Search Result in All

Naval ships move in on a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, reportedly killing three people, protest organizers and Arab media report. The last we heard, Israeli soldiers landed on the top deck of the Turkish boat and opened fire," said Adam Shapiro, husband of one of the flotilla leaders. He said he spoke with his wife by telephone around 8:30 p.m. and she described watching the Israeli seizure from her boat. "After that, we lost communication with all of the ships," Shapiro said. "She said her boat was being chased by Israeli ships and they were trying to outrun it." According to one unconfirmed report, the other protest vessels had been intercepted and were being led to Israel. Some of the injured reportedly have been evacuated to a hospital in Haifa. Flotilla organizers, Arab leaders and Turkish diplomats have already condemned the reported attack. Flotilla organizers say they were carrying first-aid supplies and medical professionals in the event of casualties, but according to Shapiro, "we thought that the possibility that Israeli soldiers would shoot" was a remote one. Flotilla organizers said they carried no weapons. The six-vessel flotilla, packed with hundreds of international activists, food and other humanitarian supplies, left Cyprus on Sunday night and was attempting to break Israel's long-standing blockade of the Gaza Strip. Israel had vowed to intercept the boats, by force if necessary, and tow them to the Israeli port of Ashdod, where passengers would be arrested or deported. Israel says the blockade of Gaza, which is controlled by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, is needed to combat terrorism. A live video feed from the Turkish boat showed images of Israeli soldiers boarding the vessel and firing some sort of weapons, though it was unclear whether the weapons were live rounds or less-lethal devices, such as stun grenades. The feed was abruptly cut.

As outrage and condemnation continues over Israel's deadly attack on a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, Tel Aviv once again threatens to halt any ship trying to break the Gaza blockade. In a letter to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Israel's Ambassador to the UN Gabriela Shalev called for a halt to a new aid ship scheduled to set sail from Lebanon to break the siege of Gaza, warning that Tel Aviv would use "all necessary means" to stop the vessel. "Israel reserves its right under international law to use all necessary means to prevent these ships from violating the existing naval blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip," she said. The warning comes as a group of female Lebanese activists announced a plan to send an aid ship loaded with medical supplies to Gaza, which has been under siege since 2007. According to the organizers, 50 Lebanese and foreign activists would be aboard the aid ship. The new aid convoy planned the mission after Israeli commandos on May 31 stormed the Gaza Freedom Flotilla aid convoy, killing 20 civilian activists and injuring dozens of others. The Israeli envoy also claimed the aid ship was linked to the Lebanese resistance movement of Hezbollah. Hezbollah, however, has denied having any links to the mission, saying it would not join the convoy as it did not want to give Israel an excuse to attack the Gaza campaigners. The warning comes as earlier on Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned Lebanon against allowing the aid ship to depart from Lebanon for Gaza.

Stop Funding Israel - Boycott Israel - Call to IFCJ

According to Israeli daily Ha'aretz, the Israeli occupation confiscated Palestinian lands northeast of the Jordan valley and gave it to Kibbutz Merav, inhabited by Israeli settlers. The Israeli occupation is systematically confiscating land and expelling Palestinians in the Jordan Valley, known as al-Aghwar. The route of Israel's apartheid wall was altered to secure the takeover of 375 acres Palestinian lands. This annexation have come during the same week as Israel plans to invite tenders for the construction of 2,230 settlement units in East Jerusalem al-Quds and other parts of the West Bank. The Palestinian Authority has condemned these Israeli plans. According to experts, a large part of the occupied land belongs to Palestinians who were driven out of the land by the Israeli occupation forces during the 1967 war. These Palestinians are considered "absentee" by Israel and under the Israeli so-called Absentee Property Law, their lands can be used for settlement activities. Thousands of acres of privately-owned Palestinian lands were given to Israeli settlers in the Jordan Valley in the 1960s and 1970s, and the confiscation of Palestinian land in the area is still ongoing by the Israeli occupation, regardless of International laws and resolutions. In most cases, Israel confiscates lands near illegally-built settlements in the West Bank under the pretext of security reasons, but in this case, they have officially annexed these occupied lands.

