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1. Israel May Quit the UN Human Rights Council
by Gavriel Queenann
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Friday he may recall the Israeli ambassador to the UN Human Rights Council and cut ties with the body.
His remarks came after the 47-member council voted to establish a fact-finding mission to probe the "effects of settlements on Palestinian human rights."
Lieberman also said Israel may choose not to cooperate with the council in its investigation, adding that he plans to ask the US to quit the council as well.
The resolution to “investigate the implications” of the settlements on “the Palestinian people throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including east Jerusalem” was passed by a vote of 36 to 1, with 10 abstentions.
Europe was divided on the fact-finding mission, with Norway, Switzerland, Belgium, Austria and Russia voting for the measure. Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Moldova abstained.
Other countries with whom Israel has good ties who voted for the measure were Angola, Nigeria, Uganda, China, India, the Philippines, Thailand, Chile, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay. Guatemala, Costa Rica and Cameroon abstained.
The UN Human Rights Council also adopted four other resolutions condemning Israel on Thursday. Only the US voted against the raft of anti-Israel resolutions.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu reacted to the decision on Thursday, saying the council is “hypocritical” and should be “ashamed of itself.”
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by Gavriel Queenann
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Friday he may recall the Israeli ambassador to the UN Human Rights Council and cut ties with the body.
His remarks came after the 47-member council voted to establish a fact-finding mission to probe the "effects of settlements on Palestinian human rights."
Lieberman also said Israel may choose not to cooperate with the council in its investigation, adding that he plans to ask the US to quit the council as well.
The resolution to “investigate the implications” of the settlements on “the Palestinian people throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including east Jerusalem” was passed by a vote of 36 to 1, with 10 abstentions.
Europe was divided on the fact-finding mission, with Norway, Switzerland, Belgium, Austria and Russia voting for the measure. Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Moldova abstained.
Other countries with whom Israel has good ties who voted for the measure were Angola, Nigeria, Uganda, China, India, the Philippines, Thailand, Chile, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay. Guatemala, Costa Rica and Cameroon abstained.
The UN Human Rights Council also adopted four other resolutions condemning Israel on Thursday. Only the US voted against the raft of anti-Israel resolutions.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu reacted to the decision on Thursday, saying the council is “hypocritical” and should be “ashamed of itself.”
Tags: Avigdor Lieberman ,UNHRC
More on this topic
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Abbas Quick to Welcome UN Investigation of 'Settlements' -
Israel Won't Cooperate with UNHRC's 'Goldstone 2'
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UNHRC Creates 'Goldstone 2' Committee. Netanyahu: Hypocrisy
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Canada Joins Israel in Blocking Hamas at UNHRC
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Lieberman Demands Ashton Retract Toulouse-Gaza Comparison
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Hamas Terrorist to Address UN Human Rights Council
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2. UNHRC Creates 'Goldstone 2' Committee. Netanyahu: Hypocrisy
by Gil Ronen
The 47-nation UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted five resolutions condemning Israel Thursday, including one that establishes a massive new “fact-finding mission” to investigate alleged Israeli violations relating to settlements. The vote was 36 in favor, 1 against (U.S.) and 10 abstaining.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was quick to issue a statement denouncing the UNHRC. “This is a hypocritical council with an automatic majority against Israel. This council ought to be ashamed of itself," he said.
"Until today, the council has made 91 decisions, 39 of which dealt with Israel, three with Syria and one with Iran," the prime minister noted. "One only had to hear the Syrian representative speak today about human rights in order to understand how detached from reality the council is. Another proof of its detachment from reality came last week when it invited before it a representative of Hamas, an organization whose ideology is based on the murder of innocents.”
Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, noted that “On the same day that the UN Human Rights Council voted for a severely watered-down text allowing Sri Lanka to determine what advice it receives from the UN—and as it ignored our own proposed resolutions on systematic abuses committed by China, Cuba, Saudi Arabia and Zimbabwe—the current session is adopting half of all its condemnatory resolutions against one single state, Israel.”
“Sadly, the council remains selective and politicized, and is failing its founding mission to protect victims,” Neuer added. “The council’s new fact-finding mission on settlements is a fraud, with the guilty verdict dictated in advance, and is contained in an egregiously one-sided resolution that says nothing of officially-sanctioned Palestinian terrorism, rocket fire and incitement to hatred, anti-Semitism and genocide.”
