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1. Ulpana Homes May be Relocated in Entirety
by Gil Ronen
Channel 2 television news reported Thursday evening that the Ministry of Defense is looking into the possibility of relocating the Givat HaUlpana neighborhood's homes in their entirety to a different plot, just dozens of meters away from their present location.
In this way, the neighborhood will be removed in accordance with the High Court's instructions, but scenes of destruction will be avoided.
According to the plan, the relocation will be carried out in the same way that the Templar neighborhood near HaKirya Base in Tel Aviv was relocated in 2007, during the renovation of Kaplan Street. The Dutch firm that performed that relocation has already been contacted.
MK Uri Ariel (National Union) responded to the report by saying: "I advise the Defense Ministry and the Prime Minister to stop floating unrealistic and hallucinatory ideas and start thinking of a true solution like the Legalization Law. Maybe they will finally understand what it means to truly rule, rather than being a puppet of the radical left."
A similar idea was suggested regarding the nine homes destroyed at Amona in 2006. Rav Hanan Porat z"l met with then-Attorney General Menachem Mazuz and offered, on behalf of the Amana settling movement, that Amana would pay for relocating the homes within several weeks to the nearby community of Ofra. The IDF agreed to the idea but the High Court rejected the offer.
Comment on this story
by Gil Ronen
Channel 2 television news reported Thursday evening that the Ministry of Defense is looking into the possibility of relocating the Givat HaUlpana neighborhood's homes in their entirety to a different plot, just dozens of meters away from their present location.
In this way, the neighborhood will be removed in accordance with the High Court's instructions, but scenes of destruction will be avoided.
According to the plan, the relocation will be carried out in the same way that the Templar neighborhood near HaKirya Base in Tel Aviv was relocated in 2007, during the renovation of Kaplan Street. The Dutch firm that performed that relocation has already been contacted.
MK Uri Ariel (National Union) responded to the report by saying: "I advise the Defense Ministry and the Prime Minister to stop floating unrealistic and hallucinatory ideas and start thinking of a true solution like the Legalization Law. Maybe they will finally understand what it means to truly rule, rather than being a puppet of the radical left."
A similar idea was suggested regarding the nine homes destroyed at Amona in 2006. Rav Hanan Porat z"l met with then-Attorney General Menachem Mazuz and offered, on behalf of the Amana settling movement, that Amana would pay for relocating the homes within several weeks to the nearby community of Ofra. The IDF agreed to the idea but the High Court rejected the offer.
Tags: Givat HaUlpana
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2. US Senate Redefines 'Palestinian Refugee'
by Gabe Kahn & Rachel Hirshfeld
The US State Department and Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan are trying to block a Senate bill that would require an accurate accounting of how many 'Palestinian refugees' receive American aid dollars.
The push came after the US Senate Appropriations Committee approved on Thursday language that would distinguish between Arabs who fled Israel in 1948 and their descendants.
The new language, introduced by Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), seeks to distinguish between those "whose place of residence was Palestine between June 1946 and May 1948 and who were displaced as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict; and who are descendants" of those people.
Using the new language, the US definition of who is a 'Palestinian refugee' would drop from 5 million to 30,000, which could directly impact the 1.2 billion in aid dollars the US pumps into the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) agency each year.
UNRWA, the main body assisting 'Palestinians refugees,' unlike other UN agencies, assigns refugee status to descendants of Arabs who fled the area during the 1948-1949 war, although in its definition it is careful to distinguish between the two populations.
Globally, all other refugees receive assistance from the UN High Commission for Refugees, which conforms to international conventions and does not confer refugee status on the descendents of refugees.
Nonetheless, the State Department formally expressed concerns about the language in the amendment, but Kirk prevailed.
“The amendment simply demands basic transparency with regard to who receives U.S. taxpayer assistance," he said.
But now, Jordan – where large portions of UNRWA expenditures go to the so-called refugee camps in Jordan – is also lobbying the Senate not to amend the appropriations bill.
For Jordan – of whose 5.9 million residents 1.9 million are formally defined as 'Palestinian refugees' by UNRWA – the amendment poses a daunting fiscal, legal and political problem.
Like other Arab nations, Amman has elected to define the children and grandchildren of Arabs who fled Israel in 1948 despite their having been born on Jordanian soil.
