Israel News

State to allow export of 50% of gas reserves

A committee chaired by the director general of the Energy and Water Resources Ministry Shaul Tzemach, decided that Israel needs to have some 400 billion cubic meters of gas as a strategic reserve at any one time; the rest may be exported to foreign countries.

The Tzemach Committee on Energy Policy has recommended keeping only 25 years of natural gas reserves for Israeli use, and allowing producers to export the rest. The committee published its interim report yesterday and will now accept public comments before preparing its final recommendations.

A drilling platform in the Tamar offshore natural gas field - Photo by Albatross

The committee, chaired by the director general of the Energy and Water Resources Ministry Shaul Tzemach, decided that Israel needs to have some 400 billion cubic meters of gas as a strategic reserve at any one time; the rest may be exported to foreign countries.

Category: Israel News | Tags: energy, gas

israelandstuffcom | April 6, 2012

Israel presents new deterrence policy

IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz on Thursday declared a change in army policy whereby any firing at Israel’s south will be met with an attack on Hamas, regardless of the group behind the fire.

Similarly, any firing from Lebanon will result in an attack on Hezbollah, and any terror attack by Iran’s emissaries overseas will prompt a response against Tehran.

Speaking at a conference in the Gelilot base, Gantz discussed the many threats Israel faces. “The IDF is Israel’s sharpened sword and protector,” he noted. He also addressed the firing of rockets at Eilat on Wednesday night.

הרמטכ"ל גנץ. "להכות בעוצמה במבקש רעתנו" (צילום: עידו ארז)

IDF chief Gantz.

Category: Israel News | Tags: IDF

israelandstuffcom | April 6, 2012

IDF Imposes Closure on PA-Controlled Areas

As it goes on high alert for Passover, the IDF imposes a closure on the PA-controlled areas of Judea and Samaria.

The IDF Spokesman announced on Thursday that, following a decision by Defense Minister Ehud Barak, a general closure will be imposed on the Palestinian Authority-controlled areas of Judea and Samaria.

IDF combs fields near Nir Am - Reuters

The closure began at 11:59 p.m. (Israel time) on Thursday and will end after the Passover holiday, on Saturday evening at 11:59 p.m., depending on the security situation at the time.

According to the IDF announcement, during the closure movement into Israeli territory will be allowed only for humanitarian reasons, medical reasons and other exceptions, all subject to the approval of the Civil Administration. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Hamas terrorist. Egypt, IDF

One comment

It’s official: Israel will pursue justice for the modern-day Exodus

“We believe that settling the refugee problems on both sides —the Arab and the Jewish side — is the only way to really bring about a durable, comprehensive and lasting peace. Peace that will be built on truth and justice for all.” – Danny Ayalon

Justice for Jewish refugees from Arab and Muslim countries has at long last become official Israeli government policy. It has taken more than sixty years, but here at Harif, the UK Association of Jews from the Middle East and North Africa, we are celebrating this momentous event.

No amount of grassroots campaigning could work without the official support of the Israeli government.

Category: Israel News, Jewish News | Tags: Jewish refugees

Jordan’s crown prince holds secret visit to Temple Mount

King Abdullah’s eldest son escorted around Temple Mount by Israeli security forces, may also visit Cave of Patriarchs

Jordan‘s Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah, 18, held a secret visit to Temple Mount in Jerusalem escorted by Israeli security forces. He arrived at the site via the Mughrabi Bridge.

ביקור ראשון של יורש העצר הירדני בהר הבית (ארכיון) (צילום: נועם מושקוביץ')

Temple Mount in Jerusalem - Photo Noam Moskowitz

A Palestinian official told Ynet that the prince will also be visiting the Cave of Patriarchs later on Wednesday. He said that the visit had been coordinated and initiated by Israel and that consequently Prince Hussein will be visiting the cave’s Israeli side. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News, Mid-East News | Tags: Jerusalem

Much of East Jerusalem’s Pisgat Ze’ev built on land owned by Holocaust victims, study says

Company for Location and Restitution of Holocaust Victims’ Assets says lands in northern Jerusalem neighborhood, now worth tens of millions of shekels, purchased before World War II by European Jews

Much of the northern Jerusalem neighborhood of Pisgat Ze’ev was built on land belonging to Jewish victims of the Holocaust. This discovery was made recently by the Company for Location and Restitution of Holocaust Victims’ Assets, established in 2007 by the Israeli government for the purpose of finding assets in Israel belonging to Holocaust victims and restoring them to their legal heirs.

The neighborhood of Pisgat Ze'ev in East Jerusalem - Photo by Tess Scheflan

The lands, now worth tens of millions of shekels, were purchased before World War II by European Jews – mainly in Latvia and Estonia, but also in Romania and Belgium.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Holocaust, Jerusalem

Palestinians, leftists try to take over Hebron house

Security forces evacuate 20 Palestinians, left-wing activists from house located one kilometer from Machpelah house. Palestinians: We have permit from Civil Administration

Some 20 Palestinians and left wing activists on Wednesday were evacuated from a house in Hebron after attempting to barricade inside the building.