Comment on this story
by Gil Ronen
The 47-nation UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted five resolutions condemning Israel Thursday, including one that establishes a massive new “fact-finding mission” to investigate alleged Israeli violations relating to settlements. The vote was 36 in favor, 1 against (U.S.) and 10 abstaining.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was quick to issue a statement denouncing the UNHRC. “This is a hypocritical council with an automatic majority against Israel. This council ought to be ashamed of itself," he said.
"Until today, the council has made 91 decisions, 39 of which dealt with Israel, three with Syria and one with Iran," the prime minister noted. "One only had to hear the Syrian representative speak today about human rights in order to understand how detached from reality the council is. Another proof of its detachment from reality came last week when it invited before it a representative of Hamas, an organization whose ideology is based on the murder of innocents.”
Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, noted that “On the same day that the UN Human Rights Council voted for a severely watered-down text allowing Sri Lanka to determine what advice it receives from the UN—and as it ignored our own proposed resolutions on systematic abuses committed by China, Cuba, Saudi Arabia and Zimbabwe—the current session is adopting half of all its condemnatory resolutions against one single state, Israel.”
“Sadly, the council remains selective and politicized, and is failing its founding mission to protect victims,” Neuer added. “The council’s new fact-finding mission on settlements is a fraud, with the guilty verdict dictated in advance, and is contained in an egregiously one-sided resolution that says nothing of officially-sanctioned Palestinian terrorism, rocket fire and incitement to hatred, anti-Semitism and genocide.”
More on this topic
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3. Abbas Quick to Welcome UN Investigation of 'Settlements'
by Elad Benari
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas was quick to welcome Thursday’s decision of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to appoint a commission to investigate alleged Israeli violations relating to Jewish construction in Judea and Samaria.
Abbas’ spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, said in a statement quoted by the Ma’ariv newspaper that Abbas “welcomes the UN Human Rights Council’s decision to establish a committee to investigate the effect of the building in settlements on the Palestinian public.”
Ma’ariv also noted that the PA was quick to glorify its achievement.
“This is a new international position that supports the rights of Palestinians and sends a message to Israel from the international community that the settlements are illegal and must stop altogether,” Abu Rudeineh said in his statement.
He also thanked the 36 countries that supported the resolution.
The UNHRC’s decision came after earlier this week, the Palestinian Authority announced it plans to approach the UNHRC and ask it to investigate the ‘Israeli crimes’ in Judea and Samaria.
The PA’s Foreign Minister, Riyad al-Malki, said the PA would ask the UNHRC to appoint an international fact-finding commission “to come to the occupied Palestinian territory to witness firsthand the illegal Israeli practices violating Palestinian people’s rights.”
Israel announced after the decision was announced that it would not be cooperating with the “fact-finding mission.”
Diplomatic sources said that Israel “will not give legitimacy to a body that is not legitimate.”
MK Tzipi Hotovely (Likud) said after the decision that “the word surreal is not enough to describe the Council's decision to stand by Hamas in the diplomatic fight against Israel.”
Hotovely added that, “The problem of human rights in the world is summed up, according to this twisted world view, in Israel's construction of neighborhoods in its capital city.”
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was quick to issue a statement denouncing the UNHRC. “This is a hypocritical council with an automatic majority against Israel. This council ought to be ashamed of itself," he said.
"Until today, the council has made 91 decisions, 39 of which dealt with Israel, three with Syria and one with Iran," the prime minister noted. "One only had to hear the Syrian representative speak today about human rights in order to understand how detached from reality the council is. Another proof of its detachment from reality came last week when it invited before it a representative of Hamas, an organization whose ideology is based on the murder of innocents.”
Comment on this story
by Elad Benari
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas was quick to welcome Thursday’s decision of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to appoint a commission to investigate alleged Israeli violations relating to Jewish construction in Judea and Samaria.
Abbas’ spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, said in a statement quoted by the Ma’ariv newspaper that Abbas “welcomes the UN Human Rights Council’s decision to establish a committee to investigate the effect of the building in settlements on the Palestinian public.”
Ma’ariv also noted that the PA was quick to glorify its achievement.
“This is a new international position that supports the rights of Palestinians and sends a message to Israel from the international community that the settlements are illegal and must stop altogether,” Abu Rudeineh said in his statement.
He also thanked the 36 countries that supported the resolution.
