Archive for Mid-East News

| March 30, 2014
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Nasrallah: Hezbollah stronger now than before 2nd Lebanon War

 

Shi’ite group head says he’s not seeking war with Israel, but warns that if Israel attacks Lebanon, it risks a powerful response from Hezbollah.

By and Reuters

 

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warned in a speech Saturday that the Shi’ite group is stronger, more skilled and better-equipped than it was before the Second Lebanon War, but stressed that he does not intend to initiate an attack on Israel or be dragged into a war.

A Syrian refugee girl holds pictures of Syria's President Assad and Hezbollah leader Nasrallah

A Syrian refugee girl holds pictures of Syria’s President Bashar Assad and Lebanon’s Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, southern Lebanon, March 18, 2014. – Photo: Reuters

However, Nasrallah, whose speech was broadcast to supporters via a television link from a secret location in South Lebanon, warned of a harsh response if Israel tried to attack Hezbollah or Lebanon. Continue Reading »

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| March 28, 2014
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Israel to allow cement and building materials into Gaza for Turkish hospital

 

Official in Jerusalem says reconciliation efforts with Turkey played a significant part in decision to allow construction materials and electric equipment into Hamas controlled Gaza.

By Reuters

 

Israel said on Thursday it will allow into the Gaza Strip construction materials and electric equipment to help build a Turkish-sponsored hospital, in a possible sign of improving ties with Ankara.

The decision came as Israel and Turkey try to hammer out the details of a US-backed reconciliation announced a year ago. Relations between the once-close allies ruptured in 2010 over a deadly Israeli naval raid on a Turkish Gaza-bound flotilla.

Nine pro-Palestinian Turkish activists were killed when the commando raid aboard the Mavi Marmara turned violent, sparking a major crisis between the long-time regional allies and compensation demands from the victims’ families. Continue Reading »

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| March 27, 2014
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UN condemns all Syria military activity on Golan Heights

 

The U.N. Secretary-General warns that “heavy clashes” in the area of separation on Syria’s border with Israel could “jeopardize the cease-fire between the two countries”.

U.N. Security Council expresses concern over Syrian regime’s use of barrel bombs.

The Associated Press & Israel Hayom Staff

 

The U.N. Security Council expressed concern on Wednesday about ongoing military activity on the Golan Heights by the Syrian army and opposition fighters and condemned the decapitation of five apparent members of Syria’s military.

A U.N. Peacekeeper on the Golan Heights – Photo: JINI

The council was briefed Wednesday on the U.N. peacekeeping force in the region, known as UNDOF, which was established after the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

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| March 27, 2014
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Al-Quds U. president resigns a few days after Hamas rally

A similar rally in support of Islamic Jihad on the Al-Quds campus in November led to the suspension of ties between Al-Quds University & Brandeis University.

By JTA

 

Sari Nusseibeh, the president of the Palestinian Al-Quds University, resigned three days after a rally in support of Hamas at its eastern Jerusalem campus.

Hamas rally at Al-Quds University in Jerusalem. - Photo: Facebook

Hamas rally at Al-Quds University in Jerusalem. – Photo: Facebook

Nusseibeh will step down at the end of the academic year, according to an announcement on the university’s website. The announcement said that Nusseibeh announced his decision on Wednesday at a meeting of the university’s board of trustees, since he has reached the retirement age of 65.

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| March 27, 2014
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Israel unacquainted with Turkish reports of Mavi Marmara compensation deal

 

The Israeli gov’t claims to be unaware of Turkish papers reporting Israel to pay Turkey $21 million for deaths in 2010 raid on Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara, & an end to the Gaza blockade, after which Erdoğan will visit Israel’s capital of Jerusalem.

By Ynetnews, AFP

 

Israel knows nothing about a reported final compensation agreement for a deadly IDF raid on a Turkish Gaza-bound flotilla in 2010, and did not coordinate any announcement on the matter, a source in Jerusalem told Ynet on Thursday.

Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan & Israeli PM Binyamin Netanyahu – Photo: REUTERS

The statement came after varying reports of a deal emerged in the Turkish media, including one report that Israel would end the blockade on the Gaza Strip. Continue Reading »

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| March 27, 2014
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PA official: If Abbas won’t bend to US, Israeli pressure he may meet Arafat’s fate

Kerry confers with Jordan’s King Abdullah before meeting with PA President. Officials say Kerry wants Abbas to agree to extend talks until end of year.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
 

 

Palestinian officials in Ramallah said Wednesday that they don’t rule out the possibility that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas would agree to the extension of the peace talks with Israel after the nine-month deadline set by the US Administration expires at the end of April.

John Kerry and Mahmoud Abbas. - Photo: Reuters

John Kerry and Mahmoud Abbas. – Photo: Reuters

The officials said that US Secretary of State John Kerry has been exerting pressure on Abbas to agree to the extension of the talks at least until the end of the year. Continue Reading »

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| March 26, 2014
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Hamas Tells Palestinians They Must Slaughter the Jews

Palestinian parliament member says on Al Aqsa TV that Allah commands Muslims to kill all infidels when you can’t subjugate them.

By Israel Today Staff

 

A Hamas member of the Palestinian parliament said in a recent televised address that Palestinian Muslims must either subdue or massacre the Jews, and that genuine, long-lasting peace with the infidels is not achievable.

Hamas: We Must Slaughter the Jews

Hamas supporters rally in Gaza to mark the 10th anniversary of the assassination of the group’s founder, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin – Photo source: Israel Today

Speaking on Hamas’ Al Aqsa TV, MP Yunis Al-Astal explained that in the Quran, Allah taught the Muslims that “they [the Jews] are the ones with whom you made a covenant, but they break their covenant every time.” Continue Reading »

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| March 26, 2014
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Women have been absent in the pursuit of Mideast peace, conclusions?

 

As the diplomatic process fails to bare fruit, one cannot wonder whether the fact that only one woman at the negotiation table has something to do with it. Activist says, ‘More women need to be among the decisions makers.’

By Alexandra Lukash

 

Except for a handful of women, the majority of people leading diplomatic efforts to reach peace since the time of the Oslo Accords have been men. However, a string of unofficial grassroots projects led by women are intended to change that, with Arab and Jewish women meeting on a regular basis in the hopes of feminizing the process. Continue Reading »

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| March 25, 2014
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Abbas’s PA Promises Millions of Dollars to ‘Martyrs’ Families

PA gov’t encourages Palestinians to trade their lives for their families’ financial security – $74 million allocated to ‘Martyrs’ families ….compliments of U.S. taxpayers.

By Dalit Halevi, Tova Dvori

 

The Palestinian Authority (PA) continues to financially support terrorism, and families of terrorists were set to receive a great deal of that financial support, as PA official Rami Hamdallah pledged another $74 million from the PA budget to the families of ‘martyrs’ for the Palestinian Arab nationalist cause.

On Sunday, Hamdallah said that his government will continue to work to protect the rights of family members of the “martyrs” who were killed in the course of carrying out attacks on Israelis and their supporters abroad, and ensure that they “live dignified lives.” Continue Reading »

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| March 23, 2014
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Syrian weapons transferred to Hezbollah during latest Gaza conflict

 

Saudi Arabian daily Al Watan reports that Assad’s regime exploited cloudy weather & apparent fact that the IDF had diverted its intel focus southward as to retaliate against Gaza rocket barrage, to deliver medium-range missiles & additional advanced weapons to Hezbollah.

By Daniel Siryoti

 

The Saudi Arabian daily Al Watan reported Saturday that Hezbollah received a shipment of medium-range missiles and other advanced weapons from Syria during the most recent round of violence a week and a half ago in the Gaza Strip, during which over 100 rockets were fired at Israel.

Syrian President Bashar Assad with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah [Archive] – Photo: AP

According to the report, Syria and Hezbollah exploited cloudy weather and the fact that the Israeli military had diverted its focus southward to retaliate against the rocket barrage from Gaza. Continue Reading »

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| March 23, 2014
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EU funds €10m. UNICEF Gaza desalination project

 

Water plant will provide 6,000 cubic meters of fresh drinking water to approximately 75,000 Gazans daily, in the southern Strip.

