Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday he was discussing with India ways to strengthen security cooperation against the menace of Islamist extremism that both democracies faced.

Netanyahu spoke while on a six-day tour of India, the first by an Israeli premier for 15 years, and is being feted by Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, whose Hindu nationalist party has long admired Israel for its tough posture against terrorism.

India, wary of upsetting Arab nations on which it was dependent for oil, and heeding the sentiments of its own large Muslim minority, kept a distance from Israel for decades. But under Modi, the two sides have embraced a closer relationship based on security and economics.

The right-wing Netanyahu told a security conference that India and Israel were two democracies with a natural affinity, but their open and liberal societies faced risks.

&quot;Our way of life is being challenged, most notably, the quest for modernity, the quest for innovation (are) being challenged by radical Islam and its terrorist offshoots from a variety of corners,&quot; he said.

Both Israel and India have long sought to counter militant Islamists - in Israel&#39;s case, mainly from Gaza and Egypt&#39;s Sinai region and, in India&#39;s case, mainly from Pakistan. Away from the public eye, India and Israel have been cooperating against the threat through, in part, intelligence sharing, officials say.&nbsp;

&quot;We&#39;ve discussed in this visit how we can strengthen our two nations in the civilian areas, in security areas, in every area,&quot; Netanyahu told the conference.

His trip to India comes just six months after Modi made the first trip by an Indian prime minister to Israel, during which he did not go to Ramallah, seat of the self-ruling Palestinian Authority and a customary stop for leaders visiting the region.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/watch-israeli-pm-netanyahu-visits-taj-mahal-during-visit-to-india-7813">Netanyahu toured the Taj Mahal on Tuesday</a> and will also visit Modi&#39;s home state of Gujarat and India&#39;s financial capital Mumbai.&nbsp;

He will join an 11-year-old Israeli boy, Moshe Holtzberg, whose parents were murdered by Pakistan-based militants in Mumbai in 2008, for a memorial event at

Mumbai&#39;s Jewish centre where the attack took place.&nbsp;

The boy, who lives with his grandparents in Israel, arrived on Tuesday as a guest of Modi.

Netanyahu told a security conference that India and Israel were two democracies with a natural affinity for each other

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday he was discussing with India ways to strengthen security cooperation against the menace of Islamist extremism that both democracies faced. Netanyahu spoke while on a six-day tour of India, the first by an Israeli premier for 15 years, and is being feted by Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, whose Hindu nationalist party has long admired Israel for its tough posture against terrorism. India, wary of upsetting Arab nations on which it was dependent for oil, and heeding the sentiments of its own large Muslim minority, kept a distance from Israel for decades. But under Modi, the two sides have embraced a closer relationship based on security and economics. The right-wing Netanyahu told a security conference that India and Israel were two democracies with a natural affinity, but their open and liberal societies faced risks. "Our way of life is being challenged, most notably, the quest for modernity, the quest for innovation (are) being challenged by radical Islam and its terrorist offshoots from a variety of corners," he said. Both Israel and India have long sought to counter militant Islamists - in Israel's case, mainly from Gaza and Egypt's Sinai region and, in India's case, mainly from Pakistan. Away from the public eye, India and Israel have been cooperating against the threat through, in part, intelligence sharing, officials say. "We've discussed in this visit how we can strengthen our two nations in the civilian areas, in security areas, in every area," Netanyahu told the conference. His trip to India comes just six months after Modi made the first trip by an Indian prime minister to Israel, during which he did not go to Ramallah, seat of the self-ruling Palestinian Authority and a customary stop for leaders visiting the region. Netanyahu toured the Taj Mahal on Tuesday and will also visit Modi's home state of Gujarat and India's financial capital Mumbai. He will join an 11-year-old Israeli boy, Moshe Holtzberg, whose parents were murdered by Pakistan-based militants in Mumbai in 2008, for a memorial event at Mumbai's Jewish centre where the attack took place. The boy, who lives with his grandparents in Israel, arrived on Tuesday as a guest of Modi.

India, Israel both face threat from radical Islam, says Netanyahu

Your Excellency Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, members of the media,&nbsp;

It is a great pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on his first ever visit to India.&nbsp;

(My good friend, Welcome to India!)

Your visit, Prime Minister, is a long-anticipated moment in the journey of friendship between India and Israel.&nbsp;

Your visit is also a fitting climax to the comemoration of 25 years of diplomatic relations between India and Israel.&nbsp;

As our first honoured guest in 2018, your visit marks a special beginning to our New Year calendar. It comes at an especially auspicious time as people all over India are rejoicing the arrival of spring, renewal, hope and harvest. The festivals of Lohri, Bihu, MakarSankranti, and Pongal celebrate the splendour of India&rsquo;s diversity and unity.&nbsp;

Friends,&nbsp;

Last year in July, I carried the greetings and friendship of 1.25 billion Indians during my momentous journey to Israel. In return, I was overwhelmed by the generous affection and warmth of the Israeli people, led by my friend, Bibi.&nbsp;

In that visit, Prime Minister Netanyahu and I promised each other and our people to build a strategic partnership: of hope and trust and progress of diverse and cutting-edge cooperation, and of joint endeavours and shared successes Such a promise flows as much from the natural affinity and friendship that have linked us for centuries as it does from the compelling win-win case for engagement in almost all spheres .&nbsp;

And it is a measure of our shared ambition and commitment that six short months after that visit; your extraordinary visit is taking place to India.&nbsp;

Today and yesterday, Prime Minister Netanyahu and I reviewed the progress in our relations and renewed our conversation on the possibilities and the opportunities that beckon us and need to be seized.&nbsp;

Our discussions were wide-ranging and intensive. They were marked by the desire to do more. Prime Minister, I have a reputation of being impatient in getting results.&nbsp;

If I may let out an open secret, I know that so are you.&nbsp;

Last year in Tel Aviv, you had expressed the intent to cut down bureaucratic red tape with a machete and forge ahead with speed.&nbsp;

Prime Minister, I am happy to tell you that in India, we are well on our way to doing just that. We have imparted our shared impatience to the implemntation of our earlier decisions.&nbsp;

The results are already visible on the ground. Our discussions today were marked by convergence to accelerate our engagement and to scale up our partnership.&nbsp;

We will pursue this in three ways:&nbsp;

First, we will strengthen the existing pillars of cooperation in areas that touch the lives of our peoples. These are agriculture, science and technology, and security.

We exchanged views on scaling up the Centers of Excellence that have been a main-stay of agricultural cooperation by bringing in advanced Israeli practices and technology.&nbsp;

In defence, I have invited Israeli companies to take advantage of the liberalized FDI regime to make more in India with our companies.&nbsp;

Second,&nbsp;

we are venturing into less explored areas of cooperation, such as oil &amp; gas, cyber security, films, and start-ups. You will find this reflected in the agreements that were just exchanged. Several of these areas are indicative of our desire to diversify and broad-base engagement. 
And third,&nbsp;

we are committed to facilitating the flow of people and ideas between our geographies. It requires policy facilitation, infrastructure and connectivity links and fostering constituencies of support beyond Government.&nbsp;

We are working with Israel to make it easier for our people to work and visit each other&rsquo;s countries, including for longer work durations To bring people closer on both sides, an Indian Cultural Center will soon open in Israel.&nbsp;

We have also decided to start an annual exchange of bilateral visits by 100 young people from science-related educational streams. 
Friends,

Thriving two-way trade and investment is an integral part of our vision for a strong partnership. Prime Minister Netanyahu and I agreed on the need to do more in this direction. After the meeting in Tel Aviv last year, we will interact for the second time with our CEOs under the bilateral Forum.&nbsp;

I welcome the large business component that Prime Minister Netanyahu has brought along with him. Prime Minister Netanyahu and I also exchanged perspectives on the regional and global situation.&nbsp;

We reviewed our cooperation as a factor for stability and peace in our regions and the world.&nbsp;

Friends,

Yesterday, as his first stop after touching Indian soil, Prime Minister Netanyahu joined me at the re-named Teen Murti Haifa Chowk to pay homage to the memory of the brave Indian soldiers who laid down their lives a century ago in the Battle of Haifa in Israel.&nbsp;

We are both countries that have never forgotten our history and our heroes. And we deeply appreciate this gesture by Prime Minister Netanyahu.&nbsp;

As we look to the future of this exciting partnership with Israel, I am filled with hope and optimism. In Prime Minister Netanyahu, I have a counter-part who is equally committed to taking the India-Israel relationship to soaring new heights.&nbsp;

Finally, I am delighted to have the chance to be with you, Prime Minister , in my home state, Gujarat, day after.&nbsp;

There, we will have another opportunity to see the fulfillment of the promise, which our mutual cooperation holds in diverse areas such as agriculture, technology, and innovation.&nbsp;

I wish Prime Minister Netanyahu, Mrs. Netanyahu and the delegation a memorable stay in India.&nbsp;

Thank you very much. Toda Rabah!

'Your visit, Prime Minister, is a long-anticipated moment in the journey of friendship between India and Israel,' Modi said

Your Excellency Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, members of the media, It is a great pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on his first ever visit to India. (My good friend, Welcome to India!) Your visit, Prime Minister, is a long-anticipated moment in the journey of friendship between India and Israel. Your visit is also a fitting climax to the comemoration of 25 years of diplomatic relations between India and Israel. As our first honoured guest in 2018, your visit marks a special beginning to our New Year calendar. It comes at an especially auspicious time as people all over India are rejoicing the arrival of spring, renewal, hope and harvest. The festivals of Lohri, Bihu, MakarSankranti, and Pongal celebrate the splendour of India’s diversity and unity. Friends, Last year in July, I carried the greetings and friendship of 1.25 billion Indians during my momentous journey to Israel. In return, I was overwhelmed by the generous affection and warmth of the Israeli people, led by my friend, Bibi. In that visit, Prime Minister Netanyahu and I promised each other and our people to build a strategic partnership: of hope and trust and progress of diverse and cutting-edge cooperation, and of joint endeavours and shared successes Such a promise flows as much from the natural affinity and friendship that have linked us for centuries as it does from the compelling win-win case for engagement in almost all spheres . And it is a measure of our shared ambition and commitment that six short months after that visit; your extraordinary visit is taking place to India. Today and yesterday, Prime Minister Netanyahu and I reviewed the progress in our relations and renewed our conversation on the possibilities and the opportunities that beckon us and need to be seized. Our discussions were wide-ranging and intensive. They were marked by the desire to do more. Prime Minister, I have a reputation of being impatient in getting results. If I may let out an open secret, I know that so are you. Last year in Tel Aviv, you had expressed the intent to cut down bureaucratic red tape with a machete and forge ahead with speed. Prime Minister, I am happy to tell you that in India, we are well on our way to doing just that. We have imparted our shared impatience to the implemntation of our earlier decisions. The results are already visible on the ground. Our discussions today were marked by convergence to accelerate our engagement and to scale up our partnership. We will pursue this in three ways: First, we will strengthen the existing pillars of cooperation in areas that touch the lives of our peoples. These are agriculture, science and technology, and security. We exchanged views on scaling up the Centers of Excellence that have been a main-stay of agricultural cooperation by bringing in advanced Israeli practices and technology. In defence, I have invited Israeli companies to take advantage of the liberalized FDI regime to make more in India with our companies. Second, we are venturing into less explored areas of cooperation, such as oil & gas, cyber security, films, and start-ups. You will find this reflected in the agreements that were just exchanged. Several of these areas are indicative of our desire to diversify and broad-base engagement. And third, we are committed to facilitating the flow of people and ideas between our geographies. It requires policy facilitation, infrastructure and connectivity links and fostering constituencies of support beyond Government. We are working with Israel to make it easier for our people to work and visit each other’s countries, including for longer work durations To bring people closer on both sides, an Indian Cultural Center will soon open in Israel. We have also decided to start an annual exchange of bilateral visits by 100 young people from science-related educational streams. Friends, Thriving two-way trade and investment is an integral part of our vision for a strong partnership. Prime Minister Netanyahu and I agreed on the need to do more in this direction. After the meeting in Tel Aviv last year, we will interact for the second time with our CEOs under the bilateral Forum. I welcome the large business component that Prime Minister Netanyahu has brought along with him. Prime Minister Netanyahu and I also exchanged perspectives on the regional and global situation. We reviewed our cooperation as a factor for stability and peace in our regions and the world. Friends, Yesterday, as his first stop after touching Indian soil, Prime Minister Netanyahu joined me at the re-named Teen Murti Haifa Chowk to pay homage to the memory of the brave Indian soldiers who laid down their lives a century ago in the Battle of Haifa in Israel. We are both countries that have never forgotten our history and our heroes. And we deeply appreciate this gesture by Prime Minister Netanyahu. As we look to the future of this exciting partnership with Israel, I am filled with hope and optimism. In Prime Minister Netanyahu, I have a counter-part who is equally committed to taking the India-Israel relationship to soaring new heights. Finally, I am delighted to have the chance to be with you, Prime Minister , in my home state, Gujarat, day after. There, we will have another opportunity to see the fulfillment of the promise, which our mutual cooperation holds in diverse areas such as agriculture, technology, and innovation. I wish Prime Minister Netanyahu, Mrs. Netanyahu and the delegation a memorable stay in India. Thank you very much. Toda Rabah!

Read: Full statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at press conference with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu

Palestinian president<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israel-tightens-law-on-control-over-jerusalem-28369"> Mahmud Abbas accused Israel </a>of &quot;ending the Oslo peace accord&quot;&nbsp;while lashing out at President Trump declaring the US president&#39;s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was&nbsp;a &quot;slap of the century&quot;.

&quot;The deal<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/palestine-recalls-its-ambassador-to-us-over-jerusalem-crisis-28202"> of the century is the slap of the century </a>and we will not accept it,&quot; Abbas said, adding,&quot;We said &#39;no&#39; to Trump, we will not accept your project.&quot;

The Palestinian president said that Isreal &quot;ended&quot;&nbsp;the Oslo accord signed in Washinton in 1993. The accord was first signed in Washinton between Israel and &nbsp;Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), and then the Oslo II accord was signed in Egypt.

The Oslo accord was an interim structure to oversee administration and security in those areas with the hope that in time the Palestinian self-authority and Israeli withdrawal would boost mutual trust to settle other contentious issues including the status of Jerusalem, the refugee crisis and Israeli settlements.

The Oslo accord aimed to create Palestinian authority over some parts of West Bank and Gaza Strip. The accord was brokered by President Clinton with Yitzhak Rabin and PLO leader Yasser Arafat shaking hands at the White House gardens. The peace process, however, faltered after Rabin was assassinated in 1995.

&quot;I am saying that Oslo, there is no Oslo,&quot; Abbas said.&nbsp;

&quot;Israel ended Oslo,&quot; Abbas added. The Palestinian president said a meeting needed to be held on how to now go forward on the&nbsp;issue.

The Palestinian president said that Isreal "ended" the Oslo accord signed in Washinton in 1993.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas accused Israel of "ending the Oslo peace accord" while lashing out at President Trump declaring the US president's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was a "slap of the century". "The deal of the century is the slap of the century and we will not accept it," Abbas said, adding,"We said 'no' to Trump, we will not accept your project." The Palestinian president said that Isreal "ended" the Oslo accord signed in Washinton in 1993. The accord was first signed in Washinton between Israel and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), and then the Oslo II accord was signed in Egypt. The Oslo accord was an interim structure to oversee administration and security in those areas with the hope that in time the Palestinian self-authority and Israeli withdrawal would boost mutual trust to settle other contentious issues including the status of Jerusalem, the refugee crisis and Israeli settlements. The Oslo accord aimed to create Palestinian authority over some parts of West Bank and Gaza Strip. The accord was brokered by President Clinton with Yitzhak Rabin and PLO leader Yasser Arafat shaking hands at the White House gardens. The peace process, however, faltered after Rabin was assassinated in 1995. "I am saying that Oslo, there is no Oslo," Abbas said. "Israel ended Oslo," Abbas added. The Palestinian president said a meeting needed to be held on how to now go forward on the issue.