Arab leaders claim they refuse to grant citizenship to the descendents of Arabs who fled Israel in 1948 "to avoid dissolution of their identity and protect their right to return to their homeland."
However, Tashbih Sayyed, a fellow of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, has written the end result is that millions of native born residents in Arab countries are treated as second class citizens.
They "cling to the illusion that defeating the Jews will restore their dignity," he wrote of the justification Arab leaders employ in order ignore UN conventions that seek to reduce statelessness.
Were the US to effectively defund UNRWA, it would realign US policy with Israeli policy and provide Jerusalem with diplomatic leverage with which to nullify the so-called 'right of return' in peace talks.
"This will have major implications for future negotiations over final status issues with regard to refugees," said a senior Senate aide.
The so-called 'right of Return is a 'right' many claim had been contrived to further the 'Palestinian cause' and de-legitimize the State of Israel, is one of the thorniest issues with regard to the conflict and continually results in a stalemate in negotiations.
It has long been asserted that if Israel were to concede to Palestinian Authority demands, it would no longer be able to retain its Jewish character and would thus be stripped of the very ideals upon which the state was established.
While the landmark bill is expected to draw the wrath of the Arab world and ‘Palestinian’ liberation movements, it is also expected to be a step in restoring the fundamental, but long overlooked, truths behind the Mideast conflict.
Palestinian Authority negotiators have previously suggested they would concede the 'right of return' in exchange for a final status package.
Comment on this story
by Gabe Kahn & Rachel Hirshfeld
The US State Department and Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan are trying to block a Senate bill that would require an accurate accounting of how many 'Palestinian refugees' receive American aid dollars.
The push came after the US Senate Appropriations Committee approved on Thursday language that would distinguish between Arabs who fled Israel in 1948 and their descendants.
The new language, introduced by Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), seeks to distinguish between those "whose place of residence was Palestine between June 1946 and May 1948 and who were displaced as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict; and who are descendants" of those people.
Using the new language, the US definition of who is a 'Palestinian refugee' would drop from 5 million to 30,000, which could directly impact the 1.2 billion in aid dollars the US pumps into the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) agency each year.
UNRWA, the main body assisting 'Palestinians refugees,' unlike other UN agencies, assigns refugee status to descendants of Arabs who fled the area during the 1948-1949 war, although in its definition it is careful to distinguish between the two populations.
Globally, all other refugees receive assistance from the UN High Commission for Refugees, which conforms to international conventions and does not confer refugee status on the descendents of refugees.
Nonetheless, the State Department formally expressed concerns about the language in the amendment, but Kirk prevailed.
“The amendment simply demands basic transparency with regard to who receives U.S. taxpayer assistance," he said.
But now, Jordan – where large portions of UNRWA expenditures go to the so-called refugee camps in Jordan – is also lobbying the Senate not to amend the appropriations bill.
For Jordan – of whose 5.9 million residents 1.9 million are formally defined as 'Palestinian refugees' by UNRWA – the amendment poses a daunting fiscal, legal and political problem.
Like other Arab nations, Amman has elected to define the children and grandchildren of Arabs who fled Israel in 1948 despite their having been born on Jordanian soil.
Arab leaders claim they refuse to grant citizenship to the descendents of Arabs who fled Israel in 1948 "to avoid dissolution of their identity and protect their right to return to their homeland."
However, Tashbih Sayyed, a fellow of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, has written the end result is that millions of native born residents in Arab countries are treated as second class citizens.
They "cling to the illusion that defeating the Jews will restore their dignity," he wrote of the justification Arab leaders employ in order ignore UN conventions that seek to reduce statelessness.
Were the US to effectively defund UNRWA, it would realign US policy with Israeli policy and provide Jerusalem with diplomatic leverage with which to nullify the so-called 'right of return' in peace talks.
"This will have major implications for future negotiations over final status issues with regard to refugees," said a senior Senate aide.
The so-called 'right of Return is a 'right' many claim had been contrived to further the 'Palestinian cause' and de-legitimize the State of Israel, is one of the thorniest issues with regard to the conflict and continually results in a stalemate in negotiations.
It has long been asserted that if Israel were to concede to Palestinian Authority demands, it would no longer be able to retain its Jewish character and would thus be stripped of the very ideals upon which the state was established.
