MKs to fly business class

Members of 18th Knesset get new perk as director-general decides on protocol allowing all MKs to fly business class when traveling abroad on state-related affairs
Amnon Meranda

A new official protocol in Knesset states that all MKs flying abroad on state-related affairs will do so in business class. The decision was made by Knesset Director-General Dan Landau. A veteran MK opposed to the decision told Ynet, "This is an unnecessary waste of the public's money."

A Knesset statement in response to a Ynet query said: "As a rule, according to the Knesset director-general's decision and the protocol set in the 18th Knesset, MKs sent abroad by the Knesset are to fly in business class."

"In the 17th Knesset there were cases in which MKs flew in business class as well as economy class. There was no protocol, and placement was carried out in accordance with the instructions of the former Knesset director-general."

A source from the Knesset said, "It's time to sort out this breached issue with a proper protocol. The bottom line is that even in previous terms, the vast majority of MKs flew in business class to all destinations, each time due to a different 'exception' – age, status, health, etc."

On the other hand, sources that served in the Knesset's administrative body in the past say a protocol had been employed according to which MKs traveling in business class on long flights (for example to the United States), and traveled in economy class on shorter flights, save for certain exceptions.

A senior MK told Ynet, "This is a bad decision. This is a waste of the public's money. At a time when the market is in the midst of an economic crisis and workplaces are tightening their belts, the Knesset upgrades itself and its members." He said Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin should rethink the move.

Another MK defended the decision, saying, "MKs set off on missions that are usually very short, with a very busy schedule, and purchasing business class tickets is a worthy expense in my opinion. These are not pleasure trips, but business trips."

The Knesset further stated: "As a rule, the Knesset has adopted in principle the instructions of the accountant general, which state that director-generals whose flights last over six hours should be placed in business class.

"The Knesset director-general has decided that MKs will be placed in business class in advance, due to the fact that MKs start work immediately upon landing."

The Knesset added that in the matter of any flights under 45 minutes long, each case is examined individually, and that in most cases there is no business class in such flights.

I am currently sitting in Africa on business, I flew tourist class.

So I thought about it and the bottom is this if you fly around the world you will not enjoy yourself no matter what class you fly and saving $5000 matters more to me than it matters to membes of Knesset because it is my money I am saving. For the members of Knesset it is only taxpayers money they would be saving so who cares.

Posted by Yoni Tidi at 12:15 AM | Permalink

Likud minister to rightists: Give up dream of Greater Israel
By Yossi Verter

Proponents of the Greater Land of Israel - including the recently established Land of Israel caucus in the Knesset, hawkish Likud members and other MKs - are deceiving the public because their dream cannot be fulfilled, Minister Michael Eitan (Likud) said over the weekend.

"You can't deceive all the time and speak about Greater Israel," Eitan said at a Geneva Initiative conference in Dimona. "It's a dream that will not be able to be fulfilled. The vast majority is willing to make significant concessions for peace. Everyone wants an agreement."

The conference, which discussed solutions proposed by the figures behind the Geneva Initiative peace proposal, featured Yossi Beilin, one of the architects of the proposal, as well as former Palestinian minister Sufian Abu Zaida and Dimona Mayor Meir Cohen.

Eitan, the improvement of government services minister and one of the few Likud MKs who has not supported the Land of Israel caucus, said it had no place in today's politics.

"Last week the Land of Israel caucus was established in the Knesset. Neither I nor [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu can join it, even though in '92 I founded a similar caucus," he said. "To talk about Greater Israel now - that's deception."

The Land of Israel caucus was founded last week by MKs Zeev Elkin (Likud) and Aryeh Eldad (National Union). With the exception of Eitan, Netanyahu and Minister Dan Meridor, all Likud MKs and ministers expressed support for the caucus' primary objective of strengthening Israel's hold on the entire West Bank.

Eitan sent the caucus founders a letter saying their declared goals "thunderously contradict the prime minister's position."

