World Sailing to investigate Malaysia’s denial of Israeli visas
(JNS.org) The Malaysian Organizing Authority of the Youth Sailing World Championship is under investigation after two Israeli windsurfers and their coach did not receive visas in time to compete at the Youth Sailing World Championships in Langkawi, Malaysia.
“World Sailing is committed to ensuring participation in our sport by competitors from all nations, and is taking this issue seriously,” President of World Sailing, Carlo Croce said in a statement released on Sunday. “A member of the World Sailing Executive is on route to Malaysia to investigate this issue and is seeking clarification from the Malaysian Organizing Authority.
“World Sailing expects the organizing authority of its events to allow sailors from all nations to compete on an equal basis. This expectation is made clear in the bid process and is set out in the contractual documentation governing our events.
The Israel Sailing Association informed World Sailing that windsurfers Yoav Omer and Noy Drihan and coach Meir Yaniv could not participate in the event because organizers said they could not compete under the Israeli flag or use any symbols affiliated with Israel.
Located in Southeast Asia, Malaysia is a Muslim majority country that does not recognize Israel.
The Israeli windsurfers were allegedly told that if an Israeli won a gold medal, the Israeli national anthem would not be played. The team also did not receive their visas to travel to Malaysia.
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Israel receives 30,000 new immigrants in 2015
(JNS.org) The number of immigrants to Israel exceeded 30,000 for the first time in 12 years, with a 50 percent increase in the last two years, according to data from The Jewish Agency for Israel and the Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption.
“The high number of immigrants, particularly from western countries, attests to the drawing power of the Zionist idea. The fact that immigrants choose to come to Israel is a sign that Israel invests their lives with meaning that they cannot find elsewhere,” said Natan Sharanksy, head of The Jewish Agency.
The highest number of immigrants, 7,900, came from France this year, while 7,000 new immigrants arrived from the Ukraine. Efforts to encourage Aliyah in those countries were increased this year due to security concerns for Jews living there.
In Eastern Europe alone, there was a 25 percent increase in Aliyah, with a 40 percent increase from last year in the number of immigrants from Russia. However, the United States and Canada saw a decrease in the number of immigrants moving to Israel this year with 3,770 compared to 3,870 last year.
Half of new immigrants to Israel this year were young people, under the age of 30.
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Israel Video Network launches ‘Inspired by Israel’ video contest
(JNS.org) The Israel Video Network in partnership with the Milstein Family Foundation have launched a new global video contest that seeks to showcase how people are inspired by Israel.
According to the “Inspired by Israel” contest rules, each video can be up to four minutes long and be submitted by anyone. Participants must register no later than Jan. 15th and submit their videos a month later by Feb. 15th.
The winning videos will be selected by a panel of hand-picked judges who will choose the top two videos from the top ten vote totals. The grand prize will be $7,500, with the runner-up receiving $2,500.
“Think up an idea for a video with a great and inspiring pro-Israel message. It’s up to you. Just make it awesome,” the contest said.
“We are very excited to launch this global video contest for Israel together with the Milstein Foundation. No matter who wins the grand prize, Israel will be the true winner, with people around the world watching tons of new user-generated videos showcasing different aspects of our amazing, vibrant and inspiring homeland.” said Avi Abelow, CEO of 12Tribe Films/IsraelVideoNetwork.com.
Formed in 2011, the Israel Video Network is an online platform that distributes videos about Israel and the Jewish people that was founded to “promote videos to help people understand the truth about what is really going on” in Israel.
Israeli businessman and philanthropist Adam Milstein, founder of the Adam and Gila Milstein Family Foundation, said that it is “critically important” to share how people are inspired by Israel.
Our foundation is “proud to sponsor the “Inspired by Israel” global video contest, which will bring to life the many ways that our Jewish homeland is an example of extraordinary innovation, a dynamic and diverse culture, and a hub for democratic values and human rights,” Milstein said.
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Israeli Supreme Court sends former Prime Minister Olmert to jail
(Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who was convicted of bribery in 2014 over the Holyland corruption scandal, was sentenced to 18 months in prison Tuesday after the Supreme Court upheld his conviction. Olmert, who will be the first Israeli prime minister ever to be jailed, is expected to begin serving his prison sentence on Feb. 15.
Tuesday’s ruling partially overturned Olmert’s conviction and reduced his original sentence from six years to 18 months.
The Holyland scandal, considered one of the most severe cases of corruption in the public sector due to its scope and the high-ranking officials involved, came to light in 2010. In 2014, following a two-year trial, Tel Aviv District Judge David Rozen convicted 13 out of 16 defendants in the case, including Olmert and his former bureau chief, Shula Zaken.
In a statement to the media shortly after the ruling, Olmert said, “A heavy weight has been lifted off my shoulders over the Supreme Court’s decision to acquit me on the main count [of bribery].”
