5/31/16

* Iran: Ayatollah Khamenei Plans Next Supreme Leader  Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the past did not seem to wish to discuss topics linked to his successor -- -- the next Supreme Leader. 

* Netanyahu: Normalization with Turkey 'very close' Agreement could be ironed out as early as next week, report says, although several unresolved issues remain. 

* Iran accuses Saudi Arabia of 'blocking the path to Allah' and bans pilgrims from going to Mecca  Iran accused Saudi Arabia of 'blocking the path leading to Allah' on Sunday when Tehran announced that its pilgrims would not perform the Hajj in Mecca this year. 

* Iran's Holocaust Cartoon Contest Goes International  "Artists" from around the world join in mocking the attempted genocide of the Jewish people. 

* Euro 2016 football tournament in France could be terror target, US warns  The US has warned that the Euro 2016 football championship being held in France next month could be a target of militant attacks. 

* Joint List MK calls to lift ban on politicians' Temple Mount visits  MKs from the Islamic Movement-affiliated UAL party within the Joint List said they would visit the Temple Mount during Ramadan despite the ban. 

* Islamic State group hits back as Iraqi army moves into Falluja  Militants from the so-called Islamic State have launched a dawn counter-attack as Iraqi government troops push into the city of Falluja. 

* Avigdor Lieberman's first day as defense minister  Yisrael Beytenu chairman sets out three core principles, telephones predecessor Moshe Ya'alon and convenes meeting with c-in-c Gadi Eisenkot; says that his position demonstrates that Israel is the land of opportunity; 'we are ore American than America'. 

* Battle of the Kaaba  The upcoming Hajj is just another event highlighting the ongoing tensions between two of the world's most important Muslim nations: Iran and Saudi Arabia. 

* Turkey invades Syria: Army spotted near Aleppo  Turkey has reportedly launched a ground invasion of Syria over the memorial day weekend.

5/28/16

* How PA schools prepare the next generation of terrorists  Palestinian Authority schools use mock executions of Israelis and propaganda plays to prepare the next generation of murderous terrorists. 

* Why Trump's temporary Muslim ban is necessary  Gen. David Petraeus is now auditioning to become Hillary Clinton's vice presidential pick. 

* Putin warns Romania, Poland over implementing US missile shield  Romania and Poland are in the potential crosshairs of Russian rockets because they are hosting parts of the U.S. missile defense shield that Moscow considers a threat to its national security, President Vladimir Putin warned Friday. 

* Syria death toll rises past 280,000  Syria's devastating war has killed 282,283, says the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 

* Entering Knesset, Temple Mount activist brushes off doomsday predictions  While critics warn of explosion, Yehuda Glick says he will advocate for change of 'absurd and evil' status quo at holy site, defends Reform Jews; Palestinians seemingly unfazed. 

* Hezbollah says it is digging tunnels 'to make Israeli enemy lose sleep'  Hezbollah says it that it has succeeded in establishing a 'balance of terror' that has made southern Lebanon 'the most secure region in the entire Middle East.' 

* Turkey furious at images of US soldiers with Kurdish symbols  Ankara brands it 'unacceptable' for troops of an ally to display patches of YPG, which it views as a terrorist group. 

* Rivlin says Jordan's role at Temple Mount to remain strong  President praises Hashemite Kingdom on its independence day for remaining a bastion of moderation and stability. 

* Knesset warns Arab MKs against Temple Mount visits during Ramadan  Knesset Chief Security Officer Yosef Griff underlines that Knesset members are barred from visiting Jerusalem's contested holy site. 

* US pro-gun lobby to 'Ayatollahs of Iran': You haven't met alligator wrestlers, cowboys of America  NRA ad featuring gravel-voiced American Country singer makes rounds on the Internet Wednesday for it's brazen threat directed at Iran.

5/26/16

* IAF attacks Hamas infrastructures in Gaza  Israeli aircraft strike two terrorist infrastructures belonging to Hamas in retaliation for rocket attack. 

* Inside the Ring: U.S.-Backed Iraqis Prepare for Battle for Fallujah  Iraqi military forces, backed by U.S. air power and Sunni militias, are massing forces in preparation for a major assault on the Islamic State-held city of Fallujah, says Army Col. Steven Warren, the U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad. 

* Pope Francis Asks God to 'Convert the Hearts' of Islamic Terrorists  Following on the latest spate of devastating attacks by the Islamic State in Syria, Pope Francis prayed to God Wednesday to 'convert the hearts of those who sow death and destruction.' 

* Palestinians and Jordan: Will a Confederation Work?  Talk about a confederation between the Palestinians and Jordan has once again resurfaced, this time after a series of unofficial meetings in Amman and the West Bank in the past few weeks. 

* Knesset warns Arab MKs against Temple Mount visits during Ramadan  Knesset Chief Security Officer Yosef Griff underlines that Knesset members are barred from visiting Jerusalem's contested holy site. 

* Oil hits $50 a barrel for first time this year  The price of oil has gone above $50 a barrel for the first time in 2016 as supply disruptions and increased global demand continue to fuel a recovery. 

