Document: Taliban Leader Mullah Omar's Directive To Taliban Commanders Ordered Crackdown Against Shi'ite Muslims And Destruction Of Un-Islamic Cultural Heritage
A copy of the Farman issued by Mullah Omar
A Farman (directive) to the Taliban commanders issued by Mullah Mohammad Omar, the then head of the Taliban government in Afghanistan, shows that he ordered crackdown against all communists and Shi'ite Muslims.
The Pashtu-language secret document was seized from the Afghan Interior Ministry building in Kabul in 2001 when the Mullah Omar-led Taliban fled Afghanistan following the U.S. invasion. Afghan websites recently published the document with a translation by one Ishaq Mohammadi.
Afghan media interpreted the Farman's command to destroy the un-Islamic cultural heritage of Afghanistan as a reference to ordering the destruction of the Buddhas of Bamiyan. The exact date of the document is not given.
Following is the text of the document:
"Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Movement of Taliban
"Kandahar Province (Secret Service Cell)
"Secret Order
"1. Ruthless army steps by Taliban against opponent enemy groups.
"2. Recovery of arms and collection of Islamic Taxes.
"3. Demolition of Mughul's (Hazaras) historic cultural heritage and remains [such as Bamiyan's Buddhas].
"4. Ban on celebrating Jashn-e-Nouroz (a cultural festival/New Year)
"5. Complete economic embargo of Hazarajat [areas inhabited by Shi'ite Hazaras].
"6. Strict army measures to disown Hazara tribes from their lands and properties forcibly.
"7. Disintegration of Hazarajat gradually.
"8. Elimination and arrest of communist elements.
"9. Rooting out of all mysterious and opponent forces.
"10. Anti-Shi'ite propaganda campaign.
"11. Assistance for Islamic Madrasas (religious schools) and religious groups.
"12. Strict control and watch on women (out of their homes).
"13. Complete recovery of Taxes from opium production.
"14. Care for transportations and oil.
"15. Assistance of Akhund Zadas (Taliban) and religious Mullahs.
"16. Assistance and care for pro-Taliban Shi'ite Mullahs and commander.
"Attention for Kajiki, Kishki Nakhud, Kalat, Shah Joi, Maruf, Helmand (Name of Provinces and Districts).
"May be informed very quick."
Sources: www.hazarapeople.com, Afghanistan, March 3, 2012; www.kabulpress.org, Afghanistan, March 2, 2012. The text of the document has been lightly edited for clarity.
Showing posts with label hamas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hamas. Show all posts
Monday, March 26, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Israel Will Bar Entry of UN Rights Council, Warns Ayalon
Israel Will Bar Entry of UN Rights Council, Warns Ayalon
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
Israel will bar entry of U.N. officials trying to investigate alleged effects of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria on Palestinian Authority Arabs, Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said Sunday morning.
"Once again the Human Rights Council has proven that it is essentially a rubber stamp of the Palestinians and it has again been proven that the Palestinians do not seek an historical reconciliation or peace, but confrontation and struggle,” he said after the international body announced its newest investigation against Israel.
Ayalon added, "This is a continuation of the political incitement campaign that the Palestinians have been holding against us in recent months. As far as Israel is concerned, the U.N. committee has no effect - political nor moral - and therefore we will not allow them to work here."
He said Sunday morning there is no point in cooperating with a Council that tries to cause damage to Israel, and he pointed out that the Human Rights Council includes several countries who lead the world in violating the rights of their citizens.
Foreign Minister Avifdor Lieberman said last week that Israel might quit the Council.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu stated, "Until today, the Council has made 91 decisions, 39 of which dealt with Israel, three with Syria and one with Iran. One only had to hear the Syrian representative speak today about human rights in order to understand how detached from reality the Council is. Another proof of its detachment from reality came last week when it invited before it a representative of Hamas, an organization whose ideology is based on the murder of innocents.”
Two years ago, retired South African Judge Richard Goldstone headed a Human Rights Council committee that issued a book of more than 500 pages on war crimes allegedly committee by Israel during the counterterrorist Operation Cast Lead campaign in Gaza.
More than a year after the report, Goldstone admitted that he later learned facts that supported Israeli statements that the Hamas terrorist organization used civilians as shields for their terrorist attacks against Israel.
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
Israel will bar entry of U.N. officials trying to investigate alleged effects of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria on Palestinian Authority Arabs, Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said Sunday morning.
"Once again the Human Rights Council has proven that it is essentially a rubber stamp of the Palestinians and it has again been proven that the Palestinians do not seek an historical reconciliation or peace, but confrontation and struggle,” he said after the international body announced its newest investigation against Israel.
Ayalon added, "This is a continuation of the political incitement campaign that the Palestinians have been holding against us in recent months. As far as Israel is concerned, the U.N. committee has no effect - political nor moral - and therefore we will not allow them to work here."
He said Sunday morning there is no point in cooperating with a Council that tries to cause damage to Israel, and he pointed out that the Human Rights Council includes several countries who lead the world in violating the rights of their citizens.
Foreign Minister Avifdor Lieberman said last week that Israel might quit the Council.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu stated, "Until today, the Council has made 91 decisions, 39 of which dealt with Israel, three with Syria and one with Iran. One only had to hear the Syrian representative speak today about human rights in order to understand how detached from reality the Council is. Another proof of its detachment from reality came last week when it invited before it a representative of Hamas, an organization whose ideology is based on the murder of innocents.”
Two years ago, retired South African Judge Richard Goldstone headed a Human Rights Council committee that issued a book of more than 500 pages on war crimes allegedly committee by Israel during the counterterrorist Operation Cast Lead campaign in Gaza.
More than a year after the report, Goldstone admitted that he later learned facts that supported Israeli statements that the Hamas terrorist organization used civilians as shields for their terrorist attacks against Israel.
Al-Shabab Commander: Our Declaration of Allegiance to Al-Qaeda is 'a Key to Renewing the Caliphate, Expelling the Crusaders from the Muslim World, and Liberating Jerusalem'
Al-Shabab Commander: Our Declaration of Allegiance to Al-Qaeda is 'a Key to Renewing the Caliphate, Expelling the Crusaders from the Muslim World, and Liberating Jerusalem'
In a new audio recording, the commander of the Somali jihad organization Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen, Mukhtar Abu Al-Zubair, declared that the Muslims' victory over the Crusaders is near, and that last month's London Conference on Somalia was aimed at erasing this country from the map of the world. He also expressed satisfaction over his organization's declaration of allegiance to Al-Qaeda, calling it "a key to renewing the Caliphate, expelling the crusaders from the Muslim world, and liberating Jerusalem." He urged all Muslims to join the jihad, for it is an individual religious duty incumbent upon every believer.
Al-Zubair's address was aired on Al-Shabab's radio station, Al-Andalus, on March 22, 2012, and a transcript was posted the same day on the jihadi forum Shumoukh Al-Islam. The following are the main points of the transcript.
To read the full report, visit http://www.memrijttm.org/content/en/blog_personal.htm?id=5874¶m=GJN.
In a new audio recording, the commander of the Somali jihad organization Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen, Mukhtar Abu Al-Zubair, declared that the Muslims' victory over the Crusaders is near, and that last month's London Conference on Somalia was aimed at erasing this country from the map of the world. He also expressed satisfaction over his organization's declaration of allegiance to Al-Qaeda, calling it "a key to renewing the Caliphate, expelling the crusaders from the Muslim world, and liberating Jerusalem." He urged all Muslims to join the jihad, for it is an individual religious duty incumbent upon every believer.
Al-Zubair's address was aired on Al-Shabab's radio station, Al-Andalus, on March 22, 2012, and a transcript was posted the same day on the jihadi forum Shumoukh Al-Islam. The following are the main points of the transcript.
To read the full report, visit http://www.memrijttm.org/content/en/blog_personal.htm?id=5874¶m=GJN.
