The choir of Clare College, Cambridge, England, will be singing Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with the Israel Camerata Orchestra this week.
But the choir will not be able to perform in Bethlehem (PA-controlled) after a protest by the London-based Palestine Solidarity Campaign and the Palestinian Authority against the choir’s tour of Israel. (BBC News)
(bbc.co.uk)
Barak: Gilad home with any reasonable step – but not at any price
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, said about the Shalit prisoner swap deal being negotiated, that “the Israeli government and members of the defense establishment are working intensively to formulate the correct path to advance on the Shalit issue.”
“It is sensitive timing and is not the time for words. We, the Chief of Staff and I, view returning Gilad as an utmost ethical and command obligation, with any reasonable and possible move, but not at any price,” said Barak while touring a school in Rishon Lezion.
(ynetnews.com)
“It is sensitive timing and is not the time for words. We, the Chief of Staff and I, view returning Gilad as an utmost ethical and command obligation, with any reasonable and possible move, but not at any price,” said Barak while touring a school in Rishon Lezion.
(ynetnews.com)
Security officials warn against release of terrorists to West Bank – Yaakov Katz
As Israel’s leaders on Monday (21st) discussed a proposed prisoner swap for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, senior defense officials said that a mass release of security prisoners to the West Bank would give Hamas a substantial boost and create major operational challenges and danger for the State of Israel. Hamas wants senior prisoners to return to the West Bank to try and rebuild the terrorist group’s infrastructure. “A massive release to the West Bank could alter the balance,” said one IDF officer, who noted that in recent weeks the army has been facing an increase in terrorist activity in the territories, mostly sporadic stonings, stabbing attempts and Molotov cocktail attacks.
A report published last year by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs stated that out of the more than 10,000 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel since 1985, over 50% have returned to the path of terror. “In the terror acts committed by these freed terrorists, hundreds of Israelis were murdered, and thousands were wounded,” the report said. For example, those freed in the Tannenbaum deal in 2004 have since been responsible for the murder of at least 35 Israelis.
(jpost.com)
A report published last year by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs stated that out of the more than 10,000 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel since 1985, over 50% have returned to the path of terror. “In the terror acts committed by these freed terrorists, hundreds of Israelis were murdered, and thousands were wounded,” the report said. For example, those freed in the Tannenbaum deal in 2004 have since been responsible for the murder of at least 35 Israelis.
(jpost.com)
Fatah cracks down on Hamas officials –Khaled Abu Toameh
Alarmed by the possibilities that a prisoner exchange agreement with Israel will bolster Hamas’ popularity among Palestinians, the PA has stepped up its measures against the movement’s leading figures and members in the West Bank.
Over the past 48 hours, PA security forces arrested 14 Palestinians on suspicion of being affiliated with Hamas, sources close to the movement said Monday (21st).
The sources said the latest crack down was clearly linked to reports that a prisoner exchange agreement will soon be reached between Hamas and Israel. “The Palestinian Authority is very nervous because of the talks of a deal – they know that the release of hundreds of prisoners from Israeli jails will boost Hamas’ popularity,” sources said.
(jpost.com)
Over the past 48 hours, PA security forces arrested 14 Palestinians on suspicion of being affiliated with Hamas, sources close to the movement said Monday (21st).
The sources said the latest crack down was clearly linked to reports that a prisoner exchange agreement will soon be reached between Hamas and Israel. “The Palestinian Authority is very nervous because of the talks of a deal – they know that the release of hundreds of prisoners from Israeli jails will boost Hamas’ popularity,” sources said.
(jpost.com)
Jihadists call for attacks over Egyptian security fence
Jihadist chatter is focusing on Egypt’s security fence along its border with the Palestinian Authority.
The Al-Qaida jihad group claims that the fence Egypt is building between Gaza and Egypt is built with Israeli funds and American support.
Meanwhile Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul-Gheil said Tuesday (22nd) that the government in Cairo has every right to erect engineering structures and surveillance devices in its territory. He was responding to opposition attacks on Egypt’s establishment of an underground barrier along the Gaza border to prevent smuggling into the Hamas-controlled area.
