Tag Archives: Israel

Israel Prepares for Passover

Israel is preparing for the annual Passover amid heightened restrictions and concerns because of the crumbling peace process and questions about U.S. support for the nation.

Israel has sealed off the West Bank, barring any Palestinians from entering the West Bank as a protective measure against Muslim terrorist attacks during one of the Holiest weeks of the year.  Israeli police are also restricting Jerusalem holy sites.

However, Israel is doing more than just preparing for their own citizens to celebrate the holiday.  The country has been working to provide Passover wine, matzo and other items for the celebration for Jews trapped in countries around the world where their lives are at risk.

An Arab Israeli politician has been proving to Jewish communities in Muslim countries including the war-torn nation of Syria.  Ayoub Kara refused to name the other nations where the supplies are being sent for security reasons.

The “festival of freedom” includes most of the nation shutting down in the evenings for celebrations with friends and family.

Kerry Blames Israel For Peace Process Problem

U.S Secretary of State John Kerry made a pointed attack at Israel, essentially blaming them for problems with the peace process.

While Kerry paid lip service to the actions of both sides by saying that he saw “unhelpful” actions on the parts of both the Israelis and Palestinians.  However, the pointed parts of his comments were all pointed at Israel.

Kerry said that the problem that is imperiling the peace process is Israel’s announcement of 700 new housing units for Jewish settlers in East Jerusalem.  The announcement came three days after Israel did not release Palestinian prisoners as demanded by the United States as part of the negotiations.

However, the actions were in response to the Palestinians attempting to get status with at least 15 United Nations organizations, a back door way to be established as a nation.  Kerry did not criticize the Palestinians for inciting the crisis despite their actions coming first.

“Secretary Kerry,” an official in Mr. Netanyahu’s office told the New York Times, “knows that it was the Palestinians who said ‘no’ to continued direct talks with Israel in November; who said ‘no’ to his proposed framework for final status talks; who said ‘no’ to even discussing recognition of Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people; who said ‘no’ to a meeting with Kerry himself; and who said ‘no’ to an extension of the talks.”

Ancient Monastery Found In Israel

A 1,500-year-old Byzantine monastery has been discovered in Israel according to the Israel Antiquities Authority.

The monastery is described as having been a place of Christian worship during the 6th century.  The structure was found as part of an excavation before construction of a new highway through the Negev Desert.

The IAA said the structure was 65 feet wide by 115 feet long.  Four rooms were found including a prayer room and a dining room.  The mosaics on the floor were found to be typical of Christian mosaics of the time.

The mosaics also contained discretely placed crosses that obeyed an order from leaders of the time to not have crosses on the floor where someone could step on them.

In addition to the mosaic floors, the excavators discovered pottery, coins and glass that are believed to have been used as part of the worship of the time.

The discovered items are going to be removed from the site and moved to an agricultural and tourism project area.

Former Israeli Spy Could Be Released

The Obama Administration is reportedly considering the release of a jailed Israeli spy in an attempt to spur forward the stalled Israel/Palestine peace talks.

Jonathan Pollard, who pleaded guilty to spying for Israel in 1987 and was sentenced to life in prison, could be released as early as April according to sources close to Secretary of State John Kerry.

Pollard, because he was sentenced before November 1, 1987, is eligible to be paroled on November 21, 2015 even without action by the Administration.

A declassified report on Pollard’s actions shows that Israel did not ask him to spy on the U.S. military or intelligence activities but rather to gain the U.S.’s information on Israel’s enemies in the Middle East and the Soviet Union.

The release of Pollard, who was given Israeli citizenship during his incarceration, has been a key item for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.  Israeli has requested Pollard’s release multiple times as well as called for the government to show mercy in allowing him to attend events like his father’s funeral.  The government as repeatedly denied any requests for mercy.

Israel has released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including convicted murderers, as part of the peace process negotiated by the United States.

United States Denying Visas To Israelis

Obama Administration officials, angry that Israel is refusing their demands in the ongoing peace talks to give land to the Palestinians, are making things harder for ordinary Israelis to enter the country.

In addition, the administration is blocking Israel from a special program that allows citizens to enter the country without a preapproved visa.

Countries on the list include the UK, Sweden, France, Germany, Japan and Taiwan.  This means travelers from those countries with valid passports who meet the requirements of an electronic passport can enter the U.S. for 90 days without a visa.  Israel has been attempting to be part of the 37 countries in the program.

When asked about their rejection, Obama officials refer to the country’s “treatment of Arab-American travelers.”

Rejections of visas to Israeli citizens have jumped a shocking 80 percent in the last year.  The increase is so significant that political leaders such as Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer of New York has called on the State Department to end “its widespread, arbitrary practice of denying young Israelis tourist visas.”

Israel, who until the recent administration was considered one of America’s closest allies, has been wondering why countries like Iceland and Latvia qualify for the special visa program while they are repeatedly rejected.

