1. Fitna Moviemaker Warns West
by Hillel Fendel
Geert Wilders is a Dutch Member of Parliament who continues to receive Muslim death threats because of his anti-Islam film Fitna.
Wilders, who took part in the "Facing Jihad" conference in Jerusalem this week, goes nowhere without his bodyguards. “A lot of people do not like my political ideas about the threat of Islamic ideology," he explained to IsraelNationalRadio’s Yishai Fleisher, "and so unfortunately I have lost my freedom. This is the price I have to pay.”
The 15-minute film Fitna, which was screened at the conference, portrays the Koranic verses and teachings that inspire modern jihadist terrorism. Release of the video on the internet was accompanied by threats against Wilders, international debate about the limits of freedom of speech, and discussion of what Wilders called his “call to shake off the creeping tyranny of Islamization."
Upon its release in March of this year, the movie was banned by the internet registrar Network Solutions. The video provider LiveLeak then screened it, but was forced to recall it by Islamic pressure after approximately one day. IsraelNationalNews/Arutz-7 then stepped in and hosted Fitna on its website, in order to “educate the Western world as to the dangers facing non-Muslims and Western democracies all around the world.”
The movie ends with a dramatic call for Europe to awake and defeat Islamic ideology, just as it defeated the threats of Nazism and Communism in the past.
The purpose of the movie, Wilders told Fleisher, “was to educate people in the Netherlands and around the world about what the Koran and Islam really stand for. So far, some 20 million people have seen it, so I hope I have been somewhat successful… What you in Israel face is not just a territorial conflict, but an ideological one, stemming from the fascist Kuran.”
As evidence, Wilders cites the recent massacre in Mumbai: “We saw that in a city of ten million people, the terrorists found the lone rabbi there and killed him, and separated the kafirs, the non-Muslims, from the Muslims and killed them. This is what we have to fight in order to preserve our Judeo-Christian culture, which I believe we should be proud of, and stop the biggest disease in Europe culture today: cultural relativism and political-correctness.”
Fleisher proposed that in addition to the Muslim threat, there is a political atmosphere that supports, justifies and protects the propagation of Islamic ideology. Wilders said: “Exactly. There are two big problems. One is Islam itself, and the second is the ruling elite. For instance, there was a recent poll in the Netherlands showing that 60% of the population feels that Islam is not compatible with democracy – yet at the same time, the government continues to let everyone in, subsidizing everyone, building more mosques, and acting as if Islam is just another religion. But it’s not a religion; it has religious symbols, but it’s actually an ideology.”
“The way for us to fight this,” Wilders said, “is that we need new leaders in Europe. We have no leaders; what we have today is a bunch of dhimmis who are selling out their own countries and their own identities. I am happy to see that other parties that are promoting these issues of immigration and Islamization are gaining momentum, so I hope that we will be able to work together against the [subservien of the European ruling elite.”
Fleisher: “Do you think we can win?”
Wilders: “We can, but we have very little time left. It’s five minutes to 12… We have to be very tough in terms of immigration, building mosques and everything that has to do with the Islamization of the continent. Jews and Christians are beaten up on the streets of my own country, and in Belgium, for drinking water in public during Ramadan! … Someone has to get up and say, ‘Enough is enough.’”
About Israel, Wilders said, “I love Israel. I lived here when I was 17-18 in a moshav near Jericho. My most important message [to Israe is to remember that this is not a territorial conflict, but ideological. You gave up Gaza, and what did it give you? Nothing good. [Regardin a Palestinian state, I would say there already is one, and it’s called Jordan; but if you feel that this will help, I would tell you that this is an illusion. It will not bring about the end of the jihad; it’s rather the start of jihad. We see it here, and in Europe, and in the United States. However, whatever Israel decides, I will always be your friend - but make sure that you are not fooled by people who say it’s a territorial dispute. You must defend yourselves.”
