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Newsletter : 0fax0127.txt
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>JN Jan. 27, 2000, Vol. 8, No. 16
One of Every Two Israeli Men Going Bald
By IsraelWire
A new study indicates that 50 percent of Israeli males between 18 and 45 are going bald. Genetic balding may be observed in 40 percent of males up to age 40 and 50 percent of males up to age 50. The results of the comprehensive study are to be released in a New Orleans seminar, which attests to the effectiveness of an anti-balding drug treatment, which has shown significant results over a 24-month trial period according to the manufacturers.
High Court Hands Down a No Spanking Ruling
By IsraelWire and Arutz-7
In what is being labeled a controversial ruling by many and applauded by child welfare officials, the High Court of Justice, in a 2-1 decision, handed down a ruling by which a parent may not spank a child, even if one believes it is for educational purposes.
High Court Justices President Aharon Barak, Dorit Beinish and Yitzhak Englard presided over the matter and stated clearly that even one who would strike a child to teach him/her may not do so. A physical response by a parent for self-defense would be permitted however.
The High Court ruled that a parent might now be charged with abusing a minor if he/she strikes a child, even if there were no injuries to that child.
The justices rejected the appeal of a woman who was convicted of undue violence against her children. She was given a suspended sentence of one year in jail for hitting one child with a vacuum cleaner, and breaking the tooth of another child by punching him in the face.
Beinish wrote, "In light of our society's legal, social, and educational situation, there may be no compromise at the expense of a danger to the welfare and intactness of minors. It must also be taken into consideration that we are living in a society in which violence is spreading like a plague; condoning 'light' violence could deteriorate to violence of a very grave nature."
The judges expressed their confidence that there are enough "filters" in the legal system to prevent parents from being brought to trial on "cases of no consequence." The Council for the Welfare of Children expressed satisfaction at the decision, and announced that the decision should now become law.
Rabbi Ben-Tzur Tzvieli, of the Arachim educational program, told Arutz-7, "This ruling appears to be unfounded, for the simple reason that education, by definition, is not monolithic. You cannot tell a group of parents that they must all do the same thing with their children, because that which is good for one parent may be terrible for another. General principles can definitely be laid down, such as that the child must be given warmth, love, and encouragement in abundance. If I understood correctly, the judges wrote that the child is not the parents' personal property; Judaism explains, in addition, that the child is only a 'deposit' with the parents, whom they must guide and nourish, and do what they can to refine and improve his character.
"Every psychologist will agree that children need a framework, a strong and stable force that will limit and restrict him, and tell him what to do and what not to do... There are times when a child needs to be given a small slap that may hurt him for a minute or two, that will remind him that he may not go beyond the borders. The child himself is in need of this type of climate."
Tzvieli said that he was "amused" by the statement that "condoning 'light' violence could deteriorate to more severe violence." He said, "Should we then say that if a driver is convicted of driving 120 kilometers per hour in a 110 zone, then we should not allow anyone to drive at all for fear that they may drive 120? You cannot make a ruling for the whole society based on extreme cases of individuals..." The rabbi concluded.
"When a parent wants to punish a child, he must work on himself to realize that it must never come out of anger, but only to educate. If a parent is angry, he must wait a couple of minutes until he is in control, and only then administer the punishment."
Lipkin-Shahak: Peace Treaty with Syria May Reach $17 Billion
By IsraelWire
According to Minister of Tourism Amnon Lipkin-Shahak, who was an IDF chief of staff until retiring from military life in 1998, a peace treaty with Israel would carry a bill of $17 billion "monies needed for implementing a withdrawal from the Golan Heights, the reestablishment of border positions, and compensatory payments to residents of the Golan Height's 33 communities forced to relocate."
Speaking to the Associated Press, Shahak stated, "The army knows what it needs," indicating the figure was not inflated. The former IDF commander added that he believed the US would foot the bill, explaining the White House would deem such a venture as an investment.
Lipkin-Shahak confirmed media reports that Israel would ask for Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States. The missiles he explained would be necessary in the event of way with Iraq or Iran, enemies located far away from Israel, said military analyst Shlomo Brom, a former director of military planning.
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