December 2006

Germany gives excellence award to Israeli sculptor
Posted on Sunday, December 31, 2006
The government of Germany has decided to give its “Federal Cross of Merit,” officially known as, Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, and is the only general state decoration of the Federal Republic of Germany, to the Israeli sculptor and artist Dani Karavan for his contributions to art and society in Germany.
Israel on Saddam execution: No comment
Posted on Sunday, December 31, 2006
For those who were looking for an official statement or reaction from Israel regarding the execution of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein early Saturday, there was no such reaction to be found.
Israel signs nuclear terrorism convention
Posted on Sunday, December 31, 2006
This weekend Israel helped the world get one step closer to being a safer place from this century’s two most feared and dangerous killing tools—terrorism and nuclear weapons—as it signs an important UN convention dealing with nuclear terrorism.
European Investment Bank returns to invest in Israel
Posted on Sunday, December 31, 2006
After an absence of 11 years, the European Investment Bank, the investment bank of the European Union, has decided to renew its activities in Israel and has announced it will give out loans totaling 275 million euros for environmental development projects, and small and medium businesses.
Olmert rejects early prisoner release
Posted on Sunday, December 31, 2006
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has decided not to carry out a request by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to release Palestinian prisoners who are held by Israel as a gesture of goodwill for the Muslim holiday of Eid ul-Adha celebrated this week.
Shabbat Commentary
Posted on Friday, December 29, 2006
“VA’YIGASH – And then he (Judah) approached him” Genesis 44:18-47:27; Ezekiel 37:15-28

Our yearly Shabbat reading cycle of the 54 Shabbat readings has ended and we will now concentrate on some key points from the Torah portion that is read by Jews in the Synagogue on the Sabbath.

