Volume 3 * Issue 111 July 2, 2004

The Week’s News in Review

June 18: An updated timeline for the implementation of the disengagement plan shows that settlers willing to voluntarily leave Gaza can begin to request compensation before the end of June. Since the counter-terrorism fence's completion in their areas last August, many Arab communities - especially those bordering Palestinian villages - have enjoyed a spike in both security and economic activity. June 21: Following a three-month closure of the Gaza Strip border, Israel once again permitted Palestinian laborers to enter the country on Sunday via the Erez industrial zone. June 22: Minister of Defense Shaul Mofaz said that the recent drop in the number of terror attacks stemmed from a changing trend in the abilities of terror groups. Israeli financial markets have rebounded to reach levels unseen since the beginning of the Palestinian violence. June 23: Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said that despite the importance of Egypt's role in talks regarding the future of the Gaza Strip, he would not allow Egypt to mediate between Israel and the Palestinians. A Palestinian terrorist was killed in Nablus during an operation to nab the head of the Islamic Jihad in the area.. June 24: The U.S. House of Representatives voted to "strongly endorse" President George W. Bush's April 14th declaration rejecting key Palestinian demands for an Israeli withdrawal to the pre-1967 war borders. June 25: The US Senate voted to embrace U.S. President George W. Bush's support of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to evacuate Gaza Strip settlements. By 95-3, senators approved nonbinding language that also said "it is unrealistic" for any peace settlement between Israel and Palestinians to require Israel to return to the borders that existed before the 1967 Six Day War. June 28: Two people, one of them a young child, were killed and at least nine others were wounded when four Qassam rockets landed on the southern town of Sderot. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack launched from the Gaza Strip. NATO leaders have decided to upgrade relations with seven countries, including Israel, in the "Mediterranean dialogue," in a relationship defined as a "partnership". June 29: IDF raids nNorthern Gaza as Qassams hit Sderot for second day.

Finally, a positive move at the United Nations?

On June 22, Minister of Foreign Affairs Silvan Shalom called UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to thank him for his strong remarks against anti-Semitism at the opening of a UN conference on the issue. In his address, Annan spoke out against remaining neutral in the face of intolerance, noting that it was difficult to believe that 60 years after the Holocaust anti-Semitism was raising its head again. "It is clear that we are witnessing an alarming resurgence of this phenomenon in new forms and manifestations," Annan said, stressing that "this time the world must not, cannot be silent". Annan also criticized the UN's 1975 decision equating Zionism with racism, referring to it as an "unfortunate decision" and noting he was happy it had later been rescinded.

Advocacy for Israel Committee Information

The Advocacy for Israel Committee was formed in September of 2001 to organize pro-Israeli activities and to rally support in the form of Hasbara. The next A Team meeting is Sunday August 8 in the CBI Library at 9:45. Make a difference for Israel! Questions? Ideas? Contact A Team Chairmen Jay Epstein (jhe@tampabay.rr.com) or Sheldon Scheinert (Sheldo123@aol.com). Check out our Mizrach-Israel Board in the hallway leading to the Atrium, near the Bridal Suite. Get involved!

Speaking out for Israel so that "Never Again" shall Jewish silence lead to an indifferent world