US Republican candidates rebuff aid cut to Israel

BY JTA— US Republican presidential candidates Michele Bachmann and Herman Cain pushed back against a proposal by Ron Paul to cut funding to Israel. Paul, a Texas congressman, during the GOP debate Tuesday in Las Vegas repeated his proposal to cut foreign aid, including the $3 billion Israel receives annually in defense assistance. “That foreign…

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Arab Users tweet: Israel cares about its citizens

BY ELAD BENARI, ARUTZ 7— The release of Gilad Shalit has attracted worldwide attention, including that of Arab users of the Internet, who have used the Twitter social network to share their thoughts on the exchange deal with the world. Israel’s Channel 10 News on Wednesday presented some of the tweets written by Arab users…

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Noam Shalit: Gilad underwent difficult things in captivity

BY JPOST— Noam Schalit on Thursday responded to a Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) claim that his son Gilad was treated well in captivity, saying, “he underwent some difficult things.” “It’s true that in the later stages his conditions improved,” he noted, but warned that Hamas statements should be taken with a grain of salt, speaking…

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Man spends 30 years creating model of Temple

BY The Telegraph— Alec Garrard, 78, a retired farmer has spent more than 30 years building an enormous scale model of Herod’s temple. And get this – it’s still unfinished!  He dedicated a massive 33,000 hours to constructing the ancient temple, which measures a whopping 20ft by 12ft.  He hand-baked and painted every clay brick…

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Mobile Sukkah: Bringing holiday cheer to on-duty soldiers

BY ROTEM ELIAV, IDF NEWS— “Plug in the speakers, Kaplan,” says Master Sgt. Gabriel Cohen, inspection NCO of the Military Rabbinate to his soldier Pvt. Eliyahu Kaplan, and the first Sukkot celebration is underway. Every holiday the IDF makes sure to give the soldiers spending the celebration guarding at military posts and away from their…

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Prisoners deported under Shalit deal arrive in Turkey, Syria, Jordan, and Qatar

BY AVI ISSACHAROFF, HAARETZ— Forty-two released Palestinian prisoners arrived in Syria, Turkey, Jordan and Qatar on Tuesday after being set free as part of a prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas. The prisoners are considered the most notorious of 1,027 Palestinians and Israeli Arabs being released by Israel in exchange for abducted Israel Defense…

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The Hamas Factor

BY SAMARA GREENBERG, JEWISH POLICY CENTER— Last month’s Palestinian Authority (PA) ploy at the United Nations to gain recognition of statehood represents the continuing Palestinian strategy to avoid negotiating a peace agreement with Israel. While it would be unfortunate and unhelpful to reward bad behavior, there is an even more fundamental reason why members of…

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Noam Schalit: Gilad's conditions were harsh, improved later

BY JPOST— Noam Schalit briefly shared some details of his son Gilad’s captivity and release at a press conference outside his family’s home in Mitzpe Hila Tuesday night after Gilad’s arrival. Gilad said that at the beginning he was held in difficult conditions, Noam recounted, adding that his conditions later improved. He said Gilad was…

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Gilad Schalit finally arrives home in Mitzpe Hila

BY JPOST— Gilad Schalit walked down the steps of his family home in Mitzpe Hila on Tuesday afternoon following his release from over five years of Hamas captivity. Police vehicles with flashing lights escorted the convoy carrying Schalit from a helicopter landing strip to his home. The IAF helicopter carrying Schalit landed near his home…

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Christian pilgrims and Israelis March in solidarity in Jerusalem on ‘Shalit Day’

BY TRAVELUJAH— This morning, after 1941 days in captivity, Israel welcomed home IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. Gilad arrived by helicopter at Israel’s Tel Nof Airforce Base where he met Prime Minister Netanyahu just before meeting his parents and family for the first time after more than five years. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his first…

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Poll: Palestinians say enough talk, ready to fight

BY RYAN JONES, ISRAEL TODAY— A Palestinian public opinion poll conducted over the weekend revealed that Israel’s ostensible peace partners have had enough of talking, and may be gearing up for more violence. The Center for Opinion Polls and Survey Studies at An-Najah National University in Nablus asked local Palestinians if they believe a lasting…

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Noam Shalit: No sign of life from Gilad yet

BY MAOR BUCHNIK, YNET— Noam Shalit, father of captive soldier Gilad Shalit, said Sunday that the family has yet to receive a sign of life from Gilad. “We are waiting watchfully and with concern,” he said. “The final timetable is not yet finalized.” Responding to statements by Defense Ministry official Amos Gilad suggesting his son…

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