision course
with Iran, whose leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad wrapped up a three-day
state-visit to Indonesia yeaterday ...

+++THE DAILY STAR (Lebanon) 13 May '06:"Relatives vow to avenge fighters
killed in Hamas-Fatah clashes" By Mehdi Lebouachera,Agence France Presse
(AFP)

QUOTES FROM TEXT:
"'We will have our revenge' ...relatives of the latest victims of
intra-Palestinian violence are in no
mood to begin mourning"

" 'They (Hamas) are responsible for the trouble and tensions' "

" 'we are ready to battle these (Fatah) hoodlums' "
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXCERPTS:

ABASSAN, Gaza Strip: "We will have our revenge. Their mothers will feel the
pain that we feel today." In the Gaza Strip, relatives of the latest victims
of intra-Palestinian violence are in no mood to begin mourning ...the loss
Monday of his son Mohammad, a member of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades.
Mohammad died ...during clashes with gunmen from Hamas ... .Another Fatah
activist...as well as a member of Hamas ...both in their 20s, were killed in
the same clashes ... .. . ."They (Hamas) are responsible for the trouble
and tensions," ... .. . ."Our traditions oblige us to kill these murderers
before we can begin our mourning," explains a cousin.
The silence on the road is suddenly broken by the sound of gunfire. Fresh
clashes between Hamas and Fatah continue for several minutes.
"Listen to that. That's [Ismail] Haniyya's truce," says Ahmad derisively of
an announcement by the Hamas prime minister and by Fatah that the two
factions had agreed to no longer carry their weapons in public.
"We must stay calm, as it is in our national interests, but we will go after
these killers,"...... "Everyone knows who they are and if the Interior
Ministry does not take any measures against them, we are ready to apply our
own form of justice.".
"We are furious with these Fatah thugs...." "We don't fear anyone but God.
If there is vengeance, we are ready. We are ready to battle these hoodlums."

Sue Lerner - Associate - IMRA

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: MEMRITV: Former Hizbullah Sec-Gen Criticizes
Hizbullah for Relations with Iran

The following are excerpts from an interview with former Hizbullah
secretary-general Subhi Al-Tufeili, which aired on Al-Arabiya TV on May 4,
2006.

It is followed by other MEMRI TV clips on Hizbullah.

TO VIEW THIS CLIP: www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=1132

*Clip # 1132- Former Hizbullah Secretary-General Subhi Al-Tufeili Criticizes
Hizbullah for Its Relations with Iran and Says Iran Brought America into
Iraq to Topple Saddam

Subhi Al-Tufeili: They are committed to the Iranian policy. [...] I have
said before that the Shiites in Lebanon serve as Iran's "playing ground" in
the following sense: The resistance has been dragged into things that are
not resistance. Today, we have no resistance, I'm sad to say. [...] We are a
resistance organization. We have an enemy which has occupied our Jerusalem
and our land. It has spilled our blood for more than half a century.

Interviewer: So you are Arab resistance, not Lebanese...

Subhi Al-Tufeili: We are Islamic resistance - an Arab resistance and even
broader than that. This is what our religion has instructed us, and this was
where we began. When we established the resistance, this was our point of
departure. The motto of the resistance was the liberation of Jerusalem.
That's how we started. This kind of resistance must continue. Today it is
not resistance, but merely a border police. This is painful not only for me,
but to our youth as well. I know them well, because I raised them myself.
They are good people, pure people, who love defense, martyrdom-seeking, and
jihad. It pains them that they are stopped at the border. This is a tragedy.
The weapons of the resistance have been transformed from weapons used to
strike fear in the hearts of the enemy into weapons we use to strike fear in
the hearts of one another.

The resistance used to constitute glory, power, and honor for all Lebanese.
Today, because it stands at the border this way, it has turned into an
internal problem. Today we have the internal problem of the weapons of the
resistance. What are we going to do with these weapons? One says keep them,
another says disarm, a third says incorporate them into the army, and so on.
The country is on the brink of civil war because of this conflict.

Interviewer: What do you, Sheikh Subhi Al-Tufeili, say about this internal
problem of the weapons of the resistance?

TO VIEW THIS CLIP: www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=1132

Other Hizbullah Clips:

*Clip #1053 - Hizbullah Sec.-Gen. Hassan Nasrallah: the Destruction of the
Samarra Mosque is a Zionist Plot in Preparation for the Destruction of the
Al-Aqsa Mosque

TO VIEW THIS CLIP: www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=1053

*Clip # 1041 - Hizbullah Secretary-General Nasrallah Responds to Jumblatt:
This Rhetoric Has Brought Lebanon to the Brink of Civil War

TO VIEW THIS CLIP: www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=1041

*Clip #714 - Mother of a Hizbullah "Martyr" Tells Her Story

TO VIEW THIS CLIP: www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=714

*Clip #702 - Lebanese Politician Supports Hizbullah with his Blood

TO VIEW THIS CLIP: www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=702

*Clip #694 - Hizbullah Poet Atef Moussa: Who Says We Are Afraid of War

TO VIEW THIS CLIP: www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=694

*Clip #547 - Hizbullah Deputy Leader, Sheik Na'im Qassem: U.S. President
Bush Considers Himself God of the World, but His Perversion Is Evident

TO VIEW THIS CLIP: www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=547

*Clip #418 - Hizbullah PR Director Ibrahim Farhat: We May Adjust Our
Terminology But Will Not Change Policy

TO VIEW THIS CLIP: www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=418

**********************
For assistance, please contact MEMRI TV Project at memritv@memri.org

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.

MEMRI TV Project
P.O. Box 27837, Washington, DC 20038-7837
Phone: (202) 955-9070
Fax: (202) 955-9077
www.memritv.org

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: US Foiling Quartet's Bid to Pay Salaries
of Palestinian Employees

US Foiling Quartet's Bid to Pay Salaries of Palestinian Employees
Amr Mousa to Abbas: Arab League Unable to Transfer Aid Funds
13/05/2006

Palestine Media Center - PMC [Official PA website]
www.palestine-pmc.com/details.asp?cat=1&id=1135

The United States objections to including salary payments as part of a
sought-for mechanism to avert a Palestinian financial collapse are foiling
plans suggested by the Quartet of Middle East mediators in New York on May 9
to prevent a looming humanitarian crisis and have already blocked the
transfer of funds by the Arab League.

