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/
Monday, Oct. 31 '16, כ"ט בתשרי תשע"ז
HEADLINES:
1. GERMAN HOSTEL: NO ISRAELIS ALLOWED
2. 'DON'T FRET GLOBAL OPPOSITION, ANNEX JUDEA AND SAMARIA NOW'
3. UNHRC: ISRAEL'S STATUS AT UN DEPENDENT ON ENDING 'OCCUPATION'
4. JAPANESE POP GROUP'S NAZI-ESQUE OUTFITS SPARK CONTROVERSY
5. 'FBI DIRECTOR IS TRYING TO INFLUENCE THE ELECTION'
6. KOSHER FOOD TO BE SERVED IN UN CAFETERIAS
7. FRENCH PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BLASTS TORAH STUDY
8. US PLANE BURSTS INTO FLAMES SECONDS BEFORE TAKEOFF
1. GERMAN HOSTEL: NO ISRAELIS ALLOWED
by David Rosenberg
Four Israeli families that had reserved rooms at a German hostel in the Black Forest region of Baden-Wurttemberg were stunned last week when managers from the hostel abruptly cancelled their reservations, citing a policy of barring Israelis.
The families had reserved spaces at the hostel a few weeks before via the Booking.com website.
"We made the reservation a few weeks ago for a vacation we're planning for next August," Igor Tsehansky told Yediot Ahronot.
"Because we're four families totaling 17 people, we decided to reserve rooms as far in advance as possible."
Days later, however, Tsehansky says the four families who reserved the rooms began to receive a series of messages from the hostel's managers cancelling the reservation, each with a different reason for the cancellation.
"Each family got a different message. One family got an email saying the hotel only accepts guests for a minimum of one week. Another family got a message saying that booking is only available from Saturday to Saturday."
The third family, however, received a wholly different explanation.
German hostel's cancellation message Screenshot/Facebook
"Hello, We don't Want have [sic] Guests from Israel, because our appartments [sic] are Not for them. Please cancel the Booking. You can cancel without Money. Please do it. Thank you. Greetings, [Barbara] Schmider."
Following a report by Yediot Ahronot, Schmider claimed her message had been "a big misunderstanding," saying that the true reason for the cancellations was overbooking.
"Hello, there is a big misunderstanding. Israelische Guests [sic] are welcome in our house. The Problem is, that we are overbooked. We have forgot to lock the calendar. We have give [sic] the Guests another address by our neighbor. The think [sic] thats ok. We apologize. Best regards B. Schmider."
Representatives of Booking.com offered the families involved cash compensation for the incident, in addition to an apology.
"We are doing everything we can to find a solution for the guests," they told Yediot Ahronot, "and offered them compensation of 1,000 Euros ($1,100), and if necessary we can increase that. We are very sorry about the entire incident."
2. 'DON'T FRET GLOBAL OPPOSITION, ANNEX JUDEA AND SAMARIA NOW'
by Yoni Kempinski
[youtube:2020472]
Following a number of anti-Israel resolutions passed recently denying the historical Jewish ties to the Old City of Jerusalem, Education Minister Naftali Bennett (Jewish Home) has called upon the Israeli government to annex Judea and Samaria, extending Israeli law to the 450,000 citizens living there.
"It's time to apply Israeli law on Judea and Samaria. We're 50 years on in Judea and Samaria and Jerusalem [since the Six Day War]. It's time that 450,000 Israelis are treated equally. They serve in the army, they pay taxes, they're part and parcel of Israel. It's time for normalcy. It's time to apply Israeli sovereignty on Judea and Samaria."
Bennett added that while he understands the concerns some Israelis feel regarding the possible international backlash to such a move, there are precedents for annexation.
"Menachem Begin in 1981 did the same thing for the Golan Heights. Eshkol in '67 did the same thing in Jerusalem. And there was always a world [that opposed it]. But there was the will power and the courage to do it, and we need to do what's right for Israelis, for the Jews, and that's the right thing."
Regarding recent UNESCO resolutions dismissing Jewish historical ties to Jerusalem, the Education Minister said the root of the problem was the failure of Israel to clearly express Jewish rights to the historic Land of Israel.
"That's what happens when we don't treat our own land as ours. The UNESCO resolution is an attempt to deny history. But you know what? You cannot change history. Israel is ours for well over 3,000 years. It will be ours - Jerusalem is ours - but it's time to apply Israeli law to Judea and Samaria."
3. UNHRC: ISRAEL'S STATUS AT UN DEPENDENT ON ENDING 'OCCUPATION'
by Chana Roberts
Canadian special investigator and legal expert Michael Lynk has announced at an official UN briefing that Israel's status at the UN dependent on "ending the occupation" and the ability of "Palestine" to act as an independent state.
In response to the question of what could be done to hold Israel accountable for human rights violations against "Palestinians," Lynk asked, "Does the occupying power need to realize that its status in the international community depends on allowing Palestinians to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination and on ending the occupation?"
Lynk also wrote a 26-page report on human rights in Judea and Samaria and called on Israel immediately end the "occupation."
"I want to emphasize, if emphasis is needed, the occupation is not lessening, it is becoming more entrenched, more embedded and more anchored...We are not on a path to Palestinian self-determination and independence. This should be a grave concern to the international community," Lynk said. "It is impossible to separate the occupation from Israel's settlement project, if there were no settlements there would be no need for the occupation."
Lynk suggested the ICJ should re-evaluate their opinion on Israeli actions in Judea and Samaria.
"As a lawyer and law professor, I can say that the occupation and its length and its various features violates many aspects of international human rights law and many aspects of international humanitarian rights law," Lynk said. "We have accepted that the occupation has a legal framework to it, but does the occupying power's status to continue the occupation need to be judged either by the UN or by the International Court of Justice?"
At the meeting, Israel explained that Lynk's mandate was biased against Israelis, since Lynk only investigated Israel's actions, completely ignoring those of the Palestinian Arabs, the PA, and their various terrorist activities.
"The UNHRC has been taken over by some of the worst human rights violators in the world. The council has long abandoned it founding principles of universality, impartiality and non-selectivity," Israel said. "Every day around the world human rights are being violated in the most shocking ways and on an unimaginable scale. People are being indiscriminately targeted by barrel bombs, hanged for so called moral crimes and sold as sex slaves in city centers."ia
"The UNHRC deliberately ignores all those violations and continues its biased fixation with the only democracy in the Middle East, the state of Israel," Israel continued. "The rapporteurs mandate fully ignores Palestinians institutionalized incitement to violence and terrorism [against Israel].Allowing the Palestinians to continue to encourage terror attacks will not contribute to building a trust worthy partner in any future peace process."
The UN continuously makes anti-Israel decisions and resolutions, ignoring the fact that the PA and Hamas regularly abuse their citizens and teach their children to be murderers.
The Palestinian Authority has also admitted they don't follow international law, but Israel does.
Palestinian Arabs lead some of the best lives in the Middle East, receiving adequate and quality health care, quality and free education, state-of-the-art classrooms, academic and career opportunities, good jobs with workers' rights, women's' rights, freedom of speech and religion, and an exemption from army service. In fact, many, if not most Palestinian Arabs would love if Israel annexed Judea and Samaria.
Though the PA has not paid its electric bill in several years, PA citizens still enjoy electricity often overloading the grid and causing power outages to Israeli citizens.
In return, Israel has seen two official intifadas, and the current terror wave, which began in October 2015, has included 166 stabbing attacks, 89 attempted stabbings, 109 shootings, 47 vehicular ramming attacks and one bus bombing, killing 42 people and injuring hundreds of others.
Israel responded by saying, "Israel considers the discriminatory and distorted mandate to be illegitimate and will continue to view it as such until the council rights this wrong."
4. JAPANESE POP GROUP'S NAZI-ESQUE OUTFITS SPARK CONTROVERSY
by Arutz Sheva Staff
A Japanese teeny-bop girl band has triggered outrage after wearing military-style costumes which have been compared to Nazi uniforms at a pre-Halloween concert.
The group, Keyakizaka46, sparked an online storm with their black one-piece dresses and
capes, complete with peaked caps bearing a golden bird symbol resembling the Nazi eagle above a swastika.
Social media has lit up since the troupe took to the stage in Yokohama on October 22.
In a Twitter backlash, several users slammed their choice of costume as "unforgivable" and "unacceptable" while Berlin-based Japanese writer Ichika Rokuso posted: "Seventy-one years have passed since the war ended but there are many people who lost loved ones. Please remember that."
Other angry tweeters posted pictures of Nazis next to images of band members, who posed for photos in their controversial garb before the show.
"It is shock marketing," fumed one Twitter user, clearly feeling it was a publicity stunt by the band, who have yet to comment on the row.
Keyakizaka46 have shot to stardom since being formed in 2015 by producer and lyricist Yasushi Akimoto, reaching number one in Japan with their debut single "Silent Majority."
The helium-voiced pop queens are not the first Japanese band to cause offense.
Retro-rock band Kishidan angered the Simon Wiesenthal Center in 2011 when they wore a costume the Jewish organization claimed resembled a Nazi uniform.
In South Korea, girl band Pritz provoked protests two years ago after wearing bright red armbands strikingly similar to the ones Nazi officers wore.
AFP contributed to this report
5. 'FBI DIRECTOR IS TRYING TO INFLUENCE THE ELECTION'
by Yoni Kempinski
[youtube:2020431]
Sheldon Schorer, a representative of Democrats Abroad Israel, sat down with Arutz Sheva to discuss the decision by FBI director James Comey to reopen the investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server as Secretary of State.
Schorer was highly critical of Comey's actions. "It's a gross departure from internal FBI procedures...not to comment on investigations that are current."
He also said that FBI policy is "not to make a comment than can influence an election" when the election is less than 60 days away.
Schorer agreed that the reemergence of the email scandal would be harmful to the Clinton campaign. "That's something that could hurt but not help Hillary Clinton."
Schorer also accused Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump of being inconsistent and unreliable on Israel. "I don't know what he's going to say tomorrow. I'm sure that he doesn't know what he's going to say tomorrow."
6. KOSHER FOOD TO BE SERVED IN UN CAFETERIAS
by Arutz Sheva Staff
Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon has won the battle for his newest initiative: kosher food will now be served in UN cafeterias.
Last month, Danon sent a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon explaining the UN accommodates other dietary restrictions in their cafeterias, including Halal food for the Muslims, but no UN headquarters served kosher food for the UN's Jewish representatives.
His efforts to promote awareness and acceptance of kosher food succeeded, and religious Jews will now be able to eat in UN cafeterias. The selection of kosher food will include dairy sandwiches, salads, meat, tuna sandwiches, and hot dogs.
Last month, Danon said he was working, "to work to ensure that the parliament of nations be open and respectful to the traditions of the Jewish people."