On Monday (21st) a few hundred Hamas supporters gathered along the border to protest the construction.
(israelnationalnews.com)
The Al-Qaida jihad group claims that the fence Egypt is building between Gaza and Egypt is built with Israeli funds and American support.
Meanwhile Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul-Gheil said Tuesday (22nd) that the government in Cairo has every right to erect engineering structures and surveillance devices in its territory. He was responding to opposition attacks on Egypt’s establishment of an underground barrier along the Gaza border to prevent smuggling into the Hamas-controlled area.
On Monday (21st) a few hundred Hamas supporters gathered along the border to protest the construction.
(israelnationalnews.com)
U.S. ups funds for Israeli missile defense – Hilary Leila Krieger
U.S. President Obama has signed a defense spending bill that includes $202 million in funds for Israel’s missile defense programs, the White House announced Monday (21st). The Arrow-3 program will now get $50m, as opposed to the $37m originally requested by the administration. In addition, the short-range ballistic missile defense program will get $80m, with the balance for the exiting long-range program. The total is some $25m more than was approved last year. “We are tremendously pleased with the ongoing cooperation between the United States and the State of Israel in the area of missile defense,” an Israeli official said.
(jpost.com)
(jpost.com)
Haifa Square to be named in honor of Egyptian President Sadat
A new square in Haifa will be named in honor of the late Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, the first Arab leader to sign a peace treaty with Israel.
Sadat was assassinated in 1981 by members of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Taking part in the ceremony will be Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav, Egypt’s Ambassador to Israel Yasser Riad and Herzl Makov, the Director General of the Menachem Begin Heritage Center. It was the late Prime Minister Menachem Begin who invited Sadat to address the Knesset in Jerusalem and who eventually signed a treaty with him in Washington, D.C.
(Israelnationalnews.com)
Sadat was assassinated in 1981 by members of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Taking part in the ceremony will be Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav, Egypt’s Ambassador to Israel Yasser Riad and Herzl Makov, the Director General of the Menachem Begin Heritage Center. It was the late Prime Minister Menachem Begin who invited Sadat to address the Knesset in Jerusalem and who eventually signed a treaty with him in Washington, D.C.
(Israelnationalnews.com)
Iran dismisses US deadline for nuke deal
Iran’s president has dismissed a year-end deadline set by the current US administration for Tehran to accept a UN-drafted deal to swap enriched uranium for nuclear fuel. The deal aims to diminish Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, easing the West’s fears that the material could be used to produce a nuclear weapon. Iran, which denies it seeks to build a bomb, has bulked at the deal’s terms.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaking to supporters in the southern city of Shiraz on Tuesday (22nd) said, “The West can give Iran as many deadlines as they want – we don’t care.” He lashed out at Washington, saying Iran won’t allow the US to dominate the region.
(jpost.com)
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaking to supporters in the southern city of Shiraz on Tuesday (22nd) said, “The West can give Iran as many deadlines as they want – we don’t care.” He lashed out at Washington, saying Iran won’t allow the US to dominate the region.
(jpost.com)
Berlin’s oldest Jewish cemetery renovated
Renovation work on Berlin’s oldest Jewish cemetery has been finished with the installation of 20 tombstones.
Rabbi Tovia Ben-Chorin recited the Kaddish – the Jewish prayer of mourning – Thursday (17th) at the cemetery in downtown Berlin and presented the tombstones at their new location on the cemetery’s southern wall. They are protected by a newly installed roof.
The cemetery was built in 1672 by Jews who had found refuge in Berlin after being chased from Vienna. The famous German-Jewish philosopher Moses Mendelssohn was buried here in 1786.
After the cemetery’s destruction during the Nazi-era, gravestones were kept at a different cemetery for years.
The renovation cost was $38,000 and was paid for by the city of Berlin and the local Jewish community.
(ynetnews.com)
Rabbi Tovia Ben-Chorin recited the Kaddish – the Jewish prayer of mourning – Thursday (17th) at the cemetery in downtown Berlin and presented the tombstones at their new location on the cemetery’s southern wall. They are protected by a newly installed roof.
