03/31/14

* Rabbis Issue United Call to Establish Synagogue on Temple Mount Large group of Religious Zionist rabbis from across spectrum ask Prime Minister to establish a synagogue on the Temple Mount.

* Peres on Iran: We don't want another Hiroshima in our time President meets Austrian counterpart in Vienna, calls on Iran to stop supporting "killing and blood."

* Ukraine angered by Russia PM Medvedev's visit to Crimea Ukraine has condemned a visit by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to Crimea, describing it as a "crude violation" of international rules.

* Kerry lands in Israel in attempt to salvage faltering peace talks US Secretary of state breaks from his travel schedule in Rome amid crisis over delayed prisoner release and Abbas's refusal to extend talks.

* Report: Syria deploys anti-aircraft missile batteries along Turkish border "Syria is ready to deal with any hostile Turkish plane that enters Syria's airspace," Syrian army sources say.

* German minister compares Putin's Ukraine moves to Hitler in 1938 Chancellor Angela Merkel quickly distances herself from Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble's remarks.

* Germany ready to reinforce Nato-Russia borders Germany has said its air force is ready to increase security on Nato's border with Russia, despite Moscow's promise not to escalate the crisis in Ukraine.

* North and South Korea exchange fire across western sea border North and South Korea have exchanged fire into the sea across the disputed western sea border, South Korea says.

* Where Did the Palestinians Come From, Anyway? There are many competing claims at play in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but the simple question of who was here first, as childish as it might sound, remains central to the contest.

* A 10-step plan to making the EU a strategic actor The European Union's awkward efforts to shape events in Ukraine and to deter Russia from taking actions that threaten the EU's interests and values there, like the EU's massive failures in the former Yugoslavia two decades ago, yield one undeniable lesson: the European Union must learn to think and act strategically.

03/29/14

* Obama to Saudi king: US will not agree to bad nuclear deal with Iran US President Barack Obama and Saudi King Abdullah discussed "tactical differences".

* PA officials: Jews have 'no right to pray' at Western Wall Two Palestinian Authority officials recently asserted that Islamic law forbids Jews from praying at the Western Wall.

* Box Office: 'Noah' Winning Over Faith-Based and Mainstream Moviegoers Darren Aronofsky's controversial biblical epic Noah is winning over faith-based and mainstream moviegoers alike at the North American box office.

* Ukraine crisis: Russia vows no invasion Moscow has no intention of sending troops into Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said.

* Amnesty International warns Israel against use of force in 'Land Day' demonstrations Amnesty International made a public statement on Saturday strictly warning, "Israel must not use violence to quash Land Day demonstrations on Sunday."

* Security and Defense: A murky forecast up ahead for West Bank security The coming weeks and months present an uncertain security forecast for the West Bank.

* Internet for all: is the answer in the sky? And the Vatican goes digital Facebook is reportedly in talks to purchase Titan Aerospace, a manufacturer of solar-powered drones, with the aim of using them to beam internet connections to isolated communities in Africa.

* Obama ignores Saudi human rights record in meeting with King Abdullah Despite mounting concern over human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia, the subject was not introduced in a meeting between US President Barack Obama and Saudi King Abdullah.

* Assad's forces surround Aleppo, now control 80 percent of Syria's largest city The Syrian Army has been working on encircling the nation's largest city.

03/28/14

* PA officials: Jews have 'no right to pray' at Western Wall Two Palestinian Authority officials recently asserted that Islamic law forbids Jews from praying at the Western Wall of the Temple Mount.

* Obama: Russia must pull back troops from Ukraine border US President Barack Obama has urged Russia to "move back its troops" on Ukraine's border and lower tensions.

* Israel Refuses Last Terror Release A senior Palestinian Authority (PA) official announced Friday that Israel has told the PA it will not go through on the fourth and final batch of terrorist releases.

* IDF's Response to Golan Hezbollah Attack: Shoot on Sight The IDF Northern Command on Thursday announced that it was changing its orders regarding opening fire in areas along the Golan border fence.

* 'Small' Nuclear War Would Destroy The World With an estimated 17,000 nuclear weapons in the world, we have the power to exterminate humanity many times over.

* Facebook Creates Team to 'Beam' Internet Everywhere on Earth Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that the company is launching a Connectivity Lab.

* Israeli Christians Take On Anti-Israel Facebook Campaign The Israeli Christian Recruitment Forum on Thursday came out swinging against yet another malicious propaganda campaign.

* UN: Syria refugee crisis poses major threat to Lebanese stability An influx of almost 1 million refugees from Syria into neighboring Lebanon poses a serious threat to the already fragile country.

* Tough talk expected as Obama lands in Saudi Arabia President Barack Obama opened a fence-mending visit to Saudi Arabia Friday.

* Germany in renewed push for EU treaty change German finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has said discussions on revising the treaty to secure the eurozone's architecture will begin after the May EU elections.

03/27/14

* International Temple Mount Awareness Day - Live on Arutz Sheva Barely a week goes by without the Temple Mount, Judaism's holiest site, making it into the headlines.

* Erdogan's 'Independence War' and Turkey's future Since 17 December when a corruption scandal erupted in Turkey, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has labeled his struggle against graft charges as a new 'Independence War'.

* Fatah Calls For Renewed Terrorism Against Israel A senior member of Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah faction spoke at a televised ceremony in support of Abbas.

