6/17/15

* US questions Iraq's commitment to fighting Islamic State The US has questioned Iraq's commitment to fighting Islamic State and lamented the lack of Iraqi recruits available for training.

* Nato condemns Putin's nuclear 'sabre-rattling' Nato has condemned Russia's move to strengthen its nuclear arsenal, saying it amounted to "nuclear sabre-rattling" and was "unjustified" and "dangerous".

* Sirens Sound in Golan Emergency sirens go off in several communities in northern Golan Heights. Mortar shells may have hit near border, inside Syria, says IDF.

* Eisenkot: Groups with ties to ISIS are growing in Gaza The chief of staff added that terrorists connected to Islamic State are growing stronger in Sinai and act in cooperation with terrorist organizations in Gaza.

* To 'Hurt' Israeli Economy, PA May Boycott Al-Aqsa Mosque Top Palestinian Authority officials are calling for PA Arabs to boycott the Al-Aqsa Mosque - to avoid helping the Israeli economy.

* Israel says prepared for possible Syrian refugee throngs on Golan Israel's top military officer told parliament on Tuesday that preparations were under way to respond to any massing of refugees on the Golan.

* Greek central bank warns of 'painful' euro and EU exit Greece's central bank has warned for the first time that the country could be on a "painful course" to default and exit from both the eurozone and the EU.

* Juncker says Greece is 'misleading' voters over debt Jean-Claude Juncker has accused the Greek government of misleading voters as Alexis Tsipras said its creditors were trying to "humiliate" the country.

* Palestinian unity government resigns amid West Bank-Gaza rift Abbas tasks Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah with forming a new government, adviser says; Hamas rejects any unilateral dissolution.

* Persecutors of Jews Queue Up to Say Sorry! Amidst rising anti-Semitism, there appears to be a somewhat surprising parallel move towards repentance by some European nations for the many shameful actions taken against Jews over the centuries.