Israel News
print
December 4, 2008
Israel Turns Back Gaza-bound Libyan Ship
Jerusalem
JTA Wire Service
A Libyan ship attempting to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza was turned back without incident.
The ship, carrying an estimated 3,000 tons of food, medicine and other humanitarian aid, instead docked Monday at an Egyptian port. An Israeli navy boat approached the ship near the Gaza coast, the Israeli Foreign Ministry told reporters.
Monday’s attempt marked the first time a sovereign nation has attempted to break the blockade. Libya and Israel do not have diplomatic relations.
Three boatloads of activists have been allowed to land in Gaza since the summer despite the blockade of the strip controlled by the terror group Hamas.
E.U. Mideast Document Worries Israel
An internal European Union document outlining strategy for Middle East peace negotiations has worried Israeli officials, according to reports.
The plan would pressure Israel to reopen Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem and make Jerusalem the capital of the Jewish and a Palestinian state, the Israeli daily Ha’aretz reported Monday. It also would require that large portions of the West Bank, not just major population centers, be relinquished to the Palestinians before a final agreement is signed.
The strategy was authored by the French foreign minister, who is currently the president of the European Union’s rotating presidency. It is scheduled to be discussed next week at a meeting of E.U. foreign ministers.
Rabbis: Israel Should Secure Chabad Houses
An advisory group to the Israeli Chief Rabbinate called on the Israeli government to provide security to Chabad houses worldwide.
In the wake of the terrorist attack on the Chabad center in Mumbai, the Chief Rabbinate’s Council adopted a resolution Monday asking Jerusalem to finance security for the 3,000 Chabad houses around the world, saying they act as embassies and take care of thousands of Israeli travelers.
The council was meeting for the first time since it was elected last month.
Meanwhile, Israeli security officials told the Jerusalem Post Monday that they plan to recommend that Chabad move its operations in Asian countries to secured buildings instead of free-standing buildings.
This story reprinted courtesy of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.