Archive for Israel News

| April 29, 2012
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Former Mossad chief, Israeli minister trade accusations at New York conference

Meir Dagan defends statements made by former Shin Bet security service chief, criticizing Netanyahu and Barak over Iran; Minister Gilad Erdan says Dagan sabotaging international efforts to halt Iran’s nuclear program; Ex-PM Olmert joins in defense of Dagan, Diskin.

 

An embarrassing confrontation broke out on Sunday during a panel discussion at a New York conference, when former Mossad chief Meir Dagan accused Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan of lying, while Erdan replied that Dagan is sabotaging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to put a halt to Iran’s nuclear aspirations.

Former IDF chief Gabi Ashkenazi (left) and former Mossad chief Dagan, New York, April 29, 2012.

Former IDF chief Gabi Ashkenazi (left) and former Mossad chief Dagan at the New York conference, April 29, 2012 - Photo by Mark Yisrael Salem

At the conference, sponsored by the Jerusalem Post in New York, the two also exchanged harsh words after Dagan warned Erdan over the so-called “Dagan law,” forbidding former security officials to issue open statements until a certain cooling period wears off. Continue Reading »

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| April 29, 2012
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Woman: Maternity ward doctor called me ‘fat’

Woman who gave birth at Sheba Medical Center says anesthesiologist humiliated her ‘on what was supposed to be the most exciting day of my life’

 

A 30-year-old woman has claimed that an anesthesiologist at the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv called her “appalling and fat” and urged her to “do something” with herself.

Archives Photo: Shutterstock

Archives Photo: Shutterstock

The Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported Sunday that the woman, who asked to remain anonymous, was ridiculed by a physician shortly after being admitted to the medical center’s maternity ward about five months ago.

The woman recently wrote on the hospital’s Facebook page that the nurses had told her that the doctor was having a “bad day.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News |
| April 29, 2012
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Early Elections May Help Netanyahu Get Rid of Barak

If Netanyahu calls elections, Ehud Barak, a thorn in the coalition’s official backing of Judea and Samaria, could be out in the cold.

If Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu calls early elections, Ehud Barak, a thorn in the coalition’s official backing of Judea and Samaria, could be left out in the cold.

Ehud Barak faces political extinction

Ehud Barak faces political extinction - Photo by Reuters

The trigger for possible elections later this year is the movement for changing the military draft system, whose critics have targeted exemptions or shorter terms of service for young men studying Torah. The Prime Minister said Sunday he backs military service for all Jews and civilian service of Arabs,

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met with leaders of the “suckers’ rally” that has staged a week-long demonstration opposite his office.  Continue Reading »

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| April 28, 2012
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IDF nabs Palestinian carrying 2 bombs

Terror attack averted: Security forces arrest man in possession of two explosive devices at West Bank roadblock Saturday; suspect taken in for interrogation

 

Terror attack averted: IDF troops nabbed Saturday evening a Palestinian in possession of two explosive devices near the Hawara roadblock in the West Bank, south of Nablus.

The bombs were later blown up by sappers in a controlled detonation. The Palestinian terror suspect was taken in for interrogation by security authorities.

Saturday’s arrest marks the latest in a string of incidents involving Palestinian terrorists detained in possession of arms.

Sappers blow up bombs (Archive) Photo: AFP

Sappers blow up bombs (Archive) - Photo AFP

Last Saturday, Border Guard and Judea and Samaria police forces thwarted a terror attack in the area after detaining two Palestinians armed with four pipe bombs, a handgun and some ammunition. Continue Reading »

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| April 28, 2012
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Israel’s Ze’evi wins European judo championship

Israel’s Arik Ze’evi makes history, wins European judo championship for fourth time

 

Huge achievement for Israel: Arik Ze’evi, Israel’s top judo wrestler for more than a decade now, won the European judo championship in his class for the fourth time Saturday.

Huge win for Ze'evi (Photo; AFP)

Huge win for Ze'evi - Photo by AFP

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Ze’evi Saturday and congratulated him on his achievement.

“You touched all of us,” Netanyahu said. “You put on a show on behalf of the state of Israel; you brought us great honor and hope.”

Meanwhile, President Shimon Peres also conveyed his well-wishes, writing that he is “filled with amazement and appreciation over this wonderful gold medal win.” Continue Reading »

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| April 28, 2012
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Electric Corp. urgently seeking new gas supplier

Needs 5-month stopgap until Israeli gas starts flowing.

Needing to fill the energy void left by the Egyptians canceling the sale of natural gas to Israel, the Israel Electric Corporation is trolling the world for a new source. The IEC has published an international tender for purchase of imported liquefied natural gas, hoping to start buying as much as $700 million to $850 million worth on December 1, 2012.

Gas drilling rig

Gas drilling rig

The plan is for up to 16 huge LNG tankers, each holding 130,000 cubic meters of LNG, to dock at a Cypriot port, where the gas would be unloaded onto a vessel the IEC would lease from the American firm Excelerate Energy.

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| April 27, 2012
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Attackers throw Molotov cocktails at TA migrants

Neighborhood activist: Those who incite racism should go to jail; police do not consider incident “serious.”

 

Unidentified attackers on Friday threw Molotov cocktails at four houses and one kindergarten connected to a community of African asylum seekers in the Shapira neighborhood of Tel Aviv.

African migrants protest in Tel Aviv - Photo: Reuters

African migrants protest in Tel Aviv - Photo: Reuters

No one was injured, but there was property damage, and neighbors believed that the attack was organized and specifically directed against the refugees. Police arrived in the neighborhood to investigate the case after the incident.

Police would not comment in detail on what they referred to as the “attempted arson.”