* Iran pledges $70 million to Palestinian Islamic Jihad  As Iran deal critics warned, Tehran continues to up its support for terrorism with sanctions relief money. Move seen as snub to Hamas. 

* Has the Pope Abandoned Europe to Islam?  To scroll the list of Pope Francis's apostolic trips -- Brazil, South Korea, Albania, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Ecuador, Cuba, United States, Mexico, Kenya, Uganda, Philippines -- one could say that Europe is not exactly at the top of his agenda. 

* Muslim mob torches seven Christian homes in Egypt  Violence follows rumors of Christian man's affair with Muslim woman; man's mother stripped in public. 

* For photogenic Jerusalem, a look at how locals first captured their city  Shot from every angle since cameras were invented, the capital has usually been viewed through an outsider's lens. 

5/25/16

* 'Increase in aliya among youth and academic professionals'  Increasing numbers of new immigrants arrive to Israel from all over the world, Central Bureau of Statistics finds. 

* Entering Knesset, Temple Mount activist brushes off doomsday predictions  While critics warn of explosion, Yehuda Glick says he will advocate for change of 'absurd and evil' status quo at holy site, defends Reform Jews; Palestinians seemingly unfazed. 

* Iran's defense minister: 'Zionist conspiracy' to blame for Iraq, Syrian conflicts  "What is today happening in Syria and Iraq is a deep-seated US-Zionist conspiracy that has triggered war in Muslim territories." 

* Blair talks up prospects of Israel-Sunni normalization  Much will depend on Israel's response to the Arab Peace Initiative, says ex-UK PM; Netanyahu reportedly told Sissi last week he wants to make progress. 

* Jordan's king on Independence Day: We'll defend Arab identity of Palestine  Abdullah addressed his subjects to mark the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Hashemite monarchy.

* Christians in England, Wales now outnumbered by people of no religion  Churches steadily losing members, study finds, as number of unaffiliated citizens grows. 

* ISIL promotes Sinai hotbed as new front against Israel  Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) is using the Sinai Peninsula as a 'steppingstone' for attacks against Israel, according to a report by national security correspondent Rowan Scarborough. 

* How PA schools prepare the next generation of terrorists  Palestinian Authority schools use mock executions of Israelis and propaganda plays to prepare the next generation of murderous terrorists. 

* US pro-gun lobby to 'Ayatollahs of Iran': You haven't met alligator wrestlers, cowboys of America  NRA ad featuring gravel-voiced American Country singer makes rounds on the Internet Wednesday for it's brazen threat directed at Iran. 

* What's the future of American Jewry?  Knesset Committee holds hearing on the symbiosis between Israel and American Jews - and how one can save the other.

5/24/16

* Kurdish-led forces launch operation to take ISIS 'capital' Raqqa  Kurdish fighters, Arab allies launch surprise 3-pronged offensive in northern Syria, hoping to liberate the capital of the 'Islamic State.' 

* Vatican Expert: Pope Francis a 'Friend of Islam'  In an analysis of Monday's meeting between Pope Francis and Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of the al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo, Vatican expert John L. Allen said that there is no Christian leader in the world today with a more credible claim to the title of a 'friend of Islam.' 

* Islamic State Feeds Commanders to Dogs, Conducts Chemical Experiments on Prisoners  More horror stories have emerged from the Islamic State, including reports of commanders who fail to carry out their duties being fed to hungry dogs and chemical weapons being tested on the 'caliphate's' prisoners. 

* Syria conflict: IS 'destroyed helicopters' at Russian base  New satellite imagery appears to reveal extensive damage to a strategically significant airbase in central Syria used by Russian forces after an attack by so-called Islamic State (IS). 

* Iranian official: We can destroy Israel 'in eight minutes'  Senior Iranian military commander threatens to "raze the Zionist regime" after Khamenei calls to continue building missile arsenal. 

* Analysis: A decade of Hamas  Hamas's entry to Palestinian politics could have been a watershed moment. 

* ISIS plans to ignite ethnic war in Fallujah upon leaving the city, secret document reveals  The document was issued in May by ISIS' Fallujah province and was recently obtained by the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Units in the city of Karamah. 

* Iran hardliner Jannati elected head of Assembly of Experts  A hardline conservative has been elected chairman of Iran's Assembly of Experts, a powerful clerical body which selects the country's supreme leader. 

* Dysfunctional Israeli leadership failing utterly in battle against BDS, state watchdog warns  Highlighting dismal propaganda performance during 2014 war, comptroller cites lack of overall strategy, absent funding, divisions between ministries, failure to coordinate with IDF. 

* Report: Israeli delegation in Cairo for peace talks  Egyptian officials claim Israel has chosen Cairo to mediate with PA over France; delegation also to coordinate security in Sinai.

5/23/16

* Islamic State aims to destroy Israel, 'liberate' Jerusalem with Sinai Peninsula terrorist force  With a media blitz, the Islamic State has set its sights on Egypt's Sinai Peninsula as the next shot at expanding its empire and establishing a base from which to attack neighboring Israel. 

* Iranian commander: We can destroy Israel 'in under 8 minutes' If supreme leader gives order, Revolutionary Guards 'will raze the Zionist regime' quickly, says senior adviser of elite al-Quds unit. 

