Archive for Mid-East News

| November 17, 2013
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UK Report: Saudi Arabia Teams up with Israel For Strike on Iran

UK’s the Sunday Times reports Israel & the Saudis are reportedly creating a contingency plan for a joint strike on Iran should the American appeasement plan succeed.

New alliances forged while U.S. President refuses phone calls from Jerusalem.

By Maayana Miskin

 

Historic enemies Israel and Saudi Arabia may team up to fight Iran if talks between Iran and the West fail to curb Iran’s nuclear program, the Sunday Times reports.

Saudi King Abdullah welcomes French President Francois Hollande – AFP/Bertrand Langlois

According to the report, Israel would carry out the actual airstrike, with Saudi Arabia providing technical support.

The report indicates growing upset in the Arab world over the failure to stop Iran’s nuclear program. Continue Reading »

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| November 17, 2013
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Russian dignitaries to Egypt given red carpet reception

 

Retired Egyptian general reports that Egypt may sign a $2 billion deal with Moscow for the purchase of 24 MiG fighter attack-jets as well as an air defense system & anti-tank missiles.

Russian analyst: Egypt will not remain a hostage to U.S. dictates forever.

By The Associated Press & Israel Hayom Staff

In an echo of the Cold War, Egypt gave the red carpet welcome Thursday to senior Russian officials aiming to expand Moscow’s influence through military and economic cooperation with a key U.S. ally in the Middle East.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy, right, and Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov following their meeting in Cairo, Egypt, Thursday – Photo: AP

The flirtation underscores how U.S.-Egyptian

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| November 16, 2013
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Abbas & the PA Have Double Standards on Palestinian Prisoners

As far as Mahmoud Abbas & the Palestinian Authority leadership is concerned, the only “heroes” are those prisoners who are incarcerated in Israeli prisons. To Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, Palestinians who are being tortured and killed in Arab prisons are not even worth a statement.

By Khaled Abu Toameh

 

While the Palestinian Authority continues to demand the release of Palestinians from Israeli jails, it has long been ignoring the fact that thousands of Palestinians are languishing in prisons in several Arab countries.

Palestinian prisoners in an Israeli jail - Photo: Tal Cohen

Palestinian prisoners – Photo: Tal Cohen

The families of the prisoners held by Israel at least know where their sons are and most visit them on a regular basis. Continue Reading »

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| November 16, 2013
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Hezbollah threat grows with new allies & a new strategy

Despite the atmosphere of mutual deterrence, Hezbollah’s alliance with Damascus & Tehran, the ongoing war in Syria & their alignment with new regional forces could spark a firestorm.

By

 

 

Two visits to the Lebanon border within a week reveal a new reality. Concern about the eruption of a military confrontation with Hezbollah there − which is something that has in the past dictated many of the Israel Defense Forces’ moves along the border − is fading. A feeling of mutual deterrence between Israel and Hezbollah appears to be taking root, and is helping to restrain both sides, besides which the Shi’ite organization is deeply involved in the civil war in Syria. Continue Reading »

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| November 15, 2013
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Hamas faction calls on Fatah to ‘Prepare for War’

The Al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas call on Fatah leadership to prepare for upcoming war with Israel, should Jews be allowed to pray on the Temple Mount.

By Dalit Halevi, Ari Yashar

 

During an Al-Qassam Brigade military parade Hamas officials called on Fatah to prepare for war with Israel, and threatened to declare war if Jews are allowed to pray at the Temple Mount.

At the parade by Hamas’ “military wing”, which marks a year since the IDF Pillar of Defense counter-terror operation in Gaza,  Raeed Sa’ad, a high-ranking commander of Al-Qassam, called on Fatah and its military branch in Judea and Samaria to prepare for the next clash with Israel. Continue Reading »

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| November 15, 2013
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MK Ayelet Shaked: Judea & Samaria Arabs will become Jordanian Citizens

Speaking in Washington, MK Ayelet Shaked says Judea & Samaria Arabs will be Jordan citizens, Gaza could become independent or annexed to Egypt. She went on to warn of a nuclear Iran.

