Grecia, accordo concluso Atene avra' 160 miliardi
Piazza Affari chiude in forte rialzo +3,76%
La Borsa di Atene
Il presidente della Ue Herman Van Rompuy ha comunicato su Twitter l'approvazione del piano. Trichet:'Accordo cruciale per stabilita''. Sarkozy:'Impegno determinato' dei leader della zona dell'euro. Da Bruxelles apprezzamento per manovra italiana
- FOTO: Finlandia vuole Partenone come garanzia prestiti
- LE SOLUZIONI ALLA CRISI
- S&P: default degli Stati Uniti improbabile
- Vertice spinge in su Borse. Spread Italia sotto 250
- Link: IL CANALE DI ANSA EUROPA
| VA NEWS JOBS EDUCATION VA LOAN CENTER BENEFITS |   July 21, 2011 |
 | Rupert Murdoch Doesn't Eat Humble Pie While testifying before British Parliament on what he called "the most humble day of my life," Rupert Murdoch nearly took a pie in the face. Read More »» |
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Tomorrow’s Events and Sales: Buckler’s Sample Sale, Discounted Spring/Summer Merchandise at Bird
Plus last chance for discounted Lela Rose wedding gowns.
Rachel Zoe to ‘Revolutionize’ Lipstick; Jennifer Aniston Wore Chanel Makeup
Also, Will Chalker stars in a campaign for the new men's Givenchy fragrance.
The First Shot of Sasha Pivovarova for Giorgio Armani’s Fall Campaign Is Out
It's very pretty.
Michelle Obama’s Latest Look: It’s a Wrap (Dress)
High-waisted, and belted.
Katie Holmes Is Wearing a Decidedly Different Lanvin Dress on Her Spanish Vogue Cover
It's very lacy and tight.
Carla Bruni Is Upset About Her Pregnant Magazine Cover
But not because she looks so pregnant on it.
The Olsen Twins Designed Some Cashmere Toms Shoes
In case your feet aren't sweaty enough today.
Christian Louboutin Hired a Private Eye to Investigate Dior’s Use of Red Soles
The detective was also trying to dig up dirt on YSL, naturally.
Tom Ford Wants You to Hit on Him
There is something the man wants and does not have.
The Gucci Boat Is Coming to the Hamptons; See a Trailer for New York Fashion Week Documentary The Tents
Plus, Claudia Schiffer's spread for German 'Vogue.'
First Look: The Macy’s Line by Karl Lagerfeld That Not Every American Will ‘Get’ Right Away
"Some of it will be a reach," a Macy's executive pontificates.
Nicola Formichetti: ‘I Think Old People Should Just Be Old and Go Away’
He seems to be referring to older people in the industry, not the elderly in general.
Best Bet: Nouveau Deco Top
An artful, slightly sheer tank for weekend wear.
Vogue’s September Ad Pages Beat Out All Other Fashion Magazines
The September issue won't fit in your purse, as usual.
Hailee Steinfeld Is All Dressed Up, But Tavi’s All Dressed Down
They share their year of birth, but not a sense of style.
Hussein Chalayan Doesn’t Mind That Gucci Never Invested in Him
"I would have been sucked into a money-making corporate machine."
Terry Richardson Supposedly Dating a Cute Brunette Who Works in Politics
She's the press secretary for Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and has a tattoo on her lower lip.
Lauren Conrad’s Hair Is Now Slightly Blue; Mara Hoffman Designed Shave Gels
Also, Karlie Kloss has joined the pixie-cut train. (Thanks to a wig.)
Bedbugs Descend on Ideeli’s Soho Offices [Updated]
The first major reminder of the summer that no shopper or fashion company is safe right now.
Exclusive: See Bruce Weber’s Video for Bottega Veneta’s First Fragrance
It stars Inès de la Fressange's daughter, Nine D'Urso, as well as some scampering seagulls.
Best Bet: Nouveau Deco Top
An artful, slightly sheer tank for weekend wear.
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1. PA Leader: UN Bid Won't Affect Talks with Israel
by Chana Ya'ar
Palestinian Authority Chairman and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas claims the PA bid for UN recognition as a new Arab country in September will not affect talks with Israel.
Abbas was in Spain as part of his worldwide tour to persuade the international community to support the PA demand for an Arab country in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem.
In an Arabic-language speech at the headquarters of the Union for the Mediterranean in Barcelona, Abbas said, “Whatever happens and whatever the reaction and the result of our action in the UN, we know conclusively that we will return to the negotiating table to reach the best solutions with the Israelis,” Abbas said.
