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| Friday, Nov 4 '11, Cheshvan 7, 5772 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1. IDF Orders Flotilla to Change Course
by Gavriel Queenann  IDF naval forces made initial contact via radio with a pair of boats headed for Gaza – who refused to alter course. The captains of the vessels were informed their course would lead them into waters legally closed by Israel and were informed they could turn around or head for a port in Egypt. The passengers aboard the vessels - 27 activists from five countries - refused to heed naval instructions and continued on their course. The Tahrir and Saoirse yachts set sail from Turkey on Wednesday saying they were carrying medical supplies. The IDF has said it will not allow the boats to breach its blockade of the Hamas-terror organization in Gaza and is fully prepared for their arrival. Earlier this year a French vessel headed for Gaza was diverted to the port of Ashdod by IDF forces without incident. Israeli officials also offered to unload any supplies aboard the boats and deliver them to Gaza. Israel allows hundreds of truckloads of aid supplies to enter Gaza via the Kerem Shalom, which is never at full capacity despite aid needs being met, every day. Earlier on Friday flotilla organizers announced the activists aboard the vessels had pledged not to resist IDF naval commandos expected to board the vessels in order to redirect them to another port, probably Ashdod. US officials previously warned their citizens not to participate in the flotilla. They also US state department spokeswomen Victoria Nuland said the US had sought clarification of reports Turkish warships might be accompanying the flotilla and were told "quite emphatically" by Istanbul this was not the case. "We've been clear to them that we think that would be an extremely bad idea and they've now reassured us that that is not what they are doing in this case," she said. Turkey, whose prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened to send a naval escort for Turkish vessels headed to Gaza, has stressed that the vessels are not flying the Turkish flag, and have no Turkish captains or passengers. Erdogan's threat came after the release of the UN Palmer Report on the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident, during which 9 Turkish 'activists' who tried to lynch Israeli commandoes who boarded the vessel in accordance with international maritime law, were killed. Turkey was incensed by the report, which concluded Israel's blockade of Gaza was "legal and appropriate." Comment on this story
2. Jew Wounded in Attack at Joshua’s Tomb
by Maayana Miskin  A group of Jews who sought to pray at the tomb of Joshua (Kever Yehoshua) on Thursday night became the victims of an attempted terrorist killing when local Palestinian Authority Arabs noticed their presence. A group of PA men pelted them with heavy stones, leaving one worshiper in moderate condition. The worshipers had hoped to enter the tomb unnoticed. IDF troops searched the area of the tomb for the attackers, but have not yet arrested suspects. Military sources noted that the Jews who came under attack had entered the tomb, located near the city of Ariel in Samaria “without coordinating with security forces, in a manner that endangered their lives.” A similar incident took place near the biblical city of Shechem, where 18 Jews attempted to enter Joseph's Tomb on Thursday for midnight prayers without coordinating with authorities. That group, too, was noticed and attacked by PA Arabs, but managed to escape without injury. The issue of access to tombs in Samaria has long caused arguments between IDF commanders and some local Jews. The former say Jews must coordinate their prayers at Samaria holy sites with the military, and that to do otherwise is dangerous and irresponsible. The latter argue that the IDF provides access to holy sites only on rare occasions, and only for small groups – leaving clandestine, unauthorized trips the only chance some have to pray freely at the graves of Israel’s fallen forefathers. Comment on this story 
3. Revealed: Illegal Muslim Burial on Temple Mount
by Maayana Miskin  Despite calls to protect the holy site, Jerusalem Muslims continue to bury their dead along the walls of the Temple Mount, according to a report in Maariv. The most recent funerals were revealed by the Committee to Prevent the Destruction of Temple Mount Antiquities. The burials took place despite a government promise, made in response to a Supreme Court appeal, to prevent a takeover of the important area. The land in question part of a national park area in which burial is prohibited. The burials are not only illegal, but prevent archaeologists from accessing places with tremendous historic value, experts say. Representatives from the Committee to Prevent Destruction slammed Jerusalem police for allowing funerals to continue. “The police continue their policy of buying quiet at any price, of avoiding fulfilling their duty,” a spokesman said. Police “are ready to sacrifice our archaeological property, as long as they won’t be forced to do their mission,” he added. A total of several dozen people have been buried along the Temple Mount walls in recent years. In addition, local Arabs have created fake graves in the area in order to establish a Muslim presence. Comment on this story
4. U.S. Still Looking for Diplomatic Strategy on Iran
by Elad Benari  The United States said on Thursday that Iran has a credibility problem, Fox News reported. “Iran, over many years, has been unable to demonstrate the peaceful intent of its nuclear program,” Deputy National Security Adviser for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes was quoted as having told reporters in Cannes, France, where President Obama was attending the G20 summit. “They’re the only treaty member of the (Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty) that cannot convince the International Atomic Energy Agency that their program is peaceful,” he added. Rhodes made the comments days before the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency is due to release its report on the Iranian nuclear program. The report, described by the U.S. earlier on Thursday as being “critical,” should help the world to determine whether Iran is “meeting its obligations” on regulating its nuclear development program. President Barack