18 sept 2018
Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak has censured his successor Benjamin Netanyahu for passing corrupt legislation, comparing him to Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, who was overthrown and killed in 1989.
“The moral collapse of Netanyahu has begotten laws whose only purpose is to help the government escape the corruption, bribery and breach of trust affairs it is suspected in,” Barak said at a speech in Tel Aviv, Sunday.
Barak hinted that Netanyahu would face the same fate of Ceausescu, who ruled over Romania with an iron grip, from 1965 until he was overthrown after mass protests against him. He was executed in the same year, along with his wife Elena.
“It’s an expression of moral degradation that is not working for the good of citizens but for submission to a seemingly corrupt leader. This is reminiscent of Elena and Nicolae Ceausescu more than a model society or a light unto the nations,” he said, according to Press TV/Al Ray.
Commenting on Barak, Netanyahu’s Likud Party said, in a statement, that the former prime minister was “inciting murder” against the premier. “He’s simply lost it,” the statement added.
Netanyahu is currently embroiled in three corruption cases, though he has not been indicted.
A number of laws passed recently have been thought to be attempts to protect him, such as a law that will prevent police from publishing recommendations on whether to charge criminal suspects.
Barak, who is thought to have aspirations of returning to political office, has been a vocal critic of Netanyahu and urged him to step down in the past, over the corruption probes.
In response to Likud’s charge, Barak hinted, on Twitter, at charges that Netanyahu had engaged in incitement to violence ahead of prime minister Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination, in 1995.
Prior to the assassination, Netanyahu, then only the leader of the extremist Likud party, had accused Rabin of being “removed from Jewish tradition… and Jewish values.” Rabin, in turn, had accused Netanyahu of provoking violence.
“The moral collapse of Netanyahu has begotten laws whose only purpose is to help the government escape the corruption, bribery and breach of trust affairs it is suspected in,” Barak said at a speech in Tel Aviv, Sunday.
Barak hinted that Netanyahu would face the same fate of Ceausescu, who ruled over Romania with an iron grip, from 1965 until he was overthrown after mass protests against him. He was executed in the same year, along with his wife Elena.
“It’s an expression of moral degradation that is not working for the good of citizens but for submission to a seemingly corrupt leader. This is reminiscent of Elena and Nicolae Ceausescu more than a model society or a light unto the nations,” he said, according to Press TV/Al Ray.
Commenting on Barak, Netanyahu’s Likud Party said, in a statement, that the former prime minister was “inciting murder” against the premier. “He’s simply lost it,” the statement added.
Netanyahu is currently embroiled in three corruption cases, though he has not been indicted.
A number of laws passed recently have been thought to be attempts to protect him, such as a law that will prevent police from publishing recommendations on whether to charge criminal suspects.
Barak, who is thought to have aspirations of returning to political office, has been a vocal critic of Netanyahu and urged him to step down in the past, over the corruption probes.
In response to Likud’s charge, Barak hinted, on Twitter, at charges that Netanyahu had engaged in incitement to violence ahead of prime minister Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination, in 1995.
Prior to the assassination, Netanyahu, then only the leader of the extremist Likud party, had accused Rabin of being “removed from Jewish tradition… and Jewish values.” Rabin, in turn, had accused Netanyahu of provoking violence.
16 sept 2018
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Twitter has blocked the accounts of "real Iranians" but overlooks the "regime change" propaganda spewing out of Washington.
Zarif made the remarks in a post on his official Twitter page on Sunday addressing Jack Patrick Dorsey, the co-founder and CEO of Twitter.
He said the accounts of real Iranians, including TV presenters and students, have been shuttered for allegedly being part of an "influence operation."
"How about looking at actual bots in Tirana used to prop up 'regime change' propaganda spewed out of DC?" the top Iranian diplomat asked, alluding to the anti-Iran terrorist Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO), whose members are currently based in Albanian capital city.
