Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Israel is not above the law and not all criticism of Israel is anti-Semitism. Israel’s blockade of Gaza, together with Egypt, it should be recalled (though Egypt is never condemned in this regard), is probably not the wisest policy ever implemented by Israel. After the international outcry over the flotilla to Gaza that was poorly handled by the Israelis, and with tragic consequences, it is high time this policy was reviewed.

The issue, however, is not this or some other specific Israeli policy, but Israel-bashing, or the prejudicial way in which Israel is usually treated by the international community and the world media. Prejudice is recognised by its three constituent practices: it singles out the subject; it then applies a double standard; and, of course, the subject is always guilty. Israel is indeed singled out for special treatment and the double standard is also reflected in a specific vocabulary that is applied only to Israel. continue reading…

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Photo: IDF Spokesperson

Israel is setting up a commission led by former Supreme Court Justice Jacob Turkel to investigate actions taken by the State of Israel to prevent vessels from reaching the coast of the Gaza Strip on May 31st, 2010.

In addition to Justice Turkel, the Commission will have two members and two foreign experts who will serve as observers. The members of the Commission will be Shabbtai Rosen and Amos Horev, experts on international law.

The foreign observers will include Lord David Trimble, Nobel Peace laureate from Northern Ireland and Brig. Gen. Ken Watkin, a former judge advocate general of the Canadian Forces. continue reading…

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(Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman)

Over the past few days, the State of Israel repeatedly called to the activists aboard the “Rachel Corrie” vessel, offering that they land at the port of Ashdod, where their cargo will be off-loaded, checked, and transferred to the crossing point into Gaza – accompanied by representatives of the activists and the Government of Ireland.
This offer was formulated in contacts between the Governments of Israel and Ireland. continue reading…

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Statement from COGAT (Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories), Policy of aid into Gaza:

The policy of transferring merchandise into the Gaza Strip is implemented in accordance with existing Israeli policy, as determined by the Cabinet’s decision of September 19, 2007, following Hamas’s hostile seizure of the Gaza Strip.

The ongoing transfer of goods into Gaza is aimed at providing for the basic needs of the residents of the territories while preventing strengthening Hamas, either militarily or governmentally. Hamas engages in hostile activity against the State of Israel and its citizens and holds an IDF soldier captive without reason or justification. continue reading…

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There’s been a lot of misinformation being reported about the nature of Egypt and Israel’s blockade of Gaza. While the casualties on both sides are a tragedy, Israel had no choice but to stop the flotilla from breaking the blockade – and international law. While Israel was forced to take action in international waters, its actions are supported by international maritime law.

Below, find 13 clear points which explain Israel’s maritime blockade, supported by international law. continue reading…

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Marking 65 years to the liberation of Auschwitz Concentration camp, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, joined leaders worldwide who gathered at the death camp, to commemorate the memory of the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis and to mark the International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

PM Netanyahu’s full speech has been translated from Hebrew:

continue reading…

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Photo: IDF Spokesman

After two weeks of life saving efforts, the Israeli team in Haiti is scheduled to return home.  The decision came following the arrival of additional aid forces to Haiti, including the United States military and other, civilian aid, who are now providing regular medical services. Furthermore, many of the local hospitals have reached a sufficient level of functionality.

In the past day, the medical staff at the Israeli field hospital, started transferring patients to the hospital, and on Tuesday they will stop receiving new cases. While the manpower is leaving Haiti, most of the equipment brought by the delegation will remain behind for use by the various medical personnel, including tents, medications and other medical equipment.

During their stay in Haiti, the delegation treated more than 960 patients, conducted 294 successful surgeries, delivered 16 births including three in cesarean sections and saved many from within the ruins. During the weekend, the Israeli team manged to save a 22 year old from the ruins after being buried for 11 days. The man was brought to the hospital and he is now in stable condition

Watch the rescue:

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Israeli delegation members preparing Jan. 14 for their departure to Haiti

As the events in Haiti unfold and the pictures make their way across the globe, it is impossible not to be profoundly moved. We are all deeply saddened by the loss of life and our hearts and prayers go out to the Haitian people. As the poorest country in the western hemisphere, Haiti needs the full support of the international community to provide food, water and medical treatment for the millions affected by this disaster.

Even as far away as Israel, the news has shocked our conscious. The State of Israel is striving to do everything it can to contribute to the rescue and recovery efforts. In this time of great need, countries big and small from all corners of the world are coming together for the people of Haiti.

Later tonight, 2 IDF cargo planes will depart for Haiti carrying medical and rescue specialists. The IDF delegation will construct a field hospital in the disaster area that will include 220 personnel. The hospital will be able to provide care for approximately 500 patients each day, including those in need of immediate surgery.

The Home Front command forces will include 30 rescue workers, task force intelligence, logistics forces and a communications department, in addition to search and rescue and population aid experts from the Home Front Commands Search and Rescue Unit.

We hope that with every country providing what they can, it will be enough to ensure that the worst has already passed for the Haitian people.

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While the global economy has suffered a severe meltdown since 2008, Israel has been kept largely shielded. The result is that this year’s migration to Israel by North American Jews will be the highest since 1973, according to Nefesh B’Nefesh, an organization that supports immigration to Israel from North America. While Israel has not escaped the economic crisis unscathed, it currently sports a significantly lower unemployment rate than the United States and its economy continues to grow thanks to its place as a world leader in technology.

The downfall of the economies in the Persian Gulf has also encouraged immigration to the West Bank, whose economy is having a record year of growth. As the bubble appears to have burst for the Dubai market, Israel will not be negatively affected as the Arab League’s boycott of Israel forbids Israeli companies from investing in what is now being called “Dubai debt.” The irony of the Arab League boycott is that it was designed to harm Israel’s economy by disallowing foreign investment.

New immigrants to Israel are making a huge impact. According to a study by Deloitte Information Technologies Israel Ltd., U.S. immigrants who came between 2002 and 2008 have directly injected over a quarter billion dollars to the Israeli economy.

We thank The Wall Street Journal for this story.

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During the week of November 10th,  President Shimon Peres took the fight against Iran’s growing nuclear program across seas and continents to Brazil. A modest friend of Ahmadinejad’s regime, Brazil is scheduled to host the Iranian President in late November. As South America’s largest country, Brazil can play a crucial part in deciding how far Iranian presence reaches in the Americas. What was once America’s proverbial backyard has become a coalition of extreme left-wing states whose leaders, such as Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez, have all too much in common with the anti-American and anti-Semitic leadership in Iran. continue reading…

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