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The United States and other members of the P5+1 were continuing marathon talks on Wednesday in the hope of reaching a framework agreement with Iran on its nuclear program.
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hosted US House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner, and during a joint press conference called on world powers to pressure Iran to agree to an agreement which defuses its capability to militarize its nuclear program.
The Times of Israel liveblogged events as they unfolded.
Israel not as ‘naive’ as US on deal with Iran
Former deputy IDF chief of staff Maj. Gen. (ret.) Yair Naveh says American policy regarding Iran stems from democratic naiveté.
Naveh says this naiveté is shown by the hope that a nuclear agreement will bring in its wake a change of perception and change of policy by the Iranian regime.
Israel, which is “well-versed in the region” and hears Iran’s declarations on its imminent destruction, cannot accept the American point of view.
Speaking on Israel Radio, Naveh also discusses the Palestinian issue. He says Israel should allow the opening of a sea port in Gaza and allow goods to flow in safely and quickly, perhaps through a neutral port like Cyprus along the route.
Naveh says the “Gaza barrel is boiling over” and the siege should be lifted while ensuring that weapons cannot be smuggled in.
Nevertheless, he added, referring again to the nuclear talks in Lausanne, Switzerland, dramatic decisions on far-reaching agreements should not be made at this time due to the instability of the region and the uncertain situation of many countries sharing borders with Israel.
Expert says Iran deal will slash oil prices
Analysts say if a deal is signed with Iran it will bring down oil prices sharply.
Initially following any deal, says deputy president Victor Shum of the IHS Energy mega oil company, the price per barrel will drop to $5. Over the long term, Shum says, the price will stabilize at $30 per barrel.
Currently the price per barrel of oil ranges between $47.3 and $55, depending on the type of oil.
IDF thwarts alien attack on April 1
The IDF’s not very credible April Fool’s joke details how the military thwarted an alien invasion recently.
A lengthy description of the proceedings was published on the IDF’s official blog.
Read the blog entry here.
Belgian company won’t insure Jewish kindergarten
A Belgian insurance company is refusing to insure a Jewish kindergarten for fear that it will be attacked by anti-Semites, Israel Radio reports. The kindergarten is part of a network of educational facilities sponsored by the European Jewish Association.
Rabbi Menachem Margolin (photo credit: courtesy European Jewish Association)
The association’s head, Rabbi Menachem Margolin, says the insurance company’s decision is “shameful” and that European countries are obligated to maintain security arrangements that will satisfy insurance companies, or initiate an alternative insurance plan that will enable institutions facing anti-Semitic threats to operate normally.
France’s Fabius says ‘not enough’ progress in Iran talks
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius says high-stake talks aimed at stopping Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb had not yet made enough progress to reach a deal.
“There has been progress, but not enough yet for… us to be able to immediately reach a conclusion,” Fabius tells iTele television after attending a weekly cabinet meeting in Paris.
“I will go back to Lausanne as soon as is necessary,” says Fabius. “We made progress, but not on all issues, I left my political director behind, I am in contact with him. My Russian and Chinese colleagues have left. My American, Iranian and two other colleagues remain.”
— AFP
IS seizes Yarmuk refugee camp in Damascus
Islamic State jihadists seize control of most of the Yarmuk Palestinian refugee camp in south Damascus on Wednesday, a local Palestinian official tells AFP.
“Fighters from IS launched an assault this morning on Yarmuk and they took over the majority of the camp,” says Anwar Abdel Hadi, director of political affairs for the Palestine Liberation Organisation in Damascus.
The camp was once a thriving neighborhood home to 150,000 Palestinian refugees and Syrians but has been caught up in the country’s fighting and besieged by regime forces for more than a year.
Only about 18,000 residents are estimated to remain in the camp after many fled the fighting.
— AFP
‘Iran agrees to gradual lifting of sanctions’
Iran agrees to a gradual lifting of sanctions, signaling a breakthrough in talks in Lausanne, Al Arabiya tweets.
BREAKING: #Iran agrees to sanctions being steadily lifted: Al Arabiya correspondent http://t.co/6iB5aplawW
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) April 1, 2015
130,000 tourists expected in Israel next week
The Tourism Ministry is expecting about 130,000 visitors to Israel over the period of Holy Week and Passover, according to a press statement by the ministry. About 20 direct flights are expected in Ovdah airport, bringing tourists from France, Russia and the UK to celebrate the Passover holidays in Eilat.
