Increase in Aliyah from English-Speaking Countries in 2008

In a year-end report on Aliyah (immigration to Israel) for 2008, the Jewish Agency reported an increase in immigration from English-speaking countries, even though there was a 16 percent drop in Aliyah [...]]]>

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Increase in Aliyah from English-Speaking Countries in 2008

In a year-end report on Aliyah (immigration to Israel) for 2008, the Jewish Agency reported an increase in immigration from English-speaking countries, even though there was a 16 percent drop in Aliyah overall. A major factor in the decrease, the Agency said, was the change in government policy regarding the Falash Mura community in Ethiopia.

Israel Hamas Rocket Arsenal Doubles to 10,000

The Israeli intelligence community has determined that the Hamas regime accumulated about 10,000 missiles and rockets. Officials said Hamas has doubled its missile, mortar and rocket arsenal from about 5,000 to up to 10,000 since June 2008. They said the Islamic regime used the ceasefire with Israel to smuggle and produce thousands of projectiles and other weapons.

The Sanhedrin’s Peace Initiative

Jewish group devoted to rebuilding Temple in Jerusalem to send letters to all world leaders, including Arab ones, inviting them to take part in project, attend conference on Temple Mount in Israel. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has been gearing up for an Israeli offensive in recent months, is bound to be surprised by the peace feelers he is set to receive from Jerusalem soon.

Amsterdam’s Gay Christmas Features Mary in Drag

Amsterdam hosted a Christmas celebration for its gay community on Sunday featuring a nativity tableau with a male Mary in drag that church organizations denounced as an affront to traditional values. Organizers said the event was meant to raise Amsterdam’s profile as a gay capital at a time when homosexuals feel threatened. Christians for Truth, an independent religious group, had asked the city council to cancel the “Pink Christmas,” event, saying it made a mockery of Christian tenets. The city did not comment.

Gaza Closer To Doomsday

Hamas is at war with Israel, but tries to portray itself as a victim of “Israeli aggression” to its Moslem and leftist allies around the world. Inside Gaza, Hamas lets its pro-war propaganda run full bore in Arabic. A more nuanced message is broadcast in non-Arabic media. Every day, Hamas undertakes military operations. Along the security fence, snipers and bomb planting teams operate.

Israel’s military has warned that the Hamas regime has prepared to withstand a month-long invasion of the Gaza Strip. Military sources said Hamas has been storing thousands of missiles, mortars and [...]]]> Wanted: Your Two Cents about Today’s News…

Hamas Prepares For Anticipated Israeli Incusion With
Thousands of Missiles, Tunnel Network

Israel’s military has warned that the Hamas regime has prepared to withstand a month-long invasion of the Gaza Strip. Military sources said Hamas has been storing thousands of missiles, mortars and rockets to respond to an Israel invasion of the Gaza Strip. The sources said Hamas was also preparing reserves of fuel, food, water and a range of supplies for its force of more than 20,000 fighters.

Israel Issues New Warning on Iranian Nuclear Arms

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak is warning that if Iran acquires a nuclear weapon, it could try to attack the United States. Barak said the world should press Iran to stop it from building nuclear weapons. He spoke at a conference of the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University. He said, “If it built even a primitive nuclear weapon like the type that destroyed Hiroshima, Iran would not hesitate to load it on a ship, arm it with a detonator operated by GPS and…

IDF on High Alert Ahead of Cease-Fire’s End on Friday

Twenty-three Kassam rockets pounded the western Negev on Wednesday as the IDF went on high alert ahead of the official end of the cease-fire on Friday. One of the rockets struck next to a shopping center in Sderot, wounding three people and causing extensive damage to storefronts and parked cars. The wounded were evacuated to Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon.

Top Israeli Officer Says Hizbullah Will be Destroyed in Five Days ‘Next Time’

BEIRUT: Israel is developing plans to “destroy” Hizbullah in an armed onslaught of such severity that it would require no more than five days to complete, a senior Israeli military officer has said. The commander of Israel’s artillery division, which fired an average of 5,000 shells a day into Lebanon during the summer war in 2006, said that in any future conflict his men would “fire to destroy.” “No village will be immune,” Brigadier General Michael Ben-Baruch told The Jerusalem Post newspaper. “We will give them about a 12-hour warning and then strike back.”

Russia to Donate 10 MiG-29 Fighters to Lebanon

Russia will supply Lebanon with 10 used MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter planes free of charge, the head of the federal military cooperation service said on Wednesday. The usual export price for a new MiG-29 is around $30 million. “Joint work with our Lebanese colleagues is underway now, dealing with the purchase of Russian armored vehicles, artillery and other military hardware, as well as other types of armaments,” Dmitriyev said.

The visit, scheduled for 19-22 December, will be led by the destroyer Admiral Chabanenko. Recently the ship took part in joint manoeuvres with Venezuela and became the first Russian vessel to navigate the Panama Canal since World War II. The naval activities are being seen as an attempt [...]]]> Russian Warships in Cuban Visit

The visit, scheduled for 19-22 December, will be led by the destroyer Admiral Chabanenko. Recently the ship took part in joint manoeuvres with Venezuela and became the first Russian vessel to navigate the Panama Canal since World War II. The naval activities are being seen as an attempt by Moscow to…

No Radar Like This in the World… Israel to Answer Rocket Strikes Within 30 Seconds

The Israel Army will deploy a new radar that it claims can rapidly locate short-range missile, mortar and rocket launch sites for destruction. “There is no radar like this in the world,” Brig. Gen. Michel Ben-Baruch told The Jerusalem Post. “It can pinpoint the location of the launch and then find the range the cannons will need to aim at to fire.”

India Prepared For Strike on Pakistan

India’s air force geared up for possible missions against suspected terrorist camps in Pakistan in the immediate aftermath of November’s Mumbai attacks, U.S. “We don’t want to go to war,” Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Gilani announced during a speech at the National Assembly on Monday. “But if the war is thrust on us, we will stand united like a respectful nation.”

Gay Couples Gain Birth-Certificate Rights

State officials will now let married same-sex couples list both their names on their children’s birth certificates in a policy shift deeply important to many gays and lesbians. The decision, which echoes similar provisions in states that allow gay marriages or civil unions, is one of many changes since Gov. David Paterson ordered state agencies in May to respect out-of-state gay marriages.

Iran Influence Over Hamas is Growing

Iran’s influence over Hamas has increased in recent months and Teheran is playing a key role in the terror group’s decision-making process regarding whether to extend the cease-fire with Israel that will expire on Friday, defense officials said Monday. According to the officials, Egypt – which for years was the main address for dealings with Hamas – has lost its authority over the terror group and is being replaced in part by Iran. The Gaza issue has been a source of contention between…