* Abdel Fatah al-Sisi resigns from Egypt military to run for presidency Egypt's army chief Abdel Fatah al-Sisi resigned from the military on Wednesday night.

* Russian Troop Movements Near Eastern Ukraine Trigger Fears of Imminent Invasion U.S. intelligence agencies warned Congress late Wednesday that Russian military forces are massing near Ukraine's borders and appear ready to launch an invasion with little or no warning.

* IDF on alert for terrorism as 75,000 plan to visit Cave of the Patriarchs The IDF has completed preparations to host an expected 75,000 Israeli visitors at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron during Passover.

* Pope Francis raises 'right to life' in Obama talks Pope Francis has met President Barack Obama in Rome for the first time, with the contentious issues of abortion and contraception on the agenda.

* Palestinian Religious Leaders: Jews Must not Pray at Kotel The Palestinian Authority (P) Minister of Religious Affairs Mahmoud Al-Habbash and the former Chief Justice of the PA's Religious Court both recently declared that the PA's Islamic belief and political position is that Jews are prohibited from praying at the Western Wall.

* Turkey blocks YouTube after intelligence leaked on plans for Syrian operation Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan described the leaking on YouTube on Thursday of a recording of top security officials discussing possible military operations in Syria as "villainous".

* Israel State Archives declassifies 1970s Egypt-Israel peace docs that read like today's headlines Bad blood with the Americans over settlements, talk of a US compromise proposal so Israel and the Arabs don't have to make compromises to each other.

03/26/14

* Arab League declares 'total rejection' of Jewish state recognition The Arab League announced on Wednesday its full backing of a Palestinian refusal to meet Israel's demand to be recognized as a Jewish state.

* Kerry in Jordan in bid to salvage peace talks US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Jordan Wednesday in a fresh bid to keep his Middle East peace bid on track.

* Obama: I'm Concerned About a Nuke Being Detonated in Manhattan Speaking at a brief news conference in the Hague, President Obama said he's more worried about a nuke being detonated in Manhattan.

* China to have nuclear missiles on subs soon: US admiral China for the first time will likely have subs equipped with long-range nuclear missiles later this year.

* H&M recalls shirt with David's Star and skull The H&M clothing chain announced that after a deluge of complaints, it was pulling from its stores a shirt depicting a skull in the center of a Star of David.

* Obama, world leaders play interactive nuclear war game at summit US President Barack Obama and other world leaders sought to sharpen their skills in dealing with a potential terrorist nuclear event.

* 'IDF More Advanced And Accurate Than Ever' A senior IDF source discussed the encouraging advancements as well as the budget constraints of the army.

* Egypt's Sisi tells military leaders he's resigning in order to launch presidential run Egyptian army chief Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was meeting military leaders.

* PM Says Heritage Plan 'Linking Israelis To Roots' Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu received a report detailing the implementation of an initiative to preserve national heritage sites.

* Sharia law enshrined in British legal system for first time Sharia law is set to be enshrined in the British legal system for the first time ever.

03/25/14

* Turkey sprawl: Only real model of democratic Islam is rapidly crumbling At the end of this week month there will be a very special rendezvous in Turkey.

* Syrians Call on Israel to Bomb Their Country Many of the victims of the ongoing Syrian civil war who are being treated in Israel are saying the Jewish state should go beyond humanitarian aid.

* Hamas: We Must Slaughter the Jews A Hamas member of the Palestinian parliament said in a recent televised address that Palestinian Muslims must either subdue or massacre the Jews.

* Masked protesters march again at Al-Quds University Supporters of Hamas at a Palestinian university in Jerusalem staged a paramilitary show of force on the school's campus Sunday.

* Arab Summit to Back Rejection of 'Jewish state' Arab leaders meeting Tuesday in Kuwait are expected to back a Palestinian Authority (PA) refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

* 75% of Palestinians: Chances for state in 5 years 'nonexistent' The poll, conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, showed that most Palestinians believe that PA President Mahmoud Abbas will accept the framework agreement.

* Vatican Chief Justice: Obama's Policies 'Have Become Progressively More Hostile Toward Christian Civilization' The Vatican's chief justice feels that President Barack Obama's policies have been hostile toward Christians.

* Chileans worry over string of 300 quakes in north More than 300 earthquakes have shaken Chile's far-northern coast the past week.

* Austrian Politician Compares EU to Third Reich, Jews Outraged Austria's Jewish community was outraged on Monday, after a local politician compared the European Union (EU) to the Third Reich in Nazi Germany,.

* Brazil, China, India rally round Russia after G7 snub The G7 club of wealthy nations has cancelled a summit with Russia over its annexation of Crimea.

03/24/14

* Hamas Lawmaker: Koran Says We Must Massacre Jews In a televised address, a Hamas lawmaker called for a "massacre" of Jews and for a "protection tax" to be imposed on them.

* Knesset Passes Aliyah Holiday Bill 'Yom Haaliyah' introduced as national celebration of Jewish immigration, enshrining core principle of Aliyah.

* Ukrainian forces withdraw from Crimean military bases Ukraine's armed forces have started a full withdrawal from their military bases in Crimea, correspondents say.

* WATCH: Russian state TV anchor says Jews brought Holocaust on themselves Russian television host Evelyn Zakamskaya is seen interviewing a guest about the recent crisis in Crimea.

