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** Homicide Bomber Attempts Explosion Near Haifa
** EU Refrains From Adding Hizbullah to Terror List
** 34th Zionist Congress Opens Today in Jerusalem
** English-Arabic Satellite Network to Debut on June 25
** Economic Briefs
Palestinian Ambush Kills Two in Gaza
Two Israeli soldiers were killed and four others were injured, one seriously, when they were ambushed late Saturday evening by armed Palestinians near Dugit, in the northern Gaza Strip, MA’ARIV reported. The soldiers killed in the incident were identified as Staff Sergeant Hezki Gutman, 22, from Beit El, and Sergeant Sergei Alexei Gladkov, 20 from Beer Sheva. The two were members of the Givati Brigade’s Orev (Raven) unit. Their commander, Lt. Anatoly Karsik, was seriously injured and Second Lt. Sa’ar Elul sustained light injuries.
Itamar Ben-Amit described his best friend Hezki as "pure gold, always smiling no matter what the situation." He is survived by his parents and seven brothers and sisters. Alexi Gladkov just celebrated his twentieth birthday with his mother and sister Marina. "We recalled childhood memories and former birthdays, and how he used to crawl under the table when he was small. We were proud of him in every way. He was a good friend," Marina said.
Both soldiers were laid to rest on Sunday.
Homicide Bomber Attempts Explosion Near Haifa
A homicide bomber exploded himself near a Border Police patrol outside the Israeli Arab village of Mardza located near Haifa, early this morning, killing himself, but causing no other casualties, HA’ARETZ reported. Police Spokesman Gil Kleiman said three border police saw the bomber approaching and were suspicious of him. As they approached him, he set off the explosives, damaging the police patrol vehicle, but not injuring any officers. Initial police reports indicate the terrorist came from Nablus, located in the West Bank.
Meanwhile, according to MA’ARIV, Israel began construction of a 115 kilometer-long (71miles) security fence on Sunday, aimed at preventing Palestinian terrorists from infiltrating into Israel. The electrified chain-link fence, which will be accompanied by motion detectors and adjacent patrol lines, will run roughly along the Green Line. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Minister of Defense Benjamin Ben-Eliezer told the Cabinet at Sunday’s meeting that the fence was for security purposes and in no way marks a political border. Ben-Eliezer said "this fence has one single goal – to defend the lives of Israeli citizens."
EU Refrains From Adding Hizbullah to Terror List
The European Union decided to place the al-Aksa Martyrs Brigades and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestinian on its terror blacklist, but not Hizbullah, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told the Cabinet on Sunday that the inclusion of the two terror organizations is "very significant," but he added that, until Hizbullah is on the list, "the job is not done."
A senior Israeli diplomatic official said that France is opposed to including Hizbullah on the list, saying it is a political party and declaring it a terror organization could be a destabilizing factor in Lebanon. The EU followed the United States’ lead late last year and published a list of foreign terrorist organizations. That list included Islamic Jihad and Izzadin Kassam, the military wing of Hamas. Hizbullah, the al-Aksa Martyrs Brigades, and PFLP are all on the US State Department’s list of foreign terror organizations.
34th Zionist Congress Opens Today in Jerusalem
The 34th Zionist Congress will open today, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. According to Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor, the Congress, "is the most significant expression of Jewish solidarity with Israel" since violence broke out in the region in September 2000. Approximately 1,200 delegates and alternates from Israel and 33 other countries as well as an additional 300activists from throughout the world are expected to attend the Congress.
For the first time since the initial Zionist Congress convened in Basel, Switzerland in 1897, one fourth of the delegates will be under30. "We are assuring the future of Zionism by having the next generation here as full players," Meridor said.
Major topics of discussion will include the significance of Israel as a Jewish Democratic State, the fight against anti-Semitism, the delegitimation of Israel, settling the Negev and the Galilee, and immigration. The World Zionist Organization is the highest legislative body and meets once every four years in Jerusalem.
