November 2014 Archives

IDF Soldiers Kill Palestinian Infiltrator at Gaza Border, Wounding Another

One Palestinian inadvertently killed, the second infiltrator wounded by IDF warning shots; thus far, 12 infiltration attempts from Gaza this month.

By Koby Finkler and Tova Dvorin

Two Palestinian Arabs crossed the border fence from Gaza into Israeli illegally, the IDF stated Sunday afternoon, forcing the IDF to open fire.

One of the Palestinians – identified by Gaza emergency services spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra as Fadel Mohammed Halawa, 32 – was shot dead inadvertently; another was injured in the lower half of his body and was taken for medical treatment.

The IDF clarified Sunday afternoon that the soldiers on duty at the border had merely fired warning shots into the air as is IDF protocol when warning off infiltrators.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Gaza border, IDF response, infiltration attemp

With EU & US appeasements, Israel reconsiders military action against Iran

Unbound by nuclear pact, Israeli official points out a “sunset clause” in proposed EU-US deal, which guarantees Iran a way into the ‘nuclear club’ that may pull Israel into future war.

By MICHAEL WILNER

WASHINGTON – Historic negotiations with Iran will reach an inflection point on Monday, as world powers seek to clinch a comprehensive deal that will, to their satisfaction, end concerns over the nature of its vast, decade-old nuclear program.

Israel Air Force planes fly over Tel Aviv. – Photo courtesy: IDF SPOKESPERSON’S UNIT

But reflecting on the deal under discussion with The Jerusalem Post on the eve of the deadline, Israel has issued a stark, public warning to its allies with a clear argument: Current proposals guarantee the perpetuation of a crisis, backing Israel into a corner from which military force against Iran provides the only logical exit.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Iran Nuclear Program, Iran Nuclear threat

Iran reports supplying Hezbollah missiles capable of striking Dimona

Senior Revolutionary Guard official boasts of supplying Hezbollah with Fateh-110 missiles, having a range of up to 350 kilometers, capable of striking Israel’s nuclear reactor in Dimona.

By Roi Kais

Iran supplied Hezbollah with missiles capable of reaching the nuclear reactor in Dimona, semi-official Fars News Agency reported. The Fateh (Conqueror) model missile – carrying a 500 kilogram warhead and flying at up to 4,500 kph – has a range of 250 to 350 kilometers.

Iranian weapons expo

Ynet’s defense expert Ron Ben-Yishai noted that the Iranian missiles are considered to be more accurate than previous models. The missiles made their way to Hezbollah through Tehran’s ally, Syria. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Fateh-110 missiles, Hezbollah missiles, Iran's Revolutionary Guard

Turkish governor threatens to discontinue Jewish prayer after synagogue completes renovation

Governor of Turkish city Edirne threatened to turn synagogue into museum after renovations, saying it was unfair for Turkey to fund Jewish place of worship if Israel was denying Muslims access to their holy sites in Jerusalem.

By DPA

The governor of the Turkish city Edirne was under pressure on Saturday, after allegedly saying local Jews would not be able to use a synagogue there because of Israel’s actions at Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem.

The historical Büyük Synagogue – Screenshot from hurriyetdailynews.com

The 100-year-old synagogue is undergoing renovations and when completed “will only serve as a museum” Edirne Governor Dursun Sahin was quoted by local media as saying on Friday.

Category: Jewish News, Mid-East News | Tags: anti-Israeli, antisemitism, Israel Turkey, synagogue, Turkey

israelandstuffcom | November 22, 2014

Nazareth Priest: In Israel, Christians Have Education, Employment, Welfare, Healthcare – Freedom

Father Gabriel Naddaf of Nazareth continues in his efforts to educate the world that only in Israel, Christians of the Middle East can find peace.

By Israel Today Staff

Father Gabriel Naddaf, a Nazareth-based Greek Orthodox Christian priest of Aramean background, has become a symbol and vocal witness of the situation for Christians in Israel, and how that differs from the way Christians are treated everywhere else in the Middle East.

Speaking before US congressional leaders in Washington, DC this week, Father Naddaf explained:

“In the Middle East today, there is one country where Christians are affectionately granted freedom of expression, freedom of worship and security.

Category: The Diaspora | Tags: Christians, Gabriel Naddaf, Israeli Christians, US Congress

israelandstuffcom | November 22, 2014

US Judge: Palestinian Authority and PLO must stand trial in US court over terror support

Judge George Daniels of the US District court accepted petition from American victims of bombings & shooting attacks in Jerusalem, setting Jan 12, for trial date after his denial of Palestinian Authority’s motion to dismiss decade-running $1 billion class action lawsuit.

By Reuters & Israel Hayom

U.S. victims of bombings and shootings in Jerusalem more than a decade ago have cleared a final hurdle to take the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization to trial in New York for supporting the attacks.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas [Archive] – Photo: Reuters

U.S. District Judge George Daniels in Manhattan largely denied bids by the Palestinian Authority and the PLO to dismiss the long-running $1 billion lawsuit ahead of a jury trial scheduled for Jan.

Category: The Diaspora | Tags: Palestinian terrorism, US Court

Delek Reports: Leviathan gas field to begin exporting by early 2018

Delek Drilling, one of basin’s stakeholders, announced in its financial report for 2014, that among several regional letters of intent & deals discussed for both the Tamar & Leviathan reservoirs, was a letter of intent signed between the Tamar partners & the Spanish firm Union Fenosa Gas.

