Post by Salem6 on Dec 30, 2003 7:48:36 GMT
An Israeli court has sentenced four managers of a pirate radio station set up by settlers in the West Bank.
Station director Yaakov Katz got the longest sentence - six months.
Settlers are angry with the government
Channel Seven was set up by residents of Beit El, a settlement near Ramallah in 1988, shortly after the outbreak of the first Palestinian intifada.
But observers say the station could be back on air if the Israeli parliament passes new legislation to license "special interest radio stations".
"Arutz Sheva" - the Hebrew name of the channel - was shut down in October when the managers were convicted by a Jerusalem court.
In addition to Katz, station director Yoel Tzur, programming manager Shulamit Melamed and technical service director Yair Meir were also handed down three-to-six month-long prison terms.
Ariel Sharon has been hinting at possible unilateral steps
They were also fined 25,000-30,000 shekels ($5,700-$7,000).
Four other station employees received suspended sentences and fines.
Ariel Sharon has been hinting at possible unilateral steps
On Sunday, the Israeli Government voted to present a bill to parliament to grant licences to radio stations, such as Arutz Sheva.
Settler posts
Israel's prime minister has signed orders to dismantle four unauthorised settlers' outposts in the West Bank.
Ariel Sharon used a new procedure for the first time which allows for rapid evacuation, Israeli TV reports.
Settlers have vowed to resist the removal of the posts peacefully, while others have accused Mr Sharon of planning to create new boundaries.
JEWISH SETTLEMENTS
400,000 Jews live in 150 settlements in West Bank
7,000 Jews live in 16 settlements in the Gaza Strip
80% of settlers in West Bank live close to Israel's border
Most settlements have fewer than 1,000 citizens
West Bank settlements and checkpoints
Oren Brund, secretary of the Ginnot Arieh outpost near Ofra, said families there would appeal to the High Court.
While there would be no violence, the settlers would be backed by thousands of people and would "not move", he was quoted as saying by AP news agency.
Reports suggest that Ginnot Arieh, with about 10 families, is the only inhabited outpost among the four.
In all, Israel is due to dismantle about 100 unauthorised settlements under the peace plan known as the roadmap.
In a keynote address on 18 December, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon warned that Israel would take unilateral steps unless there was progress on the roadmap.
These would include the dismantling of settler outposts and accelerating the building of the controversial security barrier in the West Bank, he said.
Station director Yaakov Katz got the longest sentence - six months.
Settlers are angry with the government
Channel Seven was set up by residents of Beit El, a settlement near Ramallah in 1988, shortly after the outbreak of the first Palestinian intifada.
But observers say the station could be back on air if the Israeli parliament passes new legislation to license "special interest radio stations".
"Arutz Sheva" - the Hebrew name of the channel - was shut down in October when the managers were convicted by a Jerusalem court.
In addition to Katz, station director Yoel Tzur, programming manager Shulamit Melamed and technical service director Yair Meir were also handed down three-to-six month-long prison terms.
Ariel Sharon has been hinting at possible unilateral steps
They were also fined 25,000-30,000 shekels ($5,700-$7,000).
Four other station employees received suspended sentences and fines.
Ariel Sharon has been hinting at possible unilateral steps
On Sunday, the Israeli Government voted to present a bill to parliament to grant licences to radio stations, such as Arutz Sheva.
Settler posts
Israel's prime minister has signed orders to dismantle four unauthorised settlers' outposts in the West Bank.
Ariel Sharon used a new procedure for the first time which allows for rapid evacuation, Israeli TV reports.
Settlers have vowed to resist the removal of the posts peacefully, while others have accused Mr Sharon of planning to create new boundaries.
JEWISH SETTLEMENTS
400,000 Jews live in 150 settlements in West Bank
7,000 Jews live in 16 settlements in the Gaza Strip
80% of settlers in West Bank live close to Israel's border
Most settlements have fewer than 1,000 citizens
West Bank settlements and checkpoints
Oren Brund, secretary of the Ginnot Arieh outpost near Ofra, said families there would appeal to the High Court.
While there would be no violence, the settlers would be backed by thousands of people and would "not move", he was quoted as saying by AP news agency.
Reports suggest that Ginnot Arieh, with about 10 families, is the only inhabited outpost among the four.
In all, Israel is due to dismantle about 100 unauthorised settlements under the peace plan known as the roadmap.
In a keynote address on 18 December, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon warned that Israel would take unilateral steps unless there was progress on the roadmap.
These would include the dismantling of settler outposts and accelerating the building of the controversial security barrier in the West Bank, he said.