Watchman Newsletter

Revisiting the Jordan option

YNet News (Link) - Asaf Romirowsky (April 23, 2011)

Amid the unrest now sweeping the Middle East, Israeli government and security officials are quietly discussing an unusual strategy that would pass the Palestinians’ political future off to Jordan. With the odds of a negotiated two-state solution at an all-time low, former Defense Minister Moshe Arens, Knesset Member Arieh Eldad, and Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin resurrected the “Jordan is Palestine” model for regional peace.

Israeli officials fear that a Palestinian Intifada could break out on both sides of the Jordan River, and they seek to make it as much a Jordanian problem as an Israeli one.

In February, Human Rights Watch, the world’s self-proclaimed defender of minority rights, produced a 60-page report entitled, “Stateless Again: Palestinian-Origin Jordanians Deprived of their Nationality.” The paper details how Jordan deprives its Palestinian citizens of West Bank origins their basic rights, such education and healthcare. The report received scant attention back then. But the problem of Jordanian Palestinians, amidst growing unrest in the Hashemite Kingdom, has put the issue back on the front burner.

Israeli analysts worry that if the Jordanian government is to become more representative, it is possible that the country’s 72% Palestinian population could effectively take control. Jordan, in effect, could become “Palestine.”

Israel and Hezbollah Prepare for War

The National Interest (Link) - Asaf Romirowsky & Avi Jorisch (April 21, 2011)

Hezbollah and Israel are once again facing the void, and both parties appear to be preparing for another confrontation. According to press reports, since its 2006 hostilities with Israel, Hezbollah has amassed more than forty thousand weapons, spread out over one thousand facilities across southern Lebanon. Once again, these strongholds are reportedly situated in civilian areas.

Hezbollah has done its homework and believes it is ready to face its southern neighbor, come what may. For its part, Israel has done a thorough review of the Second Lebanon War and made traditional and untraditional military preparations for conflict. Policymakers and analysts alike in Washington, Paris, London, Beirut, and Jerusalem are beginning to brace themselves for the spark that will light up the eastern Mediterranean.

Israel pulled out of Lebanon in May 2000 after an occupation of almost 20 years, not as a result of a peace agreement, cease-fire, or informal understanding on the status of forces on the border, but as a unilateral move. Hezbollah and its supporters interpreted the withdrawal as a milestone in the organization’s development as a military and political force in Lebanon, and as a resounding victory in its struggle against the “Zionist entity.” The withdrawal was depicted as a great defeat for Israel, a sentiment shared by many Israelis. As Hezbollah often claims (with some truth), this was the “first Arab victory in the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict.”

Obama’s plan: Palestinian state, without right of return

YNet News (Link) - Yitzhak Benhorin (April 21, 2011)

The White House has been working on a new peace initiative for the past three months, one that revolves around a few key principles: A Palestinian state without the right of return, Jerusalem as the capital of both states, and an emphasis on Israel’s security needs.

According to an article published in the New York Times Thursday, the details of the proposal are yet to be hashed out.

Officials at the Prime Minister’s Office did not rush to respond to the NY Times report. Thursday evening, sources in Jerusalem said that Israel was not surprised by the American plan currently being worked out.

“Everyone knew something is being formulated in Washington,” one official said.

At this time it’s unclear whether Prime Minister Netanyahu was aware of the initiative and gave it his blessing. Some officials estimated that the Obama plan is meant to affect the PM’s upcoming speech, which is expected to feature Israel’s new peace initiative.

Energy saving bulbs ‘release cancer causing chemicals’, say scientists

Daily Mail UK (Link) (April 20, 2011)

Energy saving bulbs emit cancer causing chemicals it was claimed last night as new fears were raised about their safety.

Scientists said they should not be left on for long periods of time or placed close to a person’s head because they release poisonous materials.

The EU has unveiled plans to phase out ‘normal’ incandescent bulbs by the end of next year as they try to cut carbon emissions.

They should not be used by adults to read or kept near a child’s head all night, the experts said.

While it is already known that harmful amounts of Mercury are released if one of the new ‘green’ bulbs is broken, the latest research shows other carcinogenic chemicals are emitted when they are switched on.

The German research shows that the chemicals are released as a form of steam.

Sheriff claims Border Patrol has told officers to STOP arresting Mexican illegal immigrants... to keep official figures down

Daily Mail UK (Link) (April 20, 2011)

Border Patrol agents have told dozens of law enforcement officers to stop arresting illegal immigrants crossing into the U.S. from Mexico, an Arizona sheriff has claimed Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever claims the order was issued to reduce official figures on the number of apprehensions at the border.

He said agents have instead told him and other law enforcement officers to chase the immigrants back towards Mexico.

He claims has been ‘flooded’ with emails supporting his accusations.

The revelations come just a few weeks after Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano cited the lower arrest rates as evidence of a more secure border.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection commissioner Alan Bersin even said: “The border is more secure than it has ever been.”

Sheriff Dever first made the claims to Fox News earlier this month, saying several Border Patrol officials - including at least one senior supervisor - told him they had been ordered to turn immigrants ‘Back South’ (TBS) rather than arresting them.

World Bank president: ‘One shock away from crisis’

BBC News (Link) (April 17, 2011)

The president of the World Bank has warned that the world is “one shock away from a full-blown crisis.”

Robert Zoellick cited rising food prices as the main threat to poor nations who risk “losing a generation.”

He was speaking in Washington at the end of the spring meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

Meanwhile, G20 finance chiefs, who also met in Washington, pledged financial support to help new governments in the Middle East and North Africa.

Mr Zoellick said such support was vital.

Itamar Massacre Solved, Two Arrested

YNet News (Link) - Hanan Greenberg (April 17, 2011)

Cleared for Publication: Shin Bet, IDF and police have arrested two Palestinians, both residents of the village of Awarta, in connection to the Fogel family massacre in Itamar in March.

The first suspect is Hakim Mazen Awad, 18, a high school student whose father was active in the Popular Front terror organization. Awad has a prison record. His uncle, who was killed in clashes with IDF forces in 2003, was involved in a June 2002 terror attack in Itamar, which left five dead.

The second suspect, Amjad Mahmad Awad, 19, also a student, is affiliated with the Popular Front.

The two suspects confessed to their involvement in the murders, and said that they sought to carry out a terror attack in order to kill Israelis. They expressed no regret over the murders.

The Shin Bet arrested the two subsequent to a strenuous investigation, which included the interrogation of multiple persons of interest in the case.

Steel On Steel Persecution Update: India Briefs

Steel on Steel - Mahruaii Sailo and Binaifer Wadia (April 17, 2011)

Karnataka – Police on April 10 arrested a pastor and other Christians of the New India Church in Mysore after some 25 Hindu extremists from the Sreeram Sena attacked their Sunday service, accusing them of forcible conversions, reported the Mathrubhumi daily. Pastor Vinod Chacko was leading the service when the Hindu nationalists barged into the church, stopped the prayer service and complained to police of alleged forcible conversions. The Global Council of Indian Christians reported that the extremists along with police detained the worshippers inside the church building, including 20 women and 10 children, taking down personal details about them and asking them whether they were paid money or otherwise lured to attend. Police also seized vehicles belonging to the church and those attending the service. Police charged Pastor Chacko, his wife Asha and others identified only as Sabu, Simon and Sayazu under section 295A of the Indian Penal Code with “deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings.” – BW