CNN Larry King Live interview with PM Netanyahu
"We and the Palestinians have very serious issues to discuss. The only way that they're going to be resolved is if we actually sit down and negotiate a peace."
LARRY KING, CNN HOST: Tonight, a prime-time exclusive. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the Palestinians... A few months ago, you went to the White House. It didn't go too well. What changed yesterday?
NETANYAHU: I think there's an underlying relationship there that people don't appreciate. We have our ups and downs. People focus on the downs and the downs are exaggerated and sometimes distorted. But there is ups and there's a basic bedrock of identification, common values between Israel and the United States. The president gives it expression. I give it expression. And yesterday's meeting gave it expression. I think there is a solidity of ties between Israel and the United States that the president of the United States and the prime minister of Israel reflect in their meeting.
Early this morning, IDF Naval Forces boarded six ships attempting to break the maritime closure of the Gaza Strip. This happened after numerous warnings from Israel and the Israeli Navy that were issued prior to the action. The Israel Navy requested the ships to redirect toward Ashdod where they would be able to unload their aid supplies which would then be transferred over land after undergoing security inspections.
During the boarding of the ships, the demonstrators onboard attacked the IDF Naval personnel with live fire and light weaponry including knives and clubs. Additionally one of the weapons used was grabbed from an IDF soldier. The demonstrators had clearly prepared their weapons in advance for this specific purpose.
As a result of this life-threatening and violent activity, naval forces employed riot dispersal means, including live fire.
According to initial reports, these events resulted in over ten deaths among the demonstrators and numerous injured, in addition, more than four naval personnel were injured, some from gunfire and some from various other weapons. Two of the soldiers are moderately wounded and the remainder sustained light injuries. All of the injured, Israelis and foreigners are currently being evacuated by helicopter to hospitals in Israel.
Reports from IDF forces on the scene are that it seems as if part of the participants onboard the ships were planning to lynch the forces.
The events are ongoing, and information will be updated as soon as possible. Israeli Naval commander, Vice Admiral Eliezer Marom is overseeing the events.
In the coming hours, the ships will be directed to the Ashdod port, while IDF naval forces will perform security checks in order to identify the people on board the ships and their equipment. The IDF Spokesman conveys that this event is currently unfolding and further details will be provided as soon as possible.
This IDF naval operation was carried out under orders from the political leadership to halt the flotilla from reaching the Gaza Strip and breaching the maritime closure.
The interception of the flotilla followed numerous warnings given to the organizers of the flotilla before leaving their ports as well as while sailing towards the Gaza Strip. In these warnings, it was made clear to the organizers that they could dock in the Ashdod sea port and unload the equipment they are carrying in order to deliver it to the Gaza Strip in an orderly manner, following the appropriate security checks. Upon expressing their unwillingness to cooperate and arrive at the port, it was decided to board the ships and lead them to Ashdod.
IDF naval personnel encountered severe violence, including use of weaponry prepared in advance in order to attack and to harm them. The forces operated in adherence with operational commands and took all necessary actions in order to avoid violence, but to no avail.
The Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado is proud to announce it has received Charity Navigator’s coveted four-star rating for its ability to efficiently manage and grow its finances. This is the highest rating awarded by Charity Navigator, America’s premier charity evaluator, and indicates that Federation not only executes its mission in a fiscally-responsible way, but also out-performs most other charities across the country.
KUSA - It is the information and awareness that many believe can save lives in the future and could have possibly prevented Sept. 11. Terrorism - we have become keenly aware of potential threats. But do people really know what to look for?
The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI put together a list of eight signs of terrorism.
Denver-based Center for Empowered Living and Learning (The CELL) is working on a video that will educate citizens and police on what those eight signs are.
"As people become more educated on the subject matter, they understand what suspicious versus what is everyday, normal activity and that is something in which we strive," said Melanie Pearlman, The CELL's Executive Director. "We want to empower individuals to become active and engaged to ultimately mitigate the threat but not so much that they're afraid to go about their everyday lives and it's a fine balance."
moreThe Israel Teachers Corps Sends Young English Teachers to the Poorest Towns
Although visitors to Israel’s big cities see what appears to be a prosperous lifestyle, 40% of Israel’s children live below the poverty level, according to the Jewish Agency for Israel. Many of these underprivileged children live in the Negev region, where opportunities for a proper English education are sparse.
While native English-speaking language teachers flock to large cities like Tel Aviv and Haifa, poorer communities find themselves underserved.
A new program set to launch in September will send young Jewish Americans to teach English for 10-month sessions in schools in these areas.
moreFrom Jewish Hero to Jewish Agency Leader
His name is synonymous with struggle and survival in the face of evil and hatred. Internationally recognized as a human rights activist, accomplished author, acclaimed statesman and esteemed politician, Nathan Sharansky's iconic history is now set to merge with the Jewish Agency: Following the Nomination Committee's approval, Natan Sharansky will be presented for election to Chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency at our Board of Governor's Closing Plenary on Thursday June 25th.
20th century Jewish history is deeply intertwined with Sharansky's personal experience, from anti-semitism and persecution to aliyah and even government. Older generations of Jews and Christians around the world stood by Sharansky when he most needed our vocal outcries of support demanding his freedom. While younger generations know him as an enlightened politician and speaker, including number eleven on the list of TIME magazine's 100 most influential people of 2005 in the "Scientists and Thinkers" category.
As we look back on 80 years of the Jewish Agency's exciting, challenging and extraordinary accomplishments, Sharansky's appointment offers a new promise for our collective future. His personal experiences and professional achievements coincide directly with our central mission: from strengthening Jewish identity to rescuing Jews in distress, and from advancing aliyah to securing a strong Jewish peoplehood.
With great pride and deep respect in our hearts, we are proud to call upon Natan Sharansky as the Jewish Agency's Chairman of the Executive. May we go from strength to strength together in the coming years of our joint venture.
A Novel Way to Teach Torah
Before 1865, the entire population of Jerusalem lived behind the Old City walls (what today would be considered part of the eastern part of the city).
read more...Shechitah Allowed in New Zealand Until Trial
JTA Staff
SYDNEY, Australia (JTA) – A New Zealand judge has allowed the kosher slaughter of animals to resume until the lawsuit filed by the Jewish community against the government comes to trial.