* Saudi Arabia asserting writ in region like mafia crime family  What passes for a government in Saudi Arabia has just threatened that unless things change in Syria they will resort to 'Plan B', thus proving that the arrogance and impertinence of this medieval dictatorship knows no bounds. 

* Syria conflict: Deadly blasts rock Assad strongholds  A series of car and suicide bombings has hit two government strongholds on Syria's Mediterranean coast. 

* Saudi Press: U.S. Blew Up World Trade Center To Create 'War On Terror'  The Saudi press is still furious over the U.S. Senate's unanimous vote approving a bill that allows the families of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia. 

* Right-wing activist Glick ascends Temple Mount for last time before entering Knesset  The long-time advocate for equal rights for Jews and Muslims on the Temple Mount will not be able to visit the holy site anymore because the prime minister has banned MKs from doing so. 

* Pope and top imam embrace in historic Vatican meeting  Pope Francis embraced the grand imam of Cairo's Al-Azhar Mosque at the Vatican on Monday in a historic encounter both sides hope will lead to greater understanding and dialogue between the two faiths. 

* Europe: Allah Takes over Churches, Synagogues  Last year, at the famous Biennale artistic festival in Venice, Swiss artist Christian Buchel took the ancient Catholic Church of Santa Maria della Misericordia and converted it into a mosque. 

* Austria far right thwarted, Van der Bellen elected president  Alexander Van der Bellen has won Austria's presidential election, preventing Norbert Hofer from becoming the EU's first far-right head of state. 

* NATO-Russia relations 'rolling back to Cold War,' Kremlin says  Russia is alarmed at NATO's continuing expansion in Eastern Europe and the Baltics, the Kremlin's spokesman has said, adding that Moscow will act to safeguard its interests and security but will do this in a 'predictable and systematic way.'

5/21/16

* EgyptAir: Images released of debris found in plane search  The Egyptian military has released images of items found during the search in the Mediterranean Sea for missing Egypt Air flight MS804. 

* EgyptAir And The Jihadi Problem  Hillary Clinton just can't say the words. Like Barack Obama, she is stuck in a fantasy land where Islamists who shout 'Allah Akbar' before they unleash hell on the innocent are some kind of nameless, ideology-less 'violent extremists.'

* Iran: 'Israel Should Be Wiped Off The Earth'  How post-sanction Iran is publicly threatening Israel's existence with impunity. 

* ISIS threatens global war with Israel  Jewish state threatened by group's advance toward its borders, Islamic State says. 

* Arabs angered by UN exhibit calling Jerusalem Israel's capital  Arab and Islamic nations demand the UN remove a panel from an Israeli exhibition that calls Jerusalem "the capital of the Jewish people". 

* Red fire on the mountain: Saddam Hussein's secrets still haunt the landscape  Twenty-five years after Iraq's Saddam Hussein launched Scud missiles at Israel, the residents of Mount Shingal reveal a secret about the 1991 Gulf War. 

* Hardline US-born rabbi Yehudah Glick to enter Knesset for Likud  Temple Mount activist who survived a 2014 assassination attempt will replace Ya'alon; says he'll respect ban on lawmakers visiting site. 

* Russia proposes joint air strikes with United States in Syria  United States rejects a Russian proposal to launch joint air strikes against jihadists from next week in Syria. 

* Iraq violence: Blasts in Baghdad kill dozens  Four bomb blasts in Baghdad have killed at least 69 people, medics say, in the latest in a series of recent attacks in the Iraqi capital. 

* Syria conflict: World powers vow to bolster truce and deliver aid  World powers have agreed to try to turn the crumbling partial truce in Syria into a more comprehensive ceasefire.

5/19/16

* ISIS threatens global war with Israel  Jewish state threatened by group's advance toward its borders, Islamic State says. 

* EgyptAir crash: Debris found from flight MS804  Debris and body parts have been found in the Mediterranean Sea by teams searching for a missing EgyptAir plane, Greek and Egyptian officials say.

* Cardinal Robert Sarah: United States Faces 'Insidious War' Against Christians  In a scathing address at a prayer breakfast in Washington D.C. this week, a high-ranking Vatican cardinal has denounced an 'insidious war' against Christians taking place in the United States under the guise of tolerance. 

* Government, Industry Studying Threat of Nuclear EMP Attack on Electric Grid  High-altitude nuclear blast would cause widespread power outage. 

* Arabs demand UN remove Jerusalem panel from Israel exhibititain  Reference to 'the spiritual and physical capital of the Jewish people' sparks ire for 'purport[ing] to assert Israeli sovereignty'. 

* Analysis: The Syrian war has exposed Hezbollah to assassinations  Lebanese terrorist group should only expect more liquidations of commanders. 

* Erdogan ally set to become new Turkish prime minister  Binali Yildirim, a close ally of Erdogan for around two decades, will be the sole candidate for the AKP leadership at a special party congress on Sunday. 

* Iraq demands that Jordan extradite Saddam Hussein's daughter  It is not the first time Iraq has demanded that Jordan extradite Hussein's daughter, who has been living in Amman since 2003, when American forces occupied Iraq and toppled her father's regime. 

