ISRAEL BRIEF
ISRAEL BRIEF: ISRAEL NEWS
Rockets fired from Lebanon do damage in northern Israel
Source: JTA, 8-22-13
Four rockets were fired at northern Israel, causing damage to homes and cars….READ MORE
Source: JTA, 8-22-13
Four rockets were fired at northern Israel, causing damage to homes and cars….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on August 22, 2013
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/08/22/israel-brief-august-22-2013-rockets-fired-from-lebanon-do-damage-in-northern-israel/
Source: JTA, 4-29-13
A rocket fired from Gaza struck Israel for the second time in two days….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on April 29, 2013
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/04/29/israel-brief-april-29-2013-second-gaza-rocket-strikes-israel-in-two-days/
Source: JTA, 4-28-13
Israel’s Air Force bombed a terrorist training base in Gaza hours after a rocket from the coastal strip struck near a community in southern Israel….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on April 28, 2013
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/04/28/israel-brief-april-28-2013-israels-air-force-hits-gaza-sites-after-rocket-attack/
Source: The Daily Star, 4-7-13
A rocket fired from Gaza crashed into southern Israel on Sunday, without causing casualties or damage, shortly after the arrival of US Secretary of State John Kelly on a peace bid, police said….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on April 7, 2013
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/04/07/israel-brief-april-7-2013-gaza-rocket-fired-at-israel-no-wounded-police/
Source: JTA, 4-4-13
A rocket fired from Gaza struck southern Israel, the third consecutive day that rockets have been fired at Israel from the coastal strip….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on April 4, 2013
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/04/04/israel-brief-april-4-2013-rockets-fired-on-southern-israel-from-gaza-for-third-day/
Source: Nzweek, 4-4-13
For the third day in a row, a rockets barrage of three mortar shells was launched by militants in the Gaza Strip toward southern Israel Thursday morning, the IDF confirmed….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on April 4, 2013
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/04/04/israel-brief-april-4-2013-rockets-barrage-launched-toward-southern-israel-for-3rd-consecutive-day/
Source: JTA, 4-3-13
Israeli retaliatory airstrikes hit what the country’s military called “two extensive terror sites” in the northern Gaza Strip….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on April 3, 2013
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/04/03/israel-political-brief-april-4-2013-israeli-military-fires-on-syria-gaza-after-rocket-attack-incidents/
Source: JTA, 4-2-13
A mortar rocket was fired from Gaza at Israel, while a partially exploded Kassam rocket was discovered in an Israeli preschool….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on April 2, 2013
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/04/02/israel-brief-april-2-2013-rocket-fired-from-gaza-at-southern-israel-as-second-rocket-discovered-in-sderot-preschool/
Source: JTA, 2-26-13
A rocket fired from Gaza hit southern Israel for the first time in three months….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on February 26, 2013
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/02/26/israel-brief-february-26-2013-southern-israel-hit-by-gaza-rocket-for-first-time-in-3-months/
Source: Xinhua, 11-22-12
An Israeli minister said Thursday that Hamas can expect an aggravated military response in the event that it or other militant groups in the Gaza Strip resume rocket attacks on Israel….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on November 22, 2012
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2012/11/22/israel-political-brief-november-22-2012-israel-warns-of-tougher-operation-if-truce-agreement-violated/
Source: YNet News, 11-22-12
Soldiers recruited during Operation Pillar of Defense disappointed that IDF ‘didn’t get to finish the job’
The army began releasing on Thursday tens of thousands of reserve soldiers who were recruited under emergency orders during Operation Pillar of Defense.
Some of the soldiers were disappointed by the fact that the operation was cut short and they were not given the chance to “complete the mission,” as one soldier put it, while others said it is just a matter of time before they are called up again….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on November 22, 2012
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2012/11/22/israel-political-brief-november-22-2012-idf-reservists-released-after-gaza-operation-well-be-back/
Source: YNet News, 11-21-12
Twelve rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel since 9 pm, when a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza was set to take effect.