Al-Qaeda Video Traces Pakistan Army's Role 'Against Muslims' In Iraq, Palestine, Delhi, Pakistani Tribal Region, Bangladesh
Al-Qaeda Video Traces Pakistan Army's Role 'Against Muslims' In Iraq, Palestine, Delhi, Pakistani Tribal Region, Bangladesh
Al-Qaeda militant Sher Alam
A new video released by Al-Qaeda traces the Pakistan Army's role "against Muslims" over the past century in Iraq, Palestine, Delhi, Pakistani tribal region and Bangladesh, and accuses it of killing Muslims and causing wounds to the Muslim Ummah.
The video is produced by Al-Sahab, the media arm of Al-Qaeda, and was released in two parts on a jihadist internet forum. The video starts with an interview of a mother, whose son was kidnapped by the Pakistani intelligence agencies six years ago and about whom there are no reports available to the family members. Similar clips from Pakistani television channels showing the relatives of "missing persons" kidnapped and killed by Pakistan intelligence agencies are shown.
To read the full report, visit http://www.memrijttm.org/content/en/blog_personal.htm?id=5837¶m=UPP.
Al-Qaeda militant Sher Alam
A new video released by Al-Qaeda traces the Pakistan Army's role "against Muslims" over the past century in Iraq, Palestine, Delhi, Pakistani tribal region and Bangladesh, and accuses it of killing Muslims and causing wounds to the Muslim Ummah.
The video is produced by Al-Sahab, the media arm of Al-Qaeda, and was released in two parts on a jihadist internet forum. The video starts with an interview of a mother, whose son was kidnapped by the Pakistani intelligence agencies six years ago and about whom there are no reports available to the family members. Similar clips from Pakistani television channels showing the relatives of "missing persons" kidnapped and killed by Pakistan intelligence agencies are shown.
To read the full report, visit http://www.memrijttm.org/content/en/blog_personal.htm?id=5837¶m=UPP.
New Video Documents Siege by Bedouin on Multinational Force Mission in Sinai, Indicates Links to Salafi-Jihadis in Gaza
New Video Documents Siege by Bedouin on Multinational Force Mission in Sinai, Indicates Links to Salafi-Jihadis in Gaza
On March 9, 2012, the blog Ansar Al-Shari'a, which chiefly follows Salafi-jihadi activities in Egypt, reported that the same day, armed Bedouins had surrounded the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) base in Sinai and laid siege to it. According to the report, they blocked access to the base from all four directions, in an attempt to pressure Egypt's "apostate government" to release jihadis from its prisons, chiefly Muhammad Al-Raba', Younis Abu Jurair, Osama Al-Nakhlawi, and Muhammad Gaiz.
The following day, the jihadi forum Shumoukh Al-Islam picked up the story, reporting that dozens of Bedouin were protesting on the roads leading to the base, blocking personnel and supplies from reaching the international forces there, and that they had even set up portable roadblocks, turning back anyone who was not a local resident. According to the report on Shumoukh,, the demonstration came in response to the Egyptian authorities' violation of a commitment to release jihadis from its prisons – a commitment made by the commander of the Egyptian 2nd Army during the Bedouin's previous round of demonstrations in late January 2012, in northern Sinai's Bir Lahfan area, in which they demanded, among other things, to halt natural gas exports to Israel and to release their prisoners.
To read the full report, visit http://www.memrijttm.org/content/en/blog_personal.htm?id=5852¶m=GJN.
On March 9, 2012, the blog Ansar Al-Shari'a, which chiefly follows Salafi-jihadi activities in Egypt, reported that the same day, armed Bedouins had surrounded the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) base in Sinai and laid siege to it. According to the report, they blocked access to the base from all four directions, in an attempt to pressure Egypt's "apostate government" to release jihadis from its prisons, chiefly Muhammad Al-Raba', Younis Abu Jurair, Osama Al-Nakhlawi, and Muhammad Gaiz.
The following day, the jihadi forum Shumoukh Al-Islam picked up the story, reporting that dozens of Bedouin were protesting on the roads leading to the base, blocking personnel and supplies from reaching the international forces there, and that they had even set up portable roadblocks, turning back anyone who was not a local resident. According to the report on Shumoukh,, the demonstration came in response to the Egyptian authorities' violation of a commitment to release jihadis from its prisons – a commitment made by the commander of the Egyptian 2nd Army during the Bedouin's previous round of demonstrations in late January 2012, in northern Sinai's Bir Lahfan area, in which they demanded, among other things, to halt natural gas exports to Israel and to release their prisoners.
To read the full report, visit http://www.memrijttm.org/content/en/blog_personal.htm?id=5852¶m=GJN.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Israel, the West Bank and Gaza
Travel Warning
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Israel, the West Bank and Gaza
March 19, 2012
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, and about threats to themselves and to U.S. interests in those locations. The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to remain mindful of security factors when planning travel to Israel and the West Bank and to avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip. This replaces the Travel Warning issued June 22, 2011, to update information on the general security environment.
The Gaza Strip and Southern Israel
The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip, which is under the control of Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization. American citizens in Gaza are advised to depart immediately. The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt allows for some passenger travel, though coordination with local authorities -- which could take days or weeks to process -- is reportedly required. Travelers who enter the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing from Egypt must also exit through the Rafah crossing. The Israeli authorities do not permit such travelers to exit through the Erez crossing into Israel except in situations of extreme humanitarian need. Travelers entering the Gaza Strip may not be able to depart at a time of their choosing. Delays of days or weeks are common. U.S. citizens should be aware that as a consequence of a longstanding prohibition on travel by U.S. citizen employees of the U.S. Government into the Gaza Strip, the ability of consular staff to offer timely assistance to U.S. citizens there is extremely limited, including the provision of routine consular services.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) strictly controls the crossing points between Israel and the Gaza Strip. The security environment within Gaza, including its border with Egypt and its seacoast, is dangerous and volatile. U.S. citizens are advised against traveling to Gaza by any means, including via sea. Previous attempts to enter Gaza by sea have been stopped by Israeli naval vessels and resulted in the injury, death, arrest, and deportation of U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens participating in any effort to reach Gaza by sea should understand that they may face arrest, prosecution, deportation and the confiscation of their personal items by the Government of Israel. The Government of Israel has announced its intention to seek ten-year travel bans to Israel for anyone participating in an attempt to enter Gaza by sea. On May 31, 2010, nine people were killed, including one U.S. citizen, in such an attempt. The U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv and the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem are not able to provide consular assistance in Gaza or on the high seas or coastal waters.
Small clashes continue to occur along the boundary of the Gaza Strip. Rockets and mortars are still fired into Israel from Gaza, and Israel continues to conduct military operations inside Gaza, including airstrikes. Israel has also declared an exclusion zone inside Gaza along its boundary with Israel and has taken lethal measures against individuals who enter it.
In the past, some rockets have traveled more than 40 km (24 miles) from Gaza and landed as far north as Yavne and Gadera and as far east as Beersheva. As a result of possible military operations by the Government of Israel in Gaza and the ever-present risk of rocket and mortar attacks into Israel from Gaza, U.S. government personnel travelling in the vicinity of the Gaza Strip boundary, to include the city of Sderot, must make prior notification to the Embassy's Regional Security Office. U.S. citizens in the area should be aware of the risks and should take note of announcements by the Government of Israel's office of Homefront Command.
Israeli authorities have also maintained a heightened state of alert along Israel's border with Egypt since an August 18, 2011, terrorist attack that killed eight and injured nearly 40 along Route 12 north of Eilat. As a result of the heightened threat in the area, U.S. government personnel must notify the Regional Security Office if they plan to travel south of Be'er Sheva.
