Israel News

Contrary to Hamas reports, IDF Officials Insist ‘Advanced’ Tunnel Was New

Despite Hamas reports, newly discovered terrorist tunnel contained vital equipment and has signs it’s been used recently.

By Kobi Finkler, Tova Dvorin

Senior IDF sources confirmed to Arutz Sheva Friday that the Hamas terror tunnel making its way through the media is not only new – contrary to Hamas’s claims – but highly advanced.

Terror tunnel revealed Thursday – IDF Spokesperson’s Unit

“The tunnel exposed this week is the longest and most elaborate revealed to date,” the official stated. “We found tools, generators and additional equipment which indicates that it was being used in the past several days.”

“Hamas,” he continued, “is building these tunnels to kidnap and kill [IDF soldiers], because only then do they think they can get [Israel] to release more [terrorist] prisoners.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Gaza, hamas, IDF, terror tunnel

US & UK urge UN to probe Israeli seizure of Iranian arms ship

Officials at the UN reported that if Klos C arms ship did actually originate in Iran, that would have violated standing UN Security Council sanctions.

By The Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS – The United States and Britain on Thursday called for a UN investigation of Israel’s claim that it intercepted an Iranian shipment of rockets headed for the Gaza Strip.

Dozens of powerful Syrian-made M-302 rockets with range of160KM - Photo courtesy IDF Spokeperson's Unit

IDF seized Dozens of powerful Syrian-made M-302 rockets with range of 160KM – Photo courtesy IDF Spokesperson’s Unit

UN officials have said that if Israel’s claims are true, Iran would be in violation of Security Council sanctions.

US deputy ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo urged the Security Council committee that monitors sanctions against Iran to investigate the incident. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Gaza missiles, hamas, IDF, Iran, Islamic Jihad, Israel, Klos C, UK, UNSC, US

Ya’alon ‘leaked’ the truth so U.S. administration insists on explicit apology

Obama administration official says Minister Ya’alon’s explanation was inadequate & seeks an apology to his counterpart Chuck Hagel for ‘offensive and highly disappointing comments.’

By Chemi Shalev

The Obama administration is insisting on an explicit apology from Israeli Defense Minister Ya’alon and is refusing to make do with his widely-reported conversation on Thursday with Defense Secretary Hagel.

Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon – Photo: Olivier Fitoussi

Contrary to claims that Ya’alon has already apologized, a senior administration official said last night “Minister Ya’alon has not offered an apology to Secretary Hagel or any other member of the U.S. Government for his offensive and highly disappointing comments, which do not reflect the depth of our security cooperation and the enduring relationship between the United States and Israel.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Barack Obama, Chuck Hagel, Israel US, Moshe Ya'alon

Israel Air Force Reveals New Cutting Edge Italian Training Jet

2 M-346 training jets named the “Lavi” were displayed Thursday, as part of lucrative defense industry deal with Italy.

By Kobi Finkler, Ari Yashar

The Israeli Air Force held a ceremony on Thursday to reveal its latest acquisition: two advanced M-346 jet planes from Italy.

M-346 –“Lavi” – Screenshot

Each plane costs an estimated 20 million euros (roughly $27.5 million); the IAF plans to purchase 30 of them. They are capable of speeds of mach 1.15 (roughly 875 miles per hour).

The plane, which is touted as “the integrated training solution for 21st century air forces,” will be used in advanced courses for IAF fighter pilots. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: IAF, Lavi, M-346, training aircraft

IDF discovers Hamas terrorist tunnel near Gaza security fence

Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing, announced they were successful in repairing the tunnel that the IDF exposed several months ago.

By Yoav Zitun, Elior Levy

The IDF discovered a terror tunnel on Thursday near the Gaza Strip border fence, it was cleared for publication. However, Hamas denied the announcement, saying the army found an “old” tunnel.

The terror tunnel that was exposed – Photo: Roee Idan

In a press conference on Thursday evening, Hamas’ military, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, claimed that they were able to fix a tunnel that was exposed several months ago, parts of which were destroyed by the IDF. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Gaza, hamas, Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, tunnels

Israeli Professor says New Big Bang Evidence Supports Bible’s Creationism

Scientists in Israel say Torah believers should be thrilled by latest ‘Big Bang’ evidence that verifies the universe had a starting point.

By Israel Today Staff

This week’s announcement that scientists had finally confirmed the existence of gravitational waves rippling through the universe, thereby bolstering the Big Bang Theory, would presumably be a blow to those who believe in the Bible.

Not so, Professor Nathan Aviezer of Israel’s Bar Ilan University told The Times of Israel.

“Without addressing who or what caused it, the mechanics of the creation process in the Big Bang match the Genesis story perfectly,” Aviezer explained. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Bible

Prime Minister Netanyahu Praises Israel’s Naval Commando Unit

PM Netanyahu praises Israel’s naval commando unit, Shayetet 13 : “You have, & we will continue to provide you with all the advanced equipment, but the most advanced item we have, is you. … On behalf of the entire nation, I salute you.”

By Shlomo Cesana

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated the newest members of the Israeli Navy’s Flotilla 13 commando unit at their graduation ceremony on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shakes hands with a soldier from the Israeli Navy’s commando unit Shayetet 13 – Photo credit: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit

Netanyahu praised the unit for its recent seizure of the Klos C ship, which was carrying weapons from Iran to Gaza.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Israel Navy, Shayetet 13

Danon threatens to bump Netanyahu out as Likud head if he accepts U.S. proposal

Deputy defense minister Danon says White House deal would mean the division of Jerusalem, abandonment of the Jordan Valley, and a return to the pre-67 lines. “We will not agree to a framework that brings us in line with Livni.”

