4 Soldiers Hurt Foiling Major Hamas Attack
Four Israel Defense Forces soldiers were injured - two moderately and two lightly - when they foiled a major suicide car bomb attack today in the Gaza Strip, HA'ARETZ reported. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack, which involved a jeep packed with as much as 300 kilograms of explosives flying an Israeli flag. Givati Brigade infantrymen, on patrol near the Mor Bridge between the Kissufim crossing and the Gush Katif bloc, spotted the jeep as it headed through an off-road area toward a road connecting Kfar Darom and the Gush Katif bloc. As soldiers were attempting to stop the Jeep's driver, the vehicle blew up. Hamas identified the man driving the Jeep as Tariq Khamayed, 24, of the Nuseirat refugee camp. The IDF believes Khamayed planned to blow himself up against a bus or a convoy on the Kissufim-Gush Katif highway.
Likud Party Prepares For Sunday's Disengagement Plan Referendum
Some 193,190 Likud party members are expected to participate this coming Sunday in a referendum on Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's disengagement plan, MAARIV reported. In preparation for the vote, the party has set up 443 polling stations at 168 locations across the country, and 176 lawyers have been selected to supervise the counting of the ballots.
The party's headquarters at Metzudat Ze'ev in Tel-Aviv will serve as the logistic center for gathering the results. Retired Judge Zvi Cohen will head the committee in charge of announcing the final results.
In view of threats of terrorist attacks, five security companies have been hired by the party to ensure safety at the polling stations and at party headquarters. Over 1,300 administrators and security guards will oversee the referendum.
When Sharon returned from Washington, an explanatory package on his disengagement plan was sent out to every Likud party member. An information hotline and a website were also established to enable party members to ask questions and obtain answers regarding the plan.
Powell Issues Strong Statement against Anti-Semitism at Conference's Opening
Speaking at the opening of the conference of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on anti-Semitism in Berlin on today, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell stated that, "we will stand together and we will declare with one voice that anti-Semitism shall have no place among us and hate shall not find an home," THE JERUSALEM POST reported. Five hundred high-ranking participants from 55 member states from Europe, Central Asia, and North America are attending the conference. German President Johannes Rau called upon European states to intensify their battle against anti-Semitism, and said that, "it is sad to see that in 2004, there is still need for a convention to devote itself to battling anti-Semitism."
President Moshe Katzav, Minister of Foreign Affairs Silvan Shalom, Minister for Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs Nathan Sharansky are guests of the event. Katsav is to meet with Powell in one of the many diplomatic side meetings that will take place on today and Thursday during the conference.
Libya Invites Israel to International Chess Competition
Muammar Gadhafi's son, Saadi, has invited the Israeli chess team to Libya to participate in World Chess Championships this summer, HA'ARETZ reported. The international competition will take place between June 18-July 13 in Malta and Libya.
Gadhafi issued his statement following extensive talks with the heads of the World Chess Federation. Entry permits will be issued to anyone wishing to participate in the world championships. Israel is considered particularly strong is chess, and thus the FIDE chiefs insisted that its team be allowed to participate in the games in Tripoli.
Spokesman for the Israel Chess Federation, Yerech Tal, said in response that "the association is in constant contact with the Israeli Foreign Ministry and the decision on whether to accept the Libyan invitation will be made following consultations with Israeli security bodies and the players themselves."
Other News in Brief
* Palestinian intellectual Dr. Sari Nusseibeh was released from Police custody this afternoon after being detained for a few hours on charges that he had employed Palestinian laborers without work permits, Israel Radio, KOL YISRAEL, reported. Nusseibeh admitted to the charge brought against him. Nusseibeh is president of Al Quds University and formally served as the PLO official responsible for Jerusalem. He is considered politically moderate and holds the identity card of a permanent resident in Israel.
* The army will dig a trench alongside a section of the Philadelphi Road, on the border between Gaza and Egypt, as part of preparations for Israel's disengagement from the Gaza Strip, HA'ARETZ reported. The trench will help prevent the digging of arms smuggling tunnels between Gaza and Egypt. Israel will for now retain control of Philadelphi Road according to the disengagement plan.
Economic & Hi-Tech Briefs
* First-quarter high-tech exports climbed 10 percent from the same quarter last year to $2.7 billion, THEMARKER.COM reported. Elisha Yanay, head of Motorola Israel and chairman of the association, said the figures are indicative of the rally by high -tech in general, and the Israeli sector in particular. "After three years of declining or stagnating exports, we anticipate a significant increase," Yanay said. "We estimate that high -tech exports will continue to grow, and that exports of electronics, IT and software will exceed $11 billion in 2004."
* Victor Halpert, formerly an analyst of Israeli high-tech firms at Salomon Smith Barney, has won commitments of $10 million from institutional investors and individuals in Israel for a new hedge fund, Halpert Capital, HA'ARETZ reported. Halpert Capital will invest in companies throughout the world, but will pay special attention to Israeli firms.
[Today's Israel Line was prepared by Victor Chemtob and Arielle Bernstein at the Consulate General of Israel in New York.]