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1. Netanyahu Eulogizes Shamir on 'The Arabs Are The Same Arabs'
by Chana Ya'ar
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu eulogized Israel's seventh Prime Minister, the late Yitzchak Shamir on Sunday, and commented on his famous statement, “The Arabs are the same Arabs and the sea is the same sea.”
The late prime minister died on Shabbat, after having suffered in the past ten years from Alzheimer's disease. His funeral is expected to take place on Monday.
Shamir, who passed away at age 96, was known for making blunt statements, said the prime minister in his opening comments to the Cabinet meeting.
At the time, the former prime minister's undiplomatic statement about Arabs prompted widespread criticism.
However, “Regarding his statements about neighbors, about the separation between the sea and the land – it could be that these remarks, which invoked strong criticism, even contempt – today, there are certainly many more people who understand that this man saw and understood fundamental and genuine things and never bent either himself or the truth to fit the fashion of the time," Netanyahu told the Cabinet.
"Therefore, I think that it is proper that we honor him in meetings, at tomorrow's ceremony, and at special meetings to be held today, the memory of Yitzhak Shamir, one of the founders of the State of Israel and one of its most dedicated leaders ever."
President Shimon Peres likewise issued a statement in which he said, "Yitzhak Shamir was a brave warrior for Israel, before and after its inception. He was a great patriot and his enormous contribution will be forever etched in our chronicles.
"He was loyal to his beliefs and he served his country with the utmost dedication for decades. May he rest in peace."
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by Chana Ya'ar
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu eulogized Israel's seventh Prime Minister, the late Yitzchak Shamir on Sunday, and commented on his famous statement, “The Arabs are the same Arabs and the sea is the same sea.”
The late prime minister died on Shabbat, after having suffered in the past ten years from Alzheimer's disease. His funeral is expected to take place on Monday.
Shamir, who passed away at age 96, was known for making blunt statements, said the prime minister in his opening comments to the Cabinet meeting.
At the time, the former prime minister's undiplomatic statement about Arabs prompted widespread criticism.
However, “Regarding his statements about neighbors, about the separation between the sea and the land – it could be that these remarks, which invoked strong criticism, even contempt – today, there are certainly many more people who understand that this man saw and understood fundamental and genuine things and never bent either himself or the truth to fit the fashion of the time," Netanyahu told the Cabinet.
"Therefore, I think that it is proper that we honor him in meetings, at tomorrow's ceremony, and at special meetings to be held today, the memory of Yitzhak Shamir, one of the founders of the State of Israel and one of its most dedicated leaders ever."
President Shimon Peres likewise issued a statement in which he said, "Yitzhak Shamir was a brave warrior for Israel, before and after its inception. He was a great patriot and his enormous contribution will be forever etched in our chronicles.
"He was loyal to his beliefs and he served his country with the utmost dedication for decades. May he rest in peace."
Tags: Yitzchak Shamir ,obituary ,eulogy
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2. EJC Calls on Germany to Condemn Ruling Against Circumcision
by Hana Levi Julian
The European Jewish Congress has called on the German government to stand against a regional court decision to criminalize circumcision, known as "brit mila" in Hebrew, sealing of the Biblical Covenant with G-d in the flesh.
The ritual is a practice that exists at the very bedrock of the Jewish and Muslim faiths.
The court, located in Cologne, ruled last Tuesday that non-medical circumcision as practiced by most Jews and Muslims causes “bodily harm” and therefore is a crime.
This has led to hospitals in Germany canceling planned circumcisions, causing great distress in the Jewish community, said EJC President Moshe Kantor, who called the move an “intolerable assault on established religious practices.”
In a statement to media, the EJC added its support to that of the Zentralrat, the Central Council of Jews in Germany.
"After recent attempts to ban shechitah (Jewish ritual kosher slaughter) in various parts of Europe, another Jewish religious practice is being targeted,” Kantor said. “If any of these attempts succeed, they could quickly spread to other parts of Europe and severely impact on Jewish life on our continent.”