The West Bank
The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to exercise caution when traveling to the West Bank. Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces are now deployed in all major cities and other limited areas within the West Bank. As a result, violence in recent years has decreased markedly throughout the West Bank. Nonetheless, demonstrations and violent incidents can occur without warning. Vehicles have also been the target of rocks, Molotov cocktails, and gunfire on West Bank roads. The IDF continues to carry out security operations in the West Bank. Israeli security operations, including incursions in Palestinian population centers, can occur at any time and lead to disturbances and violence. U.S. citizens can be caught in the middle of potentially dangerous situations. Some U.S. citizens involved in demonstrations in the West Bank have sustained serious injuries in confrontations with Israeli security forces. The Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens, for their own safety, avoid demonstrations.
During periods of unrest, the Israeli Government sometimes closes off access to the West Bank and those areas may be placed under curfew. All persons in areas under curfew should remain indoors to avoid risking arrest or injury. U.S. citizens have been killed, seriously injured, or detained and deported as a result of encounters with Israeli operations in the West Bank. Travel restrictions may be imposed by the Government of Israel with little or no warning. Strict measures have frequently been imposed following terrorist actions, and the movement of Palestinian-Americans, both those with and without residency status in the West Bank or Gaza, has been severely impeded. Security conditions in the West Bank can hinder the ability of consular staff to offer timely assistance to U.S. citizens.
Jerusalem
The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to remain vigilant while traveling throughout Jerusalem, including in commercial and downtown areas of West Jerusalem. Spontaneous or planned protests within the Old City are possible, especially after Friday prayers. Some of these protests have led to violent clashes. Travelers should exercise caution at religious sites on holy days, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Isolated street protests and demonstrations can also occur in areas of East Jerusalem, including around Salah Ed-Din Street, Damascus Gate, Silwan, and the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. U.S. Government employees are prohibited from entering the Old City on Fridays during the month of Ramadan due to overall congestion and security-related access restrictions. U.S. citizen employees of the U.S. Embassy and Consulate General and their families are prohibited from using public transportation networks, including buses and light rail services, and their associated terminals.
Travel Restrictions for U.S. Government Personnel
Personal travel in the West Bank for U.S. government personnel and their families is allowed in the areas described below. They may travel to Bethlehem from 6:00 a.m. to 11 p.m.; to Jericho; and transit through the West Bank using only Routes 1 and 90 to reach the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge or the Dead Sea coast near Ein Gedi and Masada. They may also travel north on Route 90 from the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge to the Sea of Galilee during daylight hours. Personal travel is also permitted to Qumran off Route 90 by the Dead Sea and all areas south of Highway 1 and east of route 90 in the Dead Sea area.
U.S. Government personnel and family members are permitted both official and personal travel on Route 443 between Modi'in and Jerusalem. All other personal travel in the West Bank, unless specifically authorized for mission-approved purposes, is prohibited.
General Safety and Security
Israeli authorities remain concerned about the continuing threat of terrorist attacks. U.S. citizens are cautioned that a greater danger may exist around restaurants, businesses, and other places associated with U.S. interests and/or located near U.S. official buildings, such as the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv and the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem. U.S. citizens are also urged to exercise a high degree of caution and to use common sense when patronizing restaurants, nightclubs, cafes, malls, places of worship, and theaters, especially during peak hours. Large crowds and public gatherings have been targeted by terrorists in the past and should be avoided to the extent practicable. U.S. Government personnel have been directed to avoid protests and demonstrations and urged to maintain a high level of vigilance and situational awareness at all times. U.S. citizens should take into consideration that public buses and their respective terminals are off-limits to U.S. Government personnel.
Since December 2009, two U.S. citizens have been murdered in separate incidents while walking in the woods in the Beit Shemesh area near Jerusalem. Israeli authorities characterized the murders as terrorist attacks.
A bomb blast near the Central Bus Terminal in Jerusalem on March 23, 2011, injured several U.S. citizens.
There are live land mines in many areas of the Golan Heights, so visitors should walk only on established roads or trails. Near the northern border of Israel, rocket attacks from Lebanese territory can and have occurred without warning.
A terrorist attack on two commercial buses and two private vehicles on Route 12 north of Eilat killed eight and injured nearly 40 on August 18, 2011.
Entry/Exit Difficulties
U.S. citizens planning to travel to Israel or the West Bank should read carefully the detailed information concerning entry and exit difficulties in the Country Specific Information sheet. U.S. citizens in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip are strongly encouraged to enroll with the Consular Sections of the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv or the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem through the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Occasional warden messages issued by the Embassy and the Consulate General are e-mailed to registered U.S. citizens and are posted on State Department websites to highlight time-sensitive security concerns.
Security-related delays are not unusual for travelers carrying audio-visual or data storage/processing equipment, and some have had their laptop computers and other electronic equipment confiscated at Ben Gurion Airport. While most items are returned prior to the traveler's departure, some equipment has been retained by the authorities for lengthy periods and has reportedly been damaged, destroyed, lost or never returned. U.S. citizens who have had personal property damaged due to security procedures at Ben Gurion may contact the Commissioner for Public Complaints at the airport for redress by fax to 972-3-9752387. In such circumstances, travelers should have no expectation of privacy for any data stored on such devices.
The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy should be contacted for information and assistance in the following areas: Israel, the Golan Heights, and ports of entry at Ben Gurion Airport, Haifa Port, the northern (Jordan River) and southern (Arava) border crossings connecting Israel and Jordan, and the border crossings between Israel and Egypt. The Consular Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem should be contacted for information and assistance in the following areas: Jerusalem, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and the Allenby Bridge crossing connecting the West Bank and Jordan.
The Consulate General in Jerusalem may be contacted at (972) (2) 630-4000 and the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv at (972) (3) 519-7575 Monday through Friday during business hours. After hours for emergencies between 4:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m. local time Monday through Friday and on weekends, the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem may be contacted at (972) (2) 622-7250, and the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv at (972) (3) 519-7551.
Current information on travel and security in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States and Canada, or, from overseas, 1-202-501-4444. For additional and more in-depth information about specific aspects of travel to these areas, U.S. citizens should consult: the Country Specific Information for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza; and the Worldwide Caution. These along with other Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts and Country Specific Information are available on the Department's Internet website. Up-to-date information on security conditions can also be accessed at http://usembassy-israel.org.il or http://jerusalem.usconsulate.gov. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on facebook as well. You can also download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.Hamas official speaks at Geneva NGO event but is barred from UNHRC session
Hamas official speaks at Geneva NGO event but is barred from UNHRC session
Ismail al-Ashqar demands release of jailed Hamas members; Israel works to prevent new fact-finding mission in West Bank
T
he United Nations on Monday barred Hamas lawmaker Ismail al-Ashqar from UN Human Rights Council meetings at the organization’s Geneva offices, following protests from Israel. But the Hamas official had earlier spoken at an NGO event in the building.
Ambassador Aharon Leshno-Yaar said he wrote to UN officials urging them to deny al-Ashqar access to the UN offices because of Hamas’s advocacy of violence against Israel.
“It’s scandalous that he was allowed into the building,” Leshno-Yaar said. “The honorable thing to do is to simply kick him out.”
Al-Ashqar spoke at an event on the subject of Israel’s arrest of Palestinian lawmakers that was hosted inside the UN building Monday morning by a Sudan-based human rights group. The event was held on the sidelines of the UNHRC, which was holding a simultaneous debate on human rights in the Palestinian territories to which al-Ashqar was not admitted.
At the meeting, attended by about 20 people, al-Ashqar condemned the arrest of Hamas lawmakers as an abuse of their rights. Afterward, he left the UN compound and did not return, said a UN spokeswoman.
“Mr. al-Ashqar was invited by the Maarij Foundation for Peace and Development to speak at an event organized by the Foundation on the sides of the Human Rights Council session,” said spokeswoman Corinne Momal-Vanian.
As a UN-accredited group, the Maarij Foundation can organize side events and invite speakers of its choice, she said.
The global body had assessed the possibility of security threats in connection with the event and allowed it to go ahead, she noted.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the event, condemning the UNHRC for hosting the representative of an organization dedicated to murdering Jews.
Yigal Palmor, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, added: “Only a twisted mind can put Hamas and human rights together.”
