Schalit report denied

Hamas’ deputy leader denied reports that he received a videotape of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit. Moussa Abu Marzouk made his denial in an interview last week with the London-based newspaper a-Sharq al-Aws. Marzouk also said he had not been given a letter from the soldier, as had been reported. “I have no information on Schalit,” he was quoted in the interview as saying. “I don’t know if he’s alive or dead. The factions aren’t willing to give any information on him.” The Kuwaiti newspaper al-Jarida had reported that Marzouk was given a tape and a letter last month by the commander of Hamas’ military wing, Ahmad Jabari, during his short trip to Gaza after attending Palestinian reconciliation talks in Egypt. A senior Israeli source had told Israel Radio that the Prime Minister’s Office had no knowledge of the video. Schalit was abducted in a cross-border raid in July 2006.

Katsav denies sex charges

Moshe Katsav accused Israeli authorities and the press of a “witch hunt,” and emphasized his innocence on sex charges. The former Israeli president blasted Attorney General Menahem Mazuz and the law enforcement establishment during a 2-1/2-hour news conference last week. Mazuz announced that he was ready to indict Katsav on rape and indecent assault charges as well as obstruction of justice.   Stressing his innocence, Katsav said authorities and the press were carrying out a “lynch and a witch hunt”against him. Katsav was first accused in 2006 and stepped down as president shortly before his term ended in June 2007. He was replaced by Shimon Peres. Katsav struck a plea deal in June 2007 under which the rape charges would be dropped, but last April he reneged on the deal.

Standing with the Schalits

Hundreds of people arrived last Friday morning at the tent pitched across from the Prime Minister’s Residence in Jerusalem to increase pressure on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to secure the release of abducted Israel Defence Forces soldier Gilad Schalit. The protesters called  on Olmert to fulfil his promise and reach an agreement to bring Schalit home before he leaves office. People from across Israel and of various ages arrived at the protest tent – set up earlier in the week by Schalit’s parents, Noam and Aviva – to show their support for the captive soldier’s family.

Ties key: Turkish envoy

The relationship between Israel and Turkey is of “regional and global importance,” according to Turkey’s ambassador to Israel, Namik Tan. Speaking at a conference at Tel Aviv University last week, Tan said “the basis of the strategic relations between Israel and Turkey is stable.” He added that the relationship was important “because the ties that bind us are strategic.”
– files from JTA and Ha’aretz