American Feds examine Google-Waze deal

Federal Trade Commission to investigate possible anti-trust issues in Internet search giant’s $1 billion acquisition of Israeli social mapping service Waze, which may drive Google to re-sell Israeli company

By Sagi Cohen

The Federal Trade Commission has launched an investigation into Google’s $1 billion acquisition of Israeli company Waze, the New York Post reported over the weekend. The FTC will look into possible anti-trust issues in the deal.

WAZE - Photo by IsraelandStuff,PP

WAZE – Photo: IsraelandStuff/PP

According to the report, although the agreement was finalized on June 11, Google believed it did not need to submit the deal for review because Waze’s US revenue is less than $70 million. Continue Reading »

IDF Jets Retaliate Striking Terror Targets in Gaza

IDF aircraft hit several terror targets in Gaza in response to last night’s barrage of rocket on southern Israel.

By Elad Benari

 

IDF aircraft attacked several terror targets in Gaza early Monday morning, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said in a statement.

The sites targeted include two weapons storage sites in central Gaza, as well as a rocket launching site and a center of terrorist activity in southern Gaza.

Direct hits were identified and all aircraft returned safely to their bases, said the IDF.

The statement noted that the airstrikes came in response to a barrage of rockets directed at southern Israel earlier Sunday night. Continue Reading »

IDF invites Gaza farmers to Tel Aviv agricultural show

Israel continues to promote the quality of life for Gazans, while maintaining strict defensive measures to prevent as much damage from terrorist attacks as possible.

By Israel Today Staff

 

The Israeli army last week invited and facilitated the transport of 50 Palestinian farmers from Gaza to an agricultural conference in Tel Aviv.

Israeli army invites Gaza farmers to Tel Aviv conference

Israeli army invites Gaza farmers to Tel Aviv conference – Israel Today

 

The goal of the gesture was to help boost agricultural output in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, as well as support professional cooperation between farmers in Israel and Gaza.

The gathering also provided the Gaza farmers with an opportunity to present their produce to attendees from around the world. Continue Reading »

Streak of racy IDF female soldier photos shows no signs of subsiding

 

Despite the IDF’s best efforts, photos of scantily clad IDF female soldiers continue to circulate throughout the Internet 

The newest batch of photos, posted on the photo-sharing site Imgur, are highly explicit & even pornographic.

Lilach Shoval

Despite the best efforts of the Israel Defense Forces, dozens of photos of scantily clad female soldiers continue to circulate on the Internet.

(Facebook)

The phenomenon, which started with photos of partially dressed female soldiers from an infantry training base in the south posing with their weapons, has continued for weeks. The original photos caused a stir and were published by media outlets throughout the world. Continue Reading »

EU backs down to avoid undermining Kerry’s peace efforts

Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovakia & Romania, recommending that the ministers in their meetings just adopt a general statement supporting Kerry’s efforts.

 

 

 

In a move surely to be applauded in Jerusalem, the European Union foreign ministers are unlikely to issue detailed conclusions on the Middle East peace process following their monthly meeting on Monday in Luxembourg.

Netanyahu at meeting with Catherine Ashton, EU High Rep for Foreign Affairs, June 20, 2013. – Photo: Courtesy – GPO

 

Both Israeli and European officials said certain key EU actors were impacted by Jerusalem’s arguments that a detailed European statement right now regarding how the EU envisions the peace process would only serve to undermine US Secretary of State John Kerry’s efforts to get the sides back to the negotiating table.

Continue Reading »

7 Rockets Fired into Southern Israel

Terrorists from Hamas-controlled Gaza fired 7 rockets at southern Israel.

Iron Dome defensive system only intercepted those destined to fall in populated areas.

By Elad Benari

 

 

Terrorists from Hamas-controlled Gaza fired at least seven rockets into southern Israel on Sunday night.

Once AgainAround 1:00 a.m., four rockets were fired towards the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council. One of them may have been intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-missile system, and the other three exploded in open areas. There were no physical injuries or damages.

Earlier, terrorists fired three rockets towards the Bnei Shimon Regional Council. The rockets exploded in open areas, causing no physical injuries or damages. Continue Reading »

Alice Walker, the princess of historical revisionism, still hysterical

Conveniently neglecting to point out the catalyst of terrorism, Walker begins her attack on both Israel and the United States for adopting hard defensive steps.

Totally ignorant of the deep ties between the two countries, she asserts Israel will one day attack U.S.

By The Simon Wiesenthal Center

 

The Simon Wiesenthal Center today criticized Alice Walker’s new book, The Cushion in the Road for both its ‘hysterical’ and historical revisionism.

Simon Wiesenthal Center

In reacting to the book, Rabbi Marvin Hier, the Center’s Founder and  Dean said, “I must say, Alice Walker is the princess of historical revisionism, telling us that she fears that one day, ‘Though all focus appears to be on which Arab nation is likely to strike the United States … I imagine Israel just as capable of doing us nuclear harm … because the United States and Israel, working together have done terrible things to others … and it is the nature of thieves to eventually have a grand falling out.” Continue Reading »

And your tour guide today is…Benjamin Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu takes part in a popular TV tourism program that follows heads of state in a “guidebook” tour of their countries

By Yossi Aloni

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to play tour guide in a major televised tourism program under the direction of journalist and producer Peter Greenberg, known internationally for his “The Royal Tour” tourism programs on PBS and the Travel Channel.