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Category: Israel News |
| April 27, 2012
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‘Arabs attacked us on Independence Day’

Tzipi Shukrun recalls brutal attack on her family during barbecue in heart of Jerusalem; assailants used chains, shouted ‘yahud’

Three members of the Shukrun family were hospitalized overnight Thursday following an attack by a group of young Arabs. Two of the family members were moderately wounded in the attack, while the third suffered light injuries.

Police said they are looking into the possibility that the attack was nationalistically-motivated, but are exploring other possibilities as well

“I tried running away with my children and sister, but they kept coming back to hit us,” Tzipi Shukrun told Ynet. “They kids are traumatized.”

The family arrived at a park located in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, near the Jerusalem Cinematheque, to celebrate Independence Day. Continue Reading »

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| April 27, 2012
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Israeli Exports Up Nearly 15,000% Since 1948

In 1948, Israel exported $6 million worth of products, but by 2011, that number had jumped to about $90 billion – a rise of 1,400,000%

In the 64 years since its establishment, exports from Israel have grown by some 15,000%. In 1948, Israel exported $6 million worth of products, but by 2011, that number had jumped to about $90 billion – a rise of 1,400,000%. The per capita export rate – the amount of export in terms of population – was at the end of last year 173 times greater than it was in 1948.

The statistics were released Thursday in honor of Independence Day by the Israel Export Institute. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News |
| April 26, 2012
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Pupils learn to buy Israeli chocolate, tomatoes

‘We Are Blue and White’ curriculum, launched last year as a pilot program, will be taught to 50,000 pupils each year, in hope that they will influence their parents’ choices

 

A new addition to the school curriculum is encouraging Israeli pupils to opt for the Shahar brand of chocolate spread, eat Pri Hagalil canned goods, and put fresh cherry tomatoes in their salads. The program, which focuses on buying Israeli goods, also teaches the children about leading Israeli innovations like the flash drive, ICQ, and drip irrigation.

Tomatoes - buy Israeli Photo: Index Open

Tomatoes; buy Israeli - Photo: Index Open

The new program, launched by the Education Ministry and the Industry, Trade, and Labor Ministry, is intended to instill in pupils a sense of pride in Israeli industry and products and convey the message that if Israelis don’t buy locally-produced goods, employment will drop and families won’t be able to make a living. Continue Reading »

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| April 26, 2012
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IDF chief: Other countries are prepared for possible Iran strike

Following recent comments that appeared to put Lt. Gen. Gantz at odds with other senior Israeli officials, the IDF Chief of Staff strongly hints that other nations could be backing military action.

 

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz said on Thursday that other countries have readied their armed forces for a potential strike against Iran’s nuclear sites to keep Tehran from acquiring atomic weapons.

IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz - Archive

IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz - Photo by Archive

Gantz did not specify which nations might be willing to support or take direct action against Iran. Still, his comments were one of the strongest hints yet that Israel may have the backing of other countries to strike the Islamic Republic to prevent it from developing nuclear arms.”The

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| April 26, 2012
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Israel marks 64th Independence Day

Celebrations of 64 years of Israeli independence begin with lighting of beacons at annual ceremony marking end of Memorial Day; celebrations marred by accident at the site last week, in which IDF soldier Hila Bezalel, was killed.

Celebrations of 64 years of Israeli independence kicked off on Wednesday night with the lighting of beacons at the official ceremony at Mount Herzl national cemetery in Jerusalem, which also marks the conclusion of Memorial Day.

The official ceremony was marred by the fateful accident at the site last week, in which 20-year-old Israel Defense Forces soldier, 2nd Lt. Hila Bezaleli, was killed  when a lighting rig collapsed during rehearsals for the Independence Day ceremony.

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| April 26, 2012
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Salah Making Trouble Again, 10 Days after his Return

Rabble rousing sheikh takes part in anti-Independence Day march alongside Arab MKs.

Sheikh Raed Salah is back in Israel, and making trouble. The rabble rousing sheikh from Umm El Fahm took part Thursday in a march protesting Israel’s victory in the 1948 Independence War, and the fact that Arabs lost some territory as a result of their defeat.

Several thousands of people reportedly took part in the march in the Galilee, including Knesset Members Ahmed Tibi and Jamal Zahalka.

Salah spent about ten months in Britain before returning to Israel just ten days ago. Some of his time in Britain was spent in jail, after he successfully entered the country despite being banned from doing so. Continue Reading »

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| April 25, 2012
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Israel at 64: Population of 7,881,000

Israel’s population grew by 161,000 people since last year’s Independence Day, approaches 8 million mark

Israel‘s population numbered 7,881,000 people on the eve of its 64th anniversary, data released by the Central Bureau of Statistics indicate. In comparison, on the eve of its establishment, the State of Israel consisted of only 806,000 residents.

New data published by the CBS, indicate that nearly 5,931,000 of the population are Jewish (75.3%).

The Arab population stands at 1,623,000 (20.6%) and the remaining 4.1% are immigrants and their children, who are not listed as Jewish by the Interior Ministry. They comprise 327,000 residents.

Since last year’s Independence Day, 161,000 babies have been born in Israel, and 39,000 people have died. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News |
| April 25, 2012
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Arab IDF soldier: I wanted to defend the country

East Jerusalem man, whose community doesn’t know he is in the army, to be honored on Independence Day.

 

For most soldiers, there is a period on their first weekend home from basic training when they strut around the neighborhood showing off their spotless dress greens, bursting with pride at the newfound maturity conferred by their uniform. That’s something that one soldier, who can only be identified as S., will never get to experience.

IDF soldier in thought - Photo: Israel Weiss

IDF soldier in thought - Photo: Israel Weiss

As an Arab living in east Jerusalem, S. does not even bring his uniform home with him. His neighbors do not know that he serves in the army, and S.

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