22 sept 2012
Egypt Wants To Modify Peace Agreement With Israel
Israeli media sources reported that the new Egyptian government, headed by elected Islamist leader, Mohammad Morsi, intends to hold deliberations on modifying the Egyptian-Israeli peace agreement, especially regarding security attainments in Sinai, the Palestine News Network (PNN) reported.
Egypt is mainly concerned about Article 4 of the Camp David peace agreement that focuses on security arrangement along the border, and limits the deployment of Egyptian armed forces in the area.
A senior Egyptian official close to President Morsi stated that Egypt is facing a fierce battle with armed elements in Sinai, and has the right to defend itself using all available means, and that the country needed to intensify its military deployment in the Sinai area.
The source added that the coming period will witness several meetings and deliberations between different Egyptian political factions in order to discuss modifying the peace agreement.
It is worth mentioning that several Israeli military and political leaders expressed concerns regarding the deployment of heavy military equipment in Sinai as part of the war against extremist armed groups, but also said that they understand Egypt’s security needs.
A number of Israeli security and political officials said that these military operations would eventually lead to stability in the area, and would serve the security interest of both Cairo and Tel Aviv.
Egypt is mainly concerned about Article 4 of the Camp David peace agreement that focuses on security arrangement along the border, and limits the deployment of Egyptian armed forces in the area.
A senior Egyptian official close to President Morsi stated that Egypt is facing a fierce battle with armed elements in Sinai, and has the right to defend itself using all available means, and that the country needed to intensify its military deployment in the Sinai area.
The source added that the coming period will witness several meetings and deliberations between different Egyptian political factions in order to discuss modifying the peace agreement.
It is worth mentioning that several Israeli military and political leaders expressed concerns regarding the deployment of heavy military equipment in Sinai as part of the war against extremist armed groups, but also said that they understand Egypt’s security needs.
A number of Israeli security and political officials said that these military operations would eventually lead to stability in the area, and would serve the security interest of both Cairo and Tel Aviv.
Tel Aviv regime rejects changes to 1979 Egypt-Israel treaty
The Tel Aviv regime says it will not accept any changes to the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty, as the ties between the two sides continue to sour.
“There is not the slightest possibility that Israel will accept the modification of the peace treaty with Egypt,” Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Sunday.
The 1979 peace treaty was signed following the Camp David Accords, agreed upon by then Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat and then Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin on September 17, 1978, at Camp David in Washington DC.
“We will not accept any modification of the Camp David Accords,” Lieberman further said.
Lieberman’s comments come amid speculations that Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi will seek alterations to the agreements.
Tensions have been simmering between Cairo and the Tel Aviv regime over the security of the Sinai Peninsula and the heavy deployment of Egyptian forces to the region.
Egypt boosted its military presence in the Sinai after militants killed 16 Egyptian border guards on August 5.
However, the Camp David treaty limits the number of Egyptian troops that can be present in the territory.
Lieberman also stated that Egypt should fulfill its obligations in the peninsula.
Tel Aviv has warned Cairo to pull out the military reinforcements from the region.
“There is not the slightest possibility that Israel will accept the modification of the peace treaty with Egypt,” Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Sunday.
The 1979 peace treaty was signed following the Camp David Accords, agreed upon by then Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat and then Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin on September 17, 1978, at Camp David in Washington DC.
“We will not accept any modification of the Camp David Accords,” Lieberman further said.
Lieberman’s comments come amid speculations that Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi will seek alterations to the agreements.
Tensions have been simmering between Cairo and the Tel Aviv regime over the security of the Sinai Peninsula and the heavy deployment of Egyptian forces to the region.
Egypt boosted its military presence in the Sinai after militants killed 16 Egyptian border guards on August 5.
However, the Camp David treaty limits the number of Egyptian troops that can be present in the territory.
Lieberman also stated that Egypt should fulfill its obligations in the peninsula.
Tel Aviv has warned Cairo to pull out the military reinforcements from the region.
Hamas condemns UN Jewish refugee conference
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to add compensation for Jews who came from Arab and Muslim countries as a condition for any future peace deal, Israeli media says
GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- Hamas on Saturday denounced a Israel-backed UN conference to discuss claims that Jews who used to live in Arab countries were forcibly expelled.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said in a statement that “those Jews were not refugees as they claim. They were actually responsible for the displacement of the Palestinian people after they secretly migrated from Arab countries to Palestine before they expelled the Palestinians from their lands to build a Jewish state at their expense.”
He added: “Those Jews are criminals rather than refugees. They are the ones who turned the Palestinian people into refugees, and for that reason, the Hamas movement views this conference as a dangerous, unprecedented move which contributes to the falsification of history and reversing of facts.”
The conference, to discuss recognizing as refugees Middle Eastern Jews who immigrated, was denounced by Arab envoys at the UN who lodged unsuccessful protests to call it off.
But Israeli leaders considered it a victory for a population that is increasingly being linked to the peace process with the Palestinians.
"Between the walls of the UN we are starting to bring justice to the Jewish refugees who were tortured, persecuted and driven away, and whose rights were revoked," said Danny Ayalon, Israel's deputy foreign minister, according to Israeli media.
"We are 64 years late, but it's never too late to bring justice and discuss the historic facts."
Hundreds of thousands of Middle Eastern Jews left predominantly Arab countries amid growing hostility following the establishment of Israel in the late 1940s.
Israel had also drafted a "Law of Return" that granted instant citizenship to anyone who can claim Jewish lineage. Most immigrants had no modern ties to the land.
At the same time, over 700,000 Palestinians were driven from or fled historic Palestine and today make up the largest refugee population on earth.
Israeli media reported a week earlier that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was preparing to add compensations for Jews who came from Arab and Muslim countries as a condition for any future peace deal.
PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat said in response that there was no connection between Palestinian refugees and Israelis whose families are from Arab countries, but he supported their right of return.
"We are not against any Jew who wants to return to Morocco, Iraq, Libya, Egypt and elsewhere. I believe no Arab state rejects the Jewish right of returning to their native lands," he said.
GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- Hamas on Saturday denounced a Israel-backed UN conference to discuss claims that Jews who used to live in Arab countries were forcibly expelled.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said in a statement that “those Jews were not refugees as they claim. They were actually responsible for the displacement of the Palestinian people after they secretly migrated from Arab countries to Palestine before they expelled the Palestinians from their lands to build a Jewish state at their expense.”
He added: “Those Jews are criminals rather than refugees. They are the ones who turned the Palestinian people into refugees, and for that reason, the Hamas movement views this conference as a dangerous, unprecedented move which contributes to the falsification of history and reversing of facts.”
The conference, to discuss recognizing as refugees Middle Eastern Jews who immigrated, was denounced by Arab envoys at the UN who lodged unsuccessful protests to call it off.
But Israeli leaders considered it a victory for a population that is increasingly being linked to the peace process with the Palestinians.
"Between the walls of the UN we are starting to bring justice to the Jewish refugees who were tortured, persecuted and driven away, and whose rights were revoked," said Danny Ayalon, Israel's deputy foreign minister, according to Israeli media.
"We are 64 years late, but it's never too late to bring justice and discuss the historic facts."
Hundreds of thousands of Middle Eastern Jews left predominantly Arab countries amid growing hostility following the establishment of Israel in the late 1940s.
Israel had also drafted a "Law of Return" that granted instant citizenship to anyone who can claim Jewish lineage. Most immigrants had no modern ties to the land.
At the same time, over 700,000 Palestinians were driven from or fled historic Palestine and today make up the largest refugee population on earth.
Israeli media reported a week earlier that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was preparing to add compensations for Jews who came from Arab and Muslim countries as a condition for any future peace deal.
PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat said in response that there was no connection between Palestinian refugees and Israelis whose families are from Arab countries, but he supported their right of return.
"We are not against any Jew who wants to return to Morocco, Iraq, Libya, Egypt and elsewhere. I believe no Arab state rejects the Jewish right of returning to their native lands," he said.
21 sept 2012
IDF soldier killed, another wounded in clashes on Israel-Egypt border
Wounded IDF soldier evacuated to the Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva, September 21, 2012
Terrorists from Sinai shoot at IDF soldiers, who responded with fire and killed three of them.
An Israeli soldier was killed and another was moderately wounded on Friday in clashes between IDF forces and terrorists along the Israel-Egypt border.
According to initial reports, a terrorist cell approached the border from Sinai and opened fire toward IDF soldiers, who were stationed there to oversee construction work on the border fence. Additional IDF forces were sent to the scene and the three terrorists were shot and killed.
Two IDF soldiers were hurt in the attack, and were immediately evacuated to Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva. One of the soldiers, who suffered serious wounds, was pronounced dead upon arrival. The second soldier was moderately hurt in the clashes.
A gag order on the information was lifted on Friday afternoon.
Initial reports indicate that the terrorists were also armed with explosive belts and ammunition.
IDF officials said that the quantity of weapons that were found on the terrorists indicate they were planning a large terror attack.
"The incident has been contained, and there are no terrorists in Israeli territory," the IDF Spokesperson said Friday.
The incident occurred near Har Harif in the Ramat Negev Regional Council, an area where Israel has yet to have erected a fence.
Defense officials believe that the construction on the border fence in that area is due to conclude within two months. The officials said that work on that portion of the fence has been delayed since it was a mountainous region which is complex for construction.
In July, Israeli troops shot dead one unarmed man, and wounded another, who were trying to cross into Israel from Egypt.
In June, a terrorist cell crossed the border from Egypt into Israel and detonated an explosive device which ended up killing an Israeli citizen who was working on the construction of the Israel-Egypt border fence, sparking an escalation in the south.
IDF soldier killed in terrorist attack on Egypt border
Three terrorists open fire on Artillery Corps troops securing workers building southern border fence; one soldier killed, other injured. Terrorists detonate bomb before being killed in exchanges of fire. Army spokesman: Major terror attack thwarted.
Another serious incident on southern border: An Israeli soldier was killed and another was lightly to moderately injured when terrorists in the Sinai Peninsula opened fire on an IDF patrol in the Mount Sagi area, on the Israel-Egypt border, at around noon Friday. Heavy exchanges of fire ensued, during which the terrorists were killed.
According to an initial investigation, three terrorists approached the border with Israel near the Carmit outpost, situated south of Mount Sagi, at a point where the border fence remains incomplete. The terrorists were equipped with explosive belts and assault rifles.
The three opened fire on Artillery Corps soldiers who were securing civilians building the new border fence. Soldiers from the Caracal Battalion, in which both male and female combat soldiers serve, rushed to the scene and killed the terrorists, but not before a large explosive device the terrorists were carrying was detonated.
The terrorists were also carrying a rocket-propelled grenade, the army said.
The Caracal Battalion soldiers were scouring the area for African infiltrators when they were alerted to the scene.
IDF Spokesperson Yoav Mordechai said the forces "thwarted a major terror attack that was supposed to take place in Israeli territory. The terrorists were carrying a powerful explosive device."
The army has yet to determine whether the terrorists came from Gaza or whether they belonged to the Global Jihad organization, which operates in Sinai.
A security source in Sinai estimated that the three terrorists killed in the attack belonged to the Mujahideen Shura Council organization, which is active in Sinai, or to Palestinian organization Ansar Beit al-Makdas, Egyptian newspaper al-Youm al-Saba'a reports.
The two organizations are affiliated with the global Islamic Jihad organization and the Salafi movement of Islam.
According to the source, three other gunmen were injured in the attack and the area is being combed to locate the bodies and injured on the Egyptian side and find other activists involved in the attack.
Egyptian newspaper al-Shuruk reported that Egypt had raised its alert level on the Israeli border following the attack. According to the report, the Egyptian security forces were searching for additional suspects in the area. Security sources in Egypt said they were working in coordination with Israel.
So far the Defense Ministry has completed the construction of 210 kilometers (130 miles) of the new border fence. The final segment of the fence, in the Carmit sector, has yet to be completed, in part due to the mountainous terrain. The last segment of the fence is expected to be completed in early November.
The southern border has seen a number of major terror attacks over the past few months. In August terrorists infiltrated Israel from Sinai with using an armored vehicle they had seized while killing 16 Egyptian soldiers at a base near the Rafah crossing. IDF forces killed the terrorists.
The IDF has identified extensive terrorist activity in Sinai. Most of the activity is initiated by terrorists from Gaza, the army claims. However, the security establishment says the Salafi movement, which is behind the Islamization of Sinai, is heavily influencing young Bedouin tribesmen in the region.
In June terrorists launched an anti-tank missile at a convoy of construction workers building the security fence along the vast Israel-Egypt border. One Israeli civilian and two terrorists were killed in the incident.
Over the past few months terrorists in Sinai launched rockets at Eilat and the border region on a number of occasions, but no Israelis were injured.
Car blast kills 1 in central Israel
Moving vehicle explodes in Hod Hasharon, killing driver; police investigate possibility of assassination.
A body was found inside a car that exploded, in all likelihood while moving, in Hod Hasharon on Thursday night. No other injuries were reported
The driver appeared to have died in the explosion, which occurred at 11 pm. The car was consumed by flames which burnt it to a crisp and triggered additional blast sounds, causing a scare in the central Israeli town.
The police estimated that a bomb was planted in the car by assailants carrying out a hit. The motive is believed to be criminal, although the circumstances are under investigation. The victim was not immediately identified.
Last month a man sustained serious injuries in the Sharon region when gunmen repeatedly shot his car in during a chase on Highway 57.
Terrorists from Sinai shoot at IDF soldiers, who responded with fire and killed three of them.
An Israeli soldier was killed and another was moderately wounded on Friday in clashes between IDF forces and terrorists along the Israel-Egypt border.
According to initial reports, a terrorist cell approached the border from Sinai and opened fire toward IDF soldiers, who were stationed there to oversee construction work on the border fence. Additional IDF forces were sent to the scene and the three terrorists were shot and killed.
Two IDF soldiers were hurt in the attack, and were immediately evacuated to Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva. One of the soldiers, who suffered serious wounds, was pronounced dead upon arrival. The second soldier was moderately hurt in the clashes.
A gag order on the information was lifted on Friday afternoon.
Initial reports indicate that the terrorists were also armed with explosive belts and ammunition.
IDF officials said that the quantity of weapons that were found on the terrorists indicate they were planning a large terror attack.
"The incident has been contained, and there are no terrorists in Israeli territory," the IDF Spokesperson said Friday.
The incident occurred near Har Harif in the Ramat Negev Regional Council, an area where Israel has yet to have erected a fence.
Defense officials believe that the construction on the border fence in that area is due to conclude within two months. The officials said that work on that portion of the fence has been delayed since it was a mountainous region which is complex for construction.
In July, Israeli troops shot dead one unarmed man, and wounded another, who were trying to cross into Israel from Egypt.
In June, a terrorist cell crossed the border from Egypt into Israel and detonated an explosive device which ended up killing an Israeli citizen who was working on the construction of the Israel-Egypt border fence, sparking an escalation in the south.
IDF soldier killed in terrorist attack on Egypt border
Three terrorists open fire on Artillery Corps troops securing workers building southern border fence; one soldier killed, other injured. Terrorists detonate bomb before being killed in exchanges of fire. Army spokesman: Major terror attack thwarted.
Another serious incident on southern border: An Israeli soldier was killed and another was lightly to moderately injured when terrorists in the Sinai Peninsula opened fire on an IDF patrol in the Mount Sagi area, on the Israel-Egypt border, at around noon Friday. Heavy exchanges of fire ensued, during which the terrorists were killed.
