[imra] Daily digest - Volume: 2 Issue: 1405 (13 messages)

imra Tue May 30 00:31:21 2006 Volume 2 : Issue 1405

In this issue of the imra daily Digest:

Summary of Attacks on Israel's
Northern Border and the IDF Response
Terror Attack Thwarted
Tel Aviv within range of new Hezbollah rocket
The Legacy of Dr. Joseph Lerner: Sun, June 4th, 2006
- Jerusalem
[Not a parody]Nadia Matar put on trial
for "insulting a public servant"
Excerpts: Threat to Gulf states of teaching English.Jordan's future.29
May 2006
PM Haniya Asserts Int'l Funding
Offered Previously for Political Concessions
PCHR Condemns the Attempted
Abduction of Ashraf Nasrallah in Gaza
Internal Violence Continues in the Gaza Strip
FM Livni meets with Turkish counterpart Gul
Hizbullah rebuilding positions on Lebanon-Israel Border
British National Arrested for Assisting Hamas
PRESBYTERIAN LEADERS CHALLENGE DIVESTMENT POLICY

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Summary of Attacks on Israel's
Northern Border and the IDF Response

May 29th, 2006
IDF SPOKESPERSON ANNOUNCEMENT

Summary of attacks on Israel's northern border and the IDF response

In the early morning hours of Sunday, May 28th 2006, several Katyusha
rockets were launched from Lebanese territory towards Israel. The rockets
hit an IDF base in northern Israel, lightly wounding an IDF soldier and
causing damage to the base. The soldier was evacuated to an Israeli hospital
where he received medical treatment.

In response to this attack, the IDF carried out an aerial attack on two
command posts used by terror organizations in Lebanon, one of which was used
as a storage facility for weaponry and ammunition.

In the afternoon hours the Hizbullah terrorist organization launched a large
scale attack on communities and military posts situated along the border
with Lebanon. Hizbullah attacked with sniper fire and machine gun fire and
launched Katyusha rockets and mortar shells at Israeli targets, and Israeli
citizens along the border were hurried into shelters in order to protect
themselves from the rocket barrage. An IDF soldier was severely wounded in
Kibbutz Manara during the attack. He was evacuated to an Israeli hospital to
receive medical treatment.

In response to this severe unprovoked attack on Israel, the IDF returned
fire on outposts and additional Hizbullah targets along the Lebanese border,
implementing both aerial attacks and artillery fire.

The Hizbullah terror organization is facing mounting international pressure
to disarm itself in accordance with UN decisions 425 and 1559. This attack
is yet another attempt by the organization to escalate the situation along
the northern border.
The State of Israel holds the Lebanese government responsible for all
attacks emanating from its territory, and calls the Lebanese government to
act without delay to implement the UN decisions in this matter.

The IDF will respond decisively and severely to any threat to the safety of
the citizens of Israel.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Terror Attack Thwarted

May 29th, 2006
IDF SPOKESPERSON UPDATE

Two Palestinians arrested with explosives bag on their way to carry out a
terror attack

Two terrorists carrying a bag packed with explosives were arrested early
this morning while on their way to carry out a terror attack against Israeli
civilians.

Following intelligence information received by the ISA, IDF forces set up
several temporary checkpoints in the area of Nablus. The two terrorists
arrived at one of the checkpoints and when the force manning it began
checking them they attempted to escape. The force chased the two and
arrested them. During the chase the two tossed their bag, which was packed
with explosives, to the side. The explosives were later on detonated in a
controlled manner by sappers.

The two were taken for further questioning by security forces.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Tel Aviv within range of new Hezbollah rocket

Tel Aviv within range of new Hezbollah rocket
By Ze'ev Schiff, Haaretz Correspondent 29 May 2006
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/720681.html

[IMRA: While this item received considerable media attention this morning,
it can be expected that it will be ignored within a short period of time -
just as the significance of the ability demostrated yesterday to strike a
strategic Israeli military position with three rockets launched from Lebanon
can be expected to be forgotten within days- if not hours. This is in line
with the traditional Israeli approach that no attack or potential threat
against Israel is significant unless unless it succeeds in actually killing
a large number of people.]