"We will walk proudly through the halls of the UN. Just like they respect other religious, they need to respect Judaism as well," Danon said on Monday. "For many Jews around the world, eating kosher food is an integral part of their faith. All of the world's citizens need to feel accepted in the UN, and the organization needs to be accepting of those who keep the Jewish traditions."
7. FRENCH PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BLASTS TORAH STUDY
by David Rosenberg
French presidential hopeful and former Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron sparked an uproar in the French Jewish community, following the publication of an interview earlier this month of an interview touching upon religious schools in France.
A former member of the Socialist Party now running as an independent, centrist candidate, Macron served in the French cabinet under incumbent Francois Hollande from 2014 until the end of August of this year.
Speaking with Marianne earlier this month, Macron warned of the influence of religion in French schools generally and decrying Jewish schools for emphasizing the Torah.
"It is very important to maintain neutrality in the public sector," Macron said. "Religion cannot be present in school. But I hear few people becoming concerned by the consequences of this phenomenon, [with] more and more children being sent to religious schools which teach them to hate the Republic and teach mainly in Arabic, or," Macron added, "in other places [Jewish schools] teach the Torah more than general studies."
Members of the French Jewish community pushed back against Macron's comments.
"The Torah is the basis of Judaism," one representative of the French Jewish community told Israeli haredi news site Kikar HaShabbat, "and to ban its instruction would mean the annihilation of the Jews."
"Jews, a small community in France, again find themselves targeted for no good reason….the ex-minister's anti-Semitism has come out on behalf of his [political] aspirations, at the expense of national unity."
Surveys show Macron could be a viable candidate, with middling poll numbers for the 1st round of the election, and likely defeating two of the three most highest polling competitors in the 2nd round.
8. US PLANE BURSTS INTO FLAMES SECONDS BEFORE TAKEOFF
by Arutz Sheva Staff
[youtube:2020450]
Two different plans burst into flames last weekend in the US, as a result of unforeseen technical issues.
One of them, a FedEx plane, caught fire just after landing in Fort Lauderdale International Airport in Florida, when the plane's landing gear failed. The plane crashed and sparks started flying, causing a fire, which the crew soon managed to put out.
The pilot and co-pilot, who were the plane's sole occupants, escaped unharmed.
FedEx has announced the company will cooperate with the authorities.
Two hours earlier, a fire broke out just before takeoff on an American Airlines plane carrying 161 passengers and crew. The plane had been scheduled to fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Miami.
The American National Safety Council has investigated the two incidents and says there is no connection between them.
------------------------------------------------
Subscribe to this Daily Israel Report:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Subscribe/
Monday, October 31, 2016
Sunday, October 30, 2016
A7News: 'I saw the terrorist aim his gun at us'
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/
Sunday, Oct. 30 '16, כ"ח בתשרי תשע"ז
HEADLINES:
1. 'I SAW THE TERRORIST AIM HIS GUN AT US'
2. RABBI'S SON ELECTROCUTED IN SINAI
3. LIKUD MINISTER BLASTS JEWISH HOME 'HYPOCRISY'
4. COMPENSATION FOR SELF-EMPLOYED RESERVE SOLDIERS TO RISE
5. 'ISRAEL'S STATUS GROWS IN DIRECT PROPORTION TO ITS POWER'
6. US SITE: CLINTON WILL BRING WORLD WAR THREE
7. RUSSIA KICKED OUT OF UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
8. CENTRAL ITALY AGAIN PLAGUED BY GIANT EARTHQUAKE
1. 'I SAW THE TERRORIST AIM HIS GUN AT US'
by Eliran Aharon
[youtube:2020378]Ruthi Gillis, a resident of the Judea community of Karmei Tzur who miraculously survived a terrorist shooting attack last night on the same road where her husband, Dr. Shmuel Gillis, was murdered by terrorists in 2001, told Arutz Sheva of the trying moments.
"I went out of the house towards Jerusalem to return my mother-in-law (the mother of Shmuel), who stayed by us for Shabbat, to her house," Gillis said. "I was coming onto the road when he heard two shots. Then I noticed an armed terrorist standing near us on the other side of the junction, pointing his gun at us. For some reason, after several minutes he fled, and I turned to continue on my way."
"There's no time to think, you need to decide - the decision was easier after I saw that he had fled. In that moment when I still thought that he was there - that was the difficult moment. It took me a couple of seconds to realize that I had been miraculously saved from a terrible event, and then I proceeded to report the incident to security forces," Gillis said. "Within a matter of minutes, all of the forces were in touch and arrived at the scene. I stopped near a patrol that I saw and reported to them as well; after several minutes, the area was cleared."
When asked if the incident had brought up difficult memories in light of the fact that her husband had been murdered in the same area, she said: "I really try not to go back to that place, because it's a place that goes with me, that is a part of me, it's not a return - it's being there. I try to make sure it doesn't completely come to the surface, because it takes many years to rehabilitate anything like that."
"Everybody's responding - children, family, friends, everybody's responding to the great miracle, and it's a nice feeling, that everyone is embracing."
2. RABBI'S SON ELECTROCUTED IN SINAI
by Haim Lev
The 18-year-old electrocuted in Sinai has been identified as Yoel Nitsani, son of Sde Tzofim rabbi Oded Nitsani. Yoel was electrocuted over the weekend while vacationing in Sinai, when he attempted to fix an electrical issue.
Investigations show the area was flooded by a storm and Yoel's feet were wet when he tried to fix an electrical issue in the hut he was vacationing in. Yoel accidentally electrocuted himself during the attempt and was brought to a local hospital in critical condition. He died of his wounds shortly thereafter.
The family is currently in Sinai for the purpose of positively identifying the body.
Israel's Foreign MInistry said, "The Unit for Israelis Abroad is helping the family in their time of distress. We are doing all we can to bring the body back to Israel."
Ironically, Nitsani volunteered in ZAKA.
3. LIKUD MINISTER BLASTS JEWISH HOME 'HYPOCRISY'
by Hezki Baruch
MK Miki Zohar (Likud) strongly criticized this morning Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked (Jewish Home), who is expected to approve today at the Ministerial Committee a law that seeks to block pornographic internet sites by forcing internet providers to provide automatic default filtering.
Zohar brought up the fact that the Minister of Justice had, several months ago, rejected a similar law advanced by Zohar himself.
"This is hypocrisy of the highest order," Zohar said. Minister Shaked boasts a policy of blocking laws (1,100 since the beginning of her term) - but not when the law comes from [her own party of] Jewish Home."
"Shaked has turned the Ministerial Committee into a tool in service of Jewish Home that has accustomed itself to stealing credit from the Likud," Zohar added.
"Despite this, I am sure that the Israeli public is smart enough to discern who [...] is really working for it. It pains me that Minister Shaked makes decisions based on irrelevant matters," he said.
4. COMPENSATION FOR SELF-EMPLOYED RESERVE SOLDIERS TO RISE
by Yedidya Ben-Or
Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman (Yisrael Beiteinu) approved the raising of compensation for self-employed reserve soldiers, giving them 25% more than their average income per day.
The additional payments will cost the Defense Ministry 30 million NIS.
The new payment plan attempts to make up for the unexpected income loss, bills, less clients, and possible future financial issues caused by reserve duty which are not taken into consideration under the current law.
Self-employed reservists who earn less than the minimum 196 NIS per day will receive more than the minimum instead of what their average earnings per day amount to.
Liberman said, "The Defense Ministry and the IDF understand that reservists make up a significant portion of the IDF's strength and ability to protect the State of Israel. We are therefore working through different channels to help the reservists. This law, initiated by MK Ofer Shelah (Yesh Atid) was brought before me and I intend to act immediately in order to provide self-employed reserve soldiers with a larger compensation package."
5. 'ISRAEL'S STATUS GROWS IN DIRECT PROPORTION TO ITS POWER'
by Nitzan Keidar
PM Binyamin Netanyahu opened the cabinet meeting this morning by addressing the recent earthquake that is plaguing central Italy.
"In Italy right now, a serious earthquake is taking place. I want to tell my friend Italian PM Matteo Renzi that Israel is geared and ready to send help to the best of its ability. We are serious about a high level of preparation for such incidents, such as that which happened at the parking garage in Tel Aviv. We are geared and ready to help our Italian friends."
He added, "The State of Israel receives with blessing the Italian President, who arrived here yesterday. In another two weeks, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin will visit India - and, in coming months, I will visit Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Singapore, and Australia."
He elaborated: "For three of these countries, this is the first time that they are to be visited by an Israeli Prime Minister. Next month, a Polish delegation will arrive for a visit with the Israeli government."
"Israel's international relations are developing in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and other places," Netanyahu said. "We are aware of the fact that this development stems from Israel's economic growth, on the one hand, and our security and intelligence capabilities, on the other. These two aspects enable the development and flourishing of our international relations. This doesn't mean that we are not encountering challenges in international forums - as we saw recently with the scandalous decision at UNESCO - and it's possible that we will encounter more at the UN."
"I have no doubt that, even in international forums, and even in these scandalous votes, we saw change. Tanzania and Croatia basically torpedoed the practicality of the last UNESCO resolution - and this is an additional indication of the change happening with respect to [Israel's international status, which grows] in direct proportion to Israel's power," Netanyahu asserted.
6. US SITE: CLINTON WILL BRING WORLD WAR THREE
by Chana Roberts
[youtube:2020390]
American right-wing site Infowars has publicized a video claiming that, if Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton wins the presidency, World War 3 will be triggered.
The video has been watched over 2 million times in the past two days.
In one of the clips Clinton says, "the United States will treat cyber attacks just like any other attack. We will be ready with serious political, economic, and military responses."
Clinton has also said she believes Russia is behind the WikiLeaks email hacks and that she intends to respond in kind. She claims Russian President Vladimir Putin wants Republican candidate Donald Trump to win the presidency, since he sees Trump as a weakling who is easily manipulated. Clinton points out positive remarks Putin made about Trump, in an attempt to prove there is an inappropriate connection between the two politicians. Some of Clinton's supporters claim Trump borrowed money from Putin and, therefore, owes him a debt.
Another clip included shows Clinton saying, "I want the Iranians to know that if I'm the president, we will attack Iran." This sentence was actually taken from an interview with ABC News and was said in response to a question on what America would do if Iran used nuclear weapons on Israel.
Theories addressing the break out of World War Three have been discussed for a while, in light of the American-Russian proxy war currently taking place in Syria. In addition, NATO has deployed an air defense system understood to be aimed at Russia, while Russia sent an anti-missile defense system to Syria.
Though US President Barack Obama promised that Iran would not gain nuclear capabilities with the Iran deal, he has since admitted to giving in to Iran's demands while lifting sanctions and enabling them to continue their dangerous nuclear program.
Clinton is thought by many to be interested in continuing Obama's work and path.
