‘Moderate’ Palestinian Leader: We Would Use A Nuke This Very Morning If We Had One

Photo: Palestinian leader Jibril-Rajoub-Nuke

‘Moderate’ Palestinian Leader Swears: ‘If We Had a Nuke, We’d Have Used It This Very Morning’ -- Sharona Schwartz, Yahoo News/The Blaze

Senior Palestinian Authority official Jibril Rajoub (Courtesy: Palestinian Media Watch)

Jibril Rajoub, a senior Palestinian Authority official who is frequently characterized as a "moderate" in both the Western and Israeli media, said on Lebanese television that if the Palestinians had a nuclear weapon they would have nuked Israel "this morning."

Palestinian Media Watch (PMW) discovered and translated to English the interview Rajoub gave to Lebanon's Al Mayadeen TV on April 30. Rajoub also posted the video clip to his own Facebook page, according to PMW.

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My Comment: And this is a "moderate" Palestinian leader ?!?!?!?!

Tensions Continue To Build Between Israel And The Palestinians

Palestinian protester moves burning tire during clashes with Israeli soldiers outside Ofer military prison on February 25, 2013. Photo by Reuters

Israeli-Palestinian Tensions Could Ultimately Spark A Major Confrontation -- Haaretz

At some point, in the year ahead, depending on the deployment of troops on the ground and the nature of the specific trigger that is pulled, there could be a serious explosion between Palestinians and Israelis.

As though 25 years hadn’t gone by, the Israel Defense Forces this week went back to using some of the terminology of the first intifada. Beginning this morning, a special alert was to be declared in the territories, with security forces deployed there ahead of an expected wave of demonstrations, revolving around the prayer services in the mosques. The police, too, will beef up their presence, with an eye on the weekly prayers on the Temple Mount. Only after these prayers are over, say sources in Central Command, will we know for certain whether the high point of the current tension, which as of now was registered at the beginning of this past week, is behind us.

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My Comment: A rather good analysis on the tensions between Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank. As to what is my take on the possibility of a third intifada .... it will not happen as long as the civil war in Syria continues to rage on.

Growing Fears Of Another Israel - Palestinian Intifada

Israel Fears New Palestinian Uprising Could Erupt -- Reuters

SE'EER, West Bank (Reuters) - Masked Palestinian gunmen fired in the air on Monday as thousands marched at the West Bank funeral of a prisoner whose death in an Israeli jail has raised fears in Israel of a new uprising.

Arafat Jaradat's death on Saturday and a hunger strike by four other Palestinian inmates have raised tension in the occupied territory after repeated clashes between stone-throwers and Israeli soldiers in recent days.

Israeli troops, on high alert, took up positions outside Jaradat's home village of Se'eer, in likely earshot of the bursts of automatic fire from the half-dozen masked Palestinians in full battle dress.

"We sacrifice our souls and blood for you, our martyr!" mourners chanted.

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More News On The Growing Tensions Between Israel And The West Bank Palestinians

Fears of Palestinian intifada as violence grows -- The Australian
Israelis warns of third intifada -- UPI
Prisoner’s death fuels Palestinian protests, as Israel braces for more -- Washington Post
IDF confirms: Palestinian boy killed by army fire -- YNet News
Palestinians Bury Man Who Died in Israeli Custody -- ABC News/AP
Abbas warns Israel: Don't play with Palestinian lives -- Haaretz
Prisoner was tortured before dying in Israeli jail, says Palestinian Authority -- The Guardian
Abbas Says Palestinians to Avoid Escalation as Protests Spread -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Israel demands Palestinian Authority prevents unrest -- AFP
Israel accused of torturing prisoner -- Sydney Morning Herald
PA Seeks to Exploit West Bank Protests -- Al-Monitor
Egypt slams Israeli policy on Palestinian prisoners -- Jerusalem Post
After Palestinian dies in Shin Bet hands, time to question the interrogators -- Haaretz
IDF: Despite Riots, No Third Intifada on the Way -- Arutz Sheva
Analysis: W. Bank disturbances not intifada, yet -- Jerusalem Post

Widespread Rioting Reported In The West Bank

Widespread Palestinian Rioting Erupts In West Bank -- Jerusalem Post

Hundreds of Palestinians throw rocks, Molotov cocktails at IDF soldiers near Ofer security prison in support of hunger strikers.

