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Listen
to the world's fears, Blair tells US
The Guardian, January 8, 2003
Tony Blair yesterday warned President George Bush to "listen back"
to the international community's fears over Iraq and other global
concerns or risk "pent-up feelings of injustice and alienation"
pushing mainstream world opinion into the anti-US corner.
PM:
loan affair is 'despicable political plot'
Ha'aretz, January 8, 2003
Attorney General Rubinstein: Investigation into affair will not
be over by January 28 elections. -- During a tour of the West Bank
separation fence Wednesday, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon responded
for the first time to the loan allegations against him and his family.
The prime minister termed the affair, "a despicable political plot,
which I will disprove with documents and facts. It has one single
goal - to bring about the downfall of the prime minister."
Clash
on Syrian- Israeli border: Israel kills infiltrator, captures Syrian
soldier; Two Palestinians dead in PA areas
Al-Bawaba, January 8, 2003
Israeli troops killed an armed man, likely a Syrian soldier, who
tried to infiltrate into Israel from the meeting point of the Syrian,
Jordanian and Israeli borders in the southern occupied Golan Heights
on Wednesday, Israeli media reports said.
IDF
suspects infiltrators were Syrian soldiers
Ha'aretz, January 8, 2003
The IDF said Wednesday afternoon that the terrorists who tried to
infiltrate Israel's northern border may be a group of Syrian soldiers.
Attorney-General
creates team to find leak in Sharon loan scandal
Jerusalem Post, January 8, 2003
Attorney General Elyakim Rubinstein and State Comptroller Eliezer
Goldberg are to create a team to investigate who leaked information
from the police investigation into a loan received by Ariel Sharon's
sons to the Ha'aretz newspaper, Israel Radio reported Wednesday.
Rumors
that US rejected Israel aid request push shekel down
Globes, January 8, 2003
Yesterday’s shekel depreciation is continuing today. The shekel
fell 1.6% yesterday again the dollar to NIS 4.842/$, and against
the euro to NIS 5.04/€. Market sources attribute the depreciation
to a number of key factors. The most important is the rumors circulating
in the market that the US administration rejected Israel’s
request for loan guarantees, and that the special Israeli delegation
in the US is now meeting with senior US officials to try to change
their mind.
Treasury's
Marani: U.S. aid talks are productive, will continue
Ha'aretz, January 8, 2003
Finance Ministry Director-General Ohad Marani on Wednesday described
talks with Washington this week on a request for a $12 billion package
of aid and loan guarantees to prop Israel's battered economy as
very productive.
Third
of Israeli Jews Say Sharon Should Resign over Loan-scam Scandal
Palestine Media Center, January 8, 2003
Israel’s Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was on Tuesday linked
to corruption allegations for the first time, widening a scandal
that has eroded support for his Likud Party as campaigning for the
January 28 election hit high gear.
Police
wraps up Likud primary irregularities investigation
Jerusalem Post, January 8, 2003
Police wrapped up Wednesday evening the investigation of suspected
irregularities in the Likud's primary elections, and submitted its
findings to the General Prosecution, which will later decide whom
of the party's activists to indict, Israel Radio reported.
Labor
Party team plans details of withdrawal from Gaza Strip
Ha'aretz, January 8, 2003
Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip will be transferred to the
Negev and the southern coastal plain within one year under a Labor-led
government, according to an internal Labor Party document obtained
by Ha'aretz.
Sharon
adviser and Egypt's FM fail to see eye to eye
Ha'aretz, January 8, 2003
National Security Advisor Ephraim Halevy and Egypt's foreign minister
Ahmed Maher held talks in Cairo on Wednesday, but failed to agree
on ways to handle the Palestinian uprising.
Fatah
Declares Responsibility for Tel Aviv Bombings
Palestine Chronicle, January 8, 2003
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM - Fatah, the mainstream PLO faction, has claimed
responsibility for the double bombings in Tel Aviv on Sunday which
killed some 23 persons and injured dozens others. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs’
Brigades, Fatah’s military wing, issued a leaflet Monday,
saying the “double martyrdom operation” in Tel Aviv
was carried out by two of its fighters.
Dutch
activist Gretta Duisenberg meets Arafat on tour of West Bank
Ha'aretz, January 8, 2003
The activist wife of European Central Bank chief Wim Duisenberg
met Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat on Wednesday and
said Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip should end.
Palestinian
police operating in West Bank cities
Jerusalem Post, January 8, 2003
Palestinian police have begun operating in West Bank cities during
hours where the IDF has lifted the curfews, Israel Radio reported
Wednesday.