Obama said on Thursday that he and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who discussed the matter in advance of the G20 summit, agreed “on the need to maintain the unprecedented pressure [by the international community] on Iran to meet its obligations.” Israel’s media has been speculating over the past few days about a possible Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear program. The speculations are based on unverified claims that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak have been lobbying for ministerial support for the strike. Such an attack would obviously require support from world powers, especially the U.S., but Rhodes clarified Thursday that his country has not yet given up on the diplomatic route. “What we’re focused on is a diplomatic strategy,” he was quoted as having said, “which increases the pressure on the Iranians, through financial pressure, through economic sanctions, through diplomatic isolation.” U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland also addressed the Iranian issue on Thursday. She told reporters that while the Obama administration does “not seek a military confrontation with Iran,” it was not closing the door on any option. “We are going to use every means at our disposal to continue to try to increase the international pressure on Iran to meet its IAEA obligations and to come clean on its nuclear program,” Nuland was quoted by the Reuters news agency as having told reporters in Washington. Comment on this story 
5. PA Statehood Bid Going Nowhere
by Gavriel Queenann  Senior Palestinian Authority official Riyad al-Malki said Thursday officials in Ramallah would accept nothing short of full state membership at the United Nations. "We do not want, after all of these struggles, sacrifices, and efforts by the entire Palestinian people, to accept an observer state in the United Nations. We will not accept less than we deserve: a full member state," he said. "The official Palestinian position is to concentrate only on the request for membership which we presented to the United Nations," al-Malki added. But al-Malki's remarks come as PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas' bid for statehood finds itself moribund in the 15-member decision-making Security Council. To be passed to the general assembly for a vote Abbas' application requires 9 votes in the council, including a positive recommendation from all 5 permanent members. But a promised negative recommendation from the United States rendered the application a dead letter before it was submitted. Nonetheless, PA officials wanted to gain 9 votes in order to score a propaganda victory at the world body. With envoys from France and the United Kingdom saying Thursday they would abstain when the PA bid is brought to a vote, more than 8 votes appears beyond Ramallah's grasp. Russia, China, Brazil, India, Lebanon and South Africa pledged support for Abbas' application, the United States opposes it, and Britain, France and Colombia say they will abstain if PA officials insist on a vote. Among those nations who have not committed themselves, both Gabon and Nigeria are expected to back Ramallah. Germany, Portugal and Bosnia are expected to abstain. Adding to frustrations in Ramallah is UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon's face-heel turn on Thursday in which he withdrew support from the PA bid. Moon's sudden and dramatic shift came in the wake of the United States freezing $60 million in dues to UNESCO after the body saw fit to admit the PA as a full member. Lawmakers in Washington have rendered it illegal for US officials to fund any UN organ that admits the Palestinian Authority, with US funds totaling 22% of the UN annual budget. US lawmakers have also frozen some $200 million in economic aid to Ramallah over its statehood bid, while Israel this week froze duties it collects on behalf of the PA in response to its moves at the world body. The specter of a massive funds cut for the world body forced Ki-moon to abjure PA officials to desist in their attempts to seek membership in 16 more UN bodies - including the World Health Organization. "Millions could suffer because of the actions of the Palestinians," Ki-moon said. In what was seen as a hasty tactical retreat by UN observers, Malki said the PA would not not seek to join more U.N. agencies as a full member. "At this moment, we are not concerned with applying for membership for Palestine in the rest of the international organizations," he said. Al-Malki's statement Ramallah would not seek observer status in the UN General Assembly in lieu of full-membership status through the Security Council has also been seen as a retreat. Despite al-Malki's insistent tone vis-a-vis full UN membership for the PA, his words underscore the political bottom line – Ramallah’s UN track is on a road to nowhere. Comment on this story
6. Celebrating 20 Years of Ethiopian Aliyah
by Maayana Miskin  A ceremony was held Thursday in the President’s House in Jerusalem to mark 20 years since Operation Solomon. The complex operation saw 14,000 Jews from Ethiopia brought to Israel in just 36 hours. Among those who landed in Israel were nine babies born on the way over. One of the now-20-year-olds born on the flight spoke to Arutz Sheva. Yaroush Vanda said her family had integrated well into Israeli society with help from the establishment. “After we landed, they took us to an absorption center in Hatzor, and then we moved to Ashkelon, where I grew up and learned in religious schools, and where I live with my family to this day,” she said. Today, Vanda serves as an officer in the IDF’s Intelligence Corp. She feels completely Israeli, she said, adding, “My whole family made aliyah. I’m proud to be Israeli.” Thursday’s event saw a touching reunion as Vanda was able to meet the doctor who delivered her. Ethiopian-Israelis honored at the event included singer Esther Rada, IDF Major Shlomi Betza – who was mortally wounded in combat in the Second Lebanon War and has since returned to combat duty, and successful high-tech businessman Asher Elias. Comment on this story 
7. Perry Would Support Israeli Strike in Iran