The PA leader has refused to negotiate with Israel since Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu entered office, with the exception of three meetings essentially forced upon him by the White House just prior to the end of a 10-month freeze on Jewish construction in Judea and Samaria the PA had demanded as a precondition for talks. Abbas had insisted on another freeze, this one to include a moratorium on building in Jerusalem, in order to continue the negotiation process – a demand that Israel turned down.
“The efforts that we have taken to go to the United Nations in September will not be detrimental to peace nor to negotiations that we want to continue to have,” Abbas claimed in his speech.
However, the PA intends to seek UN recognition of borders according to the temporary 1949 Armistice lines, also known as the pre-1967 lines. As such, the PA is claiming all of Judea, Samaria and much of Jerusalem for its new country, including areas in which Judaism's holiest sites are located.
During Abbas' visit to Spain, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero called on Israel and the PA to “work to continue on finding a consensual solution that will allow both sides to resume their dialogue and return to the bargaining table.”
Spain has linked any recognition of PA statehood with efforts by both sides to reach at least the “basic elements” of a final status agreement. Hours earlier, Netanyahu had said in a televised interview with the Arabic-language station Al-Arabiya that Israel was willing to hold immediate talks with the PA.
“I'm prepared to negotiate with president Abbas directly for peace between our two peoples right now,” Netanyahu said. “We can do it here in my home in Jerusalem, we can do it in Ramallah (the PA capital in Samaria), we can do it anywhere.”
Comment on this story
by Chana Ya'ar
Palestinian Authority Chairman and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas claims the PA bid for UN recognition as a new Arab country in September will not affect talks with Israel.
Abbas was in Spain as part of his worldwide tour to persuade the international community to support the PA demand for an Arab country in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem.
In an Arabic-language speech at the headquarters of the Union for the Mediterranean in Barcelona, Abbas said, “Whatever happens and whatever the reaction and the result of our action in the UN, we know conclusively that we will return to the negotiating table to reach the best solutions with the Israelis,” Abbas said.
The PA leader has refused to negotiate with Israel since Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu entered office, with the exception of three meetings essentially forced upon him by the White House just prior to the end of a 10-month freeze on Jewish construction in Judea and Samaria the PA had demanded as a precondition for talks. Abbas had insisted on another freeze, this one to include a moratorium on building in Jerusalem, in order to continue the negotiation process – a demand that Israel turned down.
“The efforts that we have taken to go to the United Nations in September will not be detrimental to peace nor to negotiations that we want to continue to have,” Abbas claimed in his speech.
However, the PA intends to seek UN recognition of borders according to the temporary 1949 Armistice lines, also known as the pre-1967 lines. As such, the PA is claiming all of Judea, Samaria and much of Jerusalem for its new country, including areas in which Judaism's holiest sites are located.
During Abbas' visit to Spain, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero called on Israel and the PA to “work to continue on finding a consensual solution that will allow both sides to resume their dialogue and return to the bargaining table.”
Spain has linked any recognition of PA statehood with efforts by both sides to reach at least the “basic elements” of a final status agreement. Hours earlier, Netanyahu had said in a televised interview with the Arabic-language station Al-Arabiya that Israel was willing to hold immediate talks with the PA.
“I'm prepared to negotiate with president Abbas directly for peace between our two peoples right now,” Netanyahu said. “We can do it here in my home in Jerusalem, we can do it in Ramallah (the PA capital in Samaria), we can do it anywhere.”
Comment on this story
2. Netanyahu to PA: Must Get to the Table First
by Chana Ya'ar
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told Arab viewers in an interview on the pan-Arab Arabic-language Al-Arabiya satellite network Wednesday that Israel is still willing to negotiate with the Palestinian Authority.
“Everything is on the table,” he said. “But we need to get to the table.”
The PA walked away from the negotiating table when Netanyahu entered office in 2009. Since that time, PA Chairman and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas has insisted he will not negotiate with Israel as long as any form of construction continues on land the PA has decided it wants for its hoped-for country. This includes things as simple as building a roof over the front steps of an existing home in a 30-year-old Judea or Samaria town, or adding on a room to a house or building a kindergarten in a 40-year-old Jerusalem neighborhood.
Instead of resuming negotiations, the PA has turned to the United Nations, and plans to submit in September a request for recognition as a new sovereign nation. The entity also plans to request membership in the international body. Although the former bid may succeed, inasmuch as the U.N. General Assembly can pass a resolution of "recognition" without requiring approval from the U.N. Security Council, a bid for membership is another matter: such a request does require Council approval through a unanimous vote by its five permanent members. The United States -- one of the five -- has already said it would veto such a move.
