by David Bedein
Jerusalem, Israel - Current discussions about a freeze on expansion of the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria have direct bearing on the future of the school system in these communities.
Overcrowding in Judea and Samaria school classes is particularly problematic, and pupils often study in classes with leaking roofs. The Israel Education Ministry has granted permission to construct additional education facilities there, but due to the Israel Defense Ministry's building freeze, construction has been prevented.
Israel Education Minister Gidon Saar recently demanded of Defense Minister Ehud Barak that he unfreeze the construction of those kindergartens and classrooms that are recognized by the Education Ministry in Samaria. Residents in Samaria are threatening to put the schools on strike next week. In a letter sent by Samaria Regional Council Chairman Gershon Mesika to the Knesset Education and Culture Committee, Mr. Mesika argues that the children are being used "as hostages of the policy of drying out the Jewish settlements in Samaria."
The director of education in the council, Yohai Damari, said that the freeze was a political act harmful to the children.
"Thousands of students are learning in trailers, detached from their pedagogical environment," Mr. Damari said.
According to Mr. Damari, the Israel Education Ministry has granted approval for 24 construction projects of school and kindergarten classes and even allocated funds for these after deeming them essential.
"Defense Minister Ehud Barak is discriminating against the children of Samaria because of a political agenda," said Knesset Parliament Education and Culture Committee Chairman Zvulun Orlev. "As a result, many children are not being provided with a decent learning environment."
According to Mr. Orlev, the children study in crowded classrooms that do not meet regulations, and often, due to scarcity of schools near their homes, are forced to take transportation that puts their lives in danger to study.
"There are in Samaria certain education facilities where conditions are worse than in refugee camps," added Mr. Orlev. "This is an intolerable situation that cannot be allowed to continue."
The Israel Defense Ministry issued a response saying that Mr. Saar's complaint is "being examined by the professional officials in the Defense Ministry."
View this story in the Philadelphia Bulletin
View this story at Israel Behind the News
Showing posts with label Defense Ministry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Defense Ministry. Show all posts
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
The Philadelphia Bulletin: Report - Iran, Venezeula Forge Defense Agreement
by David Bedein
The Middle East Newsline reports Iran has reached an agreement intended to turn Venezuela into a major defense client.
Iran and Venezuela have signed several agreements meant to bolster defense and military cooperation. The accords call for Iran to train Venezuela’s military, as well as for Iran to export missiles and other weapons systems to the South American state.
“This is a long-term plan,” Iranian Defense Minister Mustafa Najar said.
On April 29, Mr. Najar concluded a three-day visit to Caracas where he met government and military leaders. Officials said Mr. Najar led a large delegation from his ministry as well as the Iranian military.
“Cooperation with Venezuela has experienced a leap that we’re seeking to accelerate in this visit,” Mr. Najar said.
Relations between Iran and Venezuela have developed rapidly over the last three years under President Hugo Chavez.
Iran has sent military delegations as well as Defense Ministry staffers to brief Venezuela on the latest weapons developed by Tehran.
Iran has reported defense exports to about 55 nations. Officials said the exports included that of missiles, mortars, armored vehicle platforms and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
See this story in the Philadelphia Bulletin
See this story at Israel Behind the News
The Middle East Newsline reports Iran has reached an agreement intended to turn Venezuela into a major defense client.
Iran and Venezuela have signed several agreements meant to bolster defense and military cooperation. The accords call for Iran to train Venezuela’s military, as well as for Iran to export missiles and other weapons systems to the South American state.
“This is a long-term plan,” Iranian Defense Minister Mustafa Najar said.
On April 29, Mr. Najar concluded a three-day visit to Caracas where he met government and military leaders. Officials said Mr. Najar led a large delegation from his ministry as well as the Iranian military.
“Cooperation with Venezuela has experienced a leap that we’re seeking to accelerate in this visit,” Mr. Najar said.
Relations between Iran and Venezuela have developed rapidly over the last three years under President Hugo Chavez.
Iran has sent military delegations as well as Defense Ministry staffers to brief Venezuela on the latest weapons developed by Tehran.
Iran has reported defense exports to about 55 nations. Officials said the exports included that of missiles, mortars, armored vehicle platforms and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
See this story in the Philadelphia Bulletin
See this story at Israel Behind the News
The Philadelphia Bulletin: Israeli Armor Tested in Afghanistan
by David Bedein
Plasan Sasa, an Israeli military armaments manufacturer, plans to deploy armor it has developed with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Its subsidiary, Plasan North America, has developed an armor system for the MRAP all-terrain vehicles, produced by Oshkosh Defense.
Three M-ATV vehicles underwent testing at the army’s Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland this month as part of a competition. The M-ATV was likely designed to meet the U.S. military’s requirement for a well-protected vehicle that could operate in Afghanistan’s rugged and mountainous off-road terrain.
“In addition to meeting these mobility demands, the Oshkosh M-ATV provides the superior crew protection that military forces need by incorporating an armor system from Plasan North America, which developed the armor system in use on more than 5,000 current MRAP vehicles and for the Armored Cab Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacements in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Oshkosh announced last week.
The U.S. military has been mulling the procurement of up to 10,000 such vehicles.
“The vehicles we delivered today meet the urgent need requirement for a well-armored vehicle that excels in moving our soldiers and Marines forward in Afghanistan’s harsh environments and dangerous operations,” Oshkosh Vice President Andy Hove said. “The Oshkosh M-ATV is ideal and unique in this competition because it boasts MRAP-level protection on a mobile and proven vehicle chassis.”
Plasan has delivered armor suites for a range of trucks and related vehicles produced by Oshkosh for the U.S. military. M-ATV was based on the Oshkosh MTVR chassis, deployed in Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries.
See this story in the Philadelphia Bulletin
See this story at Israel Behind the News
Plasan Sasa, an Israeli military armaments manufacturer, plans to deploy armor it has developed with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Its subsidiary, Plasan North America, has developed an armor system for the MRAP all-terrain vehicles, produced by Oshkosh Defense.
Three M-ATV vehicles underwent testing at the army’s Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland this month as part of a competition. The M-ATV was likely designed to meet the U.S. military’s requirement for a well-protected vehicle that could operate in Afghanistan’s rugged and mountainous off-road terrain.
“In addition to meeting these mobility demands, the Oshkosh M-ATV provides the superior crew protection that military forces need by incorporating an armor system from Plasan North America, which developed the armor system in use on more than 5,000 current MRAP vehicles and for the Armored Cab Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacements in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Oshkosh announced last week.
The U.S. military has been mulling the procurement of up to 10,000 such vehicles.
“The vehicles we delivered today meet the urgent need requirement for a well-armored vehicle that excels in moving our soldiers and Marines forward in Afghanistan’s harsh environments and dangerous operations,” Oshkosh Vice President Andy Hove said. “The Oshkosh M-ATV is ideal and unique in this competition because it boasts MRAP-level protection on a mobile and proven vehicle chassis.”
Plasan has delivered armor suites for a range of trucks and related vehicles produced by Oshkosh for the U.S. military. M-ATV was based on the Oshkosh MTVR chassis, deployed in Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries.
See this story in the Philadelphia Bulletin
See this story at Israel Behind the News
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