by Elad Benari  Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry said on Thursday that, if elected president, he would support an Israeli air strike on Iran if there is proof that the Islamic Republic is inching closer to a nuclear weapon. “Obviously, we are going to support Israel,” Perry said in an interview with CNN. “And I’ve said that we will support Israel in every way that we can, whether it’s diplomatic, whether it’s economic sanctions, whether it’s overt or covert operations, up to and including military action.” Perry added, “We cannot afford to allow that madman in Iran to get his hands on a nuclear weapon, period.” Perry has been a long time supporter of Israel and has spoken out against the current administration’s policy against the Jewish State. In September, Perry blamed the Palestinian Authority’s unilateral statehood bid at the United Nations on President Barack Obama’s policies. “We would not be here today at this very precipice of such a dangerous move if the Obama policy in the Middle East wasn't naive and arrogant, misguided and dangerous,” Perry said. “The Obama policy of moral equivalency which gives equal standing to the grievances of Israelis and Palestinians, including the orchestrators of terrorism, is a very dangerous insult.” He later called on the U.S. to reconsider paying its dues to the UN. Perry’s comments on an Israeli strike in Iran come in the midst of media speculation that such a strike is imminent. The speculations are based on unverified claims that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak have been lobbying for ministerial support for the strike. The Israeli government has reportedly ordered a probe into leaks to the media which caused these speculations. Meanwhile, the Obama administration clarified on Thursday that it has not yet given up on using diplomatic, rather than military means to get Iran to drop its nuclear program. “What we’re focused on is a diplomatic strategy which increases the pressure on the Iranians, through financial pressure, through economic sanctions, through diplomatic isolation,” Deputy National Security Adviser for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes told reporters. The United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency is due to release a “critical” report on the Iranian nuclear program next week. Comment on this story
8. Mandebilt Appointment Raises Ire
by Gavriel Queenann  Former IDF Judge Advocate General Avichai Mandelbilt's slated appointment to chair a committee tasked with normalizing threatened Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria has drawn sharp criticism from nationalist leaders and area residents. During his eight year tenure, Mandebilt, a confidant of Defense Minister Ehud Barak who advocates destroying the communities the committee is intended to legalize, oversaw policies aimed at curbing Jewish land-ownership and construction in Judea and Samaria. Policies considered both discriminatory and partisan by Mandelbilt's critics. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's decision to form a committee to review land-claims and find ways to normalize communities facing destruction Judea and Samaria comes amid outrage over a recent decision by Israel's High Court under president Dorit Benisch declaring all privately owned land in Judea and Samaria to be presumptively Arab irrespective of whether evidence can be provided. The High Court has also refused to review evidence in cases where Jewish land ownership can be proven. Samaria Regional Council head Gershon Mesika said Netanyahu would have done better to appoint Talia Sasson, the extreme left-wing Meretz MK who authorized the anti-settlement enterprise 'Sasson Report.' "You might as well appoint Talia Sasson," Mesika said. "The conclusions of this committee will only advance the demolition process. At least [with Sasson] we would save the financial costs and time." "Appointing the right hand of Israel's most extreme leftists, a man who worked hard put to jail IDF soldiers after Operation Cast Lead - and who received the rank of Major General from Ehud Barak personally - is telling the cat to guard the cream," Mesika said. "If Mandelbilt is appointed to head this commission - its findings have been written in advance." MK Yariv Levin (Likud), also slammed moves to appoint Mandelbilt to head the committee, "The appointment of Maj. Gen. Mandelblit, who oversaw and approved decrees to restrict - and destroy - settlements in Judea and Samaria is unacceptable." "Land claims should be examined by a committee with no conflict of interest," Levin added. "It is unthinkable to appoint a man who, to do the job properly, must question his own competence in reviewing his previous orders he gave concerning the demolition of Jewish homes. The committee should be compromised of forensic experts who understand land law, and who have no no prejudice and personal involvement. Only this will prevent further demolitions." MK Levin also put Prime Minister Binyamin on notice concerning the potential repercussions of such a move: "It could be our ruin, and shakes the foundations of the coalition". Chairman of IAI employees, MK Haim Katz, whose words carry great weight in the Likud, was also critical of Mandelbilt's appointment. "Talia Sasson should be running it," Katz said. "If this is how the committee is to be comprised, then it is a shame to waste money on a body whose results are probably known in advance. "We will not tolerate the destruction of the settlements in Israel. " MK Aryeh Eldad (National Union) said of the Mandelbilt appointment, "One might as well appoint a representative of Adalah [a pro-Arab legal action group -Ed.] to this committee, and appoint Judge Goldstone to chair it. If Netanyahu wants to destroy the Jewish settlement enterprise, he should just tell his voters honestly - and not hide behind a 'committee' with a constitutionally distinct leftist agenda." Chairman of the Shomron Residents' Committee, Benny Katzover, said: "During his tenure, Judge Advocate General Avichai Mandelblit overturned large-swaths of precedent in favor of advice from those seeking to destroy the settlement enterprise and became a loyal apostle of extreme left-wing organizations." "The appointment of such a person to head this committee is spitting our face. We will not accept this situation in no way," Katzover said. Comment on this story
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Everyday of Freedom is an Act of Faith for my writings ============> http://robertoscaruffi.blogspot.com for something on religions ===> http://scaruffi1.blogspot.com
Friday, 4 November 2011
