If further substantiation for Israel\'s strong position against international observers was needed, the UN has finally admitted, contrary to its denials until now, that it is in possession of a UNIFIL videotape taken a day after the October 2000 abduction of three soldiers on Israel\'s northern border. Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer wrote a strongly-worded demand yesterday to UN Secretary-General Kofi Anan to immediately receive the original videotape, as well as whatever information the UN has regarding the kidnapping and related circumstances. A spokesman for the world body responded that senior UN officials in the Middle East only learned of the existence of the tape \"a few days ago,\" and that UN leaders would \"discuss\" the Israeli request for the tape.
The Betar Zionist Youth Organization will hold a rally this afternoon at 1 PM today in front of the United Nations in New York, demanding that the UN give Israel whatever help it needs in procuring the release of the kidnapped Israelis. Not a sign of life has been forthcoming from the three Israeli soldiers kidnapped by Hizbullah eight months ago, nor from the Israeli businessman who was abducted shortly afterwards.
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said yesterday that the UN withheld release of the tape apparently because it did not want to get involved in the conflict between Israel and Hizbullah. Analyst Dr. Aaron Lerner noted on Arutz-7, however, that \"that is their job!\" Lerner added, \"That very same explanation could be used to excuse [future] observers who refuse to report on Palestinian violations - they just \'don\'t want to get involved...\'\"
At the same time, UN leader Anan called upon Israel yesterday to abandon its policy of pre-emptive strikes against terrorists. In one of the most recent such strikes, Israeli helicopter missiles struck and killed three terrorists on their way to carrying out an attack against Israelis. Anan said he is \"deeply disturbed\" by Israel\'s decision to continue this policy and that it threatens Middle East peace efforts.
The Betar Zionist Youth Organization will hold a rally this afternoon at 1 PM today in front of the United Nations in New York, demanding that the UN give Israel whatever help it needs in procuring the release of the kidnapped Israelis. Not a sign of life has been forthcoming from the three Israeli soldiers kidnapped by Hizbullah eight months ago, nor from the Israeli businessman who was abducted shortly afterwards.
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said yesterday that the UN withheld release of the tape apparently because it did not want to get involved in the conflict between Israel and Hizbullah. Analyst Dr. Aaron Lerner noted on Arutz-7, however, that \"that is their job!\" Lerner added, \"That very same explanation could be used to excuse [future] observers who refuse to report on Palestinian violations - they just \'don\'t want to get involved...\'\"
At the same time, UN leader Anan called upon Israel yesterday to abandon its policy of pre-emptive strikes against terrorists. In one of the most recent such strikes, Israeli helicopter missiles struck and killed three terrorists on their way to carrying out an attack against Israelis. Anan said he is \"deeply disturbed\" by Israel\'s decision to continue this policy and that it threatens Middle East peace efforts.