6 july 2016
Roni Alsheikh (l) and Menny Yitzhaki (r)
Knesset committee discusses the secret document containing transgressions committed by all MKs since 2014; Alsheikh: 'It is being presented as the opposite of what it is. There is no pressure to release its content.'
Israel's Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh defended the existence of the controversial ‘Yitzhaki document’ - a secret police document containing information and details of suspected criminal activitity by those who were members of the Knesset in 2014 on Wednesday .
Alsheikh told the Knesset's Interior Comittee that he stood by the decision to compile the document. “It is being presented as the opposite of what it actually is," he said.
"Compiling the document is not a crime. The crime here is the leaking of the document. Whoever leaked it wanted to create the impression that the police are collecting information about public servants and are just waiting to release it,” he contended.
Alsheikh rebuffed the notion that the police have been under pressure to expose its contents ever since the document’s existence was brought topublic light: “In order to remove any doubt, there is no pressure on us from politicians. There never was. However, we are indeed pressured by the media.”
He then explained that the document was created to a way of organizing the information the police had received, and that there was no intention to hold onto incriminating information and wait for the opportune moment to use it.
“The police are not allowed to seek out information about MKs and ministers. The police need to be aware of the limitations of its powers and rightly so,” said Alsheikh.
However, he maintainedin his defense of the document’s existence: “Mountains of information comes in, including about MKs. When credible information comes, when it is not clouded or blurry but rather something substantive, we cannot simply launch an initial invesigation. We take this information to the State Attorney and the Attorney General so that they can make the decision. Because we have a massive police force consisting of 30,000 policemen and 70 police stations, obviously there are things that can fall between the cracks.”
Alsheikh emphasized that “the aim of the document is precisely the opposite of collecting information about MKs. It is intended to ensure that this doesn’t happen. There is a control process which ensures that the head of the investigations branch can control what is happening underneath him. In light of the incidents which took place in the past, an inspection was conducted to make sure that nothing has gone unreported. When there is a commander who doesn’t want problems, he carries out an inspection. The moment that the document go to the Police Investigations division, the document died.”
At the beginning of the meeting, MK Michal Rozin (Meretz) said, “According to our knowledge, there are around 100 cases. These cases were not checked or investigated.” MK Mickey Rosenthal (Zionist Union) turned to Alsheikh and to Maj. Gen. Menny Yitzchaki and said: “None of you understand the severity of the situation. You are holding the public security minister by the balls.”
The document was exposed a few weeks ago by a journalist on channel 10. It was prepared two years ago at the direction of the intelligence branch of the police and included information on suspicion of criminal activities committed by all MKs and ministers in the previous Knesset. It was created at the request of Menny Yitzhaki.
The document accumulated all the information under police control obtained from every possible source and included information relating to alleged transgressions by MKs which included bribery. The journalist who exposed the document’s existence claimed that it contained the names of supposed witnesses but the information never materialized into a serious investigation.
According to an earlier report published by Yedioth Ahronoth, the morning following Gilad Erdan’s nomination of Brig. Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch to the position of police commissioner, Yitzhaki requested that all information held by the police about him be publicized, some of which led to the termination of his appointment.
Knesset committee discusses the secret document containing transgressions committed by all MKs since 2014; Alsheikh: 'It is being presented as the opposite of what it is. There is no pressure to release its content.'
Israel's Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh defended the existence of the controversial ‘Yitzhaki document’ - a secret police document containing information and details of suspected criminal activitity by those who were members of the Knesset in 2014 on Wednesday .
Alsheikh told the Knesset's Interior Comittee that he stood by the decision to compile the document. “It is being presented as the opposite of what it actually is," he said.
"Compiling the document is not a crime. The crime here is the leaking of the document. Whoever leaked it wanted to create the impression that the police are collecting information about public servants and are just waiting to release it,” he contended.
Alsheikh rebuffed the notion that the police have been under pressure to expose its contents ever since the document’s existence was brought topublic light: “In order to remove any doubt, there is no pressure on us from politicians. There never was. However, we are indeed pressured by the media.”
