18 feb 2015
Kahlon on the train
Political contender and head of the Kulanu party greeted citizens on train from Haifa to Tel Aviv, taking selfies with supporters and answering tough questions about the housing crisis and his political allegiances.
Political contender Moshe Kahlon, ex-Likudnik and head of the Kulanu party, took his campaign to the train Wednesday, greeting passengers traveling from Haifa to Tel Aviv taking questions from them.
Many of the passengers did not cut the politician any slack and went straight to the heart of the matter – asking Kahlon why he has not officially announced whether he will join a government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"I want to vote for you," said one of the passengers to Kahlon, "but I'm nervous that I'll find you joining a leftist government." Kahlon responded to the woman: "I will join whoever makes room for my agenda. I do not rule out anyone, I see myself in every government. Why did I leave the Likud? Because I was not able to do the things I want to do in the Likud. I joined the Likud because of social issues, and I left the Likud because of social issues." Despite the tough questions, Kahlon was treated as a celebrity among the passengers of the train. Onlookers pointed at him, supporters flattered him and there were a few soldiers who were brave enough to ask for a selfie with the politician.
Of Kulanu's recent drop in the polls Kahlon said, "There is no doubt that there's a drop in morale. When we are predicted 10 seats the morale rises, and when we are predicted seven seats the morale drops. But the real survey will be on election day. We have a line that does not change whether it's winter or summer, and this is the social-economic line and solutions for housing." During the ride, Kahlon met Sofie Katz, 35, married and a mother of two, who criticized the politician on a subject of his expertise – the real estate crisis. "I'm your target audience," Katz said to Kahlon. "I don't have an apartment and we are unable to save up enough. It's obvious that the problem here is interest: People kill themselves over mortgages of a million shekel with low incomes, and when the interest goes up they will find themselves going under without being able to get back up. The issue is not the supply, but rather to get investors to stay away from the market of real-estate investments."
Kahlon responded to Katz and referred to his economic plan, "At face-value, your claim is correct, but that is just part of the solution. It is not right to solve one problem and create another one. It's complicated to separate between interest and mortgages. We must produce sources for capital other than those we have today and competition in banking. We must create supply - otherwise we will not succeed in lowering the price of housing. Currently, there is a shortage of 150,000 housing units and every apartment that is built is immediately bought. You rent at a high price because the homeowner is taking advantage of you. My daughter pays 6,000 shekel a month.
This is a result of a shortage." When Katz offers that the solution could be to bring Chinese contractors to Israel, Kahlon disagreed and said: "Contractors will not be able to hold the infrastructure and profiteer it. There will be a tax for those who sit on lands. Small contractors must be given an opportunity." As Kahlon continued to make his way down the train, Katz said: "He has good intentions. I'm considering voting for him in order to punish those who did not fulfill their promises. The housing market has reached an explosive point, and nobody wants to touch this hot potato. I do not know if he will succeed in changing it."
Kahlon fears that diplomacy and security will take over the government's agenda, and according to Kahlon, the attention given to the state comptroller's report on the spending at the Prime Minister's Office is taking away attention from what matters most. "The report has difficult findings. It is not comforting to hear that the prime minister and his family operate in this way. But that is for the public to examine. When it becomes the central issue, we forget the real problems that brought us to this election," said Kahlon. Kahlon also referred to the state of public transportation in Israel and said: "Public transportation has always been a second priority for investment compared to private vehicles.
But public transportation and connecting the periphery to the center is a national mission and a top tier social issue. Connecting the periphery to the center has big implications for the economy and the ability of hundreds of thousands of citizens to earn a decent living and buy a home."
"The availability of lines, quality of infrastructure, consistency of schedules and synchronizing the different forms of transportation are national missions. In order to beat the housing crisis, we must also beat the issue of public transportation and this is exactly what I plan to do."
Political contender and head of the Kulanu party greeted citizens on train from Haifa to Tel Aviv, taking selfies with supporters and answering tough questions about the housing crisis and his political allegiances.
Political contender Moshe Kahlon, ex-Likudnik and head of the Kulanu party, took his campaign to the train Wednesday, greeting passengers traveling from Haifa to Tel Aviv taking questions from them.
Many of the passengers did not cut the politician any slack and went straight to the heart of the matter – asking Kahlon why he has not officially announced whether he will join a government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"I want to vote for you," said one of the passengers to Kahlon, "but I'm nervous that I'll find you joining a leftist government." Kahlon responded to the woman: "I will join whoever makes room for my agenda. I do not rule out anyone, I see myself in every government. Why did I leave the Likud? Because I was not able to do the things I want to do in the Likud. I joined the Likud because of social issues, and I left the Likud because of social issues." Despite the tough questions, Kahlon was treated as a celebrity among the passengers of the train. Onlookers pointed at him, supporters flattered him and there were a few soldiers who were brave enough to ask for a selfie with the politician.
Of Kulanu's recent drop in the polls Kahlon said, "There is no doubt that there's a drop in morale. When we are predicted 10 seats the morale rises, and when we are predicted seven seats the morale drops. But the real survey will be on election day. We have a line that does not change whether it's winter or summer, and this is the social-economic line and solutions for housing." During the ride, Kahlon met Sofie Katz, 35, married and a mother of two, who criticized the politician on a subject of his expertise – the real estate crisis. "I'm your target audience," Katz said to Kahlon. "I don't have an apartment and we are unable to save up enough. It's obvious that the problem here is interest: People kill themselves over mortgages of a million shekel with low incomes, and when the interest goes up they will find themselves going under without being able to get back up. The issue is not the supply, but rather to get investors to stay away from the market of real-estate investments."
Kahlon responded to Katz and referred to his economic plan, "At face-value, your claim is correct, but that is just part of the solution. It is not right to solve one problem and create another one. It's complicated to separate between interest and mortgages. We must produce sources for capital other than those we have today and competition in banking. We must create supply - otherwise we will not succeed in lowering the price of housing. Currently, there is a shortage of 150,000 housing units and every apartment that is built is immediately bought. You rent at a high price because the homeowner is taking advantage of you. My daughter pays 6,000 shekel a month.
This is a result of a shortage." When Katz offers that the solution could be to bring Chinese contractors to Israel, Kahlon disagreed and said: "Contractors will not be able to hold the infrastructure and profiteer it. There will be a tax for those who sit on lands. Small contractors must be given an opportunity." As Kahlon continued to make his way down the train, Katz said: "He has good intentions. I'm considering voting for him in order to punish those who did not fulfill their promises. The housing market has reached an explosive point, and nobody wants to touch this hot potato. I do not know if he will succeed in changing it."
Kahlon fears that diplomacy and security will take over the government's agenda, and according to Kahlon, the attention given to the state comptroller's report on the spending at the Prime Minister's Office is taking away attention from what matters most. "The report has difficult findings. It is not comforting to hear that the prime minister and his family operate in this way. But that is for the public to examine. When it becomes the central issue, we forget the real problems that brought us to this election," said Kahlon. Kahlon also referred to the state of public transportation in Israel and said: "Public transportation has always been a second priority for investment compared to private vehicles.
But public transportation and connecting the periphery to the center is a national mission and a top tier social issue. Connecting the periphery to the center has big implications for the economy and the ability of hundreds of thousands of citizens to earn a decent living and buy a home."
