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1. Israel Thanks Canada for Defense at G8 Summit
by Chana Ya'ar
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman made sure to pick up the phone and call his counterpart in Ottawa this weekend to thank him for Canada's stance at the G8 summit last week.
Lieberman told John Baird, who recently came into the post, that Canada is a “true friend of Israel.”
Israel's foreign minister added that Prime Minister Stephen Harper had been correct in his reading of the situation to know that the 1967-1949 Armistice lines are incompatible with the demographic realities in the Jewish State – and are indefensible as borders.
Harper blocked the G8 from issuing statements with any mention of the recommendation, stated by U.S. President Barack Obama in his Middle Eastern policy speech a week prior.
Although G8 leaders called for peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in the group's final communique issued Friday in Deauville, France, the “1967 lines” were not included.
A day later, the Arab League issued its own communique, stating it would support the Palestinian Authority's refusal to return to any negotiations.
Instead, the Arab League will back a bid by the PA to appeal directly to the United Nations for recognition of a new Arab country called “Palestine” in Gaza, Judea and Samaria with much of Jerusalem as its capital – including many areas where Jews currently live and work.
The “peace process follow up committee” at the Doha meeting in Qatar said it would request membership for the “State of Palestine” at the U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York in September. Qatar is set to chair that meeting, according to the current rotation.
As Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu pointed out in his speech to the U.S. Congress last week, there are more than half a million Israelis, most of whom are Jewish, living in the areas claimed by the PA.
Comment on this story
by Chana Ya'ar
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman made sure to pick up the phone and call his counterpart in Ottawa this weekend to thank him for Canada's stance at the G8 summit last week.
Lieberman told John Baird, who recently came into the post, that Canada is a “true friend of Israel.”
Israel's foreign minister added that Prime Minister Stephen Harper had been correct in his reading of the situation to know that the 1967-1949 Armistice lines are incompatible with the demographic realities in the Jewish State – and are indefensible as borders.
Harper blocked the G8 from issuing statements with any mention of the recommendation, stated by U.S. President Barack Obama in his Middle Eastern policy speech a week prior.
Although G8 leaders called for peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in the group's final communique issued Friday in Deauville, France, the “1967 lines” were not included.
A day later, the Arab League issued its own communique, stating it would support the Palestinian Authority's refusal to return to any negotiations.
Instead, the Arab League will back a bid by the PA to appeal directly to the United Nations for recognition of a new Arab country called “Palestine” in Gaza, Judea and Samaria with much of Jerusalem as its capital – including many areas where Jews currently live and work.
The “peace process follow up committee” at the Doha meeting in Qatar said it would request membership for the “State of Palestine” at the U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York in September. Qatar is set to chair that meeting, according to the current rotation.
As Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu pointed out in his speech to the U.S. Congress last week, there are more than half a million Israelis, most of whom are Jewish, living in the areas claimed by the PA.
Comment on this story
2. Hamas Back to Normal, Attacks Western Negev with Missile
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
Hamas managed to hold its fire for a month before unleashing another missile attack on the western Negev Saturday night. No one was injured.
An IDF spokeswoman told Israel National News the military has not responded, so far, to the Kassam attack, the first in several weeks since Hamas terrorists fired an advanced anti-tank missile at a school bus, killing one teenager.
After the strike by the laser-guided missile made in Russia and smuggled from Iran, IDF ground units targeted 11 terrorist cells in northern and southern Gaza, and the Air Force strafed 15 terrorist sites, including terror infrastructure sites, Hamas outposts, smuggling tunnels and weapons manufacturing and storage facilities.
Hamas reached a unity agreement last month with the Fatah movement, headed by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, who is publicly committed to halt all violence and incitement against Israel.
Following Friday night’s rocket attack, mainstream media followed their habit of reporting rocket strikes that cause no damage or injuries as minor incidents.
Comment on this story
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
Hamas managed to hold its fire for a month before unleashing another missile attack on the western Negev Saturday night. No one was injured.
An IDF spokeswoman told Israel National News the military has not responded, so far, to the Kassam attack, the first in several weeks since Hamas terrorists fired an advanced anti-tank missile at a school bus, killing one teenager.