Netanyahu told the interviewer that Israel has always been willing to sit down for talks with PA leaders – but PA Chairman and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas has refused to negotiate with Netanyahu for years, with the grudging exception of three "photo op" meetings a few weeks before a 10-month moratorium on Jewish building in Judea and Samaria ended in September 2010.
“I'm prepared to negotiate with president Abbas directly for peace between our two peoples right now,” Netanyahu said. “We can do it here in my home in Jerusalem, we can do it in Ramallah (the PA capital in Samaria), we can do it anywhere.”
But the prime minister added that it is impossible to reach peace with a group that does not recognize Israel's right to exist – the Hamas rulers of Gaza – which earlier this year joined the PA government in a reconciliation deal with the rival Fatah faction.
“If people say no, the state of Israel shouldn't exist, it should be wiped off the face of the earth, the way Iran or Hizbullah or Hamas say, there's not much place to go,” Netanyahu pointed out.
Comment on this story
by Chana Ya'ar
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told Arab viewers in an interview on the pan-Arab Arabic-language Al-Arabiya satellite network Wednesday that Israel is still willing to negotiate with the Palestinian Authority.
“Everything is on the table,” he said. “But we need to get to the table.”
The PA walked away from the negotiating table when Netanyahu entered office in 2009. Since that time, PA Chairman and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas has insisted he will not negotiate with Israel as long as any form of construction continues on land the PA has decided it wants for its hoped-for country. This includes things as simple as building a roof over the front steps of an existing home in a 30-year-old Judea or Samaria town, or adding on a room to a house or building a kindergarten in a 40-year-old Jerusalem neighborhood.
Instead of resuming negotiations, the PA has turned to the United Nations, and plans to submit in September a request for recognition as a new sovereign nation. The entity also plans to request membership in the international body. Although the former bid may succeed, inasmuch as the U.N. General Assembly can pass a resolution of "recognition" without requiring approval from the U.N. Security Council, a bid for membership is another matter: such a request does require Council approval through a unanimous vote by its five permanent members. The United States -- one of the five -- has already said it would veto such a move.
Netanyahu told the interviewer that Israel has always been willing to sit down for talks with PA leaders – but PA Chairman and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas has refused to negotiate with Netanyahu for years, with the grudging exception of three "photo op" meetings a few weeks before a 10-month moratorium on Jewish building in Judea and Samaria ended in September 2010.
“I'm prepared to negotiate with president Abbas directly for peace between our two peoples right now,” Netanyahu said. “We can do it here in my home in Jerusalem, we can do it in Ramallah (the PA capital in Samaria), we can do it anywhere.”
But the prime minister added that it is impossible to reach peace with a group that does not recognize Israel's right to exist – the Hamas rulers of Gaza – which earlier this year joined the PA government in a reconciliation deal with the rival Fatah faction.
“If people say no, the state of Israel shouldn't exist, it should be wiped off the face of the earth, the way Iran or Hizbullah or Hamas say, there's not much place to go,” Netanyahu pointed out.
Comment on this story
3. John Bolton Takes on UN and Obama at CUFI
by Fern Sidman, A7 NY, Chana Ya'ar
Former US Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton urged American citizens this week to “take back the government and assert leadership.”
Speaking to the Chairman's club dinner at the sixth annual Christians United for Israel (CUFI) national summit in Washington DC, Bolton said “the most powerful force on earth is not nuclear weapons, but an aroused American public.”
Bolton, had strong words for the United Nations in a broad-based foreign policy speech on the September General Assembly vote, in which the Palestinian Authority will ask the membership to approve its establishment as an independent nation.
"This effort is an attack on Israel's legitimacy", said Bolton adding that it comes as no surprise because "for the last two and half years, President Obama has been negotiating on behalf of the Palestinians."
Supporting Israel's right to live in "peace and security", Bolton said that the solution to the seemingly intractable Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be resolved by the "parties of conflict" and not by the machinations of the United Nations. He called on the U.S. Congress to "pass a law taking the wind out of the Palestinian sails.” Bolton also urged Congress to “get Obama to be an honest broker in Middle East peace negotiations and get his thumb off the pedal of the Palestinians."
Bolston reminded his audience of more than 600 that this is not the first time in modern history that the Palestinians have attempted to declare their own state.
"In 1988, they did the same thing and then joined specialized agencies of the United Nations to further their agenda." He also noted that the intended vote reflects a repudiation of U.S. foreign policy and is direct contravention of UN resolutions 242 and 338.
Bolton recommended the U.S. warn the European Union that if the EU decides to adopt this "profoundly wrong" resolution, the U.S. will yank its funding for the UN.
