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1. Would-be Bronx Synagogue Bombers Prayed for Success
by Chana Ya'ar
Four would-be Bronx synagogue bombers prayed for success before setting out on their murderous mission, according to U.S. prosecutors.
The four, 44-year-old James Cromitie, 34-year-old Onta Williams, 29-year-old David Williams and 28-year-old Laguerre Payen, were charged with conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction and attempting to use missiles to kill U.S. officers and employees.
In his opening statement to the Manhattan Federal Court, Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Hickey told the jury, “They were prepared to go all the way through with their destructive and murderous plan,” which included shooting down military planes.
The prosecution said it would show the jury a video of the defendants praying for success prior to setting out to attack two New York synagogues in May 2009.
The four -- three of whom were U.S. citizens and one a Haitian immigrant -- were originally approached by FBI informant Shahed Hussain after he heard them discussing their hatred of Jews and a desire to hurt Americans. The sentiment apparently was ignited by U.S. actions in the Middle East.
Hussain, known to the group as “Maqsood,” provided the would-be bombers with non-working explosives and stinger missiles, after telling them he was a member of a Pakistani terrorist organization and offering to fund their efforts and supply the materials.
The informant also secretly videotaped his conversations with the suspects.
Cromitie told Hussain on the tape that “the best target in New York had already been hit” – an apparent reference to the World Trade Center that was destroyed during the 9/11 attack on New York by al-Qaeda terrorists in 2001. He added that he would like to hit another target, like the George Washington Bridge, a large military transport plane, or a synagogue.
“Above all, Cromitie said he wanted to hit a synagogue,” Hickey said.
Attorney Vincent Briccetti, in defending Cromitie, said his client had been entrapped by Hussain, a convicted felon whom he called a “master manipulator.”
The four have pleaded not guilty to the charges. If convicted, they could be sentenced to prison terms of 25 years to life.
Bronx Synagogues to Receive Future Protection
The two synagogues targeted by the would-be terrorists – the Riverdale Temple and the Riverdale Jewish Center – are on a list of 80 high-risk groups set to receive an average of $73,000 each to fortify their buildings against terror attacks. The funds are to be distributed before the November elections.
The Department of Homeland Security last month allocated more than $5.8 million in federal funding to beef up the protection of the buildings with security cameras, barricades and emergency release doors.
U.S. Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn and Queens, NY) announced at a July news conference held at Manhattan’s Ramaz School, a modern Orthodox day school also on the list to receive funds, “Everybody is entitled to have their security needs met.” The list includes a total of 36 religious schools, 25 synagogues, 12 community centers, six hospitals and a church. Specific details were not released due to security concerns.
2. DM Barak's F-35 Decision to be Reconsidered
by Hillel Fendel
Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz is not happy with Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s recent decision to purchase 20 F-35 “Evader” airplanes from the United States - and the decision will be reconsidered.
Three Objections
Steinitz says the planes are simply too expensive, and has asked Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu not to suffice with Barak’s opinion alone on the matter. Netanyahu has agreed to discuss the matter in a more extensive forum, the composition of which is yet to be announced.
Steinitz also objects to the deal on the grounds that the U.S. has refused to install Israeli systems on the plane. These systems would improve its capabilities, perpetuating Israel’s air superiority in the region even if, as expected, Saudi Arabia or other Arab countries purchase the same plane.
It has also been noted that the delivery date of the F-35, four years from now, is likely to be too late for use against the Iranian nuclear threat.
In Favor of the F-35
On the other hand, the F-35 plane "will give the [Israel] Air Force the best capability in the short and long range, and will allow Israel to maintain aerial superiority,” Minister Barak said upon making the decision to purchase it. Though the F-35 has a limited pay-load capability, it is known for its ability to reach an enemy target undetected and it possesses top-level computer systems.
The F-35 is set to cost approximately $137.5 million, making it the most expensive plane ever purchased by Israel. Israel originally considered buying 75 of them, but the prohibitive price tag was instrumental in bringing this number down to 20, for a total of $2.75 billion. No other country has yet purchased the F-35.
In actuality, the price will be returned to Israel and then some, in the form of defense contracts. The value of work that F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin is prepared to give Israeli defense companies could amount to up to 180% of the cost of the entire deal, reports Defense News. This extraordinarily high return for an international arms deal has raised some eyebrows, and even criticism, in the U.S. Other countries generally receive between 40% and 100% in defense contracts when purchasing American weapons.
Lockheed Martin said that if Israel buys 20 F-35s, it would award Israeli companies contracts worth $4 billion for work related to the plane’s production. An option for another $1 billion over the course of ten years is also part of the deal.
