[imra] Daily digest - Volume: 2 Issue: 1335 (12 messages)

imra Wed Feb 22 04:21:30 2006 Volume 2 : Issue 1335

In this issue of the imra daily Digest:

Arabs, OIC, Sweden and Russia Rushing to 'Aid' PNA
Dr.Duweik Freezes all Promotions Approved by Former PLC
President Abbas Weighs Fateh's Participation in New Government
Syria and Iran Discuss Scientific Cooperation
Ya'alon: Israel strengthened Hamas [slams the disengagement]
Jordan and Russia have been discussing
a major aircraft deal - fighter jets, helicopters.
200th Qassam rocket this month - accuracy improving,
NIS 6.4 million on shelling empty fields
Legendary Mossad officer vows to free Pollard
[Pollard: Eitan wanted to kill me]
Poll: Kadima 38 Labor 18 Likud 17 NRP/Nat'l Union 10
PMO Director-General Cohen Chairs Meeting
of Directors-General Committee at Nitzan
Background: multimillionaire Olmert public servant since age 28
Israel: Influx of missiles via Gaza could change balance of power

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Arabs, OIC, Sweden and Russia Rushing to 'Aid' PNA

Arabs, OIC, Sweden and Russia Rushing to 'Aid' PNA
UN Envoy Alvaro de Soto: Israel's Decision Unhelpful, Premature
21 February 2006

Palestine Media Center - PMC
www.palestine-pmc.com/details.asp?cat=1&id=1099

The Arab League, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Sweden,
Russia, Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood are rushing to help the Palestinian
National Authority (PNA) survive a "choking financial crisis" resulting from
Israeli economic sanctions and withholding US and EU donors' aid following
Hamas landslide victory in the legislative elections on January 25.

Israel on Sunday fired the opening salvo in an economic war on the PNA,
halting monthly tax transfers, imposing other sanctions, bracing for
additional embargos, severing contacts with Palestinians, and urging the
international donors to stop their aid as well, as President Mahmoud Abbas
warned that the PNA is facing "a real financial crisis."

"One can assume the lifestyle of the Palestinians will change even though
this is not the aim of the government," said the Israeli foreign minister,
Tzipi Livni.

Dov Weisglass, a senior adviser to Israeli Acting Prime Minister Ehud
Olmert, who helped draw up the economic sanctions, was quoted last week as
saying Palestinians "will feel as if they have been on a visit to a
dietician. They will become thinner, but they won't starve to death."

Palestinian Finance Minister, Mazen Sonokrot, confirmed on Monday that the
PNA has been mired in a "choking financial crisis" for more than a year.

The crisis was sparked by the non-commitment of Arab and international donor
countries to honor their pledges to the PNA, he told Voice of Palestine
Radio.

"I saw the financial crisis increase because the donors don't pay aid money
and some Arab countries are slow to give financial assistance approved by
different conferences," Sonokrot said.

Cutting off financial aid to the PNA "is a collective punishment against the
Palestinian people who practiced their democratic right, in accordance with
the (wishes of the) international community," he added.

UN Objects to Israeli Sanctions

The United Nations on Monday voiced concern about Israel's decision to
withhold tax funds from the PNA, saying the decision is unhelpful and
premature.

"These are monies that belong to the Palestinians and should not be
withheld," the UN Special Envoy to the Middle East Alvaro de Soto told
Reuters.

De Soto said Israel's decision to withhold the money ran counter to the
position taken last month by the so-called Quartet of major peace
mediators -- the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and
Russia.

After Hamas's victory in a Palestinian parliamentary election on January 25,
the Quartet said foreign donors should continue to aid the caretaker
government of President Abbas, at least until Hamas formed a new
administration.

"Depriving the PA of funds which are due to it at this time would not be
helpful," de Soto said.

"It follows that the formation of a new government and the approval of its
programme should be awaited and that actions prior to that would be
premature," de Soto added.

Switzerland Regrets Israel's Decision

Separately, the Swiss foreign ministry on Monday expressed fears that
Israel's decision to stop transferring vital funds to the PNA will adversely
affect civilians.

Switzerland, which is one of the few western governments to recognize Hamas
as democratically elected, called on both sides to behave with restraint.

"Only a renunciation of violence, a willingness to engage in dialogue and
full compliance with international humanitarian law can bring about progress
in the search for a just and lasting solution of the conflict," said the
foreign ministry in a statement.