In 1988, former Secretary of State James Baker threatened any UN agency that funded the PLO, Bolton added.
Comment on this story
by Fern Sidman, A7 NY, Chana Ya'ar
Former US Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton urged American citizens this week to “take back the government and assert leadership.”
Speaking to the Chairman's club dinner at the sixth annual Christians United for Israel (CUFI) national summit in Washington DC, Bolton said “the most powerful force on earth is not nuclear weapons, but an aroused American public.”
Bolton, had strong words for the United Nations in a broad-based foreign policy speech on the September General Assembly vote, in which the Palestinian Authority will ask the membership to approve its establishment as an independent nation.
"This effort is an attack on Israel's legitimacy", said Bolton adding that it comes as no surprise because "for the last two and half years, President Obama has been negotiating on behalf of the Palestinians."
Supporting Israel's right to live in "peace and security", Bolton said that the solution to the seemingly intractable Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be resolved by the "parties of conflict" and not by the machinations of the United Nations. He called on the U.S. Congress to "pass a law taking the wind out of the Palestinian sails.” Bolton also urged Congress to “get Obama to be an honest broker in Middle East peace negotiations and get his thumb off the pedal of the Palestinians."
Bolston reminded his audience of more than 600 that this is not the first time in modern history that the Palestinians have attempted to declare their own state.
"In 1988, they did the same thing and then joined specialized agencies of the United Nations to further their agenda." He also noted that the intended vote reflects a repudiation of U.S. foreign policy and is direct contravention of UN resolutions 242 and 338.
Bolton recommended the U.S. warn the European Union that if the EU decides to adopt this "profoundly wrong" resolution, the U.S. will yank its funding for the UN.
In 1988, former Secretary of State James Baker threatened any UN agency that funded the PLO, Bolton added.
Comment on this story
4. Israeli Prison Service: The Party Goes On, But Classes Are Over
by David ben Yacov
In a special Knesset session Wednesday an Israeli Prison Service (IPS) representative reported that security prisoners can no longer enroll for academic studies. However, other special privileges that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu promised to take away are still in force.
Coalition Chairman MK Zeev Elkin told Arutz Sheva that based on what he heard at the session, it seems that the terrorists' “summer camp goes on.”
There has been a public outcry about the comfortable prison conditions enjoyed by terrorist prisoners. They enjoy free internet and cellphone access and often use cellphones to describe their conditions to Israeli media. They can cook for themselves, and enjoy the right to purchase state-subsidized meat, poultry and fish at the prison canteen, unlike other prisoners.
Netanyahu has recently demanded a harshening of the terror prisoners' conditions, in a move designed to expedite the release of captive IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, held incommnicado by Hamas for five years, without even a Red Cross visit.
The Knesset Committee for Interior Affairs barred the press from attending a special meeting on terrorist prison conditions, but details emerged after the session.
The IPS representative told the MKs that the decision to prevent academic studies for the prisoners has been implemented, allowing studies only for already enrolled prisoners who are about to take exams.
In addition, the limitation of the following rights will be considered in the future: family visits, Red Cross visits, obtaining books and newspapers, letters, canteen purchases, TV, and money deposits.
Minors will continue to receive an education, as per the Law of Mandatory Education.
Comment on this story
by David ben Yacov
In a special Knesset session Wednesday an Israeli Prison Service (IPS) representative reported that security prisoners can no longer enroll for academic studies. However, other special privileges that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu promised to take away are still in force.
Coalition Chairman MK Zeev Elkin told Arutz Sheva that based on what he heard at the session, it seems that the terrorists' “summer camp goes on.”
There has been a public outcry about the comfortable prison conditions enjoyed by terrorist prisoners. They enjoy free internet and cellphone access and often use cellphones to describe their conditions to Israeli media. They can cook for themselves, and enjoy the right to purchase state-subsidized meat, poultry and fish at the prison canteen, unlike other prisoners.
Netanyahu has recently demanded a harshening of the terror prisoners' conditions, in a move designed to expedite the release of captive IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, held incommnicado by Hamas for five years, without even a Red Cross visit.
The Knesset Committee for Interior Affairs barred the press from attending a special meeting on terrorist prison conditions, but details emerged after the session.
The IPS representative told the MKs that the decision to prevent academic studies for the prisoners has been implemented, allowing studies only for already enrolled prisoners who are about to take exams.
In addition, the limitation of the following rights will be considered in the future: family visits, Red Cross visits, obtaining books and newspapers, letters, canteen purchases, TV, and money deposits.
Minors will continue to receive an education, as per the Law of Mandatory Education.