He told the conference Israel must not stop trying to make peace with the Palestinians.

"I tried to stop smoking 100 times, and I didn't succeed," he said. "On the 101st try, I succeeded. We have to try again and again and again until we reach an agreement, but without conceding security or the crucial interests of the State of Israel."

Cohen said Israel must reach a deal within the next decade.

"We have to choose between a state with a Jewish majority and a state with an Arab majority," he said. "I doubt whether we will have a Jewish majority in the state by 2020."

This is why the Likud in my book is the greatest bunch of posers ever.

They are the just as left wing as Labor, in fact they are Labor in drag. They look to be one thing and really are something else.

Posted by Yoni Tidi at 12:05 AM | Permalink

[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA:
As of 7 February 2010, the official website of Hamas continues to include
reports of the attacks Hamas carried out against civilian Israeli targets
duriong Operation Cast Lead. It terms each Israeli civilian community a
"military base".

For example, it takes credit for 23 Grads that hit the Military base "Beer
Al Saba'a" = Beersheva.]

Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades
Military Wing of Hamas Movement
Information Office
www.qassam.ps/statement-1244-First_Part_of_Al_Qassam_responses_in_twenty_days_in_Gaza_strip.html

Military Communique

First Part of Al Qassam responses in twenty day in Gaza strip

Al-Qassam Brigades is declaring its responsibility for the following
operations as a response to Zionist aggression on the Palestinian civilians:

Target
Qassam
Grad
Mortar

Military base "Blmakheem"
0
2
0

Military base "Tal Nouf"
0
1
0

Military base "Al Majdal"
26
47
0

Military base "Sdod"
0
36
0

Military base "Beer Al Saba'a"
0
23
0

Military base "Kiryat Gat"
0
3
0

Military base "Hitsareem"
0
16
0

Military base "Sderot"
88
0
0

Military base "Third Eye"
9
0
12

Military base "Miftaheem"
13
0
0

Military base "artillery"
9
0
9

Military base "Ba'eri"
6
0
0

Military base "Talmi Yusif"
3
0
0

Military base "Nir Oz"
4
0
0

Military base "Ami Oz"
2
0
0

Military base "leadership"
2
0
0

Military base "Mageen"
4
0
0

Military base "El-yahoo"
1
0
0

Military base "Abu Salim"
3
0
3

Military base "Nahil Oz"
10
0
10

Military base "Sufa"
6
0
0

Military base "Nitifut"
31
51
0

Military base "Tsailem"
0
6
0

These operations are part of the repelling operations against the
occupation assaults on Gaza Strip and West Bank, and as a response for the
ongoing aggression against Palestinian people.

=======

Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades

Information Office

www.qassam.ps/statement-1245-Second_Part_of_Al_Qassam_responses_in_twenty_days_in_Gaza_strip.html

Military Communiqué

Second Part of Al Qassam responses in twenty day in Gaza strip

Al-Qassam Brigades is declaring its responsibility for the following
operations as a response to Zionist aggression on the Palestinian civilians:

Target
Qassam
Grad
Mortar

Military base "Ashkol"
9
3
0

Military base "Malaka"
8
0
5

Military base "Kfar Azza"
2
0
3

Military base "Al-Ersal"
2
0
0

Military base "Hatsur"
0
3
0

Military base "Ofokeem"
0
20
0

Military base "Malakhi"
0
2
0

Military base Nir Eshaq"
15
0
0

Military base "Zikeem"
10
0
0

Military base "Miflasem"
9
0
0

These operations are part of the repelling operations against the
occupation assaults on Gaza Strip and West Bank, and as a response for the
ongoing aggression against Palestinian people.

Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades

Information Office

January 16th, 2009

Posted by Yoni Tidi at 10:52 AM | Permalink

For those who would like to hear me on the radio, I am very pleased to announce that I will be having a weekly appearance on the Middle East Radio Forum, the show is hosted By William Wolf.

