“This proposal was harsh; it was not simple for the State of Israel. However, we agreed to accept it in the belief that it was balanced between our desire to secure Gilad’s release and to prevent possible harm to the lives and security of the Israeli people.”—Israeli prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, confirming his acceptance of a proposal by a German mediator to secure the release of captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Hamas rejected the offer, which its political bureau deputy chief Mousa Mohammed Abu Marzouk called “unjust.” Marzouk said the mediator “endorsed the unfair and unjust positions of the Zionist government,” and confirmed that “there is no chance that the German mediator will return, because he is not carrying out his duties and is failing in his mission.” June 25 marked the fifth anniversary of Shalit’s capture in a cross-border raid carried out by Palestinian militants. (JTA, June 28.)
“Because there has been no sign of life from Mr. Shalit for almost two years, the ICRC is now demanding that Hamas prove that he is alive.…”—Excerpt from a statement released by The International Committee of the Red Cross, calling upon the Hamas terrorist organization to provide proof that IDF soldier Gilad Schalit is alive. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri immediately denounced the ICRC’s request, saying “The Red Cross should not get involved in Israeli security games aimed at reaching Shalit. It should take a stand that results in ending the suffering of Palestinian prisoners.” (Jerusalem Post, June 23.)
“If we succeed in opening the door for negotiations, we’re not going to stop from attaining what belongs to us as Palestinians in this General Assembly starting on September 20.”—Palestinian envoy to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, confirming that the Palestinians will seek United Nations recognition as an independent state in September even if peace negotiations with Israel are under way. Mansour stressed that “declaring a state is…not considered unilateral.” (Ynet News, June 24.)
“I figured out that I made a mistake, but I didn’t realize how big the issue was. This is Jerusalem. This is home. Immediately when I made the turn a 12-year-old boy started screaming ‘Jew, Jew’. Each time he called out dozens more people arrived.…They started throwing rocks and cement blocks right into the car. I realized I was going to die.… [I searched for] children or young people, I tried to look them in the eyes and find an ounce of humanity in them but all I could see was murder in heir eyes. I felt my life would be over at any minute.”—Nir Nachshon, who was extricated from a lynch after his GPS device mistakenly led him into the east Jerusalem village of Issawiya, recalling his horrific near-death experience, perpetrated by Palestinian ‘civilians’. Nachshon is presently in the Ein Kerem Medical Center; he is expected to make a full recovery. (Ynet News, June 27.)
“We hope to leave as planned in a few days. We are not against Israel or the Israeli government. Our actions are only against the policies of the Israeli government. The ships are ready.…We are optimistic because…we have the will of the people. This is the key to our effort.”—Excerpts from a press conference held in Athens by the organizers of the second Gaza flotilla, confirming that plans to set sail are proceeding as scheduled. In response, the Israeli National Security Cabinet voted to “adamantly” stop the flotilla from breaching the blockade placed on the Strip. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also weighed in, warning Americans against participating in the upcoming flotilla: “We do not believe the flotilla is a necessary or useful effort to try to assist the people of Gaza. We think that it’s not helpful for there to be flotillas that try to provoke action by entering into Israeli waters and creating a situation in which the Israelis have the right to defend themselves,” Clinton said. (Ynet News, June 24 & 27.)
“This is clearly a Zionist issue.… Those of Bnei Menashe who have already immigrated have proved to be Jews and Zionists for all intents and purposes. Even Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar has ruled that they belong to the people of Israel. I hope we can bring them here in a move which will benefit both them and the State of Israel.”—Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, hailing the decision by Israel’s Ministerial Committee on Immigrant Absorption to coordinate the immigration to Israel of the 7,300 members of Bnei Menashe—a northeastern Indian community claiming decent from one of the Lost Tribes of Israel. The Committee has appointed an inter-ministerial team of director-generals to prepare an operative plan for the mass aliyah, which is expected to be approved by the government next month. (Ynet News, June 28.)
“The UN has an important role in fighting terrorism and I hope that the Tehran conference can attain great goals. Moving towards negotiation and recognition among nations according to the UN charter, having friendly relations with nations and improving relations among them and performing humanistic activities are some of the important strategies against terrorism.”—UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a written massage to the First International Conference on the Global Fight against Terrorism, praising the Islamic Republic of Iran for hosting the “very important” event, and describing it as a major step forward in the war on terrorism. Mr. Ki-moon failed to note, however, that Iran is one of the world’s major violators of human rights, and promoter and exporter of terrorism, financing the operations of both Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza,. (Independent Media Review and Analysis, June 25.)
