Israel News for December 19, 2016
Terror Shooting
Terrorists shot and wounded an Israel man as he was driving between the settlement of Ofarim and the village of Abud in the Binyamin region of the West Bank early today. The man was lightly wounded in his face from glass shards but was able to continue driving until he reached a nearby military post. Last week terrorists shot at a car in the same area, but no one was injured. Security forces are searching for the terrorists.
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Arms Factory
In an overnight raid, IDF forces uncovered a massive arms factory under an apartment building in Hebron. The factory produced assault rifles and other weapons used in terror attacks.
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Hamas Attack
Earlier today shots were fired at IDF forces near the border of the southern Gaza Strip. There were no reports of injuries or damages. Shortly after, IDF tanks fired at Hamas positions in Gaza.
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Arab MK Suspected
Police have decided to question Arab Joint List MK Basel Ghattas for allegedly smuggling cell phones to Palestinian security prisoners to which he has access. Members of the Joint List defended Ghattas and accuse the government and police of trying to destroy him.
Ghattas recently made the following statement after the death of Shimon Peres: “Let us remember in his death his true essence as a tyran. He was directly responsible for various atrocities and war crimes which he committed against us…He is completely covered with our blood.”
PM Netanyahu issued a statement saying, “If these suspicions against MK Ghattas are true, then this constitutes a serious offense against the security of the state and citizens of Israel. Whoever harms state security will be severely punished and will not be allowed to serve in the Knesset.”
Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman said, “Just more proof that the Joint List is a list of spies and traitors. From Azmi Bishara to Basel Ghattas to the Marmara representative Hanin Zoabi and the rest of their friends—we will continue to act so that not only are they no longer part of the Knesset, but so they are not citizens of the State of Israel.”
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Amona Will Move
Amona residents have accepted a compromise agreement to move to an adjacent plot of land, thus avoiding their forceful evacuation. The cabinet approved the agreement and allocated 130 million shekels to implement it. Each family will receive around 1 million shekels as compensation.
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Katsav Released
Former President Moshe Katsav, 72, who was convicted of rape and other sexual acts and is serving a seven year prison sentence, has been granted parole after serving five years. Women’s groups including several female MKs blasted the decision.
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Hit Squad
Last Thursday a Hamas terrorist engineer who specialized in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) was assassinated in Tunisia. Reports from various sources blamed the hit on the Mossad. Yesterday the Tunisian government issued an official statement blaming the assassination on foreign elements. The Mossad made no comment.
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