 |
||
 |
        |
 |
|
||
| MP3 Radio | Website News Briefs: | |||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
 |
 |
1. Kassam Attacks, Air Force Retaliation Explode ‘Ceasefire’ Report
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
Three Kassam and Grad missile attacks, followed by Air Force retaliation, exploded another “ceasefire” report near noon Sunday, while Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu again threatened Hamas.
Following the Sunday morning rocket attacks, which did not cause injuries, the Israel Air Force struck terrorist targets in northern Gaza, according to Hamas. The Iron Dome system failed to intercept a Grad missile that was headed for Ashkelon, Army Radio reported. The missile apparently missed its mark and exploded in an open area.
In remarks before the weekly Cabinet meeting Sunday, the Prime Minister repeated warnings to Hamas that Israel will retaliate with “strong force” if the terrorist organization continues to attack Israeli civilians and soldiers.
Media in the Palestinian Authority reported that a ceasefire agreement was reached Saturday night through the mediation of a United Nations mediator, but none of the terrorist groups in Gaza officially announced a truce.
The Bethlehem-based Ma'an news agency reported that U.N. special coordinator for the Middle East Robert Serry “managed to reach a ceasefire agreement late Saturday between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza.” Besides Hamas’ objection to Israel being allowed to prevent “ticking bomb” terrorist cells from firing rockets, the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization did not agree to the Hamas proposal.
According to a Hamas spokesman, a ceasefire specifically means that Israel cannot target terrorist cells preparing to launch rocket attacks on Israelis.
The “calm in return for calm” formula depends on Hamas stopping all attacks, but the Grad and Kassam missile attacks on Sunday made it clear that any truce is likely to fail or be short-lived, just as all other similar announcements were proven to be false.
Comment on this story
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
Three Kassam and Grad missile attacks, followed by Air Force retaliation, exploded another “ceasefire” report near noon Sunday, while Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu again threatened Hamas.
Following the Sunday morning rocket attacks, which did not cause injuries, the Israel Air Force struck terrorist targets in northern Gaza, according to Hamas. The Iron Dome system failed to intercept a Grad missile that was headed for Ashkelon, Army Radio reported. The missile apparently missed its mark and exploded in an open area.
In remarks before the weekly Cabinet meeting Sunday, the Prime Minister repeated warnings to Hamas that Israel will retaliate with “strong force” if the terrorist organization continues to attack Israeli civilians and soldiers.
Media in the Palestinian Authority reported that a ceasefire agreement was reached Saturday night through the mediation of a United Nations mediator, but none of the terrorist groups in Gaza officially announced a truce.
The Bethlehem-based Ma'an news agency reported that U.N. special coordinator for the Middle East Robert Serry “managed to reach a ceasefire agreement late Saturday between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza.” Besides Hamas’ objection to Israel being allowed to prevent “ticking bomb” terrorist cells from firing rockets, the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization did not agree to the Hamas proposal.
According to a Hamas spokesman, a ceasefire specifically means that Israel cannot target terrorist cells preparing to launch rocket attacks on Israelis.
The “calm in return for calm” formula depends on Hamas stopping all attacks, but the Grad and Kassam missile attacks on Sunday made it clear that any truce is likely to fail or be short-lived, just as all other similar announcements were proven to be false.
Comment on this story
2. IDF Foils Terror Attack in Samaria Town
by David Lev
Soldiers at an IDF post near the Samaria town of Yitzhar – not far from Itamar, the site of the murder of the Fogel family just weeks ago – detected an attempted invasion of Arab terrorists on Friday night. The two terrorists who were attempting to get into the town escaped after a chase by IDF troops and the town's security brigade.
Soldiers detected two suspicious looking characters outside the town's security perimeter fence at about midnight Friday. The two were detected when they were about 150 meters from the fence, and were continuing to advance towards it. Troops focused a searchlight on them and called on them to halt, but the two began running away, escaping to a nearby Arab village. IDF troops entered the village in a search for the terrorists, but were unable to find them. They did, however, find seditious, anti-Israel material, including a PLO flag.
