[MER - The Israelis claim otherwise, but political tensions are at an extreme and the pressures are being felt. The Netanyahu-led government is besieged; and to keep the "peace process" alive the U.S. and friendly Arab "client- regimes" including that of Yasser Arafat are feverishly working to bring down the Likud government. Prominent and wealthy American Jews deeply embarrassed by the Likud government's rhetoric and style -- for policies are not in reality that much different than those of the former Labor- led government) are urging that Shimon Peres be brought back to power if at all possible. Both the PA of Arafat and Jews associated with the Labor Party and Peres are spending considerable amounts for public relations purposes, especially in the U.S. -- including seeding various NGOs (non-governmental organizations) with new funding if they are willing to work to help bring the Labor Party back to power without criticizing the "peace process" or the terrible failings and abuses of the Arafat regime. Things are so tense that even the Prime Minister's military honor-guard at Ben-Gurion Airport is now being searched before the Prime Minister comes into view. The following brief translation is from the Israeli daily Ma'ariv from a few days ago:]

"At Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu's departure ceremony at Ben-Gurion airport there was an honor guard as per protocol requirements.

The honor guard, however, was treated without honor when they were frisked, checked by metal detectors and had their guns checked for ammunition. Only after the check was complete was the ceremony able to begin."

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