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1. Turkey Downgrades Israel Ties
by Gavriel Queenann
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Friday Turkey was reducing its diplomatic presence in Israel and suspending military agreements until the Jewish state issued a "full apology" for the deaths of 9 Turkish nationals during the IDFs boarding of the Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara in 2010.
Turkey's move comes as UNs Palmer Report on the incident was released Friday. Davutoglu said some of the report's findings - which did not endorse Turkey's increasingly strident demands - were unacceptable.
The report concluded Israel faces "a real threat to its security from militant groups in Gaza. The naval blockade was imposed as a legitimate security measure in order to prevent weapons from entering Gaza by sea and its implementation complied with the requirements of international law."
At the same time, the 105-page report, concluded "Israel's decision to board the vessels with such substantial force at a great distance from the blockade zone and with no final warning immediately prior to the boarding was excessive and unreasonable."
It did not take into account that IDF commandos who boarded the ship were armed with less-than-lethal 'pneumatic guns' or that live fire was only employed when those proved insufficient to stop the threat to life and limb the organized lynch mob they encountered presented.
Before the New York Times published the report, Davutoglu warned that if Israel did not apologize for the incident by the time the report was formally released, Turkey would "put Plan B into play."
Plan B refers to a threat made by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan last month that if Israel did not apologize, pay reparations for the deaths, and terminate its Gaza blockade, that Turkey would further downgrade ties with Israel and aggressively oppose it in international forums. The Turks have also threatened to cut economic ties as part of a "Plan B."
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has said Israel will issue no more than an 'expression of regret' for the deaths as more would demoralize the nation and be taken as a sign of weakness.
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by Gavriel Queenann
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Friday Turkey was reducing its diplomatic presence in Israel and suspending military agreements until the Jewish state issued a "full apology" for the deaths of 9 Turkish nationals during the IDFs boarding of the Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara in 2010.
Turkey's move comes as UNs Palmer Report on the incident was released Friday. Davutoglu said some of the report's findings - which did not endorse Turkey's increasingly strident demands - were unacceptable.
The report concluded Israel faces "a real threat to its security from militant groups in Gaza. The naval blockade was imposed as a legitimate security measure in order to prevent weapons from entering Gaza by sea and its implementation complied with the requirements of international law."
At the same time, the 105-page report, concluded "Israel's decision to board the vessels with such substantial force at a great distance from the blockade zone and with no final warning immediately prior to the boarding was excessive and unreasonable."
It did not take into account that IDF commandos who boarded the ship were armed with less-than-lethal 'pneumatic guns' or that live fire was only employed when those proved insufficient to stop the threat to life and limb the organized lynch mob they encountered presented.
Before the New York Times published the report, Davutoglu warned that if Israel did not apologize for the incident by the time the report was formally released, Turkey would "put Plan B into play."
Plan B refers to a threat made by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan last month that if Israel did not apologize, pay reparations for the deaths, and terminate its Gaza blockade, that Turkey would further downgrade ties with Israel and aggressively oppose it in international forums. The Turks have also threatened to cut economic ties as part of a "Plan B."
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has said Israel will issue no more than an 'expression of regret' for the deaths as more would demoralize the nation and be taken as a sign of weakness.
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2. Eldad: Expel Turkish Ambassador
by Gavriel Queenann
MK Aryeh Eldad (National Union) responded to Turkey's intention to expel the Israeli ambassador by calling for reciprocity.
"The law of reciprocity – and the ‘law’ of the Middle East – require immediate expulsion of the ambassador to Turkey, filing a suit on behalf of the commandos who were injured - and the State of Israel for expenses incurred - as a result Turkey's negligence in preventing the flotilla from sailing illegally, and immediate cessation of the supply and maintenance of military contracts with Turkey ".
MK Eldad added that during the first week after the Knesset holiday he will advance a bill to recognize the Armenian Genocide by Turkey.
