Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13

Yaalon: Lets See Abbas Disarm Hamas
Jun 5th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said Thursday that if Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas (aka Abu Mazen) does not disarm Hamas, the much-vaunted PLO/Fatah-Hamas reconciliation will have been proven to be nothing but a sham.

In a meeting with foreign attachés stationed in Israel, held at the Kirya base in Tel Aviv, Yaalon predicted that “Abu Mazen will not rule Gaza.”

"If he reconciled with Hamas, we demand that he control the [Gaza] Strip and disarm Hamas. If he does not do this, the reconciliation is a false display, meant to trick the world.”

Yaalon stressed that he seeks peace, but does not believe in self-deception. “If the Palestinian leadxership, which the world perceives as moderate, is unwilling to recognize our right to exist as the nation-state of the Jewish people, and declare that any agreement will be the end of the conflict and the end of demands, then what are we talking about? We are realistic.”

"We are faced with many challenges, and they are turning into global challenges. Therefore, we must cooperate and share knowledge with each other,” he told the attachés. “The Middle East is becoming a source of instability in the entire world. The situation is chaotic. The central challenge is Iran. The Iranian regime is the number one cause of instability in the Middle East, and we identify its fingerprints in every conflict in the region.”

Yaalon noted that Iran is involved in asisting Syrian president Assad to massacre his citizens, and helps terrorists who attack US forces in Afghanistan, besides assisting terror forces in Iraq, Bahrain, Yemen, Lebanon (Hizbullah) and Gaza (Islamic Jihad).

With Russia Outside the Tent, G7 Takes Aim At Moscow
Jun 5th, 2014
Daily NewsReuters
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Meeting in Brussels rather than the Black Sea resort of Sochi - a snub to Russia which was supposed to have hosted the G8 - Western powers and Japan delivered strong rhetoric, even if the EU's commitment to further sanctions remains in doubt.

What Unity? Violent Hamas - PA Clashes in Gaza
Jun 5th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

The unity government founded between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and terrorist group Hamas on Monday is hitting early snags, as brawls broke out in Gaza on Thursday over the payment of employees of the two groups, leading to the closure of banks.

Hamas violently took control of Gaza in 2007, and began cracking down on Fatah officials living in the territory. Since then the PA has continued paying roughly 70,000 employees in Gaza.

Thousands of Hamas employees, who have not been paid for the last several weeks, lined up at bank ATMs in Gaza on Thursday, hoping to now withdraw their back-logged salaries thanks to the unity government, reports Reuters.

While PA employees were able to withdraw their salaries, the Hamas workers remained without payment. Fistfights broke out between the two groups of employees, with Hamas riot police breaking them up and closing the banks, reportedly to prevent more violence.

"You call this a reconciliation? We should all eat or no one does," a Hamas employee reportedly shouted, as a PA worker responded "why is it our fault? Go and ask your Hamas leaders who signed the deal - why prevent us from feeding our families?"

Negative influences on "unity" from gunshots and violence

The tension between Hamas and Fatah was highlighted in the remarks of PA security forces spokesman Adnan Dmeiri.

"Thugs and gangsters of Hamas are preventing civil servants from withdrawing their salaries. They are firing gunshots, beating citizens and smashing ATM machines," Dmeiri told the Arab Ma'an News Agency, noting that banks were closed Thursday.

The incident could have negative consequences on the unity agreement with Fatah according to Dmeiri, who said he was waiting for Hamas leadership to denounce the scuffles.

One PA employee in Gaza told the Arab news agency that he was waiting at an Arab Bank ATM when Hamas police arrived in jeeps and started threatening PA workers. One Hamas officer told him that "no one can receive a salary before we receive our salaries."

Bankrolling the terrorist organization

A spokesman for the unity government said the Hamas workers needed to be vetted by a committee before being added to the payroll. "Be patient and give the unity government a chance to work," said spokesman, Ehab Bessaiso.