Was it a coincidence? Or was it a hint?
Posted on Friday, December 29, 2006
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, on his last visit to Washington, presented to US President George W. Bush the book, First Strike, written by Israeli journalist Shlomo Nakdimon.
Putting the fire in ceasefire
Posted on Friday, December 29, 2006
When the current ceasefire in Gaza went into effect five weeks ago, everyone had hoped that this would bring an end to the rocket fire from Gaza into Israel and ease the suffering of the Israeli population in Sderot and the Negev.
Celebrating Christmas and New Year’s in the Jewish State
Posted on Friday, December 29, 2006
This time of year in Israel is always a bit odd. On one hand, Israel is the place where Jesus was born, lived, and died. The traditional midnight mass at the Church of the Nativity and the celebrations in Manger Square in Bethlehem probably symbolize the epicenter of traditional Christmas celebrations worldwide.
Olmert: Assad immersed in supporting terrorism
Posted on Thursday, December 28, 2006
During a meeting with 32 European ambassadors, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that no American official has ever asked Israel to refrain from negotiating with Syria, and that President Assad is immersed deep in supporting terrorism.
Egyptian Foreign Minister: Gilad Shalit is alive
Posted on Thursday, December 28, 2006
Foreign Minister of Egypt Ahmed Aboul Gheit who met with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, said in a press conference Wednesday that kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit is alive and there are efforts being conducted to bring to his release. “It is important that we speak about this subject carefully and I don’t want to speak about the Egyptian efforts in this matter,” he added.
French intellectuals call for Iran sanctions
Posted on Thursday, December 28, 2006
A group of French intellectuals have gathered more than 1,000 signatures on a petition calling the leaders of Europe to impose major sanctions on Iran, including a ban on selling weapons, stopping investments by corporations, and an embargo on refined petrol products, in addition to added measures in the areas of energy, nuclear power, and ballistic missiles.
Peace Game presents: Winners only
Posted on Thursday, December 28, 2006
Although the Peace Game itself, which was held Wednesday night in Seville, Spain, was of average quality, there was no doubt that the final score (3-1 for the Spanish all-stars over the Israeli/Palestinian all-stars) was the least important result of the match.
Olmert approves pinpointed strikes against Kassams
Posted on Wednesday, December 27, 2006
In light of the nearly fatal Kassam attack Tuesday evening on Sderot, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, along with Defense Minister Amir Peretz, have ordered the IDF to take pinpointed actions against Kassam launches, while still keeping the ceasefire with the Palestinian Authority intact.
Syrians want peace but won’t relinquish Lebanon
Posted on Wednesday, December 27, 2006
The head of the Foreign Ministry Center for Policy Research, Nimrod Barkan, spoke in front of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense committee Tuesday and said that the Syrians do want peace with Israel, but will not want to give up ties with Iran or their influence in Lebanon.
Decision: Knesset committee to hold public hearings of top officials
Posted on Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Just like the United States Congress, the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee has decided that starting in 2007, it will hold seven public hearings throughout the year for top political and defense officials which will be open to the public and the media.
Reaching peace through soccer
Posted on Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Maybe Israelis and Palestinians can’t find much in common these days in the areas of security and politics, but there is one subject they can both agree on: soccer.
Jerusalem is expecting snow!
Posted on Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Snow began falling on Mount Hermon this morning and current forecasts say snow may begin falling in Jerusalem on Wednesday morning.
Olmert orders paving of interchanges
Posted on Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has decided to implement a wide-ranging plan to pave dozens of interchanges along Highway 60, which runs through the West Bank from north to south, along with other steps to ease the life of the Palestinian population.
Israel protests Kassam fire
Posted on Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Israel Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Gillerman has submitted an urgent protest to the duty president of the UN Security Council strongly condemning Palestinian violations of the November 25 ceasefire.
Argentinean court cancels limitation on terror attack
Posted on Tuesday, December 26, 2006
The High Court of Argentina, the body charged with investigating the 1992 terror attack against the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires, has published a decision which effectively cancels the statute of limitations on the attack.
Sudanese refugees move Knesset members
Posted on Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Refugees from Sudan, a country considered to be a hotbed of Islamic terrorism, visited the Knesset Monday at the request of the committee for foreign laborers.
Japan cancels travel warning to Jerusalem
Posted on Monday, December 25, 2006
The Japanese Foreign Ministry has decided over the weekend to lower the travel warning for Jerusalem and the Dead Sea from level two to level one, meaning there is no restriction to traveling to those areas.
Diskin: Situation in Gaza chaotic
Posted on Monday, December 25, 2006
Head of the Shin Bet Yuval Diskin (photo)said during the weekly cabinet meeting Sunday that Israel is in a bind surrounding the continuing policy of restraint in face of the Kassam attacks from Gaza, and if Israel will fire back and hit the launching cells, it is likely that the ceasefire will collapse and that Hamas will be drawn into the fire because it wouldn’t want to be left behind.
European ambassadors gather in Jerusalem
Posted on Monday, December 25, 2006
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni kicked off a conference in Jerusalem yesterday of all European ambassadors to Israel with the participation of 32 envoys representing 36 countries of Western, Central, and Eastern Europe.
Israel, US, to tighten anti-terror cooperation
Posted on Monday, December 25, 2006
Israel and the United States are about to sign in the coming weeks an important cooperation agreement which will regulate the connection collaboration between the Israeli defense establishment and the United States Department of Homeland Security which is in charge of 22 different security and intelligence agencies within the US government.
Bethlehem open for Christmas celebrations
Posted on Sunday, December 24, 2006
The Israeli Ministry of Tourism, in conjunction with the Israel Defense Forces, has announced Sunday that they will make special arrangements to provide easy access for the thousands of Christian tourists and pilgrims who wish to visit the city of Bethlehem this Christmas holiday, celebrated today and tomorrow.
Olmert and Abbas meet in Jerusalem
Posted on Sunday, December 24, 2006
In their much anticipated meeting Saturday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas agreed on a series of steps which would set the conditions for renewed negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, as well as strengthening Abbas’ position in relation to Hamas.
Israeli delegation visits Oman in Persian Gulf
Posted on Sunday, December 24, 2006
An Israeli delegation, headed by Deputy Director-General for the Middle East in the Israeli Foreign Ministry Yaakov Hadas, visited the gulf nation of Oman last week to mark ten years for the construction of a desalinization plant which was made possible through multilateral relations committees which began operating after the Madrid peace conference in 1991. Oman has severed diplomatic relations with Israel since the breakout of the second intifada in 2000.
UN imposes sanctions on Iran
Posted on Sunday, December 24, 2006
In a unanimous decision of 15-0 passed Saturday, the United Nations Security Council has voted to impose economic and political sanctions against Iran for their continuing active pursuit of nuclear weapons and their disregard to the demands of the international community.
Shabbat Commentary
Posted on Saturday, December 23, 2006

“MIKETZ – At the End” Genesis 41:1 – 44:17; 1 Kings 3:15 – 4:1

* Our yearly Shabbat reading cycle has ended and now we will concentrate on key points from the Torah portion in our commentary series.

