Archive for June, 2010

Israel Launches Ofek-9 Spy Satellite

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

Israel on Tuesday evening the Ofek-9 spy satellite, which becomes the sixth Israeli satellite operating in space at this time. The newest member of the team will permit higher resolution surveillance, defense establishment experts explain.

The Defense Ministry issued an official statement, saying that the Ofek 9 satellite “was launched and successfully injected into orbit by means of a Shavit satellite launcher.”

“In the next phase, the satellite will undergo several tests for validation of its serviceability and satisfactory performance,” the statement said, noting that Ofek-9 is an “advanced technology remote sensing satellite.” 

Minister of Science Rabbi Professor Daniel Hershkowitz called the launching another significant Israeli accomplishment.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Satmar Rebbitzen In Critical Condition

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

The Satmar Rebbitzen is in critical condition, and the family has been rushed to her bedside, YWN has learned. The Rebbitzen, who is the wife of the previous Satmar Rebbe ZATZAL, known as the Beirach Moshe, has not been well for many years.

She was taken to Beth Israel Hospital in Manhattan on Wednesday morning, and her condition has deteriorated throughout the day, and late Wednesday evening, her blood pressure dropped.

All her children are currently at the hospital (12:46AM EST) at her bedside reciting Tehillim.

Her name is Pesel Leah bas Chaya.

(Yehuda Drudgestein – YWN)

Swedish Longshoremen Boycott Israeli Vessels

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

Perhaps taking their cue from this week’s protest at the Oakland California dock by anti-Israel participants, Swedish longshoremen have announced they are boycotting Israeli vessels.

The dockworkers announced a week-long strike beginning today, Wednesday, an act of protest against Israel’s commando operation against the Mavi Marama. Some 1,500 members of the Swedish Port Workers Union began the boycott at all Sweden’s ports which handle more than 95 percent of the country’s foreign trade. The action is planned to end on June 29.

“Even if goods arrive in trucks, dockworkers often have some role in handling them when they arrive in port,” said Per Helgesson, the union’s chief negotiator.

Union officials are calling on Israel to remove the blockade on Gaza immediately, stating the recent-announced reduction of restrictions is insufficient.

Officials said they expected the boycott to have a minimal impact on Swedish-Israeli trade, which accounts for 0.2 percent of the Nordic country’s total imports and exports. Last year, Swedish exports to Israel were valued at 2.5 billion kronor ($320 million) and imports amounted to some 850 million kronor, according to the Swedish Trade Council.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Lebanon Begins Setting the Stage for Flotilla Vessel

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

As two ships flying Lebanese flags are about to head for Israel to become the next Gaza flotilla stars, Lebanese Foreign Minister Ali Ashami sent a letter to the United Nations declaring that Israel will be directly responsible if anything happens to the vessels. The senior official explains that the ships are in compliance with Lebanese law, and therefore, the permits to set sail were granted since there were no grounds to prevent issuing the departure permits required under Lebanese law.

Israeli officials have announced that subsequent flotillas seeking to break the Gaza embargo would be halted, adding ships genuinely interested in infusing humanitarian aid into Hamas-controlled Gaza may arrange to have the cargo inspected and once approved, sent into Gaza with Israel’s blessings.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Judge Approves WTC Settlement

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

After hearing lawyers for nearly 10,000 September 11th terrorist attack responders today, a federal judge approved a settlement deal reached earlier this month.

United States District Judge Alvin Hellerstein encouraged the plaintiffs to accept the deal that would end a seven-year legal battle over health claims related to the collapse of the World Trade Center and the subsequent clean-up effort.

September 11th payout chief Kenneth Feinberg also supports the deal, which would pay between $625 million and $712 million.

Still, 95 percent of the plaintiffs must agree to the deal for it to be ratified.

About half the plaintiffs are not suffering major illness, but would receive between $3,250 and $11,000 each. Those living with severe illnesses would get the bulk of the settlement, with some individual payments reaching upwards of a million dollars.

(Source: NY1)

Indictments Filed against Alleged Arab Terrorists

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Indictments were handed down against three residents of the Jabil Mukhaber area of Yerushalayim related to a shooting attack against a Shiloach patrol jeep that came under fire.

