JEWISH KING JESUS IS COMING AT THE RAPTURE FOR US IN THE CLOUDS-DON'T MISS IT FOR THE WORLD.THE BIBLE TAKEN LITERALLY- WHEN THE PLAIN SENSE MAKES GOOD SENSE-SEEK NO OTHER SENSE-LEST YOU END UP IN NONSENSE.GET SAVED NOW- CALL ON JESUS TODAY.THE ONLY SAVIOR OF THE WHOLE EARTH - NO OTHER.
1 COR 15:23-JESUS THE FIRST FRUITS-CHRISTIANS RAPTURED TO JESUS-FIRST FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT-23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.ROMANS 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.(THE PRE-TRIB RAPTURE)
Report: PA Offers Way Out of ICC Bid - and Ultimatum-PA would withdraw war crimes suit in ICC if Israel stops building 'settlements,' official says - and if not, halt security coordination.By Tova Dvorin-First Publish: 1/18/2015, 9:45 AM-ISRAELNATIONALNEWS
The Palestinian Authority (PA) may have moved forward with its attempt to prosecute Israel for "war crimes" in the International Criminal Court (ICC) - but it would drop the case if Israel stopped building Jewish communities in Judea-Samaria, a PA official close to Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday.
The senior official, speaking from Ramallah to Walla! News on condition of anonymity, said that the PA has announced the ultimatum through Jordan and Egypt.He added that if Israel did not unfreeze the tax revenues owed to the PA, all security coordination with Israel would cease. Israel froze the revenues as a penalty for the PA's ICC bid, halting the transfer of approximately $127 million to Ramallah."The first step will be halting arrests [over Israeli security issues - ed.] made on our part," the official said. The PA uses Israeli intelligence to stop terrorism within its borders.Abbas has threatened to halt security coordination with Israel before.Last month, Ziad Abu Ein, 55, a convicted terrorist who previously held the post of PA Deputy Minister of Prisoners' Affairs, died of a heart attack during riots against the IDF.Arab media claimed Abu Ein died after being "beaten" by IDF soldiers, but footage from the event proves that he remained untouched during his heart attack - and refused IDF assistance that could have been life-saving. Autopsies later confirmed that Abu Ein died from natural causes.Abbas immediately declared intent to halt security coordination with Israel over the incident, and announced that he would hold a series of talks within the PLO on the issue - all of which were eventually postponed.Israeli officials stated in the wake of the threats that Abbas is conveniently forgetting that the IDF and Israel Security Agency (ISA or Shin Bet) is the sole protection Abbas has from Hamas. A major coup against Abbas was busted by Israel in August.
Rivlin Meets Canadian FM Baird-Baird thanked Rivlin for a warm welcome – quite the opposite of what he experienced just a few hours earlier, on a visit to Ramallah.By Yaakov Levi-First Publish: 1/18/2015, 6:56 PM-ISRAELNATIONALNEWS
At a meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird, President Reuven Rivlin decried the decision of the International Criminal Court to pursue an investigation against Israel. The decision by ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to investigate Israel for “war crimes” was, he said, “a gift to terrorists and a violation of the sanctity of international justice. Israel is committed to a high standard of observance of international law.Over the weekend, Bensouda said her office would conduct a preliminary probe into possible war crimes committed by Israel against Palestinians, including during last year's Gaza war. The analysis, she said would be conducted “in full independence and impartiality.”“Under the current conditions, the terror groups do not answer to anyone, and their victory is in subjecting innocent civilians to feeling terrorized and to complain when Israel defends its citizens. International law must be clarified so that it is clear what a state can do to defend itself,” Rivlin said.Baird met Rivlin in Jerusalem, and thanked him for the warm welcome – quite the opposite of what he experienced just a few hours earlier, on a visit to Ramallah. There, AFP reported, PA Arabs threw eggs at Baird's motorcade as it left a meeting with PA chief Mahmoud Abbas.Baird said that he had asked the PA not to pursue charges against Israel at the ICC. “I asked that the minister strongly reconsider the consequences of moving forward with any action that may be counterproductive to a negotiated solution with the state of Israel,” Baird said in a statement issued by the Canadian foreign ministry. He said the two had “constructive talks” which included “candid and frank exchanges on areas where we differ in opinion.”