What started as a regular basketball game between two teams, ended in the arrest of 30 Turkish youth. Police in the Turkish city of Kayseri stepped in after the crowd, waving Palestinian flags, began protesting against the Israeli team. According to the indictment, they have been accused of "insulting Israel". This is not the first time Israeli players have been forced off the court. In 2009, some 3000 Turkish fans disrupted a game in the capitol Ankara. Soma analysts say these events shine a light on the growing rift between the long-time regional allies, who share trade, military and strategic ties. Tensions between Turkey and Israel were at one time, reserved only for the political leaders. However that is now being seen on the streets. This is especially true since the deadly raid on the Gaza aid ship back in May of last year that saw 9 Turkish activists' killed. Israel refuses to apologize to Turkey for the deaths saying their troops acted in self defense. According to Hayrettin Turan, the editor of the foreign desk at Turkiye Newspaper, relations between the two countries really soured with the Israeli invasion of the Gaza strip in December 2008. While Turkey is a predominantly Muslim country, it is a secular one, leading some to believe it will make a good role model for new governments in the Middle East. Turkey also maintains strong ties with Iran and with that growing influence across the region. The dilemma now rests with Israel and how long they feel their policies will keep them afloat.

أمير قطر زار اسرائيل سرا أمير قطر الشيخ حمد بن خليفة آل ثاني قام بزيارة سرية الى اسرائيل Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has made a secret visit to Israel despite the fact that Doha and Tel Aviv have no political relations, a video has revealed. Israeli Kadima leader Tzipi Livni welcomed the Emir and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasim Bin Jaber Al Thani during the visit. The Qatari Emir and his delegation also met several high-ranking Israeli officials. Signing a new gas export contract and writing Qatari textbooks by Israeli experts were among topics discussed between Sheikh Hamad and Livni. Sheikh Hamad reportedly stressed the significance of political relations between the two sides. Livni informed Qatar of its important role in talks between Arabs and Israel. Qatar and Israel have common viewpoints regarding Iran's nuclear program. Doha has repeatedly supported Tel Aviv against Iran. Qatar would also be able to assist Israel in the event of a military strike against Iran's nuclear facilities. It is noteworthy that in April 2008, Livni, who was Israeli foreign minister, used a visit to Qatar to lobby the Arab state to oppose Iran's nuclear program. AGB/HGH

[10 May 2012] US Arming israel - News Analysis - English As US congressmen agree to give nearly a billion dollars to israel, others are questioning the logic behind the record-breaking US financial support at a time when Americans are struggling with an ailing economy. Why is israel the priority for Americans?

[11 June 2012] Israel has long history of racial discrimination - English African migrants have been the target of violent attacks by Israeli protesters in the past few weeks, while new legislation allows for the detention of migrants without charge. On June 3, Tel Aviv announced that migrants who illegally crossed into Israel could face a detention of up to three years. According to the Israeli interior ministry statistics, about 60,000 African immigrants, mainly from Sudan, South Sudan and Eritrea, have entered Israel illegally. Press TV has conducted an interview with Abayomi Azikiwe, director of Pan-African News Wire, to further discuss the issue.

[11 June 2012] Israel West seek to topple Assad Government: Analyst - English In the latest anti-Damascus move, an Israeli deputy minister accused Syrian forces of using chemical weapons against civilians. Ayoob Kara claimed in an interview with Israel Radio that Israeli medics, stationed on the border between Turkey and Syria, are reporting the use of such weapons. To shed more light on Tel Aviv's escalating rhetoric against Syria, Press TV talked with Maya Nasser, a Damascus-based political analyst.

[23 June 2012] Israel Keeps Killing - News Analysis - English As children in Gaza live and die on contaminated water, as patients die in Gaza's hospitals due to lack of electricity and medicine and as Gazans experience a 5 year old siege that is stripping them of basic necessities, that is not enough for Israel: During the past 6 days, numerous air strikes have killed over a dozen Palestinians. Where is the int. community in the face of Israeli aggression, and for how long will they remain silent?

[27 June 2012] Israel playing game on settlements expansion - English The Israeli authorities have begun evacuating the illegal outpost settlement Ulpana, near Ramallah, in order to demolish 30 housing units.This decision came following the Israeli Supreme court's ruling that the outpost was deemed illegal due to them not gaining legitimate permits from the authorities to build the settlement.However as compensation, Israel has promised to build 300 new housing units in the nearby settlement of Beit El, which remains illegal under international law. Although ostensibly Israel is distinguishing between settlements built with permits and those constructed on private Palestinian land, the practical result of this is an expansion of the Beit El Settlement.

[15 July 2012] Israel continues illegal settlement expansion - English Israel constructed 130 new units in Jabal Abu Ghuneim in the Har Homa area, a Palestinian neighborhood which was occupied by Israel during the 1967 al Naksa. Press TV's Nel Burden reports from Jerusalem.

