Arutz Sheva Daily Israel Report
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Thursday, Apr. 28 '16, Nissan 20, 5776
HEADLINES:
1. SENIOR UK LABOUR PARTY OFFICIAL: HITLER SUPPORTED ZIONISM
2. WATCH: MP ATTACKS 'NAZI APOLOGIST' EX-MAYOR FOR HITLER COMMENTS
3. UK LABOUR CHIEF FACES GROWING BACKLASH OVER ANTI-SEMITISM DENIAL
4. KERRY: US QUIETLY HELPING 'EMBATTLED' EUROPEAN JEWS
5. SANDERS QUIETLY CONCEDES DEFEAT - LOOKS TO SHAPE CONVENTION
6. MAALE ADUMIM: COUPLE FOUND DEAD IN APPARENT MURDER-SUICIDE
7. DEEPENING TIES: FIRST CHINESE COMMERCIAL FLIGHT TO ISRAEL
8. WATCH: HEVRON'S MACHPELA PACKED FOR INSPIRING PESACH PRAYERS
1. SENIOR UK LABOUR PARTY OFFICIAL: HITLER SUPPORTED ZIONISM
by Ari Soffer
The anti-Semitism scandal that never ends: By now it seems that hardly a day goes by without another anti-Semitism scandal rocking the UK Labour Party.
Indeed, just one day after MP Naz Shah was suspended for calling for the mass-deportation of Israeli Jews to America (among other anti-Semitic statements she posted online), a senior party figure close to leader Jeremy Corbyn has publicly backed her - and claimed that Adolf Hitler was "supporting Zionism" for good measure.
Ken Livingstone is no stranger to anti-Semitism himself. The former London Mayor once compared a Jewish reporter to a concentration camp guard, forged a close friendship with the deeply anti-Semitic (and homophobic) Muslim hate preacher Yousef al-Qaradawi, and infamously claimed British Jews don't vote for Labour because they're all "rich."
But Ken has repeatedly denied being anti-Semitic himself and is now defending Shah, whose comments he insists were "over the top, but not anti-Semitic."
Apparently blind to the scandals buffeting his party, Livingstone claimed in a BBC interview on Thursday morning that in his many decades in Labour he had never witnessed any evidence of anti-Semitism.
Relating to Shah's comments - which she herself has acknowledged were anti-Semitic - he appeared to justify calls for ethnically-cleansing Jews from Israel by claiming... that Nazi leader Adolf Hitler "supported Zionism."
He also appeared to play down the premeditated nature of the Holocaust, claiming that Hitler only "ended up" committing genocide after "going mad."
"When Hitler won his election in 1932 his policy then was that Jews should be moved to Israel," Livingstone said. "He was supporting Zionism... before he went mad and ended up killing 6 million Jews."
Indeed the Nazi Party initially considered several measures to ethnically-cleanse Jews from its borders - including the mass-expulsion of Jews to Madagascar or what was then British Mandate Palestine - before those plans were rejected in favor of a campaign of systematic genocide.
But the allegations that he was doing so as a "supporter of Zionism" - as opposed to a racial supremacist murderer - echo some of the worst anti-Semitic conspiracy theories often aired by elements of both the far-left and far-right; namely that Jews are somehow responsible for their own murders during the Holocaust.
He then further defended Shah's hateful rhetoric, by saying she was right to be angry over Israel's battle against terrorists in Gaza.
"The simple fact in all of this is that Naz made these comments at a time when there was another brutal Israeli attack on the Palestinians," he said. Anti-Semitism campaigners have often warned that anti-Semitic hate crimes tend to spike sharply during escalations in the Arab-Israeli conflict - in part due to the tendency of figures on the political left expressing similar statements justifying such acts as understandable forms of protest.
As for the string of anti-Semitism allegations against his party, Livingstone again blamed (you guessed it) a Jewish conspiracy, dismissing Jewish concerns as part of a "pro-Israel" propaganda campaign.
"There's been a very well-orchestrated campaign by the Israel lobby to smear anybody who criticized Israeli policies as anti-Semitic," he said, brushing aside the accusations.
Reacting to his comments, several fellow Labour party officials issued swift condemnations - some even calling for Livingstone to be expelled.
Labour's current Mayoral Election candidate Sadiq Khan tweeted: "Ken Livingstone's comments are appalling and inexcusable. There must be no place for this in our Party."
Labour MP Jess Phillips called for Livinstone's immediate suspension, while MP Wes Streeting tweeted: "Please tell me this is satire and didn't actually happen?"
But happen it did - and for what will certainly not be the last time.
2. WATCH: MP ATTACKS 'NAZI APOLOGIST' EX-MAYOR FOR HITLER COMMENTS
by Ari Soffer
Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone was confronted by an angry fellow Labour Party member inside the British Parliament building Thursday, after comments he made defending an MP suspended for anti-Semitism, during which he claimed that Hitler "supported Zionism."
Livingstone was speaking to the LBC radio station - whose host James O'Brian gave him a relatively easy time and even expressed some sympathy for him - before the tame interview was brought to an abrupt end by MP John Mann who, upon noticing Livingstone, proceeded to shout him down as a "lying racist" and an anti-Semite.
Listen - Angry MP interrupts Ken Livingstone interview:
[youtube:2014855]
Mann, who heads the All-Party Parliamentary Group against Anti-Semitism, continued haranguing Livingstone even after the interview, in a clash which played out in front of stunned journalists.
Part of it was caught on film by senior ITV News editor Chris Ship.
In the video, a visibly angry Mann can be heard calling Livingstone a "lying, disgusting Nazi apologist" and a "disgusting racist" for his latest comments, as Livingstone walks away grinning.
He also branded Livingstone "a f***ing disgrace", according to another senior journalist at the scene - Channel 4 correspondent Michael Crick - who described it as "the most amazing face to face row I've seen in 36 years of political journalism."
Later, in an interview with Sky News, Mann slammed Livingstone as an "anti-Semite" who "is peddling neo-Nazi conspiracy theories that most neo-Nazis don't peddle now!"
Click below to watch:
Livingstone clashed with critics later in the day on BBC, and doubled-down on his comments:
[youtube:2014856]
Livingstone came under fire for his comments, in which he justified MP Naz Shah's call for a mass-deportation of Israeli Jews by claiming that Adolf Hitler had initially proposed something similar and that, in his words, "Hitler was supporting Zionism."
He has previously come under fire for anti-Semitic comments, including claims that Jews don't vote for Labour because they are all rich.
3. UK LABOUR CHIEF FACES GROWING BACKLASH OVER ANTI-SEMITISM DENIAL
by David Rosenberg
Labour UK chief Jeremy Corbyn faces a new wave of criticism after whitewashing the problem of anti-Semitism within his party and opposing the suspension of an MP who called for Israel to be ethnically cleansed.
On Wednesday, Naz Shah, a Labour MP representing Bradford West, was suspended following revelations that she had previously called for Jews to be removed en masse from Israel. Shah also made comments comparing the Jewish state to Nazi Germany.
Corbyn initially refused to issue any punitive actions against Shah, and party officials reportedly whitewashed an apology written by Shah, excising all references to anti-Semitism.
The latest chapter in the ongoing anti-Semitism scandal within the Labour Party took place Thursday morning, when a spokesman for the embattled Labour leader fielded questions from reporters.
Remarkably, when asked whether Mr. Corbyn considered Shah anti-Semitic given her comments, Corbyn's spokesman replied with an apparent denial. The spokesman went on to apparently absolve Shah of responsibility for her own comments, referring to them as remarks that she herself does not agree with.
"We're not suggesting she's anti-Semitic. We're saying she's made remarks that she doesn't agree with."
Notably, Corbyn, who opposed Shah's suspension, only relented after intense pressure from within the party. Corbyn finally accented to the move after a meeting with Labour Party General Secretary, Ian McNicol, who berated Corbyn for defending Shah.
If that was not enough, however, when the suspension was finally announced, any reference or implication of punishment was stripped from the press release. Instead, the announcement stated that Corbyn and Shah had "mutually agreed" that McNicol, the General Secretary was suspending the MP.
"Jeremy Corbyn and Naz Shah have mutually agreed that she is administratively suspended from the Labour Party by the general secretary."
Corbyn's handling of the Shah scandal has led many to question his leadership of the party. Marcus Dysch, an editor at the Jewish Chronicle, excoriated Corbyn, calling his handling of the Shah affair as "pathetic" and "utterly shameful", suggesting that Labour had become the official party of "Jew hate" for 2016.
At least one prominent Labour donor has said he is cutting ties with the party following the Shah debacle. David Abrahams, who gave roughly $1 million to Labour said the party was not taking the problem of anti-Semitism seriously.
Prime Minister David Cameron ridiculed the Labour Party for its failure to crack down on anti-Semitism, reminding party leaders of the pledge by Labor Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell to deal forcefully with anti-Semitism within the party.
In March McDonnell called for the party to purge anti-Semites from its ranks, calling Jew-hatred a danger to the party's soul.
"As soon as Jewish people start telling us there is anti-Semitism in our party, we've got to sit up and listen," McDonnell told the BBC last month.
"[I]f there are people who have expressed anti-Semitic views, there is no role for them in our party and I would like them out of our party for life."
4. KERRY: US QUIETLY HELPING 'EMBATTLED' EUROPEAN JEWS
by David Rosenberg
Anti-Semitism is on the rise again, said Secretary of State John Kerry, and the US is reaching out to Jewish communities across Europe suffering from harassment and hate crimes.
Speaking on Tuesday at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University in Houston, Kerry addressed the issue of religious freedom worldwide, focusing on the plight of religious minorities around the globe.
In the course of his address, Kerry discussed the surge in anti-Semitism worldwide, emphasizing America's commitment to stamping out all forms of bigotry.
"It shouldn't be necessary, but silence has been misinterpreted too many times in the past to risk it again. Make no mistake: The United States remains unalterably opposed to bigotry in all forms, including anti-Semitism, and our commitment on this point, I am telling you, will never weaken, never waver, and never change."
Kerry noted that the rise of anti-Semitism was particularly prominent in Europe, and discussed the efforts of US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, Ira Forman, in Jewish communities suffering from regular harassment.
"[I]n Europe and elsewhere, anti-Semitism is again on the rise, as evidenced by a significant increase in hate crimes – many of them violent – and also frequent incidents of intimidation and examples of anti-Semitic graffiti and verbal abuse."
"Ira Forman, America's special envoy, who I mentioned earlier, has quietly reached out to a number of embattled Jewish communities. In one city in northern Europe, he met with the sole remaining rabbi – everybody else had been chased out – a man so frequently harassed by local immigrant youths that he feared to make the short trip home – from his home to the synagogue. In other urban centers, Ira has worked with our embassies to alert local authorities to the need of upgrading security at Jewish facilities."
"And 20 years ago this spring, Holocaust Museum Houston opened its doors with the goal of promoting awareness of the dangers of prejudice. That message matters because, as Rabbi Abraham Heschel warned, 'Speech has power and words do not fade. What starts as a sound ends as a deed.'"
5. SANDERS QUIETLY CONCEDES DEFEAT - LOOKS TO SHAPE CONVENTION
by David Rosenberg
It appears to be the end for the Bernie Sanders campaign.
While the Vermont Senator is not formally withdrawing from the race, his campaign's recently announcement "reassessment" appears to signal a turn away from pursuing the party's nomination – and towards securing a position of influence at the Democratic National Convention.
Following Tuesday's primary votes in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maryland, Delaware, and Connecticut – four of which were swept by frontrunner Hillary Clinton – the Sanders campaign announced it was undertaking a "reassessment".
Shortly thereafter Sanders adopted a far softer tone towards the presumptive Democratic nominee. Tacitly accepting Clinton's virtually insurmountable lead, Sanders pledged to unite behind the eventual nominee, saying he was committed to barring the Republicans from the White House.
"I will do everything in my power to make sure that no Republican gets into the White House in this election cycle," he said.
With the electoral math making a Sanders win at the convention all but impossible, the candidate appears to be looking to influence within the Democratic Party rather its nod for president.
Further evidence of this came as the campaign began firing hundreds of field staffers on Wednesday, bringing the total number of staffers down to just over 300.
Michael Briggs, the campaign's communications director, told Politico that the move was part of a pattern of "right-sizing the campaign as we move through the calendar".
Including superdelegates, Clinton now holds a massive 778 delegate lead over Sanders, leaving the Vermont Senator with no plausible path the nomination.
Barring a massive shift in superdelegates, who are unbound to a candidate but have largely committed to support Clinton, Sanders would have to secure the support of the remaining 160 or so superdelegates as well as 76% of all remaining delegates allocated in state primaries.
6. MAALE ADUMIM: COUPLE FOUND DEAD IN APPARENT MURDER-SUICIDE
by Ari Soffer
Police in Maale Adumim are investigating a suspected murder-suicide, after a couple in their 60s were found shot dead in their apartment Thursday morning.
A large police force was scrambled to scene after the bodies were discovered, and an investigation was opened immediately.
Police believe they are dealing with a tragic case of a terminally ill woman whose husband resolved to put an end to her suffering and end both their lives - possibly in coordination with her.
It was their son who found their bodies, and alerted police, who unsuccessfully attempted to resuscitate them.
Gun crime is proportionally very low in Israel, despite the large numbers of firearms visible in everyday life. However, private gun ownership stands at around 4% of the population, with most other legally-owned guns held by serving soldiers, police officers and security guards.
7. DEEPENING TIES: FIRST CHINESE COMMERCIAL FLIGHT TO ISRAEL
by Hezki Baruch
On Thursday, a Hainan Airlines flight landed in Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, marking the first commercial Chinese flight to Israel.
The plane's arrival was welcomed by state ceremony at the airport, with Tourism Minister Yariv Levin (Likud) and Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz (Likud) in attendance.
After the welcoming ceremony, Katz spoke to reporters, calling the flight "historic" and a sign of deepening ties between Israel and the world's most populous nation.
"That's it, it's finally happened. The wings of history – the first Chinese plane lands in Israel. I was there, along with Tourism Minister Yariv Levin to receive the new arrivals."
"Ben Gurion dreamed about strengthening ties. Shamir laid [the foundation] of our relations [with China] and Netanyahu expanded and strengthened the economic ties between our two countries."
"I'm happy to have contributed as Transportation Minister to the integration of Chinese [investors] in important Israeli industrial projects and the opening of regular [direct] flights [between Israel and China], that has an enormous potential to strengthen the economic and cultural ties between our countries."
8. WATCH: HEVRON'S MACHPELA PACKED FOR INSPIRING PESACH PRAYERS
by Arutz Sheva Staff
[youtube:2014848]
In what has become a yearly tradition at the holy site, hundreds of Jewish worshipers packed the Cave of the Patriarchs (also known as the Cave of Machpela) in Hevron for a mass prayer led by two leading rabbis from Tzfat (Safed), the heart of Jewish mysticism in Israel: Tzfat Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu and Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Eyal Ya'akobovich.
Worshipers flocked from all across Israel yesterday for dawn prayers, which included an uplifting musical "hallel" prayer - led by a guitar-strumming Rabbi Ya'akobovich.
The second holiest site in Judaism, the Cave of the Patriarchs is the burial site of the Biblical Patriarchs and Matriarchs (apart from Rachel, whose tomb is in Bethlehem). According to some traditions it is also the burial site of Adam and Eve.
After its ancient Jewish community was ethnically-cleansed by Arab rioters in 1929, Hevron - which also served as King David's first capital - remained bereft of Jews for several decades until, after its liberation by the State of Israel in 1967, successive attempts to reestablish the Jewish community finally bore fruit.
Today, though hemmed in on all sides by hostile Arab neighborhoods, the small but resilient Jewish community of Hevron acts as guardians of the Cave of the Patriarchs, which in more recent times Muslims have attempted to claim as the "Mosque of Ibrahim."
Thousands of Jews from Israel and the Diaspora visit the holy site regularly, via a complex but usually effective sharing arrangement with local Muslims.
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Thursday, April 28, 2016
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
A7News: Watch: Riots on the Temple Mount
Arutz Sheva Daily Israel Report
http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com
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Delivered Daily via Email, Sunday thru Friday
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Tuesday, Apr. 26 '16, Nissan 18, 5776
HEADLINES:
1. WATCH: RIOTS ON THE TEMPLE MOUNT
2. PLANNED TERROR ATTACK DURING CHOL HAMOED FOILED
3. US TO GIVE ISRAEL 'LARGEST MILITARY AID PACKAGE IN HISTORY'
4. ISRAELI WAR HERO: KILL ANY TERRORIST WHO STEPS OUT OF HIS HOME
5. AGING DIMONA NUCLEAR CORE THREATENED BY THOUSANDS OF DEFECTS
6. BRITISH MP CALLED TO ETHNICALLY CLEANSE ISRAELI JEWS
7. TERROR TIES OF BDS BACKERS REVEALED
8. WOMEN IN GREEN: 'THE REAL, ONLY PLAN IS THAT THIS LAND IS OURS'
1. WATCH: RIOTS ON THE TEMPLE MOUNT
by Arutz Sheva Staff
Over 500 people visited the Temple Mount on Tuesday, including 400 tourists. Eight, however, were forced off by the police for allegedly "violating the visiting conditions."
Two Jewish visitors bowed down while on the site, in contravention of the status quo that bans Jews from praying while at their holiest site. After they did so, a number of Arabs attacked them, driving the pair to the ground. Police pushed back the rioters and forced the Jews to leave the site.
An official police statement says that, "As the last Jewish group finished its visit and left the Temple Mount, Muslim worshipers began yelling at the Jewish visitors. They were removed from the Temple Mount after violating the local restrictions. Police and Border Police at the scene distanced the Jews from the site. They continued working to prevent disruptions and restore calm."
2. PLANNED TERROR ATTACK DURING CHOL HAMOED FOILED
by Arutz Sheva Staff
Security forces, including special police units and the Shin Bet, arrested three people on Tuesday morning, on suspicion of planning a terror attack.
The three Arab men were caught in the eastern Jerusalem neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber, as they were leaving for their intended attack.
The group came from the area around Shechem, where three other young terrorists were caught about two weeks ago. Only a few days ago, another terror cell planning to kidnap Jews was caught.
Security forces are staying on high alert around Samaria out of suspicion that terror organizations will try to attack Jewish targets during the holiday.
Holiday periods, both Jewish and Muslim, are often a time for increased terror activity.
3. US TO GIVE ISRAEL 'LARGEST MILITARY AID PACKAGE IN HISTORY'
by David Rosenberg
The White House is reportedly planning to accept Israeli demands for increased military aid, following pressure by the US Senate to sign a new Memorandum of Understanding laying out US support to Israel for the next decade.
With the current Memorandum of Understanding set to expire in 2018, Israel has been pressuring the White House to enlarge the annual aid package from $3.1 billion to between $4-4.5 billion.
Israel has stated that it must increase its military spending to cope with growing threats from ISIS and the Iranian regime following last year's nuclear deal.
Since the signing of the deal last July, Iran has gone on a shopping spree for military hardware, purchasing Russian missiles, submarines, tanks, and fighter aircraft.
On Monday the Senate signed a joint letter calling on the White House to finalize a new Memorandum of Understanding, including a raise in the level of aid offered to Israel. The non-binding bipartisan declaration was adopted by 83 senators, including 51 of the Senate's 54 Republicans and 32 Democrats.
In response to the letter, a White House official pledged that the new Memorandum of Understanding would include the largest military aid package ever offered to a foreign nation.
"We are prepared to sign an MOU with Israel that would constitute the largest single pledge of military assistance to any country in US history."
Despite the pledge, the White House has yet to specify how much will be included in the proposed MOU.
4. ISRAELI WAR HERO: KILL ANY TERRORIST WHO STEPS OUT OF HIS HOME
by Eliran Aharon
Legendary war hero Brigadier General Avigdor Kahalani spoke with Arutz Sheva about the IDF soldier who shot a neutralized terrorist and the recent exposé on Rehavam Ze'evi.
Kahalani expressed his sympathy with Elor Azariya, the soldier now facing trial. "There are two points of view here," he claimed. "That of the soldier - this is a fighter who is defending his country against the terrorists that kill people every day and it infuriates us. I think that we need to kill any terrorist who leaves his home."
At the same, he acknowledged that "we must look at the state as a country and the army as a military. I've seen cases where enemies fought against my men and suddenly surrendered. It happened with Egypt in '67, with Syria in '73, and it happened to me in Lebanon in '82. Suddenly they raised their arms, because the Geneva Convention and the IDF's values require you to refrain from firing, even if one of them may intend to shoot you."
Ultimately, Kahalani agrees with the IDF Chief of Staff and the Defense Minister that there should be a criminal investigation against the soldier. "This is the right decision in the long run." Even so, he hopes the soldier is found not guilty.
