6/30/16

* As terror strikes Israel, Quartet set to criticize 'settlements'  Long-awaited report by the Middle East Quartet will also criticize Palestinian incitement, UN envoy says. 

* British Jews denounce neo-Nazi 'Miss Hitler' pageant  'It is possibly the ugliest beauty contest ever held,' says Board of Deputies of British Jews. 

* Thanks in no small part to Russia, Hezbollah is now a full-fledged army  For now its focus is on the Syrian civil war, where it is sustaining heavy losses, but the Lebanese Shiite terror group has become a far more formidable player in the 10 years since the Second Lebanon War. 

* Quartet: Israel must urgently halt settlement expansion  Middle East diplomacy group's new report says Palestinian incitement also ‚'severely undermines hopes for peace'. 

* Istanbul airport attackers 'Russian, Uzbek and Kyrgyz'  The three men who carried out Tuesday's deadly attack on Istanbul's Ataturk airport were all from parts of the former USSR, Turkish sources say. 

* EU opens new phase in Turkey membership bid talks  The EU has opened a new chapter in Turkey's EU membership talks, covering budget contributions to the bloc. 

* 'Mein Kampf' profits to aid Holocaust survivors  Publisher announces all US proceeds of Adolf Hitler's manifesto will be donated to Holocaust survivors. 

* UN calls for peacekeepers to retake abandoned post in Syrian Golan  Security Council tells troops to reoccupy Camp Faouar, 2 years after forces relocated across border following abductions; Israel praises move. 

* Iraqi forces advance toward airbase near Mosul  Iraqi forces are closing in on an airfield they hope to use as a staging ground for an offensive against Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) in Mosul. 

* NATO activity on Russian borders 'doubled,' provoking Moscow's response - Russian Defense Ministry  NATO activity on Russia's doorstep has 'more than doubled' recently, forcing Russia to take retaliatory measures, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said.

6/29/16

* Turkish Authorities: ISIS behind Istanbul airport attack  Turkish police claim that Islamic State is behind yesterday's attack in Istanbul. 

* Rabbi Ariel: Temple Mount is front line for Hamas  Head of Temple Institute, Rabbi Yisrael Ariel, calls on government to close Temple Mount to Muslims in wake of riots. 

* Istanbul Ataturk airport attack: Deaths rise to 41 as Turkey mourns  Turkey is observing a national day of mourning after a gun and suicide bomb attack on Istanbul's Ataturk airport killed 41 people, including 13 foreign nationals. 

* Benghazi report revealed: Surprise allies, security snafus  Sacrificed for politics: 4 Americans die as State Department worries about offending Libya. The rest rescued by Qhaddafi supporters. 

* EU Army on way? EU cannot rely on NATO and needs new defence policy says Brussels chief  The European Union cannot rely on NATO to protect its member states from external threats and must develop a policy of collective defence that allows it to "act autonomously if and when necessary". 

* Cabinet approves Turkey reconciliation agreement  Despite opposition from Bennett, Shaked and Liberman, government passes controversial normalization deal. 

* Islam Bigger Threat Than China in the Philippines  Crushing Islamist militants in the Philippines will take precedence over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, the incoming defense minister said on Wednesday, and spending on military hardware would reflect that. 

* ISIS repels US-backed Syria rebel offensive  British-trained New Syrian Army rebel group briefly took control of Al-Hamdan airbase, before being pushed back by jihadists. 

* Putin orders government to start 'normalizing' trade with Turkey  Russian, Turkish presidents hold first phone call since rift began over downing of Russian plane, agree to meet. 

* Just Days After Brexit, EU Releases Plan For Further Expansion, An EU Army, AND Turkish Membership  The European Union (EU) is going through an 'existential crisis' that can only be solved through more military integration, Turkish accession and the creation of a 'true union', EU chiefs have said.

6/28/16

* Israeli-Turkish accord: core of new lineup vs Iran  The reconciliation agreement announced Monday, June 27 for restoring full normalization between Israel and Turkey after six years of animosity will restart intelligence and security cooperation between the two countries and entail joint military exercises, and investments in energy and defense. 

* Putin promises response to foreign pressure by strengthening Russian military forces  President Vladimir Putin called Russia's military forces "weighty argument against any provocation" and promised to further strengthen and modernize them in cooperation with allied nations. 

* Amid Temple Mount violence, PM upholds ban on MK visits  Prime minister, internal security minister, discuss escalating Muslim violence; ban on MKs visiting to continue at least into next week. 

* Brexit vote: Bitter exchanges in EU parliament debate  The European Parliament's first debate on the UK's vote to leave has been marked by bitter exchanges. 

* 'If I see an Israeli I'll slit his throat'  Palestinian Authority official offers violent comments in interview, saying he would refuse to have any contact with Jews. 

* Police temporarily close Temple Mount to non-Muslim visitors after rioting resumes  Critics call move 'prize to terrorism'; Woman lightly wounded by rock thrown at Western Wall. 

* US military failed Americans in Benghazi, says House  The US military failed to protect four Americans who died in attacks on a US compound in the Libyan city of Benghazi, says a Congressional report. 

* Where rich people learn how to survive the apocalypse  Blame the Bible. Blame Hollywood: (We're looking at you "X-Men: Apocalypse.") And, of course, blame the hit series "The Walking Dead." 

* Natan Sharansky: There is no future for Jews in France  Hostility to Jews among Arab immigrants and deep-seated anti-Semitism mean there will be 'massive' exodus to Israel among France's 500,000 Jews, says Jewish Agency chief on visit to Paris. 