On Shabbat morning, after word spread throughout the town of the incident, residents approached the Arab village and conducted a protest outside it. A car was set on fire during the protests. No arrests were made.
Yitzhar residents praised IDF troops for their quick action in what they believe was another attempt by Arab terrorists to invade a Jewish town in Samaria and murder Jews. The incident was hauntingly familiar to the tragedy that occurred in Itamar just weeks ago, when terrorists successfully invaded the town and cold-bloodedly murdered five members of the Fogel family, including a three month old infant.
Friday night's incident occurred right outside the Shalhevet neighborhood where an Arab terrorist from the neighboring village of Azira al-Kabalia entered the town and set on fire a home in the town. The terrorist then stabbed a nine year old boy who attempted to alert security authorities of the terrorist's presence. The terrorist was killed a week later as he attempted to throw firebombs at Israeli vehicles in the area.
Comment on this story
by David Lev
Soldiers at an IDF post near the Samaria town of Yitzhar – not far from Itamar, the site of the murder of the Fogel family just weeks ago – detected an attempted invasion of Arab terrorists on Friday night. The two terrorists who were attempting to get into the town escaped after a chase by IDF troops and the town's security brigade.
Soldiers detected two suspicious looking characters outside the town's security perimeter fence at about midnight Friday. The two were detected when they were about 150 meters from the fence, and were continuing to advance towards it. Troops focused a searchlight on them and called on them to halt, but the two began running away, escaping to a nearby Arab village. IDF troops entered the village in a search for the terrorists, but were unable to find them. They did, however, find seditious, anti-Israel material, including a PLO flag.
On Shabbat morning, after word spread throughout the town of the incident, residents approached the Arab village and conducted a protest outside it. A car was set on fire during the protests. No arrests were made.
Yitzhar residents praised IDF troops for their quick action in what they believe was another attempt by Arab terrorists to invade a Jewish town in Samaria and murder Jews. The incident was hauntingly familiar to the tragedy that occurred in Itamar just weeks ago, when terrorists successfully invaded the town and cold-bloodedly murdered five members of the Fogel family, including a three month old infant.
Friday night's incident occurred right outside the Shalhevet neighborhood where an Arab terrorist from the neighboring village of Azira al-Kabalia entered the town and set on fire a home in the town. The terrorist then stabbed a nine year old boy who attempted to alert security authorities of the terrorist's presence. The terrorist was killed a week later as he attempted to throw firebombs at Israeli vehicles in the area.
Comment on this story
3. Rocket Attacks Continue; Thousands Spend Shabbat in Shelters
by David Lev
Thousands of residents of southern Israel spent Shabbat in bomb shelters, as Hamas terrorists from Gaza continued firing rockets at Israeli targets in the Negev. Since Thursday, Arab terrorists have fired over 100 mortar shells and Kassam rockets at Israeli targets, with fifty fired since early Saturday.
The rockets hit not only areas near the border, but areas further inside Israel, including the Ashkelon area. Four Grad-style Katyusha rockets hit areas near the city, but there were no injuries or damage reported. However, several people were hospitalized for shock, and as of Saturday night, three were still in the hospital.
Damage was reported in several towns, and major damage was reported in a kibbutz in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council, where a water pipe was destroyed. Residents said that they felt that the days of Operation Cast Lead, when Hamas fired hundreds of rockets at Israeli civilians, had returned.
Other cities further inside Israel were also hit, with Ofakim absorbing hits from three Grad rockets. One rocket hit very close to a school, and city officials said that there would have been many injuries had the rocket hit when classes were in session.
The Iron Dome system registered a number of successes, intercepting several rockets aimed for Be'ersheva, Ofakim and Be'ersheva. The system has intercepted eight rockets since Thursday.
