From The Independent
From the Jewish Telegraphic Agency
George W. Bush: Sanctions rollbacks with Iran would be a mistake
LAS VEGAS (JTA) — Former President George W. Bush said a deal with Iran should not have sanctions rollbacks.
“It’s ridiculous to think once you end sanctions they’re gone,” Bush said at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual spring forum in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
The session was off the record, but attendees shared parts of the Bush’s question-and-answer session with conference-goers with reporters.
Bush would not directly criticize President Barack Obama, saying it would be unseemly to do so.
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From Russia Today
UN blames Israel for attacks on schools during Gaza War
A UN inquiry has found that Israeli security forces conducted seven deadly attacks on UN schools that were being used as shelters during last year’s Gaza offensive. The conflict killed 44 Palestinians and injured 227.
The independent board of inquiry found that Israel was responsible for damage to seven UN facilities in Gaza during Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014. Palestinian militants were also exposed to have used three UN facilities for storing weapons and for shooting rockets and mortars.
“I deplore the fact that at least 44 Palestinians were killed as a result of Israeli actions and at least 227 injured at United Nations premises being used as emergency shelters,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon wrote in a cover letter accompanying a summary of the inquiry’s findings.
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From Russia Today
Iran insists Israel ‘give up the bomb’ as Tehran seeks nuclear-free Middle East
Iran has demanded that Israel give up its “nuclear weapons”, as it spoke on behalf of the 120-nation Non-Aligned Movement. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif said the bloc also wants a nuclear free-zone in the Middle East.
Mohammad Javad Zarif was speaking at the United Nations for the non-aligned group of countries. Israel has never admitted or denied the widespread assumption it has nuclear weapons. However, Zarif says Israel’s assumed nuclear arsenal was a threat to regional security.
The Iranian Foreign Minister said the non-aligned movement regards Israel’s nuclear program as, “a serious and continuing threat to the security of neighboring and other states, and condemned Israel for continuing to develop and stockpile nuclear arsenals,” according to Reuters.
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From The Times of Israel
In Vegas, GOP bets on Jewish support in wake of Iran deal
Ted Cruz tells Republican Jewish Coalition conference he will do ‘everything humanly possible’ to stop nuke pact
Republican luminaries and 2016 presidential hopefuls reiterated their support for Israel and skepticism about President Obama’s proposed nuclear deal with Iran as the Republican Jewish Coalition gathered Saturday at the casino of mega-donor Sheldon Adelson.
Two Texans, US Senator Ted Cruz and former governor Rick Perry, spoke to an organization that’s boasting of growing membership but also anxious about an Iran deal that was repeatedly described as a threat to Israel’s existence.
“Will the subsequent maps of the world show a nation of Israel?” Cruz asked the crowd during his speech. “That’s what the stakes are.”
Republican Jewish Coalition Chairman David Flaum kicked off the morning meeting calling on President Obama to “hit the pause button, negotiate a better deal.”
Cruz, famous for triggering the 2013 government shutdown, vowed to do “everything humanly possible” in the Senate to stop the nuclear deal. Perry said he also wants to stop the agreement, and he called for expanded defense spending, troops on the Polish border to contain a newly-aggressive Russia and a clear posture against Islamic extremism.
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From the Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Chief Iran talks negotiator: Defending Israel ‘tougher’ without 2 states
ARLINGTON, Va. (JTA) — A new Israeli government that does not back a two-state solution will make the U.S. job of defending Israel “a lot tougher,” according to a top State Department official.
Wendy Sherman, the undersecretary of state leading Iran talks, on Monday addressed the biennial of the Reform movement’s Religious Action Center.
“We have always had Israel’s back in the international arena,” Sherman said, but noted caveats about a two-state solution expressed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during March elections.
“We will be watching very closely to see what happens after a government is formed on this issue,” she said. “If a new Israeli government is seen as stepping back from its commitment to a two-state solution — something all of you and vast majority American Jews support — that makes our job in the international community a lot tougher.”
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From PressTV
Israeli troops abduct five Palestinians in West Bank
Israeli forces have abducted at least five Palestinians during an overnight raid on a number of houses in the occupied West Bank.
The arrests were made in the northern city of Jenin on Sunday, according to Palestinian sources.
In recent months, Israeli forces have intensified their crackdown on Palestinians by raiding their homes and putting them behind bars based on the administrative detention policy.
Administrative detention is a sort of imprisonment without trial or charge that allows Israel to incarcerate Palestinians for up to six months. The detention order can be renewed for indefinite periods of time.
Earlier, a group of Israeli settlers stoned Palestinian homes in al-Khalil (Hebron).
A member of the Israeli security forces prepare to throw a stun grenade towards Palestinian protesters in the village of Kfar Qaddum, near Nablus in the occupied West Bank on April 24, 2015. © AFP
From PressTV
Israel plans 77 more settler units in East al-Quds
Israeli authorities are reportedly planning to construct more settler units in the occupied Palestinian territories, offering tenders for the construction of 77 homes.
Peace Now, an Israeli activist group, said on Monday that 36 of the units are being offered in the settlement neighborhood of Neve Yaakov and another 41 in Pisgat Zee, which are both located at the northern edge of East al-Quds (Jerusalem).
According to the group’s spokeswoman, Hagit Ofran, the announcement is the first of its kind in East al-Quds since a March 17 general election, which once again brought to power Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right wing Likud party.
The publication of the tenders could also be “an indicator from Netanyahu’s transitional government of what can perhaps be expected — God forbid — when the new government is formed,” Peace Now added.
The activist group also censured the hawkish Israeli premier for “seeking to prevent the chance of peace” with the Palestinians.
From PressTV
Israeli army confirms soldiers looting in Gaza war
New reports have emerged, showing that three Israeli soldiers, who participated in Israel’s latest war on the Gaza Strip last summer, looted a building in the besieged Palestinian territory back then.
Two of the soldiers had reportedly taken an amount of money equivalent to USD 605 and another one helped them do that.
Confirming the report of the looting, the Israeli army claimed that it indicted the three after the soldiers’ commander reported on what they had done.
From the Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Nicki Minaj made this kid’s bar mitzvah legendary
Read more about her appearance at Matt’s journey into manhood at Kveller.
From Russia Today
US & Japan unveil new defense policy amid China tensions
The US and Japan have revealed new defense guidelines, expected to be revealed Monday as PM Shinzo Abe is on a visit to Washington, which may cause considerable unease in China.
Under the revised guidelines, Japan would be able to come to the aid of US forces threatened by another country and would be able to deploy minesweepers to the Middle East, officials said.
The revisions to Japan-US defense cooperation guidelines are the first since 1997, and reportedly reflects huge changes in Japanese security policy, according to Reuters. Currently the guidelines state that Japan will defend its own territory and “situations in areas surrounding Japan.”
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