Archive for November 29, 2012

| November 29, 2012
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Amid opposition & hacking fears, National Biometric Database is launched

Knesset approves use of national biometric identification database for a trial period of 2 years.

Volunteers can submit their face scans & fingerprints to receive “smart” passports and/or identification cards

Knesset opposition leader Yachimovich warns: All databases can be hacked.

By Gideon Allon

 

The Knesset approved the launch of a national biometric identification system on Wednesday, which will be tested at the beginning of 2013. The decision to begin using the system was made by a joint committee comprising the Science and Technology Committee, Internal Affairs and Environment Committee and Constitution, Law and Justice Committee.

The biometric database trial is launched.

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Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| November 29, 2012
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Former PM Olmert: No reason to oppose Palestinian UN bid for statehood status

Ex-prime minister Ehud Olmert tells Daily Beast that Palestinian request for upgraded UN status is congruent with 2-state solution, and says UN General Assembly resolution will lay foundation for peace talks.

By Yitzhak Benhorin

 

Washington – Despite an aggressive campaign by the United States to head off a UN vote on the Palestinian Authority’s bid for an upgraded status, the General Assembly was expected to grant the request on Thursday. And former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says he sees no reason to resist the move.

אולמרט ואבו מאזן. ארכיון (צילום: רויטרס)

Olmert with Abbas – Archive photo: Reuters

“I believe that the Palestinian request from the United Nations is congruent with the basic concept of the two-state solution. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| November 29, 2012
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Stevie Wonder pulls out of Friends of the IDF fundraiser

Stevie Wonder, who performed at a 1998 gala honoring Israel’s 50th anniversary, will not be participating at the fundraiser, says his representative.  The performance would be incongruent with his status as a UN ‘Messenger of Peace.’

By JTA

 

Stevie Wonder is set to pull out of a performance at a fundraiser for the Israel Defense Forces, a source told JTA.

Wonder’s representatives will claim that he did not know the nature of the group, the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, and that he believes such a performance would be incongruent with his status as a UN “Messenger of Peace,” according to a source who has read email exchanges between Wonder’s representatives and organizers of the event. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| November 29, 2012
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Jerusalem’s Tiferet Yisrael Synagogue to be Restored After Arab Destruction

The destroyed Tiferet Yisrael Synagogue, one of the most magnificent synagogues in the Old City of Jerusalem, is soon to begin restoration by the Jerusalem Municipality.

By David Lev

 

One of the most magnificent synagogues in the Old City, the Tiferet Yisrael Synagogue, is to be restored by the Jerusalem Municipality. After the successful restoration of the Hurva Synagogue, the Company for the Reconstruction and Development of the Jewish Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem Ltd. (JQDC) has undertaken to rebuild the synagogue, which was destroyed by Arabs during the 1948 War of Independence. Tiferet Yisrael, with magnificent arches currently bricked in, is located in the center of the Jewish Quarter, in the same plaza as the Hurva Synagogue. Continue Reading »

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| November 29, 2012
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PA will turn to ICC if evidence found that Arafat was murdered

Palestinians will soon have access to international courts following its UN statehood status upgrade on Thursday.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

The Palestinian Authority indicated it would take Israel to the International Criminal Court if it uncovers evidence Israel assassinated former PLO chairman Yasser Arafat, something that could become possible if the PA obtains an upgrade to its statehood status in the UN this week.

International Criminal Court in the Netherlands - Photo: REUTERS/Michael Kooren

International Criminal Court in the Netherlands – Photo: REUTERS/Michael Kooren

Speaking to reporters at a new conference in Ramallah on Tuesday, PA investigator Tawfiq Tirawi said Palestinians were gathering evidence about Arafat’s death in order “to submit [it] to the International Criminal Court,” Palestinian news agency Ma’an reported.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| November 29, 2012
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IDF opens fire on Gazans rioting near border fence

Medics tell Ma’an news agency 7 Palestinians hurt, 1 seriously

IDF: Groups gathered by Israel-Gaza border, wanting to damage border fence.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN, JPOST. COM STAFF

 

IDF soldiers on Wednesday shot at Palestinians rioting near the Israel-Gaza border fence, injuring seven, according to Palestinian medical officials cited by Ma’an news agency.

