6 july 2015
The Al Maghtas site in Jordan
Designation of World Heritage Site said to prove authentic biblical location does not lie in Israel, as Israeli officials deny existence of controversy.
The announcement of the Al Maghtas site in Jordan – believed by many Christians to be where Jesus was baptized – as a UNESCO World Heritage Site was greeted enthusiastically in that country on Sunday, with Jordanian newspaper Al Rai declaring that the move "put an end to the Israeli claims" that the authentic location is beyond the Jordan River in Israeli territory.
Israeli officials, for their part, insisted that there was no controversy over the site.
In 2011, Israel officially opened the Qasr el Yahud site on the west bank of the Jordan River after a decades-long closure. According to Jewish tradition, this was where the Israelites crossed the Jordan River as they entered Canaan, and supposedly was where Jesus was baptized. Some in Jordan were then angered by the ceremonial reopening, claiming that Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist at the Jordanian location and noting that the Vatican had recognized this when Pope John Paul II was present at the ceremony marking the site's opening in 2000.
These voices accused Israel not only of rewriting history, but also of attempting to attract Christian tourism at Jordan's expense.
Al Rai wrote on Sunday that UNESCO's decision settled the matter. "Since the site was discovered, Israel has not stopped trying to deal it and attribute it to the occupied side of the Jordan River," said the paper. "This despite the religious and historical documents that prove that the baptism of Jesus, peace be unto him, is on the Jordanian side of the Jordan River."
The director of the EcoPeace Friends of the Earth Middle East, Gidon Bromberg, told Ynet that recognition of the Jordanian spot as a world heritage site points to the Hashemite kingdom's astuteness in advancing the issue and being aware of the potential tens of millions of Christian visitors interested in being baptized in the Jordan River.
Bromberg said the heritage site designation could hurt tourism at the Qasr al Yahud site. "As far as we know, around 300,000 Christian pilgrims arrive at the Israeli site every year, while on the Jordanian side the number is around 100,000 pilgrims a year."
However, despite the UNESCO listing, which will certainly boot tourism for the Jordanian site, Bromberg pointed to what he said was the real problem – one shared by Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinians: "Whether it's listed by UNESCO or not, ultimately the quantity and quality of the Jordan River's water is so poor."
Meanwhile, Israeli officials said there was no difference of opinion or battle against the Jordanians on the issue, and that "we are talking about pure anti-Israeli propaganda."
According to an Israeli official, the original Jordanian proposal to UNESCO stated that there were plans to expand the site in the future in cooperation with "the neighboring country". The Lebanese ambassador demanded changing the phrasing to "Palestine", a request that was accepted.
Diplomatic officials said that Israel had no problems with the Jordanian proposal and did not lobby against it – quite the opposite, in fact. The relations between the Israeli and Jordanian delegations to UNESCO are considered strong.
The Jordanian ambassador was one of of the first to congratulate the Israeli ambassador after the recognition Beit She'arim in the Galilee as a heritage site.
The Palestinians are also recognized as a state in UNESCO, so Israel was not in a position to prevent the textual change to Palestine anyway.
UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, which met in Bonn, Germany, declared the national park in Beit She'arim in the lower Galilee as a World Heritage Site on Sunday. Beit She'arim was a thriving village in biblical times, and the site includes 30 burial caves in which the noble class weere buried, including Rabbi Yehudah Hanasi, the writer of the Mishnah.
The site in Beit She'arim is one of nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Israel. Among the 21 member states, 17 states voted in favor of including Beit She'arim, including India, Turkey, and Senegal. Four states voted against the move -- Lebanon, Qatar, Algeria, and Malaysia.
Designation of World Heritage Site said to prove authentic biblical location does not lie in Israel, as Israeli officials deny existence of controversy.
The announcement of the Al Maghtas site in Jordan – believed by many Christians to be where Jesus was baptized – as a UNESCO World Heritage Site was greeted enthusiastically in that country on Sunday, with Jordanian newspaper Al Rai declaring that the move "put an end to the Israeli claims" that the authentic location is beyond the Jordan River in Israeli territory.
Israeli officials, for their part, insisted that there was no controversy over the site.
In 2011, Israel officially opened the Qasr el Yahud site on the west bank of the Jordan River after a decades-long closure. According to Jewish tradition, this was where the Israelites crossed the Jordan River as they entered Canaan, and supposedly was where Jesus was baptized. Some in Jordan were then angered by the ceremonial reopening, claiming that Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist at the Jordanian location and noting that the Vatican had recognized this when Pope John Paul II was present at the ceremony marking the site's opening in 2000.
These voices accused Israel not only of rewriting history, but also of attempting to attract Christian tourism at Jordan's expense.
Al Rai wrote on Sunday that UNESCO's decision settled the matter. "Since the site was discovered, Israel has not stopped trying to deal it and attribute it to the occupied side of the Jordan River," said the paper. "This despite the religious and historical documents that prove that the baptism of Jesus, peace be unto him, is on the Jordanian side of the Jordan River."
The director of the EcoPeace Friends of the Earth Middle East, Gidon Bromberg, told Ynet that recognition of the Jordanian spot as a world heritage site points to the Hashemite kingdom's astuteness in advancing the issue and being aware of the potential tens of millions of Christian visitors interested in being baptized in the Jordan River.
Bromberg said the heritage site designation could hurt tourism at the Qasr al Yahud site. "As far as we know, around 300,000 Christian pilgrims arrive at the Israeli site every year, while on the Jordanian side the number is around 100,000 pilgrims a year."
However, despite the UNESCO listing, which will certainly boot tourism for the Jordanian site, Bromberg pointed to what he said was the real problem – one shared by Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinians: "Whether it's listed by UNESCO or not, ultimately the quantity and quality of the Jordan River's water is so poor."
Meanwhile, Israeli officials said there was no difference of opinion or battle against the Jordanians on the issue, and that "we are talking about pure anti-Israeli propaganda."
