Defense/Middle East

Iranians Killed in Syrian Bus Blast

A huge bus blast in a crowded suburb of Damascus killed and wounded dozens of Iranians Thursday morning in an apparent terrorist attack.

Rumors on Shalit: Lots of Smoke but No Fire

Shalit is already in Egypt and a deal for his release is underway, a Kuwaiti newspaper says, but the reliability of the report is questionable.

Col. Marom: Releasing Terrorists is Spineless and Catastrophic

Colonel (ret.) Kobi Marom believes Israel's leaders do not have any red lines they won't cross in obtaining the release of Gilad Shalit.

Advanced Spike Missile Unveiled

Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. has unveiled a new version of its Spike missiles – the Spike non-line of sight (NLOS) missile.

Rabbi: Shalit Deal Will Strengthen Hamas and Iran

Freeing terrorists for Shalit would strengthen Iran and Hamas, says Rabbi Fruman. “Public interests are more important than private interests.”

Pre-Military Students: Shalit - Not at Any Price

Students at six of the largest pre-military academies, religious and secular, ask the government not to release terrorists for Gilad Shalit.

Indian Security Service Blocks 25 Million Cell Phone Users

Indian security services have decided cellular phones lacking a special code will be blocked from use. Millions are affected.

North Korea to Stand Trial for Supporting Terror in Israel

The government of North Korea, for the first time, will face charges in a U.S. Federal Court on Thursday for supporting terrorism against Israel.

MKs Freeze IDF Money Pending for Yeshivot and Bus Protection

The Finance Committee froze the incoming IDF budget until funds are provided for the hesder yeshivas and bus protection in Judea and Samaria.

Netanyahu: Freeze is Temporary, One-Time Event

PM: "We took this decision out of the widest national considerations and out of a desire to jump-start negotiations with the Palestinians

Double Jeopardy: IDF Units to Fight Jews, PA to Encircle Them

Barak orders call-up of reserve units to be used against the Jewish towns in Judea and Samaria – while PA threatens to encircle the towns.

Iran’s New Anti-Israel Ally: French Comedian Dieudonne

Iran has a new ally in Holocaust-mocking and attacking Israel: French comic-politician Dieudonne, whom it is helping to make an anti-Israel film.

Haifa Students Build Robotic Helicopter

Students at the Technion University in Haifa have built a lightweight hovercraft for use in special missions, observation and surveillance.

MK Ariel: Olmert Failed but Netanyahu Surrendered

Asks: "Why is it that Netanyahu, who calls the settlers 'my brothers,' is the one who hurts them more than any prime minister before him?”

Daniela Weiss: Netanyahu is Like a Doormat

Former mayor of Kedumim says decrees will not stop construction: “Everyone, get out of your ghettos and start building.”

Hamas Cranks Up Media Machine as Talks on Shalit Linger

The “imminent” release of terrorists for Shalit is more distant as Hamas plants rumors in Arab media. The bottom line: It’s all Israel’s fault.

Iran Flouts West With Plans to Build 10 New Uranium Plants

Iran staged a counter offensive against Western threats of sanctions and announced it will build 10 more uranium enrichment plants.

Gov’t: Free 980 Terrorists, Prisoners for Shalit and ‘Goodwill’

The government told the High Court it may free 980 terrorists but asked it to reject a motion demanding details. No deal appears to be imminent.

Exit Polls: Swiss Ban Minarets, Muslim Extremism Feared

European and Asian countries are bracing for possible Muslim violence in the wake of an apparent Swiss ban on minarets on mosques.

Activist: We Can Bypass Construction Freeze

Israel Lands Fund activist Aryeh King says he has a way to bypass the newly ordered construction freeze in Judea and Samaria.

Activists Compare Netanyahu to Pharaoh

New grassroots efforts are currently being planned to resist the government's construction freeze for Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria.

Likud MK: Freeze 'Completely Opposes' Party Platform

Likud MK Danny Danon says he will fight to overturn the prime minister's decision to freeze construction in Judea and Samaria.

US: Lukewarm Praise for Building Freeze

U.S. officials responded almost immediately to the freeze announcement with brief statements offering lukewarm praise for the decision.

Viral Video Against Release of Terrorists

Viral video against release of terrorists calls on decision makers in Israel to "stop and think – with the head and not just the heart".

Nationalists to Netanyahu: Resign

Calls for Prime Minister Netanyahu's resignation resound following a vote by the Security Cabinet to freeze building in Judea and Samaria.

Netanyahu: Cabinet Took 'Bold Step' on Building Freeze

Prime Minister Netanyahu said Wednesday night the Security Cabinet took a "bold step" in voting to freeze construction in Judea and Samaria.

Cabinet Approves Building Freeze

The Security Cabinet Wednesday night approved Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's request for a 10-month building freeze in Judea and Samaria.

Ex-Envoy Indyk Flunks Obama, Mitchell on ‘Mideast 101’

Former US envoy to Israel Martin Indyk backed Obama for president. A year later, he gives him and George Mitchell failing marks in the Middle East

MK Ben-Ari: Why Barghouti Allowed to Interview?

After Prisons Service failed to punish terrorist Marghouti Bargouti for giving unauthorized media interviews, MK Ben Ari asks court to step in.

Barak Warns Recruits of Iron Fist on Refusals, Cites Talmud

Barak visits fresh Kfir recruits, warns that an 'iron fist' will be used against refusal of orders, and cites the Talmud.

Hesder Rabbi Fights Calls to Close Yeshivas over Refusal Issue

Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee grills hesder yeshivas representative over rabbis' alleged encouragement of conscientious objection in IDF.