“Many issues…might come up after the NATO military force goes out of Afghanistan. The three presidents were very forthcoming in carrying out the cooperation and contacts so as to make sure things will go as smoothly as it could.”—Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, following a summit convened by Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran, in conjunction with both the Afghan and Pakistani presidents, discussing the potential for Iran to cement ties with leaders of key American allies as the U.S. military begins to withdraw from the region. (Wall Street Journal, June 27.)
“He is maneuvering for three things—to leave the country, to have money and to be shielded from the International Criminal Court. He is maneuvering to go to another African country or even Belarus because the president there is his friend. I think that he will leave Libya in a few weeks, in two or three weeks at the most.”—Former Libyan foreign minister Abdurrahaman Shalgam, one of the highest-ranking Libyan officials to defect to the opposition, affirming his belief that embattled Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi will seek asylum in another country within a few weeks. (Jerusalem Post, June 23.)
“There is no doubt that Israel is superior to all Arab countries in the sphere of Information Technology.… Israel spends 4.7 percent of its total GDP on scientific research, which is the highest in the world. However, Arab states are spending 0.2 percent of their total incomes [on research and development].… Regarding patent rights, Israel has registered 16,805 patents. However, Arab countries have only 836 patents which is 5 percent of what Israel has.… Regarding per capita expenditure on scientific research, Israel stands at the number one position by spending $1272.8 per capita [the United States ranks second with $1205.9].… However, the Arab countries ranked a hundred times less than Israel by spending an average of $14.7 annually per capita.”—Excerpts from an article published by the Qatar-based Peninsula, entitled “Israel Trumps The Arab World,” describing the findings of a comparative study—“Scientific Research and Patent Rights Compared”—between Arab nations and Israel, conducted by Dr Khalid Said Rubaia, a Palestinian researcher at American Arab University. (Peninsula, June 25.)
“The executives at Delta Airlines have apparently never heard the old joke about landing a plane in the Middle Eastern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is the one where the pilot announces, ‘Welcome to Saudi Arabia, please set your watches back a thousand years.’ The backward Saudi kingdom will in fact gain a new business partner in Delta, which has dug its heels in on its decision to allow Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAA) to join its Sky Team Alliance, despite the fact that such a relationship may put the American carrier in a position of having to ban Jews or holders of Israeli passports from boarding flights in New York or Washington, D.C. bound for Jeddah.…”—Excerpts from an article entitled “Flying Delta’s Friendly, Jew-Free Skies,” describing Delta Airline’s decision to partner with Saudi Arabian Airlines, the national carrier of a country which, according to “the Supreme Commission for Tourism, will not issue visas to the following groups of people: ‘An Israeli passport holder or a passport that has an Israeli arrival/departure stamp…[and] Jewish People.” (FrontPage, June 27.)
Short Takes
REPORT: 5 HEZBOLLAH MEMBERS TO BE INDICTED FOR HARIRI MURDER—(Jerusalem) The London-based Arabic-language al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper has reported that the special judicial authority set up to investigate the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri will soon indict five Hezbollah operatives in connection with the 2005 murder. According to the report, the court will file a motion with Beirut’s government to produce the five for questioning, but their identities are expected to remain shielded at this time. The London-based Arabic-language newspaper al-Hayat also reported that legal proceedings are expected against several of the Shiite group’s members, saying the indictment may be filed “in a matter of days.” (Ynet News, June 27.)
HEZBOLLAH MOVING ARSENAL FROM SYRIA TO LEBANON—(Jerusalem) An anonymous Western expert on Iran-Syria relations has confirmed to the French daily Le Figaro that Hezbollah is moving its weapons arsenal from Syria to Lebanon over fears that the ongoing anti-Assad demonstrations will lead to regime change. The expert reported that Western intelligence had monitored the movement of trucks, allegedly transporting Iranian-made Zelzal, Fajr 3 and Fajr 4 rockets, from the Syrian border to eastern Lebanon’s Bekaa valley. Le Figaro said that Hizbullah’s logistics units based in Syria were helping the party move its arsenal. (Independent Media Review and Analysis, June 25.)
