Israel News

Thousands escaped Jerusalem During Historic Winter Storm

Israel Railways took the unprecedented step of running trains for the first time into and out of Jerusalem during Shabbat to aid people escape the worst of the storm.

By Ryan Jones

The massive three-day winter storm that slammed Israel over the weekend finally came to an end on Sunday, though its effects were still being felt throughout the country, especially in Jerusalem and the Galilee.

Thousands Fleeing Jerusalem During Massive Winter Storm – Photo source: Israel Today

During the height of the storm, hundreds of people were stranded on the roads leading in and out of Jerusalem, and thousands fled the capital via train. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Israel weather, Shabbat, snow, trains, travel

More pets flying with Israeli owners more frequently than ever before

In 2013, about 37,400 pets flew through Ben Gurion Int’l Airport for reasons of owners’ relocation for diplomatic missions, immigration or university studies etc.

New agreements now allow Israeli pets to travel directly to New Zealand & Australia.

By Israel Hayom Staff

More and more pet owners are choosing to take their furry four-legged family members with them when traveling abroad.

More pets are flying with their Israeli owners more frequently than ever before [illustrative]
– Photo: Reuters

In 2013, about 37,400 pets passed through Ben-Gurion International Airport, marking an upward trend from last year’s 36,500 airborne pets flying into and out of Israel.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Ben Gurion International Airport, pets, travel

Cabinet to discuss Netanyahu’s proposal to purchase plane for PM & President

Finance Minister Lapid objects to PM’s proposal, saying gov’t should demonstrate austerity in times of financial hardship.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

The cabinet will discuss Sunday a proposal by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to purchase a private airplane for official state trips as well as building a new office and official residence for the prime minister.

PM Netanyahu boards a plane – Photo: Baz Ratner/Reuters

Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres are expected to make use of the airplane.

If passed by the cabinet, a public committee will be formed to examine the cost-effectiveness of the proposal.

Finance Minister Yair Lapid expressed objection to the proposal on Sunday morning, saying there is no financial justification to purchasing an airplane and building a new residence. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu, Shimon Peres, Yair Lapid

Knesset Considers Bill That Would Levy Heavy Tax on Anti-Zionism Support

Anti-boycott Bill would put 45% tax on support for involvement of foreign entities that contradict the decisions of the State of Israel.

By Tova Dvorin

An anti-leftist, anti-boycott bill which was discussed under the previous Knesset will come to the fore again Sunday, according to Maariv. The Knesset hearing will be headed by MK Ayelet Shaked (Bayit Yehudi/Jewish Home) and Robert Ilatov (Yisrael Beytenu).

The bill has sparked controversy for imposing a 45% tax on foreign donations to leftist groups. The goal of the bill is to “reduce the involvement of foreign entities within the affairs of the state of Israel.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Ayelet Shaked, Israel boycott, Knesset, Peace Now

IDF Chopper Gets Expectant Mother to Hospital on Time

IDF’s elite search and rescue unit, Unit 669, managed to land a helicopter in a snowbound Shomron community to fly a woman in labor to hospital in time to deliver.

By Arutz Sheva Staff

A woman living in the snowbound hilltop community of Yitzhar in the Shomron (Samaria) phoned the town’s crisis center on Shabbat (Saturday) morning and informed them that she is in labor.

Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
Entered into service in 1994. A transport helicopter which features in rescue and evacuation missions, as well as tactical assault transport actions. Its Hebrew nickname is ‘Yanshuf’ (‘Owl’). – IDF Spokesperson Unit

The community’s medical team was rushed to the house and advised that she be taken to the hospital immediately. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: IDF, IDF Emergency Medical, IDF search & rescue team, snow

Time to acknowledge the truth: Abbas doesn’t aspire to reach any peace deal with Israel

If Israel’s P.M. Netanyahu offered Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas an interim deal, the truth would be revealed — Abbas doesn’t have the will nor the capability to sign any sort of peace agreement with Israel.

By Dan Margalit

The government is operating as if it was a carousel or a roller coaster. What was promised has not been fulfilled and what was decided has not been guaranteed.

President Mahmoud Abbas – Photo: Reuters

Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid and Habayit Hayehudi leader Naftali Bennett will not leave the government, mainly because they are replaceable. There are bench players waiting to take their places on the court. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Peace Process, peace talks

Confirmed: Gazan shot by IDF on border fence

After shots fired, the IDF reported: “A suspect approached the security fence…& was engaged in suspicious activity along the fence.”

By Arutz Sheva staff and AFP

An Arab man from Gaza was wounded by IDF gunfire on Saturday evening after approaching the border fence, sources on both sides said.

A Hamas health ministry official told AFP, without elaborating, that the man was hit east of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza by Israeli tank fire.

Eyewitnesses said Israeli tanks and one bulldozer were near the border at the time.

The army confirmed the incident, with a spokeswoman telling AFP “a suspect approached the security fence in the southern Gaza Strip and was engaged in suspicious activity along the fence.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Gaza border, IDF

Israel’s Legal Rights for Judea & Samaria

For decades, the int’l community has regarded Judea & Samaria as Palestinian territory ‘illegally occupied’ by Israel, but now a group of jurists from Israel & abroad, hundreds in number, are fighting back in the battle for the historic and legal truth.

