Archive for July 28, 2012

| July 28, 2012
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Gaza Christians feeling the pressure to convert to Islam

At Gaza’s main church, Hundreds of Christians protest, demanding return of members they claim were forced to convert.

By REUTERS

 

Two conversions that a Christian family says were forced have strained relations between a tiny Palestinian Christian community in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip and the Muslim majority.

converted-christians-in-gazaHundreds of Christians have staged protests in Gaza’s main church in the past week, demanding the return of members of their community of 2,500, whom they said were kidnapped by Islamist proselytizers and forced to convert to Islam.

Christians are blaming the Hamas-affiliated Palestine Scholars Association and its chairman Salem Salama, a senior member of the Islamist Hamas movement.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| July 28, 2012
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Two Qassam rockets explode near Sderot

Gaza-based terrorists fire 2 Qassams at western Negev; no injuries reported

By Neri Brenner

 

 

Two rockets fired from the Gaza Strip exploded in an open area near Sderot on Saturday evening. No injuries or damage were reported.

A 29-year-old woman was lightly injured when running to a protected space. She was taken to the Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon shortly after.

Rocket landing site (archives) – Photo: Zeev Trachtman

Meanwhile, two Qassam rockets were fired from Gaza on Friday towards agricultural fields in the Negev’s Eshkol Regional Council. No injuries or damage were reported.

Last week, the Iron Dome defense system intercepted a rocket which was fired at Ashkelon. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags:
| July 28, 2012
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Syria’s Assad loosing support from the Golan Heights Druze

Druze families in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights are divided between supporters of the revolt and backers of the regime.

By The Associated Press

 

The raging civil war just across the cease-fire line in Syria is posing an uncomfortable political choice for the Druze people in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights.

Do they maintain their traditional loyalty to the government of Bashar Assad, whose family has vowed to take back the territory? Or should they support the burgeoning Arab revolt against Assad’s harsh rule?

In the shifting sands of the Middle East, the Druze again find themselves a people caught in the middle. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| July 28, 2012
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Cyprus: Hizbullah Terrorist Who Targeted Israelis to Stand Trial

Cypriot authorities: A Swedish national of Lebanese descent will stand trial on September 12, in Cyprus, on suspicion of plotting to attack Israelis.

By Elad Benari, Canada

 

A Swedish national of Lebanese descent arrested in Cyprus on suspicion of plotting to attack Israeli tourists in the country will stand trial on September 12, authorities said on Friday.

Reuters reported that the man, who has not been identified, faces nine charges of security-related offenses related to tracking the movements and areas frequented by Israeli visitors to the holiday island. He was arrested on July 7 as a suspected security threat.

A bus that was damaged in the Burgas terror attack

A bus that was damaged in the Burgas terror attack – Reuters

Israel has said the man was planning an attack similar to a suicide bus bombing in the Bulgarian city of Burgas on July 18 that killed five Israelis. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| July 28, 2012
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Hezbollah airs Clip showing 2006 kidnapping of IDF reservists

Video released shows Hezbollah terrorists crossing into Israel, firing at military vehicle, but Regev, Goldwasser not shown

Roi Kais

Six years after the incident which led to the outbreak of the Second Lebanon War, the Lebanese terror group Hezbollah released on Friday a video it claims documents the abduction of IDF reservists Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev.

Ehud Goldwasser Photo: Reuters

Ehud Goldwasser Photo: Reuters

Eldad Regev Reproduction photo: Hagai Aharon

Eldad Regev Reproduction photo: Hagai Aharon

The video, which was broadcast on the Al Mayadeen satellite network, shows a Hezbollah cell crossing the border into Israel and opening fire on an IDF Hummer from several dozen meters away. After identifying a hit, the terrorists approach the vehicle. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| July 27, 2012
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Lebanon’s judo squad refuses to train next to the Israelis

Lebanon’s Olympic judo team has refused to train next to the Israeli competitors at sessions ahead of London 2012.

By Danny Caro and Marcus Dysch

 

Olympic officials were forced to erect a special screen at the Excel venue following a complaint from a member of the Lebanese delegation.

Alice Schlesinger, who is on the Israeli judo team

Alice Schlesinger, who is on the Israeli judo team

It is understood the two squads had been warming up next to each other when the complaint was made on Friday afternoon.

An Israeli official at the venue confirmed a partition had been used to block the view and said the session had then continued with minimum disruption. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| July 27, 2012
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Obama signs bill giving Israel $70M in military aid

President Obama releases additional aid while signing bill that underscores Washington’s ‘unshakable commitment to Israel.’ Romney camp: Bill does nothing to address Obama Administration’s evasiveness recognizing Jerusalem as capital of Israel

By Yitzhak Benhorin, AP

 

 

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama said Friday he is releasing an additional $70 million in military aid for Israel, a previously announced move that appeared timed to upstage Republican rival Mitt Romney‘s trip to Israel this weekend.

The stepped-up US aid, first announced in May, will go to help Israel expand production of a short-range rocket defense system. The system, known as Iron Dome, has proved successful at stopping rocket attacks fired at Israeli civilians from close range, including from Gaza. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| July 27, 2012
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20,000 Londoners hold moment of silence for Munich 11

Throughout venues across London, the British Zionist Federation’s ‘Minute for Munich’ is marked by people in memory of the 11 Israeli athletes killed in the 1972 Munich Olympics.

