23 sept 2014
Asylum seekers participate in a January 2014 protest against the opening of Holot
Prominent Knesset members propose curbing the powers of Israel's High Court following Monday's ruling that upended official policy concerning asylum seekers by ruling legislation illegal.
The court ruled, in the wake of a petition filed by six human rights groups, that the law allowing asylum seekers to be jailed for up to one year without trial is illegal. The court further declared that that Israel must shutter the "open" Holot detention facility, where asylum seekers who entered Israel illegally are detained for indefinite periods with no grounds for release.
The Knesset will now embark on what Israeli news portal ynet has dubbed a "fight" against the High Court. Already next week, at the opening of the Knesset's winter session, the ministerial legislative body will debate a proposal by Ayelet Shaked (Jewish Home) to amend the Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty in order to abridge the court's power to overturn legislation.
Basic laws fulfill constitutional functions in Israel, a country without such a foundational document.
Faction chairperson for the Jewish Home Shaked further wishes to alter the way in which judges are selected to ensure a "balance" between so-called judicial activists and others.
Outgoing Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar, who guided the legislation struck down, noted that "This is a mistake, leaving Israel without tools to deal with the phenomenon of illegal infiltration. We need to re-examine the High Court's authority" on such issues".
Coalition chairman Yariv Levin (Likud) said the decision is “post-Zionist and undermines Israel’s existence as a Jewish state and tramples on the Knesset’s authority.”
The High Court justices “despise the basic principle that Israel is a Jewish state with a democratic government,” and the Knesset must “wake up and act quickly and determinedly to change the way judges are selected...so that we get judges with values who are committed to the future of Israel,” Levin said.
Knesset Internal Affairs and Environment Committee chairman Miri Regev (Likud) called the ruling shameful.
“The court’s decision is essentially calling everyone in Africa to come to Israel, because infiltrators can move around freely", Regev, who in 2012 called Sudanese immigrants a "cancer in our body" told the press.
Israel's population and immigration authority estimates there are 47 thousand asylum seekers in Israel, of whom 35,000 are from Eritrea and Sudan.
The court ruled that the overturned legislation "violates human rights in an essential, deep and fundamental way". Writing the majority opinion, Justice Vogelman stated that "We didn't do this voluntarily. We did it because it's our obligation".
An estimated 2,200 asylum seekers from Eritrea and Sudan are currently held at Holot, an "open" facility as detainees are allowed to leave during the day, although they must be present for three daily head counts and are prohibited from working.
“Let us not allow the name — ‘open facility’ — to lead us astray,” the court said. “The requirement to show up for three daily head counts, combined with the center’s great distance from the area’s towns, eliminate almost any possibility of regularly leaving the detention center.”
The majority ruling also said the court had not ignored the distress of residents of south Tel Aviv, where the majority of the asylum seekers live, but that violating asylum seekers’ rights could not be the solution to this problem.
Already last night tens of south Tel Aviv residents erected a "mourning tent" to which right-wing politicians, who participate in the governmental neglect of the area while encouraging blame of asylum seekers for the residential problems, began going.
The human rights organizations which petitioned the High Court welcomed the ruling, noted that "It's time for a real solution that will benefit both residents of south Tel Aviv and the asylum-Seekers".
A statement issued by the groups asserted that "The Court made it clear today, once more, in a categorical and unequivocal manner, that the policy toward asylum-seekers cannot be solely based on mass detention of innocent people or complete disregard of the issue. We call on the government: This is the time to act for the mutual benefit of residents of southern Tel Aviv and asylum-seekers - by investing money in improving the infrastructure, welfare and health services in neighborhoods where many asylum-seekers reside, and by working to decrease the density of population in those areas by granting asylum-seekers work permits and encouraging Israelis to employ them".
Prominent Knesset members propose curbing the powers of Israel's High Court following Monday's ruling that upended official policy concerning asylum seekers by ruling legislation illegal.
The court ruled, in the wake of a petition filed by six human rights groups, that the law allowing asylum seekers to be jailed for up to one year without trial is illegal. The court further declared that that Israel must shutter the "open" Holot detention facility, where asylum seekers who entered Israel illegally are detained for indefinite periods with no grounds for release.
The Knesset will now embark on what Israeli news portal ynet has dubbed a "fight" against the High Court. Already next week, at the opening of the Knesset's winter session, the ministerial legislative body will debate a proposal by Ayelet Shaked (Jewish Home) to amend the Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty in order to abridge the court's power to overturn legislation.
Basic laws fulfill constitutional functions in Israel, a country without such a foundational document.
Faction chairperson for the Jewish Home Shaked further wishes to alter the way in which judges are selected to ensure a "balance" between so-called judicial activists and others.
Outgoing Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar, who guided the legislation struck down, noted that "This is a mistake, leaving Israel without tools to deal with the phenomenon of illegal infiltration. We need to re-examine the High Court's authority" on such issues".
Coalition chairman Yariv Levin (Likud) said the decision is “post-Zionist and undermines Israel’s existence as a Jewish state and tramples on the Knesset’s authority.”