No date has been announced for the next discussion of the purchase.
3. Transportation Min: End of Freeze is Near, Train Line is Planned
by Hillel Fendel
Minister of Transportation Yisrael Katz of the Likud declared this week that just one month from now, when the ten-month freeze on Jewish construction in Judea and Samaria officially expires, building will resume in a frenzy. In addition, he said, a comprehensive train network in Judea and Samaria is already being planned.
Katz made the remarks in a meeting with party loyalists in the Haifa area. Attorney activist Aviad Visoly, who heads the Likud chapter in the Haifa area, told Israel National News that Minister Katz “is among those non-defeatists who feel that we are going to remain in Judea and Samaria for a long, long time.”
Katz said that the planned rail lines will run both east-west and north-south. One route will lead from Rosh HaAyin (just east of Petah Tikva) to Ariel (central Shomron), and another will connect Latrun/Modiin with Ramallah/Beit El area. In addition, the northern Shomron area will be connected to Be’er Sheva, 150 kilometers to the south. The routes would feature connections to the existing train routes connecting the Haifa area with Ashkelon.
Planning rail tracks can take well over a decade, Visoly said, beginning with planning the basic route, checking ownership of the various tracts of land involved, and more.
This is not the first time Katz has spoken of train-route plans in Judea and Samaria. This past May, while touring the Shomron, he said that a train network could advance peace in improving transport of consumer goods and passengers, both Arab and Jewish.
In the early 20th century, Jezreel Valley Train route was built from Haifa to the Tiberias area, via Afula and Beit She'an. An extension was later added, connecting Afula with Jenin. The Valley Train was discontinued in 1951.
Freeze to End One Month From Now
Minister Katz said that despite the announcement of direct talks with the PA and the accompanying PA threats regarding continued Jewish construction, “the freeze ends on midnight of September 26, and it will not be renewed.” He said that a minute later, the heads of Judea and Samaria regional and local councils will sign “thousands” of building permits, leading to construction on a vast scale.
Judea and Samaria is officially under IDF governance, and therefore Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s approval is required for much of what occurs in these areas. Asked if Barak can hold up the construction by not granting his signature, Visoly said that anywhere there is already an approved building plan – as there is in many communities and towns in Judea and Samaria – Barak’s signature is not needed.
4. Global Islamic Sites to Get American Facelift
by Chana Ya'ar
The United States is donating nearly $270,000 this year to restore five Islamic sites as part of a worldwide project to support a global cultural facelift, according to The Associated Press.
The funds are being provided under an annual program established by the U.S. Congress in 2001, the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation.
The five Islamic projects include:
· 16th century Grand Mosque in Tongxin, China,
· 18th century Golden Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan,
· 19th century minaret in the ancient Mauritanian city of Tichitt,
· Sundarwala Burl -- a 16th century Islamic monument in New Delhi, and
· 18th century Gobaruau minaret in Katsina, Nigeria.
Also funded this year are projects to restore Christian and Buddhist sites, as well as museums, forts and palaces.
“Cultural heritage serves as a reminder of historical experiences and achievements of humanity,” said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in announcing the 2010 projects last month. “Ancient structures and objects offer important lessons for us today.”
Nearly $6 million is being allocated for some 63 sites in 55 countries around the world. A total of $26 million has been spent on 640 cultural preservation projects in more than 100 countries since the birth of the program.
The public relations trip to the Persian Gulf scheduled for the organizer of the Cordoba House Ground Zero mosque, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, is also being funded under the program. Rauf is being sent by the State Department to Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates as a “good will ambassador” to explain U.S. religious tolerance traditions, and how Islam is perceived by the average American.
5. PA Democracy: Anti-Gov’t Conference Quashed by Police
by Hillel Fendel
Police turned a planned press conference against Palestinian Authority government policy into an illegal rally – and then banned it, injuring participants in the process.
The Palestinian Authority’s Ma’an news agency reports that the police in the Palestinian Authority have a different version of the events.
The issue involved opposition by some groups against the PA’s decision to enter into direct talks with Israel. The event was organized by left-wing factions and several independent politicians, and a similar one was to be held in Gaza City.
According to one of the conference organizers, former Ramallah mayoral candidate Khaleda Jarrar of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the intention was to hold a press conference inside a Ramallah hall, and not to conduct a protest rally outside. However, she said, PA police "in civilian uniforms attempted to thwart the event from the start, chanting slogans and leading event participants towards the center of Ramallah."
