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Thursday, Dec. 31 '15, Tevet 19, 5776
HEADLINES:
1. BOMB ATTACK THWARTED IN EILAT HOTEL LAST MONTH
2. DUMA AFFAIR: ANOTHER SUSPECT RELEASED TO HOUSE ARREST
3. CAR-RAMMING ATTACK IN SAMARIA
4. EGYPTIAN AIR FORCE JETS ENTER GAZA AIRSPACE IN BOMBING RAIDS
5. ISRAELIS CLAIM THEY WERE TORTURED BY PALESTINIAN POLICE
6. WITH RAIN, WIND AND COLD, ISRAEL'S FIRST WINTER STORM IS UPON US
7. RABBI KANIEVSKY INSTRUCTS PARAMEDICS: DON'T SAVE TERRORISTS
8. RABBI RISKIN OPPOSES CELEBRATION OF SECULAR NEW YEAR
1. BOMB ATTACK THWARTED IN EILAT HOTEL LAST MONTH
by Cynthia Blank
Prosecutors filed indictments with the Be'er Sheva District Court on Thursday against two Arabs originally from Jerusalem accused of planning a bomb attack on a hotel in Eilat.
The pair, identified as Khalil Nimri and Ashraf Salaima, had been residing and working in Eilat for several years when they plotted to plant explosives inside one of the southern resort's many hotels.
The attack was apparently foiled thanks to the vigilance of the hotel staff who reported the suspicious-looking men to management, who in turn called in security forces.
The terrorists have been charged with conspiracy to commit an offense to aid the enemy in wartime.
According to the indictment, Nimri and Salaima met while working at a hotel in Eilat. Two months ago the pair got together and decided to attack Jews out of a desire to take revenge on Israel for the elimination of terrorists in the current terror wave.
More specifically, one wanted to avenge the death of his childhood friend, who was killed while carrying out a stabbing attack in Jerusalem.
Nimri suggested the two conduct a stabbing attack and kill a religious Jew, but Salaima objected on the grounds they would likely be caught and their action would thus carry no meaning. He then proposed planting a bomb in a hotel in Eilat, to which Nimri agreed.
The two began surveillance on the hotel from the outside, following a group of religious Jews staying at the hotel. One of the suspects also combed the internet for videos on how to prepare an explosive device.
Salaima arrived at the hotel on November 30 pretending to be a prospective guest. He asked to view different hotel rooms and also expressed interest in the room located directly beneath the dining room, with the thought of planting the bomb there.
He asked both the desk clerk and the housekeepers numerous questions which aroused their suspicions, including about entrances into the hotel, the hotel's occupancy level, and whether a group of religious Jews were expected soon.
After questioning the staff members, Salaima left the hotel, and they immediately sprang into action.
The receptionist and housekeeper reported the visit to the hotel's management and security staff eventually leading to both Nimri and Salaima's arrests, thereby thwarting the attack and saving the lives of dozens of people.
2. DUMA AFFAIR: ANOTHER SUSPECT RELEASED TO HOUSE ARREST
by Arutz Sheva Staff
Petah Tikva Magistrate's Court ordered Thursday afternoon the release of another minor who was arrested in suspected involvement of the Duma affair to house arrest. The minor was released on bail.
The minor, who resides in central Israel, was arrested two weeks ago, and only after 15 days he was allowed to meet with Honenu attorney Uri Keinan.
After the hearing, Mr. Keinan said, "I am pleased that after 15 difficult days, the minor was released, thank God, and his spirit was able to overcome the unbearable conditions he encountered in the harsh interrogations."
The release of the minor to house arrest comes two days after the release of another minor who was arrested on suspicion of involvement. After 30 days of harsh interrogations it became clear that he had no involvement in the affair.
It should be noted that the investigation into the Duma case is still under a gag order.
3. CAR-RAMMING ATTACK IN SAMARIA
by Arutz Sheva Staff
An IDF soldier in his 20s was been injured in a car-ramming attack near the Arab village of Huwara in Samaria.
The terrorist was shot dead at the scene by security forces.
The injured soldier was evacuated by IDF medics to Beilinson hospital with light injuries.
Huwara and its environs have been a focal point of Arab terrorist attacks in recent weeks.
In related news, according to statistics released Thursday by the Magen David Adom ambulance service, a total of 25 people have been murdered in terrorist attacks since the start of October.
The vast majority of attacks have taken place in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, but a significant minority have also taken place in major Israeli cities including Tel Aviv, Ra'anana, Rishon Letzion, Be'er Sheva and elsewhere.
MDA paramedics alone have provided emergency, first aid to 271 injured victims of terrorist attacks during the past three months, including stabbing, car-ramming and shooting attacks. Of those victims, 23 were seriously injured, 8 were moderately-to-seriously injured, 39 suffered from moderate injuries, while 201 were injured lightly or lightly-to-moderately.
MDA has also treated 99 people for anxiety at the scene of attacks.
MDA teams have provided first aid at the scene of 84 rock-throwing attacks, 75 stabbings, 20 car-rammings and nine shooting attacks.
4. EGYPTIAN AIR FORCE JETS ENTER GAZA AIRSPACE IN BOMBING RAIDS
by Raphael Poch
The Egyptian Air Force (EAF) began intensive bombardment near the Gaza Strip this morning in the area surrounding the Egyptian town of Rafah. According to Palestinian media reports EAF planes entered into the airspace of Gaza itself.
The target of the air raids are positions belonging to ISIS's Egypt branch, known as "Sinai Province." Arabic language Sky News reported 15 fatalities thus far due to the bombings.
