Politics & Gov

Knesset ‘Downgrades’ Barak, Charges him for 1st Class Upgrade

The Knesset orders Defense Minister Barak to pay for upgrading airline seats for him and his wife to first-class. He says he acted “in good faith."

Bosnia Jew Wins Discrimination Suit

The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Bosnia violated the rights of Bosnia Jews and Roma [gypsies] by barring them from elected office.

Photos and Video: Ice House Protest against Freeze

Yesha town councils protest that the Prime Minister's election promises are melting away.

Israeli Court: No PA Justice in ‘Peace House’ Case

A district court judge ruled that the PA courts cannot be trusted to decide who owns the Hevron Peace House, where Jews were expelled a year ago.

Iran Kicks Out Soccer Official for E-Mail to Israel

The head of Iranian football apologized for an e-mail New Year’s greeting that accidentally reached Israel and cost a top official his job.

Sharon Four Years Later: ‘Probably Comatose for Life’

Ariel Sharon is off a respirator but probably will remain comatose for the rest of his life, according to his former close advisor Dov Weisglass.

Ben-Ari Claims: Likud MKs Perpetuate Left Leaning Court

Ministerial committee turns down proposal of two nationalist-camp MKs to increase the number of Supreme Court justices from 15 to 18.

Zambian Presidential Candidate: Israel has the Right to Defense

Dr. Saviour Chisimba, Zambian presidential candidate, supports Israel and its war against terror

Video: Ayalon: Operation Cast Lead Proves Deterrence Works

Marking a year after ground forces entered Gaza, Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon visited wounded soldiers and said the campaign was successful.

Arab MK: Tel Aviv is the Arab Village of Sheikh Munis!

A rancorous TV interview last week with an Arab MK that revealed his apparent desires to conquer Tel Aviv continues to make waves.

Army Violates Agreement, Evicts Residents on Sabbath

Despite a commitment by the Deputy Defense Minister, the army evicted Sabbath observers from Homesh on the Sabbath.

San Francisco Zionists Cow Anti-Israel Protestors

An anti-Israel rally in San Francisco marking the anniversary of Operation Cast Lead met with an unexpectedly assertive Zionist counter-protest.

Video: "Zionist Sheikh" Palazzi Visits Jerusalem

Jerusalem activist Aryeh King met the Israel-supporting Sheikh, who is on a visit from Italy, in East Jerusalem

MK Danon Proposes Bill: Oust MK Who Incites

MK A-Sanaa calls Hamas Gaza leader on his cellphone and lets him address a subversive rally at the Erez crossing. MK Zahalka:Barak is like a Nazi.

Girls Sue Police for Abuse During Search

Seven girls are suing the Israel Police, charging they were abused while being searched two years ago after entering a closed area near Beit El.

Binyamin Residents 'Fight the Freeze' with Building Project

Residents of the Binyamin region announced they will launch a massive construction project next week in a “struggle against the freeze.”

Value-Added Tax (VAT) To Drop 0.5% Friday

Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz has decided to reduce value-added tax (VAT) by half a percent at the beginning of 2010. The new rate will be 16%,.

MKs Consider Legislation to Keep Highway Safe From Terrorism

One MK says Route 443 should be annexed to Israel, others want a law circumventing recent Supreme Court decision opening it to Arab travel.

'Viva Palestina' Blocked at Red Sea, Will Try for Gaza Via Syria

A British legislator has led his convoy of aid for Gaza out of Aqaba and is now heading for Syria after learning the Egyptians cannot be pressured.

Barak Forces Rabbi Ronsky Out of Army

Defense Minister Barak, after having silenced IDF Chief Rabbi Ronsky several times, has taken the unprecedented step of not renewing his term.

Public Security Minister Won't Restrain Freeze Inspectors

Local government leaders in Judea and Samaria meet Public Security Minister and ask him to restrain enforcers of freeze order, but he says no.

Barak Admits Terror Wave in Judea and Samaria

Defense Minister admits there is an awakening of terror in Judea and Samaria in recent days.

High Court Demands that Security Fence be Moved in Samaria

The High Court is forcing the state to re-route the security barrier, a change that will isolate large Jewish communities in western Samaria.

Lieberman Makes it Clear: ‘No to Oslo Illusion and Fantasy'

Foreign Minister Lieberman told Israeli diplomats to make it clear to the world: Oslo was an illusion. On Syria, "Forget about indirect talks."

Netanyahu Links Rabbi Chai's Murder with Shalit Deal

Prime Minister notes that one of the terrorists who murdered Rabbi Chai on Thursday had been released from an Israeli jail.

Rabbi Melamed: No Clash Between Jewish Law & Battle Orders

Rabbi E. Melamed, whose yeshiva has been removed from the IDF’s Hesder arrangement, says Def. Min. Barak has “forced an artificial clash upon us.”

Legal Opinion: Rabbinical Court Can Invalidate Conversions

Counsel for the rabbinical courts system says that rabbinical courts can invalidate conversions, provided the issue is raised in family law cases.

Key Checkpoint Near Shavei Shomron Removed Weeks Before Attack

Samaria Regional Council Head Mesika: Government of Israel preferred 'the Palestinian fabric of life' to its citizens' rights.

Rabbi Meir Chai Funeral at 10:00 in Jerusalem

Rabbi Meir Avshalom Chai, 40, a school teacher, was killed when terrorists fired at his car, near Einav in Samaria. Fatah group says: we did it.

'Anti-Freeze' Action Plan Released

A plan has been published to actively fight the construction freeze and block the "first step towards destruction of the Jewish presence in Yesha.”