She said the plainclothes officers were trying to provoke participants, and though "we aimed to voice our dissent… the PA decided to enter the conference hall and drag participants out to an unplanned rally" in order to quash it. The government-affiliated Watan TV station said network cameramen were assaulted and injured and their equipment confiscated.
On the other hand, a PA police spokesman denied to Ma'an any police intervention at the conference, saying forces were "surprised when an illegal rally was carried out on the streets of Ramallah." He said security forces “did not enter the hall in either civilian dress or military uniform, [and] had no part in the decision to prevent the holding of a news conference. Forces on patrol were surprised when a gathering of people headed to Watan television studios. When the individuals were asked what they were doing, they said they were carrying out a rally… The age of chaos is over, these matter require prior notification and a permit.”
6. Egypt Announces Site of Its First Nuclear Plant: El Dabaa
by Gil Ronen
Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak announced Wednesday afternoon that the country's first nuclear power plant will be built at El Dabaa on the Mediterranean coast.
The Associated Press reported that Energy Minister Hassan Younis said the decision is intended to "prioritize national interests and gives a big boost to the Egyptian nuclear program."
The plant will cost an estimated $1.5 billion, some of which will be financed by the government. Tenders will be issued by the end of the year.
In 2007, Mubarak announced his intention to revive Egypt's nuclear program, which was put on hold after the 1986 disaster at Chernobyl, in the Ukraine. He said at the time that his government would cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency and that Cairo does not desire to develop nuclear weapons.
In Lebanon, Hizbullah head Hassan Nasrallah said Tuesday that the country should consider building a nuclear power plant to provide it with energy. "I call on the Lebanese government to seriously consider ... building a nuclear power plant for the peaceful purpose of generating electricity, which would be more cost-efficient than the plan the government has endorsed," he said in a speech broadcast by video link.
7. Flights to Uman Filling Up
by Elad Benari
As Rosh Hashanah, the New Year holiday, nears, preparations for the traditional annual pilgrimage to the gravesite of Rebbe Nachman of Bratslav begin.
Rebbe Nachman of Bratslav was a great-grandson of the Ba’al Shem Tov and the founder of the Bratslav Hasidic movement, whose name comes from the Ukrainian town of Bratslav, where Rebbe Nachman lived for the last eight years of his life.
In the nineteenth century, the movement experienced a huge growth in followers from countries such as Ukraine, White Russia, Lithuania and Poland. Rebbe Nachman’s philosophy combined in-depth Torah study with Kabbalah, and involved striving for closeness to G-d. He placed a great emphasis on hitbodedut (self-seclusion), an individualized form of prayer and meditation meant to deepen one’s relationship with G-d.
The tradition of the annual pilgrimage to Rebbe Nachman’s gravesite in Uman, Ukraine is rooted in a tradition that began during his lifetime, when thousands of Hasidim would travel to be with him and learn from him during the holidays of Rosh Hashanah, Chanukah and Shavuot.
Every year, many followers from Israel and around the world continue the tradition and fly to Uman to pray by the Rebbe’s gravesite around the time of Rosh Hashanah. Yet this year, as Binyamin Gabbai of Derech Tzadikim (a company that organizes trips to the Rebbe’s grave in Uman during this time of year) told Arutz7 on Wednesday, he is convinced that all previous records will be broken.
“This year is a special year and there will likely be more people flying out,” said Gabbai. “The Israeli Airports Authority has issued 18,000 flight permits. Every year in the past, twelve flights went out to Uman. This year there will be nineteen.”
Gabbai added that ticket prices to Uman this year are cheaper. “Because of the large supply prices have dropped. In past years, expensive flights back to Israel immediately after the holiday, cost $1,200. This year you can get [a flight for] $900. Less sought-after flights can cost $750.”
He spoke of a new phenomenon where Jews buy apartments in Ukraine so they have a place to sleep when they visit during the holiday. “There are many individuals who purchase apartments there. They rent throughout the year and live there during Rosh Hashanah.”
According to Gabbai, not just Bratslav Hasidim take part in the pilgrimage to Uman, but rather a wide range of individuals from different communities, including Hareidim, religious-Zionists, members of different Kibbutzim, and even young children. “Rebbe Nachman promised that whoever visits him before the age of seven will not taste sin,” said Gabbai.
Gabbai is calling on everyone to hurry up and register. “We are working furiously here, it’s devotion. I walk in here in the morning and leave at two o'clock at night. To fly this large amount of people is not a simple task, but there is Siyata DiShmaya. Last year we registered people for flights even on the last day before the holiday, and we obtained for them a visa within a few hours. I believe that this year the last flights will also leave on Tuesday [the day before Erev Rosh Hashanah].”
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