7. RUSSIA KICKED OUT OF UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
by Nissan Tzur
In the wake US claims of Russian war crimes in Syria, the United Nations General Assembly voted Russia off the UN Human Rights Council during a general vote this week. The United States was re-elected to its position on the council.
Forty-seven countries participated votes on Russia's continued involvment, with only 2 votes more to kick Russia off than to keep them on. Some participants termed the vote "historic."
This is the first time Russia has not been part of the UNHRC since the council's inception in 2006.
80 different human rights organizations signed a petition asking Russia be removed from UNHRC after Russia's involvement in Syria's civil war caused many to believe Russia is guilty of war crimes.
Akshay Kumar, vice president of the "Human Rights Watch" said, "It's difficult to imagine that the horrors of what's happening in Aleppo didn't cross the minds of those who abstained from voting."
However, despite harsh criticism from many human rights organizations regarding Saudi Arabia's actions in the Yemeni civil war, the country kept its place on the Human Rights Council. Saudi Arabia regularly beheads and tortures people, including minors.
8. CENTRAL ITALY AGAIN PLAGUED BY GIANT EARTHQUAKE
by Arutz Sheva Staff
[youtube:2020389]A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.6 on the Richter Scale has hit central Italy north of Rome.
It is not yet clear what the extent of the damage is, and if there are any injured.
Italy is known as a land prone to earthquakes. This latest earthquake comes in the wake of two strong quakes just several days ago.
In August, Italy was hit with a 6.2 magnitude earthquake that claimed the lives of 296 people.
------------------------------------------------
Subscribe to this Daily Israel Report:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Subscribe/
http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com
------------------------------------------------
Delivered Daily via Email, Sunday thru Friday
Subscribe to this Daily Israel Report:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Subscribe/
Sunday, Oct. 30 '16, כ"ח בתשרי תשע"ז
HEADLINES:
1. 'I SAW THE TERRORIST AIM HIS GUN AT US'
2. RABBI'S SON ELECTROCUTED IN SINAI
3. LIKUD MINISTER BLASTS JEWISH HOME 'HYPOCRISY'
4. COMPENSATION FOR SELF-EMPLOYED RESERVE SOLDIERS TO RISE
5. 'ISRAEL'S STATUS GROWS IN DIRECT PROPORTION TO ITS POWER'
6. US SITE: CLINTON WILL BRING WORLD WAR THREE
7. RUSSIA KICKED OUT OF UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
8. CENTRAL ITALY AGAIN PLAGUED BY GIANT EARTHQUAKE
1. 'I SAW THE TERRORIST AIM HIS GUN AT US'
by Eliran Aharon
[youtube:2020378]Ruthi Gillis, a resident of the Judea community of Karmei Tzur who miraculously survived a terrorist shooting attack last night on the same road where her husband, Dr. Shmuel Gillis, was murdered by terrorists in 2001, told Arutz Sheva of the trying moments.
"I went out of the house towards Jerusalem to return my mother-in-law (the mother of Shmuel), who stayed by us for Shabbat, to her house," Gillis said. "I was coming onto the road when he heard two shots. Then I noticed an armed terrorist standing near us on the other side of the junction, pointing his gun at us. For some reason, after several minutes he fled, and I turned to continue on my way."
"There's no time to think, you need to decide - the decision was easier after I saw that he had fled. In that moment when I still thought that he was there - that was the difficult moment. It took me a couple of seconds to realize that I had been miraculously saved from a terrible event, and then I proceeded to report the incident to security forces," Gillis said. "Within a matter of minutes, all of the forces were in touch and arrived at the scene. I stopped near a patrol that I saw and reported to them as well; after several minutes, the area was cleared."
When asked if the incident had brought up difficult memories in light of the fact that her husband had been murdered in the same area, she said: "I really try not to go back to that place, because it's a place that goes with me, that is a part of me, it's not a return - it's being there. I try to make sure it doesn't completely come to the surface, because it takes many years to rehabilitate anything like that."
"Everybody's responding - children, family, friends, everybody's responding to the great miracle, and it's a nice feeling, that everyone is embracing."
2. RABBI'S SON ELECTROCUTED IN SINAI
by Haim Lev
The 18-year-old electrocuted in Sinai has been identified as Yoel Nitsani, son of Sde Tzofim rabbi Oded Nitsani. Yoel was electrocuted over the weekend while vacationing in Sinai, when he attempted to fix an electrical issue.
Investigations show the area was flooded by a storm and Yoel's feet were wet when he tried to fix an electrical issue in the hut he was vacationing in. Yoel accidentally electrocuted himself during the attempt and was brought to a local hospital in critical condition. He died of his wounds shortly thereafter.
The family is currently in Sinai for the purpose of positively identifying the body.
Israel's Foreign MInistry said, "The Unit for Israelis Abroad is helping the family in their time of distress. We are doing all we can to bring the body back to Israel."
Ironically, Nitsani volunteered in ZAKA.
3. LIKUD MINISTER BLASTS JEWISH HOME 'HYPOCRISY'
by Hezki Baruch
MK Miki Zohar (Likud) strongly criticized this morning Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked (Jewish Home), who is expected to approve today at the Ministerial Committee a law that seeks to block pornographic internet sites by forcing internet providers to provide automatic default filtering.
Zohar brought up the fact that the Minister of Justice had, several months ago, rejected a similar law advanced by Zohar himself.
"This is hypocrisy of the highest order," Zohar said. Minister Shaked boasts a policy of blocking laws (1,100 since the beginning of her term) - but not when the law comes from [her own party of] Jewish Home."
"Shaked has turned the Ministerial Committee into a tool in service of Jewish Home that has accustomed itself to stealing credit from the Likud," Zohar added.
"Despite this, I am sure that the Israeli public is smart enough to discern who [...] is really working for it. It pains me that Minister Shaked makes decisions based on irrelevant matters," he said.
4. COMPENSATION FOR SELF-EMPLOYED RESERVE SOLDIERS TO RISE
by Yedidya Ben-Or
Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman (Yisrael Beiteinu) approved the raising of compensation for self-employed reserve soldiers, giving them 25% more than their average income per day.
The additional payments will cost the Defense Ministry 30 million NIS.
The new payment plan attempts to make up for the unexpected income loss, bills, less clients, and possible future financial issues caused by reserve duty which are not taken into consideration under the current law.
Self-employed reservists who earn less than the minimum 196 NIS per day will receive more than the minimum instead of what their average earnings per day amount to.
Liberman said, "The Defense Ministry and the IDF understand that reservists make up a significant portion of the IDF's strength and ability to protect the State of Israel. We are therefore working through different channels to help the reservists. This law, initiated by MK Ofer Shelah (Yesh Atid) was brought before me and I intend to act immediately in order to provide self-employed reserve soldiers with a larger compensation package."
5. 'ISRAEL'S STATUS GROWS IN DIRECT PROPORTION TO ITS POWER'
by Nitzan Keidar
PM Binyamin Netanyahu opened the cabinet meeting this morning by addressing the recent earthquake that is plaguing central Italy.
"In Italy right now, a serious earthquake is taking place. I want to tell my friend Italian PM Matteo Renzi that Israel is geared and ready to send help to the best of its ability. We are serious about a high level of preparation for such incidents, such as that which happened at the parking garage in Tel Aviv. We are geared and ready to help our Italian friends."
He added, "The State of Israel receives with blessing the Italian President, who arrived here yesterday. In another two weeks, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin will visit India - and, in coming months, I will visit Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Singapore, and Australia."
He elaborated: "For three of these countries, this is the first time that they are to be visited by an Israeli Prime Minister. Next month, a Polish delegation will arrive for a visit with the Israeli government."
"Israel's international relations are developing in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and other places," Netanyahu said. "We are aware of the fact that this development stems from Israel's economic growth, on the one hand, and our security and intelligence capabilities, on the other. These two aspects enable the development and flourishing of our international relations. This doesn't mean that we are not encountering challenges in international forums - as we saw recently with the scandalous decision at UNESCO - and it's possible that we will encounter more at the UN."
"I have no doubt that, even in international forums, and even in these scandalous votes, we saw change. Tanzania and Croatia basically torpedoed the practicality of the last UNESCO resolution - and this is an additional indication of the change happening with respect to [Israel's international status, which grows] in direct proportion to Israel's power," Netanyahu asserted.
6. US SITE: CLINTON WILL BRING WORLD WAR THREE
by Chana Roberts
[youtube:2020390]
American right-wing site Infowars has publicized a video claiming that, if Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton wins the presidency, World War 3 will be triggered.
The video has been watched over 2 million times in the past two days.
In one of the clips Clinton says, "the United States will treat cyber attacks just like any other attack. We will be ready with serious political, economic, and military responses."
Clinton has also said she believes Russia is behind the WikiLeaks email hacks and that she intends to respond in kind. She claims Russian President Vladimir Putin wants Republican candidate Donald Trump to win the presidency, since he sees Trump as a weakling who is easily manipulated. Clinton points out positive remarks Putin made about Trump, in an attempt to prove there is an inappropriate connection between the two politicians. Some of Clinton's supporters claim Trump borrowed money from Putin and, therefore, owes him a debt.
Another clip included shows Clinton saying, "I want the Iranians to know that if I'm the president, we will attack Iran." This sentence was actually taken from an interview with ABC News and was said in response to a question on what America would do if Iran used nuclear weapons on Israel.
Theories addressing the break out of World War Three have been discussed for a while, in light of the American-Russian proxy war currently taking place in Syria. In addition, NATO has deployed an air defense system understood to be aimed at Russia, while Russia sent an anti-missile defense system to Syria.
Though US President Barack Obama promised that Iran would not gain nuclear capabilities with the Iran deal, he has since admitted to giving in to Iran's demands while lifting sanctions and enabling them to continue their dangerous nuclear program.
Clinton is thought by many to be interested in continuing Obama's work and path.
7. RUSSIA KICKED OUT OF UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
by Nissan Tzur
In the wake US claims of Russian war crimes in Syria, the United Nations General Assembly voted Russia off the UN Human Rights Council during a general vote this week. The United States was re-elected to its position on the council.
Forty-seven countries participated votes on Russia's continued involvment, with only 2 votes more to kick Russia off than to keep them on. Some participants termed the vote "historic."
This is the first time Russia has not been part of the UNHRC since the council's inception in 2006.
80 different human rights organizations signed a petition asking Russia be removed from UNHRC after Russia's involvement in Syria's civil war caused many to believe Russia is guilty of war crimes.
Akshay Kumar, vice president of the "Human Rights Watch" said, "It's difficult to imagine that the horrors of what's happening in Aleppo didn't cross the minds of those who abstained from voting."
However, despite harsh criticism from many human rights organizations regarding Saudi Arabia's actions in the Yemeni civil war, the country kept its place on the Human Rights Council. Saudi Arabia regularly beheads and tortures people, including minors.