Comment on this story
5. Levi Aron Indicted in Leiby Kletzky Murder
by Elad Benari
Levi Aron, the suspected killer of eight-year-old Leiby Kletzky, was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday on murder and kidnapping charges, The Associated Press reported. According to the report, the indictment includes a total of eight counts.
Prosecutors allege Aron lured Leiby to his home after the little boy got lost while walking home from a day camp and asked him for help.
Police detectives later found the boy’s severed body parts in Aron’s freezer. The rest of the body was discovered in bags inside a red suitcase in a trash bin.
Earlier on Wednesday, the medical examiner said that Leiby was given a cocktail of painkillers and muscle relaxants before he was smothered.
Aron, 35, confessed to the crime, telling police investigators he killed Leiby in a panic when he realized a massive search for the lost child was underway. He later pleaded not guilty and his lawyers appeared to be preparing an insanity plea on Monday. The lawyers reportedly said Aron is “abnormal” and can’t stop hearing sinister voices.
Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes has vowed to pursue “swift justice” for Aron, saying on Tuesday that he would stop at nothing to ensure that the suspected murderer would be convicted in Leiby’s death, dismissing suggestions that an insanity defense might carry some weight.
Hynes told The Associated Press on Wednesday that police were still investigating whether there were any other incidents in Aron’s past.
Comment on this story
by Elad Benari
Levi Aron, the suspected killer of eight-year-old Leiby Kletzky, was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday on murder and kidnapping charges, The Associated Press reported. According to the report, the indictment includes a total of eight counts.
Prosecutors allege Aron lured Leiby to his home after the little boy got lost while walking home from a day camp and asked him for help.
Police detectives later found the boy’s severed body parts in Aron’s freezer. The rest of the body was discovered in bags inside a red suitcase in a trash bin.
Earlier on Wednesday, the medical examiner said that Leiby was given a cocktail of painkillers and muscle relaxants before he was smothered.
Aron, 35, confessed to the crime, telling police investigators he killed Leiby in a panic when he realized a massive search for the lost child was underway. He later pleaded not guilty and his lawyers appeared to be preparing an insanity plea on Monday. The lawyers reportedly said Aron is “abnormal” and can’t stop hearing sinister voices.
Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes has vowed to pursue “swift justice” for Aron, saying on Tuesday that he would stop at nothing to ensure that the suspected murderer would be convicted in Leiby’s death, dismissing suggestions that an insanity defense might carry some weight.
Hynes told The Associated Press on Wednesday that police were still investigating whether there were any other incidents in Aron’s past.
Comment on this story
6. Report: Egypt Wants to Cancel Gas Agreement
by Elad Benari
Egypt’s Petrol Minister is threatening to seek the cancellation of the current gas supply agreement with Israel and at the same time will demand a new price from Israel, the Egyptian daily Youm7 reported on Wednesday.
A senior source close to the minister, Abdallah Ghorab, was quoted by the newspaper as saying that Egypt is preparing a request to the International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes in Washington DC, asking it to end the gas agreement.
According to the report, East Mediterranean Gas (EMG), the company that exports gas from Egypt to Israel, intends to submit to the tribunal a claim for $8 billion in damages.
The source said that Egypt will demand that the company should raise the value of the deal with Israel to $10 billion. The source also hinted that the recent attacks on the gas pipeline to Israel in the Sinai will continue unless implementation of the agreement in its present format is halted.
The pipeline has been the target of repeated attacks, the latest one having occurred last week. It was the fourth time since February that the pipeline had been attacked.
Infrastructures Minister Uzi Landau said after the latest blast that it signals a further erosion of “goodwill” from Cairo.
“Economic ties between Egypt and Israel are eroding,” Landau said, warning that the result of the blasts will be a hike by approximately 20 percent in the cost of electricity, as the Israel Electric Corp. is forced to use expensive diesel fuel as a substitute for natural gas from Egypt.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Merhav, the Israeli company which co-owns EMG, told the Globes financial newspaper on Wednesday, “We suggest taking the reports in the Egyptian press and media with a pinch of salt.
“What the international investors in EMG have to say, they will say to the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes in Washington,” added the spokesperson.
Comment on this story
by Elad Benari
Egypt’s Petrol Minister is threatening to seek the cancellation of the current gas supply agreement with Israel and at the same time will demand a new price from Israel, the Egyptian daily Youm7 reported on Wednesday.
A senior source close to the minister, Abdallah Ghorab, was quoted by the newspaper as saying that Egypt is preparing a request to the International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes in Washington DC, asking it to end the gas agreement.