Israel has already warned that international funds transferred to the PA will end up paying Hamas and funding terror, a point of contention with the US which has said it will "work with" the unity government.

The US has claimed Hamas is not part of the government, even though three Hamas-backed ministers were sworn in via video feed from Gaza on Monday, and the group has announced that any "unity" government would be unequivocally subject to their approval before being established.

Western States to Send Low - Level Officials to Sisi Inauguration
Jun 5th, 2014
Daily NewsReuters
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

The government that Sisi installed after he removed the Muslim Brotherhood from power last July has been accused of widespread human rights abuses against the Islamist movement as well as secular activists.

A U.S. official said Washington would send Thomas Shannon, counselor to Secretary of State John Kerry, to the inauguration on Sunday.

Vatican Defends Controversial Joint Prayer
Jun 5th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Pope Francis hosts an unprecedented joint peace prayer in the Vatican on Sunday with Israeli president Shimon Peres and Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, in a bid to overcome decades of mistrust, AFP reports Thursday. 

Francis invited the two leaders unexpectedly during his trip to the Middle East last month but has claimed repeatedly that the initiative is "purely spiritual" and is not part of an attempt by the Vatican to mediate in the conflict.

"This prayer meeting will not be for mediation or to find solutions. We are just meeting up to pray. Then everyone goes home," the Argentine pontiff told journalists during an impromptu press conference on the flight back to Rome.

"Praying together without any talks could help," he said, after US-led peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators collapsed in bitter recriminations in April.

"Concrete peace measures have to come from negotiation. To be honest, I do not feel competent to say: we need to do this or that. It would be crazy on my part!" he added.

The precise format for this prayer and even where it will take place are being kept under wraps but it is likely it will be held behind closed doors and possibly in the pope's residence or outdoors in the Vatican gardens.

Abbas and Peres are expected to be accompanied by imams and rabbis and the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I, a top Orthodox leader, could also join in.

"They will pray together but each in respect of their faith," the Vatican affairs website Il Sismografo reported.

The meeting follows a controversial visit from the Vatican, which included a questionable set of political decisions which give legitimacy to the PA, as well as outrage over a rumored deal to transfer King David's Tomb to the Vatican - either in part or in whole. 

During the visit, Pope Francis addressed what he called "the State of Palestine," according to Ma'an, calling Abbas "a man of peace." In his speech, he called for a two-state solution and an end to the Israeli-Palestinian Arab conflict, which he deemed "unacceptable." 

The pope also paused for several moments in front of a graffiti on the security wall in Bethlehem, bowing his head in prayer in front of a message proclaiming, "Pope we need to see someone to speak about justice. Bethlehem look like Warsaw ghetto. Free Palestine."

PA Calls on U.S. to Take Serious Steps Over Israeli Building
Jun 5th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Adviser to Mahmoud Abbas threatens 'unprecedented' response to Judea-Samaria building tenders.

The Palestinian Authority has reacted to the announcement of 1,500 building tenders in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem by demanding that Washington take "serious steps" against Israel Thursday.

"It is time for the American administration to take serious steps against what the government of Israel is doing," Nimr Hammad, an adviser to president Mahmud Abbas, told AFP.

Israeli Housing Minister Uri Ariel has invited bids for 1,500 new homes in Jewish settlements in response to the new PA government backed by Hamas, his office said earlier Thursday.

Of the new homes, 400 will be in Jerusalem's Ramat Shlomo neighborhood, with the rest elsewhere in Judea and Samaria - including 223 in Efrat, 484 in Beitar Ilit, 38 in Geva Binyamin (Adam), 76 in Ariel, 78 in Alfe Menashe, and 210 in Givat Zeev, the ministry said.

"We strongly condemn this decision which affirms that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a liar and is not interested in the two-state solution," Hammad said.

Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina warned the PA would "respond in an unprecedented way to this step," but did not elaborate.