English-Arabic Satellite Network to Debut on June 25Minister Ra’anan Cohen, responsible for the Israel Broadcasting Authority, announced on Sunday to the Cabinet that an English and Arabic-language satellite network will make its debut on June 25, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Cohen said the network would be Israel’s answer to the propaganda coming from the Arab world. Cohen said he would give more details about the network in next week’s Cabinet meeting.
Although there has been talk of making the network available to viewers in North and South America, at first it will only reach viewers with satellites throughout the Middle East and in parts of Europe.
*Israel has become a full member of the International Federation of Standards Users (IFAN), GLOBES reported. Standards Institution of Israel (SII) President Amos Berkovich was notified of the decision this week. SII will represent Israel at IFAN. IFAN was founded in 1974 as an independent organization to encourage the application of uniform standards worldwide. Member countries include the US, UK, Germany, France, China, Belgium, Switzerland, Croatia, Denmark and Finland.
* State of
Israel Bonds president Yehoshua Matza reported on Sunday that Treasury sales
of Israel Bonds totaled $800 million, two-thirds of the $1.25 billion target
set by the Ministry of Finance for 2002, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. The
Israel Bonds leadership plans to raise a further $200 million by the end of
this month.
An interesting Article:
Kuwaiti Daily Reports that Arafat Deposited $5.1 Million from Arab Aid Funds into his Personal Account
On June 7, 2002, the Kuwaiti Al-Watan daily published the following report:
"Yesterday, Al-Watan received documents from private sources in the Cairo branch of an Arab bank showing that Yasser Arafat had deposited in his name $5.1 million into a personal account. According to sources, this is theft of Arab aid funds allocated to the Palestinians through an arrangement between Arafat and his Cairo office head Ramzi Khouri."
"The sources added that according to the documents, these funds were deposited in the personal accounts of President Arafat to cover some of the president’s personal expenses, including the costs of his wife Suha and their daughter who live in Paris and Switzerland."
"The sources added that nobody knows of this theft, with the exception of some of Arafat’s closest cronies, including his Cairo office head Ramzi Khouri and Khaled Slam, originally from Iraq, whose real name is Muhammad Rashid and who is one of Arafat’s top ‘and most influential ‘advisors."
"The sources added that some weeks ago Muhammad Rashid had bought, on Arafat’s instructions, 14% of the shares of the Jordanian Cement Company for the PSCS(1) with funds received by Arafat from the Arab Gulf states, ‘to increase the profits of Arafat’s investments abroad,’ in light of the increase in cement prices following increased demand due to the reconstruction of what the Israeli forces destroyed in their recent incursion into the West Bank cities."
"The sources added that the funds that reached the Palestinian Authority from Kuwait and the other Gulf states [meant] for the Committee for the Reconstruction of Hebron Homes, [which were to be distributed to residents of homes] destroyed by Israeli bulldozers during the Intifada, did not reach the people entitled to them. Rather, they were distributed to the PA leaders close to Arafat and to several top officials of the Fatah movement, headed by Arafat."
"The sources added that the citizens entitled to these funds appealed to the head of the committee, a Hebronite from the Al-Qawasmeh family, but received nothing."
"The sources added that most of the food aid sent to the PA was sold in Palestinian and Israeli markets without being distributed to the poor and needy, and the latter began to shout ‘at the top of their lungs’ that a popular committee must be established for aid distribution, since they had lost all faith in the PA and its apparatuses."
"Al-Watan adds to this news item photos of the documents received from its Cairo sources regarding the deposit of U.S. $5.1 million by Arafat into his personal account in the Arab Bank in Cairo."(2)
Endnotes:
(1) This refers
to Palestine Commercial Services Company.
(2)
Al-Watan (Kuwait), June 5, 2002, www.alwatan.com.kw/first.asp?id=75797.
