BBC reporter Tim Willcox has apologised after he told the daughter of a Holocaust survivor during a broadcast from the Paris rally yesterday: ‘Palestinians suffer hugely at Jewish hands as well’.
From the Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Jimmy Carter: Israeli-Palestinian conflict a cause of Paris attacks
(JTA) — Former President Jimmy Carter said the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was among the factors that led to the deadly attacks last week in Paris.
Carter made the assertion Monday night during an appearance on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart.
“Well, one of the origins for it is the Palestinian problem. And this aggravates people who are affiliated in any way with the Arab people who live in the West Bank and Gaza, what they are doing now — what’s being done to them. So I think that’s part of it,” Carter told Stewart.
He called the training in the Middle East of Muslim extremists with passports from countries such as France, Britain and the United States a “new evolutionary development in terrorism.”
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From the Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Obama reassures Netanyahu on Iran nukes, Palestinians’ ICC request
(JTA) — President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed developments in negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program and the Palestinians’ request to join the International Criminal Court.
Obama and Netanyahu spoke by phone Monday, according to a statement issued by the White House press secretary.
In the discussion about recent developments in the negotiations between world powers and Iran over its nuclear program, Obama “reaffirmed to the Prime Minister that the United States is focused on reaching a comprehensive deal with Iran that prevents Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and verifiably assures the international community of the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear program,” according to the statement.
“The President underscored the United States’ enduring commitment to the security of Israel and the importance of continuing close cooperation with Israel on this issue.”
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From PressTV
Israeli forces storm Palestinian neighborhoods in Ramallah
Heavy clashes have erupted between Israeli forces and Palestinians after Israeli troops stormed several Palestinian neighborhoods in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Press TV reports.
Scuffles broke out during the early hours of Tuesday as Israeli soldiers stormed the neighborhoods to arrest a number of Palestinians.
At least four Palestinians charged with taking part in anti-Israel demonstrations were abducted by the Israeli forces in the raid.
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From PressTV
Israeli economy continues to decline over Gaza war: Data
New data released by the Israeli Central Bank shows that the regime’s economy is still suffering from the effects of its recent costly war on the Gaza Strip.
According to official data, the Israeli economy has not yet recovered from the 50-day offensive on Gaza that left more than 2,140 Palestinians, including 577 children, dead last summer.
Israel unleashed aerial attacks on Gaza in early July 2014 and later expanded its military campaign with a ground invasion of the Palestinian coastal enclave. The war ended in late August 2014 with an Egyptian-brokered truce.
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From PressTV
Freezing temperatures threatening Palestinians’ lives in Gaza
A fierce storm that has plagued the Gaza Strip with bitter cold, rains and winds is threatening the lives of tens of thousands of the Palestinian people in the war-ravaged enclave.
The brutal cold has already claimed four lives, including those of three infants, in the past few days.
The Gaza-based Palestinian Health Ministry said on Sunday that a 3-month-old infant froze to death in the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun in a shelter for those displaced by a devastating Israeli war in the summer of 2014. A one-month-old boy died at home in the southern city of Khan Younis on Saturday. A 4-month-old baby also succumbed to the cold on Friday.
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From Ynet News
Israel’s facing worsening international isolation, warns Foreign Ministry paper
Classified document lists possible consequences of diplomatic deterioration, including tighter economic and academic boycotts, restricted security imports and loss of US support.
Israel’s worsening position on the world stage is expected to decline further in 2015, claims a Foreign Ministry report, which warns that more sanctions could be on the way.
The classified document, sent by the Foreign Ministry to Israeli missions worldwide, warns of possible diplomatic damage to Israel due to “moves to mark settlement products, stop the supply of replacement parts; debates on sanctions against Israel; demands for compensation for damage caused by Israel to European projects in the Palestinian territories; European activity in Area C, under Israeli rule; and more.”
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From Ynet News
French Prime Minister declares ‘war on terrorism’
France’s prime minister called the intelligence capabilities and anti-terrorism laws to be strengthened after previously admitting ‘clear failings’ over the attackers. France’s prime minister on Tuesday declared a “war against terrorism”, as the satirical magazine targeted in last week’s jihadist killing spree hit back with a defiant issue featuring the Prophet Mohammed on the cover.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls, in a speech that drew several standing ovations, called for the intelligence capabilities and anti-terrorism laws to be strengthened after previously admitting to “clear failings” over the attackers.
From the Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Ankara mayor: Mossad behind Paris terror attacks
(JTA) — The longtime mayor of Ankara accused Israel’s Mossad of masterminding last week’s terror attacks in France.
Melih Gokcek said Israeli intelligence planned the attacks in retaliation for France recently expressing support for Palestinian statehood, according to Today’s Zaman, an English-language Turkish publication, citing the Andalou news agency.
At a political event Sunday, Gokcek said it “is certain that Mossad is behind these kinds of incidents. Mossad enflames Islamophobia by causing such incidents.”
The head of Turkey’s capital city also claimed that following the Paris attacks, approximately 50 mosques and some Muslim individuals were targeted but there was no coverage from the international media.
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From the Jewish Telegraphic Agency
European Jewish Congress: Beef up security at Jewish institutions
BRUSSELS (JTA) — The European Jewish Congress called on Belgium and other European Union member states to beef up security around Jewish institutions.
EJC President Moshe Kantor issued the call Monday as security professionals from Jewish communities across Europe gathered in the Belgian capital to drill for a scenario in which a car bomb explodes outside a synagogue.
Kantor as part of his call also said a mechanism must be put in place to ensure uniform policies to prevent and fight anti-Semitic violence.
The drill, which was scheduled months ago, was held three days after an Islamist killed four people at a kosher supermarket in Paris as part of a series of attacks in the French capital that left 17 people dead.
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From the Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Retro-style video game asks, can you be as pushy as Bibi?
He entered Israel’s latest tempest in a teapot earlier this week, attending the march for victims of France’s terror attacks even though French President Francois Hollande asked him not to. Israeli media outlets are now reporting that Netanyahu pushed his way past other world leaders so he could get to the front of the crowd.
Among his previous funeral-related controversies: When British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher died in 2013, Netanyahu came under fire domestically for installing a $127,000 bed on the plane for his five-hour flight to the state funeral — right when he was trying to pass an austerity budget.
Eight months later, when South African President Nelson Mandela died, Netanyahu made the news by planning to attend the memorial service and then pulling out, saying it would cost too much.
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From the Jewish Daily Forward
Where Does Leona Helmsley’s Money Go? Hint: Not to the Dogs
‘Queen of Mean’ Becomes a Benefactor to Israel After Death
In her hometown of New York she was known as the “queen of mean,” notoriously mistreating her employees, tenants and even family members. But in Israel, the name Leona Helmsley is increasingly synonymous with generous donations to programs funded by the trust set up from the late hotelier’s bequest.
With more than $140 million already provided in the past four years to causes in Israel, mostly for health care and medical research, the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust is quietly emerging as a key player in the field of Israel-related philanthropy. Its role, if only posthumously, is giving the hotel queen a seat at the table of Israel’s mega-donors. There, the foundation is being courted by universities, hospitals and civic organizations.
At first glance, the juxtaposition is surprising. A tough billionaire businesswoman who famously chose to leave a chunk of her fortune to her Maltese dog, Trouble, Helmsley was never actively involved in the Jewish community. Now she is becoming a pro-Israel hero.
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