"These tenders come at the same time as the world announces is support for the Palestinian unity government. Israel should realize that its settlement policy is unacceptable," Abu Rudeina said.

Abbas swore in a new merged administration for the West Bank and Gaza with the support of Israel's Islamist foe Hamas, which is committed to the destruction of the Jewish state and whose charter calls for a genocide against the Jewish people.

Israel is boycotting what it calls a "terror government" but both the European Union and the United States have said they will work with it, drawing harsh criticism from Israel officials including Prime Minister Netanyahu, who branded the decision as "simply unacceptable".

Nationalists Rally Behind Judea - Samaria Construction Tenders
Jun 5th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

In the face of PA, US opposition, nationalist leaders stand behind gov't decision to build 1,500 new homes in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem.

While the US and the Palestinian Authority, along with left-wing Israeli officials, have reacted angrily to the announcement of 1,500 new building tenders in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem Thursday, right-wing Israeli officials welcomed the Housing Ministry's announcement, noting that the move both helps to solve the public housing crisis and sends a stern message to the Palestinian Authority. 

"I congratulate the Government of Israel and the Minister of Housing, who are wise in their decision regarding the construction of housing units," MK Nissan Slomiansky (Jewish Home/Bayit Yehudi) stated Thursday. According to Slomiansky, the building tenders provide "both the necessary aid to resolve the plight of young couples in Israel and to send a message to ...the PA who chose to join hands and form a government with the Hamas terrorist organization."

Dani Dayan, foreign envoy for the Yesha Council which represents Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, agreed with that assessment. 

“The building tenders announced by the Ministry of Housing are modest and long overdue," Dayan stated.

Dayan added that he was baffled by America's opposing reactions to the building tenders and the PLO's decision to unify with Hamas.

"I cannot comprehend how the US and EU are quick to condemn putting roofs over young Israeli families, while embracing the new Palestinian Islamist terrorist government.”

Israel's Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz on Thursday accused the White House of "self-deception" for dealing with the new PA government while claiming that there would be no Hamas involvement.

Earlier, Deputy Foreign Minister Ze'ev Elkin echoed Slomiansky's sentiments, and urged the government to continue building even more.

"I congratulate the government on its announcement to build the 1,500 units," Elkin said. "But this is just a drop in the sea compared to what is really needed to ensure a continued Jewish majority in Jerusalem and secure borders for the state of Israel."

Mahmoud Abbas Says Jews are Destroying Al - Aqsa
Jun 5th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday urged the Muslim and Arab world to rush to the defense of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, accusing “the Zionist interlopers,” as he put it, of planning to destroy it.

In what Israeli officials were calling a serious case of incitement by Abbas against Israel and the Jewish people, Abbas complained about how Israel was conducting archaeological digs under and around the Temple Mount. The digs, he said, were likely to topple the Mosque.

Abbas also demanded that Arab nations do something to protect the Temple Mount from ongoing “invasions” by Jews, who were too often being permitted to ascend the Temple Mount in his opinion. Many religious Jews have been attempting to visit the Mount in recent years, despite being banned from praying at the site, which is the holiest in Judaism but is currently controlled by the Islamic Waqf trust.

The Mosque “must stand at the head of efforts to preserve the Arab identity and the religious status of Jerusalem,”Abbas said in a speech that was broadcast on Arab satellite television. The speech was a preview of what can be expected at the annual Islamic conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, about “threats” to the Mosque.

On Wednesday, hundreds of Jews who attempted to ascend the Temple Mount were shocked to discover that they were barred entry onto the holy site. The ban came after Muslim groups demanded that Jews stay off the site, and despite a promise by police that Jews would be allowed to enter it. Jews attempting to enter the site on Wednesday morning witnessed dozens of armed Arabs who were apparently waiting for the gates to open. Police did not intervene to remove the group which appeared to be preparing for a riot, but instead kept Jews off the site. Activists said that this was at least the fifth festival in row in which Jews were banned from the Mount.

