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Newsletter : 8fax0710.txt
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>JN July 10, 1998, Vol. 6, No. 121
Officials Estimate 100,000 Illegal Aliens in Israel
By IsraelWire
Since the establishment of the Illegal Workers Administration, the
government continues to deport an increasing number of illegal
aliens annually. It is estimated that 6,000 illegal aliens will be
deported this year, compared to 4,200 in 1997 and 960 in 1996. The
IWA estimates there are about 80,000 legal foreign workers in
Israel, compared with 106,000 in 1996. There are 100,000 illegal
aliens compared with 130,000 in 1996.
Civil Marriage Bill Passes Preliminary Reading
By IsraelWire
A Knesset bill permitting civil marriages in cases in which the
couple is of different religions, has passed its preliminary
reading by a 21-11 margin. Opposing the bill were Arab and Orthodox
legislators.
If the bill becomes law, it will establish a framework operating
under the auspices of the Family Courts, which would permit a civil
marriage service [or divorce for mixed couples. This would permit
such couples to wed in Israel, which they currently are unable to
do, since the marriages are now under the control of the Chief
Rabbinate.
The bill will also alleviate problems faced by Kohanim (priests)
who wish to marry a divorcee [which is prohibited by Jewish law].
Orthodox Knesset members say the measure will only contribute to
assimilation in Israel.
Israel to Aid Refugees
By IsraelWire
The Foreign Ministry announced that in light of the large numbers
of Albanian refugees fleeing Kosovo, the ministry has authorized
the dispatch of humanitarian aid to the refugees.
Since the start of the fighting in the Kosovo area in February,
large numbers of the Albanian residents of the area have begun to
leave their homes. Out of a population of 100,000, around 50,000
refugees, mainly women, children and the aged, have fled to
northern Albania.
Israel decided to help the Albanian government by instructing the
Israeli embassy in Rome to purchase and transfer required
materials.
IDF Officer Saves Life of Arab Laborer
By IsraelWire
Lt Dudu Ashur, 22, assigned to the Erez Crossing, in Gaza, saved
the life of an Arab laborer who collapsed and went into respiratory
arrest. The young officer immediately began administrating mouth to
mouth resuscitation, saving the life of the 40-year-old Arab
laborer.
While observing the thousands of laborers passing through from the
PLO Authority autonomous area into the area under Israeli control,
Ashur saw a crowd gathering and went to investigate. He saw the man
collapsed on the ground and immediately took action.
Ashur added that he was pleased that he saved a life, and in this
case that his soldiers and the Arabs in the terminal saw that above
all, the IDF is humane.
Possible "Coke" Poisoning
>YX By IsraelWire
Three members of a Rechovot family remain hospitalized after
drinking Coca-Cola that may have been contaminated, unfit for
consumption or toxic.
Inspectors found a quantity of bottles of Coke in a Rechovot store
-- all of which seems to be unfit for consumption, and perhaps
toxic. The bottles were confiscated and taken for laboratory tests.
Health officials announced that bottles of the soft drink bearing
an expiration date of Oct. 7, 1998, and lot numbers 160211 and
100141, should not be used and health officials should be notified.
There were also reports of possible contaminated bottles in Haifa
and Bnei Brak. Police report that the bottle may have been
contaminated with paint thinner. Members of the Rechovot family who
took ill after drinking the soda experienced bouts of vomiting,
abdominal pains and other similar symptoms.
Inspectors first reported that in the store where the bottles were
confiscated, they also found canisters of paint near the soda but
the store's proprietor insists there was no painting or renovating
work done in proximity of the soda, which might have explain what
took place. It is being theorized that this may be local sabotage.
The Coca-Cola spokesman said Ministry of Health officials are
confident that the problem is a local one in the Rechovot store,
and did not originate in the Bnei Brak plant which bottles the soft
drink for the entire country.
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