Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Netanyahu tells troops northern training is ‘not theoretical’
The exercise came as an increasingly skittish Israel is preparing for the possibility of the Syrian civil war spilling across its borders. Earlier this month, rebels briefly took control of the Quneitra border crossing, bringing the two-year civil war to the Jewish state’s doorstep.Yaalon: Combat Units ‘Likely to Be Called Up Soon’
While stressing that he was not challenging anyone, the prime minister warned that “no one will attack the State of Israel without a strong and decisive response.”
Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon hinted Wednesday that Israel may call up its combat soldiers for a major operation in the near future.A quiz for BBC journalists and editors
Yaalon spoke as he and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu observed a Golani Brigade drill in the Golan.
Seeing as BBC journalists are rather fond of telling their audiences what is or is not legal according to international law – at least in relation to Israel – they will surely all get top marks in this quiz on the subject of the application of international humanitarian law during wartime over on the Jerusalem Centre for Public Affairs website.Knesset Review Reveals: Israel Does Not Exist in PA Textbooks
The textbooks used in UNRWA-funded schools never acknowledge any Jewish rights in “Palestine”, nor any Jewish past in the Land of Israel, said Dr. Arnon Groiss, a respected expert in the promotion of Tolerance in Education at a briefing in the Knesset reviewing the Palestinian Authority Textbooks used in UNWRA schools.Majority of Israeli Arabs Reject Israel’s Right to be Jewish
Israel is almost never shown on any map and no city is ever identified as a Jewish city, he said, reiterating the extensive history of Anti-Israel propaganda in Arab textbooks.
70% of Israeli Arabs do not accept Israel’s right to have a Jewish majority, a new poll conducted by Haifa University and the Israel Democracy Institute has revealed.Hamas Publishes Photos of Shalit Release
The poll, which posed questions to 1,400 Jewish and Arab Israelis over a ten-year period, revealed that, despite the overwhelming rejection of Israel’s Jewish character, 55% of Arab Israelis would prefer to live there than anywhere else, though a large majority, 68%, say they fear being transferred out of the country.(h/t zozosophie)
The Hamas terrorist group has released a new video on kidnappings in honor of the seventh anniversary of the kidnapping of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. Shalit was released in late 2011 in exchange for the early release of more than 1,000 terrorists imprisoned in Israel, giving rise to much controversy on the possible precedent set and the expected - and already proven - return to terror of those freed.IDF Blog: Seven Years Since Shalit Kidnapping: Motivation to Kidnap Still High
Earlier this year the IDF, in collaboration with the Israel Security Agency (ISA or Shin Bet), uncovered extensive Hamas terror infrastructure in Hebron. The infrastructure was part of an attempt by Hamas to establish a regional headquarters in Hebron. Approximately 20 terrorists affiliated with Hamas were arrested and their large cache of illegal weapons was seized. The terrorist network had plans to kidnap an IDF soldier to use as a bargaining chip for the release of more Hamas prisoners.MEMRI: PA Religious Affairs Minister Habbash: Hamas "More Dangerous Enemy" than Israeli Occupation VIDEO
The Guardian and a tale of two hooded ‘Palestinian prisoners’
The imagery above does not represent leftist theatrical agitprop, but a genuine photo of one of two Palestinians just before they were hanged to death on Saturday on charges of ‘collaborating’ with Israel – two of at least 16 Palestinians who have been executed in Gaza for spying since Hamas seized the territory in 2007.Haniyeh: PA Arabs Won't Recognize Israel
Haniyeh said Israel's “blockade” on Gaza aimed to limit the influence of the Islamic model outside Gaza and to isolate “Palestine” in an attempt to force PA Arabs to recognize Israel and accept the conditions of the Mideast Quartet.Rice slams UN Security Council's failure on Syria
The premier thanked activists who came to Gaza, describing solidarity visits as a holy duty and urging more supporters to come.
"The Council's inaction on Syria is a moral and strategic disgrace that history will judge harshly," Rice chided the UN.Syrian death toll tops 100,000
She also reasserted America's past and continued support for Israel. "We've forcefully opposed unbalanced and biased actions against Israel across the UN system, standing shoulder to shoulder with Israel on principle - regardless of whether such actions were popular in these halls."
It said a total of 100,191 had died over the 27 months of the conflict. Of those, 36,661 are civilians, the group said.Minors wounded in Syrian fighting brought to Israel
The two boys, 9 and 15 years old, were transferred to Ziv Hospital in Safed for treatment. The 9-year-old suffered moderate injuries from shrapnel wounds across his body and lost his right eye, according to a report by Maariv. The 15-year-old was listed in serious condition, according to the report.Nigeria ups charges of 3 suspected Hezbollah men
Nigeria’s military said in May that the weapons were to be used in attacks on American and Israeli targets.Egypt protesters look to army for support
Osagie said, “We have proofs that the applicants belong to the military wing of Hezbollah which is a terrorist organization and in the coming days, this country will know more about them.”
Just a year ago, Egypt’s liberals and pro-democracy youth movements were demanding the military, which took over from the ousted Hosni Mubarak, leave power. But after a tumultuous year under a freely elected Islamist president, many of them are hoping for the army’s protection as they try to force out Mohammed Morsi with protests this weekend.Turkish PM lashes out at protesters, BBC reporter
Morsi’s opponents calculate they can push him to go through the sheer number of people they bring into the streets Sunday — building on widespread discontent with his running of the country — plus the added weight of the army’s backing.
He targeted a Turkish BBC reporter who tweeted about a forum held by protesters, where participants reportedly suggested a six-month boycott of goods that they said would help slow down the economy. Without mentioning her by name, Erdogan accused Selin Girit of being “part of a conspiracy against her own country.”Officials: Turkey humiliating Israel
“Their aim is to prevent democracy, to harm Turkey’s economy, to hit tourism,” Erdogan said.
However, following Netanyahu's apology, the Turks appeared to be in no hurry to fulfill their end of the deal. Israel agreed to pay $5 million in restitution, while Ankara demanded $40 million. During talks held over the past few days the Turks have expressed their agreement to receive $24 million from Israel, while the Israeli side raised its offer to $14 million - a regular Turkish bazaar.
And if this wasn't enough, the Turks announced they could not guarantee that IDF soldiers and officers who were involved in the raid, including former IDF Chief Lt.-Gen. (res.) Gabi Ashkenazi, would not be prosecuted, claiming that in Turkey the "executive branch cannot influence the judicial branch."
According to the Turks, Erdogan cannot act to stop the legal proceedings while anti-government protests are taking place because he does not want his constituents to view him as being pro-Israeli.
