Sources to Asharq Al-Awsat: Israel Expands Scope of Attacks in Syria  

JPOST

Twenty one people were killed, including nine Iranians, in Thursday night’s attack on the Dabaa military airport in central Syria, Sky News reported on Saturday.

The strike was reportedly aimed at Hezbollah members and militias supporting the Assad regime.

According to reports, six strong explosions, allegedly caused by missile strikes, were heard in the Homs region, near the Lebanese border. Syrian air-defense systems reportedly attempted to intercept the missiles.

Asharq Al-Awsat Saturday, 26 May, 2018

Western diplomatic sources told Asharq Al-Awsat on Friday that Tel Aviv (They won’t say Jerusalem) has informed Moscow about its decision to “expand the scope of its red lines” in Syria by preventing Iran from consolidation its military presence and that of its militias, including “Hezbollah,” across all Syrian territories, and not just in the south.
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May 27, 2018 | 7:14 am | Comments »

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Kurds in Iraq adrift after Iraqi elections  

Kurdish politics has been in disarray since the independence referendum last September.

By Seth Frantzman, JPOST

Kurds in Iraq adrift after Iraqi election
At a meeting of Kurdistan Democratic Party officials on Saturday in Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdistan region in Iraq, the party sought Kurdish unity in negotiations with Baghdad.

Two weeks after the May 12 election, the Kurdish parties, of which the KDP is the largest, are trying to determine how they can continue to play a central role in the coalition building that must take place for a new government to be formed.

But Kurdish politics has been in disarray since the independence referendum last September, and critics say the current discussions with Baghdad look more like begging for a role than playing the kingmaker as Kurds once did.
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May 27, 2018 | 6:35 am | Comments »

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The Pox of Multiculturalism  

By Bruce Walker, AMERICAN THINKER

What the left calls “multiculturalism” is actually the systematic destruction of cultures and the replacement of these cultures by a synthetic, artificial, and meaningless global culture.  When the left talks about “diversity,” it really means the crushing of differences in thought, values, and art into a sort of baby food which neither nourishes the soul or elevates the mind.

This is because cultural differences are based on geography and exist in nations and regions rather than in the nonsensical “global” community.  Indeed, there are cultural differences within most nations of any size that reflect the differences within parts of a nation.

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May 27, 2018 | 6:09 am | 1 Comment »

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Multiculturalism = Ethnocide  

LONG OVERDUE CONVERSATION – FASCINATING.

We should also question whether diversity is our strength, as we are constantly told or in fact our weakness. To me, unity is our strength. I think we are stronger if we are unified.

What is the point of undermining a successful culture, one that produces peace and prosperity with an unsucessful one. Why should not all Canadians be expected to assimilate into the successful dominant culture. I believe in the melting pot.

But this riles the leftists who favour equality of outcome rather than a meritocracy.

Immigrants come to succesful countries because they want a better life, so why undermine the culture which produced it.

May 26, 2018 | 6:57 pm | Comments »

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US threatens “firm action” for a Russian-led Assad-Hizballah offensive against Daraa  

DEBKA

The Trump administration delivered an unmistakable military warning to Moscow and the Assad regime on Saturday, May 26, to hold off from their big offensive to capture the southeastern Daraa region. The US would respond to such “ceasefire violations” with “firm and appropriate measures,” the State Department said, after Assad government leaflets were dropped on Deraa urging US- and Jordanian-trained and armed rebel fighters to disarm. Washington saw the leaflets to mean that Assad and Hizballah forces were ready to launch their offensive, after gaining a promise of Russian air and other support. US intelligence informants had also reported the arrival of Russian officers and mercenaries to take the lead of the Syrian-Hizballah operation.
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May 26, 2018 | 9:33 am | Comments »

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In French poll, majority say Zionism is a Jewish conspiracy  

The poll also revealed widespread hostility toward and ignorance about Israel.

JTA

In French poll, majority say Zionism is a Jewish conspiracy

Zionism is a Jewish conspiracy meant to manipulate Western societies to benefit Jews.

That’s the belief of a majority of 1,007 French respondents to a poll about the Jewish nationalist movement.

Some 53 percent of the respondents to the survey conducted this year by the Ifop polling company agreed with the statement that “Zionism is an international organization that seeks to influence the world and societies to the Jews’ benefit,” the Union of Jewish Students in France, or UEJF, said in a report this week about the poll that it commissioned Ifop to perform.
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May 26, 2018 | 9:05 am | 1 Comment »

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Pompeo promises appointment of special envoy to monitor antisemitism  

JNS BRIEF

(May 24, 2018 / JNS) At a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo promised that he would work towards an appointment of a Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism.

During testimony in front of the House committee, Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.H.), a senior member of the committee, had asked the Pompeo to act on the appointment of the vacant Special Envoy position. “And in 2004, I authored the Anti-Semitism Special Envoy. That, too, has not been filled,” Smith said to Pompeo of the vacancy. “And I know that you care deeply about combating the scourge of anti-Semitism, which is rising all over the globe. Please move on that as well.”