The Arab League told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday that
the League would not be able to transfer funds directly into the accounts of
unpaid employees of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), said Hanna
Amireh, a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation
Organization (PLO).

On Wednesday the US ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, said that
"the United States has still not granted its full agreement" to the
establishment of the international aid mechanism as auggested by the Quartet
of US, UN, EU and Russia.

US officials recently told Abbas that Washington opposed paying any
salaries, even through the president's office.

Abbas met in the West Bank town of Ramallah on Friday with US Consul General
in Jerusalem, Jack Wallace.

Wallace said Abbas was briefed on the outcome of the Quartet Committee's
meetings.

Western diplomats said US objections to including salary payments as part of
the new aid programme could make it impossible to reverse a steep drop in
Palestinian living standards even if supplies of food and medicine increase
sharply.

"There are major obstacles," one of the diplomats working on the mechanism
told Reuters on Friday. He added that he did not expect the new Quartet
programme to be up and running before the end of June.

The United States also objects to paying the salaries of PNA health and
education workers.

As currently envisaged, a European-backed plan to set up a trust fund for
aid would, at most, pay salaries to health and education workers, only a
quarter of the Palestinian Authority's 165,000 workforce.

But diplomats said opposition from Washington and the reluctance of banks to
breach a US-led financial blockade could prevent the payment of any
salaries -- the driving force of the aid-dependent Palestinian economy.

US Administration sources have made it clear in the past two days that the
agreement reached by the Quartet on Tuesday does not compel the US to agree
that international funds will be used to pay salaries of all or part of the
165,000 PNA employees.

Members of the Quartet will meet in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss the
mechanism, which will be responsible for transferring humanitarian
assistance to the Palestinians. While the Europeans and the UN would like to
see this mechanism pay salaries, US officials have stressed they would
oppose any such suggestion and demand that the money be transferred only
through groups that have nothing to do with the PNA.

US Deputy National Security Adviser, Elliott Abrams, said Thursday that the
White House is firm on not allowing any funds to get through to the
Hamas-led PNA government and dismissed the idea of using the Quartet
mechanism to pay salaries.

"Hamas is a terrorist group and we are doing all we can to achieve a
financial blockade against Hamas - and every other terrorist group," he
said.

A US official said the Quartet members would meet in Brussels in two weeks'
time to discuss progress, according to Reuters.

An internal EU memo said that with "even substantially increased levels of
funding, the EU will not be able to stave off a crisis but might be able to
avert or delay a collapse."

Meanwhile, the Arab League's Secretary General, Amr Mousa, called
Palestinian President Abbas on Friday and "informed him that the league is
not in a position to transfer the money offered by the Arab countries," said
Hanna Amireh.

"This is due to the refusal of the banks to transfer the money as a result
of American and international pressure," Amireh explained.

Western diplomats told Haaretz Thursday that local, regional and
international banks refused to transfer the Arab League money because they
feared US sanctions for helping the Hamas-led government.

Banks in the region are particularly vulnerable to US pressure because they
rely heavily on "correspondent" financial institutions in the United States
to conduct their day-to-day business.

On Friday, UN high commissioner for human rights, Canadian judge Louise
Arbour, warned that Israel and the Palestinians are on the brink of a
humanitarian and human rights crisis, and said that Israel, as the
"occupying power," bears responsibility for Palestinian welfare.

"As the occupying power, Israel bears responsibility under international
humanitarian law ... for the welfare of the Palestinian population," she
said.

Palestinian "civilians, particularly the most vulnerable, such as children,
women and the elderly, should not pay the price for the neglect of human
rights and humanitarian obligations," Arbour added.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: President Abbas to Visit Russia on May 14-15

President Abbas to Visit Russia on May 14-15
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?id=6267

MOSCOW, May 12, 2006 (WAFA- PLO news agency) - President Mahmoud Abbas will
visit Russia on May 14-15, the Palestinian ambassador in Moscow, Baker Abdel
Munem, told a press conference at Russian News Agency Itar-Tass.

The Ambassador said President Abbas will ask the Russian leadership for
assistance in the search for a solution to the current crisis in Palestine.

"Finding a solution will be not so easy," said Abdel Munem. "We shall ask
our Russian friends to help deal with problems existing in Palestine.

During his trip to Europe following the visit to Russia Abbas will be
raising the very same themes."

He thanked Russia for financial assistance to the Palestinian people.

"Despite the financial blockade Russia has managed to provide hard cash,"
Munem told a news conference on Friday. "Moscow has taken a progressive
attitude towards the Palestinian people. I would like to thank Russia for
this step on behalf of each Palestinian child."

Munem said the Palestinian people welcomed the latest proposal by the
European Union and the Quartet of international mediators for establishing
mechanisms that would maintain the transparency of how the resources
disbursed to Palestine are spent.

"It is to be hoped that the process of creating such mechanisms will not
take too much time," he said.

A.D. (21:48 P) (18:48 GMT)

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Jordan: The hidden weapons still in the
Kingdom represent big threat

Judeh: The hidden weapons in the Kingdom represent big threat,

Amman, May 13 (Petra - Jordan News Agency) -- The government Spokesman
Nasser Judeh underlined in a statement on Saturday to Jordanian TV the
Jordanian government doesn't like to escalate and keep to strong relations
with Palestinian National Authority with all its components. Judeh's
statement came in a response to Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Al
Zahar, who was speaking reporters today.

"The Jordanian government asked Palestinian Authority to send a political
and security team to look into details and information on the smuggled
weapons and stashed them in Jordan, in addition to scheme to attack senior
Jordanian officers and vital sites.

The Palestinian government didn't take part in the delegation, Judeh said,
adding in the light of these statements we stressed once again the Jordanian
government wishes that the Palestinian government sends a security team to
look into details of the operation and discuss the claim Judeh noted, adding
the team should be able to unveil other information and weapons as the
security services are convinced that there are still hidden weapons in the
country that represent a big threat to national security.

Wardat/Petra
13/05/2006 22:36:50

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Syria Denies Training Hamas

Syria Denies Training Hamas
Saturday, May 13, 2006 - 11:35 AM
www.sana.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&newlang=eng&sid=34460&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

KUWAIT, (SANA - Syrian News Agency) -

Syria denied Friday evening Jordanian claims of training members of Hamas in
Syria and criticized the UNSC bid to issue a resolution on Syria and Lebanon
as an obstacle to clarify atmospheres.

