Jewish news briefs: April 14, 2015

jns logo short version

Israeli authorities arrest Hamas terror cell that planned Purim attack

(Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) A gag order lifted on Tuesday revealed that a Hamas terror cell had planned to carry out a shooting attack against Israeli soldiers last month during the holiday of Purim.

The investigation, conducted jointly by the Shin Bet security agency, the Israel Defense Forces, and the Israel Police, found that the members of the terror cell had purchased a vehicle for the purpose of carrying out the attack, which was planned for the Abu Dis area near Jerusalem but never materialized.

The key members of the cell were arrested in early March. The leader, a Hamas operative, worked at the university cafeteria in Abu Dis. He served a sentence in an Israeli prison between 2009 and 2011 for involvement in a previous shooting attack.

Members of the terror cell had trained and practiced shooting an AK-47 assault rifle and a 9mm handgun. In order to cover their tracks, they planned to set their car on fire nearby.

*

Israeli minister: stop unauthorized Islamic excavations on Temple Mount

(Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) Israeli Construction Minister Uri Ariel (Habayit Hayehudi) sounded the alarm on Monday after the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf began earthworks on the Temple Mount, saying those excavations could inflict irreparable harm on Second Temple artifacts.

The Waqf, which has day-to-day control of the Temple Mount, said it planned to re-carpet the Muslim shrine known as the Dome of the Rock. Ariel fears the activity would result in excessive excavation, a concern exacerbated by the fact that heavy machinery is being used.

In a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ariel asked that the government “order an immediate halt to the earthworks to allow a proper review and authorization process.”

“These works are unprecedented and warrant the review of the Ministerial Committee on Archeological Digs at Holy Sites, and the fact that there is heavy machinery involved makes this all the more pressing,” Ariel wrote.

He added, “There is no need to elaborate on how important this site is, where every modification, every excavation with heavy equipment can cause irreparable harm to the foundations of the Temple.”

*

Obama meets with top American Jewish leaders to gain support for Iran deal

(JNS.org) President Barack Obama met with some of the leaders of America’s largest Jewish organizations on Monday in a bid to gain their support for the Iran nuclear framework agreement ahead of an expected battle with Congress over the deal.

Obama made his case for the framework deal between Iran and world powers before the heads of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, J Street, the American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, and the Jewish Federations of North America. Leaders of the Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform movements were also present.

“Concerns were raised and there was a fair amount of back and forth,” an anonymous official told The Hill. “There were some folks walking in who support and favor the deal and there were some who have deep, deep concerns about the deal. I don’t think anyone’s fundamental view was changed by the conversation.”

Many American Jewish groups have echoed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s skepticism about the nuclear deal.

*

Israel blames Russian missile sale to Iran on framework nuclear deal

(JNS.org) Israeli Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz said Monday that Russia’s sale of anti-aircraft missiles to Iran is a “direct result” of the recently reached nuclear framework deal between the Islamic Republic and the P5+1 nations.

Earlier on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government revealed the sale of the S300 air defense missile system to Iran.

“Instead of demanding Iran put an end to the terrorism its instigates in the Mideast and around the world, it is being allowed to attain advanced arms which will only spur its aggressions,” Steinitz said.

The missile sale “is a direct result of the legitimacy that Iran obtained from the emerging nuclear deal” and is “proof that Iran will enjoy economic surge in wake of the removal of sanctions which it will use for arming itself and not for the benefit of the Iranian people,” added Steinitz, Yedioth Ahronoth reported.

*

Two Jewish high schools in France earn top spots on education-ranking lists

(JNS.org) Two Jewish high schools made national news in France by topping two of the French media’s annual education-ranking lists.

The Le Parisien newspaper put the Beth Hanna high school, which is run by Chabad-Lubavitch, in the first spot on its list due to a 99-percent success rate among students taking matriculation exams. In addition, the school garnered 32 “added value” points based on criteria such as the percentage of students who took the matriculation exams, attendance rates, dropout rates, and grades.

Meanwhile, the France Televisions public broadcaster placed the Lycee Alliance in the Paris suburb of Seine Saint-Denis, also a Jewish school, atop its list.

Dominique Dahan, headmistress of the Alliance high school, told JSSnews.com, “Ours is a tolerant, open Judaism… and we encourage its implementation [as part] of the urban environment.”

*

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West visit Israel

(JNS.org) Reality TV star Kim Kardashian and her rapper husband Kanye West, along with their daughter North West and Kim’s sister Chloe, visited Israel for the first time.

In addition to visiting religious sites, the famous couple baptized their daughter at St. James Cathedral in the Armenian Quarter Jerusalem’s Old City. The family arrived in Israel after visiting the Kardashian sisters’ ancestral homeland, Armenia.

The visit to Israel is being documented on camera and will be aired on the reality show “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.”

*

Sen. Marco Rubio joins Republican field in presidential race

(JNS.org) U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) told donors that he is joining the field of Republican candidates running in the 2016 presidential election, The Associated Press reported Monday. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) had previously announced their campaigns.

Reacting to the recently reached framework nuclear agreement with Iran, Rubio said in a statement that he fears the preliminary deal “will have devastating consequences for nuclear non-proliferation, the security of our allies and partners, and for U.S. interests in the region.”

“I intend to work with my colleagues to continue to ensure that any final agreement, if reached, is reviewed by Congress and that additional sanctions continue to be imposed on Iran until it completely gives up its nuclear ambitions and the regime changes its destructive behavior,” said Rubio.

Additionally, Politico reported April 10 that Rubio is seeking to have Iranian recognition of Israel’s right to exist included in any final nuclear deal—a stipulation that has been requested by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Former Florida governor Jeb Bush, who many consider the early favorite to win the Republican presidential nomination, has not yet officially declared his candidacy.

*
Articles from JNS.org appear on San Diego Jewish World through the generosity of Dr. Bob and Mao Shillman