Hamas Shows Stress on Shalit, Escalates Media Campaign

Hamas shows stress in its media campaign: It issued a report that Shalit is well while an internal dispute rages on a terrorist-release deal.

Rare Global Unity Against Iranian Nuclear Program

Russia and China have joined up with the United States, Britain, France, and Germany in preparing a resolution critical of Iran's nuclear program.

Knesset Passes IDF Widows' Law

The Knesset has passed a law ensuring that IDF widows will not lose their husbands' pensions if they later choose to remarry.

Officials Ignore Terrorist Barghouti’s Illegal Media Campaign

National Union MK Ben-Ari will appeal to the High Court if prison officials do not punish terrorist Marwan Barghouti for illegal media interviews.

Pressure Campaign against Netanyahu’s Proposed Building Freeze

Netanyahu is ready to officially freeze building for Jews in Judea and Samaria for 10 Months. MK Katz asks Likud ministers, "Why are you silent?"

New Army Order against Anti-Expulsion Signs: Raise Your Shirts

IDF hysteria over banners against orders to expel Jews triggered officers to order soldiers Monday night to raise their shirts for inspection.

Appeal to High Court to Break Gag Order on List of Terrorists

Victims of terror have appealed to the High Court to order the government to publish the list terrorists it wants to free in return for Shalit.

Bibi Tells Expulsion Victims Helping Them is 'National Mission'

Netanyahu backed expelling Gaza farmers until he objected when the deal was done. He told them Monday that helping them is a “national mission.”

Rocket Attacks on Negev while Gov’t Nears Deal for Shalit

Gaza terrorists broke a Hamas vow to halt rocket attacks and hit the Negev as the government nears a deal to free terrorists for Shalit.

Video: IDF Chief of Staff Meets November Draft Recruits

IDF Chief of Staff and members of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee came to the IDF induction center to meet the November 2009 recruits.

Military Censor Accused of Backing Release of Terrorists

An Israeli TV journalist has charged that the military censor’s gag rule serves her own interests, which he says it to free terrorists for Shalit.

Turmoil in Canada over Alleged War Crimes in Afghanistan

A veteran Canadian foreign service officer has charged the government with hiding war crimes in Afghanistan. Goldstone has not commented.

Border Policeman Indicted for Attack on Nationalist

A Border Police officer will stand trial for attacking a nationalist protestor. The court discarded its usual claim that the police are the victim.

Gag Order on Shalit while Terrorists Prepare for Freedom

The government's reported plans to release major terrorists for Shalit may contravene a High Court warning to be careful about freeing terrorists.

Hamas Using Shalit as Pawn for Fatah Unity

Hamas, which has used kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit as a pawn for Israel to free terrorists, now is playing with him to reach a deal with Abbas.

Belgium PM to Head EU, Lady Ashton to Replace Solana

The European Union has elected its first full-time president, and a new foreign policy chief. Neither has extensive foreign policy experience.

'US Knows Bibi Can Be Squeezed,' says Former Head of PM's Office

Yossi Ben Aharon, ex-director of Prime Minister Shamir's office: Netanyahu needs to learn to say 'no' to US pressure or his government will fall.

Anti-Expulsion Anger Spreads, New Banner Found

Anger against being used to expel Jews is spreading. The third protest banner in a month was found Thursday at a Jordan Valley IDF base.

Peres and Barak: Small PA State Now, Larger One Later

Peres and Barak's peace plan: a demilitarized PA state in half of Judea/ Samaria now, and twice as large in two years. The PA has not accepted it.

Jewish Home MKs Oppose Bill Preventing IDF Evacuations

MKs Zevulun Orlev and Uri Orbach call proposed bill forbidding IDF from evacuating Jewish settlements 'dangerous.'

PA Features Children's' Hate Speech at Arafat Memorial

Arab children are being programmed by the Palestinian Authority to hate Jews and Israel, as seen at a recent memorial for PLO chief Yasser Arafat.

Netanyahu Quietly Rejects US Clamp on Jerusalem

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has quietly rejected an attempt by the US to clamp down on Israeli construction in the city of Jerusalem.

Hesder Yeshivot Ask: Should Soldiers be Used for Evictions?

Hesder Yeshivot oppose “political demonstrations in the army framework,” but call for public debate on whether to use soldiers for police work.

Turkish Delegation Visits to Rebuild Alliance

Turkish diplomats bearing a message of reconciliation visited the Knesset, discussed ways of improving Israel's strained relations with Turkey.

Obama ‘Reaches Out’ by Naming ‘Devout’ Muslims to Security Posts

President Obama continues to “reach out to Muslims” by placing them in key security posts amid charges he wrongly ignored internal Muslim terror.

Proposed Bill: Soldiers Won’t be Used to Evict Jews

In a bid for national unity, MKs Eldad and Hotobeli propose a bill banning use of soldiers in expulsions. Six soldiers were jailed this month.

PA Group Calls for Arab Boycott of Jerusalem Light Rail Firms

The Palestinian Authority is trying to recruit Arab nations to boycott the firms who are building the light rail system in Jerusalem.

Senior Fatah Official: ‘Armed Struggle Against Israel,’

The Palestinian Authority must use an ”armed struggle” for a new Arab state in Israel after failing in negotiations, a senior Fatah official said.

IDF Buying Laser Rangefinders

Commanders of infantry platoons soon will carry laser rangefinders, the size of a matchbox, and it will help artillery to fire more accurately.