The United States has begun the evacuation of staff from its embassy in Sudan. The U.S. embassy in Khartoum said it has permitted non-essential staffers to leave Sudan amid the threat of a crackdown by President Omar al-Bashir, who the International Criminal Court (ICC) ordered to be arrested on war crimes.

Diplomatic sources said the departure of embassy staffers began on Tuesday.

“The Department of State has authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and family members at the U.S. embassy in Khartoum until further notice,” the U.S. embassy said.

Mr. al-Bashir has warned of the expulsion of diplomats in wake of the ICC warrant. Most Western embassies, amid a threat by an Islamic coalition to kill 250 people, have increased security.

The United States urged Americans not to visit Sudan. The embassy, citing the assassination of two staffers in January 2008, reported “terrorist threats” against U.S. and European interests.

“The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Sudan and recommends that American citizens defer all travel to Sudan due to uncertain security conditions following the expulsion of NGOs (non-government organizations) as well as harassment of humanitarian aid workers, employees of non-governmental organizations, and Westerners in general,” the embassy said.

The embassy said the al-Bashir regime has seized the finances and assets of foreign and local NGOs as well as the passports and laptop computers of staffers. Mr. al-Bashir has also been organizing anti-Western protests.

“There is a continuing possibility that ongoing protests may encourage violent action against Europeans and Americans,” the embassy said. “U.S. citizens should be prepared to leave Sudan in the event of an emergency, given the volatile political/security environment.”

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia has issued strong condemnation of last Thursday’s Gaza rocket attack on the Rabbi Chen synagogue in Netivot, a small Jewish community located in the center of Israel’s Western Negev region, 18 miles from Gaza.

Netivot is the “sister city” of the Philadelphia Jewish community.

In the words of Lynn B. Edelman, spokesperson of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, “We are thankful that, while the building was lightly damaged, no one was injured in this senseless act of terrorism. We stand beside the people of Israel and defend their right to live securely… and in safety and support the efforts of the Israeli government to defend its citizens.”

Last Thursday, for the first time since Israel’s January incursion into Gaza, the Hamas government in Gaza took credit for the rocket attack on Netivot. The rocket exploded in a synagogue courtyard in the city, located only a few dozen feet from a crowded supermarket.

An Israeli paramedic team treated five people for shock.

“It was a miracle,” said eyewitnesses. “Fortunately, there was no one in the synagogue, and the shrapnel hit the windows and furniture.”

Gazans have launched 25 rocket attacks on the Western Negev region in Israel since last Thursday’s attack in Netivot.

“Unfortunately, we’re back to the starting point,” said Shaar Hanegev regional council Mayor Alon Schuster, who commented on the fact that the Israeli incursion into Gaza was not showing that it had any effect on stopping the current spate of attacks.

The Israeli military response to these attacks has been to order daily Israeli Air Force (IAF) attacks on the arms smuggling tunnels. However, all Israeli intelligence sources report that these attacks do not act as any kind of deterrent to the continuing rocket attacks into Israel.

The security establishment continues receiving intelligence warnings about the intentions of the terror organizations to maintain rocket-fire at Israel’s southern communities.

With a new government in Israel still in the formative process, its adversaries seem to know the Israeli government is currently unable to take any real initiative to decisively halt these attacks which have engendered an emergency atmosphere of total panic in southern Israel.

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com

U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., a member of the Middle East subcommittee of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, has sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton demanding that $900 million in proposed Gaza aid for Palestinians be conditioned on ending rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza and having Hamas release kidnapped Israeli soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit.

Mrs. Clinton pledged $900 million during a conference in Egypt last week, which sought to raise money for rebuilding Gaza after Israel’s three-week incursion into Gaza. It was aimed at halting Gaza rocket-fire against southern Israel.

Cpl. Shalit has been held as a hostage by Hamas since a cross-border raid in June 2006.

Ms. Berkley’s letter followed a meeting on Capitol Hill last Tuesday with the Sderot Media Center, which briefed Congress about what life is like in rocket-battered Sderot The group provided first-hand visual reports of the 120 rocket attacks that have been launched from Gaza since Israel ceased its military incursion into Gaza on Jan. 18, two days before President Barack Obama was inaugurated.

After the briefing, Ms. Berkley sent the strongly worded letter to Mrs. Clinton, demanding the aid be delayed as long as the Gaza rocket-fire continues and as long as Cpl. Shalit remains captive.

She exclusively disclosed her letter to The Bulletin, where she writes, “This money will end up helping Hamas and hurting the very Palestinian people we intend to help.”

