Israel News

Lady Gaga is coming to perform in Israel

Two strikes for the BDS movement: Justin Bieber’s Israeli concert set for May 14th, then Lady Gaga will be here for her show in summer of 2014.

Lady Gaga will arrive in Israel in the summer of 2014 for her second performance in the country, Channel 2 reported.

Pop music superstar Lady Gaga poses next to her look-alike doll called “Gagadoll” during a press conference in Tokyo on December 1, 2013.- Photo: AFP

Israel will be one stop on a tour promoting the release of her new album ARTPOP. She launched off in London and is expected to hit New York City in March and April. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: concert, Israel culture

Israel’s Housing Minister: Jerusalem will Keep Negotiating – and Building

Uri Ariel calls PA Abbas’ threats to leave negotiations if Jerusalem continues more building in Judea and Samaria, “nonsense.”

By Tova Dvorin

Housing Minister Uri Ariel (Jewish Home) revealed Tuesday in an interview with Arutz Sheva Radio that he will keep plans to build over 20,000 housing units in Judea and Samaria on the agenda, calling the Palestinian Authority’s threats to quit negotiations “nonsense.”

“Whoever thinks we should engage in negotiations with them, can engage in negotiations with them,” Ariel stated, “but we will continue to build in Jerusalem – and that’s the way it has to be.”

MK Ariel participated Monday in a joint tour of the Neot Kedumim Nature Reserve with economics and real estate moguls, which included a night tour and lighting a hanukkiah. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Bedouin, housing, PA

IDF’s Gaza Division Commander: Hamas Cooperates with the IDF

The head of the army’s Gaza Division, Gen. Mickey Edelstein, reveled in a Channel 10 interview that Hamas is ‘Gaza’s cop’ – for now.

By Tova Dvorin

Brigadier General Mickey Edelstein, head of the IDF’s Gaza Division, admitted to Channel 10 to a certain degree of cooperation between the IDF and Hamas.

“Hamas is in trouble and now it finds itself isolated,” said Edelstein, in conversation with the Gaza residents released Monday on the television network.

He stressed that “Leaders of Hamas, both the political and military branches, do everything to maintain restraint.” He also claimed that “Hamas soldiers have been prevented from shooting at or mounting charges at the IDF.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Gaza, hamas, IDF, Mickey Edelstein

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Australian FM to United Nations: Stop the Constant Israel Bashing

Australia’s recent abstentions “reflected the gov’t’s concern that Middle East resolutions should be balanced.”

By Israel Today Staff

Australia recently surprised everyone by abstaining on two UN General Assembly resolutions targeting Israel, signaling that the folks “down under” are growing fed up with the world body’s biased approach to the Israeli-Arab conflict.

Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop – Photo: SBS/AAP

Like most other nations, Australia typically votes in favor of the dozens of UN resolutions targeting Israel every year. By the end of the General Assembly’s current session, it will have passed 22 resolutions against Israel, and only four against the rest of the world combined. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Australia, Israel Australia, UN

Israel’s PM Netanyahu chats with Pope Francis I

Netanyahu meets with pontiff at Vatican for 1st time since his ordination in March.

The 2 discuss the Iranian nuclear program, Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, Christians in Israel & the Mideast.

PM expected to invite Pope Francis to Jerusalem.

By ERIC J. LYMAN

VATICAN CITY – Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met with Pope Francis in a 25-minute closed-door meeting Monday, with a host of geo-political and religious issues on the agenda as well as a formal invitation for the pontiff to visit the Holy Land next year.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahy with Pope Francis at the Vatican, December 1, 2013.- Photo: Amos Ben-Gershom/GPO

It was the first time the two leaders met face to face, and they discussed the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, the escalating worries about Iran’s nuclear program, the Syrian civil war, the welfare of Christians in Israel, as well as the pope’s expected visit to Israel.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Binyamin Netanyahu, Pope Francis I, Vatican

1000 Palestinians plan to protest Canadian PM’s appearance at JNF event

JNF-KKL event honoring Canadian PM Harper expected to attract 1,000 strong Palestinian protesters against Israel’s Bedouin resettlement bill.

‘JNF’s trees are soldiers in Zionist army of occupation’ says Palestinian.

By Ofer Petersburg

Canadian police forces are currently preparing for a Palestinian protest against Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper who is expected to participate in a Jewish National Fund of Canada event.

The event is a dinner being held in the prime minister’s honor and the protest is expected to be attract at least 1,000 people. According to the protest’s organizers, the demonstration is being held in wake of the Praver Plan to resettle Bedouins. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Bedouin, Israel Canada, KKL, Palestinian activists, Stephen Harper

Israel’s Prime Minister to meet Pope Francis Monday

Prime Minister Netanyahu lights candles for 5th night of Hanukkah with Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta at Rome synagogue.

By The Associated Press

Prime Minister Benjamin visited the Great Synagogue of Rome on Sunday with his Italian counterpart, Premier Enrico Letta.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Italian Premier Enrico Letta light a candle for Hanukkah at the Great Synagogue of Rome on Dec. 1, 2013.- Photo: AFP

During their visit, Letta said his country’s economic crisis is feeding “the forces of extremism, hatred and intolerance” in Italy.

He pledged, “We will resist always the forces of violence, first verbal then physical, intolerance, xenophobia and racism, and these temptations that are a detriment.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu, Christians and Jews, Europe, European Jews, Israel Italy

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PA Threat #83: Cancel Building Tenders Or Peace Talks Finished

Abbas claims Israel didn’t really cancel the construction tenders for new homes announced several weeks ago, so they are once again threatening to end talks.