"The availability of lines, quality of infrastructure, consistency of schedules and synchronizing the different forms of transportation are national missions. In order to beat the housing crisis, we must also beat the issue of public transportation and this is exactly what I plan to do."
Prime minister says comptroller report on spending in the PMO is a 'smoke screen meant to allow Livni to infiltrate the Prime Minister's Office'; asserts Herzog and Livni will rush to 'negotiation of concessions' with Abbas.
Seeking to draw the heat away from him, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed his rivals in the Zionist Camp, Isaac Herzog and Tzipi Livni, who said on Wednesday they will not negotiate with Hamas.
"The media circus around the Comptroller report is a smoke screen meant to allow Tzipi Livni to infiltrate the Prime Minister's Office," Netanyahu told Likud supporters in Ashkelon. "The reason they're trying to hide her and occupy the public with other things is a good one: Tzipi Livni is a danger to the country."
Meeting with residents from the Gaza border communities on Wednesday, Herzog vowed that if he were to be elected Israel next prime minister he would not "release murderers with blood on their hands and won’t negotiate with Hamas."
"In order to change the situation, we need to take initiative, and we will work to promote the demilitarization and rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip,” Herzog said. “Netanyahu failed in taking care of security.” Livni also slammed Netanyahu for failing to secure Hamas' disarmament when Israel and the terror group agreed on an internationally-brokered ceasefire.
"There was a proposal that could have prevented the Palestinians from going to the UN, a situation which has put Israel in danger. Netanyahu said yes to Hamas, but we will say no to terror. We will enlist the world and mend out ties with the US," Livni said. The prime minister asserted that the smoke screen put up by the Zionist Camp serves a double purpose. "It's not only meant to hide her, but also say that she, as she said today, will not negotiate with Hamas.
"Well, she went to Abbas, against my opinion and my specific instruction and the government's decision, to meet with him several days before he signed a unity agreement with Hamas. "Herzog, her partner, also said he will run to Abbas, who is in a unity government with Hamas," Netanyahu said. "When Buji (Herzog) and Tzipi run to Abbas after the elections, they will hold negotiations of concessions with him in Ramallah. Their concessions will lead to the formation of a second Hamastan in Judea and Samaria. That's the truth they're trying to hide from the public.
We'll make sure this truth is out in the open," the prime minister went on to say. "That is the true decision (need to be made) in these elections: Buji and Livni heading the left or the Likud under my leadership. Everyone knows who will stand up to Hamas and who will fold to Hamas."
Seeking to draw the heat away from him, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed his rivals in the Zionist Camp, Isaac Herzog and Tzipi Livni, who said on Wednesday they will not negotiate with Hamas.
"The media circus around the Comptroller report is a smoke screen meant to allow Tzipi Livni to infiltrate the Prime Minister's Office," Netanyahu told Likud supporters in Ashkelon. "The reason they're trying to hide her and occupy the public with other things is a good one: Tzipi Livni is a danger to the country."
Meeting with residents from the Gaza border communities on Wednesday, Herzog vowed that if he were to be elected Israel next prime minister he would not "release murderers with blood on their hands and won’t negotiate with Hamas."
"In order to change the situation, we need to take initiative, and we will work to promote the demilitarization and rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip,” Herzog said. “Netanyahu failed in taking care of security.” Livni also slammed Netanyahu for failing to secure Hamas' disarmament when Israel and the terror group agreed on an internationally-brokered ceasefire.
"There was a proposal that could have prevented the Palestinians from going to the UN, a situation which has put Israel in danger. Netanyahu said yes to Hamas, but we will say no to terror. We will enlist the world and mend out ties with the US," Livni said. The prime minister asserted that the smoke screen put up by the Zionist Camp serves a double purpose. "It's not only meant to hide her, but also say that she, as she said today, will not negotiate with Hamas.
"Well, she went to Abbas, against my opinion and my specific instruction and the government's decision, to meet with him several days before he signed a unity agreement with Hamas. "Herzog, her partner, also said he will run to Abbas, who is in a unity government with Hamas," Netanyahu said. "When Buji (Herzog) and Tzipi run to Abbas after the elections, they will hold negotiations of concessions with him in Ramallah. Their concessions will lead to the formation of a second Hamastan in Judea and Samaria. That's the truth they're trying to hide from the public.
We'll make sure this truth is out in the open," the prime minister went on to say. "That is the true decision (need to be made) in these elections: Buji and Livni heading the left or the Likud under my leadership. Everyone knows who will stand up to Hamas and who will fold to Hamas."
Baruch Marzel and Hanin Zoabi
The Israeli Supreme Court, on Wednesday, overruled a ban on a member of Knesset from Israel's Palestinian community, as well as another on an extreme right-wing Jewish activist, from running in next month's election, an official said.
Last week, according to AFP, the Central Elections Committee barred MK Hanin Zoabi, known for her staunch criticism of Israel's right-wing government, deeming her to be "hostile to the Jewish state".
It also excluded Baruch Marzel for allegations of racism.
"She can be a candidate," a spokesman for the courts administration said of Zoabi. "So can he (Marzel)."
The exclusion orders required the Supreme Court's ratification in order to take effect, and their rejection by the tribunal had been widely expected.
The CEC had barred Zoabi from standing in 2013, but this was also nullified.
Zoabi rejects the concept of Israel as a "Jewish" state and supports a single country in which Jews and Arabs have equal rights.
Arab-Israeli legal rights group "Adalah" said that the court's decision demonstrates the "improper motives" of the CEC, which it says "portrays Arab (MPs) as supporters of terrorism".
CEC decisions "are not only harming Arab political parties and candidates, but are also violating the basic rights of Arab citizens of Israel, namely their rights to political participation, freedom of expression, equality and dignity," it was added in a statement.
As for Marzel, a follower of the assassinated racist rabbi Meir Kahane, his attorney said that slurs against migrants and Arabs attributed to him were either never made or were misunderstood.
Last month, Israel's four Arab parties decided to fight the March 17 election as a single block. Zoabi is seventh on a united list, which opinion polls suggest could win between 10 and 13 seats in the 120-member Knesset.
Some 1.3 million Palestinian citizens live inside the official borders of Israel, and compose about 20 percent of the population.
They are the descendents of 160,000 people who remained on their land during the mass displacement of the remaining Palestinian population, during the creation of the Israeli state in 1948.
The Israeli Supreme Court, on Wednesday, overruled a ban on a member of Knesset from Israel's Palestinian community, as well as another on an extreme right-wing Jewish activist, from running in next month's election, an official said.
Last week, according to AFP, the Central Elections Committee barred MK Hanin Zoabi, known for her staunch criticism of Israel's right-wing government, deeming her to be "hostile to the Jewish state".
It also excluded Baruch Marzel for allegations of racism.
"She can be a candidate," a spokesman for the courts administration said of Zoabi. "So can he (Marzel)."
The exclusion orders required the Supreme Court's ratification in order to take effect, and their rejection by the tribunal had been widely expected.
The CEC had barred Zoabi from standing in 2013, but this was also nullified.
Zoabi rejects the concept of Israel as a "Jewish" state and supports a single country in which Jews and Arabs have equal rights.