Eldad's comments come on the heels of Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Devutoglu saying his nation rejected the findings of the UN Palmer Report on the 2010 Gaza-flotilla and would be downgrading relations with Israel, as well as ceasing military cooperation. He added economic ties might be downgraded as well.
Devutoglu reiterated the position of Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan that nothing less than a full apology by Israel, reparations for the 9 Turkish nationals killed during the IDF boarding action, and a termination of Israel's naval blockade on Gaza would satisfy Istanbul.
The report concluded Israel's blockade of Gaza was "legal and appropriate," that the commandos were met with "organized and violent resistance" necessitating the use of force to defend themselves, and criticized Turkey for failing to stop the ships from setting sail in the first place.
At the same time it recommended Israel make 'an expression of regret' and compensate the families of those kills saying the level of force employed by the IDF was "excessive and unreasonable."
It did not take into account that the commandos were armed with 'pneumatic guns' and live fire was only employed when those proved insufficient to dissuade the lynch mob that confronted them aboard the Mavi Marmara.
Israel's Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has said Israel will do no more than 'express regret.'
Comment on this story
by Gavriel Queenann
MK Aryeh Eldad (National Union) responded to Turkey's intention to expel the Israeli ambassador by calling for reciprocity.
"The law of reciprocity – and the ‘law’ of the Middle East – require immediate expulsion of the ambassador to Turkey, filing a suit on behalf of the commandos who were injured - and the State of Israel for expenses incurred - as a result Turkey's negligence in preventing the flotilla from sailing illegally, and immediate cessation of the supply and maintenance of military contracts with Turkey ".
MK Eldad added that during the first week after the Knesset holiday he will advance a bill to recognize the Armenian Genocide by Turkey.
Eldad's comments come on the heels of Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Devutoglu saying his nation rejected the findings of the UN Palmer Report on the 2010 Gaza-flotilla and would be downgrading relations with Israel, as well as ceasing military cooperation. He added economic ties might be downgraded as well.
Devutoglu reiterated the position of Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan that nothing less than a full apology by Israel, reparations for the 9 Turkish nationals killed during the IDF boarding action, and a termination of Israel's naval blockade on Gaza would satisfy Istanbul.
The report concluded Israel's blockade of Gaza was "legal and appropriate," that the commandos were met with "organized and violent resistance" necessitating the use of force to defend themselves, and criticized Turkey for failing to stop the ships from setting sail in the first place.
At the same time it recommended Israel make 'an expression of regret' and compensate the families of those kills saying the level of force employed by the IDF was "excessive and unreasonable."
It did not take into account that the commandos were armed with 'pneumatic guns' and live fire was only employed when those proved insufficient to dissuade the lynch mob that confronted them aboard the Mavi Marmara.
Israel's Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has said Israel will do no more than 'express regret.'
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3. Zoabi: Try Israel's Leaders in Int'l Courts!
by Gavriel Queenann
Arab Knesset Member Hanin Zoabi, who participated in the 2010 Gaza-bound flotilla, joined Turkey in rejecting the UN Palmer Report, which concluded Israel's naval blockade of Gaza is "legal and appropriate."
"Those who sent the army to stop the flotilla should be prosecuted and brought before international tribunals," Zoabi said. "Breaching the blockade is the moral, political and humane obligation of anyone who believes people must not remain silent over the occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people."
"The blockade is illegal and will continue to be illegal," the Balad MK said. Zoabi, who is widely believed to have had advance knowledge IDF commandoes boarding the ship would be attacked, added she would do it all over again if given the chance.
The report - released Friday - concluded Israeli soldiers had to defend themselves in the face of violent attacks once onboard the ship, but characterized their response as "excessive and unreasonable."
The report did not take into account that the commandos were armed with less-than-lethal 'pneumatic guns' when they boarded and that live fire was only employed when those proved insufficient to stop the theat to life and limb they faced at the hands of the angry lynch mob they encountered.
