Archive for Israel News

| March 21, 2013
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Housing market for January sees fewer homes bought

After 3 months of growth, now many young Israelis are staying in parents’ home. This is expressed by January’s record 15% decline in number of sold homes.

By Ofer Petersburg

 

A total of 9,100 apartments were bought in Israel in January, a 15% drop compared to December, following an increase in the number of transactions in the three previous months.

Number of apartments purchased by investors down 23per cent - Photo-Sutterstock

Number of apartments purchased by investors down 23% – Photo: Sutterstock

Compared to January 2012, which will still affected by the social protest, there was a 22% rise in the number of transactions.

The decline in the number of sold apartments was felt all over the country, apart from the city of Hadera. Continue Reading »

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| March 21, 2013
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Rockets fall in Israel – Hamas denies they were fired from Gaza

Victims of Thursday’s rocket attack: ‘Israel needs to prevent any future rocket attacks.’

By David Lev

 

Hamas on Thursday denied that it or any other Gaza terror group had fired rockets at Israeli targets in the midst of U.S. President Barack H. Obama’s visit to Israel. “Israel has fabricated these reports in order to mar the reputation of the resistance forces,” a spokesperson for Hamas said.

A rocket fired at Israel from Gaza caused heavy damage to a house in Sderot Thursday morning. A second rocket hit an open area near the Gaza border, and two other rockets aimed at Israel fell on the Gaza side of the border fence. Continue Reading »

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| March 20, 2013
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While Obama focuses on Israelis, Netanyahu focuses on Iran

Both leaders touched on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, & both agreed that the solution is 2 states for 2 peoples, with both stressing that one of those states is a JEWISH state & homeland.

By Israel Today Staff

 

As visiting US President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrapped up their evening meeting and met the press in Jerusalem, it was fairly clear where both leader’s focus was.

Netanyahu focuses on Iran, Obama on Israelis

As Obama focuses on Israelis, Netanyahu focuses on Iran

While it is difficult to read too much into these situations, it was unavoidably noticeable that Netanyahu began his address to the press with by passionately stressing Israel’s right to defend itself against the Iranian threat. Continue Reading »

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| March 20, 2013
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Hundreds of Arabs protest Obama’s upcoming visit

Palestinian Authority planning to impose a curfew on Ramallah during Presidential visit.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH

 

Hundreds of Palestinians on Wednesday gathered in the center of Ramallah to protest against US President Barack Obama’s planned visit to the city.
Palestinian activists vowed to step up their protests against Obama on Thursday and Friday.
West Bank protests in Ramallah. Photo by REUTERS-Mohamad Torokman

West Bank protests in Ramallah. Photo by REUTERS-Mohamad Torokman

The PA security forces are planning to impose a curfew on large parts of Ramallah during Obama’s visit to the city. On the instructions of the PA leadership, schools will be closed in the city on Thursday and many streets blocked.

Continue Reading »
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| March 20, 2013
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‘Despite what Obama tells Israel, he won’t attack Iran’

Obama thinks that Iran is still more than a year away from actually constructing a nuclear weapon, an assertion that has been challenged by leading Israeli officials.

By Israel Today Staff

 

One of the main topics of discussion during President Obama’s visit to Israel will be the ongoing and mounting Iranian nuclear threat.

Netanyahu welcomes Obama to Israel, 20 March 2013

Netanyahu welcomes Obama to Israel, 20 March 2013

According to a diplomatic source cited by Israel’s Ma’ariv daily newspaper, Obama will try to reassure Israel regarding the Iran threat, but the truth of the matter is that the American leader would never order a preemptive strike on the Islamic Republic. Continue Reading »

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| March 20, 2013
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The president’s entourage, the most expensive & armed to the teeth

2 massive Boeing C–17 cargo planes land at Ben-Gurion Airport, bringing 2 of the president’s ‘Marine 1’ helicopters, a number of Black Hawk helicopters, hundreds of security guards, and even a nuclear briefcase.

By Yoni Hirsch

 

President Barack Obama arrived in Israel on Wednesday, and he did not come alone. The president’s entourage contains more than 600 members, and includes senior government figures, advisers, journalists, secret service security guards, soldiers and technicians. Each member of the detachment is ready to be at the president’s side at every stop on his visit, fulfill his needs and, in an emergency, do anything that must be done.

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| March 20, 2013
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Peres to Obama: America & Israel Share a Common Destiny

Israel’s President Shimon Peres thanks US President Barack Obama. ‘Your vision reflects the future as it should be.’

By Maayana Miskin

President Shimon Peres welcomed United States President Barack Obama to Israel on Wednesday. “Your generosity enabled freedom to prevail all over the world,” he told him.

Peres began, “President Barack Obama, dear friend, welcome to Israel. We welcome you as a great president of the United States of America. As a remarkable world leader. As a historic friend of Israel. Of the Jewish People. Your visit here is a crown demonstration of the profound relationship  between our two nations. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| March 20, 2013
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Jerusalem Restaurant Closed Over Shabbat Operations

One of Jerusalem’s most popular cafés maneuvered to shut it’s doors after property owner agrees to renew rental license only if business is closed on the Sabbath.

Noam (Dabul) Dvir

 

Jerusalem’s Restobar, one of the most popular and well-known cafés among the capital’s secular population, was shut down Monday after eight years of operation.