Spin, O Dreidel, spin!
Posted on Friday, December 22, 2006
Israelis will light the final candle of Hanukkah on Friday evening, but the holiday does not go without some fun.

A traditional Hanukkah game is played with a Dreidel, a round top with Hebrew letters on its four sides.

Israel Philharmonic celebrates 70 years
Posted on Friday, December 22, 2006
The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra celebrated its 70th anniversary this week, performing the works of Mozart, Schumann, and Brahms under direction of Zubin Mehta in a special celebration concert.
Gov’t investing billions to rebuild north and south
Posted on Thursday, December 21, 2006
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has convened the special cabinet for the strengthening of Haifa and the north in order to approve the detailed plans of the different government ministries to strengthen and rebuild the towns and communities of the north and of the Gaza vicinity.
Jewish school in Peru names class after Israeli
Posted on Thursday, December 21, 2006
The students of the Leon Pinelo Jewish School in Lima, Peru have decided to name the graduating class of 2006 after Major Roee Klein who was made famous during the war in Lebanon for his bravery when he jumped on a grenade which was thrown at his soldiers in order to protect them, and was killed instantly.
Iraqi businessman “willing to die for FM Livni”
Posted on Thursday, December 21, 2006
A special surprise was waiting for Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni when she attended the General Assembly of the Israel-Jordan Chamber of Commerce this week, as an Iraqi businessman approached the minister, introduced himself and said that he will do anything to help promote peace in the region, and “even die for you.”
Peace orchestra bids farewell to Annan
Posted on Thursday, December 21, 2006
A peace orchestra made up of Israeli, Palestinian, Syrian, Lebanese, Egyptian, and Spanish musicians conducted a special concert at the United Nations General Assembly in New York Wednesday during the farewell ceremony held for outgoing Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
Israeli chosen to executive board of important UN organization
Posted on Thursday, December 21, 2006
For the first time ever, Israel has been chosen, alongside Spain, to represent the European block in the executive board of the INSTRAW organization, United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women.
Israeli embassy in South Africa adopts orphanage
Posted on Thursday, December 21, 2006
In a surprising and humanitarian move, the Israeli embassy in Johannesburg, South Africa, has decided to adopt a local orphanage where half of the children are infected with HIV.
Son of slain ambassador launches student diplomatic training program
Posted on Thursday, December 21, 2006
Gideon Argov, son of Ambassador Shlomo Argov who was shot in London in June 1982, arrived in Israel to participate in the Argov Student Training program at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya.
Olmert secretly meets with Jordanian King in Amman
Posted on Thursday, December 21, 2006
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met secretly on Tuesday with King Abdullah of Jordan in Amman at the royal palace to discuss recent developments in the region, including the situation in the Palestinian Authority and ways to kick-start the peace process.
Mossad Chief: Iran to get bomb within 3-4 years
Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2006
In a rare appearance in front of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, head of the Mossad Meir Dagan said that Israel’s military deterrence was damaged during the war in Lebanon and at the same time, there was a shift in the self confidence and strategy of Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Poll: 26 percent want Netanyahu as PM
Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2006
The public standing of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is continuing to plummet as a new poll for Channel 10 TV shows that 26.2 percent of Israelis want to see former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Israel’s next prime minister. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni came in second place with 13.5 percent and Olmert came in third with only 6.1 percent.
Israel launches website in Indonesian
Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Israel’s efforts to advance its agenda around the Muslim world has taken another important step forward this week as the Israeli Foreign Ministry launches a website in the Indonesian language targeting the world’s largest Muslim nation.
Olmert: No Arab country will sponsor Mashaal
Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2006
In a meeting with a senior delegation from the United States Senate, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Monday that the current regime in Damascus is not interested in peace, and continues to support extremists in Lebanon and Iraq, terror organizations in the Palestinian Authority, and is a major ally for the Iranian regime.
Russia cancels visit to Iran
Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2006
The Chairman of the Russian Parliament’s foreign affairs committee met yesterday with Director-General of the Israeli Foreign Ministry Aharon Abramovich and told him that the committee had recently cancelled a visit to Teheran in response to the recent Holocaust denial conference held there a earlier this month.
Olmert: Moderates should be strengthened
Posted on Monday, December 18, 2006
Speaking in front of soldiers at the headquarters of the Israel Defense Forces Judea and Samaria Division, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Sunday that Israel is not about to give up and will do its utmost to protect the safety of its citizens in light of the current threats in the region.
Fear of attacks against Jewish targets abroad
Posted on Monday, December 18, 2006
The Jewish People Policy Planning Institute (JPPPI) has warned Sunday that international Jihadist organizations are planning to step-up their attempts to perpetrate terrorist attacks against international Jewish institutions mostly because of their inability to penetrate into Israel.
Olmert says sanctions in the ‘right direction’
Posted on Monday, December 18, 2006
At the weekly Knesset (parliament) Meeting on Sunday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said there is a chance Israel will receive the UN Security Council’s decision to impose sanctions on Iran.
Blair visits Israel
Posted on Monday, December 18, 2006