The UN panel of inquiry also criticized the organizers of the flotilla, accusing them of acting "recklessly in attempting to breach the naval blockade," adding “There exist serious questions about the conduct, true nature and objectives of the flotilla organizers, particularly IHH."
"The report confirmed my version of the story regarding excessive use of force – it was the IDF's choice," Zoabi said.
"They could have opted not to kill the activists, but the army used force not in self defense, but as means of teaching those who try to undermine the Israeli government's policy a lesson," she said.
Zoabi has long actively used her Knesset seat to engage in anti-Israel activism.
In addition to her presence aboard the infamous Mavi Marmara, Zoabi has solidarity visits to leaders whose nations are formally at war with Israel, made veiled threats for a Third Intifada, participated in riots, and characterized terrorism against Jewish Israelis as "understandable."
Zoabi also recently assaulted a female Knesset usher after flying into a frothing rage when Prime Minister made a sidebar reference to the Mavi Marmara during a speech she was present for.
The Knesset has since stripped Zoabi of her diplomatic passport and declined to pay any legal expenses she may incur pertaining to foreign travel.
Comment on this story
by Gavriel Queenann
Arab Knesset Member Hanin Zoabi, who participated in the 2010 Gaza-bound flotilla, joined Turkey in rejecting the UN Palmer Report, which concluded Israel's naval blockade of Gaza is "legal and appropriate."
"Those who sent the army to stop the flotilla should be prosecuted and brought before international tribunals," Zoabi said. "Breaching the blockade is the moral, political and humane obligation of anyone who believes people must not remain silent over the occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people."
"The blockade is illegal and will continue to be illegal," the Balad MK said. Zoabi, who is widely believed to have had advance knowledge IDF commandoes boarding the ship would be attacked, added she would do it all over again if given the chance.
The report - released Friday - concluded Israeli soldiers had to defend themselves in the face of violent attacks once onboard the ship, but characterized their response as "excessive and unreasonable."
The report did not take into account that the commandos were armed with less-than-lethal 'pneumatic guns' when they boarded and that live fire was only employed when those proved insufficient to stop the theat to life and limb they faced at the hands of the angry lynch mob they encountered.
The UN panel of inquiry also criticized the organizers of the flotilla, accusing them of acting "recklessly in attempting to breach the naval blockade," adding “There exist serious questions about the conduct, true nature and objectives of the flotilla organizers, particularly IHH."
"The report confirmed my version of the story regarding excessive use of force – it was the IDF's choice," Zoabi said.
"They could have opted not to kill the activists, but the army used force not in self defense, but as means of teaching those who try to undermine the Israeli government's policy a lesson," she said.
Zoabi has long actively used her Knesset seat to engage in anti-Israel activism.
In addition to her presence aboard the infamous Mavi Marmara, Zoabi has solidarity visits to leaders whose nations are formally at war with Israel, made veiled threats for a Third Intifada, participated in riots, and characterized terrorism against Jewish Israelis as "understandable."
Zoabi also recently assaulted a female Knesset usher after flying into a frothing rage when Prime Minister made a sidebar reference to the Mavi Marmara during a speech she was present for.
The Knesset has since stripped Zoabi of her diplomatic passport and declined to pay any legal expenses she may incur pertaining to foreign travel.
Comment on this story
4. Shomron Marks New School Year with Record Increase in Students
by Elad Benari
Thursday marked the start of the new school year in Israel, and the Shomron (Samaria) Regional Council also marked this special day by noting a record growth of ten percent in the number of students. This figure is more than seven times than the national average in Israel.
A policy by the Ministry of Defense has placed countless obstacles in the construction of classrooms in the region, causing many schools to operate out of overcrowded caravans. The growth in the number of students forced the Shomron Regional Council to open sixty new classrooms in portables instead of permanent structures, but the Council is not giving up and is continuing to work through massive pressure of ministers and Knesset members and with the assistance of the Minister of Education to continue and finish the construction of permanent buildings.
