Recent Appearances...

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Recent Appearances...

Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Tehran sought to lure Iranian-Israeli journalist to Turkey, kidnap him – report

2024-12-30

[IsraelTimes] Iran International’s Israel correspondent Babak Itzhaki: ‘I tip my hat to the security services, they’re watching over me’; IRGC tried, failed to recruit prisoner in Armenia for plot

Iran’s paramilitary forces reportedly plotted to kidnap an Iranian-Israeli journalist by luring him to ~~The Sick Man of Europe~~ Turkey
...the only place on the face of the earth that misses the Ottoman Empire...
and then smuggling him into Iran, but abandoned the plan when an intermediary they recruited to participate in the plot refused to participate.

According to the IranWire dissident news site, Babak Itzhaki, the Israeli correspondent for London-based Iran

...a theocratic Shiite state divided among the Medes, the Persians, and the (Arab) Elamites. Formerly a fairly civilized nation ruled by a Shah, it became a victim of Islamic revolution in 1979. The nation is today noted for spontaneously taking over other countries' embassies, maintaining whorehouses run by clergymen, involvement in international drug trafficking, and financing sock puppet militias to extend the regime's influence. The word Iran is a cognate form of Aryan. The abbreviation IRGC is the same idea as Stürmabteilung (or SA). The term Supreme Guide is a the modern version form of either Duce or Führer or maybe both. They hate ~~Jews~~ ~~Zionists~~ Jews. Their economy is based on the production of oil and vitriol...
International — another opposition outlet reporting about Iran — was the target of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) plot.

The IRGC reportedly tried to recruit Mohammad Hashemzadeh, a former Iranian political prisoner who once studied with Itzhaki, to lure him and another unnamed journalist, also from Iran International, to a border city in Turkey.

Hashemzadeh, currently detained in Armenia, refused to participate in the plot. He then discussed the attempt with another Iranian journalist, who in turn told Channel 12 that the prisoner had said: "They expect me to take Babak to Turkey, and from there they’ll bring him to Iran."

Speaking to Channel 12 on Sunday, Itzhaki said he wasn’t surprised by the plot, telling the Israeli outlet, "This isn’t the first time and it won’t be the last time they plan to kidnap me. They threaten all Iran International employees around the world."

The correspondent was targeted by Iranian intelligence in an operation uncovered by the Shin Bet security agency in early 2022, which involved four Jewish Israelis who were recruited by Iranian intelligence to carry out espionage missions across the country for small payments.

So Iran was actively seeking information and attempting to acquire key hostages via this new model almost two years before Hamas exploded over the border on 10/7/2033.

Among their revealed targets were the Iran International news outlet and Itzhaki himself.

In his work for Iran International, Itzhaki has interviewed leaders including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former president and convicted sex offender Moshe Katsav.

Speaking to the Ynet news site on Sunday, Itzhaki said, "I tip my hat to the security services, they’re watching over me, and they’re always in touch with me."

"Unfortunately, I don’t see the same from the government ministries," he said, complaining that no public officials had contacted him about the plot.

Park your ego, buddy — those closest to the issue made sure you were informed. It’s quite possible the politicians were allowed to remain ignorant.

The journalist noted previous attempts by the Islamic Theocratic Republic to harm Iran International employees and said the outlet poses a unique threat to the regime.

"We broadcast using about 15 satellites to Iran, no one can block us. Even the most remote villages, if they have a little dish they can watch us. They know that for real news they need to open Iran International. The [regime] sees this and they want to silence us," he said.

Still, he said, " "Neither threats nor acts of terror will stop our exposure of the truth. I will continue to work and to bring the truth to Iran."

Last year, Channel 12 reported that Israeli security officials gave intelligence to the United Kingdom suggesting that Iran intended to harm journalists at Iran International, leading them to move their studios from London to Washington, DC.

At the time, the dissident outlet said it was experiencing an escalation of "state-backed threats from Iran," which has declared it a terrorist organization. The station resumed operations at a new location in London last September.

