Archive for April 9, 2015

Israel’s debt from Gaza War recouped from its new natural gas exports

Israel’s new natural gas exports have fully covered financial loss from IDF’s summer ‘Operation Protective Edge’.

By Moshe Cohen

 

Israel took an economic hit from fighting Hamas terrorists in Operation Protective Edge, with the summer war causing an 0.3% reduction in the country’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product).

Gas field (illustrative)

But no need to worry according to the Bank of Israel – the country made its lost fortune back thanks to the fruits of its offshore natural gas reserves, which contributed 0.3% to the national economy in 2014.

The data came from a report issued by the Bank earlier in the week on the activities of the companies responsible for extracting natural gas from Israel’s offshore fields, how much they pay in taxes and royalties, and what the general economic impact of the gas stores are on the economy.

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MEMRI president & Iranian expert: ‘Obama’s framework not deal, but rather deception’

Col. (ret.) Yigal Carmon, former counterterrorism adviser to PMs Yitzhak Shamir & Yitzhak Rabin, and founder of the Middle East Media Research Institute, says, ‘Joint Statement’ issued in Lausanne, Switzerland last week “was nothing but a smokescreen meant to disguise difficult, ongoing disagreements between the parties.”

 

While U.S. President Barack Obama is engaged in a “world war” with Congress over the framework nuclear deal with Iran and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken a clear stand on the matter, one of the foremost experts on Iran, Col. (ret.) Yigal Carmon, provides a fresh perspective and some new facts, which may send this hot potato rolling in new directions. Continue Reading »

IsraAID offers Kenyans with post trauma treatment after Christians murdered

IsraAID offers assistance after Islamic terror group separated the Muslim students from the non-Muslims then killed over 150 Christians while injuring an additional 79.

By ARIEL COHEN

 

Following the horrific massacre by the radical Muslim terror group al-Shabab from Somalia which killed over 150 Christian students in Kenya, the Israeli relief group IsraAID is helping Kenyan government officials deal with the tragedy.

Kenya

Relative of victim of Thursday’s terror attack in Kenya. – Photo: REUTERS

IsraAID is currently holding discussions with Kenyan government counterparts as well as with the local Kenyan Red Cross and UN officials in hopes of creating a grief and disaster management plan for the government, modeled off the Israeli plan. Continue Reading »

WATCH: IDF officers visit US aircraft carrier in Mediterranean

7 senior IDF officers, led by Chief of Operations Maj-Gen Yoav Har-Even, toured the USS Theodor Roosevelt off Sicily’s coast in order to learn & deepen cooperation with US Navy.

By Yoav Zitun

 

Seven Israeli IDF officers were given a special tour of the USS Theodor Roosevelt (CVN-71), a four-acre long aircraft carrier, while it was stationed of the coast of Sicily.

IDF officers pose for picture with US Navy personnel.

The group of officers, led by Chief of Operations Major General Yoav Har-Even, visited the US aircraft carrier last week in order to observe and hold discussions with the US Navy. Continue Reading »

Should Israel Intercede in Regional Conflicts?

An Israeli Professor says the Jewish State’s involvement in global affairs was consumed by fighting for its survival, but the precedent of saving Jews was always first.

By Gedalyah Reback

 

Should Israel expand its power? It is not an easy question to ask or an easy expectation to bear. Israel is a small country that has seen it as an imperative to punch above its weight and maintain a qualitative strategic edge against its enemies. But as the country has prioritized self-preservation since its independence, the challenges are great and at times seemingly overwhelming.

While the rise of General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Egypt may have somewhat changed things, Israel could have been said to have rivals in Cairo, Ankara and Tehran all at the same time before Sisi took power.

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‘Lebanese homes in border villages won’t be standing after next Israel-Hezbollah war’

“When it [Hezbollah] decides to construct an operational infrastructure throughout nearly all of the villages in the south, I think it understands the risk it is taking.” says commander of the IDF’s Galilee Formation, Brig.-General Moni Katz, in an interview on Army Radio.

 

The homes in Lebanese villages along the border with Israel “will no longer stand” in the event that the Lebanese Shi’ite group Hezbollah launches a ground offensive against Israel, the commander of the IDF’s Galilee Formation, Brig.-General Moni Katz told Army Radio on Wednesday.

An IDF soldier stands atop a tank near the Lebanese border.

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Arab Bank Loses Appeal in Liability Verdict Over Hamas Terror Attacks

Verdict against Arab Bank upheld with judge saying case was based on ‘volumes’ of evidence and orders the Jordan-based bank to pay $655.5 million, reflecting triple damages, under US federal anti-terrorism law.

By Arutz Sheva Staff

 

Arab Bank has lost its appeal to a US court over liability for supporting terrorists on Wednesday, after the judge declared the original verdict in the case to be based on an overwhelming amount of evidence against the company.

In September a federal jury found Arab Bank liable for providing material support to Hamas in two dozen attacks attributed to the terrorist group. 
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Palestinian leadership wish it was Israel, not ISIS committing the beheadings in Yarmouk

Palestinians know that accusing Israel carries no risk, but their leadership is too frightened to confront ISIS, hence no action: not in the media, not at the UN, int’l courts, and especially, not on the battlefield.

