Syria: Palestinians sheltering terrorists become ‘victims’

Syria’s Foreign Minister tells UN Chief Ban that Palestinians shouldn’t offer ‘shelter or assistance to terrorist groups’ 

Reuters

 

According to state television, Syria’s Foreign Minister Walid Moallem told UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon that Palestinians living in the country should not offer “shelter or assistance to terrorist groups” in the Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus.

הלחימה נמשכת. שכונת מגורים אחרי הפצצה של צבא אסד (צילום: רויטרס)

Bombing aftermath – Photo: Reuters

Moallem’s comments came after Ban’s spokesman said the secretary general was concerned at reports of an air strike by President Bashar Assad’s forces on Yarmouk refugee camp on Sunday in which 25 people were reportedly killed.

Sunday’s air strike on Yarmouk, carried out by the Syrian military, was the first against the country’s Palestinian refugee camps, whose residents are divided over the 21-month conflict between rebels and regime forces. Continue Reading »

PA Goes to UN Security Council on Jerusalem Construction Plans

The Palestinian Authority says it will lodge a complaint at the UN Security Council over plans for new housing construction in Jerusalem.

By Chana Ya’ar

 

The Palestinian Authority said Monday night it will file a complaint with the United Nations Security Council over progress in plans for a housing project in Jerusalem’s Ramat Shlomo neighborhood.

PA officials denounced the decision by Israel’s Interior Ministry to tell developers they must resubmit the plan for “final approval,” reduced by 100 units.

The plan authorized by Interior Minister Eli Yishai in August 2011 called for construction of 1,600 housing units. But after the ministry’s planning committee heard objections at a public meeting held Monday, developers were told they must reduce the number by 100, and make other adjustments before resubmitting the plan for “final approval.” Continue Reading »

Interior Ministry to advance approvals of 6,500 units in East Jerusalem

After 3 years in limbo following major diplomatic crises between US & Israel, 1,500 apt units in Ramat Shlomo receive final approval.

Additional apartments expected to be approved throughout the week.

PA condemns Israel’s decision to expedite construction.

By MELANIE LIDMAN, KHALED ABU TOAMEH

Four days of marathon meetings in the Interior Ministry and the Jerusalem municipality’s planning committees, which started on Monday, are expected to advance approvals for almost 6,500 apartments over the 1967 Green Line in Israel.

JERUSALEM’S RAMAT SHLOMO neighborhood. - Photo: Ariel Jerozolimski/The Jerusalem Post

JERUSALEM’S RAMAT SHLOMO neighborhood.
Photo: Ariel Jerozolimski/The Jerusalem Post

After spending nearly three years in limbo for causing a major diplomatic crises between the United States and Israel, the 1,500 apartment units in Jerusalem neighborhood of Ramat Shlomo received final approval from the Interior Ministry on Monday.

Continue Reading »

Arab violence near Yitzhar; Hamas cell nabbed & jailed

Yitzhar security & soldier sustain light injuries after being hit by stones; Palestinian shot in leg.

Police & Shin Bet jail terrorist cell caught in Shufat

Elior Levy

 

An IDF soldier and an Israeli civilian were lightly wounded by stones hurled at them near the settlement of Yitzhar on Monday as part of clashes between settlers and Palestinians.

Archive Photo: Noam Moskowitz

An initial IDF inquiry suggests that a Palestinian youth was walking on the road leading to Yitzhar prompting troops to be called to the scene to stop him. The Palestinian resisted arrest and tried to physically attack the soldiers. Continue Reading »

Israeli Navy Wounds Gaza Arab Outside Fishing Zone, Then Treats Him

IDF’s Navy shot & wounded a Gazan who refused orders to keep his fishing boat from entering waters under the maritime embargo.

By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

 

Israeli naval forces shot and wounded Gaza Arab in waters off the northern Gaza coast on Monday after he refused to keep his fishing boat from entering waters under a maritime embargo, which allows fishing up to six nautical miles from the coast.