While the landmark bill is expected to draw the wrath of the Arab world and ‘Palestinian’ liberation movements, it is also expected to be a step in restoring the fundamental, but long overlooked, truths behind the Mideast conflict.
Palestinian Authority negotiators have previously suggested they would concede the 'right of return' in exchange for a final status package.
Tags: US State Department ,US Senate ,Jordan ,UNRWA ,Israel
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Navi Pillay Receives New Term as UN Rights Chief -
Lawyer: Israel Offered $6 Million to Victims of Turkish Flotilla
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Did Iran Use Israel as Cover to Kill Its Own Nuclear Scientist?
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UK Press Commission Rules: Tel Aviv is Capital of Israel
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Arabic Translation of Talmud Permeated with Anti-Semitism
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3. Peace Now Worried by ‘Settlers’ Popularity
by Maayana Miskin
More and more Israelis are coming to see Judea and Samaria (Shomron) as important to Israel thanks to residents’ efforts to educate the public. Confirmation of their success came from none other than the left-wing Peace Now group, which recently expressed concern over a “revolution” in public perception.
At a conference for left-wing groups held recently in Tel Aviv, Peace Now handed out pamphlets warning of a change in public sentiment, and calling to fight back.
“Without us noticing, the Right is creating a real revolution in public opinion regarding the territories,” the group said. “A bloated right-wing network is working on a few fronts: tours for the media, bloggers and influential figures in Judea and Samaria, a complete takeover when it comes to explaining diplomacy in pre-army programs... “
“We are bringing the Left back to the playing field!” Peace Now declared. “Peace Now invites you to join… and be part of a front to explain the Left’s diplomatic stance.”
A previous attempt by Peace Now to counter Samaria leaders’ efforts was unsuccessful. The group tried to host its own tour of Judea and Samaria for parliamentary aides, but ended up cancelling the tour due to lack of interest.
Judea and Samaria activists were unconcerned by the latest Peace Now endeavor.
“We’re not in competition with the extreme Left,” said Samaria Regional Council head Gershon Mesika. “It doesn’t matter what the extreme left organizations say, what matters is what believers do. We will keep on building the land of Israel… and strengthening Jewish and Zionist awareness in the country.”
The Samaria Regional Council declined to respond directly to Peace Now, but issued a general statement. “Unlike extreme-Left groups, which try to drown the state of Israel in millions of euros in funding from the European Union and anti-Israel funds, we come without money, but with heartfelt intentions,” said advisor Yossi Dagan.
“While the extreme Left primarily spreads hate of Israel and discord, we are busy teaching about the Zionist enterprise, love of Israel and building the land of Israel. Therefore, the people of Israel connect to settlement and distance themselves from the left,” he added.
The Samaria Regional Council has brought more than 50 MKs and ministers and thousands of writers, journalists and broadcasters to visit the region. In total, more than 20,000 people have visited Samaria under the council’s programs, including a tour program open to the general public under the name “Samaria – Nice to Meet You.”
The council has begun reaching out beyond Israel’s borders as well. Mesika recently became the first Israeli leader from Judea or Samaria to speak at the European Union Parliament in Brussels. His speech at the parliament was well received.
Comment on this story
by Maayana Miskin
More and more Israelis are coming to see Judea and Samaria (Shomron) as important to Israel thanks to residents’ efforts to educate the public. Confirmation of their success came from none other than the left-wing Peace Now group, which recently expressed concern over a “revolution” in public perception.
At a conference for left-wing groups held recently in Tel Aviv, Peace Now handed out pamphlets warning of a change in public sentiment, and calling to fight back.
“Without us noticing, the Right is creating a real revolution in public opinion regarding the territories,” the group said. “A bloated right-wing network is working on a few fronts: tours for the media, bloggers and influential figures in Judea and Samaria, a complete takeover when it comes to explaining diplomacy in pre-army programs... “
“We are bringing the Left back to the playing field!” Peace Now declared. “Peace Now invites you to join… and be part of a front to explain the Left’s diplomatic stance.”
A previous attempt by Peace Now to counter Samaria leaders’ efforts was unsuccessful. The group tried to host its own tour of Judea and Samaria for parliamentary aides, but ended up cancelling the tour due to lack of interest.
