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I was sent to Israel as intelligence officer, says former Egyptian ambassadorDate Posted: August 11, 2008 Roee Nahmias YNET "I was sent to Israel as an intelligence officer. I wasn’t there to really be an ambassador," said former Egyptian Ambassador to Israel, Mohammed Bassiouni, in a lecture held in Egypt's National Library in Alexandria over the weekend. Bassiouni went on to describe his memories of Israel as "bitter" and denied striking any friendships during his tenure term as envoy to the Jewish state. He did, however, mention Shas' Rabbi Ovadia Yosef as an acquaintance. The former ambassador criticized Israel for its maltreatment of Israeli Arabs, saying "there is no such thing as 'Israeli society' – they're immigrants from all over the world." The mass immigration from the former Soviet Union to Israel, he continued, has resulted in Israel having some 40 new – "very dangerous" – nuclear scientists at its disposal; but Israel, he noted, has failed to make the transition easy form them. Bassiouni's comments, which have also been published by several Arab newspapers, also addressed local politics, as he said a person of Middle Eastern descent cannot be elected as prime minister – disregarding the high office held by former President Moshe Katsav and the current office held by Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz. Reviewing the current political situation in Israel, Bassiouni said that both Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Mofaz – who are both campaigning for the Kadima chairmanship – are "unfit", adding "I don’t care who gets elected, I just want to know who can revive the peace process." As for the comatose former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Bassiouni said he was "a sleeping corpse…alive only thanks to machines." Bassiouni chose to end his lecture with a juicy tidbit, confirming the rumors suggesting former Egyptian President Gamal Abd al-Nasser's brother-in-law – Ashraf Marwan – was indeed on the Israeli intelligence's payroll.
Gazans celebrate at sight of coffins turned over by HizbullahDate Posted: July 16, 2008 By ASSOCIATED PRESS Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are handing out sweets to celebrate the handover of two coffins believed to contain the bodies of Israeli soldiers. Dozens of Palestinians, holding Palestinian and Lebanese flags, rejoiced Wednesday at the prospect that the terrorist, Samir Kuntar, would be freed. Some hoisted posters of Kuntar and handed out sweets to drivers. One of the celebrants was a former cellmate of Kuntar's in an Israeli prison. Jaber Weshah said, "Today is a true day of joy for all Palestinians and all freedom lovers across the world."
"Virginity Restoration" - on the European Taxpayer's DimeDate Posted: July 1, 2008 By David J. Rusin | Permalink "The summer months are a big time for new hymens," notes a recent story from Denmark, one of many European countries that see more Muslims undergoing "virginity restoration" prior to marriage. A French woman of Moroccan descent illuminates the typical motive: "In my culture, not to be a virgin is to be dirt." Take, for example, a controversial annulment ruling that has gripped French society: The case … involved an engineer in his 30s, named as Mr. X, who married Ms. Y, a student nurse in her 20s, in 2006. The wedding night party was still under way at the family's home in Roubaix when the groom came down from the bedroom complaining that his bride was not a virgin. He could not display the blood-stained sheet that is traditionally exhibited as proof of the bride's "purity." Their marriage was annulled on the grounds that the bride had deceived the groom, but a court just overturned the order and will issue a new decision. Many cultures place a strong emphasis on virginity. That is acceptable. Enforcing it through violence, or the threat of violence, is not. Consider one Muslim woman who chose the operation after an eight-year relationship with a boyfriend had come to an end: "I was afraid that my father would take me to a doctor and see whether I was still a virgin," said the woman. … "He told me, ‘I will forgive everything, but not if you have thrown dirt on my honor.' I wasn't afraid he would kill me, but I was sure he would have beaten me." Worse, European taxpayers increasingly foot the bill for these procedures. Last year it was revealed that Britain's publicly funded National Health Service performs hymenoplasties. Some local governments in Denmark are now paying for them as well: Flemming Sommer, in charge of welfare [for Fures?], … says that if social workers think that an operation is needed for security reasons — for example, if the girl might be otherwise expelled from her family or killed — then the municipality will pay for it. The conservative Danish People's Party has pointed out the obvious: why not focus on the real source of the "security" problem by punishing the families that threaten these women? As any doctor can testify, proper treatment begins with addressing the disease, not merely the symptoms.