He then explained that the document was created to a way of organizing the information the police had received, and that there was no intention to hold onto incriminating information and wait for the opportune moment to use it.
“The police are not allowed to seek out information about MKs and ministers. The police need to be aware of the limitations of its powers and rightly so,” said Alsheikh.
However, he maintainedin his defense of the document’s existence: “Mountains of information comes in, including about MKs. When credible information comes, when it is not clouded or blurry but rather something substantive, we cannot simply launch an initial invesigation. We take this information to the State Attorney and the Attorney General so that they can make the decision. Because we have a massive police force consisting of 30,000 policemen and 70 police stations, obviously there are things that can fall between the cracks.”
Alsheikh emphasized that “the aim of the document is precisely the opposite of collecting information about MKs. It is intended to ensure that this doesn’t happen. There is a control process which ensures that the head of the investigations branch can control what is happening underneath him. In light of the incidents which took place in the past, an inspection was conducted to make sure that nothing has gone unreported. When there is a commander who doesn’t want problems, he carries out an inspection. The moment that the document go to the Police Investigations division, the document died.”
At the beginning of the meeting, MK Michal Rozin (Meretz) said, “According to our knowledge, there are around 100 cases. These cases were not checked or investigated.” MK Mickey Rosenthal (Zionist Union) turned to Alsheikh and to Maj. Gen. Menny Yitzchaki and said: “None of you understand the severity of the situation. You are holding the public security minister by the balls.”
The document was exposed a few weeks ago by a journalist on channel 10. It was prepared two years ago at the direction of the intelligence branch of the police and included information on suspicion of criminal activities committed by all MKs and ministers in the previous Knesset. It was created at the request of Menny Yitzhaki.
The document accumulated all the information under police control obtained from every possible source and included information relating to alleged transgressions by MKs which included bribery. The journalist who exposed the document’s existence claimed that it contained the names of supposed witnesses but the information never materialized into a serious investigation.
According to an earlier report published by Yedioth Ahronoth, the morning following Gilad Erdan’s nomination of Brig. Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch to the position of police commissioner, Yitzhaki requested that all information held by the police about him be publicized, some of which led to the termination of his appointment.
3 july 2016
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has strongly denounced Israel's persistence in its violations against the Palestinian people, their holy sites and land and criticized the Middle East Quartet's report on Palestine.
"The unabated construction of settlements, the unchecked terror committed by settlers, the Judaization of al-Quds (Jerusalem) and its imposed isolation, the continued Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, the apartheid policies of the Israeli authorities and the failure of the international community to enforce its own resolutions related to the Palestinian issue are forming the environment and cause that invite violence, propagate tension and deepen the sense of frustration, injustice and helplessness among Palestinians,"
OIC secretary-general Iyad Madani stated in a press release published on the organization's website on Saturday. Madani also expressed his disappointment over the content of the recent report by the Quartet Committee on the Middle East.
The report, Madani said, assigned equal blame on the oppressed Palestinians and their oppressor. "In using the term, 'Palestinian violence' the report glosses over the fact that the Palestinians are an occupied people, of whom more than 2420 have been killed, some by burning to death, during the last two years alone," the OIC chief was quoted as saying.
He added that "Palestinians have been living under the yoke of a racist occupation for 50 years, collectively punished by destroying their homes and infrastructure, depriving them of water and electricity supplies, and seizing their financial and natural resources."
He also said the Quartet's report lacked objectivity when it failed to see the Israeli occupation, policies and illegal practices as the main obstacle and fundamental cause that hinder any progress in the political process.
He expressed the need for the Quartet to assume its political, legal and moral responsibility fully and be an honest mediator in sponsoring a multi-track political process based on a specific timeframe, clear international references and definite steps for ending the Israeli occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital.
Madani also deplored the unjustified use of veto power and the submission to the far-right parties in order to prevent any attempt to compel Israel to respect international resolutions and human rights conventions.
