Israel News

Israel’s Navy intercepts weapons-building contraband bound for Gaza

Since the end of the operation in Gaza, Israeli Naval units have intercepted multiple attempts to smuggle contraband to Hamas.

The Israel Navy has intercepted multiple attempts to smuggle weapons manufacturing material into Gaza since the end of the war in August, a senior navy commander told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday.

Israeli Navy – Photo courtesy IDF Spokesperson’s Unit

Cmdr. Eli Soholitski has commanded the navy’s Squadron 916 for two years. Squadron 916, the navy’s largest formation, is responsible for defending the whole sector from Ashdod to the Gaza Strip, and was involved heavily in the 50-day conflict with Hamas and Islamic Jihad last summer. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Israel Navy, smuggling, Squadron 916

Israel to set up Field Hospital in Africa to combat Ebola

After request by US & UN to send field hospitals to Africa, Israel’s Foreign Ministry announces it will send Israeli medical crews and 3 mobile emergency clinics to area.

By Itamar Eichner

After Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon rejected a special request by the US and UN to send IDF field hospitals to Ebola hit Liberia and Sierra Leone, the Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday its intention to send three mobile emergency clinics to areas in West Africa where there is a risk of infection with the virus.

IDF field hospital – Photo courtesy: IDF Spokesperson’s Uniy

A statement issued by the Foreign Ministry said: “The clinics, which were manufactured in Israel, were built in accordance with standards and guidelines of the World Health Organization for the treatment of Ebola. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Ebola virus, field hospital, Foreign Ministry, Tikon Olam

Formula 1 race returns to Jerusalem

For 2nd annual event, Israel’s capital to thrill sports car fans with a variety of fast cars & stunt drivers to boot.

By Haaretz

Formula 1 racing fans in Israel will get a glimpse of the sports cars on Monday and Tuesday when the Jerusalem Formula Road Show gets underway.

A race car driving in front of David’s Citadel in Jerusalem, June 13, 2013. – Photo: Nahshon

Following up on last year’s event, Ferrari will return to the streets of the capital joined by Porsche and Caterham F1s, the Jerusalem municipality announced.
The event will also include a special Audi from the La Mans series, a Formula Master car, and a Ferrari Challenge Car from the racetracks of Europe, according to organizers.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Formula 1, Israel sport, Jerusalem

Sudan’s Chess King Resigns After Match Against Israeli

Sudan’s top player & president of the Sudanese Chess Association resigns his position following a match against an Israeli opponent.

By Ben Ariel

The president of the Sudanese Chess Association (SCA) tendered his resignation on Sunday following a game of chess that took place against an Israeli player at the World Youth Chess Championships in South Africa, reports the Sudan Tribune.

Chess (illustration) – Thinkstock

The president, Tariq Zaroog, said that he as an administrator of the top chess body in the country is stepping down and offered his apologies to the Palestinian and Sudanese people, according to the report. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Chess, sports, Sudan

Delegation of 11 American beauty pageant winners touring Israel

The American beauty queens are touring Israel for 5 days, meeting a wide range of Israelis.
• The 11 women, all of whom have extensive online followings, are sharing their positive impressions of Israel with the world.

By Barney Breen-Portnoy

During a five-day trip to Israel last week, a delegation of 11 beauty pageant winners from the U.S. got a taste of the real Israel — which is much different from the common image of Israel worldwide.

The delegation in Sderot – Photo Courtesy

“If Israel had a ‘cover’ title based on what the media portrays, it would be ‘danger,’ ‘warfare,’ ‘disagreement,’ ‘pain,’ ‘death,’ ‘conflict’ … and yet after just the first day I realized that this couldn’t be any further from the truth,” said Alicia Monique Blanco, Miss Arizona USA 2009.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Hasbara, tourism

IDF opens fire on armed Lebanese cell crossing into Israel

1 infiltrator hit, armed group retreats back into Lebanon.

Hezbollah TV report that Lebanese army soldier was injured by infiltrating IDF fire.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN, JPOST.COM STAFF

The IDF opened fire on a cell trying to infiltrate into Israel from Lebanon on Sunday.

Israeli soldiers and trucks are seen from southern Lebanon, as a Hezbollah flag flutters. – Photo: REUTERS

The IDF said a unit dealing with operational border security identified the cell crossing the Israeli-Lebanese border (the Blue Line).

The unit opened fire with small arms fire, apparently striking one of the suspects.

“The cell fled back into Lebanese territory,” the IDF added. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: IDF, lebanon border

Hundreds of Gaza pilgrims entered Jerusalem for 1st time since 2007

Israel eases travel restrictions for Muslim pilgrims as part Jerusalem’s new policy following the IDF’s ‘Operation Protective Edge’.

By Haaretz

Some 500 residents of the Gaza Strip traveled Sunday to pray at Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa Mosque, the first time residents of the Hamas-controlled territory have been allowed to the holy city since 2007.

Palestinian pilgrims crossing the Beit Hanoun checkpoint on their way to the Erez border crossing and then to Jerusalem, during the holiday of Eid al-Adha, Oct. 5, 2014. – Photo: AP

The three-day Muslim Feast of the Sacrifice, known as Id al-Adha, commenced Friday evening.

