Sharks, Vultures, & sex for info: The far-fetched accusations against Israel

This kind of ignorant paranoia enables hatred of Israel in the Muslim world. Most damaging are the numerous unfounded reports of conspiracy theories, which are always accepted as truth in the Arab media.

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Much mirth and merriment is being generated by the Sudanese reports that an Israeli vulture has been carrying out espionage over Darfur. In reality, of course, the bird was fitted with a GPS tracker by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. The same thing happened in Saudi Arabia last year, when a “griffon” was “arrested” for its role in a “Zionist plot”.

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White House gives Lebanon 6 Huey helicopters & naval patrol craft

Military aid meant to bolster forces that have been struggling to deal with over-flow violence from Syria, explains anonymous source.

By REUTERS

 

BEIRUT – The United States has given six military helicopters to the Lebanese air force, a diplomatic source said on Wednesday, bolstering forces that have been struggling to deal with violence spreading over the border from Syria.

Iraqi Air Force Huey II helicopters [illustrative] - Photo: REUTERS/Erik de Castro

Iraqi Air Force Huey II helicopters [illustrative] – Photo: REUTERS/Erik de Castro

“Six Huey 2 helicopters have been delivered to Lebanon as part of bilateral military assistance,” the source said on condition of anonymity.The air force has 24 US Huey helicopters and 11 French-made Gazelles, both of which can be equipped with guns and missiles.Lebanon,

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Israel to receive thousands of ‘bunker-buster’ bombs from Congress via the Pentagon

With the aim of replenishing Israel Air Force munitions following recent Operation Pillar of Defense, Pentagon asks Congress to increase military aid to Israel by $647M

Ynet

 

The Pentagon has appealed to Congress in a bid to increase the United States’ military aid to Israel by $647 million, Ynet learned Tuesday.

JDAM being mounted on fighter-bomber – screenshot from MilitaryChannel clip

According to a Bloomberg report, in wake of Operation Pillar of Defense, the Pentagon wants to arm the IDF with a tail kit system used to convert free-fall bombs into satellite-guided ordnance, as well as with missiles that can be mounted on F-15 and F-16 fighter jets and are capable of penetrating underground or fortified targets. Continue Reading »

North Korea launches long-range ballistic missile, drawing UN & Int’l disapproval

The isolated Asian nation may have finally succeeded in launching a satellite into space, with the real aim of what critics say was a disguised ballistic missile test.

By Reuters

Isolated and impoverished North Korea launched its second long-range rocket of 2012 on Wednesday and may have finally succeeded in putting a satellite into space, the stated aim of what critics say is a disguised ballistic missile test.

The rocket was launched just before 10 a.m. Korean time (0100 GMT) and overflew the Japanese island of Okinawa.

North Korea rocket

South Korean soldiers watch broadcast images of the North Korean Unha-3 rocket. – Photo by AP

A rocket launch by North Korea in April was aborted after a less than two minute flight. Continue Reading »

Secular Kibbutz ‘Revolts’ by Dedicating New Torah Scroll – Mazel Tov!

 

Secular members of Kibbutz Givat Brenner dedicated a new Torah scroll on Tuesday.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

 

Kibbutz Givat Brenner, the largest kibbutz in Israel and one of the most secular, completed the first step in a “revolution” Tuesday night with the dedication of a new Torah scroll that kibbutz members paid for from their own pockets.

Torah dedication at Kibbutz Givat Brenner

Torah dedication at Kibbutz Givat Brenner
Israel news photo: Yaakov Felberbaum

The dedication of a new Torah scroll here is a major revolution, Givat Brenner Rabbi Ephraim Shteinkoller told Arutz Sheva.

“The public decided it wanted a new Torah scroll next to an old one that was donated years ago in memory of kibbutz members who fell in wars,” he added. Continue Reading »

Google opens innovation campus at Electra Tower in Tel Aviv

At the center, Google also will offer Launchpad, a two-week seminar for startups in their early stages.

By JTA

 

Google launched its Campus Tel Aviv, a center for Israeli entrepreneurs and startups.

Photo: To celebrate the inauguration of Google's new offices and campus in Tel Aviv, Israel, PM Netanyahu drew his own Google Doodle.

To celebrate the inauguration of Google’s new offices and campus in Tel Aviv, Israel, PM Netanyahu drew his own Google Doodle.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut a virtual ribbon at the inauguration ceremony on Monday for a campus that occupies a floor of the Electra Tower in Tel Aviv. The 16,000-square-foot space includes an area for meetings and workshop space for startup companies.

Using the campus and participating in its activities are free for entrepreneurs and startups. Continue Reading »

Obama gives Iran one last chance for talks…or else

Israel Channel 10 reports: US official says Obama to give 4-5 months for talks to succeed, if they don’t the US may resort to a military option.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, REUTERS

 

 

US President Barack Obama plans to propose to Iran that they conduct direct negotiations over the Islamic Republic nuclear program, Channel 10 reported Tuesday night citing a senior US official.

Interior of Bushehr nuclear plant - Photo: REUTERS/Stringer Iran

Interior of Bushehr nuclear plant – Photo: REUTERS/Stringer Iran

According to the official, the decision did not involve any coordination or consultation with Israel.

According to the report, the US is likely to give negotiations a time-frame of four to five months.

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US Report: ‘Israel using Eritrean bases to spy on Iran’

Report by US-based firm: Israel using ‘small but significant presence’ in northeastern African nation in an effort to boost intel gathering on Iran

Ynet

 

Israel is trying to increase its intelligence gathering efforts vis-à-vis Iran and is now using Eritrea to that effect, a new report by Stratfor Global Intelligence said Tuesday.

