Bibi says Iran is no laughing matter on Israeli comedy show

 

Comedy hosts sting Netanyahu on housing reform, settlements, and Iran’s nuclear program. The latter prompted a stern response.

 

A relaxed Benjamin Netanyahu appeared Sunday evening on the hit comedy show “Matsav Hauma” (“State of the Nation”) jousting with the hosts on topics ranging from Israeli politics to the Iranian threat and reiterating his stance on negotiations with the Palestinians.

Netanyahu in 'Matsav Hauma'

Netanyahu in ‘Matsav Hauma.’ – Photo: Niv Eshet Cohen

“The right wing says you can’t talk to [Palestinian President Mahmoud] Abbas,” said host Merav Galili. “Maybe without the ruckus of the tractors building settlements you could hear him better?”

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2 Border Guard officers at Rachel’s Tomb wounded by Arab attackers

 

Police forces were pelted with stones, IEDs &  Molotov cocktails in riot near Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem, with 2 policemen sustaining light to moderate injuries.

By Yoav Zitun

 

Two Border Guard officers were injured after being pelted by stones thrown at the force near Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem, only a day after an IDF raid left three Palestinian terrorists dead in Jenin.

Photo: Courtesy of Rachel Our Mother organization

Forces being treated – Photo: Courtesy of Rachel Our Mother organization

The two soldiers sustained light to moderate injuries and were evacuated to the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem.

Israeli police spokesperson Luba al-Samri was quoted by Palestinian news agency Ma’an say saying that Palestinian youths threw “improvised explosive devices” and Molotov cocktails towards members of the Border Guard in the Aida refugee camp north of Bethlehem, but the soldiers reportedly sustained their injuries from stones thrown at them from rooftops. Continue Reading »

Chechnyan President opens new $10m mosque in Israel

At inauguration of new mosque, Mayor of Arab Israeli town of Abu Ghosh, outside of Jerusalem, tells president of Chechnya that some of the villagers can trace their ancestry to 16th century Chechnya & the Caucas region.

 

 

The president of Russia’s republic of Chechnya has inaugurated a new, $10 million mosque in an Arab village in Israel.

Residents of the Arab Israeli town of Abu Ghosh wave the Chechen flag

Residents of the Arab Israeli town of Abu Ghosh wave the Chechen flag during the dedication ceremony the new Akhmad Kadyrov mosque, on March 23 2014.- Photo: AFP

Ramzan Kadyrov said on Sunday that it was an honor to visit “this good and holy land” during a stop in the village of Abu Ghosh.

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Israel’s PM Praises Nahal Hareidi Unit for Gallantry

Prime Minister Netanyahu complimented the hareidi infantry unit for its role in the eliminating someone who endangered Israeli citizens.

By Gil Ronen

 

Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu paid compliments Sunday to the Nahal Hareidi battalion – the infantry unit that was created especially for hareidi soldiers, and which adheres to stricter codes of kashrut and separation of the sexes than other units.

The hareidi infantry unit played a role in the elimination of Hamza Abu Alheja and two other terrorists in Jenin.

“Over the weekend our forces struck at a terrorist who had organized attacks on Israelis and was also planning attacks on innocent civilians,” said Netanyahu at the start of Sunday’s Cabinet session. Continue Reading »

IDF on High Alert After Deadly Jenin Anti-Terrorist Operation

Israel’s Special Forces cornering wanted Hamas leader in Jenin, resulting in his death along with 2 others, may facilitate more Palestinian violence.

By Tommy Mueller

 

Israeli security forces killed three Palestinian terrorists during gun battles in the northern Samaria town of Jenin early Saturday morning. Among the dead was the objective of the raid, Hamza Abu al-Hija (22), one of the most wanted terrorist leaders in the so-called “West Bank.”

High Alert After Deadly Anti-Terror Raid

Another ‘Pallywood Photo’ where a clean undamaged prop is placed on top of the rubble for convenient photo opportunity.

