Shorts: Mideast

HIV rate on rise for gays in Israel

Over the past four years, the rate of HIV infection within the gay community in Israel has more than doubled. A third of all new HIV positive diagnoses in 2007 were gay. The figures were revealed Dec. 1 in a report issued by the Health Ministry on the occasion of the annual World AIDS Day.

There were 360 new cases of HIV in the general population in 2007, compared with an average of 333 cases over the past four years. However, with the given population increase, this rate is considered stable.

As of late 2007 there were 4,239 people in Israel registered as HIV positive; the real figure, however, is believed to stand at close to 6,000. In 2007 there were 116 new cases in the gay community. In 2006 the number for this group stood at 75, and in 2003 it was less than 50.

The primary HIV-positive groups are homosexuals, drug users and immigrants from southern African nations, where the virus is extremely prevalent. — ynetnews.com




Economic growth up in West Bank

According to a government report released Dec. 1, the West Bank has seen significant economic growth, which can be attributed to security measures, civilian assistance steps and successful coordination between the Israeli and Palestinian authorities.

Wages increased 24 percent and unemployment decreased by 3 percent compared to the same time frame in 2007, according to the report released by the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories section of the Defense Ministry.

The number of workers employed in the West Bank itself grew by 10 percent, as did the number of permits for Palestinians working in Israel. In addition, trade between Israel and the Palestinian Authority jumped 35 percent. The number of vehicles imported to the West Bank soared 953 percent, from 299 in all of 2007 to 3,148 in the first 10 months of 2008.

At least 113 roadblocks were dismantled, according to the report, and some 20 Palestinian police stations were opened throughout the West Bank. In addition, Israeli and Palestinian security forces have held an additional 247 meetings since January to build confidence and coordinate activities. — jta




Big jump in number of returning Israelis

Returning Israelis constituted almost a quarter of all those arriving to live in the country this year, according to data released this week by the Immigrant Absorption Ministry.

According to the information published by the ministry, close to 7,000 expat Israelis have returned in 2008, a 50 percent increase in returning Israelis compared to the average number in previous years. In 2000, 2,641 Israelis came home and in 2007, 5,103 returned.

Ministry officials cited the weakened global economy as one of the main factors for the increase. The ministry also highlighted its flagship program "Bringing Israelis Home for the 60th Anniversary." Also, the government has enticed its citizens abroad to return, offering a basket of welfare and business benefits, certain tax reductions and an easing of restrictions imposed by the Tax Authority.

"The state is fighting the brain drain of recent years and at the same time bringing back to Israel quality manpower," said Immigrant Absorption Minister Eli Aflalo. — jpost.com




Poll: Tough times ahead for Labor

According to a poll published Dec. 1, if elections were to take place today, the Labor Party would crash to only six Knesset seats. The poll was conducted by Panels Ltd. for Israel's Channel 2 News.

Labor, headed by Defense Minister Ehud Barak, would be replaced by Meretz as the largest party on the left, according to the poll, which predicted Meretz would receive seven seats. The poll also said Likud would gain 33 seats as opposed to Kadima's 25. The poll gave Shas 12 seats, Israel Beytenu 11, the Arab parties 10 and the new right-wing party Habayit Hayehudi seven.

Such a result would give the bloc made up of right-wing and religious parties 68 mandates, significantly more than left-wing parties and their projected 52 mandates. — jpost.com




Herzliya company will secure Vatican

Ioimage, an Israeli intelligent video appliances firm based in Herzliya, has won a contract estimated at $4 million to $5 million to secure sensitive areas of Vatican City, the Israeli daily Yediot Achronot reported.

Ioimage's director, Roni Kaz, told the newspaper that the examination of the city and its needs took three years. The system includes "smart" security cameras that can be viewed in real time by computers connected to the Internet. — jta