Jerusalem status: Deal of the century is the 'slap' of the century, says Abbas

In 1924, When Mohammad Iqbal wrote the famous song &ldquo;Sare Jahan Se achcha&rdquo;, he mentioned in one of the stanzas:

&nbsp;

&quot;यूनान मिस्र रोमा, सब मिट गए जहाँ से, बाकि रहा है अब तक नामो निशां हमारा&nbsp;

कुछ बात है की हस्ती मिटती नहीं हमारी, दौरे ज़मां रहा है दुश्मन जहाँ हमारा&quot;

&nbsp;

Which means our enemies have been attacking us for so long but there is something in us which ensured that our existence is still there and not finished like many other civilisations, including Greece, Egypt and Rome.

&nbsp;

When I met some of my Israeli friends a few years back and tried to understand their struggle, I realised that that this line is not only applicable to Indians but also on Jews. When I read out the verse written above to them, one of them was so impressed that he noted it down in his diary. He told that it is written for the Jews who like Indians were repeatedly targeted and once was on the verge of extinction. The brave communities of both countries bounced back and now counted among the top superpowers of the world.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

We recognised the country in 1950 but could not make much headway till the end of the twentieth century thanks to the political mindset of our leaders who thought that by supporting Israel they will lose their Muslim vote bank and this jeopardised the relations for many decades.

&nbsp;

Prime Minister Nehru was so much concerned that he did not even allow Israel to open a consulate in Delhi, and permission was given only for a small office in Bombay. India opened its embassy in Tel Aviv as late as in 1992. Since then the relationship is progressing and growing rapidly. Today Indo- Israel partnership has reached the level where India is the biggest importer of military equipment from the Middle Eastern country.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The current visit of Mr Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, is in clear response to the visit of Mr Narendra Modi to their country in July 2017 which was the first ever visit of an Indian prime minister to Israel. Indian prime ministers did not visit one of the superpowers of the world in the 67 years of recognising it. Despite repeated attempts by Israel to establish the relations, our previous governments have been silent on this.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The visit of Mr Netanyahu is important because it is the second visit of an Israeli prime minister to India after 2003 visit of Ariel Sharon.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

As we know Mr Benjamin Netanyahu is a former soldier and that too from the elite Special Forces of Israel called Sayaret Matkal. He had multiple battle injuries during his duties and, despite all that, topped his courses at Harvard and then at MIT. He further carried the reputation built by his brother Yoni Netanyahu who was the commander of Operation Entebbe and died during an action.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Interestingly, Benjamin commanded the same Sayaret Matkal Unit years later. He is a fourth time prime minister out of which last three terms have been consecutive since 2009. Being a Special Forces Operative, he is a man of strong will and understands the importance of Indo- Israel relationship well.

&nbsp;

Today a large inventory of India&rsquo;s military equipment comes from Israel which includes almost 80 per cent of its unmanned aerial vehicles, upgradation suites for its aircrafts, anti-aircraft missile systems, high- tech communication and surveillance equipment, Phalcon AWACS and many more.

&nbsp;

The intelligence sharing agreement between the two countries has been there in place since long. RAW and MOSSAD had not only been sharing valuable intelligence but also conducting joint operations at few places.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

So, what is the future of the relationship now?&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Both the countries share the long history and represents the two oldest religions of the world. Most of the cultural aspects are also same. And the most important aspect is that both the countries are facing trouble due to radical and fundamentalist Islam. Both saw the worst face of terrorism for long and both country has capabilities and desire to uproot the terrorism from the globe.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Unfortunately, the start of the relationship was quite late. It started during the NDA regime of Mr Vajpayee and flourished after Mr Narendra Modi took over. It was evident from the words of Mr Netanyahu when he received Mr Modi in July 2017 that &ldquo;We have Been waiting for you&rdquo;. The announcement had a ring of truth as previous governments did not understand the importance of the relations.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Israel despite all this, supported us in the wars of 1965, 1971 and during Operation Vijay in 1999 with much needed political support and military aid. Israel has continued to provide us with a reliable alternative to Russia when it comes to defence production. It is helping India develop its own technology in support of the Make in India Campaign. The emerging ties between India and Israel has caused panic among Pakistan and China, while the voices from Middle East countries have been muted.

&nbsp;

The bilateral relationship is based on three crucial areas of cooperation: Defence, trade and politics. In each of these arenas, relationship with Israel is paying rich dividends. While the defence cooperation has reached about 9 billion USD, the trade between the countries has crossed 5 billion USD. The third aspect of political connect was clearly visible when Mr Modi broke the protocol to receive Mr Netanyahu on 14th January 2018.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

It is expected that the relationship will grow more in the economic and in the educational sector where there are endless opportunities. We have a wide canvas to colour and it depends upon the outlook of the government as to what kind of future it wants. The future of Indo-Israel relationship is bright and shining.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

India-Israel relationship will grow more in the economic and in the educational sector where there are endless opportunities.

In 1924, When Mohammad Iqbal wrote the famous song “Sare Jahan Se achcha”, he mentioned in one of the stanzas: "यूनान मिस्र रोमा, सब मिट गए जहाँ से, बाकि रहा है अब तक नामो निशां हमारा कुछ बात है की हस्ती मिटती नहीं हमारी, दौरे ज़मां रहा है दुश्मन जहाँ हमारा" Which means our enemies have been attacking us for so long but there is something in us which ensured that our existence is still there and not finished like many other civilisations, including Greece, Egypt and Rome. When I met some of my Israeli friends a few years back and tried to understand their struggle, I realised that that this line is not only applicable to Indians but also on Jews. When I read out the verse written above to them, one of them was so impressed that he noted it down in his diary. He told that it is written for the Jews who like Indians were repeatedly targeted and once was on the verge of extinction. The brave communities of both countries bounced back and now counted among the top superpowers of the world. We recognised the country in 1950 but could not make much headway till the end of the twentieth century thanks to the political mindset of our leaders who thought that by supporting Israel they will lose their Muslim vote bank and this jeopardised the relations for many decades. Prime Minister Nehru was so much concerned that he did not even allow Israel to open a consulate in Delhi, and permission was given only for a small office in Bombay. India opened its embassy in Tel Aviv as late as in 1992. Since then the relationship is progressing and growing rapidly. Today Indo- Israel partnership has reached the level where India is the biggest importer of military equipment from the Middle Eastern country. The current visit of Mr Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, is in clear response to the visit of Mr Narendra Modi to their country in July 2017 which was the first ever visit of an Indian prime minister to Israel. Indian prime ministers did not visit one of the superpowers of the world in the 67 years of recognising it. Despite repeated attempts by Israel to establish the relations, our previous governments have been silent on this. The visit of Mr Netanyahu is important because it is the second visit of an Israeli prime minister to India after 2003 visit of Ariel Sharon. As we know Mr Benjamin Netanyahu is a former soldier and that too from the elite Special Forces of Israel called Sayaret Matkal. He had multiple battle injuries during his duties and, despite all that, topped his courses at Harvard and then at MIT. He further carried the reputation built by his brother Yoni Netanyahu who was the commander of Operation Entebbe and died during an action. Interestingly, Benjamin commanded the same Sayaret Matkal Unit years later. He is a fourth time prime minister out of which last three terms have been consecutive since 2009. Being a Special Forces Operative, he is a man of strong will and understands the importance of Indo- Israel relationship well. Today a large inventory of India’s military equipment comes from Israel which includes almost 80 per cent of its unmanned aerial vehicles, upgradation suites for its aircrafts, anti-aircraft missile systems, high- tech communication and surveillance equipment, Phalcon AWACS and many more. The intelligence sharing agreement between the two countries has been there in place since long. RAW and MOSSAD had not only been sharing valuable intelligence but also conducting joint operations at few places. So, what is the future of the relationship now? Both the countries share the long history and represents the two oldest religions of the world. Most of the cultural aspects are also same. And the most important aspect is that both the countries are facing trouble due to radical and fundamentalist Islam. Both saw the worst face of terrorism for long and both country has capabilities and desire to uproot the terrorism from the globe. Unfortunately, the start of the relationship was quite late. It started during the NDA regime of Mr Vajpayee and flourished after Mr Narendra Modi took over. It was evident from the words of Mr Netanyahu when he received Mr Modi in July 2017 that “We have Been waiting for you”. The announcement had a ring of truth as previous governments did not understand the importance of the relations. Israel despite all this, supported us in the wars of 1965, 1971 and during Operation Vijay in 1999 with much needed political support and military aid. Israel has continued to provide us with a reliable alternative to Russia when it comes to defence production. It is helping India develop its own technology in support of the Make in India Campaign. The emerging ties between India and Israel has caused panic among Pakistan and China, while the voices from Middle East countries have been muted. The bilateral relationship is based on three crucial areas of cooperation: Defence, trade and politics. In each of these arenas, relationship with Israel is paying rich dividends. While the defence cooperation has reached about 9 billion USD, the trade between the countries has crossed 5 billion USD. The third aspect of political connect was clearly visible when Mr Modi broke the protocol to receive Mr Netanyahu on 14th January 2018. It is expected that the relationship will grow more in the economic and in the educational sector where there are endless opportunities. We have a wide canvas to colour and it depends upon the outlook of the government as to what kind of future it wants. The future of Indo-Israel relationship is bright and shining. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Opinion: India and Israel see a new era of brotherhood

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today invited Israeli defence companies to India for co-production, as he held comprehensive talks on strategic issues with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, who called him a &quot;revolutionary leader&quot;.

The two countries also inked nine pacts to boost cooperation in key areas such as cyber security and gas and oil after extensive delegation-level talks between their prime ministers.

During the talks, the issue of India voting against Israel at the UN on the Jerusalem issue also figured with Indian officials maintaining that both sides put forth their views. However, the officials asserted that the two leaders agreed that the ties &quot;are not determined by a single issue&quot;.

India had last month joined 127 other countries to vote in the UN in favour of a resolution opposing the recent decision of the US to recognise Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital.

Terming their talks as &quot;wide-ranging and intensive&quot;, Modi, at a joint press event with Netanyahu, said they reviewed the progress in the bilateral relations and agreed that &quot;the possibilities and the opportunities&quot; that beckon the two countries need to be seized.

&quot;We will strengthen the existing pillars of cooperation in areas that touch the lives of our peoples. These are agriculture, science and technology, and security...In defence, I have invited Israeli companies to take advantage of the liberalised FDI regime to make more in India with our companies,&quot; Modi said.

According to a joint statement, the leaders noted the &quot;grave&quot; threat that terrorism poses to peace and security including from non-state actors, and reiterated that there can be no justification for acts of terror on any grounds.

They advocated strong measures against terrorists, terror outfits, those who sponsor, encourage or finance terrorism or provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups, the statement said.

At the press event, Netanyahu said, &quot;Indians and Israelis know too well the pain of terrorist attacks. We remember the horrific savagery in Mumbai. We grit our teeth, we fight back, we never give in.&quot;

The two leaders also noted that the next meeting of the Joint Working Groups on Homeland and Public Security will be held in February 2018, the statement said.

They reiterated the importance of building comprehensive cooperation in counter-terrorism, including cyber-space, the statement said.

On whether the multi-million Israeli missile Spike deal figured in the talks, Vijay Gokhale, Secretary (Economic Relations), did not give a direct answer and said defence and security cooperation was discussed. He did not get into specific details.

On defence cooperation, the statement said the two prime ministers consider it important to set the direction for developing more business models and partnerships for joint ventures and joint manufacturing, including transfer of technology as well as joint research and development in defence and security fields.

The two leaders asked their respective defence ministries to hold discussions this year with active involvement of the public and private sectors, in order to create the basis for viable, sustainable and long term cooperation in the defence industry, the statement said.

The bonhomie between the two leaders was on full display with Modi starting his press statement welcoming Netanyahu in Hebrew and the visiting leader describing the Indian prime minister as a &quot;revolutionary leader&quot;. 
 
&quot;You are a revolutionary leader and you are revolutionising India. You are catapulting this magnificent state into the future. And you have revolutionised the relations between Israel and India,&quot; Netanyahu, popularly known as &#39;Bibi&#39;, said.

Dubbing Netanyahu&#39;s visit as a &quot;long-anticipated moment in the journey of friendship&quot; between India and Israel, Modi said the visit was also a fitting climax to the commemoration of 25 years of bilateral diplomatic relations and marked a special beginning to the new year calendar.

Asserting that their discussions were marked by the desire to do more, Modi said, &quot;Prime Minister, I have a reputation of being impatient in getting results. If I may let out an open secret, I know that so are you.&quot;

Referring to his visit to Israel last year, Modi said they had promised each other and their people to build a strategic partnership as also progress of diverse and cutting-edge cooperation, and of joint endeavours and shared successes.

He said last year in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu had expressed the intent to cut down bureaucratic red tape with a machete and forge ahead with speed.

&quot;I am happy to tell you that in India, we are well on our way to doing just that. We have imparted our shared impatience to the implementation of our earlier decisions,&quot; he said, asserting that the results were already visible on the ground.

The two leaders also exchanged views on scaling up the centres of excellence that have been a mainstay of agricultural cooperation by bringing in advanced Israeli practices and technology.

Modi said the two countries are also venturing into the less explored areas of cooperation, such as oil and gas, cyber security, films, and start-ups.

Asserting that they are committed to facilitating the flow of people and ideas between their geographies, Modi said, &quot;We are working with Israel to make it easier for our people to work and visit each other&#39;s countries, including for longer work durations. To bring people closer on both sides, an Indian Cultural Centre will soon open in Israel.&quot;

He also said that they have decided to start an annual exchange of bilateral visits by 100 young people from science-related educational streams.

Modi said that he was looking forward to accompany Netanyahu to his home state, Gujarat.

