Archive for Mid-East News

| March 22, 2013
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Hezbollah steams over Obama for terrorist designation in Jerusalem speech

In Obama’s speech to Jewish & Arab students in Jerusalem on Thursday, the President said: “Every country that values justice should call Hezbollah what it truly is – a terrorist organization.”

By Reuters

 

Lebanon‘s Hezbollah condemned on Friday a call by U.S. President Barack Obama for the militant Shi’ite group to be designated a terrorist organization following a bomb attack on Israeli tourists in Bulgaria last year.

Hassan Nasrallah on Lebanese TV

An image grab taken from Lebanon’s Hezbollah-run Manar TV shows Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah delivering a televised speech from an undisclosed location in Lebanon on February 27, 2013.- Photo by AFP

The European Union has so far resisted U.S. Continue Reading »

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| March 22, 2013
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Palestinians disappointed with Obama – Calls for resistance against occupation

PA disappointed at US president’s stance on prisoners, and Jewish construction. 

Obama rejects Palestinian preconditions to peace talks.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH

Even before US President Barack Obama left Ramallah, Palestinian Authority officials were quick to express disappointment with the result of his talks with PA President Mahmoud Abbas.

Obama shakes hands with a Palestinian teen during his visit to the Bireh Youth Center in Ramallah - Photo REUTERS

Obama shakes hands with a Palestinian teen during his visit to the Bireh Youth Center in Ramallah – Photo REUTERS

The officials discussed the differences between Abbas and Obama on two major issues: settlements and Palestinian prisoners in Israel.

Click here for full JPost coverage of Obama’s visit to Israel

They said that during the meeting Abbas reiterated his demand for a full cessation of settlement construction and the release of Palestinian prisoners in order to pave the way for the resumption of the peace process. Continue Reading »

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| March 22, 2013
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Arab-Israeli tourist from Nazareth kidnapped in Sinai

According to reports, the Israeli tourist was abducted with a Norwegian woman.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirms that an Israeli citizen was kidnapped in the Sinai, & are in contact with Egyptian authorities.

 

An Israeli tourist and was kidnapped in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula along with an European tourist, Egyptian media reported Friday morning.

An archive photo of an Egyptian Bedouin waiting for tourists in Sharm el-Sheikh.

An archive photo of an Egyptian Bedouin waiting for tourists in Sharm el-Sheikh. Photo by Bloomberg

According to the Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram, an Arab-Israeli man and a Norwegian woman were kidnapped as they were traveling between two beach resorts in Sinai.

There were conflicting reports as to the nationality of the woman. Continue Reading »

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| March 22, 2013
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Cypriot Court Convicts Hezbollah Terrorist Over anti-Israel Plot

Dual Swedish-Lebanese citizen found guilty of membership in a criminal organization, participating in a criminal act & money laundering.

Israeli official: Abundant proof Hezbollah is, & always has been, deeply involved in terrorist activities worldwide.

By AFP

A Cypriot court on Thursday found guilty a self-confessed Hezbollah terrorist who had been accused of involvement in a plot to attack Israeli interests on the Mediterranean island.

Hezbollah terrorists - Photo by EPA

Hezbollah terrorists – Photo by EPA

Hossam Taleb Yaacoub, a dual Lebanese-Swedish citizen arrested in the port of Limassol in July last year, was found guilty on five counts – including participating in a criminal organization, taking part in a criminal act and money laundering. Continue Reading »

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| March 22, 2013
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Iran’s Khamenei: We will destroy Tel Aviv & Haifa if attacked

Islamic republic’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatened Israel against attacking Iran, which Israel hinted to in the past, unless Iran abandons its nuclear aspirations.

 

Iran’s most powerful authority said the Islamic Republic would destroy the Israeli cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa if Israel launched a military attack against it.

Khamenei

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. – Photo: AFP

“At times the officials of the Zionist regime threaten to launch a military invasion but they themselves know that if they make the slightest mistake the Islamic Republic will raze Tel Aviv and Haifa to the ground,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said during an address, broadcast live on state television. Continue Reading »

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| March 20, 2013
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Steinitz: ‘Apparently, Chemical Weapons Were Used Against Syrian Civilians’

Either Assad’s regime or Syrian rebels used chemical weapons in their country’s civil war, said Israel’s new Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz.

By Rachel Hirshfeld

Either Syrian rebels or the Damascus regime have used chemical weapons in the country’s two-year civil war, Israel’s newly appointed Minister of Intelligence and Strategic Affairs, Yuval Steinitz, said on Wednesday.

“It’s apparently clear that chemical weapons have been used against civilians by the rebels or by the government,” Steinitz told Army Radio.

“This is very concerning for us and we must deal with it urgently,” he said.

Syrian rebels and the regime exchanged accusations of chemical weapons use on Tuesday for the first time since the March 2011 uprising, which has already claimed the lives of over 70,000 people. Continue Reading »

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| March 20, 2013
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IDF admits 2 more wounded Syrians into Israeli hospital

IDF treats 4 Syrians wounded in their civil war strife at the border.

Syria fires 5 shells into Lebanon.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, REUTERS

 

The IDF provided medical care to four wounded Syrians who approached the border fence with Israel on Wednesday, evacuating two of them to Israeli hospitals for further treatment, the IDF Spokesman’s Office stated.

Netanyahu looks at Syrian patient IDF field hospital. – Photo: KOBI GIDEON/GPO

The treatment was provided for humanitarian reasons and was approved by IDf Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz.

The IDF emphasized that the incident did not constitute a change in Israel’s policy regarding the acceptance of refugees from Syria.

Continue Reading »
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| March 20, 2013
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Past Hezbollah member heads opposition movement within terror group

Hezbollah’s Shiite policies & its involvement in Syrian rebellion draws protests in Lebanon.