Gas Shortage Keeping Homes, Food Cold-Due to recent fierce storms in the Mediterranean, there is a severe shortage of gas for cooking and heating.By Moshe Cohen-First Publish: 1/18/2015, 7:28 PM-ISRAELNATIONALNEWS
Israel has tons of natural gas offshore, but for Israeli households, it's the wrong kind of gas – and the gas they need, propane heating and cooking fuel, is in very short supply these days. Due to recent fierce storms in the Mediterranean – the same storms that dumped snowfall and rainfall on most of the country over the past two weeks – ships carrying the liquefied petroleum gas which is refined into propane and butane gas for house hold purposes are way behind schedule, with the result that the Haifa refinery that manufactures gas for household use cannot keep up with orders.As a result, there is a severe shortage of gas around the country, and many companies have begun rationing it – to the extent that many households with gas heating systems are not getting enough to heat their homes or hot water. The problem is especially acute in Jerusalem, where many households use gas to provide heat and hot water, as the solar water heaters used in most of the country are ineffective, especially in the winter.In order to alleviate the shortage, the Haifa refinery distributed gas directly to consumers over the weekend. A gas company executive said that the shortage was seasonal, but that much of the imported gas was being sold to Palestinian Authority gas suppliers, resulting in a shortage for Israeli consumers. However, the executive said, the shortage in the PA was even worse than in Israel, and PA gas suppliers are desperately seeking sources of gas in Israel.Among those suffering from the gas shortage are Knesset members, with the Knesset heated by gas. Fortunately for them, the parliament is in recess ahead of the upcoming elections.
New Central Command Head: Maj. Gen. Roni Numa-Numa replaces Maj. Gen. Nitzan Alon, who will be the new Head of Operations Branch in the General Staff.By Gil Ronen-First Publish: 1/18/2015, 7:24 PM-ISRAELNATIONALNEWS
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz and his intended replacement, Maj. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, have decided on a round of appointments of senior IDF staff.Major General Roni Numa will be appointed to head the IDF's Central Command, which includes Judea and Samaria. He will replace Maj. Gen. Nitzan Alon, who has been in Head of Central Command for about three years.Numa is currently Head of Depth Command, which is in charge of operations deep inside enemy territory. Maj. Gen. (res.) Tal Russo will replace him and head the Depth Command as a reservist.Maj. Gen. Alon will be appointed Head of Operations Branch in the General Staff. He will replace Maj. Gen. Yoav Har-Even, who has headed the branch for 2.5 years.The Home Front Command will be headed by Brig. Gen Yoel Strik, who is currently Commander of Comany and Batallion Commanders' Course. He will be promoted to the rank of major general. Strik will replace Maj. Gen. Eyal Eisenberg who has head Home Front Command for the last 3.5 years.
PM: Forget Europe, We're Doing Business with Asia-Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu suggested Sunday that Israeli businesspeople change their focus from Western Europe to other areas.By Moshe Cohen-First Publish: 1/18/2015, 5:31 PM-ISRAELNATIONALNEWS
With the International Criminal Court opening an investigation against Israel and anti-Semitic incidents becoming more frequent, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu suggested Sunday that Israeli businesspeople change their focus from Western Europe to other areas. Such a change, he said at Sunday's cabinet meeting, would be an appropriate response to the ongoing “Islamization” and “anti-Zionist” positions countries in Europe are espousing, he said.Instead, he said, Israel should concentrate its efforts on developing markets in the East – like in Japan, where Israeli companies were welcome, as evidenced by the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on a visit that began Sunday. “I am emphasizing markets in the East not in order to give up other markets, but we specifically want to reduce our dependence on certain markets in Western Europe,” Netanyahu said Sunday.“Western Europe is undergoing a wave of Islamization, there is anti- Semitism and anti-Zionism. We want to secure the future of Israel, by developing a variety of markets around the world,” Netanyahu added.According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, Israel imported NIS 70.1 billion of goods and services from the European Union between January and November of 2014, and exported NIS 49.9 billion there. During that period, imports from Asia were NIS 44.1 billion, while exports were NIS 31.7 billion.