14,109 children began the school year on Thursday in the Samaria Regional Council. 2,115 of them attended the local daycares and 2,593 children began their school year in 98 kindergartens. 700 students began first grade.
26 new nursery schools and classrooms opened on Thursday in the Shomron Regional Council. There are nine schools in the area, both state and state-religious, four Talmud Torah schools, one special education school, and one additional state school that is currently under construction.
The Shomron Regional Council has 30 communities and 14 young neighborhoods known as outposts. About 30,000 inhabitants live in the region, which has one of the highest birth percentages in the country: 43.4% of the residents are children under the age of 17 and only 2% are adults over 65.
Samaria’s education system is considered one of the best in the country, with about 70% of students entitled to a matriculation certificate, compared to the national average of 56%. As well, 17% of the Shomron Regional Council's residents are students in institutes of higher education.
Gershon Mesika, the head of the Shomron Regional Council, who toured schools and kindergartens throughout Judea and Samaria Thursday morning, said: “Despite the obstacles Samaria is growing rapidly. The amazing growth figures in the education system in Samaria make all of Israel happy.”
“The children must be removed from the political game,” Mesika added. “We expect the national government chosen by the people to stop the persecution and freezing and allow the children of Samaria to have the same learning conditions in their classrooms as all other students everywhere else in the State of Israel.”
On Wednesday, Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin (Likud) visited the children in the Samaria town of Itamar on their first day back to school. During the visit he expressed his admiration for the children.
Comment on this story
by Elad Benari
Thursday marked the start of the new school year in Israel, and the Shomron (Samaria) Regional Council also marked this special day by noting a record growth of ten percent in the number of students. This figure is more than seven times than the national average in Israel.
A policy by the Ministry of Defense has placed countless obstacles in the construction of classrooms in the region, causing many schools to operate out of overcrowded caravans. The growth in the number of students forced the Shomron Regional Council to open sixty new classrooms in portables instead of permanent structures, but the Council is not giving up and is continuing to work through massive pressure of ministers and Knesset members and with the assistance of the Minister of Education to continue and finish the construction of permanent buildings.
14,109 children began the school year on Thursday in the Samaria Regional Council. 2,115 of them attended the local daycares and 2,593 children began their school year in 98 kindergartens. 700 students began first grade.
26 new nursery schools and classrooms opened on Thursday in the Shomron Regional Council. There are nine schools in the area, both state and state-religious, four Talmud Torah schools, one special education school, and one additional state school that is currently under construction.
The Shomron Regional Council has 30 communities and 14 young neighborhoods known as outposts. About 30,000 inhabitants live in the region, which has one of the highest birth percentages in the country: 43.4% of the residents are children under the age of 17 and only 2% are adults over 65.
Samaria’s education system is considered one of the best in the country, with about 70% of students entitled to a matriculation certificate, compared to the national average of 56%. As well, 17% of the Shomron Regional Council's residents are students in institutes of higher education.
Gershon Mesika, the head of the Shomron Regional Council, who toured schools and kindergartens throughout Judea and Samaria Thursday morning, said: “Despite the obstacles Samaria is growing rapidly. The amazing growth figures in the education system in Samaria make all of Israel happy.”
“The children must be removed from the political game,” Mesika added. “We expect the national government chosen by the people to stop the persecution and freezing and allow the children of Samaria to have the same learning conditions in their classrooms as all other students everywhere else in the State of Israel.”
On Wednesday, Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin (Likud) visited the children in the Samaria town of Itamar on their first day back to school. During the visit he expressed his admiration for the children.
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5. Gov't Expected to Approve Illegal Bedouin Construction
by Gil Ronen
The government will approve Sunday a large scale plan for improving the lot of the Bedouin population in the Negev, and an NGO that safeguards Jewish land says the plan is a disastrous one. According to Regavim, the government is adopting a "carrot and stick" approach to the Bedouins but is highly unlikely to implement the "stick."
Some pro-Bedouin activists are also upset with the plan, which they say calls for relocation of tens of thousands of Bedouin instead of recognizing the illegal settlements they established in the Negev.
