 1. Olmert to Gazans: Stop Hamas by Yehudah Lev Kay  Prime Minister Ehud Olmert gave an interview to the Arab television network Al-Arabiya Thursday and appealed directly to the Arabs in Gaza to stop Hamas from attacking Israel. Olmert warned that if the attacks do not cease, Israel will respond. In the beginning of the interview Olmert explained that Israel left Gaza three years ago without the intention to return. He went on to say that Israel cannot tolerate attacks on its children and civilians. The Prime Minister explained that Israel has much might and can use it to stop Hamas. Olmert also claimed that Hamas’ actions are against the spirit of Islam: “Is it the spirit of Islam to kill innocent children? To shoot missiles at nurseries and civilians? I do not think that this is the spirit of Islam. Hamas, which does this against the spirit of Islam is the main reason for your suffering and for all of our suffering.” Addressing the residents of the Palestinian Authority, Olmert warned, “I am saying for the last time, stop this. You, the residents of Gaza, can stop this.” He added, “Hamas is the enemy of the people, not just in Israel but in Gaza as well. We do not want to fight the Palestinian people, but we will not allow Hamas to attack our children.” Olmert ended the interview with a call for peace. “I did not come here to go to war. I have said in the past - as long as I am Prime Minister my intention is to make peace, not to fight with Palestinians. But Hamas must be stopped, and it will be. I will not hesitate to use the might of Israel to attack Hamas and Jihad. How? I will not say here.” Almost 100 rockets and mortar shells have rained down on Israel from Gaza since early Wednesday morning. The security cabinet convened Wednesday, but no military actions have yet been taken by Israel. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni met Thursday with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and reiterated that Israel cannot tolerate the rocket attacks any longer. Comment on this story 2. No Green Light Yet for IDF by Nissan Ratzlav-Katz  The IDF has received authorization to plan, but not execute, a large-scale counter-terrorist operation in Hamas-run territory. Hamas ridiculed the decision and warned against "opening the gates of hell." Following a very lengthy meeting of the security cabinet Wednesday regarding Israel's response to ongoing rocket attacks from Gaza, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that he has ordered the IDF to prepare for retaliation. The order to execute those military plans, however, has apparently not been given at this time. Dozens of rockets have already been fired at Jewish communities in the south of the country, with the most recent fired into Kibbutz Sha'ar Hanegev, causing minor damage to the perimeter fence. "The eyes gaze also this morning towards the south," Barak said Thursday at a Labor party meeting in Tel Aviv. "This is not a time for talking. We are unable to accept the situation that has developed there. The only thing that I could additionally say this morning is that anyone who harms the citizens of Israel and the IDF’s soldiers will pay a price." Military sources estimate that the most likely scenario is a slow escalation in operations, beginning with pinpointing terrorist targets from the air. Details of the cabinet meeting and any operative decisions made remain censored. Wednesday's cabinet decision has been widely trumpeted by Israeli and global media as a "green light" for a large military offensive in the Palestinian Authority; however, the decision does not change current policy. IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi has said several times that the IDF is prepared for military maneuvers against terrorists in Gaza and is waiting for the go-ahead from the Olmert administration. In a communique, Hamas ridiculed the Israeli cabinet meeting Wednesday, saying, "The enemy is in a state of confusion and doesn't know what to do. Their fragile cabinet has met in a desperate attempt to stop the rockets while thousands of settlers have found refuge in shelters which, Allah willing, will become their permanent homes." The terrorist organization, currently ruling the PA in Gaza, warned that "any decision to attack the Gaza Strip will open the gates of hell and we will make you regret your stupidity with tears of blood." According to the Hamas communique, its fighters will "put thousands more Zionists in the line of fire" as they will extend their attacks beyond southern cities like Ashkelon. Comment on this story 3. Livni Heads to Egypt by Yehudah Lev Kay  Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni headed to Egypt Thursday morning to meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak about renewing the ceasefire in Gaza. In the meantime, ten rockets and mortar shells struck the western Negev. Mubarak issued an urgent invitation to Livni in an attempt to renew Israel’s ceasefire with Hamas. Livni is expected to tell the Egyptians that Israel will not continue the ceasefire and will strike Gaza soon. She will also meet with the Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abu Al-Rat and Intelligence Minister Omar Suleiman. Hamas terrorists fired over 80 rockets and mortar shells Wednesday on communities surrounding Gaza. Rockets scored direct hits on several homes, although miraculously no one was hurt. Dozens of people went into shock as a result of the heavy fire. The security cabinet met for several hours in response to the attacks and decided on a series of steps against Gaza which have not yet been made public nor implemented. Opposition leaders Binyamin Netanyahu and Avigdor Lieberman called on the government to attack Gaza immediately. Lieberman, head of the Israel is Our Home (Yisrael Beiteinu) party, also attacked Livni’s visit to Egypt. He said that Israeli leaders should stop seeking Egypt’s permission for their actions. “If Mubarak has something to say, he can come to Jerusalem,” he said. Comment on this story 4. Meretz: 'Attack'; UN Condemns PA by Nissan Ratzlav-Katz  The ongoing rocket attacks by Palestinian Authority terrorists in