Wednesday, May 16, 2012
1 Palestinians Mark Nakba Day
2 Iran's order's for Hezbollah
3 Iran hangs accused Mossad agent
4 NIS 99 call plan from Golan Telecom
5 Landau okays Golan Heights oil exploration
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as well as pro-Palestinian supporters in other Arab nations, marked "Nakba Day" on Tuesday, marking the "catastrophe" of the inception of the State of Israel. The Palestinian Authority has declared a general strike, as did the Higher Arab Monitoring Committee, which declared a strike in Israel's Arab sector. The IDF has declared high alert across all borders, and has bolstered its deployment in West Bank cities and along the Gaza border, ahead of possible confrontations.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
A senior military IDF official said that Lebanon may not want a new war with Israel but a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities would likely spark a deadly response from its ally Hezbollah. Senior military officials do not believe Nasrallah wants another war with Israel and would only attack as a direct result of orders from Tehran. They believe that Iran's aim was to create footprints near the border of Israel and Hezbollah has been the recipient of that funding.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Iranian authorities have hanged Majid Jamali Fashi who had been accused of being an agent of the Israeli spy agency, the Mossad, for the 2010 killing of a nuclear physicist. 24 year old Fashi was sentenced to death after being convicted in a trial last August. Iran says that Israel and the US are trying to disrupt its nuclear program through covert operations where at least five Iranian nuclear scientists have been killed in recent years.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Today, Golan Telecom Ltd., Israel's first new mobile carrier since 1999, launched its services. The company is offering the most aggressive prices in the mobile market, based on operations in the French market and its French backer Xavier Niel. Golan is offering an unlimited package of calls, SMS, and internet at NIS 99 per month. This could be what Israeli's have always been waiting for from a cell phone provider.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Energy and Water Minister Uzi Landau has decided to renew drilling permits to explore for oil on the Golan Heights. The decision could have far-reaching political ramifications, and those in Landau's inner circle do not deny that his political beliefs played a part in the decision. Past experience has shown that the decision to resume drilling could garner condemnation by Syria and affect future negotiations between Syria and Israel.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
1 IAF prepared for any mission
2 Netanyahu's letter to Abbas
3 Deal to end hunger strike
4 Jewish pilgrims avoid Tunisia
5 Hollywood delegation to visit Israel
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Outgoing IAF Chief Major-General Ido Nehushtan said on Sunday that the Israeli Air Force is well prepared for its missions. Nehushtan's statement came in response to a question which inquired about the IAF's readiness for a large military strike. The reference to Iran was clear and resonated. Nehushtan retired from the IDF this week, after 37 years in service. Maj.-Gen. Amir Eshel, Israel's new IAF chief, echoed his predecessor's sentiment upon taking office.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
In a letter sent to Abbas from Prime Minister Netanyahu on Saturday night, Netanyahu wrote that the national unity government has created a new opportunity to move the peace process ahead. Netanyahu's letter was delivered to PA headquarters in Ramallah by his special envoy Isaac Molho, who met with Abbas for 90 minutes. Netanyahu added that he wants to restart negotiations as soon as possible.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Egypt has brokered a deal aimed at ending a hunger strike of some 1,600 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. The agreement included ending solitary confinement, not renewing administrative detention for detainees held without trial, releasing all prisoners who have finished their sentence, and allowing family visits and phone calls, however- no final agreement on the matter has been reached.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Security concerns and threats from some Salafi Islamists kept thousands of Jewish pilgrims away from the annual Lag B'Omer celebration on the Tunisian island of Djerba this week. No more than 500 pilgrims attended the religious festival celebrated a month after Passover at one of Africa's oldest synagogues on Wednesday and Thursday. Israel issued a travel advisory urging its citizens ahead of the festival to "avoid" visits to Tunisia this year, citing information suggesting they might come under attack.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
A host of Hollywood stars are expected to arrive in Israel this coming month. The visit is being organized by the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption as part of Israel's effort to improve its image abroad. The group is expected to tour and meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as with several media personalities. The Tel Aviv International Student Film Festival, which is scheduled to open June 2, will host Sacha Baron Cohen, and Harvey Keitel to name a few- Baron Cohen's new film, "The Dictator," will open the festival.