"The unabated construction of settlements, the unchecked terror committed by settlers, the Judaization of al-Quds (Jerusalem) and its imposed isolation, the continued Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, the apartheid policies of the Israeli authorities and the failure of the international community to enforce its own resolutions related to the Palestinian issue are forming the environment and cause that invite violence, propagate tension and deepen the sense of frustration, injustice and helplessness among Palestinians,"
OIC secretary-general Iyad Madani stated in a press release published on the organization's website on Saturday. Madani also expressed his disappointment over the content of the recent report by the Quartet Committee on the Middle East.
The report, Madani said, assigned equal blame on the oppressed Palestinians and their oppressor. "In using the term, 'Palestinian violence' the report glosses over the fact that the Palestinians are an occupied people, of whom more than 2420 have been killed, some by burning to death, during the last two years alone," the OIC chief was quoted as saying.
He added that "Palestinians have been living under the yoke of a racist occupation for 50 years, collectively punished by destroying their homes and infrastructure, depriving them of water and electricity supplies, and seizing their financial and natural resources."
He also said the Quartet's report lacked objectivity when it failed to see the Israeli occupation, policies and illegal practices as the main obstacle and fundamental cause that hinder any progress in the political process.
He expressed the need for the Quartet to assume its political, legal and moral responsibility fully and be an honest mediator in sponsoring a multi-track political process based on a specific timeframe, clear international references and definite steps for ending the Israeli occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital.
Madani also deplored the unjustified use of veto power and the submission to the far-right parties in order to prevent any attempt to compel Israel to respect international resolutions and human rights conventions.
Meretz Party head, Israeli Member of Knesset (MK) Zehava Gal-On, stated Saturday that the theory of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of running the conflict has failed, and added that the only solution is ending this conflict through a political solution.
“Israel cannot just ignore the Quartet Committee report,” Gal-On said, “Israel must understand that the only solution to stopping the attacks and the escalation is reaching a political soliton to the conflict, and ending this occupation.”
“The conflict is running us; the recent attacks and threats have proven that the calm we’ve seen was temporary,” the Israeli official said, “Netanyahu’s theory of running the conflict has completely collapsed, and now this conflict is running us.”
The Israeli MK also said that what several politicians are proposing is the use of more military force, and iron fist policies that only kill hope.
“What they are suggesting is not different than witchcraft and deception,” she added, “It’s like placing a small bandage on a severed hand.”
In its July 1st report, the Quartet Committee (UN, Russia, EU and USA) reiterated the need for a negotiated two-state solution as the only way to reach a lasting peace agreement that ensures Israel’s security and the meets the Palestinian aspirations of independence and sovereignty, by ending the occupation that began in 1967, and resolving all permanent status issues.
It also denounced the “ongoing construction and expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories”, and the Palestinian Authority’s “lack of control in Gaza, and called on both Israel and the Palestinian Authority to resume meaningful negotiations that resolve all final status issues.”
The Quartet Committee also called on the Israelis and Palestinians to “independently demonstrate, through policies and actions, a genuine commitment to the two-state solution and refrain from unilateral steps that prejudge the outcome of final status negotiation.”
|Erekat: ME Quartet Report Does Not Meet Palestinian Expectations|
“Israel cannot just ignore the Quartet Committee report,” Gal-On said, “Israel must understand that the only solution to stopping the attacks and the escalation is reaching a political soliton to the conflict, and ending this occupation.”
“The conflict is running us; the recent attacks and threats have proven that the calm we’ve seen was temporary,” the Israeli official said, “Netanyahu’s theory of running the conflict has completely collapsed, and now this conflict is running us.”
The Israeli MK also said that what several politicians are proposing is the use of more military force, and iron fist policies that only kill hope.
“What they are suggesting is not different than witchcraft and deception,” she added, “It’s like placing a small bandage on a severed hand.”