Israelis
Kill Palestinian Teenager to Demolish Home
Islam Online, January 8, 2003
Since August Israel has blown up more than 100 houses in the West
Bank. -- NABLUS, West Bank, January 8 (IslamOnline & News Agencies)
- Israeli occupation soldiers shot dead a Palestinian early Wednesday,
January 8, in the village of Saida, near Tulkarem, in the north
of the West Bank, Palestinian witnesses said. They said Ahmad Ajaj,
18, was on the roof of a building near a house which the soldiers
were in the process of demolishing when one of the Israelis opened
fire on him, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.
Israeli
Troops Kill Gunman Near Syria
The Guardian, January 8, 2003
JERUSALEM (AP) - Israeli troops traded gunfire Wednesday with a
small group of armed men who crossed into the Golan Heights from
Syria, killing one of the men and capturing another.
Sharon
investigated for illegal funding
The Guardian, January 8, 2003
Opposition calls for resignation as Israeli prime minister is accused
of lying to the police about source of $1.5m -- Israel's state
attorney is investigating Ariel Sharon in connection with an allegation
that he lied to the police about the source of $1.5m (£930,000)
used to repay illegal campaign funds.
Blair
pleads for talks to go ahead
The Guardian, January 8, 2003
Mr Sharon's spokesman Ra'anan Gissin ruled out the reversal of the
security cabinet's decision. "You think we are just going to let
them blow up Tel Aviv one day and run off to London the next?" he
said. -- Tony Blair has written to Ariel Sharon asking him to lift
the bar on Palestinian delegates travelling to London next week
for the latest British attempt to revive the Middle East peace process.
Israeli
troops kill two Palestinians, unidentified gunman in Golan Heights
New Jersey.com, January 8, 2003
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israeli troops killed two Palestinians in separate
clashes in the West Bank and Gaza Strip early Wednesday and demolished
the home of a suspected militant, the army and witnesses said.
Israel
Bans Movement of Palestinians Between Cities, Abroad
Palestine Media Center, January 8, 2003
IOF Kill Two Civilian, Demolish More Palestinian Homes -- Oblivious
to international criticism over its collective punishment policy
towards Palestinians in the occupied territories, the Israeli government
on Wednesday announced a new series of restrictions to be imposed
on Palestinian civilians and officials in the West Bank and the
Gaza Strip.
Border
Police taken out of Gaza by IDF
Ha'aretz, January 8, 2003
The Border Police will today take over responsibility for the southern
part of the Israel-Egypt border as part of a redeployment initiated
by the Israel Defense Forces. This will mean the Border Police will
be almost entirely removed from Gaza.
Sharon
Denounces Reports of Election Investigation
New York Times, January 8, 2003
SALEM VILLAGE, Israel (AP) -- Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Wednesday
denounced reports that he is under investigation for receiving $1.5
million from a South Africa-based businessman, calling it slander
designed to prevent his re-election.
Sharon
rejects corruption charge
BBC, January 8, 2003
Mr Sharon said he had documents to refute the charge -- Israeli
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has rejected as "despicable political
libel" the allegation that he received an improper $1.5 million
loan.
Sharon
Adviser in Egypt for Talks on Peace Efforts
New York Times, January 8, 2003
CAIRO (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's national
security adviser arrived in Egypt on Wednesday, airport sources
said, ahead of talks with officials on ways of reviving moribund
Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts.
Israeli
troops kill unidentified gunman in Golan Heights, two Palestinians
New Jersey.com, January 8, 2003
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israeli troops traded gunfire Wednesday with a
small group of armed men who crossed into the Golan Heights from
Syria, killing one of the men and capturing another.
Hear
Palestine, January 8, 2003
NEWS: Qalqilya: Raids, Arrests and Bulldozing Activities / Ramallah:
24 Arrested from Al-Jalazone Refugee Camp and Others / Nablus: Ongoing
Raids and Arrests in City and Villages / Jenin: Ongoing Invasions
and Arrests / Bethlehem: Ongoing Campaign of Arrests / Deir al-Balah:
Military Invasion of al-Birka this Morning / Tulkarem: Youth Killed
in Saida Town and 3 Arrested / Civilian Killed and Another Wounded
in Khan Younis Refugee Camp FEATURES: ccupation Roadblocks:
Racist Israeli Measures Northeast Ramallah / Israeli Soldier Beaten
Up By Colleagues for Sympathizing with Palestinians / Hebron: Ongoing
Arrests and Oppressive Measures against Residents
Supreme
Court upholds decision to bar Gesher from elections
Ha'aretz, January 8, 2003
The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the Gesher party will not
be able to run in the elections for the 16th Knesset on January
28. In their ruling, Justices Aharon Barak, Eliyahu Mazza and Tova
Strasberg-Cohen, rejected an appeal by several party members against
a ruling by the Tel Aviv District Court.
