Tuesday, May 8th, 2012
The Nameless Gulf
Fighting Words: Google, Iran Spar Over Gulf’s Name
There is a new Gulf war underway, but be careful what you call it.
Google unwittingly sparked the conflict last week when it dropped the name “Persian Gulf” from the body of water separating Iran from the Arabian Peninsula. It declined to call it the “Arabian Gulf” or simply “the Gulf,” either, perhaps making its 250,000 square kilometers 97,000 square miles) the biggest landmark on Google Maps to go nameless.
Tue, May 8th, 2012 - 9:05amRead more »
Monday, May 7th, 2012
“Victory Will Be Greater If Hunger Strikers Die”
Israeli security officials fear that the death of any Palestinian prisoner as a result of the ongoing hunger strike, which has entered its 21st day, may lead to an eruption of violence in the territories, the Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported Monday [May 7].
Mon, May 7th, 2012 - 10:58amRead more »
Nicolas Sarkozy
92.8% of French Nationals in Israel Voted Sarkozy
Socialist Francois Hollande won the second and decisive round of France's presidential election on Sunday, but French nationals residing in Israel voted overwhelmingly for ousted French leader Nicolas Sarkozy.
Mon, May 7th, 2012 - 10:55amRead more »
Mahmoud Abbas
Abbas Bows to Pressure and Reverses Internet Censorship Order
Bowing to intense domestic and international pressure following the revelation by the Ma’an news agency that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas had ordered the leading telecommunications company to interfere with customers’ access to a number of websites critical of Abbas’ rule, Abbas issued a new order on Saturday [May 5] reversing the order.
Mon, May 7th, 2012 - 10:49amRead more »
Friday, May 4th, 2012
Israel Lebanon Border
Iran’s Vice President Tours Israel’s Border
Iranian Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi visited Thursday [May 3] the Lebanese village of Maroun al-Ras and spoke to Hizbullah supporters in the area.
Fri, May 4th, 2012 - 11:31amRead more »
Rival Palestinian Factions Meet, Again
With Israel-Palestinian peace talks still in limbo, representatives of the Palestinian Hamas and Fatah political factions met yet again in Egypt on Wednesday [May 2] as part of an effort to end the almost five year split in the Palestinian government. The factions had originally agreed in 2011 to a reconciliation deal that would have held elections this month. Fatah is part of the peace process with Israel, while Hamas is not.
Fri, May 4th, 2012 - 11:29amRead more »
Chief of Staff visits Druze soldiers
56 Years of Druze Soldiers Serving in the IDF
Fifty-six years ago today—on May 3, 1956—the Israel Defense Forces [IDF] enlisted its first Druze soldiers. Following a request from the leaders of Israel's Druze community to then-Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion to include Druze young adults in the IDF's enlistment system, Israel's first 30 Druze soldiers joined the IDF. This was just the beginning of the success story of Druze soldiers serving in the IDF.
Fri, May 4th, 2012 - 11:26amRead more »
Thursday, May 3rd, 2012
Abu Jihad bus attack
PA Celebrates Abu Jihad’s Terror
During the week of the anniversary of the death of Palestinian Liberation Organization arch-terrorist Abu Jihad, the Palestinian Authority [PA] held events and broadcast TV programs celebrating him and his terror attacks. One of the striking components of the Abu Jihad festivities was the presentation of the 125 Israeli civilians and soldiers killed in terror attacks he planned and directed, as a positive achievement. Six sporting events were also held in his honor.
Thu, May 3rd, 2012 - 1:45pmRead more »
The Truth about the Conflict
Last week, I returned from month-long reserve service session in Judea and Samaria; it was my first stint in the territories since my mandatory Israel Defense Forces [IDF] service.
Thu, May 3rd, 2012 - 1:44pmRead more »
Seal with a Hebrew inscription “Matanyahu”"
Exciting First Temple Period Find
Continuing and extensive archaeological excavations in and around Jerusalem's Old City have revealed a seal with a Hebrew inscription “Matanyahu”. The seal was discovered in a 2,000 year-old drainage channel that is currently being uncovered in Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) excavations in the vicinity of Robinson's Arch close to the Western Wall (Kotel) complex.
Thu, May 3rd, 2012 - 1:40pmRead more »