* Close Encounters of the Wrong Kind: Russia and Israeli Planes Near Dogfight  Last month, on the eve of Passover, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu jumped onto his plane and rushed to Moscow. 

* Iron Dome intercepts rockets from sea for first time  The missile defense system, now installed on a missile ship, successfully shot down a grad rocket shot at the ship from the shore.

5/18/16

* Islamic State training child assassins to fire weapons and recite the Qur'an  Recite the Qur'an? Don't they know that the Islamic State has nothing to do with Islam? John Kerry, call your office! 

* Israel believes Syria used sarin gas on ISIS  Did Assad save his deadliest weapon despite an international effort to destroy his arsenal? 

* Why The Iranian Nuclear Deal Is At Risk Of Unraveling  Used clothing, toiletries and gifts worth no more than $100 - for a decade, these were among the few Iranian products allowed into the U.S., thanks to crippling international sanctions. 

* 'Palestinian museum' opens - with nothing in it  Irony: A Palestinian museum of art, history and culture opens outside Ramallah, with absolutely nothing inside. 

* ISIS's silent Libyan crucifixion campaign revealed  HRW exposes underreported atrocities of ISIS rule in Sirte, including beheading 'sorcerers' and flogging music listeners. 

* Mossad uses creative recruitment riddle to enlist cyber spies  The Israeli intelligence organization published a riddle made up of seemingly random lines of code in a variety of newspapers. 

* IS conflict: Iraq forces retake remote western town of Rutba  Iraqi government forces have regained control of a remote western town from the jihadist group Islamic State (IS), Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi says. 

* Palestinian State Would Be Oppressive Police State  A Palestinian university student has provided further evidence that an independent Palestinian state would be an oppressive police state. In fact, it already is. 

* WATCH: Israeli navy holds joint exercise with Greece, US  Israeli missile boats, patrol boats, swiftboats, rescue helicopters with para-rescue soldiers from the elite 669 unit, and search and rescue vessels all take part in drill held at NATO facility in the Greek islands. 

* EU-Turkey Migrant Deal Unravels  The EU-Turkey migrant deal, designed to halt the flow of migrants from Turkey to Greece, is falling apart just two months after it was reached. European officials are now looking for a back-up plan.

5/17/16

* Netanyahu hits Iran for Holocaust-denial cartoon contest: 'Preparing another' one  An anti-Israeli cartoon contest in Iran mocks the Nazi genocide of six million Jews while Teheran plans another Holocaust, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on May 15. 

* Leading rabbis: Shoot terrorists on sight Noted rabbis hold emergency conference on Arab terror, demand government reject 2-state solution and stop making 'stupid' statements. 

* 'When the EU is compared to the plans and projects of Adolf Hitler, I cannot remain silent'  Former London mayor Boris Johnson accused by European Council president of "political amnesia" for comments comparing EU to Nazi leader. 

* Iraq violence: Blasts in Baghdad kill dozens  Four bomb blasts in Baghdad have killed more than 60 people, medics say, in the latest in a series of recent attacks in the Iraqi capital. 

* Iran official: Pilgrims to miss 2016 hajj after Saudi 'sabotage'  Iranian officials accused Saudi Arabia of 'sabotage' after talks broke down on a deal that would have enabled Iranians to make the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. 

* Syria conflict: World powers vow to bolster truce and deliver aid  World powers have agreed to try to turn the crumbling partial truce in Syria into a more comprehensive ceasefire. 

* Ahmadinejad's return to public eye in Iran fuels talk of a comeback  The former Iranian president, a Holocaust denier who repeatedly threatened to annihilate Israel and nurtured Tehran's nuclear program, has been making more and more public appearance of late, sparking rumors he is planning to run for president in 2017. 

* Human smuggling to EU worth 5bn (Euro) a year  Smuggling people into the EU has become a 5 billion-a-year (Euro) "multinational business" for crime syndicates that extend from Berlin to the deserts of Niger. 

* Pope Francis: 'The Idea of Conquest Is Inherent to the Soul of Islam'  Choosing his words carefully, Pope Francis recognized that the idea of conquest is integral to Islam as a religion, though he was quick to add that some might interpret Christianity in the same way. 

* Time to Leave UNESCO - Again  On April 11, 2016, the Executive Board of UNESCO adopted a resolution called "Occupied Palestine." 

5/16/16

* Battles Across Iraq Call Into Question U.S. Strategy  Trench warfare on northern front little changed since 2014 (Updated). 

* A new Mediterranean friendship amid regional instability  The once frosty relationship between Israel and Greece has blossomed into a new partnership dedicated to boosting security ties, as the region is plagued by new threats. 

* 'Jews invented the Temple Mount lie'  Organization representing Palestinian religious leaders praises the UNESCO denial of Jewish ties to the Temple Mount. 

* Libya: US backs arming of government for IS fight  The US and other world powers have said they are ready to arm Libya's UN-backed unity government to help it fight the self-styled Islamic State (IS) group. 

* Jordanian parliament speaker: We oppose the peace treaty with Israel  "The Jordanian parliament is an independent authority and its opinion toward the peace treaty with Israel is different in essence from the government's position," the Jordanian House Speaker said. 

