Yeshiva World News

The daily Yisrael HaYom reports that officials in Jerusalem revealed over the weekend the 450 terrorists Israel agreed to release in a deal to bring Gilad Shalit home included 100 who were responsible for the deaths of 600 Israelis. The officials explained that while Israel remains willing to pay a heavy price to bring Gilad back home, the government will not release “mega terrorists”, each of whom responsible for the deaths of tens of innocent victims, planning and arranging the heinous suicide bombing attacks.

This includes the terrorists responsible for the Park Hotel, Dolphinarium, Moment Café and Hillel Café terror attacks.

Officials add that the 100 or so are categorized as extremely dangerous and as such, they cannot be released to Yehuda or Shomron, but must be exiled. Intelligence community officials explain that the release of such heinous terrorists serves to encourage the abduction of Israelis in the future.

THE ATTACKS:
March 27, 2002 – 19:15 – A suicide bomber in the Park Hotel in Netanya during the Passover Seder meal. 30 killed & over 130 wounded.

June 1, 2001 – A suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at 11:30pm in the Dolphinarium discotheque killing 21 and wounding over 120.

March 9, 2002 – 22:30 – A suicide bombing attack in Jerusalem’s in Moment Café. 11 dead & 54 wounded.

September 9, 2003 – 23:20 – A suicide bomber blew himself up inside the Hillel Café on Emek Refaim Street in Jerusalem’s German Colony neighborhood. Seven persons were killed and over 55 injured.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

President Shimon Peres held a meeting today with the Chairman of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator John Kerry. At the start of the meeting Senator Kerry told the President: “President Obama, I know, is very much looking forward to the meeting with the Prime Minister. Let me begin by congratulating you. I think everyone in congress, and in the administration, and in our country was pleased and excited by the steps that Israel has taken now [in regards to Gaza]… We are very sympathetic to your right to defend yourself… I personally visited Sderot, I know the problem of the rockets coming in, and how many have come in, this needs to change, and that’s what we are all working on.”

On the Iranian threat Senator Kerry remarked, “No one in the United States underestimates or mistakes the challenge that Iran is posing to the region. And as you know, we have just been dealing with the Iran Sanctions Act. We have put some tough sanctions into place… and in the Senate; we just went further last week… Iran has not left anybody very much choice but to move down the road that we are going.”

Senator Kerry added that “in the meantime, there are significant opportunities to advance the peace process I think, not just with Syria but in the efforts with the Palestinians… Senator Mitchell will be back here continuing to work on it… All of us are very hopeful that whichever chancel can work, [works]… I think time is the enemy for all of us here. We need to get this moving because the patience of people who have been waiting a long time on both sides, on all sides, has been tried. And needless to say, there are those who want to exploit every moment of delay in the worst ways. So I think it is incumbent on all of us to try and push this process as effectively as we can.”

President Peres welcomed the Senator warmly, “I do not believe that we can move [forward in the peace process] without the leadership of the United States. Relations between Israel and the United States are on good and stable ground. We are very grateful to the United States for their strong support of Israel.”

President Peres stated that he attaches “much importance to the meeting of the President and our Prime Minister,” which is planned for the 6th of July. He added that he expects a serious advance in the peace process: “It is important to raise the level of discussion between Israel and the Palestinians from proximity talks to direct talks.  It is also necessary to have a secret channel, because everything made public is no longer negotiations, but rather publication relations.”

During the private meeting between the two, President Peres repeated Israel’s position that security issues vis-à-vis the Palestinians remain the first priority in any future agreement. He elaborated on Israel’s security challenges, emphasizing two future dangers that threaten the entire Middle East—terrorism and missiles. Both, he stated, have changed the map of threats. To fight terror Israel must work together closely with its neighbors and to fight missiles, a shield of anti-missile systems must be spread across all the countries of the Middle East threatened by Iran.

The President added that the Middle East is currently witnessing a dangerous trend: Iran is arming Syria, Hezbollah, and Hamas with long-range missiles. He then stated that a modern anti-missile system in the Middle East would both weaken the motivation of certain parties to collect missiles and halt Iran’s ambition to become a hegemonic power.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Police reported finding five containers that were filled with explosive material that had been thrown from an unidentified vehicle early Sunday morning, officials said.

Lakewood police officers responding to a citizens’ call of hearing three explosions that were at first thought to be gunshots, turned out to be homemade bombs, said Lakewood Police Sgt. Glenn Glayton.