The state alleges that Khayid and Moussa Fatafta along with Isa Abassi opened fire at the Beit Yehonatan security jeep on March 1st of this year, and they are facing attempted murder charges in the Jerusalem District Court. Other charges in the multi-count indictment include illegal possession of weapons. A security guard was injured in the attack. Eleven bullets were fired at the security jeep and then their weapons jammed.

They are also linked to a firebomb attack against a border police jeep in an unrelated incident. Damage was caused to the vehicle in that attack.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

PHOTOS: Civil Administration Destroys Bat Ayin Structures

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

IDF Civil Administration agents on Wednesday morning razed a number of illegal structures in the community of Bat Ayin. The event passed without confrontation. MK Dr. M. Ben-Ari accused PM Netanyahu of being “tough on Jews while legalizing illegal Arab housing”.

The Women in Green organization along with the Judea Action Committee decried the move, submitting photographs showing the large force sent to execute Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s destruction policy.

“The murderers of policeman Yehoshua Sofer HY”D who was murdered by Arabs last week in the southern Chevron Hills were not caught yet, but that did not bother the police to allocate tens of troops to attack Jews.

“This Wednesday morning at 5:30am, tens of police and Yassam forces arrived in “Mitzpei Erez”, in the Jewish community of Bat Ayin, not with paintball guns as in the terror flotilla, but rather with batons and machine guns, and destroyed two houses that were built in the Bat Ayin forest after and in reaction to the murder of Erez Levanon HY”D.

“In a letter that the families wrote a few days ago when they heard that their houses were slated for destruction they say:
‘Our settling in the forest is not an irresponsible picnic by young couples who are looking to relax but rather a clear statement of growth and expansion at a place where the life of Erez Levanon HY”D was taken away cruelly and heinously, with the clear purpose of scaring us and paralyzing us so we should not dare to go out and expand.

‘Our settling Mitzpei Erez is the one and real answer to all those who try to paralyze and silence us –whether it is the external enemy or the government, especially at a time of the “freeze” whose meaning is-the destruction of the settlement enterprise and is very dangerous for the future of the Jewish People”.

We, members of Women for Israel’s Tomorrow (Women in Green) and the Judea Action Committee strengthen the hands of our brothers in Bat Ayin and call upon the People of Israel to help rebuild the houses that were destroyed. That is exactly why we founded, a few months ago, the YIBANEH fund for building and expansion in the hills of Judea. The Yibaneh fund will donate, already this morning 5000NIS ($1250) for the rebuilding of Mitzpei Erez and we hope many more will join.’”

YWN PHOTO LINK: Click HERE for photos.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Obama Approval Rating Slips to 45 Percent

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

President Obama faces rising political heat over the economy, federal spending and the Gulf oil spill, complicating the Democratic Party’s chances in mid-term elections.

A new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll shows Mr. Obama’s approval rating dipping to 45 percent in June, from 50 percent in May. Recent election history shows that presidential approval of 50 percent or higher is critical for the party in power to avoid major mid-term losses in Congress.

The poll shows some of the most important sources of public discontent. More than eight in 10 Americans described themselves as dissatisfied with the economy. And the unabated BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico isn’t helping: seven in 10 fear the spill will have a major effect on the economy. By 50 percent to 42 percent, Americans disapprove Mr. Obama’s handling of the spill.

Mr. Obama and his party’s leaders in Congress face treacherous cross-currents in attempting to respond to economic concerns. A 55 percent majority rates job creation and economic growth as a top priority for the federal government. Yet 69 percent say they favor Congressional candidates who want to cut federal spending, at a time when Democratic leaders consider more spending on unemployment benefits, aid to states and jobs programs as critical to reducing joblessness.

Indeed, 63 percent of Americans say Washington should worry more about keeping the budget deficit down even if it slows economic recovery. That compares to 34 pecent who say Washington should worry more about boosting the economy.

The president’s agenda draws mixed reviews. By 47 percent to 40 percent, Americans say they’d be encouraged to hear that a Congressional candidate favors repealing the recently passed health care bill. Yet by margins of two to one or better, Americans share Mr. Obama’s desire for more regulation of the oil industry, Wall Street, big corporations and the health insurance industry.

The bottom line for mid-term elections: 45 percent say they want Republicans to recapture control of Congress, while 43 percent want Democrats to retain Congress. The telephone survey of 1,000 adults, conducted June 17-21, carries a margin for error of 3.1 percentage points.