Navy deals with daily maritime terror threat

Navy deals with daily maritime terror threat – IDF photo

The wounded man was taken to Israel’s Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon for treatment.

As part of the ceasefire agreement that ended the Pillar of Defense counterterrorist operation against Hamas missile fire, Israel agreed to double the width of the fishing zone, which had been three nautical miles. Continue Reading »

New poll reveals: Majority of WB Palestinians support Hamas

Palestinians are “frustrated” with Israel, “They may turn to Hamas not because it’s Hamas, but because it’s the movement that opposes negotiations with Israel.”

 

The majority of Palestinians have said that they support Hamas’s response to the latest Israel-Gaza conflict, according to a new poll by a research center in Ramallah.

A Palestinian Hamas supporter with her child attends a Hamas rally marking the 25th anniversary of the Islamist movement's foundation, in Nablus, northern West Bank, on Dec. 13, 2012.

A Palestinian Hamas supporter with her child attends a Hamas rally marking the 25th anniversary of the Islamist movement’s foundation, in Nablus, northern West Bank, on Dec. 13, 2012. – Photo: ATEF SAFADI/EPA

According to the 1200-person survey by the Arab World Research and Development Center, nearly 90 per cent of Palestinians living in the West Bank supported the terrorist organization’s bold response in comparison to that of Fatah. Continue Reading »

Due to natural gas output projections, Israel raises 2013 growth forecast to 3.5%

Commencement of natural gas production cited for economic rise in forecast

Gas production from the Tamar field, which has an estimated 274 billion m³ of reserves, expected to start in early 2013.

Reuters and Israel Hayom Staff

 

The government raised its 2013 economic growth forecast to 3.5 percent from 3% on Sunday, citing the influence of the start of natural gas production.

The Bank of Israel projects 3% growth next year.

A natural gas rig west of Haifa, Israel. - Photo: Albatross Aerial Perspective/AP

The Finance Ministry expects gas production from the Tamar natural gas field to contribute 0.8% to GDP next year – – Photo: Albatross Aerial Perspective/AP

A U.S.-Israeli consortium led by Noble Energy and Delek Group is expected to start production from the Tamar field off Israel’s Mediterranean coast, which has an estimated 274 billion cubic metres (bcm) of reserves, in the first half of 2013.

Continue Reading »

Hadassah geneticists make breakthrough with ‘The Curse’

The first 4 children treated with the experimental drug were saved from paralysis & a few have already been able to stand & walk again.

 

An effective experimental drug has been found in Jerusalem for a rare genetic disease of paralysis affecting Jews originating in North Africa, who previously refused to vaccinate their babies against childhood diseases because they thought that caused them to suffer from neurological damage.

Medicine [illustrative] – Photo: Thinkstock/Imagebank

The first four children with the disease, which has caused not only paralysis of the muscles but also of the vocal cords (making them lose their ability to speak) have been treated with the experimental drug by doctors at Hadassah University Medical Center in Jerusalem’s Ein Kerem, with very good results.

Continue Reading »

IDF names its 2012’s ‘Best of the Best’

IDF Chief Gantz to honor 2012 winners of annual military achievement & performance awards in a special ceremony

Yoav Zitun

 

The Israel Defense Force will be holding its annual IDF Chief Honorary Awards ceremony on Monday, when the most outstanding IDF units will be honored for their hard work during the passing year.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen Benny Gantz will present the awards to the winning units, according to three main categories: Battalion, Brigade and Division.

The IAF‘s Nachshon Intelligence Squadron won first place in the Battalion Category, followed by the Bedouin Reconnaissance Unit. The Bedouin brigade mostly consists of volunteers and is known for its ability to prevent terror cells from penetrating Israeli territory. Continue Reading »

Hizbullah Blames Israel for Huge Explosion in Southern Lebanon

An explosion, apparently at an illegal Hizbullah weapons depot, rocked Lebanon near the border early Monday morning.

Hizbullah accuses Israel.

