Defense Meetup
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman met on Tuesday in Washington with U.S. Secretary of Defense Gen. James Mattis. The two discussed security issues shared by Israel and the US including Iran, Syria and Lebanon. They agreed on the need to act to strengthen the moderate forces in the region and create a coalition to fight terrorism.
Lieberman told Mattis, “We need an active America in the region.” He also said, “The strategic cooperation between Israel and the U.S. is vital and crucial not only for the security of Israel, but for security and stability throughout the Middle East and this also has implications on global security.”
Lieberman also met with US Vice President Mike Pence. According to a White House statement, the vice president underscored the “unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to upholding Israel’s qualitative military edge.” The two agreed on the need to “counter threats posed by Iran and its proxies as well as terrorist organizations,” and discussed ways in which the American and Israeli militaries could cooperate to address threats. Syria and other issues in the Middle East were also discussed.
Lieberman thanked Pence for his condemnation of recent antisemitic incidents in the United States.
According to a statement by the defense minister’s office, Lieberman told Pence that he expects to see the US embassy move to a new site in Jerusalem soon.
For further reading click here.
UN Discussions
US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley met for the first time with Palestinian UN envoy Ambassador Riyad Mansour. After the meeting Haley tweeted that the Palestinians should “meet with Israel in direct negotiations rather than looking to the UN to deliver results that can only be achieved through the two parties.”
Mansour said that Haley “raised the desire to see the two parties engaging in negotiations” and indicated that the United States was considering a fresh bid to revive talks. He added, “I don’t know at what level they want to do that, but once we receive a request to that effect, we will respond to it accordingly.”
For further reading click here.
Women in IDF
IDF Chief Rabbi Yigal Levinstein condemned the idea of women serving in combat positions in the IDF, during a speech at the Bnei David pre-army preparatory yeshiva in Eli. He called the idea “insane” and questioned the femininity of women who serve in combat. He said that religious women must, under no circumstances, serve in combat roles.
Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman responded to Levinstein’s comments Tuesday, saying, “Since the founding of the state, women have served in the IDF and made a tremendous contribution to the security of Israel. Rabbi Levinstein’s tirade is not only an insult to Israeli women, but also to the IDF and its heritage and to the basic values of the State of Israel. When I return from the United States, I will reconsider the position of Rabbi Levinstein in preparing our young men for IDF service.”
Speaking at a meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Wednesday, Netanyahu said Israel was “proud” of its history of integrating females into its fighting forces, going back to biblical times.
He said, “Female Jewish fighters, from the time of Yael the heroine to the present — with Hannah Senesh and the fighters in the Etzel, the Palmach and the Lehi and the IDF, heroic warriors in the police and Border Police that we see here on the streets — are an active, and sometimes very senior, part of our national defense. We are proud of it, and will will further it. It’s important to say this in the most clear fashion.”
For further reading click here.
Eilat Expansion
Under a new agreement signed between the government and Eilat, nine new neighborhoods with a total of 18,372 housing units, 6,930 new hotel rooms and additional industrial zones will be built in the city. The agreement also budgets funds for transportation and other infrastructure, development of the town’s coastal strip, an international sports center, municipal parks, and a waste facility.
Eilat Mayor Meir Yitzhak Halevi commented, “The agreement, which was reached after lengthy negotiations, will cause a dramatic turnaround in construction of major infrastructure. In a city like Eilat, bypass roads, parks, beaches, and so forth will put it on the road to economic independence, and turn it into a metropolis. This is big news for Eilat residents.”
For further reading click here.
PM Smoking
One of the allegations that the Israel Police is investigating the Prime Minister for is that Netanyahu allegedly received pink champagne for his wife and cigars worth hundreds of thousands of shekels from Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan. But the PM has announced that the cigar accusation cannot be true because he could not possibly have smoked such large quantities of cigars “due to a problem in his nasal cavity.” Apparently, there are several months a year when he cannot smoke at all. Netanyahu has referred the investigators to his personal physician for confirmation.
