4 apr 2016
Idan Ofer. The prominent Israeli businessman was mentioned in the leak
A massive leak reveals names of hundreds of thousands of companies and individuals allegedly involved in different forms of financial wrongdoing, including several Israel ones. Several world leaders' names are also included in the leak, most notably that of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The release of a vast trove of documents and data on offshore financial dealings of wealthy, famous and powerful people around the world is raising questions over the widespread use of such tactics to avoid taxes and skirt financial oversight.
Reports by an international coalition of media outlets on an investigation with the Washington-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists brought to light details of offshore assets and services of politicians, businesses and celebrities, based on a cache of 11.5 million records.
Among the countries with past or present political figures named in the reports are Iceland, Ukraine, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Argentina.
Several hundred Israeli companies are mentioned in the leaked documents, as well as several notable individuals. These include famous attorneys Jacob Weinroth and Dov Weissglass, and businessmen such as Idan Ofer, Udi Angel, and Teddy Sagi – all of whom are listed as people who have run or owned – or who still run or own – companies in places considered to be tax havens.
Vladimir Putin's spokesman claimed that the Russian President was the "main target" of the investigation, which he suggested was the result of "Putinophobia" and aimed at smearing the country in a parliamentary election year. The ICIJ has links to the US government, Dmitry Peskov suggested.
"I don't consider it possible to go into the details" of allegations that Putin's friends ran an offshore scheme, Peskov told reporters, "mainly because there is nothing concrete and nothing new about Putin, and a lack of details." He added that Sergei Rodulgin, a St. Petersburg-based cellist allegedly involved in the offshore schemes, was a friend of Putin's but that the president "has very many friends."
Peskov, who had last week foreshadowed the disclosure of the documents by warning of an upcoming "information attack" on Putin, said Monday he expected more reports to follow.
In Russia, where the investigation was published by independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, the scandal faced an effective coverage ban. Russian television on Monday morning made no mention of it.
In Australia, the tax agency said Monday it was investigating more than 800 wealthy people for possible tax evasion linked to their alleged dealings with Mossack Fonseca, the Panamanian law firm with international offices that provide offshore financial services.
The Australian Tax Office said in a statement that it had linked more than 120 of those people to an offshore services provider in Hong Kong, but did not name the company.
In New Zealand, Prime Minister John Key rejected ICIJ's characterization of his country as among 21 tax havens used by Mossack Fonseca.
"Tax havens are where there is nondisclosure of information," Key said. "New Zealand has full disclosure of information."
Ramon Fonseca, a co-founder of Mossack Fonseca — one of the world's largest creators of shell companies — confirmed to Panama's Channel 2 television network that documents investigated by the ICIJ were authentic and had been obtained illegally by hackers.
But he said most people named in the reports were not his firm's direct clients but were accounts set up by intermediaries. He said the firm did not engage in any wrongdoing.
Businessmen, criminals, celebrities and sports stars — the ICIJ said the documents involve 214,488 companies and 14,153 clients of Mossack Fonseca. The nonprofit group said it would release the full list of companies and people linked to them early next month.
The Munich-based German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung said it was offered the data more than a year ago through an encrypted channel by an anonymous source. The source sought unspecified security measures but no compensation, said Bastian Obermayer, a reporter for the paper.
The documents provided to Suddeutsche Zeitung, amounting to about 2.6 terabytes of data, included emails, financial spreadsheets, passports and corporate records detailing how powerful figures used banks, law firms and offshore shell companies to hide their assets. The data dated from 1977 through the end of 2015, it said.
The newspaper and its partners verified the authenticity of the data by comparing it to public registers, witness testimony and court rulings, he told the AP. A previous cache of Mossack Fonseca documents obtained by German authorities was also used to verify the new material, Obermayer added.
"It allows a never-before-seen view inside the offshore world — providing a day-to-day, decade-by-decade look at how dark money flows through the global financial system, breeding crime and stripping national treasuries of tax revenues," the ICIJ said.
Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela issued a statement saying his government had "zero tolerance" for illicit financial activities and would cooperate "vigorously" with any judicial investigation arising from the leak of the law firm's documents.
The Guardian newspaper, which participated in the investigation, published a video on its website late Sunday of an interview with Iceland's Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson. During the interview with Sweden's SVT television, the prime minister is asked about a company called Wintris. He responds by insisting that its affairs are above board and calling the question "completely inappropriate," before breaking off the interview.
The office of Argentine President Mauricio Macri confirmed a report by La Nacion newspaper that a business group owned by Macri's family had set up Fleg Trading Ltd. in the Bahamas. But it said Macri himself had no shares in Fleg and never received income from it.
Mexico's tax office said it would check on any Mexican resident or company mentioned in reports on the leaked documents.
According to the ICIJ's website, banks including HSBC, UBS, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank have worked with Mossack Fonseca to create offshore accounts.
"The allegations are historical, in some cases dating back 20 years, predating our significant, well-publicized reforms implemented over the last few years," HSBC spokesman Rob Sherman said in an email.
UBS said it "conducts its business in full compliance with applicable law and regulations. We have no interest in funds that are not taxed or derive from unlawful activities."
Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A massive leak reveals names of hundreds of thousands of companies and individuals allegedly involved in different forms of financial wrongdoing, including several Israel ones. Several world leaders' names are also included in the leak, most notably that of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The release of a vast trove of documents and data on offshore financial dealings of wealthy, famous and powerful people around the world is raising questions over the widespread use of such tactics to avoid taxes and skirt financial oversight.
Reports by an international coalition of media outlets on an investigation with the Washington-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists brought to light details of offshore assets and services of politicians, businesses and celebrities, based on a cache of 11.5 million records.
Among the countries with past or present political figures named in the reports are Iceland, Ukraine, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Argentina.
Several hundred Israeli companies are mentioned in the leaked documents, as well as several notable individuals. These include famous attorneys Jacob Weinroth and Dov Weissglass, and businessmen such as Idan Ofer, Udi Angel, and Teddy Sagi – all of whom are listed as people who have run or owned – or who still run or own – companies in places considered to be tax havens.
Vladimir Putin's spokesman claimed that the Russian President was the "main target" of the investigation, which he suggested was the result of "Putinophobia" and aimed at smearing the country in a parliamentary election year. The ICIJ has links to the US government, Dmitry Peskov suggested.
"I don't consider it possible to go into the details" of allegations that Putin's friends ran an offshore scheme, Peskov told reporters, "mainly because there is nothing concrete and nothing new about Putin, and a lack of details." He added that Sergei Rodulgin, a St. Petersburg-based cellist allegedly involved in the offshore schemes, was a friend of Putin's but that the president "has very many friends."
Peskov, who had last week foreshadowed the disclosure of the documents by warning of an upcoming "information attack" on Putin, said Monday he expected more reports to follow.
In Russia, where the investigation was published by independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, the scandal faced an effective coverage ban. Russian television on Monday morning made no mention of it.
In Australia, the tax agency said Monday it was investigating more than 800 wealthy people for possible tax evasion linked to their alleged dealings with Mossack Fonseca, the Panamanian law firm with international offices that provide offshore financial services.
The Australian Tax Office said in a statement that it had linked more than 120 of those people to an offshore services provider in Hong Kong, but did not name the company.
In New Zealand, Prime Minister John Key rejected ICIJ's characterization of his country as among 21 tax havens used by Mossack Fonseca.
"Tax havens are where there is nondisclosure of information," Key said. "New Zealand has full disclosure of information."
Ramon Fonseca, a co-founder of Mossack Fonseca — one of the world's largest creators of shell companies — confirmed to Panama's Channel 2 television network that documents investigated by the ICIJ were authentic and had been obtained illegally by hackers.
