Syrian site likely nuclear

Traces of uranium and graphite were found in samples taken from the site of a suspected nuclear reactor in Syria, the United Nations nuclear watchdog said. The International Atomic Energy Agency made the disclosure Feb. 19. The discovery of additional uranium as well as graphite, which is used to build a nuclear reactor core, is a “significant” find, Reuters quoted a senior UN official as saying. The samples were taken last June from the site, which Israel bombed in 2007. Israel and the United States have claimed the site was a nascent nuclear reactor; Syria says it was a conventional military facility.

Peres questions pullout

Israel “should have done things differently” in its 2005 pullout from Gaza, Israel’s president told U.S. Jewish leaders. “Whatever will happen in the future, we shall not repeat the mistakes we made in leaving Gaza,” Shimon Peres told members of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations during a question-and-answer session. Peres, a supporter of territorial withdrawal, clarified after the talk that he objected to the way the Gaza withdrawal was handled. He also told Presidents Conference members that the direction of Israel’s future policies, not who heads the next government, is the critical issue.  

UN: Hamas stole arms

The United Nations confirmed that Hamas stole seven tons of unexploded Israeli weapons stored in UN warehouses in Gaza. The explosives, fired by Israel during its military operation in Gaza, were set to be destroyed by controlled detonation. The mostly unexploded tank shells were under Hamas guard when they were stolen, Ha’aretz reported. The theft was discovered earlier last week, but confirmed Feb. 17 by the United Nations and the Israel Defence Forces. A UN Mines Action Team has worked to collect and dispose of the unexploded weapons since the operation ended in mid-January, the BBC reported. The team has been waiting for Israeli approval to bring equipment into Gaza to neutralize the weapons. The arms, which could easily be set off accidentally, are being stored near major population areas, Ha’aretz reported.

Pope’s Israel visit dates set

Pope Benedict XVI’s trip to Israel will take place the second week in May. Rev. Rifat Bader, a spokesperson for the Church in Jordan, announced last week that Benedict will visit Israel May 8-11, the Catholic news agency Zenit reported. Before going to Israel, the Pope will visit Jordan, where he will make a stop at Mount Nebo, from where tradition says Moses saw the Promised Land, and at a site on the Jordan River believed to be the place where Jesus was baptized. Zenit said the Pope also is expected to meet in Jordan with Islamic leaders in the mosque of Prince Hussein. The pope is scheduled to visit Jerusalem, Nazareth and Bethlehem.