NEWS

Robert Wistrich: The Holocaust can happen again, warns top anti-Semitism scholar"
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1162358.html

Israel marks Holocaust Remembrance Day with nationwide sirens http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1162431.html

U.S tensions put Jerusalem construction on hold http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1162373.html

Ahmadinejad: Israel will pay 'too much' for Gaza attacks
By Haaretz Service and Reuters http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1160715.html

Despite Obama's sanctions, Ahmadinejad can keep smiling
By Avi Issacharoff http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1160705.html

White House in calming message to U.S. Jews: Obama is Israel's friend
By Natasha Mozgovaya, Haaretz Correspondent http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1160722.html

International push for Iran sanctions is too little, too late
By Haaretz Editorial http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1160528.html

Palestinians held over Dubai killing worked for top Fatah official. By Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondent, and Haaretz Service. Haaretz names Gazans arrested in Amman for alleged role in assassination of Hamas commander Mahmoud al-Mabhouh last month. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1150754.html

U.K., Ireland to Israel envoys: Explain identity theft in Dubai killing. Israeli officials: Mahmoud al-Mabhouh assassination could spawn a serious diplomatic rift with Great Britain. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1150675.html

Mossad is supposed to gather intelligence, not sow death. By Gideon Levy, Haaretz Correspondent. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1150683.html

Ari Shavit / Iran threat is too much for the Mossad to handle. Israel's intelligence agencies operate brilliantly, but they can't tackle historic challenges single-handedly. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1150684.html

Lieberman: Assad regime will collapse if Syria provokes Israel. By Haaretz Service. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1147556.html

Peace will be found in Damascus, not Ramallah. By Ari Shavit. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1147482.html

IDF officer: I wouldn't live in same country as Goldstone. GOC Central Command Maj. Gen. Mizrahi to yeshiva students: I don't believe a word of Gaza report. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1147553.html

Olmert's negotiator: Full Mideast peace impossible. By Aluf Benn and Barak Ravid. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1144854.html

Obama chasing rainbows with two-state solution. By Moshe Arens. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1144871.html

Akiva Eldar / What would Netanyahu do without Peres? http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1144872.html

Report: Israel opens Gaza crossings, lets in aid. By Haaretz Service. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1144946.html

Erekat: Netanyahu is sabotaging two-state solution. By Jack Khoury, Haaretz Correspondent. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1144204.html

Netanyahu: Migrant workers risk Israel's Jewish character. By Haaretz Service. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1144207.html

Peres to Abbas: Resume talks or face new intifada. By Barak Ravid and Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondents. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1144176.html

Fatah men charged with attempted murder of Israel cops, soldiers. By Haaretz Service. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1144212.html

Bashing Israel for saving Haitians. By Bradley Burston. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1144179.html

Israel's Haiti field hospital: a microcosm of a country's turmoil. By Natasha Mozgovaya, Haaretz Correspondent in Haiti. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1143302.html

Turkey: Israel is strategic ally with shared interests. By Barak Ravid, Jack Khoury and Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondents and The Associated Press. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1143151.html

Israel's Right in the 'Disputed' Territories By DANNY AYALON read here

Iran proposes latest counter-offer to UN nuclear deal. By Associated Press. Iran would be willing to swap nuclear material with the West in Turkey, the foreign minister said on Thursday in the country's latest counteroffer to an UN-drafted deal aimed at thwarting Tehran's ability to produce atomic weapons. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1137735.html

IDF kills Palestinians behind murder of settler. Six Palestinians were killed early Saturday in fighting with Israel, shattering a long period of relative calm in the territories. In pre-dawn raids in the West Bank city of Nablus, Israel Defense Forces soldiers killed three Palestinian operatives belonging to the Fatah-linked Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. The men were known by Israeli authorities to be responsible for carrying out a shooting attack in a West Bank settlement Thursday which killed Rabbi Meir Hai. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1137742.html

Passengers subdue would-be terrorist on Detroit-bound plane. An attempted terrorist attack on a Christmas Day flight began with a pop and a puff of smoke - sending passengers scrambling to subdue a Nigerian man who claimed to be acting on orders from Al-Qaida to blow up the airliner, officials and travelers said...http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1137738.html

Incident in Vienna: Ruthless Palestinian almost bite off Rabbi's finger. While some inflamed the candles of the Chanukkiah, apparently the fuses of another were blowing. On saturday evening, at the traditional opening of the Jewish Chanukkah Holidays, a Palestinian attacked Rabbi Dov Gruzman, the head of the Viennese Lauder Chabad School. Read more in German at aktuell . (APA0282 5 CI 0277 II/AI Sun, Dec.13, 2009).

