Archive for May 1, 2012

IRS ramps up audits of taxpayers in Israel

Accountants warn financial reviews by U.S. authority here are at an all-time high.

 

Americans filing their tax returns from Israel are being audited by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service with a frequency that industry professionals have never seen before, according to several certified public accountants.

While some of the accountants who spoke with Haaretz are not convinced Americans living in Israel are being singled out for audits more than other Americans living abroad, some maintain that the IRS has given indications it will pay more attention to Israel, Hong Kong and Singapore.

All are cautioning filers to take note of a new “vigilance” among U.S. Continue Reading »

Israel says inclusion on UN list ‘absurd’

JERUSALEM — Israel’s Foreign Ministry has criticized a U.N. statement that places the country on a list of nations it says are moving to further restrict advocacy and rights groups.

Spokesman Yigal Palmer on Monday called Israel’s inclusion on the list “absurd.”

Yigal Palmor - Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman and Director of Press Department · Jerusalem, Israel

Yigal Palmor - Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman and Director of Press Department · Jerusalem, Israel

The office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights issued the statement last week.

It criticized an Israeli law requiring groups to report more rigorously on funding from foreign governments.

The law’s supporters say Israel has a right to know who funds groups that oppose its policies. Continue Reading »

‘Matanyahu’ Seal Found near Solomon’s Temple

Seal with name similar to Prime Minister’s found in the physically closest structure to King Solomon’s Temple ever unearthed.

Another amazing find on the Temple Mount: Archeologists digging under Robinson’s Arch in the archeological garden next to the Kotel have found remains of a structure from the late First Temple period, under the base of the drainage ditch currently being exposed.

Matanyahu seal

Matanyahu seal - Israel Antiquities Authority

This is the physically closest structure to King Solomon’s Temple ever unearthed.

On the floor of the ancient structure, the diggers discovered an ancient Hebrew seal from the late First Temple period. It is made of semiprecious stone and bears the name of the owner of the seal: “To Matanyahu Son of Ho…” (the rest of the name is not legible). Continue Reading »

Solar system may have evolved faster than thought

Scientists say solar system came into being 4.5 billion years after Big Bang, but formation took shorter time.

 

The vast solar system that contains Earth is not older than scientists had thought, but it apparently developed faster than they surmised, according to an international team of researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and universities and laboratories in the US and Japan.

The astronomical team, who published their findings in a recent issue of the prestigious journal Science, said that the solar system indeed came into being some 4.5 billion years after the Big Bang, but its formation took a shorter time than researchers had thought.

Continue Reading »

Tzipi Livni resigns from Knesset

After 13 as Knesset member, former Kadima chairwoman tenders formal resignation to House Speaker Rivlin. Associates say she will remain politically, publicly active

Knesset Member and former Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni is expected to officially resigned the Knesset on Tuesday.

Livni will reportedly tender her resignation to Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin at noon.

Livni’s loss in the Kadima primaries to Shaul Mofaz, who won 62% of the votes, immediately sparked speculations regarding her future in politics.

She herself had remained mum regarding her plans over the past few weeks. But as the Knesset’s summer session began Monday, Livni decided it was time to announce her decision. Continue Reading »

WATCH / U.S. students walk out of Israeli ambassador’s lecture

Students at George Washington University disrupt talk by Michael Oren, hold up signs reading ‘Oren supports colonialism,’ and ‘What are you going to do with 30 billion?’

 

Students at George Washington University, in Washington D.C. walked out on a lecture by Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren, on Monday night.

As Ambassador Oren’s lecture “Ultimate Allies: Israel and the United States,” started, about 30 students raised signs, got up, and left the auditorium in silence. Oren suggested they stay and conduct a dialog, but none of the protesting students changed their mind and stayed.

Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren.

Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren.

Continue Reading »

Southern Command honors outstanding Bedouin soldiers

Certificates of excellence awarded to soldiers and officers in recognition of their exemplary service in the IDF

Last week, in honor of Israel’s 64th Independence Day, a special ceremony was held at which officers and soldiers were awarded certificates of excellence in recognition of their service in the IDF. Among the awardees was Lt. Ibrahim Alhuashalah – who was presented with his certificate by the Chief of Staff – in addition to 10 additional soldiers from the Bedouin sector who were recognized by the commander of the Southern Command for their outstanding service in the field.

“I accept this honor for my activity throughout my military service, for this recognition that I do my work in the best way,” award recipient Sgt.

Continue Reading »