Dr. Kantor added, “We would hope that in Germany of all places, where there is a high level of sensitivity to such freedoms, Jewish life would be allowed to flourish without restriction. We hope and call on the German government to exercise its authority and take a clear stand against this ruling and in line with the Germany constitution, which guarantees religious freedom.
"We need to remind people that our practices, completely in line with modern science and safety precautions, are thousands of years old and above all, are protected by the European Convention of Human Rights on the basis of freedom of religion,” he added.
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by Hana Levi Julian
The European Jewish Congress has called on the German government to stand against a regional court decision to criminalize circumcision, known as "brit mila" in Hebrew, sealing of the Biblical Covenant with G-d in the flesh.
The ritual is a practice that exists at the very bedrock of the Jewish and Muslim faiths.
The court, located in Cologne, ruled last Tuesday that non-medical circumcision as practiced by most Jews and Muslims causes “bodily harm” and therefore is a crime.
This has led to hospitals in Germany canceling planned circumcisions, causing great distress in the Jewish community, said EJC President Moshe Kantor, who called the move an “intolerable assault on established religious practices.”
In a statement to media, the EJC added its support to that of the Zentralrat, the Central Council of Jews in Germany.
"After recent attempts to ban shechitah (Jewish ritual kosher slaughter) in various parts of Europe, another Jewish religious practice is being targeted,” Kantor said. “If any of these attempts succeed, they could quickly spread to other parts of Europe and severely impact on Jewish life on our continent.”
Dr. Kantor added, “We would hope that in Germany of all places, where there is a high level of sensitivity to such freedoms, Jewish life would be allowed to flourish without restriction. We hope and call on the German government to exercise its authority and take a clear stand against this ruling and in line with the Germany constitution, which guarantees religious freedom.
"We need to remind people that our practices, completely in line with modern science and safety precautions, are thousands of years old and above all, are protected by the European Convention of Human Rights on the basis of freedom of religion,” he added.
Tags: Brit mila ,Circumcision ,shechita ban
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3. Preparations Underway for Siyum HaShas in Tel Aviv
by Hana Levi Julian
Preparations are underway to host more than 10,000 people in Israel alone for the worldwide Siyum HaShas; the completion of the cycle of study of Torah learning in the tractates of the Talmud, the entire set of which is known as the "Shas."
In just one month, tens of thousands of the finest male scholars among the People of Israel will join together to mark the once-in-seven-years conclusion of the cycle of study. Across the Jewish world, preparations are underway as they are in Israel.
The main event in Israel, hosted by the Dirshu organization, is called the “Kinus Olam HaTorah” and will be held Monday, July 30, at the Yad Eliyahu stadium in Tel Aviv.
Live broadcasts will be streamed in real time to locations throughout the country, with special sites arranged to accommodate wives and mothers of those who are participating in the yeshiva study programs.
Corresponding women's gatherings will likewise feature programs highlighting prominent rabbanits and female scholars.
In addition, the Dirshu organization is orchestrating major study events around the country throughout the week of the siyum.
Special invitations were mailed to each individual who adhered to the rigorous study schedule. In addition to the 250 buses chartered from Egged and other Israeli companies for the event, dozens of minibuses and private car services were also reserved to transport the thousands of guests to the stadium, free of charge.
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by Hana Levi Julian
Preparations are underway to host more than 10,000 people in Israel alone for the worldwide Siyum HaShas; the completion of the cycle of study of Torah learning in the tractates of the Talmud, the entire set of which is known as the "Shas."
In just one month, tens of thousands of the finest male scholars among the People of Israel will join together to mark the once-in-seven-years conclusion of the cycle of study. Across the Jewish world, preparations are underway as they are in Israel.
The main event in Israel, hosted by the Dirshu organization, is called the “Kinus Olam HaTorah” and will be held Monday, July 30, at the Yad Eliyahu stadium in Tel Aviv.
Live broadcasts will be streamed in real time to locations throughout the country, with special sites arranged to accommodate wives and mothers of those who are participating in the yeshiva study programs.
