Mideast Report

JERUSALEM (JPS) -- Following reports of extremely high radiation levels in Minsk, the Jewish Agency went on standby late last week with contingency plans to airlift the entire Jewish population of the city and the surrounding countryside.

Israel evacuated its embassy in Belarus and sent its staff home to Jerusalem for medical checks on May 18 over fears of radioactivity borne by raging forest fires near the Chernobyl power station.

As of Wednesday, no further information was available on the possible airlift.

According to Jewish Agency Treasurer Chaim Chesler, there are about 32,000 Jews and members of Jewish families with the right to immigrate to Israel under to the Law of Return in Belarus.

Of a mass evacuation, Chesler said, "I'm sure that if we need to, we can do it."

Weizman won't face bribery indictment

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Israel's attorney general and state attorney this week adopted a police recommendation against indicting President Ezer Weizman.

Weizman was accused of accepting large monetary gifts while serving as a cabinet minister and Knesset member. The 70-page report criticized Weizman's behavior but fell short of calling on him to resign.

Housing for Jews OKd in Arab village

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- The Jerusalem planning board has approved a plan to build Jewish housing in the Arab village of Abu Dis, but still within Jerusalem's jurisdictional boundaries.

The plan for the village, which is to be handed over to Palestinian rule, calls for the construction of 200 housing units.

Israel Radio said the plots are owned by interests that promote an Israeli presence in eastern Jerusalem and the West Bank, including Miami developer Irving Moskowitz.

Israeli firm to buy Fina oil company

JERUSALEM (JPS) -- In one of the largest-ever acquisitions by an Israeli company of a foreign firm, Alon Israel Oil Company announced Sunday it is purchasing most of the U.S. operations of energy giant Total Fina Elf SA.

The deal is worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

The holdings include oil refineries, 1,100 miles of fuel pipelines, six oil terminals, 1,700 gas stations, and the exclusive rights to operate 7-Eleven convenience stores in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma and Louisiana.