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/
Friday, Feb. 26 '16, Adar 17, 5776
HEADLINES:
1. WANTED PALESTINIAN TERRORIST KILLED IN BULGARIA
2. TERRORIST ATTACK: SECURITY GUARD STABBED IN MA'ALE ADUMIM
3. 14 RUNNERS HOSPITALIZED IN TEL AVIV MARATHON
4. FIVE CHINESE JEWS COME HOME AFTER THOUSANDS OF YEARS
5. RUBIO SLAMS TRUMP FOR BEING 'ANTI-ISRAEL'
6. FRIENDLY-FIRE VICTIM: 'AN ISRAELI HERO'
7. SENIOR STRATEGIST URGES US TO MAKE RUSSIA 'PAY'
8. WATCH: ARAB CLOTHING AND JEWISH TZITZIT IN DUBAI
1. WANTED PALESTINIAN TERRORIST KILLED IN BULGARIA
by Uzi Baruch
Wanted Arab terrorist Naif Hassan Omar Zaid was found dead at the Palestinian Authority (PA) embassy in Bulgaria, local media reported Friday morning.
His family confirmed to Palestine News Network that he was "assassinated" at the embassy in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria.
Zaid, 51, was convicted of murdering yeshiva student Eliyahu Amadi in Jerusalem's Old City back in 1986, when he was 22 years old.
He was sentenced to life in prison, but was able to escape jail while being transferred to hospital during a hunger strike, and has been living in Bulgaria for the past 22 years. Israel demanded Bulgarian authorities extradite him in December.
Zaid is a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) Marxist terrorist organization.
On Friday morning the PFLP claimed that the Mossad had assassinated Zaid.
Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas published an official statement of condemnation, calling to establish an international investigative committee to clarify the circumstances of Zaid's death.
2. TERRORIST ATTACK: SECURITY GUARD STABBED IN MA'ALE ADUMIM
by Ben Ariel
[youtube:2012907]
A 48-year-old man was stabbed and seriously wounded overnight Thursday in a terrorist attack at the entrance to a shopping center in Ma'ale Adumim, located to the east of Jerusalem.
The man, who worked as a security guard at the shopping center, was taken by Magen David Adom paramedics to the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem. The hospital said the victim's life was in danger and that he was suffering from wounds to his upper body, including serious wounds to his head.
The attacker fled the scene and large forces are searching for him. Security forces have decided that Palestinian Arab workers will not be allowed into Ma'ale Adumim until Sunday.
The identity of the terrorist is known, but details on the investigation are under a media gag order.
A statement from the hospital on Friday morning updated that the victim remains in very serious condition suffering life-threatening wounds, and that he is still in surgery.
On Friday morning police found an ax apparently used by the Arab terrorist in the attack. A police investigation also revealed the security guard was unarmed, according to Walla, raising questions regarding the security procedures.
Police are checking how the terrorist, who had a permit to work in Ma'ale Adumim, was at the mall late at night an hour after it closed.
It is the latest serious Arab terror attack against Israelis in recent days.
On Wednesday, 30-year-old Eliyav Gelman was killed by errant gunfire during a stabbing attack attempt by an Arab terrorist in the Gush Etzion region of Judea.
Gelman, who was critically wounded, was taken to hospital, where he victim later succumbed to his wounds and died.
3. 14 RUNNERS HOSPITALIZED IN TEL AVIV MARATHON
by Arutz Sheva Staff
The winner of the 2016 Tel Aviv marathon has already been determined, but in what is becoming an annual tradition, a number of participants have come down feeling ill, with no fewer than 14 requiring hospitalization.
Magen David Adom (MDA) forces together with medical teams from Ichilov Hospital gave medical treatment to the 14 runners who suffered heat stroke, fatigue and chest pains, before evacuating them to Ichilov Hospital, Wolfson Medical Center and Sheba Hospital.
Throughout the race MDA teams also provided treatment to a number of runners at medical tents set up over the length of the course, after they felt ill, got dehydrated, fainted and suffered light injuries. After receiving treatment at the tents they were released without requiring further treatment.
Around 40,000 runners took part in the marathon, which was won for the second time in a row by William Kiprono Yegon of Kenya. Yegon finished with a time of 2:10:51 on the full 42.2 kilometer (over 26 mile) course.