MK Tzipi Hotovely (Likud) called the UN’s hosting of al-Ashqar a disgrace for an organization that purports to care about human rights.
“This is a new record for the world’s anti-Israel lie industry. Hamas, which is firing missiles at the homes of innocent civilians, is received with open arms by the same group which regularly condemns Israel’s actions,” stated Hotovely.
Al-Ashqar, a member of the Palestinian parliament who heads the Committee of Interior and Security Affairs in the Palestinian Legislative Council, called on Israel to immediately release Hamas members who are being held in Israeli jails.
Tensions over al-Ashqar’s appearance are part of broader Israeli apprehensions regarding the UNHRC meetings. The council is deliberating over a Palestinian proposal for a fact-finding mission to investigate the effect of the settlements on Palestinian economic and social rights. The council is set to vote on the proposal later this week.
Israeli diplomats are working to persuade UNHRC member nations not to support the establishment of such a mission. According to a Maariv report, Israel sees the move as an obstacle to reviving peace negotiations and has declared that it will not cooperate with such a mission if it is formed.
The UNHRC is the same body that approved the committee led by Richard Goldstone, which investigated alleged war crimes in Gaza during Operation Cast Lead; established a committee to review Israeli’s legal system; and set up a committee to review the Turkish flotilla incident in 2010.
The move comes against a background of stalled peace negotiations after low-level talks held in Amman in January failed to yield any progress.
For several years, during the March sessions of the Human Rights Council, the Palestinian delegation has raised the issues of self-determination for Palestinians, the rights of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, and a condemnation of the settlements.
However, this year the Palestinians will go beyond asking for a condemnation of the settlements and proposed instead that the council establish a fact-finding mission.
Maariv’s report stated that the Foreign Ministry has instructed its ambassadors to the council member states to lobby against the Palestinian request. Jerusalem has made it clear that it sees the request for a mission as a serious obstacle to renewing peace talks, Maariv said, and Israel will neither cooperate nor allow such a mission entry to Judea and Samaria.
Despite the diplomatic efforts, Israel expects the proposal to pass due to the automatic majority that any anti-Israel vote has in the council. European sources told Maariv that it is likely that European Union members of the council will abstain, together with a small number of African nations. The US is expected to vote against it.
The UN Council for Human Rights was established in 2006 and since then it has condemned Israel nine times, eight of them in one year. In 2010 Libya was chosen as a member of the council but later removed in light of the slaughter of hundreds of people during a period of turmoil in that country.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Egypt, Hamas spar over Gaza electricity crisis
Egypt, Hamas spar over Gaza electricity crisis
![Electric lines [illustrative photo]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vRV1Z60f_GBLaLaCvqCjYJB-Qd1jQOl82I9liBjySMayMNQtN8hOtTSmEOD1O6SnNH8G2FlQpLAbHvdAs-YPGTiwZmOHSsglgrbke3LSynHdnF_Rf0OLh-0j0qWQ=s0-d "Electric lines [illustrative photo]")
By Thinkstock/Imagebank
03/18/2012 17:36
By Thinkstock/Imagebank
Hamas and Egypt traded allegations Sunday over which party was responsible for the electricity crisis in the Gaza Strip.
The crisis began a few weeks ago when Egypt cut off fuel supplies for electricity production in the Gaza Strip, shutting down the only power plant and enforcing 18-hour blackouts per day.
The fuel shortage has also resulted in severe shortage of gas for cooking and heating, forcing Palestinians to rely on wood fires as an alternative.
Hamas officials accused Egypt of "political extortion" because of insistence on supplying fuel to the Gaza Strip through Israel.
Until recently, fuel had been smuggled into the Gaza Strip through cross-border underground tunnels from Egypt.
Last month, the Hamas government announced that it had paid Egypt $2 million for fuel, but that the Egyptians did not fulfill their promise to resume supplies.
Under a deal reached between the two sides recently, the Hamas government was supposed to purchase fuel from Egypt.
According to the agreement, the Gaza Strip's electricity grid would be connected to Egypt and the Palestinian power opulent would start using gas instead of diesel.
Yusef Rizka, political advisor to the Hamas prime minister, accused Egypt of using the fuel crisis for "political extortion."
He said that Egypt's insistence of supplying fuel to the Gaza Strip only through Israel was designed to "force Hamas to succumb."
Rizka said that the Egyptian demand was both "illegal and arbitrary."
Egypt's General Intelligence Service was playing a major role in creating the crisis, he charged. He said that Egypt's refusal to supple fuel to the Gaza Strip despite receiving a downpayment of $2 million "raises many questions" as to the Egyptian's true intentions.
Mohammed Asqoul, secretary-general of the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip, openly blamed the Egyptian intelligence service of being behind the electricity crisis.
He said that the Egyptian demand to supply fuel through Israel was "completely unacceptable" to Palestinians for political, technical and administrative reasons.
Asqoul called on the Egyptian government and parliament to put pressure on their intelligence service to allow the fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing, where there is no Israeli presence.
In response to the Hamas allegations, a spokesman for the Egyptian government said that Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were not naive and that they know that the Hamas government is responsible for the electricity crisis.
He said that although Egypt was suffering from a shortage of fuel supplies, it was nevertheless working hard to help solve the crisis in the Gaza Strip by upgrading and rehabilitating the Palestinian power plant.
The Egyptian spokesman called on Hamas to stop exploiting the crisis and suffering of Palestinians and to protect them from "mafias" that were involved in smuggling fuel through underground tunnels, a fact which, he added, led to a rise in the price of diesel.
The crisis began a few weeks ago when Egypt cut off fuel supplies for electricity production in the Gaza Strip, shutting down the only power plant and enforcing 18-hour blackouts per day.
The fuel shortage has also resulted in severe shortage of gas for cooking and heating, forcing Palestinians to rely on wood fires as an alternative.
Hamas officials accused Egypt of "political extortion" because of insistence on supplying fuel to the Gaza Strip through Israel.
Until recently, fuel had been smuggled into the Gaza Strip through cross-border underground tunnels from Egypt.
Last month, the Hamas government announced that it had paid Egypt $2 million for fuel, but that the Egyptians did not fulfill their promise to resume supplies.
Under a deal reached between the two sides recently, the Hamas government was supposed to purchase fuel from Egypt.
According to the agreement, the Gaza Strip's electricity grid would be connected to Egypt and the Palestinian power opulent would start using gas instead of diesel.
Yusef Rizka, political advisor to the Hamas prime minister, accused Egypt of using the fuel crisis for "political extortion."
He said that Egypt's insistence of supplying fuel to the Gaza Strip only through Israel was designed to "force Hamas to succumb."
Rizka said that the Egyptian demand was both "illegal and arbitrary."
Egypt's General Intelligence Service was playing a major role in creating the crisis, he charged. He said that Egypt's refusal to supple fuel to the Gaza Strip despite receiving a downpayment of $2 million "raises many questions" as to the Egyptian's true intentions.
Mohammed Asqoul, secretary-general of the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip, openly blamed the Egyptian intelligence service of being behind the electricity crisis.
He said that the Egyptian demand to supply fuel through Israel was "completely unacceptable" to Palestinians for political, technical and administrative reasons.
Asqoul called on the Egyptian government and parliament to put pressure on their intelligence service to allow the fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing, where there is no Israeli presence.
In response to the Hamas allegations, a spokesman for the Egyptian government said that Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were not naive and that they know that the Hamas government is responsible for the electricity crisis.
He said that although Egypt was suffering from a shortage of fuel supplies, it was nevertheless working hard to help solve the crisis in the Gaza Strip by upgrading and rehabilitating the Palestinian power plant.
The Egyptian spokesman called on Hamas to stop exploiting the crisis and suffering of Palestinians and to protect them from "mafias" that were involved in smuggling fuel through underground tunnels, a fact which, he added, led to a rise in the price of diesel.