Given the ongoing effects of Operation Protective Edge on incoming tourism, as well as the economic crisis in Russia (Israel’s second largest source of incoming tourism), the ministry views these statistics as a vote of confidence in the Israeli tourist sector. According to reports received by the ministry, occupancy levels in most of the popular tourism areas will reach 80-90%, with some areas completely full.
As part of its preparations for the Easter festival, the ministry, in cooperation with the Interior Ministry and the Jerusalem Municipality, will broadcast live the Holy Fire ceremony from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (April 11) on giant screens set up in shaded areas in the church courtyard and at the Jaffa Gate for the benefit of visiting pilgrims.
Rivlin says ‘our thoughts focus on Lausanne’
President Rivlin says he is “concerned” by reports from Lausanne, Switzerland, on nuclear talks with Iran.
Speaking at a meeting with US lawmakers, the president said, “We are sitting here in Jerusalem, but our thoughts are focused on what is happening in Lausanne. There is yet to be a clear picture of what is happening there, and reports are contradictory, but we are of course greatly concerned by the possibility that Iran will achieve nuclear capabilities. A nuclear Iran is a threat not only to Israel.
“Naturally we are worried as they call from the podium of the United Nations for Israel’s end. Despite this, I have no doubt that under the leadership of the American President, members of Congress and the Senate, it is possible to stop every evil in the world.”
The president adds, “We used to say that the enemy of your enemy is your friend. But that is not the case in our region today. We must remember who is our ally, and who is our foe. Iran stills poses a threat to world security.”
President Reuven Rivlin meets with Rep. Michael Turner, leader of a delegation of US lawmakers who arrived in Israel on Wednesday, April 1, 2015. (photo credit: Mark Neyman/GPO)
Jordan temporarily closes border with Syria
Jordanian Interior Minister Hussein al-Majli says his country closed its border with Syria, in an effort to prevent violence on the Syrian side from spilling over into the kingdom.
Al Majli, according to Reuters, emphasizes the move is only temporary.
Passover greetings from UK foreign secretary
British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond sends his warmest wishes to Jewish communities ahead of the festival of Passover. In a statement issued by his office, Hammond says:
I would like to send my warmest wishes to Jewish communities both in the UK and around the world, as they prepare to celebrate the festival of Passover. Passover is a joyous occasion on which Jewish families come together to celebrate freedom.
Wishing you all a peaceful and happy holiday. Hag Pesach Sameach.
British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on July 24, 2014, at the Knesset. (photo credit: AFP PHOTO/GALI TIBBON)
Khaled Mashaal says Netanyahu ‘the most extreme leader’
This is not an April Fool’s joke. The BBC interviews exiled Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal, who extols the moderate ways of his organization and compares Israel to the Nazis.
Speaking with Jeremy Bowen, Mashaal says Prime Minister Netanyahu is “the most extreme leader, and the one who likes to shed blood the most.”
The leader of Hamas, which publicly opposes any diplomacy with Israel and rejects any possibility of peace, then goes on to describe Israel’s “extremist leadership” as responsible for “kill[ing] the peace process, the two-state solution and every opportunity for a political solution for the Palestinian cause…
“The Palestinian people are in a movement for national liberation. It is a just cause and it is certainly not terrorism… We are an active resistance with a just cause battling the occupier. We have a moderate ideology and an open mind,” he says.
You can’t ignore threats, says Boehner
US House Speaker John Boehner and Prime Minister Netanyahu hail Wednesday the “strong” ties between their nations, amid tensions between Netanyahu and the Obama administration.
Ahead of a meeting in Jerusalem, they both avoided directly addressing negotiations between world powers and Iran over Tehran’s contested nuclear program.
Arriving in Jerusalem as head of a delegation of lawmakers visiting US allies in the Middle East, Boehner said that wherever they have been, the “message is the same — you can’t continue to turn your eye away from the threats that face all of us.”
Addressing ties with Israel, Boehner said: “The bonds between the United States and Israel are as strong as ever.”
“Our two countries cooperate on many different levels. While we may have political disagreements from time to time, the bonds between our two nations are strong, and they’re going to continue to be strong.”
