Syrian rebels receive weapons from the West with Israel next target

Western countries have begun training & even arming the Syrian rebel groups in spite of warnings from Israel that these groups are radical Islamists that are likely to turn those newly acquired weapons on Israel.

By Ryan Jones

 

Israeli army chief Gen. Benny Gantz on Monday warned that the Syrian rebel groups that America and Europe are now helping to arm and train might turn their hostility toward Israel after ousting the regime of dictator Bashar Assad.

UNDOF soldiers watching for rebel fighters who've infiltrated the Golan Heights DMZ - Photo Israel Today

UNDOF soldiers watching for rebel fighters who’ve infiltrated the Golan Heights DMZ – Photo: Israel Today

“The situation in Syria has become unstable and incredibly dangerous,” Gantz said at the 2013 Herzliya Conference. Continue Reading »

Yesh Atid keeps making more demands

Once again, coalition negotiations at a standstill after Yesh Atid and Likud disagree over the Education Ministry portfolio.

‘Demand is audacious,’ says MK Regev

By Moran Azulay

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted a new government will be announced on Wednesday, but the optimistic forecast may be delayed by the latest clamoring over the coveted Education Ministry and other portfolios.

Yair Lapid and Naftali BennettYesh Atid sources said Tuesday that Chairman Yair Lapid is not likely to give up the Education portfolio, strongly featured in the party’s election campaign.

Conversely, Likud-Beiteinu are adamant that the portfolio should remain with the incumbent Gideon Sa’ar. Continue Reading »

U.S. Gold Medal Olympian, Aly Raisman will compete in Maccabiah

The Jewish-American gymnast, will compete in the 19th Maccabiah Games this July.

Raisman performed her gold-medal winning floor exercise routine to ‘Hava Nagila’ at the 2012 London Olympics.

 

Cue “Hava Nagila,” Aly Raisman is coming to Israel.

The Jewish-American gymnast, who performed her gold-medal winning floor exercise routine to the tune of that traditional folk song at the 2012 London Olympics, will compete in the 19th Maccabiah Games this July, organizers announced Monday at a news conference at the Maccabiah Village in Ramat Gan.

Alexandra Raisman of the U.S. competes in the women's gymnastics balance beam final during the London 2012 Olympic Games, for which she won bronze, August 7, 2012 - Photo by Reuters

Alexandra Raisman of the U.S. competes in the women’s gymnastics balance beam final during the London 2012 Olympic Games, for which she won bronze, August 7, 2012 – Photo: Reuters

Maccabiah chairman Amir Pered said that Raisman will be honored during the opening ceremony, which will take place on July 18 at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem. Continue Reading »

Women of the Wall joined by 3 MKs for Kotel prayer service

Despite wearing Jewish prayer shawl & police objections, Labor MK joins group’s monthly service alongside Meretz MKs Tamar Zandberg and Michal Rozin.

Since MKs’ presence prevents worshipers’ arrests, the service were held under ‘police protection’.

Israel Hayom Staff

 

 

Knesset Members Stav Shaffir, Tamar Zandberg and Michal Rozin on Tuesday joined the monthly prayer service held by the Women of the Wall at the Western Wall Plaza in Jerusalem.

Senior 'Women of the Wal'l member Anat Hoffman with MK Stav Shaffir (m) and MK Tamar Zandberg (r) - Photo  Lital Kaplan

Senior ‘Women of the Wall’ member Anat Hoffman with MK Stav Shaffir (m) and MK Tamar Zandberg (r) – Photo: Lital Kaplan

The Women of the Wall have been holding monthly prayer services at the Western Wall for the past 24 years.

Continue Reading »

At EU, Peres asks them to recognize Hezbollah as terror organization

In speech to the European Parliament Tuesday morning, Shimon Peres warns that time is running out to curtail Iran’s nuclear ambitions and went on stressing the need of ensuring Syrian biological weapons don’t fall into the hands of terrorist groups.

 

President Shimon Peres called on the European Union to list Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, in an address to the European Parliament in Strasburg on Tuesday.

