Archive for Israel News

IDF tanks shells Hamas outpost in retaliation after two shooting incidents on Tuesday

 

An IDF tank retaliates and fires at a Hamas position in Gaza; no IDF forces injured after reporting shots fired at them along the border with Gaza.
– Gun fire was also reported on Tuesday by IDF forces along the Lebanese border near Metula in the Upper Galilee; no injuries or damage were reported.

By Ynet reporters

 

An IDF tank shelled a Hamas outpost in the center of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday in retaliation for two incidents of shooting at IDF forces earlier in the day.

No soldiers were injured and no damage was reported in the shooting, which took place towards soldiers along the border of the strip with Re’im, a nearby kibbutz. Continue Reading »

“Abu Mazen is an illegitimate leader.” – The Palestinians don’t support him.

 

Israel’s Defense Minister said at a National Security conference Tuesday that “The PA does not exist,” it is split between Fatah & Hamas, and only “a comprehensive regional settlement with the moderate Sunni world,” can make peace.

By Arutz Sheva Staff

 

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman spoke this evening (Tuesday) at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) from Tel Aviv.

In his speech, Lieberman explained that he does not believe that it is possible to reach a settlement with the Palestinian Authority in a bilateral agreement, but that a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict can only be reached through a regional agreement. Continue Reading »

First 671 new homes in Jerusalem, now Israel says OK to build 2500 West Bank homes

 

Although Israel approved today (Tuesday) plans to build an additional 2,500 family units inside existing West Bank settlements, a new Palestinian industrial park was also approved.

BYHERB KEINON, TOVAH LAZAROFF

 

“We are returning to normal life in Judea and Samaria,” Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman said in a statement announcing the plans.

According to the statement, Liberman and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to approve plans for the units in order to enable normal life and answer local housing needs. Netanyahu said, “We are building, and will continue to build.”

Ariel, one of the four largest Jewish towns in the West Bank – Wikimedia Commons

Most of the new units will be inside the major settlement blocs, and 100 of those will be in Beit El, in accordance to commitments made regarding providing housing for those evacuated from Migron in 2012. Continue Reading »

Cleared for publication: Israeli who fought ISIS charged abroad with murder

 

It was cleared for publication today (Tuesday) that 18 months ago a 22 yr-old male Israeli who was fighting ISIS in a foreign country was charged with murder, in a country that has no diplomatic relations with Israel.

By Itamar Eichner

 

Details emerged from a top secret case involving a 22-year-old Israeli who had been fighting abroad against ISIS before being arrested in June 2015 and charged with murder in a country with which Israel has no diplomatic relations, it was cleared for publication Tuesday morning.

Ben Hasin – Photo: Israel TV2 News

The case was exposed approximately 2 months ago by MK Ayoob Kara, who then served as a deputy minister, and was immediately barred from public consumption by the Military Censor. Continue Reading »

White House Press Secretary: No decision yet to move US Embassy to Jerusalem

 

Asked about moving embassy to Jerusalem, White House Press Secretary tells reporters, “There’s no decision…We’re at the very early stages of that decision-making process.”

By JTA

 

The Trump administration has yet to decide on when to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem, its spokesman said.

On Monday, Sean Spicer, in his first Q&A with reporters as White House press secretary, said that President Donald Trump had not yet made a decision about the embassy move.

“There’s no decision,” Spicer said when he was asked about whether the administration had considered the strategic consequences of a move. “We’re at the very early stages of that decision-making process.” Continue Reading »

Just hours before leaving, Obama defies Congress, sends $221 million to Palestinians

 

During his final hours as POTUS, Barack Obama released $221 million to the Palestinian Authority, ignoring the GOP members of Congress that placed a ‘hold’ on the aid because of state incitement to violence & cash payments to convicted terrorists.

By The Associated Press

 

Officials say the Obama administration in its waning hours defied Republican opposition and quietly released $221 million to the Palestinian Authority.

Abbas& Obama at White House – Photo: AFP

GOP Congress members have been holding up the money.

A State Department official and several congressional aides said the outgoing administration formally notified Congress it would spend the money Friday morning, just before Donald Trump became president. Continue Reading »

WATCH: Israeli Minister Katz Plans to Build Gaza Artificial Airport/Seaport Island

 


Minister Katz’s plans also call for articulating to the Trump administration Israel’s housing proposals beyond the Green Line that would facilitate building throughout Jerusalem.

By HERB KEINON

 

Transportation Minister Israel Katz presented the security cabinet on Sunday with the principles of what he dubbed the “Israeli initiative,” a multi-pronged diplomatic plan he hopes can be coordinated with the new Trump administration.

Transportation Minister Israel Katz – Photo: GPO

This is the latest in a growing number of ideas for addressing the Palestinian issue that have emerged from ministers and Knesset members in recent weeks coinciding with the change of government in Washington. Continue Reading »

As Trump settles in, Israel plans development of ‘disputed territories’

 

Since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, right-wing members of Knesset press for new development in east Jerusalem and the annexation of Ma’ale Adumim.
– Education Minister Naftali Bennett tweets, ‘For the first time in 50 years, the Prime Minister can decide: Either sovereignty or Palestine.’

