Palestine Today 07 13 2010
IMEMC Audio Dept | 13.07.2010 15:13 | Other Press | Palestine | World
Jordan is in danger of losing its monetary aid from the United States should it continue to enhance its nuclear program without the cooperation of Israel.
The US and Jordan discussed the nation's nuclear plan for six months, but the Jordanians were unable to obtain US approval.
The program began three years ago when over 65,000 tons of uranium ore, one of the largest deposits in the world, was discovered in the Jordanian desert.
All but five percent of Jordan's energy is imported from other countries, primarily Saudi Arabia and Iraq, the addition of nuclear power would make them self-sufficient and in a position to export power around the region.
Jordan depends on American aid, they have received around $665 million so far this year, and this is split between the military and other financial considerations.
King Abdullah condemned Israel for impeding his country's efforts in its nuclear program last month, saying that their relations had been at their lowest since the two signed a peace agreement.
On Monday, Israel concluded what it called an official investigation into the attack on the Freedom Flotilla, and determined that “serious mistakes on the planning and intelligence levels were conducted leading to the death of the nine activists”.
The report was not made public yet, but it refrained from naming officials responsible for the shortcomings and failures. It stated that high ranking officers and officials made mistakes, and added that the outcome of the attack was not what Israel anticipated.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign slammed the Israeli report, and said that it was meant to “wash the hands of the soldiers and officials responsible for the deadly attack."
A Libyan ship set sail from Greece two days ago intent on breaking the siege in place on the Gaza strip, delivering foodstuffs and medical supplies.
The Israeli navy meanwhile has offered to use the same kind of violence that it did on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in late May of this year. Eight Turkish and one Turk/American citizen were killed in those attacks.
The Israeli Construction and Planning Committee at the Jerusalem Municipality approved Monday, the construction of 32 units for Jewish settlers in Pisgat Ze'ev settlement.
The new licenses allow the settlers to start the constructions immediately, while the current plan is only part of a bigger project that includes the construction of 250 settlement units near Hizma a Palestinian village, in East Jerusalem.
In the West Bank late Monday night Israeli soldiers shut down the Jordan valley. The army installed several roadblocks at the entrances of Jericho, al-Oja and all roads leading to the northern and central areas of the Jordan valley.
The army claimed receiving warnings of “potential attacks against Israeli targets” in the Jordan Valley. Countless Israeli military and police searched cars and interrogated residents.
Thank you for joining us from occupied Bethlehem, you have been listening to Palestine Today from the International Middle East Media Center, for constant update, please visit our website at www.imemc.org. This report has been brought to you by Brian Ennis.
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