Eldad's Anti-Islamization Legislation
MK Aryeh Eldad, who organized the Facing Jihad conference, used the opportunity to unveil details of the emergency anti-Islamization legislation he is planning to introduce in the next Knesset – if he wins a seat. Currently, polls show that his HaTikvah party will not have sufficient support in the coming elections.
“This legislation is aimed at confronting the enemy from within and without the State of Israel,” said Eldad at the conference. “What I am trying to accomplish is to preserve the State of Israel as a Jewish state and to continue the fight against those who say that we no longer need a Jewish state, but a bi-national state of Jews and Muslims.”
The new legislation calls for every Israeli citizen to pledge an oath of allegiance to the State of Israel, requires every citizen to serve the country either in the army or through national service, and aims to crack down on the illegal acquisition of land, illegal building and organized crime in the Arab sector as well as the preaching of hateful statements and doctrines in mosques.
Speakers at the conference included Prof. John Lewis, Itamar Marcus of Palestinian Media Watch, Daniel Pipes, and others.
Comment on this story
by Hillel Fendel
Geert Wilders is a Dutch Member of Parliament who continues to receive Muslim death threats because of his anti-Islam film Fitna.
Wilders, who took part in the "Facing Jihad" conference in Jerusalem this week, goes nowhere without his bodyguards. “A lot of people do not like my political ideas about the threat of Islamic ideology," he explained to IsraelNationalRadio’s Yishai Fleisher, "and so unfortunately I have lost my freedom. This is the price I have to pay.”
The 15-minute film Fitna, which was screened at the conference, portrays the Koranic verses and teachings that inspire modern jihadist terrorism. Release of the video on the internet was accompanied by threats against Wilders, international debate about the limits of freedom of speech, and discussion of what Wilders called his “call to shake off the creeping tyranny of Islamization."
Upon its release in March of this year, the movie was banned by the internet registrar Network Solutions. The video provider LiveLeak then screened it, but was forced to recall it by Islamic pressure after approximately one day. IsraelNationalNews/Arutz-7 then stepped in and hosted Fitna on its website, in order to “educate the Western world as to the dangers facing non-Muslims and Western democracies all around the world.”
The movie ends with a dramatic call for Europe to awake and defeat Islamic ideology, just as it defeated the threats of Nazism and Communism in the past.
The purpose of the movie, Wilders told Fleisher, “was to educate people in the Netherlands and around the world about what the Koran and Islam really stand for. So far, some 20 million people have seen it, so I hope I have been somewhat successful… What you in Israel face is not just a territorial conflict, but an ideological one, stemming from the fascist Kuran.”
As evidence, Wilders cites the recent massacre in Mumbai: “We saw that in a city of ten million people, the terrorists found the lone rabbi there and killed him, and separated the kafirs, the non-Muslims, from the Muslims and killed them. This is what we have to fight in order to preserve our Judeo-Christian culture, which I believe we should be proud of, and stop the biggest disease in Europe culture today: cultural relativism and political-correctness.”
Fleisher proposed that in addition to the Muslim threat, there is a political atmosphere that supports, justifies and protects the propagation of Islamic ideology. Wilders said: “Exactly. There are two big problems. One is Islam itself, and the second is the ruling elite. For instance, there was a recent poll in the Netherlands showing that 60% of the population feels that Islam is not compatible with democracy – yet at the same time, the government continues to let everyone in, subsidizing everyone, building more mosques, and acting as if Islam is just another religion. But it’s not a religion; it has religious symbols, but it’s actually an ideology.”
“The way for us to fight this,” Wilders said, “is that we need new leaders in Europe. We have no leaders; what we have today is a bunch of dhimmis who are selling out their own countries and their own identities. I am happy to see that other parties that are promoting these issues of immigration and Islamization are gaining momentum, so I hope that we will be able to work together against the [subservien of the European ruling elite.”
Fleisher: “Do you think we can win?”