Sweden Rushes in with US$6.4 Million

Sweden on Monday rushed in with humanitarian aid to Palestinians.

Sweden's foreign aid agency, Sida, said in a press release it will channel
50 million kronor (?5.3 million, US$6.4 million) in humanitarian aid to
Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip through the UN relief agency
for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, the UN children's agency UNICEF and the UN
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA.

Sida distributed 92 million kronor (?9.8 million, US$11.7 million) in
humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in 2005.

Russia Offers to Provide Emergency Assistance

Russia on Monday offered to provide emergency assistance to the Palestinians
as part of international humanitarian relief efforts, the Foreign Ministry
said.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made the offer during a conference
call between members of the so-called quartet of Mideast peace negotiators.

Lavrov also said that Moscow would continue to send "urgent aid."

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice talked Monday with partners in the
Quartet about the financial situation of the Palestinian territories and
their new leaders, a State Department spokesman said.

The talks "covered issues of support to the Palestinian people," spokesman
Noel Clay said.

Arab League Examines Aiding Plan

PNA Finance Minister Sonokrot said that the secretary general of the Arab
League, Amr Moussa, has sent his deputy to Arab countries in an effort to
increase aid offered to the PNA.

"These countries include the (United Arab) Emirates, Jordan, Yemen, Algeria,
Sudan and others," he said.

Moussa has said that the Arab foreign ministers who met Monday in Algiers on
Monday examined a plan to send about $50 million (euro42 million) a month to
the PNA.

A final decision is not expected until Arab leaders meet in a summit next
month in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.

"The maximum that Arab countries have paid is $100 million (euro84 million)
of the $600 million (euro506 million) they agreed to give," a senior
Palestinian official, who refused to be identified, told The Associated
Press.

"Since the Arab summit in Beirut in 2002, the Arab governments decided to
give the Palestinians $600 million (euro506 million) a year. That never
materialized. The Arabs made promises, but never delivered," said Samir
Ghattas, head of the Palestinian Al-Kuds Research Centre.

Jordan on Monday said it is important to keep financial support flowing to
the Palestinians as the Palestinian people would be the first victim in case
this support is halted.

"This support should continue because it has a direct impact on the
Palestinian people's lives," said government spokesperson Nasser Judeh at
his weekly press briefing, according to Petra, the official news agency.

OIC Also Considering Aid

Similarly, the OIC is also considering extending financial aid to Palestine,
Malaysian Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also the OIC
chairman, said on Monday.

"I have already spoken to some leaders about it. We want to help them
(Palestinians)," Badawi said.

Iran, a major Islamic country, urged Muslims worldwide to plan "a yearly
financial aid package" to Palestinians.

Muslims worldwide "must make a plan so all Muslims will be able to supply
the Palestinians with a yearly financial aid package," Iran's supreme leader
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told visiting Hamas leader, Khalid Mishaal, in Tehran
on Monday.

"This voluntary gesture will create a spiritual bond among Muslims and the
Palestinian cause and have a great impact on the world," Khamenei said.

Mishaal said his visit to Iran will be the first of several visits to
foreign powers. "We are seeking support of Arab and Islamic states, as well
as other countries, for our movement, by making such trips," he said.

Muslim Brotherhood Launches Aid Campaign

At the popular level, Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood on Monday launched a
campaign to raise funds for a Hamas-led PNA.

Mohamed Habib, deputy leader of the Brotherhood, told the Financial Times
that the movement, which gave birth to Islamist movements worldwide, was
calling on individuals in the Islamic world to channel donations through the
Arab League, the Red Crescent and other relief agencies.

Mohamed Hilal, another Brotherhood leader, told the Egyptian independent al
Masry al Youm newspaper that members were ready to contribute a quarter of
their monthly earnings or more.

EU Silent

Meanwhile, The European Union, the largest donor to PNA, refrained from
commenting Monday on Israel's move to withhold Palestinian tax funds.

Both Israel and the EU label Hamas as a "terrorist" organization.

However, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana told reporters that the
25-member bloc "will continue to support the Palestinian Authority until the
new government is formed and on that we are trying to find the necessary
resources."

Separately the European Commission spokeswoman Emma Udwin said the EU was
aware of Israel's action but signaled the EU did not want to complicate the
formation of a new Palestinian government by pushing contentious issues such
as halting tax transfers to the Palestinians.

