real Israel News

Defense Ministry recognizes father and infant son as terror victims

 

 

The Defense Ministry has announced that it is recognizing Asher-Hillel Palmer and his son Yehonatan as victims of terror activity. The father and his infant son ... The Defense Ministry has announced that it is recognizing Asher-Hillel Palmer and his son Yehonatan as victims of terror activity. The father and his infant son were killed Friday, north of Halhoul, after their car was pelted with stones.

The Defense Ministry says it has just received findings from the police investigation, and rushed to inform the National Insurance Institute that in fact it was not an accident, but the result of an attack.

Trajtenberg: Criticism must be more than prepared slogans     The Trajtenberg Commission set up by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on affecting socio-economic change in the country is rejecting the damning criticism of an ... The Trajtenberg Commission set up by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on affecting socio-economic change in the country is rejecting the damning criticism of an alternative team of experts who have been advising the leaders of the protest movement. The Trajtenberg team says criticism is desirable, but that it has to be fair and to the point, and not just a collection of slogans prepared ahead of time that don't jive with the facts. PLO official: Can't mix peace negotiations with settlement construction     Senior PLO official Yasser Abd Rabbo says the message that you cannot combine negotiations with settlement construction will be expressed in the Palestinian reply ... Senior PLO official Yasser Abd Rabbo says the message that you cannot combine negotiations with settlement construction will be expressed in the Palestinian reply to the call by the international quartet on the Middle East to renew peace talks. Abd Rabbo called on the quartet - the US, UN, European Union and Russia - to honor its own announcement and require Israel to stop its settlement activity. The United States and European Union have raised their objections to Israel's latest authorization yesterday to build new housing units in the Jerusalem neighborhood, Gilo. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to convene the Palestinian leadership Wednesday and Thursday in an effort to formulate an official Palestinian reply to the quartet. Senior Palestinian officials say the reply will be worded carefully to avoid criticism that the Palestinians are missing an opportunity to advance the peace process.   US calls Gilo building counterproductive     The announcement was met with swift criticism from the US and the EU. US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said the decision is counterproductive to efforts to ... The announcement was met with swift criticism from the US and the EU. US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said the decision is counterproductive to efforts to resume negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Washington has long urged both sides to avoid any kindof action which could undermine trust, including and perhaps most particularly in Jerusalem any action that could be viewed as provocative by either side. She said that Washington has been through this before wit Israe over many years. The White House added that it was deeply disappointed by the announcement. A spokesman said when either side takes unilaterl action that makes it harder to achieve a resolution to issues,Washington makes its views known.   Palestinians angers by Gilo building announcement     The Palestinian Authority has expressed anger over Israel's decision to build in Gilo, accusing the Netanyahu government of trying to destroy any chance for two states ... The Palestinian Authority has expressed anger over Israel's decision to build in Gilo, accusing the Netanyahu government of trying to destroy any chance for two states for two peoples. Nabil Abu Rabo, spokesman for Mahmoud Abbas, said Israel continues to place obstacles in the path of peace.   Ministers formulate response to Quartet proposal     The ministerial forum of eight is formulating a positive response to the Quartet's call to renew negotiations without preconditions and to reach an agreement by the ... The ministerial forum of eight is formulating a positive response to the Quartet's call to renew negotiations without preconditions and to reach an agreement by the end of 2012. The ministers met yesterday for five hours on the issue. The Palestinian leadership is meeting today and tomorrow in an effort to formulate their official response to the proposal. Senior Palestinian officials told Al Kuds newspaper published in east Jerusalem that the response will be carefully written because the Palestinans do not want to be blamed afterwards for missing an opportunity to resume the peace process. A number of senior Palestinians had expressed their disappointment with the Quartet's proposal. Rosh Hashana closure on Judea and Samaria     A closure has been imposed on Judea and Samaria until after Rosh Hashana. The decision is based on assessments made by the IDF and security services. Israel approves new building in Gilo     The Israeli government is giving the go-ahead for building 1,100 new housing