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Saturday, July 30, 2005

Israel Insider's Week - Sharon regime lurches toward martial law

Israel's daily newsmagazine
No. 204 | July 31, 2005
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HIGHLIGHTS
Sharon lurches toward martial law
Martial law is the system of rules that takes effect (usually after a formal declaration) when a military authority takes control of the normal administration of justice (and usually of the whole state). Martial law is instituted most often when it becomes necessary for a government to favour the activity of military authorities and organizations, usually for urgent unforeseen needs, and when the normal institutions of justice either cannot function or could be deemed too slow or too weak for the new situation, i.e., due to war or civil disorder, in occupied territory, or after a coup. The need to preserve the public order during an emergency is the essential goal of martial law. However, declaration of martial law is also sometimes used by dictatorships, especially military dictatorships, to enforce their rule.

Usually martial law reduces some of the personal rights ordinarily granted to the citizen, limits the length of the trial processes, and prescribes more severe penalties than ordinary law. In many countries martial law prescribes the death penalty for certain crimes, even if ordinary law doesn't contain that crime or punishment in its system.

In many countries martial law imposes particular rules, one of which is curfew. Often, under this system, the administration of justice is left to military tribunals, called courts-martial. The suspension of the writ of habeas corpus is likely to occur.


Reading this definition, it is stunning to see how many characteristics of a "police state" have been galloping into the "norm" of Israeli life in recent weeks. The latest attempt to squelch freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and freedom of movement has been announced by the Minister of Internal Security Gideon Ezra.

Opponents of the government's expulsion policy will not be allowed to gather in the city of Sderot, Ezra says. They will not be allowed to take buses to the planned rally. They will not be allowed anywhere in Israel's southern region, requiring the imposition of dozens of roadblocks and police actions throughout Israel.

Teenaged minor girls are incarcerated for weeks without charges and will not be released to their parents' homes. People are beaten by police for no good reason except that they are opponents of the expulsion policy. 55,000 troops and cops, including special forces SWAT teams training to shoot to kill, are set to confront unarmed demonstrators.

Meanwhile, the revelations of corruption in the Sharon government grow with each passing day. His son is to face trial. Sharon buddies are planning to build a casino on the ruins of Jewish communities. Sharon's disengagement policy coordinator is also in charge of a fund to rebuild the infrastructure of Gaza for the Palestinians.

In an enlightened democracy, these abuses would cause the media to raise holy hell, demanding resignations and investigations and explanations. In Israel, for the most part, mum's the word. The Establishment media don't want to raise any questions that might undermine Sharon's ability to expel the Jews of Gaza and northern Samaria.

This week promises another showdown between anti-expulsion protesters and security forces. But beforehand, if the Israeli legal system maintains even a shred of decency and integrity, it will not negate the rights of those who oppose the government's expulsion policy to come together and make their voices heard. Anything else is a recipe for needless violence and, sooner or later, a rebellion aganst a corrupt and increasingly dictatorial regime.

Shavua tov, faithful readers. May you gather your strength to stand up for what is right, and either join or support the forces on the front lines of the struggle for a democratic Jewish Israel.

Reuven Koret
Publisher


Knesset orders full investigation of PM's Disengagement Coordinator
The Knesset formally directed the State Comptroller to launch a conflict of interests probe of Eival Giladi, who coordinates Israel's disengagement policies.
Police vow to ban anti-pullout rally; organizers plan to hold one anyway
The Yesha Council slammed the police and the government, calling the suggestion "another crack in the wall of democracy".
Israel Police to deny basic rights inside Green Line?
By Dr. Aaron Lerner
Will police dare deny freedom of movement and assembly within Israel's sovereign borders just to simplify enforcement of a ban on entry into Gaza?
Three years after the Expulsion
By Shlomi Whitbrod
What transpired in the traumatic years following the implementation of Disengagement, the fate of the Sharon Regime and the Orange Wave Revolution.


