[imra] Daily digest - Volume: 2 Issue: 1397 (10 messages)

imra Mon May 22 02:20:03 2006 Volume 2 : Issue 1397

In this issue of the imra daily Digest:

CABINET COMMUNIQUE
Knesset Christian Allies Caucus to Present
Newly Created Women's Council
Anthony Julius Tells University of
Haifa Audience of New Boycott Attempt
Text: President Abbas speech at WEF at Sharm El-Sheikh
(wants negotiations - silent on acting against terror infrastructure)
Malaysia To Give US$16 Million To Palestinian Government
Excerpts: Hamas Euro smuggler caught.
Hamas - Fatah fracas continues 21 May 2006
Explosion at the Palestinian General
Intelligence Headquarters
REPORT URGES BUSH TO
REJECT ISRAELI PULLOUT
Report: PM Olmert's Planned WB Withdrawal:
A Threat to U.S. Interests and Security
CONGRESS MAINTAINS U.S. AID TO EGYPT

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

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), 21.5.06:
1. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert paid tribute to the late Yitzhak Ben-Aharon
( http://tinyurl.com/ofjtf ): see http://tinyurl.com/omtk7 for details.

Prime Minister Olmert referred to the strike by intestinal cancer patients,
who are demanding that certain drugs be included in the health basket. He
said that following consultations with Health Minister Yaacov Ben-Yizri,
Minister Rafi Eitan and Defense Minister Amir Peretz, he spoke this morning
with the requisite officials and asked that the health basket committee
urgently reconvene in order to reconsider the issue and allow the Cabinet to
make decisions that will allow lives to be prolonged and saved. He noted
that while the Cabinet cannot set professional-clinical priorities for the
committee and its expert members, "We are very sensitive to these patients'
suffering. Their appeals are heart-rending and we will act according to the
recommendations of the specially-appointed professional committee. I hope
that these patients will stop their strike, which certainly does not make
their health situation any better, and return home, and will receive the
best possible treatment." I hope that we will be able to make decisions on
these issues soon."

Prime Minister Olmert thanked Minister Eitan for his recent efforts on the
matter, including the generous good will of the Ofer family and the Ofer
Foundation on the issue, the assistance of which cannot come in place of the
state's obligations.

2. Representatives of various regional authorities, in cooperation with the
Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski, ahead of Jerusalem Day (this Friday,
26.5.06, which is also the day on which Israel's rural communities salute
Jerusalem) and the Shavuot holiday (Friday, 2.6.06;
http://tinyurl.com/r4r39 ), presented ministers with the traditional first
fruits. Prime Minister Olmert said that this was an opportunity to bless
Israel's capital city of Jerusalem ( http://tinyurl.com/5dhg8 ).

3. Defense Minister Peretz briefed ministers on the security events of the
past week - including the increased Kassam and GRAD rocket fire from the
Gaza Strip - and the increasing confrontation between Abu Mazen and Fatah,
and Hamas. He also discussed the security forces' counter-terrorist
efforts, both vis-a-vis the Gaza Strip and Judea and Samaria, as well as the
continued easing of restrictions on the Palestinian civilian population.

4. The Cabinet discussed the provision of humanitarian aid to the
Palestinian population in the form of medical assistance, and decided - in
keeping with its previous decisions and in order to allow humanitarian
assistance to the Palestinian population - as follows:
* To transfer to international aid organizations, as determined by Defense
Minister Peretz in coordination with Prime Minister Olmert, NIS 50 million
worth of medicines and medical equipment, to be financed by the funds which
it has been decided not to transfer to the Palestinian Authority (PA), for
transfer in turn to Palestinian medical institutions. The medicines and
equipment will be transferred after coordination with the aforesaid medical
institutions via the chosen international aid organizations.
* The Cabinet also decided to authorize the Defense Ministry to contact the
international aid organizations in order to implement the foregoing.
At its 19.2.06 meeting ( http://tinyurl.com/h56zo ), the Cabinet decided
that, "Towards the conclusion of the caretaker government, money will not be
transferred from Israel to the Palestinian Authority." At its 11.4.06
meeting ( http://tinyurl.com/edulo ), the Cabinet decided that, "The
Palestinian Authority is a terrorist authority that is hostile to Israel;
The State of Israel, and all of its official representatives, will not hold
ties with the Palestinian Authority and its elements.Israel will coordinate
with the international community regarding humanitarian assistance for the
needs of the Palestinian population, not via the Palestinian Authority
establishment." In light of existing humanitarian needs regarding medicines
and medical equipment at PA medical institutions, the Cabinet decided as per
the foregoing.