The High Court justices “despise the basic principle that Israel is a Jewish state with a democratic government,” and the Knesset must “wake up and act quickly and determinedly to change the way judges are selected...so that we get judges with values who are committed to the future of Israel,” Levin said.
Knesset Internal Affairs and Environment Committee chairman Miri Regev (Likud) called the ruling shameful.
“The court’s decision is essentially calling everyone in Africa to come to Israel, because infiltrators can move around freely", Regev, who in 2012 called Sudanese immigrants a "cancer in our body" told the press.
Israel's population and immigration authority estimates there are 47 thousand asylum seekers in Israel, of whom 35,000 are from Eritrea and Sudan.
The court ruled that the overturned legislation "violates human rights in an essential, deep and fundamental way". Writing the majority opinion, Justice Vogelman stated that "We didn't do this voluntarily. We did it because it's our obligation".
An estimated 2,200 asylum seekers from Eritrea and Sudan are currently held at Holot, an "open" facility as detainees are allowed to leave during the day, although they must be present for three daily head counts and are prohibited from working.
“Let us not allow the name — ‘open facility’ — to lead us astray,” the court said. “The requirement to show up for three daily head counts, combined with the center’s great distance from the area’s towns, eliminate almost any possibility of regularly leaving the detention center.”
The majority ruling also said the court had not ignored the distress of residents of south Tel Aviv, where the majority of the asylum seekers live, but that violating asylum seekers’ rights could not be the solution to this problem.
Already last night tens of south Tel Aviv residents erected a "mourning tent" to which right-wing politicians, who participate in the governmental neglect of the area while encouraging blame of asylum seekers for the residential problems, began going.
The human rights organizations which petitioned the High Court welcomed the ruling, noted that "It's time for a real solution that will benefit both residents of south Tel Aviv and the asylum-Seekers".
A statement issued by the groups asserted that "The Court made it clear today, once more, in a categorical and unequivocal manner, that the policy toward asylum-seekers cannot be solely based on mass detention of innocent people or complete disregard of the issue. We call on the government: This is the time to act for the mutual benefit of residents of southern Tel Aviv and asylum-seekers - by investing money in improving the infrastructure, welfare and health services in neighborhoods where many asylum-seekers reside, and by working to decrease the density of population in those areas by granting asylum-seekers work permits and encouraging Israelis to employ them".
22 sept 2014
"My regards to all the Israeli soldiers that refused to follow Military Orders during the war," Gaby Weinrot wrote on FB.
An Israeli college has sacked one of its academic teachers over calling Israeli war on Gaza “massacre.”
Israeli TV Channel 7 said that Tel Hai Israeli College in the Occupied Galilee sacked Gaby Weinrot, one of its Academic Teachers, after calling the latest Israeli war on the Gaza Strip a “massacre.”
Weinrot wrote on his Facebook page: “You bastards are killing children in my name as an Israeli, and this is the right time to critique the Israeli Army for the massacres it committed.”
He also expressed his respect to the Israeli troops, who refused the orders of their commanders during the war. “My regards to all the Israeli soldiers that refused to follow Military Orders during the war,” he wrote, “let us oppose the regime that governs us.”
Immediately, after the post was published, the college described it as anti-Israeli army and a number of the Israeli students called for sacking their teacher.
The administration of the college called up the teacher and accused him of offending the state’s army.
A leader of the Zionist Movement said that the dean of the college sacked the teacher permanently from his work.
The 51-day Israeli war on Gaza killed more than 2,160 Palestinians, including 501 children and wounded around 11,000 others, including more than 3,000 children.
More than 75 percent of the total casualties, the UN said, were civilians.
An Israeli college has sacked one of its academic teachers over calling Israeli war on Gaza “massacre.”
Israeli TV Channel 7 said that Tel Hai Israeli College in the Occupied Galilee sacked Gaby Weinrot, one of its Academic Teachers, after calling the latest Israeli war on the Gaza Strip a “massacre.”
Weinrot wrote on his Facebook page: “You bastards are killing children in my name as an Israeli, and this is the right time to critique the Israeli Army for the massacres it committed.”
He also expressed his respect to the Israeli troops, who refused the orders of their commanders during the war. “My regards to all the Israeli soldiers that refused to follow Military Orders during the war,” he wrote, “let us oppose the regime that governs us.”
Immediately, after the post was published, the college described it as anti-Israeli army and a number of the Israeli students called for sacking their teacher.
The administration of the college called up the teacher and accused him of offending the state’s army.
A leader of the Zionist Movement said that the dean of the college sacked the teacher permanently from his work.
The 51-day Israeli war on Gaza killed more than 2,160 Palestinians, including 501 children and wounded around 11,000 others, including more than 3,000 children.
More than 75 percent of the total casualties, the UN said, were civilians.
Arsonists have torched the car of a Rabbi who spoke out over Israel's military action in Gaza.
Firebugs poured petrol over Ahron Cohen's Volvo estate before setting fire to the vehicle outside his home.
They first attached a makeshift fuse to the fuel tank, but when it failed to ignite they returned a few minutes later and used a can of petrol to start the fire.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze outside Mr Cohen's home in the early hours. No one was hurt but the car was destroyed.