The full-length marathon with 2,500 runners kicked off at 7 a.m. in the north of the coastal city, and shortly afterwards runners taking part in the shorter half marathon, ten-kilometer course and five-kilometer course began their run, as did those taking part in the handbike race.
Runners from around 60 countries took part in the race, with the oldest participant being aged 92-years-old. Over 350,000 portions of water were prepared for the participants, along with around 40,000 apples and bananas and 100,000 dates. Around 4,000 police officers and security personnel were stationed throughout the length of the course.
The Tel Aviv marathon has caused numerous casualties over the years. In 2011 David Shlomovitz (40) of Jerusalem died while running a half marathon. Then in 2013 Michael Michaelovich (29) of Moshav Menuha in the south died, likewise while running the half marathon, and dozens of others needed medical treatment.
After the second death the Health Ministry organized a committee that recommended canceling such events if the temperature rose above 28° C (82.4° F).
But in 2014 dozens of runners again required medical treatment, and in 2015 the marathon was stopped midway because of a heat wave after MDA teams treated 90 runners, with three of them in serious condition from heat stroke.
4. FIVE CHINESE JEWS COME HOME AFTER THOUSANDS OF YEARS
by Arutz Sheva Staff
In the first Aliyah from the ancient Chinese Jewish community of Kaifeng in the last seven years, five women from the community are scheduled to arrive in Israel next Monday, returning to the Jewish homeland after thousands of years of exile.
The women, Gao Yichen ("Weiwei"), Yue Ting, Li Jing, Li Yuan, and Li Chengjin ("Lulu"), have been intensively studying Hebrew and Judaism for the last several years in Kaifeng to reconnect to their Jewish roots, and are now being brought back home by the Jerusalem-based nonprofit Shavei Israel.
They will be greeted at the airport by Shavei Israel Chairman Michael Freund and brought directly to the Western Wall (Kotel) to thank God for their miraculous return to Israel. The five can be seen introducing themselves and saying "we love you Israel" in Hebrew in the video below.
[youtube:2012915]
"Kaifeng's Jewish descendants are a living link between China and the Jewish people," said Freund, who after several years of struggling with Israeli bureaucracy managed to obtain the required permission to bring the five Chinese Jews on Aliyah.
"After centuries of assimilation, a growing number of the Kaifeng Jews in recent years have begun seeking to return to their roots and embrace their Jewish identity. These five young women are determined to rejoin the Jewish people and become proud citizens of the Jewish state, and we are delighted to help them realize their dreams."
Li Jing, who in a previous brief visit to Israel put a note of prayer in the Kotel asking to return and live in Israel, said, "being part of the Jewish people is an honor, because of the heritage and wisdom. Now, my prayer has been answered."
After arriving in Israel, the five women plan to continue their Jewish studies at Jerusalem's Midreshet Nishmat – The Jeanie Schottenstein Center For Advanced Torah Study For Women, with the support of Shavei Israel, which will also cover their living expenses and support them as they prepare to undergo formal conversion by Israel's Chief Rabbinate. After completing the conversion process, they will receive Israeli citizenship.
The last time Shavei Israel managed to bring Chinese Jews back from Kaifeng on Ailyah came in October 2009, when seven young men returned home.
The Kaifeng Jewish community is thought to have been founded by Iraqi or Persian Jewish merchants who went east in the 8th or 9th century CE.
Back in 1163 CE the community built a large and beautiful synagogue that was renovated over the years. The community may have numbered as many as 5,000 people during its peak during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 CE), but intermarriage and assimilation, together with the death of the community's last rabbi, led to the end of the community in the early 19th century CE.
Now, the community claims 500 to 1,000 members who are increasingly returning to their Jewish roots despite the pressure to assimilate.
5. RUBIO SLAMS TRUMP FOR BEING 'ANTI-ISRAEL'
by Ari Yashar
In a CNN hosted Republican presidential debate on Thursday night in Houston, Texas, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) accused his opponent Donald Trump of showing an "anti-Israel" stance.