Meanwhile, Israel has struck back hard at Hamas terrorist targets in Gaza. Overnight Friday, IDF planes targeted several terror activity sites in Gaza, with precise targeting of several terror gangs who were in the midst of preparing to fire more rockets at Israel. The IDF said that fifteen terrorists had been eliminated. Among them was a senior Hamas operative in the southern Gaza Strip, Tayser Abu Snima, along with two additional Hamas operatives. Snima held several major roles in the military wing of Hamas and was involved in many terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers. Most recently, he was in charge of executing a terror attack from Sinai, firing rockets at the city of Eilat. In addition, the IDF said, Snima was also directly involved in the kidnapping of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.
Israeli officials said that Hamas has asked for a ceasefire several times, and the Hamas website said that the terror group had declared a unilateral ceasefire on Thursday night. The terror group blamed the subsequent rockets on outside terror groups, saying that they were responding to Israeli attacks.
Meanwhile, the youth injured in the rocket attack on a school bus near Ashkelon on Thursday, Daniel Viflic, remained in critical condition. Doctors are continuing to work to save his life, and said that the next 24 hours would be “crucial.” The public was asked to continued to pray for Rafael Daniel Aryeh ben Tamar.
Comment on this story
by David Lev
Thousands of residents of southern Israel spent Shabbat in bomb shelters, as Hamas terrorists from Gaza continued firing rockets at Israeli targets in the Negev. Since Thursday, Arab terrorists have fired over 100 mortar shells and Kassam rockets at Israeli targets, with fifty fired since early Saturday.
The rockets hit not only areas near the border, but areas further inside Israel, including the Ashkelon area. Four Grad-style Katyusha rockets hit areas near the city, but there were no injuries or damage reported. However, several people were hospitalized for shock, and as of Saturday night, three were still in the hospital.
Damage was reported in several towns, and major damage was reported in a kibbutz in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council, where a water pipe was destroyed. Residents said that they felt that the days of Operation Cast Lead, when Hamas fired hundreds of rockets at Israeli civilians, had returned.
Other cities further inside Israel were also hit, with Ofakim absorbing hits from three Grad rockets. One rocket hit very close to a school, and city officials said that there would have been many injuries had the rocket hit when classes were in session.
The Iron Dome system registered a number of successes, intercepting several rockets aimed for Be'ersheva, Ofakim and Be'ersheva. The system has intercepted eight rockets since Thursday.
Meanwhile, Israel has struck back hard at Hamas terrorist targets in Gaza. Overnight Friday, IDF planes targeted several terror activity sites in Gaza, with precise targeting of several terror gangs who were in the midst of preparing to fire more rockets at Israel. The IDF said that fifteen terrorists had been eliminated. Among them was a senior Hamas operative in the southern Gaza Strip, Tayser Abu Snima, along with two additional Hamas operatives. Snima held several major roles in the military wing of Hamas and was involved in many terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers. Most recently, he was in charge of executing a terror attack from Sinai, firing rockets at the city of Eilat. In addition, the IDF said, Snima was also directly involved in the kidnapping of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.
Israeli officials said that Hamas has asked for a ceasefire several times, and the Hamas website said that the terror group had declared a unilateral ceasefire on Thursday night. The terror group blamed the subsequent rockets on outside terror groups, saying that they were responding to Israeli attacks.
Meanwhile, the youth injured in the rocket attack on a school bus near Ashkelon on Thursday, Daniel Viflic, remained in critical condition. Doctors are continuing to work to save his life, and said that the next 24 hours would be “crucial.” The public was asked to continued to pray for Rafael Daniel Aryeh ben Tamar.
Comment on this story
4. IDF Made ’World History’ with Iron Dome Missile Interceptor
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
The IDF said the Iron Dome’s interception of Grad Missiles made ‘world history,” but Hamas continues to attack with short-range Kassam rockets.
Gaza terrorists broke a subdued offensive against Israel and fired a missile towards Ashkelon Sunday morning. It failed to reach its target, but it is not yet clear if the Iron Dome system intercepted it or if the rocket exploded in an open area.
