Reported from Jerusalem
1. BUS BOMB EXPLODES NEAR PRIME MINISTER’S RESIDENCE IN JERUSALEM… A powerful bomb exploded aboard a number 19 bus traveling near the prime minister’s residence in Jerusalem on Thursday morning shortly after 9 a.m. At this writing, 10 are confirmed dead and 45 injured, but the death toll could rise. The site of the attack is only feet from the Moment Café, the scene of a previous suicide attack that became symbolic of the Palestinian terror campaign that began in September 2000 and has claimed more than 900 Israeli lives. Today’s attack follows a bombing in the Tel Aviv area by one month. It is believed that the bomber boarded the bus at the Hadassah Hospital in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Ein Karem where Arab men and women are a common sight, many either working at the hospital, coming for treatment or visiting friends and family. [Hear Bureau Chief David Zev Harris’s report from the scene on today’s ISN NEWS. [1]]
2. PRISONER SWAP CARRIED OUT ON THURSDAY… A long and complicated procedure that will fulfill the terms of the prisoner swap agreed upon by Israel and the Hizbullah terrorist organization is being carried out at this writing. As the process began, it was confirmed for the first time that the three Israeli soldiers captured by Hizbullah three years ago are dead. The release of the three bodies and Israeli national Elhanan Tennenbaum who has been held by Hizbullah in Lebanon for the past three years will earn Hizbullah the release of more than 400 Palestinian and 35 prisoners from other Arab lands who have been prisoners in Israeli jails. The bodies of 59 terrorists killed during attacks on Israeli targets will be bused to the border at Rosh HaNiqrah where they will cross into Lebanon whilst the Palestinian prisoners are being reabsorbed into the Palestinian areas, a source of concern to many Israelis. Hizbullah leaders Sheikh ‘Ubeid and Mu’stafa Dirani — Israel’s two most important bargaining chips – have landed at a German military base near Cologne where the exchange will be made, as has Tennenbaum and the bodies of the three soldiers. Only when the identifications of the remains are confirmed by an Israeli forensics team in Germany, will the convoy be permitted to cross into Lebanon and ‘Ubeid and Dirani put on a plane to Beirut. Israel’s High Court of Justice rejected an appeal by two citizens’ groups to stop the exchange.
3. PRISONER EXCHANGE REMAINS CONTROVERSIAL TO THE END… Unlike the public displays of joy planned for Beirut after Friday prayers in celebration of the return of Lebanese terrorists, the scene on the Israeli side will be much different. The deal that resulted in today’s prisoner exchange has been controversial from the start and not without bitterness until the end. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has even received public criticism for arranging a ceremony at the airfield when the bodies of three soldiers killed by Hizbullah arrive back in Israel that coincides with broadcast times of the nightly news programs. All three networks will provide live coverage of the event over which Sharon will preside. Criticism stems from a number of reasons. Many are angered that the government failed to make Ron Arad, an airman missing for 17 years and an Israeli cause célèbre for a generation, an integral part of the swap; others are angered that three soldiers missing since 1982 were never part of the negotiations although the government refers to the deal as proof that “no Israeli will be forgotten”; and others, as exemplified by the unsuccessful legal effort by two citizens’ groups to block the exchange, oppose releasing convicted terrorists who can return to violence as have many released before them. Media charges against the prime minister include opinions calling the exchange a victory by Hizbullah chief Na’srallah and suggestions that elements of the deal reek of a “wag the dog” tactic to deflect news of Sharon’s worsening legal woes. Yet, officials close to Sharon have seemingly begun to prepare Israelis for more unpopular deals in the future, including the possible release of thousands of terrorists, many guilty of heinous attacks. [See The Media Line’s video presentation on the exchange here. [2]]
4. ISRAEL WILL GET HELP AT THE HAGUE – ON PRINCIPLE… Twenty member nations of the United Nations will tell the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague that it has no business in the issue of Israel’s security buffer. The U.N. General Assembly asked the ICJ to rule on the legality of the buffer and the Court has begun deliberations. Now, at least 20 nations, and possibly as many as 30 — including the United States and Russia — will tell the Court that the matter is one for negotiations and not for international legal action. Significantly, none of the nations protesting the involvement of the ICJ support Israel’s position. Their concern is the precedent of relegating diplomatic issues to the Court and creating the perception that the United Nations is not able to fulfill its mandate. The first hearing is on February 23rd, at which time the justices can decide to kick the matter back to the U.N. with no action by the ICJ.