* Hamas warns against Israeli reoccupation of Gaza At rally, Haniyeh says Israel will pay 'a very high price' should it heed Liberman's call to recapture the Strip.

* Analysis: Turkey as a model of Muslim democracy is in shambles A big loss for Erdogan's AK Party in upcoming local elections next Sunday could lay the way for a course correction from the opposition.

* Joseph Kony: US military planes to hunt LRA leader The US has announced it is sending military aircraft and more special forces to look for Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony.

* Aborted babies incinerated to heat UK hospitals The remains of more than 15,000 babies were incinerated as 'clinical waste' by hospitals in Britain with some used in 'waste to energy' plants.

* Most Israelis Not in Favor of Withdrawal from Judea and Samaria Poll reveals majority of Israelis don't support land concessions, cannot relate to Abbas as a 'partner for peace'.

* UK Schools 'Being Taken Over by Radical Muslims' Dept. of Education taking 'special measures' after several public schools targeted in organized 'Trojan Horse' takeover by Islamists.

03/22/14

* IDF Preparing for Armed Conflict with Iran Top-ranking government officials allotted ten billion shekel ($2.89 billion) to the IDF's budget in preparation for an armed conflict with Iran.

* Crimea after the 'Anschluss' The questions in the March 16 referendum on the future of Crimea were formulated so as to leave the voter only two options.

* Russian troops storm Ukrainian bases in Crimea Reports say at least one person was injured during the assault on Belbek base, near Sevastopol.

* Assad used escalation in Gaza to deliver weapons to Hezbollah The Syrian government used an escalation of hostilities between Israel and Gaza-based terrorist organizations to deliver a shipment of advanced weapons to Hezbollah.

* Only Half of Syria's Chemical Weapons Removed The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) reported that roughly half of Syria's chemical weapons arsenal has been removed.

* Obama's Peace Plan Includes Permanently Dividing The City Of Jerusalem Barack Obama's "two state" peace plan would not just permanently divide the land of Israel.

* Diplomacy: Ya'alon strikes twice Friends, Israel is told ad nauseam, often have to be brutally honest with one another.

* Evangelicals, the millennial generation and Israel In the past week, several articles in multiple publications have made the claim that Evangelical Christian support for Israel is waning.

* On the trail of 'Israel's Petra': Amram's Pillars Lately, almost all of our tourists have been cutting their time in Israel short so that they have a day or two to visit Jordan's Petra.

* TV report: Abbas said 'no' to Obama on 3 core peace issues On his trip to Washington this week, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas rejected US Secretary of State John Kerry's framework document for continued peace talks with Israel.

03/21/14

* Behind the Lines: Israel-Syria border escalation This week's events on the Israel-Syrian border are testimony to the extent to which the effective disintegration of the Syrian state is producing a new security reality in the North.

* President Putin mocks US sanctions, vows not to retaliate Vladimir Putin has mocked US sanctions imposed on Russia.

* US 'Preparing For Military Exercise In Poland' The US is preparing military exercises in Poland that could involve Baltic states and eastern European countries.

* Ukraine: Putin signs Crimea annexation The European Union's latest measures target 12 people involved in Russia's annexation of the peninsula.

* Chorus of Israeli voices renews calls for Iran strike A rising chorus of Israeli voices is again raising the possibility of carrying out a military strike on Iran‚Äôs nuclear facilities.

* Iran's Khamenei 'uncertain' if Holocaust occurred Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei marked the event by questioning the Holocaust and vowing to overcome US-led sanctions.

* Syria will join in next Israeli battle with Hezbollah, top officer says A senior IDF officer said Thursday that Syria will likely enter the fray if Israel is forced to wage war with Hezbollah in the near future.

* Israeli official suggests Palestinians celebrating failure of peace talks Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas returned from Washington on Thursday to a hero's welcome in Ramallah.

* Police to Restrict Arab Entry to Temple Mount The chief of the Jerusalem District of the police, Yossi Pariente, decided on Thursday evening that the entry of Muslims to the Temple Mount compound will be restricted.

* Putin's quiet Latin America play Away from the conflict in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin is quietly seeking a foothold in Latin America.

03/20/14

* As border heats up, reservists train for Syria scenarios IDF reservists trained this week for scenarios they might face in a hypothetical operation in Syria.

* Crimea crisis: Merkel warns Russia faces escalating sanctions European Union leaders are gathering in Brussels to discuss their response to the crisis over Crimea.

* US, UK military to stage NATO exercises in Ukraine Ukraine will play host, but the US military will call the shots.

* Decline of the West: Seven strategic ramifications of Crimea's return to Russia Crimea's March 16, 2014, referendum to join Russia - there were only two options: join now, or join later.

* Israel said to be budgeting billions for Iran strike Israel is still preparing for a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.

* Norooz 2014: Dates, Traditions, And History Of The Persian New Year (PHOTOS) The Persian New Year is called Norooz (also Nowruz, Nawroz, among other spellings) and marks the first day of spring.

* Nearly half Syria chemical arms removed Almost half of Syria's declared stockpile of chemical weapons has now been removed.

* Muslim Rioters Attack MK Feiglin on Temple Mount Two Arab rioters were arrested Thursday for attempting to attack MK Moshe Feiglin.

* Australia plane searchers investigate debris A Norwegian ship joined planes from Australia, New Zealand and the US in searching the area 2,500km (1,550 miles) from Perth.