Police are now investigating the arson in Broughton, Salford, the latest in a series of attacks on Mr Cohen's house and car over seven years.
The Volvo 940 has previously been scratched and had its windows smashed, while eggs have been thrown at his house.
The grandfather says he has angered some amongst the local Jewish community by his outspoken views over Israeli government policy and its actions against Palestinians. He spoke only two weeks ago at a pro-Gaza demonstration in Rochdale.
Earlier this month, the M.E.N. reported how another Jewish man who criticised Israeli military action quit Salford after his home in Higher Broughton was vandalised.
Property manager Mr Cohen described the latest attack as 'sad' and said it could have killed someone had the car exploded.
But he added he was willing to meet his tormentors. He told the M.E.N: "It's a shame they have to resort to any form of violence. I'm quite happy to sit and talk and explain my views.
"They can explain theirs. If we don't agree, we can agree to differ. They have to understand that if everybody resorted to violent activity the world would be a very terrible place to live in. People are entitled to discuss their views but it has to be done in a civilised manner."
Explaining his views on Israel, he said: "Imagine if a group of foreigners set up a state in Lancashire. I don't think it would be a lot different to the reaction of the Palestinians to the formation of the state of Israel.
It's been a disaster, a festering sore that goes back 100 years."
A neighbour, who declined to be named, said: "His views have angered a lot of people around here. A lot of families have boys in the Israeli army." Video on this link.
Anyone with information about the arson is urged to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
Firebugs poured petrol over Ahron Cohen's Volvo estate before setting fire to the vehicle outside his home.
They first attached a makeshift fuse to the fuel tank, but when it failed to ignite they returned a few minutes later and used a can of petrol to start the fire.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze outside Mr Cohen's home in the early hours. No one was hurt but the car was destroyed.
Police are now investigating the arson in Broughton, Salford, the latest in a series of attacks on Mr Cohen's house and car over seven years.
The Volvo 940 has previously been scratched and had its windows smashed, while eggs have been thrown at his house.
The grandfather says he has angered some amongst the local Jewish community by his outspoken views over Israeli government policy and its actions against Palestinians. He spoke only two weeks ago at a pro-Gaza demonstration in Rochdale.
Earlier this month, the M.E.N. reported how another Jewish man who criticised Israeli military action quit Salford after his home in Higher Broughton was vandalised.
Property manager Mr Cohen described the latest attack as 'sad' and said it could have killed someone had the car exploded.
But he added he was willing to meet his tormentors. He told the M.E.N: "It's a shame they have to resort to any form of violence. I'm quite happy to sit and talk and explain my views.
"They can explain theirs. If we don't agree, we can agree to differ. They have to understand that if everybody resorted to violent activity the world would be a very terrible place to live in. People are entitled to discuss their views but it has to be done in a civilised manner."
Explaining his views on Israel, he said: "Imagine if a group of foreigners set up a state in Lancashire. I don't think it would be a lot different to the reaction of the Palestinians to the formation of the state of Israel.
It's been a disaster, a festering sore that goes back 100 years."
A neighbour, who declined to be named, said: "His views have angered a lot of people around here. A lot of families have boys in the Israeli army." Video on this link.
Anyone with information about the arson is urged to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
21 sept 2014
Makarim Wibisono, the new UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, said that Israel did not allow him to visit the West Bank and east Jerusalem on an official mission. "Despite my best efforts, I have not been granted access by Israel to the occupied Palestinian territory at this time," Wibisono said in a press release.
"I deeply regret not having the opportunity to visit the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and to speak face-to-face with victims and witnesses of Israel’s alleged violations of international humanitarian and human rights law."
Wibisono started his first official visit to the region on 20 September. He will visit Jordan and Egypt during his mission, and will seek to access Gaza through the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the southern Gaza Strip.
The special rapporteur is supposed to gather first-hand information on the current human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territories following Israel’s military operations during the past two months, which resulted in the killing of at least 1,473 Palestinian civilians, including 501 children.
During his mission, he will meet with Palestinian officials, religious and community leaders and civil society representatives, among others.
He will discuss the human rights situation across the occupied Palestinian territories with a focus on the situation of Palestinian children, and the long-term impacts of violence, conflict and occupation on their fundamental human rights.
The UN official will present an oral update to the General Assembly in October 2014 on his findings and conclusions, and report fully on his mission with recommendations to the human rights council in March 2015.
A news conference will be held at the end of his visit on Sunday 28 September at the Fairmont Heliopolis hotel in Cairo.
"I deeply regret not having the opportunity to visit the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and to speak face-to-face with victims and witnesses of Israel’s alleged violations of international humanitarian and human rights law."
Wibisono started his first official visit to the region on 20 September. He will visit Jordan and Egypt during his mission, and will seek to access Gaza through the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the southern Gaza Strip.
The special rapporteur is supposed to gather first-hand information on the current human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territories following Israel’s military operations during the past two months, which resulted in the killing of at least 1,473 Palestinian civilians, including 501 children.