According to the report, East Mediterranean Gas (EMG), the company that exports gas from Egypt to Israel, intends to submit to the tribunal a claim for $8 billion in damages.
The source said that Egypt will demand that the company should raise the value of the deal with Israel to $10 billion. The source also hinted that the recent attacks on the gas pipeline to Israel in the Sinai will continue unless implementation of the agreement in its present format is halted.
The pipeline has been the target of repeated attacks, the latest one having occurred last week. It was the fourth time since February that the pipeline had been attacked.
Infrastructures Minister Uzi Landau said after the latest blast that it signals a further erosion of “goodwill” from Cairo.
“Economic ties between Egypt and Israel are eroding,” Landau said, warning that the result of the blasts will be a hike by approximately 20 percent in the cost of electricity, as the Israel Electric Corp. is forced to use expensive diesel fuel as a substitute for natural gas from Egypt.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Merhav, the Israeli company which co-owns EMG, told the Globes financial newspaper on Wednesday, “We suggest taking the reports in the Egyptian press and media with a pinch of salt.
“What the international investors in EMG have to say, they will say to the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes in Washington,” added the spokesperson.
Comment on this story
7. Report: Religious Men in Army Bad for Women
by David ben Yacov
.A special report commissioned by the Advisor to the Chief of Staff on Women’s Affairs, Brig.-Gen Gila Kalifi-Amir, claims that the practical application of the “Proper Integration” concept, which addresses the integration of religious soldiers in the IDF, discriminates against women and affects their service negatively. The report was described in Wednesday’s Maariv newspaper.
The report, not surprisingly as it was written for the Women's Affairs Advisor, recommends taking into consideration the needs of female soldiers as much the needs of the male religious servicemen, including combat and commando unit soldiers.
The report suggests that soldiers who refuse to hear women sing out of Halakhic considerations (a halakhic prohibition that some are lenient with and others uphold strictly, see below, Ed.) should not serve as officers in the IDF, and should be relegated to the Haredi (Ultra-Orthodox) IDF Nachal brigade unit, a unit limited in its opportunities for combat service.
The national religious religious sector produces many of the finest officers in the IDF, about 30% of the officer corps and an even higher percentage of combat units. They are highly motivated, viewing service in the IDF as the fulfillment of a major Divine commandment.
Yeshiva students approached randomly by Arutz Sheva on the issue remarked that it is in the army's best interest to accommodate their religious predilections. The IDF is primarily about quality combat service, defending Israel from implacable enemies, not singing performances. Additionally, maintaining a high standard of military gender separation keeps the soldiers more focused on their missions.
Last October, religious cadets of the IDF officer course excused themselves from a memorial service for the late Yitzchak Rabin when a choir with women singers began to perform. They considered this part of their religious rights, and did not see the performance as a crucial part of their service, but since women's organizations considered this intolerable, the incident became a major issue.
The report was submitted to the previous head of the IDF Manpower Division, Gen. Avi Zamir. Ma'ariv writes that he responded to it positively along with IDF Chief Rabbi Brig.-Gen. Rafi Peretz, but the report has not yet been implemented. The rabbi has since retracted his initial approval due to rabbinical pressure, and the COS Advisor on Women’s Affairs argued with his position before the Forum of the General Staff of the IDF.
The IDF spokesman responded to the article by saying, “Jewish and non-Jewish men and women of religious and non-religious affiliations from different personal backgrounds serve together in the IDF. Their successful respectful integration is an important task that is incomplete as of yet. The IDF is constantly thinking about the proper way to address this issue. We will not relate to internal, biased documents pertaining to integration.”
The previous Chief Rabbi of the IDF, Brig.-Gen.(Reserve) Rabbi Avi Rontzki responded to the report on Arutz Sheva radio. “There is a battle going on over the image of the IDF. This report, along with the recent demand to change the memorial service text from ‘May G-d remember’ to "May Israel remember" and the criticism of the soldiers' visits to the Kotel all stem from anti-religious groups trying to redefine the national image of the IDF."
"The Religious Awareness Department was established during my tenure. Ever since, there has been a power struggle between the IDF chief Rabbinate and the IDF Education Corps. Anti-religious activists claimed that religious education for non-religious soldiers was unnecessary. We at the Rabbinate felt that the IDF was everyone’s army, and it was decided that the Chief Rabbinate will address all military values, including the spirit of the IDF from a perspective of Jewish religious sources. All the field units requested lectures from us, and the commanders were pleased.”
Rabbi Rontzki rejects the discrimination claims in the report. “I was appointed to direct the ‘Proper Integration’ initiative in 2005, to address the needs of the many religious men and women in the IDF. I never came across any form of discrimination against women.”