Gaza have drawn some unusual reactions. The United Nations Secretary-General condemned PA rocket attacks, while the far-left Meretz-New Movement Party has called for "uncompromising" military action in Gaza. In a statement issued by his spokesperson on Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon "condemns today's rocket attacks on southern Israel." He "is gravely concerned about the situation in Gaza and southern Israel and the potential for further violence and civilian suffering if calm is not restored." PA terrorists have fired nearly 100 rockets and mortars at Jewish towns and villages in the southern part of the country in the space of two days, leading to various degrees of damage and ongoing trauma for residents of the targeted communities. Israel has carried out several low-level air strikes targeting rocket launchers, the rocket-launching cells, and the sites they use for firing their projectiles. In addition, the crossings connecting the Palestinian Authority in Gaza with the rest of Israel have been closed to traffic for eight days, ever since Hamas stepped up its rocket barrages on Israeli targets. The UN Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA) complained that "ongoing closures have significantly reduced the capacity of UN humanitarian agencies to provide assistance in the event of an escalation in violence." The UN is "facing severe difficulties in implementing their regular programs." In his comments, Ki-moon made it clear that only peaceful means can resolve the situation in Gaza. Yet, it appears that the far-left Meretz-New Movement party disagrees with Ki-moon, as it has called for immediate military action in Gaza in order to halt the rocket attacks on southern Israel. In a statement issued Thursday, the party said, "The time has to act without compromise and without narrow political considerations, to protect the citizens of the Gaza periphery and Sderot. There is no choice but to hit Hamas in a precise way and to act for a renewed ceasefire." On the other hand, the Meretz party chairman, Knesset Member Chaim Oron, warned Wednesday against a broad military offensive in Gaza. He says there is no choice but to talk with Hamas - an organization that calls openly for Israel's destruction. Admitting that specific Israeli attacks against terrorists are acceptable, and that temporary ceasefires will not bring long-term peace, Oron told the Yediot Aharonot newspaper that those options are better than re-capturing Gaza. Comment on this story 5. PA Adopts Islamic Criminal Code by Nissan Ratzlav-Katz  In line with its Islamist ideology, the Palestinian Authority in Gaza has enacted a new law adopting the traditional Muslim criminal code. Penalties include amputation and crucifixion, as well as the death penalty for negotiations contrary to Hamas's interpretation of "Palestinian interests". According to a report on the new law appearing Wednesday on the Al-Arabiya website, as translated by Palestinian Media Watch, the Palestinian Legislative Council approved a bill "to implement Koranic punishments." The Arabic website, the online arm of the popular Al-Arabiya satellite news outlet, refers to the London-based Saudi-owned newspaper Al-Hayat, which said the decision to implement shari'a (Islamic law) was "seen as unprecedented," and that it has "brought criticism and concern from human rights organizations in the Gaza Strip." The criminal code adopted by the PA includes such punishments as lashes, amputation of thieves' hands, crucifixion, approval of blood revenge, and execution. According to the Arabic press, the law stipulates that only the victim of a crime can pardon opt to forgo the "Koranic penalties". Among the crimes punished with lashes, and that have no specific "victim" who can pardon the offender, are the consumption, owning or producing of wine. According to the new PA law such an individual "will be punished with 40 lashes if he is Muslim, and anyone who drinks wine, or angers another person [with wi, or causes him distress when drinking wine in a public place, or goes to a public place while drunk, will be punished with no less than 40 lashes and imprisonment for the minimum of three months." Touching on the political aspect of the Hamas ideology, the new law reportedly includes the death penalty for anyone who "raised a weapon against Palestine on behalf of the enemy during war, was appointed to negotiate with a foreign government on a Palestinian issue and negotiated against Palestinians' interest, performed a hostile action against a foreign country in a way that endangers Palestine in war or in harming political relations, served a foreign army in time of war, advised or helped soldiers to enlist in this army, weakened the spirit or the force of resistance of the people, or spied against Palestine especially during war." PA legislators in Gaza denied the reports that they adopted Islamic criminal penalties, saying that there has been no official statement to that effect. Al-Hayat, however, said the proposal for the law was submitted by the PA government led by Hamas's Ismail Haniyeh. If in fact passed, as reported in the Arabic press, the new law only puts into practice what was stated succinctly by a PA legislator - Hamed Bitawi of the Hamas organization - just after Hamas won the January 2006 PA elections in a sweeping victory: "The Koran is our constitution, Mohammad is our prophet, jihad is our path and dying as martyrs for the sake of Allah is our biggest wish." His statement was answered with a standing ovation and calls of "Allahu Akbar". It also bears noting that the Palestinian Authority Constitution as it was adopted under the PLO's Yasser Arafat and led by Fatah also declares, "The principles of Islamic shari'a are a major source for legislation." Comment on this story 6. Timeline: Olmert and Shalit by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu  Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the Cabinet this week that he had "doubts and hesitations" when he agreed to the June 19 truce with Hamas. However, records show that the truce was doomed from the beginning and that he stated six