* Upon return from US, Abbas vows not to 'capitulate' Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was met Thursday at his Ramallah compound by hundreds of cheering supporters.

03/19/14

* Al-Qaeda magazine: Strike NY, DC with car bombs America is al-Qaeda's primary target for car bomb.

* Crimea crisis: Pro-Russians seize Sevastopol Ukrainian naval base Pro-Russian activists have taken control of the HQ of Ukraine's navy in the Crimean city of Sevastopol.

* Israel can't rely on 'weak' US to deal with Iran, Ya'alon warns Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon on Monday issued a scathing critique of the Obama administration.

* Iran talks continue in Vienna, but now they're on Russian terms As the Russian Federation officially moved to annex Crimea on Tuesday, US Vice President Joseph Biden conducted damage control in eastern Europe.

* Israeli Scientists: New Big Bang Evidence Supports Creationism This week's announcement that scientists had finally confirmed the existence of gravitational waves rippling through the universe.

* Netanyahu: Syrian border is our new challenge Hezbollah and global Jihadist operatives have recently poured into the Israeli-Syrian border on the Golan Heights.

* Sisi changes top army generals amid speculation of presidential run Egyptian army chief Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi changed some of his country's top military leadership.

* Israeli air strikes in Golan 'kill Syrian soldier' Israel says it has attacked several Syrian military sites in retaliation for a bombing that wounded four of its troops in the occupied Golan Heights.

* Northern Command Warns: Situation with Hezbollah 'Explosive' Yair Golan, the Major General of the Northern Command, has warned the world at large that Israel's situation with Lebanon is extremely volatile.

* Putin redraws map of Europe Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (18 March) signed a treaty making Ukraine's Crimea region part of Russia.

03/18/14

* Netanyahu near Gaza border: We will not allow a 'drizzle of rocket fire' Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday touted the success of his government.

* Rivlin: Dividing Jerusalem will perpetuate the Jewish-Arab conflict Likud MK Reuven Rivlin, one of the leading candidates to replace President Shimon Peres when his term ends this summer.

* Ukraine crisis: Putin signs Russia-Crimea treaty President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Crimea have signed a bill to absorb the peninsula into Russia.

* Israel's defense chief says U.S. projecting weakness Israel's defense minister has accused the United States of projecting weakness internationally.

* Syria conflict: UN reports mass executions by ISIS Jihadist rebels have carried out mass executions of detainees in Syria.

* At White House, Abbas says Israel's recognition is settled Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas acknowledged that time is running out for peace talks with Israel.

* And the Lord said 'let there be a Big Bang' As scientists around the world rejoice over recent findings of smoking gun evidence of the Big Bang theory, so too can religious Jews who believe in Creationism.

* 'Waves' detected on Titan moon's lakes Scientists believe they have detected the first liquid waves on the surface of another world.

* Somalian Islamists Publicly Execute Christian Women Two Christian women were publicly beheaded by Islamist terrorists in southeastern Somalia, as part of a campaign to "wipe out" any Christian presence in the east African country.

* Hamas: We Live for Death Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal on Saturday reaffirmed that the organization he heads and many allied Palestinian groups live for nothing more than to kill Israeli Jews.

03/17/14

* Obama to Abbas: Palestinians must take risks for peace In Washington, PA president discusses ongoing talks, says prisoner release will prove Netanyahu's commitment.

* Israel, Abbas and Obama Haggle Over 'Jewish State' Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas was scheduled to meet with US President Barack Obama in Washington on Monday, and to reiterated his firm refusal to recognize Israel as a 'Jewish state' as a condition for peace. 

* Jews love Jerusalem more than we do, Islamic Jihad head complains in Iran Hailing Israeli attachment to holy city, terror chief at clerical conference quotes in Hebrew from Naomi Shemer's inspirational ~ Jerusalem of Gold.

* Pro-Russian Crimeans toast future with Moscow after vote Flags, chants and music plus plenty of alcohol filled the streets of Crimea's main cities Sunday after voters backed joining Russia and breaking away from Ukraine in a disputed referendum.

* Ukraine crisis: EU and US impose sanctions over Crimea The EU and US have announced travel bans and asset freezes against a number of officials from Russia and Ukraine.

* Cosmic inflation: 'Spectacular' discovery hailed Scientists say they have extraordinary new evidence to support a Big Bang Theory for the origin of the Universe.

* State TV says Russia could turn US to 'radioactive ash' Influential anchor presents image of a gigantic mushroom cloud, says Americans consider Putin 'a stronger leader than Obama'.

* Arab Hackers Threaten Cyberattack April 7 One year after previous wave of cyberattacks, 'Anonymous Arab' threatens to do it again.

* Ex-El Al expert: Iran likely involved in MH 370 Based on profiling, pilots are unlikely suspects, says Israeli airline's former security chief; he and other experts believe plane intact.

* Doing business with Russia: A German dilemma German Chancellor Angela Merkel is a cautious politician. 

03/15/14

* Crimea 'calm' ahead of referendum - intl observers No tensions in Ukraine's autonomous republic of Crimea were reported by the team of international observers.

* Missing Malaysia Airlines plane 'deliberately diverted' The communications systems of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 were deliberately disabled.

* Commander: Iran Knows Enemy Well, Ready for Confrontation "We have enough knowledge of the enemy," Pourdastan said.