This Israel Line report was prepared and written the Israeli Consulate
** Homicide
Bomber Attacks Crowd in French Hill Killing at Least 6
** Israel Remembers
** Cabinet Announces Change in Policy in Response to Homicide
Bombing Tuesday
** Arab Officials Plan Launch of $20 Million Anti-Israel
Campaign
** Intelligence Report: 628 Suspected Terrorists Arrested
in Month of May
** Economic Briefs
Homicide Bomber Attacks Crowd in French Hill Killing at Least 7
At least 7people were
killed and over 38 injured when a homicide bomber blew himself up today at
the French Hill intersection in Jerusalem close to 7:10 p.m. The head of Magen
David Adom said that five or six of the injured were in serious condition.
The explosion, next to
a hitchhiking post, blew out the back and the sides of the shelter, leaving
just a concrete bench and the roof. Body parts were scattered on the street
and a baby carriage was overturned. Mickey Levy, head of the Jerusalem district
police, said that the bomber detonated the device after he was approached
by two Border Police officers. One of the officers is in serious condition,
Levy said. He added that police are searching the area for further explosive
devices.
According to Army Radio,
security sources are saying that the attack might have been carried out by
a suicide bomber police have been tracking in the capital over the last few
days.
The explosion comes just one day after a suicide bomber blew himself up on
a packed commuter bus in southern Jerusalem, killing 19 people and wounding
over 70. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.
Nineteen Israelis were killed and 74 injured on Tuesday when a homicide bomber blew himself up on a crowded bus in Jerusalem, YEDIOT AHARONOT reported. These are the names and stories of some of the victims:
Rahamim (Rami) Zidkiyahu, 51, from Jerusalem, worked as a bus driver for the Egged bus company since 1975, and was the driver of the bus that exploded. Rami replaced the scheduled driver, who was late for his shift, and was killed in his seat, with his hands still on the steering wheel. His cousin Yaron described him as a man who loved life, always smiled, and who always gave of himself to others. Rami was planning to take his youngest son, Ron, to Euro Disney in Paris to celebrate his bar mitzvah next month. He was buried at the Givat Shaul cemetery in Jerusalem and is survived by his wife, Miriam, their three children, and a daughter from a previous marriage.
Boaz Aluf, 54, from Jerusalem, was on his way to work at the Tsfahot Bank’s computer department, where he worked for the past 27 years, when he was killed in the attack. Friends and relatives described him as modest and gentle person, a family man that loved helping everyone. Boaz and his wife Gila just celebrated their son Barak’s bar mitzvah a month ago. Boaz was buried at the Givat Shaul cemetery in Jerusalem. He is survived by his wife and five children aged 10 to 18.
Shani Avi-Zedek, 15, from
Jerusalem, a 10th grade student at Boyer High School, was on her way to a
"Fun Day" organized by the school, when she was killed. Shani, an
excellent student, was chosen to fly next Sunday to Berlin as part of a youth
delegation to meet with German youth. She was supposed to celebrate her 16th
birthday next month.
Shani danced for many years in the Mehola dance troupe and mentored the child
of a disabled veteran, as part of a personal volunteer program. She was buried
at the Givat Shaul cemetery in Jerusalem and is survived by her parents, Eli
and Bella, and three brothers.
Leah Baruch, 59, from Jerusalem, worked for the past 23 years as head of housekeeping at the President’s official residence. She kept house for presidents Chaim Herzog, Ezer Weizman and Moshe Katsav. Her co-workers described her as a compassionate woman – towards people, towards the cats and dogs she adopted, and towards the plants she nurtured at the President’s residence. Leah immigrated to Israel from Iraq at the age of six, and helped support the family during the day and learned to read and write in evening classes. Leah Baruch was buried at the Givat Shaul cemetery in Jerusalem and is survived by two daughters.
Mendel Bereson, 72, from Jerusalem, immigrated to Israel from St. Petersburg in 1991 with his wife Sophia and their daughter Nina. His son Simion immigrated a year earlier. Mendel, a shoemaker by profession, was on his way to work in downtown Jerusalem when he was killed. Simion said his father was "a true Zionist who always said that the Jews have only one state. At the same time, until his last day, he was optimistic and believed in peace with the Palestinians." Mendel was buried at the Givat Shaul cemetery in Jerusalem and is survived by his wife, two children, and three grandchildren.