months ago that freeing kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit was an "inseparable" part of the agreement. Prime Minister Olmert's reported comments to the Cabinet this week referred to the goals of the truce to stop weapons smuggling and halt terrorist attacks but made no mention of Shalit, who was kidnapped by Gaza terrorists in June, 2006. However, several hours before the June 19 truce took effect, he told a philanthropic convention, "Gilad Shalit's release is inseparable from the agreement on the conditions of the ceasefire." He added at the time, "If the terror attacks continue Israel will commit itself to acting towards halting any threat to its citizens. The cabinet has decided to order the Defense Minister and the IDF to be prepared for any operation required on short notice." Several weeks ago, Prime Minister Olmert told the Cabinet that he could not recommend counterterrorist operations because he was waiting for the IDF to submit plans. Senior military offices were miffed by the statement and said they already had submitted several different alternatives in case the ceasefire broke down. The truce began with the understanding that all terrorist organizations would stop attacking Israel, which in turn would halt all counterterrorist actions in Gaza and would open the Gaza crossings. The Rafiah crossing between Gaza and Egypt was to remain closed until Shalit was freed. Statements by both Israeli and Hamas leaders show that there never was any mutual agreement, at least not in public, concerning Shalit. There was not even any agreement on the beginning of the truce, which Egypt announced would begin at 6 a.m. Thursday, June 19. Defense Minister Ehud Barak said at the time, "We are currently examining the possibility of reaching a truce in the near future – but it's too early to announce it." He added, "The IDF is prepared for any development, but it is important to maximize the chance for a truce in order to promote calm among the Gaza vicinity communities as well as negotiating to release Gilad Shalit." Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar told a press conference in Gaza, "There is no connection between the ceasefire and Shalit," a declaration that directly contradicted Prime Minister Olmert's statement. One of the greatest doubters of success of the agreement was the United States State Department. Its spokesman Tom Casey told reporters at the time, "Saying you have a loaded gun to my head but you are not going to fire it today is far different than taking the gun down, locking it up and saying you're not going to use it again." He added that the truce "hardly takes Hamas out of the terrorism business." Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann (Kadima) referred to the agreement as a "strategic mistake" and added, "If we open the crossings before Shalit is returned, this will prove that the entire system has gone mad." Two other Kadima ministers, Shaul Mofaz and Chaim Ramon, also criticized the agreement but when the truce came up for a Cabinet vote, they abstained rather than cast negative votes. Ron Arad's Wife Also Objected Tami Arad, wife of missing-in-action (MIA) flight navigator Ron Arad, wrote in a letter to Prime Minister Olmert, "Captivity is a terminal disease." Her letter was attached to a petition filed with the High Court of Justice by Shalit's father Noam to demand that the crossings remain closed until his son is released. The court dismissed the petition, which claimed that the agreement violated government commitments and ignored a Ministerial Defense Committee decision to directly tie the soldier's release with the ceasefire. Less than a week after the agreement went into effect, the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) terrorist organization, which along with Hamas coordinated the terrorist attack that resulted in Shalit's abduction as well as the deaths of two other soldiers, clearly stated the truce was not connected with captive soldier's release. "Israel must comply with our demands, otherwise Shalit will not see the light of day," its spokesman Abu Mujahid said. "We demand the release of the prisoners' sentences to long jail terms. Without their release, Shalit will remain in our hands for many years to come." Two weeks later, Hamas accused Israel of delaying negotiations and of closing the Gaza crossings following the initial rocket attack that violated the truce. Hamas claimed that the rival Fatah faction was responsible for the firing of a Kassam rocket on Israel. Comment on this story 7. Shift to the Nationalist Camp by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu  Polls show a slow but steady move to the nationalist and religious camp at the expense of the Likud, which is projected to lead the next government. Support continues to lag for Kadima and Labor. The highly respected Ma'agar Mohot (Brain Base) survey also shows that the public is equally divided in its opinion on whether the next Defense Minister should be Ehud Barak, Shaul Mofaz or Moshe Ya'alon, who is running on the Likud ticket. All three are former IDF Chiefs of Staff. Following are the results of the poll, listed in the first column, compared with last week's survey in the second column. The current number of Knesset seats for each party is listed in brackets in the third column. Likud coalition: 66 31 29 Likud 13 12 Yisrael Beiteinu 12 12 Shas 05 04 "Jewish Home" 05 06 Yehadut HaTorah Kadima coalition: 42 25 25 Kadima 11 10 Labor 06 08 Meretz The Pensioners party will return to the Knesset with two seats, according to the poll, while support for the Green party has dropped to the point that it would not win the minimum number of votes needed for representation in the Knesset. The Pensioners party could join whichever coalition is formed. The Arab parties (Ra'am-Ta'al, Hadash and Balad) would win nine seats, with Hadash in the lead with four mandates. A similar shift to the nationalist camp is shown in a Haaretz-Dialog poll, which shows that the Likud had lost six mandates to the nationalist and religious parties. Comment on this story
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