The Middle-East Observer
Israeli affairs
IMF: If Arabs and Haredim worked, GDP would grow by 15%
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that while Israeli economy was well prepared for the worldwide recession, all is not well. In the population groups of Haredi men and Arab women, respectably, only 40% and 20% work and typically earn less than their contemporaries of the same jobs, decreasing potential economic growth, reducing GDP growth. … Continue reading
Israel’s general strike called off as State, unions reach deal
On Sunday, the fifth day of the general strike that has paralyzed Israel’s public sector, the Histadrut labor federation and the Finance Ministry have reached an agreement to end the strike. The strike has so far resulted in large piles of garbage along the streets, while it has not been collected since Wednesday. The agreement … Continue reading
Israeli ministers to debate tax cuts for settlement donors
A bill proposed by Ze’ev Elkin and Tzion Pinyan (Likud) will be debated on Sunday. The bill would allow people to receive a 35% tax dispensation on donations to NGO’s that encourage settlement activity. Elkin has said that he first wanted to make the bill more explicit by using the words ‘zionist settlement’, but that … Continue reading
Israeli Negotiators Report Progress in Strike Talks
On Thursday, a resolution for the two-day-old general strike in Israel came closer. The main focus of the strike was better working conditions for the lower-paid contract workers in the public sector. Ports, government offices and other public institutes have not been operating. Officials expect the agreement to state that a small portion of the … Continue reading
Israeli workers open general strike, disrupting airport and economy
Israel’s main labor union declared a strike on Wednesday that affected banks, hospitals, trains, the stock exchange and caused delays at Ben Gurion Airport. The strike was initiated because the union and the Israeli government could not reach an agreement over the conditions for workers employed through labor contractors. Head of the labor union Ofer Eini … Continue reading
Pipeline Supplying Israel Is Attacked
A pipeline supplying gas for Israel was attacked on Sunday in the Egyptian Sinai desert. It is the 12th time within a year that the pipeline is attacked. The pipeline also provides gas for Jordan. Since the fall of Husni Mubarak, former president of Egypt, the gas deliveries to Israel have come under heavy criticism in Egypt. … Continue reading
Egypt Fumes Over Israel’s Energy Plans
In an attempt to increase Israeli self-sufficiency and strengthen economic bonds with Europe, Israel has announced plans for the construction of an Ashdod power plant which will be linked to European markets through Cyprus. Egypt has also been seeking this sort of opportunity to create an infrastructural tie to Europe. As a result, Egyptian media … Continue reading
Israel plans Red Sea-Mediterranean rail link to manage Suez overflow
Israel has announced a plan for a 350 km railway linking Eilat on the Red Sea with Ashdod on the Mediterranean sea. The railway could be an alternative to the Suez Canal, especially when that route will not be able to cope with the increasing volume of trade. Israeli officials deny the suggestion that the plan is … Continue reading
U.S. criticizes Israel plan to subsidize West Bank settlement construction
The United States have criticized the plan of Netanyahu’s government to subsidize construction in 557 rural settlements, of which 70 are deep inside the West Bank. State Department spokesman Mark toner calls the move “unconstructive and unhelpful”, adding that these kinds of actions can hamper the process of getting Israel and Palestine back to direct … Continue reading
PM Appoints Panel to Write Definitive Report on ‘Outpost’ Status
Hoping to stave off the potential falling of his government, Benyamin Netanyahu has formed a panel to establish a definitive standing on West Bank Outposts. With the planned March demolition of the Israeli settlement of Migron, the panel is intended to form a governmental policy on the issue which will satisfy nationalists in both the … Continue reading
Netanyahu big winner of Likud primaries
Netanyahu has received over 70% of the votes during the Likud party’s primaries on Tuesday, confirming his leadership over the party. “The real Likud won today. We proved that our strength lies in our unity. We will continue to show responsible leadership and take the lead in education, the economy, and security for the sake … Continue reading
Hard-line Israeli settler challenges Netanyahu for ruling Likud Party leadership
A hard-line leader of the Israeli settler movement, Moshe Feiglin, is challenging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming Likud primary elections. Feiglin, a settler himself, is adamantly opposed to the prospects of a two-state solution, claiming that there should not be a “terrorist state” in the “heart of the land of the bible.” Instead, Feiglin supports … Continue reading
Israel to clear thousands of mines in desert
According to Israel’s defense ministry, 60 acres of land near the Dead Sea will be cleared of mines in March. Israel was urged to start the mine clearing campaign following the injury of an 11-year old child in February 2010. He lost his leg after stepping on a landmine. Associated Press, United States. Click here … Continue reading
Analysis: Election fever grips Israel as Netanyahu maneuver expected
Though Israel’s current ruling coalition is the most stable the country has had in decades, election fever has gripped the country as many believe Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be preparing for early elections. Netanyahu’s Likud and the largest opposition party Kadima both announced they would be holding primaries in the coming weeks, while left-win g … Continue reading
Report: Attempt on life of Israeli envoy to Azerbaijan thwarted
Azerbaijani media has reported that three locals who were arrested last week had been paid and were under the instruction of Iranian intelligence to kill the Israeli Ambassador, as well as a teacher and a rabbi from the Chabad school. The foiled attack may have been an act of revenge by Iran, who has been … Continue reading
Likud activists: Boycott Netanyahu
In response to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s call on the residents of the illegal West Bank outpost Migron to accept a compromise offer by which permanent structures would be relocated to State-owned land, a campaign was launched by the Likud’s rightist camp calling on voters to boycott the party’s primaries. Members of the Likud National … Continue reading
More Arab MKs met with Hamas official
Following the outrage by many Israeli lawmakers at MK Hanin Zoabi’s meeting with a Hamas official, it appears that MKs Masud Ganaim and Ibrahim Sarsur, who belong to the party United Arab List-Ta’al, had met Hamas official Aziz Dwaik after he was released from an Israeli prison in 2009 to offer their support. While Likud MK and chairman … Continue reading
Members of Knesset, after report of one MK meeting with Hamas: ‘she should be tried for treason’
Many Israeli politicians reacted with anger to the report that MK Hanin Zoabi, from the party Balad, had met with senior Hamas members in December, including Parliament President Aziz Dwaik and former minister for women affairs Mariam Saleh. A statement by the National Union party read ”Zoabi and Tibi both prove that they do not belong in the … Continue reading
Thousands in Jerusalem protest racism against Ethiopian Israelis
In a demonstration in Jerusalem on Wednesday, 5,000 people protested against racism against the Ethiopian community in Israel. The protesters, who marched in front of the Knesset, were holding signs that read ”Blacks and Whites – We’re all Equal”, “Social Justice,” “Our Blood is Only Good for Wars.” The demonstration follows last week’s statement by the Immigrant … Continue reading
Israeli Minister slams Israeli cyber attacks on Arab websites
Israel’s Minister of Intelligence Services was critical of Israeli hackers’ attacks against Arab websites. ”There is no evidence that these hackers are indeed Saudi,” Dan Meridor said, referring to a string of cyber attacks against Israeli websites on Monday. ”Individual initiatives by Israeli hackers to attack Saudi hackers, or hackers from anywhere else for that matter, are … Continue reading
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