* Analysis: What exactly is happening in Saudi Arabia?  Prince Mohammed is overseeing the most dramatic changes his country has seen in the past half century. 

* Nakba Day commemorated on both sides of Green Line  Main display in the West Bank is dubbed the 'return train,' which traveled from the Dheisheh Refugee Camp to the Rachel's Tomb crossing; ceremony held at Tel Aviv University for 5th consecutive year. 

* Palestinian Authority claims Arab majority by 2020  Report by Palestinian Authority suggests 12.4 million Palestinians worldwide, equal number of Jews and Arabs between river and sea. 

* Divers find huge trove of statues, coins in 1,600-year-old shipwreck  In 'biggest find in 30 years,' archaeologists rescue rare bronze figures of gods, animals, that sank off Caesarea along with ship carrying metal for recycling. 

* Belarus pledges full support for Russian plans to counter US missile defense in Europe  The Belarusian foreign minister has voiced concern about the US and NATO beefing up military contingents in Europe, promising his country will join Russia in offering an appropriate response to the deployment of US missile defense systems on the continent.

5/14/16

* 'Israel's population multiplied by 10 since founding of the state'  The Jewish population in the country represents about 6.337 million residents -74.8 percent of the total population. 

* Police Block March to Temple Mount  Jerusalem police have ruled that activists cannot hold a march to the Temple Mount this Sunday. 

* Pentagon: China Restructures for War  Details of island building in S. China Sea disclosed. 

* Iran says it is 'enhancing' nuclear activities, including uranium enrichment  Tehran nuclear chief Salehi hails technological progress, says Iran establishing itself as an exporter of nuclear products. 

* International media silent as Turkey teeters on the brink of civil war  Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoƒülu resigned on May 5, in a move initiated by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in order to circumvent the lack of parliamentary numbers which could change the constitution to create an executive presidency. 

* ISIS terrorist snuck into Gaza Strip through Hamas tunnels, Israel says  COGAT tells Saudi news site that the ISIS operative was due to undergo military training in Gaza. 

* Boko Haram threat warning ahead of summit  Nigeria's militant group Boko Haram remains a threat, French President Francois Hollande has warned ahead of a summit in Nigeria's capital, Abuja. 

* More Islamists head from Germany to Syria and Iraq  At least 820 Islamists have left Germany to join jihadists in Syria and Iraq, the German domestic security agency says. 

* Iran threatens to sink US warships  Islamic Republic's naval forces claim secret weapons arsenal at the ready to hit any US warship, brands America 'absolute evil.' 

* PA PM: We're following the path of the Nazi Mufti  Hamdallah declares PA is continuing the path of the 'pure-hearted son of Palestine,' Haj Amin al-Hussein, who conspired with Hitler.

5/12/16

* Police Block March to Temple Mount  Jerusalem police have ruled that activists cannot hold a march to the Temple Mount this Sunday. 

* Arab citizens protest Israel's existence on Independence Day  Thousands of Arab Israelis march in Negev, call to remember 'nakba' - catastrophe - of Israel's creation 68 years ago. 

* Israel at 68: Not isolated, but badly misunderstood  Israel is not isolated. What it is, however, is badly misunderstood and not universally loved, and both those conditions leave us often wringing our hands. 

* VIDEO: United Nations ambassadors wish Israel a Happy Independence Day  'It is gratifying to see Israel's friends standing by our side and wishing us a happy Independence Day,' Ambassador Danon said. 

* Thousands of Arab Israelis march for Palestinian 'return' to Israel  Rally for first time in the Negev, protesters in Rahat, including Arab Knesset members, swear to defend land and uphold Palestinian rights.

* Turkey 'needs to fulfil deal' to gain visa-free EU travel  A deal to allow Turks visa-free travel within Europe will collapse if Turkey does not fulfil its commitments, the European Commission president has said. 

* Could Osama bin Laden's son be the future leader of al-Qaeda?  In his first interview from the Situation Room, Obama tells CNN about the raid that killed the Al-Qaeda leader.Video provided by Newsy Newslook. 

* 20 breathtaking pictures of Israel on its 68th birthday  Award-winning Israeli photographer shares rare picutres of Israel's landscape to mark its 68th anniversary: 'There is nowhere more beautiful.' 

* IDF general: IS fighters training with Hamas in Gaza  Though it is trying to warm up to Cairo, Hamas also cooperating with jihadists waging insurgency in Sinai, Yoav Mordechai tells Saudi website.

* Israel and "Palestine": What International Law Requires  International law has one overarching debility. 

5/11/16

* Watch: Israel celebrates 68 years Opening ceremonies for Israel's 68th Independence Day begin at Har Herzl in Jerusalem. 

* The whole country is full of flags...  On Wednesday evening, an amazing transformation will take place in Israel's mood. 

* Turkey? In the EU?  On April 25, Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek, while speaking at the High-Level EU-Turkey Economic Dialogue meeting in Istanbul, said that the full membership process to the European Union was Turkey's most crucial strategic target. 

* IS conflict: Dozens killed in Baghdad car bombings  At least 93 people have been killed in three car bomb attacks in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, police and medics say. 