During his mission, he will meet with Palestinian officials, religious and community leaders and civil society representatives, among others.
He will discuss the human rights situation across the occupied Palestinian territories with a focus on the situation of Palestinian children, and the long-term impacts of violence, conflict and occupation on their fundamental human rights.
The UN official will present an oral update to the General Assembly in October 2014 on his findings and conclusions, and report fully on his mission with recommendations to the human rights council in March 2015.
A news conference will be held at the end of his visit on Sunday 28 September at the Fairmont Heliopolis hotel in Cairo.
20 sept 2014
Mossawa, the advocacy centre for Arab citizens in Israel, recently published its latest report on systematic discrimination suffered by the Arab community within Israel. The latest Israeli offensive in Gaza has triggered a worsening situation, with raised tensions and racist incitement against Palestinians.
According to the Palestinian News Network (PNN), Mossawa's updated report on the Legal Status of Arab Citizens in Israel has detailed all discriminatory laws, proposed legislation and policies implemented by the Israeli government. The findings "paint the picture of a worsening situation for the Arab community in Israel."
Since the elections in 2009, over 35 discriminatory bills have been proposed in the Knesset -- more than any other Knesset assembly.
Arab citizens in Israel are discriminated against in almost all aspects of life, from education and employment to land allocation. Mossawa's report points to the lack of an official constitution, as well as a paradoxical definition of Israel as both a Jewish and Democratic state, as key factors in the continuing discrimination against Arab citizens.
Related: Netanyahu Seeks to Codify 'Jewish Statehood' Into Law
Netanyahu: Talmud Will be the Basis of Israeli Law
Kerry Plan Includes Palestinian Recognition of Israel as Jewish State
There has been growing discrimination, racism and out right violence against the Arab community -- both Christian and Muslim -- leading up to and during Israeli aggressions on the Gaza Strip.
PNN further reports that the new wave of Israeli discriminatory laws and policies, over the last decade, demonstrates the ongoing unequal treatment of the Palestinian Arab community and the further entrenchment of their status as second‐class citizens. The two‐tiered nature of Israel's legal system operates to privilege the interests of the Jewish community, while simultaneously disenfranchising its Palestinian Arab minority.
This would evidently challenge Israel's self-perceived status as a "democratic state" within the international community.
In light of systemic legal discrimination in Israel against Palestinian Arab citizens, the Mossawa Center continues to expose and challenge Israel's discriminatory legal regime, whilst advocating for equality, minority status recognition and indigenous rights.
According to the Palestinian News Network (PNN), Mossawa's updated report on the Legal Status of Arab Citizens in Israel has detailed all discriminatory laws, proposed legislation and policies implemented by the Israeli government. The findings "paint the picture of a worsening situation for the Arab community in Israel."
Since the elections in 2009, over 35 discriminatory bills have been proposed in the Knesset -- more than any other Knesset assembly.
Arab citizens in Israel are discriminated against in almost all aspects of life, from education and employment to land allocation. Mossawa's report points to the lack of an official constitution, as well as a paradoxical definition of Israel as both a Jewish and Democratic state, as key factors in the continuing discrimination against Arab citizens.
Related: Netanyahu Seeks to Codify 'Jewish Statehood' Into Law
Netanyahu: Talmud Will be the Basis of Israeli Law
Kerry Plan Includes Palestinian Recognition of Israel as Jewish State
There has been growing discrimination, racism and out right violence against the Arab community -- both Christian and Muslim -- leading up to and during Israeli aggressions on the Gaza Strip.
PNN further reports that the new wave of Israeli discriminatory laws and policies, over the last decade, demonstrates the ongoing unequal treatment of the Palestinian Arab community and the further entrenchment of their status as second‐class citizens. The two‐tiered nature of Israel's legal system operates to privilege the interests of the Jewish community, while simultaneously disenfranchising its Palestinian Arab minority.
This would evidently challenge Israel's self-perceived status as a "democratic state" within the international community.
In light of systemic legal discrimination in Israel against Palestinian Arab citizens, the Mossawa Center continues to expose and challenge Israel's discriminatory legal regime, whilst advocating for equality, minority status recognition and indigenous rights.
Adalah logo
The High Court of Israel on Wednesday decided to continue to allow Israeli Jewish communities to discriminate against Arabs and forbid them from living there.
The Israeli Attorney General defended the law, which allows 'admissions panels' to screen potential residents with the aim of keeping Arabs out.
According to the Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, Adalah, which filed the initial claim, the ruling “gives the green light for 434 communities to exist based on the principle of segregated housing. This law is one of the most racist pieces of legislation enacted in recent years, the primary objective of which is to marginalize Arab citizens and prevent them from accessing housing on 'state land' in many communities. The court's decision upholds one of the most dangerous laws in Israel."
Adalah Attorney Suhad Bishara, who filed the petition, added that: "The court's decision seriously undermines its landmark decision in 1999 in the Ka'adan case. That case allowed an Arab family to move to the town of Katzir despite their rejection by the town's admissions committee. This latest court decision illustrates the continued deterioration of the constitutional rights and legal protection of Palestinian citizens of Israel." Attorney Bishara further stated that the new decision, "allows the principle of separation in residency based on national identity, and as such, 434 communities will be allowed to close their doors to Arab citizens."