Iran has equipped the Lebanese-based radical Islamic group Hezbollah with
long-range rockets capable of hitting targets up to 200 kilometers away,
putting all of Israel's major urban centers within striking distance.

The solid-fuel rockets lack an independent guidance system and their
accuracy is questionable but they can still cause considerable damage.

According to intelligence estimates, the rockets are meant to strike
non-specific areas, such as towns and cities, and carry a warhead estimated
to weigh 600 kilograms. This latest development doubles the range of weapons
previously in Hezbollah's arsenal.

In this latest transfer of military technology, Iran is seeking to improve
its strategic options against Israel rather than better Hezbollah's
capabilities. Equipping a Lebanese group considered by the west to be a
terrorist organization with such rockets also poses a danger to Lebanon.

The government of Lebanon has been pressured in the past by Hezbollah to
disregard the United Nations Security Council resolution 1559, which demands
that all armed militias in the country disarm. Hezbollah maintains that it
is not a militia and is therefore not obliged to disarm, but the Security
Council has not accepted this argument.

The rockets delivered to the Hezbollah have appeared under different names.
One is Zelzal-2, and its earlier model is the Zelzal-1. Another Iranian name
for the rocket is Nazeat.

The rocket was first seen in a military parade in Tehran in September 2005,
the first such event following the election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as
president. Six Shehab-3 surface-to-surface ballistic missiles were also on
display.

In response to slogans written on the Shehab-3 rockets, calling for "Death
to Israel" and "Death to the U.S.," the military attaches of France, Italy,
Greece and Poland, invited to the event, left the VIP platform.

Earlier supplies of rockets to the Hezbollah from Iran via Syria, involved
Katyusha rockets with a range of 12-22 kilometers.

These rockets were used on occasion in attacks against Israel.

At later dates the Iranians supplied the Fajr-3 rockets, capable of reaching
targets 45 kilometers away. The Hezbollah has never used these weapons.

The Syrians also provided the Hezbollah with rockets of their own make,
believed to be of 220mm caliber, whose range is several dozen kilometers.

Iran later provided Hezbollah with Fajr-5 rockets with a range of 75
kilometers; it is capable of striking the Haifa bay and its strategic
industrial installations.

The latest Iranian delivery is of rockets whose estimated capability is 200
kilometers (the Zelzal-1 rocket had a range of 150 kilometers). The rocket
is 8.3 meters long and is 61mm in diameter. At launch, it weighs about 3.5
tons.

Because the rocket is propelled by solid-fuel, it can be easily moved.

International defense journals have reported that the Iranian rockets have
been stored by the Hezbollah in special bunkers in a number of locations in
the Bekaa near Lebanon's border with Syria.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: The Legacy of Dr. Joseph Lerner: Sun, June 4th, 2006
- Jerusalem

The Legacy of Dr. Joseph Lerner: Sun, June 4th, 2006

David Bedein 29 May 2006

Dr. Joseph Lerner, who passed away last month at the age of 84, served as a
top official in the American government, and, after his Aliya in 1986, co-
founded IMRA: Independent Media Review and Analysis, www.imra.org.il , which
presents a fresh perspective on the news and events. Joe knew how to work
with the media, with governments and with less than receptive Jewish
organizations.

David Bedein, Joe's friend, will make a presentation in memory of Dr.
Lerner, and will describe some of what he learned from working and
learning from this amazing man over the past twenty years.

Sunday night, 8:00 PM, Israel Center, June 4th, 2006
===
David Bedein is the bureau chief of the Israel Resource News Agency

www.israelbehindthenews.com

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: [Not a parody]Nadia Matar put on trial
for "insulting a public servant"

Nadia Matar put on trial for "insulting a public servant"

Dr. Aaron Lerner 29 May 2006

When it was first announced that Nadia Matar of Women in Green was being
prosecuted for "insulting a public servant" via a sharp letter she sent to
Yonatan Bassi (see below for text) it was generally expected that this was
simply another ploy by overzealous officials to try to silence opponents to
their policies.

