Archive for February 25, 2014

| February 25, 2014
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Watch Israel’s PM Welcome Merkel on Arrival in Jerusalem with 16 German Ministers

 

 

Upon arriving at the Prime Minister’s residence in Jerusalem, German Chancellor Merkel says Germany has been working with Israel ‘shoulder to shoulder’, will discuss regional peace initiative, and Iran’s nuclear program with PM Netanyahu.

By Associated Press

 

 

Chancellor Angela Merkel said Monday that she is visiting Israel with most of her new cabinet in order to show Germany’s friendship with the Jewish state and that her country is working to secure the future of Israel.

Merkel and Netanyahu at the initial press conference (Photo: Noam Moskowitz)

Merkel and Netanyahu at the initial press conference – Photo: Noam Moskowitz

Merkel was speaking at an evening press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Continue Reading »

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| February 25, 2014
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Israel Air Force Hits Hezbollah Post in Lebanon on Syrian Border

Israeli planes launch two post-midnight air raids against a Hezbollah weapons post on Lebanon’s border  with Syria.

By Elad Benari

 

Aircraft belonging to the Israeli Air Force (IAF) launched two air raids against a Hezbollah post on the border between Lebanon and Syria on Monday evening, a security source told the Lebanese Daily Star.

IAF F-16 – Photo courtesy: IAF Website

The source said Israeli planes launched four rockets on the Janta area in the mountains separating the Lebanese village of Nabi Sheet from the Syrian border.

The source noted that the Janta area is known to house a Hezbollah post, where recruitment and training are carried out. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| February 24, 2014
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Iranian Foreign Minister condemned in Teheran for condemning Holocaust

 

Islamic hardliners summon Iranian FM Javad Zarif to Teheran to appear in closed session of parliament to discuss his calling Holocaust “horrifying tragedy.”

By REUTERS

 

 

Islamic hardliners in Iran’s parliament have summoned Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif over public comments condemning the Holocaust, the official news agency IRNA reported on Monday.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in YouTube address, November 19, 2013. - Photo: YouTube Screenshot

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in YouTube address, November 19, 2013. – Photo: YouTube Screenshot

Zarif, who is also Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, caused an uproar among conservatives in Iran when he called the Holocaust a “horrifying tragedy” in an interview with a German television station late last month.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| February 24, 2014
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IDF Begins Diversity Week: Israel’s True Face

Today begins IDF Diversity Week, a celebration of the differences that unite Israeli soldiers. Every year, thousands of minority recruits enter the IDF.

Israel’s military makes tremendous efforts to integrate minorities into the army & society in general, resulting in vast diversity among IDF’s ranks.

By IDF Blog

 

 

Israel is a country known as “a nation of immigrants.” Soldiers come from all over the world to live in Israel and serve in the IDF, bringing their unique culture and traditions from their countries of origin. Other soldiers come from racial, national, cultural and religious groups that have lived in Israel for generations, including Bedouin, Circassians, Druze, Arab Christians and Arab Muslims. Continue Reading »

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| February 24, 2014
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Former employee of the PM’s Residence claims ‘the Netanyahus exploited me’

Former domestic employee at PM Netanyahu’s residence says he was lied to & overworked while serving as superintendent of Prime Minister’s household staff.

By Ynet

The superintendent of the Prime Minister’s Residence claims he was exploited and his rights were trampled while he was working for the Netanyahus’ household staff, and is now suing for compensation.

File:Flickr - Government Press Office (GPO) - P.M. BENJAMIN NETANYAHU LIGHTING HANUKA CANDLES WITH HIS WIFE AND SONS.jpg

P.M. BENJAMIN NETANYAHU LIGHTING HANUKA CANDLES ON THE 1ST NIGHT OF CHANUKAH IN JERUSALEM WITH THE HELP OF HIS WIFE, SARA, SONS, YAIR & AVNER (05/12/1996). – Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons/GPO/Flickr

In a draft of the complaint set to be filed with the Labor Court against the official residence, the man claims he was made to work long hours, and was mistreated and belittled despite his dedication to his job. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| February 24, 2014
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Arab Knesset Member Writes Pope to Prevent Christian Volunteering for IDF

 

Israeli Arab lawmaker appeals to Vatican in a letter, asking help in stopping Arabic-speaking Christians from integrating too much with Israel.

