IDF Chief Gantz to honor 2012 winners of annual military achievement &amp; performance awards in a special ceremony

Video Proves Terrorist Attacked Border Police Before Getting Shot Dead

IDF releases a CC security video showing the terrorist who first attacked a Border Police officer in Hevron before he was killed by a female police officer.

By Elad Benari

האיום ברשת על החיילת נ', שחיסלה את המחבל

‘Death is unavoidable.’ Online threat

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit released a video on Monday which shows the 17-year-old Palestinian Authority Arab terrorist who attacked a Border Police officer in Hevron last Wednesday.

The terrorist was ultimately killed by a female officer who was on hand and shot the teen when she sensed that her fellow officer was in danger. An investigation found that the 17-year-old attacker’s gun had contained no bullets, but as the officer told interviewers, “I thought that my partner would die if I didn’t act within seconds. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Border Guard, Palestinian terrorists, ‘Palestinian’ incitement

israelandstuffcom | December 17, 2012

Interior Ministry to advance approvals of 6,500 units in East Jerusalem

After 3 years in limbo following major diplomatic crises between US & Israel, 1,500 apt units in Ramat Shlomo receive final approval.

Additional apartments expected to be approved throughout the week.

PA condemns Israel’s decision to expedite construction.

By MELANIE LIDMAN, KHALED ABU TOAMEH

Four days of marathon meetings in the Interior Ministry and the Jerusalem municipality’s planning committees, which started on Monday, are expected to advance approvals for almost 6,500 apartments over the 1967 Green Line in Israel.

JERUSALEM’S RAMAT SHLOMO neighborhood.
Photo: Ariel Jerozolimski/The Jerusalem Post

After spending nearly three years in limbo for causing a major diplomatic crises between the United States and Israe l, the 1,500 apartment units in Jerusalem neighborhood of Ramat Shlomo received final approval from the Interior Ministry on Monday.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Jerusalem, new construction, Prime Ministers Office

israelandstuffcom | December 17, 2012

IDF names its 2012’s ‘Best of the Best’

IDF Chief Gantz to honor 2012 winners of annual military achievement & performance awards in a special ceremony

Yoav Zitun

The Israel Defense Force will be holding its annual IDF Chief Honorary Awards ceremony on Monday, when the most outstanding IDF units will be honored for their hard work during the passing year.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen Benny Gantz will present the awards to the winning units, according to three main categories: Battalion, Brigade and Division.

The IAF‘s Nachshon Intelligence Squadron won first place in the Battalion Category, followed by the Bedouin Reconnaissance Unit. The Bedouin brigade mostly consists of volunteers and is known for its ability to prevent terror cells from penetrating Israeli territory. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Benny Gantz, IDF

The I.D.F. bids adieu to the M-16

Over the past 10 years, more & more active units have taken up the Tavor to the point that the aging M-16 is largely seen as the weapon of reserve soldiers.

By Israel Today Staff

Variation of M-16 -Photo: IsraelandStuff.com/PP

For decades the American-made M-16 assault rifle has been the personal weapon of choice in the Israeli army. But that is coming to an end as more and more units look to outfit their soldiers with Israeli-made weapons.

In the early 2000s, Israel first introduced the homegrown Tavor rifle into service with select active infantry units. Over the past 10 years, more and more active units have taken up the Tavor to the point that the aging M-16 is largely seen as the weapon of reserve soldiers. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: IDF, M-16, Tavor

Injured Soldier Evacuated to Hospital by Chief of Staff

An IDF soldier who suffered moderate wounds from a ricochet bullet Sunday was evacuated in the helicopter of the Chief of Staff.

By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

A soldier who suffered moderate wounds in a training exercise Sunday was evacuated by the helicopter of the Chief of Staff, who had been in the area moments before.

The unidentified soldier was wounded by a ricochet bullet in a paratroopers drill in the Jordan Valley approximately 15 minutes after IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz took off from the area.

Having been informed of the training accident, the Chief of Staff ordered his pilot to turn back rather than make the wounded soldier wait for the helicopter rescue unit to arrive. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Benny Gantz, IDF

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CIA Releases New Details – Pollard did not spy on U.S.

Pollard was asked to provide information on Arab states, Pakistan & the Soviet Union and not on the United States.

Pollard was to collect intel on Pakistan’s nuclear program, Egyptian missile programs, and Iraqi & Syrian chemical warfare production capabilities.

By Itamar Eichner

The US administration has allowed the release of secret documents pertaining to the case of convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Sunday.

Jonathan Pollard – Photo: AP

The main document is a 160-page “damage assessment” report by the Pentagon and the CIA issued after Pollard’s apprehension. A small segment of the report was released in 2006 but the main bulk remained secret until the National Security Archive petitioned for its disclosure. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: CIA, Jonathan Pollard

Female ‘Immigrant-Soldier’ from US, Gets the Goods to Gaza

American born Nira Lee is an IDF officer for expediting humanitarian aid to Gaza.

While under rocket fire, a Gaza woman learned the true nature of the IDF when Nira pulled her to safety.

