IDF to establish 3rd mixed-gender infantry combat battalion

The new infantry battalion will be assigned to protect the border, with the women having to agree to serve an extra year, to make their induction time in the IDF matching that of men’s service.

By Lilach Shoval

 

This year’s August draft will also inaugurate the third mixed-gender combat battalion in the Israel Defense Forces, Israel Hayom has learned. The new battalion will be defined as a light infantry battalion assigned to protect the borders, much like the existing Caracal and Lions of Jordan battalions.

During an exercise male & female soldiers push each other along while some carry the stretcher.

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Israel Police clash with disruptive Palestinian protest in Jerusalem

WATCH: Israel’s Police are called when Palestinians organize disruptive counter-event to Jerusalem’s annual Light Festival, in objection to the capital’s municipality expressing its Jewish identity.

By REUTERS

 

Police used stun grenades to disperse hundreds of Palestinians on Wednesday who were protesting against an Israeli light festival at the Old City of Jerusalem.

Police clash with Palestinians in Jerusalem – Photo: AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP

Police said four men were arrested. A few were pushed to the ground during the scuffles but no serious injuries were reported.

The light festival is an annual event organized by Israel’s Jerusalem municipality where thousands take part in the cultural and artistic events including dancing and singing. Continue Reading »

European boycott of Israel is silently growing

While food-chains across the globe are appeasing violent BDS protesters who attack its Israeli merchandise, European banks are also severing their cooperation with Israeli counterparts.

By Navit Zomer, Itamar Eichner and Udi Etzion

 

In April 2012, the Co-operative, Britain’s fifth-largest food retailer, declared it would no longer be importing agricultural produce from the territories or any Israeli supplier linked to produce from there. Five years earlier, retail giant Marks & Spencer announced that it was boycotting products from the West Bank, while the Tesco supermarket chain stopped marketing dates from the Jordan Valley.

BDS campaign on an American university campus – Photo: AP

 

And they are not alone: Over the past few years, numerous other companies from various countries around the world have announced some kind of a boycott of Israeli goods or companies. Continue Reading »

IAF Retaliates with Airstrikes in Gaza Following ISIS Rocket Attack on Southern Israel

Israel Air Force responds to 3 rockets fired from Gaza that the Islamic State terror group claimed responsibility for.
Hamas accuses the Islamic extremists of pulling Israel into another war with Gaza.

By i24news

 

Israeli combat jets struck targets in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip following earlier rocket fire on Israeli communities bordering the Palestinian enclave, Palestinian media reported early Thursday morning.

Hours earlier, three missiles fired from the Strip landed in open areas in the Sdot Negev Regional Council in after sirens warning of incoming rockets blared across the south of Israel Thursday evening.

It appears the attack caused no casualties or damage to property. Continue Reading »

Obama Invokes Executive Waiver Delaying Relocation of US Embassy to Jerusalem

President Obama signed the waiver just as successive administrations dating back to Clinton’s, using executive authority to postpone implementation of the law by citing “national security interests.”

By JPOST.COM STAFF

 

US President Barack Obama invoked a waiver on Wednesday postponing the relocation of the American embassy to Jerusalem for at least another six months.

President Barack Obama, assisted by Deputy Staff Secretary Ted Chiodo, signs bills in the Oval Office. – OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE PHOTO/PETE SOUZA

Despite Congressional legislation mandating that the US move its mission to the Israeli capital, successive administrations dating back to the Clinton regime have used presidential authority to postpone implementation of the law by citing “national security interests.” Continue Reading »

Once Again Gaza Launches Rockets at Southern Israel

—– SPECIAL SECURITY ALERT —–

“Red Alert” siren blasts before 2 rockets from Gaza exploded in Sdot region in southern Israel.  • IDF reports no injuries or damage

By Elad Benari

 

The “Red Alert” siren was heard on Wednesday night at around 11:00 p.m. (local time) in some communities in southern Israel.

Sirens were heard, among other places, in the Ashkelon and Netivot areas.

Two rockets from Gaza exploded in the Sdot Negev region. There were no physical injuries or damages.

Just last week, terrorists from Gaza fired a Grad rocket towards southern Israel. The rocket exploded near the community of Gan Yavneh, near Ashdod. Continue Reading »

Canada’s Foreign Minister Declares Unwavering Support for Israel

WATCH: Canada’s FM Rob Nicholson meets with Israel’s PM Netanyahu in Jerusalem, saying Jewish state has no choice and must defend itself.

By i24news

 

Canada’s foreign minister on Wednesday reaffirmed his country’s ironclad support for Israel and said the realities of the Middle East left the Jewish state no choice but to defend itself.

