Hamas Claims IDF Wounded 2 Gazans in Separate Clashes

Israeli army spokesperson unit confirms IDF troops fired at a man in Gaza approaching the security fence with Israel, but not aware of other incident.

By Arutz Sheva Staff

 

Hamas officials say two men were wounded in separate clashes with the IDF Saturday.

Gaza’s healthy ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra claimed a 16-year-old youth was shot near the security barrier with Israel in Khan Yunis, according to AFP.

He also claimed a 36-year-old fisherman was shot while he was aboard his boat in the Mediterranean off Gaza City.  

The IDF said it was not aware of the two incidents in question, but did say troops had opened fire at a Palestinian man who was approaching the security barrier on foot. Continue Reading »

Jerusalem Barrs Russian Missile Ship from Israeli Port Over Ukraine Crisis

Gov’t official said Israel is striving to maintain its neutrality in mists of the big powers’ confrontation over the Ukraine.

By  

 

Israel denied a request by Moscow to let a Russian missile boat anchor at Haifa a month ago, making the decision against the backdrop of the crisis in Ukraine, said a senior official in Jerusalem involved in the matter.

 Russian warship, Crimea

Russian warship, Crimea, March 14, 2014. – Photo: Reuters

Israeli officials were worried that allowing a Russian naval vessel to visit Haifa would worsen tensions with the United States. There were also concerns about possible espionage.

The request was handled by the national security adviser, Yossi Cohen.

Continue Reading »

Britain Grants Livni Temporary ‘War Crimes’ Immunity

Special immunity from ‘ideological legal stunts’ ahead of Livni’s London visit has been guaranteed, whereas Abbas visits freely despite Hamas unity.

By Ari Yashar

 

Justice Minister Tzipi Livni (Hatnua) has been given temporary diplomatic immunity by the British government ahead of her visit to London later in the week, in an attempt to shield her from “war crimes” prosecution.

Despite her push for peace talks, opposition to “settlers,” and opposition to a Basic Law enshrining Israel legally as the Jewish state, Livni has been threatened with British arrest warrants over her role as Foreign Minister during the counter-terror Operation Cast Lead. Continue Reading »

Former Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert sentenced to 6 years for corruption

 

For 1st time in Israel’s history, a former Prime Minister is sentenced to jail: Judge sentences former PM Ehud Olmert to 6 years in jail for his role in real-estate development corruption affair.

By Naama Cohen-Friedman

 

Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was sentenced to six years in prison and fined NIS 1 million in court in Tel Aviv on Tuesday morning for his role in the ‘Holyland Affair’, the real estate corruption case considered the largest of its kind in Israeli history.

Photo: Yotam Ronen

Six years in prison for former PM – Photo: Yotam Ronen

The case marks the first time a prime minister was convicted of a felony and now, with his sentencing, the first time a former prime minister has ever been sentenced to jail time. Continue Reading »

IDF closes Golan border crossing after armed conflict on Syrian side

Since Islamic Rebel forces in Syria have managed in the past to take over the Quneitra crossing, Israel closes the area.

By and Reuters

 

 

The Israel Defense Forces declared the area around the Golan Heights’ Quneitra crossing a closed military zone, in the wake of fighting in Syria.

Quneitra

Smoke billowing from an explosion during clashes between rebels and Syrian pro-government forces in the Syrian town of al-Kahtaniyya, May 11, 2014. – Photo: AFP

IDF officials expressed concern that the fighting could spill over into Israel. The rebels in Syria have managed to take over the crossing for several hours in past.

Continue Reading »

Netanyahu commits Israel To Aid Nigeria With Hostages

Prime Minister Netanyahu promises the Nigerian president that Israel is willing to help with the return of 300 schoolgirls kidnapped by Al Qaeda linked Boko Haram terror group.

By Ari Yashar

 

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu offered on Sunday to help Nigeria in trying to recover roughly 300 Christian schoolgirls, who were kidnapped by the Al Qaeda-linked terrorist group Boko Haram.

“Israel expresses its deep shock at the crime against the girls,” Netanyahu reportedly said by phone to Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, while on an official visit to Japan.

“We are prepared to help in locating the girls and to fight the cruel terror which has struck you,” pledged Netanyahu. Continue Reading »

Former Arab League chief Amr Moussa: Hamas must recognize Israel

 

Former Arab League chief & Egyptian foreign minister Amr Moussa calls on Hamas to ‘declare acceptance of Arab initiative of 2002, which is map of normalization & recognition of Israel.’

By AFP

 

Hamas must recognize the existence of Israel if the Palestinians are to move forward with their hopes of establishing their own state, former Arab League chief and Egyptian foreign minister Amr Moussa said Wednesday.

 former Arab League chief and Egyptian foreign minister Amr Moussa  - Photo: The Associated Press

Former Arab League chief and Egyptian foreign minister Amr Moussa – Photo: The Associated Press

“It is normal for the Palestinians to reconcile,” Moussa said of a recent unity deal struck between the Hamas militants who run the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian Liberation Organization. Continue Reading »

Danish Lawmaker Demands Palestine Participation at Anual Eurovision Song Contest

 

Citing IDF’s mistreatment of Palestinians, Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen says having Palestine invited to song contest would send strong message to Israel.

By Gil Naveh

 

Every year, and this year’s event in Copenhagen is no exception, geopolitics play out in some way at the Eurovision Song Contest. This time, it’s the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen, a member of the Danish parliament, attacked the organizers of the competition at the opening ceremony for not inviting the Palestinian Authority to participate even though Israel is, Turkish newspaper the Daily Sabah reported.

