Dr. Patrick Slattery’s News Roundup
A service of DavidDuke.com
From Russia Today
‘If you are worried about refugees, stop supporting terrorists’ – Assad interview
“It’s not about that Europe didn’t accept them or embrace them as refugees, it’s about not dealing with the cause. If you are worried about them, stop supporting terrorists. That’s what we think regarding the crisis. This is the core of the whole issue of refugees.
“If we ask any Syrian today about what they want, the first thing they would say – ‘We want security and safety for every person and every family’,” the Syrian president said, adding that political forces, whether inside or outside the government “should unite around what the Syrian people want.”
From The Times of Israel
Russia deploys tanks, dispatches arms to Syrian air base
Moscow reportedly building up military presence near Latakia, flying cargo planes through Iran, Iraq airspace to resupply Assad
September 15, 2015, 6:16 am
Moscow has deployed tanks at an airfield near the Syrian coastal city of Latakia, US officials told Reuters Monday, at what the Pentagon described as a Russian “forward air operating base.”
The move is part of a recent Russian build-up in the Assad government-controlled corridor of its Middle Eastern ally. According to US officials who spoke to The New York Times, Russia has flown cargo jets through an air corridor over Iraq and Iran, transporting essential equipment and personnel to President Bashar Assad in flagrant opposition to the United States.
According to officials who spoke to Reuters, at least two military cargo planes have flown to the airfield each day for the past week.
Earlier this week, the head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdurrahman, said witnesses, including officials inside the airport, reported Russia’s development of the tarmac at the airbase so larger planes could land there. Reuters had also reported that Moscow deployed 200 marines to the airfield near Latakia as well.
Meanwhile, Damascus vehemently denied the reports of Russian troops on the ground in Syria, calling the claims “a lie,” the Telegraph cited the Syria’s envoy in Moscow telling the ITAR-TASS news agency.
From The Times of Israel
PM to push for mandatory minimum sentences for rock-throwers
After fatal Jerusalem attack, Temple Mount violence, Netanyahu to propose legislation at emergency meeting Tuesday
September 14, 2015, 8:52 pm Updated: September 14, 2015, 9:49 pm
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering fast-tracking legislation that would introduce mandatory minimum sentences for suspects convicted of throwing stones and firebombs.
According to a Channel 2 report, the PM will propose the legislation at an emergency cabinet meeting Tuesday evening, once the Jewish New Year holiday is over. The meeting will address deterrent measures against rock-throwers and will be attended by Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein and representatives from the security forces.
The emergency meeting comes after a series of violent incidents over the holiday, including a rock-throwing attack that led to a fatal car crash in Jerusalem Sunday night and riots on the Temple Mount.
“The prime minister sees incidents of rock-throwing and firebomb attacks against Israeli citizens as very severe and intends to fight this phenomenon with every available measure including stiffening punishments [for such crimes],” according to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office.
From PressTV
Israeli forces block all roads leading to al-Aqsa Mosque
Israeli forces have stormed the al-Aqsa Mosque in East al-Quds (Jerusalem) for a third straight day, blocking all roads leading to the holy site.
On Tuesday, Israeli soldiers attacked Palestinian worshipers inside the mosque, firing stun grenades and tear gas at them.
At least 20 Palestinians were injured and several others were arrested during the raid, according to a Palestinian eyewitness.
The Israeli troops also attacked al-Qibla Mosque in al-Quds, burned its gate and broke its windows. Palestinians were, however, quick to extinguish the fire.
From Russia Today
Refugees start sit-down hunger strike on Hungary-Serbian border – reports
Social media reports say refugees stuck on the border are holding banners, saying “No food no water until open border.”
From Ynet News
EU, Jordan warn against ‘provocation’ at Al Aqsa mosque
The warnings come amidst the third day of clashes between security forces and Palestinian rioters at the holy site, leading to a wave of violence throughout the city. The EU warned Tuesday against any “provocation” at Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa mosque compound as Palestinians and Israeli security forces clashed for a third day.
“The reported violence and escalation (at the site) constitute a provocation and incitement ahead of important Jewish and Muslim holy days,” European Commission spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told reporters in Brussels.
