Israel News

Wadi Kelt: Shots fired at hikers’ car

PA man scares off hikers in Wadi Kelt, near Mitzpeh Yericho, bullets shot at fleeing car, security forces searching the area.

Itamar Fleishman

Shots were fired Thursday at a group of hikers near Mitzpe Yericho in Binyamin. IDF and police troops arrived at the area and started scouring for perpetrators.

המכונית שנפגעה מהירי הערב (צילום: יהושע שטראוס - סוכנות תצפית)

The vehicle – Photo: Yehoshua Strauss, Tatzpit News Agency

According to initial investigation, the hikers rushed to their car once they noticed a man approaching them and acting suspiciously. As soon as they started driving away, shots were fired at the car.

Local residents who heard the gunshots called in security forces, which scoured the area. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Palestinian attack

Gaza rocket shot at Israel continues

Rocket or mortar shell launched from Hamas controlled Gaza falls into Eshkol Regional Council; no injuries or damage reported.

By Ilana Curiel

Western Negev suffered another in a series of shootings Thursday as a rocket or mortar shell was launched from the Gaza Strip and exploded in an open area at the Eshkol Regional Council.

ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCE

No injuries or damage were reported. There was no red alert siren sounded in the area prior to the explosion.

The IDF killed a senior terrorist in north Gaza Tuesday for the first time since Operation Pillar of Defense .

According to Israeli security officials, the terrorist, a Salafi who belongs to Global Jihad, orchestrated the recent rocket attack on Eilat, Israel’s southernmost city. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Gaza rockets

Israel puts its Air Defense Command on display

Israel’s Air Defense Command commemorates the 1973 Yom Kippur War by showing off its modern advanced anti-missile systems.

By Israel Today Staff

The Air Defense Command branch of the Israel Air Force held a day-long demonstration of its modern capabilities last week in the southern Negev region.

Photo: The "Arrow" system, which is responsible for defending Israel from long-range ballistic missiles, is expected to undergo a series of improvements in 2013http://iaf.co.il/4392-40415-en/IAF.aspx

The “Arrow” system, which is responsible for defending Israel from long-range ballistic missiles. – Israel Air Force photo courtesy IDF’s Spokesperson’s Office

The event was a commemoration of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, during which the command, then known as the Anti-Aircraft Command, played a major role.

As the military forces of Syria and Egypt pressed their early advantage thanks to a successful surprise attack on the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, the Anti-Aircraft Command managed to down 54 enemy aircraft, allowing the reeling Israeli forces time to recover and regroup for a crushing counter-offensive. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Air Defense Command, Arrow 3, IAF

Holes in our defense

Israel Hayom Defense Correspondent Yoav Limor reports on a neglected stretch of Israel’s security fence, where in a single kilometer alone there were 74 ‘holes’, 5 of which were wide enough to smuggle stolen vehicles & agricultural equipment.

By Yoav Limor

One stretch of Israel’s separation fence, in the Lachish area, has been breached, Israel Hayom has learned, leading to dozens of Palestinian infiltrations every night and the theft of agricultural equipment, cattle and ammunition from military training sites.

“No one is taking care of the issue. This will end with a tragedy,” an area resident warned.

The fence in the region, which lies between the Tarqumiyah checkpoint and the Shekef community, near Kibbutz Beit Guvrin, was completed in 2007 and cost hundreds of millions of shekels.

Category: Israel News | Tags: security fence, smugglers

A Russian warship’s first visit to Haifa Port

Veteran organizations in Israel initiated the very first visit of a Russian Navel Vessel to Israel.

Crew & orchestra to honor Israel with a Victory Day concert.

By Daria Chernyshova

A Russian warship has docked in Haifa port for the first time since the establishment of the Israeli state.

RFN Rapoucha 2 Class Amphibious ship Azov on it’s way to Haifa Port

A naval ship “Azov” of Russia’s Black Sea fleet visits Israel to celebrate the 68th anniversary of the World War II victory.

The Black Sea Fleet orchestra will perform a concert for Israeli war veterans and Haifa residents. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Haifa Port, Israel Russia

Out of the Murder of a Jewish Settler Rises a New Settlement – Eviatar

A New outpost is being established in memory of slain settler & father of five, Eviatar Borovsky.

By JTA

JERUSALEM– A West Bank outpost has been established in memory of a Jewish father of five killed by a Palestinian assailant.

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Son of Israeli terror victim can’t leave his dead father’s body. Evyatar Borovsky, a father of five from Yitzhar, stabbed to death at Tapauch Junction by Palestinian terrorist.

The head of the Samaria Regional Council, Gershon Mesika, on Thursday moved his office to a tent on a hill overlooking the Tapuach Junction, where Eviatar Borovsky, 31, of Yitzhar, was killed Tuesday morning as he waited for a bus. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Israel settlements

Israel must ensure a new generation of supporters

The Foreign Ministry has already learned that the far majority of those who actually visit Israel turn out to be Israel’s greatest advocates.

By EVELYN GORDON

Israel, as I noted last week, is blessed with many staunch supporters overseas. But given its legion of detractors, it has an obvious interest in expanding this support base; the question is how to do so.

