Archive for May 28, 2015

Signs of oil on Israel’s Golan Heights Reports Drilling Firm From Exploration Site

As ‘Green Groups’ continue to protest, Afek seeks additional permits to advance to next stage of exploration, if reports of “promising findings” from target layer, is accurate. But it is too soon to know whether the material found relates to crude oil, gas, or oil shale.

By Hezi Sternlicht

 

Israel’s energy industry continues to bubble: A mere two days after the sudden resignation of Antitrust Authority head David Gilo, reports by the Jini energy exploration company, which has been contracted by the Afek company to conduct its exploratory oil drilling on the Golan Heights indicate that the company has promising findings from the target layer.
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Israel’s New Justice Minister Shaked Advances Bill to Stiffen Punishment For Rock Throwing

The proposed revised legislation provides for up to 20 years incarceration for any individual who throws a rock/projectile at any vehicle with the intent to cause harm.

By

 

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked on Thursday announced that she will be aggressively pushing forward with legislation to increase the penalties for persons throwing rocks with fast-track consecutive meetings with the Ministerial Committee on Legislation starting on Sunday.

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked – Photo: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/The Jerusalem Post

Little detail was provided by Shaked’s spokeswoman, but she confirmed that the legislation would be similar to that which former justice minister Tzipi Livni had started to push forward. Continue Reading »

Israel Port Workers Strike Prove Necessity to Open Alternative Private Ports

Workers in both Ashdod and Haifa ports said they will continue their strike on Thursday despite the court’s order to return to work.

By Moshe Cohen

 

Port workers intend to continue with their wildcat strike, as Israel’s main ports in Haifa and Ashdod remained closed on Thursday. The workers said they would remain off the job even if a court ordered them back to work.

Haifa port – Photo: Albatross Aerial Photography

A Labor Court judge held a hearing late Wednesday at the behest of port management, and found that the workers had no basis for a work action, ordering all of them back to work at 4:30 a.m.  Continue Reading »

Israel Sizzling Under Scorching Heat Wave

Temperatures hit 10 year record high – 114.8ºF (46ºC) at Dead Sea, but heat-wave expected to break & give way to rainy weekend.

By Israel Today Staff

 

Israel on Wednesday suffered the most intense heat wave to hit the country in over a decade. Temperatures ranged from 37ºC (98.6ºF) in Jerusalem to a sizzling 46ºC (114.8ºF) at the Dead Sea. The populous coastal plain was sweating with temperatures hitting between 42ºC (107ºF) to 44ºC (111ºF).

Israeli children cool themselves in a public fountain in Jerusalem. – Source: Israel Today

Unsurprisingly, the dry and hot weather resulted in not a few fires, one of which destroyed three houses in Tel Mond, not far from the coastal town of Netanya. Continue Reading »

Israel Police Chief Considers Having Cannabis Decriminalized

Insp. Gen. Danino reported the number of medical marijuana permits have jumped from 400 to 20,000 in just 4 years, adding, “If we really want to change the law & decriminalize use, or make some drugs legal, let’s do it properly.”

By Gadi Golan

 

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Watch Video: Dramatic Retaliatory Airstrike by IAF in Gaza After Rockets Fired at Israel

Early Wednesday morning the Israeli Air Force attacked 4 targets in the Gaza Strip which the IDF reports were part of Hamas’ terror infrastructure.

 

Palestinian media posted on Wednesday what they claim is footage of the IDF response to rockets fired at Israel from Gaza. In the video, several explosions can be seen in the distance, followed by smoke.

Explosions in Gaza from IDF retaliatory attack after rockets fired at Israel - 27.5.2014
Explosions in Gaza from IDF retaliatory attack after rockets fired at Israel – 27.5.2015 – Screenshot

The Israeli Air Force attacked four targets in the Gaza Strip early Wednesday morning, following an earlier rocket attack on Israeli territory, the IDF spokesperson said. Continue Reading »

Bushfire threatens Tel Mond neighborhood, causing gas explosion

Firefighting teams fight blazes in Tel Mond and the Jerusalem area, where 6 people were lightly hurt by the fire.

By Raanan Ben-Zur

 

A bushfire spread into a street in Tel Mond in the Sharon plains on Wednesday, causing gas tanks to explode and causing damage to the electricity infrastructure on the street. No one was hurt in the fire.

Aerial firefighter work to stop bushfire – Photo: IsraelandStuff/PP

Five firefighting teams were working to put out the fire, which has already spread to three homes and is threatening additional homes.

In the Jerusalem area, two firefighting teams were working to put out a bushfire near a structure in Arab neighborhood of Ras al-Amud. Continue Reading »

The Israel Air Force struck 4 targets in Gaza in response to 4 rockets fired on Israel

Israel’s Defense Minister Ya’alon: We hold Hamas responsible for everything that happens in the Gaza Strip.

By Matan Tzuri, Yoav Zitun, Itay Blumenthal, Elior Levy, Moran Azulay

 

The Israel Air Force struck four targets in the Gaza Strip early Wednesday morning in response to rocket fire at southern Israel the previous night, IDF spokesman said.