Around 15,000 people attended the weekend funeral for the three young men. Continue Reading »

Syrian weapons transferred to Hezbollah during latest Gaza conflict

 

The Saudi Arabian daily Al Watan reported Saturday that Hezbollah received a shipment of medium-range missiles and other advanced weapons from Syria during the most recent round of violence a week and a half ago in the Gaza Strip, during which over 100 rockets were fired at Israel.

Syrian President Bashar Assad with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah [Archive] – Photo: AP

According to the report, Syria and Hezbollah exploited cloudy weather and the fact that the Israeli military had diverted its focus southward to retaliate against the rocket barrage from Gaza. Continue Reading »

White House not appeased by Yaalon clarification, expect formal apology

White House blasts Turkey for limits on Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Speech yet condemns Israel’s Defense Minister for his professional opinion on US policies & weaknesses.

 

WASHINGTON — A statement from Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon clarifying his attack on U.S. foreign policy did not appease the Obama administration.

US State Department Spokeswoman Jen Psaki. - YouTube  Screenshot

Freedom of Speech concerns are in the US State Department Spokeswoman Jen Psaki’s opening comments and Israeli issues are at the 15:00 to 26:00 mark. – Photo: YouTube Screenshot

“We are disappointed with the lack of an apology from Defense Minister Yaalon’s comments,” Jen Psaki, the State Department spokeswoman, said Friday.

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EU funds €10m. UNICEF Gaza desalination project

 

Water plant will provide 6,000 cubic meters of fresh drinking water to approximately 75,000 Gazans daily, in the southern Strip.

 

 

The European Union and UNICEF laid the cornerstone on Friday for the construction of a €10 million desalination plant in Gaza.

Water from the Mediterranean Sea rushes through pipes en route to being filtered for use across Israel in a process called desalination, which could soon account for 80 percent of the country's potable water. (Ben Sales/JTA)

Water from the Mediterranean Sea rushes through pipes en route to being filtered for use across Israel in a process called desalination, which could soon account for 80 percent of the country’s potable water. – Photo: Ben Sales/JTA

The plant, to be implemented by UNICEF with funding from the EU, would provide 6,000 cu.m. of drinking water per day to approximately 75,000 Palestinians in Khan Yunis and Rafah in southern Gaza, according to the two organizations. Continue Reading »

Court Convicts Arab Knesset Member from Hadash of Assault

 

Arab MK Mohammed Barakeh was found guilty in Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court of beating someone at left-wing protest 8 years ago, with 3 other charges dropped.

By Golad Morag

 

Hadash MK Mohammed Barakeh was found guilty Sunday of attacking a person at a left-wing protest in Tel Aviv eight years ago. According to the charges, Barakeh approached a person who was documenting the protest, elbowed him in the ribs and punched him.

Mohammed Barakeh MK, February 28, 2006 - Photo: Haaretz Archive

Mohammed Barakeh MK, February 28, 2006 – Photo: Haaretz Archive

Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court overturned other charges, including an attack on an IDF soldier in the central West Bank village of Bil’in; two other charges have also been dropped over the years. Continue Reading »

Israel contracts journalist to film Pope’s visit to Israel for tourism promotion

The Portuguese born reporter says he’ll film the documentary to foster good relations between the Pope, the Jewish people & Israel.

 

 

The Tourism Ministry is paying 215,000 shekels ($61,800) to a Portugal-born, Israel-based journalist for 14 filmed news reports on Pope Francis’ visit to Israel in May. The ministry plans to use the footage to promote tourism to the country.

Pope Francis and President Shimon Peres exchange greetings during a private meeting at the Vatican.

Pope Francis and President Shimon Peres exchange greetings during a private meeting at the Vatican, April 30, 2013.- Photo: Reuters

The reports by journalist Henrique Cymerman will be broadcast on Catholic-oriented television stations and websites around the world.

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Report Suggests US May Offer to Release Pollard

White House looking for ‘creative solutions’, as Kerry ‘very concerned’ that talks between Israel and PA could break down altogether.