(Source: CNBC)

More Millionaires in Israel in 2009

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Israel takes a respectable third place, behind Hong Kong and India in the race for the number of new millionaires in 2009. Israel reports an increase of 42.7% (8,419) in 2009, as compared to 5,900 in 2008, while the increase worldwide was a mere 17.1%. In Hong Kong, the number increased in 2009 by 104% and in India by 50.9%.

The 14th Meryl Lynch Capgemini World Health states there are some 10 million millionaires worldwide.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Vandal Attack in an Office of Yassam Police

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

In what most would view as an extremely bold move, vandals during the night targeted the Tel Aviv office of Yassam anti-riot police. They turned over a refrigerator, dumped its contents, and spread oil on the floor of the office, located on Ramat Gan’s Jabotinsky Street.

Preliminary information released on Wednesday morning states investigators do not know if anything was stolen. Police believe that a previously arrested suspect seeking revenge is a most likely suspect and the investigation is proceeding in that direction.

Damage to the location is reportedly significant.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Brazen Thief Targets NYPD Heaquarters

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

NYPD officials have beefed up security at their own headquarters after a thief nearly pulled off an audacious crime right under their noses.

Police say Jermaine Sweet, a 30-year-old ex-con, walked into an office on the 14th floor of One Police Plaza, the same floor where Commissioner Ray Kelly has his office.

He allegedly stole two laptops and a cell phone.

Sweet almost got away with it, but police caught him outside the building.

(Source: WABC)

Tefilos for Gavaad Ungva Shlita

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Tefilos requested for the Gavaad Ungvar, HaGaon HaRav Menashe [ben Rochel Leah] Klein Shlita who underwent a major medical procedure.
Tefilos are ongoing in Eretz Yisrael and abroad.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

HORROR: Double Fatal Drowning In Lawrence R”L – Child & Maid Both Pass Away [UPDATED 7:25PM]

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

3:10:PM EST: Lawrence, NY – Nassau County Emergency Services has just transported two victims to St Johns Hospital following a drowning. One victim is reportedly a two-year-old child and is in cardiac arrest, and a 45 year-old is also reportedly in cardiac arrest.

UPDATE 4:55PM EST: YWN regrets to inform our readers of the passing of the 3-year-old child. The babysitter, reported to be a Hispanic female in her 40′s is currently in cardiac arrest as of this posting.

No further information can be released by YWN at this time.

UPDATE 5:00PM EST: Within minutes of the incident, Misaskim volunteers had picked up the father and arranged for him to be rushed to the hospital via police escort – as doctors worked feverishly to save both lives.

Misaskim is currently working with the NCPD and the Medical Examiner to have the body of the child released in a timely manner.

[CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE YWN PHOTO OF POOL]

UPDATE 5:05PM EST From WCBSTV: A 3-year-old Long Island girl died and a babysitter watching her remains fighting for her life after the two were found floating in the backyard pool belonging to the little girl’s family on Wednesday afternoon, CBS 2 has learned.

Officials said the young girl and her nanny, believed to be in her 30s, were rushed to St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway after they were pulled out of the water about 2:45 p.m. by a man painting the girl’s house on Beechwood Drive.

It’s believed the young girl’s 5-year-old brother found the two floating in the pool and ran to tell the painter. The painter apparently tried to do CPR on the two while calling 9-1-1.

“He rushed out the pool, he got the child out first, then he got the sitter out, and then he tried to perform rescue breathing on both of them and at the same time make the call to 9-1-1. The man was in a very hard place, you have two people that needed his help, and he had to make a phone call to get additional help,” said Nassau Co. Det. Lt. Kevin Smith.

Officers from the fourth precinct arrived and tried to perform CPR on the victims as well.

The toddler was pronounced dead a short time later and the babysitter was placed on a ventilator. Her condition is not yet known.

The identities of the victims were not released.

Nassau County police are on the scene investigating.

UPDATE 7:20PM EST: Misaskim, who has been stationed at the hospital since just after the incident has confirmed that the maid has just passed away.

UPDATE 7:25PM EST: YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira of Naama Markovits A”H, daughter of Yehuda and Cindy Markovits (of Lawrence-Sutton Park). The Levaya will be held tomorrow, Thursday, June 24th @ 1:00 PM at Shor Yoshuv.