By Nadav Shragai

If international legitimacy for the settlement enterprise were a horse, one could say that it’s been long out of the barn. Those roaming the halls of power worldwide — from the White House in the era of Barack Obama and John Kerry to the United Nations — have for years regarded the territories of Judea and Samaria as Palestinian territory that is currently under occupation. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Judea and Samaria, Judea and Samaria boycott

Security Points of the Israel-Palestinian Negotiations Come into Focus

After months of secret backroom talks, US & Israel leaders finally provided some clarity this week as to what security solutions they’re trying to achieve and about Abbas’ intransigence.

By HERB KEINON

IDF soldiers detain Palestinian in Jordan Valley, September 20, 2013 Photo: REUTERS

Finally, after some 4-1/2 months of Israeli- Palestinian negotiations, some kind of game plan is beginning to emerge. Finally, some sort of indication about how this is all supposed to work – the logistics of the process, what a number of the key actors (namely the US and the Israelis) are thinking – is coming out into the open. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Jordan, Palestinian Authority, Peace Process, peace talks, security

With storm winding down 35,000 households still without power

Electric Corp workers struggle to access electrical wires as 16 inches of snow in Jerusalem area leaves tens of thousands without electricity.

By Noam (Dabul) Dvir

As snow continues to pile up in Jerusalem and northern mountain tops, tens of thousands of Israeli households are still without power. The Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) said 35,000 households across the country are without power as a result of the tough weather conditions.

Armored carrier in Jerusalem – Photo: Almog Melichi

They include 12,900 in Jerusalem, 7,000 in the north, 2,000 in central and southern Israel and thousands more in the West Bank. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: IDF, IDF Emergency Medical, Israel weather, snow

Following UN request, Jerusalem sends water pumps to Gaza due to flooding

IDF coordinator of Gov’t Activities in Territories authorizes transfer of water pumps to Hamas due to heavy flooding in Gaza.

Israel sets up Joint Command Center for emergency response, with Palestinian security in West Bank.

Yoav Zitun

Israel set up a joint command center with Palestinian security in the West Bank to handle storm-related traffic and electricity problems.

Photo: Reuters

Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories verified a Mekorot transfer of water pumps to the Gaza Strip due to heavy flooding across the strip.

The IDF said on Friday it had opened a crossing with Gaza in response to a UN appeal to let in aid supplies. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: cooperation, Gaza, Israel Gaza

PA President Formally Refuses to Recognize Israel as Jewish State

PA source says Abbas formally refuses to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, and rejects Israeli security presence in ‘Palestine’ along Jordan border.

By AFP and Arutz Sheva Staff

A Palestinian Authority (PA) source on Friday told AFP that PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas formally rejected US proposals for Israel to keep troops in a future Palestinian state along the Jordan border. The source further formally stated Abbas’ position of refusing to recognize Israel as the Jewish state.

Abbas’ rejection of US Secretary of State John Kerry‘s proposals in Ramallah Thursday night came after similar remarks to a public radio station earlier in the night. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: John Kerry, Jordan Valley, Mahmoud Abbas, peace talks

This Summer the Israeli Opera returns to perform at Masada

Polish director Michal Znaniecki, who specializes in open-air productions, brings the Israeli Opera to the Judean desert in its performance of ‘La traviata’ in June 2014.

By Viva Sarah Press

The Israeli Opera is bringing Giuseppe Verdi’s much-loved opera, La traviata, to Masada in June 2014. Conductor Daniel Oren will take the podium as he has done in years past at the Masada International Opera Festival, while Polish director Michal Znaniecki – who specializes in open-air productions—will meld the Paris salon with the Judean Desert.

Aida at Masada: The desert backdrop was perfect for the improbable love story of the Ethiopian princess and the Egyptian army officer.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Israeli culture, Israeli Opera, Masada

israelandstuffcom | December 13, 2013

Kerry’s Secret Report Reveals Plan as ‘Fraud’

Analyst Mark Langfan, uncovers a 1967 USJCoS secret memorandum, clearly demonstrating Kerry’s proposals are a ‘fraud on Israel and the Jews.’

By Ari Yashar, Arutz Sheva Staff

A secret US Joint Chiefs of Staff (USJCoS) Memorandum from 1967 has been uncovered by Arutz Sheva analyst Mark Langfan. Langfan says the report proves that US Secretary of State John Kerry’s current proposed security arrangements are a “military security fraud on Israel and the Jews.”

Kerry is currently in Israel, pushing his proposals for the Jordan Valley which Palestinian Authority (PA) Chief Mahmoud Abbas again rejected on Friday morning. Langfan has revealed in the past that the arrangements are based on the 1967 “Allon Plan,” and are a “death-trap” for Israel. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Allon Plan, John Kerry, Mark Langfan, Peace Process

israelandstuffcom | December 13, 2013