Foreign Minister Walid al-Mouallem said in a joint press conference with his
Kuwaiti counterpart Mohammed Salem al-Sabah that "the Jordanian claim of
members Hamas trained in Syria and entered Jordan is inaccurate."

" Syria is keen on Jordan and on the Jordanian people as well as their
security . and we are eager to have a developed and progressed relation
between Syria and Jordan," he said.

Asked about the Syrian stance over the US-French expected decision to the UN
, Minister Mouallem said "ties between sisterly countries Syria and Lebanon
do not need internationalization and what the UNSC is trying to is just to
hider bids to clarify atmospheres between Syria and Lebanon."

About prospects to establish diplomatic relations between Syria and Lebanon,
Mouallem said the subject will be accepted in principal when the time comes
as well as there are adequate atmospheres.

And if there are Syrian mediation between Iran and the Gulf countries,
Mouallem said "ties between Iran and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries
are exiting and there is no need for mediators."

At the beginning of the press conference, Mouallem said that he had conveyed
to his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Sabah who invited him to visit Kuwait,
what Syria has heard from the Iranian side noting that he had listened with
big attention to the explanation made and will convey that to the Syrian
leadership.

Asked about statements of US Assistant Secretary of State David Walsh, that
Syria is the only country outside Lebanon that is accused of assassinating
former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, Mouallem asked, "I wonder why
he doesn't issue his documents" and stressed "I challenge if he has any
proof" noting that "Syria is the most damaged party from late Hariri
assassination."

The foreign minister described his talks in Kuwait as very fraternal and
constructive pointing out to viewpoints identical.

For his part, Kuwait Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah said we have talked about
the role that Kuwait might play to help in economic openness in Syria saying
there is a Syrian-Kuwaiti joint committee that would be held next month in
Syria and that is a most welcome point.

He said that discussions with foreign minister Mouallem have underlined the
importance of holding neighboring countries to Iraq meeting as soon as
possible after the Iraqi government formation to hold discussions with
brethrens in Iraq and to put a joint vision for the Iraqi upcoming role as
well as the role of neighboring countries in Iraq's security and stability.

Sheikh Sabah said we talked about Iran's nuclear file, the situation in
Palestine and how to aid the Palestinian people as well as the need to
acknowledge the Arab peace initiative and respect the Palestinian people
decision to elect he who represents them.

Sawsan

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Dr. Joseph Lerner dead at 84

Dr. Joseph Lerner dead at 84
Aaron Lerner Date: 14 May 2006

Dr. Joseph Lerner [Josiah ben Tessa], Co-Director and Founder of IMRA,
died this morning at Herzog Hospital in Jerusalem.

The funeral is expected to take place today at Har Hamnuchot in
Jerusalem.

Details to follow.

The Lerner family - wife Sue Lerner, children Tessa, Aaron and Berel,
wish to thanks the staff of Herzog Hospital for their devoted and
diligent care. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all
of the many well wishers.

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: Dr. Joseph Lerner - funeral details

Dr. Joseph Lerner dead at 84 - funeral today 14 May 1t 5:00 PM
Aaron Lerner Date: 14 May 2006

Dr. Joseph Lerner [Josiah ben Tessa], Co-Director and Founder of
IMRA, died this morning at Herzog Hospital in Jerusalem.

The funeral will be held today at 5:000 PM at the Beit Hespedim at the
Har Hamnuchot Cemetary in Jerusalem.

The Lerner family - wife Sue Lerner, children Tessa, Aaron and Berel,
wish to thanks the staff of Herzog Hospital for their devoted and
diligent care. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank
all of the many well wishers.

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: Dr. Joseph Lerner - more funeral details

Dr. Joseph Lerner dead at 84 - funeral today 14 May 1t 5:00 PM
Aaron Lerner Date: 14 May 2006

Dr. Joseph Lerner [Josiah ben Aaron], Co-Director and Founder of
IMRA, died this morning at Herzog Hospital in Jerusalem.

The funeral will be held today at 5:000 PM at the Beit Hespedim at the
Har Hamnuchot Cemetary in Jerusalem. The Beit Hespedim is located
across from Herzog Hospital.

The family will sit shiva in Jerusalem through Thursday at his and Sue
Lerner's home: 111 Agripas, Jerusalem and then Thursday evening and
Friday at the children's homes in Moshav Bnei Darom (Tessa Auman
Lerner) Raanana (Aaron) and Kibbutz Shluchot (Berel).

The Lerner family - wife Sue Lerner, children Tessa, Aaron and Berel,
wish to thanks the staff of Herzog Hospital for their devoted and
diligent care. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank
all of the many well wishers.

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@iApproved: SLOW
Subject: Dr. Joseph Lerner - more funeral details

Dr. Joseph Lerner dead at 84 - funeral today 14 May 1t 5:00 PM
Aaron Lerner Date: 14 May 2006

Dr. Joseph Lerner [Josiah ben Aaron], Co-Director and Founder of
IMRA, died this morning at Herzog Hospital in Jerusalem.

The funeral will be held today at 5:00 PM at the Beit Hespedim of
"Kehilat Yerushalayim" at the Har Hamnuchot Cemetary in Jerusalem. The
Beit Hespedim is located across from Herzog Hospital.

The family will sit shiva in Jerusalem through Thursday at his and Sue
Lerner's home: 111 Agripas, Jerusalem and then Thursday evening and
Friday at the children's homes in Moshav Bnei Darom (Tessa Auman
Lerner) Raanana (Aaron) and Kibbutz Shluchot (Berel).

The Lerner family - wife Sue Lerner, children Tessa, Aaron and Berel,
wish to thank the staff of Herzog Hospital for their devoted and
diligent care. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank
all of the many well wishers.

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

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Council budgets may fund anti-pullout campaigns

Council budgets may fund anti-pullout campaigns

JPost.com Staff, THE JERUSALEM POST May. 14, 2006
www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1145961340858&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

The High Court of Justice ruled on Sunday that West Bank local councils were
allowed to allocate money from their operating budgets to fund
anti-evacuation campaign activity, Israel Radio reported.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Jordan:About 2,500 Immigrants to Arrive
in Israel This Summer

About 2,500 Immigrants to Arrive in Israel This Summer
www.petra.gov.jo/nepras/2006/May/14/18.htm

Amman, May 14 (Petra- Jordan News Agency)--About 2,500 new immigrants will
arrive in Israel this summer from North America and France, Israeli Haaretz
daily reported on Sunday.