After the strike by the laser-guided missile made in Russia and smuggled from Iran, IDF ground units targeted 11 terrorist cells in northern and southern Gaza, and the Air Force strafed 15 terrorist sites, including terror infrastructure sites, Hamas outposts, smuggling tunnels and weapons manufacturing and storage facilities.
Hamas reached a unity agreement last month with the Fatah movement, headed by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, who is publicly committed to halt all violence and incitement against Israel.
Following Friday night’s rocket attack, mainstream media followed their habit of reporting rocket strikes that cause no damage or injuries as minor incidents.
Comment on this story
3. Arab League Goes for Broke, Officially Abandons ‘Talks’
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
The Arab League has snubbed U.S. President Barack Obama and officially abandoned the path of “negotiations” with Israel for creating a Palestinian Authority state and will ask the United Nations to do so.
The 23-member League, which includes the Palestinian Authority, said on Saturday in Qatar that it backs PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' strategy for the United Nations to recognize the PA as a country based on its unilateral demands that it wants Israel to accept before “negotiations.”
The League held out the option of not turning to the United Nations if Israel shows it is “ready” to accept a Palestinian Authority state based on the Saudi Initiative of 2002, which includes the immigration to Israel of several million Arabs living in foreign countries, which have refused to grant them citizenship and a turning the 1949 indefensible Armistice lines into borders..
Turning to the United Nations is a direct dismissal of President Obama’s insistence last week that it is not practical to ask the UN to recognize the Palestinian Authority as an independent country.
The president said, “I strongly believe that for the Palestinians to take the United Nations route rather than the path of sitting down and talking with the Israelis is a mistake.”
In an interview with the BBC, he pointed out that it is not practical for the PA to be recognized by the United Nations. “Hamas still hasn't recognized Israel's right to exist and renounce violence, or recognize that negotiations are the right path for solving this problem,” he said. “And it's very difficult for Israel in a realistic way to say we're going to sit across the table from somebody who denies our right to exist. And so that's an issue that the Palestinians are going to have to resolve."
Earlier last week, President Obama disappointed the Arab world by not directly talking about the issues of the status of Jerusalem and the issue of foreign Arabs that Abbas wants to flood Israel. The president said Israel and the Palestinian Authority should discuss the two issues after agreeing on the boundaries of a proposed PA state.
"In these circumstances, it seems better to me that we freeze discussion of the peace process until there is a partner ready for peace," said Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr al-Thani, who chaired the Arab League meting in Doha.
"The sound path is going through the United Nations and political struggle," Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, told Reuters. "I believe that negotiations have become futile in light of all of these "nos." What will you negotiate on?"
Comment on this story
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
The Arab League has snubbed U.S. President Barack Obama and officially abandoned the path of “negotiations” with Israel for creating a Palestinian Authority state and will ask the United Nations to do so.
The 23-member League, which includes the Palestinian Authority, said on Saturday in Qatar that it backs PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' strategy for the United Nations to recognize the PA as a country based on its unilateral demands that it wants Israel to accept before “negotiations.”
The League held out the option of not turning to the United Nations if Israel shows it is “ready” to accept a Palestinian Authority state based on the Saudi Initiative of 2002, which includes the immigration to Israel of several million Arabs living in foreign countries, which have refused to grant them citizenship and a turning the 1949 indefensible Armistice lines into borders..
Turning to the United Nations is a direct dismissal of President Obama’s insistence last week that it is not practical to ask the UN to recognize the Palestinian Authority as an independent country.
The president said, “I strongly believe that for the Palestinians to take the United Nations route rather than the path of sitting down and talking with the Israelis is a mistake.”
In an interview with the BBC, he pointed out that it is not practical for the PA to be recognized by the United Nations. “Hamas still hasn't recognized Israel's right to exist and renounce violence, or recognize that negotiations are the right path for solving this problem,” he said. “And it's very difficult for Israel in a realistic way to say we're going to sit across the table from somebody who denies our right to exist. And so that's an issue that the Palestinians are going to have to resolve."
Earlier last week, President Obama disappointed the Arab world by not directly talking about the issues of the status of Jerusalem and the issue of foreign Arabs that Abbas wants to flood Israel. The president said Israel and the Palestinian Authority should discuss the two issues after agreeing on the boundaries of a proposed PA state.
