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1. Experts: Jewish Student Murdered
by Hana Levi Julian
After five years of effort, a British family is ready to go to court this week to present new evidence showing that the death of a Jewish student was actually a murder, and not a simple traffic accident.
German police initially claimed that Jeremiah Duggan of Golders Green, North London, was killed in a traffic accident when he was hit by two cars in Weisbaden in March 2003. They implied that he had thrown himself in front of the vehicles in an apparent suicide.
Several months later, in November 2003, London coroner William Dolman tied the case up neatly with a narrative verdict and stated that Jeremiah ran into the path of the cars while in a "state of terror."
But the family didn't accept that, and fought for five years to force officials to reopen the case. They met with politicians and scholars at the House of Democracy and Human Rights in Berlin, among others, in an effort to obtain more information about the political cult known as the LaRouche movement, which they believe was directly involved in the murder of their son.
Duggan was studying at the Sorbonne in Paris when he was lured to Weisbaden for a conference on the war in Iraq hosted by the Schiller Institute. The young student was unaware at the time that the Schiller Institute is tied to the convicted U.S.-born Lyndon LaRouche, Jr., a figure associated with anti-Semitism and fascism.
Lyndon LaRouche, Jr., a United States maverick known as a radical anti-Semitic, a neo-fascist and a political cult leader, founded several political organizations in the U.S. and abroad, known collectively as the LaRouche movement. He has run as a perennial, minor presidential candidate eight times since 1976, but also was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison in 1988 for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and tax code violations. However, he continued to carry out his political activities from prison and was released on parole six years later, in 1994. Most recently he was listed as a director and contributing editor of the Executive Intelligence Review News Service, part of the LaRouche movement.
Coroner Didn't Do His Job
This week attorneys for the Duggan family will argue that the coroner failed to conduct a proper investigation.
New evidence gathered by the three top forensic specialists shows the young student was savagely beaten to death with a blunt instrument. Their reports said that the damage sustained by his body could not have been caused by vehicles hitting him, and appeared to have been deliberately inflicted.
There are other strange facts that also don't add up with the picture of an accidental death or suicide.
German Police Were Negligent
Shortly before his death Duggan contacted his family in Britain and told them in whispers that he was “in deep trouble.” His mother, Erica, said he "sounded terrified" when he called, and had just managed to spell the first few letters of the word, "W-e-i-s-b…." before the line went dead.
Oddly, the drivers of the two cars that reportedly hit the 22-year-old student were both allowed to leave the scene of the fatality before the investigating detective arrived.
In addition, although Jeremiah's blood-soaked address book was found in his pocket, his passport was not.
Instead, his passport, which was also stained with his blood, was later handed to police by Ortrum Kramer, one of LaRouche's followers. According to the British Daily Mail, Kramer has never been asked how the passport came into her possession.
Liberal British Democrat MP Simon Hughes, Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, added his voice to the Duggan family's campaign to investigate Jeremiah's death throughout the long process.
"As a London MP I feel an obligation to support the family," he told The Jewish News in mid-October before traveling to Berlin in connection with the case. "The fact is the Schiller Institute acts with anti-Semitic values and is very, very dubious. I am absolutely clear that there has not been a satisfactory explanation of what happened. We owe it to Jeremiah to make sure this is not swept under the carpet."
Comment on this story
by Hana Levi Julian
After five years of effort, a British family is ready to go to court this week to present new evidence showing that the death of a Jewish student was actually a murder, and not a simple traffic accident.
German police initially claimed that Jeremiah Duggan of Golders Green, North London, was killed in a traffic accident when he was hit by two cars in Weisbaden in March 2003. They implied that he had thrown himself in front of the vehicles in an apparent suicide.
Several months later, in November 2003, London coroner William Dolman tied the case up neatly with a narrative verdict and stated that Jeremiah ran into the path of the cars while in a "state of terror."
But the family didn't accept that, and fought for five years to force officials to reopen the case. They met with politicians and scholars at the House of Democracy and Human Rights in Berlin, among others, in an effort to obtain more information about the political cult known as the LaRouche movement, which they believe was directly involved in the murder of their son.
