Israel News

Court Convicts Sheikh Raed Salah of ‘Blood Libel’, Inciting Violence

Sheikh Salah, who was on the deadly Mavi Marmara flotilla, used the defense that he accused Catholics, not Jews, of eating children’s blood in their bread.

By Maayana Miskin

The Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court has convicted Sheikh Raed Salah of incitement. Salah, who heads the northern branch of the extremist Islamic Movement, currently faces other charges of incitement, as well.

The conviction relates to a speech Salah made in Jerusalem on February 16, 2007. Speaking to a crowd in the Wadi Joz neighborhood, Salah said that children’s blood has never been used to prepare the food eaten at meals to break the Ramadan fast. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: blood libel, Courts, incitement to violence, Islamic Movement, Sheikh Raed Salah

Israel Expected to Face Water Surplus This Winter

Israel’s high-tech desalination plants are switched to low output, and the Sea of Galilee’s dam already opened amid optimistic predictions of healthy winter rainfall.

By Israel Today Staff

Earlier this year, following a winter of good rainfall, Israel’s Water Authority declared that the crippling seven-year drought had come to an end. Nevertheless, officials continued to caution water conservation. Now, it would appear Israel might have too much water.

After Drought, Israel Faces Water Surplus

With another winter of predicted average-to-good rainfall ahead, Water Authority officials believe the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) could overfill.

So concerned are they by this possibility that two weeks ago the Water Authority tested the Degania Dam that sends water from the Kinneret into the Jordan River. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Water Authority, Water conservation

Habayit Hayehudi MK attacked with firebombs on way home to Hebron

MK Orit Struck reported the bus she was on from Jerusalem to Hebron on Monday night, was hit by 5 firebombs thrown by group of PA Arabs.

MK Struck: IDF must admit terrorism is on the rise in Judea & Samaria.

By Gideon Allon and Israel Hayom Staff

Habayit Hayehudi MK Orit Struck had a frightening experience on Monday night when firebombs were thrown at the bus she was traveling on from Jerusalem to her home in Hebron.

A Palestinian prepares to throw a firebomb [Illustrative] – Photo: Reuters

Struck said that five firebombs thrown by a group of Arabs hit Bus No.

Category: Israel News | Tags: firebomb, Palestinian attack, Palestinian terrorism

Liberman to be Foreign Minister next week

Netanyahu congratulates Yisrael Beytenu leader on acquittal.

By LAHAV HARKOV

Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman will be made foreign minister again next week, Knesset sources said after his acquittal from corruption Wednesday.

Avigdor Liberman – Photo: Marc Israel-Sellem/The Jerusalem Post

Liberman was expected to return to the job he held in the last Knesset, Foreign Minister, as soon as Monday, when he is set to be will be sworn in as a minister in the Knesset.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu welcomed Liberman back to the government, with other ministers following suit.

“I congratulate you on your unanimous acquittal and am glad you are returning to the Government of Israel so we can continue to work together for the good of the people of Israel,” Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Avigdor Liberman, court

Performers Defy BDS Boycotters & Will Perform in Israel

More & more singers scheduled to appear in Tel Aviv for 1st-time performances in Israel.

Unlike those in previous years, performers refuse to be intimidated or threatened by BDS activists.

By Tova Dvorin

Several pop stars have reportedly planned for Tel Aviv tour stops in the upcoming year, in a clear failure for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement – a network of anti-Israel extremists who have been pushing celebrities to boycott the Jewish state.

Justin Timberlake – Reuters

Among the planned appearances include Julio Iglesias, set to play in Tel Aviv on November 24; Cyndi Lauper, on January 4, 2014; and Justin Timberlake in May 2014. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: BDS, music

Clerics unite to stop attacks at religious sites in Jerusalem

Lately there’s been an increase in vandalism & politically motivated attacks on places holy to Christians, Muslims & Jews.

Clerics & others involved in religious dialogue in Israel want to cooperate to try to stop all attacks on holy places.

By LINDA GRADSTEIN/THE MEDIA LINE

In less than one square mile in Jerusalem’s old city are holy places central to the world’s three monotheistic religions. The Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site, is just below the Aksa Mosque, venerated in Islam. Nearby is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Christians believe Jesus was buried.

Palestinian protesters react during clashes on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s old city.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Jerusalem, religion

Local elections completed with 3rd female mayor elected

2nd round of municipal elections completed in 38 communities.

3rd female mayor is elected: Yaela Maklis to replace Yosef Ben David in Yehud-Monosson

Braverman to take office in Petah Tikva, Fadalon in Herzliya & Meron in Afula.

By Itay Blumenthal

The Israeli municipal elections came to an end as 38 communities took part in a second round of elections on Tuesday. The voter stations opened at noon and closed at 10 pm. The Interior Ministry reported a 50.90% voter turnout. No unusual incidents were reported, apart for claims regarding particular counterfeited ballots in Petah Tikva.