Your tour guide today will be...Benjamin Netanyahu

Your tour guide today will be…Benjamin Netanyahu

 

Greenberg has put together a series of programs where he accompanies a head of state in a “guidebook” tour of his or her country. He has already filmed episodes with the king of Jordan, the presidents of Mexico and Peru, and the prime minister of New Zealand. Continue Reading »

Cabinet extends daylight savings time until the end of October

Cabinet agrees to keep daylight savings time in place until the end of October, despite ultra-Orthodox objections, rather than returning to standard time at the beginning of October.

Their main objection to DST, it makes Yom Kippur fast more difficult.

By Yori Yalon and Israel Hayom Staff

The Israeli summer is about to get longer: On Sunday, the cabinet approved Interior Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s proposal to extend daylight savings time by a month.

Continue Reading »

34 Hezbollah of 100 killed killed in battles near Damascus

US tries to coordinate military aid to opposition and still rebel officials say over 100 people died in battles on Saturday. 

By REUTERS, JPOST.COM STAFF

 

 

Syrian opposition officials say that 34 Hezbollah fighters were killed in battles near the Damascus area on Saturday. In total, over 100 people died in the war-torn country over the weekend.

Flags of Hezbollah, Assad's Syria

Flags of Hezbollah, Assad’s Syria Photo: – REUTERS/Ali Hashisho

It is estimated that over 100,000 Syrian combatants and civilians have died since the uprising against the regime of Bashar Assad began two years ago.

Washington wants Western and Arab allies to commit to directing all aid to Syrian rebels through the Western-backed Supreme Military Council, a senior US official said before talks in Qatar on Saturday, to try to reduce the power of jihadi groups.

Continue Reading »

WATCH: David’s Sling defense system goes on display for 1st time

Israel’s co-manufacturer Rafael says David’s Sling is designed to complement the deployment of Israel’s Iron Dome defensive shield used in the Gaza conflict, and will be operational within 2 years.

By Reuters

 

 

Once shrouded in secrecy, Israel’s David’s Sling missile interceptor went on display for the first time this week at the Paris Air Show.

Magic Wand

David’s Sling, also known as the ‘Magic Wand’ system, can intercept mid-range missiles. – Photo: Haaretz Archive

 

Co-developed by the U.S. firm Raytheon and Israeli company Rafael, David’s Sling (also known as the Magic Wand) is a missile defense system designed to safeguard Israeli citizens from attack. Continue Reading »

Israeli Druze appeal to gov’t to aid family members in Syria

Israeli Druze leaders from northern Israel have asked the Israeli government to allow their children who are in Syria to return to home.

By Chana Ya’ar

 

Druze leaders in northern Israel have appealed to the Israeli government to allow their children who had crossed the border into Syria and stayed there, back into the Jewish State.

In a written request to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, the leaders asked not only for the students to return home, but also for permits for the Syrian relatives of the students – spouses and other family members – to cross the border to safety in Israel. Continue Reading »

MKs demand that gas export issue be decided in Knesset

MK Avishay Braverman: If Knesset doesn’t accept decision, it will have no legitimacy.

 

 

On the eve of Sunday’s cabinet session during which a decision on gas exports is scheduled to take place, a number of Knesset members drafted letters to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and the other ministers demanding that they transfer the decision to the Knesset.

Tamar natural gas rig.

Tamar natural gas rig. – Photo: Albatross

“In order to help the legislative process of gas export, the Economic Affairs Committee will also work in August,” wrote MK Avishay Braverman (Labor). “The committee will continue discussions in August in order to hear all the sides, of the government, the public and the developers, and will formulate a bill that will be good for the citizens and the economy of Israel.”

Continue Reading »

Netanyahu: Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be solved to prevent a bi-national state

In interview with Washington Post, PM Netanyahu: If Kerry pitched a tent between Ramallah & Jerusalem, I’d stay there until securing peace.

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with the Washington Post on Thursday that he is committed to reaching an agreement with the Palestinians.

John Kerry and Benjamiin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, gestures while meeting with Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Thursday, May 23, 2013. – Photo: AP

 

In the interview, the prime minister said that he is willing to restart negotiations with the Palestinians, but their demand that Israel halt settlement construction as a precondition serves as an obstacle. Continue Reading »

Debate in Canada Over Shalit’s Visit

B’nai Brith Canada suggests that Gilad Shalit’s invitation by JNF to speak, casts a message of weakness.

By Arutz Sheva North America

 

B’nai Brith Canada, using its newspaper the Jewish Tribune, has criticized the Jewish National Fund (JNF) for inviting former captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit as a guest speaker to address audiences in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver this coming September.

Shalit, who was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists in June of 2006 during a patrol just outside Gaza, was dragged back to Gaza and held captive for more than five years.

He was freed in late 2011 in exchange for over 1,000 terrorists imprisoned in Israel. Continue Reading »