Acre’s Arab Council Members Vote to Cut Soldiers’ Free Train Rides
A proposal to make traveling back to their base free for Acre residents on active military duty reveals a new rift in Jewish-Arab relations in this mixed city.
2012 Sees Lowest Number of IDF Recruits
The IDF website reports a decline in the number of army recruits this year, pinning the lowest recruitment rate in eight years on slower...
Chief Military Rabbi: Religious Soldiers Do Not Have to Hear Female Singers at IDF...
On the heels of the Supreme Court's annulment of the Tal Law, and following weeks of harsh debates over the coerced participation of religious soldiers in IDF sponsored concerts with women singers, the IDF Chief Rabbi admitted Thursday that despite his liberal ruling on the matter, soldiers should be allowed to avoid entertainment they find religiously problematic.
Israel to Sell Germany Spike Missiles Totaling Hundreds of Millions
Israel Defense reports that Eurospike, a subsidiary of weapons manufacturer Rafael, has signed a contract to supply Spike missiles totaling hundreds of millions of dollars to Germany.
Experts: Israel’s New Bunker-Busters Can Take Out Iran’s Nuke Plants
Berlin-based researcher Benjamin Weinthal argues that Israel is militarily capable today of launching a successful attack on Iran's nuclear facilities. It would require successive strikes, using GBU-28 bunker busters to knock out Iran's entire nuclear program. Those devastating bombs were delivered to Israel by President Obama, who made good on a promise made by President Bush.
IAF Kills Shalit Kidnapper, Palestinian Rocket Attacks Met with Firm Retaliation, ‘Iron Dome’ Successful
While the Air Force continues to attack Gaza and rocket attacks on communities in the south persist, following the killing of Gilad Shalit's kidnapper, both Israel's Prime Minister and Minister of Defense are threatening terrorist organizations in Gaza.
In conversation with mayors in the south, Netanyahu said: "We'll arm ourselves with additional Iron Dome systems, which have tested well again." Barak: "No one in Gaza is immune." IDF Chief of Staff: "We will respond aggressively to every rocket launch against Israel."
Israel Strikes Back Against Gaza as Citizens Endure Missiles
Israel killed 3 additional terrorists Monday morning, bringing Palestinian death toll to 16. Islamic terror groups launch 20 rockets Monday at Israeli civilians in the south. PM Netanyahu: "We will continue to hit whoever plans to attack citizens of the State of Israel."
As Death Toll Reaches 23, Jihad, PRC ‘Will Not Accept’ Gaza Ceasefire
While Israel and Hamas are preparing to negotiate a ceasefire through Egyptian mediation, Gaza militants are determined to carry on shelling civilian targets inside Israel, until the latter commits to stop killing terrorist leaders from the air.
IAF Kills 2 Jihadists East of Gaza City, Death Toll at 25, Efforts on...
Two Palestinians were killed Monday evening in an IAF strike east of Gaza City, bringing the death toll in Gaza to 25 since Friday. The IDF Spokesman reported that the IAF attacked a terrorist squad Monday night in northern Gaza, shortly before it was able to shoot a high trajectory, medium-range rocket toward Israeli territory.
IDF Chief of Staff: ‘We Are Yet to Use Even One-Thousandth of our Power’
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, speaking Tuesday to new recruits of the K'fir Division, emphasized that "in the current round of fighting we are yet to have used even one thousandth of our power. Quiet will be answered with quiet," he promised, "but if it gets noisy in the southern settlements, it will be noisy in Gaza as well."
Riding High on the ‘Iron Dome,’ Rafael to Raise Half a Billion Shekels
Advanced defense systems developer Rafael, maker of the "Dome," took less than half a day since the last siren warning of incoming missiles, to announce it is issuing 500 million shekel ($133 million) in privately traded stocks. While the US made Patriot surface to air missiles' success rate is lower than 50%, the Iron Dome's performance this past weekend reached upwards of 85%.
Rocket Fire from Gaza Resumed, Grad Explodes in Netivot, Civilian Wounded
Following reports of a ceasefire, communities in the South were hoping that life would go back to normal, but at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday a Grad rocket exploded in a parking lot in Netivot, causing damage to vehicles. One person was lightly wounded by shrapnel; 11 suffered from shock.
Ashkelon Mayor: This Time IDF Less Effective against Terrorists than Before
Mayor Benny Vaknin told the Jewish Press that he attended a meeting last weekend with PM Netanyahu in which, "we told him that it's already the fourth round in a year." "No other country in the world would have been willing that a million of its citizens be under attacks every two weeks, and 200 thousand children be staying at home instead of going to school."
As ‘Occasional’ Grads Continue to Fall on Israeli Cities, Ashdod Deputy Mayor Says Israel’s...
It has been unclear whether we're having a lull in the war or an interrupted peace, as Netivot, Beer Sheva and other population centers are hit every few hours. Standing in front of shattered glass storefronts, Ashdod Deputy Mayor Boris Giterman said southern mayors are asking Netanyahu "to put and end to this story."
Video: Cease Fire More Hope than Reality as 3 Rockets Hit Israel Thursday
Watch compilation of rocket attack filmed by civilians. The cease fire which was supposedly declared last Tuesday morning remains more wishful thinking than an actual cessation of violence. Or perhaps, as some experts have said, this is the Islamic Jihad's new style of hurting Israel, delivering the cuts of a thousand knives in groups of only three a day, to make any serious IDF reaction appear "disproportionate."
