Israel News

For 1st time, IDF published data of pensions being paid

Revealing retirement benefits data for 1st time, IDF is paying out 6.8 billion shekels in 2014 to some 35,000 retirees, with ex-combat soldier, 82, leading pension payments at 63,000 shekels per month.

In response to a request from Haaretz, the Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson’s Office has published a list revealing the highest pensions being paid to former army personnel. Topping the list is an 82-year-old former combat soldier who receives some 63,000 shekels per month.

IDF Chief of Staff Gantz oversees a military drill. – Photo by IDF Spokesperson’s Unit

The army is expected to pay some 6.8 billion shekels to about 35,000 retirees (the army censor does not allow publication of the exact number) in 2014.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Buisness, IDF, Israel economy

Terror victims protests against pending prisoner release

A demonstrator at vigil in front of PM’s Residence remarks, “I feel like not only have we betrayed our own values, but we’ve betrayed our country.”

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD

“We are here to send a very simple message: Those who have murdered shouldn’t see the light of day,” said Elichai Ben-Yishai, the brother of Ruth Fogel, who was brutally murdered in her home with her husband and three children in 2011’s so-called “Itamar massacre.”

‘Stop the release of terrorists’, activists’s signs say at vigil outside PM’s residence in Jerusalem, March 23 – Photo: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST

“This should be acceptable and understandable logic to any reasonable person,” he added, with rage and sorrow inflaming his eyes.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Palestinian prisoners, protesters

PA chief negotiator Erekat claims Netanyahu prioritized settlements over peace

Palestinian negotiator Erekat misdirects from Palestinian intransigence by blaming Israel for settlement construction and ‘systematic’ attacks on Al-Aqsa mosque, as deadline approaches.

By Ynetnews

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat claims Israel values settlement expansion over peace negotiations, in comments made after Israel announced additional settlement construction and a report said the US fears talks are failing.

Israeli negotiator Livni, Palestinian negotiator Erekat – Photo: EPA/Archive

Erekat made his remarks during separate meetings with visiting Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn and with UN envoy Robert Serry and US peace envoy Martin Indyk, Ma’an reported.

Israel has progressed with plans for roughly 2,500 new homes in six West Bank settlements, an official confirmed Thursday, in a move many agree will likely further endanger peace talks. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: new construction, Peace Negotiations, Saeb Erekat

Bibi says Iran is no laughing matter on Israeli comedy show

Comedy hosts sting Netanyahu on housing reform, settlements, and Iran’s nuclear program. The latter prompted a stern response.

By Haaretz

A relaxed Benjamin Netanyahu appeared Sunday evening on the hit comedy show “Matsav Hauma” (“State of the Nation”) jousting with the hosts on topics ranging from Israeli politics to the Iranian threat and reiterating his stance on negotiations with the Palestinians.

Netanyahu in ‘Matsav Hauma.’ – Photo: Niv Eshet Cohen

“The right wing says you can’t talk to [Palestinian President Mahmoud] Abbas,” said host Merav Galili. “Maybe without the ruckus of the tractors building settlements you could hear him better?”

Category: Israel News | Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu, Iran nuclear, Iran threat, Israel Iran, Mahmoud Abbas, Middle East peace, TV Show

2 Border Guard officers at Rachel’s Tomb wounded by Arab attackers

Police forces were pelted with stones, IEDs & Molotov cocktails in riot near Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem, with 2 policemen sustaining light to moderate injuries.

By Yoav Zitun

Two Border Guard officers were injured after being pelted by stones thrown at the force near Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem, only a day after an IDF raid left three Palestinian terrorists dead in Jenin.

Forces being treated – Photo: Courtesy of Rachel Our Mother organization

The two soldiers sustained light to moderate injuries and were evacuated to the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem.

Israeli police spokesperson Luba al-Samri was quoted by Palestinian news agency Ma’an say saying that Palestinian youths threw “improvised explosive devices” and Molotov cocktails towards members of the Border Guard in the Aida refugee camp north of Bethlehem, but the soldiers reportedly sustained their injuries from stones thrown at them from rooftops. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Arab riots, MAGAV, Rachel's Tomb, Rock-throwing

Chechnyan President opens new $10m mosque in Israel

At inauguration of new mosque, Mayor of Arab Israeli town of Abu Ghosh, outside of Jerusalem, tells president of Chechnya that some of the villagers can trace their ancestry to 16th century Chechnya & the Caucas region.

By The Associated Press and Nir Hasson

The president of Russia’s republic of Chechnya has inaugurated a new, $10 million mosque in an Arab village in Israel.

Residents of the Arab Israeli town of Abu Ghosh wave the Chechen flag during the dedication ceremony the new Akhmad Kadyrov mosque, on March 23 2014.- Photo: AFP

Ramzan Kadyrov said on Sunday that it was an honor to visit “this good and holy land” during a stop in the village of Abu Ghosh.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Abu Ghosh, Chechnya, Israeli Arabs, Mosque

Israel’s PM Praises Nahal Hareidi Unit for Gallantry

Prime Minister Netanyahu complimented the hareidi infantry unit for its role in the eliminating someone who endangered Israeli citizens.

By Gil Ronen

Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu paid compliments Sunday to the Nahal Hareidi battalion – the infantry unit that was created especially for hareidi soldiers, and which adheres to stricter codes of kashrut and separation of the sexes than other units.

The hareidi infantry unit played a role in the elimination of Hamza Abu Alheja and two other terrorists in Jenin.