[19 July 2012] Pictures of israel war on Lebanon displayed in Tehran - English An inside look at Southern Lebanon, the 33 day war and its impact on the lives of the Lebanese people. Exchange is the title of a photo exhibition which narrates the people's aspirations and their anguish in their resistance against Israel's war machine. Amir Mehdi Kazemi, Press TV, Tehran

[24 July 2012] US Israel seek to launch more wars in Mideast - English Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Tel Aviv will "have to act" to prevent a possible transfer of chemical weapons from Syria to Lebanon. In an interview on "Fox News Sunday," Netanyahu said the need for an intervention may arise in case of the collapse of the Syrian government. "So I think that this is something we'll have to act to stop if the need arises. And the need might arise if there's a regime collapse," the Israeli premier said. He made the comments a few days after Israeli Minister of Military Affairs Ehud Barak made similar remarks. Barak said that "the moment (Syrian President Bashar al-Assad) starts to fall we will conduct intelligence monitoring and will liaise with other agencies." "Israel cannot accept a situation where advanced weapons systems are transferred from Syria to Lebanon," he said. This is while Israel has intensified its military buildup in the occupied Golan Heights near the Syrian border. Press TV has conducted an interview with Dr. Randy Short, with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, from Washington, to further discuss the issue.

AIPAC is one of the most powerful lobby groups in Washington and is the most powerful pro-Israel lobby group in the country, as evidenced by the array of high profile politicians, both Republicans and Democrats, who speak at its conference each year. The Pentagon\\\'s new chief held talks with Israeli Minister for Military Affairs Ehud Barak, on March 5 and pledged to ensure US budget cuts have no effect on funding for military assistance to Israel. Pro-Israel interests have contributed $56.8 million in individual, group, and soft money donations to federal candidates and party committees since 1990, according to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics. Between the 2000 and the 2004 elections, the 50 members of AIPAC\\\'s board donated an average of $72,000 each to campaigns and political action committees. AIPAC claims it \\\"has a stranglehold on Congress.\\\" With a $47 million a year budget and more than 100 full-time staffers, it is no doubt a formidable advocate for Israel\\\'s interests.

Israel has just finished military drills in what appeared to be a campaign to prepare for a potential war - with Syria. Israel launched the drills following Russia\'s announcement that it would supply one of its most advanced anti aircraft missile systems named S-300 to the Syrian government. Following this announcement, the Israeli minister of military affairs Moshe Ya\'alon immediately issued a statement that the military would bomb the Russian missile systems if they were deployed in Syria. However, Palestinian military expert Wasef Erekat says Israel is merely making empty threats. Military analysts say Israel is afraid that the success of other countries to obtain advanced military expertise would undermine its military might in the Middle East. Nel Burden, Press TV, Ramallah

israel has revealed new plans for demolishing Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem al-Quds and the occupied West Bank. The Jerusalem municipality has begun issuing demolition orders for buildings in the city. Most of the orders are in two neighborhoods near the Shoafat refugee camp, in the north of al-Quds and the Palestinian side of the separation fence-- namely Ras Hamis and Ras Shehada. According to Palestinian sources, demolitions will leave some 15-thousand people homeless. This comes against the backdrop of Israel\'s new plans for building some 5-thousand settler units in the occupied Palestinian territories. Israel\'s settlement activities are considered illegal under international law.

A British lawmaker has slammed Israel\'s attempts to undermine the recent deal between Iran and the permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany. Galloway says Tel Aviv is trying to undermine Iran\'s nuclear deal while it never allows the IAEA to inspect its nuclear sites. He says Israel accuses Iran of being after nukes, while Tehran has had regular international inspections. The British MP says Iran has never invaded any country in centuries and never occupied anyone else\'s territory. He said Tehran is also a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, whereas Tel Aviv is not and also stands guilty of invasion and occupation. Galloway called Israel an international law-breaker which is not facing any penalties.

The United Nations has criticized Israel for destroying 30 Palestinian properties in the Occupied West Bank. UN Humanitarian Coordinator James Rawly says the demolitions have resulted in the displacement of 41 people, including 24 children. Rawly says some of the families have been displaced for the second time in less than two weeks. Rights groups say the demolitions are aimed at grabbing more land for Israel\\\'s settlements and military projects in the occupied Palestinian Territories. Israel has built thousands of settler units in the occupied territories despite international condemnation. The settlements are considered illegal under international law.