8. CENTRAL ITALY AGAIN PLAGUED BY GIANT EARTHQUAKE
by Arutz Sheva Staff
[youtube:2020389]A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.6 on the Richter Scale has hit central Italy north of Rome.
It is not yet clear what the extent of the damage is, and if there are any injured.
Italy is known as a land prone to earthquakes. This latest earthquake comes in the wake of two strong quakes just several days ago.
In August, Italy was hit with a 6.2 magnitude earthquake that claimed the lives of 296 people.
------------------------------------------------
Subscribe to this Daily Israel Report:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Subscribe/
Friday, October 28, 2016
A7News: Rejoicing in Brooklyn as stolen Torah scrolls recovered intact
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, Oct. 28 '16, כ"ו בתשרי תשע"ז
HEADLINES:
1. REJOICING IN BROOKLYN AS STOLEN TORAH SCROLLS RECOVERED INTACT
2. GUSH ETZION MAYOR RESIGNS AFTER SEXUAL MISCONDUCT CLAIMS
3. HAARETZ WRITER ACCUSED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING US JOURNALIST
4. IVANKA: MY FATHER ALWAYS SUPPORTED MY DECISION TO CONVERT
5. TRUMP GAINS ON CLINTON AS ELECTION DAY NEARS
6. TEENS BREAK INTO ISRAELI SCHOOL, TORTURE AND KILL CLASSROOM PETS
7. WHEN GOD CREATED THE UNIVERSE
8. FLIGHTS CANCELLED AND ROADS CLOSED AS EILAT HIT BY FLOODS
1. REJOICING IN BROOKLYN AS STOLEN TORAH SCROLLS RECOVERED INTACT
by David Rosenberg
Worshippers at a Brooklyn synagogue rejoiced Friday morning when it was discovered that four Torah scrolls which had been recently stolen were returned.
The four scrolls, valued at some $240,000, were stolen during the Simchat Torah holiday earlier this week from the Avenue O Synagogue in Flatbush.
Security cameras showed the suspected thief, a man in his 20s wearing a kippah, entering the synagogue and making off with the scrolls.
Synagogue officials say the building was locked at the time and it is unclear how the man was able to enter.
But after extensive efforts by the New York Police Department and local Jewish officials, it appears the thief had a change of heart, perhaps feeling the pressure of the ongoing investigation.
At 1:30 a.m. local time, a member of the synagogue participating in late-night study session discovered four large bags placed outside of the building entrance. Upon inspection, they were found to contain the four stolen Torah scrolls.
Flatbush Jewish Community Coalition chairman Josh Mehlman welcomed the return of the scrolls and praised the investigators who had worked towards their recovery.
"Thanks to the coordinated community efforts working in tandem with the NYPD and Flatbush Shomrim, it seems that the enormous pressure has thank G-d forced the late night return of the Torahs" said Mehlman.
Returned Torah scrolls Flatbush Jewish Community Coalition
2. GUSH ETZION MAYOR RESIGNS AFTER SEXUAL MISCONDUCT CLAIMS
by Arutz Sheva Staff
Gush Etzion Regional Council chief Davidi Perl announced Friday morning his intentions to step down from his position, after allegations that he sexually harassed a woman.
"After long deliberations regarding the matter, I have decided to step down as Regional Council head," Perl declared.
"This decision was not an easy one given my obligations to serve you [the residents of Gush Etzion] and the wide support I received from you recently, and given the findings of the council investigatory committee." The Regional Council had appointed a committee consisting of representatives of the council communities who found that there was no way to prove the allegations either way and allowed for Perl to complete his term.
Perl's decision to quit comes following more information regarding a non-disclosure agreement with his accuser, to whom Perl paid hundreds of thousands of shekels to prevent her from going public.
In September, Perl penned an open letter, admitting and explaining his payment to the accuser and defending himself from her claims, which in a sense can be seen as blackmail.
"I estimated that the mere publication of the matter would harm my family," he wrote, adding that he "preferred to pay rather than see my wife and family cry."
"In hindsight, I regret the decision I made to pay," he said. The timing was the reason, he explained, as the woman accused him right before his daughter's wedding and he knew that there would be no time to clear himself before the accusation would ruin the family occasion.
The young woman in question initially brought her complaint to Takana, a forum of prominent religious Zionist figures which is meant to fight sexual abuse in the religious Zionist community, investigate and deal with complaints in a discreet manner, but has no legal status and can only request to meet with parties to a complaint.
After Perl refused to appear before the Takana committee, hoping to settle the matter of an accusation which he denies without any publicity, someone leaked the story to Channel 10, which aired the accusations. It is not known who went to the media with the story, which was known only to Takana members, the woman and Perl.
3. HAARETZ WRITER ACCUSED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING US JOURNALIST
by David Rosenberg
Earlier this month American Jewish journalist Danielle Berrin accused an unnamed Israeli author of sexual assault, saying he had grabbed her by the head and tried to force her towards him.
On Thursday, Haaretz writer Ari Shavit acknowledged that he was the subject of Ms. Berrin's accusations, but downplayed the incident, calling it an attempt at courtship gone awry.
Writing in the Jewish Journal, Berrin recounted a late-night interview with Shavit in 2014, who was in the US promoting his new book, My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel.
After asking Berrin a series of probing personal questions, she claims, Shavit got physical.
"[H]e lurched at me like a barnyard animal, grabbing the back of my head, pulling me toward him. I turned my face to the left and bowed my head to avoid his mouth."
Berrin pointed out that Shavit was married with children, facts that did not seem of much concern to him.
"Last night, in front of everybody, you spoke so lovingly about your wife," Berrin said as he lunged at her.
"We have an arrangement," he reportedly replied.
"Don't you have children?" Berrin asked, to which he responded, "Yes, and I'm not done yet."
Shavit then reportedly suggested the two go up to his hotel room.
In a statement published in Haaretz on Thursday, Shavit admitted he had made advances on Ms. Berrin, but denied they constituted sexual assault.
"I completely misunderstood our interaction in that meeting," wrote Shavit. "Until I read this week the article she published, I felt that we had a friendly meeting that included, among other things, elements of dalliance. I did not for a moment think that sexual harassment had occurred. But what I saw as courtship, Berrin saw as inappropriate behavior and even harassment from me."
Shavit also apologized to Berrin for "this misunderstanding."
4. IVANKA: MY FATHER ALWAYS SUPPORTED MY DECISION TO CONVERT
by JTA
[youtube:2020367]
JTA - Speaking at a synagogue in Florida, Ivanka Trump assured Jewish voters that her father would "100 percent" move the US embassy to Jerusalem if he is elected president.
Ivanka Trump, who converted to Judaism in 2010 and is married to a Jewish man, called her father, the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, an "unbelievable champion" for the State of Israel and for the Jewish people during a talk on Thursday at The Shul of Bal Harbour in Surfside, Florida, the Jewish Insider reported. "You won't be disappointed," she told the audience during the talk, which was filmed in part.
In addition to saying Donald Trump will move the embassy to Jerusalem, which she called "the eternal capital," she also said he supported her conversion to Judaism before her marriage to Jared Kushner.
"I so respect the fact that he supported me from day one," she said. "There was no question, there was no argument. He was very supportive."
Asked how Judaism has inspired her to be what she is today, Ivanka Trump said, "I feel like Judaism helps your moral compass." Judaism "has been a great blessing in my life," she added.
Ivanka Trump and her sister Tiffany also made campaign stops in Jupiter and Riviera Beach, according to the Trump campaign.
Jewish voters represent 3 to 6 percent of the electorate in the key battleground state of Florida. Clinton is ahead by 1.6 percentage points, according to the RealClearPolitics average. A recent poll showed Clinton leading Trump by 43 points among Jewish voters in the Sunshine State.
Congress passed a law in 1995 mandating the move of the embassy to Jerusalem, but allowed the president a waiver. Each president since then has routinely exercised the waiver, citing the national security interests of the United States.
In December, while speaking at the Republican Jewish Coalition, Donald Trump refused to commit to recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's undivided capital. But by January, he said it was "the eternal capital" of Israel and that he was "100 percent for" moving the embassy there.
5. TRUMP GAINS ON CLINTON AS ELECTION DAY NEARS
by David Rosenberg
With less than two weeks left till Election Day November 8th, polls show Donald Trump gaining back some of the strength his campaign lost earlier this month, following the release of an
11-year old recording of Trump speaking off the record regarding his treatment of women.
Now, as Wikileaks releases leaks by FBI agents frustrated with bureau chief James Comey's decision not to recommend an indictment of Hillary Clinton, and documents released under the Freedom of Information Act fuel renewed criticism of the former Secretary of State, her seven-point lead is in decline.
According to the latest Fox News poll, Clinton's honest and trustworthy ratings have hit a new all-time low. Just 30% of voters now say they believe the former Secretary of State is honest and trustworthy, compared to 67% who believe she is not.
Just 10 days ago many in the media declared the election over, as Mrs. Clinton had accumulated a 7.1 point lead over Mr. Trump in the RealClearPolitics average of polling, with some polls giving her a double-digit advantage.
Nate Silver's FiveThirtyEight analysis and prediction website placed the odds of a Trump victory at just over 14% in mid-October.
Over the past two weeks, however, it appears that Republican voters who abandoned Trump following the third debate and scandal sparked by Trump's lewd 2005 comments are now returning to the fold and signaling their support for their party's standard bearer.
In the course of 10 days, Clinton's lead in the average of polls has been cut from 7.1 points to 5.4.
This comes despite the late entrance of conservative independent candidate Evan McMullin, who, polls show is garnering a significant share of the vote in some GOP-leaning states like his native Utah.
Even polls which hitherto showed a significant lead for Clinton have shifted towards Trump.
The ABC/Washington Post poll, which earlier this month showed Clinton ahead by 12, 50 to 38, has now shrunk to a 6 point lead.
Gravis gives Clinton just a one-point advantage, while CVOTER International shows a two-point lead for the Democrat.
Trump's improved position also extends to battleground states, handing him leads in Iowa and Ohio.
In Florida, Clinton's lead in the average of polls has been cut since mid-October from a four-point lead to just one point six. Two of the most recent polls, ESA/Pulse Opinion Research and Dixie Strategies, show Trump ahead by a margin of three and four points respectively.
While Clinton still leads in North Carolina, three of the latest polls show a virtual dead-heat. The Democratic Public Policy Polling firm shows Clinton head by three, while the Republican firm Remington Research, gives Trump a lead of the same size. Monmouth shows Clinton ahead by just one point – well within the margin of error.
Monmouth shows Trump ahead by a single point in Arizona – a traditionally red state with a significant Hispanic population that Mrs. Clinton hopes will propel her to victory there in November.