Iran's ambassador to UK, Hamid Baeidinejad, also took to Twitter noting that according to news outlets, there are 1,500 members of the MKO in Camp Ashraf in Albania, who produce millions of fake messages over online social media all of which seek regime change in Iran.
The Iranian diplomat noted that as demanded by Zarif, Twitter must take action to shutter these fake accounts as well.
Back in August, Google removed 39 YouTube channels linked to the Iranian state broadcaster. Google terminated those accounts, along with six blogs on its Blogger service and 13 Google+ accounts linked with Iran. The move came after Twitter and Facebook also blocked hundreds of accounts on suspicion of possible ties with Iran.
Google and Facebook claimed those social media channels and accounts were tied to Iran and Russia and disseminated “disinformation.”
In an article for Press TV, Walt Peretto, an American writer, researcher, analyst noted that “with Google and Facebook’s ties to Western intelligence agencies and their track record of disinfo, such accusations against Iran and Russia appear to be reminiscent of Orwellian doublespeak.”
The MKO has a dark history of assassinations and bombings against the Iranian government and nation. It notoriously sided with former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, in his eight-year war against Iran in the 1980s.
The group has been behind most of the terrorist attacks, which have claimed the lives of nearly 17,000 Iranians since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979.
Initially designated as a terrorist organization by Europe and the US, the group has established close links with Western political parties.
In recent years, several media reports have emerged about top political figures in the US and Europe receiving money from the MKO to speak favorably of the terrorist group.
In September 2016, the last remaining members of the terrorist group were relocated from Camp Liberty (Hurriya), a former US military base near the Iraqi capital Baghdad, to Albania.
Iraq had long urged MKO remnants to leave the country, but a complete eviction of the terrorists had been hampered as a result of the US and European countries' support for the group.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Twitter has blocked the accounts of "real Iranians" but overlooks the "regime change" propaganda spewing out of Washington.
Zarif made the remarks in a post on his official Twitter page on Sunday addressing Jack Patrick Dorsey, the co-founder and CEO of Twitter.
He said the accounts of real Iranians, including TV presenters and students, have been shuttered for allegedly being part of an "influence operation."
"How about looking at actual bots in Tirana used to prop up 'regime change' propaganda spewed out of DC?" the top Iranian diplomat asked, alluding to the anti-Iran terrorist Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO), whose members are currently based in Albanian capital city.
Iran's ambassador to UK, Hamid Baeidinejad, also took to Twitter noting that according to news outlets, there are 1,500 members of the MKO in Camp Ashraf in Albania, who produce millions of fake messages over online social media all of which seek regime change in Iran.
The Iranian diplomat noted that as demanded by Zarif, Twitter must take action to shutter these fake accounts as well.
Back in August, Google removed 39 YouTube channels linked to the Iranian state broadcaster. Google terminated those accounts, along with six blogs on its Blogger service and 13 Google+ accounts linked with Iran. The move came after Twitter and Facebook also blocked hundreds of accounts on suspicion of possible ties with Iran.
Google and Facebook claimed those social media channels and accounts were tied to Iran and Russia and disseminated “disinformation.”
In an article for Press TV, Walt Peretto, an American writer, researcher, analyst noted that “with Google and Facebook’s ties to Western intelligence agencies and their track record of disinfo, such accusations against Iran and Russia appear to be reminiscent of Orwellian doublespeak.”
The MKO has a dark history of assassinations and bombings against the Iranian government and nation. It notoriously sided with former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, in his eight-year war against Iran in the 1980s.
The group has been behind most of the terrorist attacks, which have claimed the lives of nearly 17,000 Iranians since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979.
Initially designated as a terrorist organization by Europe and the US, the group has established close links with Western political parties.
In recent years, several media reports have emerged about top political figures in the US and Europe receiving money from the MKO to speak favorably of the terrorist group.
In September 2016, the last remaining members of the terrorist group were relocated from Camp Liberty (Hurriya), a former US military base near the Iraqi capital Baghdad, to Albania.
