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Newsletter : 9fax0217.txt
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>Israel Faxx
>JN Feb. 17, 1999, Vol. 7, No. 33
Government Offices Accessible by E-mail
By IsraelWire
On Monday, every Israeli citizen will be allowed to access government offices in Hebrew via E-mail. The status of E-mail communication is legally comparable to written mail, and requires the government office or clerk to provide an answer. In setting up the new service, care was taken to insure the computers against infiltration by enemy agents and hackers. Also, administrative, financial and legal matters were dealt with. The location for finding any of the 200 E-mail addresses is: www.info.gov.il.
Iran: No Confrontation with U.S. or Israel
By IsraelWire
Iran's former Revolutionary Guards commander Mohsen Ridai has ruled
out any military confrontation with the United States and Israel
but has warned that his country has the capability to retaliate to
any missile strike by Israel.
Speaking in an interview with the London-based Al Hayat newspaper,
Ridai said: "I rule out any military confrontation. Moreover, the
international and regional circumstances do not allow them to think
about it."
He cited the Iraq case, arguing that despite the international
resolutions, the United States has failed to win support even for
the air strikes that aim at the destruction of the Iraqi
bacteriological and chemical weapons. "If this is the way with
Iraq, so how could they launch a war against Iran."
Asked if the United States and Israel might launch air strikes that
would target Iran's nuclear installations and other strategic
positions, Ridai said, "I don't think so although we have made
preparations to defend ourselves."
But he warned: "If Israel directs one missile against our
territories, we will retaliate with 10 missiles. We have the
capability of making such a retaliation and they are aware of this.
Therefore, we don't think that they are considering any military
confrontation with us."
Ridai noted that the United States has recently eased its "enemy activities" against Iran, but the "Zionists continue to harm our relations with friendly states in the region and are trying to disturb the internal situation in Iran."
He said Washington feared Iran's influence in central Asia
following the collapse of the Soviet Union "so they were quick in
finding the Taliban issue in Afghanistan...then pushed for an
alliance between Israel and Turkey directed against Iran."
He added that the United States also fears any rapprochement
between Iran and the Gulf states and pushed its fleets into the
region to confront what it believes was "a real danger on them."
Ridai said the Iranian armed forces have scored "a big progress"
since the success of the Islamic Revolution in 1978, and noted that
Iran is now producing tanks and armored personnel carriers and
"will be a good arms supplier source for its friends in the Arab
and Moslem worlds."
He added: "We are ready to supply them with the weapons they wish
without any restrictions."
Mufti Rejects Israeli Request to Vacate Temple Mount
By IsraelWire
Jerusalem's PLO Authority-appointed Mufti, Sheik Ikrama Sabri, rejected Israeli requests that he shut down his newly opened office on the Temple Mount of Jerusalem' Old City.
Israeli officials told the mufti that the opening of his office was
a gross violation of the status quo and he was obliged to move to
another area. The mufti flatly rejected the Israeli demand,
explaining that the office is a religious and not political matter.
Israel plans to call upon the United States to pressure the PA and
the mufti to comply with the request.
Israel Awaits Millennium
By Israel Wire
The Israeli authorities are investing $500 million in preparing
Jerusalem, Nazareth, the area around the Sea of Galilee and other
sites to keep the tourists busy and happy.
Old rivalries and traditions are affecting decisions elsewhere. The three churches that control the Holy Sepulcher, the site of Jesus' crucifixion and burial, are often at odds but are unified in their concern that the area cannot cope with the expected influx. They agreed to set up emergency exits, but have yet to decide where.
As for New Year's Eve feasts and parties, most Israeli hotels
observe Jewish dietary laws, with rabbis who supervise the kitchens
and sometimes try to supervise their halls.
Tourism Minister Moshe Katzav said he had discussed the matter with
the country's two chief rabbis, who agreed to place no restrictions
on New Year's Eve hotel parties. However, Katsav said, "If there
will be religious ceremonies there, the rabbis will be angry." The
religious events should be held in the churches, Katsav insisted.
Two million visitors are expected if the security and political
situation deteriorates compared with 2.3 million visitors in 1998.
Four million tourists are expected if the political situation
remains as it is today, and six million to seven million under the
best of circumstances.
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