6. TEENS BREAK INTO ISRAELI SCHOOL, TORTURE AND KILL CLASSROOM PETS
by Reut Hadar
[video:2020362]
Police arrested two youths Thursday evening, on suspicion they were involved the killing of small animals belonging to a school in Yavneh, near Ashdod.
The two teens, both 16-years old, were allegedly part of a group that broke into the school earlier this week.
Members of the group found a small petting zoo in the school, and proceeded to torture small animals kept in the zoo. Several of the animals died from the injuries they sustained during the incident.
One of the arrested youths was brought before a district court Petah Tikva Friday morning, which extended his arrest by three days.
Local police are continuing their investigation into the break-in, and are considering bringing charges of breaking and entering, animal abuse, the unwarranted killing of animals, property damage, and illegal possession of a knife.
7. WHEN GOD CREATED THE UNIVERSE
by Judy Simon
Learn what did God create on each of the six days of creation - and how did God count days?
Plus: Neuro-science professor Rabbi Dr. Ari Zivotofsky shares some of the current thoughts about how the Torah's description of creation and scientific theories of evolution can be understood together.
[audio:2020363]
Click here to download the podcast
8. FLIGHTS CANCELLED AND ROADS CLOSED AS EILAT HIT BY FLOODS
by Arutz Sheva Staff
[video:2020360]
Israel's southern-most town, Eilat, was pummeled by heavy rains Thursday night and Friday morning, leading to flooding across large parts of the city and the closure of major transportation arteries.
After a runway at the Eilat Airport became swamped, flights to and from the airport were redirected to the nearby Ovda Airport.
[video:2020361]
Police also announced the closure of a number of roads in and around Eilat due to the flooding, including a stretch of Route 90. Several roads servicing local hotels were also flooded.
The rains dumped more than 1.25 inches (32 millimeters) of rain over night – more than the southern town receives on average in an entire year.
According to the weather forecast Israelis can expect additional local rains from the northern Negev to the Galilee. Temperatures are expected to continue to drop significantly.
Partially cloudy weather is expected for Saturday, with no further change in temperature.
------------------------------------------------
Subscribe to this Daily Israel Report:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Subscribe/
http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com
------------------------------------------------
Delivered Daily via Email, Sunday thru Friday
Subscribe to this Daily Israel Report:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Subscribe/
Friday, Oct. 28 '16, כ"ו בתשרי תשע"ז
HEADLINES:
1. REJOICING IN BROOKLYN AS STOLEN TORAH SCROLLS RECOVERED INTACT
2. GUSH ETZION MAYOR RESIGNS AFTER SEXUAL MISCONDUCT CLAIMS
3. HAARETZ WRITER ACCUSED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING US JOURNALIST
4. IVANKA: MY FATHER ALWAYS SUPPORTED MY DECISION TO CONVERT
5. TRUMP GAINS ON CLINTON AS ELECTION DAY NEARS
6. TEENS BREAK INTO ISRAELI SCHOOL, TORTURE AND KILL CLASSROOM PETS
7. WHEN GOD CREATED THE UNIVERSE
8. FLIGHTS CANCELLED AND ROADS CLOSED AS EILAT HIT BY FLOODS
1. REJOICING IN BROOKLYN AS STOLEN TORAH SCROLLS RECOVERED INTACT
by David Rosenberg
Worshippers at a Brooklyn synagogue rejoiced Friday morning when it was discovered that four Torah scrolls which had been recently stolen were returned.
The four scrolls, valued at some $240,000, were stolen during the Simchat Torah holiday earlier this week from the Avenue O Synagogue in Flatbush.
Security cameras showed the suspected thief, a man in his 20s wearing a kippah, entering the synagogue and making off with the scrolls.
Synagogue officials say the building was locked at the time and it is unclear how the man was able to enter.
But after extensive efforts by the New York Police Department and local Jewish officials, it appears the thief had a change of heart, perhaps feeling the pressure of the ongoing investigation.
At 1:30 a.m. local time, a member of the synagogue participating in late-night study session discovered four large bags placed outside of the building entrance. Upon inspection, they were found to contain the four stolen Torah scrolls.
Flatbush Jewish Community Coalition chairman Josh Mehlman welcomed the return of the scrolls and praised the investigators who had worked towards their recovery.
"Thanks to the coordinated community efforts working in tandem with the NYPD and Flatbush Shomrim, it seems that the enormous pressure has thank G-d forced the late night return of the Torahs" said Mehlman.
Returned Torah scrolls Flatbush Jewish Community Coalition
2. GUSH ETZION MAYOR RESIGNS AFTER SEXUAL MISCONDUCT CLAIMS
by Arutz Sheva Staff
Gush Etzion Regional Council chief Davidi Perl announced Friday morning his intentions to step down from his position, after allegations that he sexually harassed a woman.
"After long deliberations regarding the matter, I have decided to step down as Regional Council head," Perl declared.
"This decision was not an easy one given my obligations to serve you [the residents of Gush Etzion] and the wide support I received from you recently, and given the findings of the council investigatory committee." The Regional Council had appointed a committee consisting of representatives of the council communities who found that there was no way to prove the allegations either way and allowed for Perl to complete his term.
Perl's decision to quit comes following more information regarding a non-disclosure agreement with his accuser, to whom Perl paid hundreds of thousands of shekels to prevent her from going public.
In September, Perl penned an open letter, admitting and explaining his payment to the accuser and defending himself from her claims, which in a sense can be seen as blackmail.
"I estimated that the mere publication of the matter would harm my family," he wrote, adding that he "preferred to pay rather than see my wife and family cry."
"In hindsight, I regret the decision I made to pay," he said. The timing was the reason, he explained, as the woman accused him right before his daughter's wedding and he knew that there would be no time to clear himself before the accusation would ruin the family occasion.
The young woman in question initially brought her complaint to Takana, a forum of prominent religious Zionist figures which is meant to fight sexual abuse in the religious Zionist community, investigate and deal with complaints in a discreet manner, but has no legal status and can only request to meet with parties to a complaint.
After Perl refused to appear before the Takana committee, hoping to settle the matter of an accusation which he denies without any publicity, someone leaked the story to Channel 10, which aired the accusations. It is not known who went to the media with the story, which was known only to Takana members, the woman and Perl.
3. HAARETZ WRITER ACCUSED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING US JOURNALIST
by David Rosenberg
Earlier this month American Jewish journalist Danielle Berrin accused an unnamed Israeli author of sexual assault, saying he had grabbed her by the head and tried to force her towards him.
On Thursday, Haaretz writer Ari Shavit acknowledged that he was the subject of Ms. Berrin's accusations, but downplayed the incident, calling it an attempt at courtship gone awry.
Writing in the Jewish Journal, Berrin recounted a late-night interview with Shavit in 2014, who was in the US promoting his new book, My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel.
After asking Berrin a series of probing personal questions, she claims, Shavit got physical.
"[H]e lurched at me like a barnyard animal, grabbing the back of my head, pulling me toward him. I turned my face to the left and bowed my head to avoid his mouth."
Berrin pointed out that Shavit was married with children, facts that did not seem of much concern to him.
"Last night, in front of everybody, you spoke so lovingly about your wife," Berrin said as he lunged at her.
"We have an arrangement," he reportedly replied.
"Don't you have children?" Berrin asked, to which he responded, "Yes, and I'm not done yet."
Shavit then reportedly suggested the two go up to his hotel room.
In a statement published in Haaretz on Thursday, Shavit admitted he had made advances on Ms. Berrin, but denied they constituted sexual assault.
"I completely misunderstood our interaction in that meeting," wrote Shavit. "Until I read this week the article she published, I felt that we had a friendly meeting that included, among other things, elements of dalliance. I did not for a moment think that sexual harassment had occurred. But what I saw as courtship, Berrin saw as inappropriate behavior and even harassment from me."
Shavit also apologized to Berrin for "this misunderstanding."
4. IVANKA: MY FATHER ALWAYS SUPPORTED MY DECISION TO CONVERT
by JTA
[youtube:2020367]
JTA - Speaking at a synagogue in Florida, Ivanka Trump assured Jewish voters that her father would "100 percent" move the US embassy to Jerusalem if he is elected president.
Ivanka Trump, who converted to Judaism in 2010 and is married to a Jewish man, called her father, the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, an "unbelievable champion" for the State of Israel and for the Jewish people during a talk on Thursday at The Shul of Bal Harbour in Surfside, Florida, the Jewish Insider reported. "You won't be disappointed," she told the audience during the talk, which was filmed in part.
In addition to saying Donald Trump will move the embassy to Jerusalem, which she called "the eternal capital," she also said he supported her conversion to Judaism before her marriage to Jared Kushner.
"I so respect the fact that he supported me from day one," she said. "There was no question, there was no argument. He was very supportive."
Asked how Judaism has inspired her to be what she is today, Ivanka Trump said, "I feel like Judaism helps your moral compass." Judaism "has been a great blessing in my life," she added.
Ivanka Trump and her sister Tiffany also made campaign stops in Jupiter and Riviera Beach, according to the Trump campaign.
Jewish voters represent 3 to 6 percent of the electorate in the key battleground state of Florida. Clinton is ahead by 1.6 percentage points, according to the RealClearPolitics average. A recent poll showed Clinton leading Trump by 43 points among Jewish voters in the Sunshine State.
Congress passed a law in 1995 mandating the move of the embassy to Jerusalem, but allowed the president a waiver. Each president since then has routinely exercised the waiver, citing the national security interests of the United States.
In December, while speaking at the Republican Jewish Coalition, Donald Trump refused to commit to recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's undivided capital. But by January, he said it was "the eternal capital" of Israel and that he was "100 percent for" moving the embassy there.
5. TRUMP GAINS ON CLINTON AS ELECTION DAY NEARS
by David Rosenberg
With less than two weeks left till Election Day November 8th, polls show Donald Trump gaining back some of the strength his campaign lost earlier this month, following the release of an
11-year old recording of Trump speaking off the record regarding his treatment of women.
Now, as Wikileaks releases leaks by FBI agents frustrated with bureau chief James Comey's decision not to recommend an indictment of Hillary Clinton, and documents released under the Freedom of Information Act fuel renewed criticism of the former Secretary of State, her seven-point lead is in decline.
According to the latest Fox News poll, Clinton's honest and trustworthy ratings have hit a new all-time low. Just 30% of voters now say they believe the former Secretary of State is honest and trustworthy, compared to 67% who believe she is not.
Just 10 days ago many in the media declared the election over, as Mrs. Clinton had accumulated a 7.1 point lead over Mr. Trump in the RealClearPolitics average of polling, with some polls giving her a double-digit advantage.
Nate Silver's FiveThirtyEight analysis and prediction website placed the odds of a Trump victory at just over 14% in mid-October.
Over the past two weeks, however, it appears that Republican voters who abandoned Trump following the third debate and scandal sparked by Trump's lewd 2005 comments are now returning to the fold and signaling their support for their party's standard bearer.