Regarding the second topic - the Uvda exposé on former Tourism Minister Rehavam "Gandhi" Ze'evi - Kahlani says that the program was painful to watch. "I knew Rehavam personally. He was a renaissance man, a lover of books, one of the country's best sons.
"All historians judge people who are no longer alive, every book that is written deals with history as a single path. Gandhi still has his honor - one piece can't erase a person. He was a man of values and, from a journalistic point of view, I can't block the media."
Kahalani was awarded the Medal of Distinguished Serve for his actions in the Six-Day War and the Medal of Valor for the Yom Kippur War.
5. AGING DIMONA NUCLEAR CORE THREATENED BY THOUSANDS OF DEFECTS
by David Rosenberg
It was only meant to last 40 years. But the aluminum core at the heart of Israel's nuclear facility in Dimona, which was purchased from France in the late 1950s, has been operational since 1963, raising questions about the future of the facility.
After using an ultrasound monitor to study the core, Israeli scientists discussed long-term concerns during the 28th Conference of Nuclear Societies in Israel earlier this month.
It was revealed at the conference that the monitor found 1,537 cracks, surface distortions, and other defects had been discovered in the Dimona core.
According to a report presented at the conference, while the cracks do not pose an immediate threat, they highlight Israel's long-term nuclear dilemma.
Unlike some components, reactor cores, cannot be repaired, and replacement of the Dimona unit would require construction of a new reactor.
Built in secret with French assistance in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Dimona facility is a political sore spot for Israel.
Unlike Israel's civilian nuclear facility, Sorek, the Dimona reactor is off-limits to IAEA inspectors, which has called for Israel to open up the site to international inspection.
Construction of a new reactor would likely draw renewed criticism and calls for Israel to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty and accept IAEA oversight. Due to the sensitive nature of operations in the Dimona facility and desires to keep Israel's nuclear capabilities ambiguous, Israel has refused to allow international inspectors into the site.
6. BRITISH MP CALLED TO ETHNICALLY CLEANSE ISRAELI JEWS
by Matt Wanderman
UK Labour Party MP Naz Shah has declared that all Israeli Jews should be "relocated" to the United States. She even suggested that the British government could pay for the "transportation costs" of removing Jews from the Middle East.
Her statements were uncovered by the website Guido Fawkes, which found a number of social media posts, including one that claimed the total cost would be "less than 3 years of defense spending," to which she added the phrase "problem solved."
Among her other posts was a link to a blog promoting conspiracy theories about Jews secretly ruling the government and warning that "The Jews are rallying to the poll."
In January, the Israeli embassy in England complained about Shah denying evidence of Palestinian rock-throwers killing Israeli children, even though she was provided with victims' names and information.
When asked for comment, Shah acknowledged writing the posts, but claims that she has become more moderate since being elected. "This post from two years ago was made before I was an MP, does not reflect my views and I apologise for any offence it has caused."
Shah represents Bradford West and defeated George Galloway in last year's election. While Galloway is notorious in his own right for his anti-Israeli sentiments and actions, Shah belongs to the main opposition party and is on the Home Affairs Select Committee, which is currently investigating anti-Jewish hatred in the UK.
The Labour Party has come under heavy criticism in recent months for its alleged tolerance of anti-Semitism.
7. TERROR TIES OF BDS BACKERS REVEALED
by David Rosenberg
While the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement has done little to hide its malicious anti-Israel hatred, the movement hitherto has succeeded in maintaining the appearance of legitimacy, presenting itself as the peaceful alternative to terrorism.
Despite rhetoric which pro-Israel activists have noted signals a rejection of Jewish statehood per se and draws upon the kind of terrorist propaganda disseminated by Hamas and the PLO, no clear link tying BDS to supporters of terror organizations could be found.
Last week, however, a former terrorism finance analyst for the US Treasury Department offered testimony to congress suggesting connections between the BDS movement and supporters of the Hamas terror group.
Jonathan Schanzer, who worked for the US Treasury Department from 2004 to 2007 monitoring terrorist funding, spoke before a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee last Tuesday regarding the ties between the BDS movement and terror fundraisers including the now defunct Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development.
Schanzer noted that three prominent Islamic organizations – the Holy Land Foundation, the Islamic Association for Palestine, and the KindHearts for Charitable Development – had been prosecuted and eventually shut down after serving as fronts for the Hamas terror group.
While many of the organizers responsible for these three groups were given prison sentences or deported from the US, others high-level members were involved in the founding of American Muslims for Palestine.
An inquiry by the Investigative Project on Terrorism found that five high-ranking officials in American Muslims for Palestine had been members of the Islamic Association for Palestine.
Schanzer pointed out other senior Islamic Association for Palestine members now operating in the AMP.
Rafeeq Jaber, for instance, had served as President of the IAP. Today, he is an official working for the AMP's Educational Foundation. Former IAP secretary general, Abdelbasset Hamayel, is now listed as an AMP agent in the organization's Chicago branch.
Other AMP members include Hossein Khatib, a former regional director for the Holy Land Foundation who now serves on the AMP board of directors.
Salah Sarsour is another AMP board member with ties to the Holy Land Foundation. Both Salah and his brother, Jamil, had served time in Israel over their ties to Hamas. Jamil admitted that he and his brother Salah had raised funds for the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas.
Anti-Israel organizations like Students for Justice in Palestine, which operates on college campuses across the US, are heavily funded by the AMP. In recent years the AMP has become one of the leading financial backers of BDS groups like the SJP.
Aside from direct financial support, the "AMP provides speakers, training, printed materials… and grants to SJP activists. AMP even has a campus coordinator on staff whose job is to work directly with SJP and other pro-BDS campus groups," Schanzer testified.
In some cases, terrorists were involved directly in the operation of BDS organizations. Schanzer offered the example of the US Coalition to Boycott Israel, a Chicago-based BDS group run by a former PFLP terrorist.
"The group's president is Chicago resident Ghassan Barakat, a consular notary for the Palestine Liberation Organization who has been identified… as a member of the Palestine National Council."
Barakat was a "'fighter in the ranks of the mountain brigade' for the PFLP," a reference to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a terror group responsible for some of the worst atrocities committed in Israel including the 1972 Lod Airport Massacre and 2014 Jerusalem Synagogue Massacre.
8. WOMEN IN GREEN: 'THE REAL, ONLY PLAN IS THAT THIS LAND IS OURS'
by Arutz Sheva Staff
[youtube:2014823]
Rabbi Zalman Melamed, the head of the Beit El Yeshiva, visited the Oz Vegaon nature preserve on Tuesday, along with his wife, Arutz Sheva CEO Rabbanit Shulamit Melamed.
The preserve was created in memory of the three teenagers who were kidnapped and murdered in 2014.
While there, Nadia Matar and Yehudit Katzover from the Women in Green organization gave the couple a tour. Matar and Katzover praised the Rabbi and his wife for their actions supporting communities in Judea and Samaria.
The guests received a briefing on the situation in the region and learned about the Women in Green's flagship project, in which they are pushing for full Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria.
Rabbi Zalman Melamed offered his praises in return for Matar and Katzover's efforts.
------------------------------------------------
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------------------------------------------------
Delivered Daily via Email, Sunday thru Friday
Subscribe to this Daily Israel Report:
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Tuesday, Apr. 26 '16, Nissan 18, 5776
HEADLINES:
1. WATCH: RIOTS ON THE TEMPLE MOUNT
2. PLANNED TERROR ATTACK DURING CHOL HAMOED FOILED
3. US TO GIVE ISRAEL 'LARGEST MILITARY AID PACKAGE IN HISTORY'
4. ISRAELI WAR HERO: KILL ANY TERRORIST WHO STEPS OUT OF HIS HOME
5. AGING DIMONA NUCLEAR CORE THREATENED BY THOUSANDS OF DEFECTS
6. BRITISH MP CALLED TO ETHNICALLY CLEANSE ISRAELI JEWS
7. TERROR TIES OF BDS BACKERS REVEALED
8. WOMEN IN GREEN: 'THE REAL, ONLY PLAN IS THAT THIS LAND IS OURS'
1. WATCH: RIOTS ON THE TEMPLE MOUNT
by Arutz Sheva Staff
Over 500 people visited the Temple Mount on Tuesday, including 400 tourists. Eight, however, were forced off by the police for allegedly "violating the visiting conditions."
Two Jewish visitors bowed down while on the site, in contravention of the status quo that bans Jews from praying while at their holiest site. After they did so, a number of Arabs attacked them, driving the pair to the ground. Police pushed back the rioters and forced the Jews to leave the site.
An official police statement says that, "As the last Jewish group finished its visit and left the Temple Mount, Muslim worshipers began yelling at the Jewish visitors. They were removed from the Temple Mount after violating the local restrictions. Police and Border Police at the scene distanced the Jews from the site. They continued working to prevent disruptions and restore calm."
2. PLANNED TERROR ATTACK DURING CHOL HAMOED FOILED
by Arutz Sheva Staff
Security forces, including special police units and the Shin Bet, arrested three people on Tuesday morning, on suspicion of planning a terror attack.
The three Arab men were caught in the eastern Jerusalem neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber, as they were leaving for their intended attack.
The group came from the area around Shechem, where three other young terrorists were caught about two weeks ago. Only a few days ago, another terror cell planning to kidnap Jews was caught.
Security forces are staying on high alert around Samaria out of suspicion that terror organizations will try to attack Jewish targets during the holiday.
Holiday periods, both Jewish and Muslim, are often a time for increased terror activity.
3. US TO GIVE ISRAEL 'LARGEST MILITARY AID PACKAGE IN HISTORY'
by David Rosenberg
The White House is reportedly planning to accept Israeli demands for increased military aid, following pressure by the US Senate to sign a new Memorandum of Understanding laying out US support to Israel for the next decade.
With the current Memorandum of Understanding set to expire in 2018, Israel has been pressuring the White House to enlarge the annual aid package from $3.1 billion to between $4-4.5 billion.
Israel has stated that it must increase its military spending to cope with growing threats from ISIS and the Iranian regime following last year's nuclear deal.
Since the signing of the deal last July, Iran has gone on a shopping spree for military hardware, purchasing Russian missiles, submarines, tanks, and fighter aircraft.
On Monday the Senate signed a joint letter calling on the White House to finalize a new Memorandum of Understanding, including a raise in the level of aid offered to Israel. The non-binding bipartisan declaration was adopted by 83 senators, including 51 of the Senate's 54 Republicans and 32 Democrats.
In response to the letter, a White House official pledged that the new Memorandum of Understanding would include the largest military aid package ever offered to a foreign nation.
"We are prepared to sign an MOU with Israel that would constitute the largest single pledge of military assistance to any country in US history."
Despite the pledge, the White House has yet to specify how much will be included in the proposed MOU.
4. ISRAELI WAR HERO: KILL ANY TERRORIST WHO STEPS OUT OF HIS HOME
by Eliran Aharon
Legendary war hero Brigadier General Avigdor Kahalani spoke with Arutz Sheva about the IDF soldier who shot a neutralized terrorist and the recent exposé on Rehavam Ze'evi.
Kahalani expressed his sympathy with Elor Azariya, the soldier now facing trial. "There are two points of view here," he claimed. "That of the soldier - this is a fighter who is defending his country against the terrorists that kill people every day and it infuriates us. I think that we need to kill any terrorist who leaves his home."
At the same, he acknowledged that "we must look at the state as a country and the army as a military. I've seen cases where enemies fought against my men and suddenly surrendered. It happened with Egypt in '67, with Syria in '73, and it happened to me in Lebanon in '82. Suddenly they raised their arms, because the Geneva Convention and the IDF's values require you to refrain from firing, even if one of them may intend to shoot you."
Ultimately, Kahalani agrees with the IDF Chief of Staff and the Defense Minister that there should be a criminal investigation against the soldier. "This is the right decision in the long run." Even so, he hopes the soldier is found not guilty.
Regarding the second topic - the Uvda exposé on former Tourism Minister Rehavam "Gandhi" Ze'evi - Kahlani says that the program was painful to watch. "I knew Rehavam personally. He was a renaissance man, a lover of books, one of the country's best sons.
"All historians judge people who are no longer alive, every book that is written deals with history as a single path. Gandhi still has his honor - one piece can't erase a person. He was a man of values and, from a journalistic point of view, I can't block the media."
Kahalani was awarded the Medal of Distinguished Serve for his actions in the Six-Day War and the Medal of Valor for the Yom Kippur War.
5. AGING DIMONA NUCLEAR CORE THREATENED BY THOUSANDS OF DEFECTS
by David Rosenberg
It was only meant to last 40 years. But the aluminum core at the heart of Israel's nuclear facility in Dimona, which was purchased from France in the late 1950s, has been operational since 1963, raising questions about the future of the facility.
After using an ultrasound monitor to study the core, Israeli scientists discussed long-term concerns during the 28th Conference of Nuclear Societies in Israel earlier this month.
It was revealed at the conference that the monitor found 1,537 cracks, surface distortions, and other defects had been discovered in the Dimona core.
According to a report presented at the conference, while the cracks do not pose an immediate threat, they highlight Israel's long-term nuclear dilemma.
Unlike some components, reactor cores, cannot be repaired, and replacement of the Dimona unit would require construction of a new reactor.
Built in secret with French assistance in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Dimona facility is a political sore spot for Israel.
Unlike Israel's civilian nuclear facility, Sorek, the Dimona reactor is off-limits to IAEA inspectors, which has called for Israel to open up the site to international inspection.
Construction of a new reactor would likely draw renewed criticism and calls for Israel to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty and accept IAEA oversight. Due to the sensitive nature of operations in the Dimona facility and desires to keep Israel's nuclear capabilities ambiguous, Israel has refused to allow international inspectors into the site.
6. BRITISH MP CALLED TO ETHNICALLY CLEANSE ISRAELI JEWS
by Matt Wanderman
UK Labour Party MP Naz Shah has declared that all Israeli Jews should be "relocated" to the United States. She even suggested that the British government could pay for the "transportation costs" of removing Jews from the Middle East.
Her statements were uncovered by the website Guido Fawkes, which found a number of social media posts, including one that claimed the total cost would be "less than 3 years of defense spending," to which she added the phrase "problem solved."
Among her other posts was a link to a blog promoting conspiracy theories about Jews secretly ruling the government and warning that "The Jews are rallying to the poll."
In January, the Israeli embassy in England complained about Shah denying evidence of Palestinian rock-throwers killing Israeli children, even though she was provided with victims' names and information.
When asked for comment, Shah acknowledged writing the posts, but claims that she has become more moderate since being elected. "This post from two years ago was made before I was an MP, does not reflect my views and I apologise for any offence it has caused."
Shah represents Bradford West and defeated George Galloway in last year's election. While Galloway is notorious in his own right for his anti-Israeli sentiments and actions, Shah belongs to the main opposition party and is on the Home Affairs Select Committee, which is currently investigating anti-Jewish hatred in the UK.
The Labour Party has come under heavy criticism in recent months for its alleged tolerance of anti-Semitism.
7. TERROR TIES OF BDS BACKERS REVEALED
by David Rosenberg
While the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement has done little to hide its malicious anti-Israel hatred, the movement hitherto has succeeded in maintaining the appearance of legitimacy, presenting itself as the peaceful alternative to terrorism.
Despite rhetoric which pro-Israel activists have noted signals a rejection of Jewish statehood per se and draws upon the kind of terrorist propaganda disseminated by Hamas and the PLO, no clear link tying BDS to supporters of terror organizations could be found.
Last week, however, a former terrorism finance analyst for the US Treasury Department offered testimony to congress suggesting connections between the BDS movement and supporters of the Hamas terror group.
Jonathan Schanzer, who worked for the US Treasury Department from 2004 to 2007 monitoring terrorist funding, spoke before a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee last Tuesday regarding the ties between the BDS movement and terror fundraisers including the now defunct Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development.
Schanzer noted that three prominent Islamic organizations – the Holy Land Foundation, the Islamic Association for Palestine, and the KindHearts for Charitable Development – had been prosecuted and eventually shut down after serving as fronts for the Hamas terror group.
While many of the organizers responsible for these three groups were given prison sentences or deported from the US, others high-level members were involved in the founding of American Muslims for Palestine.
An inquiry by the Investigative Project on Terrorism found that five high-ranking officials in American Muslims for Palestine had been members of the Islamic Association for Palestine.
Schanzer pointed out other senior Islamic Association for Palestine members now operating in the AMP.
Rafeeq Jaber, for instance, had served as President of the IAP. Today, he is an official working for the AMP's Educational Foundation. Former IAP secretary general, Abdelbasset Hamayel, is now listed as an AMP agent in the organization's Chicago branch.
Other AMP members include Hossein Khatib, a former regional director for the Holy Land Foundation who now serves on the AMP board of directors.
Salah Sarsour is another AMP board member with ties to the Holy Land Foundation. Both Salah and his brother, Jamil, had served time in Israel over their ties to Hamas. Jamil admitted that he and his brother Salah had raised funds for the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas.
Anti-Israel organizations like Students for Justice in Palestine, which operates on college campuses across the US, are heavily funded by the AMP. In recent years the AMP has become one of the leading financial backers of BDS groups like the SJP.
Aside from direct financial support, the "AMP provides speakers, training, printed materials… and grants to SJP activists. AMP even has a campus coordinator on staff whose job is to work directly with SJP and other pro-BDS campus groups," Schanzer testified.
In some cases, terrorists were involved directly in the operation of BDS organizations. Schanzer offered the example of the US Coalition to Boycott Israel, a Chicago-based BDS group run by a former PFLP terrorist.
"The group's president is Chicago resident Ghassan Barakat, a consular notary for the Palestine Liberation Organization who has been identified… as a member of the Palestine National Council."
Barakat was a "'fighter in the ranks of the mountain brigade' for the PFLP," a reference to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a terror group responsible for some of the worst atrocities committed in Israel including the 1972 Lod Airport Massacre and 2014 Jerusalem Synagogue Massacre.
8. WOMEN IN GREEN: 'THE REAL, ONLY PLAN IS THAT THIS LAND IS OURS'
by Arutz Sheva Staff
[youtube:2014823]
Rabbi Zalman Melamed, the head of the Beit El Yeshiva, visited the Oz Vegaon nature preserve on Tuesday, along with his wife, Arutz Sheva CEO Rabbanit Shulamit Melamed.
The preserve was created in memory of the three teenagers who were kidnapped and murdered in 2014.
While there, Nadia Matar and Yehudit Katzover from the Women in Green organization gave the couple a tour. Matar and Katzover praised the Rabbi and his wife for their actions supporting communities in Judea and Samaria.
The guests received a briefing on the situation in the region and learned about the Women in Green's flagship project, in which they are pushing for full Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria.
Rabbi Zalman Melamed offered his praises in return for Matar and Katzover's efforts.
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Monday, April 25, 2016
A7News: Tens of thousands flood Kotel for Priestly Blessing
Arutz Sheva Daily Israel Report
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Monday, Apr. 25 '16, Nissan 17, 5776
HEADLINES:
1. TENS OF THOUSANDS FLOOD KOTEL FOR PRIESTLY BLESSING
2. INDICTMENT FILED AGAINST 'JEWISH TERROR' SUSPECTS
3. ISRAELI DOCTOR AMONG TOP 100
4. WHEN AMIRA HASS TOLD THE PALESTINIANS NOT TO MAKE PEACE
5. WILL BENNETT BE THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER?
6. 'MEDDLING OBAMA OWES NETANYAHU AN APOLOGY'
7. STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED IN THE DIASPORA
8. WATCH: RETURNING A HOME TO JEWISH HANDS
1. TENS OF THOUSANDS FLOOD KOTEL FOR PRIESTLY BLESSING
by Arutz Sheva staff
Tens of thousands of Jews visited the Western Wall (Kotel) Monday morning, for the annual and traditional Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) ceremony in honor of Chol HaMoed Pesach (Passover).
[youtube:2014797]
Congregants then said the Shacharit morning services prayer at 8:45 a.m.; the first Blessing was at 9:30 a.m.; the Mussaf prayer was at 10:00 a.m.; and the second blessing, at 10:30 a.m.
The ceremony then included welcoming words from Chief Rabbis Yitzhak Yosef and David Lau.
Due to the influx, the Israel Police has boosted security throughout the Old City of Jerusalem, with heavy police presence along every entrance and exit to the Western Wall and to the Jewish Quarter.
Entrance is closed to private vehicles, and police have advised motorists wishing to attend to park on Mount Scopus, at Ammunition Hill, at the Police Headquarters, and at Binyanei HaUma and then take public transport to the site.
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Birds'-Eye view Israel Police
2. INDICTMENT FILED AGAINST 'JEWISH TERROR' SUSPECTS
by Arutz Sheva staff
The State Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment against seven suspects of "Jewish terror" on Monday, after weeks of drama around the spate of Shin Bet-led arrests.
Charges include arms smuggling and violence against Palestinians and their property.
