INTERNATIONAL PULSE Period: December 2004 6666666 End-Time Church / Pluralism Global Politics Israel

ISRAEL ----- ABBAS SAYS ARMED STRUGGLE IS OVER, RIGHT OF RETURN IS PARAMOUNT [Beirut] Daily Star staff Thursday, December 09, 2004 [IMRA: Nada Bakri told IMRA this afternoon that Abbas actually said in Arabic that all Palestinian refugees must have the right to return to "Palestine". They made the editorial interpretation into English that "Palestine" meant the "Occupied Palestinian Territories".] BEIRUT: Palestine Liberation Organization chief Mahmoud Abbas said the armed struggle for the Palestinian people is over and it is now time for the "democratic route to liberation." His comments came as he warned that the Palestinian Authority "would not able to take control of Gaza if Israel withdraws" adding "it would lead to a civil war ... we are not ready - security wise - to take over." Speaking during his historic visit to Lebanon Wednesday Abbas also reiterated that all Palestinian refugees must have the right to return to the Occupied Palestinian Territories in line with UN Resolution 194. Abbas' comments came during his first visit to Lebanon since the PLO's forced departure from the country in 1982. Referring to the two-year-long intifada in the Occupied Territories, Abbas said "Ninety-nine percent of Palestinian people are in favor of calming the situation down. What we have now is not an intifada or armed struggle; we merely have the use of weapons." He added: "The Palestinian citizen has lost all sense of security and well-being, so if we provide him with security, his life is brought back. It is an equation of providing safety in anticipation of independence. Independent Media Review and Analysis Website: www.imra.org.il For the story go to: http://www.cephas-library.com/israel/israel_abbas_says_armed_struggles_is_over.html ----- INQUIRY & ANALYSIS - EGYPT/ARAB ANTISEMITISM DOCUMENTATION PROJECT Documentation Project December 8, 2004 No. 198 by October 2004, U.S. President George W. Bush signed into law the Global Antisemitism Review Act of 2004. Under this act, the U.S. will "continue to strongly support efforts to combat antisemitism worldwide through bilateral relationships and interaction with international organizations such as the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the European Union, and the United Nations." In addition, the State Department is directed to appoint a special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism around the world... According to the act, by mid-November 2004 a one-time report on acts of antisemitism around the world, and on the actions taken by the respective governments to counter these acts, is to be submitted to the Senate and to the House of Representatives. Further, a section on antisemitism is henceforth to be added to the annual U.S. State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and annual reports on International Religious Freedom; this section is to include "a description of the nature and extent of acts of antisemitism and antisemitic incitement that occurred during the preceding year, including descriptions of a) acts of physical violence against or acts of harassment against Jewish people, and acts of violence against or vandalism of Jewish community institutions, including schools, synagogues, and cemeteries; b) instances of propaganda in government and non-government media that attempt to justify or promote racial hatred or incite acts of violence against Jewish people; c) the actions, if any, taken by the government of the country to respond to such violence and attacks or to eliminate such propaganda or incitement; d) the actions taken by such government to enact and enforce laws relating to the protection of the right to religious freedom of Jewish people; and e) the efforts of such government to promote anti-bias and tolerance education." It should be noted that the preface also states that "antisemitism has at times taken the form of vilification of Zionism, the Jewish national movement, and incitement against Israel." However, this is not mentioned in the act itself, and no tracking or monitoring of such vilification and incitement against Israel and Zionism is stipulated. Despite this fact, the law was received with opposition by shapers of public opinion in the Arab world, who claimed that according to the law any criticism of Israeli policy would be considered antisemitism. They called the act an interference in domestic affairs of states, expressed apprehension that its implementation would harm freedom of expression, and protested against what they saw as the considerable Jewish influence in the U.S. Some called the act "racist" because it disregarded the fact that Arabs too are Semites, and