New radar systems introduced to secure Gaza border
New radar systems introduced to secure Gaza border
Number of attempted and successful border infiltrations have dropped significantly since introduction of new systems Date: 18/03/2012, 11:24 AM Author: Florit Shoihet
The unique qualities of the new radars, “Baron” and “Baroness”, are thanks to a revolutionary new scanning technology. The radars are equipped with a wide view scanner, allowing them to view an entire area without rotating like traditional radars, eliminating blind spots. The new radar can scan an entire section of the border, tracking multiple targets simultaneously without rotating and leaving an area vulnerable. The radar is also sensitive to objects moving at low speeds, able to pick up lizards and trees waving in the breeze.
The radar, made by Elta Systems, is based on technology that allows it to both detect and track targets while continuously monitoring the area at the same time - offering an unprecedented level of control. The “Baron” and “Baroness” radars will be deployed around the Gaza Strip. Differences between the two models include range and angle of detection. Their primary use will be to detect hazards approaching the border fence, locating targets both on foot and in vehicles and continuing to track their progress.
An additional advantage to the new systems is their exceptionally high resolution. These improvements will allow for an accurate assessment of terrorists approaching the border.
Officials from the Southern Command have stated that since the new system’s integration it has been placed along the border and has been dramatically proving its usefulness. According to the Southern Command, since the deployment of the radars, both attempted and successful border penetrations have dropped 70-80%. In addition, the radar provides excellent coverage of operational areas, assisting troops in the field. Officers involved with the new system have said it is a system “that has proven itself.”
The radar, made by Elta Systems, is based on technology that allows it to both detect and track targets while continuously monitoring the area at the same time - offering an unprecedented level of control. The “Baron” and “Baroness” radars will be deployed around the Gaza Strip. Differences between the two models include range and angle of detection. Their primary use will be to detect hazards approaching the border fence, locating targets both on foot and in vehicles and continuing to track their progress.
An additional advantage to the new systems is their exceptionally high resolution. These improvements will allow for an accurate assessment of terrorists approaching the border.
Officials from the Southern Command have stated that since the new system’s integration it has been placed along the border and has been dramatically proving its usefulness. According to the Southern Command, since the deployment of the radars, both attempted and successful border penetrations have dropped 70-80%. In addition, the radar provides excellent coverage of operational areas, assisting troops in the field. Officers involved with the new system have said it is a system “that has proven itself.”
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Fatah accuses Iran of trying to block Palestinian unity
Fatah accuses Iran of trying to block Palestinian unity
By REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl
03/17/2012 18:37
By REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl
Iran is funding some Hamas leaders in the Gaza Strip to encourage them to thwart efforts to achieve reconciliation with Fatah, Azzam al-Ahmed, member of the Fatah Central Committee, said Saturday.
Ahmed's charges came in response to the visit of two top Hamas leaders, Mahmoud Zahar and Ismail Haniyeh, to Iran in the past few weeks.
"Iran does not want the Palestinians to end their divisions," Ahmed told the Lebanese newspaper Al-Mustaqbal. "Iran is responsible for foiling attempts to achieve reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah."
Relations between Hamas and Iran were strained recently following the Islamist movement's refusal to support Syrian President Bashar Assad's ruthless crackdown on his opponents.
Relations between the two sides suffered another setback with the signing of the Qatari-brokered reconciliation pact between Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal.
In a bid to ease the tensions, Zahar and Haniyeh visited Tehran separately in the past few weeks, assuring the Iranian leaders that Hamas has not abandoned the armed struggle against Israel despite the deal with Fatah.
Ahmed admitted in the interview that efforts to implement the reconciliation pact have reached an impasse. He blamed Iran for the "inciting" Hamas leaders in the Gaza Strip against rapprochement with Fatah.
"Iran has apparently played a role in inciting Hamas leaders against the reconciliation agreement," he charged. "Iran is playing a negative role with regards to the Fatah-Hamas reconciliation."
The Fatah official added that Iran has provided financial aid to Haniyeh in return for his opposition to the Qatari-brokered deal.
In response, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri denounced the allegations as "trivial." He accused the Fatah official of seeking to escalate tensions with Hamas and reiterated his movement's readiness to implement the reconciliation accord instantly.
Abbas, meanwhile, told a visiting Jordanian parliamentary delegation last Friday that "small obstacles" were preventing the establishment of a Palestinian unity government, as envisaged by the reconciliation pact.
"I don't want to go into details, but there are some small problems facing the formation of a unity government dominated by technocrats," Abbas was quoted as saying. He nevertheless expressed hope that the two sides would be able to overcome the obstacles.
Ahmed's charges came in response to the visit of two top Hamas leaders, Mahmoud Zahar and Ismail Haniyeh, to Iran in the past few weeks.
"Iran does not want the Palestinians to end their divisions," Ahmed told the Lebanese newspaper Al-Mustaqbal. "Iran is responsible for foiling attempts to achieve reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah."
Relations between Hamas and Iran were strained recently following the Islamist movement's refusal to support Syrian President Bashar Assad's ruthless crackdown on his opponents.
Relations between the two sides suffered another setback with the signing of the Qatari-brokered reconciliation pact between Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal.
In a bid to ease the tensions, Zahar and Haniyeh visited Tehran separately in the past few weeks, assuring the Iranian leaders that Hamas has not abandoned the armed struggle against Israel despite the deal with Fatah.
Ahmed admitted in the interview that efforts to implement the reconciliation pact have reached an impasse. He blamed Iran for the "inciting" Hamas leaders in the Gaza Strip against rapprochement with Fatah.
"Iran has apparently played a role in inciting Hamas leaders against the reconciliation agreement," he charged. "Iran is playing a negative role with regards to the Fatah-Hamas reconciliation."
The Fatah official added that Iran has provided financial aid to Haniyeh in return for his opposition to the Qatari-brokered deal.
In response, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri denounced the allegations as "trivial." He accused the Fatah official of seeking to escalate tensions with Hamas and reiterated his movement's readiness to implement the reconciliation accord instantly.
Abbas, meanwhile, told a visiting Jordanian parliamentary delegation last Friday that "small obstacles" were preventing the establishment of a Palestinian unity government, as envisaged by the reconciliation pact.
"I don't want to go into details, but there are some small problems facing the formation of a unity government dominated by technocrats," Abbas was quoted as saying. He nevertheless expressed hope that the two sides would be able to overcome the obstacles.
Friday, March 16, 2012
'Mashaal and Erdogan discuss Palestinian reconciliation'
'Mashaal and Erdogan discuss Palestinian reconciliation'
By REUTERS
03/16/2012 22:50
By REUTERS
Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal met with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday in Ankara, in a meeting that focused on Palestinian reconciliation, Turkish daily Today's Zaman reported.
The two also discussed cooperation in the Middle East in the context of deteriorating relations between Ankara and Jerusalem, and various developments in the region as a result of the violence in Syria.
Today's Zaman quoted Erdogan as saying before the meeting that, “there are positive developments regarding relations between Hamas and Fatah. We will assess these developments.”
The meeting lasted for two hours, and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Justice and Development Party Deputy Chairman Omer Celik were also present, according to the report.
Earlier Friday, Erdogan said Turkey might set up a border "buffer zone" to protect growing numbers of Syrian refugees fleeing a violent uprising against Syrian President Bashar Assad.
With the bloody revolt entering its second year, government forces battled protesters in at least three suburbs of the capital Damascus, opposition activists said. They also reported flare-ups in other towns and cities.
Erdogan, once a firm ally of Assad, said he was considering setting up a buffer zone along the border with Syria. Ankara might then withdraw its ambassador once its nationals had returned home.
"A buffer zone, a security zone, are things being studied," he told reporters in Ankara, but said other ideas were also under consideration. "It would be wrong to look at it from only one perspective."
Reuters contributed to this report
The two also discussed cooperation in the Middle East in the context of deteriorating relations between Ankara and Jerusalem, and various developments in the region as a result of the violence in Syria.