The daily said that the new immigrants will come to Israel on eight special
El Al flights, adding that the flights will be jointly sponsored by the
Jewish Agency and French and American organizations.

According to Haaretz, some 2,700 new immigrants and another 300 returning
Israelis arrived from North America.

The number of immigrants from France totaled 2,100 in 2003, rose to 2,415 in
2004 and reached 3,000 in 2005.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: CABINET COMMUNIQUE

CABINET COMMUNIQUE
(Communicated by the Cabinet Secretariat)
At the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday), 14.5.06:

1. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said: "Israel Prize laureate and Jerusalemite
Yossi Banai ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yossi_Banai ) was laid to rest
last Friday. In the last two years we have lost several of the State of
Israel's finest artists, with Yossi Banai being the latest. His unique
voice had a central place in the story of the renewed Jewish state in the
Land of Israel. Yossi was a rare combination of styles and cultures, of the
classical and the modern, the old and the new, that turned him into an
Israeli cultural icon."

2. Prime Minister Olmert said: "Today we will take our leave from outgoing
Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Director-General Ilan Cohen (see
http://tinyurl.com/jokwb ). He has been with us in recent years and it
seems to me that there is no need to say that he was beloved and appreciated
by all ministers. At times, the previous Government excelled at its
differences of opinion on various issues, which caused more than a few
shocks that have already become part of history but on one issue there was
certainly wall-to-wall agreement in the Cabinet and the entire political
establishment, and this was that Ilan was special: incomparably fair,
efficient, serious, responsible, dedicated. He was involved in all of the
Government's major decisions, especially the Disengagement Plan, in which he
led on almost all aspects related to its implementation and did so
prudently, sagaciously, sensitively and successfully; for this, he is justly
deserving of all praise. Ilan, on behalf of the entire Cabinet, the
previous Cabinet, and the State of Israel, I would like to thank you, praise
you and wish you success in the future. You are not entirely leaving us
because I have asked that you continue to advise me since your understanding
and counsel are important to me.

I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome incoming PMO
Director-General Ra'anan Dinur, who will take up his post upon Ilan's
departure."

3. The Cabinet noted that IDF Reserves Appreciation Day will, pursuant to
its decision, take place on Tuesday, 16.5.06. Prime Minister Olmert said:
"There is no need to say that the IDF has always been based, first and
foremost, on the reservists who have been the backbone of our military
strength, have participated in all of Israel's wars and were a decisive
factor in all of Israel's victories."

Defense Minister Amir Peretz and IDF Chief Reserves Officer Brig.-Gen. Danny
Van Biran briefed ministers on the current state of the IDF reserves. The
Defense Minister said that the State of Israel needs to show its
appreciation for reservists, who are a select and high-quality sector and
who deserve unique treatment and recompense for their singular contributions
to Israel's security. He emphasized that reserve duty is still one of the
last places in society, in which citizens from all sectors and walks of life
serve together without distinction either between religious and secular or
between the various ethnic communities.

Chief Reserves Officer Brig,-Gen. Van Biran stressed the importance of IDF
reserve duty since it is a civilian framework that plays a major role in
Israeli society and which assumes a very significant part vis-a-vis the
security of the State of Israel. It is precisely due to the fact that it is
a relatively small framework relative to the overall society, that it is
important to afford it the proper status, appreciation and esteem. He
expressed the hope that legislation of the draft reserve duty law � which
would, first and foremost, define the purpose and function of reserve duty
and assure that reserve duty will be shorter � would be finalized soon in
the Knesset.

4. The Cabinet decided to re-approve draft legislation regarding the
acquisition of land for public use; see http://tinyurl.com/l8p7t for
details.

5. Pursuant to Article 7 of the 1959 Civil Service Law Party Activities and
the Collection of Funds), the Cabinet decided to allow the Israel Police to
receive � for the Border Police Anti-Terrorism Unit � from the Soldier's
Welfare Association a New Israeli Shekel donation equivalent to $1.7 million
in order to build a sports and physical fitness center.

6. Pursuant to Basic Law: The Government ( http://tinyurl.com/2v5nk ), the
Cabinet decided to transfer the Social Welfare Minister's responsibilities
under the 1989 Veteran Citizens Law to the Prime Minister.

7. The Cabinet appointed the following ministerial committees (a full
listing of the committees, including their members and responsibilities,
will soon be available online; details to be issued separately):

a. Ministerial Committee on National Security Affairs, chaired by Prime
Minister Olmert;

b. Ministerial Committee on Legislation, chaired by Justice Minister Haim
Ramon;

c. Ministerial Committee on Socio-Economic Affairs (the Socio-Economic
Cabinet), chaired by Finance Minister Avraham Hirchson;

d. Ministerial Committee on the Non-Jewish Sector, chaired Construction and
Housing Minister Meir Shetrit;

e. Ministerial Committee on Foreign Service Appointments, to be chaired by
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni;

f. Ministerial Committee on Negev and Galilee Development, chaired by
Vice-Premier Shimon Peres;

g. Ministerial Committee on Symbols and Ceremonies, chaired by Minister
Ya'akov Edery;

h. Ministerial Committee on the Israel Security Agency, chaired by Prime
Minister Olmert;

i. Ministerial Committee on Classified Archival Material, chaired by Justice
Minister Ramon;

j. Ministerial Privatization Committee, chaired by Finance Minister
Hirchson;

k. Ministerial Committee on Approving Publications, chaired by Justice
Minister Ramon;

l. Ministerial Committee on the Environment and Hazardous Materials, chaired
by Environment Minister Gideon Ezra;

m. Ministerial Committee on Immigrant Absorption and Diaspora Affairs,
chaired by Prime Minister Olmert;

n. Ministerial Interior Committee, chaired by Interior Minister Ronnie
Bar-On;

o. Ministerial Committee on Science and Technology, chaired by Science,
Technology, Culture and Sports Minister Ophir Pines-Paz;

p. Ministerial Committee on Coordination Between the Government and the
World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency, chaired by Prime Minister
Olmert;

q. Ministerial Committee on Earthquake Preparations, chaired by National
Infrastructures Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer;

r. Ministerial Committee on the Struggle Against Violence, chaired by Public
Security Minister Avraham Dichter;

s. Ministerial Committee Regarding the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of
Jerusalem, chaired by Interior Minister Bar-On;

t. Ministerial Committee on Ethiopian Jews, chaired by Interior Minister
Bar-On;

u. Ministerial Committee on Implementing the Disengagement Plan Regarding
Assistance to Residents and Alternative Housing, chaired by Prime Minister
Olmert;

v. Ministerial Committee on the Employment of Foreign Workers, chaired by
Industry, Trade and Employment Minister Eliyahu Yishai.