Abbas has made numerous comments and speeches inciting Arab masses against Israel and Jews, as have many of the officials in his government. Israel last October filed a complaint with the United Nations in the wake of a condolence letter sent by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to the family of a terrorist who was responsible for a 2012 Tel Aviv bus bombing attack. The terrorist, Mohammed Assi, was eliminated by IDF soldiers after holing up in a cave near Dolev, in the western Binyamin region.

“Terrorism does not begin with an attack on a bus or a café. That is how terrorism ends. Terrorism begins when its perpetrators are indoctrinated with words and thoughts of hate,” said Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Ron Prosor, in the letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Let the Headlines Speak
Jun 5th, 2014
Daily NewsFrom the Internet
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Obama State Department Following Shariah Law Over U.S. Law in Denying Meriam’s Kids’ Citizenship?
The Obama Administration’s State Department has been dragging its heels, refusing to acknowledge that the children of the woman on death row in Sudan for her Christian faith are U.S. citizens. It is a basic principle of American law that the child of a U.S. citizen is a U.S. citizen. As long as at least one parent is a citizen (and meets basic residency requirements which don’t appear to be at issue here) when that child is born, under U.S. law, the child is also a citizen.

Water Wars Fulfilling Bible Prophecy
The Turkish government has in an apparent act of aggression, recently cut off the flow of the Euphrates River, threatening primarily Syria but also Iraq with a major water crisis that has dropped the water level in Lake Assad by about six meters. This development has left millions of Syrians without drinking water or electricity, and threatens Iraq with similar consequences.  

Obama told donors he might be in 'strong position' to amend Constitution
The president made the comments at a closed-door, high-dollar 2012 fundraiser in Seattle, where supporters included the likes of billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates.  

Putin calls Hillary Clinton ‘weak’, ungraceful with her words
According to the English translation of the interview, posted by the Kremlin, Mr. Putin responded, “It’s better not to argue with women. But Ms. Clinton has never been too graceful in her statements.”  

Unanimous Senate Tells Sudan: Immediately Release Meriam and Her Children
In an act of unmitigated bipartisanship, all Republicans and all Democrats in the U.S. Senate joined together on Tuesday evening to unanimously approve a resolution demanding the “immediate and unconditional release” of Meriam Ibrahim and her two children from the Sudanese prison where they are being held because Meriam refuses to renounce her Christian faith.  

Poverty Up 30.5% for Americans 18 to 64 Since LBJ Declared War on Poverty
The percentage of 18- to 64-year olds who live below the poverty level has increased 30.5% since 1966, two years after Lyndon Johnson declared the War on Poverty, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau.  

Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson: ‘There is a Satan Out There, an Evil One’
Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson, who was briefly suspended from his own program in December because he criticized homosexual behavior and cited the Bible to support his views, recently said there is “a Satan out there, an evil one,” as evidenced by the culture, and if we would teach children the Ten Commandments, the society would be better.  

Fox News Poll: Voters say Obama has made America weaker
By a decisive 20 percentage-point margin, Americans think the country is weaker under the leadership of President Obama, whose White House is seen as less competent than the previous two administrations.  

G7 threatens to intensify sanctions on Russia over Ukraine crisis
G7 stood ready to intensify targeted sanctions against Russiaover Ukraine crisis. leaders on Wednesday urged Russia to complete its troop withdrawal from the Ukrainian border, saying they stood ready to intensify targeted sanctions against Russia.  

Florida facing threat from two mosquito-borne diseases
Two mosquito-borne diseases - dengue fever and chikungunya - are posing a serious threat to Florida and residents should take steps to control mosquito populations to try to limit the danger... The Florida Department of Health...said that through last week dengue fever had been confirmed in 24 people in Florida and chikungunya confirmed in 18 people. Both are viral diseases spread by mosquito bites.  

