&#8211; UPDATE &#8211; Trump calls to &#8220;fully recognize Israel’s Sovereignty over the Golan Heights.&#8221;

#ApartheidFail: Arab Muslim Explains Why He Joined the IDF

WATCH: Yahya Mahamid learned first hand that Israel was not an apartheid state that oppresses its Arab population and felt he needed to protect and defend his country & home by joining the IDF.

By Israel Today Staff

Yahya Mahamid didn’t come to hate Israel because it’s a racist, apartheid nation, as the Jewish state’s detractors will try to make you believe.

Screen Shot of Jerusalem Post newspaper featuring Yahya Mahamid.

No, Mahamid, as he explains it, was raised to hate Israel.

But, as he grew up, this young man from the lower Galilee town of Umm el Fahm discovered that he’d been lied to, that Israel’s Jewish majority wants to live in peace and coexist with its own Arab population and the Arab states around. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: #ApartheidFail, IDF soldier, Israeli Arab, Muslim Zionists, Yahya Mahamid

israelandstuffcom | March 22, 2019

REPORT: UN places Israel high in U.N. World Happiness Report 2019

Despite dropping 2 places from 2018 report, Israel’s ‘happiness ranking’ has improved overall during past decade, placing higher than Britain, Germany, and the U.S.
• South Sudan, Afghanistan, Central African Republic ranked last.

By Erez Linn

Israelis remain some of the happiest people in the world, according to the U.N. World Happiness Report 2019, published Wednesday.

The latest happiness report ranked Israel the 13^th-happiest country in the world, a slight drop from last year’s report, which placed Israel at No. 11.

Friends enjoying Saturday night dinner & drinks, by the Hatzbani River in northern Israel. – Photo: IsraelandStuff/PP

According to the report, the happiness nation in the world is Finland, followed by Denmark, Norway, Iceland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, New Zealand, Canada, Austria, Australia, Costa Rica, and then Israel. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: World Happiness Report

Israel’s Sheba Medical Center ranks in top 10 “Best Hospitals in the World”

REPORT: “Sheba Medical Center (or Tel HaShomer Hospital) in Tel Aviv is a leader in medical science and biotechnical innovation, both in the Middle East and worldwide….and serves over 1 million patients per year.”

By Arutz Sheva Staff

Newsweek magazine has tabbed Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer as one of the top 10 hospitals in the world, as part of its special “Best Hospitals in the World” edition.

According to Newsweek, “We partnered with Statista Inc., a global market research and consumer data company, to develop a groundbreaking ranking of the world’s best hospitals.”

Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer

“The hospitals on this list are at the forefront of adapting to these new challenges while providing top-notch patient care…The hospitals on our list are all world leaders in health care, but these are the very best – the top 10, according to Newsweek’s panel of doctors, medical professionals and administrators across four continents.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Israel medical, Newsweek, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, top 10

REPORT: Hamas targeted 70+ journalists to silence ‘Gaza Spring’ reports

The number of journalists reporting from Gaza who were arrested, or beaten, or summoned for interrogation by Hamas security forces in the past week, was much higher than the figures published thus far.
– Palestinian journalist: “They beat me with various types of clubs & sticks.”

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH

More than 70 Palestinian journalists have been targeted by Hamas during the recent protests against economic hardship in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said on Thursday.

Mohammed Al-Lahham, as senior official with the syndicate, said during a press conference in Ramallah that Hamas’s actions were tantamount to “crimes.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Gaza Spring, hamas, journalists

Possible US recognition of Israeli sovereignty over Golan next week

– UPDATE – Trump calls to “fully recognize Israel’s Sovereignty over the Golan Heights.”

The historic and politicly significant announcement is likely to be made while PM Netanyahu will be in Washington next week at a meeting with President Trump at the White House, or during his address at the annual AIPAC conference.

By AP and Ynet Staff

Israeli and American officials say they expect an announcement on US recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights as soon as next week, when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Washington. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the information had not yet been made public. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Golan Heights, Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights, Lindsey Graham, Mike Pompeo

Hungary opens first European diplomatic mission in Jerusalem

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony in Jerusalem, PM Netanyahu was proud to say, “This is a very exciting moment for us because it’s the first European diplomatic mission opened in Jerusalem in many decades.”

By JNS and Israel Hayom Staff

Hungary opened a diplomatic trade mission in Jerusalem on Tuesday, demonstrating close ties with Israel and becoming the first European country in decades to do so, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who, along with Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony and unveiled the building’s plaque.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto participated in cutting the ribbon at the entrance of the new Hungarian diplomatic trade mission in Jerusalem.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Israel Hungary, Péter Szijjártó

Israeli Min. Shaked’s political add on ‘Fascism’ gets lost in ‘translation’

The message Ayelet Shaked of Israel’s ‘New Right’ political party’s campaign ad seems to be confusing, and lost to many as a bizarre political clip showing the Minister of Justice seductively holding a bottle of ‘Fascism’ perfume.
– WATCH clip, as it’s going viral, and explained on Newsweek.

By Reuters

An election campaign video starring Israel’s right-wing justice minister spoofs perfume ads to sell her political priorities, but has a strong whiff of muddled message given the fragrance is labeled “Fascism.”

