Archive for Israel News

| March 18, 2013
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PM at Knesset: Without Israel, There is No Jewish Future

Binyamin Netanyahu said that his number one objective as Prime Minister of Israel is to “ensure the future of the Jewish people”

By David Lev

 

At the opening of the Knesset session which will ratify the new government, Binyamin Netanyahu said that his objective as Prime Minister is to “ensure the future of the Jewish people” by ensuring the future of the State of Israel. “There is no Jewish future without an Israel,” Netanyahu said.

 

Netanyahu, who is forming his third government, said he was aware of the responsibility on his shoulders. “We have been given a valuable deposit, that of the state of Israel, and the country’s citizens expect us to pass it on in good condition to the government that comes after us,” he said. Continue Reading »

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| March 18, 2013
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UNHRC ready to discuss West Bank settlement report

UN Council to examine resolutions filed against Israel after their investigators concluded that Israel could be culpable before the International Criminal Court.

 

The United Nations Human Rights Council will on Monday debate a report by its fact-finding mission on West Bank settlements, which concluded that Israel could be culpable for building over the pre-1967 lines before the International Criminal Court, if the Palestinians become party to the Rome Statute.

E-1 stop - Photo: by Ammar Awad/Reuters

Disputed E-1 region – Photo: by Ammar Awad/Reuters

The report was first published in January, but the debate on the document takes place during the council’s 22nd session from February 25 to March 22.

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| March 18, 2013
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69% of Americans are against US pushing peace on Israel

55% of Americans sympathize more with Israel, 9% sympathize more with the Palestinians  according to Washington Post-ABC poll.

Only 26% of Americans think US should take leading role in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

 

A large majority of Americans (69 percent) believe that the administration of US President Barack Obama should leave the handling of the peace process to Israel and the Palestinians rather than taking the lead in resolving the conflict between the sides, a Washington Post-ABC News poll released Monday found.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Barack Obama meeting at the White House

The poll showed a serious decline among Americans in the desire that the US should take a leading role in arranging an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.

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| March 18, 2013
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Lieberman says Yisrael Beiteinu will oppose any settlement freeze

Prior to Obama’s visit, Yisrael Beiteinu chairmain says Israel-Palestinian conflict can’t be solved and stressed that his party will oppose any type of construction freeze.

By Moran Azulay

 

Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman said he does not believe the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be solved and rejected any possible freeze in settlement construction.

“After seeing no result following the 10-month freeze I said I would oppose any freeze inside or outside the (major settlement) blocs,” Lieberman said. “We are willing to make gestures but they cannot be one-sided. Yisrael Beiteinu will fiercely oppose any attempt to resume the freeze.”

Lieberman acknowledged that this stance will inevitably create frictions within the coalition. Continue Reading »

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| March 18, 2013
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Arab Terrorists Open Fire, Wounding Jewish Man in Samaria

A Jewish Man, aged 70, stood at hitchhiking station outside Kedumim. He’s in light to moderate condition after being treated in hospital.

By Gil Ronen

 

Terrorist gunmen fired Monday morning at a Jewish man, aged around 70, at the hitchhiking station outside Kedumim, in Samaria.

Road sign to Kedumim and Yitzhar - Photo Hillel Maeir

Road sign to Kedumim and Yitzhar – Photo: Hillel Maeir

The man is in light to moderate condition. The bullets fired by the terrorists struck the man’s leg. He received treatment from MDA emergency services.

Boaz, an eyewitness, told Arutz Sheva, “”I stood at Kedumim Junction facing the hitchhiking station. I saw a man standing there and a person in a white Hyundai Getz vehicle asking him for directions to Shechem. Continue Reading »

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| March 17, 2013
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Over 5000 Cops to Protect Obama

Israel will be dedicating a great deal of its resources and security services to ensure a successful visit for the U.S. President.

By David Lev

 

Israel will be dedicating a great deal of its resources to ensuring a successful visit for U.S. President Barack H. Obama, due here Wednesday. Thousands of police will be taken off their usual crime-fighting patrols and be deployed in the service of Obama’s large contingent.

ObamaOver 5,000 police will be directly involved in providing security for Obama and his entourage, while hundreds of others will be helping out in indirect ways. For example, over 100 officers will be added to the police help line specifically to deal with issues called in by citizens relating to the Obama visit. Continue Reading »

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| March 17, 2013
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Former FM: IDF should open fire on rock-throwers

Former FM Liberman urges IDF to make appropriate changes to military rules of engagement, claiming “only this kind of change will stop targeting of citizens.” Too many civilians seriously hospitalized or killed by stone throwers.

By JPOST.COM STAF

 

Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman urged incoming Defense Minister, Moshe Ya’alon, on Sunday to change the IDF’s rules of engagement to instruct soldiers to open fire at “rock-throwing terrorists.”

Bus damaged by stones on Route 5 near Ariel, March 14

Bus damaged by stones on Route 5 near Ariel, March 14 – Photo: Channel 10

Liberman asserted that “rock-throwing [should] be treated like shooting using firearms,” adding that “only this kind of change will stop civilians and soldiers from being targeted by Arab rioters and prevent disasters.”

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| March 17, 2013
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Netanyahu appoints Sa’ar as Interior Minister & Ya’alon as Defense Minister

 

PM says Ya’alon has all the necessary experience to deal with ‘turmoil around us’ & that Erdan will be the Home-Front defense minister, placed in charge of strategic talks with the U.S.

Gideon Sa’ar to head the Interior Ministry.

Moran Azulay

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed Likud Knesset Member Moshe Ya’alon that he will be replacing Ehud Barak as defense minister.

