3/10/15

* Netanyahu: Israeli presence in West Bank essential to secure country's future Israel's continued presence in Judea and Samaria is essential to its existence, given the existential threats from Islamic Jihadist groups, which could take over the area, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

* Hamas offers long-term calm in exchange for end of blockade Hamas recently sent a series of messages to Israel indicating interest in a long-term ceasefire lasting for several years, in exchange for an end to the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip, sources told The Times of Israel.

* Al-Aqsa Mosque Address: May the Muslims Wage War on America In a recent address at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a Palestinian Arab political researcher launched a verbal tirade against the United States.

* Jordan's Abdullah likens ISIS to Nazis in speech to European Parliament King Abdullah of Jordan urged Europeans on Tuesday to fight hostility toward Islam that he said was fuelling extremism among Muslims, including those drawn from Europe to fight in the Middle East.

* Israel, Hamas deny reports of truce proposal in exchange for lifting Gaza blockade Israeli and Hamas officials denied on Monday a report that Hamas had offered Israel a protracted truce in return for ending the blockade of the Gaza Strip.

* Historical Passover Haggadot You Can Buy Today One of the all time classic Jewish texts, the Haggadah is the guide to the Passover Seder. At the same time, the Haggadah is also often utilized as a fascinating educational resource for a wide variety of Jewish and contemporary themes.

* EU commission chief makes case for European army European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker has said the EU should establish its own army to show Russia it is serious about defending European values.

* Iran hardliner Yazdi picked to head Assembly of Experts A hardliner has been elected chairman of Iran's Assembly of Experts, a clerical body which chooses and monitors the country's supreme leader.

* 'We need to recognize that Islamic State is positioned to make inroads elsewhere in Mideast' General David Petraeus, former CIA chief, does not see much cause for optimism regarding a deal with Iran.

* Iran brings Europe within range with new cruise missile In a development significant both for its timing and its content, Iran unveiled on Sunday a new cruise missile that it claimed would extend the Islamic Republic's range by 25 percent, placing locales as distant as Budapest, Warsaw, and Athens within striking distance.