October 1992, Page 45, 46, 47

Issues In the News

Compiled by Greg Noakes

From the Jewish Press:

Slingshot Salesman Sentenced:

Ahmed Salim Nijam, a 48-year-old Palestinian carpenter, was convicted of making slingshots used by intifada activists and sentenced by an Israeli court to six months of public service. Nijam, who sold the slingshots in Haifa and Nazareth for $6 a piece, was also given a 10-month suspended sentence, according to the Queens (NY) Jewish Week.

Jackson to Aid in Arad Search:

The Rev. Jesse Jackson has agreed to use his contacts in the Middle East to help locate Israeli airman Ron Arad, who was shot down over Lebanon in October 1986 and is thought to be held captive either by Iran or Iranian-supported factions, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reports. Arad's wife, Tami, said she sought Jackson's aid because she believes he can help put pressure on Iran to secure her husband's release. Jackson, whose relations with American Jews ave long been strained, has led similar efforts to release political and military prisoners in the Middle East. "Our real strength is not military strength," Jackson said. "It's moral strength."

Prayers for Cabinet Questioned:

The composition of the Labor-led Rabin government has led Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli, head of the Mercaz Harav yeshiva in Jerusalem, to question whether the prayer for the state and its leaders recited in many synagogues each Sabbath should be continued. Yisraeli questioned whether the verse asking God to bestow His "light and truth on [Israel's] leaders, ministers and advisers" should be said for ministers who do not observe Jewish law "and who do not take into consideration the sentiments of the religious," according to the Queens Jewish Week. The prayer was composed at the time of the creation of the state of Israel.

One Passport Fine For Jordan:

The U.S. Consulate in East Jerusalem says that American citizens traveling to Jordan from Israel no longer need to carry two passports, and will be admitted even if their passport carries an Israeli stamp, according to the Jerusalem Post. Consul Donna Sherman said, "It seems the Jordanian immigration authorities are no longer troubled by the Israeli stamp. We have not been told what is behind this new development."

Hitler in Hebrew for History Students:

An abridged version of Adolf Hitler's anti-Semitic treatise Mein Kampf has been translated into Hebrew and published by Hebrew University's student press, according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. The volume is designed for students of German history, with only 400 copies being printed. "Anybody studying history has to know the facts," said Professor Moshe Zimmerman. "As long as not everybody in Israel can study German in secondary schools, we have to provide translations." The publication was denounced by right-wing and nationalist leaders who claim that Hitler's work should never have been translated and published in Israel.

Baha'i Pick Haifa for Pilgrimage:

Baha'i religious leaders have chosen Haifa, where the tomb of the sect's founder and prophet is located, as the site of pilgrimage for followers of the faith, and will require the world's five million Baha'i to visit the city once in their lifetimes, the Jerusalem Post reports. This could result in a shortage of lodging, according to Haifa's tourist development group, which noted that an additional 1,000 hotel rooms would be required for the pilgrims. The Baha'i religion, founded in the 19th century by Mirza Hussein Ali Nuri, stresses the commonality of all faiths and the unity of mankind, and teaches that the founders of the great world religions were manifestations of God working for the education of the human race.

Settlers Seek Shadow Government:

Jewish settlers in the occupied territories, seething over the Rabin government's freeze on new settlements, are trying to form a right-wing shadow government in order to promote the funding of further construction, Yediot Ahronot reports. The settlers said they would establish contacts with foreign governments and Diaspora Jews in order to disperse information and raise money. The proposed members of the shadow cabinet include Ariel Sharon, Binyamin Netanyahu and Ze'ev "Benny" Begin, son of former Prime Minister Menachem Begin.

Ethiopian Immigrants Protest Housing:

Some 600 Ethiopian immigrants staged a march from the Mediterranean to Jerusalem to protest the fact that they have been lodged in hotels for more than a year. The National Jewish Post & Opinion reports the demonstrators, who carried banners reading "We want a home, not a hotel" and "A hotel is good for a weekend, not for two years," halted their march in response to a plea from Absorption Minister Yair Tsaban, who promised that their demands would be taken up by the government. Tsaban admitted the situation was bad, saying, "There will be many Ethiopian immigrants who will have to remain in the temporary sites, and anyone who promises them anything else is throwing sand in their eyes."

