March 2, 2018
Israel’s streets glistened as Purim celebrated throughout the country
Tens of thousands across Israel watched and participated Thursday morning (1st) in the festivities of Purim, transforming the country’s streets into a colorful and glistening parade of costumed enthusiasts.
With marches, dancing and elaborate costumes, Israel dressed up for Purim, with some cities taking the opportunity to mark the state’s upcoming 70th anniversary.
(ynetnews.com)
Rivlin to Border Police: ‘We can celebrate because of you’
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin arrived at the Hizma checkpoint at the northeastern edge of Jerusalem on Thursday (1st) in order to distribute holiday food for Purim to Border Police stationed there.
“Even in the joy of the holiday, it is important that you know that we do not forget that the ability to celebrate also lies in our clear sense of security that exists because of you,” said Rivlin.
Rivlin added that, “the Border Police soldiers, and the young men and women of the Military Police who are guarding Jerusalem, make sure that everyone driving there is safe. You are proving to all who conspire against us that they will not defeat us.”
(israelnn.com)
IDF defuses explosive planted at Gaza fence by Palestinian rioters – Judah Ari Gross
“IDF soldiers neutralized an IED at the security fence in southern Gaza. It was set up to harm IDF soldiers stationed near the fence,” an army spokesperson said Thursday (1st). The bomb was similar to one that injured four soldiers two weeks ago.
(timesofisrael.com)
PA Chairman Abbas calls for Jihad – Dr. Reuven Berko
PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ speech at Al-Azhar University in Cairo on Jan. 17 was a blatant call for religious war. Abbas quoted from the Quran’s Surah Al-Isra (The Night Journey), which contains the Prophet Muhammad’s vision of the destruction of Israel and Jewish Jerusalem and Islam’s impending conquest of the city.
According to Abbas, Jerusalem is holy only to Islam and Christianity and time is coming to an end for Israel the usurper. Abbas called on the Islamic nation to help in the struggle to “liberate Jerusalem, the eternal capital of Palestine from the hands of the occupier.” Abbas linked the Palestinians to the Canaanites and Jebusites who inhabited this land over 5,000 years ago to prove that the Palestinians preceded the people of Israel – while ignoring the Quran which says that the land was promised to the Israelites.
Abbas, the long-time “opponent of violence” boasted in his speech that more than 30 “martyrs” have fallen on the altar of “peaceful” resistance since Trump’s declaration recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of israel.
(israelhayom.com)
IDF: In next war, ground forces will rapidly penetrate enemy territory to stop rocket fire – Yoav Zitun
A senior IDF officer said Tuesday (2/27) that in the next war, there will be no alternative but to deploy ground forces to carry out a rapid and deep penetration in order to conquer the enemy’s territory, eliminate the enemy (rather than “neutralize” it), and destroy its weapons stores, especially rocket launchers, in order to decrease rocket fire on the home front.
“The enemy will launch thousands of rockets daily at population centers. In such a multi-front war, we will draft the entirety of the ground forces,” said the officer. “There is agreement among senior army staff that in the next war, missiles falling on population centers… will mandate the army command to rapidly deploy ground force maneuvers.”
(ynetnews.com)
Egypt increases forces in Sinai with Israel’s agreement – Hagay Hacohen
Head of the Egyptian armed forces Maj.-Gen. Mohammed el-Shahat said there are “42,630 soldiers and 800 vehicles” stationed in Sinai to fight ISIS militants there, Israel’s Channel 11 reported on Wednesday (2/28).
(jpost.com)
Palestinians call for closure of U.S. Mission
At a demonstration outside America House in the West Bank city of Ramallah, scores of Palestinians on Wednesday (2/28) called for the expulsion of American diplomats as well as the closure of the U.S. Mission in protest against President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Mustafa Barghouti, a member of the PLO Central Council, said the continued operation of the Mission is “unacceptable.” He also said, “We reject any American peace solution or proposal.”
(middleeastmonitor.com)
German airport refused to refuel Iran Foreign Minister’s plane, citing U.S. sanctions
Munich Airport refused to refuel Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif’s plane in mid-February out of fear this would violate U.S. sanctions against Iran, Suddeutsche Zeitung reported on Tuesday (2/27). However, the German government arranged for the German army to refuel the plane.
(dw.com)
Malcolm Hoenlein stepping aside as Conference of Presidents chief
WASHINGTON – Malcolm Hoenlein, the executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, is stepping aside after more than three decades of helming the umbrella foreign policy group for the U.S. Jewish community. He will remain with the conference in an as yet undetermined capacity.
(jta.org)
Arab teenagers arrested in beating of Jewish boy outside Paris-area synagogue
Police in France arrested four Arab teenagers who are suspected of beating a Jewish boy with batons and sticks and taking away his kippah outside a synagogue north of Paris. The boy’s sunglasses were literally smashed.
The suspects were detained Wednesday night (2/28). Their victim, 14, was beaten after 8 p.m. outside the suburban synagogue, where the holiday of Purim was being celebrated.
Police are treating the assault as an anti-Semitic incident.
(jta.org)
