Israeli
Troops Kill Militant in West Bank
Washington Post, July 3, 2003
Closed Recently Reopened Junction in Gaza Strip -- JERUSALEM -— Israeli
troops killed a militia fighter in the West Bank and closed a recently reopened
junction in the Gaza Strip, casting a shadow over a handover of territory to Palestinians
under a U.S.-backed peace plan. The army said it was closing the key Gaza junction
in response to the firing of four anti-tank shells at the nearby Jewish settlement
of Kfar Darom. Four people were wounded by shrapnel, it said.
Israel
defies peace plan with land grab on West Bank
The Guardian, July 2, 2003
Bethlehem pullout is a cover for new settlements, say Palestinians -- The Israeli
government has confiscated hundreds of acres of Palestinian land on the West Bank
this week - for the purpose, Palestinians allege, of building settlements - in
flagrant breach of commitments under the US-led road map to peace. Yesterday,
an Israeli official and soldiers were marking out swaths of olive groves and other
ground outside the villages of Beit Eksa and Beit Souriq, north of Jerusalem.
Israeli
Troops Kill Two Palestinians including a Child
International Press Center, July 3, 2003
GAZA, Palestine, July 3, 2003 (IPC + Agencies)-- Israeli occupation forces (IOF)
killed Thursday two Palestinian citizens, including a child, in the West Bank
city of Qalqilia. One Palestinian child was murdered while his mother and brother
were wounded when an Israeli bulldozer ran over a vehicle they were traveling
in.
Peace
talks in disarray after Gaza missile
Financial Times, July 3, 2003
The truce that has raised hopes of ending nearly three years of violence in the
Middle East was thrown into doubt on Thursday after Palestinians fired missiles
into a Jewish settlement. Palestinian officials arrested a man who they said had
fired anti-tank missiles into the Kfar Darom enclave in the centre of the Gaza
Strip, wounding three Israelis, just days after Israel redeployed troops from
the north of the area.
Zionist
settlers attack Palestinian ambulance
Palestinian Information Center, July 3, 2003
Nablus - Zionist settlers yesterday attacked a Palestinian ambulance belonging
to the Aqsa specialized hospital in the Nablus district wounding a patient who
was in the vehicle.
Member
Killed, Aqsa Brigades Threatens To Disavow Truce
Islam Online, July 3, 2003
NABLUS, West Bank, July 3 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Hours after
Israeli occupation forces assassinated one of its leading figures in the West
Bank town of Qalqiliya, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades threatened Thursday, July 3,
to disavow the truce declared by the major Palestinian resistance factions.
Abbas:
Failure to Release Detainees ‘Single Biggest Threat’ to Ceasefire
Palestine Media Center, July 3, 2003
July 3, 2003 - Any failure by Israel to release Palestinian detainees would pose
the single biggest threat to the success of the ceasefire and the US-sponsored
“roadmap” peace plan and any Israeli assassinations of Palestinian
anti-Israeli occupation activists would destroy the truce, Prime Minister Mahmoud
Abbas (Abu Mazen) said.
Palestinians
Slam Israel Bethlehem Pullout As “Sham”
Islam Online, July 3, 2003
With Israeli forces still positioned outside, local inhabits skeptically responded
to the alleged withdrawal -- BETHLEHEM, July 3 (IslamOnline.net) –
Few hours after Israeli army transferred security of this West Bank city to Palestinian
authorities, local inhabitants on Wednesday, July 2, reacted halfheartedly towards
the step as “insincere” and “sham”....But as Israeli forces
are still in position of the city’s peripheries, Um Mohamed slammed the
highly-touted withdrawal as “feigned”
Israeli
army chief attacked for victory claim
The Guardian, July 2, 2003
Israel's military commander was accused of inciting hatred and violence today
after he claimed victory in the 33-month fight with Palestinian militias. The
controversial comments by the army chief of staff, Moshe Yaalon, in an interview
published today in an Israeli newspaper, come at a highly sensitive stage in the
peace process.
Breaking
News: IOF fires on home of mayor of Tulkarem
International Press Center, July 3, 2003
18:20 IOF opened heavy gunfire at the house of mayor of Tulkarem, Ezzeddin Al
Sharif, causing damages to the front of the house. No casualties among the mayor's
family or his guards were reported. (IPC).
