Archive for Israel News

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 »

Antiquities thieves vandalize burial site, skeletons at ancient Judean Desert fortress

The desecrated cave, at one of the seven Hasmonean fortresses ordered built by King Herod to protect the eastern border of the Judean Kingdom, came under attack by antiquities robbers since they’re unprotected due to a systematic lack of funding.

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD

 

Tomb raiders recently destroyed human skulls and skeletal remains buried in a mysterious cave near the ancient Hasmonean fortress of Horkania in the northern Judean Desert between Jericho and the Dead Sea.

The fortress, believed to have been constructed around 120 BCE by its namesake, John Hyrcanus, was one of seven ordered built by King Herod to protect the eastern border of the Judean Kingdom from the Edomites and other enemies. Continue Reading »

Israel’s navy holds exercises to neutralize any surprise Hezbollah attack

In the largest IDF drill since 1998, tens of thousands of people participated from the different military branches, including reservists, to bolster their preparedness for the next war on Israel’s northern frontier.

By Yoav Zitun

 

The Navy is drilling fighting off Hezbollah naval commandos mounting a surprise attack on Israel as part of a large-scale amphibious training exercise taking place in the north this week.

Among other scenarios, the Israeli sailors faced a swarm of jet skis and small motorboats carrying Hezbollah fighters, divers and suicide bombers.

IDF NAVY drill – Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit

The drills are designed to prepare the navy for the most extreme scenarios in any future opening of a military campaign launched by Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah. Continue Reading »

Israel puts White House on notice: If necessary, Israel will attack Syria again

Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Ron Dermer, warns gathering of senior US officials, Israel has, and will continue unencumbered to respond with force in Syria whenever PM Netanyahu’s 2 ‘red-lines’ are crossed.

By Israel Today Staff

 

Israel sent a clear message to the Trump Administration that it will not hesitate to again attack neighboring Syria if forces embroiled in a bloody civil war there cross two red lines.

Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Ron Dermer condemns Obama’s backstabbing. – Screenshot: YouTube

Speaking at a pre-Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) gathering that included a large number of senior US officials, Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Ron Dermer, stated:

“Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has been very clear about Israeli red lines in Syria, and Israel has acted to enforce those red lines.” Continue Reading »

UN World Tourism Organization postpones Palestinian membership bid for 2 years

With the assistance of the United States, Israel succeeded in nixing the PA from becoming a member in the UN agency…since the “State Of Palestine” does not exist.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, TOVAH LAZAROFF

 

The United Nations’ World Tourism Organization has announced that will postpone until its next session, in two years, a decision on allowing the Palestinian Authority to join its ranks.

The Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Tourism applied for membership for “Palestine” into the organization last year.

Palestinian Museum opens to little fanfare. – Facebook Page

Had the bid been successful, the UNWTO would have been the second UN organization, after UNESCO, to which the Palestinians gained full membership. Continue Reading »

In Israel: Amnesty International to face sanctions under provisions of anti-boycott law

After Amnesty International launched its campaign calling on the world to “ban Israeli settlement goods” over alleged war crimes, Israel’s Finance Minister is poised to enact an anti-boycott law for first time, meaning Amnesty could lose tax status and other legal consequences under the law.

By Yair Altman

 

Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon has decided to use his authority under a 2011 anti-boycott law to punish Amnesty International, making it the first organization to face legal consequences under the provisions of the law.

Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon. – Photo: Wikimedia\dikla bassist shafrir

The anti-boycott law, officially known as the Prevention of Damage to the State of Israel through Boycott Law, allows the finance minister to impose civil sanctions on entities that promote or take part in an economic, cultural or academic boycott against an institution or person under Israeli control because of their “affiliation with Israel.” Continue Reading »

Next conflict with Hezbollah will force Israel to reoccupy parts of Southern Lebanon

In order to trade for a serious UN resolution that improves & maintains the security situation on its northern border, the IDF will be forced to retain & occupy Southern Lebanon when Hezbollah forces the next war on Israel.

By ANNA AHRONHEIM

 

In the event of another war with Hezbollah, the IDF’s objective would be to occupy parts of southern Lebanon where the group has support and infrastructure, in order to force a UN resolution that improves the security situation on the northern border, a senior IDF officer said on Monday.

Thousands of soldiers from the 319th Armored Division, aka the Mapatz (“Bang”) Formation, the majority of them reservists, are currently drilling such a scenario during the second and final week of the Northern Command’s Or Hadagan exercise, the IDF’s largest in nearly 20 years. Continue Reading »

Satellite images of alleged Israeli airstrike in Syria show heavily damaged facility

The Israeli company ImagesSat International, released pictures of the Syrian military facility before and after it sustained heavy damage in an airstrike last week, that has been attributed to Israel’s Air Force.