IAF F-16 – Photo courtesy, Nir Ben-Yosef/IDF Spokesperson’s Unit

The IAF strike targeted Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets, and accurate hits were identified, the army said. “If there is no calm in Israel, the Gaza Strip will pay a heavy price for it, one that causes anyone who chooses to challenge us to regret it,” Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said. Continue Reading »

Amnesty Int’l: Hamas Guilty of Extrajudicial Execution of 23 Palestinians During Gaza War

Amnesty Int’l reports Hamas committed multiple war crimes by the “brutal campaign of abductions, torture & unlawful killings against Palestinians accused of ‘collaborating’ with Israel”

By Elad Benari

 

Hamas used its 2014 Gaza war with Israel to “settle scores” with rival Palestinians, executing at least 23 in possible war crimes, Amnesty International said Tuesday, according to the AFP news agency.

Extrajudicial Execution of Palestinian During Gaza War

Public Extrajudicial Execution of Palestinian During Gaza War

A report by the London-based group detailed the “brutal campaign of abductions, torture and unlawful killings against Palestinians accused of ‘collaborating’ with Israel” by Hamas, de facto ruler of Gaza.

The report details the “extrajudicial execution of at least 23 Palestinians and the arrest and torture of dozens of others”.

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Faced with possible defeat by Islamic State, Nasrallah inducts Christians to fight in Hezbollah

Shiite terror group forges unlikely alliance with Lebanon’s Christians integrating ‘dozens’ of  into its military wing to fight in Syria.

By i24news

 

Faced with the threat posed by the Islamic State, Lebanon-based Shiite terror group Hezbollah has forged an unlikely alliance with the country’s Christian contingent and is training Christian fighters, according to reports in Arabic media.

One of Hezbollah’s enemies: Mujahideen members of al-Qaida’s‏ Nusra Front – Photo: REUTERS/file

Christians are among Middle East minorities at risk from rising unrest across the region, and from extremist groups such as the Islamic State, which has violently carved out a large area of control in Iraq and Syria. Continue Reading »

Israel’s Newest Minister Gilad Erdan Takes Aim at BDS Movement

Erdan’s notice on Facebook explained his reasons for joining Netanyahu’s coalition and objectives he plans on tackling.

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu completed the process of forming his fourth government Monday when his no. 2 in Likud, MK Gilad Erdan, was appointed as minister of public security, strategic affairs and public diplomacy, 11 days after the rest of the cabinet.

Gilad Erdan – Photo: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST

The appointment unanimously passed a telephone vote in the cabinet and a 58-55 vote in the Knesset.

Tourism Minister Yariv Levin willingly gave up the Public Security portfolio and Immigrant Absorption Minister Ze’ev Elkin reluctantly relinquished the Strategic Affairs Ministry. Continue Reading »

Druze reservists angry over IDF’s decision to disband battalion

Druze reservists threaten to petition High Court and hold demonstrations outside the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv if decision isn’t reversed.

By Yossi Yehoshua

 

High-ranking Druze reservists opposed to the move have sent a harshly worded letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which they call on him to intervene. The Druze officers warn that if the decision is not rescinded, they will petition the High Court of Justice and stage demonstrations outside the Kirya base in Tel Aviv.

IDF's Druze Herev Battalion during exercise  - Photo: IsraelandStuf/PPMembers of all-Druze Herev Battalion during exercise protecting Northern settlement on border with Lebanon – Photo: IsraelandStuff/PP

Herev was formed in 1974 and around 400 Druze soldiers currently serve in the battalion, which is involved primarily in routine security duties along the border with Lebanon. Continue Reading »

Gaza Rockets Fired On Israel

—– BREAKING SECURITY UPDATE—–

Air raid sirens sound in Ashdod & Lachish, regions, with least 1 rocket hitting Ashdod region.

By Arutz Sheva Staff

 

Air raid sirens sounded in towns across southern Israel Tuesday at 9:02 p.m. evening.

Rocket fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel. – File photo: REUTERS

There are reports that as many as four rockets were fired from Gaza, and some residents of the south reported seeing Iron Dome missile defense batteries deploying to intercept the incoming rockets.

The IDF has now confirmed that at least one rocket fired from Gaza struck close to the city of Ashdod. Continue Reading »

Israel Customs Authority Confiscate Islamic State Rings Imported by Palestinians

Israel Customs Agents intercept large shipment of gold & silver rings highlighting ISIS slogans, that were to be sold in Ramallah to Palestinians who support the murderous organization.

By Israel Today Staff

 

Israeli Customs agents earlier this month discovered 120 rings bearing ISIS slogans bound for a jewelry shop in the de facto Palestinian Authority capital of Ramallah.

Rings bearing ISIS slogans bound for the Palestinian Authority capital of Ramallah – Israeli authorities

Like all packages transiting via Ben Gurion Airport en route to the Palestinian Authority, this particular package from a seller in Turkey underwent strict security checks.

During the course of these checks, an Israeli agent well versed in Arabic noticed the now-famous ISIS slogans and immediately informed superiors. Continue Reading »

Israel Reaches Historic Low: Unemployment Rate Drops to 4.9%

Looking Good: Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics reports number of employed Israelis has reached 3.64 million, for an all-time high of 60.9%.
• Bank of Israel leaves interest rate unchanged at 0.1%, acknowledging economy is “growing at moderate rate” with Consumer Price Index up 0.6%.

By Zeev Klein

 

Unemployment in Israel has fallen to an all-time low and the number of employed Israelis has reached an all-time high, the Central Bureau of Statistics said Monday.

An Israeli employment office – Photo: Yehoshua Yosef

According to the bureau’s data, the April jobless rate was just 4.9%, below the psychological threshold of 5%. Continue Reading »