Archive for June 24, 2013

EU backs down to avoid undermining Kerry’s peace efforts

Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovakia & Romania, recommending that the ministers in their meetings just adopt a general statement supporting Kerry’s efforts.

 

 

 

In a move surely to be applauded in Jerusalem, the European Union foreign ministers are unlikely to issue detailed conclusions on the Middle East peace process following their monthly meeting on Monday in Luxembourg.

Netanyahu at meeting with Catherine Ashton, EU High Rep for Foreign Affairs, June 20, 2013. – Photo: Courtesy – GPO

 

Both Israeli and European officials said certain key EU actors were impacted by Jerusalem’s arguments that a detailed European statement right now regarding how the EU envisions the peace process would only serve to undermine US Secretary of State John Kerry’s efforts to get the sides back to the negotiating table.

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7 Rockets Fired into Southern Israel

Terrorists from Hamas-controlled Gaza fired 7 rockets at southern Israel.

Iron Dome defensive system only intercepted those destined to fall in populated areas.

By Elad Benari

 

 

Terrorists from Hamas-controlled Gaza fired at least seven rockets into southern Israel on Sunday night.

Once AgainAround 1:00 a.m., four rockets were fired towards the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council. One of them may have been intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-missile system, and the other three exploded in open areas. There were no physical injuries or damages.

Earlier, terrorists fired three rockets towards the Bnei Shimon Regional Council. The rockets exploded in open areas, causing no physical injuries or damages. Continue Reading »

Alice Walker, the princess of historical revisionism, still hysterical

Conveniently neglecting to point out the catalyst of terrorism, Walker begins her attack on both Israel and the United States for adopting hard defensive steps.

Totally ignorant of the deep ties between the two countries, she asserts Israel will one day attack U.S.

By The Simon Wiesenthal Center

 

The Simon Wiesenthal Center today criticized Alice Walker’s new book, The Cushion in the Road for both its ‘hysterical’ and historical revisionism.

Simon Wiesenthal Center

In reacting to the book, Rabbi Marvin Hier, the Center’s Founder and  Dean said, “I must say, Alice Walker is the princess of historical revisionism, telling us that she fears that one day, ‘Though all focus appears to be on which Arab nation is likely to strike the United States … I imagine Israel just as capable of doing us nuclear harm … because the United States and Israel, working together have done terrible things to others … and it is the nature of thieves to eventually have a grand falling out.” Continue Reading »

And your tour guide today is…Benjamin Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu takes part in a popular TV tourism program that follows heads of state in a “guidebook” tour of their countries

By Yossi Aloni

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to play tour guide in a major televised tourism program under the direction of journalist and producer Peter Greenberg, known internationally for his “The Royal Tour” tourism programs on PBS and the Travel Channel.

Your tour guide today will be...Benjamin Netanyahu

Your tour guide today will be…Benjamin Netanyahu

 

Greenberg has put together a series of programs where he accompanies a head of state in a “guidebook” tour of his or her country. He has already filmed episodes with the king of Jordan, the presidents of Mexico and Peru, and the prime minister of New Zealand. Continue Reading »

Cabinet extends daylight savings time until the end of October

Cabinet agrees to keep daylight savings time in place until the end of October, despite ultra-Orthodox objections, rather than returning to standard time at the beginning of October.

Their main objection to DST, it makes Yom Kippur fast more difficult.

By Yori Yalon and Israel Hayom Staff

The Israeli summer is about to get longer: On Sunday, the cabinet approved Interior Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s proposal to extend daylight savings time by a month.

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34 Hezbollah of 100 killed killed in battles near Damascus

US tries to coordinate military aid to opposition and still rebel officials say over 100 people died in battles on Saturday. 

By REUTERS, JPOST.COM STAFF

 

 

Syrian opposition officials say that 34 Hezbollah fighters were killed in battles near the Damascus area on Saturday. In total, over 100 people died in the war-torn country over the weekend.

Flags of Hezbollah, Assad's Syria

Flags of Hezbollah, Assad’s Syria Photo: – REUTERS/Ali Hashisho

It is estimated that over 100,000 Syrian combatants and civilians have died since the uprising against the regime of Bashar Assad began two years ago.

Washington wants Western and Arab allies to commit to directing all aid to Syrian rebels through the Western-backed Supreme Military Council, a senior US official said before talks in Qatar on Saturday, to try to reduce the power of jihadi groups.

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WATCH: David’s Sling defense system goes on display for 1st time

Israel’s co-manufacturer Rafael says David’s Sling is designed to complement the deployment of Israel’s Iron Dome defensive shield used in the Gaza conflict, and will be operational within 2 years.

By Reuters

 

 

Once shrouded in secrecy, Israel’s David’s Sling missile interceptor went on display for the first time this week at the Paris Air Show.

Magic Wand

David’s Sling, also known as the ‘Magic Wand’ system, can intercept mid-range missiles. – Photo: Haaretz Archive

 

Co-developed by the U.S. firm Raytheon and Israeli company Rafael, David’s Sling (also known as the Magic Wand) is a missile defense system designed to safeguard Israeli citizens from attack. Continue Reading »

Israeli Druze appeal to gov’t to aid family members in Syria

Israeli Druze leaders from northern Israel have asked the Israeli government to allow their children who are in Syria to return to home.