In the course of 10 days, Clinton's lead in the average of polls has been cut from 7.1 points to 5.4.
This comes despite the late entrance of conservative independent candidate Evan McMullin, who, polls show is garnering a significant share of the vote in some GOP-leaning states like his native Utah.
Even polls which hitherto showed a significant lead for Clinton have shifted towards Trump.
The ABC/Washington Post poll, which earlier this month showed Clinton ahead by 12, 50 to 38, has now shrunk to a 6 point lead.
Gravis gives Clinton just a one-point advantage, while CVOTER International shows a two-point lead for the Democrat.
Trump's improved position also extends to battleground states, handing him leads in Iowa and Ohio.
In Florida, Clinton's lead in the average of polls has been cut since mid-October from a four-point lead to just one point six. Two of the most recent polls, ESA/Pulse Opinion Research and Dixie Strategies, show Trump ahead by a margin of three and four points respectively.
While Clinton still leads in North Carolina, three of the latest polls show a virtual dead-heat. The Democratic Public Policy Polling firm shows Clinton head by three, while the Republican firm Remington Research, gives Trump a lead of the same size. Monmouth shows Clinton ahead by just one point – well within the margin of error.
Monmouth shows Trump ahead by a single point in Arizona – a traditionally red state with a significant Hispanic population that Mrs. Clinton hopes will propel her to victory there in November.
6. TEENS BREAK INTO ISRAELI SCHOOL, TORTURE AND KILL CLASSROOM PETS
by Reut Hadar
[video:2020362]
Police arrested two youths Thursday evening, on suspicion they were involved the killing of small animals belonging to a school in Yavneh, near Ashdod.
The two teens, both 16-years old, were allegedly part of a group that broke into the school earlier this week.
Members of the group found a small petting zoo in the school, and proceeded to torture small animals kept in the zoo. Several of the animals died from the injuries they sustained during the incident.
One of the arrested youths was brought before a district court Petah Tikva Friday morning, which extended his arrest by three days.
Local police are continuing their investigation into the break-in, and are considering bringing charges of breaking and entering, animal abuse, the unwarranted killing of animals, property damage, and illegal possession of a knife.
7. WHEN GOD CREATED THE UNIVERSE
by Judy Simon
Learn what did God create on each of the six days of creation - and how did God count days?
Plus: Neuro-science professor Rabbi Dr. Ari Zivotofsky shares some of the current thoughts about how the Torah's description of creation and scientific theories of evolution can be understood together.
[audio:2020363]
Click here to download the podcast
8. FLIGHTS CANCELLED AND ROADS CLOSED AS EILAT HIT BY FLOODS
by Arutz Sheva Staff
[video:2020360]
Israel's southern-most town, Eilat, was pummeled by heavy rains Thursday night and Friday morning, leading to flooding across large parts of the city and the closure of major transportation arteries.
After a runway at the Eilat Airport became swamped, flights to and from the airport were redirected to the nearby Ovda Airport.
[video:2020361]
Police also announced the closure of a number of roads in and around Eilat due to the flooding, including a stretch of Route 90. Several roads servicing local hotels were also flooded.
The rains dumped more than 1.25 inches (32 millimeters) of rain over night – more than the southern town receives on average in an entire year.
According to the weather forecast Israelis can expect additional local rains from the northern Negev to the Galilee. Temperatures are expected to continue to drop significantly.
Partially cloudy weather is expected for Saturday, with no further change in temperature.
------------------------------------------------
Subscribe to this Daily Israel Report:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Subscribe/
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Looking for American living in the Jerusalem Hills?
|
You are currently subscribed to Israel National News as: bmgisrael.cohen@blogger.com
To unsubscribe click here
To unsubscribe click here
A7News: 'An absurd reality'
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/
Thursday, Oct. 27 '16, כ"ה בתשרי תשע"ז
HEADLINES:
1. 'AN ABSURD REALITY'
2. 'ASCENDING THE TEMPLE MOUNT IS A TORAH COMMAND'
3. TERROR ACCOMPLICE INDICTED IN JERUSALEM COURT
4. BURIAL CAVES DISCOVERED ON ROAD TO SHIMON HATZADIK'S TOMB
5. CAREGIVER SENTENCED FOR LEAVING BABY UNATTENDED IN BATHTUB
6. LAST DAYS OF PRESIDENTIAL RACE - WHAT CAN BE DONE?
7. ISRAEL'S UNUSUAL GOODWILL AMBASSADOR
8. TRUMP'S WALK OF FAME STAR SMASHED TO PIECES
1. 'AN ABSURD REALITY'
by Arutz Sheva Staff
In recent weeks, the topic of National Service made headlines after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he will work to cancel National Service positions in B'Tselem following the controversial speech given by the organization's CEO at the United National Security Council.
A new report released by Israeli Zionist group Im Tirtzu reveals that there are at least 7 far-Left organizations that are currently eligible to receive National Service volunteers from the government.
The report focuses on the anti-Israel activity advanced by these organizations, which includes accusing Israel of war crimes, promoting BDS, and calling for international pressure on Israel.
The details acquired by Im Tirtzu via the Freedom of Information Law and the Ministry of Agriculture, which oversees National Service, reveal that 7 organizations benefit from a total of 17 positions. Since 2012, these organizations have received over 80,000,000 NIS from foreign governments and an additional 14,000,000 USD from the New Israel Fund.
The organization with the largest amount of positions – five – is Amnesty International, which accuses Israel of war crimes and advocates for an arms embargo on Israel. Israel Social TV, which provides a platform for BDS and the labeling of Israel as an apartheid and racist state, receives 3 positions, as does Hotline for Refugees and Migrants and Kav LaOved.
B'Tselem, Gisha – Legal Center for Freedom of Movement, and Public Committee Against Torture in Israel each receive one position and accuse Israel of committing war crimes.
Im Tirtzu CEO Matan Peleg commented that in recent years Im Tirtzu has "exposed an absurd reality in which Israeli organizations, which are funded by foreign governments, enjoy government benefits in the form of National Service positions. These are the very organizations leading the campaign of delegitimization against Israel."
Peleg added: "It is important to understand that European involvement in Israel's internal affairs has increased in recent years with the goal of weakening Israeli sovereignty. National Service positions are a privilege and not another platform for anti-Israel activity."
2. 'ASCENDING THE TEMPLE MOUNT IS A TORAH COMMAND'
by Benny Toker
Head of the Temple Institute Rabbi Yisrael Ariel emphasized in an interview to Arutz Sheva that ascending the Temple Mount is, indeed permitted.
Rabbi Ariel's statements come in the wake of statements by Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef and Religious Zionist Rabbi Aviner that ascending the Temple Mount is forbidden.
"We can't invent new laws," Rabbi Ariel asserted. "When the paratroopers took control of the Temple Mount [during the 1967 Six-Day War] Rabbi Goren was appointed responsibility over the Temple Mount. Rabbi Goren was the Chief Rabbi of Israel and the IDF, and he established rulings concerning soldiers and police on the Temple Mount that still hold today. The Chief Rabbinate accepts these rulings."
"How did the Chief Rabbi suddenly come to rule that it is forbidden from ascending?" Rabbi Ariel wondered, and explained, "Rabbi Goren instructed Knesset members concerning how and where to ascend, that you need to immerse in a mikveh [ritual bath] beforehand, where it is permitted and where it is forbidden to enter. There are religious soldiers serving on the the Mount, and they know the laws well."
The Rabbi noted in this context that there are areas of the Mount for which entry is forbidden by punishment of karet [a spiritual punishment in which the soul of the Jew is 'cut off' from the Jewish people]; nevertheless, a soldier is permitted to enter those areas in order to defend the area.
Rabbi Ariel dismissed the assertion that we cannot know where the forbidden areas are such that entering all areas of the Mount is forbidden. "Only five areas near the Dome of the Rock, which was part of the "Azarah" area of the Temple, where there is a fear that a karet punishment applies to those who enter while not on duty as a priest [are forbidden]." His opinion on the delineation of forbidden areas is disputed by other Religious Zionist rabbis, such as the late Chief Rabbi Avraham Shapira.
Similarly, Rabbi Ariel dismissed an oft-repeated claim that the esteemed spiritual visionary and former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi during the British Mandate, Rabbi Avraham Yitzhak Hakohen Kook, was opposed to ascending the Mount. "Rabbi Kook wrote a 4,000-page article that describes how we will merit to ascend the Temple Mount and develop a center for religion there. He describes how we will establish a Sanhedrin [Jewish high court of law] and all of Israel will come there. It is written [in the Torah], 'If you wonder about a legal matter, you shall get up and ascend to the place which God has chosen' - nobody can erase that. Rabbi Kook wrote that we will first establish the center for religion and appoint judges - and then build the Temple. Whoever cites otherwise should first study the writings of Rabbi Kook."
"There's no Rabbi in the world who can erase [the law] and say that it is forbidden - the prohibition lies in running from fulfilling God's command. He who runs is afraid; that's a personal choice, but how can you give that instruction to the public?"
Rabbi Ariel said that those who oppose ascending the Temple Mount do so out of an "exile mentality." "Those who oppose ascending are holding by a worldview that we are still in exile. We came here after 2,000 years, we returned to the courtyards of God to build the third Temple. If there are those who think we are still in exile and want to live with that feeling - that is a private viewpoint. But [a private viewpoint] is not supposed to reject commandments from the Torah."
3. TERROR ACCOMPLICE INDICTED IN JERUSALEM COURT
by Yoel Domb
A 25-year-old Jerusalem resident suspected of planning to serve as an accomplice to a terror attack in the city of Jerusalem was indicted in the Jerusalem district court Thursday.
Muhammed Abbasi was accused of plotting to perform an attack in Jerusalem, destroying evidence, perverting the course of justice, supporting a terror organization, grievous bodily harm, manufacturing and possessing weapons, hooliganism and attempted assault of policemen.
During his investigation by the Shin Bet, it emerged that Abbasi intended to perform an armed attack on security forces and Israeli civilians in east Jerusalem, and had even purchased firearms for this purpose.
Moreover, Abbasi was a Hamas activist who was involved in a number of Molotov cocktail attacks, as well as shooting fireworks and throwing stones at security forces and Israeli vehicles. During the investigation, it also emerged that he had tried to obtain knowledge on how to manufacture pipe bombs, though he had not actively engaged in manufacturing them.
The indictment stated that, during the course of 2016, Abbasi was employed in a Jerusalem bakery. During the month of July the owner of the bakery plotted together with Ramzi Alouk, a former prisoner who identified with Hamas and lived in Gaza, to perform attacks on Jews in Jerusalem.
Abbasi, who wished to take part in military operations against Israel, told the owner of the bakery that he wanted to take part in the terrorist activity, and even asked to communicate with Alouk.