The Cabinet will approve the Praver Report, which relates to the implementation of the Goldberg Committee Report in the matter of the Bedouins. In addition, it will submit to the Knesset a law for regulating the Bedouin settlement in the Negev and appoint Minister Benny Begin to head a committee that will supervise an "Authority for Regulating Bedouin Settlement in the Negev."
Regavim accused Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu of mounting a political ambush by bringing the plan to a vote Sunday. It called the plan "anti-social and anti-Zionist" and accused Netanyahu of purposely bringing it to the Cabinet during the Knesset recess, while national attention is distracted by the housing protest.
"Ben Gurion is rolling over in his grave," the NGO stated, in a reference to Israel's first prime minister, who saw great importance in Jewish settlement of the Negev. "This is a dreadful and dangerous plan. Just when everyone is talking about the lack of land reserves in the country, the government is transferring 250,000 dunams to private Bedouin hands that will just raise the price of housing. Just when everyone is talking about the distress of the middle class, the Prime Minister advances a plan that will give 1.2 billion shekels to the Bedouin populace, 'launder' tens of thousands of illegal homes and hand out land parcels and cash, free of charge, while the middle class and discharged soldiers in the periphery have nowhere to live."
The group predicted that the state would wind up handing over huge territories to the Bedouin and pay them immense amounts in compensation, but the Bedouin will continue their takeovers of state land. "If the plan offers a carrot and stick," said the NGO's head Betzalel Smutrich, "we can expect that in the current state of ungovernability and lack of enforcement, Israel will give the carrot but will not implement the stick."
Comment on this story
by Gil Ronen
The government will approve Sunday a large scale plan for improving the lot of the Bedouin population in the Negev, and an NGO that safeguards Jewish land says the plan is a disastrous one. According to Regavim, the government is adopting a "carrot and stick" approach to the Bedouins but is highly unlikely to implement the "stick."
Some pro-Bedouin activists are also upset with the plan, which they say calls for relocation of tens of thousands of Bedouin instead of recognizing the illegal settlements they established in the Negev.
The Cabinet will approve the Praver Report, which relates to the implementation of the Goldberg Committee Report in the matter of the Bedouins. In addition, it will submit to the Knesset a law for regulating the Bedouin settlement in the Negev and appoint Minister Benny Begin to head a committee that will supervise an "Authority for Regulating Bedouin Settlement in the Negev."
Regavim accused Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu of mounting a political ambush by bringing the plan to a vote Sunday. It called the plan "anti-social and anti-Zionist" and accused Netanyahu of purposely bringing it to the Cabinet during the Knesset recess, while national attention is distracted by the housing protest.
"Ben Gurion is rolling over in his grave," the NGO stated, in a reference to Israel's first prime minister, who saw great importance in Jewish settlement of the Negev. "This is a dreadful and dangerous plan. Just when everyone is talking about the lack of land reserves in the country, the government is transferring 250,000 dunams to private Bedouin hands that will just raise the price of housing. Just when everyone is talking about the distress of the middle class, the Prime Minister advances a plan that will give 1.2 billion shekels to the Bedouin populace, 'launder' tens of thousands of illegal homes and hand out land parcels and cash, free of charge, while the middle class and discharged soldiers in the periphery have nowhere to live."
The group predicted that the state would wind up handing over huge territories to the Bedouin and pay them immense amounts in compensation, but the Bedouin will continue their takeovers of state land. "If the plan offers a carrot and stick," said the NGO's head Betzalel Smutrich, "we can expect that in the current state of ungovernability and lack of enforcement, Israel will give the carrot but will not implement the stick."
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6. London: Protesters Disrupt Israeli Orchestra, are Jeered
by Maayana Miskin
Protesters with the “Palestinian Solidarity Campaign” (PSC) disrupted a concert by the Israeli Philharmonic in London on Thursday night.