Haaretz exclusive: Olmert's plan for peace with the Palestinians. By Aluf Benn, Haaretz Correspondent. See: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1135699.html (Including a map)

'Hamas leans toward accepting Israel offer on Shalit deal'. By Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondent.
Latest proposal doesn't include release of hardened Palestinian terrorists, according to Arab paper. Read more: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1135768.html

Report: Iran testing key nuclear bomb component. By Haaretz Service
Iran is set to test a key component aimed at developing a nuclear weapon, The Times of London reported Monday, citing secret intelligence documents related to Tehran's controversial nuclear program. Read more at: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1134936.html

'Palestinians want West to force Israel to accept state'. By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent. Defense establishment officials said Wednesday that the Palestinian Authority is orchestrating a diplomatic campaign with the international community to coerce Israel into accepting a political arrangement which would pave the way for the establishment of a Palestinian state. Military Intelligence Chief Amos Yadlin, Shin Bet Director Yuval Diskin and other top defense officials told ministers during a briefing at the political-security cabinet that the Palestinian Authority is trying to push Israel into a settlement "from above" by drawing in the international community.[...] Read more at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1134135.html

Netanyahu: Syria drops key precondition for peace talks with Israel. By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent. The Syrian government is no longer demanding an Israeli commitment to withdraw from the Golan Heights as a precondition for resuming peace negotiations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told lawmakers at the Knesset in Jerusalem on Monday. Read more: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1133396.html

Karl Pfeifer blood libelled in Bielefeld, Germany. Please read his own article on http://www.hurryupharry.org/2009/11/23/strange-days-in-germany/

Report: IDF organ harvesting reporter 'rethinking' story. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1127720.html

Report: Netanyahu ready to discuss Golan pullout. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1127481.html

Comments on Goldstone-Report (in English and German) here

New Israeli Ambassador accredited in Austria. On Wednesday, October 14, 2009, the new Israeli Ambassador Aviv Shir-On presented his letter of accreditation to Austrian president Dr. Heinz Fischer. Aviv Shir-On was born 1952 in Israel, served as a soldier in the Yom Kippur War, worked as a diplomat in the USA and Germany and as ambassador in Switzerland. Before he acceded his mission in Vienna, he was assistant general manager of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem and in charge for media and public relations.Aviv Shir-On fluently speaks German, English and French.

EU: Iran nuclear talks 'cordial and businesslike'. By Haaretz Staff and Reuters. Aide to foreign policy chief says Iran nuclear program is most important aspect of talks with six world powers. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1118156.html

Poll: 56% of American Jews think U.S. should strike Iran.
Survey of American Jewish Opinion finds most U.S. Jews think 'the goal of the Arabs is destruction of Israel.'
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1117995.html

COMMENT / Washington doesn't get it: Iran just wants the bomb. By Louis Rene Beres. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1118021.html

Israel to UN body: Come to your senses on Goldstone Report. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1118152.html

Iran reveals it has a second uranium plant
The disclosure could increase Western pressure for a new round of economic sanctions. http://www.latimes.com/news/la-fgw-iran-nuclear26-2009sep26,0,4101373,print.story

Obama, Sarkozy, Brown issue ultimatum over second Iran uranium plant
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1117043.html

Barak set to sign off on new settlement construction. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1112924.html

U.S. sources: Many Arab states 'pledging' normal Israel ties. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1112911.html

Netanyahu on Tel Aviv beach murder: We'll fight domestic terrorism. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1107646.html

Israel envoy to U.S.: We have no plan to strike Iran
By Haaretz Service http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1107858.html

