The AIPAC lies are so outrageous that anyone can notice them rightawayPalestinian Authority: Hamas Staging Gaza Blackouts
Hamas met by candlelight during a previously staged blackout.
Palestinian Authority (PA) officials in Ramallah accused Hamas on Tuesday of staging the latest blackouts in the Gaza Strip in a bid to win sympathy and incite the Palestinian public against Israel and the PA, The Jerusalem Post reported. "There's no shortage of fuel in the Gaza Strip and the Electricity Company is continuing to function normally," said a PA official. "Our people in the Gaza Strip have told us that the blackouts are all staged as part of the Hamas propaganda." A senior official from the Gaza Electricity Company said Hamas has been stealing fuel supplies intended for the power grid and forced the company to cut off supplies to some areas. Seventy percent Gaza's electricity comes from Israel, and despite persistent Hamas rocket fire, Israel continues to supply that energy and facilitate the transfer of humanitarian and medical supplies to Palestinian civilians in the coastal trip.
Treasury Warns Dubai over Iranian Bank Activity
Levey met with officials from the U.A.E.
U.S. officials are concerned that Iranian banks are operating freely in the Gulf financial hub of Dubai, despite U.N. sanctions prohibiting such activity, Reuters reported. U.S. Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Stuart Levey has urged leaders from the United Arab Emirates to be more vigilant in cracking down on Iranian lenders operating in their country—Bank Saderat and Bank Melli, both tied to Iran's illicit nuclear program, are of particular concern. "These banks are an issue of concern and they are deserving of scrutiny because of their track record," said Levey, who also criticized other nations, such as Russia and Qatar, who continue to cooperate financially with Iran. "We are watching. We think it is not a good time to pursue business with Iran."
IAEA Chief: Uranium Found at Syrian Site
ElBaradei pressed Syria for transparency over its nuclear work.
The head of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog said Monday his agency needs more transparency from Syria and others to determine whether traces of uranium found at a suspected nuclear site destroyed last year indicate Damascus was covertly building a reactor there, the Associated Press reported. International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei said he was hopeful that Syria would allow inspectors back into the country to carry out further tests, though Damascus has denied any secret nuclear activity, and has said it would not allow further visits to the site by U.N. inspectors under any circumstances. The U.S. administration has called Syria's nuclear program "a threat to regional peace and security" and has warned that "we cannot allow the world's most dangerous regimes to acquire the world's most dangerous weapons."
Israel to Free 250 Palestinian Prisoners in Goodwill Gesture
Israel has released prisoners to bolster Abbas.
In an effort to bolster Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced Monday that Israel would release 250 Palestinian prisoners at the beginning of December, the Israeli Web site Ynet reported. Most of the prisoners – who will be forced to sign a commitment that they will not return to terrorism – belong to Abbas' Fatah faction. None belong to Hamas or Islamic Jihad. Despite the risks to its security, Israel has freed hundreds of prisoners, removed checkpoints and roadblocks and allowed the deployment of armed PA police in the West Bank, all in order to demonstrate its commitment to peace with the Palestinians. The PA must match Israel's commitment to peace by isolating Hamas, fighting terrorism and laying the groundwork for historic political compromise.
Iran and Turkey Sign New Gas Accord
Turkey will develop Iranian gas fields.
Tehran and Ankara on Monday signed an accord reinforcing previous agreements to develop Iran's gas fields, Agence France Presse reported. Under the new accord, Turkey will invest in the development of three phases of Iran's South Pars offshore gas field. An initial gas deal between the two countries, ratified in 2007, was criticized by the United States as a step in the wrong direction as the international community sought to cut business ties with Iran over its illicit nuclear program. The current deal also stands in sharp contrast to multiple U.N. Security Council sanctions resolutions and recent actions by the U.S. and its allies to isolate Iran for its continued defiance of international demands that it halt its uranium enrichment activity and end its support for
Palestinian Authority: Hamas Staging Gaza Blackouts
Hamas met by candlelight during a previously staged blackout.
Palestinian Authority (PA) officials in Ramallah accused Hamas on Tuesday of staging the latest blackouts in the Gaza Strip in a bid to win sympathy and incite the Palestinian public against Israel and the PA, The Jerusalem Post reported. "There's no shortage of fuel in the Gaza Strip and the Electricity Company is continuing to function normally," said a PA official. "Our people in the Gaza Strip have told us that the blackouts are all staged as part of the Hamas propaganda." A senior official from the Gaza Electricity Company said Hamas has been stealing fuel supplies intended for the power grid and forced the company to cut off supplies to some areas. Seventy percent Gaza's electricity comes from Israel, and despite persistent Hamas rocket fire, Israel continues to supply that energy and facilitate the transfer of humanitarian and medical supplies to Palestinian civilians in the coastal trip.