"The new Palestinian government has yet to be formed," she said, adding: "As
far as we are concerned (the outgoing government) is still a caretaker
government."

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Dr.Duweik Freezes all Promotions Approved by Former PLC

Dr.Duweik Freezes all Promotions Approved by Former PLC
http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_new/english/details.asp?name=13832

RMMALLAH, Palestine, February 21, 2006 (IPC+Agencies) - [Official PA
website]- Legislative Council speaker Dr. Aziz Duweik, issued a decree,
freezing all the appointments and promotions approved by the former
legislative council passed on following PLC election on 25 January.

The freeze decision said that the promotions and appointment will be
scrutinized on the basis of laws and regulations pursuant to the PLC system.

The announcement hanged at the billboard in headquarter of the Palestinian
Legislative Council - Rammallah based instructing all the employees to keep
in their former posts until the council end the study of the new promotions
and appointments.

The number of the PLC employees are nearly 560 including 160 personnel are
working in sub-offices that were approved to be dissolved.

The former PLC and upon the recommendations set by the Parliamentary
Reformation Committee formed by the council to discuss the administrative
structure, has taken few days after the announcement of PLC voting results a
slew of promotions and appointments as well as changes in the administrative
structure layout among were the creation of PLC secretary General and the
appointment of PLC rapporteur Ibraheem Khurisha for the post.

Hamas's deputy spokesperson in the West Bank, Khaled Suleiman said that PLC
speaker's decision is only included the latest promotions and appointments.

The former PLC also approved a presidential decree creating Constitutional
Court Law, appointment the head of Personnel council, head of finance and
management commission in PNA.

"The decision of PLC speaker includes only appointments and promotions and
not related to the approval of presidential decrees, "Suleiman said.

Dr. Mahmoud Al-Ramahi, the PLC secretary said that the decision was taken
due to the latest gratuitous promotions.

According to Rumhi, the former PLC appointed a bureau chief for the PLC
speaker three days before elected him without even consulting with the
Speaker. Nearly 17-20 PLC employees were promoted.

PLC secretary asserted that the new administration demanded from the old one
a detailed roll of PLC personnel to check their profiles.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: President Abbas Weighs Fateh's Participation in New Government

President Abbas Weighs Fateh's Participation in New Government
www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_new/english/details.asp?name=13842

GAZA, Palestine, February 21,2006 (IPC+Agencies) [Official PA
website]- -President Mahmoud Abbas announced that Fateh movement has not
decided to be out the new composition of the cabinet and Fateh bloc in
Legislative council will hold talks with who he designated to form the
government.

Abbas said that the talks will tackle all issue "if they find a
co-foundation for talks, they have to partake into the government for the
common interest of the Palestinian people, "Abbas said in an interview with
Al Hura TV yesterday.

He also disclosed that contacts with the USA administration and donors'
countries are on the move to cope with the Palestinian -Israeli crisis.

Abbas hoped that following the formation of the government, the truce
continue and lawlessness bring to a halt in order to enable the Palestinian
National Authority to attract the investors and "upgrade the Palestinian
people who suffered and still suffer too much."

PNA President said that he is expected to send invitations and called on the
leaders of Hamas for more openness to the world and raised its perspectives
as the movement enters a new stage.

Islamic Jihad refuses to take part in government

The Islamic Jihad Movement on Sunday evening declared it would not join the
new Hamas-led PA government although it would cooperate with and support it.

Islamic Jihad, which boycotted the legislative elections that brought Hamas
to power, said that its position did not mean that it would not cooperate
with Hamas.

Sheikh Nafez Azzam, one of Jihad leaders in the Gaza Strip, told reporters
after meeting a Hamas delegation in the house of Dr. Mahmoud Al-Zahhar, ,
that meetings within and outside the homeland between the two Movements
affirmed insistence on resistance.

Azzam said that his Movement would remain in "the same trench with Hamas in
face of international and Zionist pressures".

For his part, Dr. Salah Al-Bardawil, spokesman of Hamas' parliamentary bloc,
said that the door would remain open for loyalists wishing to participate in
the government, adding that dialogue with Jihad would continue to discuss a
certain mechanism for their political participation

PFLP and DFLP to join

In the same connection, PFLP and DFLP expressed readiness to take part in
the Hamas-led PA government following a lengthy meeting between its
delegates and that of the Hamas Movement.