Rafael (Rafi) Berger, 28, from Jerusalem, graduated from the Hebrew University high school in Jerusalem. After completing his army service in the armored corps, Rafi received a B.A. degree in chemistry from Tel-Aviv University. Last month, he completed his Master’s degree in physical chemistry at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. A year and a half ago Rafi married Orit, a music teacher, and the couple moved to Gilo. His mother said that Rafi was a talented musician, who loved poetry, literature and traveling. He is survived by his wife Orit, his parents and siblings.
Michal Biazi, 24, from Jerusalem, worked in the Ministry of Tourism in Jerusalem. She and her husband Barak were in their car on their way to work, when she remembered that she had forgotten the bag she had prepared with a change of clothes for a family celebration later in the day. Barak went back home to get the bag and Michal, who did not want to be late for work, boarded the bus and was killed in the attack. Michal was buried at the Givat Shaul cemetery in Jerusalem. She is survived by her husband, her parents and six brothers and sisters.
Tatiana Braslavsky, 41, from Jerusalem, immigrated to Israel 11 years ago from Russia with her husband Alex and son Igor. Tatiana worked for a construction company as an engineer and regularly took that bus to work. Igor, 15, who used to accompany her every morning, left the house early on Tuesday. Her friend Ina said that Tatiana "was always optimistic and had a smile on her face." Tatiana was buried at the Givat Shaul cemetery in Jerusalem and is survived by her husband and son.
Dr. Moshe Gottlieb, 70, from Jerusalem, immigrated to Israel with his family from the United States 24 years ago, was a chiropractor and maintained a private practice in both Jerusalem and Bnei Brak. Moshe used to treat the needy for free every Tuesday. He was on his way to Bnei Brak, where he was due to work with a group of three brothers with Down Syndrome. The children’s mother said that the family "owes him a lot. People would arrive to our house and he would treat them also, voluntarily. He used to say that "Tuesday is a day of righteousness and I’m not willing to take money." Moshe was buried at the Givat Shaul cemetery in Jerusalem. He is survived by his wife, Sheila, two children, and 12 grandchildren.
Baruch Gruani, 60, from Jerusalem, was a retired employee of Israel Military Industries. His son Doron described Baruch as "a religious, modest, quiet, humble man, who helped everyone who needed it." Baruch was buried at the Givat Shaul cemetery in Jerusalem. He is survived by his wife, Esther, and four children.
Orit Hayla, 21, from Jerusalem, whose family immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia, was born and raised in Ashkelon, and attended the Washington Hill high school near Ashdod. After graduating, she began attending classes in Jerusalem to complete her matriculation, while working in a warehouse. Her brother Carmel said, "Orit was so happy. She wanted to study. She loved Jerusalem and wanted to live there." Orit will be buried in Ashkelon.
Helena Ivan, 63, from Jerusalem, lived with pediatrician Dr. Irina Minei and her son Yon in Gilo. Yon said Helena had no relatives. She began to work for the Minei family about 35 years ago in Romania, and she rescued Yon and his sister from an earthquake in Bucharest. Helena came to Israel with the Minei family 20 years ago. "She tied her fate to ours. She was like a second mother to me," Yon said.
Galila Bugala, 11, from Jerusalem, was born in Israel to a family of Christian Ethiopian immigrants. Shortly after her birth, the family returned to Ethiopia, but four years ago, they moved back to Jerusalem, where her parents worked in the hotel industry. At school, Galila was busy planning her class’s end-of-year party, of which she was in charge. Her friend Sapir was very upset when she heard of the news. "I departed from her last night and we were laughing. She was a very gentle girl and wad really scared of terrorist attacks," Sapir said. Galila is survived by her parents and one brother.