Israel's President Shimon Peres with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in Brussels at the EC headquarters March 7, 2013. - Photo by Reuters

Israel’s President Shimon Peres with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in Brussels at the EC headquarters March 7, 2013. – Photo: Reuters

 

Peres appealed to the Europeans to recognize terror for what it is, and to save Lebanon from such “terrorist madness”.

Continue Reading »

Two Israeli Air Force pilots killed when helicopter crashed

Two IAF aircrew members were killed last night in a Cobra combat helicopter crash during a practice flight. IAF Commander Major General Eshel instructed the formation of an investigative committee and the grounding of the Cobra Formation.

By Neri Brenner

 

Two Air Force pilots were killed in a helicopter crash in the Revadim area south of Gedera on Tuesday. Contact with the Cobra helicopter was lost on Monday night prompting IDF forces to launch a search.

Helicopter parts found Tuesday morning - Photo by Yyz

Helicopter parts found Tuesday morning – Photo: Yyz

Air Force Commander Major-General Amir Eshel ordered the establishment of a military commission of inquiry. The victims’ families have been notified. Continue Reading »

Hamas Seeking Removal from US & EU List of Terrorist Organizations

Hamas says its removal from European & American lists of terrorism organizations is ‘only a matter of time.’

By Elad Benari

 

Gaza’s ruling Hamas terrorist group said on Monday that the group’s removal from the U.S. and European countries’ lists of terrorism organizations “has become a matter of time.”

Gaza childrenAhmed Youssef, one of Hamas’s leaders, told the Bethlehem-based Ma’an news agency, “There are contacts [being] made by the movement, with the help of Arab and Islamic countries such as Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, to convince major and European countries to take Hamas’s name out of the terrorism list.”

Youssef claimed that the contacts received positive responses from some European countries, without naming them, saying that visits from other Western countries are also positive signs. Continue Reading »

New Home Construction in Emanuel for 1st Time in 30 Years

For the 1st time in 3 decades, new homes are being constructed in the Samaria community of Emanuel.

By David Lev

 

For the first time in three decades, new homes have been built in the Samaria community of Emanuel, and on Thursday, a festive ceremony dedicating a new construction project will be held in the town. Attending the event will be MKs Uri Ariel (Bayit Yehudi) and Meir Porush (UTJ).

Map - Wikimedia Commons

Map – Wikimedia Commons

Actually, said Emanuel Mayor Rabbi Ezra Garshi, several large projects are set for Emanuel. The first project to go up will include 517 housing units (permits have already been issued for construction, he said), and a second project will include 102 houses. Continue Reading »

If hostilities resume, it would be better to be Israeli than Lebanese

IDF chief of staff says Israel may be facing multi-arena instability with Syrian unrest, but, the IDF is ready to meet all new challenges, including Syria & the Hezbollah.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
 

The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is holding steady seven years after the Second Lebanon War ended, but should hostilities resume, it would be better to be an Israeli citizen than a Lebanese citizen, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. told the Herzliya Conference on Monday evening.
Benny Gantz at military forum, January 7, 2013 - Photo IDF Spokesperson

Benny Gantz at military forum, January 7, 2013 – Photo: IDF Spokesperson

During a speech that opened the annual gathering, Gantz said Israeli deterrence against Hezbollah remained “authentic.”

Continue Reading »

Barbra Streisand will sing in Israel

Legendary Jewish American actor/singer to give one concert in Israel in honor of its President, Shimon Peres’ 90th birthday. 

By Raz Shechnik

 

VIDEO – After years of pursuits, serious offers and talks which warmed up in the past two years, it’s finally happening: The Yedioth Ahronoth daily has learned that Barbra Streisand will give one concert in Israel this summer in honor of President Shimon Peres‘ 90th birthday.

