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Newsletter : 0fax0525.txt
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>Israel Faxx
>JN May 25, 2000, Vol. 8, No. 95
Shops Owned by Iran Jews Attacked
Israel Faxx Staff Report
Several Jewish merchants have had their businesses attacked since last month's opening of a trial of 13 Iranian Jews accused of spying for Israel, a Jewish official said. Jewish leaders and members of Iran's 25,000-strong Jewish community have described becoming more isolated since confessions of two of the accused were shown on state TV. Classmates were treating Jewish children with contempt at school, they have said, and fear or shame has kept some Jews from going to work.
Israel Leaves Lebanon, Warns Syria
By Meredith Buel (VOA-Jerusalem)
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak is warning Syria and Lebanon that he will consider any firing into Israel from south Lebanon an act of war. Barak's remarks came on the same day Israel completed its troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
Speaking at a Jerusalem news conference Barak said he holds Lebanon and Syria responsible for security in south Lebanon. Barak says any cross-border attacks on Israeli citizens will be considered an act of war.
"It would be an act of war. If someone is attacking Israel over its borders and shooting it is an act of war. No sovereign government will allow salvos of Katyushas (short range rockets) landing in its civilian cities or villages and Israel is no exception."
Barak's remarks came on the same day Israel completed its withdrawal from south Lebanon, ending a military occupation that lasted more than 20-years. The prime minister ordered an accelerated pullout after the collapse of the Israeli-allied South Lebanon Army.
Barak says there are now about 6,500 Lebanese refugees who have fled to Israel in recent days. Most are former SLA militiamen and their families. Iranian-backed Hizbullah (Party of God) terrorists and Lebanese civilians have poured into the former occupation zone, celebrating the withdrawal. Barak says the Israeli army will change its rules of military engagement regarding the guerrillas.
"Our only objective is to ensure peaceful and secure life to the civilian citizens along the northern borders. We will change the rules of engagement. We will not open fire on objects or targets on the other side of the border unless compelled to do it under the right of self-defense. I hope that it will not be needed, but if it is the Israeli defense forces will know how to respond."
The Israeli government warned Syria and Lebanon of "high intensity warfare" if acts of terrorism occur following the withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from south Lebanon. Israeli government spokesman Moshe Fogel told VOA that Lebanon and Syria will be held directly responsible for any acts of terrorism, now that Israeli soldiers have pulled out of south Lebanon.
"Quite honestly, the stakes have been raised. We are not going to sit quietly by. What has been until now - that is low intensity warfare - certainly will become high intensity warfare if we are targeted by terrorist attacks."
Fogel called Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon a success, since no Israeli soldiers were killed or injured during the redeployment. Israel deployed in south Lebanon more than two decades ago with the declared aim of halting cross-border attacks. Pulling out of the occupation zone was a cornerstone of Barak's campaign for prime minister.
With Hizbullah now controlling the areas of south Lebanon next to the border, Israelis in northern communities are expressing concern for their safety. Iran provides funds and weapons to the guerrillas, and Israel charges that Syria encourages their activities. Syria has about 35,000 soldiers in Lebanon and is considered the major power broker in the country.
Arab World Expresses Jubilation
By Lisa Bryant (VOA-Cairo)
The Arab world has officially reacted with jubilation to news of Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Newspaper editorials and some politicians described the pullout as an Arab victory. But others are waiting for the next step toward Middle East peace.
Arabs from Algeria to Saudi Arabia celebrated Israel's troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Some described the withdrawal as an Israeli defeat. Others called for more territorial concessions on the part of the Israelis.
An official at the Cairo-based Arab League said Lebanon should be congratulated for what it called - forcing out Israeli troops. The League also demanded full Israeli withdrawal from occupied Arab lands.
Syria's official radio has also called the withdrawal a victory for Lebanon, Syria, and Lebanese resistance fighters.
The militant Palestinian group, Hamas, called for Palestinians to follow the Lebanese resistance against Israel. Many Arab newspapers have also described Israel's pullback as an Arab victory.
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