Prime Minister Ehud Barak (left) shaking hands with Likud Leader Ariel Sharon

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Egyptian Prime Minister Hosni Mubarak and Jordanian King Abdallah, are working hard behind the scenes to arrange a meeting between Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Head of the Palestinian Authority, Yasser Arafat. They hope that the meeting will bring to quick agreement for the cessation of hostilities and the renewal of the peace process.

Palestinian sources in Israel believe that Barak's only chance of restoring his status and winning the elections depends upon reaching an agreement with Arafat that will be acceptable by the Israeli public. As a result, Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami appealed to Syrian President Assad to renew peace talks on the northern front.

U.S. sources, close to the negotiations believe that the way to renewing and concluding the political process is not easy under the circumstances. As a result of Palestinian violence, the Israeli public has hardened its stands while Arafat expects to strengthen his position as a result of the numerous casualties on his side since the beginning of the fighting two months ago. The same sources note that, for the same reasons, it will be very hard to reach an agreement especially in the area of security.

Abu-Allah, Arafat's close advisor also noted this week that it would be hard to reach agreement before the elections.

In the Knesset it is believed that the coalition and the opposition have reached an agreement as to a date for the elections - between the months of March and May 2001. This was made possible after Prime Minister Barak agreed on Tuesday, to retract his objection for the dissolution of the Knesset and call for early elections for the Prime Minister's office.

Israeli political circles expect Former Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to announce his return to politics and his intention to compete for the leadership in the Likud party in

the upcoming elections. Recent surveys show that Netanyahu is leading in the polls considerably ahead of Barak, although Sharon is determined to continue to contend for the leadership of the Likud and the Prime Minister's seat.

Leaders of the Labor Party, among them Former Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Avraham Burg, have not yet decided whether to run against Barak for the party's leadership or to free the way for Barak to lead the party in the national elections once again.

These political battles are taking place against the backdrop of shooting in the territories although the fighting incidents and the scope of violence were reduced considerably this week.

On Friday, Ariel Jerafi, a civilian working for the IDF, was killed by a sniper in the Shomron. Major Sharon Arama was killed in Gaza and Tracker Halil Tahor from Akko was killed on the Lebanese border. The Imam of Akko refused to perform his burial because he served in the IDF.

The Ministry of Finance has concluded that recent security events will result in a 1.5% loss in GDP by the end of 2001. This means a NIS 7 billion loss in GDP. The Jewish Agency is updating fund-raising leaders in North America regarding the economic repercussions of the new security situation.

According to the Treasury, by the end of the year 2000 the loss is likely to reach 0.5% and if the violence continues, there will be a loss of another percent next year.

Following these new estimates, the Ministry of Finance will revise its consumer assessment downward for the year 2001. According to these projections, growth throughout the year 2000 will be 5.4%.

Nevertheless, the review determines that the extent of the damage to the hi-tech and start-up sectors will be minimal. Israel's hi-tech sector now accounts for 20% of GDP and leads growth in the economy.

The review further states that the most severely affected sectors are those which are particularly sensitive to security-related events, including tourism as well as exports to the Palestinian Authority which according to some estimates will be affected by some 40%.

"It is quite clear that it is the Palestinians who are fanning the flames of hatred and initiating the attacks, however we must find a way to break the cycle of violence if we wish to return to the negotiating table - the only chance of bringing about a solution." These comments were made by US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in a discussion yesterday with members of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Organizations in North America.

Albright promised Jewish leaders that recent calls to avoid the use of force following Palestinian attacks do not reflect a change in US policy towards Israel and do not constitute an accusation that Israel has used excessive force. The Secretary of State stressed that she is not trying to place the blame on those responding to events instead of on those initiating the violence on the Palestinian side. She added that the President continues to be committed to and involved in efforts to bring the parties back to the negotiating table and noted that she had spoken to Prime Minister Ehud Barak more than 80 times since his election, more than with any other foreign leader. She noted that while Israel continues to reject the idea of an international supervisory force in the region, the US will similarly continue to do so.

In response to a question, Albright stated that the security situation in the region is reviewed daily in an effort to re-examine the caution to US citizens concerning visits to the area.

The Palestinian Ministry of Education has clearly instructed high-school history teachers to instill in their pupils the approach that Zionism is racism and that it is similar to fascism and Nazism. The text books ignore the political negotiations aimed at bringing an end to the conflict in the region, and even emphasize the link between the Palestinian people and all of Palestine within its historic borders.

