30 nov 2016
The Israeli Knesset decided Wednesday to postpone voting on Adhan ban bill till next Monday.
The Arab MKs Ahmed al-Tibi and Masoud Ghanayem affirmed in separate statements that Adhan ban bill vote was postponed till next Monday.
Ghanayem renewed his total rejection of the bill, considering the move a violation of the freedom of worship.
On Nov. 13, the Israeli Ministerial Committee on Legislation approved the draft legislation, which calls for barring the use of loudspeakers during the Adhan, moving it to the Knesset where it is expected to go through several readings before making it into law.
Palestinian leaders and several Muslim countries have criticized the proposed law as an infringement on the freedom of worship.
The Arab MKs Ahmed al-Tibi and Masoud Ghanayem affirmed in separate statements that Adhan ban bill vote was postponed till next Monday.
Ghanayem renewed his total rejection of the bill, considering the move a violation of the freedom of worship.
On Nov. 13, the Israeli Ministerial Committee on Legislation approved the draft legislation, which calls for barring the use of loudspeakers during the Adhan, moving it to the Knesset where it is expected to go through several readings before making it into law.
Palestinian leaders and several Muslim countries have criticized the proposed law as an infringement on the freedom of worship.
Israeli settlers continued their almost-daily attacks on Palestinian-owned land in Sacut town in the Jordan Valley in total violation of an Israeli court’s evacuation decision.
Local activist Aref Daraghmeh affirmed that Israeli settlers razed Wednesday the land after an Israeli court’s decision to return it to its Palestinian owners.
Daraghmeh called on human rights organizations to support the residents till restoring their land.
He pointed out that the settlers broke into the land under the protection of Israeli occupation forces.
Few weeks ago, the Israeli Supreme Court ordered the return of 3,500 dunums in Sacut town to their Palestinian owners.
Local activist Aref Daraghmeh affirmed that Israeli settlers razed Wednesday the land after an Israeli court’s decision to return it to its Palestinian owners.
Daraghmeh called on human rights organizations to support the residents till restoring their land.
He pointed out that the settlers broke into the land under the protection of Israeli occupation forces.
Few weeks ago, the Israeli Supreme Court ordered the return of 3,500 dunums in Sacut town to their Palestinian owners.
Anonymous hacktivists on Tuesday evening managed to take over the airwaves of Israel’s TV channels 2 and 10 and broadcast mosque clips accompanied by sounds of Adhan (call to prayer) and anti-Israel remarks.
The broadcast interruptions on channels 2 and 10, which lasted for about 30 seconds, described recent wildfires in Israel as “divine retribution.”
The hackers wanted to express their anger over Israel’s intent to enact “racist” legislation that would ban mosques from using loudspeakers to recite Adhan.
The new Israeli anti-adhan bill, which could be voted into a law at the Knesset, would exclude Jews from the use of amplifiers and loudspeakers to announce rituals and activities.
The broadcast interruptions on channels 2 and 10, which lasted for about 30 seconds, described recent wildfires in Israel as “divine retribution.”
The hackers wanted to express their anger over Israel’s intent to enact “racist” legislation that would ban mosques from using loudspeakers to recite Adhan.
The new Israeli anti-adhan bill, which could be voted into a law at the Knesset, would exclude Jews from the use of amplifiers and loudspeakers to announce rituals and activities.
A Santiago-based court in Chile on Monday filed a war crimes lawsuit against three Israeli Supreme Court adjudicators for approving the construction of the Israeli separation wall, declared illegal by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2004.
According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the lawsuit was filed by six Palestinian landowners in Beit Jala in the occupied West Bank district of Bethlehem and alleged war crimes, including crimes against humanity, against former chief Justice Asher Grunis, and Justices Neal Hendel and Uzi Vogelman.
The claimants reportedly own the land that is expected to be cut off from their village by the separation wall, while five of the plaintiffs are Chilean nationals, Haaretz reported.
Haaretz added that as the lawsuit continues to unfold, more individuals could be charged with authorizing the wall’s construction in violation of international law.
Residents in Beit Jala have been engaged in a decade-long battle against Israeli military orders to build the separation wall around Beit Jala and the illegal Israeli settlement of Har Gilo.
Observers have also long argued the separation fence had no security benefit for Israel and was being constructed to annex Palestinian land and connect illegal settlements.
Israeli authorities renewed construction of apartheid walls that encroach deep into the occupied territories despite international condemnation, leaving Palestinians stranded and isolating communities from their agricultural lands.
According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the lawsuit was filed by six Palestinian landowners in Beit Jala in the occupied West Bank district of Bethlehem and alleged war crimes, including crimes against humanity, against former chief Justice Asher Grunis, and Justices Neal Hendel and Uzi Vogelman.
The claimants reportedly own the land that is expected to be cut off from their village by the separation wall, while five of the plaintiffs are Chilean nationals, Haaretz reported.
Haaretz added that as the lawsuit continues to unfold, more individuals could be charged with authorizing the wall’s construction in violation of international law.