“Over the weekend our forces struck at a terrorist who had organized attacks on Israelis and was also planning attacks on innocent civilians,” said Netanyahu at the start of Sunday’s Cabinet session. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: hareidi, Nahal Hareidi Unit, Shin Bet, terrorists killed, Yamam

IDF on High Alert After Deadly Jenin Anti-Terrorist Operation

Israel’s Special Forces cornering wanted Hamas leader in Jenin, resulting in his death along with 2 others, may facilitate more Palestinian violence.

By Tommy Mueller

Israeli security forces killed three Palestinian terrorists during gun battles in the northern Samaria town of Jenin early Saturday morning. Among the dead was the objective of the raid, Hamza Abu al-Hija (22), one of the most wanted terrorist leaders in the so-called “West Bank.”

High Alert After Deadly Anti-Terror Raid

Another ‘Pallywood Photo’ where a clean undamaged prop is placed on top of the rubble for convenient photo opportunity.

Around 15,000 people attended the weekend funeral for the three young men. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Hamas terrorist, Islamic Jihad, Jenin, Yamam

White House not appeased by Yaalon clarification, expect formal apology

White House blasts Turkey for limits on Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Speech yet condemns Israel’s Defense Minister for his professional opinion on US policies & weaknesses.

By JTA

WASHINGTON — A statement from Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon clarifying his attack on U.S. foreign policy did not appease the Obama administration.

US State Department Spokeswoman Jen Psaki. - YouTube Screenshot

Freedom of Speech concerns are in the US State Department Spokeswoman Jen Psaki’s opening comments and Israeli issues are at the 15:00 to 26:00 mark. – Photo: YouTube Screenshot

“We are disappointed with the lack of an apology from Defense Minister Yaalon’s comments,” Jen Psaki, the State Department spokeswoman, said Friday.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Freedom of Speech, Moshe Ya'alon, US State Department

Court Convicts Arab Knesset Member from Hadash of Assault

Arab MK Mohammed Barakeh was found guilty in Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court of beating someone at left-wing protest 8 years ago, with 3 other charges dropped.

By Golad Morag

Hadash MK Mohammed Barakeh was found guilty Sunday of attacking a person at a left-wing protest in Tel Aviv eight years ago. According to the charges, Barakeh approached a person who was documenting the protest, elbowed him in the ribs and punched him.

Mohammed Barakeh MK, February 28, 2006 – Photo: Haaretz Archive

Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court overturned other charges, including an attack on an IDF soldier in the central West Bank village of Bil’in; two other charges have also been dropped over the years. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Arab MK, Magistrate’s Court, Palestinian violence

Israel contracts journalist to film Pope’s visit to Israel for tourism promotion

The Portuguese born reporter says he’ll film the documentary to foster good relations between the Pope, the Jewish people & Israel.

By Nati Tucker

The Tourism Ministry is paying 215,000 shekels ($61,800) to a Portugal-born, Israel-based journalist for 14 filmed news reports on Pope Francis’ visit to Israel in May. The ministry plans to use the footage to promote tourism to the country.

Pope Francis and President Shimon Peres exchange greetings during a private meeting at the Vatican, April 30, 2013.- Photo: Reuters

The reports by journalist Henrique Cymerman will be broadcast on Catholic-oriented television stations and websites around the world.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Buisness, Christians and Jews, Israel economy, Israel tourism

Report Suggests US May Offer to Release Pollard

White House looking for ‘creative solutions’, as Kerry ‘very concerned’ that talks between Israel and PA could break down altogether.

By Yaakov Levi

American officials are very concerned that the talks between Israel and Palestinian Authority could break down totally. The two sides are deadlocked, and no progress has been made for weeks, the officials were quoted as saying by Israel Radio – and the administration of President Barack Obama is feverishly trying to come up with a formula that will keep both sides talking.

John Kerry and Mahmoud Abbas meet in Paris, February 2014 – Reuters

The talks, which began last summer, were supposed to have concluded at the beginning of April with a framework for negotiations, to be written by Secretary of State John Kerry. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: John Kerry, Mahmoud Abbas

Israel Counter-terrorism helmet-cam shows soldiers in Jenin kill Hamas terrorist

Watch: Helmet-cam video documenting the raid, shows the YAMAM forces storm the building where 22 yr-old Hamza Abu Al-Haija was hiding, & the fire exchange he initiated that led to his death.

By Yoav Zitun

Police counter-terrorism (Yamam) fighters killed three Palestinians in Jenin overnight, among them 22-year-old Hamza Abu Al-Haija, the son of a senior Hamas official in the West Bank. The Yamam found an M-16 assault-rifle on Al-Haija, a Hamas man himself. Mahmoud Abu Zina, from the Islamic Jihad’s military wing, was also among the dead. During the overnight raid, two Yamam fighters were lightly injured.

Bodies of three Palestinians killed in the operation – Photo: AFP

The video, filmed with a Go-Pro camera, shows the incident unfolding. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Hamas terrorist, Islamic Jihad, Jenin, Yamam

israelandstuffcom | March 22, 2014

UN’s Falk Continues to Accuse Israel of Ethnic Cleansing

Richard Falk, the UN’s so called “human rights expert”, is again accusing Israel of a campaign of ethnic cleansing & apartheid practices against Arabs.

By Elad Benari, Canada

Days before he is to step down from his position, Richard Falk, the UN’s “human rights expert” who probes Israel’s conduct towards Palestinian Arabs, on Friday accused the Jewish state of a campaign of ethnic cleansing and apartheid policies.

Richard Falk addresses a news conference on March 21, 2014 – Reuters

“The realities on the ground are worsening from the point of view of both international law and from the point of view of the Palestinian people,” Falk told reporters, according to AFP. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Apartheid, ethnic cleansing, Gaza, Judea and Samaria, Richard Falk, UN

israelandstuffcom | March 21, 2014