The UNHRC’s decision came after earlier this week, the Palestinian Authority announced it plans to approach the UNHRC and ask it to investigate the ‘Israeli crimes’ in Judea and Samaria.
The PA’s Foreign Minister, Riyad al-Malki, said the PA would ask the UNHRC to appoint an international fact-finding commission “to come to the occupied Palestinian territory to witness firsthand the illegal Israeli practices violating Palestinian people’s rights.”
Israel announced after the decision was announced that it would not be cooperating with the “fact-finding mission.”
Diplomatic sources said that Israel “will not give legitimacy to a body that is not legitimate.”
MK Tzipi Hotovely (Likud) said after the decision that “the word surreal is not enough to describe the Council's decision to stand by Hamas in the diplomatic fight against Israel.”
Hotovely added that, “The problem of human rights in the world is summed up, according to this twisted world view, in Israel's construction of neighborhoods in its capital city.”
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was quick to issue a statement denouncing the UNHRC. “This is a hypocritical council with an automatic majority against Israel. This council ought to be ashamed of itself," he said.
"Until today, the council has made 91 decisions, 39 of which dealt with Israel, three with Syria and one with Iran," the prime minister noted. "One only had to hear the Syrian representative speak today about human rights in order to understand how detached from reality the council is. Another proof of its detachment from reality came last week when it invited before it a representative of Hamas, an organization whose ideology is based on the murder of innocents.”
Tags: Mahmoud Abbas ,UNHRC
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4. French Officials Race to Defend Toulouse Failure
by Gavriel Queenann
French authorities on Friday sought to defend their actions amid mounting questions after a gunman known to the intelligence services was able to murder seven people.
Mohammed Merah, 24, was shot dead by French police in a shootout in Toulouse on Thursday, following a 32-hour standoff.
As the standoff progressed, French Interior Minister Claude Gueant admitted Merah was on an intelligence service watch list of Islamic extremists.
"We knew, and that is why he was under surveillance, that he had travelled to Afghanistan and Pakistan," Gueant said during the siege.
The minister added that while Merah had a criminal record, nothing in his history suggested he was likely to commit acts of violence.
Merah, a French citizen of Algerian descent, travelled to Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2009 where he is believed to have attended terrorist training camps.
He returned to France, probably in 2010, and was questioned by French authorities as recently as November last year.
According to French media sources, the authorities accepted Merah's explanation that he had travelled to Afghanistan as a tourist.
However, criticism of French authorities has been buttressed by the revelation that Merah was also on an American no-fly list because the FBI regarded him as a "possible risk."
US officials say French security officials would have been aware of Merah's inclusion on the list.
The revelation has top French politicians trying to explain what went wrong as France examines whether Merah could have been stopped before he murdered three Jewish schoolchildren, a rabbi and three French soldiers in the past fortnight.
Prime Minister Francois Fillon said French police had no grounds to detain him before he carried out the killings and said authorities cannot "permanently monitor without judicial authorisation" someone who has not committed an offense."
Merah "was interrogated, surveilled and listened to," Fillon said, adding Merah appeared to live "a normal life".
Fillon defended the intelligence services, saying they "did their job perfectly well; they identified Mohamed Merah when he made his trips".
Intelligence agents "surveilled him long enough to come to the conclusion that there was no element, no indication, that this was a dangerous man who would one day pass from words to acts," Fillon said.
He also argued, "Belonging to a Salafist organization is not an offense in and of itself. We cannot mix up religious fundamentalism with terrorism, even if we know there are elements that unite them."
Earlier, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé said an inquiry would have to be launched.
"I understand that one might wonder if there was a lapse or not. We need to bring clarity to this,” Juppé told French radio.
Comment on this story
by Gavriel Queenann
French authorities on Friday sought to defend their actions amid mounting questions after a gunman known to the intelligence services was able to murder seven people.
Mohammed Merah, 24, was shot dead by French police in a shootout in Toulouse on Thursday, following a 32-hour standoff.
As the standoff progressed, French Interior Minister Claude Gueant admitted Merah was on an intelligence service watch list of Islamic extremists.
"We knew, and that is why he was under surveillance, that he had travelled to Afghanistan and Pakistan," Gueant said during the siege.
The minister added that while Merah had a criminal record, nothing in his history suggested he was likely to commit acts of violence.