The rabbi states that the army must take into consideration the fact that religious men refuse to hear women sing .”So many soldiers, among them IDF brigade commanders and deputy-commanders, are religious. Anyone can be promoted in the IDF, and this is a democracy. The previous Golani Brigade Commander Moshe Tamir requested that the all-male IDF Rabbinate Choir perform at the brigade ceremony, to accommodate his many yeshiva-student soldiers."
Rabbi Rontzki says that the issue between the Education Corps and the Rabbinate was resolved years ago, with mutual compromise, that led to successful cooperation. “I regret that the issues are surfacing again. Some groups know that the essence of the IDF and of the entire nation are at stake."
“As religious servicemen, we need to exercise caution, and sensitivity without arrogance, while demanding all the while that our religious rights not be abrogated in any way.”
According to Jewish Law, it is prohibited for males to hear a woman singing, as a guard against possible immodest behavior. Some latter-generation rabbis are of the opinion that this is only forbidden if the male is aware of the female singer’s appearance. Others are lenient when a group of females sing in unison, prohibiting only hearing a solo.
Rabbi Avichai Rontzki, born October 10, 1951, is the former Chief Military Rabbi of the Israel Defense Forces. He served in the position from 2006 to 2010, with a rank of Brigadier General. His predecessor in that position was Rabbi Israel Weiss. Rabbi Rontzki is also the rosh yeshiva of the Hesder Yeshiva of Itamar, in Samaria.
Comment on this story
by David ben Yacov
.A special report commissioned by the Advisor to the Chief of Staff on Women’s Affairs, Brig.-Gen Gila Kalifi-Amir, claims that the practical application of the “Proper Integration” concept, which addresses the integration of religious soldiers in the IDF, discriminates against women and affects their service negatively. The report was described in Wednesday’s Maariv newspaper.
The report, not surprisingly as it was written for the Women's Affairs Advisor, recommends taking into consideration the needs of female soldiers as much the needs of the male religious servicemen, including combat and commando unit soldiers.
The report suggests that soldiers who refuse to hear women sing out of Halakhic considerations (a halakhic prohibition that some are lenient with and others uphold strictly, see below, Ed.) should not serve as officers in the IDF, and should be relegated to the Haredi (Ultra-Orthodox) IDF Nachal brigade unit, a unit limited in its opportunities for combat service.
The national religious religious sector produces many of the finest officers in the IDF, about 30% of the officer corps and an even higher percentage of combat units. They are highly motivated, viewing service in the IDF as the fulfillment of a major Divine commandment.
Yeshiva students approached randomly by Arutz Sheva on the issue remarked that it is in the army's best interest to accommodate their religious predilections. The IDF is primarily about quality combat service, defending Israel from implacable enemies, not singing performances. Additionally, maintaining a high standard of military gender separation keeps the soldiers more focused on their missions.
Last October, religious cadets of the IDF officer course excused themselves from a memorial service for the late Yitzchak Rabin when a choir with women singers began to perform. They considered this part of their religious rights, and did not see the performance as a crucial part of their service, but since women's organizations considered this intolerable, the incident became a major issue.
The report was submitted to the previous head of the IDF Manpower Division, Gen. Avi Zamir. Ma'ariv writes that he responded to it positively along with IDF Chief Rabbi Brig.-Gen. Rafi Peretz, but the report has not yet been implemented. The rabbi has since retracted his initial approval due to rabbinical pressure, and the COS Advisor on Women’s Affairs argued with his position before the Forum of the General Staff of the IDF.
The IDF spokesman responded to the article by saying, “Jewish and non-Jewish men and women of religious and non-religious affiliations from different personal backgrounds serve together in the IDF. Their successful respectful integration is an important task that is incomplete as of yet. The IDF is constantly thinking about the proper way to address this issue. We will not relate to internal, biased documents pertaining to integration.”
The previous Chief Rabbi of the IDF, Brig.-Gen.(Reserve) Rabbi Avi Rontzki responded to the report on Arutz Sheva radio. “There is a battle going on over the image of the IDF. This report, along with the recent demand to change the memorial service text from ‘May G-d remember’ to "May Israel remember" and the criticism of the soldiers' visits to the Kotel all stem from anti-religious groups trying to redefine the national image of the IDF."
"The Religious Awareness Department was established during my tenure. Ever since, there has been a power struggle between the IDF chief Rabbinate and the IDF Education Corps. Anti-religious activists claimed that religious education for non-religious soldiers was unnecessary. We at the Rabbinate felt that the IDF was everyone’s army, and it was decided that the Chief Rabbinate will address all military values, including the spirit of the IDF from a perspective of Jewish religious sources. All the field units requested lectures from us, and the commanders were pleased.”
