Lebanese Christian Leader: Hizbullah Fired Rockets on Presidential Palace

Lebanese leader Samir Geagea, blamed Hizbullah for firing two rockets on the presidential palace compound Thursday, saying the terror organization had declared a de facto war on Lebanon.

By Gil Ronen

 

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea hinted on Sunday that Hizbullah is behind two rocket attacks on the Baabda presidential palace area last Thursday. He accused the movement of “declaring war on the state of Lebanon, its people and institutions,” Ya Libnan reported.

Hizbullah supporters in Lebanon (illustrative) – Photo: AFP/Mahmoud Zayyat

One of the rockets struck within the security perimeter of the Presidential Palace, and the other exploded within the security perimeter of the Army headquarters. Continue Reading »

IDF Soldier hits ‘bull’s eye’ & wins NIS 27M lottery prize

 

Resident from Southern Israel uses his army paycheck to purchase a lottery ticket which turned him into a millionaire. ‘I’ll put the money into a savings account & live off the interest,’ the soldier said.

By Ynet

An IDF soldier on leave discovered he had won the first prize of NIS 26 million in the lottery Saturday. He also won the second prize of NIS 1 million and other prizes totaling NIS 72,000.

IDF Soldier (illistration) - Photo courtesy IDF Spokesperson Office

IDF Soldier (illistration) – Photo courtesy IDF Spokesperson Office

The soldier, a resident of the south, had won a raffle that took place a week ago having paid NIS 290 for a ticket in Ashkelon. Continue Reading »

Huge 1,000 Yr-Old Hospital Discovered in Jerusalem

Impressive Crusader arched structure built by the Knights Hospitaller has a 20 ft-high ceiling and served as a sophisticated hospital.

By Gil Ronen

 

A Jerusalem structure that served as a hospital in the Crusader era has been opened to the public, after archaeological digs and research carried out by the Antiquities Authority. The structure, which is owned by the Muslim Waqf, is located in the heart of the Christian Quarter, near David Street.

Part of the ancient hospital – Photo: IAA

The building served as a bustling fruit and vegetable market until the early 2000s. The archaeological work was carried out ahead of plans to turn the structure into a restaurant.

Continue Reading »

US report: Jerusalem willing to forgo some US missile defense aid

Israel reportedly offered to drop about $55m. in US aid due to the considerable cuts Washington is forced to make on its defense budget.

 

Israel has offered to waive nearly $55 million in US aid for its missile defense programs, the Defense News website reported over the weekend.

Iron Dome battery deployed in North

Iron Dome battery deployed in North – Photo: Ben Hartman

Defense officials in Israel declined to comment on the report.

According to US-based Defense News, in light of the considerable cuts Washington has made to its defense budget, Jerusalem has sought to shoulder its part in the new, harsher financial reality.

Continue Reading »

SodaStream profit up from Wal-Mart sales

 

Boosted by its launch at US retail chain, Israel-based manufacturer of beverage carbonation systems says its 2nd-quarter net income jumped 36%.

Associated Press

SodaStream International Ltd. says its second-quarter net income jumped 36%, boosted by strong demand fueled by its launch at Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

BDS has boycotted SodaStream because some of its machines are built in contested territory. Meanwhile, the company employs hundreds of Palestinians.

The company raised its revenue and profit outlook, pushing shares higher in morning trading.

SodaStream makes beverage carbonation systems that enable consumers to easily transform tap water into carbonated soft drinks and sparkling water. Continue Reading »

U.S. Keeps Embassies Closed

 

U.S. Embassies in the Middle East will remain closed due to ‘caution’ & not because of ‘new threat.

By Reuters and DPA

 

 

The United States extended the closures of some embassies and consulates in the Middle East – which had been closed Sunday due to an Al-Qaida threat – through Aug. 10 due to “caution” but not the emergence of a “new threat stream,” the State Department said.

U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv

U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv – Photo: Ariel Schalit

 

The expansion through to next Saturday in some cases also was in keeping with local custom during the Eid celebrations of the final week of Ramadan, which had already been planned before the terrorist warnings, the State Department sai

Other U.S. Continue Reading »

Two Arabs held in mezuza theft at Cave of Patriarchs

 

After multiple thefts & desecrations, a security video at the site caught two Palestinians who were subsequently detained for theft of a mezuza in Hebron.

 

 

Two Palestinians were detained for the theft of a mezuza from the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron on Friday.
Mezuzah - Photo: IsraelandStuff/PP

Mezuzah – Photo: IsraelandStuff/PP

Border Police are still looking for more suspects.

The two men were picked up because they were near the cave at the time of the theft. According to the Border Police, they were also seen on a security video of the site.

Friday’s incident follows one that occurred two weeks ago in which three mezuzot were stolen.

Continue Reading »

PA’s Negotiator: Israel to release 26 prisoners in mid-August

 

Palestinian negotiator Erekat says 1st phase of prisoner release set for August 13.

Palestinian says US & Israel were informed that all final status issues must be put on negotiating table.

By Elior Levy

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said that on August 13 Israel will release 26 Palestinian prisoners it has been holding since before the signing of the Oslo agreement.

