Archive for August 20, 2012

Israel’s State Security, Shin Bet Nabs PFLP Cell that Planned IDF Abductions

3 Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine terrorists planned to abduct an IDF soldier or civilian to bargain for release of PFLP boss, Saadat.

By Gil Ronen

 

 

The Shin Bet, together with the IDF and Israel Police, have exposed a PFLP terror cell that planned shooting attacks and abductions for negotiating the release of terrorist prisoners.

Scene of a terror attack

Scene of a past terror attack- Photo: Hezki Ezra

The cell’s members were arrested before they could carry out their plans. Weapons were also found in the course of one of the arrests.

The arrested cell members are all members of the PFLP terror group: Salem Dirdisawi, 40, of Ramallah, has already served several stints in jail for his activity in the PFLP. Continue Reading »

IDF modifies its training based on lessons from Schalit’s captivity

 

After having completed Gilad Schalit’s debriefing, IDF adjusts its training given to elite soldiers and pilots on how to cope with captivity • IDF impressed with Schalit’s dealing of his 5+ years in Hamas captivity.

By Lilach Shoval

 

The Israel Defense Forces have made a number of changes to the training it offers elite soldiers and pilots on how to deal with captivity. The changes have been made based on the debriefing of Gilad Schalit.

Gilad Schalit with father Noam after being released from captivity in October 2011. | Photo credit: AFP

Gilad Schalit with father Noam after being released from captivity in October 2011.- Photo: AFP

The IDF recently completed the debriefing of Schalit, who was released in October 2011 after being held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip for more than five years.

Continue Reading »

Pro-Palestinians dismayed at the ‘Guardian’ hiring of Treviño

Pro-Palestinian activists express “shock & dismay” in letter to paper’s editor of newly appointed author’s alleged “incitement to murder” written in a past Twitter comment.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

 

A group of pro-Palestinian activists expressed “shock and dismay” Sunday at the addition of journalist and board member of Act for Israel Joshua Treviño to the British daily The Guardian’s US commentary team.

Guardian newspaper

Guardian newspaper
Photo: Toya, Wikimedia Commons

In a letter to the Guardian’s editor, signed by Sarah Colborne, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, along with other heads of pro-Palestinian organizations and individuals ranging from academics to actors, the activists accused Treviño of urging the Israeli army to murder US citizens, citing a message Treviño posted on Twitter in 2011: “Dear IDF: If you end up shooting any Americans on the new Gaza flotilla – well, most Americans are cool with that.

Continue Reading »

Chilean Ambassador’s remains to be scattered in Jerusalem

In life & in death, Chilean Ambassador Joaquin Montes Larraín, who recently died of leukemia, will continue his close bond with the Jewish state

Itamar Eichner

Chilean Ambassador to Israel Joaquin Montes Larraín, 61, died after losing a battle with cancer over the weekend. Before his death, Larraín had asked that his body be cremated and its remains be scattered in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem – Photo: Phillip Pasmanick

Larraín, who served as Chile’s ambassador to Israel since January 2011, was well respected in the diplomatic community. Diagnosed with a rare type of leukemia, he underwent aggressive treatment in Chile and was sent back to Israel, where he was admitted at the medical center in Tel Hashomer last month, at the advice of his Chilean doctors. Continue Reading »

Iran rejects allegation by Afghanistan in latest Int’l terrorists bombings

Afghanistan’s spy agency killed 2 alleged insurgents & detained 3 Iranian citizens this week, for alleged involvement in bombings.

By Reuters

 

Iran has rejected Afghan government claims that Tehran orchestrated a series of suicide bomb attacks earlier this week that killed at least 28 people in Afghanistan, Iran’s English-language Press TV reported on Sunday.

The scene following the bombing of a mosque in Jalalabad, Afghanistan.

