Archive for June 3, 2013

World Health Organization approves Israeli-developed circumcision device

The PrePex, an Israeli-developed non-surgical tool, is the only circumcision method, aside from conventional surgery, to gain WHO approval to date.

By JTA

 

The World Health Organization approved an Israeli-developed non-surgical circumcision device that could soon be used throughout Africa to help control AIDS.

The PrePex is the only circumcision method, aside from conventional surgery, to gain World Health Organization approval to date

The PrePex is the only circumcision method, aside from conventional surgery, to gain World Health Organization approval to date.

WHO on Friday approved PrePex, a disposable and easy-to-use device made up of rubber bands, that obviates the need for anesthesia, stitches or a sterile setting, the New York Times reported.

The foreskin dies of lack of oxygen and either falls off on its own or is easily cut off, according to reports.

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Baghdad warns Israel not to use its airspace to attack Iran

Iraqi minister says the gov’t has informed Israel that “if they violate Iraqi airspace, they will have to bear the consequences”.

Washington has assured Baghdad that Israel won’t use airspace to attack nuclear facilities.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

 

 

Baghdad has warned Israel against violating its airspace in order to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, Hussein al-Shahristani, Iraq’s deputy prime minister responsible for energy affairs told AFP on Monday.

F-16i Sufa

Shahrishtani said that the US had already assured Iraqi officials that it would not use Iraqi airspace in order to attack Iran.

“The (Americans) have assured us that they will never violate Iraqi airspace or Iraqi sovereignty by using our airspace to attack any of our neighbors,” Shahristani told AFP.

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Making Hamdallah Palestinian Prime Minister puts $Billions into Abbas’ pockets

 

 

As long as Fayyad was prime minister, it was almost impossible for Abbas and Fatah to lay their hands on the hundreds of millions of dollars of international aid. Unlike Fayyad, Hamdallah will serve as the obedient and faithful servant of Abbas, as well as the Fatah and PLO leadership. On the political arena, the appointment will have no impact whatsoever.

By Khaled Abu Toameh

 

 

The appointment of Palestinian academic Rami Hamdallah as Palestinian Authority Prime Minister is a big victory for Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah faction.

Palestinian PM Rami Hamdallah Photo from YouTube Screenshot

Palestinian PM Rami Hamdallah – Photo from YouTube Screenshot

 

Hamdallah, who had served as president of An-Najah University since 1998, has been chosen by Abbas to replace Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, who decided to quit in April following years of tensions and disagreements with the Palestinian Authority president and Fatah. Continue Reading »

Barbra Streisand: ‘Israel, a shining beacon of hope in the world’

Streisand & 60-piece orchestra to perform in Israel on June 20, 22 with her son Jason Gould, her sister Roslyn Kind.

 

Barbra Streisand called Israel “a shining beacon of hope in the world,” ahead of her arrival in three weeks for two performances and an appearance honoring President Shimon Peres on his 90th birthday.
Jerusalem's Hebrew University to honor Barbra Streisand

Happy Birthday, Mr. President.

In a promotional interview released on the eve of the debut concert of her new tour that took place Saturday night in London, Streisand praised the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where she will be granted an honorary doctor of philosophy degree on June 17.“Of
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After EU Pressure, Greek party finally backs tough anti-racism law

Only after condemnation from EU, Greek PM’s party ‘reevaluates’ its opposition to new tougher bill that outlaws Holocaust denial.

By JTA

 

ATHENS – Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and his conservative New DemewThe about-face on Thursday apparently was in response to widespread condemnation over the party’s stance from the European Union, as well as to Greek and international Jewish groups that had urged Athens to take stronger steps against the ultranationalist, neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party.

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras - Photo Greek Press Office

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras – Photo: Greek Press Office

New Democracy had refused to back the bill sponsored by two smaller parties in the ruling coalition, saying that existing legislation was sufficient to deal with racist attacks that have been spawned by Golden Dawn.

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JNF paid $500,000 for Clinton’s Speech at Peres Academic Center

 

Former US president received hefty sum for a 45-min lecture at Peres’ birthday celebration

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The tab was picked up by the Jewish National Fund, Peres Academic Center.

By Ofer Petersburg

 

How much does a 45-minute lecture by former US President Bill Clinton cost? $500,000 is what The Jewish National Fund (JNF) has paid, one-year in advance, for the speech at the Peres Academic Center in Rehovot.

Bill Clinton - Photo: AP

Bill Clinton – Photo: AP

The event, which will be held on June 17, is part of the Israeli president’s 90th birthday celebrations.

The money for Clinton’s lecture was raised last year through the college’s supporters in cooperation with the Jewish National Fund. Continue Reading »

Anti-Semitic NGOs are Funded by European Countries

Prof. Gerald Steinberg, head of NGO Monitor explains which anti-Semitic NGOs use Christian blood libels in their claims against Israel

By Yoni Kempinski

 

Anti-Semitic NGOs, which receive funding from official authorities such as the United States and the European Union, use classic Christian blood libels in their claims against Israel, said Professor Gerald Steinberg, head of NGO Monitor.

Prof. Gerald Steinberg, head of NGO Monitor.

Prof. Gerald Steinberg, head of NGO Monitor.

Steinberg spoke to Arutz Sheva at the 4th conference of the Global Forum for Combating Anti-Semitism which was held in Jerusalem.

Steinberg named MIFTAH, a Palestinian Authority-based NGO, as an example of a group which uses the old Christian blood libel that accuses Jews of using the blood of Christians to bake matzah on Passover, as part of its anti-Israel propaganda. Continue Reading »

Iran to sue Russia for not supplying S-300 missiles

 

Tehran reportedly sues Russian arms-export company Rosoboronexport for $4 billion in an int’l court in Switzerland, & will only drop the suit if Moscow supplies them with the 5 battalions of the advanced S-300 systems that were ordered.

