Source: JTA, 8-30-13
The Israeli army has deployed the Iron Dome rocket interception system around Tel Aviv in preparation for a possible strike by Syria….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on August 30, 2013
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/08/30/israel-political-brief-august-30-2013-iron-dome-deployed-in-tel-aviv-as-us-moves-closer-to-syria-strike/
Source: JTA, 8-21-13
An Iron Dome anti-missile system battery was deployed to central Israel….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on August 21, 2013
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/08/21/israel-brief-august-21-2013-iron-dome-battery-deployed-to-central-israel/
Source: Jerusalem Post, 3-5-13
Hagel is working to ensure there is no interruption of funding for Iron Dome, Arrow, David’s Sling rocket, says US official. Defense Minister Barak embraces US counterpart Hagel….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on March 5, 2013
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/03/05/israel-political-brief-march-5-2013-chuck-hagel-to-ehud-barak-i-hope-to-visit-israel-soon/
Source: JTA, 2-27-13
The Iron Dome anti-missile defense system was tested near the city of Modi’in, located between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on February 27, 2013
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/02/27/israel-political-brief-february-27-2013-iron-dome-tested-near-jerusalem/
Source: JTA, 1-2-13
Tzipi Livni was turned away from an Iron Dome anti-missile battery where she had planned to hold a campaign photo opportunity….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on January 2, 2013
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/01/02/israel-political-brief-january-2-2013-tzipi-livni-turned-away-from-iron-dome-battery-by-military/
Source: JTA, 11-21-12
At least 116 rockets struck southern Israel on the eighth day of the country’s Operation Pillar of Defense against terrorists in Gaza….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on November 21, 2012
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/israel-political-brief-november-21-2012-at-least-116-rockets-strike-israel-on-operations-eighth-day/
As the 8-day holiday of Hanukkah approaches, Israel marks the eighth day of Operation Pillar of Defense by counting the missiles fired.
Source: INN, 11-21-12
Gaza’s ruling Hamas terrorists and affiliated terrorist groups have fired 1,408 missiles and rockets at Israel since the beginning of Operation Pillar of Defense, eight days ago.
Of those fired, 56 missiles have struck populated areas in Israel, and 412 have been intercepted and shot down by the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system.
They have varied in ranges from the short-range “homemade” Kassam rockets that reach close to 20-25 kilometers (12.5-15 miles), to medium-range Grad Katyusha missiles that reach up to 40 kilometers (25 miles), and now also include the Iranian Fajr-5 missiles, with a range of 75-80 kilometers (45-48 miles)….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on November 21, 2012
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/israel-political-brief-november-20-2012-1408-missiles-in-8-days-fired-by-gaza-at-israel/
Source: JTA, 11-20-12
A CNN poll showed a considerable gap between Republicans and Democrats when it comes to backing Israel in the current Gaza conflict.
In the CNN poll published Monday, respondents were asked whether “Israel was justified or unjustified in taking military action against Hamas and the Palestinians in the area known as Gaza.” Among Democrats, 40 percent said Israel was “justified,” compared to 74 percent of Republicans and 59 percent of independents.
In all, 57 percent of those polled said Israel was justified in launching the operation in the Gaza Strip.The poll, carried out by ORC International in 1,023 phone interviews from Nov. 16 to Nov. 18, has a margin of error of 3 percentage points….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on November 20, 2012
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2012/11/20/israel-political-brief-november-20-2012-poll-shows-gap-between-republicans-and-democrats-in-backing-israel-in-gaza/
Source: JTA, 11-20-12
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An Israeli soldier and an Israeli civilian were killed in separate rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip….
More than 140 rockets were fired at southern Israel in the seventh day since the beginning of the operation, including two aimed at Jerusalem. Some 56,000 military reservists have been called up since the beginning of the operation.
