Archive for December 26, 2012

Egyptian Army Intercepts Rockets being Smuggled to Gaza

Egyptian Armed forces in the Sinai foiled an attempt to smuggle 17 rockets to Gaza.

By Elad Benari

 

Armed Forces personnel in North Sinai, in cooperation with local Bedouins, foiled an attempt on Monday to smuggle 17 rockets to Gaza, the Egyptian state news agency MENA reported.

A military source told the agency that the rockets are a French-made TDI model, caliber 68 mm, range three kilometers and can be used air to land or land to land.

The Armed Forces have been engaged in an ongoing mission to secure the Sinai Peninsula and borders with Gaza and Israel, said MENA. Continue Reading »

Daniel Pipes talks Turkey

Turks worry less about Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Islamic aspirations than about his nationalist and dictatorial tendencies.

 

By Daniel Pipes

The menu on my Turkish Airlines flight earlier this month assured passengers that food selections “do not contain pork.” But it also offered a serious selection of alcoholic drinks, including champagne, whisky, gin, vodka, raki, wine, beer, liqueur and cognac.

This oddity of simultaneously adhering to and ignoring Islamic Shariah law symbolizes the uniquely complex public role of Islam in today’s Turkey, as well as the challenge of understanding the Justice and Development Party (known by its Turkish abbreviation, AKP) which has dominated the country’s national government since 2002.

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Fitting cement boots on the sperm cells

Not yet out of the lab, Hervana’s non-hormonal, non-invasive & long-acting birth control solution could be a game-changer for women, especially in developing countries.

 

The Israeli company behind a new contraceptive won a $1 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop and test its formulation for a safer, long-acting, non-invasive contraceptive solution, and also won second place in a startup competition at the Israel Life Sciences Biomed Conference in Tel Aviv last May.

Hervana founder Rachel Teitelbaum explaining her new contraceptive suppository to Bill Gates.

Hervana founder Rachel Teitelbaum explaining her new contraceptive suppository to Bill Gates.

The Gates Foundation is most interested in the product’s potential to provide a more accessible, cheaper and socially acceptable family planning option in developing countries, though it would be marketed in the United States and Europe as well. Continue Reading »

Busted! Arab Terror Cell That Planned Kidnappings Nabbed

The Shabak, Israel Police & IDF revealed that they had eliminated an Arab terror cell that planned to kidnap Jews.

By David Lev

 

The Shabak, IDF and Israel Police on Tuesday revealed that they had discovered and eliminated an Arab terror cell that operated in the Binyamin area, whose main activity was attempting to kidnap Israelis.

Israeli hitchhiker waits for a ride in Samaria

Israeli hitchhiker waits for a ride in Samaria- Hillel Meir

The cell, led by two terrorists and based in Ramallah, is part of the Popular Front terror group. They were recently arrested and admitted under interrogation that they had planned to kidnap an Israeli, who would be held captive while the terrorists negotiated for the release of Ahmed Sa’adat, the arch-terrorist who, among other things, was responsible for the murder of former Tourism Minister Rachamim Ze’evi.

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Christmas Culinary Delights in the Holy Land

Christmas time celebrations consist of more than just trees & decorations. Delicious holiday treats are also an important part the unique festivities in Israel.

By BEATA ANDONIA, TRAVELUJAH

 

Christmas is a time of celebration and reunion. Therefore, it is a common practice among Holy Land Christian communities to visit members of their families and neighbors during this festive period. The families visit in two groups – one family will visit while another is hosting guests at home.

It can be useful to know the specific traditions when visiting local Christian families. When entering a home, it is appropriate for the guest to admire all the beautiful Christmas decorations, lights, Christmas tableware, and, of course, the very decorative Christmas trees with mghrara – a cave representing the Nativity scene, made from colorful paper and containing olive wood figures of the Holy Family, Magi and shepherds. Continue Reading »

EU court rejects NGO Monitor petition to release information on Israeli NGOs

The right-wing group, NGO Monitor, which tracks the activity of left-wing organizations & NGOS in Israel, has been trying to obtain their documents for 10 years.

The European Court of Human Rights throws out the suit, saying the information may be used to harm the NGOs.

 

After four years of legal battles, the European Court of Human Rights rejected the request of the right-wing organization NGO Monitor to receive documents regarding the funding of 16 projects of human rights organizations in Israel.

European Union

The European Union flag. – Photo by Archive

NGO Monitor is a right-wing group that keeps track of the activity of left-wing non-profit organizations, in order to point out “foreign intervention” in Israeli affairs. Continue Reading »

Qatar May Be Buying a Way for the Palestinians to Divorce from Iran

After Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad Ibn Khalifa al-Thani, brought a check to Gaza, he now plans to bail out Abbas next week. His strategy may be to separate Iran from the Palestinians.

By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

 

Qatar’s emir, after having brought a $250 million check to Hamas in Gaza, plans to bail out Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas next week, possibly as part of a strategy may be to isolate Iran from Hamas.

Abbas speaks next to Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister

Abbas speaks next to Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister – Reuters

Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad Ibn Khalifa al-Thani said he will make good on his pledge to bail out the PA, according to the Bethlehem-based Ma’an news agency. Continue Reading »

Video: Watch Christmas Mass in Bethlehem

 

Manger Square packed as thousands celebrate a merry Christmas in Bethlehem, the town where Jesus is believed to have been born.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas attends Christmas Eve mass at the Church of the Nativity.

By News Agencies and Israel Hayom Staff

 

 

Thousands of Christians from across the world packed Manger Square in Bethlehem on Monday to celebrate the birth of Jesus in the ancient Judean town where it is believed he was born.

Oh, come all ye faithful. Manger Square in front of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. – Photo: AP

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Fouad Twal, led the Christmas Eve mass at Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, thought by millions of Christians to be located at the exact spot of Jesus’ birth.

Continue Reading »

Israeli UNICEF Chairwoman resigns amid facebook controversy

Judy Shalom Nir Mozes resigns after facebook campaign launched against her over comments she made on facebook during Israel’s Operation Pillar of Defense.

The initiator of the recently launched campaign against Judy Shalom Nir Mozes as Chairwoman of the Israeli branch of UNICEF, Ari Remez told the Jerusalem Post on Monday that “she was using the international position for her owns personal means.”

unicef

Shalom Nir Mozes decided to step down of her position at the UN’s organization for children’s rights last week.

She had been nominated to represent UNICEF in Israel two months ago and joined a sparkling list of celebrities who have been ambassadors of the organization in the past years including David Beckham, Sarah Jessica Parker, Shakira, Queen Rania of Jordan and even Kate and William of the British royal family.

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Approval granted, Gilo gets 1,200 new housing units

Despite int’l criticism, new building plans in Gilo, Jerusalem’s southern neighborhood, just beyond ‘Green Line’ approved.

Interior and Housing ministries ready to offer construction tenders.

By Noam (Dabul) Dvir

 

The Interior Ministry announced Monday that the Jerusalem District Zoning Committee has decided to promote the construction of 1,200 housing units in the capital’s Gilo neighborhood.

Gilo is located in south Jerusalem, beyond the Green Line.

The decision followed a hearing on several objections filed against the plan – some by Gilo residents.

The Interior and Housing ministries said that once the final approval is given, construction tenders for the area will be issued. Continue Reading »

Netanyahu Vows to Return Illegal African Infiltrators Back Home

Now that infiltration of illegal African immigrants is down to almost zero, Netanyahu vows to apprehend & return home those who’ve already entered illegally.

By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

 

Infiltration of illegal African immigrants is down to almost zero, and Netanyahu vows to send back home those who already have entered Israel.

The long-absent fence along the Egyptian Israeli border from Eilat to Gaza is to be completed by the end of next month, and Arutz Sheva has learned from military sources that Africans finally have understood that they have little chance of illegally crossing the border and entering the country, let alone staying here. Continue Reading »

New Israel Navy submarine ‘sinks enemy ships’

Ahead of arrival of latest German-made Dolphin-class submarine, Navy releases rare video of INF underwater vessel’s drill

Yoav Zitun

 

The Israel Navy (INF) released a rare video Monday, allowing a sneak peak at its most expensive weapon – the stealth submarine.

Secret weapon (Illustration) Photo: Shutterstock

The video shows an exercise in which the submarine’s crew fires torpedoes at “enemy warships.”

The exercise was held as part of the INF’s preparations to receive its fourth German-made submarine, which is currently making its way to Israel. A fifth submarine has been contracted.

The Navy plans to add more sailors to its elite submarine unit and the current submarine crewmen course graduation will mark a new record in their numbers. Continue Reading »

Hamas Refutes Reports to Take Over Judea, Samaria from Fatah

Hamas, the Gaza based terrorist organization denies reports of its intent to replace by force the Palestinian Authority-controlled areas of Judea & Samaria.

By Chana Ya’ar

 

The Hamas terrorist organization is denying reports of its intent to take over Palestinian Authority-controlled areas of Judea and Samaria.

Spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri was quoted in a report posted on the terror group’s Al Qassam website as telling the Quds Press the reports were nothing more than “Israeli incitement” aimed at dividing PA factions. Abu Zuhri made the comment in response to an article published in the UK-based Sunday Times that alleged Hamas intends to launch a coup in the Fatah-led regions. Continue Reading »

Bethlehem’s war on Jesus

But in Israeli controlled Nazareth, no such  intimidation exists. Quite the contrary, the Christian population is flourishing without threats or violence.

By Brian Schrauger

 

It is Christmas Eve in Bethlehem in 2012. Tonight on Manger Road, in Manger Square and on all its thoroughfares, Bethlehem is lit with many-colored lights. Like rivulets they stream down the city’s face, falling in-between vibrant shapes of snowmen and Santas, stars and trees. Why does Bethlehem weep luminescent tears disguised as twinkling strings of light?

Until one week ago there was not a single place in its public square that even gave a hint of the reason for this pagan day’s redemptive transformation into a holy day. Continue Reading »

Haifa mayor declares war on English…of all things!

 

As mayor, Yona Yahav abolished use of English words in official municipal documents & seeks to obligate businesses to use Hebrew signs instead of, or next to the English ones.

By Daniel Siryoti

 

 

With increasing frequency, Israelis are making use of English words in their day-to-day lives. The English language envelops Israeli consumer culture, from the word for music, “muzika,” to simply saying iPhone with an Israeli accent and including so many other instances.

Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav wants English words off the street. – Photo: Herzi Shapira

English is the language of the “app generation” and prevades Israeli children’s education.

Continue Reading »