In Chapter 14 of the teachers' manual, entitled "Zionism", the Palestinian Ministry of Education defines the teaching goals, including the following:

• Goal 5 - The pupil shall understand the reasons for the hatred of the Jewish people by the world.
• Goal 7 - The pupils should find the connection between imperialist interests and Zionist interests.
• Goal 8 - The pupil should make a comparison between Zionism and Imperialism.
• Goal 9 - The pupil should note the Zionist danger to Arab security and revival.
• Goal 11 - The pupil should suggest ways of confronting Zionist activity which threatens the Arab world.

The introduction to the text book defines the following goals for Palestinian history teachers: "The pupil shall compare the foundations of fascism and Nazism with those of Zionism. The pupil shall acquire the following principles: Zionism is an aggressive, racist movement, the sense of racist superiority is the essence of Zionism, fascism and Nazism. The pupil shall acquire the following values and concepts: An understanding of the risks inherent in Zionism and racial discrimination .... an appreciation of negative influence of Zionism on Arab re-awakening and development. The pupil ... shall find the link between Zionism and racial discrimination and shall follow-up the link between Zionism and terror movements in the modern world."

The Palestinian Authority is attempting to label as "populist" the violent activity which it initiates within the context of the "Al Aqsa Intifada". In this context, it operates along two key channels: motivating the Fatah (PLO) movement to carry out shooting attacks on Israeli civilians and IDF forces, and placing children and teenagers on the front line, encouraging them to confront soldiers and civilians, and to throw stones and Molotov cocktails. The political organization which answers directly to Arafat, plays an important role in recruiting youngsters to participate in the violent disturbances that take place daily in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Ministry of Education has taken no significant action to control the students.

Role of the Palestinian Minister of Education in the Disturbances

The National Islamic Forces who direct the violent activity on behalf of the PLO, called upon the students "to take part in the Intifada after school hours...... with agreement of the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Culture" (El Iyam newspaper - October 12th).

Naim Abu Humus, Director General of the Ministry of Education: "This is a popular uprising ........ students, women and men are all taking part ........ we at the ministry cannot control the extent of the demonstrations and those participating in them" (Al - Kuds, 11th October).

Palestinian fighter children

Mazen Adda-Din, a senior Palestinian political leader said: "Heroic activities by Palestinian children have gained the admiration of the world ........ the Palestinian child has managed to gain a place of honor on every TV station ....... long live Palestinian children" (Alhiya Al-Jadida - October 12^th).

Self Criticism

Representative of the World Movement for the Protection of Children / Palestine Branch: "It is regrettable that a large proportion of our people still relates to children as if they understand what is happening around them and forcibly pushes them to watch the violent events". (Alhiya Al-Jadida - November 1^st) .

The Jewish Agency, together with the Council of Settlements in Judea & Samaria and Gaza, has initiated a program to host families living in areas of conflict in Judea, Samaria and Gaza for a "quiet weekend" in various parts of the country. The Jewish Agency emphasizes that the program is part of the organization's new strategy to strengthen ties within Israeli society, particularly during this sensitive period in which J&S residents are suffering.

This coming Shabbat a group of 40 families (150 people) from the settlements in the southern Hebron hills and Judea and Samaria, will be staying at the Nitzana youth village. At the same time, the Jewish Agency has contacted local municipalities asking them to host these residents in their towns. Both Haifa and Tel Aviv city halls have responded favorably.

The Nitzana youth village has prepared two such weekend programs, one for secular families and the other for religiously observant families. The program includes a visit to the new "Oasis" spa, donkey and bicycle rides in the area, a walking excursion to the Nitzana Strip and social activities for children and adults. Hosting of the families will be financed by the Jewish Agency.

The Nitzana youth village which belongs to the Jewish Agency, is ordinarily home to olim on special educational programs, holds educational seminars for high-school students and Jewish youth from overseas as well as science-based programs (computers and technology) for students from development towns in the region.

Sallai Meridor, Chairman of the Jewish Agency and World Zionist Board, hosted leaders of the Turkey's Jewish community at his office on Sunday.

Community president Rifaat Saban and the two deputy chairmen, Daniel Navarro and Sami Herman, said at the meeting that they had come to Israel to express their solidarity and sympathy during this difficult period and to thank the Jewish Agency for the activities of its Istanbul emissary - Avi Mizrachi.