Hamas at times helps ISIS supporters in the Sinai Peninsula by supplying them with weapons and supplies smuggled out of the strip. Reports of bombings within the strip itself have increased tensions between Egypt and Hamas.
Recently Egypt has been flooding the smuggling tunnels that Hamas has set up connecting the strip to Sinai, causing the tunnels to collapse while killing the Hamas operatives inside. Last week a high ranking Hamas operative, Abed al Rahman Salah al Mubashar, who was one of the kidnappers of Gilad Schalit, was killed in a tunnel collapse due to flooding.
Continued Egyptian bombardment and floodings threaten the drinking water reserves of those in the strip, which are already in danger of salt contamination due to overuse. Tensions spiked on Friday when a Palestinian teen was shot to death after swimming across the border into the Sinai peninsula.
Hamas is very limited with regards to making any sort of response against the Egyptian Air Force. While Hamas does have a supply of shoulder mounted anti-aircraft missiles, it is unlikely that they would risk a direct confrontation with Egypt that would result from a direct attack on an Egyptian fighter jet.
5. ISRAELIS CLAIM THEY WERE TORTURED BY PALESTINIAN POLICE
by Raphael Poch
Two Israeli Arab brothers arrested in Bitunia by the Palestinian Authority (PA) on suspicion of growing marijuana a month ago, have finally been released. The brothers claimed that during their interrogations they were tortured. Among other devices used, the brothers claimed that they were tied up and hung upside down.
According to the brothers' claims, the two were arrested four weeks ago by PA police officers near Ramallah, and kept in the PA police headquarters. Their arrests were made known to the IDF only two weeks ago.
The brothers, who are Israeli Arab citizens, were transferred to Israeli custody two days ago at the Checkpoint outside of Ramallah that is close to Beit El and the IDF's COGAT command center for the Binyamin region. They were taken by Israeli police for questioning. After their initial questioning, Israeli police brought the brothers to a Jerusalem district court and requested that they be released to house arrest for a period of twenty days. The Judge granted house arrest until the beginning of the new calendar year.
The family is furious that the brothers were at the mercy of PA police officers for more than a month and that there was no intervention from any Israeli authoritative body for the entire period. According to the family's attorney, Faras Mustafa Ali, the family feels that the Israeli Police and COGAT would have acted differently had the brothers been Jewish.
Israeli sources refute the claims that they ignored the plight of the brothers. "The family submitted a complaint to the Judea and Samaria division that their children had been arrested by PA police. Upon contacting the PA, Israeli police forces were told that the brothers own an apartment in Ramallah, in which they built a marijuana growing facility. The PA police said that they were stopped numerous times in the past for criminal offences committed. Officers from Judea and Samaria District Police contacted the PA numerous times to arrange for the transfer of the brothers, and even attempted to get other security forces involved. After 29 days in PA custody, the brothers were transferred to the Judea and Samaria Division of the Israeli Police, with evidence linking them to the ownership and growing of marijuana. By law they were questioned by Israeli police before being brought to an Israeli court."
A spokesperson for COGAT said: "These two brothers entered the Palestinian Authority at their own wishes, and proceeded to participate in illegal activity with Palestinian citizens. Their actions and subsequent arrests were brought to our attention after two weeks of their detention. From that point onwards COGAT worked on all levels to attain their release." According to COGAT the interaction with the family was conducted by the Israeli Police, and that no claims of torture had been brought to their attention.
6. WITH RAIN, WIND AND COLD, ISRAEL'S FIRST WINTER STORM IS UPON US
by Cynthia Blank
The peak of Israel's first major winter storm will hit only on Thursday night - but rain, wind and cold are expected all day.
Local rains are expected to fall throughout the day from northern Israel to the northern Negev, intensifying during the afternoon. Toward the evening, snow will also begin to fall in the north.
Up to 20 centimeters (~8 inches) of snow are predicted on Mount Hermon, with another 15 anticipated in the Galilee. Jerusalem, however, will likely have to settle with some light snow on Friday, although sleet is more likely.
The worst part of the storm will occur overnight Thursday into Friday afternoon. Heavy flooding is anticipated and Israeli authorities are also concerned over damage to the electrical system.
The record low temperatures, however, are only expected Friday night until the afternoon on Saturday. The cold temperatures will be accompanied by cloudy skies and light rainfall, particularly in Israel's central region.
Rain may continue on Sunday, particularly in the north and additional snow is also predicted on Mount Hermon and in the Golan. Temperatures will be slightly warmer, but still unseasonably cold.
The Ministry of Health has published a list of safety recommendations for citizens, especially the elderly and parents with young children, in order to minimize damage caused by the cold.
These include heating the house at a constant 24°C (75.2°F) temperature, wearing warm clothing, and sealing all windows and doors to prevent cold from entering.
Magen David Adom is also preparing for the storm; it has added reinforcements to shifts and put dozens of ambulances on high alert.
The Israel Electric Company has taken preventive measures against potential power outages, and has ordered reinforcements to its teams, particularly in northern Israel.
7. RABBI KANIEVSKY INSTRUCTS PARAMEDICS: DON'T SAVE TERRORISTS
by Hezki Ezra
Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, one of the leading haredi authorities on Jewish law, instructed members of the United Hatzalah paramedic organization not to treat injured terrorists in a meeting Thursday.
Heads of the organization arrived at the Rabbi's house, and after receiving his blessing inquired as to the halachik issues of treating terrorists at the site of terror attacks.
