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1. Lt. Col. Shalom Eisner to Remain in IDF
by Gabe Kahn
It was reported on Friday that IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz decided this week not to end Lt. Col. Shalom Eisner's military career.
Eisner's career has hung in the balance since he was filmed striking a Danish ISM activist in the face with his rifle at the end of a heated two-hour confrontation on April 14.
He was suspended pursuant to an investigation into the incident and subsequently removed from his post of deputy commander of the Jordan Valley Brigade.
The decision to remove Eisner from his post was unpopular with Israelis, who sympathized with both the difficult situation he was faced with and his assertion that "doing the job comes before looking good."
Senior political and military officials had raced to pillory Eisner in the media before the investigation into the incident had been completed.
However, following public backlash, Gantz said last week, "I'm not ready to decide his fate and end his career, but I cannot simply ignore the incident, either."
"The IDF is a large military force and there are many events in many places and people can make mistakes. We work hard at it, but this incident is not representative of the IDF, or of Lt. Col. Eisner," he said in a softening of his previous stance.
The Hebrew-language daily Maariv reported Eisner will retain his rank and be appointed as the deputy commander of the Tactical Training Center in Tze'elim.
In his new position he will be responsible for training battalions of infantry and armor in battlefield simulations.
After his removal as deputy commander of the Jordan Valley Brigade, Eisner said he was considering retiring.
"I may retire from the army," Eisner said. "I am hurt emotionally and must consider whether to continue."
Eisner’s future became even more uncertain when a private conversation in which he leveled sharp criticism at senior officers – which was taped by a third party – was aired on Channel 10.
"His comments were unfortunate, irrespective of his reasons," Gantz had said.
Nonetheless, Ground Forces commander Maj. Gen. Sami Turgeman on Friday told Maariv on he had approved Eisner's appointment at the training base.
Turgeman added that Eisner had decided to remain in military service "despite the decision that he will not be allowed to command troops in the field for two years."
Tze'elim base commander, Brig. Gen. Avi Ashkenazi, told Maariv that Eisner expressed his “desire to contribute his experience to the IDF.”
Senior military sources said Eisner's desire to continue serving despite being censured "demonstrated his deep commitment to making a contribution in the IDF."
The incident happened on April 14 when a group of foreign and Arab cyclists sought to block a main road near Jericho to protest Israel's presence in Judea and Samaria.
Critics of Eisner's dismissal from his post – through he remains in the IDF with the same rank – were quick to note the video of the incident uploaded to the internet was clearly edited in such a way as to cast Eisner in the worst possible light.
The altercation came at the end of nearly two hours of heated confrontation between protesters and soldiers, but the video began with Eisner striking the activist.
Eisner subsequently told military investigators that two of his fingers had been broken in an attack by the Danish campaigner before he retaliated with his weapon.
A medical examination confirmed at least one of Eisner's fingers was indeed broken during the demonstration.
A second video released on April 20 – which critics say was also clearly edited – showed Eisner striking other activists with his rifle.
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by Gabe Kahn
It was reported on Friday that IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz decided this week not to end Lt. Col. Shalom Eisner's military career.
Eisner's career has hung in the balance since he was filmed striking a Danish ISM activist in the face with his rifle at the end of a heated two-hour confrontation on April 14.
He was suspended pursuant to an investigation into the incident and subsequently removed from his post of deputy commander of the Jordan Valley Brigade.
The decision to remove Eisner from his post was unpopular with Israelis, who sympathized with both the difficult situation he was faced with and his assertion that "doing the job comes before looking good."
Senior political and military officials had raced to pillory Eisner in the media before the investigation into the incident had been completed.
However, following public backlash, Gantz said last week, "I'm not ready to decide his fate and end his career, but I cannot simply ignore the incident, either."
"The IDF is a large military force and there are many events in many places and people can make mistakes. We work hard at it, but this incident is not representative of the IDF, or of Lt. Col. Eisner," he said in a softening of his previous stance.
The Hebrew-language daily Maariv reported Eisner will retain his rank and be appointed as the deputy commander of the Tactical Training Center in Tze'elim.
In his new position he will be responsible for training battalions of infantry and armor in battlefield simulations.