Iraq had long urged MKO remnants to leave the country, but a complete eviction of the terrorists had been hampered as a result of the US and European countries' support for the group.
11 sept 2018
The Israeli police detained, on Tuesday, a 60-year-old Palestinian from on suspicions of "terror and violence incitement" and supporting "terror" organizations on social media.
Israeli Ynet news outlet reported that the detained man is from the Umm al-Fahm town in northern Israel.
The man was reportedly detained following an undercover investigation.
Israeli Ynet news outlet reported that the detained man is from the Umm al-Fahm town in northern Israel.
The man was reportedly detained following an undercover investigation.
29 aug 2018
An Israeli military court on Wednesday decided to extend the detention of the Palestinian writer Lama Khater, 42, for the eighth time in a row.
Hazem al-Fakhouri, Lama's husband, wrote on Facebook that the Israeli court renewed his wife's remand for eight days "pending further investigation".
Al-Fakhouri said that he was able to talk to his wife for three minutes during which she sent her regards to all those asking about her and supporting her outside.
Khater two days ago was transferred from Ashkelon to Hasharon jail. According to the Palestinian Prisoner Society, she has been subjected to harsh and intensive interrogation since her arrest on 24th July.
A mother of five children, Khater has rejected all charges leveled against her by the Israeli occupation authorities.
Hazem al-Fakhouri, Lama's husband, wrote on Facebook that the Israeli court renewed his wife's remand for eight days "pending further investigation".
Al-Fakhouri said that he was able to talk to his wife for three minutes during which she sent her regards to all those asking about her and supporting her outside.
Khater two days ago was transferred from Ashkelon to Hasharon jail. According to the Palestinian Prisoner Society, she has been subjected to harsh and intensive interrogation since her arrest on 24th July.
A mother of five children, Khater has rejected all charges leveled against her by the Israeli occupation authorities.
27 aug 2018
Israeli Prison Services transferred a 42-year-old Palestinian female writer and mother, Lama Khater, was transferred, on Monday, from the Ashkelon prison to the Hasharon prison, after 34 days of being held in detention.
Palestinian Prisoner's Society (PPS) lawyer, Firas al-Sabbah, said in a statement that Khater will attend an 8th court hearing session on August 29th under the pretext of completing judicial proceedings.
Al-Sabbah confirmed that Khater has been subjected to harsh and intensive interrogation, which could last up to 20 hours per day, for the 34th day in a row.
Khater was detained by Israeli forces on July 24th from her home in the southern occupied West Bank district of Hebron.
She was detained for her anti-occupation writings and was accused of incitement and being a member in an illegal organization, which are charges that she has rejected.
Palestinian Prisoner's Society (PPS) lawyer, Firas al-Sabbah, said in a statement that Khater will attend an 8th court hearing session on August 29th under the pretext of completing judicial proceedings.
Al-Sabbah confirmed that Khater has been subjected to harsh and intensive interrogation, which could last up to 20 hours per day, for the 34th day in a row.
Khater was detained by Israeli forces on July 24th from her home in the southern occupied West Bank district of Hebron.
She was detained for her anti-occupation writings and was accused of incitement and being a member in an illegal organization, which are charges that she has rejected.
23 aug 2018
The Israeli military court of Ashkelon extended the detention of Palestinian female writer Lama Khater on Thursday for another week, which makes it the seventh extension since her detention one month ago.
Palestinian Prisoner's Society (PPS) lawyer, Firas al-Sabbah, said that the Israeli military court extended the 42-year-old writer's detention under the pretext of conducting further investigation.
The PPS lawyer confirmed that Khater was subjected to harsh and intensive interrogation throughout her entire detention.
Khater told al-Sabbah that Israeli security services handcuffed her to a chair throughout the entire interrogation; she also pointed out that interrogators deprived her of sleep and continued to curse and shout at her.