According to an Israeli official, the original Jordanian proposal to UNESCO stated that there were plans to expand the site in the future in cooperation with "the neighboring country". The Lebanese ambassador demanded changing the phrasing to "Palestine", a request that was accepted.
Diplomatic officials said that Israel had no problems with the Jordanian proposal and did not lobby against it – quite the opposite, in fact. The relations between the Israeli and Jordanian delegations to UNESCO are considered strong.
The Jordanian ambassador was one of of the first to congratulate the Israeli ambassador after the recognition Beit She'arim in the Galilee as a heritage site.
The Palestinians are also recognized as a state in UNESCO, so Israel was not in a position to prevent the textual change to Palestine anyway.
UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, which met in Bonn, Germany, declared the national park in Beit She'arim in the lower Galilee as a World Heritage Site on Sunday. Beit She'arim was a thriving village in biblical times, and the site includes 30 burial caves in which the noble class weere buried, including Rabbi Yehudah Hanasi, the writer of the Mishnah.
The site in Beit She'arim is one of nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Israel. Among the 21 member states, 17 states voted in favor of including Beit She'arim, including India, Turkey, and Senegal. Four states voted against the move -- Lebanon, Qatar, Algeria, and Malaysia.
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UNESCO announces Mishnaic period village with its 30 burial caves is to be ninth Israeli World Heritage Site; Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi, Mishnah's chief redactor, resided and is buried there.
UNESCO's World Heritage Conference on Sunday declared the national park at Beit She'arim in the lower Galilee a World Heritage Site. Beit She'arim was a prosperous settlement during the period of the Mishnah's redaction (1st to 3rd centuries ACE) and the site includes 30 burial caves where rich people and scholars of the period, including the chief redactor of the Mishnah, Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi, were buried. |
Beit She'arim is the ninth site in Israel to be recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Of the 21 members, 17 countries voted in favor - India, Turkey and Senegal - and four countries actively opposed - Lebanon, Qatar, Algeria and Malaysia.
Beit She'arim was considered to be the regional grain storehouse during the Mishnaic period. According to the historian Josephus Flavius, these were the barns of Queen Berenice, the sister of Agrippa II, who ruled the country under the Romans in the first century AD.
Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi lived most of his life in Beit She'arim, only spending the last 17 years of his life in the not-far village of Tzipori. In his last will and testament, he asked to be buried in Beit She'arim, which turned the village during the 3rd century ACE into the Jewish necropolis (city of the dead) of its time.
Many wanted to be buried next to Rabbi Yehuda as an alternative to burial in Jerusalem, where it was forbidden to be buried due to Roman edicts issued at the time, when Jerusalem was a Roman colony by the name of Aelia Capitolina.
The push to include the site on the list of World Heritage sites was led by Israel's ambassador to UNESCO and the OECD, Carmel Shama-Hacohen, and the the Foreign Ministry's department of international organizations.
Once declared a World Heritage Site, the possessing state and authority obliged to maintain the site and its environment, protecting it from development that does fit its spirit and character. Such a declaration leads to an increase in the number of tourists who visit the site.
The Israel Nature and Parks Authority said Sunday that the site is the oldest and most densely populated cemetery in Israel, and one of the most crowded burial sites in the Roman world, similar to the catacombs in Rome.
"This is the most important ancient Jewish cemetery, and it contains a wide variety of architectural burial styles, containing a varied wealth of Classical Oriental Roman art, combined with folk art, with hundreds of inscriptions in four languages - Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic and Palmyric."
The Authority's chief archaeologist, Dr. Zvika Zuk, said after the announcement: "Beit She'arim is a moving testimony to our ancestors which has almost no equal anywhere else in the world. When visiting Beit She'arim's necropolis, one feels the beating heart of the Jewish people."
Last year, Beit Guvrin was declared a World Heritage Site. Other sites previously added to the prestigious list were the Nahal Me’arot Nature Reserve, the Baha'i holy sites in Haifa and the Western Galilee, the Incense Route and its Nabatean towns, the biblical tels of Megiddo, Hazor and Be'er Sheva, The White City of Tel Aviv, Masada and the Old City of Acre. The Old City of Jerusalem and its walls were the first Israeli heritage site declared by UNESCO, in 1981.
Shama-Hacohen said, "This amazing achievement of unprecedented support proves that Israel initiates positive moves decisively and wisely and does not just defend and push back, and that it can reap fruits even in problematic forums such as UN organizations."
Over the weekend, UNESCO declared Al-Maghtas, the site of Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River, a World Heritage Site. Jordan painted it as a great victory for them in light of Israel's attempts, they argue, to appropriate the site.
Jordan has in its territory several World Heritage sites, such as Petra, Wadi Rum and Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a).
Beit She'arim was considered to be the regional grain storehouse during the Mishnaic period. According to the historian Josephus Flavius, these were the barns of Queen Berenice, the sister of Agrippa II, who ruled the country under the Romans in the first century AD.
Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi lived most of his life in Beit She'arim, only spending the last 17 years of his life in the not-far village of Tzipori. In his last will and testament, he asked to be buried in Beit She'arim, which turned the village during the 3rd century ACE into the Jewish necropolis (city of the dead) of its time.
Many wanted to be buried next to Rabbi Yehuda as an alternative to burial in Jerusalem, where it was forbidden to be buried due to Roman edicts issued at the time, when Jerusalem was a Roman colony by the name of Aelia Capitolina.
The push to include the site on the list of World Heritage sites was led by Israel's ambassador to UNESCO and the OECD, Carmel Shama-Hacohen, and the the Foreign Ministry's department of international organizations.
Once declared a World Heritage Site, the possessing state and authority obliged to maintain the site and its environment, protecting it from development that does fit its spirit and character. Such a declaration leads to an increase in the number of tourists who visit the site.
The Israel Nature and Parks Authority said Sunday that the site is the oldest and most densely populated cemetery in Israel, and one of the most crowded burial sites in the Roman world, similar to the catacombs in Rome.
