Israel Insider Briefing: BIBI's BACK

	August 30, 2005

Jump to today's weblog  |  support us SPONSORED BY: Israel's Story in Maps There is no better online collection of historical maps about Israel than the one we produced: Israel's Foreign Ministry uses Israel's Story in Maps as its primary cartographic resource. Within a Macromedia Flash framework, we have created a visual narrative that starts with Solomon and continues to 2004, telling the story about the Jewish People's connection to their land, with an emphasis on their return in the 20th century. Each map and graph can be printed out in high resolution. Consider it as a treat for yourself, or a gift to a friend or family member, or a pastor/rabbi who cares about Israel. By buying this CD-ROM ($9.95 +S&H) or ordering an online subscription ($4.95), you'll be helping Israel Insider keep on keeping on! Please consider ordering one today. OPENING LINES: Bibi's Back Watching Benjamin Netanyahu's press conference, there was a feeling a deja vu. Bibi. Been there, done that. One of the great memories of joy was the night I went to bed one night in 1996 with Shimon Peres enroute to victory as prime minister... and woke up to learn that Bibi had miraculously turned the tables. Bibi's term was in many respects a disappointment, but I think his "reciprocity" approach worked. There was precious little terrorism because the Palestinians knew what they would lose if they did it. Now the same old choice: back Bibi to get rid of Sharon? Alas, that's the only way to do it democratically. Sharon may be forced to start a new party but no one has ever succeeded with that, no matter what the polls say. And, when all is said and done, Bibi is smart and pragmatic. I just wish he would be more admirable, and respectable. Maybe he'll grow into it. But now, what have we got to lose...? [read the rest] TOP OF THE NEWS: Bibi announces candidacy as Likud leadership battle gets intensely personal Benjamin Netanyahu announced his candidacy for party chairman and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon denounced his rival as unfit for leadership. INSIDER QUOTE Sharon gave and gave and gave, the Palestinians received and received and received. But what did we receive? Nothing. On the contrary, Gaza is turning into a base for Hamas and al-Qaeda. Benjamin Netanyahu 08/30/2005 Articles London mayor to face hearing for comparing Jewish journalist to Nazi guard The mayor said he meant no offense when he asked Evening Standard reporter Oliver Finegold whether he had been a "German war criminal." Arab victims of attack by extremist Jew not recognized as terror victims The soldier who killed four Israeli Arabs in a shooting rampage was branded a terrorist, but the people who died can't be recognized as terrorist victims. RECENT VIEWS Rabbi Meir Kahane, Vindicated By Shelomo Alfassa Fifteen years after his murder, the first victim of the Islamic Jihad was vindicated on the world stage via American national television. The Disputed Territories are not Occupied By Gary Fitleberg The territories of Gaza, Judea and Samaria are orphaned parts of the Palestine Mandate that, since 1948, have not been allocated to a sovereign nation. Briefs Sharon's cursers will not be charged Jewish victim of Ukrainian attack in a coma New opportunity for smugglers opened up by security fence Convoy to protest planned expulsion of Jewish families from Hebron PA to lobby UN over more Israeli pullouts Residents of Judean settlement ask to be evacuated USEFUL LINKS Israel News in English Wiresearch/Newsportals about Israel Israel Insider Yahoo Jerusalem Post Google Israel news (by relevance) Haaretz (English) Google Israel news (by recency) Israel National News   Israel News in Hebrew Other Maariv Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ynet Israel Defense Forces Haaretz CoP/JCPA Daily Alert Galei Tzahal (IDF Radio) WebLog of Mideast Politics Voice of Israel (Second Network) OpinionJournal Best of the Web The Israel Insider daily briefing is a limited circulation newsletter intended for supporters and subscribers only. However, you are welcome to forward individual copies to your friends and colleagues, so they can become familiar with this daily source of inside information on what's happening in Israel, and what it means. If you have questions, comments or reactions, please write to us at publisher@israelinsider.com. For an "inside perspective" on the latest news, analysis and commentary from and about Israel, or to sign up for this newsletter, visit our homepage daily at http://www.israelinsider.com. You are currently subscribed to this list as: davidlevy68.home@blogger.com To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-israelinsider-1130864K@list.israelinsider.com