Wilders: “We can, but we have very little time left. It’s five minutes to 12… We have to be very tough in terms of immigration, building mosques and everything that has to do with the Islamization of the continent. Jews and Christians are beaten up on the streets of my own country, and in Belgium, for drinking water in public during Ramadan! … Someone has to get up and say, ‘Enough is enough.’”
About Israel, Wilders said, “I love Israel. I lived here when I was 17-18 in a moshav near Jericho. My most important message [to Israe is to remember that this is not a territorial conflict, but ideological. You gave up Gaza, and what did it give you? Nothing good. [Regardin a Palestinian state, I would say there already is one, and it’s called Jordan; but if you feel that this will help, I would tell you that this is an illusion. It will not bring about the end of the jihad; it’s rather the start of jihad. We see it here, and in Europe, and in the United States. However, whatever Israel decides, I will always be your friend - but make sure that you are not fooled by people who say it’s a territorial dispute. You must defend yourselves.”
Eldad's Anti-Islamization Legislation
MK Aryeh Eldad, who organized the Facing Jihad conference, used the opportunity to unveil details of the emergency anti-Islamization legislation he is planning to introduce in the next Knesset – if he wins a seat. Currently, polls show that his HaTikvah party will not have sufficient support in the coming elections.
“This legislation is aimed at confronting the enemy from within and without the State of Israel,” said Eldad at the conference. “What I am trying to accomplish is to preserve the State of Israel as a Jewish state and to continue the fight against those who say that we no longer need a Jewish state, but a bi-national state of Jews and Muslims.”
The new legislation calls for every Israeli citizen to pledge an oath of allegiance to the State of Israel, requires every citizen to serve the country either in the army or through national service, and aims to crack down on the illegal acquisition of land, illegal building and organized crime in the Arab sector as well as the preaching of hateful statements and doctrines in mosques.
Speakers at the conference included Prof. John Lewis, Itamar Marcus of Palestinian Media Watch, Daniel Pipes, and others.
Comment on this story
2. MK to be Charged for Syria Trip
by Maayana Miskin
Attorney General Menachem Mazuz announced Sunday that he may indict MK Said Naffaa (Balad/National Democratic Assembly) for illegally traveling to Syria. Naffaa could be charged with illegal travel to an enemy country, contact with a foreign agent, and aiding others in traveling illegally to an enemy country. Mazuz also plans to charge eight others for allegedly arranging the trip.
Mazuz warned Naffaa of the impending indictment following several meetings with State Prosecutor Moshe Lador and police and intelligence officials. Naffaa is summoned to attend a hearing in which he can present his side of the case to Mazuz before the indictment is filed.
Naffaa visited Syria in September of 2007 without authorization, and allegedly helped hundreds of civilians and Druze religious leaders to travel to Syria without authorization as well. Naffaa says the purpose of his trip was to visit sites considered holy by the Druze religion.
Officials suspect Naffaa of meeting with senior terrorists while in Syria, including Hamas head Khaled Mashaal and Popular Front leader Talel Naji.
Naffaa responded to Mazuz's announcement by accusing the government of political persecution. Members of the Druze community have “a legitimate right to visit the holy sites,” he said.
Naffaa will run in his party's primary elections later in the week. He expressed confidence that Mazuz's announcement would not hurt his chances of winning a high spot on the party list.
Tibi, Taha and Zahalka Get Off
Mazuz also announced that he would close cases against MK Ahmed Tibi (Ra'am Ta'al), MK Wasil Taha (Balad) and MK Jamal Zahalka (Balad). The three faced charges for illegal trips to enemy countries—Tibi for visiting Lebanon in 2005, and Taha and Zahalka for visiting Syria and Lebanon in 2006.
Mazuz said charges against the three would be dropped, due - in part - to the time that had passed since the three traveled. In addition, the three are suspected only of visiting an enemy country without authorization, and not of other security-related crimes, he said. Their files have been turned over to the Knesset Ethics Committee.
