Mideast Report

Friday, July 26, 2002 | by

JERUSALEM (JTA)—Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Dalia Rabin-Pelossof resigned Tuesday to protest the Labor Party's continued presence in the government.

In her resignation letter, which has yet to take effect, Rabin-Pelossof said she could not remain in the government, charging it was not carrying on the diplomatic legacy of her father, the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Rabin-Pelossof's decision came on the heels of Trade Minister Dalia Itzik's disclosure that she is considering giving up her Cabinet seat to become Israel's ambassador to London.

Palestinians reopen office in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM (JPS)—Jerusalem police on Monday permitted the reopening of the eastern Jerusalem office of Al-Quds University president Sari Nusseibeh, who also holds the Jerusalem portfolio in the Palestinian Authority. Police shut it down two weeks ago, saying the Palestinian Authority was using the office to violate the Oslo accords by conducting political activities in the capital.

The closure sparked international protests, including from the White House, and angered Labor Party ministers.

Internal Security Minister Uzi Landau allowed the office to reopen after Nusseibeh signed a document promising that no Palestinian Authority activity would be conducted there.

Survey: Settlers would relocate

JERUSALEM (JTA)—Some two-thirds of Israeli settlers would obey a government decision to evacuate settlements, according to a survey conducted by Peace Now.

According to the organization, which opposes Jewish settlement in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, 68 percent of settlers would heed such a decision, while 6 percent would resist an evacuation. Some 59 percent of those surveyed said they would want financial compensation for relocating.

The Yesha Council, which represents settlers in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, denounced the survey, saying it was as credible as the promise that the Oslo accords would bring peace, Israel Radio reported.

Fence to protect some settlements

JERUSALEM (JPS)—The Defense Ministry said today that the communities of Elkana, Sha'arei Tikvah and Etz Efraim would be included on the Israeli side of a security fence being built between Israel and the West Bank.

Director-General Amos Yaron said on a tour of the area that these settlements, which are beyond the so-called Green Line, would be protected by the barrier.

The first stage of the fence being put up to prevent terrorists from infiltrating the country is due to be completed in 10 months, according to a Defense Ministry statement.

32 U.S. singles travel to Israel

JERUSALEM (AP)—Thirty-two Jewish American singles from 20 U.S. states arrived in Israel on Monday in a quest to find the perfect, Jewish partner.

The Americans, who are between the ages of 18 and 26, will be meeting several different groups of Israeli singles during their stay in Israel, Perlov said.

The first project of its kind was initiated by the Internet Jewish dating service J-date, which has 350,000 members, 50,000 of them in Israel. The service paired up with the Birthright Israel program, which sends young American Jews to Israel for free in an effort to strengthen their ties to the country and combat assimilation in the United States.

Israel approves tax reform bill

JERUSALEM (JTA)—The Knesset approved a tax reform bill that paves the way for Israel's first capital gains tax. The measure was given final approval Wednesday by a vote of 61-13, with 10 abstentions.

The law, which goes into effect on Jan. 1, will tax stock profits and overseas income while providing a gradual reduction in income tax over a five-year period. Finance Minister Silvan Shalom praised the government for bringing about passage of what he called the "most important tax legislation" in Israel's history.