The scene following the bombing of a mosque in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. Photo by AP

Afghanistan’s spy agency, the National Directorate of Security (NDS), killed two alleged insurgents and detained three more this week for what they said was their involvement in the bombings this week in Afghanistan’s Nimroz province. Continue Reading »

Egypt stationed Anti-Aircraft Missiles in the Sinai

Egyptian Anti-aircraft missiles can only be intended for Israel’s jets, terrorists don’t have any.

By Gil Ronen

 

According to a report on Voice of Israel government-sponsored radio, Egypt has moved anti-aircraft missiles into the Sinai Peninsula.

egyptian-trunk-mounted-k-136-from-republic-of-korea-photo-wekipedia-commons

Egyptian, trunk mounted K-136 from Republic of Korea – Photo: Wikipedia commons

The radio station’s Arab affairs analyst, Eran Zinger, reported Saturday that Egypt has deployed both anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles near Israel’s border in the Egyptian Sinai, without Israel’s permission.

Such equipment is prohibited in Sinai by the Egypt-Israel peace treaty. “Egypt is trying to change the situation in Sinai,” Zinger said.

If the report is true, the move is an overtly hostile one toward Israel and can only mean that Egypt is preparing for hostilities with the Jewish state. Continue Reading »

Aly Raisman, Mark Spitz and Yosef Yekutieli, the inspired Jewish visionary who created Maccabiah Games

Despite ridicule & obstacles, Yekutieli worked on his idea & every 4 years, further inspired by the Olympics, he finally  developed what we now know as the Maccabiah Games.

 

 With the Olympics now over, all of us sports fans can resume our lives, and for those of us in the southern hemisphere, our regular sleep patterns as well. But as I sit here reflecting on the Olympics and the inevitable comparisons between London 2012 and Sydney 2000, as well as Australia’s relatively poor showing, I am also reminded of the Jewish connection to the Olympics and how small inspirations can lead to big things.
Continue Reading »

Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei: Muslim world must unite to free Palestine

In Tehran, IRNA news agency cites Iran Supreme Leader as urging Muslim world to resist control by ‘hegemonic powers.’

The main issues the Muslim world is faced with are the fate of Jerusalem and of “oppressed Palestine,” Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Sunday, adding that Muslim nations must avoid inner conflict and stand united against Israel and the control of “hegemonic powers.”

Ali Khamenei - AP - 24.7.2012

Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivering a speech in Tehran, Iran. – Photo by AP

Khamenei’s comments came following a series of recent back-and-forth comments between Israeli and Iranian officials, coming amid continuing debate on the possibility that Israel may initiate military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities. Continue Reading »

Israel Asks Egypt to Recall its Armor from Sinai

Report: Israel was informed retroactively about Cairo’s deployment of armored forces into Sinai.

By Gil Ronen

 

The Israeli government has asked Egypt to withdraw the armored vehicles it deployed in Sinai ten days ago, in contravention of the peace treaty between the two nations, according to Al-Quds Al-Arabi, which quotes Israeli sources.

Egyptian armor enters Rafah

Egyptian armor enters Rafah
Reuters

Israel said that the deployment of armored forces in the EL Arish area was only reported to it retroactively by Egypt, after the forces had already been deployed. Once Egypt supplied Israel with the full details about the extent of the deployment, the Jewish state asked Egypt to withdraw its armor from northern Sinai. Continue Reading »

Syrian rebellion tips Middle East power balance toward the Sunnis

The region’s Sunni-led countries are appearing more confident at the prospect that the Sunni-led rebellion could bring down Syria’s al-Assad’s regime. On the other hand, Hezbollah & Iran have had their reputations & Shiite influence damaged by their support for Assad’s brutality.

By The Associated Press & Israel Hayom Staff

 

Not long ago, Arabs everywhere listened when the leader of Hezbollah spoke. Sheik Hassan Nasrallah’s prominence, bolstered by his Lebanese terrorist organization’s battles against Israel, was a sign of the rising regional influence of Shiite Muslims and overwhelmingly Shiite Iran. Now, his speeches don’t necessarily make front pages even in Lebanon.