Duggan was studying at the Sorbonne in Paris when he was lured to Weisbaden for a conference on the war in Iraq hosted by the Schiller Institute. The young student was unaware at the time that the Schiller Institute is tied to the convicted U.S.-born Lyndon LaRouche, Jr., a figure associated with anti-Semitism and fascism.
Lyndon LaRouche, Jr., a United States maverick known as a radical anti-Semitic, a neo-fascist and a political cult leader, founded several political organizations in the U.S. and abroad, known collectively as the LaRouche movement. He has run as a perennial, minor presidential candidate eight times since 1976, but also was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison in 1988 for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and tax code violations. However, he continued to carry out his political activities from prison and was released on parole six years later, in 1994. Most recently he was listed as a director and contributing editor of the Executive Intelligence Review News Service, part of the LaRouche movement.
Coroner Didn't Do His Job
This week attorneys for the Duggan family will argue that the coroner failed to conduct a proper investigation.
New evidence gathered by the three top forensic specialists shows the young student was savagely beaten to death with a blunt instrument. Their reports said that the damage sustained by his body could not have been caused by vehicles hitting him, and appeared to have been deliberately inflicted.
There are other strange facts that also don't add up with the picture of an accidental death or suicide.
German Police Were Negligent
Shortly before his death Duggan contacted his family in Britain and told them in whispers that he was “in deep trouble.” His mother, Erica, said he "sounded terrified" when he called, and had just managed to spell the first few letters of the word, "W-e-i-s-b…." before the line went dead.
Oddly, the drivers of the two cars that reportedly hit the 22-year-old student were both allowed to leave the scene of the fatality before the investigating detective arrived.
In addition, although Jeremiah's blood-soaked address book was found in his pocket, his passport was not.
Instead, his passport, which was also stained with his blood, was later handed to police by Ortrum Kramer, one of LaRouche's followers. According to the British Daily Mail, Kramer has never been asked how the passport came into her possession.
Liberal British Democrat MP Simon Hughes, Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, added his voice to the Duggan family's campaign to investigate Jeremiah's death throughout the long process.
"As a London MP I feel an obligation to support the family," he told The Jewish News in mid-October before traveling to Berlin in connection with the case. "The fact is the Schiller Institute acts with anti-Semitic values and is very, very dubious. I am absolutely clear that there has not been a satisfactory explanation of what happened. We owe it to Jeremiah to make sure this is not swept under the carpet."
Comment on this story
2. Olmert Plans Golan Giveaway
by Hana Levi Julian
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is willing to sweeten the deal with Syria in exchange for direct talks with Damascus.
According to a diplomatic source in Jerusalem quoted late Saturday night by the Hebrew-language Ha'aretz, Olmert is considering negotiations over the borders of the Golan Heights in exchange for face-to-face talks with Syrian officials.
The news comes along with information that Olmert is planning to set a date for a fifth round of indirect talks with Damascus, to be brokered by Turkey, as were the prior four sets of negotiations.
The source said that Syria had demanded in prior negotiations that Israel make good on a promise called the "Rabin Deposit," a deal that Olmert had reportedly put off until the fifth round of indirect talks.
The pledge was apparently made in 1995 by former Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin to then-U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher, and involved a commitment by Israel to completely withdraw from the Golan Heights. In return, Damascus would promise not to attack the Jewish State.
Olmert has now decided to go ahead with the fifth round of talks.
Kadima party chairwoman and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who still hopes to become the next prime minister, is less than enthusiastic about the prospect, but cautiously gave a green light to the talks, if they are confined to "maintenance," she said Friday.
"However," she added, "if we are talking about an attempt to determine facts on the ground before the election, that is inappropriate and unacceptable."
Labor party chairman and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who has no chance of becoming prime minister in the next round of elections was not as cautious.
"Syria could be a peace partner, and there is a chance that this would also lead to an agreement with the Lebanese," he said. "And we, as responsible leaders, must not miss this opportunity."
Comment on this story
by Hana Levi Julian
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is willing to sweeten the deal with Syria in exchange for direct talks with Damascus.
According to a diplomatic source in Jerusalem quoted late Saturday night by the Hebrew-language Ha'aretz, Olmert is considering negotiations over the borders of the Golan Heights in exchange for face-to-face talks with Syrian officials.
The news comes along with information that Olmert is planning to set a date for a fifth round of indirect talks with Damascus, to be brokered by Turkey, as were the prior four sets of negotiations.