Prime Minister Olmert said: "The State of Israel feels bound - above and
beyond its formal obligations - to see to humanitarian concerns, and to the
health of those who are ill anywhere. We cannot, under any circumstances,
bear the thought of a sick child without medical assistance, solely because
of a shortage of drugs, and this has nothing to do with any kind of formal
obligation. This is a moral and fundamentally Jewish concern that we want
to uphold. We have no intention of helping the Palestinian government, we
will not transfer so much as a penny to any Palestinian official, but I say,
we will render such assistance as may be necessary for humanitarian needs.
This is, has been, and will be, the way of the State of Israel."

5. The Cabinet decided to allocate NIS 500 million to the SELA Disengagement
Authority in order to expand temporary structures - via the Construction and
Housing Ministry - designated as residential quarters for special needs
families. This sum is in accordance with SELA Disengagement Authority
estimates, in response to applications from families in the wake of various
special needs such as disability and limited mobility, social situation,
overcrowding, etc.

6. The Cabinet appointed the following ministerial committees:
a. Ministerial Committee Regarding Unauthorized Outposts;
b. Ministerial State Control Committee;
c. Ministerial Committee on Advancing the Status of Women in Israeli
Society;
d. Ministerial Committee on Intellectual Property;
e. Ministerial Committee on Road Safety; and
f. Ministerial Committee on Regional Economic Development.

7. Pursuant to the 1959 Civil Service Law (Appointments), the Cabinet
appointed Aharon Abramovitch as Foreign Ministry Director-General to replace
Ron Prosor, effective 4.6.06 (see http://tinyurl.com/j8j7h for details).

8. The Cabinet discussed human trafficking and decided to establish a
permanent directors-general committee to oversee coordination of the
struggle against human trafficking in the spheres of law enforcement,
victims' rights and the preparation of preventive plans. The Justice
Ministry Director-General will chair the committee; its other members will
include the directors-general of the Public Security; Social Welfare;
Interior; Industry, Trade and Employment; Health and Foreign ministries and
the Israel Police Commissioner (or their senior representatives). A senior
Justice Ministry official will be appointed as interministerial coordinator
and will oversee - inter alia - both intra-government coordination and
coordination with NGO's.
It should be noted that the 2001 US State Department report to Congress on
human trafficking ranked Israel in the lowest ranking. In the 2002-2005
reports, Israel was in the intermediate ranking.

The State of Israel will do its utmost, and will use all means at its
disposal, in the struggle against human trafficking.

9. The Cabinet noted that Prime Minister Olmert will leave for the US today
in order to meet with US President George Bush as well as with senior
government and Jewish community officials.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Knesset Christian Allies Caucus to Present
Newly Created Women's Council

The Knesset Christian Allies Caucus to Present the Newly Created KCAC Women's
Council in its First Meeting of the Seventeenth Knesset

Kay Arthur and Janet Parshall, renowned American Christian leaders, and
Israeli women MKs will form new KCAC Women's Council

Judeo-Christian Values at Center of Council's Strategy to Liberate Oppressed
Women Around the World

Sunday, May 21, 2006- The Knesset Christian Allies Caucus (KCAC) will meet
to launch the KCAC Women's Council on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 4:00PM in the
Knesset's Lecture Hall.

An Israeli board of directors in Jerusalem and an international board of
directors in Washington will govern the Women's Council through a joint
steering committee. MKs Amira Dotan and Orit Noked and former MKs Gila
Finkelstein and Gila Gamliel will represent the Israeli board at this
meeting. Kay Arthur, Chairwoman of the international board, will represent
the international board at this meeting along with renowned Christian leader
Jane Hansen, president and CEO of AGLOW.

MK Yuri Shtern, founder and chairman of the caucus, commented, "The modern
struggle for women's rights is based on the values revealed in the Ancient
Bible. By establishing a women's council, our caucus aims to create strong
cooperation between Israeli politicians, Israeli women's rights activists,
and faith based women's rights campaigners and politicians abroad."

The Knesset Christian Allies Caucus, established in 2004 during the
sixteenth Knesset, is continuing to promote this new relationship between
Christians and Jews in the current seventeenth Knesset. For over two years,
this body has succeeded in opening formal and direct lines of communication
between the representatives of the Jewish people and Christian leaders
around the world.

We sincerely hope you will join us at this historic meeting. Your
attendance is very important and highly appreciated.

Media Contact:

Miya Keren
Administrative Assistant, Knesset Christian Allies Caucus
yshtern1@knesset.gov.il
054-697-4172

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Anthony Julius Tells University of
Haifa Audience of New Boycott Attempt

Anthony Julius Tells University of Haifa Audience of New Boycott Attempt

HAIFA. May 21(University of Haifa)-Anthony Julius, the British litigator, is
once again defending Israeli academic institutions. Speaking today at the
opening session of the University of Haifa's Board of Governors Meeting,
Julius revealed that he was representing an American professor at Oxford who
is against the boycott that his union, the Association of University
Teachers (AUT), may be forced to accept without debate when it merges on May
30th with the National Association of Teachers in Higher Education (NATFHE).

