Archive for August 6, 2013

Christian Priest: ‘We Want to Defend Israel’

 

In a meeting with Netanyahu, Father Gabriel reaffirms his commitment to Christian Arab integration into Israeli society.

Arab Muslim MKs have condemned Father Gabriel, calling him “an agent of Zionism who seeks to divide Arabs.”

By David Lev

 

 

In the face of severe opposition – some would say persecution – by the leaders of his church, Father Gabriel Nadaf, a Greek Orthodox priest from Nazareth and spiritual leader of a forum for the enlistment of Christian youth in the IDF, continues to advocate for a strong connection among Arab Christians with the State of Israel.

PM Netanyahu meets Gabriel Nadaf, Aug.

Continue Reading »

July: 38 Israelis wounded in acts of Palestinian terrorism

 

 

It may not be called an ‘intifada’, but Israelis  are wounded from stabbings, rock-throwing & other acts of terrorism on a daily basis.

By Israel Today Staff

 

The Israeli army an internal security agency Shin Bet have published their monthly security review for July, and it would appear that Palestinian Arab terrorism is again on the rise.

 

Stone-throwing Palistanians

In just one month, no fewer than 38 Israeli Jews were injured in acts of Palestinian terrorism.

Among the victims is a small child who suffered a head injury when Arab stone throwers operating in Jerusalem’s Old City attacked a Jewish family. Continue Reading »

Syria’s civil war fragments country into 3 new nations

 

 

 

Analyst: Syria no longer exists as a distinct single sovereign.

Assad controls area running from southern border with Jordan to the Mediterranean coast. Kurdish minority holds northeast section while the rebels control area spanning from Idlib to Aleppo in the north.

By The Associated Press and Israel Hayom Staff

 

More than two years into Syria’s civil war, the once highly-centralized authoritarian state has effectively split into three distinct parts, each boasting its own flags, security agencies and judicial system.

Continue Reading »

WATCH ‘Al Quds Day’ in Canada: Speaker Calls for Israelis to be Killed

Former president of “Palestine House” Elias Hazineh, calls for Israelis to be given a two-minute warning to leave their homes “or be shot”.

By Ari Soffer and Dalit Halevi

 

The former president of “Palestine House,” a Canadian NGO accused by the government of showing a “pattern of support for extremism,” has called for the forced ethnic-cleansing of all Israelis Saturday.

al Quds Day, Ontario, 2013 – Photo: Jonathan Dahoah Halevy

 

In the video below, Elias Hazineh can be seen addressing a crowd of anti-Israel activists in Toronto during the annual Al Quds Day march.

“We have to give them an ultimatum,” he said of Israelis, “you have to leave Jerusalem; you have to leave Palestine…”

But Hazineh did not stop there. Continue Reading »

Israel Charged at Int’l Court of Justice for Jesus’ Death

 

 

Kenyan lawyer files suit at the Int’l Court of Justice in The Hague charging, among others, Israel, as responsible for Jesus being killed.

By Israel Today Staff

 

Israel is being named as one of the defendants in a new lawsuit over the wrongful execution of Jesus filed at the International Court of Justice in The Hague (ICJ).

Kenyan lawyer Dola Indidis – Israel Today

Prominent Kenyan lawyer Dola Indidis argues that the evidence provided by the Bible demonstrates that Jesus was subjected to “selective and malicious prosecution” that “violated his human rights through judicial misconduct.”

The lawsuit targets Roman Emperor Tiberius, Pontius Pilate, King Herod, numerous first century Jewish elders, the Republic of Italy and the State of Israel. Continue Reading »

Cold breeze from Cairo is sending Hamas for cover

 

1000’s of Palestinian workers in already wounded Gaza have been laid off because Egypt has closed the border & sealed most smuggling tunnels while some of the 10’s of thousands of Palestinians living in Egypt are already keeping a low profile for fear of being targeted in an anti-Hamas backlash.

The Associated Press and Israel Hayom Staff

 

The coup in Egypt has cost Gaza’s Hamas its most important foreign ally, while more and more ordinary Palestinians are getting caught up in the growing animosity between Egypt’s new government and Gaza’s Islamic militant rulers.

Continue Reading »

Lebanese Christian Leader: Hizbullah Fired Rockets on Presidential Palace

Lebanese leader Samir Geagea, blamed Hizbullah for firing two rockets on the presidential palace compound Thursday, saying the terror organization had declared a de facto war on Lebanon.

By Gil Ronen

 

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea hinted on Sunday that Hizbullah is behind two rocket attacks on the Baabda presidential palace area last Thursday. He accused the movement of “declaring war on the state of Lebanon, its people and institutions,” Ya Libnan reported.

Hizbullah supporters in Lebanon (illustrative) – Photo: AFP/Mahmoud Zayyat

One of the rockets struck within the security perimeter of the Presidential Palace, and the other exploded within the security perimeter of the Army headquarters. Continue Reading »

IDF Soldier hits ‘bull’s eye’ & wins NIS 27M lottery prize

 

Resident from Southern Israel uses his army paycheck to purchase a lottery ticket which turned him into a millionaire. ‘I’ll put the money into a savings account & live off the interest,’ the soldier said.