Sarkozy breaking promisesDate Posted: June 22, 2008 Sarkozy accused of breaking promises after he decides to celebrate 14 July with press freedom predator Reporters Without Borders voiced outrage today at the announcement that Syrian President Bashar el-Assad will be accompanying President Nicolas Sarkozy on the official podium during the French national holiday celebrations in Paris on 14 July. “Nicolas Sarkozy is breaking one commitment after another,” the press freedom organisation said. “After welcoming Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi with open arms in Paris on 10 December, Human Rights Day, and singing the praises of the Tunisian regime in April, he is now going to celebrate 14 July, which is supposed to be in honour of independence and freedom, next to the president of one of the world’s most repressive regimes. “How far is Sarkozy ready to go to promote his Mediterranean Union project? What new concessions will he make to the Libyan leader to get him to support this project? When he was running for president, Sarkozy put human rights at the heart of his programme. He said that, with him as president, talks would be much firmer especially, as regards Russia and China. Today we are far, very far, from these commitments. President Sarkozy, like others before him, is pursing a realpolitik at the expense of the values France is supposed to embody.” The Mediterranean Union project, which aims to reinforce the already existing cooperation between the Mediterranean countries and the European Union, will be officially created during a special summit in Paris on 13 July. Many Arab counties, including Lybia and Syria, have expressed misgivings about the project. After being received by Sarkozy in Paris last December, Gaddafi said during an interview for France 2 television that human rights had not been raised in his talks with the French president. This was denied by the Elys?e Palace. During a state visit to Tunisia in April, Sarkozy said, “I do not see why I should take it upon myself to give lessons” and even went so far as to congratulate President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali for the progress Tunisia had supposedly made in respect for rights and freedoms. Four journalists and three cyber-dissidents are currently detained in Adra prison in Damascus as a result of a campaign of arrests of human rights activists. In Tunisia, journalist Slim Boukhdir is currently serving a one-year prison sentence. Assad, Gaddafi and Ben Ali are all on the Reporters Without Borders list of “Predators of Press Freedom.”
Police: Leftists in Hebron more dangerous than right-wing counterpartsDate Posted: June 16, 2008 Efrat Weiss - Published: 06.16.08, 14:11 / YNET "The activity of some leftist organizations in Hebron is more dangerous that which is being conducted by their right-wing counterparts," a senior Shai District Police official told Ynet Monday. "Organizations such as Bnei Avraham (which is committed to 'disturbing the occupation, disrupting the segregation and apartheid regime') and Breaking the Silence are wolves in sheep's' clothing", the official said in light of the growing tensions between left and right-wing activists in the West Bank city. The head of the Israel Police's Hebron district, Commander Avshalom Peled told Ynet that "from my experience in the Hebron and Gush Etzion area, the activity on the part of the militant left can be severe and dangerous." Hebron police have recorded a drop in disturbances involving Jewish settlers over the past year and noted an improvement in the dialogue between the settler community and police. "In the past we did not have any problems with the leftist organizations, but all this changed recently," another police official said. "Their activity has become more extreme in nature, and it may result in (an eruption of violence)." Police claim that on April 25 members of Bnei Avraham and Breaking the Silence took advantage of the fact that they were permitted to tour Hebron to hold an illegal rally and provoke settlers. "The leftists antagonize the settlers in the hope that the settlers will attack them," a police official said. "The left-wing organizations have become an even greater threat than the anarchists."
61% Olmert should step down nowDate Posted: June 10, 2008 The majority of the Israeli public believes Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who is currently under investigation for allegedly receiving unlawful funds from American businessman Morris Talansky, should step down immediately; even before Attorney General Menachem Mazuz and the State Prosecutor's Office decide whether or not an indictment is warranted in his case. The data was published by the Tami Steinmetz Center for Peace Research Monday, as part of its monthly War and Peace Index project. The Index, published monthly since 1994, is run by Prof. Ephraim Yaar and Prof. Tamar Hermann; and is compiled of a monthly telephone survey of 600 Israeli citizens representing the various sectors in Israeli society. June's survey focused on three issues on the national agenda: The status of Olmert and his government; the negotiations with Syria; and the question of the Israeli prisoners in Lebanon. The incorruptibility factor A majority of the Jewish public - 61% vs. 30% - thinks Olmert should resign the premiership before the State Prosecutor's Office makes any final decision regarding an indictment in his case. Given a choice, 40% of the public said their preferred alternative to the situation would be early elections; while 21% said they prefer a replacement by named without holding elections. This, said the Steinmetz Center, may indicate that the public is not interested in the government's continued tenure. Still, 10% said they believe Olmert should remain in office pending the results of the police probe against him; and 20% said they prefer Olmert to stay in office pending the decision on an indictment. The public's desire to see the investigation against Olmert concluded was also evident by the widespread opposition - 60% - to claim that this may not be the right time to investigate him since, if he were to step down it would be detrimental to the negotiations on the Palestinians and Syrian avenues. A