Background:
A powerful Sharon could be his own undoing
Ha'aretz, January 8, 2003
For months, the only political force in Israel powerful enough to
bring down Ariel Sharon was the prime minister himself - a circumstance
that in the context of a potentially explosive corruption investigation
has now become a conceivable, if distant, possibility.
PM
under pressure to speak out about South African loan
Ha'aretz, January 8, 2003
Public pressure was mounting last night for Prime Minster Ariel
Sharon to make a public statement on the loan he took from Cyril
Kern, a South African businessman who served under him in the war
of Independence. The loan was used to pay back illegal campaign
contributions donated to Sharon in his 1999 primaries campaign for
the Likud leadership.
Likud
party fears losing power over $1.5 million loan scandal
Ha'aretz, January 8, 2003
For the first time since the Knesset disbanded late last year and
the election campaign began, senior Likud politicians are getting
worried about losing power on January 28.
Analysis:
D.C. stays silent
Ha'aretz, January 8, 2003
A government delegation's visit to Washington this week aimed to
advance Israel's request for additional economic and military aid
from the United States. However, its immediate importance went beyond
a technical discussion of budget line items or the extent of the
deficit - it was a test of the American administration's support
for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
Egyptian
FM Blasts Israel, Denies Convincing Saddam To Step Down
Islam Online, January 8, 2003
Maher distanced Egypt from reports that Cairo has been asked to
provide asylum to Saddam -- CAIRO, January 8 (IslamOnline &
News Agencies) – Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said
he had criticized Israel's policy of force in dealing with the Palestinians
during a meeting in Cairo Wednesday, January 8, with an aide to
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
Private
breach and public observance
Ha'aretz, January 8, 2003
The fact that Ariel Sharon accepted collateral for a loan of $1.5
million when he was prime minister undoubtedly raises the question
of whether benefits were involved, especially since the recipient
holds such high public office. On the face of it, accepting such
collateral while holding such high office appears to violate regulations
that prohibit conflicts of interest by ministers and deputy ministers
- the so-called Asher Committee rules.
Appelgate
to Sharongate
Ha'aretz, January 8, 2003
The Sharon family is in the top one-thousandth of Israeli society,
economically speaking. In addition to its ranch, which spreads over
many dunams and employs foreign workers who live there, it also
owns an expensive house in Jerusalem's Jewish Quarter, another house
in Tel Aviv, property in Kfar Malal and other assets.
ECB
president Duisenberg says he fully supports his pro-Palestinian
wife
Jerusalem Post, January 8, 2003
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - Central Bank President Wim Duisenberg countered
criticism of his wife'sb pro-Palestinian activism for the first
time, telling the Dutch Foreign Ministry he fully supports her.
Court
gives Palestinian life plus twenty years for Jerusalem Promenade
killing
Jerusalem Post, January 8, 2003
The Jerusalem District court on Wednesday handed Samir Riit a life
sentence plus another twenty years for killing Moran Amit on the
Jerusalem Promenade last year, Israel Radio reported.
Hizbullah:
We won't retaliate against Israel for US strike on Iraq
Jerusalem Post, January 8, 2003
A spokesman for the Lebanese guerilla group Hizbullah said Wednesday
that they would not attack Israel automatically in the event of
an US attack on Iraq, Israel Radio reported.
Soldier's
sentence cut to allow for more severe steps later
Ha'aretz, January 8, 2003
The Israel Defense Forces' Judge Advocate General recently halved
the sentence imposed on a soldier who killed a 95-year-old Palestinian
woman last month - but only to keep open the possibility of taking
more severe measures against him later on.
Paris
U. boycott raises French furor
Ha'aretz, January 8, 2003
LONDON - French politicians, media and academics have joined forces
to denounce an attempted academic boycott of Israel, in response
to a petition by a leading Paris university demanding that the European
Union bar the country from research programs.
The
new Russian anti-Semitism targets Muslims
Ha'aretz, January 8, 2003
The slowdown in immigration from Russia has led to the formation
of new, stronger Jewish communities by those who have remained.