After his removal as deputy commander of the Jordan Valley Brigade, Eisner said he was considering retiring.
"I may retire from the army," Eisner said. "I am hurt emotionally and must consider whether to continue."
Eisner’s future became even more uncertain when a private conversation in which he leveled sharp criticism at senior officers – which was taped by a third party – was aired on Channel 10.
"His comments were unfortunate, irrespective of his reasons," Gantz had said.
Nonetheless, Ground Forces commander Maj. Gen. Sami Turgeman on Friday told Maariv on he had approved Eisner's appointment at the training base.
Turgeman added that Eisner had decided to remain in military service "despite the decision that he will not be allowed to command troops in the field for two years."
Tze'elim base commander, Brig. Gen. Avi Ashkenazi, told Maariv that Eisner expressed his “desire to contribute his experience to the IDF.”
Senior military sources said Eisner's desire to continue serving despite being censured "demonstrated his deep commitment to making a contribution in the IDF."
The incident happened on April 14 when a group of foreign and Arab cyclists sought to block a main road near Jericho to protest Israel's presence in Judea and Samaria.
Critics of Eisner's dismissal from his post – through he remains in the IDF with the same rank – were quick to note the video of the incident uploaded to the internet was clearly edited in such a way as to cast Eisner in the worst possible light.
The altercation came at the end of nearly two hours of heated confrontation between protesters and soldiers, but the video began with Eisner striking the activist.
Eisner subsequently told military investigators that two of his fingers had been broken in an attack by the Danish campaigner before he retaliated with his weapon.
A medical examination confirmed at least one of Eisner's fingers was indeed broken during the demonstration.
A second video released on April 20 – which critics say was also clearly edited – showed Eisner striking other activists with his rifle.
Tags: Shalom Eisner ,IDF ,Benny Gantz ,Avi Ashkenazi ,Sami Turgeman
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2. Carjack Attempts Continue, IDF to Up Presence
by Maayana Miskin
Palestinian Authority Arab gangs continue to make frequent efforts to steal Israelis’ cars, often in violent attacks. An attempted robbery was reported Thursday night in the western Binyamin region.
Several PA Arabs worked together to trap multiple Israeli drivers. PA criminals in one car circled around the intended victims, while another car drove up behind.
The two cars then slowed down and began ramming their horns and flashing their lights, attempting to force the Israeli drivers to a stop. Fortunately, the drivers were able to speed around the front car and escape.
A similar incident was reported Tuesday. A woman from the town of Neria in western Binyamin was suddenly blocked in by PA cars as she made her way toward home.
As several PA men exited the cars and began trying to break into her locked vehicle, the woman suddenly hit the gas, hitting the PA cars and creating an escape route. She managed to get home unhurt.
The IDF plans to up its presence along Binyamin-region highways during nighttime hours.
On Wednesday police arrested a 25-year-old PA man suspected of involvement in several carjackings.
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by Maayana Miskin
Palestinian Authority Arab gangs continue to make frequent efforts to steal Israelis’ cars, often in violent attacks. An attempted robbery was reported Thursday night in the western Binyamin region.
Several PA Arabs worked together to trap multiple Israeli drivers. PA criminals in one car circled around the intended victims, while another car drove up behind.
The two cars then slowed down and began ramming their horns and flashing their lights, attempting to force the Israeli drivers to a stop. Fortunately, the drivers were able to speed around the front car and escape.
A similar incident was reported Tuesday. A woman from the town of Neria in western Binyamin was suddenly blocked in by PA cars as she made her way toward home.
As several PA men exited the cars and began trying to break into her locked vehicle, the woman suddenly hit the gas, hitting the PA cars and creating an escape route. She managed to get home unhurt.
The IDF plans to up its presence along Binyamin-region highways during nighttime hours.
On Wednesday police arrested a 25-year-old PA man suspected of involvement in several carjackings.
Tags: carjacking ,Judea and Samaria ,PA Terrorism
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3. Germany 'Will Not Accept an Iranian Nuclear Weapon'
by Gabe Kahn
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Thursday that the international community will block Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
"The current Iranian nuclear program represents an enormous danger, not only to Israel but to the region as a whole," Westerwelle told Jewish Global Forum in Washington.
