Month: January 2006

Report Details Plight of Gush Katif Families

Excerpts;

“Latest report: Of the 1,750 families expelled from Gush Katif, over 400 are still living in the most temporary of dwelling arrangements, such as hotels, tent cities and yeshiva dormitories.”

“Compensation payments: The families had their homes destroyed, yet many of them continue to pay mortgages – and all of them face increasing expenses related to their relocation – yet more than half the families have received nothing at all of the promised compensation. The remaining families have received an average of 50,000 shekels (just over $10,000). Only some 5% have received the entire compensation payment.” read more

Sharon Expected to Undergo CT Scan

Excerpts;

“Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was scheduled to undergo another CAT scan Thursday evening so doctors could further deduce the level of damage caused to his brain.”

“Doctors updated the press Thursday morning, saying that the prime minister’s condition continued to be serious but stable.”

Report: Doctor Says PM’s Brain Disease Hidden for Political Reasons

Excerpt;

“A member of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s medical team said that the information about the brain disease diagnosed after his first stroke on December 18 had been concealed out of “political reasons,” Channel 10 television reported Wednesday.”

Shalom Decides to Resign from Government Only on Sunday

Excerpts;

“All four Likud ministers have decided to consent to Likud Chairman Binyamin Netanyahu’s Wednesday night demand to quit the Cabinet, after initially defying his call Thursday morning to hand in their ministerial resignations by 10 a.m.” read more

IDF Responds to Kassam Attack With Artillery Fire

Excerpt;

“IDF fired artillery towards the northern Gaza Strip in response to a Kassam rocket attack early Thursday morning.”

DM Mofaz Opposes Convoys From Gaza

Full Text;

“Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz stated he will not authorize the start of vehicular convoys from Palestinian Authority (PA) controlled Gaza to autonomous areas in Judea and Samaria at this time.”

“Mofaz explained that such a move would facilitate terrorist efforts to transfer Kassam rocket technology from Gaza to other areas under PA control. Mr. Mofaz made his comments to visiting US Undersecretary of State for Mideast Affairs C. David Welch.” read more

For Previous reports; click here.

Police Clear Gush Etzion Outpost; Settlers Resist

Full Text;

“Police and civil authority teams on Wednesday have begun dismantling seven temporary structures that have been erected recently at an illegal outpost near Neve Daniel in Gush Etzion.”

“Army Radio reported that about 150 protesters came to the site in an attempt to prevent the evacuation.”

“Greater police reinforcements were called to the outpost to deal with the growing resistance. Three people have been detained for investigation.” read more

Four Party Primaries, and Other Election News

Excerpt;

“Four political parties will choose their Knesset candidates Thursday: The Likud, Shinui, the National Religious Party, and Moledet (a member party of the National Union).”

Tax Unit Which Reviewed Cyril Kern Affair May Close Down

Excerpt;

“The national tax assessment unit of the Israel Tax Authority may be closed down, according to unnamed sources quoted by Globes Business. The unit reviews complex cases and handled the file concerning the Cyril Kern affair and the file on attorney David Appel, a close confidant of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Kern was investigated two years ago for money he transferred to the Sharon family and which was used to return illegally received campaign contributions.” read more

Netanyahu Orders Ministers to Quit Coalition

Full Text:

“Likud chairman Binyamin (Bibi) Netanyahu has ordered Likud ministers to quit the government coalition Thursday. He previously said he would not disrupt the government following the hospitalization of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon but that Kadima and Labor parties have changed the political situation by recent statements.”

“Netanyahu also charged that Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is leading the Kadima party to divide Jerusalem and that the Likud party cannot remain silent.” read more

Sharon’s Life Still in Danger

Full Text:

“One of the neurosurgeons who operated on Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said on the Mabat television program Wednesday night that his life still is in danger. ‘We know that every day, although we are getting further out of danger, we are still in danger,’ according to Dr. Jose Cohen, who was more cautious than other doctors who have said the Prime Minister is in serious but not life-threatening condition.”

“Dr. Cohen also stated that movements made by Prime Minister Sharon while under light sedation show that he may have suffered less brain damage than initially feared. ” read more

Last week this author posted a story, Pityless Olmert Takes Over Reigns: Day 1 Promptly Smacks Down the Poor, Expulsion Refugees; Breaches Trade Agreements …

Today, upon being notified by a number of sources who this author trusts implicitly and who wish to remain nameless that the story, although published by a number news sites, is incorrect, the story is retracted. Shipments of donated clothing coming into Israel aboard ships and with proper Humanitarian Relief licensure pay VAT based on the Bill of Lading Weight and are exempt from the tax on clothing. read more

Tensions Precede Party Primaries in Likud

Full Text;

“Tensions are running high among Likud Central Committee members as the party primary election nears.”

“Criticism can be heard against party leader Binyamin Netanyahu, for recommending his lineup in the hope it will influence central committee members. Opponents are accusing Netanyahu of interfering in the democratic election process.”

“While the party leader has not publicized a printed list, Netanyahu is making it clear that he favors many of the MKs who opposed the disengagement. Some of the committe members fear this could give the party an appearance of being too right-wing. Netanyahu’s list includes Michael Ratzon, David Levy, Yuli Edelstein, Natan Sharansky, among others. There is also criticism that Netanyahu is not including enough women on his list.” read more