* PA celebrates joining international Scout Movement with map of 'Palestine' erasing Israel  PA celebrates joining international Scout Movementwith map of 'Palestine' that replaces all of Israel.

6/27/16

* European SUPERSTATE to be unveiled: EU nations 'to be morphed into one' post-Brexit  EUROPEAN political chiefs are to take advantage of Brexit by unveiling their long-held plan to morph the continent's countries into one GIANT SUPERSTATE, it has emerged today. 

* 'In next war, thousands of rockets will hit in heart of Israel'  Senior military official warns of heavy rocket fire in next Lebanon war: '300 tons per month, equivalent to 5 hours of Air Force bombing'. 

* Erdogan apologizes to Putin over death of Russian pilot, calls Russia 'friend & strategic partner'  Russian President Vladimir Putin has received a letter in which his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan apologized for the death of the pilot who was killed when a Russian jet was downed over the Syrian-Turkish border last November, the Kremlin said. 

* 'Brexit -  may push Arab world into Assad's arms  An unforeseen trickle-down effect of Britain's decision to leave the EU last week is evident in the reaction of Arab governments, which have begun shying away from their reliance on the US or Europe to lead the war on ISIS, DEBKAfile's sources report. 

* Israel & the Region Temple Mount sees second day of clashes amid Jewish visits  Police say Arab rioters prepared stockpiles of rocks and firecrackers during the night in planned assault on visitors. 

* Pope Francis says Church should apologise to gays  Pope Francis has said that the Roman Catholic Church should apologise to gay people for the way it has treated them. 

* We must act to prevent countries from fleeing EU - Merkel  German chancellor Angela Merkel says action is needed to prevent other EU members from leaving the bloc after Britain. 

* Let's get this over with: Founding EU members want quick divorce from UK  The six founding members of the EU say they want the UK to leave the bloc as soon as possible after Britain's referendum vote to leave.

* EU Foreign Affairs Chief: Europe Needs an EU Army  Soon after Britain voted to leave the European Union (EU), its foreign affairs chief, Elmar Brok, urged the economic and political bloc to go ahead with plans to create an army. 

* Pakistani Muslim leader: 'Time is not far when the entire Western civilization would fall'  "You might not realise it now, but all these changes are taking place due to Jihad." 

6/25/16

* Living in a post-American Middle East  The Netanyahu government is diversifying its foreign ties and building new independent capabilities, but critics warn that giving up on the US could leave Israel seriously weakened. 

* Top Rabbi Joins Growing List of Pro-Temple Politicians Israel's Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi David Lau joined a growing list of Israeli politicians who are calling for the Third Temple to be built on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

* IDF unveils new cyber defense HQ  Somewhere in central Israel, deep underground, is a 24/7 war room meant to enable the Israel Defense Forces to defend the country from cyber attacks. 

* Watch: Hezbollah lawmaker calls to kidnap Israelis  Lebanese parliamentarian for Hezbollah openly calls for Israeli civilians to be kidnapped in a future war with Israel. 

* Brexit: Merkel says 'no need to be nasty' in leaving talks  German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said the European Union has "no need to be particularly nasty in any way" in the negotiations with Britain about its exit from the bloc. 

* Analysis: On diplomatic front, weaker EU not necessarily bad for Israel  Israel loses good friend in Cameron, but leading contenders to succeed him - Johnson, Osborne - also very friendly. 

* Talking About the Elephant in the Brexit Room  Today, everyone is talking about the Brexit vote, but no one will talk about the elephant in the Brexit room. 

* US military 'to lift transgender ban'  US officials say the Pentagon will lift its ban on openly transgender service personnel next month. 

* #Londependence: Tens of thousands call for capital to be made an independent state, join EU  More than 75,000 people have signed a petition to the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan calling on him to declare the capital city an independent state and apply for EU membership. 

* Brexit - Backlash from mass migration and ISIS  In a historic referendum, millions of British citizens voted Thursday, June 23, to leave the European Union after 43 years by a margin of 52 to 48 percent.

6/24/16

* Brexit: David Cameron to quit after UK votes to leave EU  Prime Minister David Cameron is to step down by October after the UK voted to leave the European Union.

* Liberman unveils Israel's future stealth fighter: The F-35  Defense minister says aircraft will serve as a deterrent for years to come; jet to be delivered by year's end. 

* What impact will the Brexit referendum have on Israel?  The EU's attitudes toward Israel would change significantly whether the British foreign minister is present at the regular EU foreign minister meetings or not. 

* Putin considers Russia-China interaction important factor of global stability  Putin mentioned joint work in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, cooperation within BRICS and collaboration at the UN. 

* The F-35's first missions: Intelligence and covert operations  As soon as they become active within the IAF, the planes will begin taking over jobs currently carried out by F-15s and F-16s. 

* Analysis: Why Jerusalem is the poorest city in the country  Close to 50% of residents live in poverty, mainly from ultra-Orthodox, Arab communities. 

* Jewish PAC to press Republicans to call West Bank 'Jewish homeland‚' "The Land of Israel is the indigenous homeland of the Jewish people by right and by law," says the language proposed by the Iron Dome Alliance. 

* Russia seen putting new nuclear-capable missiles along NATO border by 2019  Russia is likely to deploy advanced nuclear-capable missiles in its European exclave of Kaliningrad by 2019, casting the move as a reply to a U.S.-backed missile shield, and may one day put them in Crimea too, sources close to its military predict. 

* Israel Wants to Build Gaza an Airport Island  Israeli Minister of Transportation Israel Katz (Likud) this week presented to foreign media outlets his ambitious plan to create an artificial island just off the coast of the Gaza Strip to provide the area's residents with a modern airport and seaport. 

