Israel News | By One Jerusalem

Weekly Review: Will Sanctions Stop Iran?

2012-02-05T16:19:59Z

VIDEO :: The Grand Jihad

2012-02-05T02:17:48Z

Obama National Intelligence Director Says Sanctions Will Not Stop Iran

2012-02-04T23:25:31Z

This week, James Clapper, United States Director of National Intelligence, testified before Congress. Mr. Clapper said, "Iran's economic difficulties probably will not jeopardize the regime, absent a sudden and sustained fall in oil prices or a sudden domestic crisis that disrupts oil exports."

His entire testimony can be found here .

As long this Iranian regime is in power there is little doubt it will continue to pursue nuclear weapons. Weapons that will be given to terrorists to kill innocent Americans, Israelis, British citizens, etc.

Below is Director Clappers testimony on the nuclear threat from Iran:

Iran nevertheless is expanding its uranium enrichment capabilities, which can be used for either civil or weapons purposes. As reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency, to date, Iran in late October 2011 had about 4,150 kg of 3.5 percent LEUF6 and about 80 kg of 20-percent enriched UF6 produced at Natanz. Iran confirmed on 9 January that it has started enriching uranium for the first time at its second enrichment plant, near Qom. Iran's technical advancement, particularly in uranium enrichment, strengthens our assessment that Iran has the scientific, technical, and industrial capacity to eventually produce nuclear weapons, making the central issue its political will to do so. These advancements contribute to our judgment that Iran is technically capable of producing enough highly enriched uranium for a weapon, if it so chooses. We judge Iran would likely choose missile delivery as its preferred method of delivering a nuclear weapon. Iran already has the largest inventory of ballistic missiles in the Middle East, and it is expanding the scale, reach, and sophistication of its ballistic missile forces, many of which are inherently capable of carrying a nuclear payload.

We judge Iran's nuclear decision making is guided by a cost-benefit approach, which offers the international community opportunities to influence Tehran. Iranian leaders undoubtedly consider Iran's security, prestige, and influence, as well as the international political and security environment, when making decisions about its nuclear program.

Iran's growing inventory of ballistic missiles and its acquisition and indigenous production of anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM) provide capabilities to enhance its power projection. Tehran views its conventionally armed missiles as an integral part of its strategy to deter--and if necessary retaliate against--forces in the region, including US forces. Its ballistic missiles are inherently capable of delivering WMD, and, if so armed, would fit into this strategy.

Iran's Supreme Leader Threatens Israel -- Again

2012-02-03T12:58:54Z

At Friday prayers, the head of Iran's theocratic state reiterated that Iran will continue to support any groups, like Hezzbolah, that are dedicated to destroying the Zionist State. This so-called religious leader, who has ordered the killing of many of his people, said Israel is "cancerous tumor that should be cut and will be cut."

This public display of hatred comes as the Obama Administration keeps warning Israel about not attacking Iran's nuclear facilities. Yesterday Secretary of Defense Penetta predicted that Israel might attack as early as the Spring. The Obama Administration is also behind off-the-record predictions that an attack will lead to economic catastrophe for the United States and the West.

Why is the Obama Administration so focused on Israel? Why is it warning an ally through the press? Aren't Israel and the United States after the same objective: Stopping Iran's nuclear program?

Yesterday, while in Israel, the United Nation's Secretary General once again challenged Iran to prove that its nuclear program was "peaceful."

There is no way Iran can not prove peaceful intentions when it has made clear that intends to eradicate Israel and the United States. If Iran's nuclear program was peaceful it would not have built a facility to enrich uranium to weapons grade. That facility is in full operation.

Is Israel wrong in preparing to stop Iran's nuclear program?

Israel Is A World Leader in Education

2012-02-03T12:00:37Z

Last night, we had the pleasure of meeting Israel's Education minister Gideon Saar. Minister Saar gave us some insights into Israel's massive educational system that educates about two million students. The student population includes, Jews from various backgrounds, Arabs, Christians, and others. Minister Saar is noted for having re-introduced Zionism back into the curriculum.

Minister Saar told us of report that concludes that tiny Israel is the second best educated country in the world. A report on that international study is below:

Israel ranked second most educated country in the world, study shows

Haaretz, February 2nd, 2012

Israel is the second most educated country in the world, says a report released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

According to the OECD's Education at a Glance 2011 report, 78% of the money invested in education in Israel is taken directly from public funds, while 45% of Israel's population has a university or college diploma.