Dr. Mahmoud Al-Zahhar, the prominent Hamas leader and head of its
parliamentary bloc, led the Hamas delegation, Dr. Salah Al-Bardawil, Hamas
speaker in the PLC said, noting that the meeting was "amicable, practical
and successful".

He said the Hamas delegates listened to the PFLP views on various political
and internal questions and that many points of agreement were reached during
that get-together.

Bardawil said that the PFLP promised to table a working paper on the
mechanism by which the PLO could be re-activated.

For his part, one of the PFLP leaders, Kayed Al-Ghool, told a press
conference after the meeting that his Front was ready for participation in
the government after crystallizing an agreement on its political program.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Syria and Iran Discuss Scientific Cooperation

Syria and Iran Discuss Scientific Cooperation
Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 04:00 PM
DAMASCUS, (SANA - Syrian News Agency)-
www.sana.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=17958&newlang=eng

Syria and Iran discussed Tuesday scientific, cultural and research
cooperation between their universities.

Rector of Damascus University Dr. Wa'el Mu'lla and Deputy Iranian Higher
Education Minister Dr. Arsolan Karabani and Deputy Rector of Iranian
University of 'Tarbiat Modares University' Hossni Nadiri talked about the
best ways of enhancing the joint cooperation between Syria and Iran in
scientific, cultural and research fields.

Talks during the meeting dealt with issues and cases of joint concern and
the possibility of opening a branch of 'Tarbiat Modares University' and
joint scientific programs for higher studies.

A.Zeitoun / S.Younes

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Ya'alon: Israel strengthened Hamas [slams the disengagement]

Ya'alon: Israel strengthened Hamas
Yaakov Katz, THE JERUSALEM POST Feb. 21, 2006
www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1139395458405&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Former IDF chief of staff Lt.-Gen. (res.) Moshe Ya'alon on Tuesday accused
the government of responsibility for Hamas's victory in the Palestinian
elections by disengaging from the Gaza Strip this past summer and of not
sufficiently protecting Israeli cities targeted by Kassam rockets.

"We need to escalate military action against the Kassam launchers even if it
means entering the Gaza Strip," Ya'alon said in a speech during a conference
of the Jerusalem Center of Public Affairs. While Israel did not have to keep
troops on the ground in Gaza "for generations" it made a mistake, Ya'alon
said, by not responding immediately after the "Kassam rain showers" began.
The former chief of staff, currently a visiting fellow at the Washington
Institute for Near East Policy, came to Israel for one day to participate in
the conference.

Ya'alon slammed the unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip this past
summer and blamed Israel for Hamas's take-over of the Palestinian Authority.
"There is no question that the disengagement from Gaza strengthened the
Hamas and weakened [PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas] Abu Mazen," he told the
conference which convened at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem.

The disengagement, Ya'alon said, could have been done differently. "Many
people see the occupation as an obstacle to peace instead of the
Palestinians who started the conflict," the former military officer said.
"The bottom line is that we could have done it [disengagement] differently
and we could have strengthened the Zionist story and not the Palestinian
story. The Hamas saw what happened and understood that terrorism had won."

Unilateral steps that did not create a profit for Israel should not be
taken, Ya'alon continued. "Instead of making the Palestinians understand
they will pay a heavy price for terror, they learned they are better off as
terrorists and that is a serious problem," he said.
Meetings this week between the head of Hamas's political wing Khaled Mashal
and officials in Teheran including Iran's radical president Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad, Ya'alon continued, "should make us lose sleep at night."

"Hamas's victory in the elections will tighten the ties between the PA and
Iran and will grant Iran a great deal of influence over what happens in the
West Bank and especially in the Gaza Strip," Ya'alon said. "With or without
financial assistance [to the PA] from the West, the Iranians will enhance
their involvement in the PA, will support terror attacks against Israel and
will transfer information, technology and weapons."

The Iranians, Ya'alon said, also planned to use the results in the
Palestinian elections as a "platform to try and undermine other governments
connected to the West - particularly Egypt and Jordan."