&quot;There, we will have another opportunity to see the fulfilment of the promise, which our mutual cooperation holds in diverse areas such as agriculture, technology, and innovation,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

The pacts were inked in key areas like cyber security and gas and oil after extensive delegation-level talks between the two prime ministers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today invited Israeli defence companies to India for co-production, as he held comprehensive talks on strategic issues with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, who called him a "revolutionary leader". The two countries also inked nine pacts to boost cooperation in key areas such as cyber security and gas and oil after extensive delegation-level talks between their prime ministers. During the talks, the issue of India voting against Israel at the UN on the Jerusalem issue also figured with Indian officials maintaining that both sides put forth their views. However, the officials asserted that the two leaders agreed that the ties "are not determined by a single issue". India had last month joined 127 other countries to vote in the UN in favour of a resolution opposing the recent decision of the US to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Terming their talks as "wide-ranging and intensive", Modi, at a joint press event with Netanyahu, said they reviewed the progress in the bilateral relations and agreed that "the possibilities and the opportunities" that beckon the two countries need to be seized. "We will strengthen the existing pillars of cooperation in areas that touch the lives of our peoples. These are agriculture, science and technology, and security...In defence, I have invited Israeli companies to take advantage of the liberalised FDI regime to make more in India with our companies," Modi said. According to a joint statement, the leaders noted the "grave" threat that terrorism poses to peace and security including from non-state actors, and reiterated that there can be no justification for acts of terror on any grounds. They advocated strong measures against terrorists, terror outfits, those who sponsor, encourage or finance terrorism or provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups, the statement said. At the press event, Netanyahu said, "Indians and Israelis know too well the pain of terrorist attacks. We remember the horrific savagery in Mumbai. We grit our teeth, we fight back, we never give in." The two leaders also noted that the next meeting of the Joint Working Groups on Homeland and Public Security will be held in February 2018, the statement said. They reiterated the importance of building comprehensive cooperation in counter-terrorism, including cyber-space, the statement said. On whether the multi-million Israeli missile Spike deal figured in the talks, Vijay Gokhale, Secretary (Economic Relations), did not give a direct answer and said defence and security cooperation was discussed. He did not get into specific details. On defence cooperation, the statement said the two prime ministers consider it important to set the direction for developing more business models and partnerships for joint ventures and joint manufacturing, including transfer of technology as well as joint research and development in defence and security fields. The two leaders asked their respective defence ministries to hold discussions this year with active involvement of the public and private sectors, in order to create the basis for viable, sustainable and long term cooperation in the defence industry, the statement said. The bonhomie between the two leaders was on full display with Modi starting his press statement welcoming Netanyahu in Hebrew and the visiting leader describing the Indian prime minister as a "revolutionary leader". "You are a revolutionary leader and you are revolutionising India. You are catapulting this magnificent state into the future. And you have revolutionised the relations between Israel and India," Netanyahu, popularly known as 'Bibi', said. Dubbing Netanyahu's visit as a "long-anticipated moment in the journey of friendship" between India and Israel, Modi said the visit was also a fitting climax to the commemoration of 25 years of bilateral diplomatic relations and marked a special beginning to the new year calendar. Asserting that their discussions were marked by the desire to do more, Modi said, "Prime Minister, I have a reputation of being impatient in getting results. If I may let out an open secret, I know that so are you." Referring to his visit to Israel last year, Modi said they had promised each other and their people to build a strategic partnership as also progress of diverse and cutting-edge cooperation, and of joint endeavours and shared successes. He said last year in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu had expressed the intent to cut down bureaucratic red tape with a machete and forge ahead with speed. "I am happy to tell you that in India, we are well on our way to doing just that. We have imparted our shared impatience to the implementation of our earlier decisions," he said, asserting that the results were already visible on the ground. The two leaders also exchanged views on scaling up the centres of excellence that have been a mainstay of agricultural cooperation by bringing in advanced Israeli practices and technology. Modi said the two countries are also venturing into the less explored areas of cooperation, such as oil and gas, cyber security, films, and start-ups. Asserting that they are committed to facilitating the flow of people and ideas between their geographies, Modi said, "We are working with Israel to make it easier for our people to work and visit each other's countries, including for longer work durations. To bring people closer on both sides, an Indian Cultural Centre will soon open in Israel." He also said that they have decided to start an annual exchange of bilateral visits by 100 young people from science-related educational streams. Modi said that he was looking forward to accompany Netanyahu to his home state, Gujarat. "There, we will have another opportunity to see the fulfilment of the promise, which our mutual cooperation holds in diverse areas such as agriculture, technology, and innovation," he added.

India, Israel ink 9 pacts, Modi invites Israeli defence companies for co-production

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in New Delhi this afternoon, six months after PM Modi&#39;s first-ever visit to Israel.&nbsp;

PM Modi broke protocol to receive the Israel PM and his wife Sara at the Delhi airport. Modi was of course just returning the gesture; he too had been received at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv by Netanyahu when he had visited Israel.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> LIVE: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in Delhi <a href="https://t.co/cmkFTRtPs7">https://t.co/cmkFTRtPs7</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/952450787396935681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Netanyahu is the second Israeli PM to visit India, the first one being Ariel Sharon, who was hosted by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in September 2003.

Netanyahu, who is here for a six-day visit and is&nbsp;accompanied by a 130-member delegation from various sectors, wrote on Twitter that his &quot;historic visit&quot;&nbsp;was a &quot;great blessing&quot; for Israel.

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We will sign very many agreements. We are strengthening ties between Israel and this important global power. 
This serves our security, economic, trade and tourism interests, as well as many other areas. This is a great blessing for the State of Israel.
&mdash; PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) <a href="https://twitter.com/IsraeliPM/status/952425017618386944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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They will then head to Teen Murti monument in Delhi where the two leaders will lay a wreath at the monument, commemorating the role of three Indian regiments who fought at the battle of Haifa over a century ago - and celebrate the growing friendship between the two countries.&nbsp;

They will be joined by External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj later in the afternoon at the Taj Palace Hotel, where Netanyahu will be staying.

Modi will also host&nbsp;a private dinner for Netanyahu on Sunday.

The visiting dignitary, on Monday, will be given a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan which will be followed by the wreath laying at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi.

Bilateral talks between the two prime ministers will take place on Monday. The primary focus will be on &quot;innovation&quot;&nbsp;-- covering trade, economy, agriculture, water management etc. Discussion on defence and security components are also expected to happen as they have been a strong part of India-Israel relations for a while.&nbsp;

Officials have informed that the two countries will possibly sign a number of pacts on startups and also issue a joint press statement. The Israeli Prime Minister will call on President Ram Nath Kovind later in the day.

On Tuesday, Netanyahu, along with his wife Sara, will leave for Agra to see Taj Mahal and then visit Delhi to participate in an annual multilateral conference, Raisina Dialogue, where he is scheduled to deliver an inaugural speech.

Netanyahu will leave for Ahmedabad on Wednesday to visit the Sabarmati Ashram and also attend an event at the International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology (iCreate).

He will later visit the Centre of Excellence, Vadrad before leaving for Mumbai on the same day.&nbsp;

On Thursday, Netanyahu will have a power breakfast with Indian CEOs and attend a business seminar in Mumbai. He will also lay a wreath at Taj Hotel and pay a visit to Nariman House - Chabad Centre.

Next, Netanyahu will hold talks with Bollywood personalities in an exclusive &quot;Shalom Bollywood&quot;&nbsp;event, that aims at exploring business opportunities for Indian filmmakers in Israel.&nbsp;

There is cooperation on security issues between the two countries, including a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism, the two countries had signed three vital agreements on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, Cooperation in Homeland Security, and Protection of Classified Material in February 2014.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)

Bilateral talks will take place between the two PMs on Monday. The primary focus will be on innovation, defence and security

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in New Delhi this afternoon, six months after PM Modi's first-ever visit to Israel. PM Modi broke protocol to receive the Israel PM and his wife Sara at the Delhi airport. Modi was of course just returning the gesture; he too had been received at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv by Netanyahu when he had visited Israel. #WATCH LIVE: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in Delhi https://t.co/cmkFTRtPs7 — ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2018 × Netanyahu is the second Israeli PM to visit India, the first one being Ariel Sharon, who was hosted by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in September 2003. Netanyahu, who is here for a six-day visit and is accompanied by a 130-member delegation from various sectors, wrote on Twitter that his "historic visit" was a "great blessing" for Israel. We will sign very many agreements. We are strengthening ties between Israel and this important global power. This serves our security, economic, trade and tourism interests, as well as many other areas. This is a great blessing for the State of Israel. — PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 14, 2018 × They will then head to Teen Murti monument in Delhi where the two leaders will lay a wreath at the monument, commemorating the role of three Indian regiments who fought at the battle of Haifa over a century ago - and celebrate the growing friendship between the two countries. They will be joined by External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj later in the afternoon at the Taj Palace Hotel, where Netanyahu will be staying. Modi will also host a private dinner for Netanyahu on Sunday. The visiting dignitary, on Monday, will be given a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan which will be followed by the wreath laying at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. Bilateral talks between the two prime ministers will take place on Monday. The primary focus will be on "innovation" -- covering trade, economy, agriculture, water management etc. Discussion on defence and security components are also expected to happen as they have been a strong part of India-Israel relations for a while. Officials have informed that the two countries will possibly sign a number of pacts on startups and also issue a joint press statement. The Israeli Prime Minister will call on President Ram Nath Kovind later in the day. On Tuesday, Netanyahu, along with his wife Sara, will leave for Agra to see Taj Mahal and then visit Delhi to participate in an annual multilateral conference, Raisina Dialogue, where he is scheduled to deliver an inaugural speech. Netanyahu will leave for Ahmedabad on Wednesday to visit the Sabarmati Ashram and also attend an event at the International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology (iCreate). He will later visit the Centre of Excellence, Vadrad before leaving for Mumbai on the same day. On Thursday, Netanyahu will have a power breakfast with Indian CEOs and attend a business seminar in Mumbai. He will also lay a wreath at Taj Hotel and pay a visit to Nariman House - Chabad Centre. Next, Netanyahu will hold talks with Bollywood personalities in an exclusive "Shalom Bollywood" event, that aims at exploring business opportunities for Indian filmmakers in Israel. There is cooperation on security issues between the two countries, including a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism, the two countries had signed three vital agreements on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, Cooperation in Homeland Security, and Protection of Classified Material in February 2014. (With inputs from ANI)

Watch: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in India, Modi breaks protocol to receive him at airport

Israel said Sunday it used a combination of air strikes and other means to destroy a tunnel stretching from the Gaza Strip into the country and continuing into Egypt.

Israeli military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said the tunnel belonged to Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas and was intended for attacks as opposed to smuggling.

Such tunnels have been used to carry out attacks in the past.

He said he was not aware of any casualties from the destruction of the tunnel, which was still being built.

It ran underneath the main goods crossing between Israel and the blockaded Gaza Strip -- known as Kerem Shalom -- as well as gas and fuel pipelines, he said.

According to Conricus, Israeli air strikes late Saturday along with other unspecified means were used to destroy the tunnel.

The strikes occurred within the Gaza Strip, while further means were used in Israeli territory.&nbsp;

The tunnel began east of the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, crossed into Israel some 180 metres, then continued into Egypt for an unspecified length, with no exit point detected, he said.

Conricus said Israel had coordinated with Egypt on the operation.

The tunnel stretched a total length of around a kilometre and a half, he said.

Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said: &quot;Destroying the network of offensive tunnels is an essential component in our policy of systematically damaging the strategic abilities of Hamas.&quot;

&quot;The message to the Gaza leadership and residents is clear -- invest in life and not burial tunnels,&quot; Lieberman said in a statement.

Israel says it has been developing a new method to identify and destroy such tunnels, though it does not comment on details.

It is also building an underground wall in the area around the Gaza Strip to stop such tunnels.

The latest tunnel was the third destroyed since late October by Israel, but it comes at a particularly sensitive time.

Tensions between Palestinians and Israel have been high since US President Donald Trump`s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital on December 6.

Unrest has included rockets being fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel, with Israel&#39;s military responding with air strikes.

Conricus said Sunday Israel was defending its sovereignty with the destruction of the tunnel and was not seeking an escalation.

Such tunnels have been used to carry out attacks in the past.

Israel said Sunday it used a combination of air strikes and other means to destroy a tunnel stretching from the Gaza Strip into the country and continuing into Egypt. Israeli military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said the tunnel belonged to Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas and was intended for attacks as opposed to smuggling. Such tunnels have been used to carry out attacks in the past. He said he was not aware of any casualties from the destruction of the tunnel, which was still being built. It ran underneath the main goods crossing between Israel and the blockaded Gaza Strip -- known as Kerem Shalom -- as well as gas and fuel pipelines, he said. According to Conricus, Israeli air strikes late Saturday along with other unspecified means were used to destroy the tunnel. The strikes occurred within the Gaza Strip, while further means were used in Israeli territory. The tunnel began east of the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, crossed into Israel some 180 metres, then continued into Egypt for an unspecified length, with no exit point detected, he said. Conricus said Israel had coordinated with Egypt on the operation. The tunnel stretched a total length of around a kilometre and a half, he said. Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said: "Destroying the network of offensive tunnels is an essential component in our policy of systematically damaging the strategic abilities of Hamas." "The message to the Gaza leadership and residents is clear -- invest in life and not burial tunnels," Lieberman said in a statement. Israel says it has been developing a new method to identify and destroy such tunnels, though it does not comment on details. It is also building an underground wall in the area around the Gaza Strip to stop such tunnels. The latest tunnel was the third destroyed since late October by Israel, but it comes at a particularly sensitive time. Tensions between Palestinians and Israel have been high since US President Donald Trump`s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital on December 6. Unrest has included rockets being fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel, with Israel's military responding with air strikes. Conricus said Sunday Israel was defending its sovereignty with the destruction of the tunnel and was not seeking an escalation.

Israel destroys tunnel from Gaza it says intended for attacks

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-crisis-internal-matter-will-be-resolved-soon-says-bar-councilof-india-29484">Supreme Court crisis: &#39;Internal matter, will be resolved soon,&#39; says Bar Council of India</a>

The Bar Council made the statement after meeting with Justice Chelameswar, one of the four judges to have called an unprecedented press conference on Friday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-live-updates-israeli-pm-bejamin-netanyahu-lands-in-india-modi-breaks-protocol-to-receive-him-at-airport-29470">Live Updates:&nbsp;Israeli PM, PM Modi laud role of Indian soldiers in liberating Haifa</a>

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in New Delhi this afternoon, six months after PM Modi&#39;s first-ever visit to Israel.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-crisis-4-retired-judges-write-open-letter-to-cji-29488">Supreme Court crisis: 4 retired judges write open letter to CJI</a>

The four retired judges, including one from the Supreme Court, said they agree with the issues raised by the Supreme Court judges.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-a-global-power-says-israeli-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-29478">India a global power, says Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu</a>

The statement was made before Netanyahu, who landed in New Delhi on Sunday, left Israel for India.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-releases-video-on-pm-modis-hugplomacy-29487">Congress releases video on PM Modi&#39;s &#39;</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-releases-video-on-pm-modis-hugplomacy-29487">hugplomacy</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-releases-video-on-pm-modis-hugplomacy-29487">&#39;</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke protocol today to receive his Israeli counterpart at the airport. PM Netanyahu was received with a warm hug.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Supreme Court crisis: 'Internal matter, will be resolved soon,' says Bar Council of India The Bar Council made the statement after meeting with Justice Chelameswar, one of the four judges to have called an unprecedented press conference on Friday. Live Updates: Israeli PM, PM Modi laud role of Indian soldiers in liberating Haifa Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in New Delhi this afternoon, six months after PM Modi's first-ever visit to Israel. Supreme Court crisis: 4 retired judges write open letter to CJI The four retired judges, including one from the Supreme Court, said they agree with the issues raised by the Supreme Court judges. India a global power, says Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu The statement was made before Netanyahu, who landed in New Delhi on Sunday, left Israel for India. Congress releases video on PM Modi's 'hugplomacy' Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke protocol today to receive his Israeli counterpart at the airport. PM Netanyahu was received with a warm hug.

WION Evening News brief, January 14, 2018

Israeli aircraft have attacked a target in the southern Gaza Strip, the army said, and also closed the goods crossing between the Palestinian enclave and the Jewish state.

Israel &quot;targeted a terror infrastructure using fighter jets in the southern Rafah region, adjacent to the Egypt-Gaza Strip border,&quot; an army statement said yesterday.