The intended meaning of the ad—three weeks before the elections—is lost on many, especially those who don’t speak Hebrew and just see the word fascism in English, without being able to understand the voice-over. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Ayelet Shaked, Fascism, Israel Politics

REPORT: Two Palestinians neutralized by IDF near Joseph’s Tomb

— UPDATED —

Two Palestinian Arabs in their 20s were killed by IDF gunfire in Nablus after throwing explosive devices at IDF soldiers securing worshipers at Joseph’s Tomb, reported IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.

By Elad Benari

Terrorists threw explosive devices at IDF forces who were securing the entry of worshipers to Joseph’s Tomb in Shechem (Nablus) overnight Tuesday, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said.

Palestinian Terrorist who murdered 2 Israelis at Ariel Junction was killed after heavy firefight with security forces. – Screen Shot: YouTube

The forces responded by opening fire towards the vehicle. In addition, a military engineering vehicle hit the Arab vehicle, killing the two terrorists. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: IDF, Joseph's Tomb, Nablus, report

Israeli jets hit Gaza in response to launched explosive balloons

Holding Hamas responsible for all violent attacks emanating from Gaza, including incendiary balloons launch on civilian communities, Israeli aircraft targeted ‘terrorist cells’ in Gaza on Tuesday.

By i24NEWS

An Israeli aircraft attacked a “terrorist cell” in Gaza which launched incendiary balloons toward Israel on Tuesday.

Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the strikes which were carried out in two rounds in response to the launching of incendiary balloons.

Booby-trapped Incendiary toy drone attached to balloon cluster falls in Israel by the Gaza border. – Photo courtesy: Eshkol Regional Council

The phenomenon of incendiary balloons, or “arson balloons”, became popular after the launch of Gaza’s Great “March of Return” on March 30 last year, causing great damage to Israeli communities adjacent to the Gaza border. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: airstrike, IAF-Gaza, incendiary balloons, March of Return

Book: Kushner’s peace plan has land swaps with Saudi Arabia, Jordan

A newly released book by Vicky Ward details the ‘Deal of the Century’ including an oil pipeline from Saudi Arabia to Gaza with newly constructed refineries, a shipping terminal and desalination plants where the Palestinians could find ample employment and enriched lives.

By AMY SPIRO

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner’s Middle East peace plan at one point included Jordan giving land to the Palestinian territories and in return getting land from Saudi Arabia, according to a new book on the Kushner family.

The book, Kushner, Inc.: Greed. Ambition. Corruption. The Extraordinary Story of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, was written by Vicky Ward and released by St. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Deal of the Century, Jared Kushner, Trump Peace Initiative

israelandstuffcom | March 19, 2019

US & British military experts refute UNHRC ‘war crimes’ report against IDF

Retired British commander, Col. Richard Kemp and retired U.S. Lt. Col. Geoffrey S. Corn accuse U.N. Human Rights Council of promoting false claims against the Israel Defense Forces and warns the UN diplomats & member states that such an erroneous, biased report will further incentivize Hamas’ exploitation of Gaza’s population.

JNS and Israel Hayom Staff

In testimony delivered at the United Nations on Monday morning, retired U.S. Lt. Col. Geoffrey S. Corn and renowned retired British commander Col. Richard Kemp refuted a U.N. Human Rights Council report that accuses Israeli soldiers of “war crimes” and “crimes against humanity” on Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: anti-Israel bias, anti-Israel report, Col. Richard Kemp, Einat Wilf, Geoffrey S. Corn, Joe Truzman, UN bias, UNHRC

israelandstuffcom | March 19, 2019

UNRWA needs $1.2 Billion for another year of covering Palestinian costs

No longer receiving aid from the US, the UN agency that provides food, education & health care exclusively for Palestinian refugees is asking donors to fill in the missing $446 million it lacks.
– President Trump said in January 2018 that Palestinian leaders must return to peace talks if they want to receive US aid money.
– The European Union has replaced the US as leading donor to UNRWA.

By the Associated Press

The head of the UN agency that helps 5.3 million Palestinian refugees on Monday urged donors who filled a $446 million hole in its budget last year after the Trump administration drastically cut the US contribution to be equally generous this year. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: funding cuts, Pierre Krahenbuhl, UNRWA

israelandstuffcom | March 19, 2019

Palestinians trying to establish fifth mosque on Temple Mount

When then-Defense Minister Moshe Dayan yielded operational control over the dilapidated Temple Mount (following the 1967 Six Day War) to Jordan, there was but one mosque, Al-Aqsa. Now Jordan’s Islamic Trust seeks to defy Israeli law and open the 5th mosque, contrary to their own demands on maintaining the status quo.

By Tsvi Sadan

The Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court has ordered the state to immediately shut the Bab el-Rahmastructure that is facing the Golden Gate, or Gate of Mercy. A month ago, the Islamic Trust (Waqf) that oversees the Temple Mount decided to reopen the structure and turn it into yet another mosque, the fifth atop Judaism’s holiest site. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Al Aqsa, Dome of the Rock, Golden Gate, Temple Mount, Wakf

israelandstuffcom | March 18, 2019