Courtroom drama: Tibi treats unconscious Palestinian prisoner

Prisoner on 2-month hunger strike collapses during High Court hearing; MK Tibi treats inmate at justice’s order

 

A Palestinian prisoner who went on a hunger strike 66 days ago collapsed Thursday during a hearing on his case at the High Court of Justice in Jerusalem.

Justice Elyakim Rubinstein asked Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi (United Arab List-Ta’al), a gynecologist, to treat the prisoner.

Tibi was initially blocked by guards from the Israel Prison Service’s Nachshon Unit, but he was eventually allowed to treat the prisoner after Justice Rubinstein instructed the guards to let him pass.

'Outrageous conduct.' MK Tibi Photo: Avihu Shapira

'Outrageous conduct.' MK Tibi - Photo by Avihu Shapira

The prisoner, Balal Diab, apparently lost consciousness due to weakness. Continue Reading »

Electricity pole sparks tension between Vatican and Jerusalem municipality

Six weeks ago, Franciscan monks discovered a huge, unsightly pylon in front of the impressive church overlooking the Garden of Gethsemane.

 

An electricity pylon erected in front of the Church of All Nations in East Jerusalem is sparking tensions between Israel and the Vatican. The Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land submitted on Wednesday an administrative appeal against the Jerusalem municipality and the Israel Electric Corp, claiming that the municipality approved the action illegally.

The offending pylon near the Church of All Nations at the Garden of Gethsemane.

The offending pylon near the Church of All Nations at the Garden of Gethsemane. - Photo by Michal Fattal

Six weeks ago Franciscan monks discovered a huge, unsightly pylon in front of the impressive church overlooking the Garden of Gethsemane.

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Two Terror Attacks Foiled in Samaria

Two terrorists arrested at the Tapuach junction in Samaria, third terrorist nabbed while trying to infiltrate Elon Moreh.

The IDF foiled two attempted terrorist attacks in Samaria on Thursday night.

In the first incident, Border Police officers arrested two terrorists in their 20s at the Tapuach junction in Samaria. The terrorists were found to be carrying explosives and knives.

IDF soldiers

IDF soldiers - Photo from IDF website

Sappers detonated the explosives, and no one was hurt. The two suspects were transferred to security authorities for further interrogation.

Later on Thursday night, a third terrorist armed with a knife tried to infiltrate the community of Elon Moreh in Samaria. Continue Reading »

Google Street View exposes secret Israeli base

Images of classified Tel Aviv-area base, clearly visible license plates appear on Google service

 

Classified details about a secret base in the Tel Aviv area have been exposed by Google Street View, the panoramic map service launched in Israel’sthree largest cities in April.

The new service allows users to see soldiers and vehicles inside the base, aggravating concerns that Google Street View could comprise Israel’s national security and provide the Jewish state’s enemies with easy access to useful information.

The service was reportedly launched in coordination with Israel’s security authorities, which asked Google to erase images from Tel Aviv’s Kaplan Street, home to the Defense Ministry and IDFheadquarters. Continue Reading »

Police Block March to Temple Mount

Jerusalem police have ruled that activists cannot hold a march to the Temple Mount this Sunday.

Some 200 right-wing activists allegedly planned to lead approximately 20 sheep to Judaism’s holiest site.

The march, beginning at Jerusalem’s central bus station and culminating in the Old City of Jerusalem, was to be held in protest over the lack of permission to allow ritual offerings on the Temple Mount.

Police explained that such a march could disturb the peace and cause public disruptions. They plan to deploy along the proposed route on Sunday to prevent the march from reaching the Old City, a spokesperson said. Continue Reading »

Abbas, Hamas seek Arafat archive

Documents currently in Tunisia reportedly include information on planned terror attacks against Israel, terror groups’ funding sources

 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has demanded that the archive of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat be handed over to his care, the Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported Thursday.

Yasser and Suha Arafat (archives) Photo: AP

Yasser and Suha Arafat - archives Photo by AP

The documents, which are currently in Tunisia, reportedly contains fascinating information on planned terror attacks against Israeli targets, the funding sources of terror organizations and negotiations with Israeli officials from the political and security establishments

The London-based Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported this week that the archive has been a point of contention ever since Arafat’s death in 2004 and the Hamas-Fatah split. Continue Reading »

IDF Calls Up 6 Battalions to Guard Egyptian, Syrian Fronts

The IDF has issued call up orders for six battalions to guard the Egyptian and Syrian borders, with authorization for 16 more.

The IDF has issued call up orders for six battalions to guard the Egyptian and Syrian borders, with authorization for more if needed. The orders were approved by the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee as part of a request to call up as many as 22 battalions.

Egyptian Soldiers Lost Control of Sinai

Egyptian Soldiers Lost Control of Sinai - Photo by Reuters

The call up came following intelligent assessments calling for increased deployment of more troops, an IDF spokesperson said.

Former deputy IDF chief of staff Dan Harel said Wednesday night the call-up meant the IDF views the Egyptian and Syrian borders as a “potential source of greater threat than in the past.”  Continue Reading »

Making Israel natural gas attractive – in Texas

Energy and Water Minister Uzi Landau visits the Lone Star State to strengthen ties with Israel’s natural gas industry.

