Tag Archive for Israel US

| December 5, 2012
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A common destiny of American & Israeli Jews

We live in one of the most felicitous times in Jewish history. Together, we can usher in a genuine Golden Age.

By MICHAEL OREN

 

As someone born and raised in the United States, I get to represent the land of my forefathers to the land of my father.

I have the best job in the world, though sometimes it’s tough.

American and Israeli flags

I have to describe the monumental challenges facing Israel on a daily basis: The tens of thousands of terrorist rockets aimed at our homes. The entire Middle East roiling around us while the Iranian centrifuges continue to spin.

I explain how Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, his government, and the Israel Defense Forces are grappling with these threats and defending the people of Israel. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| December 2, 2012
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Countries around the world seeking to obtain Iron Dome System

Following impressive interception rate in Gaza conflict with Hamas, South Korea & Singapore reportedly seeking to purchase the Iron Dome defense system 

Clinton: The Iron Dome system knocked rockets out of the sky like never before.

By Israel Hayom Staff

 

Following the Iron Dome missile defense system’s success in last month’s conflict with Hamas, several nations have expressed interest in purchasing the Israeli-created and American-funded system, The New York Times reported Thursday.

Iron Dome: Other countries seeking to protect their citizens from missile fire may soon have their own Iron Dome systems. – Photo: AP

While experts note that Iron Dome has limitations — it was designed to intercept unsophisticated rockets with a range of less than 50 miles — countries such as South Korea and Singapore have reportedly been in discussions to purchase the system.

Continue Reading »
Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| November 30, 2012
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Mysterious Ultra-Secret ‘Site 911’ in Israel Raises Eyebrows in U.S.

The US Army Corps of Engineers plans to supervise construction of a 5-story underground secret facility for an IDF complex, simply named “Site 911.”

By Rachel Hirshfeld

 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to supervise construction of a five-story underground facility for an Israel Defense Forces complex, oddly named “Site 911,” at an Israeli Air Force base near Tel Aviv.

“Expected to take more than two years to build, at a cost of up to $100 million, the facility is to have classrooms on Level 1, an auditorium on Level 3, a laboratory, shock-resistant doors, protection from nonionizing radiation and very tight security. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| November 30, 2012
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AIPAC ‘MEMO’ calls to review U.S.- Palestinian agreements

PLO Chairman Mahmoud Abbas rebuffed a direct request by Israel and President Obama not to seek upgraded status at the United Nations, which was in direct violations of the signed Oslo Peace Accords.

 

Palestinian U.N. Upgrade Undermines Peace Efforts

The U.N. General Assembly’s (UNGA) passage today (29 Nov. 2012) of a resolution granting the Palestinians non-member observer state status is a direct blow to Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts. An actual Palestinian state can only be achieved by direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. UNGA recognition of a virtual state of Palestine does nothing to advance that process and hinders resumption of real peace talks. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| November 30, 2012
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The US quantifies: This UN Resolution did not create a Palestinian state

 

U.S. Amb. Susan Rice says UN resolution ‘does not establish that Palestine is a state’

Attila Somfalvi

 

US Ambassador to the UN Sudan Rice said Thursday after the General Assembly vote that recognized Palestine as an observer state that the resolution “does not establish that Palestine is a state.”

סוזן רייס, אמש בעצרת האו"ם (צילום: AFP)

Susan Rice at General Assembly – Photo: AFP

“Today’s grand pronouncements will soon fade. And the Palestinian people will wake up tomorrow and find that little about their lives has changed, save that the prospects of a durable peace have only receded,” she remarked

Rice stressed that the only way to achieve a two-state solution is through direct negotiations. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| November 15, 2012
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Bibi thanks Obama for supporting Israel’s right to defend itself

The White House condemned Hamas, a terror organization, for its continued barrage of rockets at Israel, and supports Israel in this latest operation against terrorists in Gaza.

By TOVAH LAZAROFF

 

Netanyahu on Wednesday night spoke on the telephone with US President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and EU Foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton. He was also scheduled to speak with UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.

President Barack Obama talks on the phone with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

President Barack Obama talks on the phone with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in the Oval Office – Photo by Official White House – Photo by Pete Souza

In his conversation with Obama and Biden, Netanyahu thanked them for taking the position that Israel had a right to defend itself. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags:
| November 1, 2012
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Defense Minister Reports: Israel won’t even outsource its security to most trusted allies

Defense Minister Barak says Jerusalem will not rely even on “closest, most trusted allies” to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

 

Israel will not outsource its vital security interests to anyone, “not even to our closest and most trusted allies,” Defense Minister Ehud Barak said in London on Wednesday.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak - Photo: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post

Defense Minister Ehud Barak – Photo: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post

Speaking at the British Israel Communications and Research Center, Barak addressed Iran’s uranium enrichment program: “All options are on the table to prevent Iran from crossing the point of no return. We expect all those who say it to mean it; we mean it.”

Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| October 31, 2012
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Isn’t it time to refuse American Foreign Aid?

Every Presidential, Congressional & Senate inquiry over the years has come to the same conclusion: American aid to Israel is in America’s interest.

An Israel without foreign aid leaves the way open for elimination of aid to Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. Isn’t that a win-win for Israel?