From Ynet News
Temple Mount clashes continue for third day
Third day of rioting sees Palestinians barricading themselves inside al-Aqsa Mosque, throwing stones, concrete blocks, fireworks at security forces.
Clashes between security forces and Palestinians at the Temple Mount continued for the third consecutive day on Tuesday, the second day of Rosh Hashanah.
Jerusalem Police said: “Following intelligence collected by the Shin Bet and the police regarding Arab youths, some with their faces covered, who barricaded themselves inside al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount, Jerusalem Police organized additional security forces at the entrance to the Temple Mount, who are prepared for any eventuality as has been done throughout the entire holiday.
From The Times of Israel
Turnbull sworn in as Australia’s new prime minister
A day after ousting Abbott in Liberal Party vote, former businessman takes office, says government ‘very, very strong’
September 15, 2015, 6:48 am
Former banker and businessman Malcolm Turnbull was sworn in as Australia’s 29th Prime Minister Tuesday, a day after defeating Tony Abbott as Liberal Party leader in a vote.
Turnbull, who has vowed to bring a new style of consultative leadership to Australia, took the oath of office with Governor-General Peter Cosgrove in the nation’s capital Canberra.
Turnbull was sworn in as prime minister Tuesday after a surprise ballot of his conservative Liberal Party colleagues voted 54-to-44 on Monday night to replace Abbott only two years after he was elected. Turnbull’s elevation has cemented a culture of disposable leaders as the new norm in Australian politics since the 11-year reign of Prime Minister John Howard ended in 2007.
“There’s been a change of prime minister, but we are a very, very strong government, a very strong country with a great potential and we will realize that potential working very hard together,” Turnbull told reporters as he left his Canberra apartment on Tuesday morning.
“This is a turn of events I did not expect, I have to tell you, but it’s one that I’m privileged to undertake and one that I’m certainly up to,” he added.
From The Times of Israel
Australia’s new PM may be Jewish, but hasn’t given it much thought
Malcolm Turnbull said his mother claimed Jewish ancestry, but is more interested ‘on the here and now’ than researching his roots
September 15, 2015, 3:29 am
Australia’s next prime minister could well be Jewish, but he says he hasn’t researched the matter.
Malcolm Turnbull ousted Prime Minister Tony Abbott in a party leadership election on Monday to become Australia’s fourth prime minister since 2013.
“My mother always used to say that her mother’s family was Jewish,” he told the Australian Jewish News two years ago. Judaism is passed from generation to generation on the mother’s side, so if his mother was in fact Jewish, so is Turnbull.
Turnbull had told another paper in 2008 that his mother told him when he was a child that “some of her ancestors, which were a mixture of people from the UK and Europe, were Jewish or of Jewish background.”
“Whether that’s true or not, I don’t know. She wasn’t always the most reliable source of information, I’m afraid. And she may not have been sure herself,” he told the Wentworth Courier at the time. If it were true, “then that’s great,” he said.
From The Times of Israel
Pope says refugee crisis is ‘tip of the iceberg,’ but warns against infiltrators
Francis urges Europe to welcome migrant families, blames ‘unjust’ global economic system
September 14, 2015, 8:44 pm
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis warned Monday that Europe’s refugee crisis is just the “tip of the iceberg,” fueled by an “unjust” global economic system forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee war and poverty in search of better lives.
In an interview with a Portuguese Catholic radio station, Francis recalled that the Bible requires that strangers be welcomed, though he acknowledged security precautions must be taken into account in today’s world.
“It’s true that 400 kilometers (250 miles) from Sicily, there is an exceedingly cruel terrorist guerrilla group, and it’s true there’s the danger of infiltration,” he told Radio Renascenca in an apparent reference to Islamic State extremists.
Francis repeated his call for parishes around the world to welcome in a migrant family, and said two refugee families have been identified to move into Vatican housing. They can stay “as long as the Lord wants,” he said.
He applauded those European countries that had welcomed in migrants and warned what awaits those that don’t: “On Judgment Day, we already know what we’ll be judged on,” he said, reciting the Biblical verse from Matthew 25: “When I was hungry, did you give me food?”