* Abbas to European Parliament: 'Help us end the occupation'  Palestinian president claims Israel is growing more extreme, accuses IDF of carrying out 'unlawful killings', and of acting in a fascist manner.

6/23/16

* EU referendum: UK goes to the polls  Voting is taking place in a historic referendum on whether the UK should remain a member of the European Union or leave. 

* Liberman unveils Israel's future stealth fighter: The F-35  Defense minister says aircraft will serve as a deterrent for years to come; jet to be delivered by year's end. 

* What impact will the Brexit referendum have on Israel?  The EU's attitudes toward Israel would change significantly whether the British foreign minister is present at the regular EU foreign minister meetings or not. 

* Putin considers Russia-China interaction important factor of global stability  Putin mentioned joint work in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, cooperation within BRICS and collaboration at the UN. 

* The F-35's first missions: Intelligence and covert operations  As soon as they become active within the IAF, the planes will begin taking over jobs currently carried out by F-15s and F-16s. 

* Analysis: Why Jerusalem is the poorest city in the country  Close to 50% of residents live in poverty, mainly from ultra-Orthodox, Arab communities. 

* Jewish PAC to press Republicans to call West Bank 'Jewish homeland‚' "The Land of Israel is the indigenous homeland of the Jewish people by right and by law," says the language proposed by the Iron Dome Alliance. 

* Russia seen putting new nuclear-capable missiles along NATO border by 2019  Russia is likely to deploy advanced nuclear-capable missiles in its European exclave of Kaliningrad by 2019, casting the move as a reply to a U.S.-backed missile shield, and may one day put them in Crimea too, sources close to its military predict. 

* Israel Wants to Build Gaza an Airport Island  Israeli Minister of Transportation Israel Katz (Likud) this week presented to foreign media outlets his ambitious plan to create an artificial island just off the coast of the Gaza Strip to provide the area's residents with a modern airport and seaport. 

* Abbas to European Parliament: 'Help us end the occupation'  Palestinian president claims Israel is growing more extreme, accuses IDF of carrying out 'unlawful killings', and of acting in a fascist manner.

6/22/16

* Israel to install its own cyber defenses on F-35 jets  IAF seeking approval to increase number of jets from 33 to 50, with a view of eventually having 75 aircraft. 

* Liberman: F-35 stealth will increase Israelss deterrence  First Israeli F-35 jet rolled out out at Lockheed Martin production plant in Texas; IAF Chief of Staff: Flying the simulator, I felt I had ‚Äòthe future in my hands. 

* Putin: Russia will respond to 'aggressive NATO rhetoric'  Russia will take adequate measures to counter NATO's increasingly "aggressive rhetoric," President Vladimir Putin told MPs at the closing session of the State Duma. He called to create an international security system open to all countries. 

* Israel eyes law to remove online content inciting terrorism  Lawmakers move to formulate legislation enabling them to order websites to remove content of incitement to violence; Justice Minister Shaked: 'We will focus on removing terrorist content.' 

* Saudis, Gulf states could all become nuclear threshold states, former PMO official says  Syria jihadi expert: The project of Islamic State building a state structure is a failure, which could lead to members going back to al-Qaida. 

* EU referendum: Final push for votes on last day of campaign  Politicians have been making their last pitch for votes on the final day of campaigning before the EU referendum. 

* Iranian navy announces 20 military drills over coming months  Tehran boasts of defense capabilities ‚Äòso high that no enemy would dare invade‚Äô its territorial waters. 

* Mazel Tov! Israel Declares National Holiday Honoring Immigrants  New immigrants from USA and Canada salute and hold up Israeli flags as they arrive in a special 'Soldier Aliyah Flight 2013' on behalf of the Jewish Agency and the Nefesh B'Nefesh organization, at Ben Gurion airport in central Israel, on August 13, 2013.

* How Much of our Culture Are We Surrendering to Islam?  It all occurred in the same week.

6/21/16

* Uranium discovered at Parchin complex tied to past nuclear work  Traces of man-made uranium were discovered by the IAEA at Iran's Parchin complex, The Wall Street Journal reveals. 

* Congress Warns Russia Over 'Provocative' Military Action Against U.S. Forces  Russian intercepts of U.S. military craft sparks anger on Capitol Hill. 

* The Big One: 'Large scale motion' detected along San Andreas fault  Large scale motion has been detected along the San Andreas Fault line, thanks to new analysis of existing data that could help predict 'The Big One' in the future. 

* EU to back Mideast peace with 'unprecedented' support  EU Council president says any peace deal between Palestinians and Israelis would be accompanied by huge package of political, economic and security support for both sides; 'Lasting peace remains top priority.' 

* Terrorists infiltrate Jordan from Syria, kill six troops in bombing  The car exploded a few hundred meters from Rakban camp in a desolate eastern area of the country. 

* Iraqi cleric: Netanyahu puppet master of ISIS  In a recent TV interview translated by MEMRI, Sunni cleric Sheikh Ahmad Al-Kubeisi said that ISIS was an asset in the hands of Netanyahu. 

* EXCLUSIVE - Anjem Choudary: Put Practicing Gays To Death Wherever They Are  Gays should be put to death under sharia law whether the Islamic doctrine is implemented in Muslim countries or the West, exclaimed Britain's most notorious radical Islamist preacher, Anjem Choudary, during an interview. 

* 'Biblical sheep' heading to Israel  Rare breed of sheep said to be descended from Jacob's flock to be shepherded to Israel with the help of a Canadian Jewish couple and El Al. 