But he said most people named in the reports were not his firm's direct clients but were accounts set up by intermediaries. He said the firm did not engage in any wrongdoing.
Businessmen, criminals, celebrities and sports stars — the ICIJ said the documents involve 214,488 companies and 14,153 clients of Mossack Fonseca. The nonprofit group said it would release the full list of companies and people linked to them early next month.
The Munich-based German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung said it was offered the data more than a year ago through an encrypted channel by an anonymous source. The source sought unspecified security measures but no compensation, said Bastian Obermayer, a reporter for the paper.
The documents provided to Suddeutsche Zeitung, amounting to about 2.6 terabytes of data, included emails, financial spreadsheets, passports and corporate records detailing how powerful figures used banks, law firms and offshore shell companies to hide their assets. The data dated from 1977 through the end of 2015, it said.
The newspaper and its partners verified the authenticity of the data by comparing it to public registers, witness testimony and court rulings, he told the AP. A previous cache of Mossack Fonseca documents obtained by German authorities was also used to verify the new material, Obermayer added.
"It allows a never-before-seen view inside the offshore world — providing a day-to-day, decade-by-decade look at how dark money flows through the global financial system, breeding crime and stripping national treasuries of tax revenues," the ICIJ said.
Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela issued a statement saying his government had "zero tolerance" for illicit financial activities and would cooperate "vigorously" with any judicial investigation arising from the leak of the law firm's documents.
The Guardian newspaper, which participated in the investigation, published a video on its website late Sunday of an interview with Iceland's Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson. During the interview with Sweden's SVT television, the prime minister is asked about a company called Wintris. He responds by insisting that its affairs are above board and calling the question "completely inappropriate," before breaking off the interview.
The office of Argentine President Mauricio Macri confirmed a report by La Nacion newspaper that a business group owned by Macri's family had set up Fleg Trading Ltd. in the Bahamas. But it said Macri himself had no shares in Fleg and never received income from it.
Mexico's tax office said it would check on any Mexican resident or company mentioned in reports on the leaked documents.
According to the ICIJ's website, banks including HSBC, UBS, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank have worked with Mossack Fonseca to create offshore accounts.
"The allegations are historical, in some cases dating back 20 years, predating our significant, well-publicized reforms implemented over the last few years," HSBC spokesman Rob Sherman said in an email.
UBS said it "conducts its business in full compliance with applicable law and regulations. We have no interest in funds that are not taxed or derive from unlawful activities."
Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
20 mar 2016
A Palestinian delegation from 1948 Occupied Palestine participated, within an event organized by Mizan institution for Human Rights - Nazareth, in the UN Human Rights Council’s 31st session at the UN headquarters in Geneva.
The delegation’s participation aims at raising and internationalizing the issue of the Palestinians residing in the 1948 Occupied Palestine as well as at exposing Israeli increasing discrimination.
Discussing other issues like blacklisting the Islamic Movement along with 23 of civil society institutions were among the objectives of the visit.
The delegation included Mohammad Baraka, head of the higher follow up committee, Yusuf Jabarin, the Arab deputy on the common list, and lawyers Omar Khamaysi and Ahmad Amara in addition to Muath Khatib from Mizan institution.
The delegation held talks with UN officials and the High Commissioner for Human Rights as well as ambassadors and international diplomats. Several issues in terms of human rights of Palestinians in the Green Line were put to discussion as well.
The visit also aimed to follow up international complaints filed to the UN last month and to generate a special report on the Israeli emergency laws.
The delegation’s participation aims at raising and internationalizing the issue of the Palestinians residing in the 1948 Occupied Palestine as well as at exposing Israeli increasing discrimination.
Discussing other issues like blacklisting the Islamic Movement along with 23 of civil society institutions were among the objectives of the visit.
The delegation included Mohammad Baraka, head of the higher follow up committee, Yusuf Jabarin, the Arab deputy on the common list, and lawyers Omar Khamaysi and Ahmad Amara in addition to Muath Khatib from Mizan institution.