* Syrian rebels offer to sell Golan to Israel in return for military aid In a report in Al-Arab newspaper, quoted by Iranian news agency Fars on Saturday, a member of the Syrian opposition coalition is quoted as saying the rebels were willing to sell the Golan Heights to Israel.

* Ukraine crisis: Russia isolated in UN Crimea vote Russia has vetoed a draft UN resolution criticising Sunday's secession referendum in Ukraine's Crimea region.

* Lebanese gov't agrees to new policy allowing citizens to 'resist' Israel Lebanon's new government agreed to a compromise policy statement on Friday.

* Iran: Palestinian firepower is 1000 times stronger than before Palestinian terror organizations in Gaza have yet to display their actual missile capabilities.

* EU undecided on Russia sanctions ahead of Crimea vote Ukraine's ambassador to the EU has appealed for European unity.

* Tense Purim on Gaza front: 'The rockets will not ruin holiday for the children' A ceasefire that the Islamic Jihad announced on Thursday appeared to be holding despite two rockets that were fired from Gaza on Israel.

* Egypt unrest: Six soldiers shot dead in Cairo A security official said two bombs left behind by the attackers had been defused.

03/14/14

* Russia masses 80,000 troops on Ukraine border, prepares for invasion Ukraine warned last night that 80,000 Russian troops were massing on its borders and could invade.

* Radical right group eyes power in Ukraine Shoppers in the center of Kiev were out of luck one recent afternoon: A clothing store and a cell phone shop were occupied by black-clad men in masks.

* Anti-Semites Attack ZAKA Official in Ukraine The Deputy Commander of ZAKA Kiev and Hatzalah Kiev Chairman Hillel Cohen was attacked on Thursday night by anti-Semites.

* No Ukraine accord in US-Russia talks Russia and the US have "no common vision" on the crisis in Ukraine, Russia's foreign minister has said.

* Kerry: 'Jewish state' demand 'a mistake' Israel's insistence that the Palestinians officially recognize Israel as a Jewish state is a mistake, US Secretary of State John Kerry said.

* Sheikh Insists 'Israel is the Land of the Jewish People' The My Yesha Shabbat pamphlet, sponsored by the Yesha Council, features an article this week calling Israel "the Land of the Jews".

* Frustration at Peace Talks Grows as Rockets Continue Attorney Yoram Sheftel told Arutz Sheva Friday morning that the barrage of rocket fire from Gaza is a reminder of the "idiocy," in his words, of the current government.

* Southern Yeshiva: Rockets won't Disrupt our Purim Sderot and its environs may have come under terrorist missile fire in the past few days.

* Palestinian Official: Allah Gathering the Jews So We Can Kill Them Senior Palestinian Authority official Abbas Zaki this week agreed with many Christians and Jews that it is by divine intervention that the Jewish people are being gathered in this land.

* Who killed Arafat? Abbas suggests it was rival Dahlan Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has accused one of his main rivals, Mohammed Dahlan, of involvement in six murders.

03/13/14

* Gulf states see Obama's tepid response to Ukraine crisis as sign of weakness The Gulf Cooperation Council has seen the U.S. handling of Russia's invasion of Ukraine as evidence of President Barack Obama's weakness.

* With Gaza flaring up, the trail leads to Iran Let's start with the good news: As of Thursday morning, it appears as if the parties involved in the fighting along the Israel-Gaza border, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, have calmed down.

* Ukraine crisis: Russia begins new military exercises Russia has begun military exercises, involving more than 8,000 troops, close to the border with Ukraine.

* Growing Calls for Israel to Retake Gaza n the wake of the latest round of rocket attacks from Gaza, at least two top government ministers - Intelligence and Strategy Minister Yuval Steinitz and Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman - are calling on Israel to retake Gaza.

* Islamic Jihad unveils underground rocket launcher used to target Israel Palestinian terror group displays apparatus it says was used to fire projectiles at Israel.

* Islamic Jihad: Attack Us and We'll Up the Ante The Islamic Jihad terrorist group is threatening to up the ante and fire long-range rockets at Israel if the IDF strikes in Gaza.

* Turkey: Death of Young Protester Fans Rage Tens of thousands of people gathered Wednesday around the Alevi mosque in Istanbul's Okmeydani neighborhood, for the funeral of a Turkish boy.

* Iran Says Russia Will Build 2 More Nuclear Plants in Bushehr Russia has signed a preliminary agreement to build at least two more nuclear power plants in the Iranian port city of Bushehr.

* Uncovered in Jerusalem, 9 tiny unopened Dead Sea Scrolls They're not much larger than lentils, but size doesn't minimize the potential significance of nine newfound Dead Sea Scrolls that have lain unopened for the better part of six decade.

03/12/14

* Gazans bombard southern Israel in massive rocket attack Dozens of rockets as well as mortar rounds were fired from the Gaza Strip Wednesday.

* As rockets rain down, Liberman calls for IDF to recapture Gaza Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman on Wednesday evening said the IDF should reoccupy the Gaza Strip.

* Washington's About Face on the Jewish State? It would appear as though the Obama Administration is rescinding its earlier support for Israel's peace condition.

* IRGC Commander: Iran's Finger on Trigger to Destroy Zionist Regime Lieutenant Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Hossein Salami underlined that Iranian military commanders are prepared to attack and destroy the Zionist regime of Israel.

