Archive | 2006 November

Rice to meet with Israeli, PA leaders

Posted on Thursday, November 30, 2006

American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is to meet today with Israeli and Palestinian Authority leaders in an attempt to strengthen the ceasefire and encourage renewed contacts between Israel and the Palestinian unity government expected to be established in the near future.

Hamas demands Barghouti release for Shalit

Posted on Thursday, November 30, 2006

Hamas announced that West Bank Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti will be at the top of the list of Palestinian prisoners to be freed in exchange for the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

Report: Israeli concessions solution to Baghdad violence

Posted on Thursday, November 30, 2006

An American committee studying the situation in Iraq has recommended that in order to improve the situation in the violence-torn country, the United States should pressure Israel to make concessions to the Palestinians and other Arab states.

Court orders labor union to end strike

Posted on Thursday, November 30, 2006

The National Labor Court ordered public workers back to their jobs on Thursday following a one-day strike across the country, which caused heavy damage to the economy in just 24 hours.

Histadrut launches general public sector strike

Posted on Wednesday, November 29, 2006

After final attempts to come to an agreement failed, the Histadrut (Israeli trade union) labor federation launched a strike early Wednesday morning of the general public sector affecting the postal service, airports and banks, to name a few.

Olmert 'disappointed' with continuing rockets

Posted on Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he is disappointed with the contining Kassam rockets fired into Israeli territory in the midst of a cease-fire, agreed upon on Sunday with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.

Egyptian Intelligence head to visit Israel

Posted on Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Egyptian Intelligence Head Omar Suleiman is slated to arrive in Jerusalem on Wednesday for a number of meetings with Israel’s leaders including Defense Minister Amir Peretz, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and National Infrastructure Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer.

Kidnapped soldiers’ families rally in Europe

Posted on Wednesday, November 29, 2006

The families of Israel’s three kidnapped soldiers, Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, began a series meetings with European officials in Brussels. Buses from around Europe transported people for a mass rally, showing support for the kidnapped troops.

Meridor presents credentials to Bush

Posted on Tuesday, November 28, 2006

The new Israeli Ambassador in Washington, Sallai Meridor, former Jewish Agency chairman, will present his permanent credentials to US President George W. Bush after having submitted temporary credentials to the State Department three weeks earlier, and has been working since.

Livni meets foreign ministers from Middle East

Posted on Tuesday, November 28, 2006

The European Union opened up two-days of talks with foreign ministers from the Middle East to help rescue the dying peace process. Participants included Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni who met with representatives from Egypt, Jordan and Mauritania in Helsinki, Finland.

Israel conducting secret talks with Barghouti

Posted on Tuesday, November 28, 2006

News reports published Monday reveal that over the past two years, Israel has been in constant semi-official contact with Palestinian politician Marwan Barghouti who is serving five life sentences for involvement in terror activities.

Peretz: We have not stopped fighting terror groups

Posted on Tuesday, November 28, 2006

During the ceremonial cabinet meeting held in Sdeh Boker on Monday, Defense Minister Amir Peretz said that aside from the optimism that the ceasefire will hold, the terror groups must understand that Israel did not take a timeout.

Olmert gives landmark speech at Ben Gurion ceremony

Posted on Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert took advantage of the memorial ceremony commemorating 33 years since the death of Israel’s first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion to outline his new political agenda for peace with the Palestinians. The speech came at the conclusion of a ceremonial cabinet meeting held at the Sde Boker Institute in the Negev where the cabinet approved a $400 million plan to strengthen the Negev.

Cherie Blair enlisted on behalf of kidnapped soldiers

Posted on Monday, November 27, 2006

Karnit Goldwasser, wife of kidnapped soldier Ehud Goldwasser, and Goldwasser’s parents, Shlomo and Miki Goldwasser, visited “10 Downing Street" in London a few days ago for a personal meeting with Cherie Blair, wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Syrian Minister: Israel behind Lebanese assassination

Posted on Monday, November 27, 2006

In an interview with a Spanish newspaper, a Syrian minister accused Israel of being behind the assassination of the Lebanese industry minister murdered last week.