"הבעלים ביקש לא לפתוח בשבת" (צילום: חיים צח, "ידיעות אחרונות")

Closed restaurant – Photo: Haim Zach/Yedioth Ahronoth

The business owner said he was forced to close it after the owner of the property housing the restaurant agreed to renew the rental license only if the place introduced a kosher menu and did not open on Shabbat. Continue Reading »

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| March 19, 2013
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Israeli to expand water projects globally

Miya, a company set up by Israeli billionaire Shari Arison, continues to expand into Europe, Asia & Latin America this coming year to meet rising demand for drinkable water.

By Reuters

 

Miya, the water company set up by Israeli billionaire Shari Arison, will continue to expand into Latin America, Europe and Asia this year to meet rising demand for drinkable water.

Shari ArisonArison said Miya was already doing projects in the Bahamas, Manila and in Brazil.

“Most urban water systems lose a huge amount of water and we have come up with the way of using efficient management that reduces that lossage, which creates more water for people,” Arison told Reuters recently on the sidelines of a philanthropic event known as Good Deeds Day. Continue Reading »

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| March 19, 2013
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Thousands appeal to Obama for Jonathan Pollard’s release

On the eve of Obama’s arrival, at least 2,000 gather in front of President’s Residence in Jerusalem pleading for the release of ailing American spy, Jonathan Pollard.

 

 

Over two thousand people gathered in front of the President’s Residence in Jerusalem on Tuesday evening to call for the release of Jonathan Pollard, on the eve of U.S. President Barack Obama’s arrival. Some Israeli news outlets are reporting thousands of protesters.

Demonstrator holds a placard during a protest calling for the release of Jonathan Pollard

Demonstrator holds placard during a protest calling for the release of Jonathan Pollard – Photo by Reuters

The protesters are calling on the American president to sign a presidential order for the release of the convicted spy. Continue Reading »

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| March 19, 2013
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PM Netanyahu introduces new gov’t: We’re putting our differences aside

Netanyahu tells new gov’t that the “threats facing Israel are greater than ever,” and that demands unity

Opposition Leader Yachimovich criticized the Knesset’s new leadership, saying country is divided into the rich represented by gov’t, and the needy.

By Gideon Allon, Shlomo Cesana and Yori Yalon

 

After a long election process and a subsequent exhausting coalition nego

tiation, the 33rd government of Israel was sworn in on Monday, officially kicking off. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s third term at the helm. As of Tuesday, the members of the 33rd government were already hard at work.

“Assembling the coalition was difficult.” Members of the 33rd government gather at the Knesset on Monday.

Continue Reading »
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| March 19, 2013
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Bethlehem removes historic ‘Palestine’ monument from Presidential View

Bethlehem Municipality removes monument of historic Palestine that erases Israel’s existence.

Palestinian activists put it back in place.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH

The Bethlehem Municipality has removed a stone monument of historic Palestine out of concern that US President Barack Obama would see it during his visit to the city later this week.

Trinkets for sale in West Bank tourist shop

Palestinian activists expressed outrage over the removal of the monument, which ignores the existence of Israel, and called on the municipality to restore it immediately.

The activists, together with some municipal council members, placed the monument back in place.

Bethlehem Mayor Vera Baboun denied Tuesday that the monument, along with an olive tree, had been removed because of Obama’s visit.

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| March 18, 2013
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Rioters in Bethlehem burn pictures of Obama

Protestors in Bethlehem say Obama is not welcome in their city. First they throw shoes at US diplomatic vehicle, then at a billboard with Obama’s picture, then they burned his pictures.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH

Palestinians in Bethlehem on Monday set fire to pictures of US President Barack Obama, saying he was not welcome in their city.

Scores of protesters gathered near Manger Square and threw shoes at a US diplomatic vehicle as it arrived at the scene in the context of preparations for Obama’s visit to the city later this week.

Palestinian protestors - Photo Reuters

Palestinian protestors – Photo: Reuters

The protesters also set fire to signs posted in the city earlier this week and reminding Obama that Palestinians still don’t have 3G communications technology. Continue Reading »

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| March 18, 2013
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Senators call on Obama to push Palestinians on peace talks with Israel

2 letters making their rounds in Congress call on Obama to make direct Israel-Palestinian talks an issue on his upcoming visit to Israel.

By

 

Two separate Senate letters calling on President Obama to make Israeli-Palestinian peace a priority during his visit to the region have been circulating among senators ahead of Obama’s arrival in Israel on Wednesday.

Obama and Netanyahu meeting in Washington

U.S. President Barack Obama meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, March 5, 2012. – Photo: AP

A letter initiated by Sens. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) urges Obama in his meeting with Palestinian leaders to “make clear that the pathway for peace is through unconditional direct negotiations between both the Israelis and Palestinians.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| March 18, 2013
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Obama to get chip embedded in an ancient piece of Jerusalem stone from PM

According to Prime Minister’s Office, the unique gift of a nanochip containing the founding declarations of U.S. & Israel set in ancient stone, symbolizes the main messages of the Presidential visit — the strong and deep bilateral ties.

By Ilan Gattegno and Israel Hayom Staff

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will give U.S. President Barack Obama a special gold-coated silicon nanochip containing the U.S.’s Declaration of Independence written alongside Israel’s founding document.

The nanochip U.S. President Barack Obama will get from the prime minister, with the Jerusalem stone underneath. – Photo: Yoav Bachar & Shlomo Shoham, Technion.

The chip was manufactured by scientists from the Technion’s Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute.

Continue Reading »
Category: Innovations & Discoveries, Israel News | Tags: , ,
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