Filmed crossing into Israel with sick child, mother says all Syrians want to come
In unprecedented footage, the IDF allowed an Israeli TV crew to film it opening the border gates to Syria, and allowing in a group of mothers and their children, who were then transported to an Israeli hospital for medical treatment.
The footage, broadcast on Sunday night (19th) by Hadashot News, also included interviews with several of the Syrian mothers, who expressed profound appreciation to Israel for the medical assistance.
One mother told a TV interviewer, “Everyone wants to come here – adults too, not just children.” “I wish we could stay here for good,” said another mother. “If the border was open, I’d be the first to cross.”
(timesofisrael.com)
Tensions mount as IDF fires second ‘warning shot’ at Syrian outpost
An IDF tank fired another warning shot on a Syrian military position Sunday evening (19th) in the northern Golan Heights, a day after another tank opened fire near the Bedouin village of Hadar in Syria as Israel discovered the Syrian army was conducting construction along the border.
The IDF said Syria violated the 1974 ceasefire agreement on the Golan Heights by using heavy tools to fortify a military post in the demilitarized zone between the countries.
In response, the IDF complained to the UN peacekeeper force stationed on the Golan and fired a tank shell as a warning.
(ynetnews.com)
The Iranian threat on Israel’s northern border – Ron Ben Yishai
For decades, Israel lived with having five Syrian divisions on the Golan heights border, armed with tanks, artillery and missiles.
In the 1973 Yom Kippur War, we proved we are capable of dealing with such a force.
The biggest force the Iranians are capable of stationing 3 to 12 miles from the Israel-Syria border is two divisions of armed militias.
These militias could try to carry out terror attacks and infiltrate Israeli territory, or fire rockets and mortars, but these are activities the IDF knows how to deal with.
What we should be concerned about is the Russian legitimization of long-term strategic Iranian presence in Syria.
This could result in the deployment of modern Iranian surface-to-air missile batteries that could block the Israel Air Force from entering Syria and Lebanon’s skies.
(ynetnews.com)
Soldier lightly wounded by errant gunfire from Sinai
An IDF soldier was lightly wounded on Sunday night (19th) from gunfire that originated from the Sinai Peninsula. He was evacuated to the Soroka Hospital in Beersheba for medical treatment.
The IDF believes the gunfire was spillover from internal fighting in Sinai between the Egyptian military and the local affiliate of the Islamic State (ISIS.)
(israelnn.com)
Palestinian wounds two Israelis in car-ramming attack – Yotam Berger
On Friday (17th) a Palestinian man rammed his vehicle into a 70-year-old pedestrian at the Efrat South Junction in the West Bank before continuing on to the nearby Gush Etzion Junction where he attacked a second pedestrian. The assailant then exited his vehicle and ran toward a group of soldiers with a knife before being shot.
(haaretz.com)
Netanyahu: 40 years since Sadat’s historic visit.
On Sunday (19th), Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “We are marking 40 years since the historic visit of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat to Israel. Sadat made a brave move on November 19, 1977, and came to Israel – to the Knesset. He was warmly welcomed by the entire country. Since then, the peace with Egypt has survived ups and downs and now Egypt and Israel are on the same side fighting extremist Islamic terror.”
(israelnn.com)
Court orders PA to pay millions to families of 2001 terror attack victims
The Palestinian Authority and the terrorists responsible for a 2001 attack on Highway 443, in which three Israelis were murdered, have been instructed to pay the relatives of the victims $17.6 million in compensation, the Jerusalem District Court ruled.
The ruling, handed down Friday (17th) by Judge Moshe Yair Dron, refers to a shooting attack at the start of the Second Intifada, perpetrated by terrorists Ahmed Taleb Mustafa Barghouti, Muhamad Rahman Salam Nazalah, Husam Rajab Shahada, Haitham al-Motafek Hamadan, Fares Sadek Muhamad Aanam and Ali Alian.
The attack took place on August 25, 2001. According to the ruling, the victims were driving to their home in central Israel when the terrorists pulled up alongside their car and fired shots that killed the passengers, Sharon Ben-Shalom, Yariv Ben-Shalom, and Doron Sawari.
(israelhayom.com)
Russian veto kills Syria chemical arms panel – Rick Gladstone
Russia, last week, blocked an American-sponsored resolution at the UN Security Council to extend the life of a panel investigating who is using chemical weapons in Syria. The Russian veto means the panel will be dissolved. U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley said, “The message to anyone listening is clear: In effect, Russia accepts the use of chemical weapons in Syria.” It was the 10th time Russia had used its veto power to protect the Syrian government. 11 of the 15 members of the Security Council voted in favor of the American resolution.
(nyt.com)
Russia has $8 billion in weapons orders from Arab countries
Orders from Arab countries make up 20% of Russian weapons exports, said Alexander Mikheev, CEO of Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport. Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Tunisia are interested in Russian products, he said.
(sputniknews.com)
Palestinians threaten to cut ties with US if Washington office closed
JERUSALEM – The Palestinian Authority has threatened to suspend communications with the United States if it moves ahead with closing the Palestine Liberation Organization’s office in Washington, D.C.
Senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat called the possible closure a “very unfortunate and unacceptable” decision, and said that Washington was bowing to pressure from the Israeli government “at a time when we are trying to cooperate to achieve the ultimate goal.”
Erekat said in a statement posted on social media that the Palestinians would “put on hold all our communications with this American administration if the Washington office closes.”
(jta.org)