Corresponding women's gatherings will likewise feature programs highlighting prominent rabbanits and female scholars.
In addition, the Dirshu organization is orchestrating major study events around the country throughout the week of the siyum.
Special invitations were mailed to each individual who adhered to the rigorous study schedule. In addition to the 250 buses chartered from Egged and other Israeli companies for the event, dozens of minibuses and private car services were also reserved to transport the thousands of guests to the stadium, free of charge.
Tags: Talmud ,siyum hashas ,Dirshu
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EU Policy Chief Condemns Racist Remarks of Iranian VP
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Lieberman Blasts Iranian Regime Following Talmud Remarks
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Iranian VP Blames 'Zionists,' Talmud for Inciting Drug Trade
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Groups Prepare for Siyum Hashas Events
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Arabic Translation of Talmud Permeated with Anti-Semitism
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4. Russian Chief Rabbi, Top Officials Visit Joseph's Tomb
by Chana Ya'ar
In the late hours of Saturday night, the Chief Rabbi and other high-ranking officials from Russia visited Joseph's Tomb in Samaria.
Chief Rabbi of Russia Rabbi Berel Lazar and close associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin made a special trip late Saturday night to visit the Tomb of Joseph in the Samaria city of Shechem, in Shomron.
The delegation was hosted at the tomb by Shomron Regional Council head Gershon Mesika, regional Rabbi Eliyakim Levanon, and IDF Chief Rabbi Brigadier-General Rabbi Rafi Peretz.
The small group did not hide their joy at having the privilege to be present at the site, praying and dancing together with their hosts.
Psalms and prayers were read aloud by Rabbi Levanon for the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces and the State of Israel, and by Rabbi Lazar for the safety of the Jews of Russia.
“From Joseph we learn that all of us, all of the people of Israel, are brothers,” Mesika said. We are privileged to be able to live here, in the inheritance of Joseph, and to pray in this holy place. We look forward to a full return to this place, to the Tomb of Joseph, the righteous.”
Rabbi Levanon added that Joseph “unites all the people of Israel...in sanctity.” Rabbi Peretz called on the public to add to their worship from Joseph's Tomb a special prayer for the success of IDF soldiers in wherever they are.
Rabbi Lazar later was surprised to discover while thanking the IDF soldiers for guarding their delegation that one of their number had drawn close to his Judaism and prayed in the rabbi's own Moscow synagogue prior to making his aliyah to Israel.
The group was accompanied by Shomron Regional Council strategic affairs director Yossi Dagan and director of public affairs David Ha'Ivri, and Mesika thanked the IDF for its support with security arrangements.
Comment on this story
by Chana Ya'ar
In the late hours of Saturday night, the Chief Rabbi and other high-ranking officials from Russia visited Joseph's Tomb in Samaria.
Chief Rabbi of Russia Rabbi Berel Lazar and close associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin made a special trip late Saturday night to visit the Tomb of Joseph in the Samaria city of Shechem, in Shomron.
The delegation was hosted at the tomb by Shomron Regional Council head Gershon Mesika, regional Rabbi Eliyakim Levanon, and IDF Chief Rabbi Brigadier-General Rabbi Rafi Peretz.
The small group did not hide their joy at having the privilege to be present at the site, praying and dancing together with their hosts.
Psalms and prayers were read aloud by Rabbi Levanon for the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces and the State of Israel, and by Rabbi Lazar for the safety of the Jews of Russia.
“From Joseph we learn that all of us, all of the people of Israel, are brothers,” Mesika said. We are privileged to be able to live here, in the inheritance of Joseph, and to pray in this holy place. We look forward to a full return to this place, to the Tomb of Joseph, the righteous.”
Rabbi Levanon added that Joseph “unites all the people of Israel...in sanctity.” Rabbi Peretz called on the public to add to their worship from Joseph's Tomb a special prayer for the success of IDF soldiers in wherever they are.
