February 2014 Archives

MK Rina Frenkel tells PM: ‘Bring Ukraine’s Jews to Israel’

Rina Frenkel, the Yesh Atid MK who once lived in Kiev, lobbied to Netanyahu for “a formulated, budgeted gov’t plan to bring the Jews of Ukraine to Israel on aliya.”

The government must prepare an emergency plan to bring Ukrainian Jews to Israel, MK Rina Frenkel (Yesh Atid) wrote to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu Thursday.

Yesh Atid MK Rina Frenkel

Following recent anti-Semitic incidents in Ukraine, including the firebombing of a synagogue Monday, Frenkel, said she felt a responsibility to get involved, since she made Aliya from Kiev in 1990.

In her letter to Netanyahu, Frenkel warned that the events in Ukraine may turn into a civil war and that, at the same time, anti-Semitism is on the rise. Continue Reading »

Category: Jewish News, The Diaspora | Tags: Aliya, anti-Semitism, Jewish, Jewish Diaspora, Ukrain

PLO official: If peace fails, Abbas’ replacement might return to ‘armed resistance’

According to a PLO official, should peace talks fail, the next Fatah leader could ‘give up and return to the old way’, speculating Abbas’ future successor could be outsider (Hamas) or person currently jailed (Marwan Barghouti) in Israel.

By Ynetnews

A senior official within the Fatah movement warned that the next Palestinian leader might return to violent resistance should peace talks fail, Israel Radio reported.

Who will succeed Abbas as Fatah’ leader – Photo: EPA

“It is not detached from reality,” the official said regarding the possibility that the yet unknown political heir to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will choose to return to an armed struggle should a peaceful solution failed to be reached. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: peace talks, PLO

Terrorist Killed by ‘Pressure Cooker’ Tactic

A tactic used by the YAMAM SWAT team, dubbed ‘pressure cooker’ failed to persuade an armed suspect to come out of his hideout. Instead, he went down shooting.

By Gil Ronen

A special Yamam SWAT police force raided a large structure at Bir Zeit, not far from Beit El, on Thursday, and wound up killing a terror suspect.

The force is of the type known as ‘mistaaravim’ – which disguises itself as a group of Arabs in order to avoid detection. Its mission was to arrest three wanted suspects.

The Yamam force arrested two of the suspects, but a third refused to leave the structure and holed up inside for several hours. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Palestinian terrorists, Yamam

The 1st marathon runner was Jewish…not Greek

In honor of Friday’s Tel Aviv Marathon, we note that a run described in the bible predates the Greek myth on which modern marathons are based.

Plus: A note from Jewish Runner Hall of Fame.

By Elon Gilad

Tomorrow, Friday morning, thousands of runners will be taking to the streets. Yes, it’s the Tel Aviv Marathon, and the perfect time to debunk some myths about Jews and sports, specifically – running.

Pheidippides delivering the message of victory after the Battle of Marathon, Luc-Olivier Merson, 1869.- Photo: Wikimedia

The first modern marathon was at the first latter-day Olympics, held in Athens in 1896.

Category: Jewish News, The Diaspora | Tags: Israel sport, Jewish Culture, Jewish Diaspora, Jewish studies, Jewish World, Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv Marathon

The Truth That Disproves the Palestinian Water Libels

Professional investigation shows that reason for lower water availability for the Palestinian Arabs is purposefully wasteful policies.

By Israel Today Staff

Earlier this month, the president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, sparked a political and media brouhaha when, from the Knesset podium, he suggested that Israel severely limits the Palestinians’ access to clean water.

Examining the quality of the water – Source: Israel Today

Israelis from across the political spectrum were incredulous that Schulz would repeat blatant Palestinian propaganda without bothering to check the facts, which he admitted to not doing prior to addressing the Israeli lawmakers.

The facts, as they relate to this issue, are readily available to anyone interested in the truth. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Palestinian propaganda, Water Authority, Water conservation, water technology

20 American dentists planning aliya take Israel’s theoretical exam in New Jersey

Health Ministry sends Israel’s chief of dental medicine to U.S. to supervise theoretical exam towards obtaining an Israeli Dental License by those planning Aliya.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH

For the second time in three years, the Health Ministry sent its head of dental medicine to the US to supervise the theoretical exam toward obtaining a dental license by those who plan aliya.

Dentists who took the exam in New Jersey. – Photo: SHAHAR AZRA

Dr. Shlomo Zusman went to New Jersey to preside on Monday over the exam, the same exam given to Israeli dental school graduates this week but in English. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Aliyah, Health Ministry, Medicine, Nefesh B’Nefesh

IDF goes on alert on Lebanese border following Hezbollah threats

US Secretary of State Kerry indirectly addresses strike, says US is aware Syria is smuggling weapons to Hezbollah that pose a threat to Israel.

By Yoav Zitun, Yitzhak Benhorin

After Hezbollah has threatened to retaliate against Israel for its alleged role in a strike on a weapons convoy en route from Syria to Lebanon, the IDF Northern Command decided Wednesday evening to increase the state of alert for forces stationed along the border with Lebanon, fearing of retaliatory fire.

Golani Reconnaissance keeping their eyes open – Photo courtesy: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit

Farmers whose lands are near the border were also instructed to stay away from the border fence. Continue Reading »

Category: Jewish News | Tags: Hezbollah, IDF, lebanon border

Israel successfully tests anti-missile response system for civilian airliners

Elbit’s Sky Shield anti-missile system integrates a thermal camera with laser technology to deflect & protect all types of aircraft against ground-to-air missiles.