Ms. Berkley noted “for years, the U.S. has infused money into the Palestinian Authority (PA), with very little to show for it,” and “instead of helping average Palestinians, our money has lined the pockets of the Arafats and other corrupt Palestinian leaders.”

She expressed her surprise that “our funding will not be conditioned on any reciprocal actions by Hamas or the PA,” and “it is essential that we condition our funding on Hamas’ reciprocating with these basic demands.”

Without such conditions, Ms. Berkley warned, “Palestinians will see the U.S. as providing aid while Hamas continues to terrorize the Israeli people, with no consequences from the U.S. government.”

The most important part of her letter to Mrs. Clinton contained an attack on the suggested solution of funding the Gazans through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which currently receives 31 percent of its budget from the American government.

She attacked UNRWA’s credibility, saying “UNRWA has proven itself to be a biased agency, with very little oversight… Much of UNRWA’s money and services end up in the hands of people who are wealthy enough not to need the assistance, or worse, with members of terrorist organizations. UNRWA officials have even admitted that they cannot guarantee their money does not go to Hamas. I believe helping UNRWA does not further the cause of peace.”

The U.S. State Department could not be reached for comment as of press time.

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com

The Israeli Government Counter-Terrorism Bureau has issued a series of warnings to citizens of Israel.

There is a concern of widespread attacks on Israelis overseas or kidnapping attempts.

The instructions issued by the Counter-Terrorism Bureau to avoid injury or kidnapping are directed both to businessmen from Israel as well as to tourists and backpackers and relate to the entire world. The instructions follow:

• Display a high level of alertness and sensitivity toward any unusual phenomenon.
• Reject any tempting or unexpected offer from a suspicious person you don’t know.
• Reject unexpected gifts or offers for free entertainment from unfamiliar or suspicious people.
• Do not consent to unexpected meetings, mainly in remote places
• Avoid bringing in suspicious or unexpected visitors to your hotel room or wherever you are staying.
• When staying overseas for a lengthy time, do not stick to routine: change hotels from time to time, change routine travel routes and don’t frequent the same places of entertainment and restaurants.
• Avoid visiting or staying in Arab and Muslim countries and other countries to which the advisory applies.

These warnings refer mainly to countries considered dangerous (list follows), but also countries where there is ostensibly no danger to Israelis.

The countries most dangerous for Israelis to visit (very high concrete threat) are listed as Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Yemen, Iran and Afghanistan. Other places where the threat is very high: the Kashmir region in northern India, the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines, the Chechnya region in Russia and the Sinai peninsula. Israelis staying there are asked to leave immediately.

Countries that are defined as “dangerous” for Israelis include Algeria, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan. Other places where the threat is high: northern Nigeria, southern Thailand and Kenya’s beach (a strip of 75 miles that includes the towns of Shimoni, Mombassa, Malindi, Lamu and Mangai).

There is a “basic concrete threat” to Israelis in the following countries: Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Qatar, Morocco, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan and Chad.

Countries that Israelis “should avoid” include Libya, Oman, Mauritania, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Tajikistan. It is recommended that any non-vital travel to these countries be postponed.

In the Philippines (except for the island of Mindanao), Turkey, Thailand and Uzbekistan, there is no clear and concrete threat, but Israelis there are asked to take precautions.

The Counter-Terrorism Bureau also warns of kidnappings for Israelis who help the Colombian government in security matters. These Israelis are asked to conceal their identities, to prefer aerial transport, to move only on main roads during daylight and to avoid visiting areas where there is a high risk.

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com

The North African nation of Mauritania, one of the few Muslim nations to maintain relations with Israel and the only country in North Africa with full diplomatic relations with Israel, has severed all ties with the Jewish state. It then expelled the Israeli ambassador.

The expulsion of Israel’s ambassador took place last Friday. The staff of the Israeli embassy in the Mauritanian capital was also kicked out of the country. By no small coincidence, Mauritania is about to host Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, whose government remains in a state of war with Israel.

In January, Mauritania recalled its ambassador from Israel during the Jewish state’s incursion into Gaza.

Israel also conducted low-level security activities in Mauritania, which has been fighting the al-Qaida network in North Africa.

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com

The Middle East Newsline has confirmed the U.S. intelligence community has agreed to investigate an intelligence appointee’s reported connection to Saudi Arabia and China.

National Intelligence director Dennis Blair has agreed to examine Charles Freeman’s – President Barack Obama’s nominee to be the new chairman of the National Intelligence Council – alleged connections.

Mr. Freeman, the former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, served as a longtime lobbyist for the Arab kingdom in Washington.

“We hope this will put to rest any questions about Ambassador Freeman’s suitability, character and financial history,” Mr. Blair said.