[If there’s no smoke, there’s no fire, right?]
For further reading click here.
Israel News for March 22, 2017
/by Arnie SingerGaza Infiltration
Three men were spotted approaching the border fence from Gaza last night, in a “no go” area. Idk lookouts spotted them and a tank opened fire at the men, killing one and wounded two. The IDF is investigating whether the three were trying to plant an explosive device.
For further reading click here.
Evacuation Plans
Israel is drawing up contingency plans to evacuate up to a quarter-million civilians from border communities to protect them from attacks executed by Hamas, Hezbollah or other Islamic militant groups. The mass evacuations would be the biggest in Israel’s history, part of a bigger plan where the army works with municipalities to keep civilians safe.
Elements of the evacuation plan, codenamed “Safe Distance,” were disclosed by a senior Israeli officer in an interview to The Associated Press. “In 2017, all of Israel is under threat,” said Col. Itzik Bar of the military’s Homefront Command. Preparations are underway for Israel to deal with “very high amounts” of incoming fire, he said.
The evacuation plan would apply mainly to communities adjacent to the borders. Evacuees would be housed in existing infrastructure, including hotels, schools and Kibbutz guest houses. Small core groups would stay behind in evacuated areas to maintain vital infrastructure and ensure that communities “function the day after the fighting.”
For further reading click here.
Terror Rights
This story might seem unbelievable, but keep in mind we’re talking about the UN. Ok, here goes.
Mohammed Aliyan, the father of terrorist Baha Aliyan, who murdered three Israelis in the east Talpiot neighborhood in Jerusalem in 2015, took part in a UN Human Rights Council meeting on Monday as part of a Palestinian delegation of families of dead terrorists and security prisoners.
Aliyan spoke about how Israel executed his son, refused to release the body and demolished his home. Since the terror attack Aliyan has launched a campaign to glorify his terrorist son. He speaks to groups and conferences in Israel and internationally about what he considers to be Israeli human rights violations and collective punishment.
For further reading click here.
Vietnam Visit
President Reuven Rivlin is currently leading an Israeli delegation on a visit to Vietnam. The delegation includes representatives of Israeli defense and technology companies. The purpose of the visit is to sign agreements to increase military and technological cooperation between the countries. Vietnam is a major purchaser of Israeli made military products.
For further reading click here.
Chabad Beijing
While on their official visit in China with the PM Netanyahu, Minister of the Environment Ze’ev Elkin and Health Minister Yaakov Litzman stopped by the Chabad Headquarters in Beijing to pray, eat and meet with officials of the Chinese Ministry of Religion [apparently even they have one of those]. Chabad of Beijing provided all of the meals for the Israeli delegation throughout its China visit.
For further reading click here.
Israel News for March 21, 2017
/by Arnie SingerAnnexing Territory
Israel will soon introduce a bill in the Knesset to annex a disputed 800 square kilometer triangular maritime area between Israeli and Lebanese territory. The area is thought to be rich in natural gas and oil. Israeli rule will be environmentally beneficial to the area, as Israel’s Ministry of Environmental Protection will apply and oversee relevant environmental regulations there.
For further reading click here.
David’s Sling
The IAF announced yesterday that Israel’s multi-tier air defense missile defense system will be fully operational early next month with the deployment of the David’s Sling interceptor.
David’s Sling, designed to intercept and shoot down rockets fired from 100 to 200 kilometers away, will be the final piece of a shield that already includes short-range Iron Dome and long-range Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 missiles.
For further reading click here.
Extradition Rejected
A Jordanian court rejected an extradition request by the US to extradite Ahlam Tamimi, the female terrorist convicted of taking part in the suicide bombing at the Sbarro restaurant in Jerusalem in 2001. Tamimi drove the suicide bomber to the restaurant, where 15 people were killed and 130 injured. According to a Jordanian legal expert, the US and Jordan signed an extradition agreement in 1995, but it was never approved by the Jordanian parliament and is therefore not valid.
