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5 Jun, 2023

Netanyahu ‘greatly’ appreciates Musk’s ‘contribution to humanity’

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After speaking on the phone with Musk, Netanyahu calls him “a person whose intelligence and contribution to humanity I greatly appreciate.” In his account of their “long” conversation, the prime minister says the two discussed artificial intelligence – something Netanyahu says he wants more of for Israel, and plans to convene a team about it. He adds:

[Musk] expressed his view that Israel could become a significant global player in the field. Just as we turned Israel into a global cyber power, we will also do so in artificial intelligence.

29 May, 2023

Israel: Musk promoting ‘fake news’ about COVID-19 data

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Israel’s Ministry of Health says Musk was promoting “fake news” regarding COVID-19 data when he replied to a tweet from ZeroHedge, claiming Israeli data showed “zero young healthy individuals died of COVID-19.” Musk wrote “Zero …” (Twitter added a note to the Zero Hedge tweet, saying Israel’s health ministry “has called this article ‘misinformation.’”) The health ministry writes:

Elon, unfortunately this is not what the whole data shows. fake news is dangerous. Israel Ministry of Health was asked on chronic disease data and explained that we don’t have access to clinical records. We know from clinicians that young healthy people did die from COVID and hopefully data on that will be available on the near future from our HMOs.

14 Dec, 2015

Announces Israel $6M research center

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Texas A&M is launching a $6M marine research center in Israel to study along the Mediterranean Sea. Spokesperson:

There really is a remarkable amount of research and innovation occurring in Israel. There’s just so much going on there and we wanted to be a part of that.

 

22 Nov, 2015

Plans 11 Negev towns

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Israel votes on plans to build 11 new cities in the south in hopes of bringing over a half-a-million residents to the Negev Desert Region over the course of the next 20 years. The project aims to increase the percentage of Israel’s population living in the south from 8 percent to 15% by 2035. The construction is projected to be relatively upper class and part of the towns are intended for career IDF officers who would agree to move to the Negev with key army facilities. Planned communities include five suburbs of Arad, four in the Merhavim region of southern Israel, four to six towns, plus an industrial area, along Route 25, and a town called Bnei Gurion, between Kibbutzim Revivim and Retamim.

10 Nov, 2015

Obama, Netanyahu meet

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Minister Netanyahu meets with President Obama about the security of Israel. President Obama says that Israel’s security is a primary focus of his administration and he’s committed to using the resources of the United States to help keep Israel safe.

As I’ve said repeatedly, the security of Israel is one of my top foreign policy priorities and that has expressed itself not only in words but in deeds. We have closer military intelligence cooperation than any two administrations in history. The military assistance that we provide we consider not only an important part of our obligation to the security of the state of Israel but also an important part of US security infrastructure in the region as we make sure that one of our closest allies can not only protect itself but can also work with us in deterring terrorism and other security threats.

Prime Minister Netanyahu also expresses his appreciation of the strong bond that exists between the United States and Israel.

We’re with each other in more ways than one and I want to thank you for this opportunity to strengthen our friendship which is strong and strengthen our alliance which is strong.

9 Sep, 2015

‘Iran will be destroyed within 25 years’

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Ayatollah Khamenei says that Israel will be destroyed within 25 years.

Some Zionists have said that regarding the result of the nuclear deal they (Israelis) have been relieved of concerns about Iran for 25 years. But we tell them that you will not see the coming 25 years and God willing there will not be something named the Zionist regime in the region.

He also says says Tehran will not expand talks with the United States beyond the negotiations over its atomic program.

We approved talks with the United States about the nuclear issue specifically. We have not allowed talks with the U.S. in other fields and we will not negotiate with them. The Iranian nation ousted the Satan. We should not let it back through the window.

8 Sep, 2015

Record sandstorm hits Isreal

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A massive sandstorm moves into Israel causing health concerns. The population is urged to keep children, the elderly and those with a respiratory illness inside. The dust density is worst in the hill country including the Golan Heights, the Southerrn West Bank and Jerusalem. The storm is expected to last through Wednesday. Governmental Official warns:

. . .for sensitive populations, short-term exposure to such dense clusters of particulates can cause a stroke, heart attacks, and even death. The storm comes in addition to the existing high heat and high humidity. The tiny particulates make their way into the lungs, where they can interfere with the oxygen to carbon dioxide exchange, giving rise to serious problems.

Kerry reaffirms support of Israel

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According to the State Department, Kerry phones to reaffirm the U.S.’s commitment to the security of Israel. Kerry and Netanyahu discussed a number of issues, including worries about reports of possible future Russian military buildup in Syria.

The secetary and the prime minister reiterated the need to continue pushing back on Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region, and he agreed to continue to have these discussions in the coming weeks. The secretary reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to Israel’s security and continued military and security relationship.

6 Sep, 2015

Will not allow Israel to be ‘submerged’ by refugees

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Netanyahu rejects calls by Mahmoud Abbas and opposition leader Isaac Herzog to let more Syrian refugees enter Israel, and says that a 30-kilometre fence will be constructed across the Jordan border.

We will not allow Israel to be submerged by a wave of illegal migrants and terrorist activists. Israel is not indifferent to the human tragedy of Syrian and African refugees… but Israel is a small country — very small — without demographic or geographic depth. That is why we must control our borders.

