Archive for April 25, 2015

Liberman Blasts South Africa For Hypocritical Attacks

Israel’s Foreign Minister Liberman fires back, reminding South Africa that just days after attacking & killing foreign immigrants, calling Israel “apartheid regime”, is not only inaccurate, it’s hypocritical as well.

By Elad Benari, Canada

 

Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman slammed South Africa on Friday, after the country’s communist party labeled Israel an “apartheid state”.

The South African Communist Party’s (SACP) statement came after Israel refused to grant an entry visa to the party’s Higher Education Minister, Blade Nzmande, to visit Palestinian Authority-controlled territories.

In response, the SACP issued a strong statement condemning “the apartheid Israeli regime’s” decision not to grant the visa. Continue Reading »

Israel’s diversifying against Obama’s wishes and joining Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

Israel’s decision to join the AIIB is but another indication
of a growing Israeli readiness to defy US President Barack
Obama. Israel is definitely taking some eggs out of the American basket.

By Emmanuel Navon

 

In October 2014 China established, together with other Asian countries, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The creation of the AIIB was a consequence of China’s exasperation at America’s refusal to reform the Bretton Woods institutions (i.e. the International Monetary Fund, or IMF, and the World Bank) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Photo from AIIB Site AIIB

For years, China has asked to reform the IMF and the World Bank so as to reflect the global clout of the Chinese economy.

Continue Reading »

U.S. District Judge lets Rhode Island Attorney General intervene in oldest synagogue lawsuit

Lawsuit sets the U.S.’s 1st Jewish congregation in NYC against the 250 yr-old Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island for selling its ceremonial Torah-bells to Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts for $7.4 million.

By The Associated Press

 

A federal judge has allowed the state of Rhode Island to intervene in a fight over the future of the nation’s oldest synagogue.
Continue Reading »

Satellite images of Lebanon detect new Hezbollah airstrip for Iranian-made drones

According to report in Jane’s Defence Weekly, the new runway was constructed just 10 kilometers south of the Lebanese village of Hermel, in the northern Bekaa Valley.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

 

Fresh satellite images reveal that the Lebanese Shi’ite movement Hezbollah has constructed an airstrip designed for its fleet of unmanned aerial vehicle.

Shaded 129 – Screenshot from Iranian TV

According to Jane’s Defence Weekly, the runway was built in the northern Bekaa Valley, just 10 kilometers south of the Lebanese village of Hermel.

“The short length of the runway suggests the facility is not intended to smuggle in weapons shipments from Syria or Iran as it is too short for nearly all the transport aircraft used by the air forces of those countries,” according to Jane’s. Continue Reading »

Stone Throwing Ultra-Orthodox Jews Attack IDF Officer in Jerusalem

An IDF officer visiting 2 soldiers under his command, was assaulted by dozens of ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem neighborhood of Mea She’arim, causing extensive damage to his car.

By Kobi Nachshoni.

 

An IDF officer was attacked by dozens of ultra-Orthodox Jews in the neighborhood of Meah She’arim in Jerusalem on Friday. The assailants – both adults and children – threw stones and eggs at him, caused damage to his car and yelled: “Hardak (frivolous haredi), we will kill you”.

Damage caused to officer's car

Damage caused to officer’s car – Courtesy


The officer, a resident of Kiryat Arba who serves in the Givati infantry brigade, had arrived at the neighborhood in Jerusalem to pay a visit to two of his soldiers – one of them a lone soldier whose grandfather had recently passed away.
Continue Reading »

Jewish Council Commends FBI Director Comey of Forethought to Target Evil

NCYI President praised Director James Comey’s indictment of Polish collusion during the Holocaust, warning that it cannot, should not be ignored.

By Gedalyah Reback

 

Last week, FBI National Director James B. Comey wrote ahead of Israel’s Holocaust Memorial Day that such evils can never be forgotten, lest we fall on the trope that we are doomed to repeat history.

FBI Director James B. Comey – Reuters

“I believe it is simply our duty to do that, and I believe this is truth no matter where you come from on a philosophical or religious spectrum. Our obligation is to refuse to let bad win, to refuse to let evil hold the field.” Continue Reading »

SDSN Survey: Israel holds 11th place in ‘Happiest Country in the World’ for 2014

The United States falls behind Israel, ranking in at number 15.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

 

The annual World Happiness Report published on Thursday by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) has ranked Israel as the 11th happiest country in the world in 2014 for the second year in a row.

Tel Aviv beach – Photo: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST

Switzerland was the happiest country on earth in 2014, followed closely by Iceland, Norway, Denmark and Canada. Rounding out the top 10 are Finland, Netherlands, Sweden, New Zealand and Australia. The United States trailed behind, coming in at number 15.

Gallup Survey: Israel one of least religious countries

The World Happiness Report is a survey of global societal well-being that ranks 158 countries by happiness levels using variables such as GDP per capita and healthy life expectancy. Continue Reading »

Gaza Ruling Hamas Gov’t is Quick to Deny Responsibility for Rocket Attack on Israel

Israel TV10 Reports: Hamas official signals to Israel that it is not responsible for Thursday night rocket attack on southern Israel. – Israeli security officials not buying it.