Rabbi Lazar later was surprised to discover while thanking the IDF soldiers for guarding their delegation that one of their number had drawn close to his Judaism and prayed in the rabbi's own Moscow synagogue prior to making his aliyah to Israel.
The group was accompanied by Shomron Regional Council strategic affairs director Yossi Dagan and director of public affairs David Ha'Ivri, and Mesika thanked the IDF for its support with security arrangements.
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5. Syria: At Least 83 Killed as Forces Storm Damascus Suburb
by Elad Benari
At least 83 people were killed, mostly civilians, in violence across Syria on Saturday. AFP reported that hundreds more were trapped in Douma as regime forces stormed the town in Damascus province.
In the single most serious incident, mortar fire killed 30 civilians who were attending a funeral in the town of Zamalka, six miles east of the Syrian capital of Damascus, the Syrian Observatory for Human rights told AFP.
Two videos from people on the ground showed several dozen people, mostly men waving Syrian revolutionary flags and shouting slogans as they accompanied the funeral cortege, when the picture was interrupted by an explosion.
A second video which could not be confirmed as being shot at the same scene showed people running away from a cloud of dust that gradually dissipated to show numerous bodies lying on the ground.
The Observatory urged the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to “urgently send medical teams” to Douma.
“The security forces have seized control of the main hospital in Douma,” a statement from the Observatory quoted by AFP said. “There are no doctors in the town, though dozens of wounded need urgent care.”
The Britain-based monitoring group warned of a "catastrophic humanitarian situation" in the city, which "has been subjected to a fierce military campaign since June 21."
“More than 100 families remain in the town, unable to flee and forced to take refuge in shelters,” said the group, adding that most of those trapped were women and children, after the majority of the men had fled repeated arrest sweeps.
The Observatory said those killed on Saturday included a civilian shot dead by a sniper in Douma; a rebel in Daraa, southern Syria; a family of three killed by shelling in the northwestern province of Idlib and 14 soldiers.
The continued shelling of Douma is part of a fierce government offensive aimed at regaining control of parts of Damascus suburbs where rebels operate.
At least 43 people were killed in the area on Thursday and Friday alone, activists said on Friday.
Meanwhile on Saturday, major world powers approved a plan for a government transition which may allow President Bashar al-Assad to remain as leader of Syria.
The U.S., Russia, and officials of other governments met in Geneva to discuss the plan authored by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.
Under Annan's plan, members of Assad's current administration, as well as of his family, could remain in power under a new administration. It would be up to the Syrian people if they wanted Assad himself to remain in power.
However, Annan said after the meeting, “I will doubt that the Syrians who have fought to hard for their independence will select people with blood on their hands to lead them.”
Comment on this story
by Elad Benari
At least 83 people were killed, mostly civilians, in violence across Syria on Saturday. AFP reported that hundreds more were trapped in Douma as regime forces stormed the town in Damascus province.
In the single most serious incident, mortar fire killed 30 civilians who were attending a funeral in the town of Zamalka, six miles east of the Syrian capital of Damascus, the Syrian Observatory for Human rights told AFP.
Two videos from people on the ground showed several dozen people, mostly men waving Syrian revolutionary flags and shouting slogans as they accompanied the funeral cortege, when the picture was interrupted by an explosion.
A second video which could not be confirmed as being shot at the same scene showed people running away from a cloud of dust that gradually dissipated to show numerous bodies lying on the ground.
The Observatory urged the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to “urgently send medical teams” to Douma.
“The security forces have seized control of the main hospital in Douma,” a statement from the Observatory quoted by AFP said. “There are no doctors in the town, though dozens of wounded need urgent care.”
The Britain-based monitoring group warned of a "catastrophic humanitarian situation" in the city, which "has been subjected to a fierce military campaign since June 21."
“More than 100 families remain in the town, unable to flee and forced to take refuge in shelters,” said the group, adding that most of those trapped were women and children, after the majority of the men had fled repeated arrest sweeps.
The Observatory said those killed on Saturday included a civilian shot dead by a sniper in Douma; a rebel in Daraa, southern Syria; a family of three killed by shelling in the northwestern province of Idlib and 14 soldiers.
