— SPECIAL SECURITY REPORT —

Guinness world record made in Tel Aviv for largest Shabbat dinner

Israel: 2,226 people were counted by Guinness, participated at Hangar 11, at the Tel Aviv Port, to set newest world record for largest Shabbat dinner ever.

By LAURA KELLY

Girls in miniskirts and high heels; rabbis in black hats and white Shirts; the revelry of the Gay Pride parade in the background – this is Friday night in Tel Aviv and a Shabbat for the record books.

Tel Aviv hosts shabbat dinner, June 13 Photo: LAURA KELLY

Exactly 2,226 people gathered at Hangar 11 at the Tel Aviv Port to participate in the record making largest Shabbat meal ever, organized by White City Shabbat, the Tel Aviv-based NGO that organizes public shabbat meals once a month at the Goren Synagogue on Modigliani Street, as well as other events geared toward the English-speaking and olim community that include holiday learning classes, chalah baking classes, and religious lectures. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News, Jewish News | Tags: Guinness World Record, Shabbat, Tel Aviv

20 masked Arab stone-throwers attack police on Temple Mount

8 Palestinian Al-Aqsa mosque rioters arrested during clash at Mughrabi Bridge at the end of Friday prayers.

By Omri Efraim

About 20 masked Palestinians hurled stones at police forces at the Mughrabi Bridge at the end of Friday prayers on the Temple Mount.

Archive photo of stone-throwers on the Temple Mount. – Photo: AP

Police forces managed to push the masked men into the Al-Aqsa Mosque, restored calm to the area and the dispersion of the worshippers from the complex continued as normal.

Eight of the stone throwers have been arrested.

Two weeks ago, the Temple Mount was closed for visitors following rioting of masked Palestinians, who were throwing stones at policeman and civilians and barricaded themselves in the Al-Aqsa mosque. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Israel Police, Rock-throwing, Temple Mount

Hijab ban causes protests at East Jerusalem’s Christian schools

Christian schools’ refusal to allow its Muslim students wear a hijab on school grounds has begun to test the institutions’ famed openness.

By Nir Hasson

The church-run schools in East Jerusalem are considered the best schools in that part of the city — some would say in the entire city. Their Christian administrators are proud of the religious tolerance and openness that typifies their institutions, where a majority of the students are Muslim.

Women have made the hijab into a symbol of Islamic feminism and empowerment. – Photo: Reuters

But in recent years, these schools’ adamant refusal to let female students wear a hijab on school grounds has threatened to disrupt this openness.

Category: Israel News | Tags: arab school, East Jerusalem, Education, Islam, Palestinians

Three Jewish Students Kidnapped by Arab Terrorists in Judea

— SPECIAL SECURITY REPORT —

Three Jewish students from a religious kibbutz Kfar Etzion, were kidnapped by Arab terrorists then taken away in their car.

Student cell phone signal located one in Hevron.

By Arutz Sheva Staff

Three students of the Makor Chaim Yeshiva in the religious kibbutz Kfar Etzion were kidnapped by terrorists on Thursday night.

IDF forces conducted an extensive search – IDF Spokesperson Unit

All communication was lost with them as they were on their way home from the yeshiva, located roughly between Jerusalem and Hevron in Judea; security sources say they were taken into a vehicle driven by terrorists that stopped for them as they waited at a hitchhiking post. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: kidnapping, Palestinian terrorism

Incarcerated Islamic Jihad terrorists dug escape tunnel in Shita Prison

After receiving a tip, Israel Prison Service discovers 4 meter-long tunnel in bathroom, then the guards discover fake uniform.

By Raanan Ben-Zur

Security detainees tried to escape Shita Prison in northern Israel by digging a tunnel a four-meter-long tunnel from a cell bathroom. The cell in which the tunnel was found housed Islamic Jihad prisoners – some serving life sentences.

The entrance to the tunnel – Photo: Courtesy of IPS

The search which discovered the tunnel in the security wing of the prison was initiated after the prisoner’s management received information about a potential attack on guards.

During a search of the bathrooms, in one of the cells that house prisoners sentenced to life terms, guards discovered the opening of a tunnel that was hidden with tiles. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Islamic Jihad, Israel Prison Service, Palestinian prisoners

Israel-Rwanda: Historic Trade Pact Signed

Africa pulled closer to Israel as Foreign Minister Liberman improves business ties with his diplomatic sprint through the continent.

By Moshe Cohen

Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman was in the swing of his African diplomatic tour on Wednesday, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with his Rwandan counterpart Louise Mushikiwabo to establish bilateral consultations.

Along with the MoU, Liberman inaugurated the Israel-Rwanda joint economic seminar, which will facilitate business ties between the two nations. The event was held with the participation of 200 business people from Israel and Rwanda.

“I see great importance to investment in Africa, in the humanitarian, economic and political spheres,” said Liberman. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Avigdor Liberman, economic cooperation, Israel Rwanda, Rwanda

Compilation of Falafel Stories: Happy ‘World Falafel Day’!

Israel participates in the annual celebration of the most-loved Middle Eastern treat.

By Haaretz

In addition to being Philippines Independence Day and the start of the World Cup, June 12 also happens to be World Falafel Day.