The latter is expected to pass a resolution at the end of the week (May 27)
calling for the boycott of all Israeli Universities, not just specific
institutions. The 60,000-member NATFHE is a larger union, but mainly
represents teachers less prestigious colleges, according to Julius.

"What happens if the resolution passes?" Julius "Does it bind the new
union?"

"This," he continued, "is the pressing legal question now being debated in
England."

Julius, who successfully defended Deborah Lipstadt against Holocaust denier
David Irving, last helped overturn the AUT boycott against the University of
Haifa and the Hebrew University.

The University of Haifa is conferring an honorary doctorate on Julius this
evening.

Describing boycotts as "the weapon of choice" in assaults against Israel,
the litigator said that he expected to be the first "correspondent" of the
new union. His client will introduce a motion declaring the NATFHE motion
illegal and without validity if it is passed and appears to be binding on
the joint union.

AUT officials told him that there is nothing they can do at this point,
since they cannot interfere in the affairs of another union. Julius thought
the response disingenuous. He said the union had an obligation to safeguard
its members, but was doing nothing about the new boycott attempt.

"It is not clear whether the resolution will be binding," he admitted. If
it is, then his client is not being an opportunity to speak out against it
and his dues will be used to finance speakers promoting the boycott.

He related that the new motion invites members to "consult their
consciences" in regard to a boycott, rather than mandating it outright as
did the AUT resolution last year. The present move, he said, is more
sophisticated and harder to beat down.
Julius thought that boycott issue was finally gaining the attention of
Israel's friends unlike the situation several years.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Text: President Abbas speech at WEF at Sharm El-Sheikh
(wants negotiations - silent on acting against terror infrastructure)

President Says Committed to Put Results of Negotiations with Israelis to
General Referendum
http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?id=6335

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, May 21, 2006 (WAFA - PLO news agency)- President Mahmoud
Abbas said Sunday that he is committed to put the results of negotiations
with the Israelis to a general referendum.

In a speech before the World Economic Forum on the Middle East in the
Egyptian resort of Sharm El-Sheikh, President Abbas stressed that "peace is
not merely the signature of leaders, it will need the approval of the
people, and hence came the idea of a general referendum."

He emphasised that "we will continue to work together to achieve a
historical peace treaty between the Palestinian and Israeli sides."

"It is time to end occupation and conflict in the holy land, President Abbas
said. "I know that this is the aim and objective of the vast majority of
Israelis and Palestinians and all peoples in the area and worldwide, in
order to live in peace, stability and prosperity for all."

"We have no choice but to resume a meaningful peace process that leads to
the implementation of the Road Map," the President added. "The only way we
have is a real peace process that leads to ending the occupation and ending
conflict on the basis of implementation of the relevant resolutions of
international legality addressing to all the issues reserved for permanent
status negotiations (Jerusalem, settlements, borders, refugees and water)
and many other issues of common interest."

President Abbas said that some may say how can you resume negotiations with
the existence of a Palestinian government that does not recognise Israel? "I
say that I will continue to exert every possible effort to obtain the
agreement of the Palestinian government to my political platform, especially
regarding the political solution to the conflict and negotiations to
establish two states."

"The political negotiations with the Israeli government are the historical
choice of the Palestinian people and are the responsibility and the
jurisdiction of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) which executive
committee I head. Negotiations will take place through the Negotiations
Affairs Department of the PLO," he added. "The Palestinian government will
not object to this and will not create obstacles before these talks."

The President expressed hope that the new Israeli government will abandon
the slogan of "no partner", and accept our invitation to return to the
negotiating table. "The drawing of the final borders cannot happen through
dictations, but rather in the negotiations."

He warned that "unilateralism will quickly put an end to the two-state
solution and will increase violence."

President Abbas expressed his deepest gratitude to Egypt and for President
Mohammed Hosni Mubarak for his unwavering commitment to achieve a historic,
lasting, comprehensive and just solution that will guarantee the
establishment of a Palestinian state next to the state of Israel.

Here by is the full text of the speech:

H.E. President Hosni Mubarak

Mr. President:

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen distinguish guests:

Thank you for your kind invitation, and I am honoured to speak to you today
at this highly respected forum which became a gathering for international
Leaders searching for development, progress and cooperation in all economic
fields leading to a positive impact on security, peace and stability in the
region and the world at large.

Ladies & Gentlemen:

I realise what goes in your minds about the Palestinian situation, and I
address you once again, with hope that paralysis and melancholy will not
prevail, and you will not follow a policy of the possible instead of the
needed. It is you who found solutions to the most difficult international
and economic crises when you knew what is needed to resolve these crises and
confronted challenges with prudence and sharpness until the needed has been
accomplished although it might have appeared impossible for many.

