While the Israeli government plans to implement a program to develop new water technologies in the years 2009-2011, it is reported that desalination, the solution of choice for the water shortage, leads to water pollution.

At the same time, a Knesset committee has approved a public inquiry into Israel's current water crisis and the government decisions that may have led to it over the past years.

The social-economic ministerial Cabinet, headed by Finance Minister Roni Bar-On, decided on Monday to activate a program to develop new water technologies during the years 2009-2011.  This will be a "sequel" to a similar program run by the Ministry of Industry and Trade between 2006-2008.  The objective of both programs is/was to stabilize Israel's position as a major player in the international market for water technology and solutions.

"The Israeli market has amassed great experience in dealing with the challenge of the water shortage," Minister Bar-On said. "Our abilities, as well as the unique characteristics of this region, have given Israel a clear advantage and helped place us in the front lines of R&D for water solutions. Israel can and should lead the water technology industry in the world market."

The total budget for the three-year program will be 93 million shekels (roughly $30 million), split among the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry for the Development of the Negev and Galilee, the Water and Sewage Authority, and the Ministry of Finance.  Industry Minister Eli Yishai (Shas) will oversee te project and will report yearly to the government on its progress.

Desalination Has Its Cost
Meanwhile, however, it has been learned that desalination - the most popular choice for solving Israel's water problems - has its price as well.  The plant in Ashkelon, Israel's largest, sends 400 tons of iron into the ocean each year, endangering fish and plants and coloring the water red. 

Currently, Israel desalinates 135 million cubic meters of water each year - 100 million at the Ashkelon plant, the world's largest reverse osmosis desalination facililty, and the remainder in Palmachim.  A third plant, set to be completed by next year in Hadera, is also scheduled to provide 100 million cubic meters of water each year.  The government also plans to build additional desalination plants along the Mediterranean coast, producing 600 million annual cubic meters by 2013, and 750 million by 2020. 

The production of 750 million cubic meters of water, however, will be at the expense of 3,000 tons of iron spewed into the ocean, if the current rates continue to prevail. Iron is a necessary byproduct of the desalination process.  The water pollution can be dealt with more efficiently than at present, the desalinators say, but it will cost more precious beach-side space for an electro-dialysis plant.  The Environment Ministry intends to demand that future desalination tenders include a clause requiring the operators to reduce the iron that is dispersed to the sea.

In meetings with senior officials in Washington, D.C. on Monday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned of the growing threat posed by Iranian power projection. In Lebanon, Barak said, the Iran-backed Hizbullah terrorist
Barak and Gates reportedly exchanged views on the challenges facing Israel and the free world emanating from the Middle East.
organization has more than doubled its missile arsenal in the last two years.

In a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, Defense Minister Barak warned his American colleague, "Iran's plan to enhance its strength endangers the stability of the region and of the entire world. We insist that the pace of economic and financial sanctions on the Iranians continue to be increased." As was made clear by IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi in his meetings with U.S. officials last week, Barak repeated the mantra that "no single option should be taken off the table" when it comes to blocking Iran's nuclear weapons program.

During the meeting, which was their third in one year, Barak and Gates also discussed a range of topics of mutual interest. Among these were the deteriorating situation in Gaza, developments on the Syrian front, the ongoing violations of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 regarding the deployment of UN troops in southern Lebanon, and bilateral defense issues. The Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, also took part in the meeting. In a private discussion following their formal meeting, which included other Israeli and U.S. defense officials, Barak and Gates reportedly exchanged views on the challenges facing Israel and the free world emanating from the Middle East.

In a later meeting with U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, Defense Minister Barak reiterated his views on the security issues Israel is currently facing and their impact on the region and on the U.S.

Regarding the Hizbullah presence in Lebanon, Barak told the Vice President, "To our disappointment, we have seen that over the past two years the number of missiles in the hands of Hizbullah has doubled, if not tripled, and that the range of the missiles has been extended. And this has been accomplished with the close assistance of the Syrians." The Defense Minister further warned that the delicate balance of power in Lebanon is on the verge of being violated, which Israel would see as a real and serious threat.

On Tuesday, Defense Minister Barak is slated to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, and Senators Joe Biden (D-DE), Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Daniel Inouye (D-HI).