Last September, the owner of the bakery was arrested by security officials, and his remand was extended. After Abbasi heard about the arrest, he decided to act in order to prevent security officials from obtaining criminal evidence against the owner of the bakery. Abbasi bought a new hard disk and installed it in his computer, breaking the original hard disk and throwing it in the garbage.
The indictment stated that this constituted "conspiracy to perform terrorist activity inside Israel, with intent to prevent or to thwart a legal procedure."
Moreover, the indictment stated that, from July 2015 until his arrest, Abbasi published on his Facebook page calls for acts of violence and terror against civilians and security forces as well as words of praise, encouragement, and empathy towards such actions and towards terrorists. Abbasi also praised and demonstrated support for the Hamas terrorist group and its armed branch, the Az-a-Din El-Kassam forces.
On the day of the suicide bombing on a number 12 bus in Jerusalem when a number of Israeli civilians were injured, Abbasi uploaded a picture of the burnt bus and wrote that "We bless the brave attacker...you have gladdened our hearts...Allah be blessed."
On the day of the murderous shooting attack in the Sharona Market area in Tel Aviv in which a number of Israeli citizens were murdered and wounded, Abbasi posted the following: "3 carcasses and 5 injured in Tel Aviv shooting attack...Allah bless those hands...Allah give them life...they broke their fast on something worthwhile...Palestine is proud of these men."
Moreover, during the Protective Edge campaign, Abbasi took part, together with masked men, in disturbances in the Ras El Amud neighborhood. During the course of these rampages, Abbasi and others threw stones and fireworks at police forces at the scene. During the same period, he manufactured Molotov cocktails and threw them at military and police vehicles.
The Shin Bet reported that "the arrest of Abbasi, who, as a Jerusalem resident, had access to the entire city, prevented a serious terror attack from taking place in Jerusalem. His arrest and the results of his investigation demonstrate once again the severity of the threat from lone attackers who are influenced by the incitement of terrorist organizations online, in particular of the Hamas, and they themselves incite others to perform attacks."
4. BURIAL CAVES DISCOVERED ON ROAD TO SHIMON HATZADIK'S TOMB
by Yoel Domb
During the course of maintenance and upgrading work on the road leading up to Shimon Hatzadik's tomb, more ancient burial caves were discovered.
The work, which is being performed by the Moriah company for the Jerusalem Municipality, is taking place on Derekh Shekhem near the Pierre Van Passan traffic circle in the Wadi Joz neighborhood adjacent to Shimon Hatzadik's grave, in order to ease traffic on the main road leading up to Sheikh Jarrah.
During the course of the work, a number of ancient burial graves were discovered on the site of the road, including a burial cave with crypts, which testify to it being a Jewish burial site.
Experts from the "Atra Kadisha" group arrived at the site and investigated the findings. They stated that a special solution must be found to allow kohanim access to the area.
Until such a solution can be found, kohanim will only be able to reach the area of Shimon Hatzadik's tomb from the northern entrance near Shimon Hatzadik Street and the Central Police Headquarters.
Atra Kadisha representatives asked Deputy Mayor Yossi Deitch to intervene immediately and find a speedy solution which will enable kohanim to use the main road and to access the area of Shimon Hatzadik's tomb.
Deitch toured the area with Atra Kadisha experts and representatives of the Moriah company and a number of halakhic and engineering solutions were proposed which could be implemented in the near future and would enable kohanim to pass through the area.
The Deputy Mayor directed the representatives of the Moriah company to build a traffic circle at the entrance to the tomb area and to complete their work as soon as possible in coordination with the Atra Kadisha representatives. Deitch emphasized that until a solution is implemented, the area is prohibited for the passage of kohanim.
5. CAREGIVER SENTENCED FOR LEAVING BABY UNATTENDED IN BATHTUB
by Shlomo Piotrokowski
The Tel Aviv magistrate court sentenced a caregiver to 12 months imprisonment, after a one-year-old baby died in a bathtub while given to her care.
The caregiver was sentenced under a plea bargain after she admitted to negligence in leaving the child unattended.
According to the indictment, the woman filled the bathtub halfway, left the baby and his twin brother in the bath in chairs meant for washing children - without removing a rug in the bath that prevents slipping - and left the room for about five minutes to use the restroom.
When she returned, she discovered one of the twins lying in the water, unconscious. She took the baby out of the water and tried to resuscitate him while shouting for help. One of the neighbors heard her and ran over, and they both alerted police and rescue teams.
The baby was hospitalized in critical condition and, after five days, died.
The indictment said: "We're talking about negligence of a high order, which had consequences."
The court also ruled that the caretaker was to compensate the parents of the baby with 80,000 shekels.
6. LAST DAYS OF PRESIDENTIAL RACE - WHAT CAN BE DONE?
by ILTV
[brightcove:2020316]
7. ISRAEL'S UNUSUAL GOODWILL AMBASSADOR
by Yoel Domb
Sandra Salomon was born to an influential family from Ramallah. Her uncle, Saher Habash, was one of Yassir Arafat's closest aides, a member of the Fatah central committee and a leader of the Second Intifada. She says that she grew up in a home which "hated the Jews, hailed Hitler and praised the Holocaust, as reported in a Channel 2 interview Wednesday.
However Salomon, who was raised in Saudia Arabia, underwent a metamorphosis after experiencing firsthand the severity of Sharia law.
"The [forced wearing of the] hijab is the main reason I left Islam…and also because of the way of life under Islamic Sharia law," she says.
Salomon converted to Christianity and became a fervent admirer of Israel, sports various tattoos of Jewish symbols including the word "Israel" tattooed to the back of her neck. She also wears a star of David pendant around her neck and devotes herself to defending Israel's right to exist.
Salomon's family denounced her for converting and maintain their hostility towards Israel but she stands behind her advocacy of Israel, stating that "I stand behind what I say and I will tell the truth even if it leads to my death one day. I will at least know that I've had the honor to die for the truth."
Salomon, who now lives and works in Canada, dreams of one day visiting Israel, flying the Israeli flag and saluting it.
8. TRUMP'S WALK OF FAME STAR SMASHED TO PIECES
by Yoel Domb
[youtube:2020320]
A 40-year-old man used a sledgehammer and pickaxe to smash the Walk of Fame star in Hollywood bearing Donald Trump's name.
The Walk of Fame is a tourist attraction created in the 1950s containing more that 2500 stars embedded into the pavement. Each star bears the name of an important personage in the entertainment industry in America.
Trump received his star in 2007 as a result of the successful TV show "The Apprentice" in which he starred.
The person who destroyed the star did it in front of surveillance cameras and did not hide his identity. He identified himself as James Otis and said that he intended to remove the star and sell it and then to use the money to benefit the 11 women who accuse Trump of indecent behavior towards them years ago - an accusation which Trump has vehemently denied.
Otis said that five of his relatives had been sexually assaulted by others and that he was "terribly upset" at the thought that Trump might be elected president.
Trump's opponents describe him as a "sexual predator" while his supporters claim that the accusations are intentionally overstated or invented by the media in order to enable the Democratic candidate, Hilary Clinton, to evade criticism of her own corruption and attitude to assaulted women as well as the sexual behavior of her husband.
------------------------------------------------
Subscribe to this Daily Israel Report:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Subscribe/
http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com
------------------------------------------------
Delivered Daily via Email, Sunday thru Friday
Subscribe to this Daily Israel Report:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Subscribe/
Thursday, Oct. 27 '16, כ"ה בתשרי תשע"ז
HEADLINES:
1. 'AN ABSURD REALITY'
2. 'ASCENDING THE TEMPLE MOUNT IS A TORAH COMMAND'
3. TERROR ACCOMPLICE INDICTED IN JERUSALEM COURT
4. BURIAL CAVES DISCOVERED ON ROAD TO SHIMON HATZADIK'S TOMB
5. CAREGIVER SENTENCED FOR LEAVING BABY UNATTENDED IN BATHTUB
6. LAST DAYS OF PRESIDENTIAL RACE - WHAT CAN BE DONE?
7. ISRAEL'S UNUSUAL GOODWILL AMBASSADOR
8. TRUMP'S WALK OF FAME STAR SMASHED TO PIECES
1. 'AN ABSURD REALITY'
by Arutz Sheva Staff
In recent weeks, the topic of National Service made headlines after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he will work to cancel National Service positions in B'Tselem following the controversial speech given by the organization's CEO at the United National Security Council.
A new report released by Israeli Zionist group Im Tirtzu reveals that there are at least 7 far-Left organizations that are currently eligible to receive National Service volunteers from the government.
The report focuses on the anti-Israel activity advanced by these organizations, which includes accusing Israel of war crimes, promoting BDS, and calling for international pressure on Israel.
The details acquired by Im Tirtzu via the Freedom of Information Law and the Ministry of Agriculture, which oversees National Service, reveal that 7 organizations benefit from a total of 17 positions. Since 2012, these organizations have received over 80,000,000 NIS from foreign governments and an additional 14,000,000 USD from the New Israel Fund.
The organization with the largest amount of positions – five – is Amnesty International, which accuses Israel of war crimes and advocates for an arms embargo on Israel. Israel Social TV, which provides a platform for BDS and the labeling of Israel as an apartheid and racist state, receives 3 positions, as does Hotline for Refugees and Migrants and Kav LaOved.
B'Tselem, Gisha – Legal Center for Freedom of Movement, and Public Committee Against Torture in Israel each receive one position and accuse Israel of committing war crimes.
Im Tirtzu CEO Matan Peleg commented that in recent years Im Tirtzu has "exposed an absurd reality in which Israeli organizations, which are funded by foreign governments, enjoy government benefits in the form of National Service positions. These are the very organizations leading the campaign of delegitimization against Israel."
Peleg added: "It is important to understand that European involvement in Israel's internal affairs has increased in recent years with the goal of weakening Israeli sovereignty. National Service positions are a privilege and not another platform for anti-Israel activity."
2. 'ASCENDING THE TEMPLE MOUNT IS A TORAH COMMAND'
by Benny Toker
Head of the Temple Institute Rabbi Yisrael Ariel emphasized in an interview to Arutz Sheva that ascending the Temple Mount is, indeed permitted.
Rabbi Ariel's statements come in the wake of statements by Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef and Religious Zionist Rabbi Aviner that ascending the Temple Mount is forbidden.
"We can't invent new laws," Rabbi Ariel asserted. "When the paratroopers took control of the Temple Mount [during the 1967 Six-Day War] Rabbi Goren was appointed responsibility over the Temple Mount. Rabbi Goren was the Chief Rabbi of Israel and the IDF, and he established rulings concerning soldiers and police on the Temple Mount that still hold today. The Chief Rabbinate accepts these rulings."