Treasury Warns Dubai over Iranian Bank Activity
Levey met with officials from the U.A.E.
U.S. officials are concerned that Iranian banks are operating freely in the Gulf financial hub of Dubai, despite U.N. sanctions prohibiting such activity, Reuters reported. U.S. Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Stuart Levey has urged leaders from the United Arab Emirates to be more vigilant in cracking down on Iranian lenders operating in their country—Bank Saderat and Bank Melli, both tied to Iran's illicit nuclear program, are of particular concern. "These banks are an issue of concern and they are deserving of scrutiny because of their track record," said Levey, who also criticized other nations, such as Russia and Qatar, who continue to cooperate financially with Iran. "We are watching. We think it is not a good time to pursue business with Iran."
IAEA Chief: Uranium Found at Syrian Site
ElBaradei pressed Syria for transparency over its nuclear work.
The head of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog said Monday his agency needs more transparency from Syria and others to determine whether traces of uranium found at a suspected nuclear site destroyed last year indicate Damascus was covertly building a reactor there, the Associated Press reported. International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei said he was hopeful that Syria would allow inspectors back into the country to carry out further tests, though Damascus has denied any secret nuclear activity, and has said it would not allow further visits to the site by U.N. inspectors under any circumstances. The U.S. administration has called Syria's nuclear program "a threat to regional peace and security" and has warned that "we cannot allow the world's most dangerous regimes to acquire the world's most dangerous weapons."
Israel to Free 250 Palestinian Prisoners in Goodwill Gesture
Israel has released prisoners to bolster Abbas.
In an effort to bolster Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced Monday that Israel would release 250 Palestinian prisoners at the beginning of December, the Israeli Web site Ynet reported. Most of the prisoners – who will be forced to sign a commitment that they will not return to terrorism – belong to Abbas' Fatah faction. None belong to Hamas or Islamic Jihad. Despite the risks to its security, Israel has freed hundreds of prisoners, removed checkpoints and roadblocks and allowed the deployment of armed PA police in the West Bank, all in order to demonstrate its commitment to peace with the Palestinians. The PA must match Israel's commitment to peace by isolating Hamas, fighting terrorism and laying the groundwork for historic political compromise.
Iran and Turkey Sign New Gas Accord
Turkey will develop Iranian gas fields.
Tehran and Ankara on Monday signed an accord reinforcing previous agreements to develop Iran's gas fields, Agence France Presse reported. Under the new accord, Turkey will invest in the development of three phases of Iran's South Pars offshore gas field. An initial gas deal between the two countries, ratified in 2007, was criticized by the United States as a step in the wrong direction as the international community sought to cut business ties with Iran over its illicit nuclear program. The current deal also stands in sharp contrast to multiple U.N. Security Council sanctions resolutions and recent actions by the U.S. and its allies to isolate Iran for its continued defiance of international demands that it halt its uranium enrichment activity and end its support for terrorism.
As America’s leading pro-Israel lobby, AIPAC is closely involved in public policy affecting the Middle East and the U.S.-Israel relationship. AIPAC provides daily updates and analysis on important legislation and policy initiatives.
Michigan Signs Water Agreement with Israel
Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) recently visited the Jewish state.
The governor of Michigan signed a water technologies partnership agreement with Israel, the Associated Press reported. Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) signed the agreement on Monday during a week-long visit to the Middle East, making Michigan the first U.S. state to establish such a venture. The agreement establishes a working group between the two governments to focus on energy efficiency and technology that will improve water quality and increase water reuse. During her visit to Israel, Granholm also met with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
U.S. Condemns Iranian Missile Test
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
The United States on Wednesday condemned Iran for test-firing a long-range surface-to-surface missile, noting that it constitutes a violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions and poses a threat to other countries, The Los Angeles Times reported. “Iran should… refrain from further missile tests if they truly seek to gain the trust of the world,” said White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe in a statement. Iran says the missile has a range of 1,200 miles, which puts Israel and parts of Europe within striking range. The U.S. has led international efforts to impose sanctions on Iran for its repeated defiance of international calls to halt its nuclear weapons program.
U.S. Sanctions Islamic Group Helping Hamas
Hamas seeks Israel's destruction.
The Treasury Department on Wednesday sanctioned an Islamic charity suspected of helping to bankroll Hamas, the terrorist group that seeks Israel’s destruction and that is responsible for murdering hundreds of Israelis and Americans, the Associated Press reported. Treasury’s action against the Union of Good freezes any bank accounts or other financial assts belonging to the group in the United States. “Terrorist groups such as Hamas continue to exploit charities to radicalize vulnerable communities and cultivate support for their violent activities,” said Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Stuart Levey. The Treasury Department further charged that “some of the funds transferred by the Union of Good have compensated Hamas terrorists by providing payments to the families of suicide bombers.”