Palestinians gleaming with almost unanimous UNHRC support

 

Palestinian foreign minister contends result of UNHRC’s vote on 4 resolutions condemning Israel acknowledges “indisputable right” for Palestinian independence.

 

The Palestinians on Saturday welcomed the almost unanimous show of support they received at the United Nations Human Rights Council as it ended its 25th session in Geneva.

UNHRC

Four resolutions condemning Israeli treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza passed by a 46-to-1 vote. Italy, Germany and France on behalf of the European Union were among the nations that stood against Israel.

“This vote confirms the world’s clear condemnation of the systematic human rights violations committed by Israel, the occupying power, against the Palestinian people and their fundamental rights,” said Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riad Malki. Continue Reading »

Israel’s PM Netanyahu: No more released terrorists without quid pro quo

 

Though Jerusalem refused to execute release of 4th round of imprisoned Palestinian terrorists, PA official claim no immediate action will be taken against Israel.

By Roi Kais, Attila Somfalvi

 

In a meeting with Likud ministers Sunday morning, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu exclaimed that no more Palestinian prisoners will be released if no clear exchange will be guaranteed.

Previous round of Palestinian prisoners' release (Photo: Hassan Shaalan)

Previous round of Palestinian prisoners’ release – Photo: Hassan Shaalan

“It could be a matter of days. Either it resolves or implodes. Either way, there will be no deal without the exchange that the State of Israel receives will be clear,” the prime minister said. Continue Reading »

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 »

PA Waiting to See U.S. Reaction to Postponement of 4th Terrorist Release

Palestinian Arab sources say Abbas’ Palestinian Authority is waiting for the US to formally respond to Israel’s decision not to release imprisoned terrorists, before taking action.

By Tova Dvorin

 

The Palestinian Authority (PA) is biding its time to act after Israel refused to release the fourth batch of terrorists Friday, a source told A-Sharaq Al-Awsat Sunday, and is waiting for US government officials to react before taking unilateral steps on the issue in violation of previous agreements.

“The [PA] leadership does not want to cause conflict immediately by taking responsibility for the destruction of the peace process,” the sources stated. Continue Reading »

Boycott? Palestinians Increase Their Imports from Israel

According to new released statistics, the Palestinian Authority has seen an increase in both importing from Israel & exporting to Israel.

By Elad Benari, Canada

 

The Palestinian Authority (PA) really likes Israeli-made products and even prefers them over those of other countries, according to newly released statistics.

In fact, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics reported Friday, the PA has seen an increase in both importing from Israel and exporting to Israel.

According to the statistics, in January, the PA’s exports declined by 8.7 percent compared with the previous month, but its scope, which amounted to 68.6 million, was still larger by 10.1 percent compared to the same month last year. Continue Reading »

UN Human Rights Council exemplifies the absurdity of it’s name

 

Human Rights Council makes a mockery of it’s mandate by completely ignoring the world’s victims in its self satisfying personal agenda.

Ignoring continuing Syrian atrocities against it populace on a regular bases and the IDF providing emergency medical attention to the wounded Syrians in Israeli hospitals, the UN Human Rights Council passed with the support of 33 members Agenda Item 7, condemning ‘Israeli treatment of the Syrian population on the Golan Heights.’

By Ynetnews

 

Israel’s staunch ally, America, was the sole buffer against five resolutions which passed Friday against the Jewish State at the UN’s top human rights body. Continue Reading »

IDF Shoot & Hit Two Terrorists on Israel’s Syrian Border

— SPECIAL SECURITY REPORT —

IDF soldiers shoot & hit two terrorists attempting to infiltrate into Israel’s Golan Heights from Syria.

By Elad Benari, Canada

 

IDF soldiers were able to prevent two terrorists from infiltrating into Israel in the Golan Heights, near the border with Syria, on Friday night.

Israel-Syria border (archive) – Reuters

According to the IDF, the soldiers identified two suspects fiddling with the security fence along the border. It is believed they also tried to place an explosive device. The troops open fired, hitting the two terrorists.

“The IDF will continue to protect the border and prevent attacks,” said the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit in a statement quoted by Channel 2 News. Continue Reading »

Jerusalem Reports to PA: Israel Cancels Last Terror Release

Senior Palestinian official reveals that Jerusalem has informed the PA  that it will not release last batch of convicted murderers on Saturday.

By Ari Yashar

 

A senior Palestinian Authority (PA) official announced Friday that Israel has told the PA it will not go through on the fourth and final batch of terrorist releases, which was set for Saturday night.

“The Israeli government has informed us through the American mediator that it will not abide with its commitment to release the fourth batch of Palestinian prisoners scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday 29,” PA official Jibril Rajoub told AFP.

