Labor Party irregularities
ARUTZ7 10/11/99: "The Labor party will have to pay the government
7.3 million shekels for irregularities in its accounts, failure
to report publicity expenses, and the receipt of donations from
unclear sources. Such is the finding of State Controller Eliezer
Goldberg in his annual report on the financial statements of the
various political parties for 1998. Labor will have to return
six million shekels in unused funds, and was fined 1.3 million
shekels for the irregularities. No other party was fined nearly
as much, and several other parties were fined much smaller
amounts. David Levy's Gesher party, for instance, was fined
100,000 shekels for spending 1.6 million shekels more than the
limit."
ZINC letter
LETTER TO ZINC--responding to a recent ZINC news item:
The ZINC item: AL QUDS in Jerusalem 9/29/99...
The justice minister pointed out that the Palestinian people
themselves should be the source of the four branches of
authority, including the press. He added: Emphasis should be
placed on holding legislative elections, setting a certain term
for the cabinet and the Legislative Council, and having the
people join dialogue, instead of holding dialogue among the
political forces alone. He also called for activating the role of
the press in these issues."
Michael,
May I point out that the according to the Oslo Accords the
legislative elections for the PLC should have taken place in
January of this year. You might want to double check it, but I'm
pretty sure of it. Of course the "Raiz" [Yasser Arafat] is due
up for election this coming January given that his term, as I
recall, is four years. Remember the news reports extolling the
"first" Palestinian election. It's not the first until there's a
second, until then the word is "only."
David Gerstman, Baltimore, MD
Unfrozen aid to Yesha factories
ARUTZ7 10/12/99: :"The above Minister Cohen finds himself in yet
another "uncomfortable" situation vis-a-vis Yesha: Only two days
before a Supreme Court ruling on a petition by seven Judea and
Samaria local councils against him, Cohen has rescinded his plan
to freeze government aid to Yesha factories. Cohen retracted his
decision after being advised to do so by the State Attorney.
Shortly after taking office this past summer, Cohen announced
that he would freeze the aid to Yesha factories. Immediately
afterwards, legal experts observed that such a decision was not
in his purview, but could only be made by the entire government.
Cohen told the Court yesterday that Yesha factories would receive
"the exact same treatment as plants elsewhere in the country."
.....
Israel in European soccer championship
ISRAEL LINE 10/12/99: "Israel's national soccer team qualified on
Sunday for a place in the European championship finals, which are
scheduled to for next summer, HA'ARETZ reported. Israel owes its
good fortune to its 3-1 victory over Cypus in Vienna, which gave
Israel an edge.
Israeli coach Shlomo Sharf, delighted by the outcome, stated
that "reaching the playoffs was our goal from the outset,"
adding, "Israel has never reached this stage of the European
championship, but we will still need to win in the playoffs."
South Lebanese general Lahad furious with Barak
HA'ARETZ 10/13/99: "South Lebanese Army Commander General Antoine
Lahad is furious with Prime Minister Ehud Barak over a leak from
a senior state official that Barak is considering a unilateral
withdrawal from Lebanon as early as January or February next
year.
Lahad has held talks over the last few days with senior
officers of the Israel Defense Forces and has stated that he
refuses to be a pawn in Israel's game. Lahad has said that the
leaked statements and the attempts by Deputy Defense Minister
Efraim Sneh to pacify the situation by saying that a withdrawal
will only be part of an agreement, are contradictory signals,
worsening the situation and the suspicions of the population.
According to military sources, Lahad wants an urgent meeting with
senior Israeli officials to discuss the developments. He has also
hinted that he may resign. However, a source close to Lahad said
that this was highly unlikely.
Lahad expressed his anger in an
interview with Yedioth Ahronoth yesterday. He said: "Some of my
soldiers may start working for the Hezbollah because of all the
uncertainty. They realize that no one is going to care about
them."
The SLA in the meantime is continuing with its operations
in the security zone, according to military sources. A senior
source said that a crisis in the SLA could quickly develop if
they feel that Israel is about to abandon them."
Golan marketing
HA'ARETZ 10/14/99: "A joint headquarters incorporating all
parties, movements and organizations that oppose a withdrawal
from the Golan Heights will begin operating next week. Initiated
by the Golan Heights settlement committee, the new umbrella group
aims to form an overall public relations and marketing strategy
to sway public opinion against the withdrawal before the planned
referendum on the issue. The organizers hope it will make
opposition to a Golan withdrawal more effective, and improve
coordination among the many groups that currently oppose a
withdrawal.
The Likud, the National Union Party, Yisrael
b'Aliyah, Yisrael Beiteinu and the National Religious Party have
announced that they would join the new organization. Likud Chair
Ariel Sharon met yesterday in Tel Aviv with representatives of
the Golan Heights settlement committee for a coordination and
update meeting..."
Mosque allowed in Nazareth
VOICE OF AMERICA 10/13/99: "The Israeli government has decided to
allow the construction of a mosque next to the Basilica of the
Annunciation in Nazareth where Christian tradition says the Angel
Gabriel told Mary she would give birth to Jesus. Israeli Public
Security Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami released details of the plan
shortly after meeting with Christian and Muslim groups from
Nazareth.
Mr. Ben-Ami says the mosque must be limited to 700-
square meters. He says a large barrier will be built between the
mosque and the church, a Muslim protest tent currently on the
site will be removed next month, and there will be an increase in
the number of police in the area...Mr. Ben-Ami says construction
of the mosque would begin after planned millennium celebrations
that include an expected visit to Nazareth by Pope John Paul.
While Muslim leaders generally supported the proposed size of the
mosque, they immediately voiced their opposition to other details
of the plan and warned there could be violence in Nazareth if it
is implemented...
Many Christian leaders in the Holy Land are also opposed to the
Israeli Government's plan. They argue that it is not appropriate
to build a mosque so close to one of the most important sites in
Christianity. Some leaders have threatened to close Christian
holy sites during millennium celebrations and others have
suggested the pope may reconsider his planned visit to the region
during the year 2000."
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