Israel Update - 15.03.07 by Aimee Cohen
Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Dan Halutz announced his resignation on Tuesday 6th of Jan, in the wake of the failures that were revealed in the israeli army's functioning and command during the second Lebanon war. The public wanted him out long before he resigned, because of what happened with the war with Lebanon. Gabi Ashkenazi who was the Defense Ministry director has been appointed head of armed forces.
In January, Israel named its first Arab minister, Israel's Labour party leader has appointed Raleb Majadele as science and technology minister - making him the first Arab Muslim in Israel's cabinet. Amir Peretz said the "historic" appointment would improve relationships among different groups in Israel. Mr Majadele replaces Ophir Pines-Paz who quit last October in protest at the addition of ultra-nationalist party Yisrael Beitenu to the coalition. “It's great news for the Arab public. It's a correct step in the direction of equality. We have many challenges ahead of us.” Majadele. However, Mr Majadele's appointment has drawn angry criticism.
It looks optimistic that there will be another general election by the end of the year because the coalition between Kadima and labour won't last. Peretz is facing real challengers for the head of the labour party - this election takes place in May. Senior Likud officials said on Thursday that Silvan Shalom is working to bring about early elections in order to prevent party leader Benjamin Netanyahu from gaining the position of prime minister.
The officials said that replacing the government without elections would likely place Netanyahu in the prime minister's seat, whereas early elections would allow Shalom to contend for the leadership of the party, and perhaps the leadership of the country. According to the Likud officials, Shalom is working against the party and against party leader Benjamin Netanyahu, in order to secure the position of prime minister for himself.
Israel’s President has taken a leave of absence whilst he is being investigated for rape allegations
Gaza is becoming a weapons depot from smuggling through tunnels and the Egyptian border, given in large parts by Iran, Syria and Hezbollah.
Hezbollah is rearming in the north
Iran is building nukes and Syria is contributing.
In other news, Hamas has abducted a BBC journalist in Gaza on Monday. Alan Johnston, who has been the BBC’s correspondent in Gaza for 3 years was abducted driving his car in the coastal strip.
Israel’s oldest Kibbutz, Kibbutz Degania has taken a step closer to privatization. Members of the kibbutz voted to make permanent a one-year trial that entitled them to their own private salaries for the first time. Built on socialist principles, kibbutz life has been transformed.Kibbutz members had previously pooled their sources of income and received salaries on the basis of need, normally dependent on family size. Residents will now pay a progressive income tax to the community ensuring a minimum salary for those on low incomes.
It’s only a 3minute film really good though, have a look.http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_6420000/newsid_6426400/6426413.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm#
A bit of Israeli gossip for you all Film star Leonardo DiCaprio and his Israeli girlfriend model Bar Rafaeli toured the Yad Vashem Museum for the commemoration of the Holocaust, which opened after hours for their visit. DiCaprio apparently showed great interest in the tour and was moved by the experience, asking numerous questions and pausing repeatedly at various displays. However, their trip wasn’t too successful as Israeli Police arrested two members of Leo's security team after they clashed with photographers during a visit to the western wall.
I came across something interesting on Ha’aretz yesterday that a new poll showed 68.4 percent of Israeli Jews fear a civil uprising on behalf of Israeli Arabs and 63.3 percent say they won't enter Arab towns in Israel, according to the results of the 2006 index of Jewish-Arab relations released on Monday. The survey, which was administered by the dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Haifa, Professor Sami Smooha, polled 1,423 Jewish and Arab Israelis on a wide range of issues dealing with the rift between Jews and Arabs in Israel. According to the poll, 80 percent of Jews said that in future agreements dealing with the borders and demographics of Israel, the state must retain a Jewish majority.
Thursday 15/03/07 Reputed 9/11 mastermind says planned to fly planes into Eilat buildings. Al-Qaida planned to crash planes into the southern resort city of Eilat using aircraft departing from Saudi Arabia, the reputed mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States has said.
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed has confessed to planning over 30 Al-Qaida mega-terrorist attacks throughout the world, some of which were never put into action.
Mohemmed also said the organization planned to dispatch militants to conduct surveillance on several strategic targets in Israel. Among the attacks, according to the extraordinary confession: He said he planned attacks on London's Heathrow Airport, Canary Wharf and Big Ben, most of which have been previously mentioned as terror targets by British authorities.
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