At least five of the seven arrested have been denied legal counsel until now, raising speculation and fear over the Shin Bet's interrogation process.
The suspected cell members have been named as:
Pinhas Shendorfi, 22, a resident of Kiryat Arba near Hevron
Itamar Ben Aharon, 20, a resident of Nahaliel in Samaria
Michael Kaplan, 20, of Nahaliel
"MH", a minor, also of Nahaliel
"BS", a minor, of Nahaliel
An unnamed IDF soldier from Nahaliel
Among the attacks the cell members admitted to was the assault in June 2015 of a Palestinian farmer, in which the victim was beaten with sticks and sprayed with pepper spray, as well as a firebomb attack on a home in the Palestinian Arab village of Mazar'a Kabalia in November of the same year.
In a chilling echo of the Duma attack - which security services say was also the work of Jewish extremists - the firebomb was hurled into the house at night while the family slept. One of the firebombs bounced off the window and failed to penetrate the home, preventing a potential tragedy.
The attackers sprayed the words "revenge", "death to the Arabs" and "Jews, awaken" on the door of the home, indicating the attack may have been intended as revenge for Arab terrorism.
During December, the cell threw a CS gas grenade into a home in the Palestinian Arab village of Bitilu, in revenge for the arrest of the suspected Jewish terrorists behind the Duma attack.
In that incident, the father of the family awoke from the noise, and experienced difficulty breathing and irritation to his eyes. He immediately evacuated his wife and infant son from the house - his alertness and quick reactions likely preventing more severe casualties. The attackers spray painted the words "Revenge - regards from the prisoners of Zion" on the wall of the house, in reference for the detained Duma suspects.
The cell members also admitted to torching a number of Palestinian cars over the past few years, including the arson of a car in Bitilu in October 2015, and another car previously in the same village in July 2014.
Indictments are to be filed against the suspects on a number of serious terrorism charges over the coming days.
According to the Shin Bet, the cell was connected to the same collective of several dozen extremists involved or connected to the Duma arson. Known as the "Revolt", the group is not believed to be a centralized organization but a number of independent cells inspired by a fringe extremist ideology which calls for the overthrow of the State of Israel and the imposition of a Jewish Kingdom.
3. ISRAELI DOCTOR AMONG TOP 100
by Rafael Levy, Shoshana Miskin
Professor Anat Lowenstein, Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, and Professor of Ophthalmology and Vice Dean at Tel Aviv University, was selected in The Ophthalmologist Magazine's Power List 2016.
The Magazine, which highlights the top 100 most influential people in the world of ophthalmology, noted how Lowenstein was popular lecturer at international conferences and celebrated "her contribution to, and influence in the field of medical and surgical retina cannot be underestimated."
Lowenstein completed her medical studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem after which she served as a medical officer in the naval headquarters of the Israel Defense Forces for 4 years.
She completed a residency program in the Department of Ophthalmology at the TASMC and a fellowship in retinal vascular disease and vitreoretina surgery at the Wilmer Institute at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.
As of the year 2000, she serves as Chairman of the TASMC Department of Ophthalmology in 2000.
Dr. Gil Fire, Deputy Director of the Sourasky Medical Center, congratulated Lowenstein: "We know that you are leading a department with the highest standards and building a future generation that will excel in ophthalmology, but it's great to receive such recognition."
Photo: Sourasky Medical Center Spokesperson
4. WHEN AMIRA HASS TOLD THE PALESTINIANS NOT TO MAKE PEACE
by Dalit Halevy
Radical leftist journalist Amira Hass of Haaretz in the past actively encouraged the Palestinians to reject peace treaties and not to agree to the 1994 Oslo Accords, according to a Palestinian journalist.
The journalist, Dr. Fayez Abu Shamala, revealed to the Hamas paper Palestine on Sunday the contents of a speech Hass gave during a visit to the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) during the period of the Oslo Accords.
Hass, who lives in Ramallah, has openly legitimized and supported Arab terror against Israeli Jews and recently cited the anti-Semitic forgery "Elders of Zion" in a UK university speech.
In her speech at the PLC during the days of Oslo, Abu Shamala reveals that Hass said, "I see it as an obligation to bring before you some of the facts supported in documents, which will help you make a decision."
"Look at this map. Look, where will your Palestinian state be established?," she said, indicating a map of Israel including Judea and Samaria.
"Do you not notice that these settlements can amputate the connection between cities of the West Bank at any given moment? Do you not notice that the Palestinians live in separation (from each other) in their cities?"
The Israeli journalist continued, saying, "I emphasize before you today that there won't be a possibility to establish a Palestinian state as long as the settlements remain in place."
"Why did you agree to a peace agreement that doesn't promise you the removal of the settlers?," she said, advising the Palestinians not to make any agreements that do not include the removal of all Israelis from Judea and Samaria.
"The Oslo Accords that you support will bring you to complete submission to the Israeli occupation, which is taking advantage of the time to expand the settlements," concluded the Haaretz journalist according to Abu Shamala.
In an ironic twist, despite adamantly advocating against the "Occupation" of Israel on its own land Hass received a taste of the Palestinian world's true attitude toward Israelis in September 2014, when Birzeit University ejected her for being Jewish.
The Oslo Accords established the PA and armed it, while removing the terrorist status from the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Fatah. It also led to the 2000-2005 Oslo War or Second Intifada, as the ensuing Arab terror war that left over 1,000 Israelis murdered came to be known.
5. WILL BENNETT BE THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER?
by Uzi Baruch
Education Minister Naftali Bennett (Jewish Home) will be the next Prime Minister, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked (Jewish Home) opined during a Channel 10 interview.
Shaked firmly believes that Bennett will succeed Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, but also did not deny a possibility that Bennett could quit the party. If so, she said, "I would not rule out the possibility of running to be the head of the party."
"I do not know if Jewish Home is built to have a female party chairman, but the fact is that a woman was chosen as the #1 MK during the primaries," she added.
When asked about a recent law limiting monthly pay for executives, Shaked replied that the legislation is "extreme."
"The social rights of bankers have been violated, and it will cause people to leave [Israel - ed.]," Shaked said. "We're talking about setting a global precedent and we should have made a more moderate version of the law."
"You have to remember: all of our money is in the banks, and we need our best people managing it there."
6. 'MEDDLING OBAMA OWES NETANYAHU AN APOLOGY'
by Nitsan Keidar
US President Barack Obama's visit to the UK last week in which he gave unsolicited advice pressuring Britain to stay in the European Union (EU) has raised fury among Britons, but also disbelief among American Jewish leaders given Obama's apparent double standards.
Several top British politicians last Friday suggested Obama is pressuring the UK to stay in the EU because of his Kenyan background, arguing he wants the UK to be less independent given lingering hostility over Britain's colonialism.
In America his conduct was met with surprise as well, as prominent American Jewish leaders Alan Dershowitz and Elliott Abrams both noted Obama's hypocrisy given his anger at Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu when he spoke in Congress last March warning against the Iran nuclear deal.
Dershowitz, a Harvard law professor, wrote in an op-ed on Fox News last Friday that Obama defended his meddling in the UK vote "by suggesting that in a democracy, friends should be able to speak their minds, even when they are visiting another country."
"Nor did he stop at merely giving the British voters unsolicited advice, he also issued a not so veiled threat. He said that 'The UK is going to be in the back of the queue' on trade agreements if they exit the EU," pointed out Dershowitz.
The legal expert noted the hypocrisy given Obama's outrage when Netanyahu "spoke his mind about the Iran Deal."
"There are, of course, differences: first, Israel has a far greater stake in the Iran deal than the United States has in whatever decision the British voters make about Brexit: and second, Benjamin Netanyahu was representing the nearly unanimous view of his countrymen, whereas there is no evidence that Americans favor or oppose Brexit in large numbers."
Dershowitz wrote that another difference is that UK Prime Minister David Cameron invited Obama whereas Obama did not invite Netanyahu. However, he clarified that Congress, which has equal standing to the president, invited the Israeli Prime Minister, thereby making the matter a non-issue.
"So what is it Mr. President? Should friends speak their minds about controversial issues when visiting another country, or should they keep their views to themselves?," wrote Dershowitz.
"The president owes the American people, and Benjamin Netanyahu, an explanation for his apparent hypocrisy and inconsistency."
Calling for one rule for all such situations regardless of whether the leaders of friendly nations agree or disagree, Dershowitz urged "open dialogue among friends on all issues of mutual importance."
"Under this rule, which President Obama now seems to accept, he should have welcomed Prime Minister Netanyahu's advocacy before Congress, instead of condemning it," concluded the law professor.
"Obama threatened, Bibi didn't"
Elliott Abrams, a former American diplomat, also criticized Obama for his hypocritical stance in his blog on the Council on Foreign Relations website on Saturday.
Abrams pointed out that not only did Obama "offer an opinion, as Netanyahu did, and not only did he fly to the UK to offer that opinion, as Bibi flew to Washington, but he did something Netanyahu did not do: he threatened the UK."
"Proponents of 'Brexit' argue that the UK can after leaving the EU negotiate free trade agreements with the EU and US, so that British trade is not harmed. While in London Obama said the UK would go 'to the back of the queue' and was anyway too small for a free trade agreement with the US."
The ex-diplomat dismissed the free trade comment as being "silly," because after all the US has such an agreement with Oman despite its size.
He added that "the 'queue' point is an empty threat - both because Obama is leaving office soon and will not be in charge of that queue, and because it is blindingly obvious that such an agreement would be in the interest of the United States and we would seek one quickly."
Refocusing, Abrams said his point is not about the UK's decision regarding the EU, but rather "it is about the hypocrisy of Obama and his acolytes last year in feigning outrage about Netanyahu's conduct."
"We have a Congress whose Speaker invited Netanyahu to speak about an issue of major national security concern to us and even greater import to his country. He spoke, making a straightforward argument. Now Obama goes to the UK to speak about an issue that affects our country far less than Iranian nuclear weapons affect Israel, and he adds threats to his arguments, and that's supposed to be fine?"
Like Dershowitz, Abrams dismissed the criticism of those saying Obama did not invite Netanyahu because that invitation was issued by the party in power in Congress.
He also discredited the claim that "it is fine for our president to intervene in referenda abroad, but for a foreign leader to express views about our own decisions is absolutely out, even when Congress invites him to do so."
Jeff Dunetz, popular Washington D.C. blogger, wrote an incisive analysis that can be seen on Arutz Sheva..
7. STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED IN THE DIASPORA
by Arutz Sheva Staff
As always, Arutz Sheva presents news highlights from the past 24 hours for all our many readers in the Jewish Diaspora celebrating two days of chag.
12 places you have to visit this Chol HaMoed Pesach
True, this is a very Israeli-centric story, but if you're in Israel at all during Passover, we've put together a list of sites you just have to see.
Israeli fighter jets scramble to intercept undeclared airliner
Israel Air Force jets were called into action, when an unidentified aircraft from Egypt crossed into Israeli airspace. Fears were high after an Egyptian hijacked an airliner on its way to Cyprus, as well as the fatal ISIS attack on an Egyptian airliner last year.
Fortunately, this incident was resolved more peacefully.
Horrifying massacre in Ohio
An investigation and urgent manhunt have been opened after an entire family were murdered in their sleep, in what police say was a planned execution.
13 Jews kicked off the Temple Mount, as Passover security bolstered throughout Jerusalem
With fears of more Arab terror attacks keeping many tourists away from Jerusalem, police removed 13 Jewish visitors to the Temple Mount from the holy site, alleging they broke strict rules banning Jewish and other non-Muslim forms of worship.
House arrest for activist who attempted Passover Sacrifice
In a related story, Raphael Morris, leader of Return to the Mount movement, was placed under house arrest Sunday. Morris had attempted to offer the Korban Pesach (Passover Sacrifice) on the Temple Mount, but was prevented from doing so by police, who say such moves could "provoke" Muslims.
White House to release earth-shattering documents on 9/11
Report said to include evidence of Saudi Arabian connivance in devastating September 11 terrorist attacks.
Extremely rare ancient Egyptian seal discovered in northern Israel
Israeli archaeologists working at a dig near Haifa unearthed a beautifully-preserved ancient scarab seal, which belonged to a viceroy to a Pharaoh in Egypt some time in the 17-18th Centuries BCE. The extremely rare find has prompted a further look into the role of an ancient sea port at Tel Dor in the ancient world.
Hollywood hairstylist ditches LA, helps terror victim
Maurice Dadoun is a world-renown hairstylist who left a Beverly Hills lifestyle to come back home to Israel. Just two months after his aliyah, Dadoun decided to use his skills to help a victim of the recent Jerusalem bus bombing.
Car accident, or terror attack?
Police are investigating whether a deadly car crash along on Route 375 was caused by a Palestinian rock-throwing attack.
Arab Jerusalem school holds "meet and greet" for terrorists' families
An Islamist-run school in Jabel Mukaber hosted the families of several terrorists killed attacking Israelis during the recent wave of violence - including a terrorist who murdered four elderly Israelis in a gun and knife massacre aboard a Jerusalem bus.
Youngest girl terrorist released after just 2.5 months
Dima al-Wawi, was jailed on February 9 when she tried to conduct a stabbing attack. She was caught by security forces with a knife in her possession on the outskirts of Karmei Tzur in Gush Etzion, Judea.
Mahmoud Abbas blames "Israeli occupation" for... ruining the environment
Never one to miss an opportunity to attack Israel, Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas took aim at the Jewish state from the podium of the UN Climate Summit in New York on Friday. At the very least, he deserves some credit for consistency - and keeping a straight face.
First-ever Passover Seder at the United Nations
But, it's not all bad from the UN. Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon hosted the first Pesach Seder Night in New York, with dozens of other ambassadors in attendance.
8. WATCH: RETURNING A HOME TO JEWISH HANDS
by Eliran Aharon
A building belonging to Jews in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem has returned to Jewish hands this week.
The Yeshayahu Dolgin building has been the center of a two-year legal battle between the State and the Dolgin family over the site, with help from the Ateret Cohanim yeshiva.
Arutz Sheva attended a ceremony celebrating the renovation of one of the apartments of the complex on Monday, and spoke with several of the residents and supporters, as well as Rabbi Dolgin's children, about the importance of a Jewish presence in the Old City.
[youtube:2014798]
Dr. Irwin Moskowitz bought and dedicated the building to his dear friend, Chicago native and Torah advocate Rabbi Avraham Yeshayahu Dolgin.
Born in Chicago, Dolgin received rabbinical ordination at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, and then became the rabbi of the Beth Jacob Congregation in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. He served in this position for 32 years, until he made aliyah (immigration) to Israel in 1971, urging his congregation members to follow in his footsteps.
Rabbi Dolgin then became rabbi in the budding Ramat Eshkol neighborhood in Jerusalem. Among his accomplishments: founding of the Hillel Hebrew Academy in Beverly Hills, serving as Director-General of the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Jerusalem for five years, and chairing the World Mizrachi-Hapoel Hamizrachi Movement.He passed away in 2004, at age 89.
[album:open
------------------------------------------------
Subscribe to this Daily Israel Report:
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http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com
------------------------------------------------
Delivered Daily via Email, Sunday thru Friday
Subscribe to this Daily Israel Report:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Subscribe/
Monday, Apr. 25 '16, Nissan 17, 5776
HEADLINES:
1. TENS OF THOUSANDS FLOOD KOTEL FOR PRIESTLY BLESSING
2. INDICTMENT FILED AGAINST 'JEWISH TERROR' SUSPECTS
3. ISRAELI DOCTOR AMONG TOP 100
4. WHEN AMIRA HASS TOLD THE PALESTINIANS NOT TO MAKE PEACE
5. WILL BENNETT BE THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER?
6. 'MEDDLING OBAMA OWES NETANYAHU AN APOLOGY'
7. STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED IN THE DIASPORA
8. WATCH: RETURNING A HOME TO JEWISH HANDS
1. TENS OF THOUSANDS FLOOD KOTEL FOR PRIESTLY BLESSING
by Arutz Sheva staff
Tens of thousands of Jews visited the Western Wall (Kotel) Monday morning, for the annual and traditional Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) ceremony in honor of Chol HaMoed Pesach (Passover).
[youtube:2014797]
Congregants then said the Shacharit morning services prayer at 8:45 a.m.; the first Blessing was at 9:30 a.m.; the Mussaf prayer was at 10:00 a.m.; and the second blessing, at 10:30 a.m.
The ceremony then included welcoming words from Chief Rabbis Yitzhak Yosef and David Lau.
Due to the influx, the Israel Police has boosted security throughout the Old City of Jerusalem, with heavy police presence along every entrance and exit to the Western Wall and to the Jewish Quarter.
Entrance is closed to private vehicles, and police have advised motorists wishing to attend to park on Mount Scopus, at Ammunition Hill, at the Police Headquarters, and at Binyanei HaUma and then take public transport to the site.
[album:open
Birds'-Eye view Israel Police
2. INDICTMENT FILED AGAINST 'JEWISH TERROR' SUSPECTS
by Arutz Sheva staff
The State Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment against seven suspects of "Jewish terror" on Monday, after weeks of drama around the spate of Shin Bet-led arrests.
Charges include arms smuggling and violence against Palestinians and their property.
At least five of the seven arrested have been denied legal counsel until now, raising speculation and fear over the Shin Bet's interrogation process.
The suspected cell members have been named as:
Pinhas Shendorfi, 22, a resident of Kiryat Arba near Hevron
Itamar Ben Aharon, 20, a resident of Nahaliel in Samaria
Michael Kaplan, 20, of Nahaliel
"MH", a minor, also of Nahaliel
"BS", a minor, of Nahaliel
An unnamed IDF soldier from Nahaliel
Among the attacks the cell members admitted to was the assault in June 2015 of a Palestinian farmer, in which the victim was beaten with sticks and sprayed with pepper spray, as well as a firebomb attack on a home in the Palestinian Arab village of Mazar'a Kabalia in November of the same year.
In a chilling echo of the Duma attack - which security services say was also the work of Jewish extremists - the firebomb was hurled into the house at night while the family slept. One of the firebombs bounced off the window and failed to penetrate the home, preventing a potential tragedy.
The attackers sprayed the words "revenge", "death to the Arabs" and "Jews, awaken" on the door of the home, indicating the attack may have been intended as revenge for Arab terrorism.
During December, the cell threw a CS gas grenade into a home in the Palestinian Arab village of Bitilu, in revenge for the arrest of the suspected Jewish terrorists behind the Duma attack.
In that incident, the father of the family awoke from the noise, and experienced difficulty breathing and irritation to his eyes. He immediately evacuated his wife and infant son from the house - his alertness and quick reactions likely preventing more severe casualties. The attackers spray painted the words "Revenge - regards from the prisoners of Zion" on the wall of the house, in reference for the detained Duma suspects.
The cell members also admitted to torching a number of Palestinian cars over the past few years, including the arson of a car in Bitilu in October 2015, and another car previously in the same village in July 2014.
Indictments are to be filed against the suspects on a number of serious terrorism charges over the coming days.
According to the Shin Bet, the cell was connected to the same collective of several dozen extremists involved or connected to the Duma arson. Known as the "Revolt", the group is not believed to be a centralized organization but a number of independent cells inspired by a fringe extremist ideology which calls for the overthrow of the State of Israel and the imposition of a Jewish Kingdom.
3. ISRAELI DOCTOR AMONG TOP 100
by Rafael Levy, Shoshana Miskin
Professor Anat Lowenstein, Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, and Professor of Ophthalmology and Vice Dean at Tel Aviv University, was selected in The Ophthalmologist Magazine's Power List 2016.
The Magazine, which highlights the top 100 most influential people in the world of ophthalmology, noted how Lowenstein was popular lecturer at international conferences and celebrated "her contribution to, and influence in the field of medical and surgical retina cannot be underestimated."
Lowenstein completed her medical studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem after which she served as a medical officer in the naval headquarters of the Israel Defense Forces for 4 years.
She completed a residency program in the Department of Ophthalmology at the TASMC and a fellowship in retinal vascular disease and vitreoretina surgery at the Wilmer Institute at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.
As of the year 2000, she serves as Chairman of the TASMC Department of Ophthalmology in 2000.
Dr. Gil Fire, Deputy Director of the Sourasky Medical Center, congratulated Lowenstein: "We know that you are leading a department with the highest standards and building a future generation that will excel in ophthalmology, but it's great to receive such recognition."
Photo: Sourasky Medical Center Spokesperson
4. WHEN AMIRA HASS TOLD THE PALESTINIANS NOT TO MAKE PEACE
by Dalit Halevy
Radical leftist journalist Amira Hass of Haaretz in the past actively encouraged the Palestinians to reject peace treaties and not to agree to the 1994 Oslo Accords, according to a Palestinian journalist.
The journalist, Dr. Fayez Abu Shamala, revealed to the Hamas paper Palestine on Sunday the contents of a speech Hass gave during a visit to the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) during the period of the Oslo Accords.