An air raid siren sounded in Jerusalem on Tuesday afternoon; two rockets fell in the Gush Etzion area south of the city. Hamas claimed responsibility for the rockets aimed at Jerusalem….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on November 20, 2012
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2012/11/20/israel-political-brief-november-20-2012-israeli-soldier-civilian-killed-as-rockets-pound-southern-israel-jerusalem-on-seventh-day/
Source: JTA, 11-20-12
More than 80 rockets were fired at southern Israel in the seventh day since the beginning of Operation Pillar of Defense, including two aimed at Jerusalem….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on November 20, 2012
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2012/11/20/israel-political-brief-november-2-2012-rockets-pound-israel-for-seventh-day/
Source: JTA, 11-19-12
Communities in southern Israel came under a steady barrage of rockets and the Israeli military said it inflicted “severe damage on the rocket launching capabilities of terror organizations” as its Operation Pillar of Defense neared the end of its first week……READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on November 19, 2012
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2012/11/19/israel-political-brief-november-19-2012-southern-israel-remains-under-steady-rocket-barrage/
Source: JTA, 11-18-12
The rocket fire didn’t stop while residents of Kiryat Malachi buried the victims of last week’s fatal rocket attack on the city….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on November 18, 2012
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2012/11/18/israel-brief-november-18-2012-fear-rage-and-resilience-in-kiryat-malachi-amid-the-rocket-fire/
Source: JTA, 11-18-12
Israel has repelled some 44 million cyber attacks on government websites since the start of Operation Pillar of Defense, a government minister said….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on November 18, 2012
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2012/11/18/israel-political-brief-november-18-2012-israel-fighting-off-millions-of-cyber-attacks/
Source: JTA, 11-18-12
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel “is prepared for a significant expansion of its operation” in the Gaza Strip on a day that dozens of rockets from Gaza were fired at Israel — including at least three at Tel Aviv that were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on November 18, 2012
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2012/11/18/israel-political-brief-november-18-2012-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-says-idf-prepared-to-expand-operation-iron-dome-snags-rockets-aimed-at-tel-aviv/
Source: JTA, 11-17-12
A fifth Iron Dome missile defense system was deployed in the Tel Aviv area, and shortly afterwards intercepted a rocket aimed at the major Israeli city….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on November 17, 2012
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2012/11/17/israel-political-brief-november-17-2012-newly-placed-iron-dome-battery-intercepts-rocket-fired-at-tel-aviv/
Source: JTA, 6-26-12
Four rockets were fired from Gaza at a Jewish community in the Negev.
The Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted two of the four rockets fired at Netivot Tuesday evening. The others landed in open areas and did not cause any damage, according to reports.
On Tuesday morning a rocket fired from Gaza that landed in a kibbutz in southern Israel struck an empty hen house.
The rockets were fired despite an Egyptian-mediated truce between Israel and Gazan terrorist groups that went into effect on Sunday evening.
More than 150 rockets fired from Gaza have struck southern Israel since the cross-border attacks began last week.
Terrorists from Hamas-controlled Gaza fired a barrage of four Grad missiles at the town of Netivot on Tuesday evening.
The Iron Dome system intercepted two of the missiles, and the other two exploded in open areas. There were no physical injuries and no reports of property damage.
Despite an Egyptian-brokered “ceasefire” announced by Hamas last week, terrorists from Gaza have continued firing rockets at southern Israel. On Tuesday morning, a Qassam rocket hit a kibbutz chicken barn, causing damage but no physical injuries.
The rocket exploded in the area of Sderot, located less than a mile from northern Gaza….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on June 26, 2012
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2012/06/26/israel-political-brief-june-26-2012-rockets-fired-from-gaza-hit-israel-despite-truce/
Source: JTA, 6-20-12
In a barrage of dozens of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, one hit a home in the Negev.
At least 60 rockets were fired at Israel on Wednesday. The home was damaged but no injuries were reported, according to reports.
Earlier Wednesday, an Israeli airstrike killed a terrorist responsible for an attack that left an Israeli civilian dead.
Wednesday afternoon’s targeted attack also seriously injured another terrorist involved in the planning and execution of a cross-border attack two days earlier that killed a civilian construction worker, the Israel Defense Forces said. The IDF said the two Global Jihad operatives were planning another attack.
The civilian killed Monday was working on the security fence being erected between Israel and Egypt.
Some 50 rockets struck Israel on Tuesday, and several on Monday, in an escalating series of cross-border attacks this week between Israel and alleged Palestinian terrorists.
At least 11 Israeli Border Guard officers have been injured as a result of the attacks.
Posted by bonniekgoodman on June 20, 2012
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/israel-political-brief-june-20-2012-barrage-of-60-rockets-from-gaza-one-hits-a-negev-home/
Source: PMO, 4-1-12
Following are Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks at the start of the Cabinet meeting today:
Prime Minister Netanyahu: “Today exactly, we will start the Government’s fourth year in office. This is the most stable Government in the last 20 years and it is a Government that gets things done, a lot of things.
