1. PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY TARGETS ABUSIVE INTERNAL SECURITY UNIT AS SIGN OF REFORM… The Palestinian Authority says it will disband an internal security unit known for its abuse and intimidation of civilians in the Gaza Strip. Rashid Abu Shbak, who heads the Palestinian Authority Preventive Security Service, said on Saturday that he will abolish a 70-member unit that has earned the nickname “death squad.” Members of the unit, however, will be re-assigned to other Palestinian security services rather than be disciplined. A Palestinian human rights group has called for the unit’s members to be placed on trial. Abu Shbak made clear that the intent of disbanding the unit signals a “new phase” of reform. He also said that other units, including the Al-Aq’sa Martyrs Brigades, would be absorbed by the Palestinian security services. The Al-Aq’sa group has claimed credit for numerous terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians. One analyst for The Media Line pointed out that all of the moves announced since the death of Yassir Arafat have been aimed at internal control and nothing to date has been directed towards ending violence against Israeli targets.
2. ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER TO TEST POST-ARAFAT MOOD OF PALESTINIANS, INTENTIONS OF SYRIANS… Israeli Foreign Minister Sylvan Shalom’s trip to The Hague on Monday will be the first opportunity to assess the mood of the new Palestinian leadership since the death of Yassir Arafat. The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership/Barcelona Process is the only international political forum in which Israel participates alongside such Arab countries as Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and the Palestinian Authority. Shalom will meet with the Palestinian external affairs minister Nabil Sha’ath in the first post-Arafat encounter of that level. Observers are also watching to see whether a feeler sent to Israel via U.N. envoy Terje Roed-Larsen by Syrian President Bashar Al-Asad last week bears substance. It was the latest in a series of missives sent to Prime Minister Sharon asking to return to the negotiating table.
3. ISRAEL TO HOST EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, INTELLIGENCE CHIEF… Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu Al-Gheit and Intelligence Minister ‘Umar Suleiman will visit Jerusalem on Wednesday for meetings with Prime Minster Ariel Sharon on issues ranging from post-Arafat political developments to details surrounding Israel’s proposed unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Utmost on the Israeli agenda is a commitment from the Egyptians to secure their border with Gaza and prevent smuggling of arms and terrorists through tunnels dug beneath the Rafah area. That section of border, known as the Philadelphi Strip, remains the primary obstacle to a full Israeli withdrawal. Sharon had said repeatedly that Israel will retain control over that area, but appears to be looking for a way to reverse himself in light of strong international pressure. Newsweek magazine is reporting today that Sharon and Mahmoud ‘Abbas, the leading candidate to replace Yassir Arafat, have, in separate interviews, expressed willingness to hold a one-on-one meeting after the Palestinian elections slated for January 9th.
4. JAILED BARGHOUTHI RECANTS CANDIDACY FOR PALESTINIAN LEADERSHIP; ‘ABBAS WILL MAKE HIM ‘DEPUTY’… Marwan Barghouthi, the Palestinian strongman serving five consecutive life sentences in an Israeli jail for terrorist murders, has recanted his decision to challenge Mahmoud ‘Abbas for leadership of the Palestinian Authority. The announcement came at a news conference called by Barghouthi deputy Kadurrah Faris on Friday. ‘Abbas, in response, said that if he wins the election for P.A. chairman he will name Barghouthi as a deputy. There will be an election of a new central committee of the Fatah faction in August, at which time Barghouthi is expected to be elected to the 24-member body.
5. ARAB LEAGUE PRESIDENT BASHES ISRAEL OVER REJECTION OF SYRIAN OVERTURE… Arab League president ‘Amru Mousa says that Israel’s rejection of a Syrian overture to return to the negotiating table proves that it has no interest in seeking peace. Mousa said on Saturday that this shows “the Arab countries’ desire for a peaceful solution (to the Arab-Israeli conflict) and Israel’s rejection of this trend.” His comments followed a meeting with U.N. Mideast envoy Terje Roed-Larsen, through whom the latest message was relayed to Israel.
6. U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT ISSUES NEW WARNING AGAINST TRAVELING TO ISRAEL, WEST BANK, GAZA… The U.S. State Department has issued a new warning against travel by American citizens to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. The State Department said terrorist attacks have occurred in Israel and areas frequented by tourists, and cited “ongoing concerns regarding locations associated with American interests in Israel.” One analyst for The Media Line pointed out that while the advisory is nothing new, it is nevertheless the first pessimistic reminder of the severity of the situation following a number of post-Arafat incidents being presented as signs of optimism.
7. ISRAELI PRESIDENT CALLS FOR CONDITIONAL END TO BARRIER CONSTRUCTION… Israeli President Moshe Katsav favors an end to construction of the controversial security buffer – if certain conditions are met. Katsav told the Hebrew daily Ma’ariv that it would be in the interest of both the Israelis and Palestinians to halt construction, but that could only happen if the Palestinians halt terror attacks. He said that, “If the Palestinians end terror, Israel must stop building the separation fence.” Katsav added that the end to Palestinian terror would have to be observed over a prolonged period.
8. ANTI-GAZA WITHDRAWAL CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCED… Israel’s political right wing has announced plans for a national door-to-door campaign in opposition to Ariel Sharon’s proposed unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. The campaign is viewed as up-hill at best, with all polls showing strong popular support for the pullout. One tactic will be to encourage thousands of Israeli Jews who do not live in Gaza to join with Gaza residents to disrupt the evacuation. Another is to encourage Jewish families to take up residence in the Gaza Strip prior to the commencement of the evacuation. A third element is arguably the most controversial: a campaign to encourage noncompliance that is aimed at soldiers serving in the southern region of the nation. Several right wing groups will try to convince residents of the rest of the country that if Gaza is evacuated, Qassam rockets will fall on their cities.