"We cannot and will not accept an Iranian nuclear weapon... We need substantive and verifiable guarantees that Iran is not pursuing a nuclear weapon."
Israel, Washington, the European powers, and Gulf Arab states are concerned Tehran is trying to develop atomic weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program. Iran insists its nuclear program is purely peaceful.
However, in early March, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said there were indications that Iran was engaged in nuclear weapons research.
"Iran is not telling us everything. That is my impression. We are asking Iran to engage with us proactively, and Iran has a case to answer," said IAEA director Yukiya Amano.
His remarks followed two recent IAEA reports that indicated Iran had sought – and likely continues to seek – nuclear technologies of a military nature.
IAEA experts previously reported Iran's production of 20% enriched uranium is far greater than needed for peaceful purposes. They also note Iran's medical research sector is not sufficiently advanced to justify such production.
Last month, the so-called P5+1 group - the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany - met in Istanbul with Iranian officials to discuss their concerns, with a further meeting set for May 23 in Baghdad.
Israeli officials say further talks are futile and charge Iran is playing for more time to develop an atomic bomb.
However, Westerwelle called for further negotiations with Tehran, stressing that "our unity and our resolve are showing results."
At the same time, he made clear that "our patience is limited. We will not accept playing for time," adding, "the Iranian regime continues to threaten Israel with annihilation."
"I want you to know that we will continue to stand by Israel's side," he told the Jewish Global Forum.
Israeli leaders have consistently warned that a nuclear-armed Iran would pose an existential threat to the Jewish state, and that a preemptive military strike remains "on the table."
Comment on this story
by Gabe Kahn
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Thursday that the international community will block Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
"The current Iranian nuclear program represents an enormous danger, not only to Israel but to the region as a whole," Westerwelle told Jewish Global Forum in Washington.
"We cannot and will not accept an Iranian nuclear weapon... We need substantive and verifiable guarantees that Iran is not pursuing a nuclear weapon."
Israel, Washington, the European powers, and Gulf Arab states are concerned Tehran is trying to develop atomic weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program. Iran insists its nuclear program is purely peaceful.
However, in early March, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said there were indications that Iran was engaged in nuclear weapons research.
"Iran is not telling us everything. That is my impression. We are asking Iran to engage with us proactively, and Iran has a case to answer," said IAEA director Yukiya Amano.
His remarks followed two recent IAEA reports that indicated Iran had sought – and likely continues to seek – nuclear technologies of a military nature.
IAEA experts previously reported Iran's production of 20% enriched uranium is far greater than needed for peaceful purposes. They also note Iran's medical research sector is not sufficiently advanced to justify such production.
Last month, the so-called P5+1 group - the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany - met in Istanbul with Iranian officials to discuss their concerns, with a further meeting set for May 23 in Baghdad.
Israeli officials say further talks are futile and charge Iran is playing for more time to develop an atomic bomb.
However, Westerwelle called for further negotiations with Tehran, stressing that "our unity and our resolve are showing results."
At the same time, he made clear that "our patience is limited. We will not accept playing for time," adding, "the Iranian regime continues to threaten Israel with annihilation."
"I want you to know that we will continue to stand by Israel's side," he told the Jewish Global Forum.
Israeli leaders have consistently warned that a nuclear-armed Iran would pose an existential threat to the Jewish state, and that a preemptive military strike remains "on the table."
Tags: Germany ,Israel ,Guido Westerwelle ,Iran ,Iran Nuclear Program
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4. Two Terror Attacks Foiled in Samaria
by Elad Benari
The IDF foiled two attempted terrorist attacks in Samaria on Thursday night.
In the first incident, Border Police officers arrested two terrorists in their 20s at the Tapuach junction in Samaria. The terrorists were found to be carrying explosives and knives.
Sappers detonated the explosives, and no one was hurt. The two suspects were transferred to security authorities for further interrogation.
Later on Thursday night, a third terrorist armed with a knife tried to infiltrate the community of Elon Moreh in Samaria.
The terrorist was caught by IDF soldiers after he managed to penetrate the security fence and began making his way into the community.
