Defense Minister Barak: IDF Ready to Repel Syrian Refugees

Posted on: July 19th, 2012

Israeli defense minister Ehud Barak on Thursday toured the Northern Command and the Golan Heights along with commanders stationed in the region and addressed recent occurrences in Syria. He said that the targeting of top security officials of Bashar al-Assad's regime by oppositions forces in Damascus "will greatly expedite the fall of the Assad family." Barak told reporters that the IDF is preparing for the possibility that waves of refugees will escape from Syria to the Golan Heights. "If required to stop waves of refugees, we will do so," he stated.

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Evolution Vs. Revolution in Struggle over Haredi Draft

Posted on: July 19th, 2012

A spokesperson for Yisrael Beytenu said, “We’ve had 64 years to evolve,” he said. “Demographically, it will be impossible to pass this bill 20 years from now.”

Liberman Buys Time for Coalition, Hareidim Not Buying Idea of Service in Jewish Army

Posted on: July 18th, 2012

Avigdor Liberman says he will continue to pursue the drafting of all Israelis at the age of 18, but will uphold the current coalition.

Ahead of Vote, Liberman Video Touts Importance of Equal Service Law

Posted on: July 17th, 2012

On Monday, Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman's party Yisrael Beytenu released a video stressing the importance of passing a law mandating equal service for all Israelis. The video shows, through dramatic graphics, how by 2020 a majority of Israelis will not be serving. Titled “One Citizenship. One Obligation. One Opportunity. One Vote,” the clip was released ahead of the planned vote on Yisrael Beytenu’s IDF, National, or Civilian Service Law Proposal this Wednesday in the Knesset.

PM Rallies Likud MKs to Find Haredi Army Service Solution

Posted on: July 8th, 2012

As the deadline for the renewal of the Tal Law approaches and tens of thousands of people rallied to demand that all citizens of Israel perform national service, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a meeting of the Likud Knesset faction to discuss ways to include Hareidim in national and military service. With his party in agreement, the prime minister is on his way to drafting new legislation.

Thousands of Reservists Rally for Equal Share of Military Burden

Posted on: July 8th, 2012

Keynote speaker former GSS chief Yuval Diskin said: "I served this country for thirty-seven years with love and with hope, and throughout these long years I did not even once, even for one moment, feel that I was a sucker. When I joined, almost everyone enlisted, but when I got out I discovered that we are close to the point where almost no one is enlisting. And that's the whole story."

IDF Develops Tunnel Detection Technology; Expert: Retaking Philadelphi Corridor Now an Option

Posted on: July 4th, 2012

The system, dubbed “Strong Number”, has been developed under the aegis of the IDF Ground Forces Technology Division, and has been successfully tested by the IDF near the Gaza border over the last few months. The technology would allow Israel to counter the smuggling operations on the narrow strip of land situated along the border between Gaza Strip and Egypt. Dr. Aaron Lerner: "This means a dramatic shift in the equation."

On the Anniversary of Entebbe, Malkah is Home on the Range

Posted on: July 4th, 2012

We expected to learn how to handle weapons and hone self-defense skills. I did not expect to have one of the most moving days of my life.

Mofaz to Netanyahu: You Must Accept Haredi Conscription

Posted on: July 4th, 2012

A few hours after a report by MK Plesner's committee on "equal share in burden" was made public Wednesday morning, coalition partner Kadima chairman Shaul Mofaz convened members of his faction to say that he expects Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept the committee's recommendations within a few days days. "The decision before us is a crucial decision for Israel," he stressed.

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Haredi Draft Proposal Offers Few Sticks, Many Carrots

Posted on: June 27th, 2012

The Plesner Committee, tasked with crafting an alternative to the Tal Law for haredi service in Israel, is reportedly drafting a proposal which would defer the enlistment of haredi men till age 22, offer financial incentives to yeshivot that have younger enlistment rates, and begin to levy economic sanctions on haredim who don't enlist by age 23.

Residents of South Back to Life Following Weekend Rockets, Ceasefire

Posted on: June 24th, 2012

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured Israelis on Sunday that Israel’s armed forces would protect residents of the south, as a tentative quiet followed a weekend of rockets lobbed on the region from Gaza. Despite fear, residents move on with life on Sunday.

IDF Hitting Hamas, while Islamic Jihad Stays on Sidelines

Posted on: June 23rd, 2012

On Saturday, rocket fire from the Gaza Strip continued with some 20 hits identified in towns and villages near the Gaza border. Israel's Air Force hit terrorists who were launching missiles at Israel. But the Islamic Jihad held its fire this week, "to see how others would face the Israeli aggression." (Watch video)

Four ‘Iron Domes’ Positioned Near Border, IDF Attacks in Gaza

Posted on: June 20th, 2012

Following the incessant rocket firing on civilian centers in southern Israel, four Iron Dome batteries were positioned overnight alongside the Gaza strip border. The cities of Beer Sheva, Ashkelon and Ashdod are now better protected. Four Border Guard policemen were injured Tuesday from a Grad hit.

40 Rockets Fired at Israel, Policemen injured, Iron Dome Silent

Posted on: June 19th, 2012

Since the morning hours, at least 40 rockets and mortars have been fired from Gaza into south-western Israel. Several Israeli Border Policemen were injured Tuesday evening, one of them is in critical condition.

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IDF Opens Road, Lifts Restrictions After Deadly Attack

Posted on: June 18th, 2012

The IDF has re-opened roads and lifted an order for residents to remain in their homes following a deadly attack killing one Israeli along the Israel-Egypt border.

Israeli, 2 Terrorists, Killed in Exchange of Fire on Israel’s Egyptian Border

Posted on: June 18th, 2012

Terrorist infiltrated from Egypt and opened fire with guns, explosives and an RPG against Israeli contractors working on the border fence. 1 Israeli and 2 terrorists were killed in the ensuing gunfight. Communities in the South were in lockdown for 5 hours.

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IDF Spokesperson: Assad’s End a Certainty

Posted on: June 17th, 2012

IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yoav (Poly) Mordechai said that the understanding that the Bashar Assad regime in Syria has “reached its end” is now permeating among Assad’s allies Iran and Hezbollah. Meanwhile, a Russian military source said that Russia may send warships and troops to Syria to protect its logistics base in Tartous, Syria.

Palestinian Sniper From Gaza Tries to Kill Israeli Farmer

Posted on: June 14th, 2012

A Palestinian sniper attempted to kill an Israeli farmer working in a field near Kibbutz Nir Oz on Thursday, shooting from a vantage point inside Gaza. The farmer hid behind a tractor until IDF soldiers arrived and evacuated him to safety.

Israel Considering Preemptive Strikes Against Syria

Posted on: June 13th, 2012

JERUSALEM – Israel’s Defense Minister Ehud Barak has ordered IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz to draw up plans for a possible series of preemptive strikes against various Scud missile installations and suspected WMD (weapons of mass destruction) sites across Syria, as the rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad’s dictatorship appears to be entering a dangerous phase.

IDF Warns of Syria’s Chemical Weapons Falling in Wrong Hands

Posted on: June 12th, 2012

IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Yair Naveh said Monday night that “Syria has the world’s largest arsenal of chemical weapons, along with rockets and missiles that can reach all of Israel." But Palestinian officials criticized the amplified Israeli criticism on Sunday as a tactic to deflect attention from Israel's treatment of the Palestinians and the "moribund peace process."

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