Despite all the political changes and financial crises, there is one
constant and that is that the Palestinian people simply seek freedom - real
liberation - on 22% of what remained of our land. A compelling majority of
Palestinians accepts Israel's right to exist on the remaining 78%.

What is necessary is to end the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian land,
and hence I introduced my political platform that was the basis of my
Presidential election campaign. This program included recognition of the
State of Israel, recognition of the principle of two states and the
establishment of Palestine and Israel on the borders of 4 June 1967, it also
included rejection of violence and the pursuit of resolving the conflict
with Israel through peaceful means and through the peace process that leads
to implementing the Road Map as a whole in order to end the Israeli
occupation which began in 1967.

This political platform came as a continuation of the historical decision of
our people in 1988 when the Palestine National Council adopted the
Palestinian peace initiative and adopted Security Council resolutions 242
and 338 and presented an opportunity to accomplish a historical
reconciliation.

These principles did not change even following the most sever blows to the
peace process, primarily settlement construction, Wall construction and land
confiscation to create facts on the ground that prejudice the results of
negotiations. This platform did not change because it is the historical
choice of the Palestinian people at home and in exile. I re-affirmed it in
the assignment letter to the Prime Minister from the Hamas party.

I stressed before him that the government's political guidelines are the
principle of two states, acceptance of the Road Map, rejection of violence
and participation in the peace process. But moving from opposition to
authority requires big changes that take some time. Today, the government is
only seven weeks old, and it is my view that it should be given a chance to
adopt the historical choice of the Palestinian people. I will continue to
exert every effort with the government in order for it to accept the
platform that was the basis of its assignment.

For this reason, I will lead the Palestinian National Dialogue with the
government participation due on the 25th of this month, with the objective
of unifying our goal that aims to achieve the two states solution and our
people legitimate rights through peaceful negotiations.

At the same time, I consider that cutting aid and collective punishments
will not contribute to the democratic process of the internal Palestinian
dialogue, and will not create the appropriate atmosphere that allows the new
government to adopt the platform according to the letter of assignment, and
will definitely lead to a humanitarian catastrophe that will affect all
sections of the Palestinian people.

The balance here lies in the continuation of international aid to our
people, and at the same time continuation of every possible effort towards
the government to accept the platform in the assignment letter which is
based on international and Arab legitimacy and Palestinian Authority
previous commitments. In addition, Israel's seizure of the Palestinian
clearance revenue collected in Israeli ports and withholding it from the
Palestinian Treasury, will not contribute to political solutions.

This action is against all international agreements and international law
and takes away from the teacher, the doctor and the policeman their
livelihood and the food of their children.

Ladies and gentlemen:

I called upon the new Israeli government to avoid the path of unilateral
actions, construction of walls and settlements, incursions, assassinations,
arrests, siege, closure and the imposition of facts on the ground,
especially regarding the city of Jerusalem. These policies and practices led
during the past decades to expanding the cycle of violence, to chaos,
extremism and bloodshed.

Few days ago, I called the Israeli Prime Minister Mr. Ehud Olmert and
congratulated him on successfully forming his new coalition government. I
also congratulate Mrs. Tzipi Livni on gaining confidence as a deputy Prime
Minister and Minister of Foreign affairs. I expressed to Mr. Olmert my
desire to resume partnership with him for the sake of peace. We have no
choice but to resume a meaningful peace process that leads to the
implementation of the Road Map. The only way we have is a real peace process
that leads to ending the occupation and ending conflict on the basis of
implementation of the relevant resolutions of international legality
addressing to all the issues reserved for permanent status negotiations as
stipulated in Oslo Accords (Jerusalem, settlements, borders, refugees and
water) and many other issues of common interest.

Some may say how can you resume negotiations with the existence of a
Palestinian government that does not recognise Israel? I say that I will
continue to exert every possible effort to obtain the agreement of the
Palestinian government to my political platform, especially regarding the
political solution to the conflict and negotiations to establish two states.

On the other hand, the political negotiations with the Israeli government
are the historical choice of the Palestinian people and are the
responsibility and the jurisdiction of the Palestine Liberation Organisation
which executive committee I head. Negotiations will take place through the
Negotiations Affairs Department of the PLO. The Palestinian government will
not object to this and will not create obstacles before these talks.

On my part, I committed to put the results we reach in negotiations to a
general referendum. Peace is not merely the signature of leaders, it will
need the approval of the people, and hence came the idea of a general
referendum.

Ladies and gentlemen:

I hope that the new Israeli government will abandon the slogan of "no
partner", and accept our invitation to return to the negotiating table. The
drawing of the final borders cannot happen through dictations, but rather in
the negotiations. Providing security, peace and fulfilling commitments will
not be achieved by walls and military solutions. It can only be achieved
through a comprehensive and a just political solution, and through the
implementation of the Road Map according to an agreed timetable.