According to an initial investigation, three terrorists approached the border with Israel near the Carmit outpost, situated south of Mount Sagi, at a point where the border fence remains incomplete. The terrorists were equipped with explosive belts and assault rifles.
The three opened fire on Artillery Corps soldiers who were securing civilians building the new border fence. Soldiers from the Caracal Battalion, in which both male and female combat soldiers serve, rushed to the scene and killed the terrorists, but not before a large explosive device the terrorists were carrying was detonated.
The terrorists were also carrying a rocket-propelled grenade, the army said.
The Caracal Battalion soldiers were scouring the area for African infiltrators when they were alerted to the scene.
IDF Spokesperson Yoav Mordechai said the forces "thwarted a major terror attack that was supposed to take place in Israeli territory. The terrorists were carrying a powerful explosive device."
The army has yet to determine whether the terrorists came from Gaza or whether they belonged to the Global Jihad organization, which operates in Sinai.
A security source in Sinai estimated that the three terrorists killed in the attack belonged to the Mujahideen Shura Council organization, which is active in Sinai, or to Palestinian organization Ansar Beit al-Makdas, Egyptian newspaper al-Youm al-Saba'a reports.
The two organizations are affiliated with the global Islamic Jihad organization and the Salafi movement of Islam.
According to the source, three other gunmen were injured in the attack and the area is being combed to locate the bodies and injured on the Egyptian side and find other activists involved in the attack.
Egyptian newspaper al-Shuruk reported that Egypt had raised its alert level on the Israeli border following the attack. According to the report, the Egyptian security forces were searching for additional suspects in the area. Security sources in Egypt said they were working in coordination with Israel.
So far the Defense Ministry has completed the construction of 210 kilometers (130 miles) of the new border fence. The final segment of the fence, in the Carmit sector, has yet to be completed, in part due to the mountainous terrain. The last segment of the fence is expected to be completed in early November.
The southern border has seen a number of major terror attacks over the past few months. In August terrorists infiltrated Israel from Sinai with using an armored vehicle they had seized while killing 16 Egyptian soldiers at a base near the Rafah crossing. IDF forces killed the terrorists.
The IDF has identified extensive terrorist activity in Sinai. Most of the activity is initiated by terrorists from Gaza, the army claims. However, the security establishment says the Salafi movement, which is behind the Islamization of Sinai, is heavily influencing young Bedouin tribesmen in the region.
In June terrorists launched an anti-tank missile at a convoy of construction workers building the security fence along the vast Israel-Egypt border. One Israeli civilian and two terrorists were killed in the incident.
Over the past few months terrorists in Sinai launched rockets at Eilat and the border region on a number of occasions, but no Israelis were injured.
Car blast kills 1 in central Israel
Moving vehicle explodes in Hod Hasharon, killing driver; police investigate possibility of assassination.
A body was found inside a car that exploded, in all likelihood while moving, in Hod Hasharon on Thursday night. No other injuries were reported
The driver appeared to have died in the explosion, which occurred at 11 pm. The car was consumed by flames which burnt it to a crisp and triggered additional blast sounds, causing a scare in the central Israeli town.
The police estimated that a bomb was planted in the car by assailants carrying out a hit. The motive is believed to be criminal, although the circumstances are under investigation. The victim was not immediately identified.
Last month a man sustained serious injuries in the Sharon region when gunmen repeatedly shot his car in during a chase on Highway 57.
20 sept 2012
Israel root cause of all world problems: Iran envoy
Iran’s Ambassador to Beirut Ghazanfar Roknabadi
Iran’s Ambassador to Beirut Ghazanfar Roknabadi says although Israel is the main reason behind all international problems, Washington continues to support the Zionist regime.
“The security of the Zionist regime [of Israel] is the most important issue for Washington officials and they consider it sacred,” Roknabadi added in an interview with Lebanon’s Al-Manar television.
Referring to Israel’s recent military drills, he stated that Iran’s response to any foolish act by the Zionists will be very painful.
Turning to the 16th Non-Aligned Movement summit in Tehran, Roknabadi said the fact that 120 countries agreed to the establishment of the Palestinian government with al-Quds as its capital has enraged the Zionist regime of Israel.
The Iranian ambassador noted that there is no solution to the Syrian crisis, except a political one which has been also underlined during the recent high-level meeting of the Quartet Committee on Syria which convened in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on Monday, September 17.
Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011. Damascus says outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorists are the driving factor behind the unrest and deadly violence while the opposition accuses the security forces of being behind the killings.
Iran’s Ambassador to Beirut Ghazanfar Roknabadi says although Israel is the main reason behind all international problems, Washington continues to support the Zionist regime.
“The security of the Zionist regime [of Israel] is the most important issue for Washington officials and they consider it sacred,” Roknabadi added in an interview with Lebanon’s Al-Manar television.
Referring to Israel’s recent military drills, he stated that Iran’s response to any foolish act by the Zionists will be very painful.
Turning to the 16th Non-Aligned Movement summit in Tehran, Roknabadi said the fact that 120 countries agreed to the establishment of the Palestinian government with al-Quds as its capital has enraged the Zionist regime of Israel.
The Iranian ambassador noted that there is no solution to the Syrian crisis, except a political one which has been also underlined during the recent high-level meeting of the Quartet Committee on Syria which convened in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on Monday, September 17.
Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011. Damascus says outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorists are the driving factor behind the unrest and deadly violence while the opposition accuses the security forces of being behind the killings.
Deferring to Netanyahu
by GARY LEUPP
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin NetanyahuLast Saturday on CBS's "Meet the Press" (the longest-running series on U.S. television, dating back to 1947) veteran journalist David Gregory interviewed Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu during "a special hour" on the theme of "Turmoil in the Middle East."
The show was mostly devoted to the global outrage sparked by the deliberately incendiary "movie" produced by the Egyptian-American Islamophobe Nakoula Bassely Nakoula, in particular the torching of the U.S. consulate in Benghazi and death of four U.S. diplomats. But the segment featuring Netanyahu focused on the manifest difference between the Israeli leader and the U.S. president on the issue of Iran's nuclear program.
We are constantly informed that that program presents the world with a "threat," a "dilemma," a "crisis" even though (it should be repeated endlessly, and shouted from the rooftops!) U.S., Israeli and other intelligence communities have repeatedly concluded that Iran does not HAVE a military nuclear program.
In 2007 and again in 2011, the CIA, military intelligence agencies, Homeland Security, the Department of State, the Department of the Treasury, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, etc., collectively concluded—with a high degree of confidence—that Iran had abandoned any incipient research program towards a nuclear weapons program as of 2003.
That was the year the Iranian leadership offered, in a letter passed to Washington through the Swiss ambassador in Tehran, to abandon support for Hamas and Hizbollah and endorse the Arab League's endorsement of a two-state solution in Palestine/Israel in return for the restoration of normal diplomatic and trade relations with the U.S. (Dick Cheney threw the letter in his waste basket and even blasted the Swiss diplomat for passing it along.)
David Gregory either does not know that careful researchers armed with knowledge and a commitment to empirical reality have repeatedly concluded that Iran's nuclear program is what the Iranians claim it is—a program like those in Brazil, Japan and many countries designed to produce cheap electricity and medical isotopes—or he does not care. He has to read from a script composed not through honest investigation but through deference to a fear-mongering agenda.
At the beginning of the program, before interviewing U.S. UN ambassador Susan Rice, Gregory informed the audience that Netanyahu would also appear and indicates the topic of discussion: "Have relations between his country and the U.S. hit a new low over the looming nuclear threat from Iran?" He used the phrase "nuclear threat from Iran" four times during the hour.
He segued from an interview with Rice to the Netanyahu segment with: "Now to this looming threat from Iran from the Israeli perspective."
He begins his interview with the statement: "I want to talk specifically before we get to the questions of what's happening more broadly in the Middle East and the turmoil there this week about the threat from Iran."
Not, mind you, "the alleged threat." Iran is guilty unless proved innocent. The threat, as a given. The threat he must validate and promote, as virtually an editorial decision.
What if Gregory had said: "I want to talk specifically before we get to the questions of what's happening more broadly in the Middle East and the turmoil there this week about what you, and some in this country (particularly the neoconservatives), consider the threat from Iran,although in all fairness we should note that neither your intelligence agencies nor ours really believe Iran has an active nuclear program"?
Would Bibi's jaw have dropped in response to this unexpected injection of skepticism into the discussion? Would the "Meet the Press" editors and producers have freaked out at this breach of etiquette?
Gregory focused on the now famous comment Netanyahu made last week, and asked it if constituted interference in the U.S. election.
"The world tells Israel, wait," the Israeli leader had said. "There's still time. And I say, wait for what? Wait until when? Those in the international community who refuse to put red lines before Iran don't have a moral right to place a red light before Israel."
(In other words, the Obama administration which refuses to set a deadline for a U.S. attack on Iran on behalf of Israel forfeits, by that refusal, a moral right to dissuade nuclear-armed Israel from bombing a country that has no nuclear weapons nor even a nuclear weapons program.)
The statement was widely seen as an unprecedented Israel criticism of a U.S. president, during a presidential election campaign in which the other candidate, Mitt Romney, has eagerly embraced the most extreme Israeli positions and advertized his intimate relationship with the Israeli prime minister.
Gregory aggressively sought to press Netanyahu to acknowledge his effort to assist Romney by depicting Obama as weak, or lacking the 100%, unquestioning, religious-like support for Israel required by what politicians' staffers refer to as "political reality" in this country. Netanyahu naturally dodged the question, stressed U.S. bipartisan support for Israel, and the fact that Obama has assured Israel that Iran will never get a nuclear weapon. The difference is that Netanyahu wants the bombing now, and Obama sees no urgent need for it.
What if Gregory had asked the Israeli leader, "Sir, haven't you been predicting Iran's immanent acquisition of nuclear weapons since 1992? Didn't you predict on the floor of the Knesset that Iran would have nukes by 1995? Don't you do this every year? I mean, some people might actually think you're fear-mongering...Sarkozy told Obama that you're a liar. What do you say to that?"
Would the world of corporate television news have allowed the question?
Despite the aggressive questioning on the issue of "interference" in the U.S. election (as though this were more important that the issue of goading the U.S. into a criminal assault on a sovereign country that hasn't attacked another in centuries) Gregory treated the liar with deference, even at one point declaring, "You are the leader of the Jewish people."
I imagine a lot of Jews around the world shook their heads at that. His popularity level in Israel is currently around 30%, and one poll shows U.S. Jews prefer Obama to Netanyahu. He is not the leader of the Jewish people but the unpopular prime minister of a settler-state with a 75% Jewish population. Why the gratuitous flattery?
The low point in the interview was when Gregory raised the possibility that Iran, even were it to acquire nuclear weapons, could be "contained" as the Soviet Union and China had been during the Cold War.
"I think Iran is very different," Netanyahu replied. "They put their zealotry above their survival. They have suicide bombers all over the place. I wouldn't rely on their rationality, you know, you- since the advent of nuclear weapons, you had countries that had access to nuclear weapons who always made a careful calculation of cost and benefit. But Iran is guided by a leadership with an unbelievable fanaticism. It's the same fanaticism that you see storming your embassies today. You want these fanatics to have nuclear weapons?"
What if Gregory had interrupted, asking frankly, "Suicide bombers all over where? When was the last time you heard a truly credible report about an Iranian involved in such a bombing? Aren't you confusing al-Qaeda type Salafist jihadis with Iranians? "
Some Iranian mullahs have endorsed suicide attacks in certain circumstances, and the regime threatens to conduct such attacks in the event of an assault on Iran. But a simple Google search of "Iran suicide bombing" will produce more evidence for suicide attacks on mosques and persons in Iran by regime opponents than by forces aligned with the Iranian state.
"I mean," Netanyahu continued, "I've heard some people suggest, David, I actually I read this in the American press. They said, well, you know, if you take action, that's- that's a lot worse than having Iran with nuclear weapons. Some have even said that Iran with nuclear weapons would stabilize the Middle East- stabilize the Middle East. I- I think the people who say this have set a new standard for human stupidity. "
This is a clear reference to the Foreign Affairs piece by Kenneth N. Waltz last month, entitled "Why Iran Should Get the Bomb: Nuclear Balancing Would Mean Stability." Waltz, an emeritus professor of political science at Berkeley and senior research scholar at Columbia, is one of the most prominent scholars in international relations in this country. Chicken Little Bibi—who has warned that the sky is falling for twenty years— thinks neorealist Waltz has set a "new standard for human stupidity"?
What if Gregory had asked innocently: "What in Professor Waltz's analysis did you find stupid or inaccurate? Do you think it's stupid to suggest that Israel's monopoly of nuclear weapons in the Middle East allows it to act without any restraint against its neighbors, and that a nuclear Iran might force it to moderate its aggression?"
Of course, Israel officials sitting atop a stockpile of maybe 200 nuclear weapons refuse to talk about the subject, and mainstream journalists are trained to avoid the question.
"We have to stop them," Netanyahu raged, hoping to draw all the viewers into that "we," that false sense of collective, immediate threat. Nuclear holocaust. Mushroom clouds over both Jerusalem and New York City.
"Don't rely on containment. That is not the American policy. It would be wrong. It would be a grave, grave mistake. Don't let these fanatics have nuclear weapons. It's terrible for Israel and it's terrible for America. It's terrible for the world."
Gregory didn't challenge the paranoia but changed the subject. He asked if Netanyahu thought, as Romney has charged, Obama has "thrown allies like Israel under the bus."
Such is the quality of political discourse—discourse about anything, really—in the corporate media of this country today. Mandatory assumptions, focus upon political races between candidates who share these assumptions (yesterday it was "Iraq's weapons of mass destruction," now it's "Iran's nuclear weapons program" although both appear fiction).
Softball questions to known liars. (Is it not amazing that the likes of John Bolton and Elliott Abrams continue to appear on Fox News, posturing as an experts on foreign affairs?) Boasts of "fact-checking" and "keeping them honest" alongside abject ass-kissing and scrupulous avoidance of asking the important questions.
What evidence is there for an Iranian nuclear weapons program? Precious little in fact, but Netanyahu need not worry. Two-thirds of Americans think there's one, thanks in part to him but no less to "journalists" like Gregory.
GARY LEUPP is Professor of History at Tufts University, and holds a secondary appointment in the Department of Religion. He is the author of Servants, Shophands and Laborers in in the Cities of Tokugawa Japan; Male Colors: The Construction of Homosexuality in Tokugawa Japan; and Interracial Intimacy in Japan: Western Men and Japanese Women, 1543-1900. He is a contributor to Hopeless: Barack Obama and the Politics of Illusion, (AK Press). He can be reached at: gleupp@granite.tufts.edu
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin NetanyahuLast Saturday on CBS's "Meet the Press" (the longest-running series on U.S. television, dating back to 1947) veteran journalist David Gregory interviewed Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu during "a special hour" on the theme of "Turmoil in the Middle East."
The show was mostly devoted to the global outrage sparked by the deliberately incendiary "movie" produced by the Egyptian-American Islamophobe Nakoula Bassely Nakoula, in particular the torching of the U.S. consulate in Benghazi and death of four U.S. diplomats. But the segment featuring Netanyahu focused on the manifest difference between the Israeli leader and the U.S. president on the issue of Iran's nuclear program.