The source said that Syria had demanded in prior negotiations that Israel make good on a promise called the "Rabin Deposit," a deal that Olmert had reportedly put off until the fifth round of indirect talks.
The pledge was apparently made in 1995 by former Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin to then-U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher, and involved a commitment by Israel to completely withdraw from the Golan Heights. In return, Damascus would promise not to attack the Jewish State.
Olmert has now decided to go ahead with the fifth round of talks.
Kadima party chairwoman and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who still hopes to become the next prime minister, is less than enthusiastic about the prospect, but cautiously gave a green light to the talks, if they are confined to "maintenance," she said Friday.
"However," she added, "if we are talking about an attempt to determine facts on the ground before the election, that is inappropriate and unacceptable."
Labor party chairman and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who has no chance of becoming prime minister in the next round of elections was not as cautious.
"Syria could be a peace partner, and there is a chance that this would also lead to an agreement with the Lebanese," he said. "And we, as responsible leaders, must not miss this opportunity."
Comment on this story
3. Lieberman: Left will Get 44 MKs
by Gil Ronen
MK Avigdor Lieberman, who heads the Yisrael Beiteinu faction in the Knesset, predicted in a weekend interview that the right-of-center bloc will obtain a clear advantage over the left-of-center bloc in the coming elections. Speaking on Channel 2's Meet the Press, he said that Labor, Kadima and Meretz together would not receive more than 44 Knesset seats, leaving the field open for a right-of-center coalition.
Lieberman was reacting to a Ha'aretz/Dialogue poll quoted on the show which showed his Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel Our Home) party receiving 11 seats in the Knesset, while Shas and Labor garnered 10 seats each. According to that poll, Yisrael Beiteinu would be the third largest party in the Knesset, after Likud and Kadima, each of which would receive 31 seats. This would give what Lieberman terms "the left bloc" 46 seats, while Likud, Yisrael Beiteinu and Shas would get 52.
Shin Bet provocation?
Lieberman added that Likud and Kadima have both "learned the lessons from their big mistake," the Disengagement from Gaza in 2005, and that Kadima has also learned from its second mistake, the Second Lebanon War.
Lieberman also hinted that a Shin Bet (ISA) agent was responsible for recent remarks against the IDF made by a Hevron settler. The remarks were made last week in the course of the police's violent demolition of a farm belonging to Land of Israel activist Noam Federman and were widely broadcast and denounced. "I listened to the shouts against the IDF soldiers and it reminded me of all kinds of 'Champagnes,'" Lieberman said. "I know the residents of Kiryat Arba and Hevron very well and I must say that I have not encountered such phenomena."
'Champagne' was the codename of Shin Bet agent provocateur Avishai Raviv, who carried out incitement at nationalist rallies which was then blamed by the media and politicians upon "the settlers." Raviv may have known about Yigal Amir's intention to assassinate then-Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin in 1995. There is also evidence that Raviv dared Amir to carry out the murder.
Lieberman added however that the people who cursed IDF soldiers should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Egypt 'allowing smuggling'
The Russian émigré and former nightclub bouncer, whom pundits accuse of making incendiary remarks as part of a pre-election strategy to court right-leaning voters, also warned that Egypt is waiting for an opportunity to deploy its army in the Sinai Peninsula. The Sinai is supposed to be demilitarized, according to a 1978 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.
Lieberman went on to accuse Egypt of allowing the smuggling of arms into Gaza. "Egypt has over 1,000 km. of border with Libya and even a fly can't get through. If Egypt wanted to stop the smuggling into Gaza it would do so," he said.
"Israel's behavior towards Egypt is like that of a battered woman who is always apologizing," Lieberman added.
'Time to make order'
Regarding the Akko riots which began on Yom Kippur, Lieberman said: "It is clear to me that our main problem is not the Palestinians. The matter of the Israeli Arabs is highly charged and complex and we need to create some order. That is what the governments in Israel lack: someone who is willing to step up and make some order."
"The state of Israel cannot accept a phenomenon like Sheikh Ra'ad Salah within its borders," he said, and noted Jordan refused to let Salah enter its territory.
Salah heads the northern Islamic Movement in Israel and has been tried and convicted of incitement in the past.