"This is the most important ancient Jewish cemetery, and it contains a wide variety of architectural burial styles, containing a varied wealth of Classical Oriental Roman art, combined with folk art, with hundreds of inscriptions in four languages - Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic and Palmyric."
The Authority's chief archaeologist, Dr. Zvika Zuk, said after the announcement: "Beit She'arim is a moving testimony to our ancestors which has almost no equal anywhere else in the world. When visiting Beit She'arim's necropolis, one feels the beating heart of the Jewish people."
Last year, Beit Guvrin was declared a World Heritage Site. Other sites previously added to the prestigious list were the Nahal Me’arot Nature Reserve, the Baha'i holy sites in Haifa and the Western Galilee, the Incense Route and its Nabatean towns, the biblical tels of Megiddo, Hazor and Be'er Sheva, The White City of Tel Aviv, Masada and the Old City of Acre. The Old City of Jerusalem and its walls were the first Israeli heritage site declared by UNESCO, in 1981.
Shama-Hacohen said, "This amazing achievement of unprecedented support proves that Israel initiates positive moves decisively and wisely and does not just defend and push back, and that it can reap fruits even in problematic forums such as UN organizations."
Over the weekend, UNESCO declared Al-Maghtas, the site of Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River, a World Heritage Site. Jordan painted it as a great victory for them in light of Israel's attempts, they argue, to appropriate the site.
Jordan has in its territory several World Heritage sites, such as Petra, Wadi Rum and Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a).
5 july 2015
The new generation of young men drafting into the IDF will be the first to serve less than three years, a decision which will vastly affect manpower numbers in the IDF and force the different branches to come up with some creative solutions.
The young men being inducted in the upcoming July-august draft will be making history – they will be the first to serve less than three years, forcing the military branches to adopt some unique solutions to bridge the manpower gap. In accordance with a decision made by the last government, male soldiers will serve two years and eight months.
The IDF hoped that the gap in personnel (equal to nine battalions), would be minimized by extending female service by four months, and increasing the number of Haredi draftees; however, the government decided to leave the situation as is.
The ground forces branch is expected to have all Special Forces troops, field commanders, and all special position holders, sign on for three full years – being granted career army conditions in the last four months. The air force, however, has come up with a different plan.
Israel's strategic arm, the air force, is looking at a loss of hundreds of soldiers serving in critical combat support roles.
As a substitute to a draftee, the air force is looking to outsource some technical aspects to civilian companies, in a manner that would also save the air force millions every year. "We are at the height of mapping our needs to create alternatives to the decline in manpower, like outsourcing tasks relating to repairing F-16 avionics," a high ranking air force officer said to Ynet.
"We are working towards a contract with one of the major defense companies, which will see the establishment of a maintenance center for parts and systems within the company, which will replace existing air force repair labs. There are a lot of advantages to this process in terms of preserving data and updated equipment. This process alone will eliminate multiple personnel positions."
In addition to the civilian maintenance center for fighter jets, the air force is planning to outsource its stock warehouses for the UAV division. "We are introducing advanced technology that will replace soldiers, for example a guided robot that is currently in service with the American army, which opens and closes screws on aircraft, a process that is currently done by soldiers," the officer said. In addition to these changes, the IAF's courses are expected to change in a way that will make them more efficient, and most likely shorter.
According to the officer, "we are examining the whole training process, from the beginning, with the trade school students, who also need to undergo a multi-month course in the military. We will find a better way to utilize their time in the courses, including doing less kitchen duty, in addition to shortening the courses and extending the on site training period."
The air force also plans on enlarging the amount of soldiers serving in technical positions. Today 30% of the force's technical staff are women; the air force is looking to increase the number by at least 10%. The force is looking to expand the technical positions available to women, and just recently marked a mile stone when two female officers at the rank of major where appointed as technical officers at Iron dome batteries, maintaining thier rader systems.
Three female officers of the same rank where appointed to key positions as air force representatives in the US: Communications officer in charge of engines in the attaché's office in Washington, a key officer in F35 (Adir) program, and project head of C-130j (Shimson) program.
The young men being inducted in the upcoming July-august draft will be making history – they will be the first to serve less than three years, forcing the military branches to adopt some unique solutions to bridge the manpower gap. In accordance with a decision made by the last government, male soldiers will serve two years and eight months.
The IDF hoped that the gap in personnel (equal to nine battalions), would be minimized by extending female service by four months, and increasing the number of Haredi draftees; however, the government decided to leave the situation as is.
The ground forces branch is expected to have all Special Forces troops, field commanders, and all special position holders, sign on for three full years – being granted career army conditions in the last four months. The air force, however, has come up with a different plan.
Israel's strategic arm, the air force, is looking at a loss of hundreds of soldiers serving in critical combat support roles.
As a substitute to a draftee, the air force is looking to outsource some technical aspects to civilian companies, in a manner that would also save the air force millions every year. "We are at the height of mapping our needs to create alternatives to the decline in manpower, like outsourcing tasks relating to repairing F-16 avionics," a high ranking air force officer said to Ynet.
"We are working towards a contract with one of the major defense companies, which will see the establishment of a maintenance center for parts and systems within the company, which will replace existing air force repair labs. There are a lot of advantages to this process in terms of preserving data and updated equipment. This process alone will eliminate multiple personnel positions."
In addition to the civilian maintenance center for fighter jets, the air force is planning to outsource its stock warehouses for the UAV division. "We are introducing advanced technology that will replace soldiers, for example a guided robot that is currently in service with the American army, which opens and closes screws on aircraft, a process that is currently done by soldiers," the officer said. In addition to these changes, the IAF's courses are expected to change in a way that will make them more efficient, and most likely shorter.
According to the officer, "we are examining the whole training process, from the beginning, with the trade school students, who also need to undergo a multi-month course in the military. We will find a better way to utilize their time in the courses, including doing less kitchen duty, in addition to shortening the courses and extending the on site training period."
