Archive for July 8, 2013

Hamas calls on Egypt to reopen Rafah crossing & stop destroying tunnels

PLO officials in the West Bank blamed Hamas for the closure of the Gaza terminal saying Hamas’s meddling in the internal affairs of Egypt, by supporting the Muslim Brotherhood, has harmed the national interests of the Palestinians.

The official went on call on Gazans to follow Egyptian example & unseat Hamas from power.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH

 

 

 

The Hamas government on Sunday called on the Egyptian authorities to reopen the Rafah border crossing, which was closed on Friday following a spate of terror attacks against Egyptian security forces in Sinai.

Egyptian Army soldiers guard gates of Sinai Gaza closed border crossing, May 20, 2012.

Egyptian Army soldiers guard gates of Sinai Gaza closed border crossing, May 20, 2012.

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Cabinet adopts historic draft bill to ultra-Orthodox’s dismay & anger

Lapid: Historic day; MK Porush: Black day for Jewish settlement

 

Ministers approve outline for haredi draft, to commence in 4 years.

By Omri Efraim

 

The cabinet adopted the equal share of the burden outline, according to which 21-year-old haredim will be drafted to the IDF, beginning in 2017, excluding 1,800 who have proven themselves scholarly-gifted and will continue to study the Torah.

Haredim in enlistment bureau – Photo: Yaron Brener

Fourteen ministers voted in favor of the outline, while only four opposed it.

The outline, finalized last May by a committee headed by Minister Yaakov Peri, also recommends that haredi draft-evaders will be criminally sanctioned. Continue Reading »

Hamas busts Gaza counterfeit ring with NIS 20 million in ‘funny-money’

Hamas authorities in Gaza report the bogus money was confiscated before the counterfeiters were able to put it into circulation.

 

Hamas authorities in the Gaza Strip broke up a counterfeiting ring that had printed millions of shekels worth of fake money, the organization said Sunday.

funny money

Policeman displays fake 100-shekel bills seized in Gaza City. – Photo: AP

Police spokesman Ayyoub Abu Shaar said that authorities uncovered the ring last week when they traced a man trying to use a counterfeit 100-shekel bill last week. The Palestinian territories use Israeli currency for many transactions.

AP

Fake bills and equipment seized by Hamas authorities in Gaza City.

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Israel watches as Egypt’s military battles Jihadists elements in Sinai

 

The Egyptian army is currently engaged in battle with Islamists across the Sinai. According to an Egyptian newspaper, the Egyptian military are battling “terrorists and jihadists elements” in the Sinai.

Former head of Counter Terrorism Bureau suggests Israel permit additional Egyptian forces into Sinai and amend Camp David accords allowing it.

Gas pipeline attacked for first time this year.

By Gideon Allon, Shlomo Cesana and Israel Hayom Staff

Israel should do all it can to help the new secular government in Egypt beat the Muslim Brotherhood, even if that means amending the Military Annex of the Camp David peace accords to allow more Egyptian military assets into the Sinai Peninsula, the former director of the Counter-Terrorism Bureau in the Prime Minister’s Office Brig.

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Israeli design Earthquake-proof table may save lives

“I looked at pictures of a school that was crushed in the earthquake in Haiti and they really shocked me.” Arthur Brutter, earthquake-proof table co-inventor

By Arion McNicoll and Stefanie Blendis, CNN

 

“Drop to the ground; take cover by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and hold on until the shaking stops.”

table

The earthquake-proof table has been nominated for a number of awards including the Design Museum’s design of the year award in London. It has also been acquired by New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) for its permanent collection of architecture and design.

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Satellite clip of sea rescue of Israeli pilots from F-16 cash

On IAF training flight, the two-seater F-16 fighter jet crashes into Mediterranean sea off coast of Gaza Strip due to technical fault in engine.

IAF flight instructor/pilot & navigator safely eject and parachute to sea before being rescued by the IDF’s Unit 669.

 

An F-16i on a training flight crashed in the Mediterranean Sea, some 50 kilometers off the coast of the Gaza Strip, on Sunday. The plane’s pilot, an Israel Air Force flight instructor, and navigator, who was being trained, safely ejected from the aircraft and parachuted to the sea before being rescued.

F-16i -Sufa, Photo courtesy IDF Spokesperson's Office

F-16i -Sufa, (illustrative) – Photo courtesy IDF Spokesperson’s Office

The two-seater fighter jet was taking part in a training exercise in which it drilled an interception.

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Israeli Arabs rally in Kafr Kanna & Sakhnin, in support of Morsi

Hundreds of Arab protesters gather to show support of Egyptian democracy, saying: The ‘people of Egypt chose Morsi, their choice must be honored’.

By Hassan Shaalan

Some 250 people rallied Saturday, in the Galilee Arab towns of Sakhnin and Kafr Kanna, against the ouster of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi.  

(צילום: alarab.net)

Kafr Kanna – Photo: alarab.net

Protesters held signs with images of Morsi and the Egyptian flag, demanding that the Egyptian democracy be honored.

The demonstration in Sakhnin was organized by the Islamic movement and among the protesters were Mayor Mazen Ghanaim and MK Masud Ganaim (Ra’am-Ta’al). 

The Kafr Kanna rally was initiated by a group of students, one of whom reported that the demonstration was held in order to express their sympathy for the Egyptian people “who sacrificed their lives until they managed to topple the corrupt reign of Mubarak. Continue Reading »

IDF on Sinai border: Security coordination with Egypt remains uninterrupted

Despite political upheaval in Egypt, it continues to be in the interest of both sides to fight terror cells, says IDF liaison officer; ‘Egyptians are doing good work.’

By Gili Cohen 

Security coordination with Egypt remains in good shape despite the political turmoil in Cairo, Israeli officers serving in the border area say.