Today's Zaman quoted Erdogan as saying before the meeting that, “there are positive developments regarding relations between Hamas and Fatah. We will assess these developments.”
The meeting lasted for two hours, and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Justice and Development Party Deputy Chairman Omer Celik were also present, according to the report.
Earlier Friday, Erdogan said Turkey might set up a border "buffer zone" to protect growing numbers of Syrian refugees fleeing a violent uprising against Syrian President Bashar Assad.
With the bloody revolt entering its second year, government forces battled protesters in at least three suburbs of the capital Damascus, opposition activists said. They also reported flare-ups in other towns and cities.
Erdogan, once a firm ally of Assad, said he was considering setting up a buffer zone along the border with Syria. Ankara might then withdraw its ambassador once its nationals had returned home.
"A buffer zone, a security zone, are things being studied," he told reporters in Ankara, but said other ideas were also under consideration. "It would be wrong to look at it from only one perspective."
Reuters contributed to this report
Several injured in Friday West Bank demonstrations
Palestinian lightly hurt when bit by IDF dog during weekly demonstration in village of Kedum; three people, including Israeli woman, hurt in Nabi Saleh protest.
By Nir Hasson and Gili Cohen Tags: IDFWest BankPalestinians
Israeli forces on Friday used a dog against Palestinian protesters in the West Bank village of Kedum. The dog bit the arm of one of the demonstrators for several minutes. Demonstrators said that the dog's military handler was unable to get the dog to release its jaws.
The Palestinian, who was lightly hurt, was detained. The incident occurred shortly after the start of the weekly demonstration in the village when protesters began throwing stones at Israeli forces. The Israeli forces released a dog to disperse a group of demonstrators. The dog jumped on one of them, brought him to the ground, and bit into his arm.
 | Dog bites Palestinian demonstrator during protest in Kedum, March 16, 2012. |
| Photo by: AFP |
According to Jonathan Pollack, an Israeli pro-Palestinian activist, Israeli forces have used dogs in the past, but one has never bit a demonstrator before Friday's incident.
 | Israeli forces walk past burning tires in Kedum, March 16, 2012. |
| Photo by: AFP |
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said in response to the incident: "During a violent and illegal disturbance in the village of Kedum, next to the settlement of Kedumim, west of Nablus, around 100 Palestinians gathered, rolled burning tires, and threw stones at security forces, who responded with riot dispersal means. One Palestinian was arrested for physically attacking forces at the location. Another Palestinian who was arrested was bit by a dog belonging to the forces during his arrest. He was treated at the scene by a military doctor and did not require evacuation."
Also on Friday, three demonstrators were hurt in a protest held in Nabi Saleh. One of the wounded was an Israeli woman who suffered a head injury from a rubber bullet. A Palestinian resident of Nabi Saleh was also hurt by a rubber bullet and another Palestinian resident of the village was hurt by a teargas canister.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Report: Iran officials told Assad to focus on Israel to divert attention from Syria crisis
Emails said to have been intercepted by Syria opposition and released by the Guardian show advisers indicated Syrian President should verbally attack Israel, center on Palestinian cause in a planned speech.
By HaaretzTags: SyriaBashar AssadArab SpringPalestiniansJerusalem
Syrian President Bashar Assad was advised by Iranian officials to divert attention toward Israel and the Palestinian cause in an effort to deflect criticism of his brutal crackdown, emails said to have been intercepted by Syrian opposition and released by the U.K.'s the Guardian indicated on Wednesday.
According to the Guardian, the messages were said to have been intercepted by the opposition's Supreme Council of the Revolution between June of 2011 and February 2012, and include missives from Assad's private account as well as that belonging to his wife, Asma.
 | Syria President Bashar Assad and Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. |
| Photo by: AP |
One email sent in December 31 indicated that Assad's aides advised the Syrian president on the contents on an upcoming speech following "consultations with a good number of people in addition to the media and political adviser for the Iranian ambassador."
In the composed memorandum, Assad was advised to stress the issue of Muslim identity through the use of Koran quotes, as well as centering on what the email called "Syria's principles," which included: "Resistance"; "Hostility to Israel, the first enemy of the Muslims"; and "Protection of Palestinian people's rights (real prayers should be in the direction of Jerusalem)."
"Maybe here the president can reiterate his stance by condemning forcefully the recent Israeli practices and policies to Judaise Al-Quds (Jerusalem)," the email added, saying that Assad should use "powerful and violent" language in his opposition to Israel.
"Here the subject of Israel comes up and it becomes necessary to put stress on the particular merits of the president by linking the foreign pressures on Syria, which differs in its toughness and content to other countries in crisis, with the geographical proximity to Israel and the position of the people and the regime towards Israel," the memo stated.
Culminating the email's section on Israel, the adviser said Assad should make "a clear distinction between the west's ambitions and people's demands and that the west and Israel are exploiting part of the Syrian people without their knowledge to break Syria, but the president has a great confidence in the patriotism of the entire Syrian people."
The emails released by the Guardian also indicated that the Syria leader received advice from noted Lebanese businessman Hussein Mortada, known for his links to the Iran. In one message, Mortada advised Assad to stop blaming al-Qaida for opposition attacks
"It is not out of our interest to say that al-Qaida organization is behind the operation because this claim will [indemnify] the U.S. administration and Syrian opposition," Mortada was quoted as saying, adding "I have received contacts from Iran and Hezbollah in my role as director of many Iranian-Lebanese channels and they directed me to not mention that al-Qaida is behind the operation. It is a blatant tactical media mistake."
Another correspondence of note was between Assad's wife Asma and the daughter of the emir of Qatar, Hamid bin Khalifa al-Thani, in which the Qatari noblewoman both advised Assad to step down as well as indicated that Qatar may be able to present the Syrian leader's family with asylum.
"My father regards President Bashar as a friend, despite the current tensions – he always gave him genuine advice," she was cited by the Guardian as writing, saying that the "opportunity for real change and development was lost a long time ago. Nevertheless, one opportunity closes, others open up – and I hope it's not too late for reflection and coming out of the state of denial."
A later email seemed more direct, saying that: "Just been following the latest developments in Syria … in all honesty – looking at the tide of history and the escalation of recent events – we've seen two results – leaders stepping down and getting political asylum or leaders being brutally attacked. I honestly think this is a good opportunity to leave and re-start a normal life."
"I only pray that you will convince the president to take this an opportunity to exit without having to face charges. The region needs to stabilise, but not more than you need peace of mind. I am sure you have many places to turn to, including Doha."
Monday, March 12, 2012
One Million People Threatened, Thousands of Rockets, And Just Fifteen Seconds
A public bomb shelter in Sderot
Just less than two months ago I spent a day in the Israeli city of Sderot near the Gaza border. Sderot, with a population of about 24,000 residents, is a largely bedroom community that is fairly densely populated. Those characteristics are what have made this formerly quiet, peaceful town the biggest target for the thousands of rockets being fired by terrorists in the nearby Gaza Strip.
Sderot lies one kilometer from the Gaza Strip. Being a runner myself, when I first saw the minuscule distance between Sderot and Gaza I immediately thought about how I can run that distance in probably five minutes or less without even breaking a sweat. Qassam rockets however travel much faster than I can run.
The truth is that the area all around the Gaza Strip is surrounded by rural and suburban communities, but Sderot has taken the brunt of the rocket fire. Why? What I learned while in Sderot was that despite the fact that the terrorists rockets are often described in the media as “crude,” “homemade” or “inaccurate” they are still deadly. Although they are not as accurate as the laser and GPS guided weapons used by more developed armies, the rockets can be aimed at a target. So to insure the rocket causes damage, injuries or death terrorists aim them at densely populated areas like Sderot. That’s right, the rockets are specifically designed to land randomly in a densely populated civilian area.
Once the rockets are fired Israeli detection systems might succeed in sounding sirens that warn residents that they have no more than 15 seconds to find shelter. Luckily in Sderot there are shelters and reinforced structures everywhere. Private homes and apartments have “safe rooms,” bus stops are built of reinforced concrete, playgrounds and schools have shelters and there are many more public shelters all about the city.