Widespread rioting erupted in the West Bank on Friday in support of hunger striking Palestinian prisoners, with groups of Palestinians hurling rocks and Molotov cocktails at IDF soldiers, who responded with various riot dispersal means.

In Betunia, west of Ramallah, near the Ofer security prison, some 300 Palestinians rioted and threw rocks at the IDF. Two soldiers were lightly injured by rocks thrown, an army spokeswoman said. Four Palestinians were lightly injured by rubber bullets in the clash.

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More News On Reports of Widespread Rioting In The West Bank

Palestinian rally for hunger striker turns violent -- Bloomberg Businessweek/AP
Palestinians clash with Israeli troops near West Bank prison -- Reuters
Palestinians rally for hunger striker -- Al Jazeera
Palestinian protest for hunger strikers turns violent -- YNet News
Arabs Riot in West Bank, Call for Release of Hunger Striker (VIDEO) -- Algemeiner
The distant drums of intifada -- Haaretz

My Comment: I suspect that there many Palestinians who want another intifada .... but the Arab Spring and the Syrian civil war has diverted the world's media attention away from them .... and will probably continue to do so as these conflicts continue.

Israel Defiant Against International Criticism Of Settlement Plans

Israel Defies International Criticism Of Settlement Plans -- CNN

(CNN) -- Israel said Tuesday it won't bow to demands by world leaders to abandon plans for new settlements on Palestinian territory.

"Israel will continue to stand by its essential interests even in the face of international pressure, and there will be no change in the decision that was taken," the Israeli prime minister's office said Tuesday.

The decision, which a senior Israeli official in the prime minister's office said was in response to last week's United Nations' vote elevating the U.N. status of the Palestinian Authority, has drawn international ire and concern that it could complicate efforts to restart peace talks.

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More News On International Criticisms Of Israeli Settlement Plans

Israel says will stick with settlement plan despite condemnation -- Reuters
Israel feels heat from Europe, U.S. over settlement announcement -- CTV News/AP
Israel faces mounting international pressure over settlements -- The National
5 European Nations Summon Envoys of Israel -- New York Times
US Joins EU in Pressuring Israel to Reverse Settlement Plans -- Voice of America
Israeli settlement plans will force 1 state for Israelis, Palestinians, Abbas aide warns -- Washington Post/AP
Abbas says time for Palestinian unity with Hamas -- AFP
Palestinian war crimes case against Israel would face many obstacles -- FOX News/AP

Gaza's Children Of War

Playing with fire: Two children grip a gun while making victory signs in Gaza

Children Of War: How Boys 'As Young As Six' Brandished Guns In Ceasefire Celebrations -- Daily Mail

* Shocking images emerge of children on streets of Gaza and West Bank
* It comes as Israeli soldiers shoot dead Palestinian man
* Thousands take to streets armed with array of guns to toast 'victory'
* It came after peace between Israel and Hamas was announced in Cairo

Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian man and wounded up to 20 others along Gaza's border fence with Israel today as shocking images emerged of children celebrating the ceasefire with guns.

A Gaza health official reported the first violence since the truce between Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers took hold a day before.

The shooting appeared to be an isolated incident and was unlikely to jeopardise the Egyptian-brokered cease-fire, which called for an end to Gaza rocket fire on Israel and Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.

Earlier, pictures emerged of how gun-toting children in Gaza and the West Bank celebrated the tentative ceasefire when thousands of people took to the streets following its announcement.

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My Comment: More evidence that peaceful coexistence is (and will be) just a dream as the next generation gets ready for war.

