Reported from Jerusalem
1. STRIKE DISRUPTS AIRPORT, GOVERNMENT SERVICES… The job action by Israel’s giant Histadrut labor federation got off to a sensational start on Monday, producing havoc at Israel’s main gateway, Ben Gurion International Airport. Fights were reported to have broken out between irate passengers whose wait for their luggage was seemingly endless, only to be subjected to extremely long lines at customs where inspectors were stopping each and every traveler and checking each and every bag. Although there have been no negotiations between the unions and Treasury, Histadrut chief Amir Peretz talked through the night with Transportation Minister Avigdor Lieberman in an unsuccessful effort to avert Tuesday’s escalation of the strike, including a shutdown of Israel’s ports. The Finance Ministry has responded with threats to dock the pay of striking workers – a measure that seems obvious in many countries, but not in Israel. The Histadrut is reportedly planning a major expansion of the strike following Monday’s national celebration of Yom Kippur. That escalation will include disruption of flights in and out of Israel, a job action by hospital workers, and the additional suspension of government administrative services. Unions made an exception on Monday to allow single mothers to register with the employment service in order to comply with a new condition for social welfare benefits.
2. AMERICAN DIPLOMATS WARN ISRAEL ON DEMOGRAPHIC FALLOUT OF SETTLEMENT POLICY… In what might signal a strategic shift, the Bush Administration chose a U.S.-Arab forum in Detroit to caution Israel that its settlement policy threatens the Jewish democratic character of the state. Undersecretary of State William Burns, who is the Administration’s Middle East point person at the State Department, told the assemblage of Arab-Americans that, “The fact is that settlements continue to grow today, encouraged by specific government policies and at enormous expense to Israel’s economy, and this persists even as it becomes clear that the logic of settlements and the reality of demographics could threaten the future of Israel as a Jewish democracy.” Burns argued that the Israeli policy will prevent the “two-state solution” that is the underpinning of Bush Administration policy.
3. ARRESTS IN CASE OF SOLDIER MURDERED IN JULY… The arrest of three Israeli Arabs who are accused of kidnapping and murdering army corporal Oleg Shaihat is igniting new tension between Israel’s Jewish and Arab populations. The three suspects, all of whom are from the village of Kafr Kana in the lower Galilee, will be arraigned Tuesday morning. Member of Knesset Wasal Taha, himself a former mayor of Kafr Kana, told Army Radio that the act is being condemned by residents of the village. He stressed that the trio is not connected to any Palestinian terror organization. While police are suggesting that the theft of Shaihat’s rifle probably motivated the crime in order to sell the weapon to terrorists, the kidnap/killing has so far not been labeled a “nationalist” crime. The arrests were made almost two months ago but were subject to a gag order.
4. FENCE TO BE BUILT EAST OF ARIEL, BUT NOT THROUGH AL-QUDS UNIVERSITY… Ariel Sharon will press ahead with construction of Israel’s controversial security fence to the east of two post-1967 communities. He will, however, alter the barrier’s route so that it will not dissect Al-Quds University as was previously planned. Speaking to his Likud Party faction, Sharon said that the city of Ariel and the village of Kedumim will be protected by barriers, but apparently will not be connected to the main fence for the time being. His decision is believed to reflect an understanding with the Bush Administration. Sharon told the group that, “If we reach a point where the matter once again creates a dispute, we will sit with the Americans again.” In an attempt to diffuse another fence-related issue, Israel will not build the fence through Al-Quds University in East Jerusalem as was previously announced. (Read more on this story here [3])
5. BEVERLY HILLS GRAFFITI SLURS BUSH, JEWS… Police are investigating a rash of graffiti that was sprayed on at least 15 homes and several businesses in Beverly Hills over the weekend. Although the messages, which attacked both President Bush and Jews, appeared during Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, police say that they lacked a discernable pattern and did not appear on any religious institutions.