Archive for Israel News

| March 19, 2014
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Netanyahu approves Defense budget which includes possible Iran strike funds

After Netanyahu orders IDF to continue preparing possible strike on Iran as Ministry of Defense allocates budget for preparations to deal with Iranian nuclear facilities

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon have instructed the army to continue preparations for a possible military operation in Iran, Israeli daily Haaretz reported Wednesday.

 

PM Benjamin Netanyahu with Défense Minister Moshe Ya'alon at 'Eilat press conference on 10 March 2014 - Photo: Jack Guez/AFP

PM Benjamin Netanyahu with Défense Minister Moshe Ya’alon at ‘Eilat press conference on 10 March 2014

According to information leaked from hearings on Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) financial planning for 2014, 10 to 12 billion NIS of the IDF’s annual budget are to be allocated to the preparations, similar to last year’s sum.

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| March 19, 2014
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What a great year for Israel! PM presents govt’s accomplishments for 2013

 

Israel’s growth in 2013 among highest in the West: 3.3% compared to OECD average of 1.2%.
Unemployment among the lowest worldwide, at 6.2% compared to OECD average of 8%.
National deficit shrunk from 3.9% to 3.2%.
Growth in GDP per capita twice that of other developed countries.

By Shlomo Cesana

 

In the year since the new government was formed, Israel has invested in connecting its southern and northern regions with the population-dense center, put an end to illegal migration from the southern border and performed well economically, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the Negev Conference in Sderot on Tuesday.

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| March 19, 2014
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Israeli Jets Strike Syria – Killing 1, Wounding 7

—- SPECIAL SECURITY REPORT —-

Syria’s armed forces confirms Israeli airstrike that targeted 3 sites near Qunaitra, warning Israel against endangering region stability.

By REUTERS
 

 

Israeli air strikes on Wednesday against Syrian military sites near the Golan Heights killed one person and wounded seven others, Syria’s armed forces said, warning that the attacks endangered stability in the region.

IAF's F-16 'Fighting Falcon'- Photo courtesy IDF Spokesperson Unit

IAF’s F-16 ‘Fighting Falcon’- Photo courtesy IDF Spokesperson Unit

An armed forces statement said the strikes targeted three sites near the town of Qunaitra.

It is periodically necessary for Israel to take “aggressive action” so that the quiet in the north will be maintained, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Wednesday just hours after the IAF hit targets in Syria in response to Tuesday’s attack on an IDF jeep on the Golan Heights. Continue Reading »

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| March 19, 2014
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Assad Definitely Behind Blitz of Terrorism on Israel’s Northern Borders

With 4 violent terrorist events on the borders with Lebanon & Syria in just a month, it is no longer an exaggeration to speak of a resurgent northern front, reminiscence of the 1980s-90s.

By  

 

After four violent incidents on the borders with Syria and Lebanon since the beginning of the month, it is no longer an exaggeration to speak of a resurgent northern front. The wounding of four paratroopers on the Golan on Tuesday was preceded by rockets on Mount Hermon from Syrian territory, the planting of an explosive device on the Golan (which was neutralized) and the explosion of another device aimed at an Israel Defense Forces convoy on Mount Dov last Friday.

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| March 19, 2014
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Arab Terrorist Shot Dead by IDF While Breaching Security Fence

19 yr-old reported by IDF as being killed by gunfire while sabotaging security fence with 2 others near Hevron in Judea.

By Ari Yashar

 

IDF soldiers reportedly shot and killed a local Arab resident near Hevron on Wednesday, as he attempted to breach Israel’s security fence with two accomplices.

“Earlier today three suspects sabotaged the security fence in Deir al-Asal al-Tahta, southwest of Hevron,” an IDF spokeswoman told AFP. After the three ignored soldiers’ warnings to leave, as well as warning shots in the air, soldiers “fired towards the lower extremities of the main instigator.”

The man was evacuated to the Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva in critical condition, but died of his wounds shortly thereafter. Continue Reading »

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| March 19, 2014
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25,000 runners to participate Friday in annual Int’l Jerusalem Marathon

The 4th Int’l Jerusalem Marathon is set for this Friday with 25,000 runners from 54 countries are expected to take part in one of several tracks.

The 800-meter social race, the International Jerusalem ”Winner” Marathon, supports the needy.

By Yori Yalon

 

Runners from all over the world are expected to take part this Friday in the fourth International Jerusalem Marathon. Some 25,000 runners from 54 countries are expected for the 2014 marathon in one of several tracks: full marathon, half marathon (which Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat will run), a 10-kilometer race and 5-kilometer race.

Runners pass the Tower of David during the second annual Jerusalem marathon, 2012 [Archive] – Photo: AP

In addition, 6,000 participants, including non-profit organizations, celebrities, public figures, families and children will run in support of Jerusalem’s needy in the 800-meter social race, known as the International Jerusalem ”Winner” Marathon.

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| March 18, 2014
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Hezbollah: Golan Attack on IDF Jeep was Kidnapping Attempt

A Hezbollah sources reported that the explosion on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights Tuesday that injured 4 IDF soldiers was a failed kidnapping attempt.

By Uzi Baruch

 

Hezbollah sources said Tuesday that an explosion on the Golan Heights that injured four IDF soldiers had been an attempt to kidnap soldiers. The kidnapping attempt was reported by Al-Manar television, a Lebanese news outlet associated with Hezbollah. The reported quoted Hezbollah sources as saying that although the attempt failed “this time, we are sure we will succeed in the near future.”

Reports said that the IDF was investigating whether the soldiers were injured when they got out of the jeep. Continue Reading »

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| March 18, 2014
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Israel to invest $60 million in 4 Golan Druze towns over 4 years

 

 

The Israeli government is planning to increase aid to the Druze communities of the Golan Heights with a huge investment plan spanning four years.