By Israel Today Staff

 

Israeli Arab Member of Knesset Basel Ghattas has issued an appeal to Pope Francis to personally intervene against the enlistment of Arabic-speaking Christians in the Israeli army.

Israeli Arab Member of Knesset Basel Ghattas – Photo source: Israel Today

Haaretz reports that Ghattas’ letter was delivered to the Vatican’s representative in Jerusalem, Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, in hopes that Pope Francis would address the issue when he visits the Holy Land in May.

Like most other minorities, local Arabic-speaking Christians are not required to serve in the Israeli army, but a growing number are choosing to do so, many at the encouragement of the Nazareth-based Israeli Christian Recruitment Forum. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , , , ,
| February 24, 2014
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Envoy: Israel Invites India to Explore Natural-gas & Sign Trade Pact

Israeli envoy, “Any Indian company is free to participate, private or government-run.” But, Israeli Ambassador to India Alon Ushpiz clarified, Jerusalem bars any company that has dealings with Iran.

By Uttar Pradesh, IANS

 

Noida, Feb 24 (IANS) Israel has invited Indian companies to take part in extracting natural gas from its newly-found reserves, with 40 percent of the produced hydrocarbon reserved for exports, even as it wants talks on a free trade pact to fructify soon.

Israeli Ambassador to India Alon Ushpiz and Chief Secretary S.V. Ranganath at the inauguration of the Israel consulate in Bangalore May 21, 2013 - Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.

Israeli Ambassador to India Alon Ushpiz and Chief Secretary S.V. Ranganath at the inauguration of the Israel consulate in Bangalore May 21, 2013 – Photo: Bhagya Prakash K

Israeli Ambassador to India Alon Ushpiz said his country will soon emerge as one of the biggest producers of natural gas and is willing to export it to India, which imports around 80 percent of its oil needs mostly from the Persian Gulf countries. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| February 24, 2014
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US Rejection of Israeli Visa Requests at All-Time High

Israel’s Foreign Ministry criticizes the United States’ 80% rise in visa rejections as part of growing trend that is ‘politically’ motivated.

By Ari Yashar

 

US State Department figures from 2013 reveal a sharp 80% rise over the course of the year in Israeli visa requests that were rejected, continuing a trend of Israeli visa rejections over several years.

(Illustration) – Thinkstock

The figures, which were published Monday morning in Yediot Aharonot, show that last year about 125,000 Israelis requested tourist visas to the US, with 9.7% of them being refused. The previous year in 2012, that figure was at 5.4%. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| February 24, 2014
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Danny Ayalon: Hypocrisy and cynicism have taken over the United Nations

Ambassador Danny Ayalon spreads the truth about the UN.

By Danny Ayalon

 

The delegitimization perpetrators and Israel boycotters take advantage of the UN’s image as an advocate of human rights in order to pass anti-Israeli resolutions which attempt to isolate Israel.

UN

It is important to spread the truth that the UN has been transformed into a political arena by undemocratic states who trample on human rights, and UN resolutions must be treated accordingly.

 

See more Danny Ayalon  video clips at: A ‘Little Truth’ Continue Reading »

Category: Video's worth Viewing | Tags: , ,
| February 24, 2014
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After shooting guards, barricading himself, American-Israeli prisoner killed at Rimonim jail

 

3 prison guards shot, 1 in critical condition, after Samuel Sheinbein who’s serving life for murder opened fire in a prison bathroom.

By Raanan Ben-Tsur

 

An American-Israeli prisoner serving life for murder was shot dead at a central Israel jail Sunday after he seized a gun and opened fire on three guards, before barricading himself in a prison bathroom. Samuel Sheinbein was killed when elite troops entered the bathroom at Rimonim prison to bring the situation to an end.

Security forces at Rimonim prison (Photo: Ido Erez)

Security forces at Rimonim prison – Photo: Ido Erez

Two of the guards, aged 30 and 35, were in critical and serious condition respectively, and the third, aged 40, sustained light wounds. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| February 24, 2014
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Italy’s newly elected PM supports Israel, sees Iran as serious threat

Just sworn in, Matteo Renzi regards the Iranian regime as the Middle East’s ‘main problem’, suggesting the left should learn to understand Israel’s concerns and support them.