By GIL HOFFMAN, JPOST.COM STAFF

Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon threatened to oust Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu as head of Likud if he makes too many concessions to the Palestinians in the current round of peace talks.

Netanyahu and Danon – Photo: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST

Speaking Thursday in an interview with Army Radio, Danon said that US Secretary of State John Kerry’s yet-to-be publicly released framework agreement can not be accepted by the head of the right-wing faction. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Danny Danon, Likud, Peace Process

Sara & Bibi sued by former employee for millions

The charge claims the former official residence’s superintendent rights were trampled on by PMO, Netanyahus, and that Sara Netanyahu mistreated him.

By Ynetnews

A suit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Prime Minister’s Office has been filed with the Jerusalem District Labor Court by a former body guard and superintendent of the Prime Minister’s Residence who claims he was exploited and mistreated by his high-ranking employer.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with Mrs Sara Netanyahu at Timna Park. - Photo: Avi Ohayon, GPO

The suit, first published by Channel 2, claimed that Meni Naftali was exploited and his rights were trampled on while he was working for the Netanyahus’ official household staff. He is now suing for millions of shekels in compensation. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu, court, PMO, Sara Netanyahu

Lars von Trier’s latest film ‘Nymphomaniac’ too racy for Israel

The Danish director’s latest film hasn’t been purchased for distribution in Israel. Could that be because of the financial risk, the director’s admiration of Hitler, or simply the explicit sex?

Included: Nymphomaniac – official trailer – Viewer Discretion Advised – Sexual Content

By Shany Littman

The first installment of Lars von Trier’s much talked-about “Nymphomaniac,” starring Charlotte Gainsbourg, Stellan Skarsgård and Shia LeBeouf, premieres in the United States this weekend.

Screenshot from Official Trailer

In Israel, however, no release date has been announced, and although von Trier’s previous films have received positive welcomes from Israeli critics and audiences alike, it’s not even known whether “Nymphomaniac” was even picked up for distribution.

Category: Israel News | Tags: film, Israel culture

MK Feiglin Attacked on Temple Mount by Muslim Rioters

MK Feiglin criticizes authorities for ‘weakness’, after the police’s response to Muslim rioting was banning Jews and tourists from the holy site. “It is clear to the Palestinians that violence pays off. Israeli weakness encourages this violence.” observed Feiglin.

By David Lev

Two Arab rioters were arrested Thursday for attempting to attack MK Moshe Feiglin (Likud Beteinu) as he visited the Temple Mount. Hundreds of rioters threw stones at Feiglin and several individuals who accompanied him. Feiglin was forced to leave the site, and police took steps to break up the riot.

Feiglin on Mount (file photo) – Har Habayit Shelanu

As a result of the riot, the Temple Mount was closed Thursday morning to Jews and to tourists. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Arab riots, Moshe Feiglin, Temple Mount

Knesset passes legislation to increase support to Holocaust survivors

The new Bill calls for additional aid from NIS 100 million to NIS 135 million annually to go directly to survivors, with further annual increases.

By LIDAR GRAVÉ-LAZI

The Knesset approved on Wednesday the second and third (final) readings of a bill to amend the Restitution of Holocaust Victims’ Assets Law.

A display showing tattoos at the Holocaust Museum in Wasington, DC – Photo: Reuters

The measure sets the end of the Company for Location and Restitution of Holocaust Victims’ Assets’ operations as December 31, 2017, as opposed to 2021, as previously stipulated in the law.

The new law also calls for an increase in aid to Holocaust survivors from NIS 100 million to NIS 135m.

Category: Israel News | Tags: bill, Holocaust survivors, Knesset

Israel approved 184 new homes for Jerusalem neighborhoods

Additional permits for new Har Homa & Pisgat Zeev homes causes serious distress among Palestinian negotiators involved in talks.

By Reuters

The Jerusalem municipality approved building plans on Wednesday for 184 new homes in two Jewish settlements in the West Bank, drawing anger from Palestinians engaged in faltering statehood talks.

A construction worker working on a new housing unit in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Homa, which the EU considers illegal [Archive] – Photo: AP

A municipality spokeswoman said the local planning committee had approved requests by private contractors who purchased the land years ago for the construction of 144 homes in Har Homa and 40 dwellings in Pisgat Zeev. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Har Homa, Israel settlements, new construction, Peace Process, Pisgat Zeev

New Delhi police detain suspicious man eying Israeli embassy

According to Indian news service, the suspicious man tried running away when approached by Israel’s embassy security personnel.

By Haaretz

New Delhi police detained a 45-year-old man after “he failed to give a proper reason for loitering around the Israel embassy in the national capital’s high security area” on Wednesday, the Indo Asian News Service reported.

Indian forensics experts investigate after a blast tore through a car belonging to the Israel Embassy, in New Delhi, India, Feb. 13, 2012. – Photo: AP

The man, who was spotted outside the embassy around noon, started running after security personnel asked him what he was doing, according to the news service.

Category: Israel News, The Diaspora | Tags: Israel Embassy, Israel India

israelandstuffcom | March 19, 2014