Officers found on Hartstone Drive the remnants of three two-liter soda bottles that had been filled with a liquid and a piece of aluminum foil inside it. Two other Gatorade bottles were also found with traces of the liquid inside.

A witness who had called police reported seeing an older model Nissan driving away at high speed with its headlights off.

Both the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office and the State Police Bomb Squad were called to the scene.

A State Police investigator who tested the liquid determined it to be an “acid-based solution that most likely was a common household cleaner.”

The state police official said the acid-based solution when mixed with the aluminum creates a hydrogen-based gas inside the bottle that builds up pressure and causes the bottle to explode.

There were no reported injuries. Police said a check of local hospitals failed to turn up any burn-victim cases last night.

The case is being investigated by Lakewood Police, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office and the State Police.

(Source: APP)

4:35PM EST: Monsey Hatzolah is on the scene of a child struck by an auto on Remson Avenue & Hilda Court.

Injuries are reportedly serious, and a chopper was initially requested, but due to to an extended arrival time, it has been cancelled.

Monsey Hatzolah Paramedics are transporting the child by ground to a Manhattan hospital with a NYSP escort.

(YWN-183 / YWN BBRY Group 3)

The way the story is being told, Aryeh Deri made great strides towards bridging the gap between the Ashkenazim and Sephardim in Emanuel, but at the end of the day, the deal was brokered by current Shas leader Eli Yishai, not Deri.

It appears that Deri’s sincere efforts which included veteran negotiator, prominent attorney Ron Caspi did not open the necessary doors, but Yishai immediately phoned Jerusalem Councilman Yossi Deutsch, who is affiliated with Slonim, who marveled at his idea. Yishai reportedly then presented his thoughts to Maran Rav Ovadia Yosef Shlita, who stated he wants the entire matter brought to a conclusion, giving Yishai his bracha, and ultimately, he did broker and agreement that ends the painful chapter and resulted in the release of the fathers and avoiding the imprisonment of the Emanuel mothers.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer sounded the alarm about a wave of large and medium-sized banks planning an abrupt end to free checking accounts and urged the Federal Reserve Board to police whether these banks are providing sufficient notice to the millions of customers who stand to be nickel-and-dimed for a service that has long been provided for free.
 
In a letter to Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, Schumer said the changes are coming too fast for most affected customers to even realize the change in policy until they receive their monthly statements. He called on the agency to ensure that banks are allowing customers enough time and notice to understand and prepare for the new fees—and possibly even switch financial institutions if they wish.
                                                 
“This new trend across the banking industry will really be a punch to the gut of customers who rely on free checking accounts. This is a radical departure from what consumers are used to and it is coming too fast for them to even realize what hit them. Before banks impose new fees on something that has been free for years, they should at least give customers enough time and notice to get ready or even change banks if they want to,” Schumer said.
 
Starting July 1, Wells Fargo, one of the nation’s largest banks, will stop offering free checking accounts to new customers and replace them with so-called “value” checking accounts that assess “maintenance fees” if account holders don’t maintain a minimum balance and make direct deposits on a regular basis. Also this summer, North Carolina-based Bank of America is experimenting with a move toward a similar system. Many banks, such as Minnesota-based TCF Financial Corp., already made the switch away from free checking accounts earlier this year. Still others are expected to follow suit.
 
The timing of banks’ move to phase out free checking is not coincidental. Beginning next month, banks will be required to seek customers’ permission before they can enroll them in a program that assesses massive “overdraft” fees when customers overdraw their account. The Federal Reserve imposed curbs on such programs, which were lucrative for banks but took many consumers by surprise, after Schumer and other lawmakers threatened legislation.
 
The new rules have left banks in search of new revenue streams. But Schumer said that consumers should not shoulder the burden of banks’ endless appetite for greater and greater profits.
 
A copy of Schumer’s letter to the Federal Reserve appears below.
 
June 27, 2010
 
Honorable Ben Bernanke
Chairman, Federal Reserve Board
20th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20551
 
Dear Chairman Bernanke
 
I write to alert you to a startling trend among financial institutions that are threatening to end complimentary services to their customers in order to find new revenue streams as banks prepare to meet additional regulations that go into effect on July 1 to curb exorbitant overdraft fees to consumers.  
 
I am aware that many financial institutions are about to make changes that would subject customers to maintenance fees on their formerly free checking accounts unless they are able to meet specific requirements that range from maintaining a minimum balance set by the institution, making a certain number of deposits or transactions per month, and so forth. It is essential that the Federal Reserve make sure that financial institutions provide clear and transparent guidance to consumers as these additional fees are implemented so that consumers are not penalized during this transition.
 
