Pentagon to send Patriot batteries, US soldiers to defend Turkey against Syria

Panetta signs deployment order to Turkey from Afghanistan, calling for 400 U.S. soldiers to operate two Patriot batteries at undisclosed locations in Turkey.

 

Germany & the Netherlands have already agreed to provide 2 batteries of the U.S.-built defense systems & send up to 400 German & 360 Dutch troops

By Reuters

 

The U.S. will send two batteries of  and 400 troops to Turkey as part of a NATO force meant to protect Turkish territory from potential Syrian missile attack, the Pentagon said Friday.

Turkey asks for NATO missiles

Patriot anti-missile batteries installed at the Diyarbakir military airport in southeastern Turkey. March 11, 2003 – Photo by AFP

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta signed a deployment order en route to Turkey from Afghanistan. Continue Reading »

Once Again, Jews Banned from Temple Mount to Prevent Muslims Riot

Threats of Muslim violence lead police to ban Jews once again from the Temple Mount, this time until the end of Chanukah.

By Maayana Miskin

 

Jews have been barred from the Temple Mount in Jerusalem until Sunday, the last day of Chanukah. The Temple Mount is the holiest site on earth according to Jewish tradition.

The ban is aimed at preventing a Muslim riot at the site. Riots are thought to be particularly likely following Friday prayers.

It follows riots and terror attacks in Judea and Samaria. Tensions were particularly high following two incidents in which soldiers shot Arab attackers in Hevron. Continue Reading »

Israel provides better life than Britain

Extra points went to Canada for the desirability of its passport & Switzerland  for the quality of its chocolate.

 

Israel is a much better place to be born today than Britain, the Economist has reported.

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), the sister company to The Economist has produced a quality of life index that measures which country will “provide the best opportunities for a healthy, safe and prosperous life in the years ahead.”

According to the survey, Israel is the 20th best country to be born in today, far above Britain in 27th place. The results are in stark comparison to a survey the EIU conducted in 1988, which put the UK in 7th place and Israel at number 30. Continue Reading »

Syria: al-Qaida’s rehabilitation state, for next generation

If Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles fall into the hands of jihadi forces, with connections to al-Qaida, it is highly likely that these non-conventional capabilities will spread further.

By Dore Gold

Joby Warrick, The Washington Post’s correspondent who specializes in intelligence, wrote a story on Dec. 3 about how the Syrian rebellion was already spilling over and having an impact on neighboring countries. He focused in particular on Jordan. According to interviews he conducted, last month Jordanian security forces arrested 11 men and thus foiled a massive planned terrorist attack in the heart of Amman.

Dore Gold – from facebook

Dore Gold – from facebook

The Amman attack was supposed to begin with suicide bombings at two shopping malls to be followed by strikes against luxury hotels used by Westerners.

Continue Reading »

Jordanian Prince blasted at home for attending Jewish event

Anti-normalization (with Israel) groups up in arms over Prince Hassan’s attendance at British fundraiser held less than a week after the end of Operation Pillar of Defense.

By ADAM NICKY/THE MEDIA LINE

 

AMMAN – Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan found himself in hot water this week after his participation in a Jewish charity event in the UK last month was exposed in local media.

Jordanian prince Hassan bin Talal - Photo: REUTERS

Jordanian prince Hassan bin Talal – Photo: REUTERS

Hassan, the uncle of King Abdullah II, was in headlines for the wrong reasons after he addressed a fundraising event on November 21 for the Board of Deputies of British Jews, which Israeli figures also attended. Continue Reading »

Reuters claim IDF soldiers beat-up their photographers in Hebron

Reuters News agency claims 2 of its cameramen were assaulted by IDF troops who accused them of working for B’Tselem

Reuters

 

The Reuters news agency is claiming that IDF soldiers punched two of its cameramen and forced them to strip in the street, before letting off a tear gas canister in front of them. One of the photographers reportedly required hospital treatment.

IDF Soldiers in Hebron Photo: Reuters

“The regional brigade commander was ordered to open an investigation,” Israeli Defense Forces spokeswoman Avital Leibovich said in an email.

Yousri Al Jamal and Ma’amoun Wazwaz said a foot patrol stopped them as they were driving to a nearby checkpoint where a Palestinian teenager had been shot dead by an Israeli border guard. Continue Reading »

A Mere 28% Still Believe in ‘Palestinian Partner’ Poll

Only 28.2% of Israelis feel Israel has someone to negotiate with.

29.1% said Zoabi should be left alone

Poll shows 75% see Netanyahu winning the elections.

By Maayana Miskin

 

Only 28.2% of Israelis believe that Israel has a partner for peace in negotiations with the Palestinians, according to a new survey conducted by Gal Hadash for Yisrael Hayom. 62.4% say there is no partner for peace.

The Arab population of Judea, Samaria and Gaza is currently politically split. Those in Gaza are ruled by Hamas, which rejects Israel’s existence and calls to destroy the Jewish state.

The Fatah-led Palestinian Authority headed by Mahmoud Abbas has control in Judea and Samaria. Continue Reading »

Fatah’s new logo – Israel’s missing from map

The message is: if goals can’t be achieved through negotiations, the military option is always there… For Fatah, remaining weaponless is having no identity.

By Sarah Pilchick

 

Fatah’s new logo has essentially erased Israel from the map.

The image, created in honour of the party’s 48th anniversary, was launched on Monday in the official Palestinian Authority newspaper Al-Hayat Al-Jadida and shows a Palestinian keffiyeh covering the territory between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River.

