April 24, 2018

In News Surrounding Israel by The Friends of Israel

Report: Russia will soon supply Syria with S-300 air defense systems

The Kremlin on Monday (23rd) declined to comment on media reports suggesting that Russia plans to supply Syria with S-300 air defense systems, but said a Western missile strike on Syria had soured the atmosphere in the region.

Citing unnamed military sources, Russia’s daily Kommersant newspaper reported Monday (23rd) that Russia might start supplying the S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems in Syria in the near future.

(israelhayom.com)

 

Steinitz: Assad will suffer consequences if any attack on Israel

Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz said Monday (23rd) that if Syrian President Bashar Assad lets anyone declare war on Israel from Syrian territory, he would suffer the consequences.

In an interview at the Ynet studio, Steinitz was asked about Iranian Foreign Affairs MInister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s clarification Sunday (22nd) that Tehran saw no possibility of widespread military conflict.

“The Iranians may be trying to lower tensions in the United States, but in this region they are increasing tensions and instability, in Syria and in the entire region,” Steinitz replied.

“If Syrian leader Assad allows anyone to declare war on Israel from Syrian territory, he will live to regret it,” Steinitz added.

(ynetnews.com)

 

Iranian generals threaten to “annihilate” Israel

The commander of Iran’s army, Maj.Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, said Saturday (21st), “The army will move hand in hand with the IRGC (Revolutionary Guards) so that the arrogant system will collapse and the Zionist regime will be annihilated…We shouldn’t allow one day to be added to the ominous and illegitimate life of this regime.”

On Friday (20th), IRGC Lt. Commander Brig.-Gen. Hossein Salami said his country would wipe Israel off the map in a twinkling of an eye.  “We know you well, you are too vulnerable, you have no depth and no backyard….When your soldiers and citizens start escaping, you have no way out to escape but swimming in the sea.”

(farsnews.com)

 

Report: Iran faces devastating water shortage

“This coming summer, 35 million Iranians, nearly half the country’s population of 80 million will face an acute water crisis, according to a report released Monday (23rd) in the country’s Donya-e Eqtesad economic newspaper.

A dramatic rise in population, weather changes, and an ongoing 14-year drought have led to the current crisis, the newspaper reported.

(jpost.com)

 

Mortar from Syria lands in Israeli territory, believed to be spillover

A mortar shell landed near the security fence in the northern Golan Heights on Monday (23rd), the army announced.

In response, the Israeli army attacked a Syrian army artillery position.

“The IDF views the Syrian regime as responsible for everything in its territory and will not tolerate any attempt to harm the sovereignty of the State of Israel and the security of its residents,” read an army statement.

(timesofisrael.com)

 

Flaming kite from Gaza sets Israeli warehouse ablaze

A warehouse in Israel’s south was set aflame on Saturday (21st) after a kite equipped with a flaming rag that had been intentionally released by Palestinians in Gaza landed there.  Heavy damage was caused to the warehouse.

At least four burning kites also set an Israeli wheat field on fire.

The burning kites are part of a new tactic utilized by Gaza protesters against Israel.

(timesofisrael.com)

 

Hamas terrorist killed in Gaza tunnel collapse

A Hamas terrorist was killed on Sunday (22nd) when a tunnel collapsed on him in central Gaza.  The incident took place near Deir al-Balah.

The terrorist, a member of Hamas, was identified as Tha’er Nayef az-Zare’ey, 30.

Several dozen Hamas terrorists have died in tunnel collapses over the past two years.

(israelnn.com)

 

Hamas terrorist killed in ‘work accident’ explosion, young son injured

A Hamas terrorist in Gaza was killed in an explosion on Monday (23rd) in what Palestinian media reported as a “work accident,” the apparent result of a terror-related explosive charge that went off prematurely.

Sources identified the dead man as Mohammed Nimer Al-Maqadmeh, in his 50s.

Another three people, including Al-Maqadmeh small son were wounded.

(worldisraelnews.com)

 

Jewish man attacked in Crown Heights while walking home from Shabbat services

An identifiably Jewish man was beaten and choked while walking home from Shabbat services in the Crown Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn on Saturday afternoon (21st).

It was the second such attack in two weeks.

The Jewish man said another man was standing on the street corner, so he said “Good afternoon,” to him. To which the man said “You fake Jews – who are you saying hello to?  I want to kill you.”

The victim than walked away from the man quickly but the assailant caught up with him and put him in a chokehold and threatened again to kill him.

Two passersby helped him get away and call an ambulance.

(jta.org)

 

Berlin Jews to hold ‘wear a kippah’ demonstration in response to assault

The Berlin Jewish community is organizing a demonstration against anti-Semitism in response to an attack on an Israeli man wearing a yarmulke, and is urging participants to wear a kippah.

A broad coalition from interfaith, political, academic and pro-Israel circles is backing the “Berlin wears a kippah” protest set for Wednesday evening (25th) in front of the Jewish community center in the former West Berlin.

Last week, a young Syrian man beat his kippah-wearing victim with his belt and repeated the Arabic word for Jew, “Yahudi,” in public in the trendy Prenzlauer Berg neighborhood.

(jta.org)