RECENT FEATURES
Rubble from Jewish homes to be used to build Palestinian structures
Mideast envoy James Wolfensohn said that an agreement on the fate of the rubble from settler homes in Gaza to be evacuated next month is expected within days.
Vatican rejects Israel's protest of Papal omission, says IDF violates law
The Vatican said it hasn't condemned every Palestinian attack against Israel because Israel's response to the attacks has sometimes violated the law.
French kisses: Sharon embraces Chirac in fence-mending visit to Paris
Israeli PM Ariel Sharon ushered in a new, friendlier period of relations with France, calling President Jacques Chirac one of the world's great leaders.
Why is the U.S. building a gigantic military base on the West Bank border?
The appearance near Rosh Ha'ayin of a massive military "supply base", built by the U.S. army with Arab workers, has raised eyebrows.
"Unlimited" anti-expulsion march to Gaza starts next Tuesday
The Yesha Council announced that some 50,000 settler supporters intend to stage a three-pronged protest march from to Gush Katif.


RECENT VIEWS
Our move to Gush Katif
By Chaim Eisen
"Disengagement" is aptly named, as it entails disengaging from our G-d-given heritage, from our brethren, and, in the end, from our future.
Kissufim: Cravings to Connect
By David Wilder
In the present war for Gush Katif, you may have heard the word, Kissufim, a junction and corridor leading to Jewish Gaza. Here's what it means.
Just Before Communications Are Cut
By Nadia Matar
Sharon soon will give orders to block phone and Internet lines in Gush Katif, and prevent the media from entering the area to tell the world what is going on.
Imagine
By Dr. Miriam Adahan
For all who are not sympathetic to the settlers' plight, try to put yourself in their shoes. Try this simple, five-minute exercise. Just imagine...
Roundups and beatings of Jews pick up pace
By Rachel Saperstein
Where are you, my fellow Jews? Where are you, my Christian friends? Where are your protests as democracy is destroyed in our holy land of Israel?
There are no mistakes when world leaders speak
By Howard Galganov
When Pope Benedictine or Prime Minister Tony Blair make public utterances, there is no room for error or misinterpretation. Every word is crafted.
Tziki and His Lone Soldiers
By Alison Golub
There have been times when I couldn't understand why I was even there, and why I was the only female besides Tziki's wife and mother at the table.


FINAL WORD
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Friday, July 29, 2005

JINSA Report #505 Can We All be Australians Now?

JINSA
1779 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Suite 515
Washington, DC 20036

202-667-3900
202-667-0601 Fax
July 29, 2005

JINSA Report #505

Can We All be Australians Now?

Ed. Note: Australian PM John Howard, a steadfast ally of the United
States in missile defense, Asia/Pacific security policy, Iraq and
Afghanistan. When he spoke in London last week, we wanted to jump up and
vote for him – or at least say, "thank you." The following comments came
in response to the all-time stupid question, "Do you feel in any sense
that you have put people in this position, do you feel that in a sense
your policies may have put people in this position?" British PM Tony
Blair replied, "Well, I think the people who are responsible for doing
these things are the people who do them." PM Howard then elaborated.

"Terrorism is not just about individual circumstances and individual
events. Terrorism is about the perverted use of an ideology for evil
intent and for evil objectives. And those who think that terrorism is
incident-specific misunderstand the mind and the workings of the minds
of terrorists...

"The first point of reference is that once a country allows its foreign
policy to be determined by terrorism, it has given the game away, to use
the vernacular. And no Australian government that I lead will ever have
policies determined by terrorism or terrorist threats, and no
self-respecting government of any political stripe in Australia would
allow that to happen.