The delegation held talks with UN officials and the High Commissioner for Human Rights as well as ambassadors and international diplomats. Several issues in terms of human rights of Palestinians in the Green Line were put to discussion as well.
The visit also aimed to follow up international complaints filed to the UN last month and to generate a special report on the Israeli emergency laws.
19 mar 2016
Three Israelis were reported killed and 11 injured in a suicide bomb attack in Istanbul on Saturday, six of whom were identified by Palestinian member of Israel's Knesset Ayman Odeh as Palestinians with Israeli citizenship.
Initial reports said at least five people were killed during the attack in the Turkish city, including the assailant, and another 36 injured.
Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon expressed concern that three Israeli citizens were among those killed, and three Israelis were confirmed dead according to Turkish media reports.
A spokesman from the ministry confirmed to Ma'an that 11 Israelis in total were injured in the attack, two critically, but was unable to identify them. The 11 Israelis were being treated in five separate hospitals across the city following the attack, a ministry spokesperson told Ma'an.
The blast hit Istiklal Street, a popular pedestrian boulevard closed to traffic lined with shops and cafes, theaters, and foreign consulates.
Israeli media reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered increased personnel at the Israeli consulate in Istanbul in the aftermath of the attack.
The attack in Istanbul came six days after a suicide bomb killed 37 people in the Turkish capital of Ankara, which was claimed by the the Kurdistan Freedom Hawks (TAK), a group linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK).
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack on Saturday, though both the Islamic State and Kurdish militants have claimed recent attacks in Turkey.
Turkey remains a popular tourist destination for Israelis in spite of a years-long freeze in relations between the two countries sparked by a deadly Israeli commando raid on a Turkish aid vessel bound for the Gaza Strip in 2010.
Initial reports said at least five people were killed during the attack in the Turkish city, including the assailant, and another 36 injured.
Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon expressed concern that three Israeli citizens were among those killed, and three Israelis were confirmed dead according to Turkish media reports.
A spokesman from the ministry confirmed to Ma'an that 11 Israelis in total were injured in the attack, two critically, but was unable to identify them. The 11 Israelis were being treated in five separate hospitals across the city following the attack, a ministry spokesperson told Ma'an.
The blast hit Istiklal Street, a popular pedestrian boulevard closed to traffic lined with shops and cafes, theaters, and foreign consulates.
Israeli media reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered increased personnel at the Israeli consulate in Istanbul in the aftermath of the attack.
The attack in Istanbul came six days after a suicide bomb killed 37 people in the Turkish capital of Ankara, which was claimed by the the Kurdistan Freedom Hawks (TAK), a group linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK).
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack on Saturday, though both the Islamic State and Kurdish militants have claimed recent attacks in Turkey.
Turkey remains a popular tourist destination for Israelis in spite of a years-long freeze in relations between the two countries sparked by a deadly Israeli commando raid on a Turkish aid vessel bound for the Gaza Strip in 2010.
18 mar 2016
A photo from Breaking the Silence of a soldier from the 50th "Nahal" Brigade, standing guard in a Palestinian home, Hebron 2003
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said rights group Breaking the Silence had “crossed a red line" following allegations that the group collected classified information from members of the Israeli military.
The PM launched the allegation shortly after Israel’s Channel 2 aired an investigative report based on video footage obtained by undercover members of right-wing NGO Ad-Khan that reportedly documented Breaking the Silence questioning members of the military on operational activities.
Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon meanwhile called for a criminal investigation against Breaking the Silence on accusations the group collected sensitive classified information.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely on social media accused Breaking the Silence of “blackening the face of Israel to the world" and potentially damaging state security.
Breaking the Silence told Channel 2 in response to the allegations said the organization works “carefully to publish only materials approved by the military censor.”
The group charged the right-wing government of attempting to silence Israeli citizens and members of the military who opposed the ongoing military occupation, pointing to the PM’s response as a cause for concern regarding the future of democracy in Israel.