PA
must stop financial aid to Hamas, IDF says
Haaretz, July 3, 2003
During the first days following the declaration of the hudna, Israel and the United
States have demanded primarily that the Palestinian Authority deal aggressively
with Hamas and the other terror organizations. The Palestinians are being asked
to disarm these organizations within a few weeks.
Villagers
of two Palestinian towns appeal for international intervention
Palestinian Information Center, July 3, 2003
Occupied Jerusalem - Inhabitants of the Beit Soreek and Beit Eksa villages have
appealed to the international community to interfere and pressure the Zionist
occupation authority to spare their lands....They told the press conference that
the occupation authorities had surveyed thousands of Palestinian dunums and converted
them into closed military zones banning citizens entry into them.
High
Court rejects petition to halt illegal outpost removal
Jerusalem Post, July 3, 2003
The High Court rejected a petition by residents of the illegal outpost of Beit
El East Thursday and granted the IDF permission to remove the settlement, Israel
Radio reported. The court rejected the petition on the grounds that Palestinians
privately own the land. "You have only been there two weeks and already you want
to claim rights to the land from the time of Abraham," Justice Mishael Heshin
told the petitioners.
Israel
to reclaim Iraqi Jews' lost property
Jerusalem Post, July 3, 2003
Israel has begun to indirectly attempt to retrieve property which belonged to
Iraqi Jews who fled the country in the mid fifties for Israel, Army Radio reported.
Israel is expected to raise the issue of the property, which is valued at millions
of shekels, during negotiations with the Palestinians as a response to the Palestinian's
claim for a right of return, Army Radio reported.
Israeli
Decision to Allow Foreigners Access Into the Holy Mosque of Jerusalem Arouses
Palestinian Concern
International Press Center, July 3, 2003
PALESTINE, July 3, 2003, IPC+WAFA-- Palestinians voiced Thursday protest at the
Israeli government’s decision to allow foreigners access into the holy mosque
of Jerusalem. Both the High Islamic Committee and Islamic Waqf Affairs Council,
said they totally oppose such flagrant Israeli intervention
in Muslims affairs, asserting that such a decision would undermine the basic
Islamic rules and principles.
Israeli
pullout brings quiet to Gaza's Rafah
Jordan Times, July 3, 2003
RAFAH CAMP, Gaza Strip (Reuters) — Palestinians living on Gaza's southern
border with Egypt said on Wednesday Israel's pullout from the northern part of
the seaside strip meant they too could breath easy. Abdul-Karim Hashim, whose
house was damaged in one of the frequent Israeli raids into the Rafah refugee
camp on the Egyptian border, said Tuesday was the first time he had slept at home
in several months.
Skepticism
and violence follow Bethlehem pullout
MIFTAH, July 3, 2003
Church bells rang and people lined the streets to welcome Palestinian police forces
after the Israeli army left the West Bank city of Bethlehem Wednesday afternoon
in an agreement to transfer security control to Palestinians. But the air was
thick with skepticism.
IDF:
Cease-fire, PA rejection of terror are victory for Israel
Haaretz, July 3, 2003
As to whether the IDF regards this as a "victory," [Ya'alon] replied, "certainly."
-- The Palestinian cease-fire, the developments on the ground since it was declared,
and the signs of a sincere desire on the part of the Mahmoud Abbas government
to fulfill its commitments "are significant moments that could appear, in retrospect,
to be an end to the violent round that began in September 2000" and give a chance
to the political process, according to a senior IDF officer reflecting the views
of Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon.
Israeli
forces violate cease fire by assassinating a Palestinian figure in the West Bank
MIFTAH, July 3, 2003
Israeli ‘deaths squads’ assassinated a Palestinian man, 31-year-old
Mahmoud Shawor, and critically wounded another, 22-year-old Ibraheeem Yaseen,
early this morning (Thursday July 3, 2003) in the West Bank city of Qalqilya.
This brings what appeared to be a few days of quiet and progress, in which all
Palestinian factions declared a truce and halted attacks against the Israeli occupation
forces, to a sad and frightening state.
