Archive for December 31, 2013

Christians from Nazareth Launch Tourism Effort & New Website

   

Pro-Israel Christians from Nazareth seeking to construct Giant Jesus statue to attract tourists & support

By Israel Today Staff

 

 

Christians from Nazareth, many of them belonging to the same group that encourages young “Arab” Christians to join the Israeli army, have launched a new website and effort to draw tourism to their city.

The name of the movement is Deglei Habrith (Flags of the Covenant), and its logo features two intertwined flags bearing the Cross and the Star of David.

Among the group’s stated goals is the construction of a large statue of Jesus at Mount Precipice (think Rio de Janeiro), the site where Luke 4:29–30 records a mob attempting to shove Jesus off a cliff. Continue Reading »

With 1,600 participants arriving in one day, Birthright breaks record

 

Continue Reading »

Israel’s Nat’l Health to cover abortions for women ages 20-33

All the patients are required to receive approval from a gov’t panel prior to undergoing the procedure.

The panel approves nearly all cases.

By JTA

 

 

JERUSALEM — Israeli women between the ages of 20 and 33 will be eligible to receive government-funded abortions in 2014.

Surprisingly, Israel's religious sector is responding positively to the idea of harvesting organs after the heart stops. - Photo by GettyImages

Operating theater, Illustrative – Photo by GettyImages

The new eligibility is part of the country’s state-subsidized basket of health services for 2014, approved on Monday. Currently, the government only pays for abortions for medical reasons and for girls under 18.

Some 6,300 women between ages 20 and 33 are expected to have abortions in Israel in 2014.

Continue Reading »

Hamas rejects Egypt’s demand to disassociate from Muslim Brotherhood

 

Hamas reaffirms solidarity with outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, rejects Egyptian calls to sever connections with ousted movement.

By REUTERS
 

 

GAZA – The Palestinian group Hamas condemned on Tuesday Egypt’s designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist group last week, reaffirming its solidarity with the ousted movement despite a crippling blockade imposed by Cairo.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh gestures during an interview with Reuters in Gaza City May 10, 2012.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh gestures during an interview with Reuters in Gaza City May 10, 2012. – Photo: REUTERS

Ismail Haniyeh, prime minister of the Hamas Gaza government, also snubbed calls by some rival Palestinian factions to sever its connections with the Brotherhood.

“We reject such a classification for the Muslim Brotherhood group. Continue Reading »

New bill: Judges given discretion to deny terrorists’ pardons

 

In light of 3rd round of Palestinian terrorists release from incarceration, MKs Shaked & Tzur present bill to give courts option of denying clemency to murderers at sentencing.

Bill aimed to ‘fix injustice’, address criminal charges as well.

By Moran Azulay

 

 

At the conclusion of the third prisoner release Tuesday morning, members of Knesset were already trying to form legislation to thwart any further releases.

A bill proposal, formed by Knesset Member Ayelet Shaked of Habayit Hayehudi and MK David Tzur of Hatnua, will give judges the option of removing the possibility of any future pardon of the culprit, already at the time of the sentencing. Continue Reading »

Animal hospital in Israel saves pelican with 110 shotgun pellets

Video: After being brought by ambulance,  Israeli animal hospital saved suffering pelican from acute lead poisoning.

 

 

Israel is the single land bridge between Africa and Eurasia, making the land a paradise for bird-watchers, especially in migration season. Fish farmers are somewhat less enthused as flocks of ravenous avians descend on their ponds, eating much of the crop.

The oil-covered pelican flying over Lake Hula.

The oil-covered pelican flying over Lake Hula. – Dror Galili

“They may not have eaten in days,” points out Safari spokeswoman Sagit Horowitz, and a flock of huge birds with gargantuan appetites can wipe out a fish pool in no time. Continue Reading »

Lapid: U.S. Forced Israel to Choose Freeing Imprisoned Terrorists, as the Lesser Evil

Without discussing what the White House would have orchestrated against Israel had Jerusalem refused to choose, Israel’s Finance Minister admitted that ‘America presented our options – and the others were worse’.

By Maayana Miskin

 

 

Finance Minister Yair Lapid, whose Yesh Atid party is the second-largest in the coalition, spoke out Tuesday in defense of the government’s decision to free terrorists convicted of horrific murders.

In an interview with IDF Radio (Galei Tzahal) Lapid argued that freeing terrorists was the best option from among several options United States diplomats had put forth.

“There are always options around the table. Continue Reading »

Deep Purple adds 2nd Israeli concert

 

 

The veteran British rock band Deep Purple is to perform at Tel Aviv’s Nokia Arena on February 22 & 23

By Ynet   

VIDEO – Deep Purple is adding a second concert in Israel a day after its planned February 22 gig at Tel Aviv’s Nokia Arena, the veteran British rock band said Sunday.

Deep Purple 1972 – Facebook Fanpage

The February 23 performance will be held in the same venue. Ticket prices range from NIS 199 ($57) to NIS 999 ($286), depending on the seat’s location in the arena.