"In these circumstances, it seems better to me that we freeze discussion of the peace process until there is a partner ready for peace," said Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr al-Thani, who chaired the Arab League meting in Doha.
"The sound path is going through the United Nations and political struggle," Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, told Reuters. "I believe that negotiations have become futile in light of all of these "nos." What will you negotiate on?"
Comment on this story
4. Egypt Opens Rafiah Crossing
by David Lev
Hordes of Gaza Arabs rushed through into Sinai Saturday morning, as Egyptian authorities opened the Rafiah crossing, this time on a permanent basis, they said. Egyptian officials said that the crossing operated smoothly on its first day, and Gaza Arabs interviewed by reporters praised the opening, calling Egypt “very brave” for the move.
The crossing is set to be open every day, except Fridays and holidays, between 10 AM and 5 PM. Women, and individuals under age 18 and over age 40 will be permitted to enter Egypt without a specific permit, while others will have to receive a visa. With that, Egypt prevented 23 Gaza Arabs from entering Sinai, as they were on a “no-cross” list, prevented from entering Egypt because of their connections to criminal or terrorist groups.
Two medical teams were stationed at the crossing, one to examine Gaza Arabs who claim to be seeking medical treatment in Israel, and a second to examine others to ensure they are not carrying communicable diseases.
It should be noted that the opening of the Rafiah crossing is a violation of previous Egyptian agreements with Israel. According to the agreements, Egypt is supposed to consult with Israel on the opening of the Rafiah crossing, and European Union officials are supposed to be present to ensure that no weapons or materials that could be used to build bombs and missiles are brought from Sinai into Gaza. In addition, Israeli troops are supposed to be able to observe the activity at the crossing via closed-circuit TV. None of these elements were included in the Egyptian move. Speaking to reporters, Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said that Israel “will obviously be looking to preserve security arrangements at the border and hope nothing will be done to allow Hamas to empower itself and to reinforce its terrorist infrastructures. The Israeli position has been made known to all relevant authorities, including in Egypt.”
Hams spokesperson Abu Zaheri thanked the Egyptians for opening the crossing. “This is a step to destroying the siege on Gaza and will improve relations between Hamas and Egypt,” he said.
MK Nachman Shai (Kadima) said that “the opening of the Rafiah crossing completely upends the issue of a siege on Gaza, and removes from Israel an important tool to prevent the smuggling of weapons into Gaza and for the return of Gilad Shalit. This is a terrible failure of the government, which has lost the support of the international community and of Egypt in its attempts to isolate Hamas. Under these circumstances we should announce the complete end of the siege of Gaza, which has now been rendered toothless and ineffective,” he said.
Comment on this story
by David Lev
Hordes of Gaza Arabs rushed through into Sinai Saturday morning, as Egyptian authorities opened the Rafiah crossing, this time on a permanent basis, they said. Egyptian officials said that the crossing operated smoothly on its first day, and Gaza Arabs interviewed by reporters praised the opening, calling Egypt “very brave” for the move.
The crossing is set to be open every day, except Fridays and holidays, between 10 AM and 5 PM. Women, and individuals under age 18 and over age 40 will be permitted to enter Egypt without a specific permit, while others will have to receive a visa. With that, Egypt prevented 23 Gaza Arabs from entering Sinai, as they were on a “no-cross” list, prevented from entering Egypt because of their connections to criminal or terrorist groups.
Two medical teams were stationed at the crossing, one to examine Gaza Arabs who claim to be seeking medical treatment in Israel, and a second to examine others to ensure they are not carrying communicable diseases.
It should be noted that the opening of the Rafiah crossing is a violation of previous Egyptian agreements with Israel. According to the agreements, Egypt is supposed to consult with Israel on the opening of the Rafiah crossing, and European Union officials are supposed to be present to ensure that no weapons or materials that could be used to build bombs and missiles are brought from Sinai into Gaza. In addition, Israeli troops are supposed to be able to observe the activity at the crossing via closed-circuit TV. None of these elements were included in the Egyptian move. Speaking to reporters, Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said that Israel “will obviously be looking to preserve security arrangements at the border and hope nothing will be done to allow Hamas to empower itself and to reinforce its terrorist infrastructures. The Israeli position has been made known to all relevant authorities, including in Egypt.”