Judea and Samaria activists were unconcerned by the latest Peace Now endeavor.
“We’re not in competition with the extreme Left,” said Samaria Regional Council head Gershon Mesika. “It doesn’t matter what the extreme left organizations say, what matters is what believers do. We will keep on building the land of Israel… and strengthening Jewish and Zionist awareness in the country.”
The Samaria Regional Council declined to respond directly to Peace Now, but issued a general statement. “Unlike extreme-Left groups, which try to drown the state of Israel in millions of euros in funding from the European Union and anti-Israel funds, we come without money, but with heartfelt intentions,” said advisor Yossi Dagan.
“While the extreme Left primarily spreads hate of Israel and discord, we are busy teaching about the Zionist enterprise, love of Israel and building the land of Israel. Therefore, the people of Israel connect to settlement and distance themselves from the left,” he added.
The Samaria Regional Council has brought more than 50 MKs and ministers and thousands of writers, journalists and broadcasters to visit the region. In total, more than 20,000 people have visited Samaria under the council’s programs, including a tour program open to the general public under the name “Samaria – Nice to Meet You.”
The council has begun reaching out beyond Israel’s borders as well. Mesika recently became the first Israeli leader from Judea or Samaria to speak at the European Union Parliament in Brussels. His speech at the parliament was well received.
More on this topic
Comment on this story
4. Clinton: 'Significant Differences' With Iran Remain
by Gabe Kahn
US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said Friday that "significant differences" remain over Iran's nuclear program following two days of talks in Baghdad.
Clinton says the P5+1 – the five permanent members of the Security Council plus Germany – presented Tehran with a detailed proposal on all aspects of Iran's uranium enrichment during this week's talks in Baghdad.
The P5+1 plan reportedly calls on Iran to halt enrichment past 3.5%, ship its stores of 20% enriched uranium out of the country, and shut down its heavily fortified Fordow enrichment facility.
They had also called on Iran to live up to its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and allow IAEA inspectors unrestricted access to its nuclear sites.
Iran, she says, put forth its own ideas, and significant differences remain.
However, European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said the two sides found "some common ground" and agreed to more talks in Moscow June 18 and 19.
"As we lay the groundwork for these talks," Clinton said of what will be a third round of talks. "We will keep up the pressure as part of our dual-track approach. All of our sanctions will remain in place and will continue to move forward during this period."
"Iran now has the choice to make: will it meet its international obligations and give the world confidence in its intentions or not?" she said.
Of key international concern is Iran's secretive uranium enrichment program, especially its enrichment of uranium to 20 percent purity – a key jumping off point for enrichment to 90% weapons grade material.
Iran says its enrichment work is meant for medical research and generating electricity.
However, proliferation experts have noted that 3.5% enrichment is all that is needed for power generation, and that Iran has enriched far more uranium to 20% than is needed for medical isotope research.
Nor, they say, is Iran's nuclear medicine research industry advanced or robust enough to justify the claim.
In November 2011, the IAEA released a report citing credible Western intelligence indicating Iran had engaged in - and likely continues to engage in - nuclear research of a military nature.
The report cited the construction of a high-explosives test chamber at the Parchin military base near Tehran, where IAEA officials believe Iran has been attempting to develop a charge that can detonate nuclear material.
IAEA chief Yukiya Amano in March charged Iran was engaged in an attempt to cover up nuclear activity of a military nature saying, "Iran is not telling us everything."
Israeli officials - who are widely believed to be mulling a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities - have sharply criticized the talks, saying Iran is using them to stall for time for its nuclear weapons bid.
Ahead of this week's round of talks Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu demanded the P5+1 take a tough line with Iran, and not compromise on demands Tehran completely halt uranium enrichment.
"This is the only way to ensure Iran will not build a nuclear bomb. This is Israel's position. It has not changed, and it will not change," Netanyahu said.
He also dismissed gainsayers who claim Iran's nuclear program poses no threat to Israel, "There is no one who doubts the intentions of Iran."
Comment on this story
by Gabe Kahn
US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said Friday that "significant differences" remain over Iran's nuclear program following two days of talks in Baghdad.
Clinton says the P5+1 – the five permanent members of the Security Council plus Germany – presented Tehran with a detailed proposal on all aspects of Iran's uranium enrichment during this week's talks in Baghdad.