Iman Kabha, 26, was the sixth in a family of seven children from the Arab Israeli village of Barta in the Lower Galilee. Iman was a first year student at the David Yellin Teachers College in Jerusalem, where he was studying special education and Hebrew. He had been working for a few years, saving up for the tuition. He rented an apartment in Beit Safafa together with two fellow students. One of his roommates, Osama, said Iman "was handsome, worked hard and was everybody’s friend. He loved to cook." Iman waited for the bus together with other Arab students of the college from Beit Safafa. The terrorist was waiting at the same bus stop. Iman was buried in Barta. He is survived by his parents and six siblings.
Shiri Nagari, 21, from Jerusalem, would have celebrated her 22nd birthday in ten days. Her brother Shahar, 15, said that Shiri, who worked in Bank Leumi, missed her regular bus to work and their mother had taken her on a short cut so she could board it at another stop. Shiri died of her wounds on the operating table. During her army service, Shiri served as a teacher, working with young adults who had dropped out of school. After her army service she traveled for two years in the United States and South America. She planned to study dentistry or biology at Hebrew University. Shiri Nagari was buried at the Givat Shaul cemetery in Jerusalem and is survived by her parents, two brothers and two sisters.
Liat Yagen, 24, from Jerusalem, took the same bus as her 16-year-old brother Yoni. Liat sat toward the front of the bus and was mortally wounded from the blast. Yoni, who sat toward the back with some of his friends was lightly injured and ran to help his sister. "I felt her pulse and talked to her," he recalled. Liat died at the hospital. Liat worked in a lawyers’ office, after completing her Sherut Le’umi service (National Service duty, an alternative to IDF service for religious women) in the police headquarters. Liat was buried at the Givat Shaul cemetery in Jerusalem and is survived by her parents, three brothers and a sister.
Gila Nekev, 55, from Jerusalem, lived in Gilo with her youngest daughter Noa. She was born in France and immigrated to Israel 30 years ago to fulfill her mother’s dream, after her mother, a Holocaust survivor, died of cancer. Gila was a travel agent in Jerusalem for many years and in recent months began to work in the offices of the archaeological excavations in the City of David. Gila is survived by three daughters, and a grandson.
The names of two other victims have not yet been released.
Cabinet Announces Change in Policy in Response to Homicide Bombing Tuesday
The Cabinet released the
following statement early this morning, in response to the homicide bombing
attack in Jerusalem on Tuesday in which 19 people, many of them young children,
were killed: "Following Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s discussions with
the leaders of the political parties in the coalition and top security establishment
officials, it was decided to take several military actions against the Palestinian
Authority and the murderous organizations. "This includes… a change
in the way Israel responds to murderous acts of terror: Israel will respond
to acts of terror by capturing PA (Palestinian Authority) territory. These
areas will be held by Israel as long as terror continues. Additional acts
of terror will lead to the taking of additional areas. As a result of yesterday’s
murderous act of terror in Jerusalem, Israel will shortly take PA territory
as outlined above."
In line with the Cabinet statement, Israel Defense Forces troops and tanks
entered the cities of Jenin, Kalkilya and Nablus before daybreak today, and
arrested more than a dozen terror suspects in raids throughout the West Bank.
Military sources said three suspects were arrested in the city and then the
troops withdrew. In Jenin the troops came under gunfire, and at least one
explosive was detonated, but there were no reported casualties. Tanks also
moved into the Jenin refugee camp as attack helicopters fired from above,
witnesses said. Both Jenin and Kalkilya were placed under curfew. The IDF
arrested eight suspects in the sweeps in these three cities.
Six terror suspects were held in the Hebron area, including one from Hamas,
the Islamic group that claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s deadly bus bombing
in Jerusalem in which 19 Israelis died.
United States President George W. Bush condemned the bombing via White House
Spokesman Scott McClellan. "The president condemns this act of terror
in the strongest possible terms. These terrorists who attack and kill innocent
men and children are the enemy of peace and they are trying to disrupt our
efforts. The world must condemn terrorism and stand against terrorism,"
White House spokesman Scott McClellan McClellan said.
