The Day In Israel: Thursday Jan 14th, 2010
Turkey officially accepted Israel’s apology for “Undiplomatigate” – made possible thanks to a request by Israeli President Shimon Peres – with sources in the Turkish Foreign Ministry reportedly saying
“Sometimes, nations have their differences, but we cannot abide such humiliation. Only kings would place commoners on lower chairs. You’re lucky you have Peres, the wise man of the Middle East.”
Lucky Peres is also a commoner.
.
Meanwhile, Club Med Gaza, anyone?
Updates (Israel time; most recent at top)
11:26PM: Jordanian security forces have apprehended a taxi driver suspected of planting the explosive device detonated near an Israeli diplomatic convoy earlier today (see 6:45PM update).
10:28PM: Yesterday, I posted about former supermodel Kathy Ireland, who is a big supporter of Israel.
Unfortunately, Israel’s own supermodel Bar Refaeli could learn a thing or two from her.
The Israel Defense Forces human resources chief Maj. Gen. Avi Zamir yesterday called for a boycott of products advertised by Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli.
Speaking at a lecture at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, Zamir was asked why the army did not act against Refaeli, who married under false pretenses so she could evade military service. Zamir said that, according to law, he could not act against Refaeli. “She went and married a 37-year-old guy, so what can I do?” he said.
Here’s more on her shameful conduct.
It all started a while back, when top model Bar Refaeli said she had no intention of bringing more of her famous friends to Israel, and announced she was entertaining the idea of relocating to Los Angeles.
Well, now it’s final. In an interview for a special holiday magazine in Yedioth Ahronoth, Refaeli declared that she was moving to the city of angels.
“It’s easier with the paparazzi in Los Angeles, because they give you more space and don’t push you or touch you. I believe I will never only live in Israel, so Los Angeles will be home at least for the next few years,” Refaeli said.
In her interview, the Israeli model said she was not against army service, even though she never enlisted, having married an acquaintance to evade the draft. The couple was soon divorced.
“I really wanted to serve in the IDF, but I don’t regret not enlisting, because it paid off big time,” she said. “That’s just the way it is, celebrities have other needs. I hope my case has influenced the army.
“Israel or Uganda, what difference does it make? It makes no difference to me. Why is it good to die for our country? What, isn’t it better to live in New York? Why should 18-year-old kids have to die? It’s dumb that people have to die so that I can live in Israel,” Refaeli added.
Luckily, fellow Israeli supermodel Esti Ginzburg is made of better stuff (hat tip: Solomonia)
8:08PM: The IDF has posted photos like the below of the IDF Aid delegation to Haiti preparing for their journey.
You can see more of the photos here and here.
6:45PM: TERROR ATTACK: A roadside bomb exploded near a car carrying three Israeli diplomats in Jordan almost two hours ago.
There are no reports of casualties in the attack.
6:30PM: You know how everyone has at least one person in their family they wish wasn’t? Well…
5:22PM: Photo of the day:
Palestinian Hamas police women participate a rally to mark the anniversary of the Israeli offensive in Gaza in-front of the U.N. headquarters in Gaza City, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)
Wow, Hamas police women. The women have really..err.. come a long way.
5:12PM: Here is some more information on Israel’s Haiti aid delegation:
- Announcement and details on the delegation preparations
- Head of IDF Medical Corps discussing plans for Haiti aid delegation
- IDF website article on the delegation
3:36PM: A high-level delegation of Roman Catholic bishops from North America and Europe has criticized Israeli polices in east Jerusalem , saying Israel’s policies also endanger the dwindling Christian presence in the Holy Land.
Yet nothing about the persecution of palestinian Christians at the hands of their Muslim brethren.
I suggest the bishops do more reading. They could start with the Bible.
3:15PM: Palestinians have injured a one-year-old girl and her mother after pelting their car with rocks in the southern Hebron Hills.
3:12PM: ASI* has prepared a 220-member rescue team for departure to Haiti, including an elite army corps engineers and a field hospital to assist the casualties. The military has also leased two Boeing 747s to transport the team and equipment
*Apartheid State of Israel
6:06AM: Two Israelis considered missing in Haiti were located later yesterday, revising the total of unaccounted Israelis in Haiti to six.
Meanwhile, in addition to the State of Israel, Jewish organizations around the world are mobilizing to do their part to help.
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