Israel issued the permits to Gazans aged 60 and over as part of a policy to ease restrictions on Gaza residents following the end of its 50-day war with Hamas.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Eid al-Adha, Gaza, Gazans, Jerusalem, Temple Mount

Jerusalem District Court Rules Abbas’ PA Gov’t Liable for Terrorist Murders

In precedent-setting case surrounding murdered Israelis by the hand of terrorists, Jerusalem District Court rejects Palestinian Authority’s ‘statehood’ claim as grounds for ‘immunity’.

By Shlomo Pitrikovsky and Cynthia Blank

In a precedent-setting ruling, Vice President of the Jerusalem District Court, Judge Moshe Drori, ruled that the Palestinian Authority is civilly liable for the murder of three Israelis.

The suit was filed by the estates and relatives of the victims Yaniv Ben-Shalom, his wife, Sharon Ben-Shalom, and her brother Doron Yosef Sawari, who were killed in a shooting in August 2001 during the Second Intifada.

It is infuriating to read the PA claim that providing money or weapons to perpetrators of terrorist attacks is part of its actions as a ‘state.’

Category: Israel News | Tags: District Court, Moshe Drori, Palestinain Authority

Israel’s Justice Rubinstein: Time Overdue to Free Pollard

Israel’s leftest newspaper Haaretz alleged the judge’s remarks may have been a violation of the ethical standards for judges.

By Uzi Baruch, Gil Ronen

Supreme Court Justice Elyakim Rubinstein, who is in Washington, reportedly issued a call last week to pardon Jonathan Pollard, who is serving a life sentence for spying for Israel.

According to a report in the leftist newspaper Haaretz, Rubinstein said Israelis were responsible for most of the errors made in the affair, but also accused Americans for some of the mistakes.

The Haaretz report alleged that the judge’s remarks may constitute an infraction of the ethical guidelines for judges. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Elyakim Rubinstein, Jonathan Pollard

Netanyahu asks UN chief: How would S. Korea respond to rocket attack from North Korea?

Israeli sources say UN head Ban Ki-moon, & Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a “heated” argument during their meeting on Tuesday
• Netanyahu: Jerusalem will highlight the fact that Hamas is not being adequately investigated by the UN.

By Shlomo Cesana

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a tense meeting with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday, protesting that the U.N. Human Rights Council is biased against Israel and defends Hamas, making the inquiry into Operation Protective Edge unfair to Israel.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet on Tuesday – Photo: AFP

Israeli sources said Ban and Netanyahu had a “heated” argument during the meeting.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Ban Ki-moon, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel UN

After delays & frustration, Israeli Arabs crossed into Egypt over weekend

Eilat police called to the Sinai border crossing and restore order after physical altercations ensued, due to the heat & slow movement of the line.

By YASSER OKBI/ MAARIV HASHAVUA

After a harrowing day during which long lines threatened to prevent them from reaching Egypt in time for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, thousands of Israeli Arabs reached the Sinai Peninsula on Friday after officials and lawmakers demanded that the Taba border crossing operate beyond normal working hours in order to facilitate their crossing.

An Egyptian soldier stands near the Egyptian national flag and the Israeli flag at the Taba crossing between Egypt and Israel.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Eid al-Adha, Israel Sinai, Taba crossing

israelandstuffcom | October 4, 2014

Israel condemns Sweden’s premature Palestinian declaration, admonished envoy

Foreign ministry summons Swedish envoy for reprimand after newly elected prime minister gave assurances he’ll recognize Palestine as a state in upcoming inauguration speech.

By Itamar Eichner

Sweden’s ambassador to Israel has been summoned for a reprimand meeting on Monday at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, after Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven announced on Friday his intention to recognize Palestine.

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven – Photo: Reuters

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Saturday night that Lofven’s announcement was unfortunate as he “likely has yet to have enough time to delve into matters and understand that the side which has been a spoiler for the past 20 years to advancing an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians – is the Palestinians.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Israel Sweden, Palestine

israelandstuffcom | October 4, 2014

Palestinians: We Want You Dead, Even If You Support Us

As the result of decades of ongoing incitement, Palestinians & Arabs can no longer distinguish between those who support them & those who stand against them. Peace is impossible unless Palestinians stop inciting their people against Jews and Israel.

by Khaled Abu Toameh

Two incidents that took place at university campuses in the West Bank in the past few days serve as a reminder that some Palestinians have no problem attacking or threatening even those who support and try to help them.

Pro-Palestinian and anti-Zionist Israeli journalist Amira Hass was thrown out of Bir Zeit University campus, near Ramallah, only because she is an Israeli Jew.

Category: Israel News | Tags: anti-Israel Propaganda, hate speech, ‘Palestinian’ incitement

israelandstuffcom | October 3, 2014

British Medical Journal’s editor “deeply, deeply regrets” publishing open letter on Gaza

The editor of the British medical journal Lancet, Dr. Richard Horton, made an apologetic statement Thursday at the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa reassuring Israeli doctors that he will publish a retraction.

By JTA

The editor of the British medical journal The Lancet, which ran an open letter accusing Israel of a “massacre” in Gaza, said on a visit to Israel that he will publish a retraction.

The Lancet, a venerable medical journal. – Photo: Screenshot

Dr. Richard Horton made a statement Thursday during Grand Rounds at the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, which he also visited earlier in the week.

Category: Israel News | Tags: anti-Israel Propaganda, anti-Semitism, Arab-Israeli conflict, Medicine, Operation Protective Edge, Rambam Medical Center

israelandstuffcom | October 3, 2014