This requires creative economic solution, provide real freedom for trade,
investment, free passage and genuine economic that can take us toward the
future.

Unilateralism is a tempting mirage that tempts the exhausted and bitter with
such illusions that seem like solutions because they are the easy and the
possible thing to happen, and not what is needed to solve the conflict and
involves effort. Unilateralism tempts with the false claim of more security
for the two people at a time when our basic human rights are violated and
when it puts us in a suffocating misery and prisons that become increasingly
smaller. Unilateralism falsely promises us "permanent" arrangements
impossible without resolving any of the main issues of conflict: security,
borders, Jerusalem and refugees. Unilateralism cannot put an end to
occupation, end to the conflict and end to claims. On the contrary
unilateralism will quickly put an end to the two-state solution and will
increase violence.

Therefore, this is the choice that we face today. Are we, Palestinians,
Israelis and international community, ruling out the possibility of peace
for the future generations in the Middle East by accepting what is not
sustainable? Or will we make and choose an opportunity for real peace in the
region. Will we succumb to a vicious paralysis or choose to rise above the
shackles of ideology or our own shortsightedness and do what we all know is
needed and necessary to be done? If we now allow the two-state solution to
die, we will be limiting and destroying the dreams of our grandchildren for
tomorrow.

It is time to end occupation and conflict in the holy land. I know that this
is the aim and objective of the vast majority of the Israeli and the
Palestinian peoples and all peoples in the area and worldwide, in order to
live in peace, stability and prosperity for all.

Once again, I thank you for this invitation. I believe that I spoke to
friends and partners who share with us the values of freedom, democracy,
peace, stability and dialogue. I trust that we will continue to work
together to achieve a historical peace treaty between the Palestinian and
Israeli sides.

At the end I hope successful results for this forum, and I would to express
my deepest gratitude to Egypt and for my brother President Mohammed Hosni
Mubarak for his unwavering commitment to achieve a historic, lasting,
comprehensive and just solution that will guarantee the establishment of a
Palestinian state next to the state of Israel. I also express my thanks and
appreciations to Professor Claus Schwab President of World Economic Forum
for this opportunity

Thank you.

S.A.S. (15:53 P) (12:53 GMT)

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Malaysia To Give US$16 Million To Palestinian Government

Malaysia To Give US$16 Million To Palestinian Government
From Amer Hamzah Md Sap Amer
www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=198864

SHARM EL-SHEIKH (Egypt), May 21 (Bernama-The Malaysian National News
Agency) -- Malaysia is ready to give US$16 million (RM57.6 million) to the
cash-squeezed Palestinian Authority, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah
Ahmad Badawi.

He said the aid was to help the Palestinian government provide for the need
of the Palestinian people following an aid boycott by major Western donor
countries after the radical Hamas movement won elections in January.

"I have discussed with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on their need,"
he said at a news conference after he addressed a session at the World
Economic Forum on Middle East at this Egyptian Red Sea resort Sunday.

The session was also attended by Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmad Mahmoud
Nazif, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyib Erdogan and Lebanese Prime
Minister Fouad Siniora.

Abdullah said the details of how the aid would be given to the Palestinian
Authority would be discussed when Abbas visits Malaysia.

Saturday, Abbas said he had accepted an invitation to visit Malaysia from
Abdullah at a time and date yet to be decided.

Abdullah said Malaysia would channel the aid to the Palestinian Authority
through Abbas.

However, he said, the time would come when all sides would have to deal
directly with the Hamas-led government.

International donors who included the European Union and the United States
suspended aid to the Palestinian Authority unless Hamas, which they
categorised as a terrorist organisation, agreed to renounce violence and
recognise Israel.

Abdullah, who is the current chair of the Organisation of Islamic Conference
(OIC), today also held bilateral meetings with the Egyptian premier and OIC
Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.

-- BERNAMA

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Excerpts: Hamas Euro smuggler caught.
Hamas - Fatah fracas continues 21 May 2006

Excerpts: Hamas Euro smuggler caught.Hamas - Fatah fracas continues 21 May
2006

+++HEADING:"Rival security forces stage bloody showdown in gaza city"
Compiled by Daily Star Staff.
QUOTE FROM TEXT:
"senior Hamas member was caught trying to smuggle hundreds of thousands
of euros into Gaza ... Abbas called for an immediate investigation"