"Good Neighbors" Program Builds Goodwill:

A Jewish-Arab "good neighbors" program in the Galilee will seek government funding to expand its activities, the Queens Jewish Week reports. The program sponsored a summer camp for 150 youngsters from two Arab villages and three Jewish communities in an attempt to build a foundation of mutual cooperation. "We believe that peace begins at home on the basis of greater understanding and closer ties between Jews and Arabs," said Harry Rhodes, the program's director. "The more joint meetings, the better the atmosphere for everybody."

PLO to Relocate?:

The Queens Jewish Week reports that the Palestine Liberation Organization is looking for a new headquarters site after the Tunisian government made it clear that it would like to see the PLO vacate its offices in Tunis. Although the PLO insists that there was no time limit placed on its stay, the Tunisian government has leaked reports saying there was a ten-year agreement reached with the PLO after it relocated from Beirut in 1982. Sites under consideration for a new PLO headquarters are said to include San'a and Baghdad.

From the Middle East Press:

Syria and Turkey Tangle Over Twin Rivers:

The state-controlled media in Syria has warned neighboring Turkey not to monopolize the waters of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers flowing from Anatolia into the Fertile Crescent. The daily Tishrin said, "Nobody has a right to divert the rivers and subject the Syrians to a catastrophe. . . Syria calls for a fair share." Turkish Prime Minister Suleiman Demirel responded by saying that neither Syria nor Iraq had any claim to the rivers, stating, "The oil is theirs. The water is ours." Turkey has pursued an aggressive water policy in recent years, including the construction of the massive Ataturk dam.

Dhaka and Delhi Discuss Water:

Bangladesh and India have engaged in a series of discussions on the short-term sharing of the Ganges and 54 other common rivers, though the chances of reaching any long-term agreement appear to be slim, according to the Saudi Gazette. Dhaka says that the lack of a water-sharing agreement has contributed to the desertification of northwestern Bangladesh. India has unilaterally embarked on a dam-building program since it terminated the annual memorandum of understanding that guaranteed water-sharing between the countries in 1983.

FIS Pondering Provisional Government:

Algeria's banned Islamic Salvation Front (FIS), on the verge of winning the country's first multiparty general election before an army coup last January, is considering forming a provisional government and strengthening its armed wing into a "veritable liberation army." The party's underground newsletter Minbar Al Juma'a also announced that the FIS would not hold talks with the military-backed government, and featured a listing of other clandestine FIS publications and radio broadcasts.

Albek in Trouble Over Callous Comment. . . Again:

Israeli Deputy Attorney General Plia Albek has come under fire from Meretz Knesset members for her contention that a man who lost his arms when soldiers ordered him to remove a Palestinian flag from some electrical lines does not deserve compensation from the Israeli government. Jawwad Ghannam, 25, was selling falafel in a Hebron street when he was ordered to remove the flag by Israeli troops. The resultant electrical shock burned Ghannam's hands so badly that they had to be amputated, according to Al Fajr. Ghannam was fitted with prostheses and was awarded $333,000 in compensation by an Israeli court, but Albek appealed the award, saying, "There are people with greater handicaps living a full, happy life. The loss of his arms should not affect his career as a falafel seller," she added. "He has artificial hands and can still do the job." Meretz MK Yossi Sarid urged the new Israeli government to oust Albek from her post, arguing, "If she believes a falafel salesman can continue his work with artificial limbs, then Albek should continue her work with her artificial heart somewhere else." Albek was also criticized by Meretz MKs Amnon Rubinstein and Shulamit Aloni, who described her as "racist and inhuman." Albek had previously argued that the death of a Gaza woman in May 1990 was "beneficial to the husband" because he no longer had to spend money to support her.

Mongolian Muslims Make First Hajj in 66 Years:

A group of 17 Mongolian Muslims, including 16 religious leaders between 66 and 86 years old, performed the first officially approved pilgrimage to Mecca in over six decades, according to Eastern Times. Mongolia's Buddhist majority and Muslim minority both were victims of religious suppression by the country's former Communist government, with all of the country's mosques destroyed, many holy books burned and some 3,500 mullahs killed during purges in the 1930s. The last time Mongolians made the pilgrimage was in 1926, when a group of seven mullahs set out by horse and camel on the year-long trek. Only one of the seven survived.

Executions Halt Iraqi Trade:

Baghdad's execution of 42 Iraqi merchants has brought shipments of food and other humanitarian supplies from Jordan to a near standstill, according to the Middle East Times. Iraq has cracked down on traders accused of profiteering, and has detained more than 500 merchants since late July. "The news has shattered, terrorized, demoralized and depressed all my Iraqi clients because the accusations were not true," said one Jordanian exporter, while another said that shipments of food supplies had virtually ceased. The Iraqi traders "tell us even if the goods are given to them for free they are not ready to risk their lives and be executed or detained," he added.