The former prime minister said he was disappointed with the upheld conviction and maintained he was innocent of any wrongdoing.
“I was never offered a bribe and I never accepted bribes … but I respect the Supreme Court’s decision,” he said.
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Israel only country that Islamic State fears, journalist says
(JNS.org) Israel is the only country that Islamic State fears, according to a Western journalist who recently spent time with the jihadist group.
“They think they can defeat US and UK ground troops, who they say they have no experience in city guerrilla or terrorist strategies. But they know the Israelis are very tough as far as fighting against guerrillas and terrorists,” Jürgen Todenhöfer, author of My 10 Days in the Islamic State, told the U.K.’s Jewish News.
Last weekend, the Islamic State released a taped message from its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, where he threatened to turn Israel into a “graveyard.
“We are getting closer to you day by day,” Baghdadi said in the message. “Do not think that we have forgotten about you.”
“God caused the Jews of the world to gather in Israel, and the war against them has become easy. It is the obligation of every Muslim to carry out Jihad”.
Todenhöfer added that “they are not scared of the British and the Americans, they are scared of the Israelis and told me the Israeli army is the real danger. We [Islamic State] can’t defeat them with our current strategy. These people [the IDF] can fight a guerrilla war.”
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Saudi Grand Mufti calls Islamic State ‘part of the Israeli soldiers’
(JNS.org) Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, claimed the Islamic State is actually a part of the Israeli army, referring to a recent threat made against Israel by the Islamic State.
“This threat against Israel is simply a lie. Actually, Daesh (Islamic State) is part of the Israeli soldiers,” the Grand Mufti told the Saudi Gazette.
Last weekend, Islamic State released a taped message from its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, where he threatened to turn Israel into a “graveyard.”
Asheikh also said the Islamic State have tarnished the image of Islam and Muslims.
“They cannot be considered as followers of Islam. Rather, they are an extension of Kharijites, who rose in revolt against the Islamic caliphate for the first time by labeling Muslims as infidels and permitting their bloodletting.”
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Palestinians may cut diplomatic ties with Israel
(JNS.org) The Palestine Liberation Organization’s (PLO) Secretary General Saeb Erekat said the Palestinian leadership expects to meet this week regarding previous decisions made with respect to relations with Israel.
“There will be decisive and important decisions regarding all forms of ties with the occupation, including security and political relations,” Erekat told Hamas’s Al-Risala newspaper.
The PLO’s Central Council decided last March to end the security coordination with Israel, while Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas warned in September that the Palestinians are no longer committed to the 1993 Oslo Accords, which would make Israel fully responsible for Palestinians Arabs.
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Israeli defense firm awarded $70 million contract to supply fighter jets
(JNS.org) Elbit Systems, an Israeli defense firm, on Monday announced it was awarded a $70 million contract to supply advanced electronic earfare (EW) systems that will be installed on various Israeli Air Force fighter jets over the next five years.
The Directorate of Production and Procurement of the Israeli Ministry of Defense awarded the contract to Elbit, who developed and manufactured the EW and SIGINT – Elisra Ltd. systems.
“We are proud to provide the Israeli Air Force, recognized as one of the world’s most advanced air forces, advanced EW systems, covering the full range of fighter jets, and we trust that this win will further enhance our position as one of the world’s leading EW manufacturers,” said BezhalelMachlis, President and CEO of Elbit Systems.
“The modern global air combat arena is extremely challenging, and pilots are facing many new threats. Our systems provide a solution to a wide variety of current and future threats, and we hope that other customers will follow the IMOD and the Israeli Air Force and select our EW systems,” Machlis said.
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Israel’s President hosts Christian communities for New Year reception
(JNS.org) Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Monday hosted various Christian denominations at a traditional New Years’ reception.
Rivlin expressed gratitude for the Catholic Church’s Nostra Aetate declaration against anti-Semitism by mirroring Pope Francis’s words “A true Christian cannot be an anti-Semite.”
“A faithful Jew cannot be anti-Christian or anti-Muslim,” said Rivlin.
“Israel protects freedom of religion for all faiths,” Rivlin added.
“Jerusalem is the center of the world. Billions of people look to this city in hope and prayer. We all have a duty – at the beginning of the New Year and every day – to stand together and show the world that the conflict in this region is not a war about religion, it is a war against hate.”
The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Theophilos III, responded to Rivlin’s seasonal greeting at the reception.
“[We] wish to express our appreciation for the strong stand you have continued to take in demonstrating respect for all religions, and your condemnation of violence from whatever side it comes.
“We join you in these affirmations and condemnations. Allow us to reiterate our commitment to education based on the principles of moral values that derive from our common heritage. This is paramount to the shaping of our social fabric.”
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