The Palestinian terror groups, Ya'alon said, would use Hamas's win to try
and improve the weaponry and to develop long-range and accurate rockets.
Al-Qaida, the former chief of staff said, was also operating in Gaza and
"young Palestinians were easy recruits" to enlist in the radical terror
group. "We need to assume that the Palestinians will try and improve their
rocket abilities," Ya'alon said. "We can assume that we will soon face
accurate and deadly long-range rockets that can reach Ashkelon and possibly
even farther west."

Israel, Ya'alon said, should use Hamas's victory in the elections to create
a unified international bloc against the radical group as well as global
terrorism. The challenges, he said, were not just Israel's but also affected
the entire western world.

"Isn't it clear already that a society which educates its youth to prefer
death over life is not a partner in dialogue," Ya'alon asked the crowd. "A
society with a narrative that rejects Israel's existence is not someone we
can talk to. It is someone to wage war with."
While a military strike against Iran should be a "last resort," the former
IDF chief called on Israel to exercise restraint and to allow other
countries to launch the strike in its place.

"It is better if the strike is carried out by others and not Israel,"
Ya'alon said adding that for the first time the entire western world was
unified in its opposition to what was clearly an Iranian military nuclear
program.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Jordan and Russia have been discussing
a major aircraft deal - fighter jets, helicopters.

MOSCOW [MENL] -- Jordan and Russia have been discussing a major aircraft
deal.

Russian industry sources said Jordan has been briefed on several advanced
combat platforms for the kingdom's air force. The sources said Amman has
expressed interest in the Mi-28 attack helicopter, Su-30 fighter jet and
Mi-17-1 utility helicopter.

"There is a possibility of a long-term relationship between Russia and
Jordan that would include a series of sales over the next decade," an
industry source said.

In August 2005, Jordan and Russia signed a contract for the sale of two
IL-76MF military transport to Amman. Industry sources said the contract was
valued at $100 million.
====
NOTE: The above is not the full item.
This service contains only a small portion of the information produced daily
by Middle East Newsline. For a subscription to the full service, please
contact Middle East Newsline at:
editor@menewsline.com for further details.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: 200th Qassam rocket this month - accuracy improving,
NIS 6.4 million on shelling empty fields

200th Qassam rocket this month - accuracy improving, NIS 6.4 million on
shelling empty fields

Aaron Lerner Date: 22 February 2006

Israel Radio's correspondent for the South, Nissim Keinan, reported this
morning that the 200th Qassam rocket this month to hit Israel from the Gaza
Strip landed this morning.

Keinan said that this is already double the 100 Qassams in January.

Defense sources told Keinan that while the rockets hitting Israel so far
have remained within a 9 kilometer range that the accuracy and quality of
the rockets have improved.

Keinan reported that defense sources expressed their view that the IDF
response of firing artillery shells at empty fields has failed. So far
Israel has fired some 1,600 shells - each costing NIS 4,000 for an overall
cost of NIS 6.4 million.

In addition to the NIS 6.4 million in artillery shells fired at empty fields
the IAF has spent a considerable amount of money on breaking the sound
barrier over the area and firing rockets considerably more expensive than
artillery shells at the empty fields.

While the Palestinians now are hitting the strategic Ashkelon Industrial
Zone on close to a dailybasis, following the Israeli tradition that only
successful attacks count (when many tens of thousands of Israelis were
almost incinerated when a tanker truck blew up in Israel's largest gas (and
other fuel) depot, the Pi Glilot fuel depot on Thursday May 23, 2002 it had
literally no impact on Israeli decision makers) it can be expected that no
significant action will be taken until the Palestinians actually succeed in
killing hundreds in an attack.

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: Legendary Mossad officer vows to free Pollard
[Pollard: Eitan wanted to kill me]

Legendary Mossad officer vows to free Pollard
But imprisoned Israeli agent says former superior wanted to kill him
By Aaron Klein - WND'S JERUSALEM BUREAU
Worldnetdaily - February 22, 2006
www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48936

JERUSALEM - Rafi Eitan, a legendary Israeli intelligence officer and the
recruiter and handler of imprisoned spy Jonathan Pollard, said here
yesterday if elected to a Knesset seat he would work for Pollard's release.

But Pollard's wife and attorney told WND that in a meeting they previously
held with Eitan the spy's former handler allegedly said if given the
opportunity he would have "put a bullet through Pollard's head" when he
originally sought asylum in an Israeli Embassy so "there would have been no
Pollard affair."