Initial but unconfirmed reports from Voice of Israel government radio were that terrorists fired a medium-range Grad missile. Simultaneously, a Hamas spokesman said, "We have no interest in an escalation in attacks.”
The newly-deployed but expensive Iron Dome system, operating in Be’er Sheva and Ashkelon, intercepted six Grad missiles Friday night. It was the first in-the-field successful interception.
Air Force Commander Major-General Ido Nechushtan said that although the deployment of the Iron Dome is only in its first stage, the IDF has "already made world history" by exploding several Grad missiles in mid-air.
Lt. Col. Shabi Ben-Boher, commander of the Iron Dome unit, said, "Though we knew we would be deploying the system earlier than expected, in these past few days it was decided to use it operationally. We are in a trial period and as such will act slowly and with great consideration to ensure that the first interceptions will be successful."
The Iron Dome’s capacity is limited to foiling rocket attacks only in the areas where it is deployed. Its high cost has limited its use to defending major population centers, while thousands of Israelis in Gaza Belt communities have to rely on the Code Red incoming alert siren, which sounds 15-20 seconds before a shorter-range Kassam rocket strikes.
Comment on this story
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
The IDF said the Iron Dome’s interception of Grad Missiles made ‘world history,” but Hamas continues to attack with short-range Kassam rockets.
Gaza terrorists broke a subdued offensive against Israel and fired a missile towards Ashkelon Sunday morning. It failed to reach its target, but it is not yet clear if the Iron Dome system intercepted it or if the rocket exploded in an open area.
Initial but unconfirmed reports from Voice of Israel government radio were that terrorists fired a medium-range Grad missile. Simultaneously, a Hamas spokesman said, "We have no interest in an escalation in attacks.”
The newly-deployed but expensive Iron Dome system, operating in Be’er Sheva and Ashkelon, intercepted six Grad missiles Friday night. It was the first in-the-field successful interception.
Air Force Commander Major-General Ido Nechushtan said that although the deployment of the Iron Dome is only in its first stage, the IDF has "already made world history" by exploding several Grad missiles in mid-air.
Lt. Col. Shabi Ben-Boher, commander of the Iron Dome unit, said, "Though we knew we would be deploying the system earlier than expected, in these past few days it was decided to use it operationally. We are in a trial period and as such will act slowly and with great consideration to ensure that the first interceptions will be successful."
The Iron Dome’s capacity is limited to foiling rocket attacks only in the areas where it is deployed. Its high cost has limited its use to defending major population centers, while thousands of Israelis in Gaza Belt communities have to rely on the Code Red incoming alert siren, which sounds 15-20 seconds before a shorter-range Kassam rocket strikes.
Comment on this story
5. Barak Offers Ceasefire if Hamas Stops Shooting
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
Defense Minister Ehud Barak Sunday morning offered Hamas a halt to retaliatory attacks on Gaza terrorists if they stop firing on Israelis.
Hamas and allied terrorists fired three more mortar shells from Gaza Sunday morning, one of them hitting a high-voltage power line and knocking out electricty in the Gaza Belt area.
However, no rockets were fired, indicating that Hamas is continuing a two-year strategy of drawing Israel into a massive retaliation for attacks and then backing off, while winning sympathy in the media and among foreign countries.
The de facto Hamas government in Gaza attacked Israelis with more than 120 rockets, missiles and mortar shells since Friday, causing heavy damage but no injuries. On Tuesday, Hamas fired an an anti-tank rocket at a school bus, critically wounding a 16-year-old boy and moderately injuring the driver.
Israel scored a strategic advance by intercepting eight medium-range Grad missiles with the new but expensive Iron Dome system. Barak emphasized that the missile-intercepting system does not provide total protection, and that if anyone wants to feel totally safe, “He should move to Finland.”
The world reaction to the latest round of attacks and retaliation echoed the period after the beginning of the Operation Cast Lead defensive counterterrorist campaign two years ago, following thousands of rocket attacks on southern Israel.
European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton stated, "I strongly condemn…mortar and rocket attacks out of the Gaza Strip, which once again hit the innocent civilian population and which must stop immediately."