the fact that Arabs are also victims of discrimination and persecution. Others claimed that the U.S. was attempting, through this act, to force its values upon the world, and that its arrogance is escalating hatred of it worldwide. The following are the main arguments against the Global Antisemitism Review Act of 2004:.. The Act Aims at Protecting Israel and Zionism, Not Jews. Independent Media Review and Analysis Website: www.imra.org.il - For the rest go to: http://www.cephas-library.com/israel/israel_arab_reaction_to_the_us_global_antisemitism_act.html ----- POSTMORTEM: ARAFAT'S COLLECTIVE IMAGE AMONG THE PALESTINIANS/ISRAELIS December 2004 - The Palestinian Public: Regarding Arafat's leadership in general, it emerges that although 39% of the Palestinians see him as a "very good leader," 44% define him as a "moderately good leader," and 15% as a "moderately poor" or "very poor" one. That is, while a large majority of the Palestinian public tends to evaluate Arafat's leadership positively, not a few now have reservations or are critical of his role. As for how the Palestinians assess Arafat's contribution in specific areas, an even more complex picture emerges that includes, again, not inconsiderable criticism. Indeed, only regarding one area-putting the Palestinian issue on the world agenda-is there currently almost full agreement among the Palestinians that Arafat did more good than harm. As for advancing the Palestinian people's struggle for political independence, a large majority (72%) indeed believe that he did more good, but a not insignificant minority-almost one-fourth-think he caused more harm. Moreover, on three issues-advancing the peace process with Israel, creating a democratic system of government that acts according to law, and developing the Palestinian economy-the rates of criticism of Arafat in the Palestinian public are quite high. Thus, the rate of those with positive assessments on the peace issue comes to 53%, but 41% have negative views. On the two other issues, the negative assessments actually exceed the positive ones: 44% think Arafat contributed to promoting democratic governance, but 50% think that in this regard he did more harm than good. A similar picture emerges for the economic area: whereas only 43% see his role as positive, 52% assess his contribution as negative. http://www.cephas-library.com/israel/israel_postmortem_arafats_collective_image.html ---- ARAFAT'S LAST SPEECH 'A WILL' -Abbas announced commitment to the implementation of Arafat's last speech to the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) as "the guide" for the next stage of Palestinian national struggle. 22/12/2004 Palestine Media Center - PMC [Part of the PA] Office Of The President Excerpt: Address of HE Arafat at the Session of the Palestine Legislative Council Ramallah - 18 August 2004 - [IMRA: "I would like to confirm here, once again, the firm Palestinian position of condemning and rejecting all operations that target civilians, Palestinians and Israelis" = OK to murder any Israelis anywhere as long as the "target" isn't specifically "civilians" - for example a bus stop in Tel Aviv where some of those waiting are soldiers.] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Verily We have granted Thee a manifest Victory: That God may forgive thee Thy faults of the past And those to follow; Fulfil His favour to thee; And guide thee On the Straight Way; And that God may help Thee with powerful help Sadaga Allahu Al - Azim Brother Speaker of the PLC, Sisters and brothers, members of the PLC, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear guests, Excellencies, ambassadors and consul generals.... During the march of the Palestinian revolution in the diaspora we raised the slogan of "democracy in the jungle of guns." We built representative institutions, in which the Palestinian national decision-making, was made with the participation of all factions and currents under the umbrella of the PLO. When we established the PNA, we were not content with revolutionary legality, given to us by the institutions of the PLO. We were determined to achieve popular legality by going to the election boxes in order to consecrate the principles of elections, democracy and the alteration of authority. We are proud of that. Over the territory of our national homeland, as we are building our national entity, we have to renew our political system on the basis of democracy that ensures political pluralism in all our Palestinian organizations, freedom of expression and freedom of political activity within the bounds of law. This makes it essential for us to legislate some necessary laws in this regard, and to monitor the performance in order to ensure democratic development in our country. The