“Thanks to the alertness of the security guard and the soldiers a terrorist attack was prevented,” the head of the Shomron Regional Council, Gershon Mesika, a resident of Elon Moreh, said after the incident.
On April 24, two terrorists were nabbed as they were trying to smuggle explosives through a checkpoint in northern Samaria.
The two Palestinian Authority residents were arrested after soldiers manning the checkpoint discovered four pipe bombs.
The bombs were destroyed by sappers in a controlled explosion, and the men were taken in for questioning.
On April 11, IDF forces stopped a would-be terrorist bomber at a checkpoint east of Shechem in northern Samaria. The terrorist was carrying improvised explosive devices, three knives, and 50 bullets.
A Border Police bomb disposal unit was called in to dismantle the explosives.
The terrorist was stopped and thoroughly searched after soldiers at the checkpoint who were questioning him became suspicious. He was placed under arrest and handed over to the security services for further investigation.
Northern Samaria has been a hotbed of terror activities perpetrated by the Hamas and Islamic Jihad organization over the past year.
Last September, the IDF and General Security Services uncovered a series of Hamas terror cells, each in various stages of planning attacks.
Comment on this story
by Elad Benari
The IDF foiled two attempted terrorist attacks in Samaria on Thursday night.
In the first incident, Border Police officers arrested two terrorists in their 20s at the Tapuach junction in Samaria. The terrorists were found to be carrying explosives and knives.
Sappers detonated the explosives, and no one was hurt. The two suspects were transferred to security authorities for further interrogation.
Later on Thursday night, a third terrorist armed with a knife tried to infiltrate the community of Elon Moreh in Samaria.
The terrorist was caught by IDF soldiers after he managed to penetrate the security fence and began making his way into the community.
“Thanks to the alertness of the security guard and the soldiers a terrorist attack was prevented,” the head of the Shomron Regional Council, Gershon Mesika, a resident of Elon Moreh, said after the incident.
On April 24, two terrorists were nabbed as they were trying to smuggle explosives through a checkpoint in northern Samaria.
The two Palestinian Authority residents were arrested after soldiers manning the checkpoint discovered four pipe bombs.
The bombs were destroyed by sappers in a controlled explosion, and the men were taken in for questioning.
On April 11, IDF forces stopped a would-be terrorist bomber at a checkpoint east of Shechem in northern Samaria. The terrorist was carrying improvised explosive devices, three knives, and 50 bullets.
A Border Police bomb disposal unit was called in to dismantle the explosives.
The terrorist was stopped and thoroughly searched after soldiers at the checkpoint who were questioning him became suspicious. He was placed under arrest and handed over to the security services for further investigation.
Northern Samaria has been a hotbed of terror activities perpetrated by the Hamas and Islamic Jihad organization over the past year.
Last September, the IDF and General Security Services uncovered a series of Hamas terror cells, each in various stages of planning attacks.
Tags: IDF ,terrorism ,terror arrest ,Judea and Samaria
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5. IDF Censor to Monitor Journalists' Social Media Accounts
by Gabe Kahn
The IDF military censor will be assuming a more ominous role as it begins monitoring the social media accounts of Israeli journalists and bloggers for potential violation of censorship provisions.
Col. Sima Vaknin-Gil told attendees at the Digit 2012 conference at the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) in Herzliya, that the new system will monitor visual and textual information on social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, on blogs and on traditional news sites.
"The new system will examine information using key words labeled in advance," she said, stressing it would help her office monitor information that was previously difficult to track.
"I think that you can't try to catch everything," she said, "because that will make the censor lose its relevance, and furthermore – its morality."
Privacy and rights activists in Israel have expressed concern that the system follows the same conceptual format that Chinese and Iranian security services use to track dissidents.
Technology experts, however, note that such systems are notoriously arbitrary and often produce nonsensical results - and can often flag highly personal correspondence with no security ramifications.
Vaknin-Gil insisted that "as the chief censor, I have no intention of going into people's personal diaries, and it important for me to note that we do not 'sit' on private Facebook accounts."
"The censor is perceived as a body trying to control the Internet, to no avail. This is a mistake – we try to operate within the Internet only in terms of elements related to us."
She made reference to recent incidents of censored information being published on social networks and blogs to argue for the need to monitor journalists and bloggers.