Comment on this story
by Gil Ronen
MK Avigdor Lieberman, who heads the Yisrael Beiteinu faction in the Knesset, predicted in a weekend interview that the right-of-center bloc will obtain a clear advantage over the left-of-center bloc in the coming elections. Speaking on Channel 2's Meet the Press, he said that Labor, Kadima and Meretz together would not receive more than 44 Knesset seats, leaving the field open for a right-of-center coalition.
Lieberman was reacting to a Ha'aretz/Dialogue poll quoted on the show which showed his Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel Our Home) party receiving 11 seats in the Knesset, while Shas and Labor garnered 10 seats each. According to that poll, Yisrael Beiteinu would be the third largest party in the Knesset, after Likud and Kadima, each of which would receive 31 seats. This would give what Lieberman terms "the left bloc" 46 seats, while Likud, Yisrael Beiteinu and Shas would get 52.
Shin Bet provocation?
Lieberman added that Likud and Kadima have both "learned the lessons from their big mistake," the Disengagement from Gaza in 2005, and that Kadima has also learned from its second mistake, the Second Lebanon War.
Lieberman also hinted that a Shin Bet (ISA) agent was responsible for recent remarks against the IDF made by a Hevron settler. The remarks were made last week in the course of the police's violent demolition of a farm belonging to Land of Israel activist Noam Federman and were widely broadcast and denounced. "I listened to the shouts against the IDF soldiers and it reminded me of all kinds of 'Champagnes,'" Lieberman said. "I know the residents of Kiryat Arba and Hevron very well and I must say that I have not encountered such phenomena."
'Champagne' was the codename of Shin Bet agent provocateur Avishai Raviv, who carried out incitement at nationalist rallies which was then blamed by the media and politicians upon "the settlers." Raviv may have known about Yigal Amir's intention to assassinate then-Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin in 1995. There is also evidence that Raviv dared Amir to carry out the murder.
Lieberman added however that the people who cursed IDF soldiers should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Egypt 'allowing smuggling'
The Russian émigré and former nightclub bouncer, whom pundits accuse of making incendiary remarks as part of a pre-election strategy to court right-leaning voters, also warned that Egypt is waiting for an opportunity to deploy its army in the Sinai Peninsula. The Sinai is supposed to be demilitarized, according to a 1978 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.
Lieberman went on to accuse Egypt of allowing the smuggling of arms into Gaza. "Egypt has over 1,000 km. of border with Libya and even a fly can't get through. If Egypt wanted to stop the smuggling into Gaza it would do so," he said.
"Israel's behavior towards Egypt is like that of a battered woman who is always apologizing," Lieberman added.
'Time to make order'
Regarding the Akko riots which began on Yom Kippur, Lieberman said: "It is clear to me that our main problem is not the Palestinians. The matter of the Israeli Arabs is highly charged and complex and we need to create some order. That is what the governments in Israel lack: someone who is willing to step up and make some order."
"The state of Israel cannot accept a phenomenon like Sheikh Ra'ad Salah within its borders," he said, and noted Jordan refused to let Salah enter its territory.
Salah heads the northern Islamic Movement in Israel and has been tried and convicted of incitement in the past.
Comment on this story
4. Egypt: Atty Drops Israeli Victim
by Maayana Miskin
An Egyptian woman who made history by successfully filing charges against a man who assaulted her has been dropped by her defense attorney due to family ties with Israel, according to Al-Arabiya news. Attorney Naglaa al-Imam dropped her client, film producer Noha Roshdy, after discovering that Roshdy was born in Yafo (Jaffa), Israel.
Attorney Imam said she was breaking ties with Roshdy because Roshdy was born in Israel, and her father still lives in Yafo. Imam further said that when he asked Roshdy if sexual harassment is as common in Israel as it is in Egypt, she replied in the negative, saying, “Israel is a respectable country.” Roshdy still carries an Israeli passport, Imam said.
Imam has now switched sides and will defend the convicted attacker, Sherif Gibril.
Roshdy accused Gibril of assaulting her in June, 2008. She said that Gibril grabbed her as she was walking down the street, knocked her to the ground and subjected her to sexual harassment for two hours. Roshdy said passersby refused to help her despite her screams for help, and only stopped to watch.