While Tibi, Taha and Zahalka will not face criminal charges, any Members of Knesset who visit enemy countries without authorization in the future will face charges, Mazuz warned. In 2008 a law was passed defining illegal travel to an enemy country as unspoken support for war on Israel, and anyone found guilty of visiting an enemy country without authorization cannot serve as an MK. Any future offenders will be tried under the 2008 law.
Comment on this story
by Maayana Miskin
Attorney General Menachem Mazuz announced Sunday that he may indict MK Said Naffaa (Balad/National Democratic Assembly) for illegally traveling to Syria. Naffaa could be charged with illegal travel to an enemy country, contact with a foreign agent, and aiding others in traveling illegally to an enemy country. Mazuz also plans to charge eight others for allegedly arranging the trip.
Mazuz warned Naffaa of the impending indictment following several meetings with State Prosecutor Moshe Lador and police and intelligence officials. Naffaa is summoned to attend a hearing in which he can present his side of the case to Mazuz before the indictment is filed.
Naffaa visited Syria in September of 2007 without authorization, and allegedly helped hundreds of civilians and Druze religious leaders to travel to Syria without authorization as well. Naffaa says the purpose of his trip was to visit sites considered holy by the Druze religion.
Officials suspect Naffaa of meeting with senior terrorists while in Syria, including Hamas head Khaled Mashaal and Popular Front leader Talel Naji.
Naffaa responded to Mazuz's announcement by accusing the government of political persecution. Members of the Druze community have “a legitimate right to visit the holy sites,” he said.
Naffaa will run in his party's primary elections later in the week. He expressed confidence that Mazuz's announcement would not hurt his chances of winning a high spot on the party list.
Tibi, Taha and Zahalka Get Off
Mazuz also announced that he would close cases against MK Ahmed Tibi (Ra'am Ta'al), MK Wasil Taha (Balad) and MK Jamal Zahalka (Balad). The three faced charges for illegal trips to enemy countries—Tibi for visiting Lebanon in 2005, and Taha and Zahalka for visiting Syria and Lebanon in 2006.
Mazuz said charges against the three would be dropped, due - in part - to the time that had passed since the three traveled. In addition, the three are suspected only of visiting an enemy country without authorization, and not of other security-related crimes, he said. Their files have been turned over to the Knesset Ethics Committee.
While Tibi, Taha and Zahalka will not face criminal charges, any Members of Knesset who visit enemy countries without authorization in the future will face charges, Mazuz warned. In 2008 a law was passed defining illegal travel to an enemy country as unspoken support for war on Israel, and anyone found guilty of visiting an enemy country without authorization cannot serve as an MK. Any future offenders will be tried under the 2008 law.
Comment on this story
3. Israeli Diabetes Breakthrough
by Gil Ronen
Researchers at Ben Gurion University believe they have made a discovery that could make it possible to effectively neutralize the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes, the Israel21c website reports.
Dr. Eli Lewis and researchers from Ben-Gurion University in Be'er Sheva, Israel, in collaboration with the universities of Harvard, Stanford, Columbia and the University of Colorado, have discovered a method for successfully transplanting 'islets' of healthy insulin producing tissue into the diabetic pancreas.
The transplants themselves, which temporarily cause the pancreas to function properly and produce insulin, are not a new technique. Until now, however, their effect has been short-lived and patients who were treated eventually returned to inject insulin.
The Israeli team found a drug that has been available for 20 years prevents rejection of the healthy 'islets' and prolonged the survival of the islets indefinitely in laboratory animals. "We stopped therapy and the grafts were maintained in the animal and continued to correct the glucose levels," Dr. Lewis stated.
The World Health Organization estimates that over 180 million people worldwide have diabetes and predicts that their number will more than double by 2030.
Comment on this story
by Gil Ronen
Researchers at Ben Gurion University believe they have made a discovery that could make it possible to effectively neutralize the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes, the Israel21c website reports.