The Admissions Committees Law, enacted by the Knesset in 2011, gives "admissions committees" – bodies that select applicants for housing units and plots of land – almost full discretion to accept or reject individuals from living in these towns. The committees include a representative from the Jewish Agency or the World Zionist Organization, quasi-governmental entities. The Committees, in practice, filter out Arab Palestinian applicants and others from marginalized groups. While one of the provisions of the law states a duty to respect the right to equality and prevent discrimination, the law allows these committees to reject applicants deemed "unsuitable to the social life of the community…or the social and cultural fabric of the town," thereby legitimizing the exclusion of entire groups. The law also authorizes admissions committees to adopt criteria determined by individual community towns themselves based on their "special characteristics", including those community towns that have defined themselves as having a "Zionist vision."
In the last hearing on the case before the Supreme Court on 4 December 2012, Attorney Bishara argued that, "the law marginalizes certain groups, creating a legal, constitutional, and legitimate basis for discrimination. The law allows for division of state land based on vague cultural and social standards – and not even the state can explain which criteria admissions committees could use to accept or reject candidates. The law will open the door to arbitrary decisions based on prejudices and personal grudges."
Attorney Bishara added after that hearing that, “The law is functioning the same way it did previously as a policy, deterring many segments of the population, especially Palestinian Arab citizens of the state, from applying for housing in these towns for fear of rejection. The law has serious implications now and has had for many years, so it is not possible to say that it is not ripe for judicial ruling.”
The High Court of Israel on Wednesday decided to continue to allow Israeli Jewish communities to discriminate against Arabs and forbid them from living there.
The Israeli Attorney General defended the law, which allows 'admissions panels' to screen potential residents with the aim of keeping Arabs out.
According to the Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, Adalah, which filed the initial claim, the ruling “gives the green light for 434 communities to exist based on the principle of segregated housing. This law is one of the most racist pieces of legislation enacted in recent years, the primary objective of which is to marginalize Arab citizens and prevent them from accessing housing on 'state land' in many communities. The court's decision upholds one of the most dangerous laws in Israel."
Adalah Attorney Suhad Bishara, who filed the petition, added that: "The court's decision seriously undermines its landmark decision in 1999 in the Ka'adan case. That case allowed an Arab family to move to the town of Katzir despite their rejection by the town's admissions committee. This latest court decision illustrates the continued deterioration of the constitutional rights and legal protection of Palestinian citizens of Israel." Attorney Bishara further stated that the new decision, "allows the principle of separation in residency based on national identity, and as such, 434 communities will be allowed to close their doors to Arab citizens."
The Admissions Committees Law, enacted by the Knesset in 2011, gives "admissions committees" – bodies that select applicants for housing units and plots of land – almost full discretion to accept or reject individuals from living in these towns. The committees include a representative from the Jewish Agency or the World Zionist Organization, quasi-governmental entities. The Committees, in practice, filter out Arab Palestinian applicants and others from marginalized groups. While one of the provisions of the law states a duty to respect the right to equality and prevent discrimination, the law allows these committees to reject applicants deemed "unsuitable to the social life of the community…or the social and cultural fabric of the town," thereby legitimizing the exclusion of entire groups. The law also authorizes admissions committees to adopt criteria determined by individual community towns themselves based on their "special characteristics", including those community towns that have defined themselves as having a "Zionist vision."
In the last hearing on the case before the Supreme Court on 4 December 2012, Attorney Bishara argued that, "the law marginalizes certain groups, creating a legal, constitutional, and legitimate basis for discrimination. The law allows for division of state land based on vague cultural and social standards – and not even the state can explain which criteria admissions committees could use to accept or reject candidates. The law will open the door to arbitrary decisions based on prejudices and personal grudges."
Attorney Bishara added after that hearing that, “The law is functioning the same way it did previously as a policy, deterring many segments of the population, especially Palestinian Arab citizens of the state, from applying for housing in these towns for fear of rejection. The law has serious implications now and has had for many years, so it is not possible to say that it is not ripe for judicial ruling.”
15 sept 2014
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that the “security threats” surrounding Israel will require authorities to raise the military's budget by billions of New Israeli Shekels, while pressing the necessity of avoiding a financial deficit in the public budget.
The Palestinian News Network (PNN) reports that, during a speech for the Conference of Cyberspace, at Tel Aviv University, Netanyahu alleged that one of the major challenges that Israel is facing is Iran’s possession of nuclear weapons, aas well as threats of taking away Israel's legitimacy.
Minister of Finance Ya’ir Lapid, on the other hand, has said that the army budget should be raised in a way that does not affect the budget of education and entertainment. He also referred to the possibility of diminishing tunnels, but under different conditions of the army's budget and following a thorough review.
The PNN further reports that, despite discrepancies with Netanyahu on the issue of budget, Mr. Lapid stated that there is no need to dissolve the government coalition or to move ahead election dates.