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Israel-Palestine-Jordan

Former Israeli President Imprisoned for Rape

2011-03-23

[Tolo News] Former Israeli President Moshe Katsav was sentenced to seven years in jail on Tuesday for having forced sex with women working for him, reports say.

The case has been described as the biggest "shame and strain" in Israel's highest office.

Katsav, 65, had denied charges he twice raped an aide when he was a cabinet minister in the late 1990s, and sexually harassed two other women at office during his 2000-2007 term as president.

Rape carries a minimum prison term of four years and a maximum of 16 years in Israel.

The outbreak of Katsav's affair had showcased the level of corruption that brought down Israel's then premier, Ehud Olmert.

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Israel-Palestine-Jordan

Israel's ex-president formally indicted for rape - ministry

2009-03-20

Israel's ex-president Moshe Katsav was formally charged on Thursday with several counts of rape, sexual harassment and an indecent act, the justice ministry said. "

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Israel-Palestine-Jordan

Syria expecting Israeli attack

2007-08-06

Syria is genuinely concerned about an Israeli attack and, as a result, is exhibiting increasing military activity, Military Intelligence's head of research Brig.-Gen. Yossi Baidatz told the cabinet on Sunday.

Baidatz repeated what the cabinet has been told numerous times over the last few months, that the increased Syrian activity is of a defensive, not offensive, nature, and that the Syrians are not interested in a war with Israel. "The Syrians continue to be concerned about an Israeli attack," Baidatz said.

This concern comes despite Israeli signals to the contrary. Just last Tuesday, for example, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert - in reference to persistent rumors of an impending war - said: "I believe, with all my heart, that this summer and the fall will not be too hot. There is no reason to exaggerate in creating an atmosphere of the eve of war. Our neighbors know well that we prefer sitting and discussing peace with them, rather than proving to them that we are stronger."

Baidatz said Damascus was interested in peace with Israel on its terms, and that recent comments by President Bashar Assad and other Syrian leaders reflected this. Their terms, however, include a full Israeli withdrawal to the June 4, 1967, lines.

On the same day that Baidatz was talking about a Syrian interest in peace, however, Damascus's Information Minister Mohsen Bilal was quoted as having launched a harsh attack on Israel and the US, comparing both countries to a snake "ready to attack at any minute, even if it knows it will die."

According to Israel Radio, Bilal, speaking to the Persian Gulf newspaper Al-Hilaj, characterized Israel as an "immoral" nation lacking in values. As proof of this assertion, he said former president Moshe Katsav had raped a "young daughter of his people." The minister also criticized Saudi Arabia for expressing a willingness to participate in the planned regional meeting initiated by US President George W. Bush.

Baidatz also told the cabinet that he believed the West Bank might soon see Fatah-Hamas clashes, and described violent episodes between the two sides that have taken place there in recent weeks. He said that despite attempts by various players - including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Russia - to bring Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leaders together for a dialogue, the rift between the two sides continued.

Baidatz said that while the Fatah-controlled PA security forces were attempting to reduce Hamas's influence in the West Bank, they were largely relying on the IDF to carry out this task.

Relying on the evil Joooooz to do that they can't do? Doesn't that tell you everything about the Paleos?

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Israel-Palestine-Jordan

Israeli president resigns over sex offences

2007-06-30

JERUSALEM - Israels disgraced president Moshe Katsav resigned on Friday after signing a controversial plea bargain that will see him convicted of sexual offences but escape jail for initial rape charges. The father of five, who suspended himself from duty in January over the worst scandal to befall an Israeli leader, sent a letter of resignation by courier to parliament speaker Dalia Itzik, a senior aide to Katsav told AFP. His resignation will take effect in 48 hours, when Itzik will be named interim president and the state prosecution will indict Katsav.

The Iranian-born president was forced out of his seven-year term in office some two weeks before Nobel peace laureate Shimon Peres is officially sworn in as his successor, having been elected Israels ninth president this month. I wish to end the term of my office two weeks in advance and therefore I announce my resignation, Katsav wrote in the letter to Itzik, according to parliamentary sources.