The Rabbi clarified that in cases in which it is clear to the paramedics who among the wounded is the terrorist, paramedics should not treat the terrorist before the wounded in the attack - even if the terrorist is more seriously injured.
Furthermore the Rabbi instructed that if the terrorist was in a life threatening condition, they should leave him or her to die.
Having said that, the Rabbi explained that if the identity of the terrorist is not clear, then the paramedics need to treat all of the injured in the area so as to avoid a case in which a victim of an attack would not receive treatment.
The rabbi's ruling follows an ongoing controversy in Israel over the issue. The various heads of different emergency paramedic groups have differed on defining the proper ethical practice, with some suggesting paramedics should treat the most seriously injured first - even if it is the terrorist who carried out the attack - while others insist the victims of the attack must be treated first.
8. RABBI RISKIN OPPOSES CELEBRATION OF SECULAR NEW YEAR
by Eliran Aharon
[video:2011058]
Efrat Chief Rabbi Shlomo Riskin has announced his opposition to Jews celebrating the secular New Year, known as "Sylvester" in Israel.
In a special interview with Arutz Sheva, Riskin asserted that secular New Year's festivities are not compatible with the Jewish spirit.
He explained that Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, has far-reaching spiritual meaning throughout the year, while the secular New Year was created by the Romans as an expression of "debauchery."
Riskin qualified there was no biblical prohibition against celebrating, but noted he felt there was a rabbinic one.
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Thursday, December 31, 2015
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
A7News: Cave of Machpelah victim dies of his wounds 3 weeks later
Tevet 18, 5776 / Wednesday, Dec. 30 '15
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Headlines
- Cave of Machpelah victim dies of his wounds 3 weeks later
- Israel braces for its first winter snowstorm
- Duma suspect reveals alleged suicide attempt scars
- Netanyahu: We've been here 4,000 years; terror can't defeat us
- Report: Obama spied on Netanyahu after NSA reforms
- Deputy AG: Duma suspects in 'good physical, emotional condition'
- Groom, man who waved weapon at 'extremist wedding' released
- Watch: Duma suspect finally released
1. Cave of Machpelah victim dies of his wounds 3 weeks later
by Ari YasharShaare Tzedek Hospital in Jerusalem announced on Wednesday morning that Ganedi Kofman, who was stabbed by an Arab terrorist outside the Cave of Machpelah in Hevron just over three weeks ago on December 7, has died from his wounds.
Throughout his hospitalization Kofman remained in serious condition in intensive care, suffering from life-threatening wounds.
Dr. Ofer Merin, director of Shaare Tzedek's trauma unit, said at the time of his hospitalization that "the stabbing wounds hit his heart, lungs and other organs in the stomach."
Hevron activist Baruch Marzel of Otzma Yehudit had been protesting at the site of the stabbing, and earlier this month IDF Central Commander Roni Numa passed by where he was protesting.
"They may call you Numa but you need to wake up, Jews are being slaughtered in the land of Israel," quipped Marzel, playing off how "numa" can also mean "go to sleep." In response, a stung Numa said, "you hit me below the belt."
"Ganedi Kofman they stabbed above the belt in his heart, and he's lying in critical condition, and you're doing nothing to deal with the problem," shot back Marzel.
2. Israel braces for its first winter snowstorm
by Arutz Sheva StaffIsrael is anticipated to come under a winter storm this Friday with possible snow falling in the capital of Jerusalem, but the wintry weather started showing signs already on Tuesday night with rain in the coastal plains.
Local rains are expected on Wednesday, from Haifa in the north to Be'er Sheva in the south, accompanied by a noted drop in temperatures. There are concerns of flooding at rivers in Israel's south and east.
The rain is to progressively grow stronger on Thursday from the north to the Negev, and thunder storms are also expected along with an additional drop in temperatures.
Then on Friday the full blast of the wave of winter weather is to reach its peak, with rain and storms in most parts of the country, and snow anticipated in the mountainous regions.
Ahead of the possible snowfall in Jerusalem, the municipality on Wednesday will hold an assessment of the situation according to the updated forecasts, and if the chances of snow are reckoned to be high enough, preparations to cope with the impending snowfall will be launched.
Snow is expected to fall on Mount Hermon in Israel's north as early as Thursday, with snow in the northern mountains anticipated to last from Thursday night on into Friday.
Temperatures on Wednesday are to be as follows: up to 19° C (66° F) in Tel Aviv, highs of 13° C (55° F) in Jerusalem, 16° C (60° F) in Haifa, 16° C in the Golan Heights, Tzfat (Safed) and the Galilee mountains, 20° C (68° F) in Tiberias, 21° C (70° F) in the Dead Sea region, 16° C in Be'er Sheva, and 19° C in Eilat.
3. Duma suspect reveals alleged suicide attempt scars
by Arutz Sheva StaffThe lawyers of one of the minor Jewish suspects being interrogated in the lethal Duma arson case photographed his wrists, to prove his claims before the court that he attempted to commit suicide to put an end to the alleged brutal torture by the Israeli Security Agency (ISA).
After the minor revealed last week that he tried to commit suicide and was ready to confess to anything just to get the interrogation to stop, the ISA and subsequently Jewish Home ministers Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked denied that he tried to slash his wrists.
The minor's lawyers saw the cuts on his wrists when they were allowed to finally meet him after 21 days in which he was denied legal consultation.
Upon discovering the scars from the cuts, they demanded that they be documented in the investigation file, and it was revealed that his wrists had been shown to the judge. Afterwards the youth was placed under observation by the Israel Prison Services (IPS), and underwent several psychiatric checks.