Dr. Eli Lewis and researchers from Ben-Gurion University in Be'er Sheva, Israel, in collaboration with the universities of Harvard, Stanford, Columbia and the University of Colorado, have discovered a method for successfully transplanting 'islets' of healthy insulin producing tissue into the diabetic pancreas.
The transplants themselves, which temporarily cause the pancreas to function properly and produce insulin, are not a new technique. Until now, however, their effect has been short-lived and patients who were treated eventually returned to inject insulin.
The Israeli team found a drug that has been available for 20 years prevents rejection of the healthy 'islets' and prolonged the survival of the islets indefinitely in laboratory animals. "We stopped therapy and the grafts were maintained in the animal and continued to correct the glucose levels," Dr. Lewis stated.
The World Health Organization estimates that over 180 million people worldwide have diabetes and predicts that their number will more than double by 2030.
Comment on this story
4. Israel, Hamas Trade Verbal Fire
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
The Olmert government and Hamas traded verbal fire Sunday. The Hamas terrorist organization claims that the official end of the ceasefire is nearing. The ceasefire was to last for "approximately" six months and no specific expiry date was set, but Hamas has chosen to make December 19 the final day.
The truce had been broken dozens of times by Hamas until early November, when an IDF counterterrorist operation against a planned terrorist kidnapping attack was countered with several barrages of Arab rocket fire as far north as Ashkelon.
Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert repeated warnings that he has made for nearly three years that "there will be no unilateral fire from Gaza on Israel." His comment came a day after Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, his successor as the Kadima party leader, called the ceasefire a "shame" and that Israel should be answering "fire with fire."
Hamas warned that the truce will not be extended because Israel "has no genuine commitment" to the terms of agreement.
However, underneath the rhetoric by Hamas, efforts are being made through Egyptian negotiators to extend the truce. Cairo has backed Israel's efforts to continue the official ceasefire, despite its having been broken numerous times.
Amos Gilad, head of the Defense Ministry security-political department, visited Egyptian officials on Sunday, ostensibly to discuss the issue while Gaza terrorists continue to fire occasional rockets and mortar shells on the western Negev.
However, he said Monday morning, "There was no need to discuss extending the ceasefire" and that the Gaza ceasefire still is in effect because there is no expiry date stated in the June 19 agreement. He told Voice of Israel government radio that his discussions involved other unspecified issues.
Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert agreed to the truce, which was supposed to last for several months and then be extended to Judea and Samaria if it were successful. Gilad maintained that the ceasefire is effective despite constant attacks because there has been a "dramatic decline" in the number of rockets and mortars fired on Israel since the agreement began. The government's continued rhetoric of threatening to retaliate has come under increasing criticism from the Opposition and media, as well as from within Kadima. Vice Prime Minister Chaim Ramon (Kadima) told the Cabinet Sunday that Gilad should have remained in Israel instead of talking with Egyptian officials. "It's not proper to send Amos Gilad to conduct negotiations in Egypt over continuing the lull before the cabinet has made a decision on whether it even wants to continue the lull," he said. He made his remarks before Gilad maintained that extending the ceasefire is a non-issue.
Israel Gives Hamas Money while Shalit Remains in Captivity
Matti Golan, former editor of Globes and Haaretz, chastised the Olmert government for allowing the transfer of cash to Hamas which continues to hold kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.
The fate of the soldier recently has been at the center of election campaign rhetoric. Golan wrote in Globes that if Hamas needs the money badly enough, it could be told that it first must free Shalit.
As Israeli politicians argue over whether anything can be done to rescue him from his nearly 30-month old captivity, Hamas exploited the division by mocking Israel's failure to bring about his release. The terrorist organization displayed an effigy of Shalit at a Hamas rally while Hamas supporters cried out, "I miss my mommy and daddy.'