By Elad Benari

The Palestinian Authority (PA) is threatening once again to pull out of the peace talks with Israel over its plans to build in Judea and Samaria.

Channel 2 News reported on Sunday that the PA is accusing Israel of not having really cancelled tenders that were issued several weeks ago for 20,000 new homes in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu reprimanded Housing and Construction Minister Uri Ariel over the construction and cancelled it, but the PA is now claiming, according to Channel 2, that the announcement of the tenders appeared as “active” on the Housing Ministry’s website until at least this past Thursday. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Jewish construction, PA, Peace Negotiations, Peace Process, peace talks

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Watch: Australian Peace Activist Shocked to the Core by the Real Israeli-Arab Conflict

Australian peace activist returned to back the ‘Palestinian cause,’ but was shaken by reality & left the Palestinians, convinced the Arabs never really wanted peace.

By Israel Today Staff

Like many people abroad, Darly Johns of Australia was taken in by propaganda that showed dead and wounded Palestinian children, purportedly the victims of heartless Israeli aggression.

Every year, during school and summer camps, Palestinian children are systematically indoctrinated into seeking the death of Jews & the annihilation of Israel.

But when Johns decided to do something about the situation and come volunteer in “Palestine,” she was greeted by a far different reality wherein local Arab children are actually the victims of child abuse from their own society. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News |

Binyamin Netanyahu: I won’t ‘shut up’ when Israel’s interests are at stake

Netanyahu responds to criticism from previous PM on his approach to Iranian deal.

Olmert: Netanyahu has “declared war” on the U.S. by slamming closest ally’s role in brokering interim accord. Olmert continued saying Israel should urge the U.S. to lead efforts on preventing a nuclear Iran.

By HERB KEINON, HENRY ROME

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his predecessor Ehud Olmert battled over Israel’s Iran policy Sunday, with Olmert slamming Netanyahu for “waging war” against the US administration and Netanyahu responding that he would speak out loudly when Israel’s security is at stake.

“As opposed to others, when I see that interests vital to the security of Israel’s citizens are in danger, I will not be quiet,” Netanyahu said in Rome in a clear reference to comments Olmert made earlier in the day. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Binyamin Netanyahu, Ehud Olmert, Israel Politics, P5+1

Kibbutzniks are no longer core of the IDF officer corps

Relatively high enlistment rates for combat duty by Kibbutzniks continue, but it hides a decline for those continuing on into IDF officer corps.

New joint project hopes to overturn recent trend, hoping a return of kibbutz sabras to forefront of IDF command.

By Matan Tzuri

On Sunday morning, nearly 1,200 young kibbutzniks from across the country will hit the road for a bicycle trek in the south. They will ride 160 km (100 mi) on roads and trails in the Negev, as well as a portion of the Israel-Jordan border. The journey will last a week. Its purpose: Create a connection between the kibbutzniks and the IDF, and motivate them to serve in its combat units

High School kids going to Enlistment center (illustration) – Photo: Yaron Brener

Additionally – the organizers of the trek hope – the trip will imbue these young Israelis with the will to return to serve as officers, like in the good old days remembered by the older kibbutzniks. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: IDF, Kibbutz, Kibbutzniks

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Caught on car-cam: Arab terror-Rock Ambush

Jewish victim’s car-cam films young Arab terrorist in the act of throwing a large stone at his car as it drives by.

By Gil Ronen

A Jewish resident of Mahane Yatir, in southern Mount Hevron, was ambushed by a rock-wielding Arab youth Friday as he drove toward the community of Carmel, not far from the Zif Junction.

Rock attack caught on video – Arutz7 Screenshot

The event was caught on video by the man’s car cam. This may be the first time such an attack is caught on video in real time, although rock attacks are common in Judea and Samaria, and have become regular occurences in Jerusalem as well. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Palestinian attack, Palestinian terrorism, rock, stone throwers, terror attack

Fitch financial ratings agency reaffirms Israel’s ‘A’ credit rating

FINANCE

New York city-based int’l credit ratings agency upgrades Israel’s credit outlook from “stable” to “positive”.

Fitch Ratings Inc. reports: Israel’s Gov’t’s “debt management, high domestic & external financing flexibility, are a rating strength.”

By Zeev Klein & News Agencies

The Fitch Ratings Inc. agency on Friday upgraded Israel’s credit outlook to positive and affirmed Israel’s “A” rating — its sixth-highest investment grade. The company cited Israel’s shrinking deficit and debt-cutting efforts as the reason for the revised outlook.

Israel’s outlook positive. Fitch Ratings headquarters in New York – Photo: Reuters

According to Bloomberg, Fitch predicts that Israel’s budget deficit will fall to 3 percent of gross domestic product in 2014 from 3.8% in 2013. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: finance, Fitch Ratings

President Peres: Praver Bill must be carried out

President Peres says plans to resettle Bedouins in Negev must be followed through. ‘Talks must be held with patience, while maintaining law’, Peres claims

By Eyal Lehman

In the aftermath of Saturday’s protests against the Praver Bill, President Shimon Peres said Sunday that the plan to resettle Bedouins in the Negev must be pursued.

President Shimon Peres taking care of buisness – Photo courtesy GPO

“Millions of shekels were invested in this plan and I’m sure the intentions are good. Backing down would mean a step back for the Bedouins as well,” Peres said.

The president, on a visit to Mexico, noted that “one might expect this having great resistance, but the law must be abided and diplomacy utilized… The government does not mean any harm and talks must be held with patience and while maintaining the law.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Bedouin, Negev