Hams spokesperson Abu Zaheri thanked the Egyptians for opening the crossing. “This is a step to destroying the siege on Gaza and will improve relations between Hamas and Egypt,” he said.
MK Nachman Shai (Kadima) said that “the opening of the Rafiah crossing completely upends the issue of a siege on Gaza, and removes from Israel an important tool to prevent the smuggling of weapons into Gaza and for the return of Gilad Shalit. This is a terrible failure of the government, which has lost the support of the international community and of Egypt in its attempts to isolate Hamas. Under these circumstances we should announce the complete end of the siege of Gaza, which has now been rendered toothless and ineffective,” he said.
Comment on this story
5. Report: Israeli Shipping Firm Docked Oil Tankers in Iran
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
A shipping firm linked to Israeli billionaire Sammy Ofer allegedly docked seven oil tankers at an Iranian island port despite U.S. sanctions, according to an investigation by the Israeli business website Calcalist.
The ships reportedly docked between 2004 and 2010. Last week, the U.S. State Department announced it had imposed sanctions on the Ofer Brothers Group for allegedly selling Iran an oil tanker. Iran and Ofer Brothers have vehemently denied the report.
The latest allegation states that oil tankers docked at Hark, about 25 kilometers off the coast of Iran.
Concerning the alleged sale of a tanker, Chairman of Iran's Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines (ICCIM) Mohammad Nahavandian told Iran’s government-controlled Fars News Agency, “News about activities of Zionist (Israeli) firms in Iran is a new game started in reaction to the willingness of certain countries to establish economic ties with Iran.
“In addition to an illegal ban, Iran regards Zionist firms and their policy makers as the main factors behind economic sanctions and refrains from making any deal with them.”
The sanctions by the United States were announced by the State Department last week, which stated, “We believe that Tanker Pacific and Ofer Brothers Group failed to exercise due diligence and did not heed publicly available and easily obtainable information that would have indicated that they were dealing with IRISL (Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines).”
Oil Tanker Pacific responded that none of its shipping activity in Iran violated international laws.
ABC News reported that Tanker Pacific visited Iran eight times at the same time Israel was pressuring the United States to impose sanctions on Iran, including prohibitions against oil industry-related trade with the Islamic Republic.
Ofer Brothers officials last week said that it had sold an oil tanker to Dubai, and that the ship may have been sold to Iran by Dubai interests.
Tanker Pacific CEO Alastair McGregor issued a statement Sunday saying, “Tanker Pacific Management...considers the announcement by the U.S. State Department…relating to our involvement in the sale of 'mt Raffles Park' to be a harsh assessment of our due diligence process.
“However, in light of this announcement, we have carried out a full investigation of the internal procedures that existed at the time of the sale. It is our intention to use every possible means to ensure such an event will not be repeated. Accordingly, with immediate effect, Tanker Pacific Management (Singapore) Pte Ltd is implementing enhanced compliance procedures, and employing additional resources, to ensure that the company operates a ‘best practice’ due diligence process.
“With regards to the sale of Raffles Park, Tanker Pacific…believes that the searches and enquiries it made at the time of the transaction were appropriate; and gave no indication that the vessel would ultimately fall into Iranian hands.”
Regarding the docking of tankers at Iran, McGregor said, “Over the years, and as a small part of our business, ships operated by Tanker Pacific…have transported oil and petroleum product cargoes from and to various ports in Iran for our customers who are international oil companies, commodity traders and end users. All such activities were fully permitted under international rules and regulations including those emanating from the United States, European Union and the United Nations.
“However, Tanker Pacific Management (Singapore) Pte Ltd decided to cease transporting refined petroleum products into Iran with effect from April 2010, several months before the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act 2010 prohibited these activities with effect from 1 July 2010.
“Furthermore, Tanker Pacific Management (Singapore) Pte Ltd decided in November 2010 to cease loading crude oil at Iranian ports altogether, even though this continues to be a legitimate trade under international rules and regulations and is customarily carried out by international shipping companies for major oil companies.”