WARNING TO ASSAD: ATTACK US, WE’LL HIT YOU PERSONALLY—(Jerusalem) According to Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida, Israel has sent a message to Syrian President Bashar Assad warning him that if he starts a war with the Jewish state in order to divert attention from domestic problems, Israel will target him personally. According to the report, the personal warning was sent through Turkish intermediaries following intelligence reports of unusual Syrian troop movements, including the moving of long-range ballistic missiles that could be used to target Israel. The report added that the IDF has increased its preparedness on the northern border out of fear that Hezbollah may attempt to stage another kidnapping of soldiers or civilians along the Lebanese border. (Jerusalem Post, June 29.)
SYRIAN REFUGEES FLOCK TO TURKEY—(Jerusalem) The Turkish Foreign Ministry has confirmed that more than 11,700 Syrians have crossed into the country, and are currently being housed or seeking shelter in Turkish refugee camps. Syrians continue to flee en masse; last week, approximately 1,500 refugees crossed into Turkey in one day, as Syrian troops backed by tanks continued to violently suppress protests against President Bashar Assad’s rule. The Syrian opposition alleges that 1,400 people have been killed over the course of Syria’s 3-month-old pro-democracy movement. (Ynet News, June 24.)
ICC ISSUES ARREST WARRANT FOR GADDAFI, SON, SPY CHIEF—(The Hague) The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and the country’s spy chief, Abdullah al-Senussi, on charges of crimes against humanity. Gaddafi has “absolute, ultimate and unquestioned control” over Libya’s state apparatus and its security forces, presiding judge Sanji Mmasenono Monageng said in reading out the ruling. She added that both Gaddafi and Saif al-Islam “conceived and orchestrated a plan to deter and quell by all means the civilian demonstrations” against the regime and that al-Senussi used his position of command to have attacks carried out. (Reuters, June 27.)
IRAN PARLIAMENT SUMMONS AHMADINEJAD FOR QUESTIONING—(Tehran) Iran’s parliament has summoned President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for questioning, raising tensions in a power struggle between factions in the Islamic Republic’s ruling elite. Ahmadinejadmust attend the assembly within a month, after 100 lawmakers signed a motion calling him in. Unless he can persuade parliament to withdraw the summons, Ahmadinejad will face questions over his delay in nominating a sports minister and in granting parliament-approved funding to the Tehran Metro. As well as facing pressure over policy issues, Ahmadinejad faces accusations that many of his closest aides are part of a “deviant current” who they say put secular nationalism ahead of Islamic values and are a threat to Iran’s clerical rule. (Wall Street Journal, June 27.)
NUCLEAR EXPERTS KILLED IN RUSSIA PLANE CRASH HELPED DESIGN IRAN FACILITY—(Jerusalem) Security sources in Russia have confirmed that the five nuclear experts killed in a plane crash in northern Russia last week had assisted in the design of an Iranian atomic facility. The scientists—who included lead designers Sergei Rizhov, Gennadi Benyok, Nicolai Tronov and Russia’s top nuclear technological expert, Andrei Tropinov—worked at Bushehr after the contract for the plant’s construction passed from the German Siemens company to Russian hands. According to unnamed sources, although Iranian nuclear scientists have in the past been involved in unexplained accidents and plane crashes, there is no official suspicion of foul play. The sources said that the death of the scientists is a great blow to the Russian nuclear industry.(Haaretz, June 23.)
AL QAEDA MILITANTS ESCAPE YEMENI PRISON—(San’a, Yemen) Dozens of al Qaeda militants have escaped from a prison in Yemen, the latest sign that Yemen’s political upheaval has emboldened terrorists to challenge authorities in the country’s nearly lawless south. In a carefully choreographed escape from the Mukalla prison in Hadramout province, 57 al Qaeda-linked militants attacked their guards and seized their weapons before they made their way through a 45-meter tunnel to freedom. According to officials, many of the inmates who escaped belonged to a local Hadramout cell blamed for a series of attacks on security forces in the last two years. Al Qaeda’s branch in Yemen has been linked to several nearly successful attacks on U.S. targets, including the plot to bomb a Detroit-bound airliner in December 2009. The group also put sophisticated bombs into U.S.-addressed parcels that made it onto cargo flights last year. (Wall Street Journal, June 22.)