By Gili Cohen and The Associated Press

Israel has successfully completed final testing on a system that protects commercial planes from missile attacks, the defense ministry announced on Wednesday.

elbit

Testing of the Sky Shield system was “100 percent successful,” according to Brig. Gen. Eitan Eshel, head of research and development at the ministry.

The system integrates laser technology with a thermal camera to protect aircraft against missiles fired from the ground. It deflects missiles fired at aircraft by changing their direction. Continue Reading »

Category: Innovations & Discoveries, Israel News | Tags: Elbit, IDF, Israel high-tech, Sky Shield

PA Report: PA President Angry at Kerry, Threatened to Terminate Peace-Talks

PA-based newspaper: US Sec. of St. John Kerry demanded that Abbas recognize Jewish State, annex 10 Jewish communities & drop demands on the Jordan Valley.

By Elad Benari

Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas became very angry during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry last week and threatened to end the negotiations with Israel, NRG/Maariv reported on Wednesday, citing the PA-based Al-Quds newspaper.

Kerry and Abbas meet in Paris – Reuters

According to the report, Abbas fumed when, during a meeting with Kerry in Paris, the top U.S. diplomat presented a new offer which, according to senior PA officials, adopted the Israeli positions for a peace agreement. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: John Kerry, Mahmoud Abbas, peace talks

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Knesset: law past distinguishes between Christians and Arab Muslims

Nazareth Christian leader speaks about new law distinguishing between Christians and Arab Muslims. Christians Are No Longer to be ‘Arabs’

By Ryan Jones

Israel’s Knesset on Monday signed into law a bill that legally distinguishes between local Christians and the bulk of the Arabic-speaking population, which is primarily Muslim.

Christian Priest: Israel a Shining Example of Human Rights

Greek Orthodox priest, Father Gabriel Nadaf, spiritual head of the Israeli Christians Recruitment Forum

The stated goal of the law is to boost Christian employment rights by recognizing them as an independent minority, and thereby granting them separate representation on local councils and employment committees.

Israeli Arab (mostly Muslim) members of Knesset blasted the new law, insisting it would undermine Arab identity in the Holy Land. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Christian, Gavriel Nadaf, Greek Orthodox Christians, Israeli Christians, Knesset

Hezbollah: Israel attacked our base, we’ll respond at our convenience

Shiite terrorist group denies anyone died in airstrike, contradicting earlier reports that 4 Hezbollah fighters were killed, including a senior commander in the strike near Lebanon-Syria border.

By Reuters

After almost two days, Hezbollah admitted Wednesday that an airstrike in Lebanon widely attributed to Israel did hit one of its bases on the Lebanon-Syria border, but insisted that no one had been killed, and vowed revenge.

S-300 anti-air missile system mounted on a trailer [Archive] – Photo: Reuters

“The new aggression is a blatant assault on Lebanon and its sovereignty and its territory…The Resistance (Hezbollah) will choose the time and place and the proper way to respond to it,” a statement on the group’s Al-Manar television station. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: Hezbollah, IAF strike

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Jordan’s Parliament vote to expel Israeli envoy over Knesset’s Temple Mount debate

No action expected after non-binding parliamentary decision, unless Knesset accepts MK Feiglin’s recommendation that Israel proclaim sovereignty of the Temple Mount.

By The Associated Press and Haaretz

Jordan’s parliament voted unanimously Wednesday to expel the Israeli ambassador and recall its own envoy, after Israeli lawmakers debated whether to declare sovereignty over the Temple Mount, which is administered by Jordanians.

Israeli flags fly in front of the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount, Feb 25, 2014.- Photo: Olivier Fitoussi

The vote by acclamation in Jordan’s 150-seat parliament is not binding to the cabinet, which is keen to maintain diplomatic ties with Israel.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Israel Jordan, Jordan, Temple Mount

Israel reports: ‘Star Wars’ laser shield named ‘Iron Beam’ will cover entire region

An Israeli defense technology company has revealed details of a laser defense system with futuristic ‘Star Wars’ style technology which can disintegrate missiles and other projectiles from the sky with a pulse of energy.

By Daily Mail Reporter

State-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems said the futuristic military hardware called Iron Beam was almost ready for deployment.

It works by firing a focused laser at targets which are heated so rapidly they disintegrate in an instant.

Iron Sheild

The arms maker publicised specifications of its High Energy Laser (HEL) at this week’s Singapore Airshow, which is Asia’s largest aerospace and defense exhibition. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: IDF, Iron Beam, Rafael

Again Palestinian Authority owes Israel Electric Co money, this time $389 million

Knesset Finance Committee is told that PA’s debt is increasing by $20-$22 million a month, and if unpaid, Israel Electric Co. might have to raise prices for Israeli customers.

By Zeev Klein

If the Israel Electric Company were a private entity, it would shut off electricity to the Palestinian Authority because of the PA’s outstanding bill of 1.37 billion shekels ($389 million), IEC Chairman Yiftah Ron-Tal told the Knesset Finance Committee on Tuesday.

Electricity on the way to the Palestinians

Electricity for the Palestinian Authority – Photo: IsraelandStuff/PP

“People complain about the perk of free electricity that company employees receive. But the users that get the most free electricity are the Palestinians,” Ron-Tal said.

Category: Israel News | Tags: electricity, IEC, Knesset, Palestinian Authority