Israel Celebrating 70th Birthday, Admired Around the World

PM Netanyahu has much to celebrate as Israel turns 70. Illustrative. Photo courtesy of Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO)

The State of Israel kicked off their Independence Day marking 70 years as a modern nation on Wednesday night, and the country’s place in the world is only getting better according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “As I travel around the world meeting other leaders, I am struck by their appreciation and admiration for Israel. They seek Israel’s technology. They seek Israel’s ingenuity. They seek Israel’s genius,” said Netanyahu on Wednesday in comments released by his office marking the anniversary. “…Here’s the best part. We’re just getting started.”

Netanyahu later expressed his thanks to Israel’s “many friends around the world,” and one of the nation’s closest friends was quick to celebrate the Jewish state for turning 70-years-old.

United States President Donald Trump, tweeting Netanyahu around the start of the birthday in Israel, said, “Best wishes to Prime Minister @Netanyahu and all of the people of Israel on the 70th Anniversary of your Great Independence. We have no better friends anywhere. Looking forward to moving our Embassy to Jerusalem next month!” … Continue Reading

Hamas Protests Targets Security Fence Again; Israel Takes Down Another Hamas Terror Tunnel

Gaza protests a cover for terrorism. Illustrative photo of Palestinian event. By Joshua Spurlock

Over the weekend, Israel thwarted another Hamas terror tunnel stretching from Gaza to Israel that could have been used for attacks on Israeli civilians, while Gaza has continued the violence above ground in the now regular border rioting inspired by Hamas. The IDF Blog reported that the targeted terror tunnel had “put the lives of hundreds of Israeli families at risk.” And the protests at the border are making the dangerous situation worse.

On Friday, the IDF Spokesperson posted to Twitter that multiple attempts were made to attack the security fence separating Israel from Gaza and posted a photo of a terrorist holding what appears to be an explosive device while near journalists and a handicapped person. Tweeted the IDF Spokesperson on Friday, “An explosive device was placed & detonated near the Karni Crossing in northern Gaza & a firebomb attached to a kite was dispatched. Meanwhile, explosive devices, rocks & firebombs have continued to be hurled.” Despite the chaos, the IDF isn’t allowing it to distract from the need to protect the border—including underground. … Continue Reading

Israel ‘Fully Supports’ US-led Strike on Syrian Chemical Weapons Facilities; Iranian UAV Was ‘Tasked to Attack Israel’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds up piece of Iranian UAV. Illustrative. Photo courtesy of Amos Ben Gershom GPO

The United States, France and the United Kingdom launched a joint strike on what the US defense establishment described as the “heart of the Syrian chemical weapons program” Saturday morning local time, and on Sunday Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that his nation “fully supports” the decision to respond to chemical weapons use by the Syrian regime. Netanyahu, in comments released by his office, said he spoke with British Prime Minister Theresa May on Saturday night and “told her that the important international message of the attack is zero tolerance for the use of non-conventional weapons.”

As Syria’s neighboring country to the south, Israel has a significant stake in what happens in Syria. This is especially true given that the Assad regime and its allies Iran and Hezbollah are archenemies of Israel and the military threat was on full display when an Iranian drone invaded Israel with malicious intent in February. To that end, Netanyahu’s focus in discussing with the UK leader the response to Syrian chemical weapons attacks wasn’t limited just to the Syrian regime—or just to this one type of weapon of mass destruction. … Continue Reading

Russia Leader Warns Netanyahu after Alleged Strike; Israelis Confirm Syria Used Chemical Weapons

Russia isn’t happy with Israel’s bombing of Syria. Russian President Vladimir Putin. Illustrative. Photo courtesy of the office of the President of Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin effectively warned Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu not to attack Syria again on Wednesday, just days after Israel reportedly bombed an airbase in Syria. The airstrike—which Iran’s Fars News Agency claimed killed multiple Iranian military advisers—followed reports of chemical weapons being used by the Syrian regime against its own people. On Tuesday, Russia—a key Syrian ally and militarily backing the regime in that country’s civil war—vetoed a United Nations resolution to investigate the incident.

Putin found time the next day to speak with Israel’s Prime Minister. A brief but unusually detailed press release posted to the Russian Presidency’s website claimed that Israel struck the Syrian airbase, while saying the leaders discussed Syria. The press summary said Putin, in speaking with Netanyahu, “emphasized the importance of respecting Syria’s sovereignty and called for refraining from any steps that could further destabilize the situation in the country and threaten its security.”

Netanyahu’s office released an even briefer statement on the call, saying that Netanyahu “reiterated that Israel will not allow Iran to establish a military presence in Syria.” … Continue Reading

Israel: Gaza ‘Photojournalist’ Slain in Riot Was Hamas Terrorist

Gaza protests a cover for terrorism. Illustrative photo of Palestinian event. By Joshua Spurlock

The alleged photojournalist who was killed in the Gaza border protests last week was in fact a Hamas terrorist, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Tuesday, the same day an explosive device went off near the Israel-Gaza security fence highlighted the threat posed by the Hamas-led Gaza riots. Prime Minister’s Office spokesman Ofir Gendelman cited Lieberman in a Twitter post saying that the photojournalist, Yasser Murjata, was “a terrorist with a prior association” with the Hamas military wing.

Tweeted Gendelman, “He held the rank of captain & was paid regularly by Hamas since 2011. He used to fly drones to collect intel on IDF forces at the front.” Murjata was killed last Friday, and The Jerusalem Post—citing Israeli defense officials comments in a report from the Israeli Walla! news group—said a number of senior Hamas officials attended his funeral. The unnamed Israeli officials said he was still active in Hamas and beneficial to them.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, an explosive devise planted near the security fence “under the guise of the riots” was set off against an IDF engineering vehicle, tweeted the IDF Spokesperson. The tweet added that there were no reported injuries in the blast. … Continue Reading

UN Security Council to Talk Syrian Chemical Weapons Attack; Chief Israeli Rabbi Accuses Regime of ‘Genocide’

More chemical weapons attacks in Syria? Illustrative photo of soldier training. Photo courtesy of Mr James Brabenec (IMCOM)

Reports of the latest chemical weapons attack on a Syrian hospital—suspected to have been carried out by the Assad regime against their own people—has led the United Nations most powerful council to schedule an emergency session, while one of the top leaders of Judaism in Israel on Sunday termed the conflict in Syria a “genocide.” As the UN Security Council prepares to discuss the latest Syrian chemical attack, United States Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has called for a new investigation.

“The Security Council has to come together and demand immediate access for first responders, support an independent investigation into what happened, and hold accountable those responsible for this atrocious act,” said Haley in a press release from her office. She wasn’t the only one to call for action.

Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef said in a press release, “I have said in the past and I will say it again: What is happening in Syria is genocide of women and children in its cruelest form, using weapons of mass destruction. We have a moral obligation not to keep quiet and to try and stop this massacre.” … Continue Reading