Volume 3 * Issue 113 July 23, 2004

The Week’s News in Review

July 15:The U.S. House of Representatives denounced the International Court of Justice for its recent ruling against Israel's security fence. The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously called for Israel to be granted full membership in the U.N.'s Western European and Others Group. July 16: Congress agreed to a $2.58 billion aid package for Israel. Yasser Arafat reportedly ordered Palestinian terrorist groups to keep a U.N. envoy from visiting the region. Palestinian gunmen kidnapped the Palestinian Authority police chief in Gaza and held him for two hours. A European Union group called for the development of a long-term action plan against anti-Semitism. Israel rose slightly on the United Nations' Human Development index, which measures the well-being of 177 nations. July 19: Yasser Arafat demoted a relative whose appointment as Palestinian security chief sparked riots in the Gaza Strip. Jordanian forces killed three terrorists who fired across the border into Israel. Hezbollah blamed Israel for a blast in Beirut that killed one of its senior militiamen. The number of Israelis living in settlements slated for evacuation is rising, according to government statistics. July 20: Two Israeli soldiers patrolling the border with Lebanon were killed by Hezbollah fire. The Palestinian Authority prime minister put his resignation on hold. Israeli helicopter gunships hit the home of a Gaza Strip terrorist chief for a second time. July 21: The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to order Israel to dismantle its West Bank security barrier. The Palestinian Parliament promised to probe the shooting of a Palestinian Authority official who had criticized Yasser Arafat. A rocket launched from the Gaza Strip hit an Israeli home but failed to explode. July 22: Israeli forces struck a munitions factory and two arms-smuggling tunnels in the Gaza Strip. A leading congressman blasted Yasser Arafat for blocking an investigation into the deaths last year of U.S. officials in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli population in the West Bank and Gaza Strip grew by 5.3 percent over the past year.

Palestinians Have Said NO to Peace 8 Times in the Last 65 Years

1) In 1937, when Britain under the Mandate offered the Peel Commission plan. 2) In 1947, when the UN proposed the establishment of two states in the region – one Jewish, one Arab. 3) In 1948, when Israel’s Proclamation of Independence invited the Palestinians to remain in their homes and become equal citizens in the new state. 4) In 1967, when Israel offered to return all the territories conquered in return for peace. 5) In 1978-9, when Israel offered the acceptance of Palestinian autonomy in exchange for peace at Camp David I. 6) In 1993, when Arafat signed the Oslo accords, promised to renounce terrorism and recognize Israel, and then declared on Jordanian television that he had taken the first step "in the 1974 plan." This was a thinly veiled reference to the "phased plan," according to which any territorial gain was acceptable as a means toward the ultimate goal of Israel’s destruction. 7) In 2000, at Camp David II when Israel accepted the Clinton Plan and the Palestinians did not. 8) In 2001, when Israel’s PM Ehud Barak offered Yasser Arafat East Jerusalem, 97% of the ‘West Bank’ and 3% compensation from Israel’s territory, in addition to all of Gaza (the Taba Negotiation), and Arafat turned it down without so much as a counteroffer. Sources: Israeli Embassy; Twenty Facts about Israel and the Middle East," By Bill Bennett, Jack Kemp, and Jeanne Kirkpatrick, empoweramerica.org, April 24, 2002; Myths and Facts by Mitchell G. Bard Courtesy of the Israel Hasbara Committee - http://www.infoisrael.net

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