Sunday links

From Ian:

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Abbas plays both sides

A new book by Dr. Shaul Bartal shows that Fatah and the other Palestinian groups have a common goal — Israel's destruction The difference between "moderate" Abbas and terror organizations, as shown by Palestinian Media Watch, is only in the way they speak, but not in the way they think."Bartal's book, which was published recently, was completed in Nov. 2011. A year later, Bartal identifies exactly the same danger that Netanyahu warned against — the danger that Hamas could take over the West Bank as well. "Fatah officials say that the PA is collapsing and high-ranking Hamas officials are already saying that they are ready to take over the leadership."

Netanyahu hits back at Obama: I won’t capitulate
It would be easy to retreat to indefensible pre-67 lines and divide Jerusalem, prime minister says, ‘but we’d get Hamas 400 meters from my house’

"Days after President Barack Obama was quoted as castigating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for ostensibly turning Israel into a pariah nation and threatening its long-term survival, Netanyahu hit back Saturday night, declaring that if he were to capitulate to demands for a retreat to the pre-1967 lines, “we’d get Hamas 400 meters from my house.”

Netanyahu: Jerusalem Building is Not World’s Problem, Nuclear Iran Is
“Building in Jerusalem is not the world’s problem; a nuclear Iran is the world’s problem,” said Netanyahu, adding, “History will not forgive those who do not stop Iran’s nuclear program.”

Why Egyptian hate speech, and ‘NYT’ reporting on it, matter
Imagine if the 'New York Times' adequately held Palestinian leaders to account, as it did with the Egyptians.

"Might the Palestinian Authority – never mind Hamas – rethink its practice of celebrating terrorists in West Bank summer camps? Might they cease broadcasts on state-run television celebrating the turning of “heartbeats into bombs,” announcing that “with our rifle we will impose our new life,” and describing Jews praying at the Western Wall as “sin and filth”?
Unless the New York Times begins to treat not only Egyptian hate speech but also Palestinian incitement with the seriousness it deserves, we will never know."

Yemen halted funding for displaced Jews, NGO says
Human rights group calls for restoring property to dwindling Jewish community ousted from its home by al-Qaeda five years ago

"Most of the remaining Jews in Yemen now live in a guarded compound in Sanaa after they were driven from their homes in Saada by al-Qaeda-aligned anti-government forces in 2007. According to Sawa’a, media access to the compound is restricted, and, in October, several Sawa’a staff members were arrested during an attempted visit."

Rock Seriously Wounds 3-Year-Old in Adam
Three-year-old toddler seriously wounded after being hit on the head by a rock at the community of Geva Binyamin-Adam.

"A three-year-old toddler was seriously wounded on Saturday night, after being hit on the head by a rock at the community of Geva Binyamin-Adam in the Binyamin region, northeast of Jerusalem."

Police Arrest 9 in Arab ‘Snowball’ Attack on Two Jews
Police arrest nine Arab youth suspected of ganging up on two hareidi-religious Jews during snowfall in Jerusalem.

"Police have arrested six Arab youth suspected of attacking two young hareidi-religious Jewish men in Jerusalem. The six are believed to have been part of a mob assault that took place a week and a half ago during snowfall in the city."

Clashes at trial of security officers in Alexandria
Protesters demand retribution for those killed by security forces during 2011 Egyptian uprising

"Relatives of the dead say they have little confidence in the justice system or police investigations.
“It is one long chain of corruption,” said Ramadan Ahmed, whose 16-year-old son Mohammed was shot dead in clashes outside an Alexandria police station.
Since Mubarak was deposed on Feb. 11, 2011, nearly 100 police officers have been brought to trial on charges of killing and wounding protesters, although all were acquitted or received suspended sentences."

Four hurt in attack on Lebanese minister’s convoy
Pro-Syrian parliamentarian Faisal Karameh not hurt in fire caused by grenade; attack likely to fuel tensions in Tripoli

Israeli ambassador slams 'Der Spiegel' columnist
German envoy warns of "rising left-wing anti-Semitism"; calls comparison of Gaza to concentration camp, "shameful."

"Israel's Ambassador to Germany,Yaakov Hadas-Handelsman, weighed in on the heated row over the alleged anti-Semitism of Der Spiegel columnist Jakob Augstein and growing left-wing anti-Semitism in the Federal Republic."

IDF Blog: Introducing InstaIDF on Instagram

"The new year celebrations always mark the beginning of a change and innovation. People choose to change things about their lives, and set some new goals and to-do lists. We felt that our growing Instagram account needed a little bit of refreshing, and what could be a better time to launch our new Instagram campaign than in January 2013?"

Sacramento honors L.A. teen for his gift to Israel

"Robert Leeds, 13, never had much of a personal connection to Sacramento. He grew up and continues to live in Los Angeles. So why did the Sacramento City Council honor the teen in a special ribbon-cutting ceremony the morning of Jan. 8. Inspired by the city’s decision last summer to partner with Ashkelon, Israel as its newest sister city, Leeds decided that in lieu of gifts or money, attendees at his bar mitzvah should donate money to a fund that would go to Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency response agency. He ended up raising enough money to purchase an ambulance to donate to Ashkelon."

Mariah Carey shows off her Hebrew
Pop superstar unveils some unexpected language skills on the season premiere of ‘American Idol’

“I hear you are from Israel, so shalom,” Carey told Shira Gavrielov, identified on the show as an Israeli expat living in Brooklyn. The “Fantasy” performer then wished Gavrielov “shana tova,” or happy new year, which makes sense when you realize the segment was filmed back in September, not long after Rosh Hashana.
It appears Carey will get more opportunities to demonstrate her Hebrew vocabulary: Gavrielov earned the approval of all four judges, meaning she’ll make it to the next round of the reality TV juggernaut."

In Safed’s fabled synagogues, myth and reality intertwine
Beautiful houses of worship star in tales, centuries old, of wondrous miracles befalling devout rabbis and faithful congregations