Archive for January 7, 2014

Israel Gov’t Report: Kerry Instigator Behind European Boycotts of Israeli Products

Israel gov’t sources reveal that Obama’s representative, John Kerry, is responsible for European Union boycott threats on Israeli products, keeps them frozen during talks, but ready to enforce them if talks fail.

By Ari Yashar

 

Governmental sources report that US Secretary of State John Kerry is behind the European boycott threats on Israeli products and companies operating in Judea, Samaria, eastern Jerusalem and the Golan Heights.

The EU published its guidelines last July, boycotting Israeli companies operating over the 1949 Armistice lines.

At the moment, Kerry is making sure the threats stay in check, but as soon as the peace talks fail he intends to open the floodgates and spur on full-blown international boycotts on Israel, reports Galei Tzahal (IDF Radio). Continue Reading »

Hula Nature Reserve visitor center to be named after Canadian PM

 

JNF has decided to name the Hula Nature Reserve visitor center after Canadian PM Stephen Harper in recognition of his ongoing support of Israel.

PM Harper is planing to visit Israel soon.

By Shlomo Cesana

 

Continue Reading »

Chabad emissaries may qualify as national service instead of IDF induction

Volunteers for Zaka, Magen David Adom & the Israel National Police have already receive the status of national service, which in most cases can be served instead of IDF service.

 

 

JERUSALEM – The work of 100 Israeli men serving overseas as emissaries on behalf of Chabad can count as national service, a Knesset committee decided.

File:2008 Mumbai terror attacks Nariman House front view 3.jpg

Nariman House, known as the Mumbai Chabad House. Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivka Holtzberg, who was six months pregnant, were murdered with four other Jewish hostages inside the house by the attackers. 26, Nov. 2008 – Photo & Text: Wikimedia Commons.

Continue Reading »

Former US ambassadors reconsider to release Pollard to advance regional peace

 

 

 

If Pollard’s release would advance achieving a framework deal, regional peace trumps keeping him in jail, says a former US ambassador to the UN.

 

Two former American ambassadors to Israel who had opposed clemency for Israeli agent Jonathan Pollard changed their minds, according to a story published exclusively by the Walla News web site.

Thomas R. Pickering is among the most decorated U.S. diplomats. He served in Republican and Democratic administrations from 1974 through 1996. He leads the Benghazi probe. – MSNBC Screenshot

The web site spoke to Sam Lewis, who served as ambassador until 1985 when Pollard was arrested in Washington, and Thomas Pickering, who as Lewis’ replacement dealt with the arrest’s aftermath. Continue Reading »

13 Israeli Civilians Bound & Beaten in Arab Village

A Dozen Jews abducted, tied up & beaten senseless, according to one of the injured. ‘They tied our hands & legs, then beat us cruelly’.

By Maayana Miskin

 

Dozens of Jewish men were abducted and beaten in a mob attack in the Binyamin region on Tuesday afternoon. The men were set upon by an Arab mob, chased down, tied up and beaten senseless.

One of the men told Arutz Sheva about the vicious attack. The men were attacked as they were walking from the Jewish village of Esh Kodesh to the nearby Givat Hayovel.

Suddenly, they were set upon by an Arab mob, he said. Continue Reading »

Israeli Arabs speak out: ‘We are Israeli citizens and demand to remain in Israel’

 

 

Arab residents of the Jewish State see Lieberman land swap plan as problematic, say most would fight, or move to stay in Israel: ‘The Arab population won’t agree to give up their citizenship’

By Israel Moskowitz

 

While Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman was surprisingly bonding with the prospect of a peace deal with the Palestinians, his support for a land swap wasn’t met with the same enthusiasm by those who would likely be part of the transfer.

Lieberman at the Saban Conference (Photo: Shachar Azran)

Lieberman at the Saban Conference – Photo: Shachar Az

Lieberman said he supported the option of a land and population exchange with the Palestinians, clarifying that he envisioned the transfer of the predominantly Arab “Triangle” of communities and Wadi Ara, a main artery between central and northern Israel bordering the West Bank, in return for Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Continue Reading »

Video: The Rolling Stones Reported Negotiating 1st Israel Concert

 

Israeli producers have offered the Stones the highest amount to an int’l artist to perform in Israel.

 

 

The Rolling Stones are reportedly negotiating a debut show in Israel this June.

The Rolling Stones, from left, Ronnie Wood, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts, perform

The Rolling Stones, from left, Ronnie Wood, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts, perform live at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on Dec. 15, 2012. – Photo: AP

According to a report in the daily Yedioth Ahronoth, Israeli producers Marcel Avram and Gadi Oron are in talks with the English rock band’s managers for a show in Israel during the band’s European tour, which is scheduled for this summer. Continue Reading »

‘King David’s Castle’ to be Revealed January 17

The major archaeological discovery points to a Davidic royal castle in Nahal Refaim.

It’s location, a secret, and will be announced in 10 days.

By Gil Ronen

 

The location of a major archaeological find that was kept secret until now will be revealed to the public on Friday, next week. The find is being touted as a royal castle that could have belonged to Israel’s most celebrated king – the Bible’s King David.

The find is a decorated carved stone known as “a proto-aeolic capital” that is connected to a column. Only 30 such capitals have been found in Israel so far, and only five of them were found in areas in which Biblical-era kings lived. Continue Reading »

Hamas announces steps toward ending feud with Fatah

 

Hamas leader Haniyeh says, “These decisions are for the sake of implementing reconciliation and unification.”

