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Newsletter : 8fax1221.txt
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>Israel Faxx
>JN Dec. 21, 1998, Vol. 6, No. 226
Israel Deployed Against Iraqi Suicide Drones
By IsraelWire
Israeli has announced that Patriot batteries and anti-aircraft missiles are on the lookout for pilotless Iraqi aircraft (drones) that might be deployed with non-conventional weaponry on-board. According to Israeli Radio reports, the drones used by Iraq are capable of delivering loads of up to 300 liters of anthrax or other deadly substances. Such an attack could kill tens of thousands of citizens.
Further Wye Implementations are Suspended
By Ilene Prusher (VOA-Jerusalem)
The Israeli Cabinet voted to suspend all further implementation of
the Wye River Accord until, it says, the Palestinians live up to
their side of the peace deal. The decision effectively supports
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's declaration last week he would
not withdraw from more West Bank land. He accuses Palestinian
leader Yasir Arafat of not doing enough to fight violence against
Israelis.
But Netanyahu is concerned he will find a less supportive audience
monday at the Knesset, Israel's parliament. Analysts say a
majority of the 120 members is expected to vote for new elections.
Netanyahu says if he can not get a majority of members to support
his hard-line approach to the peace process, he will call new
elections.
Palestinian leaders insist they are sticking to their part of the
agreement, which included amending their founding charter last week
to take out all references calling for the destruction of the
Israeli state.
Meanwhile, Palestinians are angry over US and British missile and
air strikes on Iraq, and they are furious over the number of
prisoners Israel is willing to release. As a result, clashes have
occurred between Palestinian protesters and Israeli soldiers for
the fourth day in a row.
Analysts say the closer Israel moves to elections, the more likely
it is that further peace moves will be put on hold. No Israeli
candidate wants to look soft on security at election time, and
Netanyahu's top aide, David Bar-Illan, notes even moderate Labor
Party leader Shimon Peres froze implementation of the Oslo Accords
ahead of the May 1996 ballot.
"I do not think the prime minister has actually decided whether or
not the implementation of the Wye Accord will continue during an
election campaign, if there is an election campaign in the near
future. But I am sure that he is quite aware of the precedent set by
Mr. Shimon Peres when he was prime minister. He suspended the
peace process for the entire duration of the campaign."
Many israelis are considering other options. Center and left-wing
parties are trying to decide who could present the best challenge
to Netanyahu -- the head of the opposition Labor Party Ehud Barak,
or Amnon Lipkin Shahak, who has just retired from his post as the
army's chief of staff.
Both men have had top-flight military careers -- an important
factor for israeli voters -- and both men are considered proteges
of the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin -- the Nobel Peace Prize
winner who was assassinated three-years ago.
Defense Minister Says Reservists to Be Released Shortly
By IsraelWire
Defense Minister Yitzchak Mordechai announced that the thousands of
reserve soldiers who were called up during operation Desert Fox
will be released from duty shortly. While visiting a Patriot
battery site, the defense minister stated there was no doubt that
the US and British offensive setback Saddam Hussein's development
of weapons of mass destruction. As reported earlier, the soldiers
are mostly assigned to Home Front Command positions or Patriot and
anti-aircraft missile batteries.
Absorption Ministry Opens Internet Site
Israel Faxx Staff Report
The Ministry of Immigrant Absorption has opened a new Web site at http://www.moia.gov.il
The site, in Hebrew, English and Russian, includes over 500 pages
with information on various subjects to assist new and potential
immigrants:
* A chronological guide to the steps which need to be taken by a
new immigrant after he or she arrives in Israel.
* Information about all of the cities, towns and communities with a large number of immigrants, including addresses and office hours of health funds, National Insurance Institute and Absorption Ministry offices, and others.
* Links to 22 external Web sites of immigrant aid organizations.
The site is also designed to be a resource for researchers
interested in statistical information about immigration-related
subjects (i.e. number of arriving immigrants, their background,
housing, employment, etc.).