Comment on this story
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
A shipping firm linked to Israeli billionaire Sammy Ofer allegedly docked seven oil tankers at an Iranian island port despite U.S. sanctions, according to an investigation by the Israeli business website Calcalist.
The ships reportedly docked between 2004 and 2010. Last week, the U.S. State Department announced it had imposed sanctions on the Ofer Brothers Group for allegedly selling Iran an oil tanker. Iran and Ofer Brothers have vehemently denied the report.
The latest allegation states that oil tankers docked at Hark, about 25 kilometers off the coast of Iran.
Concerning the alleged sale of a tanker, Chairman of Iran's Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines (ICCIM) Mohammad Nahavandian told Iran’s government-controlled Fars News Agency, “News about activities of Zionist (Israeli) firms in Iran is a new game started in reaction to the willingness of certain countries to establish economic ties with Iran.
“In addition to an illegal ban, Iran regards Zionist firms and their policy makers as the main factors behind economic sanctions and refrains from making any deal with them.”
The sanctions by the United States were announced by the State Department last week, which stated, “We believe that Tanker Pacific and Ofer Brothers Group failed to exercise due diligence and did not heed publicly available and easily obtainable information that would have indicated that they were dealing with IRISL (Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines).”
Oil Tanker Pacific responded that none of its shipping activity in Iran violated international laws.
ABC News reported that Tanker Pacific visited Iran eight times at the same time Israel was pressuring the United States to impose sanctions on Iran, including prohibitions against oil industry-related trade with the Islamic Republic.
Ofer Brothers officials last week said that it had sold an oil tanker to Dubai, and that the ship may have been sold to Iran by Dubai interests.
Tanker Pacific CEO Alastair McGregor issued a statement Sunday saying, “Tanker Pacific Management...considers the announcement by the U.S. State Department…relating to our involvement in the sale of 'mt Raffles Park' to be a harsh assessment of our due diligence process.
“However, in light of this announcement, we have carried out a full investigation of the internal procedures that existed at the time of the sale. It is our intention to use every possible means to ensure such an event will not be repeated. Accordingly, with immediate effect, Tanker Pacific Management (Singapore) Pte Ltd is implementing enhanced compliance procedures, and employing additional resources, to ensure that the company operates a ‘best practice’ due diligence process.
“With regards to the sale of Raffles Park, Tanker Pacific…believes that the searches and enquiries it made at the time of the transaction were appropriate; and gave no indication that the vessel would ultimately fall into Iranian hands.”
Regarding the docking of tankers at Iran, McGregor said, “Over the years, and as a small part of our business, ships operated by Tanker Pacific…have transported oil and petroleum product cargoes from and to various ports in Iran for our customers who are international oil companies, commodity traders and end users. All such activities were fully permitted under international rules and regulations including those emanating from the United States, European Union and the United Nations.
“However, Tanker Pacific Management (Singapore) Pte Ltd decided to cease transporting refined petroleum products into Iran with effect from April 2010, several months before the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act 2010 prohibited these activities with effect from 1 July 2010.
“Furthermore, Tanker Pacific Management (Singapore) Pte Ltd decided in November 2010 to cease loading crude oil at Iranian ports altogether, even though this continues to be a legitimate trade under international rules and regulations and is customarily carried out by international shipping companies for major oil companies.”
Comment on this story
6. Netanyahu Rallies around ‘United Jerusalem’
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, feeling the political winds in his favor, told the Cabinet Sunday that a unified Jerusalem is “the heart of the country” and added that the government is committed to building in all parts of the city.
The Cabinet is expected to approve on Sunday NIS 290 million ($83 million) to strengthen the city’s economy, with most of the money to be allocated for tourism and biotech research and development.
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s comments at a special Cabinet meeting in the Old City came two days before the eve of Jerusalem Unification Day, which falls on Thursday night, celebrating 44 years since all of the capital was restored to Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War. Jordan, without United Nations authorization, occupied the southern, northern and eastern neighborhoods, where more than 250,000 Jews now live.
The Obama administration has labeled the neighborhoods as “illegitimate settlements,” backing the Palestinian Authority claim that they should be under its sovereignty in any future PA state.
Prime Minister Netanyahu repeated to Cabinet ministers what he told members of Congress last week, when he re-declared the principle of an “eternal and united Jerusalem.”