Merah, a French citizen of Algerian descent, travelled to Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2009 where he is believed to have attended terrorist training camps.
He returned to France, probably in 2010, and was questioned by French authorities as recently as November last year.
According to French media sources, the authorities accepted Merah's explanation that he had travelled to Afghanistan as a tourist.
However, criticism of French authorities has been buttressed by the revelation that Merah was also on an American no-fly list because the FBI regarded him as a "possible risk."
US officials say French security officials would have been aware of Merah's inclusion on the list.
The revelation has top French politicians trying to explain what went wrong as France examines whether Merah could have been stopped before he murdered three Jewish schoolchildren, a rabbi and three French soldiers in the past fortnight.
Prime Minister Francois Fillon said French police had no grounds to detain him before he carried out the killings and said authorities cannot "permanently monitor without judicial authorisation" someone who has not committed an offense."
Merah "was interrogated, surveilled and listened to," Fillon said, adding Merah appeared to live "a normal life".
Fillon defended the intelligence services, saying they "did their job perfectly well; they identified Mohamed Merah when he made his trips".
Intelligence agents "surveilled him long enough to come to the conclusion that there was no element, no indication, that this was a dangerous man who would one day pass from words to acts," Fillon said.
He also argued, "Belonging to a Salafist organization is not an offense in and of itself. We cannot mix up religious fundamentalism with terrorism, even if we know there are elements that unite them."
Earlier, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé said an inquiry would have to be launched.
"I understand that one might wonder if there was a lapse or not. We need to bring clarity to this,” Juppé told French radio.
More on this topic
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French Police Detain Toulouse Killer's Family
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Plea for 'Increased Light' from Rabbi Jonathan Sandler's Widow
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Toulouse Terrorist Not Alone: Extreme Islam Threatens Europe
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Report: Toulouse Terrorist Visited Israel
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Netanyahu Visits Bereaved Toulouse Families
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ADL Poll: Anti-Semitic Sentiments 'Disturbingly High'
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5. Clinton Decides to Resume Military Aid to Egypt
by Elad Benari
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will open the way to resuming $1.3 billion in annual military aid to Egypt, AFP reported on Thursday.
The funds had been suspended over human rights concerns, the report noted.
“Tomorrow, Secretary Clinton will certify that Egypt is meeting its obligations under its peace treaty with Israel,” AFP quoted a senior State Department official as having said in an email.
The move will free up $250 million in economic aid that had never been in serious question, the report said, noting Clinton would also waive requirements on whether Cairo is making progress towards democracy to allow for “the continued flow of foreign military financing to Egypt,” according to the official who asked to remain anonymous.
The official stressed that “on the democracy side, Egypt has made more progress in 16 months than in the last 60 years,” highlighting free and fair parliamentary elections as well as the transfer of legislative authority to the new people's assembly.
He added, however, “Yet Egypt's transition to democracy is not yet complete, and more work remains to protect universal rights and freedoms, and the role of NGOs and civil society.”
The annual military aid is cemented in Egypt's 1979 peace with Israel but had come under review recently, due to Cairo's crackdown on pro-democracy groups.
“These decisions reflect our overarching goal: to maintain our strategic partnership with an Egypt made stronger and more stable by a successful transition to democracy,” the State Department official added.
In December, Egyptian prosecutors stormed the offices of 17 pro-democracy nonprofit groups, including the U.S.-funded International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute and Freedom House.
In January, Egypt barred some U.S. members of the NGOs from leaving the country and a number of them took refuge at the US embassy. The country later allowed six American and seven other foreign NGO members to leave the country after they posted bail, even if the case remains unresolved.
Senator Patrick Leahy, who sponsored the legislation that tied conditions to aid, said Thursday he was “disappointed” by Clinton's decision.
“I know Secretary Clinton wants the democratic transition in Egypt to succeed, but by waiving the conditions we send a contradictory message,” Leahy was quoted by AFP as having said in a statement.
He added, “The Egyptian military should be defending fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, not harassing and arresting those who are working for democracy.”
Leahy said that Clinton should use the law to “release no more taxpayer funds than is demonstrably necessary, withholding the rest in the Treasury pending further progress in the transition to democracy.”
Comment on this story
by Elad Benari
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will open the way to resuming $1.3 billion in annual military aid to Egypt, AFP reported on Thursday.
The funds had been suspended over human rights concerns, the report noted.