Posted by bonniekgoodman on November 21, 2012
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/israel-political-brief-november-21-2012-12-rockets-fired-on-israel-since-cease-fire-truce-takes-effect/
The partial text of the ceasefire agreement as reported by news agencies.
Source: INN, 11-21-12
This is the partial text of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, as brokered by Egypt and the U.S. and reported by AFP.
“Israel shall stop all hostilities in the Gaza Strip land sea and air, including incursions and targeting of individuals.
“All Palestinian factions shall stop all hostilities from the Gaza Strip against Israel, including rocket attacks and all attacks along the border.
“Opening the crossings and facilitating the movement of people and transfer of goods and refraining from restricting residents’ free movements and targeting residents in border areas. Procedures of implementation shall be dealt with after 24 hours from the start of the ceasefire.
“Other matters as may be requested shall be addressed.”
“Implementation mechanism.
“Setting up the zero hour understanding to enter into effect.
“Egypt shall receive assurances from each party that the party commits to what was agreed upon.
“Each party shall commit itself not to perform any acts that would breach this understanding. In case of any observations, Egypt as a sponsor of this understanding, shall be informed to follow up.”
Posted by bonniekgoodman on November 21, 2012
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/full-text-israel-political-brief-november-21-2012-text-of-ceasefire-agreement-between-israel-hamas/
According to Egyptian foreign minister, ceasefire will go into force at 9:00 p.m. Netanyahu’s statement leaves room for resumed fighting.
Source: INN, 11-21-12
According to the latest reports from Cairo and Israel, U.S. President Barack Obama spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu Wednesday evening and asked him to agree to abide by a ceasefire with Hamas.
The terms of the ceasefire are not yet known in full….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on November 21, 2012
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/israel-brief-november-21-2012-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-im-giving-ceasefire-a-chance-before-using-greater-force/
Source: ABC News, 11-21-12
Posted by bonniekgoodman on November 21, 2012
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/israel-brief-november-21-2012-hillary-clinton-announces-israel-hamas-ceasefire/
Source: JTA, 11-21-12
A cease-fire between Israel and Hamas is set to begin at 9 p.m. local time….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on November 21, 2012
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/israel-brief-november-21-2012-israel-and-hamas-reach-a-cease-fire/
Source: JTA, 11-20-12
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Nov. 20, 2012. (Avi Ohayon/ GPO/Flash90)
Makoto Otsuka, director general of the Holocaust Education Center in Fukuyama, Japan, with visiting schoolchildren in front of a photo of Anne Frank.–>
Talks between Israel and Hamas negotiated by Egypt have not produced a cease-fire.
The talks in Cairo are expected to stretch into Wednesday, a Hamas official reportedly said late Tuesday night.
A Hamas official had been quoted earlier on Tuesday by Reuters as saying that a cease-fire would go into effect at midnight.
Shortly after the Reuters report appeared Tuesday evening, Mark Regev, a spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, told CNN that an agreement on a cease-fire had not yet been reached….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on November 20, 2012
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2012/11/20/israel-political-brief-november-20-2012-cairo-talks-fail-to-yield-cease-fire-agreement-expected-to-continue/
Prime Minister Netanyahu: Mr. Secretary, welcome to Jerusalem. You’re always a welcome guest, and I appreciate both your coming here and your statement. I want to thank you for making it clear that Israel has the right to defend itself. I want to thank you for your consistent statements condemning the rocket attacks on Israel’s citizens.
I know you’re very concerned about the civilian casualties on both sides. Well, we share your concern, and that is why, in fighting terror, our military always tries to avoid civilian casualties. In fact, I’m not sure that there is another military on Earth that goes to such great lengths to keep innocents out of harm’s way. Israel is, I think, remarkable in that, when you consider the conditions that we’re facing, I think that something almost without parallel in history is taking place. We’re conducting these surgical operations against terrorists at a time when our own population is being bombarded by rocket attacks.