After all, in the early years of Oslo it took months for Israeli legal
officials to finally reach the conclusion that a protestor who held a sign
reading "There are 120 idiots in the Knesset" should not be charged for the
same crime.

But it appears that AG Mazuz has decided to make an example out of Matar and
her trial has been set to open on 14 June 2006 at 10 AM at the Magistrates
Court in Jerusalem.

This move by Mazuz deserves the condemnation of all who cherish the right to
freedom of speech.

The issue is not the suitability of using references to the Holocaust (I
believe it is counterproductive) - something that both sides of the Israeli
debate have done for years (then minister Lapid criticized an IDF operation
in the Gaza Strip by saying that a photo of an old Palestinian woman in a
destroyed home reminded him of an image from the Holocaust, many Leftist
academics have labeled settlement supporters "Nazis", etc.) but rather the
right to free speech.

One would hope that before the trial date is reached that enough supporters
of free speech from the entire political spectrum will take a stand against
this action so that the Jewish State can avoid what can only become a
terrible embarrassment.
============

www.womeningreen.org.il/petition/
Fast of Gedaliah 5765 (2004), September 19,2004
To Mr. Yonatan Bassi,
Head of the Deportation Administration

Re: Help in writing your letter to the Jews of Gush Katif

I read on the Internet that in the coming days you will send a personal
letter to each of the inhabitants of Gush Katif who are designated for
deportation. Your letter contains a "personal appeal and initial explanation
of the evacuation process." According to the report in YNet, the final
version of the letter has not yet been formulated, and therefore I am
volunteering to "help" you formulate the letter. I am attaching a document
that is chillingly similar to what you are about to send - and, actually,
all you need to do is to change the date (from 1942 to 2004) and the place
of the deportation (from Berlin to Gush Katif) and, here, your letter is
ready.

The document is a letter from 1942 to the Jews about the upcoming
deportation from Berlin. The letter was sent to the candidates for
deportation by the Jews of the Judenrat (the Disengagement Authority), in
cooperation with the Nazi authorities. The document goes into great detail
as to where the people will be transferred, what they are to take with them,
and what they are to leave behind. The letter can be found at
www.yadvashem.org.il/odot_pdf/Microsoft%20Word%20-%202261.pdf

The document ends with an emotional appeal by the heads of the Jewish
community in Berlin to act calmly, and thereby facilitate the work of the
deportation. "We fervently request that you obey the orders and perform all
the preparations for the transport in a calm manner. The members of our
community who are designated for immigration should be aware that they con
decisively contribute to the smooth implementation of the transport by their
personal conduct and orderly compliance with all the orders. Needless to
say, we will do all that is in our power, to the extent that this is
permitted us, to stand by the members of our community and offer them all
possible aid" [Council of the Jewish Community in Berlin, 1942].

How similar is this to your words, when you say in various interviews how
much you "identify with the pain of the settlers of Gush Katif," and how
important it is that you, specifically, are involved in their deportation,
in order to ease the process. But all of your declarations will be of no
avail, Yonatan. The truth is that you are a modern version of the Judenrat -
actually, a much worse version, because then, during the Holocaust, this was
forced upon those Jewish leaders by the Nazis, and it is extremely difficult
for us, today, to judge them. Today, no one stands with a gun to your head
and forces you to collaborate in the crime, without any conscience pangs.
Yes, I know. There is a difference between then and now. The goal of the
Nazi monster - that also annihilated most of my family - was the physical
annihilation of the Jewish people, a physical Holocaust. But let's not
pretend to be innocent: the goal of the deportation from Gush Katif and
northern Samaria is the annihilation of the entire Jewish settlement in
Judea, Samaria, and Gaza, as an interim stage of a spiritual Holocaust: the
elimination of the state as a Jewish state, and its transformation into a
secular state, a state of all its citizens, without any Jewishness. Not to
mention, of course, the bloody price that we will have to pay for our
retreat. If the criminal Oslo accords cost us more than 1000 victims,
Sharon's deportation plan will give such a push to the Nazi Arab terror (for
the Arabs will see that Israel's folding is proof that terror pays) that I
fear to think how many Jews will pay with their lives for Sharon's
"disengagement."