“Tomorrow, Secretary Clinton will certify that Egypt is meeting its obligations under its peace treaty with Israel,” AFP quoted a senior State Department official as having said in an email.
The move will free up $250 million in economic aid that had never been in serious question, the report said, noting Clinton would also waive requirements on whether Cairo is making progress towards democracy to allow for “the continued flow of foreign military financing to Egypt,” according to the official who asked to remain anonymous.
The official stressed that “on the democracy side, Egypt has made more progress in 16 months than in the last 60 years,” highlighting free and fair parliamentary elections as well as the transfer of legislative authority to the new people's assembly.
He added, however, “Yet Egypt's transition to democracy is not yet complete, and more work remains to protect universal rights and freedoms, and the role of NGOs and civil society.”
The annual military aid is cemented in Egypt's 1979 peace with Israel but had come under review recently, due to Cairo's crackdown on pro-democracy groups.
“These decisions reflect our overarching goal: to maintain our strategic partnership with an Egypt made stronger and more stable by a successful transition to democracy,” the State Department official added.
In December, Egyptian prosecutors stormed the offices of 17 pro-democracy nonprofit groups, including the U.S.-funded International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute and Freedom House.
In January, Egypt barred some U.S. members of the NGOs from leaving the country and a number of them took refuge at the US embassy. The country later allowed six American and seven other foreign NGO members to leave the country after they posted bail, even if the case remains unresolved.
Senator Patrick Leahy, who sponsored the legislation that tied conditions to aid, said Thursday he was “disappointed” by Clinton's decision.
“I know Secretary Clinton wants the democratic transition in Egypt to succeed, but by waiving the conditions we send a contradictory message,” Leahy was quoted by AFP as having said in a statement.
He added, “The Egyptian military should be defending fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, not harassing and arresting those who are working for democracy.”
Leahy said that Clinton should use the law to “release no more taxpayer funds than is demonstrably necessary, withholding the rest in the Treasury pending further progress in the transition to democracy.”
Tags: Egypt-US
More on this topic
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6. US Blames Israel for Endangered Americans in PA
by Chana Ya'ar
The US blamed Israel for endangered American citizens in the PA-controlled areas of Judea and Samaria in a travel warning issued Friday.
The United States bluntly told its citizens it is risky to travel to “Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip,” citing “threats to themselves and the U.S. interests in those locations.”
Although the U.S. trained and equipped the Palestinian Authority's military police force several years ago – which “resulted in a marked decrease in violence in recent years” – the State Department nevertheless warned that Americans would still not be safe there.
One year ago, PA police gunned down a group of Israelis who were visiting the Tomb of the Prophet Joseph near Shechem, killing one and wounding four others. The tomb, which under the Oslo Accords is supposed to be maintained under Israel's sovereignty, has been repeatedly vandalized by PA Arabs and its nearby Od Yosef Chai Yeshiva was closed several years ago after it was deemed too dangerous to keep open. The site is at present nearly inaccessible to Jews except when they arrive under heavy guard by the IDF, usually at night when the local Arab population is largely unaware of their presence.
"Demonstrations and violent incidents can occur without warning. Vehicles have also been the target of rocks, Molotov cocktails and gunfire on West Bank roads,” the warning pointed out – and then blamed IDF searches for terrorists for the violence.
"The IDF continues to carry out security operations in the West Bank,” noted the alert.
"Israeli security operations, including incursions in Palestinian population centers, can occur at any time and lead to disturbances and violence... U.S. citizens can be caught in the middle of potentially dangerous situations. Some U.S. citizens involved in demonstrations in the West Bank have sustained serious injuries in confrontations with Israeli security forces."
The State Department recommended that citizens, for their own safety, avoid demonstrations.
Many of the aforementioned American citizens who participate in such demonstrations enter the country under falsepretenses, according to the IDF, and are anarchists supporting violent protests by Palestinian Authority Arab agitators that force the military to respond with riot control measures in order to prevent the crowd from becoming a murderous mob.
Americans also were pointedly told to “avoid all travel” to Gaza, which is “under the control of Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization. American citizens in Gaza are advised to depart immediately,” the warning stated, adding that travelers there “may not be able to depart at a time of their choosing.”
The security environment in Gaza, which is still officially considered part of the Palestinian Authority, was described in the warning as “dangerous and volatile.”