In its July 1st report, the Quartet Committee (UN, Russia, EU and USA) reiterated the need for a negotiated two-state solution as the only way to reach a lasting peace agreement that ensures Israel’s security and the meets the Palestinian aspirations of independence and sovereignty, by ending the occupation that began in 1967, and resolving all permanent status issues.
It also denounced the “ongoing construction and expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories”, and the Palestinian Authority’s “lack of control in Gaza, and called on both Israel and the Palestinian Authority to resume meaningful negotiations that resolve all final status issues.”
The Quartet Committee also called on the Israelis and Palestinians to “independently demonstrate, through policies and actions, a genuine commitment to the two-state solution and refrain from unilateral steps that prejudge the outcome of final status negotiation.”
|Erekat: ME Quartet Report Does Not Meet Palestinian Expectations|
30 june 2016
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu spoke Wednesday afternoon with Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit regarding the possible expulsion of Arab MK Hanin Zoabi from the Knesset.
Netanyahu’s demand came following Zoabi’s condemnation of the continued Israeli crimes against Palestinians and calls for lifting Gaza siege. “With her actions and lies she crossed every line and she has no place in the Knesset,” Netanyahu claimed.
Earlier on Wednesday Zoabi caused an uproar on the Knesset floor when she strongly condemned the Israeli forces’ videotaped attack on Turkish activists who were killed during their participation in Freedom Flotilla in 2010.
The murderer has to pay compensation for the families of Turkish victims, she said during a debate discussing the newly-signed deal between Israel and Turkey.
Zoabi considered the deal as a “murder confession.” Zoabi demanded the Israeli government issue an apology both to the “political activists” aboard the Mavi Marmara, on which she sailed in solidarity, and to herself, from those who “incited against [her] for six years.”
During the debate, Israeli MKs tried to physically attack Zoabi following her address. Several MKs began shouting and moved toward the podium to complain.
“Come hit me! Come hit me!” Zoabi shouted to the MKs who were pointing and yelling at her. As MKs mobbed the stage, Zoabi shouted “they murdered” and “shut up” repeatedly.
When Deputy Knesset Speaker Hamad Amar (Yisrael Beytenu) asked her to apologize, Zoabi said: “The Israeli soldiers who murdered are the ones who need to apologize! You need to apologize!”
The Joint List strongly denounced the attack, considering it a “fascist assault.” It added, "The racist and bloody attack against Joint List MKs has notably escalated, calling for an end to the continued incitement against Arab MKs and Hanan Zoabi in particular".
In May 2010, a flotilla of six ships headed to Gaza but Israeli navy forces intercepted and boarded them and forced them to dock in Israel after brutally attacking the passengers.
Nine of the Turkish activists were killed during the attack. Zoabi’s comments came a day after Israel signed a deal with Turkey to restore ties, after years of frosty relations exacerbated by the flotilla attack. The deal stipulates that Israel would pay Turkey $20 million in compensation to families of the victims.
Netanyahu’s demand came following Zoabi’s condemnation of the continued Israeli crimes against Palestinians and calls for lifting Gaza siege. “With her actions and lies she crossed every line and she has no place in the Knesset,” Netanyahu claimed.
Earlier on Wednesday Zoabi caused an uproar on the Knesset floor when she strongly condemned the Israeli forces’ videotaped attack on Turkish activists who were killed during their participation in Freedom Flotilla in 2010.
The murderer has to pay compensation for the families of Turkish victims, she said during a debate discussing the newly-signed deal between Israel and Turkey.
Zoabi considered the deal as a “murder confession.” Zoabi demanded the Israeli government issue an apology both to the “political activists” aboard the Mavi Marmara, on which she sailed in solidarity, and to herself, from those who “incited against [her] for six years.”
During the debate, Israeli MKs tried to physically attack Zoabi following her address. Several MKs began shouting and moved toward the podium to complain.
“Come hit me! Come hit me!” Zoabi shouted to the MKs who were pointing and yelling at her. As MKs mobbed the stage, Zoabi shouted “they murdered” and “shut up” repeatedly.
