US Alerts American Citizens to keep away from YEMEN

Palestinian Authority Supports Terrorrism, Tanzim, 17 others

are Terrorist Organizations: Isreal Cabinet

Freeze on Islamic Group's Assets Questioned by US Muslims

keralamonitor.com

(WASHINGTON, D.C. - 12/4/2001) - National American Muslim organizations
today asked President Bush to reconsider his decision to freeze the assets
of the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF), one of the
nation's largest Muslim charities.

The charity had been targeted by pro-Israel organizations and individuals
for several years because of what they said was the group's support for
Palestinian militants. HLF officials have consistently denied those charges
and no one has made public any concrete evidence to support today's action.
The only specific accusation made against HLF has been that among the
thousands of Palestinians who received its relief aid were the children of
suicide bombers.

In a joint statement issued today, the American Muslim Alliance (AMA),
American Muslim Council (AMC), Council on American-Islamic Relations
(CAIR), Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Islamic Circle of North
America (ICNA), Muslim American Society (MAS), Muslim Public Affairs
Council (MPAC), and Muslim Student Association of USA and Canada, said:

"American Muslims support President Bush's effort to cut off funding for
terrorism and we call for a peaceful resolution to the Middle East
conflict. These goals will not be achieved by taking food out of the mouths
of Palestinian orphans or by succumbing to politically-motivated smear
campaigns by those who would perpetuate Israel's brutal occupation.

"No relief group anywhere in the world should be asked to question hungry
orphans about their parent's religious beliefs, political affiliations or
legal status. Those questions are not asked of recipients of public
assistance whose parents are imprisoned or executed in the United States,
and they should not be a litmus test for relief in Palestine.

"Charity is a duty for people of all faiths. In fact, it is one of the five
'pillars' of Islam. Islamic charities in this country help American Muslims
fulfill their religious obligation to help orphans and the needy. The
frozen assets therefore belonged not to HLF, but to the entire Muslim
community. This action is particularly disturbing, coming as it does during
the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, a time when Muslims make many of their
annual charitable donations.

"We ask that President Bush reconsider what we believe is an unjust and
counterproductive move that can only damage America's credibility with
Muslims in this country and around the world and could create the
impression that there has been a shift from a war on terrorism to an attack
on Islam."

Palestinian Authority Supports Terrorrism, Tanzim, 17 others

are Terrorist Organizations: Isreal Cabinet

 

keralamonitor.com

At the special Cabinet meeting last night (Monday), December 3,
2001, the Israeli Cabinet has determined that last weekend's deadly and
cruel terror attacks illustrate our enemies' lack of inhibitions,
and requires actions more wide-ranging than those taken against
the Palestinian terrorism until now.

According to the decision by the Ministerial Committee for
National Security of October 17, 2001, the Government has
determined that the Palestinian Authority is an entity that
supports terrorism, and must be dealt with accordingly. In the
framework of this decision, the Ministerial Committee for
National Security is authorized to decide on operational steps
(military, diplomatic, information and economic). This
determination is subject to change - by Cabinet decision - if the
Palestinian Authority fulfills its commitments, according to the
agreements, to prevent and foil terrorism, punish terrorists and
dismantle the terrorist infrastructure.

By the authority of section 8 of the Anti-Terrorism
Regulations, the Israeli government declared that the Tanzim and
Force 17 (Presidential Guard) are terrorist organizations, and
will be acted against accordingly.

Authorization of a small team of ministers (or a team with a
larger number of ministers - according to the Prime Minister's
decision - as long as the team includes at least the Prime
Minister, Defense Minister and Foreign Minister) to take
operative actions in the framework of the war on terrorism will
continue.

The Israeli information campaign will focus on Arafat's
responsibility for the terrorism emanating form the areas under
his control.