Hass, who lives in Ramallah, has openly legitimized and supported Arab terror against Israeli Jews and recently cited the anti-Semitic forgery "Elders of Zion" in a UK university speech.
In her speech at the PLC during the days of Oslo, Abu Shamala reveals that Hass said, "I see it as an obligation to bring before you some of the facts supported in documents, which will help you make a decision."
"Look at this map. Look, where will your Palestinian state be established?," she said, indicating a map of Israel including Judea and Samaria.
"Do you not notice that these settlements can amputate the connection between cities of the West Bank at any given moment? Do you not notice that the Palestinians live in separation (from each other) in their cities?"
The Israeli journalist continued, saying, "I emphasize before you today that there won't be a possibility to establish a Palestinian state as long as the settlements remain in place."
"Why did you agree to a peace agreement that doesn't promise you the removal of the settlers?," she said, advising the Palestinians not to make any agreements that do not include the removal of all Israelis from Judea and Samaria.
"The Oslo Accords that you support will bring you to complete submission to the Israeli occupation, which is taking advantage of the time to expand the settlements," concluded the Haaretz journalist according to Abu Shamala.
In an ironic twist, despite adamantly advocating against the "Occupation" of Israel on its own land Hass received a taste of the Palestinian world's true attitude toward Israelis in September 2014, when Birzeit University ejected her for being Jewish.
The Oslo Accords established the PA and armed it, while removing the terrorist status from the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Fatah. It also led to the 2000-2005 Oslo War or Second Intifada, as the ensuing Arab terror war that left over 1,000 Israelis murdered came to be known.
5. WILL BENNETT BE THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER?
by Uzi Baruch
Education Minister Naftali Bennett (Jewish Home) will be the next Prime Minister, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked (Jewish Home) opined during a Channel 10 interview.
Shaked firmly believes that Bennett will succeed Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, but also did not deny a possibility that Bennett could quit the party. If so, she said, "I would not rule out the possibility of running to be the head of the party."
"I do not know if Jewish Home is built to have a female party chairman, but the fact is that a woman was chosen as the #1 MK during the primaries," she added.
When asked about a recent law limiting monthly pay for executives, Shaked replied that the legislation is "extreme."
"The social rights of bankers have been violated, and it will cause people to leave [Israel - ed.]," Shaked said. "We're talking about setting a global precedent and we should have made a more moderate version of the law."
"You have to remember: all of our money is in the banks, and we need our best people managing it there."
6. 'MEDDLING OBAMA OWES NETANYAHU AN APOLOGY'
by Nitsan Keidar
US President Barack Obama's visit to the UK last week in which he gave unsolicited advice pressuring Britain to stay in the European Union (EU) has raised fury among Britons, but also disbelief among American Jewish leaders given Obama's apparent double standards.
Several top British politicians last Friday suggested Obama is pressuring the UK to stay in the EU because of his Kenyan background, arguing he wants the UK to be less independent given lingering hostility over Britain's colonialism.
In America his conduct was met with surprise as well, as prominent American Jewish leaders Alan Dershowitz and Elliott Abrams both noted Obama's hypocrisy given his anger at Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu when he spoke in Congress last March warning against the Iran nuclear deal.
Dershowitz, a Harvard law professor, wrote in an op-ed on Fox News last Friday that Obama defended his meddling in the UK vote "by suggesting that in a democracy, friends should be able to speak their minds, even when they are visiting another country."
"Nor did he stop at merely giving the British voters unsolicited advice, he also issued a not so veiled threat. He said that 'The UK is going to be in the back of the queue' on trade agreements if they exit the EU," pointed out Dershowitz.
The legal expert noted the hypocrisy given Obama's outrage when Netanyahu "spoke his mind about the Iran Deal."
"There are, of course, differences: first, Israel has a far greater stake in the Iran deal than the United States has in whatever decision the British voters make about Brexit: and second, Benjamin Netanyahu was representing the nearly unanimous view of his countrymen, whereas there is no evidence that Americans favor or oppose Brexit in large numbers."
Dershowitz wrote that another difference is that UK Prime Minister David Cameron invited Obama whereas Obama did not invite Netanyahu. However, he clarified that Congress, which has equal standing to the president, invited the Israeli Prime Minister, thereby making the matter a non-issue.
"So what is it Mr. President? Should friends speak their minds about controversial issues when visiting another country, or should they keep their views to themselves?," wrote Dershowitz.
"The president owes the American people, and Benjamin Netanyahu, an explanation for his apparent hypocrisy and inconsistency."
Calling for one rule for all such situations regardless of whether the leaders of friendly nations agree or disagree, Dershowitz urged "open dialogue among friends on all issues of mutual importance."
"Under this rule, which President Obama now seems to accept, he should have welcomed Prime Minister Netanyahu's advocacy before Congress, instead of condemning it," concluded the law professor.
"Obama threatened, Bibi didn't"
Elliott Abrams, a former American diplomat, also criticized Obama for his hypocritical stance in his blog on the Council on Foreign Relations website on Saturday.
Abrams pointed out that not only did Obama "offer an opinion, as Netanyahu did, and not only did he fly to the UK to offer that opinion, as Bibi flew to Washington, but he did something Netanyahu did not do: he threatened the UK."
"Proponents of 'Brexit' argue that the UK can after leaving the EU negotiate free trade agreements with the EU and US, so that British trade is not harmed. While in London Obama said the UK would go 'to the back of the queue' and was anyway too small for a free trade agreement with the US."
The ex-diplomat dismissed the free trade comment as being "silly," because after all the US has such an agreement with Oman despite its size.
He added that "the 'queue' point is an empty threat - both because Obama is leaving office soon and will not be in charge of that queue, and because it is blindingly obvious that such an agreement would be in the interest of the United States and we would seek one quickly."
Refocusing, Abrams said his point is not about the UK's decision regarding the EU, but rather "it is about the hypocrisy of Obama and his acolytes last year in feigning outrage about Netanyahu's conduct."
"We have a Congress whose Speaker invited Netanyahu to speak about an issue of major national security concern to us and even greater import to his country. He spoke, making a straightforward argument. Now Obama goes to the UK to speak about an issue that affects our country far less than Iranian nuclear weapons affect Israel, and he adds threats to his arguments, and that's supposed to be fine?"
Like Dershowitz, Abrams dismissed the criticism of those saying Obama did not invite Netanyahu because that invitation was issued by the party in power in Congress.
He also discredited the claim that "it is fine for our president to intervene in referenda abroad, but for a foreign leader to express views about our own decisions is absolutely out, even when Congress invites him to do so."
Jeff Dunetz, popular Washington D.C. blogger, wrote an incisive analysis that can be seen on Arutz Sheva..
7. STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED IN THE DIASPORA
by Arutz Sheva Staff
As always, Arutz Sheva presents news highlights from the past 24 hours for all our many readers in the Jewish Diaspora celebrating two days of chag.
12 places you have to visit this Chol HaMoed Pesach
True, this is a very Israeli-centric story, but if you're in Israel at all during Passover, we've put together a list of sites you just have to see.
Israeli fighter jets scramble to intercept undeclared airliner
Israel Air Force jets were called into action, when an unidentified aircraft from Egypt crossed into Israeli airspace. Fears were high after an Egyptian hijacked an airliner on its way to Cyprus, as well as the fatal ISIS attack on an Egyptian airliner last year.
Fortunately, this incident was resolved more peacefully.
Horrifying massacre in Ohio
An investigation and urgent manhunt have been opened after an entire family were murdered in their sleep, in what police say was a planned execution.
13 Jews kicked off the Temple Mount, as Passover security bolstered throughout Jerusalem
With fears of more Arab terror attacks keeping many tourists away from Jerusalem, police removed 13 Jewish visitors to the Temple Mount from the holy site, alleging they broke strict rules banning Jewish and other non-Muslim forms of worship.
House arrest for activist who attempted Passover Sacrifice
In a related story, Raphael Morris, leader of Return to the Mount movement, was placed under house arrest Sunday. Morris had attempted to offer the Korban Pesach (Passover Sacrifice) on the Temple Mount, but was prevented from doing so by police, who say such moves could "provoke" Muslims.
White House to release earth-shattering documents on 9/11
Report said to include evidence of Saudi Arabian connivance in devastating September 11 terrorist attacks.
Extremely rare ancient Egyptian seal discovered in northern Israel
Israeli archaeologists working at a dig near Haifa unearthed a beautifully-preserved ancient scarab seal, which belonged to a viceroy to a Pharaoh in Egypt some time in the 17-18th Centuries BCE. The extremely rare find has prompted a further look into the role of an ancient sea port at Tel Dor in the ancient world.
Hollywood hairstylist ditches LA, helps terror victim
Maurice Dadoun is a world-renown hairstylist who left a Beverly Hills lifestyle to come back home to Israel. Just two months after his aliyah, Dadoun decided to use his skills to help a victim of the recent Jerusalem bus bombing.
Car accident, or terror attack?
Police are investigating whether a deadly car crash along on Route 375 was caused by a Palestinian rock-throwing attack.
Arab Jerusalem school holds "meet and greet" for terrorists' families
An Islamist-run school in Jabel Mukaber hosted the families of several terrorists killed attacking Israelis during the recent wave of violence - including a terrorist who murdered four elderly Israelis in a gun and knife massacre aboard a Jerusalem bus.
Youngest girl terrorist released after just 2.5 months
Dima al-Wawi, was jailed on February 9 when she tried to conduct a stabbing attack. She was caught by security forces with a knife in her possession on the outskirts of Karmei Tzur in Gush Etzion, Judea.
Mahmoud Abbas blames "Israeli occupation" for... ruining the environment
Never one to miss an opportunity to attack Israel, Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas took aim at the Jewish state from the podium of the UN Climate Summit in New York on Friday. At the very least, he deserves some credit for consistency - and keeping a straight face.
First-ever Passover Seder at the United Nations
But, it's not all bad from the UN. Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon hosted the first Pesach Seder Night in New York, with dozens of other ambassadors in attendance.
8. WATCH: RETURNING A HOME TO JEWISH HANDS
by Eliran Aharon
A building belonging to Jews in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem has returned to Jewish hands this week.
The Yeshayahu Dolgin building has been the center of a two-year legal battle between the State and the Dolgin family over the site, with help from the Ateret Cohanim yeshiva.
Arutz Sheva attended a ceremony celebrating the renovation of one of the apartments of the complex on Monday, and spoke with several of the residents and supporters, as well as Rabbi Dolgin's children, about the importance of a Jewish presence in the Old City.
[youtube:2014798]
Dr. Irwin Moskowitz bought and dedicated the building to his dear friend, Chicago native and Torah advocate Rabbi Avraham Yeshayahu Dolgin.
Born in Chicago, Dolgin received rabbinical ordination at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, and then became the rabbi of the Beth Jacob Congregation in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. He served in this position for 32 years, until he made aliyah (immigration) to Israel in 1971, urging his congregation members to follow in his footsteps.
Rabbi Dolgin then became rabbi in the budding Ramat Eshkol neighborhood in Jerusalem. Among his accomplishments: founding of the Hillel Hebrew Academy in Beverly Hills, serving as Director-General of the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Jerusalem for five years, and chairing the World Mizrachi-Hapoel Hamizrachi Movement.He passed away in 2004, at age 89.
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Sunday, April 24, 2016
A7News: Youngest girl terrorist released after just 2.5 months
Arutz Sheva Daily Israel Report
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Sunday, Apr. 24 '16, Nissan 16, 5776
HEADLINES:
1. YOUNGEST GIRL TERRORIST RELEASED AFTER JUST 2.5 MONTHS
2. 12 PLACES YOU HAVE TO VISIT THIS CHOL HAMOED PESACH
3. 13 JEWS GET KICKED OFF THE TEMPLE MOUNT
4. BEAUTIFUL ANCIENT SCARAB SEAL DISCOVERED NEAR HAIFA
5. FUGITIVE RABBI CLAIMS 'ISRAELI GOVERNMENT TARGETED ME'
6. PA PREACHER: PRAY FOR GENOCIDE AND ALLAH TO PUNISH 'WICKED' JEWS
7. JUDGE CANCELS ARAB TAKEOVER OF AFULA
8. WATCH: ANTI-SEMITE TRASHES BROOKLYN SYNAGOGUE
1. YOUNGEST GIRL TERRORIST RELEASED AFTER JUST 2.5 MONTHS
by Ari Yashar
Israel on Sunday released a 12-year-old Arab terrorist, the youngest female terrorist jailed in Israel, after a paltry two-and-a-half months in prison despite her attempt to murder Jews.
The terrorist girl, Dima al-Wawi, was jailed on February 9 when she tried to conduct a stabbing attack. She was caught by security forces with a knife in her possession on the outskirts of Karmei Tzur in Gush Etzion, Judea.
In investigation, al-Wawi admitted that she intended to conduct an attack and murder Jews.
While Israeli law does not allow jail time for terrorists under the age of 14, al-Wawi as a non-citizen resident of Judea and Samaria was tried by a military court which can try terrorists as young as 12.
However, due to her age she was sentenced to only half-a-year in jail for attempted murder and illegal possession of a knife, and that sentence was later reduced to four-and-a-half months.
The military court this month agreed to her parents request to further reduce her sentence by two months, and after her parents paid a 8,000 shekel (around $2,130) fine, she was released on Sunday after just two-and-a-half months in jail.
Al-Wawi was released from Hasharon Jail where she had been serving time. Accompanied by officers of the Nahshon Unit of the Israel Prison Service (IPS), she was transferred to the Palestinian Authority (PA).
The transfer to PA Committee of Prisoners' Affairs director Issa Karake and other Arab officials took place at the Jubara checkpoint near Tulkarem in Samaria. From there she was to travel to her family's home in Halhul near Hevron.
The young terrorist was greeted by her mother, and in a ceremony welcoming her heroically both she and her mother wore scarves with "Palestine" written on them together with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) flag.
Al-Wawi's attempted attack took place not far from where three Israeli teens were abducted and murdered by Hamas terrorists in July 2014, and her hometown of Halhul is where the bodies of the three were found in a ditch dug in a field belonging to the family of the terrorists.
Aside from Karake, the PA governor of Tulkarem Issam Abu Bakr was also present to welcome the 12-year-old terrorist back.
"The detention of children is a crime against humanity," Abu Bakr said, according to the Palestinian Ma'an News Agency.
He failed to note her admitted intent to murder Jews, while claiming Israel "practices the ugliest means of suppression and torture against Palestinian children."
2. 12 PLACES YOU HAVE TO VISIT THIS CHOL HAMOED PESACH
by Arutz Sheva staff
Tens of thousands of Israelis take vacation time during Chol HaMoed Pesach, to spend time with their children and enjoy the holiday.
In honor of the Intermediate Days, Arutz Sheva has prepared a list of family-oriented events unfolding across the country, from Sunday through Wednesday.
Ancient Shilo - Shilo - at the heart of Samaria, explore the ruins of the village where the Mishkan (Tabernacle) once stood - in the first capital city of Ancient Israel. Family fun for all ages. Open Sunday through Wednesday from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm.
Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) - Jerusalem - Tens of thousands flood Jerusalem every year for this special blessing during Chol HaMoed Pesach and Sukkot. On Monday morning, Chief Rabbis David Lau and Yitzhak Yosef will hold a special welcoming event at the first Birkat Kohanim for Chol HaMoed at the Western Wall.
Family fun event, Seven Arches Hotel, Jerusalem - On Monday, the Seven Arches Hotel on the Mount of Olives will be hosting a family fun day, including a performance from the children's band Prachei Yerushalayim (lit. 'Flowers of Jerusalem') and appearances by artists Yishai Lapidot, Idan Amedi, and Yishai Rivo.
Sidewalk paintings, city of Jerusalem - 13 different sidewalk murals from artists based in Israel and abroad are being displayed across the city throughout the entire month of Nissan.
The Herodian, Gush Etzion - this incredible ancient Israelite fortress is holding family-friendly tours, workshops, and presentations throughout the holiday, including a series of survivalist workshops.
Workshops and activities in Gush Etzion will be available throughout the holiday, including a special workshop for young engineers in Alon Shvut, tractor rides between Gush Etzion communities, and special cards covering all activities at Deer Lands Farm.
Cave of the Patriarchs and Jewish Quarter, Hevron - the Jewish community of Hevron urges the public to visit during the holiday; Arutz Sheva will cover the main event in honor of Pesach on Monday. The event honors 50 years since the Six-Day War - and the liberation of Judea and Samaria (Shomron), the heart of Israel.
Family scavenger hunt, Hevron Hills - a family scavenger hunt and tour is being hosted in the Yattir Forest on Monday and Tuesday, from 10:00am - 5:00pm. Participants will be guided from point to point with a special smartphone app.
Katif Center, Nitzan - the Katif center offers families the chance to learn more about the former communities of Gudh Katif. The center will be open Monday and Tuesday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Hamat Geder Nature Preserve, Yarmouk Valley (North) - Mini safaris, views to the Gilad and Golan area, and a prime spot for bird-watching, Hamat Geder invites the whole family to visit during the holiday.
Yitzhak Rabin center, Tel Aviv - The Yitzhak Rabin center is hosting a special exhibit about the 1976 Entebbe operation during the holiday; free of charge. Open Sunday through Wednesday.
Children's theater festival, Haifa - for the 26th year running, Haifa will be hosting a children's festival in the city, this year featuring over 200 plays and artists. Mini-plays will be running in the city streets all day long, free of charge, from Sunday through Thursday.
3. 13 JEWS GET KICKED OFF THE TEMPLE MOUNT
by Arutz Sheva Staff
The Jerusalem district police distanced 13 Jews from the Temple Mount on Sunday, the first of the intermediary days of Passover, claiming that they "breached the visit guidelines" on the Mount, the holiest site in Judaism.
Despite being liberated in the 1967 Six Day War, the Temple Mount remains under the de facto control of the Jordanian Waqf, which bans Jewish prayer. Israeli police have kowtowed to the Waqf's demands, distancing and arresting Jews for "infractions" that have in the past included merely moving one's lips.
Aside from the 13 Jews, one Arab was also distanced from the Mount after disturbing the public order according to the police report.
The police noted that over the course of Sunday, 1,043 visitors entered the Temple Mount, and of them 885 were foreign tourists.
"The police are prepared with its best forces in the east of the city, at the Western Wall and on the Temple Mount in order to enable all believers, members of the different groups, to realize their freedom of religion," said the Jerusalem district police.
"The mission is complicated and it is managed with great sensitivity, but with firmness at the same time."
In their statement, the police added that they are investing great efforts during the Passover holiday to maintain public security throughout Israel and in Jerusalem in particular, with thousands of officers deployed in the capital.
Earlier on Sunday morning, a Jerusalem court released 'Return to the Mount' movement leader Raphael Morris to house arrest, rejecting a police request to keep Morris behind bars until the end of his trial.
Morris was arrested on Friday for violating a restraining order barring him from approaching the Temple Mount. Morris had attempted to ascend the Temple Mount ahead of the Passover holiday in order to offer a Korban Pesach ritual sacrifice.
Jerusalem's Old City, where the Temple Mount is located, was virtually empty on Sunday, as many stayed away due to the concerns of terror attacks targeting the area during the Passover holiday. Just last Monday a bus bombing took place in southeast Jerusalem, marking the first such bombing in the current Arab terror wave that has claimed the lives of 34 victims since last September.
4. BEAUTIFUL ANCIENT SCARAB SEAL DISCOVERED NEAR HAIFA
by Ari Soffer
A rare, ancient scarab seal belonging to a senior official in the 13th Pharaonic Dynasty was recently discovered in northern Israel at the Tel Dor archaeological dig, 30 kilometers south of Haifa.
The seal, which dates back to the 17-18th Centuries BCE, was discovered by amateur archaeologist Alexander Ternopolski, who handed it immediately to the archaeological team working at the site.
"The seal belonged to somebody very senior in the kingdom, perhaps even to the king's deputy, who was responsible for the royal treasury," according to Professor Ayelet Gilboa of Haifa University, who is among those leading the dig at Tel Dor.
"The seal's owner occupied a position comparable to that of Joseph... after he interpreted (Pharaoh's) dream," she added, referring to the Biblical story.
The ancient city of Dor served as a major port in the ancient world for several thousand years. Until the construction of the port city of Caesarea by the Roman Empire, it was the most important trading hub in the region. The city itself is mentioned in ancient Egyptian manuscripts dating back more than 3,000 years, as well as the Biblical books of Joshua, Judges and Kings I.
Since the start of the dig at Tel Dor in 2002, archaeologists led by Professor Gilboa and her colleague Professor Eylon Sharon have uncovered a treasure trove of ancient history. Among their many discoveries are numerous settlements from the Late Bronze Age (including a Canaanite town from the second millennium BCE); a Phoenician settlement; administrative centers of the Israelite and Assyrian Kingdoms (Iron Age); a city and palace from the Hellenistic period; ancient Roman ruins including several magnificent temples, and more.