* 17 bids for Red Sea-Dead Sea canal project  Project is aimed at saving the ever-shrinking Dead Sea - predicted to dry up altogether by 2050 - by diverting water from the Red Sea. 

* Pope to Peres: No one has right to kill in name of religion  Former President Shimon Peres meets with Pope Francis in Rome, discuss terror and peace process.

6/20/16

* Homeland Security Report Calls for Rejecting Terms 'Jihad,' 'Sharia'  DHS to target millennials in countering Islamist recruitment. 

* ISIS threat to U.S. air bases, South Korea intelligence agency warns  ISIS has collected information on 77 U.S. and NATO air force facilities around the world and is calling on supporters to attack them, according to South Korea's intelligence agency. 

* Iran 'foils plot by Sunni militants to bomb Tehran'  The authorities in Iran have thwarted a plot by Sunni militants to bomb targets in the capital Tehran and other cities, the intelligence ministry says. 

* US Nato general fears rapid Russian troop deployments  The commander of US troops in Europe says Nato cannot rapidly deploy large forces to Eastern Europe in the way that Russia can. 

* Orlando gunman said 'I'm an Islamic soldier' in police call  The gunman who killed 49 people at an Orlando gay nightclub described himself as an Islamic soldier in calls made to police during the attack. 

* Herzog signed secret agreement to divide Jerusalem  Zionist Union leader also accepted 'right of return' for Palestinian Arabs into Israel, surrender of Judea and Samaria. 

* UN and EU to pressure Israel on Middle East nuclear test ban  Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty organization set to visit Israel. 

* European Union officially adopts French initiative  EU Foreign Affairs Council 'welcomes the Joint Communique on the Middle East peace initiative'. 

* Global Migrant Tide Swells to Record 65 Million  The number of refugees and others fleeing their homes worldwide has hit a new record, spiking to 65.3 million people by the end of 2015, the United Nations said Monday. 

* Analysis: How gas could warm relations between Israel and Turkey  "I'm a great proponent of this effort to resume diplomatic relations with Turkey.".

6/18/16

* First ever Israeli-Russian war game is coming  Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu decided at their June 7 meeting in Moscow to deepen the military ties between the Russian and Israeli armed forces, DEBKAfile reports exclusively from is military and intelligence sources. 

* Analysis: Ten years after war Hezbollah powerful but more stretched than ever  Despite massive missile arsenal and 45,000 fighters, Shi'ite army is stuck in a Syrian quagmire. 

* Is the Arab Peace Initiative back on the table?  Arab states say regional agreement offers better chance for a deal. 

* Iraq forces eye Mosul after Fallujah breakthrough  City is last major urban center in country that is still under islamic State control. 

* Raad Salah: Netanyahu will Try to Rebuild the Jewish Temple  Sheikh Raad Salah of the Islamic Movement warns Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will build the Jewish Temple atop the ruins of Al Aqsa. 

* Second Friday prayers of Ramadan end in Jerusalem without incident  Israel permits 300 Palestinians from Gaza and 53,000 from West Bank to worship at Al-Aqsa Mosque on month-long fast. 

* IS conflict: Iraqi forces 'retake most' of Falluja  Iraqi government forces have retaken most of the city of Falluja from so-called Islamic State fighters who have held it since 2014, officials say. 

* Yehuda Glick: 'I hope to return to Temple Mount after Ramadan'  MK Yehuda Glick expresses hope that Knesset Ethics Committee will let MKs visit holy site, and that Arab MKs don't ruin it. 

* 'If the Temple Were Standing Today': Incredible Photos  On Monday, a very special gathering took place in Jerusalem.  

* Noah's Ark Has Collision at Sea, No Animals Injured  Johan Huiber's dream almost sank last Friday when his reproduction of Noah/s Ark collided with a Norwegian Coast Guard vessel in Oslo Harbor.

6/16/16

* Israel lets Gazans into Jerusalem for Ramadan prayers  Israel grants permission for hundreds of Gazans to enter Jerusalem, despite concerns following Tel Aviv attack. 

* Turkey PM wants 'no permanent enmity' with neighbors  New Prime Minister Binali Yildirim expresses hope for improved relations with Israel, Egypt, Russia, Syria.

* ISIS looks to exterminate Yazidi minority  UN report reveals thousands of Yazidi sex slaves still held by ISIS terrorists. 

* Kurds call for three-way division of Iraq post ISIS  Once Islamic State is defeated, Iraq should be divided into three separate entities to prevent further sectarian bloodshed, with a state each given to Shi'ite Muslims, Sunnis and Kurds, a top Kurdish official said on Thursday. 

* 'Iran the greatest threat to Israeli security'  Senior Israeli defense official says Iran could potentially become existential threat to Israel. 

* Egypt, Jordan call on Israel to accept Saudi Initiative  In his first public appearance in Israel, Hazem Khairat said that Egyptian government still believes that a two-state solution is plausible. 

* Advanced Placement Tests To Hide History of Religion and Islamic Jihad in Europe  The new curriculum for the Advanced Placement European History test hides the role of Christianity in European history, and also hides Islam's violent conquests in Europe and its tradition of jihad. 

* Hitler's Mein Kampf (My Struggle) may soon become our struggle  Through the quality of our connections we will cause the rise of Hitlerism or its final disappearance. 

* Islamic State formidable despite losses, says CIA chief  The efforts of the US-led coalition fighting so-called Islamic State (IS) have failed to reduce its ability to carry out militant attacks, CIA Director John Brennan says. 