JINSA Report #513 Getting It

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August 30, 2005

JINSA Report #513

Getting It

No political process and no political document are perfect (although
we're partial to the U.S. Constitution). But perfection isn't necessary.
The key to consensual government is that no election is the last one. No
political point is irrevocable, but the equality of citizens before the
law comes close. You can lose now, win later and be the loyal opposition
in the meantime. There are people out there of a different race, color,
ethnicity, religion, gender and/or political ideology who share your
view on an individual issue if not on all issues. And it is the essence
of consensual government to marshal your political forces, look for
allies and not burn bridges to create majorities that will change over
time and change over issues.

These are the truths of American political life and have to be true in
Iraq. And, it seems, the Iraqis are beginning to get it. The provisional
government wasn't supposed to last. The January election wasn't supposed
to happen. The Sunnis weren't supposed to join the constitution
committee. The constitution wasn't supposed to be drafted. The Kurds
were supposed to demand independence. The Shiites were supposed to
demand Sharia law.

Or something.

But here we are and there it is. Now the doom and gloom guys are saying
the referendum won't happen or the draft will be defeated. Not likely.
Sunni voters may refuse to ratify a document that isn't perfect from
their point of view, but they appear to have learned two crucial things:
there aren't enough of them to sink it if the Kurds and Shiites ally to
pass it; and sitting out an election is a bad idea. If the referendum
passes over Sunni objections, you can be sure they won't sit out the
vote for the permanent parliament in December; because it is there that
the constitution will find expression in laws passed by elected
representatives. Sunnis are currently registering to vote and in a
recent poll, 85 percent said they planned to do so.

This is an extraordinarily rapid march toward a more open system.
Frighteningly rapid because not everyone is committed to the bottom
line, that regular elections have to become a regular feature of
political life. There are clearly those in Iraq - most of whom are NOT
Iraqis - who don't want this to work. They are assassinating Iraqi
judges and constitution committee members, and blowing up police,
security forces and citizens in the street. They find dictatorial rule
much more efficient and lucrative than democratic "horse trading" and
they have the ability to make themselves a crucial factor.

The successes against the odds so far in Iraq are the first and best
reason for the U.S. and its coalition partners to stay the course. The
Iraqi people have proven that they will go to the polls under fire, but
they and other potential voters in the Middle East need American
assurance that the next election won’t be the last. "A practicing
democracy based on tolerance and liberty," is what the President told
the Palestinians to build. The Iraqis have far surpassed the
Palestinians in providing civic space and consensual government. They
deserve our military support to provide security space as they go
forward in a process that may ultimately transform the political map of
the region.

To view this JINSA Report online click on the link below.
http://www.jinsa.org/JINSAReports/3139
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Israel Insider Briefing: After the Deluge -- Whither the Orange Wave?