The continued shelling of Douma is part of a fierce government offensive aimed at regaining control of parts of Damascus suburbs where rebels operate.
At least 43 people were killed in the area on Thursday and Friday alone, activists said on Friday.
Meanwhile on Saturday, major world powers approved a plan for a government transition which may allow President Bashar al-Assad to remain as leader of Syria.
The U.S., Russia, and officials of other governments met in Geneva to discuss the plan authored by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.
Under Annan's plan, members of Assad's current administration, as well as of his family, could remain in power under a new administration. It would be up to the Syrian people if they wanted Assad himself to remain in power.
However, Annan said after the meeting, “I will doubt that the Syrians who have fought to hard for their independence will select people with blood on their hands to lead them.”
Tags: Syria ,Syria Unrest ,Bashar Assad ,Douma
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6. Christian Missionaries Using Israeli Government Materials
by Chana Ya'ar
Christian missionaries are apparently using Israeli government materials in their attempts to disseminate their materials both here in Israel and abroad.
The city of Kfar Saba was recently surprised to discover that it was apparently helping to sponsor a missionary event being held in Australia -- at least, it appeared that way according to an invitation upon which its municipal crest appeared, together with the symbols of the three messianic churches organizing the event.
In response to queries, however, Kfar Saba clarified that it never gave any missionary organization permission to use its symbol, nor does it have any connection to the event in question. "This involves the illegal use of the city's logo," a spokeswoman said. "The municipality views this with the utmost gravity and will take all legal means at its disposal."
The source of the misappropriation of the city's symbol was apparently a local missionary who attended the event in Australia, according to the Yad L'Achim anti-missionary organization.
A similar hijacking of government identity for use in dissemination of missionary materials also took place recently here in Israel, according to the organization.
Yad L'Achim recently sent an urgent letter to Israel's Water Authority after it learned that one of the authority's employees was distributing missionary booklets in official government envelopes identifying the sender as "The State of Israel."
"Recently, booklets claiming to offer information on 'A Better Life' have been distributed around the country," Yad L'Achim wrote in a media release sent to Arutz Sheva. "We are talking about a mystical missionary cult that originated in Turkey and draws from strange religions whose members seek to enlist more people into its ranks. The booklet was distributed by Mr. …, one of your employees, via the Water Authority. You are being used to distribute this material, with which you clearly have no connection, but which causes serious damage."
The response from the Water Authority was quick in coming. "In light of your letter, the director of the authority ordered a hearing for the worker. It was made clear to him that he violated the rules of service in the public sector and that significant disciplinary measures would be considered against him. The Water Authority will do everything in its power to ensure that such events do not repeat themselves."
Yad L'Achim commented that "once again it has been proven that the missionaries won't desist from any means to entrap innocent Jews and get them to leave their religion" and said that it would continue to act to torpedo the deceptive actions of missionaries, using all the legitimate means at its disposal.
Comment on this story
by Chana Ya'ar
Christian missionaries are apparently using Israeli government materials in their attempts to disseminate their materials both here in Israel and abroad.
The city of Kfar Saba was recently surprised to discover that it was apparently helping to sponsor a missionary event being held in Australia -- at least, it appeared that way according to an invitation upon which its municipal crest appeared, together with the symbols of the three messianic churches organizing the event.
In response to queries, however, Kfar Saba clarified that it never gave any missionary organization permission to use its symbol, nor does it have any connection to the event in question. "This involves the illegal use of the city's logo," a spokeswoman said. "The municipality views this with the utmost gravity and will take all legal means at its disposal."
The source of the misappropriation of the city's symbol was apparently a local missionary who attended the event in Australia, according to the Yad L'Achim anti-missionary organization.
A similar hijacking of government identity for use in dissemination of missionary materials also took place recently here in Israel, according to the organization.
Yad L'Achim recently sent an urgent letter to Israel's Water Authority after it learned that one of the authority's employees was distributing missionary booklets in official government envelopes identifying the sender as "The State of Israel."