Ya’alon, who currently serves as minister of strategic affairs, was one of several Likud members who were summoned to the Prime Minister’s Office Sunday morning. Many of the lawmakers from the ruling party expected a promotion.

“During such a crucial time for the security of the State of Israel, when everything is in turmoil around us, it is important that a man with Moshe Ya’alon’s experience hold this position,” Netanyahu said. Continue Reading »

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| March 17, 2013
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Bennett to head panel to break up power consortiums & lower living costs

Bennett to push legislation already submitted to the Knesset on the dismantlement or limits of corporate concentration of economic power.

 

Habayit Hayehudi party leader Naftali Bennett is not only slated to become the new government’s minister of industry, trade and labor − he is also tabbed to head a cabinet committee to seek ways of reducing the cost of living and breaking up the concentration of economic power. Meanwhile, Bennett’s ministry is to be renamed the Economics and Trade Ministry.

Naftali Bennett

Habayit Hayehudi leader Naftali Bennett. – Photo: AP

In negotiations on the formation of a new government, Bennett demanded that efforts be made to pass legislation already submitted to the Knesset on the issue of corporate concentration of economic power. Continue Reading »

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| March 17, 2013
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First Time no Religious ‘Status Quo’ in Gov’t Agreement

For the very 1st time in Israel’s history, there’s coalition agreement without a demand to maintain the religious-secular “status quo.”

By Maayana Miskin, Chana Ya’ar

 

For the first time in Israel’s history, the new coalition agreement finalized and presented to President Shimon Peres on Saturday night does not include a commitment to the religious-secular “status quo.” Hareidi-religious parties are concerned, while the religious-Zionist sector celebrates.

The Status Quo agreements, instituted when the state was created, essentially state that the public observance of Jewish tradition will continue as it was in 1948, with no addition or decrease.

Among other things, the agreement means that cities that did not have public transportation on the Sabbath at that time will not add Sabbath bus lines, and marriage, divorce and conversion for Jews will remain under the auspices of the Rabbinate. Continue Reading »

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| March 17, 2013
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Yesh Atid deal makes $millions for Holocaust survivors available

Coalition agreement signed with Yesh Atid guarantees major increase in funds for the treatment of survivors. MK Kariv: It’s our duty.

Omri Efraim

 

The coalition agreement between Yesh Atid and Likud-Beiteinu calls to increase the services package for Holocaust survivors by NIS 110 million (about $30M) in 2013 and by an additional NIS 500 million ($135M) in the next four years.

Ynet has learned that in light of the agreement, the Foundation for the Benefit of Holocaust Victims in Israel will announce later this week the cancellation of its decision to cut nursing hours for some 6,000 Holocaust survivors with various disabilities. Continue Reading »

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| March 17, 2013
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View & Decide if White House Video Confirm Obama is Boycotting Ariel U?

Why were students from Ariel University not invited to Obama’s speech?
White House video gives an ‘explanation’.

By Gil Ronen

 

White House video which states that President Barack Obama’s planned speech before Israeli university students is the centerpiece of his visit, also appears to confirm that the White House deliberately left Ariel University students out of the event.

Ariel University Center of Samaria – Photo: AP

Ariel University Center of Samaria – Photo: AP

The spokesman in the video, Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes, says in it that the universities chosen to send students to the event were the ones that “partner” with the U.S. Embassy.

This explanation places responsibility for leaving out Ariel – while including all of Israel’s other universities – on the U.S. Continue Reading »

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| March 16, 2013
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Amb. Oren: Obama’s itinerary demonstrates his support for Zionism

Ambassador Oren says Obama’s visit sends message of support to Israelis at a time when “the Middle East is burning.”

 

US President Barack Obama’s itinerary shows his deep commitment to Zionism and to Israel as a Jewish state that is historically routed in this region, Israel’s Ambassador to the US Michael Oren told Channel 2 on Saturday night during its Meet the Press program.

Ambassador to US Michael Oren

Ambassador to US Michael Oren – Photo: Hyungwon Kang/Reuters

“This will be Obama’s first trip outside the United States in his second term. Out of more than 190 countries around the world, he chose to come to us,” said Oren.

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| March 16, 2013
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US poll: Support for Israel highest in decades

Recent survey reflects highest percentages since 1st Gulf War – 64% support for Israel among Americans, versus a mere 12% for the Palestinians

By Ynet

 

According to a Gallup survey released Friday, 64% of Americans sympathize with Israelis, versus 12% who sympathize with the Palestinians and 23% who said they did not support either.

Israelis prepare for Obama's visit - Photo: AFP

Israelis prepare for Obama’s visit – Photo: AFP

Support for Israel has been exceeding 60% for the last three years, but the recent poll sees the highest percentage in the last 22 years.

The last time that 64% of Americans expressed their support for Israelis was in 1991, during the Gulf War. Continue Reading »

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| March 16, 2013
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Jaffa celebrates 150 years of teaching Muslims, Christians & Jews together

Two Scottish sisters founded the Tabeetha School to provide the children of the Holy Land with an education that celebrates diversity.

 

With a student body of Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Druze and Buddhists, the Tabeetha School, now commemorating its 150th anniversary, is like no other in the country.

Headmaster Antony Short, at the Tabeetha School.

Headmaster Antony Short, at the Tabeetha School. The students celebrate Christmas, but also mark Ramadan and Id Al-Fitr, and get dressed up for Purim. – Photo by Nir Keidar

It was the mid-19th century, and Jane Walker-Arnott, a blue-eyed Scotswoman of delicate health, decided to leave her windswept lowlands home and travel to the Holy Land, her sister Emilia in tow, to soak up the Mediterranean sun and volunteer with a Christian mission in Jaffa. Continue Reading »

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