Israel news summary

Israel News for 3-8-19

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Election Update
The Central Elections Committee ruled Wednesday that the Right wing Otzma Yehudit candidates Itamar Ben-Gvir and Michael Ben-Ari can run for the Knesset, despite Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit and State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan recommendation against allowing the latter to run. The committee’s vote passed by one vote. MK Stav Shaffir (Labor) announced that she would appeal the committee’s ruling before the Supreme Court.

For further reading click here. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5474805,00.html

Meanwhile, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz is courting the Druze vote, promising to ensure their equality under the law.

For further reading click here.

Soldiers Convicted
The military court in Jaffa yesterday convicted three soldiers from the haredi Netzah Yehuda Battalion of aggravated assault and aggravated battery against two Palestinian detainees in January. The Palestinians were arrested for allegedly collaborating with terrorists who killed 2 Netzah Yehuda soldiers.

The three convicted soldiers have reached a plea bargain with prosecutors, although it has yet to be approved. The deal will see the three sentenced to 190 days in jail, demoted to the rank of private and given probation. The final verdict will be handed down on Sunday.

Two more soldiers have also been charged in the affair, while the platoon commander is accused of standing by and not preventing the violence. He did not sign a plea bargain and will now face a full trial. The other two soldiers are reportedly negotiating their own plea deals.

For further reading click here.

Israeli TV
Looking for Israeli TV shows to watch? Click here for a list of 12 to check out.

Quoting Prophets
People looking to support liberal social and political policies tend to grab quotes from the Prophets that promote social justice for all. And these quotes are absolutely true, and accurately reflect the teachings of the Prophets. However, if we’re following the words of the Prophets then we should also realize that those same Prophets would also demand the rebuilding of the Temple on the Temple Mount and the institutionalization and enforcement of public (and private) observance of Jewish religious law. So those who choose to quote the Prophets should do so in the greater context of the teachings of those Prophets, and live by those teachings. All of them.

IsraelAM March 6

Israel News for 3-6-19 [infographic]

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IsraelAM March 6

Israel news summary

Israel News for 3-6-19

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Gaza Strike
Last night Israeli aircraft attacked terror targets in a Hamas military compound in northern Gaza in response to incendiary balloons launched into Israel.

For further reading click here.

Election Update
Attorney General (AG) Avichai Mandelblit and State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan have decided to recommend that Michael Ben-Ari, who heads the far-right Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party, be prohibited from running for the Knesset in the upcoming election. The AG posted that Ben-Ari, “systematically made racist and inciting statements based on national and ethnic characteristics against the Arab population.”

The decision to ban Ben-Ari from the election will be made today by the Central Elections Committee, who will likely approve the ban. But the decision will then be brought before the Supreme Court, which in the past has not upheld bans in similar situations.

For further reading click here.

Shas leader Aryeh Deri said that his party would not, under any circumstances, join a coalition led by the Blue White party. He pledged to exclusively support PM Netanyahu.

For further reading click here.

US Missiles
The US Army has, for the first time, deployed its most advanced air and missile defense system, THAAD, to Israel. The US military said the decision to rapidly move the THAAD system to Israel was intended “as a demonstration of the United States’ continued commitment to Israel’s regional security.” As part of the deployment, US troops will be stationed in various locations in Europe, the United States and in Israel to operate the system in close cooperation with the IDF.

PM Netanyahu said, “Deployment of the American anti-missile system in Israel is additional testimony to the commitment of the US to the security of Israel. The American THAAD system is considered one of the most advanced systems in the world, and together with our defensive systems we are even stronger in order to deal with near and distant threats from throughout the Middle East. The bond between the US and Israel has never been stronger. I welcome this joint exercise.“

For further reading click here.

Rich List
21 Israelis are ranked on this year’s Forbes 2019 World Billionaires list, up from 18 last year. The top Israel, Eyal Ofer, ranked 149 with a fortune of $9.4 billion.

For further reading click here.

Rain Falling
Rain in Israel is considered a blessing, and this winter Israel is reaping that blessing. Some parts of the country, particularly in the north, have gotten 150% more rain than usual. The Kinneret has risen over 5 ft. It has rained somewhere in Israel every day this winter. And the rain is continuing into March, which is also not the norm. Good news.

For further reading click here.

Israel news summary

Israel News for 3-4-19

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Terror Attack
Three terrorists rammed their vehicle into a group of IDF troops outside a village near Ramallah today. An IDF officer was seriously injured and a Border Policeman was lightly injured in the attack. IDF troops opened fire on the vehicle, killing 2 of the terrorists and wounding the third. The terrorists are suspected of also throwing fire bombs at a checkpoint on Rt. 443 last night.

The head of the trauma center where the officer was taken said, “After an initial evaluation and stabilization, the officer had undergone surgery. His life is not in danger and I hope he will recover without complications … he’s suffering from wounds to his limbs and head.”

Hamas proclaimed, “The death of the two martyrs near Ramallah proves that the Palestinian people are continuing their fight against the occupier until our land is liberated.”

PM Netanyahu said, “This morning IDF soldiers acted quickly and eliminated the terrorists who threatened to run them over. We send our best wishes for a quick recovery to the officer who was wounded and will do everything to speed up the demolition of the homes of these murderers.” 