You can listen to the show by going to the MERF web page
http://www.middleeastradioforum.org/

Posted by Yoni Tidi at 07:25 AM | Permalink

JERUSALEM, February 3, 2010 (WAFA -PLO news agency)- The U.S. Department of State sponsored a two-week visit to the U.S. focused on human rights and democracy for a group of 30 high school students from Gaza.

Two separate groups of 15 girls and 15 boys were selected because of their
outstanding performance in their human rights classes at UNRWA schools in
Gaza.

Along with their teachers, the students visited Atlanta; Washington, D.C.;
and New York City.

While in Atlanta, the students met with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter,
visited the Martin Luther King Center, and participated in discussions on
conflict resolution, human rights, and democracy. In Washington, D.C., the
students received a tour of the White House and Capitol Hill, saw a concert
at the Kennedy Center, and had dinner with American high school students and
their families. In New York City, the students met with UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and saw a Broadway musical.

U.S. Consul General in Jerusalem Daniel Rubinstein met with the group upon
their return to discuss their impressions of the United States. Consul
General Rubinstein congratulated them, saying, "I hope your experience in
the United States will help you as you become the future leaders of an
independent Palestinian state."

The United States is UNRWA's largest bilateral donor. Its total
contribution to UNRWA in 2009 was $267 million, including over $116 million
to its General Fund, $30 million to its Lebanon Emergency Appeals, and
$119.5 million to its West Bank/Gaza Emergency Programs.

High School Students from Gaza Visit USA Date : 3/2/2010 Time : 18:14
http://english.wafa.ps/?action=detail&id=13708

Kind of makes you wonder what side the USA is on.

Posted by Yoni Tidi at 06:41 AM | Permalink

Dubai may seek Bibi's arrest over Hamas man's assassination

Dubai to issue arrest warrant for Netanyahu should it turn out that Mossad killed al-Mabhouh, senior official says
Roee Nahmias

Dubai will be issuing an arrest warrant against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should it turn out that the Mossad was behind a recent assassination of a senior Hamas man in the Emirates, a police official said Thursday.

The senior official told the al-Jazeera network that Dubai will seek to arrest PM Netanyahu "because of the fact that he was the one to approve the execution of the crime in the United Arab Emirates."

Senior Hamas member Mahmoud al-Mabhouh was murdered in a Dubai hotel on January 20th. However, Hamas only publicized the assassination nine days later.

On Monday, Hamas' Muhammad Nazal charged that al-Mabhouh was attacked by Mossad agents who ambushed him in his hotel room.

"When he arrived, they surprised him," Nazal said.

On Wednesday, Dubai Chief of Police Lieutenant Colonel Dahi Khalfan Tamim warned both Hamas and the Mossad against operating in Dubai territory behind the backs of local authorities.

"Anyone trying to operate behind our back should watch his own back," Tamim said to the London-based newspaper El-Shark El-Awsat.

"This applies to all intelligence agencies in the world," he continued, "whether Mossad, Hamas or any other intelligence organization."

I have my doubts about if Israel was responsible for eliminating this terrorist thug.

Isralis tend not to foul the nest when it comes to former high ranking types making money.

Posted by Yoni Tidi at 02:04 AM | Permalink

Photo by: Yoni Hamenahem

ByJPOST.COM STAFF
04/02/2010
Lieberman blasts Syrian president for claiming Israel leading Middle East towards war, says Assad made a "direct threat on Israel," calls on Damascus to give up demand for Golan Heights.

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Thursday morning blasted Syrian President Bashar Assad for saying Israel was "leading the region towards war," and warned the leadership in Damascus that in the next war, Syria would be defeated by Israel.

Speaking at an event at Bar-Ilan University, Lieberman warned Assad that in an event of war with Israel, "not only will you lose the war, you and your family will no longer be in power."

The leaders in Syria care only about their power, Lieberman claimed, and therefore it is important that Damascus understands a war with Israel will drive Bashar Assad and the Assad family out of power.