Eventually a bystander helped restrain Gibril. In an unprecedented move, Roshdy insisted on taking her attacker to court. She was successful in proving Gibril had assaulted her, and he was sentenced to three years in prison and a fine of 5,001 Egyptian pounds.
One month after the assault, the Egyptian Center for Women's Rights conducted the country's first survey on sexual harassment. Sixty-two percent of men admitted to harassing women, and 83% of Egyptian females said they had been harassed. Many vacated employment positions as a result of harassment.
Amongst female foreigners, 98% said that they had been sexually harassed and attributed most of the cases to police and security personnel. Fifty percent of women said they faced daily harassment. Some of the males explained their behavior with the claim that women enjoy sexual-related harassment. Female tourists complain that Egypt is second only to Afghanistan in terms of sexual verbal assaults which they encounter.
The Roshdy-Gibril case was seen as a historic moment by Egyptian women's groups. Activists expressed hope that Roshdy's victory would encourage more victims to press charges.
Comment on this story
by Maayana Miskin
An Egyptian woman who made history by successfully filing charges against a man who assaulted her has been dropped by her defense attorney due to family ties with Israel, according to Al-Arabiya news. Attorney Naglaa al-Imam dropped her client, film producer Noha Roshdy, after discovering that Roshdy was born in Yafo (Jaffa), Israel.
Attorney Imam said she was breaking ties with Roshdy because Roshdy was born in Israel, and her father still lives in Yafo. Imam further said that when he asked Roshdy if sexual harassment is as common in Israel as it is in Egypt, she replied in the negative, saying, “Israel is a respectable country.” Roshdy still carries an Israeli passport, Imam said.
Imam has now switched sides and will defend the convicted attacker, Sherif Gibril.
Roshdy accused Gibril of assaulting her in June, 2008. She said that Gibril grabbed her as she was walking down the street, knocked her to the ground and subjected her to sexual harassment for two hours. Roshdy said passersby refused to help her despite her screams for help, and only stopped to watch.
Eventually a bystander helped restrain Gibril. In an unprecedented move, Roshdy insisted on taking her attacker to court. She was successful in proving Gibril had assaulted her, and he was sentenced to three years in prison and a fine of 5,001 Egyptian pounds.
One month after the assault, the Egyptian Center for Women's Rights conducted the country's first survey on sexual harassment. Sixty-two percent of men admitted to harassing women, and 83% of Egyptian females said they had been harassed. Many vacated employment positions as a result of harassment.
Amongst female foreigners, 98% said that they had been sexually harassed and attributed most of the cases to police and security personnel. Fifty percent of women said they faced daily harassment. Some of the males explained their behavior with the claim that women enjoy sexual-related harassment. Female tourists complain that Egypt is second only to Afghanistan in terms of sexual verbal assaults which they encounter.
The Roshdy-Gibril case was seen as a historic moment by Egyptian women's groups. Activists expressed hope that Roshdy's victory would encourage more victims to press charges.
Comment on this story
5. Likud Welcomes Benny Begin
by Hillel Fendel
Dr. Benny Begin announced on Sunday that he will leave his job as head of the Geological Institute and will vie for a spot in the Likud's list of Knesset candidates for the upcoming elections.
Begin is known for three blatant characteristics: a political outlook promoting Jewish sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, a liberal social outlook, and impeccable character.
As Keren Noibach put it on her talk-show on government-managed Voice of Israel's Second Channel on Sunday morning, after a political commentator said that Begin would be the most hawkish name on the Likud list: "Yes, but on the other hand, his character is incorruptible." A request for a clarification as to whether she views the two traits as mutually exclusive, posted on her show's forum, has not yet been addressed.
Begin was a three-term Knesset Member, from 1988 until 1999, and served briefly as Minister of Science under Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. In late 1998, he resigned from the Likud in protest of Netanyahu's Wye Agreement, and re-started the Herut party in order to run for Prime Minister.
Herut (Freedom) was the name of the movement long headed by his father, Menachem Begin, and which was the forerunner of the Likud. The party united with the Tekumah and Moledet parties to form the most right-wing nationalist party in the elections. However, the party received only four seats in the elections, and Begin resigned in disappointment. "I am a public figure without a public," he said at the time.