I urge you to pay special attention to financial institutions as they implement these adjustments to ensure that customers know exactly when the terms of their checking accounts are changing and what types of fees will be assessed in the future. Given the current economy, it is imperative that the Federal Reserve work to prevent banks from imposing additional, hidden fees upon consumers who are struggling to pay their bills. 
 
Thank you for consideration of this request. Feel free to contact members of my staff at your convenience if you have any additional questions. 
 
Sincerely,
 
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator

(YWN Desk – NYC)

The High Court of Justice on Sunday (June 27th) is hearing the case of a woman originally from the Czech Republic who converted in the Bnei Brak Beis Din of HaGaon HaRav Nissim Karelitz Shlita.

The woman applied for citizenship, presenting her giyur certificate from the beis din to the Ministry of the Interior, but she was turned down – told that since she is not a chareidi woman, but maintaining a “dati light” lifestyle, the ministry will not grant her a change of status.

Without the ministry’s recognition, she cannot obtain citizenship and when her visa expires, she will face deportation.

The petition to the High Court was filed by Dr. Theodor Schwartzberg, a prominent attorney with a wealth of experience in such cases, dealing with immigration, human rights and related cases. Schwartzberg has targeted five government agencies in his petition, four immigration related offices and the Prime Minister’s Office.

The attorney explains that a state official knocked on his client’s door and then photographed her dressed immodestly, using this as their strong case against her. He further states that she is not seeking to take advantage of the state to obtain citizenship, coming from an  extremely wealthy home, and does not seek benefits, but to simply live in Israel as an Orthodox Jew.

The state fears recognizing a giyur candidate from the Rav’s beis din, fearing it will set a precedent and others will go to a private beis din and demand citizenship, those who simply wish to take advantage of Israeli citizenship.

The official statement released by the ministry is somewhat puzzling since the Rav’s beis din obviously only performs giyur on persons who have proven beyond the shadow of a doubt their willingness to accept a life of Torah observance in line with halacha. The ministry states “The applicant tricked the beis din, which converted her with the understanding she would be living outside or Israel. And since she is ‘dati light’ and her observance is only traditional, her conversion is not in line with an Orthodox lifestyle and we are therefore not recognizing her conversion”.

Schwartzberg questions the statement, explaining he is unaware of a giyur that is only applicable out of Israel and on requires a minimum standard of adherence to mitzvos.

In many cases, persons undergoing giyur by Rav Karelitz’s beis din are aware the state does not recognize the process. Ironically, since the Rav’s beis din is not part of the controversial state-approved conversions, one cannot use the certificate to obtain citizenship. Many persons who pass through giyur via the Rav opt to live abroad, and are of course accepted by all who see the certificate of Rav Karelitz, but they cannot obtain Israeli citizenship based on it since it is not recognized by the Interior Ministry.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

As the 12-day march from Mitzpei Hila to Jerusalem is underway, beginning at 7:30am Sunday, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu released a statement that he is doing everything possible to bring about Gilad’s release. The prime minister’s statement comes on the heels of Mr. Noam Shalit’s statements to the press over the weekend, explaining there is no longer room for optimism as Gilad is now in his fifth year of captivity, marking the fourth anniversary of falling hostage to Hamas on June 25th, erev shabbos.

PM Netanyahu’s Remarks at the Start of the Weekly Cabinet Meeting
“Friday marked the fourth anniversary of the abduction of Gilad Shalit.  The Government and the security services are continuing to make constant and varied – open and secret – efforts to bring Gilad Shalit back home safe and sound.
 
“This morning, I phoned Gilad’s father Noam.  I invited him to meet with me, along with the rest of his family, immediately after the march reaches Jerusalem.  I told him, ‘I know Noam that you are on a long journey, which will end in Jerusalem.  I want to see you. I would be glad to meet with you.’  This will not be the first meeting.  Of course, I have spoken with him many times.  Recently, I also spoke with Gilad’s very impressive grandfather, Tzvi Shalit.
 
“Our heart is with Gilad and with his family.  Four years after his abduction, I call on the international community to line up alongside the State of Israel and our unequivocal and just demand that our abducted soldier be returned immediately.”

The Shalits over recent days obviously decided to refrain from their former policy of withholding harsh statements, accusing the former Olmert administration and the current government of abandoning the IDF soldier in the battlefield, rejecting excuses that have resulted in Gilad’s prolonged captivity without any visitation. Just last week, Hamas rejected a request from the International Red Cross to visit Gilad.