By Ari Yashar

 

MK Ayelet Shaked (Jewish Home/Bayit Yehudi) spoke in Washington Thursday night, warning about a nuclear Iran and proposing that Arabs in Judea and Samaria will be citizens of Jordan, while Gaza will be independent or annexed to Egypt.

Ayelet Shaked speaking in Washington – Photo: Jim Innes

The Jewish Home MK spoke before American and European politicians at an event hosted by former MK Benny Elon and attended by members of a pro-Israel lobby. Continue Reading »

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| November 15, 2013
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Ron Prosor: PLO negotiator’s resignation was pretext to stop talks.

Palestinian negotiator resigned saying Israel is spreading lies & trying to sabotage the peace process

By JPOST.COM STAFF, MICHAEL WILNER
 

 

Chief Palestinian peace  Saeb Erekat, who resigned earlier this month over continued Israeli settlement construction, accused Israel on Thursday of trying to sabotage the peace process.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat - Photo: REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat – Photo: REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman

“The only thing that is ongoing [at the moment] is the destruction, undermining and torpedoing of the two state solution by the settlement activities,” he told Channel 2’s Oded Ben-Ami, noting angrily that by continuing settlement construction, Israel is dictating conditions to the talks.

“The real negotiation is taking place between Prime Minister [Binyamin Netanyahu], [Housing and Construction Minister Uri] Ariel, [Defense Minister Moshe] Ya’alon and [Foreign Minister Avigdor] Liberman,” he accused. Continue Reading »

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| November 15, 2013
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Minister Bennett: Israel prefers a diplomatic solution to nuclear Iran

 

 

In his speech in Washington, Economy Minister Bennett says he wishes Israel some day sign free trade deal with Iran, but expressed his opposition to the White House’s current outline of nuclear deal.

By Attila Somfalvi

Economy Minister Naftali Bennett delivered a speech on Thursday to the Brookings Institution in Washington, saying that Israel was in great support of a diplomatic solution to the issue of nuclear Iran, seeing as “if Iran achieves a nuclear weapon, we will be their first target.”

Senator McCain welcomes Bennett – Photo: Shmulik Almani

He nevertheless added that if the Islamic republic indeed managed to achieve nuclear weapon, Israel “will not be their last target,” as the Iranians are capable of reaching Rome, Madrid, London and New York. Continue Reading »

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| November 14, 2013
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Hamas Boasts Gaza Ready For Next War With IDF

Hamas military spokesman claimed terrorist organization is ready for their next battle with Israel…just before the IAF destroyed hidden rocket launchers in Gaza in retaliation for shooting mortars into southern Israel.

By Dalit Halevi, Ari Yashar

 

 

Abu Ubaida, spokesman of the Al-Qassam Brigade, military arm of Hamas which rules Gaza, said “we’re ready for the next battle.” The statement came just before the latest Gaza clash broke out Thursday afternoon.

According to Ubaida, Hamas is working to develop new methods to surprise and attack “the Zionist enemy.”

The new battle appears to be knocking on the door, as Gazan terrorists opened rocket and mortar fire on Israel Thursday, eliciting an IAF airstrike which took out two concealed rocket launchers. Continue Reading »

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| November 14, 2013
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Nasrallah: No deal with Iran will cause regional war

 

Hezbollah chief blames Israel for trying to stop deal in attempt to force Middle East into armed conflict.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

 

 

Failure to strike a deal with Iran over its nuclear program would result in “war in the region,” Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said on Wednesday, Lebanon’s NOW reported.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah addresses supporters on the eve of Ashura in Beirut, November 13.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah addresses supporters on the eve of Ashura in Beirut, November 13.- Photo: REUTERS/Hasan Shaaban

“To all Arab peoples in the Gulf countries of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE and Oman: What is the alternative to understanding between Iran and world leaders? It is regional war,” Nasrallah said in a rare public appearance to mark the Shiite Muslim Ashura holiday in southern Beirut.