The P5+1 plan reportedly calls on Iran to halt enrichment past 3.5%, ship its stores of 20% enriched uranium out of the country, and shut down its heavily fortified Fordow enrichment facility.
They had also called on Iran to live up to its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and allow IAEA inspectors unrestricted access to its nuclear sites.
Iran, she says, put forth its own ideas, and significant differences remain.
However, European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said the two sides found "some common ground" and agreed to more talks in Moscow June 18 and 19.
"As we lay the groundwork for these talks," Clinton said of what will be a third round of talks. "We will keep up the pressure as part of our dual-track approach. All of our sanctions will remain in place and will continue to move forward during this period."
"Iran now has the choice to make: will it meet its international obligations and give the world confidence in its intentions or not?" she said.
Of key international concern is Iran's secretive uranium enrichment program, especially its enrichment of uranium to 20 percent purity – a key jumping off point for enrichment to 90% weapons grade material.
Iran says its enrichment work is meant for medical research and generating electricity.
However, proliferation experts have noted that 3.5% enrichment is all that is needed for power generation, and that Iran has enriched far more uranium to 20% than is needed for medical isotope research.
Nor, they say, is Iran's nuclear medicine research industry advanced or robust enough to justify the claim.
In November 2011, the IAEA released a report citing credible Western intelligence indicating Iran had engaged in - and likely continues to engage in - nuclear research of a military nature.
The report cited the construction of a high-explosives test chamber at the Parchin military base near Tehran, where IAEA officials believe Iran has been attempting to develop a charge that can detonate nuclear material.
IAEA chief Yukiya Amano in March charged Iran was engaged in an attempt to cover up nuclear activity of a military nature saying, "Iran is not telling us everything."
Israeli officials - who are widely believed to be mulling a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities - have sharply criticized the talks, saying Iran is using them to stall for time for its nuclear weapons bid.
Ahead of this week's round of talks Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu demanded the P5+1 take a tough line with Iran, and not compromise on demands Tehran completely halt uranium enrichment.
"This is the only way to ensure Iran will not build a nuclear bomb. This is Israel's position. It has not changed, and it will not change," Netanyahu said.
He also dismissed gainsayers who claim Iran's nuclear program poses no threat to Israel, "There is no one who doubts the intentions of Iran."
Tags: Iran ,Iran Nuclear Program ,P5+1
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Iran Declares 'Impasse' in Nuclear Talks
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Iran Dickers With World Powers In Baghdad
Comment on this story
5. Report: Torat Hamelech Authors Won't be Indicted
by Elad Benari
Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein will likely choose not to prosecute the authors of the controversial “Torat Hamelech” book.
According to a report on the Haaretz website on Thursday, Weinstein will not indict Rabbis Yitzchak Shapira and Yosef Yirmiyahu Elitzur who authored the book, nor will indictments be issued against Rabbis Yitzchak Ginsburg and Dov Lior, who gave a haskama - a stamp of approval - to the book, a routine measure when a book is logically coherent halakhically.
“Torat Hamelech contains the authors’ interpretations of Jewish law regarding the use of force when dealing with enemies.
The book was a cause for controversy because, although it makes no direct mention of Arabs, some have said that the book incites to kill Arabs. Rabbi Shapira was arrested by police for questioning over the book, as was Rabbi Lior for his approbation of it. Both were later released.
While an arrest warrant had been issued for him, Rabbi Lior later explained he believed he was not obligated to appear before the police despite the normative practice that one follow the law of the land because it was Torah itself being put on trial.
Last month, the Reform Judaism movement and eight other organizations filed a petition against Justice Minister Ya'akov Ne'eman and Weinstein, among others, in the Supreme Court, demanding that the authors of the book and those who gave rabbinical endorsement to it be prosecuted.
Comment on this story
by Elad Benari
Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein will likely choose not to prosecute the authors of the controversial “Torat Hamelech” book.
According to a report on the Haaretz website on Thursday, Weinstein will not indict Rabbis Yitzchak Shapira and Yosef Yirmiyahu Elitzur who authored the book, nor will indictments be issued against Rabbis Yitzchak Ginsburg and Dov Lior, who gave a haskama - a stamp of approval - to the book, a routine measure when a book is logically coherent halakhically.