Disturbingly, she specifically called out Jewish-American blogger Richard Silverstein, who is neither on Israeli soil nor under her office’s jurisdiction – who is presumably not among the “elements related to us.”
"The censor cannot reject everything," she added. "The censor can only touch things that are likely to harm the security of the state, and these incidents are few."
However, Vaknin-Gil herself expressed deep reservations about the role of the IDF censor and admitted that its existence runs counter to the very principles that drive Israeli democracy.
"I know that when I protect the security of the State of Israel I’m damaging freedom of speech," she said. "Censorship and democracy do not go hand in hand."
"That’s why every day we ask ourselves whether we’re damaging freedom of speech or the public’s right to know," she added.
Critics note that the restraint of the IDF censor is deeply dependent on the morality of the individual appointee and – under someone without Vaknin-Gil's reservations – could easily be cast aside.
They also note that many democracies maintain their national security without the existence of such a post.
Comment on this story
by Gabe Kahn
The IDF military censor will be assuming a more ominous role as it begins monitoring the social media accounts of Israeli journalists and bloggers for potential violation of censorship provisions.
Col. Sima Vaknin-Gil told attendees at the Digit 2012 conference at the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) in Herzliya, that the new system will monitor visual and textual information on social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, on blogs and on traditional news sites.
"The new system will examine information using key words labeled in advance," she said, stressing it would help her office monitor information that was previously difficult to track.
"I think that you can't try to catch everything," she said, "because that will make the censor lose its relevance, and furthermore – its morality."
Privacy and rights activists in Israel have expressed concern that the system follows the same conceptual format that Chinese and Iranian security services use to track dissidents.
Technology experts, however, note that such systems are notoriously arbitrary and often produce nonsensical results - and can often flag highly personal correspondence with no security ramifications.
Vaknin-Gil insisted that "as the chief censor, I have no intention of going into people's personal diaries, and it important for me to note that we do not 'sit' on private Facebook accounts."
"The censor is perceived as a body trying to control the Internet, to no avail. This is a mistake – we try to operate within the Internet only in terms of elements related to us."
She made reference to recent incidents of censored information being published on social networks and blogs to argue for the need to monitor journalists and bloggers.
Disturbingly, she specifically called out Jewish-American blogger Richard Silverstein, who is neither on Israeli soil nor under her office’s jurisdiction – who is presumably not among the “elements related to us.”
"The censor cannot reject everything," she added. "The censor can only touch things that are likely to harm the security of the state, and these incidents are few."
However, Vaknin-Gil herself expressed deep reservations about the role of the IDF censor and admitted that its existence runs counter to the very principles that drive Israeli democracy.
"I know that when I protect the security of the State of Israel I’m damaging freedom of speech," she said. "Censorship and democracy do not go hand in hand."
"That’s why every day we ask ourselves whether we’re damaging freedom of speech or the public’s right to know," she added.
Critics note that the restraint of the IDF censor is deeply dependent on the morality of the individual appointee and – under someone without Vaknin-Gil's reservations – could easily be cast aside.
They also note that many democracies maintain their national security without the existence of such a post.
More on this topic
Comment on this story
6. Anti-Semitism in Belgium: Jews Told ‘Get Off at Buchenwald’
by Maayana Miskin
Passengers on a train in Belgium got a shock this week as the following announcement came over the speaker, “Welcome to the train to Auschwitz. The Jews are asked to get off at Buchenwald.”
More than 55,000 were murdered at the Buchenwald concentration camp during the Holocaust.
A railroad employee who heard the announcement ran to the room with the microphone, but found it empty. A short time later a second employee took to the sound system to apologize for the “unsuccessful joke.”
The Belgian national railroad, SNCB, denounced the incident, which took place on the Brussels-Namur line.
The employee has been found and fired, SNCB officials stated.
European Jewish Congress President Dr. Moshe Kantor recently warned that anti-Israel sentiment in Europe could lead to a “tsunami of hate” being unleashed against European Jews. The European Jewish Parliament has reported a “surge in anti-Semitism” as well.
A recent Anti-Defamation League (ADL) poll found “disturbingly high” levels of anti-Semitism among European respondents.