8. Pursuant to the 1959 Civil Service Law (Appointments), the Cabinet
appointed Shmuel Abuav as Education Ministry Director-General in place of
Amira Haim.

9. Pursuant to the 1959 Civil Service Law (Appointments), the Cabinet
appointed Gabriel Maimon as Industry, Trade and Employment Ministry
Director-General.

10. The Cabinet approved Bank of Israel Governor Prof. Stanley Fischer's
proposal regarding new coin issues; see http://tinyurl.com/l8p7t for
details.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Government Policy- Principle
Guidelines - Olmert Administration

[IMRA: "9. On March 28, 2006, Acting Prime Minister, Minister Ehud Olmert
delivered a speech in Neve-Ilan, in which he outlined the main principles of
his political and security plan. The Government of Israel will strive to
realize the said plan, as expressed in the aforementioned speech. A copy of
the speech is attached as an annex to the Guidelines and constitutes an
inseparable part of them. " - this is the refrence to retreat as vaguely
explained by PM Olmert..
www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=28986 ]

Government Policy

Translation

www.pmo.gov.il/PMOEng/Government/Policy/

Principle Guidelines

1. The Government of Israel, out of recognition of its responsibility to
work towards shaping a new chapter in the history of the State of Israel,
will strive to advance unity and peace within the nation, with tolerance,
mutual respect, restraint and love, while reducing internal discord.

2. The Government will strive to shape the permanent borders of the State of
Israel as a Jewish state, with a Jewish majority, and as a democratic state,
and will act to achieve this through negotiations and agreement with the
Palestinians � conducted on the basis of mutual recognition, signed
agreements, the Roadmap principles, cessation of violence and the disarming
of the terror organizations.

3. The Government will strive to conduct negotiations with the Palestinians
in order to shape a new reality in our region. However, if the Palestinians
do not act accordingly in the near future, the Government will take action
even in the absence of negotiations and agreement with them, on the basis of
a broad national consensus in Israel and a deep understanding with Israel�s
friends in the world, primarily the United States of America and President
George Bush. Israel�s territory, the borders of which will be determined by
the Government, will entail the reduction of Israeli settlement in Judea and
Samaria.

4. The Government will act to narrow social gaps and will formulate a
detailed plan to battle against social distress and will work to improve the
public health system in general and amend the components of the health
basket in particular. Foundations will be laid to provide equal
opportunities for all its citizens, regardless of differences in race,
religion or sex.

5. The Government will fight corruption and immorality in all areas of life,
and, first and foremost, in government institutions and the public
administration.

6. The Government respects, and will continue to respect, all Government
authorities in Israel: the Knesset, courts and particularly the Supreme
Court. The Government will act to strengthen the law enforcement
authorities.

7. The Government will fight crime and violence and will do its utmost to
protect the personal security of Israel�s residents.

8. The Government will act to advance the education system, from preschool
to academic level.

The Political and Security Arena

9. On March 28, 2006, Acting Prime Minister, Minister Ehud Olmert delivered
a speech in Neve-Ilan, in which he outlined the main principles of his
political and security plan. The Government of Israel will strive to
realize the said plan, as expressed in the aforementioned speech. A copy of
the speech is attached as an annex to the Guidelines and constitutes an
inseparable part of them.

10. Israel will continue to act determinedly in order to guarantee the
security of its citizens and residents in and outside of Israel, against
terror organizations threatening to harm them.

11. Israel will continue to act, anywhere and anytime, in order to foil,
disrupt and prevent terror attacks against its citizens or residents.

12. Israel will complete the security fence as quickly as possible, in order
to provide maximum security to its citizens and residents, taking into
consideration the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian civilian population,
and trying to prevent unnecessary suffering.

13. The Government considers the build-up of its military and security force
and the preservation of Israel�s deterrence capabilities against all enemies
to be an essential component, without which the country�s integrity, the
safety of its citizens and economic prosperity cannot be preserved.

14. Taking into consideration the said principle in Article 13, the
Government will explore the possibility of reducing the security budget,
from budget year 2007. The Government will strive, through the Ministers of
Defense and Finance, to institutionalize a process of determining the
security budget, the core of which will be perennial. This, in light of
budget constraints and the State�s goals on the one hand, and the security
needs and threats facing Israel, on the other.

The Economic-Social Arena
Fiscal Policy

15. The Government will adhere to the principle of restricting regular
expenditure. In addition, starting with budgetary year 2007, the
Government will raise the expenditure rate to a growth rate of 1.7% of the
basic budget from the previous year.

16. The general deficit target will be preserved, and will not exceed 3% of
the budget. A planned reduction of the deficit will be determined,
gradually, of up to 1% in the budget year 2009. The Government will
fulfill all its commitments in accordance with and according to the
agreement regarding guarantees with the United States.

17. The Government views a stable and growing economy as a national goal of
the highest importance. To this purpose, the Government will act in
coordination with the Governor of the Bank of Israel, who is also the
principle economic adviser to the Government. In addition, the Government
will act immediately to complete the legislation of the Bank of Israel Law,
adapted to accommodate present needs, while preserving and protecting the
Bank�s independent and professional status.

18. In accordance with fiscal ability, the national debt will be reduced,
while avoiding increasing the tax burden and imposing new taxes, in
accordance with economic policy and Government priorities.

19. The Government will enact a policy of social justice by reducing social
gaps, through uncompromising struggle against poverty, and by taking a range
of actions to constantly reduce unemployment rates, while creating as many
new jobs as possible.

20. During, its tenure, the Government will strive to reduce unemployment
rates by approximately 1/3rd of its present rate while increasing the level
of participation in the workforce.

