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Monday, Jul. 25 '16, י"ט בתמוז תשע"ו
HEADLINES:
1. TEENS GUNNED DOWN IN FLORIDA MASS-SHOOTING
2. LIBERMAN: JUDGING AZARIYA WITHOUT THE FACTS WAS A HUGE MISTAKE
3. AZARIYA'S DEFENSE TEAM: WE HAVE GENERALS LINED UP TO TESTIFY
4. 'THE COMPANY COMMANDER IS A FALSE WITNESS, PLAIN AND SIMPLE'
5. REFUGEE SUICIDE-BOMBER IN GERMANY WAS SET TO BE DEPORTED
6. FAMILY OF ISRAELI CAPTIVE BLOCK TERRORISTS' VISITORS
7. PALESTINIAN YOUTH STANDS WITH ISRAEL IN FACE OF CONSTANT THREATS
8. CLINTON VP TAPPED PRO-TERROR MUSLIM LEADER FOR IMMIGRATION SEAT
1. TEENS GUNNED DOWN IN FLORIDA MASS-SHOOTING
by David Rosenberg
[youtube:2017478]
At least 2 people are dead and as many as 17 wounded in a mass-shooting in a Florida nightclub.
The incident took place at the Blu Club in Fort Myers, about two hours northwest of Miami.
One witness told local television the scene was like "a madhouse". Another witness said she heard approximately 30 rounds fired from multiple weapons.
The background of the shooting is as of yet unclear.
The shooting took place during a special "teen night" event. Most of the victims are reportedly in their teens, with some as young as 12-years old.
One of the victims, Timothy Settles, wrote a brief Facebook post in the midst of the shooting, writing "I don't wanna die". He was later wounded and transferred to a local hospital.
According to initial reports, one of the two fatalities is a 14-year old boy.
Local police report that they have detained three people in connection with the shooting.
This is the second mass-shooting in a Florida nightclub in as many months.
In June, Omar Mateen, an Islamic terrorist who swore allegiance to the ISIS terror group, killed 49 patrons at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando.
A Fort Myers church was vandalized with pro-ISIS graffiti earlier this month, though no link between the two incidents has been established.
Scene of deadly Florida nightclub shooting Twitter/Screenshot
2. LIBERMAN: JUDGING AZARIYA WITHOUT THE FACTS WAS A HUGE MISTAKE
by Yoni Kempinski
Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman (Yisrael Beytenu) arrived Monday morning to the IDF induction center "Meitav" in Tel HaShomer as new recruits for the Golani and Givati brigades arrive.
During his visit, Liberman responded to questions from reporters, including inquiries regarding the ongoing trial of Elor Azariya, the soldier accused of manslaughter in the killing of a wounded terrorist in Hevron.
Liberman blasted what he called the prejudgment of Azariya's case, lambasting politicians who attacked Azariya immediately after the incident, a subtle jab at Liberman's predecessor, former Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon.
"It is unacceptable for a political leader, and certainly a minister, to determine the fate of the soldier – particularly if you're the Defense Minister – before the judicial process has run its course. In any free country, in any free and democratic society, a person is innocent until proven guilty."
"To determine from the outset that the soldier was wrong, that he harmed the norms and values of the IDF, before the inquiry had even begun – in my opinion that was a terrible mistake, and I believe that now just as much as then."
The Defense Minister also lent support to Rabbi Eyal Karim, who has been nominated as the IDF's new Chief Rabbi and received the backing of IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot.
"I'm sure that Lieutenant General Gadi Eizenkot knows all the candidates well and knows the army's needs, and I've given him my full support. He had a difficult decision; there were many candidates and a lot of pressure, but I rely on the Chief of Staff's judgment, and as far as I'm concerned, his choice has by full backing."
Liberman in IDF recruitment office
Courtesy of Defense Ministry
3. AZARIYA'S DEFENSE TEAM: WE HAVE GENERALS LINED UP TO TESTIFY
by Yoni Kempinski
[youtube:2017483]
Israeli politicians looking to advance themselves have politicized the case of a soldier being tried for manslaughter, said Ilan Katz, attorney for the indicted.