(Yehuda Drudgestein – YWN)

Brooklyn Man Threatened To Kill Gov Paterson

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

A New York City man has been indicted for allegedly threatening to kill Governor David Paterson.

According to court papers, the threat dates back to April of this year and was sent in an e-mail to the state website, www.ny.gov.

The man charged with sending the threat is 36-year old Amir Syed Rizvi, of Brooklyn.

Rivzi was arraigned Wednesday in Albany County Court on allegations he sent the email, using his estranged wife’s name, address, and email account, to threaten to shoot and kill the governor.

He allegedly sent the derogatory threat from the Brooklyn Public Library just before 10:30 a.m. on April 3.

According to a New York City police report, the threat read, “Governor Paterson, I hope they take you out of office. If they don’t, I will kill you and shoot your blind, black self.

“Everyone should get you, but I will make sure that the bullet hits you.”

Rizvi was charged with making a terroristic threat, a violent felony offense that carries up to 7 years in state prison. He was also charged with first-degree identity theft, also a felony.

Rizvi will now undergo a mental health examination. He is being held at Albany County Jail without bail.

(Source: WTEN)

Wednesday Afternoon News Briefs from EY

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

A Kassam rocket fired from Gaza during the early afternoon landed in a Gaza area.

**2 people were injured, one moderately, in a one-vehicle collision at the entrance to Beit Shemesh.

**A bill designed to provide additional compensation for former Gush Katif residents who have been unable to reestablish their businesses passed its preliminary reading today.

**Atzeres Zichron today, Wednesday, for Rav Elchanan Wasserman zt”l, in Yeshivas Elchanan in Yerushalayim marking the gadol’s yahrzeit.

**Kol Chareidi: Satmar Rebbe Shlita – In the coming days, we must enlist the international community against Israel regarding the Emanuel Beis Yaakov, and the tzibur must contribute funds to assist in the battle.

**The large levaya scheduled in France on Thursday for the burned Sifrei Torah will take place in Paris.

**A suspect is in custody in connection to the vandalism attack in the Ramat Gan Yassam headquarters during the night.

**A bus of tourists was bombarded with rocks thrown by Arabs in the Shiloach area of Jerusalem. No injuries were reported Baruch Hashem.

**The Boyaner Rebbe Shlita visited Massiyahu Prison on Tuesday.

**Askanim from Slonimer Chassidim have turned to major personalities in Europe to become involved towards increasing international pressure against Israel in the Emanuel Beis Yaakov case. (Names not for publication at this time).

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Yahadut HaTorah MKs Meet With PM Netanyahu Over Emanuel

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

MKs from Yahadut HaTorah early Wednesday afternoon met with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to discuss the crisis surrounding the Emanuel Beis Yaakov.

The chareidi legislators told the prime minister they were quite disappointed over his silence during the entire affair, which YWN-ISRAEL reported earlier came to an end when the prime minister smelled a coalition crisis brewing, not because Mr. Netanyahu is too concerned with the fact that Emanuel parents are jailed.

The prime minister called on the MKs to use restraint, stressing the need to adhere to the nation’s highest court.

MK Menachem Eliezer Moses told the media following the meeting that the recent actions of the High Court are unprecedented in the history of the state, and “We cannot support those who don’t support us”. He equated the court’s imprisonment of mothers to a Bolshevik regime.

Deputy Minister Meir Porush explained a solution must be found for the children, and the current realities are doing anything but resolving the conflict. Porush in his statements to the press following the meeting called the situation anarchy, warning a solution must be forthcoming.

In a related matter, children arrived at Massiyahu Prison today in four buses, permitted to visit with their fathers and other relatives. Only a small representation of the arrivals was actually permitted inside at a time in line with prison regulations.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Confrontation in Chevron Between Left & Right

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Right-wing activists confronted members of the left-wing Hadash Party who visited Chevron on Wednesday morning. Baruch Marzel and Itamar Ben-Givir met the group at Kikar Gross, confronting MK Mahmoud Barakeh and his colleagues who planned on touring the area. The local residents informed the MKs they are unwelcome as their only purpose for visiting is to incite against the Chevron Jewish community.