Monday, May 14, 2012
IDF gearing up for 'Nakba Day' ; Israel's social protest coming back ? ; WWII British report: Hitler developed 'Jewish phobia ; Arab swimmer to represent Israel in EU championship ; UK campuses celebrate 'Tel Aviv week'
Monday, May 14, 2012
On Monday, the Palestinians will mark Nakba Day, recalling what they refer to as the "catastrophe" of 1948: Israel's establishment and the expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their land. The day's events will dovetail with the ongoing hunger strike of about 2,000 security prisoners in Israeli jails. The leaders of Fatah and the Palestinian Authority worked hard to ensure that the demonstrations will be confined to the Palestinian cities of the West Bank and will not assume a violent character.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Social protest is back? Thousands of Israelis gathered Saturday evening at Tel Aviv's Rabin Square for a rally activists characterized as the opening shot of a renewed nationwide social protest. Earlier in the day, demonstrators marched from various locations across the city, before meeting at the Square for the evening's main event. Some protestors attempted to block roads in the area. At least nine people were detained at the site by police. Simultaneously, rallies were being held in Haifa, Jerusalem, Kiryat Shmona and Pardes Hana.
Monday, May 14, 2012
A secret report, previously unknown to historians, has given readers insight regarding the mental state of Adolf Hitler. According to the report, which was published in the British Guardian Newspaper on Friday, in 1942, British intelligence officers were tracking Adolf Hitler's "messiah complex" and his belief that he was leading a crusade against Jewish people. The analysis of Hitler's mental state, was uncovered by a Cambridge University researcher, Scott Anthony.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Arab-Israeli swimmer Jowan Qupty will represent Israel in the European Swimming Championship. Qupty, 22, was originally denied a spot on the national team. The association claimed that Qupty did not meet the criteria required in order to participate in the championship. Finally, he won a Swimmer's Association appeal over the decision on Thursday. According to the Swimming Association, Qupty's participation in the competition depends on his achieving a better result in the 100m breaststroke than that of Imri Ganiel, who was chosen to compete in the event.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Visitors to various campuses across the UK may have been slightly surprised by the beach-side atmosphere last week. It was all due to Tel Aviv week an event organized by the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) together with the Tel Aviv municipality and the Israeli embassy in London. The tour visited five British campuses, Leeds, Hull, Nottingham, Aston (Birmingham) and Roehampton (London).
Sunday, May 13, 2012
A selection of the best topics in Israel and around
Friday, May 11, 2012
1 House of Rep's pass security bill for Israel
2 Two Damascus bombings kill 40
3 Hamas foiling rocket attacks
4 Palestinian Airlines renews operations
5 Affordable housing in Tel Aviv?
Friday, May 11, 2012
On Wednesday, the US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed bipartisan legislation that reaffirms and enhances US policy commitments to Israel's security. The United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012, which was sponsored by House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor and House Minority Rep. Steny Hoyer passed by a vote of 411-2. In addition to expanding military cooperation between the two countries, the legislation states that it will be US policy to provide Israel with essential military capabilities to preserve its qualitative military edge in the region.
Friday, May 11, 2012
On Thursday, Twin bomb blasts in the Syrian capital of Damascus killed 40 people and wounded more than 170. One of the explosions hit a district that houses a well known military intelligence complex involved in Syrian President Assad's crackdown on a 14-month uprising. Thursday's explosions came a day after a bomb exploded near UN monitors observing implementation of a UN ceasefire plan and less than two weeks after Syrian authorities said a suicide bomber killed at least nine people in Damascus.
Friday, May 11, 2012
The Hamas government in Gaza is now using its authority to foil the firing efforts of cells from other organizations such as the Islamic Jihad and the Popular Resistance Committees. The new force was formed by and is under the direct command of Hamas Interior Minister Fathi Hammad, who in the past has been considered an extremist in regard to Israel. The force has a green light to shoot activists who resist arrest or fire at the Hamas soldiers and anyone arrested can expect to spend at least a couple of months in prison.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Seven years after grounding is planes, Palestinian Airlines was back in business on Wednesday, with an inaugural flight that travelled between the Egyptian town of Arish and Jordan's capital, Amman. The company was founded in 1995, and operated flights that shuttled travelers between the Dahania Airport in Rafah and various destinations in the Middle East and North Africa. The company was forced to shut down after the IDF bombed Dahania in 2001, with the start of the Al-Aqsa Intifada.