* 'Israel, Prepare For Armageddon And Forget US Help' Henry Schwartz, a prominent entrepreneur and EMPact America founder, spoke with Arutz Sheva following his organization's National Security Action Summit last week.

* What lies behind PA refusal to recognize Jewish state? Abbas, rest of Palestinian officials still deny that Jews are a national group entitled to its own state.

* Syria: Jihadists Execute 22 People in Aleppo Jihadists from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) executed at least 22 people, including 12 rebels.

* 'The moment Iran goes nuclear, the Saudis will buy the bomb from Pakistan' As soon as Iran gets a nuclear bomb, Egypt will develop its own nuclear weapon.

* Darren Aronofsky says Mideast boycott of 'Noah' is 'sad' Past the phalanx of shivering young publicity gals huddling to stay warm by the glow of their Samsung Tablets on a cold March evening, an elite cross-section of the art world and Hollywood were sipping wine, nibbling sushi and thinking about the Old Testament.

* G7 warns Russia on 'annexing' Crimea Leaders of the G7 group of nations have called on Russia to stop all efforts to "annex" Ukraine's Crimea region.

03/11/14

* Netanyahu to world: Stop the self-deception on Iran At press conference in Eilat, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presents the weapons seized from the Klos C.

* PM: Prospects for peace agreement fading The prospects of a peace deal with the Palestinian Authority are fading, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

* Al Qaeda Video, Magazine Focuses on English-Speaking Recruits Al Qaeda has extended its reach farther into the Western world, ABC News reports.

* Crimea parliament declares independence from Ukraine ahead of referendum The parliament of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea has adopted an independence declaration from Ukraine.

* Hamas Claims Next War Will Target the Golan Heights Hamas displayed bravado Monday, as it unveiled a rocket-shaped 'statue' showcasing its capacity to strike Israel.

* Hamas, Iran Strengthen Ties After Weapons Ship Raid Hamas announced renewed diplomatic relations with Iran.

* Poll finds general distrust among Israelis in US-mediated peace talks There is a general distrust among Israelis in the American-mediated peace talks with the Palestinians.

* Israeli Christians: Don't Place 'Christ at the Checkpoint' A growing number of Israeli Christians have been speaking out with a new voice and calling for integration into Israeli Jewish society.

* 'There are Thousands of Al Qaeda Fighters in Gaza' A terror leader in the Gaza Strip on Sunday claimed that there are thousands of fighters.

* Why the roar of the Russian bear also rattles East Asia The Russian bear is definitely waking up after a long period of hibernation.

03/10/14

* Netanyahu slams world's hypocrisy in not strongly condemning Iran's arms shipment to Gaza As PM visits Eilat naval base where contents of Iranian weapons ship Klos C unveiled, he says today Tehran hides shipments of long range missiles, tomorrow it will hide "nuclear suitcases."

* Ukraine crisis: 'Russian soldiers' seize Crimea hospital Armed men - said to be Russian troops and local militias - have seized a military hospital in Crimea, as Moscow tightens its grip on Ukraine's region.

* China urges Malaysia to intensify search for flight MH370 China has urged Malaysia to "step up its efforts" in the search for the Malaysia Airlines passenger plane that disappeared on Saturday.

* Will latest Iran arms ship sink Rouhani like Karine A sunk Arafat? Did Hassan Rouhani know of this operation? 

* Palestinians Complain to UN Over Jews on Temple Mount The Palestinian Authority's mission to the United Nations last week filed an official complaint over a growing Jewish presence on and claims to Jerusalem's Temple Mount.

* IAF official: Israel will face dozens of enemy drones in next conflict Air defense chief Shohat says Israel likely to face tens of thousands of rockets of all types, and drones, from both Gaza and Lebanon.

* Likud minister: 'Palestinians want Jaffa, Haifa and Ramle' At service marking three years since the slaying of the Fogel family, Yisrael Katz says Palestinians want to establish a state on both sides of the pre-1967 lines.

* Egyptian laws create National Security Council, sets conditions for war Second law adds four amendments to the armed forces, makes minister of Defense an Army officer.

* Israeli Gov't: Christ at the Checkpoint is Problematic Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has issued a last-minute statement suggesting Christians steer clear of the 'Christ at the Checkpoint' (CatC) conference that opens tomorrow (Monday) in Palestinian-held Bethlehem. 

* Ashton looks to closer EU ties on Iran visit EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton has offered to work more closely with Iran on human rights and drugs trafficking on her first visit to the country.

03/08/14

* Iranian arms vessel captured by IDF docks in Eilat The Gaza-bound Iranian arms vessel Klos-C docked in Eilat on Saturday evening after a three-day voyage from its point of interception by the IDF near Port Sudan.

* Asian states search for missing Malaysia Airlines jet Planes and ships from south-east Asian states have joined forces to search the South China Sea for a Malaysia Airlines jet, missing with 239 people on board.

* Ukraine crisis 'created artificially' - Russia's Lavrov Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said the crisis in Ukraine was "created artificially for purely geopolitical reasons".

* EU's Ashton to discuss nuclear issue in Iran European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton arrived in Tehran on Saturday to discuss issues including Iran's disputed nuclear program.

* Saudi Arabia Blacklists Muslim Brotherhood, Syrian Jihadists Saudi Arabia on Friday blacklisted the Muslim Brotherhood and two Syrian jihadist groups as terrorist organizations.