Rubio, along with Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), referenced Trump's comments from a week ago on Wednesday, when he promised to be "neutral" and "unpredictable" in pressing peace talks on Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Defending himself, Trump claimed that it would be counterproductive to pledge his support for one side as a negotiator, even while calling himself "very pro-Israel" and noting he has given large donations to Israel in the past. At the same time, he said achieving "peace" would be one of his greatest "achievements."
Rubio argued that a deal given the current "makeup of the Palestinians is not possible," and vowed to be "on Israel's side every single day." He went on to say a "deal with terrorism" is "not a real estate deal."
[youtube:2012914]
Trump's comments about being "neutral" have led to criticism not only from Rubio and Cruz, but also from Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. On Sunday, she said he "missed the mark," but she likewise slammed Cruz for not being "neutral" enough, claiming she would defend Israel - at the same time as she vowed to force through a two-state solution dividing the Jewish state.
In the debate on Thursday night, Rubio gave a strong showing, criticizing Trump for not having detailed policy plans and noting that the real estate mogul has already gone bankrupt four times in the past.
Rubio also pointed out that Trump used imported Polish workers at a Florida resort, which flies in the face of his press for American labor, and said without a large family inheritance Trump would now be "selling watches in Manhattan."
The debate comes before Super Tuesday next week, when 11 states hold caucuses on the same day and 600 delegates are up for grabs. So far Trump has won three states, while Cruz has taken Iowa.
Trump is leading the Republican race with 81 delegates so far, as compared to Cruz and Rubio who each have 17. A total of 1,237 delegates are needed for the nomination.
6. FRIENDLY-FIRE VICTIM: 'AN ISRAELI HERO'
by Ari Yashar
The family of Eliyav Gelman, the IDF officer in reserves who was tragically killed by friendly fire during an Arab terror attack at Gush Etzion Junction in Judea on Wednesday, spoke about his heroism on Friday.
Gelman's widow Rinat is sitting shiva (the traditional seven-day period of intense mourning) at their home in Karmei Tzur, with many visitors coming to comfort her.
"Rinat isn't speaking out because it isn't (about) Eliyav, it isn't (about) her, as they are private individuals and it isn't appropriate for them to be heroes. The only thing that Rinat wants now is her husband," members of the family were quoted as saying on Friday morning by Yedioth Aharonoth.
In another month-and-a-half Rinat is due to give birth to their third child, joining Yair (5) and Yoav (2). The new baby will never know its father.
Eliyav's brother Eyal, who is married to the sister of Sayeret Givati Reconnaissance Unit Commander Banya Sarel who fell in 2014 Operation Protective Edge, said on Thursday, "both Eliyav and Banya express Israeli heroism."
Quiet confidence saving lives
Sarah, Gelman's mother and the bookkeeper at Ulpana Kiryat Arba high school, told journalist Yifat Erlich that "a military official from the unit Eliyav served in, a unit whose task is to coordinate between the infantry and the air force, came to comfort us."
"He told us something that Eliyav didn't speak about. Thanks to the firmness of Eliyav, the life of a company commander who was wounded in Protective Edge was saved," she said.
Sarah explained that in the incident, the upper echelons of the army were hesitating as to whether it was possible to land a rescue helicopter to save the officer due to the difficult conditions, but "Eliyav insisted, and with his quiet he induced confidence among the higher levels, and the helicopter was sent."
"Afterwards it became clear that that's what saved the officer's life. We were moved to hear it, and we hope to meet the officer."
"In the attack as well Eliyav shot the terrorist and in doing so saved the lives of others," she noted, pointing out how the Arab terrorist was moderately wounded and subdued while trying to conduct his stabbing attack.
A Torah in his uniform
The bereaved mother spoke about the ordeal after the attack, as medical staff at Shaare Tzedek Hospital in Jerusalem tried to save Eliyav's life.
"When we reached the hospital two days ago we thought there was still hope," she said. "They told us that the kidneys aren't functioning. So I said immediately: kidneys aren't a problem, everyone in the family will happily agree to donate. We were sure that by the coming birth (of his third child) he would recover already."
"We separated from him. His face was peaceful and calm, that calmness really characterized him."
In the reserve IDF uniform Gelman was wearing at the time of the attack were found a copy of the Torah and the Gemara, which he carried around on a fixed basis to study.