The incident marks ongoing targeting by right-wingers of Breaking the Silence, which collects testimonies from Israeli veterans in effort to document every day life in occupied Palestinian territory and expose Israeli war crimes.
Ad-Kan, the group that collected the video footage in question, is a far-right Israeli group that “exposes” leftists and human rights activists in a self-described effort to protect “legitimization” of Israel.
The group has placed moles in Breaking the Silence before to gather information on its activities. Ad-Kan in January attempted to vilify former Israeli Foreign Ministry director-general Alon Liel through video footage showing him voicing support of the group’s efforts to increase international pressure on Israel.
The ex-diplomat also praised members of Breaking the Silence as ”the most moral, wisest people who... were not brainwashed by right-wing messianic propaganda.” The footage eventually led to many Israeli officials to call for his dismissal last month.
Israel's right-wing government in recent months has upped pressure on NGOs that aim to protect the human rights of Palestinians. The Knesset last month approved the first reading of the "NGO transparency bill," denounced by critics as a move to delegitimize and weaken human rights organizations in Israel.
Israeli watchdog Peace Now responding to the passing of the first reading by saying the bill was "a violent and discriminatory act of public shaming against those criticizing the government."
Voicing concern regarding freedom of speech, the group said in a statement: "Coercing specific civil society organizations to mention their funding sources in every possible occasion is no different in principle than the wearing of special badges."
It continued: "To improve Israel's image in the world, what's needed is a change in policy rather than a crackdown on dissent."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said rights group Breaking the Silence had “crossed a red line" following allegations that the group collected classified information from members of the Israeli military.
The PM launched the allegation shortly after Israel’s Channel 2 aired an investigative report based on video footage obtained by undercover members of right-wing NGO Ad-Khan that reportedly documented Breaking the Silence questioning members of the military on operational activities.
Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon meanwhile called for a criminal investigation against Breaking the Silence on accusations the group collected sensitive classified information.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely on social media accused Breaking the Silence of “blackening the face of Israel to the world" and potentially damaging state security.
Breaking the Silence told Channel 2 in response to the allegations said the organization works “carefully to publish only materials approved by the military censor.”
The group charged the right-wing government of attempting to silence Israeli citizens and members of the military who opposed the ongoing military occupation, pointing to the PM’s response as a cause for concern regarding the future of democracy in Israel.
The incident marks ongoing targeting by right-wingers of Breaking the Silence, which collects testimonies from Israeli veterans in effort to document every day life in occupied Palestinian territory and expose Israeli war crimes.
Ad-Kan, the group that collected the video footage in question, is a far-right Israeli group that “exposes” leftists and human rights activists in a self-described effort to protect “legitimization” of Israel.
The group has placed moles in Breaking the Silence before to gather information on its activities. Ad-Kan in January attempted to vilify former Israeli Foreign Ministry director-general Alon Liel through video footage showing him voicing support of the group’s efforts to increase international pressure on Israel.
The ex-diplomat also praised members of Breaking the Silence as ”the most moral, wisest people who... were not brainwashed by right-wing messianic propaganda.” The footage eventually led to many Israeli officials to call for his dismissal last month.
Israel's right-wing government in recent months has upped pressure on NGOs that aim to protect the human rights of Palestinians. The Knesset last month approved the first reading of the "NGO transparency bill," denounced by critics as a move to delegitimize and weaken human rights organizations in Israel.
Israeli watchdog Peace Now responding to the passing of the first reading by saying the bill was "a violent and discriminatory act of public shaming against those criticizing the government."
Voicing concern regarding freedom of speech, the group said in a statement: "Coercing specific civil society organizations to mention their funding sources in every possible occasion is no different in principle than the wearing of special badges."
It continued: "To improve Israel's image in the world, what's needed is a change in policy rather than a crackdown on dissent."
Israel on Thursday announced its intent to appoint a settler in the position of an ambassador to Brazil, moments before it said the post was already served by a so-called Danny Dayan.