Gabai’s famous falafel, located on Bograshov Street in central Tel Aviv – Photo: Rotem Maimon

In honor of the day honoring Israel’s national food, we’ve trawled through our archives and found seven must-read articles to help you mark the occasion.

On World Falafel Day, at least, let’s not argue over the origins of the humble dish. Let’s have a ball.

No matter where it originated, falafel is still Israel’s national food

Preparing falafel balls.

Category: Israel News, Mid-East News | Tags: Falafel, Israel culture, Israel food

PA Claims Arab Teens Killed By Live IDF Fire – CCTV Shows Event Was Staged, ‘Pallywood’

Palestinian autopsy alleges live bullet reason for Arab rioters’ death.

IDF maintains only rubber bullets used in clashes.

CCTV video casts doubt on PA claims….SO…who really shot them, and where, since they obviously weren’t shot where the PA suggests?

By Ari Yashar

An autopsy conducted at a Palestinian Authority (PA) institute on one of the two Arab rioters who died during the “Nakba (Catastrophe) Day” clashes on May 15 alleges the rioter was killed by a live bullet.

PA Attorney General Abdel-Ghani Al-A’wewy claimed to Reuters that “a fragment from a live bullet was found inside the body of the martyr,” adding a live bullet “was the only reason for the death.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: anti-Israel Propaganda, Nakba Day, Pallywood

Israeli autistic children display their artwork at the United Nations

Israeli Ambassador to the UN Ron Prossor: We are proud to raise awareness “about disabilities in general and autism in particular”

By Israel Hayom Staff

Alut — the Israeli Society for Autistic Children — and the Israeli delegation to the United Nations hosted on Tuesday an exhibit of artwork by autistic Israeli children.

One of the paintings on display

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Ron Prossor and El Al captain Dubi Ofer — the father of autistic twins — also participated.

“We are proud that year after year, we are promoting worldwide awareness about disabilities in general and autism in particular,” Prossor said.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Ron Prossor, UN

Palestinian killed in Israel’s retaliatory air strike in Gaza after rocket fired earlier

IDF says Air Force strike was a joint operation with Shin Bet, targeting terrorist cell planning future rocket attacks against southern Israel.

By Roi Kais, Yoav Zitun

The Israeli Air Force attacked a terror target in Sudaniya in the northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday night, Palestinian sources said. According to the Palestinians, one person was killed and two others were wounded in the strike, one critically.

the terrorist who was killed in the strike.

The IDF said the strike was a joint operation with the Shin Bet, and that the targets were “global jihad-affiliated terrorists” who were planning attacks against Israel. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: air strike, Gaza attack, IAF strike, Shin Bet

israelandstuffcom | June 11, 2014

Civil Marriage Bill Rejected in Israel’s Knesset

Civil marriage bill falls hard in landslide vote; Israel’s PM Binyamin Netanyahu attends to personally place his opposing vote.

By Hezki Ezra

The Knesset rejected Labor Mk Stav Shafir’s Civil Marriage bill Wednesday, which lost to a landslide vote of 19 for and 52 against.

Both Yesh Atid and Likud wholeheartedly rejected the civil marriage bill; surprisingly, even many members of Justice Minister Tzipi Livni’s left-leaning HaTnua party also abstained from voting. In addition, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu himself entered the voting hall to cast his opposing vote.

Shafir was reportedly shocked at the outcome, accusing several MKs and Ministers – specifically Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, Culture Minister Limor Livnat (Likud), and Finance Minister Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) of reneging on promises to support the civil marriage bill. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Jewish Culture, Knesset

israelandstuffcom | June 10, 2014

Radical Jews fight for status quo at holy Jerusalem site

Likud MK Feiglin, along with some 30 religious Jews, came to pray at the Cenacle or ‘Upper Room’ over David’s Tomb on Mount Zion, where they caused a furor.

By AFP

Several dozen radical Jews gathered Monday at the Jerusalem site known as the Cenacle to protest against Christian pilgrims praying there for Pentecost, a police spokeswoman said.

Photo: AFP

“Around 30 Jewish faithful gathered to pray in the presence of (rightwing Likud) MK Moshe Feiglin,” Luba Samri told AFP.

The Cenacle, or Upper Room, on Mount Zion is in a two-storey building considered holy to both Christians and Jews, who regard it as the place where the biblical figure David was buried. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Catholic Church, David's Tomb, Pope's visit, Vatican

israelandstuffcom | June 10, 2014

U.S. senators question additional aid to Israel as Jerusalem cuts its military budget

The U.S. allocates $3.1 billion in military projects a year for Israel, not including special assistance for specific programs like the Iron Dome.

By Amos Harel

The debate over the size of the Israeli defense budget has reached the U.S. Senate too. In a committee session held at the beginning of June, senators raised, for the first time, the question of whether the United States needs to continue granting such a large amount of military aid to Israel.

An Iron Dome missile responding to a rocket launch from the Gaza Strip.
Senators debate $175 million in aid for missile defense system.-

Category: Israel News | Tags: IDF, Israel US, Military Aid, U.S. Senate

israelandstuffcom | June 10, 2014