By David Guy

Here’s a radical thought. Israel receives about $US3.2 billion each year from the US Foreign Aid budget. Let’s tell them, Thank you very much but we don’t need it, anymore!

Five Minutes for Israel

Five Minutes for Israel

Anyone who frequents an open forum on the Middle East (let’s face it the M.E. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| October 31, 2012
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Jimmy Carter supports Christian leaders’ letter threatening military aid to Israel

Former One-Term Democratic President calls for investigation into Israel’s human rights record.
His Carter Center says it ‘has long been concerned about Israel’s disregard for stated U.S. policy.’

By JTA

 

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter commended a letter from Christian leaders to Congress calling for an investigation of Israel’s human rights record and criticizing U.S. military aid to the country.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter – Photo by Reuters

“Like these church leaders, The Carter Center has long been concerned about Israel’s disregard for stated U.S. policy,” said a statement issued Wednesday from the human rights group named for and headed by Carter. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| October 30, 2012
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It Apears That its Now Our Turn to Worry, from Israel

The last time Israelis were so concerned  for the welfare of Americans, was during the aftermath of 9/11.

 

“It all just feels so backwards. We’re watching them and trying to understand exactly what’s going on, and we are concerned whether they are safe. It’s such a strange feeling – it’s supposed to be the other way around.”

Hurricane Sandy

Pedestrians walk past a submerged taxi in Brooklyn, New York, October 29, 2012 as Hurricane Sandy made landfall in the northeastern United States. – Photo by Reuters

I’ve heard versions of these comments in person, on the phone and online repeatedly over the past 72 hours, as Hurricane Sandy threatened the Eastern seaboard of the United States, and then after it became a reality. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| October 29, 2012
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Report: Petraeus says US not involved in Khartoum attack

Sudanese newspaper reported CIA chief called Sudan officials shortly after attack on arms factory, denied reports indicating his country had early knowledge of ‘Israeli strike’

By Roi Kais

 

The closure of the US embassy in Khartoum, shortly after Sudan accused Israel of launching an attack on an arms factory, has raised speculation that the US knew the Jewish state was behind the strike and feared it would be targeted by angry protesters.

CIA Director David Petraeus – Photo: Reuters

Despite this notion, a local Sudanese newspaper “al-Intiba” reported Monday that CIA Director David Petraeus called Sudanese deputy intelligence head Saleh A-Tayeb, shortly after the alleged Israeli attack in Khartoum. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| October 29, 2012
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U.S. Military Chief in Israel to discuss with Barak joint missile defense drill

This will be the largest-ever joint Israeli-U.S. drill, which simulates missiles raining down on Israel from Iran, Syria, Lebanon & Gaza.

By DPA

 

U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Martin Dempsey was in Israel on Monday to discuss a joint missile defense drill that began a week ago.

martin dempsey

Martin Dempsey – Photo by AP

An honor guard was to receive the US general at Israel’s defense headquarters in central Tel Aviv shortly after noon, an Israeli military statement said.

Israeli Chief of Staff Benny Gantz was scheduled to host the welcoming ceremony.

Dempsey met Defense Minister Ehud Barak in Tel Aviv late Sunday. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| October 27, 2012
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Israel, the U.S. & Canada calls for removal of anti-Israel UN official Richard Falk

UN rapporteur and anti-Zionist alleges that companies dealing with settlers are in violation of int’l human rights laws.

By SDAMatt2a

 

Canada joined the United States and Israel late Thursday night in calling for the resignation of a United Nations official charged with monitoring and reporting on human rights in the Palestinian territories.

The Source with Ezra Levant
That official, Richard Falk, the UN’s special rapporteur for the Palestinian Territories, called for a worldwide boycott earlier Thursday of companies tied to Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

That recommendation was immediately condemned by the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice, who called Falk’s call to action “irresponsible and unacceptable,” and said it would “poison the environment for peace.” Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| October 17, 2012
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Israel & the U.S. to Begin Major Air Defense Drill

US forces begin to arrive in Israel ahead of largest joint military exercise yet

Air defense drill to cost over $37 million

By Yoav Zitun, AP

The US and Israel are embarking on the largest exercise in their long military relationship, against a backdrop of tension with Iran and sharp rhetoric in the American presidential election.

משאיות שמובילות טילי פטריוט. תורגש תנועה ערה (צילום: אבי רוקח)

Trucks transporting Patriot batteries – Photo: Avi Rokach

An air defense drill planned for late this month will involve more than 3,500 Americans and 1,000 Israelis, practicing their ability to work together against a range of threats facing the main US ally in the Mideast. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| October 16, 2012
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Abbas: UN recognition would foster peace with Israel

U.S. envoy to UN, Rice says Palestinian status bid jeopardizes peace process.

Abbas’ letter to Obama, says Palestinians ready to resume Israel talks if UN bid succeesful

By Reuters and

 

 

The Palestinians fended off on Tuesday U.S. criticism of their bid for upgraded status at the United Nations, saying the move would improve prospects for a peace accord with Israel, not damage them.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sent a letter to U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday, saying he is ready to resume talks with Israel if he succeeds in obtaining UN recognition for the Palestinians.

Abbas and Obama

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, left, and U.S.

Continue Reading »
Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
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