By

 

Matteo Renzi is Italy’s youngest-ever premier, and he could also be one of the most pro-Israeli.

Newly appointed Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi delivers a speech at Florence's City Hall

Newly appointed Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi could prove to be a valuable friend for Israel in light of the present anti-Israeli mood in Europe. – Photo: AFP

The 39-year-old ambitious leader of the center-left, who was sworn in on Saturday as Italy’s fourth prime minister in four years, may bring Rome, already one of Israel’s key allies in Europe, even closer to the Jewish state.

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Category: The Diaspora | Tags: , , , , , ,
| February 24, 2014
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IDF’s Nachal Soldiers Prevent Terror Attack, Arrest 2 Arabs with 6 Bombs

Alert IDF soldiers intercept two Palestinian Arabs at security checkpoint in possession of six pipe bombs near the Arab village of Huwara.

By Elad Benari

 

Alert IDF soldiers foiled a terror attack on Sunday, when they caught six pipe bombs in the possession of two Palestinian Arabs.

The incident took place next to the Arab village of Huwara in the Shomron (Samaria). The head of the 931 Infantry Battalion of the Nahal Brigade, Guy Shadmi, told Arutz Sheva that soldiers identified two Arabs who were coming from the direction of Shechem and driving suspiciously.

“When they approached Har Bracha, the Palestinians threw a bag with a number of objects out of the car, at which point the soldiers stopped them,” Shadmi said, adding that after the Arabs were arrested and questioned, they admitted to having thrown six pipe bombs from their vehicle. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , , ,
| February 24, 2014
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Syrian rebel General: ‘Bibi, help us wipe out Assad’s regime’

 

In an exclusive interview with Israel’s i24news, Syrian general-turned-rebel claims Assad didn’t declare his entire WMD arsenal.

By i24news

 

 

In an exclusive interview with i24news, Syrian rebel general Adnan Sello revealed that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad did not declare all the chemical weapons in his possession.

Général rebelle syrien Adnan Sello, – Photo: i24news

Sello served for 40 years under Presidents Hafez al-Assad and his son Bashar al-Assad, and was the head of the chemical unit of the Syrian army until he retired on Sept. 5, 2008. He then joined the rebel forces fighting to unseat Assad.

 

‘There were chemical weapons in Iraq in 2002’

Sello addressed the issue of Syrian-held chemical weapons and claimed to know the location of every cache. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| February 23, 2014
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120 Israeli companies represented at int’l Mobile World Congress

 

Israeli hi-tech companies to showcase mobile innovation at Barcelona’s Mobile World Congress.

Among the exhibits range from app to pay bills at restaurants to smartphones that enables medical checkups.

By Ilan Gattegno

 

The “startup nation” heads to Barcelona: Some 120 Israeli companies in the mobile and app industry will showcase their technology at the world’s biggest mobile event — Mobile World Congress — to begin Monday in Barcelona. Hundreds of mobile company representatives, smartphone application developers and high-tech entrepreneurs and innovators will flock to Barcelona for the four-day event.

The Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain – Photo: Reuters

Israeli developers will present their innovations at the country’s tech booth.

Continue Reading »
Category: Innovations & Discoveries, Israel News | Tags: ,
| February 23, 2014
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Pollard rally brings thousands to US Embassy in Tel Aviv

 

Knesset Member Feiglin says to demonstrators: “It doesn’t look good, Mr. Obama, that only the Jew has been kept in jail for such a long time.”

By LAHAV HARKOV

 

Thousands of people chanted “free Pollard now” and “enough is enough” in a demonstration for the release of Israeli agent Jonathan Pollard in front of the US Embassy in Tel Aviv Sunday night.

Pollard Protest - Screenshot

Pollard Protest – Screenshot

“Today, after nearly 30 years [that Pollard sits] in prison, there is no one who does not know that Jonathan’s life sentence is grossly disproportionate and unjust,” the agent’s wife, Esther Pollard said to a crowd of 3,000 according to event organizers’ estimates.
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Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
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