Jewish Post, Indianapolis, Marion County, 22 May 2002 — Page 1

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The Indiana Jewish

Periodicals Postage PAID Indianapolis. IN

Volume 68, Number 37 May 22, 2002 • 11 Sivan 5762 www.jewishpostopinion.com

One Dollar

A NEW ISRAELI—Not in South Africa or eleswhere but in Israel is this elephant family which is welcoming its new-born at the Ramat Gan Zoological Center.

AN EXCITING VIEW— One of the exciting views when one can visit Israel is this one of the gardens surrounding the Bahai Temple at Haifa, especially when it is illuminated as in this instance.

A Note to Readers

Your Post & Opinion may run late for a few issues as we change over to a new production process. Thank you

Arafat didn’t order terror, maybe: report WASHINGTON — There is "no dear evidence" that Yasser Arafat or other senior officials of the Palestine Liberation Organization planned or approved of terror attacks on Israel in the latter half of 2001, according to a State Department report. However, the same report says there is evidence that senior leaders of the PLO and the Palestinian Authority knew that elements of Arafat's organization, including his bodyguards, were involved in violence against Israel and "did little to rein them in." The report to Congress noted that terrorists in the PLO went unpunished, and that the Palestinians had no system for bringing them to justice. Rep. Tom Lantos, D-Calif., senior Democrat on the House International Relations Committee, called the report "a disgrace and misleading" and "a crude and transparent attempt to exonerate Arafat rather than reveal the truth." "The Palestinian Authority has in some important respects at least tolerated an atmosphere that promoted or supported the use of violence," the report said. The report noted that terrorism suspects, even when arrested, were often quickly released were or were detained comfortably. There were several suicide bombings, including an attack on a pizzeria in Jerusalem that killed 15 Israelis, in the six-month period. An attempt to smuggle 50 tons of Iranian weapons and ammunition to the Palestinians was aborted by Israeli commandos weeks after the period covered by the report. Also, there was a rash of suicide bombings that occurred outside the time period reviewed. The Israeli government has charged Arafat knew of the smuggling, which violated the Oslo accords, and was aware of terror attacks. Lantos called for a supplementary report, focusing on the smuggling episode. He said it was obvious that Arafat was involved in terrorist activity. The administration is demanding that the Palestinians establish a unified security system that will curb the terror and allow negotiations toward creating a Palestinian state to continue. Israel, meanwhile, sent tanks roaring back into of Jenin in the West Bank. Rather than dry reports, Israel is seeking to cutb terrorism by cracking down on terrorists in the Palestinian areas. Israeli troops have spent several weeks in a sweep that targeted militants in West Bank communities. Arafat, under pressure to create an appearance of fairness, announced that he would hold presidential and parliamentary elections within six months. Previous attempts to reform his administration have changed little. He has ignored laws passed by his parliament and decisions by the judiciary. Israeli officials voiced skepticism of his proposals. Arafat has run the Palestinian territories virtually unchallenged since Israel permitted his return from exile eight years ago, but pressure on him is growing. The United States wants evidence that corruption within the Palestine Authority will be reduced if the U.S. is to continue providing aid to the PA. The European Union also has called for reforms within the PA. Palestinian legislator Hanan Ashrawi has said elections should be held on all levels to bring new people into the government. Israel Prime Minister Sharon has urged the United States and other nations to reject Arafat's administration and appoint an interim Palestinian government for a year to carry out reforms.