"I also deplore the loss of civilian life in Gaza and call on Israel to show restraint. The lives of civilians must be spared everywhere and in all circumstances. Only an immediate cessation of all violence can bring back the calm necessary to allow for a lasting truce in the Gaza Strip."
Comment on this story
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
Defense Minister Ehud Barak Sunday morning offered Hamas a halt to retaliatory attacks on Gaza terrorists if they stop firing on Israelis.
Hamas and allied terrorists fired three more mortar shells from Gaza Sunday morning, one of them hitting a high-voltage power line and knocking out electricty in the Gaza Belt area.
However, no rockets were fired, indicating that Hamas is continuing a two-year strategy of drawing Israel into a massive retaliation for attacks and then backing off, while winning sympathy in the media and among foreign countries.
The de facto Hamas government in Gaza attacked Israelis with more than 120 rockets, missiles and mortar shells since Friday, causing heavy damage but no injuries. On Tuesday, Hamas fired an an anti-tank rocket at a school bus, critically wounding a 16-year-old boy and moderately injuring the driver.
Israel scored a strategic advance by intercepting eight medium-range Grad missiles with the new but expensive Iron Dome system. Barak emphasized that the missile-intercepting system does not provide total protection, and that if anyone wants to feel totally safe, “He should move to Finland.”
The world reaction to the latest round of attacks and retaliation echoed the period after the beginning of the Operation Cast Lead defensive counterterrorist campaign two years ago, following thousands of rocket attacks on southern Israel.
European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton stated, "I strongly condemn…mortar and rocket attacks out of the Gaza Strip, which once again hit the innocent civilian population and which must stop immediately."
"I also deplore the loss of civilian life in Gaza and call on Israel to show restraint. The lives of civilians must be spared everywhere and in all circumstances. Only an immediate cessation of all violence can bring back the calm necessary to allow for a lasting truce in the Gaza Strip."
Comment on this story
6. Campaign to Rescind the Goldstone Report
by Chana Ya'ar
The StandWithUs organization has launched a letter-writing campaign to pressure officials into rescinding the 2009 United Nations Goldstone Report.
(Click here for sample letters and contact information for U.S., U.N. And European Union officials.)
“Now that Judge Richard Goldstone has admitted that the report's defamatory accusations against Israel were false, the time has come for the U.N. and world leaders to repudiate it,” said Roz Rothstein, CEO of StandWithUs.
In an April 1, 2011 op-ed in The Washington Post, Goldstone admitted Israel had not intentionally targeted civilians in its counter terrorist Operation Cast Lead war against the Hamas rulers of Gaza, conducted in the three weeks between December 2008 and January 2009.
Goldstone also acknowledged in the piece that Israel's judiciary met the highest international standards for investigating its own military conduct and has the right, like every other nation, to defend itself against attacks such as those perpetrated by terrorist groups like Hamas.
“The Goldstone Report set a dangerous precedent by rewarding terrorists and denying democratic nations the right to defend themselves against terrorism,” the group said in a statement. “That's another reason it is so critical to repudiate the report.
“The purpose of the StandWithUs letter-writing campaign is to let international leaders know how many decent people around the world demand an end to the shameless prejudice against Israel, a prejudice that is warping core values of modern civilization,” the statement added.
Comment on this story
by Chana Ya'ar
The StandWithUs organization has launched a letter-writing campaign to pressure officials into rescinding the 2009 United Nations Goldstone Report.
(Click here for sample letters and contact information for U.S., U.N. And European Union officials.)
“Now that Judge Richard Goldstone has admitted that the report's defamatory accusations against Israel were false, the time has come for the U.N. and world leaders to repudiate it,” said Roz Rothstein, CEO of StandWithUs.
In an April 1, 2011 op-ed in The Washington Post, Goldstone admitted Israel had not intentionally targeted civilians in its counter terrorist Operation Cast Lead war against the Hamas rulers of Gaza, conducted in the three weeks between December 2008 and January 2009.
