Shorts: Mideast

Immigration to Israel down

jerusalem (jta) | Immigration to Israel is down by 7 percent in the first half of 2004.

The decrease is attributed to a 14 percent decline in immigrants from the former Soviet Union.

The number of immigrants from Argentina is up 60 percent, with increases also from France, Britain and Ethiopia.




Cafe Moment closes

jerusalem (jta) | A Jerusalem cafe that suffered a major Palestinian suicide bombing closed its doors. Cafe Moment's gates were locked Monday, Aug. 9, after the owners announced the closure, saying the cafe had not returned to profitability after a March 2002 terrorist attack that killed 11 people.

"Following terrible and protracted tribulations, and despite fervent efforts, much willpower and personal sacrifice, we have been brought down by mounting debt since that horrible day, which killed us as well, only more slowly," read a note the owners left on Moment's door.




Car bomber hits Jerusalem

jerusalem (jta) | A Palestinian car bomber killed at least one person at an Israeli checkpoint outside Jerusalem.

At least eight Israelis and Palestinians were wounded in the Wednesday, Aug. 11, blast at the Kalandia checkpoint, which occurred as security forces converged on a suspicious vehicle.

According to security sources, a Palestinian inside the car is believed to have detonated a bomb either hidden on his person or rigged to the vehicle. The al-Aksa Brigade claimed responsibility for the attack.




Palestinian inquiry blames Arafat

jerusalem (jta) | A Palestinian legislative inquiry blamed Yasser Arafat for recent anarchy in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.

The Palestinian legislative council said the reason for the chaos is that the Palestinian Authority and its president, Arafat, have not made the political decision to restore order.

The report calls for an end to Kassam rocket fire into Israel and attacks inside Israel.




Iran tests newest medium-range missile

jerusalem (jps) | Iran has tested its new medium-range Shahab-3 ballistic missile, Iran's defense ministry said on Wednesday, Aug. 11.

The Shahab-3, which Iran last successfully tested in 2002 before equipping its elite Revolutionary Guards with it in July 2003, is the Persian state's longest-range ballistic missile, with a range of about 810 miles.