Only this week, two weeks after the incident, was permission given to photograph the youth's wrists and the cuts on them which have scarred over in the meantime; clear scars remain visible however.
Attorney Chai Haber, who is representing the minor for the Honenu legal aid organization, said, "one picture is worth a thousand words."
"In the state of Israel a youth is interrogated, tortured until he reaches a state in which he tries to end his life. It was sad to read the denials of the incident by the interrogation unit, and the attempt to throw sand in the eyes of the public, when the matter is documented and recorded in the investigation file."
"I would imagine that after the investigation materials are revealed, and along with the degree of the torture and blows, the unusual conduct in this investigation is published, the public will be shocked and will know where the truth is and where the lies are," added the attorney, noting on the media gag order on the case.
ISA issued a statement in response, saying it "is a state organization and all of its activities are conducted according to the law. Shabak (ISA) investigations are conducted in accordance with the instructions of the law and rulings, and are under the supervision of the attorney general, the state attorney and the courts. The claim that one of the detainees tried to commit suicide has no basis."
"Can the court stop the torture?"
In court last week, it was revealed that the psychiatric counselor determined that the minor suspect had been driven into severe depression and traumatic stress as a result of the investigation; he also had been prescribed sleeping pills by a doctor in his detention center due to sleep deprivation related to interrogation and torture.
"I beg Your Honor, I cannot endure this," the youth stated, in a recording that was played back to the boy's family. "Does the court have a way to control the investigation? They hung me upside down by hands until they burned. I feel like they're burning me up."
Testimony also revealed that the ISA kicked the youth in the chest while he was handcuffed with his head bent, stopping him from breathing for a few minutes. At the time, the youth asked to consult with his lawyer, and was refused; he was also forced to listen to music on Shabbat as he was interrogated, which is forbidden on the Jewish day of rest.
The torture only grew worse, he revealed, to the point where the ISA kept him up most nights torturing him. Among other things, the ISA spent an entire night flogging the youth's back, he said, and he begged the judge for medical treatment and legal counsel.
"I would confess to everything, but I don't know how - I don't have anything to tell them," said the suspect to the judge.
One minor suspect in the case reportedly broke down and confessed last week after nearly a month of interrogation, but suspects have alleged brutal torture in the interrogation, raising concerns that the confession may have been false and inadmissible as evidence. Prior to the confession, officials admitted there was no evidence against the suspects.
Further raising questions regarding the basis of the investigation is the fact that on Tuesday, the Lod District Court ordered one of the suspects to be released to a 10-day house arrest.
After being held for 29 days - during the first 20 of which he was denied legal consultation - police asked to extend his arrest based on alleged involvement in a completely unrelated quarrel with Bedouin shepherds two years ago, in a surprising request thrown out by the court.
4. Netanyahu: We've been here 4,000 years; terror can't defeat us
by Arutz Sheva StaffPrime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu spoke on Wednesday about the murder of Ganedi Kofman, who passed away earlier in the day after being hospitalized for over three weeks struggling to recover from an Arab terrorist stabbing attack at the Cave of Machpelah in Hevron.
At the start of a Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu sent his condolences to Kofman's family, noting the victim "was the gardener at the Cave of Machpelah," an ancient site where the Jewish patriarchs and matriarchs other than Rachel are buried.
"He was stabbed in a murderous assault several weeks ago. Sadly, he did not recover," said Netanyahu.
"This morning as well, I say to all those who would uproot us from the Tomb of the Patriarchs - except for a few years in the previous century, we have been there for almost 4,000 years and we will stay there forever. You cannot defeat us."
Netanyahu's comment was met with criticism by Eliezer Rudrig, chair of the Likud branch in Kiryat Arba/Hevron, and a member of the Kiryat Arba/Hevron Regional Council.
In response to the prime minister's statement, Rudrig called on him "to make actions and not statements. The first thing is just to come to the Cave of Machpelah, something you haven't done for many years."
"In addition, for over 20 years we have been praying in rain and snow, cold and heat, and there is no roof in the Cave of Machpelah. Building the roof is dependent only on your approval," he said, addressing Netanyahu.
"Currently the Cave of Machpelah is not handicapped accessible, which is also dependent only on your approval."
"In order to preserve the site, we who live in the city of the patriarchs need to continue to build; allow us to live in Machpelah House and approve building plans for new neighborhoods outside of Kiryat Arba/Hevron," continued Rudrig.
The local Likud head concluded: "sympathy is a good start, but real actions are needed too, first of all by stopping the discrimination against Jews (regarding building permits - ed.). We have a history, the future depends on us."
The government enforces a strict limit on Jewish residence in Hevron, and the Cave of Machpelah site is split between Jewish and Muslim control, with access to the side housing the tomb markers of Yitzhak (Isaac) and Rivka (Rebecca) only open to Jews ten days of the year.
5. Report: Obama spied on Netanyahu after NSA reforms
by Elad BenariPresident Barack Obama's administration continued to spy after Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, even after he announced two years ago he would curtail the National Security Agency's eavesdropping program on friendly heads of state, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.
Current and former officials who spoke to the newspaper said that the White House decided to keep certain allies under close watch and that Netanyahu topped the list.
The U.S., pursuing a nuclear arms agreement with Iran at the time, captured communications between Netanyahu and his aides that inflamed mistrust between the two countries and planted a political minefield at home when Netanyahu later took his campaign against the deal to Capitol Hill, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The National Security Agency's targeting of Israeli leaders and officials also swept up the contents of some of their private conversations with U.S. lawmakers and American-Jewish groups, the report said.