Israelis feel safer thanks to the Government’s vigorous security policy. They feel safer thanks to the major budgets we are investing in home front protection, with emphasis on the purchase of Iron Dome batteries. Additionally, there is the security fence along the Sinai border and other actions we are undertaking to increase security.
Israelis also feel that the economy is more stable and secure. We have fared very well in the face of the global economic crisis. The economy here is growing despite the global crisis, and unemployment is at its lowest since 1983.
There is nothing more social than an economic policy that creates jobs. Jobs are the most social thing there is and only someone who goes to the welfare office and has no income and no self-image before his family knows the effect of major unemployment.
Growth has allowed the Government to invest in all areas – highways, railways and interchanges. We are investing great sums in order to draw the Galilee and the Negev closer to the center of the country. We are carrying out unprecedented revolutions in education – from pre-school up to the NIS 7 billion we are investing in rehabilitating and advancing higher education. We are doing all of this in order to invest in the future. But today, the future is here – here behind me.
Today, five young people from the many hundreds who contacted me on Facebook – Hila, Roi, Sari, Yuval and Nestia – are here behind me. In a few moments, they will present us with their suggestions for legislation. This is your first visit to the Government?”
Children: “Yes.”
Prime Minister: “Are you excited?”
Children: “Yes.”
Prime Minister: “The ministers are also excited on their first visit but it passes, it passes.
We want to hear what interests the younger generation. But before that, I would like to comment on the price of gasoline. Last night, I decided – along with Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz – on a reduction in the price of gasoline that has been set by the global market. For the fourth time within a year, we lowered taxes on gasoline by the cumulative amount of NIS 0.80. I must point out that today, taxes on gasoline in Israel are smaller than in many European countries.
I would like to make it clear – we do not control world gasoline prices. The price of gasoline is rising all over the world, in all countries. What we can do is to try and ease the burden on citizens in a responsible and measured way, and this is what we are doing. However, we are constantly maintaining the budgetary framework. Therefore, later this week, I will submit to the Cabinet a proposal formulated by Finance Minister Steinitz to deal with maintaining the framework. Whoever says that it is possible to lower taxes and broaden expenditures without making an account lacks economic knowledge and is irresponsible.
We need the taxes in order to purchase additional Iron Dome batteries, in order to complete work on the fence, in order to finance free education for children, in order to pave highways and build railways, in order to help the elderly and the needy. By the way, in the past two years – for the first time in many years – the poverty index has begun to decline. The number of poor people in the State of Israel dropped for the first time in years because we have invested in the elderly and have encouraged the ultra-orthodox and Arabs to join the work force. For the first time, the clock is turning.
I am saying all of this because we must tell it like it is. I commend Finance Minister Steinitz and the Finance Ministry for their responsible conduct and because this time as well the budget for financing the tax reduction will be taken from a process of enacting greater efficiency in the Government. This time as well, we will not break the budgetary framework and thus we will maintain the Israeli economy in the face of the global crisis. And now I would like to hear from the children.
Thank you all.”
יום ראשון ט’ ניסן תשע”ב
היום בדיוק אנחנו מתחילים את השנה הרביעית לכהונתה של הממשלה ולפעולתה של הממשלה. זו הממשלה היציבה ביותר ב-20 השנים האחרונות וזו ממשלה שעושה. הרבה.
אזרחי ישראל מרגישים בטוחים יותר בזכות המדיניות הביטחונית התקיפה של הממשלה. הם מרגישים בטוחים יותר בזכות תקציבי עתק שאנחנו משקיעים למיגון העורף, בדגש על רכישת סוללות ‘כיפת ברזל’. בנוסף לזה, פריסת הגדר, גדר הביטחון בגבול סיני, ופעולות אחרות שאנחנו עושים כדי להגדיל את הביטחון.
אזרחי ישראל מרגישים גם שכלכלת ישראל יציבה יותר, בטוחה יותר, כמעט – ואני לא בטוח שהייתי מוסיף את המילים ‘כמעט’ – מכל כלכלות העולם המפותח. אנחנו פעלנו היטב אל מול המשבר הכלכלי העולמי. הכלכלה כאן צומחת למרות המשבר העולמי והאבטלה נמצאת בשיעור הנמוך ביותר מאז שנת 1983.