A new movement from within the group’s stronghold presents popular national alternative.

By Roi Kais

 

Hezbollah and its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, once the undisputed stars of the Arab world, are rattled by surprise opposition from within their own ranks.

Nasrallah supporter - Photo AP

Nasrallah supporter – Photo: AP

The Lebanon NOW news website reported Tuesday that a new political movement is gathering followers right in the Hezbollah stronghold of Beirut‘s southern suburb.

The Movement for the Lebanese Citizen (MLC), led by former Hezbollah operative Imad Kamiche, is attempting to present an alternative to the rigidly Shiite framework represented by Hezbollah and Amal, and place the Lebanese citizen at the forefront regardless of ethnicity. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| March 19, 2013
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PA Pleads to the World: We Need More Money

The PA is urging the world to step up additional financial aid again & force Israel to allow Palestinian economic development.

By Elad Benari

 

The Palestinian Authority has urged the world to step up financial aid and press Israel to allow economic development, over fears of “political collapse”, AFP reported.

“We call on the international community to… pressure the government of Israel to release our revenues and to provide the financial support required to maintain basic functions and services,” said a Palestinian Authority report seen by the news agency on Monday.

“The recent confiscation of Palestinian-owned revenues by Israel comes on top of an already severe fiscal crisis that was caused by a large shortfall of external support,” it added. Continue Reading »

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| March 19, 2013
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EU Signs Money Deal With PA, Cites ‘Palestinian State’

The European Union signed an aid deal Tuesday with the Palestinian Authority to reportedly bolster ties and promote economic development for the State of Palestine.

Fayyad said Area C “is of vital importance to the economic and political viability” of a future “Palestinian state,” despite Jewish claims to the land.

By Arutz Sheva staff

 

The European Union signed an aid deal Tuesday with the Palestinian Authority to reportedly bolster ties and promote economic development.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton with Salam Fayyad - Reuters

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton with Salam Fayyad – Reuters

EU foreign affairs head Catherine Ashton told visiting Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad that an action plan approved by EU leaders was based on a “shared commitment to deepen our bilateral relations and strengthen our privileged partnership,” AFP reported. Continue Reading »

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| March 19, 2013
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Interview with Jordanian King: Relations with Israel ‘very strong’

In an interview with King Abdullah II of Jordan, he says discussions with the Israeli PM ‘have really improved’ but says he fears it may be too late for a 2-state solution.

By Yitzhak Benhorin

 

WASHINGTON – Relations between Jordan’s King Abdullah and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have tightened and are “very strong,” the monarch said on Monday. In an interview with The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg, King Abdullah II said, “Our discussions have really improved.” According to reports, the two met late last month.

נתניהו במפגש קודם עם המלך עבדאללה. "קשר חזק" (צילום: משה מילנר/ לע"מ)

Netanyahu and King Abdullah – Photo: Moshe Milner, GPO

At around late December it was reported that Netanyahu had secretly traveled to Amman to discuss the Syrian civil war with the king. Continue Reading »

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| March 17, 2013
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Report: Jerusalem to ask Obama to stop Syrian arms transfers to Hezbollah

A ‘Guardian’ report suggests that Israel will ask the US president during his visit to use airstrikes to prevent weapons transfers to terrorist organizations.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

 

 

Israel will request from US President Barack Obama during his upcoming visit that the US carry out airstrikes on Syria in the event that Syrian missiles are being transferred to Hezbollah, the Guardian reported on Sunday.

Syrian site reportedly bombed by IAF.

Syrian site reportedly bombed by IAF. – Photo: YouTube Screenshot

The report added that Israel would ask for US support for Israeli strikes on Syria to prevent such weapons transfer if the US was not willing to do so itself.

Continue Reading »
Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| March 17, 2013
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Hunger striking Palestinian prisoner exiled to Gaza

Ayman Sharawna released from Israeli prison for the 2nd time, arrives in Gaza where he’s been exiled to for 10 years.
Palestinian official: ‘This is punishment not release’

By Elior Levy

 

Hunger striking Palestinian prisoner Ayman Sharawna, has arrived in the Gaza Strip after reaching a deal with Israel stating he would be released from Prison and deported to the Gaza Strip for a period of 10 years went ahead.He received a hero’s welcome upon arrival.

Demonstrations in support of hunger striking prisoners (Illustration)

Sharawna, a Hamas operative from the Dura village near Hebron was arrested in 2002 and sentenced to 38 years in prison after being convicted for laying the explosives in the Beersheba terror attack in which 18 people were wounded. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| March 17, 2013
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‘Human rights’ are again ignored by UN, except as weapon against Israel

This isn’t about human rights at all. Twisted beyond recognition, ‘human rights’ at the UN is simply a weapon in the political arsenal of Israel’s enemies. Millions & millions of human rights victims are left by the wayside in the UN’s stampede to denounce & defeat the Jewish state.

By Anne Bayefsky

 

Today at the United Nations in New York City, the UN’s top women’s rights body, the Commission on the Status of Women, will wrap up its annual session by condemning only one state for violating the rights of women anywhere in the world. Not Syria, or China, or Saudi Arabia.  Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| March 17, 2013
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The Real Apartheid in the Middle East

Arab/Muslim apartheid comes in many forms, and too many victims have been subjected to multiple forms.

By EFRAIM KARSH

 

In light of Israel Apartheid Week, which hit cities and campuses throughout the world recently, supporters of the Jewish state find it difficult to agree on the best response to this hate fest. Some suggest emphasizing Israel’s peacemaking efforts, others propose rebranding the country by highlighting its numerous achievements and success stories. Still others advocate reminding the world of “what Zionism is – a movement of Jewish national liberation – and what it isn’t –racist.” Each of these approaches has its merits yet none will do the trick.

Continue Reading »
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