Japan PM Begins 3-Day Trip to Israel, Ramallah-Netanyahu is reportedly planning to discuss the ICC probe of Israel's 'war crimes' with Shinzo Abe, whose country is a major ICC donor.By AFP and Arutz Sheva staff-First Publish: 1/18/2015, 5:55 PM-ISRAELNATIONALNEWS
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe flew into Tel Aviv on Sunday at the start of a three-day official visit to Israel and the areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority.He flew in from Jordan to begin the final leg of a six-day tour of the Middle East aimed at promoting regional stability and peace as well as boosting economic ties.In Israel, he will hold talks with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin on Monday before heading to Ramallah to meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Tuesday.Abe is expected to call on both Israel and the Palestinians to find a way to resume peace talks which collapsed nine months ago, the embassy said.He was also to urge Israel to refrain from any actions or remarks which would escalate the confrontation with the Palestinians.Abe's arrival comes just two days after the International Criminal Court said it would open a preliminary probe into possible Israeli war crimes following a complaint filed by the Palestinians.The move was roundly denounced by both Israel and Washington and Netanyahu is reportedly planning to discuss the move with Abe.Japan is a party to the court and also one of its biggest financial backers.Israel is also lobbying Canada over the ICC move in talks with visiting Foreign Minister John Baird."Netanyahu is expected to ask both Abe and Baird to take every measure possible to convey to the ICC the message that it is unacceptable to continue to single Israel out," said NRG.On January 2, the Palestinians applied to become a party to the ICC in a process that will take effect in early April.They simultaneously recognized the court's jurisdiction to retroactively cover a period including the Gaza war, prompting the court to begin a preliminary examination.Last May, Netanyahu visited Japan for a five-day trip which was heavily focused on boosting the hi-tech trade between the two countries.Netanyahu suggested Sunday that Israeli businesspeople change their focus from Western Europe to other areas, in response to the ongoing “Islamization” of countries in Europe.Instead, he said, Israel should concentrate its efforts on developing markets in the East – like in Japan, where Israeli companies were welcome, as evidenced by the visit of Prime Minister Abe.Travelling with him is a 100-strong delegation of government officials and top business executives from Japanese firms which are world leaders in their field.It is the first visit by a Japanese prime minister to Israel in nine years.Abe, who was re-elected as premier last month, began his trip in Cairo where he pledged $2.5 billion in humanitarian and development aid for countries affected by violent expansion of the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group in Iraq and Syria.
Son of Imad Mugniyeh, 6 Others Said Killed in IAF Syria Strike-Jihad Mughniyeh was commander of Hezbollah's Golan forces. He was reportedly helping to prepare rockets for launch against Israel.-By Gil Ronen-First Publish: 1/18/2015, 3:29 PM-israelnationalnews
Hezbollah admitted Sunday that one of its senior men was killed along with five or six other operatives in an IAF strike in Syria. Reports quoted in Israeli media said that the man is Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of Imad Mughniyeh, a senior Hezbollah officer who was also killed by Israel several years ago. Hezbollah reportedly called the death of Mughniyeh "an unbearable blow."The men were reportedly assisting terrorists in preparing missiles for launch against Israel.Six other fighters were also killed, a Lebanese security source told The Daily Star. They included Hezbollah field commander Mohammad Issa, whose kunya name is Abu Issa, the source said.An Iranian field commander Abu Ali Tabtabai was reportedly also killed in the strike, which entirely destroyed one Hezbollah vehicle and damaged another, the source said."A group of Hezbollah mujahedeen were martyred in a Zionist rocket attack in Quneitra, and their names will be revealed later," said a message flashed on Hezbollah's Al Manar news channel Sunday.
Jihad Mughnieh was 'Commander of Golan'
AFP reported that a source in Israel's defense establishment confirmed that Israel had carried out an attack in Syrian territory. Such admissions by Israel are rare.An interview given by an official in the Syrian opposition to CNN Arabic in October said that Jihad Mughniyeh has been appointed “commander of the Golan Heights area” by Hezbollah.Mueid Razlan, a member of the Syrian opposition forces fighting the regime of President Bashar Al-Assad, told CNN at the time that the information regarding Mughniyeh’s appointment was received through the rebel army’s intelligence.Razlan also said in the interview that Hezbollah is expanding its operations on the border between Syria and Israel and warned of a possible crisis in the region.Imad Mughniyeh’s death in a car bomb attack in Damascus in February of 2008 has been blamed on Israel, and Hezbollah has promised to avenge his death.Imad Mughniyeh was on the most wanted list of the US for attacks on Israeli and Western targets until his death.
IAF helicopter fired missiles
Al Manar reported Sunday that an IAF helicopter fired rockets at Jabhat al-Nusra targets near the Golan border, in the early afternoon.Jabhat al-Nusra is Al Qaeda's Syrian arm.According to Al Manar, two rockets were fired at a target in Mazraat al-Amal near Quneitra.Meanwhile, Al Mayadeen TV said that the missiles were launched by an IAF aircraft, without specifying that it was a helicopter.Western security sources said that the missiles were fired at a team of terrorists who had begun laying explosive charges on the Syria-Israel border near Quneitra.According to the report, shortly before the IAF struck, two drones were seen circling above the area, apparently to collect intelligence.Mazraat al-Amal is located in the Syrian Golan, near the border with Israel, and recent reports said that Jabhat al-Nusra forces were occupying it.The IDF refused to formally confirm or deny the report of the strike and said that it “does not respond to reports in foreign media.”Earlier in the day, it was reported that Israeli forces fired smoke grenades and tear gas toward Lebanese territory. Three Lebanese soldiers were taken to a hospital for treatment following that incident.
