Mid-East News

World powers close to agreement with Iran as nuclear talks continue

3rd round of talks with the Iranians open with the representatives offering contradictory assessments of chances for success.

Netanyahu, ‘It’s possible to reach a better agreement, but it requires being consistent & persistent.’

By Anshel Pfeffer and Reuters

GENEVA – The third round of nuclear talks between Iran and the six powers opened in Geneva Wednesday with the parties offering contradictory assessments of the chances for success.

Netanyahu and Putin arrive for a joint news conference in the Kremlin in Moscow. Wednesday, November 20, 2013.- Photo: AP

Yet even as some of the negotiators sought to lower expectations, most seemed optimistic that by the end of the weekend, an agreement on curbing Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief would be reached.

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: Ali Khamenei, Benjamin Netanyahu, Iran, Iran nuclear, Israel Iran, John Kerry

israelandstuffcom | November 21, 2013

Khamenei: ‘ Zionist regime doomed to annihilation’

Iran’s supreme leader says ‘Israeli officials cannot be called humans, they are like animals’.

Israeli expert: Harsh talk meant “to set stage for deal.”

By ARIEL BEN SOLOMON, REUTERS

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iran would not step back from its nuclear rights, and his negotiating team had set limits for talks over Iran’s disputed nuclear program.

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – Photo: Ho New/Reuters

Khamenei took swipes at Israel and France during his speech to tens of thousands of volunteer Basij militiamen in Tehran, broadcast live on Iran’s Press TV.

“Zionist officials cannot be called humans, they are like animals, some of them,” said Khamenei.

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: Iran, Iran nuclear, Iran sanctions

israelandstuffcom | November 20, 2013

Berlin club hosts Israeli-Iranian DJ group that ‘Spins for Peace’

Dance parties in Berlin show the world that Iranians & Israelis need not be enemies.

By Boaz Arad

BERLIN (JTA) — It’s 4 a.m. at the famous Kater Holzig club and hundreds of beautiful young people are going crazy on the dance floor to the sound of heavy electronic beats.

Israeli DJ Roy Siny, left, and Iranian DJ Afagh Irandoost at the first No Beef party in Berlin, Aug. 17, 2013. (Boaz Arad)

To the casual clubber, it’s just another ordinary night out in Europe’s hottest city. But this gathering is far from ordinary. Many of those dancing are immigrants from two countries whose ongoing tensions could explode in the world’s face at any given moment.

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: music, Tikon Olam

israelandstuffcom | November 20, 2013

Palestinian journalists: Our Freedom of Speech is in danger

Despite promises from the PA to honor freedom of the press, dozens of Palestinian journalists protest recent arrests & detentions, as tensions regarding journalistic freedom of speech escalate

By Diana Atallah, The Media Line

Issues of press freedoms under the Palestinian Authority continued as dozens of journalists organized a demonstration outside of Prime Minister Rami Al-Hamdallah’s office, protesting the recent detention of a colleague and calling for an investigation into similar arrests.

Illustration – Photo: Shutterstock

The day before the protest, Sami Al-Sa’i, a Tulkarem based reporter for the local Wattan news agency, was called in by Palestinian intelligence officers for an interrogation. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: Freedom of the Press, journalists, PA

israelandstuffcom | November 20, 2013

Security Expert: Group That Bombed Embassy in Beirut Founded by Iran

Counter-terror expert says Lebanese branch of Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group that claimed responsibility for Iran embassy bombing was established by Iran.

By Ari Yashar

The Lebanese branch of Abdullah Azzam Brigades, the Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group which claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s attack on Iran’s embassy in Beirut was initially established by Iran, according to a Middle East counter-terror expert.

Scene of Beirut blasts – Reuters

Tuesday’s attack in Lebanon left 23 dead, among them an Iranian attaché, and an additional 146 wounded. The blast reportedly was a message telling Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah to pull their forces out of Syria where they are supporting President Bashar Assad’s regime. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: al-Qaeda, Iran, Lebanon, Terror

World powers set to sign nuclear deal, despite Israeli efforts to stop it

Israel sure that France & Russia will join in despite Hollande’s words.

Netanyahu off to visit Moscow.

Obama asks Congress to refrain from tightening sanctions against Iran while talks continue in Geneva.

By Attila Somfalvi

Against the backdrop of Israel’s attempts to prevent an accord between Iran and world powers, Jerusalem sources have already conceded that at the end of the day there will be an agreement. Even if it takes a few more days, Iran will eventually sign an agreement with the P5+1.

The previous round of talks in Geneva – Photo: AP

Following French President Francois Hollande‘s visit, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to fly Wednesday to Moscow, where he is expected to try to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to attempt to delay and weaken the potential nuclear accord. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: Iran Nuclear Program, Iran Nuclear threat

Same Terrorist Group that Fired on Israel Claims Credit For Beirut Attack

The Iranian ambassador to Lebanon accuses Israel of being behind the double suicide blast….but,

An Al Qaeda-linked terrorist group that fired multiple rockets on Israel from Lebanon, has claimed responsibility for attacking Iran’s embassy in Lebanon’s capital.