US House Speaker John Boehner (L) and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold a press conference at the prime minister’s office in Jerusalem on April 1, 2015. (photo credit: Debbie Hill/AFP)
Netanyahu, who urged world powers earlier Wednesday to toughen their positions in the nuclear talks, focused solely on the ties with Washington, which is leading world powers in the Iran talks.
“In this violent and unstable region, where states are imploding and fanaticism is exploding, one thing remains rock solid – our friendship, our alliance, our partnership,” he said.
“It makes both our countries stronger; it makes both our countries safer,” Netanyahu said. “And it’s the anchor for our shared hopes for peace and stability in this region.”
Boehner caused a furor earlier this year when he invited Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress on the Iran talks, without consulting the White House. In the speech, Netanyahu warned of the perils of agreeing to an imperfect deal with Iran. Obama declined to meet with him during his Washington visit.
— AFP
David’s Sling system passes another test
The David’s Sling rocket defense system against medium-range projectiles passes another successful test on Wednesday.
According to the Defense Ministry, the system will soon be operational, and may be implemented in the IDF by 2016.
It is intended to complement the Iron Dome system, which protects against mortar shells and short-range rockets.
Former MI chief says Iran already a nuclear breakout state
Amos Yadlin, former head of the National Security Institute and a former chief of military intelligence, says one of the problematic aspects of the Lausanne nuclear talks is that “it was never defined what is a bad agreement… what is an agreement that [US President Barack] Obama and [Secretary of State John] Kerry would prefer not to have signed?”
Former military intelligence chief Amos Yadlin in Jerusalem, February 22, 2015. (photo credit: Hadas Parush/Flash90)
“Even Netanyahu, who softened his position, calls on world powers to sign a ‘better deal’ but he never defined what is a good deal,” Yadlin says.
Speaking to Channel 2, Yadlin says there are four issues by which to examine any future agreement:
1) How much will a deal roll back the Iranian nuclear program? The US claims a full year, but Yadlin says experts – even non- Israeli ones – believe this is an exaggeration.
2) The level of monitoring: According to Yadlin inspectors will have to watch Iran very, very closely to make sure the Islamic Republic sticks by the deal.
3) What progress is Iran allowed to make until the ‘sunset clause’ goes into effect, i.e., the deal expires.
4) How quickly sanctions are lifted and how quickly will they be reinstated in case Iran violates a deal.
Yadlin said that Iran is and already has been a nuclear breakout state for several years. In this sense only, he said, every deal that rolls its capabilities back to any extent is an improvement.
Attacker killed in clash at Istanbul police headquarters
One assailant was killed when Turkish security forces opened fire on two armed individuals who sought to attack the police headquarters in Istanbul, reports say.
An accomplice escaped in the clash, which came a day after a top prosecutor was killed in a hostage drama, the Dogan news agency reported.
Two police were wounded, it added. There were reports that that dead attacker was carrying a bomb but this was not immediately confirmed.
Istanbul is on a high security alert since the hostage-taking, claimed by leftist militants, resulted in the death of prosecutor Mehmet Selim Kiraz.
— AFP
Iraq declares victory over IS group in Tikrit
Iraq declared a “magnificent victory” Wednesday over the Islamic State group in Tikrit, a key step in driving the militants out of their biggest strongholds.
Iraqi Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi made the pronouncement, saying security forces have “accomplished their mission” in the monthlong offensive to rid Saddam Hussein’s hometown and the broader Salahuddin province of the terror group.
“We have the pleasure, with all our pride, to announce the good news of a magnificent victory,” Obeidi said in a video statement. “Here we come to you, Anbar! Here we come to you, Nineveh, and we say it with full resolution, confidence, and persistence,” naming other provinces under the sway of the extremists.
Extremists from the Islamic State group seized Tikrit last summer during its advance across northern and western Iraq. The battle for Tikrit is seen as a key step toward eventually driving the militants out of Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city and the provincial capital of Nineveh.
— AP
Palestinian finance minister resigns
Muhammad Mustafa, the Palestinian Finance Minister, resigns in light of mounting criticism of the slow pace of rebuilding the Gaza Strip following Operation Protective Edge, Israel Radio reports.