* Iran threatens to sink US warships  Islamic Republic's naval forces claim secret weapons arsenal at the ready to hit any US warship, brands America 'absolute evil.' 

* PA PM: We're following the path of the Nazi Mufti  Hamdallah declares PA is continuing the path of the 'pure-hearted son of Palestine,' Haj Amin al-Hussein, who conspired with Hitler. 

* Russia says US missile system breaches nuclear INF treaty  Russia's foreign ministry says US activation of a European missile defence shield in Romania, scheduled for Thursday, violates a treaty on nuclear forces. 

* French PM slams UNESCO Jerusalem resolution as 'unfortunate, clumsy'  Manuel Valls describes UNESCO's references to Israel, vows to 'never deny the Jewish presence and Jewish history in Jerusalem.' 

* Report: Homegrown Violent Extremists Planting Roots Across U.S.  Foiled ISIS attacks, plots, and terror funding grows across nation. 

* Why Terrorism Thrives in West Africa  Great civilizations existed in northern Nigeria before the West ever set foot there. 

5/10/16

* Israel turns 68 with 8.5 million people, 10 times more than in 1948  195,000 babies born in last 12 months, CBS statistics show, as population grows by 2.2%. 

* Israel Prepares to Remember Her Fallen  Israel's Memorial Day begins Tuesday at sundown. 

* Iran has deployed S-300 system, minister says  Hossein Dehghan says Russian-made air defense batteries now in service, Tehran to start manufacturing similar system. 

* Kurds urge Jews to return to Iraq  Autonomous Iraqi Kurds appeal to descendants of former residents, promising Jews will be 'freer and safer' there than in much of Europe. 

* Bin Laden's son calls to target Jewish, US, Western interests  According to a new al-Qaida video, Hamza Bin Laden praised the stabbing attacks by Palestinians against Israelis. 

* Hitler was a Zionist? Why I‚'m celebrating this Independence Day  Some say ignorance is bliss: I‚'d argue that ignorance inevitably leads to ineffable stupidity and embarrassment. 

* The Cyber Threat: Obama Policies Toward Hackers From China, Iran, Syria Produce Few Results  President uses symbolic indictments, diplomacy to avoid more forceful action. 

* Iran's Plans to Control a Palestinian State  The Iran nuclear deal, marking its first anniversary, does not appear to have had a calming effect on the Middle East. 

* Meet the First Muslim Mayor of London  Labour Party politician Sadiq Khan has been sworn in as mayor of London. 

* EU-Turkey deal not binding, says EP legal chief  The legal arm of the European Parliament on Monday (9 May) spoke out against the EU deal with Turkey.

5/9/16

* 'Israel's population multiplied by 10 since founding of the state'  The Jewish population in the country represents about 6.337 million residents -74.8 percent of the total population. 

* Iran claims to successfully test missile that can reach Israel  Highly accurate ballistic missile has a range of 2,000 kilometers, was launched two weeks ago, Tehran general says. 

* Poll: Israel not occupying Judea-Samaria, peace unlikely with PA  Poll ahead of Independence Day reveals most Jews believe Israel has a right to Judea and Samaria. 

* Children simulate terror attacks in Gaza play  'Children's festival' features mock IDF soldier abductions, revolts against Israeli police. 

* Russian WW2 Victory Day parade showcases new weapons  Russian armed forces have paraded in central Moscow to mark the 71st anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two. 

* Israel concerned about expected US settlement criticism  New Quartet report will attack Israel's West Bank policies. 

* Mercury completes journey across Sun  Skywatchers across the globe have enjoyed an opportunity to see Mercury transit the Sun. 

* London's Iconic Red Buses To Declare 'Glory To Allah' Britain's largest Islamic charity says it wants to 'break down barriers' and portray Islam positively by launching a new advertising campaign which will slap the phrase 'glory to Allah' on the side of London buses. 

* 'No Muslims on German Soil': Thousands of right-wing extremists rally outside Berlin train station against city's influx of refugees  About 1,000 right-wing extremists have rallied outside Berlin's main train station, protesting against Chancellor Angela Merkel's welcoming stance to refugees. 

* David Cameron: Brexit could lead to Europe descending into war  Brexit will increase the risk of Europe descending into war, David Cameron will warn as he says that Britain will pay a high cost if "we turn our back" on the EU.

5/7/16

* Israel prepares to remember 23,447 fallen since Zionism's inception  127 news names join Israel's fallen since 2015, 4,917 widows left behind, 1,948 orphans. Authorities predict more than a million people to visit 52 cemeteries. 

* How Moqtada al-Sadr Could Take Down Iraq's Government  Supporters of the powerful Shia cleric stormed Baghdad's parliament, leaving legislators quivering in the basement and Iraq on the edge of political chaos. 

* Elections: Labour's Sadiq Khan promises a 'better' London  Labour's Sadiq Khan has vowed to do all in his power to make London "better", as he was sworn in as the new mayor. 