Unfortunately, Mr. Secretary, Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, and the other terrorist groups, do not share your concern about our civilian casualties or about civilian casualties at all. They’re deliberately and indiscriminately targeting our civilians and they deliberately hide behind their civilians. The terrorists target our children and they use their own children as human shields. They place explosives, weapons, other destructive weapons of any kind in schools, mosques, hospitals, universities. Targeting civilians and hiding behind civilians, as you well know is a double war crime. If we hope to make these tactics illegitimate, they should be condemned in the most forceful terms by all responsible members of the international community. The moment we draw symmetry between the victims of terror and the unintended casualties that result from legitimate military action against the terrorists, the minute that false symmetry is drawn, the terrorists win.
I know, Mr. Secretary, that you understand this, and I am confident, as always, that you will continue to lend your moral authority to the struggle against terrorism. Mr. Secretary, no country would tolerate rocket attacks against its cities and against its civilians. Israel cannot tolerate such attacks. If a long-term solution can be put in place through diplomatic means, than Israel would be a willing partner to such a solution. But if stronger military action proves necessary to stop the constant barrage of rockets, Israel will not hesitate to do what is necessary to defend our people.
I look forward to our discussions today, and I hope we can advance a peaceful resolution.
Secretary Ban: Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. Shalom, ladies and gentlemen. Todah.
Again, I’d like to thank the Prime Minister for welcoming me to Israel at this time. Regrettably, I’m back again in the region only nine months since my last visit because of violence in Israel and Gaza, this again requiring our attention, not progressing towards a lasting peace and a two-state solution. But all this we are truly concerned at the rising loss of human lives. A further escalation would be dangerous and tragic for Palestinians and Israelis, and would put the entire region at risk. I’m here to appeal to all to hold fire and restore calm.
Rockets have hit areas just outside of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, as well as Israeli towns near Gaza, killing and injuring civilians. I myself visited Sderot and these cities, and met many people, and I was able to witness myself how these people were living in fear and terror. This is unacceptable, irresponsible and reckless. I strongly condemn these actions. Rocket attacks by Palestinian militants targeting Israel must cease immediately. I know how desperate the situation is here, but Israel must exercise maximum restraint. I strongly caution against a ground operation which will only result in further tragedy. I have also stressed that while Israeli rockets may be aimed at military targets inside Gaza, they kill and injure civilians and damage civilian infrastructures. The loss of civilian lives is unacceptable under any circumstances. The excessive use of force is unlawful and must be rejected, and I take note of your statement that this military operation was aimed against only military facilities, but still in the course of military operations, the civilians are actually victimized, as we have seen.
My paramount immediate concern is for the safety and well-being of all civilians, in Israel and in Gaza. Innocent people, including children, are being killed and injured on both sides. I appeal to all and those commanding, bearing and operating arms, weapons, to respect international humanitarian law to ensure the protection of civilians at all times. I was here under similar circumstances in early 2009. It is truly painful for me to be back for the same reason. This new cycle of bloodshed will make neither Israelis nor Palestinians more secure, nor will bloodshed open the door to negotiations that could achieve a two-state solution necessary to end such violence permanently. Further escalation benefits no one. I and all my staff, including Special Coordinator Robert Serry, will spare no effort to put an end to violence and provide humanitarian assistance to those who need it.
Over the past week, Mr. Prime Minister, I have spoken with many international leaders and regional leaders by telephone and in person. I have come here directly from Cairo, where I met with Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Araby and Egyptian Prime Minister Hesham Mohamed Qandil earlier today. Egypt is a leader in the region, and I was encouraged that the Egyptian authorities are using their contacts on all sides to seek an immediate ceasefire. I’ve also met Foreign Minister Leiberman and Defense Minister Barak this afternoon since arriving in Jerusalem. I will be meeting President Peres after our meeting with you this evening, and Palestinian President Abbas tomorrow morning. I’m here to offer my help and good offices to end the violence and find a path back towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict. The world is watching and waiting. We have not a moment to lose.
Again, Mr. Prime Minister, I count on your strong leadership while working together with the United Nations for peace and stability and human rights in this region.
Posted by bonniekgoodman on November 20, 2012
https://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2012/11/20/full-text-israel-political-brief-november-20-2012-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-un-secretary-general-ban-ki-moons-statements-before-their-meeting/