Results of the protest were hardly complimentary to the uncouth protesters. While the PSC crowd managed to force the cancellation of the live broadcast of the concert, they were widely jeered by the crowd, which cheered when they were forced from the theater.
Minister Ed Vaizey took to the Twitter site to report, “Demonstrators seem to have turned entire audience pro Israel.”
The Philharmonic was performing in the BBC Proms, a 116-year-old concert series held each summer. The BBC had extra security at the hall due to fears that the performance would be disturbed.
A total of roughly 30 protesters were removed from the hall, 12 following the first disruption and the rest after subsequent attempts to draw attention away from the music.
The BBC's live broadcast of the event continued after the first disruption, but a second outbreak led the station to decide to broadcast pre-recorded versions of the songs instead. “We are disappointed that BBC Radio 3 audiences were not able to enjoy the full performance,” a BBC statement said. Those who missed hearing the live concert from home may have turned pro Israel as well.
A similar incident took place in 2008, when PSC protesters interrupted a Jerusalem String Quartet concert, screaming, “They're Israeli army musicians! End genocide in Gaza, boycott Israel!” The protesters were later found innocent of racially aggravated behavior.
The PSC has faced condemnation recently over its support for a Scottish student convicted of anti-Semitic abuse, and over a lead member's conspiracy theories linking Israel to a recent massacre in Norway.
Comment on this story
by Maayana Miskin
Protesters with the “Palestinian Solidarity Campaign” (PSC) disrupted a concert by the Israeli Philharmonic in London on Thursday night.
Results of the protest were hardly complimentary to the uncouth protesters. While the PSC crowd managed to force the cancellation of the live broadcast of the concert, they were widely jeered by the crowd, which cheered when they were forced from the theater.
Minister Ed Vaizey took to the Twitter site to report, “Demonstrators seem to have turned entire audience pro Israel.”
The Philharmonic was performing in the BBC Proms, a 116-year-old concert series held each summer. The BBC had extra security at the hall due to fears that the performance would be disturbed.
A total of roughly 30 protesters were removed from the hall, 12 following the first disruption and the rest after subsequent attempts to draw attention away from the music.
The BBC's live broadcast of the event continued after the first disruption, but a second outbreak led the station to decide to broadcast pre-recorded versions of the songs instead. “We are disappointed that BBC Radio 3 audiences were not able to enjoy the full performance,” a BBC statement said. Those who missed hearing the live concert from home may have turned pro Israel as well.
A similar incident took place in 2008, when PSC protesters interrupted a Jerusalem String Quartet concert, screaming, “They're Israeli army musicians! End genocide in Gaza, boycott Israel!” The protesters were later found innocent of racially aggravated behavior.
The PSC has faced condemnation recently over its support for a Scottish student convicted of anti-Semitic abuse, and over a lead member's conspiracy theories linking Israel to a recent massacre in Norway.
Comment on this story
7. 'Palestinian Solidarity' Support for Anti-Semitic Abuse
by Maayana Miskin
“Palestinian solidarity” campaigners in Scotland earned contempt from local Jewish groups this week over their support for a student convicted of racist abuse of a Jewish classmate. At the same time, a top “solidarity” activist in London claimed that Israel was behind the murder of Norwegian youth.
In late August, St. Andrews University in Scotland expelled student Paul Donnachie and suspended Samuel Colchester after the two called visiting Jewish student Chanan Reitblat a “terrorist” and “Nazi” while visiting his dorm room, then rubbed their genitals before putting their hands on his Israeli flag.
The following day, Donnachie posted a Facebook message saying “Victory to the Intifada” - hours after the murder of five members of the Fogel family of Itamar.
Reitblat said the attack left him feeling uncomfortable at St. Andrews. It is “fine to criticize Israel,” he said, but by attacking him personally in his own room, the two clearly crossed the line.
'Nazi' Slurs Repeated
Activists with the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign saw things differently. Instead of repudiating Donnachie and Colchester's “Nazi” slurs, members of the group repeated them on a Facebook group set up to support the two.