After 25 Years Of Secrecy, Israel Admits To The Assassination Of PLO No.2 Abu Jihad'

Abu Jihad, Fatah's former military commander and co-founder, killed by Israel in 1988 (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)

Abu Jihad Killing: Israeli Censor Releases Commando's Account -- BBC

Israel's military censor has cleared for publication an interview with a commando who killed the deputy of former Palestinian chief Yasser Arafat.

It has been widely believed that Abu Jihad was killed by Israeli agents in Tunis in 1988 but Israel has never officially acknowledged it.

However, the censor has allowed Yediot Ahronot newspaper to publish the interview with Nahum Lev.

Mr Lev died in 2000 and his account has not been made public until now.

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More News On Israel Admitting That They Were Responsible For The Assassination Of PLO No.2 Abu Jihad' In 1988

Israel admits killing deputy of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat -- NBC
After nearly 25 years of secrecy, Israel acknowledges killing Arafat deputy in 1988 Tunis raid -- FOX News/AP
Israel 'admits 1988 killing of PLO No.2 Abu Jihad' -- AFP
24 years later, Israel acknowledges top-secret operation that killed Fatah terror chief -- Times of Israel
Israel takes responsibility for Arafat deputy hit -- Jerusalem Post

Will A Third Palestinian Intifada Happen This Year?

Second Intifada. Wikipedia

The Third Intifada Is Inevitable -- Nathan Thrall, New York Times

EARLIER this month, at a private meeting with the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his security advisers, a group of Middle East experts and former intelligence officers warned that a third Palestinian intifada was imminent. The immediate catalyst, they said, could be another mosque vandalized by Jewish settlers, like the one burned on Tuesday, or the construction of new settlement housing. Whatever the fuse, the underlying source of ferment in the West Bank is a consensus that the Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas, has reached a dead end.

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My Comment: I have trouble seeing another uprising succeeding. The first two intifadas were successful because of the coverage of the international media .... and reaction in foreign capitals. But with most (if not all) of the international media now focused on the Arab spring and on the Syrian civil war .... kids throwing rocks at tanks in the West Bank is not going to attract the same level of coverage or interest or interest in foreign capitals.

Palestinian Prisoners End Hunger Strike

Israel, Palestinian Prisoners Ink Deal To End Hunger Strike -- Jerusalem Post

Egypt-brokered deal brings an end to 28-day mass hunger strike by Palestinian security prisoners; prisoners to refrain from involvement in "activities against security" from within prisons; privileges to be restored.

Israel and Palestinian security prisoners signed a deal to end a 28-day hunger strike by the inmates on Monday. The Palestinian Authority and Egypt both played a role in helping broker the deal.

According to the terms of the agreement, Palestinian prisoners committed to refrain from dealing with "activities against security" within prison confines. In exchange, they will receive benefits from the Prisons Service, including the end of separation from the general prison population, and family visits.

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More News On The Deal For The Palestinians To End Their Hunger Strike

Palestinian prisoners end hunger strike as agreement reached with Israeli officials -- Haaretz
Israel reaches deal with Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike -- CNN
Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel agree to end hunger strike -- Washington Post/AP
Palestinian prisoners end hunger strike -- The Guardian
Palestinian prisoners agree to end hunger strike -- AP
Palestinian inmates in Israel end mass hunger strike -- BBC
Official: Palestinian prisoners agree to end hunger strike -- MSNBC

Israel Warns Palestinians And Their Supporters To Not Rush The Border During 'Land Day' Demonstrations Next Week

Nakba day riots at Qalandiya checkpoint near Jerusalem (Photo: Eisam Rimawi)

'Israel Warned Neighbors: Don't March To Jerusalem' -- YNet News

According to Al-Sharq al-Awsat, Arab countries, Palestinians warned not to approach Israeli borders during 'Universal Jerusalem march' next Friday.

Following the deadly clashes last year during the Naksa and Nakba marches to its northern border, Israel issued a stern warning to Arab countries and Palestinians to refrain from approaching the border.

London based newspaper Al-Sharq al-Awsat reported Friday that the warning was issued in reference to the "Universal Jerusalem March" planned for next Friday to commemorate "Land Day."

