Lead Terrorist Murderer of Rabbi Father of Six Killed in Arrest Operation

Palestinian terrorist shooter caught. Illustrative illegal gun seized by Israel. Photo courtesy of ISA.

The principal Palestinian terrorist behind the murder of Rabbi Raziel Shevach was killed on Tuesday morning by Israeli security forces when he came out armed following the discovery of his hideout, according to the Israel Security Agency. Ahmed Nassar Jarrar, of the town of Jenin, personally participated in the shooting that killed Rabbi Shevach. He was found on Tuesday carrying an M-16 rifle and explosives on his person. No Israelis were hurt in the raid to arrest the terrorist, noted the ISA in the press release.

The terrorist’s violent impact murdering a father of six could have been even worse. Jarrar’s terror cell was “involved in other attempts to carry out and plan terrorist attacks,” according to the ISA investigation of other cell members.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the achievement of justice for Rabbi Shevach. … Continue Reading

Israel Reportedly Struck ISIS-aligned Terrorists in Sinai More than 100 Times to Help Egypt

Israeli jets reportedly came to the rescue in Egypt. Illustrative image of F-35. Image courtesy of the Department of Defense website. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

When ISIS-aligned terrorists were threatening to start their own mini-terror state inside Egyptian territory, it was Israel who played a critical role in beating them back and enabling the Egyptian military to recover—hitting those terrorists in more than 100 covert airstrikes approved by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, according to The New York Times. The foreign press report on Saturday noted that the main terror group in the Egyptian Sinai region that borders Israel—Ansar Beit al Maqdis—had made terrifying headlines in a span of just over two years, inspiring the secret Israel-Egypt cooperation that began in late 2015.

From summer 2013 until October 2015, the terror group killed hundreds of Egyptian security personnel, announced they were an extension of the Islamic State (ISIS or IS), temporarily took over a town in Sinai, and brought down a Russian passenger plane, killing hundreds.

In late 2015, Israel began the airstrikes. The New York Times report—which cited current and former officials from the United States and Britain because the Israelis and Egyptians refuse to comment on the sensitive operation—said Israel used unmarked helicopters, drones and jets to ultimately turn the tide in the fight. While Israel still hasn’t made the actions public, a day after the Times’ report, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted the important role Israel has played in fighting the Islamic State terror group. … Continue Reading

Israel Foils Plot to Smuggle Explosives in Medical Shipment to Gaza Using New Lab

Terror smuggling caught by Israel again. Illustrative example of smuggling goods. Photo courtesy of the Israel Tax Authority.

Terrorists keep seeking new ways to smuggle weapons into Gaza—like recently hiding materials used to make explosives in a medical shipment—and the Israelis keep finding new ways to thwart those efforts. The latest Israeli advancement is a laboratory at the Kerem Shalom crossing to Gaza that can test a range of materials for explosives “in as short a time as possible”, according to a press release from the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

That lab recently intercepted materials in a shipment of medical equipment, which upon testing at the new Israeli lab were found to be “a central component used in the preparation of explosive charges” and the rocket and mortar industry. Israel is investigating the smuggling effort.

The Ministry of Defense said the advanced laboratory was put in place several months ago to “locate problematic materials whose entry into the Gaza Strip is forbidden for fear of reaching terrorist forces.” But it’s not just helping Israelis—it’s intended to make life easier on Gazans too.

The Israeli press release noted that the purpose of the lab is to efficiently determine what is in a material “within as short a time frame as possible” from when a sample is taken. “This is in order to minimize the danger to crossing officials and in order to improve the quality of service and to minimize as much as possible any delays in the entry of goods into Gaza,” said the Israeli Ministry of Defense statement. … Continue Reading

Secretary of State Says US-Europe Talks on Fixing Iran Nuke Deal ‘Underway’

Will Europe join the US on Iran? German, EU flags in Square of the Republic in Berlin. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock

United States President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum to Europe earlier this month—fix problems with the Iran nuclear deal or the United States will pull out of the accord this spring. On Saturday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson confirmed that talks have started and they are seeking to determine exactly what needs to be addressed to bolster efforts to counter Iran’s nefarious actions and nuclear ambitions.

Tillerson, in a press briefing published by the State Department, said they have agreed to work with Europe to “identify what areas we believe have to be addressed and a mechanism by which we can address those.” He said that working groups have been meeting in an effort to reach agreement on principles, “what is the scope of what we will attempt to address, and also how might we engage the Iranians on discussions to address these issues.”

Said Tillerson, “The work is underway. If it was easy, it would have already been done. We recognize the challenges, but we think we have to do everything we can to address those.” … Continue Reading

‘Deeply Angered’ US Middle East Peace Envoy: ‘Gaza Deserves Better’ than Hamas

Hamas has fired thousands of rockets at Israel over the years, among other acts of terror. Illustrative photo of spent Rockets fired from Gaza. By Joshua Spurlock.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a visit inside a terror tunnel built by Hamas is worth thousands more—and United States Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt certainly didn’t soften his words after his own tunnel visit. “I am deeply angered by Hamas’ continued terror activity, including the digging of tunnels that facilitate terrorist activities,” said Greenblatt in an official statement on Sunday. “Such activities show Hamas’ continued exploitation of the people of Gaza and Hamas’ threats to stability and security in the region.”

On Twitter, Greenblatt was equally forceful, condemning the terrorist actions of Hamas and their impact not only on Israel, but Gazans as well. Tweeted Greenblatt, “Hamas wastes resources on tunnels & rockets to attack Israel, instead of helping the people of Gaza by getting the lights on, the water flowing & the economy growing. Hamas spews hateful rhetoric & foments a vicious cycle of violence. Gaza deserves better!”

In the official statement, which was posted to the website of the US Consulate General in Jerusalem, Greenblatt said he took a tour of the area surrounding Gaza and received a security briefing. Afterwards, he encouraged every nation and international donors who want to help Gazans to take the tour as well to “understand this difficult, tragic and complex situation.” … Continue Reading

Israel Opposes Polish Draft Law: ‘Holocaust Cannot Be Denied’

Sculpture at Yad Vashem depicting Polish-Jewish doctor and author Janusz Korczak, and children from his orphanage, who all perished in the Holocaust. By Joshua Spurlock.

A draft law approved by the lower Polish parliament that would make it a crime to say Poles participated in the crimes of the Holocaust caused outrage in Israeli, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying that he is “strongly opposed” to the legislation. According to a report by The Guardian, the bill still must be approved by the Polish senate and President Andrzej Duda before it becomes law. In its current version, it would make phrases such as “Polish death camps” punishable by Poland—which was occupied by the Nazis during the Holocaust—was only on the right side in World War II.

“The law is baseless; I strongly oppose it,” said Netanyahu on Saturday in comments released by his office. “One cannot change history and the Holocaust cannot be denied.” The Israeli leader’s stern comments were made on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The Guardian reported that the Polish law passed the lower legislative branch the day before.

Netanyahu’s office announced on Sunday that he and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki spoke by phone that evening and “the two agreed that teams from the two countries would open an immediate dialogue in order to try to reach understandings regarding the legislation.”

In his comments on the new law, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin noted that there were Polish heroes in World War II that saved Jews, but that the villains must be acknowledged and condemned as well. … Continue Reading