We are constantly informed that that program presents the world with a "threat," a "dilemma," a "crisis" even though (it should be repeated endlessly, and shouted from the rooftops!) U.S., Israeli and other intelligence communities have repeatedly concluded that Iran does not HAVE a military nuclear program.
In 2007 and again in 2011, the CIA, military intelligence agencies, Homeland Security, the Department of State, the Department of the Treasury, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, etc., collectively concluded—with a high degree of confidence—that Iran had abandoned any incipient research program towards a nuclear weapons program as of 2003.
That was the year the Iranian leadership offered, in a letter passed to Washington through the Swiss ambassador in Tehran, to abandon support for Hamas and Hizbollah and endorse the Arab League's endorsement of a two-state solution in Palestine/Israel in return for the restoration of normal diplomatic and trade relations with the U.S. (Dick Cheney threw the letter in his waste basket and even blasted the Swiss diplomat for passing it along.)
David Gregory either does not know that careful researchers armed with knowledge and a commitment to empirical reality have repeatedly concluded that Iran's nuclear program is what the Iranians claim it is—a program like those in Brazil, Japan and many countries designed to produce cheap electricity and medical isotopes—or he does not care. He has to read from a script composed not through honest investigation but through deference to a fear-mongering agenda.
At the beginning of the program, before interviewing U.S. UN ambassador Susan Rice, Gregory informed the audience that Netanyahu would also appear and indicates the topic of discussion: "Have relations between his country and the U.S. hit a new low over the looming nuclear threat from Iran?" He used the phrase "nuclear threat from Iran" four times during the hour.
He segued from an interview with Rice to the Netanyahu segment with: "Now to this looming threat from Iran from the Israeli perspective."
He begins his interview with the statement: "I want to talk specifically before we get to the questions of what's happening more broadly in the Middle East and the turmoil there this week about the threat from Iran."
Not, mind you, "the alleged threat." Iran is guilty unless proved innocent. The threat, as a given. The threat he must validate and promote, as virtually an editorial decision.
What if Gregory had said: "I want to talk specifically before we get to the questions of what's happening more broadly in the Middle East and the turmoil there this week about what you, and some in this country (particularly the neoconservatives), consider the threat from Iran,although in all fairness we should note that neither your intelligence agencies nor ours really believe Iran has an active nuclear program"?
Would Bibi's jaw have dropped in response to this unexpected injection of skepticism into the discussion? Would the "Meet the Press" editors and producers have freaked out at this breach of etiquette?
Gregory focused on the now famous comment Netanyahu made last week, and asked it if constituted interference in the U.S. election.
"The world tells Israel, wait," the Israeli leader had said. "There's still time. And I say, wait for what? Wait until when? Those in the international community who refuse to put red lines before Iran don't have a moral right to place a red light before Israel."
(In other words, the Obama administration which refuses to set a deadline for a U.S. attack on Iran on behalf of Israel forfeits, by that refusal, a moral right to dissuade nuclear-armed Israel from bombing a country that has no nuclear weapons nor even a nuclear weapons program.)
The statement was widely seen as an unprecedented Israel criticism of a U.S. president, during a presidential election campaign in which the other candidate, Mitt Romney, has eagerly embraced the most extreme Israeli positions and advertized his intimate relationship with the Israeli prime minister.
Gregory aggressively sought to press Netanyahu to acknowledge his effort to assist Romney by depicting Obama as weak, or lacking the 100%, unquestioning, religious-like support for Israel required by what politicians' staffers refer to as "political reality" in this country. Netanyahu naturally dodged the question, stressed U.S. bipartisan support for Israel, and the fact that Obama has assured Israel that Iran will never get a nuclear weapon. The difference is that Netanyahu wants the bombing now, and Obama sees no urgent need for it.
What if Gregory had asked the Israeli leader, "Sir, haven't you been predicting Iran's immanent acquisition of nuclear weapons since 1992? Didn't you predict on the floor of the Knesset that Iran would have nukes by 1995? Don't you do this every year? I mean, some people might actually think you're fear-mongering...Sarkozy told Obama that you're a liar. What do you say to that?"
Would the world of corporate television news have allowed the question?
Despite the aggressive questioning on the issue of "interference" in the U.S. election (as though this were more important that the issue of goading the U.S. into a criminal assault on a sovereign country that hasn't attacked another in centuries) Gregory treated the liar with deference, even at one point declaring, "You are the leader of the Jewish people."
I imagine a lot of Jews around the world shook their heads at that. His popularity level in Israel is currently around 30%, and one poll shows U.S. Jews prefer Obama to Netanyahu. He is not the leader of the Jewish people but the unpopular prime minister of a settler-state with a 75% Jewish population. Why the gratuitous flattery?
The low point in the interview was when Gregory raised the possibility that Iran, even were it to acquire nuclear weapons, could be "contained" as the Soviet Union and China had been during the Cold War.
"I think Iran is very different," Netanyahu replied. "They put their zealotry above their survival. They have suicide bombers all over the place. I wouldn't rely on their rationality, you know, you- since the advent of nuclear weapons, you had countries that had access to nuclear weapons who always made a careful calculation of cost and benefit. But Iran is guided by a leadership with an unbelievable fanaticism. It's the same fanaticism that you see storming your embassies today. You want these fanatics to have nuclear weapons?"
What if Gregory had interrupted, asking frankly, "Suicide bombers all over where? When was the last time you heard a truly credible report about an Iranian involved in such a bombing? Aren't you confusing al-Qaeda type Salafist jihadis with Iranians? "
Some Iranian mullahs have endorsed suicide attacks in certain circumstances, and the regime threatens to conduct such attacks in the event of an assault on Iran. But a simple Google search of "Iran suicide bombing" will produce more evidence for suicide attacks on mosques and persons in Iran by regime opponents than by forces aligned with the Iranian state.
"I mean," Netanyahu continued, "I've heard some people suggest, David, I actually I read this in the American press. They said, well, you know, if you take action, that's- that's a lot worse than having Iran with nuclear weapons. Some have even said that Iran with nuclear weapons would stabilize the Middle East- stabilize the Middle East. I- I think the people who say this have set a new standard for human stupidity. "
This is a clear reference to the Foreign Affairs piece by Kenneth N. Waltz last month, entitled "Why Iran Should Get the Bomb: Nuclear Balancing Would Mean Stability." Waltz, an emeritus professor of political science at Berkeley and senior research scholar at Columbia, is one of the most prominent scholars in international relations in this country. Chicken Little Bibi—who has warned that the sky is falling for twenty years— thinks neorealist Waltz has set a "new standard for human stupidity"?
What if Gregory had asked innocently: "What in Professor Waltz's analysis did you find stupid or inaccurate? Do you think it's stupid to suggest that Israel's monopoly of nuclear weapons in the Middle East allows it to act without any restraint against its neighbors, and that a nuclear Iran might force it to moderate its aggression?"
Of course, Israel officials sitting atop a stockpile of maybe 200 nuclear weapons refuse to talk about the subject, and mainstream journalists are trained to avoid the question.
"We have to stop them," Netanyahu raged, hoping to draw all the viewers into that "we," that false sense of collective, immediate threat. Nuclear holocaust. Mushroom clouds over both Jerusalem and New York City.
"Don't rely on containment. That is not the American policy. It would be wrong. It would be a grave, grave mistake. Don't let these fanatics have nuclear weapons. It's terrible for Israel and it's terrible for America. It's terrible for the world."
Gregory didn't challenge the paranoia but changed the subject. He asked if Netanyahu thought, as Romney has charged, Obama has "thrown allies like Israel under the bus."
Such is the quality of political discourse—discourse about anything, really—in the corporate media of this country today. Mandatory assumptions, focus upon political races between candidates who share these assumptions (yesterday it was "Iraq's weapons of mass destruction," now it's "Iran's nuclear weapons program" although both appear fiction).
Softball questions to known liars. (Is it not amazing that the likes of John Bolton and Elliott Abrams continue to appear on Fox News, posturing as an experts on foreign affairs?) Boasts of "fact-checking" and "keeping them honest" alongside abject ass-kissing and scrupulous avoidance of asking the important questions.
What evidence is there for an Iranian nuclear weapons program? Precious little in fact, but Netanyahu need not worry. Two-thirds of Americans think there's one, thanks in part to him but no less to "journalists" like Gregory.
GARY LEUPP is Professor of History at Tufts University, and holds a secondary appointment in the Department of Religion. He is the author of Servants, Shophands and Laborers in in the Cities of Tokugawa Japan; Male Colors: The Construction of Homosexuality in Tokugawa Japan; and Interracial Intimacy in Japan: Western Men and Japanese Women, 1543-1900. He is a contributor to Hopeless: Barack Obama and the Politics of Illusion, (AK Press). He can be reached at: gleupp@granite.tufts.edu
Netanyahu erasing Palestinians with Iran war drama: Analyst
An analyst says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made the Palestinians disappear from the international stage with the "will he, won't he" drama of threatening to bomb Iran.
In an article on The Guardian website, Chris McGreal said Netanyahu’s bid to draw “Washington's energies into trying to prevent him from attacking Iran before the US election” has all but eliminated any talk of the illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories and Palestine’s move for statehood or recognition at the UN.
“When the Israeli prime minister was last in Washington, there was barely a mention of the Palestinians after his meeting with [US President Barack] Obama. And barely a word was breathed about the Palestinians at this year's meeting of the most influential of the pro-Israel lobby groups in Washington, American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). The focus was firmly on Iran.”
McGreal said Netanyahu’s recent appearance on Meet the Press this weekend was “telling” in that “there wasn't a single mention of the Palestinians during the 15-minute interview.”
“[Interviewer David] Gregory didn't ask about them, and Netanyahu didn't talk about them. Thus the fate of several million people living under varying degrees of an occupation that continues to plunder land, maintain discriminatory laws and administrative procedures - such as rationing water to Arab villages while their neighbors in the Jewish settlements have unlimited supplies - remains in limbo.”
More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 illegal settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem).
The international community regards all the Israeli settlements across the West Bank as illegal under international law.
“Just last week, the prime minister moved to expand 40 West Bank settlements built on land confiscated illegally - Israel admits it was illegal - from Palestinians by military order; hardly the actions of a man or a government that only wants peace, as is so often claimed,” McGreal said.
The Israeli military also frequently attacks the Gaza Strip, saying the actions are being conducted for defensive purposes. However, disproportionate force is always used, in violation of international law, and civilians are often killed or injured.
In addition to airstrikes and ground attacks, the Tel Aviv regime also denies about 1.7 million people in Gaza their basic rights, including the freedom of movement and the right to decent living, work, health and education.
Gaza has been blockaded since 2007, a situation that has caused a decline in the standard of living, unprecedented levels of unemployment, and unrelenting poverty.
McGreal concluded: “Netanyahu has everyone where he wants them: the Palestinians behind the wire and most of the rest of the world looking the other way.”
In an article on The Guardian website, Chris McGreal said Netanyahu’s bid to draw “Washington's energies into trying to prevent him from attacking Iran before the US election” has all but eliminated any talk of the illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories and Palestine’s move for statehood or recognition at the UN.
“When the Israeli prime minister was last in Washington, there was barely a mention of the Palestinians after his meeting with [US President Barack] Obama. And barely a word was breathed about the Palestinians at this year's meeting of the most influential of the pro-Israel lobby groups in Washington, American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). The focus was firmly on Iran.”
McGreal said Netanyahu’s recent appearance on Meet the Press this weekend was “telling” in that “there wasn't a single mention of the Palestinians during the 15-minute interview.”
“[Interviewer David] Gregory didn't ask about them, and Netanyahu didn't talk about them. Thus the fate of several million people living under varying degrees of an occupation that continues to plunder land, maintain discriminatory laws and administrative procedures - such as rationing water to Arab villages while their neighbors in the Jewish settlements have unlimited supplies - remains in limbo.”
More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 illegal settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem).
The international community regards all the Israeli settlements across the West Bank as illegal under international law.
“Just last week, the prime minister moved to expand 40 West Bank settlements built on land confiscated illegally - Israel admits it was illegal - from Palestinians by military order; hardly the actions of a man or a government that only wants peace, as is so often claimed,” McGreal said.
The Israeli military also frequently attacks the Gaza Strip, saying the actions are being conducted for defensive purposes. However, disproportionate force is always used, in violation of international law, and civilians are often killed or injured.
In addition to airstrikes and ground attacks, the Tel Aviv regime also denies about 1.7 million people in Gaza their basic rights, including the freedom of movement and the right to decent living, work, health and education.
Gaza has been blockaded since 2007, a situation that has caused a decline in the standard of living, unprecedented levels of unemployment, and unrelenting poverty.
McGreal concluded: “Netanyahu has everyone where he wants them: the Palestinians behind the wire and most of the rest of the world looking the other way.”
19 sept 2012
Soldiers told to bar non-Jews from settlement
Israeli soldiers stationed at a settlement in the West Bank were instructed not to allow any non-Jews to enter the community, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported Wednesday.
The military security coordinator of Bat Ayin settlement, near Bethlehem, instructed that not even Israeli non-Jews could enter, a soldier stationed at the settlement told Haaretz.
"It was specific -- only to allow entry to Jews with blue [Israeli] identity cards. Let's say a Druze or a Bedouin with a blue ID [would try to enter], someone coming to clean the bathrooms -- no," the soldier explained.
He added: "It felt just like apartheid, or things that recall dark times and the Holocaust -- that you allow someone entry to a specific place based only on his religion."
The Israeli army confirmed the instruction had been given. The military said it had clarified to the security coordinator that the order to ban non-Jews was illegal.
However, the army said it ordered soldiers to notify the settlement coordinators if any non-Jews entered so they could be accompanied while in the settlement.
The military security coordinator of Bat Ayin settlement, near Bethlehem, instructed that not even Israeli non-Jews could enter, a soldier stationed at the settlement told Haaretz.
"It was specific -- only to allow entry to Jews with blue [Israeli] identity cards. Let's say a Druze or a Bedouin with a blue ID [would try to enter], someone coming to clean the bathrooms -- no," the soldier explained.
He added: "It felt just like apartheid, or things that recall dark times and the Holocaust -- that you allow someone entry to a specific place based only on his religion."
The Israeli army confirmed the instruction had been given. The military said it had clarified to the security coordinator that the order to ban non-Jews was illegal.
However, the army said it ordered soldiers to notify the settlement coordinators if any non-Jews entered so they could be accompanied while in the settlement.
Even Netanyahu admits PA is an Israeli interest
By Khalid Amayreh
The fact that Israel, which continues to murder Palestinians nearly on a daily basis, narrows Palestinian horizons and steals Palestinian land is hastening to rescue the Palestinian Authority (PA) from its crushing financial-economic crisis may raise a lot of eyebrows both among Palestinians themselves and others around the world.
After all, millions of people around the world grew up thinking that Palestinian and Israeli interest are inherently paradoxical and contradictory. So the last thing a casual observer would expect with regard to the Palestinian-Israeli strife is a concordance of Palestinian and Israeli interests in the form of a "positive" Israeli intervention to help the PA overcome the current crisis.
The truth of the matter, however, is that Israelis are not being charitable, generous, magnanimous or good neighbors.
In fact, Israel has always been a racist murderer and thief; it continues to be murderer and thief and is not expected to change her skin in the foreseeable future.
To begin with, Israel is the root-cause of all problems and troubles, economic and otherwise, facing the Palestinians. Indeed, one would have to be totally gullible to believe that a real, prosperous economy can be maintained under a sinister foreign military occupation.
