Iranian Forces Fire 20 Rockets Toward Golan Heights
The Iranian Qods Force in Syria, fired a barrage of 20 rockets at IDF posts on the Golan Heights around midnight on Wednesday (9th).
A number of rockets were intercepted by the IDF’s Iron Dome aerial defense system. No injuries were reported.
The IDF views this event with great severity and remains prepared for a wide variety of scenarios,” said the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.
Residents of the area were in protected spaces during the attack listening to instructions from the Home Front Command.
(israelnn.com; timesofisrael.com)
Israel’s Policy: If One Rises To Kill You, ‘Kill Him First’
At the opening of the National Student and Youth Council Conference, Wednesday (9th), Education Minister Naftali Bennett said, “We are in a tense period facing our enemies, both close and distant.”
“If I had to summarize the policies of the Israeli government and the security establishment in this era, I would say: If one rises up to kill you – kill him first. We are stronger and more determined than Iran,” the minister stressed.
Speaking about the US withdrawal from the nuclear agreement with Iran, Bennett said “We hope the Iranians will agree to change the agreement following the sanctions that will be enforced.”
(israelnn.com)
Netanyahu To Putin: Iran Calling For Our Destruction 73 Years After Holocaust
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke Wednesday (9th) at the opening of a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin saying: “It is unbelievable that 73 years after the Holocaust there is a Middle East country, Iran, which is calling for the destruction of another six million Jews.”
Netanyahu added, “The difference is that today we have a state and I really appreciate the opportunity to speak with you about the problems of the region – the efforts as you say, to solve the crisis, to eliminate the threats in an intelligent and responsible way.”
(ynetnews.com)
Israeli National Anthem Played In Moscow During PM’s Visit
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin Wednesday (9th) and later attended the World War II Victory Day Parade in Moscow.
“I’m excited to participate as President Putin’s honored guest, in the parade commemorating victory over Nazi Germany in Moscow,” the prime minister said.
“I was very moved to hear the ‘Tikvah’ (Israel’s national anthem) at Red Square,” Netanyahu added. “I salute the heroism of hundreds of thousands of Jews who fought in the ranks of the Red Army and in other allied armies.”
(jpost.com)
Israel Fetes Founding For First Time In Egypt Since Uprising
Israel’s Embassy in Egypt celebrated the 70th anniversary of the country’s founding on Tuesday (8th) in Cairo, the first such event since the 2011 Arab Spring uprising and a sign of improving ties between the former enemies.
Despite attempts to sabotage the event, Israeli Ambassador to Cairo, David Govrin hosted the 70th anniversary gala at the Cairo Ritz Hotel attended by prominent Egyptians.
Egypt was the first Arab country to make peace with Israel in 1979.
(ap.com)
Palestinians To Mark US Jerusalem Embassy Opening With ‘Huge Day Of Rage’
May 14th will be the latest ‘day of rage’ called for by the Palestinians if the celebration turning the American consulate in Jerusalem into an embassy takes place on its scheduled date, said senior PLO official Majdalani on Tuesday (8th).
As reported in the Jerusalem Post, “The fourteenth of this month will be a huge popular day of rage everywhere,” Majdalani said, according to Voice of Palestine the official Palestinian Authority radio station. “Our people will express their rejection of relocating the embassy to occupied Jerusalem.”
(worldisraelnews.com)
Gulf Arab Allies Jubilant At US Withdrawal From Iran Deal
Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab allies welcomed U.S.President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran, after years of warning that it gave the archrival cover to expand its regional influence.
Saudis rejoiced at Trump’s announcement via social media, tweeting photos of him and Crown Prince Mohammed Salman with comments including, “We prevailed,” “Game over,” and “Action, not words.”
Both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates felt vindicated by the US decision according to Arab tweets.
(israelhayom.com)
Canada To Apologize For Turning Away Nazi Era Ship Of Jews
Toronto – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada’s government will formally apologize for turning away a ship full of Jewish refugees trying to flee Nazi Germany in 1939.
The German liner MS St. Louis was carrying 907 German Jews fleeing Nazi persecution who had also been rejected by Cuba and the United States. The passengers were forced to return to Europe and more than 250 later died in the Holocaust.
Trudeau said in a speech to a sold-out Jewish fundraising event Tuesday (8th) that the decision to turn away the ship was a blight on Canada’s past.
(timesofisrael.com; ap.com)
Boy, 14, Attacked Outside Yeshiva In New York
A 14-year-old boy was punched and cursed at outside of a yeshiva and high school in Queens New York on Sunday evening (6th).
A man punched the teen in the face and called him a “Jew boy,” the local newspaper reported, citing police.
The incident is being investigated as a bias incident by the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force.
The attack comes on the heels of several recent assaults with anti-Semitic motives in Brooklyn targeting visibly Orthodox Jewish men.
(jta.org)
Israeli Government Allocates $16.5 Million For Excavations Near Old City Of Jerusalem
The Israeli government will provide $16.5 million for archaeological excavations adjacent to the City of David, Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev announced Tuesday (8th).
The area to be excavated lies outside the walls of the Old City, between the City of David and Mount Zion.
Regev said, “I’m happy that, together with the prime minister and my fellow ministers, I got the plan to excavate ancient Jerusalem approved.”
“For the first time in decades, the government is initiating excavations that will unearth the remnants of ancient Jerusalem and expose the history of the Jewish people dating back 3,000 years,” Regev said.
(israelhayom.com)