Economic Policy

21. The Government will continue to implement structural reforms in the
economy, with the intention of making the markets more efficient, will carry
out reforms in implementation and operational processes in order to make the
public, governmental and municipal sectors more efficient, while emphasizing
efficiency in service to citizens. These reforms will be implemented with
full consultation between the Government, the employers and the
organizations representing the employees.

22. The Government will strive to decrease inequality while encouraging
people to work, reducing the number of foreign workers and concentrating on
support for the population unable to work.

23. The Government will act to achieve maximal transparency in the state
budget and its implementation, and will implement reforms in the budgetary
process.

Minimum Wage

24. During its tenure, the Government will determine a target to be reached
gradually, to raise and fix the minimum wage to NIS 4,600 ($1,000). To this
end, and following an agreement between the coordinating bureau of the
financial organizations and the New General Labor Union, the minimum wage
will be raised in the first stage by an overall rate of NIS 500, in two
phases: first � by half the amount during the present budgetary year, no
later than June 1, 2006; and second � by half the amount during 2007
(totaling NIS 125 on April 1, 2007 and NIS 125 on June 1, 2007).

25. The continuation of the change in minimum wage will be determined in
accordance with the circumstances, taking into account the unemployment
rate, the rate of participation in the workforce, the growth rate and the
productivity of the national economy. The examination will be made by a
parity committee comprising Government representatives, employers and
employees. The committee will present its recommendations to the Government
no later than July 1, 2007.

26. The Government will act immediately to build a system of efficient and
appropriate enforcement of labor laws, including the minimum wage law, in a
manner that will ensure compliance with the terms of labor laws in every
field of the economy.

27. The Government will act to gradually reduce the total number of foreign
workers, legal and illegal, including Palestinian workers (excluding frail
care employees, day laborers from Jordan and foreign agricultural workers).
The aforesaid number of foreign workers, at the end of the process, will not
exceed 3% of the labor force. In addition, the role of the Government is,
at the same time, to care for foreign workers, find suitable solutions to
their humanitarian needs and those children of foreign workers who were
raised and educated in Israel.

28. A budgetary framework will be determined to encourage participation in
the workforce by the weaker sectors of society, by means of assistance in
the form of services which support employment, including increasing
subsidies for daycare and after-school activities.

Obligatory Pensions

29. The Government will act to implement obligatory pensions for every
citizen, anchored by law.

Old Age Allowances

30. The Government sees the elderly and pensioners as a preferential
population to which the best and maximum resources should be directed, in
accordance with the budgetary situation and growth rate of the economy.

The National Council for Society and Economy

31. The Government will establish, in accordance with a special Government
Resolution, a council for society and economy, which will include Government
representatives, employers and employees. The council will present its
recommendations to the Government regarding economic planning: for the
short-term, the medium-term and long-term. The council�s recommendations
will be made with the agreement of all its members.

Employment Agencies

32. The Government will appoint a team of experts, with the aim of
advancing the timeframe in which the law becomes valid, while adjusting it
to the aims which are the basis for the legislation, and to the existing
circumstances in the economy.

Health

33. The Government will adopt a policy of a measured and appropriate
enlargement of the health basket. Beginning in 2007, the drug basket will
increase by 4% per annum (which would total, this year, NIS 200 million).
As such, in budget year 2007, the Government will add a special supplement
to the drug basket in the amount of NIS 200 million to treat special needs.
At the same time, ways of ameliorating the health system will be examined,
including expanding health service coverage and increasing resources,
including the field of hospitalization for frail care.

Pensioners

34. The Government will act to advance the rights of the aged and
pensioners.

Education

35. The Government will work to ensure that, in the Jewish education
system, emphasis will be placed on strengthening the Jewish identity of the
Israeli people, learning the spiritual treasures and eternal values of the
Jewish people and the legacy of Israel through the ages.

36. The Government will act to implement agreed-upon reforms in the
education system, which will center on the student, the status of teachers,
their salaries, training and promotion tracks.

37. The Government will act to restore education to its deserving place at
the hub of public activity, and will act to adjust the education system to
its aims, while directing resources towards administration and funding. The
Government views investment in human capital as the primary boon to
socio-economic growth, and the reduction of gaps in Israeli society.

Pre-School Education

38. The Government aspires to make pre-school education an inseparable part
of the obligatory education system in Israel. In the first stage, the
Government will provide resources to subsidize daycare centers.

Higher Education

39. The Government will adopt a creative and up-to-date approach to
implementing radical changes in the higher education system in Israel. The
Government will emphasize the need to nurture excellence and leadership on
an international scale in the fields of research � theoretical, scientific
and applied. Human capital is a component without which there is no
economic growth, nor preservation of Israel�s place among the family of
industrialized and advanced nations.

The Government will ensure accessibility to higher education, in a way that
assures equal opportunities in education. This equality will be ensured,
inter alia, by determining appropriate tuition, providing a subsidized loan
system for students who are unable to fund their studies, integrating
students into national projects to reduce illiteracy and social gaps. The
Government will further implement a funding plan for higher education, in
the spirit of the model which was successfully implemented in Australia.

Legal System

40. The ultimate standing of the Israeli legal system, headed by the
Supreme Court, will be ensured. The Government will preserve the high
standing, as well as the range of functions and authorities of the Supreme
Court, and will object to any change which may harm its standing, or to the
way judges are appointed in the legal system.

Law enforcement and battle against crime and delinquency

41. The Government will give full backing to all law-enforcement agencies,
act to strengthen the rule of law in the country and act with determination
against delinquents, criminals and law-breakers. The Government will act in
a combined and joint effort against corruption in general and corruption in
public systems in particular, and will act to minimize illegal economic
activity. The Israel Police will be instructed to take action against
organized crime and economic crime, and to take the initiative to reduce the
scope of these alarming phenomena. The Government will act to prevent
violence and to strengthen law-enforcement in general, and planning and
construction laws in particular, in order to guarantee the integrity of the
Government and the public�s trust in it. The Government will act to uphold
the commitments and decisions of the outgoing Government regarding the
unauthorized outposts.

Immigrants and Their Absorption

42. The Government sees immigration to Israel as the essence of the Zionist
enterprise. Continued immigration is an important component in the growth
and prosperity of the economy and society in Israel, and in strengthening
national security. The Government will establish permanent ties and
dialogue with representatives of immigrants from various countries, in order
to coordinate absorption policy with the basic and changing needs of the
immigrants.