However, he pointed out that his own party ('There’s a Future') has limits regarding his coalition membership.
The Palestinian News Network (PNN) reports that, during a speech for the Conference of Cyberspace, at Tel Aviv University, Netanyahu alleged that one of the major challenges that Israel is facing is Iran’s possession of nuclear weapons, aas well as threats of taking away Israel's legitimacy.
Minister of Finance Ya’ir Lapid, on the other hand, has said that the army budget should be raised in a way that does not affect the budget of education and entertainment. He also referred to the possibility of diminishing tunnels, but under different conditions of the army's budget and following a thorough review.
The PNN further reports that, despite discrepancies with Netanyahu on the issue of budget, Mr. Lapid stated that there is no need to dissolve the government coalition or to move ahead election dates.
However, he pointed out that his own party ('There’s a Future') has limits regarding his coalition membership.
The 43 signatories said the data collected by the elite 8200 intelligence unit "was an integral part of Israel's military occupation" of the Gaza Strip and West Bank
Veterans of the elite Israeli intelligence unit "8200" rallied to its own defense, Sunday, following a recent public denunciation by 43 of their former fellow teammates.
According to AFP, Unit 8200 carries out electronic communications monitoring and surveillance, similar to work performed by the US National Security Agency and GCHQ, of the UK.
An open letter, sent to Israeli political and military leadership last week, was one of the most high-profile expressions of conscientious objection in years.
The signatories of the letter -- reservists and former members of 8200 -- said that the intelligence collected by the unit "was an integral part of Israel's military occupation," and declared collective refusal in continuing to serve with the group.
They charged that the information gathered by Unit 8200 was used by civilian intelligence agencies in coercing Palestinians otherwise uninvolved in militant activity to engage in espionage against their own communities, and urged other members of the intelligence corps "to speak out against these injustices and to take action to bring them to an end."
On Sunday, 200 veterans of the unit replied their former colleagues' declaration:
"We wish to express shock, disgust and complete disassociation from the regrettable letter that was written by our comrades from the unit," they wrote in the reply, excerpts of which were published by Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot...
"Political refusal to serve has no place anywhere, and particularly so in Unit 8200. The moment we, as soldiers in the reserves, are called to the flag, we set aside our political inclinations and opinions, and come to serve the state."
Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon described the letter of refusal as a "foolish and offensive attempt" to harm Unit 8200 which, according to AFP, is one component of the broader military intelligence corps and shares information with Israel's civilian intelligence agencies.
Knesset opposition leader and Labor Party chairman, Isaac Herzog, a veteran of the unit, also said he opposed soldiers refusing to serve:
"I'm not saying that there are no mistakes. It is certainly possible that there were," he wrote on his official Facebook page.
"There are ways to effect change ... but not by encouraging and calling for a refusal to serve or through publishing damaging statements around the world."
According to the Alternative Information Center, Israeli army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Moti Almoz stated, on his Facebook page, that "there is no place for insubordination in the IDF".
He added that "disciplinary measures will be loud and clear".
Veterans of the elite Israeli intelligence unit "8200" rallied to its own defense, Sunday, following a recent public denunciation by 43 of their former fellow teammates.
According to AFP, Unit 8200 carries out electronic communications monitoring and surveillance, similar to work performed by the US National Security Agency and GCHQ, of the UK.
An open letter, sent to Israeli political and military leadership last week, was one of the most high-profile expressions of conscientious objection in years.
The signatories of the letter -- reservists and former members of 8200 -- said that the intelligence collected by the unit "was an integral part of Israel's military occupation," and declared collective refusal in continuing to serve with the group.
They charged that the information gathered by Unit 8200 was used by civilian intelligence agencies in coercing Palestinians otherwise uninvolved in militant activity to engage in espionage against their own communities, and urged other members of the intelligence corps "to speak out against these injustices and to take action to bring them to an end."
On Sunday, 200 veterans of the unit replied their former colleagues' declaration:
"We wish to express shock, disgust and complete disassociation from the regrettable letter that was written by our comrades from the unit," they wrote in the reply, excerpts of which were published by Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot...
"Political refusal to serve has no place anywhere, and particularly so in Unit 8200. The moment we, as soldiers in the reserves, are called to the flag, we set aside our political inclinations and opinions, and come to serve the state."
Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon described the letter of refusal as a "foolish and offensive attempt" to harm Unit 8200 which, according to AFP, is one component of the broader military intelligence corps and shares information with Israel's civilian intelligence agencies.
Knesset opposition leader and Labor Party chairman, Isaac Herzog, a veteran of the unit, also said he opposed soldiers refusing to serve:
"I'm not saying that there are no mistakes. It is certainly possible that there were," he wrote on his official Facebook page.
"There are ways to effect change ... but not by encouraging and calling for a refusal to serve or through publishing damaging statements around the world."
According to the Alternative Information Center, Israeli army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Moti Almoz stated, on his Facebook page, that "there is no place for insubordination in the IDF".
He added that "disciplinary measures will be loud and clear".