Israel’s foreign ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said the ministry had re-advertised the ambassador's position.
But shortly after, the ministry said the advertisement was an "unfortunate bureaucratic mistake" and that "Danny Dayan is still Israel's appointed ambassador".
Danny Dayan was nominated by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Israel’s ambassador to Brazil last August.
But Brazil has not sent back its consent, despite the tireless efforts made by Israeli diplomats. Dayan is the former head of an illegal settlement council in the occupied West Bank.
He is notorious for his incitement to the misappropriation of Palestinian lands in favor of illegal settlement expansion. Brazilian diplomacy adopts a pro-Palestine position and considers Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories illegitimate.
Israel’s foreign ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said the ministry had re-advertised the ambassador's position.
But shortly after, the ministry said the advertisement was an "unfortunate bureaucratic mistake" and that "Danny Dayan is still Israel's appointed ambassador".
Danny Dayan was nominated by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Israel’s ambassador to Brazil last August.
But Brazil has not sent back its consent, despite the tireless efforts made by Israeli diplomats. Dayan is the former head of an illegal settlement council in the occupied West Bank.
He is notorious for his incitement to the misappropriation of Palestinian lands in favor of illegal settlement expansion. Brazilian diplomacy adopts a pro-Palestine position and considers Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories illegitimate.
17 mar 2016
MK Hotovely reveals that the Foreign Ministry has been taking part in clandestine meetings in Jakarta; Sunday's refusal to facilitate the Indonesian foreign minister's visit to Ramallah was caused by a violation of these secret agreements.
Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely revealed on Wednesday that Israel and Indonesea are conducting secret negotiations, and that a representative of the Foreign Ministry recently visited the capital, Jakarta.
The statements were made in reply to a question in the Knesset from MK Ahmed Tibi (Joint List) regarding the Israeli decision to prevent Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi from entering Ramallah on Sunday.
"There were secret communications with Indonesia, with which we have no diplomatic relations, and there were understandings that they crudely violated, and we therefore prevented her from entering," said Hotovely in the Knesset. "It was a violation of diplomatic code, and so the most honorable thing is to honor the code, and when you commit a violation, don't be surprised that you are preventing yourself from visiting the Palestinian Authority."
Hotoveli clarified that the understandings were reached during the Foreign Ministry representative visit to Indonesia, according to which Indonesians could visit the Palestinian Authority only if they also visit Israel. She said that a dialogue exists through various channels, and Israel attaches great importance to relations with Indonesia, the most populous Muslim country in the world.
Marsudi was supposed to inaugurate an honorary Indonesian consulate in Ramallah. She visited Jordan on Saturday and was scheduled to arrive on Sunday in Ramallah, to demonstrate Indonesia's commitment to improving relations with the Palestinians and to support Palestinian independence.
Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who chose the Palestinian issue as the central theme of his foreign policy in the presidential election campaign in 2014, promised to open a diplomatic mission in Ramallah. Widodo also announced in his speech at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jakarta last week the appointment of a Palestinian to the position of honorary consul of Indonesia in Palestine. He announced that this role would be to strengthen economic, social and cultural exchanges and to encourage the travel of tourists and businesseople between the two countries, as well as to provide assistance to Indonesian citizens. In the same speech, the president said there should be a boycott of settlement products.
In 2012, Israel refused to allow the former foreign minister of Indonesia Marty Natalegawa to enter the the territories. Natalegawa’s request to enter along with a delegation of 12 ministers from Malaysia, Cuba and Bangladesh was denied.
Although Indonesia has clearly pro-Palestinian views in public, it is confidentially conducting close talks with Israel in a variety of areas, the center of which is tourism. Data from the Population and Immigration Authority show that in 2013 some 30,000 tourists came from Indonesia, compared with just 9,442 in 2009—an increase of more than threefold. Some travel agencies organize trips from Indonesia to Israel and sell packages.