 

As Israel’s presence in the natural gas market grows, the country should continue to strengthen its growing ties with the state of Texas, a capital of development for the industry, according to Energy and Water Minister Uzi Landau.

National Infrastructures Minister Uzi Landau -Photo: Courtesy National Infrastructures Ministry

National Infrastructures Minister Uzi Landau - Photo: Courtesy National Infrastructures Ministry

Landau is spending the week in the Houston, Texas region, where he will be visiting the development site for Noble Energy’s Tamar rig, as well as meeting with representatives of many companies potentially interested in participating in Israel’s natural gas industry.

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Security fence on Egyptian border breached

Smugglers manage to cut into fence in southern border but are eventually caught by IDF forces. Five similar attempts recorded in past few months. IDF considers installing electronic alert system

Egyptian smugglers recently managed to cut into the new security fence on the Israeli border for the first time, Ynet has learned. The cell members, who used hydraulic and mechanical means to cut through the fence, were caught by the IDF.

The incident occurred last month. The Egyptians were smuggling goods for criminal, and not nationalistic purposes, and took advantage of a blind spot in the fence.

Senior elements in the IDF confirmed the report. Continue Reading »

Methodist church says no to Israel divestment initiative

United Methodist Church in Florida votes against initiative backed by South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who says Israelis ‘not yet ready to reckon with the apartheid nature of Israel.’

 

The majority of delegates at the plenary of the general conference of the United Methodist Church that convened in Tampa, Florida on Wednesday rejected an initiative to divest from Caterpillar, Motorola Solutions and Hewlett-Packard, companies that trade with Israel.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Archbishop Desmond Tutu - Photo by AP

Palestinian Christians behind the initiative, United Methodist Kairos Response, expressed disappointment with the decision, saying these three companies “profit from Israel’s violations of Palestinian human rights and denial of Palestinian freedom.”

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Novelist Who Accused Israel of Genocide to Receive US Honor

Toni Morrison, the Nobel-winning author who has accused Israel of perpetrating genocidal policies, is to be awarded the Medal of Freedom.

Toni Morrison, the Nobel-winning author who has accused Israel of perpetrating genocidal policies, is to be awarded the presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.

Barack Obama

US President Barack Obama - By REUTERS

Morrison is one of 13 recipients of the prize this year, alongside Israeli President Shimon Peres and former Secretary of State Madeline Albright.

In 2006 Morrison and 17 other writers signed a letter stating that, Israel’s aim “is nothing less than the liquidation of the Palestinian nation.” Continue Reading »

Israel to take delivery of fourth submarine from Germany

Defense delegation arrives in Germany ahead of delivery of Dolphin-class submarine, widely rumored to be capable of carrying nuclear weapons; expected to arrive in Israel in coming months.

 

An Israeli defense delegation arrived in Germany on Wednesday ahead of the planned delivery of Israel’s fourth Dolphin-class submarine, widely rumored to be capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

Israeli Navy Dolphin-class submarine file - Photo by REUTERS/Handout

Israeli Navy Dolphin-class submarine file - Photo by REUTERS/Handout

Led by Defense Ministry Dir.-Gen. Udi Shani, the delegation met with senior German defense officials and was scheduled to visit the shipyard where the submarine is being built. It is expected to arrive in Israel in the coming months.Israel’s

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Hamas says holding secret diplomatic talks with EU states

Europe and the U.S. have been rethinking Mideast policy since the Arab Spring uprisings toppled several pro-Western regimes in favor of Islamists.

Hamas has been holding secret political talks with five European Union member states in recent months, a senior member of the Gaza-based Islamist movement said on Wednesday.

Hamas rally - AP - 27.4.2012

Palestinians from Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements rallying for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, in Gaza City - Photo by AP

The EU’s official stance indicates that it will not deal with Hamas unless the group renounces violence and recognizes Israel.

Europe and the U.S. have been rethinking Mideast policy since the Arab Spring uprisings toppled several pro-Western regimes in favor of Islamists.

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Israel’s top 10 advances in asthma

Millions of asthma sufferers can breathe a bit easier thanks to research and products coming out of Israel. ISRAEL21c brings the top 10 advances in the field.

girl at picnic

May 1 marks the annual World Asthma Day. In keeping with this year’s theme, “You Can Control Your Asthma,” ISRAEL21c presents the top 10 Israeli innovations making that goal more attainable for the approximately 250 million to 300 million people suffering from the inflammatory lung condition.

Asthma is the world’s most common chronic disease among children. In the United States alone, 13 million school days are missed each year due to asthma, and asthma accounts for about 10.1 million missed work days for adults every year. Continue Reading »

Israel & the Region Foot-and-mouth disease hits Gaza, could spread further

UN agencies fear disease, which oriented from Egypt, could affect the region and beyond

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — A UN agency said Wednesday that Egypt’s outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has reached the neighboring Gaza Strip and could soon spread across the Middle East.

The Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization said the disease was detected in Gaza’s southern border town of Rafah on April 19.

Juan Lubroth, FAO’s chief veterinary officer, says vaccines are in short supply and animal movement must be limited. He says the disease risks spreading to the Gulf, southern and eastern Europe and further.

The disease is not a direct threat to humans, but meat and milk from sick animals are unsafe for consumption. Continue Reading »