AG blocks Gaza Power Cut

Zuvor muß ich mich bei Pamela Geller entschuldigen. [:-)] Nicht ihre webseite ist vireninfiziert, sondern wohl die ynet-webseite. Also beim anklicken aufpassen.

Attorney general blocks controversial move to limit supply of electricity to Gaza in attempt to bring an end to rocket attacks against Israel, says defense establishment must present more solid case for such a move. Meanwhile however, proposals to sever economic, trade ties with Gaza approved. "It has been determined that further administrative work must be done by the defense establishment regarding the option of cutting electricity back in a manner befitting the government's decision on the matter when it conditioned any such move with the risk of exacerbating humanitarian difficulties for the civilian population in Gaza." ... Justice Ministry spokesman Moshe Cohen said Monday's meeting was held in accordance with that provision and was not called to prepare for a petition to the High Court of Justice filed Sunday and due to be heard in the next few days. Monday night was the first time Mazuz had seen the suggested measures, Cohen said. [Erstaunlich. Wenn man bedenkt das der Regierungsauftrag an das Verteidigungsministerium vor über fünf Wochen erfolgte einen zweigleisigen Fuel/Power-Cit-Plan auf Basis der "Enemy Entity"-Erklärung abzugeben und zudem Vilnai, der deputy von Barak gerade auf die kritisierte humanitären Klauseln einging gehe ich eher von einer innenpolitischen Intrige aus. Barak handelte mit seinem Beschluß diese Woche wohl im Alleingang und er setzte sich definitiv wie ich bemerkt habe über demokratische Gepflogenheiten hinweg ohne das man eine Notsituation erkennen könnte. Das humanitäre Beispiel: "According to an example provided by Channel 10 news, Mazuz instructed the army to determine how to warn Gaza hospitals of its intention to cut electricity in enough time so that the hospitals could turn on their own generators." ist doch Angesichts der ins Feld geführten Bedrohung durch Qassam-Rakten äußerst marginal bedeutsam einzustufen. Was mir fehlt ist dieses: "Senior defense officials decided in an urgent meeting Tuesday -23.10.- to recommend to Defense Minister Ehud Barak and the cabinet the imposition of further sanctions on the Gaza Strip." Ich sehe da seither keinen Kabinettsbeschluß. Die von Mazuz ins Feld geführte Problematik: "However, in regard to halting the electricity supply, the attorney general said that further consideration would be required before such a measure could be implemented without violating the prime minister's promise last week "not to cause a humanitarian crisis" in the Gaza Strip." ist zwar unbedeutend [der PM hat sich wie die Regierung an Gesetze zu halten, egal was er sagt], aber ein zarter Hinweis in die Richtung Innenpolitk. Klar ist das die Sonne Olmert in Annapolis mit einer fetten power-cut-in-Gaza-Wolke vor ihr nicht mehr so sonnig wie geplant scheinen wird.]

Israeli intelligence believes that Palestinians would lack the will for a new popular uprising against occupation should an upcoming peace conference fail to meet their expectations, a senior official said on Monday. Yuval Diskin, head of the Shin Bet internal security agency, told a parliamentary committee that while failure at the conference could provoke some violence, it would not reach the same level as the Intifada, or uprising, which began in 2000 when the last major peace initiative collapsed. "In my estimation ... The Palestinians are exhausted. There isn't the energy in the public and there also isn't the leadership right now that could spur such resistance," Diskin was quoted by a parliamentary spokesman as telling lawmakers.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Monday announced plans to build several nuclear power plants, joining several Middle East Arab countries that recently have said they are kick starting their nuclear energy ambitions. ++++ ISRAEL-OPT: Violence, lack of land access, make for bitter olive harvest ++++ Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas suggested that he would hold talks with Hamas if they agreed to hand over control of the Gaza Strip. In an interview with Kuwait's Al-Rai newspaper printed Sunday, Abbas said the Palestinian Authority considers Hamas to be "a part of the Palestinian people."

Palestine is not a piece of real estate for Mahmoud Abbas - By Khalid Amayreh

Confronted by mounting U.S. and U.N. pressure, Iran has been steadily shifting its trade from West to East and, with the benefit of record high oil prices, is likely to be able to withstand the new U.S. sanctions, according to U.S., European and Iranian analysts. ++++ John Vinocour: The Bush administration's foreign policy has often had trouble sounding both tough and reasonable. The combination is no guarantee of success, but like thinking and chewing gum at the same time, it's possible.

A flurry of regional and local diplomatic activity, focused on ensuring presidential elections take place on time, continued Monday with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki's visit to Syria, where he met President Bashar Assad and Foreign Minister Walid Moallem. ++++ Reputed clairvoyant Michel Hayek predicted late on Sunday that "Lebanon will witness the election of a new president despite current problems." He also ruled out the "imminent" threat of civil war. In an interview with George Salibi on New TV, Hayek foresaw "a few skirmishes and problems" in the country. [Michel Hayek wird bal ein neues Buch veröffentlichen. Hier nochmal zum schmunzeln und schmökern eine Übersicht für 2007 + x]