Arab-Israeli legal rights group "Adalah" said that the court's decision demonstrates the "improper motives" of the CEC, which it says "portrays Arab (MPs) as supporters of terrorism".
CEC decisions "are not only harming Arab political parties and candidates, but are also violating the basic rights of Arab citizens of Israel, namely their rights to political participation, freedom of expression, equality and dignity," it was added in a statement.
As for Marzel, a follower of the assassinated racist rabbi Meir Kahane, his attorney said that slurs against migrants and Arabs attributed to him were either never made or were misunderstood.
Last month, Israel's four Arab parties decided to fight the March 17 election as a single block. Zoabi is seventh on a united list, which opinion polls suggest could win between 10 and 13 seats in the 120-member Knesset.
Some 1.3 million Palestinian citizens live inside the official borders of Israel, and compose about 20 percent of the population.
They are the descendents of 160,000 people who remained on their land during the mass displacement of the remaining Palestinian population, during the creation of the Israeli state in 1948.
President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner says US and Israel intervening in Argentina's business ahead of protest organized by investigating attorneys demanding answers in the mysterious death of prosecutor Alberto Nisman.
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez suggested on Wednesday that the United States and Israel were meddling in the South American country's business, the latest barb amid intensifying rhetoric ahead of a protest being organized by investigating attorneys demanding answers in the mysterious death of prosecutor Alberto Nisman.
Fernandez, who made the comments while visiting a nuclear power plant, didn't mention the march planned for Wednesday evening or Nisman, who was found dead Jan. 18, just hours before he was to elaborate to Congress on accusations that Fernandez and Foreign Minister Hector Timerman had orchestrated a secret deal with Iran to cover up the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center.
Fernandez referred to letters that Timerman said he sent Tuesday to his counterparts in the United States and Israel. Timerman said the two countries should not get involved in Argentina's affairs, but did not provide specifics. "Some people wanted to play dumb and look the other way," Fernandez said of the accusations. "I urge all compatriots to read every paragraph of those letters." Fernandez, known for populist, fiery speeches, did not elaborate. But she did cast the apparent friction as a battle of economic interests and attempts by other countries to keep Argentina down.
"In reality, they prefer an Argentina without a nuclear plan, an Argentina that does not develop scientifically, an Argentina with low salaries and cheap labor," she said. A US embassy spokesman declined to comment, instead referring to a State Department statement from Tuesday saying the United States had offered assistance in the Nisman investigation.
A spokeswoman at the Israeli embassy also declined to comment. The accusations of meddling, similar to others made by administration officials in recent weeks, come at a time of increasing tension as Fernandez's government has struggled to confront a growing institutional crisis since Nisman was found with a bullet in his right temple.
The day after he was found in a pool of blood, Nisman, 51, had planned to elaborate to Congress his allegations of the secret deal, which he said Fernandez orchestrated in exchange for favorable deals on oil and grain from Iran. Fernandez and Timerman have repeatedly denied the allegations.
The march, commemorating a month since Nisman was found dead, has turned into a political dispute since all the opposition parties have said they plan to participate.
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez suggested on Wednesday that the United States and Israel were meddling in the South American country's business, the latest barb amid intensifying rhetoric ahead of a protest being organized by investigating attorneys demanding answers in the mysterious death of prosecutor Alberto Nisman.
Fernandez, who made the comments while visiting a nuclear power plant, didn't mention the march planned for Wednesday evening or Nisman, who was found dead Jan. 18, just hours before he was to elaborate to Congress on accusations that Fernandez and Foreign Minister Hector Timerman had orchestrated a secret deal with Iran to cover up the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center.
Fernandez referred to letters that Timerman said he sent Tuesday to his counterparts in the United States and Israel. Timerman said the two countries should not get involved in Argentina's affairs, but did not provide specifics. "Some people wanted to play dumb and look the other way," Fernandez said of the accusations. "I urge all compatriots to read every paragraph of those letters." Fernandez, known for populist, fiery speeches, did not elaborate. But she did cast the apparent friction as a battle of economic interests and attempts by other countries to keep Argentina down.
"In reality, they prefer an Argentina without a nuclear plan, an Argentina that does not develop scientifically, an Argentina with low salaries and cheap labor," she said. A US embassy spokesman declined to comment, instead referring to a State Department statement from Tuesday saying the United States had offered assistance in the Nisman investigation.
A spokeswoman at the Israeli embassy also declined to comment. The accusations of meddling, similar to others made by administration officials in recent weeks, come at a time of increasing tension as Fernandez's government has struggled to confront a growing institutional crisis since Nisman was found with a bullet in his right temple.
The day after he was found in a pool of blood, Nisman, 51, had planned to elaborate to Congress his allegations of the secret deal, which he said Fernandez orchestrated in exchange for favorable deals on oil and grain from Iran. Fernandez and Timerman have repeatedly denied the allegations.
The march, commemorating a month since Nisman was found dead, has turned into a political dispute since all the opposition parties have said they plan to participate.
White House says Israeli officials mischaracterized US negotiations on Iran nuclear program and criticizes 'continued practice of cherry-picking' and leaking information out of context.
The White House said on Wednesday that Israeli officials had mischaracterized US negotiations on Iran's nuclear program and criticized what it called "a continued practice of cherry-picking" and leaking information out of context.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the Obama administration is mindful of the need to keep the negotiations private and accused Israel of distorting the US' position.
"I think it is fair to say that the United States is mindful of the need to not negotiate in public and ensure that information that's discussed in the negotiating table is not taken out of context and publicized in a way that distorts the negotiating position of the United States and our allies," Earnest said at a news briefing.
"There's no question that some of the things that the Israelis have said in characterizing our negotiating position have not been accurate," he added. "There's no question about that."
He also denied reports that Washington is limiting the information it gives Israel about the Iran talks. "I know that there were some initial reports that indicated that the United States is no longer communicating with our allies in Israel about the ongoing negotiations with Iran. That obviously is false," Earnest said.
"There are any number of meetings that have taken place in recent weeks and are scheduled for the weeks ahead that indicate the continued close communication and coordination between US national security officials and their Israel counterparts," he added.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, also accused Israel of "selective sharing of information" but declined to say what information had been cherry-picked. "I think it is safe to say not everything you are hearing from the Israeli government is an accurate reflection of the details of the talks," Psaki said. The negotiations between the United States, Russia, China, France, Germany, Britain and Iran have reached a crucial stage, as the countries previously agreed to deliver a basic framework agreement by the end of March and a final agreement due by June 30. Earnest would not discuss details of US-Israeli consultations on Iran nuclear negotiations.
"But I think it is fair to say that the United States is mindful of the need to not negotiate in public and ensure that information that's discussed in the negotiating table is not taken out of context and publicized in a way that distorts the negotiating position of the United States and our allies," he said.
The White House said on Wednesday that Israeli officials had mischaracterized US negotiations on Iran's nuclear program and criticized what it called "a continued practice of cherry-picking" and leaking information out of context.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the Obama administration is mindful of the need to keep the negotiations private and accused Israel of distorting the US' position.
"I think it is fair to say that the United States is mindful of the need to not negotiate in public and ensure that information that's discussed in the negotiating table is not taken out of context and publicized in a way that distorts the negotiating position of the United States and our allies," Earnest said at a news briefing.
