Ban Ki Moon talks about the Holocaust

Ban Ki Moon, the new UN secretary General who was sworn in today, spoke about the statements of Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, regarding the Holocaust and his desire to see Israel wiped off the map. Ki Moon said that it is wrong to deny historical facts and it is unacceptable to call for the annihaltion of a country or a people.
Ki Moon stated that he will be willing to enter in dialogue with the Iranian people should the need arise.
Ki Moon was formerly the foreign minister of South Korea. He replaced Kofi Annan as UN secretary General.

Haniyeh Waits a Rafah

The standoff at Rafah continues.

Palestinian PM, Ismail Haniyeh, is still waiting on the Egyptian side of the Rafah pass where he is being held up for the past few hours. Haniyeh was not allowed to return to Gaza as he brought with him 35 million dollars.

Firefights erupted between Hamas supporters and Fatah supporters. Hamas supporters also fought with Egyptian border guards. At least 10 people were injured in the shooting.

The European observers who are supposed to be stationed at the Pass cannot return to their post for fear that they will be lynched by the Hamas mob (numbering in the thousands) which has gathered nearby.

Earlier, an agreement was reached in which Haniyeh was to enter Gaza but leave the money in the Siani desert, but sporadic gunfire and threats made against the observers prevent their return to the pass, so Haniyeh still waits in the Siani side of the Rafah Pass.

Peretz ordered to prevent Haniyeh from returning to Gaza

Security minister, Amir Peretz, ordered to close the Rafah Pass, which stands at the border of Egypt and the Gaza Strip, in order to prevent the return of Palestinian PM, Ismail Haniyeh to the Gaza Strip.
Haniyeh is returning from a tour of several Arab states and Iran which was cut short due to the rising tensions in Gaza between Hamas and Fatah. Haniyeh, of the Hamas, is kept out of Gaza due to intelligence reports that he plans to bring with him 35 million dollars which were donated to him by Iran and other Islamic countries. Israel fears that this money will be used to buy arms and munitions for Hamas. On his trip, Haniyeh declared that Hamas will never recognize Israel.
Hamas operatives tried to break through the Rafah Pass and skirmishes developed there between them and Soldiers of the Palestinian Presidential guard.
A spokesman of the Palestinians committees of resistence swore that they will get Haniyeh into the Strip come what may, regardless of what Israel decides.
The Rafah Pass has been closed since Israeli soldeir, Gilad Shalit, was kidnapped by Palestinian Terrorists in early July.

Two Palestinian dead in West Bank

In several incidents in the West Bank today, two Palestinians were killed and a few more injured.

In a refugee camp close to the city of Nablus, police special forces shot and killed Mohammad Ramaha, a commander in the Al-Akza brigades. Another militant was injured in the skirmish.

The Palestinians reported that IDF soldiers opened massive fire and that 10 people were injured though these reports are yet to be substantiated by the IDF.

The Al-Akza brigades swore vengeance and threatened to commit suicide bombings within Israel as a reprisal.

Earlier, a 27 year old Palestinian was killed close to the Israeli city, Ariel. IDF reported that in that incident several Palestinian threw rocks and blocks at the soldiers. The 27 year old was shot while flinging a stone block.

Netanyahu speaks on Iran

The former PM and current head of oppositon in Israel, Benyamen Netanyahu, spoke last evening in a commercian conference in Tel-Aviv.

Netanyahu stressed the importance of making a diplomatic effort in the US to explain the Iranin issue and expressed his belief that if America will not act, no one will. Netanyahu said that no one will defend the Jews and that if Bin-Laden had the Bomb New York and Tel-Aviv would not be standing today. Netanyahu said that Israel could not afford to allow the madmen of Teheran to lay their hands on a bomb.

Netanyahu promised support of PM Olmert if the latter would lead an all out national effort to stop the Iranian program and said that it was impossible not to act against those who are planning the next Holocaust.

Peres speaks on the Bomb

The man who invented Israel's policy of nuclear ambiguity, Shimon Peres, Spoke last evening in a commercial conference in Tel-Aviv.

Regarding PM Olmert's slip up about Israel's nuclear capabilities, Peres said that Israel threatens no one and if other countries believe that we have the Bomb let them believe. Peres addressed the situation in Iraq and expressed his belief that the Americans shall not prevail there. He said that had he been the one making the decisions he would have done the exact opposite things. Peres also reiterated his belief that nano-technology will win the battle against terrorism and that it is ridiculous to send a 100 million dollars plane to hunt a terrorist who can bring it down with a should rocket.

Regarding Iran, Peres stressed the importance of maing sure that Iran's nuclear program is not interpreted as an Israeli private problem. There are more than 6 different ways to handle the Iranian issue, he said, but did not clarify as to what these ways might be.