Iran’s Khamenei: US has taken military action off table
Likely reacting to Obama foreign policy address, Iranian leader says strike against nuclear program is not an American priority  

PA promises ‘unprecedented’ response to settlement expansion
Announcement of 1,500 housing units in West Bank and East Jerusalem draws storm of condemnation from Palestinians, coalition members  

General: Deserter should never draw a free breath
Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. William “Jerry” Boykin says Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is clearly a deserter who should never draw a free breath, and President Obama is guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors for once again ignoring federal law in pursuit of an administration goal.  

The American Dream is out of reach
The American Dream is impossible to achieve in this country. So say nearly 6 in 10 people who responded to CNNMoney's American Dream Poll, conducted by ORC International. They feel the dream -- however they define it -- is out of reach.  

Italy Earthquake Today 2014: Terremoto Strikes Italia, North of Calabria
The quake was a 4.1 magnitude. But it hit with virtually no depth. USGS indicates to news that the quake began only eight miles below ground level.  

3.8 magnitude earthquake recorded at Fairfield Bay
The U.S. Geological Survey reports a 3.8 magnitude earthquake has been recorded near Fairfield Bay. Police say there are no reports of damage or injuries -- although several residents called police to ask about the temblor.  

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad wins third term
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has won a third term in office after securing 88.7% of votes in Tuesday's presidential election, the parliamentary speaker has announced. Earlier, Syria's Supreme Constitutional Court put the turnout at 73.47%. Voting took place in government-controlled areas, but not in parts of the north and east held by rebels.  

G7 leaders warn Russia of fresh sanctions over Ukraine
Leaders of the G7 industrial nations meeting in Brussels say they are prepared to impose further sanctions on Russia over its actions in Ukraine. A joint statement condemned Moscow for its "continuing violation" of Ukraine's sovereignty. The G7 summit is the first since Russia was expelled from the group following its annexation of Crimea in March.  

Ebola death toll hits 208 in Guinea
Some 208 people have now died from the Ebola virus in Guinea after a deadly spike in recent days, world health officials say. At least 21 people died and 37 new cases of suspected Ebola were found between 29 May and 1 June, bringing the total number of cases in the West African country to 328. Of these, 193 have been confirmed by laboratory tests.  

Germany backs France on Russia warship contract
Germany has defended France’s plan to deliver a warship to Russia in October despite US criticism of the move. Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday (4 June) in Brussels that interruption of delivery might only come if the EU adopts “stage three” sanctions - economic sanctions - against Russia.  

Kerry Says U.S. will Evaluate New PA Government Daily, and Calibrate Policy Accordingly
Jun 5th, 2014
Daily NewsThe Jerusalem Post
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Netanyahu 'deeply troubled' by US position; Dermer distinguishes between administration and Congress' approach on issue.

US Secretary of State John Kerry pledged continued allegiance on Wednesday to strong security ties with Israel, even as he reiterated the US would engage the new Palestinian unity government backed by Hamas.

Speaking at a press conference in Beirut amid a serious policy disagreement with Israel, Kerry – asked why the US felt it had to "recognize the unity Palestinian government immediately" – stressed that Washington does not recognize a "government with respect to Palestine, because that would recognize a state, and there is not a state."

Kerry said he has daily conversations with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on this matter as "a friend as well as the prime minister of the country."

He stressed that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas assured him that "this new technocratic government is committed to the principles of nonviolence, negotiations, recognizing the state of Israel, acceptance of the previous agreements and the Quartet principles, and that they will continue their previously agreed upon security cooperation with Israel."

Kerry said that Abbas has formed an "interim technocratic government that does not include any ministers who are affiliated with Hamas," and that Washington has looked into the identity of each of the ministers and determined they are indeed not affiliated with the organization. As a result, he said, "we will work with it as we need to, as is appropriate."

He said the US will work with the government in the same way Israel is "obviously working with it for security purposes. It has transferred revenues. There are certain day-to-day needs." Kerry promised that Washington would conduct a "day-to-day" evaluation of the new government and "calibrate our approach accordingly."