* Energy minister predicts vast new offshore gas reserves  Steinitz says foreign estimates suggest 2,200 billion cubic meters of natural gas under Israeli territorial waters. 

* Black box recovered from EgyptAir crash site  Cairo says recording device from missing flight found broken, but salvage experts managed to retrieve its memory unit. 

* UK campaign suspended after deadly attack on MP  The EU referendum campaign was suspended Thursday afternoon (16 June) after an MP, who later died of her wounds, was shot and stabbed in the street.

6/15/16

* Top diplomat: Palestinian conflict 'close to bottom' of Sunni Arab world's agenda  Israel's budding relations with Arab states have to be kept clandestine because of Arab public 'sensitivities', Dore Gold says. 

* Extremists 'en route from Syria to France and Belgium'  Authorities in Paris already on high alert because of Islamic State threats to attack during Euro Cup. 

* Iran's Khamenei Threatens to 'Set Fire' to Nuclear Deal if West Violates  Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, threatened on Tuesday to 'set fire' to the nuclear deal sealed with world powers if U.S. presidential candidates reneged on the agreement. 

* IDF intel chief: Our enemies have no idea how powerful we are  Major General Herzi Halevi speaks about threats to Israel. 

* 'Next war with Hamas will be its last,' senior defense source says  Future conflict is inevitable, but Israel will not initiate it, source adds; says: Hamas spends all of its money on arming itself, not to help Gazans. 

* Facebook apologizes for removing pro-Israel post  The Israel Video Network was also not allowed to post for three days, and was asked to remove other posts that may be 'problematic.' Facebook threatened termination of the page. 

* Palestinian Authority TV: Galilee is 'Palestine'  Official PA TV teaches children that Galilee is part of Palestine. 

* Orlando gunman's wife has Palestinian roots, was married before in West Bank  Noor Zahi Salman's parents listed as being born in 'Palestine'; police believe she knew about the plot ahead of time. 

* Iraq to sue Israel for destroying nuclear reactor in 1981  Homam Hamoudi, 1st deputy speaker of the Iraqi parliament, announces his country's intention to seek compensation for 'material damage and loss of life' following Israeli destruction of Osirak nuclear reactor in Iraq. 

* Hamas Threatens Jordan  An article published in Al-Quds Al-Arabi on April 20, 2016 asked why Jordanian Prime Minister Abdallah Ensour fired Salame Hamad from his post as Minister of the Interior, despite Hamad having restored internal security and causing Jordanians to feel they were living in a country of law and order.

6/14/16

* Where is ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi?  US intelligence officials say they're pursuing a new theory over the whereabouts of the 'Islamic State' leader. 

* French jihadist police killer 'obeyed Islamic State order'  The man who killed a French police couple at their home near Paris was acting on an order from so-called Islamic State (IS) to "kill infidels", officials say. 

* Asia Times: Chinese Espionage and Intelligence Activities at All Time High, Experts Say  Chinese intelligence operations worldwide to steal important information both through human agents and cyber attacks are a growing threat, according to experts who testified at a US congressional commission last week. 

* NATO Continues to Provoke Russia With Additional Troops  Britain, Germany and the United States advanced plans on Tuesday to spearhead a new NATO force on Russia's border from next year, but some eastern allies said the alliance's effort must go further to deter Moscow. 

* Knesset panel upholds ban on MKs on Temple Mount, despite police outline  The committee will reconsider the decision when the police decides it is safe to allow MKs to visit the holy site. 

* Jewish leader warns British parliament over rising anti-Semitism  Jewish leader Jonathan Arkush presents evidence to House of Commons, warns UK anti-Semitism could reach levels of France. 

* 1,200 rockets a day in next Lebanon war, officer warns  Former home front chief says country will need 'mental fortitude' more than military defense in future bout with Hezbollah. 

* The Art of Baking Biblical Bread: Preparing for the Third Temple  On Monday, a reenactment of a special Temple service was held in Jerusalem on the Armon Hanatziv Promenade. 

* Backstage at Turkey's Shotgun Wedding with Israel  There is every indication that Turkey and Israel are not far away from normalizing their troubled diplomatic relations. 

* Arabs strongly prefer Clinton over Trump, have dim view of Obama  Poll published on eve of 2016 Herzliya Conference shows Egyptians, Saudis oppose US promoting treaty between Israel, Palestinian Authority.

6/13/16

* The IDF is ready for another conflict with Hezbollah at a moment's notice  10 years after Second Lebanon War, brigade adapting for formidable foe. 

* Terrorism: Stop the mud-slinging, fight the war  Op-ed: After Orlando, we can spend the next few weeks venting our fears and frustrations. Or we can get serious about thwarting death cult extremism. 

* Nuclear powers shrinking, modernizing arsenals - watchdog  Despite fewer warheads, none of world's 9 nuclear powers show signs of surrendering their atomic weapons, study finds. 

* Obama: Orlando jihad killer inspired by 'propaganda and perversions of Islam'  Exactly how was the Orlando jihad massacre a perversion of Islam? . 

* Watch: Temple Mount preacher calls to 'annihilate the Jews'  Despite crackdown on incitement, anti-Semitic hate-speech in Al Aqsa Mosque apparently continuing. 

* Brazil regrets its vote negating Israel's tie to Western Wall, Temple Mount  The text of the resolution passed at the 199th session of UNESCO does not recognize a Jewish connection to the Western Wall and the Temple Mount and calls Israel an "occupying power." 

* Record-breaking $65 Billion Global Defense Trade in 2015 Fueled by Middle East, Asia  Arab countries lead Israel in defense imports, but Israel tops in exports. 