IN RESTRUCTURING, KEY CANADIAN JEWISH OFFICIALS ARE LET GO—(Toronto) Several senior employees of the Canadian Jewish Congress have lost their jobs in a restructuring of Canada’s Jewish organizations and advocacy agencies. The personnel moves were “mandated” by the Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy (CIJA), according to CJC President Mark Freiman in a statement to his board on June 24. Earlier this month, the boards of CIJA and United Israel Appeal Federations Canada approved a major overhaul of communal organizations. A new, as-yet unnamed super agency, will assume the role of CJC, the Canada-Israel Committee and other groups. For months, Canada’s Jewish community has expressed concerns that the CJC, founded in 1919, would cease to exist under the changes. (JTA, June 26.)
JEWISH BONES FOUND IN MEDIEVAL WELL IN ENGLAND—(Berlin) According to forensic scientists, bones found in a medieval well in England are likely the remains of Ashkenazi Jews murdered in the 12th century. The burial site in Norwich is the only one of its kind ever found, according to the BBC, which in July will broadcast a documentary on the discovery. Workers preparing the ground for construction of a shopping center discovered the bones of 17 individuals, including 11 children, in 2004. A team of scientists led by forensic anthropologist Sue Black analyzed the bones, and DNA expert Ian Barnes determined that the victims were all related, most probably coming from one Ashkenazi Jewish family. The scientists speculate that the individuals were thrown into the well—victims of Jewish hatred that was rampant at the time. “There are records of Jewish people being forced out of the area,” said Caroline Wilkinson, who works in cranio-facial identification,“but there was no concrete evidence of persecution until now.” (JTA, June 28.)
DUTCH APPROVE BAN ON ANIMAL SLAUGHTER—(Jerusalem) The Dutch parliament has voted to ban ritual slaughter of animals, a move strongly opposed by the country’s Jewish minority, but left a loophole that might let religious butchering continue. The bill, forwarded by the Animal Rights Party, the first such group in Europe to win seats in a national parliament, passed the lower house of parliament by 116 votes to 30; it must be approved by the upper house before becoming law. The bill stipulates that livestock must be stunned before being slaughtered, contrary to Jewish kosher laws that require animals to be fully conscious. Jewish communities in Holland have condemned the proposed ban as a violation of their religious freedom. “The very fact that there is a discussion about this is very painful for the Jewish community,” said Netherlands Chief Rabbi Binyomin Jacobs. “Those who survived the (second world) war remember the very first law made by the Germans in Holland was the banning of schechita or the Jewish way of slaughtering animals.” (Ynet News, June 29.)
JEWISH GRAVES VANDALIZED AT MOUNT OF OLIVES—(Jerusalem) More than a dozen graves at the Mount of Olives cemetery in Jerusalem have been vandalized, the latest in a series of attacks on one of Judaism’s oldest cemeteries. The recent damage is in addition to vandalism sustained at the cemetery last month on Nakba Day, when Palestinian Arabs hurled large rocks and boulders toward the graves, chipping and breaking at least 15. Concurrently, local Arabs began illegally expanding a mosque to within 15 feet of the grave of Menachem Begin. There are an estimated 150,000 graves on the Mount, where Jews have been buried since biblical times. (JTA, June 22.)
PROPOSED SAN FRANCISCO CIRCUMCISION BAN IS CHALLENGED—(San Francisco) Opponents of a proposition to ban circumcision in San Francisco, including the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Anti-Defamation League, have filed a lawsuit in the California Superior Court to have the measure removed from the November ballot. Although public opposition to the ballot measure has centered on religious freedom and the health benefits of circumcision, the lawsuit is more narrowly focused on the fact that medical procedures in California are regulated by the state, not by local municipalities. The ballot measure would make it a misdemeanor to circumcise any male under the age of 18 within city limits. Violators would face a $1,000 fine and a year in jail. A similar ballot proposal in Santa Monica, California, was withdrawn by its supporters following the outcry generated by the San Francisco ballot measure, which some claim is motivated by anti-Semitism. (JTA, June 23.)