Terrorist tunnel collapses

Posted on Monday, November 27, 2006

One of many terrorist-constructed tunnels collapsed over the weekend in the Gaza Strip. This shows Egypt’s failure to heed its agreement of halting arms smuggling.

Katsav to suspend himself if charged

Posted on Monday, November 27, 2006

President Moshe Katsav told the High Court of Justice on Monday he would suspend himself if Attorney-General Menahem Mazuz decides to indict him pending a hearing.

IDF kills PRC commander, arrests 15 terrorists

Posted on Monday, November 27, 2006

Israel Defense Forces killed 22-year-old Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) Commander Abed el-Razek and a 50-year-old woman caught in the crossfire, overnight Sunday in Kabatiya, south of Jenin.

Explosive toys discovered in Nablus

Posted on Sunday, November 26, 2006

A raid conducted by the Israel Defense Forces and the General Security Services in the West Bank city of Nablus Saturday morning revealed a laboratory used by terror groups to produce an array of explosives and bombs in various forms, including stuffed animals and bomb belts.

Palestinians increase use of human shields

Posted on Sunday, November 26, 2006

A new report released by the Intelligence Terrorism Information Center at the Center for Special Studies says that the Palestinian terror organizations, which are aware that Israel does not wish to hurt civilians, have recently increased their proactive use of civilians (including women and children) as human shields for the protection of terrorists and bases of operation.

Jerusalem mayor freezes Safdie plan

Posted on Sunday, November 26, 2006

Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski has frozen the heated Safdie plan, which would have expanded Jerusalem westward, after a successful public campaign by environmentalists who said the project would damage Jerusalem’s forests.

Ceasefire in effect, but Kassam fire still goes on

Posted on Sunday, November 26, 2006

A ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinians has gone into effect Sunday morning at 6:00 a.m. local time after a series of contacts between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas late Saturday.

Jewish Agency offers aid to Sderot youth

Posted on Sunday, November 26, 2006

The Jewish Agency is to donate 11 million shekels ($2.5 million) to residents of Sderot who have suffered from Kassam attacks. The contributions were raised by the United Jewish Communities and the Federations of North America.

Shabbat Commentary

Posted on Friday, November 24, 2006

Toldot – Genealogy: Genesis 25:19–28:9; Malachi 1:1–2:7

In this week’s Torah Portion we meet another childless couple: Isaac and Rebekah (25:21). After 20 years of prayer, when Isaac was 60 years old, the LORD in his sovereign grace allowed Rebekah to bear twins, Jacob and Esau.

Like son like father: Dad steps into fallen son’s combat unit

Posted on Friday, November 24, 2006

When Idan Kobi (photo), 26, was killed during the Lebanon war this past summer, his death left an absence in his reserve unit … but not for long. Out of a sense of duty to country and in memory of his son, Itzik Kobi, 50, Idan’s father, volunteered to serve in his son's unit.

Student art tells Sderot’s story in Los Angeles

Posted on Friday, November 24, 2006

The mayor of Los Angeles and other city and community leaders unveiled an artwork exchange between the children of Los Angeles and Sderot.

Ultra-Orthodox go to work

Posted on Thursday, November 23, 2006

The first of six ultra-Orthodox job placement centers was dedicated in Jerusalem on Wednesday, a center dedicated to helping the Haredi community find jobs. This comes at a time when the government is cutting back on Haredi stipends, money previously given to large ultra-Orthodox families (families with more than four children) by the State whose men study Torah full-time in Yeshivas.

Lebanese prepare for massive funeral

Posted on Thursday, November 23, 2006

Tensions are high in the Lebanese capital of Beirut as the city, and indeed the entire country, is awaiting the funeral of slain Christian Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel, who was killed by gunmen Tuesday as he was leaving his church.

UN commissioner meets with father of terror victim

Posted on Thursday, November 23, 2006

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbor, a critic of Israel, met with Arnold Roth, a father whose 15-year-old daughter was killed in the August 2001 Sbarro Pizza suicide attack in Jerusalem.

Cabinet to step up raids, assassinations in Gaza

Posted on Thursday, November 23, 2006

The security cabinet has decided to expand the Israel Defense Forces operations in Gaza, including stepping up targeted killings of wanted terrorists and striking unoccupied Hamas institutions in Gaza.

