Israel in the News - Australia

In a move that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called “baffling,” the nation of France is planning to bring Israelis and Palestinians together for an international peace conference. The French foreign minister has also warned that if a peace deal is not reached, France will recognize a Palestinian state. Also this week in Israel in the News: • Netanyahu said this week that Israel and the U.S. are making long-term plans to deal with Iran-funded terror in the wake of the recent nuclear deal. • In an attack similar to ones happening in Israel, a man wielding a machete attacked patrons at an Israeli-owned restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. The attacker was fatally shot by police. • The Fellowship has contributed to the purchased of Israel’s second mobile CT scanner – the second of these cutting-edge devices in the nation. This week’s Israel in the News Perspective features The Fellowship’s Ami Farkas on the British government’s newly pass legislation against the BDS movement.

On Sunday, Jan. 17, an Israeli mother of six, Dafna Meir, was stabbed and killed in the doorway of her home by a Palestinian terrorist. Her death marked the latest tragedy in the ongoing spree of terror attacks in Israel. To date, at least 24 Israelis and one American have been killed by Palestinian terrorists. Also this week in Israel in the News: • A terror cell that was recruited to conduct suicide bombings and shootings in Israel was uncovered Wednesday. The cell was operated by the son of Hezbollah’s chief leader. • Four Americans held in prison by Iran, including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian and Christian pastor Saeed Abedini, returned home this week. • Since December 2014, The Fellowship has helped more than 2,000 persecuted Jews make a new life in Israel, providing them a range of assistance in adjusting to their new home. • Nearly 10,000 Jews from Western Europe have immigrated to Israel in 2015 — the largest number ever. The majority have come from France where there has been a rise in anti-Semitism. • In Iraq, ISIS has destroyed the oldest Christian monastery in that country. More than 100 structures from antiquity have been demolished by ISIS. This week’s Israel in the News Perspective features The Fellowship’s Yonit Rothchild with a tribute to terror victim Dafna Meir.

The Israeli military said that it carried out an airstrike in the Gaza Strip that targeted a group of terrorists who were placing explosives along the Israeli-Palestinian border. One terrorist was reported killed in the attack. Also this week in Israel in the News: • A string of terrorist attacks were carried out in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta on Thursday, with three suicide bombers detonating themselves inside a Starbucks, and two gunman targeting a local police post. • The Jewish community in France is on the alert after a Jewish teacher in Marseilles was stabbed. Some Jewish leaders are telling Jews not to wear their traditional skull cap – or kippah — in public. • The Fellowship is working with the Israeli Christians Recruitment Forum, headed by Father Gabriel Naddaf, to help fund scholarships for Israeli-Arab Christians. • In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, The Fellowship is sponsoring a joint celebration with the Adat Shalom Synagogue and the Russell Street Baptist Church in Detroit. This week’s Israel in the News Perspective features The Fellowship’s founder and President Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Tourism numbers are down in Israel, as the recent violence in the region has kept some away. But that didn’t stop Christians from all across the globe from traveling to Bethlehem this Christmas. Also this week in Israel in the News: • Clashes between Israeli Border Police and violent Palestinian protesters marred peaceful Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem. • Iraqi troops took back the city of Ramadi from the Islamic State, as the fight against ISIS continues. • An American journalist being held in an Iranian prison was allowed to visit with his family, though he is no nearer to being released. This week’s Israel in the News Perspective features The Fellowship’s founder and President Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein blessing the new year.

The wave of violent attacks in Israel continued this week, with several Israel killed, including an 18-year-old soldier in the Israel Defense Forces. The young man was stabbed to death at a West Bank gas stations in a terror attack that left two others injured. Hundreds of Israelis turned out for his funeral. Also this week in Israel in the News: • U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was in Israel to meet with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Both Kerry and Rivlin condemned the terrorist attacks. • America and Israel paid tribute this week to an 18-year-old American student who had been studying abroad and was killed in Israel last week in a terror attack. • A terror attack victim expressed his thanks to The Fellowship for the aid he and his family received. The Fellowship has committed to donating $1,000 to each Israeli terror victim to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. • An Israeli company could be the first private team to land a robot on the moon as the frontrunner in a $30 million contest sponsored by Google. This week’s Israel in the News Perspective features The Fellowship’s Yonit Rothchild on how mothers in Israel are taking a stand against the current wave of violence and terror.

