First appeared in the March 29th edition of The Wall Street Journal

“Gadhafi unilaterally forfeited his nuclear weapons program by 2004, turning over uranium-enriching centrifuges and warhead designs. A dictator like him—capable of ordering the murders of 259 civilians aboard Pan Am Flight 103 and countless others in many countries including his own—would not easily concede the ultimate weapon. Gadhafi did so because he believed he was less secure with the bomb than he would be after relinquishing it. He feared that the U.S., which had recently invaded Iraq, would deal with him much as it had Saddam Hussein.

A similar fear, many intelligence experts in the U.S. and elsewhere believe, impelled the Iranian regime to suspend its own nuclear weapons program in 2003. According to these analysts, the program resumed only when the threat of military intervention receded. It continues to make steady progress today.

Now is the moment to dissuade the Iranian regime from obtaining a nuclear weapon that might deter any Libya-like intervention or provide the ayatollahs with a doomsday option. If Gadhafi had not surrendered his centrifuges in 2004 and he were now surrounded in his bunker with nothing left but a button, would he push it?”

To read the complete Op-Ed, click here.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today (Wednesday), 23.3.11, before leaving for Moscow, discussed the terrorist attack in Jerusalem:

“This evening, I am leaving for Moscow in order to meet with President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin. I will discuss with them a series of bilateral and regional issues, as well as the search for a peace process with security and issues that are very important for Israel’s security. Before leaving, I consulted with Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Minister Matan Vilnai, IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz, ISA Director Yuval Diskin and others. Since the Government was established, we have set a clear policy on security, the essence of which is a vigorous response to any attempt to harm Israeli citizens, and systematic and assertive preventive measures against terrorism.

This policy has led to two years of quiet and security and I think that all Israelis  have learned to recognize, welcome and enjoy the fruits of this quiet, to walk the streets without fear. The fact is that our southern communities have returned to normal life, as have residents of the north. This quiet is a major blessing. Recently, there have been elements that have tried to violate this quiet. They are trying to test our resolve and the fortitude of our people. They will learn that the Government, the IDF and the Israeli public have an iron will to defend the state and its citizens. We will act vigorously, responsibly and prudently in order to maintain the quiet and the security that have prevailed here over the past two years.”

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Knesset member and former minister Ze’ev Biom died on Friday at the age of 67 after a battle with cancer. A member of the Kadima Party, his career in Israel’s parliament included posts as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Minister of Housing and Construction and Minister of Immigrant Absorption. In addition, he served as Deputy Minister of Defense from March 2003 until January 2006.

A former teacher in Kiryat Gan, Ze’ev eventually became mayor of the Israeli city for 13 years. He is survived by his wife, three children, and seven grandchildren.

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The following appeared on Tuesday, March 15th in the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet.

You shall not kill!

By Burak Bekdil

It was 2010, and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was speaking, as tempered as always, to a crowd as tempered as the prime minister could be.

“These [people] even see babies in their cradles as a threat. They have killed babies in their mothers’ arms,” he boomed.

“These people,” naturally, were the Israelis.

Addressing Israel’s leaders from a public rally in Turkey, Mr. Erdoğan said in both Turkish and English: “You shall not kill.” Then he showed his linguistic capabilities and went on: “You still don’t get it? Then I shall speak to you in your own language: Lo tir’tsach!” He was referring to the sixth of the 10 commandments in the Old Testament.

In various other speeches, Mr. Erdoğan claimed that his fits of anger toward the death of children were “indiscriminative” of race and religion. “Wherever, whenever,” he often said, “a child has been killed,” he would fiercely stand against the murderers. All the same, he has been mute since Saturday.

In the early hours of Saturday, a Palestinian broke into a house in the settlement of Itamar and stabbed to death a couple and their three children, aged 3 months, 4 years and 10 years old. The slain bodies were discovered by the couple’s 12-year-old daughter who was not at home when the murder was committed.

To read the full article, click here.

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List of Weaponry Found on the “Victoria”

Pictured here: A C-704 anti-ship missile found on the ship

Below is preliminary list of weaponry and weaponry systems discovered and unloaded this morning at the Ashdod Port hidden in the cargo of the “Victoria” vessel.