This is undoubtedly one of the stupidest blunders committed by the PA leadership which still must go back to Grammar Schools to learn the meanings of such words as freedom, independence and sovereignty.
In the final analysis, Israel tightly and completely controls all Palestinian infrastructures, including water resources, electricity, roads, skies and border crossings. In fact, not a single matchbox or a small sewing needle can get into or out of the occupied territories without Israeli consent.
So, one could imagine the extent to which the Palestinian economy is subservient to the Israeli occupation.
It is also important to keep in mind that whatever money Israel transfers to the PA coffers is actually Palestinian money the occupying power collects on behalf of the PA in accordance with the scandalous Paris protocol which effectively put the entire Palestinian economy under Israel's mercy.
Israel levies an estimated $100 million per month on commodities imported by Palestinians through Israeli ports. Normally, Israel devours bloated commissions and hefty salaries for Israeli operatives handling clearance operations at border crossings.
Speaking hours after ordering the transfer of some $63 million to the PA last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu said helping the PA overcome the current economic crisis in the West Bank was an Israeli interest.
He described those Israeli officials objecting to aiding the PA in this regard as "politically myopic and not understanding what they are talking about."
"We are working on several fronts in order to help the Palestinian Authority cope with its economic problems. We have made several agreements in the taxation agreements. We are advancing several transfers. We have also helped with Palestinian workers and with a series of other steps in order to make things easier for them.
"Of course, there is a global reality and it is also related to the internal management of every economy, but for our part we are making efforts to help the Palestinian Authority survive this crisis. I hope they will succeed in doing so, this is in our common interest."
Interestingly, the PA leadership doesn't deny that the survival of the Ramallah regime is a paramount Israeli interest.
Last week, a high-ranking PA official told reporters in Hebron that Israel was interested in weakening the PA regime, but never in destroying it.
"Israel wants to weaken the Palestinian Authority to a certain point which would enable the Jewish state to impose its will and conditions on the Palestinians."
The official added that Israel wants to see the PA perpetually busy and occupied with its internal political and economic problems which would give Israel a sort of carte blanche to pursue its settlement scheme.
He disclosed that at least some of the protesters who assaulted and vandalized the main police station at al-Haras in Hebron last week were saboteurs and provocateurs working for the Israeli intelligence.
If indeed the survival and "prosperity" of the PA is a mutual Palestinian-Israeli interest, then there must be a huge flaw in the relations between the Palestinian victims and their Israeli victimizers.
It is lamentable that the PA leadership is oblivious of this flaw. It is also a real calamity that the PA is willing to function and operate under crippling Israeli constraints. In this case, the PA behaves and acts as a collaborator and colluder with the occupying power, rather than a national authority aspiring to become an independent state.
PA leaders had argued ad nauseam that the creation of the autonomous authority was a step toward the creation of a fully-independent and completely sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Now, almost everyone, including some PA officials, realizes that the PA is probably the biggest obstacle impeding the establishment of a viable Palestinian state worthy of the name, after the Israeli occupation.
There is no doubt that the scandalous Oslo Accords put the Palestinians, including the PLO itself, the so-called sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, in a lose-lose situation whereby they will have to choose between two unattractive choices: Direct Israeli occupation on the one hand or indirect but equally sinister Israeli domination on the other.
The PA regime has given Israel unconditional recognition without receiving a reciprocal Israeli recognition of a putative Palestinian state.
The Palestinian harrowing toward the political and moral abyss reasserted itself earlier this month when Chairman Abbas told a visiting Israeli delegation, which included some rabbis, in Ramallah that "Israel was created to last forever."
Unfortunately, virtually all Fatah leaders were mum, fearing Abbas's fury and reprisals.
There is no doubt that the Palestinian cause is being gradually and quietly liquidated while PA leaders keep babbling about a state that seems ever more unlikely to see the light of the day with the passage of everyday.
Is there an exit out of this political labyrinth? Of course there is, provided we put our national interests before the immediate and precarious interests of maintaining the status quo.
This necessarily requires the liquidation of the Oslo Accords. I realize that exiting the Oslo Accords, or more correctly delivering our people from its clutches, wouldn't be easy or safe. But it can be done and it must be done.
Otherwise, we sacrifice Palestine for the sake of maintaining an authority that has no future if only because that authority is inherently subservient to and dependent upon Israel.
The fact that Israel, which continues to murder Palestinians nearly on a daily basis, narrows Palestinian horizons and steals Palestinian land is hastening to rescue the Palestinian Authority (PA) from its crushing financial-economic crisis may raise a lot of eyebrows both among Palestinians themselves and others around the world.
After all, millions of people around the world grew up thinking that Palestinian and Israeli interest are inherently paradoxical and contradictory. So the last thing a casual observer would expect with regard to the Palestinian-Israeli strife is a concordance of Palestinian and Israeli interests in the form of a "positive" Israeli intervention to help the PA overcome the current crisis.
The truth of the matter, however, is that Israelis are not being charitable, generous, magnanimous or good neighbors.
In fact, Israel has always been a racist murderer and thief; it continues to be murderer and thief and is not expected to change her skin in the foreseeable future.
To begin with, Israel is the root-cause of all problems and troubles, economic and otherwise, facing the Palestinians. Indeed, one would have to be totally gullible to believe that a real, prosperous economy can be maintained under a sinister foreign military occupation.
This is undoubtedly one of the stupidest blunders committed by the PA leadership which still must go back to Grammar Schools to learn the meanings of such words as freedom, independence and sovereignty.
In the final analysis, Israel tightly and completely controls all Palestinian infrastructures, including water resources, electricity, roads, skies and border crossings. In fact, not a single matchbox or a small sewing needle can get into or out of the occupied territories without Israeli consent.
So, one could imagine the extent to which the Palestinian economy is subservient to the Israeli occupation.
It is also important to keep in mind that whatever money Israel transfers to the PA coffers is actually Palestinian money the occupying power collects on behalf of the PA in accordance with the scandalous Paris protocol which effectively put the entire Palestinian economy under Israel's mercy.
Israel levies an estimated $100 million per month on commodities imported by Palestinians through Israeli ports. Normally, Israel devours bloated commissions and hefty salaries for Israeli operatives handling clearance operations at border crossings.
Speaking hours after ordering the transfer of some $63 million to the PA last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu said helping the PA overcome the current economic crisis in the West Bank was an Israeli interest.
He described those Israeli officials objecting to aiding the PA in this regard as "politically myopic and not understanding what they are talking about."
"We are working on several fronts in order to help the Palestinian Authority cope with its economic problems. We have made several agreements in the taxation agreements. We are advancing several transfers. We have also helped with Palestinian workers and with a series of other steps in order to make things easier for them.
"Of course, there is a global reality and it is also related to the internal management of every economy, but for our part we are making efforts to help the Palestinian Authority survive this crisis. I hope they will succeed in doing so, this is in our common interest."
Interestingly, the PA leadership doesn't deny that the survival of the Ramallah regime is a paramount Israeli interest.
Last week, a high-ranking PA official told reporters in Hebron that Israel was interested in weakening the PA regime, but never in destroying it.
"Israel wants to weaken the Palestinian Authority to a certain point which would enable the Jewish state to impose its will and conditions on the Palestinians."
The official added that Israel wants to see the PA perpetually busy and occupied with its internal political and economic problems which would give Israel a sort of carte blanche to pursue its settlement scheme.
He disclosed that at least some of the protesters who assaulted and vandalized the main police station at al-Haras in Hebron last week were saboteurs and provocateurs working for the Israeli intelligence.
If indeed the survival and "prosperity" of the PA is a mutual Palestinian-Israeli interest, then there must be a huge flaw in the relations between the Palestinian victims and their Israeli victimizers.
It is lamentable that the PA leadership is oblivious of this flaw. It is also a real calamity that the PA is willing to function and operate under crippling Israeli constraints. In this case, the PA behaves and acts as a collaborator and colluder with the occupying power, rather than a national authority aspiring to become an independent state.
PA leaders had argued ad nauseam that the creation of the autonomous authority was a step toward the creation of a fully-independent and completely sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Now, almost everyone, including some PA officials, realizes that the PA is probably the biggest obstacle impeding the establishment of a viable Palestinian state worthy of the name, after the Israeli occupation.
There is no doubt that the scandalous Oslo Accords put the Palestinians, including the PLO itself, the so-called sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, in a lose-lose situation whereby they will have to choose between two unattractive choices: Direct Israeli occupation on the one hand or indirect but equally sinister Israeli domination on the other.
The PA regime has given Israel unconditional recognition without receiving a reciprocal Israeli recognition of a putative Palestinian state.
The Palestinian harrowing toward the political and moral abyss reasserted itself earlier this month when Chairman Abbas told a visiting Israeli delegation, which included some rabbis, in Ramallah that "Israel was created to last forever."
Unfortunately, virtually all Fatah leaders were mum, fearing Abbas's fury and reprisals.
There is no doubt that the Palestinian cause is being gradually and quietly liquidated while PA leaders keep babbling about a state that seems ever more unlikely to see the light of the day with the passage of everyday.
Is there an exit out of this political labyrinth? Of course there is, provided we put our national interests before the immediate and precarious interests of maintaining the status quo.
This necessarily requires the liquidation of the Oslo Accords. I realize that exiting the Oslo Accords, or more correctly delivering our people from its clutches, wouldn't be easy or safe. But it can be done and it must be done.
Otherwise, we sacrifice Palestine for the sake of maintaining an authority that has no future if only because that authority is inherently subservient to and dependent upon Israel.
17 sept 2012
Egyptian syndicate of journalists slam Netanyahu's interference in its affairs
CAIRO, (PIC)-- The Egyptian syndicate of journalists condemned Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu for blatantly daring to interfere in the Egyptian press affairs and described his interference as outrageous.
In a press release, the syndicate of journalists said Netanyahu is the last person to talk about freedom of the press and his track record is full of violations against the Palestinian journalists in the West Bank, Jerusalem and the 1948 occupied lands.
"The successive Israeli government's violation of the right of journalists to movement and work without restrictions and their killing in cold blood as well as their exposure to security and judicial measures for political reasons make any talk by Israeli officials about freedom and democracy some sort of nonsense, rapporteur of the syndicate's foreign affairs office Hisham Younis.
"What Maariv newspaper has mentioned today that the Israeli premier complained to European union officials about what Netanyahu labeled as 'the intransigent attitude of president Mohamed Morsi towards the Egyptian press' is deplorable interference in a purely Egyptian affair, and any Egyptian journalist does not feel honored to hear Netanyahu speak on their behalf or make himself a lawyer for the Egyptian journalists at the European union," Younis added.
In a press release, the syndicate of journalists said Netanyahu is the last person to talk about freedom of the press and his track record is full of violations against the Palestinian journalists in the West Bank, Jerusalem and the 1948 occupied lands.
"The successive Israeli government's violation of the right of journalists to movement and work without restrictions and their killing in cold blood as well as their exposure to security and judicial measures for political reasons make any talk by Israeli officials about freedom and democracy some sort of nonsense, rapporteur of the syndicate's foreign affairs office Hisham Younis.
"What Maariv newspaper has mentioned today that the Israeli premier complained to European union officials about what Netanyahu labeled as 'the intransigent attitude of president Mohamed Morsi towards the Egyptian press' is deplorable interference in a purely Egyptian affair, and any Egyptian journalist does not feel honored to hear Netanyahu speak on their behalf or make himself a lawyer for the Egyptian journalists at the European union," Younis added.
16 sept 2012
German activists protest Olmert's visit
Pro-Palestinian organizations, both Palestinian and German, protested, in Iserlohn, against the former PM Ehud Olmert's visit, demanding to send him to The Hague to stand trial for war crimes instead.
The protestors waved the Palestinian flag and photos of Palestinians killed during the 2008 Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.
Member of the union of Palestinian community in Germany, Ali al-Hila, said in a statement that the demonstrations came as a response to the “cruel crimes" that Olmert committed against the Palestinians during his tenure as prime minister of Israel.
For his part, Nabil Abu Steina, another member of the union of Palestinian community said inviting Olmert to Germany wouldn’t help the Middle East peace process. “The natural place for war criminals is the International Criminal Court, and not this academic institution,” calling on the German government to press on the Israeli occupation to implement the international conventions.
Al-Hila called on the German government and the European Union to stop supporting the Israeli occupation and not to sign agreements with it and to stop exerting pressure on the Palestinian leadership and people and to support the Palestinian case in international forums.
Olmert and the U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice were speaking at the BiTS, Business and Information Technology School, Campus Symposium, which is held annually in Iserlohn, Germany.
The protestors waved the Palestinian flag and photos of Palestinians killed during the 2008 Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.
Member of the union of Palestinian community in Germany, Ali al-Hila, said in a statement that the demonstrations came as a response to the “cruel crimes" that Olmert committed against the Palestinians during his tenure as prime minister of Israel.
For his part, Nabil Abu Steina, another member of the union of Palestinian community said inviting Olmert to Germany wouldn’t help the Middle East peace process. “The natural place for war criminals is the International Criminal Court, and not this academic institution,” calling on the German government to press on the Israeli occupation to implement the international conventions.
Al-Hila called on the German government and the European Union to stop supporting the Israeli occupation and not to sign agreements with it and to stop exerting pressure on the Palestinian leadership and people and to support the Palestinian case in international forums.
Olmert and the U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice were speaking at the BiTS, Business and Information Technology School, Campus Symposium, which is held annually in Iserlohn, Germany.
14 sept 2012
Israeli Politician: “Netanyahu Thinks He Runs America”
Israeli daily, Yedioth Aharonoth reported Friday that political criticisms of the policies of Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, are on the rise due to his meddling in the American Presidential election campaign, and quoted an official stating that “Netanyahu thinks he runs the United States”.
A political official told the paper that “Netanyahu thinks he sets U.S. policies, tries to dictate Washington on red lines regarding Iran”, and added that Netanyahu’s actions made U.S. President, Barack Obama, become fed-up with him, and pushed Obama to treat Netanyahu as “a high-level politician of the Republican Party”.
The source said that Netanyahu is pressuring Obama into setting a final date for the war on Iran, especially after he learnt that some political advisers of Obama were advising him to wage a war on Iran in order to boost his chances of winning the upcoming Presidential elections.
Commenting on the meeting Netanyahu is trying to hold with Obama, the official said that “Netanyahu is betting that Obama will not risk the consequences of not meeting him as he will be risking Jewish voters”, but Obama became aware of this plan and realized that the “political harm resulting from not holding a meeting with Netanyahu is less than the harm of actually holding a meeting with him”.
He also accused Netanyahu of harming the historic U.S-Israeli relations, and added that the Netanyahu policies led to the isolation of Israel in an unprecedented manner and instead of recruiting the world against Iran, the International Community “is now busy in trying to convince Israel not to strike Iran”.
“Netanyahu is now practically the only person who is supporting a strike against Iran; the International Community is opposing any military action”, the official said, “Even Israel’s security and military leaders, including Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, are opposing Netanyahu’s attitude”.
Facing criticism, Netanyahu denies interfering in US vote
By Crispian Balmer
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday denied accusations he was interfering in US politics after coming under fire for fiercely criticizing Washington's handling of Iran.
Relations between Netanyahu and President Barack Obama hit a new low this week after the Israeli leader said nations that failed to set red lines for Iran did not have the "moral right" to prevent Israel from launching a military strike.
