Colin Powell is due in Israel today.

international | politics / elections | other press

Monday November 22, 2004 12:31

by iosaf

following his recent change in job. His visit will not be as "high level"

Sharon has confirmed that his government will not stop the Palestinians of Jerusalem in taking part in their planned elections which will be celebrated in less than two months on the 9th of January.

It is not certain that Sharons government will survive the Knesset votes till then, so he's not gone yet.

Free Democratic Open and Accountable Elections
are jolly nice, and you normally get at least one in your life about the age of fourteen / fifteen when you elect a class rep in school.

some little rules-
To be Free Democratic Open and Accountable, candidates must not be barred from running.
candidates must not be impeded by financial cost from running.
voters must have the right to a secret ballot.
voters must have equal right to vote called a franchise regardless of gender.
candidates must be allowed to campaign freely in the election area.

This last one in the Palestian context means freedom of movement from Jerusalem to the Heights to Gaza. This is not something anyone has at the moment.

Mr Sharon's government is currently feeling optimistic of peace in the region, the threat of civil war being fomented within the Israeli state as a result of both his war on the Palestinians and his withdrawl plans from Gaza have for the moment receded. IN addition the value of the Israeli Stock market has increased over 20% since the republic of France flew Arafat to Percy and extended him their medical and other protection.
This rise of over 20% does not signal any additional support for the Sharon government and is more than the usual speculative thrust which follows political uncertainty and might be interpreted as a willingness of some to provide the cash for developing "two democratic neighbouring states". If nothing else it demonstrates that there is still a lot of capital in the jewish interest world which is not usually invested in the Tel Aviv exchange. Maybe helvetian gnomes look after it.

powell in Israel-.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4030823.stm
Sharon accepts Jerusalem right to vote (its in spanish if bush can learn it you can, and its not as dirty as that Sunday independent type french)
http://www.elperiodico.com/default.asp?idpublicacio_PK=6&idioma=CAS&idnoticia_PK=165821&idseccio_PK=174&h=
if you just cant be bothered here it is in english-
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/503936.html

if you're a money bags then go here
http://www.tase.co.il/buildpage.cgi
and you can watch the TASE and see will it go up any more. if the curve of the last three weeks is continued past the all time high which was speculative of August 2004, then the state of Israel will be worth the most ever since the
queen of saba and she had the wisdom not to live there.