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Rocks Are Thrown at Visitors to Temple Mount; Riot Ensues
A riot erupted on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount on Sunday morning when Palestinians hurled rocks at non-Muslim visitors to the site. When Israeli police who normally refrain from entering the area arrived to quell the violence, the rock-throwers moved into one of the mosques. The Israelis did not follow. One arrest was reported. The incident occurred as fighting between Palestinians and Israeli forces has been ongoing for several days in the city of Hebron where rioting is being blamed on Israel’s inclusion of the Tomb of the Patriarchs there and the Tomb of Rachel in Bethlehem on its national heritage list – an act the Palestinians call “provocative.”
Americans Ask Assad to Stop Arming Hizbullah and Hamas Amid aggressive efforts to reconcile with Syria, Obama administration officials have reportedly asked Syrian President Bashar Al-Asad to stop sending arms to Hizbullah and other Palestinian terrorist groups. According to the Israeli daily Haaretz, the request was made to Syria’s Ambassador to the United States in a Friday meeting in Washington with Assistant of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman. Feltman’s appeal followed a direct request made to Al-Asad by Undersecretary of State William Burns in Damascus on February 17 at which time, according to Haaretz, Al-Asad’s reply was essentially, “What arms?” In between the two American-Syrian meetings, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak visited Washington and apparently provided intelligence information indicating that both the quantity and quality of arms being provided by Syria to terrorist groups is increasing. Barak reportedly raised the issue of Lebanon allowing an armed non-governmental group – Hizbullah – to retain its arsenal consisting of more than 45,000 missiles and having government ministers and members of Parliament. As a member of the United Nations, Barak called it a “bizarre anomaly.”
Palestinians Spar Over ‘Ariqat Document Hamas has lashed out at Fatah-loyal chief negotiator Sa’ib ‘Ariqat and a controversial document that was leaked on Saturday. ‘Ariqat’s writing was critical of Palestinian Authority Mahmoud ‘Abbas in expressing the opinion that refusing to return to the bargaining table served Israel’s interest and threatened to end hopes of a two-state solution. He warned that because of the lack of talks, the Palestinian Authority might have to threaten to dissolve itself and end security liaisons with Israel. Hamas objected to ‘Ariqat calling the Hamas position of refusing to negotiate with Israel an “obstacle to peace.” Hamas accused ‘Ariqat of “seeing the Israeli occupation as a partner.”
Israelis Buoyed by Gallup Poll Showing Support by Americans Israeli officials and the populace at-large are expressing satisfaction over last week’s Gallup Poll showing strong support for the Israel-side over the Palestinian-side in the conflict. The 63% rating was the highest for the Jewish state since 1991. Only 15% indicated support for the Palestinian position over Israel. In a statement issued by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s office, the Israeli administration used the Gallup results to chide the Palestinians into returning to the negotiating table, saying, “It would be a shame for them to waste time in a futile wait for Israel's diplomatic isolation in the US.” An official in the prime minister’s office credited Netanyahu with the strong support of the American public.
Dubai Police: Most Suspects in Murder Case are in Israel According to the Dubai police, most of the suspects in the January 19th assassination of a Hamas operative are in Israel. The names and photos of 26 suspects have been published by authorities in Dubai. Police chief Dahi Khalfan has told an Arabic language newspaper that, “What is sure right now is that the majority of the murderers whose names have been announced... are to be found in Israel.” Khalfan warned that if his department can prove the involvement of Israel’s Mossad intelligence service in the killing of Mahmud Al-Mabhouh, arrest warrants will be issued for Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Mossad head Meir Dagan. Israel continues to be silent regarding the accusations that it’s behind the hit, although opposition leader Tzipi Livni offered public congratulations for the operation. British authorities, angered that the passports of dual British-Israeli citizens were apparently cloned for use by agents participating in the operation, have arrived in Israel to question the real passport-holders to see if they can build a case against any individual or agency involved in the identity theft. Australia has warned that it will take a hard line on the issue after its president called the alleged use of Australian identities an unfriendly act.
Israel Begins Distribution of Gas Masks The process of providing all Israelis with new gas masks begins in Tel Aviv on Sunday. Within a few weeks, distribution will go nation-wide until all citizens have received their masks to replace the ones that were collected about 18-months ago. At least 7 million devices will be provided over a five-year period. Officials are trying to prevent panic with announcements that the distribution of gas masks is routine and not related to any specific threat or risk assessment.
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