Comment on this story
by Maayana Miskin
Passengers on a train in Belgium got a shock this week as the following announcement came over the speaker, “Welcome to the train to Auschwitz. The Jews are asked to get off at Buchenwald.”
More than 55,000 were murdered at the Buchenwald concentration camp during the Holocaust.
A railroad employee who heard the announcement ran to the room with the microphone, but found it empty. A short time later a second employee took to the sound system to apologize for the “unsuccessful joke.”
The Belgian national railroad, SNCB, denounced the incident, which took place on the Brussels-Namur line.
The employee has been found and fired, SNCB officials stated.
European Jewish Congress President Dr. Moshe Kantor recently warned that anti-Israel sentiment in Europe could lead to a “tsunami of hate” being unleashed against European Jews. The European Jewish Parliament has reported a “surge in anti-Semitism” as well.
A recent Anti-Defamation League (ADL) poll found “disturbingly high” levels of anti-Semitism among European respondents.
Tags: Anti-Semitism ,European Jews
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7. Civil Administration Helping PA Take Over Area C
by Elad Benari
The Palestinian Authority is continuing its attempts to take over the land in Area C, which is under full Israeli control, and is being assisted in this by no less than the Civil Administration.
According to figures presented on Thursday by the Coordinator of Government Activities in Judea, Samaria and Gaza (COGAT), in 2011 a total of 182 PA projects in Area C were promoted, with the cooperation of the international community and the PA itself. The projects are infrastructural ones, mostly in the fields of the environment, water and electricity.
Two months ago, a contract mediated by COGAT was signed between the Israel Electric Company and the PA’s Department of Energy, authorizing the establishment of four new substations for electricity generation in Judea and Samaria. All four stations are in Area C. This project is funded by the European Bank and the cost is estimated at millions of euros.
In recent months, the PA has been working to take over the open space in Area C in order to break the Jewish continuity between the communities in the area, particularly in the settlement blocs.
The takeover is being achieved using an organized plan through the establishment of economic and infrastructure projects in the area. In some cases, the PA received approval for the projects from the Civil Administration by order of Defense Minister Ehud Barak. The applications were filed on behalf of the PA by EU member states, a fact which made it easier for them to be approved by Israel, which is wary of conflicts with the international community.
One such project is the road which leads to the new PA city of Rawabi currently being built. The decision to promote the construction of the road was reached by the Defense Ministry, despite objections by all the professionals in the Civil Administration.
The road connects Rawabi to the Trans-Binyamin highway, Highway 465. The city is to be home to over 25,000 people.
Jews living in Judea and Samaria, already facing increasingly unsafe roads in recent months with terror attacks and violent carjackings by PA Arabs on the rise, recently held a protest against the plans.
The protesters pointed out that not only could terrorists make use of PA traffic on the road to carry out attacks, but the heavy increase in traffic would pose other dangers.
A month ago, the Civil Administration officially announced that it is promoting “projects which contribute to the welfare and to the improvement of the lives of the Palestinian population in Area C.”
A spokesman for the Civil Administration said that “the projects mainly focus on the fields of environment, improved access to villages and improving the economy.”
PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad recently inaugurated a new PA construction project, a water dam in the Jordan Valley, despite the fact that it is located in Area C.
Fayyad said he will not wait for Israeli permission to allow him to develop the Jordan Valley, stressing that “this is our land and it is our natural right to develop this area and to serve our people living here.”
Comment on this story
by Elad Benari
The Palestinian Authority is continuing its attempts to take over the land in Area C, which is under full Israeli control, and is being assisted in this by no less than the Civil Administration.
According to figures presented on Thursday by the Coordinator of Government Activities in Judea, Samaria and Gaza (COGAT), in 2011 a total of 182 PA projects in Area C were promoted, with the cooperation of the international community and the PA itself. The projects are infrastructural ones, mostly in the fields of the environment, water and electricity.
Two months ago, a contract mediated by COGAT was signed between the Israel Electric Company and the PA’s Department of Energy, authorizing the establishment of four new substations for electricity generation in Judea and Samaria. All four stations are in Area C. This project is funded by the European Bank and the cost is estimated at millions of euros.