He did not mention the United States by name, but the comments were clearly aimed at Obama and his administration.
Coming less than two months before a US presidential election, critics accused Netanyahu of seeking to influence the vote -- a charge the Israeli prime minister rejected in interviews published in local media on Friday.
"That's nonsense, because what's guiding me is not the election in the United States but the centrifuges in Iran," he told Israel's Hayom daily newspaper.
"If the Iranians ... had stopped enriching material and preparing a bomb until the US election was over, I would have been able to wait," he added.
Israel and Western powers believe Iran is developing the technology to build nuclear weapons. Tehran denies this and says its nuclear project is entirely peaceful.
Netanyahu has constantly urged the United States and Europe to apply more pressure on Tehran, believing that only the threat of credible military action will persuade Iran to back down.
However, this week's outspoken criticism -- which followed days of incessant public demands for Washington to impose red lines on Iran -- provoked a sharp response in parts of the US press and a rare letter of admonishment from a US senator.
"It appears that you have injected politics into one of the most profound security challenges of our time, Iran's illicit pursuit of nuclear weapons," California Democrat Barbara Boxer said, adding that she was one of Israel's staunchest supporters.
Closer to Romney?
In private conversations, sources close to Netanyahu have voiced a clear preference for Obama's opponent in the forthcoming election -- Republican contender Mitt Romney.
Some Israeli press commentators say the right-wing Netanyahu is seeking to undermine Obama, with whom he has had notoriously testy relations, and bolster Romney, who has accused the White House of throwing "Israel under the bus".
They have also been quick to play up the close ties between the Israeli leader and casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, one of Romney's most generous financial backers who also bankrolls the fervently pro-Netanyahu Israel Hayom daily.
In his interview with Hayom, Netanyahu appears to take another swipe at Obama, questioning his administration's assurance that it will not let Iran develop the bomb.
"But what if the United States doesn't take action? That's the question that must be asked," he said.
An official in his entourage insisted that Netanyahu's sole concern was Iran. "The Iranians are not taking any notice of the US presidential elections, so we cannot afford to either."
However, some senior members of the prime minister's Cabinet have urged him to halt public criticism of Obama and have queried his insistence on setting red lines.
In a stinging rebuke, Time magazine columnist Joe Klein accused Netanyahu of not only trying to sway the US election but of also trying to shunt the country into a war with Iran. "Netanyahu's recent behavior is outrageous," he wrote.
The same magazine in May heralded Netanyahu as the "King of Israel" on its front page.
A political official told the paper that “Netanyahu thinks he sets U.S. policies, tries to dictate Washington on red lines regarding Iran”, and added that Netanyahu’s actions made U.S. President, Barack Obama, become fed-up with him, and pushed Obama to treat Netanyahu as “a high-level politician of the Republican Party”.
The source said that Netanyahu is pressuring Obama into setting a final date for the war on Iran, especially after he learnt that some political advisers of Obama were advising him to wage a war on Iran in order to boost his chances of winning the upcoming Presidential elections.
Commenting on the meeting Netanyahu is trying to hold with Obama, the official said that “Netanyahu is betting that Obama will not risk the consequences of not meeting him as he will be risking Jewish voters”, but Obama became aware of this plan and realized that the “political harm resulting from not holding a meeting with Netanyahu is less than the harm of actually holding a meeting with him”.
He also accused Netanyahu of harming the historic U.S-Israeli relations, and added that the Netanyahu policies led to the isolation of Israel in an unprecedented manner and instead of recruiting the world against Iran, the International Community “is now busy in trying to convince Israel not to strike Iran”.
“Netanyahu is now practically the only person who is supporting a strike against Iran; the International Community is opposing any military action”, the official said, “Even Israel’s security and military leaders, including Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, are opposing Netanyahu’s attitude”.
Facing criticism, Netanyahu denies interfering in US vote
By Crispian Balmer
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday denied accusations he was interfering in US politics after coming under fire for fiercely criticizing Washington's handling of Iran.
Relations between Netanyahu and President Barack Obama hit a new low this week after the Israeli leader said nations that failed to set red lines for Iran did not have the "moral right" to prevent Israel from launching a military strike.
He did not mention the United States by name, but the comments were clearly aimed at Obama and his administration.
Coming less than two months before a US presidential election, critics accused Netanyahu of seeking to influence the vote -- a charge the Israeli prime minister rejected in interviews published in local media on Friday.
"That's nonsense, because what's guiding me is not the election in the United States but the centrifuges in Iran," he told Israel's Hayom daily newspaper.
"If the Iranians ... had stopped enriching material and preparing a bomb until the US election was over, I would have been able to wait," he added.
Israel and Western powers believe Iran is developing the technology to build nuclear weapons. Tehran denies this and says its nuclear project is entirely peaceful.
Netanyahu has constantly urged the United States and Europe to apply more pressure on Tehran, believing that only the threat of credible military action will persuade Iran to back down.
However, this week's outspoken criticism -- which followed days of incessant public demands for Washington to impose red lines on Iran -- provoked a sharp response in parts of the US press and a rare letter of admonishment from a US senator.
"It appears that you have injected politics into one of the most profound security challenges of our time, Iran's illicit pursuit of nuclear weapons," California Democrat Barbara Boxer said, adding that she was one of Israel's staunchest supporters.
Closer to Romney?
In private conversations, sources close to Netanyahu have voiced a clear preference for Obama's opponent in the forthcoming election -- Republican contender Mitt Romney.
Some Israeli press commentators say the right-wing Netanyahu is seeking to undermine Obama, with whom he has had notoriously testy relations, and bolster Romney, who has accused the White House of throwing "Israel under the bus".
They have also been quick to play up the close ties between the Israeli leader and casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, one of Romney's most generous financial backers who also bankrolls the fervently pro-Netanyahu Israel Hayom daily.
In his interview with Hayom, Netanyahu appears to take another swipe at Obama, questioning his administration's assurance that it will not let Iran develop the bomb.
"But what if the United States doesn't take action? That's the question that must be asked," he said.
An official in his entourage insisted that Netanyahu's sole concern was Iran. "The Iranians are not taking any notice of the US presidential elections, so we cannot afford to either."
However, some senior members of the prime minister's Cabinet have urged him to halt public criticism of Obama and have queried his insistence on setting red lines.
In a stinging rebuke, Time magazine columnist Joe Klein accused Netanyahu of not only trying to sway the US election but of also trying to shunt the country into a war with Iran. "Netanyahu's recent behavior is outrageous," he wrote.
The same magazine in May heralded Netanyahu as the "King of Israel" on its front page.
New destination for alleged Israeli mobsters on the run: Morocco
Shalom Domrani in Israel in February 2011
A number of Israeli organized crime figures have fled to Morocco in recent years, while others have explored moving their business ventures there.
One evening in July, just a few minutes before evening prayer began at the Beit El synagogue in Casablanca, Morocco, worshipers were surprised to see three unfamiliar men enter the building. One of the visitors approached a well-known figure in the local Jewish community and introduced himself as a policeman and member of the Moroccan intelligence force. The officer's two colleagues waited at the synagogue entrance.
The policeman politely and quietly attempted to extract information about several individuals from Israel who had recently settled in Morocco. A similar scene unfolded among worshipers at a synagogue in the Moroccan city of Marrakech.
At the top of the Moroccan police officers' list of names were Gabi Ben-Harush, who in the past was considered a Jerusalem organized crime boss, and Shalom Domrani, one of the Israel Police's most wanted suspects in recent years.
Information transmitted by Israel through the international police organization Interpol to Moroccan authorities indicated that the two had moved to Morocco. And the information from Israel wasn't confined just to those two, but included a number of other Israeli organized crime figures.
"They asked in general about these people," said one of the Moroccan Jewish community leaders who spoke with the police. "It didn't seem that they were trying to get too deeply into it and I also didn't have anything to tell them.
"I know some of [the Israelis] and have even seen them, but I have no interest in getting involved in this matter," the man said, adding that since the police approached him, he has not seen the alleged mobsters.
In fact, Ben-Harush lives on one of Casablanca's main streets on the second floor of a seemingly ordinary building. About 10 years ago, after a high-profile money-laundering case surfaced involving the Trade Bank in Tel Aviv, and in which he was implicated, Ben-Harush left Israel for the last time. He fled initially to the United States at a time when he was also heavily implicated in the gray-market loan trade, in which money is lent at high interest rates.
One of his major customers was Ofer Maximov, who lost millions in gambling, allegedly using funds his sister, Etti Alon, had stolen from the Trade Bank. When the case was uncovered, police in Israel began to suspect that a major portion of the NIS 270 million that had been stolen from the bank had ended up in the hands of Ben-Harush and his organized crime colleagues, the Abergil brothers. At that point, however, Ben-Harush had already moved to California.
He was ultimately apprehended by U.S. authorities, but then turned state's witness against Hai Vaknin, who had been laundering money in the United States for the Abergils. Vaknin was sentenced to 10 years in prison while Ben-Harush was simply let go.
About a year ago, when brothers Yitzhak and Meir Abergil were extradited from Israel to the United States, American authorities again enlisted Ben-Harush's help. This time, however, he was less than willing to lend assistance and was expelled from the United States. Apparently knowing that he would be arrested on his arrival in Israel over allegations related to the Trade Bank case, Ben-Harush, who holds a Moroccan passport, settled in Casablanca, where he has since become religiously observant.
Newly-observant hood
Although not always easily visible when he's cruising the town in the black Mercedes jeep he imported from the United States, Ben-Harush now has a beard and wears a skullcap. "Now he's working for God," said a friend who spent time with him recently in Morocco. "He's not involved in business in Morocco." The friend added that Ben-Harush still derives an income from his businesses in Israel, an apparent reference to real estate interests in Jerusalem. "He's always receiving guests from Israel and is not afraid of anyone," the friend said.
In the matter of Shalom Domrani, his associates say in that recent months he, too, found a quiet refuge in Morocco, purportedly on the recommendation of rabbis with whom the crime figure is in contact. Acquaintances of Domrani have said that the way for his arrival was paved through friends in Israel from the World Federation of Moroccan Jewry. "He came to do business there because in Israel the police have not been leaving him alone and he needs to support his family," said an associate. Last week, however, Domrani was said to have returned to Israel to spend the High Holy Days here. His lawyers, Liya Felus and Moshe Sherman, declined to comment on his presence in Morocco.
Other reputed organized crime figures have also put out feelers recently about moving their businesses to Morocco. The range of potential business ventures is wide, and at least publicly they are saying it includes real estate, agriculture and the import-export business. In Domrani's case, it is said that he has a vegetable distribution business in Israel and that since arriving in Morocco, he is devoting his primary attention to the produce.
"The ability to do big business there with little money is huge," said an Israeli businessman in Morocco. "If those people can bring in vegetables or sell their produce without a middleman from the Israeli market, then you're talking big money."
In the past, a senior Israeli police official said, crime figures sought refuge in South Africa, Mexico or Turkey. "Now Morocco is the new destination of the criminals," he said, knowing that it would be difficult for Israeli law enforcement officials to get their hands on them since there is no extradition treaty with Morocco. The criminals who have moved there continue to maintain their business interests in Israel, he added.
And it is not only criminals from Israel who are attracted to Morocco. Organized crime figures from other countries have also set up shop there, bringing with them such plagues as the drug and counterfeit merchandise trade and trafficking in stolen cars. Interpol says the South American drug cartels are even using Morocco as a transit point into Europe for cocaine. And Israelis, too, have gotten involved in trading in counterfeit goods in Morocco, an Israeli with business interests in the North African country said.
A number of Israeli organized crime figures have fled to Morocco in recent years, while others have explored moving their business ventures there.
One evening in July, just a few minutes before evening prayer began at the Beit El synagogue in Casablanca, Morocco, worshipers were surprised to see three unfamiliar men enter the building. One of the visitors approached a well-known figure in the local Jewish community and introduced himself as a policeman and member of the Moroccan intelligence force. The officer's two colleagues waited at the synagogue entrance.
The policeman politely and quietly attempted to extract information about several individuals from Israel who had recently settled in Morocco. A similar scene unfolded among worshipers at a synagogue in the Moroccan city of Marrakech.
At the top of the Moroccan police officers' list of names were Gabi Ben-Harush, who in the past was considered a Jerusalem organized crime boss, and Shalom Domrani, one of the Israel Police's most wanted suspects in recent years.
Information transmitted by Israel through the international police organization Interpol to Moroccan authorities indicated that the two had moved to Morocco. And the information from Israel wasn't confined just to those two, but included a number of other Israeli organized crime figures.
"They asked in general about these people," said one of the Moroccan Jewish community leaders who spoke with the police. "It didn't seem that they were trying to get too deeply into it and I also didn't have anything to tell them.
"I know some of [the Israelis] and have even seen them, but I have no interest in getting involved in this matter," the man said, adding that since the police approached him, he has not seen the alleged mobsters.
In fact, Ben-Harush lives on one of Casablanca's main streets on the second floor of a seemingly ordinary building. About 10 years ago, after a high-profile money-laundering case surfaced involving the Trade Bank in Tel Aviv, and in which he was implicated, Ben-Harush left Israel for the last time. He fled initially to the United States at a time when he was also heavily implicated in the gray-market loan trade, in which money is lent at high interest rates.
One of his major customers was Ofer Maximov, who lost millions in gambling, allegedly using funds his sister, Etti Alon, had stolen from the Trade Bank. When the case was uncovered, police in Israel began to suspect that a major portion of the NIS 270 million that had been stolen from the bank had ended up in the hands of Ben-Harush and his organized crime colleagues, the Abergil brothers. At that point, however, Ben-Harush had already moved to California.
He was ultimately apprehended by U.S. authorities, but then turned state's witness against Hai Vaknin, who had been laundering money in the United States for the Abergils. Vaknin was sentenced to 10 years in prison while Ben-Harush was simply let go.
About a year ago, when brothers Yitzhak and Meir Abergil were extradited from Israel to the United States, American authorities again enlisted Ben-Harush's help. This time, however, he was less than willing to lend assistance and was expelled from the United States. Apparently knowing that he would be arrested on his arrival in Israel over allegations related to the Trade Bank case, Ben-Harush, who holds a Moroccan passport, settled in Casablanca, where he has since become religiously observant.
Newly-observant hood
Although not always easily visible when he's cruising the town in the black Mercedes jeep he imported from the United States, Ben-Harush now has a beard and wears a skullcap. "Now he's working for God," said a friend who spent time with him recently in Morocco. "He's not involved in business in Morocco." The friend added that Ben-Harush still derives an income from his businesses in Israel, an apparent reference to real estate interests in Jerusalem. "He's always receiving guests from Israel and is not afraid of anyone," the friend said.
In the matter of Shalom Domrani, his associates say in that recent months he, too, found a quiet refuge in Morocco, purportedly on the recommendation of rabbis with whom the crime figure is in contact. Acquaintances of Domrani have said that the way for his arrival was paved through friends in Israel from the World Federation of Moroccan Jewry. "He came to do business there because in Israel the police have not been leaving him alone and he needs to support his family," said an associate. Last week, however, Domrani was said to have returned to Israel to spend the High Holy Days here. His lawyers, Liya Felus and Moshe Sherman, declined to comment on his presence in Morocco.
Other reputed organized crime figures have also put out feelers recently about moving their businesses to Morocco. The range of potential business ventures is wide, and at least publicly they are saying it includes real estate, agriculture and the import-export business. In Domrani's case, it is said that he has a vegetable distribution business in Israel and that since arriving in Morocco, he is devoting his primary attention to the produce.