(Illustration) Photo: Shutterstock

‘Spying’ – Photo: Shutterstock

According to the strategy consultancy firm, Eritrea, which sits on the eastern shore of the Red Sea, has become an arena of operations for both Israel and Iran, as both are trying to bolster their influence on the Horn of Africa. Continue Reading »

IDF soldiers that were in clashes were allowed to fire, but chose not to

An IDF officer, responding to 2 videos last week,  says the decision not to shoot, despite orders that they can fire if their lives are in danger, was partly out of concern over escalation.

By Gili Cohen

 

Israel Defense Force soldiers involved in recent incidents in the West Bank chose not to open fire, according to an officer in the IDF’s Judea and Samaria Division. The officer made the remarks in response to two videos showing recent confrontations between IDF soldiers with local demonstrators in the West Bank, in which the soldiers appeared to be at a disadvantage compared to the Palestinian crowds.

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Turkey: Israel ‘Playing With Fire’ with its plan to build in Jerusalem

Abdullah Gül, the Turkish President said that Israel was “playing with fire” with its plans to build in Jerusalem and in the E-1 area

By David Lev

 

Turkish President Abdullah Gül said that Israel was “playing with fire” with its plans to build in Jerusalem and the E1 area. “Israel’s actions will just hurt her in the mid- and long-term, its isolation will grow, and its allies will be placed in a difficult position,” Gül was quoted by Turkish media as saying.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Gül said that Israel “needed to learn a lesson” from the UN General Assembly’s upgrading of the Palestinian Authority to a non-member observer state several weeks ago. Continue Reading »

Report on Israeli TV may prevent Australian meat exports to Israel

An Israeli Channel 2 report on animal cruelty has made its way to Australia & now beef exports to Israel may be halted

By David Lev

 

An Israeli television report about animal cruelty has made its way to Australia – and as a result, animal rights activists are demanding that Australia withhold exports of cows and sheep to Israel.

The report, on Channel Two’s Kolbotek consumer affairs magazine, showed workers at Tnuva’s slaughterhouse mistreating animals, including using electric shockers to subdue them, hitting them over the head with blunt objects, and dragging animals. The report garnered calls by Knesset members and Israeli animal rights group for an investigation of Tnuva, and the Israeli activists transferred the Kolbotek video to the Australian groups, asking that they pressure their government to halt animal exports to Israel.

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Lieberman: Abbas won’t see transfer of PA tax funds for at least 4 months

FM says PA won’t see ‘one red cent’ of tax revenues, & repeats threats to ‘bring down Hamas’, at an Yisrael Beitenu Hanukkah event.

Lieberman says some EU foreign ministers ‘take Israel’s destruction for granted.’

 

Israel’s Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Tuesday evening that “the Palestinians won’t see one red cent” of the tax revenues that Israel collects on their behalf for at least the next four months.

Avigdor Lieberman at an election convention - Olivier Fitoussi - December 4, 2012.

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman speaking at an election convention in Jerusalem, December 4, 2012. – Photo by Olivier Fitoussi

 

Lieberman’s remarks, made during a Hanukkah candle-lighting event for his party, Yisrael Beitenu in Tel Aviv, were in reference to Israel confiscating some NIS 460 million in tax revenues collected for the Palestinian Authority in November, in order to offset the PA’s debt to Israel’s Electric Corporation.  Continue Reading »

‘One-Palestine State’ Art Exhibit at the United Nations

A “One Arab State Solution”  through art, that shows all of Israel as Palestine & mirroring Abbas’ “peace process map” is being hosted at the UN.

By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

 

The UN delivers a “One Arab State Solution” through an art exhibit that shows all of Israel as Palestine, mirroring Mahmoud Abbas’ “peace process map.”

Abbas holding model of area he wants for state

Abbas holding model of area he wants for state – palwatch.org

The exhibit is displayed at the public entrance of the United Nations, where the Palestinian Authority chairman two weeks ago delivered a speech before the General Assembly vote that granted the PA Non-Member Observer status. Continue Reading »

Treasures found the heart of Jerusalem from the Hasmonean era

 

A perfume container and a lead weight from the ancient days of the Hasmonean dynasty, were found in Jerusalem’s Kiryat Yovel neighborhood

Chief archaeologist: Little is known about Jerusalem during that era.

Efrat Forsher

 

As Jews throughout the world celebrate the Hanukkah holiday, which commemorates the victory of the ancient Hasmoneans over the militarily superior Hellenists, the Israel Antiquities Authority recently disclosed that an important archaeological find was discovered in the Kiryat Yovel neighborhood of Jerusalem, including items dating back to the Hasmonean era — 140 B.C.E. to 116 B.C.E.

The archeological dig in south Jerusalem. – Photo: Daniel Ein Mor & Clara Amit, Israel Antiquities Authority

The IAA, which conducted the excavation, uncovered what appeared to be an agricultural farm that was occupied during the days when Jerusalem was under Hellenist rule.

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Navajo president, 1st lady visit Israel on agricultural/tourism mission

President Shelly’s visit to Israel is to draw inspiration from Israeli methods in tourism, agriculture technology, capital infrastructure  & providing gov’t services to their rural areas.

By JTA

 

Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly and his wife, Martha, are in Israel for a week to learn about issues ranging from agriculture to tourism.

Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly - Source: Navajo Nation

Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly – Source: Navajo Nation

“We set on this mission to look at how Israel has advanced in growth in some of the same areas we face on the Navajo Nation,” Shelly said in a statement upon his arrival in Israel on Dec. Continue Reading »