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Newsletter : 8fax1209.txt
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>PD
>Israel Faxx
>JN Dec. 9, 1998, Vol. 6, No. 222
Russia Arming Syria, Egypt
Israel Faxx Staff Report
Russia has renewed its weapons shipments to Syria and Egypt,
according to Russian news reports in Ha'aretz. According to the
report, about 100 Russian military advisers are in Syria and more
than 70 Syrian officers are training in Russia. The Syrian army
wants large quantities of small arms and ammunition, as well as
anti-aircraft missiles. Russian experts are also upgrading
fire-control systems in Syrian tanks, and have established a
presence at the Syria port of Tartus. Russia will reportedly supply
anti-aircraft and radar systems to the Egyptian air force and will
send experts to help the Egyptian army upgrade its outdated
Soviet-era weaponry.
Assaf Miara to be Tried for Conduct Unbecoming a Soldier
By IsraelWire
The IDF Central Command is planning to try Assaf Miara, the soldier
who was the victim of the violent Arab mob in last Wednesday's Yosh
Junction attack. Senior army sources stated that the intention is
to try Miara and sentence him to a lengthy jail term.
The intention to court-martial Miara is clear from the
investigation report made by the brigade commander. The commander
listed defects in the soldier's conduct, for many of which he can
be tried in military court, including the fact that he did not
follow orders of traveling with his gun's magazine in place, and
for not acting in self-defense. He will also be tried for leaving
his base after being ordered not to.
The investigation also brought up the fact that some 40 minutes
before the incident an intelligence warning went out concerning
possible riots and disturbances in the area, but the brigade did
not receive the warning. It was also stated that despite the fact
that the Yosh junction can be seen from the roof of the nearby
command post, the soldier on guard duty there did not report the
Arab rioters.
Chelsea Clinton: I Want to Get to Know Israel
By IsraelWire
Chelsea Clinton, President Clinton's daughter, will be visiting Israel for the first time. The American Embassy together with Israeli officials are organizing an itinerary for her visit. Since this is her first visit to the area, it will be entirely a tourist's trip. Since Chelsea's itinerary is being kept secret, it is unknown whether she will join her parents at official functions.
Israel Won't Extradite Polish Jew
By IsraelWire
Israel is refusing to extradite to Poland a Jewish man, Solomon Morel, accused of atrocities against German prisoners after World War 2. Morel, who lost his parents and two brothers during the war, moved to Israel in 1994.
The Polish Justice Ministry reports that Morel commanded a camp for
German prisoners in southern Poland and allegedly tortured inmates
and was considered responsible for at least 1,538 deaths.
Poland requested Morel's extradition in April on charges of beating
and torturing prisoners and creating inhuman conditions at the
Swietochlowice camp, which he commanded from February to November
1945. Israel refused the request last month, saying the statute of
limitations had run out on the case.
A Israeli spokeswoman, Barbara Makosa-Stepkowska, said the charges
against Morel failed to meet the definition of genocide under
Israeli law. She said Israel's decision ends the case in Poland,
which lacks the power to appeal. Morel could only be arrested if he
left Israel, she said.
The investigation into Morel, begun in 1992, was the only one in
Poland against a Jew accused of retaliating against the Germans
after their defeat. Polish investigators said "extremely bad
conditions" at the camp, including hunger, overcrowding and
epidemic diseases, led to an unspecified number of deaths.
Russian Immigrant Granted Appeal Due to Language Limitations
By IsraelWire
A Russian immigrant found guilty of sexual assault will be given an
appeal based on his contention that he never really understood the
charges leveled against him due to his limited abilities in Hebrew.
Yaakov Sherman, 58, faced charges of sexually assaulting a woman,
who claims he came up to her and began touching her body. Sherman
was unable to afford legal counsel, and the court refused to supply
him with a public defender -- he was on his own. He was found
guilty and sentenced to a 6-month probationary sentence.
After the verdict was handed down, Sherman really understood the
impact of his decision not to seek legal counsel. He then
approached Jerusalem attorney Lura Bar-Elon who filed a request for
an appeal in the Jerusalem District Court.
Bar-Elon maintained that her client did not understand the
proceedings against him, there were many flaws in the testimony of
the woman who insists she was fondled by Sherman, and in a trial
during which he was represented by an attorney, he would never of
been found guilty of the charges.