“The AshkeNAZI fake Jews are trying to take over the world,” said one commenter on the Justice for Paul Donnachie Facebook group, while another accused Reitblat of “[crying] like a typical Zionist baby” and a third said, “Zionist [sic] think they are gods on earth they will pay for that.” The comments, later taken down, were preserved on the Harry's Place blog.
In a statement after Donnachie and Colchester were found guilty, the Scotland PSC referred to Reitblat as “an American Zionist ultra,” and claimed that he should not be viewed as a “member of Israel” because “[he] has never visited Israel/Palestine.” In a different statement, the group said, “Same old song: US supporter of Israeli apartheid dishonestly claims to be victim of racism.”
Israel Accused in Norway Attack
In a second incident, the head of the Waltham Forest PSC branch accused Israel of being behind the massacre of youth at a camp in Norway. The massacre was carried out by Norwegian man Anders Breivik.
PSC activist Ellie Merton, who has led boycotts of Israel and has taken part in pro-Hamas trips to Gaza, claimed on her Facebook page that the massacre was “an Israeli government sponsored operation.” When challenged, she repeated her views in further detail. “Mossad would want to capitalise on this kind of convenient, sympathetic to them terrorist activity,” she said.
The Palestinian Solidarity Campaign later said that Merton's views did not reflect those of the PSC, but declined to remove her as a PSC chairman.
British Jews Condemn
The support for Donnachie and Colchester's abuse led to harsh criticism from the Board of Deputies of British Jews. The PSC's anti-Israel activity is “infused with anti-Semitism,” said the board.
President Vivian Wineman said the PSC has been “totally discredited” by recent campaigns.
Comment on this story
by Maayana Miskin
“Palestinian solidarity” campaigners in Scotland earned contempt from local Jewish groups this week over their support for a student convicted of racist abuse of a Jewish classmate. At the same time, a top “solidarity” activist in London claimed that Israel was behind the murder of Norwegian youth.
In late August, St. Andrews University in Scotland expelled student Paul Donnachie and suspended Samuel Colchester after the two called visiting Jewish student Chanan Reitblat a “terrorist” and “Nazi” while visiting his dorm room, then rubbed their genitals before putting their hands on his Israeli flag.
The following day, Donnachie posted a Facebook message saying “Victory to the Intifada” - hours after the murder of five members of the Fogel family of Itamar.
Reitblat said the attack left him feeling uncomfortable at St. Andrews. It is “fine to criticize Israel,” he said, but by attacking him personally in his own room, the two clearly crossed the line.
'Nazi' Slurs Repeated
Activists with the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign saw things differently. Instead of repudiating Donnachie and Colchester's “Nazi” slurs, members of the group repeated them on a Facebook group set up to support the two.
“The AshkeNAZI fake Jews are trying to take over the world,” said one commenter on the Justice for Paul Donnachie Facebook group, while another accused Reitblat of “[crying] like a typical Zionist baby” and a third said, “Zionist [sic] think they are gods on earth they will pay for that.” The comments, later taken down, were preserved on the Harry's Place blog.
In a statement after Donnachie and Colchester were found guilty, the Scotland PSC referred to Reitblat as “an American Zionist ultra,” and claimed that he should not be viewed as a “member of Israel” because “[he] has never visited Israel/Palestine.” In a different statement, the group said, “Same old song: US supporter of Israeli apartheid dishonestly claims to be victim of racism.”
Israel Accused in Norway Attack
In a second incident, the head of the Waltham Forest PSC branch accused Israel of being behind the massacre of youth at a camp in Norway. The massacre was carried out by Norwegian man Anders Breivik.
PSC activist Ellie Merton, who has led boycotts of Israel and has taken part in pro-Hamas trips to Gaza, claimed on her Facebook page that the massacre was “an Israeli government sponsored operation.” When challenged, she repeated her views in further detail. “Mossad would want to capitalise on this kind of convenient, sympathetic to them terrorist activity,” she said.