12 sept 2014
Some 43 reserve soldiers serving in Israel's top electronic surveillance unit have refused to wiretap Palestinians living under Israeli occupation, according to Al Ray Palestinian Media Agency.
In a letter addressed to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and army chiefs, some 43 reserve soldiers of Unit 8200 said that they now refuse to perform any military tasks which would consolidate Israel's occupation of Palestinian lands, Israeli radio reported.
The soldiers assert that the information collected by their unit is being used to pile pressure on Palestinian civilians to recruit them to spy for Israel.
Established in 1952, Unit 8200 is the largest army unit responsible for intelligence gathering, according to Al Ray.
This move comes two weeks on the tail of a devestating seven-week Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip, in which over 2,000 Palestinians -- mostly civilians -- were killed and nearly 11,000 others injured.
Approximately 1/4 of the slain were children.
At least 72 Israelis – 67 soldiers and five civilians – were also killed in the onslaught, according to Israel's official tally.
In a letter addressed to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and army chiefs, some 43 reserve soldiers of Unit 8200 said that they now refuse to perform any military tasks which would consolidate Israel's occupation of Palestinian lands, Israeli radio reported.
The soldiers assert that the information collected by their unit is being used to pile pressure on Palestinian civilians to recruit them to spy for Israel.
Established in 1952, Unit 8200 is the largest army unit responsible for intelligence gathering, according to Al Ray.
This move comes two weeks on the tail of a devestating seven-week Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip, in which over 2,000 Palestinians -- mostly civilians -- were killed and nearly 11,000 others injured.
Approximately 1/4 of the slain were children.
At least 72 Israelis – 67 soldiers and five civilians – were also killed in the onslaught, according to Israel's official tally.
9 sept 2014
Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch predicted on Saturday that Israel's current Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman will possibly be the next Prime Minister of Israel if new elections were to take place.
Aharonovitch of the Yisrael Beytenu party, which was formed by Lieberman, said: "Lieberman will be the prime minister; he is the kind of leader who can lead the country." He added that he does not see elections on the horizon, but when elections do take place he is convinced that Yisrael Beytenu will be stronger.
Israel's current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said recently that he will participate in the upcoming elections with Lieberman's party because he intends to compete for presidency in the next election.
Aharonovitch's statements came during a cultural event in the Israeli city of Beersheba during which he also remarked on the recent attack on the Gaza Strip.
Aharonovitch said he is not optimistic that the indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinian resistance factions which are scheduled to resume in Cairo in an attempt to stabilize the truce will succeed.
He stressed Israel's refusal to accept any breach of the calm no matter how small, stating its determination to respond to any such breaches. He also said: "The international community provided legitimacy to Israel to defeat Hamas if we have entered into the Gaza Strip." He added that criticism should not be directed to the army or the chief of staff but to the politicians, the cabinet and to the government, pointing out that "the army has followed the political level orders".
In response to a question regarding the security agencies demands to increase their budget by billions of shekels, Aharonovitch noted that the budget has been reduced by 2 percent which is equivalent to 66 million shekels, adding that "the security apparatus demands are exaggerated".
In light of the continued demands to increase the security budget, the army is refusing to disclose the locations where Palestinian missiles have fallen in Israel, possibly fearing the efficacy of the Iron Dome, the system created to intercept Palestinian rockets, will be assessed.
Military analyst Yossi Melman revealed Saturday that the Israeli army refused to disclose the number of rockets that fell in the Israeli cities and settlements during the recent aggression on the Gaza Strip, explaining in an article posted to Maariv news site that this makes evaluating the Iron Dome system more difficult. Senior officials who worked in developing the dome have acknowledged its failure to intercept missiles.
He noted that the cost of the Tamir interceptor missiles launched by the Iron Dome during the war on the Gaza Strip exceeded $150 million, noting that the price of a Tamir interceptor missile is $100 thousand and given that more than one interceptor missile was launched towards a single Palestinian rocket, at least 1,500 Tamir inceptor missiles were launched during the latest Israeli military offensive.
Melman added: "The army admitted to having intercepted 735 rockets out of more than four thousand missiles fired towards southern and central Israel while ignoring missiles, which fell in open areas." Melman quoted an anonymous military source as saying: "The Iron Dome was not prepared in the first place to protect the citizens, but with the increasing pressure from people, it was installed on the outskirts of cities."
The source reportedly said: "If a missile struck a house in a settlement, the dome does not consider it a failure because the rocket did not fall, but originally hit its target." He justified this by stating that the dome was not designed to protect that house in the first place.
Melman said the dome's weak point lies in intercepting short-range rockets and mortar shells that hit the settlements in less than 30 seconds. These rockets, according to Melman, accounted for half of the total rockets fired from Gaza during the war.
Aharonovitch of the Yisrael Beytenu party, which was formed by Lieberman, said: "Lieberman will be the prime minister; he is the kind of leader who can lead the country." He added that he does not see elections on the horizon, but when elections do take place he is convinced that Yisrael Beytenu will be stronger.
Israel's current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said recently that he will participate in the upcoming elections with Lieberman's party because he intends to compete for presidency in the next election.