&quot;The Hamas terror organisation is accountable for all activity in and from the Gaza Strip,&quot; it said.

Palestinian security sources in Gaza said nobody was wounded in the Israeli strike.

Earlier in the day, Israel&#39;s defence ministry said the Kerem Shalom goods crossing between Gaza and Israel near Rafah would be closed from Sunday &quot;until further notice&quot;.

A defence ministry spokeswoman would say only that the rare move came following &quot;security assessments&quot;.

Cross-border violence between Israel and Gaza has increased since US President Donald Trump&#39;s December 6 decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a move that has angered Palestinians who see the city as the capital of their future state.

Dozens of projectiles from Gaza have since targeted southern Israel, and 16 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces, 14 in clashes and two in a retaliatory air strike on Gaza.&nbsp;

Israeli aircraft have attacked a target in the southern Gaza Strip, the army said, and also closed the goods crossing between the Palestinian enclave and the Jewish state

Israeli aircraft have attacked a target in the southern Gaza Strip, the army said, and also closed the goods crossing between the Palestinian enclave and the Jewish state. Israel "targeted a terror infrastructure using fighter jets in the southern Rafah region, adjacent to the Egypt-Gaza Strip border," an army statement said yesterday. "The Hamas terror organisation is accountable for all activity in and from the Gaza Strip," it said. Palestinian security sources in Gaza said nobody was wounded in the Israeli strike. Earlier in the day, Israel's defence ministry said the Kerem Shalom goods crossing between Gaza and Israel near Rafah would be closed from Sunday "until further notice". A defence ministry spokeswoman would say only that the rare move came following "security assessments". Cross-border violence between Israel and Gaza has increased since US President Donald Trump's December 6 decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a move that has angered Palestinians who see the city as the capital of their future state. Dozens of projectiles from Gaza have since targeted southern Israel, and 16 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces, 14 in clashes and two in a retaliatory air strike on Gaza.

Israel carries out air strike in Gaza: Army

Arab states will soon embark on a diplomatic drive to persuade the United Nations to recognise a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital on territory captured by Israel in the 1967 war, Jordan&#39;s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said.

Six Arab foreign ministers met in Amman on Saturday to follow up on earlier decisions taken by the Arab League to counter US&nbsp;President Donald Trump&#39;s move in December to recognise Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital, a decision that overturned decades of US&nbsp;policy on the Middle East.

A committee made up of Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the Palestinians and headed by Jordan was set up after an emergency meeting of the Arab League in Cairo shortly after Trump&#39;s decision that called on Washington to abandon its decision.

The Arab League said at the time the move would spur violence throughout the region and described Trump&#39;s announcement as a &quot;dangerous violation of international law&quot; which had no legal impact.

Safadi said the ministers would recommend a series of moves to a full ministerial meeting of the Arab League due later this month.&nbsp;

&quot;We will confront the decision by seeking a (UN) resolution, an international one, to recognise a Palestinian state on 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital,&quot; said Safadi.

He did not elaborate on the timing of the diplomatic moves nor say whether he was referring to a UN&nbsp;Security Council or General Assembly resolution.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the ministerial meeting would also discuss Washington&#39;s role in future Arab-Israeli peacemaking that members states said was now jeopardised by what they see as US&nbsp;bias towards Israel.

&quot;We want to lessen any losses on the Palestinian side and lessen the Israeli gains,&quot; Aboul Gheit added.

Arab states would also discuss whether to convene an extraordinary summit of their leaders or wait until a scheduled summit in the Saudi capital Riyadh at the end of March, he added.&nbsp;

Trump&rsquo;s recognition of Jerusalem has infuriated the Arab world and upset Western allies, who say it is a blow to peace efforts and risks sparking more violence in the region.

Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state. Israel regards Jerusalem as its eternal and indivisible capital.

Most countries consider East Jerusalem, which Israel annexed after capturing it from Jordan in a 1967 war, to be occupied territory, and say the status of the city should be decided at future Israeli-Palestinian talks.

On December 18, the United States blocked a United Nations Security Council call for Trump&#39;s declaration on Jerusalem to be withdrawn.

Three days later, more than 120 countries defied Trump and voted in favour of a United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for the United States to drop its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital.

In 2012, the UN&nbsp;General Assembly overwhelmingly approved the de facto recognition of the sovereign state of Palestine in a resolution that said the status of Jerusalem should be resolved through negotiations.&nbsp;

Arab states will persuade the United Nations to recognise Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital on territory captured by Israel in the 1967 war

Arab states will soon embark on a diplomatic drive to persuade the United Nations to recognise a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital on territory captured by Israel in the 1967 war, Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said. Six Arab foreign ministers met in Amman on Saturday to follow up on earlier decisions taken by the Arab League to counter US President Donald Trump's move in December to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a decision that overturned decades of US policy on the Middle East. A committee made up of Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the Palestinians and headed by Jordan was set up after an emergency meeting of the Arab League in Cairo shortly after Trump's decision that called on Washington to abandon its decision. The Arab League said at the time the move would spur violence throughout the region and described Trump's announcement as a "dangerous violation of international law" which had no legal impact. Safadi said the ministers would recommend a series of moves to a full ministerial meeting of the Arab League due later this month. "We will confront the decision by seeking a (UN) resolution, an international one, to recognise a Palestinian state on 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital," said Safadi. He did not elaborate on the timing of the diplomatic moves nor say whether he was referring to a UN Security Council or General Assembly resolution. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the ministerial meeting would also discuss Washington's role in future Arab-Israeli peacemaking that members states said was now jeopardised by what they see as US bias towards Israel. "We want to lessen any losses on the Palestinian side and lessen the Israeli gains," Aboul Gheit added. Arab states would also discuss whether to convene an extraordinary summit of their leaders or wait until a scheduled summit in the Saudi capital Riyadh at the end of March, he added. Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem has infuriated the Arab world and upset Western allies, who say it is a blow to peace efforts and risks sparking more violence in the region. Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state. Israel regards Jerusalem as its eternal and indivisible capital. Most countries consider East Jerusalem, which Israel annexed after capturing it from Jordan in a 1967 war, to be occupied territory, and say the status of the city should be decided at future Israeli-Palestinian talks. On December 18, the United States blocked a United Nations Security Council call for Trump's declaration on Jerusalem to be withdrawn. Three days later, more than 120 countries defied Trump and voted in favour of a United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for the United States to drop its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. In 2012, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly approved the de facto recognition of the sovereign state of Palestine in a resolution that said the status of Jerusalem should be resolved through negotiations.

Arab League to lobby UN to recognise Palestinian state

Israel&#39;s parliament<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/palestinians-call-guatemalas-jerusalem-embassy-move-shameful-27694"> today passed an amendment </a>in the constitution sponsored by a far-right group aimed at making it more difficult for the government to hand the Palestinians parts of Jerusalem in any future peace deal.

The legislation was passed by a 64 to 51 vote in the Knesset.

Last month <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/from-jerusalem-netanyahu-offers-christians-personal-tours-of-israel-27677">President Trump in a controversial</a> move had recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Isreal and had declared his intention to move the US embassy to the holy city.

The legislation makes it difficult for a two-state solution on Jerusalem which is one of the major disputes between Israelis and Palestinians.

The vote follows central committee of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu&#39;s Likud party decision to extend Israeli sovereignty over settlements in the occupied West Bank.

&quot;The law approved on Tuesday determines that any ceding of lands considered by Israel to be part of Jerusalem would necessitate a two-thirds majority vote in parliament - 80 out of 120 members of the Knesset,&quot; a statement said.

&quot;It also enables changing the municipal definition of Jerusalem, which means that sectors of the city &quot;could be declared separate entities&quot;, the parliament statement said.

The legislation makes it difficult for a two-state solution on Jerusalem which is one of the major disputes between Israelis and Palestinians.

Israel's parliament today passed an amendment in the constitution sponsored by a far-right group aimed at making it more difficult for the government to hand the Palestinians parts of Jerusalem in any future peace deal. The legislation was passed by a 64 to 51 vote in the Knesset. Last month President Trump in a controversial move had recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Isreal and had declared his intention to move the US embassy to the holy city. The legislation makes it difficult for a two-state solution on Jerusalem which is one of the major disputes between Israelis and Palestinians. The vote follows central committee of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party decision to extend Israeli sovereignty over settlements in the occupied West Bank. "The law approved on Tuesday determines that any ceding of lands considered by Israel to be part of Jerusalem would necessitate a two-thirds majority vote in parliament - 80 out of 120 members of the Knesset," a statement said. "It also enables changing the municipal definition of Jerusalem, which means that sectors of the city "could be declared separate entities", the parliament statement said.

Israel tightens law on control over Jerusalem

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Iranian anti-government protesters on Monday, while denying as &quot;laughable&quot; Tehran&#39;s apparent accusations that Israel was behind the demonstrations.

Five days of protests in Iran have posed the boldest challenge to its clerical leadership since pro-reform unrest in 2009. At least ten people have been reported killed as some confrontations with police turned violent.

&quot;I wish the Iranian people success in their noble quest for freedom,&quot; Netanyahu said in a video posted on his Facebook page.

&quot;Brave Iranians are pouring into the streets. They seek freedom. They seek justice. They seek the basic liberties that have been denied them for decades. Iran&#39;s cruel regime wastes tens of billions of dollars spreading hate,&quot; he said in remarks that echoed similar praise from U.S. President Donald Trump.

On Monday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was quoted by state media as apparently blaming Iran&#39;s arch enemies, the United States and Israel, for provoking unrest.

&quot;Our success in the political arena against the United States and the Zionist regime was unbearable to (Iran&#39;s enemies). Iran&#39;s success in the region was unbearable to them. Don&#39;t you expect that they would seek revenge? Don&rsquo;t you think they would provoke some people?&quot; Rouhani was quoted as saying in a meeting with lawmakers.

Netanyahu said Rouhani&#39;s suggestion that Israel was involved was &quot;not only false -- it&#39;s laughable&quot;.

Netanyahu added that more Western countries should condemn Tehran for trying to put down the protests.

&quot;Sadly many European governments watch in silence as young heroic Iranians are beaten in the streets. That&#39;s just not right. And I, for one, will not stay silent,&quot; he said.

On Monday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was quoted by state media as apparently blaming Iran's arch enemies, the United States and Israel, for provoking unrest

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Iranian anti-government protesters on Monday, while denying as "laughable" Tehran's apparent accusations that Israel was behind the demonstrations. Five days of protests in Iran have posed the boldest challenge to its clerical leadership since pro-reform unrest in 2009. At least ten people have been reported killed as some confrontations with police turned violent. "I wish the Iranian people success in their noble quest for freedom," Netanyahu said in a video posted on his Facebook page. "Brave Iranians are pouring into the streets. They seek freedom. They seek justice. They seek the basic liberties that have been denied them for decades. Iran's cruel regime wastes tens of billions of dollars spreading hate," he said in remarks that echoed similar praise from U.S. President Donald Trump. On Monday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was quoted by state media as apparently blaming Iran's arch enemies, the United States and Israel, for provoking unrest. "Our success in the political arena against the United States and the Zionist regime was unbearable to (Iran's enemies). Iran's success in the region was unbearable to them. Don't you expect that they would seek revenge? Don’t you think they would provoke some people?" Rouhani was quoted as saying in a meeting with lawmakers. Netanyahu said Rouhani's suggestion that Israel was involved was "not only false -- it's laughable". Netanyahu added that more Western countries should condemn Tehran for trying to put down the protests. "Sadly many European governments watch in silence as young heroic Iranians are beaten in the streets. That's just not right. And I, for one, will not stay silent," he said.

Netanyahu wishes success to Iran protesters, denies Israeli involvement

The Palestinian National Authority (PNA)&nbsp;recalled its ambassador to the US on Sunday in Washington following&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=US">US</a>&nbsp;President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Donald%20Trump">Donald Trump</a>&#39;s controversial decision of recognising&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Jerusalem">Jerusalem</a>&nbsp;as the capital of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Israel">Israel</a>&nbsp;a few weeks ago.

The PNA&#39;s move was done in order to have &quot;consultations&quot; over the crisis with Washington after its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital.

A brief statement by the Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riad Maliki mentioned that he decided to recall the head of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) mission in the US, Ambassador Hossam Zomlot, media reports said.

Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Malki on Sunday said, &quot;The discussions would take place to set the decisions needed by the Palestinian leadership in the coming period regarding our relations with the US our US envoy will return back to &#39;his normal work&#39; after the discussions.&quot;

On December 6, US President Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital and ordered to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, which met strong Palestinian and Arab rejection.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the Palestinians would no longer work with the US as an interlocutor in the peace process between themselves and Israel.

It is also a disputed territory, contested by both Israel and Palestine, which sees it as a capital of its future state.&nbsp;

The PNA's move was done in order to have 'consultations' over the crisis with Washington after its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital

The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) recalled its ambassador to the US on Sunday in Washington following US President Donald Trump's controversial decision of recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel a few weeks ago. The PNA's move was done in order to have "consultations" over the crisis with Washington after its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. A brief statement by the Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riad Maliki mentioned that he decided to recall the head of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) mission in the US, Ambassador Hossam Zomlot, media reports said. Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Malki on Sunday said, "The discussions would take place to set the decisions needed by the Palestinian leadership in the coming period regarding our relations with the US our US envoy will return back to 'his normal work' after the discussions." On December 6, US President Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and ordered to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, which met strong Palestinian and Arab rejection. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the Palestinians would no longer work with the US as an interlocutor in the peace process between themselves and Israel. It is also a disputed territory, contested by both Israel and Palestine, which sees it as a capital of its future state.

Palestine recalls its ambassador to US over Jerusalem crisis

Israel&#39;s parliament ratified on Thursday a law barring police investigators from going public with their findings, in what opposition lawmakers saw as a bid to soften scrutiny of corruption probes against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The so-called Recommendations Bill, approved in the final reading by a vote of 59-to-54, prevents police from announcing whether they have found enough evidence for an indictment before prosecutors decide whether or not to press such charges.

Netanyahu is a suspect in two cases. In one, he is alleged to have meddled in the media industry. The other concerns gifts he received from wealthy businessmen. He denies any wrongdoing.

Opposition lawmakers have said that the bill, tabled by Netanyahu&#39;s rightist Likud party, was designed to dampen public anger over the investigations, which has fuelled weekly demonstrations in Tel Aviv and calls for the premier&#39;s ouster.

Netanyahu defended the bill on Dec. 3 as &quot;intended to prevent publication of police recommendations which would leave a cloud over innocent people, something that happens every day&rdquo;. In 60 percent of cases where police recommend criminal charges, prosecutors decided not to indict, Netanyahu noted.

But the prime minister also called for the bill to be amended so it did not apply to the criminal investigations against him.

The final draft stipulated that the law would not be in effect regarding investigations that predate its ratification.

That has done little to mollify the opposition.

&quot;This law came about only because of the investigations against Netanyahu,&quot; Avi Gabbay, head of the centre-left Zionist Union party, told Israel&#39;s Army Radio.

&quot;We don&#39;t know what investigations might be conducted in the future (against him).&quot;

Israeli media had reported that police could go public with recommendations to indict Netanyahu as soon as early January, and a Dec. 23 TV poll found that 60 percent to 63 percent of the public would want him to resign over such recommendations.