The air force also plans on enlarging the amount of soldiers serving in technical positions. Today 30% of the force's technical staff are women; the air force is looking to increase the number by at least 10%. The force is looking to expand the technical positions available to women, and just recently marked a mile stone when two female officers at the rank of major where appointed as technical officers at Iron dome batteries, maintaining thier rader systems.
Three female officers of the same rank where appointed to key positions as air force representatives in the US: Communications officer in charge of engines in the attaché's office in Washington, a key officer in F35 (Adir) program, and project head of C-130j (Shimson) program.
The Knesset will today discuss a draft law preventing the nomination of Arabs who reject Israeli policy.
The Israeli Ministerial Committee of Law will today discuss a draft law which would add an amendment onto the original Knesset law.
Under this amendment, any person who participates in illegal activities against the Israeli army, the state and its population, or who publicly expresses their support for such activities, will not be permitted to run in the Knesset elections.
The Committee will discuss this draft law aiming to impose a jail-term penalty on whomever attempts to reject Israeli national policy.
The goal of this amendment is allegedly to add force to the power of deterrence, and to raise the price paid by the perpetrators of such acts.
The Israeli Ministerial Committee of Law will today discuss a draft law which would add an amendment onto the original Knesset law.
Under this amendment, any person who participates in illegal activities against the Israeli army, the state and its population, or who publicly expresses their support for such activities, will not be permitted to run in the Knesset elections.
The Committee will discuss this draft law aiming to impose a jail-term penalty on whomever attempts to reject Israeli national policy.
The goal of this amendment is allegedly to add force to the power of deterrence, and to raise the price paid by the perpetrators of such acts.
Assistant Commissioner Ephraim Bracha ends his life in his car; Bracha rose through the ranks in high-profile investigations and bribery scandals.
Israel's number one detective, Assistant Commissioner Ephraim Bracha, who was suspect in multiple bribery scandals, shot himself in his car near his home in Modiin early Sunday morning. Paramedics arrived on the scene where they declare his death.
Bracha was thought of by some as a brilliant detective and one of the most skilled officers in the police force. He had risen to fame within the police ranks, after recently leading sensitive investigations of national importance.
Bracha's name had rose to national attention when his name was brought up in connection with bribery allegations in the case of the Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto. However, all appeals against his new appointment as assistant commissioner where denied.
An appeal against Bracha's appointment to chief of the national fraud unit was denied. Three judges, including the Supreme Court president, Asher Grunis, stated the Bracha was qualified for the position due to his achievements in the police. Bracha led the fraud unit during the investigations of Minister Silvan Shalom and MK Fuad Ben-Eliezer.
The judges said that the state and the prosecutor challenged the Court's decision at the time; however, they were unable to appeal the decision after failing to find new evidence. The prosecution did state, however, that new evidence had come up pointing to institutional failures that where not directly tied to Bracha but may have changed the judge's decision to not intervene in his appointment.
Related: Senior Israeli officer at Shabak commits suicide
Israel's number one detective, Assistant Commissioner Ephraim Bracha, who was suspect in multiple bribery scandals, shot himself in his car near his home in Modiin early Sunday morning. Paramedics arrived on the scene where they declare his death.
Bracha was thought of by some as a brilliant detective and one of the most skilled officers in the police force. He had risen to fame within the police ranks, after recently leading sensitive investigations of national importance.
Bracha's name had rose to national attention when his name was brought up in connection with bribery allegations in the case of the Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto. However, all appeals against his new appointment as assistant commissioner where denied.
An appeal against Bracha's appointment to chief of the national fraud unit was denied. Three judges, including the Supreme Court president, Asher Grunis, stated the Bracha was qualified for the position due to his achievements in the police. Bracha led the fraud unit during the investigations of Minister Silvan Shalom and MK Fuad Ben-Eliezer.
The judges said that the state and the prosecutor challenged the Court's decision at the time; however, they were unable to appeal the decision after failing to find new evidence. The prosecution did state, however, that new evidence had come up pointing to institutional failures that where not directly tied to Bracha but may have changed the judge's decision to not intervene in his appointment.
Related: Senior Israeli officer at Shabak commits suicide
4 july 2015
The Israeli government prevented an Israeli deputy minister from traveling to Turkey to participate in breaking the fast during Ramadan
According to Ma’an News, the Israeli government refused to allow Ayoub Kara, the Druze deputy minister for regional cooperation from the Likud party, to travel to Turkey. The main objective of the visit was to strengthen the relationship between Israel and Turkey, an important state in the region, in order to join forces against ISIS and other terrorist organisations present in the region. The visit was scheduled to happen two days ago.
Israeli-Turkish relations have remained tense following the death of eight Turkish nationals and one American-Turkish activist on the Mavi Marmara flotilla sent from Turkey to Gaza in May 2010. According to Al Jazeera, Israel officially apologised for its mistakes during the raid, however the countries have yet to agree on a compensation deal.
Kara had been invited by important figures in Turkey to attend the Iftar ceremony during the holy month of Ramadan, however Ma’an writes that Kara claimed to have been pressured by high-standing employees in the Prime Minister’s office as well as the Foreign Ministry to cancel his trip to Turkey due to various reasons.
According to Kara, one of the reasons was that Sheikh Adnan, who organised the Iftar, is at odds with the Turkish authorities, and it could further harm relations between the two countries should Kara attend events with Sheikh Adnan. The decision to not attend the Iftar resulted in harsh criticism from Turkish circles against Israel.
According to Ma’an News, the Israeli government refused to allow Ayoub Kara, the Druze deputy minister for regional cooperation from the Likud party, to travel to Turkey. The main objective of the visit was to strengthen the relationship between Israel and Turkey, an important state in the region, in order to join forces against ISIS and other terrorist organisations present in the region. The visit was scheduled to happen two days ago.