"There's no question that some of the things that the Israelis have said in characterizing our negotiating position have not been accurate," he added. "There's no question about that."
He also denied reports that Washington is limiting the information it gives Israel about the Iran talks. "I know that there were some initial reports that indicated that the United States is no longer communicating with our allies in Israel about the ongoing negotiations with Iran. That obviously is false," Earnest said.
"There are any number of meetings that have taken place in recent weeks and are scheduled for the weeks ahead that indicate the continued close communication and coordination between US national security officials and their Israel counterparts," he added.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, also accused Israel of "selective sharing of information" but declined to say what information had been cherry-picked. "I think it is safe to say not everything you are hearing from the Israeli government is an accurate reflection of the details of the talks," Psaki said. The negotiations between the United States, Russia, China, France, Germany, Britain and Iran have reached a crucial stage, as the countries previously agreed to deliver a basic framework agreement by the end of March and a final agreement due by June 30. Earnest would not discuss details of US-Israeli consultations on Iran nuclear negotiations.
"But I think it is fair to say that the United States is mindful of the need to not negotiate in public and ensure that information that's discussed in the negotiating table is not taken out of context and publicized in a way that distorts the negotiating position of the United States and our allies," he said.
After Comptroller report into Netanyahu's personal expenditures raises legal concerns, 41 percent say less likely to vote for prime minister.
A damning report by the state comptroller into the prime minister and his family's expenditures has dealt Benjamin Netanyahu a serious electoral blow, a new survey published by Israel's Army Radio revealed Wednesday morning.
The report released by State Comptroller Yosef Shapira found a dramatic increase in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's family’s spending on food, cleaning and clothing.
According to the report, the expenditures reached millions of shekels funded by tax payers – as well as pointing to a number of concerning discrepancies in billing, including one case in which a Likud activist was illegally employed with an irregularly high pay. The attorney general must now decided whether to recommend a criminal investigation into either one of the affairs.
According to the survey, conducted by the Shiluv Millward Brown market research group, 41 percent of the respondents said that the chance they would support the Likud in the March 17th election had dropped. Out of those who said they were voting for the ruling party, 22 percent said they were now reconsidering, are were less supportive of the party, in wake of the report's publication.
Some 49 percent of general voters and 54 percent of the Likud voters said the report would not influence their vote.
The comptroller report clearly found that there was legal criminal concern in at least two ongoing scandals: The first regarding the prime minister's wife is suspected of pocketing cash returns from recycled bottles, and the second is the garden furniture affair, in which the Netanyahu family was accused of purchasing new furniture for their private home that was intended for the official Prime Minister's Residence.
Another section of the state comptroller's report dealt with electrical work that was ordered for Netanyahu's private home in Caesarea, despite the fact that the electrician was barred from working for the prime minister, because of his ties with the Likud party.
The report found that the Netanyahu family used state funds to hire him to do electrical work at the private residence under false pretenses in which it appeared that a different contractor was brought in, however, in reality electrician E. did the work as a subcontractor.
A damning report by the state comptroller into the prime minister and his family's expenditures has dealt Benjamin Netanyahu a serious electoral blow, a new survey published by Israel's Army Radio revealed Wednesday morning.
The report released by State Comptroller Yosef Shapira found a dramatic increase in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's family’s spending on food, cleaning and clothing.
According to the report, the expenditures reached millions of shekels funded by tax payers – as well as pointing to a number of concerning discrepancies in billing, including one case in which a Likud activist was illegally employed with an irregularly high pay. The attorney general must now decided whether to recommend a criminal investigation into either one of the affairs.
According to the survey, conducted by the Shiluv Millward Brown market research group, 41 percent of the respondents said that the chance they would support the Likud in the March 17th election had dropped. Out of those who said they were voting for the ruling party, 22 percent said they were now reconsidering, are were less supportive of the party, in wake of the report's publication.
Some 49 percent of general voters and 54 percent of the Likud voters said the report would not influence their vote.
The comptroller report clearly found that there was legal criminal concern in at least two ongoing scandals: The first regarding the prime minister's wife is suspected of pocketing cash returns from recycled bottles, and the second is the garden furniture affair, in which the Netanyahu family was accused of purchasing new furniture for their private home that was intended for the official Prime Minister's Residence.
Another section of the state comptroller's report dealt with electrical work that was ordered for Netanyahu's private home in Caesarea, despite the fact that the electrician was barred from working for the prime minister, because of his ties with the Likud party.
The report found that the Netanyahu family used state funds to hire him to do electrical work at the private residence under false pretenses in which it appeared that a different contractor was brought in, however, in reality electrician E. did the work as a subcontractor.
17 feb 2015
Yisrael Beytenu leader says if convicted terrorists are not executed 'we're inviting more and more terrorism'; notes fourth round of fighting with Hamas 'inevitable' and that Israel should already think how to prevent fifth.
The first bill to be proposed by Yisrael Beytenu in the 20th Knesset will seek to impose a death sentence for terrorists, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Tuesday morning at the INSS Conference.
Lieberman argued that if convicted terrorists are not executed, "we're inviting more and more terrorism." At the conference in Tel Aviv, the Yisrael Beytenu leader said that "the fight against terrorism is the biggest challenge the world faces in the 21st century. This is also Israel's biggest challenge. But there's a large gap between what Israel is preaching to and what is actually done here."
"Releasing terrorists, including those who committed the most horrendous of attacks such as the lynch in Ramallah, is the worst possible message to send in the war against terror. We have to show terrorists we're changing directions. That there are no more deals," he added. Lieberman repeated comments he previously made to Ynet, saying a third round of fighting in Gaza against Hamas is "inevitable."
"What's important is to already think how to prevent the fifth round of fighting. Every military operation must end with a decisive victory, otherwise we're eroding our capabilities and our deterrence. The fact we're heading to a military conflict against Hamas every two years doesn't allow Israel to make long-term plans, like a normal country, on policy and economic issues."
Also read
The first bill to be proposed by Yisrael Beytenu in the 20th Knesset will seek to impose a death sentence for terrorists, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Tuesday morning at the INSS Conference.
Lieberman argued that if convicted terrorists are not executed, "we're inviting more and more terrorism." At the conference in Tel Aviv, the Yisrael Beytenu leader said that "the fight against terrorism is the biggest challenge the world faces in the 21st century. This is also Israel's biggest challenge. But there's a large gap between what Israel is preaching to and what is actually done here."
"Releasing terrorists, including those who committed the most horrendous of attacks such as the lynch in Ramallah, is the worst possible message to send in the war against terror. We have to show terrorists we're changing directions. That there are no more deals," he added. Lieberman repeated comments he previously made to Ynet, saying a third round of fighting in Gaza against Hamas is "inevitable."
"What's important is to already think how to prevent the fifth round of fighting. Every military operation must end with a decisive victory, otherwise we're eroding our capabilities and our deterrence. The fact we're heading to a military conflict against Hamas every two years doesn't allow Israel to make long-term plans, like a normal country, on policy and economic issues."
Also read
The leader of Israel's first ultra-Orthodox Jewish women's party said Monday that she is fighting in next month's general election to give a voice to a deeply downtrodden group.
Ruth Colian, a 33-year-old mother of four, told journalists that she founded the party -- "B'Zchutan: Haredi Women Making Change" -- to combat wage discrimination, domestic violence and health problems suffered by many ultra-Orthodox women.