British Prime Minister Tony Blair visited Israel, meeting with Israeli and Palestinian Authority officials.
Delegation of Israelis, Palestinians visit China
Posted on Sunday, December 17, 2006
Israelis and Palestinian representatives met in China as a part of the Geneva initiative for peace.
Senior military sources believe Halutz will resign
Posted on Sunday, December 17, 2006
Senior officers believe Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz may resign from the Israel Defense Forces after a number of recent military probes, which found Halutz directly responsible for the failures of the war.
Palestinian officer killed in Fatah-Hamas clashes
Posted on Sunday, December 17, 2006
Masked gunmen, affiliated with Hamas, killed an officer of the elite force loyal to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday.
IDF troops kill Tanzim terrorist leader
Posted on Sunday, December 17, 2006
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops killed Mohammed Ramaha, head of Tanzim in the Ein Bet Ilma refugee camp on Thursday.
Madrid inaugurates Rabin Square
Posted on Sunday, December 17, 2006
The Rabin Square in Madrid was dedicated on December 15th and inaugurated in memory of former prime minister and defense minister Yitzhak Rabin. The Mayor of Madrid and Israeli Ambassador, Victor Harel, invited Chairman of the Rabin Center, Dalia Rabin, daughter of the late Yitzhak Rabin.
Israeli homes shine on first night of Hanukkah
Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006
Tonight marks the first night of the eight-day festival of lights. Homes in Israel will light up the dark Kabbalat Shabbat night as Hanukkiot (menorahs) sit on the window ledges on the first night of Hanukkah.
Jamming into Hanukkah with flavor
Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006
Getting into the holiday spirit of Hanukkah all begins by jamming with a little flavor. Bakeries have already begun to do so, replacing the traditional red cherry flavor jam filling inside the sufganiyot with everything their imagination can create.
Shabbat Commentary
Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006
“VA’YESHEV – And he (Jacob) lived” Genesis 37:1 – 40:23; Zechariah 2:14 – 4:7

* Our yearly Shabbat cycle has ended and now we will concentrate on key points from the Torah portion in our commentary series.

High Court approves targeted killings
Posted on Thursday, December 14, 2006
The High Court of Justice ruled unanimously on Thursday that targeted killings by the Israel Defense Forces since the Intifada (Palestinian Uprising) are legal.
Israel hosts human trafficking seminar
Posted on Thursday, December 14, 2006
Israel hosted a seminar on Wednesday as part of the EU-Israel Action plan to compare ways of fighting human trafficking.
Israelis warned against traveling in India
Posted on Thursday, December 14, 2006
The Counter Terrorism Division of the National Security Council and the Israeli Foreign Ministry is warning Israelis against traveling to India because of an impending terror attack by Al-Qaeda operatives.
Hamas funds used for missiles instead of food
Posted on Thursday, December 14, 2006
A suitcase filled with one million dollars was transferred from Iran to Hamas. Instead of using the money for humanitarian aid such as food, the money will be directly used for purchasing missiles targeted against Israel.
Israel constructing reservoir in Golan Heights; Syria upset
Posted on Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Israel is constructing a water reservoir in the Golan Heights, which has motivated Syria to announce its intention to host an Arab conference on water.

Nawaf Fares, governor of the Quneitra district of Syria, said the water reservoir that is now under construction in the eastern Golan is threatening the lives of the residents in the Quneitra district and also their property if it floods or if the dam that is being constructed would burst.
El Salvador adopts Yad Sarah Model
Posted on Wednesday, December 13, 2006
El Salvador is among the first of Latin American countries to adopt the Israeli model of “Yad Sarah” for its citizens. Yad Sarah is an Israeli network of volunteers aiding disabled, elderly, and housebound people aimed at making home care possible.