By Yaakov Levi

 

American officials are very concerned that the talks between Israel and Palestinian Authority could break down totally. The two sides are deadlocked, and no progress has been made for weeks, the officials were quoted as saying by Israel Radio – and the administration of President Barack Obama is feverishly trying to come up with a formula that will keep both sides talking.

John Kerry and Mahmoud Abbas meet in Paris, February 2014 – Reuters

The talks, which began last summer, were supposed to have concluded at the beginning of April with a framework for negotiations, to be written by Secretary of State John Kerry. Continue Reading »

Sudan says it foiled local spy-ring for Israel

 

According to a Sudanese reports, local informants gave Israel intel that facilitated in air-strike on Sudan in 2009 and again in 2012.

 

 

Sudan said Saturday night that it has arrested a ring of informants working on behalf of Israeli intelligence.

Sudan explosion

Fire engulfs Yarmouk ammunition factory in Khartoum October 24, 2012. – Photo: Reuters

According to local reports, the Sudanese agents provided Israel with information that facilitated a 2009 attack on a weapons convoy and an airstrike on an arms factory in Khartoum in October 2012.

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Abbas: Israel’s refusal to free imprisoned terrorists would be breach of deal

After Palestinian leader Abbas returned from Washington, having refused all compromises, now warns of action if Israel does not release 4th & final batch of Palestinian prisoners

By i24News/AFP

 

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas warned Saturday of action if Israel failed to release the fourth and final batch of prisoners as agreed under a US-backed deal.

Palestinians president Mahmud Abbas waves to his supporters following his trip to Washington DC,  on March 20, 2014, in the West Bank city of Ramallah ( Abbas Momani (AFP) )

Palestinians president Mahmud Abbas waves to his supporters following his trip to Washington DC, on March 20, 2014, in the West Bank city of Ramallah – Photo: Abbas Momani /AFP

“We are awaiting the release of the fourth batch of prisoners, as agreed upon with the Israelis through the United States,” he told members of the central committee of his Fatah movement. Continue Reading »

Abbas: Nothing less than a fully sovereign state with east Jerusalem as its capital

 

Speaking at emergency Fatah Central Committee meeting in Ramallah, Abbas briefs officials on his refusals to compromise on all issues at meetings in the US.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
 

 

The Palestinians won’t accept anything less than a fully sovereign state with east Jerusalem as its capital, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Saturday.

Le président de l'Autorité palestinienne Mahmoud Abbas (g) et Barack Obama à la Maison Blanche, le 17 mars 2014 ( Saul Loeb (AFP) )

Abbas was speaking during an emergency meeting of the Fatah Central Committee in Ramallah.

The Palestinians won’t make any concessions on their rights “regardless of the pressure and threats,” he said.

A Fatah official quoted Abbas as complaining that the US administration was exerting heavy pressure on him to make concessions to Israel in order to boost the peace talks. Continue Reading »

Israel Counter-terrorism helmet-cam shows soldiers in Jenin kill Hamas terrorist

 

Watch: Helmet-cam video documenting the raid, shows the YAMAM forces storm the building where 22 yr-old Hamza Abu Al-Haija was hiding, & the fire exchange he initiated that led to his death.

By Yoav Zitun

 

Police counter-terrorism (Yamam) fighters killed three Palestinians in Jenin overnight, among them 22-year-old Hamza Abu Al-Haija, the son of a senior Hamas official in the West Bank. The Yamam found an M-16 assault-rifle on Al-Haija, a Hamas man himself. Mahmoud Abu Zina, from the Islamic Jihad’s military wing, was also among the dead. During the overnight raid, two Yamam fighters were lightly injured.

Bodies of three Palestinians killed in the operation (Photo: AFP)

Bodies of three Palestinians killed in the operation – Photo: AFP

The video, filmed with a Go-Pro camera, shows the incident unfolding. Continue Reading »