The Palestinian Solidarity Campaign later said that Merton's views did not reflect those of the PSC, but declined to remove her as a PSC chairman.
British Jews Condemn
The support for Donnachie and Colchester's abuse led to harsh criticism from the Board of Deputies of British Jews. The PSC's anti-Israel activity is “infused with anti-Semitism,” said the board.
President Vivian Wineman said the PSC has been “totally discredited” by recent campaigns.
Comment on this story
8. Report: Hizbullah Establishes Cuba Base
by Gavriel Queenann
According to reports, Hizbullah is founding a Cuba-based terror cell to seek vengeance on Israel for the 2008 death of Imad Mughniyah.
Mughniyeh, a senior commander and head of Hizbullah's security section, was killed when a car bomb he was passing in the Kfar Suseh neighborhood in Damascus, Syria detonated. Hizbullah has long alleged Israel was behind the attack and has sworn it would avenge him.
To this end, Hizbullah has reportedly established a center of operations in Cuba, thereby expanding its foothold in the region while hoping to facilitate an attack on an Israeli target in South America, Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported.
According to the paper, three HIzbullah members have already arrived in Cuba with the purpose of establishing the terrorist cell. It is to include 23 operatives, hand-picked by Talal Hamia, a senior member tasked with heading the covert operation.
The operation, titled "The Caribbean Case," was reportedly allocated a budget of $1.5 million. The Cuba base is to be initially used for logistics purposes, including intelligence collection, networking and document forgery.
Hizbullah has been active in South America for quite some time, primarily in Paraguay, Brazil and Venezuela.
However, Israel is not the only nation that had reason to target Mugniyeh, who in intelligence circles is known to have been involved in the bombing of the US Marine Corps barracks and Embassy in 1983, dozens of kidnappings and murders of foreigners - as well as the 2001 Israeli Embassy attack in Buenos Ares.
Prior to the September 11, 2001 terror attacks in the United States, Mugniyeh was considered the terrorist credited with having slain the most Americans (over 350) and topped the FBI Most Wanted Terrorist List with a USD 5 Million bounty.
The FBI maintained Mugniyeh was responsible for "all but eliminating the US military presence in Lebanon."
Comment on this story
by Gavriel Queenann
According to reports, Hizbullah is founding a Cuba-based terror cell to seek vengeance on Israel for the 2008 death of Imad Mughniyah.
Mughniyeh, a senior commander and head of Hizbullah's security section, was killed when a car bomb he was passing in the Kfar Suseh neighborhood in Damascus, Syria detonated. Hizbullah has long alleged Israel was behind the attack and has sworn it would avenge him.
To this end, Hizbullah has reportedly established a center of operations in Cuba, thereby expanding its foothold in the region while hoping to facilitate an attack on an Israeli target in South America, Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported.
According to the paper, three HIzbullah members have already arrived in Cuba with the purpose of establishing the terrorist cell. It is to include 23 operatives, hand-picked by Talal Hamia, a senior member tasked with heading the covert operation.
The operation, titled "The Caribbean Case," was reportedly allocated a budget of $1.5 million. The Cuba base is to be initially used for logistics purposes, including intelligence collection, networking and document forgery.
Hizbullah has been active in South America for quite some time, primarily in Paraguay, Brazil and Venezuela.
However, Israel is not the only nation that had reason to target Mugniyeh, who in intelligence circles is known to have been involved in the bombing of the US Marine Corps barracks and Embassy in 1983, dozens of kidnappings and murders of foreigners - as well as the 2001 Israeli Embassy attack in Buenos Ares.
Prior to the September 11, 2001 terror attacks in the United States, Mugniyeh was considered the terrorist credited with having slain the most Americans (over 350) and topped the FBI Most Wanted Terrorist List with a USD 5 Million bounty.
The FBI maintained Mugniyeh was responsible for "all but eliminating the US military presence in Lebanon."
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