The first branch of Yad Sarah Latin America is slated to open next year in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador.
Ahmadinejad vows Israel to be ‘wiped out’
Posted on Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Speaking on the second day of the Holocaust conference, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed once again that Israel would be “wiped out.”

“The Zionist regime will be wiped out soon the same way the Soviet Union was, and humanity will achieve freedom,” Ahmadinejad said.
Hamas judge gunned down in Gaza
Posted on Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Palestinian terrorists opened fire outside a courthouse in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday, killing Hamas member Bassam al-Fara, a judge at the Islamic court.

The drive-by shooting came two days after renewed clashes between the rival Hamas and Fatah factions began, sparked by the murder of the children of a Fatah intelligence officer.
Peretz: Policy has not changed
Posted on Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Defense Minister Amir Peretz says that “Israel’s ambiguous nuclear policy has not changed.” “The State of Israel continues to adopt exactly the same policy, and we are doing our job,” Peretz said.
US agrees to double emergency equipment in Israel
Posted on Tuesday, December 12, 2006
The US Congress provided Israel financial and security encouragement when it approved to double US emergency equipment stored in Israeli stockpiles, valuing $100 million.
High Court rules Palestinians can file lawsuits against Israel
Posted on Tuesday, December 12, 2006
The High Court of Justice ruled on Tuesday that Palestinians living in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip could file lawsuits against Israel for damages incurred in Israel Defense Forces operations, if the operations in question did not take place as part of a clearly defined “war.”
PM doesn’t violate nuclear ambiguity policy
Posted on Tuesday, December 12, 2006
In an interview with German TV, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Iran’s desire to possess nuclear weapons was like that of other western nations. The prime minister’s statements caused a political storm, as he appeared to publicly confirm that Israel has nuclear weapons.
IDF soldier shot in head in night raid
Posted on Tuesday, December 12, 2006
An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier was shot in the head on Monday when troops clashed with Palestinian gunmen in Samarian town of Kabatiya, south of Jenin. The soldier was airlifted to the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa and was treated for a gunshot wound to his forehead.
Foreign Ministry condemns Holocaust conference
Posted on Monday, December 11, 2006
The Israeli government condemned the Iranian government for its “shameless initiative” as its Holocaust conference opened on Monday.
Mashaal willing to live side by side with Israel
Posted on Monday, December 11, 2006
Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal living in Damascus said he would be willing to set up a Palestinian state alongside Israel, according to its 1967 borders. He also offered Israel a ten-year ceasefire deal.
Nasrallah accepts Arab League plan
Posted on Monday, December 11, 2006
An envoy of Arab League representatives arrived in Beirut on Monday in an attempt to stabilize the Lebanese political crisis. Hizballah leader Hassan Nasrallah accepted in principle an Arab League plan to stabilize the Lebanese political crisis.
Israeli Arab banned from Holocaust conference
Posted on Monday, December 11, 2006
An Israeli Arab lawyer from Nazareth was denied a visa to Iran to attend its two-day Holocaust conference, which will attempt to prove the Holocaust never happened.
Hamas wants religious hegemony
Posted on Monday, December 11, 2006
Vice Premier Shimon Peres says that Hamas does not want a state, but a religious hegemony in the Middle East that would be under Islamic rule, and therefore an exchange of land for peace is of no interest for them, since he believes that Hamas actually seeks Israel’s destruction above all else.
Physicist Hawking visits Israel
Posted on Monday, December 11, 2006
World-renowned physicist, Stephen Hawking, met with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday and said the situation in the Middle East is deteriorating.
Haniyeh meets Iranian president, vows jihad
Posted on Sunday, December 10, 2006
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said the Palestinians will “continue the jihad until Jerusalem is liberated,” on his visit to Iran.
PM tells ministers not to discuss Baker report
Posted on Sunday, December 10, 2006
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert instructed his cabinet not to speak about the Baker-Hamilton report on the war in Iraq. He called the report an internal American issue and urged his cabinet ministers to refrain from comments that would bring them into internal conflicts in the U.S.
Trump praises Israel’s economy
Posted on Sunday, December 10, 2006
Donald Trump, who plans on building the tallest building in Ramat Gan, Israel praised the country for its strong economic potential. “Israel is one of my favorite places in the world, it is a great country,” Trump said in a videophone interview at the annual Globes Israel Business Conference in Tel Aviv.
Terrorists rejoice over Iraq Study Report
Posted on Sunday, December 10, 2006
Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip welcomed the report of the Iraq Study Group, presented by former US Secretary of State James Baker, which recognizes Islam as the “new giant of the world.”
Abbas to call for early elections
Posted on Sunday, December 10, 2006
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas announced on Saturday that he would call for early elections after attempts for a national unity government with Hamas failed.
Shabbat Commentary
Posted on Friday, December 08, 2006