Syrian plane crashes, 35 killed
At least 35 Syrian soldiers were killed overnight when an army cargo plane carrying food and ammunition crashed due to bad weather in the northwest of the country, media outlets reported Sunday.The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the plane crashed after hitting electricity lines in heavy fog in the Idlib province, although Jahbat al-Nusra claimed responsibility for the incident on Twitter.
'Naftali, Gilad, and Eyal Brought Israel a Great Spirit'-Launching the Jerusalem Prize for National Unity, President Rivlin and fathers of 3 murdered teens praise Israel's capacity for unity.By Cynthia Blank-First Publish: 1/15/2015, 2:09 PM-ISRAELNATIONALNEWS
President Reuven Rivlin, together with Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, and the families of Naftali Frankel, Eyal Yifrah, and Gilad Shaar participated in the launch of the Jerusalem Prize for National Unity Thursday morning.Frankel, Yifrah, and Shaar were savagely kidnapped and murdered by Palestinian terrorists over this past summer. The prize will be awarded annually in a ceremony at the President's Residence on the anniversary of the their deaths.The award, presented in partnership with the Gesher organization and the Jerusalem Municipality, will be given to individuals, groups and organizations working to promote national unity.The prize committee responsible for choosing the recipients will include Chief Rabbi of Migdal HaEmek, Rabbi Yitzhak David Grossman; Professor Yuli Tamir; journalist Orly Vilnai; and artist Kobi Oz.Rivlin addressed the crowd, noting Israel's remarkable capacity for unity, especially during dark times."During those difficult days, when we all feared for the fate of Natali, Gilad, Eyal, you, their parents, were for us a beacon of resilience."You emanated strength and belief, and instilled confidence in all of us, and encouraged us. We discovered within us, a tremendous power of giving."Different opinions and views, individual interests were all put aside as everyone joined in – with dedication, sensitivity, and understanding – all working together with the understanding that Natali, Gilad, Eyal, were all our sons.""Just as we became one in the efforts to bring them home, so as one, we were shaken when we discovered their fate. To the outside observer, this may have seemed to be a circumstantial, one-time phenomenon. But we know that this great spirit of mutual responsibility is no passing phase."The President then spoke of the importance of continuing to emphasize unity as a national value."Specifically, in the shadow of the events of last summer, and inspired by that spirit of mutual responsibility which we witnessed, we must continue to encourage all those working to maintain and strengthen that sense, that feeling, of unity and commitment. The Jerusalem Prize for National Unity reminds us what is acceptable, what is desired, what is appropriate. In awarding this prize, we want to embolden and amplify the positive voices in our society, and focus on the good."All three families expressed their gratitude to Rivlin, before each of the boys' fathers also spoke. Uri Yifrach, the father of Eyal said, "Eyal, together with Naftali and Gilad, with their murder, brought a different spirit to the people. I have no doubt that that the souls of the boys led us to a different place, and we the families, feel a special commitment to the people, to the memory of the boys, and of that very difficult period that we went through.""There is no place like the President's Residence, the president of the people, who unites the whole people, to launch such a special initiative, calling for national unity. We all, from this place, call for unity, for love, because, 'we have within us love, and it will win out'."Ofir Shaar, the father of Gilad, said, "This is a living memorial. It is special and vibrant, and relates all communities, and all people to inspire a spirit of unity. We know that this spirit has been flowing throughout the public, since what we endured, but occasionally need to place it in the spotlight, and this is the essence of this award: to nurture the values we felt then; mutual respect, tolerance, a new language that allowed us to move forward. I appeal to the elected officials, and the public itself, to seize this opportunity with both hands, and join in this endeavor for the unity of Israel." Avraham (Avi) Frankel, the father of Naftali said, "During the days of the search, of despair, doubts and worry, days full of holiness, we saw mutual support, caring, encouragement, and good-will. We received strength from across the nation, at home and abroad, we felt we were not alone, and that all the people stood with us this through this awful time.""And today we are here to maintain the same essence, to preserve the spirit of those days. The award is called the Jerusalem Prize for National Unity in Israel, and no one expresses better than you, Mr. President, the centrality of Jerusalem – throughout your life, and today your actions as President, symbolize the unity of the nation. We are honored to be here to launch the prize."Nir Barkat concluded the launch, saying, "There is no one who was not moved by the exceptional unifying power of the families of the three boys. The warm connection built during the week of mourning, led us to create together the Jerusalem Prize for Unity in Israel, which we are launching today.""I thank the President who so expresses the unity of the nation, and the connection between all its parts, and his contribution to the promotion of this important award."