“You have my word,” Pompeo told Smith in response.
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May 26, 2018 | 8:39 am | Comments »

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End European subversion  

T. Belman. Inline with these EU goals, French President speaks out against the relocation of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, calls for two-state solution.

EU unity on the Palestinian cause is being fractured as EU countries consider moving their embassey too. Not only is Trump’s decision to move the embassey important in and of itself, his rational “only recognizing reality” and Pence’s pronoucement that policy is based on “facts not fantasy” totally undercuts the false Palestinian narrative”

By Eldad Beck, JNS

 For years now, the European Union has been funding activities that are detrimental to Israel’s interests and that cast doubt on its right to exist. The apparent paradox between the E.U.’s commitment to Israel’s existence, security and welfare with its actual policies, which include the generous funding of the most virulent opponents of Israel’s existence both within and outside Israel, is due to the compromising and pacifist policies of past Israeli governments. Those governments shut their eyes to the notoriously subversive activity of the E.U., which undermines the foundation of Israel’s existence.
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May 26, 2018 | 8:35 am | Comments »

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Michael Doran Offers “Two-Speed Strategy” to Counter Iran  

T. Belman. Doran describes American policy under Pompeo vis a vis Iran as one of aggressive containment. He argues, it not so easy to do and recommends continency plans to respond to each counter measure by Iran. I am in total disagreement.

The goal of American policy should be regime change. Just as Trump shows he means business with N. Korea, he should adopt the same threatening stance against Iran. Iran must understand that either she commits suicide i.e., change her spots so that she no longer who she was, or regime change.

If Iran doesn’t accept American dictat, the US should bomb its air defenses in Iran and its nuclear installations. She should also decimate the IRGC. At the same time she should be financing and arming the minorities in northern Iran which comprise 50% of the population. This could be done via the Kurds who are on both sides of the Iran border.

By Michael Doran, HERITAGE

On May 22, Michael Doran testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs’ Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa in a hearing titled “Lebanon and Iraq: After the Elections.” Following is the full text of Mr. Doran’s testimony:

Toward a Two-Speed Strategy

Chairman Ros-Lehtinen, Ranking Member Deutch, members of the subcommittee, it is a privilege to speak to you today. I thank you for the opportunity to testify on the implications of the elections in Iraq and Lebanon. In both countries, the results represent a setback for the United States. In Lebanon, they have obviously strengthened the hand of Hezbollah and Iran. In Iraq, opinion is divided about the extent to which Muqtada al-Sadr’s rise represents a similar victory for Tehran. Even if the final results turn out to be less damaging than the pessimists now predict, there is little doubt that they will complicate American efforts to contain Iran.
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May 25, 2018 | 1:33 pm | Comments »

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COLUMN ONE: Heeding democratic warnings  

Israel must support its supporters and oppose its opponents, without regard to their political affiliation.

BY Caroline B Glick, JPOST

US embassy Jerusalem
The ceremony celebrating the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem. (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)

Every day Israel is subjected to a torrent of warnings from Democrats.

“You will pay a price for your support of President Donald Trump,” we are told.

“He won’t be president forever, and when he’s gone, watch out!” The basic notion, repeated over and over again is clear enough. If Israel doesn’t want to be punished by the next Democratic White House – which we are warned will make us long for Barack Obama – then we’d better stop talking about the fact that Trump is the best ally and friend Israel has ever had in the White House.
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May 25, 2018 | 12:36 pm | 2 Comments »

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Report: Egypt and Qatar proposing truce between Israel and Hamas  

The truce proposals come after weeks of clashes between Israel and Palestinians on the Gaza border.

BY MAARIV ONLINE

Report: Egypt, Qatar proposing truce between Israel and Hamas

Are Israel and Hamas moving toward a truce that will resolve the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip?

According to a report by Channel 10 broadcast on Wednesday, there are currently two proposals on the table – from Egypt and Qatar.

Israel has reportedly demanded a complete cessation of rocket fire and tunnel building, in addition to respecting the security perimeter at the Gaza border and a solution regarding the missing Israelis held in Gaza.
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May 25, 2018 | 12:23 pm | Comments »

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The rise of the Islamocrats  

Democrats have no problem trampling the Constitution for the sake of Muslim support.

By Amil Imani

Muslims are embraced by the left as a natural ally, as illegal aliens and blacks have been for decades.  More than 90 Muslims, nearly all of them Democrats, are running for public office across the country this year.  Many are young and politically inexperienced, and most are long shots.

According to the Pew report, fully two thirds of U.S. Muslims identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party (66%).  Far fewer say they are Republican or lean Republican (13%), while one in five say they prefer another party or are politically independent and do not lean toward either major party.  Muslim Americans’ partisan composition is little changed over the last decade, and they remain much more strongly Democratic than the public as a whole.
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May 25, 2018 | 10:38 am | 1 Comment »

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Israel’s proportionate response  

The words “proportionate” and “disproportionate” are not literary terms. They do not mean “equal” or “nearly equal.”