Continue Reading »

Police & Inspectors raid pig farm suspected of animal abuse

In a Western Galilee farm, 2,000 pigs were found living in abusive conditions. The owners could face up to three years in prison.

 

A multi-ministerial force of inspectors raided one of Israel’s largest pig farms on Monday night, where officials have said 2,000 pigs were living in abusive conditions.

Abused pigs in galilee raid 370

Abused pigs in galilee raid 370
Photo: Rinat Koris-Rahamim

The raid, which occurred at the Araf piggery in the Western Galilee local council of Mi’ilya, occurred under the joint action of the Environmental Protection Ministry, the Agriculture Ministry, the Tax Authority, Israel Police, the Israel Electric Corporation and the Interior Ministry. Continue Reading »

Israel suggests mutual compensation for Jewish refugees

Summit on Jewish refugees from Arab countries being covered in Arab media, saying Israeli deputy foreign minister’s initiative is an attempt to demand compensation as ploy to neutralize Palestinian refugees demands.

 

By Elior Levy

 

The Arab media was up in arms this week over a plan spearheaded by Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon to hold a summit on the issue of Jewish refugees from Arab countries at the UN in September.

Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon Photo: Shahar Azran

Dep. Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon
Photo: Shahar Azran

The summit’s main purpose is to push forward the matter of property rights of Jewish refugees who were forced to flee Arab countries after the establishment of the state of Israel and to turn the Jewish refugee issue into a bargaining chip which would make it clear that if the Palestinians voice demands for refugee compensation – demands would also be made from the Israeli side. Continue Reading »

March in Sweden Wearing Kippot on Heads

Hundreds of Jews & non-Jewish supporters wearing kippot marched in Malmo, Sweden  protesting against the recent rise in anti-Semitism.

By Rachel Hirshfeld

 

Hundreds of Orthodox Jews wearing kippot, as well as non-Jewish supporters, marched in the southern Swedish city of Malmo on Friday, protesting against the recent rise in anti-Semitism and calling for religious tolerance for all minorities.

A number of anti-Semitic incidents have been reported by the Jewish community of Malmo, Sweden’s third largest city, in recent years, including verbal abuse directed against an Orthodox rabbi.

Willy Silberstein of the Swedish Committee Against Anti-Semitism, which organized the march, called the turnout “impressive.”  Continue Reading »

Ya’alon: Jerusalem, Judea & Samaria attacks against Arabs are terrorism

Jerusalem Mayor Barkat condemns violence and calls for co-existence. Vice premier attributes 2 incidents to a moral & educational failure. Ya’alon calls on elected officials to ensure “heinous” acts are not repeated.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

 

Vice Premier Moshe Ya’alon Sunday described two violent attacks against Arabs over the weekend in Judea and Samaria and Jerusalem as “hate crimes” and “terrorist acts.” He called the attacks “totally unacceptable and outrageous” and ascribed their incidence to a moral and educational failure that goes against Jewish ethics and values.

Ya’alon wrote on his Twitter account that Israel cannot afford such phenomena and that it is the duty of elected officials to use all the tools at their disposal to fight an all-out war to ensure these “heinous acts” are not repeated.

Continue Reading »

Lebanon reports: Hezbollah page, Removed by Facebook

Facebook blocks Shiite terrorists group’s page along with affiliated Al-Manar TV page, for ‘inciting violence’. In response, Hezbollah relaunches TV station’s smartphone app

Ynetnews

 

Facebook has removed pages created by Hezbollah and its television station, Al-Manar, over incitement to violence, the Daily Star reported Sunday.

The social networking giant thus followed recommendations by the US State Department. The latter included Hezbollah on its list of terror organization in 2004; adding it TV station to the list in 2006.

Zuckerberg. -Photo: AFP

Mark Zuckerberg. – Photo: AFP

“Under our Statement of Rights and Responsibilities we do not allow content that ‘incites violence,'” Frederic Wolens, a Facebook spokesperson, said. Continue Reading »