Olmert speaks to Orthodox Union

Posted on Thursday, November 23, 2006

Speaking at a convention organized by the Orthodox Union in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel's main problem is the threat that comes from those who want to wipe Israel off the map.

China asks Israel to help secure Olympic games

Posted on Thursday, November 23, 2006

China has asked Israel to assist them and learn from Israel’s experience for securing the Olympic village during the 2008 Beijing Games. The request came from a member of the Chinese politburo Liu Qi during a meeting with Vice Premier Shimon Peres.

Red Cross suspends work in Gaza

Posted on Wednesday, November 22, 2006

The International Committee of the Red Cross has announced Tuesday that they will be pulling out most of their aid workers from Gaza and suspending all activities after two of its Italian workers were abducted in Deir el-Balah in central Gaza after their car was stopped by gunmen.

Survey: Israel worst brand name in the world

Posted on Wednesday, November 22, 2006

As if Israel’s position in the world in not bad enough, a new survey published in the US Wednesday says that Israel is suffering from the worst public image among all countries of the world.

Israel fears Lebanese civil war

Posted on Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Almost two years after the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri by a truck bomb in the streets of Beirut, it seems that the fragile balance between the many political factions and ethnic groups in Lebanon is once again on the brink of collapse as yet another anti-Syrian politician in Lebanon is murdered.

Egyptian soccer team not to compete in tournament

Posted on Wednesday, November 22, 2006

One may not think there is a difference between soccer and politics, but in Egypt there is a strong connection. The Egyptian government restricted its soccer team, “Jazeera,” from participating in an international soccer tournament in Holland because they were afraid its team would be forced to compete against an Israeli soccer team.

Al Jazeera to reach US audience through web

Posted on Wednesday, November 22, 2006

In their attempt to go global earlier this month Al Jazeera, the Qatari-based cable company launched its English version, but was shunned by virtually all US cable and satellite companies.

Kassam rockets pound Sderot, land near school

Posted on Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Just before classes began this morning, a Kassam rocket landed near an elementary school. Not more than an hour later three more rockets fell inside the city. The Magen David Adom emergency services treated several people suffering from shock.

UN official gets first hand taste of Kassam attack

Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006

When the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights decided to visit the city of Sderot, she didn't expect to be this close to the action, as she was a first-hand witness to a Kassam attack on the city where a man was critically injured when a rocket landed in a factory where he worked Tuesday morning.

Israel wants to build park in Beijing Olympic village

Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006

So the Israelis may not the best athletes in the world, but Israel has already started to take interest in the 2008 Olympic Games to be held in Beijing, China. This time it has nothing to do with athletics, but rather with several bids by Israeli companies to participate in the construction of the Olympic village.

Homosexuals to be registered as married in Israel

Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Israel’s Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that homosexual couples are to be registered as married in the population registry.

Plot to bomb EL AL airliner foiled in Germany

Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006

German authorities have arrested six terror suspects all of Arab nationalities, for allegedly attempting to place an explosive charge on an aircraft leaving Frankfurt International Airport. According to investigators, one of the planes targeted was an Israeli EL AL airliner on its way to Tel Aviv.

Livni accuses Syria of interfering with negotiations

Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni accused Syria of interfering with efforts to negotiate a deal that would result in kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit’s release.

Report: Israeli spies help US in Iran

Posted on Monday, November 20, 2006

A report published on Monday by the New Yorker magazine is claiming that Israeli spies and surveillance equipment on the ground in Iran are the source of ongoing intelligence being passed on to the White House in an attempt to assess the nuclear capabilities of Iran.

Olmert condemns the condemners

Posted on Monday, November 20, 2006

Responding to a resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly condemning Israel’s bombing of Beit Hanoun, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that Israel is not the only government that should be called to task for harming civilians, especially since Israel has expressed deep regret for its actions.

Should ‘Color Red’ be activated in Ashkelon?

Posted on Monday, November 20, 2006

An argument broke out Sunday between the Prime Minister’s office and the Ministry of Defense regarding whether to activate the ‘Color Red’ Kassam alert system in Ashkelon in order to warn citizens of impending attacks.