Pollard himself said Eitan was involved in orchestrating his arrest, and he
revealed Eitan allegedly asked him to recruit intelligence for the personal
political benefit of several Israeli officials, including Prime Minister
Ariel Sharon, and to betray names of American agents working inside
Israel -- instructions Pollard says he refused.

"Pollard has been in prison for 20 years. I have felt myself responsible
throughout," Eitan told Israel's Army Radio yesterday. "I want to do
everything I can in order to work for his release. In the Knesset, perhaps I
will find more effective means to free him."

Eitan is running in next month's elections to head the Pensioners' Party,
which represents the rights of retirees. He is the subject of multiple books
and films and is considered a legend in the Israeli intelligence community.
His statements about Pollard made national news in Israel yesterday.

Eitan is best remembered as the Mossad operations chief who masterminded the
capture of Nazi fugitive Adolf Eichmann. While operating in America, he also
recruited and ran Pollard, a U.S. Naval intelligence analyst, as a spy for
LAKAM, a scientific intelligence bureau of the Israeli Defense Forces.

Pollard was convicted in 1985 of one count of passing classified information
to an ally, Israel, and sentenced to life imprisonment in spite of a plea
agreement that was to spare Pollard a life sentence in return for his
cooperation with government investigators.

Pollard's sentence is considered by many to be disproportionate to the crime
for which he was convicted. He is the only person in the history of the
United States to receive a life sentence for spying for an ally. The median
sentence for this particular offense is two to four years.

Pollard previously told WND the information he passed to Israel forewarned
the Jewish state about the buildup of unconventional weapons of war in
neighboring Arab countries, including the buildup of arms by Saddam Hussein
for use against Israel.

The Israeli government denied for years Pollard was its spy but finally
acknowledged it in 1998 and now claims to be pressing for his release.

When Pollard's actions originally were discovered by the U.S. in 1985, he
immediately sought refuge at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, an order
Pollard says he was given by Eitan in the event of a possible capture. But
when Pollard arrived at the embassy, he was received at first then expelled
into the custody of FBI agents waiting outside.

Pollard's wife Esther told WND she was "stunned" by Eitan's recent
statements about helping her husband, explaining she and attorney Larry Dub
previously held a meeting in which Eitan said he would have killed Pollard
if he had been present at the Israeli Embassy when Pollard sought sanctuary.

Said Esther: "In 1998, Larry and I along with (Israeli prisoner rights
advocate) Herut Lapid met with Rafi Eitan. Until 1998, Eitan had refused our
requests to meet. As we began our conversation, Eitan told us the only thing
he is sorry about is that he did not 'finish the job' before leaving the
States.

"We asked him what he meant by this. Eitan replied, 'If I had been at the
embassy when Pollard came to seek asylum, I would have put a bullet through
his head. There would have been no Pollard affair.'

"Stunned, we just stared at Eitan as he continued: 'The next day, I would
have seen to it that the news reports stated that an American intruder had
attacked a guard at the Israeli Embassy - no mention of any spy affair - and
that in the scuffle a gun went off and the American was killed. There would
have been no Pollard case. That is the only thing I am sorry about.'"

Eitan: Pollards 'too noisy'

Asked by WND to respond to his alleged statements, Eitan yesterday refused
to deny he was being accurately quoted by Esther Pollard.

Eitan said he thought Pollard would have a better opportunity at release "if
he and his wife just keep quiet. They are being too noisy and turning things
into controversy."

Esther Pollard said she kept Eitan's alleged statements confidential out of
the hope Eitan eventually would help her husband.

"We did not expose our conversation with Eitan and what he had said at the
time about being sorry that he did not kill Jonathan, because we wanted him
to become involved finally to do the things he can and should do to secure
Jonathan's release.

"But, in spite of our efforts and in spite of the passage of time, Rafi
Eitan has refused to lift a finger for Jonathan. Now, suddenly, after 20
years, Eitan has surfaced in the media again exploiting Jonathan's name to
promote his candidacy for Knesset," Esther Pollard said.

She maintained Eitan "is sitting on a mountain of secrets" that could help
free her husband.

"Rafi Eitan was Jonathan's control officer and his handler," she said. "We
knew that Rafi had a golden opportunity ? which still exists to this day ?
to quietly intervene behind the scenes and to secure the release of my
husband."

Jonathan Pollard responds

Jonathan Pollard, speaking from prison, said he thinks Eitan likely was
involved in his expulsion from the Israeli Embassy.