• 230 mortar shells, 120 mm
• 2,270 mortar shells, 60 mm
• 6 C-704 anti-ship missiles
• 2 radar systems manufactured in England
• 2 launchers
• 2 hydraulic mounting cranes for radar system
• 66,960  bullets for the Kalashnikov, 7.62 millimeter

It is important to note that the C-704 shore-to-sea missiles have a range of 35 kilometers and according to assessments, their intended destination to the Gaza Strip would have constituted a significant gain in the weapons capabilities of terror organizations operating there.

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On Tuesday, March 15th, IDF Navy fighters intercepted the cargo vessel “Victoria” loaded with various weaponry. The vessel, flying under a Liberian flag, was intercepted some 200 miles west of Israel’s coast. This incident was part of the Navy’s routine activity to maintain security and prevent arms smuggling, in light of IDF security assessments.

Weapons found hidden aboard "Victoria"

The force was met with no resistance from the crew on-board.

The vessel is now being led by the Israeli Navy to an Israeli port for further searches and detailed inspection of the cargo.

The vessel was on its way from Mersin Port in Turkey to Alexandria Port in Egypt.

PM Netanyahu: “Early this morning, I approved the Navy’s interception of the Victoria. We had a solid basis that onboard the ship was weaponry destined for use against Israel. Considerable weaponry – which was destined for terrorist forces in the heart of Gaza – was found onboard the vessel. The operation was carried out at sea in accordance with all international rules. The weaponry originated in Iran, which is trying to arm the Gaza Strip.”

DM Barak: “The attempt to smuggle weaponry to Gaza shows that radical elements are continuing in their attempts to attack Israel and undermine regional stability.”

According to assessments, the various weaponry on-board the vessel was intended for the use of terror organizations operating in the Gaza Strip.

The IDF noted that Turkey is not tied to the incident in any way.

The operation was approved as necessary in accordance with government directives in light of the Chief of the General Staff’s recommendations.

Earlier on March 15th, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz updated the Minister of Defense, Mr. Ehud Barak, about the findings on-board the vessel.

The IDF and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs alerted about the interception of the “Victoria” to the German authorities, due to the German ownership of the ship. In addition, the government of Liberia, whose flag it was flying under, was notified, as well as France, due to the French shipping company.

The operation was under the command of the IDF Navy Commander, Maj. Gen. Eliezer Marom, and the interception was under the command of the Navy Special Forces Commander.

The vessel’s crew and content will be transferred to an Israeli port for questioning and further inspection.

The IDF will continue its intelligence and operational activities in order to maintain Israel’s security interests and prevent arms smuggling that will fuel the terror infrastructure in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

We will keep you posted as more information is released.

Background: Israel’s Inception of Arms Ships

Since 2001, there have been repeated attempts to smuggle weapons under the guise of legitimate commerce, using ships, flags, and ports of blameless countries.

May 2001: The Santorini was intercepted on its way from Lebanon to the Gaza Strip. It contained a large shipment of 40 tons of weapons including Strela anti-aircraft missiles. The shipment also included mortars, rifles and guns, grenades, mines and explosive material, anti-tank RPG-7 missile-launchers, and artillery rockets.

December 2001 – The Karine A vessel, loaded with weapons in Iran, bound for the Gaza Strip, sailed in the direction of Egypt with the intention of unloading its cargo in Egypt. Small fishing boats were meant to pick up the cargo and deliver it to the Gaza Strip. The ship, loaded with rockets, anti-tank rockets, and light arms, was seized on January 3, 2002 by Israeli naval commandos.

May  2003: The Abu Hasan was intercepted in waters west of Haifa, sailing from Lebanon to Egypt carrying Hizbullah explosives bound for the Gaza Strip. The boat itself was a fishing boat, no doubt used purposefully to disguise its intentions. Cargo contained: a radio-activation system to detonate bombs remotely, CDs of directives on how to carry out suicide bomb terror attacks, five boxes with rocket fuses, and 25 Katyusha rocket detonators.