Haifa students to produce Israel ‘blog’ films

Posted on Monday, November 20, 2006

In an attempt to circumvent the foreign media which tends to focus only on the conflict with the Palestinians, Israel was the first country in the world to open an official blog to portray the nation in a different light, especially to the young audience worldwide.

Mashaal: PA will collapse if boycott continues

Posted on Sunday, November 19, 2006

Head of the Hamas political wing Khaled Mashaal spoke to the Egyptian Al-Haram newspaper on Sunday and said that if the international boycott on the Palestinian Authority is not lifted, it will collapse, resulting in something opposite of what they intended.

Syria to cooperate on Iraq for Golan Heights

Posted on Sunday, November 19, 2006

The British newspaper, The Sunday Times of London is reporting that Syria is willing to help the Americans in their quest to resolve the situation in Iraq only in exchange for the Americans securing the return of the Golan Heights to Syria which was conquered by Israel during the 1967 Six Day War.

Israel will not cooperate with UN commission

Posted on Sunday, November 19, 2006

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations has announced that he will recommend not cooperating with the UN “fact finding mission” to the incident in the Gaza town Beit Hanoun two weeks ago where 19 Palestinian civilians were killed by a stray shell.

Iran raised $418 million to protect nuclear facilities

Posted on Sunday, November 19, 2006

Secret wire-tappings of a senior Iranian politician have revealed that Iran has opened a special secret fund to finance its nuclear program, and has allocated a sum on $418 million for the protection of its facilities and to build a new top-secret nuclear facility.

Shabbat Commentary

Posted on Friday, November 17, 2006

HAYE SARAH Sarah’s Life: Genesis 23:1–25:18; 1 Kings 1:1-31

Our Torah reading begins with Sarah’s death and ends with Abraham’s death. Abraham found Sarah dead after he and his son Isaac returned from Mount Moriah.

Jerusalem - a world wonder

Posted on Friday, November 17, 2006

An American campaign has discovered what Israelis and tourists have known for a long time: Jerusalem’s Old City is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Fighting fires in the name of Israel

Posted on Friday, November 17, 2006

Out there, far away past the towering Andes, in the distant country of Chile, Israel has been getting some positive, yet surprising exposure. In Chile, just like any other place in the world, children grow up with the dream of being firefighters. But here, there is a chance to put out fires and to feel close to Israel at the same time.

Sderot licking wounds after fatal day of Kassams

Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006

A day after the fatal Kassam attack on Sderot, life has not been back to normal in the city as schools go on strike despite promise to finish all fortifications, and reactions from the political echelons warn Palestinians of retaliations for every Kassam attack.

New terror tactic: Liquid explosives

Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006

It seems like the tactics of the Palestinian terror organizations are becoming more and more sophisticated in a clear attempt to circumvent the efforts of Israeli security systems, as a new type of explosive was found on the body of a captured would-be suicide bomber.

Spanish senator accuses Spain of Anti-Semitism

Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006

Juan Jose Laborda (photo), a veteran Spanish senator, criticized Spanish leaders, the nation’s media and Spaniards in general for harboring anti-Zionist and anti-Semitic attitudes. “Anti-Zionism, anti-Israeli attitudes, anti-Semitism and justification of the Holocaust are a way of life in Spain,” Laborda said while visiting Madrid’s Conservative synagogue, Congregation Bet-El. Laborda is very close to the Jewish community in Spain.

UN team to investigate Beit Hanoun incident

Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006

The United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva decided to dispatch a group to Gaza to investigate the Israel Defense Forces activity in Beit Hanoun that killed 19 innocent civilians. The meeting was requested by Bahrain and Pakistan on behalf of Moslems and Arabs.

Jewish lawyers and jurists meet in Budapest

Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006

More than 250 Jewish lawyers and jurists will meet in Budapest, Hungary over the weekend for the “Remember Budapest” conference.

One killed by Kassam, Peretz bodyguard wounded

Posted on Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Six Kassam rockets were fired by Palestinians from the Gaza Strip on Wednesday morning, killing a 57-year-old woman in the southern Negev town of Sderot and seriously wounding a young man.