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My Comment: Palestinian officials are taking these warning seriously, but it is easy to predict that these demonstrations are still going to turn violent like they did last year.

Massive Rallies In The West Bank Support Palestinian Statehood Bid

Palestinians Take To W. Bank Streets In Support Of UN Bid -- Jerusalem Post

Rallies taking place in Ramallah, other Palestinian cities; learning institutions, gov't offices closed to encourage participation.

Demonstrations supporting the establishment of a Palestinian state were taking place in cities across the West Bank Wednesday, ahead of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's expected request for United Nations recognition of statehood later this week.

In Ramallah, thousands of Palestinians had gathered by late morning in the city's central Al Manara Square and Clock Squares.

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More News On Palestinians Protesting In Support Of UN Bid

Palestinians rally for Abbas's U.N. statehood bid -- Yahoo News/Reuters
West Bank rallies as statehood bid looms -- CBS/AP
Mass rallies in West Bank back Palestinian UN bid -- AFP
Palestinians, IDF clash in West Bank -- YNet News
Palestinians Back UN Statehood Bid With West Bank Rallies -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Massive Rallies in West Bank in Support of UN Statehood Bid -- CRIEnglish
Gallery: Palestinians rally to support statehood -- Jerusalem Post
Palestinian statehood across the West Bank and Gaza -- BBC

Israeli Settlers Being Armed In Preparation For Palestinian Unrest

A Palestinian youth runs away from Jewish settlers during clashes, which according to witnesses, erupted after settlers cut down olive trees belonging to the West Bank village of Asira al-Qibilya near Nablus July 3, 2011. - Reuters/File Photo

Israeli Army Arms Jewish Settlers In Preparation For Palestinian Unrest -- The Telegraph

Jewish settlers across the West Bank are being armed and trained by the Israeli military in anticipation of unrest and violence leading up to a Palestinian demand for statehood at the United Nations in three weeks.



The Israeli Defence Force fears that demonstrations ahead of the UN debate on September 20 will bring violent confrontations between Palestinians and Israeli settlers living illegally in settlements across territory occupied by Israel.



Leaked documents documents have outlined Israeli plans to arm security guards working on the Jewish settlements with riot gear, including tear gas and stun grenades.



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More News On Israeli Settlers Being Armed In Preparation For Palestinian Unrest

Israeli military arms settlers in preparation for Palestinian protests -- The Guardian

Israeli army trains Jewish West Bank settlers -- AFP

Israeli army, fearing violence, trains settlers -- UPI

Israeli army trains settlers to confront protests -- Reuters



My Comment: Will demands for a Palestinian state result in an explosion of violence and terrorism .... I give it a less than 50% chance. But should the Palestinian Authority and Hamas decide to exploit the situation .... the probably of violence increases to 100%.

A Doctrine For Accurate Sniper Fire

Photo by: Courtesy IDF

IDF Develops Doctrine For Accurate Sniper Fire -- Jerusalem Post

New operational doctrine for snipers developed in anticipation of violent demonstrations over Palestinian’s unilateral declaration of statehood.



As the IDF prepares for violent demonstrations it predicts will break out following the Palestinian’s unilateral declaration of statehood at the United Nations on September 20, it has developed a new operational doctrine for snipers using laser designators to ensure accurate hits.



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My Comment: I guess the Israeli government is expecting unrest on (and after) Sept. 20 when the Palestinian’s unilateral declaration of statehood is made.

Truce Unraveling Between Israel And Gaza

Five Killed In Gaza As Rockets Hit Israel Despite Truce -- BBC

Israeli air strikes have killed five people in Gaza, while a barrage of rockets fired by Palestinian militants into Israel has wounded a baby.



Two Islamic Jihad leaders died and three civilians, one of them a tunnel smuggler, Palestinian medics said.



Meanwhile, Gaza militants have fired 19 rockets and mortar shells into southern Israel since Wednesday, the army said.



The attacks threaten an informal truce agreed by Israel and Hamas on Sunday after days of escalating violence.