Interrogations would last for more than 20 hours per day.
Khater was detained by Israeli forces on July 24 from her home in the southern occupied West Bank province of al-Khalil.
She was detained for her anti-occupation writings and was accused of incitement and being a member in an illegal organization, which are charges that she has rejected.
Palestinian Prisoner's Society (PPS) lawyer, Firas al-Sabbah, said that the Israeli military court extended the 42-year-old writer's detention under the pretext of conducting further investigation.
The PPS lawyer confirmed that Khater was subjected to harsh and intensive interrogation throughout her entire detention.
Khater told al-Sabbah that Israeli security services handcuffed her to a chair throughout the entire interrogation; she also pointed out that interrogators deprived her of sleep and continued to curse and shout at her.
Interrogations would last for more than 20 hours per day.
Khater was detained by Israeli forces on July 24 from her home in the southern occupied West Bank province of al-Khalil.
She was detained for her anti-occupation writings and was accused of incitement and being a member in an illegal organization, which are charges that she has rejected.
17 aug 2018
The Israeli authorities issued, Friday, an Administrative Detention order against a young Palestinian female detainee, just hours before he scheduled release.
The young Palestinian woman, identified as Fida’ Mohammad Ekhlayyel, 21, is from Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, in the southern part of the occupied West Bank.
Fida’ was supposed to be released today, and her family traveled to Tulkarem, in northern West Bank, to welcome her at an Israeli military roadblock, but were informed by an army officer that their daughter will not be released because she received an order, holding her under Administrative Detention.
The family is yet to be informed about how long their daughter will be held under Administrative Detention, especially since her defense attorney has not been informed about that the Israeli Authorities.
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) said Fida’ was taken prisoner on May 29th, 2018, and was charged with “incitement against Israel on social media outlets,” before she was sentenced to 95 days in prison.
The young woman is also a former political prisoner who spent a year in Israeli prisons.
It is worth mentioning that Israel has issued more than 4.000 administrative detention orders during the last three years, 456 of which were issued since the beginning of 2018.
The young Palestinian woman, identified as Fida’ Mohammad Ekhlayyel, 21, is from Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, in the southern part of the occupied West Bank.
Fida’ was supposed to be released today, and her family traveled to Tulkarem, in northern West Bank, to welcome her at an Israeli military roadblock, but were informed by an army officer that their daughter will not be released because she received an order, holding her under Administrative Detention.
The family is yet to be informed about how long their daughter will be held under Administrative Detention, especially since her defense attorney has not been informed about that the Israeli Authorities.
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) said Fida’ was taken prisoner on May 29th, 2018, and was charged with “incitement against Israel on social media outlets,” before she was sentenced to 95 days in prison.
The young woman is also a former political prisoner who spent a year in Israeli prisons.
It is worth mentioning that Israel has issued more than 4.000 administrative detention orders during the last three years, 456 of which were issued since the beginning of 2018.
13 aug 2018
Israel's Jerusalem District Court on Monday decided to extend the detention of the Jerusalemite citizen Suzan Abu Ghannam, mother of martyr Mohammed Abu Ghannam, until 13th September.
Local sources said that the Israeli prosecution on Monday filed an indictment against Ghannam that included "incitement on Facebook".
Israeli police last week arrested Abu Ghannam after breaking into her house in Jabal al-Zaitoun neighborhood in Jerusalem and wreaking havoc on it.
Local sources said that the Israeli prosecution on Monday filed an indictment against Ghannam that included "incitement on Facebook".
Israeli police last week arrested Abu Ghannam after breaking into her house in Jabal al-Zaitoun neighborhood in Jerusalem and wreaking havoc on it.
10 aug 2018
A recent opinion poll has revealed that most of Israelis are unhappy with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policies vis-à-vis the Gaza Strip.
Israeli daily Maariv reported Friday that the poll's results showed that 64% of Israelis are dissatisfied with Netanyahu's approach to the blockaded territory.