Comment on this story
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
The Olmert government and Hamas traded verbal fire Sunday. The Hamas terrorist organization claims that the official end of the ceasefire is nearing. The ceasefire was to last for "approximately" six months and no specific expiry date was set, but Hamas has chosen to make December 19 the final day.
The truce had been broken dozens of times by Hamas until early November, when an IDF counterterrorist operation against a planned terrorist kidnapping attack was countered with several barrages of Arab rocket fire as far north as Ashkelon.
Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert repeated warnings that he has made for nearly three years that "there will be no unilateral fire from Gaza on Israel." His comment came a day after Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, his successor as the Kadima party leader, called the ceasefire a "shame" and that Israel should be answering "fire with fire."
Hamas warned that the truce will not be extended because Israel "has no genuine commitment" to the terms of agreement.
However, underneath the rhetoric by Hamas, efforts are being made through Egyptian negotiators to extend the truce. Cairo has backed Israel's efforts to continue the official ceasefire, despite its having been broken numerous times.
Amos Gilad, head of the Defense Ministry security-political department, visited Egyptian officials on Sunday, ostensibly to discuss the issue while Gaza terrorists continue to fire occasional rockets and mortar shells on the western Negev.
However, he said Monday morning, "There was no need to discuss extending the ceasefire" and that the Gaza ceasefire still is in effect because there is no expiry date stated in the June 19 agreement. He told Voice of Israel government radio that his discussions involved other unspecified issues.
Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert agreed to the truce, which was supposed to last for several months and then be extended to Judea and Samaria if it were successful. Gilad maintained that the ceasefire is effective despite constant attacks because there has been a "dramatic decline" in the number of rockets and mortars fired on Israel since the agreement began. The government's continued rhetoric of threatening to retaliate has come under increasing criticism from the Opposition and media, as well as from within Kadima. Vice Prime Minister Chaim Ramon (Kadima) told the Cabinet Sunday that Gilad should have remained in Israel instead of talking with Egyptian officials. "It's not proper to send Amos Gilad to conduct negotiations in Egypt over continuing the lull before the cabinet has made a decision on whether it even wants to continue the lull," he said. He made his remarks before Gilad maintained that extending the ceasefire is a non-issue.
Israel Gives Hamas Money while Shalit Remains in Captivity
Matti Golan, former editor of Globes and Haaretz, chastised the Olmert government for allowing the transfer of cash to Hamas which continues to hold kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.
The fate of the soldier recently has been at the center of election campaign rhetoric. Golan wrote in Globes that if Hamas needs the money badly enough, it could be told that it first must free Shalit.
As Israeli politicians argue over whether anything can be done to rescue him from his nearly 30-month old captivity, Hamas exploited the division by mocking Israel's failure to bring about his release. The terrorist organization displayed an effigy of Shalit at a Hamas rally while Hamas supporters cried out, "I miss my mommy and daddy.'
Comment on this story
5. Arabs Plot to Kidnap Soldiers
by Hana Levi Julian
Two Arab residents of eastern Jerusalem have been indicted on charges of plotting to kidnap IDF soldiers in hopes of forcing Israel to release more terrorists – specifically, their own family members.
The two men, 20-year-old Ayad Aabid and 21-year-old Abdullah Aabid, are both residents of Issawiya. The terrorists they hoped to free have been sentenced to life terms in Israel.
On Monday at 9:30 a.m., meanwhile, 227 Fatah terrorists will be freed from the Ofer detention center in another "goodwill gesture" to the Palestinian Authority by Israel. Among them are many terrorists who have served less than three years of their sentences for attempted murder.
According to the indictment filed by Attorney Jenny Ginsberg in Jerusalem District Court, the Aabids planned to plow a tractor into an IDF jeep parked near their neighborhood and then kidnap the soldiers from the vehicle. A similar strategy was recently demonstrated on a program that taught the techniqueon Hamas TV's Al Aqsa television, according to the Palestinian Media Watch (PMW).