Elor Azariya has been charged with manslaughter after killing a wounded Arab terrorist following a terror attack in Hevron. The incident drew immediate condemnation from then-Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon, but has sharply divided Israelis.
Azariya has claimed that he acted in self-defense, as it appeared the terrorist may have been attempting to activate an explosive device concealed inside his jacket. Azariya's commander, however, has testified against him, claiming he violated protocol and acted without justification.
Speaking with Arutz Sheva on Monday, Katz blasted the behavior of politicians across the political spectrum, who, he argued, had tried to take a free "ride on this case", at his client's expense.
"He didn't do it in order to take revenge because his friend was injured by the terrorist. But we think that in this case at the time of the action... when he shot the terrorist, this was the only logical thing a soldier could do when he seems to be in front of a big danger, when a suicide bomber can harm him and the people around him."
"It's the kind [of case] that somebody in the government or somebody in the opposition decided to make a political case. But once this case went on all of the politicians from the left-wing and right-wing took a kind of ride on this case, and every one of the politicians tried to take advantage of this case."
But Katz pledged to bring ranking IDF officers to testify on behalf of his client, challenging testimony by Azaryia's commander that he acted improperly given the situation.
"As you can see, it is a very long trial. Many high-ranking officers already gave their testimony in the court. We will bring higher-ranking officers, [including] generals as well as many brigadier generals and other high-ranking officers to show that this case is a political case, that this case has only one purpose: to take the [bright] lights [of criticism] from the high-ranking officers and to put it only on the head of the soldier."
"I think until now his testimony has been very good. He told the things exactly as he told in the very long investigation. Some details are new details which he didn't tell us before, but there is a very good explanation about those details, and we hope that after the soldier will finish testifying today and tomorrow, the whole picture will be brighter."
4. 'THE COMPANY COMMANDER IS A FALSE WITNESS, PLAIN AND SIMPLE'
by Yoni Kempinski
The cross- examination of Corporal Elor Azariya, on trial for shooting a wounded terrorist in Hevron, is currently underway at the military court in Jaffa, where Azariya is being subjected to the questioning of military prosecutor Nadav Weissman.
The prosecution is not making things easy for Azariya, throwing him tough questions.
In response to the question of whether company commander Tom Naaman gave false testimony, Azariya stated affirmatively: "plain and simple." Asked if the former [higher-ranking] battalion commander David Shapira had lied, Azariya answered that he had "on some things."
"In large part, [Shapira's] words do not reflect the truth. He forgot to say things," said Azariya.
Azariya was asked why he only related last week for the first time that the company commander had slapped him after he had shot the terrorist. He replied that "during the investigations I was not in a good mental state. Even now, I'm not well."
"There were some things I didn't remember from the investigation. I was in shock from the incident and from the arrest under which they had put me. Also, each time there was something that made me want to finish the questioning quickly," Azariya added.
The cross-examination was supposed to have begun yesterday afternoon, but Azariya did not feel well, and thus it was delayed until this morning.
In his testimony yesterday, Azariya strongly criticized the behavior of his commanders. "They didn't speak to us once about what to do in the case of explosives or in an attack involving more than one type of weapon...I heard the Brigadier General say that if their was a knife attack, then presumably there wouldn't be a explosives attack.
"Last week in Jerusalem, we saw a terrorist with knives and explosives. I acted in accordance with the instructions for behavior upon opening fire. They just gave the test for behavior upon opening fire so that they could check it off the list. They just told us the answers. That they don't prepare you for the case of explosives is a mistake that could cost lives."
Azariya had harsh words to say about IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkott and former Defense Minister "They put me on trial to satisfy the world and the press. All of a sudden I hear the Chief of Staff and Defense Minister condemning me without even waiting to hear from me, coming out with declarations of condemnation. They threw me to the dogs out of fear of the press."
5. REFUGEE SUICIDE-BOMBER IN GERMANY WAS SET TO BE DEPORTED
by Rachel Kaplan
The 27 year-old Syrian refugee who committed a suicide attack in Ansbach, Germany, was due to be deported.
German interior ministry spokeman announced at a press conference: "Syrians cannot at the moment be deported to Syria, but that doesn't mean that Syrians overall cannot be deported."