The bill prevents police from announcing whether they have found enough evidence for an indictment before prosecutors decide whether or not to press such charges

Israel's parliament ratified on Thursday a law barring police investigators from going public with their findings, in what opposition lawmakers saw as a bid to soften scrutiny of corruption probes against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The so-called Recommendations Bill, approved in the final reading by a vote of 59-to-54, prevents police from announcing whether they have found enough evidence for an indictment before prosecutors decide whether or not to press such charges. Netanyahu is a suspect in two cases. In one, he is alleged to have meddled in the media industry. The other concerns gifts he received from wealthy businessmen. He denies any wrongdoing. Opposition lawmakers have said that the bill, tabled by Netanyahu's rightist Likud party, was designed to dampen public anger over the investigations, which has fuelled weekly demonstrations in Tel Aviv and calls for the premier's ouster. Netanyahu defended the bill on Dec. 3 as "intended to prevent publication of police recommendations which would leave a cloud over innocent people, something that happens every day”. In 60 percent of cases where police recommend criminal charges, prosecutors decided not to indict, Netanyahu noted. But the prime minister also called for the bill to be amended so it did not apply to the criminal investigations against him. The final draft stipulated that the law would not be in effect regarding investigations that predate its ratification. That has done little to mollify the opposition. "This law came about only because of the investigations against Netanyahu," Avi Gabbay, head of the centre-left Zionist Union party, told Israel's Army Radio. "We don't know what investigations might be conducted in the future (against him)." Israeli media had reported that police could go public with recommendations to indict Netanyahu as soon as early January, and a Dec. 23 TV poll found that 60 percent to 63 percent of the public would want him to resign over such recommendations.

Israel passes disputed law muzzling police on high-profile probes

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Guatemala with a &quot;God bless you&quot;&nbsp;on Monday&nbsp;for deciding to move its embassy to Jerusalem, while the Palestinians said the Central American country was &quot;on the wrong side of history&quot;.

In an official Facebook post&nbsp;on Sunday, Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said he had chosen to relocate the embassy from Tel Aviv - siding with the United States in a dispute over Jerusalem&#39;s status - after talking to Netanyahu.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on Dec. 6, reversing decades of U.S. policy and upsetting the Arab world and Western allies.

On Thursday, 128 countries rebuked Trump by backing a non-binding UN&nbsp;General Assembly resolution calling on the United States to drop its recognition of Jerusalem.

&quot;God bless you, my friend, President Jimmy Morales, God bless both our countries, Israel and Guatemala,&quot; Netanyahu said, switching to English, in remarks to a weekly meeting of his Likud party faction in parliament.

Guatemala and neighbouring Honduras were two of only a handful of countries to join Israel and the United States, which has pledged to move its embassy to Jerusalem, in voting against the U.N. resolution.

The United States is an important source of assistance to Guatemala and Honduras, and Trump had threatened to cut off financial aid to countries that supported the U.N. resolution.

The status of Jerusalem is one of the thorniest obstacles to an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal. Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of a state they want to establish in the occupied West Bank and in the Gaza Strip.

The international community does not recognise Israeli sovereignty over the entire city, home to sites holy to the Muslim, Jewish and Christian religions.

The official Palestinian news agency WAFA quoted Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki as saying that Morales was &quot;dragging his country to the wrong side of history by committing a flagrant violation of international law&quot;.

Prior to 1980, Guatemala - along with Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, The Netherlands, Panama, Venezuela and Uruguay - maintained an embassy in Jerusalem.

Israel&#39;s passage in June 1980 of a law proclaiming Jerusalem its &quot;indivisible and eternal capital&quot; led to a UN&nbsp;Security Council resolution calling upon those countries to move their embassies to Tel Aviv, prompting their transfer.

Israel&#39;s ambassador to Guatemala, Matty Cohen, said on Army Radio that no date had been set for the embassy move, &quot;but it will happen after&quot; the United States relocates its own embassy to Jerusalem. US&nbsp;officials have said that move could take at least two years.

In an official Facebook post on Sunday, Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said he had chosen to relocate the embassy from Tel Aviv - siding with the United States in a dispute over Jerusalem's status - after talking to Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Guatemala with a "God bless you" on Monday for deciding to move its embassy to Jerusalem, while the Palestinians said the Central American country was "on the wrong side of history". In an official Facebook post on Sunday, Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said he had chosen to relocate the embassy from Tel Aviv - siding with the United States in a dispute over Jerusalem's status - after talking to Netanyahu. US President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on Dec. 6, reversing decades of U.S. policy and upsetting the Arab world and Western allies. On Thursday, 128 countries rebuked Trump by backing a non-binding UN General Assembly resolution calling on the United States to drop its recognition of Jerusalem. "God bless you, my friend, President Jimmy Morales, God bless both our countries, Israel and Guatemala," Netanyahu said, switching to English, in remarks to a weekly meeting of his Likud party faction in parliament. Guatemala and neighbouring Honduras were two of only a handful of countries to join Israel and the United States, which has pledged to move its embassy to Jerusalem, in voting against the U.N. resolution. The United States is an important source of assistance to Guatemala and Honduras, and Trump had threatened to cut off financial aid to countries that supported the U.N. resolution. The status of Jerusalem is one of the thorniest obstacles to an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal. Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of a state they want to establish in the occupied West Bank and in the Gaza Strip. The international community does not recognise Israeli sovereignty over the entire city, home to sites holy to the Muslim, Jewish and Christian religions. The official Palestinian news agency WAFA quoted Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki as saying that Morales was "dragging his country to the wrong side of history by committing a flagrant violation of international law". Prior to 1980, Guatemala - along with Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, The Netherlands, Panama, Venezuela and Uruguay - maintained an embassy in Jerusalem. Israel's passage in June 1980 of a law proclaiming Jerusalem its "indivisible and eternal capital" led to a UN Security Council resolution calling upon those countries to move their embassies to Tel Aviv, prompting their transfer. Israel's ambassador to Guatemala, Matty Cohen, said on Army Radio that no date had been set for the embassy move, "but it will happen after" the United States relocates its own embassy to Jerusalem. US officials have said that move could take at least two years.

'God bless you', Netanyahu tells Guatemalan president over Jerusalem embassy move

Israel&#39;s Foreign Ministry is in contact with at least 10 countries around the world who have shown interest in following the US lead and moving their embassies to Jerusalem, Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely said on Monday.

&quot;We are in contact with at least ten countries, some of them in Europe to discuss the move,&quot; Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely told a public radio channel.

Hotovely&#39;s comments followed Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales decision to move his country&#39;s embassy to Jerusalem -- announced on Sunday.&nbsp;

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/palestinians-call-guatemalas-jerusalem-embassy-move-shameful-27694">move was called &quot;shameful&quot;</a> by Palestinian officials.

Hotovely added that US President Donald Trump&#39;s decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem would &quot;trigger a wave&quot; of similar moves.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israel-pm-rejects-jerusalem-vote-at-united-nations-house-of-lies-27381" target="_blank">Israel PM rejects Jerusalem vote at United Nations &#39;house of lies&#39;</a>

The decision was made three weeks after the United States decided to recognize Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital, and four days after Guatemala decided to vote against a resolution by the US, which passed 128 to nine, with 35 abstentions.&nbsp;

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Guatemala&rsquo;s decision was &ldquo;only the beginning, and it is important,&rdquo; and that &ldquo;there will be other countries that will recognize Jerusalem and announce the transfer of their embassies to it.&rdquo;

Only three of the eight Central American countries voted against Israel at Thursday&rsquo;s UN vote.&nbsp;

President Reuven Rivlin tweeted on Monday showing Israel&rsquo;s regard &ldquo;Guatemala has shown they know very well that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel,&rdquo; he wrote. &ldquo;I welcome their decision to bring their embassy to Jerusalem and thank them for their deep friendship.&rdquo;

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Guatemala have shown they know very well that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel! I welcome their decision to bring their embassy to Jerusalem and thank them for their deep friendship. We look forward to welcoming you to Jerusalem!
&mdash; Reuven Rivlin (@PresidentRuvi) <a href="https://twitter.com/PresidentRuvi/status/945197386632187904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Although Hotovely did not mention the name of the countries, the radio informed that Honduras, the Philippines, Romania and South Sudan are among states considering such a move.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-recognises-jerusalem-as-israels-capital-sparks-firestorm-26072">Trump&#39;s announcement on December 6</a> sparked fury in the Palestinian territories and across the Muslim world.

Since this announcement, senior officials in the Czech Republic, the Philippines and Romania have talked about the likelihood of such a move or of recognizing Jerusalem as Israel&rsquo;s capital. Each of these countries abstained in the UN vote last Thursday.

'We are in contact with at least ten countries, some of them in Europe to discuss the move,' Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely told a public radio channel

Israel's Foreign Ministry is in contact with at least 10 countries around the world who have shown interest in following the US lead and moving their embassies to Jerusalem, Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely said on Monday. "We are in contact with at least ten countries, some of them in Europe to discuss the move," Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely told a public radio channel. Hotovely's comments followed Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales decision to move his country's embassy to Jerusalem -- announced on Sunday. The move was called "shameful" by Palestinian officials. Hotovely added that US President Donald Trump's decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem would "trigger a wave" of similar moves. Also read: Israel PM rejects Jerusalem vote at United Nations 'house of lies' The decision was made three weeks after the United States decided to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, and four days after Guatemala decided to vote against a resolution by the US, which passed 128 to nine, with 35 abstentions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Guatemala’s decision was “only the beginning, and it is important,” and that “there will be other countries that will recognize Jerusalem and announce the transfer of their embassies to it.” Only three of the eight Central American countries voted against Israel at Thursday’s UN vote. President Reuven Rivlin tweeted on Monday showing Israel’s regard “Guatemala has shown they know very well that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel,” he wrote. “I welcome their decision to bring their embassy to Jerusalem and thank them for their deep friendship.” Guatemala have shown they know very well that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel! I welcome their decision to bring their embassy to Jerusalem and thank them for their deep friendship. We look forward to welcoming you to Jerusalem! — Reuven Rivlin (@PresidentRuvi) December 25, 2017 × Although Hotovely did not mention the name of the countries, the radio informed that Honduras, the Philippines, Romania and South Sudan are among states considering such a move. Trump's announcement on December 6 sparked fury in the Palestinian territories and across the Muslim world. Since this announcement, senior officials in the Czech Republic, the Philippines and Romania have talked about the likelihood of such a move or of recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Each of these countries abstained in the UN vote last Thursday.

Israel in talks with '10 countries' about Jerusalem embassy moves

Israel&#39;s markets regulator said on Monday he will propose regulation to ban companies based on bitcoin and other digital currencies from trading on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE).

Shmuel Hauser, the chairman of the Israel Securities Authority (ISA), told the Calcalist business conference he will bring the proposal to the ISA board next week. If approved, it would be subject to a public hearing and then the TASE bylaws would need to be amended.

&quot;If we have a company that their main business is digital currencies we would not allow it. If already listed, its trading will be suspended,&quot; Hauser said, adding the ISA must find the appropriate regulation for such companies.

Bitcoin plunged by 30 per cent to below $12,000 on Friday as investors dumped the cryptocurrency after its sharp rise to nearly $20,000. It recouped some losses to trade above $14,000 on the Bitstamp platform, down 9 percent on the day.

&quot;We feel that the prices of bitcoin behave like bubbles and we don&#39;t want investors to be subject to that volatility and uncertainty,&quot; Hauser said. &quot;There is an importance to signal to the market where things are... Investors should know where we stand.&quot;

Earlier this month, Hauser had said bitcoin-based companies would not be included in TASE indexes and that there was a need for a suitable regulatory framework for such instruments given that the global market value of all digital currencies grew in 2017 to $300 billion from $18 billion.

The proposal will likely be the last for Hauser, who will step down next month after 6-1/2 years as ISA chief.

&quot;But once it&#39;s on its way it will continue to be pursued,&quot; said Hauser, who will be replaced by Anat Guetta.

He said he hopes she will promote easing capital gains taxes and focus on regulatory enforcement.

Bitcoin plunged by 30 per cent to below $12,000 on Friday as investors dumped the cryptocurrency after its sharp rise to nearly $20,000.

Israel's markets regulator said on Monday he will propose regulation to ban companies based on bitcoin and other digital currencies from trading on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE). Shmuel Hauser, the chairman of the Israel Securities Authority (ISA), told the Calcalist business conference he will bring the proposal to the ISA board next week. If approved, it would be subject to a public hearing and then the TASE bylaws would need to be amended. "If we have a company that their main business is digital currencies we would not allow it. If already listed, its trading will be suspended," Hauser said, adding the ISA must find the appropriate regulation for such companies. Bitcoin plunged by 30 per cent to below $12,000 on Friday as investors dumped the cryptocurrency after its sharp rise to nearly $20,000. It recouped some losses to trade above $14,000 on the Bitstamp platform, down 9 percent on the day. "We feel that the prices of bitcoin behave like bubbles and we don't want investors to be subject to that volatility and uncertainty," Hauser said. "There is an importance to signal to the market where things are... Investors should know where we stand." Earlier this month, Hauser had said bitcoin-based companies would not be included in TASE indexes and that there was a need for a suitable regulatory framework for such instruments given that the global market value of all digital currencies grew in 2017 to $300 billion from $18 billion. The proposal will likely be the last for Hauser, who will step down next month after 6-1/2 years as ISA chief. "But once it's on its way it will continue to be pursued," said Hauser, who will be replaced by Anat Guetta. He said he hopes she will promote easing capital gains taxes and focus on regulatory enforcement.

Israel regulator seeks to ban bitcoin firms from stock exchange

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-to-inaugurate-metros-magenta-line-today-with-yogi-adityanath-delhi-cm-kejriwal-not-invited-27625" target="_blank">PM&nbsp;Modi to inaugurate Metro&#39;s Magenta Line today with Yogi Adityanath, Delhi CM Kejriwal not invited</a>

The new 12.64-km route -- from Delhi&#39;s Kalkaji Mandir to Noida&#39;s Botanical Garden -- is expected to cut travel time from south Delhi to Noida by as much as 40 minutes.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kulbhushan-jadhav-to-meet-his-wife-mother-later-today-27627">Kulbhushan Jadhav to meet wife, mother today</a>

Jadhav faces alleged charges of espionage, terrorist and sabotage activities.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rk-nagar-win-for-dinakaran-aiadmk-alleges-tacit-understanding-with-dmk-27622">RK Nagar win for Dinakaran: AIADMK alleges &#39;tacit understanding&#39; with DMK</a>

TTV Dhinakaran, the nephew of jailed leader VK Sasikala, trounced his nearest rival E Madhusudhanan of the ruling AIADMK by over 40,000 votes.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pope-pleads-for-migrants-at-christmas-mass-27619">Pope pleads for migrants &#39;driven from their land&#39; by leaders willing to shed &#39;innocent blood&#39;</a>

Francis was speaking at his Christmas eve mass at Saint Peter&#39;s Basilica in the Vatican.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/president-morales-decides-to-move-guatemalas-embassy-to-jerusalem-27617">Guatemala to move embassy to Jerusalem</a>

Jimmy Morales, president of Guatemala, has become the first leader to back US President Donald Trump&#39;s change of stance on Jerusalem.