Comment on this story
by Chana Ya'ar
The US blamed Israel for endangered American citizens in the PA-controlled areas of Judea and Samaria in a travel warning issued Friday.
The United States bluntly told its citizens it is risky to travel to “Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip,” citing “threats to themselves and the U.S. interests in those locations.”
Although the U.S. trained and equipped the Palestinian Authority's military police force several years ago – which “resulted in a marked decrease in violence in recent years” – the State Department nevertheless warned that Americans would still not be safe there.
One year ago, PA police gunned down a group of Israelis who were visiting the Tomb of the Prophet Joseph near Shechem, killing one and wounding four others. The tomb, which under the Oslo Accords is supposed to be maintained under Israel's sovereignty, has been repeatedly vandalized by PA Arabs and its nearby Od Yosef Chai Yeshiva was closed several years ago after it was deemed too dangerous to keep open. The site is at present nearly inaccessible to Jews except when they arrive under heavy guard by the IDF, usually at night when the local Arab population is largely unaware of their presence.
"Demonstrations and violent incidents can occur without warning. Vehicles have also been the target of rocks, Molotov cocktails and gunfire on West Bank roads,” the warning pointed out – and then blamed IDF searches for terrorists for the violence.
"The IDF continues to carry out security operations in the West Bank,” noted the alert.
"Israeli security operations, including incursions in Palestinian population centers, can occur at any time and lead to disturbances and violence... U.S. citizens can be caught in the middle of potentially dangerous situations. Some U.S. citizens involved in demonstrations in the West Bank have sustained serious injuries in confrontations with Israeli security forces."
The State Department recommended that citizens, for their own safety, avoid demonstrations.
Many of the aforementioned American citizens who participate in such demonstrations enter the country under falsepretenses, according to the IDF, and are anarchists supporting violent protests by Palestinian Authority Arab agitators that force the military to respond with riot control measures in order to prevent the crowd from becoming a murderous mob.
Americans also were pointedly told to “avoid all travel” to Gaza, which is “under the control of Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization. American citizens in Gaza are advised to depart immediately,” the warning stated, adding that travelers there “may not be able to depart at a time of their choosing.”
The security environment in Gaza, which is still officially considered part of the Palestinian Authority, was described in the warning as “dangerous and volatile.”
More on this topic
Comment on this story
7. UK Bans Ad Promoting Northern Israel
by Chana Ya'ar
The UK has banned advertising promoting a book on northern Israel that includes a map showing the Golan Heights as part of Israel. The ad, which also includes parts of “Judea” and “Samaria” on the map, was published in November and produced by Israel's Government Tourist Office.
Britain's Advertising Standards Authority claims it has received 350 complaints about the ad, “including from supporters of Palestinians,” according to a report by the Associated Press.
The agency ruled Wednesday that the ad cannot reappear in its current form. The ad reportedly cannot imply that any territory restored to Israel in the 1967 Six Day War has been internationally recognized as part of the State of Israel, nor can it imply universal acceptance of “contentious claims.”
The British agency used similar language in a nearly identical ruling on an ad promoting holy sites in Jerusalem two years ago, acting on an complaint whose source it never disclosed. The agency claimed the ad was misleading because it implied that the part of Jerusalem in which the holy sites are located – the Old City -- are part of the State of Israel.
The Old City was restored to the state, and reunited with the rest of the Israeli capital immediately following the 1967 Six Day War. Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat branded the ruling at the time a “shameful accusation showing a complete ignorance of history.”
Comment on this story
by Chana Ya'ar
The UK has banned advertising promoting a book on northern Israel that includes a map showing the Golan Heights as part of Israel. The ad, which also includes parts of “Judea” and “Samaria” on the map, was published in November and produced by Israel's Government Tourist Office.
Britain's Advertising Standards Authority claims it has received 350 complaints about the ad, “including from supporters of Palestinians,” according to a report by the Associated Press.
The agency ruled Wednesday that the ad cannot reappear in its current form. The ad reportedly cannot imply that any territory restored to Israel in the 1967 Six Day War has been internationally recognized as part of the State of Israel, nor can it imply universal acceptance of “contentious claims.”
The British agency used similar language in a nearly identical ruling on an ad promoting holy sites in Jerusalem two years ago, acting on an complaint whose source it never disclosed. The agency claimed the ad was misleading because it implied that the part of Jerusalem in which the holy sites are located – the Old City -- are part of the State of Israel.
