Archive for December 25, 2014

Ten Arab Terrorists Arrested During ‘Christmas Eve’ Operation

A special operation bust in Nablus exposes illegal weapons cache and extensive terror cell, with additional arrests near Beit El & Hevron.

By Uzi Baruch

 

A total of ten Palestinian Arab terrorists were arrested overnight Wednesday/Thursday, after a special operation by the Samaria Brigade and the Duvdevan Unit of the IDF in Shechem (Nablus) exposed a weapons cache.

Security forces seized 2 pistols and several cartridges, an Uzi submachine gun, improvised weapons, ammunition, at least one Kalashnikov rifle and one M16, and 8 pipe bombs.

In addition, they confiscated funds set aside for more terror attacks, and arrested seven suspects.

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Watch Netanyahu’s Christmas greetings hoping for a more tolerant & peaceful world

 

In a video statement released Wednesday night, the premier noted the persecution of Christians in the Middle East have faced recently.

 


Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Christmas Greeting – 2014

He stressed that Israel stands as an exception to the “daily staple” of “violence, persecution and fear” that Christians across the region face.

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Jerusalem municipality approves permits for 380 housing units in E. Jerusalem neighborhoods

 

Meretz members says Jerusalem officials are compromising any chance of reaching agreement with Palestinians by taking advantage of elections to expand ‘settlements’.

By AFP

 

Israeli authorities gave final approval on Wednesday for the construction of 380 new housing units in two areas of annexed East Jerusalem, a local official said.

The Har Homa neighborhood in East Jerusalem. (Photo: AFP)

The Har Homa neighborhood in East Jerusalem. – Photo: AFP

“The municipal commission has given construction permits for 307 homes in Ramot and 73 in Har Homa,” Yosef Pepe Alalu, a Jerusalem city councelor with the opposition Meretz party, told AFP.

He said local officials were taking advantage of attention focused on Israeli elections due in March to expand settlements. Continue Reading »

Israeli farmers to suffer disastrous losses due to Russia crisis

Current financial crisis in Russia hits Israel’s agricultural exports with devastating losses at $51 million, amounting to 30% of all Israeli exports to Russia according to Israel’s Farmers Association.

By Hezi Sternlicht & Israel Hayom Staff

 

The unfolding financial crisis in Russia may have devastating effects on Israel’s agricultural exports, the Israeli Farmers Association warned Tuesday.

Israeli farmers have been financially compromised by the crisis in Russia, Farmers Association warns [Illustrative] – Photot: David Einav

Russia is one of Israel’s primary exports market, with produce amounting to 30 percent of all exports.

The association, which is an umbrella organization for Israel’s agricultural bodies, was scheduled to hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday, to discuss the impact the Russian crisis may have on the local industry. Continue Reading »

WATCH – Netanyahu after sniper attack: I will never allow Jerusalem to be divided again

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Excavations at Ancient Synagogue in Magdala Now Open to Public

 

In Time for Christmas: Excavations at ancient synagogue unearthed in Magdala, home to Mary Magdalene, is where Jesus most certainly preached & is now open to the public.

By David Lazarus

 

A synagogue where Jesus likely preached has been uncovered on the western shores of the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel. The 1st century Jewish house of prayer was discovered amidst the ruins of the ancient town of Magdala, home to the most well known female disciple of Jesus, Mary Magdalene.

“This is the first synagogue ever excavated where Jesus walked and preached,” said Father Eamon Kelly of the Catholic organization developing the property.

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CIA Manual Earmarked Israel’s Ben Gurion Int’l Airport as Dificult for Spies to Traverse

WikiLeaks releases CIA manual that describes Israel’s Ben-Gurion Int’l Airport as one of the most difficult airports for CIA agents to pass through.

By Yoni Hirsch, Ilan Gattegno & Israel Hayom Staff

 

A secret Central Intelligence Agency document released by WikiLeaks on Sunday, which included a manual seeking to guide its agents on how to avert suspicion while going through airport security, described Israel’s Ben-Gurion International Airport as one of the toughest airports for its agents to navigate.
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PM Netanyahu: If Livni-Herzog elected, Jews will need armored personnel to access Western Wall

Prime Minister Netanyahu chides Herzog & Livni for being willing to to give the Palestinians Jerusalem as their capital.

 

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chided Hatnua leader Tzipi Livni for claiming earlier this week that the Western Wall would remain forever in Israel’s hands, hinting that under her plans Jews would need armored personnel carriers to reach the site.

Netanyahu and Livni

Netanyahu and Livni – Photo: REUTERS

Speaking at the International Bible Contest for Adults in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said the spirit of the Maccabees is what brought the Jews back to Israel, allowed them to build and defend the land, and “gives us great strength to stand up against all challenges and rebuff all pressure.” Continue Reading »

Palestinian Factions rejects Palestinian Authority’s UN resolution

Palestinian factions urge PA to pull resolution as Abbas’  initiative ‘doesn’t represent consensus of the Palestinian people,’ but PLO official responded saying resolution will be probably be brought to a Security Council vote by the end of 2014. 