By Aviel Schneider

 

The jihadists hordes of the Islamic State (ISIS) have captured most of the Yarmouk refugee camp on the outskirts of Damascus, driving out thousands of Palestinian residents and brutally slaughtering many.

According to both Israeli and Palestinian media, fewer than 16,000 Palestinians now remain in the once bustling suburb. Those who remain have pleaded in vain for help from an international community that seems so engaged with the Palestinians, at least when Israel can be painted as the aggressor.

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FIFA chief asks Palestinians to withdraw Israel complaint

Speaking to CAF Congress in Cairo, FIFA head Blatter calls on Palestine Football Association to cancel its attempt to get Israel suspended from world soccer’s governing body, saying, “A suspension of any member affects badly the whole organization.”

By Reuters & Israel Hayom Staff

 

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Kissinger Condemns Obama for Capitulating to Iranian ‘Nuclear Arsenal’

Two famous former U.S. secretaries of state Henry Kissinger & George P. Shultz, go into detail about the White House’s nuclear deal, and why it demands US ‘soul-searching.’

By Ari Yashar, Cynthia Blank

 

Joining the outpouring of criticism against the Iranian nuclear framework deal announced last week on Tuesday were legendary former US Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger and George P. Shultz, who warned of the implications of the deal.

Henry Kissinger – Reuters

In a Wall Street Journal opinion piece, the two veteran diplomats wrote that “debate regarding technical details of the deal has thus far inhibited the soul-searching necessary regarding its deeper implications.” Continue Reading »

Arab Terrorist Shot Dead After Stabbing 2 IDF Soldiers in West Bank Attack

20 yr-old soldier left in serious condition with 2nd victim sustaining minor injuries after attacker shot dead at the scene.

By Yoav Zitun

 

Two Israeli soldiers were stabbed Wednesday morning in an attack at the Sinjil junction, near the settlement of Shilo in the northern West Bank. One was seriously hurt and the second sustained light wounds. The Palestinian attacker was killed at the scene by the soldier who sustained light wounds.

Site of West Bank stabbing attack – Photo: Tazpit News Agency

 

The 20-year-old soldier in serious condition was stabbed in the neck in the attack, which occurred close to the settlement of Shilo. Continue Reading »

#OpIsrael: Annual Arab cyber attack hits Israeli websites

Far from the “electronic Holocaust” threatened against Israel, but an estimated 300 websites were hacked by the mostly Arab groups.

By i24news

 

Israel has once again become the target of a highly concerted and dangerous hacking attack with dozens of Israeli websites hacked by an offshoot of the Anonymous hacking group which calls itself AnonGhost.

In a video posted online in March, the group warned that “as we did many times, we will take down your servers, government websites, Israeli military websites, banks and public institutions.”

A spokesperson for the group, who was wearing the signature Guy Fawkes mask said Anonymous will “erase” Israel from the internet on April 7 in an “electronic Holocaust.”

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Attempted smuggling of advanced night optics into Gaza thwarted by Israel security

Israeli security forces find unauthorized sophisticated optic devices, including remote controlled security cameras & infrared cameras hidden within an ordinary electronics shipment entering Gaza
•100 such smuggling attempts into Gaza have been thwarted by authorities this year.

By Shlomi Diaz

 

For the second time in as many weeks, Israeli security forces on Monday thwarted an attempt to smuggle unauthorized equipment — including advanced communication gadgets — into the Gaza Strip via the Kerem Shalom crossing. The prohibited items were suspected to be en route to terrorist groups within the Gaza Strip.

The prohibited equipment found at the Kerem Shalom crossing – Photo: The Defense Ministry’s border authorities

The equipment, which included infrared cameras, radio communication devices and advanced remote controlled security cameras, was hidden within an electronics shipment in an Israeli truck destined for Gaza. Continue Reading »

100 Delegates, including from Muslim world to hold UN nuclear conference in Israel

About 100 international representatives will convene in Israel next week for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization conference.

 

Israel will be host to an important and highly-prestigious UN-sponsored international conference on the ban of nuclear tests next week, drawing representatives from Arab and Muslim countries which do not currently have diplomatic relations with Israel. Jordanian and Egyptian delegates will also attend the conference.

Arab

Arab leaders meet at an Arab League meeting. – Photo: REUTERS

Around 100 representatives will take part in the meeting organized by the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), headquartered in Vienna, Austria. To ensure the safety of the participants, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued safety and travel assurances. Continue Reading »

7 yr-old Syrian boy eats matzo in Israeli Hospital – and loves it

Young Syrian boy that was hospitalized in northern Israel learned about Passover and ate Mato for the first time, enjoying it so much, he hasn’t stopped asking for more.

By Ahiya Raved

 

A wounded Syrian boy hospitalized at the Ziv Medical Center in Safed got to taste matzo for the first time in his life this week – and loved it.

The boy munching on his new favorite food – Photo: Ziv Medical Center

The 7-year-old boy, who suffered serious wounds to his legs from a shell hit seven months ago, enjoyed the matzo so much that he has been asking the hospital’s staff to give him matzo to eat at every opportunity he gets. Continue Reading »