By Lilach Shoval and Israel Hayom Staff

 

Satellite images taken this weekend and published on Sunday have exposed the damage caused by an airstrike, attributed to Israel, on a military facility in northwest Syria.

A statement from the Syrian army said that Thursday’s strike took place near the town of Masyaf, about 25 miles north of the Lebanon border, and warned against the “dangerous repercussions of this aggressive action to the security and stability of the region.” Continue Reading »

Palestinians arrest peaceful Arab for hosting Jewish Knesset Member in Hebron

Because Muhammed Jaber, “a man of peace and coexistence” from Hebron allowed MK Yehuda Glick make a ‘Happy Birthday’ visit, the Palestinian leader’s secret police arrested & jailed him.
– MK Glick:  “His arrest shows that the Palestinian Authority is not interested in dialogue and normalization.”

By ADAM RASGON

 

The Palestinian Authority General Intelligence Service on Sunday arrested Muhammed Jaber, a Hebron resident, several days after he hosted right-wing MK Yehuda Glick at his home.

A senior PA official in Hebron on Monday confirmed Jaber’s arrest to The Jerusalem Post, but said he cannot discuss the details of his detainment. Continue Reading »

Arabic news outlet reports Saudi heir apparent to the throne covertly visited Israel

Online Arabic news outlet identified the ‘Saudi official’ who made a secret visit to Israel as Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, the Defense Minister of Saudi Arabia and heir apparent to the throne.

By David Rosenberg

 

A member of the Saudi royal family visited Israel during a secret trip last week, despite his country’s refusal to recognize the Jewish state.

According to a report by the Israel Broadcasting Corporation, a senior member of the Saudi royal family held high-level talks with Israeli officials during a clandestine trip to the Jewish state.

“A prince from the Royal Court visited the country in secret over the past few days and discussed the idea of pushing regional peace forward with a number of senior Israeli officials,” the IBC reported, citing the Russian Sputnikmedia outlet. Continue Reading »

Syrian missives express gratitude for Israel’s humanitarianism

Expressing their gratitude, Syrian civil war victims treated by Israeli field hospitals on the Golan Heights pen appreciation letters for the IDF’s medical care, saying it has strengthened their yearning for peace, undermined indoctrination of Israel as an enemy.
– “To all Syrians who say Israel is the enemy, I say that you are liars….Israel is our friend.”

By Yoav Birenberg

 

Dozens of Syrian civilians have written letters of gratitude to Israel and the IDF for establishing field hospitals on its northern border which provided, and continue to provide, medical care to numerous victims wounded in the country’s ongoing violent civil war. Continue Reading »

Israelife sends medical, search & rescue team to Miami

Two weeks ago, the Israelife Foundation sent a medical delegation who volunteer at United Hatzalah to help in aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in Texas. Now, a team is off to Florida.

By Uzi Baruch

 

A delegation of the Israelife Foundation left for Miami on Saturday night to help the local Jewish community and Israeli community in the wake of Hurricane Irma.

The volunteers taking part in the mission will assist in providing an initial response to the natural disaster and will deal with its implications in terms of the community.

“Our role as volunteers will be to assist the community and to handle the situation as best we can in the absence of American officials, until their arrival,” explained delegation spokesman Moti Elmaliach. Continue Reading »

Hezbollah reports discovery of another Israeli ‘surveillance boulder’ in Lebanon

The ‘boulder’ was found in Kfar Shuba, a village in south Lebanon, and according to Hezbollah claims, it contained a thermal camera transmitting images in both day and night conditions which was ultimately dismantled by Lebanese army engineers.

By Roi Kais and Liad Osmo

 

Terrorist group Hezbollah claimed Saturday it has uncovered an Israeli spying device that had been placed inside a rock in Kfar Shuba, a village in southern Lebanon, the Hezbollah-affiliated news agency Al Mayadeen reported.

Photo Credit: Lebanese Army

The rock that allegedly held the hidden device was reported to be equipped with a thermal camera that is able to record visuals during the day and night. Continue Reading »

American Conservative Rabbis Threaten Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu

About 600 American Rabbis and Jewish leaders threaten PM Netanyahu in a signed letter: ‘If you do not implement the Kotel Agreement, as promised, the tone about Israel during High Holy Days’ sermons will change for the worse.’

By Amihai Attali

 

Conservative leaders in the United States sent a scathing letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, in which they pressed him to unfreeze the Kotel egalitarian area plan, threatening to turn their represented community of 2 million Jews worldwide against him and Israel if he does not.

Senior members of the Conservative movement met with Israel’s Consul-General in New York, Dani Dayan, and handed him the threatening letter—signed by hundreds of leaders, rabbis, and presidents of Conservative Jewish communities from North America and around the world—to give to the prime minister personally. Continue Reading »