Turkey has a 25,000 strong Jewish community. This delegation is one of dozens of solidarity missions led by Jewish leaders all over the world currently visiting Israel.

• $10,000 - Jewish Agency support during the year 2000 for Beersheva's "Noar Boneh" project, run by the Community Advocacy Association which provides vulnerable teenagers and those at risk with information on their educational, welfare and health rights.

• $2,191,000 - Jewish Agency budget for the year 2000 to operate the Kiryat Yearim youth village, close to Jerusalem. The village is home to 160 teenagers, half new olim from Ethiopia and the FSU, and the rest Israeli youngsters.

• 1358 olim arrived in Israel this week. 1213 were from the FSU and Eastern Europe. The rest came from France, Turkey, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Brazil, England, South Africa, Germany, the US, Canada, India and Ethiopia.

• $225,000 - Jewish Agency budget the year 2000 for running cultural, religious and tradition-based activities for students at Hebrew-learning centers and residents of absorption centers all over the country.

• More than 1500 teenagers came to Israel in August and early September to participate in the Selah, Chalom and Na'aleh programs. They flew in on 55 flights via 23 points in the FSU.

• More than 600 olim from Eastern Europe arrived in Israel during the first 8 months of the year - an increase of 10% in comparison with the same period last year.

The Jewish community and Jewish Agency office in Uzbekistan are shocked by the brutal murder of Galina Medvedeva - Jewish activist in Samarkand. The body of the 64-year old woman was found on Monday at her apartment in the city, with signs of severe violence. Friends believe that the murder was the result of a burglary and not an act of anti-Semitism.

Meir Tal, head of the Jewish Agency delegation in the Central Asian republics and the Caucasus, reports that Galina organized a group of Jewish intellectuals run by the Jewish Agency in Samarkand, and that she was very active among the local Jewish community. Last Thursday a meeting was due to take place at the Jewish Agency offices but Galina informed them that she had been held up and would be late. Since then she had not been at the office nor had she been in touch.

A few days later members of the Jewish community came to her home to see how she was and found the shocking sight of a woman bound, lying on the floor, with the contents of her home strewn all over the place. The police were called immediately and began an investigation.

Meir Tal says that Galina worked at the Jewish Agency on a voluntary basis and was the life and soul of the group of intellectuals which had recently been formed in Samarkand. The group of 30 Jewish academics, including doctors and senior engineers, would meet once a fortnight to study Judaism and learn about Israel as well as to discuss issues relating to Jewish culture.

The Jewish Agency expressed its deep shock and sorrow at the tragic death of Galina Medvedeva and will assist in all the arrangements and costs of the funeral.

The Jewish Agency estimates that some 2,000 Jews currently live in Samarkand.

Almost 10,000 Ethiopian olim today participated in the traditional Sigd festivities, which took place at Jerusalem's Haas promenade in the Talpiot neighborhood. For generations the Jews of Ethiopia have expressed their longing for Zion and Jerusalem. Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor, welcomed the olim and said that the aliyah from Ethiopia is the most heroic story of Zionism in this generation: "Every child in Israel and around the world should study your story of heroism. On Tuesday 100 new olim from Ethiopia landed in Israel and by the end of the month a total of 400 will have arrived. Despite all the difficulties, we will win and aliyah from Ethiopia will continue", said Meridor.

President Moshe Katsav, Minister of Immigrant Absorption Yuli Tamir, Chair of the Knesset Immigration and Absorption Committee, MK Naomi Blumenthal and other dignitaries and leaders of the Ethiopian Community in Israel all participated in the Festivities.

According to Jewish Agency estimates, 2,300 olim from Ethiopia will come to Israel in the year 2000, and 5,000 will arrive during 2001. The Jewish Agency is currently preparing to intensify its absorption activities on behalf of the Ethiopian olim and to operate new programs aimed at facilitating their integration into Israeli society.

After Ethiopian Festivities (Sigd)
Ethiopian Community Leaders at Sigd Festivities
Photo: Israel Sun

According to the Jewish Agency's initial estimates, over the last two months there has been a 10-15% increase in the number of French Jews who have contacted Jewish Agency shlichim and shown an interest in making aliyah. It should be noted that this season is usually considered quiet.

Dov Puder, head of the Jewish Agency's French Delegation, reports that over the last two months the French delegation has conducted extensive information activity, including Jewish Agency shlichim appearing before Jewish communities all over France. The lectures, which were initiated by the local communities and at their invitation, also discussed aliyah.