However, the government never has stated which areas of Jerusalem, if any, would be ceded to the Palestinian Authority in a final status plan for its becoming an independent country. Several Arab-populated areas of the city are situated beyond the security barrier, and the Palestinian Authority unofficially operates in several neighborhoods.
U.S.President Barack Obama declared in his 2008 campaign said that Jerusalem is Israel’s united and eternal capital but quickly backtracked after howls from the Palestinian Authority. He later explained that he meant the city never again will be divided by barbed wire fences, which Jordan placed after the War for Independence in 1949.
Comment on this story
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, feeling the political winds in his favor, told the Cabinet Sunday that a unified Jerusalem is “the heart of the country” and added that the government is committed to building in all parts of the city.
The Cabinet is expected to approve on Sunday NIS 290 million ($83 million) to strengthen the city’s economy, with most of the money to be allocated for tourism and biotech research and development.
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s comments at a special Cabinet meeting in the Old City came two days before the eve of Jerusalem Unification Day, which falls on Thursday night, celebrating 44 years since all of the capital was restored to Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War. Jordan, without United Nations authorization, occupied the southern, northern and eastern neighborhoods, where more than 250,000 Jews now live.
The Obama administration has labeled the neighborhoods as “illegitimate settlements,” backing the Palestinian Authority claim that they should be under its sovereignty in any future PA state.
Prime Minister Netanyahu repeated to Cabinet ministers what he told members of Congress last week, when he re-declared the principle of an “eternal and united Jerusalem.”
However, the government never has stated which areas of Jerusalem, if any, would be ceded to the Palestinian Authority in a final status plan for its becoming an independent country. Several Arab-populated areas of the city are situated beyond the security barrier, and the Palestinian Authority unofficially operates in several neighborhoods.
U.S.President Barack Obama declared in his 2008 campaign said that Jerusalem is Israel’s united and eternal capital but quickly backtracked after howls from the Palestinian Authority. He later explained that he meant the city never again will be divided by barbed wire fences, which Jordan placed after the War for Independence in 1949.
Comment on this story
7. Austrian Town Revokes Hitler's Honorary Citizenship
by David Lev
The Austrian town of Amstetten has revoked an honorary citizenship conferred in 1939 on Adolf Hitler. The citizenship was given to Hitler in 1939, after the Nazi leader visited the town in the wake of the Anschluss, the Austrian populace's willing incorporation of Austria into Nazi Germany.
The town council voted overwhelmingly to revoke Hitler's citizenship.
Two members of the council – associated with the right-wing Freedom Party – abstained from the vote, claiming that there was no need to revoke Hitler's citizenship, since the Nazi regime ended in 1945.
The question of revoking Hitler's citizenship was first raised by a member of the Green Party who sits on the council. The member said that historic research on the town had unveiled the story of Hitler's honorary citizenship, after his visit to the town.
A larger research project had discovered more examples of prominent Nazis who had been given such titles by other Austrian towns, the Green Party official said.
The post WWI 1919 peace treaty of St. Germain prohibited unification of Germany and Austria in any form in order to prevent the resurgence of a strong Germany. After Hitler's rise to power, however, the Nazis took over the idea. The Austrian government refused to cooperate, but the people wanted the union. The Nazis then forced Austrian Chancellor Schuschnigg to agree to Hitler's demands for Anschluss. The Chancellor called for a referendum and in a Nazi planned coup d'etat, was forced to resign, so it never occurred. The Austrian president refused to name an Austrian Nazi, Seyss-Inquart, to replace him, and the German agent in Vienna telegraphed HItler to send German troops. Adolf Hitler occupied Austria on Mar. 11, 1938 without resistance, and, to popular approval, annexed it as the province of Ostmark. Austrian citizens filled the streets of their own accord to cheer the arrival of the goose-stepping Nazi Wehrmacht soldiers and cooperated fully in the anti-Jewish aftermath..
Comment on this story
by David Lev
The Austrian town of Amstetten has revoked an honorary citizenship conferred in 1939 on Adolf Hitler. The citizenship was given to Hitler in 1939, after the Nazi leader visited the town in the wake of the Anschluss, the Austrian populace's willing incorporation of Austria into Nazi Germany.