units in the Gilo neighborhood, in southeastern Jerusalem. The Interior Ministry says ... The Israeli government is giving the go-ahead for building 1,100 new housing units in the Gilo neighborhood, in southeastern Jerusalem. The Interior Ministry says that construction could begin after a mandatory 60-day period for public comment. The reactions have been quick in coming. In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said: "We are deeply disappointed by this morning's announcement by the Government of Israel. We consider this counterproductive to our efforts to resume direct negotiations between the parties, and we have long urged both parties to avoid actions which could undermine trust, including in Jerusalem, and will continue to work with parties to try to resume direct negotiations." European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton called it a dangerous, unilateral step by Israel. She was speaking in the European Parliament, and called on Israel to reverse the decision, noting that the announcement of the international quartet on the Middle East on resuming negotiations rules out unilateral steps. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the Israeli decision amounted to "1,100 no's to the resumption of peace talks."   Conviction in bicyclist killing     The Petah Tikva District Court has convicted Tal Mor in the death of bicyclist Shneeor Cheshin. Mor was convicted on all counts of manslaughter, abandoning an injured ... The Petah Tikva District Court has convicted Tal Mor in the death of bicyclist Shneeor Cheshin. Mor was convicted on all counts of manslaughter, abandoning an injured individual, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and obstructing justice. Judge Zecharyah Caspi rejected the claim of the defense team that it could have been a different car that ran over the bicyclist, calling the assertion imaginary, and saying that it does not match the evidence on the ground. The judge ruled that Mor is to remain under house arrest for the next few weeks until the end of the upcoming holiday period, and after that, the suspect is to be held in custody until sentencing is handed down. Arguments over the sentencing are to be heard next week. Mor's lawyers have said already that they intend to appeal to the Supreme Court. Tzanani trial set for January     The Tel Aviv District Court has announced that the trial of singer Margalit Tzanani will begin on January 10th. Three marathon sessions are to take place from 8am ... The Tel Aviv District Court has announced that the trial of singer Margalit Tzanani will begin on January 10th. Three marathon sessions are to take place from 8am to 8pm. Tzanani is charged with extortion, threatening her manager Asaf Atedgi, and of conspiring to commit a crime with the alleged involvement of underworld figures. She is under house arrest. Senior ministers consider Quartet proposal for renewing peace talks.     Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday will convene the forum of 8 senior ministers to consider the Quartet proposals for renewing Israeli-Palestinian peace ... Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday will convene the forum of 8 senior ministers to consider the Quartet proposals for renewing Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. The Quartet proposed talks without preconditions and set a one-year timeline for reaching an agreement.   Right-wing Knesset factions urge prime minister to sanction PA     Right wing factions in the Knesset, with the exception of Yisrael Beiteinu, have called on the prime minister to impose sanctions on the Palestinain Authority and ... Right wing factions in the Knesset, with the exception of Yisrael Beiteinu, have called on the prime minister to impose sanctions on the Palestinain Authority and to annex Judea and Samaria. In a letter to the prime minister signed by the Land of Israel Lobby in the Knesset, the heads of the Likud, Shas, National Union and Jewish Home factions called for Israel to halt the transfer of tax revenues to the Palestinain Authority, to block construction in the Palestinian areas, and to speed up settlement building. They called on the government to show the Palestinian Authority that Israel knows how to defend itself and turn a diplomatic assault, in the lobby's words, into victory. Yisrael Beiteinu chair Robert Ilatov refused to sign the document sayign that the timing is wrong and the diplomatic process being led by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Lieberman must be fully exploited.   Germany urges Palestinians to accept Quartet proposals     ‏German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to agree to the Quartet proposal to renew peace talks with Israel. A spokesman for the ... ‏German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to agree to the Quartet proposal to renew peace talks with Israel. A spokesman for the German leader said that she "spoke by telephone with Abbas, insisting on opening negotiations with Israel on the basis of the Quartet's proposal."   Social protest leaders and defence officials criticise Trajtenberg .     ‏Leaders of the social protest movement criticised the committee's recommendations. Protest leaders Daphni Leef, and Stav Shaffir crossed their hands in an 'x' ... ‏Leaders of the social protest movement criticised the committee's recommendations. Protest leaders Daphni Leef, and Stav Shaffir crossed their hands in an 'x' shape, in what came to be known as a symbol of disagreement, upon hearing the committee's final conclusions. ‏At a press conference held following the presentation of the report, protest leader Daphni Leef said: "They use the protest movement's 'lingo', which can deceive the public, because in reality we were not presented with far-reaching changes.‏It seems as though the committee is not bearing any fruit – even less than we had hoped for," she said, adding that the movement leaders will review the recommendations with their team of experts and issue an official response on Tuesday. ‏Chair of the National Student Union Itzik Shmueli also rejected the recommendations of the committee, saying "the committee had a chance to perform a big change – and they missed it. Echoing Prime Minister Netanyahu's in front of the General Assembly on Friday, Shmueli addressed the committee chairman and said: "Manuel, let's talk dugri (straight forward), what's in this report, and what's missing from it. "There is an unreasonable gap between the magnificent vision that Trajtenberg presented and his final recommendations," said Shmueli, adding that the gap "cannot be ignored." "We give this report a failed grade, because there are too many fields that the committee failed to address," he noted. ‏ Officials in the security establishment also expressed concern over the committee's recommendations, which included a significant cutback to the defense budget, saying it would severely hinder the recommendations issued by the Brodet committee following the Second Lebanon War, which set the outline for the security budget over the next 10 years. A top security official slammed the Treasury, saying it has "successfully managed to raise taxes and cut the defense budget," as it had planned to do long before the socioeconomic protest. ‏A defence official warned against cutting the defense budget, claiming it could gravely undermine the development of military technology and the deployment of Iron Dome missile defense system batteries.   Trajtenberg committee presents its recommendations     Professor Manuel Trajtenberg has presented the final recommendations of th committee he headed. At a press conference Monday evening in Jerusalem Professor Trajtenberg ... Professor Manuel Trajtenberg has presented the final recommendations of th committee he headed. At a press conference Monday evening in Jerusalem Professor Trajtenberg said Israel's economic growth is not fairly distributed to all of its citizens. he added that despite the many security threats Israel was facing the social security of its citizens was as important as its military might. The recommendations stipulated a list of economic measures which will cost 30 billion shekels to implement. The main points in the report were public education from the age of three, instead of the current law which begins at five, and a significant cut in Israel's defense budget. The recommendations call for increasing taxes on the wealthy as well as on corporations. The corporate tax and the capital gains tax would be raised to 25, those earning more than 40 thousand shekels a month and an additional tax for those making more than one million shekels a year. The income tax reform will be frozen. The committee also called for a better implementation of labor laws, housing reforms including massive building for rental, extensive anti-trust regulations.     Bank of Israel lowers interest rates     The Bank of Israel has lowered interest rates by a quarter of a percent. The discount rate in dealings with commerical banks will stand at 3 percent starting on ... The Bank of Israel has lowered interest rates by a quarter of a percent. The discount rate in dealings with commerical banks will stand at 3 percent starting on October 1st. In cutting interest rates the central bank said the current global economic reality and growing uncertainty was the reason for the decision. The Bank of Israel also said that inflation expectations for the next 12 months are approaching the bank's target.   Gasoline prices to go up Saturday night     Gasoline prices will go up on midnight, Saturday night, by two agorot. The price of a liter of fuel at the self-service pump will be seven shekels 27 agorot. No 8:30 p.m. English broadcast on Rosh Hashana eve     On Erev Rosh Hashana, Wednesday, September 28, there will be no 8:30 p.m. English news broadcast. Kol Yisrael English-language programming will resume on Thursday, ... On Erev Rosh Hashana, Wednesday, September 28, there will be no 8:30 p.m. English news broadcast. Kol Yisrael English-language programming will resume on Thursday, September 29, at 6:30 a.m. Israel moves clocks back an hour at 2 a.m., October 2     Here is an announcement: Israel moves to winter time at 2 a.m. on October 2. At 2 a.m. on the night between Saturday, October 1, and Sunday, October 2, clocks ... Here is an announcement: Israel moves to winter time at 2 a.m. on October 2. At 2 a.m. on the night between Saturday, October 1, and Sunday, October 2, clocks will be moved back on hour, to 1 a.m. http://www.iba.org.il/world/