In conclusion - I wish to correct the empty words by Minister Poraz, who
said today that "a Jew, too, may be an anti-Semite." This sentence should
be: "History has proven that Jews are the biggest anti-Semites." And,
Yonatan, you should know that there is no escape from the simple truth:
whoever participates in the deportation of the Jews of Gush Katif and
northern Samaria - participates in an anti-Semitic act, and will be
remembered as such, for everlasting shame. It is still possible for you to
resign from your abhorrent post and arrive at Yom Kippur, the Day of
Judgment, clean and at peace with your conscience, without being part of the
modern Judenrat - the Deportation Authority.

Nadia Matar, Co-Chairperson of Women in Green

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

Date: Mon, 29 May 2006 11:46:50 +0300
From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Excerpts: Threat to Gulf states of teaching English.Jordan's future.29
May 2006
Message-ID: <007401c682fc$6e6acba0$0401a8c0@lacrosse>

To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Excerpts: Threat to Gulf states of teaching.
English.Jordan's future.29 May 2006

Excerpts: Threat to Gulf states of teaching English. Jordan's future.29 May 2006

+++THE DAILY STAR (Lebanon) 29 May '06:
"Teaching English as a method of control" By Ebitisam Al-Kibti, reprinted from Arab Reform Bulletin, Carnegie Endowment
QUOTES FROM TEXT:
"new curricula will shape the minds of coming generations"
"" reliance on English ... serve foreign interests more than serve societies of the Gulf"
" the more the educational system is in step with society and compliments public policies, the more the results will serve actual needs in the Gulf states"

In recent years the Arab Gulf states ...have undertaken wide-ranging changes .... the most prominent areas of change has been education, which lays the foundation for cultural, social and political consciousness.
...A quick look at educational initiatives already under way and those under consideration can shed light on how new curricula will shape the minds of coming generations in the region.
... increasing reliance on the English language at the university level ... The decision to change the language of instruction in the social sciences and humanities to English, although many students lack the required proficiency, has profound implications for education.
.... When students discover that their failure to follow along ....caused by their deficiency in a foreign language, many ...will abandon educational pursuits. This would be an unfortunate societal loss.
With the exception of a small group of outstanding students who master English, many others .... will have to be content with unremarkable scholastic achievement. Naturally, this is not the type of student that the public policies in the Gulf countries aim to produce, nor is it the type of student that is required by the demands of development efforts.
The increasing reliance on English is an example of the sort of proposed changes in educational systems that serve foreign interests more than they serve the societies of the Gulf. ...comes within the context of the control and suppression of university youth, so that their worldview in the future will be compatible with and serve the interests of those powers....
Strategic reform of educational systems aiming, in the long run, to bring about an increase in national achievements would require greater cohesion between the coming generations and the issues relevant to the general population. It would also entail opening up space for popular participation in the political sphere and in socio-cultural action. The more the educational system is in step with society and complements public policies, the more the results will serve actual needs in the Gulf states.
Ebtisam al-Kitbi is assistant professor of political science at the United Arab Emirates University. This commentary ... reprinted with permission from the Arab Reform Bulletin, Vol. 4, issue 4 (May 2006) www.CarnegieEndowment.org/ArabReform .

