7 Jan 2009
Jan 7: Cessation of IDF activities in Gaza to facilitate humanitarian activities

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As of Wednesday, 7 Jan, the IDF will refrain from fire throughout Gaza City for a period of three hours a day, in order to provide a "humanitarian respite" for the civilian population.

• "Humanitarian corridor" labeled a success
• IDF Operation Cast Lead - Daily updates

• Hamas exploitation of civilians - Selected videos
• IDF issues warnings to the civilians of Gaza

Jan. 8,2009

For eight years, southern Israeli villages and towns have been subjected to a relentless barrage of rocket and mortar attacks from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Indeed, in 2008 alone, over 2,950 missiles were launched from Gaza directed solely at civilian targets. Israel tried everything to bring an end to these attacks. It withdrew unilaterally from Gaza in 2005 to reignite the peace process. And yet, a year later, the Hamas overthrew the joint government with the Palestinian Authority.

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Terror: No strings in Indo-Israeli ties -THE SATURDAY INTERVIEW - Mark Sofer( The Statesman)

Dear Madam President,

I was deeply shocked an saddened by the murderous terrorist attack in Mumbai, which claimed the lives of so many innocent people, among them citizens of India, Israel, and many western countries.

Global terrorism is a major threat that must be combated without let-up. The terrorists are the fanatical enemies of peace and stability to which we aspire and the values that we hold dear. Therefore, it is essential that all of us unite in this vital battle for freedom and human dignity. You can be sure, Madam President, that Israel stands together with India in this crucially important fight to eradicate terrorism. Israel very much appreciates the heroic efforts of India’s security forces, despite the adverse conditions and the casualties, to rescue the hostages and defeat the terrorists who carried out the atrocity in Mumbai.

Please allow me to extend to Your Excellency, on behalf of the people of Israel and myself, our heartfelt sympathy and, through you, our sincere condolences to the bereaved families and our wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Sincerely,

Shimon Peres

Her Excellency
Mrs. Pratibha Patil
President of the Republic of India

Nov.11, 2008
It is always difficult to assess change in international politics. Yet what is happening in West Asia, where a conflict has been raging for over 60 years, demands an analysis free of preconceptions. Israel and the Palestinian Authority are trying to negotiate a full-fledged peace agreement, and these negotiations are predicated on a number of truisms upon which it is crucial to reflect.

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New Delhi, September 9 “Folklore doesn’t have borders. A folktale can be told by anyone from any culture. One just needs to keep the audience and context of the story in mind,” says Aliza Shenhar, an expert on folklore from Israel, with over 10 books and 90 articles on the subject to her credit. Shenhar and five other experts from various fields like Benjamin Z Kedar, historian; David Ofek, documentary filmmaker; Mira Magen, writer; Nirith Nelson, art curator and Vardi Kahana, photographer, will gather for the first time as part of a day-long cultural colloquium at the Capital on Wednesday. They, along with cultural exponents from India like documentary filmmaker Muzaffar Ali and artist Aparna Caur among others, will discuss means to preserve cultural identities. The colloquium, called “Preserving Cultural Identities in Today’s World,” is an effort towards bringing together creative minds to foster cultural dialogue between the two countries. More...

Of life and art - The Hindu Bestselling Israeli author Mira Magen reveals to Nandini Nair that nursing led to writing

To Israel, India is more than just a backpacker’s paradise-Mini Kapoor, The Indian Express
Against an impatient calendar, Israel learns to live with Qassams-Mini Kapoor, The Indian Express
India can learn from Israel- Kanchan Gupta ,The Pioneer
Israel moves towards durable peace- Kanchan Gupta,The Pioneer

Security fence for peace - Kanchan Gupta -The Pioneer
Lioness of Judea- Kanchan Gupta -The Pioneer
India and Israel: The great seduction-Samar Halarnkar, Hindustan Times
Inside the Promised Land-Samar Halarnkar, Hindustan Times