In recent months, the PA has been working to take over the open space in Area C in order to break the Jewish continuity between the communities in the area, particularly in the settlement blocs.
The takeover is being achieved using an organized plan through the establishment of economic and infrastructure projects in the area. In some cases, the PA received approval for the projects from the Civil Administration by order of Defense Minister Ehud Barak. The applications were filed on behalf of the PA by EU member states, a fact which made it easier for them to be approved by Israel, which is wary of conflicts with the international community.
One such project is the road which leads to the new PA city of Rawabi currently being built. The decision to promote the construction of the road was reached by the Defense Ministry, despite objections by all the professionals in the Civil Administration.
The road connects Rawabi to the Trans-Binyamin highway, Highway 465. The city is to be home to over 25,000 people.
Jews living in Judea and Samaria, already facing increasingly unsafe roads in recent months with terror attacks and violent carjackings by PA Arabs on the rise, recently held a protest against the plans.
The protesters pointed out that not only could terrorists make use of PA traffic on the road to carry out attacks, but the heavy increase in traffic would pose other dangers.
A month ago, the Civil Administration officially announced that it is promoting “projects which contribute to the welfare and to the improvement of the lives of the Palestinian population in Area C.”
A spokesman for the Civil Administration said that “the projects mainly focus on the fields of environment, improved access to villages and improving the economy.”
PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad recently inaugurated a new PA construction project, a water dam in the Jordan Valley, despite the fact that it is located in Area C.
Fayyad said he will not wait for Israeli permission to allow him to develop the Jordan Valley, stressing that “this is our land and it is our natural right to develop this area and to serve our people living here.”
More on this topic
Comment on this story
8. Al-Qaeda Calls for PA-Style Arson in America
by Maayana Miskin
Al-Qaeda is calling on its followers to attack America using methods identical to those used by terrorists targeting Israel. In the latest issue of its English-language magazine, the group calls for large-scale arson attacks.
Inspire magazine articles explain how to use firebombs to start forest fires, and suggests locations within the United States that could be targeted.
Arson attacks are very common in Israel. Palestinian Authority terrorists frequently target Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, and arson has been used to drive Jews from mixed towns in Israel. Even major cities are not immune.
One particularly severe rash of attacks aimed to prevent firefighters from putting out the Carmel fire. The Carmel fire itself was started by Druze teens, who started the fire unintentionally and decided not to report it. The fire killed 44 people.
The latest Inspire issue urges readers not to be dissuaded by the possibility of murdering innocent civilians, including children. “It is allowed to use poison or other methods of mass killing against the disbelievers who are at war with us,” the publication states, quoting Anwar al-Awlaki.
Awlaki and Samir Khan were behind the creation of Inspire. The pair were killed in 2011 in a U.S. strike in Yemen, but the magazine continues to quote them.
Comment on this story
by Maayana Miskin
Al-Qaeda is calling on its followers to attack America using methods identical to those used by terrorists targeting Israel. In the latest issue of its English-language magazine, the group calls for large-scale arson attacks.
Inspire magazine articles explain how to use firebombs to start forest fires, and suggests locations within the United States that could be targeted.
Arson attacks are very common in Israel. Palestinian Authority terrorists frequently target Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, and arson has been used to drive Jews from mixed towns in Israel. Even major cities are not immune.
One particularly severe rash of attacks aimed to prevent firefighters from putting out the Carmel fire. The Carmel fire itself was started by Druze teens, who started the fire unintentionally and decided not to report it. The fire killed 44 people.
The latest Inspire issue urges readers not to be dissuaded by the possibility of murdering innocent civilians, including children. “It is allowed to use poison or other methods of mass killing against the disbelievers who are at war with us,” the publication states, quoting Anwar al-Awlaki.
Awlaki and Samir Khan were behind the creation of Inspire. The pair were killed in 2011 in a U.S. strike in Yemen, but the magazine continues to quote them.
Tags: Inspire magazine ,Al-Qaeda ,arson
More on this topic
Comment on this story
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Coalition Chairman: Elections Danger to Right Wing |
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‘Red City’ Pleased by Religious Influx |
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Poll: Israelis Optimistic Despite Security, Economic Threats |
