Israel Awareness Update October 12, 2001 By: Yoni Merola, Natick USY Programming VP As US bombing raids continue in Afganistan, Israel shows strong support towards the US. Both Bush and Tony Bair lpan to meet with Ariel Sharon sometime this month to push the peace process. Although Israelies are showing support for our good nation Palestinian leaders are rallying daily and presenting the Islamic faith with this idea that terroisim is a part of Islam. One in four Palestinian's beleive this while most of the other 75% still is in support of Afganistan and against the US bombing it. As our military practices begin to unfold in Afganistan, Israel is actively helping the US by donate intelligence of the Al Qaeda member whereabouts. In other news, Health Ministry officials have "frequently and recently discussed" the possibility of beginning local manufacture or the import of smallpox vaccine, but they are waiting for the defense authorities to decide whether there is any possible danger to Israel of smallpox spread by biological warfare. Ministry chief epidemiologist Dr. Paul Slater told The Jerusalem Post yesterday that no one in the world - including Israel - has been vaccinated against smallpox since 1981, when the World Health Organization decided the infectious disease had been wiped out. "The government was very happy to stop giving the vaccine," Slater said. However, it is feared that terrorist groups, including Islamic fundamentalists, may have obtained supplies of the fatal virus. Slater said that only Israelis over the age of 20 who have been vaccinated have some protection against smallpox, whose infection can be fatal. Adults who have been vaccinated before would not die from smallpox infection, but they could take ill. Middle-aged and elderly people probably are most protected, because they have received several booster shots. As this issue will soon be resolved we must weigh the two sides and come to a resolution. Finally, Moshe Glam's left foot free-kick in the 93rd minute gave Ashdod SC earn a well-deserved 1-1 home draw against reigning champions Maccabi Haifa last night. The result saw Haifa drop out of first place in the league, replaced by Ironi Rishon Lezion, which beat Maccabi Netanya 1-0. Ashdod came close to opening the scoring nine minutes from the start when Amir Elkarif beat Raimondas Zutautas deep inside Haifa's half. Ashdod's fullback charged into the area before releasing a drive that goalkeeper Dudu Awat couldn't hold onto. Hanan Fadida pounced on the rebound only to see Awat narrow the angle and make another brilliant save. Maccabi's indifferent form continued throughout the first period. Yossi Benayoun, Igbini Yakobu, Giovani Rosso and Nenad Peralja didn't threaten Ashdod's keeper. Seconds before the interval, Alon Hazan's clever long ball caught Haifa's defense flat, leaving Alec Nilash and Fadida with Alon Harazi and Awat to beat. Nilash released Fadida. whose first touch let him down before Harazi's tackle cleared the danger. Nine minutes after the interval Adoram Keisi's cross from the left saw Benayoun, who was left unmarked in the area, continue with a fierce strike that rattled the right post. In the 61st minute Grant shuffled his side as he introduced Rafi Cohen for Walid Badier, thus sending Rosso to the heart of midfield. Assi Tubi replaced Fadida at Ashdod, while Yaniv Katan came in for the ineffective Peralja for the final 20 minutes. Less than 60 seconds later, Haifa took the lead through Yakoubu.. Avishai Zano found Benayoun on the edge of Ashdod's area before last season's MVP flicked to the Nigerian, who kept his calm and slotted home from close range. Haifa's goal gave the match a new birth. Ten minutes from time, Hazan cut inside past Katan and rattled Awat's left post with a fierce left foot drive. In the 88th minute Awat was forced to dive to his left and make a save from substitute Sharon Amar's close-range header. Three minutes into injury time Tubi was fouled by Harazi on the edge of Haifa's penalty box, allowing Ashdod a last gasp chance to level the score. Glam stepped up and curled a Beckham style free kick with his left foot that gave Awat no chance and earned his team a well deserved point. Rishon 1, Maccabi Netanya 0 Giyora Spiegel's Ironi Rishon continued its impressive form by recording its fourth win of the campaign after beating Maccabi Netanya to leap over Maccabi Haifa and recapture the top spot in the league. Use the back button in your browser to read more updates or go back to the Natick USY Homepage.