By Israel Hayom Staff, Shlomo Cesana, Yoni Hirsch, & Eli Leon

Iran is suing Russia over its cancellation of a sale of the advanced S-300 surface-to-air missile system, which they had signed to do in 2007 but pulled out of after U.S. and Israeli pressure, according to a report by Russian news outlet Novosti on Friday.

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Palestinian boy saved by Jewish kidney donation

Palestinian child saved by family who’s son suffered brain death

Peres: We are proud of your contribution to peace.

 

Sarit and Avi Naor, who donated a kidney from their son Noam to a 10-year-old Palestinian boy on dialysis for seven years, received a phone call from President Shimon Peres on Sunday.

Palestinian boy who got a kidney donation from Jewish boy.

Palestinian boy who got a kidney donation from Jewish boy. – Photo: Courtesy Schneider Medical Center

Noam suffered irreversible lower-brain death after falling from a fourth-story window in his home to the second floor below.

“This is one of the most moving contributions to peace. It exploded all prejudices,” Peres told the parents.

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Israeli Arab charged with passing intel to Hezbollah

 

An Israeli organizer of pilgrimages to Mecca for the Haj says he never knew the men he met were operatives of the Shiite terror organization.

By Ahiya Raved

 

 

A 45-year-old resident of Shfaram, a predominantly Arab-populated city in northern Israel, was indicted Sunday at the Haifa Magistrate’s Court on a series of security-related charges including contact with a foreign agent, handover of potentially valuable information to the enemy and aiding an unlawful association.

נאשם בעבירות ביטחוניות. זאהר עומר יוספין בבית המשפט (צילום: אבישג שאר-ישוב)

Zaher Omar Yusefin in court on Sunday – Photo: Avishag Shaar-Yashuv

According to the indictment, Zaher Omar Yusefin traveled to Saudi Arabia for the Haj when he allegedly met members of Hezbollah and Palestinian groups, helped them hold meetings with Israeli youth who also arrived at the country and gave information on IDF bases in northern Israel. Continue Reading »

Lebanon pissed-off: Israeli warplanes flying over Beirut

Lebanese official confirmed the IAF overflights on Sunday & said they presence were among the most intense recently.

Israel has no comment.

 

Lebanese security officials and the state-run news agency reported Sunday that low-flying Israeli warplanes were violating its air space, overlying territory including the capital Beirut.

IAF planes – Photo EPA

The warplanes flew over southern Lebanon, Beirut, the eastern Bekaa Valley and the city of Baalbek, the National News Agency said.

Israeli warplanes regularly enter Lebanese airspace. A Lebanese security official confirmed the Sunday overflights and said they were among the most intense recently. Continue Reading »

Jewish Youths Beaten by Gang of Foreign Workers for Protecting Girl

2 Israeli youths were severely beaten Saturday evening in Tel Aviv by 4 foreign workers, when they tried to protect a girl from being attacked.

By David Lev

 

Two Israeli youths were badly beaten Saturday night in the Kiryat Shalom neighborhood of Tel Aviv by four foreign workers. The youths had been trying to protect a Jewish girl from being attacked by two of the foreign workers. The Israeli youths were badly beaten by the workers, who used rocks, bricks, and bicycle chains, and threatened to murder the Israelis if they “interfered.”

Chen Yadegar, a friend of the Israeli youths, who all attend the same high school in Tel Aviv, told Arutz Sheva about the attack. Continue Reading »

B’nai Brith Canada visits the Temple Mount to witness raw antisemitism

Canadian B’nai Brith delegation felt humiliated on the Temple Mount. Upon entering, the Canadian women were forced to buy unattractive shawls to cover up with. Then 50 Arab women, began screaming “Allah Akhbar” repeatedly.

 

 

 

“You don’t have to send delegations to Hungary to witness raw antisemitism.”

B’nai Brith Canada winded down its 10-day annual mission to Israel on Tuesday morning, May 28, with a visit to Har HaBayit – the Temple Mount, Judaism’s holiest site. Although the group had been made aware of the anti-Jewish intolerance at the Temple Mount – which remains under control of the Jordanian Waqf [Islamic trust] – they were shocked by the intensity of the antisemitism. Continue Reading »

Abbas dictates pre-conditions to Netanyahu: Free more terrorists, then we’ll talk

PA leader once again demands the release of terrorists who have murdered Jews as a precondition to ‘peace’ talks

By Tommy Mueller

 

 

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has called for the release of 120 more Palestinian terrorists jailed by Israel as a precondition for resuming peace talks. Washington is reportedly urging Israel to seriously consider the demand.

PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas - Photo Mark Israel Sellem

PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas – Photo Mark Israel Sellem

But, Israelis are likely to have a real problem with this. Among the 120 detainees Abbas wants freed are many who have directly murdered Israeli Jewish men, women and children. Relatives of the victims have warned that these murderers, like the many released before them, will return to violence if set free. Continue Reading »

US or Israeli Military Action Against Iran: If It Must Be Done, Who Will Do It?

INSS Insight No. 432, May 29, 2013

The case study presented below outlines one possible scenario for future U.S.-Israeli decision-making on Iran’s nuclear program. Given the spectrum of other available options, military force should only be employed against the program as a last resort. Yet the military option must still be credible, and ready to use if necessary. This case study is intended solely to stimulate and inform further discussion on the potential repercussions of different strike options.

By Gen. James Cartwright, USMC (ret.) and Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin, IDF (ret.)

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It is late 2013 and the prime minister of Israel has just received a phone call from the White House relaying the findings of a recent U.S. Continue Reading »