All Fatah's Gaza leaders quit, citing massive vote fraud. Fatah appeared to be in turmoil on Thursday as a large number of its top representatives questioned the credibility of the elections that were held earlier this week for the faction's Central Committee. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas arrives at the Fatah convention hall in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Wednesday, Former Palestinian Authority prime minister Ahmed Qurei (Abu Ala) dropped a bombshell when he announced that the forgery in Iran's recent presidential election was nothing compared to what happened in Fatah.Qurei, who failed to be reelected to the Central Committee, said that there was growing discontent in Fatah over the alleged fraud."There are many big question marks about the election, the way it was conducted and the way the votes were counted," Qurei told the London-based Al-Quds Al-Arabi newspaper. "There were behind-the-scenes arrangements that removed some names and added others to the [winning] list." Pointing out that three of the candidates who were elected were former security commanders who used to work closely with Israel, Qurei asked: "Was it by coincidence that these men won?" He said that the election of these candidates - Jibril Rajoub, Muhammad Dahlan and Tawfik Tirawi - showed that "someone wants to see rubber stamps" among the Fatah leadership. "This is a harsh and difficult phase and there are offers for a temporary state without Jerusalem and the refugees," Qurei said. "Apparently there are some people who have taken this into consideration." Qurei hinted that PA President Mahmoud Abbas and some of his loyalists had intervened to secure spots for their supporters in the Central Committee. Earlier, every member of Fatah's Higher Committee in the Gaza Strip submitted their resignations, in protest against what one of them described as "massive fraud" in the election for the Central Committee. The resignations are seen as a serious embarrassment for Abbas and Fatah, whose representatives in the Gaza Strip have suffered one blow after another since Hamas seized control of the area two years ago. "The Fatah leaders in the Gaza Strip reject the results of the vote," said Ahmed Abu Nasr, a senior Fatah official. "These elections have damaged Fatah's reputation." He added that dozens of Fatah delegates from the Strip who were denied the right to cast their ballots were demanding the establishment of a commission of inquiry to look into their allegations. Many Fatah members were shocked late Wednesday when they discovered that one of Abbas's old-time colleagues, Tayeb Abdel Rahim, was added to the list of winners at the last minute. Preliminary results had shown that Abdel Rahim, a prominent representative of the Fatah old guard, did not get enough votes. Qurei and other Fatah operatives cited the case of Abdel Rahim as an example of the "dishonest" manner in which the voting process was conducted. They condemned his inclusion in the winners' list as "extremely disgraceful." Hatem Abdel Qader, a Fatah operative belonging to the younger generation, said that a growing number of his colleagues were beginning to express doubts about the integrity of the vote. He said that he had no doubt that some leaders had intervened with the voting process to influence the results. Abdel Qader expressed fear that the same thing would happen with the election for the Revolutionary Council, the second most important Fatah institution after the Central Committee. Final results for the 120-seat council were scheduled to be announced later on Thursday. Also on Thursday, dozens of Fatah members signed a petition rejecting the outcome of the Central Committee election and calling for an independent probe into allegations of fraud and deception. Abbas held a press conference in Ramallah during which he denied that Fatah was on the verge of a split. He hailed the elections for the two Fatah bodies as democratic and successful. He also expressed understanding for the motives of angry Fatah operatives like Qurei who had lost out in the vote. (By Khaled Abu Toameh, Jerusalem Post).

Abbas: U.S. is committed to ending settlement construction http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1089012.html

Germany: West Bank settlement expansion is 'not acceptable' http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1088993.html

Neo-Nazi idol Norman Finkelstein on University Campus? NO! In Vienna, although far-left groups like "Antiimperialistische Koordination" and "Gaza muss leben" ("Gaza must live") as well as far-right blogs like "Eiserne Krone" (Iron Crown) had promoted a lecture of Norman Finkelstein, scheduled on May 27th at the University campus, the spokeswoman of the rectorate denied in an answer to a press release (in German only) of the below mentioned organizations, that such an event would take place in a lecture room or anyway on the campus. Read the open letter of SPME-Scholars for Peace in the Middle East - Austria, the Federation of Jewish Communities in Austria and the Action against Anti-Semitism in Austria sent to the University's rectorate directly in English, and more here (in English and German). This helped to force the organizators to relocate the speech into a hotel, where the fans stayed among themselves. Read more