Arab Officials Plan Launch
of $20 Million Anti-Israel Campaign
Ministers and senior officials from 12 Arab countries met today in Cairo to discuss embarking upon a $20 million public relations campaign against Israel, HA’ARETZ reported. The campaign aims to "target the international community with the goal of refuting Israeli and American attempts to portray the Palestinians’ national struggle as an unjust terror campaign." Arab television stations will not be allowed to interview Israeli officials, in order to prevent them from reaching the Arab community "as an attempt to justify Israeli aggression."
Arab information ministers also discussed expediting the creation of an Arab satellite television station aimed at the international community. "Arab and international media outlets will be asked to make an effort in order to evidence of war crimes committed by Israeli operations, in order to make it possible to put IDF solders and settlers on trial in the international court," officials at the conference said.
Intelligence Report: 628 Suspected
Terrorists Arrested in Month of May
A senior intelligence
officer in the Israel Defense Forces, told the Knessest Foreign Affairs and
Defense Committee on Tuesday that security forces arrested 628 Palestinians
suspected of terrorist activities during the month of May, 250 of them being
wanted individuals whose interrogations aided in thwarting terrorist acts,
HA’ARETZ reported. The officer also told the Committee that the Palestinian
Authority is not taking any action to prevent terror attacks, and that any
control over the scope of terror is being controlled by actions taken by Israeli
security forces.
The officer also told the Committee that sources in Egypt and Saudi Arabia
have grown weary of PA Chairman Yasser Arafat and his position amongst his
own people has weakened, although at this stage there is no alternative to
Arafat as a Palestinian leader. He added that former PA security chief for
Gaza, Mohammed Dahlan, who has previously been touted as a possible Arafat
successor, does not have enough power to achieve simultaneous full control
over the West Bank and Gaza Strip, nor does he have aspirations to do so.
* The Industry and Trade Ministry’s Investment Center approved nine new projects totaling $6 million, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. Among the projects approved is a $2.5million plant expansion project for Bet Shemesh-based Tuttnauer , a company that produces and markets medical and laboratory equipment. Suplex-Israelness, a Bar-Lev- based optical lens producer received $1.58 million for expansion of its facilities. The other projects ranged from $74,000 to $540,000 in size.
* In one year, Signature Bank has accumulated $1.04 billion in assets under management, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. In the last month and a half alone, Signature has increased its assets by $100 million through a combination of new customers and existing customers increasing their business with the bank. Signature, which is a fully owned subsidiary of Bank Hapoalim, opened its doors to the New York public thirteen and a half months ago. The private bank has grown to nine branches in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island, with over 3,500 customers.
** Two
IDF Soldiers Killed in Qalqilyah
** Israel Remembers
** Sharon Addresses Zionist Congress
** Black, Jewish Congressmen to Discuss Support for
Israel
** Economic Briefs
Two IDF Soldiers Killed in Qalqilyah
Israel Defense Forces officer Maj. Shlomi Cohen, 26, of Rehovot, and St.-Sgt. Yosef Talabi, 20, from Yehud, were killed and three soldiers were wounded on Wednesday during an IDF operation in Qalqilyah, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. IDF sources said gunmen attacked the soldiers while they were searching the home of Marzan Suleiman, head of Palestinian intelligence in Qalqilya. IDF forces were in the Palestinian town in an effort to locate and arrest terrorists suspected of planning, aiding and abetting homicide bombing attacks. During the operation, soldiers discovered an explosives laboratory, containing several finished bombs as well as chemicals used for bomb-making. Meanwhile, Palestinian gunmen attacked construction crews working on a security fence south of Afula. In addition to heavy fire exchange, the terrorists detonated a bomb near border policemen guarding the workers. There was no damages or casualties, but construction was temporarily halted.