Rabbi Rontzki rejects the discrimination claims in the report. “I was appointed to direct the ‘Proper Integration’ initiative in 2005, to address the needs of the many religious men and women in the IDF. I never came across any form of discrimination against women.”
The rabbi states that the army must take into consideration the fact that religious men refuse to hear women sing .”So many soldiers, among them IDF brigade commanders and deputy-commanders, are religious. Anyone can be promoted in the IDF, and this is a democracy. The previous Golani Brigade Commander Moshe Tamir requested that the all-male IDF Rabbinate Choir perform at the brigade ceremony, to accommodate his many yeshiva-student soldiers."
Rabbi Rontzki says that the issue between the Education Corps and the Rabbinate was resolved years ago, with mutual compromise, that led to successful cooperation. “I regret that the issues are surfacing again. Some groups know that the essence of the IDF and of the entire nation are at stake."
“As religious servicemen, we need to exercise caution, and sensitivity without arrogance, while demanding all the while that our religious rights not be abrogated in any way.”
According to Jewish Law, it is prohibited for males to hear a woman singing, as a guard against possible immodest behavior. Some latter-generation rabbis are of the opinion that this is only forbidden if the male is aware of the female singer’s appearance. Others are lenient when a group of females sing in unison, prohibiting only hearing a solo.
Rabbi Avichai Rontzki, born October 10, 1951, is the former Chief Military Rabbi of the Israel Defense Forces. He served in the position from 2006 to 2010, with a rank of Brigadier General. His predecessor in that position was Rabbi Israel Weiss. Rabbi Rontzki is also the rosh yeshiva of the Hesder Yeshiva of Itamar, in Samaria.
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8. Tel Aviv: Protestors Invade Prestigious Skyscraper
by David ben Yacov
A group of students protesting the lack of Tel Aviv housing have invaded a skyscraper under construction at the Frishman-Dizengoff intersection, determined to stop construction work.
The students have climbed up to the top floors, hung their signs and are now blocking access to the construction site.
“It isn’t fair that we young people don’t have where to live, while you contractors take advantage of your workers, pay them less than minimum wage, and charge fortunes for the apartments you sell,” shouted the students, demanding the workers stop the construction.
This morning, dozens of activists from the ‘National Left’ movement blocked the Tel Aviv Azrieli intersection on the Namir highway, and erected ten tents near government buildings in Tel Aviv. The movement promises harsher measures of protest in the next 24 hours.
The housing protestors are demanding construction of small apartments suitable for students and young couples, lower rent rates, and attractive mortgage terms.
While the public is generally sympathetic to the protest, it does not necessrily see the lowering of rent and purchase prices in the highly desirable Tel Aviv area as a just or realistic goal. So called "development towns" and Yesha communities have suggested moving to their areas. Still, available housing everywhere is way below needs, partly due to the building freeze in Yesha, and the government has yet to address the issue of enough convenient, low cost transportation to the center of the country where the jobs are.
Unfortunately, the protest has been marred, according to the proactive Zionist student organization Im Tirtzu, by acceping funds from the ultra-leftist New Israel Fund.
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by David ben Yacov
A group of students protesting the lack of Tel Aviv housing have invaded a skyscraper under construction at the Frishman-Dizengoff intersection, determined to stop construction work.
The students have climbed up to the top floors, hung their signs and are now blocking access to the construction site.
“It isn’t fair that we young people don’t have where to live, while you contractors take advantage of your workers, pay them less than minimum wage, and charge fortunes for the apartments you sell,” shouted the students, demanding the workers stop the construction.
This morning, dozens of activists from the ‘National Left’ movement blocked the Tel Aviv Azrieli intersection on the Namir highway, and erected ten tents near government buildings in Tel Aviv. The movement promises harsher measures of protest in the next 24 hours.
The housing protestors are demanding construction of small apartments suitable for students and young couples, lower rent rates, and attractive mortgage terms.
While the public is generally sympathetic to the protest, it does not necessrily see the lowering of rent and purchase prices in the highly desirable Tel Aviv area as a just or realistic goal. So called "development towns" and Yesha communities have suggested moving to their areas. Still, available housing everywhere is way below needs, partly due to the building freeze in Yesha, and the government has yet to address the issue of enough convenient, low cost transportation to the center of the country where the jobs are.
Unfortunately, the protest has been marred, according to the proactive Zionist student organization Im Tirtzu, by acceping funds from the ultra-leftist New Israel Fund.
Comment on this story
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