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Newsletter : 9fax1220.txt
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>JN Dec. 20, 1999, Vol. 7, No. 231
Damascus Considers Uncensored Internet Access
By IsraelWire
Syrian communications officials are considering permitting citizens uncensored access to the Internet by the end of 2000. About four months ago, some 1,200 special "surfers" were selected for the pilot project that many are hopeful would lead to Internet access for the residents of Syria. During the pilot project, an additional 3,000 persons are being permitted e-mail access. Currently, all Internet content being made available to surfers is censored and government by the government, making certain to monitor political, sex and other controversial sites.
South Lebanon Army Soldiers Ask for Israeli Asylum
By Ross Dunn (VOA-Jerusalem)
Lebanese militiamen who have backed Israeli troops have formally applied for refuge in the Jewish State. The militiamen fear they will risk death at the hands of Islamic militants if they are left behind following a planned withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon during the next seven months.
For nearly 15-years, members of the South Lebanon Army -- the SLA -- have supported Israeli troops trying to protect the northern border of the Jewish state.
But the fate of an estimated 17,000 SLA soldiers and their families -- most of them Lebanese Christians -- has been thrown into question by Israel's pledge to withdraw its troops from a self- declared security zone in southern Lebanon by July, 2000.
Prospects for the troop pullback improved following Israel's resumption of peace talks with Syria. Israel wants Syria, which controls Lebanon militarily, to ensure its soldiers can withdraw safely.
But SLA commanders say their battalions would be exposed to a massacre by guerrilla fighters from the Hizbullah (the Party of God).
The SLA soldiers, acting through an Israeli lawyer (Sunday), petitioned the Supreme Court in Jerusalem to be given a home inside the Jewish State. The lawyer, Zvi Rish, says there is no doubt that the SLA members will be slaughtered by the Hizbullah if they are left behind.
Yossi Peled, a former Israeli army commander in southern Lebanon, told Israel Radio that it is also likely the wives and children of SLA soldiers will be murdered unless they are removed from the area.
In another sign that a troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon is imminent, Israel plans to solicit bids for security projects to strengthen its northern frontier.
The Israeli Defense Ministry will soon offer contracts to improve warning systems, fencing and army posts along the Lebanese border.
Members of Dubai Royal Family Coming to Kibbutz
By IsraelWire
Fifteen members of the Dubai royal family have made reservations to spend time in the guesthouses of Kibbutz Afikim. Officials of the kibbutz guesthouse acknowledged the call, asking to reserve rooms for 15 members of the Gulf State for a period of four days. Kibbutz officials Haim Weitz stated it appeared strange that they would ask for reservations, especially since Israel does not maintain relations with Dubai. Weitz told reporters he insisted that the person on the phone send a fax to confirm the reservation.
The fax came within minutes explained Weitz and it informed him the delegation would be arriving in an Israeli bus from Jordan. They expressed interest in learning about the kibbutz and wished to tour the area of the Galilee.
Chabadnik Assaulted and Badly Injured
By IsraelWire
Menachem Mendel Safadon, 16, a Chabad emissary from the Chabad/Lubavitch Yeshiva in Lod, was assaulted and badly injured Friday when a band of Arabs assaulted him, beat him continuously with a pipe, fracturing his skull in several places.
Police acknowledge that the youth was on a mission with his associates, as is common among Chabad yeshiva students, to assist persons in improving their Jewish observance in many aspects, primarily with males putting on tefilin (phylacteries). Students of Chabad yeshivot commonly go to areas around Israel on Friday afternoon, the eve of the Sabbath.
Safadon was transported to Ichilov Hospital where he underwent neurosurgery for the multiple fractures and although listed in moderate condition, faces at least one more operation for his injuries.
Chabad officials have called upon police to apprehend the perpetrators. The family of the victim called upon Jews everywhere to pray on behalf of Menachem Mendel whose Hebrew name is Menachem Mendel ben Esther.
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