IDF vehicle patrols along Gaza border fence [file] - Photo: REUTERS

IDF vehicle patrols along Gaza border fence [file] – Photo: REUTERS

Groups of Palestinians gathered on the Gaza side of the fence on Wednesday afternoon and spent several hours attempting to damage the barrier, the IDF said.

The rioting occurred on the border with both central and southern Gaza.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| November 28, 2012
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El Al’s profit soars at 151%

El Al Airline’s net profit in 3rd quarter of 2012 was $37.3 mil – a 79% leap. ‘El Al has no objections to a fair & appropriate open skies agreement,’ says CEO Elyezer Shkedy

By Guy Ben Simon, Calcalist

 

El Al Israel Airlines reported strong third quarter financial results on Tuesday.

The airline’s Q3 revenues amounted to $605.7 million, as in the corresponding quarter.

El Al – Facebook page

Passenger revenue grew by 3.6%, mainly due to a gain in yield per revenue passenger kilometer offset by the depreciation of the euro against the dollar.

Cargo revenues dropped 16.5% to $43.7 million as compared with $52.3 million in the corresponding quarter, presumably as a result of reduced quantity of ton to kilometers. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags:
| November 28, 2012
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How Hamas Is Fooling Everyone

In reality Hamas has not changed or relinquished its dream of replacing Israel with an Islamist state that is funded and armed by Iran. Unless Hamas changes its charter, the talk about changes in its strategy only serves to spread the movement’s campaign of deception.

By Khaled Abu Toameh

Is Hamas really on its way to moderation and pragmatism, as some Western political analysts and diplomats have come to believe?

And what do some Hamas leaders mean when they say that they are ready to accept a Palestinian state “only” in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem?

These questions were raised after CNN recently aired an interview with Hamas “political leader” Khaled Mashaal. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags:
| November 28, 2012
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Israeli Embassy posts video slamming Abbas – Ashrawi says US stance ‘pathetic’

The Israeli embassy in Washington has uploaded a video to YouTube which has sparked debate with an animated portrayal of PA President Abbas as he’s driving a bus on a road to the UN

Elior Levy, Reuters

 

RAMALLAH – Britain said it would support a Palestinian bid for a diplomatic upgrade at the United Nations if it received assurances that the Palestinians would return to peace talks and would not seek to prosecute Israelis through the International Criminal Court.

מסיבת העיתונאים ברמאללה (צילום: אוהד צויגנברג)

‘Wrong side of morality.’ Ashrawi’s press conference in Ramallah Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg

“Up until the time of the vote itself we will remain open to voting in favour of the resolution if we see public assurances by the Palestinians,” Foreign Secretary William Hague told parliament on Wednesday. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| November 28, 2012
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Israel detains Gaza fishermen for venturing too far out to sea – 1 vessel sunk

Although, Israel has doubled to 6  miles (10 km) the distance it permits Gaza fishermen to operate off the coast, they ‘test the waters’ to see how far they can go before being apprehended.

By Reuters

 

The Israel Navy on Wednesday detained a group of fisherman from the Gaza Strip, saying they had gone beyond a recently expanded fishing zone off the Israeli-blockaded Palestinian enclave.

Fisherman in Gaza.

Gazans collecting their catch off the coast. – Photo by AP

Fishermen on two boats were detained and taken to Israel’s Mediterranean port of Ashdod for questioning, an Israel Defense Forces spokeswoman said. The Hamas-run Interior Ministry in Gaza said nine men had been seized and at least one vessel sunk. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| November 28, 2012
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Britain Bans Israel’s SodaStream Ads – Too ‘environmentally correct’?