segmentation of the results showed that this position was supported by the majority of the voters. Regardless of political affiliation, suggesting that in the normative climate which has emerged in recent years, the incorruptibility of political leaders comes carries higher significance than political qualifications; even when it comes to advancing the peace process. When asked who may be the best candidate to push both the Palestinian and the Syrian peace talks forward while safeguarding Israel's vital interests, the segmentation was as followed: Likud Leader Benjamin Netanyahu - 27%, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni - 17%, Defense Minister Ehud Barak - 8%, Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz - 6%, Olmert - 5%, and Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter - 3%. Israeli public unwilling to cede Golan Heights The ongoing reports about renewed Israeli-Syrian negotiations with Turkish mediation have not caused a change in the Jewish public's positions on the conditions for peace with Syria, as 67% oppose signing any peace treaty which will entail Israel's full withdrawal from the Golan Heights. Only 16% of Israelis would support such a move. The rest - 17% - either had no clear position or declined to answer. The Israeli public, said the Index, does not seem to be troubled by prospect of Israeli and Syria failing to strike peace: The existing situation, said 60.5% of the poll's participants, may still continue for many years. Only 30.5% of Israelis said that another war between Israel and Syria was a matter of time. As for why the Israeli public views the Golan Heights as crucial to Israelis, 65% said it carries strategic military importance; 20% cited its national significance as part of the historic Land of Israel; and 7% believe it has economic and tourism value. As for the question of who should have the final authority to sign a peace accords entailing any concessions in the Golan Heights, 20% said it should be the government with the support of a regular or special majority of the Knesset (8% and 12% respectively); but a majority of 72% said the matter should be left up to the public. Moreover, 66% said they would like a referendum to be held on the matter, indicating the public has little faith in its elected politicians when in comes to the Golan Heights. As for the question of in which stages of the negotiations a referendum should be held, 48% said they prefer it to be held before any detailed treaty was reached, while 41% favor conducting it only after a deal is struck. Prisoners' exchange? Not at all costs Finally, on the question of whether Israel, in return for the retrieval of Israeli MIA's Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser, should agree to release any of the Lebanese prisoners it holds, including Samir Kuntar, who was jailed 29 years ago, after murdering the Haran family members and two police officers during a terror attack on the northern city of Nahariya; the public's position seemed to be dependent on the existing information regarding their state. Given the widespread belief that unfortunately, Regev and Goldwasser are no longer alive, 46% of those polled said they were against striking a prisoners' exchange deal; while 38% said they would agree to it. The answer changed, however, when those polled were asked for their opinion on the matter should Israel receive proof that the two - or even one - were still alive. Should that be the case, 80% of the Israeli public would support favors a prisoners' exchange deal.
Arab birth rate on decline in JerusalemDate Posted: June 1, 2008 By Nadav Shragai - Haaretz Fertility rates in Jerusalem have been declining among Arabs and rising among Jews in recent years, according to statistics the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies issued to mark Jerusalem Day, today. Among Arabs the rate has dropped to 4 children in 2006, from 4.3 in 2000, and among Jews it has risen to 3.9 children in 2006 from 3.7 in 2000. However, the ratio of Jews and Arabs hasn't changed - 66 percent Jews (489,480) and 34 percent Arabs (256,820) totaling 746,300 at the end of 2007. The negative migration balance in Jerusalem continued last year as 18,750 residents (most of them Jews) left the city and only 12,360 came to live there. Some 284,850 people moved away from Jerusalem during 1990-2007 and some 174,560 moved in, marking a negative migration of 110,200. In the first decade after the city's unification (1967-1977) 6 percent of those leaving Jerusalem moved to its metropolitan area in the Jerusalem district and the West Bank. The number of people moving from the capital into the metropolitan area rose to 32 percent during the second decade, to 45 percent in the third decade and has reached 51 percent in the past decade. In 2006 poor Jewish families made up 21 percent of the population and poor Arab families made up 67 percent of the city's population. The number of people below the poverty line was 28 percent among the Jews and 68 percent among the Arabs. The rato of poor children below the poverty line was 39 percent among the Jews and 77 percent among the Arabs. The work force participation in Jerusalem in 2007 was 45 percent compared to 56 percent in Israel.
PLO: We'll drive Israel out of PalestineDate Posted: April 14, 2008 Jerusalem Post Staff , THE JERUSALEM POST Apr. 13, 2008 www.jpost.com /servlet/Satellite?cid=1207650003494&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull "The PLO is the sole legitimate representative [of the Palestinian people], and it has not changed its platform even one iota." That's what the PLO's ambassador to Lebanon, Abbas Zaki, told Lebanon's NBN TV in an interview that aired last Wednesday and was translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI). "In light of the weakness of the Arab nation and the lack of values, and in light of the American control over the world, the PLO proceeds through phases, without changing its strategy. Let me tell you, when the ideology of Israel collapses, and we take, at least, Jerusalem, the Israeli ideology will collapse in its entirety, and we will begin to progress with our own ideology, Allah willing, and drive them out of all of Palestine," added Zaki. |