The Old City was restored to the state, and reunited with the rest of the Israeli capital immediately following the 1967 Six Day War. Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat branded the ruling at the time a “shameful accusation showing a complete ignorance of history.”
Tags: anti-Israeli ,UK ,advertising
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8. Barak: Israel, US Disagree on Iran Timetable
by Gavriel Queenann
Defense Minister Ehud Barak says Israel and the US disagree on what would be a realistic timetable for stopping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Barak reiterated Israel's concerns that Iran is trying to render nuclear program immune from attack before taking a decision on assembling atomic bombs.
Israel “cannot afford to wait" in such a situation, Barak told Israel Radio, adding in an interview Thursday, "Israel feels directly threatened by a nuclear Iran." However, Barak added, "several more months" can be given to allow sanctions and negotiations to run their course.
During this period, it would become clear “if the Iranians intend or don't intent to stop their nuclear weapons program," he said.
During the interview, Barak argued that superior US military capabilities and America’s position as a world power lead to its leaders perceiving the Iran nuclear threat differently than Jerusalem.
Barak said Israel and the U.S. agree on the final objective of preventing Iran from building nuclear weapons, but that “the difference between us and the U.S. is the perspective on timetables.”
“America has more abilities than Israel,” Barak said. “You can think of a time when Israel would be very limited in its ability to act.”
The rising specter of a possible military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities comes ahead of renewed nuclear talks between Iran and the so-called 5+1 – the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany.
Mohammad Javad Larijani – a key advisor to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – has signaled Iran may be willing to halt its uranium enrichment program.
Larijani said the West should accept Iran's "peaceful nuclear program," sell Iran 20 percent enriched uranium, and provide the customary assistance nuclear nations provide to those building nuclear power plants.
In return for cooperation from the West Iran would offer "full transparency," Larijani said.
He did not say Iran would halt uranium enrichment – a key demand by Jerusalem and Washington to avoid military strikes – but observers say the stipulation that the West provide 20% enriched uranium indicates Iran is open to doing so.
Iran denies it is trying to develop nuclear weapons, and insists its nuclear program is meant for peaceful uses such as generating electricity.
However, the International Atomic Energy Association has issued two reports in recent months indicating Iran has sought – and continues to seek – nuclear technology that has solely military applications.
Comment on this story
by Gavriel Queenann
Defense Minister Ehud Barak says Israel and the US disagree on what would be a realistic timetable for stopping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Barak reiterated Israel's concerns that Iran is trying to render nuclear program immune from attack before taking a decision on assembling atomic bombs.
Israel “cannot afford to wait" in such a situation, Barak told Israel Radio, adding in an interview Thursday, "Israel feels directly threatened by a nuclear Iran." However, Barak added, "several more months" can be given to allow sanctions and negotiations to run their course.
During this period, it would become clear “if the Iranians intend or don't intent to stop their nuclear weapons program," he said.
During the interview, Barak argued that superior US military capabilities and America’s position as a world power lead to its leaders perceiving the Iran nuclear threat differently than Jerusalem.
Barak said Israel and the U.S. agree on the final objective of preventing Iran from building nuclear weapons, but that “the difference between us and the U.S. is the perspective on timetables.”
“America has more abilities than Israel,” Barak said. “You can think of a time when Israel would be very limited in its ability to act.”
The rising specter of a possible military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities comes ahead of renewed nuclear talks between Iran and the so-called 5+1 – the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany.
Mohammad Javad Larijani – a key advisor to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – has signaled Iran may be willing to halt its uranium enrichment program.
Larijani said the West should accept Iran's "peaceful nuclear program," sell Iran 20 percent enriched uranium, and provide the customary assistance nuclear nations provide to those building nuclear power plants.
In return for cooperation from the West Iran would offer "full transparency," Larijani said.
He did not say Iran would halt uranium enrichment – a key demand by Jerusalem and Washington to avoid military strikes – but observers say the stipulation that the West provide 20% enriched uranium indicates Iran is open to doing so.
Iran denies it is trying to develop nuclear weapons, and insists its nuclear program is meant for peaceful uses such as generating electricity.
However, the International Atomic Energy Association has issued two reports in recent months indicating Iran has sought – and continues to seek – nuclear technology that has solely military applications.
Tags: Israel ,United States ,Iran ,Iran Nuclear Program ,Ehud Barak
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