Minorities

43. The Government of Israel will work to develop the land to the benefit
of all its residents, will ensure absolute social and political equal rights
without regard to religion, race and sex, and will respect the civil rights
of minority citizens in all fields of its work and plans. The Government
will not accept any expression of racism in this country.

44. The Government of Israel will invest significant resources to ensure
equal rights for the minorities who live among us, while making an effort to
the equal integration of non-Jewish citizens in the civilian society in this
country, in the spirit of the Declaration of Independence. The Government
will immediately implement a policy of equality in access to education,
infrastructure and in receiving health care and welfare.

45. The Government will act to accelerate the procedures of land regulation
in Arab settlements and hasten city building plans, while considering the
needs of their populations, and while taking into consideration the
principles accepted across the country.

Culture and Art

46. The Government views nurturing culture in Israel, in all its aspects
and diversities, as a means of shaping the image of society, and as a
contribution to the quality of life of every individual and the public in
general.

47. The Government will act to ensure suitable conditions for producing
culture and art and original creativity in all its forms, for defending the
status of artists and actualizing the right of all strata of society to
enjoy cultural activity in all its forms.

48. The Government will increase its support for cultural and artistic
enterprises in various fields, to advance and benefit the cultural and
spiritual life of the country. These cultural enterprises include the stage
arts, libraries, museums, legacies, film, dance, symphony and opera, and aid
to creators, writers and artists. In this framework, a special effort will
be made to strengthen cultural spheres in the peripheral areas.

Regional development � the Galilee, the Negev and Jerusalem

49. The Government will act to develop the Negev and the Galilee, and will
consider them national priority areas. It will also act to transform
Jerusalem into a political, cultural and business center, worthy of its
status as the capital of Israel and the capital of the Jewish people. As
these issues are of supreme national importance, and are among the central
issues on the Government�s agenda, the authorities of the government
ministries responsible for these spheres will be expanded accordingly, in
order for them to adapt to the national tasks.

Local Authorities

50. The Government will implement reforms in local authorities, with the
purpose of establishing efficient and modern local authorities, which
provide suitable services, for all residents of Israel. The Government, in
cooperation with representatives of local authorities and experts in the
field, will advance legislation relating to local authorities, which will
include basic principles concerning the standing of local authorities in a
democratic framework, the relations between the local authority and the
central authority, and the relations between the local authority and those
residing under its purview.

Status Quo

51. The status quo, as it pertains to religion, will be maintained.

Those Prevented from Marrying

52. The Government will act immediately to pass legislation solving the
problem of �those prevented from marrying�.

The Fight Against Traffic Accidents

53. The Government will regard it as a national goal to reduce the number
of deaths and injuries in traffic accidents, and will determine analytical
measures to examine its accomplishments. The Government will act for the
early implementation of its resolution to operate a national plan for the
war against traffic accidents. The Government will establish and operate
the National Authority for Traffic Safety as an independent statutory
authority, in accordance with the bill approved by the Government. As such,
the Government will act to regularize transportation branches, such as taxis
and heavy transport.

Preserving the Environment and the Quality of Life

54. The Government will advance a systemic plan of national industries in
the water supply (improving and preserving its quality), drainage and sewage
systems, national and municipal transportation systems, providing a solution
to the problem of garbage collection and its treatment, and reducing
pollution in the air, water, rivers, agricultural lands, sea, and nature.

Status of Women

55. The Government will act to diligently increase the integration of women
in the workforce, in the political and economic leadership of Israel, in
accordance with their skills and relative to their proportion in the
population. Special attention will be dedicated to Arab women, who are
exposed to dual discrimination � due to the fact that they are women and due
to the fact that they are Arabs. The Government will act to improve the
level of education of Arab women, and encourage them to join the job market.

Housing and Construction

56. The Government will act to relieve the distress of young couples in
need of housing, including and especially in peripheral areas and among
distressed populations.

Preservation of Historic Sites

57. The Government will prepare a master plan to rehabilitate sites related
to the legacy of Israel, while allocating the necessary resources.

Holocaust Survivors

58. The Government will act to significantly improve the situation of
Holocaust survivors, especially those living on income guarantee allowances,
including strengthening the system of services at the disposal of Holocaust
survivors.

Youths and Children At Risk

59. The Government views the population of children and youths at risk as a
social group in need of intensive and individual care, in order to extract
them from a risky situation, and grant them equal opportunities to be
citizens capable of taking their place in a modern and competitive society.
The Government will implement a national plan for the systemic treatment of
this population, while allocating resources, pooling resources in
governmental systems and involving additional external bodies.

A perennial five-year plan will be determined, which will ensure the
allocation of resources by all participants. The Government will oversee
and follow up on all the participants in the program, and will examine the
success of each one of them.

Equal Rights for People with Disabilities

60. The Government will advance the actualization of the rights of disabled
people (physical, mental, intellectual and sensory disabilities), in
accordance with the �Law of Equal Rights for People with Disabilities�, in
the fields of accessibility, employment, integration into schools, etc. The
Government will ensure enforcement of the laws relating to disabled people,
and will advance legislation meant to assist and improve their situations.

Israel and the Jewish Communities

61. The Government will formulate a plan which institutionalizes the ties
between the State of Israel and the Jewish communities around the world, on
the basis of mutuality between Israel and the Diaspora, crystallization of
the Jewish identity, and the centrality of the State of Israel. The
Government will continue to support academic programs and Jewish youth
programs such as �birthright� and �MASA�, and will encourage Jewish youth to
visit Israel, and the children of Israelis living overseas to serve in the
IDF and to bring them home.

Collective Agricultural Labor Settlements

62. The Government views collective agricultural labor settlements as a
national asset, and must work to strengthen it on a community level and on
an individual level. The Government will ensure the accessibility of water
and land resources to farmers at a fair price. In addition, the Government
will act to anchor farmers� rights to the land to ensure their ability to
work their land and build their homes through a �leasing contract for
generations�.

Sport

63. The Government views sport and physical activity as a way of life and
central sphere of mutual interest and identification, as a means of
developing body and mind, nurturing communal, social and national
solidarity, educating and properly motivating youths, and encouraging
positive accomplishments and excellence. The Government will act to develop
and nurture existing and new infrastructures in the various fields of sport
and physical activity, and will allocate funds accordingly.

Youth Movements

64. The Government views youth movements as an important tool in nurturing
and educating youths, and in instilling communal and individual values, and
those of our society and country. The Government aspires to increase the
budgets of the pioneer youth movements.

