Israel News

Jerusalem Construction ‘ is Merely a Drop in the Ocean’

Jerusalem city representative enthusiastically welcomes the 200 new housing units, but remarks, ‘I would be happier if it were 8,000.’

By Maayana Miskin

The decision to allow construction projects in Jerusalem neighborhoods east and south of the 1949 armistice line is a good one, says Attorney Herzl Yehezkel, a city representative from the neighborhood of Homat Shmuel.

However, he told Arutz Sheva, Jerusalem’s fast-growing population needs far more housing than the few hundred units that will be built.

“I would be happy if they were building 8,000 units instead of 800,” he said. “The little bit that they are marketing is merely a drop in the ocean.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: housing, Jerusalem, new construction

israelandstuffcom | August 13, 2013

Four Jordanians end 3 month hunger strike in Israeli Prison

3 month hunger strike comes to an end on prisoners’ own volition, says Israeli Prison Service. But Jordanian officials report prisoners’ visitation rights for families led to decision.

By AFP

Four out of five Jordanian prisoners held in Israel have ended a three-month hunger strike against prison conditions, Israeli officials said on Monday.

“Four Jordanian prisoners ended their hunger strike of their own volition and without any conditions,” a source in the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) told AFP.

“The prisoners’ move was not conditioned on receiving benefits,” the source stressed.

But Jordan’s National Committee for Prisoners in Israel said the inmates ended their strike after an agreement was made, through the Jordanian foreign ministry, to allow their families to visit them. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: hunger strikers, prison

After refusing to play Davis Cup match on Yom Kippur, Israel fined

Israel Tennis Association was ordered to compensate the Belgian team for inconvenience of postponing game one day.

By JTA

The Israel Tennis Association has been fined more than $13,000 for refusing to play a Davis Cup match on Yom Kippur.

Israeli tennis player Dudi Sela, right, and Jonathan Erlich, left, wipe their faces as they listen to the advice of team coach Eyal Ran, during the first round of the Davis Cup, Feb. 2, 2013. – Photo: AP

The Israeli national tennis team had been scheduled to play against the Belgium national tennis team in Antwerp on September 14, which is Yom Kippur, in the world group playoffs, the highest level of Davis Cup play. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Israel sport

MK Shaked: High Time for Implementation of Death Penalty for Terrorists

MK Ayelet Shaked says that when the gov’t cannot be trusted in keeping murdering terrorists in prison, it’s time for implementing the death penalty for convicted terrorists.

By David Lev and Ari Soffer

MK Ayelet Shaked (Bayit Yehudi) on Monday called for implementing the death penalty for terrorists. She said the measure was necessary to ensure that terrorist murderers are “never released.”

Member of Knesset Ayelet Shaked – Photo: Moti Kikayon

At a protest at the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv against the release of 26 terrorists that the government confirmed earlier Monday would be set free, Shaked said that the only way to guarantee that the government did not use terrorists who killed Israelis and Jews as “negotiation cards,” as was currently happening, was to kill the terrorists. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Ayelet Shaked, Death penalty, Palestinian prisoners

Temple Mount now reopened to Jews

Non-Muslim visitors allowed onto Judaism’s most holy site for 1st time since end of Ramadan.

Temple activists say police closing Mount to Jews was unnecessary, asking for site’s opening ahead of Jewish High Holidays. ‘It’s our basic right & it must be respected,’ their representative tells Knesset committee.

By Kobi Nachshoni

Dozens of Jews on visited the Temple Mount on Sunday morning as it was opened to tourists for the first time since the end of the month of Ramadan and the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr last week.

Temple activists are accusing the police of closing the Mount unnecessarily throughout most of the month of Ramadan, including for two whole weeks, thus discriminating against non-Muslims seeking to visit the site. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Israel Politics, Temple Mount, Yehuda Glick

Congressman Kennedy: Israel’s right to exist isn’t too much to ask

Joseph Kennedy (D-MA), grandson of assassinated RFK says Jerusalem should trust President Obama on Iran.

By TOVAH LAZAROFF

The sight of a fluttering Syrian flag just across Israel’s border on the Golan Heights on Sunday underscored for visiting United States Congressman Joseph Kennedy (D-MA) how important security is for a small country like Israel with hostile neighbors.

Joseph P. Kennedy III (D-MA) talks to ‘The Jerusalem Post’ at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. – Photo: STEVE LINDE

During his five-day visit as part of a 36-member congressional delegation led by US Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), he also visited the Gaza border in the South, as well as the Lebanese border in the North, near the Golan Heights.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Barack Obama, congressmen, US

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Lapid sees new housing tenders as ‘double mistake’

Finance minister upset at decision to build new Jewish settlement homes beyond Green Line, but Jerusalem’s Mayor Barkat welcomes decision.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

Finance Minister Yair Lapid lashed out Sunday at the decision to build more than one thousand new homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, calling it “a double mistake.”

