Word: sharef
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Last week the irrevocability of Jewish control was pushed a giant step further. Israeli Housing Minister Ze'ev Sha-ref announced that the government would construct 19,500 apartments for about 100,000 people in three outlying districts (see map]. The government, Sharef said bluntly, is determined that Jerusalem remain "an emphatically Jewish city. This is a plan with a Jewish goal. This is a Zionist exhibition...
Jerusalem's indefatigable mayor, Teddy Kollek, says unconvincingly that Sharef's plans have nothing to do with politics. The burly, affable Kollek, who has been notably fair in his treatment of Jerusalem's Arab citizens, insists that Jerusalem cannot wait until its status is finally settled before it constructs more housing. In an analogy for Americans, he argues: "You don't stop urban development in Washington until you solve the black-white problem." But Israel is literally bulldozing its way to Jewish control over the limestone and sand of Jordanian Jerusalem before any peace negotiations...
Down to a Fig Leaf. One reason for the protests was Sharef's poor timing. Just as he spoke, the drive toward a Middle East peace settlement seemed to be gaining momentum. U.N. Mediator Gunnar Jarring, criticized for acting like a "mailman" whose only role was to shunt messages back and forth, began to ask probing questions of Egypt and Israel. Among them: Would Israel withdraw from Sinai in exchange for a formal peace treaty? Would Egypt recognize Israel in return for withdrawal? Egypt's President Anwar Sadat responded to Jarring's overtures by promising...
Eventually, aircraft sales will help lift exports. Though expected to top $1 billion this year, exports are still far short of covering expected imports of $1.7 billion. This year's payments deficit will reach $600 million, compared with $425 million last year. Finance Minister Sharef figures that his treasury's healthy $900 million in reserves will tide the country over until Israel...
Still, the labor market is so tight that inflation is a constant danger. Eying next year's elections, some left-wing groups are already pushing for a general 10% wage increase. Even so, the country displays a confidence that borders on cockiness. This month Sharef declared a 15% cut in tariffs, except for autos, and he has scheduled further reductions for January. By rather boldly opening its borders, Israel expects to fight inflation at home and at the same time test its industry against international competition...