Israeli-Turkish relations have remained tense following the death of eight Turkish nationals and one American-Turkish activist on the Mavi Marmara flotilla sent from Turkey to Gaza in May 2010. According to Al Jazeera, Israel officially apologised for its mistakes during the raid, however the countries have yet to agree on a compensation deal.
Kara had been invited by important figures in Turkey to attend the Iftar ceremony during the holy month of Ramadan, however Ma’an writes that Kara claimed to have been pressured by high-standing employees in the Prime Minister’s office as well as the Foreign Ministry to cancel his trip to Turkey due to various reasons.
According to Kara, one of the reasons was that Sheikh Adnan, who organised the Iftar, is at odds with the Turkish authorities, and it could further harm relations between the two countries should Kara attend events with Sheikh Adnan. The decision to not attend the Iftar resulted in harsh criticism from Turkish circles against Israel.
Hilary Clinton, presidential candidate and wife of former United States (US) President Bill Clinton, today held a meeting with the US Jewish Lobby leadership who have offered huge financial support to candidates running in the next general elections.
Presidential candidate Clinton informed the Jewish Lobby that it would be better for Israel and the Jewish people were she elected to be US President, and that the relationship between the US and Israel would be much better than it currently is under President Obama, who is also from the Democratic party.
According to Hebrew news site Walla, Clinton’s remarks were documented in American newspaper Politico during her request for financial support, for her election campaign, made to senior Jewish businessmen from the most prominant Jewish Lobby in the US. She promised to them that Israel-US relations, which have deteriorated under the leaderships of Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama, will improve, saying that the personal relationship between the two countries was of utmost importance within the wider field of diplomacy.
Clinton clarified to the Jewish Lobby members during the meeting held in Manhattan, New York, that the close ties between Netanyahu and the American leadership had begun during her husband’s term as President, and that as such they would continue to improve.
Despite the announcement of her intent to strengthen Israeli-US ties, Clinton did not hide her support for a nuclear deal between the Western world and Iran
Politico indicated that former Israeli Ambassador to Washington and current member of the Knesset, Mikel Oron, attended the meeting. Oron is one of the most prominent supporters and promoters of Clinton in her presidential race.
Presidential candidate Clinton informed the Jewish Lobby that it would be better for Israel and the Jewish people were she elected to be US President, and that the relationship between the US and Israel would be much better than it currently is under President Obama, who is also from the Democratic party.
According to Hebrew news site Walla, Clinton’s remarks were documented in American newspaper Politico during her request for financial support, for her election campaign, made to senior Jewish businessmen from the most prominant Jewish Lobby in the US. She promised to them that Israel-US relations, which have deteriorated under the leaderships of Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama, will improve, saying that the personal relationship between the two countries was of utmost importance within the wider field of diplomacy.
Clinton clarified to the Jewish Lobby members during the meeting held in Manhattan, New York, that the close ties between Netanyahu and the American leadership had begun during her husband’s term as President, and that as such they would continue to improve.
Despite the announcement of her intent to strengthen Israeli-US ties, Clinton did not hide her support for a nuclear deal between the Western world and Iran
Politico indicated that former Israeli Ambassador to Washington and current member of the Knesset, Mikel Oron, attended the meeting. Oron is one of the most prominent supporters and promoters of Clinton in her presidential race.
Lieberman predicts that the Israeli government will either fall before the end of the year or require restructuring.
Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the right-wing opposition party Yisrael Beiteinu, anticipates the fall or restructuring of the current Netanyahu government before the end of this year, saying it will not be able to pass the state budget at this time, when it is only supported by a coalition of 61 deputies.
Lieberman stressed that there are many differences in the ideological positions between him and Netanyahu, accusing the latter of not following through on many promises agreed upon in the political agreement with the ultra-Orthodox Jewish Haredim parties.
On the occasion of the first anniversary of Operation Protective Edge in the Gaza Strip, during which Lieberman was the foreign minister, he said that Israel allowed Hamas to produce rockets and dig tunnels in exchange for their silence.
Lieberman stated in a cultural symposium in the city Beersheba that he explained at the time that Netanyahu remains unable to undermine the rule of Hamas in Gaza, and that if it is impossible for him to do so, Netanyahu should not even try.
Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the right-wing opposition party Yisrael Beiteinu, anticipates the fall or restructuring of the current Netanyahu government before the end of this year, saying it will not be able to pass the state budget at this time, when it is only supported by a coalition of 61 deputies.
Lieberman stressed that there are many differences in the ideological positions between him and Netanyahu, accusing the latter of not following through on many promises agreed upon in the political agreement with the ultra-Orthodox Jewish Haredim parties.
On the occasion of the first anniversary of Operation Protective Edge in the Gaza Strip, during which Lieberman was the foreign minister, he said that Israel allowed Hamas to produce rockets and dig tunnels in exchange for their silence.
Lieberman stated in a cultural symposium in the city Beersheba that he explained at the time that Netanyahu remains unable to undermine the rule of Hamas in Gaza, and that if it is impossible for him to do so, Netanyahu should not even try.
The Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas Movement, strongly denied the Israeli claims over its involvement in the terrorist attacks in Sinai Peninsula.
Abu Obaida, the spokesman of the Qassam Brigades, said on Saturday on his official Twitter page that these statements are sheer lies and are aimed at sowing discord and disagreement between Hamas and Egypt.
Abu Obaida stressed that the armed wing of Hamas is only fighting inside Palestine and that it doesn’t have any “foreign agenda”.
Abu Obaida, the spokesman of the Qassam Brigades, said on Saturday on his official Twitter page that these statements are sheer lies and are aimed at sowing discord and disagreement between Hamas and Egypt.
Abu Obaida stressed that the armed wing of Hamas is only fighting inside Palestine and that it doesn’t have any “foreign agenda”.
Egyptian military spokesman, Brig-Gen Mohammed Samir, denied Friday Israeli claims saying that a rocket was fired from Sinai into Eshkol in southern Israel.