Sudan Seeking Refugee Aid:

The government of Sudan has asked a number of donor nations for $200 million to help resettle refugees from war-torn southern Sudan, according to Al Inqadh Al Watani. Thousands of armed men and civilians have returned to government-controlled lands from areas held by the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army, according to the government, which said there was a desperate need for agricultural and other basic supplies, As Sudan Al Hadith reported.

Deadly Screw Worm Eliminated from Libya:

Libya announced the eradication of the screw worm fly, one of the world's deadliest pests, as a result of an intensive four-year program pioneered in the U.S. and Mexico, where the fly was once a major problem. The CAABU Bulletin reports that the release of hundreds of millions of sterilized screw worm flies prevented the creation of new generations of the parasites. The fly attacks livestocks and humans by laying its eggs in open wounds or scratches, where within 24 hours they hatch into maggots which burrow their way deep into the flesh. Hundreds of cases were reported in Libya since 1988, and it was feared that the fly would spread to neighboring countries and sub-Saharan Africa.

Egypt Bristles Over Aid to Militants:

Egypt has accused Iran and Sudan of smuggling arms to Muslim militants in Upper Egypt and warned the two countries against any further hostile action. Deputy Prime Minister Youssef Waly told the opposition Al Wafd that the militants had targeted Egypt's Aswan High Dam for destruction, but that the government would strike "with an iron fist against anyone who tries to destabilize Egypt." Waly said that 17 arms dealers reportedly financed by Tehran and Khartoum had been arrested, and added that if reports were true that Iraq had sent missiles to Sudan to attack Egypt in retaliation for Cairo's involvement in the Gulf war coalition, Egyptian forces would "destroy them within 24 hours." Sudan has repeatedly denied allegations of clandestine activities, but the Cairo daily Al Akhbar quoted Waly as saying, "President Mubarak knows the size of the present relationship between Sudan and Iran and knows what they are planning."

Algerians Yearn for Boumediene Era:

Plagued by economic crisis and political chaos, many Algerians see the autocratic nationalism of former President Houari Boumediene as the only solution for the country's ills. The government daily El Moudjahid reminisced about the period prior to Boumediene's death in 1978, saying, "Those were ardent years. We were not rich but we were not unhappy. Decisions might have been unilateral but at least they had the merit of being fair." Abderrahmane Mahmoudi, editor of L'hebdo Libere, wrote, "Boumedienism imposes itself today as the only system which offers Algeria sufficient guarantees of security because it is based on a jealous nationalism and a single social vision. Nobody can deny that under Boumediene the Islamists were only a sect because they were unable to capture the territory of populism." Though very few observers are calling for a return to Boumediene's centralized socialist economic policies, many long for the former president's firm resolve and nationalistic vision.

"Women Only" Buses Hit the Streets in Cairo:

Cairo's municipal transportation system is experimenting with "women only" buses during morning and evening rush hours in response to chronic overcrowding and increasing incidents of sexual harassment aboard the city's buses. "We realize this is not a complete solution, but we are trying to do what's proper in this situation," said Kamal Hamdy, this bus line's chief administrator. The buses are currently operating on four lines and will be expanded to 68 routes. Many women commuters approved of the idea, with one commenting, "Buses for women only are a great idea and I hope they'll make it possible for all bus lines in the city," while another said, "There are no crowds and no hassles. It's an easy ride." A third woman told the Middle East Times, "I prefer riding this way, but what do you do if you're with your husband?" Bus driver Abdel Rahman Hussein joked, "The time will come when the women will want to drive their own buses!" Cairo's metro system has always designated its first car for "women only."

Algerian Journalists Protest Papers' Closure:

The Association of Algerian Journalists criticized the government's closure of three Algerian dailies, and will stop printing photographs of Prime Minister Belaid Abdeslam in their papers as a sign of protest. Two major French-language papers and one Arabic-language daily were suspended for printing "erroneous" reports which the government says endangered the nation's interests. Le Matin and La Nation are considered independent, while Al Jazair Al Youm is favorable to the banned Islamic Salvation Front. A fourth paper, the satirical weekly As Sah'Afa', was suspended two weeks later. The government claims the paper, whos title is a pun on the Arabic word for "the press" and "the truth is obliterated," quoted clandestine communiques issued by the FIS and acted as the banned party's "mouthpiece." The suspensions were the harshest steps to date in a campaign of harassment against journalists and the press launched in January, when a military-backed ruling council cancelled elections and seized power.