אין דבר יותר חברתי ממדיניות כלכלית שמייצרת מקומות עבודה. מקומות עבודה זה הדבר החברתי ביותר שישנו, ורק מי שהולך ללשכת הסעד ואין לו פרנסה ואין לו דימוי עצמי אל מול משפחתו, יודע עד כמה הפגיעה של האבטלה גדולה. אנחנו הורדנו את האבטלה לשפל של כל הזמנים וכך פעלנו גם בנושא החברתי.
הצמיחה מאפשרת לממשלה להשקיע בכל התחומים – בכבישים, ברכבות, במחלפים. אנחנו משקיעים סכומי עתק כדי לקרב את הגליל והנגב למרכז. אנחנו מבצעים מהפכות, מהפכות חסרות תקדים בחינוך – מחינוך חינם לגיל הרך ועד לשבעה מיליארד שקלים שאנחנו משקיעים בשיקום ההשכלה הגבוהה ובהזנקתה קדימה. אנחנו עושים את כל זה כדי להשקיע בעתידנו, אבל היום העתיד כבר כאן – הנה הוא מאחוריי.
היום, חמישה בני נוער מתוך מאות רבות שפנו אליי בפייסבוק – הילה, רועי, שרי, יובל ונסטיה – נמצאים כאן מאחוריי. הם יציגו לנו מיד את הצעות החוק הפרטיות שלכם. זה ביקור ראשון שלכם בממשלה, נכון?
הילדים: כן
ראש הממשלה: אתם מתרגשים?
הילדים: כן
ראש הממשלה: גם השרים התרגשו בביקור הראשון, אבל זה עובר, זה עובר.
אנחנו רוצים לשמוע מה מעניין את הדור הבא. אבל עוד קודם לכן, אני מבקש להתייחס למחירי הדלק. אמש החלטתי יחד עם שר האוצר על ההפחתה במחיר הדלק שנקבע על ידי השוק העולמי. אנחנו הורדנו בפעם הרביעית בתוך שנה אחת את המס על הדלק בסכום מצטבר שהוא גדול מ-80 אגורות. אני חייב לציין שכיום המס על הדלק במדינת ישראל קטן יותר ממה שקיים במדינות רבות באירופה.
אני רוצה להבהיר: אנחנו איננו שולטים במחיר הדלק העולמי . מחיר הדלק עולה בכל העולם, בכל המדינות. מה שאנחנו יכולים לעשות זה לנסות להקל בצורה מדודה ואחראית על המצוקות של האזרחים וכך אנחנו עושים. אבל אנחנו כל הזמן שומרים על מסגרת התקציב. לכן אני אביא לממשלה, בהמשך השבוע את ההצעה שגיבש שר האוצר כדי לטפל בשמירת המסגרת.
מי שאומר שאפשר להוריד מסים וגם להרחיב הוצאות בלי חשבון – נעדר ידע כלכלי ונעדר אחריות לאומית. אנחנו צריכים את המסים כדי לקנות עוד ‘כיפות ברזל’, כדי להשלים את סלילת הגדר, כדי לממן חינוך חינם לילדים, כדי לסלול כבישים ורכבות, כדי לעזור לקשישים ולנזקקים, מה שאגב גרם לכך שבשנתיים האחרונות, אחרי שנים ארוכות, מדד העוני התחיל לרדת. העוני, מספר העניים במדינת ישראל ירד בפעם הראשונה מזה שנים, כי השקענו בקשישים וגם עודדנו יציאה של חרדים וערבים לעבודה. פעם ראשונה השעון הסתובב. אני אומר את כל זה משום שצריך לומר את הדברים כהווייתם.
אני מברך את שר האוצר ומשרדו על הדרך האחראית שבה הם נהגו, וגם הפעם התקציב למימון הפחתת המס יילקח מתהליך ייעול שנעשה במנגנון הממשלתי. גם הפעם לא נפרוץ את המסגרת התקציבית וכך נשמור על הכלכלה של ישראל מפני המשבר העולמי. שנה רביעית מוצלחת לכולנו, ועכשיו אני רוצה לשמוע את הילדים.
