Israel Warns of ‘Much Stronger Response’ if Hezbollah Tries to Stop Tunnel Destruction

PM Netanyahu at IDF Northern Command HQ. Photo courtesy of Kobi Gideon (Israeli GPO).

Israel is in the midst of taking out multiple tunnels built by Hezbollah that stretch from Lebanon to Israel in an effort to prevent the terror group’s next big attack against Israel. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t prepared to battle Hezbollah now if necessary. “The most important thing is the readiness here—both in spirit and in materiel—for a much stronger response if Hezbollah makes a major mistake and decides to attack us or oppose our action [of destroying the tunnels],” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday. “Hezbollah will be dealt unimaginable blows.”

Netanyahu, who was meeting with troops stationed in Israel’s north, was quoted by his office as saying that they had just uncovered a third Hezbollah tunnel and are actually ahead of schedule as they are “systematically dismantling the tunnels weapon.”

Said the Israeli leader, “Hezbollah thought that it could dig unhindered. We knew, we planned, and it did not leak. We maintained secrecy; we planned carefully. We are carrying out exactly what we planned but we are ready for the unexpected. There is great firepower here. We are ready for it and are prepared for it from all sides.” … Continue Reading

Netanyahu ‘Not Ruling Out Doing Anything’ to Defend Israel against Iran

PM Netanyahu at GPO foreign press event. Photo courtesy of Haim Zach (Israeli GPO)

Iran has repeatedly talked about the destruction of Israel, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear he will do whatever it takes to keep Iran from fulfilling that vision. “Our red line is our survival. We do what is necessary to protect the State of Israel against the Iranian regime that openly calls for the annihilation of the Jewish state,” said Netanyahu on Wednesday. “I’m not ruling out doing anything that we need to do to defend ourselves.”

Speaking at the annual New Year’s toast for foreign journalists, Netanyahu was quoted by his office as pointing out that Israel is already militarily confronting Iran. “For the moment Israel’s military is the only military in the world that is directly engaging the Iranian forces. We’re doing that in Syria and pulling them back,” said the Israeli leader.

Netanyahu noted that Iran’s plan is to bring their army from 1,500 kilometers away (932 miles) to Israel’s very own northern border in Syria. This would enable Iran to set up missiles capable of hitting anywhere in Israel and bring in tens of thousands of militia forces “with the express purpose of destroying us.”

“My policy has been we’re going to stop you,” said Netanyahu. “We’re going to stop things, bad things when they’re small. So we meet Iran head on in Syria and if we need to we’ll do whatever else we need to do to protect ourselves. As you would too.” … Continue Reading

Israel Tells Russia of Their ‘Continuing Intention to Foil Hezbollah Tunnels’

Israel telling Russia still planning to battle threats in Syria, Lebanon. PM Netanyahu & Russian Pres. Putin. Illustrative photo, courtesy of Amos Ben-Gershom (Israel GPO)

Israel informed Russia on Saturday that they still intend to fight back against Hezbollah threats and Iran’s presence in Syria, despite the increase in tensions in recent months between Jerusalem and Moscow over the downing of a Russian plane in Syria last September. Per an Israeli press release, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Russian President Vladimir Putin of Israel’s “continuing intention to foil the tunnels threat” from Hezbollah that was recently discovered.

Israel is working to destroy multiple tunnels leading into Israel built by the Lebanese terrorist group with the intention of launching large-scale attacks on Israeli communities. In prior comments last week released by his office, Netanyahu told foreign ambassadors the tunnels could allow Hezbollah to launch “a campaign of murder and kidnapping.”