When Deputy Knesset Speaker Hamad Amar (Yisrael Beytenu) asked her to apologize, Zoabi said: “The Israeli soldiers who murdered are the ones who need to apologize! You need to apologize!”
The Joint List strongly denounced the attack, considering it a “fascist assault.” It added, "The racist and bloody attack against Joint List MKs has notably escalated, calling for an end to the continued incitement against Arab MKs and Hanan Zoabi in particular".
In May 2010, a flotilla of six ships headed to Gaza but Israeli navy forces intercepted and boarded them and forced them to dock in Israel after brutally attacking the passengers.
Nine of the Turkish activists were killed during the attack. Zoabi’s comments came a day after Israel signed a deal with Turkey to restore ties, after years of frosty relations exacerbated by the flotilla attack. The deal stipulates that Israel would pay Turkey $20 million in compensation to families of the victims.
24 june 2016
The Israeli occupation sent threats to the organizers of the Resistance Festival in Greece over the participation of activist Leila Khaled, from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
Member of the PFLP political bureau Leila Khaled arrived in Athens on Thursday to take part in the annual Resistance Festival.
A statement by the PFLP said the Tel Aviv Embassy sent official protests over Khaled’s stopover in Athens and exerted pressure to ban the festival.
Residing in Jordan and an icon of anti-occupation activism, activist Leila Khaled took part in hijackings of Israeli warplanes in 1967 with the aim of releasing Palestinian captives.
Member of the PFLP political bureau Leila Khaled arrived in Athens on Thursday to take part in the annual Resistance Festival.
A statement by the PFLP said the Tel Aviv Embassy sent official protests over Khaled’s stopover in Athens and exerted pressure to ban the festival.
Residing in Jordan and an icon of anti-occupation activism, activist Leila Khaled took part in hijackings of Israeli warplanes in 1967 with the aim of releasing Palestinian captives.
19 june 2016
Zionist Union member of the Israeli parliament of the Knesset, Tzipi Livni, called for a referendum, Saturday afternoon, over what she reduced to a “problem” with Palestinians.
Speaking at an event in the Israeli city of Rishon LeZion, south of Tel Aviv, Livni censured Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for failing to take what she described as an “opportunity” for the US-backed two-state solution.
“There is a regional window of opportunity,” Livni said, according to Press TV/Al Ray. “But the glass ceiling is rising, and Netanyahu is unable to rise up and seize the opportunity,” she stated.” We need to know in which direction we’re going.”
Settlers at helm in Israel
Livni, a former candidate for the prime minister, said the regime’s policies were driven by those supporting settlement of Israelis beyond borders recognized by the international community.
She specifically pointed at the Yesha Council, an umbrella organization dealing with the regime’s illegal settlements.
“They know from their time in office that the Israeli government carries out the desires of a minority, the Yesha Council, which dictates the agenda,” she said.
Over half a million Israelis live in more than 230 illegal settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank, including East al-Quds (Jerusalem).
“They must be stopped… The minority has taken control with the help of collaborators in government.”
Israel stuck in daydream
The former Israeli foreign minister also boasted about “democracy” in Israel, saying it was being endangered with Bibi and his allies at helm.
Livni said the regime is ”disintegrating with the loss of its democratic values,” referring to other Israeli officials who have recently attacked Bibi, namely former minister of Military affairs Moshe Ya’alon and former premier Ehud Barak.
“There is a strong cry here from people who see what is happening,” she said. “You can’t address democracy in Israel while tip-toeing around the main issue.”
She concluded that a referendum should be held in Israel “now,” noting, “Israel is stuck in a daydream, moving aimlessly.”
Livni’s remarks came as severe crackdown of Palestinians continued unabated in the occupied lands, with Muslim youth placed behind bars, and Zionist expansive policies raging on.
Speaking at an event in the Israeli city of Rishon LeZion, south of Tel Aviv, Livni censured Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for failing to take what she described as an “opportunity” for the US-backed two-state solution.