Goldstone also acknowledged in the piece that Israel's judiciary met the highest international standards for investigating its own military conduct and has the right, like every other nation, to defend itself against attacks such as those perpetrated by terrorist groups like Hamas.
“The Goldstone Report set a dangerous precedent by rewarding terrorists and denying democratic nations the right to defend themselves against terrorism,” the group said in a statement. “That's another reason it is so critical to repudiate the report.
“The purpose of the StandWithUs letter-writing campaign is to let international leaders know how many decent people around the world demand an end to the shameless prejudice against Israel, a prejudice that is warping core values of modern civilization,” the statement added.
Comment on this story
7. Mild Western Reaction to Mass Deaths in Syria
by David Lev
Unrest continued Saturday in both Egypt and Syria, as protesters in both cities were killed by security forces in each country. Meanwhile, thousands of Egyptians rioted outside the Israeli embassy in Cairo over the IDF's response to Hamas terror attacks, increasing concern in Jerusalem that the protests in the Arab world could begin to focus on Israel, instead of on domestic issues.
In Syria, security forces opened fire Saturday on participants in a funeral procession for protesters killed in another attack Friday. At least 37 people were killed in those protests Friday. A Syrian anti-government protest group, the National Organization for Human Rights, accused the government of committing “crimes against humanity.”
Protests took place in several cities in Syria on Friday, with 30 people killed in Deraa, the epicenter of the protests. Witnesses said that dozens of others were wounded, but refused to go to the hospital for treatment, out of fear that the secret police would arrest them.
World reaction was mild, at best. European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton condemned the violence, urging President Bashar Assad to implement “meaningful political reforms.” On Friday, U.S. President Barack H. Obama issued a statement that “strongly condemned the abhorrent violence committed against peaceful protesters.” and called for “meaningful political and economic reforms.” Israeli observers said they were “disappointed with the mild statement. There was no call for a UN meeting on the murders of innocent civilians, as there would most certainly have been had Israel killed dozens of terrorists at a single time.”
Meanwhile in Cairo Saturday, two Egyptian protesters were shot by Egyptian military forces. Hundreds of soldiers charged a large crowd of protesters in Tahrir Square at about 2 AM Saturday morning, in an attempt to impose a curfew after a large protest on Friday. Later Saturday, thousands of protesters returned to the square to protest the killings, and to demand that the shooters, whom protesters accused of being in league with deposed President Hosni Mubarak, be put on trial, along with Mubarak and other figures from his regime.
During that protest, several thousand people broke away and marched to the Israeli Embassy, where they threw rocks and stones and attempted to enter the building. They were turned back by security troops. The crowd shouted anti-Israel epithets, claiming that Israel was killing “innocent Palestinians” in its response to Hamas rocket attacks. Diplomats in Jerusalem said they were concerned that the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamists would use the Gaza situation to build protests against Israel, using the crowd in Tahrir Square for their anti-Israel agenda, after the group said it would become more active in the country's protest movement.
Comment on this story
by David Lev
Unrest continued Saturday in both Egypt and Syria, as protesters in both cities were killed by security forces in each country. Meanwhile, thousands of Egyptians rioted outside the Israeli embassy in Cairo over the IDF's response to Hamas terror attacks, increasing concern in Jerusalem that the protests in the Arab world could begin to focus on Israel, instead of on domestic issues.
In Syria, security forces opened fire Saturday on participants in a funeral procession for protesters killed in another attack Friday. At least 37 people were killed in those protests Friday. A Syrian anti-government protest group, the National Organization for Human Rights, accused the government of committing “crimes against humanity.”
Protests took place in several cities in Syria on Friday, with 30 people killed in Deraa, the epicenter of the protests. Witnesses said that dozens of others were wounded, but refused to go to the hospital for treatment, out of fear that the secret police would arrest them.
