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Newsletter : 0fax0310.txt
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>JN March 10, 2000, Vol. 8, No. 46
Coming Soon to Tel Aviv, Automated Public Restrooms
By IsraelWire
In an effort to improve Tel Aviv's image, officials have announced the city will soon offer automated pay toilets for the convenience of the public. The first two units will appear in the coming days in Shenkin Park. The pay toilets are modeled after the same units deployed in Europe and the United States and the cost will be minimal, a few shekels.
Barak Meets with Mubarak and Arafat at Sharm el-Sheikh
By Scott Bobb (VOA-Cairo)
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak says he is optimistic about the resumption of formal peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The Egyptian leader made the remark Thursday after meeting with Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
The three leaders appeared before reporters after the meeting, smiled and shook hands. Mubarak said the agreement (Wednesday) by the Israelis and Palestinians to resume formal talks is an important development. He said it has given him hope for the talks with the Syrians and Lebanese as well.
"We have great hopes that the Israeli/Syrian-Lebanese track could resume soon and this will be the end of the problem of the Middle East. I have great hopes. I am very optimistic on that side."
The summit in Egypt follows an agreement Wednesday by Arafat and Barak to end weeks of deadlock and resume peace talks later this month in the United States.
Under the accord, Israel reportedly will soon hand over 6.1 one percent of additional West Bank territory to the Palestinian Authority. The two sides have agreed to set May as the deadline for a framework for the peace agreement. And they reportedly have agreed to keep Sept. 13 as the final deadline for a permanent accord.
The announcement of the resumption of talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians has brought muted response from the region. Many are wondering that if these relatively easy negotiations on the percentage of West Bank territory to be handed over are encountering so many obstacles, how will the two sides agree on a final settlement that includes much more difficult issues.
The peace talks between Israel and Syria have also been stalled for a month, raising tensions in the region and leading to increased clashes in southern Lebanon between Syria-backed Hizbullah terrorists and Israelis forces and their local allies. The Israeli cabinet voted Sunday to withdraw Israeli troops from southern Lebanon by July, whether or not there is agreement with Syria.
Arab League foreign ministers, due to meet Saturday in Beirut, are expected to issue a strong warning that such a withdrawal will not end the violence.
Naval Commandos are More Than Elite Soldiers
By IsraelWire
Israel's elite naval commando unit members appear to be more than just soldiers, having taken first prize in a baking competition. The competition was sponsored by the IDF and the final round of competition Monday included 23 different military units. Military officials explain that in addition to a good time, they hope the competition would place more of an emphasis on the need for superior baked products in the military.
The recipient of the first prize, a cook of the naval commando unit, will be entitled to participate in a baking seminar taking place in a prestigious facility in Israel.
Report on Earnings of House of Ill Repute
By IsraelWire
Members of the Knesset committee dealing with the status of women in Israel have heard some astonishing facts. A small "house of prostitution" employing 10 call girls, operating in Israel, earns about NIS 750,000 a month (about $200,000) according to officials of the organization for the furtherance of women's rights. She explained that each of the call girls entertains 15 clients a day.
The statistics presented to the committee stated that agents import women from Eastern Europe, compelling them to work as prostitutes, with the agents earning between $50,000-$100,000 annually.
Minister of Internal Security Shlomo Ben-Ami stated the police do not have adequate manpower to deal with the problem, admitting that the trend was on the rise in Israel. Ben-Ami stated that police lack sufficient manpower to deal with criminals taking part in violent crimes yet alone prostitution. He added that the Justice Ministry was now working to formulate new legislation intended to assist in the war against drugs in Israel.
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