The 61-year-old and Israels first head of state born in an Islamic country on Thursday signed the deal, admitting to a series of sex offences, including harassment and indecent acts, but dropping two rape charges. The plea bargain sparked a wave of national outrage.

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Israel-Palestine-Jordan

Israeli president pleads guilty to sex offences

2007-06-29

Israeli President Moshe Katsav pleaded guilty on Thursday to committing sexual crimes against women employees in a plea bargain that will keep him out of jail, Israels attorney-general said. Under the deal, Attorney-General Menachem Mazuz retreated from his stated intention to charge Katsav with rape but said the president, whose term expires next month, would resign and that shame will accompany him forever.

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Israel-Palestine-Jordan

Shimon Peres elected ninth president

2007-06-14

Vice Premier Shimon Peres ended his losing ways on Wednesday, beating MKs Reuven Rivlin (Likud) and Colette Avital (Labor) to become Israel's ninth president. The victory vanquished his previous eight defeats. He also avenged his loss to the Likud's Moshe Katsav in the 2000 presidential race. "This may be my last contribution to the state," Peres said. "No matter how much I thought of this, I was caught unprepared. Today, I witnessed a show of unity, togetherness, and democracy at its finest. Today, the Knesset showed nobility and camaraderie."

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Israel-Palestine-Jordan

House Committee vote fails to impeach Katsav

2007-03-08

In its third and final meeting on the matter, the Knesset House Committee on Wednesday failed to pass a motion to impeach President Moshe Katsav. Seven MKs voted in favor of impeachment, four voted against and two abstained. Even before the vote took place, however, the motion was destined to fail because at least 19 of the 25 committee members would have needed to vote in order for it to pass.

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Israel-Palestine-Jordan

Israel: Dalia Itzik becomes acting president

2007-01-26

Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik became Israel's acting president on Thursday after the Knesset House Committee granted President Moshe Katsav's request for a temporary suspension from office as he battles Attorney-General Menahem Mazuz's decision in principle to indict him for rape and other offenses. The committee's vote, after a tumultuous six-hour debate, was a narrow 13 in favor and 11 against, with the defeated dissenters pressing to reject Katsav's request for a suspension and instead move toward impeaching him.

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Israel-Palestine-Jordan

Israeli lawmakers approve president's temporary suspension from post

2007-01-26

(Xinhua) -- The Israeli Knesset (parliament) House Committee on Thursday approved President Moshe Katsav's request for a three-month temporary suspension, local media reported. The decision came two days after Attorney General Menachem Mazuz decided to charge Katsav with sexual crimes, including rape.

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Israel-Palestine-Jordan

Israeli President Katsav to Step Down as Indictment Nears

2007-01-24

Israeli President Moshe Katsav is to step down in order to address impending charges of rape, sexual harassment, obstruction of justice and breach of trust, his attorney David Libai said Tuesday in Tel Aviv.

Katsav, whose seven-year presidency officially ends this August, would enjoy full immunity from prosecution while in office. Under Israeli law, a sitting president cannot be put on trial until he leaves office, whether through resignation, impeachment by parliament or simply the conclusion of his term. "The president is convinced that he is a victim of false allegations and attempts to remove him from his office, and he will fight to prove his innocence," one of his lawyers, David Libai, told reporters in Tel Aviv. "I assume that this is probably his last night in the presidency," said Libai.

Commenting on Katsav's promise to leave office should the country's attorney general Menahem Mazuz recommend Katsav's indictment, Libai said, "I have no doubt that he will keep his word. But this lies in his hands."

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Israel-Palestine-Jordan

Rabbi Yisrael Lau denies running for president

2006-10-20

Tel Aviv Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau denied Thursday that he was running for president as media sources had reported earlier. "I am in no way considering the issue," the rabbi said during an interview in the morning radio program, "Non-stop Radio." Sources close to Rabbi Lau said afterwards, however, that while the rabbi cannot officially say he is running until President Moshe Katsav's fate has been decided, the rabbi has, in fact, decided to run and will announce his candidacy only then.

Israel needs a holy man as head of state like it needs more Paleostinians.

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