"I think it is important that people understand that [Eitan] was the one who
failed to provide an escape plan for me," Pollard said. "He was the one who
was at the heart of my expulsion from the embassy, I believe."

Pollard charged Eitan attempted to direct him to collect information
politically useful to then-Israeli cabinet minister Sharon and other Israeli
officials.

"He is the same man who ordered me to collect politically useful information
for his patrons, despite the fact that I was officially limited to a
collection list compiled by the head of Military Intelligence. I refused,"
Pollard said.

Pollard also claimed Eitan asked him to find possible Americans spying
against Israel.

"He was also the one who wanted me to find the names of American agents in
Israel. Again against orders. And I refused that too."

Responding to Eitan's statements about putting a bullet through his head,
Pollard said, "Yeah. His only regret is that he didn't kill me. This is
payback (from Eitan) for my refusal to corrupt my mission."
===
Aaron Klein is WorldNetDaily's Jerusalem bureau chief, whose past interview
subjects have included Yasser Arafat, Ehud Barak, Mahmoud al-Zahar and
leaders of the Taliban.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Poll: Kadima 38 Labor 18 Likud 17 NRP/Nat'l Union 10

Poll: Kadima 38 Labor 18 Likud 17 NRP/Nat'l Union 10
Aaron Lerner Date: 22 February 2006

Telephone poll of a representative sample of 509 adult Israelis
(including Arab Israelis) carried out by Maagar Mohot ("Brain Trust") for
Israel Television's "Mishal Cham" on 20 February 2006

Knesset election vote expressed in mandates[current in brackets]
38 [00] Kadima
17 [40] Likud
18 [22] Labor
00 [15] Shinui (both the party and the break-away "Secular Zionist Party")
09 [11] Shas
09 [08] Arab parties
05 [06] Yachad [Meretz]
10 [07* & 6] National Union & NRP
07 [07*] Yisrael Beiteinu [Lieberman]
06 [05] Yahadut Hatorah
01 [00] Green Leaf (legalize hashish) - does not pass minimum
* National Union & Yisrael Beiteinu together have 7 seats

Do you think Amir Peretz isn't getting votes because of his ethnicity?
Total: Yes 19% Maybe 15% No 52% Other 14%
New immigrants Yes 39% Maybe 12% No 41% Other 8%
Ashkenazim: Yes 15% Maybe 21% No 39% Other 25%
Sephardim: Yes 29% Maybe 11% No 50% Other 10%
[New immigrant = immigrated from 1989 onwards. Ethnicity was by self
identification]

Is your choice of candidate and Knesset party influenced by the country of
origin of their candidate for prime minister?
No 73% Yes 16% Other 11%

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: PMO Director-General Cohen Chairs Meeting
of Directors-General Committee at Nitzan

PMO Director-General Cohen Chairs Meeting of Directors-General Committee at
Nitzan
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Director-General Ilan Cohen yesterday
(Tuesday), 21.2.06, chaired a meeting of the directors-general committee at
the Nitzan temporary residential community. The directors-general discussed
housing, employment and social welfare solutions for the residents of the
Gaza Strip and northern Samaria. The discussion was open to the public in
order to allow the residents to express their views.

PMO Dir.-Gen. Cohen said that Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert intends to
continue dealing with the various issues regarding the residents' lives in
as professional a manner as possible.

Construction and Housing Ministry Director-General Shmuel Abuav reported on
the operation of public institutions at Nitzan.

Education, Culture and Sports Ministry Director-General Amira Haim informed
the committee that all of the residents' children have been absorbed at
various educational institutions.

A Social Welfare Ministry representative said that the enlistment of social
workers for Nitzan has been completed and added that the various social
services, including for youth in distress, are operating.

The Director of the Industry, Trade and Employment Ministry Reassignment
Center said that over 620 residents have found new places of employment;
approximately 470 of these were assisted by the Center, the rest found new
jobs independently. Over 450 residents have been directed to professional
retraining. Ministry data shows that approximately 100 residents are being
reassigned per month, with the pace due to increase.

PMO Dir.-Gen. Cohen said that it was impossible to accede to the residents'
requests for agricultural plots near their Nitzan residences. He said that
such agricultural plots could not be allocated in areas that were not
classified as "A" development areas, and added that the residents were aware
of this limitation when they decided to move to Nitzan.