+++JORDAN TIMES 29 May '06:"Editorial:A solid investment"
QUOTE FROM TEXT:
"economic security ...would not only guarantee Jordan's stability, it would ensure its prgress and hopefully free it from its reliance on assistance. ...investment in education is key"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXCERPTS:
It's that time of year when...delegations of interest groups head to the Middle East on exploratory visits. Among them are US congressional aides ... .(who)work for US senators and House Representatives who, as members of appropriations committees, hold the purse strings to foreign aid. Clearly their interest, on behalf of their bosses, is whether that aid is effective and whether it is recognised and acknowledged by the general public.
The goal is to stimulate positive socio-economic and political achievements in the recipient countries and gain allies, as one such aide put it succinctly.
But these aides grow weary of the "official line." They tire of hearing Jordan's "wish list," and are aware of public resentment to US foreign policy and therefore a distaste for aid dependency.
...more tangible long-term results could be obtained by redirecting some of the aid into educational exchange scholarships for undergraduates and graduates.
The building of consecutive cadres of university lecturers and professors educated in the US and other countries would be a far greater investment in the future and progress of Jordan as a modern, democratic and pluralistic country than the building of new suburban road networks.
For investors to be attracted to a country such as Jordan we need not just a skilled workforce but also a complementary highly educated workforce that can attract hi-tech service industries, healthcare and scientific industries, and other large employers.
Economic security, even in a neighbourhood as troubled as ours, would not only guarantee Jordan's stability, it would ensure its progress and hopefully free it from its reliance on assistance. To this end, investment in education is key.

Sue Lerner - Associate - IMRA

[Attachment of type text/html removed.]

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: PM Haniya Asserts Int'l Funding
Offered Previously for Political Concessions

PM Haniya Asserts Int'l Funding Offered Previously for Political Concessions
www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_new/english/details.asp?name=16283

GAZA, Palestine, May 29, 2006 (IPC + Agencies) - [Official PA website] -
Prime Minister Ismail Haniya asserted on Sunday that the siege imposed on
the Palestinian people has proven that the international financial
assistance that had been offered to the Palestinian National Authority (PNA)
in the past has been for a "political price".

During a meeting with 25 mayors in Gaza Strip, PM Haniya added that his
government has got the agenda and the program for a comprehensive reform
process, which will benefit all the institutions and sectors of the
Palestinian community, and noting that the main financial problems can be
overcome by solving the source financial crisis.

The Prime Minister expressed hope in that part of the funds deposited at the
League of Arab States would be transferred directly to the municipalities
through the Finance Ministry - which would solve some of the financial
crises these municipalities suffer from currently.

The international community has suspended most of its financial assistance
to the PNA following the formation of the new Palestinian government by
Hamas movement last March, arguing that it should first recognize Israel,
respect the agreements signed between the previous government and Israel and
renounce violence in order to resume the assistance.

Following the latest legislative elections, which took place last January,
the international community ceased its annual $1 billion assistance to the
PNA, while the US government, under pressure from Israel, stopped its $234
million assistance every year to the Palestinians.

On the other hand, the Israeli government sought to blockade the Palestinian
Authority by closing all vital commercial crossings, withholding the monthly
Palestinian tax clearance revenues and campaigning against the new
government internationally in order to boycott its members.

Commentators believe that the Palestinian crisis will continue unless all
Palestinian factions involved in the national dialogue reach an agreement
that would deal with the internal situation and end the tensions, while
forming a national coalition government.

However, even if such a government is formed, the financial situation of the
PNA will still be critical and will not improve past its status before the
legislative elections, because international funding - this time - will be
more subjected to strict conditions and Palestinians would be subjected to
political blackmail more than before.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: PCHR Condemns the Attempted
Abduction of Ashraf Nasrallah in Gaza

PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
Press Release

Ref: 45/2006
Date: 29 May 2006
Time: 11:00 GMT

PCHR Condemns the Attempted Abduction of Ashraf Nasrallah in Gaza

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) strongly condemns the
attempted abduction of its employee Ashraf Nasrallah (lawyer) by gunmen near
the court compound in Gaza City. This crime is yet another episode in the
security chaos currently plaguing the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).

PCHR's preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 12:15 on
Sunday, 28 May 2006, a number of gunmen traveling in a white car intercepted
Ashraf, a 34-year-old resident of the Rimal area of Gaza City and a lawyer
at the Centre, as he was leaving the court compound in Wahda Street, Gaza
City. Three gunmen walked up to Ashraf and, at gunpoint, told him to come
with them. He refused to comply with the demand, however. One of the
gunmen then entered Ashraf's car and told him to drive and follow his
instructions. Ashraf refused to comply with the second demand also. The
traffic rush and the gathering of people in the area forced the gunmen to
leave the scene. Before leaving, however, one of the gunmen fired at
Ashraf. The bullet missed him and hit the front of his car. Ashraf
submitted a complaint to the Abbas Police Station and an investigation was
launched.

