Israel News

Jerusalem prepares defense for The Hague

Lt. Col. (res.) David Benjamin, an Israel-based attorney specializing in int’l law, the law of armed conflict & counter-terrorism, talks to Israel Hayom about defending Israel in the Int’l Criminal Court at The Hague.

By Israel Hayom Staff

Lt. Col. (res.) David Benjamin is an Israel-based attorney specializing in international law, the law of armed conflict and counterterrorism.

Lt. Col. (res.) David Benjamin at Israel Hayom – Photo: Israel Hayom

As a career officer in the Israel Defence Forces, Benjamin served as the chief legal adviser for the Gaza Strip (2001-2005) as well as director of the International and Strategic Branch in the IDF’s International Law Department (2006-2009).

Category: Israel News | Tags: ICC, Mavi Marmara

israelandstuffcom | May 24, 2013

Hague: Israel losing its support in UK & EU over settlement construction

UK’s Foreign Secretary in interview with Sky News says window for 2-state solution closing fast, adding failure to progress may jeopardize Israel’s Jewish, democratic character.

By Ynet

As the minister charged with negotiations with the Palestinians, Livni said that the next few weeks will be critical for negotiations. “I hope the Palestinians realize that the goal is to restart talks and be focused,” she added. British Foreign Secretary William Hague, who is currently visiting Israel, said in an interview with Sky News that Israel has lost some support in Britain and in other European countries due to its settlement construction policy. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu, settlements, Tzipi Livni, William Hague

Haredi soldier: Haredi incitement endangers my life

Haredi soldier files complaint against ultra-Orthodox newspaper, claiming that the daily’s editorial put his life in danger.

The paper denies inciting to violence, but suggests that the ‘collaborators’ who wear IDF uniform inside haredi neighborhoods, de facto ‘legitimize’ idea of draft.

Yoav Zitun

A haredi youth serving in the IDF filed a complain with the police Thursday against the ultra-Orthodox daily HaPeles, claiming that the paper’s fiery editorial condemning haredi “collaborators” with the establishment had put his life in jeopardy.

Haredi soldier in the IDF Photo: Marc Israel Sellem

The complaint came the same day as a report proposing far-reaching reforms to the process of enlistment of haredim into the IDF was submitted to the Knesset. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: haredi draft, IDF

Israel’s Knesset argues over peace process, as Kerry returns to Jerusalem

John Kerry returns to Jerusalem pushing new American initiative, but there’s deep divides in Israel’s new gov’t over how to handle peace process with Palestinians.

By Ryan Jones

Israel’s government this week heatedly debated how and if to restart peace negotiations with the Palestinian Authority, as US Secretary of State John Kerry returned to the region to continue pushing the two sides back to the table.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry Meeting with Kerry in Jerusalem on Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel “wants to restart the peace talks with the Palestinians. …I hope the Palestinians want [this] as well…we ought to be successful for a simple reason: When there’s a will, we’ll find a way.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Avigdor Lieberman, John Kerry, peace talks, Tzipi Livni

IDF’s Swearing-in ceremony for new haredi troops relocated for fear of riots

IDF heard ultra-Orthodox ‘zealots’ planned demonstration during ceremony, originally scheduled for Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem, so the ceremony

was moved to an army base. Soldiers: Disappointed but understand.

By Kobi Nachshoni

The Netzah Yehuda Battalion, which consists of combat ultra-Orthodox soldiers, cancelled a swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Thursday for fear that extremist haredim from “zealous” groups would protest during the event against the recruitment of yeshiva students to the army and civil service, Ynet has learned.

(צילום: אהרון והב - סוכנות הידיעות "חדשות 24")

Haredi riots in Jerusalem – Photo: Aharon Rahav – News 24

The ceremony was set to take place at Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Haredi unit, IDF, ultra-Orthodox

Syrian Gunfire into Israel Reflects IDF’s Defensive Abilities ‘Undiminished’

The IDF’s ability to deter any Syrian attack on the Golan Heights remains undiminished, says top defense brass.

By Arutz Sheva staff

Israel’s ability to deter attack on its positions in the Golan Heights remains undiminished despite an uptick in fire from the Syrian side of the ceasefire line, a defense official said on Wednesday.

Golan Heights’ Israel-Syria border – Google Maps

“The good news is that the continued stability of the Golan Heights (and) the deterrent power of the Israeli army have not been weakened,” senior defense adviser Amos Gilad told army radio, adding that, “Daily life goes on as usual.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Golan Heights, IDF

Christians Beatify Their Palestinian Curse

Op-Ed:

Christian Arab Palestinians have chosen to support the side that’s destroying Christianity throughout the Mid-East. Hating Jews forges a bond between enemies.