In 2013, then-Israeli economy minister Naftali Bennett visited Indonesia to participate in the World Trade Organization conference in Bali. Former president Shimon Peres visited Indonesia in 2000. Amos Nadai, deputy director of the Foreign Ministry, also visited Indonesia, as well as Yael Rubinstein, then Israel's ambassador to Thailand. At the same time, several delegations from Indonesia arrived in Israel. In 2013, a group of Indonesian officials secretly visited the country and even visited the Knesset. Last year, a delegation from Indonesia participated in a homeland security conference in Tel Aviv.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry operates a website in Indonesia and brings delegations of journalists and opinion makers from Indonesia to Israel every year. Indonesian businessmen are invited to receptions celebrating Israel’s Independence Day, conducted by the Israeli Embassy in Singapore, which is responsible for the relationship with Indonesia. However, whenever reports were published in Indonesia that relations are warming up, they immediately led to demonstrations against Israel and threats from Muslim organizations.
Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely revealed on Wednesday that Israel and Indonesea are conducting secret negotiations, and that a representative of the Foreign Ministry recently visited the capital, Jakarta.
The statements were made in reply to a question in the Knesset from MK Ahmed Tibi (Joint List) regarding the Israeli decision to prevent Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi from entering Ramallah on Sunday.
"There were secret communications with Indonesia, with which we have no diplomatic relations, and there were understandings that they crudely violated, and we therefore prevented her from entering," said Hotovely in the Knesset. "It was a violation of diplomatic code, and so the most honorable thing is to honor the code, and when you commit a violation, don't be surprised that you are preventing yourself from visiting the Palestinian Authority."
Hotoveli clarified that the understandings were reached during the Foreign Ministry representative visit to Indonesia, according to which Indonesians could visit the Palestinian Authority only if they also visit Israel. She said that a dialogue exists through various channels, and Israel attaches great importance to relations with Indonesia, the most populous Muslim country in the world.
Marsudi was supposed to inaugurate an honorary Indonesian consulate in Ramallah. She visited Jordan on Saturday and was scheduled to arrive on Sunday in Ramallah, to demonstrate Indonesia's commitment to improving relations with the Palestinians and to support Palestinian independence.
Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who chose the Palestinian issue as the central theme of his foreign policy in the presidential election campaign in 2014, promised to open a diplomatic mission in Ramallah. Widodo also announced in his speech at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jakarta last week the appointment of a Palestinian to the position of honorary consul of Indonesia in Palestine. He announced that this role would be to strengthen economic, social and cultural exchanges and to encourage the travel of tourists and businesseople between the two countries, as well as to provide assistance to Indonesian citizens. In the same speech, the president said there should be a boycott of settlement products.
In 2012, Israel refused to allow the former foreign minister of Indonesia Marty Natalegawa to enter the the territories. Natalegawa’s request to enter along with a delegation of 12 ministers from Malaysia, Cuba and Bangladesh was denied.
Although Indonesia has clearly pro-Palestinian views in public, it is confidentially conducting close talks with Israel in a variety of areas, the center of which is tourism. Data from the Population and Immigration Authority show that in 2013 some 30,000 tourists came from Indonesia, compared with just 9,442 in 2009—an increase of more than threefold. Some travel agencies organize trips from Indonesia to Israel and sell packages.
In 2013, then-Israeli economy minister Naftali Bennett visited Indonesia to participate in the World Trade Organization conference in Bali. Former president Shimon Peres visited Indonesia in 2000. Amos Nadai, deputy director of the Foreign Ministry, also visited Indonesia, as well as Yael Rubinstein, then Israel's ambassador to Thailand. At the same time, several delegations from Indonesia arrived in Israel. In 2013, a group of Indonesian officials secretly visited the country and even visited the Knesset. Last year, a delegation from Indonesia participated in a homeland security conference in Tel Aviv.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry operates a website in Indonesia and brings delegations of journalists and opinion makers from Indonesia to Israel every year. Indonesian businessmen are invited to receptions celebrating Israel’s Independence Day, conducted by the Israeli Embassy in Singapore, which is responsible for the relationship with Indonesia. However, whenever reports were published in Indonesia that relations are warming up, they immediately led to demonstrations against Israel and threats from Muslim organizations.