Arabs
Contend Palestinian Resistance Not Terrorism
Islam Online, July 3, 2003
Palestinians have suffered heavily at the hands of Israeli occupation forces --
CAIRO, June 17 (IslamOnline.net) - Contending peace efforts failed so far to resolve
a more than 50-year-old crisis, most of Arab people reject to draw an internationally-trumpeted
comparison between resistance and terrorism.
President
Bush thanks PM Abbas for initial steps on road map
Haaretz, July 3, 2003
WASHINGTON - President George W. Bush spoke by phone on Thursday to Palestinian
Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas to thank him for his leadership in implementing initial
steps in a U.S.-backed Middle East peace "road map," the White House said. Bush
and Abbas talked for 10 minutes, a day after the president had telephone conversations
with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and
Jordan's King Abdullah.
Bush
Thanks Mideast for Arrest of Suspect
The Guardian, July 2, 2003
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush continued his effort to bolster support for the
Palestinian prime minister, thanking Mahmoud Abbas via telephone for the arrest
of an individual implicated in a rocket attack into Israel from the Gaza Strip.
Israeli
Troops Kill Palestinian Militant
The Guardian, July 2, 2003
JERUSALEM (AP) - After tentative steps toward peace, Israeli troops killed a Palestinian
militiaman during a West Bank raid Thursday, and the two sides bickered over who
won the past 33 months of fighting. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces temporarily
closed an important junction after rockets were fired at a Jewish settlement,
casting a shadow over a handover of territory to Palestinians.
Israel
Assassinates Palestinian in Qaqlilia, Closes Main Gaza Highway
Palestine Media Center, July 3, 2003
July 3, 2003 - Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) assassinated a Palestinian activist
in Qalqilia and closed the north-south highway in the Gaza Strip to Palestinian
traffic during the morning rush hour on Thursday in a violation to the truce,
which was announced on Sunday by Palestinian factions and the Gaza withdrawal
agreement between the Palestine National Authority (PNA) and Israel.
PA
arrests Aqsa fighters after bombing Zionist settlement
Palestinian Information Center, July 3, 2003
Kahn Younis - Palestinian Authority security men have arrested two fighters affiliated
with the Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah Movement, at the pretext
of firing mortar shells at a Zionist settlement last night.
Shaath
promises crackdown on groups opposing cease-fire
Jerusalem Post, July 3, 2003
Renegade Palestinian factions that ignore laws set by the Palestinian Authority
will be dealt with as criminals, Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath said
Wednesday. After meeting with his Spanish counterpart, Ana Palacio, Shaath told
reporters that the Palestinian government would not allow anyone to get in the
way of the Middle East peace process.
Hamas
warns: Israeli attacks could end cease-fire
Palestinian Information Center, July 3, 2003
....The warning came from Hamas spokesman in Gaza, Dr. Abdul Aziz al Rantisi,
who warned that the continuation of Israeli attacks and acts of killing would
force Palestinian resistance groups to reconsider the cease-fire reached earlier
this week.
Al-Aqsa
faction says truce over after IDF kills activist
Haaretz, July 3, 2003
A faction of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades declared Thursday that it would no longer
abide by the cease-fire agreed days ago by the major militant groups, following
the killing earlier in the day of one of its activists by Israeli security forces
in Qalqailyah.
Israel
frees top PA security officer, 33 Palestinian detainees
Haaretz, July 3, 2003
A military court on Thursday freed a top Palestinian security official, along
with another 33 detainees who had been arrested last week during IDF operations
in the West Bank city of Hebron. Israel also announced announced it would halt
legal moves to expel close family members of suicide bombers from the West Bank
to the Gaza Strip.
Muted
celebrations as Israel pulls back from Bethlehem
The Independent, July 3, 2003
This was supposed to be Bethlehem's day of liberation, but nobody was buying it.
The Israeli army withdrew from the city and handed control back to Palestinian
police. It was billed as the end of 15 months of agony for the birthplace of Christ,
15 months that reduced a city whose narrow limestone streets once thronged with
pilgrims and tourists to a ghost town echoing only to the sound of gunfire.