That raised fears, an "Oh-s**t moment," one senior official said, that the executive branch would be accused of spying on Congress.
Over the past few years there has been a series of revelations related to the NSA's spying program, most of which has been based on documents supplied by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.
Snowden's leaks revealed, among other things, that the NSA had monitored the phone conversations of 35 world leaders. The documents particularly caused tensions with Germany, after Chancellor Angela phoned President Barack Obama and accused the NSA of monitoring her telephone conversations.
It has also been reported that the NSA recorded millions of phone calls in France, including calls involving individuals with no links to terrorism, and that the agency had collected almost 200 million text messages a day from across the globe, using them to extract data including location, contact networks and credit card details.
As for the spying on Netanyahu, White House officials believed the intercepted information could be valuable to counter Netanyahu's campaign against the Iran deal. They also recognized that asking for it was politically risky, however, so, wary of a paper trail stemming from a request, the White House let the NSA decide what to share and what to withhold, officials said.
"We didn't say, 'Do it,' " a senior U.S. official said. "We didn't say, 'Don't do it.' "
Stepped-up NSA eavesdropping revealed to the White House how Netanyahu and his advisers had leaked details of the U.S.-Iran negotiations to undermine the talks; coordinated talking points with Jewish-American groups against the deal; and asked undecided lawmakers what it would take to win their votes, according to current and former officials familiar with the intercepts.
Mostly disturbing is the fact that after Snowden's revelations and a White House review, Obama announced in a January 2014 speech he would curb such eavesdropping, and this surveillance of Netanyahu came after that announcement.
According to The Wall Street Journal, in closed-door debate, the Obama administration weighed which allied leaders belonged on a so-called protected list, shielding them from NSA snooping. French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other North Atlantic Treaty Organization leaders made the list, but the administration permitted the NSA to target the leaders' top advisers, current and former U.S. officials said.
Other allies were excluded from the protected list, including Recep Tayyip Erdogan, president of NATO ally Turkey, which allowed the NSA to spy on their communications at the discretion of top officials, according to the American officials who spoke to the newspaper.
Privately, Obama maintained the monitoring of Netanyahu on the grounds that it served a "compelling national security purpose," according to current and former U.S. officials. Obama mentioned the exception in his speech but kept secret the leaders it would apply to.
Israeli, German and French government officials declined to comment on NSA activities. Turkish officials didn't respond to requests Tuesday for comment. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the NSA declined to comment on communications provided to the White House.
The Wall Street Journal noted that its account, stretching over two terms of the Obama administration, is based on interviews with more than two dozen current and former. intelligence and administration officials and reveals for the first time the extent of American spying on the Israeli prime minister.
The report also marks the second time that American surveillance on Israeli leaders has been exposed.
Some Snowden documents showed that the U.S. had been monitoring the email traffic of Israeli officials, including former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and former Defense Minister Ehud Barak.
6. Deputy AG: Duma suspects in 'good physical, emotional condition'
by Ido Ben-PoratDeputy Attorney General Attorney Raz Nizri, who paid a visit to the suspects being held over the deadly Duma arson attack, has forcefully rejected claims by their attorneys of torture.
According to Nizri, the detainees were in good physical and emotional condition when he met with them, and he accused the defense team of greatly exaggerating the conditions of their detention and interrogation as "torture."
The issue of alleged torture in the case has become a point of major controversy, with defense attorneys claiming their clients were subjected to shocking physical abuse - to the point that one minor currently still in detention reportedly attempted suicide - which could invalidate any confessions extracted from them.
The Shin Bet and other officials deny the accusations, saying that while the suspects were being subjected to intensive interrogation techniques - as are often used on terror suspects - they are not being tortured.
In a letter to Defense Attorney Adi Kedar of the Honenu legal rights group, Nizri responded to Kedar's criticism of his visit to the Shin Bet complex where the suspects are being held. Kedar had accused Nizri of obstructing the investigation via his visit, but the Deputy Attorney General accused Kedar in response of feigning ignorance.
"Your claim contains strong statement, which I will assume stem from a lack of familiarity with the facts and the legal-normative framework pertaining to the matter (of the interrogation and investigation - ed.), so I will therefore present them in brief," Nizri's letter began.
Under the law, the Deputy Attorney General is considered a legitimate, official visitor by dint of his position, Nizri noted.
"My department is responsible for dealing with this subject, and a lawyer from my department is the one who coordinates all matters regarding visits to prisons and the Israeli Prosecution Service detention facilities."
Relating to the torture claims, he said an investigation would be launched by the Attorney General's office "as is proper."
In fact, he added, the very purpose of his visit was to investigate the conditions under which the suspects were being held "and to hear the complaints, if any, straight from their mouths, in accordance with the authority of an official visitor as explained."
"At the start of the visit and at the end we spoke - as is standard for an official visitor - with Shin Bet personnel, but the conversations with the detainees themselves were held in private, without any prison wardens or Shin Bet interrogators in the holding cell," he added.
Detainees were given a chance to make any formal complaints, or if they so chose to not meet with Nizri and his team at all. He said he had made it clear to the suspects that the conversations were not related to the Duma investigation but purely concerning the conditions of their detention.
"I can already note that our impression was that the physical and emotional state of the suspects were fine, and that there is a huge gap between the claims we heard straight from their mouths and what has been claimed publicly on their behalf," he said.
Attorney Kedar responded to Nizri's claims, saying, "the letter of the deputy attorney general was leaked (to the press) even before being placed on our table."