Begin returned to the Likud four years ago, and is now returning to active politics. Likud members welcomed him, in the knowledge that his name and reputation are an electoral asset. MK Gideon Saar, the Likud's faction whip in the Knesset, said, "Begin will be a tremendous addition. He is a symbol of values, ideology, clean hands and clear thinking."
Other Likud Acquisitions
Former Chief IDF Spokesperson Miri Regev has also announced that she is joining the Likud. She earned praise for her spokesmanship during the Disengagement.
Two other public figures who are strongly considering joining the Likud are former IDF Chief of Staff Moshe (Bugi) Yaalon and former MK Dan Meridor. They have elicited opposite reactions in the Likud, however. Yaalon is being warmly welcomed, and is even likely to have a spot reserved for him on the Likud list, largely because of his pro-Land of Israel views and positive character. Meridor, however, joined the left-wing Center Party after quitting the Likud in 1999, and is blamed for having sharply maligned the Likud in the 1999 elections. Meridor is not likely to have a spot reserved for him, and is not interested in actively competing for one.
Former MK Uzi Landau, who served under Netanyahu as Public Security Minister, is also considering re-joining the Likud and running for Knesset.
Netanyahu has thus put together a sizeable list of public figures who have joined the Likud in recent months, or are strongly considering doing so. These include former Police Commissioner Assaf Hefetz and former Gen. (ret.) Uzi Dayan, neither of whom are considered to be supporters of Jewish sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.
Comment on this story
by Hillel Fendel
Dr. Benny Begin announced on Sunday that he will leave his job as head of the Geological Institute and will vie for a spot in the Likud's list of Knesset candidates for the upcoming elections.
Begin is known for three blatant characteristics: a political outlook promoting Jewish sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, a liberal social outlook, and impeccable character.
As Keren Noibach put it on her talk-show on government-managed Voice of Israel's Second Channel on Sunday morning, after a political commentator said that Begin would be the most hawkish name on the Likud list: "Yes, but on the other hand, his character is incorruptible." A request for a clarification as to whether she views the two traits as mutually exclusive, posted on her show's forum, has not yet been addressed.
Begin was a three-term Knesset Member, from 1988 until 1999, and served briefly as Minister of Science under Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. In late 1998, he resigned from the Likud in protest of Netanyahu's Wye Agreement, and re-started the Herut party in order to run for Prime Minister.
Herut (Freedom) was the name of the movement long headed by his father, Menachem Begin, and which was the forerunner of the Likud. The party united with the Tekumah and Moledet parties to form the most right-wing nationalist party in the elections. However, the party received only four seats in the elections, and Begin resigned in disappointment. "I am a public figure without a public," he said at the time.
Begin returned to the Likud four years ago, and is now returning to active politics. Likud members welcomed him, in the knowledge that his name and reputation are an electoral asset. MK Gideon Saar, the Likud's faction whip in the Knesset, said, "Begin will be a tremendous addition. He is a symbol of values, ideology, clean hands and clear thinking."
Other Likud Acquisitions
Former Chief IDF Spokesperson Miri Regev has also announced that she is joining the Likud. She earned praise for her spokesmanship during the Disengagement.
Two other public figures who are strongly considering joining the Likud are former IDF Chief of Staff Moshe (Bugi) Yaalon and former MK Dan Meridor. They have elicited opposite reactions in the Likud, however. Yaalon is being warmly welcomed, and is even likely to have a spot reserved for him on the Likud list, largely because of his pro-Land of Israel views and positive character. Meridor, however, joined the left-wing Center Party after quitting the Likud in 1999, and is blamed for having sharply maligned the Likud in the 1999 elections. Meridor is not likely to have a spot reserved for him, and is not interested in actively competing for one.
Former MK Uzi Landau, who served under Netanyahu as Public Security Minister, is also considering re-joining the Likud and running for Knesset.
Netanyahu has thus put together a sizeable list of public figures who have joined the Likud in recent months, or are strongly considering doing so. These include former Police Commissioner Assaf Hefetz and former Gen. (ret.) Uzi Dayan, neither of whom are considered to be supporters of Jewish sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.