The two would-be kidnappers allegedly asked a relative living in the Palestinian Authority-controlled city of Bethlehem to purchase an M-16 rifle for them. The relative works for a PA security organization.
In addition, the indictment listed other equipment purchased by the pair for use during the planned operation, including an electric shock instrument, two clubs, two knives, two pairs of gloves and two masks.
The pair are also suspected of trying to sabotage municipal voting in at least one location by threatening local elections committee members and setting afire a school that was being used as a polling station.
They also tried to fly a homemade unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over an IDF military base located near their neighborhood, but the drone plummeted to earth and was destroyed. Nevertheless, in the indictment they were charged with being suspected of planning to eventually fly the UAV loaded with explosives over the IDF base in a separate terror attack.
Comment on this story
by Hana Levi Julian
Two Arab residents of eastern Jerusalem have been indicted on charges of plotting to kidnap IDF soldiers in hopes of forcing Israel to release more terrorists – specifically, their own family members.
The two men, 20-year-old Ayad Aabid and 21-year-old Abdullah Aabid, are both residents of Issawiya. The terrorists they hoped to free have been sentenced to life terms in Israel.
On Monday at 9:30 a.m., meanwhile, 227 Fatah terrorists will be freed from the Ofer detention center in another "goodwill gesture" to the Palestinian Authority by Israel. Among them are many terrorists who have served less than three years of their sentences for attempted murder.
According to the indictment filed by Attorney Jenny Ginsberg in Jerusalem District Court, the Aabids planned to plow a tractor into an IDF jeep parked near their neighborhood and then kidnap the soldiers from the vehicle. A similar strategy was recently demonstrated on a program that taught the techniqueon Hamas TV's Al Aqsa television, according to the Palestinian Media Watch (PMW).
The two would-be kidnappers allegedly asked a relative living in the Palestinian Authority-controlled city of Bethlehem to purchase an M-16 rifle for them. The relative works for a PA security organization.
In addition, the indictment listed other equipment purchased by the pair for use during the planned operation, including an electric shock instrument, two clubs, two knives, two pairs of gloves and two masks.
The pair are also suspected of trying to sabotage municipal voting in at least one location by threatening local elections committee members and setting afire a school that was being used as a polling station.
They also tried to fly a homemade unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over an IDF military base located near their neighborhood, but the drone plummeted to earth and was destroyed. Nevertheless, in the indictment they were charged with being suspected of planning to eventually fly the UAV loaded with explosives over the IDF base in a separate terror attack.
Comment on this story
6. Court Allows Terrorist Release
by Maayana Miskin
The High Court ruled Sunday that the government is legally allowed to release 230 terrorists on Monday as a “good-will gesture” to the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority. The government approved the release last week.
The court rejected an appeal from the Land of Israel Legal Forum, which argued that Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert should not be allowed to release the terrorists as their release is a step with long-term implications. Olmert should not be allowed to make decisions with a long-term impact because he merely a caretaker Prime Minister, Forum attorneys said.
Another group that attempted to prevent the release was the Almagor umbrella group of terror-victim organizations. Almagor Director Meir Indor pointed out that approximately 80 percent of released terrorists have resumed their terror activities.
The terrorists' release was originally scheduled to coincide with the Muslim holiday of Eid ul-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice), but was postponed by a week. PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas denied rumors that the release was delayed so he could be present when the prisoners returned.
Olmert has released several hundred terrorists and pardoned hundreds more, in an attempt to strengthen PA Chairman Abbas and promote negotiations with the PA. However, according to recent polls PA Arabs' support for Abbas has not risen since the gestures began, and only 15.9 percent named him as the most trusted person in PA politics.
Abbas says there will be no peace with Israel until all terrorists are released from Israeli prisons, including those guilty of dozens of murders.