The US, he said, would be watching the new government "very closely, as we have said from day one, to absolutely ensure that it upholds each of those things it has talked about, that it doesn’t cross the line."

The secretary of state reiterated the US position that Hamas is a terrorist organization which has not accepted the Quartet principles and continues to call for the destruction of Israel, "even as it moves into this new posture."

"Israel is our friend, our strong ally" Kerry said, saying that the US-Israeli security relationship has never been as strong as it is now under US President Barack Obama.

"We are deeply committed. We’ve said again and again the bonds of our relationship extend way beyond security," he said. "They are time-honored and as close, I think, as any country in the world. We will stand by Israel, as we have in the past. There is nothing that is changing our security relationship. That is ironclad."

Be that as it may, Israel did nothing to hide its deep disappointment with the US policy, with Netanyahu saying Tuesday that he was "deeply troubled by the announcement that the United States will work with the Palestinian government backed by Hamas." Saying that Hamas is a "brutal terrorist organization," Netanyahu pointed out that it has murdered "countless innocent civilians, including Americans.

”I think the United States must make it absolutely clear to the Palestinian president that its pact with Hamas, a terrorist organization that seeks Israel's liquidation , is simply unacceptable," he said.

Israel's ambassador to the US, Ron Dermer, also made clear Israel's displeasure, even drawing a distinction – rarely made in public by senior Israeli officials –between the administration's position toward an issue impacting on Israel, and that of Congress.

Key members of Congress from both parties have come out firmly against the Palestinian unity government, threatening to discontinue US aid to the PA as a result.

"What we were hoping to hear was a strong message opposing President Abbas's decision to form a government with an unreformed terror organization," Dermer said in an interview Tuesday with NPR. "Instead, it sounded more like business as usual. And that's why we were very disappointed. I must say that we did hear a strong message of opposition from both sides of the aisle in Congress. And we do deeply appreciate that."

Israel to Build 1,500 New Homes in Jerusalem, Yesha Towns
Jun 5th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

The Housing Ministry and the Israel Lands Administration on Wednesday night issued tenders for 1,500 new homes in Judea and Samaria, and in Jerusalem. The tenders were issued as part of Israel's response to the establishment of the Hamas-Fatah Palestinian Authority government.

Of the homes, 223 will be built in Efrat, 484 in Beitar Ilit, 38 in Geva Binyamin (Adam), 76 in Ariel, 78 in Alfe Menashe, 210 in Givat Zeev, and 400 in the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood of Jerusalem.

Housing Minister Uri Ariel said Wednesday night that he was “very gladdened by the appropriate Zionist response to the establishment of the Palestinian terrorist government. It is the right and obligation of Israel to build in all parts of the Land of Israel, especially to lower the price of homes.

“I believe that these homes will be just the beginning” of a larger development effort in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem, Ariel added.

The announcement comes amid Israeli anger the Obama administration's decision to work with the Palestinian Authority's "unity government" consisting of the PLO and Hamas. 

On a lightning visit to Israel's northern neighbor Lebanon on Wednesday, Secretary of State John Kerry defended the US decision.

He said it did not contradict longstanding US and European Union policy that bars all dealings with any "Palestinian government" involving Hamas until the Islamist movement renounces violence and recognizes Israel and past peace deals.

Kerry said Abbas had "made clear that this new technocratic government is committed to the principles of non-violence, negotiations, recognizing the State of Israel, acceptance of the previous agreements".

"Based on what we know now about the composition of this technocratic government, which has no minister affiliated to Hamas and is committed to the principles that I describe, we will work with it as we need to, as appropriate," the US top diplomat claimed.

Israel Security Agency: Terror Attacks Up in May
Jun 5th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

The Israel Security Agency (ISA, General Security Service, Shabak, Shin Bet) said, Thursday, that terror incidents originating beyond the 1949 Armistice Line rose from 112 in April to 116 in May. According to the ISA's monthly summary for May, attacks in Jerusalem jumped from seven to 11 and from 80 to 96 in Judea and Samaria (Shomron), while the number originating in Gaza declined from 23 to nine.