UN report: Somalis fought Israel in Lebanon

Posted on Wednesday, November 15, 2006

A United Nations report has revealed that Hizballah received help from an unexpected source during the war this summer: A substantial number of experienced Somali fighters were brought to Lebanon in order to assist Hizballah in their fight against Israel.

Head of Islamic Jihad: Security fence very successful

Posted on Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Secretary General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization spoke with the Lebanese al-Manar television station and said that the security fence built by Israel has made it very difficult for his people to conduct attacks against the Jewish state.

Families of kidnapped: Government acting too slow

Posted on Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Defense Minister Amir Peretz met with the families of kidnapped soldiers Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser on Tuesday and promised that he will do whatever it takes to return their sons home. He said that Israel is diligently pursuing the soldiers’ return.

Livni meets with California governor

Posted on Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni met with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and agreed to work together to improve homeland security and tourism to Israel.

Kassam hits Kibbutz, causes severe damage

Posted on Tuesday, November 14, 2006

A Kassam rocket launched from Gaza early Tuesday morning landed on the premises of a Kibbutz in the western Negev and exploded dangerously close to residential areas and a factory causing severe damage. Several people were treated for shock.

Diskin: Prepare for confrontation

Posted on Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Head of the General Security Services Yuval Diskin spoke Tuesday morning at the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, and warned of the explosive situation in the Gaza Strip. He emphasized that Israel must prepare for a widespread military confrontation there if moderate elements within the Palestinian Authority do not get stronger.

Illness exploited for terror activities

Posted on Tuesday, November 14, 2006

The defense establishment has revealed Tuesday morning that it has arrested a Palestinian man who was recruited to establish a terror cell in the West Bank and carry out terror attacks while using a special permit he received in order to undergo medical treatment in an Israeli hospital.

Israeli Embassy in Sweden moves to museum

Posted on Tuesday, November 14, 2006

The Israeli Embassy in Sweden will move at the end of the week to a new location – to the History Museum of Stockholm. The embassy will reside at the History Museum through January 1, 2008, and then it will move again.

Peres: Israel lost deterrence in Lebanon

Posted on Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres Spoke on Monday at the Jerusalem Economic Club and said that Israel lost some of its deterrent power during this summer’s war in Lebanon.

Olmert meets with Bush, discusses Iranian threat

Posted on Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with US President George W. Bush in Washington in a private meeting, discussing the Iranian nuclear threat.

The time of falling generals

Posted on Monday, November 13, 2006

Although the war in Lebanon has been over for more than three months now, it seems that the fighting is just beginning. These are not battles against Hizballah, but rather battles of top officers for their own survival.

Livni calls on int'l community to wake up

Posted on Monday, November 13, 2006

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni spoke at the United Jewish Communities General Assembly in Los Angeles, calling on the international community to wake up to the indifference in the face of the Iranian nuclear program.

Germany fears growth of anti-Semitism

Posted on Monday, November 13, 2006

In a meeting with holocaust survivors, German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier said the German government is concerned about the rise of right-wing radical extremists and the growth of anti-Semitism and is working with full strength to defeat this phenomenon.

Hollywood to explore filming in Israel

Posted on Monday, November 13, 2006

A delegation of directors, producers, and screenwriters from Hollywood are due to visit Israel this week in order to encourage the American movie industry to film in Israel.

Esther Pollard: Olmert ignoring Jonathan

Posted on Monday, November 13, 2006

Prior to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s meeting with US President George W. Bush in Washington, Esther Pollard pleaded with Bush for the pardoning of her husband, Jonathan Pollard, a convicted spy for Israel.

Britain confirms Iran, Syria continue to arm Hizballah

Posted on Sunday, November 12, 2006

British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett revealed during a discussion in the British Parliament that Iran is continuing to transfer weapons, money, and manpower from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards to Hizballah in Lebanon.

Israel continues surveillance over Lebanon

Posted on Sunday, November 12, 2006

The UN on Saturday renewed a request that Israel stop its surveillance flights over Lebanon. Israel’s response was that the flights are necessary in order to monitor violations of UN resolution 1701 by terror groups.