Jewish Agency aliyah shlichim were keynote speakers at 20 lectures all over France attended by more than 1000 people. Five lectures took place in Paris suburbs, 8 were in the cities Toulouse, Nice and Marseilles and seven lectures were held at synagogues and Jewish organizations in Paris proper.

The Jewish Agency delegation in France is continuing its efforts to increase exposure among Jewish communities in France. According to Puder, the delegation, together with the Agency's Education Department, is currently organizing extensive information activity which will expose new audiences to the possibilities of studying in Israel.

Deep in the snowy Siberian forests, at a temperature of -250C, 30 local Jewish Agency aliyah coordinators met last week, in order to learn about Israel, Judaism and aliyah and absorption programs in Israel. Participants in the week-long seminar were coordinators from Yeketerinburg, Khabarovsk, Irkutsk, outlying towns in the Ural Mountains and the Bikal region as well as from the island of Sakhalin.

New aliyah coordinators attended the seminar who had been located by the Jewish Agency among Jews in the most remote cities of the Russian Far East. For the first time participants included those from cities such as Norilesk, the most northern city in the world of cities which have a population of more than 100,000, and Megdan - the infamous city known for the Stalin's Gulag labor camps.

Motti Kliemer, head of the Novosibirsk delegation and director of the Jewish Agency's eastern Russia district, reported that the seminar caused considerable excitement among participants since for many of them this was their first encounter with Jewish and Israeli subjects. The Megdan leader, Natasha Katzman, said that the Jews in her city - which has a community of 1,000 - show considerable interest in learning about their roots and seek any scrap of information from Israel. According to Katzman, many of them are still wary of being identified as Jews due to anti-Semitism.

Kliemer said that the Jewish Agency has recently begun to expand its activities in peripheral cities in eastern Russia: "We are making every effort to provide the Jews who live in remote areas with the possibility of learning about Judaism and investigating the possibility of making aliyah", he said.

A delegation of 28 Jewish businesswomen from the FSU, organized by the Jewish Agency, will arrive in Israel next month for a five-day visit to learn from Israel's experience in instituting a women's business forum for Jewish women in the FSU.

Dr. Daliah Fisman, head of small business development at the Jewish Agency, said that in addition to establishing a forum in the FSU, the visit is intended to expose the members of the delegation to economic activity in Israel and enhance economic cooperation and social ties with Israeli businesswomen.

During the visit to Israel, members of the delegation will meet women who are members of Jewish Agency business clubs all over Israel. They will also meet with women MK's and women who hold senior positions in local municipalities, government agencies and at the Jewish Agency.

The visit to Israel will also include tours of small business development centers, technological incubators and small businesses run by women olim in Arad, Beersheva, Karmiel, Akko and Tel Aviv. At the end of the convention the women will make decisions concerning the establishment of a "Jewish Women's Business Forum in the FSU".

Boaz Herman, head of special projects at the Jewish Agency, said that the delegation members were chosen according to their area of professional activity and level of involvement within the Jewish community. According to Herman, the women from the FSU are involved in a wide range of activities including photography, fashion, law, tourism, real estate, communications, medicine, art, ecology and more.

The Gibraltar Jewish community has removed security from community institutions following a protest by Moroccan immigrants. This was reported this week by Solomon Levy, head of the Gibraltar Jewish community, during a world assembly of leaders which convened in Jerusalem this week under the auspices of the World Zionist Organization's Center for Religious Affairs.

There are 600 Jews in Gibraltar out of a total population of 30,000 which also includes 1500 Moslem immigrants from North Africa. With the outbreak of violence in the Territories, the Jewish community increased security at its institutions.

This aroused the anger of the Moroccan immigrants who protested to Jewish community leaders saying that they were deeply offended, since in Gibraltar all citizens are equal and there have been no displays of violence. Consequently the community removed its security and guards.

Israeli courts permitted to disclose that 7 Israeli Arabs who were apprehended in recent months, are accused of being recruited by the Hizballah to conduct espionage, terrorist attacks and kidnap IDF soldiers.

Unemployment in Israel reaches an all time high - 220,000 . Unemployment, which is now 9% of the work-force, is expected to rise as a result of the security situation.

Supreme Court President attacks the proposal to establish a separate court for the constitution, to decide on any constitutional issues. "It will be a catastrophe if the Knesset adopts this bill", he said.