Seven Israelis were killed on Wednesday as a Palestinian homicide bomber attacked a bus station in Jerusalem, YEDIOTAHARONOT ON-LINE reported. These are some of their stories:
Shmuel Yerushalmi, 17, lost three of his friends last month as a Palestinian terrorist infiltrated a Yeshiva in the West Bank Jewish community of Itamar. Yerushalmi himself survived the attack, eulogizing his friends at their funerals. On Wednesday, he too was killed by a terrorist.
Hadas Yungreis, 20, of Migdal Ha’emek, recently completed her National Service and had begun studying communications at Orot College in Elkana. Her brother Shraga said, "We lost a loved one, a bright, smiling and kind girl." She is survived by her parents and five siblings.
Noa Alon, 60, and her granddaughter, Gal Eisenman, 5, were on their way to Jerusalem from a celebration in the Jewish community in the West Bank where Alon lived. The videotape of the celebration was later used by police to identify the two according to the clothes they wore. Doctor Yitzhak Eisenman, Gal’s father and Alon’s son-in-law, heard of the attack and began looking for his loved ones. Only towards the end of the day he learned that his daughter and mother-in-law were dead, and his wife and year-old son were severely wounded.
Gila Sara Kessler, 19, of Ali, studied at a special high school for the arts in Jerusalem and was an athlete. As part of her National Service, she worked at the Jewish Agency’s division for communication with Jewish communities in the Diaspora. One of her friends said, "she was so devoted to her mother and family. I urged her not to take the bus home every day, because it’s dangerous, but she wouldn’t hear of it. She said she needed to be with her mother." She is survived by her parents and two siblings.
Michal Frnaklin, 22, of Jerusalem, lived in the Jewish Quarter with her family. Shortly before she was murdered, she called her parents to let them know she was on her way. On the day of her death, Michal completed her studies for a bachelor’s degree in education and history at Orot College. Her parents were planning a surprise party, but Michal never came home. She is survived by her parents and five brothers.
At the time of publication the name of the seventh victim was not yet released.
Sharon Addresses Zionist Congress
Despite the terrorist attacks in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon addressed the 34th Zionist Congress convened in the capital on Wednesday, THE JERUSALEM POST reported. Sharon said that this is an era of emergency for the Jewish people, pointing to the surge of anti-Semitism around the world and the escalation of terrorism in Israel. He also urged the Congress to emphasize Aliya as the expression of Zionism and a mission to guarantee the future survival of the Jewish people.
Black, Jewish Congressmen to Discuss Support for Israel
Black and Jewish congress members are scheduled to meet today in Washington to discuss a joint action plan that aims to increase support for Israel by black congressmen, HA’ARETZ reported.
A majority of the 38-member black congressional caucus are expected to attend, as well as 26 Jewish congressmen, and 10 Jewish senators have also been invited. Last month, a series of congress votes expressing support for Israel enjoyed major support from members of the caucus.
——————————————————————–
Approximately 584,000 junior high and high school students will complete the academic year today, YEDIOT AHARONOT reported. This year, the largest class in Israel’s history will graduate high school, with 94,000 seniors expected to graduate, an increase of 24percent from 1995.
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* Teva (Nasdaq: TEVA) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted final approval of the company’s ANDA (Abbreviated New Drug Application) for Tramadol Hydrochloride Tablets, 50 mg, GLOBES reported. Tramadol Hydrochloride Tablets are the AB-rated generic version of RW Johnson’s Ultram. Teva’s product is approved for the management of moderate to moderately severe pain. The company said that shipments were expected to begin immediately.
* Israeli diagnostic company
BioShaf plans to begin raising $5 million soon, GLOBES reported. The company
will initially approach European venture capital funds. BioShaf has raised
$2 million to date, mostly from Noga Electro-Mechanical Industries (NOGAF),which
owns 35% of the company. BioShaf develops and markets diagnostic system comprised
of the flow cytometer, five sets of proprietary kits for testing body fluids
and cells, and proprietary software. The company’s first product consists
of kits to diagnose sperm fertility and male and female hormones for evaluating
reproduction system functions.