“VA’YISHLAKH – And he sent (messengers)” Genesis 32:4–36:43; Obadiah 1:1-21

Illegal construction destroying Jewish Quarter
Posted on Friday, December 08, 2006
With the wave of illegal building in the Jewish Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem, the Ministry of Interior said the construction is causing damage to 2,000 years of Jewish presence.
Torah scroll returns home from space
Posted on Friday, December 08, 2006
A small Torah scroll that was brought out of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp returned home from space with the Atlantis space crew.
HOT offers special deal for Sabbath observers
Posted on Thursday, December 07, 2006
The Israeli cable company HOT, has just created a new package at reduced rates for its Shabbat (Sabbath) observant customers if they adhere to keeping the Sabbath by not making any phone calls.
Baker proposes peace conference without Israel
Posted on Thursday, December 07, 2006
The White House is considering a proposal initiated by former Secretary of State James Baker to hold a Middle East peace conference without Israel. The United States would host the conference and invite Arab nations to participate, including Syria and Iran.
Two abducted reservists seriously wounded
Posted on Thursday, December 07, 2006
An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) report revealed that Israel’s two reserve soldiers, Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser, kidnapped by Hizballah terrorists five months ago have suffered serious-to-critical wounds during the attack that sparked the Lebanon War, raising the possibility that they are no longer alive.
Mubarak: Deal for Shalit's release in final stages
Posted on Thursday, December 07, 2006
Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak (photo)said negotiations for the release of kidnapped Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit are in the final stages. “Negotiations on releasing him are in their final stage and waiting for Hamas' approval,” Mubarak said.
Livni: Int'l pressure on Hamas bearing fruit
Posted on Wednesday, December 06, 2006
During a visit to France, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said the international community’s pressure on Hamas is bearing fruit.