PA
assumes security control in Bethlehem
Haaretz, July 3, 2003
Israel transferred security control over the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem
to the Palestinian Authority yesterday. However, the Israel Defense Forces maintained
the barriers around the city, cutting it off from neighboring villages and preventing
people from leaving or entering.
Violence
hits Mid-East peace drive
BBC, July 3, 2003
Israeli troops have shot dead a Palestinian militant in the West Bank city of
Qalqilya. The army said the man, who belonged to the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade
and was armed, was killed while trying to evade capture.
Israeli
army lays siege on Bethlehem following token withdrawal
Palestinian Information Center, July 3, 2003
Occupied Jerusalem - No sooner had the Israeli occupation army made its token
“withdrawal” from Bethlehem, that than Israeli tanks and armored personnel
carriers took position around the town, with their huge guns trained toward the
traditional birthplace of Jesus.
Israel
reimposes Gaza roadblock
MIFTAH, July 3, 2003
GAZA CITY, July 3 (AFP) - The Israeli army reblocked the main north-south road
in the Gaza Strip Thursday morning, after saying that a rocket attack on a Jewish
settlement violated a truce, a Palestinian official told AFP. Three Palestinians
were wounded by live bullets when Israeli troops posted near the road opened fire
on cars piling up at a checkpoint, Palestinian security sources and witnesses
said.
Maher
makes telephone calls with Powell, Silvan
Arabic News, July 3, 2003
The Egyptian foreign minister Ahmad Maher has discussed in a telephone call he
received yesterday from his American counterpart Colin Powell the current developments
in the occupied Palestinian territories and results of the meeting which was held
on Tuesday between the Palestinian authority prime minister Mahmoud Abbas and
the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon.
Government
retaliates against BBC, accuses it of demonizing Israel
Reporters Without Borders, July 3, 2003
Reporters Without Borders today condemned the Israeli government for announcing
on 1 July that is cutting all links with the BBC, Britain's state-owned TV and
radio broadcaster, on the grounds that it "systematically demonizes" Israel and
carries reports "verging on antisemitism."
Foreign
press body criticizes BBC boycott
Haaretz, July 3, 2003
The Foreign Press Association yesterday criticized the government's decision to
boycott the BBC after it accused the British broadcaster of making programs that
bordered on anti-Semitism.
Palestinians
say Israel prepared to reopen Orient House
Jerusalem Post, July 3, 2003
Israel has hinted to the Palestinian Authority that it is prepared to consider
reopening the Orient House, the PLO's unofficial headquarters in Jerusalem that
was closed down in August 2001, well informed Palestinian sources said Thursday.
IDF
tells Egyptian army: You must stop infiltrators
Haaretz, July 3, 2003
Israel Defense Forces officers have passed on a protest to the Egyptian military
with regard to the numerous infiltrations of terrorists - mostly Palestinians
- from Egypt into Israel over the past two years. The protest was voiced during
the most recent periodic meeting between officers from the two armies.
Racist
fence in Nablus expands to include Ariel settlement
Palestinian Information Center, July 3, 2003
Nablus - The Zionist war ministry yesterday said that the security fence currently
being constructed to separate the Palestinian lands occupied in 1967 from the
areas occupied in 1948 would take in the Ariel settlement to the north of the
West Bank.
Update
from Balata
International Solidarity Movement, June 29, 2003
Nablus, Joseph -- Here I am in Balata Refugee camp. Here you know when there are
tanks and APCs at the end of the street; the shops start to close up and boys
of all ages from six to 21 are galloping down the street barely stopping to scoop
up rocks to throw at the double armored vehicles.
Saying
Goodbye in Balata
International Solidarity Movement, July 3, 2003
Nablus, Joseph -- This morning I said goodbye to the local coordinators here in
Balata Camp. We exchanged email addresses and hugs. Sadness made my chest heavy
as I walked down Market St. to catch a cab. Although I was only here for a week
and a half I created some good bonds with the Palestinian coordinators I worked
with at check points and removing roadblocks.
ISM:
Protest at Baqa al-Sharqiya gate
International Solidarity Movement, July 3, 2003
Baqa ash-Sharqiya, West Bank Palestine -- Over two hundred Palestinians and international
solidarity activists held a peaceful protest today at a construction site of a
gate which will soon be completed, effectively cutting this town of 4000 people
off from neighboring cities in the West Bank.