Speaking to Anatolia news agency, the spokesman strongly denied Israeli claims, saying “What will we profit from hitting Israel with rockets?!”
The situation was "100% under control" in Sinai Peninsula, he added.
Media sources reported earlier Friday that two missiles landed in open areas in Israel's Eshkol regional council, near the Gaza border.
Israeli sources said that they had been likely fired from the Sinai and not from Gaza Strip.
Egyptian security sources told Reuters they were investigating the reports and said there was no immediate evidence a rocket was launched from Egyptian territory.
The Israeli military on Friday closed a southern highway, part of which runs along the Egyptian border, as “a safety precaution.”
Israeli authorities also closed the border crossings with Egypt following Wednesday’s deadly attacks against Egyptian army in Sinai Peninsula.
Speaking to Anatolia news agency, the spokesman strongly denied Israeli claims, saying “What will we profit from hitting Israel with rockets?!”
The situation was "100% under control" in Sinai Peninsula, he added.
Media sources reported earlier Friday that two missiles landed in open areas in Israel's Eshkol regional council, near the Gaza border.
Israeli sources said that they had been likely fired from the Sinai and not from Gaza Strip.
Egyptian security sources told Reuters they were investigating the reports and said there was no immediate evidence a rocket was launched from Egyptian territory.
The Israeli military on Friday closed a southern highway, part of which runs along the Egyptian border, as “a safety precaution.”
Israeli authorities also closed the border crossings with Egypt following Wednesday’s deadly attacks against Egyptian army in Sinai Peninsula.
3 july 2015
Deputy of Israeli War Minister Eli Ben Dahan has submitted a draft resolution to forever displace the families of Palestinians who were involved in attacks against Israeli targets.
Israeli media reports quoted Friday Ben Dahan stating that displacing Palestinian militants and their families forever will help prevent them from committing attacks against Israeli targets.
Ben Dahan called on Israeli Justice Minister Elite Shaked to study the proposal to be then officially adopted, the sources added.
Israeli displacement policy has been carried out against Palestinians in total violation to international laws and conventions that strongly prevent the displacement of people protected under Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Israeli media reports quoted Friday Ben Dahan stating that displacing Palestinian militants and their families forever will help prevent them from committing attacks against Israeli targets.
Ben Dahan called on Israeli Justice Minister Elite Shaked to study the proposal to be then officially adopted, the sources added.
Israeli displacement policy has been carried out against Palestinians in total violation to international laws and conventions that strongly prevent the displacement of people protected under Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
The rocket that fell near the Sinai border
Salafist group in Gaza claims responsibility for rocket fire, but military source says rocket came from Sinai.
A rocket fired at southern Israel landed on Friday afternoon in an open area at the Eshkol Regional Council, close to the Israeli-Egyptian border. No one was hurt and no damage was caused.
Because of the proximity to the border, the IDF believes the rocket was fired from the Sinai Peninsula and not from the Gaza Strip. The Islamic State-affiliated Salafist organization in Gaza, the Sheikh Omar Hadid Brigade, claimed responsibility over the firing of the Sinai-made rocket.
"Yes, the rocket was fired from Sinai," a military source told Reuters.
It was possible the launch was linked to the fighting in Sinai, the military source said.
Egyptian military and security officials in Sinai denied any rockets were fired from the restive peninsula.
The rocket fire was preceeded with a code red siren shortly before 4:30 pm in Avshalom, Bnei Netsarim, Dekel, Yevul, Yated, Neve, Pri Gan, Sdei Avraham, Shlomit and Talmei Yosef - all communities near the Israel-Egypt border.
The rocket fire comes after two days of violent fighting between the Egyptian army and Islamic State-linked jihadists in Sinai.
After a combined assault launched by the Islamic State early Wednesday morning in Sinai, the IDF increased its presence on the Egyptian border. As part of the new raised level of alert, Highway 12 in southern Israel was closed to civilians since 5 am Friday morning.
The IDF said the "highway closing was done temporarily in line with the situation assessments, out of security considerations and the obligation to protect the citizens of Israel."
On Wednesday, jihadist terrorists affiliated with the Islamic State attacked at least 10 posts of the Egyptian army in Sinai and other targets in the peninsula. The jihadists also launched a series of terrorist bombings, using advanced weapons with which they reportedly killed some 70 Egyptian security forces.
Egypt called for aerial assistance, and Cairo claims its fighter jets killed at least 100 terrorists. Meanwhile, Cairo claimed only 17 of its soldiers were killed in the terror attacks.
Salafist group in Gaza claims responsibility for rocket fire, but military source says rocket came from Sinai.
A rocket fired at southern Israel landed on Friday afternoon in an open area at the Eshkol Regional Council, close to the Israeli-Egyptian border. No one was hurt and no damage was caused.
Because of the proximity to the border, the IDF believes the rocket was fired from the Sinai Peninsula and not from the Gaza Strip. The Islamic State-affiliated Salafist organization in Gaza, the Sheikh Omar Hadid Brigade, claimed responsibility over the firing of the Sinai-made rocket.
"Yes, the rocket was fired from Sinai," a military source told Reuters.
It was possible the launch was linked to the fighting in Sinai, the military source said.
Egyptian military and security officials in Sinai denied any rockets were fired from the restive peninsula.
The rocket fire was preceeded with a code red siren shortly before 4:30 pm in Avshalom, Bnei Netsarim, Dekel, Yevul, Yated, Neve, Pri Gan, Sdei Avraham, Shlomit and Talmei Yosef - all communities near the Israel-Egypt border.
The rocket fire comes after two days of violent fighting between the Egyptian army and Islamic State-linked jihadists in Sinai.
After a combined assault launched by the Islamic State early Wednesday morning in Sinai, the IDF increased its presence on the Egyptian border. As part of the new raised level of alert, Highway 12 in southern Israel was closed to civilians since 5 am Friday morning.
The IDF said the "highway closing was done temporarily in line with the situation assessments, out of security considerations and the obligation to protect the citizens of Israel."