By Elad Benari

 

Hamas has signaled to Israel that it is not responsible for Thursday evening’s rocket attack on southern Israel and that it is working to find and arrest the shooters, Channel 10 News reports.

A senior security official said, however, that Israel views Hamas as being responsible for the attack.

“We see Hamas as responsible, and expect it to enforce order in Gaza. Hamas is the ruling power in the region and is must maintain quiet; if not it will be held responsible. Continue Reading »

Israel’s Air Force hit Gaza ‘terror site’ in response to Independence Day rocket attack

Hamas rocket falls in southern Israel in 2nd unprovoked attack since last summer’s ‘Operation Protective Edge’.

By 124news

 

Israeli military forces struck a target in the northern Gaza Strip late Thursday night, hours after a rocket fired from the coastal enclave struck southern Israel, violating an already shaky truce between the sides.

Ceasefire broken by Hamas with rocket fired at Israel; the IAF continues to defend Israel day and night. – Photo courtesy: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit

The Israel Defense Forces said it targeted a “terror site” belonging to the Hamas terror group near Beit Hanoun.

“In response to rocket attack against Israel, the #IDF targeted a terrorist infrastructure in northern #Gaza,” military spokesperson Peter Lerner wrote on Twitter.

Continue Reading »

Interview with IDF’s Golani Brigade Commander: ‘Our job is to win wars’

Golani Brigade Commander Col. Rasan Alian believes that the expectation of sterilized warfare, without casualties or glitches, is unreasonable. “We are setting the bar so high that we will never be able to live up to it,” he warns.

By Yoav Limor

 

This week, in which we observe Israel’s Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day immediately followed by Independence Day, belongs to the Israel Defense Forces’ Golani Brigade in many respects. It is true every year, but especially this year: The brigade has lost 16 of its men in last summer’s Operation Protective Edge — a painful reminder of the toll living in this country takes, but also of the fact that Golani is always there, on the front line, where results are needed and determined. Continue Reading »

Russia’s Removal of S-300 Missile Ban to Iran was Decision of Principle, not Practice

Tass media in Moscow cites Russia’s deputy FM as saying gesture alone of removing weapons sales ban was important but no transfer of advanced weaponry is expected in near future.

By REUTERS

 

MOSCOW – Supplying Iran with Russian S-300 missile defense systems is not a matter of the nearest future, TASS news agency quoted a Foreign Ministry official as saying on Thursday.

S-300 mobile missile launching systems – Photo: REUTERS

“It is more important that a political and legal decision, which opens up such a possibility, is taken,” Sergei Ryabkov, a deputy foreign minister, said according to TASS.

On Tuesday, US President Barack Obama warned that the United States could “penetrate” Iran’s S-300 supply if Russia sold the advanced missile defense system to the Islamic Republic. Continue Reading »

US District Judge allows ‘Islamic Jew-Hatred’ ads on NYC buses

By i24news

 

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority must allow the display of an ad showing Muslims killing Jews, a federal judge ruled.

Screenshot from Palwatch YouTube: Killing Jews is worship that draws us close to Allah – Hamas music video

US District Judge John Koeltl in Manhattan on Tuesday ruled that the ad, which includes the statement “Killing Jews is Worship that draws us close to Allah,” as protected speech under the First Amendment and said it must be run on public transportation. Continue Reading »

On Israel’s Independence Day, Canada’s PM Reaffirms Support for Jewish State

Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper says “The Government of Canada remains resolute in our commitment to defend Israel’s right to exist. We believe this right is absolute and non-negotiable.”

By Elad Benari

 

Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper, a staunch supporter of Israel, on Wednesday reaffirmed his country’s support for the Jewish state, in a statement released in celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day.

“Tonight at sundown marks the 67th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel – the realization of the Jewish people’s longstanding dream to establish a modern Jewish state in their historic homeland,” said Harper. Continue Reading »

Arab Family Request Son’s Plaque Removed From Israel’s Victims of Terror Memorial

At request from murdered Palestinian teen’s family, Mohammad Abu Khder’s name was removed from the Victims’ Memorial at Har Herzl, but they want to keep receiving the financial benefits.

By Gil Ronen

 

Following a request from Mohammad Abu Khder’s family, the murdered teenager’s name has been removed from the Victims of Acts of Terror Memorial at Mount Herzl.

Mohammed Abu Khdeir – Photo: Reuters

The Abu Khder family say that they do not consider themselves Israelis, and that they only found out about Mohammad’s inclusion from the media.

The inclusion of Abu Khder raised many eyebrows since Abu Khder was not murdered by enemies of Israel. Continue Reading »

The Jewish State Remembers Its Fallen, Then Celebrates Israel’s Victory

Since 1948, 23,320 Israelis of all religions have fallen in war, or murdered in terrorist attacks.
• Israel honors their sacrifice on Wednesday, and the victory it had won after 2 millennia in exile.

By Israel Today Staff

 

As we do every year, Israelis on Wednesday made the incredible transition from deep mourning to bounding joy as we first marked the Memorial Day for our fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism before moving immediately into Independence Day.

PHOTO: Israel Defense Forces Facebook page

Nationwide sirens on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning brought Israel to a standstill to remember 23,320 fallen soldiers and victims of anti-Israel terrorism.

Continue Reading »