And there is still a lot more to discover, according to Professor Gilboa.
The scarab seal is a hint of what more is to come; complete with intricate details and the name and rank of its owner, as well as the words "Ministry of Finance", it is incredibly well-preserved. However, the precise identity of its owner is still to be confirmed.
"Scarabs were very common objects in the ancient world, but the unusual size, quality and high rank of the seal's owner, as well as the golden ring" around the seal "makes it a very rare find in our region," said Professor Gilboa.
Archaeologists are currently focusing on two possible ways in which such a rare artifact made its way to northern Israel.
One theory is that a representative of the Egyptian official traveled to Dor to carry out a large purchase on his behalf - and hence brought with him the seal. Another theory is that the seal was brought to the area at a much later period - perhaps during the Roman era, when there was a large market for ancient antiques.
The archaeological dig at Tel Dor is set to resume in July, with visitors and amateur archaeologists invited to participate. In the meantime, the seal and other fascinating discoveries is available for viewing at Kibbutz Nahsholim.
5. FUGITIVE RABBI CLAIMS 'ISRAELI GOVERNMENT TARGETED ME'
by Shoshana Miskin
During court proceedings in Johannesburg, Rabbi Eliezer Berland, who is wanted in Israel on suspicions of sexual assault, claimed he is being wronged by the Israeli government and is being targeted along with other rabbis.
In a message to his followers, the head of the Shuvu Banim sect said that "the Israeli government has a tendency to improperly mark rabbis," and claimed that they "mark those whose profession is not inconsistent with their political objectives."
Last week, South Africa's Randburg Magistrate's Court ruled that Rabbi Berland will remain in custody during his bail and be extradited to Israel for a hearing.
Meanwhile, followers of Berland are planning a demonstration for Monday morning outside the South African Embassy in Israel at Ramat Gan.
The continuation of the bail hearing was postponed to April 26.
6. PA PREACHER: PRAY FOR GENOCIDE AND ALLAH TO PUNISH 'WICKED' JEWS
by Shoshana Miskin
[youtube:2014775]
A preacher on official Palestinian Authority (PA) television on Friday prayed that Allah should "count" his enemies, the enemies of Islam, and "kill them to the last one."
The TV preacher then singled out for punishment "the wicked Jews" and "the atheists who help them," according to Palestinian Media Watch (PMW).
"Allah, punish your enemies, the enemies of religion, count their numbers and kill them to the last one, and bring them a black day. Allah, punish the wicked Jews, and those among the atheists who help them. Allah, we ask that you bestow upon us respect and honor by enabling us to repel them, and we ask you to save us from their evil," said the Palestinian preacher.
Recently, the PA and Fatah have replaced using sermons to call for killing Jews with different ways of promoting killing Israelis: statements by leaders in support of terror attacks and their perpetrators, celebration and glorification of terrorists, music videos promoting violence and the killing of Israelis, and more.
While the terror and murder promotion has not stopped, the PA merely changed its means after foreign governments and the media condemned the sermons on PA TV, after PMW had reported on many cases which called for Muslims to exterminate Jews.
Since then, there have only been occasional calls for genocide in sermons and in speeches by religious leaders, such as the Mufti's vehement calls for the killing of Jews.
7. JUDGE CANCELS ARAB TAKEOVER OF AFULA
by Shlomo Pyotrkovsky
The Nazareth District Court on Sunday ordered to cancel the tenders for a new neighborhood in Afula Ilit, in which all 48 plots were sold to Arabs in an "instant Arab neighborhood" that led to outrage and protests in Afula.
Judge Avraham Avraham ordered to cancel the bidding results, after ruling that those petitioning the tenders were able to prove a significant portion of the winning bids were price fixed with the bidders coordinating their offers. The conditions of the tenders forbid such coordination of the bids.
The judge noted that the fairness of the bidding was "seriously harmed" by the actions, and therefore threw out the tenders.
The legal basis for his decision came from the results of a case regarding land tenders in Harish, where the court confirmed the Israel Land Authority (ILA) head's position, according to which price fixing and manipulation are grounds to negate the results of several or all of the tenders.
Evidence showing the price fixing could be seen from nine plots for two families each, in which identical bids won the tender, each for 255,555 shekels (nearly $66,000). The identical offer for the unusual sum clearly indicated coordination.
In several other plots, bids won out that appeared to have been coordinated in advance to be close to those of the nine plots; the bids were for figures such as 255,777 shekels and 255,888 shekels.
Also raising suspicions was the fact that all of the winning bidders were Arabs, and not a single resident of the city of Afula won any bids.
Ya'akov Dadon, a resident of the city whose daughter Shelly was brutally murdered by an Arab terrorist last year, said that while his daughter was stabbed 17 times, upon learning of the new neighborhood, he felt that he was "stabbed 50 more times."
Residents said that they already live in fear of Arab violence and that a new Arab neighborhood would make their lives unbearable.
8. WATCH: ANTI-SEMITE TRASHES BROOKLYN SYNAGOGUE
by David Rosenberg
[youtube:2014759]
A Brooklyn synagogue was attacked by a crazed anti-Semite Thursday morning.
The incident, which occurred at the "Apta" Satmar hassidic synagogue on Lee Avenue in Williamsburg, was captured by the synagogue's security cameras.
While the circumstances behind the attack are unclear, witnesses said a man burst into the synagogue just after morning prayers, attacking a group of congregants who had stayed on to study Talmud.
The attacker tried swinging a ladder at the congregants. When he failed to injure anyone, he became even more enraged and began overturning benches and tables.
Those present in the synagogue quickly fled, notifying the police and Shomrim, a local Jewish neighborhood watch group.
Members of the Shomrim quickly arrived and detained the attacker, holding him until police officers arrived and took the man into custody.
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Delivered Daily via Email, Sunday thru Friday
Subscribe to this Daily Israel Report:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Subscribe/
Sunday, Apr. 24 '16, Nissan 16, 5776
HEADLINES:
1. YOUNGEST GIRL TERRORIST RELEASED AFTER JUST 2.5 MONTHS
2. 12 PLACES YOU HAVE TO VISIT THIS CHOL HAMOED PESACH
3. 13 JEWS GET KICKED OFF THE TEMPLE MOUNT
4. BEAUTIFUL ANCIENT SCARAB SEAL DISCOVERED NEAR HAIFA
5. FUGITIVE RABBI CLAIMS 'ISRAELI GOVERNMENT TARGETED ME'
6. PA PREACHER: PRAY FOR GENOCIDE AND ALLAH TO PUNISH 'WICKED' JEWS
7. JUDGE CANCELS ARAB TAKEOVER OF AFULA
8. WATCH: ANTI-SEMITE TRASHES BROOKLYN SYNAGOGUE
1. YOUNGEST GIRL TERRORIST RELEASED AFTER JUST 2.5 MONTHS
by Ari Yashar
Israel on Sunday released a 12-year-old Arab terrorist, the youngest female terrorist jailed in Israel, after a paltry two-and-a-half months in prison despite her attempt to murder Jews.
The terrorist girl, Dima al-Wawi, was jailed on February 9 when she tried to conduct a stabbing attack. She was caught by security forces with a knife in her possession on the outskirts of Karmei Tzur in Gush Etzion, Judea.
In investigation, al-Wawi admitted that she intended to conduct an attack and murder Jews.
While Israeli law does not allow jail time for terrorists under the age of 14, al-Wawi as a non-citizen resident of Judea and Samaria was tried by a military court which can try terrorists as young as 12.
However, due to her age she was sentenced to only half-a-year in jail for attempted murder and illegal possession of a knife, and that sentence was later reduced to four-and-a-half months.
The military court this month agreed to her parents request to further reduce her sentence by two months, and after her parents paid a 8,000 shekel (around $2,130) fine, she was released on Sunday after just two-and-a-half months in jail.
Al-Wawi was released from Hasharon Jail where she had been serving time. Accompanied by officers of the Nahshon Unit of the Israel Prison Service (IPS), she was transferred to the Palestinian Authority (PA).
The transfer to PA Committee of Prisoners' Affairs director Issa Karake and other Arab officials took place at the Jubara checkpoint near Tulkarem in Samaria. From there she was to travel to her family's home in Halhul near Hevron.
The young terrorist was greeted by her mother, and in a ceremony welcoming her heroically both she and her mother wore scarves with "Palestine" written on them together with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) flag.
Al-Wawi's attempted attack took place not far from where three Israeli teens were abducted and murdered by Hamas terrorists in July 2014, and her hometown of Halhul is where the bodies of the three were found in a ditch dug in a field belonging to the family of the terrorists.
Aside from Karake, the PA governor of Tulkarem Issam Abu Bakr was also present to welcome the 12-year-old terrorist back.
"The detention of children is a crime against humanity," Abu Bakr said, according to the Palestinian Ma'an News Agency.
He failed to note her admitted intent to murder Jews, while claiming Israel "practices the ugliest means of suppression and torture against Palestinian children."
2. 12 PLACES YOU HAVE TO VISIT THIS CHOL HAMOED PESACH
by Arutz Sheva staff
Tens of thousands of Israelis take vacation time during Chol HaMoed Pesach, to spend time with their children and enjoy the holiday.
In honor of the Intermediate Days, Arutz Sheva has prepared a list of family-oriented events unfolding across the country, from Sunday through Wednesday.
Ancient Shilo - Shilo - at the heart of Samaria, explore the ruins of the village where the Mishkan (Tabernacle) once stood - in the first capital city of Ancient Israel. Family fun for all ages. Open Sunday through Wednesday from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm.
Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) - Jerusalem - Tens of thousands flood Jerusalem every year for this special blessing during Chol HaMoed Pesach and Sukkot. On Monday morning, Chief Rabbis David Lau and Yitzhak Yosef will hold a special welcoming event at the first Birkat Kohanim for Chol HaMoed at the Western Wall.
Family fun event, Seven Arches Hotel, Jerusalem - On Monday, the Seven Arches Hotel on the Mount of Olives will be hosting a family fun day, including a performance from the children's band Prachei Yerushalayim (lit. 'Flowers of Jerusalem') and appearances by artists Yishai Lapidot, Idan Amedi, and Yishai Rivo.
Sidewalk paintings, city of Jerusalem - 13 different sidewalk murals from artists based in Israel and abroad are being displayed across the city throughout the entire month of Nissan.
The Herodian, Gush Etzion - this incredible ancient Israelite fortress is holding family-friendly tours, workshops, and presentations throughout the holiday, including a series of survivalist workshops.
Workshops and activities in Gush Etzion will be available throughout the holiday, including a special workshop for young engineers in Alon Shvut, tractor rides between Gush Etzion communities, and special cards covering all activities at Deer Lands Farm.
Cave of the Patriarchs and Jewish Quarter, Hevron - the Jewish community of Hevron urges the public to visit during the holiday; Arutz Sheva will cover the main event in honor of Pesach on Monday. The event honors 50 years since the Six-Day War - and the liberation of Judea and Samaria (Shomron), the heart of Israel.
Family scavenger hunt, Hevron Hills - a family scavenger hunt and tour is being hosted in the Yattir Forest on Monday and Tuesday, from 10:00am - 5:00pm. Participants will be guided from point to point with a special smartphone app.
Katif Center, Nitzan - the Katif center offers families the chance to learn more about the former communities of Gudh Katif. The center will be open Monday and Tuesday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Hamat Geder Nature Preserve, Yarmouk Valley (North) - Mini safaris, views to the Gilad and Golan area, and a prime spot for bird-watching, Hamat Geder invites the whole family to visit during the holiday.
Yitzhak Rabin center, Tel Aviv - The Yitzhak Rabin center is hosting a special exhibit about the 1976 Entebbe operation during the holiday; free of charge. Open Sunday through Wednesday.
Children's theater festival, Haifa - for the 26th year running, Haifa will be hosting a children's festival in the city, this year featuring over 200 plays and artists. Mini-plays will be running in the city streets all day long, free of charge, from Sunday through Thursday.
3. 13 JEWS GET KICKED OFF THE TEMPLE MOUNT
by Arutz Sheva Staff
The Jerusalem district police distanced 13 Jews from the Temple Mount on Sunday, the first of the intermediary days of Passover, claiming that they "breached the visit guidelines" on the Mount, the holiest site in Judaism.
Despite being liberated in the 1967 Six Day War, the Temple Mount remains under the de facto control of the Jordanian Waqf, which bans Jewish prayer. Israeli police have kowtowed to the Waqf's demands, distancing and arresting Jews for "infractions" that have in the past included merely moving one's lips.
Aside from the 13 Jews, one Arab was also distanced from the Mount after disturbing the public order according to the police report.
The police noted that over the course of Sunday, 1,043 visitors entered the Temple Mount, and of them 885 were foreign tourists.
"The police are prepared with its best forces in the east of the city, at the Western Wall and on the Temple Mount in order to enable all believers, members of the different groups, to realize their freedom of religion," said the Jerusalem district police.
"The mission is complicated and it is managed with great sensitivity, but with firmness at the same time."
In their statement, the police added that they are investing great efforts during the Passover holiday to maintain public security throughout Israel and in Jerusalem in particular, with thousands of officers deployed in the capital.
Earlier on Sunday morning, a Jerusalem court released 'Return to the Mount' movement leader Raphael Morris to house arrest, rejecting a police request to keep Morris behind bars until the end of his trial.
Morris was arrested on Friday for violating a restraining order barring him from approaching the Temple Mount. Morris had attempted to ascend the Temple Mount ahead of the Passover holiday in order to offer a Korban Pesach ritual sacrifice.
Jerusalem's Old City, where the Temple Mount is located, was virtually empty on Sunday, as many stayed away due to the concerns of terror attacks targeting the area during the Passover holiday. Just last Monday a bus bombing took place in southeast Jerusalem, marking the first such bombing in the current Arab terror wave that has claimed the lives of 34 victims since last September.
4. BEAUTIFUL ANCIENT SCARAB SEAL DISCOVERED NEAR HAIFA
by Ari Soffer
A rare, ancient scarab seal belonging to a senior official in the 13th Pharaonic Dynasty was recently discovered in northern Israel at the Tel Dor archaeological dig, 30 kilometers south of Haifa.
The seal, which dates back to the 17-18th Centuries BCE, was discovered by amateur archaeologist Alexander Ternopolski, who handed it immediately to the archaeological team working at the site.
"The seal belonged to somebody very senior in the kingdom, perhaps even to the king's deputy, who was responsible for the royal treasury," according to Professor Ayelet Gilboa of Haifa University, who is among those leading the dig at Tel Dor.
"The seal's owner occupied a position comparable to that of Joseph... after he interpreted (Pharaoh's) dream," she added, referring to the Biblical story.
The ancient city of Dor served as a major port in the ancient world for several thousand years. Until the construction of the port city of Caesarea by the Roman Empire, it was the most important trading hub in the region. The city itself is mentioned in ancient Egyptian manuscripts dating back more than 3,000 years, as well as the Biblical books of Joshua, Judges and Kings I.
Since the start of the dig at Tel Dor in 2002, archaeologists led by Professor Gilboa and her colleague Professor Eylon Sharon have uncovered a treasure trove of ancient history. Among their many discoveries are numerous settlements from the Late Bronze Age (including a Canaanite town from the second millennium BCE); a Phoenician settlement; administrative centers of the Israelite and Assyrian Kingdoms (Iron Age); a city and palace from the Hellenistic period; ancient Roman ruins including several magnificent temples, and more.
And there is still a lot more to discover, according to Professor Gilboa.
The scarab seal is a hint of what more is to come; complete with intricate details and the name and rank of its owner, as well as the words "Ministry of Finance", it is incredibly well-preserved. However, the precise identity of its owner is still to be confirmed.
"Scarabs were very common objects in the ancient world, but the unusual size, quality and high rank of the seal's owner, as well as the golden ring" around the seal "makes it a very rare find in our region," said Professor Gilboa.
Archaeologists are currently focusing on two possible ways in which such a rare artifact made its way to northern Israel.
One theory is that a representative of the Egyptian official traveled to Dor to carry out a large purchase on his behalf - and hence brought with him the seal. Another theory is that the seal was brought to the area at a much later period - perhaps during the Roman era, when there was a large market for ancient antiques.
The archaeological dig at Tel Dor is set to resume in July, with visitors and amateur archaeologists invited to participate. In the meantime, the seal and other fascinating discoveries is available for viewing at Kibbutz Nahsholim.
5. FUGITIVE RABBI CLAIMS 'ISRAELI GOVERNMENT TARGETED ME'
by Shoshana Miskin
During court proceedings in Johannesburg, Rabbi Eliezer Berland, who is wanted in Israel on suspicions of sexual assault, claimed he is being wronged by the Israeli government and is being targeted along with other rabbis.
In a message to his followers, the head of the Shuvu Banim sect said that "the Israeli government has a tendency to improperly mark rabbis," and claimed that they "mark those whose profession is not inconsistent with their political objectives."
Last week, South Africa's Randburg Magistrate's Court ruled that Rabbi Berland will remain in custody during his bail and be extradited to Israel for a hearing.
Meanwhile, followers of Berland are planning a demonstration for Monday morning outside the South African Embassy in Israel at Ramat Gan.
The continuation of the bail hearing was postponed to April 26.
6. PA PREACHER: PRAY FOR GENOCIDE AND ALLAH TO PUNISH 'WICKED' JEWS
by Shoshana Miskin
[youtube:2014775]
A preacher on official Palestinian Authority (PA) television on Friday prayed that Allah should "count" his enemies, the enemies of Islam, and "kill them to the last one."
The TV preacher then singled out for punishment "the wicked Jews" and "the atheists who help them," according to Palestinian Media Watch (PMW).
"Allah, punish your enemies, the enemies of religion, count their numbers and kill them to the last one, and bring them a black day. Allah, punish the wicked Jews, and those among the atheists who help them. Allah, we ask that you bestow upon us respect and honor by enabling us to repel them, and we ask you to save us from their evil," said the Palestinian preacher.
Recently, the PA and Fatah have replaced using sermons to call for killing Jews with different ways of promoting killing Israelis: statements by leaders in support of terror attacks and their perpetrators, celebration and glorification of terrorists, music videos promoting violence and the killing of Israelis, and more.
While the terror and murder promotion has not stopped, the PA merely changed its means after foreign governments and the media condemned the sermons on PA TV, after PMW had reported on many cases which called for Muslims to exterminate Jews.
Since then, there have only been occasional calls for genocide in sermons and in speeches by religious leaders, such as the Mufti's vehement calls for the killing of Jews.
7. JUDGE CANCELS ARAB TAKEOVER OF AFULA
by Shlomo Pyotrkovsky
The Nazareth District Court on Sunday ordered to cancel the tenders for a new neighborhood in Afula Ilit, in which all 48 plots were sold to Arabs in an "instant Arab neighborhood" that led to outrage and protests in Afula.
Judge Avraham Avraham ordered to cancel the bidding results, after ruling that those petitioning the tenders were able to prove a significant portion of the winning bids were price fixed with the bidders coordinating their offers. The conditions of the tenders forbid such coordination of the bids.
The judge noted that the fairness of the bidding was "seriously harmed" by the actions, and therefore threw out the tenders.
The legal basis for his decision came from the results of a case regarding land tenders in Harish, where the court confirmed the Israel Land Authority (ILA) head's position, according to which price fixing and manipulation are grounds to negate the results of several or all of the tenders.
Evidence showing the price fixing could be seen from nine plots for two families each, in which identical bids won the tender, each for 255,555 shekels (nearly $66,000). The identical offer for the unusual sum clearly indicated coordination.
In several other plots, bids won out that appeared to have been coordinated in advance to be close to those of the nine plots; the bids were for figures such as 255,777 shekels and 255,888 shekels.
Also raising suspicions was the fact that all of the winning bidders were Arabs, and not a single resident of the city of Afula won any bids.
Ya'akov Dadon, a resident of the city whose daughter Shelly was brutally murdered by an Arab terrorist last year, said that while his daughter was stabbed 17 times, upon learning of the new neighborhood, he felt that he was "stabbed 50 more times."
Residents said that they already live in fear of Arab violence and that a new Arab neighborhood would make their lives unbearable.
8. WATCH: ANTI-SEMITE TRASHES BROOKLYN SYNAGOGUE
by David Rosenberg
[youtube:2014759]
A Brooklyn synagogue was attacked by a crazed anti-Semite Thursday morning.
The incident, which occurred at the "Apta" Satmar hassidic synagogue on Lee Avenue in Williamsburg, was captured by the synagogue's security cameras.
While the circumstances behind the attack are unclear, witnesses said a man burst into the synagogue just after morning prayers, attacking a group of congregants who had stayed on to study Talmud.
The attacker tried swinging a ladder at the congregants. When he failed to injure anyone, he became even more enraged and began overturning benches and tables.