Action
Alert for our US supporters re: Rachel Corrie
International Solidarity Movement, July 3, 2003
Dear friends, Many of you around the globe are still working hard for justice
for Rachel Corrie and the ideals, values and peace that she gave her life for
and were just as outraged, though not surprised at the Israeli military's decision
last week to close the file on Rachel's case, exonerating themselves of any wrong
doing....We're asking you to please make another push. Please see the action
alert below.
Hear
Palestine July 3, 2003
Hear Palestine
NEWS: Qalqilya: Israeli Truck Drives into Carriage, Kills Youngster / Occupation
Soldiers Assassinate Youth in Qalqilya at Dawn / Occupation Army Invades Tulkarem
City / Occupation Army Closes North Gaza; Khan Younis Road / Deir al-Balah Attacked
at Dawn Following Wounding of Settlers / Occupation Army Closes Salah al-Din Street
for Several Hours / Hundreds Stuck at Rafah Crossing FEATURES:
'Um Khalil' Waits for the Return of Land, Home and Son / Hebron: Israeli Military
Order Prevents Construction
Occupation
Chronicle Events in Palestine July 3, 2003
Palestine Media Center
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) assassinated a Palestinian activist in the northern
West Bank town of Qalqilia. IOF also closed the main highway connecting the northern
and southern Gaza Strip towns and demolished a house in occupied east Jerusalem.
IOF Detain 9 Palestinians in the West Bank. IOF Demolish House in East Jerusalem.
Hamas
Wins Positive Press With Truce Agreement
Washington Post, June 30, 2003
By agreeing to a three-month "hudna," or cease-fire, in its attacks on Israeli
civilians, the militant Palestinian organization Hamas is reaping unusually favorable
news coverage in the international online media. In the Arab world and the West,
Hamas is getting praised for enabling the peace process to go forward. In Israel,
unhappy opponents of the so-called road map to Middle East peace acknowledge that
the group has made an astute political move.
The
'Palestinian Napoleon' behind Mideast cease-fire
Christian Science Monitor. July 3, 2003
In jail and on trial for terrorism, Marwan Barghouti brokered a deal with militants.
-- JERUSALEM – When the Israeli and Palestinian Authority prime ministers
met Tuesday, they did so with an unprecedented display of bonhomie and some trusted
ministers. But one man was missing - a man widely credited with engineering the
Palestinian cease-fire that led to the meeting and generated momentum for the
US-backed peace plan under discussion.
Outgoing
EU envoy Moratinos says silent majority of Israelis, Palestinians want peace
Jordan Times, July 3, 2003
NICOSIA (AFP) — Prospects for a lasting peace are on the rise with a silent
majority of Israelis and Palestinians seeking an end to the Intifada, outgoing
EU Middle East envoy Miguel Angel Moratinos told AFP in an interview. The majority
on both sides "want to emerge from what has been a two-and-a-half-year nightmare,"
Moratinos said, following Sunday's ceasefire announcement by Palestinians.
Suicide
rate steady, despite economic woes
Haaretz, July 3, 2003
Israel's suicide rate didn't increase during 2002, despite a rash of reports of
"economic suicides," according to the Health Ministry's top
psychologist, Dr. Dalia Gilboa.
Coalition
lawmakers vote down four social rights bills
Haaretz, July 3, 2003
The coalition yesterday defeated four private members' bills aimed at introducing
a Basic Law that would have guaranteed certain social rights to workers. The bills
were proposed by MKs Ophir Pines-Paz (Labor), Haim Oron (Meretz), Amir Peretz
(One Nation) and Mohammed Barakeh (Hadash).
Gov't
to subsidizeday care for single parents
Haaretz, July 3, 2003
Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Wednesday a government plan to set
aside NIS 25 million to subsidize day care centers for children of single parents
receiving income supplements, which he said was designed to enable the parents
to return to work.
Netanyahu
eager for more reforms
Haaretz, July 3, 2003
"This is the time for revolutionary changes in the Israeli economy," said Finance
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday. This would "lift the economy to a more
competitive level domestically, and toward the rest of the world," he told the
annual "Caesarea" economic conference, sponsored by the Israel Democracy Institute,
which is being held this year in Jerusalem.