Iranian Crackdown Out of Hand:

A crackdown on "loose morals" declared by Ayatollah Khamenei has resulted in Iranian women not wearing hijab (head covering) being splashed with paint by young men on motorcycles. The Tehran daily Salaam confirmed claims by dissidents that women were bearing the brunt of the injunctions to take action, and called on the Iranian authorities to halt "these ugly acts." Khameenei himself was also critical of the incidents, saying, "You cannot fight a blatant sin with another blatant sin."

Egypt to Host Population Conference:

Cairo will host the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development because of its strong support for family planning and its ethnic and religious heterogeneity, the U.N. Population Fund announced. The Saudi Gazette said that Istanbul had also been offered as a potential site, but that Cairo's conference facilities and its location in Africa, where population growth is projected to be highest, made the Egyptian capital attractive. The conference, which focuses on technical, policy and operational issues, is held every 10 years, with the last meeting in Mexico City in 1984.

Yemeni Unity Vexed by Violence:

A continuing wave of political violence directed against government officials may postpone upcoming parliamentary elections and even threaten the union between North and South Yemen, according to Al Ahram. A number of government ministers and ruling Socialist Party leaders have narrowly escaped assassination attempts since the beginning of the year, and President Ali Abdullah Saleh has instituted security measures designed to curb the violence. Southern Yemeni fears of nothern domination have combined with tension between central government authority and the traditional tribal system to produce a chaotic political situation, and some Yemenis believe that the elections, scheduled for November, should be delayed.

Libya Slams Saddam's Submission:

The Libyan press criticized Iraq for "giving in" to U.S. demands that U.N. officials be allowed to conduct weapons inspections at Iraqi installations and government buildings. "Iraq should have resisted strongly and should have offered millions of martyrs to defend its dignity," said one editorial in the daily Al Jamahariya. "Death is better and more honorable than bowing to the United States and allowing this humiliation."

Olympics Disappoint Egyptians, Indians:

The Egyptian parliament was called into special session following Egypt's disappointing showing at the Barcelona Summer Olympics and called for an inquiry into the "embarrassing and pathetic" results. Al Akhbar called for the resignation of Egyptian sporting officials, while an editorial in the Egyptian Gazette extended the criticism to Egyptian television's sportscasters, who had difficulty identifying individuals and even the countries involved in the various events. Meanwhile, some opposition politicians in India called for a moment of silence in government chambers to "commemorate the death of Indian sport" following their team's dismal performance in Barcelona.

Pakistani Premier Pushes for New Probe:

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ordered a new investigation into the 1988 plane crash which claimed the lives of President Muhammad Zia Ul-Haq, the U.S. ambassador to Pakistan and some thirty other officials. Sharif said none of the past inquiries into the crash uncovered any definitive cause, while the Saudi Gazette reported that Zia's son had threatened to resign from the cabinet if a new investigation was not undertaken.

Smokers Breathe Easier in Iran:

Tobacco smokers in Iran are breathing easier since a parliamentary bill banning smoking in public places and calling for a total ban in 1999 was scrapped. Tehran radio reported the bill was vetoed by the Council of Guardians because it could not find alternative sources of revenue for the taxes that would be lost in a ban on tobacco.

Renewal Plans for Islamic Cairo:

The Egyptian government has launched a five-year, $60 million renewal project for the historic district around Cairo's Al Azhar mosque and university. The Middle East Times says the project will focus first on improvements in the area's infrastructure, then on the 1,050-year-old Al Azhar itself, and finally on surrounding historical structures, most of which date from the Fatimid dynasty. Project managers are using French paintings and prints from the Napoleonic period in an attempt to restore building facades to their appearance of 200 years ago. A pedestrian area complete with underground tunnels for vehicle traffic and parking is also envisaged. The renovation will be the first in 20 years for Al Azhar.

Bandit Attacks in Mali:

Four people were killed in a bandit attack on the settlement of Troungoumbe in northwest Mali despite a truce between the government and Tuareg rebels, while a dozen other outlaws raided a second settlement. Radio Mali said 30 bandits were involved in the first attack, which was the deadliest in a string of recent raids. The attacks resembled operations carried out by Tuareg nomad commandos before they signed a pact with the governments of Mali and Niger last April. Bamako dispatched a fact-finding delegation to Algeria, which has acted as a mediator in the Tuareg dispute.

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