Britain drops Israel’s SodaStream ads from UK TV, promoting Eco-friendly environment: “It disparages other firms.”

SodaStream retorts, their logic is absurd.

By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

 

SodaStream Israel, a favorite target of the BDS Israel boycott movement, must remove a video commercial in Britain because it allegedly disparages other soda manufacturers.

Soft drink bottles fizz out in comercial

Soft drink bottles fizz out in comercial
SodaStream commercial screenshot
(from YouTube clip below)

SodaStream manufactures and distributes machines for home use to make carbonated drinks, eliminating the need to buy environmentally unfriendly plastic bottles.

It also operates a plant in Mishor Adumim, located between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, an area claimed by the Palestinian Authority. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| November 28, 2012
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In anticipation of Palestinian UN bid, diplomatic tension rises

 

Israel is strongly opposed to the statehood bid & is concerned the Palestinians will ask the Int’l Criminal Court at the Hague to prosecute its leaders

France was the 1st to acknowledge a “yes” vote,  Germany expected to vote “no” or abstain.

Britain still unsure, seeks Palestinian guarantees they will refrain from applying to The Hague

U.S. Congress may withhold funding to the Palestinian Authority.

By Yoni Hirsch, Shlomo Cesana, News Agencies & Israel Hayom Staff

 

France announced Tuesday that it plans to vote in favor of upgrading the Palestinians to an “observer state” at the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday.

Continue Reading »
Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| November 28, 2012
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Hamas leader Mashaal plans to visit Gaza with Turkey’s Erdogan next week

Turkish PM says Hamas leader invited him to visit Gaza visit after previously planned trips were cancelled.

Egypt also gives preliminary approval for Iranian Foreign Minister to visit Gaza.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

Turkey’s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that he plans to visit Gaza next week, Turkish paper Today’s Zaman reported.

Erdogan said he was invited to join Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal’s visit to Gaza on December 5, Today’s Zaman reported.

Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan - Photo: REUTERS

Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan – Photo: REUTERS

The Turkish prime minister has expressed willingness to visit Gaza several times in the past. Earlier this month, Erdogan told reporters he plans to visit Gaza soon, and that Turkish officials are conducting talks with officials in the Strip in order to make the trip happen, according to Today’s Zaman.

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| November 28, 2012
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FIFA pledges help to rebuild Gaza stadium (with or without rocket-launchers?)

Soccer’s world governing body, FIFA, is to pay for rebuilding Palestine Stadium partially destroyed from IDF airstrikes during Operation Pillar of Defense.

Gaza stadium was used to fire rockets at Israeli civilians.

AFP

 

FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke has pledged that soccer’s world governing body will help rebuild the Palestine Stadium in Gaza City, after it was partially destroyed in Israeli air strikes.

Gaza Stadium – Photo: AFP

“We see it our mandate to rebuild football infrastructure which has been destroyed,” Valcke was quoted as saying on fifa.com. “We will also rebuild the stadium in Gaza, which has been destroyed.

“Soccer brings people together and we will support any re-construction necessary when football infrastructure is destroyed through disasters,” added Valcke, who is in Brazil for the draw of the Confederations Cup. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| November 28, 2012
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World Bank Rewards Hamas with $6.4 Million Prize after Missile War

Hamas is to receive world aid once again, this time $6.4 million, after escalating missile attacks on Israel.

Additionally, the Islamic Development Bank is contributing $11.1 million to Hamas as well.

By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

 

The World Bank has come to the rescue of Hamas, giving it $6.4 million to improve water and sewage services after the latest escalation in attacks on Israel that drew Israel into the eight-day Pillar of Defense counterterrorist campaign.

Rocket launch from cvilian area in Gaza

Rocket launch from civilian area in Gaza – Reuters

The Islamic Development Bank is contributing an additional $11.1 million, but there has been no report of safeguard measures to ensure that some of the money will not be used for more weapons for future attacks on Israel. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
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