"I tell Assad and [Syrian Foreign Minister Walid] al-Moallem clearly - what was said yesterday marked a dramatic change of game, a direct threat on the State of Israel. I think that a line was crossed, and this cannot be tolerated," the foreign minister said.

"We heard Defense Minister [Ehud] Barak's sincere call for peace with Syria, and we have now received Syria's answer. Whoever thinks territorial concessions will disconnect Damascus from the Axis of Evil is wrong," Lieberman asserted.

The foreign minister went on to stress that he supports peace with Syria as long as the Golan Heights remain in Israel's hands.

"Syria must understand that it has to let go of the demand for the Golan, in the same way that it gave up on the Greater Syria dream," said Lieberman.

Lieberman also warned the Palestinian Authority, and called on the Palestinian leadership to resume peace talks with Israel.

"I want to tell [PA Prime Minister] Salam Fayyad and Abu-Mazen [PA President Mahmoud Abbas]: Without immediate, direct negotiations, not only will you not have a state in two years, you will also lose control over Judea and Samaria as you did in Gaza. Negotiations are not only an Israeli interest, nor a favor that anyone does for Israel."

Lieberman's remarks came hours after Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu expressed disappointment with Assad’s claim that Israel was pushing the region towards war, saying instead that the reality was quite the opposite.

"Netanyahu has said many times that he would be prepared to meet and negotiate with Syria, as long as [Damascus] does not set any preconditions. Unfortunately, Syria is the one that is setting obstacles [to peace]," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement overnight Wednesday.

Vice Premier Silvan Shalom made similar remarks to Army Radio on Thursday morning, saying that he supports and has always supported holding peace talks with Syria. "The peace process with Damascus is much more ripe than the Palestinian process," Shalom told the radio station.

On Wednesday, in a meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, Assad said that “Israel is not serious about achieving peace since all facts point out that Israel is pushing the region towards war, not peace."

Posted by Yoni Tidi at 05:45 AM | Permalink

IDF Spokesperson February 1st, 2010

Explosive Devices Located Today on Israeli Public Beaches

Three Days Ago, Palestinian Terrorist Organizations Claim Responsibility for
Maritime Explosive Devices

On January 29th, a number of Palestinian terrorist organizations claimed
responsibility for a maritime terrorist attack following the detonation of
two sea-born explosive devices at a distance of approximately two Kilometers
off the coast of the Gaza Strip.

This morning, February 1st, 2010, Israeli civilians reported seeing a
suspicious unidentified object lying on the Barnea beach, a public beach in
the coastal city of Ashkelon. Israeli Police sappers examined the object to
be an explosive device. A similar object was later located at one of the
beaches in Ashdod, another Israeli city located farther north on the Israeli
Mediterranean coast. The device was detonated in a controlled manner by the
Israeli police.

The terrorist organizations who took responsibility for the original attack
are the Fatah military wing, known as "Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades", the
Popular Resistance Committees military wing, known as "Saladin Brigades" and
the Palestinian Islamic Jihad military wing, known as the"Al-Quds Brigades".

To be attributed to security sources
Israeli security forces, including the Israel Navy, are taking all measures
required to protect the citizens of Israel from threats of this kind.

Posted by Yoni Tidi at 05:43 AM | Permalink

By Amos Harel Haaretz Last update - 04:03 03/02/2010
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1147188.html

The Israel Defense Forces says it has no intention at this stage of
permanently deploying the Iron Dome system to protect Sderot against rocket
attacks. The army expects to have a battery operational by May.

According to an IDF plan, the battery will initially be deployed at air
force bases in the south and will be set up elsewhere only during
significant escalations on the Gaza border.

In the past three years, government ministers have repeatedly promised that
the batteries would be deployed in the field and would effectively defend
communities near the Gaza Strip. Sderot has been mentioned several times as
the first town to benefit from the new system because of the many rocket
attacks it has suffered over the past eight years.