While that’s obviously a key concern, Hezbollah isn’t the only northern threat that Netanyahu discussed with Putin. “I told President Putin that we are continuing our policy: We will not allow Iran to establish a military presence in Syria,” said Netanyahu in comments to the Israeli Cabinet released by his office on Sunday. He further noted their plans to continue to act against “the precision weapons in Lebanon.” … Continue Reading

As US Leaders Welcome Hanukkah, Sec of State Calls Holiday ‘Historic Victory for Religious Freedom’

Israeli PM Netanyahu lights the Hanukkiah candelabra at the Western Wall. Illustrative. Photo Courtesy of Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO)

From President Donald Trump to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, United States leaders sent their warm wishes to Jews celebrating Hanukkah ahead of the holiday’s start on Sunday night, and the importance of the holiday was not missed. President Trump, in a statement posted to the White House website, touched on Hanukkah’s symbolic importance in saying that “together, we reaffirm the truth that light will always break through the darkness.”

Pompeo even highlighted the holiday’s global significance for freedom, which marks Israel’s historic war for independence over Greek forces seeking to impose Greek culture and worship. “Tonight, the Jewish people will light the first #Hanukkah candle, beginning their celebration of the Festival of Lights. This holiday marks a historic victory for religious freedom. Chag Sameach to the Jewish community in the U.S., Israel, and around the world,” Pompeo posted to Twitter on Sunday.

US Vice President Mike Pence sounded a similar refrain in his own Twitter post, noting that the lightning of the traditional Hanukkah candelabra—or menorah in Hebrew—commemorates “the fight for freedom that began some 22 centuries ago.” … Continue Reading

‘Moderate’ Palestinian Leaders Oppose UN Resolution Condemning Hamas Terror

UN headquarters in New York. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock

The world is generally united against terrorism, but for some reason the supposedly moderate Palestinian Authority (PA) leadership is opposed to the United Nations condemning Hamas terrorism against Israel. The WAFA Palestinian news agency quoted a spokesman of the Fatah political faction that heads the PA as saying they “totally reject American-Israeli efforts to brand Hamas with terrorism at the UN.” Spokesman Usama Qawasmi further accused Israel—who has had to defend themselves against Hamas rockets and other violence aimed at their civilians—of sponsoring terrorism and committed to oppose “all hostile efforts to condemn” Hamas at the UN.

A resolution condemning Hamas terrorism, seeking to be the first of its kind passed by the UN, is backed by the United States and the European Union and references Hamas rockets and arson balloons . The resolution further calls for the Palestinian factions to reunite under the PA’s leadership. The US Mission to the UN said in a statement last Friday that the Palestinian representative at the UN requested a delay of a vote on the resolution from last week to next Thursday. In response, the US was clear on the importance of the vote.

“The issue before the United Nations on Thursday is not whether it supports one form or another of a Middle East peace plan. The issue is as plain as the resolution’s text,” said the US statement. “Each country will be asked to vote for or against the activities of Hamas, along with other militant groups like Palestinian Islamic Jihad. If the UN cannot bring itself to adopt this resolution, then it has no business being involved in peace discussions.” … Continue Reading

US Sec of State Pompeo: Iran Tested Nuclear-Capable Missiles that Can Reach Europe

PM Netanyahu & US Secy. of State Pompeo. Illustrative. Photo courtesy of: Haim Zach / Israeli GPO

Iran is working on missiles that are “capable of delivering nuclear weapons” and can reach parts of Europe and the entire Middle East, United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Saturday. Pompeo, in a statement released by the State Department, said the Iranian regime had “just test-fired a medium range ballistic missile that is capable of carrying multiple warheads.” Israel, Saudi Arabia and other Middle East nations are among the enemies of Iran within the missile’s range, and Pompeo said “parts of Europe” were within scope of the latest missile test. He said the activity opposes the authority of the powerful United Nations Security Council.

“This test violates UN Security Council resolution 2231 that bans Iran from undertaking ‘any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology,’” said Pompeo.

In response, the Iranians alleged again that their missiles are defensive in nature, although it’s unclear why they would need to deter Europe given that continent’s determination to maintain the controversial nuclear deal with Iran against the wishes of the US. Senior spokesman of the Iranian Armed Forces, Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, per a report from Iran’s PressTV, called missile tests “in line” with Iran’s policy of deterrence and said they would “continue to both test and develop missiles.” … Continue Reading