* Sochi Paralympics: Ukraine beat Russia to biathlon gold Ukraine claimed their first gold medal of the Sochi Winter Paralympics.

* Libya rebels load oil on to North Korea-flagged tanker Rebels who seized oil ports in eastern Libya say they have loaded oil on to a North Korean-flagged tanker.

* Stolen European passports on missing plane Foreign ministry officials in Rome and Vienna confirm that names of two nationals listed on the manifest of the missing Malaysian airlines flight match passports reported stolen in Thailand.

* Abbas: There's 'No Way' We'll Recognize Israel Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas stood his ground on Friday and reiterated that he will not recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

* Superman is a Jewish Conspiracy! According to Lebanon's Al-Manar TV, the Jews are taking over Hollywood.

03/07/14

* Israel scrambles jets to Syrian border Israel scrambled jets to its northern border with Syria on Friday.

* Ukraine crisis: Crimea vote 'will not be recognised' Arseniy Yatsenyuk and others in the Kiev government have called the vote "unconstitutional" and "illegitimate".

* OBAMA'S WARNINGS BRUSHED ASIDE BY RUSSIA'S PUTIN One by one, President Barack Obama's warnings to Russia are being brushed aside by President Vladimir Putin.

* Abbas: I will not recognize Israel as Jewish state Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said that the Palestinians will not recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

* Muslim group urges Egypt to ban Paramount Pictures' 'Noah' A Muslim group in Egypt is urging the country to ban the Paramount Pictures epic depicting the biblical story of Noah and his ark.

* Religion and gay rights collide over children's book Where is the line between respecting diverse religious beliefs and violating the rights and dignity of gays and lesbians?

* The Islamist war for Gaza The prevailing assessment in Israel is that the Syrian-Iranian cargo was intended for Palestinian Islamic Jihad rather than Hamas.

* Turkey PM Erdogan threatens to ban Facebook and YouTube Turkey's PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his government could ban Facebook and YouTube, arguing that opponents are using social media to attack him.

* Kerry Makes Surprise Visit to Jordan to Discuss Talks US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Jordan on Friday for talks with King Abdullah II.

* EU leaders freeze Russia visa talks, threaten trade sanctions EU leaders have suspended talks on visa-free travel with Russia and threatened asset freezes and economic sanctions if the situation in Ukraine gets worse.

03/06/14

* IDF intel head: Revolutionary Guards behind arms shipment Iran's Revolutionary Guards, specifically its elite Quds Force, was behind the attempt to smuggle weapons to the Gaza Strip.

* 'The Captain Realized Resistance was Futile' IDF intelligence officials estimate that the seizure of the ship before it reached its target has led to fury in the Iranian National Guard.

* Egypt seeks Russian arms that could undermine treaty with Israel Cairo is seeking air-defense systems such as the advanced S-300 that Syria and Iran have sought.

* US says 'still appropriate' to pursue nuclear deal despite Iran arms shipment It is entirely appropriate to continue to pursue the possibility of reaching a resolution on the nuclear program, White House Spokesman Jay Carney told reporters.

* Ukraine crisis: Crimea parliament asks to join Russia MPs in Crimea have asked Moscow to allow the southern Ukrainian region to become part of the Russian Federation.

* Iran's Zarif says Israel lying about Gaza rocket ship Iran has rejected Israeli allegations that it was behind a shipment of Syrian-made rockets intended for Palestinian militants in Gaza.

* US destroyer en route to Black Sea for 'routine' drills A US guided-missile destroyer is en route to the Black Sea.

* PM Inks Agreement Connecting Silicon Valley with 'Silicon Wadi' Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu signed a key cooperation agreement with the state of California on Wednesday.

* Video Shows Commando's-Eye View of Naval Raid New footage (above) has been published of the elite Shayetet-13 IDF naval commando's daring operation.

* Peres fields questions from the Muslim world President Shimon Peres on Thursday conducted an interview broadcast on Panet.co.il, a popular Arabic-language website serving Israel's Arab communities.

03/05/14

* Israel Navy intercepts Gaza-bound Iranian rocket ship near Port Sudan Special operation, directly overseen by IDF chief Gantz, takes place in the Red Sea 1500 kilometers away from Israeli shores.

* EU to approve €1.1bn Ukraine aid package The European Commission will officially agree to offer Ukraine €1.1 billion in emergency aid.

* Military’s top general offers grim outlook on nation’s defense The nation’s top military commander painted a dark picture of future U.S. defense capabilities.

* Top diplomats seek Ukraine solution in Paris talks Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is holding talks with counterparts from the US and key EU states to try to resolve the crisis in Ukraine.

* Hezbollah attempts to plant bomb on Syrian-Israeli border The IDF Northern Command has been on heightened alert since last week when Hezbollah threatened retaliation for an alleged Israeli airstrike on its bases.

* Bibi Meets Hollywood, Touts Tourism Project Peter Greenberg joins one of the most pivotal figures in the world—Binyamin Netanyahu—for Israel: The Royal Tour

* Miri Regev forms subcommittee to discuss Jewish entry to Temple Mount New committee will be led by MK David Tsur and will examine implementation of gov't decision to allow Jews on Temple Mount for few hours daily.