View of Druze village Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights - Photo: Wilson44691/Wikimedia Commons

View of Druze village Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights – Photo: Wilson44691/Wikimedia Commons

According to Haaretz, the government will spend NIS209.4 million ($59.8 million) between 2014 and 2017, with some NIS80 million going to transportation infrastructure, NIS54 million going to education and NIS12 million being invested in tourism development.

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Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| March 18, 2014
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Israel’s Navy & Palestinians exchange short gunfire on Gaza coast

 

Israeli Navy received gunfire from beach while intercepting small boat attempting to make its way from Gaza toward Egypt.

No one reported wounded in incident.

By Lilach Shoval and Israel Hayom Staff

 

Israeli naval forces exchanged gunfire with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip early Monday morning after the navy prevented a boat from leaving for Egypt.

The Israeli Navy detected a small boat attempting to make its way to Egypt early Monday morning and forced it back to the Gaza Strip. Following protocol, the soldiers opened fire at it. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the target was hit.

Palestinians then opened fire at the IDF force from the beach.

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| March 18, 2014
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Chief Israeli negotiator: J’lem may not carry out 4th Palestinian prisoner release

Israel’s Chief negotiator in the ongoing peace process Tzipi Livni reminded Abbas’ PA that there was “never any automatic commitment to release prisoners” without a peace deal.

By REUTERS

 

JERUSALEM – Israel told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday it might not carry out a final stage of a Palestinian prisoner release unless he commits to prolonging peace talks beyond a US-set April deadline for a deal.

Justice Minister Tzipi Livni

Justice Minister Tzipi Livni – Photo: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post

Israel’s chief negotiator, Tzipi Livni, issued the warning just a day after Abbas, at a White House meeting with US President Barack Obama aimed at keeping the talks alive, voiced hope the prisoners would go free by March 29. Continue Reading »

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| March 18, 2014
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4 IDF soldiers hurt by blast on Israel-Syrian border

 

 

Four Israeli soldiers were wounded Tuesday after an explosive device was detonated on their patrol along the Syrian border, near the Druze village of Majdal Shams.

File picture shows Israeli soldiers in a training field in the Golan Heights, next to the Israeli-Syrian border ( Jack Guez (AFP/File) )

Israel responded to the explosion with artillery fire on the Syrian city of Quneitra, where the assailants were believed to have hailed from and air force jets have reportedly been circling over the northern Golan Heights.

The army also instructed local farmers to evacuate the area and all construction works on the Syrian border fence have been temporarily halted.

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| March 18, 2014
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Israel’s Defense Minister: ‘We can’t rely on U.S. against Iran’s nuclear program’

 

Criticizing Washington & Europe for their soft stance on Iran, Israel’s defense minister admits ‘Weakness certainly does not pay in the world… I hope the United States will come to its senses.’

By The Associated Press

 

Israel cannot depend on the United States to lead any action against Iran’s nuclear program and can only rely on itself, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said Tuesday.

Ya'alon: Israel can't rely on US on Iran (Photo: Ido Erez)

Ya’alon: Israel can’t rely on US on Iran – Photo: Ido Erez

The comments came as world powers and Iran sat down to start a new round of talks over Iran’s contested nuclear program.

The West fears the program could be used to make a nuclear weapon and seeks to scale it back. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| March 18, 2014
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Court criticizes Knesset for neglecting to regulate ritual circumcision

An Ashkelon judge lambastes Israel’s parliament for continually failing to manage this problem in its ruling acquitting 2 men of performing a circumcision without licenses.

By
 

An Israeli court slammed the Knesset on Thursday for failing to enact legislation regulating circumcision, saying it should have done so long ago.

A mohel is surround by other rabbis and relatives as he holds a boy at his circumcision. Photo by AP

A mohel is surround by other rabbis and relatives as he holds a boy at his circumcision. – Photo: AP

Ashkelon Magistrate’s Court Judge Haim Nachmias issued the rare criticism in his verdict acquitting two mohels, or “ritual circumcisers,” on charges of negligence.

“The legislators would be wise to regulate the profession of performing circumcisions, and the supervision of those performing this religious commandment, through legislation,” he wrote.

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| March 18, 2014
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Bennett: No Israeli-Arabs in Final Prisoner Batch if it Even Happens

Jewish Home chief requests that the Cabinet discuss cancelling the 4th planned prisoner release of convicted terrorist murderers altogether, since the ‘gesture’ is for naught.

By Gil Ronen

 

Minister of Economics and Naftali Bennett, who heads the Bayit Yehudi party and is a member of the Diplomacy and Security Cabinet, made clear Tuesday that no Arab-Israelis will be included in the last batch of terrorist murderers being released at the end of the month, as part of a “gesture” toward the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Speaking on IDF Radio, Bennett called for a discussion to be held in the Cabinet as soon as possible, regarding the idea of cancelling the fourth tranche in the terrorist release altogether, and citing recent statements by PA chairman Mhmoud Abbas (“Abu Mazen”) as proof that there is no point in carrying out any more releases. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| March 18, 2014
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PA’s Erekat: Israel Must Choose – Peace or ‘Settlements’

Chief negotiator for the PA again blames Israel for the lack of progress in peace talks, says negotiations don’t need to be extended.

By Elad Benari

 

The chief Palestinian Authority (PA) negotiator, Saeb Erekat, on Monday once again blamed Israel for the lack of progress in peace talks, saying that the Israelis must choose between “settlements” and peace.

Speaking with reporters following PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’s meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama, Erekat accused Israel of having built more than 10,000 homes in Judea and Samaria since the negotiations began last July.

“Is this progress?” Erekat said, according to The Associated Press (AP). Continue Reading »

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