&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Delhi Metro's Magenta Line today

PM Modi to inaugurate Metro's Magenta Line today with Yogi Adityanath, Delhi CM Kejriwal not invited The new 12.64-km route -- from Delhi's Kalkaji Mandir to Noida's Botanical Garden -- is expected to cut travel time from south Delhi to Noida by as much as 40 minutes. Kulbhushan Jadhav to meet wife, mother today Jadhav faces alleged charges of espionage, terrorist and sabotage activities. RK Nagar win for Dinakaran: AIADMK alleges 'tacit understanding' with DMK TTV Dhinakaran, the nephew of jailed leader VK Sasikala, trounced his nearest rival E Madhusudhanan of the ruling AIADMK by over 40,000 votes. Pope pleads for migrants 'driven from their land' by leaders willing to shed 'innocent blood' Francis was speaking at his Christmas eve mass at Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Guatemala to move embassy to Jerusalem Jimmy Morales, president of Guatemala, has become the first leader to back US President Donald Trump's change of stance on Jerusalem.

WION morning news brief, December 25, 2017

Jimmy Morales, president of Guatemala, has become the first leader to back US President Donald Trump&#39;s change of stance on the holy city of Jerusalem.&nbsp;

Under Morales&#39; leadership, Guatemala is all set to move its embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel to Jerusalem.&nbsp;

The move came shortly after Morales spoke to the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

&quot;One of the most important topics was the return of Guatemala&#39;s embassy to Jerusalem,&quot; Morales shared on his Facebook page. &nbsp;

Necessary instructions have already been given to the foreign ministry to ensure speedy and seamless shift of the embassy, Morales noted.&nbsp;

Guatemala had last week voted against the UN resolution rejecting Trump&#39;s decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem.&nbsp;

(With inputs from AFP)&nbsp;

The announcement came shortly after Guatemala President Jimmy Morales spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Jimmy Morales, president of Guatemala, has become the first leader to back US President Donald Trump's change of stance on the holy city of Jerusalem. Under Morales' leadership, Guatemala is all set to move its embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel to Jerusalem. The move came shortly after Morales spoke to the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. "One of the most important topics was the return of Guatemala's embassy to Jerusalem," Morales shared on his Facebook page. Necessary instructions have already been given to the foreign ministry to ensure speedy and seamless shift of the embassy, Morales noted. Guatemala had last week voted against the UN resolution rejecting Trump's decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem. (With inputs from AFP)

Following Trump's lead, Guatemala to move embassy to Jerusalem

According to Nadav Argaman, head of Shin Bet, Israel&#39;s security agency, while the number of anti-Israeli attacks in 2017 (54) fell by nearly 50 per cent -- as compared to the year 2016 (108) -- greater instability and distress now strikes Israel.&nbsp;

Argaman stated that US President&#39;s decision, to recognise Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital, has provoked instability in the region.

So far, nearly 12 Palestinians have been killed.

Palestinian territories are thwarted by protests and clashes with Israeli forces.&nbsp;

He pointed at Gaza and West Bank, areas that witnessed &quot;greater instability&quot; after Trump&#39;s declaration.

Islamist movement Hamas, which rules Gaza, &quot;is trying with all its might to organise attacks in the West Bank to destabilise the Palestinian Authority,&quot; Argaman noted.

The security official also expressed his concern over the imminent Palestinian &quot;protests and demonstrations&quot; against the US declaration.

The Shin Bet chief said 400 bomb attacks were foiled in 2017, including 13 suicide bombings and nine kidnapping attempts, while 148 Hamas cells were dismantled in the West Bank.

(With inputs from AFP)

So far, nearly 12 Palestinians have been killed. Palestinian territories are thwarted by protests and clashes with Israeli forces

According to Nadav Argaman, head of Shin Bet, Israel's security agency, while the number of anti-Israeli attacks in 2017 (54) fell by nearly 50 per cent -- as compared to the year 2016 (108) -- greater instability and distress now strikes Israel. Argaman stated that US President's decision, to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, has provoked instability in the region. So far, nearly 12 Palestinians have been killed. Palestinian territories are thwarted by protests and clashes with Israeli forces. He pointed at Gaza and West Bank, areas that witnessed "greater instability" after Trump's declaration. Islamist movement Hamas, which rules Gaza, "is trying with all its might to organise attacks in the West Bank to destabilise the Palestinian Authority," Argaman noted. The security official also expressed his concern over the imminent Palestinian "protests and demonstrations" against the US declaration. The Shin Bet chief said 400 bomb attacks were foiled in 2017, including 13 suicide bombings and nine kidnapping attempts, while 148 Hamas cells were dismantled in the West Bank. (With inputs from AFP)

Fewer attacks but 'greater instability' post Trump's Jerusalem move, says Israel security chief?

Mahmud Abbas, the president of Palestine has said that his country will not accept any peace proposal by the United States.&nbsp;

He said, &quot;&nbsp;The United States has proven to be a dishonest mediator in the peace process and we will no longer accept any plan from the United States.&quot;

Abbas also hit out at US efforts to intimidate countries ahead of a vote at the United Nations.

&quot;I hope that the others will learn the lesson and understand that you cannot impose solutions by using money and trying to buy off countries,&quot; he said.

President Abbas&#39;s&nbsp;remarks came in a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.&nbsp;

The French President had said in the meeting that the United States had &quot;marginalised itself&quot; in the Israel-Palestine conflict. 
 
Macron&#39;s claims came in response to US&nbsp;recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.&nbsp;

He said, &quot;The Americans have marginalised themselves and I am trying to not do the same thing.&quot;

Macron and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas&#39;s conducted&nbsp;a joint press conference after their meeting.

French President Macron had also ruled out recognising a Palestinian state in the short term.

Earlier this month Donald Trump had recognised the disputed city of Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital. Following which, the United Nations had condemned President Donald Trump&#39;s move.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Abbas said 'The United States has proven to be a dishonest mediator in the peace process and we will no longer accept any plan from the United States.'

Mahmud Abbas, the president of Palestine has said that his country will not accept any peace proposal by the United States. He said, " The United States has proven to be a dishonest mediator in the peace process and we will no longer accept any plan from the United States." Abbas also hit out at US efforts to intimidate countries ahead of a vote at the United Nations. "I hope that the others will learn the lesson and understand that you cannot impose solutions by using money and trying to buy off countries," he said. President Abbas's remarks came in a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. The French President had said in the meeting that the United States had "marginalised itself" in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Macron's claims came in response to US recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. He said, "The Americans have marginalised themselves and I am trying to not do the same thing." Macron and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's conducted a joint press conference after their meeting. French President Macron had also ruled out recognising a Palestinian state in the short term. Earlier this month Donald Trump had recognised the disputed city of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Following which, the United Nations had condemned President Donald Trump's move.

Palestinian President calls US dishonest mediator, says will not accept US peace plan

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle&#39;s <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/watch-newly-engaged-couple-prince-harry-meghan-markle-talk-about-their-relationship-7121" target="_blank">romance </a>is the stuff fairytales are made of.&nbsp;

Ever since the couple announced their wedding on May 19th, 2018, the world has glued themselves to an update on the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/prince-harry-and-meghan-markles-wedding-date-has-been-officially-announced-26857" target="_blank">royal wedding</a>.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-prince-harry-proposed-meghan-markle-while-cooking-a-roast-chicken-25294" target="_blank">Watch:&nbsp;Prince Harry proposed to Meghan Markle while he was cooking</a>

To fan the excitement, news came yesterday of an Israeli designer&nbsp;Inbal Dror providing sketches of&nbsp;Meghan Markle&#39;s possible wedding dress to a popular fashion and celebrity news website.&nbsp;

As can be seen in the sketches, the dress is a figure-hugging gown that looks like pure perfection complete with hat and gloves.&nbsp;

As revealed by the designer to the website, Dror submitted three official designs&nbsp;to the Buckingham Palace. The three sketches read as, &ldquo;For Meghan Markle, with love Inbal Dror.&rdquo;

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc6_eK2DIyE/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Primeiros esbo&ccedil;os do vestido de casamento de Meghan Markle: Inbal Dror, a designer apontada como a favorita para criar o vestido de noiva da atriz,&nbsp;j&aacute; enviou os primeiros esbo&ccedil;os para o Pal&aacute;cio de Kensington. As tr&ecirc;s imagens, compartilhadas pelo site TMZ, s&atilde;o assinadas pela estilista israelita e mostram uma hip&oacute;tese cl&aacute;ssica e duas mais sexy, com uma cintura acentuada e detalhes em renda. Todos com manga comprida, uma tradi&ccedil;&atilde;o nos casamentos reais. . . . . . . . . . #royalwedding #meghanandharry #tmz #kensington #princess #princeharry #princesa #casamento #noiva2018 #casamentodoano #noiva #vestidodenoiva #vestidobranco #meghan #meghanmarkle #love #inbaldror #soubybe #influmix #influbloggers #weddinggown #bride #meghanweddingdress #royalbride</a>

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The first sketch is a Victorian-era inspired floor-length gown with puffed shoulders and neckline that goes up right till the waist. The gown also features intricate lace detailing at the cleavage, wrists and ankles that gives it a beautiful vintage feel. The cherry on the top is in the so dramatic trail that goes on forever.&nbsp;

The second sketch has a similarly patterned gown but with a subtle trail.&nbsp;

The third sketch has a ballroom gown feel to it. With a low-cut neckline and frills, the gown is oh-so-beautiful.

The net worth of all the dresses is estimated to be around&nbsp;&pound;6,000 to &pound;8,000.

On 21 December, Kensington Palace tweeted first official <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-in-pictures-prince-harry-meghan-markle-release-official-engagement-photoshoot-pics-27389" target="_blank">engagement photos</a> of the royal pair, much to the delight of all those desperately waiting to see them together as a married couple.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are all set to get married on May 19th, 2018

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's romance is the stuff fairytales are made of. Ever since the couple announced their wedding on May 19th, 2018, the world has glued themselves to an update on the royal wedding. Watch: Prince Harry proposed to Meghan Markle while he was cooking To fan the excitement, news came yesterday of an Israeli designer Inbal Dror providing sketches of Meghan Markle's possible wedding dress to a popular fashion and celebrity news website. As can be seen in the sketches, the dress is a figure-hugging gown that looks like pure perfection complete with hat and gloves. As revealed by the designer to the website, Dror submitted three official designs to the Buckingham Palace. The three sketches read as, “For Meghan Markle, with love Inbal Dror.” Primeiros esboços do vestido de casamento de Meghan Markle: Inbal Dror, a designer apontada como a favorita para criar o vestido de noiva da atriz, já enviou os primeiros esboços para o Palácio de Kensington. As três imagens, compartilhadas pelo site TMZ, são assinadas pela estilista israelita e mostram uma hipótese clássica e duas mais sexy, com uma cintura acentuada e detalhes em renda. Todos com manga comprida, uma tradição nos casamentos reais. . . . . . . . . . #royalwedding #meghanandharry #tmz #kensington #princess #princeharry #princesa #casamento #noiva2018 #casamentodoano #noiva #vestidodenoiva #vestidobranco #meghan #meghanmarkle #love #inbaldror #soubybe #influmix #influbloggers #weddinggown #bride #meghanweddingdress #royalbride A post shared by Mini Noivas (@mininoivas) on Dec 20, 2017 at 3:05am PST × The first sketch is a Victorian-era inspired floor-length gown with puffed shoulders and neckline that goes up right till the waist. The gown also features intricate lace detailing at the cleavage, wrists and ankles that gives it a beautiful vintage feel. The cherry on the top is in the so dramatic trail that goes on forever. The second sketch has a similarly patterned gown but with a subtle trail. The third sketch has a ballroom gown feel to it. With a low-cut neckline and frills, the gown is oh-so-beautiful. The net worth of all the dresses is estimated to be around £6,000 to £8,000. On 21 December, Kensington Palace tweeted first official engagement photos of the royal pair, much to the delight of all those desperately waiting to see them together as a married couple.

Meghan Markle's wedding dress sketch-photos prove she is a modern-day princess

The foreign policy of India has taken many leaps in the last couple of decades, especially in the case of Israel-Palestine conflict. As a responsible country, it is essential that India must keep its stand clear.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

As External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said during the Non-Alignment Movement&rsquo;s Ministerial meeting, &ldquo;The path to Israel-Jerusalem peace clearly lay in an early negotiated solution between Israel and Palestine based on mutual recognition and security arrangements&rdquo;

&nbsp;

The message is clear, we must steer clear out of this issue. And, thus, without making much fuss or openly criticising the US and Israel, India silently voted against the US proposal to make Jerusalem the capital of Israel. The move of the US was purely driven by the policy of forceful expansion and, in my view, had no merit either.

&nbsp;

First of all, we must understand, Jerusalem had been a Holy City of the Jews, Christians as well as Muslims. It is considered as one of the holiest cities in the world. Its appeal is spiritual, cultural and historical. Not necessarily political or administrative.

&nbsp;

However, making Jerusalem the capital would invariably shift all elements of state politics to a city considered sacred. This is something like shifting India&rsquo;s capital to Haridwar or Varanasi and Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s capital from Riyadh to Mecca or Medina. Such decisions don&rsquo;t have good implications in the long term.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Secondly, we already know that the town of Jerusalem had been a bone of contention between the three religious communities. Till date, we have a rather stable and acceptable solution to the Israel-Palestine problem, it is not advised to disturb the status-quo. The same is applicable in the case of the Kashmir problem, and the international community accepts that. Till date not a single country has said that the entire Kashmir belongs to India.

&nbsp;

Thirdly, we must understand that the US himself had been sidelined much before the resolution was tabled itself. The two countries which presented the resolution were Yemen and Turkey. The involvement of Turkey makes it clear the anguish that has been created by the decision of the US on the matter. Historically, Turkey had been a trusted ally of the US and a NATO member. It receives billions of US Dollars in aid every year.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The Turkish President Tayyip Recep Erdogan in his recent speech at Ankara said, &ldquo;Mr. Trump, you cannot buy Turkey&#39;s democratic will with your dollars&quot;.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Now that&rsquo;s quite a bit for the US ego.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Fourthly, the UN resolution has nothing to say about the US. It talks generally about the Jerusalem and says, &quot;Any decisions and actions which purport to have altered the character status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void&nbsp;and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council, and in this regard, calls upon all States to&nbsp;refrain from the establishment of diplomatic missions in the holy city of Jerusalem pursuant to Security Council resolution 478 (1980); It also demands that&nbsp;all states comply with Security Council resolutions regarding the Holy City of Jerusalem and not recognise any actions or measures contrary to those resolutions&rdquo;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

My first point is mentioned by UN in its statement, and that too very loud and clear. Maintain the sanctity of a Holy City. In the large gathering of states, India knew that this resolution will win and, hence, it was a right decision to support it.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

While few of the people take it as India&rsquo;s support to Palestine, I think it is not the case. Being a responsible member of the UN, India must respect the sanctity of the UN resolution 478.

&nbsp;

India accepts Palestine as a country and the ties between the two countries have been old. In the times when the US was actively supporting Pakistan, Palestine was standing with India. We must respect this aspect too. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

Moreover, India should act as a responsible leader of the world. Being a future superpower of the world, India must balance out its foreign relations and policies which is not possible by taking sides of one group or the another. India&rsquo;s views about Palestine have always been independent and consistent, and were not driven by the influence or pressure of any third country.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

At last, I would like to say that our relationship with the US and Israel has a different dimension which cannot be altered by such minor actions. India-Israel-US constitutes a bulwark against terrorism and, we shall continue to fight the menace till it is wiped off the face of this planet.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

&nbsp;

India?s views about Palestine have always been independent and consistent, and were not driven by the influence or pressure of any third country.