The new logo (Photo: Palestinian Media Watch)

The new logo – Photo: Palestinian Media Watch

Also featured are a white dove in chains, the Dome of the Rock on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, and a key meant to represent the disputed “right of return” for displaced Palestinians and their descendents. Continue Reading »

Hamas holds 1st rally in West Bank after a 5 year ban

Following agreement between Hamas & Fatah, thousands of Hamas supporters rally in Nablus

Fatah rally will be held in Gaza in January.

By DPA

 

Hamas held its first rally in the West Bank Thursday, after a five-year ban, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Islamist movement.

The movement’s green flags were prominent in the northern city of Nablus as thousands of people participated in the rally.

Hamas rally in Nablus.

A pro-Hamas rally in Nablus. – Photo by AP

The rally was made possible after the Palestinian Authority lifted the ban enforced since June 2007 when Hamas fighters took over the Gaza Strip after a short battle with Fatah-backed security forces. Continue Reading »

Oren: Israel must prepare for summons to appear before the ICC

Amb. to the US, Michael Oren says Israel can’t discount possibility that the Palestinians, now empowered by the UN, will take action at int’l criminal court.

By HILARY LEILA KRIEGER, JPOST CORRESPONDENT

 

WASHINGTON – The Israeli government needs to be prepared for the Palestinians to take action against it at the International Criminal Court, Israel’s top US envoy said Wednesday afternoon, as tensions mount between the parties over settlement construction in the West Bank.

Ambassador to US Michael Oren - Photo: Hyungwon Kang/Reuters

Ambassador to US Michael Oren – Photo: Hyungwon Kang/Reuters

Disagreements between the Palestinian Authority and Israel have been intensifying in the wake of  PA President Mahmoud Abbas’s successful bid for non-member state recognition at the UN last month.

Continue Reading »

IDF Shoots Palestinian who hurled firebomb in Hebron riot

Teenager who threw Molotov cocktail at IDF soldiers near checkpoint sent to local hospital with severe gunshot wound to the chest.

Elior Levy, Yoav Zitun

 

IDF soldiers opened fire on a 17-year-old Palestinian who apparently hurled a Molotov cocktail in their direction during clashes near the Hashoter checkpoint in Hebron Thursday evening. The Palestinian sustained severe injuries.

Day of riots in Hebron Photo: EPA

Day of riots in Hebron – Photo: EPA

Palestinian sources said the youngster was hit in the chest and was evacuated to a local hospital in serious condition. The army said the soldiers operated according to standard IDF protocol for engaging a suspicious individual. Continue Reading »

New Dress-code for Israelis required by Jordanian Tourism Ministry

Jordanian Tourism Ministry warned Jewish Israeli tourists not to perform religious rituals or wear religious garb while traveling in the country.

By Rachel Hirshfeld

 

The Jordanian Tourism Ministry on Wednesday warned Jewish and Israeli tourists not to openly wear religious garb or perform religious rituals while visiting the country.

Jordanian tourism officials reportedly informed their Israeli counterparts to advise visitors not to wear “Jewish dress” or perform “religious rituals in public places” so as to prevent possible attacks.

Earlier this year, six Israeli tourists wearing kippot, or yarmulkes, were assaulted in a marketplace in southern Jordan, after their traditional Jewish garb “provoked the sensibilities of the vendors,” independent daily Al-Arab Al-Yawm reported. Continue Reading »

State: Lieberman charged with breach of trust & fraud charges

AG Weinstein announced corruption case against Lieberman dropped.

Instead, Foreign Minister will be charged with fraud and breach of trust for promoting former ambassador to Belarus who tipped him off about investigation.

By Aviel Magnezi

 

Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein on Thursday announced his decision to charge Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman with fraud and breach of trust for working to promote former Israeli ambassador to Belarus Ze’ev Ben Aryeh without disclosing the fact that Ben Aryeh had illegally leaked information about an investigation against him. However, the attorney general said a more serious corruption case against Lieberman has been closed.

FM Lieberman – Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg

The announcement comes just weeks before a Jan. Continue Reading »

PA and Jordan mulls forming confederation

Only after the creation of a Palestinian state within the pre-1967 lines would a confederation  be considered, says PA officials. 

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH

 

Palestinian Authority officials confirmed Thursday that they were studying the possibility of establishing a confederation with Jordan, but stressed that this would take place only after the creation of an indecent Palestinian state within the pre-1967 lines.

PA president Abbas, Jordan King Abdullah II - Photo: Reuters

PA president Abbas, Jordan King Abdullah II – Photo: Reuters

The officials were commenting on a report in the London-based Al-Quds Al-Arabi newspaper that claimed that Abbas had asked senior Fatah leaders to prepare for the formation of a confederation between a Palestinian state and Jordan.

Continue Reading »

Iran Navy unveils new submarines and warships

Iran claims to have become self-sufficient in manufacturing military vessels – from midget submarines to missile-launching warships.

Teheran  says it would use its military strength only for safeguarding peace & security in the Gulf.

By DPA

 

 

The Iranian Navy unveiled two new submarines and two missile-launching warships on Wednesday, Mehr news agency reported.

An Iranian warship docked at the Syrian port of Latakia, Feb. 25, 2011. Photo by AP

An Iranian warship docked at the Syrian port of Latakia, Feb. 25, 2011.- Photo by AP

The two domestically-built Ghadir submarines and the Sina-7 warships – together with two repaired hovercrafts – officially joined the Iranian Navy, Mehr quoted navy commander Habibollah Sayari as saying.

Iran said in June that it would use its nuclear technology know-how to design nuclear-powered submarines, which could enable the navy to have a constant presence in free waters as well as long-distance operations. Continue Reading »