 

 

The band will arrive in Israel as part of its “The Best of Deep Purple” concert tour, which will include performances of its greatest hits as well as songs from its new album, “Now What?!”This Continue Reading »

55 U.S. Universities Condemn American Studies Association Boycott of Israel

 

Along with the 55 condemnations, 4 universities withdrew their membership in the wake of the vote: Brandeis University, Kenyon College, Indiana University & Penn State Harrisburg.

By

At least 55 American universities and colleges have rejected the American Studies Association membership vote in favor of an academic boycott of Israel.

Boycott Israel illustration.

Boycott Israel sign (illustration) – Photo: Dreamstime

The number was tracked by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

Reuters

Afghan protesters set fire to representations of U.S. and Israel flags as they shout slogans during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Jalalabad November 26, 2012.

Continue Reading »

Israeli official: Kerry ‘Deceived Israel’ on Terrorist Prison Release

PM Binyamin Netanyahu has clarified to the White House that no Israeli Arab terrorists will be released as any “gesture” to the Palestinian Authority.

By Elad Benari

A senior Israeli official said on Monday that United States Secretary of State John Kerry had “deceived” Israel with regards to the release of terrorists as a “gesture” to the Palestinian Authority (PA).

The unnamed official, who spoke to Channel 2 News, said that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has made it clear to Kerry that the next batch of 26 terrorists that Israel is to release will not include any Israeli Arabs, contrary to the PA’s demand.

Continue Reading »

BBC Reports How Israel Loves its Enemies

BBC, known for its bias against Israel, was astonished by the non-stop loving care provided to wounded Syrians, from first contact on the Israeli border, to their discharge from an Israeli hospital.

By Yossi Aloni

 

Israel has taken great pride in a recent BBC report regarding the Jewish state’s genuine care for its enemies. The BBC is often seen as biased against Israel, but the report in question had nothing but good things to say about Israel over its selfless care for victims of the ongoing civil war in Syria, a nation still officially at war with Israel.

Israeli medics on Syrian border awaiting to receive wounded civilians – BBC Screenshot

BBC Middle East correspondent Kevin Connolly visited Ziv Hospital in the northern Israel town of Safed and brought back a story of Syrians under fire whose lives were literally saved by their worst enemy. Continue Reading »

Israel Prepares to Release 3rd Group of Palestinian Terrorists from Prison

 

 

Following the High Court decision to reject appeal, Israel will release 18 Palestinian prisoners to West Bank & 5 to East Jerusalem after midnight.

The 3 released terrorists to Gaza are already on way to transfer points. 26 prisoners all totaled.

 

 

Israel was set to release 26 Palestinian security prisoners Monday overnight, after the High Court of Justice rejected a petition filed by bereaved families to prevent their release.

Gaza women walk past posters of Palestinian prisoners.Kosher restaurant.

Gaza women walk past posters of Palestinian prisoners.Kosher restaurant. – Photo: REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

Unlike the previous 52 terrorists already released, the group released overnight included five residents of east Jerusalem. Continue Reading »

As Peace-Talks Are Ongoing, PA Children’s TV Pushes Hating Jews for Poisoning Arafat

November TV broadcasts timed for Arafat’s death anniversary shows kids blaming Jews for murdering Arafat, expressing their hatred for Israel.

By Ari Yashar

 

Official Palestinian Authority (PA) TV recently broadcast interviews of children repeating the libel that Jews “poisoned” former PA Chairman Yasser Arafat, as part of a children’s program called The Best Home.

PA kids hate Jews for 'poisoning' Arafat Screenshot

PA kids hate Jews for ‘poisoning’ Arafat – Photo: PMW Screenshot

Despite the conclusions of a Russian team of forensics experts determining that Arafat died of natural causes, echoing similar French findings in refuting the PA libel against Israel, the PA pledged last Thursday it would continue investigating Arafat’s death. Continue Reading »

What goes around, comes around: American university divorces Palestinian university

 

Brandeis university suspended all relations with Palestinian Al-Quds University, and was justified. Nazi salutes & paramilitary dress that decorated a rally on their campus seems to have been a common occurrence.

By Michael Curtis

 

In light of the recent demonstrations of ignorance, bigotry, and possibly anti-Semitism exhibited by the members of the two academic bodies — the Association of Asian American Studies in April 2013 and the American Studies Association in December 2013 — who voted in favor of a boycott of Israeli academic institutions — it is a seemingly ironic twist of fate that on November 18, 2013, Al-Quds, an Arab University, was suspended by an American university, Brandeis, from continuing the partnership arrangement between the two institutions. Continue Reading »

India to Buy 15 Israeli Drones

The Indian gov’t approved a purchase Monday to acquire Israeli manufactured UAVs with the goal of boosting India’s surveillance capabilities.

By Tova Dvorin

 

India will purchase 15 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Israel, news outlets reported Monday.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh approved the purchase at a Cabinet meeting, according to Defense Update. The goal: to boost India’s line of surveillance against northern border countries and regional rivals Pakistan and China.

Heron UAV – IAF photo

The purchase will cost about 1,200 crores / 120 million rupees, or just under 2 million dollars. 

News Pakistan reports that while India has already invested in IAF technology, the upgrade will give the Indian government long-range control over survey and reconnaissance missions via satellite. Continue Reading »