	August 29, 2005

Jump to today's weblog  |  support us SPONSORED BY: Israel's Story in Maps There is no better online collection of historical maps about Israel than the one we produced: Israel's Foreign Ministry uses Israel's Story in Maps as its primary cartographic resource. Within a Macromedia Flash framework, we have created a visual narrative that starts with Solomon and continues to 2004, telling the story about the Jewish People's connection to their land, with an emphasis on their return in the 20th century. Each map and graph can be printed out in high resolution. Consider it as a treat for yourself, or a gift to a friend or family member, or a pastor/rabbi who cares about Israel. By buying this CD-ROM ($9.95 +S&H) or ordering an online subscription ($4.95), you'll be helping Israel Insider keep on keeping on! Please consider ordering one today. OPENING LINES: After the Deluge I have gotten a few letters and articles from people who see in Hurricane Katrina evidence of the "Fist of God" punishing the U.S. for supporting the expulsion of Jews from Gaza and the destruction of their homes. This isn't my belief and some of the mental gymnastics I have seen -- such as GUsh KATif = GUlf KATrina -- suggest rather overactive imaginations, or perhaps sleeplessness, than brilliant insight into a DaVinci (or DaVidic) code of the universe. Still, the bottom line for both "Disengagement" and "Hurricane" will be the same ... [read the rest] TOP OF THE NEWS: Criticizing Sharon moves, Eiland resigns as national security council chief National Security Council director, Major General (res.) Giora Eiland, has tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. INSIDER QUOTE "No one trusts Abu Mazen anymore. No one believes he is going to confront terrorism." Deputy Defense Minister Ze'ev Boim. 07/17/2005 Articles Sharon says not all current settlements will remain in final peace agreement Sharon said all main settlement blocs would remain under Israeli sovereignty, but "not all the settlements of today in Judea and Samaria will remain." Israel, New Zealand kiss and make up after spy flap Israel and New Zealand will restore full diplomatic links Tuesday, closing a damaging row sparked by two Israeli agents, officials said Monday. Criticizing Sharon moves, Eiland resigns as national security council chief National Security Council director, Major General (res.) Giora Eiland, has tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Palestinian officials "understand" Beersheva "explosive operation" PA Chairman Abbas issued a statement which "condemned the operation that took place today in Beersheva" but other PA leaders sought to rationalize it. Israeli cabinet approves Egyptian military deployment on Gaza border Egypt will deploy 750 troops on its volatile border with the Gaza Strip to prevent the smuggling of weapons into the Palestinian territory. Omri Sharon indicted on illegal campaign funding charges PM Ariel Sharon's son, Omri Sharon, was indicted Sunday morning on charges of fundraising illegally during his father's 1999 political campaign. Bomber explodes at Beersheva bus station: 2 guards seriously wounded One or two guards detected the suspicious character with a backpack and rushed to prevent him from proceeding. Top Hamas bomber vows to turn all of Israel into "hell" "Today you are leaving hell. But we promise you that tomorrow all Palestine will be hell for you, God willing," Mohammed Deif told Israel in a tape. PA leader Abbas: Hamas legitimate contender in January elections "We believe in the principles of democracy. So if we want to build a democracy, we must accept the consequences of democracy," the PA Chairman said. Netanyahu to announce run against Sharon Leading in polls of party members, "Bibi" will announce next week that he intends to run against PM Ariel Sharon in primary elections for the ruling Likud. Palestinians condemn killing of terrorists but not murder of Jewish student PA leaders decried the "Israeli crime" but were silent about the Palestinian stabbing attack in Jerusalem which left a yeshiva student murdered, two wounded. As rockets rain on Sderot, mayor asks: "Where's the crushing response?" Sderot Mayor Eli Moyal demanded to know why the Sharon government failed to unleash a harsh military response after rockets hit his town. IDF raid kills five Islamic Jihad terrorists in Tulkarm Israeli military officials said they were leaders of the Jihad cell which helped plan the last two suicide bombings in Israel -- in Tel Aviv and Netanya. Arab stabs yeshiva students in Jerusalem's Old City, killing one The attacker was an Arab who wielded a large kitchen knife and then fled the scene in the first Old City terror fatality in many years. Netanyahu, creaming Sharon in