Sarid
says he won't contest leadership of left again; Yossi Beilin poised to run
Haaretz, July 3, 2003
"I'm not interested in your Meretz meetings," was the shout heard Monday afternoon
from the entrance to the Knesset dining room all the way to the entrance to the
plenum, and in three variations. The speaker was MK Yossi Sarid, who wanted to
make sure that not only MK Haim Oron understood, but practically everyone else
in the area.
UNESCO
awards Tel Aviv-Jaffa heritage site status
Haaretz, July 3, 2003
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization on Thursday
awarded the city of Tel Aviv-Jaffa the status of a site of world heritage, for
its historical urban buildings in the Bauhaus style. The buildings, built in the
1930s and named by the "White City" organization, put Tel Aviv on a list of just
seven cities to receive the award, among them the Brazilian capital of Brasilia.
IAF
to outsource, fire more than 1,000 career staffers
Haaretz, July 3, 2003
The commander-in-chief of the Israel Air Force, Major General Dan Halutz, has
decided to fire more than 1,000 career staffers and outsource some of the force's
work and projects, as part of the army's overall cost-cutting moves.
Export
Institute: Security sector can double exports
Globes, July 3, 2003
Israel Export Institute chairman Shraga Brosh: Security exports are likely to
reach $2 billion a year by 2010. -- Israeli security exports will double to $1
billion per year over the next three years, Israel Export Institute chairman Shraga
Brosh said yesterday at the opening of the Security Israel 2003 exhibition in
Tel Aviv. 100 representatives, 300 procurement personnel, and guest from 18 countries
attended the exhibition.
Turkish
parliament may investigate tank upgrade deal with IMI
Globes, July 3, 2003
A Turkish diplomat: $150 billion worth of contracts are being investigated. --
Israel Military Industries’ (IMI) $688 million upgrade of 160 Turkish Army
M-60 A1 tanks could become the target of a Turkish parliamentary investigation,
“Defense Week” reports in its latest issue. The Islamic AKP (Justice
and Development Party) controls Turkey’s Grand National Assembly.
Netanyahu:
Banks can be privatized within 12 months
Globes, July 3, 2003
At the Israel Democracy Institute's 11th Annual Economic Conference - Caesarea
2003 yesterday Minister of Finance Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned several factors
to promote growth. One factor is privatization, including completing the privatization
of Bank Leumi (TASE:LUMI), Israel Discount Bank (TASE:DSCT), Oil Refineries, and
Bezeq (TASE:BZEQ).
Palestinians
in talks with IEC on providing back-up power
Globes, July 3, 2003
PA Minister of Energy Azzam Shawwa hopes that Israel will reconsider its decision
not to buy natural gas from Gaza. -- New Palestinian Authority (PA) Minister of
Energy Azzam Shawwa said that the fourth and last unit in the Palestinian power
plant in Gaza would go into operation in August. The plant will thereby reach
its maximum capacity of 140 megawatts. Palestinian power consumption in Gaza currently
varies from 130 megawatts to 150 megawatts.
“Yediot
Ahronot”: Netanyahu undecided on using US loan guarantees this year
Globes, July 3, 2003
Minister of Finance Benjamin Netanyahu: The Americans have allowed Israel to issue
$3 billion in loans backed by the US guarantees in 2003 and in each the following
two years. -- Hebrew daily “Yediot Ahronot” quotes Minister of Finance
Benjamin Netanyahu as saying yesterday that the Ministry of Finance had not yet
decided whether to use the US loan guarantees for this year in full.
Klein:
Interest rate reduction won’t be accelerated
Globes, July 3, 2003
Governor of the Bank of Israel David Klein: The idea to cut the short-term interest
rate in order to weaken the shekel is nightmarish and playing with fire. -- Governor
of the Bank of Israel David Klein today rejected Ministry of Finance officials’
calls to accelerate the interest rate reduction. He warned against a hasty interest
rate measures that could undermine financial stability.
Defense
firms fear sharp fall in IDF procurement
Globes, July 3, 2003
The Israel Defense Forces general staff forum is discussing the five-year Kela
2008 program. -- The Israeli defense industries fear a sharp fall in Ministry
of Defense procurement, due to the ministry’s preparations for the NIS 1
billion cut in its budget.