“Torat Hamelech contains the authors’ interpretations of Jewish law regarding the use of force when dealing with enemies.
The book was a cause for controversy because, although it makes no direct mention of Arabs, some have said that the book incites to kill Arabs. Rabbi Shapira was arrested by police for questioning over the book, as was Rabbi Lior for his approbation of it. Both were later released.
While an arrest warrant had been issued for him, Rabbi Lior later explained he believed he was not obligated to appear before the police despite the normative practice that one follow the law of the land because it was Torah itself being put on trial.
Last month, the Reform Judaism movement and eight other organizations filed a petition against Justice Minister Ya'akov Ne'eman and Weinstein, among others, in the Supreme Court, demanding that the authors of the book and those who gave rabbinical endorsement to it be prosecuted.
More on this topic
Comment on this story
6. Lawyer: Israel Offered $6 Million to Victims of Turkish Flotilla
by Rachel Hirshfeld
Israel has offered to pay $6 million to the victims of the 2010 Mavi Marmara Turkish flotilla ship in order to settle lawsuits against the Israeli military, a Turkish lawyer said Thursday.
However, a senior Israeli official, requesting anonymity, said that while Israel had indicated last year that it would be willing to take such measures without accepting blame, the offer has not since been renewed.
Turkish-Israeli relations soured in May 2010 when Israeli naval commandos raided the flotilla, seeking to prevent the unauthorized ship infiltrating Israel’s borders and providing a risk to the country’s national security.
The incident resulted in the deaths of nine Turkish activists.
Ramazan Arıtürk, one of several lawyers representing the victims, told Reuters that the Israeli government had made a proposal to him through an intermediary foreign ambassador in Ankara just over one month ago.
He said the money would have been paid to a Jewish foundation in Turkey for distribution, followed by a statement of "regret."
"I told the ambassador I did not think the offer was appropriate or moral and also discussed the issue with the victims and their friends and they also stated that they could not accept this," Arıtürk said.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry agreed with his decision, saying Israel should have contacted it directly.
Arıtürk declined to disclose the nationality of the ambassador or reveal the name of the Jewish foundation to which the payment would have been made, noted the Hurriyet Daily News.
Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev declined to comment.
Turkey expelled Israel's ambassador and froze all military cooperation with its former ally after a U.N. report into the incident last September largely exonerated the Jewish state.
While Netanyahu has voiced “regret” over the incident, Turkey has demanded a formal apology alongside compensation for the victims.
On Wednesday an Istanbul prosecutor submitted an indictment seeking life sentences for four former Israeli military commanders in connection with the raid, including the Chief of General Staff at the time.
The U.N. report on the raid last September concluded Israel had used unreasonable force but that the blockade of Gaza was legal.
Comment on this story
by Rachel Hirshfeld
Israel has offered to pay $6 million to the victims of the 2010 Mavi Marmara Turkish flotilla ship in order to settle lawsuits against the Israeli military, a Turkish lawyer said Thursday.
However, a senior Israeli official, requesting anonymity, said that while Israel had indicated last year that it would be willing to take such measures without accepting blame, the offer has not since been renewed.
Turkish-Israeli relations soured in May 2010 when Israeli naval commandos raided the flotilla, seeking to prevent the unauthorized ship infiltrating Israel’s borders and providing a risk to the country’s national security.
The incident resulted in the deaths of nine Turkish activists.
Ramazan Arıtürk, one of several lawyers representing the victims, told Reuters that the Israeli government had made a proposal to him through an intermediary foreign ambassador in Ankara just over one month ago.
He said the money would have been paid to a Jewish foundation in Turkey for distribution, followed by a statement of "regret."
"I told the ambassador I did not think the offer was appropriate or moral and also discussed the issue with the victims and their friends and they also stated that they could not accept this," Arıtürk said.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry agreed with his decision, saying Israel should have contacted it directly.
Arıtürk declined to disclose the nationality of the ambassador or reveal the name of the Jewish foundation to which the payment would have been made, noted the Hurriyet Daily News.
Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev declined to comment.
Turkey expelled Israel's ambassador and froze all military cooperation with its former ally after a U.N. report into the incident last September largely exonerated the Jewish state.
While Netanyahu has voiced “regret” over the incident, Turkey has demanded a formal apology alongside compensation for the victims.