polls, goes on attack MK Netanyahu went on the offensive against the Sharon government Wednesday for surrendering Gaza and northern Samaria to PLO control. RECENT VIEWS After the Deluge By Reuven Koret The Orange Wave must turn -- with patient reason and not blind faith -- to their "blue" fellow citizens and rebuild a consensus to wash away "the bums." Al-Qaeda Threat: A modest proposal to protect the U.S. by expelling Jews By Rachel Neuwirth Inspired by Israel's recent actions, a bold plan to reduce the Islamic threat to U.S. cities by removing their Jews and transfer Jewish assets to Muslims. Terror in Beersheva does not invalidate withdrawal from Gaza By Micah D. Halpern Israel withdrew from Gaza for military reasons, not because terrorists successfully infiltrated and perpetrated their deadly, dastardly acts. No Jewish green for greenhouses By Bruce S. Ticker The Palestinian Authority refuses to spend $14 million of someone else's money to provide employment for its own people -- just to spite Israel. King David, Yesterday, Today, Forever By Jack Engelhard Politicians have plans. God also has plans. We shall see. But they cannot destroy a romance that goes back nearly 4,000 years. Stop the Bulldozers, now! By Paula R. Stern Nothing can be done for the communities turned to rubble. But even now, would it not be rational to pause and reconsider this self-destructive madness? The epic failure of the national religious By Alan Perlman The national religious community must ask how its soldiers, from the lowest ranking to the highest, ignored the religious decisions of its Torah giants. The Landau Candidacy By Dr. Aaron Lerner Only time will tell if the Likud's "man of principle" has the resources to contend with the well financed Sharon and Netanyahu campaigns. Let my people know By David Bedein If Ramat Gan and development towns are not convinced that Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria should stay in Jewish hands, the fight will be lost. Jews' Contempt For Fellow Jews By Beth Goodtree How could the majority of Jewish Israelis want to turn their fellow Jews into homeless refugees? It all boils down to one word: contempt. The Star Wars Eviction: Three Days in August By Rachel Saperstein They manipulated our minds so that we gave up willingly, almost with relief, just to escape the horror scene the Director created with the IDF and police. Thanks for the precedent, Ariel Sharon By Ariel Natan Pasko You and your allies have opened the Pandora's Box of "ethnic cleansing," never to be shut again. Future Israeli governments will know how to make use of it. Never Forget. Together We Will Rebuild! By Ze'ev Orenstein If we are to remain a united Jewish People, if the State of Israel is to have a future as a Jewish State, then we must forgive, and move forward. Civil Blitzkrieg in Gaza By Ellen W. Horowitz Sharon made a calculated, but mistaken, attempt to traumatize, depress and paralyze the strongest and most productive sector of Israeli society. My daughter's "yahrzeit" By Frimet Roth Most Israelis have done a thorough job of forgetting what terrorism felt like. I cannot. Briefs Palestinian teen caught carrying 3 bombs near Nablus IDF: 11 Jewish families to be expelled from Hebron Palestinian father and son die when shell they were cutting explodes 2 Jewish yeshiva students stabbed by skinheads in Kiev Islamic Jihad claims credit for Beersheva bombing, but bomber's identity is unclear Sharon orders security fence building expedited after bombing USEFUL LINKS Israel News in English Wiresearch/Newsportals about Israel Israel Insider Yahoo Jerusalem Post Google Israel news (by relevance) Haaretz (English) Google Israel news (by recency) Israel National News   Israel News in Hebrew Other Maariv Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ynet Israel Defense Forces Haaretz CoP/JCPA Daily Alert Galei Tzahal (IDF Radio) WebLog of Mideast Politics Voice of Israel (Second Network) OpinionJournal Best of the Web The Israel Insider daily briefing is a limited circulation newsletter intended for supporters and subscribers only. However, you are welcome to forward individual copies to your friends and colleagues, so they can become familiar with this daily source of inside information on what's happening in Israel, and what it means. If you have questions, comments or reactions, please write to us at publisher@israelinsider.com. For an "inside perspective" on the latest news, analysis and commentary from and about Israel, or to sign up for this newsletter, visit our homepage daily at http://www.israelinsider.com. You are currently subscribed to this list as: davidlevy68.home@blogger.com To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-israelinsider-1130864K@list.israelinsider.com