* Pope hits out at criticism of Church over sexual abuse Pope Francis has strongly defended the Roman Catholic Church's record on tackling sexual abuse by priests.

* Netanyahu: Israel Longs for Peace With the Arabs Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday went somewhat outside what some would describe as his “comfort zone” and waxed eloquent about how Israelis long for peace with the Arabs and the benefits that an end to the conflict will bear.

* Obama Budget Slashes Israeli Missile Defense Programs Lamborn slams funding decrease of nearly $200 million

03/04/14

* Without getting personal, Netanyahu hits back at Obama PM in AIPAC address argues extensively against White House thinking on Iran and Palestinians, while making just a single reference to the president.

* Putin: Russia force only 'last resort' in Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin has said there is no need yet to send troops into Ukraine, but that Moscow is ready to protect its citizens.

* Sunni revolt in Ramadi and Fallujah spreads nationwide, drives 400,000 from their homes The Sunni revolt in Anbar has become a leading source of bloodshed in Iraq.

* Christian Conference Invites Terror-Linked Palestinian Official The organizers of the upcoming Christ at the Checkpoint conference joyfully announced on Monday the addition of Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah to their list of speakers.

* Facebook Wants to Build 11,000 Drones to Bring Internet to Africa All drones everywhere.

* Egypt military chief Sisi hints at presidential bid Egypt's armed forces chief, Field Marshal Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, has said he cannot ignore calls by the majority for him to run for president.

* Judge: Egyptian court bans all Hamas activities in country Order signals increase in measures to crackdown on Sinai terror; Hamas condemns ruling as "targeting the Palestinian cause."

* Home Front Command: 'Samaria is Key to Keeping Israelis Safe' Ministers and regional officials dedicate evacuation shelter in Samaria as part of long-term plan to use area as 'safe haven' for Israelis.

* For Zion's sake: Ten million in 10 years! "Every moment we don’t separate from the Palestinians is a clear threat to the existence of Israel as a Jewish state.”

* Ukraine: The Empire strikes back Two months ago the Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, warned his EU colleagues that after the Olympic Games in Sochi are over Russia intends to actively intrude in Ukrainian affairs.

03/03/14

* Russia demands surrender of Ukraine's Crimea forces Russia's military has given Ukrainian forces in Crimea until dawn on Tuesday to surrender or face an assault, Ukrainian defence sources have said.

* Russia And China 'In Agreement' Over Ukraine Russia has said China is largely "in agreement" over Ukraine, after other world powers condemned Moscow for sending troops into the country.

* Angry Protesters Storm Libyan Parliament, Two MPs Shot Two members of Libya's interim parliament shot and wounded by protesters who storm the parliament building in Tripoli.

* Netanyahu, in the US, says Mideast peace 'needs three to tango' "For years there have been two - Israel and the US," the premier said. "Now it needs to be seen if the Palestinians are also present."

* Messianic Petition Challenges 'Christ at the Checkpoint' With the third biannual Christ at the Checkpoint conference just a week away, a majority of Israeli Messianic Jews continue to find the event too politically-charged and too undergirded by anti-Semitic themes to be taken seriously as a platform for reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians, and between Jewish and Arab believers.

* 'Hezbollah denies claims Israel attacked arms shipment from Syria' Source close to Shi'ite group's leadership tells Kuwaiti daily A-Rai that goal of IAF strike was "to send a message."

* Upcoming Pew study may help bridge gap between Israel and Diaspora Pew Center says interested in following up landmark survey of American Jewry.

* Statistics: Judea and Samaria Building Up 123.7% Peace Now irked at the revelation, blames Netanyahu government; meanwhile, building is up all over Israel.

* Legal Groups Urge PM to 'Tell the World We're Not Occupiers' In an open letter, groups urge Prime Minister Netanyahu to 'tell the truth' about Israel's legal presence in Judea and Samaria.

* EU to urge Russia to withdraw troops, drafts potential sanctions EU countries plan to urge Russia to pull back its troops from Ukraine and to threaten sanctions if it does not comply.

03/01/14

* Russian parliament approves troop deployment in Ukraine Russia's upper house of parliament has approved President Putin's request for Russian forces to be used in Ukraine.

* Iraq death toll tops 700 in February - UN Over 700 people were killed in violence in Iraq this February.

* Netanyahu Promises Not to Change Temple Mount Status Quo Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday vowed that his government would not alter the status quo regarding the Temple Mount.

* Netanyahu to urge Obama to rule out Iranian enrichment Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is ready in principle to agree to Secretary of State John Kerry's framework proposals for extending peace talks with the Palestinians.

* Ukraine: Russia sending 'thousands' of troops to Crimea Ukraine accused Russia on Saturday of sending thousands of extra troops into Crimea.

* Israel warns Lebanese gov't it will be responsible for any Hezbollah retaliation Israel sent a warning to the Lebanese government in Beirut by way of UNIFIL.

* Turkey to close down 'Gulen' preparatory schools Mr Gulen is embroiled in a bitter feud with PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

* Germany calls for urgent EU meeting on Ukraine Germany's foreign minister has said European states need to "gather quickly" to formulate a joint position on the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

* Ukraine's EU embassy details 'Abkhazia scenario' Ukraine's embassy to the EU has detailed Russian military movements in Crimea.

* New Egyptian cabinet is sworn in Egypt's new government was sworn in Saturday in a limited reshuffle.