Geneva provides stage to Ahmedinejad on Holocaust Memorial Day. Jewish Community in Austria (IKG) regrets Austria's participation in Durban II in Geneva. Vienna (OTS) - That the anti-Rassism UN-Conference in Geneva (Durban II) provides a stage to Iranian president and Holocaust revisionist Ahmedinejad on International Holocaust Memorial Day of all days, and that countries like Syria and Libya are in charge, shows the moral decadence of the United Nations, who allow "modern anti-Semitism" in form of rabble-rousing against Israel in UN-institutions. The Jewish Community in Austria (IKG) regrets that Austria did not follow the lead of other EU-countries like Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Poland, who delivered clear moral statements and who don't participate in the conference. [Translated from German by webmaster]. (Queries: Israelitische Kultusgemeinde Tel.: (01) 53 104-105)

Israel recalls its envoy from Switzerland for consultations. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Monday recalled Israeli Ambassador to Switzerland Ilan Elgar for consultations a day after Swiss President Hans-Rudolf Merz's meeting with his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Lieberman's office said the move was in protest of Switzerland's conduct toward "a Holocaust denier who has on more than one occasion said that Israel should be wiped of the map." The two presidents met ahead of the UN conference on racism taking place Geneva, and Ahmadinejad plans to address the gathering at its opening session. Meanwhile, leaders of the Swiss Jewish community in Israel are furious at Merz for meeting Ahmadinejad. Leading members of the community, which numbers some 14,000 people, "do not approve of this behavior." Responding to Merz's greeting of Ahmadinejad, and in anticipation of the Iranian president's speech at the Geneva conference, community leaders said they were seeking clarifications from the Swiss embassy in Israel. "We are very upset, this is very bad and we are sorry for this behavior," Karin Bloch, President of the Swiss Club Israel told The Jerusalem Post on Monday. Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday that Ahmadinejad's visit to Switzerland amounts to "a pathetic meeting that embarrasses the host." The respect accorded to the Iranian president "is harmful at a time when all the West is moving away from legitimizing an outright Holocaust denier who is busy planning the next Holocaust," Ayalon said. (Jerusalem Post, Apr 20, 2009 12:02 | Updated Apr 20, 2009 12:11)

"Tel Aviv-Beach" in Vienna. In order to celebrate Tel Aviv's 100th birthday, her partnership-town Vienna opens a "Tel Aviv-Beach", donated by the State of Israel, from May to September 2009, located at Vienna's "Donaukanal" ("Danube-Channel"). The "Donaukanal" isn't really an artificially built channel, but an old branch of the Danube River, providing many public attractions for recreation, gastronomy, clubs and varied scene like arts and crafts and more. The Tel Aviv-Beach at the "Donaukanal" will be a little, similar "copy" of the beach in Tel Aviv before an artificial background of Tel Aviv's skyscrapers, offering the typical beach-feeling and typical Israeli food.

Israel fears Jewish extremists will avenge settlement murder. By Anshel Pfeffer, Jonathan Lis and Nadav Shragai, Haaretz Correspondents, Haaretz Service and Agencies. Security sources said on Thursday that right-wing extremists are likely to attempt to avenge the terror attack in the West Bank settlement of Bat Ayin, in which an axe-wielding Palestinian killed a 13-year-old boy and left another boy, 7, moderately hurt. The attacker apparently entered unhindered into Bat Ayin, which is located in the Etzion bloc between Jerusalem and the southern West Bank city of Hebron. The religious settlers there have refused to build a security fence around their community - standard practice in most settlements - saying it would be a sign of weakness.... Read more at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1076122.html

No deals with the Iranian mullahs! Picket to mark the 30th anniversary of the proclamation of the "Islamic Republic" in Iran Wednesday, April 1st 2009, 4.30 - 8.00 PM in front of the Austrian parliament, Dr. Karl-Renner-Ring.