Report: PA Offers Way Out of ICC Bid - and Ultimatum-PA would withdraw war crimes suit in ICC if Israel stops building 'settlements,' official says - and if not, halt security coordination.By Tova Dvorin-First Publish: 1/18/2015, 9:45 AM-ISRAELNATIONALNEWS
The Palestinian Authority (PA) may have moved forward with its attempt to prosecute Israel for "war crimes" in the International Criminal Court (ICC) - but it would drop the case if Israel stopped building Jewish communities in Judea-Samaria, a PA official close to Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday.
The senior official, speaking from Ramallah to Walla! News on condition of anonymity, said that the PA has announced the ultimatum through Jordan and Egypt.He added that if Israel did not unfreeze the tax revenues owed to the PA, all security coordination with Israel would cease. Israel froze the revenues as a penalty for the PA's ICC bid, halting the transfer of approximately $127 million to Ramallah."The first step will be halting arrests [over Israeli security issues - ed.] made on our part," the official said. The PA uses Israeli intelligence to stop terrorism within its borders.Abbas has threatened to halt security coordination with Israel before.Last month, Ziad Abu Ein, 55, a convicted terrorist who previously held the post of PA Deputy Minister of Prisoners' Affairs, died of a heart attack during riots against the IDF.Arab media claimed Abu Ein died after being "beaten" by IDF soldiers, but footage from the event proves that he remained untouched during his heart attack - and refused IDF assistance that could have been life-saving. Autopsies later confirmed that Abu Ein died from natural causes.Abbas immediately declared intent to halt security coordination with Israel over the incident, and announced that he would hold a series of talks within the PLO on the issue - all of which were eventually postponed.Israeli officials stated in the wake of the threats that Abbas is conveniently forgetting that the IDF and Israel Security Agency (ISA or Shin Bet) is the sole protection Abbas has from Hamas. A major coup against Abbas was busted by Israel in August.
Rivlin Meets Canadian FM Baird-Baird thanked Rivlin for a warm welcome – quite the opposite of what he experienced just a few hours earlier, on a visit to Ramallah.By Yaakov Levi-First Publish: 1/18/2015, 6:56 PM-ISRAELNATIONALNEWS
At a meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird, President Reuven Rivlin decried the decision of the International Criminal Court to pursue an investigation against Israel. The decision by ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to investigate Israel for “war crimes” was, he said, “a gift to terrorists and a violation of the sanctity of international justice. Israel is committed to a high standard of observance of international law.Over the weekend, Bensouda said her office would conduct a preliminary probe into possible war crimes committed by Israel against Palestinians, including during last year's Gaza war. The analysis, she said would be conducted “in full independence and impartiality.”“Under the current conditions, the terror groups do not answer to anyone, and their victory is in subjecting innocent civilians to feeling terrorized and to complain when Israel defends its citizens. International law must be clarified so that it is clear what a state can do to defend itself,” Rivlin said.Baird met Rivlin in Jerusalem, and thanked him for the warm welcome – quite the opposite of what he experienced just a few hours earlier, on a visit to Ramallah. There, AFP reported, PA Arabs threw eggs at Baird's motorcade as it left a meeting with PA chief Mahmoud Abbas.Baird said that he had asked the PA not to pursue charges against Israel at the ICC. “I asked that the minister strongly reconsider the consequences of moving forward with any action that may be counterproductive to a negotiated solution with the state of Israel,” Baird said in a statement issued by the Canadian foreign ministry. He said the two had “constructive talks” which included “candid and frank exchanges on areas where we differ in opinion.”