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| November 13, 2013
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The silver lining behind Obama’s cloud of a weak America

The Obama Doctrine: “Snub friends, coddle opponents, devalue American interests, seek consensus, & act unpredictably.”

So, how could France not step-up to the plate?

By Daniel Pipes

 

That the socialist French government of François Hollande just blocked a bad deal with Tehran, emerging as the hero of the Geneva negotiations, is on one level a huge surprise. But it also follows logically from the passivity of the Obama administration.

American foreign policy is in unprecedented free-fall, with a feckless and distracted White House barely paying attention to the outside world, and when it does, acting in an inconsistent, weak, and fantastical manner. Continue Reading »

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| November 13, 2013
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Hamas celebrates year since Israel’s ‘Operation Pillar of Defense’ in Gaza

 

Hamas minister calls on all Arabs in Israel, Gaza & the West Bank to unite in a ‘Jihad’ to ‘uproot the Jews’ from all of Israel.

 

Thousands of Hamas security forces on Tuesday staged a military parade in the Gaza Strip to mark the anniversary of the eight-day conflict with Israel last year known as Operation Pillar of Defense.

Hamas hold national flags as they march in Gaza City to mark one year since Israel Gaza operation


Hamas hold national flags as they march in Gaza City to mark one year since Pillar of Defense, Nov. 13, 2013. – Photo: Reuters

The hostilities began when Israel assassinated Hamas’ military commander, Ahmad Jabari, in a November 2012 airstrike.

Continue Reading »

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| November 13, 2013
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Hamas calls dissident opposition group a foreign ‘conspiracy’

Palestinian opposition group the Tamarod failed to organize ‘revolt’ against oppressive Hamas on day commemorating Arafat’s death.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH

 

 

Hamas officials on Tuesday expressed relief over the failure of calls to stage mass protests against the Islamist movement in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas militants take part in a protest against peace talks between Israel & the Palestinians. - Photo REUTERS

Hamas militants take part in a protest against peace talks between Israel & the Palestinians. – Photo: REUTERS

Tamarod, an anonymous group, had called on Palestinians to revolt against Hamas on November 11. It received its inspiration from the Egyptian Tamarod movement, which launched mass protests that eventually brought down the regime of president Mohammed Morsi earlier this year. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| November 12, 2013
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Abbas’ PA Accuses Jews of Poisoning Arafat ‘Like Prophet Mohammed’

Watch Minister of Religious Affairs for the PA, on official Palestinian Authority TV, claim Arafat was poisoned by the Jews ‘like prophet Mohammed.’

By Ari Yashar

 

In a sermon broadcasted on official Palestinian Authority (PA) TV, the PA Minister of Religious Affairs Al-Habbash said former PA chairman Yasser Arafat, like Islam’s prophet Mohammed, was poisoned to death by Jews.

Yasser Arafat – Photo: AFP

During the sermon, which was translated by Palestinian Media Watch, Al-Habbash said Arafat died a martyr. He added “we don’t have the slightest doubt that they (the Jews) killed him…even Allah’s Messenger (Mohammed) they (the Jews) killed him with poison.” Continue Reading »

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| November 12, 2013
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Hamas & Fatah argue over Arafat memorial ceremony

 

The 2 largest Palestinian factions fight over Arafat’s legacy, as Hamas refuses Fatah members at Gaza memorial ceremony. 

By AFP

Palestinian movement Fatah has accused Gaza’s rulers Hamas of banning it from commemorating Monday’s ninth anniversary of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat’s death and arresting several of its members.

Yasser Arafat

Yasser Arafat, not yet dead

“We condemn the summoning and arrest of some of our members and demand to stop them immediately,” said the Ramallah-based Fatah party, which was founded by Arafat and is now headed by Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas .

Arafat died in Paris on November 11, 2004 at 75 after falling sick a month earlier. Continue Reading »

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