A senior Hamas member was caught Friday trying to smuggle hundreds of
thousands of euros into Gaza, prompting a fresh showdown with Palestinian
President Mahmoud Abbas, who called for an immediate investigation. The
showdown came just hours after bloody clashes in Gaza City between security
forces loyal to Abbas and a new unit run by the government that left four
people wounded.
In growing defiance toward Abbas and the Bush administration, Premier Ismail
Haniyya vowed during Friday prayers not to disband a new government-led
security force and said he was prepared to increase its size.
"Sami Abu Zuhri tried to cross with 639,000 euros ($816,000) which has been
confiscated by the Palestinian customs authorities," ... .
He said that passengers were authorized to cross the Rafah terminal with
$2,000 but that any greater amount of money had to be declared, with
documentation of where it was coming from and where it was going to.
Samir Abu Nahla, the Palestinian director of the Rafah crossing, said Abu
Zuhri "was wrapping the money around his belly and that was an illegal act."
... the president had ordered an investigation by the Palestinian attorney
general.
Rafah is guarded by Abbas' presidential guard, raising fears of fresh
Palestinian infighting after overnight clashes. Abbas' elite guard also
called in reinforcements, as gunmen from the armed wing of Hamas, the
Izzeddine al-Qassam Brigades, fanned out around the crossing and departed
only after Zuhri was released.
Security sources told AFP that the Hamas spokesman had been in Doha and
Cairo before trying to return to the impoverished Gaza Strip.
Zuhri told reporters the confiscated money would be submitted to the
Palestinian Interior Ministry.
He was detained until government spokesman Ghazi Hamad and a political
adviser to Haniyya arrived to collect him after consultations with the head
of the crossing.
. . .In the overnight clashes, members of the new force surrounded the
main police station in Gaza City and traded fire with security men taking
cover inside.
. . ..
Police accused Hamas of starting the clashes by opening fire on the police
station.
The clashes sent terrified residents fleeing from the streets, where tension
has soared amid fears of civil war.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called the emergence of rival
security forces a "dangerous situation."
Haniyya said the force would not be disbanded.
"We do not intend to make one step backward," he said. ...The 3,000-strong
government-backed force, formed under the authority of Interior Minister
Saeed Seyam, was deployed in a challenge to the authority of Abbas. . . .

+++ARAB NEWS (Saudi) 21 May '06:"PA Intelligence Chief Hurt in Bomb
Attack",Hisham Abu Taha, Arab News -
QUOTE FROM TEXT:
"head of Palestinian genral intelligence ... assassination plot"
:"Some Fatah members demanded Abbas dissolve the Hamas government and
call early elections"

GAZA CITY, 21 May 2006 - The head of the Palestinian general intelligence,
Gen. Tareq Abu Rajab, was injured yesterday in an assassination attempt at
his Gaza City headquarters. One of Abu Rajab's guards was killed and nine
others were wounded when the elevator that the general took exploded.
"It's a clear assassination attempt. We are launching an investigation to
get to the perpetrators," a senior General Intelligence Agency official
said. Abu Rajab escaped an assassination attempt in 2004.
President Mahmoud Abbas ordered an immediate investigation into the
explosion. He called the blast "unfortunate" and said it poses a "grave
danger" to the Palestinian Authority.
Some Fatah members demanded Abbas dissolve the Hamas government and call
early elections.
Tawfiq Tirawi, Abu Rajab's West Bank-based deputy, said Hamas was
responsible for the 2004 assassination attempt. Asked if Hamas was also
responsible for yesterday's attack, Tirawi said: "Everything is possible. I
don't rule anything out for now."
The initial investigation, carried out by Palestinian security forces loyal
to Abbas, found that a homemade bomb packed with metal pellets had been
planted under the elevator's floor, Tirawi said.
The wounded were driven to nearby Shifa Hospital in cars of the intelligence
service. Fellow agents fired in the air from the windows of the vehicles to
clear the way. Several members of a new Hamas militia fired toward the
vehicles, possibly because they believed they were coming under attack,
witnesses said. Abu Rajab underwent surgery at Shifa Hospital where doctors
stopped the bleeding and stabilized him before taking the intelligence chief
in a heavily guarded Palestinian ambulance to the Israel-Gaza border
crossing. Israeli medical personnel treated Abu Rajab on the spot before
putting him on the ambulance and transporting him to Tel Aviv's Ichilov
Hospital.
After his arrival at Ichilov, the hospital said Abu Rajab was in serious
condition, under sedation and hooked up to a respirator.. . .

Sue Lerner - Associate - IMRA

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Explosion at the Palestinian General
Intelligence Headquarters

PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

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

Field Update
21 May 2006

Explosion at the General Intelligence Headquarters
Ten Injured, including the Director of General Intelligence, and One Guard
killed

Yesterday morning, a mysterious explosion rocked the headquarters of the
General Intelligence (GI) in the Sudaneya area of Gaza City. The explosion
killed Ali Abdel Aziz Abu Hasira (22), who is employed in the GI, and
injured ten others, including the Director of GI, General Tariq Sh'neiwra
"Abu Rajab" (55).