The ultra-Orthodox, who make up about 10 percent of Israel's population and are known as haredi in Hebrew, are a powerful political force in the Jewish state but do not accept women candidates.
Israel is holding a general election on March 17 and Colian said her party has registered nine candidates for the vote.
Among the key issues the party will be promoting, she said, are health problems suffered by women in the community.
She said, for example, that ultra-Orthodox women suffer twice the national average rate of breast cancer deaths, largely because discussion and information on screening are considered "immodest" and therefore taboo.
When parliament's health committee held a special session on the issue in November, not one of its 18 ultra-Orthodox MPs -- all men -- attended.
"It was like a punch in the stomach," she said. "Because we have no representation nobody hears our voice. We are at the bottom of the food chain."
There are plenty of other grievances too.
Haredi women are expected to raise large families, keep house and financially support their spouses, who spend their time studying scripture, Colian said.
They are afraid to complain to secular authorities about domestic abuse because they will be ostracized by their community if they do, she said.
The only haredi woman to serve in parliament held a seat for the secular left-wing Meretz party -- for whom women's rights are a central tenet -- from 2008 until she lost it in the following year's election.
'We shall make history'
Colian said she believes the new party could win five or six seats in the 120-member Knesset, but she has no polling data to support that view.
She said the party has raised a campaign fund of just 7,500 shekels ($1,900/1,700 euros) from private donors, but she is defiant nevertheless.
"With this we shall make history," she said.
She has petitioned Israel's Central Elections Committee to compel haredi newspapers and radio stations to allow the party to advertise with them, something which the community's modesty code says that women cannot do.
Her target audience does not use the secular media, which it regards as a corruptive influence.
Even if word of the party spreads, Colian said that ultra-Orthodox women have traditionally not voted for whomever they please.
"The haredi woman votes according to what her husband tells her, which is whatever the rabbis decree," she said.
But she hopes to buck the trend and challenge tradition, citing as one of her role models African-American civil rights activist Rosa Parks.
"It's an honour to say her name," Colian said. "It's no simple matter to stand up and say, 'Stop! You're all wrong,'".
Ruth Colian, a 33-year-old mother of four, told journalists that she founded the party -- "B'Zchutan: Haredi Women Making Change" -- to combat wage discrimination, domestic violence and health problems suffered by many ultra-Orthodox women.
The ultra-Orthodox, who make up about 10 percent of Israel's population and are known as haredi in Hebrew, are a powerful political force in the Jewish state but do not accept women candidates.
Israel is holding a general election on March 17 and Colian said her party has registered nine candidates for the vote.
Among the key issues the party will be promoting, she said, are health problems suffered by women in the community.
She said, for example, that ultra-Orthodox women suffer twice the national average rate of breast cancer deaths, largely because discussion and information on screening are considered "immodest" and therefore taboo.
When parliament's health committee held a special session on the issue in November, not one of its 18 ultra-Orthodox MPs -- all men -- attended.
"It was like a punch in the stomach," she said. "Because we have no representation nobody hears our voice. We are at the bottom of the food chain."
There are plenty of other grievances too.
Haredi women are expected to raise large families, keep house and financially support their spouses, who spend their time studying scripture, Colian said.
They are afraid to complain to secular authorities about domestic abuse because they will be ostracized by their community if they do, she said.
The only haredi woman to serve in parliament held a seat for the secular left-wing Meretz party -- for whom women's rights are a central tenet -- from 2008 until she lost it in the following year's election.
'We shall make history'
Colian said she believes the new party could win five or six seats in the 120-member Knesset, but she has no polling data to support that view.
She said the party has raised a campaign fund of just 7,500 shekels ($1,900/1,700 euros) from private donors, but she is defiant nevertheless.
"With this we shall make history," she said.
She has petitioned Israel's Central Elections Committee to compel haredi newspapers and radio stations to allow the party to advertise with them, something which the community's modesty code says that women cannot do.
Her target audience does not use the secular media, which it regards as a corruptive influence.
Even if word of the party spreads, Colian said that ultra-Orthodox women have traditionally not voted for whomever they please.
"The haredi woman votes according to what her husband tells her, which is whatever the rabbis decree," she said.
But she hopes to buck the trend and challenge tradition, citing as one of her role models African-American civil rights activist Rosa Parks.
"It's an honour to say her name," Colian said. "It's no simple matter to stand up and say, 'Stop! You're all wrong,'".
The cultural and artistic output propagated by the Israeli occupation across Europe is going through hard times, expert in European affairs Hosam Shaker said Monday.
Hundreds of prominent British artists have recently signed a document pledging to boycott Israel culturally and artistically.
Expert Shaker said, in a written statement, the British initiative represents a pivotal step in attempts to cut off ties with the Israeli occupation in vital socio-cultural arenas.
According to Shaker, the move is laden with deep connotations as it suggests that Europe has no longer remained a fertile ground for the pro-Israel cultural outlets, as had been the case for the two-thirds of the 20th century.
According to Shaker such an anti-Israel wave is very likely to spread across other European countries, to various degrees.
“A state of isolation, not very much dissimilar to the strategy of ostracism adopted by Europe’s intellectual elites against the erstwhile apartheid regime in South Africa, is to hit the Israeli occupation very soon,” he added.
Hundreds of prominent British artists have recently signed a document pledging to boycott Israel culturally and artistically.
Expert Shaker said, in a written statement, the British initiative represents a pivotal step in attempts to cut off ties with the Israeli occupation in vital socio-cultural arenas.
According to Shaker, the move is laden with deep connotations as it suggests that Europe has no longer remained a fertile ground for the pro-Israel cultural outlets, as had been the case for the two-thirds of the 20th century.
According to Shaker such an anti-Israel wave is very likely to spread across other European countries, to various degrees.
“A state of isolation, not very much dissimilar to the strategy of ostracism adopted by Europe’s intellectual elites against the erstwhile apartheid regime in South Africa, is to hit the Israeli occupation very soon,” he added.
16 feb 2015
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Monday that the term of the incoming top Israeli commander would be tougher than that of his predecessor.
"I promise you Gadi (Eisenkot)… you will not have a single day of grace. The Middle East is disintegrating. States are collapsing. An empire is charging into this vacuum – Iran," Netanyahu said.
"It aspires to acquire nuclear weapons. It is trying to encircle us with four murderous arms. Three, for now – one in Lebanon, one in Gaza and a new one – on the Golan. It vows openly to destroy the State of Israel in one way or another. Joining it are the forces of extremist Islam who are breaking through every crack in the Middle East and bringing their murderous acts to the entire world."
He added, according to the Israeli daily Haaretz, that "The next four years will be no less difficult. To my assessment, they will be even tougher. We will require every tool, every person, because there's no mercy for the weak in the Middle East. Only the strong ones survive. The IDF is strong in spirit, and certainly in might."
Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot assumed the position of the 21st chief of staff on Monday, Haaretz said.
"I promise you Gadi (Eisenkot)… you will not have a single day of grace. The Middle East is disintegrating. States are collapsing. An empire is charging into this vacuum – Iran," Netanyahu said.