Apart from his job as finance minister Mustafa is also deputy prime minister of the unity government with Hamas and was head of the committee responsible for rebuilding the Strip.
Before resigning, Mustafa, who has been the target of criticism for several months now, shifted blame toward countries that promised to send the Palestinians money or other assistance to rebuild Gaza, but have not done so.
UN envoy to Yemen says country may ‘collapse’
Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein, the UN’s Human Rights commissioner, warns that Yemen is facing “total collapse” in light of the fighting between Houthi rebels and Arab coalition forces.
The UN says at least 93 civilians were killed in Yemen since Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other Arab Gulf countries invaded the country in order to fight Shiite Houthi rebels who enjoy Iranian support.
Al Hussein says the situation in Yemen is “very worrying” and adds it is “inconceivable” that there are so many civilians among the dead.
Ya’alon slams Turkey for assisting Hamas
Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon speak to press at the IDF headquarters in Judea and Samaria, March 10, 2015. (photo credit: Ohad Zwigenberg/POOL)
Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon says “it is an amazing and inconceivable phenomenon: a member of NATO allows an unscrupulous terror organization, Hamas, operate from its territory in Istanbul.”
Ya’alon is referring to the fact that Turkey allowed Hamas’s exiled leadership establish its home base in Turkey after leaving Damascus because of the Syrian civil war.
US says Iran talks ‘productive,’ progress made
The White House says the Iran nuclear talks are “productive” and “progress is being made.”
More details will follow.
— AFP
US may ‘walk away from talks’ – White House spokesperson
The Huffington Post’s White House reporter tweets that Spokesman Josh Earnest says the US sees progress in nuclear talks but may ‘walk away’ if Iran shows no tangible commitment.
Earnest says Iran talks are "productive" but no tangible commitments from Iran. U.S. and intl community "prepared to walk away" if no deal.
— jennifer bendery (@jbendery) April 1, 2015
Istanbul police kill woman carrying bomb near police HQ
In a second evening of violence in Istanbul, police killed a woman Wednesday carrying a bomb near the city’s main police headquarters, an official said.
Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin also said that a second person escaped and that a policeman was slightly injured. It wasn’t immediately clear who was behind the attack.
The incident follows a deadly hostage situation on Tuesday, when a prosecutor and two gunmen holding him at an Istanbul courthouse were killed in a shootout between police and the assailants.
Following services for the slain prosecutor, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu pledged to track down accomplices, saying the two gunmen were making phone calls abroad during the six-hour standoff.
Authorities believe the two assailants belonged to a banned left-wing group, DHKP-C.
— AP
MK Michael Oren comes full circle
Newly elected MK Michael Oren (Kulanu) posts on Facebook a remarkable story of his first meeting with Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein.
This is well worth reading!
Kahlon ‘a tough negotiator,’ say Likud sources
Kulanu’s Moshe Kahlon is a very tough negotiator, Likud officials quoted by Channel 2 say.
His demands during coalition talks conducted between Likud and Kulanu today include – naturally – the Finance Ministry, but also the Housing Ministry and the Environmental Protection Ministry.
Former Israeli ambassador to the US and new MK Michael Oren (right) with Kulanu party leader Moshe Kahlon. (Photo by Ben Kelmer/Flash90)
Control of all three ministries will indeed enable Kahlon to enact comprehensive reforms in the housing sector without being delayed by inter-ministerial politicking.
Likud officials did not rule out whether Kahlon will get all three portfolios, but an anonymous source concedes that “we know now he is not like [former finance minister Yair] Lapid, where you can throw him to the Finance Ministry with nothing else and watch him fail.”
Kerry, Zarif meet in Iran nuclear talks
US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif on Wednesday went into bilateral talks after a midnight deadline was missed to agree the outlines of a nuclear deal, a US official says.
The meeting comes on the seventh straight day of talks in Switzerland between Iran and six world powers aimed at laying the groundwork for a potentially historic deal curtailing Iran’s nuclear program.
According to Israeli journalists tweeting from Lausanne, the Kerry-Zarif one-on-one lasts only 10 minutes.
— AFP contributed to this report.
Zarif says world should ‘seize moment’ for Iran deal
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif says the time has come for global powers ‘to seize the moment’ and sign a deal with Iran on its nuclear program.
— AFP