PCHR is extremely concerned over the attempted kidnapping of Ashraf and the
subsequent shooting attempt. The Centre calls upon the Palestinian National
Authority, represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate this attack
and to bring the perpetrators to justice.

-End-

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

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Internal Violence Continues in the Gaza Strip

PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

Security Chaos and Proliferation of Small Arms
Use of Weapons in Personal and Clan Disputes

Field Update
29 May 2006

Internal Violence Continues in the Gaza Strip

On Sunday, 28 May 2006, a number of attacks occurred in the Gaza Strip, as
the security chaos in the area continues. One citizen was kidnapped in Khan
Yunis, another was injured by gunfire in Gaza, and armed clashes broke out
between members of the same clan in Greater Abasan.

PCHR's preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 13:00 on
Sunday, gunmen kidnapped Naser Zere'i S'laiyeh (30), while he and his wife
were about to take a taxi in Khan Yunis. He was brought to an undisclosed
location. The kidnapping was motivated by a clan dispute between the S'laiyeh
clan and the clan of the kidnappers. S'laiyeh clan members gathered in the
Ma'an and Joret El-Lout areas in the west of Khan Yunis and armed clashes
erupted between the feuding clans. No injuries were reported. After
approximately two hours, the kidnapped man was released following
intervention from community leaders.

At approximately 21:00 on Sunday, unknown gunmen in a civilian car fired at
Taysir Mohammad Sallouha (24), who is a bodyguard for the Palestinian
Minister of Transportation. The incident took place near Sallouha's home in
the Naser area of Gaza City. He was injured by a bullet to the left leg and
was taken to Shifa Hospital for treatment, where his condition was described
as moderate.

And at approximately 22:00 on Sunday, members of the Qodeh clan exchanged
fire in the town of Greater Abasan, east of Khan Yunis. The incident took
place near El-Nour Mosque in the town. No injuries were reported. It is
noted that the clashes broke out following a dispute between members of the
clan that had occurred in the mosque.

PCHR is concerned about the continuation of internal violence, including the
use of weapons in personal and clan disputes, which is further aggravating
the current state of security chaos in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The Centre calls upon the PNA, represented by the Attorney-General, to
investigate these attacks and to bring the perpetrators to justice.

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

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: FM Livni meets with Turkish counterpart Gul

FM Livni meets with Turkish counterpart Gul
(Communicated by the Foreign Minister's Bureau)

Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni met in Ankara this
afternoon (Monday, 29 May 2006) with Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul.
During their meeting Minister Livni made the following statement:

"Israel believes in a two-state solution for two peoples: a national home
for the Jewish people alongside a national home for all Palestinians,
wherever they are, including the refugees. The international community must
understand that we are not talking about a zero-sum game here, where one
interest comes at the expense of another -- it is also a Palestinian
interest.

"And in this context, I maintain that time is against those who believe in
the solution of two states for two peoples. Unilateral steps are not an
Israeli ideology. Nevertheless, we must not ignore the fact that the
Palestinian Authority is led by a terrorist organization that does not even
recognize Israel's right to exist. The international community must
understand that only a unified and determined front against the Hamas
government and its acceptance of the three minimal conditions set by the
community can bring about a future change. In parallel, Israel will make
every effort to make progress in coordination with [PA Chairman] Abu Mazen
and to help the Palestinian population."

The two ministers also agreed to coordinate and to keep communication open
on everything related to regional issues, especially with regard to the
Palestinian issue. Both sides praised the great increase in trade between
the two countries and Minister Gul announced his country's intention to open
a cultural center in Tel Aviv.