For further reading click here.

Gaza Strike
The Israeli Air Force hit a Hamas observation post near the city of Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza yesterday in response to Palestinians throwing explosive devices at the security fence. Earlier, two unarmed Palestinians were arrested by the IDF in northern Gaza after crossing into Israel. They were taken in for questioning.

For further reading click here.

Soldier Attacked
A Bedouin Israel Defense Forces soldier was violently attacked on Sunday by security guards at a train station in the southern city of Be’er Sheva, after he allegedly refused to identify himself or have his belongings checked. As a result of the confrontation, the soldier suffered a severe laceration to his head caused by the barrel of a gun one of the guards.

A statement by Israel Railways said, “During a routine security check at the Be’er Sheva central railway station, the soldier refused to comply with the procedures and even attempted to forcefully break into the station. The soldier confronted a security guard at the entrance to the station, prompting him to use force to prevent the passenger from entering the premises, in accordance with the security procedures of Israel Police.”

For further reading click here.

Consulate Closed
The US shut down its consulate in east Jerusalem today, which primarily served Palestinians, and combined it with the new US embassy.

For further reading click here.

Election Update
A new poll released yesterday gives the Blue and White (BW) party 38 seats, Likud 30, Hadash-Ta’al 9, Labor 8, Jewish Home (block) 7, United Torah Judaism (UTJ) 7, Meretz 6, New Right 6, Kulanu 5, Shas 4. According to these results, the BW can form a 61 seat coalition together with Labor, Meretz and Hadash-Taal vs. a right wing coalition of only 59.

Hadash-Ta’al is a combination of Israeli communists and other leftist factions and Arab and pro Palestinian groups. It is not the same as the Joint Arab List, which according to this poll, is not expected to cross the minimum vote threshold.

For further reading click here.

Powerful Country
US News and World Report released its list of most powerful countries, based on “five country attributes related to a country’s power: a leader, economically influential, politically influential, strong international alliances and strong military.” Israel ranked number 8 on the list, followed by Saudi Arabia and South Korea. The top 7 are US, Russia, China, Germany, UK, France and Japan. Not too shabby.

To see the list click here.

Israel news summary

Israel News for 3-1-19

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Indictment of PM
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit announced yesterday that he has decided to recommend indicting PM Netanyahu on bribery, fraud and breach of trust charges stemming from 3 cases. He said that his decision to indict was not final, as there was would first need to be a hearing arranged in coordination with the PM’s legal team. A last minute petition filed by the Likud with the Supreme Court to prevent the recommendation was rejected.

The charges against the PM include:

– accepting gifts from businessmen in exchange for providing them with favorable treatment related to various government related matters

– Making a deal with the owner of Yediot Ahronot to weaken rival newspaper Israel Hayom in exchange for favorable press coverage

– promoting regulations worth hundreds of millions of dollars to Bezeq and its then-majority shareholder Shaul Elovitch in return for bribes and favorable coverage on Walla! News, which is owned by Bezeq.

The PM denies all charges. Appearing on national TV following the announcement, the PM called the timing of the announcement, six weeks ahead of elections, “outrageous” and accused his political opponents of carrying out an “unprecedented witch hunt.” He accused the Attorney General of threatening democracy, called the accusations a “blood libel” and pledged to debunk all charges against him.

Gantz called on Netanyahu to “show responsibility and resign”. The leaders of Labor and Meretz also called for the PM to resign. Likud MK’s stood behind Netanyahu and dismissed the charges as being false. The right wing parties will also continue to support the PM.

[ So it’s doubtful whether this (potential) indictment will change the upcoming election results and prevent the PM from forming another government. ]

For further reading click here.

UN Report
Israel vehemently attacked a report released by the UN Human Rights Council which accused Israeli soldiers of intentionally firing on civilians and committing crimes against humanity during a string of riots by Palestinian demonstrators last year on the Gaza border that left 189 people dead.

PM Netanyahu said,  “The UN Human Rights Council is setting new records of hypocrisy and lies stemming from its obsessive hatred toward Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East. Hamas is the one firing missiles at Israeli civilians, throwing explosive devices and carrying terrorist activity during demonstrations on the Gaza border.”

He added, “Israel won’t allow Hamas to violate its sovereignty and hurt its citizens and will preserve its right to defend itself. IDF soldiers will continue defending with determination Israeli communities and civilians from Hamas and other terror organizations funded by Iran, which declares its intention to annihilate Israel.”

The commission also faulted Hamas for not preventing use of incendiary devices tied to kites and balloons, used to attack Israel.

For further reading click here.

Jerusalem Housing
The Jerusalem City Council is set to approve a plan to construct 25,000 new housing units in the capital, including about 10,000 units for the haredi public. The plan includes building new neighborhoods and expanding existing ones. The plan was delayed during Nir Barkat’s tenure as mayor of Jerusalem, and has moved forward under current mayor Moshe Leon.

For further reading click here.

Poland Sues
The Polish Institute of National Remembrance has filed a lawsuit against NBC journalist Andrea Mitchell, who said in a recent report from Warsaw that the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising was against “the Polish and Nazi regime.” She subsequently apologized on Twitter. But the Polish institute isn’t satisfied.

For further reading click here.