On Wednesday an Istanbul prosecutor submitted an indictment seeking life sentences for four former Israeli military commanders in connection with the raid, including the Chief of General Staff at the time.
The U.N. report on the raid last September concluded Israel had used unreasonable force but that the blockade of Gaza was legal.
Tags: Israel ,Turkey ,Mavi Marmara ,flotilla ,commandos
More on this topic
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Navi Pillay Receives New Term as UN Rights Chief
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US Senate Redefines 'Palestinian Refugee'
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Poll: 59% of Germans Believe Israel is 'Aggressive'
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Did Iran Use Israel as Cover to Kill Its Own Nuclear Scientist?
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UK Press Commission Rules: Tel Aviv is Capital of Israel
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Arabic Translation of Talmud Permeated with Anti-Semitism
Comment on this story
7. Yitzhar Arson: Two Arabs Caught in the Act
by Gil Ronen
An IDF force arrested two young Arab men from the village of Madama near Yitzhar Thursday, after they set fire to brush north of the Jewish community in Samaria (Shomron).
Earlier in the day, large forces of police and firefighters arrived at the Yitzhar after receiving a report that a fire had broken out near the village of Asira al Kabaliya.
An Arab fire truck put out the blaze while the IDF provided security.
Later, the two Arabs were spotted in the act of setting a fire north of Yitzhar. After a short chase, the two were arrested and taken to Shin Bet interrogation.
Residents in Yitzhar were pleased with the arrests. "For a long time now," a resident said, "we've been dealing with the escalation in terror, the arson and the ongoing provocations, which reached a peak last Shabbat."
Comment on this story
by Gil Ronen
An IDF force arrested two young Arab men from the village of Madama near Yitzhar Thursday, after they set fire to brush north of the Jewish community in Samaria (Shomron).
Earlier in the day, large forces of police and firefighters arrived at the Yitzhar after receiving a report that a fire had broken out near the village of Asira al Kabaliya.
An Arab fire truck put out the blaze while the IDF provided security.
Later, the two Arabs were spotted in the act of setting a fire north of Yitzhar. After a short chase, the two were arrested and taken to Shin Bet interrogation.
Residents in Yitzhar were pleased with the arrests. "For a long time now," a resident said, "we've been dealing with the escalation in terror, the arson and the ongoing provocations, which reached a peak last Shabbat."
More on this topic
Comment on this story
8. Israeli Man Stabbed, Robbed in Los Angeles
by Maayana Miskin
An Israeli man was brutally attacked in the United States when he asked for directions. The man is now in stable condition in hospital, according to local media.
The man was in Los Angeles trying to raise money. He planned to go door to door in the Jewish community asking for funds.
He approached a group of local youth on Beverly Boulevard and asked for directions to the Jewish neighborhood. One young man approached him, seemingly to offer help, and when he grew close hit the Israeli man on the head, knocking him to the ground.
The man saw the group going through his bag and taking the money he had already raised. He tried to resist the theft. At that point, one of the attackers took out a sharp object and stabbed him all over his body.
The attackers took the money and ran, leaving the Jewish man unconscious and bleeding heavily.
Passersby spotted the victim and contacted emergency services. The man was immediately taken to hospital and treated, while police took statements from witnesses.
Comment on this story
by Maayana Miskin
An Israeli man was brutally attacked in the United States when he asked for directions. The man is now in stable condition in hospital, according to local media.
The man was in Los Angeles trying to raise money. He planned to go door to door in the Jewish community asking for funds.
He approached a group of local youth on Beverly Boulevard and asked for directions to the Jewish neighborhood. One young man approached him, seemingly to offer help, and when he grew close hit the Israeli man on the head, knocking him to the ground.
The man saw the group going through his bag and taking the money he had already raised. He tried to resist the theft. At that point, one of the attackers took out a sharp object and stabbed him all over his body.
The attackers took the money and ran, leaving the Jewish man unconscious and bleeding heavily.
Passersby spotted the victim and contacted emergency services. The man was immediately taken to hospital and treated, while police took statements from witnesses.
Tags: crime ,Jewish Americans ,Los Angeles
More on this topic
Comment on this story
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Activist: London anti-Lieberman Protest Boomerangs on the Left |
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MK Meets with Mass-Murderer on PA Demands |