December 2003 - January 2004 – The Iranian Revolutionary Guard directed an aerial convoy to transfer weapons and supplies to Hizbullah via Syria. The aerial convoys were disguised as humanitarian aid intended for those injured in an earthquake in Bam, a city in southern Iran. The Iranians took advantage of the open airspace by trying to smuggle weapons to Hizbullah while humanitarian aid flights were landing in Iran from all over the world.

May 2007 – An Iranian train carrying arms (mortar shells, light arms, rocket launchers and ammunition) was uncovered in Turkey. The arms were destined for Hizbullah. The Iranians attempted to conceal and disguise the arms in order to avoid suspicion by the Turkish authorities.

January 2009 – An arms shipment sent by Iran was intercepted and seized in Cyprus after it was found on the Cypriot vessel Monchegorsk which had been leased by the Iranian Irisl shipping company. The cargo was found to include tank, artillery and mortar shells as well as materials to be used for producing rockets.

October 2009 -The Hansa India, which sailed from Iran flying a German flag was due to unload a cargo of eight containers in Egypt. Following warnings from the German authorities the vessel was not unloaded and continued to Malta where it was seized and found to be carrying bullets and industrial material intended for the production of weapons, seemingly bound for Syria.

November 2009 – Roughly 500 tons of weapons, rockets, and missiles was uncovered aboard the cargo vessel Francop flying an Antiguan flag, which was intercepted and brought to the Ashdod port. Thirty-six shipping containers with 500 tons of weaponry were found on the ship disguised as civilian cargo, and hidden among hundreds of other containers on board.

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The horrible terrorist attack Friday night in the community of Itamar, in which a mother, father and three children were brutally murdered, has placed the issue of Palestinian incitement on the public agenda once again. Incitement in official Palestinian Authority (PA) channels against Israel encourages attacks against civilians, raises mass-murderers to the status of national heroes, and perpetuates a culture of rejectionism. For this reason the Israeli Government has created the “Incitement and Culture of Peace Index” as a mechanism to track levels of incitement.

In wake of the terrorist attack, the Index was presented to the Government today. Here is the link to the Index

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In the evening hours of Friday, March 11th, Udi Fogel, 37, and Ruth Fogel, 36, and their three children, 10-year-old Yoav, four-year-old Elad and three-month old Hadas were in a knife attack in the Israeli community of Itamar.

Click here to read more.

World leaders joined together in their condemnation of the attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Bejamin Netanyahu:

“I would like to express my deep outrage, outrage which is certainly felt by every Israeli over the murder of a young family – father, mother, eleven-year-old boy, four-year-old-boy and four-month-old girl.  Three orphaned children have been left in this family.  One of the girls saw her parents and siblings stabbed to death.  The family was brutally murdered in their sleep on the Sabbath.  We embrace and support the orphans and the other members of the family.  We embrace and support our brothers who reside in Judea and Samaria.  Do not be disheartened.  I know that this is a difficult time for us, but the entire nation is with you.  Since the disaster, this awful murder, became known I have held discussions with Defense Minister Ehud Barak, IDF Chief-of-Staff, Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz, ISA Director Yuval Diskin and other senior security officials.  I instructed them to make every effort to find the murderers and not to rest until they have been found and brought to justice.

I expect the international community to sharply and unequivocally condemn this murder, the murder of children.  I have noticed that several countries that always hasten to the UN Security Council in order to condemn Israel, the state of the Jews, for planning a house in some locality, or for laying some tiles somewhere have been dilatory in sharply condemning the murder of Jewish infants.  I expect them to issue such condemnations immediately, without balances, without understandings, without justifications.  There is no justification and there can be neither excuse nor forgiveness for the murder of children.  I expect a similar condemnation, and I demand a similar condemnation, from the Palestinian Authority.  I am disappointed by the weak and mumbled statements.  This is not how one condemns terrorism.  This is not how one fights terrorism.  See how Israeli prime ministers, myself among them, have reacted in similar situations, but there has never been anything like this, in which terrorists entered a home and cut children’s throats.

This requires sharp and unequivocal condemnation. This requires something else.  This requires a halt to the incitement.  I demand that the Palestinian Authority stop the incitement that is conducted on a daily basis in their schools, mosques and the media under their control.  The time has come to stop this double-talk in which the Palestinian Authority outwardly talks peace, and allows – and sometimes leads – incitement at home.  The time has come to stop the incitement and begin educating their people for peace.