French police reported that they killed the mastermind behind the Paris terror attacks in a raid Wednesday. Abdelhamid Abaaoud was identified as one of the people killed when heavily armed police stormed an apartment in northern Paris in the early morning hours Wednesday. Abaaoud, a Belgian national, had been the target of French airstrikes in Syria last month. Also this week in Israel in the News: • In the wake of the Paris terror attacks, The Fellowship has provided $86,000 to French synagogues for increased security and is offering to help any French Jew who wants to leave and make a new life in Israel. • The latest issue of a magazine published by ISIS claims responsibility for the Paris attacks and for the crash of a Russian jet in Egypt last month in which all 224 people on board were killed. • The wave of terror attacks continue in Israel with five killed, including one American student, in two separate attacks Thursday. • Just days after the attacks in Paris, a Jewish schoolteacher in the city of Marseille was stabbed by three terrorists, one wearing an ISIS-branded T-shirt. This week’s Israel in the News Perspective features The Fellowship’s founder and President Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein on the need for the free world to stand in unity with the people of France.

Israeli police are struggling to contain and control the continuing wave of terror attacks in Israel. Earlier this week at least three more stabbing attacks were reported in the West Bank. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering revoking travel and benefit rights to some Palestinians living in the mostly Arab East Jerusalem. Also this week in Israel in the News: • U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with Palestinian and Jordanian leaders on how to reduce the violence on the Temple Mount by placing 24-hour video surveillance of the site.• In an address to the U.N. Human Rights Council, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas blamed Israel for the ongoing violence in a speech that Israeli leaders say will incite even more attacks.• A group of 20,000 Israelis are suing Facebook in a New York court for allowing Palestinians to recruit and train terrorists via social media. This week’s Israel in the News Perspective features The Fellowship’s founder and President Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein on the price Israelis pay for living with terror.

6 Israelis Killed, More than 100 Wounded in Terror Attacks In a growing wave of terror attacks, at least six Israelis have been killed and more than 100 wounded. “Lone wolf” Palestinian terrorists have been targeting Jewish citizens throughout Israel with knives, stones, and guns. Hamas is praising the attacks. Also this week in Israel in the News: • Increased security in and around Jerusalem led to police thwarting a stabbing attack near the city’s Damascus Gate. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is also deploying troops to help quell the violence.• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called out Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to not “turn murderers into heroes” during a speech to the Knesset. In the U.S., Secretary of State John Kerry strongly condemned the terrorist attacks, urging both sides to resume peace negotiations.• In response to the terror attacks, The Fellowship is setting up an emergency fund to support victims of terror. Grants will be given to families of every attack victim to cover medical costs.• Despite the ongoing violence, tourism to the Holy Land remains strong. This week’s Israel in the News Perspective features The Fellowship’s Senior Vice President Yael Eckstein on living in Jerusalem during these terror attacks. Read more: http://www.blog.standforisrael.org/iitn#ixzz3olaiomXz Follow us: @StandForIsrael on Twitter | StandforIsrael on Facebook

  A glimmer of peace progress appeared in the Middle East this week, as the Israeli embassy reopened in Cairo for the first time since diplomats and their families left in 2011, after violent protests arose over the deaths of five Egyptian policemen in Sinai. Israel says the countries are working together for stability and prosperity.   Also this week in Israel in the News:   --President Obama likely enough votes in Congress to pass the Iran nuclear deal. --A jury has recommended the death sentence for the white supremacist who murdered three people at Jewish centers in Kansas. --Refugees fleeing Syria have created a crisis in Europe. This week’s Israel in the News Perspective features The Fellowship’s Ami Farkas on the upcoming Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, which marks the beginning of the High Holy Days.

Iran Unveils New Ballistic Missile, Plans for More Arms The Iranian government unveiled a new ballistic missile this week, and announced plans for purchasing more arms from Russia. Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, said his country “will buy, sell and develop any weapons and not ask for permission or abide by any resolution.”   Also this week in Israel in the News:   • British diplomats, speaking at the reopening of their embassy in Tehran, said Iranian leaders are softening their stance toward Israel — a claim Iran’s state news outlet said was false. • The Russian government has jailed two Ukrainians on what the U.S. State Department is calling trumped up terror charges. • The Islamic State (ISIS) has destroyed yet another ancient site in Syria dating back to the Roman era.   This week’s Israel in the News Perspective features The Fellowship’s Founder and President Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein on the heroes who stood up to evil.  

1. The Fellowship campaign rallies millions of Christians and Jews against Iran deal   2. Iranian officials mock American threat of military action   3. Leaked documents reveal Palestinian corruption   4. Pro-Russian rebels launch biggest offensive since February on Ukrainian gov’t forces     5. Israel gets shout-out in Republican presidential primary debate

1. U.S. and five other nations approve nuclear deal with Iran; Israel and US pro-Israel groups remain strongly opposed. 2. Israel returns fire for the first time in latest barrage of rockets from Gaza.   3. Lou Lenart, US pilot and hero in Israeli war for independence dies at 94.

1. The Fellowship responds to Druze refugee crisis in Syria 2. Nuclear talks deadline extended as Iran hardens stance against inspections and research limits 3. NATO allies and US step up to defend Ukraine   4. Holocaust hero Nicolas Winton dies at the age of 106