Residents in Beit Jala have been engaged in a decade-long battle against Israeli military orders to build the separation wall around Beit Jala and the illegal Israeli settlement of Har Gilo.
Observers have also long argued the separation fence had no security benefit for Israel and was being constructed to annex Palestinian land and connect illegal settlements.
Israeli authorities renewed construction of apartheid walls that encroach deep into the occupied territories despite international condemnation, leaving Palestinians stranded and isolating communities from their agricultural lands.
29 nov 2016
The Israeli Knesset is scheduled to vote on Wednesday on Adhan ban bill which was earlier postponed after an appeal submitted by Israeli Health Minister Yakov Litzman, Israel Hayom newspaper revealed.
In his appeal, Litzman referred to the similarities between the Adhan calls and the call announcing the beginning of Shabbat.
The new draft of the bill which is scheduled to be submitted for the vote on Wednesday has excluded synagogues from the “noise pollution.”
According to the Hebrew newspaper, the bill would prevent mosques from using loudspeakers between 11:00 pm until 7:00 am.
The bill was first presented in March by MK Motti Yogev from Jewish Home, a religious Israeli political party, and Robert Ilatov from Yisrael Beiteinu, a secularist and right-wing nationalist political party.
In his appeal, Litzman referred to the similarities between the Adhan calls and the call announcing the beginning of Shabbat.
The new draft of the bill which is scheduled to be submitted for the vote on Wednesday has excluded synagogues from the “noise pollution.”
According to the Hebrew newspaper, the bill would prevent mosques from using loudspeakers between 11:00 pm until 7:00 am.
The bill was first presented in March by MK Motti Yogev from Jewish Home, a religious Israeli political party, and Robert Ilatov from Yisrael Beiteinu, a secularist and right-wing nationalist political party.
28 nov 2016
Following an affidavit issued by appointed IDF Chief Rabbi Col. Eyal Karim in which he admits he was wrong, High Court shelves Meretz petition seeking to prevent Karim from assuming the position; High Court: 'It is a shame the clear words of the respondent were not expressed earlier.'
The Israel High Court shelved a petition on Monday put forth by Meretz attempting to block the appointment of Rabbi Eyal Karim as the IDF's chief rabbi. Karim can officially assume the position following a ceremony to be held Thursday.
Meretz Chairperson Zehava Gal-On, MK Mihal Rozin and MK Tamar Zandberg said in response, "We respect the High Court for standing by its promise to clarify Rabbi Karim's words, and we respect the decision not to cancel the appointment. We are pleased the judges didn't reject the petition without reason, and we are sure this ruling was justifiably detailed, and that the verdict will be quoted from in the future."
The three MKs added that "This is a real precedent in the courts intervening in the appointment system, particularly in the IDF, based on statements alone. This is a warning from the court that veering from IDF values will not be overlooked."
Karim filed an affidavit to the High Court in which he said, "Every rabbi, whether he be a teacher or a public official is required to be capable of retracting and admitting a mistake. I am not afraid to say that I was wrong. I was wrong in that I thought briefly about complicated questions which have more to them than just one halakhik (Jewish legal) stance. I was wrong in that I didn't clarify my words accurately and there were those who were hurt by them. I have already whole-heartedly apologized for this."
Karim clarified his remarks and said that he never permitted rape. Referring to previous anti-gay statements he had made in the past, Karim added that one should treat all people with dignity and equality, regardless of their sex or sexual orientation.
Sunday, Meretz MKs issued a response to Karim's affidavit, saying that they "welcome the clear statements written in the affidavit and the moral message included in it, which is important for all soldiers in the IDF." As such, the MKs explained that the petition had served its purpose and they will not insist on continuing proceedings.
"We also think there is no room for further consideration of the petition in light of the detailed affidavit provided by the respondent," said Chief Justice and Supreme Court President Miriam Naor in the ruling. "It is a shame the clear words of the respondent were not expressed earlier."
Naor noted in the ruling that it was "better late than never. The clear statement by the respondent's affidavit is that these statements are inconsistent with the values of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. We wish Col. Eyal Karim much success in such an important role and hope he brings glory to the IDF and the State of Israel.
The Israel High Court shelved a petition on Monday put forth by Meretz attempting to block the appointment of Rabbi Eyal Karim as the IDF's chief rabbi. Karim can officially assume the position following a ceremony to be held Thursday.
Meretz Chairperson Zehava Gal-On, MK Mihal Rozin and MK Tamar Zandberg said in response, "We respect the High Court for standing by its promise to clarify Rabbi Karim's words, and we respect the decision not to cancel the appointment. We are pleased the judges didn't reject the petition without reason, and we are sure this ruling was justifiably detailed, and that the verdict will be quoted from in the future."
The three MKs added that "This is a real precedent in the courts intervening in the appointment system, particularly in the IDF, based on statements alone. This is a warning from the court that veering from IDF values will not be overlooked."
