Reported from Jerusalem
1. PRISONER SWAP DEAL REPORTED IMMINENT… Reports abound that a prisoner swap between Israel and the Hizbullah terrorist organization that will include the release of Palestinian prisoners is imminent. Israeli officials are saying little about details of the negotiations that are continuing through German intermediaries, while most information has come from Hizbullah chief Sayyid Hasan Na’srallah. Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz cautioned against assuming that all of Na’srallah’s revelations are accurate. Although Israel will receive captive businessman Elhanan Tennenbaum and the bodies of three soldiers kidnapped three years ago in exchange for at least 300 prisoners, many Israelis are angered that airman Ron Arad, missing for 17 years and a cause-célèbre in Israel, has apparently been dropped from Israel’s demands. This has been made more painful by reports that Sheikh ‘Ubeid and Mu’stafa Dirani, Israel’s two key bargaining chips originally captured in dramatic raids for use in obtaining the release of Arad, will go free. Israel Air Force Commander Dan Halutz has voiced his opposition to any exchange that excludes Arad and the Arad family has filed suit in Tel Aviv District Court against Dirani for 100 million shekels ($22.5 million) compensation, accusing him of holding Arad for at least two years. The family is also expected to seek an injunction to stop the transfer of prisoners.
2. PLOT TO BLOW UP ISRAELI PLANE THWARTED IN BANGKOK… Thailand’s Prime Minister has confirmed that a plot to blow-up El Al passenger planes was thwarted in Bangkok. A terrorist from the Al-Jama’a Al-Islamiyya organization, which is associated with Al-Qa’ida, confessed to the plot after his arrest in August. According to Israel’s Channel 2 television, the suspect was arrested after being spotted photographing the El Al ticket counter at Bangkok International Airport. Plans for the attack were found later during a search of his apartment. Discovery of the plot comes amid numerous warnings of potential terror attacks on Israel and American interests throughout the world.
3. ISRAELI SOLDIER KILLED IN ACCIDENT… The Israeli army has appointed a team to investigate the death of a soldier in an accident on Tuesday. 21-year old Sergeant Eliran Toldedano was crushed to death when a bulldozer doing routine work at an army outpost near Beit ‘Sahour, east of Bethlehem, pushed a concrete slab over him. Medical teams tried unsuccessfully to save the soldier.
4. BUSH ADDRESS TO U.N.: MORE PRESSURE ON ARAFAT… U.S. President George W. Bush used his speech to the United Nations General Assembly to add to his criticism of Yassir Arafat. Bush told the Assembly that the Palestinians were being “betrayed by leaders who cling to power by feeding old hatreds and destroying the good work of others,” an apparent reference to Arafat. He called for “new leaders committed to reform, to fighting terror and to building peace.”
5. U.S. WILL NOT PENALIZE ISRAEL FOR FENCE CONSTRUCTION… Israeli Foreign Minister Sylvan Shalom will meet with U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice amid media reports that a compromise on construction of the security fence has been reached and that the U.S. will not penalize Israel for the cost of the fence. Israel is being docked against American loan guarantees for money spent on building in post-1967 territories. It is also being reported that in the most controversial area, the post-1967 city of Ariel, a flexible “modular” barrier will be created. Initially, it will be a separate barrier surrounding the community, with the ability to join it to the main fence at a later time if the security situation warrants. Shalom will argue for a route that encompasses as many Israeli residents of the post-1967 territories as possible.