Much of the testing for Iron Dome was completed over the past month. In one
especially impressive test in the Negev, the system downed several barrages
of incoming rockets. Defense officials announced that by March air defense
units would receive the first battery, which would be declared operational
by May.

However, Haaretz has learned that acquiring and deploying the system will
apparently be much slower than the development efforts by Rafael Advanced
Defense Systems; the company completed its work in record time - two and a
half years. The current plan is to acquire a relatively small number of
batteries and a limited number of missiles and avoid deploying them in the
field.

A senior source in the General Staff explained that two tests of the system
still need to be carried out. "We are still not at the decision stage on the
way the system will be used," the source said. "We need to fully evaluate
the missile's capabilities and only then determine the extent of the
acquisition."

Media misunderstanding

The source said the media had failed to understand the real purpose of the
system; reporters have described Iron Dome as a routine means for
intercepting Qassam rockets and Grad-type Katyushas.

"This is a system that is expected to counter much bigger rockets that may
be in the Gaza Strip, like the Fajr-5," he said. The Iranian-made Fajr-5 is
in Hezbollah's arsenal and has a range of 75 kilometers. It carries a
warhead of between 100 and 150 kilograms.

On the other hand, the source says, bomb shelters and the "Color Red"
air-raid alarm will remain the main way to deal with Qassams and Katyushas.

"There is no point in routinely firing intercept missiles against a single
Qassam," the source said, noting that Qassam attacks have been rare since
Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip a year ago. "Iron Dome should
be used at times of escalation or against bigger rockets."

Another factor, apparently, is that since the number of operational
batteries will be small at the outset, the IDF wants to avoid a situation in
which one town receives permanent protection while its neighbor remains
vulnerable.

"The IDF developed its operational doctrine for the Iron Dome system by
taking a comprehensive view, out of an understanding that it is necessary to
provide an effective response to a wide range of threats, and in several
theaters of operation, on short notice," the IDF Spokesman's Office said.

"The Iron Dome system is a mobile one, and the location of the batteries
will be chosen in accordance with our assessment of the security situation,
which will be examined shortly before the system is declared ready for
operational use."

It seems that two considerations lie behind the plan for using the system:
budget constraints and Iron Dome's position on the IDF's priority list. The
IDF decided that the system would be operated by air defense units, but a
decision has not yet been made on which procurement budget will supply the
funds for purchasing it.

Thus, at the current stage, the decision will apparently be to procure only
five to seven batteries and a limited number of intercept missiles. Many
more batteries would be required to protect the areas near the Gaza Strip
and along the northern border.

At the same time, the IDF recently canceled plans to purchase tens of
millions of dollars worth of one type of anti-aircraft missile and froze a
planned purchase of another type of missile.

Thus the fear is that, for all defense officials' talk about the project's
importance, Iron Dome will have trouble competing for funding against very
expensive projects that are dearer to the air force's heart. These include
the the F-35 fighter jet and more-intensive training. If so, the IDF will
apparently have to find funding for Iron Dome outside the air force's
budget, something Defense Minister Ehud Barak has recently been working on.

One possibility under consideration is selling Iron Dome to an Asian
country, which would bring down the price of each system by increasing sales
volume. Representatives of that country witnessed last month's test in the
Negev and expressed interest in buying the system.

In any case, the period is over for playing down the rocket threat; this
attitude had delayed the development of a short-range missile interception
system by seven years. But this message may not have been internalized at
every level of the defense establishment, because for all the talk about
missile defense, Israel has yet to significantly change its priorities.

Two months ago, at a meeting on the missile threat, the head of the IDF's
research and development program, Brig. Gen. Danny Gold, briefed Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the means available for defending against
missile attacks. He began with deterrent measures and ways of targeting
launchers, leaving defensive measures to the end of his presentation.

Rafael's chief executive, Maj. Gen. (res.) Yedidia Ya'ari, could not
restrain himself: He interrupted Gold to warn that "if there is no defense,
there will also be no offense."

Posted by Yoni Tidi at 05:41 AM | Permalink