PCHR's preliminary investigation indicates that at 10:20 on Saturday, 20 May
2006, General Abu Rajab and three of his guards were in the General's
private elevator at the GI Headquarters. A huge explosion occurred in the
elevator, killing Abu Hasira, and injuring Abu Rajab. The General's legs
were broken in the blast and he sustained shrapnel injuries all over his
body. He was transferred for treatment to an Israeli hospital, where his
injuries were described as moderate. GI staff members were also injured by
shrapnel. They were taken for treatment to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
Four of the injured suffered serious injuries. The injured are:
- Mustafa Ali Bakir (54), sustained fractures to the skull and lost
a hand. His condition is serious;
- Husam Hmeid (25), sustained shrapnel injuries all over his body
and burns to the face. His condition is serious;
- Mervat Shaheen (20), sustained shrapnel injuries all over her
body. Her condition is serious;
- Mohammad Hmeid (50), sustained shrapnel injuries all over his
body. His condition is serious;
- Mohammad Ibrahim Abu Hasira (30), sustained shrapnel injuries all
over his body;
- Basem Sha'ban Jarad (33), sustained shrapnel injuries all over
his body;
- Baha Hosni Zeino (26), sustained shrapnel injuries all over his
body;
- Osama Mohammad El-Mobayed (29), sustained shrapnel injuries all
over his body; and
- Haitham Zeyad Hmeid (29), sustained shrapnel injuries all over
his body.

PCHR views with great concern the repeated attacks on public officials,
which are part of the ongoing security chaos 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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From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: REPORT URGES BUSH TO
REJECT ISRAELI PULLOUT

REPORT URGES BUSH TO REJECT ISRAELI PULLOUT

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- A U.S. security think-tank has urged President George
Bush to reject an Israeli government plan for a unilateral withdrawal from
90 percent of the West Bank.

The report by the Washington-based Center for Security Policy,
www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/Olmerts_Convergence_Plan.pdf regarded as
close to the Defense Department, warned that the plan prepared by Israeli
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert would destabilize the Middle East and threaten
U.S. interests in Iraq and Jordan. The report said the West Bank would
quickly come under the control of Iran and other U.S. adversaries.
"Although an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and the dismantlement of
Israeli communities there seems consonant with traditional American policies
in the Middle East, in light of the radicalization of Palestinian society,
as evidenced by Hamas' electoral victory in January 2006, it is unclear how
an Israeli withdrawal today will align with U.S. national security interests
and goals," the report, entitled "Ehud Olmert's Convergence Plan for the
West Bank and U.S. Middle East Policy," said. "Unfortunately, it seems
evident that an Israeli retreat from the West Bank will empower the terror
supporting, anti-American de facto Palestinian state and will create a new
base for global terrorism."

The report marked an effort by Republican Party conservatives, who include
leading members of the House and Senate, to oppose Olmert's plan.
Conservative supporters of Israel, including the Christian Right, did not
lobby against U.S. support for Israel's decision to withdraw from the Gaza
Strip in 2005.
========
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:
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------------------------------

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Report: PM Olmert's Planned WB Withdrawal:
A Threat to U.S. Interests and Security

CENTER FOR SECURITY POLICY www.CenterforSecurityPolicy.org

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's Planned Withdrawal from the West Bank:
A Threat to U.S. Interests and Security
www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/tps_glick_513.doc
[For full report:
www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/Olmerts_Convergence_Plan.pdf ]

Background: Israel's new Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is scheduled to visit
Washington, DC later this month in order to secure administration and
congressional support for his plan to withdraw Israeli civilians and the
Israeli military from between 90-95 percent of the West Bank and large
sections of the city of Jerusalem. On the budgetary side, Olmert asserts
that the implementation of his plan will cost $10 billion and he intends to
seek U.S. financing to underwrite this cost.

Olmert's plan involves expelling between 50,000-100,000 Israeli civilians
from their homes and the destruction of between 50-100 Israeli communities
in the West Bank and the redeployment of Israeli military forces to
garrisoned positions. He claims that this plan will enhance regional
stability, improve Israeli security, increase the prospects of peace between
Israel and the Palestinians, and boost Israeli and American standing in the
international community. These claims are identical to those advanced by
former prime minister Sharon when he advocated Israel's withdrawal from the
Gaza Strip which took place last September.

- Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip last year failed to do any
of these things. Indeed the actual consequences of the withdrawal have been
the exact opposite of what Sharon predicted. A reenactment of that operation
on the West Bank - which is both 20 times larger than the Gaza Strip and
vastly more significant on a strategic level - will exacerbate the failure
of the Gaza withdrawal strategy to the detriment not only of Israel's
national security, but the stability of the Jordanian regime and American
national security interests.

- Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip fomented the transformation
of Gaza into a Taliban-like state. The Palestinians perceived Israel's
decision to retreat to the 1949 armistice lines as a victory for Hamas and
the jihadist ideology that negates Israel's right to exist. This perception
contributed greatly to Hamas' stunning electoral victory in the Palestinian
legislative elections in January. Under Hamas's leadership, Palestinian
society is being swiftly transformed into an Islamic extremist society like
Taliban-led Afghanistan.