On Wednesday, jihadist terrorists affiliated with the Islamic State attacked at least 10 posts of the Egyptian army in Sinai and other targets in the peninsula. The jihadists also launched a series of terrorist bombings, using advanced weapons with which they reportedly killed some 70 Egyptian security forces.
Egypt called for aerial assistance, and Cairo claims its fighter jets killed at least 100 terrorists. Meanwhile, Cairo claimed only 17 of its soldiers were killed in the terror attacks.
1 july 2015
Al-Nusra fighters - the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda that the US has targeted with airstrikes - have been among those receiving Israeli aid, espcially medical aid
Last month, the Syrian town of Hadar fell to opposition rebels; it was the last of the Druze towns along the Golan Heights ceasefire line still in government hands. Fears have grown for the safety of Hadar's residents, predominantly pro-regime, as the fighters who besieged the town reportedly include militants from Jabhat Al-Nusra; the group massacred 20 Druze in the Idlib province in early June.
Syrian Druze just across the border in the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights share this concern. They are so close to Hadar that they can watch its destruction through binoculars. Many have taken to the streets to call on Israel and the international community to protect their Druze brethren. Their protests have not only drawn attention to their plight, but also the curious way that Israel is dealing with the situation just across the border.
There are four Syrian Druze villages remaining in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Israel occupied the area in 1967, before formally annexing it in 1981 in a move not recognised by the international community and not accepted by the local population. The majority refuse Israeli passports and identify themselves as Syrian.
At the start of the Syrian civil war, the country's Druze refused to take an active stance against the government and thousands have since died fighting in the Syrian army. In the occupied Golan, divisions have crept into the Syrian Druze communities between Assad supporters and his opponents. Yet, support for Assad remains strong within the community, and a few Golan Druze have even appeared beyond the border fence, fighting on the regime's side.
This position differs from that of Israel, which has been supporting the Syrian rebels tactically for some time. Since 2012, quarterly reports issued by the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) – stationed on the ceasefire line separating the Syrian Golan from the Israeli-occupied Golan - have revealed frequent interactions between the Israeli army and fighters from armed groups in Syria. They have noted the movement of fighters - both wounded and healthy - as well as cargo and other equipment across the border, through liaison with the Israeli army.
The major concern of Syrian Druze in the occupied Golan is that Al-Nusra fighters - the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda that the US has targeted with airstrikes - have been among those receiving Israeli aid. Tensions culminated in residents from the Syrian Druze village of Majdal Shams ambushing an Israeli ambulance carrying two rebel fighters on 22 June. A crowd gathered demanding to know if the men in the ambulance were Al-Nusra fighters, before beating one to death and leaving the other seriously injured.
Despite Al-Nusra being a branch of a group which Israel would certainly not describe as an ally, such allegations are well founded. In August 2014, Al-Nusra captured Quneitra, a key crossing point between Syrian-controlled territory and the Israeli-occupied portion of the Golan Heights, which provided them with direct contact with the Israelis.
A Wall Street Journal article published in March of this year quoted an Israeli military official noting that the army was aware that most of the rebels in the area around the border fence were from Al-Nusra and that Israel treats wounded Syrians without question or a screening process to determine who belongs to which group. Until his arrest in February Sidqi Maqt, a Druze from Majdal Shams, spent three years documenting meetings between Israeli army personnel and Syrian opposition fighters, including Al-Nusra.
Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Ya'alon acknowledged on Monday that Israel has been providing Syria rebels with aid, without mentioning Al-Nusra. Israeli officials have stuck to the line that they don't interfere in the Syrian conflict and have no contact with the rebels except to provide humanitarian assistance to wounded Syrians. Briefing reporters on Monday, Ya'alon said that, from the outset, Israel knew that there were rebels among those it was helping and "placed two conditions on this aid - that terrorist groups not approach the fence, and that the Druze not be touched."
The question of whether this support extends further remains unanswered. Bashar Al-Assad believes it does. In an interview with Foreign Affairs in January, he said: "Some in Syria joke: 'How can you say that Al-Qaeda doesn't have an air force? They have the Israeli air force'."
Israel has certainly used military means to play a hand in who controls the region along its borders. In January, for example, an Israeli helicopter attacked and killed a senior member of Iran's Revolutionary Guards and at least six members of Hezbollah, including Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of slain Hezbollah military leader Imad Mughniyeh, in Quneitra.
The media reported that on 23 September last year, Israel downed a MiG-21 Syrian military aircraft over the occupied Golan Heights during the intensification of fighting between rebels led by Jabhat Al-Nusra and the Syrian army. An article in Al-Monitor by writer Khaled Atallah mentions this as evidence of Israel coordinating attacks in Syria with Al-Nusra. A general from the Syrian army told Atallah that during the battle, "Israel supported gunmen by providing them with cover under the pretext of 'shooting back', hindering any attempts by the Syrian air force to intervene."
Since seizing the border crossing in August, Al-Nusra Front has not created any problems for Israel. On the other hand, the Damascus regime, which controlled the area previously, is propped up by two of Israel's biggest enemies in Lebanon's Hezbollah and Iran. Ya'alon has stated repeatedly his belief that Iran is seeking to open a new front against Israel from the Syrian Golan Heights. Hezbollah has already targeted Israeli troops in the area with several small-scale roadside bomb and rocket attacks.
Even if assistance to Al-Nusra manages, at least temporarily, to secure a security belt for Israel in the Golan region, it seems to be fuelling unrest domestically and pits Tel Aviv against the likes of its main ally, the United States.
The attack on the ambulance in Majdal Shams is no doubt being taken seriously in Tel Aviv; it happened within territory under Israeli control, it involved citizens attacking a military ambulance and overpowering IDF soldiers, and a wounded person being treated by the army was murdered. But Israel knows that it must respond cautiously in order to prevent further spillover. It does not want to alienate the large Druze population in Israel proper where, unlike the Syrian Druze in the occupied Golan, most are Israeli citizens and include many serving Israeli soldiers and veterans. The conditions applied to aid for opposition fighters mentioned by Ya'alon; Israeli government promises to protect the Druze; and the recent IDF tour of the Golan for Druze leaders, are attempts to reassure the Druze population. But will they be enough?