Pictured left - A university campus. (Photo by: Tali Meir)

Israel also had the largest increase in overall population, approximately 19.02% from 2000 to 2009.

The report shows that while education has improved across the board, it has not improved evenly, with some countries enjoying much greater rates of educational attainment than others.

According to 24/7 Wall St., which helped compile the data, the countries included in the list have had educated populations for a long time. While they have steadily increased the percentages of their populations with post-secondary educations, the increases are modest compared to developing countries.

According to the report, the ten most educated countries in the world are: Canada, Israel, Japan, US, New Zealand, South Korea, Norway, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Finland.

You Don't Have To Be A Victim To Know Anti-Semitism Has Become Kosher

2012-01-28T18:43:35Z

One of America's most prestigious publishers gave two unbalanced critics of Israel $750,000 to write an unscholarly screed condemning the State of Israel. Today, the author of this anti-Israel book is treated as a legitimate scholar in one of America's influential intellectual magazine's, The Atlantic.

All around us there is disturbing evidence that anti-antisemitism is being mainstreamed and accepted. Recently, the most influential liberal think tank, The Center for America Progress, referred to American defenders of Israel as Israel-Firsters: In other words their loyalties are to Israel before loyalty to the United States. Branding some one a traitor should trigger protests. Instead, the Director of J Street ( a group that claims it supports Israel) explained away the use of the term.

One Left-wing commentator calls out his fellow progressives for their use of anti-Semitic code words here.

Meanwhile, in Austria Hitler's homeland old line anti-Semites are once again on the rise. Here is a description of a gathering of Neo-Nazis that takes place every year in the official residence of the President of Austria.

"Vienna's Hofburg Palace, official residence of the Austrian president Heinz Fischer, will host - as in previous years - the annual ball of the infamous Vienna Korporationsring, an association of German-nationalist fraternities who maintain a gateway between the extreme right, namely the Austrian Freedom Party(FPOE), and the neo-Nazis. In past years this ball has served as a networking event for Europe's extreme right."

You can read about the persistence of anti-Semitism in Austria in the Commentator.

Of course, the target of all these forces is the State of Israel. Allowing the Goldstone's of the world to get away with their unjustified criticisms of Israel fuels the fires of anti-Semitism.

We must remain forever vigilant and vocal.

Obama Administration's Trouble with Israel

2012-01-15T18:13:58Z

After Jewish voters gave unprecedented support to a Republican-Conservative candidate in a Special Election to fill a congressional seat, Democrats have been busy "setting the record straight" on the Obama Administration's relations with Israel. Even Independent Senator Joe Lieberman joined the campaign to promote the Obama Administration as a good and reliable friend of Israel.

Despite this public relations campaign, evidence continues to emerge that the Obama Administration sees Israel as more of a problem than previous administrations. In George W. Bush's second term tensions between Israel and the United States increased considerably. There is little doubt that Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice felt that Israel was wrong in dragging its feet rather than embracing her Palestinian initiative.

Today, tension is building over Iran's nuclear program. The other day, The Wall Street Journal, published an article, " U.S. Warns Israel Against Iran Strike".

The article documents building pressure on Israel by high level officials in the Obama Administration. The Administration is pulling out all the stops in trying to stop an Israeli strike against Iran's nuclear facilities. Clearly the Administration feels that if left alone Israel will strike Iran.

It is also evident that the Administration feels that its sanctions strategy could work if given a chance. Prime Minister Netanyahu (perhaps in response to U.S. pressure) acknowledged that the sanctions are having a negative effect on Iran. But will sanctions stop Iran's program? How much time is there before Iran has the means to produce weapons grade uranium? Does Israel have the time to wait and see if the sanctions work?

A nuclear armed Iran is a danger to the United States, Israel, and the rest of the world. How to stop Iran is a question open to debate, but it is widely felt that Iran is unlikely to stop its program if it feels there is no credible military option on the table if they continue with their program. The Obama Administration has not put a credible military option in play: At the moment no one thinks Iran is under threat of military action from the United States.
Rather than threatening Israel over a possible military strike, the Obama Administration should allow Israel to saber rattle to send a message to Iran that they will face military action if they proceed on the present course.

The Wall Street Journal article ends on a troubling note regarding the tensions between the tension between the United States and Israel.

"Some American intelligence officials complain that Israel represents a blind spot in U.S. intelligence, which devotes little resources to Israel. Some officials have long argued that, given the potential for Israel to drag the U.S. into potentially explosive situations, the U.S. should devote more resources to divining Israel's true intentions."