Despite all the awful pain, I call upon all Israelis to act responsibly, with restraint, and not to take the law into their own hands.  When one takes the law into his own hands, there is no law.  The IDF and the security forces will carry out their responsibilities; only they.  We will not allow terrorism to determine the settlement map.  The settlement map will be determined by Government policy, which is in accordance with our national interests, with security first and foremost.  Terrorism will not determine the settlement map.  We will determine it.”

United States President Barack Obama:

“There is no possible justification for the killing of parents and children in their home. We call on the Palestinian Authority to unequivocally condemn this terrorist attack.”

United States Secretary of State Hilary Clinton:

“I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the brutal murder of an Israeli family early Saturday morning in the West Bank. The United States condemns this appalling attack in the strongest possible terms. To kill three innocent children and their parents while they sleep is an inhuman crime for which there can be no justification. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the victims and with all the people of Israel. The murderers must be found and brought to justice. Israeli security forces have launched a thorough investigation and we look to the Palestinian authorities to assist in every way possible.”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas:

“Violence will only bring more violence – we must hurry to find a comprehensive, just solution to the conflict.”

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad:

“I say that in regards to what happened (Saturday) in Itamar settlement — and the victims were a toddler and two children, the father and mother — exactly as we have always said against violence … we refuse this and condemn it. We refuse and condemn violence, whatever the reasons are or the perpetrators or targets or victims.”

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The Government of Israel has offered aid to the Japanese government after the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Japan on March 10th, followed by tsunamis across the Pacific Ocean.

Widespread death and destruction was caused by the earthquake and tsunamis.  According to Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, the “enormously powerful” earthquake caused “tremendous damage over a wide area.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman immediately directed Israel’s ambassador in Tokyo, Nissim Ben- Sheetrit, to offer any aid to the Japanese government that it may need in dealing with the tragedy.

In addition, Ben-Sheetrit said that the embassy was trying to make contact with Israelis known to be in the country and who remain unaccounted for.

Click here to read more.

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With the 112th United States Congress well underway in Washington, DC, Israeli diplomats have been busy meeting with Congressmen on Capitol Hill discussing U.S.-Israel trade and partnership, as well as the recent developments in the Middle East.

On Tuesday, Minister of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs Yuli-Yuel Edelstein, Director General of the Ministry of Strategic Affairs Brig. Gen. Yossi Kuperwasser, and Ambassador Michael Oren joined members of Congress for a bipartisan seminar on “The Drastically Changing Middle East – and the Israeli Constant” hosted by Jerusalem Conference for International Policy.

Senator Inhofe

Giving introductory remarks for the seminar, Ambassador Oren traced the multi-faceted and interminable relations between U.S. and Israel, tracing it back to the pilgrims’ pledge to restore the Jews to their ancestral homeland. In today’s international arena, strategic alliance has proven key to furthering innovation and security for both nations, he added.

Speaking on the changes in the Middle East, Minister Edelstein said, “I am hopeful about being able to live in a family of democracies [in the region], but I’m cautious,” noting the influences of radical regimes and  Israel’s security as a primary concern.

Senior Congressmen including Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtien, Representative Gary Ackerman, Senator James Inhofe, Representative Eliot Engel, and more, also attended the seminar and reaffirmed their commitment to Israel.

“You cannot be a good American and not support Israel,” said Congressman Michael Grimm.

Last month, Ambassador Oren also met with Speaker of the House John Boehner, where the Ambassador expressed deep appreciation for the Speaker’s unwavering friendship with Israel and his firm leadership of Congressional initiatives in support of the Jewish state. Speaker Boehner’s commitment to Israel is especially valued at this time of change in the Middle East and as Israel continues to confront the threats of terror and Iranian nuclearization.

Speaker Boehner said, “Israel is one of America’s strongest allies  We share common values, and fight common enemies in the form of violent extremism.  The people of Israel have sacrificed for the sake of peace and stability.  With change coming rapidly to the Middle East, the United States is committed to standing by our close ally to maintain peace and stability in the region.”

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