"How did the Chief Rabbi suddenly come to rule that it is forbidden from ascending?" Rabbi Ariel wondered, and explained, "Rabbi Goren instructed Knesset members concerning how and where to ascend, that you need to immerse in a mikveh [ritual bath] beforehand, where it is permitted and where it is forbidden to enter. There are religious soldiers serving on the the Mount, and they know the laws well."
The Rabbi noted in this context that there are areas of the Mount for which entry is forbidden by punishment of karet [a spiritual punishment in which the soul of the Jew is 'cut off' from the Jewish people]; nevertheless, a soldier is permitted to enter those areas in order to defend the area.
Rabbi Ariel dismissed the assertion that we cannot know where the forbidden areas are such that entering all areas of the Mount is forbidden. "Only five areas near the Dome of the Rock, which was part of the "Azarah" area of the Temple, where there is a fear that a karet punishment applies to those who enter while not on duty as a priest [are forbidden]." His opinion on the delineation of forbidden areas is disputed by other Religious Zionist rabbis, such as the late Chief Rabbi Avraham Shapira.
Similarly, Rabbi Ariel dismissed an oft-repeated claim that the esteemed spiritual visionary and former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi during the British Mandate, Rabbi Avraham Yitzhak Hakohen Kook, was opposed to ascending the Mount. "Rabbi Kook wrote a 4,000-page article that describes how we will merit to ascend the Temple Mount and develop a center for religion there. He describes how we will establish a Sanhedrin [Jewish high court of law] and all of Israel will come there. It is written [in the Torah], 'If you wonder about a legal matter, you shall get up and ascend to the place which God has chosen' - nobody can erase that. Rabbi Kook wrote that we will first establish the center for religion and appoint judges - and then build the Temple. Whoever cites otherwise should first study the writings of Rabbi Kook."
"There's no Rabbi in the world who can erase [the law] and say that it is forbidden - the prohibition lies in running from fulfilling God's command. He who runs is afraid; that's a personal choice, but how can you give that instruction to the public?"
Rabbi Ariel said that those who oppose ascending the Temple Mount do so out of an "exile mentality." "Those who oppose ascending are holding by a worldview that we are still in exile. We came here after 2,000 years, we returned to the courtyards of God to build the third Temple. If there are those who think we are still in exile and want to live with that feeling - that is a private viewpoint. But [a private viewpoint] is not supposed to reject commandments from the Torah."
3. TERROR ACCOMPLICE INDICTED IN JERUSALEM COURT
by Yoel Domb
A 25-year-old Jerusalem resident suspected of planning to serve as an accomplice to a terror attack in the city of Jerusalem was indicted in the Jerusalem district court Thursday.
Muhammed Abbasi was accused of plotting to perform an attack in Jerusalem, destroying evidence, perverting the course of justice, supporting a terror organization, grievous bodily harm, manufacturing and possessing weapons, hooliganism and attempted assault of policemen.
During his investigation by the Shin Bet, it emerged that Abbasi intended to perform an armed attack on security forces and Israeli civilians in east Jerusalem, and had even purchased firearms for this purpose.
Moreover, Abbasi was a Hamas activist who was involved in a number of Molotov cocktail attacks, as well as shooting fireworks and throwing stones at security forces and Israeli vehicles. During the investigation, it also emerged that he had tried to obtain knowledge on how to manufacture pipe bombs, though he had not actively engaged in manufacturing them.
The indictment stated that, during the course of 2016, Abbasi was employed in a Jerusalem bakery. During the month of July the owner of the bakery plotted together with Ramzi Alouk, a former prisoner who identified with Hamas and lived in Gaza, to perform attacks on Jews in Jerusalem.
Abbasi, who wished to take part in military operations against Israel, told the owner of the bakery that he wanted to take part in the terrorist activity, and even asked to communicate with Alouk.
Last September, the owner of the bakery was arrested by security officials, and his remand was extended. After Abbasi heard about the arrest, he decided to act in order to prevent security officials from obtaining criminal evidence against the owner of the bakery. Abbasi bought a new hard disk and installed it in his computer, breaking the original hard disk and throwing it in the garbage.
The indictment stated that this constituted "conspiracy to perform terrorist activity inside Israel, with intent to prevent or to thwart a legal procedure."
Moreover, the indictment stated that, from July 2015 until his arrest, Abbasi published on his Facebook page calls for acts of violence and terror against civilians and security forces as well as words of praise, encouragement, and empathy towards such actions and towards terrorists. Abbasi also praised and demonstrated support for the Hamas terrorist group and its armed branch, the Az-a-Din El-Kassam forces.
On the day of the suicide bombing on a number 12 bus in Jerusalem when a number of Israeli civilians were injured, Abbasi uploaded a picture of the burnt bus and wrote that "We bless the brave attacker...you have gladdened our hearts...Allah be blessed."
On the day of the murderous shooting attack in the Sharona Market area in Tel Aviv in which a number of Israeli citizens were murdered and wounded, Abbasi posted the following: "3 carcasses and 5 injured in Tel Aviv shooting attack...Allah bless those hands...Allah give them life...they broke their fast on something worthwhile...Palestine is proud of these men."
Moreover, during the Protective Edge campaign, Abbasi took part, together with masked men, in disturbances in the Ras El Amud neighborhood. During the course of these rampages, Abbasi and others threw stones and fireworks at police forces at the scene. During the same period, he manufactured Molotov cocktails and threw them at military and police vehicles.
The Shin Bet reported that "the arrest of Abbasi, who, as a Jerusalem resident, had access to the entire city, prevented a serious terror attack from taking place in Jerusalem. His arrest and the results of his investigation demonstrate once again the severity of the threat from lone attackers who are influenced by the incitement of terrorist organizations online, in particular of the Hamas, and they themselves incite others to perform attacks."
4. BURIAL CAVES DISCOVERED ON ROAD TO SHIMON HATZADIK'S TOMB
by Yoel Domb
During the course of maintenance and upgrading work on the road leading up to Shimon Hatzadik's tomb, more ancient burial caves were discovered.
The work, which is being performed by the Moriah company for the Jerusalem Municipality, is taking place on Derekh Shekhem near the Pierre Van Passan traffic circle in the Wadi Joz neighborhood adjacent to Shimon Hatzadik's grave, in order to ease traffic on the main road leading up to Sheikh Jarrah.
During the course of the work, a number of ancient burial graves were discovered on the site of the road, including a burial cave with crypts, which testify to it being a Jewish burial site.
Experts from the "Atra Kadisha" group arrived at the site and investigated the findings. They stated that a special solution must be found to allow kohanim access to the area.
Until such a solution can be found, kohanim will only be able to reach the area of Shimon Hatzadik's tomb from the northern entrance near Shimon Hatzadik Street and the Central Police Headquarters.
Atra Kadisha representatives asked Deputy Mayor Yossi Deitch to intervene immediately and find a speedy solution which will enable kohanim to use the main road and to access the area of Shimon Hatzadik's tomb.
Deitch toured the area with Atra Kadisha experts and representatives of the Moriah company and a number of halakhic and engineering solutions were proposed which could be implemented in the near future and would enable kohanim to pass through the area.
The Deputy Mayor directed the representatives of the Moriah company to build a traffic circle at the entrance to the tomb area and to complete their work as soon as possible in coordination with the Atra Kadisha representatives. Deitch emphasized that until a solution is implemented, the area is prohibited for the passage of kohanim.
5. CAREGIVER SENTENCED FOR LEAVING BABY UNATTENDED IN BATHTUB
by Shlomo Piotrokowski
The Tel Aviv magistrate court sentenced a caregiver to 12 months imprisonment, after a one-year-old baby died in a bathtub while given to her care.
The caregiver was sentenced under a plea bargain after she admitted to negligence in leaving the child unattended.
According to the indictment, the woman filled the bathtub halfway, left the baby and his twin brother in the bath in chairs meant for washing children - without removing a rug in the bath that prevents slipping - and left the room for about five minutes to use the restroom.
When she returned, she discovered one of the twins lying in the water, unconscious. She took the baby out of the water and tried to resuscitate him while shouting for help. One of the neighbors heard her and ran over, and they both alerted police and rescue teams.
The baby was hospitalized in critical condition and, after five days, died.
The indictment said: "We're talking about negligence of a high order, which had consequences."
The court also ruled that the caretaker was to compensate the parents of the baby with 80,000 shekels.
6. LAST DAYS OF PRESIDENTIAL RACE - WHAT CAN BE DONE?
by ILTV
[brightcove:2020316]
7. ISRAEL'S UNUSUAL GOODWILL AMBASSADOR
by Yoel Domb
Sandra Salomon was born to an influential family from Ramallah. Her uncle, Saher Habash, was one of Yassir Arafat's closest aides, a member of the Fatah central committee and a leader of the Second Intifada. She says that she grew up in a home which "hated the Jews, hailed Hitler and praised the Holocaust, as reported in a Channel 2 interview Wednesday.
However Salomon, who was raised in Saudia Arabia, underwent a metamorphosis after experiencing firsthand the severity of Sharia law.
"The [forced wearing of the] hijab is the main reason I left Islam…and also because of the way of life under Islamic Sharia law," she says.
Salomon converted to Christianity and became a fervent admirer of Israel, sports various tattoos of Jewish symbols including the word "Israel" tattooed to the back of her neck. She also wears a star of David pendant around her neck and devotes herself to defending Israel's right to exist.
Salomon's family denounced her for converting and maintain their hostility towards Israel but she stands behind her advocacy of Israel, stating that "I stand behind what I say and I will tell the truth even if it leads to my death one day. I will at least know that I've had the honor to die for the truth."
Salomon, who now lives and works in Canada, dreams of one day visiting Israel, flying the Israeli flag and saluting it.
8. TRUMP'S WALK OF FAME STAR SMASHED TO PIECES
by Yoel Domb
[youtube:2020320]
A 40-year-old man used a sledgehammer and pickaxe to smash the Walk of Fame star in Hollywood bearing Donald Trump's name.
The Walk of Fame is a tourist attraction created in the 1950s containing more that 2500 stars embedded into the pavement. Each star bears the name of an important personage in the entertainment industry in America.
Trump received his star in 2007 as a result of the successful TV show "The Apprentice" in which he starred.
The person who destroyed the star did it in front of surveillance cameras and did not hide his identity. He identified himself as James Otis and said that he intended to remove the star and sell it and then to use the money to benefit the 11 women who accuse Trump of indecent behavior towards them years ago - an accusation which Trump has vehemently denied.
Otis said that five of his relatives had been sexually assaulted by others and that he was "terribly upset" at the thought that Trump might be elected president.
Trump's opponents describe him as a "sexual predator" while his supporters claim that the accusations are intentionally overstated or invented by the media in order to enable the Democratic candidate, Hilary Clinton, to evade criticism of her own corruption and attitude to assaulted women as well as the sexual behavior of her husband.
------------------------------------------------
Subscribe to this Daily Israel Report:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Subscribe/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)