It is important to keep in mind that in both Democrat and Republican Administrations there have always been officials who see Israel as a problem not an ally. But this attitude can lead to problems between these allies.

VIDEO :: CNN's Biased Defense of Iran's Nuclear Program

2012-01-10T14:04:06Z

Weekly Review: January 9, 2012

2012-01-09T12:55:12Z

Israel's New Talks With The Palestinians

2012-01-08T02:21:07Z

This week, after a long cessation, Israel participated in talks with the Palestinians. Since talks broke off the Palestinian Authority has come to a formal arrangement with Hamas. Do the most most recent talks legitimize the new PLA association with Hamas? Why would Israel engage in this theater of the absurd?

Meanwhile Barbara Lerner makes a strong against continuing the two state objective. She argues for Instead of the "two-state solution," restore what God gave Abraham's people.

Read her compelling article here.

Selling Arms To Saudi Arabia and Turkey

2012-01-08T01:57:44Z

The Obama Administration has recently concluded arms deals, which will send the most sophisticated military equipment, to two adversaries of the United States and Israel -- Saudi Arabia and Turkey. David Keyes of www.Cyberdissidents.org asks why we are selling arms to a theocratic regime which denies basic human rights to its citizens. We recommend reading his article in the New Republic.

Meanwhile the United States continues to supply Turkey with armaments and is considering a major arms deal with Turkey. Recently a Kurdish group has launched this internet petition urging the United States to end supplying Turkey with armaments that have been used to kill innocent civilians. Read the open letter to President Obama here.

These developments are occurring as the Obama Administration is actively promoting the fiction that the Muslim Brotherhood has become a moderate organization that the United States should work with. This policy is dangerous to the United States and Israel.

Weekly Review: Archbishop Criticizes Israel and Ignores Muslim Barbarity

2012-01-01T19:17:28Z

Lieberman Joins Barak in Praising Obama

2012-01-01T16:37:25Z

They choose their words carefully, always limiting their praise to the Obama Administration's providing armaments to Israel. Last week, Senator Lieberman said: It is true, and you'll hear this from a lot of Israeli leaders, that President Obama has been very good on supporting Israel's military and its security.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak has echoed this sentiment.

But does selling Israel military hardware warrant this praise? No one will deny that the Obama Administration has continued the flow from America of weapons that Israel needs to defend itself. There is also evidence that Israel and the United States are sharing vital intelligence on Iran.

Do these facts, require critics of Obama's relations with Israel to recant?

One can argue that Israel's security situation has worsened because of Obama Administration policies. As I write this, there is a news report that the Obama Administration is opening up talks with the Muslim Brotherhood's anti-Semitic spiritual leader. The man who has declared that Israel must be destroyed and who also declared,"Those killed fighting the American forces are martyrs.."

Add to these dalliances with Israel's mortal enemies the following:

The United States has just concluded a massive arms deal with Israel's sworn enemy Saudi Arabia. The Obama Administration has meekly opposed Iran's nuclear arms program. Recently, the United States Secretary of Defense publicly warned Israel not to take action against Iran.

Sadly, this list can go on.

Archbishop Attacks Israel Ignores Muslim Barbarity

2011-12-28T02:20:17Z

On Christmas eve, as thirty five Catholics were killed by bombs set by Muslim terrorists in Nigeria, in London a senior prelate Archbishop Vincent Nichols focused his message on land disputes between the people of Israel and residents of Bethlehem but ignored the massacre of Christians by Muslims in Egypt, Nigeria, and other parts of the Muslim world.

Even if one limits the topic to the Christians of Bethlehem, Israel is not the cause of the many life and death problems facing the Christians of Bethlehem. Since the Palestinian Authority gained control of Bethlehem the Christian population of the city has gone from 80% to less than 25%. The reason for this decrease in population is the systematic persecution of Christian Arabs by their Muslim overlords. Just like in Egypt, the Christians of Bethlehem find Muslim populations intolerant of their continued existence.

Instead of attacking Israel the Catholic Archbishop would be doing a public service by stating the truth. The truth of Muslim persecution. Right now, too many Catholic prelates are helping the destruction of ancient Arab Christian communities by failing to confront Muslim persecution and lying about Israel.

Certainly, the Archbishop knows that the State of Israel protects the rights of its Arab Christian and Muslim populations. He should speak these truths.

VIDEO :: Interview with a Suicide Bomber

2011-12-21T14:56:44Z