"The Syrian in Ansbach was facing deportation to Bulgaria," he explained.
The Ansbach attack was the latest of a series in Germany. Most of the attacks have possible ties to Middle East terrorism, and many think that Syrian immigration should be curbed as a result.
At the same press conference, a spokeswoman for the German government said that although the government is weighing its options, no changes would yet be made to Germany's refugee policy.
"The acts of the last days and weeks do not show a uniform picture," decided Ulrike Demmer. "Most terrorists who carried out attacks in Europe over the last months were not refugees."
6. FAMILY OF ISRAELI CAPTIVE BLOCK TERRORISTS' VISITORS
by Ido ben Porat
The family of Avra Mengistu, currently being held in Gaza by Hamas, and activists working to secure his release demonstrated this morning (Monday) at the entrance of the Southern Jail in the Sharon area, with the aim of pressuring Hamas prisoners by delaying the visits of their families scheduled for this morning.
As the families of the terrorists arrived at the jail, the Mengistu family met them and the Red Cross representatives accompanying them, handing out flyers on which Avra's story was written.
"Despite the fact that Avra is mentally ill and was never a soldier, Hamas continues to hold him and refuses to free him or give information on his whereabouts. You are abusing the defenseless," said the Mengistu family to the families of the terrorists.
During the event, Avra's brother, Ilan, said that "we have come today to convey a message- we will continue to fight with all our strength to free Avra, who is being held prisoner by Hamas, with neither he nor we possessing a clue as to his situation.
"I call on the Minister of the Interior Deri and Minister of Finance Kahlon, who are responsible for means of putting pressure on Hamas, as well as Interior Security Minister Erdan, who proposed the law to cancel visitations to terrorists belonging to organizations that hold Israelis captive, to stop being afraid and stop visits to terrorists, until we can also visit Avra. Avra also has a mother, and she wants to hug her son."
7. PALESTINIAN YOUTH STANDS WITH ISRAEL IN FACE OF CONSTANT THREATS
by Tal Polon
Standing up for one's principles is not always an easy task. This is readily apparent upon reading the personal credo of Mahdi Satri, 17, a young Palestinian Arab from the village of Jadeidi-Makr in northern Israel.
Satri, a staunch Zionist and supporter of Israel, explained in an interview with The Algemeiner how hard it is to hold such beliefs in the midst of constant threat: "I receive regular threats from both Arab Israelis and Palestinians, via social media and by phone," said Mahdi. "And I'm afraid, but I won't let those who support terrorism and oppose peace deter me."
According to the interview, Satri was imbued with Zionist feeling from his father, who moved to Israel from Gaza 30 years ago and worked for Israeli security forces. "My father worked with the IDF and the Shin Bet," he said. "And I am going to join the Israeli army when I finish my university degree."
Despite holding strongly to his beliefs, Satri describes that he feels a constant danger to his life for his views. In a personal credo posted on the website BDS Guide entitled "Know that I died a dreamer," Satri writes:
"I'm writing now with tears running down my face. I had a very long trip, and I'll continue in this trip until the last drop of blood in my body. But I just wanted to share with you my sadness, my tears, and my pain.
"It's really very hard to be a Zionist inside an Arab village. A village full of hatred. I really think that the end is near. Many people are threatening me. People are promoting incitement against me in the mosques. I never ever thought that it would lead to this situation. I'm afraid to go to the shop near my house. I'm afraid to hang out in my village. I'm living in fear, the fear of getting stabbed in the street. And after that no one will remember me. No one will have that Arab who's fighting for his goal, because I'm just encouraging the Israeli Arabs to stand against terrorism and to speak out.
"I became a target. A target for everyone. A target for the Palestinians. A target for my village's citizens. A target for Hamas. A target for every single man in this world. I've never thought that to speak the truth about my beloved country would lead to becoming a victim. When I started my way, I did take it in my hands that I might be killed because of this, but not in this way. I'm just staying home all the day. When I see a car, I'm afraid that it's someone who wants to kill me. No one can imagine this feeling. To live in fear, live with the possibility of getting killed any moment. It's really a very terrible feeling.