The cemetery was built in 1672 by Jews who had found refuge in Berlin after being chased from Vienna. The famous German-Jewish philosopher Moses Mendelssohn was buried here in 1786.
After the cemetery’s destruction during the Nazi-era, gravestones were kept at a different cemetery for years.
The renovation cost was $38,000 and was paid for by the city of Berlin and the local Jewish community.
(ynetnews.com)
Natan Sharansky named ‘Man of the Year’ by Russian Jews
Monday, December 21, 2009
The Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia has honored chairman of the Jewish Agency Natan Sharansky as ‘Man of the Year’ during a ceremony in Moscow’s Kremlin.
During the ceremony Sharansky declared that some 200 Ulpan classes for the study of Hebrew will resume actively across the former Soviet Union after being shut down several months ago.
(ynetnews.com)
During the ceremony Sharansky declared that some 200 Ulpan classes for the study of Hebrew will resume actively across the former Soviet Union after being shut down several months ago.
(ynetnews.com)
Israel discovers the first Jesus-era house in Nazareth
Israeli archeologists said Monday (21st) hat they have uncovered remains of the first dwelling in the northern city of Nazareth that can be dated back to Jesus’ time.
The find sheds a new light on what Nazareth might have been like in the time of Jesus, said the archeologists, indicating that it was probably a small hamlet with about 50 houses populated by poor Jews.
The remains of a wall, a hideout, and a cistern were found after builders dug up an old convent courtyard, next to the Church of the Annunciation, in the northern Israeli city, said archeologist Yardenna Alexandre of the Israeli Antiquities Authorities. Also found were clay and chalk vessels used by Galilean Jews of the time – an indication the home belonged to a simple Jewish family.
“It is likely that Jesus and his childhood friends would have known the house,” said Alexandre.
“From the little evidence available we know that first century Nazareth AD was a small Jewish village located in a valley,” said Alexandre, adding that “until now a few Jesus-era graves were revealed, but never have we unearthed the remains of contemporary residences.
(haaretz.com)
The find sheds a new light on what Nazareth might have been like in the time of Jesus, said the archeologists, indicating that it was probably a small hamlet with about 50 houses populated by poor Jews.
The remains of a wall, a hideout, and a cistern were found after builders dug up an old convent courtyard, next to the Church of the Annunciation, in the northern Israeli city, said archeologist Yardenna Alexandre of the Israeli Antiquities Authorities. Also found were clay and chalk vessels used by Galilean Jews of the time – an indication the home belonged to a simple Jewish family.
“It is likely that Jesus and his childhood friends would have known the house,” said Alexandre.
“From the little evidence available we know that first century Nazareth AD was a small Jewish village located in a valley,” said Alexandre, adding that “until now a few Jesus-era graves were revealed, but never have we unearthed the remains of contemporary residences.
(haaretz.com)
Germany: Sobibor victims’ relatives testify at Demjanjuk trial
Relatives of people killed at the Nazis’ Sobibor death camp gave emotional accounts of their losses at the war crimes trial of John Demjanjuk this week.
Philip Jacobs – among dozens of relatives who joined Demjanjuk’s trial as co-plaintiffs as allowed under German law – told the Munich court that his girlfriend and parents perished at Sobibor. The 87-year-old Dutchman testified that “I lost the love of my life and I have missed my parents very much.” He said that “the events of that time mark every day of his life.”
Demjanjuk, 89, who was wearing a blue baseball cap, and was brought into court in a wheelchair, kept his eyes shut throughout the testimony. He is charged with 27,000 counts of accessory to murder for his alleged activities as a guard at Sobibor.
(jpost.com)
Philip Jacobs – among dozens of relatives who joined Demjanjuk’s trial as co-plaintiffs as allowed under German law – told the Munich court that his girlfriend and parents perished at Sobibor. The 87-year-old Dutchman testified that “I lost the love of my life and I have missed my parents very much.” He said that “the events of that time mark every day of his life.”
Demjanjuk, 89, who was wearing a blue baseball cap, and was brought into court in a wheelchair, kept his eyes shut throughout the testimony. He is charged with 27,000 counts of accessory to murder for his alleged activities as a guard at Sobibor.