Also accompanying the group were members of the radical left-wing Breaking the Silence organization, that in the past has participated in provocative actions in Chevron.

The Jewish residents called on the MKs to publically condemn the March 26, 2001 murder of 10-month-old area resident Shalhevet Techiya Pass HY”D, who was killed by a sniper’s bullet while held in her mother’s arms. Her father Yitzchak was wounded in the attack.

Of course the Arab legislators did no such thing. There was no condemnation. Police intervened to prevent an escalation in the confrontation.

Ichud HaLeumi MK Dr. Michael Ben-Ari stated if police are going to permit leftists into Chevron to carry on with their provocative agenda, there is no reason why he cannot do the same in Um el-Fahm and other Israeli Arab areas.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Malaysia Wants UN to Address Flotilla Deaths

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Malaysia is leading the Arab front by applying pressure, seeking an emergency session of the United Nations to address the deaths of persons on board the Mavi Marama last month as a result of the Israel Navy commando operation.

According to the Haaretz report, the Arab nations are not satisfied with the UN Security Council session that addressed the May 31st commando operation, and are pushing for an urgent session towards further isolating Israel in the diplomatic community. A Haaretz report states Malaysia is “inspired by similar efforts by Syria and Iran to place the aftermath of the flotilla raid high on the international agenda”.

It is clear that the Arab states are seeking to capitalize on the anti-Israel flotilla momentum, and will do everything possible to prevent that sentiment from fading from the international arena.

The official website of the Malaysia Foreign Ministry quoted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as saying the flotilla raid “opened the eyes of the people of Malaysia and the rest of the world to the atrocities of the Zionist regime towards the people of Palestine which hitherto we have read about and seen on television.”

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Study Sheds Light on Diabetes-Heart Disease Link

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

A potential link between diabetes and a heightened risk of heart disease and sudden cardiac death has been spotted by researchers studying mice.

In the new study, published in the June 24 issue of the journal Neuron, the investigators found that high blood sugar prevents critical communication between the brain and the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary activities in the body.

“Diseases, such as diabetes, that disturb the function of the autonomic nervous system cause a wide range of abnormalities that include poor control of blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias and digestive problems,” senior author Dr. Ellis Cooper, of McGill University in Montreal, explained in a news release from the journal’s publisher. “In most people with diabetes, the malfunction of the autonomic nervous system adversely affects their quality of life and shortens life expectancy.”

For the study, Cooper and his colleagues used mice with a form of diabetes to examine electrical signal transmission from the brain to autonomic neurons. This communication occurs at synapses, which are small gaps between neurons where electrical signals are relayed cell-to-cell via chemical neurotransmitters.

“In healthy individuals, synaptic transmission in the autonomic nervous system is strong and stable; however, if synapses on these neurons malfunction due to some disease process, the link between the nervous system and the periphery becomes disrupted,” Cooper said in the news release.

The researchers found that, in mice, high blood sugar elevates reactive molecules that contain the oxygen atom (called reactive oxygen species) in autonomic neurons. This chemical change inactivates the neurotransmitter receptors at these synapses, they noted.

“Our work provides a new explanation for diabetic-induced disruptions of the autonomic nervous system,” Cooper said. “This synaptic depression is apparent as early as one week after the onset of diabetes and becomes more severe over time.”

It’s important to note that animal studies, while an important part of the scientific process, often fail to yield similar results in humans.

(Source: HealthDay News)

Olmert Attorneys Seeking a Inquiry into Wrongdoing

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Attorneys for former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Wednesday called on the attorney general to order an official probe, alleging the prosecution has been preparing witnesses against him in the case and involved in other actions that are not acceptable. Officials in the Jerusalem District Prosecution rejected the integrity of the allegations.  

The letter containing the request was sent to Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein, alleging inappropriate behavior surrounding the cases against Mr. Olmert by members of the State Prosecutor’s Office and the Jerusalem District Prosecutor’s Office.

The allegations against state prosecution officials are indeed harsh, including illegal wiretapping and abusing their authority in their probe of the case known as the Rishon Tours.

Olmert’s legal team stated the state crossed red lines as they try to put the prosecution on the defensive in their ongoing efforts to defend the former prime minister in what appears to be mounting allegations of law-breaking against the former career politician.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)