By The Associated Press & Reuters

 

The city of Jerusalem granted final approval Sunday for the construction of hundreds of new homes in east Jerusalem, while Education Minister Naftali Bennett (Bayit Yehudi) pushed the government to annex a major West Bank settlement as emboldened Israeli nationalists welcomed the presidency of Donald Trump. Continue Reading »

White House reports: Peace can only be reached through direct talks

 

The White House reports that President Trump told PM Netanyahu that peace with the Palestinians can only be achieved through direct negotiations between the parties.

By Elad Benari

 

President Donald Trump told Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday that peace with the Palestinian Authority (PA) can only be reached through direct negotiations, the White House said on Sunday night, in a statement released after the two leaders spoke by phone – their first conversation since Trump was sworn in on Friday.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu with Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump in New York, Sunday, September 25, 2016. – Photo: Israel’s Gov’t Press Office/Kobi Gideon

The statement indicated that Trump and Netanyahu “discussed ways to advance and strengthen the U.S.-Israel Continue Reading »

Palestinians fuming new US Ambassador to Israel plans to reside in Jerusalem

 

Although furious that the new US Ambassador plans to live in Jerusalem, the Palestinians hint at global terrorism should President Trump keep his promise to relocate American Embassy to Israel’s capital.

By Israel Today Staff

 

The new US Ambassador to Israel under President Donald Trump will reside and work in Jerusalem, even if the embassy is still officially in Tel Aviv.

David Friedman is yet to receive Senate approval for his new posting, but has already confirmed that he’ll spend most of his time in Israel’s real capital.

Contrary to previous US administration’s opinion, Jerusalem is not a ‘settlement’…but the eternal capital of Israel.

Continue Reading »

Jordan’s King Abdullah & Abbas strategize to prevent Trump from moving embassy to Israel’s capital

 

Mahmoud Abbas traveled to Amman Jordan to meet with Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Sunday to coordinate a strategy against Trump’s decision to relocate the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Israel’s capital, Jerusalem.

BY ADAM RASGON

 

“Abbas and King Abdullah II discussed the possible ramifications of moving the American Embassy to occupied Jerusalem and agreed to take a number of measures if the embassy is relocated,” Wafa, the official PA news site, reported Sunday afternoon.

King Abdullah II of Jordan (L), and Abbas, self-proclaimed President for Life of the Palestinian Authority (R)

The Palestinian leadership launched a campaign two weeks ago to appeal to the world against the possible relocation of the US Embassy. Continue Reading »

Hugo Boss model leaves his career to volunteer for the IDF

 

31 yr-old James Hirshfield dismissed the army’s decision that he was too old and his family’s advice not to give up a successful career, he still emigrated to Israel and started his service as ‘the best soldier I can be’ in April…and is loving it!

By Isaac Dabush

 

A 31-year-old British-born immigrant to Israel who previously modeled for international fashion house Hugo Boss immigrated to Israel and enlisted in the IDF a fortnight ago and is to begin his service in April.

From a young age living with his Jewish family in London, James Hirshfield was used to receiving compliments on his look. Continue Reading »

Israel approves 671 new homes in Jerusalem, will American displeasure be forthcoming?

 

Netanyahu’s government approves 671 new homes for Jewish families in Jerusalem and its mayor says he hopes the public denunciations from the White House have ended.

By Yedidya Ben-Or

 

The Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee approved on Sunday 671 new housing units in various Jerusalem neighborhoods.

Jerusalem, the old & the new – Photo: IsraelandStuff/PP

Previous discussions regarding the approval of new Jerusalem housing units were canceled in late December, reportedly at the request of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

324 new housing units will be built in Ramot, and 174 in Ramat Shlomo. In Pisgat Ze’ev, 68 new housing units will be built. Continue Reading »

PM Netanyahu reaches out to Iranian public: ‘You’re shackled by theocratic tyranny’

 

WATCH: The Israeli Prime Minister reached out in a video with Persian subtitles to the Iran’s civilian population the day after US President Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington, saying we know you “want to be able to speak freely, to love who you want without the fear of being tortured or hung from a crane.”

By i24news

 

Acknowledging he has addressed the Iranian leadership countless times, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday reached out to ordinary Iranians, calling them to break away from the shackles of Islamic authoritarianism via a video message posted to social media.

Continue Reading »

Analysis of Israeli media’s unbalanced reporting of Israel’s PM Netanyahu

 

Night after night in Israel, Channel 2 viewers have been subjected to saturation coverage of ‘Affair 2000’ that distorts more than it reveals and Israeli readers are bombarded with what seems daily negative articles related to Netanyahu and his family that run in the Hebrew daily, Yediot Aharonot.

Netanyahu’s Shameless Opponents By Caroline B. Glick

 

Over the past week, Israel was subjected to the diplomatic equivalent of a lynch mob in Paris. It received unexpected assistance from Britain, which twice in two days departed from its traditional anti-Israel stance and blocked the Paris conference’s anti-Israel declaration from being adopted as the official position of the European Union. Continue Reading »