Israel a Day in the Life of .....

Here in Israel it is interesting to see what priorities head the news ....

FREE World Cup Socer in Israel

Eitan Cabel is the new Israeli Minister responsible for the Israel Broadcasting Authority, but he has already come out with announcements, conducted interviews and made political contacts aimed at letting the public know that he is completely in favor of people being able to watch the World Cup soccer championships for free.

Charlton, owned by Eli Azur and Pini Zahavi, have the local Israeli TV rights to the World Cup it's expected revenues from the World Cup are $23 million, of which $6.2 million will come from selling the broadcasting rights to commercial television channels, cellular telephone operators and Internet providers. The rest will come from the sale of some 200 ,000 subscriptions to the World Cup channel on cable and satellite TV. IDF soldiers will so far receive free viewing.

It is difficult to see how Cabel's promise can be kept.


French Fireworks on Tel Aviv Beachfront

An estimated 300,000 people packed the Tel Aviv beachfront Tuesday night to watch a massive offshore fireworks display orchestrated by a French production company specializing in pyrotechnics.

Five tons of fireworks were launched from a raft located 400 meters off the coast over the course of 28 minutes - making this the largest pyrotechnic display in Israel's history.

A computer was programmed to synchronize the musical beats with the fireworks.

The performance kicks off "Voila!"  a season of French culture, featuring art, theater, music, film and fashion events scheduled which will continue until August.Police issued a statement Wednesday denying accusations it mishandled Thursday's fireworks display that led to massive traffic jams in the Tel Aviv area.

2 More years to complete "Security Fence"

According to figures issued by the Defense Ministry today , only 336 kilometers of the security fence are considered operational out of a total planned length of 790 kilometers. An additional 102 kilometers are in various stages of construction, 67 kilometers are still at the paperwork level, and the building of 285 kilometers is still waiting for court approval.

Hams set up embryo militias defying Abbas

Earlier today (Wednesday,May 17th '06) the Hamas government has started deploying members of a new security unit made up of militants across the Gaza Strip, despite a veto by Abbas.The unit is headed by Jamal Abu Samhadaneh, a militant high on Israel's wanted list.

The move will heighten tensions between Hamas and Abbas' Fatah Party even further.

In direct defiance of Abbas' veto, Interior Minister Said Siyam of Hamas announced earlier Wednesday that the unit would begin operations. "In line with my authority, I announce the beginning of the work of the executive unit that was formed recently to protect the security of the citizens and their property," Siyam told a news conference.

Karni crossing re-opened to commercial traffic by Perutz

Defence Minister Amir Peretz, leader of the Labor Party reopened the main cargo crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip ar Karni , which may be the start of a policy shift aimed at easing some of Israel’s security restrictions on the Palestinians.

Israel had kept the Karni crossing closed in both directions since April 4. It has been closed for a total of 55 days since Jan. 1. Every day, the Palestinian economy loses at least $1.5 million when Karni is closed, according to PalTrade, a coalition of Palestinian business people that monitors trade. Karni has been a target of attacks by Palestinian militants.

IDF kill at least 10 Palestinians in raids in Nablus / Jenin

IDF forces operating in the West Bank town of Nablus early Wednesday killed at least two members of Islamic Jihad’s armed wing, the al-Quds Brigades, and injured another seriously during gun battles in the city.

The terrorists who were shot dead were identified as Ilar resident Mustafa Abed el-Rani, a senior Jihad leader in Tul Karm, and Ustman Sadaka, from the village of Anza, near Jenin. Early this week an IDF force killed top organization leaders in Qabatiyeh, near Jenin. Seven Palestinians, among them a security officer and Islamic Jihad and Fatah’s al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades members were killed

Also on Sunday, Palestinian sources said that a security officer died in exchanges of fire between the IDF and wanted terror suspects in the West Bank town of Jenin.

Former PA security funds manager Fuad Shubaki tells of arms purchases by Arafat.

Fuad Shubaki was kidnapped in the Jericho Prison charade and has been interrogated by Shin Beth and told ;

1. Shubaki admitted that money received by Israel was used by the PA to fund terrorist cells which operated against Israel.

2. He also admitted that under Arafat's instructions, the Palestinian Authority was involved in smuggling and producing weapons, and funding terrorist cells which operated against Israel.

3. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard and Hizbullah were behind the Karine A weapons ship intercepted by Israel in January 2002. The Iranians and Hizbullah coordinated the arms ship with senior members of the Palestinian Authority, he said.

4. Shubaki met Iranian envoys in 2001, who offered military aid to the PA, including sites to produce weapons, technology to produce arms, and military training.

It must be remembered that Shubaki made a visit in 2002 to Baghdad where he met with high-level Iraqi officials. The Iraqis committed themselves to supply the Palestinians with large amounts of weaponry, at no charge (Ma'ariv, January 16, 2002).