JERUSALEM

(JTA) — A group of West Bank settlers reportedly is offering "terror tours" for those who would like to get a taste of the region's violence.

The tour packages include staged terror attacks, firearms training and helicopter flights over flashpoint areas such as Hebron and the Gaza Strip, according to the Israeli daily Ha'aretz.

A tour organizer said 22 young Americans already have signed up, the paper reported.

Town fights intifada with snow mountain

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel's Mt. Hermon ski resort is transferring some 200 tons of snow to Sderot on Sunday, in a show of solidarity for the Negev town that has been the target of Palestinian rocket attacks.

The Negev town is clearing ground for its "snow mountain," Israel Radio reported.

Iraq hands out cash to Gaza 'martyrs'

JERUSALEM (JPS) — Twenty-six families in the Gaza Strip whose homes were demolished or lost relatives in the uprising, were to receive $260,000 in aid from the Arab Liberation Front, a Palestinian faction financially backed by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Saddam Hussein has frequently voiced support for the Palestinians in their fighting against Israel and has given money to the families of suicide bombers and Palestinian casualties of the fighting.

Tel Aviv gets first Arab deputy mayor

TEL AVIV (JTA) — A former soccer star became the first Israeli Arab to be appointed a deputy mayor of Tel Aviv-Jaffa.

Mayor Ron Huldai called the appointment of Jaffa-born Rifat "Jimmy" Turk "historic."

Turk, a former player on Hapoel Tel Aviv, was elected to the City Council on the left-wing Meretz list.

In 1976, Turk was the first Israeli Arab to represent Israel in the Olympics, when he played for the soccer team in the Montreal games

Palestinian TV claims Israel using 'toy' bombs

JERUSALEM (JPS) — Palestinian Television reportedly has come up with a new claim against Israel.

According to the Israel-based Palestinian Media Watch, Palestinian TV reported this week that Israel is making "bombs and mines designed as toys" and dropping them from airplanes in populated areas where Palestinian children play.

The program also reiterated some old charges, including that Israel is planning to destroy the al-Aksa Mosque in Jerusalem.