28 Jul, 2015

Israel criticizes Huckabee

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Israel admonishes Huckabee over his Holocaust remark. Representatives say that while Huckabee showed real concern about the safety and future of Israel and its people, he should not have referred to the gas chambers and ovens in the Nazi death camps used to murder millions of Jews and others when expressing his concern about the Iran agreement. Cabinet member Katz:

Dear Mr Huckabee, no one is marching Jews to the ovens anymore. That is why we established the State of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces, and if necessary, we will know how to defend ourselves by ourselves.

27 Jul, 2015

Kerry endorses Iran deal

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During testimony to the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, Kerry says that while he understands Israel’s fears about the Iran deal, putting the agreement in place will make Israel, and the entire area more secure. He also provided reassurance as to the U.S. role in the region after the agreement is in place, pointing out the high level of cooperation between the U.S. and Israel:

The US [will] continue to push back against Iran’s other activities. It[is] much easier to push back against an Iran that doesn’t have a nuclear weapon the agreement will ensure. Washington’s current level of security cooperation with Israel is unprecedented and the US will continue to maintain its robust security presence in the region.

 

26 Jul, 2015

Cruz on Tisha b’Av

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Cruz sends a message to his Jewish supporters on the day of Tisha B’Av in which he compares the Iran nuclear deal to the same danger that led to the destruction of the two ancient Jewish temples:

To all those observing the mourning of Tisha B’Av, I wish you a time of meaningful reflection on the destruction of the holy Temples and the calamities that befell our Jewish brothers on this day. As our Jewish friends hope for the rebuilding of the Temple speedily in our days, I share their joy in the establishment of a Jewish State after 2,000 years of exile. Especially today, with stakes so high, we can never allow there to be a threat to Israel’s destruction. We must furiously fight the Iran deal that puts Israel in jeopardy so that we may never again mourn the destruction of the Jewish State.

Israel says ‘threats’ won’t stop opposition

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Israeli officials call comments from Senator Kerry that Israel will be even more isolated internationally should Congress fail to pass the Iran nuclear agreement a “thinly veiled efforts to muzzle criticism”. Israeli officials state they will not stop publicly lobbying against the nuclear agreement with Iran.

We reject the threats directed at Israel in recent days.

22 Jul, 2015

Israel moves to legalize settlements

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A committee is formed to legalize Jewish settlements in the West Bank that international law currently calls unlawful. Israel’s Justice Minister Shaked says she wants to help establish the legal status of Jewish settlers in the West Bank.

There are many areas in Judea and Samaria where the status is unregulated. The time has come to dispel the legal fog and to enable the residents of Judea and Samaria—most of them in settlements set up by generations of Israeli governments—to stop worrying about the constant threat to the very ownership of their homes.

19 Jul, 2015

Netanyahu on Iran Agreement

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Prime Minister Netanyahu continues to verbally oppose the Iran Nuclear Agreement. He states that as the leader of the only Jewish state, he feels it is his duty to make sure that state remains protected and safe against current and potential future danger.

I have great respect for our intelligence services, they’re the best in the world, Israel’s, the U.S. And UK. Yet, all of three of us didn’t see for a long time the nuclear bunkers, we didn’t see the Syrian work on a nuclear reactor that was almost operational when we discovered it.

12 Jul, 2015

Israel denounces labeling

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Israel denounces the effort by the EU Commission to have all products made in the West Bank settlements labeled as such before distribution and export. The Israeli government questions the legality of such a requirement. Israel’s ambassador to the EU:

[The initiative] is a European attempt to politically pressure Israel on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by using economic means of questionable legality. The labels are an attempt to de facto determine the boundaries of Israel while it is up to the parties involved to decide, and nothing good or constructive can come out of going down that road.

19 Jun, 2015

EU close to labeling Israeli goods

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After a three-year delay, the European Commission plans to begin labeling Israeli products made in disputed areas of Palestine within the next several months. Officials of the Commission are at a final stage of creating the document that will lay out the guidelines for labeling. Spokesperson:

Labeling is an essential part of existing consumer policy, which the commission will help member states to implement uniformly through guidance on Israeli settlement products. The EU considers settlements in occupied territories illegal under international law.

7 Jun, 2015

IDF retaliates

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Israeli Air Force F-16 planes fly in formation over the Mediterranean Sea as seen from a Tel Aviv beach, during an aerial show as part of celebrations for Israel's Independence Day, marking the 67th anniversary of the creation of the state, April 23, 2015. REUTERS/Baz RatnerIsraeli Defense Forces jets strike targets in a retaliatory attack for rockets fired into southern Israel from Palestine with at least one exploding. There are no reports of casualties thus far. Israel confirms the airstrike. Spokesperson:

The Israeli Air Force retaliated on Sunday for rockets fired at Israel from Gaza on Saturday night by striking terror sites in the northern Gaza Strip.

13 May, 2015

Israel: Treaty does not promote peace process

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Israel is releases a statement about the Vatican’s treaty recognizing Palestine as a State.

This move does not promote the peace process and distances the Palestinian leadership from returning to direct and bilateral negotiations. Israel will study the agreement and will consider its steps accordingly.

Vatican recognizes Palestine

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The Vatican announces it will sign a treaty that includes official recognition of the “State of Palestine.” Vatican Official:

Yes, it’s a recognition that the state exists. The treaty concerns the Catholic Church’s activities in that territory and both parties are expected to sign it soon.