“Almost a year after Hamas came to power, we are beginning to see signs of change, which is partly due to pressure by the international community," Livni said.
Israeli company to build commercial center in Las Vegas
Posted on Wednesday, December 06, 2006
The Israeli development company, Property & Building Corporation Ltd., will launch its latest US operation when it constructs a mass 70,000 sq. meters commercial center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Iran to host Holocaust conference
Posted on Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Iran is scheduled to hold a two-day conference next week, discussing scientific evidence for the Holocaust, which 67 foreign researchers from 30 countries are expected to attend.
Al Aksa Brigades back out of cease-fire agreement
Posted on Wednesday, December 06, 2006
The Al-Aksa Martyrs Brigades announced on Wednesday that they are exempt from the cease-fire and would continue rocket attacks against Israel, Israel Radio reported.
Students bubble wrap home in Sderot
Posted on Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Jerusalem art students have headed to the bombarded southern town of Sderot in an ironic display of protest. As part of their continual frustration over the government’s residential fortification project and its delay in moving it forward, the students have taken it upon themselves to fortify a home with bubble wrap.
Mashaal: Hamas can create Intifada
Posted on Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Khaled Mashaal (photo)threatened on Tuesday that Hamas can still create an Intifada and that the ceasefire was a Palestinian tactic in its continual conflict with Israel.
Netanyahu calls on Israel to stop restraint policy
Posted on Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Hamas was gearing up for a major rocket attack, not just on Sderot and that Israel needs to stop showing restraint and take an offensive stance toward Hamas.
Tamir orders textbooks to show '67 borders
Posted on Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Education Minister Yuli Tamir stirred up a political whirlwind on Tuesday when she announced that Israeli maps in new textbooks would now show the country’s 1967 borders.
FM Livni to visit France
Posted on Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni will leave today for an official two-day visit to France. Livni is expected to meet with French President Jacques Chirac on Wednesday.
Olmert speaks to students on kidnapped soldiers
Posted on Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert spoke at the “Amal” High School in Nahariya to a group of 11th graders on the subject of Israel’s kidnapped soldiers, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev and the recent war in Lebanon.
Head of PFLP in Bethlehem area arrested
Posted on Monday, December 04, 2006
Mahmud Ibrahim Hamdan Fanun, head of the PFLP (Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine) terror organization in the Bethlehem area, was arrested today in a joint operation by the Israel Defense Forces and the Israel Security Agency.
Olmert to visit Germany and Italy
Posted on Monday, December 04, 2006
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will leave next Monday for a two-day visit to Germany and Italy. This will be his first visit to these two countries since taking office.
IDF operations in Judea and Samaria
Posted on Monday, December 04, 2006
While a ceasefire has been declared in the Gaza Strip, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operations are continuing in Judea and Samaria. However, Central Command Chief Maj.-Gen. Yair Naveh has instructed forces from opening fire so as not to provoke terror attacks and to give peace a chance.
Orthodox consider boycotting El Al
Posted on Monday, December 04, 2006
A number of sectors of the ultra-Orthodox Haredi community have criticized Israel’s EL AL Airlines for continuing to fly on Shabbat (the Sabbath). The controversy started after EL AL began operating last Shabbat in order to catch up on delayed flights due to last week’s strike.
Computer game propaganda
Posted on Monday, December 04, 2006
Now video games are used as propaganda against Israel with a Danish company’s new computer game. Cabum.com has produced a series of computer games dubbed “Global Conflicts.”
Hizballah receives missiles from Syria
Posted on Monday, December 04, 2006
Truckloads of Iranian and Syrian long-range and anti-tank missiles have been smuggled to Hizballah in the four months following the Lebanon war. Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) destroyed most of Hizballah's long-range missiles during the month-long war, but found that Hizballah has since received convoys of weapons from Syria.
Israeli involvement in Lebanon could lead to PM’s assassination
Posted on Sunday, December 03, 2006
Lebanon's escalating political crisis shows no sign of easing, especially with Hizballah’s campaign to topple the Western-backed government. Despite this, Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora refuses to resign.
Dutch bank sells holdings in Jerusalem light rail
Posted on Sunday, December 03, 2006
The ASN Dutch bank decided to sell off its holdings in a French company, Veolia, participating in the construction of Jerusalem's light rail system. Reasons for ASN’s withdrawal of its shares are because the project “is not in line with the United Nation's demand to stop all support for Israel's settlement activities.”
Israeli tourists urged to leave Sinai
Posted on Sunday, December 03, 2006
Israel’s counter terrorism bureau has urged Israelis not to travel to the Sinai, and and have encouraged Israelis who are already in the Sinai to leave immediately in light of serious warnings of terror attacks against Israelis.
Ya’alon will continue traveling in New Zealand
Posted on Sunday, December 03, 2006
Former Israel Defense Forces General Chief of Staff Moshe Ya’alon escaped being arrested when an arrest warrant was issued against him by the Auckland District Court for “war crimes” during a visit to New Zealand last week. A New Zealand citizen filed a complaint against Ya’alon for alleged war crimes, but the warrant was cancelled when the local Justice Ministry interfered.
Shabbat Commentary
Posted on Friday, December 01, 2006
VA’YETZE And he departed: Genesis 28:10–32:3; Hosea 12:13–14:10

Jacob begins his walk with God which was not so easy at the beginning, thus the emphasis is on “And he departed.” He left for a foreign country and place called Haran – far away from his father’s house. It was important that God reassured him of the promise: “…Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go…” (28:13-15).

Almost half of Israelis in the red
Posted on Friday, December 01, 2006
Israelis have become accustomed to living in the shadow of an overdraft with at least 42 percent of the population in the minus, according to a poll. The New Wave survey found that the average Israeli is 5,080 shekels (nearly $1,200) in overdraft, which for many people is more than a month’s salary.
Journal of hate
Posted on Friday, December 01, 2006
Student representatives of an Islamic movement faction at Haifa University distributed a student journal venerating Osama bin Laden, former Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat, Hizballah Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah and Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti.
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  • Winds of War in the North
  • Taking Yeshua at His Word
  • Mt. Hermon Pilgrimage Site
  • A Pearl in the Desert
  • Messianic Student Fellowship
  • Robots for the Elderly
  • and Much More...
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