"The ability to do big business there with little money is huge," said an Israeli businessman in Morocco. "If those people can bring in vegetables or sell their produce without a middleman from the Israeli market, then you're talking big money."
In the past, a senior Israeli police official said, crime figures sought refuge in South Africa, Mexico or Turkey. "Now Morocco is the new destination of the criminals," he said, knowing that it would be difficult for Israeli law enforcement officials to get their hands on them since there is no extradition treaty with Morocco. The criminals who have moved there continue to maintain their business interests in Israel, he added.
And it is not only criminals from Israel who are attracted to Morocco. Organized crime figures from other countries have also set up shop there, bringing with them such plagues as the drug and counterfeit merchandise trade and trafficking in stolen cars. Interpol says the South American drug cartels are even using Morocco as a transit point into Europe for cocaine. And Israelis, too, have gotten involved in trading in counterfeit goods in Morocco, an Israeli with business interests in the North African country said.
13 sept 2012
Israel considers purchasing Greek island for naval training
This file photo shows Israeli navy forces in training on a Greek Island.
Israeli Minister for Military Affairs Ehud Barak has ordered the army to explore the possible purchase of a Greek island to set up a naval training base.
The decision came amid Greece’s deepening financial crisis, which prompted Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras in August to announce his country was considering selling or leasing uninhabited islands "so long it poses no security threat."
Israeli media reported Barak’s order on Wednesday, noting that the island in question could also serve as a port for Israeli vessels and submarines.
Science and Technology Minister Daniel Hershkowitz had reportedly held talks in Greece where he learned that Greece may consider an Israeli purchase.
He reported his findings to Barak who ordered the army to look into the matter. The army held a session on the matter during which navy representatives stressed they had no need for an island and cited non-profitability concerns.
Barak’s office later said the case had been dropped.
The proposal was met with strong criticism from Israel’s Foreign Ministry where officials complained why such a sensitive issue had been discussed without their information.
"It appears elements in the army have too much time on their hands and too much money to spend on islands," one source said.
Israeli Minister for Military Affairs Ehud Barak has ordered the army to explore the possible purchase of a Greek island to set up a naval training base.
The decision came amid Greece’s deepening financial crisis, which prompted Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras in August to announce his country was considering selling or leasing uninhabited islands "so long it poses no security threat."
Israeli media reported Barak’s order on Wednesday, noting that the island in question could also serve as a port for Israeli vessels and submarines.
Science and Technology Minister Daniel Hershkowitz had reportedly held talks in Greece where he learned that Greece may consider an Israeli purchase.
He reported his findings to Barak who ordered the army to look into the matter. The army held a session on the matter during which navy representatives stressed they had no need for an island and cited non-profitability concerns.
Barak’s office later said the case had been dropped.
The proposal was met with strong criticism from Israel’s Foreign Ministry where officials complained why such a sensitive issue had been discussed without their information.
"It appears elements in the army have too much time on their hands and too much money to spend on islands," one source said.
Upon Israel’s Request, Germany To Void Submarines Deal With Egypt
Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, personally vowed to Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to void a submarines deal its country signed with Egypt, and said that her government will not approve this deal with the Egyptian Army, the German “Der Spiegel” reported.
Der Spiegel said that the German government granted a green light to this deal last February, and then Israel was informed on details of the deal as Merkel personally spokes to Netanyahu while German Defense Minister, Thomas de Maziere, kept in touch with his Israeli counterpart, Ehud Barak, to update him on latest information.
Der Spiegel said that, at first, Israel did not express any reservations about the deal, but senior German political leaders were surprised to hear serious statements made by Israeli officials, who expressed their objection to the deal, after the Egyptian navy announced it.
The deal will likely now be presented to the special German Ministerial Council as the legal body in charge of weapons deal, in order to reconsider it, while several German officials said that the deal will be voided due to Israeli objections.
Furthermore, Israeli daily, Haaretz, reported that the government of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has demanded Berlin not to sign any weapons deal with Arab countries without prior consultation and coordination with Tel Aviv.
The Israeli Government said that such coordination with Tel Aviv, prior to any weapons deal with the Arab states, is essential to ensuring Israel’s military supremacy in the Middle East.
It is worth mentioning that Germany recently signed several agreements for the sale of tanks and submarines to Egypt, Algeria, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Haaretz reported that Israel wants to reach new understandings with Germany regarding the sale of weapons to Arab states in order to ensure that the Israeli Army remains the most powerful army in the region.
The deals Israel signed with Saudi Arabia and Qatar include the sale of Leopard Tanks, submarines to Egypt and other military equipment to Algeria.
It is worth mentioning that the Israeli Defense Ministry Diplomatic and Security Bureau Head, Maj.-Gen. (Res.) Amos Gilad, recently visited Berlin and asked Germany to coordinate with Tel Aviv all of its weapons sales with all Arab states.
Israel said that Germany’s weapons sales to the Arab world have increased last year, and that several deals regarding the sales of tanks and submarines were singed.
Both Israel and the United States want to ensure that armies in Arab countries do not obtain weapons and technology that could pose a risk to the supremacy of the Israeli military, as they want Israel to remain, at all times, the most powerful military state in the region.
Also, a senior Israeli official told the Bild German Newspaper, Wednesday, that Israel is seriously concerned about the sale of the submarines to Egypt, and added that “Egypt today is not the same as Egypt during the rule of former President, Hosni Mubarak”.
The official was referring to the fact that that after the Egyptian revolution managed to overturn the rule of Mubarak, the Muslim Brotherhood garnered an overwhelming victory in the legislative elections, and due to the fact that the newly elected Egyptian President, Mohammad Morsi, is a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Yet, several Israeli security and political leaders recently stated that the security coordination between Tel Aviv and Cairo is now at its best since the signing of the Camp David peace accords between the two countries in 1978 and 1979.
Der Spiegel said that the German government granted a green light to this deal last February, and then Israel was informed on details of the deal as Merkel personally spokes to Netanyahu while German Defense Minister, Thomas de Maziere, kept in touch with his Israeli counterpart, Ehud Barak, to update him on latest information.
Der Spiegel said that, at first, Israel did not express any reservations about the deal, but senior German political leaders were surprised to hear serious statements made by Israeli officials, who expressed their objection to the deal, after the Egyptian navy announced it.
The deal will likely now be presented to the special German Ministerial Council as the legal body in charge of weapons deal, in order to reconsider it, while several German officials said that the deal will be voided due to Israeli objections.
Furthermore, Israeli daily, Haaretz, reported that the government of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has demanded Berlin not to sign any weapons deal with Arab countries without prior consultation and coordination with Tel Aviv.
The Israeli Government said that such coordination with Tel Aviv, prior to any weapons deal with the Arab states, is essential to ensuring Israel’s military supremacy in the Middle East.
It is worth mentioning that Germany recently signed several agreements for the sale of tanks and submarines to Egypt, Algeria, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Haaretz reported that Israel wants to reach new understandings with Germany regarding the sale of weapons to Arab states in order to ensure that the Israeli Army remains the most powerful army in the region.
The deals Israel signed with Saudi Arabia and Qatar include the sale of Leopard Tanks, submarines to Egypt and other military equipment to Algeria.
It is worth mentioning that the Israeli Defense Ministry Diplomatic and Security Bureau Head, Maj.-Gen. (Res.) Amos Gilad, recently visited Berlin and asked Germany to coordinate with Tel Aviv all of its weapons sales with all Arab states.
Israel said that Germany’s weapons sales to the Arab world have increased last year, and that several deals regarding the sales of tanks and submarines were singed.
Both Israel and the United States want to ensure that armies in Arab countries do not obtain weapons and technology that could pose a risk to the supremacy of the Israeli military, as they want Israel to remain, at all times, the most powerful military state in the region.
Also, a senior Israeli official told the Bild German Newspaper, Wednesday, that Israel is seriously concerned about the sale of the submarines to Egypt, and added that “Egypt today is not the same as Egypt during the rule of former President, Hosni Mubarak”.
The official was referring to the fact that that after the Egyptian revolution managed to overturn the rule of Mubarak, the Muslim Brotherhood garnered an overwhelming victory in the legislative elections, and due to the fact that the newly elected Egyptian President, Mohammad Morsi, is a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Yet, several Israeli security and political leaders recently stated that the security coordination between Tel Aviv and Cairo is now at its best since the signing of the Camp David peace accords between the two countries in 1978 and 1979.
Israeli campaigners eye Rio for Munich commemoration
By Ori Lewis
Campaigners who failed to get a moment of silence at the London Olympic Games opening ceremony to remember 11 Israelis killed at the 1972 Munich Games hope for success in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, they said on Wednesday.
Widows Ankie Spitzer and Ilana Romano, representing the families of the Israelis who died in Munich, said the International Olympic Committee had repeatedly rejected their appeals to hold an official commemoration.
Before the London Games which ended last month, senior international figures including US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for a tribute to the 11 who were killed in a standoff with Palestinian gunmen.
A German policeman was also killed.
"We have a lot to do yet until Rio comes around but I am absolutely confident that in Rio the circle will come to full closure," Spitzer told Reuters after a commemoration ceremony for the 11 men in Tel Aviv.
It was the last of a number of events held across the world to mark 40 years since the athletes, coaches and an official were killed.
Spitzer said that although she and her fellow campaigners had not been able to persuade the IOC to hold the commemoration, their efforts had raised awareness across the world and many more people now knew about their plight.
"In my opinion it was a big victory that so many people around the world remembered and in so many parliaments and in so many corners of the world people stood in a minute of silence," she added.
Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon, who initiated an internet petition he said had got over 100,000 signatures for the IOC to take the lead in commemorating the Munich dead, called on the world body to take responsibility.
"I hope that the IOC will have the courage, the leadership, the decency and the most basic human feelings to do the right thing in Rio de Janeiro," he told Reuters.
Israel's Olympic Committee has organized a commemorative event since the Sydney Games in 2000 and IOC president Jacques Rogge has participated since the Athens Olympics in 2004 but an Israeli official said he hoped the IOC would now take charge.
"I hope that even before Rio the IOC will come up with their ideas about how to commemorate (the 11). There are many ways to do it and I hope they will find the proper way," said Efraim Zinger, secretary general of the Olympic Committee of Israel.
Rogge held a surprise tribute in the athletes' village in July, five days before the London Games opening ceremony but the low-key event failed to satisfy the victims' relatives.
In London, hundreds of guests attended the Israeli commemoration event at the Guildhall with Rogge, top British politicians including Prime Minister David Cameron, Israel's sports minister and Germany's foreign minister present.
Campaigners who failed to get a moment of silence at the London Olympic Games opening ceremony to remember 11 Israelis killed at the 1972 Munich Games hope for success in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, they said on Wednesday.
Widows Ankie Spitzer and Ilana Romano, representing the families of the Israelis who died in Munich, said the International Olympic Committee had repeatedly rejected their appeals to hold an official commemoration.
Before the London Games which ended last month, senior international figures including US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for a tribute to the 11 who were killed in a standoff with Palestinian gunmen.
A German policeman was also killed.
"We have a lot to do yet until Rio comes around but I am absolutely confident that in Rio the circle will come to full closure," Spitzer told Reuters after a commemoration ceremony for the 11 men in Tel Aviv.
It was the last of a number of events held across the world to mark 40 years since the athletes, coaches and an official were killed.
Spitzer said that although she and her fellow campaigners had not been able to persuade the IOC to hold the commemoration, their efforts had raised awareness across the world and many more people now knew about their plight.
"In my opinion it was a big victory that so many people around the world remembered and in so many parliaments and in so many corners of the world people stood in a minute of silence," she added.
Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon, who initiated an internet petition he said had got over 100,000 signatures for the IOC to take the lead in commemorating the Munich dead, called on the world body to take responsibility.
"I hope that the IOC will have the courage, the leadership, the decency and the most basic human feelings to do the right thing in Rio de Janeiro," he told Reuters.
Israel's Olympic Committee has organized a commemorative event since the Sydney Games in 2000 and IOC president Jacques Rogge has participated since the Athens Olympics in 2004 but an Israeli official said he hoped the IOC would now take charge.
"I hope that even before Rio the IOC will come up with their ideas about how to commemorate (the 11). There are many ways to do it and I hope they will find the proper way," said Efraim Zinger, secretary general of the Olympic Committee of Israel.
Rogge held a surprise tribute in the athletes' village in July, five days before the London Games opening ceremony but the low-key event failed to satisfy the victims' relatives.
In London, hundreds of guests attended the Israeli commemoration event at the Guildhall with Rogge, top British politicians including Prime Minister David Cameron, Israel's sports minister and Germany's foreign minister present.
Abbas wishes Peres, Israelis a Happy New Year
Palestinian president wishes Israeli President, nation a happy holiday; says Palestinians yearn for peace.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called President Shimon Peres on Thursday to wish him and all Israelis a happy holiday and New Year. "Happy holiday and a Happy New Year to you and the entire Israeli nation," Abbas said according to a statement released by the president's bureau.
Peres thanked his Palestinian counterpart and said: "I know the past year has been a difficult year, but we mustn't give up… we must continue to strive for peace."
Abbas stressed that the Palestinian people also yearned for that and that he hoped the upcoming year would be the year of peace.
In spite of the strained relations between the Palestinian president and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Abbas and Peres have a good relationship and chat from time to time.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called President Shimon Peres on Thursday to wish him and all Israelis a happy holiday and New Year. "Happy holiday and a Happy New Year to you and the entire Israeli nation," Abbas said according to a statement released by the president's bureau.
Peres thanked his Palestinian counterpart and said: "I know the past year has been a difficult year, but we mustn't give up… we must continue to strive for peace."
Abbas stressed that the Palestinian people also yearned for that and that he hoped the upcoming year would be the year of peace.
In spite of the strained relations between the Palestinian president and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Abbas and Peres have a good relationship and chat from time to time.
12 sept 2012
Netanyahu trying to overthrow Obama: Israeli opposition leader
Israeli opposition leader, Shaul Mofaz
Israeli opposition leader Shaul Mofaz has accused the regime’s premier of trying to overthrow the government of US President Barack Obama because of a dispute over Iran's nuclear energy program.
"Please explain to us: who is Israel's greatest enemy -- the US or Iran? Who do you fear more -- (Iran’s President Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad or Obama? Which regime is more important to overthrow -- the one in Washington, or in Tehran?" Mofaz said at the Israeli parliament, Knesset, The Jerusalem Post reported on Wednesday.
"Israeli meddling in internal US affairs and turning the US administration from an ally to 'an enemy' has caused us severe damage," he added.
Mofaz also accused Benjamin Netanyahu of “seeding fear and panic” among Israeli people over Iran's issue, saying that, “Wars should only be waged when there is no choice,” he said. “We know how they will start, but [we do] not [know] how they will end. Where is your judgment? You are scaring the public.”
Relations between Israel and the US have deteriorated over the past few weeks after Netanyahu publicly criticized Obama’s policies about Iran's nuclear energy issue.
On September 2, Netanyahu called on the international community to set a "clear red line" for Iran over its nuclear energy program.
The US snubbed the call. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Monday that Washington is “not setting deadlines” for a diplomatic resolution of the Western dispute over Iran’s nuclear energy program.
Enraged by Washington’s refusal, Netanyahu said on September 12 that the United States has no “moral right” to stop Israel from launching a military strike against Iran.