pillar in all this is to consecrate the principle of elections. The PNA has acted to provide the requirements for holding presidential, legislative and local elections. It is very clear that the Israeli occupation wants, by its incursions, aggressions and penetrations, to put obstacles in the face of carrying out these elections. All this should not frustrate our determination. On the contrary, we have to continue doing what should be done to hold these election on all the presidential, legislative, administrative and organizational levels. We have to increase our contacts with the effective international parties so as to force Israel, to make space for our people to make their say as was done in the previous elections. We have to start with the local elections whose requirements have been made. All federations, societies and civil unions should activate themselves and hold their elections. We are struggling to hold elections on all levels in order to deepen democratic practices and to open the space for our people to raise their voice, to elect their representatives, to give their vote of confidence to the programs they support and to open the doors wide for the young generations to sieze the opportunity to serve our people. In this regard, I appeal to all forces, factions and currents, to engage themselves in this process. The doors are open for them for political, popular and organizational work without any conditions except those put by law, and made within the framework of the oneness of authority and of respecting the PNA and its commitments and out of the concern to formulate a national consensus that protects the highest national interests of our people as defined by the institutions of the PLO and the PNA. As all know, we have made a good start with all the national forces and factions and with those in the diaspora. We have all to be careful not to provide the Israelis with any pretexts to continue their aggression. We have to care to present a positive human image of our peoples' struggle and resistance to achieve their rights. In this regard we have to effectively continue this march with all the Palestinian factions in order to strengthen national unity to face the challenges. We thank all the Arab efforts that are with us in this field. For story go to http://www.cephas-library.com/israel/israel_arafats_last_speech_a_will.html ----- AL-QAEDA'S STRATEGY: USE OIL TO UNDERMINE THE WEST Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs Institute for Contemporary Affairs, December 28, 2004 In the attack on the American consulate in Jedda on December 6, for the first time, al-Qaeda mounted an assault on a "fortified" American facility rather than attacking soft targets. When it turned out that nearly all the victims were Muslims, many Saudis, who were at first pleased by the U.S. humiliation, strongly condemned al-Qaeda. Even the families of the four terrorists killed in the consulate's courtyard were denounced by their kin. On December 15, 2004, in an audio recording, bin Laden said "oil prices should be at least $100 a barrel," and called upon Persian Gulf militants to exert themselves to prevent the West from getting Arab oil by attacking oil facilities all over the region. This was the first time that al-Qaeda's leadership had openly divulged its strategy of hitting the Western economy by disrupting oil supplies and causing prices to skyrocket. The following day, NYMEX crude spiked by 5 percent to $46.28 a barrel. For the story go to: http://www.cephas-library.com/israel/israel_al-qaedas_strategy_use_oil_to_undermine_the_west.html ----- EUROPEAN UNION REJECTS ISRAELI PLAN OF SETTLING REFUGEES AL-RIYADH, Jan. 01 2005 (SANA-Official Syrian News Agency) "European Union has rejected an Israeli plan to settle the 1948 Palestinian Refugees through the establishment of developmental areas inside the Arab countries there are living in in as to melt them in those countries and to make them abandon their right to return home," A European diplomat unveiled. In a statement to the Saudi al-Watan paper issued Saturday, the diplomat said: " Israeli premier Ariel Sharon, after this rejection, put aside any European Union role regarding the peace process." The source added that Israel is seeking for practicing pressures to get further support to the plan that has been proposed in the past by it. The paper quoted the source as saying that the plan includes calling on the interested parties that help the Palestinian authority, on top of which are the European Union and the International Bank to set ratio of the money designed for supporting the Palestinians to construct permanent houses instead of camps. The source pointed out that Israel is looking for using ratio of the increase in UNRWA's new year budget to construct such houses.