Arab League Rejects Israel

The Arab League has stated conclusively they will never recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

The members also said that Israel was the reason for a lack of progress in the peace process.

“We hold Israel entirely responsible for the lack of progress in the peace process and continuing tension in the Middle East,” the group said in a statement. “We express our absolute and decisive rejection to recognizing Israel as a Jewish state.”

The declaration by the Arab League is seen as a serious blow to the peace process as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said one of Israel’s unbending demands is recognition of the country by Arab nations.

Netanyahu believes that without recognition of Israel, there will be no way that anyone can have peace with the Jewish people.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrives in the region today to try and nudge the stalled peace process.

Rocket Barrage Takes It’s Toll on Israeli Citizens

Israelis ran for the safety of bomb shelters on Wednesday when Islamic Jihad fired over 40 rockets into southern Israel. Then they sought shelter gain Thursday morning when sirens alerted them of another rocket attack.

The attacks couldn’t come at a worse time for Israeli citizens who had been partaking in festivities leading up to Purim, a Jewish holiday with carnival-like traditions. Fairs and parties have been held all over the country before the holiday starts on Sunday night.

Terri Davis, a resident of Ashkelon located near the Israel/Gaza border, stated how difficult it was for her and her preschool students during the attack.

“When we heard the sirens, 70 children and 15 adults crowded into the shelter,” she said. “The children, who were dressed in costumes, had been happy and singing when the siren went off, and I saw panic in their eyes. But the teachers and soldiers who had come for the party kept the children calm, singing and dancing.”

Other difficulties for the residents near the Gaza border included not being warned about the first round of attacks. Adele Raemar who lives a mile from the Gaza border only took shelter after he heard an explosion.

“There was no warning, no red alert,” Raemer said, referring to the system that warns residents near the border of imminent attack. “The windows shook. My son and I and our two dogs ran into my shelter.”

Although tensions are high between Israel and Gaza, Raemer felt compassion for the Gaza families who lived near the border.

“I’m sure the man on the street in Gaza just wants to put bread on his table and have his kids go to school and come home safely,” Raemer said. “Unfortunately, the people of Gaza haven’t been able to [stop] the Iranian-backed organizations that are making their lives as miserable, if not more miserable, than ours.”

Strikes Fired Between Gaza Militant and Israel Despite “Truce”

Gaza militants continued firing at Israel on Thursday despite a supposed truce that had been formed.

According to Islamic Jihad’s leader in Gaza, Egypt had helped the militants resume a ceasefire agreement from 2012. Israel did not confirm this.

Eight more rockets were fired into Israel on Thursday. Israel retaliated by striking seven “terror sites” in Gaza.

No Israeli casualties were reported Thursday. Witnesses stated that three Palestinians were wounded, but did not confirm if they were civilians or militants.

Rockets Fired Into Israel

Gaza militants fired more than 40 rockets within two hours into southern Israel on Wednesday making this the largest rocket barrage to hit Israel since 2012 according to the Israeli military.

Only three of the rockets were intercepted by Israel’s “Iron Dome” while eight hit populated areas. The rest fell in open areas.

The Islamic Jihad militant group behind the attack wanted vengeance for three of their members who were killed in an Israeli airstrike the day before. Additional Gaza militant groups also joined in on the attack including the Popular Resistance Group.

In retaliation to the attack, the Israeli air-force attacked several Jihad training camps.

“This retaliation was precise and prompt. We targeted the infrastructure that serves the terrorists while they train, plan and implement their hideous attacks. They will not be permitted to conspire in the safety of their terrorist temples,” Israeli Military spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to continue the retaliation.

“We will continue to thwart (rocket attacks) and hit those that want to harm us, and we will act against them with great force,” Netanyahu said. “Last year, the number of rockets fired from Gaza was the lowest in a decade but that is not enough. We will continue to act to ensure the security of the citizens of Israel in the south and in the entire country.”

So far in 2014, Gaza militants have fired 32 rockets toward Israel before Wednesday’s attack.

No casualties were reported on either side Wednesday.

Syrian Jets Threaten Israel

Israel scrambled their jets to the Syrian border after Syrian fighter jets and a helicopter were spotted rushing toward the border.

A report on Israeli TV said that the jets made it to a few hundred meters of the border before they turned back when the Israeli aircraft arrived on site.  There was no direct conflict between the two countries’ planes.

A source told Haaretz that while Syrian aircraft in the area is not uncommon, the massive amount of planes in a short time was unusual.  The call for the Israeli jets to scramble in response is considered “very rare.”

The report on TV station Channel 2 said that the scrambling of the jets also came because Syria did not notify Israel of increases in plane activity.  Syria claims that they need to bring their flights near the border as part of their fight against rebels attempting to overthrow the government.

The Israeli Defense Force said that they spotted terrorists at the Syrian border placing explosives on Friday.