Minister Livni was to meet later in the day with Turkish President Ahmet
Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. She met earlier with
National Security Council Secretary-General Yeet Alfogan.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Hizbullah rebuilding positions on Lebanon-Israel Border

Hizbullah rebuilding positions on Lebanon-Israel Border

Aaron Lerner Date: 29 May 2006

Israel Television Mabat News reported this evening that Hizbullah already
began rebuilding its positions on the Lebanon-Israel border that the IDF
damaged yesterday in the exchange of fire.

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: British National Arrested for Assisting Hamas

British National Arrested for Assisting Hamas
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Office)
Monday, 29 May, 2006

The Israel Security Agency (ISA) and the Israel Police, on 10.5.06, arrested
Iyaz Ali, a Pakistani-born British national, born in 1970. He admitted to
being a member of the UK-based Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW), which is
suspected of supporting Hamas. He admitted to working for IRW's Gaza branch
as a project director since December 2005; he worked to transfer funds and
assistance to various Hamas institutions and organizations, including the Al
Wafa and Al Tzalah associations, which have been outlawed in Israel. He
also admitted that he worked in Jordan and cooperated with local Hamas
operatives.

Incriminating files were found on Ali's computer, including documents that
attested to the organization's ties with illegal Hamas funds abroad (in the
UK and in Saudi Arabia) and in Nablus. Also found were photographs of
swastikas superimposed on IDF symbols, of senior Nazi German officials, of
Osama Bin Laden and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, as well as many photographs of
Hamas military activities.

The IRW was established in 1984 in the British city of Birmingham. It has
branches in Gaza and Ramallah. The IRW provides support and assistance to
Hamas's infrastructure. The IRW's activities in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza
Strip are carried out by social welfare organizations controlled and staffed
by Hamas operatives. The intensive activities of these associations are
designed to further Hamas's ideology among the Palestinian population.
These associations' educational and religious institutions incite against
the State of Israel and advocate terrorist actions against it and its
citizens. The associations provide support to the families of terrorists
who were wounded in actions against Israel, and to Hamas prisoners and
detainees. These associations thus promote Hamas's goals including the
destruction of the State of Israel.

Ali admitted that he was aware that several of the organizations supported
by the IRW in Judea, Samaria and Gaza were indeed identified with Hamas. By
agreement, Ali was released today (Monday), 29.5.06, with restrictions on
his movements. He will be deported from Israel in the coming days and will
be barred from returning.

The foregoing attests to the involvement of international funds and NGO's in
transferring goods and funds to organizations identified with Hamas, which
have been outlawed in the State of Israel. Israel is tightening its
supervision over the activities of such organizations.

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

From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: PRESBYTERIAN LEADERS CHALLENGE DIVESTMENT POLICY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

US PRESBYTERIAN LEADERS CHALLENGE CHURCH'S FLAWED DIVESTMENT POLICY AGAINST
ISRAEL & CALL ON PC-USA 217TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO RESCIND IT

Completing a five-day fact finding mission throughout Israel, Gaza and the
West Bank, a group of eleven Presbyterian Church (USA) leaders announced
today that the Church's current policy to divest their $7 billion pension
fund against the State of Israel is flawed and called on the PCUSA's over
500 voting commissioners to rescind the policy at their upcoming General
Assembly June 15-22, 2006 in Birmingham, Alabama replacing it with a
positive strategy to bring about genuine peace and justice for Palestinians
and Israelis alike.

"While adoption of the divestment policy in 2004 created an important focus
on the struggle for achieving a solution to the Middle East conflict, it is
now time to put aside this one-sided, negative and counter-productive policy
that threatens to cause great harm to both Israel and the Palestinians while
creating unnecessary polarization within our own denomination," stated NCLCI
Executive Committee member Dr. John H. Cushman who is Pastor of the
Presbyterian Church of the Roses in Santa Rosa, California.

Controversy erupted throughout the PCUSA following its 216th General
Assembly, held in 2004, after pushing through a last minute resolution to
initiate phased, selective divestment in corporations conducting business in
Israel. The Church's surprise action met with immediate and widespread
disapproval from many of the Church's members, elders, pastors, and
virtually every Presbyterian member of the United States Congress.