15 mar 2016
A state of panic overwhelmed Dimona area, in southern 1948 Occupied Palestine, following a train crash that caused bromine gas leak.
A PIC journalist quoted Israeli news outlets as reporting that two Israelis were lightly injured when a train carrying toxic bromine gas collided late Monday with train cars parked on the tracks at a rail station in Dimona.
Officials detected a leak of the bromine at the site, and police ordered all residents living in or near the scene of the crash to remain indoors. Police blocked Route 25 leading into Dimona to traffic in both directions while the rescue operation was underway.
Bromine is a dense, mobile, slightly transparent and reddish-brown liquid. It evaporates easily at standard temperature. Exposure to or indirect inhalation of bromine causes serious health disorders.
The liquid is also very harmful to the fauna and flora. It is mostly manufactured in the United States and Israel.
A PIC journalist quoted Israeli news outlets as reporting that two Israelis were lightly injured when a train carrying toxic bromine gas collided late Monday with train cars parked on the tracks at a rail station in Dimona.
Officials detected a leak of the bromine at the site, and police ordered all residents living in or near the scene of the crash to remain indoors. Police blocked Route 25 leading into Dimona to traffic in both directions while the rescue operation was underway.
Bromine is a dense, mobile, slightly transparent and reddish-brown liquid. It evaporates easily at standard temperature. Exposure to or indirect inhalation of bromine causes serious health disorders.
The liquid is also very harmful to the fauna and flora. It is mostly manufactured in the United States and Israel.
13 mar 2016
Israeli authorities denied entrance, to the occupied West Bank, to an Indonesian delegation headed by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, on Sunday morning.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, in a statement, that Marsudi was scheduled to visit the occupied Palestinian territory and meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki in Ramallah.
Matsudi, according to Ma'an, was also scheduled to inaugurate an honorary consulate of Indonesia in Ramallah.
The Palestinian Authority statement added that al-Maliki traveled to Jordan on Sunday morning in order to meet with her in Amman instead.
The two will discuss issues of importance to both countries and the how to improve bilateral relations, the statement said.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment on the incident.
However, Israeli newspaper "Haaretz" reported that Marsudi was turned away due to her refusal to also meet with Israeli political figures, during her trip.
Israel controls access to the West Bank, which can be reached via the main checkpoint outside Jerusalem, on the road coming up from Ben Gurion International Airport, or at the Allenby Bridge over the Jordan River, on the road from Amman.
Israel has denied foreign diplomats entry to Palestinian territory numerous times, over the years. Earlier this month, Israeli authorities denied a delegation of Belgian lawmakers entry into the blockaded Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, in a statement, that Marsudi was scheduled to visit the occupied Palestinian territory and meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki in Ramallah.
Matsudi, according to Ma'an, was also scheduled to inaugurate an honorary consulate of Indonesia in Ramallah.
The Palestinian Authority statement added that al-Maliki traveled to Jordan on Sunday morning in order to meet with her in Amman instead.
The two will discuss issues of importance to both countries and the how to improve bilateral relations, the statement said.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment on the incident.
However, Israeli newspaper "Haaretz" reported that Marsudi was turned away due to her refusal to also meet with Israeli political figures, during her trip.
Israel controls access to the West Bank, which can be reached via the main checkpoint outside Jerusalem, on the road coming up from Ben Gurion International Airport, or at the Allenby Bridge over the Jordan River, on the road from Amman.
Israel has denied foreign diplomats entry to Palestinian territory numerous times, over the years. Earlier this month, Israeli authorities denied a delegation of Belgian lawmakers entry into the blockaded Gaza Strip.