"But no, I won't just keep calm and not talk anymore. I'm not this man who will just leave when he feels danger. I won't just keep calm. I won't!! I wont escape and just disappear! I'll fight. I'll fight alone. Against all the terrorists. Against all the people who want me dead because I'm going to serve in the military. I won't!!!
"This is a message. it's not an article… I want to tell you I'll keep fighting against all the terrorists, against our enemies. The enemies that don't want me to speak out and to stand against them… I want to tell you , that I might see tomorrow. And this message might be my last message. But just know something: if I died and if they succeeded to kill me, know that I died a Zionist defending my country. And know that I was smiling while dying because I'll die for my country. And it's really a very big honor. Know that I died and I have a dream. Know that I died a dreamer. A dreamer looking for a new future empty of hatred and full of love. Know that I died for a goal, not for nothing. Know that I died and Zionism in my cool blood. Know that I died a fighter against them… Like I said: Three words, one point: AM ISRAEL CHAI!"
8. CLINTON VP TAPPED PRO-TERROR MUSLIM LEADER FOR IMMIGRATION SEAT
by David Rosenberg
[youtube:2017471]
Virginia Senator and former Governor Tim Kaine has been the Democratic Party's presumptive Vice Presidential nominee for just three days, yet the pick has already drawn fire from the pro-Israel community due in part to Kaine's robust support for the Iran nuclear deal, his boycott of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's address to Congress in 2015, and his ties to a left-wing NGO.
Now, a controversial appointment made during his tenure as Governor of Virginia has raised new questions about Kaine's bona fides as a self-described "strongly pro-Israel Democrat".
In 2007, then-Governor Kaine appointed Esam Omeish, a Libyan-born physician and then-president of the Muslim American Society, to Virginia's Immigration Commission. This came despite Omeish's history of ties and expressions of support for radical Islam and Jihadist terrorism.
Omeish is a long-time member of the Board of Directors of the Dar Al Hijrah mosque, which two of the 19 terrorists responsible for the 9/11 terror attacks attended, as friends of the mosque's imam.
That imam was Anwar al-Awlaki, the radical Salafist cleric who later fled the United States and joined Al-Qaeda, after settling in Yemen.
In 2010, President Obama placed al-Awlaki on the CIA "kill list", citing his orchestration of deadly terror attacks against Americans. In 2011 a US drone strike killed al-Awlaki in southeast Yemen.
But Omeish was not merely a congregant at the Dar Al Hijrah mosque where al-Awlaki preached; in 2000, he was vice president of the mosque and was responsible for vetting and hiring the radical cleric as the mosque's imam.
The Muslim American Society, then headed by Omeish, had close ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, the Chicago Tribune reported in 2004, a description later validated by a federal report describing the group as "the overt arm of the Muslim Brotherhood in America."
In addition to Omeish's ties to radical Islam, his recorded comments prior to the 2007 appointment by Governor Kaine made his support for Jihadist terror even more explicit.
During a December 22, 2000 speech at a Jerusalem Day Rally in Lafayette Park, in Washington D.C., Omeish praised "the Jihad way" to "liberate your land".
"We, the Muslims of the Washington metropolitan area, are here today in subfreezing temperatures to tell our brothers and sisters in Filastine [Palestine], that you have learned the way, that you have known that the Jihad way is the way to liberate your land. And we, by standing here today, despite the weather, and despite anything else, we are telling them that we are with you, we are supporting you, and we will do everything we can inshallah [Allah willing] to help your cause."
In 2004, Omeish explicitly praised Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.
Governor Kaine's selection of Omeish was criticized by state Republicans, who said the governor had failed to properly vet the appointee.
C. Todd Gilbert, a Republican delegate from Shenandoah County, wrote to the governor, noting the Muslim American Society's "questionable origins".
"I don't know how a problem of this magnitude could have slipped through the Governor's screening process," Gilbert later said in a statement. "Even a cursory internet search about the appointee in question would have also easily identified him as a leader of a potentially radical northern Virginia mosque."
Kaine and his administration initially brushed off the criticism as mere Islamophobia.
Yet Omeish's ties to terror and explicit support for violent Jihad quickly became apparent, ultimately leading Kaine to pressure Omeish to step down.
[youtube:2017473]
[youtube:2017472]
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