Irish filmmaker, Nicky Larkin – Photo: Deborah Danan

Some factors that contribute to pro-Israel sentiment aren’t in Israel’s power to influence. For instance, evangelical Christianity often correlates with support for Israel, but Christian belief is beyond Israel’s purview. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Hasbara, Taglit Birthright, tourism

israelandstuffcom | May 1, 2013

Jerusalem Municipality to build 2-line cable car to Dung Gate & Kotel

Jerusalem Municipality to build 2-line cable car system to connect Dung Gate with points East & West, transporting 6,000 passengers per hour.

Mayor Barkat says it will be a unique tourist attraction & transportation solution for the city.

By Yori Yalon and Israel Hayom Staff

The Jerusalem Municipality is moving forward with a plan to build a cable car system that will bring visitors to and from the Western Wall.

An visual rendering of the planned cable car system in Jerusalem. – Photo: Mor Dagan

One line will connect Dung Gate (the Old City gate closest to the Western Wall) with the Mount of Olives to the east.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Dung Gate, Jerusalem, Nir Barkat

israelandstuffcom | May 1, 2013

Man fled Israel, returning over a year later as ‘Moroccan immigrant’

Israeli suspected of forgery & tax fraud returns under new identity, even succeeds in receiving State assistance before getting caught.

By Ahiya Raved

Hutzpah on an international scale: An Israeli who fled the country to avoid a Tax Authority investigation is suspected of returning under a false identity, posing as a new immigrant from Morocco making an aliyah.

A year and a half in Morocco – Photo: Yaron Visbin

According to the police, the man, who was arrested Wednesday in his native Migdal HaEmek, even succeeded in securing a State stipend granted to those who make aliyah.

A police investigation revealed that the 38-year-old Migdal HaEmek resident decided to flee Israel two years ago after falling under heavy suspicion from the Israeli Tax Authority (ITA). Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: crime

israelandstuffcom | May 1, 2013

Labor prepared to join coalition gov’t for peace treaty

MK Ben-Eliezer says if Bayit Yehudi pulls out of coalition over Arab League Peace-Plan, Labor interested in replacing party to advance peace initiative.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

Labor repeated its commitment to enter the government, if necessary, should it come close to reaching a peace treaty on Wednesday, a day after the Arab League said it would be open to land swaps.

Opposition leader Shelly Yacimovich (Labor) said Tuesday night that her party will “support positive, significant steps toward reaching an agreement.”

Labor Party Convenes – Photo: Marc Israel Sellem

“If we are on the cusp of singing a treaty and [Economic and Trade Minister Naftali] Bennett threatens to quit, we won’t be the opposition, and will reexamine entering the government,” a spokeswoman for Yacimovich explained Wednesday.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Arab League, Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, Israel Politics, Peace plan

Arab MK after Terrorist Kills Jew: “Settlers have no right to self-defense.”

Arab MK Zahalka refuses to condemn the stabbing to death of a young father of 5 saying ‘Settlers have no right to self defense.’

By Maayana Miskin

Member of Knesset Jamal Zahalka has refused to condemn the murder Tuesday of a young father-of-five. A terrorist stabbed actor Evyatar “Napo” Borovsky to death as he waited for a ride at the Tapuach Junction.

Zahalka, of the controversial Balad party, declined to condemn the slaying during a heated debate with MK Orit Struk and others over a proposal to allow Jews living in Judea and Samaria (Shomron) to shoot home invaders, as is legal elsewhere in Israel. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: anti-Semitism, Arab MK, Knesset, Palestinian terrorist, Settlers

Pope Francis accepts President Peres’ invitation to visit Jerusalem

The Vatican’s new pontiff accepted an invitation by Israeli President Shimon Peres to visit Israel ‘with willingness & joy,’ says spokesman.

By Reuters

President Shimon Peres invited Pope Francis on Tuesday to visit Israel, at his first meeting with the new pontiff who has appealed for peace in the Middle East.

Israeli President Shimon Peres meets with Pope Francis – Photo by Kobi Gideon , GPO

The pope accepted the invitation “with willingness and joy,” a Vatican spokesman said, but there was no indication when a trip would be made.

“I am expecting you in Jerusalem, not just me but the whole country of Israel,” Peres told the pope in the presence of reporters after 30 minutes of private talks in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Christians, Middle East peace, Pope Francis, Shimon Peres, Vatican

Sharansky’s Western Wall prayer plan loses support from both sides

Sharansky’s Kotel plan loses support from both Religious and Women’s groups. Neither side willing to compromise.

By Ben Sales

TEL AVIV (JTA) — Natan Sharansky’s proposal to reduce tensions at the Western Wall has lost support from both Orthodox and non-Orthodox leaders.

When Sharansky, chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, made the plan public a few weeks ago, it received at least tacit approval from a range of activists, including the rabbi of the Western Wall, Shmuel Rabinowitz.

The plan would expand the egalitarian section of the Western Wall Plaza – called Robinson’s Arch – and create a unified entrance to the Wall’s traditional and egalitarian sections. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Kotel, Natan Sharansky, Western Wall, Women of the Wall