From Russia Today
Egyptian mogul identified & negotiating to buy 2 Greek islands for refugees
An Egyptian billionaire, who has been offering to buy a Mediterranean island to provide refugees with decent living conditions, has identified potential locations and is now in talks to purchase two private Greek islands.Egyptian TV tycoon Naguib Sawiris, whose fortune is worth an estimated $3 billion, has “identified two privately owned Greek islands that constitute a good opportunity for the project,” a statement from his communication office reads.
From The Times of Israel
As US debates nuclear deal, Iran woos the world
American companies remain on the sidelines while Iran pitches post-sanctions contracts to European competitors
September 15, 2015, 5:44 am
VIENNA (AP) — As Congress was debating the merits of the Iran nuclear deal last week, the U.S. political world was whipping itself into a frenzy. Not so much the rest of the world — it was busy restoring relations with Tehran, selling it weapons, and inking contracts with Iranian firms.
Republicans tried last week to push through a resolution of disapproval of the nuclear deal and a second vote, also expected to fail, is scheduled for Tuesday.
But U.S. companies will be sidelined no matter how the U.S. political tussle plays out because core sanctions imposed by Washington will remain even after the nuclear-related sanctions are lifted.
These secondary sanctions are linked to U.S. charges of Iranian human rights violations, terrorism and other allegations of wrongdoing. They have the effect of banning doing business with Iran, with only few exceptions, such as supplying parts for Iran’s civilian aviation sector.
“Non-U.S. companies are not in general subject to the U.S. sanctions,” says William McGlone, a Washington-based lawyer specializing in sanctions law. “As long as a non-U.S company is not involved in using persons or operations in the United States, then in general those companies could proceed with their transactions.”
From The Times of Israel
Mexico rails at Egypt over tourists killed in airstrike
Six remain unaccounted for after 12 killed, 10 injured when planes bomb picnic in Western Desert; Mexico City demands investigation
September 15, 2015, 4:02 am
MEXICO CITY (AFP) — Mexico called on Egypt Monday to swiftly investigate why tourists were mistakenly targeted in what witnesses described as an airstrike that left at least two Mexicans dead and six unaccounted for.
President Enrique Pena Nieto said 14 Mexicans were among those involved in Sunday’s “grave incident” in the Western Desert.
Egyptian authorities said security forces mistakenly killed 12 people and wounded 10 others when they struck their convoy while chasing jihadists, but they have not given details about the weaponry used or the breakdown of victims.
Mexico’s ambassador to Egypt said six Mexicans were still unaccounted for while a woman and a man were confirmed dead. The wounded included five women and a man who are stable.
“The events of yesterday have saddened us as a nation. There is no precedent, in years, of an event like this one that harms our compatriots,” Pena Nieto said.
From The Times of Israel
Putin touts Jewish values in Rosh Hashanah message
Russian leader’s annual New Year letter to Jews recalls traditional and historical efforts to make peace between people
September 13, 2015, 2:35 pm
Russian President Vladimir Putin dwelt on the Jewish tradition of seeking coexistence and peace among nations, in his annual Rosh Hashanah message to the Jews of Russia.
The message, sent as an official letter from the Kremlin, was delivered to Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar, who provided a Hebrew-language translation on Sunday.
“For every Jew, Rosh Hashanah is not just a salute to the priceless spiritual and historical heritage of their fathers,” Putin wrote. “During these days it is customary for each person to evaluate the moral outcome of his actions, to plan good deeds, to forgive, and to make amends for insults. And of course, in preparation for the festival, they help relatives, and serve and support anyone in need.”
The letter was also published in the official Russian press.
“For hundreds of years Jewish values were steeped in lofty purposes — the unification of people, to strengthen belief and mutual understanding. The religious Jewish organizations of Russia adhere to this ancient tradition, working tirelessly to increase peace in the community, to better the relations between different people, to develop fruitful debate with the other traditional religions, while fiercely confronting all manifestations of anti-Semitism and hatred of strangers.