Posted by bonniekgoodman on April 1, 2012
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2012/04/01/full-text-israel-political-brief-april-1-2012-pm-benjamin-netanyahus-remarks-speech-at-the-start-of-the-weekly-cabinet-meeting-discusses-the-economy/
Source: Virtual Jerusalem, 8-25-11
More than 20 rockets were fired on southern Israel from Gaza during the night with strikes on Beersheva, Ashkelon, Sderot, Ofakim, Netivot and villages in the region, “IDF Radio” (Galei Zahal) reported. An 11-month old baby was lightly injured by the blast on one of the kibbutzim in the area. Damage was reported to a house in Sderot this morning.
The Iron Dome defense system successfully intercepted rockets 
that were fired on Beersheva and Ashkelon. Life has yet to return to normal in the region and cultural and sporting events including Ligat Ha’Al soccer matches that were postponed at the weekend and scheduled for last night had to be put off again on orders from the IDF.
In response to the ongoing attacks, the IDF bombed a band of Palestinians in Gaza firing kassam rockets. Reports say that six Palestinians were killed. The IDF also reported that during the night aircraft attacked a building used to store weapons in the northern Gaza strip, and that there were accurate hits.
via globes.co.il
Source: JTA, 8-25-11
Terrorists in Gaza renewed rocket attacks on Israel, ending a brief lull.
More than 20 rockets were fired at Israel overnight Wednesday through Thursday afternoon. A 9-month-old baby was wounded when a rocket hit a home near Ashkelon. One rocket was intercepted near Beersheba by the Iron Dome missile defense system, according to the Israel Defense Forces.
Israel Air Force planes on Wednesday night struck several targets in Gaza, including a weapons storage facility, a smuggling tunnel and a weapons manufacturing site, the IDF said. At least four Palestinians were killed and 20 injured in the attacks, Palestinian sources told Israeli media.
The attacks followed a day of quiet that came after five days in which southern Israel was struck by more than 100 rockets and shells fired from Gaza. The outburst followed Israeli airstrikes that came in the wake of the terrorist attack a week ago near Eilat in which eight Israelis were killed.
Posted by bonniekgoodman on August 25, 2011
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2011/08/25/gaza-rocket-fire-continues-rain-southern-israel/
Source: Virtual Jerusalem, 8-22-11
While Israel’s skies are still raining rockets despite an alleged “ceasefire” local radio announcers are broadcasting bravery to bolster its citizens who are facing the fire.
After days in which mortar shells and missiles of all ranges have been fired 
at southern Israel, local radio announcers have been reviewing the defense instructions of Home Front Command – and stressing the importance of following them to the letter.
“When one hears the air raid siren, one must immediately proceed directly to a safe space,” a radio announcer quietly reminded his listeners in a calm voice during a recent broadcast on the popular local southern radio station, Radio Darom.
“One does not need to run, nor does one need to panic. There is a full minute’s travel time for the missile to reach Be’er Sheva from Gaza, 60 seconds, in which to find shelter – more than enough time,” he said soothingly, “so don’t run. Just don’t dawdle. If you are traveling in a car, park and leave the car. Knock on the nearest door or enter the nearest shelter.
“I am sure that anyone with a shelter will share their safe space with you in such times,” he added in a comforting tone. The announcer also reminded listeners not to leave the shelter for at least 10 minutes after impact is heard in order to be sure there is no secondary attack.
That last bit of information was especially important; Police Commissioner Yochanan Danino commented to reporters regretfully at one missile impact site last Friday, “This could have been prevented – this event could have ended with no casualties.”
He called on residents to stay indoors and avoid gathering in public places, even though many have expressed real curiosity about the Iron Dome anti-missile system and the desire to watch it in action.
“I know that the Iron Dome looks like fireworks (when it operates) and it draws people out on the streets,” Danino said, “but we must put a stop to it. We need to put our curiosity aside,” he appealed.
Even though the Hamas terrorist rulers of Gaza allegedly initiated a ceasefire late Sunday night, the so-called truce had already been violated more than a dozen times within its first 24 hours. It was also unclear how many of Gaza’s numerous terrorist organizations have actually signed on to cooperate with the agreement.
via israelnn.com
Posted by bonniekgoodman on August 22, 2011
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2011/08/22/israel-home-front-command-no-need-to-panic/
Together With Israel יחד עם ישראל 