End Divestment Now Executive Director Gary Green describes the current
situation, as follows: "Objections have continued to be expressed throughout
the US as Presbyterian congregations began questioning the accuracy and
fairness of the information upon which the General Assembly based its
ill-advised decision. During the past 24 months, some two dozen regional
governing bodies within the Church have sent overtures requesting that the
next month's 217th General Assembly in Birmingham, Alabama rescind its
divestment policy and replace it with positive, fair and balanced
initiatives. I just don't see how our Church can, in the face of an
overwhelming negative response, maintain any credibility whatsoever without
correcting this seriously ill-conceived policy. I - and the End Divestment
Now- are absolutely committed to seeing the Church's divestment policy
rescinded. We want our Church to pursue legitimate strategies that will
contribute to the resolution of the conflict and end the dissention within
our Church caused by those promoting divestment.

Contact Steve Soltzman
Mobile: 052 457 92 99
310 383 9666

National Christian Leadership Conference for Israel

For Immediate Release: May 28, 2006 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr.
John H. Cushman or Gary Green
707-542-4272
707-291-7166 480-812-9466

43422 West Oakes Drive
PMB #300
Novi, MI 48377-3300
(243) 557 4540
FAX: (248) 557 4527
E-MAIL: nclci@msn.com
WEB SITE: www.nclci.org

NCLCI exists to encourage and develop understanding and support for the
people, land and state of Israel in the North American Christian community

The eleven member fact finding mission met with a broad cross section of
religious, government, business and NGO leaders including: Pro-Divestment
Palestinian activist Naim Ateek; Director of Sabeel, Coptic Orthodox
Patriarch Archbishop Anba Abraham; Former Israel Chief Rabbi Israel Meir
Lau; Beit Hagefen Arab-Jewish Center Director General Dr. Moti Peri; Former
Israel Housing Minister Nathan Sharansky; Jerusalem Post journalist Khaled
Abu Toameh; Haifa mayor Yona Yahav; Uzi Dayan, Israel General and Former
National Security Advisor to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon; Shafaaram Mayor
Ziad Yassin; Jaffa Institute Executive Director Dr. David J. Portowicz,
Israel National Security Council Deputy Director for Foreign Policy Eran
Etzion; Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs Scholar in Residence Justice
Reid Weiner, Municipality of Tel Aviv-Yafo Deputy Mayor Yael Dayan and
Director of International Relations Elav Blizowsky; Israel commentator Ehud
Yaari.

The Presbyterian fact finding mission also included: a one and a half hour
helicopter tour, on-site inspections and briefings on the Erez and Karni
Crossing check points, and the Security Fence at Kalkilya; meetings with
five Arab, Jewish and Christian victims of terrorism; and discussions with
four leading Jewish and Arab businessmen including Nir Barkat discussing the
state of the region's economy.

A list of all eleven members, with their affiliations, are listed below:

The Rev. Jan Armstrong, Pastor- First Presbyterian Church of Arroyo Grande,
CA; Peacekeeping and International Mission committee member
Dr. John H. Cushman, Presbyterian Church of the Roses Pastor- Santa Rosa,
California and NCLCI Executive Committee member
Adam Fischer, Theological Student Advisory Delegate from Louisville
Presbyterian Theological seminary. Member, Peace Making and International
Mission committee
Gary Green, End Divestment Now- Scottsdale, Arizona
The Rev, Bob Henley, Pastor of the Big Wood, Ketchum, ID and Commissioner of
the General Assembly
The Rev. Gene T. Price, General Assembly Overture Advocate for Houston
The Rev. Timothy Smith, Northminster Presbyterian Church Pastor- New Mexico,
General Assembly Overture Advocate
William Spons, Presbyterian author Chris Rhodes, General Assembly delegate.
Presbytery of the Redwoods- Northern California
Andrew Summers, Presbyterian College Student in international Relations
The Rev. Ed Hurley- Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, General Assembly
delegate- Birmingham, Alabama

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

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End of [imra] Daily digest - Volume: 2 Issue: 1405 (13 messages)
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