[ IMRA www.imra.org.il ] http://www.sana.org/english/headlines/01-01/european_union_rejects_an_israel.htm ----- NEPHEW SUSPICIONS ABOUT ARAFAT'S DEATH (Agencies) China Daily Updated: 2004-12-11 Yasser Arafat's nephew said Saturday the lack of a diagnosis of what led to his uncle's death last month raised suspicions the Palestinian leader died of "unnatural" causes. Palestinian militants of the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, affiliated with the Fatah movement, hold their weapons next to a poster of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat during a rally in support of the Israeli-jail imprisoned Palestinian uprising leader Marwan Barghouthi, in the northern West Bank village of Rojep, near the city of Nablus, Friday Dec. 10, 2004. [Reuters] The comments by Nasser al-Kidwa, made after he handed over the 558-page medical dossier to Palestinian officials in Ramallah, were certain to fuel speculation that Arafat was poisoned. Arafat died in a French hospital on Nov. 11. Al-Kidwa repeated his statement from last month that the French doctors were unable to rule out the possibility that Arafat had been poisoned, although they said they had not found traces of "any poison known to them." "Examinations of X-rays and all imaginable tests ... are still with the same results, the inability of reaching a clear diagnosis," Al-Kidwa said in English at a news conference in Ramallah on Saturday. "That is precisely the reason why suspicions are there, because without a reason you cannot escape the other possibility ... that there is unnatural cause for the death," he added. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-12/11/content_399466.htm ----- LEADERS GATHER IN EGYPT FOR ARAFAT'S FUNERAL WHO IS TO BE BURIED IN THE WEST BANK - Plans are being made for Yasser Ararfat's funeral in Cairo. CAIRO, Egypt (CNN) -- November 11, 2004 World leaders are gathering in Egypt for Yasser Arafat's funeral on Friday, a day after the Palestinian leader died of a lengthy and unknown illness at a Paris hospital. A military funeral is scheduled to take place near Cairo's airport at 11 a.m. (4 a.m. ET), amid three days of official mourning in Egypt, according to a spokesman for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Arafat was born in Cairo in 1929. Arafat's body is then expected to be taken for burial Friday to the West Bank city of Ramallah aboard an Egyptian military helicopter, the spokesman said.On Thursday, Arafat's body was flown from a French military air base to Cairo. One of the first people off the plane was his widow, Suha Tawil. She was dressed in all black and made her way slowly down a red carpet accompanied by other relatives. She wept as her late husband's body was brought off the plane and a military band played a solemn tune.Eight soldiers marched slowly carrying Arafat's coffin, draped in a Palestinian flag, to a nearby hearse, while three other soldiers bearing swords led the group. News of the Cairo memorial service prompted national leaders and representatives from around the world to travel to Egypt.The 75-year-old Arafat had spent his life seeking a homeland for his people but was seen by Israelis as a terrorist and roadblock to peace. "The last two days were very painful, very difficult days," said Saeb Erakat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, who confirmed Arafat's death Thursday morning. "And now, after these painful days of President Arafat, he is dead." Arafat died at 3:30 a.m. (9:30 p.m. Wednesday ET), days after suffering a brain hemorrhage and coma. He was admitted to the hospital October 29 with a blood ailment and digestive problems that were never clearly described. ----- CANDIDATE ASKS GAZA MILITANTS TO STOP 'USELESS' ATTACKS ON ISRAELIS NYT by Greg Myre - JERUSALEM, Jan. 2 2005 - Mahmoud Abbas, the favorite in the impending Palestinian presidential election, visited the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday and called on militants to stop firing rockets at Israel, labeling the attacks "useless." His remarks came just hours after the latest salvos prompted a brief Israeli raid into the area. With the Palestinian election just a week away, Israel sent dozens of tanks and other armored vehicles into Gaza early Sunday. Israeli forces and Palestinian gunmen exchanged fire throughout the day, but the Israeli troops pulled back after nightfall, the military said. No deaths were reported in the clashes.On Sunday evening, Mr. Abbas, the chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization, campaigned in Jabaliya, just a few miles from the Israeli troops, who were still lingering on the outskirts of the town. He criticized both the Palestinian rocket fire