Canada’s FM Rob Nicholson meets with Netanyahu – Screenshot

Meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and on his first visit to Israel, Rob Nicholson’s comments were welcomed by his host at a time of growing pressure on Netanyahu and his right-wing government to curb West Bank settlement and renew talks with the Palestinians. Continue Reading »

Jewish American Philanthropists Backs Group to Combat BDS Efforts

Billionaire Haim Saban to attend conference this weekend, initiated by American businessman Sheldon Adelson & wife Dr. Miriam Adelson, to  confront and neutralize the recent surge in anti-Israel boycott efforts.

By Yoni Hersch, Shlomo Cesana & Yori Yalon

 

Leading Jewish philanthropists, with the help of pro-Israel activists, are organizing a conference to discuss ways to combat the recent surge in anti-Israel boycott efforts. The conference, scheduled for this coming weekend, will focus on fighting the worldwide Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel.
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CEO of French telecom giant Orange would cut ties with Israel if he could

CEO of Orange, one of Israel’s largest cellular service providers, said in Cairo he would cut ties with Israel “tomorrow” if it was financially possible.

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Israeli Judge Reverses Order to Release Palestinian Parliament Member From Jail

New evidence presented to Israeli judge forces cancel release of PFLP MP, as a security risk; she’s accused of inciting the abductions of IDF soldiers.

By Ari Yashar

 

Khalida Jarrar, an MP on the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) who was arrested for terrorism charges, and had been ordered to be released two weeks ago, will remain in jail. Based on new evidence, a military court judge has canceled her release as the case against her continues.

The Arab NGO Addameer told the Palestinian Arab Ma’an News Agency on Tuesday that last Thursday the judge reversed the ruling, recognizing the MP as a security risk based on evidence that was not publicly released due to its sensitive nature. Continue Reading »

Human Rights Group: Palestinian Suffering More Now Than Ever Before

Palestinian human rights are the worst ever, not because of increased Israeli security measures, but inflicted by the hands of their leader.

By Israel Today

 

In one of its more recent reports on human rights in the Palestinian-controlled territories, the Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights said the situation had reached an all-time low, but not because of Israel.

Hamas prepares 3 Gazans before execution- Source: Israel Today

While the advocacy group does routinely lambast Israel for security measures that inflict hardships on average Palestinians, the reason highlighted for the worsening human rights was corrupt and abusive governance by the Palestinian Authority and Hamas. Continue Reading »

WATCH: Obama Interview for Israel TV2 Threaten to Cut US Support at UN

In an open attack against PM Netanyahu, President Obama says if Israel doesn’t renew peace talks with the Palestinians, he will have to make adjustments in US’s position at the UN.

By Ari Yashar

 

US President Barack Obama gave an interview with Israeli media on Tuesday, in which he threatened that an Israeli refusal to renew peace talks with the Palestinian Authority (PA) will “make it hard” for the US to veto motions in the UN against Israel.

In an interview with Ilana Dayan for Channel 2‘s “Uvda” (Fact) TV show aired Tuesday night, Obama commented on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s statements before elections in which he said that a Palestinian state won’t be founded on his watch. Continue Reading »

REPORT: Israel Air Force attacked Lebanon

—– SPECIAL SECURITY REPORT —–

According to reports from Lebanon, IAF attacked 2 targets leaving a number injured in the mountain rages of Jatamansi Arsel near the Lebanese-Syrian border.

By Rachel Avraham

 

Lebanese media outlets reported that IDF battle planes attacked today twice in the mountain rages of Jatamansi Arsel near the Lebanese Syrian border.

Photo: Reuters/Channel 2

According to the reports, a number were injured in the incident.  There is no confirmation for this incident from an Israeli source.

 

View original Jerusalem Online publication at: http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/middle-east/israel-and-the-middle-east/report-idf-battle-planes-attack-lebanon-13791

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German magazine, Der Spiegel fabricates untrue diplomatic crisis with Israel

 

Israel’s embassy in Berlin and the Foreign Ministry vehemently denied a German Der Spiegel article alleging that Israel’s air traffic authority denied German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s plane permission to fly through its airspace during a trip to the Middle East in May because he snubbed a visit to Israel.

German news magazine Der Spiegel is seen at a newsstand in Athens. – Photo: REUTERS

”With regret we take note of the news item in the new Spiegel edition,” Adi Farjon, the spokeswoman for Israel’s embassy in Berlin, wrote to The Jerusalem Post. Continue Reading »

Palestinian Authority seeks energy independence from Israel

With a debt over $500 million that the Palestinian authorities owe the Israel Electric Company from refusing to pay for its energy, the PA is seeking donors to build them an alternative power supply.

By Linda Gradstein, The Media Line

 

Palestinians plan to begin using solar, wind and geothermal power in an effort to cut their dependence on Israeli energy and save money at the same time.

Solar thermal collectors in Tirat Carmel – Photo: Mohammad Shinawi

The Palestinian Authority has approved a national plan to reach ten percent power generation from renewable sources by 2020, and a new energy law set to be approved soon calls for energy generation programs. Continue Reading »