Yehud-Monosson’s new mayor: Yaela Maklis – Photo: Motti Kimchi

The Interior Ministry released the final results early Wednesday morning, and announced a victory for Itzhak Braverman in Petah Tikva with 57.7% of the votes, Moshe Fadalon in Herzliya (61.3%) and Hai Adiv in Hod HaSharon (62.5%). Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Israel election

Muslim Doctor: Israel is an Inspiration to the Islamic World

Dr. Ahmed is a Muslim physician, author, & a British citizen. In a recent exclusive interview with United With Israel, she called Israel’s achievements in women’s & minority rights an inspiration to the Muslim world.

By: Rachel Avraham

Qanta Ahmed is a physician, a Muslim of Pakistani origin, a British citizen and the author of “In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor’s Journey in Saudi Arabia.” Ahmed told United With Israel that she has traveled virtually everywhere in the Middle East, and has found no other country in the region with the same “level of freedom and integration.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Tikon Olam

Israel’s Former FM Avigdor Lieberman Receives Unanimous Acquittal

Unanimous verdict allows Lieberman, who was accused of fraud, to now return to the gov’t and serve as a minister.

State’s Attorney may appeal acquittal.

By Gil Ronen

A three-judge panel unanimously acquitted former foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman of the charges against him Wednesday morning. The verdict means he can return to serve as foreign minister but the state is expected to appeal it.

“Seventeen years are over, it’s behind me,” Lieberman told reporters after the verdict. “I want to thank my family and friends who truly stood by me in all of those 17 years and gave me the support. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Avigdor Lieberman, Courts

After Gaza ‘mega-tunnel’, UN ends Gaza projects due to building materials ban

Egypt’s closure of Hamas’ smuggling tunnels worsens unemployment in Gaza

By Reuters

The UN said on Tuesday it had halted work on all but one of its 20 Gaza building projects as a result of an Israeli ban on importing building materials into the Palestinian enclave.

Entrance to tunnel connecting between Israel and Gaza, October 2013.- Photo: Eliyahu Hershkovitz

Israel imposed the ban after discovering on October 13 a 2.5-kilometer (1.5-mile) tunnel which it said militants planned to use for attacks inside its territory. Islamist Hamas, which has run the Gaza Strip since 2007, claimed it dug the tunnel.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Egypt, Gaza, smuggler tunnels, UN

Leaked: U.S. to present Israeli-Palestinian peace plan

Zahava Gal-On, chairperson of Meretz says U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s plan is based on the 1967 borders with land swaps & will also be based on the Arab League Peace Initiative, which should bring about regional peace.

By JTA

JERUSALEM — The United States will present its own peace plan to Israeli and Palestinian negotiators, a senior Knesset member told Israeli media.

Erekat , Kerry and Livni – Photo: Reuters-Jonathan Ernst

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of his plan to intervene with his own draft agreement, after it appeared that staying on the sidelines did not help, Zahava Gal-On, chairman of the left-wing Meretz Party said in a statement Monday on the eve of Kerry’s scheduled visit to Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

Category: Israel News | Tags: peace talks

IDF reports More women soldiers seeking to serve in combat units

IDF’s Chief of staff aid: “We’re seeing growing numbers of women in combat roles compared to last year,”

By YAAKOV LAPPIN

There is growing motivation among women in Israel’s military to join combat units, the Israel Defense Forces said Monday, citing new data.

Female IDF defender at the Kotel, Jerusalem – Photo courtesy IDF Spokesperson’s Office

“We’re seeing growing numbers of women in combat roles compared to last year. There are more women interested in significant service in the IDF as combat soldiers,” said Brig.-Gen. Raheli Tavat-Vizel, who advises the chief of staff on women’s affairs in the military.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Female soldiers, IDF

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Israeli produce in Ireland marked with yellow ‘Boycott’ sticker

Tesco supermarkets chain had BDS movement stickers on their Israeli products reading ‘For justice in Palestine – Boycott Israel’.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry : Yellow sticker – reminiscent of dark days of racism & incitement.

By Itamar Eichner

A pro-Israeli activist residing in Dublin, Ireland, was shocked this week when he discovered that a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) organization had taped yellow stickers on Israeli products reading “For justice in Palestine, Boycott Israel”.

Israeli dates in Ireland grocery store marked with yellow sticker

Among the many items found carrying the yellow boycott sticker was a pack of dates from the Jordan Valley. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: BDS, boycott, Ireland, Israel boycott

Histadrut labor federation chief resigns

New leader to sit on top of Israel’s organized labor federation as Histadrut chief announces resignation following major policy successes & diminishing personal political strength with leading Israeli party heads.

By Haim Bior

The Histadrut labor federation’s chairman announced on Tuesday he will leave the position he has filled since 2006 next year on February 1.

Ofer Eini. – Photo: Moti Milrod

Ofer Eini will step down in the middle of his third term, which be began in May 2012. He made his announcement to the heads of the various factions of the political coalition that runs the Histadrut. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Buisness, Histadrut, Israel economy, Israel Politics