- After Israel withdrew, Gaza was flooded with terrorists and terror
armaments that passed through Gaza's international border with the Egyptian
Sinai. Katyusha rockets, anti-aircraft missiles and advanced anti-tank
missiles have all been brought into the area.

- Al Qaeda, Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards all set up
forward operating bases in Gaza. Hamas itself has become a client of Iran.

- The destroyed Israeli settlements in Gaza are now used as
terror-training camps and as missile-launching sites. Israeli artillery and
air strikes against terrorist elements in Gaza since the withdrawal have
been ineffective in preventing the escalation of missile, rocket and mortar
attacks against all Israeli cities and villages bordering Gaza.

- An Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank will cause a similar
situation to arise in the areas abandoned by Israel. But unlike the Gaza
Strip, the West Bank provides the Palestinian and global terrorist elements
that will operate freely in the area with the ability to launch missile and
rocket attacks against all of Israel's major cities, highways and civilian
air traffic taking off and landing at Ben Gurion airport. While Olmert
claims that Israel will be protected because the completion of the security
barrier between the West Bank and Israel will be completed by the time
Israel carries out the retreat, that barrier will be unable to protect
Israel from missile and rocket fire on its densely populated cities.

- Even if the IDF retains a presence in the areas after the expulsion
of the civilian population is accomplished, its counter-terror capabilities
will be compromised by domestic political considerations, international
pressure and the increased military capabilities and basing prerogatives for
local and global terrorist elements.

- The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan will be destabilized by Israel's
withdrawal from the West Bank. Jordan's citizenry is 80 percent Palestinian.
Al Qaida, the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas all have a strong presence in the
country. A redeployment of Israeli military forces will degrade Israel's
ability to prevent the convergence of these terror forces on the east bank
of the Jordan River with those on its west bank for the purpose of toppling
the Hashemite regime. Al Qaeda commander in Iraq Abu Musab Zarqawi, a
Jordanian citizen, has already attacked the regime and called for its
overthrow. Hamas has similarly committed itself to the overthrow of the
regime.

The following are the likely impacts of an Israeli withdrawal from the West
Bank on U.S. national security:

1. Establish a new terror refuge in the West Bank that will serve as a
training ground for terrorists who will fight not only against Israel and
Jordan, but also against U.S. forces in Iraq.

2. Weaken U.S. logistical capabilities in Iraq. The destabilization of
Israel and Jordan through the establishment of a Taliban-like regime in the
West Bank will endanger the overland supply route used by U.S. forces from
Israeli ports through Jordan and into Iraq. This will increase U.S.
dependence on Persian Gulf ports and thus motivate Iran to create crises in
the Straits of Hormuz.

3. Enhance the prestige of declared enemies of the U.S. including Iran,
Syria, al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas, Wahhabist extremists in Saudi Arabia and
Salafist extremists in Egypt at the expense of the U.S. The widespread Arab
and Islamic perception of Israel as a U.S. client state will cause an
Israeli retreat and the consequent destabilization of Israel and Jordan to
be perceived as a strategic defeat for the United States. This will motivate
thousands throughout the world to join the forces of global jihad against
America.

4. Decrease motivation to cooperate with the U.S. in the war against
Islamofascism throughout the Arab and Muslim world. The perceived victory
for the global jihad will harm U.S. efforts to gain the support of regimes
and individuals in the Arab and Islamic world such as leaders like Gen.
Pervez Musharraf in Pakistan. He, like democracy activists in Iraq, and
advocates of Islamic moderation in Europe, will be undermined by the
perceived strategic victory of the jihadist forces in the aftermath of
Israel's withdrawal from the West Bank.

In light of the above the U.S. should not lend its support to the Israeli
premier's planned withdrawal from the West Bank. Instead, it should
encourage him to pursue strategies that will deny victories for forces at
war with both the United States and Israel.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: CONGRESS MAINTAINS U.S. AID TO EGYPT

CONGRESS MAINTAINS U.S. AID TO EGYPT

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- Congress has rejected efforts to reduce U.S. military
aid to Egypt.

A House subcommittee spared Egypt of cuts in foreign aid for fiscal 2007.
Under a bill passed by the House Foreign Operations Subcommittee on May 19,
Egypt would receive $1.3 billion in military aid and $400 million in
economic aid, the same as current U.S. assistance.

"Fifty million dollars of this assistance is set aside for political reform
programs and $50 million is provided for education initiatives," a House
statement said. "Continues previous reforms that limit expenditures of funds
until Egypt implements financial sector reforms."

Egypt receives the second largest amount of U.S. assistance. Israel receives
$2.3 billion in U.S. military aid per year.
===

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

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End of [imra] Daily digest - Volume: 2 Issue: 1397 (10 messages)
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