The European Union\'s envoy to the Middle East has warned Israel against the failure of the so-called peace talks with the Palestinian Authority. Andreas Reinicke says support in Europe for sanctioning Israel over its settlement policies is growing and could intensify IF the talks with Palestinians fail. Reinicke, who is leaving his post next week, said he has been in touch with US mediators. The campaign of boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel has been gaining momentum for some time. The EU envoy says over a dozen of states are now in support of the idea of labeling the Israeli goods from the occupied territories. This over Israeli violations - including its settlement expansions. Several academic bodies in the US have already decided to boycott Israeli academia over Tel Aviv\'s violation of international law.

Hundreds of Palestinians have gathered at the Erez crossing with Israel as Tel Aviv prepares to release 26 Palestinian prisoners. The release, expected in a few hours, is the third of four planned stages. All 26 of the Palestinians have spent between 19 and 28 years in Israeli prisons. 18 are from the occupied West Bank, three from the Gaza Strip, and five from East Jerusalem al-Quds. Last summer, Israel agreed to release a total of 104 long-serving Palestinian prisoners. The deal was made during the US-brokered direct talks between the Israelis and the Palestinian Authority. Despite the latest release, thousands of Palestinians are still incarcerated in Israel -- and many of them have not even been charged with any offense.

Acting Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas has once again warned against Israel\\\'s illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. Abbas has threatened to take diplomatic and legal action against what he calls the cancer of Israeli settlement building. He said that Palestine will use its rights as a UN observer to stop Israel\\\'s expansionist agenda. The statements came ahead of a visit to the Middle East by US Secretary of State John Kerry, which begins on Wednesday. Kerry is making the trip in order to try to convince Israel and the Palestinian Authority to agree on a framework for the so-called peace talks. Tel Aviv\\\'s refusal to stop building settlements is one of the stumbling blocks for the US-brokered direct talks. The international community has long viewed Israeli settlements as illegal.

Israel says it\'s carried out a second successful test of its upgraded Arrow missile system. The test, carried out over the Mediterranean, was the second flight of the missile system. But it did not intercept any target. Israel deployed the previous version, named Arrow Two, more than a decade ago. Tel Aviv says it has scored an almost 90-percent success rate in live trials. Israeli officials have predicted that Arrow Three could be deployed by next year. The Pentagon and US firm Boeing are partners in the project. Arrow is the long-range part in Israel\'s three-layer missile systems that include the so-called Iron Dome and David\'s Sling.

israel has given final approval for the construction of 272 new homes in West Bank settlements, just hours after U-S Secretary of State John Kerry\\\'s departure. Under the latest plans, 250 apartments were approved for Ofra and Karnei Shomron, in the heart of the West Bank, 53 of which have already been built without any permit. An Israeli Defense Ministry official said that the initial approval for new buildings was given several months ago and added that the latest announcement was just a formality. The Israeli anti-settlement group Peace Now criticized Israel\\\'s latest move, saying Tel Aviv had the option of suspending settlement plans and giving the so-called peace talks a chance, but instead chose to push ahead with the expansion of settlements. The latest announcement came shortly after Kerry\\\'s departure. The U-S secretary of state had earlier urged Israel to refrain from taking any steps that would derail the negotiations. The international community considers settlements illegal, and the Palestinians have long viewed settlement construction as a key obstacle to reaching a peace agreement.

Israel is pushing ahead with plans to build more settler units in the occupied Palestinian land despite international outcries. A new statement by Tel Aviv says five-hundred fifty-eight more settler units will be constructed in East Jerusalem al-Quds. This is the latest in settlement projects which Israel has been speeding up over the past years. Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. The UN and much of the international community have condemned Israel\\\'s expansionism as illegal. They want an end to its settlement activities in Palestinian territories. The settlements are also one of the main obstacles in talks between Israelis and the Palestinian Authority.

Israel is pushing ahead with plans to build more settler units in the occupied Palestinian land despite international outcries. A new statement by Tel Aviv says five-hundred fifty-eight more settler units will be constructed in East Jerusalem al-Quds. This is the latest in settlement projects which Israel has been speeding up over the past years. Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. The UN and much of the international community have condemned Israel\\\'s expansionism as illegal. They want an end to its settlement activities in Palestinian territories. The settlements are also one of the main obstacles in talks between Israelis and the Palestinian Authority.

[27 Apr 2014] israel could become apartheid state if it fails to make peace with PA - English

Leader of the Muslim Ummah, Imam Khamenei explains what the abolition of israel or annihilation of israel or destruction of israel or death to israel means. Does it have anything to do with the Jewish people? #MustWatch #MustShare #DeathToisrael #AntiSemitism