"Recently, booklets claiming to offer information on 'A Better Life' have been distributed around the country," Yad L'Achim wrote in a media release sent to Arutz Sheva. "We are talking about a mystical missionary cult that originated in Turkey and draws from strange religions whose members seek to enlist more people into its ranks. The booklet was distributed by Mr. …, one of your employees, via the Water Authority. You are being used to distribute this material, with which you clearly have no connection, but which causes serious damage."
The response from the Water Authority was quick in coming. "In light of your letter, the director of the authority ordered a hearing for the worker. It was made clear to him that he violated the rules of service in the public sector and that significant disciplinary measures would be considered against him. The Water Authority will do everything in its power to ensure that such events do not repeat themselves."
Yad L'Achim commented that "once again it has been proven that the missionaries won't desist from any means to entrap innocent Jews and get them to leave their religion" and said that it would continue to act to torpedo the deceptive actions of missionaries, using all the legitimate means at its disposal.
Tags: Yad L'Achim ,anti-missionary ,Christian
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7. PA Arabs Riot, Block Road in Tyre, Lebanon
by Chana Ya'ar
Dozens of Palestinian Authority Arabs rioted in Lebanon on Saturday, cutting off the main road leading to the city of Tyre.
Security sources reported “the Palestinians blocked the road with burning tires” following the arrest of a PA Arab who hurled rocks at Internal Security Forces.
Earlier in the day on Saturday, ISF officers had demolished an illegal structure in the city neighborhood of Jal Bahr.
A brother of the structure's owner hurled rocks at the ISF officers and cursed them – and was subsequently arrested.
Meanwhile Lebanese army soldiers were called for backup, and together with ISF officers dispersed the mob, extinguished the burning tires and reopened the road.
Less than two weeks ago, PA Arabs in the Beddawi neighborhood in Tripoli blocked roads with flaming tires after at least one of the Arabs died in clashes with Lebanese soldiers.
The violence came during a funeral held for a PA Arab who had died during clashes with the Lebanese army that had three days prior.
Comment on this story
by Chana Ya'ar
Dozens of Palestinian Authority Arabs rioted in Lebanon on Saturday, cutting off the main road leading to the city of Tyre.
Security sources reported “the Palestinians blocked the road with burning tires” following the arrest of a PA Arab who hurled rocks at Internal Security Forces.
Earlier in the day on Saturday, ISF officers had demolished an illegal structure in the city neighborhood of Jal Bahr.
A brother of the structure's owner hurled rocks at the ISF officers and cursed them – and was subsequently arrested.
Meanwhile Lebanese army soldiers were called for backup, and together with ISF officers dispersed the mob, extinguished the burning tires and reopened the road.
Less than two weeks ago, PA Arabs in the Beddawi neighborhood in Tripoli blocked roads with flaming tires after at least one of the Arabs died in clashes with Lebanese soldiers.
The violence came during a funeral held for a PA Arab who had died during clashes with the Lebanese army that had three days prior.
Tags: Tyre ,Lebanon ,PA Arabs in Lebanon
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Nasrallah Urges Kidnappers to Address Grievances With Him
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Unknown Syrian Group Claims to be Holding Lebanese Pilgrims
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Iran Smuggling Weapons to Syria, Hizbullah Via Commercial Jets
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8. Syrian Troops Continue to Bombard Damascus Suburb
by Elad Benari, Canada
Syrian troops bombarded a rebellious suburb of Damascus with tank and artillery shells Friday, killing dozens of people, activists told The Associated Press.
The violence is part of a fierce government offensive aimed at regaining control of parts of Damascus suburbs where rebels operate.
Activists told AP that at least 43 people were killed in more than two days of shelling in the Damascus suburb of Douma, which has been a hotbed of dissent and has put up strong resistance to the Assad regime. The dead included three children and five members of a single family.
A local activist who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons said the shelling was "relentless" throughout Thursday, and exploding shells killed people in their homes.