Gas Shortage Keeping Homes, Food Cold-Due to recent fierce storms in the Mediterranean, there is a severe shortage of gas for cooking and heating.By Moshe Cohen-First Publish: 1/18/2015, 7:28 PM-ISRAELNATIONALNEWS
Israel has tons of natural gas offshore, but for Israeli households, it's the wrong kind of gas – and the gas they need, propane heating and cooking fuel, is in very short supply these days. Due to recent fierce storms in the Mediterranean – the same storms that dumped snowfall and rainfall on most of the country over the past two weeks – ships carrying the liquefied petroleum gas which is refined into propane and butane gas for house hold purposes are way behind schedule, with the result that the Haifa refinery that manufactures gas for household use cannot keep up with orders.As a result, there is a severe shortage of gas around the country, and many companies have begun rationing it – to the extent that many households with gas heating systems are not getting enough to heat their homes or hot water. The problem is especially acute in Jerusalem, where many households use gas to provide heat and hot water, as the solar water heaters used in most of the country are ineffective, especially in the winter.In order to alleviate the shortage, the Haifa refinery distributed gas directly to consumers over the weekend. A gas company executive said that the shortage was seasonal, but that much of the imported gas was being sold to Palestinian Authority gas suppliers, resulting in a shortage for Israeli consumers. However, the executive said, the shortage in the PA was even worse than in Israel, and PA gas suppliers are desperately seeking sources of gas in Israel.Among those suffering from the gas shortage are Knesset members, with the Knesset heated by gas. Fortunately for them, the parliament is in recess ahead of the upcoming elections.
New Central Command Head: Maj. Gen. Roni Numa-Numa replaces Maj. Gen. Nitzan Alon, who will be the new Head of Operations Branch in the General Staff.By Gil Ronen-First Publish: 1/18/2015, 7:24 PM-ISRAELNATIONALNEWS
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz and his intended replacement, Maj. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, have decided on a round of appointments of senior IDF staff.Major General Roni Numa will be appointed to head the IDF's Central Command, which includes Judea and Samaria. He will replace Maj. Gen. Nitzan Alon, who has been in Head of Central Command for about three years.Numa is currently Head of Depth Command, which is in charge of operations deep inside enemy territory. Maj. Gen. (res.) Tal Russo will replace him and head the Depth Command as a reservist.Maj. Gen. Alon will be appointed Head of Operations Branch in the General Staff. He will replace Maj. Gen. Yoav Har-Even, who has headed the branch for 2.5 years.The Home Front Command will be headed by Brig. Gen Yoel Strik, who is currently Commander of Comany and Batallion Commanders' Course. He will be promoted to the rank of major general. Strik will replace Maj. Gen. Eyal Eisenberg who has head Home Front Command for the last 3.5 years.
PM: Forget Europe, We're Doing Business with Asia-Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu suggested Sunday that Israeli businesspeople change their focus from Western Europe to other areas.By Moshe Cohen-First Publish: 1/18/2015, 5:31 PM-ISRAELNATIONALNEWS
With the International Criminal Court opening an investigation against Israel and anti-Semitic incidents becoming more frequent, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu suggested Sunday that Israeli businesspeople change their focus from Western Europe to other areas. Such a change, he said at Sunday's cabinet meeting, would be an appropriate response to the ongoing “Islamization” and “anti-Zionist” positions countries in Europe are espousing, he said.Instead, he said, Israel should concentrate its efforts on developing markets in the East – like in Japan, where Israeli companies were welcome, as evidenced by the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on a visit that began Sunday. “I am emphasizing markets in the East not in order to give up other markets, but we specifically want to reduce our dependence on certain markets in Western Europe,” Netanyahu said Sunday.“Western Europe is undergoing a wave of Islamization, there is anti- Semitism and anti-Zionism. We want to secure the future of Israel, by developing a variety of markets around the world,” Netanyahu added.According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, Israel imported NIS 70.1 billion of goods and services from the European Union between January and November of 2014, and exported NIS 49.9 billion there. During that period, imports from Asia were NIS 44.1 billion, while exports were NIS 31.7 billion.
Japan PM Begins 3-Day Trip to Israel, Ramallah-Netanyahu is reportedly planning to discuss the ICC probe of Israel's 'war crimes' with Shinzo Abe, whose country is a major ICC donor.By AFP and Arutz Sheva staff-First Publish: 1/18/2015, 5:55 PM-ISRAELNATIONALNEWS
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe flew into Tel Aviv on Sunday at the start of a three-day official visit to Israel and the areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority.He flew in from Jordan to begin the final leg of a six-day tour of the Middle East aimed at promoting regional stability and peace as well as boosting economic ties.In Israel, he will hold talks with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin on Monday before heading to Ramallah to meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Tuesday.Abe is expected to call on both Israel and the Palestinians to find a way to resume peace talks which collapsed nine months ago, the embassy said.He was also to urge Israel to refrain from any actions or remarks which would escalate the confrontation with the Palestinians.Abe's arrival comes just two days after the International Criminal Court said it would open a preliminary probe into possible Israeli war crimes following a complaint filed by the Palestinians.The move was roundly denounced by both Israel and Washington and Netanyahu is reportedly planning to discuss the move with Abe.Japan is a party to the court and also one of its biggest financial backers.Israel is also lobbying Canada over the ICC move in talks with visiting Foreign Minister John Baird."Netanyahu is expected to ask both Abe and Baird to take every measure possible to convey to the ICC the message that it is unacceptable to continue to single Israel out," said NRG.On January 2, the Palestinians applied to become a party to the ICC in a process that will take effect in early April.They simultaneously recognized the court's jurisdiction to retroactively cover a period including the Gaza war, prompting the court to begin a preliminary examination.Last May, Netanyahu visited Japan for a five-day trip which was heavily focused on boosting the hi-tech trade between the two countries.Netanyahu suggested Sunday that Israeli businesspeople change their focus from Western Europe to other areas, in response to the ongoing “Islamization” of countries in Europe.Instead, he said, Israel should concentrate its efforts on developing markets in the East – like in Japan, where Israeli companies were welcome, as evidenced by the visit of Prime Minister Abe.Travelling with him is a 100-strong delegation of government officials and top business executives from Japanese firms which are world leaders in their field.It is the first visit by a Japanese prime minister to Israel in nine years.Abe, who was re-elected as premier last month, began his trip in Cairo where he pledged $2.5 billion in humanitarian and development aid for countries affected by violent expansion of the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group in Iraq and Syria.
Son of Imad Mugniyeh, 6 Others Said Killed in IAF Syria Strike-Jihad Mughniyeh was commander of Hezbollah's Golan forces. He was reportedly helping to prepare rockets for launch against Israel.-By Gil Ronen-First Publish: 1/18/2015, 3:29 PM-israelnationalnews
Hezbollah admitted Sunday that one of its senior men was killed along with five or six other operatives in an IAF strike in Syria. Reports quoted in Israeli media said that the man is Jihad Mughniyeh, the son of Imad Mughniyeh, a senior Hezbollah officer who was also killed by Israel several years ago. Hezbollah reportedly called the death of Mughniyeh "an unbearable blow."The men were reportedly assisting terrorists in preparing missiles for launch against Israel.Six other fighters were also killed, a Lebanese security source told The Daily Star. They included Hezbollah field commander Mohammad Issa, whose kunya name is Abu Issa, the source said.An Iranian field commander Abu Ali Tabtabai was reportedly also killed in the strike, which entirely destroyed one Hezbollah vehicle and damaged another, the source said."A group of Hezbollah mujahedeen were martyred in a Zionist rocket attack in Quneitra, and their names will be revealed later," said a message flashed on Hezbollah's Al Manar news channel Sunday.
Jihad Mughnieh was 'Commander of Golan'
AFP reported that a source in Israel's defense establishment confirmed that Israel had carried out an attack in Syrian territory. Such admissions by Israel are rare.An interview given by an official in the Syrian opposition to CNN Arabic in October said that Jihad Mughniyeh has been appointed “commander of the Golan Heights area” by Hezbollah.Mueid Razlan, a member of the Syrian opposition forces fighting the regime of President Bashar Al-Assad, told CNN at the time that the information regarding Mughniyeh’s appointment was received through the rebel army’s intelligence.Razlan also said in the interview that Hezbollah is expanding its operations on the border between Syria and Israel and warned of a possible crisis in the region.Imad Mughniyeh’s death in a car bomb attack in Damascus in February of 2008 has been blamed on Israel, and Hezbollah has promised to avenge his death.Imad Mughniyeh was on the most wanted list of the US for attacks on Israeli and Western targets until his death.
IAF helicopter fired missiles
Al Manar reported Sunday that an IAF helicopter fired rockets at Jabhat al-Nusra targets near the Golan border, in the early afternoon.Jabhat al-Nusra is Al Qaeda's Syrian arm.According to Al Manar, two rockets were fired at a target in Mazraat al-Amal near Quneitra.Meanwhile, Al Mayadeen TV said that the missiles were launched by an IAF aircraft, without specifying that it was a helicopter.Western security sources said that the missiles were fired at a team of terrorists who had begun laying explosive charges on the Syria-Israel border near Quneitra.According to the report, shortly before the IAF struck, two drones were seen circling above the area, apparently to collect intelligence.Mazraat al-Amal is located in the Syrian Golan, near the border with Israel, and recent reports said that Jabhat al-Nusra forces were occupying it.The IDF refused to formally confirm or deny the report of the strike and said that it “does not respond to reports in foreign media.”Earlier in the day, it was reported that Israeli forces fired smoke grenades and tear gas toward Lebanese territory. Three Lebanese soldiers were taken to a hospital for treatment following that incident.
Syrian plane crashes, 35 killed
At least 35 Syrian soldiers were killed overnight when an army cargo plane carrying food and ammunition crashed due to bad weather in the northwest of the country, media outlets reported Sunday.The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the plane crashed after hitting electricity lines in heavy fog in the Idlib province, although Jahbat al-Nusra claimed responsibility for the incident on Twitter.
'Naftali, Gilad, and Eyal Brought Israel a Great Spirit'-Launching the Jerusalem Prize for National Unity, President Rivlin and fathers of 3 murdered teens praise Israel's capacity for unity.By Cynthia Blank-First Publish: 1/15/2015, 2:09 PM-ISRAELNATIONALNEWS
President Reuven Rivlin, together with Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, and the families of Naftali Frankel, Eyal Yifrah, and Gilad Shaar participated in the launch of the Jerusalem Prize for National Unity Thursday morning.Frankel, Yifrah, and Shaar were savagely kidnapped and murdered by Palestinian terrorists over this past summer. The prize will be awarded annually in a ceremony at the President's Residence on the anniversary of the their deaths.The award, presented in partnership with the Gesher organization and the Jerusalem Municipality, will be given to individuals, groups and organizations working to promote national unity.The prize committee responsible for choosing the recipients will include Chief Rabbi of Migdal HaEmek, Rabbi Yitzhak David Grossman; Professor Yuli Tamir; journalist Orly Vilnai; and artist Kobi Oz.Rivlin addressed the crowd, noting Israel's remarkable capacity for unity, especially during dark times."During those difficult days, when we all feared for the fate of Natali, Gilad, Eyal, you, their parents, were for us a beacon of resilience."You emanated strength and belief, and instilled confidence in all of us, and encouraged us. We discovered within us, a tremendous power of giving."Different opinions and views, individual interests were all put aside as everyone joined in – with dedication, sensitivity, and understanding – all working together with the understanding that Natali, Gilad, Eyal, were all our sons.""Just as we became one in the efforts to bring them home, so as one, we were shaken when we discovered their fate. To the outside observer, this may have seemed to be a circumstantial, one-time phenomenon. But we know that this great spirit of mutual responsibility is no passing phase."The President then spoke of the importance of continuing to emphasize unity as a national value."Specifically, in the shadow of the events of last summer, and inspired by that spirit of mutual responsibility which we witnessed, we must continue to encourage all those working to maintain and strengthen that sense, that feeling, of unity and commitment. The Jerusalem Prize for National Unity reminds us what is acceptable, what is desired, what is appropriate. In awarding this prize, we want to embolden and amplify the positive voices in our society, and focus on the good."All three families expressed their gratitude to Rivlin, before each of the boys' fathers also spoke. Uri Yifrach, the father of Eyal said, "Eyal, together with Naftali and Gilad, with their murder, brought a different spirit to the people. I have no doubt that that the souls of the boys led us to a different place, and we the families, feel a special commitment to the people, to the memory of the boys, and of that very difficult period that we went through.""There is no place like the President's Residence, the president of the people, who unites the whole people, to launch such a special initiative, calling for national unity. We all, from this place, call for unity, for love, because, 'we have within us love, and it will win out'."Ofir Shaar, the father of Gilad, said, "This is a living memorial. It is special and vibrant, and relates all communities, and all people to inspire a spirit of unity. We know that this spirit has been flowing throughout the public, since what we endured, but occasionally need to place it in the spotlight, and this is the essence of this award: to nurture the values we felt then; mutual respect, tolerance, a new language that allowed us to move forward. I appeal to the elected officials, and the public itself, to seize this opportunity with both hands, and join in this endeavor for the unity of Israel." Avraham (Avi) Frankel, the father of Naftali said, "During the days of the search, of despair, doubts and worry, days full of holiness, we saw mutual support, caring, encouragement, and good-will. We received strength from across the nation, at home and abroad, we felt we were not alone, and that all the people stood with us this through this awful time.""And today we are here to maintain the same essence, to preserve the spirit of those days. The award is called the Jerusalem Prize for National Unity in Israel, and no one expresses better than you, Mr. President, the centrality of Jerusalem – throughout your life, and today your actions as President, symbolize the unity of the nation. We are honored to be here to launch the prize."Nir Barkat concluded the launch, saying, "There is no one who was not moved by the exceptional unifying power of the families of the three boys. The warm connection built during the week of mourning, led us to create together the Jerusalem Prize for Unity in Israel, which we are launching today.""I thank the President who so expresses the unity of the nation, and the connection between all its parts, and his contribution to the promotion of this important award."