Most of the attacks in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria were firebombs.

Israel Approves Second Round of Building Starts Across Green Line
Jun 5th, 2014
Daily NewsDebkafile
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu Thursday ordered another 1,800 new apartments to be approved by the Planning Council of the West Bank Civil Authority in locations outside the Green Line. Earlier, Housing Minister Uri Ariel announced government plans to build 1,100 new housing units – 400 in Jerusalem and the rest in Judea and Samaria. Ariel said this was in response to the formation of a Palestinian “terrorist government.”

How One Democratic Congresswoman Could Spoil the Party for Hamas
Jun 5th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

America grants the Palestinian Authority about $500 million annually; the fast-spinning money meter has already broken the $5 billion mark over the years. The annual financial infusion has been on autopilot as Israelis and Palestinians negotiated over the meters and metrics of a two-state solution. American money has been lavishly spent on the Palestinian Authority for one purpose: to encourage the peace process.

Recently something changed. The Palestinian Authority unified with Hamas, making it the largest, best organized, and best armed terrorist entity in the world. Hamas, long designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization, is well-known for showering Israeli civilians with rockets and for leading the deadly suicide bombing campaign against Israeli civilians during the Second Intifada. Quickly dashing any hopes of change, Hamas did not disband its highly-armed and trained militias, vowed to never recognize Israel, and barred pursuing joint peace.

Newspapers have been filled with headlines recently about how Congress is preparing to defund the Palestinian Authority because various federal laws make continued cash infusions under present conditions illegal, and because further money would be antithetical to America’s pro-peace and anti-terrorism policy.

While many of the names of House and Senate leaders have been bandied about, most Congressional sources arguably agree that the most important lawmaker is Rep. Nita Lowey, the ranking Democrat from Westchester County, NY. Lowey sits on both the full Appropriations Committee and the key subcommittee governing State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs. Foreign assistance begins and dies in this subcommittee. The Republican side of the aisle has been lining up staunchly against continuing funding and invoking the mandatory legal brakes. This includes subcommittee chairwoman Kay Granger from Dallas, who has asserted that unification “puts in jeopardy future U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority.”

The Obama Administration, however, has signaled it is ready to continue funding the new Hamas-infused Palestinian Authority.

Therefore, all eyes now fall on Lowey. For her, this is a leadership moment. Will she break with her party and the Administration?

Lowey’s personal and legislative feelings have been made abundantly clear. “At this point, the law is clear, their actions are clear, and the path forward is clear,” Rep. Nita Lowey told the JTA news service immediately after news of the Hamas union became known in late April. Monday, June 2, after the unification ceremony finished in Ramallah, Lowey issued this short warning: “I am deeply disappointed with the announcement today of a Palestinian government that includes the terrorist organization Hamas. As long as Hamas rejects the Quartet principles and the existence of the State of Israel, United States funding for this unity government is in jeopardy.”

Early June 4, 2014, a source close to Lowey confirmed her feelings remain unchanged, Indeed, within 10 seconds of asking, he emailed this reporter the relevant section of one of several key legal bars to continued funding. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, in Section 7020, Subsection F, entitled Prohibition to Hamas and the Palestine Liberation Organization, unambiguously declares: “None of the funds appropriated … may be obligated or expended for assistance to Hamas or any entity effectively controlled by Hamas, any power-sharing government of which Hamas is a member, or that results from an agreement with Hamas and over which Hamas exercises undue influence.”

The Lowey source explained, “The law is clear-cut, but what makes it complex is there are also important considerations – are we subjecting ourselves to more danger? For example, is there a particular security assistance program? Should we stop that? Or, is it smarter to keep some of those of those programs going?” The staffer conceded the notion of a drastic cut with carve-outs for special security programs. However, the source added, “The Administration seems to be ‘all systems go’” in terms of unrestricted funding.