By Ynet

An IDF soldier on leave discovered he had won the first prize of NIS 26 million in the lottery Saturday. He also won the second prize of NIS 1 million and other prizes totaling NIS 72,000.

IDF Soldier (illistration) - Photo courtesy IDF Spokesperson Office

IDF Soldier (illistration) – Photo courtesy IDF Spokesperson Office

The soldier, a resident of the south, had won a raffle that took place a week ago having paid NIS 290 for a ticket in Ashkelon. Continue Reading »

Huge 1,000 Yr-Old Hospital Discovered in Jerusalem

Impressive Crusader arched structure built by the Knights Hospitaller has a 20 ft-high ceiling and served as a sophisticated hospital.

By Gil Ronen

 

A Jerusalem structure that served as a hospital in the Crusader era has been opened to the public, after archaeological digs and research carried out by the Antiquities Authority. The structure, which is owned by the Muslim Waqf, is located in the heart of the Christian Quarter, near David Street.

Part of the ancient hospital – Photo: IAA

The building served as a bustling fruit and vegetable market until the early 2000s. The archaeological work was carried out ahead of plans to turn the structure into a restaurant.

Continue Reading »

US report: Jerusalem willing to forgo some US missile defense aid

Israel reportedly offered to drop about $55m. in US aid due to the considerable cuts Washington is forced to make on its defense budget.

 

Israel has offered to waive nearly $55 million in US aid for its missile defense programs, the Defense News website reported over the weekend.

Iron Dome battery deployed in North

Iron Dome battery deployed in North – Photo: Ben Hartman

Defense officials in Israel declined to comment on the report.

According to US-based Defense News, in light of the considerable cuts Washington has made to its defense budget, Jerusalem has sought to shoulder its part in the new, harsher financial reality.

Continue Reading »

SodaStream profit up from Wal-Mart sales

 

Boosted by its launch at US retail chain, Israel-based manufacturer of beverage carbonation systems says its 2nd-quarter net income jumped 36%.

Associated Press

SodaStream International Ltd. says its second-quarter net income jumped 36%, boosted by strong demand fueled by its launch at Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

BDS has boycotted SodaStream because some of its machines are built in contested territory. Meanwhile, the company employs hundreds of Palestinians.

The company raised its revenue and profit outlook, pushing shares higher in morning trading.

SodaStream makes beverage carbonation systems that enable consumers to easily transform tap water into carbonated soft drinks and sparkling water. Continue Reading »

U.S. Keeps Embassies Closed

 

U.S. Embassies in the Middle East will remain closed due to ‘caution’ & not because of ‘new threat.‘

By Reuters and DPA

 

 

The United States extended the closures of some embassies and consulates in the Middle East – which had been closed Sunday due to an Al-Qaida threat – through Aug. 10 due to “caution” but not the emergence of a “new threat stream,” the State Department said.

U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv

U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv – Photo: Ariel Schalit

 

The expansion through to next Saturday in some cases also was in keeping with local custom during the Eid celebrations of the final week of Ramadan, which had already been planned before the terrorist warnings, the State Department sai

Other U.S. Continue Reading »

Two Arabs held in mezuza theft at Cave of Patriarchs

 

After multiple thefts & desecrations, a security video at the site caught two Palestinians who were subsequently detained for theft of a mezuza in Hebron.

 

 

Two Palestinians were detained for the theft of a mezuza from the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron on Friday.
Mezuzah - Photo: IsraelandStuff/PP

Mezuzah – Photo: IsraelandStuff/PP

Border Police are still looking for more suspects.

The two men were picked up because they were near the cave at the time of the theft. According to the Border Police, they were also seen on a security video of the site.

Friday’s incident follows one that occurred two weeks ago in which three mezuzot were stolen.

Continue Reading »

PA’s Negotiator: Israel to release 26 prisoners in mid-August

 

Palestinian negotiator Erekat says 1st phase of prisoner release set for August 13.

Palestinian says US & Israel were informed that all final status issues must be put on negotiating table.

By Elior Levy

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said that on August 13 Israel will release 26 Palestinian prisoners it has been holding since before the signing of the Oslo agreement.

Erekat , Kerry and Livni - Photo: Reuters-Jonathan Ernst

Erekat , Kerry and Livni – Photo: Reuters-Jonathan Ernst

Palestinian media outlets published Erekat’s comments on Saturday. He was quoted as saying that the 26 prisoners will be released in the first of four phases that will see a total of 104 inmates freed by Israel as a gesture to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of the official resumption of direct peace talks. Continue Reading »

View Video: Asian Elephant Born in Israeli Park

7 yr-old Asiatic elephant La Belle gives birth to a female calf. The breed is an endangered one.

By Gil Ronen

 

La Belle, a seven-year-old Asiatic elephant, gave birth to female calf, handlers at the Safari Park discovered Friday morning.

The newborn elephant – Tibor Yaeger

The birth followed a 22 month long gestation period.

The father is Motek, a 53 year old Asiatic elephant. The maternal grandmother, 25 year old La Petite, is behaving in a pushy manner since the birth and has tried to suckle the calf. Handlers explained that since this is La Belle’s first birth, her mother may be trying to teach her how to care for the calf. Continue Reading »