* US takes tougher tone on Israeli settlements in new report  Palestinian leaders will be chastised for failing to rein in violence, but main focus will be on surge of Jewish construction, legalization of outposts 

* UN official spurns Netanyahu's Jerusalem history lesson offer  PM wants to educate all UN staffers in Israel after UNESCO ignored Jewish ties to Temple Mount; but Mideast coordinator says they know local history 'all too well'. 

* Analysis: The Saudi conundrum  Riyadh is entering a new and uncertain era, generationally, economically and strategically. 

* 'UNESCO Temple Mount denial is worse than Holocaust denial'  Pro-Israel Christian groups head to UN to condemn UNESCO's resolution denying Jewish connection to Temple Mount. 

* Israel and Hamas are one misdirected shell away from war  The IDF and Hamas are wrestling in a small area near the border fence, insisting they don't want all-out conflict but coming dangerously close to it.

* The 2nd Holocaust - How we can prevent it  We are still masters of our fate; the choice is still in our hands. Let's not miss out again. 

* Erdogan's road to a dictatorship now clear?  Turkey's Erdogan forces his Prime Minister to step down, after he opposed Erdogan's plans to seriously boost his presidency.

5/6/16

* After Temple Mount resolution, PM offers UN staff a Jewish history lesson  Netanyahu announces session following passage of UNESCO text that omits mention of Jewish ties to holiest site in Judaism.

* North Korea launches rare party congress - what's in store?  Kim's Workers' Party holds first congress since 1980, with national plan and 5th nuclear test anticipated.

* No joking matter: 1940s political cartoons warned US of Holocaust  Proof of America's awareness of genocide against European Jews lay in the funny papers, where cartoonists used pens to eviscerate US politicians' apathy. 

* Erdogan's road to a dictatorship now clear?  Turkey's Erdogan forces his Prime Minister to step down, after he opposed Erdogan's plans to seriously boost his presidency. 

* Iran's Dehqan tells Islamic Jihad head: Unity key to defeating Israel  Ramadan Shalah and his delegation met Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday, and have met other Iranian leaders during their current visit. 

* Poll: American sympathy for Palestinians is growing  Millennials' support for Palestinians jumped threefold in 10 years, Democrats 4 times more likely to side with Palestinians.

* Turkey PM Ahmet Davutoglu to quit amid reports of Erdogan rift  Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu says he will stand down at an extraordinary congress of his ruling AK Party later this month. 

* Russia's Valery Gergiev conducts concert in Palmyra ruins  A renowned Russian conductor has led a concert in the ruins of Palmyra in Syria, which were recaptured from the so-called Islamic State (IS) in March. 

* Iranian general: Syrian opposition is actually Israel  Iranian army's General Staff Security Adviser claims Islamist rebels are 'subgroups of Israel's intelligence bodies.' 

* Groundbreaking study exhumes untold Nazi brutalization of women's bodies  Author Beverley Chalmers says we owe it to victims and survivors to know the unspeakable crimes - including rape, experimentation and forced abortion - committed against them.

5/5/16

* North Korea launches rare party congress - what's in store?  Kim's Workers' Party holds first congress since 1980, with national plan and 5th nuclear test anticipated.

* No joking matter: 1940s political cartoons warned US of Holocaust  Proof of America's awareness of genocide against European Jews lay in the funny papers, where cartoonists used pens to eviscerate US politicians' apathy. 

* Erdogan's road to a dictatorship now clear?  Turkey's Erdogan forces his Prime Minister to step down, after he opposed Erdogan's plans to seriously boost his presidency. 

* Iran's Dehqan tells Islamic Jihad head: Unity key to defeating Israel  Ramadan Shalah and his delegation met Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday, and have met other Iranian leaders during their current visit. 

* Poll: American sympathy for Palestinians is growing  Millennials' support for Palestinians jumped threefold in 10 years, Democrats 4 times more likely to side with Palestinians. 

* After Temple Mount resolution, PM offers UN staff a Jewish history lesson  Netanyahu announces session following passage of UNESCO text that omits mention of Jewish ties to holiest site in Judaism.

* Turkey PM Ahmet Davutoglu to quit amid reports of Erdogan rift  Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu says he will stand down at an extraordinary congress of his ruling AK Party later this month. 

* Russia's Valery Gergiev conducts concert in Palmyra ruins  A renowned Russian conductor has led a concert in the ruins of Palmyra in Syria, which were recaptured from the so-called Islamic State (IS) in March. 

* Iranian general: Syrian opposition is actually Israel  Iranian army's General Staff Security Adviser claims Islamist rebels are 'subgroups of Israel's intelligence bodies.' 

* Groundbreaking study exhumes untold Nazi brutalization of women's bodies  Author Beverley Chalmers says we owe it to victims and survivors to know the unspeakable crimes - including rape, experimentation and forced abortion - committed against them.

5/4/16

* President Rivlin to survivors at Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony: We have not done enough  The opening ceremony for Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day is underway at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem; President Reuven Rivlin and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the ceremony. 

* Holocaust Remembrance Day: Passing the torch from generation to generation  As the remaining Holocaust survivors dwindle in numbers how is it possible to keep the torch of memory burning and what will happen when there no survivors walking among us? 

* Egyptian-German scholar: Jew-hatred poisoning Muslims  Anti-Semitism prevents the Muslim world from addressing any real problems, Hamed Abdel-Salam asserts. 