Lowey is now posed between the law and common sense on one hand, and her own party and extenuating circumstances on other hand. “Rep. Lowey appreciates the important considerations on all sides,” the source stated. “But, also, this law it is written that way for a reason, and this law has been agreed to by the overall majority of Congress and signed in to law by the President.”

There are presidential override provisions, “but that formal procedure has not yet been invoked,” the Lowey source assured.

In the meantime, momentum is fast-boiling through Congress to reach a bi-partisan consensus that funding must stop. The latest is a “Dear Colleague” letter and resolution jointly spearheaded by Representatives Trent Franks (R-AZ) and Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) seeking a “sense of the House” that “Congress must suspend our foreign aid and support to the Palestinian Authority, as continued foreign assistance runs in direct contravention to current law.” A five-page House Resolution has just circulated demanding that all funding stop unless the PA-Hamas unity is unraveled, and the Ministry of Prisoners, that pays monthly salaries to terrorists, is disbanded.

No one knows how Lowey will vote, not even her own staff. One key staffer remarked, “I just don’t know yet. She is in consultations daily, if not hourly, with personnel at the White House and State Department.” He stated the process would come to conclusion by the legislative deadline, October 1, 2014.

Asked if Lowey would be willing to break with her party and the Administration over this issue, the answer was immediate: “Of course.” Hence, the future of Palestinian funding will be written or unwritten, by Lowey.

G7 Leaders Call on Russia to Stop Interfering in Ukraine
Jun 5th, 2014
Daily NewsDebkafile
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

President Barack Obama accused Russia of reviving “dark tactics” of the past in Ukraine at a G7 summit in Brussels – switched from Sochi after Russia’s suspension from the club – which focused on Ukraine and announced possible new sanctions against Moscow. Obama and Vladimir Putin among 18 world leaders are due to attend a ceremony on the beaches of Normandy Friday to mark the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings that led to the defeat of Nazi Germany and end of WWII.

EU Tells Israel to Reverse Construction Plans
Jun 5th, 2014
Daily NewsArutz Sheva
Categories: Today's Headlines;Contemporary Issues

The EU said it is "deeply disappointed" by the Israeli plans to build more Jewish homes in the Biblical heartland of Israel.

"We call on the Israeli authorities to reverse this decision and to direct all their efforts towards an early resumption of the peace talks," the EU said in a statement, according to AFP.

The EU statement added "we are deeply disappointed that the Israeli Land Administration has published new tenders for 1,466 housing units in settlements in East Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank. This move is unhelpful to peace efforts."

European diplomats told Walla! that by announcing the construction, Israel was "playing with fire," threatening that the construction "will cause international isolation and damage to Israel."

Plans to build 1,800 housing units in the ten separate communities in the region were unfrozen on Thursday, after tenders for roughly 1,500 new homes in the region were announced Wednesday night. The moves were part of Israel's response to the establishment of the unity government between Fatah and the terrorist organization Hamas on Monday.

The newly-unfrozen plans reportedly had been frozen by the government roughly three months ago, even though a building freeze was not an official part of the peace talks that fell apart just ahead of their April 29 deadline.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu reportedly admitted last week that he had submitted to US pressure and canceled the IDF Civil Administration's high planning council meetings, effectively freezing all building and development in the region.

The EU's condemnation followed that of US Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro, who criticized the Jewish construction on Thursday. The American condemnation was not enough for the Palestinian Authority (PA), which called on the US later on Thursday to take "serious steps" against Israel over the move.

For its part, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) vowed to appeal to the UN Security Council over the construction

It is worth noting that Jewish construction in Judea, Samaria and areas in Jerusalem over the 1949 Armistice lines is made the more crucial due to the housing crisis Israel is facing, with housing prices shooting up by 8% over the 12 months concluding in October 2013.