"They (government troops) are trying to bring Douma under control, but they are being met by fierce resistance," Rami Abdul-Rahman, the director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told AP. He said most of the dead were civilians.
The Local Coordination Committees network said 59 people were killed in Thursday's shelling of Damascus suburbs, most of them in Douma.
The violence around the capital's suburbs mirrored fighting across many parts of Syria that killed dozens of other people Thursday, according to the activist groups.
More than 125 civilians in fighting across the country on Thursday alone were reported by the opposition. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Thursday's toll included more than 60 soldiers.
UN special envoy Kofi Annan said Friday he was "optimistic" that ministerial crisis talks on Syria's conflict being held on Saturday would produce an acceptable outcome.
"I think we are going to have a good meeting tomorrow. I am optimistic," Annan said in Geneva as he arrived for preparatory discussions.
The talks being held by foreign ministers of major powers and regional players in the Swiss city will end "with an acceptable result," he said.
Russia proposed changes to Annan's plan for a national unity government in Syria, despite initially supporting it. However, the United States, Britain and France rejected the amendments.
The suggested changes relate to Moscow's refusal to support the ouster of Assad.
Western and Arab diplomats said that the preparatory meeting of senior officials would be key to paving the way to consensus on achieving a political transition in Syria.
Assad on Thursday dismissed the notion of any outside solution to the 16-month-old popular uprising against his rule.
"We will not accept any non-Syrian, non-national model, whether it comes from big countries or friendly countries. No one knows how to solve Syria's problems as well as we do," Assad said.
Assad has justified a protracted bloody crackdown on dissidents and rebels saying his government is fighting its own "war on terror."
(Arutz Sheva’s North American Desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)
Comment on this story
by Elad Benari, Canada
Syrian troops bombarded a rebellious suburb of Damascus with tank and artillery shells Friday, killing dozens of people, activists told The Associated Press.
The violence is part of a fierce government offensive aimed at regaining control of parts of Damascus suburbs where rebels operate.
Activists told AP that at least 43 people were killed in more than two days of shelling in the Damascus suburb of Douma, which has been a hotbed of dissent and has put up strong resistance to the Assad regime. The dead included three children and five members of a single family.
A local activist who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons said the shelling was "relentless" throughout Thursday, and exploding shells killed people in their homes.
"They (government troops) are trying to bring Douma under control, but they are being met by fierce resistance," Rami Abdul-Rahman, the director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told AP. He said most of the dead were civilians.
The Local Coordination Committees network said 59 people were killed in Thursday's shelling of Damascus suburbs, most of them in Douma.
The violence around the capital's suburbs mirrored fighting across many parts of Syria that killed dozens of other people Thursday, according to the activist groups.
More than 125 civilians in fighting across the country on Thursday alone were reported by the opposition. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Thursday's toll included more than 60 soldiers.
UN special envoy Kofi Annan said Friday he was "optimistic" that ministerial crisis talks on Syria's conflict being held on Saturday would produce an acceptable outcome.
"I think we are going to have a good meeting tomorrow. I am optimistic," Annan said in Geneva as he arrived for preparatory discussions.
The talks being held by foreign ministers of major powers and regional players in the Swiss city will end "with an acceptable result," he said.
Russia proposed changes to Annan's plan for a national unity government in Syria, despite initially supporting it. However, the United States, Britain and France rejected the amendments.
The suggested changes relate to Moscow's refusal to support the ouster of Assad.
Western and Arab diplomats said that the preparatory meeting of senior officials would be key to paving the way to consensus on achieving a political transition in Syria.
Assad on Thursday dismissed the notion of any outside solution to the 16-month-old popular uprising against his rule.
"We will not accept any non-Syrian, non-national model, whether it comes from big countries or friendly countries. No one knows how to solve Syria's problems as well as we do," Assad said.
Assad has justified a protracted bloody crackdown on dissidents and rebels saying his government is fighting its own "war on terror."
(Arutz Sheva’s North American Desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)
Tags: Syria ,Syria Unrest ,Damascus ,Douma
More on this topic
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