By Chana Ya’ar

 

Druze leaders in northern Israel have appealed to the Israeli government to allow their children who had crossed the border into Syria and stayed there, back into the Jewish State.

In a written request to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, the leaders asked not only for the students to return home, but also for permits for the Syrian relatives of the students – spouses and other family members – to cross the border to safety in Israel. Continue Reading »

MKs demand that gas export issue be decided in Knesset

MK Avishay Braverman: If Knesset doesn’t accept decision, it will have no legitimacy.

 

 

On the eve of Sunday’s cabinet session during which a decision on gas exports is scheduled to take place, a number of Knesset members drafted letters to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and the other ministers demanding that they transfer the decision to the Knesset.

Tamar natural gas rig.

Tamar natural gas rig. – Photo: Albatross

“In order to help the legislative process of gas export, the Economic Affairs Committee will also work in August,” wrote MK Avishay Braverman (Labor). “The committee will continue discussions in August in order to hear all the sides, of the government, the public and the developers, and will formulate a bill that will be good for the citizens and the economy of Israel.”

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Netanyahu: Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be solved to prevent a bi-national state

In interview with Washington Post, PM Netanyahu: If Kerry pitched a tent between Ramallah & Jerusalem, I’d stay there until securing peace.

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with the Washington Post on Thursday that he is committed to reaching an agreement with the Palestinians.

John Kerry and Benjamiin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, gestures while meeting with Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Thursday, May 23, 2013. – Photo: AP

 

In the interview, the prime minister said that he is willing to restart negotiations with the Palestinians, but their demand that Israel halt settlement construction as a precondition serves as an obstacle. Continue Reading »

Debate in Canada Over Shalit’s Visit

B’nai Brith Canada suggests that Gilad Shalit’s invitation by JNF to speak, casts a message of weakness.

By Arutz Sheva North America

 

B’nai Brith Canada, using its newspaper the Jewish Tribune, has criticized the Jewish National Fund (JNF) for inviting former captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit as a guest speaker to address audiences in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver this coming September.

Shalit, who was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists in June of 2006 during a patrol just outside Gaza, was dragged back to Gaza and held captive for more than five years.

He was freed in late 2011 in exchange for over 1,000 terrorists imprisoned in Israel. Continue Reading »

2 men from Gaza executed by Hamas for spying for Israel

 

2 Palestinian men reportedly hanged to death by Hamas after military court convicts them of spying for Israel.

16 hangings in Gaza reported since Hamas took control of the Strip.

By Elior Levy

Hamas leaders said they have hanged two Palestinians found guilty of spying for Israel for over a decade, making them the first to be executed since the end of a month-long amnesty for informants in April.

Execution in Iran. - Photo AFP

Execution in Iran. – Photo: AFP

Both men, in their late 40s, were charged with passing Israel information regarding the location of military outposts, governmental offices as well as weapon workshops which were later attacked by the IDF . Continue Reading »

Israel Electric Corporation Recommends: Cut Off Power to PA

Israel’s Electric company has put together a list of sanctions for the gov’t to impose on the PA, which owes it 820 million shekels.

By Elad Benari

 

The Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) has put together a list of sanctions that it could impose on the Palestinian Authority (PA) if it does not pay its debt to the IEC, which currently stands at 820 million shekels.

Electricity on the way to the Palestinians

Electricity on the way to the Palestinians – Photo: IsraelandStuff/PP

The PA acquires 95% of its electricity in Judea and Samaria and 75% of its electricity in Gaza from Israel.

According to a document published on Channel 10 News on Thursday, the IEC is suggesting four possible measures against the PA in order to get it to pay the money it owes. Continue Reading »

Netanyahu: ‘Iran is not seeking 1 or 2 nuclear bombs but 200 bombs’

In ‘Washington Post’ interview, Israel’s PM rejects importance of Rohani win, his doctrine is ‘talk and enrich.’

Netanyahu says he’s ready to engage in peace talks with the Palestinians.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
 

 

Iran seeks to build an arsenal of 200 atomic bombs, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu warned in an interview with The Washington Post Thursday.

Prime Minister Netanyahu at the President's Conference in Jerusalem, June 20, 2013.

Prime Minister Netanyahu at the President’s Conference in Jerusalem, June 20, 2013. – Photo: GPO

Netanyahu told the prestigious American daily that the election of Hassan Rohani had no impact on the country’s nuclear program since it was Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s intention to continue efforts to amass atomic weapons.

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Scotsman crafts boutique brewery in Gush Etzion

“We didn’t necessarily drink a lot of beer growing up, but we knew what good beer is supposed to taste like,” said the Scottish brewmaster.

By Anav Silverman, Tazpit

The Israeli beer industry includes a wide range of brewmasters from native Israelis to North American immigrants whose microbreweries can be found across the country from the Golan, Western Galilee and Jezreel Valley, to Ein Hod, Emek Hefer and the Negev.

Shire with his beers – Photo: Uriel Margaliot, Tazpit News Agency

In the hills of Judea, Gush Etzion also has its very own brewery known as the Lone Tree Brewery. Established four years ago by David Shire, originally from Glasgow, Scotland and his wife, Myriam from Tunisia, along with an American couple, Yochanan and Susan Levin, the brewery offers a wide array of flavors to the Israeli market. Continue Reading »