* Islam, a religion of violence: 100 Qur'an verses show truth Dr. Bill Warner, the founder and director of the Center for the Study of Political Islam (CSPI), has compiled one hundred verses from the Qur'an, "referred to as 'Sword Verses' " and provided context according to the Tafsir Ibn Kathir, an accepted scholars guide for the Qur'an. 

* Taliban Jihadists Skin Man Alive After Ripping His Eyes Out  A 21-year-old Afghan was 'skinned alive' by the Taliban, who also ripped out his eyes, in 'retaliation' for the death of one of its former commanders allegedly at the hands of a distant relative of the victim, The Washington Post (WaPo) has learned from a local lawmaker. 

* Donald Tusk: Brexit could destroy Western political civilisation  European Council president Donald Tusk has warned that a UK vote to leave the EU could threaten "Western political civilisation".

6/11/16

* Syria: Bombings rock Damascus suburb Sayyida Zeinab  At least 12 people have been killed in suicide bomb attacks on a suburb of Damascus which is home to Syria's holiest Shia shrine, state media say. 

* After 'historic' Russia visit, Netanyahu says US remains top ally  Stressing warm ties with Moscow, PM says there's 'no alternative' to Washington's friendship, but Jerusalem seeking other 'partnerships' as well. 

* Ramadan: Month Of Jihad  As Muslims struggle to increase their devotion to Allah, expect more mass murder. 

* Palestinians celebrate terror attack in Tel Aviv, Saudis strongly condemn  Following the shooting, Salma al-Jamal, a Palestinian news anchor working at Al-Jazeera TV, wrote on Twitter: "The Ramadan operation is the best answer to stories about 'peace process'." 

* Dirty Bomb Attack Risk Increasing with Russia-US Tensions  Tension between Russia and the West may be distracting them from cooperating to prevent an accidental nuclear confrontation or a dirty bomb attack by militants, nuclear policy experts said on Tuesday. 

* Moscow threatens response as NATO encircles Russia  American warships entering the Black Sea will prompt 'response measures' from Moscow, a top Russian diplomat has warned, adding that another US aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean is clearly an attempt to show force ahead of an upcoming NATO summit. 

* Major and Blair say an EU exit could split the UK  Sir John Major and Tony Blair warned a vote to leave the EU will "jeopardise the unity" of the UK as they campaigned together in Northern Ireland. 

* Istanbul bombing another sign Syria, Iraq war spreading to Turkey  Former Turkish lawmaker tells Post the perpetrators seem to have employed a dual strategy: attacking security forces while also damaging Turkey's tourism sector. 

* ISIS burns 19 Yazidi women alive in a cage  The women were brutally executed in front of hundreds of spectators for refusing to sleep with their ISIS militant husbands. 

* Op-Ed: A gentile-friendly guide to the Shavuot holiday  A gently humorous primer on the holiday from The Lid.

6/9/16

* The Islamic State calls rival al-Qaeda 'Jews of Jihad'  More slander, hate and propaganda against the Jews continue to be spread by jihadists.

* IDF working 24/7 to shore up 'insufficient' defenses on Lebanese border  Combat engineers put up walls, fences and create cliffs to protect Israeli communities from Hezbollah attacks. 

* Palestinians celebrate terror attack in Tel Aviv, Saudis strongly condemn  Following the shooting, Salma al-Jamal, a Palestinian news anchor working at Al-Jazeera TV, wrote on Twitter: "The Ramadan operation is the best answer to stories about 'peace process'." 

* Navy Secretary Ray Mabus celebrates gay pride, hits 'bigots' who backed ban  Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said Wednesday that pro-military activists who opposed lifting the ban on gays serving openly in the ranks are just like the bigots who fought against racial desegregation decades ago. 

* Thousands flee IS Syria stronghold as coalition closes in  Kurdish troops close in on Manbij, with US air support; Russian-backed Syrian fighters approach from the southwest. 

* Major and Blair say an EU exit could split the UK  Sir John Major and Tony Blair warned a vote to leave the EU will "jeopardise the unity" of the UK as they campaigned together in Northern Ireland. 

* Bilderberg group meeting: What actually happens at the world's most secretive gathering of global elites, and who is attending?  The list of the rich and powerful attending this year's Bilderberg Conference has been released - it includes bankers, prime ministers and former heads of the CIA and M16. 

* IDF to send hundreds more troops into Judea and Samaria  In response to deadly Tel Aviv shooting, Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman tells reporters he doesn't intend to 'make do with words.' 

* International coverage of TA terror attack refer to 'shooting,' but not terrorists  CNN refers to Tel Aviv terrorists who killed 4 Israelis in quotation marks; BBC describes attack as 'shooting;' FOX News refers to 'Terror in Israel.'

* Public Support for the European Union Plunges  Public opposition to the European Union is growing in all key member states, according to a new survey of voters in ten EU countries.

6/8/16

* After 'historic' Russia visit, Netanyahu says US remains top ally  Stressing warm ties with Moscow, PM says there's 'no alternative' to Washington's friendship, but says Jerusalem seeking other 'partnerships' as well. 

* Putin supports Israel-Turkey reconciliation  Despite tensions between his country and Turkey, Russian President tells Netanyahu he supports reconciliation between Israel and Turkey. 

* Undivided: Jerusalem by the numbers  Op-ed: Forget the cliche's. A quick look at the numbers clearly shows that East and West Jerusalem cannot be split from each other. 