By JTA

 

More than 20,000 people in various venues in London attended the British Zionist Federation’s “Minute for Munich” program that was promoted via social media.

A short memorial service at the Israeli Embassy that was organized by the Zionist Federation was streamed live online today, according to the London Jewish Chronicle.

The river Thames in London, the Olympics host, July 27, 2012.

The river Thames in London, the Olympics host, July 27, 2012. Photo by AFP

About 200 people marked the Minute for Munich in Trafalgar Square, reciting memorial prayers and lighting memorial candles. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags:
| July 27, 2012
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Arab League: Don’t Touch Temple Mount, It’s Muslim

As Jews fast & mourn their Temple, Muslim Brotherhood members in Egypt will be protesting about their “holiest site” on Temple Mount.

By Maayana Miskin

 

The Arab League has released a statement warning Israel to stay away from the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The mosque is located on the Temple Mount, which Judaism teaches is the holiest site in the world.

Surprisingly, the Arab League statement termed the mosque “the holiest of the Arab and Islamic holy sites.” Normally, Mecca is considered the holiest site to Islam and Muslims in Jerusalem pray facing Mecca with their backs to the Temple Mount.

The statement warned the “occupation authorities” against interfering with the mosque. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News, Jewish News | Tags:
| July 27, 2012
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Campus land designated for Galilee Medical Faculty

Government committee approves allocation of 14 hectares in Safed for medical facility set to be completed in 6 years.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH

Ten hectares (about 25 acres) of state land on the southeastern edge of Safed have been set aside for the permanent campus of the Galilee Faculty of Medicine.
Projected image of future Galilee Medical Faculty

Projected image of future Galilee Medical Faculty – Photo: Courtesy BIU

A government ministerial committee approved the request this week by the faculty – which is owned and run by Bar-Ilan University.

BIU director-general Haim Glick reported that an additional 4 hectares will be allocated later for the campus, which is being constructed overlooking Lake Kinneret and is due to be completed in six years. Continue Reading »

Category: Jewish News | Tags:
| July 27, 2012
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US views Iran’s upgraded military capabilities a threat in Persian Gulf

Washington Post reports American security experts believe that Iran’s upgraded military capabilities are factor in case of military confrontation in Persian Gulf

Ynet

 

 

Experts estimate that Iran is bolstering its retaliation capabilities against US naval ships in the Persian Gulf– among other things Tehran is amassing an arsenal of advanced anti-ship missiles and expanding its fast attack boat fleet, the Washington Post reported on Friday.

Iranian naval drill in Persian Gulf (Photo: AP)

Iranian naval drill in Persian Gulf – Photo: AP

According to the Post, officials claimed that the new systems, many of which were developed with foreign assistance, are giving Iran’s commanders new confidence that they could quickly damage or destroy US ships if hostilities erupt. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| July 27, 2012
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Lockheed Martin & US reach deal on F-35 fighter jets for Israel

This marks a big step forward for Israel’s $2.75 billion agreement to buy 19 F-35 jets, which was signed in October 2010 and includes options for up to 75 of the radar-evading fighters.

By Reuters

 

 

The Pentagon has reached an agreement with Lockheed Martin Corp on a $450 million program to enhance electronic warfare equipment on the F-35 fighter jet, and integrate Israeli-unique systems beginning in 2016, sources, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.

The deal, to be finalized in coming weeks, marks a big step forward for Israel’s $2.75 billion agreement to buy 19 F-35 jets, which was signed in October 2010 and includes options for up to 75 of the radar-evading fighters. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| July 27, 2012
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White House Refuses To Identify Israel’s Capital …..Twice, at Press Briefing

White House spokesman Jay Carney continues to evade questions at WH press briefing regarding which city the U.S. considers to be the capital of Israel.

By Rachel Hirshfeld

 

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney evaded a question at Thursday’s press briefing regarding which city the U.S. considers to be the capital of Israel.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney
Reuters

Carney refused to disclose whether the U.S. officially believes Jerusalem or Tel Aviv to be the capital of Israel.

Persistently questioned for about a minute, an uncomfortable Carney only responded that, “I have not had that question in a while. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| July 27, 2012
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Massive US bunker-buster finally available

With possible intervention in Syria, Iran strike, 30,000-pound bomb capable of penetrating underground instillation is ready.

 

In face of possible military intervention in Syria and a strike against Iran, the United States has announced that its largest bunker-buster missile capable of penetrating underground facilities is operational and ready for use if needed.

(illustrative)

Drone – Photo: REUTERS

Called the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), the 30,000-pound bomb which contains over 5,000 pounds of explosives was originally designed to take out hardened fortifications in Iran and North Korea. The announcement that it is operational comes at a time that the western world is increasingly concerned over the potential proliferation of Syria’s chemical weapons to Hezbollah.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| July 26, 2012
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Israel strengthens its security on Syria border

IDF deploys troops and adds barbed wire to border fence with Syria in order to bar refugees & terrorists from entering Israel.

By net, AFP

 

Israel bolstered security along its border with Syria on Thursday as fighting between Syrian rebels and President Bashar Assad‘s regime intensified, Israeli security sources told AFP.

IDF forces on border – Photo: AP

“The IDF is reinforcing the fence between Israel and Syria by adding more barbed wire,” one Israeli official said, indicating that it was motivated by “fears that refugees from the Syrian side could cross it.”

With the clashes spreading across the Syrian side of the border, Israeli troops were put on “very high” alert, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
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