The Knesset passed a bill into law on Monday that would, for the first time, amend the way Supreme Court Justices are selected. First tabled by Knesset Member Gideon Sa'ar (Likud), the law was approved by a vote of 52 to 11 in its second and third reading.

When the law goes into effect at the next meeting of the panel appointed to select judges, election of a judge to the Supreme Court will require the approval of a special majority of seven out of the nine-person Judges' Nomination Committee. Until now, a normal majority was sufficient for the selection of a judge for any bench, including the Supreme Court.

The Committee is composed of the President of the Supreme Court and two other Supreme Court justices, the Minister of Justice and one other minister, two members of the Opposition Members of Knesset (MKs), and two representatives of the Israel Bar Association. Nominations go to the President of the State for final, formal appointment to their posts.

Criticism had been leveled at the Nominations Committee suggesting that, because of the structure of the selection process, new justices were more than likely to be of one political or judicial point of view. This charge takes on importance in matters of national policy as well, since the justices of the Supreme Court also sit on the High Court of Justice, which hears citizens' petitions against government actions. Procedurally, another criticism of the nominations process was that the Supreme Court is essentially electing itself by heavily influencing the Nominations Committee's final vote.
New justices were more than likely to be of a single political or judicial point of view.

Following the vote, MK Sa'ar said, "The historic reform in the way Supreme Court justices are selected, which goes into effect today, is a substantial move that will allow all the elements represented in the [Nominations] Committee to have a real impact.... The change in the way Supreme Court justices are chosen will increase the pluralism in the makeup of the Supreme Court, will minimize the unending conflicts within the Judges' Nomination Committee and will increase the dialogue [among its members]."

Noting the strong opposition that calls for complete restructuring of the justice system have garnered from those seeking to protect it from radical change, Sa'ar said, "There is a third way of measured and balanced changes in the justice system, and that is the way of this law."

Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer announced on Monday that the interest rate for August will rise by 25 basis points, to 4 percent. The rate increase, the Bank of Israel said, is intended to help maintain price stability, "in accordance with the inflation target of 1-3 percent a year." In light of Fischer's previous warnings of an economic slowdown, which is generally made worse by an interest rate hike, the decision somewhat surprised most financial analysts. 

The Bank of Israel explains its unexpected move by saying that the indicators for growth and inflation present a mixed picture, with a tendency towards rising prices but generally continued growth. Therefore, Bank officials feel, fighting inflation now is "essential as a basis for sustainable growth." June inflation was 4.8 percent, above the Bank of Israel's announced target range. The August rate increase is the third consecutive quarter-point rise in the cost of borrowing, which will bring interest to its highest level in six months.

In its announcement of the rate increase, the Bank of Israel pointed to moderating economic factors, as well: "There have been reductions recently in commodity and energy prices, which will serve to moderate inflationary pressures in Israel. The assessment is that the upward trend evident hitherto in
"Israel's GDP is close to its potential; import and export data for June indicate continued expansion."
commodity prices has halted, and may even have reversed."

It was also noted, "Israel's GDP is close to its potential; import and export data for June indicate continued expansion, despite the fact that the strengthening of the shekel against the dollar since the beginning of the year is a factor tending to moderate exports and thus economic activity; and data on sales in retail chain stores show continued increases."

On the other hand, statistical support for Fischer's statements in recent days that a relatively smaller rise in the rate of manufacturing growth from March to May was a "serious signal" that economic growth is slowing came in the form of two consecutive drops in the composite state-of-the-economy index. The Bank called the May and June indicators "evidence of a slowdown in the rate of growth".

The Bank of Israel said that it would "act to achieve price stability. Subject to this, the Bank will continue to support the attainment of a range of macroeconomic objectives, in particular the encouragement of employment and growth. In addition, the Bank will continue to support the stability of the financial system." 

Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu contributed to this report.

The Jerusalem District Court convicted Majdi Rahima Rimawi on Tuesday morning of masterminding the October, 2001 terrorist murder of Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze'evi.

Ze'evi, known as Gandhi, was murdered in what was then the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Jerusalem's French Hill neighborhood.  He had been breakfasting with his wife in the hotel dining room, told her that he saw an Arab constantly eyeing him, and then headed for his room to conduct a phone interview with Arutz-7's Hebrew radio newsmagazine.  As he was about to open the door, two terrorists of the PFLP (Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine) shot him in the head, and then escaped via a staircase at the end of the corridor.

