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Newsletter : 8fax1005.txt
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>JN Oct. 5. 1998, Vol. 6, No. 176
Music to Sit in Jail By
By IsraelWire
The members of the Palestinian "Presidential Orchestra" were
imprisoned last week by the Palestinian Authority. The London-based
Arab-language daily A Shark al-Awsat reports they were arrested
because they went on strike protesting low wages. They were freed
from prison so that they could perform in honor of Arafat's return
from his appearance at the United Nations.
Hamas May Be Targeting Skyscraper
By IsraelWire
According to Haaretz, the Hamas terror organization may be targeting a skyscraper for its mass attack or possibly several terror attacks at different locations at the same time.
A closure has been imposed on Arab residents of Judea, Samaria and
Gaza, in light of intelligence data indicating Hamas will attempt
a large-scale operation, the likes of which that has never been
seen in Israel.
Israel Radio reports the possibility of an attack using hundreds of
kilograms of explosives (1 kilogram equals 2.2. pounds). Security
forces have been deployed in large numbers, especially in sensitive
locations, such as shopping malls, public parks and other areas
which attract large numbers of persons.
The capital, always considered among the main areas being targeted by
terrorists, is under heavy police protection, with police,
border police and special forces having been deployed for the
Succot holiday, that began last night.
Albright Scheduled to Arrive in Jerusalem
By Al Pessin (VOA-Jerusalem)
Israeli and Palestinian officials are jockeying for diplomatic
advantage as they prepare for a visit to the region, beginning
Tuesday, by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
Each side says it is time for the other to take the final steps toward a new peace accord. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel has done what it was asked to do -- an apparent reference to his reluctant consent to withdraw from an additional 13 percent of the West Bank. The prime minister said now it is up to the Palestinians to do their part.
Israel is demanding tough action by the Palestinian Authority to
fight militant groups. He had some rare kind words for that effort,
saying he respects some things the Authority is doing, but he also
said more must be done.
The Palestinians have been saying for months that they accept a
U.S. compromise proposal, and it is up to Israel to do the same.
The current talks are about the details of how to implement the
provisions in the U.S. plan, including the 13 percent withdrawal
and Palestinian security steps.
Meanwhile, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators met Sunday in
Jerusalem to discuss several practical issues that were to have
been decided more than a year ago, including plans for the Gaza
airport. There again, Israeli and Palestinian officials had
different interpretations after the meeting.
Israeli negotiator Danny Naveh said the talks should continue.
Palestinian negotiator Sa'eb Erakat said the teams have done all
they can and it is up to the top leaders to make the final
decisions.
Egypt's Jewish Community Dwindles
By IsraelWire
Once a thriving community of bankers and merchants, Egypt's Jewish
community has dwindled after many of its members immigrated to
Israel and may disappear completely by the year 2020, a
state-funded think tank says.
The Al-Ahram Center for Strategic Studies says its annual Religious
Status Report is the first in Egypt in about 38 years to quantify
the Egyptian Jewish community population. "The Egyptian Jewish
community is living its final days after a long history that
fluctuated up and down," said the report. It said that about 70
Jews remain, about the same number as those who first came to Egypt
some 4,000 years ago at the time of the Prophet Joseph.
Most of today's Egyptian Jews comprise unmarried women over the age of 60, living on their own. "Based on their age, the community has no future in Egypt," said Diaa Rashwan, editor of the report. "Most young Jews chose to leave the country either for Israel or elsewhere."
Egypt has 62 million people, making it the most populated Arab
country. Its population is predominantly Muslim but includes a
Coptic minority officially estimated at 6 million. The Coptic
church puts the figure at 10 million.
The highest recorded figure of Egyptian Jews was in 1947, just
before the first Arab-Israeli war in 1948, when the official census
said some 65,000 Egyptian Jews were in the country.
Israel Wants Out of Syrian-Turkish Dispute
By Al Pessin (VOA-Jerusalem)
Israel says it wants to stay out of the dispute between its ally, Turkey, and its adversary, Syria. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday Israel has no part in the increased tension between Syria and Turkey, and has taken steps to reassure Syria in that regard.
Defense minister Yitzhak Mordechai says he has ordered Israel's
routine military operations scaled down in the Golan Heights to
demonstrate to Syria that Israel has no hostile intentions.
Mordechai says Israel does not want to do anything to reduce the
chances of resuming peace talks with Syria.
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