* Netanyahu vows: 'Syria won't be a launchpad against Israel'  Talking to Moscow's Jewish leaders, PM admits Israeli activity in Syria, says he talked with Putin about new regional 'arrangement.' 

* In Russian media blitz, PM warns Israel won't let Iran open Golan front  Ahead of Putin meeting, Netanyahu says Tehran cannot be allowed to use Hezbollah as a proxy to attack Jewish state. 

* Istanbul bombing another sign Syria, Iraq war spreading to Turkey  Former Turkish lawmaker tells Post the perpetrators seem to have employed a dual strategy: attacking security forces while also damaging Turkey's tourism sector. 

* Bangladeshi minister has new theory for Islamist terror: Israel  Israeli intelligence, Khan claimed, has been colluding with the Bangladeshi opposition to carry out a recent wave of killings. 

* Church of the Holy Sepulchre to be renovated after 200 years  Due to public safety concerns, heads of the different Christian sects in Jerusalem have come to a rare, joint decision to move forward with the renovation; the project is due to cost $3 million and take eight months to a year. 

* Netanyahu Cuts Red Ribbon at Israeli Technology Exhibit in Moscow  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday, marking the 25th anniversary of resumed diplomatic relations between the two countries. 

* REPORT: Migrants Burn Down Asylum Centre After Not Receiving Ramadan Wake Up Call  A massive fire at Dusseldorf's major international trade fair grounds yesterday has been followed by reports that the blaze was set deliberately by migrants who were angry because of Ramadan.

6/7/16

* Netanyahu and Putin meet as Russia calls for new Israeli-Palestinian talks  "There are bonds of sympathy and empathy between Israel and Russia, with a common past that has tragic chapters for both peoples," Netanyahu says. 

* Dirty Bomb Attack Risk Increasing with Russia-US Tensions  Tension between Russia and the West may be distracting them from cooperating to prevent an accidental nuclear confrontation or a dirty bomb attack by militants, nuclear policy experts said on Tuesday. 

* Report: ISIL executing civilians trying to flee Fallujah by swimming the Euphrates  Civilians desperately trying to get out of the besieged city of Fallujah by attempting to cross the Euphrates River are being gunned down by Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) jihadists, reports say. 

* US Aid to Israel is 'Single Largest Military Assistance Package in American History'  The impending United States military aid package to Israel will constitute 'the single largest military assistance package - with any country - in American history,' said U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice during her address to the American Jewish Committee Global Forum in Washington on Monday. 

* ISIS burns 19 Yazidi women alive in a cage  The women were brutally executed in front of hundreds of spectators for refusing to sleep with their ISIS militant husbands. 

* Haniyeh: One day we'll pray at the liberated Al-Aqsa Mosque  Deputy Hamas leader says the group has the capabilities to thwart any diplomatic initiatives. 

* Nato in show of strength ahead of Warsaw summit  Nato has begun three military exercises - Anaconda-16, Baltops and Iron Wolf 2016 - designed to show it is ready to defend its eastern allies from Russia. 

* Ramadan: Month Of Jihad  As Muslims struggle to increase their devotion to Allah, expect more mass murder. 

* The Six Day War Remembered  A reflection on the "what-might-have-beens. " 

* How many Arabs live in Judea-Samaria? No one knows  Palestinian Authority statistics impossible to independently verify - while Knesset subcommittee finds the IDF has no idea at all..

6/6/16

* Netanyahu: Yes to peace, no to dividing Jerusalem  On Jerusalem Day, Netanyahu pledges to never abandon Kotel or cut ties to Temple Mount. 

* Six Day Miracle  From gaining strategic depth in the north and south to taking back the holiest sites in Judaism from Jordanian control, the generals who led the battles describe how this war was won against all odds. 

* Netanyahu heads to Moscow for fourth Putin parley in a year  PM and Russian president to discuss security cooperation in Syria, mark 25 years since establishment of bilateral ties. 

* Muslims mark start of Ramadan, many under cloud of war  More than a billion Muslims observed the start of Ramadan on Monday but in the besieged cities of Syria and Iraq residents struggled to mark the holy month. 

* Abbas: 'The Bible says we were here before Abraham'  PA head exposed claiming 'Palestinians invented an alphabet here 6,000 years ago' - as his adviser claims 5,000 years of 'history.' 

* This is the fastest-growing language in American homes  Arabic is the fastest-growing language in American households - and that's leading the US Census Bureau to explore the tricky task of adjusting its questionnaires to - accommodate the language's right-to-left script. 

* Exclusive: As Iran's oil exports surge, international tankers help ship its fuel  More than 25 European and Asian-owned supertankers are shipping Iranian oil, data seen by Reuters shows, allowing Tehran to ramp up exports much faster than analysts had expected following the lifting of sanctions in January. 

* Nearly 100,000 affirm the Jerusalem Covenant  NGO presents MK Glick with signatures of the Covenant affirming Jerusalem is the eternal Biblical capital of the Jews. 

* Attack kills 5 Jordan intelligence agents at Palestinian camp  Security forces launch investigation into incident at Baqaa refugee camp, north of Amman. 

* How One Rabbi Single-Handedly Captured the Holy City of Hebron  Many know the story of Rabbi Shlomo Goren arriving at the Western Wall flanked by IDF troops in the 1967 Six Day War on the 28th of Iyyar in the Hebrew calendar.

6/4/16

* Netanyahu: No Need to Justify Israel's Historic Ties to Temple Mount, Western Wall  Ahead of this year's celebration of the Israeli holiday of Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) on June 5, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday said that Israel's historic ties to the Jerusalem-based Temple Mount and Western Wall sites do not need justifications or apologies. 