IDF Chief of Staff Visits Canadian Counterpart, Relations ‘Growing’
The IDF Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz concluded his official visit to Canada on Friday. Gantz was greeted by his Canadian counterpart, General Walt Natynczyk, who emphasized the importance he sees in strengthening security cooperation between the two countries. Since 2008 there has been an accelerated rapprochement between the Canadian and Israeli security establishments.
Israeli Spy Drones Going After Mexican Drug Cartels
In January The Marker reported that Elbit Systems Ltd., an Israel-based international defense electronics company had won a contract worth $50 million to supply the unmanned drone Hermes 900 to an unknown state on the American continent. Now Aviation Weekly reveals it must be the Mexican government.
Netanyahu’s Son Court-Martialed for Going AWOL
Sergeant Yair Netanyahu will pay a heavy price for his longing for home cooking. The Prime Minister's son got 21 days detention after abandoning the Friday night shift in his unit and going to dine with his family.
Germany Sells Israeli Navy its Sixth Submarine, 1 Year After Netanyahu Released PA Funds
Israel and Germany signed a contract purchasing the Israeli Navy's sixth submarine Wednesday. It is an SSK Dolphin Class submarine. Last year the newspaper The Welt am Sonntag reported that German chancellor Angela Merkel conditioned the sale of the Dolphin on Israeli concessions to the Palestinians, which Netanyahu obliged.
Three Females Among IDF Naval Officer Course Graduates
This week the 124th class of IDF Naval Officers, including three women, completed their training and were stationed on deck Israeli Navy vessels. While most IDF women serve only two years, these three officers have already served through the 36-month naval officers' course, as graduates will be required to sign up for at least an extra 16 months.
US Requesting Extra Funding for Israel’s ‘Iron Dome,’ Obama Gaining Praise
The Pentagon will ask Congress for additional funds for the "Iron Dome" missile shields for Israel, based on their success in intercepting rockets launched from Gaza. Coming one day after drawing fire for his open-mic remarks, President Obama is winning points from pro-Israel Congress members for his increased support. Rafael, which manufactures the Domes systems, just reported $111 million in net earnings for 2011.
First F-35 Stealth Fighter Planes to Arrive in Israel in 2015
The first F-35 is expected to arrive in Israel in 2015, but Israeli pilots will be able to start training on it in the U.S. in 2014. A stealth fighter aircraft, produced by Lockheed Martin, the F-35 is considered to be the most advanced fighter aircraft to date.
IDF Thwarts Armed Infiltration Attempt at Gaza Fence Sunday Night
Remember the adage about how fences make for good neighbors? It turns out they work quite well for bad neighbors, too. Sunday night, IDF soldiers operating along the security fence in the central Gaza Strip identified a suspicious figure digging in the ground, suggesting he was attempting to plant an explosive device. The soldiers tried to distance him by firing at him, confirming a hit.
IDF to Become ‘Kosher for Passover’ by Thursday
As of Thursday, the Military Rabbinate will render all IDF bases kosher for the Jewish holiday of Passover. After weeks of heavy-duty spring cleaning, soldiers across the IDF will be joined in the field by military rabbis who will certify the bases and assist if need be. By the end of the day, with the mission accomplished, the IDF will be declared Kosher for Passover.
IDF Leadership Facing New Terrorist Front in the Lawless Sinai
Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz said the rocket fire that hit the city of Eilat Wednesday night was "an extremely severe act of hostility." Head of Military Intelligence Maj. Gen. Kochavi confirmed that "more than ten terror bases in Sinai were revealed and dismantled over the past few months." After the fall of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s, the rule of law has collapsed in much of Sinai, leaving a vacuum where Islamist militant groups are thriving.
Egypt Sending 2,000 officers into the Sinai, Well Above Treaty Limits, to Fight Rampant...
Egyptian Maj.-Gen. Ahmad Jamal said that Egypt's Interior Ministry decided to send 2,000 officers and soldiers from the Special Forces to the north of Sinai, in order to increase security control of the area. He said the ministry has already sent 150 officers and the rest will be sent soon. The main reason for sending them is to implement security plans, especially plans to protect the natural gas line.
‘It All Started When an Israeli Officer Hit Back’
We would have expected the IDF brass, as well as Israel's government, to show restraint, perhaps count to 30, before throwing their own man under the media bus. But, alas, both IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned a senior IDF officer for the way he appears on a selectively edited Palestinian video on You Tube.
Outpouring Support for Officer who Hit Danish Provocateur, Even as Damning Report Is Anticipated
Eighty-three reserves officers and soldiers yesterday sent the Defense Minister and the IDF Chief of Staff a letter supporting the Eisner, who had been suspended from his post. Additional support came from Hagit Rein, mother of Major B'naya Rein who was killed in the Second Lebanon War and whose body Eisner retrieved.
Border Policeman Tortured Hebron Child, Community Blames Policy of Brutality and Neglect
Last Saturday at 7 a.m., Israeli Border Police detained and beat up a nine-year-old Jewish child in Hebron, after he entered a closed military zone near Machpelah House. The Hebron community's spokesman told the Jewish Press: "The border police acted like animals, attacking a child. They only care about attacking Jews."
1 Dead, Several Injured in Stage Collapse at Har Herzl, Jerusalem
At least one person has been reported killed and several injured in the collapse of lighting for a stage being assembled at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem for Rememberance Day ceremonies.