The foreign policy of India has taken many leaps in the last couple of decades, especially in the case of Israel-Palestine conflict. As a responsible country, it is essential that India must keep its stand clear. As External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said during the Non-Alignment Movement’s Ministerial meeting, “The path to Israel-Jerusalem peace clearly lay in an early negotiated solution between Israel and Palestine based on mutual recognition and security arrangements” The message is clear, we must steer clear out of this issue. And, thus, without making much fuss or openly criticising the US and Israel, India silently voted against the US proposal to make Jerusalem the capital of Israel. The move of the US was purely driven by the policy of forceful expansion and, in my view, had no merit either. First of all, we must understand, Jerusalem had been a Holy City of the Jews, Christians as well as Muslims. It is considered as one of the holiest cities in the world. Its appeal is spiritual, cultural and historical. Not necessarily political or administrative. However, making Jerusalem the capital would invariably shift all elements of state politics to a city considered sacred. This is something like shifting India’s capital to Haridwar or Varanasi and Saudi Arabia’s capital from Riyadh to Mecca or Medina. Such decisions don’t have good implications in the long term. Secondly, we already know that the town of Jerusalem had been a bone of contention between the three religious communities. Till date, we have a rather stable and acceptable solution to the Israel-Palestine problem, it is not advised to disturb the status-quo. The same is applicable in the case of the Kashmir problem, and the international community accepts that. Till date not a single country has said that the entire Kashmir belongs to India. Thirdly, we must understand that the US himself had been sidelined much before the resolution was tabled itself. The two countries which presented the resolution were Yemen and Turkey. The involvement of Turkey makes it clear the anguish that has been created by the decision of the US on the matter. Historically, Turkey had been a trusted ally of the US and a NATO member. It receives billions of US Dollars in aid every year. The Turkish President Tayyip Recep Erdogan in his recent speech at Ankara said, “Mr. Trump, you cannot buy Turkey's democratic will with your dollars". Now that’s quite a bit for the US ego. Fourthly, the UN resolution has nothing to say about the US. It talks generally about the Jerusalem and says, "Any decisions and actions which purport to have altered the character status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council, and in this regard, calls upon all States to refrain from the establishment of diplomatic missions in the holy city of Jerusalem pursuant to Security Council resolution 478 (1980); It also demands that all states comply with Security Council resolutions regarding the Holy City of Jerusalem and not recognise any actions or measures contrary to those resolutions” My first point is mentioned by UN in its statement, and that too very loud and clear. Maintain the sanctity of a Holy City. In the large gathering of states, India knew that this resolution will win and, hence, it was a right decision to support it. While few of the people take it as India’s support to Palestine, I think it is not the case. Being a responsible member of the UN, India must respect the sanctity of the UN resolution 478. India accepts Palestine as a country and the ties between the two countries have been old. In the times when the US was actively supporting Pakistan, Palestine was standing with India. We must respect this aspect too. Moreover, India should act as a responsible leader of the world. Being a future superpower of the world, India must balance out its foreign relations and policies which is not possible by taking sides of one group or the another. India’s views about Palestine have always been independent and consistent, and were not driven by the influence or pressure of any third country. At last, I would like to say that our relationship with the US and Israel has a different dimension which cannot be altered by such minor actions. India-Israel-US constitutes a bulwark against terrorism and, we shall continue to fight the menace till it is wiped off the face of this planet. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Opinion: India and the curious case of the UN Resolution on Jerusalem

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/vijay-rupani-to-continue-as-gujarat-chief-minister-nitin-bhai-patel-his-deputy-bjp-27467" target="_blank">Vijay Rupani to continue as Gujarat chief minister, Nitin Bhai Patel his deputy: BJP</a>

Vijay Rupani will continue as Chief Minister of Gujarat, Nitin Patel his deputy, the BJP announced on Friday. The announcement was made at a meeting conducted by elected BJP candidates under the steer of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who made the announcement.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sachin-tendulkar-releases-video-takes-his-disrupted-rajya-sabha-speech-online-27462" target="_blank">Sachin Tendulkar releases video; takes his disrupted Rajya Sabha speech online</a>

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was supposed to initiate a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sachin-tendulkars-unable-to-lead-debate-as-rajya-sabha-gets-adjourned-27360">debate&nbsp;</a>in&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sachin-tendulkars-unable-to-lead-debate-as-rajya-sabha-gets-adjourned-27360">Rajya Sabha yesterday</a>. His speech was disrupted as the Upper House of Parliament was adjourned due to Congress leaders&#39; sloganeering over PM Modi&#39;s remark on former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/adarsh-scam-bombay-high-court-rejects-governors-sanction-to-prosecute-ashok-chavan-27435" target="_blank">Adarsh scam: Bombay High Court rejects Governor&#39;s sanction to prosecute Ashok Chavan</a>

The Bombay High Court on Friday set aside Governor&#39;s sanction to prosecute senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan in the Adarsh scam.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/lashkar-e-taiba-creates-special-security-team-to-protect-hafiz-saeed-27474" target="_blank">Lashkar-e-Taiba forms &#39;special security team&#39; to protect Hafiz Saeed</a>

Lashkar-e-Taiba is reported to have created a &quot;special security team&quot;&nbsp;to provide security cover to global terrorist and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) Chief Hafiz Saeed. Saeed&#39;s LeT&nbsp;security agents would also be armed with&nbsp;ammunition.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/palestinian-president-calls-us-dishonest-mediator-says-will-not-accept-us-peace-plan-27464" target="_blank">Palestinian President calls US dishonest mediator, says will not accept US peace plan</a>

Mahmud Abbas, the president of Palestine has said that his country will not accept any peace proposal by the United States.&nbsp; He said, &quot;&nbsp;The United States has proven to be a dishonest mediator in the peace process and we will no longer accept any plan from the United States.&quot;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Here are the top developments this evening

Vijay Rupani to continue as Gujarat chief minister, Nitin Bhai Patel his deputy: BJP Vijay Rupani will continue as Chief Minister of Gujarat, Nitin Patel his deputy, the BJP announced on Friday. The announcement was made at a meeting conducted by elected BJP candidates under the steer of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who made the announcement. Sachin Tendulkar releases video; takes his disrupted Rajya Sabha speech online Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was supposed to initiate a debate in Rajya Sabha yesterday. His speech was disrupted as the Upper House of Parliament was adjourned due to Congress leaders' sloganeering over PM Modi's remark on former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Adarsh scam: Bombay High Court rejects Governor's sanction to prosecute Ashok Chavan The Bombay High Court on Friday set aside Governor's sanction to prosecute senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan in the Adarsh scam. Lashkar-e-Taiba forms 'special security team' to protect Hafiz Saeed Lashkar-e-Taiba is reported to have created a "special security team" to provide security cover to global terrorist and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) Chief Hafiz Saeed. Saeed's LeT security agents would also be armed with ammunition. Palestinian President calls US dishonest mediator, says will not accept US peace plan Mahmud Abbas, the president of Palestine has said that his country will not accept any peace proposal by the United States. He said, " The United States has proven to be a dishonest mediator in the peace process and we will no longer accept any plan from the United States."

WION evening news brief, December 22, 2017

Two Palestinians were killed as youths clashed with Israeli soldiers on the Gaza border on Friday in a new protest against US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital, the health ministry said.

The third Friday since US President Donald Trump&#39;s controversial announcement on Jerusalem was again billed by Gaza&#39;s Islamist rulers Hamas as a &quot;day of rage&quot;.

Hundreds of Palestinian protesters at various points along the Gaza border threw stones at Israeli forces, who responded with smoke grenades and live and rubber bullets, AFP correspondents said.

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said Zakaria al-Kafarneh, 24, died after being shot in the chest in clashes near Jabalia, in northern Gaza.

A second man, 29-year-old Mohammed Mohaisen, died later in clashes east of Gaza City, it said.

Six other Gazans were shot and wounded by soldiers using live ammunition, and one was in a critical condition, the ministry said.

One man dressed as Santa Claus holding a Palestinian flag was shot in the leg east of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, eyewitnesses said.

In the occupied West Bank, clashes broke out in Ramallah, Hebron and other major cities, with smaller protests across the territory, including near the Jewish settlement of Beit El.

Osama Najar, spokesman for the health ministry in the West Bank, said they had seen protests in more locations than on previous Fridays.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said it had dealt with dozens of injuries during the West Bank clashes, including at least seven hit by live ammunition.

The clashes broke out after the weekly Muslim prayers, with minor scuffles in Jerusalem.

The army said in a statement that around 1,700 &quot;rioters are hurling firebombs and rocks and rolling burning tyres... In order to disperse the riot, troops are responding with riot dispersal means&quot;.

In Gaza, around 2,000 Palestinians were taking part in protests, the army said, with soldiers firing &quot;live rounds selectively towards main instigators&quot;.

The army&#39;s estimates were down from 2,500 and 3,500 in the West Bank and Gaza respectively the previous Friday.

There have been near daily protests across the Palestinian territories since Trump&#39;s controversial December 6 announcement that he would recognise Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital and move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv.

Ten Palestinians have died, eight in clashes and two in an Israeli air strike on Gaza.

Fridays, traditionally a day of protest for Palestinians, have seen the most violence.

 
&nbsp;

Two Palestinians were killed as youths clashed with Israeli soldiers on the Gaza border on Friday in a new protest against US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, the health ministry said

Two Palestinians were killed as youths clashed with Israeli soldiers on the Gaza border on Friday in a new protest against US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, the health ministry said. The third Friday since US President Donald Trump's controversial announcement on Jerusalem was again billed by Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas as a "day of rage". Hundreds of Palestinian protesters at various points along the Gaza border threw stones at Israeli forces, who responded with smoke grenades and live and rubber bullets, AFP correspondents said. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said Zakaria al-Kafarneh, 24, died after being shot in the chest in clashes near Jabalia, in northern Gaza. A second man, 29-year-old Mohammed Mohaisen, died later in clashes east of Gaza City, it said. Six other Gazans were shot and wounded by soldiers using live ammunition, and one was in a critical condition, the ministry said. One man dressed as Santa Claus holding a Palestinian flag was shot in the leg east of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, eyewitnesses said. In the occupied West Bank, clashes broke out in Ramallah, Hebron and other major cities, with smaller protests across the territory, including near the Jewish settlement of Beit El. Osama Najar, spokesman for the health ministry in the West Bank, said they had seen protests in more locations than on previous Fridays. The Palestinian Red Crescent said it had dealt with dozens of injuries during the West Bank clashes, including at least seven hit by live ammunition. The clashes broke out after the weekly Muslim prayers, with minor scuffles in Jerusalem. The army said in a statement that around 1,700 "rioters are hurling firebombs and rocks and rolling burning tyres... In order to disperse the riot, troops are responding with riot dispersal means". In Gaza, around 2,000 Palestinians were taking part in protests, the army said, with soldiers firing "live rounds selectively towards main instigators". The army's estimates were down from 2,500 and 3,500 in the West Bank and Gaza respectively the previous Friday. There have been near daily protests across the Palestinian territories since Trump's controversial December 6 announcement that he would recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv. Ten Palestinians have died, eight in clashes and two in an Israeli air strike on Gaza. Fridays, traditionally a day of protest for Palestinians, have seen the most violence.

Gazans killed by Israeli fire in border clash

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/un-votes-128-9-to-reject-trump-decision-on-jerusalem-27409">As 128 nations defied the Trump</a> administration and approved a motion rejecting the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital, Israel&#39;s envoy to the United Nations said no&nbsp;General Assembly resolution &quot;will ever drive us from Jerusalem&quot;.

Israel&#39;s <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/un-votes-on-jerusalem-after-trump-warns-were-watching-27403">Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu </a>blasted the UN move, saying: &quot;Israel completely rejects this preposterous resolution. Jerusalem is our capital, always was, always will be.&quot;

&quot;But I do appreciate the fact that a growing number of countries refused to participate in this theatre of the absurd. So I appreciate it,&quot; &nbsp;Netanyahu added.

US ambassador Nikki Haley slammed the UN members asserting &quot;the United States will remember this day&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;This vote will make a difference on how Americans look at the UN and on how we look at countries who disrespect us in the UN,&quot; Haley told the UN General Assembly.

Majority of 193 members rejected the UN move to recognize Jerusalem despite President Trump&#39;s threat to cut financial ties with member countries against the US move. There were 35 countries which abstained from voting.

Senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organization(PLO) Hanan Ashrawi backing the UN move said: &quot;I am extremely encouraged that the vast majority of member states at the UN General Assembly did not succumb to American threats and blackmail.&quot;

&quot;128 countries told the US and Israel that what they are doing is wrong and unacceptable and they voted for Jerusalem, they did not accept the Israeli insults being hurled at them,&quot; Ashrawi said.

Ashrawi added that&nbsp;her organization will now pursue full UN membership including in other international organizations.

Guatemala, Honduras, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Togo backed the US move, while Australia, Bhutan, Canada, Poland including Romania, Panama and several other countries abstained from voting.

Guatemala, Honduras, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Togo backed the US move

As 128 nations defied the Trump administration and approved a motion rejecting the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, Israel's envoy to the United Nations said no General Assembly resolution "will ever drive us from Jerusalem". Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasted the UN move, saying: "Israel completely rejects this preposterous resolution. Jerusalem is our capital, always was, always will be." "But I do appreciate the fact that a growing number of countries refused to participate in this theatre of the absurd. So I appreciate it," Netanyahu added. US ambassador Nikki Haley slammed the UN members asserting "the United States will remember this day". "This vote will make a difference on how Americans look at the UN and on how we look at countries who disrespect us in the UN," Haley told the UN General Assembly. Majority of 193 members rejected the UN move to recognize Jerusalem despite President Trump's threat to cut financial ties with member countries against the US move. There were 35 countries which abstained from voting. Senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organization(PLO) Hanan Ashrawi backing the UN move said: "I am extremely encouraged that the vast majority of member states at the UN General Assembly did not succumb to American threats and blackmail." "128 countries told the US and Israel that what they are doing is wrong and unacceptable and they voted for Jerusalem, they did not accept the Israeli insults being hurled at them," Ashrawi said. Ashrawi added that her organization will now pursue full UN membership including in other international organizations. Guatemala, Honduras, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Togo backed the US move, while Australia, Bhutan, Canada, Poland including Romania, Panama and several other countries abstained from voting.

No General Assembly resolution will drive us out of Jerusalem: Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dubbed the United Nations a &quot;house of lies&quot; on Thursday, ahead of a General Assembly vote on a resolution rejecting US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital.

&quot;The State of Israel rejects outright this vote, even before it passes,&quot; he said at a ceremony in southern Israel.

&quot;The attitude to Israel of many nations in the world, in all the continents, is changing outside of the UN walls, and will eventually filter into the UN as well -- the house of lies,&quot; he said.

The UN General Assembly will hold an emergency session later on Thursday to vote on a draft resolution that the United States vetoed at the Security Council on Monday after all other 14 council members voted in favour.

On the eve of the vote, US President Donald Trump suggested there could be reprisals for countries that support the draft, put forward by Yemen and Turkey on behalf of Arab and Muslim countries.