 

 

Gazan Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh announced a series of measures on Monday  aimed at bringing reconciliation between Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, and its main rival, Fatah, which controls the Palestinian Authority that runs the West Bank.

Palestinians hold torches and posters of late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat

Palestinians hold torches and posters of late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and late Hamas founder and spiritual leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin. – Photo: AP

Haniyeh said anyone who left the Gaza Strip for political reasons will be allowed to return, several Fatah activists currently imprisoned in Gaza will be released, and Fatah members of parliament who reside in the Fatah-controlled West Bank will now be allowed to visit Gaza. Continue Reading »

Nuclear Bomb Necessary to ‘Wipe Israel Off the Map’

Iranian lawmaker & cleric reveals that Iran ‘needs’ a nuclear weapon to ‘wipe Israel off the map’.
They also reveals the U.S. ‘need’ for Iran deal.

By Tova Dvorin

 

 

Iranian lawmaker, cleric, and Majilis (council) member Mohammed Nabavian declared Monday that Iran does need a nuclear bomb – to destroy Israel.

Nuclear talks in Geneva – Reuters

Iran would be able to build a nuclear bomb in “two weeks” if it gets “access to 270 kilograms of 20 percent [enriched uranium], 10 tons of 5 percent, and 20 thousand centrifuges,” Nabavian stated, according to Iranian media reports. “We are not looking for a nuclear bomb, but having a nuclear bomb is necessary to put down Israel.” Continue Reading »

Israeli Arabs: We Refuse to Live in a Palestinian State

If the Arab Knesset members are so worried about becoming citizens of a Palestinian state, they should be working toward integration into, and not separation from, Israel, and listening more to their constituents rather than the voices of Fatah and Hamas.

by Khaled Abu Toameh

 

 

Renewed talk of land swaps between Israel and a future Palestinian state has left many Israeli Arabs worried about losing their status as citizens of Israel.

Member of Knesset Ahmed Tibi yells from the Knesset podium. (Image source: Knesset TV YouTube channel)

 

According to the Israeli daily Ma’ariv, Israel has proposed to the Americans transferring Israeli Arab communities to the Palestinian Authority as part of a land swap that would place Jewish settlements in the West Bank under Israeli sovereignty. Continue Reading »

Israeli hurt when Palestinian Arab threw explosive at Bethlehem holy site

 

An explosive devise was hurled at Rachel’s Tomb, causing injuries to a Jewish man, who was evacuated to hospital by paramedics.

 

 

Palestinians hurled two improvised grenades at Israelis in Bethlehem on Monday evening in two attacks, injuring one civilian.

IDF troops on duty near Bethlehem

IDF troops on duty near Bethlehem – Photo: Udi Gal

An explosive was thrown at Rachel’s Tomb, causing injuries to one man, who was evacuated to hospital by paramedics. Earlier, an explosive was thrown at an IDF base in the area. No injuries were reported in that attack.

Monday’s events are the latest indication that Palestinian violence is on the rise, though Israeli policymakers and defense experts remain doubtful that we are on the cusp of a third intifada. Continue Reading »

Knesset makes ‘revenge porn’ a crime

 

New law make revenge porn a criminal offense, punishable by up to 5  years imprisonment. ‘Bill puts an end to virtual rape, in which someone is turned into a porn star against their will,’ says MK who led effort.

By Moran Azulay

 

Israel has outlawed revenge porn, turning it into an offense punishable by up to five years in prison.

revenge porn

revenge porn

The Knesset authorized in a second and third reading an amendment to the Sexual Harassment Prevention Bill, according to which no video or image of sexual character can be uploaded to the internet, specifically to social media. Continue Reading »

PA Official: Plan to eliminate Israel is basis on PA policy of ‘Stages’

 

Palestinian leader Abbas Zaki, close associate to PA President Mahmoud Abbas, says Palestine on the 1967 borders is only 1st stage in the PA’s program because “the inspiring idea cannot be achieved all at once. [Rather] in stages”

By Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik

 

AbuSenior Palestinian official Abbas Zaki posted on his Facebook page an interview he gave to Syrian TV in which he said the PA will only agree to a treaty with Israel if the Palestinian state is established on the 1967 lines. However, he stressed that ’67 lines would only be the beginning. After that, the Palestinians will continue with the stages plan: “Even the most extreme among us, Hamas, or the fighting forces, want a state within the ’67 borders. Continue Reading »

Are Palestinian Embassies Fronts for Europe’s Weapons Smuggling Operation?

Unnamed Czech Officials: The explosion in home of killed Palestinian envoy exposed illegal weapons cache that could be the ‘Tip of the Iceberg’ of an European weapons smuggling ring.

 

 

 

A weapons cache that exploded inside a locked safe at the site of the future Palestinian Authority embassy in Prague was entirely unregistered, and the illegal cache may be just the tip of the iceberg of a Europe-wide weapons smuggling ring, according to Czech officials. The sources made the allegation in interviews with Czech-language Aktualne.cz, which were translated by the Elder of Ziyon blog.

weapons - Photo: IsraelandStuff/PP

weapons (illustrative) – Photo: IsraelandStuff/PP

According to available information, 70 firearms, unregistered by Czech authorities, were found in the future embassy building, in Prague 6-Suchdol, after an explosion killed Ambassador Jamel al-Jamal last week. Continue Reading »