By Ynetnews

 

The Palestinian draft resolution demanding Israel to withdraw from the West Bank and East Jerusalem will be brought to a vote at the UN Security Council by the end of 2014, PLO official Saeb Erekat told Russian media on Tuesday – but it has raised objections from some Palestinian factions, including Hamas.

Abbas speaking at the UN – Photo: AFP

The Arab-backed draft resolution submitted by Jordan on behalf of the Palestinians last week calls for “an end to Israeli occupation,” demanding Israel to withdraw to the pre-1967 lines by 2017, following which a Palestinian state will be established on those territories.

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Israel Inaugurates Country’s Largest Solar Plant

Israel to inaugurate today country’s largest solar energy project in the Negev, which received ‘go-ahead’ for site’s renewable electricity production.

By Arutz Sheva Staff

 

Energix Renewable Energies, the Alony Hetz Property and Investments Ltd. group controlled by Nathan Hetz and the Wertheim family, announced Tuesday that Israel’s biggest solar energy project, at Neot Hovav in the Negev, has received a permanent license for producing electricity, the Globes business newspaper reported.

Solar panels (illustration)

Solar panels (illustration) – Thinkstock

According to the company’s estimates, power production will yield annual revenue of 42-45 million shekels for twenty years.

An event will be held on Wednesday at Neot Hovav to mark the inauguration of the solar power plant, which has an output of 37.5 megawatt.

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Abbas: Palestinian Authority Will Sever All Ties with Israel if UN Resolution Fails

Mahmoud Abbas, the ‘Grandmaster of Empty Threats’, now warns the U.S. (who promised a veto), that if UN Security Council bid calling for complete IDF withdrawal by 2017 fails, the PA will “no longer deal” with Israel.

By Arutz Sheva Staff

 

Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas warned on Tuesday that his administration would “no longer deal” with Israel if a United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an Israeli withdrawal from Judea and Samaria fails.

Mahmoud Abbas holds a picture of Ziad Abu Ein during meeting with PA leadership in Ramallah – Reuters

“If the Arab-Palestinian initiative submitted to the Security Council to put an end to (Israeli) occupation doesn’t pass, we will be forced to take the necessary political and legal decisions,” Abbas was quoted as saying by the Algerian APS news agency.

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8 Palestinians from E. Jerusalem indicted for inciting anti-Jewish violence on Facebook

8 Arab men, aged 18-45, some affiliated with Fatah or Hamas, were charged with “incitement to violence or terror & supporting a terrorist group” on Facebook, a Justice Ministry statement read.

By i24news

 

Eight Palestinians from East Jerusalem were indicted Monday for inciting anti-Jewish violence and supporting “terror” in postings on Facebook, a Justice Ministry spokeswoman said.

Social media campaign calling Palestinians to attack Jews – Facebook

The eight men, aged 18-45 and several with them affiliated with Fatah and Hamas, were charged at Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court with “incitement to violence or terror and supporting a terrorist group” on Facebook, a ministry statement read. Continue Reading »

Muslim Cleric Advocates for Jews to Pray on Judaism’s Temple Mount

Jordanian Sheikh Yassin Al-‘Ajlouni acknowledges Judaism’s historical & spiritual  connection to Jerusalem’s Temple Mount & wants Muslims to establish a Jewish place of worship.

By Israel Today Staff

 

A prominent Jordanian Muslim cleric last week said that Jews should be permitted to pray atop Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, which is Judaism’s holiest site. Though the holy site is currently under Israeli sovereignty, Jews and Christians are strictly prohibited from even mouthing silent prayers while visiting.

Jordanian Salafi Cleric Sheik Yassin Al-'Ajlouni - MEMRI screenshot

Jordanian Salafi Cleric Sheik Yassin Al-‘Ajlouni – MEMRI screenshot

Like most Jews and many Christians, Sheikh Yassin Al-’Ajlouni ascertained that control of the Temple Mount is “the most important issue of our times,” but said he saw no problem in permitting Jews to pray there.

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Coca-Cola to build $20 million factory in Gaza

 

Palestinian National Beverage Company oversees new machinery entering Gaza that will be used to equip the Strip’s first Coca-Cola plant that is expected to employ 360 Palestinians by 2016.

By Reuters & Israel Hayom Staff

 

With Israel’s approval, Palestinians began importing machinery on Monday to equip the Gaza Strip’s first Coca-Cola plant for an anticipated 2015 launch of operations.

Israel's Coca-Cola products - Photo: IsraelandStuff/PP

Israel’s Coca-Cola products – Photo: IsraelandStuff/PP

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Antiquities Authority unearths 1,600 yr-old glass bracelet with menorah inscription during Hanukka excavation

 

 

Israel Antiquities Authority announced that a glass fragment dating late Roman – early Byzantine periods, was found during a Hanukka excavation an Mt. Carmel National Park.

 

A fragment of a glass bracelet inscribed with a seven-branched menorah from the Second Temple was discovered during Hanukka at an excavation in the Mount Carmel National Park, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced Tuesday.

1600 years old glass bracelet fragment with menorah engravings . – Photo: Israel Antiquities Authority

According to a statement from the IAA, excavations were carried out there in recent weeks prior to the construction of a water reservoir for the city of Yokne’am, at the initiative of the Mekorot Company. Continue Reading »