Archive for September 18, 2017

Analysis: Hamas’ apparent capitulation to Abbas has him maneuvered into a corner

In Hamas’ decision to dismantle their ‘administrative control’ in Gaza, the radical Islamic movement has moved the ball into Abbas’s court. The PA leader’s refusal to end the sanctions he imposed on the costal enclave’s population 5 months ago would portray the Palestinian autocrat in an even more dictatorial role, especially vis-à-vis Egypt, since they brokered Hamas’ surprise decision.

Elior Levy

 

Since he began imposing sanctions on the Gaza Strip five months ago, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas repeatedly declared that dismantling the Gaza Strip’s administrative committee would be the only way to end the sanctions and ease the pressure on Hamas. Continue Reading »

Iraqi vice-president warns: Independent Kurdistan will be a ‘second Israel’

After the Jewish State became the only country to support a Kurdish referendum for independence in northern Iraq, Vice President Nuri al-Maliki’s office, released a statement,  “We will not allow the creation of a second Israel, in the north of Iraq.”

By AFP

 

An Iraqi vice president warned Sunday that Baghdad would not tolerate the creation of “a second Israel” after the Jewish state became the only country to support a planned Kurdish independence referendum in northern Iraq.

Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad 2009 – Wikimedia

The leaders of autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan must “call off the (September 25) referendum that is contrary to the constitution and does not serve the general interests of the Iraqi people, not even the particular interests of the Kurds”, said Vice President Nuri al-Maliki. Continue Reading »

Bahrain King decrees visits to Israel permissible, denounces Arab boycott

The king of the Persian Gulf state, which does not have diplomatic relations with Israel, announced to Rabbi Abraham Cooper, head of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, that his subjects are now free to visit the Jewish state, then went further by calling for the end of the Arab boycott of Israel.

By TOM TUGEND

 

LOS ANGELES – Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa last week denounced the Arab boycott of Israel and said his subjects are free to visit the Jewish state. The head of the Persian Gulf country, which does not have diplomatic relations with Israel, made the statements to Rabbi Abraham Cooper, the head of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, at a multi-denominational event at the center to sign and support a declaration denouncing religious hatred and violence. Continue Reading »

Israel decided to evacuate Kiryat Shmona, Sderot in next military conflict

Israel’s PM and Defense Minister have accepted to initiate the IDF’s and the National Emergency Management Authority’s recommendation to evacuate Kiryat Shmona and/or Sderot residents, as well as nearby border town residents to protect them from rocket fire and the possibility of terrorist infiltration.

By Alex Fishman

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman have decided to completely evacuate Kiryat Shmona or Sderot in the case of a military conflict against Hezbollah in the north or Hamas in the south.

According to the evacuation plan, only residents whose job is vital for the continued operations of the city—such as municipality workers, police and rescue forces among others—would remain. Continue Reading »

Israel TV2 Reports: Netanyahu declines meeting with Swedish Prime Minister, again

According to an Israel TV 2 news report on Saturday evening, P.M. Netanyahu, for the second year in a row, refused an invitation for a sit-down meeting with Sweden’s P.M. Lofven, citing ‘scheduling conflicts’.

By i24NEWS

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly declined a meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven on the sidelines of next week’s United Nations General Assembly in New York, reportedly in part due to the country’s recognition of a Palestinian state and past criticisms of Israel.

Swedish Prime Minister in meeting with Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran, and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani accompanied him.

Continue Reading »

Poll: 48% of E. Jerusalem parents would prefer Israeli school curriculum

Although the Jerusalem Municipality is investing massive resources in east Jerusalem education, including enrichment programs, a poll in the city’s Arab schools reflects a spike in preference for Israeli curriculum, rather than the Palestinian’s.

By Yori Yalon

 

Forty-eight percent of parents whose children are enrolled in schools in east Jerusalem do not want them studying the curriculum provided by the Palestinian Authority, according to a recent poll conducted by the Jerusalem Municipality.

Education Minister Naftali Bennett visiting Israeli classroom – Photo source: Naftali Bennett/Facebook

The city, which polled hundreds of parents of east Jerusalem students, found a sharp decline in parents’ satisfaction with the Palestinian curriculum, which is used in Arab schools in the east of the city, as well as a notable rise in demand for the Israeli curriculum. Continue Reading »

Palestinian leaders’ lies inflame & incite Arabs against Jews to promote further violence

Palestinian Authority Foreign Ministry reported ‘occupation authorities executed teen in cold blood’, referring to teen who shortly after posting his ‘will and last testament as a martyr’ on Facebook, was neutralized during stabbing-attack on an Israel Border Guard policeman.
– If the Palestinian cause was just and true, why their incessant ‘Goebbels-like’ need to lie about everything?

By ERIC SUMNER

 

Following the release last Friday of the body of a 17-year-old Palestinian terrorist, a Palestinian Authority governor assailed Israel for “routinely” targeting Palestinian civilians.

AntiSemite Abbas spews hatred and incitement against Jews – PMW:YouTube screenshot

At the teen’s funeral, a day after Israeli police shot him dead after he tried to stab a border guard at a West Bank security checkpoint, Tulkarm Governor Issam Abu Bakr’s deputy accused Israel of committing crimes against Palestinians.
Continue Reading »

Israel’s spacecraft to the moon begins construction

SpaceIL has undertaken to promote scientific & technological education in Israel, working with Israel Aerospace Industries that is currently assembling SpaceIL’s spacecraft to inspire the next generation in Israel to study science, engineering, technology and mathematics.