The town council voted overwhelmingly to revoke Hitler's citizenship.
Two members of the council – associated with the right-wing Freedom Party – abstained from the vote, claiming that there was no need to revoke Hitler's citizenship, since the Nazi regime ended in 1945.
The question of revoking Hitler's citizenship was first raised by a member of the Green Party who sits on the council. The member said that historic research on the town had unveiled the story of Hitler's honorary citizenship, after his visit to the town.
A larger research project had discovered more examples of prominent Nazis who had been given such titles by other Austrian towns, the Green Party official said.
The post WWI 1919 peace treaty of St. Germain prohibited unification of Germany and Austria in any form in order to prevent the resurgence of a strong Germany. After Hitler's rise to power, however, the Nazis took over the idea. The Austrian government refused to cooperate, but the people wanted the union. The Nazis then forced Austrian Chancellor Schuschnigg to agree to Hitler's demands for Anschluss. The Chancellor called for a referendum and in a Nazi planned coup d'etat, was forced to resign, so it never occurred. The Austrian president refused to name an Austrian Nazi, Seyss-Inquart, to replace him, and the German agent in Vienna telegraphed HItler to send German troops. Adolf Hitler occupied Austria on Mar. 11, 1938 without resistance, and, to popular approval, annexed it as the province of Ostmark. Austrian citizens filled the streets of their own accord to cheer the arrival of the goose-stepping Nazi Wehrmacht soldiers and cooperated fully in the anti-Jewish aftermath..
Comment on this story
8. Moskowitz Prize to Fass of Nefesh B’Nefesh and Chanan Porat
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
The annual Moskowitz Prize for Zionism will be awarded Monday to Rabbis Yehoshua Fass of Nefesh B’Nefesh and Chanan Porat, and to Meir Dagan, who until recently headed the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet).
The awards will be handed out Monday evening at the City of David (Ir David), located across the road from the Western Wall (Kotel). Dr. Irving Moskowitz established the annual prize, which includes an award of $50,000, to support Zionist values in Israeli society and to promote the Jewish nationalist home of Israel.
The committee selecting the honorees sifted through the candidacy of hundreds of nominees.
Rabbi Porat, who is battling cancer, was evacuated as an infant from Kibbutz Kfar Etzion, in Gush Etzion, during the War for Independence. His father was one of the last defenders of the community and was killed by the Arab Legion. Porat helped re-establish Kfar Etzion after the Six-Day War in 1967, in which he fought as a paratrooper. He became one of the leading figures in the National Religious movement and was a Knesset Member when the National Religious Party was at it strength.
Rabbi Fass, who lost a relative in a 2001 suicide bombing terrorist attack, co-founded Nefesh B’Nefesh along with Tony Gelbart to help Jews move to the Jewish homeland.
Nefesh B’Nefesh revolutionized the aliyah movement and has helped bring 27,000 Jews to Israel from North American and Britain.
Comment on this story
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
The annual Moskowitz Prize for Zionism will be awarded Monday to Rabbis Yehoshua Fass of Nefesh B’Nefesh and Chanan Porat, and to Meir Dagan, who until recently headed the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet).
The awards will be handed out Monday evening at the City of David (Ir David), located across the road from the Western Wall (Kotel). Dr. Irving Moskowitz established the annual prize, which includes an award of $50,000, to support Zionist values in Israeli society and to promote the Jewish nationalist home of Israel.
The committee selecting the honorees sifted through the candidacy of hundreds of nominees.
Rabbi Porat, who is battling cancer, was evacuated as an infant from Kibbutz Kfar Etzion, in Gush Etzion, during the War for Independence. His father was one of the last defenders of the community and was killed by the Arab Legion. Porat helped re-establish Kfar Etzion after the Six-Day War in 1967, in which he fought as a paratrooper. He became one of the leading figures in the National Religious movement and was a Knesset Member when the National Religious Party was at it strength.
Rabbi Fass, who lost a relative in a 2001 suicide bombing terrorist attack, co-founded Nefesh B’Nefesh along with Tony Gelbart to help Jews move to the Jewish homeland.
Nefesh B’Nefesh revolutionized the aliyah movement and has helped bring 27,000 Jews to Israel from North American and Britain.
Comment on this story
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