Under the decision, the inspector-general of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence would probe Mr. Freeman’s background. Since 1997, Mr. Freeman was president of the Middle East Policy Council, which he acknowledged had received funds from Saudi Arabia.

In his new post, Mr. Freeman would report to Mr. Blair and his deputy, Peter Lavoy. House Republicans told Mr. Blair that Mr. Freeman’s $87,000 annual salary was paid by Riyadh.

The Republicans, led by House Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, and Minority Whip Eric Cantor, R-Va., had asked for an examination of Mr. Freeman’s links with China, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

In a letter sent out on Thursday, the Republicans wrote Mr. Freeman had served on an international advisory board of the state-owned Chinese National Offshore Oil Co. In 2007, the Chinese firm signed a $16 billion agreement with Iran to develop an oil field.

Mr.Freeman, appointed on Feb. 26, will be asked to respond to their concerns.

He will be given 30 days to identify and resolve potential financial conflicts of interest.

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com

Intelligence sources report that al-Qaida and Hamas are now tracking Israeli diplomats, businessmen and students throughout Jordan.

“The Islamists have failed to pressure the government to sever relations with Israel, so what they are doing is trying to drive the Israelis out of the country or scare them into staying in their hotels or embassy,” a Western diplomat said.

Jordan has uncovered an Islamist plot to intimidate Israeli businessmen in the Hashemite kingdom. On March 4, two suspected Islamist operatives were indicted for plotting to kill an Israeli factory owner in the northern city of Irbid.

Mohammed Odatallah, 36, and Loay Shehadah, 37, were charged by Jordan’s military prosecutor of seeking to kill Jews. Messrs. Odatallah and Shehada were said to have targeted an unidentified Israeli factory owner in Irbid and began tracking his movements.

Israelis have established several factories in northern Israel, which have been producing everything from textiles to batteries.

The indictment said the defendants tried to kill the Israeli in January. Messrs. Odatallah and Shehada were said to have arrived at the Irbid factory, but fled when they saw a security patrol. The Israeli later left Jordan.

This marked the second Islamist plot against the Israeli presence in Jordan over the last few months. Last December, three Hamas members were convicted and sentenced to five years for plotting to attack Israelis as well as Jordanian intelligence officers. Last Thursday, Jordan’s High Court reduced the sentences of the Hamas assailants by half.

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com

In his Sunday Mass in Rome yesterday, Pope Benedict XVI said: “From May 8-15, I will make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to ask the Lord, visiting the places sanctified by his passage on the earth, for his precious blessing of unity and peace for the Middle East and for all of mankind. I am counting on the spiritual support of all of you, and may God accompany me, support me, and bless with his Grace all those who I meet on my way.”

Israeli President Shimon Peres reacted to Pope Benedict XVI’s announcement that he has accepted Mr. Peres’ invitation to come visit the Holy Land.

Mr. Peres expressed his pleasure with the pope’s announcement.

“I am delighted that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has responded positively and accepted my invitation to visit the Holy Land,” Mr. Peres said. “The pope will be a most honored guest, welcomed and respected by people from all walks of life. His visit will be a moving and important event bringing the spirit of peace and hope. Welcome to Israel.”

Mr. Peres announced that he had instructed the director-general of the Office of the President, Ms. Efrat Duvdevani, to accelerate the preparations for the pope’s visit with all of the relevant government ministries.

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com

After less than two years in office, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad announced his resignation in light of the new Hamas/Fatah alignment talks that are to begin next week in Cairo.

Mr. Fayyad, who is not a Hamas or Fatah member, was the man whom the American government relied upon for financial accountability and for a future stable Palestinian entity that would not be tainted by the terrorism that has been the legacy of both Hamas and Fatah. Hamas is defined by the U.S. government as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), and the military forces of the Fatah, known as the al-Aqsa Brigades, are also designated by the American government as a FTO.

Mr. Fayyad assumed office in June 2007 after Hamas staged its takeover in Gaza.

Palestinian Authority President and Fatah Chairman Mahmoud Abbas dismissed Ismail Haniyeh’s Hamas government that had been elected in January 2006 and announced the establishment of a new government, based in Ramallah, under Mr. Fayyad at that time.

As the man who assumed the role of Palestinian finance minister following the death of PLO founder Yasssir Arafat, Mr. Fayyad had been credited with initiating the first system of financial accountability into the Palestinian Authority, following years of corruption under Arafat leadership.

A mantra of American and Israeli foreign policy over the past two years was that the Palestinian Authority could be trusted because Mr. Fayyad was at the helm. Now that Mr. Fayyad’s accountability and moderation has been removed, Fatah and Hamas have come together in their war against Israel.

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com