Karim filed an affidavit to the High Court in which he said, "Every rabbi, whether he be a teacher or a public official is required to be capable of retracting and admitting a mistake. I am not afraid to say that I was wrong. I was wrong in that I thought briefly about complicated questions which have more to them than just one halakhik (Jewish legal) stance. I was wrong in that I didn't clarify my words accurately and there were those who were hurt by them. I have already whole-heartedly apologized for this."
Karim clarified his remarks and said that he never permitted rape. Referring to previous anti-gay statements he had made in the past, Karim added that one should treat all people with dignity and equality, regardless of their sex or sexual orientation.
Sunday, Meretz MKs issued a response to Karim's affidavit, saying that they "welcome the clear statements written in the affidavit and the moral message included in it, which is important for all soldiers in the IDF." As such, the MKs explained that the petition had served its purpose and they will not insist on continuing proceedings.
"We also think there is no room for further consideration of the petition in light of the detailed affidavit provided by the respondent," said Chief Justice and Supreme Court President Miriam Naor in the ruling. "It is a shame the clear words of the respondent were not expressed earlier."
Naor noted in the ruling that it was "better late than never. The clear statement by the respondent's affidavit is that these statements are inconsistent with the values of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. We wish Col. Eyal Karim much success in such an important role and hope he brings glory to the IDF and the State of Israel.
22 nov 2016
Courts accept a plea bargain presented by Berland’s defense team which saw one of the leaders of the Breslov Hasidic community sentenced for sexual assault; Berland: ‘I sincerely regret, from the bottom of my heart, all that I have done to harm a man or a woman.’
Rabbi Eliezer Berland, a leader of the Breslov Hasidic community, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for a number of sexual assaults on Tuesday afternoon following a plea bargain reached between the courts and his defense team.
Moments before the Jerusalem Magistrates Court approved the plea bargain, Berland expressed his regret for his actions and requested forgiveness from his victims.
In doing so, he quoted from the week’s Torah portion ‘Vayesehv’ from the book of Genesis in reference to the Yehudah’s sexual transgressions against Tamar: “What I have admitted I have admitted and I have no further business with women,” He said. “I ask for forgiveness from the entire people of Israel.”
He went on to say that nothing could detract from the severity of his actions. “I sincerely regret, from the bottom of my heart, all that I have done to harm a man or a woman, I regret every harmful act that was caused by me, whether directly or indirectly. My regret is sincere,” Berland said.
The women who filed complaints against Berland opposed the plea bargain reached by the courts and his lawyers and called on the justice system to disregard the plea and to impose a stricter sentence.
79-year-old Berland had founded the Shuvu Banim Yeshiva in Jerusalem and is considered a leading figure among the Breslov Hasidic community. In 2012, one of his followers claimed to have seen him in a compromising position with a girl from the local community.
The man was beaten by his other followers, which brought the incident to the police's attention. The ensuing investigation gathered testimonies from several women, accusing him of sexual misconduct.
Berland had fled from Israel to Morocco in 2013, after being requested to make himself available for police questioning on suspicion of sexual misconduct. King Mohammed VI expelled Berland from Morocco, and from there he travelled to Zimbabwe, the Netherlands, and South Africa.
He landed in Israel in July after being extradited by the South African authorities. Upon exiting the plane, he was arrested by Israel Police officers who were awaiting his arrival and who took him for investigation.
Rabbi Eliezer Berland, a leader of the Breslov Hasidic community, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for a number of sexual assaults on Tuesday afternoon following a plea bargain reached between the courts and his defense team.
Moments before the Jerusalem Magistrates Court approved the plea bargain, Berland expressed his regret for his actions and requested forgiveness from his victims.
In doing so, he quoted from the week’s Torah portion ‘Vayesehv’ from the book of Genesis in reference to the Yehudah’s sexual transgressions against Tamar: “What I have admitted I have admitted and I have no further business with women,” He said. “I ask for forgiveness from the entire people of Israel.”
He went on to say that nothing could detract from the severity of his actions. “I sincerely regret, from the bottom of my heart, all that I have done to harm a man or a woman, I regret every harmful act that was caused by me, whether directly or indirectly. My regret is sincere,” Berland said.
The women who filed complaints against Berland opposed the plea bargain reached by the courts and his lawyers and called on the justice system to disregard the plea and to impose a stricter sentence.
79-year-old Berland had founded the Shuvu Banim Yeshiva in Jerusalem and is considered a leading figure among the Breslov Hasidic community. In 2012, one of his followers claimed to have seen him in a compromising position with a girl from the local community.
The man was beaten by his other followers, which brought the incident to the police's attention. The ensuing investigation gathered testimonies from several women, accusing him of sexual misconduct.
Berland had fled from Israel to Morocco in 2013, after being requested to make himself available for police questioning on suspicion of sexual misconduct. King Mohammed VI expelled Berland from Morocco, and from there he travelled to Zimbabwe, the Netherlands, and South Africa.
He landed in Israel in July after being extradited by the South African authorities. Upon exiting the plane, he was arrested by Israel Police officers who were awaiting his arrival and who took him for investigation.