Egyptian soldiers on Sinai border.

Egyptian soldiers stand guard on at the border between Egypt and southern Gaza Strip, July 5, 2013. – Photo: Reuters

According to the rules of engagement, if the Israel Defense Forces spots armed men approaching the border, the preference is to let the Egyptians take action.

“In most cases the Egyptians are doing good work,” said a liaison officer. Continue Reading »

Former Palestinian Terrorist Invited to the Knesset

Both, a senior terrorist’s brother & a former terrorist prisoner are invited to address the Knesset.

By Maayana Miskin

 

Members of Knesset and ministers who support the “two-state solution” and diplomatic talks with the Palestinian Authority have organized a conference that aims to provide a response to the spate of public officials who have recently declared that there is no realistic solution to the Israel-PA conflict on the horizon.

Among the speakers who will appear at the conference Monday are controversial PA figures.

One of the names that stands out is that of Dr. Khalil Shikaki, who directs the Center for Palestinian Policy and Research in Ramallah. Continue Reading »

Female Muslim student in Germany vandalizes Israeli art exhibit

The University says they reserve option to take legal action against female Muslim vandal who ripped down parts of an Israeli graphic novel art exhibit.

By BENJAMIN WEINTHAL, JERUSALEM POST CORRESPONDENT
 

 

BERLIN – A female Muslim student at the University of Duisburg-Essen ripped down parts of a graphic novel exhibit, which included the work of the internationally known Israeli artist Rutu Modan.
Rutu Modan’s graphic novel ‘Exit Wounds,’ the target of vandalism in Germany.

Rutu Modan’s graphic novel ‘Exit Wounds,’ the target of vandalism in Germany. – Photo: Drawn & Quarterly

In a commentary in the left-liberal website Taz on Thursday, journalist Pascal Beucker attributed the June 24 attack on the exhibit “to an anti- Israel, if not anti-Semitic, motive.”

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Kerry’s plan for restarting talks: prisoner release & settlement freeze

 

U.S. Sec of St John Kerry’s plan to restart peace talks: Israel will release 103 Palestinian terrorists from prison, freeze home construction outside major towns & a $4B transfer to the Palestinian leaders by the U.S.

The Palestinians are still not satisfied.

By Elor Levy

US Secretary of State John Kerry‘s plan to restart peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians calls for the release of some 103 Palestinian prisoners serving time in Israeli prisons from a time prior to the signing Oslo accords, London-based Al Hayat reported, citing Western diplomatic sources.

אבו מאזן וקרי ברמאללה (צילום: רויטרס)

Kerry, Abbas – Photo: Reuters

According to a Palestinian source, the difference of opinions between the two sides remain large, as the Palestinians demand the release of all 103 together and a complete halt in settlement constriction. Continue Reading »

Amb. Oren Finishes His Term This Year

Israel’s  Ambassador to the U.S. says he is ending his term this fall.

Unofficially, his replacement may be Ron Dermer.

By Gil Ronen

 

 

Israel’s Ambassador in the United States, Michael Oren, announced Friday evening on his Facebook page that he will end his term in the fall.

Amb. Michael B. Oren

Amb. Michael B. Oren – Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S.

According to Globes, there were rumors several months ago that Oren wishes to remain in his position for an additional year. He has been serving as ambassador since being appointed by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in 2009.

Globes quotes “assessments in Washington” according to which Oren will be replaced by Ron Dermer, a trusted confidante of Netanyahu. Continue Reading »

Foreign Ministry’s strike may cause no-shows for Maccabiah athletes

Israel’s Foreign Ministry workers have been holding the country hostage as their strike continues on.

 

JERUSALEM — The 19th Maccabiah Games could become the next victim of a strike by employees of Israel’s Foreign Ministry.

MaccabiahAthletes from 14 countries are unable to travel to Israel for the major sporting event because they need visas to enter the country.

Late last month, employees at Israeli embassies and consulates in the United States and around the world halted all consular services, including issuing visas. Exceptions are being made for medical emergencies, adoptions and transporting bodies for burial. The halt in consular services was the latest salvo in a 3-month-old labor dispute.

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Israelis, West Bank & Gaza Palestinians come together to talk water

 

Scientists from Gaza, West Bank, Jordan,

France,

& Israel travel to southern Israeli town of Sde Boker to discuss water production.

 

‘Water can be an issue for conflict or for peace,’ says French ambassador to Israel

By jn1.tv

Under the patronage of the French Embassy in Israel, scientists from France, the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan and Israel will travel to the southern town of Sde Boker to talk common water production issues.

water reservoir

water reservoir – IsraelandStuff/PP

At the French ambassador’s villa in picturesque Jaffa, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, yet another cocktail party is being hosted, but this event is very special because sworn enemies are here to talk their future survival. Continue Reading »

Coptic Christian Priest assassinated in latest Egyptian violence

The murder of  Mina Aboud Sharween, a spiritual leader of Egypt’s 8 million Christians, is attributed to his supporting Morsi’s removal.

This latest sectarian attack appears to be 1st sign of ethnic violence since ouster of elected Islamist president Morsi.

By REUTERS

 

 

 

CAIRO- Gunmen shot dead a Coptic Christian priest in Egypt’s lawless Northern Sinai on Saturday in what could be the first sectarian attack since the military overthrow of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, security sources said.

A cross and a Koran at an anti-Morsi protest in Tahrir Square, July 4, 2013.

A cross and a Koran at an anti-Morsi protest in Tahrir Square, July 4, 2013. – Photo: Reuters

At least 30 people died and more than 1,000 were wounded after Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood movement called “Friday of Rejection” protests across the country and tried to march on the military compound where the ousted president is held.

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