By Ynet

 

SpaceIL, the Israeli representative in the Google Lunar XPRIZE competition, is making giant strides to land the first Israeli spacecraft on the moon, after the base structure of the craft was received at IAI facilities earlier this week.

The skeleton of the spacecraft consists of two perforated “sandwich” boards, upper and lower plates and a cone ring structure.

These components, designed by an aerospace industry and manufactured in Spain by IberEspacio, complement the sub-system structure of the spacecraft to be launched to the moon during the coming year. Continue Reading »

Two Hamas terrorists died in separate tunnel collapses in Gaza

According to an AFP report, a Hamas terrorist died in a collapsed tunnel in Gaza City and another Hamas terrorist in Khan Yunis was also killed when the tunnel he was in collapsed.

By Elad Benari, Canada,

 

Two Hamas terrorists died in separate tunnel collapses in Gaza overnight Thursday, the group said on Friday, according to AFP.

Khalil al-Dimyati, 32, and Yusef Abu Abed, 22, were killed after two “resistance tunnels” collapsed, Hamas said, referring to tunnels used for military purposes.

A Hamas terror-tunnel leading from Gaza to Israel – Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit

It did provide details of the locations or causes of the collapses, but confirmed the two men were members of Hamas’s armed wing. Continue Reading »

White House supports bill suspending aid to Palestinians over ‘Pay to Slay’ Israelis

Because of the Palestinian Authority’s refusal to end its long-standing practice of rewarding Palestinian terrorists who have killed Israelis and American tourists, the US administration is working to finally put an end to US financial funding to the Palestinians.
– Trump to Palestinian leader: ‘Peace can never take root in an environment where violence is tolerated, funded and even rewarded.’

By The Associated Press

 

The Trump administration is backing legislation that would suspend US financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority until it ends what critics say is a long-standing practice of rewarding Palestinians who kill Americans and Israelis.

President Trump relays serious message to Palestinian in Bethlehem – Screenshot: White House:IsraelandStuff.

Continue Reading »

Watch Videos: Netanyahu meets Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto

Watch warm speeches by PM Netanyahu when he met Colombian President Santos and later with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, while on his Latin tour.

By Elad Benar

 

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met on Thursday in Mexico City with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.

The two discussed upgrading the bilateral free trade agreement and expanding trade. Agreements were signed regarding aviation, an MOU on MASHAV and a space agreement.

Netanyahu said during the meeting, “Thank you, my friend, President Pena Nieto for your personal friendship, for the friendship of Mexico. This is a milestone. As incredible as it sounds, what you just said always astounds me: that this is the first visit since the founding of the State of Israel of an Israeli prime minister in Latin America. Continue Reading »

REPORT: Moscow rejected Israel’s call for wide buffer zone in Syria distancing Iranian forces

Israeli intel has yet to detect Iranian activity close to its border since the ceasefire came into effect, however IDF officials, according to the report, believe Iran will gradually establish a presence in the area, with the aim of opening up a 2nd front against Israel in the next conflict with Hezbollah.

By i24NEWS

 

Russia rejected an Israeli request to keep Iranian military forces at least 60 kilometers from its border with Syria during negotiations over a July ceasefire in the south of the country, Haaretz newspaper reported on Thursday.

IDF Merkava tank and crew train on the Golan Heights.

Continue Reading »

Israel’s Ambassador Danon begins term as UN General Assembly vice president

As General Assembly vice president, Ambassador Danny Danon will lead meetings & oversee the agendas for the 72nd session, beginning 13/Sep/2017.
• Coincidentally, Amb.Danon will be expected to preside over Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech at the General Assembly this coming Tuesday.

By Shlomo Cesana

 

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon’s term as vice president of the U.N. General Assembly began Wednesday as the body’s 72nd session got underway.

Next Tuesday, when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the assembly, Danon will preside over the meeting.

Netanyahu addresses 71st session of the UNGA. – Photo: GPO/Avi Ohayon

Danon was elected as the representative of the Western European and Others regional group and will take part in planning the agenda for the session. Continue Reading »

The 2018 Giro d’Italia cycling race opens with three stages in Israel

For the very first time in over 100 years a portion of the sport’s Grand Tours will take place outside of Europe.
– In the largest sporting event ever held in Israel, the Giro d’Italia will have over 175 of world’s best cyclists arriving in the Jewish State, with hundreds of millions watching across the globe.

By The Associated Press

 

The Giro d’Italia cycling race will open next year’s event in Israel, marking the first time any leg of the sport’s Grand Tours will take place outside of Europe.

Giro d’Italia coming to Jerusalem – Photo: IsraelandStuff/PP

Organizers said Thursday that details of the exact route of the three-day leg in Israel will be announced next week, with Italian and Israeli ministers making the announcement in Jerusalem along with Spanish great Alberto Contador. Continue Reading »

IDF News UPDATES: Pilot armored corps program for female combat soldiers fails

After female trainees dropped out of pilot program to serve in armored corps units, IDF command decides to cancel project.
– More on Iran, Hezbollah and Palestinian terrorism.

Arutz Sheva Staff

 

The pilot program for female soldiers in the IDF armored corps failed after two of the twelve female recruits dropped out during basic training.

Female IDF soldiers in combat training – IDF’s Spokesperson’s Unit

As part of the pilot program, the IDF sought to have three female soldiers serve in a tank and work together with one male soldier.

Following the dropouts, the IDF plans to examine whether the tanks can be manned by an all-female crew. Continue Reading »