By Micah Halpern, JPOST

IDF soldiers stationed near the Gaza border on May 15th, 2018.

IDF soldiers stationed near the Gaza border on May 15th, 2018.. (photo credit: AMIR COHEN/REUTERS)

Two words: disproportionate response.

This is the term being hurled at Israel by her detractors when describing Israel’s response to the attacks against Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip.  To state the obvious: Gaza is controlled by Hamas; Gaza is not Israel.

The now infamous fence, the boundary that separates Israel and the Gaza Strip, is known in military jargon and international diplomacy as a “hot border.”
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May 25, 2018 | 4:53 am | 1 Comment »

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INTO THE FRAY: Inane …Again! Tom Friedman on Gaza  

By Martin Sherman, IISS

Tom Friedman’s last piece on Gaza is a “masterful” blend of personal bile & bias, liberally laced with logical inconsistencies, factual inaccuracies and even blatant non-sequiturs

What if all two million Palestinians of Gaza marched to the Israeli border fence with an olive branch in one hand and a sign in Hebrew and Arabic in the other, saying, “Two states for two peoples: We, the Palestinian people of Gaza, want to sign a peace treaty with the Jewish people — a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, with mutually agreed adjustments. – Thomas L. Friedman, Hamas, Netanyahu and Mother Nature, New York Times, May 22, 2018.

…the American conduct of the peace process bears an unhappy resemblance to the custom of treating diseases by placing leeches on the body of the afflicted person: It was based on an inadequate understanding of the pathology it attempted to cure, it did not solve the problem it was intended to fix, and it sometimes made it substantially worse. – Michael Mandelbaum, The Peace Process Is an Obstacle to Peace, Commentary, April 14, 2016.
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May 24, 2018 | 7:34 pm | 19 Comments »

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Rare Jewish minted coins found in Temple Mount debris  

By Ted Belman

Temple Mount coins

Remember how horrified we all were when the Wakf, without permission, excavated earth from the Temple Mount which had lay undisturned since the destruction of the Second Temple.

Did you know, Rare and Ancient Coins were Found on Temple Mount.

Millennia-old and exceptionally rare coins from among the first-ever minted by Jews were discovered on the Temple Mount, evidence of the Jewish people’s deep ties to the hallowed site.

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May 24, 2018 | 12:47 pm | 1 Comment »

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There are none so blind as those who will not see  

By Ted Belman

We understand that Islam and the West Are Incompatible,

The problem for the West is that Muslims view sharia law as the word of Allah, an absolute and uncompromising truth that can never be modified. What makes the problem intractable is that Muslims accept the superiority of sharia law based on its foundation in faith rather than reason. Not only do Muslims believe that law must come from Allah, but they reject out of hand the possibility that the existing laws of sharia can evolve as societal conditions change or that any new legal principle can be entertained if it relies on mere reason.

There is, in short, an unbridgeable gulf between Islam and the West, a difference founded in principles and therefore a difference that brooks no compromise. Islam and the West are irreconcilable.

Unfortunately, many do not hold such views and in fact find such views as abhorent.
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May 24, 2018 | 12:25 pm | 1 Comment »

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Ramadan and violence go hand in hand  

By  Mateenelass

Image result for iftar

In this Muslim season of Ramadan, one of the social myths promulgated by former President Obama and gladly trumpeted by the mainstream media as fact is that the White House has had a long tradition of celebrating iftar (a meal that breaks the Ramadan fast at the end of each day of that lunar month) with Muslim guests.How long does that tradition reach back? All the way to the presidency of Thomas Jefferson in 1805! So goes the myth. Even the New York Times has carried water for this fairytale in an attempt to show how tolerant or even approving our founding fathers and most presidents since then have been toward Islam.
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May 24, 2018 | 11:15 am | 2 Comments »

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Israelis Don’t Think Netanyahu’s Government Should Listen to U.S. Jews, Survey Shows  

Israeli Jews back Netanyahu’s snubbing of Jewish-American views on conflict with Palestinians, religious pluralism. But support from U.S. Jews still seen as essential

By Debra Nussbaum Cohen, HAARETZ

American Jews taking part in a protest outside of the Trump International Hotel in Washington, against the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem, May 14, 2018.
American Jews taking part in a protest outside of the Trump International Hotel in Washington, against the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem, May 14, 2018.
American Jews taking part in a protest outside of the Trump International Hotel in Washington, against the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem, May 14, 2018.AFP PHOTO / Mandel NGAN

NEW YORK – Many American Jews feel the current Israeli government has repeatedly snubbed their views or taken actions that broaden the divide between the two communities. Now, a new study of Israeli Jews’ attitudes toward their American peers shows that the decisions by Israel’s political leaders have broad backing at home.
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May 24, 2018 | 9:51 am | Comments »

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