So I decided to test myself and see if I could run to a shelter in just fifteen seconds. As I mentioned before I am a runner, I am also 29 years old and a fairly healthy and physically capable individual; so I might be more able than most to make it to a shelter quickly. Standing in the middle of a playground I gave myself fifteen seconds to run to the nearest shelter. I made it, barely.
Had I been a little slower I would not have. If I were a little older, or even a little younger I may not have. If I were wearing flip flops I may not have made it. If I were in the middle of eating a meal, tying my shoes or even sneezing I would not have made it. If I were pushing a stroller or carrying a baby I definitely would not have made it.
Now the terrorist rockets are reaching farther away than Sderot. They’ve hit the densely populated city of Be’er Sheva with a population of about 200,000 and the even larger city of Ashdod. It is no accident that these falsely labeled “homemade” rockets are striking these large and densely populated cities. In order to hit a city like Be’er Sheva that is surrounded by desert or Ashdod that lies next to the vast Mediterranean Sea the rockets must be precisely aimed. These cities do not have as many shelters as Sderot.
So Hamas and its spin-off terrorist organization the PRC are now targeting more civilians and more vulnerable civilians than every before. Aiming and firing thousands of rockets at civilians is a war crime and amounts to crimes against humanity. This is the tactic of the rulers of the Gaza Strip.
TA-25 gains 0.5% despite rockets from Gaza
TA-25 gains 0.5% despite rockets from Gaza
Foreign markets and Greek debt plans seem more important than local news.
By Dror Reich
Stocks rose to open the trading week on
Sunday on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. The day started with big gains of
over 1%, reflecting the trend in world markets at the end of last week
after the Greek debt restructuring plan was approved before the
deadline. But the local news of the rocket attacks in the south turned
the TASE around near midday, with mild losses of up to 0.3%, though the
market recovered near the end of trading to close up.
The TASE was closed last Thursday for the Purim holiday.
The blue chip TA-25 index rose 0.5% to end the day at 1,085 points,
while the broader TA-100 index gained 0.6% to close at 994 points.
All the major indexes were well in the green, except for the Real Estate-15 and TA-Banks indexes, which both ended the day unchanged.
The BlueTech-50 index climbed 1.9% despite the escalation with Hamas in Gaza, and the Biomed index rose 0.8%. The Oil and Gas Exploration index rose 0.9%, and the TA-Insurance index fell 1.5%.
Large-cap corporate bonds were unchanged, while government bonds were down slightly by up to 0.2%.
Turnover was quite thin, at NIS 622 million, though higher than the anemic lows of a week ago.
Due to the Purim holiday, no representative rates for foreign currency have been set by the Bank of Israel since last Wednesday, and the central bank also does not set official rates on Sunday. But forex options trading Sunday reflected a 0.6% drop in both the euro and the dollar against the shekel, down to NIS 4.97 and NIS 3.78 respectively.
Among the shares that stood out on Sunday - for the good - were Israel Chemicals, up 3%; Union Banks, up 4.4% on news that one of its owners, Shlomo Eliahu, was buying Migdal Insurance (See story on Page 8 ); and Ratio Oil Exploration, which gained 4%.
On the down side were Super-Sol, losing 2.3% of its value; Hot Telecom, which fell 3%; and Cellcom, which dropped another 1.6% and has now lost 22% of its value since the beginning of the year.
Partner lost 1.8% and First International Bank of Israel fell 2.2%.
The TASE was closed last Thursday for the Purim holiday.
All the major indexes were well in the green, except for the Real Estate-15 and TA-Banks indexes, which both ended the day unchanged.
The BlueTech-50 index climbed 1.9% despite the escalation with Hamas in Gaza, and the Biomed index rose 0.8%. The Oil and Gas Exploration index rose 0.9%, and the TA-Insurance index fell 1.5%.
Large-cap corporate bonds were unchanged, while government bonds were down slightly by up to 0.2%.
Turnover was quite thin, at NIS 622 million, though higher than the anemic lows of a week ago.
Due to the Purim holiday, no representative rates for foreign currency have been set by the Bank of Israel since last Wednesday, and the central bank also does not set official rates on Sunday. But forex options trading Sunday reflected a 0.6% drop in both the euro and the dollar against the shekel, down to NIS 4.97 and NIS 3.78 respectively.
Among the shares that stood out on Sunday - for the good - were Israel Chemicals, up 3%; Union Banks, up 4.4% on news that one of its owners, Shlomo Eliahu, was buying Migdal Insurance (See story on Page 8 ); and Ratio Oil Exploration, which gained 4%.
On the down side were Super-Sol, losing 2.3% of its value; Hot Telecom, which fell 3%; and Cellcom, which dropped another 1.6% and has now lost 22% of its value since the beginning of the year.
Partner lost 1.8% and First International Bank of Israel fell 2.2%.
PM Netanyahu Comments on Events in the South
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Petizione al Ministro on. Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata per la condanna dei missili su Israele
Gentilissimo signor Ministro,
anche se in questi giorni la situazione diplomatica sta diventando piuttosto pesante per l'Italia, volevo chiederLe se può esprimere un messaggio di condanna, come già fatto da Stati Uniti d'America e Francia, per l'incessante lancio di missili che i terroristi residenti nella Striscia di Gaza, stanno compiendo contro le città del sud di Israele. Sto seguendo con molta attenzione la vicenda ed aggiornando costantemente il mio blog (che ha visto più di mille contatti negli ultimi due giorni di cui il 50% dagli Stati Uniti e un buon 10% dalla Federazione Russa) http://israelianintelligence.blogspot.com, e ritengo che l'Italia non possa mantenere silente su quanto sta accadendo. Specialmente perché questi personaggi del terrorismo palestinese, non fanno altro che rovinare il lavoro di pace incessante in cui l'Italia ha avuto un importante ruolo di mediazione, e rendere sempre più difficili le condizioni di vita sia dei cittadini israeliani sia di quelli palestinesi.
Credo che la comunità degli amici di Israele in Italia si attenda questo suo gesto che non farà altro che rafforzare la nostra amicizia.
La saluto cordialmente,
Ettore Lomaglio Silvestri
A questa petizione è già giunta l'adesione dell'on. Enzo Raisi.
anche se in questi giorni la situazione diplomatica sta diventando piuttosto pesante per l'Italia, volevo chiederLe se può esprimere un messaggio di condanna, come già fatto da Stati Uniti d'America e Francia, per l'incessante lancio di missili che i terroristi residenti nella Striscia di Gaza, stanno compiendo contro le città del sud di Israele. Sto seguendo con molta attenzione la vicenda ed aggiornando costantemente il mio blog (che ha visto più di mille contatti negli ultimi due giorni di cui il 50% dagli Stati Uniti e un buon 10% dalla Federazione Russa) http://israelianintelligence.blogspot.com, e ritengo che l'Italia non possa mantenere silente su quanto sta accadendo. Specialmente perché questi personaggi del terrorismo palestinese, non fanno altro che rovinare il lavoro di pace incessante in cui l'Italia ha avuto un importante ruolo di mediazione, e rendere sempre più difficili le condizioni di vita sia dei cittadini israeliani sia di quelli palestinesi.
Credo che la comunità degli amici di Israele in Italia si attenda questo suo gesto che non farà altro che rafforzare la nostra amicizia.
La saluto cordialmente,
Ettore Lomaglio Silvestri
A questa petizione è già giunta l'adesione dell'on. Enzo Raisi.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Rocket attacks from Gaza continue into 3rd night
Rocket attacks from Gaza continue into 3rd night
![Rocket-damaged school in Beersheba [file]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uF9nDjcKA2G4RjbaA2INwccAva5JycFfSO2cCXIZICLcN89fk1eweJYKl4DCVNroX4h7e27O4U1dzX02PFK8_OWe-D2pTtzJ1zuxfOcYZ_1SmdvlqPE5nMR0hYiNE=s0-d "Rocket-damaged school in Beersheba [file]")
By REUTERS
Last updated: 03/11/2012 23:46
By REUTERS
Terrorists in Gaza fired rockets into Israeli territory for the third straight night, while the Iron Dome defense system continued to intercept rockets fired at the South's larger cities.
