Friday Links Part 1

From Ian:

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Palestinians Threaten Their Own Businessmen by Khaled Abu Toameh

Many of those responsible for the "anti-normalization" campaign are, in fact, affiliated with Mahmoud Abbas's ruling Fatah faction.
The campaign of intimidation against Palestinian businessmen will not only foil Kerry's plan to boost the Palestinian economy, but also scare away potential investors from launching badly needed projects in the West Bank.
The campaign has already resulted in the cancellation of scheduled meetings between Palestinian and Israeli businessmen. Once again, the biggest losers are the Palestinians.
Those who are threatening businessmen do not want to see economic prosperity in the Palestinian territories. Instead, they want Palestinians to continue living in misery and frustration in order to keep alive the fight against Israel.

Sarah Honig: Nasrallah’s harangue

For Hezbollah, Assad’s fall would spell its own. Hezbollah stands to lose everything and this is why it is fully embroiled in Syria’s civil war. Not only can Hezbollah act as Iran’s proxy but it has no option but to do its utmost to tilt the scales in Assad’s favor.

Abbas' hit parade

Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas has drawn up a list of 120 terrorists he wants Israel to release as a precondition for restarting talks The U.S. has urged Israel to consider the request But should Israel release a rogues' gallery of murderers in exchange for sitting at the negotiating table?

MEMRI: Palestinian Authority TV Salutes Hamas Terrorist Mastermind Abbas Al-Sayyed on His Birthday


Sayyed was responsible for the Netanya Park Hotel Passover bombing.

IRS May Have Targeted at Least Five Pro-Israel Nonprofits, Investigation Reveals

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), already the subject on an ongoing national scandal due to its admission of targeting conservative groups, may have also targeted at least five pro-Israel organizations in the auditing process, an investigation by the Washington Free Beacon revealed. Some of the organizations, which clashed with the Obama administration’s opposition to Israeli construction beyond the 1949 armistice lines (commonly known as the “Green Line”), allege that the administration purposefully coordinated the actions of the IRS.

Pension Fund TIAA-CREF Declines to Vote for Israel Boycott

The asset management giant, which manages $520 billion in pension funds, received approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to “take no action” on a submission by the BDS activists. This followed a warning issued to the company by Shurat HaDin, an Israeli civil rights group, that passage of the resolution would violate New York and Federal law.

Will Jordan be the Next Arab State to Fall?

Bordering the attention-grabbing countries of Israel, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Jordan is sometimes overlooked by the media and by policy experts because of its peace with Israel, its close alliance with the United States, and its relatively liberal socio-economic system. Underneath this façade of stability, however, is a country plagued by a number of economic and social issues that threaten to plunge Jordan into the chaos of the “Arab Spring” upheavals.

When Assad shells rebels, Israel goes on alert and learns

Colonel Zvika Haimovich of the air defence corps said southward launches against Syrian insurgents by President Bashar al-Assad's forces gave Israel mere seconds in which to determine it was not the true target - a distinction that could prove crucial for warding off an unprecedented regional conflagration.

Netanyahu to spend another $350 million so every Israeli has gas mask

Amid heightened tensions with Syria, PM concludes nationwide chemical defense drill by ordering ministries to equip 100% of residents with protective kits

McCain crosses paths with rebel kidnapper

U.S. Senator John McCain was photographed with a known affiliate of the rebel group responsible for the kidnapping of 11 Lebanese Shiite pilgrims one year ago, during a brief and highly publicized visit inside Syria this week.

Italian models claim they were paid for pro-Assad demo

Sixteen Italian models were allegedly hired to participate in a fake demonstration, in Rome, in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, according to The Times.
The pro-government sit-in took place in Rome’s Santi Apostoli square, on November 22, 2011, as the civil war in Syria was intensifying.

Russian manufacturer to sell 10 MiGs to Syria

A Russian arms manufacturer says it is signing a contract to deliver at least 10 fighter jets to Syria.

Russia: S-300s to Syria – Only in 2014

Sources in Moscow have confirmed that Syrian President Bashar Assad was bluffing when he claimed that S-300 anti-aircraft missiles had already been delivered.
The S-300s that Russia has promised Syria will be delivered only in 2014, they said.

Netanyahu Tells Putin: We’ll Destroy S-300s

Israeli PM warns Russia that weapons to Syria will not be allowed to become operational.

U.N. Investigators Say Most Syria Rebels Not Seeking Democracy

Most Syrian rebel fighters do not want democracy and the country's civil war is producing ever worse atrocities and increasing radicalization, independent U.N. investigators said on Tuesday.

State Dept. notes ‘marked resurgence’ in Iran-sponsored terror

Iran-sponsored terrorism showed a “marked resurgence” last year, the State Department said in its annual report on terrorism.
The report released Thursday named the al-Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, its ministry of intelligence and Hezbollah, its ally in Lebanon, as behind the resurgence.

Iranian Assassin Sentenced

The Iranian-American man who attempted to kill the Saudi Arabian ambassador in a foiled terror plot was sentenced to 25 years in prison Thursday afternoon, the Drug Enforcement Agency announced.

Hungarian Jews protest naming Budapest street after anti-Semite

Amid a string of anti-Semitic incidents in Hungary, the umbrella organization of Hungarian Jews has protested the naming of a Budapest street after an anti-Semitic author.

Norway’s FM: We won’t punish the PA for terrorist salaries

Despite harsh criticism against the Palestinian Authority’s support for terrorist convicted prisoners is not applicable for Norway to cut economic aid to the Palestinians.