State: Destroy Terrorist's House
The State Prosecutor's office submitted a response to the High Court on Sunday requesting to carry out a demolition order filed regarding the home of a Jerusalem terrorist. State attorneys told the court that security agents from various agencies see the destruction of the terrorist's home as crucial to deterring potential terrorists. The homes of other terrorists from the Jerusalem area should be destroyed as well, they said.
The terrorist's father had appealed to the court, asking it to overturn the order, which calls for the destruction of two out of four stories in the house of Alaa Abu Dheim. Abu Dheim slaughtered eight young students in the Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva and wounded 11 others, early this year.
Comment on this story
by Maayana Miskin
The High Court ruled Sunday that the government is legally allowed to release 230 terrorists on Monday as a “good-will gesture” to the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority. The government approved the release last week.
The court rejected an appeal from the Land of Israel Legal Forum, which argued that Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert should not be allowed to release the terrorists as their release is a step with long-term implications. Olmert should not be allowed to make decisions with a long-term impact because he merely a caretaker Prime Minister, Forum attorneys said.
Another group that attempted to prevent the release was the Almagor umbrella group of terror-victim organizations. Almagor Director Meir Indor pointed out that approximately 80 percent of released terrorists have resumed their terror activities.
The terrorists' release was originally scheduled to coincide with the Muslim holiday of Eid ul-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice), but was postponed by a week. PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas denied rumors that the release was delayed so he could be present when the prisoners returned.
Olmert has released several hundred terrorists and pardoned hundreds more, in an attempt to strengthen PA Chairman Abbas and promote negotiations with the PA. However, according to recent polls PA Arabs' support for Abbas has not risen since the gestures began, and only 15.9 percent named him as the most trusted person in PA politics.
Abbas says there will be no peace with Israel until all terrorists are released from Israeli prisons, including those guilty of dozens of murders.
State: Destroy Terrorist's House
The State Prosecutor's office submitted a response to the High Court on Sunday requesting to carry out a demolition order filed regarding the home of a Jerusalem terrorist. State attorneys told the court that security agents from various agencies see the destruction of the terrorist's home as crucial to deterring potential terrorists. The homes of other terrorists from the Jerusalem area should be destroyed as well, they said.
The terrorist's father had appealed to the court, asking it to overturn the order, which calls for the destruction of two out of four stories in the house of Alaa Abu Dheim. Abu Dheim slaughtered eight young students in the Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva and wounded 11 others, early this year.
Comment on this story
7. Tovia Singer Radio Show Returns
by Baruch Gordon
The Tovia Singer Show returns to Israel National Radio on Tuesday after an autumn break. The fast-moving Israel National Radio show will broadcast from new radio studios at Jerusalem's Temple Mount.
The dynamic two-hour show now airs on a new schedule: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 p.m. – midnight Israel time (3-5 p.m. EST).
Rabbi Tovia Singer, one of the veteran broadcasters of IsraelNationalRadio.com, interviews prominent guests on current events, engages callers in explosive combat, and offers insightful and often hilarious commentary on the day's news.
Rabbi Singer is the founder and director of the anti-missionary organization Outreach Judaism, and offersfree download of over 25 hours of audio classes on the Jewish response to Jesus.
Comment on this story
by Baruch Gordon
The Tovia Singer Show returns to Israel National Radio on Tuesday after an autumn break. The fast-moving Israel National Radio show will broadcast from new radio studios at Jerusalem's Temple Mount.
The dynamic two-hour show now airs on a new schedule: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 p.m. – midnight Israel time (3-5 p.m. EST).
Rabbi Tovia Singer, one of the veteran broadcasters of IsraelNationalRadio.com, interviews prominent guests on current events, engages callers in explosive combat, and offers insightful and often hilarious commentary on the day's news.
Rabbi Singer is the founder and director of the anti-missionary organization Outreach Judaism, and offersfree download of over 25 hours of audio classes on the Jewish response to Jesus.
Comment on this story
| Other newsletters: Israel Real Estate | Travel | Health | Higher Education | Made in Israel | Advertise |
Posts