According to the survey, which was conducted by Panels Politics, 29% of respondents said they were satisfied with the prime minister's Gaza policy, while another 7% declined to give an opinion.
The poll also unveiled a split among Israelis over recent calls for another large-scale military assault on the Gaza strip, with 48% saying they would support such an operation.
On the other hand, 41% of respondents voiced opposition to the notion of another major assault, while 11% declined to register their opinion.
According to Maariv, the survey included a random sampling of 512 Israelis with an error rate of 4.3%.
A state of cautious calm has prevailed in the Gaza Strip following a ceasefire agreement between the Palestinian factions and the Israeli occupation that came into force at 10:45 Thursday evening.
Since Wednesday, Israeli warplanes had launched dozens of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip killing four Palestinians, including a pregnant woman and her one-year-old child, and injuring 40 others.
The Israeli occupation army said that it attacked 200 targets in the Gaza Strip, while the Palestinian resistance factions fired about 180 projectiles toward Israeli settlements neighboring the coastal enclave as a response.
Israeli daily Maariv reported Friday that the poll's results showed that 64% of Israelis are dissatisfied with Netanyahu's approach to the blockaded territory.
According to the survey, which was conducted by Panels Politics, 29% of respondents said they were satisfied with the prime minister's Gaza policy, while another 7% declined to give an opinion.
The poll also unveiled a split among Israelis over recent calls for another large-scale military assault on the Gaza strip, with 48% saying they would support such an operation.
On the other hand, 41% of respondents voiced opposition to the notion of another major assault, while 11% declined to register their opinion.
According to Maariv, the survey included a random sampling of 512 Israelis with an error rate of 4.3%.
A state of cautious calm has prevailed in the Gaza Strip following a ceasefire agreement between the Palestinian factions and the Israeli occupation that came into force at 10:45 Thursday evening.
Since Wednesday, Israeli warplanes had launched dozens of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip killing four Palestinians, including a pregnant woman and her one-year-old child, and injuring 40 others.
The Israeli occupation army said that it attacked 200 targets in the Gaza Strip, while the Palestinian resistance factions fired about 180 projectiles toward Israeli settlements neighboring the coastal enclave as a response.
An Israeli cyber security firm claimed Thursday that the Hamas resistance group was trying to hack Israelis through a fake version of the Code Red rocket warning app.
The warning came amid a bout of aggressions by the Israeli military on the besieged Gaza Strip.
ClearSky Cyber Security claimed that Hamas had put out a counterfeit app that mimicked the real software that warns Israelis of incoming rockets and mortars.
“When you download the (fake) app it takes control of the mobile phone and allows the operator to track the device, take pictures, record sound and make calls and send messages,” said ClearSky CEO Boaz Dolev.
Dolev added that once the app took control of the phone it was impossible to remove, even if the app was deleted. He urged Israelis to exercise caution and only download apps from recognized stores like Google or Apple.
ClearSky warned that this could be the first stage of a concentrated effort by Hamas to launch cyber attacks against Israel as part of the ongoing round of violence.
However, the firm said that the app had been discovered at an early stage and had not infected very many phones.
The warning came amid a bout of aggressions by the Israeli military on the besieged Gaza Strip.
ClearSky Cyber Security claimed that Hamas had put out a counterfeit app that mimicked the real software that warns Israelis of incoming rockets and mortars.
“When you download the (fake) app it takes control of the mobile phone and allows the operator to track the device, take pictures, record sound and make calls and send messages,” said ClearSky CEO Boaz Dolev.
Dolev added that once the app took control of the phone it was impossible to remove, even if the app was deleted. He urged Israelis to exercise caution and only download apps from recognized stores like Google or Apple.
ClearSky warned that this could be the first stage of a concentrated effort by Hamas to launch cyber attacks against Israel as part of the ongoing round of violence.
However, the firm said that the app had been discovered at an early stage and had not infected very many phones.