World reaction was mild, at best. European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton condemned the violence, urging President Bashar Assad to implement “meaningful political reforms.” On Friday, U.S. President Barack H. Obama issued a statement that “strongly condemned the abhorrent violence committed against peaceful protesters.” and called for “meaningful political and economic reforms.” Israeli observers said they were “disappointed with the mild statement. There was no call for a UN meeting on the murders of innocent civilians, as there would most certainly have been had Israel killed dozens of terrorists at a single time.”
Meanwhile in Cairo Saturday, two Egyptian protesters were shot by Egyptian military forces. Hundreds of soldiers charged a large crowd of protesters in Tahrir Square at about 2 AM Saturday morning, in an attempt to impose a curfew after a large protest on Friday. Later Saturday, thousands of protesters returned to the square to protest the killings, and to demand that the shooters, whom protesters accused of being in league with deposed President Hosni Mubarak, be put on trial, along with Mubarak and other figures from his regime.
During that protest, several thousand people broke away and marched to the Israeli Embassy, where they threw rocks and stones and attempted to enter the building. They were turned back by security troops. The crowd shouted anti-Israel epithets, claiming that Israel was killing “innocent Palestinians” in its response to Hamas rocket attacks. Diplomats in Jerusalem said they were concerned that the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamists would use the Gaza situation to build protests against Israel, using the crowd in Tahrir Square for their anti-Israel agenda, after the group said it would become more active in the country's protest movement.
Comment on this story
8. State Dept: Human Rights Abuses Span Middle East, Pakistan
by Chana Ya'ar
The U.S. State Department reports countries in the entire Middle East, and some countries elsewhere, are riddled with human rights abuses.
In its annual government-mandated report, the State Department said that government repressions of political freedoms were rampant. The report, which has been submitted each year for the past 35 years, cited actions by police and security forces against dissenters, even in countries that are considered allies of the United States.
Abuse of political and social rights has continued, and is worsening in some cases, in countries important to American security, the State Department said Friday. Among those cited were Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Yemen and Pakistan.
Among the cases cited was a rise in extrajudicial murders, torture and rape by security forces in Pakistan. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pointed out in releasing the report that in Pakistan, “blasphemy remains a crime punishable by death. And the blasphemy law has been enforced against Muslims who do not share the beliefs of other Muslims, and also against non-Muslims, who worship differently.”
Interference with access to the Internet was a particular concern in the report. More than 40 countries currently limit access to the Internet to one degree or another, according to the report.
Rights abuses are rated for 194 countries, both friendly and unfriendly to the United States, in the report. If printed, the document would include more than two million words and would require more than 7,000 pages.
Comment on this story
by Chana Ya'ar
The U.S. State Department reports countries in the entire Middle East, and some countries elsewhere, are riddled with human rights abuses.
In its annual government-mandated report, the State Department said that government repressions of political freedoms were rampant. The report, which has been submitted each year for the past 35 years, cited actions by police and security forces against dissenters, even in countries that are considered allies of the United States.
Abuse of political and social rights has continued, and is worsening in some cases, in countries important to American security, the State Department said Friday. Among those cited were Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Yemen and Pakistan.
Among the cases cited was a rise in extrajudicial murders, torture and rape by security forces in Pakistan. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pointed out in releasing the report that in Pakistan, “blasphemy remains a crime punishable by death. And the blasphemy law has been enforced against Muslims who do not share the beliefs of other Muslims, and also against non-Muslims, who worship differently.”
Interference with access to the Internet was a particular concern in the report. More than 40 countries currently limit access to the Internet to one degree or another, according to the report.
Rights abuses are rated for 194 countries, both friendly and unfriendly to the United States, in the report. If printed, the document would include more than two million words and would require more than 7,000 pages.
Comment on this story
More Website News:
 |
Holland Likely to Pass Ban on Kosher Ritual Slaughter  |
|
Young Israel Donates 190th Sefer Torah to the IDF |
|
Manhunt for Santa Monica Chabad House Bomber |
|
Egyptian Rioters Try to Rip Down Israeli Flag from Embassy |
|
Muslim Brotherhood to Rejoin Egypt Protests |
