Tunnels  destroyed

The Israeli Air Force targeted five smuggling tunnels last week in the Rafah border area in the southern Gaza Strip. The attack was carried out in response to reported Qassam rockets and a mortar shell fired into Israeli territory from the Gaza earlier in the week and during Yom Kippur. Since the beginning of 2009, some 725 Qassam rockets, mortar shells and Grad missiles have been fired at Israel.

German subs arrive

Two new German submarines were delivered to Israel. The submarines, ordered in 2005, reportedly can launch cruise missiles carrying nuclear warheads, according to the French news agency AFP. An Israeli military spokesperson, speaking off the record, confirmed the delivery of the two Dolphin-class submarines, known as U212s. The range of the missiles the subs can carry would extend at least as far as Iran. Israel reportedly now has five submarines from Germany, which donated the first two subs to Israel after the 1991 Gulf War. The two countries split the cost of the third sub. In a recent military exercise, an Israeli submarine entered the Suez Canal for the first time, accompanied by an Egyptian naval escort.

Riot in eastern Jerusalem

Palestinians rioted in eastern Jerusalem over Yom Kippur, throwing rocks and firebombs as well as garbage at police in the eastern Jerusalem neighbourhood of Isawiya. In addition, at least two firebombs were hurled at Jewish homes in Silwan. In response, Jews stoned Arab cars. The unrest followed an incident on Sept. 27 when at least 150 Palestinians surrounded and threw stones at 15 Jews visiting the Temple Mount. Israeli police fired stun grenades and tear gas at the attackers during the incident, which occurred on the eve of Yom Kippur. The Palestinians reportedly began the riot on the Temple Mount because they heard that it was being invaded by Jewish “settlers.”

New Technion head

Renowned sleep medicine expert Peretz Lavie became president of Haifa’s Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. Lavie succeeds Yitzhak Apeloig. “We need to re-educate the Israeli public and our government about the value of higher education, and clearly show that Israel’s future is tied to world-class education in science and technology,” Lavie said. Lavie joined the Technion in 1975 as a lecturer, and in 1979 developed the Technion Sleep Research Laboratory and Sleep Medicine Center, playing a major role in the development of sleep medicine that is now the subject of study for thousands of scientists around the world. The centre has branches throughout Israel and also is a part of the Harvard School of Medicine. The editor in chief of the Journal of Sleep Research, a leading publication in the field, Lavie has authored several influential books, including The Enchanted World of Sleep. The best-seller has been translated into 15 languages.

Tabernacle tourists

About 8,000 Christian tourists from about 100 countries around the world, will participate in the Christian Feast of Tabernacle this week. The festival, which this year carries the slogan “The Tabernacle of David,” is sponsored by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem and the Ministry of Tourism. Participants come from tens of countries including Australia, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Austria, India, Italy, Nigeria, Brazil, Finland, Norway and more. The participants join in a traditional and colourful march through the streets of Jerusalem.

Gaydamark indicted

Russian-Israeli billionaire, Arcady Gaydamak, was indicted in Tel Aviv on charges of fraud and money laundering. Several top executives of a subsidiary of Bank Hapoalim were also indicted. They are accused of “the utilizing of the Israeli banking system for the purpose of defraudment and money laundering.” Gaydamak, the owner of the Betar Jerusalem soccer team, is currently in Russia. He left a nearly $1-million bond to ensure his return to Israel, Ha’aretz reported.
– files from JTA