"Can I remind you that the murder of 88 Australians in Bali took place
before the operation in Iraq; and could I remind you that the 11
September occurred before the operation in Iraq; can I also remind you
that the very first occasion that Bin Laden specifically referred to
Australia was in the context of Australia's involvement in liberating
the people of East Timor. Are people, by implication, suggesting that we
shouldn't have done that? When a group claimed responsibility on the
website for the attacks on 7 July, they talked about British policy, not
just in Iraq, but also in Afghanistan. Are people suggesting we
shouldn't be in Afghanistan? When Sergio de Melo was murdered in Iraq, a
brave man, a distinguished international diplomat, immensely respected
for his work in the United Nations, when al Qaeda gloated about that
they referred specifically to the role that de Melo had carried out in
East Timor because he was the United Nations administrator in East Timor.

"Now I don't know the mind of the terrorist, by definition you can't put
yourself in the mind of a successful suicide bomber, I can only look at
objective facts, and the objective facts are as I have cited. The
objective evidence is that Australia was a terrorist target long before
the operation in Iraq.

"Indeed all the evidence, as distinct from the suppositions, suggest to
me that this is about hatred of a way of life, this is about the
perverted use of the principles of a great world religion that at its
root preaches peace and cooperation, and I think we lose sight of the
challenge we have if we allow ourselves to see these attacks in the
context of particular circumstances, rather than the abuse through a
perverted ideology of people and their murder."

To which PM Blair replied, "I agree 100 percent with that." To which we
say, "Amen."

To view this JINSA Report online click on the link below.
http://www.jinsa.org/JINSAReports/3087

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JINSA Article Digest for July, 29th

Articles added to JINSA Online from July, 22nd to July, 29th.
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Insurgents Try to Derail Iraqi International Acceptance: Attacks on Diplomats
from Muslim States Newest Tactic

(2005-07-22) Iraqi insurgents linked to the al Qaeda organization in Iraq,
led by Abu Musab al Zarqawi, have launched a campaign of assaulting and
kidnapping Muslim and Arab diplomats in a determined attempt to undermine
international and regional acceptance of the new Iraqi government. Recent
attacks targeted representatives from Egypt, Pakistan, Algeria and Bahrain,
countries whose support is highly valued by the Bush Administration. The new
tactic poses a clear threat to that goal.

Read more @ http://www.jinsa.org/articles/view.html?documentid=3072
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#503 Notes for a Friday in July

(2005-07-22) The USA Patriot Act has been renewed. Tunnels used by terrorists
are cropping up far from the Middle East. The Palestinian Authority slides
closer to internecine war. Read the full analyses in JINSA Report #503.

Read more @ http://www.jinsa.org/articles/view.html?documentid=3076
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#504 Elephants in the Corner, Again

(2005-07-25) Given the PA's inability (and apparent lack of desire) to stop
terrorist attacks on Israel, the U.S. should be warning them of the
consequences of their behavior rather than planning for connectivity between
Gaza and the West Bank territories of the nascent terrorist state to which we
presently appear to be midwife. Read the analysis in JINSA Report #504.

Read more @ http://www.jinsa.org/articles/view.html?documentid=3078
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N.Y. Times: 'Suicide Bombings Bring Urgency to Police in U.S.'

(2005-07-27) On July 25, 2005, The New York Times extensively detailed
JINSA's continuing efforts to serve as a liason between American law
enforcement leaders and their counterparts in Israel. Through the Law
Enforcement Exchange Program, police departments across the nation are better
prepared against the threat of terrorism.

Read more @ http://www.jinsa.org/articles/view.html?documentid=3080
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New IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz Confronts Disengagement Challenge
while Carrying Out Major Force Restructuring

(2005-07-28) Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz, newly installed chief of the general staff
is the first IDF leader to come from the ranks of the air force. That is not
the only element that made him a surprising choice. Halutz had earned an
unusually high political profile for a serving military officer. These two
points may have led some to believe Halutz would be a conservative IDF
custodian, keeping a low profile and avoiding controversy. His actions since
taking command indicate that nothing could be further from the truth. Despite
being saddled with responsibility for the military aspects of the
disengagement from Gaza, he has boldly moved forward with an ambitious plan
to revolutionize the IDF ground forces.

Read more @ http://www.jinsa.org/articles/view.html?documentid=3081

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