Comment on this story
6. Rafiah Tunnels Enrich Hamas
by YIshai Fleisher
The Rafiah tunnel system between Gaza and Egypt are known to facilitate the weapons influx into Gaza. But that is not the only thing they are used for: two recent articles in the British papers 'The Guardian' and 'The Independent' detail the economic upswing that has come about through import of other goods through these tunnels, as well as the consequent stabilization of Hamas' regime.
Gas and oil contraband has skyrocketed and has reached an influx of 15,000 liters of diesel a day. Some of the tunnels have had pipes installed which transfer Egyptian fuel for cars and for cooking, with prices for these products dropping significantly. Cash continues to flow in as well as large amounts of food. As a result of the tunnel work, and in contradiction to Hamas propaganda, not only is there no lack of food in Gaza, there is actually a surplus of some food products.
Israeli security officials say that there is a heightened Egyptian offensive against these tunnels which has managed to shut down a few tunnels and capture the operators. However, the effort is not nearly enough to stem the growing tide of the tunnel industry. One of the tunnel operators, whose tunnel is a mere 200 meters from an Egyptian guard tower, told the 'Guardian' that he imports "anything you can imagine." The mayor of Rafiah, Isa Al-Nashar told the 'Guardian' that there are currently 400 tunnels operating in Rafiah, though some say the figure is closer to 600.
One of the tunnel operators told the 'Independent' that tunnel makers use Google-Earth to find a proper place to dig a new tunnel, and with the help of a collaborator on the Egyptian side, they are able to evade Egyptian security. Hamas uses these tunnels to bring in weaponry and terrorists as well as cash, fuel, and food. There is even a terrorist export system as Hamas sends out terrorists through the tunnels to attack Israel.
The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) reported that on September 21, its officers apprehended Gamal Abu-Duaba as he snuck into Israel through the Egyptian border. He told interrogators that he was sent from Rafiah into Egypt by Hamas with the intent to cross the Egyptian border into Israel and to kidnap an Israeli soldier.
Comment on this story
by YIshai Fleisher
The Rafiah tunnel system between Gaza and Egypt are known to facilitate the weapons influx into Gaza. But that is not the only thing they are used for: two recent articles in the British papers 'The Guardian' and 'The Independent' detail the economic upswing that has come about through import of other goods through these tunnels, as well as the consequent stabilization of Hamas' regime.
Gas and oil contraband has skyrocketed and has reached an influx of 15,000 liters of diesel a day. Some of the tunnels have had pipes installed which transfer Egyptian fuel for cars and for cooking, with prices for these products dropping significantly. Cash continues to flow in as well as large amounts of food. As a result of the tunnel work, and in contradiction to Hamas propaganda, not only is there no lack of food in Gaza, there is actually a surplus of some food products.
Israeli security officials say that there is a heightened Egyptian offensive against these tunnels which has managed to shut down a few tunnels and capture the operators. However, the effort is not nearly enough to stem the growing tide of the tunnel industry. One of the tunnel operators, whose tunnel is a mere 200 meters from an Egyptian guard tower, told the 'Guardian' that he imports "anything you can imagine." The mayor of Rafiah, Isa Al-Nashar told the 'Guardian' that there are currently 400 tunnels operating in Rafiah, though some say the figure is closer to 600.
One of the tunnel operators told the 'Independent' that tunnel makers use Google-Earth to find a proper place to dig a new tunnel, and with the help of a collaborator on the Egyptian side, they are able to evade Egyptian security. Hamas uses these tunnels to bring in weaponry and terrorists as well as cash, fuel, and food. There is even a terrorist export system as Hamas sends out terrorists through the tunnels to attack Israel.
The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) reported that on September 21, its officers apprehended Gamal Abu-Duaba as he snuck into Israel through the Egyptian border. He told interrogators that he was sent from Rafiah into Egypt by Hamas with the intent to cross the Egyptian border into Israel and to kidnap an Israeli soldier.
Comment on this story
7. Chief of Staff Told: Fire Him!
by Hillel Fendel
A group of soldiers' parents have sent a letter to IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, asking for the firing of commanders who lied to soldiers about their role in the mission to destroy the homes of the Federman and Tor families last week.
As reported here last week, senior security commanders lied to several dozen yeshiva-student soldiers and thus guaranteed that they would participate - albeit indirectly - in the violent destruction of two Jewish homes.