The institutionalization of religion has allowed the Chabad Lubavitch
Hasidic movement to increase its activities as have Conservative
and Reform organizations. The ousting of tycoons Boris Berezovsky
and Vladimir Gusinsky has weakened the image of Jewish dominance
in politics. Only the authorities' response to racist expressions
has not changed.
Pan-Islamic
body calls for safeguarding Islamic sites in Palestine
Arabic News, January 8, 2003
The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO,
based in Rabat) on Tuesday called on the international community
to safeguard Islamic monuments in Palestine.
Trade
volume increase between Jordan, Israel
Arabic News, January 8, 2003
Jordanian official statistics show that the volume of trade with
Israel increased in the first 11 months of 2002 by 26.9% in comparison
with the same period of 2001.
Israel
trip is professional, not political, Kroeker says
Oregon Live, January 8, 2003
Portland police Chief Mark Kroeker tried to assure local Muslim
and Jewish leaders Tuesday that his upcoming trip to Israel to attend
a terrorism security conference will be professional and not political.
But while Jewish community leaders congratulated the chief for traveling
to the Middle East to learn from Israel's experiences, several Muslim
leaders objected.
Intel
to develop next-generation Dothan processor in Israel
Globes, January 8, 2003
The new mobile computer processor will be developed at Intel Haifa.
Intel today announced the launch of its Centrino processor. -- Intel
(Nasdaq:INTC) today revealed the brand name for its new processor
- “Centrino”. Designed for mobile computers, the processor
was developed in Israel under the code name “Banias”.
Occupation
Chronicle, January 8, 2003
IOF Kill Palestinian Civilian in Gaza / Occupation Soldiers Raid
Saida Village, Kill Palestinian / IOF Raid West Bank Villages, Conduct
Mass Detentions / Israeli Bulldozers Demolish Palestinian Houses
Near Ramallah
Syrian-US
unofficial dialogue ends in Damascus
Jerusalem Post, January 8, 2003
Intellectuals, business executives and opinion makers seeking to
end long-strained US-Syrian relations ended a second round of talks
Wednesday stressing their determination to continue and make their
encounters more inclusive and productive, the Syrian Foreign Ministry
said.
Prosecutor
seeks stay on Erdogan ban
Arab News, January 8, 2003
ANKARA, 8 January 2003 — Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the leader
of Turkey’s ruling party, cannot stand in a by-election scheduled
for March despite recent constitutional amendments aimed at paving
the way for his election and his taking over as prime minister,
the country’s top prosecutor said yesterday.
Jordanian
parties ask King Abdullah for national dialogue on elections
Arabic News, January 8, 2003
Some 17 Jordanian parties representing various political strata
( opposition and moderate) called on, in a message to King Abdullah
II, for the priority of opening national dialogue about the parliamentary
elections and to amend its law to cope with requirements of the
age.
Closed
Lebanese opposition broadcasters vow to respect laws
Jordan Times, January 8, 2003
BEIRUT (AFP) — Anti-Syrian private media outlets pledged Tuesday
to respect media laws, a condition proposed by Prime Minister Rafiq
Hariri for their being allowed to reopen, judicial sources said.
CIA:
Libya, Syria and Sudan try to acquire weapons of mass destruction
Al-Bawaba, January 8, 2003
States such as Libya, Syria and possibly Sudan are quietly trying
to acquire or expand secret arsenals of weapons of mass destruction,
the CIA has warned. The US Central Intelligence Agency has also
concluded that Osama bin Laden "has a more sophisticated biological
weapons research program than previously discovered."
Al-Anbaa:
Kuwaiti- Russian talks to boost oil and gas cooperation
Arabic News, January 8, 2003
The Kuwaiti minister of information and acting minister of oil Ahmad
Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah announced that he had agreed with the Russian
minister of energy Igore Yousovov during the latter's visit to Kuwait
to form three joint committees between the two countries aiming
at strengthening and developing bilateral cooperation.
Al-Seyaseh:
Sabah al-Ahmad visits Tehran Saturday to discuss border demarcation
Arabic News, January 8, 2003
Kuwait's first deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs
Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah yesterday said that the
talks he will hold with the Iranian officials during his visit to
Tehran on Saturday will center on border demarcation between the
two countries especially "the continental Rift."
Think
Muslim, drink Muslim, says new rival to Coke
The Guardian, January 8, 2003
French firm capitalises on anti-US feeling to sell cola -- It is
packaged in the lurid red and white of the Stars and Stripes and
the logo mimics that famous swirl, but there is something different
about this brand of cola.
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