Those present in the synagogue quickly fled, notifying the police and Shomrim, a local Jewish neighborhood watch group.
Members of the Shomrim quickly arrived and detained the attacker, holding him until police officers arrived and took the man into custody.
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Friday, April 22, 2016
A7News: Watch: Soldier who shot Hevron terrorist freed for Passover
Arutz Sheva Daily Israel Report
http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com
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Friday, Apr. 22 '16, Nissan 14, 5776
HEADLINES:
1. WATCH: SOLDIER WHO SHOT HEVRON TERRORIST FREED FOR PASSOVER
2. KREMLIN DENIES BIBI-PUTIN MEETING WAS OVER AERIAL INCIDENT
3. 17-YEAR-OLD NAMED AS HAIFA BUS CRASH FATALITY
4. ARGENTINE POP STAR SENDS MESSAGE TO BUS BOMB VICTIM
5. SOVEREIGNTY SIGNS PROTEST IDF WITHDRAWAL FROM JUDEA-SAMARIA
6. MANISCHEWITZ SUED FOR FIRING KOSHER INSPECTOR
7. POLICE ARREST JEWS FOR TRYING TO OFFER SACRIFICE ON TEMPLE MOUNT
8. CHIEF RABBI CALLS WORLD JEWS HOME FOR PASSOVER
1. WATCH: SOLDIER WHO SHOT HEVRON TERRORIST FREED FOR PASSOVER
by Kobi Finkler
IDF sergeant Elor Azariya, the Kfir Brigade soldier who last month shot a wounded Arab terrorist in Hevron and currently is on trial for manslaughter, was released from his open detention at his IDF base for Passover, the holiday of freedom.
Azariya, 20, is to spend the seder with his family in Ramle, and on Sunday he will return to his detention. Video from his return shows his excited family, friends and supporters welcoming him back.
[video:2014750]
At the start of the week an indictment charging Azariya with manslaughter was submitted by the military prosecutor, but the military judge Lt. Col. Ronen Shur said that the level of criminality of Azariya's actions is far less than that ascribed to him by the prosecutor.
Azariya's arrest has been extended until the end of legal proceedings, although the judge agreed to let him be released to his family for the holiday.
Azariya has testified he shot over concerns that the terrorist - who minutes earlier with an accomplice stabbed and wounded a soldier - was moving to detonate a hidden bomb belt. Other soldiers at the scene, a Magen David Adom (MDA) investigative committee and a CID officer have all confirmed that concerns of a bomb belt had not been ruled out.
On Tuesday a massive rally supporting the soldier was held at Tel Aviv's Rabin Square, in which thousands demonstrated in a call to release Azariya.
2. KREMLIN DENIES BIBI-PUTIN MEETING WAS OVER AERIAL INCIDENT
by Ari Yashar
Russia on Friday denied reports in Israeli media, according to which Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin's meeting on Thursday was meant to discuss an aerial incident over Syria.
The alleged aerial incident between Israeli Air Force (IAF) and Russian fighter jets was reported by Yedioth Aharonoth on Thursday night as being the impetus of the meeting.
A Russian jet was said to have been scrambled in recent days to intercept an IAF aircraft flying along the Syrian coast and even fired on the Israeli craft, although the two aircraft did not make contact.
However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said at a press conference Friday that "in this case, Israeli press reports are far from reality," reports Reuters.
The report of the incident was strengthened by the fact that in the meeting, it was agreed that IAF Commander Gen. Amir Eshel and Netanyahu's senior military adviser Brig. Gen. Eliezer Toledano would hold a special meeting with Russia's defense minister and several other generals.
Netanyahu held a press briefing after his meeting with Putin, in which he stated that significant achievements were made for the security of Israel, stressing the coordination of the armies of the two nations in Syria, where Russia is active in propping up Bashar al-Assad's regime.
He emphasized that the meeting was crucial in preserving the IDF's operational freedom.
3. 17-YEAR-OLD NAMED AS HAIFA BUS CRASH FATALITY
by Tova Dvorin
A gag order has been lifted on the identity of the fatality in a horrific bus crash in Haifa Thursday night, with the 20-something fatality now revealed to be 17-year-old Or Elbaz.
Elbaz, an eleventh-grade student at the Chugim high school in Haifa, alighted the 101 bus Thursday night to buy a new outfit for Passover. She was an only child born to older parents.
Her funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Kfar Samir cemetery in the city. Fifty-four people in total were wounded from the crash; five remain in serious condition.
The Egged 101 line bus was said to be traveling from the direction of Hof Hacarmel towards Neve Shaanan along the tunnels when it crashed.
Initially it was reported that the bus hit a truck and as a result veered from its lane, crashing into the tunnel wall.
However, later investigations indicated the bus veered for an as yet unknown reason, and police continue to check the circumstances.
Investigators told Yediot Aharonot Friday that the driver blamed a technical problem for the crash during the initial interrogations.
The driver, a 44-year-old man from Haifa, will appear in court Sunday on charges of manslaughter, deviating from a bus route, and reckless driving. He is currently under house arrest until the hearing.
4. ARGENTINE POP STAR SENDS MESSAGE TO BUS BOMB VICTIM
by Ari Yashar
Fifteen-year-old Eden Dadon was anxiously awaiting the performance in Israel of Lali Esposito, an internationally famous Argentine actress and singer - but then she was seriously wounded in the Hamas bus bombing in Jerusalem on Monday.
Dadon had already bought tickets two months ago for Esposito's show next week, but she was among the 15 victims wounded in southeastern Jerusalem by the bomb attack earlier this week, erasing her chances of seeing Esposito.
The girl is hospitalized at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital's emergency treatment unit where she is on artificial respiration and is put to sleep on anesthetics. Her mother Racheli, who was with her on the bus and was lightly wounded in the attack, is constantly by her side praying for her recovery.
But in a heart-warming move at the initiative of Yedioth Aharonoth, the international star who is famous in Israel from the TV show Casi Angeles and other works sent a video message of encouragement to her young fan and terror victim.
The family had asked for Esposito to visit Eden, but since she wasn't able to reach the hospital, she sent a video message which was published by Yedioth Aharonoth on Friday.
"Hello Eden, this is Lali, I'm sending you a big big kiss," Esposito said in her video message in Spanish.
"I think you must understand something in Spanish, because I understand that you are a fan of mine and all the works I took part in. I want to thank you from my whole heart for all the love," continued the Argentine star.
"Everyone came to me in order to speak about you and how you're a devoted fan. Let there be no doubt, the next time I come to Israel you will be in the front row, enjoying the performance. I love you, kisses."
The Dadon family was very moved by the video message, and played it for Eden who is still asleep under anesthetics.
"She understands and reads Spanish," said Eden's cousin Riki Ohana. "The moment we showed her the video she heard it, she felt, she understood, her pulse went up. It was a moving moment."
"Eden has been a fan of Lali for seven years, and she was counting down the minutes to the concert," added Ohana.
Eden's mother Racheli asked to thank Esposito for the support, saying, "thanks to Lali, the sweetheart. Eden really loves you, and she will understand every word you said in the video you sent."
An update of the victims from the bombing attack was given on Thursday by Prof. Avi Rivkind, director of Hadassah Ein Kerem's trauma ward.
"In the emergency breathing treatment unit three wounded are hospitalized from the bus attack. They were seriously wounded in their breathing passages, and are still put to sleep and on artificial respiration, although their status is stable and they are not in life-threatening danger," said the doctor.
5. SOVEREIGNTY SIGNS PROTEST IDF WITHDRAWAL FROM JUDEA-SAMARIA
by Arutz Sheva Staff
In response to heated Cabinet discussions on negotiations with the Palestinian Authority (PA) on an IDF withdrawal from Area A in Judea and Samaria, Women in Green activists went out on Thursday night to make a statement.
The activists hung signs calling for the application of Israeli sovereignty on the red warning signs at the entrance to Area A, a series of regions classified by the 1994 Oslo Accord as being under full PA security and administrative control. The IDF was forced to reenter the regions due to the rampant terrorism of the 2000 Oslo War or Second Intifada.
Yehudit Katsover and Nadia Matar, the leaders of Women in Green, spoke about the reason for their night-time mission.
"During these days, immediately before the holiday of Freedom, when there is more and more talk of the IDF no longer entering Area A, it is precisely now the correct time to apply sovereignty over the Land of Israel," they said.
"If the IDF does not enter Area A it means a surrender of the area against the will of the people," they said, adding, "Ministers (Ze'ev) Elkin and (Naftali) Bennett did well in preventing, for now, this terrible decision."
Warning against a withdrawal, they said, "we must be extra aware of the danger that the territory will be usurped. This is why Women in Green activists hung signs calling for sovereignty on Route 60 (from Shechem in northern Samaria to southern Har Hevron in southern Judea) and on the red signs at the entry to Area A, signs cautioning Jews against entry into these areas."
"These signs are an outrage. Unfortunately, we did not fight when they placed these signs at the time and now there is talk about the IDF retreating from Area A. These red signs must be taken down immediately and we must apply sovereignty."
"The time has come for sovereignty" Women in Green
6. MANISCHEWITZ SUED FOR FIRING KOSHER INSPECTOR
by Arutz Sheva Staff
Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz, the longtime inspector of matzah (unleavened bread for Passover) for the kosher foods company Manischewitz, has sued the company for firing him after he criticized a lapse in kashrut standards.
The lawsuit was filed against the company in Newark, New Jersey, on Wednesday after the rabbi was fired from his post at Manischewitz after complaining it was not adhering to Jewish dietary law, reports Associated Press on Friday.
Rabbi Horowitz had long been Manischewitz's chief supervising rabbi, on behalf of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America which independently ensures kosher standards.
The rabbi seeks millions of dollars in compensation for emotional distress and damage to his reputation in the lawsuit, which was filed in New York City.
However, the Orthodox Union branded the lawsuit "entirely without merit," while asserting that Manischewitz meets the highest standards of kashrut.
Manischewitz officials have declined to comment on the lawsuit.
7. POLICE ARREST JEWS FOR TRYING TO OFFER SACRIFICE ON TEMPLE MOUNT
by Uzi Baruch
Israel Police arrested two Israeli Jews in Jerusalem on Friday morning, as they carried a young goat up to the Temple Mount.
They were arrested on account of "behavior which was bound to break the peace," Police said in a statement.
Shortly thereafter, the police also found another young goat tied to a post in Jerusalem's Old City, without an owner in sight. Agriculture Ministry representatives confiscated the animal and will find a home for it.
"The Jerusalem police works to provide balance, in order to enable all three [monotheistic] faiths to exercise their freedom of worship with the guarantee of personal safety and security, and expects that public behavior during this period will be characterized by tolerance and mutual respect," it added.
The Return to the Temple Mount movement is outraged by the arrests.
"The restraining orders of the Israel Police will not prevent us from the right and duty to offer a Passover sacrifice during this time," they said. "We call on the entire nation of Israel to arrive to the Temple Mount today and to keep this important commandment."
8. CHIEF RABBI CALLS WORLD JEWS HOME FOR PASSOVER
by Hezki Baruch
Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi David Lau, on Friday gave a special message to Arutz Sheva readers ahead of the Passover holiday that begins on Friday night.
Rabbi Lau hailed the Passover seder as "the night of the birth of the nation of Israel," and referenced a midrash (exegesis) of the Jewish sages saying Ya'akov (Jacob) prayed on the night of Passover because it is a special time of connection for the soul with the nation of Israel and with God.
The Chief Rabbi of Israel spoke about the first Passover night during the plagues before the exodus occurred, noting the similarities to the seder today. He imagined a father telling his children that night, "remember how Ya'akov came down to Egypt, and we came here and at the beginning it was okay, and then a new king arose and the difficulties started."
"And the father shows the bruise of the whip on his shoulder, he could show them where it hit him," said Rabbi Lau. Continuing the father's imagined narrative, he said, "but then Moshe and Aharon came with great tidings that first of all we will merit to leave here, that we will receive the Torah from God, that we will reach the Holy Land, we will return to the land of our fathers, and we will merit offspring who are our continuation."
This tradition continued the next seder with an addition of the other plagues that had since befallen the Egyptians, he said, and a year later additions from the miracle of the parting of the sea and the giving of the Torah were included.
But he emphasized that the description of the seder and the miraculous story of redemption has remained the same.
King Solomon, the son of King David, asked the same question of "mah nishtanah" (what is different - ed.) in Jerusalem around 3,000 years ago that is asked by children at the seder now, said Rabbi Lau.
"Now we ask ourselves, what is different?," he posed, mentioning the Hamas bus bombing in Jerusalem on Monday in which 15 victims were wounded, indicating that the nation of Israel still suffers.
He noted how he visited the wounded at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, where three seriously wounded victims are still under a medically-induced coma and on respirators. Rabbi Lau pointed to the uncertainty Jews face with the danger of bus bombings and terror attacks looming.
"So on the face of things, what's different? We see that in every generation 'they stand before us to destroy us,' but we have to remember that we have a complete faith which tonight we will again instill within us: 'And the Holy One Blessed be He saves us from their hands,'" he said, referencing the seder liturgy.
Rabbi Lau recalled God's promise to the patriarchs that while their offspring would suffer in Egypt, they would go out with great possessions, both physical wealth from the Egyptians and spiritual wealth from the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
"What's changed? We are blessed that in contrast to previous generations, we are able to be at this special seder night in our land, in our homes, in our national place."
Addressing Jews around the world, he said, "we're here already, we're in the land, but we also ask from those who maybe can't but really want to come to the land, (and) we remind those who can and still don't want to: Come, the chair at the seder table is waiting for you."
"This is the land where soon, we will merit to reach Jerusalem and stand in its walls to offer the Passover sacrifice, to see the Creator bless the entire community of Israel, all as one," said Rabbi Lau.
Delineating the process of the exodus leading up to entering the land of Israel, he said, "currently we expect and await 'and He built for us the chosen house (i.e. the Holy Temple),' to see the nation of Israel in peace and joy here in the Holy Land."
"Chag sameach to all viewers, listeners and fans of Arutz Sheva, chag sameach to all the house of Israel," concluded the rabbi.
His message in Hebrew can be viewed below.
[video:2014754]
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Delivered Daily via Email, Sunday thru Friday
Subscribe to this Daily Israel Report:
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Friday, Apr. 22 '16, Nissan 14, 5776
HEADLINES:
1. WATCH: SOLDIER WHO SHOT HEVRON TERRORIST FREED FOR PASSOVER
2. KREMLIN DENIES BIBI-PUTIN MEETING WAS OVER AERIAL INCIDENT
3. 17-YEAR-OLD NAMED AS HAIFA BUS CRASH FATALITY
4. ARGENTINE POP STAR SENDS MESSAGE TO BUS BOMB VICTIM
5. SOVEREIGNTY SIGNS PROTEST IDF WITHDRAWAL FROM JUDEA-SAMARIA
6. MANISCHEWITZ SUED FOR FIRING KOSHER INSPECTOR
7. POLICE ARREST JEWS FOR TRYING TO OFFER SACRIFICE ON TEMPLE MOUNT
8. CHIEF RABBI CALLS WORLD JEWS HOME FOR PASSOVER
1. WATCH: SOLDIER WHO SHOT HEVRON TERRORIST FREED FOR PASSOVER
by Kobi Finkler
IDF sergeant Elor Azariya, the Kfir Brigade soldier who last month shot a wounded Arab terrorist in Hevron and currently is on trial for manslaughter, was released from his open detention at his IDF base for Passover, the holiday of freedom.
Azariya, 20, is to spend the seder with his family in Ramle, and on Sunday he will return to his detention. Video from his return shows his excited family, friends and supporters welcoming him back.
[video:2014750]
At the start of the week an indictment charging Azariya with manslaughter was submitted by the military prosecutor, but the military judge Lt. Col. Ronen Shur said that the level of criminality of Azariya's actions is far less than that ascribed to him by the prosecutor.
Azariya's arrest has been extended until the end of legal proceedings, although the judge agreed to let him be released to his family for the holiday.
Azariya has testified he shot over concerns that the terrorist - who minutes earlier with an accomplice stabbed and wounded a soldier - was moving to detonate a hidden bomb belt. Other soldiers at the scene, a Magen David Adom (MDA) investigative committee and a CID officer have all confirmed that concerns of a bomb belt had not been ruled out.
On Tuesday a massive rally supporting the soldier was held at Tel Aviv's Rabin Square, in which thousands demonstrated in a call to release Azariya.
2. KREMLIN DENIES BIBI-PUTIN MEETING WAS OVER AERIAL INCIDENT
by Ari Yashar
Russia on Friday denied reports in Israeli media, according to which Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin's meeting on Thursday was meant to discuss an aerial incident over Syria.
The alleged aerial incident between Israeli Air Force (IAF) and Russian fighter jets was reported by Yedioth Aharonoth on Thursday night as being the impetus of the meeting.
A Russian jet was said to have been scrambled in recent days to intercept an IAF aircraft flying along the Syrian coast and even fired on the Israeli craft, although the two aircraft did not make contact.
However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said at a press conference Friday that "in this case, Israeli press reports are far from reality," reports Reuters.
The report of the incident was strengthened by the fact that in the meeting, it was agreed that IAF Commander Gen. Amir Eshel and Netanyahu's senior military adviser Brig. Gen. Eliezer Toledano would hold a special meeting with Russia's defense minister and several other generals.
Netanyahu held a press briefing after his meeting with Putin, in which he stated that significant achievements were made for the security of Israel, stressing the coordination of the armies of the two nations in Syria, where Russia is active in propping up Bashar al-Assad's regime.
He emphasized that the meeting was crucial in preserving the IDF's operational freedom.
3. 17-YEAR-OLD NAMED AS HAIFA BUS CRASH FATALITY
by Tova Dvorin
A gag order has been lifted on the identity of the fatality in a horrific bus crash in Haifa Thursday night, with the 20-something fatality now revealed to be 17-year-old Or Elbaz.
Elbaz, an eleventh-grade student at the Chugim high school in Haifa, alighted the 101 bus Thursday night to buy a new outfit for Passover. She was an only child born to older parents.
Her funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Kfar Samir cemetery in the city. Fifty-four people in total were wounded from the crash; five remain in serious condition.
The Egged 101 line bus was said to be traveling from the direction of Hof Hacarmel towards Neve Shaanan along the tunnels when it crashed.
Initially it was reported that the bus hit a truck and as a result veered from its lane, crashing into the tunnel wall.
However, later investigations indicated the bus veered for an as yet unknown reason, and police continue to check the circumstances.
Investigators told Yediot Aharonot Friday that the driver blamed a technical problem for the crash during the initial interrogations.
The driver, a 44-year-old man from Haifa, will appear in court Sunday on charges of manslaughter, deviating from a bus route, and reckless driving. He is currently under house arrest until the hearing.
4. ARGENTINE POP STAR SENDS MESSAGE TO BUS BOMB VICTIM
by Ari Yashar
Fifteen-year-old Eden Dadon was anxiously awaiting the performance in Israel of Lali Esposito, an internationally famous Argentine actress and singer - but then she was seriously wounded in the Hamas bus bombing in Jerusalem on Monday.
Dadon had already bought tickets two months ago for Esposito's show next week, but she was among the 15 victims wounded in southeastern Jerusalem by the bomb attack earlier this week, erasing her chances of seeing Esposito.
The girl is hospitalized at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital's emergency treatment unit where she is on artificial respiration and is put to sleep on anesthetics. Her mother Racheli, who was with her on the bus and was lightly wounded in the attack, is constantly by her side praying for her recovery.
But in a heart-warming move at the initiative of Yedioth Aharonoth, the international star who is famous in Israel from the TV show Casi Angeles and other works sent a video message of encouragement to her young fan and terror victim.
The family had asked for Esposito to visit Eden, but since she wasn't able to reach the hospital, she sent a video message which was published by Yedioth Aharonoth on Friday.
"Hello Eden, this is Lali, I'm sending you a big big kiss," Esposito said in her video message in Spanish.
"I think you must understand something in Spanish, because I understand that you are a fan of mine and all the works I took part in. I want to thank you from my whole heart for all the love," continued the Argentine star.
"Everyone came to me in order to speak about you and how you're a devoted fan. Let there be no doubt, the next time I come to Israel you will be in the front row, enjoying the performance. I love you, kisses."
The Dadon family was very moved by the video message, and played it for Eden who is still asleep under anesthetics.
"She understands and reads Spanish," said Eden's cousin Riki Ohana. "The moment we showed her the video she heard it, she felt, she understood, her pulse went up. It was a moving moment."
"Eden has been a fan of Lali for seven years, and she was counting down the minutes to the concert," added Ohana.
Eden's mother Racheli asked to thank Esposito for the support, saying, "thanks to Lali, the sweetheart. Eden really loves you, and she will understand every word you said in the video you sent."
An update of the victims from the bombing attack was given on Thursday by Prof. Avi Rivkind, director of Hadassah Ein Kerem's trauma ward.