Ashkelon Coast Regional Council Chairman Shimon Cohen briefed the committee
on various issues regarding social activities at Nitzan such as the opening
of an additional daycare center and an additional youth club, synagogue
furniture, the opening of a new grocery store, security issues, etc.

PMO Dir.-Gen. Cohen informed his fellow directors-general that the
Ministerial Disengagement Committee, chaired by Acting Prime Minister
Olmert, would convene next week to discuss the issue of permanent housing
for the residents.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Background: multimillionaire Olmert public servant since age 28

Ehud Olmert, MK Acting Prime Minister Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor
Minister of Finance
(Kadima)
www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/2000_2009/2003/3/Ehud+Olmert.htm

Ehud Olmert was born in Binyamina in 1945.

He served in the IDF as combat infantry unit officer and was a military
correspondent for the IDF journal Bamachane. A lawyer by profession, he
holds B.A. and LL.B. degrees in Psychology, Philosophy and Law from the
Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Ehud Olmert was a Knesset Member from 1973, serving on the House,
Constitution, Law & Justice Committee, State Control, Foreign Affairs &&
Defense, Finance, Education & Culture, and Internal Affairs & Environment
Committees.

From 1988-1990 he served as Minister Without Portfolio responsible for
minority affairs, and from 1990 until 1992 as Minister of Health.

In November 1993, Olmert was elected Mayor of Jerusalem, subsequently
resigning from the Knesset in 1998. After his re-election to the Knesset in
2003, he resigned from his position of in February 2003.

In February 2003, Ehud Olmert was appointed Vice Prime Minister and Minister
of Industry, Trade and Labor and Communications, holding the latter
portfolio until January 2005. In August 2005 he was appointed Acting
Minister of Finance, and in November 2005, Minister of Finance.

On January 4, 2006, when Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered a brain
hemmorhage Olmert was designated Acting Prime Minister in accordance with
with the Basic Law: Government. He also holds the Interior and Social
Welfare portfolios.

He is married, with four children.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Israel: Influx of missiles via Gaza could change balance of power

Israel: Influx of missiles via Gaza could change balance of power
www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/06/front2453782.449305556.html

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Thursday, February 16, 2006

TEL AVIV - Israel's military has warned that the Palestinian Authority or
aligned groups would acquire a range of rockets and anti-aircraft missiles
over the next few months.

Military intelligence has determined that Palestinian forces in the Gaza
Strip have or wo ld acquire such weapons as the Soviet-origin Katyusha
rocket, SA-7 anti-aircraft missile and advanced variants of anti-tank
missiles in 2006. The assessment said the weapons would be provided by
Hizbullah and smuggled through Egypt's Sinai Peninsula to the Gaza Strip.

In a lecture at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, Zeevi-Farkash said
Palestinian insurgents have managed to smuggle weapons from the Sinai
Peninsula into the Gaza Strip. He said that despite Egyptian efforts,
weapons and insurgents continue to move through the Gaza-Egypt border,
Middle East Newsline reported.

Military intelligence has termed AAMs and Katyushas as weapons that could
change the balance of power between Israel and the Palestinians. "We
estimate that in 2006 anti-aircraft missiles or Katyushas will infiltrate
the Gaza Strip and change the situation," outgoing military intelligence
chief Maj. Gen. Aharon Zeevi-Farkash said.

[On Tuesday, Palestinian gunners fired missiles from the northern Gaza Strip
that landed in the Israeli city of Ashkelon. At least one missile struck the
industrial zone, which contains such strategic sites as an oil terminal and
water facility. Two cars were said to have been damaged.]

"I am worried about three things," Zeevi-Farkash, who left his post in
January, said on Feb. 9. "They are anti-aircraft missiles, anti-tank
missiles and Katyushas. Today, it's easier to smuggle to the Gaza Strip
through Philadelphi [border zone]. This is a huge problem."

On Feb. 2, military sources reported that Islamic Jihad launched its first
anti-aircraft weapon toward an AH-64A Apache attack helicopter in the
northern Gaza Strip. The helicopter was not struck.

"We have to obtain Egyptian cooperation or else the situation will change,"
Zeevi-Farkash said.

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

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Subject: IMRA Subscription Info

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End of [imra] Daily digest - Volume: 2 Issue: 1335 (12 messages)
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