The latest rocket launches came amid an escalation in violence along the Gaza border that began after the IAF foiled a major terror attack, killing the secretary general of the Popular Resistance Committees, Zuhair Qaisi in a bombing on Friday.
At least four rockets were fired towards Ashkelon Sunday evening. The Iron Dome defense battery deployed near the city intercepted one rocket, while the other three landed near the city in open fields. No damages or injuries were caused in the attacks.
Earlier, a rocket fired towards Ofakim - a small city about halfway between Beersheba and the Gaza Strip - also landed in an open area causing no damage or injuries.
At least five rockets landed in the Eshkol Regional Council, which abuts the Gaza Strip and includes a number of small communities. The rockets landed in open fields. No casualties resulted from those attacks.
The Home Front command along with the heads of a number of local authorities in Israel’s south gave the order on Sunday night to cancel school in all towns and cities located between 7km to 40km from the Gaza Strip for the second day in a row.
The ban applies to the cities of Ashkelon, Ashdod, Beersheba, Netivot, Sderot, Kiryat Malachi, Gadera, Rahat, Yavneh, Lakiyeh, and the Gan Yavneh Regional Council.
Schools in the western Negev that are closer than 7km to the Gaza Strip will hold class as usual, as they have the necessary reinforcement to protect against the incoming rockets, the Home Front Command said Saturday.
Sapir College in Sderet will stay open for classes on Monday despite the ongoing rocket attacks threatening southern Israel.
A rocket launched from the Gaza Strip hit a school in Beersheba on Sunday, exploding in its courtyard and damaging its outer walls. A second rocket slammed into the middle of a residential neighborhood in the city, damaging 15 homes and causing several residents to suffer shock.
"This is the first strike inside a city since the beginning of the current escalation," police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said of the attack.
Magen David Adom paramedics were on the scene, treating Beersheba residents for trauma and shock.
On Sunday, 40 rockets were fired into Israel and 14 were intercepted by the Iron Dome counter rocket defense system. A fourth battery will be deployed in the coming weeks. IDF sources said that around 160 rockets have been fired into Israel since the beginning of the violence on Friday afternoon.
Yaakov Katz, Ben Hartman and Yaakov Lappin contributed to this report.
The latest rocket launches came amid an escalation in violence along the Gaza border that began after the IAF foiled a major terror attack, killing the secretary general of the Popular Resistance Committees, Zuhair Qaisi in a bombing on Friday.
At least four rockets were fired towards Ashkelon Sunday evening. The Iron Dome defense battery deployed near the city intercepted one rocket, while the other three landed near the city in open fields. No damages or injuries were caused in the attacks.
Earlier, a rocket fired towards Ofakim - a small city about halfway between Beersheba and the Gaza Strip - also landed in an open area causing no damage or injuries.
At least five rockets landed in the Eshkol Regional Council, which abuts the Gaza Strip and includes a number of small communities. The rockets landed in open fields. No casualties resulted from those attacks.
The Home Front command along with the heads of a number of local authorities in Israel’s south gave the order on Sunday night to cancel school in all towns and cities located between 7km to 40km from the Gaza Strip for the second day in a row.
The ban applies to the cities of Ashkelon, Ashdod, Beersheba, Netivot, Sderot, Kiryat Malachi, Gadera, Rahat, Yavneh, Lakiyeh, and the Gan Yavneh Regional Council.
Schools in the western Negev that are closer than 7km to the Gaza Strip will hold class as usual, as they have the necessary reinforcement to protect against the incoming rockets, the Home Front Command said Saturday.
Sapir College in Sderet will stay open for classes on Monday despite the ongoing rocket attacks threatening southern Israel.
A rocket launched from the Gaza Strip hit a school in Beersheba on Sunday, exploding in its courtyard and damaging its outer walls. A second rocket slammed into the middle of a residential neighborhood in the city, damaging 15 homes and causing several residents to suffer shock.
"This is the first strike inside a city since the beginning of the current escalation," police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said of the attack.
Magen David Adom paramedics were on the scene, treating Beersheba residents for trauma and shock.
On Sunday, 40 rockets were fired into Israel and 14 were intercepted by the Iron Dome counter rocket defense system. A fourth battery will be deployed in the coming weeks. IDF sources said that around 160 rockets have been fired into Israel since the beginning of the violence on Friday afternoon.
Yaakov Katz, Ben Hartman and Yaakov Lappin contributed to this report.
Islamic Jihad shows off multi-barrel rocket launcher
Islamic Jihad shows off multi-barrel
rocket launcher
After IDF claimed last video was fake, terror group publishes new clip claiming device mounted on vehicle is in their hands. 'We have a few cards up our sleeve,' they threaten
The Islamic Jihad published a video clip on Saturday showing a multi-barrel rocket launcher in action, claiming the device has been used to fire rocket barrages from the Gaza Strip over the weekend.
A similar clip was been published by the terror organization in October 2011, however at the time IDF officials claimed it was a fake. For this reason, Islamic Jihad officials emphasized the organization's logo attached to the car door. The vehicle is identical to the vehicle shown in the last video.
"It's meant to prove that we have the vehicle in Gaza and that the video isn't fabricated, as some claimed the first time," said Islamic Jihad Spokesman Abu Ahmed.
Watch the clip:
According to Maan news agency, Islamic Jihad’s military wing, the Al-Quds Brigades, said in a statement that 10 members were killed in IDF strikes. A total of 12 people have been killed in Gaza according to reports.
Since Friday, following the targeted killing of Zuhir al-Qaisi, the secretary-general of the Popular Resistance Committees terror group, the situation in the south has escalated. According to the IDF, al-Qaisi was planning a big terror attack via Sinai.
The Islamic Jihad also claimed to have launched 41 Grad rockets, 20 homemade rockets, six mortar shells and three 107-mm rockets. Ahmed boasted, saying his people managed to operate a new launcher despite frequent IAF flights over the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours.
Ahmed remarked that the terror organization has a few extra cards up their sleeve, which they have yet to use against Israel.
After IDF claimed last video was fake, terror group publishes new clip claiming device mounted on vehicle is in their hands. 'We have a few cards up our sleeve,' they threaten
Elior Levy
|
The Islamic Jihad published a video clip on Saturday showing a multi-barrel rocket launcher in action, claiming the device has been used to fire rocket barrages from the Gaza Strip over the weekend.
A similar clip was been published by the terror organization in October 2011, however at the time IDF officials claimed it was a fake. For this reason, Islamic Jihad officials emphasized the organization's logo attached to the car door. The vehicle is identical to the vehicle shown in the last video.
"It's meant to prove that we have the vehicle in Gaza and that the video isn't fabricated, as some claimed the first time," said Islamic Jihad Spokesman Abu Ahmed.
Watch the clip:
| Islamic Jihad's multi-barrel rocket launcher? |
According to Maan news agency, Islamic Jihad’s military wing, the Al-Quds Brigades, said in a statement that 10 members were killed in IDF strikes. A total of 12 people have been killed in Gaza according to reports.
Since Friday, following the targeted killing of Zuhir al-Qaisi, the secretary-general of the Popular Resistance Committees terror group, the situation in the south has escalated. According to the IDF, al-Qaisi was planning a big terror attack via Sinai.
The Islamic Jihad also claimed to have launched 41 Grad rockets, 20 homemade rockets, six mortar shells and three 107-mm rockets. Ahmed boasted, saying his people managed to operate a new launcher despite frequent IAF flights over the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours.
Ahmed remarked that the terror organization has a few extra cards up their sleeve, which they have yet to use against Israel.
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