"In the emergency breathing treatment unit three wounded are hospitalized from the bus attack. They were seriously wounded in their breathing passages, and are still put to sleep and on artificial respiration, although their status is stable and they are not in life-threatening danger," said the doctor.
5. SOVEREIGNTY SIGNS PROTEST IDF WITHDRAWAL FROM JUDEA-SAMARIA
by Arutz Sheva Staff
In response to heated Cabinet discussions on negotiations with the Palestinian Authority (PA) on an IDF withdrawal from Area A in Judea and Samaria, Women in Green activists went out on Thursday night to make a statement.
The activists hung signs calling for the application of Israeli sovereignty on the red warning signs at the entrance to Area A, a series of regions classified by the 1994 Oslo Accord as being under full PA security and administrative control. The IDF was forced to reenter the regions due to the rampant terrorism of the 2000 Oslo War or Second Intifada.
Yehudit Katsover and Nadia Matar, the leaders of Women in Green, spoke about the reason for their night-time mission.
"During these days, immediately before the holiday of Freedom, when there is more and more talk of the IDF no longer entering Area A, it is precisely now the correct time to apply sovereignty over the Land of Israel," they said.
"If the IDF does not enter Area A it means a surrender of the area against the will of the people," they said, adding, "Ministers (Ze'ev) Elkin and (Naftali) Bennett did well in preventing, for now, this terrible decision."
Warning against a withdrawal, they said, "we must be extra aware of the danger that the territory will be usurped. This is why Women in Green activists hung signs calling for sovereignty on Route 60 (from Shechem in northern Samaria to southern Har Hevron in southern Judea) and on the red signs at the entry to Area A, signs cautioning Jews against entry into these areas."
"These signs are an outrage. Unfortunately, we did not fight when they placed these signs at the time and now there is talk about the IDF retreating from Area A. These red signs must be taken down immediately and we must apply sovereignty."
"The time has come for sovereignty" Women in Green
6. MANISCHEWITZ SUED FOR FIRING KOSHER INSPECTOR
by Arutz Sheva Staff
Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz, the longtime inspector of matzah (unleavened bread for Passover) for the kosher foods company Manischewitz, has sued the company for firing him after he criticized a lapse in kashrut standards.
The lawsuit was filed against the company in Newark, New Jersey, on Wednesday after the rabbi was fired from his post at Manischewitz after complaining it was not adhering to Jewish dietary law, reports Associated Press on Friday.
Rabbi Horowitz had long been Manischewitz's chief supervising rabbi, on behalf of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America which independently ensures kosher standards.
The rabbi seeks millions of dollars in compensation for emotional distress and damage to his reputation in the lawsuit, which was filed in New York City.
However, the Orthodox Union branded the lawsuit "entirely without merit," while asserting that Manischewitz meets the highest standards of kashrut.
Manischewitz officials have declined to comment on the lawsuit.
7. POLICE ARREST JEWS FOR TRYING TO OFFER SACRIFICE ON TEMPLE MOUNT
by Uzi Baruch
Israel Police arrested two Israeli Jews in Jerusalem on Friday morning, as they carried a young goat up to the Temple Mount.
They were arrested on account of "behavior which was bound to break the peace," Police said in a statement.
Shortly thereafter, the police also found another young goat tied to a post in Jerusalem's Old City, without an owner in sight. Agriculture Ministry representatives confiscated the animal and will find a home for it.
"The Jerusalem police works to provide balance, in order to enable all three [monotheistic] faiths to exercise their freedom of worship with the guarantee of personal safety and security, and expects that public behavior during this period will be characterized by tolerance and mutual respect," it added.
The Return to the Temple Mount movement is outraged by the arrests.
"The restraining orders of the Israel Police will not prevent us from the right and duty to offer a Passover sacrifice during this time," they said. "We call on the entire nation of Israel to arrive to the Temple Mount today and to keep this important commandment."
8. CHIEF RABBI CALLS WORLD JEWS HOME FOR PASSOVER
by Hezki Baruch
Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi David Lau, on Friday gave a special message to Arutz Sheva readers ahead of the Passover holiday that begins on Friday night.
Rabbi Lau hailed the Passover seder as "the night of the birth of the nation of Israel," and referenced a midrash (exegesis) of the Jewish sages saying Ya'akov (Jacob) prayed on the night of Passover because it is a special time of connection for the soul with the nation of Israel and with God.
The Chief Rabbi of Israel spoke about the first Passover night during the plagues before the exodus occurred, noting the similarities to the seder today. He imagined a father telling his children that night, "remember how Ya'akov came down to Egypt, and we came here and at the beginning it was okay, and then a new king arose and the difficulties started."
"And the father shows the bruise of the whip on his shoulder, he could show them where it hit him," said Rabbi Lau. Continuing the father's imagined narrative, he said, "but then Moshe and Aharon came with great tidings that first of all we will merit to leave here, that we will receive the Torah from God, that we will reach the Holy Land, we will return to the land of our fathers, and we will merit offspring who are our continuation."
This tradition continued the next seder with an addition of the other plagues that had since befallen the Egyptians, he said, and a year later additions from the miracle of the parting of the sea and the giving of the Torah were included.
But he emphasized that the description of the seder and the miraculous story of redemption has remained the same.
King Solomon, the son of King David, asked the same question of "mah nishtanah" (what is different - ed.) in Jerusalem around 3,000 years ago that is asked by children at the seder now, said Rabbi Lau.
"Now we ask ourselves, what is different?," he posed, mentioning the Hamas bus bombing in Jerusalem on Monday in which 15 victims were wounded, indicating that the nation of Israel still suffers.
He noted how he visited the wounded at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, where three seriously wounded victims are still under a medically-induced coma and on respirators. Rabbi Lau pointed to the uncertainty Jews face with the danger of bus bombings and terror attacks looming.
"So on the face of things, what's different? We see that in every generation 'they stand before us to destroy us,' but we have to remember that we have a complete faith which tonight we will again instill within us: 'And the Holy One Blessed be He saves us from their hands,'" he said, referencing the seder liturgy.
Rabbi Lau recalled God's promise to the patriarchs that while their offspring would suffer in Egypt, they would go out with great possessions, both physical wealth from the Egyptians and spiritual wealth from the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
"What's changed? We are blessed that in contrast to previous generations, we are able to be at this special seder night in our land, in our homes, in our national place."
Addressing Jews around the world, he said, "we're here already, we're in the land, but we also ask from those who maybe can't but really want to come to the land, (and) we remind those who can and still don't want to: Come, the chair at the seder table is waiting for you."
"This is the land where soon, we will merit to reach Jerusalem and stand in its walls to offer the Passover sacrifice, to see the Creator bless the entire community of Israel, all as one," said Rabbi Lau.
Delineating the process of the exodus leading up to entering the land of Israel, he said, "currently we expect and await 'and He built for us the chosen house (i.e. the Holy Temple),' to see the nation of Israel in peace and joy here in the Holy Land."
"Chag sameach to all viewers, listeners and fans of Arutz Sheva, chag sameach to all the house of Israel," concluded the rabbi.
His message in Hebrew can be viewed below.
[video:2014754]
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Thursday, April 21, 2016
A7News: Former Sanders adviser: 'Israel will be eliminated'
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Thursday, Apr. 21 '16, Nissan 13, 5776
HEADLINES:
1. FORMER SANDERS ADVISER: 'ISRAEL WILL BE ELIMINATED'
2. ATTORNEY GENERAL NIXES FEMALE 'PRIESTLY BLESSING' AT KOTEL
3. OFFICIALS RECOUNT 'UNPRECEDENTED' BIBI-BENNETT CABINET CLASH
4. UK JEWISH STUDENTS LOCK HORNS WITH ANTI-SEMITES AT CONFERENCE
5. BUS BOMBER THREATENED JEWS AHEAD OF ATTACK: 'YOUR DAY WILL COME'
6. ALL TOGETHER - 93% OF ISRAELI JEWS TO JOIN IN PESACH SEDER
7. HIS BROTHER MURDERED JEWISH CHILDREN - HE FIGHTS ISLAMISM
8. KIPPALIVE'S LATEST SINGLE: VEHI SHE'AMDA
1. FORMER SANDERS ADVISER: 'ISRAEL WILL BE ELIMINATED'
by David Rosenberg
Retired US Army Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson is no stranger to controversy, with a legacy of questionable statements on Israel and the US government.
In 2013 the former chief of staff for then-Secretary of State Colin Powell suggested that Israel was responsible for the use of chemical weapons in Syria.
In 2007 Wilkerson appeared in a Dutch documentary, claiming that American foreign policy was dominated by "the Jewish lobby".
Despite his history of inflammatory rhetoric and frequent conspiracy theories, Wilkerson was tapped to serve as a military and foreign policy adviser for the Bernie Sanders campaign in 2015.
In the wake of yet another controversial interview, however, it appears that the Sanders campaign dropped Wilkerson, a point Wilkerson noted while speaking earlier this month to The Real News Network.
"The last time I spoke this way on your show, I compromised my ability to work for the Bernie Sanders Campaign. So now I've probably foreclosed my ability to work for anyone."
True to form, the former Sanders adviser made yet another series of over-the-top claims during the interview, asserting among other things that Israel had "captured" the US government, a common claim employed by fringe elements and white supremacists.
"[T]he ultra-right wing of Israel has captured AIPAC, and AIPAC has captured the United States Congress. And to a certain extent the oval office as well."
While Wilkerson dedicated much of his criticism to Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, he also claimed that Zionism per se sought to dominate much of the Middle East, with designs on Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
"So the future for Israel, as contemplated by Netanyahu, is a greater Israel. Having secured the West Bank. Jerusalem as its capital, perhaps gotten Gaza back, parts of Lebanon, parts of Syria that's now looking like it's falling apart. And parts if not all of Jordan. This is Netanyahu's ultimate goal. This is the Zionist ultimate goal. And so, that's very dangerous because it's not tenable. What you're going to have is you're going to have a one state solution. That state is going to be increasingly apartheid as the West Bank and Jerusalem are now."
Wilkerson frequently invoked comparisons to apartheid-ridden South Africa, and asserted that Israel was doomed to annihilation by either the international community or its Arab neighbors.
"And as Israel proper is becoming more and more alike, that state's going to be apartheid, it's going to be untenable, it's going to be eliminated by the international community if not the 350 to 400 million people around it who are opposed to it."
Wilkerson went on to offer his views on internal Israeli politics, blaming Binyamin Netanyahu and the Likud party for the 1995 assassination of Yitzhak Rabin.
"The current ultra-right wing leadership in Israel under Bibi Netanyahu - to give a historical context - actually probably contributed to the tension and the incredible shift in political momentum in Israel that lead to the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin. It's not going too far to say that Netanyahu and his group created the circumstances that produced the assassin."
Prime Minister Rabin was assassinated in 1995 by Yigal Amir, an opponent of the nascent Oslo Accords unaffiliated with the Likud party.
2. ATTORNEY GENERAL NIXES FEMALE 'PRIESTLY BLESSING' AT KOTEL
by David Rosenberg
Twice a year, during the Pesach and Sukkot holidays, tens of thousands of Jews gather in the Old City of Jerusalem for the mass Birkat Kohanim ("Priestly Blessing") ceremony at the Kotel.
This year, however, the radical feminist group "Women of the Wall", planned to crash the ceremony with a "Birkat Kohanot" ritual alongside the traditional event.
In Judaism, Kohanim, the descendants of the priestly caste who maintained the Temple in Jerusalem, perform a ritual blessing of the congregation each day during morning prayers. The daughters of Kohanim do not perform the ritual blessing.
The planned Women of the Wall event sparked anger among organizers of the Birkat Kohanim ceremony, the Rabbi of the Kotel Shmuel Rabinovitch, and the religious community at large.
A mass prayer rally of Orthodox women was planned for Sunday to protest the Women of the Wall event.
On Thursday, however, Israel's Attorney General, Avichai Mandelblit nixed the alternative ceremony, ruling that no tradition for Birkat Kohanot exists, and is thus counter to the traditions of the venue.
The Attorney General's office said that Mandelblit earlier had held "a hearing on the issue, with representatives of the Prime Minister's Office, the Religious Ministry, the Rabbi of the Kotel, and officials from the Justice Ministry".
"During the meeting the Rabbi of the Kotel and the Religious Ministry presented their positions, arguing that the 'Birkat Kohanot' ceremony was not in keeping with the traditions established at the Kotel."
The Attorney General's ruling noted that 'Birkat Kohanot' was not a recognized Jewish tradition, and that such an event had never been held at the Kotel in the past.
3. OFFICIALS RECOUNT 'UNPRECEDENTED' BIBI-BENNETT CABINET CLASH
by David Rosenberg
A fiery debate which erupted during Wednesday's cabinet meeting revealed a widening gulf between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Education Minister Naftali Bennett (Jewish Home).
The two locked horns over a planned discussion on the proposal to withdraw IDF forces from major Palestinian Authority cities, a moved opposed by Bennett and other senior cabinet members.
Officials present at the closed door security meeting told Yediot Ahronot that the incident began when Bennett lashed out Netanyahu for apparently neglecting his promise to open the withdrawal plan up to discussion and a cabinet vote.
Referring to a pledge made by the Prime Minister on Sunday to bring the matter to a cabinet vote on Wednesday, Bennett told Netanyahu "keep your promise".
Netanyahu reportedly erupted, yelling back at Bennett saying "you don't decide anything here."
The shouting match continued between the two, with Netanyahu threatening to fire the Jewish Home leader from his cabinet.
"Calm down or I'll fire you," Netanyahu reportedly told Bennett.
Officials speaking on condition of anonymity reported that the Netanyahu-Bennett relationship had reached a new low.
"We've seen rounds of arguments and clashing between Bennett and Netanyahu before," one official said. "But what happened today in the cabinet was a new record. We've never seen a fight like this before. The tone and content were abnormally fierce. Netanyahu was absolutely furious. This was unlike anything we've seen till today."
A second official present at the meeting noted that despite his anger, the Prime Minister acceded to Bennett's request.
"Netanyahu didn't like what Bennett had said or the way he said it, and he answered him sharply – 'you don't decide things here'. In spite of that, in the end he gave into Bennett's demand and raised the issue during the meeting."
"After Netanyahu yelled [at Bennett] and threatened to blow up the meeting, he recanted because everybody knows, including Netanyahu, what firing Bennett would mean. That seems to be why the two of them calmed down and let the meeting continue."
While Bennett's office declined to comment on the incident, Jewish Home chairperson Shuli Muallem ridiculed Netanyahu's threat to fire Bennett. Referring to Netanyahu's election-day claim that Arabs were being bused into polling places en masse, Muallem suggested the Prime Minister could only lose by bringing on early elections.
"It's a basic thing for a government minister and senior coalition partner to demand information and answers on security issues, especially when terror is running rampant in the streets. If Netanyahu wants to break up the coalition over this, fine, let him go and try to explain to people a second time about how Arabs are flooding to the polls. But this time the public will know who cares about the state's security."
4. UK JEWISH STUDENTS LOCK HORNS WITH ANTI-SEMITES AT CONFERENCE
by Ari Soffer
The vote by Britain's National Union of Students (NUS) to appoint an openly anti-Semitic student who proudly supports acts of terrorism against Israelis as its president overshadowed another, equally disturbing vote by the NUS on Wednesday.
At the NUS annual conference in Brighton, Jewish students were left aghast at having to defend a motion to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day.
The motion - which did eventually pass - was fiercely opposed by many students, prompting angry responses from Jewish students in return, who say the unwillingness to commemorate the Holocaust is merely a symptom of a wider pervasive anti-Semitism growing among the British student Left.
One of the most loudly-applauded speeches was indeed one delivered by a student opposed to the motion, who contended that commemorating the Holocaust would show that "some lives are worth more than others" - a reference to Jews.
[youtube:2014730]
Jewish students, however, repeatedly observed that marking the greatest genocide in modern European history in no way negated the option of marking other genocides as well, and noted that Jews are alone among minority students in receiving no support - and often only mockery and hostility - when protesting anti-Semitism or seeking to commemorate injustices committed against their people.
Izzy Lenga, a leading Jewish student activist and co-chair of NUS's Anti-Racism, Anti-Fascism (ARAF) campaign, took to the stage to berate fellow students for the "deep-rooted, institutional problem within the movement, that can only go away when students wake up to the fact that NUS has a problem with Jewish students."
[youtube:2014729]
"This movement fails year after year to take the abuse and hatred towards Jewish students seriously," Lenga said, describing the "serious reality where Jewish students are targeted on campuses and signalled out in the movement for just being Jewish."
Taking aim directly at many of her fellow students, she challenged:
"If you're accused of anti-Semitism and your first thought is 'oh, just another smear campaign', you're probably anti-Semitic. If when I walked up on stage... your first thought was "here comes the 'Zio'," that's anti-Semitic. And if you believe that providing a context justifies an attack on a Jewish student - that's anti-Semitism."
Lenga further protested the decision to annul the one position within the NUS - one which she currently holds at ARAF - which is reserved for a Jewish student.
In her final speech as NUS President before Malia Bouattia - who branded Jewish Societies as "Zionist outposts" - takes over, outgoing president Megan Dunn voiced her shock at the very fact that a motion to commemorate the Holocaust was even being debated:
[youtube:2014728]
Although, as mentioned, the motion did pass in spite of the opposition, many students who spoke to Arutz Sheva - all of whom, notably, asked for anonymity - expressed their shock and fear over the course that the NUS is likely to take under Bouattia.
The sound of hundreds of students applauding attempts to erase the memory of the Holocaust is unlikely to convince them otherwise.
5. BUS BOMBER THREATENED JEWS AHEAD OF ATTACK: 'YOUR DAY WILL COME'
by David Rosenberg
A day after a man wounded in Monday's bus bombing in Jerusalem died from his injuries, new details have emerged regarding the alleged terrorist.
Immediately following the attack, which left at least 16 people wounded, Israeli police suspected that the most severely wounded passenger on the bus was the bomber responsible for the attack. The explosive device had been placed on the bus floor between his feet, suggesting that he was in fact the bomber, and that the device had exploded prematurely.
On Wednesday the Hamas terror organization claimed responsibility for the attack, telling Al-Jazeera that the alleged bomber was a member of the group.
New details emerged on Thursday regarding the suspected bomber, who has been identified as Abd al-Hamid Abu Srour, a 19-year-old from the Bethlehem area.
Israeli police have yet to confirm the identity of the young man, who was carrying no identification on the day of the attack.
Arab media sources claimed on Thursday that Abu Srour's father had been taken into custody by Israeli security forces in order to conduct a DNA test to verify the man's identity.
Evidence confirming Hamas' allegation that Abu Srour was acting on their behalf has mounted in the days following the attack. Abu Srour's mother released a picture of her son wearing a Hamas scarf, claiming that he requested she distribute the image after his death.
On Abu Srour's Facebook account, the suspected bomber left several messages threatening Jews in revenge for the killing of terrorists by the IDF.
In response to a video of terrorist being gunned down by Israeli soldiers, Abu Srour wrote "Don't worry, their day will come, with the help of Allah." Similar messages were left in response to other such videos.
6. ALL TOGETHER - 93% OF ISRAELI JEWS TO JOIN IN PESACH SEDER
by Arutz Sheva Staff
The Passover Seder, the retelling of the story of the exodus from Egypt and accompanying festive holiday meal, remains enormously popular in Israel – even among irreligious Jews.
According to a Pew Research Center study released last month, 93% of Israeli Jews are likely to participate in a Seder this Friday evening, the first night of the Passover holiday.
Passover remains one of the most widely observed Jewish traditions, with an overwhelming majority of even secular Jews participating in a Seder. According to the Pew study, 87% of secular Jews attended a Seder in 2015, compared to 97% of traditional Jews, 99% of religious Jews, and 100% of haredim.
Passover Seder attendance is higher among secular Israeli Jews (87%) than American Jews as a whole (70%). Among secular Jews, only 47% said they attended a Seder, according to a 2014 Pew study.
An in depth look at this year's Pew survey reveals that non-observance of Passover was highest among recent Russian immigrants (many of whom are not, however, halakhically Jewish). Among those living in households where the primary language is Russian, only 70% attended a Seder in 2015. By contrast, among those living in Hebrew-speaking homes, 95% participated in a Seder.
Despite the enduring popularity of the Passover Seder, more than a quarter of Israelis opted for "non-traditional" Seders last year. While 67% of Israelis attended a traditional Seder, 26% participated in an "alternative" Seder.
Nearly all haredi, religious, and traditional Jews attended traditional Seders, compared to only 41% of secular Jews. Some 46% of secular Jews said they had participated in a "non-traditional" Seder.
7. HIS BROTHER MURDERED JEWISH CHILDREN - HE FIGHTS ISLAMISM
by Sandra Laffont
(AFP) He is the brother of jihadist Mohamed Merah, who four years ago killed three soldiers and four Jews, but in his extremist, anti-Semitic family it is Abdelghani who is seen as the black sheep.