Mofaz Demands Primaries in Kadima to Ward Off Split

Kadima’s #2, Sha’ul Mofaz, met with the beleaguered #1, Tzipi Livni, and demanded primaries as the way to forestall the impending party split.

Gilad Farm: ‘We’ll Hold Out As Long As We Can’

Fourteen families, including 33 children, are living at Gilad Farm without electricity and water. The government has blocked public funding.

NSC Head Arad Apologizes to Chief of Staff over Shalit

PM's Security Adviser, Uzi Arad, accused Ashkenazi of failing to free Shalit and behaving like the “Chairman of the Soldiers' Parents' Council.”

Court Orders Gov’t to Answer Appeals against Building Freeze

The High Court Wednesday gave the government 30 days to answer tough questions in an appeal to rule the building freeze illegal.

Arab Noise Breaks Hevron's Sound Barrier; Jewish Music Legal

Sound check: Jewish music around the Cave of the Patriarchs is within legal limits, but Arab noise broke the barrier. Police must call the tune.

Peace Now Introduces the 'Informers' Hotline' in Judea, Samaria

Peace Now's "Informer Hotline" lets people to report building freeze violations. Nationlists are responding with reports of illegal Arab building.

Shaping Up: Kadima Headed for Likud-Initiated Split

The Likud’s efforts to divide the party that caused the Likud’s own division four years ago appear to be successful.

Failing Israeli Newspaper Fears US Billionaire’s Competition

Sheldon Adelson is fighting a bill to shut down his newspaper because he is a foreigner. Should Israel also shut down European-financed Peace Now?

Hesder Yeshiva Quits Army

The “unanimous” Hesder Yeshivot declaration of earlier this week was apparently not so unanimous – and has led at least one yeshiva to quit.

Ayalon: Strengthen Jewish Periphery or Risk Arab Autonomy Try

Deputy FM Ayalon warned Tuesday that without a Jewish majority in the Negev or Galilee, Arabs might someday have a legal claim to autonomy there.

Video: Freeze-Thawing Ceremony in Netzer, Gush Etzion

Land of Israel activists gathered at the hilltop of Netzer in Gush Etzion for a ceremonial protest in the wake of the freeze

'Forum of 7' Sends Decision on Shalit Deal to Hamas

After a difficult night, the "Forum of Seven" ministers sent its decision on a swap deal for hostage soldier Gilad Shalit to the German mediator.

Turkish Member of Parliament Speaks in Tel Aviv

Tensions between Turkey and Israel did not deter Turkish parliamentarian Suat Kiniklioglu from attending a security conference in Tel Aviv.

Global Anti-Israel Protests Expected on 'Cast Lead' Anniversary

The anniversary of Israel's Operation Cast Lead in Gaza is set to be a catalyst for a series of anti-Israel protests. Western VIPs will take part.

Haifa Square to be Named in Honor of Egyptian President Sadat

A new square in Haifa will be named in honor of the late Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, the first Arab leader to sign a peace treaty with Israel.

Report: Shalit Negotiator May Resign as Netanyahu Stands Firm

According to a report in Fox News, Netanyahu is demanding that terrorist murderers from Judea and Samaria be released to Gaza or exiled.

MK Ben Ari: 'War Plan' Leaked by Barak Confidante

MK Michael Ben Ari tells Knesset that a source close to the Defense Minister leaked the plan because of his aversion to it.

As Cabinet Mulls Deal, Study Says Abduction is a Strategy

Researchers say Israel's willingness to release terrorists has turned abduction from a tactic into a strategy favored by all PA groups.

Cabinet Okays Funds for Children's Dental Treatment

The Cabinet on Sunday approved Deputy Health Minister Litzman's proposal to set aside part of the medicine basket for children's dental treatment.

Unusual 'Forum of Seven' Meeting Could Be about Shalit

The Forum of Seven ministers met Sunday morning for an extraordinary session, and may have discussed the abducted soldier

Video: 'United Nations - Purveyor of Anti-Semitism'

Anne Bayefsky of Eye on the UN: Goldstone report is a modern day version of the Protocols of the Elderly of Zion.

Video: 'Politics at the Expense of Jewish Children in Yesha'

MK Danon, chairman of the Knesset Children's Rights Committee, visited a Jewish school in Samaria to witness the effect of the freeze on the kids.

Snipers Aim as Egyptians Build Gaza's Iron Curtain

4th Time: Gaza terrorists attacked Egyptians building an underground “Iron Curtain” that would block weapons and drug smuggling into Gaza.

Columnist Warns Barak: We Won't Forget

Menachem Benn, in Maariv: Barak is doing the Left's bidding because he hopes to get its protection in the scandals he is involved in.

Hamas Taking Credit for Livni Arrest Warrant

Hamas 'Justice Ministry' says Britain's bid to arrest MK Livni was part of its struggle against Israeli 'war criminals.'

Leftist Lawyer Guilty of Leaking Classified US Documents

A self-described leftist pleaded guilty to leaking classified FBI documents but will serve only 20 months in jail. Pollard was sentenced for life.

What Freeze? New Youth Club Built in Peduel

Over 100 residents of Peduel laid the cornerstone for a youth club, in defiance of the 'Obama freeze.'

Jewish Music Banned at Holy Site

A human rights group has accused Israeli police of discriminating against Hevron's Jews by banning Jewish music near the Cave of the Patriarchs.

Olmert Offered Gaza Expansion for PA State

Former Prime Minister Ehud Gaza recommended expanding Gaza, offered to give to PA area around Yatir Forest, area around Beit She'an and more.

Jews in Samaria, Arabs in Jerusalem Arrested in Protests

Six Jews in Samaria were arrested after blocking Civil Administration inspectors, and police held six Arabs holding an illegal rally in Jerusalem.