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More News On The Israeli - Gaza Conflict

Israeli warplanes strike Gaza -- CNN

Six dead in Gaza strikes as truce unravels -- AFP

6 Palestinians Killed by Israeli Forces -- Voice of America

Gaza cease-fire tested by Israeli airstrike, Palestinian rocket fire -- Washington Post

Gaza militants fire rockets, Israel hits back -- AP

Rockets, missiles hit southern Israel -- UPI

Israel says it killed Islamic Jihad militant in airstrike -- CNN

Violence In Israel And Gaza (Photo Gallery)

Israeli security officers patrol at a roadblock near Tzihor junction about 60km north of Eilat [Ronen Zvulun/Reuters]

In Pictures: Violence In Israel And Gaza -- Al Jazeera

Deadly attack in southern Israel sparks retaliation, tension and more violence in Israel and the Gaza Strip.



At least 14 people have been killed and more than 30 injured since Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip began on Thursday. Four Israelis and three Palestinians working in Israel have been injured by rockets fired from Gaza.



The casualties are part of the back-and-forth aftermath of deadly attacks a day before in southern Israel, by gunmen who targeted two buses, a car and an army vehicle in the area north of Israel's Red Sea resort of Eilat.



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My Comment: A snapshot of the Israeli - Palestinian conflict.

Israeli - Palestinian Tensions Escalate On The Gaza/Egypt Border

Hamas Calls Off Truce As Rocket Fire Continues From Gaza -- Jerusalem Post

"There is no longer any truce with the enemy," Hamas announced on radio; Three rockets explode in Eshkol Regional council, no injuries reported; seven injured by Grad rocket that explodes in Ashdod yeshiva.



Hamas announced early on Saturday they were no longer committed to a more than two-year de facto truce with Israel since the end of a war in early 2009.



The statement was broadcast over a Hamas radio station in Gaza after Israel pounded the Strip for two days with air strikes in response to rocket salvoes and attacks on Thursday that killed eight people.



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More News On The Violence On The Israeli-Gaza/Egypt Border

Israel Reports String of Rocket Attacks from Gaza -- Voice of America

Israel and Gaza trade missiles and rockets in wake of bloodshed -- The Guardian

Israeli strikes stoke tensions in Gaza -- Gulf News

Israel: Gaza violence escalates as Egypt is drawn into conflict -- The Telegraph

Egypt says 5 of its troops killed, demands that Israel investigate -- The National

Tensions boil after Egypt-Israel border clash -- Miami Herald/McClatchy News

Egypt protests to Israel over killings -- Al Jazeera

Egypt Registers Complaint With Israel Over Killings of Officers -- New York Times

Israeli-Egypt ties strained over cross-border ambush; violence spikes between Israel, Hamas -- Toronto Star/AP

Egypt condemns deaths of three of its soldiers in Israeli raid -- L.A. Times

A Bonus for the Terrorists: Heightened Tensions Between Israel and Egypt -- Jonathan S. Tobin, Commentary

Israel Responds To Today's Terror Attacks

Israel Warplanes Strike Gaza After Deadly Attacks -- MSNBC

Government blames Gaza militants for shootings that left 7 dead near Egypt border.



JERUSALEM — Israeli warplanes bombed southern Gaza on Thursday following a series of deadly attacks by gunmen in southern Israel that left at least seven people dead and dozens wounded.



The airstrike killed the chief of the Popular Resistance Committees and four other members of the armed Palestinian faction in the southern Gaza Strip, the group said.



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More News On Today's Israeli Retaliatory Strikes In Gaza

IDF strikes Gaza in response to attacks; 6 reported dead -- Jerusalem Post

Israel pounds Gaza after deadly attacks near Eilat -- BBC

Israel Retaliates for Deadly Attacks Near Sinai -- Voice of America

Israel launches Gaza air strikes in retaliation for Eilat attacks -- The Guardian

Israeli air strike kills chiefs of Gaza's PRC group -- Reuters

Israeli strikes Gaza in retaliation -- UPI

Israeli warplanes strike Gaza after deadly bus attacks -- Washington Post

Multiple Terrorist Attacks In Southern Israel Kills Seven Israelis And Seven Militants

Officials say several people had been killed in the attacks near the Israel-Egypt border. BBC

Seven Killed In Series Of Terrorist Attacks In Southern Israel -- Haaretz

Several killed, at least 26 wounded after armed gunmen fired on bus traveling near Eilat, close to Egypt border; IDF and trades fire with gunmen; mortars are fired from Egyptian border; IDF kills several terrorists.