Last month, the Syrian town of Hadar fell to opposition rebels; it was the last of the Druze towns along the Golan Heights ceasefire line still in government hands. Fears have grown for the safety of Hadar's residents, predominantly pro-regime, as the fighters who besieged the town reportedly include militants from Jabhat Al-Nusra; the group massacred 20 Druze in the Idlib province in early June.
Syrian Druze just across the border in the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights share this concern. They are so close to Hadar that they can watch its destruction through binoculars. Many have taken to the streets to call on Israel and the international community to protect their Druze brethren. Their protests have not only drawn attention to their plight, but also the curious way that Israel is dealing with the situation just across the border.
There are four Syrian Druze villages remaining in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Israel occupied the area in 1967, before formally annexing it in 1981 in a move not recognised by the international community and not accepted by the local population. The majority refuse Israeli passports and identify themselves as Syrian.
At the start of the Syrian civil war, the country's Druze refused to take an active stance against the government and thousands have since died fighting in the Syrian army. In the occupied Golan, divisions have crept into the Syrian Druze communities between Assad supporters and his opponents. Yet, support for Assad remains strong within the community, and a few Golan Druze have even appeared beyond the border fence, fighting on the regime's side.
This position differs from that of Israel, which has been supporting the Syrian rebels tactically for some time. Since 2012, quarterly reports issued by the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) – stationed on the ceasefire line separating the Syrian Golan from the Israeli-occupied Golan - have revealed frequent interactions between the Israeli army and fighters from armed groups in Syria. They have noted the movement of fighters - both wounded and healthy - as well as cargo and other equipment across the border, through liaison with the Israeli army.
The major concern of Syrian Druze in the occupied Golan is that Al-Nusra fighters - the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda that the US has targeted with airstrikes - have been among those receiving Israeli aid. Tensions culminated in residents from the Syrian Druze village of Majdal Shams ambushing an Israeli ambulance carrying two rebel fighters on 22 June. A crowd gathered demanding to know if the men in the ambulance were Al-Nusra fighters, before beating one to death and leaving the other seriously injured.
Despite Al-Nusra being a branch of a group which Israel would certainly not describe as an ally, such allegations are well founded. In August 2014, Al-Nusra captured Quneitra, a key crossing point between Syrian-controlled territory and the Israeli-occupied portion of the Golan Heights, which provided them with direct contact with the Israelis.
A Wall Street Journal article published in March of this year quoted an Israeli military official noting that the army was aware that most of the rebels in the area around the border fence were from Al-Nusra and that Israel treats wounded Syrians without question or a screening process to determine who belongs to which group. Until his arrest in February Sidqi Maqt, a Druze from Majdal Shams, spent three years documenting meetings between Israeli army personnel and Syrian opposition fighters, including Al-Nusra.
Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Ya'alon acknowledged on Monday that Israel has been providing Syria rebels with aid, without mentioning Al-Nusra. Israeli officials have stuck to the line that they don't interfere in the Syrian conflict and have no contact with the rebels except to provide humanitarian assistance to wounded Syrians. Briefing reporters on Monday, Ya'alon said that, from the outset, Israel knew that there were rebels among those it was helping and "placed two conditions on this aid - that terrorist groups not approach the fence, and that the Druze not be touched."
The question of whether this support extends further remains unanswered. Bashar Al-Assad believes it does. In an interview with Foreign Affairs in January, he said: "Some in Syria joke: 'How can you say that Al-Qaeda doesn't have an air force? They have the Israeli air force'."
Israel has certainly used military means to play a hand in who controls the region along its borders. In January, for example, an Israeli helicopter attacked and killed a senior member of Iran's Revolutionary Guards and at least six members of Hezbollah, including Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of slain Hezbollah military leader Imad Mughniyeh, in Quneitra.
The media reported that on 23 September last year, Israel downed a MiG-21 Syrian military aircraft over the occupied Golan Heights during the intensification of fighting between rebels led by Jabhat Al-Nusra and the Syrian army. An article in Al-Monitor by writer Khaled Atallah mentions this as evidence of Israel coordinating attacks in Syria with Al-Nusra. A general from the Syrian army told Atallah that during the battle, "Israel supported gunmen by providing them with cover under the pretext of 'shooting back', hindering any attempts by the Syrian air force to intervene."
Since seizing the border crossing in August, Al-Nusra Front has not created any problems for Israel. On the other hand, the Damascus regime, which controlled the area previously, is propped up by two of Israel's biggest enemies in Lebanon's Hezbollah and Iran. Ya'alon has stated repeatedly his belief that Iran is seeking to open a new front against Israel from the Syrian Golan Heights. Hezbollah has already targeted Israeli troops in the area with several small-scale roadside bomb and rocket attacks.
Even if assistance to Al-Nusra manages, at least temporarily, to secure a security belt for Israel in the Golan region, it seems to be fuelling unrest domestically and pits Tel Aviv against the likes of its main ally, the United States.
The attack on the ambulance in Majdal Shams is no doubt being taken seriously in Tel Aviv; it happened within territory under Israeli control, it involved citizens attacking a military ambulance and overpowering IDF soldiers, and a wounded person being treated by the army was murdered. But Israel knows that it must respond cautiously in order to prevent further spillover. It does not want to alienate the large Druze population in Israel proper where, unlike the Syrian Druze in the occupied Golan, most are Israeli citizens and include many serving Israeli soldiers and veterans. The conditions applied to aid for opposition fighters mentioned by Ya'alon; Israeli government promises to protect the Druze; and the recent IDF tour of the Golan for Druze leaders, are attempts to reassure the Druze population. But will they be enough?