"In his words, Mr. Nizri continues the invalid usage of messages he was instructed to say in order to cover the violence that he gave permission to be used."
"The goal of the 'official visitors' is for other reasons, and Mr. Nizri's appearance in a way that was not coordinated with the suspects was done as part of a continued effort to 'justify' the use of violence, something which is invalid according to every legal system and treaty," concluded Kedar.
7. Groom, man who waved weapon at 'extremist wedding' released
by Orli HarariThe Magistrate's Court on Wednesday morning ordered to release on bail Daniel Pinner, who was arrested the night before for taking part in a wedding in which alleged Jewish extremists appeared to celebrate the deadly Duma arson while waving weapons, and also to release the groom.
A total of five people were arrested on Tuesday, after video from the event was leaked to the press and caused a public outcry. In the video, people are seen dancing while waving guns and knives, and one masked person is seen holding a picture of the Arab baby murdered in the Duma attack and stabbing it at one point.
Pinner was seen in the video waving a gun in the air that he argues was a toy gun, and wearing a shirt of the Kach movement, which was founded by the late MK Rabbi Meir Kahane.
Police on Wednesday asked the court to extend Pinner's arrest by five days, but the judge threw out the request and accepted the argument of Attorney Itamar Ben-Gvir, who said that even if the act may have angered people there are no grounds to extend the arrest.
Pinner, a resident of Kfar Tapuach in Samaria, is to be released on a bail of 2,000 shekels (just over $500), but the police requested to delay the release so as to submit a petition.
The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court also ordered the release of the groom from the wedding, Yakir Eshbal, rejecting the police request to keep him in jail for another five days. However, a 24-hour delay order was put on the release to allow the police to petition.
"I expect that the police will this very day arrest everyone celebrating in Umm al Fahm and Rahat who wave and even shoot weapons during weddings," said Ben-Gvir following the decision on Pinner, noting on how Arab weddings frequently include live gunfire in the air.
Pinner's wife on Tuesday night wrote her version of events from the wedding on Facebook, saying, "he didn't join in stabbing the picture and wasn't even close to the people who did it."
"He held a toy gun and sat on the shoulders of someone with a shirt that was passed from person to person during the dancing of 'zachreini na,'" she wrote, referring to a traditional song recording the Biblical Samson's revenge against the Philistines. "After he understood what they did there with the picture he stopped dancing."
Three participants in the wedding remain under arrest, including the groom and an IDF soldier who is being held on suspicions that he may have passed his personal weapon to one of the participants.
8. Watch: Duma suspect finally released
by Yoni KempinskiThe courts ordered the release of one of the Jewish suspects in the lethal Duma arson case on Tuesday, but after the Israel Prison Services (IPS) delayed his release despite the order, the court forced them to comply.
[video:2011021]
Lod District Court ordered the suspect, whose identity remains under a media gag order, to be released to a 10-day house arrest.
After being held for 29 days - during the first 20 of which he was denied legal consultation - police asked to extend his arrest based on alleged involvement in an unrelated quarrel with Bedouin shepherds two years ago, in a request thrown out by the court.
However, the Honenu legal aid organization representing the suspects reported the IPS was refusing the order to release him, as State Attorney Shai Nitzan had a request issued to have the release delayed while submitting a petition. The group argued the delay was illegal, and apparently the IPS finally relented and released the man from the Lod District Court.
Attorneys reported that the suspect testified he was subjected to torture, including "violent shaking, hitting, banging his head against a wall, stretching his head back until he vomited, and sleep deprivation for entire days."
His family released a statement shortly after the court ruled to release him, saying, "the entire argument in the court throughout stages of the arrest was that they're dealing with a ticking bomb as it were, and it was a lie from the beginning and they led the court, the politicians and the public astray."
"We call to establish a parliamentary investigation committee to examine the video tapes from the interrogation so that the truth behind the claims of torture will reach the light," added the family.