Aharonovitch's statements came during a cultural event in the Israeli city of Beersheba during which he also remarked on the recent attack on the Gaza Strip.
Aharonovitch said he is not optimistic that the indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinian resistance factions which are scheduled to resume in Cairo in an attempt to stabilize the truce will succeed.
He stressed Israel's refusal to accept any breach of the calm no matter how small, stating its determination to respond to any such breaches. He also said: "The international community provided legitimacy to Israel to defeat Hamas if we have entered into the Gaza Strip." He added that criticism should not be directed to the army or the chief of staff but to the politicians, the cabinet and to the government, pointing out that "the army has followed the political level orders".
In response to a question regarding the security agencies demands to increase their budget by billions of shekels, Aharonovitch noted that the budget has been reduced by 2 percent which is equivalent to 66 million shekels, adding that "the security apparatus demands are exaggerated".
In light of the continued demands to increase the security budget, the army is refusing to disclose the locations where Palestinian missiles have fallen in Israel, possibly fearing the efficacy of the Iron Dome, the system created to intercept Palestinian rockets, will be assessed.
Military analyst Yossi Melman revealed Saturday that the Israeli army refused to disclose the number of rockets that fell in the Israeli cities and settlements during the recent aggression on the Gaza Strip, explaining in an article posted to Maariv news site that this makes evaluating the Iron Dome system more difficult. Senior officials who worked in developing the dome have acknowledged its failure to intercept missiles.
He noted that the cost of the Tamir interceptor missiles launched by the Iron Dome during the war on the Gaza Strip exceeded $150 million, noting that the price of a Tamir interceptor missile is $100 thousand and given that more than one interceptor missile was launched towards a single Palestinian rocket, at least 1,500 Tamir inceptor missiles were launched during the latest Israeli military offensive.
Melman added: "The army admitted to having intercepted 735 rockets out of more than four thousand missiles fired towards southern and central Israel while ignoring missiles, which fell in open areas." Melman quoted an anonymous military source as saying: "The Iron Dome was not prepared in the first place to protect the citizens, but with the increasing pressure from people, it was installed on the outskirts of cities."
The source reportedly said: "If a missile struck a house in a settlement, the dome does not consider it a failure because the rocket did not fall, but originally hit its target." He justified this by stating that the dome was not designed to protect that house in the first place.
Melman said the dome's weak point lies in intercepting short-range rockets and mortar shells that hit the settlements in less than 30 seconds. These rockets, according to Melman, accounted for half of the total rockets fired from Gaza during the war.
11 july 2014
Army: Northern Israel hit by projectile fired from Lebanon
A projectile fired from Lebanon struck northern Israel early Friday causing no harm or damages, the Israeli army said.
"One projectile hit an open space near Kfar Yuval, between (northern Israeli towns) Metula and Kiryat Shmona," a military spokeswoman told AFP, adding the army did not yet know whether it was a mortar shell or a rocket.
A projectile fired from Lebanon struck northern Israel early Friday causing no harm or damages, the Israeli army said.
"One projectile hit an open space near Kfar Yuval, between (northern Israeli towns) Metula and Kiryat Shmona," a military spokeswoman told AFP, adding the army did not yet know whether it was a mortar shell or a rocket.
2 july 2014
Ministry of Information welcomed the International Federation of Journalists issuing a decision expelling ‘Israel’ from its membership. The ministry said in a statement published on Wednesday that the move, albeit late, is in the right direction and a normal reaction to the Israeli occupation crimes against the people and the violations of press freedom.
Director-General of the Government Information Office, Mr Salamah Marouf said that "Such a move comes after many demands by the ministry and other Palestinian media bodies,”
Marouf called on all relevant regional and international institutions to take the same step, urging for a follow-up prosecution of the Israeli occupation murderers of Palestinian media workers by international courts.
He called for unifying Palestinian press movement in the framework of a unitary union that has the potential to confront the occupation propaganda and win for the sacrifices made by the Palestinian journalists.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) issued a decision expelling ‘Israel’ from the IFJ.
In a meeting of the IFJ which took place in Brussels on 28 and 29 of June, 14 countries out of 17 voted in favor of the decision with 3 abstaining.
The IFJ was founded in 1926 and re-founded in 1946 and 1952. It represents more than 600,000 journalists working in 140 countries worldwide.
Director-General of the Government Information Office, Mr Salamah Marouf said that "Such a move comes after many demands by the ministry and other Palestinian media bodies,”
Marouf called on all relevant regional and international institutions to take the same step, urging for a follow-up prosecution of the Israeli occupation murderers of Palestinian media workers by international courts.
He called for unifying Palestinian press movement in the framework of a unitary union that has the potential to confront the occupation propaganda and win for the sacrifices made by the Palestinian journalists.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) issued a decision expelling ‘Israel’ from the IFJ.
In a meeting of the IFJ which took place in Brussels on 28 and 29 of June, 14 countries out of 17 voted in favor of the decision with 3 abstaining.
The IFJ was founded in 1926 and re-founded in 1946 and 1952. It represents more than 600,000 journalists working in 140 countries worldwide.