“There is a regional window of opportunity,” Livni said, according to Press TV/Al Ray. “But the glass ceiling is rising, and Netanyahu is unable to rise up and seize the opportunity,” she stated.” We need to know in which direction we’re going.”
Settlers at helm in Israel
Livni, a former candidate for the prime minister, said the regime’s policies were driven by those supporting settlement of Israelis beyond borders recognized by the international community.
She specifically pointed at the Yesha Council, an umbrella organization dealing with the regime’s illegal settlements.
“They know from their time in office that the Israeli government carries out the desires of a minority, the Yesha Council, which dictates the agenda,” she said.
Over half a million Israelis live in more than 230 illegal settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank, including East al-Quds (Jerusalem).
“They must be stopped… The minority has taken control with the help of collaborators in government.”
Israel stuck in daydream
The former Israeli foreign minister also boasted about “democracy” in Israel, saying it was being endangered with Bibi and his allies at helm.
Livni said the regime is ”disintegrating with the loss of its democratic values,” referring to other Israeli officials who have recently attacked Bibi, namely former minister of Military affairs Moshe Ya’alon and former premier Ehud Barak.
“There is a strong cry here from people who see what is happening,” she said. “You can’t address democracy in Israel while tip-toeing around the main issue.”
She concluded that a referendum should be held in Israel “now,” noting, “Israel is stuck in a daydream, moving aimlessly.”
Livni’s remarks came as severe crackdown of Palestinians continued unabated in the occupied lands, with Muslim youth placed behind bars, and Zionist expansive policies raging on.
Israel has finalized the establishment of the largest base in the Red Sea Basin, specifically in Eritrea, Eritrean sources said.
The local sources told the PIC that the base was established on an area overseeing Bab al-Mandab, some 135 kilometers away from the capital Asmara.
The expert in East African affairs, Dr. Osama al-Ashqar, said sources in the opposition confirmed the piece of news. He added that the base, which was built on the highest mountain in Eritrea, aims at monitoring the strategic Bab al-Mandab and eliminating any projected threats to Israel’s commercial interests.
Al-Ashqar added that the daily functions of the base include monitoring the Arab Coalition forces involved in the Yemen conflict against the forces of the ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh and his Houthi allies.
The base is also expected to monitor Iranian navy activity and the movement of the naval and air forces across the southern corners of the Red Sea. Among the projected functions is also spying on the Sudan on allegations that it helps delivering arms to the Palestinian resistance.
According to al-Aqshar, the move marks a watershed in the Israeli-Eritrean ties which have seen a setback over recent years due to Israeli military back-up to Ethiopia and illegal immigration from Eritrea to Israel.
According to learned sources over 40,000 Eritreans had migrated to Israel. In al-Ashqar’s terms, such a development in the Israeli-Eritrean relations comes at the expense of the Egyptian diplomacy and national security which has lost its presence in such a strategic area.
The local sources told the PIC that the base was established on an area overseeing Bab al-Mandab, some 135 kilometers away from the capital Asmara.
The expert in East African affairs, Dr. Osama al-Ashqar, said sources in the opposition confirmed the piece of news. He added that the base, which was built on the highest mountain in Eritrea, aims at monitoring the strategic Bab al-Mandab and eliminating any projected threats to Israel’s commercial interests.
Al-Ashqar added that the daily functions of the base include monitoring the Arab Coalition forces involved in the Yemen conflict against the forces of the ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh and his Houthi allies.
The base is also expected to monitor Iranian navy activity and the movement of the naval and air forces across the southern corners of the Red Sea. Among the projected functions is also spying on the Sudan on allegations that it helps delivering arms to the Palestinian resistance.
According to al-Aqshar, the move marks a watershed in the Israeli-Eritrean ties which have seen a setback over recent years due to Israeli military back-up to Ethiopia and illegal immigration from Eritrea to Israel.
According to learned sources over 40,000 Eritreans had migrated to Israel. In al-Ashqar’s terms, such a development in the Israeli-Eritrean relations comes at the expense of the Egyptian diplomacy and national security which has lost its presence in such a strategic area.