Suzy representing Portugal performs during the first semi-final at Eurovision, 2014.

Suzy representing Portugal performs during the first semi-final at Eurovision, 2014.

Continue Reading »

Greek Orthodox Church Sacks Priest who Supported Christian Arab IDF Enlistment

AFP reported Thursday that the Greek Orthodox church dismissed Father Gabriel Nadaf from his post in Nazareth without even bothering to summon him.

By Ari Yashar and Gil Ronen

 

An Israeli Arab Orthodox priest has reportedly been dismissed by the Greek Orthodox church in Israel, after publicly supporting IDF service for Christian Arabs.

PM Netanyahu meets Gabriel Nadaf, Aug. 2013 – Reuters

Church spokesman Essa Musleh told AFP on Thursday that the decision was made on Tuesday to fire Father Gabriel Nadaf from his post in Nazareth, and that the decision was only being made public now.

“We warned him before to keep to his priestly duties and not to interfere in matters of the army,” Musleh said.  Continue Reading »

Israel navy has new maritime countermeasures for Hezbollah

 

Israel Navy’s newly installed “MF-STAR” radar has greater range than its predecessors, can distinguish between friendly & enemy ships and detect & respond to multiple targets simultaneously.

By Yoav Zitun

 

Israel’s navy has a new weapon in the fight against threats from Syria and Hezbollah. Its newly installed “MF-STAR” radar system is designed to counter the Yakhont (S-800) anti-ship missiles used by both.

Simulation of missile launch from ship (Photo: IDF Spokesman's Unit)

Simulation of missile launch from ship (Photo: IDF Spokesman’s Unit)

The IDF says that the radar, manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), has a greater range in comparison to the previous generation of systems, can mark more targets at once, and detect enemy ships hiding among dozens of friendly or non-combatant vessels. Continue Reading »

Unseasonal rain across Israel causing flooding in south

Heaviest rain fell in Arad & Ra’anana, measuring 50 millimeters of rain since Wednesday night leaving hundreds of tourists stranded.

 

Heavy rain fell Wednesday night across most of the country. The rain is expected to continue through Thursday afternoon and there may be some isolated storms Friday as well.

Jerusalem.- Photo by Reuters

According to Meteotech, the largest quantities of rain fell in Arad and Ra’anana, the latter registering 50 millimeters of rain since Wednesday night. There are reports of flooding in the south.

Police in Israel say rescuers are evacuating dozens of American tourists who were stranded overnight in a parking lot in the Negev desert due to rare heavy rains.

Continue Reading »

Israel Environmentalists Decree Eilat Railroad ‘A Big Waste of Money’

Environmental & civic groups have written to Israel’s Finance Minister, asking him to freeze further steps for construction of a rail line to Eilat.

By Moshe Cohen

 

Environmental and civic groups have written to Finance Minister Yair Lapid, asking him to freeze plans for construction of a rail line to Eilat. The groups say that the cost of the electric train line could reach NIS 30 billion ($700 million) – money that could be better spent on urban projects that will be less damaging to the environment.

High-speed trains - IsraelandStuff/PP

Will Eilat have high-speed trains? – IsraelandStuff/PP

The groups say that the line will serve only about 3 million people a year, and will constitute a hazard for desert animals, who may be injured or killed by the high-speed trains traversing the Negev desert. Continue Reading »

Sculptures in the sand at Eretz Israel Museum

A dozen int’l sand sculptors make magic with 700 tons of sand.

By Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 

Give a dozen talented sand sculptors 700 tons of Israeli sand, and what do you get? Fifteen awesome works of art at Tel Aviv’s Eretz Israel Museum.

“Every sculpture was made by one sculptor in 16 days,” says artist Baldrick Buckle. “The sand is a mixture of some sand that’s close to the Dead Sea and some of the local quarry towns to give us the best formula for working in sculpture.”

Designs were inspired by the Bible, popular fairy tales and super heroes. Continue Reading »

Alert IDF Soldiers Discover Illegal Weapons in Terrorist’s Possession

Late Tuesday evening, soldiers from the IDF’s Kfir Brigade discovered 2 automatic assault-rifles & a handgun while carrying out an arrest in the Judea & Samaria region.

Major Shai Kedem, deputy commander of the battalion responsible for the operation, explained how his soldiers uncovered the weapons.

By IDF Blog

 

 

“The incident started as a routine arrest that we carried out after receiving intelligence information,” said Maj. Shai Kedem, an IDF commander whose soldiers uncovered several weapons south of Jenin late Tuesday. During the arrest, the soldiers performed searches and found concealed weapons in the house of a Palestinian terror suspect.

Continue Reading »

Opinion: A humorist’s observation to the Arab-Israel Conflict

 

 

As a service to all Americans who still don’t get it, I now offer you the story of the Middle East in just a few paragraphs, which is all you really need.

Whosoever Blesses Them – The intifada and its defenders

By LARRY MILLER • Apr 22, 2002

 

 

I WAS WATCHING Greta Van Facelift on Fox the other night, and she and her guests made me talk back to the TV. Shout back, actually. Nothing witty or trenchant, you understand, just something like, “Oh, come on!” Now, to be honest, it was late, and I was downstairs alone, and I was a little, what’s the word .

Continue Reading »