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Court: Former PM Olmert to serve 18 months
Arutz Sheva Daily Israel Report http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com ------------------------------------------------ Delivered Daily via Email, Sunday thru Friday Subscribe to this Daily Israel Report: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Subscribe/ Tuesday, Dec. 29 '15, Tevet 17, 5776 HEADLINES: 1. COURT: FORMER PM OLMERT TO SERVE 18 MONTHS 2. WATCH: OLMERT RESPONDS TO PRISON SENTENCE; 'I'M INNOCENT' 3. BIBI RESPONDS TO NASRALLAH: WE'LL RETALIATE AGAINST ANY ATTACK 4. RECORD-SETTING NUMBERS OF NEW OLIM ARRIVED IN 2015 5. MAN ARRESTED FOR PARTICIPATING IN DUMA WEDDING DANCE 6. FIRST OPENLY-GAY LIKUD MK RESPONDS TO HAREDI SNUB 7. ISRAEL TAKES FASHION WORLD BY STORM - WITH A SHIRT WORN 24 WAYS 8. WATCH: IDF FORMS NEW ELITE BRIGADE 1. COURT: FORMER PM OLMERT TO SERVE 18 MONTHS by Matt Wanderman Five Supreme Court justices have examined the appeal by former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and partially accepted the appeal. He will serve 18 months in prison. He will begin his sentence on February 15. Olmert was found guilty in 2014 on two counts of bribery and sentenced to six years in prison, two years probation, and a fine of one million shekels ($257,000 US). He was also ordered to forfeit 560,000 shekels ($144,000 US) in assets. While the Supreme Court has now absolved him from the charge of receiving a 500,000 shekel ($187,000 US) bribe, it unanimously upheld his convicted of receiving 60,000 shekels ($15,000 US) in a separate bribe. "A heavy weight was removed from my heart when the Supreme Court ruled that I am not guilty of the main crime - the Holyland affair," said Olmert. "That was, for me, a dark cloud over my head and over my family. I have previously said that I was never offered and I never received bribes, and I say this again today. Naturally, I accept the decision of the Supreme Court." Seven other people were also found guilty in the case, including former Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski. The crimes revolved around Jerusalem's Holyland property development. Prosecutors claim that Olmert, during his term as mayor of Jerusalem, received 500,000 shekels in bribes in exchange for easing the approval process for Holyland. The court has accepted Lupolianski's appeal, and he will not go to prison. Olmert will be the first Israeli prime minister sent to prison. Former President Moshe Katsav is also currently in prison, though he may soon be released on parole. 2. WATCH: OLMERT RESPONDS TO PRISON SENTENCE; 'I'M INNOCENT' by Arutz Sheva Staff [youtube:2011001] Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has maintained his innocence of all charges of bribery, in a statement to journalists outside the Supreme Court this morning, but says he accepts the court's ruling to jail him for 18 months for corruption. A tired-looking Olmert, who will become the first former Israeli PM to go to prison when he begins his prison term on February 15 next year, noted that the court had acquitted him of the more serious charges - an alleged half-million bribe in the so-called Holyland corruption scandal, which would have earned him a far higher sentence of six years. "A heavy weight was removed from my heart when the Supreme Court ruled that I am not guilty of the main crime - the Holyland affair," he said. "That was, for me, a dark and painful cloud over my head and over my family - my children, my grandchildren, and all those close to me - for a long time." But of his conviction for accepting a separate 60,000 shekel ($15,000 US) bribe, he said he maintained his innocence. "I have previously said that I was never offered and I never received bribes, and I say this again today. Though naturally, and in accordance with my faith and my conduct throughout my life, I respect the decision of the Supreme Court justices." See the video above for the full statement and subsequent brief Q&A. 3. BIBI RESPONDS TO NASRALLAH: WE'LL RETALIATE AGAINST ANY ATTACK by Matt Wanderman Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has offered a veiled message for Hezbollah head Hassan Nasrallah, stating, "Our enemies should know that we will aggressively retaliate for any attack against us." He made the statement during a ceremony awarding the year's best Mossad workers, only a couple days after Nasrallah threatened to attack Israel in return for the death of Samir Kuntar. Israel has not commented on the alleged operation. During his speech, Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke about the Mossad's importance in the face of continued threats. "The world is changing and the Mossad is changing with it. Its role and importance in the maintaining our national security is growing. Today we are facing a new threat. Because of the rise of extremist Islam, we find ourselves...in a world war against two large factions of extremist Islam which spread across the globe. We are obligated to deal with these threats, and these two threats are linked to one another." He closed by quoting the book of Psalms: "He neither slumbers nor sleeps, the Guard of Israel." The two factions presumably refer to terror groups from both the Sunni and Shi'ite branches of Islam, including ISIS and Iran, respectively. 4. RECORD-SETTING NUMBERS OF NEW OLIM ARRIVED IN 2015 by Arutz Sheva Staff The Jewish Agency for Israel has announced that more than 30,000 olim [new immigrants] arrived in Israel in 2015. This represents an increase of 10 percent over last year, and the highest number in over a decade. The largest group came from France, with 7,900 new Israelis. This is an all-time record for the country. Jewish Agency Chair Natan Sharansky praised the figures, saying, "The high number of immigrants, particularly from western countries, attests to the drawing power of the Zionist idea. The fact that immigrants choose to come to Israel is a sign that Israel invests their lives with meaning that they cannot find elsewhere. This choice requires that we make every effort to enable them to become immediately integrated in the workforce and in the education system, so that they, like those who came before them, may put down roots in Israel and enrich Israeli society." Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Minister Ze'ev Elkin (Likud) also expressed his happiness over the thousands of Jews who are making their new home in Israel: "We are in a rare window of opportunity. While we are busy with the day-to-day problems of Israel, we did not pay attention to this year's great development: the number of immigrants exceeded 30,000 for the first time in more than a decade. The number of immigrants rose by 50% in the past two years, and we haven't heard the last word. It is our duty to do everything necessary to take advantage of this rare opportunity and invest efforts in both immigrant absorption and Aliyah encouragement, so that a figure of 50,000 immigrants in one year does not seem imaginary. If we will it, it is no dream." About 3,770 olim came from the US and Canada this year, a slight decrease from last year's 3,870. Tel Aviv received the most immigrants in 2015, with the arrival of 3,650 new residents from abroad. Netanya came in second with 3,500 immigrants, Jerusalem with 3,030, and Haifa with 2,250. 