Abdelghani Merah has light brown eyes, a shaven head and a surname immediately associated with terror in France, but after losing everything because of his brother's acts he has found a calling: de-radicalizing youngsters drawn to jihad.
In an interview with AFP, he says he will never forget the morning in March 2012 when he turned on the television and recognized the street where his brother lived, now crawling with security forces.
It hit him that the man who had been riding around on a scooter, shooting soldiers in the southern French city of Toulouse and nearby Montauban, and then a rabbi and three Jewish children in Toulouse a few days later, was his younger brother Mohamed.
"I rushed to the scene, in a panic. The police thought I wanted to attack them - but I wanted to help them negotiate with Mohamed," he said.
Mohamed was killed in a firefight with the police after a stand-off lasting about 30 hours.
None of these events took Abdelghani, who is around 40, by surprise.
He accuses his Algerian parents of sowing "fertile ground" for radicalization and anti-Semitism among his brothers and his sister Souad.
"My mother always said that Arabs are born to hate Jews. And my father thought that Palestinians were right to carry out suicide bombings and that the Israelis got what they deserved."
In 2003 he said he warned police that "my other brother Kader was calling himself Bin Laden."
A known Salafist, Abdelkader Merah had been under closer scrutiny by intelligence services than Mohamed and is now facing charges of complicity in his brother's attack, which he denies.
Black sheep
Abdelghani cannot quite say why he never absorbed his parents' hatred like his siblings did.
"I was quite a good goalkeeper, and sought after by reputable football clubs, maybe that is where my openness comes from," says the man who later lost the use of one of his arms in a motorbike accident.
He endured a series of painful clashes with his family.
First he fell in love with a woman who had a Jewish grandfather, which so revolted his brother Abdelkader that he stabbed him seven times during an argument.
In another incident he secretly filmed his sister saying she was "proud" of what Mohamed had done, for a television documentary.
Abdelghani also wrote a book titled "My Brother, the Terrorist", to denounce the climate of hatred in his family and to counter growing hero-worship of his brother by young Muslims.
"To them, I did the worst thing possible ... I lost all my friends overnight," Abdelghani said.
"I thought I was relieved after writing my book, but in fact I was depressed. My family was angrier at me than at Mohamed.
"I felt so much pain for them, they didn't realize what they were doing by idolizing him like that. (To them) he didn't kill children, but Jews."
Sinking into despair, Abdelghani broke up with his girlfriend and found himself homeless and jobless as his surname increasingly poisoned his life.
'Breaking the myth'
Then one day, Mohamed Sifaoui, the journalist who helped him write his book, invited him to a meeting in Paris on de-radicalization where he met with the association Entr'autres (Among Others) working with youngsters drawn to jihad.
He decided to join them.
"Abdelghani brings the truth about his brother's character. He breaks the hero-worship. He shows that political religious extremism comes from within the family, like in Nazism," said Patrick Amoyel, a professor in psychopathology and founding member of Entr'autres.
"I have something to offer, I can break the myth around Mohamed, tell youngsters that my brother was weak (and) his mind was stolen," Abdelghani said.
As for the mothers of these lost teens: "I try to comfort them, tell them that what they are doing is essential. If Mohamed had had their love, he would never have become Mohamed Merah.
"I also warn them: if there is a Salafist in the family, you must separate him from the others, because the attacks in Brussels and Paris show clearly the role brothers can play in jihad."
8. KIPPALIVE'S LATEST SINGLE: VEHI SHE'AMDA
by Arutz Sheva Staff
[youtube:2014736]
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Thursday, Apr. 21 '16, Nissan 13, 5776
HEADLINES:
1. FORMER SANDERS ADVISER: 'ISRAEL WILL BE ELIMINATED'
2. ATTORNEY GENERAL NIXES FEMALE 'PRIESTLY BLESSING' AT KOTEL
3. OFFICIALS RECOUNT 'UNPRECEDENTED' BIBI-BENNETT CABINET CLASH
4. UK JEWISH STUDENTS LOCK HORNS WITH ANTI-SEMITES AT CONFERENCE
5. BUS BOMBER THREATENED JEWS AHEAD OF ATTACK: 'YOUR DAY WILL COME'
6. ALL TOGETHER - 93% OF ISRAELI JEWS TO JOIN IN PESACH SEDER
7. HIS BROTHER MURDERED JEWISH CHILDREN - HE FIGHTS ISLAMISM
8. KIPPALIVE'S LATEST SINGLE: VEHI SHE'AMDA
1. FORMER SANDERS ADVISER: 'ISRAEL WILL BE ELIMINATED'
by David Rosenberg
Retired US Army Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson is no stranger to controversy, with a legacy of questionable statements on Israel and the US government.
In 2013 the former chief of staff for then-Secretary of State Colin Powell suggested that Israel was responsible for the use of chemical weapons in Syria.
In 2007 Wilkerson appeared in a Dutch documentary, claiming that American foreign policy was dominated by "the Jewish lobby".
Despite his history of inflammatory rhetoric and frequent conspiracy theories, Wilkerson was tapped to serve as a military and foreign policy adviser for the Bernie Sanders campaign in 2015.
In the wake of yet another controversial interview, however, it appears that the Sanders campaign dropped Wilkerson, a point Wilkerson noted while speaking earlier this month to The Real News Network.
"The last time I spoke this way on your show, I compromised my ability to work for the Bernie Sanders Campaign. So now I've probably foreclosed my ability to work for anyone."
True to form, the former Sanders adviser made yet another series of over-the-top claims during the interview, asserting among other things that Israel had "captured" the US government, a common claim employed by fringe elements and white supremacists.
"[T]he ultra-right wing of Israel has captured AIPAC, and AIPAC has captured the United States Congress. And to a certain extent the oval office as well."
While Wilkerson dedicated much of his criticism to Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, he also claimed that Zionism per se sought to dominate much of the Middle East, with designs on Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
"So the future for Israel, as contemplated by Netanyahu, is a greater Israel. Having secured the West Bank. Jerusalem as its capital, perhaps gotten Gaza back, parts of Lebanon, parts of Syria that's now looking like it's falling apart. And parts if not all of Jordan. This is Netanyahu's ultimate goal. This is the Zionist ultimate goal. And so, that's very dangerous because it's not tenable. What you're going to have is you're going to have a one state solution. That state is going to be increasingly apartheid as the West Bank and Jerusalem are now."
Wilkerson frequently invoked comparisons to apartheid-ridden South Africa, and asserted that Israel was doomed to annihilation by either the international community or its Arab neighbors.
"And as Israel proper is becoming more and more alike, that state's going to be apartheid, it's going to be untenable, it's going to be eliminated by the international community if not the 350 to 400 million people around it who are opposed to it."
Wilkerson went on to offer his views on internal Israeli politics, blaming Binyamin Netanyahu and the Likud party for the 1995 assassination of Yitzhak Rabin.
"The current ultra-right wing leadership in Israel under Bibi Netanyahu - to give a historical context - actually probably contributed to the tension and the incredible shift in political momentum in Israel that lead to the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin. It's not going too far to say that Netanyahu and his group created the circumstances that produced the assassin."
Prime Minister Rabin was assassinated in 1995 by Yigal Amir, an opponent of the nascent Oslo Accords unaffiliated with the Likud party.
2. ATTORNEY GENERAL NIXES FEMALE 'PRIESTLY BLESSING' AT KOTEL
by David Rosenberg
Twice a year, during the Pesach and Sukkot holidays, tens of thousands of Jews gather in the Old City of Jerusalem for the mass Birkat Kohanim ("Priestly Blessing") ceremony at the Kotel.
This year, however, the radical feminist group "Women of the Wall", planned to crash the ceremony with a "Birkat Kohanot" ritual alongside the traditional event.
In Judaism, Kohanim, the descendants of the priestly caste who maintained the Temple in Jerusalem, perform a ritual blessing of the congregation each day during morning prayers. The daughters of Kohanim do not perform the ritual blessing.
The planned Women of the Wall event sparked anger among organizers of the Birkat Kohanim ceremony, the Rabbi of the Kotel Shmuel Rabinovitch, and the religious community at large.
A mass prayer rally of Orthodox women was planned for Sunday to protest the Women of the Wall event.
On Thursday, however, Israel's Attorney General, Avichai Mandelblit nixed the alternative ceremony, ruling that no tradition for Birkat Kohanot exists, and is thus counter to the traditions of the venue.
The Attorney General's office said that Mandelblit earlier had held "a hearing on the issue, with representatives of the Prime Minister's Office, the Religious Ministry, the Rabbi of the Kotel, and officials from the Justice Ministry".
"During the meeting the Rabbi of the Kotel and the Religious Ministry presented their positions, arguing that the 'Birkat Kohanot' ceremony was not in keeping with the traditions established at the Kotel."
The Attorney General's ruling noted that 'Birkat Kohanot' was not a recognized Jewish tradition, and that such an event had never been held at the Kotel in the past.
3. OFFICIALS RECOUNT 'UNPRECEDENTED' BIBI-BENNETT CABINET CLASH
by David Rosenberg
A fiery debate which erupted during Wednesday's cabinet meeting revealed a widening gulf between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Education Minister Naftali Bennett (Jewish Home).
The two locked horns over a planned discussion on the proposal to withdraw IDF forces from major Palestinian Authority cities, a moved opposed by Bennett and other senior cabinet members.
Officials present at the closed door security meeting told Yediot Ahronot that the incident began when Bennett lashed out Netanyahu for apparently neglecting his promise to open the withdrawal plan up to discussion and a cabinet vote.
Referring to a pledge made by the Prime Minister on Sunday to bring the matter to a cabinet vote on Wednesday, Bennett told Netanyahu "keep your promise".
Netanyahu reportedly erupted, yelling back at Bennett saying "you don't decide anything here."
The shouting match continued between the two, with Netanyahu threatening to fire the Jewish Home leader from his cabinet.
"Calm down or I'll fire you," Netanyahu reportedly told Bennett.
Officials speaking on condition of anonymity reported that the Netanyahu-Bennett relationship had reached a new low.
"We've seen rounds of arguments and clashing between Bennett and Netanyahu before," one official said. "But what happened today in the cabinet was a new record. We've never seen a fight like this before. The tone and content were abnormally fierce. Netanyahu was absolutely furious. This was unlike anything we've seen till today."
A second official present at the meeting noted that despite his anger, the Prime Minister acceded to Bennett's request.
"Netanyahu didn't like what Bennett had said or the way he said it, and he answered him sharply – 'you don't decide things here'. In spite of that, in the end he gave into Bennett's demand and raised the issue during the meeting."
"After Netanyahu yelled [at Bennett] and threatened to blow up the meeting, he recanted because everybody knows, including Netanyahu, what firing Bennett would mean. That seems to be why the two of them calmed down and let the meeting continue."
While Bennett's office declined to comment on the incident, Jewish Home chairperson Shuli Muallem ridiculed Netanyahu's threat to fire Bennett. Referring to Netanyahu's election-day claim that Arabs were being bused into polling places en masse, Muallem suggested the Prime Minister could only lose by bringing on early elections.
"It's a basic thing for a government minister and senior coalition partner to demand information and answers on security issues, especially when terror is running rampant in the streets. If Netanyahu wants to break up the coalition over this, fine, let him go and try to explain to people a second time about how Arabs are flooding to the polls. But this time the public will know who cares about the state's security."
4. UK JEWISH STUDENTS LOCK HORNS WITH ANTI-SEMITES AT CONFERENCE
by Ari Soffer
The vote by Britain's National Union of Students (NUS) to appoint an openly anti-Semitic student who proudly supports acts of terrorism against Israelis as its president overshadowed another, equally disturbing vote by the NUS on Wednesday.
At the NUS annual conference in Brighton, Jewish students were left aghast at having to defend a motion to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day.
The motion - which did eventually pass - was fiercely opposed by many students, prompting angry responses from Jewish students in return, who say the unwillingness to commemorate the Holocaust is merely a symptom of a wider pervasive anti-Semitism growing among the British student Left.
One of the most loudly-applauded speeches was indeed one delivered by a student opposed to the motion, who contended that commemorating the Holocaust would show that "some lives are worth more than others" - a reference to Jews.
[youtube:2014730]
Jewish students, however, repeatedly observed that marking the greatest genocide in modern European history in no way negated the option of marking other genocides as well, and noted that Jews are alone among minority students in receiving no support - and often only mockery and hostility - when protesting anti-Semitism or seeking to commemorate injustices committed against their people.
Izzy Lenga, a leading Jewish student activist and co-chair of NUS's Anti-Racism, Anti-Fascism (ARAF) campaign, took to the stage to berate fellow students for the "deep-rooted, institutional problem within the movement, that can only go away when students wake up to the fact that NUS has a problem with Jewish students."
[youtube:2014729]
"This movement fails year after year to take the abuse and hatred towards Jewish students seriously," Lenga said, describing the "serious reality where Jewish students are targeted on campuses and signalled out in the movement for just being Jewish."
Taking aim directly at many of her fellow students, she challenged:
"If you're accused of anti-Semitism and your first thought is 'oh, just another smear campaign', you're probably anti-Semitic. If when I walked up on stage... your first thought was "here comes the 'Zio'," that's anti-Semitic. And if you believe that providing a context justifies an attack on a Jewish student - that's anti-Semitism."
Lenga further protested the decision to annul the one position within the NUS - one which she currently holds at ARAF - which is reserved for a Jewish student.
In her final speech as NUS President before Malia Bouattia - who branded Jewish Societies as "Zionist outposts" - takes over, outgoing president Megan Dunn voiced her shock at the very fact that a motion to commemorate the Holocaust was even being debated:
[youtube:2014728]
Although, as mentioned, the motion did pass in spite of the opposition, many students who spoke to Arutz Sheva - all of whom, notably, asked for anonymity - expressed their shock and fear over the course that the NUS is likely to take under Bouattia.
The sound of hundreds of students applauding attempts to erase the memory of the Holocaust is unlikely to convince them otherwise.
5. BUS BOMBER THREATENED JEWS AHEAD OF ATTACK: 'YOUR DAY WILL COME'
by David Rosenberg
A day after a man wounded in Monday's bus bombing in Jerusalem died from his injuries, new details have emerged regarding the alleged terrorist.
Immediately following the attack, which left at least 16 people wounded, Israeli police suspected that the most severely wounded passenger on the bus was the bomber responsible for the attack. The explosive device had been placed on the bus floor between his feet, suggesting that he was in fact the bomber, and that the device had exploded prematurely.
On Wednesday the Hamas terror organization claimed responsibility for the attack, telling Al-Jazeera that the alleged bomber was a member of the group.
New details emerged on Thursday regarding the suspected bomber, who has been identified as Abd al-Hamid Abu Srour, a 19-year-old from the Bethlehem area.
Israeli police have yet to confirm the identity of the young man, who was carrying no identification on the day of the attack.
Arab media sources claimed on Thursday that Abu Srour's father had been taken into custody by Israeli security forces in order to conduct a DNA test to verify the man's identity.
Evidence confirming Hamas' allegation that Abu Srour was acting on their behalf has mounted in the days following the attack. Abu Srour's mother released a picture of her son wearing a Hamas scarf, claiming that he requested she distribute the image after his death.
On Abu Srour's Facebook account, the suspected bomber left several messages threatening Jews in revenge for the killing of terrorists by the IDF.
In response to a video of terrorist being gunned down by Israeli soldiers, Abu Srour wrote "Don't worry, their day will come, with the help of Allah." Similar messages were left in response to other such videos.
6. ALL TOGETHER - 93% OF ISRAELI JEWS TO JOIN IN PESACH SEDER
by Arutz Sheva Staff
The Passover Seder, the retelling of the story of the exodus from Egypt and accompanying festive holiday meal, remains enormously popular in Israel – even among irreligious Jews.
According to a Pew Research Center study released last month, 93% of Israeli Jews are likely to participate in a Seder this Friday evening, the first night of the Passover holiday.
Passover remains one of the most widely observed Jewish traditions, with an overwhelming majority of even secular Jews participating in a Seder. According to the Pew study, 87% of secular Jews attended a Seder in 2015, compared to 97% of traditional Jews, 99% of religious Jews, and 100% of haredim.
Passover Seder attendance is higher among secular Israeli Jews (87%) than American Jews as a whole (70%). Among secular Jews, only 47% said they attended a Seder, according to a 2014 Pew study.
An in depth look at this year's Pew survey reveals that non-observance of Passover was highest among recent Russian immigrants (many of whom are not, however, halakhically Jewish). Among those living in households where the primary language is Russian, only 70% attended a Seder in 2015. By contrast, among those living in Hebrew-speaking homes, 95% participated in a Seder.
Despite the enduring popularity of the Passover Seder, more than a quarter of Israelis opted for "non-traditional" Seders last year. While 67% of Israelis attended a traditional Seder, 26% participated in an "alternative" Seder.
Nearly all haredi, religious, and traditional Jews attended traditional Seders, compared to only 41% of secular Jews. Some 46% of secular Jews said they had participated in a "non-traditional" Seder.
7. HIS BROTHER MURDERED JEWISH CHILDREN - HE FIGHTS ISLAMISM
by Sandra Laffont
(AFP) He is the brother of jihadist Mohamed Merah, who four years ago killed three soldiers and four Jews, but in his extremist, anti-Semitic family it is Abdelghani who is seen as the black sheep.
Abdelghani Merah has light brown eyes, a shaven head and a surname immediately associated with terror in France, but after losing everything because of his brother's acts he has found a calling: de-radicalizing youngsters drawn to jihad.
In an interview with AFP, he says he will never forget the morning in March 2012 when he turned on the television and recognized the street where his brother lived, now crawling with security forces.
It hit him that the man who had been riding around on a scooter, shooting soldiers in the southern French city of Toulouse and nearby Montauban, and then a rabbi and three Jewish children in Toulouse a few days later, was his younger brother Mohamed.
"I rushed to the scene, in a panic. The police thought I wanted to attack them - but I wanted to help them negotiate with Mohamed," he said.
Mohamed was killed in a firefight with the police after a stand-off lasting about 30 hours.
None of these events took Abdelghani, who is around 40, by surprise.
He accuses his Algerian parents of sowing "fertile ground" for radicalization and anti-Semitism among his brothers and his sister Souad.
"My mother always said that Arabs are born to hate Jews. And my father thought that Palestinians were right to carry out suicide bombings and that the Israelis got what they deserved."
In 2003 he said he warned police that "my other brother Kader was calling himself Bin Laden."
A known Salafist, Abdelkader Merah had been under closer scrutiny by intelligence services than Mohamed and is now facing charges of complicity in his brother's attack, which he denies.
Black sheep
Abdelghani cannot quite say why he never absorbed his parents' hatred like his siblings did.
"I was quite a good goalkeeper, and sought after by reputable football clubs, maybe that is where my openness comes from," says the man who later lost the use of one of his arms in a motorbike accident.
He endured a series of painful clashes with his family.
First he fell in love with a woman who had a Jewish grandfather, which so revolted his brother Abdelkader that he stabbed him seven times during an argument.
In another incident he secretly filmed his sister saying she was "proud" of what Mohamed had done, for a television documentary.
Abdelghani also wrote a book titled "My Brother, the Terrorist", to denounce the climate of hatred in his family and to counter growing hero-worship of his brother by young Muslims.
"To them, I did the worst thing possible ... I lost all my friends overnight," Abdelghani said.
"I thought I was relieved after writing my book, but in fact I was depressed. My family was angrier at me than at Mohamed.
"I felt so much pain for them, they didn't realize what they were doing by idolizing him like that. (To them) he didn't kill children, but Jews."
Sinking into despair, Abdelghani broke up with his girlfriend and found himself homeless and jobless as his surname increasingly poisoned his life.
'Breaking the myth'
Then one day, Mohamed Sifaoui, the journalist who helped him write his book, invited him to a meeting in Paris on de-radicalization where he met with the association Entr'autres (Among Others) working with youngsters drawn to jihad.
He decided to join them.
"Abdelghani brings the truth about his brother's character. He breaks the hero-worship. He shows that political religious extremism comes from within the family, like in Nazism," said Patrick Amoyel, a professor in psychopathology and founding member of Entr'autres.
"I have something to offer, I can break the myth around Mohamed, tell youngsters that my brother was weak (and) his mind was stolen," Abdelghani said.
As for the mothers of these lost teens: "I try to comfort them, tell them that what they are doing is essential. If Mohamed had had their love, he would never have become Mohamed Merah.
"I also warn them: if there is a Salafist in the family, you must separate him from the others, because the attacks in Brussels and Paris show clearly the role brothers can play in jihad."
8. KIPPALIVE'S LATEST SINGLE: VEHI SHE'AMDA
by Arutz Sheva Staff
[youtube:2014736]
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