Barbra Streisand - Screenshot from Facebook page

Barbra Streisand – Screenshot from Facebook page

Barring any last-minute changes, the legendary Jewish American singer will perform at a venue which has yet to be determined on June 15 or 16. Continue Reading »

WATCH: Knesset member’s plea to President Obama: Don’t allow Pollard to die in prison

Watch American-born, Yesh Atid MK Dov Lipman as he recounts the day he heard of Pollard’s arrest in front of the Israeli embassy.

Listen to his emotional plea to Obama and his call to the people of Israel, to pray daily for Pollard’s release.

 

U.S.-born Knesset member Dov Lipman (Yesh Atid) made a personal appeal to President Obama from the Knesset podium “not to let Jonathan Pollard die in prison.”

Dov Lipman addressing the Knesset, March 2013 - Youtube Screeshot

Dov Lipman addressing the Knesset, March 2013 – Youtube Screenshot

Speaking in the Knesset last week, Lipman said he had planned to use the platform of the Knesset podium to address President Obama in English but found out that speaking in English “is, regrettably prohibited by the Knesset bylaws.” Continue Reading »

Police Confiscate Illegal Weapons Stashed in Arab School

For the 3rd time in 30 days, security officials have taken possession of a large weapons cache hidden in schools

By David Lev

 

For the third time in a month, security officials have confiscated a large cache of weapons hidden in an educational institution in northern Israel. The haul on Monday in the Arab village of Abu Snan in the western Galilee included handguns, rifles, and even mortar shells. Police believe that the weapons were being stored by criminal groups.

Weapons Cache Hidden in Arab School

Weapons Cache Hidden in Arab School

Police moved in on the school after getting a tip that weapons were being stored at the school. Continue Reading »

2 more Native American Chiefs pledge tribal support to Israel’s Jewish People

Two visiting female Chiefs of East Coast Native American tribes say their people have much in common with the Jews of Israel, vowing to support in every way possible, the Jewish right to their ancestral homeland.

By Yossi Aloni

 

Chief Anne Richardson of the Rappahannock Tribe in Virginia and Kathy Cummings-Dickinson, head of the Lumbee tribes in North Carolina, donned traditional tribal clothing for their recent meeting with Israeli Energy and Water Minister Dr. Uzi Landau.

Two more Native American chiefs pledge support to Israel – Israel Today

Two more Native American chiefs pledge support to Israel – Israel Today

“We are here to deliver a message to residents of Israel: Stand firm and united against the threats and pressure,” said the two female chiefs. Continue Reading »

Prime Minister’s Office App to Track Obama’s Upcoming Israel Visit

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office unveils special iPhone app for Obama’s upcoming visit to Israel. The application is for journalists and especially the general public wishing to follow the president’s trip, and will provide users with live updates, photos & video streams.

By JTA

 

JERUSALEM — Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office launched an app to follow President Obama’s visit in real time.

Israel's Prime Minister's Office launched an app that will assist journalists covering the visit and allow Israelis to receive real-time updates, including video streaming.

Israel’s PMO launched an app that will assist journalists covering the visit & allow Israelis to receive real-time updates, including video streaming.

The app, which is available though Israel’s Apple store, will assist journalists covering the visit and allow Israelis to receive real-time updates, including video streaming. Continue Reading »

Outgoing Barak: We can’t rely on friends’ help to defend Israel

The outgoing Defense Minister tells Knesset Foreign Defense Committee in his farewell speech, that no power in region has the ability to attack Israel with ‘air forces & armored divisions.’

By JPOST.COM STAFF

 

Outgoing Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned lawmakers Monday that Israel could not rely even on its best friends when it came to its security, whatever pledges they made to defend Israel.
Outgoing MK Defense Minister Ehud Barak and MK Avigdor Liberman, March 11, 2013 Photo- Courtesy Ministry of Defense

Outgoing MK Defense Minister Ehud Barak and MK Avigdor Liberman, March 11, 2013 – Photo: Courtesy Ministry of Defense

“When the world, including our good friends, says ‘don’t worry, we’ll know to take care of even the worst case scenarios’, I say, don’t take that for granted”, Barak said in his parting address to the Knesset Foreign and Defense Committee.

Continue Reading »