“Israel has refused to commit to the names that were agreed upon of prisoners held by Israel since before the 1993 Oslo agreements,” added Rajoub, calling the move a “slap in the face of the US administration and its efforts.” Continue Reading »

Talks of Israel without a president

 

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has discussed in recent weeks shutting down the presidency for good, since the Prime Minister isn’t interested in any of the current candidates to replace President Shimon Peres, whose term as ends in July.

By Mati Tuchfeld

 

Continue Reading »

Richard Falk to be replaced by Chinkin from UNHRC ‘s Goldstone Report

The Arab League wants a proven, pro-Palestinian legal campaigner who’ll more effectively promote a BDS agenda than a Muslim diplomat.

 

 

At the Arab League’s request the United Nations Human Rights Council later today plans to replace its special investigator Richard Falk with British legal expert Christine Chinkin who helped author the controversial 2009 Goldstone Report on Gaza.

OVERVIEW OF the Human Rights Council at the UNHRC Photo: Reuters

Late Thursday night UN Watch’s executive director Hillel Neuer leaked the document UNHRC President Baudelaire Ndong Ella intends to present to the council as it end its 25th session in Geneva by appointing 19 investigators late this afternoon. Continue Reading »

Canadian FM Baird: Jewish refugees need be considered into Mideast peace accord

 

Foreign Minister Baird stresses recognition of all the refugee populations, and that the 800,000 Jewish refugees from Arab countries ‘does not diminish or compete with the situation of Palestinian refugees.’

By Ynetnews

 

Recognition of Jewish refugees from Arab states should be part of the Israeli-Palestinian peace accord, Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird said Wednesday.

Israel's Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman (R) greets his Canadian counterpart John Baird before their dinner in Jerusalem, Jan. 19, 2013. - Photo: REUTERS/Darren Whiteside

Israel’s Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman (R) greets his Canadian counterpart John Baird before their dinner in Jerusalem, Jan. 19, 2013. – Photo: REUTERS/Darren Whiteside

On Wednesday, the Canadian House of Commons accepted a report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, that recommended the Canadian government officially recognize the experience of Jewish refugees from Arab states. Continue Reading »

Sipping wine in a 150 yr-old German Knights Templer cave

Ovad & Shani describe pouring all their passion into their dream wine bar ‘Jajo’.

 

Two years ago, when I met Ovad and Shani Zetuni for the first time, they convinced me they had something interesting on their hands. Together we hopped over cesspits, rolled in the sand, got some fresh air and climbed down to find a damp cave with high, empty vaulted ceiling.

Shani and Ovad Zetuni in the new Jajo bar.

Shani and Ovad Zetuni in the new Jajo bar. – Photo: Ilya Melnikov

Our conversation echoed and there was a dripping noise in the background. Workers were busy reinforcing the walls, peeling off old material and plastering them anew, and the ceiling was festooned with ladders.

Continue Reading »

IDF Capture 2 Terror Suspects Crossing Gaza Fence

The 2 Palestinians caught by the IDF after they breached the security fence to sneak into Israel, are now held during investigation.

By Ari Yashar

 

The border with Gaza remains turbulent. On Friday, two local Arabs were captured by the IDF after they breached the Gaza security fence.

The two were heading towards Israel for intents that remain unclear. They have been taken for investigation by security forces.

IDF forces discovered two explosives planted against the security fence just this Tuesday, during routine activities in the area. The explosives were neutralized without causing any damage or injuries.

Meanwhile last Thursday, an advanced terror tunnel was discovered by the IDF. Continue Reading »

EU diplomats warn of impending regional firestorm over Temple Mount

The EU report contains an implicit criticism by Muslim religious authorities & Palestinian politicians to deny the historic affiliation Jews have to the Temple Mount.

 

 

European Union diplomats stationed in Jerusalem and Ramallah are warning of regional conflagration over the Temple Mount. A March 18 internal report to Brussels raises caution around the changing status quo at the holy site and the growing tension triggered by the demands of right-wing Jewish groups.

The Shoafat neighborhood of East Jerusalem, November 2013.

The Shoafat neighborhood of East Jerusalem, November 2013. – Photo: Olivier Fitoussi

“There remains a significant risk that incidents at this highly sensitive site, or perceived threats to the status quo, may spark extreme reactions locally as well as across the Arab and Muslim world, and have the potential to derail the peace negotiations,” according to the report, which was obtained by Haaretz.

Continue Reading »

New IDF Rules of Engagement to Golan Hezbollah Attack: Shoot on Sight

IDF soldiers will now shoot on sight when encountering suspicious-looking movement in the area of the Golan Heights border fence with Syria.

By Moshe Cohen

 

The IDF Northern Command on Thursday announced that it was changing its orders regarding opening fire in areas along the Golan border fence. Anyone from the Syrian side who comes near the fence should expect to be shot, the IDF said.

The new orders were issued in response to a terror attack attempts that took place in the area recently. Last week, IDF forces clashed with terrorists, opening fire on terrorists who placed an explosive on the border fence with Syria. Continue Reading »