Finance Minister Yair Lapid – Photo: REUTERS

Lapid’s comments came on the heels of similar condemnation by Meretz leader, Zahava Gal-On, who accused the government of trying to stymie the nascent peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

“Announcing the decision to market 1,200 housing units in east Jerusalem and in the larger settlement blocs at this time is a double mistake,” Lapid said in a statement.

Category: Israel News | Tags: housing, new construction, Nir Barkat, Yair Lapid

Less Rosh Hashana Honey Due to Disappearing Bees

Honey sales are taking their annual upward tick because of up coming Rosh Hashana, but due to the dwindling number of bees, there’s less honey to go around.

By David Lev

With Rosh Hashana coming up, honey sales are taking their annual upward tick. This year, though, there is less Israeli honey to go around; with sparse rainfall at the end of the winter (between February and April) and fewer wildflowers growing as a result, fewer bees were hatched this year – meaning that less honey was produced. Honey yields are down about 6% this year, with local honey production reaching just 3,000 tons this year, instead of the 3,200 tons that were produced last year. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Bees

State: If Peace talks aren’t fruitful, murderers may not be released

PM Netanyahu will demand in the next round of terrorists to be release, that the dangerous prisoners be exiled.

Netanyahu to Kerry: Abbas continues to incite, peace and incitement cannot coexist.

By Mati Tuchfeld, Daniel Siryoti, Efrat Forsher, Eli Leon & News Agencies

The special ministerial team for the release of Palestinian prisoners convened on Sunday to approve the release of 26 terrorists serving time in Israeli prisons since before the Oslo Accords of two decades ago. The move is intended to move the peace process forward. This week will see a second round of peace talks, beginning on Wednesday in Jerusalem.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Palestinian prisoners, Peace Process

PM Netanyahu doing well following surgery

Israel’s Prime Minister’s surgery for umbilical hernia declared a success, doctors at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital report.

PM Netanyahu set to be discharged Sunday afternoon and allowed to return to work later in the week. Sunday’s cabinet meeting postponed and Defense Minister Ya’alon to chair ministerial meeting on prisoners.

By Attila Somfalvi

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underwent surgery for an umbilical hernia at the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem overnight Sunday. The hour-long surgery, which was conducted under general anesthesia, was declared a success.

The prime minister is currently resting and is set to be discharged later on Sunday. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu, Hadassah Medical Center

After drivers’ strike, trains expected to operate on schedule

Disruptions started last Wednesday as 42 engine drivers, about 20% of the country’s drivers, announced their sudden ‘illness’ just as a new schedule went into effect with more trains to make traveling more accommodating for the passengers.

By Daniel Schmil

The trains are expected to run on schedule Sunday, despite the ongoing tension between Israel Railways management and the train drivers, which led to the cancellation of 40 trains last Thursday.

Passengers boarding an Israel Railways train in Tel Aviv, Sept. 21, 2012.

Passengers boarding an Israel Railways train in Tel Aviv, (illustrative) – Photo: Daniel Bar-On

Sanctions started last Wednesday when 42 engine drivers, about 20 percent of all the drivers, announced their sudden illness just as a new schedule went into effect with more trains, including direct lines from Ashdod and Ashkelon to Tel Aviv. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: trains, transportation

While Knesset Debates Drownings, 2 More Drown

After 5 people drowned off Israel’s shores this past weekend, the Knesset convened to discussed shore safety – and ironically 2 more people drowned this morning as the issue was being examined.

By David Lev

After five people drowned off Israel’s shores last weekend, the Knesset called for a special discussion on how to increase safety at the shore – and ironically, two more people drowned Sunday as the discussion was taking place.

A 49 year old Shfaram resident drowned at a beach in Nahariya, and was declared dead on the spot, while a fifteen year old Tel Aviv resident, who was pulled from the water at the Bograshov beach in the city, was eventually resuscitated. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: beaches, Knesset

PM Netanyahu taken to surgery due to hernia

PM Netanyahu was taken to a Jerusalem hospital following pains & will go through operation due to umbilical hernia.

PM’s Office: If general anesthesia is required, then Defense Minister Ya’alon will be appointed acting Prime Minister

By Attila Somfalvi

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to undergo surgery Saturday night in Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem due to an umbilical hernia.

Netanyahu was hospitalized after feeling pains, and was examined by his personal doctor, Dr. Tzvika Berkovitch, and by an expert surgeon.

The Prime Minister Office stated that the surgery is to begin with regional anesthesia and that if general anesthesia is required, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon will be appointed acting prime minister. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu, Health News

israelandstuffcom | August 10, 2013