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Newsletter : 9fax0803.txt
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>Israel Faxx
>JN Aug. 3, 1999, Vol. 7, No. 141
Barak Asks Russia to Help Obtain Release of Iranian Jews
By IsraelWire
Prime Minister Ehud Barak has called upon Russian authorities to assist in obtaining the release of 13 Iranian Jews whom have been in detention since April. Barak is also discussing a sharp increase in anti-Semitic attacks in Russia over the past months as well as continuing talks of an arms deal with Syria valued at hundreds of millions of dollars.
Barak Meets With Yeltsin
By Peter Heinlein (VOA-Moscow)
President Boris Yeltsin has told visiting Israeli Prime minister Ehud Barak that Russia intends to play a more active role in efforts to bring peace to the Middle East. Yeltsin also spoke out strongly against the rise of anti-Semitism in Russia.
Barak came to Moscow seeking details of Yeltsin's meeting last
month with Syrian president Hafez al-Assad. The meeting had
touched off alarm bells in Israel, because Russia was reported
ready to sell military equipment, including fighter jets and
sophisticated missile-defense systems to Damascus.
The reports came at a time of renewed hope for improving the
Israel-Syria relationship. Israeli diplomats say Barak is
concerned at the effect a Russian arms sale to its traditional
rival could have on the peace process.
Russian television showed the Russian and Israeli leaders together
in the Kremlin. In the brief sound clip, Yeltsin could be heard
talking about patching up the strains in bilateral relations
brought about by their opposing views on Middle East peace.
"Not that our relations were poor or insufficient. No, we have
always worked together on Middle East peace, but that process has
been going too softly." Russia is a co-sponsor of the peace
process, but has seen its role far overshadowed by the United
States.
The Russian and Israeli leaders also discussed a number of other
contentious issues, including Moscow's cooperation with Iran in
developing that country's nuclear program. Russia is helping the
Iranian government build nuclear power stations, but denies such
assistance poses a threat to Israel.
A Kremlin spokesman says Yeltsin also spoke out against the wave of
anti-semitism in Russia. Although Yeltsin's remarks were not
broadcast, spokesman Sergei Prihkodko said the Russian leader had
taken a tough stand.
"There will be no mitigating circumstances, no mercy shown to those
inciting ethnic strife." The spokesman told reporters those guilty
of such acts would be found and punished to the full extent of the
law.
As Barak arrived in Moscow Monday, news agencies reported the
desecration of six Jewish graves in the Siberian city of Tomsk. It
was one of a series of such attacks in recent months.
A powerful bomb was found last week in a Moscow synagogue. A bomb
squad exploded it and no one was injured. One week earlier, a young
man walked into another synagogue a few blocks from the Kremlin and
stabbed a congregation leader. The assailant later told a
television interviewer he had nothing against his victim, but
simply wanted to make a political statement against Judaism.
IDF Chief Warns of Syrian Surface-to-Surface Missiles
By IsraelWire
IDF Chief of Staff Lt-Gen Shaul Mofaz said that the main threat to
Israel is from surface-to-surface missiles, primarily from Syria,
which possesses over 1,000 of the SSMs.
In his address at the Israeli Administration Center, the IDF
commander stated that the army needs to be stronger and with
"greater stamina" if it is to contend with the threats facing
Israel. Mofaz explained that the military would need to be able to
respond to an offensive with the appropriate might and "hold the
line" until the call-up of reserve units is completed and
reinforcements arrive.
Police Expel Students From End-of-Year party
By IsraelWire
A teacher called the police to intercede and expel some 9th grade students from an end-of-year party because their parents had an outstanding debt with the school.
The parents of the students involved told the administration of the Jerusalem based Bet Hincuch School that they just did not have the funds to pay the school due to their difficult financial situation.
The parents and students were told that the students would not be
permitted to attend the party, which took place one month ago. The
students decided to attend nevertheless. When they were spotted at
the party they refused a request to leave, the police were called.
The parents pointed out that their children were embarrassed in
front of their peers for no reason. They added it was unacceptable
to expel a 14-year-old from a party by calling police.
The school's principal is now out of the country on vacation and
unavailable for comment. A Jerusalem education official stated that
the parents refused to make the payments, despite numerous
requests. This despite the fact the school was willing to accept
several payments to ease the financial burden on the parents.
"I believe this is not a case of financial hardship, rather pure
refusal to pay," stated Jerusalem education official Yehudit
Shalui.
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