Netanyahu:
High interest rate pushing deficit up
Globes, July 3, 2003
Minister of Finance Benjamin Netanyahu at the 2003 Caesarea conference close:
"In a 0% inflation environment, 7% interest is like a cement shoe". -- Minister
of Finance Benjamin Netanyahu said this evening at the closing plenum of the Israel
Democracy Institute's 11th Annual Economic Conference - Caesarea 2003 in Jerusalem,
that the current local and global economic climate, coupled with the high interest
rate, was pushing Israel's deficit skywards.
Obituary:
Mordechai Hod
The Guardian, July 2, 2003
Israeli air force mastermind behind the six day war -- Starting at 7am on June
5 1967, in a punctiliously timed schedule, the then Israeli air force commander
Major-General Mordechai Hod, who has died aged 76, ordered virtually all his warplanes
to attack the Egyptian air force. Only 12 aircraft were left behind for home defence.
Supporters
say Damascus has ‘new approach’
Daily Star, July 3, 2003
Notion that syria favors muslims over christians is a ‘misunderstanding’
-- A new Syrian approach to Lebanese politics has appeared and is particularly
noticeable in Syrian-Christian relations, which have seen substantial development
over the past few months. Which side initiated the process is unclear. The change
is most obvious at Bkirki; the Council of Maronite Bishops called for a Syrian
withdrawal in September 2000, but no mention was made of the issue at last month’s
Maronite Synod, only a mention of Bkirki’s commitment to a free, sovereign
and independent Lebanon.
Kingdom
to Relaunch $25b Gas Project
Arab News, July 3, 2003
JEDDAH, 3 July 2003 — The Middle East Economic Survey (MEES) reports that
the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources plans to relaunch
the stalled $25 billion natural gas initiative, with more than 50 firms expected
to attend a road show gathering for the project.
Tevi
Troy named new White House liaison to the Jewish community
Jerusalem Post, July 3, 2003
Tevi Troy, a White House domestic policy adviser, was named this week the new
liaison to the American Jewish community. He replaces Adam Goldman. Troy, who
is an Orthodox Jew, was sworn in Monday as a deputy cabinet secretary and special
assistant to the president.
Powell:
'Keep out of Iran feud'
BBC, July 3, 2003
The US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, has said America should not get involved
in Iran's internal politics. In a radio interview, he said Washington should stay
away from the "family fight" between the country's reformists and conservatives.
He also reminded listeners that Iran was a democracy and President Mohammad Khatami
had been freely elected.
Malaysia,
Iran bank on dollar alternative
Asia Times, July 3, 2003
In his latest initiative to overhaul the international financial system, which
he has long criticized as being skewed toward rich countries and speculators,
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is forging ahead with a scheme to resurrect
the Ottoman-era gold dinar as an alternative to the US dollar. The trading partner
Mahathir has chosen for a pilot scheme should get Washington's attention: Iran.
UAE:
some 40,000 illegal emigrants arrested
Arabic News, July 3, 2003
The United Arab Emirates Gulf News said that 40,000 of persons who illegally stay
in the country while other 100,000 left the country under an Amnesty. On January
1st, this year, the UAE authorities decided an amnesty period of 6 months which
expired on June 30 with the aim to settle conditions of more than 400,000 who
live in the country illegally.
Egypt
agrees not to extradite US citizens to international court
Jerusalem Post, July 3, 2003
Egypt has signed an agreement not to send American citizens accused of crimes
against humanity to the International Criminal Court, Egypt's foreign minister
said Thursday, after the United States exerted pressure on countries to follow
its demand.
Academic
to become IMF's chief economist
Salaam UK/The Financial Times, July 2, 2003
Raghuram Rajan, a finance professor at Chicago Business School who has warned
against the power of entrenched political elites to corrupt free markets, will
replace Ken Rogoff as the International Monetary Fund's chief economist later
this year. Prof Rajan, a highly regarded finance academic, is a contrast to his
predecessors, Mr Rogoff and Michael Mussa, who had largely macroeconomic backgrounds.