Annan updates Beilin on soldiers in Lebanon

Posted on Sunday, November 12, 2006

Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that one of the problems in the negotiations for the release of the two kidnapped Israeli soldiers in Lebanon is the demand for Hizballah to return them alive.

Iran will pay if continues enriching uranium

Posted on Sunday, November 12, 2006

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in an interview to Newsweek Magazine ahead of his visit to the United States this week that if Iran doesn’t stop enriching uranium, it will pay dearly.

Palestinians need a caretaker

Posted on Sunday, November 12, 2006

Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres said in a speech given at the Prime Minister’s Conference on Exports that because of the current internal problems within the Palestinian Authority, there is a need to create an outside framework in order to intervene in the process so economic life in Gaza could go on.

Livni for a moderate Palestinian government

Posted on Sunday, November 12, 2006

While in Los Angeles for the 75th annual United Jewish Communities General Assembly, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is hopeful for the creation of moderate Palestinian government.

Shabbat Commentary

Posted on Friday, November 10, 2006

Va‘yera And He: Genesis 18:1 – 22:24; 2 Kings 4:1-37

Isn’t it amazing how God directs the timing of the weekly Torah reading with an actual situation going on? This was true of the war in the North this summer. Now this Shabbat when the Gay Pride Parade was set to take place today (Friday), Jews would be reading the passage on Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19! Coincidence? I don’t think so.

AOL buys Israeli company

Posted on Friday, November 10, 2006

Internet giant America On Line announced this week that it has acquired Israeli start-up company Relegence Co. for an undisclosed amount, estimated by some between $50 to 90 million.

Get your steak pre-seasoned

Posted on Friday, November 10, 2006

It’s the season for steak, or the ‘seasoning’ for it: Garlic will be used to beef up Israel’s cattle with the new garlic-flavored hay.

The Agriculture Ministry’s Veterinarian Institute found that Israel’s cows were being fed food infested with ticks.

After a week of tension, gay event ends quietly

Posted on Friday, November 10, 2006

Despite a high security alert all day and riots that lasted all week, Jerusalem’s gay pride event – reduced from a parade after a compromise reached yesterday – went on without any clashes today.

Hamas calls on Moslems to attack American targets

Posted on Thursday, November 09, 2006

The day after the misfiring of an Israel Defense Forces shell in the Gaza Strip, which killed 20, Hamas leaders are changing tactics and calling on Moslems around the world to attack American targets.

France: We almost fired on IAF aircraft

Posted on Thursday, November 09, 2006

After much controversy regarding the incident where Israeli jets came close to engaging a German helicopter based on a Navy ship off the coast of Lebanon last month, the French defense minister announced that her country’s forces came dangerously close to opening fire on Israel Air Force jets as they flew over Lebanese airspace.

46 years later, Eichmann captors get honored

Posted on Thursday, November 09, 2006

Better late than never, the Ministerial Committee on Ceremonies and Honors has decided that Israel will conduct an official ceremony where a special honor will be given to everyone who participated in the capturing of Nazi criminal Adolph Eichmann and bringing him to justice in Israel.

Fear of renewed terror wave

Posted on Thursday, November 09, 2006

Israeli police and security forces have been on extremely high alert since early Wednesday for fear of retaliatory terror attacks following the incident in Gaza where 18 civilians were killed after a stray IDF artillery shell hit a home in the Gaza town of Beit Hanoun.

Scientific American honors Israeli researcher

Posted on Thursday, November 09, 2006

Scientific American, the prestigious science journal, honored Dr. Shulamit Levenberg, a 37-year-old biomedical engineer as one of the top 50 people displaying technological leadership.

Orthodox poisoning their families

Posted on Thursday, November 09, 2006

Jerusalem’s planned Gay Pride Parade is approaching and ultra-Orthodox violent protests are heating up. What the ultra-Orthodox don’t realize is that through setting garbage bins ablaze, they’re actually poisoning themselves and their families.

At least 18 die in Gaza in tank shelling

Posted on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

One day after Operation Autumn Clouds, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operation in the Gaza Strip, at least 18 people were killed and more than 30 wounded when tank shells rained down on the Palestinian neighborhood of Beit Hanoun in the Gaza Strip.

