Terror attack leaves Jerusalem on edge
Published on: 17.4.2015ICEJ News Briefs
Jerusalemites were a little on edge Friday following yet another vehicular terrorist attack the previous day by a Palestinian resident of the eastern part of the city which killed a Jewish man and severely wounded a Jewish woman as they waited for a bus in the French Hill neighborhood of the capital. Shalom Yohai Cherki, 25, was killed in the attack while Shira Klein remained hospatilized in serious condition Friday afternoon. Their attacker was named as Khaled Koutineh, 37, from Anata, who was arrested following questioning by security forces who believe he carried out the attack for nationalistic reasons. “After the suspect was questioned, the preliminary findings reinforced that the incident was an attack; however, the investigation is continuing,” police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said. However, Koutineh’s lawyer said it was a simple car accident caused by bad weather.
Anti-Semitism growing in the Moslem world
Israelis watched in alarm this week as signs emerged of growing anti-Semitism around the world, particularly among their Moslem neighbors. In Turkey, a “documentary” film called Mastermind, purporting to give evidence of Jewish domination of world events going back 3,500 years has been broadcast several times in recent weeks. With assistance from media associated with the Islamist AKP party of President Erdogan and Prime Minister Davutaglo, the film has also been spread on the internet. In related news, a conference was held at Bar-Ilan University this week to discuss the growing phenomenon of Holocaust denial in the Muslim world. “The Arab world is filled with Holocaust denial which comes from the highest ranks,” said Dr. Nesia Shemer of Bar Ilan’s Department of Middle East Studies.
Here is a video about anti-Semitism in North America
Cyrus stamp issued by Israeli Post Office
Israel’s Postal Service has issued a stamp honoring Cyrus II, the king of ancient Persia who, in 538 BC, issued a decree allowing the Jews who had been exiled by the Babylonians to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city, as recorded in the Book of Ezra, chapter 1. “In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia… the Lord roused the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia to issue a proclamation throughout his realm by word of mouth and in writing as follows: Thus said King Cyrus of Persia: The Lord God of Heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has charged me with building Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Anyone of you of all His people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem that is in Judah and build the House of the Lord God of Israel, the God that is in Jerusalem.”
Israel gets some good news and some bad news
There was some good news and bad news for Israel’s relations with the world on Thursday, as 16 EU Foreign Ministers issued a joint statement demanding that West Bank settlement products not be allowed to be sold under the label “Made in Israel.” Shortly after the announcement, Yesh Atid party head Yair Lapid told EU’s foreign policy chief Frederica Mogherini“This is a de-facto call to boycott Israel. There is no difference between products which are produced over the Green Line and those that are produced within the Green Line. This is an irresponsible call that could create wreak havoc on the Israeli economy.” Meanwhile, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared the Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park in the Judean Lowlands as a World Heritage site on Tuesday, adding to its attraction for tourists.
Christian graves vandalized in Galilee village
Northern District police said on Wednesday that 15 graves at a Christian cemetery near the mainly Maronite village of Jish in the Galilee had been vandalized. Although police were not able to announce who they suspected of the crime there was no evidence that it was a “price tag” attack by Jewish extremists against Christian sites such as have become increasingly common in other parts of the country.
Netanyahu honored by TIME Magazine
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was listed as one of the world’s 100 most influential people in the latest issue of TIME magazine, along with 13 other world leaders including US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, who also served in previous governments as Netanyahu’s Defense Minister, wrote a brief description of him for the magazine in which he criticized him as being “basically right” but too indecisive regarding Iran’s renegade nuclear program, adding that “on the Palestinian question he grossly ignores the slippery slope awaiting Israel in the form of a one-state solution…to leave his mark, Netanyahu must swiftly heal wounds opened by his campaign, mend the working relationship with President Obama, and fight hard – mainly behind closed doors.”
Today’s videos show the creative spirit in Israel and young Israelis rediscovering their past