The Palestinians claimed they obtained a permit from the Civil Administration to enter the house, which was ordered by the IDF to remain uninhabited due to its strategic location.

Scene near Hebron house -Photo by Eli Mandelbaum

The house is located about a kilometer from the Machpelah house, which was evicted Wednesday afternoon by Yasam police officers after Jewish settlers claimed to have purchased it legally. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ‘Palestinian’ incitement

Israeli security forces evacuate settlers from Hebron house

IDF says that the evacuation of the settlers, who resided in the house for more than two weeks, was completed ‘without any unusual events.’

Israeli security forces on Wednesday evacuated Israeli settlers from a house in a Palestinian neighborhood in Hebron, an affair that sparked controversy across Israel and created a rift in the government.

Border Patrol Police outside of the house in Hebron - Photo by: Emil Salman

The IDF said that the evacuation of the settlers, who resided in the house for more than two weeks, was completed “without any unusual events.”

Earlier on Wednesday, defense officials said that Defense Minister Ehud Barak and a ministerial committee agreed that the house will be evacuated by April 26. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Settlers

Meretz goes to High Court over TA Shabbat buses

Meretz Councilwoman Zandberg proposed motion in conjunction with Be Free Israel organization, with support of Tel Aviv mayor.

Members of left-wing party Meretz petitioned the High Court of Justice on Wednesday morning, asking the court to order the Transport Ministry to allow public transport on Shabbat in Tel Aviv.

Israeli buses – By Marc Israel Sellem

In February, the Tel Aviv Municipal Council approved a resolution to ask the Transport Ministry for permission to operate public transport on Shabbat. Meretz Councilwoman Tamar Zandberg proposed the motion in conjunction with the secularist Be Free Israel organization, and Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldaialso supported it.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Tel Aviv

PA, Hamas reach deal to end power crisis in Gaza

Israeli firm to supply Gaza with fuel; Palestinian Authority to act as middleman for Hamas’ bill payments

The Gaza Strip’s Hamas government and the rival Palestinian Authority (PA) agreed to an Egyptian-brokered deal on Tuesday to end a fuel crisis that has caused daily power cuts in the territory, officials said.

PA President Mahmoud Abbas - Photo: EPA

Under the agreement, an Israeli company will supply industrial diesel for the Gaza Strip’s only power plant and a temporary mechanism will be put in place whereby Hamas can pay the bill without dealing directly with its enemy, Israel.

“The Hamas authorities in Gaza will pay the money … to the PA and the PA will take care of the payment to the Israeli side,” said the official, who asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the deal. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News, Mid-East News | Tags: fuel, Gaza, hamas, PA

Netanyahu to call on Abbas to return to the negotiating table

The Israeli premier will stress willingness to resume talks immediately, in a letter responding to the Palestinian president.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to send a letter to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in which he will call on him to return to the negotiating table promptly and without preconditions.

Mahmoud Abbas and Benjamin Netanyahu, AP

Mahmoud Abbas and Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem - Photo by AP

A senior Israeli official said the letter would be a response to a similar communiqué Abbas plans to relay to Netanyahu in the upcoming days.

The Israeli message will stress, among other diplomatic statements, the Israeli willingness to resume the talks that took place in the Jordanian capital Amman, under the aegis of the Jordanian king and the Quartet of Middle East peacemakers.

Category: Israel News | Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu, Mahmoud Abbas

IDF Shoots, Kills Terrorist Near Gaza Border

An IDF force shoots and hits a terrorist who was crawling towards Israel’s border with Gaza.

An IDF force shot and killed a terrorist near the security fence in northern Gaza on Tuesday night.

The force, which was conducting routine activity along the border fence, identified a suspicious man crawling toward the border. The force fired a tank shell at the terrorist and the IDF Spokesman said, according to a report on the Ma’ariv newspaper’s website, that the suspect was hit.

Over the past week, terrorists have tried to carry out several attacks. The IDF has foiled them.

On Saturday, an IDF unit identified a terrorist near the central section of the security fence separating Gaza from Israel. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: Gaza, IDF, terrorists killed

israelandstuffcom | April 3, 2012

Foreign Ministry Seeking Justice for Jewish Refugees

Israel says its time the Arab League accepted historic responsibility for the injustice done to 850,000 Jews its members robbed, expelled.

Israel’s foreign ministry on Tuesday announced it will launch an international awareness campaign highlighting the historic injustice done to Jews from Arab countries.

Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon - IDC Herzliya

Following the declaration of the State of Israel in 1948 numerous Arab countries expelled their Jewish citizens and seized their assets – forcing them to become refugees in Israel.

Foreign ministry officials note that 850,000 Jewish refugees lost billions of dollars in assets and were forced to begin anew in Israel with only what they could carry on their backs. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News, Jewish News | Tags: Jewish refugees

israelandstuffcom | April 3, 2012