Israel's foreign military purchases (MMF) in Europe will be conducted via the Internet. The Ministry of Defense mission, which handles purchases for defense purposes, will return to Israel or will be transferred to other positions overseas.

The Israeli Herzliya-based hi-tech company Visiontech, was sold to an American company traded on the Nasdaq for $350 million. The company develops chips which enable TV broadcasts to be displayed and picked up live on a computer, with the option of replay or stopping the program.

A study published in the journal of the Medical Association determines that: kibbutz and moshav members consume more alcohol than city dwellers, women drink less than men at social events.

Israel's President Moshe Katsav this week awarded the "Jerusalem Prize" for spiritual community leadership. The ceremony took place at the President's official residence as part of the Orthodox General Assembly which was held this week in Jerusalem, under the auspices of the World Zionist Organization's Center for Religious Affairs.

The prize was awarded to Rabbi Professor Norman Lamm, president of New York's Yeshiva University; Rabbi Professor Emmanuel Rackman - Chancellor of Bar Ilan University; Dr. Rivka Shlush - chair of the Board of Baltimore's Rambam Yeshiva, and Rabbi Yehuda Yogel - founder and Rosh Yeshiva of the Midreshet Noam Yeshiva High School in Pardess Hanna.

The winners were determined by a special panel of judges led by Prof. Moshe Kaveh - President of Bar Ilan University, as well as a board which includes Rabbi Shear Yishuv Cohen - Chief Rabbi of Haifa, and Rabbi Razon Aroussi - rabbi of Kiryat Ono. Rabbi Yehiel Wasserman who coordinates the panel said that: "Those who receive the prize, each in his own area of expertise, have dug wells of Torah and belief for Jewish life".

The prize awarding ceremony was attended by US Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk, Chief Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, Sephardi Chief Rabbi Bakshi Doron, Chairman of the Knesset Education Committee MK Zevulun Orlev, Chairman of Agudat Israel former MK Menachem Porush, and businessman Lev Levayev. Other participants in the ceremony were religious leaders from 35 countries all over the world and from Israel, who were in Jerusalem for orthodox leadership convention.

President Moshe Katsav awarding Jerusalem Prize to Yeshiva University
President Rabbi Norman Lamm (left), Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, Israel's Chief Rabbi (center), Rabbi Bakshi Doron, Israel's Sepharadi Chief Rabbi (right)
Photo: Joe Malcolm

A new approach to the use of the internet in the religious sector was demonstrated to hundreds of Jewish religious leaders who participated in the Orthodox General Assembly which convened in Jerusalem this week. The idea was presented by the Moreshet - Safe Lines company which was recently acquired by businessman Lev Levayev.

Yossi Miller, managing director of Moreshet, said that the new use of the internet includes on the one hand, blocked access to sites prohibited by the religious sector such as porno sites, and on the other advanced tools for conducting community life via the Internet.

Miller emphasized that besides control over content, this approach offers the use of educational aids and materials for Jewish schools; access to the Jewish world via a mechanism which will bring together all Jewish communities in one platform; and the possibility of purchasing products via the internet for Jewish communities in an organized, centralized fashion.

Eliezer Sheffer, chairman of the Orthodox General Assembly and member of the Zionist Executive, noted that one of the objectives of the assembly was to provide religious leaders in the Jewish communities with modern, scientific tools such as the computer and the Internet, without the concern that they are dangerous from the moral and religious perspective.

Ingredients

800 gr. white flour
1 packet yeast
1 packet baking powder
1.5 cups of lukewarm water
300 gr. green and black pitted olives, coarsely chopped
2 tsp. dry oregano
Pinch of salt
25 gr. melted margarine

Preparation

• Mix 600 gm. of flour, yeast and baking powder in a bowl. Gradually add the water and knead until a soft dough is formed. Cover with a damp tea-towel and leave to rise until size doubles.

• Pat olives dry and add to the dough. Add the remaining flour (200 gr.), salt, oregano, and mix well. Leave to again to rise until double in size.

• Knead the dough to remove the air. Divide the dough to form 3 long loaves.

• Grease three loaf tins and place the dough inside. Leave to rise for another 30 minutes.

• Brush the loaves with the melted margarine and sprinkle a little flour over top.

• Bake in a pre-heated oven at 180⁰ for 45 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

B'Te'avon! Bon Appetit!