"It aspires to acquire nuclear weapons. It is trying to encircle us with four murderous arms. Three, for now – one in Lebanon, one in Gaza and a new one – on the Golan. It vows openly to destroy the State of Israel in one way or another. Joining it are the forces of extremist Islam who are breaking through every crack in the Middle East and bringing their murderous acts to the entire world."
He added, according to the Israeli daily Haaretz, that "The next four years will be no less difficult. To my assessment, they will be even tougher. We will require every tool, every person, because there's no mercy for the weak in the Middle East. Only the strong ones survive. The IDF is strong in spirit, and certainly in might."
Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot assumed the position of the 21st chief of staff on Monday, Haaretz said.
In interview with AP, Bayit Yehudi leader says 'Israel not going to give up more land' and urges Palestinian to lower expectations, saying all Israel can do is 'make their lives better.'
With the Israeli prime minister under fire internationally for his hard-line policies, a key partner of Benjamin Netanyahu is standing firmly behind him ahead of the March parliamentary elections - heralding what could be an even tougher stance toward the Palestinians if the two sit together in the next government.
Naftali Bennett, leader of the Bayit Yehudi (Jewish Home) party - a lynchpin of Israel's religious-nationalist right that takes an even tougher line toward the Palestinians than Netanyahu's Likud - told The Associated Press that the Palestinians should lower their expectations and forget about statehood.
"We are not going to give up more land. This approach has failed," says Bennett, who is angling to become defense minister as part of the next coalition government if Netanyahu prevails in the March 17 vote. "Now, if it means that the world will penalize us, that is unfair but so be it." "I think the world right now is trying to twist Israel's arm into committing a huge mistake that would damage our own future," Bennett said.
While critics attack Netanyahu for resisting concessions to the Palestinians and being combative with the United States, Bennett insists the prime minister has not gone far enough. He said Netanyahu has embraced dovish policies by agreeing in principle to a Palestinian state, temporarily freezing West Bank settlement construction and releasing convicted Palestinian murderers in prisoner swaps. Bennett defiantly rejects the premise that Israel is to blame for the failed Middle East's peace talks and doesn't hesitate to speak bluntly - the next government should build more settlements and solidify its control over territory sought by the Palestinians, he said.
"Israel needs to do what is right for it, what is right for its people, what is right for its long-term survival," Bennett, currently Israel's economics minister, said in the AP interview at his Jerusalem office. "We have a problem in the Arab world, which is getting more and more radical. Throwing them (the Palestinians) pieces of Israel's land and hoping that will satisfy the radical Islamist beast won't do it."
Such fiery rhetoric has helped turn the 42-year-old Bennett into one of Israel's most popular politicians. He has revolutionized Israel's previously staid religious right with charismatic leadership that has drawn support not only from its natural hard-line settler constituency but also from centrist, secular Israelis.
A son of American immigrants who served as a military commando and made millions in the high-tech world, Bennett has broadened his public appeal so much that early polls showed his party garnering nearly as many seats as Netanyahu's Likud. That support, however, has dipped recently to the current level of 12 seats in the 120-member parliament, half the amount projected to go to Likud. The drop has ended talk that Bennett could be poised to become Israel's first Orthodox Jewish prime minister, and for now, he is vowing to stick by Netanyahu, despite a history of bad blood between them.
Bennett was highly critical of what he considered to be Israel's soft response to the Palestinian militant Hamas group in last summer's Gaza war. The war killed more than 2,200 Palestinians, most of them civilians, while 72 people were killed on the Israeli side, according to UN figures.
After serving in an elite commando unit, Bennett co-founded an anti-fraud software company that was sold in 2005 to US-based RSA Security for $145 million. He then turned to politics and served as Netanyahu's chief of staff for two years. They parted ways after a mysterious falling out, which Bennett refuses to discuss but which is widely believed to be linked to Netanyahu's wife, Sara, who wields great influence over the prime minister's inner circle. He also served as chairman of the West Bank settlers' council, though he does not live in a settlement himself.
Netanyahu has at least once threatened to fire him for insubordination but the confrontations have only increased support for Bennett. A master of social media, Bennett has released a series of YouTube clips that try to cast him as cool. In one video, he dresses up as a bearded Tel Aviv hipster, apologizing for every misstep before removing his costume and introducing his catchphrase: "Enough apologizing already."
Bennett's office reflects his diverse background. A family photo with his four children is next to one of him in uniform, holding an assault rifle. The bookshelf displays a Bible along with travel books and a hardcover about Albert Einstein, while a pair of dumbbells lies on the floor. Bennett claims that Israel's 2005 withdrawal from Gaza only brought rocket attacks against it. Therefore, he argues, Israel should annex the roughly 60 percent of the West Bank currently under its full control and offer economic cooperation to Palestinians - instead of independence.
Such a move would infuriate both the Palestinians and the international community. With the Arab population expected to soon outnumber the Jewish one, it also could endanger Israel's future as a Jewish country. But Bennett is unfazed. "What I am suggesting is a different path, it's a tougher one but it's the right one," he said. "Let's make their lives better," he said of the Palestinians. "If we can do that for a few years, I think the world will see that we are actually making progress as opposed to just talking."
With the Israeli prime minister under fire internationally for his hard-line policies, a key partner of Benjamin Netanyahu is standing firmly behind him ahead of the March parliamentary elections - heralding what could be an even tougher stance toward the Palestinians if the two sit together in the next government.
Naftali Bennett, leader of the Bayit Yehudi (Jewish Home) party - a lynchpin of Israel's religious-nationalist right that takes an even tougher line toward the Palestinians than Netanyahu's Likud - told The Associated Press that the Palestinians should lower their expectations and forget about statehood.
"We are not going to give up more land. This approach has failed," says Bennett, who is angling to become defense minister as part of the next coalition government if Netanyahu prevails in the March 17 vote. "Now, if it means that the world will penalize us, that is unfair but so be it." "I think the world right now is trying to twist Israel's arm into committing a huge mistake that would damage our own future," Bennett said.
While critics attack Netanyahu for resisting concessions to the Palestinians and being combative with the United States, Bennett insists the prime minister has not gone far enough. He said Netanyahu has embraced dovish policies by agreeing in principle to a Palestinian state, temporarily freezing West Bank settlement construction and releasing convicted Palestinian murderers in prisoner swaps. Bennett defiantly rejects the premise that Israel is to blame for the failed Middle East's peace talks and doesn't hesitate to speak bluntly - the next government should build more settlements and solidify its control over territory sought by the Palestinians, he said.
"Israel needs to do what is right for it, what is right for its people, what is right for its long-term survival," Bennett, currently Israel's economics minister, said in the AP interview at his Jerusalem office. "We have a problem in the Arab world, which is getting more and more radical. Throwing them (the Palestinians) pieces of Israel's land and hoping that will satisfy the radical Islamist beast won't do it."
Such fiery rhetoric has helped turn the 42-year-old Bennett into one of Israel's most popular politicians. He has revolutionized Israel's previously staid religious right with charismatic leadership that has drawn support not only from its natural hard-line settler constituency but also from centrist, secular Israelis.
