Shorts: Mideast

Israeli minister: Iran ‘playing with fire’

“The Iranians are playing with fire,” Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon told Israel’s Army Radio May 20 following Iran’s announcement that it had successfully test-launched a ballistic missile with a reach of more than 1,200 miles.

The launch, Ayalon said, was not a source of concern for Israel, since the Jewish state was already threatened by older Iranian missiles with a range of about 900 miles. He stressed that the Iranian report May 20 should now worry European countries.

“We know the Iranians are developing missiles which will reach more than 10,000 kilometers [6,200 miles],” Ayalon said, alluding to a potential direct Iranian threat to the United States. “The Iranian clock is ticking fast and has to be stopped.”

Meanwhile, CIA director Leon Panetta said that Israel must not take matters into its own hands. “Yes, the Israelis are obviously concerned about Iran and focused on it,” Panetta said. “But [Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] understands that if Israel goes it alone, it will mean big trouble. He knows that for the sake of Israeli security, they have to work together with others.”

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced May 20 that Iran had successfully test fired a new medium-range missile. Experts believe the new missile has a range of about 1,200 miles, which means it could reach southeastern Europe. U.S. officials were tight-lipped about the launch, saying they were trying to determine the missile’s range, trajectory and other details. — jpost.com & ap

Shin Bet: Terrorists out to ‘friend’ Israelis

Israel’s internal intelligence service, the Shin Bet, urged the public May 18 to exercise caution when using Facebook, saying Arabs are trying to recruit spies on the popular social networking site.

The Shin Bet  warned Israelis against answering unsolicited messages or sharing telephone numbers and other sensitive information over the Internet. It said there have been numerous incidents recently in which violent groups tried to recruit Israelis through Facebook and other networking sites.

The agency said in one instance an Israeli Facebook user was contacted by a man who introduced himself as a Lebanese agent and offered money for information about Israel.

The Shin Bet said Israelis should be wary of seemingly innocent meetings or dates proposed online by people they don’t know. These messages might be posted by militants with intention to kidnap or kill, it said.

An Israeli teenager was killed eight years ago when he was lured to the West Bank by a young woman he met on the Internet. — ap

Building to begin on new settlement

Construction is due to begin on a new settlement in the Jordan Valley, as Israel issued tenders to construct 20 housing units in Maskiot, a former army outpost, according to reports.

Plans for the new West Bank community began about three years ago, when then–Defense Minister Amir Peretz made moves to turn the base into a community for former residents of Gaza settlement Gush Katif. Strident criticism from the United States shortly afterward led to the plan being abandoned.

The Defense Ministry approved the new plan last July. Contractors visited the site May 17, which was reported in the Israeli media the next day. — jta

Ex-president facing sex offense charges

Former Israeli President Moshe Katsav was formally charged last week in Tel Aviv District Court on eight counts, including two counts of rape and one count of committing an indecent act using force.

All involved aides when he served as minister of tourism (1996 to 1999) and president (2000 to 2006). The trial will resume Sept. 1 after the court’s recess.

Katsav rejected a plea agreement a year ago, deciding instead to fight to prove his innocence.

“We’re embarking upon a tough, long struggle to clear my name,” Katsav told reporters before entering the courthouse May 14. “I promise again that with God’s help, I will emerge innocent.” — jta

Two IDF soldiers are Gaza looting suspects

Israeli military police arrested two soldiers as part of an investigation of alleged looting during Israel’s invasion of Gaza in January, the military said in a statement last week.

The Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz said the two soldiers were suspected of stealing a credit card from a Palestinian family whose home they entered during the fighting, and running up a bill of $400. The military would not say if the two are still in custody and would not give further information.

The statement said the military prosecution is investigating complaints from human rights groups and lawyers about behavior of Israeli forces during the operation, which was aimed at stopping daily rocket fire at Israel by Palestinian militants. — ap