Analysis – Could Syria Bring Rivals Iran, Russia, and Turkey Together?

The Syrian civil war has turned into a power vacuum pulling in fighters from all directions and many nations, with many of them fighting each other in which there are at least three or four sides in the conflict. Yet perhaps the most divisive mini-world war in recent memory may …

Israel—An Ancient King of Making Glass

Centuries before the Land of Israel was a hub for the high-tech industry, the region was among the world leaders in another profession involving science, skill, and specialized knowledge: glass making. The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced in a press release on Monday that they have discovered 1,600-year-old kilns used …

Western Powers Say Russia Must ‘Prove It Is Willing’ to Restore Calm in Syria

The United States and major nations in Europe harshly criticized Russian actions in Syria on Sunday and said it was up to Moscow to take “extraordinary steps” to renew a ceasefire in the war-torn Middle East nation. “The burden is on Russia to prove it is willing and able to …

Paint the Planet: Israeli Leader Feels Good about Future of Global Relations

There is a block of nations in the international community—with noteworthy voting rights in the United Nations—that isn’t a fan of Israel. But that might be about to change, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu evoking visions of Israeli officials bringing the colors of the nation across the globe as …

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Paint the Planet: Israeli Leader Feels Good about Future of Global Relations

September 29, 2016 News
Israel ready to shake hands with the world - are they? Prime Minister Netanyahu (Left) and UN Sec-Gen Ban. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock

Israel ready to shake hands with the world – are they? Prime Minister Netanyahu (Left) and UN Sec-Gen Ban. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock

There is a block of nations in the international community—with noteworthy voting rights in the United Nations—that isn’t a fan of Israel. But that might be about to change, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu evoking visions of Israeli officials bringing the colors of the nation across the globe as relations improve. “We will paint the map of the world blue and white, and in the end even the UN will reflect this changing reality,” said Netanyahu this week in comments released by his office.

Summarizing a recent trip to the UN headquarters in New York, Netanyahu told the Israeli cabinet that there are winds of change regarding the attitude toward Israel at the UN, and it’s Africa that’s the key part of that evolution. “Just as I have said that Israel is returning to Africa, it is also important to say that Africa is returning to Israel,” said Netanyahu. “The automatic UN majority is based, first and foremost, on the African bloc. It is only a question of time before we break up this majority and move it from one side to the other; this is a very great change in the international status of Israel.” … Continue Reading

Western Powers Say Russia Must ‘Prove It Is Willing’ to Restore Calm in Syria

September 26, 2016 Peace and Conflict
The West is angry with the Russians over situation in Syria. Russian President Vladimir Putin. Illustrative. Photo courtesy of the office of the President of Russia.

The West is angry with the Russians over situation in Syria. Russian President Vladimir Putin. Illustrative. Photo courtesy of the office of the President of Russia.

The United States and major nations in Europe harshly criticized Russian actions in Syria on Sunday and said it was up to Moscow to take “extraordinary steps” to renew a ceasefire in the war-torn Middle East nation. “The burden is on Russia to prove it is willing and able to take extraordinary steps to salvage diplomatic efforts to restore a cessation of hostilities,” said the statement from the Foreign Ministers of France, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the High Representative of the European Union.

The statement issued a litany of reasons—including the bombing of an aid convoy last week and the Russian-backed regime siege of the city of Aleppo—that “blatantly contradicts Russia’s claim that it supports a diplomatic resolution.” The statement comes less than one week after the aid convoy was struck by an unknown force believed to be either Russian or Syrian regime aircraft. … Continue Reading

Trump Endorses Israel as Jewish State in Meeting with Netanyahu

September 25, 2016 News
U.S. Presidential Candidate Donald Trump (left) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right). Photo courtesy of Kobi Gideon (GPO)

U.S. Presidential Candidate Donald Trump (left) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right). Photo courtesy of Kobi Gideon (GPO)

Israel as a Jewish state and Jerusalem as their capital are two of Israel’s fundamental assertions in any long-term peace deal with the Palestinians, and both were backed on Sunday by Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump told Netanyahu during the meeting that he agrees that “that the Israeli people want a just and lasting peace with their neighbors, but that peace will only come when the Palestinians renounce hatred and violence and accept Israel as a Jewish State,” according to a press release on Trump’s campaign website. Trump also endorsed the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

A press statement from Netanyahu’s office said the two men met for over an hour and discussed “issues relating to Israel’s security and its efforts to achieve stability and peace in the Middle East.” Netanyahu met with Democrat Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton on Sunday as well, with a press release from his office saying they discussed “a broad range of issues relating to advancing peace and stability in the Middle East as well as the potential for economic growth through technological innovation.” … Continue Reading

Israeli Outreach to Africa Continues as PM Meets 15 National Reps

September 22, 2016 News
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with various African leaders at UNGA. Photo courtesy of Kobi Gideon / GPO

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with various African leaders at UNGA.
Photo courtesy of Kobi Gideon / GPO

The heart of Africa is on the minds of Israelis lately, and the effort to upgrade relationships between Israel and African nations continued in earnest during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. The Israeli leader met with 15 African heads of state and country representatives in a special meeting on Thursday in New York, taking advantage of the UN annual meeting to spend time with the various nationalities at one time.

Netanyahu told the African representatives that “he believes that Israel could be an amazing partner for their countries,” according to comments released by his office. How does Israel want to impact Africa? Through shared technology, which Netanyahu noted “changes everything”. … Continue Reading

Israel Helping Columbia Clear Out Dangerous Landmines

September 19, 2016 News
Israel's helping hand reaches South America. Israeli flags. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock

Israel’s helping hand reaches South America. Israeli flags. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock

On the other side of the world from Israel, a South American nation remains under the threat of conflicts ongoing and gone… due to landmines. The hidden explosives and other unexploded ordinance have killed over 11,000 people in the country of Columbia from 1990-2015, as the  nation has the second highest number of mine victims in the world. Israel has had their own conflicts to fight and landmines to clear, so they are working with a week of training as part of an international effort to assist Columbia in clearing their own deadly mines over five years.

The training of an eight person Columbia delegation in Israel last week was done at the invitation of the Israel’s National Mine Action Authority (INMAA) as a “tailor-made Spanish-language workshop,” according to a press release from the Israeli Ministry of Defense.  … Continue Reading

Israel Prepping to Prevent Terror, Incitement ahead of Holidays

September 18, 2016 Peace and Conflict
Palestinian incitement is leading to murder. Illustrative banner of terrorists and Dome of the Rock. By Joshua Spurlock

Palestinian incitement is leading to murder. Illustrative banner of terrorists and Dome of the Rock. By Joshua Spurlock

Roughly one year ago, the current wave of Palestinian terrorism launched amid slanderous accusations that Israel was assaulting Muslim interests on the Temple Mount as Israel’s major fall holiday season was arising. With those holidays around the corner, Israel is taking a proactive approach to stem the tide of potential violence by not only stepping up their security, but by acting against incitement as well.

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced via press release orders to work against incitement on social media, including Facebook, “with the goal of removing inflammatory content. He also instructed that a response team be established to refute disinformation about Israeli policy on the Temple Mount.” In addition, Netanyahu also ordered an increased police presence, particularly in the area around the Temple Mount. In a separate press release, Netanyahu noted ahead of the holiday season, “the risk threshold has risen… The security forces are on heightened alert and I will meet with them today in order to ensure that we will be ready to defend our people during this sensitive period.” … Continue Reading

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