A son of American immigrants who served as a military commando and made millions in the high-tech world, Bennett has broadened his public appeal so much that early polls showed his party garnering nearly as many seats as Netanyahu's Likud. That support, however, has dipped recently to the current level of 12 seats in the 120-member parliament, half the amount projected to go to Likud. The drop has ended talk that Bennett could be poised to become Israel's first Orthodox Jewish prime minister, and for now, he is vowing to stick by Netanyahu, despite a history of bad blood between them.
Bennett was highly critical of what he considered to be Israel's soft response to the Palestinian militant Hamas group in last summer's Gaza war. The war killed more than 2,200 Palestinians, most of them civilians, while 72 people were killed on the Israeli side, according to UN figures.
After serving in an elite commando unit, Bennett co-founded an anti-fraud software company that was sold in 2005 to US-based RSA Security for $145 million. He then turned to politics and served as Netanyahu's chief of staff for two years. They parted ways after a mysterious falling out, which Bennett refuses to discuss but which is widely believed to be linked to Netanyahu's wife, Sara, who wields great influence over the prime minister's inner circle. He also served as chairman of the West Bank settlers' council, though he does not live in a settlement himself.
Netanyahu has at least once threatened to fire him for insubordination but the confrontations have only increased support for Bennett. A master of social media, Bennett has released a series of YouTube clips that try to cast him as cool. In one video, he dresses up as a bearded Tel Aviv hipster, apologizing for every misstep before removing his costume and introducing his catchphrase: "Enough apologizing already."
Bennett's office reflects his diverse background. A family photo with his four children is next to one of him in uniform, holding an assault rifle. The bookshelf displays a Bible along with travel books and a hardcover about Albert Einstein, while a pair of dumbbells lies on the floor. Bennett claims that Israel's 2005 withdrawal from Gaza only brought rocket attacks against it. Therefore, he argues, Israel should annex the roughly 60 percent of the West Bank currently under its full control and offer economic cooperation to Palestinians - instead of independence.
Such a move would infuriate both the Palestinians and the international community. With the Arab population expected to soon outnumber the Jewish one, it also could endanger Israel's future as a Jewish country. But Bennett is unfazed. "What I am suggesting is a different path, it's a tougher one but it's the right one," he said. "Let's make their lives better," he said of the Palestinians. "If we can do that for a few years, I think the world will see that we are actually making progress as opposed to just talking."
French PM Manuel
Valls visits the Hyper Cacher kosher supermarket in Paris, where four
Jews were gunned down in an attack last month.
Valls' comments come after hundreds of Jewish graves desecrated in eastern France, calls by Netanyahu for Europe's Jews to move to Israel.
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Monday urged France's Jews to stay in the country, after hundreds of Jewish tombs were defaced in the eastern part of the country, and in the wake of calls by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for Europe's Jews to emigrate to Israel.
"My message to French Jews is the following: France is wounded with you and France does not want you to leave," Valls said. "I regret Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks .... The place for French Jews is France."
He said there were "no leads" regarding the perpetrators of the attack on the graves at a Jewish cemetery in Sarre-Union, near the German border.
French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve branded the vandalism an "odious act" against religious freedom and tolerance.
In a statement Sunday, Cazeneuve said that a special criminal investigation team is at the cemetery and vowed that the authorities would do "everything" to pursue the vandals.
Valls made a similar appeal in the immediate aftermath of the terror attacks in Paris last month, which included a shooting at the Hyper Cacher kosher supermarket that left four French Jews dead.
"100,000 Jews leave, France will no longer be France," Valls said in January. "The French Republic will be judged a failure."
There has been a dramatic rise in recent years in the number of French Jews leaving for Israel, citing rising anti-Semitism and a weak economy. In 2014, the number of departing French Jews reached its peak, with some 7,000 leaving the country.
Valls' comments come after hundreds of Jewish graves desecrated in eastern France, calls by Netanyahu for Europe's Jews to move to Israel.
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Monday urged France's Jews to stay in the country, after hundreds of Jewish tombs were defaced in the eastern part of the country, and in the wake of calls by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for Europe's Jews to emigrate to Israel.
"My message to French Jews is the following: France is wounded with you and France does not want you to leave," Valls said. "I regret Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks .... The place for French Jews is France."
He said there were "no leads" regarding the perpetrators of the attack on the graves at a Jewish cemetery in Sarre-Union, near the German border.
French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve branded the vandalism an "odious act" against religious freedom and tolerance.
In a statement Sunday, Cazeneuve said that a special criminal investigation team is at the cemetery and vowed that the authorities would do "everything" to pursue the vandals.
Valls made a similar appeal in the immediate aftermath of the terror attacks in Paris last month, which included a shooting at the Hyper Cacher kosher supermarket that left four French Jews dead.
"100,000 Jews leave, France will no longer be France," Valls said in January. "The French Republic will be judged a failure."
There has been a dramatic rise in recent years in the number of French Jews leaving for Israel, citing rising anti-Semitism and a weak economy. In 2014, the number of departing French Jews reached its peak, with some 7,000 leaving the country.
The Meretz Party in Israel demanded the Legal Counsel of the Israeli government to investigate a video issued by the election campaign of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claiming the Israeli leftist parties would lead to ISIS ruling Jerusalem.
Meretz said the video is a direct incitement against the left and moderate parties, as it accuses them of supporting terrorism, especially when it states that the left “will allow the terrorist into the country,” the Arabs48 Website said.
Netanyahu and his campaign have been actively involved in a campaign that tries to discredit leftist, moderate parties, or just those who oppose its policies, by claiming they would bring nothing but destruction to the country.
It is worth mentioning that the Meretz, and Peace Now Movement, are also demanding an investigation into a video produced by the Hebron Settlements Committee, as contains incitement against the left, the Arabs48 news agency has reported.
Meretz said the video is a direct incitement against the left and moderate parties, as it accuses them of supporting terrorism, especially when it states that the left “will allow the terrorist into the country,” the Arabs48 Website said.
Netanyahu and his campaign have been actively involved in a campaign that tries to discredit leftist, moderate parties, or just those who oppose its policies, by claiming they would bring nothing but destruction to the country.
It is worth mentioning that the Meretz, and Peace Now Movement, are also demanding an investigation into a video produced by the Hebron Settlements Committee, as contains incitement against the left, the Arabs48 news agency has reported.
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The Likud Party of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a video, as part of his campaign ads, showing a scenario in which a victory of leftists in Israel is a triumph for the so called ‘Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’ (ISIS), known by their Arabic acronym Da’esh.
The video shows two Israeli comedians, dressed like armed “ISIS” gunmen, driving a car carrying the black “ISIS” flags. The two then stop their car near an Israeli, asking him, “How can we reach Jerusalem, brother?” and the driver responds “Go Left,” and then two signs appear, one stating “The Left will surrender to terror,” and “Us or them? Just the Likud, Just Netanyahu.” |
Although the ad targets leftist parties in general, it appears to be also meant to counter coalitions such that include Isaac Herzog’s Labor Party, and Tzipi Livni’s “center-left Zionist Camp”, of which she serves as the deputy chairperson.
The rap music in the background of the video is a song by the Palestinian Rap group (Dam); the group said it intends to sue the Likud for using their song in its video.
The rap group is known for their leftist political message, which calls for equality between Palestinians and Jews in Israel and Palestine, and strongly criticizes Israel’s discrimination against the Palestinians in the country.