and the Israeli raid. Mr. Abbas urged the militants to refrain from further attacks, saying they were counterproductive. "I say to them, 'This is not the time for this kind of act,' " he said. "Do not give Israel more reason to attack us."Mr. Abbas said Israeli incursions could undermine the vote next week. Israel has said it intends to pull back its forces at least 24 hours before the Jan. 9 election, as long as Israelis are not under attack. Mr. Abbas, dressed in his customary dark suit, again drew large numbers of supportive Palestinian gunmen at a rally earlier in the day in Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza. He said the Palestinian leadership would seek to protect militants wanted by Israeli forces. "We won't relax until they enjoy security and safety and a decent life and can live in their country with total freedom," he said. Palestinian security officials have sought to prevent the gunmen from firing into the air at such rallies, but to little avail. On Sunday, the shooting started as soon as Mr. Abbas left. Mr. Abbas appears to have improved his standing among Palestinian militants by making supportive comments in recent days. However, such remarks are somewhat at odds with his image as a pragmatist who has been critical of Palestinian attacks against Israel. Mr. Abbas is favored by 65 percent of voters, compared with 22 percent for his closest challenger, Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, according to a poll released Sunday by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research. The poll had a margin of error of 3 percentage points. ----- SHARON SAYS 'PEACE IN REACH' FOR 2005 Jerusalem - December 18, 2004 - by Laura King - The Israeli PM strikes a conciliatory tone to Palestinians in a security conference address. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, insisting that Israel has no wish to rule over the Palestinians, has declared that 2005 would be "the year of a great historic opportunity" in the Middle East. "We have to seize the initiative; this is the time, the hour, the national test," the 76-year-old Israeli leader said, summing up a tumultuous year that included the death of long-time Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and a series of intense internal Israeli political battles over the Prime Minister's plan to uproot the Jewish settlements of the Gaza Strip. Mr Sharon spoke at the Herzliya conference, an annual gathering of policymakers, academics, senior military officials and analysts. While Mr Sharon did not unveil any initiatives - unlike last year, when he used his speech at the conference to spell out his Gaza withdrawal plan - his address was notable for the conciliatory tone he struck towards the Palestinians. Mr Sharon repeated Israeli pledges to do everything possible to ensure a smooth vote on January 9, when the Palestinians will pick a successor to Mr Arafat. The frontrunner is Mahmoud Abbas, a 69-year-old former Palestinian prime minister who this week reiterated his opposition to the use of violence by his people in their quest for statehood. "We do not want to rule over you, or to run your lives," Mr Sharon said, addressing the Palestinians directly. But he said the transitional Palestinian leadership, and the government that emerges after January's vote, must do its utmost to quell violence by militant groups. After a year of bruising political battles over his Gaza withdrawal initiative, the Prime Minister signalled he would still relinquish the territory. "It is clear that we will not remain in Gaza under any permanent agreement," the Prime Minister told the conference. Mr Sharon's Government has set a timetable that calls for abandoning the 21 Jewish settlements of Gaza, together with four smaller ones in the northern West Bank, in the coming year. Again addressing the Palestinians, Mr Sharon said he had paid "a heavy personal and political price" for moving forward with the Gaza plan. "And I hope that in the near future you, too, will decide to make historic decisions... and decide to join us in our search for the path that will allow both our peoples to live in peace on this small piece of land," he said. - "And I believe that this is within reach." Diplomatic activity, almost dormant prior to Mr Arafat's death on November 11, has revived. Mr Sharon's Government has hinted that Israel might agree to attend a Middle East conference in London, the details of which could be announced during a visit to the region next week by British Prime Minister Tony Blair. On Thursday the Islamic Jihad and al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade militant groups rebuffed Mr Abbas' call for an end to the armed struggle. - Los Angeles Times  NEWSLETTERS  NEWS INDEX  MAIN INDEX