(jpost.com)
Swastikas on tree: How the Nazis stole Christmas
Presents wrapped in paper covered with Nazi symbols nestling beneath a tree adorned with swastikas and grenade-shaped baubles: Welcome to Christmas under Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich.
As a new exhibition in the western German city of Cologne shows, the Nazis tried to skew the Christmas story to do away with the Jewish baby Jesus and impose their racist ideology and propaganda on the popular festival.
“Celebrating the birth of a Jewish baby was unthinkable for the Nazis,” Juergen Mueller, the chief researcher behind the exhibition, told AFP. “But Christmas was too popular to be banned – therefore they decided to corrupt it.”
Nazi officials “invented a Germanic origin” for Christmas, renaming it “Julfest” and claiming that yuletide traditions stemmed from ancient rituals surrounding the winter solstice four days earlier, Mueller added. Baby Jesus was thrown out of his crib and Santa Claus was reincarnated as a Viking Knight. In addition, the regime also created bizarre Nazi Christmas symbols, including swastika-shaped tins for cakes and Christmas cards emblazoned with a bullet wrapped in fur.
The creator of the exhibition – named “Far From a Holy Night” – got the idea as she was scouring flea markets for Christmas memorabilia.
I wanted to have an ‘old-style’ Christmas for my father’s 70th birthday…that’s when I discovered these objects,” Rita Breuer told AFP.
The objects “tell a story not often told,” she said, adding that she hoped the exhibition would prompt historians to do more research on the subject.
Unfortunately, said Breuer, some of the Nazi corruptions of Christmas have since been adopted by today’s neo-Nazis in Germany. (AFP)
(ynetnews.com)
As a new exhibition in the western German city of Cologne shows, the Nazis tried to skew the Christmas story to do away with the Jewish baby Jesus and impose their racist ideology and propaganda on the popular festival.
“Celebrating the birth of a Jewish baby was unthinkable for the Nazis,” Juergen Mueller, the chief researcher behind the exhibition, told AFP. “But Christmas was too popular to be banned – therefore they decided to corrupt it.”
Nazi officials “invented a Germanic origin” for Christmas, renaming it “Julfest” and claiming that yuletide traditions stemmed from ancient rituals surrounding the winter solstice four days earlier, Mueller added. Baby Jesus was thrown out of his crib and Santa Claus was reincarnated as a Viking Knight. In addition, the regime also created bizarre Nazi Christmas symbols, including swastika-shaped tins for cakes and Christmas cards emblazoned with a bullet wrapped in fur.
The creator of the exhibition – named “Far From a Holy Night” – got the idea as she was scouring flea markets for Christmas memorabilia.
I wanted to have an ‘old-style’ Christmas for my father’s 70th birthday…that’s when I discovered these objects,” Rita Breuer told AFP.
The objects “tell a story not often told,” she said, adding that she hoped the exhibition would prompt historians to do more research on the subject.
Unfortunately, said Breuer, some of the Nazi corruptions of Christmas have since been adopted by today’s neo-Nazis in Germany. (AFP)
(ynetnews.com)
Polish police find Auschwitz sign
On Monday morning (21st) Polish police announced they had found the “Arbeit Macht Frei” sign that was stolen on Friday (18th) from the gate of the former Nazi death camp of Auschwitz. Police spokeswoman Katarzyna Padlo said police detained five young men on suspicion of the theft and are planning to question them. Padlo said the sign which symbolizes to the world the atrocities and cruelty of Nazi Germany, had been cut in three pieces.
(jpost.com)
(jpost.com)
Hamas aids foreign lawyers trying to prosecute Israelis
A committee set up by the Hamas government is providing information to European lawyers investigating alleged war crimes by Israel in the Gaza War, its director, Diya al-Madhun, said on Sunday (20th).
“We provide documents, reports, and evidence of crimes to all international bodies aiding the Palestinian people in bringing Israeli civilian and military leaders to trial and issuing warrants for their arrest,” he told AFP.