By Giulio Meotti

The movie “The Stones Cry Out” by the Italian filmaker Yasmine Perni “gives a detailed account of the historical, cultural, and political place occupied by Christians in the recent history of the Palestinian nation, and in its struggle against colonialism”

Hanan Ashrawi – Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons

The movie is one of the most powerful propaganda tools of the Palestinian Arab Christians. The documentary is supported by Sabeel, the Christian organization based in Jerusalem which foments anti-Semitism through the Scriptures, while Catholic authories and PLO propagandista such as Hanan Ashrawi “blessed” the movie. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Arab Christians, Bethlehem, Palestinian Arabs

IDF nabs 3 Palestinian Policemen involved in Joseph’s Tomb killing

Palestinian source report IDF arrested 3 members of Palestinian security forces, suspected of killing Limor Livnat’s nephew.

The 3 were sentenced by PA court to one year and recently released.

By Elior Levy

Palestinian sources reported that on Tuesday night, IDF forces arrested three members of the Palestinian security forces in the vicinity of Nablus. The three men were involved in a 2011 shooting incident in which Ben-Yosef Livnat, nephew of Culture and Sports Minister Limor Livnat, was killed.

PA Police According to reports, following the incident, which took place at Joseph’s Tomb, a Palestinian court sentenced the three to one year in prison, and they were recently released. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Joseph's Tomb, Limor Livnat, Palestinian Authority Police

Knesset Vote passes ‘Jenin, Jenin Law’, protecting the slander of IDF soldiers

Knesset gives approval to bill that would now allow soldiers to sue when slander of the IDF is general and not directed against a specific soldier.

By Maayana Miskin

The Knesset has approved a law prohibiting slander of IDF soldiers in an initial vote. The bill was put forth by MKs Yoni Chetboun (Bayit Yehudi), Yariv Levin (Likud Beytenu), and Nachman Shai (Labor).

It has been dubbed the “Jenin, Jenin bill” after the libelous documentary “Jenin, Jenin.” While the documentary was found to have contained lies, including accusations of murder, the soldiers accused were unable to file suit because no one individual soldier had been accused. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: IDF soldier, Israel law, Knesset, Palestinian propaganda

Israel Air Force chief: Russian S-300 missiles en route to Assad

Maj. Gen Eshel stresses ‘military faces real scenario of confrontation on multiple fronts’, saying Syria’s arming ‘will produce confidence & aggressive behavior’.

Yoav Zitun

Air Force Commander Major General Amir Eshel said Wednesday that S-300 advanced missile defense system will soon land in the hands of the Syrian army.

Amir Eshel – Photo: Ofer Amram

Speaking at a convention in Herzliya, Eshel added “there is a clear understanding that such capabilities will produce confidence and aggressive behavior.”

“Aerial superiority is a condition to win and win quickly, and is of great strategic importance. The other side understands that well, which is why Assad, with his low budget, has invested billions into purchasing antiaircraft missiles.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: IDF, S-300 Missiles, Syrian unrest

Yesh Atid’s bill promotes division of Western Wall equally between men & women

MK Aliza Lavie says current situation must change, where the men’s section at the Kotel can no longer be 3 times larger than the women’s.

Gideon Allon

Chairwoman of Knesset’s Committee on the Status of Women MK Aliza Lavie (Yesh Atid) has presented a bill promoting equally dividing the Western Wall plaza between men and women in terms of physical space.

Separate and unequal. Men and women’s sections at the Western Wall [Archive] – Photo: Uria Tadmor

The bill states that currently, the men’s section is three times bigger than the women’s section, forcing women who pray at the holy site to crowd together, while more often than not, the men’s section remains half empty.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Aliza Lavie, Kotel, Western Wall, Women of the Wall, Yesh Atid

IDF raids terrorist’s home in Samaria confiscates bullets, guns & IDF uniforms

The IDF entered area under Palestinian Authority responsibility to raid a wanted terrorist’s home in Samaria where they confiscate hundreds of bullets, guns, knives and IDF uniforms & bullet-proof vests.

By: Tzvi Ben-Gedalyahu

The IDF prevented potential kidnappings and murders by Palestinian Authority terrorists this week in a raid on a wanted terrorist’s home in Samaria, where the Palestinian Authority always is reported to be controlling terror.

Part of hoard of weapons uncovered by IDF at wanted terrorist’s home near Shechem – Photo Credit: IDF

The terrorist still is at large.

Soldiers confiscated a shotgun, a pistol, and various parts of weapons, ammunition and other military equipment at the site. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: IDF, Palestinian terrorist, weapons cache

Ministry announces stricter gun-permit requirements after Be’er Sheva bank shooting

New rules are aimed at tightening licensing and preventing workplace issued guns from going home with users.

By Gili Cohen and Yaniv Kubovich

One day after a Be’er Sheva man shot dead four people in a local bank before turning his gun on himself, the Public Security Ministry on Tuesday announced new rules to limit the number of guns in circulation. School security guards will have to turn in their weapons, which guarding firms will reissue at the start of the new school year. Licensed gun owners will have to store their weapon in a safe at home. Security companies must obtain special exemptions from being required to store a weapon when its bearer is off duty, only one gun license will be issued to any single individual and anyone applying to renew a gun license must show why they need a weapon. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Public Security Ministry, weapons