Meanwhile, Israeli daily Ha’aretz reported that Netanyahu had made a request to meet Obama during his upcoming visit to New York to attend the UN General Assembly, but the White House snubbed the Israeli premier’s request by saying, "The [US] president's schedule will not permit that."
Israeli opposition leader Shaul Mofaz has accused the regime’s premier of trying to overthrow the government of US President Barack Obama because of a dispute over Iran's nuclear energy program.
"Please explain to us: who is Israel's greatest enemy -- the US or Iran? Who do you fear more -- (Iran’s President Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad or Obama? Which regime is more important to overthrow -- the one in Washington, or in Tehran?" Mofaz said at the Israeli parliament, Knesset, The Jerusalem Post reported on Wednesday.
"Israeli meddling in internal US affairs and turning the US administration from an ally to 'an enemy' has caused us severe damage," he added.
Mofaz also accused Benjamin Netanyahu of “seeding fear and panic” among Israeli people over Iran's issue, saying that, “Wars should only be waged when there is no choice,” he said. “We know how they will start, but [we do] not [know] how they will end. Where is your judgment? You are scaring the public.”
Relations between Israel and the US have deteriorated over the past few weeks after Netanyahu publicly criticized Obama’s policies about Iran's nuclear energy issue.
On September 2, Netanyahu called on the international community to set a "clear red line" for Iran over its nuclear energy program.
The US snubbed the call. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Monday that Washington is “not setting deadlines” for a diplomatic resolution of the Western dispute over Iran’s nuclear energy program.
Enraged by Washington’s refusal, Netanyahu said on September 12 that the United States has no “moral right” to stop Israel from launching a military strike against Iran.
Meanwhile, Israeli daily Ha’aretz reported that Netanyahu had made a request to meet Obama during his upcoming visit to New York to attend the UN General Assembly, but the White House snubbed the Israeli premier’s request by saying, "The [US] president's schedule will not permit that."
11 sept 2012
White House declines Netanyahu request to meet with Obama
The White House's response marks a new low in relations between Netanyahu and Obama, underscored by the fact that this is the first time Netanyahu will visit the U.S. as prime minister without meeting Obama.
The White House declined Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request on Tuesday to meet U.S. President Barack Obama during a UN conference in New York at the end of the month.
An official in Jerusalem said that the prime minister's office sent the White House a message stating that although Netanyahu will spend only two and a half days on U.S. soil, he is interested in meeting Obama and is willing to travel to the U.S. capital specifically for that purpose. The official added that the White House rejected the request and said that at this time Obama's schedule does not allow for a meeting.
The White House's response marks a new low in relations between Netanyahu and Obama, underscored by the fact that this is the first time Netanyahu will visit the U.S. as prime minister without meeting the president.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak tried to ease the tension on Tuesday, saying that the differences between the U.S. and Israel should be ironed out "but behind closed doors."
"We must not forget that the U.S. is Israel's most important source of support in terms of security," he said in a statement.
Earlier on Tuesday, Netanyahu launched an unprecedented verbal attack on the U.S. government over its stance on the Iranian nuclear program.
"The world tells Israel 'wait, there's still time'. And I say, 'Wait for what? Wait until when?' Those in the international community who refuse to put red lines before Iran don't have a moral right to place a red light before Israel," Netanyahu told reporters on Tuesday.
"Now if Iran knows that there is no red line. If Iran knows that there is no deadline, what will it do? Exactly what it's doing. It's continuing, without any interference, towards obtaining nuclear weapons capability and from there, nuclear bombs," he said.
Also on Tuesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said that if Iran decides to make a nuclear weapon, the United States would have a little more than a year to act to stop it."
The White House declined Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request on Tuesday to meet U.S. President Barack Obama during a UN conference in New York at the end of the month.
An official in Jerusalem said that the prime minister's office sent the White House a message stating that although Netanyahu will spend only two and a half days on U.S. soil, he is interested in meeting Obama and is willing to travel to the U.S. capital specifically for that purpose. The official added that the White House rejected the request and said that at this time Obama's schedule does not allow for a meeting.
The White House's response marks a new low in relations between Netanyahu and Obama, underscored by the fact that this is the first time Netanyahu will visit the U.S. as prime minister without meeting the president.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak tried to ease the tension on Tuesday, saying that the differences between the U.S. and Israel should be ironed out "but behind closed doors."
"We must not forget that the U.S. is Israel's most important source of support in terms of security," he said in a statement.
Earlier on Tuesday, Netanyahu launched an unprecedented verbal attack on the U.S. government over its stance on the Iranian nuclear program.
"The world tells Israel 'wait, there's still time'. And I say, 'Wait for what? Wait until when?' Those in the international community who refuse to put red lines before Iran don't have a moral right to place a red light before Israel," Netanyahu told reporters on Tuesday.
"Now if Iran knows that there is no red line. If Iran knows that there is no deadline, what will it do? Exactly what it's doing. It's continuing, without any interference, towards obtaining nuclear weapons capability and from there, nuclear bombs," he said.
Also on Tuesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said that if Iran decides to make a nuclear weapon, the United States would have a little more than a year to act to stop it."
10 sept 2012
EU called for recanting its decision to widen relations with Israel
The Palestinian Independent Agency for the prosecution of Zionist occupation crimes demanded EU to recant its recent decision, widening the circle of economic and diplomatic relations with Israeli occupation, in light of Israel's continued violations of rules of international law and its war crimes against Palestinian people.
The agency stressed on the seriousness of EU's new decision widening the circle of relations with the Israeli occupation in more than 60 fields, instead of prosecuting and punishing it for the crimes it has been committing against Palestinian civilians
The Palestinian Agency considered such decision as a reward to Israeli occupation encouraging it to commit more war crimes and more offences against humanity, reminding the European Union of its ethical, humanitarian and legal duties regarding the occupation crimes.
It called on EU to immediately recant its recent decision and to take strict actions against the occupation leaders for their crimes against humanity and demanded boycotting Israel, both economically and diplomatically, in response to its violation of international law.
The agency stressed on the seriousness of EU's new decision widening the circle of relations with the Israeli occupation in more than 60 fields, instead of prosecuting and punishing it for the crimes it has been committing against Palestinian civilians
The Palestinian Agency considered such decision as a reward to Israeli occupation encouraging it to commit more war crimes and more offences against humanity, reminding the European Union of its ethical, humanitarian and legal duties regarding the occupation crimes.
It called on EU to immediately recant its recent decision and to take strict actions against the occupation leaders for their crimes against humanity and demanded boycotting Israel, both economically and diplomatically, in response to its violation of international law.
UN hits out at Israel and Palestinian authorities
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warned Israel on Monday that keeping its long-standing blockade of Gaza would only condemn the area's people to lasting poverty and play into the hands of extremists in the Middle East.
In a speech to the world body's Human Rights Council, Ban also blamed what he called "indiscriminate rocket fire" into Israel from Hamas-controlled Gaza and serious rights violations there for "the immense human suffering" of its population.
"I urge Israel to lift its harsh restrictions in order to ease the plight of civilians and bring an end to the closure," the UN chief declared in a reference to the blockade which the Israel government argues is a security measure.
"Keeping a large and dense population in unremitting poverty is in nobody's interest except that of the most extreme radicals in the region," he declared.
Israel says its land-and-sea blockade is part of an effort to prevent weaponry and other equipment that could help build an offensive military potential reaching the territory's Hamas Islamist rulers and other militant groups based there.
Ban, whose comments were echoed at the 47-nation council by the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, also urged Israel to respect Palestinian rights and international law and support efforts to build a stable Palestinian state.
A lasting solution to the Middle East conflict required a negotiated agreement ending the 45-year-long occupation and creating "an independent, sovereign, democratic and viable Palestinian state" at peace with Israel, he said.
Peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank have long been stalled with both sides blaming the other. The Palestinians say Israeli settlement activity is a main barrier to meaningful negotiations.
That point was raised by Pillay, a former judge in the International Criminal Court, in her address to the council. She pointed to settlement expansion "as well as violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians" as a source of tension.
She also called on Israel to free Palestinians, totaling around 4,000, held without trial.
Pillay went on to also criticize the rocket fire from Gaza and "arbitrary detention and ill-treatment" of people held by Palestinian security forces in Gaza and the West Bank.
Hamas says Palestinian factions are committed to self-restraint, arguing that rockets are used in self-defense and are fired individually and not as part of a systematic assault on Israeli villages and towns across the border.
Justice Minister Ali Mhana of the Palestinian Authority, which has held sway only in the West Bank since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, welcomed constructive criticism of any "shortcoming in our performance in the field of human rights."
It was working hard to prevent abuses, he said, speaking in Ramallah.
In a speech to the world body's Human Rights Council, Ban also blamed what he called "indiscriminate rocket fire" into Israel from Hamas-controlled Gaza and serious rights violations there for "the immense human suffering" of its population.
"I urge Israel to lift its harsh restrictions in order to ease the plight of civilians and bring an end to the closure," the UN chief declared in a reference to the blockade which the Israel government argues is a security measure.
"Keeping a large and dense population in unremitting poverty is in nobody's interest except that of the most extreme radicals in the region," he declared.
Israel says its land-and-sea blockade is part of an effort to prevent weaponry and other equipment that could help build an offensive military potential reaching the territory's Hamas Islamist rulers and other militant groups based there.
Ban, whose comments were echoed at the 47-nation council by the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, also urged Israel to respect Palestinian rights and international law and support efforts to build a stable Palestinian state.
A lasting solution to the Middle East conflict required a negotiated agreement ending the 45-year-long occupation and creating "an independent, sovereign, democratic and viable Palestinian state" at peace with Israel, he said.
Peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank have long been stalled with both sides blaming the other. The Palestinians say Israeli settlement activity is a main barrier to meaningful negotiations.
That point was raised by Pillay, a former judge in the International Criminal Court, in her address to the council. She pointed to settlement expansion "as well as violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians" as a source of tension.
She also called on Israel to free Palestinians, totaling around 4,000, held without trial.
Pillay went on to also criticize the rocket fire from Gaza and "arbitrary detention and ill-treatment" of people held by Palestinian security forces in Gaza and the West Bank.
Hamas says Palestinian factions are committed to self-restraint, arguing that rockets are used in self-defense and are fired individually and not as part of a systematic assault on Israeli villages and towns across the border.
Justice Minister Ali Mhana of the Palestinian Authority, which has held sway only in the West Bank since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, welcomed constructive criticism of any "shortcoming in our performance in the field of human rights."
It was working hard to prevent abuses, he said, speaking in Ramallah.
9 sept 2012
Israel Grants University Status to Settlement College
The Israeli government Sunday granted the university status to Ariel college, which is located in the illegal settlement of Ariel in the West Bank, according to Israeli media reports.
This decision came following a vote by the Council for Higher Education in Judea and Samaria. 11 voted in favor of the decision; while 2 against.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, praised this decision and said that Israel is in need of more universities in light of the increasing number of population, “Ariel Settlement will remain under Israel’s control forever,” he said.
This decision came following a vote by the Council for Higher Education in Judea and Samaria. 11 voted in favor of the decision; while 2 against.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, praised this decision and said that Israel is in need of more universities in light of the increasing number of population, “Ariel Settlement will remain under Israel’s control forever,” he said.
7 sept 2012
New Report Exposes South Korea's Complicity with Israeli Apartheid
Palestine Peace & Solidarity in South Korea (PPS), a Seoul-based group part of the global Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, launched a report denouncing South Korea's complicity with Israel's regime of occupation, colonization and apartheid against the Palestinian people.
The report details Korea's ties with Israel at the military, economic, academic and cultural levels. This relationship, the report contends, has contributed to Israel's impunity and lack of accountability. "Treating Israel as a normal state, as opposed to one that oppresses and denies the right to self-determination of Palestinians, sends the signal that its appalling human rights record can be tolerated. Israel must be treated for what it is, a pariah state," said YaPing an organizer with PPS.
Among the examples cited in the report are Korea Aerospace Industries' business ties with Elbit Systems, an Israeli company widely denounced for its role in the construction of the apartheid wall in the West Bank, declared illegal in 2004 by the International Court of Justice; and the supply of bulldozers to the Israeli military by Hyundai Heavy Industries that are used in the demolition of Palestinian homes, an act that constitutes a war crime under the IV Geneva Convention.
Daesung Industrial Corporation, Korea's leading energy company, imports and distributes Ahava cosmetics to the Korean market. Ahava is an Israeli settlement company that was recently accused of pillaging natural resources of the West Bank in a report by Palestinian human rights group al-Haq.
Korea's government is currently in negotiations with Israel for a Free Trade Agreement, although a deal seems frozen for now. "Koreans will continue to oppose the free trade agreement with Israel to avoid being complicit with human rights abuses and violations of international law," added YaPing. "Koreans have a strong sense of solidarity with Palestinians and oppose their continued oppression." The report found that Korea's ties with Israel violates Korea's own constitution and norms of international law.
Among the recommendations of the report, the Korean government and business community are urged to freeze immediately all ties with Israel, particularly those that directly aid and abet violations of international law related to Israel's settlement enterprise and the Wall.
Korean activists plan to use the research to build strategic campaigns as part of the growing Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
The full report is available to download Click Here
The report details Korea's ties with Israel at the military, economic, academic and cultural levels. This relationship, the report contends, has contributed to Israel's impunity and lack of accountability. "Treating Israel as a normal state, as opposed to one that oppresses and denies the right to self-determination of Palestinians, sends the signal that its appalling human rights record can be tolerated. Israel must be treated for what it is, a pariah state," said YaPing an organizer with PPS.
Among the examples cited in the report are Korea Aerospace Industries' business ties with Elbit Systems, an Israeli company widely denounced for its role in the construction of the apartheid wall in the West Bank, declared illegal in 2004 by the International Court of Justice; and the supply of bulldozers to the Israeli military by Hyundai Heavy Industries that are used in the demolition of Palestinian homes, an act that constitutes a war crime under the IV Geneva Convention.
Daesung Industrial Corporation, Korea's leading energy company, imports and distributes Ahava cosmetics to the Korean market. Ahava is an Israeli settlement company that was recently accused of pillaging natural resources of the West Bank in a report by Palestinian human rights group al-Haq.
Korea's government is currently in negotiations with Israel for a Free Trade Agreement, although a deal seems frozen for now. "Koreans will continue to oppose the free trade agreement with Israel to avoid being complicit with human rights abuses and violations of international law," added YaPing. "Koreans have a strong sense of solidarity with Palestinians and oppose their continued oppression." The report found that Korea's ties with Israel violates Korea's own constitution and norms of international law.
Among the recommendations of the report, the Korean government and business community are urged to freeze immediately all ties with Israel, particularly those that directly aid and abet violations of international law related to Israel's settlement enterprise and the Wall.
Korean activists plan to use the research to build strategic campaigns as part of the growing Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
The full report is available to download Click Here
6 sept 2012
Israel allows in 3 migrants camped at Egypt border
A labourer works on the border fence between Israel and Egypt near the Israeli village of Beer Milcha Sept. 6, 2012
Israel allowed in three Africans on Thursday who had camped on its desert border with Egypt for almost a week, but said it will press on with its crackdown on illegal migrants.
A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that two women and a child were to be allowed in and that the rest of the group they were with, about 17 other African migrants, were to return to where they came from.
A government official who asked not to be named said the three were let in on humanitarian grounds. Israeli media said one of the women had been pregnant and had lost her baby.
