Nasrallah blocks ex-PM Hariri’s demand for nonpartisan government

Dec 15, 2019 @ 18:38 While Beirut is rocked by violent protests and a government crackdown, former Lebanese PM Saad Hariri stands by his demand for a government of technocrats to lead the country out of a two-month wave of protests. Hizballah leader Hassan Nasrallah insists on a government representing all the national communities. President […]

Iran’s IRGC: The Persian Gulf belongs to us

“We have the right to question any vessels entering the Straits of Hormuz and Iranian territorial waters,” naval commander Admiral Alireza Tangsiri said. SETH J. FRANTZMAN DECEMBER 15, 2019 18:27 The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval commander Admiral Alireza Tangsiri said the Persian Gulf belongs to Iran. “We have the right to question any vessels […]

Could Syria become Iran’s ‘Vietnam’?

This is one of the ironies of Iran’s role in the region. SETH J. FRANTZMAN DECEMBER 15, 2019 17:31 Last week Israel’s new defense minister Naftali Bennett warned Iran that although it appeared to be establishing a ring of fire around Israel, that in fact Syria could be Iran’s Vietnam. “We need to move from […]

Spotlight on Iran December 1 –15, 2019 Editor: Dr. Raz Zimmt

ImageSat, December 10, 2019 The Chairman of the Joint Iranian-Syrian Economic Committee, Kivan Kashefi (Source: IRNA, December 4, 2019) Iranian pilgrims visit Iraq as part of the ‘Arbayeen ceremonies (Fars, October 12, 2019) Full document in PDF format Overview Iran is continuing to try to minimize the impact of the ongoing protests in Iraq on […]

Brazil will move embassy to Jerusalem, president’s son says

The Brazilian president said he would move the embassy before and after he was elected, but backed down from the promise earlier this year. LAHAV HARKOV DECEMBER 15, 2019 15:05 Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro will move his country’s embassy to Jerusalem, his son, MP Eduardo Bolsonaro said Sunday at the opening of a Brazilian trade […]

Arrangements Committee: Netanyahu’s immunity can be discussed with Knesset Speaker approval

Moran Azoulay Updated: 12.15.19 , 14:55 Knesset Arrangements Committee approved on Sunday a decision stating that it could discuss the issue of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s immunity, subject to the approval of the Speaker of the Knesset Yuli Edelstein and after receiving the opinion of the Knesset Legal Advisor.

Iran arrests evangelical Christians before Christmas holiday

The Iranian regime has begun cracking down on evangelical Christians in Iran in the run-up to Christmas, experts and Iranian Christians said. Security officials routinely arrest Christian citizens during the Christmas season, according to the 2019 US Commission for International Religious Freedom report, which found the regime arrested 114 Christians during the first week of […]

The New EU Push for Palestinian Statehood Is Dangerous for Israel

by Yoni Ben Menachem / JNS.org     European Union flags in front of the European Commission building in Brussels. Photo: Amio Cajander via Wikimedia Commons. JNS.org – Following the US recognition in November of the legality of Israel’s West Bank settlements, Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn is advancing an initiative calling for the European […]

Qatar and Turkey open joint operations base in Doha

Members of the Qatari Armed Forces take part in a military parade during National Day celebrations in Doha December 18, 2012. REUTERS/Fadi Al-Assaad (QATAR – Tags: POLITICS ANNIVERSARY MILITARY) – RTR3BPFW /* custom css */ .td_uid_6_5df62b20f2ab2_rand.td-a-rec-img { text-align: left; } .td_uid_6_5df62b20f2ab2_rand.td-a-rec-img img { margin: 0 auto 0 0; } BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:30 P.M.) – Qatar […]

Israel eyes next year’s Dubai expo as ‘portal’ to Arab world

Jerusalem believes the trade fair presents an opportunity to speed up the ‘normalization’ of relations with neighbors who are quietly growing closer to the Jewish state Jonah MandelToday, 1:21 pm AFP — With the world’s largest trade fair opening in an Arab country for the first time next year, Israel is stepping up preparations, hoping […]

Netanyahu: Hezbollah will pay a price if it attacks Israel

Gov’t still working hard on national security, despite third election, PM says. LAHAV HARKOV DECEMBER 15, 2019 13:07 Hezbollah had better not dare to attack Israel or it will pay, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned at the opening of Sunday’s cabinet meeting. “If Hezbollah dares to attack Israel, the organization and the country of Lebanon, […]

Turkey adds former Palestinian politician Dahlan to most wanted list

Turkish Interior Ministry says it suspects former Fatah official Mohammad Dahlan of being involved in 2016 coup effort to topple President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Updated: 12.15.19 , 10:57 Turkey has added exiled Palestinian politician Mohammed Dahlan to its “red list” of most-wanted terrorist suspects, offering a reward of up to 10 million lira ($1.75 million) […]

Hamas official threatens Israel, urges Palestinian reconciliation at mass rally

Speaking at demonstration attended by tens of thousands in Gaza City to mark terror group’s 32nd anniversary, Osama al-Mazini vows to obtain freedom of Palestinian prisoners TOI staff14 December 2019, 8:20 pm A senior Hamas official threatened Israel if it does not remove its blockade over Gaza amid reports of progressing efforts between the terror […]