By SHARON UDASIN
 

 

The European Union and UNICEF laid the cornerstone on Friday for the construction of a €10 million desalination plant in Gaza.

Water from the Mediterranean Sea rushes through pipes en route to being filtered for use across Israel in a process called desalination, which could soon account for 80 percent of the country's potable water. (Ben Sales/JTA)

Water from the Mediterranean Sea rushes through pipes en route to being filtered for use across Israel in a process called desalination, which could soon account for 80 percent of the country’s potable water. – Photo: Ben Sales/JTA

The plant, to be implemented by UNICEF with funding from the EU, would provide 6,000 cu.m. of drinking water per day to approximately 75,000 Palestinians in Khan Yunis and Rafah in southern Gaza, according to the two organizations. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| March 23, 2014
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Sudan says it foiled local spy-ring for Israel

 

According to a Sudanese reports, local informants gave Israel intel that facilitated in air-strike on Sudan in 2009 and again in 2012.

By

 

 

Sudan said Saturday night that it has arrested a ring of informants working on behalf of Israeli intelligence.

Sudan explosion

Fire engulfs Yarmouk ammunition factory in Khartoum October 24, 2012. – Photo: Reuters

According to local reports, the Sudanese agents provided Israel with information that facilitated a 2009 attack on a weapons convoy and an airstrike on an arms factory in Khartoum in October 2012.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| March 23, 2014
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Abbas: Israel’s refusal to free imprisoned terrorists would be breach of deal

After Palestinian leader Abbas returned from Washington, having refused all compromises, now warns of action if Israel does not release 4th & final batch of Palestinian prisoners

By i24News/AFP

 

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas warned Saturday of action if Israel failed to release the fourth and final batch of prisoners as agreed under a US-backed deal.

Palestinians president Mahmud Abbas waves to his supporters following his trip to Washington DC, on March 20, 2014, in the West Bank city of Ramallah ( Abbas Momani (AFP) )

Palestinians president Mahmud Abbas waves to his supporters following his trip to Washington DC, on March 20, 2014, in the West Bank city of Ramallah – Photo: Abbas Momani /AFP

“We are awaiting the release of the fourth batch of prisoners, as agreed upon with the Israelis through the United States,” he told members of the central committee of his Fatah movement. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| March 23, 2014
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Abbas: Nothing less than a fully sovereign state with east Jerusalem as its capital

 

Speaking at emergency Fatah Central Committee meeting in Ramallah, Abbas briefs officials on his refusals to compromise on all issues at meetings in the US.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
 

 

The Palestinians won’t accept anything less than a fully sovereign state with east Jerusalem as its capital, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Saturday.

Le président de l'Autorité palestinienne Mahmoud Abbas (g) et Barack Obama à la Maison Blanche, le 17 mars 2014 ( Saul Loeb (AFP) )

Abbas was speaking during an emergency meeting of the Fatah Central Committee in Ramallah.

The Palestinians won’t make any concessions on their rights “regardless of the pressure and threats,” he said.

A Fatah official quoted Abbas as complaining that the US administration was exerting heavy pressure on him to make concessions to Israel in order to boost the peace talks. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| March 21, 2014
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Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei doubt whether ‘Holocaust ever happened’

 

While claiming there is no freedom of speech in Europe, Iran’s supreme leader, denies the Holocaust saying ‘Holocaust is an event whose reality is uncertain.’

By News agencies

 

Ahmadinejad is no longer the president, the nuclear negotiations with the west are progressing – but Iran continues to deny the Holocaust: The Islamic republic’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reverted back to his old ways and once against slammed the western world, while denying the Holocaust.

Iranian leader Ali Khamenei (Photo: AP)

Iranian leader Ali Khamenei – Photo: AP

“Even countries that claim to have freedom set red lines on which they’re utterly strict. Does anybody dare talk about Holocaust in Europe? Continue Reading »

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