Lasting Development

65. The Government and ruling authorities will act for lasting development
of the various State resources, while balancing between using them for
present needs and the need to preserve them for coming generations.

* Comment: The original Hebrew text is the obligating version.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: 4 reports of Palestinian Security Chaos
and Proliferation of Small Arms

PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

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

Field Update
14 May 2006

Citizen Killed by Shots Fired from a Mishandled Weapon

An on-duty member of the Popular Militia, who was guarding evacuated
settlements in the Khan Yunis area, was killed by shots fired from a
mishandled weapon.

PCHR's initial investigation indicates that at 08:20 on Sunday, 14 May 2006,
Nidal Fawzi Abu Hadayed (a 21-year-old resident of Khan Yunis) was hit by a
bullet to the chest. The bullet was fired accidentally from a gun which was
mishandled. Abu Hadayed and a cousin of his, also working in the Popular
Militia, were on duty and guarding a water well in an evacuated settlement
to the northwest of Khan Yunis when the accident occurred. Abu Hadayed was
taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir El-Balah, where he was pronounced
dead. Police are investigating the incident and are detaining the victim's
cousin for questioning.

This is the second incident in which a citizen has been killed, as a result
of the mishandling of weapons, in the last two weeks. On Friday, 28 April
2006, Akram Dawoud El-Qerem (a 26-year-old resident of Gaza City) was
killed, when an explosive device he was assembling at his house in the Naser
Quarter of Gaza City detonated accidentally.

PCHR is gravely concerned over the continued number of deaths and injuries
resulting from the misuse of weapons, which has become a prominent feature
of the ongoing security chaos in the region. The Centre calls upon the
Palestinian National Authority to take preventive measures to prevent such
incidents and safeguard the safety of citizens.

#2 Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms
Clashes between Armed Groups and Security Forces

Field Update
14 May 2006

1 Citizen Killed and 5 Injured in Clashes between Gunmen and Palestinian
Police in Khan Yunis

One citizen was killed in Khan Yunis and another five were injured during
armed clashes between Palestinian security forces and gunmen in Khan Yunis
over the past three days.

PCHR's initial investigation indicates that on the morning of Thursday, 11
May 2006, scores of citizens protected by gunmen started to dismantle and
steal agricultural greenhouses in land previously occupied by the settlement
of Moraj, south of Khan Yunis. Palestinian Police, supported by the Joint
Committee of Security Branches, intervened to disperse the mob, exchanging
gunfire with the armed group. Rami Oweidah, 25, who is a member of the
Popular Militia guarding the greenhouses, was injured by a bullet to the
thigh. Tension persisted until the evening hours.

And on Friday, 12 May 2006, the same group of people recommenced attempts to
steal the greenhouses. Forces from the Joint Committee of Security Branches
intervened to disperse the mob. The gunmen protecting the mob fired at the
security forces but no injuries were reported.

At approximately 13:00 on Friday, clashes between the armed mob and security
forces resumed, resulting in the death of Rami Rasmi El-Masri, 23, who was
killed by a bullet to the head. El-Masri worked as a member of the National
Security Forces but he was off-duty at the time of the incident. Husam
Abdel Aziz El-Najjar, 28, was injured by a bullet to the left leg and
Ibrahim Zo'rob, 28, sustained superficial shrapnel wounds to the neck.

In a related development, members of the El-Masri clan fired at Palestinian
security vehicles in the area where the clashes had occurred. Later, they
attacked two police stations in Khan Yunis and Bani Suheila, firing shots at
both. Policeman Mohammad Farid El-Najjar, 28, was injured by a bullet to
the right leg. Gunmen from the El-Masri clan burned both police stations.
They also closed Salah El-Deen Road, connecting Rafah and Khan Yunis, for
two hours and burned tyres in the area.

In the morning hours of Saturday, 13 May 2006, the attacks on the
greenhouses resumed. Palestinian security forces intervened and clashed
with the attackers. As a result, Abdel Rahman Talal El-Najjar, 27, was
injured by a bullet to the right leg.

PCHR is gravely concerned over the escalating internal violence and use of
weapons by armed groups and individuals, which is causing further
deterioration to security chaos currently plaguing the Occupied Palestinian
Territory. The Centre calls upon the Palestinian National Authority,
represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate these incidents and
bring the perpetrators to justice.

#3 Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms
Using Weapons in Personal and Clan Disputes

Field Update
14 May 2006

Citizen Killed during a Clan Dispute in Beit Hanoun

PCHR's initial investigation indicates that at approximately 19:00 on
Friday, 12 May 2006, Baha' Rafiq Ashour (26) was killed by a bullet to the
chest, fired by a member of the El-Kafarna clan near the victim's house in
the El-Amal Quarter of Beit Hanoun. The crime was committed against the
backdrop of a verbal exchange, which had taken place between members of the
Ashour and El-Kafarna clans in Beit Hanoun on the same evening. The
exchange took place after a woman from the Ashour clan suffered bruises
after being hit by a car driven by a member of El-Kafarna clan. The suspect
in the shooting surrendered to the Palestinian Police, which has started an
investigation into the incident.

PCHR is concerned about the continuation of internal violence, including the
use of weapons in personal and clan disputes, which has become a prominent
feature of the ongoing 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.

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

Field Update
14 May 2006

Gunmen Shoot a Preventive Security Officer and a Child in Beach Camp

This morning, unknown assailants shot an officer in the Preventive Security
Apparatus in Beach Camp, injuring him and a child who was nearby.

PCHR's initial investigation indicates that on the morning of Sunday, 14 May
2006, unknown assailants shot Fahed Abu El-Amrein, 25, near his house in
Beach Camp, Gaza City, before fleeing the scene. Abu El-Amrein, who is an
officer in the Preventive Security Apparatus, was hit by bullets to the
legs. In addition, Mohammad Abu El-Sebah, 14, was hit by a bullet to the
chest. Both were taken to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where Abu
El-Amrien's injuries were described as moderate and the child's condition as
serious. Afterwards, a force from the Preventive Security took Abu
El-Amrein to the Al-Quds Hospital in the Tal El-Hawa Quarter, near the
headquarters of the Preventive Security in Gaza City.

PCHR strongly condemns this assault, which is part of the security chaos
currently plaguing 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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