He added, however that the foreign lawyers acted independently and were not hired by Hamas. (AFP)
(Yahoo.com)
“We provide documents, reports, and evidence of crimes to all international bodies aiding the Palestinian people in bringing Israeli civilian and military leaders to trial and issuing warrants for their arrest,” he told AFP.
He added, however that the foreign lawyers acted independently and were not hired by Hamas. (AFP)
(Yahoo.com)
Hamas spends $2M on anniversary celebrations
The Fatah movement and other Palestinian political groups have criticized the Hamas organization for spending about $2M on its anniversary celebrations, while most of the Gaza Strips’ residents are forced to live off United Nations aid.
The main rally marking Hamas’ 22nd anniversary was held in Gaza last week and was attended by tens of thousands of the Strip’s residents. According to sources in Gaza, Hamas pressured the residents, particularly those living in ‘refugee camps’ to take part in the rally, or lose aid coupons provided by international organizations active in the Strip.
(ynetnews.com)
The main rally marking Hamas’ 22nd anniversary was held in Gaza last week and was attended by tens of thousands of the Strip’s residents. According to sources in Gaza, Hamas pressured the residents, particularly those living in ‘refugee camps’ to take part in the rally, or lose aid coupons provided by international organizations active in the Strip.
(ynetnews.com)
Larijani: Iran is proud of supporting Hamas
Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani on Sunday (20th) defended his country’s support for Hamas, during a high-profile visit to Cairo.
Larijani told Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak that Tehran is proud of its “moral” support for Hamas. He also denied that Iran is undermining Egypt’s efforts to reconcile Hamas and Fatah.
The two men met for nearly two hours on Sunday (20th) – a rarity since the countries severed diplomatic ties in 1979.
Although Iran has been looking to improve relations, Egypt accuses Tehran of meddling in Arab conflicts, and has urged the Islamic republic to end its support for Hamas.
(jpost.com)
Larijani told Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak that Tehran is proud of its “moral” support for Hamas. He also denied that Iran is undermining Egypt’s efforts to reconcile Hamas and Fatah.
The two men met for nearly two hours on Sunday (20th) – a rarity since the countries severed diplomatic ties in 1979.
Although Iran has been looking to improve relations, Egypt accuses Tehran of meddling in Arab conflicts, and has urged the Islamic republic to end its support for Hamas.
(jpost.com)
Most Arabs see Iran as bigger threat than Israel – Digby Lidstone
At the official level, relations between Iran and leaders of neighboring Arab states tend to be polite without being warm. But underneath the surface, suspicion of Iran has deepened markedly. A survey by YouGov, commissioned by Qatar’s Doha Debates and published last week, found that on the Arab side, 80% do not believe Iran’s assurances that it is not trying to develop nuclear weapons. The poll, which surveyed more than 1,000 people in 18 Arab countries last month, found that most see Iran as a bigger threat to security than Israel. (FinancialTimes – UK)
(ft.com)
(ft.com)
Man jailed in UK belt-bomb-plot against Jews – Jonathan Kalmus
Krena Lusha, 30, from Derby, an Albanian Muslim who wanted to see Jews killed, has been convicted of terror offenses and jailed for seven years on Tuesday (15th) after Hizbullah instruction manuals on making missiles and suicide bomb belts were found in his home.
On Lusha’s computer were video clips of live beheadings of hostages or prisoners, exploded U.S. military vehicles and ideological material from organizations promoting violent “jihad”. He told people on a chat-line that he wanted to see Jews and Americans killed.
(thejc.com)
On Lusha’s computer were video clips of live beheadings of hostages or prisoners, exploded U.S. military vehicles and ideological material from organizations promoting violent “jihad”. He told people on a chat-line that he wanted to see Jews and Americans killed.
(thejc.com)
Lieberman: Anti-Israel views are anti-Semitism
Friday, December 18, 2009
Most people would agree that anti-Semitism is a bad thing, even those who are actually anti-Semitic. They would also accuse Jews of being too sensitive on the topic, even as they unleash unprecedented criticism of Israel.
But Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Wednesday (16th) said he and many others are not fooled – today’s anti-Israel sentiments are actually age-old anti-Semitism in a new disguise.
“Modern anti-Semitism has taken on the form of being anti-Israel… Instead of saying ‘throw the Jews into the sea,’ they talk of a world without Zionism, and without Israel,” Lieberman said at the Foreign Ministry’s third annual Global Forum for Combating Anti-Semitism.
This new form of anti-Semitism is actually far more dangerous, suggested Lieberman. Instead of the lowest elements lashing out at Jews in vile hatred, anti-Israelism is spearheaded by society’s elite academics, power brokers and human rights groups that are viewed as inherently good, couched in eloquent language.
But the goal is the same, warned Lieberman. These people “seek to destroy Israel piece by piece.”
Lieberman is by no means the first public figure to equate modern anti-Israel or anti-Zionist sentiment to anti-Semitism. The most famous progenitor of this way of thinking was Dr. Martin Luther King, who upon being approached at a fund-raising event by a student attacking Israel and the Zionists responded this way: “When people criticize Zionists, they mean Jews. You’re talking anti-Semitism.”
(israeltoday.co.il)
But Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Wednesday (16th) said he and many others are not fooled – today’s anti-Israel sentiments are actually age-old anti-Semitism in a new disguise.
“Modern anti-Semitism has taken on the form of being anti-Israel… Instead of saying ‘throw the Jews into the sea,’ they talk of a world without Zionism, and without Israel,” Lieberman said at the Foreign Ministry’s third annual Global Forum for Combating Anti-Semitism.
This new form of anti-Semitism is actually far more dangerous, suggested Lieberman. Instead of the lowest elements lashing out at Jews in vile hatred, anti-Israelism is spearheaded by society’s elite academics, power brokers and human rights groups that are viewed as inherently good, couched in eloquent language.
But the goal is the same, warned Lieberman. These people “seek to destroy Israel piece by piece.”
Lieberman is by no means the first public figure to equate modern anti-Israel or anti-Zionist sentiment to anti-Semitism. The most famous progenitor of this way of thinking was Dr. Martin Luther King, who upon being approached at a fund-raising event by a student attacking Israel and the Zionists responded this way: “When people criticize Zionists, they mean Jews. You’re talking anti-Semitism.”
(israeltoday.co.il)
Israeli Minister: Arabs can’t win war so resort to propaganda
Israeli Deputy Minister Moshe Yaalon on Wednesday (16th) gave a very simple lesson in the progression of the Israeli-Arab conflict. The Arabs first tried to defeat Israel on the battlefield and failed, they then turned to terrorism and failed, and now they are engaging in a no-holds-barred propaganda campaign that sadly is showing signs of success.
In an interview with Ynet news portal, Yaalon said, “When the Arabs realized they could not defeat us with their armies, they turned to terrorism and rockets. Now they are realizing that they cannot defeat us this way either, so they are taking the path of de-legitimization.”
Yaalon said this propaganda is working in Europe and some parts of the U.S. among left-wing liberals and those who are more than happy to find a new outlet for their long-held anti-Semitic feelings. Others are simply gullible.
“The success of Israel’s de-legitimization stems from several elements, such as the new anti-Semitism, which at this time is manifested through anti-Israel sentiments in practice,” he said. “There is another group, the “liberals,” some of whom are radicals while others are naïve. People who compare our security fence to the Berlin Wall, for example are naïve.”
(israeltoday.co.il)
In an interview with Ynet news portal, Yaalon said, “When the Arabs realized they could not defeat us with their armies, they turned to terrorism and rockets. Now they are realizing that they cannot defeat us this way either, so they are taking the path of de-legitimization.”
Yaalon said this propaganda is working in Europe and some parts of the U.S. among left-wing liberals and those who are more than happy to find a new outlet for their long-held anti-Semitic feelings. Others are simply gullible.
“The success of Israel’s de-legitimization stems from several elements, such as the new anti-Semitism, which at this time is manifested through anti-Israel sentiments in practice,” he said. “There is another group, the “liberals,” some of whom are radicals while others are naïve. People who compare our security fence to the Berlin Wall, for example are naïve.”
(israeltoday.co.il)
Gazans fire on workers at Egypt’s border barrier
Egyptian security officials say unidentified Gaza gunmen opened fire on Thursday night (17th) from across the border on workers installing an underground metal barrier to seal off weapons smuggling tunnels.
The officials say no one was hurt but some equipment was damaged in the shooting.
The border project is one of a series of measures Egypt has taken with the help of the United States to crack down on smuggling since the end of Israel’s Operation Cast Lead last winter.
(jpost.com)
The officials say no one was hurt but some equipment was damaged in the shooting.
The border project is one of a series of measures Egypt has taken with the help of the United States to crack down on smuggling since the end of Israel’s Operation Cast Lead last winter.
(jpost.com)
Police: Auschwitz’s ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’ sign stolen
The infamous iron sign over the gate to the Auschwitz memorial site with the cynical phrase “Albeit Macht Frei” – German for “Work Sets You Free” – has been stolen, Polish police said Friday (18th).
Police spokesman Katarzyna Padlo said police believe it was stolen in the early morning hours Friday, when museum guards noticed it was missing and called police.
Padlo also said that the iron sign, which spanned a gate at the main entrance to the former Nazi death camp in southern Poland, was removed by being unscrewed on one side and pulled off on the other.
Police have launched an intensive search. According to Padlo, there are currently no suspects but police are pursuing several theories.
(jpost.com)
Police spokesman Katarzyna Padlo said police believe it was stolen in the early morning hours Friday, when museum guards noticed it was missing and called police.
Padlo also said that the iron sign, which spanned a gate at the main entrance to the former Nazi death camp in southern Poland, was removed by being unscrewed on one side and pulled off on the other.
Police have launched an intensive search. According to Padlo, there are currently no suspects but police are pursuing several theories.
(jpost.com)
Germany gives $87M to Auschwitz Memorial
Germany is donating $87 million to a new endowment for Auschwitz-Birkenau to preserve barracks, gas chambers and other evidence of Nazi crimes at the former death camp. The donation is half the amount experts believe is needed to preserve the camp. (AP)
(ynetnews.com)
(ynetnews.com)
PA expected to replace U.S. trainers
RAMALLAH – The Palestinian Authority has been pressing for the replacement of U.S. security contractors in 2010.
Palestinian sources said Prime Minister Salam Fayad was urging U.S. security coordinator Lt. Gen Keith Dayton to end a training contract with DynCorps International. They said Fayad wanted Palestinians to take over security training from U.S. contractors as early as March 2010.
(menewsline.com)
Palestinian sources said Prime Minister Salam Fayad was urging U.S. security coordinator Lt. Gen Keith Dayton to end a training contract with DynCorps International. They said Fayad wanted Palestinians to take over security training from U.S. contractors as early as March 2010.
(menewsline.com)
Israeli products sell like hot cakes, as Canadian boycott fails
Anti-Israel groups in Canada tried to organize a major national boycott against a leading hiking and sporting goods store chain because it sells Israeli-made products. The effort failed miserably, and in fact had the opposite of the desired effect reports Israel National News.
The groups had hoped to have thousands show up to two boycott demonstrations in Toronto and Vancouver, but in the end only a handful of people showed up, and they were dwarfed by the hundreds and even thousands of pro-Israel Canadians alerted by Bnai Brith and Canada-Israel Committee.
The pro-Israel counter-demonstrators went on to purchase just about every Israeli product carried by the numerous stores in the nationwide Mountain Equipment Co-op chain, resulting in much higher than normal sales for the company.
(Israeltoday.co.il)
The groups had hoped to have thousands show up to two boycott demonstrations in Toronto and Vancouver, but in the end only a handful of people showed up, and they were dwarfed by the hundreds and even thousands of pro-Israel Canadians alerted by Bnai Brith and Canada-Israel Committee.
The pro-Israel counter-demonstrators went on to purchase just about every Israeli product carried by the numerous stores in the nationwide Mountain Equipment Co-op chain, resulting in much higher than normal sales for the company.