By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

An IDF officer who is the assistant foreign liaison officer to international organizations in Gaza is none other than a young native of Arizona named Nira Lee, who moved to Israel in 2010 after she earned a degree at American University in Washington, D.C.

2nd Lt. Nira Lee – Israel news photo: IDF

With the rank of Second Lieutenant, Nira serves with COGAT, initials for the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories and the IDF unit responsible for implementing the Israeli government’s policy in Judea and Samaria as well as facilitating the movement of goods and people to and from Gaza.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Gaza, humanitarian aid, IDF soldier

israelandstuffcom | December 15, 2012

Hungarian MP detained for burning Israeli flag, citing anti-Semitic slurs

MP Balazs Lenhardt participated in an anti-Semitic event where demonstrators shouted “Filthy Jews,” and “to Auschwitz with you all.”

By JPOST.COM STAFF

Independent parliamentarian Balazs Lenhardt was detained by Budapest police on Friday evening for burning an Israeli flag at an anti-Zionist demonstration in the Hungarian capital, Hungarian daily Politics reported.

Hungarians protest [archieve] – Photo: Bernadett Szabo/Reuters

A hundred demonstrators participated in the event organized by the Guardians of Carpathian Homeland Movement and the Guard Federation held in front of the Hungarian Foreign Ministry, according to Politics.Demonstrators shouted anti-Semitic slogans like “Filthy Jews” and “To Auschwitz With You All.”

Category: Israel News | Tags: anti-Semitism, Hungry

israelandstuffcom | December 15, 2012

Students Vote to Endorse BDS at the University of Toronto

The Graduate Student Union at the University of Toronto votes overwhelmingly to accept the BDS campaign against Israel.

By Elad Benari, Canada

The Graduate Student Union (GSU) at the University of Toronto has decided to endorse the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel.

Canada- file photo

A statement by a group calling itself “Students against Israeli Apartheid, University of Toronto” said that the GSU overwhelmingly voted in favor of a resolution to endorse the global campaign for BDS at their annual general meeting on December 10.

Over 150 graduate students were present at the meeting, of which approximately 97 percent voted in favor of the motion, with only a few students opposed, said the group’s statement. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: BDS, Canada

israelandstuffcom | December 15, 2012

President Shimon Peres: Mossad is the best spy agency in the world

At an event which was held at the President’s Residence on Thursday, 12 outstanding Mossad employees were honored

Both Peres & Netanyahu praised the Mossad for its outstanding achievements throughout the years.

By Yori Yalon

In celebration of the Hanukkah holiday, President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benajmin Netanyahu and Mossad chief Tamir Pardo attended a candle lighting event at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem on Thursday.

President Shimon Peres (left), Mossad chief Tamir Pardo (center) and Prime Minister Benajmin Netanyahu light Hanukkah candles at the President’s Residence on Thursday. – Photo: Kobi Gideon/GPO

During the event, twelve outstanding Mossad employees were given certificates of appreciation and Peres praised the Mossad for its outstanding achievements throughout the years.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Mossad

Released Documents show Pollard Sought Intel on Arab Nations

Recently declassified CIA documents reveal former Israeli agent foremost sought intel on Arab countries, & not the U.S.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

Former Israeli agent Jonathan Pollard primarily sought information about Arab nations and not the United States, AFP, citing newly declassified CIA documents, reported Friday.

Jonathan Pollard red, white and blue – Photo: Courtesy

Pollard, who is serving a life sentence in a US prison for spying for Israel, told investigators he had been asked foremost for information on Arab or Pakistani nuclear programs and “Arab exotic weaponry,” AFP cited the top secret CIA documents as saying.

The documents also said that Israel “did not request or receive from Pollard intelligence concerning some of the most sensitive US national security resources.”

Category: Israel News | Tags: CIA, Jonathan Pollard

Gaza border with Israel quietest in 20 years

Senior IDF officer tells Reuters that Hamas took a major blow during Operation Pillar of Defense

IDF source says army won’t keep to surgical strikes in next round dealing with terrorist groups

Reuters

Israel’s offensive on Gaza has deterred Hamas from new hostilities despite its claims of victory and the front is now at its quietest in 20 years, a senior Israeli military officer said.

Soldiers next to the border with Gaza – Photo: EPA

Vastly lopsided shelling exchanges over eight days killed 170 Palestinians and 6 Israelis before the November 21 truce brokered by Egypt.

Hamas, which for the first time managed to fire rockets towards Tel Aviv and Jerusalem during the conflict, says it won in the absence of an Israeli ground invasion that might have toppled its Gaza administration. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Gaza, hamas, IDF, Operation Pillar of Defense

Israel’s Foreign Minister Lieberman Resigns

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman, decides to step down as FM & deputy PM, following decision to charge him with ‘breach of trust’

Lieberman says he wants to focus on clearing his name. Move unlikely to affect his election bid.

Attila Somfalvi

Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced Friday that he has decided to resign from office following the breach of trust indictment pending against him.

Putting the matter to rest. Lieberman – Photo: AP

Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein announced the decision to indict Lieberman on Thursday, in a case involveing the promotion of former Israeli ambassador to Belarus Ze’ev Ben Aryeh. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Avigdor Lieberman, Israeli politics