By Maayana Miskin

An Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group calling itself the Abdullah Azzam Brigades has claimed responsibility for the attack Tuesday on the Iranian embassy in Beirut. The attack killed 23 people, among them an Iranian attaché, and wounded an additional 146.

al Qaeda demonstration – AFP/File

The attack was carried out by two suicide bombers.

Brigades leader Sheikh Siraj al-Din Zureiqat warned that the group would continue its attacks until Iranian forces leave Syria. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: al-Qaeda, bombing, Iran, Lebanon, suicide attack

Blasts in Beirut at Iranian embassy in Lebanese capital, death toll rises to 23 killed

Beirut residents report hearing 2 loud explosions near the Iranian embassy.

Local reports vary on whether blast caused by car bombs or rockets.

By Jack Khoury, The Associated Press and Reuters

At least 23 people were killed Tuesday morning when an explosion rocked south Beirut. According to some reports, the explosion targeted the Iranian embassy.

Burned cars are shown at the scene after two explosions struck near the Iranian Embassy killing many, in Beirut, Lebanon, on Nov. 19, 2013. – Photo: Hussein Malla, AP

It was not immediately clear what had caused the explosions, and local reports varied from rockets to car bombs. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: Hezbollah, Iran, Lebanon

Exiled dissidents report: Iran building new secret nuclear instillation

Iranian opposition group, which previously exposed the Natanz uranium enrichment plant and the Arak heavy-water facility are now reporting a new underground site that’s being built inside a 600-meter tunnel complex.

By Reuters

An exiled Iranian opposition group said on Monday it had information about an underground nuclear site being built in Iran and that this was among a number of secret venues for an atomic bomb program.

Heavy-water production plant in the central Iranian town of Arak, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2006. – Photo: AP

The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) exposed Iran’s uranium enrichment plant at Natanz and a heavy-water facility at Arak in 2002. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: Iran, Iran nuclear, Iran sanctions

PA President Abbas pays released terrorists $10,000-$50,000 when freed

In addition to exuberant monthly salaries paid by Abbas’ PA to all Palestinian prisoners serving time in Israel jails, they also receive massive prison ‘severance package’ that can easily reach up to $60,000. In one case, Abbas even ok’s to picked up bill for prisoner’s wedding.

The Palestinians Authority is mostly financed by the US & Europe.

By Elior Levy

The 104 Palestinian prisoners – some of which have already been released as part of goodwill gestures taken by Israel to promote peace talks with the Palestinians – will receive massive benefits from the Palestinians Authority.

Abbas with release prisoners – Photo: Gil Yochanan

All those prisoners released during the second batch of prisoner releases which took place last month received a whooping $50,000 from the authority for their time spent in jail. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: Palestinian aid, Palestinian Authority corruption, Palestinian prisoners

Jordan to attain seat on UN Security Council after Saudi Arabia refused

UN General Assembly to vote on giving Jordan the seat traditionally reserved for an Muslim country after Riyadh refused the offer.

By The Associated Press

Jordan’s foreign ministry said Monday the kingdom has presented a request to the United Nations seeking candidacy for a Security Council seat that Saudi Arabia had turned down.

A session of the UN Security Council.- Photo: AP

The Saudis’ rejection of the seat — just 24 hours after it was elected — had stunned the world organization.

According to the Jordanian ministry statement Monday, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh telephoned UN chief Ban Ki-moon late Sunday after sending Jordan’s “official request” in writing.

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: Jordan, UN, UNSC

As jihadis behead one another, Hezbollah deployes thousands & Assad’s forces advance

Hezbollah deployed thousands of its members on the Lebanese side of the border.

Syrian troops engage rebels in mountainous region in an offensive to cut the opposition’s supply route from Lebanon.

Jihadists mistakenly behead an allied commander.

By Daniel Siryoti, Israel Hayom Staff & The Associated Press

Syrian troops clashed with rebels in a mountainous western region Saturday in what appeared to be an offensive to cut an opposition supply route from Lebanon, forcing hundreds to flee for safety across the border, activists and officials said.

Hezbollah is thought to have sent thousands of operatives to Syria to fight for the Assad regime – Photo: Reuters

The fighting was concentrated in the rugged Qalamoun region around the towns of Qara, Rima and Nabak, activists and state media said.

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: Hezbollah, Jihadists, Lebanon, Syrian unrest

Nasrallah’s mystery briefcase draws attention from Lebanese media

During rare double above-ground appearances by Hezbollah leader, his security guard armed with new protective device.

By Roi Kais

Hezbollah General-Secretary Hassan Nasrallah has sparked a lively debate about his newest security accessory, after making two forays into the outside world in recent days.

Nasrallah on stage with unarmed bodyguard carrying the suitcase

Nasrallah made two public appearances to honor the Muslim Holy Day of Ashura, with an oddly-equipped security guard by his side. The two sightings are unusual for the Hezbollah leader, who is known for maintaining heightened security protocols and remaining ‘underground’ for months at a time. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah, Lebanon