* Russia warns of retaliation as NATO plans more deployments in Eastern Europe  Russia will reinforce its western and southern flanks with three new divisions by the year-end, officials said on Wednesday, threatening retaliation to NATO's plans to boost its military presence in eastern members Poland and the Baltic States. 

* The Mixed Legacy of Nuremberg  This year commemorates the 80th anniversary of the notorious Nuremberg Laws, the Nazi racist enactments that formed the legal basis for the Holocaust. 

* EU backs Turkey visa deal, but says conditions must be met  The European Commission has given conditional backing for Turkish people to get visa-free travel inside Europe's passport-free Schengen area. 

* Israel to open permanent office at NATO HQ, five years after Turkey blocked move  NATO's treaty obligates the member states to militarily defend one another in time of attack, but that does not extend to the alliance's some 40 partner countries. 

* Iranian commander threatens to close Strait of Hormuz to US  Hossein Salami also says in speech aired on state TV that 'Americans cannot make safe any part of the world'. 

* Wars and Rumors of Wars  Rumors regarding the imminent coming of Messiah are bountiful today. The latest among them is that of the Riminov Rebbe (pictured), a Hassidic rabbi living in New York. 

* Syria conflict: 'Dozens killed' in Aleppo battle  Dozens of people are reported to have been killed in fierce clashes between rebel groups and government forces in the divided Syrian city of Aleppo.

5/3/16

* How Moqtada al-Sadr Could Take Down Iraq's Government  Supporters of the powerful Shia cleric stormed Baghdad's parliament, leaving legislators quivering in the basement and Iraq on the edge of political chaos. 

* Europe's Migration Crisis: No End in Sight  Pope Francis, on his recent visit to the Greek island of Lesbos, said that Europe must respond to the migrant crisis with solutions that are "worthy of humanity." 

* Iran criticizes US presence in the Persian Gulf  Khamenei slams American naval war games in region, tells US to 'go back to the Bay of Pigs'. 

* VIDEO: ISIS child jihadists sing in French - 'Your blood will flow'  Suicide belt-clad children threaten of terror attack in chilling new video published by extremist group. 

* Smuggling attempt foiled: Israel seizes 4 tons of Gaza-bound chemicals used in rockets  Customs and security officials at the Nitzana Border Crossing seized ammonium chloride concealed within a shipment of salt before the Passover holiday. 

* Israeli oil reserve worth NIS 1.2 billion  An independent survey reveals that the Hatrurim oil reserve holds from 7-11 million barrels of oil; Israel Opportunity's, a holder of the drilling license, worth went up by 35%. 

* Palestinians: Preparing Their People for Statehood?  Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas's ruling Fatah faction is supposed to be preparing its people for statehood. But it seems to be busy with other business. 

* North Korea becoming more aggressive, experts fear invasion  As North Korea prepares for the first Workers' Party Congress in over 30 years, many experts are fearful of the actions of leader Kim Jong-un. 

* Nusra Front rips out heart of rival faction fighter executed on the battlefield  On Monday, fighters from the al-Qaida-affiliated Nusra Front executed a Sunni fighter from the Jaysh al-Islam faction in Ghota Sharqia, a Damascus suburb, and then ripped out his bleeding heart. 

* Erdan: Labor a 'shocking' example of radical Islam's influence in Europe  Still, Erdan was careful to clarify that criticism of the government's policies is not anti-Semitism.

5/2/16

* Khamenei: US is main enemy, 'Zionist regime' a close second  In meeting with Palestinian Islamic Jihad chief, Iranian supreme leader says 'defending Palestine' is 'defending Islam'. 

* US museum: Iran does support Holocaust cartoon event  Museum challenges claim by Iranian foreign minister that government agencies do not endorse contest. 

* The Cyber Threat: Cybercom's War on ISIS  Cyber attacks targets command and control, finances. 

* Syria conflict: Kerry in push to salvage truce as new raids hit Aleppo  US Secretary of State John Kerry says envoys meeting in Geneva are getting closer to an understanding on salvaging the cessation of hostilities in Syria. 

* Dutch Noah's Ark replica sailing to Brazil for Olympic Games  Dutch Christian organization plans to sail 'replica' of Noah's Ark to Brazil for 2016 Summer Olympics. 

* A View of Israel: The 19th Century  In a recent auction at Sotheby's London, a fascinating collection of some of the earliest photographs taken of the Holy Land sold for an awe-inspiring ¬£1,000,000. 

* Hamas brags of one stabbing every two days  In terror wave report, Hamas sums up 14 stabbings, attempts in April, plus 3 shootings, 2 car ramming attempts and bus bombing. 

* Jordan's FM discusses Israel-PA peace talks with Kerry  Jordan's Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh calls for peace talks resulting in viable and independent Palestinian state. 

* German party calls to reject Islam  Far-right AfD party demands a ban of minarets and burqas in party conference, as radical left protests outside and wounds police. 

* EXCLUSIVE - Radical UK Preacher: British Muslims Want Their Own Islamic Nation  Muslims living in the UK increasingly want self-determination and the implementation of Sharia law nationwide, according to radical Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary.