Archive for May 22, 2013

Germany backs UK’s proposal of blacklisting Hezbollah’s military wing

The UK submitted application to the EU on Monday to blacklist, the military wing of Hezbollah. 

The Netherlands along with Israel, Bahrain,U.S. & Canada have banned Hezbollah’s entire organization

 

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German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle decided Wednesday to support listing Hezbollah’s military wing as a terrorist organization in the European Union, according to German diplomatic sources.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle - Photo Reuters

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle – Photo: Reuters

“In the light of discussions we have had with our partners following the terrorist attack in Burgas, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle supports listing at least the military wing of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization in the EU,” the officials said.

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Israel Air Force chief: Russian S-300 missiles en route to Assad

Maj. Gen Eshel stresses ‘military faces real scenario of confrontation on multiple fronts’, saying Syria’s arming ‘will produce confidence & aggressive behavior’.

Yoav Zitun

Air Force Commander Major General Amir Eshel said Wednesday that S-300 advanced missile defense system will soon land in the hands of the Syrian army.

Amir Eshel Photo: Ofer Amram

Amir Eshel – Photo: Ofer Amram

Speaking at a convention in Herzliya, Eshel added “there is a clear understanding that such capabilities will produce confidence and aggressive behavior.”

“Aerial superiority is a condition to win and win quickly, and is of great strategic importance. The other side understands that well, which is why Assad, with his low budget, has invested billions into purchasing antiaircraft missiles.” Continue Reading »

Yesh Atid’s bill promotes division of Western Wall equally between men & women

MK Aliza Lavie says current situation must change, where the men’s section at the Kotel can no longer be 3 times larger than the women’s.

Gideon Allon

 

Chairwoman of Knesset’s Committee on the Status of Women MK Aliza Lavie (Yesh Atid) has presented a bill promoting equally dividing the Western Wall plaza between men and women in terms of physical space.

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Israel’s huge gas discoveries opens ‘gas for peace’ strategy

Some Israeli leaders have suggested the country should adopt a “gas for peace” strategy, offering its energy resources to neighbors at discounted prices to cement peace ties.

By REUTERS
 

TEL AVIV – Israel’s newfound natural gas reserves will boost its regional clout and could help it improve ties with neighboring states in need of new energy sources, Energy Minister Silvan Shalom said.

Tamar natural gas rig.

Tamar natural gas rig. – Photo: Albatross

Once totally dependent on fuel imports, Israel has made the largest gas discoveries in the world over the past decade off its Mediterranean coastline, and is expected to become an exporter by the end of the decade.

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Israel’s wrist ‘watch’ monitor will eliminate unnecessary heart attack deaths

 

It’s a wearable watch-like mobile device, synched with Bluetooth, Android or iPhone devices, that takes minute-by-minute readings of heart rate & oxygen levels in the blood.

About half of all people at risk of death from heart attacks could gain the chance to live, once Israeli entrepreneur Leon Eisen’s new Oxitone device goes to market in about 18 months.

A prototype of the Oxitone device, heading to market in about 18 months.

A prototype of the Oxitone device, heading to market in about 18 months.

 

Using two optical sensors, and another special high-tech tool, he’s developed the world’s first “watch” that can just about tell when your time may be up. Continue Reading »

IDF raids terrorist’s home in Samaria confiscates bullets, guns & IDF uniforms

 

The IDF entered area under Palestinian Authority responsibility to raid a wanted terrorist’s home in Samaria where they confiscate hundreds of bullets, guns, knives and IDF uniforms & bullet-proof vests.

 

 

 

The IDF prevented potential kidnappings and murders by Palestinian Authority terrorists this week in a raid on a wanted terrorist’s home in Samaria, where the Palestinian Authority always is reported to be controlling terror.

Part of hoard of weapons uncovered by IDF at wanted terrorist's home near Shechem

Part of hoard of weapons uncovered by IDF at wanted terrorist’s home near Shechem – Photo Credit: IDF

 

The terrorist still is at large.

Soldiers confiscated a shotgun, a pistol, and various parts of weapons, ammunition and other military equipment at the site. Continue Reading »

Ministry announces stricter gun-permit requirements after Be’er Sheva bank shooting

New rules are aimed at tightening licensing and preventing workplace issued guns from going home with users.

By Gili Cohen and Yaniv Kubovich

 

One day after a Be’er Sheva man shot dead four people in a local bank before turning his gun on himself, the Public Security Ministry on Tuesday announced new rules to limit the number of guns in circulation. School security guards will have to turn in their weapons, which guarding firms will reissue at the start of the new school year. Licensed gun owners will have to store their weapon in a safe at home. Security companies must obtain special exemptions from being required to store a weapon when its bearer is off duty, only one gun license will be issued to any single individual and anyone applying to renew a gun license must show why they need a weapon. Continue Reading »

Amb. Prosor Slams Erekat for Incitement Over ‘Apartheid’ Comments

UN ambassador Prosor, “It is expected from someone who is in charge of negotiating, to educate for peace, and not for incitement,”

By Elad Benari

 

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Ron Prosor, sharply reacted on Tuesday to remarks by PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat, who accused Israel of applying a policy of apartheid in Judea, Samaria and eastern Jerusalem.

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Ron Prosor

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Ron Prosor

Erekat told a UN committee in New York on Monday that the Palestinian Authority would hold off on applying to UN agencies, as it is eligible to do since the General Assembly upgraded the PA to the status of non-member observer state, in order to give U.S. Continue Reading »

More Jewish groups joining in to give aid to Oklahoma tornado victims

Jewish groups around the nation have started fundraising and volunteer work for Oklahoma tornado victims

 

 

NEW YORK — Jewish groups are joining the effort to help those displaced by the tornado in suburban Oklahoma City.

JFNARabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, announced Tuesday that his organization will collect donations and distribute them to the American Red Cross and others on the ground in Oklahoma.

“We are numb with grief, and yet inspired by the heroic resilience of the people of Oklahoma,” Jacobs said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those impacted by this horrific tragedy.

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Saudi Arabia blocked internet access to Israel’s English daily The Jerusalem Post

Saudi Blogger confirms on Twitter that ‘Jpost.com‘ website is unattainable

Jpost.com editor: Shame Saudi regime determined to stifle freedoms.

By BENJAMIN WEINTHAL, JERUSALEM POST CORRESPONDENT

 

 

 

BERLIN – Saudi Arabia’s government appears to have denied access to the website of the Jerusalem Post since early May.
A man reads a newspaper in Jeddah June 17, 2012

A man reads a newspaper in Jeddah June 17, 2012 – Photo: REUTERS/Susan Baaghil

The conservative British-based news and opinion website—The Commentator—first drew attention to the disruption on Tuesday in a report headlined: Has Saudi Arabia blocked the Jerusalem Post? The article wrote a “A lecturer from Saudi Arabia has claimed that the country is blocking access to the Jerusalem Post website.”

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IDF plans launch statewide drill while ministers turn up the ‘war rhetoric’

Home front minister says exercise is intended to prepare civilians for war because it’s not a question of ‘if’ but rather, ‘when’ missiles fall on our cities.

By Yoav Zitun

 

 

“There is no longer a question whether missiles will be launched at Israel’s major population centers, only when it would happen,” Home Front Defense Minister Gilad Erdan said Tuesday ahead of a nationwide drill.

Erdan (second from left) beside IDF chief Gantz – Photo IDF Spokesperson’s Office

Erdan (second from left) beside IDF chief Gantz – Photo IDF Spokesperson’s Office

The civil war raging in Syria and ominous Israeli promises to prevent advanced weapons from landing in the hands of terrorist organizations are only part of the background for the annual national emergency exercise set to be held next week. Continue Reading »

Two Saudi princes accused in UK of laundering for Hezbollah

Princes seeking to extricate themselves from London legal battle saying: “We deal with whoever we want to deal with, whether it’s Hezbollah, the Mafia or even the Jews,”

By REUTERS

 

LONDON – Two Saudi princes on Tuesday sought to extricate themselves from a London legal battle with a Jordanian businessman who accuses them of laundering money for Hezbollah, an allegation their lawyer called “fanciful”.
Lebanon's Hezbollah supporters chant slogans and hold flags

Lebanon’s Hezbollah supporters chant slogans and hold flags – Photo: Reuters/Khalil Hassan

Prince Mishal bin Abdulaziz al Saud, a brother of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah, and his son Prince Abdulaziz bin Mishal, had previously argued they had sovereign immunity from suit but the courts rejected that stance.

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Gaza Students Advocate Genocide by Cleaning the World of Jews

The Muslim Arab student group posts cartoon with ‘Palestinian’ throwing ‘Symbol of Judaism’ in the trash.

By Maayana Miskin

 

The Hamas-affiliated student union in Gaza published a cartoon Tuesday in which a person whose body is made of a Palestinian Authority flag is seen throwing a Star of David – one of the best-known Jewish symbols – into a garbage can.

Hamas cartoon – Israel news photo screenshot

Hamas cartoon – Israel news photo screenshot

Text under the picture says, “Keep the world clean.”

The cartoon uses a Star of David rather than an explicitly Israeli symbol, indicating that it is meant to refer to Judaism or the Jewish nation as a whole and not the state of Israel alone. Continue Reading »

Hebrew University of Jerusalem to honor Barbra Streisand

The iconic American Jewish music & film star has a long history of civic activism and philanthropic leadership for the Hebrew University and the State of Israel.

By Israel Today Staff

 

The following is a press release from the Hebrew University’s Press Liaison:

 

Legendary American actress, director, singer, producer, composer, philanthropist and activist Barbra Streisand will receive an honorary doctor of philosophy degree from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The ceremony will take place on Monday, June 17, during the 76th Hebrew University International Board of Governors Meeting.

Barbra Streisand - Screenshot from Facebook page

Barbra Streisand – Screenshot from Facebook page

The honorary doctorate will be presented to Ms. Continue Reading »

Palestinians withhold formal statehood bid giving talks with Israel last chance

Palestinian bureaucrats have completed all the legal paperwork necessary to gain entry into 63 U.N. agencies, treaties & conventions, but haven’t yet applied for membership, giving the latest U.S. peace effort a ‘chance to succeed’, says Saeb Erekat.

By Daniel Siryoti, Shlomo Cesana, News Agencies & Israel Hayom Staff

 

The Palestinians have done all the legal work necessary to join 63 U.N. agencies, conventions and treaties, but have not yet applied for membership, mainly to give the latest U.S. peace effort a chance to succeed, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Monday. And on Tuesday, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, who has been tasked with coordinating peace talks with the Palestinians, said the Palestinian Authority was planning to apply as a state to 16 international organizations if peace talks with Israel did not resume by June.

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