In the knowledge that many of the soldiers would refuse to take part in such a mission, the orders they received stated that they would be participating in a mission to help catch a terrorist. The soldiers thus helped secure the area in question, telling Jews who arrived that they could not enter because a terrorist had been sighted. Many of the Jews believed them and went home; others did not, and the soldiers scuffled with them.
What actually happened, however, was that two Jewish homes in Kiryat Arba were bulldozed in the middle of the night; the families - including several young children - were given five and zero minutes, respectively, to get dressed and pack some belongings.
The letter to Ashkenazi states: "We, parents of soldiers and officers in the standing army, were shocked to hear how IDF officers deceived soldiers in the Givati Brigade in Hevron, sending them on a mission against Jews using the excuse of a 'terrorist infiltration' that never happened.
"We see this incident as an unprecedented collapse of values, one that strikes a blow at the basic, day-to-day trust between soldiers and commanders. It goes without saying how this knowingly harms the IDF's fighting ability.
"Our sons are taught, in their army units, the importance of trust, and are justifiably punished for every deviation from this vital value. It is inconceivable that senior commanders will provide such a destructive personal example, and that there be no response.
"We therefore call upon you to reveal the names of those who were involved in this scandal, and to throw him or them out of the army immediately. If not, the stain of this lie will adhere to the entire Israel Defense Forces.
"Until you do so, we will call upon our sons and daughters not to take an example from the top command of the IDF, in order that they be able to continue to serve amidst a sense of responsibility to the nation, land and state that stems from our education - and not from the example they receive from you."The signatories note that their sons serve in various IDF units, including Paratroopers, Givati, Golani, Kfir, Shildag, Egoz, Sayeret Golani and Artillery.
A member of Hevron's emergency alert team, which generally works closely with the army, responded to the deception by saying, "This creates mistrust between echelons in the military framework, and is liable to cost human life. In the next security incident, the residents won't believe the security forces, and the soldiers won't believe their commanders."
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by Hillel Fendel
A group of soldiers' parents have sent a letter to IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, asking for the firing of commanders who lied to soldiers about their role in the mission to destroy the homes of the Federman and Tor families last week.
As reported here last week, senior security commanders lied to several dozen yeshiva-student soldiers and thus guaranteed that they would participate - albeit indirectly - in the violent destruction of two Jewish homes.
In the knowledge that many of the soldiers would refuse to take part in such a mission, the orders they received stated that they would be participating in a mission to help catch a terrorist. The soldiers thus helped secure the area in question, telling Jews who arrived that they could not enter because a terrorist had been sighted. Many of the Jews believed them and went home; others did not, and the soldiers scuffled with them.
What actually happened, however, was that two Jewish homes in Kiryat Arba were bulldozed in the middle of the night; the families - including several young children - were given five and zero minutes, respectively, to get dressed and pack some belongings.
The letter to Ashkenazi states: "We, parents of soldiers and officers in the standing army, were shocked to hear how IDF officers deceived soldiers in the Givati Brigade in Hevron, sending them on a mission against Jews using the excuse of a 'terrorist infiltration' that never happened.
"We see this incident as an unprecedented collapse of values, one that strikes a blow at the basic, day-to-day trust between soldiers and commanders. It goes without saying how this knowingly harms the IDF's fighting ability.
"Our sons are taught, in their army units, the importance of trust, and are justifiably punished for every deviation from this vital value. It is inconceivable that senior commanders will provide such a destructive personal example, and that there be no response.
"We therefore call upon you to reveal the names of those who were involved in this scandal, and to throw him or them out of the army immediately. If not, the stain of this lie will adhere to the entire Israel Defense Forces.
"Until you do so, we will call upon our sons and daughters not to take an example from the top command of the IDF, in order that they be able to continue to serve amidst a sense of responsibility to the nation, land and state that stems from our education - and not from the example they receive from you."The signatories note that their sons serve in various IDF units, including Paratroopers, Givati, Golani, Kfir, Shildag, Egoz, Sayeret Golani and Artillery.
A member of Hevron's emergency alert team, which generally works closely with the army, responded to the deception by saying, "This creates mistrust between echelons in the military framework, and is liable to cost human life. In the next security incident, the residents won't believe the security forces, and the soldiers won't believe their commanders."
Comment on this story
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