Palestinian rappers fume at Israel's Likud over song
Palestinian rappers threatened legal action Sunday against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party for using their song in an Islamic State group-themed campaign ad for Israel's March election.
The contentious new ad, which Likud released on Saturday, implied that a vote for the left would benefit the militant IS.
The ad features actors portraying militants driving in a white pick-up with two standing in the rear carrying the black flag of IS, the extremist Sunni Muslim group that has seized control of large parts of Syria and Iraq.
The truck pulls up next to a car driven by an Israeli and a "jihadist" asks: "Which way to Jerusalem brother?"
"Take the left," the driver answers and the pick-up drives off, one of the actors firing an automatic rifle into the air.
Two slogans appear on the screen: "The left will give in to terrorism" and "It's us or them, there is only Likud, only Netanyahu."
The clip's background music is a catchy hip-hop song by Amman-based Palestinian group Torabyeh called "Ghorbah", which can be translated from Arabic as "exile".
Torabyeh denounced the unauthorized artistic collaboration with the Israeli party's "electoral propaganda attacking the so-called Zionist 'left-wing'."
"We strongly condemn and reject this ruthless infringement of intellectual property rights and the distortion of the reputation of Torabyeh," the group said on their Facebook page.
They said use of their song in this context "implicates the Torabyeh group by containing serious accusations of terrorism and association with IS which is consequently putting the group's members lives at risk".
Torabyeh stressed it rejected "all forms of cooperation with the Zionist enemy", and pledged to "take all necessary legal action against those responsible".
There was no immediate comment from Likud to Torabyeh's threat.
The ad also drew fire from the left-wing coalition opposing Likud, the Zionist Union, which accused Netanyahu of "colossal" security failures.
The Zionist Union, formed in December as an electoral alliance of Israel's Labour Party and the centre-left HatNuah, denounced the ad and "the colossal failure of Benjamin Netanyahu in the field of security".
"He freed terrorists with blood on their hands and strengthened Hamas, and during his tenure Iran became a state that has reached the nuclear threshold," it said in a statement.
Security will be a key issue in Israel's March 17 general election, which was called early after the collapse of Netanyahu's ruling coalition.
Recent polls have shown a tight race between Likud and the Zionist Union, but also indicate that many voters remain undecided.
The rap music in the background of the video is a song by the Palestinian Rap group (Dam); the group said it intends to sue the Likud for using their song in its video.
The rap group is known for their leftist political message, which calls for equality between Palestinians and Jews in Israel and Palestine, and strongly criticizes Israel’s discrimination against the Palestinians in the country.
Palestinian rappers fume at Israel's Likud over song
Palestinian rappers threatened legal action Sunday against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party for using their song in an Islamic State group-themed campaign ad for Israel's March election.
The contentious new ad, which Likud released on Saturday, implied that a vote for the left would benefit the militant IS.
The ad features actors portraying militants driving in a white pick-up with two standing in the rear carrying the black flag of IS, the extremist Sunni Muslim group that has seized control of large parts of Syria and Iraq.
The truck pulls up next to a car driven by an Israeli and a "jihadist" asks: "Which way to Jerusalem brother?"
"Take the left," the driver answers and the pick-up drives off, one of the actors firing an automatic rifle into the air.
Two slogans appear on the screen: "The left will give in to terrorism" and "It's us or them, there is only Likud, only Netanyahu."
The clip's background music is a catchy hip-hop song by Amman-based Palestinian group Torabyeh called "Ghorbah", which can be translated from Arabic as "exile".
Torabyeh denounced the unauthorized artistic collaboration with the Israeli party's "electoral propaganda attacking the so-called Zionist 'left-wing'."
"We strongly condemn and reject this ruthless infringement of intellectual property rights and the distortion of the reputation of Torabyeh," the group said on their Facebook page.
They said use of their song in this context "implicates the Torabyeh group by containing serious accusations of terrorism and association with IS which is consequently putting the group's members lives at risk".
Torabyeh stressed it rejected "all forms of cooperation with the Zionist enemy", and pledged to "take all necessary legal action against those responsible".
There was no immediate comment from Likud to Torabyeh's threat.
The ad also drew fire from the left-wing coalition opposing Likud, the Zionist Union, which accused Netanyahu of "colossal" security failures.
The Zionist Union, formed in December as an electoral alliance of Israel's Labour Party and the centre-left HatNuah, denounced the ad and "the colossal failure of Benjamin Netanyahu in the field of security".
"He freed terrorists with blood on their hands and strengthened Hamas, and during his tenure Iran became a state that has reached the nuclear threshold," it said in a statement.
Security will be a key issue in Israel's March 17 general election, which was called early after the collapse of Netanyahu's ruling coalition.
Recent polls have shown a tight race between Likud and the Zionist Union, but also indicate that many voters remain undecided.
Eisenkot replaces Gantz.as IDF chief of staff
“Ask your predecessors on the dread stirred up by al-Qassam Brigades in the hearts and minds of the Israeli soldiers,” senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahhar said addressing Israel’s new army chief Yoav Galant in Sunday.
“Gaza has always heroically confronted the Israeli occupation enemy,” a written statement by Zahhar read.
“The Israeli officials have to bear in mind that Gaza is making many leaps forward in terms of its resistance knack. No attempt at turning Palestinians into Israel’s quarry shall see the day,” he vowed.
Earlier, Israel’s newly-appointed army chief Major General Yoav Galant vowed that, under his command, another offensive will hit the blockaded Gaza Strip at the soonest time possible.
Commenting on Galant’s threats, the Hamas official said: “The UN Security Council has to take a tougher line against Israel’s war crimes and its refusal to meet an international fact-finding committee to investigate war crimes.”
“The UN has to be more judicious and objective as regards the Palestinian cause. Isn’t it enough that it has been propping up the Israeli occupation since the Palestinian Nakba (usurpation of Palestine) . . . . The UN has no longer become fair in backing the victims. It rather stands by the executioner,” he added.
Zahhar further stated that threats to invade Gaza were voiced and exploited by various Israeli officials as part of their propaganda campaigns before the upcoming general elections.
“Ask your predecessors on the dread stirred up by al-Qassam Brigades in the hearts and minds of the Israeli soldiers,” senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahhar said addressing Israel’s new army chief Yoav Galant in Sunday.
“Gaza has always heroically confronted the Israeli occupation enemy,” a written statement by Zahhar read.
“The Israeli officials have to bear in mind that Gaza is making many leaps forward in terms of its resistance knack. No attempt at turning Palestinians into Israel’s quarry shall see the day,” he vowed.
Earlier, Israel’s newly-appointed army chief Major General Yoav Galant vowed that, under his command, another offensive will hit the blockaded Gaza Strip at the soonest time possible.
Commenting on Galant’s threats, the Hamas official said: “The UN Security Council has to take a tougher line against Israel’s war crimes and its refusal to meet an international fact-finding committee to investigate war crimes.”
“The UN has to be more judicious and objective as regards the Palestinian cause. Isn’t it enough that it has been propping up the Israeli occupation since the Palestinian Nakba (usurpation of Palestine) . . . . The UN has no longer become fair in backing the victims. It rather stands by the executioner,” he added.
Zahhar further stated that threats to invade Gaza were voiced and exploited by various Israeli officials as part of their propaganda campaigns before the upcoming general elections.