Many Palestinian Authority Arabs in Judea and Samaria, upon hearing the news of Gandhi's death, celebrated in the streets, just as they had done a month earlier after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Justice is Served
Rimawi, in addition to his conviction for dispatching the above terrorists, was responsible for a series of other attacks in Israel, including car bombs and shoooting attacks.

Two of Gandhis murderers have been sentenced to life in prison for the crime, and another terrorist was convicted of being their accomplice.

Lover of the Land
Rehavam Ze'evi, an IDF general, was known as a patriotic lover of the Land of Israel, especially Hevron, and was a leading proponent of transfer of Arabs.  Born in Jerusalem in 1926, he was a sixth-generation Jerusalemite on his mother's side. He and his wife Yael had five children, all of whom they gave names with modern Jewish-historic significance: Yiftach Palmach, Sayar Binyamin, Massada, Tse'elah, and Aravah.  The Ze'evi's had 19 grandchildren and one great-grandchild at the time of his death.

Ze'evi served in the IDF from its founding in 1948, headed the Central Command beginning in 1968, and retired from the army with the rank of Maj.-Gen.  He was appointed to be Prime Minister Rabin's advisor on terrorism and intelligence in 1974, and carried out many defense missions in various countries. In 1988, Gandi was elected to the Knesset as head of the Moledet Party that he founded.  He served as Minister Without Portfolio in the Shamir government for about a year in the early 90's, and became Tourism Minister in the first Sharon government.

The Knesset House Committee voted Monday to initiate an official state inquiry into the current water crisis. Supreme Court President Justice Dorit Beinisch will appoint the members of the inquiry panel.

The state commission of inquiry will investigate why the past recommendations of professionals and decisions by the government were not implemented.

The director of the Water Authority, Dr. Uri Shani, responded that an inquiry will not solve the country's water shortage.

National Infrastructures Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, however, was pleased at the decision. He blamed the current crisis on the Finance Ministry for cutting funds for the construction of desalinization plants that had been previously approved by the Knesset.

The committee, he said, should "first investigate the conduct of the National Infrastructures Ministry throughout the years, including my actions as minister in recent years."

"I want the commission to determine unequivocally who is at fault and for what reasons," added Ben-Eliezer, "because the bureaucrats change but the conception remains – to always look at everything through the [economic lens.]"

Shani announced earlier in the month that Israel is facing "the worst crisis in 80 years, since they started keeping records."

The coastal aquifer has already fallen below the black line, indicating it could suffer possibly irreversible damage. The level of the Kinneret this month dropped below the red line, below which it is not recommended to draw water from the lake, and now is 213 meters below sea level.

Shani predicted that the lake could fall below the black line of 215 meters below sea level by December 2008, a level where it may be difficult for pumps to operate.

Sen. Joe Lieberman, who formerly was a Democratic candidate for Vice President and now is an independent backing Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain, told a Christian audience that Israel must prepare for war with Iran as Jacob did before meeting his estranged brother Esau. "I am your brother Joseph," Sen. Lieberman told a cheering crowd of Christians United for Israel (CUFI). "Blessed are you in the name of the L-rd."
I am your brother Joseph. Blessed are you in the name of the L-rd.

As the audience waved Israel and American flags, Sen. Lieberman praised his host, controversial Christian and pro-Israel preacher Rev. John Hagee. The Connecticut Senator stated that Hagee reminds him of Biblical heroes such as Miriam and Moses, who are described in the Bible as having made human mistakes.

"You and I and Pastor Hagee all believe in the Bible," Sen. Lieberman told the audience. "We believe in the G-d of the Bible. We love G-d."

Sen. Lieberman, an observant Jew, defended Rev. Hagee, who caused an intense controversy earlier this year by saying that the Bible alluded to the Holocaust as a pre-ordained plan to encourage Jews to move to Israel.

Responding to a campaign by dovish Jews to persuade him not to address the Christians in the presence of Rev. Hagee, Sen. Lieberman stated, "There has been a campaign to stop me, but the bond I feel to Pastor Hagee and to you is much stronger."