"Eliyav made sure to get up diligently every morning to pray with the sunrise. Even during his military service. But he was also a man of action with golden hands," said his mother, noting the beautiful wooden table and benches on the porch that he built himself, along with a huge chair that he refurbished by sewing and upholstering it.
"He asked me to thread the needle for the machine and just sewed. He also made sure to bake challot (challah bread - ed.) every Shabbat."
"Every bullet has an address"
The family has sent a message supporting the IDF soldiers who shot to neutralize the terrorist but accidentally hit Eliyav.
"We spoke with the brigade commander and we told him that we ask him to strengthen the hands of the soldiers and to raise their spirits," said Ra'anan, Eliyav's eldest brother who is the community security coordinator at Karmei Tzur.
"We have no bad thoughts about them in our hearts, God forbid. They did their duty. We told the brigade commander that if there's a need we will come immediately in order to embrace them. Like every military incident, it is necessary to investigate the incident in order to learn from it, but all of the soldiers - and these soldiers in particular - need to move on, to return to the post and continue to defend the lives of the civilians."
Ra'anan emphasized that "we don't want them God forbid to hesitate to shoot a terrorist who is liable to pounce there at the junction. Friendly fire is a part of our war here in the country."
"As far as we're concerned Eliyav fell in the war of Gush Etzion. He joins warriors who fell here in the War of Independence."
Noting the tragic irony of the situation, he added, "Eliyav shot the terrorist twice, one bullet hit him in the leg and the other in the stomach. Two additional bullets from the soldiers hit the terrorist, but despite that he was only wounded moderately. Only one bullet hit Eliyav and he died."
"As people who believe (in God), we know that every bullet has an address," he said.
Yesterday small cakes decorated with candies and a small Israeli flag were sent to all the soldiers who serve in the area, showing the courage and magnanimity of the Gelman family and residents of Karmei Tzur in their gesture supporting the soldiers who are dealing with the difficult incident.
7. SENIOR STRATEGIST URGES US TO MAKE RUSSIA 'PAY'
by Yoni Kempinski
Arutz Sheva recently got the chance to speak with Michael Doran, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute who served as a Middle East expert on the National Security Council under former US President George W. Bush.
[youtube:2012920]
Doran, who had spoken about "US Policy Towards the Eastern Mediterranean" at a Begin Sadat Center conference at Bar Ilan University focused on Strategic Challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean, elaborated on the threats in the Middle East.
He explained that a key emerging threat is how Russia is aligning with Iran, especially in Syria where both states are militarily involved to prop up the regime of Bashar al-Assad.
Doran argued that the US ideally should be opposing the Assad regime, but at the very least it should be "imposing costs" on the Iranians and the Russians for their behavior in Syria and elsewhere in the region.
These "costs" do not even need to involve a military confrontation, he explained, noting that America can begin with sanctions and stepping up its arming of moderate Syrian Opposition forces.
While US President Barack Obama's administration is "saying you can ignore Iran and fight ISIS (Islamic State)," Doran argued that "you have to treat the Iranian question and the ISIS question simultaneously."
"I don't actually believe they (Iran and ISIS) are enemies, I believe there are areas in which they're in conflict, but Russia and Iran on the ground are not fighting ISIS in Syria," he said.
Doran emphasized that Russia's airstrike campaigns are "not directed against ISIS."
Explaining the dangers of Russia's involvement, he noted that while Obama has claimed that the "Russians are going to come our way" and work with the US in stabilizing Syria, there are no signs of that being the case.
8. WATCH: ARAB CLOTHING AND JEWISH TZITZIT IN DUBAI
by Arutz Sheva Staff
[youtube:2012913]
Eli Beer, president of United Hatzalah, was seen in Dubai recently wearing an Arabic keffiyeh and a Jewish tzitzit.
Why? As Beer explained, he was challenged to do so by Leo Noe, a philanthropist from London. Noe said that if Beer would walk around the streets of Dubai dressed in Arabic and Jewish clothing, he will donate an ambucycle to help United Hatzalah's volunteer paramedics save lives.
------------------------------------------------
Subscribe to this Daily Israel Report:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Subscribe/