Erekat , Kerry and Livni - Photo: Reuters-Jonathan Ernst

Erekat , Kerry and Livni – Photo: Reuters-Jonathan Ernst

Palestinian media outlets published Erekat’s comments on Saturday. He was quoted as saying that the 26 prisoners will be released in the first of four phases that will see a total of 104 inmates freed by Israel as a gesture to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of the official resumption of direct peace talks. Continue Reading »

View Video: Asian Elephant Born in Israeli Park

7 yr-old Asiatic elephant La Belle gives birth to a female calf. The breed is an endangered one.

By Gil Ronen

 

La Belle, a seven-year-old Asiatic elephant, gave birth to female calf, handlers at the Safari Park discovered Friday morning.

The newborn elephant – Tibor Yaeger

The birth followed a 22 month long gestation period.

The father is Motek, a 53 year old Asiatic elephant. The maternal grandmother, 25 year old La Petite, is behaving in a pushy manner since the birth and has tried to suckle the calf. Handlers explained that since this is La Belle’s first birth, her mother may be trying to teach her how to care for the calf. Continue Reading »

MK Steinitz slams Yair Lapid as Supercilious, Arrogant

 

Likud Minister Yuval Stinitz reacts bitterly to incident in which PM forced him to leave security cabinet meeting at Lapid’s request.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
 

 

International Relations Minister Yuval Stinitz referred to Finance Minister Yair Lapid as “boastful and arrogant” on Saturday, in response to Lapid’s request late last month that Steinitz be removed from a security cabinet meeting.

Ougoing finance minister Steinitz and incoming minister Lapid at office change over, March 19, 2013.

Outgoing finance minister Steinitz and incoming minister Lapid at office change over, March 19, 2013. – Photo: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post

Steinitz, who is not a member of the security cabinet, was incensed after he was forced by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to leave the meeting in question at Lapid’s request, according to a Channel 2 report. Continue Reading »

Congressmen circulated bill to move US Embassy to Jerusalem

 

New Bipartisan bill now being circulated highlights cost savings to U.S. Gov’t

Congressman ‘committed to unity of Jerusalem as Israel’s undivided capital for historical, biblical & moral reasons’

By Ynetnews

 

Members of Congress have introduced legislation that would transfer the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, sending a message of commitment and resolve to Israel and also presenting the US government with a cost-saving measure at a time of major budget cuts.

 

US Embassy - Ariel Schalit - 31072011

U.S. Embassy building on Hayarkon Street in Tel Aviv, – Photo: Ariel Schalit

The bipartisan bill, known as the Recognition of Jerusalem as the Capital of the State of Israel Act (H.R. Continue Reading »

Obama’s ‘Leaking Info on Israeli Strikes in Syria’ Exposed

World Tribune: Leaks reflect “resentment” toward Israel within the U.S. intelligence community.
Jerusalem asks Congressmen to stop CIA leaks that endanger Israel.

By Arutz Sheva

 

The U.S. intelligence community has been leaking information on Israeli air strikes in Syria, and U.S. President Barack Obama is behind the leaks, according to a report in the World Tribune.

Diplomats told the Tribune that the Obama administration has enabled the U.S. intelligence community to disclose details of Israeli military operations against the armed forces under Syrian President Bashar Assad. These leaks include reporting Israeli air and naval strikes on advanced Iranian and Russian weapons that arrived in 2013. Continue Reading »

Five Serious Flaws to Kerry’s Mideast Peace Plans

Kerry’s new Palestinian-Israeli talks are  far from being a fresh chance for peace. Lacking in any Palestinian reciprocity,  good faith or eagerness for peace, the results will only prove be a grave threat to the Jewish State.

By  Noah Beck

 

Here is a list of reasons why Secretary Kerry’s Mideast peace process is unfairly flawed in ways that endanger Israel.

The Five Flaws of Kerry's Mideast Peace Process

Three Blind Mice – Israel Today

 

1) No Palestinian reciprocity at the outset. Israel agreed to release 104 convicted terrorists just to get the Palestinians to talk peace. Would the U.S. agree to release 104 Guantanamo prisoners for talks with anyone? Continue Reading »

Jailed Palestinian prisoner smuggled out sperm to become father

 

 

Lida al-Rimawi says her baby’s birth was the result of artificial insemination from her imprisoned husband’s smuggled sperm.

Palestinian agency claims 16 other births from smuggled sperm have been documented.

By Israel Hayom Staff

 

A Palestinian woman claims she has given birth to a baby boy who was conceived by sperm from her Israeli-held husband, the Palestinian news agency Maan reported Friday.

Continue Reading »

Cell-phones banned from Paratrooper bases

 

Despite unit commanders’ claims that celphones aid in field maneuvering, new order ban their use.

Cellphones hurt morale, says officer, soldiers don’t communicate when ‘glued to their screens’.

By Yossi Yehoshua

The fiery debate over the place of cellular phones in the IDF exploded in the Paratroopers new recruits base, when the base commander banned the use of cellular phones at the base and on field training, to the unit commanders’ dismay.

Paratroopers drill (Archive) – Photo: Yoav Zitun

So far soldiers were forbidden from using cell-phones when on the field, and were only allowed to use it on the base’s premises, and only on their private time. Continue Reading »