Seven people were killed and at least 26 people were wounded Thursday in a series of terrorist attacks on Israeli targets approximately 20 kilometers north of the southern city of Eilat, close to the border with Egypt.



The first attack, at around 12 P.M., was a drive-by shooting targeting Egged bus 392 traveling from Be'er Sheva to Eilat, near the Netafim junction.



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More News On Today's Terror Attacks In Israel

Assailants launch multiple attacks in Israel -- Yahoo News/AP

Gunmen kill six in Israel in attack near Egypt border -- Yahoo News/Reuters

Breaking: At least seven Israelis and seven militants killed in multiple attacks -- +972

Gunman opens fire on Israeli bus, at least six people killed in string of attacks near Egypt border -- New York Daily News

Dozens dead, hurt in Israel terror attack -- UPI

3 attacks target Israelis near Egypt, 6 dead -- AP

Terror attacks rock Israel as lawmakers visit -- Politico

Attacks in southern Israel leave at least 5 dead -- L.A. Times

Gaza behind attacks, Israel to respond: Barak -- Khaleej Times/AFP

Israel says attackers from Gaza, came in via Egypt -- Reuters

Egypt official: We're not involved in Israel terror attacks -- Ynet News

Israel border attacks signal weakening Egyptian control of Sinai -- Christian Science Monitor

Egypt must do more to secure its border with Israel -- Con Coughlin, The Telegraph

How The Gaza Aid Flotilla Was Stopped

How Israel And Its Allies thwarted Gaza Aid Flotilla -- McClatchy News

JERUSALEM — The Israeli navy towed the French yacht Dignite-Al Karame away from the Gaza Strip Tuesday afternoon in an anticlimactic end to the barrage of ships that activists had hoped to send to Gaza this summer to draw attention to Israel's ongoing military closure of the Palestinian coastal strip.

A similar flotilla last year ended in an Israeli commando raid that killed nine Turkish activists and drew worldwide condemnation, forcing Israel to ease restrictions on the passage of some goods to Gaza. This year, activists from the United States, Turkey, France and other nations had promised to send nearly a dozen ships — twice as many as the year before — and said that "thousands" had signed up to participate.

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My Comment: From a fleet of ships to a small motor boat .... an ignoble end to what activists were hoping would be a game changer on the Israeli blockade of Gaza.

Israel Seizes Gaza Flotilla's Last Boat

The Dignite al-Karama was the last boat from the aborted Gaza aid flotilla. Photograph: Murielle Kasprzak/AFP/Getty Images

Israeli Navy Seizes Gaza-Bound Yacht -- Reuters

(Reuters) - The Israeli navy on Tuesday seized a French yacht carrying pro-Palestinian activists intending to sail to the blockaded Gaza Strip and forced it to go to Israel's Ashdod port, a military spokeswoman said.

There were no reports of violence as the marines boarded the "Dignite-AlKarama" yacht in the eastern Mediterranean, she said.

"I can confirm that the yacht has been boarded and that everything went smoothly, there were no casualties," the spokeswoman said.

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More News On Israel's Interception Of A Yacht Trying To Break The Blockade Around Gaza

Israeli navy intercepted a French-flagged flotilla headed for Gaza -- L.A. Times
Israel navy intercepts Gaza-bound French yacht -- AFP
Israeli navy takes over Gaza-bound ship -- AP
Israeli Military Boards Gaza-Bound Yacht -- Voice of America
Israel intercepts Gaza flotilla's last boat -- The Guardian
Navy takes over Gaza-bound French flotilla ship 'Dignity' -- Jerusalem Post