Palestinians barricade themselves in Mosque
Several hundred palestinian youths bar themselves inside the Mosque on the Temple Mount in order to prevent Jews from being able to pray there on holy fast day of Tisha b’Av (the ninth day of the month of Av), which commemorates the destruction of both of the Jewish Temples. 300 police attempt to stop the violence.President Reuven Rivlin condemned the attack by the Palestinian rioters.
Today, the fast of Tisha B’Av, we mourn the destruction of the Temple, the memory and lessons of which stay with us each and every day. The acts of violence and terrorism committed especially today, against worshipers at holy sites, must be condemned unequivocally. I express my support for the security forces, and for their determination to prevent any harm or interference to the prayers at the Western Wall, the remnant of our Temple. Such acts of hatred cannot be tolerated and we will not allow any disturbances to prevent Jews from praying at this holy site.
Clash at Temple Mount
Dozens of Palestinian youth, most masked, attack police with rocks, bottles, wooden planks, fireworks and firebomb, then barricade themselves in the Al Aqsa Mosque. As the violence escalates, police storm the Mosque to gain control over the situation. In the process three east Jerusalem Palestinians are arrested. Several police officers are also injured though it is not reported how many are injured. Police:
The clashes broke out after the Palestinians began throwing stones and shooting fireworks at Border Police and police forces that arrived at the mosque’s entrance. Afterwards, the youths fled into the mosque, throwing stones and bricks at the forces from within, and firing fireworks at them. An unidentified liquid was also thrown at the police.
Israel says ‘threats’ won’t stop opposition
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.
Israel moves to legalize settlements
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.
Netanyahu on Iran Agreement
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.
Israel denounces labeling
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.
Released
Israeli authorities releases Adnan, n often-detained member of Islamic Jihad, after he spent more than 11 months in jail. He is turned over at a West Bank checkpoint before being taken to Jenin Hospital for medical tests.
EU close to labeling Israeli goods
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.
IDF retaliates
Israeli 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.
Israel: Treaty does not promote peace process
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
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.
A place for all faiths
In a statement, developers of the Menorah Islands project say that these islands will be a haven for interfaith collaboration, as well as scientific and technological advancements, and provide jobs and housing for Israel’s economy.
Districts for learning and science… will be an idealized example of what the future on Planet Earth and beyond can look like.
The Kickstarter fundraising campaign has 31,203 supporters, who have to date donated $129,500.
Plans to advance science, technology
The developers of the Menorah Islands say one of the major goals for the Islands is the advancement of science and technology in ways to benefit the entire globe, across all types of science disciplines. Spokesperson:
Districts for learning and science… will be an idealized example of what the future on Planet Earth and beyond can look like.
Defends Israel
Cameron defends Israel over the 2014 Gaza conflict issue in an interview with the Jewish Chronicle.
What I’ve seen is the attacks that take place on Israel and the indiscriminate nature of them. As PM, putting yourself in the shoes of the Israeli people, who want peace but have to put up with these indiscriminate attacks – that reinforces to me the importance of standing by Israel and Israel’s right to defend itself.
Syrian border airstrike
Israel launches an airstrike after troops see “a group of armed terrorists” approach the border of the Golan Heights.with an explosive intended to target Israeli troops. It said that Israeli aircraft “targeted the squad, preventing the attack.” Iran’s state-run, English-language satellite news channel Press TV reports four people were killed. Hours before the border strike, Israeli Defense Minister Ya’alon warned Syria and Iran against arming Hezbollah with such weapons.
We will not allow the transfer of quality weapons to terror groups led by Hezbollah and we know how to reach them and those that dispatch them at any time.
Airline promotion
The project will be promoted in a 90-second video for travelers on major U.S. airlines in July and August.
A shortened version of the Menorah Islands Project’s captivating video, found on www.themenorahislands.com, will be aired on 4,000 flights. This airing is expected to be seen by over 160,000 first and business class passengers.
Deal threatens Israel
Netanyahu tells Obama that Israel opposes the nuclear framework agreement with Iran.
A deal that is based on this framework will threaten Israel’s existence… The alternative is to stand firmly and increase pressure on Iran until a better deal is reached.
Obama reacts to Netanyahu’s statement
President Obama states he will re-evaluate the relationship the U.S. has with Israel in light of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s statement that he will never allow a two-state solution. Press Secretary:
The United States will re-evaluate our approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It has been the longstanding policy of the United States that a two-state solution is the best way to address this conflict. The president still holds that view. [Netanyahu’s statement] undermines the values of democratic ideals that have been important to our democracy and an important part of what binds the United States and Israel together.
Video shows tunnel operations
A video translated by the MEMRI monitoring service shows an Al-Jazeera Arabic reporter’s visit to the site of tunnel-digging operations by the armed wing of Islamic Jihad under the Israeli border. A tunnel worker:
We are now in one of the tunnels of the Al-Quds Brigades, on which work began as soon as the war on Gaza ended and the ceasefire was declared. We have begun work and we are continuing it regardless of the threats by the Zionist enemy. We will not be hindered by the threats of the enemy, or by the ban on importing cement and other building materials.
Urges intelligence cooperation on ISIS
Israeli defense officials urge cooperation between global intelligence services on ISIS. Defense Minister Ya’alon tells Israel Radio:
In order to stop and overcome the Islamic State, we have learnt since 9/11 that there must be cooperation between intelligence agencies from across the free world, a sharing of experience and operational cooperation
Former military intelligence chief Amos Yadlin
The intelligence that we gather in the Middle East — which deals with threats from Iran, (Lebanon’s Shiite) Hezbollah, what’s happening in Syria, terrorist organizations in Sinai and the Gaza Strip — is of very good quality and we share it with our allies