At the start of the weekly cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that he telephoned Noam Shalit this morning, inviting him to meet with him when he arrives in Yerushalayim at the end of the march. They expect to arrive at their protest tent outside the official Prime Minister’s Residence on July 8th. The prime minister also spoke with Gilad’s grandfather Tzvi. Mr. Netanyahu called on the international community to stand firmly at Israel’s side towards demanding that Hamas permit Gilad to return home.

Some 10,000 participants were on hand to kick off the march on Sunday morning, Israel Radio Reshet Bet reported. The marchers will be in the Nahariya area on Monday (28 June), leaving Kiryat Motzkin on 29 June, leaving Kibbutz Yagur on 30 June; leaving from Zarka Jct (Route 4) on 1 July; leaving from Kibbutz Ma’abarot (July 2); a day of rest and an event on behalf of Gilad at 21:00 in Ra’anana (3 July); leaving Shfaram (4 July); leaving Glilot (5 July); leaving Azrieli Shopping Center (Tel Aviv – 6 July); leaving Naan Jct/Latrun (7 July); and leaving from Beit Shemesh and concluding in Yerushalayim (8 July).

In a related matter, youths affiliated with Bnei Akiva will march on Rothschild Blvd in Tel Aviv on Sunday evening between the American Embassy and British and French Consulates, calling on those countries to apply pressure on Hamas to obtain Shalit’s release.

And in yet another Shalit-related matter, a concert including the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and Shlomo Artzi set for Kfar Aza, in Kassam rocket range, will be moved to another venue. Organizers confirm the change of venue is due to security considerations.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

A senior Russian diplomat announced that Iran’s first nuclear power plant in the southern city of Bushehr will start operation within the next two months.

“It will take two month or even less than that for the completion of the Bushehr nuclear plant,” Russian Consul General Ali Mitkhadovich Mustafabeyli told reporters in Iran’s central city of Isfahan.

He added that this is not merely the opinion of Russian officials as Iranian officials have also estimated that the plant will become operational within the same timeframe.

The Russian official further stressed that the Russian government is not facing any problems for completing the Bushehr plant.

Earlier in May, member of the parliament’s (city and village) Councils and Home Security Commission Seyed Mohammad Javad Abtahi announced that the county plans to load real fuel into its first nuclear power plant in the southern city of Bushehr in July.

Iran started the Warm Water Test in April 8 concurrent with the National Nuclear Technology Day in which the country celebrated its latest scientific achievements.
In February 2010, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi told FNA that there has just remained a ‘Warm Water Test’ before the Bushehr power plant could launch operation.

“We will inject fuel into the heart of the reactor after that (final test),” Salehi added at the time.

Noting the latest operations carried out in the plant, Salehi also said that Bushehr has passed an array of tests in the last few months, and pointed out that the Metal Core Test has been the latest test accomplished by the power plant.

Russia has been building the nuclear facility in Iran since 1994. The start-up of the station, originally scheduled to be completed in 1999, has been delayed on several occasions.

Western corporations began the construction of the Bushehr facility in the 1970s. However, following the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, the Western companies reneged on their commitments and pulled out of the project due to political pressure from Washington.

Iran then turned to Russia to complete the project. In 1992, Tehran and Moscow signed a deal to complete the construction of the nuclear power plant.

(FNA)

It was a most painful and emotional shabbos for the Shalit family, marking their son Gilad’s fourth year in Hamas captivity, having been taken hostage in a June 25, 2006 cross-border terror attack in Kerem Shalom.

Mr. Noam Shalit openly admits it is difficult to exhibit optimism in light of the failure of two administrations to return his son home, who is being held a few kilometers from Israel.

On Sunday, 1,000 people are expected to take part in the march from the family home in Givat Hila to Jerusalem, where Noam and his wife Aviva plan to remain in their protest tent oppose the official Prime Minister’s Residence until Gilad returns home.

Organizers expect over 5,000 people to join the march as it makes its way to Yerushalayim. The march, about 250 kilometers (150 miles) is expected to take about 12 days. The Shalits call on anyone “who cares” to please take part in the march, for as long as one can.

The march will get underway on Sunday at 8:30am and it will take participants onto major roadways and the center of municipalities. The entire event is in coordination with police. Marchers will set out daily at 7:30am and continue until the hot afternoon hours. They will take a break and resume later in the day.

During the afternoon breaks, an activity on behalf of increasing awareness regarding Gilad’s plight will take place and the family hopes to arrive in Yerushalayim on July 8th.

Participants are requested to bring water, sun hats, whistles, sun block cream, and food.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)