JNS news briefs: February 25, 2014

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Christians legally granted separate representation from Muslim Arabs

(JNS.org) A bill that allows the Israeli government to legally recognize Arab Christians as a separate national identity for the first time has passed the Israeli Knesset.

The law, which passed 31-6 on its third reading, allows Arab Christians to identify solely as Christian, separate from the larger Arab community, which is mainly Muslim, and gives them their own representation on the Advisory Committee for Equal Opportunity in the Employment Commission.

“This is a historic law. It’s the first time there is separate representation for Christians,” said Likud MK Yariv Levin, who serves as whip of Israel’s governing coalition and crafted the legislation, the Jerusalem Post reported. “Soon we’ll expand on this and give [Christians] all the separate representation they deserve.”

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Hezbollah terrorist reportedly killed in purported Israeli airstrike in Lebanon

(JNS.org) A Hezbollah terrorist was reportedly killed in the purported Israeli airstrike in Lebanon on Monday night, Lebanese media reported.

The Hezbollah terrorist was identified as Hajji Hassan Mansour, also known as Abu Haitham, who served as a field trainer for Hezbollah. Mansour was set to be buried in his hometown of Ansar, NOW Lebanon reported.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the target was a Hezbollah “missile base.”

When asked about the attack by reporters, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “Our policy is clear—we will not speak about reports of what we did or didn’t do—but we do all that is necessary in order to defend our citizens.”
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Muslim worshipers arrested for Temple Mount violence

(JNS.org) Several dozen Muslim worshippers clashed with Israeli security forces on the Temple Mount on Tuesday morning, throwing stones and firecrackers at forces routinely deployed in and around the compound, Israel Hayom reported.

Two policemen sustained mild injuries, and three rioters were arrested. The compound remained open to visitors throughout the incident.

The riot erupted ahead of Tuesday’s Knesset plenum debate on Israeli sovereignty over the Temple Mount. Member of Knesset Moshe Feiglin (Likud) called for the session.

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