News Digest
NEWS DIGEST from page 27
the Associated Press reported.
.It was not clear whether the court
would hear the case brought by the
eight, who refuse to serve in the West
Bank and Gaza. The soldiers argued
that during the past two years of
Israeli-Palestinian fighting, Israel
refused to see to the needs of
Palestinians living under occupation,
as the petitioners maintain is stipulat-
ed under international law.
ready for a possible U.S. attack on Iraq.
The decision, made during consulta-
tions, is based on the Israeli assessment
that the window for a possible U.S. mili-
tary action against Iraq runs from
November to early spring, the Israeli
daily Hdaretz reported. Israeli officials
believe Iraq will launch an attack on
Israel in the event of a U.S. attack on
Iraq, as happened during the 1991 Gulf
War.
Militia Leader
Shuns Lawyer
Drug Ring
Jerusalem/JTA — Palestinian militia
leader Marwan Barghouti plans to
represent himself when his trial starts
in an Israeli court.
Barghouti's lawyer, Jawad Boulous,
said Barghouti would reiterate his
argument that Israel has no right to
try him and that he is therefore
refusing legal counsel, Israel Radio
reported.
Barghouti who in recent Palestinian
polls ranked second in popularity
only to Palestinian Authority leader
Yasser Arafat was charged last month
with orchestrating terror attacks that
killed scores of Israelis. Israeli officials
hope the trial will prove that mem-
bers of the Palestinian leadership have
been directly involved in terrorism
against Israel.
Skinthettes Cosmetic Surgery
Skin Care Center
ee,e 9,,,,..e taeuee
,eArher,44/
Now Offering
■ Botox Injections
• Collagen Injections
• Breast Augmentation
• Liposuction
Dr. Ayoub Sayeg M.D.
Cosmetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon
s olim6ti c s
Skin Care Spa
•of
West Bloomfield
9/ 6
2002
28
248.8 ✓5.6668 In the Sugar Tree Plaza
Walk-ins Welcome!
Bomb Planted
Near Barak's Home
Jerusalem/JTA — Israeli police safely
neutralized a bomb discovered near a
house owned by former Prime
Minister Ehud Barak.
Barak was not in the country and
the house, in the town of Kochav Yair,
was empty, according to local reports.
Barak recently moved to another afflu-
ent Tel Aviv suburb, Kfar Shmaryahu.
Security officials recently received
warnings of possible attempts by ter-
rorists to carry out attacks in Kochav
Yair and an adjacent town, Army
Radio reported. Kochav Yair is home
to a number of senior security offi-
cials.
Israel Girds
For Iraqi Attack
Jerusalem/JTA — Israeli Prime Minister
Ariel,Sharon instructed security and
emergency officials to conclude defense
preparations by early November to be
Backed Terrorists
New York/JTA — An illegal drug
operation was funneling profits to
Middle East terror groups, U.S. offi-
cials say.
The ring, which was run by men of
Middle Eastern descent, was smashed
by U.S. officials eight months ago.
Since that time, the investigation
showed that "for the first time, alleged
drug sales in the United States are
going in part to support terrorist
organizations in the Middle East," said
Asa Hutchinson, director of the Drug
Enforcement Administration.
Montreal Consulate
Saved From Closing
Montreal/JTA — The Israeli consulate
in Montreal has been saved from clo-
sure, according to local media.
Consul General Shlomo Avital said
that pressure from local Jewish groups
had led Israel's Foreign Ministry to
reverse a decision to close the consulate
next month, Montreal's CFCF News
reported. The Montreal consulate was
one of several Israeli embassies and con-
sulates around the world that was slated
for closure to save money.
Some 34,000 Olim
During Past Year
Jerusalem/JTA — Approximately
34,000 immigrants arrived in Israel dur-
ing the Jewish year 5762, according to
the Jewish Agency for Israel.
Of these, 21,600 are from the former
Soviet Union, 4,100 from Argentina,
3,000 from Ethiopia, 1,700 from
France, and 1,500 from the United
States. Before the start of the new year,
an additional 937 immigrants are
expected to arrive in Israel, the Jewish
Agency said.