* 'Jerusalem was ours and will remain ours,' PM says  In Jerusalem Day Knesset session, Netanyahu rules out a return to pre-1967 divided city, slams 'absurd' UNESCO resolution. 

* Saudi FM in Paris: Arab Initiative is best way to end Mideast conflict  Adel al-Jubeir tells reporters Arab League-backed plan has 'all the elements needed for a final resolution'. 

* Syria conflict: Troops 'cross into IS-held Raqqa province'  Syrian troops have crossed into Raqqa province, nearing the capital of so-called Islamic State, activists say. 

* State Department: Iran is top state sponsor of terrorism  Annual report says Tehran supports terror groups worldwide, sows instability; lists Islamic State as 'greatest threat globally'. 

* Islamic State Threatens Terror Attacks in U.S., Europe  The Islamic State is urging jihadists in the United States and Europe to carry out terror attacks during what a group spokesman promised would be 'the month of conquest and jihad.' 

* 20,000 to practice readiness for Northwest megaquake, tsunami  Imagine a devastating earthquake and tsunami have cut off Pacific Northwest coastal communities. 

* Israel to ease West Bank, Gaza movement during Ramadan  Measures include permits for Gazans to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque, travel between Palestinian territories for family visits. 

* Paris summit ends with vague call for international conference by year's end  Participants warn time is running out on two-state solution, blame violence and settlement activity, but don't set timeline for progress. 

* Falluja offensive: Final push some way off  "There's not much going on - why are you in such a hurry?" says Gen Abd al-Wahhab al-Saadi, commander of operations in the Iraqi government's campaign to drive the fighters of self-styled Islamic State out of Falluja.

6/3/16

* Paris summit ends with vague call for international conference by year's end  Participants warn time is running out on two-state solution, blame violence and settlement activity, but don't set timeline for progress. 

* WATCH: Islamic Jihad 'cubs' demonstrate killing of IDF soldiers at Gaza kindergarten  Footage emerges from graduation ceremony for kindergarten run by Palestinian terrorist group. 

* Hamas, other terror groups: Paris talks 'infringe on our rights'  Hamas, Islamic Jihad, DFLP and PFLP make joint statement against Paris talks for not including Palestinian 'right of return.' 

* The precise number of Jews in the West Bank  In the new report, the Jewish population stats are broken down into towns and regions and detail growth since Dec. 31, 2010. 

* State Department: ISIS is 'greatest terror threat in the world'  Annual report finds ISIS remains the greatest worldwide terrorist threat, while Iran is still the leading state sponsor of terrorism. 

* Why is Shi'ite Iran backing Sunni Hamas?  Hamas politburo member praises 'natural' ties, even though Iran is fighting and killing Sunnis throughout the region. 

* Former Israeli and US officials unveil security-based proposals for two-state solution  The CIS report, entitled 'Security First' aims to be a 'plan of action to extricate Israel from the security dead end and to improve its security situation and international standing.'

* MK Glick: 'Netanyahu in his heart is with the settlers'  New MK Glick at Oz VeGaon memorial site calls to 'bring peace' by building in Judea-Samaria, demands sovereignty in region. 

* Thousands attended Pride Parade in Tel Aviv  2016 Pride events highlight women in the LGBT community; after event in Gan Meir, parade is making its way through Tel Aviv's major streets towards Charles Clore Park, where beach party will commence. 

* UN: Islamic State increasingly focused on international attacks  Report says terrorist group moving into new phase as it faces pressure in Iraq and Syria.

6/2/16

* Europol: Jihadis stockpiling explosives in Europe  Terrorist cells all across the EU are likely stockpiling explosives for future attacks, warned Manuel Navarrete Paniagua, Head of the European Counter Terrorism Center at Europol. 

* IDF troops simulate Hezbollah warfare  Camouflage, Kalashnikov rifles, and planting bombs were all a part of the Nahal Brigade's recent drill simulating warfare against Hezbollah. 

* "Jerusalem was ours and will remain ours," PM says  In Jerusalem Day Knesset session, Netanyahu rules out a return to pre-1967 divided city, slams 'absurd' UNESCO resolution. 

* Netanyahu to meet Putin in Russia next week  Kremlin announces Netanyahu will visit Russia next week to discuss a wide range of international issues with Putin. 

* Jewish presence in Jerusalem in 2014 on the increase, study shows  Overall growth rate of Jewish population in Jerusalem shows stark increases, while Arab rate on the decline; Statistics serve to undermine political claims that the capital is heading toward a 50-50 Arab-Jewish demographic. 

* Lebanon: Hezbollah Digging Tunnels Into Israel  In marking the 16th anniversary of Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon, the Lebanese newspaper Al-Safir reported that the Hezbollah terrorist militia is busy digging tunnels under the Israeli border in preparation for future conflict. 

* Merkel Warns U.K. of Isolation If Brexit Camp Wins Vote  German Chancellor Angela Merkel made her strongest intervention in the Brexit debate so far, warning that the U.K. would be isolated and lose influence if it leaves the European Union in the referendum in three weeks' time. 

* Falluja offensive: Final push some way off  "There's not much going on - why are you in such a hurry?" says Gen Abd al-Wahhab al-Saadi, commander of operations in the Iraqi government's campaign to drive the fighters of self-styled Islamic State out of Falluja. 

* Netanyahu announces 'Jerusalem Jubilee' plan  PM welcomes three new ministers into government, lays out plan for massive investment in the capital. 

* Europe Braces for More Jihadist Attacks  European security officials are bracing for potential jihadist attacks at public venues across Europe this summer.