5. MAN ARRESTED FOR PARTICIPATING IN DUMA WEDDING DANCE by Arutz Sheva Staff Police have arrested a resident of Kfar Tapuach in Samaria on suspicion that he was involved in the wedding dance in which people celebrated the deaths of the Dawabshe family. Itamar Ben-Gvir, from the legal defense organization Honenu, claims that the weapon waved during the dance was a toy and thus not illegal. Police initially opened an investigation into the incident on Thursday, which occurred at a wedding in Jerusalem of a couple well known in far-right circles. The bride is herself a resident of Kfar Tapuach. In the footage, initially obtained by Channel 10, dozens of men and boys can be seen dancing while waving guns and knives. One masked individual can also be seen carrying a mock molotov cocktail and a picture of Ali Dawabshe, the 18-month-old Palestinian baby killed along with his parents in the deadly arson in Duma last July. At one point, the masked individual can be seen stabbing the picture. Police are investigating allegations of incitement, as well as possible charges related to the passing around of weapons to unlicensed individuals, including minors. The footage led to a nationwide outcry, with even the groom's family distancing themselves from it and insisting their wedding was hijacked by extremists. 6. FIRST OPENLY-GAY LIKUD MK RESPONDS TO HAREDI SNUB by Ari Soffer Likud's newest MK Amir Ohana - the party's first openly gay man to serve in the Knesset - has fired back after haredi MKs absented themselves from his swearing-in ceremony. During Monday's ceremony, MKs from Likud's coalition partners United Torah Judaism (UTJ) and Shas were notably absent, in an apparent slight towards Ohana. Ohana, who heads the Likud's LGBT caucus, replaces former Interior Minister Silvan Shalom, who stepped down last week amid a storm of sexual harassment allegations. But the freshman MK said he didn't even notice the haredi MKs' absence at the time, and didn't take it personally. In fact, he said, he hoped they would continue to boycott his speeches. "At the time of the speech I didn't even notice the absence, and afterwards when I heard (about it) I just hoped that in all subjects about LGBT rights they will continue to be absent," he said in an Army Radio interview, in a veiled swipe at the haredi parties. "Let them be absent - that would be wonderful." For their part, the haredi parties have insisted their MKs' absence was nothing personal. "The opposition was nothing personal," a senior UTJ source told Channel 2. "But he is a Member of Knesset from the coalition and we are very concerned that he will work to advance initiatives regarding the homosexual community, and in United Torah Judaism we oppose (such initiatives)." The Shas party claimed its MKs were only absent due to a scheduling misunderstanding, with party sources insisting it was not a calculated political move at all. There have been other homosexual MKs, though most belonged to Meretz. Ohana is the first from a right-wing party. Watch: Haredi MKs disappear during Amir Ohana's first Knesset address [youtube:2010981] 7. ISRAEL TAKES FASHION WORLD BY STORM - WITH A SHIRT WORN 24 WAYS by Raphael Poch The fashion world has been taken by storm by a new innovation created by Israeli designer Tamara Salem, who with her business partner Barak Kirschner created the fashion design company by the name of Morf. Salem created started out by creating a dress that could be worn multiple ways creating multiple designs, and then designed a shirt which caused the fashion world to explode. The Morf shirt, has been written up in numerous newspapers and fashion magazines around the world, and has garnered an incredible share of media attention. What is special about the lightweight and durable shirt is that it can be worn in 24 different ways, each one creating its own unique style and design as well as pattern. From solid blues, to horizontal blue and black lines, the shirt can be worn and re-worn to create elegant patterns and match countless wardrobe ideas. This one shirt can replace entire segments of a wardrobe, and at a fraction of the cost. Morf shirt, has been quoted by top fashion websites as being unbelievable and something that will be a trendsetter for further advancements and innovations in the fashion industry. To quote just one site fashiontrendsmore.com " The innovation in the design of this shirt is unbelievable and I believe that this first ever multi-shirt will pave the way for further advancements in the fashion industry." In an interview with Arutz Sheva, Salem explained how she came upon the idea to create this type of revolutionary shirt. "The idea came to me when I was sewing a shirt for a friend's birthday. I wanted to create a shirt that would allow the wearer to wear it in many different ways. I wanted it to be a simple shirt that looks like any other shirt, but would have several possibilities to change styles in the simplest of manners." The genius of the shirt is that instead of simply containing one layer for the front and the back, it is built in a way that include four layers. "These layers allow three different places to wear the shirt in a ways that creates new designs for each one," said Salem. Salem prided herself on the simplicity of the design adding that there are no zippers or buttons. "It looks like a shirt, it feels like a shirt. The whole idea is that is there is no wrong way to wear it," Mathematically speaking the four different layers allow the wearer to wear the shirt with a v-neck or with a complete circle neck, and also allows the sleeves to become different colors. In total the layers allow for 24 different positions. "From the standpoint of a designer and a wearer it was a pleasure to create this shirt," added Salem. Salem has been overjoyed by the feedback that the company has received by purchasers of the shirt. Having received a lot of positive feedback, she said that the most positive feedback has been from travelers or backpackers, who appreciate the ingenuity and variety of styles that one article of clothing allows. Everything from sporty, to elegant. "The shirt particularly works for travellers who can use this one shirt for a few days while travelling or hiking. It is something that is fun and useful and that is the best thing in design." Morf recently added a shirt for men, as well as increased the basic design of the women's shirt to include three separate color motif, blue, red, and green. Those items as well as the original dress design are available for sale from the company's website and from amazon. Salem is also looking to soon begin making children's clothing in the near future. MORF dress Courtesy MORF Fashion "I came from the world of Television, and I was a TV editor. After I had the original idea for the dress I left television and studied design at studio 6B in Tel Aviv. Upon graduating I did my required internship in the field and became a designer. I am very happy in my new profession, and I am grateful that I have been able to make so many other people happy as well." The designs for the shirt and dress have been patented under US patent law, and are on sale until the end of the 2015 calendar year. 8. WATCH: IDF FORMS NEW ELITE BRIGADE by ILTV [youtube:2010988] ------------------------------------------------ Subscribe to this Daily Israel Report: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Subscribe/
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