By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

 

A huge explosion, apparently at a Hizbullah weapons depot, rocked Lebanon near the border Monday morning, the country’s state news agency reported.

Hizbullah immediately accused Israel of carrying out an aerial bombing.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is responsible for maintaining security in the area, and it is investigating the blast, but Hizbullah cordoned off the area.

The explosion apparently was in an ammunition depot east of the port city of Tyre. Continue Reading »

Contrary to Nasrallah’s claims, Syrian VP admits: Assad can’t win this war

After prolonged silence, Syrian VP Farouk Shara speaks to press: Only a historic resolution that includes the establishment of a broad gov’t comprised of all the country’s factions can solve the 21-month long civil war.

 

Syrian Vice President Farouk Shara has admitted that neither the Syrian Army nor the armed militia rebels are capable of achieving the high ground in the country’s civil war.

Syrian Foreign Minister Farouq al-Shara

Syrian Foreign Minister Farouq al-Shara. – Photo by AP

Shara said the only way to solve the 21-month long crisis is to reach a historic solution, in which neighbording countries and the United Nations Security Council take part. Continue Reading »

PA Warns US: Don’t dare punish us

Chief PLO representative in Washington D.C. threatens American lawmakers against retaliating for last month’s Palestinian statehood vote at the UN.

By Rachel Hirshfeld

 

Chief representative of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) in Washington D.C. is warning United States lawmakers against retaliating for last month’s statehood vote at the United Nations, maintaining that doing so would only hurt U.S. credibility in the region.

PA Chairman Abbas

PA Chairman Abbas – Reuters

“History has shown time and again that the language of threats, financial pressure, and punitive measures simply does not work,” Maen Rashid Areikat wrote in a letter sent to U.S. lawmakers. “Engagement and dialogue is the only way to express the views of Congress. Continue Reading »

New Zealand government fund divests from Israeli firms

New Zealand Super Fund excludes 3 Israeli firms on ethical grounds

By NZHerald BusinessDesk

 

The $20 billion New Zealand Superannuation Fund has excluded three Israeli companies from its portfolio on ethical grounds because of their involvement in illegal settlements and the security wall.

The fund’s investments in the firms were insubstantial. Some $9,744 was held in Africa Israel and its subsidiary Danya Cebus, which had been involved in building Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

 

The ‘wall’, here on the edge of Abu Dis, is ugly and intrusive, but succeeded in halting the dozens of suicide bomber that murdered hundreds & maimed thousands prior to its construction.

Continue Reading »

Nasrallah says Assad can’t be defeated

Shi’ite militant leader of Hezbollah says those who think the Syrian rebels can win are “very very very mistaken.”

By REUTERS

 

BEIRUT – Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Lebanese Shi’ite militant movement Hezbollah, said on Sunday the rebels in Syria could not emerge victorious from the 21-month-long uprising against President Bashar Assad.

Flags of Hezbollah, Assad's Syria - Photo: REUTERS/Ali Hashisho

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

Nasrallah, a staunch ally of Assad, said: “The situation in Syria is getting more complicated (but) anyone who thinks the armed opposition can settle the situation on the ground is very very very mistaken.” Syrian rebels accuse the Shi’ite Muslim group of sending fighters to neighboring Syria to help Assad overcome the largely Sunni Muslim revolt.

Continue Reading »

After we take Damascus, we’ll take Tel Aviv

Salafist leader threatens that once his rebels topple Assad’s regime they’ll set their sights on Jerusalem; says ‘We won’t rest until Palestine is liberated’

Roi Kais

 

The leader of the radical Salafist movement in Jordan, whose organization actively supports the Syrian rebels’ efforts to topple President Bashar Assad’s regime warned Sunday that once the Damascus opposition achieves its primary goal, it will set its sights on Israel.

Radical Salafist rebel (Terrorist???) (Illustration) – Photo: AFP

The group’s leader, Abed Shihadeh, who is also known as Abu Muhammad al-Tahawi, spoke at the funeral of a Jihadist who committed a suicide attack in Amman last week. Continue Reading »