Barak speaks at US college

Posted on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Barak gave a lecture declaring that 2007 will be critical for the world in four issues: Iraq, the Iranian threat and the danger of nuclear weapons in the hands of terrorists, rebellious nations, and the influence of the world economy and the threats on all of these.

US diplomat: Israel won’t attack Iran

Posted on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

An American diplomat said a strike on Iranian nuclear facilities would redirect Teheran’s program solely against Israel.

Estonia to open first synagogue since WWII

Posted on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

For the first time since World War II, Estonia will open a new synagogue in the capital of Tallinn. The synagogue is slated to open soon so Estonian Jews will be able celebrate Hanukkah in the new house of prayer. Estonia is the only country in Europe where there is a Jewish community and synagogue does not exist.

Democrats take control of the House

Posted on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

The Democratic Party has taken over the House of Representatives, but the US is not the only country still waiting for the final results on who will control the Senate.

While 87 percent of Jews voted for Democrats, according to a CNN poll, there could be serious implications for Israel concerning the future of US policy in the Middle East.

Mashaal threatens further kidnappings

Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Khaled Mashaal, Hamas leader in Damascus threatened further kidnappings of Israeli Defense Forces soldiers if Israel refuses to free all Palestinian prisoners.

British Ambassador worried by despair after war

Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006

British Ambassador to Israel Tom Phillips (photo), who spoke in a ceremony in Tel Aviv Monday commemorating 89 years to the Balfour declaration, said that the two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the correct way in the modern world to implement the Balfour declaration.

Al Jazeera to produce English broadcasts

Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006

For the 10th anniversary of the Qatari news producing empire of Al-Jazeera it is slated to produce a pan-Arab newspaper within the next year that will compete with other Arabic daily newspapers.

State to encourage Ethiopians in civil service

Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Minister of Immigration and Absorption Ze’ev Boim and Civil Service Commissioner Shmuel Hollander have decided that the state will examine the possibility of allocating civil service jobs specially designated to members of the Ethiopian community.

Female terror network uncovered

Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Israeli security establishment has revealed that the Shin Bet had uncovered a terror network made up entirely of women who acted and supported terror activities of the Islamic Jihad in the West Bank.

Siniora labels Olmert's statements as baseless

Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006

While Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said world leaders are doing what they can to set up a meeting between he and Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Siniora denied these reports.

Gaza operation continues

Posted on Monday, November 06, 2006

Operation “Autumn Clouds” is continuing in the northern Gaza Strip as forces enter their sixth day of continuous operations against terror infrastructure and Kassam launching capabilities into the city of Sderot and the communities of the western Negev.

Olmert: If Shalit is harmed, Palestinians will pay

Posted on Monday, November 06, 2006

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned the Palestinians that if kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit is hurt because of the recent operation in Gaza, they will pay heavily.

Generals solve terrorism only after retirement

Posted on Monday, November 06, 2006

In reaction to criticism regarding the operation being conducted in Gaza since last Wednesday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert criticized “former generals” during the weekly cabinet meeting and said that “in Israel, there are generals who know how to give solutions to Kassams and terrorism only after they retire from service.”

Olmert distances himself from Lieberman statements

Posted on Monday, November 06, 2006

In reaction to the statements made by the newly appointed Minister of Strategic Affairs Avigdor Lieberman (photo), saying that the only way to achieve peace is complete separation between Jews and Arabs, including Israeli Arabs, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that he did not share these opinions with Lieberman, and they are not the position of the government.

Israel supports Iraqi court decision

Posted on Monday, November 06, 2006

Israel supports the decision of the Iraqi court in the sentencing of former dictator of Iraq Saddam Hussein to death by hanging.

Peres: Even Russia fears nuclear arms in Chechnya

Posted on Monday, November 06, 2006

In a meeting with Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Draskovic, Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres said that “the problems of Israel have become the problems of the entire world, most of all the nuclear arms race and its dissemination throughout extremist countries who support terror, global terror and religious fundamentalism.”

Moratinos: Road Map is dead

Posted on Monday, November 06, 2006

In an interview with the Italian newspaper, Il Riformista, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos declared, “The Road Map is dead.”