Rev. Hagee often cites the Bible to back Israel's right to the Promised Land. Addressing a CUFI convention in Washington last week, he told more than 3,500 people they should be like the Biblical Esther when they lobby Congress for Israel and see themselves as "ambassadors of G-d" on behalf of the Jewish people "until victory comes."

His speech did nothing to allay fears among Jews that his support for Israel has missionary intentions. He stated that keeping Jerusalem united is a step towards the Second Coming, which he prophesized will be heralded by a "Jewish rabbi in side curls and not in a gray flannel suit."

Jerusalem magistrate Ilta Siskind has banned three Jews from leaving their homes in Judea and Samaria for 90 days although they have not been charged with a specific crime, IsraelJustice.com reported.
 
Efrion Oppenheimer, Aryeh Davis, Alexander Ostrovsky and a 17-year-old were arrested last week when they were hiking in Samaria. Police arrested them based on charges from Bedouins and Arabs that they punctured tires and a water pipe. "The complainant hasn't yet come to complain, but we have his contact info, and he will reach us through the sheikh," police detective Yair Aharon told the court.
The complainant hasn't yet come to complain.

Davis pointed out that the police did not arrange an identity line-up and that instead the police brought a Bedouin into the investigating room, and he pointed to the four suspects without identifying an individual.
 
"None of them was identified as someone who punctured tires or threatened with weapons but everyone said they were in the area," Aharon said. 
   
The police detective asked the magistrate to accept police recommendations for punishment to deter other young Jews from hiking in Judea and Samaria and disturbing the Palestinians and Bedouin.
 
"We are speaking about a hike that is organized for the purpose of causing damage and destruction," Aharon said. "I know that next week there is going to [be] a similar exhibition [hike]. I believe that the decision of the court will have consequences and an influence and they will learn how to behave because of this decision, and if the court will agree to our request, this will prevent phenomena like these."

 "We haven't received a complaint but on the face of it, it appears that there is a lack of justice," Nirit Moskowitz, spokesperson for the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, said. "They should investigate first."

A blank, black-bordered mourning announcement appears on the obituary page in the Monday edition of Haaretz newspaper, captioned, "This spot can be yours." It's an appeal against drunk driving.

A spokesman for the McCann Erickson advertising company, which designed the ad, told Globes, "The campaign began only today, and people are already talking about it. The message is clear: Driving plus drunkenness equals death."

Asked if the ad's placement on the obituary pages is not problematic and even tasteless, the company's Deputy Director Shai Goren said, "The campaign has no raison d'etre without the ad being exactly in that place. Every year, there are dozens of campaigns to prevent road accidents, but the public doesn't remember any of them.  We wanted to get people out of their apathy." 

Globes reporter Doron Avigad probed further: "If, Heaven forbid, there was a death announcement of one of your relatives next to the ad, would you still think it was a good idea?"

Goren: "We certainly, Heaven forbid, are not trying to offend those who have lost their loved ones. There is no connection, other than the location of the ad.  The idea was to touch people, to cause them to understand that the empty space is reserved for them if they don't wake up right away and stop driving while drunk."

Contest for Best Ad
Coincidentally, Jerusalem ad agency Pirsumei Yisrael and a hareid-religious graphics company in Bnei Brak named Prog recently joined forces to sponsor a contest for the best ad for a campaign against road accidents.  The results are to be announced tomorrow (Tuesday), at a gathering of religious publicists in Bnei Brak.  The contest is being held in memory of Pirsumei Yisrael Chairman Yisrael Goldberg's son Aviyah Yehoshua Goldberg, who was killed last year in a car accident.

Among the entries:
* A seal reminiscent of a "kosher certification" calling for "kosher lemehadrin driving."
* A photo of a flower, captioned, "Don't pick [cut off] the flowers - but it is permitted to cut off the life of a child?"
* A black-and-white photo of a totaled car, with a sign strewn on the ground reading "Neherag Hadash" (newly-killed), very similar to the familiar sign "Nahag Hadash" (new driver).
* A colorful photo of a driver on a serene roadside, featuring a smiley and the caption, "Tinhag lechayech(a)," which can be understood as meaning either, "Keep smiling" or "Drive for your life." A sub-caption reads, "Drive with courtesy."