IDF fired on from Syria for third straight day
(JNS.org) An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) jeep in the central Golan Heights was hit by gunfire from across the Syrian border on Tuesday, marking the third straight day the Israeli army was fired on from Syria, the IDF said in a statement.
IDF artillery units “returned precise fire” and destroyed the source of the gunfire, according to the statement. Israel viewed the three consecutive days of cross-border gunfire incidents “with concern,” the statement said, and Army Radio reported that IDF believes the fire from across the Syrian border was intentionally directed at IDF forces, rather than being a spillover from the Syrian civil war, as a number of such previous incidents had been.
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200 firebombs thrown at Rachel’s Tomb
(JNS.org) Over the past three months, some 200 firebombs and 80 explosive devices have been thrown at worshipers and Israeli soldiers at Rachel’s Tomb on the outskirts of Bethlehem in the West Bank.
The figures were provided by senior Israel Defense Forces and Border Police officers on Monday during a meeting of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Israel Hayom reported. The committee gathered to discuss the security threats facing worshipers at the tomb.
Committee Chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman instructed the army to examine options to assure the safety of the worshipers and present the plans to the committee in one month.
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Hate against Jews, Christians increases
(JNS.org) The newly released International Religious Freedom Report for 2012 by the U.S. State Department study found an increase in anti-Semitism as well as persecution of Christians and other minorities.
The report stated, “Holocaust denial and glorification remained troubling themes, and opposition to Israeli policy at times was used to promote or justify blatant anti-Semitism.” It singled out Venezuela, Egypt and Iran as areas of “great concern” for expressions of anti-Semitism “by government officials, by religious leaders, and by the media.”
The report also said, “Christians were a leading target of societal discrimination, abuse, and violence in some parts of the world,” citing attacks by Muslim extremists in Nigeria and Pakistan as well as state-sponsored persecution in Iran such as the arrest or torture of Pastor Saeed Abedini.
The report also mentioned persecution of other minority faiths, such as Bahais, Hindus and non-Sunni Muslims by Muslim extremists.
Coinciding with the release of the report, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry announced the appointment of Ira Forman as the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism. Forman is the former head of the National Jewish Democratic Council.
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IDF receives new advanced riot protection equipment
(JNS.org) The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Central Command has received new advanced equipment and tools to help its soldiers combat violent riots, particularly in Judea and Samaria, according to the IDF’s website.
The new equipment and tools include protective suits for soldiers and advanced GPS systems. The protective suits feature special protection for the solders including special protective gloves as well as protection for the soldiers’ shoulders, chest, back, groin, thighs and calves.
“This suit provides a wider possibility for the soldier to approach and even to run, and it gives the soldiers more confidence,” said Maj. Yuval Yaron, head of weapons and technology for the Central Command, according to the IDF’s Website.
The IDF’s Central Command Fire Formation also received specialized GPS units made by GARMIN.
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Palestinians break hole in security fence
(JNS.org) An Israeli security official said security forces are altering their previous “silk gloves” approach to rioters such as a group of Palestinians who entered Jerusalem on Friday without passing through a security checkpoint. The Palestinians used hammers to make a hole in the security barrier between Jerusalem and Abu Dis.
The Palestinian fence breach and protest was held as part of events related to the recently held annual Nakba (“catastrophe”) Day, a day on which Arabs mourn the establishment of the state of Israel.
The security fence was put up by Israel as a way of protecting its citizens from attacks by Palestinians from Palestinian-Authority-controlled cities in Judea and Samaria. But despite the presence of the fence, Yehuda Dana, security chief for the Beit El region, told Israel National News that Palestinians are continually “throwing rocks into the community, causing injuries.”
According to the Palestinian protesters, Israeli Border Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at them after they entered through the hole in the fence, and there were several injuries. Dana said such Palestinian rioters were often previously handled with “silk gloves,” but that “their brazenness has crossed the line.”
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Barbra Streisand to receive honorary doctorate
(Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) Legendary American actress, director, singer, producer, composer, philanthropist and activist Barbra Streisand will receive an honorary doctor of philosophy degree from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem next month.
The honorary doctorate will be presented to Ms. Streisand in recognition of her professional achievements, humanitarianism, leadership in human and civil rights, and dedication to Israel and the Jewish people.
Hebrew University President Professor Menahem Ben-Sasson said, “Barbra Streisand’s transcendent talent is matched by her passionate concern for equality and opportunity for people of every gender and background. Equally important, her love of Israel and her Jewish heritage are reflected in so many aspects of her life and career.”
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Gunman shoots four at Israeli bank
(JNS.org) A gunman shot and killed four people at a bank in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba on Monday. The shooting occurred in the afternoon in a branch of Bank Hapoalim on Jabotinsky Street. Initial investigations reveal that the suspected shooter was a Jewish man who executed the shooting to avenge the bank because it did not extend his credit line to cover his mortgage payments.
The suspect allegedly shot two bank employees on site and two other customers who were present in the branch. He then took one woman hostage. Eventually the suspect shot himself to death, according to the Jerusalem Post. At least five people were injured and four suffered from shock, a hospital spokesman said.
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Preceding provided by JNS.org