(Israeltoday.co.il)
From rockets to roses
In the town of Yated, about a mile from Gaza, metal sculptor, blacksmith, and part-time computer teacher Yaron Bob has found a way to create beauty from the tools of trauma, turning rockets into roses.
Bob fashions the blossoms, which can take up to four hours, from pieces of Kassam rockets that have been fired at Jewish residents living in nearby Gaza Belt communities.
Thousands of rockets have been rained down on the residents of the western Negev kibbutzim, moshavim, and other southern Israel communities since the 2005 Disengagement from Gaza.
It was in response to those attacks hat Bob thought to transform the shrapnel and rocket shells into roses – turning the threat into beauty by “turning their swords into plowshares, their spears into pruning hooks (Isaiah).”
(israelnationalnews.com)
Bob fashions the blossoms, which can take up to four hours, from pieces of Kassam rockets that have been fired at Jewish residents living in nearby Gaza Belt communities.
Thousands of rockets have been rained down on the residents of the western Negev kibbutzim, moshavim, and other southern Israel communities since the 2005 Disengagement from Gaza.
It was in response to those attacks hat Bob thought to transform the shrapnel and rocket shells into roses – turning the threat into beauty by “turning their swords into plowshares, their spears into pruning hooks (Isaiah).”
(israelnationalnews.com)
Public menorah in Russia vandalized
Vandals damaged a public menorah in a Russian city on Monday (14th). They also damaged posters and decorations set up around the menorah in the incident in downtown Smolensk, according to the Interfax news service.
Smolensk Rabbi Levi Mondshain and head of the local Jewish community filed an official complaint with police, according to the report.
Hundreds of Jews had crowded into Victory Square Sunday (13th) in downtown Smolensk for a public candle-lighting ceremony.
(jta.org)
Smolensk Rabbi Levi Mondshain and head of the local Jewish community filed an official complaint with police, according to the report.
Hundreds of Jews had crowded into Victory Square Sunday (13th) in downtown Smolensk for a public candle-lighting ceremony.
(jta.org)
A Second Hanukkah miracle for Israel
Sixty years ago, a converted World War II victory ship carrying 888 pregnant Holstein cows steamed across the Atlantic Ocean to help make Israel a “land of milk and honey.” 200 cows gave birth at sea and only six died, said Morris Levy, the only veterinarian aboard. An armistice ending the 1948 Arab-Israeli War had been signed in March 1949. Ten months of battling six Arab states had depleted the nation’s food supply. The native Syrian and Damascene cattle were not heavy milkers.
Levy, now 90, received a doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1943 from Auburn University veterinary school. At Sol and Ben Levinson’s dairy farm near Williamsburg, VA., Levy met members of the Israeli Cattlemen’s Association. The Israelis had $ 1,000,000 to spend on livestock and the Levinson’s recommended Levy to help them spend it wisely. Throughout the Midwest and Northwest, the Israelis bought heavy milkers and shipped them by rail to Newport News. The Levinson’s recruited 42 Mennonite dairymen from Virginia and Pennsylvania to handle and milk the cattle. “They were overjoyed to be going to the land of Jesus,” Levy said. Many of Israel’s current dairy heirs descended from those original Holsteins that Levy ably shepherded. (Writer Eugene Scheel is a historian and mapmaker living in Waterford)
(washingtonpost.com)
Levy, now 90, received a doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1943 from Auburn University veterinary school. At Sol and Ben Levinson’s dairy farm near Williamsburg, VA., Levy met members of the Israeli Cattlemen’s Association. The Israelis had $ 1,000,000 to spend on livestock and the Levinson’s recommended Levy to help them spend it wisely. Throughout the Midwest and Northwest, the Israelis bought heavy milkers and shipped them by rail to Newport News. The Levinson’s recruited 42 Mennonite dairymen from Virginia and Pennsylvania to handle and milk the cattle. “They were overjoyed to be going to the land of Jesus,” Levy said. Many of Israel’s current dairy heirs descended from those original Holsteins that Levy ably shepherded. (Writer Eugene Scheel is a historian and mapmaker living in Waterford)
(washingtonpost.com)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