Friday, May 11, 2012
The Tel Aviv Municipality approved a NIS 54 million budget for the construction of affordable housing in the Shapira neighborhood, a disadvantaged area in south Tel Aviv. The city decided to expedite the project's construction in light of last summers protest. The project is slated to be built on a four-dunam (1-acre) plot of municipal land and consists of 69 apartments which are to be built in three buildings arranged around a yard. Each building consists of three and four room apartments, which will be about 80 square meters.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
1 Knesset members criticize coalition
2 Netanyahu puts pressure on Iran
3 44,300 new jobs in March
4 Chabad's Lag Ba'omer festival
5 J-lo coming to Israel
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The Knesset held a heated session on Wednesday ahead of Kadima chairman Shaul Mofaz's induction as a Coalition member. Ministers taking to the podium such as MK Binyamin Ben-Eliezer of the Labor party leveled harsh criticism at Netanyahu and Mofaz for keeping the move of their coalition a secret. Mofaz will become a minister sans portfolio as part of the coalition agreement signed between Likud and Kadima on Monday night, in a controversial move meant to avoid general elections in September.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
On Wednesday, Prime minister Netanyahu, met with European Union Foreign Affairs Chief Catherine Ashton, who briefed Netanyahu on the preparations for the second round of nuclear talks with Iran. Netanyahu invited Defense Minister Barak, Foreign Minister Lieberman, and newcomer, Kadima head Mofaz to join the meeting with Ashton.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Finance Minister Steinitz presented the government with data that stated that some 44,300 new job opportunities opened in Israel in March. Steinitz added it is possible to see that over the last few years the Israeli market was creating jobs at a higher rate than the rate of employees joining the market, which may indicate that the drop in unemployment in Israel comes as a result of growth rather than a low percentage of participation in the workforce.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
As Lag Ba'omer approaches, the country's biggest children's stars are getting into gear for Chabad's inaugural "Festilag" -- a "kosher" version of the popular Festigal that will put on free performances throughout Israel. Some of the biggest names in Israeli children's entertainment will take the stage in 20 cities. The festival will also feature stories about Jewish leaders related to the holiday, quizzes, and prizes.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Jennifer Lopez is joining a long line of international pop and rock stars, who are slated to perform in Israel this summer. The American star is set to hold a concert in Tel Aviv this coming fall, in Tel Aviv's Nokia Arena. Lopez will sign the contract in the coming days and announce a date for the show. 42 year old J-lo, is an American actress, dancer, businesswoman and recording artist. She broke into the global scene in the late 1990s, first as an actress and later as a recording artist.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
1 Likud and Kadima Unite
2 Unity government receives Harsh criticism
3 Abbas and Fayyad agree on new PA cabinet
4 Israel's AeroScout to be acquired for $240M
5 Olympic torch visits the Holy Land
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
In a dramatic move, the Likud and Kadima parties agreed on a unity government early Tuesday, averting the prospect of early elections. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Kadima Chairman Shaul Mofaz finalized the surprising unity agreement hours before the Knesset was expected to set September 4th as the date of the next elections. PM Netanyahu announced that Kadima's Mofaz will be appointed deputy PM and minister without portfolio, while also being included in Israel's security cabinet.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
The surprising unity government shocked Israeli politics, unleashing harsh criticism from opposition members, and praise from members of the Likud-led governing coalition. President Shimon Peres praised the move, while former leader of the opposition Tzipi Livni came out in criticism of the move. Israel Labor Party leader Shelly Yacimovich slammed the maneuver as the most ridiculous zig-zag in Israel's political history. She also said that the move created a unique opportunity for the Israel Labor Party to lead the opposition.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
A new Palestinian Authority cabinet is expected to be announced within the next 48 hours. The new cabinet will be headed by current Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. Nabil Qassis, the former president of Bir Zeit University in the West Bank, will replace Fayyad as finance minister. The agreement ended weeks of tension between the two men over the formation of a new cabinet as well as other issues, including Fayyad's refusal to deliver a letter from Abbas to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu last month.