By SHARON UDASIN

Israel’s sizable Leviathan gas reservoir will likely begin flowing by the beginning of 2018, the basin’s stakeholders announced on Wednesday night.

Israel’s natural gas. – Photo: MINISTRY OF NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURES

Delek Drilling, a member of the Leviathan partnership, made the announcement in the company’s third quarter financial report for 2014. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Delek, Leviathan gas field, natural gas

Sister of ‘Synagogue Butcher’ is Employee at Jerusalem’s City Hall

Following the deadly synagogue attack, Jerusalem municipality grants terrorist’s sister’s request to take several days leave, saying employee is ‘outstanding social worker’.

By Noam ‘Dabul’ Dvir

Two cousins were responsible for the deadliest terror attack in Jerusalem in six years. It was revealed Thursday that the sister of one of the terrorists was an employee at Jerusalem’s city hall.

Security forces in Jabel Mukaber. – Photo: Mohammed Shinawi

The sister took several days off work following the horrific attack. Jerusalem municipality issued a statement on the employee. “She is an outstanding social worker who deals with disadvantaged populations. We have no evidence that she has expressed any support whatsoever for her relatives’ actions,” it said. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Arab riots, Jerusalem, Synagogue attack

Sheldon Adelson: Palestinians are fictitious nation made-up only to destroy Israel

At the 1st conference of Israeli-American Council, casino mogul suggested he and Israeli billionaire Haim Saban should buy The New York Times together in an effort to bring more balance & objectivity to its anti-Israel coverage.

By Haaretz

Billionaire casino mogul and conservative donor Sheldon Adelson said Sunday that the Palestinians are a made-up nation which exists solely to attempt to destroy Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with Sheldon Adelson

Sheldon Adelson, left, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. – Photo: Tess Scheflan

“The purpose of the existence of Palestinians is to destroy Israel,” Adelson said Sunday at the close of the first conference of the Israeli-American Council, a Los Angeles-based group aimed at serving Israeli Americans and supporting Israel.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Israel Palestine, Jews in America, NYT, Palestinians, Sheldon Adelson

Why is Islamic Movement in Israel not outlawed & its leader not imprisoned for incitement?

A bill in the Knesset to blacklist the Islamic Movement in Israel, which was behind Jerusalem rioting and lauded ‘3rd Intifada’, is up for approval by Ministerial Committee for Legislation.

By Tova Dvorin

Yisrael Beytenu MK Alex Miller’s bill to blacklist the Islamic Movement in Israel will be reviewed by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation on Sunday, and if passed, would strike a major blow against Islamists blamed for the continued Arab rioting in Jerusalem and elsewhere.

The Islamic Movement’s northern branch, headed by Sheikh Raed Salah, was named by Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz as the prime culprit behind the rise of Arab rioting in Jerusalem and in northern Israel last week. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Arab riots, incitement to violence, Islamic Movement, Knesset, Sheikh Raed Salah, Third Intifada, Yisrael Katz, ‘Palestinian’ incitement

Israel Security Services foil Palestinian plans to assassinate Israeli FM Lieberman

Cleared for publication: West Bank gang reportedly aligned with Hamas, sought to acquire a RPG launcher to assassinate Foreign Minister.

By i24news

Combined Israeli security forces – internal security agency Shin Bet, police and army – have arrested a Hamas military squad that planned to assassinate Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

Avigdor Lieberman arrives at the Israeli parliament (Knesset) in Jerusalem on November 11, 2013 – Photo: Menahem Kahana /AFP/File

The squad, the three members of which came from and operated in the Bethlehem vicinity, have been planning to purchase an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) launcher to target Lieberman’s vehicle. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Avigdor Lieberman, hamas, Shin Bet

Of 250 Cities in Competition, Tel Aviv Awarded World’s ‘Smartest City’

Tel Aviv recognized at global conference for its integration of city-wide assistive technologies, such as city-wide WiFi service, that further strengthen world’s image as ‘start-up nation’.

By Yossi Aloni

Tel Aviv this week beat out 250 cities from across the globe to receive the World Smart Cities Award, a competition launched as part of the Smart City Expo World Congress.

Tel Aviv is growing – Photosource: Israel Today

The Smart City Expo, held this year in Barcelona, is considered an important conference in the city innovation industry.

At this year’s event, Tel Aviv set up a booth showcasing the city’s various digital projects, such as city-wide WiFi service, location-based technology tools, adaptation for smart phones, and the activation of public round tables, discussions and a collaborative budget.

Category: Israel News | Tags: innovations, survey, Tel Aviv

Knesset Aide Was Overheard Saying: ‘We’ll slaughter 50 Jews at next soccer game’

The aide to Arab MK Masud Ganaim had his entry permit to the Knesset temporarily revoked by its security chief, after guard overhears remarks & reports them.
• MK Ganaim said, “I strongly condemn these comments, but [my aide] claims he said it in jest.”

By Gideon Allon & Israel Hayom Staff

Knesset Security Chief Yosef Griff on Wednesday revoked the entry permit to the Knesset for an aide to Arab MK Masud Ganaim (Ra’am-Ta’al).

Masud Ganaim (Ra’am-Ta’al) called his aide’s remarks “unfortunate” – Photo: Knesset website

Khaled Bashir, Ganaim’s parliamentary aid, was overheard in conversation recently by a Knesset security guard saying: “We’ll slaughter 50 Jews” at the soccer game next Sunday between Beitar Jerusalem and Bnei Sakhnin.

Category: Israel News | Tags: anti-Semitism, Arab threats, Knesset, Masud Ganaim, terror threat