About 60,000 African migrants have entered unlawfully in the past few years through the porous Egyptian border and have alarmed Israel, which says they are mostly job-seekers who threaten the demographics in the country of 7.8 million.
To curb the influx, Israel has been building a fence along the 260 km-long frontier with Egypt's Sinai desert and it is due to be completed by the end of 2012.
"We are determined to stop the flow of the infiltrators," Netanyahu said. "We have built a fence to achieve that goal ... and we will continue our efforts to return the infiltrators to their countries of origin."
Humanitarian organizations in Israel say the migrants should be considered for asylum and some Israelis have been troubled that their country, founded by war refugees and immigrants, should be packing off foreigners en masse.
Israeli media said the group of 20 migrants were Eritrean and that they arrived at the guarded border last Thursday. Israel's military said it had provided them with food and water.
Israel allowed in three Africans on Thursday who had camped on its desert border with Egypt for almost a week, but said it will press on with its crackdown on illegal migrants.
A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that two women and a child were to be allowed in and that the rest of the group they were with, about 17 other African migrants, were to return to where they came from.
A government official who asked not to be named said the three were let in on humanitarian grounds. Israeli media said one of the women had been pregnant and had lost her baby.
About 60,000 African migrants have entered unlawfully in the past few years through the porous Egyptian border and have alarmed Israel, which says they are mostly job-seekers who threaten the demographics in the country of 7.8 million.
To curb the influx, Israel has been building a fence along the 260 km-long frontier with Egypt's Sinai desert and it is due to be completed by the end of 2012.
"We are determined to stop the flow of the infiltrators," Netanyahu said. "We have built a fence to achieve that goal ... and we will continue our efforts to return the infiltrators to their countries of origin."
Humanitarian organizations in Israel say the migrants should be considered for asylum and some Israelis have been troubled that their country, founded by war refugees and immigrants, should be packing off foreigners en masse.
Israeli media said the group of 20 migrants were Eritrean and that they arrived at the guarded border last Thursday. Israel's military said it had provided them with food and water.
80 Palestinian organizations protest against EU
Eighty Palestinian non-governmental organizations condemned the European Union's recent decision to upgrade its economic and diplomatic relations with Israel in more than 60 fields.
The organizations considered the European decision as a disavowal to the European-Israeli partnership agreement that stipulates an Israeli commitment to the international human rights principles, where Israeli occupation continued its daily violations of the international human rights conventions.
A delegation of the Palestinian NGO Network visited the European Union office in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. In addition the network in Ramallah handed a petition to the European Union office in Jerusalem and Ramallah.
The Delegation of the network expressed the Palestinian people shock towards the European decision to widen its relationship with Israel despite the Israeli violations of international law and the fourth Geneva Convention, stressing on the good relations between the EU and Palestinian people.
The delegation called on the European Union to impose tough sanctions on the Israeli occupation, and not to reward it for its violations and crimes.
It is noted that the EU will offer Israel upgraded trade and diplomatic relations in more than 60 areas at a high-level meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, just weeks after European foreign ministers warned that Israeli policies in the West Bank "threaten to make a two-state solution impossible".
The organizations considered the European decision as a disavowal to the European-Israeli partnership agreement that stipulates an Israeli commitment to the international human rights principles, where Israeli occupation continued its daily violations of the international human rights conventions.
A delegation of the Palestinian NGO Network visited the European Union office in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. In addition the network in Ramallah handed a petition to the European Union office in Jerusalem and Ramallah.
The Delegation of the network expressed the Palestinian people shock towards the European decision to widen its relationship with Israel despite the Israeli violations of international law and the fourth Geneva Convention, stressing on the good relations between the EU and Palestinian people.
The delegation called on the European Union to impose tough sanctions on the Israeli occupation, and not to reward it for its violations and crimes.
It is noted that the EU will offer Israel upgraded trade and diplomatic relations in more than 60 areas at a high-level meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, just weeks after European foreign ministers warned that Israeli policies in the West Bank "threaten to make a two-state solution impossible".
Air Force instructors suspected of sexually abusing students
IAH high school in Beersheba
Discharged soldiers who served as instructors at IAF preparatory high school suspected of various sexual offences including rape involving nine female students aged 15.
Cleared for publication: Military Police and Israel Police investigators arrested three discharged soldiers in their 20s on suspicion they had sexual intercourse with nine students aged 15 while they served as instructors at the Air Force preparatory high school in Beersheba.
They are suspected of rape, statutory rape, indecent acts and sexual harassment by a person in a position of trust. One of the suspects has been released under restrictions, and the two others have been remanded in custody. The details of the affair were under a gag order which was lifted Thursday.
The victims are still high school students. The investigation suggests some of them were not aware there was anything wrong with their relationships with the instructors.
Police believe there had been no coercion on the part of the suspects, who are suspected of abusing their power. Police also said it is possible more victims will come forward in the future.
The investigation suggests that the suspects had sex with their underage students inside the school, during after-hour tutorials. Investigators believe that while there had been no group sex, those involved were aware of their friends' activities.
Police are looking into several leads, including the possibility the victims were romantically attached to the suspects which prevented them from coming forward.
The affair had been exposed after a student, who wasn't involved in the case, filed a complaint with the IDF ombudsman several weeks ago.
"These are very serious offences," said a high-ranking IAF officer who described the suspects as members of good families.
It is suspected the alleged acts took place last year and possibly even earlier as one of the suspects had been discharged two years ago. The victims are under the care of social services and the school's management.
IAF commander Major-General Amir Eshsel has instructed commanders to hold talks with their soldiers and work to prevent similar cases.
Discharged soldiers who served as instructors at IAF preparatory high school suspected of various sexual offences including rape involving nine female students aged 15.
Cleared for publication: Military Police and Israel Police investigators arrested three discharged soldiers in their 20s on suspicion they had sexual intercourse with nine students aged 15 while they served as instructors at the Air Force preparatory high school in Beersheba.
They are suspected of rape, statutory rape, indecent acts and sexual harassment by a person in a position of trust. One of the suspects has been released under restrictions, and the two others have been remanded in custody. The details of the affair were under a gag order which was lifted Thursday.
The victims are still high school students. The investigation suggests some of them were not aware there was anything wrong with their relationships with the instructors.
Police believe there had been no coercion on the part of the suspects, who are suspected of abusing their power. Police also said it is possible more victims will come forward in the future.
The investigation suggests that the suspects had sex with their underage students inside the school, during after-hour tutorials. Investigators believe that while there had been no group sex, those involved were aware of their friends' activities.
Police are looking into several leads, including the possibility the victims were romantically attached to the suspects which prevented them from coming forward.
The affair had been exposed after a student, who wasn't involved in the case, filed a complaint with the IDF ombudsman several weeks ago.
"These are very serious offences," said a high-ranking IAF officer who described the suspects as members of good families.
It is suspected the alleged acts took place last year and possibly even earlier as one of the suspects had been discharged two years ago. The victims are under the care of social services and the school's management.
IAF commander Major-General Amir Eshsel has instructed commanders to hold talks with their soldiers and work to prevent similar cases.
US Democrats reinstate platform language on Jerusalem
Democrats reinstated language in the party platform on Wednesday declaring Jerusalem to be the capital of Israel after Republicans accused them of showing weak support for the longtime US ally.
A Democratic official said the language was being reinstated to reflect the personal view of President Barack Obama. The platform wording was changed in a voice vote among Democratic delegates on the floor of their convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
There were a number of "no" votes recorded, and it took convention chair Antonio Villaraigosa, the Los Angeles mayor, several attempts to get the "yes" vote recorded.
Four years ago, during the last presidential campaign, the Democratic Party's platform had said "Jerusalem is and will remain the capital of Israel."
But this year that language was dropped, drawing criticism from presidential candidate Mitt Romney and other Republicans.
The status of Jerusalem is fiercely contested between the Palestinians and Israel, which seized eastern Jerusalem during a 1967 war, and is among the thorny "final status" issues to be determined in any peace negotiations.
Most countries, including the United States, have not recognized Israel's declaration of Jerusalem as its capital and keep their embassies in Tel Aviv.
Previous US presidential candidates, including then Senator Barack Obama in June 2008, have referred to Jerusalem as Israel's capital before elections. But as president they have always left the US Embassy in Tel Aviv.
A Democratic official said the language was being reinstated to reflect the personal view of President Barack Obama. The platform wording was changed in a voice vote among Democratic delegates on the floor of their convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
There were a number of "no" votes recorded, and it took convention chair Antonio Villaraigosa, the Los Angeles mayor, several attempts to get the "yes" vote recorded.
Four years ago, during the last presidential campaign, the Democratic Party's platform had said "Jerusalem is and will remain the capital of Israel."
But this year that language was dropped, drawing criticism from presidential candidate Mitt Romney and other Republicans.
The status of Jerusalem is fiercely contested between the Palestinians and Israel, which seized eastern Jerusalem during a 1967 war, and is among the thorny "final status" issues to be determined in any peace negotiations.
Most countries, including the United States, have not recognized Israel's declaration of Jerusalem as its capital and keep their embassies in Tel Aviv.
Previous US presidential candidates, including then Senator Barack Obama in June 2008, have referred to Jerusalem as Israel's capital before elections. But as president they have always left the US Embassy in Tel Aviv.
5 sept 2012
Israel refuses entry to 20 African migrants at Egypt border
A group of African men sit on the ground after being detained by Israel's military for crossing illegally into Israel from Egypt.
Israel ruled out entry on Wednesday for 20 Africans who have camped on its desert border with Egypt for almost a week, part of a crackdown on migrants who walk across the porous frontier.
About 60,000 Africans have come into Israel through the Egyptian Sinai in recent years. Israel says the vast majority are illegal job seekers, disputing arguments by humanitarian agencies that they should be considered for asylum.
The 20 Africans arrived at the guarded border fence on Thursday, according to Israeli media, which said they were from Eritrea and included at least one woman and child.
"This group must not enter," Interior Minister Eli Yishai said in a television interview. "We are acting in accordance with the law. They came here knowing they would not get in."
"It is very difficult to see this, but if we let them in others will follow. The fence is there to protect the borders of the state of Israel," he said.
The Israeli military said it was providing the migrants with water. Troops turned back human rights activists who attempted to reach the scene with food, but the activists said they had received assurances from the army that the food would be given to the migrants.
The fence along the 160 mile-long frontier with the Egyptian Sinai, which is still being built and is due to completed by the end of the year, is among measures introduced by Israel to bar African migrants.
Israeli ministers say the influx of African migrants is a threat to public order and could threaten the Jewish majority in the state of 7.8 million.
Israel ruled out entry on Wednesday for 20 Africans who have camped on its desert border with Egypt for almost a week, part of a crackdown on migrants who walk across the porous frontier.
About 60,000 Africans have come into Israel through the Egyptian Sinai in recent years. Israel says the vast majority are illegal job seekers, disputing arguments by humanitarian agencies that they should be considered for asylum.
The 20 Africans arrived at the guarded border fence on Thursday, according to Israeli media, which said they were from Eritrea and included at least one woman and child.
"This group must not enter," Interior Minister Eli Yishai said in a television interview. "We are acting in accordance with the law. They came here knowing they would not get in."
"It is very difficult to see this, but if we let them in others will follow. The fence is there to protect the borders of the state of Israel," he said.
The Israeli military said it was providing the migrants with water. Troops turned back human rights activists who attempted to reach the scene with food, but the activists said they had received assurances from the army that the food would be given to the migrants.
The fence along the 160 mile-long frontier with the Egyptian Sinai, which is still being built and is due to completed by the end of the year, is among measures introduced by Israel to bar African migrants.
Israeli ministers say the influx of African migrants is a threat to public order and could threaten the Jewish majority in the state of 7.8 million.
4 sept 2012
South Africa Condemns Lieberman’s Statements against Abbas
South Africa Tuesday condemned Israeli Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman’s racist statements against President Mahmoud abbas and his Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki, following Palestinian participation in the Non-Aligned movement summit in Tehran.
Deputy Minister of Department of Foreign Affairs Ibrahim Ibrahim said, during a lecture at Wits University, that his country is worried about the recent threats by Lieberman against Abbas and al-Malki.
He said that his country supports the Palestinian people to get their lawful rights in an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in order to implement the two-state solution.
He highlighted the Palestinian suffering as result of the Israeli occupation, referring to the United Nations report stating that Gaza “will not be livable by 2020.”
Deputy Minister of Department of Foreign Affairs Ibrahim Ibrahim said, during a lecture at Wits University, that his country is worried about the recent threats by Lieberman against Abbas and al-Malki.
He said that his country supports the Palestinian people to get their lawful rights in an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in order to implement the two-state solution.
He highlighted the Palestinian suffering as result of the Israeli occupation, referring to the United Nations report stating that Gaza “will not be livable by 2020.”
3 sept 2012
8 Israeli soldiers snub orders in protest at food shortage
Eight Israeli soldiers have decided to refuse their officers' orders after their weeks-long complaints that they were not being supplied with sufficient amounts of food went unanswered.
Last week, the soldiers informed their commander that they would not be performing the necessary maintenance to the battalion's Merkava 4 tanks until they were properly fed, Ynet reported on Monday.
They were promptly written up, tried for insubordination and sentenced to two weeks detention.
"The problem started a few months ago, when our battalion was stationed in the Golan Heights. At the base we had only a few meals, consisting of food that is hardly fit for human consumption. After a while, just as the food supply showed some improvement, we moved to the Yishai Camp near Jerusalem (al-Quds), and the problems returned." one of the soldiers told Ynet on the condition of anonymity.
"In some occasions the mess was simply closed for no reason. We would just go without food," the soldier added.
He added that the supply would be meager in other occasions.
"We're not nitpicking. More often than not, many of us brought food from home or had to buy food in advance so that we wouldn't starve," the trooper noted.
Another soldier in the battalion complained that "It's absurd, because officers and commanders are well aware of the situation but are nonetheless completely mishandling it. This is happening in the Armor Brigade in which the Israeli Army is investing the most resources in equipment, but not in the soldiers - those who take care of the equipment."
Meanwhile, the Israeli Army Spokesperson's Unit stated that they are aware of the food problem at the Yishai camp, adding that appropriate bureaus are handling the problem.
Last week, the soldiers informed their commander that they would not be performing the necessary maintenance to the battalion's Merkava 4 tanks until they were properly fed, Ynet reported on Monday.
They were promptly written up, tried for insubordination and sentenced to two weeks detention.
"The problem started a few months ago, when our battalion was stationed in the Golan Heights. At the base we had only a few meals, consisting of food that is hardly fit for human consumption. After a while, just as the food supply showed some improvement, we moved to the Yishai Camp near Jerusalem (al-Quds), and the problems returned." one of the soldiers told Ynet on the condition of anonymity.
"In some occasions the mess was simply closed for no reason. We would just go without food," the soldier added.
He added that the supply would be meager in other occasions.
"We're not nitpicking. More often than not, many of us brought food from home or had to buy food in advance so that we wouldn't starve," the trooper noted.
Another soldier in the battalion complained that "It's absurd, because officers and commanders are well aware of the situation but are nonetheless completely mishandling it. This is happening in the Armor Brigade in which the Israeli Army is investing the most resources in equipment, but not in the soldiers - those who take care of the equipment."
Meanwhile, the Israeli Army Spokesperson's Unit stated that they are aware of the food problem at the Yishai camp, adding that appropriate bureaus are handling the problem.