On April 1st, 1979, the „Islamic Republic“was proclaimed in Iran. The 30 years of the „Islamic Republic Iran“ stand for 30 years of inward and outward terrorism: the persecution of labour union members, ethnic and religious minorities, student activists, homosexuals, women and dissenters.
On the 1st of April 2009, there is nothing to celebrate but 30 years of resistance against this inhuman regime. The picket, which will be held simultaneously in several European cities including Berlin and The Hague, serves to commemorate the victims of the Mullah regime in Iran. Tens of thousands have been murdered, and millions driven into exile.

The Iranian regime has also been calling for the destruction of Israel for 30 years-- not just since the inauguration of President Ahmadinejad. Today it is on the brink of delivering on these threats by means of its nuclear program. Thanks to the support of Austria, among others, Tehran has been able to stall for time on its nuclear program. The Austrian government has not yet enacted any independent sanctions. Austrian-Iranian trade relations have not been restricted effectively.
In spite of the danger which the Iranian regime also poses for Europe, Austria remains an important trading partner of Iran. OMV still cherishes the planned multi-billion Euro deal with the regime. Six hundred fifty Austrian companies are active in Iran. According to media reports, banks such as Raiffeisen have absorbed transactions of other European banks that have withdrawn from Iran.

In order to stop the Iranian bomb, pressure has to be brought to bear on the regime, politically and economically. European countries are in a powerful position for doing so. Therefore, the threat represented by the Islamic Republic should also become a focus of the upcoming electoral campaign for the European Parliament.

We request Austrian companies to stop all dealings which support the Iranian regime.

We demand of the government and all the political parties represented in Parliament: - to decree unilateral sanctions which stop such trading - to push for efficient and comprehensive sanctions on the EU- and UN-levels - to support all forces in Iran and in exile, which seek individual freedom, gender equality, secularism and the rule of law in Iran.

Shin Bet: Nearly 70 tons of explosives smuggled into Gaza since IDF op Diskin: Groups other than Hamas still pursuing plans to kidnap Israeli soldiers, carry out terror attacks...read more at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1074682.html

Israel to strip Hamas prisoners' rights as pressure over Shalit
Justice Minister recommends revoking all privileges not anchored in Israeli or international law...read more at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1074675.html

Olmert: I hope Netanyahu will continue path my government set
Olmert addresses cabinet for last time before he vacate premier seat; new coalition to be sworn in Tuesday...read more at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1074669.html

'Germany soft on Iran due to financial considerations' By Fadi Eyadat, Haaretz Correspondent. A former minister in the Iranian regime of the Ayatollah Khomeini accused Germany on Saturday of failing to apply the necessary pressure on Tehran to halt its controversial nuclear program due to financial reasons....read more at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1074468.html

30 years Islamic republic of Iran How to counter the nuclear program and terror? Panel discussion with: Javad Asadian (Iranian Writers Associantion, former president of the Iranian Pen Club in exile) Simone Dinah Hartmann (STOP THE BOMB) Dr. Madeleine Petrovic (Head of the Green Party in lower Austria) Heribert Schiedel (Documentation Centre of Austrian Resistance, League against Antisemitism) Ursula Stenzel (District councillor Innere Stadt, ÖVP) Thursday, March 19th 2009, 7.30 PM Festsaal Altes Rathaus, Wipplingerstraße 6-8, 1010 Vienna

The Austrian-Israel Society invites on Wednesday, February 11 at 7:00 p.m. to Hotel Kaiserhof, Frankenberggasse 10, 1040 Vienna (phone:5051701) for a lecture held by Samson Altmann-Shevitz, Mohamed Ibrahim and Pf. Christian Weber: Breaking the Vicious Circle. More in German

FREE GAZA FROM HAMAS - informative events and manifestation Thursday 01/08/09 and Monday 01/12/09 in Vienna - see the details

Reactions and Press Releases on Gaza:

Of B'nai B'rith Europe here

Of the Presidium of the Austrian-Israel Society (in German) here

Of the German and Austrian Chapter of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East www.spme.net (SPME-Austria und SPME-Germany), in German, here

Of the SPME Board of Directors (Scholars for Peace in the Middle East www.spme.net), in English, here

Of the Bundesverband der Israelitischen Kultusgemeinden Austria (in German) hier

Of the Wiesenthal Center (in English) here