&quot;Jerusalem is our capital, we will continue to build in it and embassies of countries, led by the US, will move to Jerusalem,&quot; Netanyahu said, thanking Trump and US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley for &quot;standing by Israel and the truth.&quot;

&quot;Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, whether the UN recognises it or not,&quot; Netanyahu said. &quot;It took 70 years until the US officially recognised it and it will take many more years until the UN recognises it too.&quot;

Trump&#39;s December 6 decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital and move the US embassy from Tel Aviv broke with international consensus, triggering protests across the Muslim world and drawing widespread condemnation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dubbed the United Nations a 'house of lies' on Thursday, ahead of a General Assembly vote on a resolution rejecting US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dubbed the United Nations a "house of lies" on Thursday, ahead of a General Assembly vote on a resolution rejecting US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. "The State of Israel rejects outright this vote, even before it passes," he said at a ceremony in southern Israel. "The attitude to Israel of many nations in the world, in all the continents, is changing outside of the UN walls, and will eventually filter into the UN as well -- the house of lies," he said. The UN General Assembly will hold an emergency session later on Thursday to vote on a draft resolution that the United States vetoed at the Security Council on Monday after all other 14 council members voted in favour. On the eve of the vote, US President Donald Trump suggested there could be reprisals for countries that support the draft, put forward by Yemen and Turkey on behalf of Arab and Muslim countries. "Jerusalem is our capital, we will continue to build in it and embassies of countries, led by the US, will move to Jerusalem," Netanyahu said, thanking Trump and US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley for "standing by Israel and the truth." "Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, whether the UN recognises it or not," Netanyahu said. "It took 70 years until the US officially recognised it and it will take many more years until the UN recognises it too." Trump's December 6 decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US embassy from Tel Aviv broke with international consensus, triggering protests across the Muslim world and drawing widespread condemnation.

Israel PM rejects Jerusalem vote at United Nations 'house of lies'

UN member-states were poised Thursday to vote on a motion rejecting US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital, after President Donald Trump threatened to cut funding to countries that back the measure.&nbsp;

Gathered in an emergency session, the General Assembly is to decide on a draft resolution reaffirming that the status of Jerusalem must be resolved through negotiations, and that any decision reached outside of that framework has no legal effect and must be rescinded.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki, addressing the assembly as the session got underway, appealed for support and referenced America&#39;s warning that it was &quot;taking names&quot; among countries that oppose it at the UN.

&quot;This organization is now undergoing an unprecedented test,&quot; al-Malki said.

&quot;History records names, it remembers names -- the names of those who stand by what is right and the names of those who speak falsehood. Today we are seekers of rights and peace.&quot;

Trump&#39;s decision on December 6 to recognize Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital broke with international consensus and unleashed protests across the Muslim world, prompting a flurry of appeals to the United Nations.&nbsp;

The status of the Holy City is one of the thorniest issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with both sides claiming it as their capital.

A draft resolution rejecting the US move was sent to the General Assembly after it was vetoed by the United States at the Security Council on Monday, although all other 14 council members voted in favor.

Trump warned that Washington would closely watch how nations voted on Thursday, suggesting there could be financial reprisals for countries that back the motion put forward by Yemen and Turkey on behalf of Arab and Muslim countries.

&quot;They take hundreds of millions of dollars and even billions of dollars and then they vote against us,&quot; Trump said at the White House.

&quot;Well, we&#39;re watching those votes. Let them vote against us. We&#39;ll save a lot. We don&#39;t care.&quot;

&#39;House of lies&#39; 
The draft resolution mirrors the text that was vetoed on Monday, and although it does not mention Trump&#39;s decision, it expresses &quot;deep regret at recent decisions&quot; concerning the city&#39;s status.&nbsp;

Ahead of the vote, Israel&#39;s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasted the UN as a &quot;house of lies,&quot; saying Israel &quot;rejects outright this vote, even before it passes.&quot;

&quot;The attitude to Israel of many nations in the world, in all the continents, is changing outside of the UN walls, and will eventually filter into the UN as well -- the house of lies,&quot; he said.

Diplomats expect strong support for the resolution, which is non-binding, despite the US pressure to either abstain, vote against it or simply not turn up for the vote.&nbsp;

America&#39;s neighbors Canada and Mexico were both expected to abstain, according to diplomats.

On Tuesday, US Ambassador Nikki Haley sent an email to fellow UN envoys to put them on notice that &quot;the president will be watching this vote carefully and has requested I report back on those countries who voted against us.&quot;

&quot;We will take note of each and every vote on this issue,&quot; she wrote in the message seen by AFP.

And on Twitter she said &quot;the US will be taking names&quot; when ambassadors of the 193-nation assembly cast their votes.&nbsp;

&quot;Nikki, that was the right message,&quot; Trump said.

But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said UN member states should not be swayed by Trump&#39;s threat.

&quot;I am calling on the whole world: never sell your democratic will in return for petty dollars,&quot; he said in a televised speech in Ankara, predicting that &quot;the world will teach a very good lesson to America today.&quot;

Voting with their conscience 
No country has veto powers in the General Assembly, unlike in the 15-member Security Council where the United States, along with Britain, China, France and Russia, can block any resolution.

Among the 14 countries voting in favor on Monday were Britain, France, Italy, Japan and Ukraine who were expected to do the same at the assembly.

While resolutions by the General Assembly are non-binding, a strong vote in support of the resolution would carry political weight.

Israel seized the largely-Arab eastern sector of Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed it, claiming both sides of the city as its &quot;eternal and undivided capital.&quot;

But the Palestinians want the eastern sector as capital of their future state and fiercely oppose any Israeli attempt to extend sovereignty there.

Several UN resolutions call on Israel to withdraw from territory seized in 1967 and the draft resolution contains the same language as past motions adopted by the assembly.

UN member states will vote to reject the US's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital

UN member-states were poised Thursday to vote on a motion rejecting US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, after President Donald Trump threatened to cut funding to countries that back the measure. Gathered in an emergency session, the General Assembly is to decide on a draft resolution reaffirming that the status of Jerusalem must be resolved through negotiations, and that any decision reached outside of that framework has no legal effect and must be rescinded. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki, addressing the assembly as the session got underway, appealed for support and referenced America's warning that it was "taking names" among countries that oppose it at the UN. "This organization is now undergoing an unprecedented test," al-Malki said. "History records names, it remembers names -- the names of those who stand by what is right and the names of those who speak falsehood. Today we are seekers of rights and peace." Trump's decision on December 6 to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital broke with international consensus and unleashed protests across the Muslim world, prompting a flurry of appeals to the United Nations. The status of the Holy City is one of the thorniest issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with both sides claiming it as their capital. A draft resolution rejecting the US move was sent to the General Assembly after it was vetoed by the United States at the Security Council on Monday, although all other 14 council members voted in favor. Trump warned that Washington would closely watch how nations voted on Thursday, suggesting there could be financial reprisals for countries that back the motion put forward by Yemen and Turkey on behalf of Arab and Muslim countries. "They take hundreds of millions of dollars and even billions of dollars and then they vote against us," Trump said at the White House. "Well, we're watching those votes. Let them vote against us. We'll save a lot. We don't care." 'House of lies' The draft resolution mirrors the text that was vetoed on Monday, and although it does not mention Trump's decision, it expresses "deep regret at recent decisions" concerning the city's status. Ahead of the vote, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasted the UN as a "house of lies," saying Israel "rejects outright this vote, even before it passes." "The attitude to Israel of many nations in the world, in all the continents, is changing outside of the UN walls, and will eventually filter into the UN as well -- the house of lies," he said. Diplomats expect strong support for the resolution, which is non-binding, despite the US pressure to either abstain, vote against it or simply not turn up for the vote. America's neighbors Canada and Mexico were both expected to abstain, according to diplomats. On Tuesday, US Ambassador Nikki Haley sent an email to fellow UN envoys to put them on notice that "the president will be watching this vote carefully and has requested I report back on those countries who voted against us." "We will take note of each and every vote on this issue," she wrote in the message seen by AFP. And on Twitter she said "the US will be taking names" when ambassadors of the 193-nation assembly cast their votes. "Nikki, that was the right message," Trump said. But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said UN member states should not be swayed by Trump's threat. "I am calling on the whole world: never sell your democratic will in return for petty dollars," he said in a televised speech in Ankara, predicting that "the world will teach a very good lesson to America today." Voting with their conscience No country has veto powers in the General Assembly, unlike in the 15-member Security Council where the United States, along with Britain, China, France and Russia, can block any resolution. Among the 14 countries voting in favor on Monday were Britain, France, Italy, Japan and Ukraine who were expected to do the same at the assembly. While resolutions by the General Assembly are non-binding, a strong vote in support of the resolution would carry political weight. Israel seized the largely-Arab eastern sector of Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed it, claiming both sides of the city as its "eternal and undivided capital." But the Palestinians want the eastern sector as capital of their future state and fiercely oppose any Israeli attempt to extend sovereignty there. Several UN resolutions call on Israel to withdraw from territory seized in 1967 and the draft resolution contains the same language as past motions adopted by the assembly.

UN votes on Jerusalem after Trump warns 'we're watching'

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/2g-scam-verdict-cbi-says-necessary-legal-remedies-will-be-taken-27361" target="_blank">2G scam verdict: CBI says &#39;necessary legal remedies will be taken&#39;</a>

The CBI said today after the 2G scam verdict in which all 17 accused were acquitted that &quot;necessary legal remedies will be taken&quot;.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sachin-tendulkars-unable-to-lead-debate-as-rajya-sabha-gets-adjourned-27360" target="_blank">Rajya Sabha adjourned, Sachin not allowed to make maiden speech</a>

In a first, cricket legend&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/finally-sachin-tendulkar-to-initiate-debate-in-rajya-sabha-today-27337">Sachin Tendulkar was expected to lead a debate</a>&nbsp;in Rajya Sabha today on &quot;Right to Play and the future of sports in India&quot;. Sachin&#39;s debate could not be initiated as the Rajya Sabha session was adjourned until 11 am tomorrow after sloganeering began by the opposition.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-updates-voting-begins-in-rk-nagar-27326" target="_blank">RK Nagar </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-updates-voting-begins-in-rk-nagar-27326" target="_blank">bypoll</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-updates-voting-begins-in-rk-nagar-27326" target="_blank"> live updates: Voting concludes</a>

Voting began today in the prestigious RK Nagar bypoll in Chennai after a&nbsp;high-voltage campaign by the ruling AIADMK, Independent candidate TTV Dinkarakan and DMK for late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa&#39;s seat.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/2g-scam-verdict-a-raja-kanimozhi-15-other-accused-acquitted-of-graft-charges-27341" target="_blank">2G scam verdict: A Raja, Kanimozhi, all other accused acquitted of graft charges</a>

All 17 accused in the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-court-to-pronounce-verdict-in-2g-scam-today-27328">2G scam</a>, including former Telecom Minister A Raja, DMK Member of Parliament Kanimozhi and three companies, have been acquitted of corruption charges.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israel-pm-rejects-jerusalem-vote-at-united-nations-house-of-lies-27381" target="_blank">Israel PM rejects Jerusalem vote at United Nations &#39;house of lies&#39;</a>

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dubbed the United Nations a &quot;house of lies&quot; on Thursday, ahead of a General Assembly vote on a resolution rejecting US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital.

2G scam verdict: CBI says 'necessary legal remedies will be taken' The CBI said today after the 2G scam verdict in which all 17 accused were acquitted that "necessary legal remedies will be taken". Rajya Sabha adjourned, Sachin not allowed to make maiden speech In a first, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was expected to lead a debate in Rajya Sabha today on "Right to Play and the future of sports in India". Sachin's debate could not be initiated as the Rajya Sabha session was adjourned until 11 am tomorrow after sloganeering began by the opposition. RK Nagar bypoll live updates: Voting concludes Voting began today in the prestigious RK Nagar bypoll in Chennai after a high-voltage campaign by the ruling AIADMK, Independent candidate TTV Dinkarakan and DMK for late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa's seat. 2G scam verdict: A Raja, Kanimozhi, all other accused acquitted of graft charges All 17 accused in the 2G scam, including former Telecom Minister A Raja, DMK Member of Parliament Kanimozhi and three companies, have been acquitted of corruption charges. Israel PM rejects Jerusalem vote at United Nations 'house of lies' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dubbed the United Nations a "house of lies" on Thursday, ahead of a General Assembly vote on a resolution rejecting US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

WION Evening News brief, 21 December

The United States <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/sooner-palestinians-come-to-grips-with-reality-we-can-move-towards-peace-israeli-pm-netanyahu-26405">today blocked a UN resolution which sought to </a>withdraw Trump administration&#39;s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital&nbsp;

The move<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/watch-another-protestor-killed-as-palestinians-clash-with-israeli-troops-in-west-bank-26275"> was backed by all 14 &nbsp;Security</a> Council members.

President Trump had declared Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and decided to move its embassy from Tel Aviv even as it was widely condemned by US allies France and Germany, creating a firestorm in the Middle East.

&quot;What we witnessed here in the Security Council is an insult. It won&#39;t be forgotten,&quot; US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said after the vote.

Just after the clash at the UN, the White House said US vice president Mike Pence would be delaying his trip to the Middle East which was planned for this week.

&quot;The fact that this veto is being done in defence of American sovereignty and in defence of America&#39;s role in the Middle East peace process is not a source of embarrassment for us; it should be an embarrassment to the remainder of the Security Council,&quot; Haley said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Haley and Trump for the veto on his Facebook page.

Following the US veto, Egypt said it would evaluate the situation to determine what steps to take next.

Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki said the Palestinians would seek a rare emergency special session of the 193-member UN General Assembly on Trump&#39;s decision.

The move was backed by all 14 ?Security Council members.

The United States today blocked a UN resolution which sought to withdraw Trump administration's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital The move was backed by all 14 Security Council members. President Trump had declared Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and decided to move its embassy from Tel Aviv even as it was widely condemned by US allies France and Germany, creating a firestorm in the Middle East. "What we witnessed here in the Security Council is an insult. It won't be forgotten," US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said after the vote. Just after the clash at the UN, the White House said US vice president Mike Pence would be delaying his trip to the Middle East which was planned for this week. "The fact that this veto is being done in defence of American sovereignty and in defence of America's role in the Middle East peace process is not a source of embarrassment for us; it should be an embarrassment to the remainder of the Security Council," Haley said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Haley and Trump for the veto on his Facebook page. Following the US veto, Egypt said it would evaluate the situation to determine what steps to take next. Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki said the Palestinians would seek a rare emergency special session of the 193-member UN General Assembly on Trump's decision.

US vetoes UN resolution on withdrawal of Trump's Jerusalem decision; Nikki Haley furious

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday slammed Israel as a state defined by &quot;occupation&quot; and &quot;terror&quot;, as he opened an Islamic summit on the US recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.

&quot;Israel is a state of occupation. Besides this, Israel is a state of terror,&quot; Erdogan told leaders from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) gathered for an emergency meeting in istanbul.

Erdogan also urged the world to recognise East Jerusalem as &#39;capital of Palestine&#39;.

&quot;I am inviting the countries who value international law and fairness to recognise occupied Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine,&quot; he said.

The Turkish president slammed Israel as a state defined by 'occupation' and 'terror', as he opened an Islamic summit on the US recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday slammed Israel as a state defined by "occupation" and "terror", as he opened an Islamic summit on the US recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital. "Israel is a state of occupation. Besides this, Israel is a state of terror," Erdogan told leaders from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) gathered for an emergency meeting in istanbul. Erdogan also urged the world to recognise East Jerusalem as 'capital of Palestine'. "I am inviting the countries who value international law and fairness to recognise occupied Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine," he said.

Erdogan urges world to recognise East Jerusalem as 'capital of Palestine'

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