After being sentenced to 16 life terms, Tamimi was released as part of the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange after serving just eight years. After her release from prison, Tamimi became a television star in Jordan and a symbol of the struggle against Israel.
In an interview with Hamas, Tamimi said, “It was a calculated act conducted with conviction and faith in Allah. A Jihad warrior is always ready for martyrdom, imprisonment or to succeed in the mission. I succeeded in overcoming prison and I was released—why should I be regretful?”
Tamimi is on the FBI’s list of most wanted terrorists.
For further reading click here.
BDS Arrest
Omar Barghouti, founder of both the BDS movement and the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, was arrested in Israel on suspicion he committed tax evasion over the past decade, concealing $700,000 in earned income from tax authorities. Investigators say Barghouti concealed funds he received from a company in the PA and from speaking engagements.
Born in Qatar and raised in Egypt, Barghouti received permanent residency status in Israel when he married an Israeli Arab woman. He currently resides in Acre (Akko).
For further reading click here.
China Trip
PM Netanyahu is currently leading an Israeli delegation on an official visit to China. One of the primary purposes of the visit is to improve and strengthen economic and scientific ties between the two countries. Included in the Israeli delegation are Economy and Industry Minister Eli Cohen, Health Minister Yaakov Litzman, Science, Technology and Space Minister Ofir Akunis, and Environmental Protection Minister Ze’ev Elkin.
Israeli and Chinese ministers and top officials have already signed ten bilateral agreements in health, science, education, environmental protection and other areas. Included in these is an agreement that will bring 6,000 Chinese construction workers to Israel in the next six months and a total of 20,000 in the near future. The hope is that these workers can help increase the construction industry’s output and reduce prices.
For further reading click here.
Israel News for March 20, 2017
/by Arnie SingerIsrael Attacks
According to Syrian sources, Israeli drone attacked a vehicle on the road to Damascus, killing a member of a pro government militia. The IDF refused to confirm or deny the reports.
The reported strike came hours after Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman threatened to destroy Syrian air defense systems, after Israeli aircraft were targeted during a bombing run early Friday morning.
“The next time the Syrians use their air defense systems against our planes we will destroy them without the slightest hesitation,” Lieberman said on Israel Radio.
Yesterday, Syrian media reported that Israel attacked military positions and Hezbollah targets.
For further reading click here.
Israeli Delegation in DC
Following Trump envoy Jason Greenblatt’s meeting with Israeli and Palestinian leaders in Israel last week, an Israeli delegation has arrived in Washington to continue talks to try and reach an understanding regarding settlement construction and ways of restarting the peace process.
The Israeli delegation is headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s chief of staff Yoav Horowitz and foreign policy adviser Jonathan Schachter, and includes Israel’s US Ambassador Ron Dermer.
For further reading click here.
Shin Bet Warning
Shin Bet Director Nadav Argaman told the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee yesterday that the current calm in violence is “deceiving,” warning “there is non doubt” that Hamas and other organized terror cells will try to carry out attacks over the Passover holiday. He said that the Shin Bet (Israel’s version of the FBI) is working hard to thwart all attacks.
For further reading click here.
Terrorist Convicted
The Palestinian terrorist who killed American yeshiva student Ezra Schwartz and three others was sentenced to four life sentences for the November 2015 attack. Mohammed Abed Odeh Harub was sentenced Sunday in an Israeli military court. He also was ordered to pay about $200,000 to the families of the victims.
For further reading click here.
IDF Shortage
The IDF is preparing to deal with a significant shortage of thousands of soldiers due to a decrease in compulsory military service for men from three years (36 months) to 32 months, and soon to 30 months.
Among solutions being examined is a more focused and intense training period to prepare soldiers sooner for operational duty. Training segments expected to be cut from basic training and advanced training include weeks of guard duty and various rotation-based assignments. Also, soldiers serving in Special Forces will be expected to sign on for additional service periods.
Two options that were discussed were extending the length of service of women—from 24 months to 28 months—and of yeshiva students. Both options were blocked by Ayelet Shaked and religious officials, respectfully.
For further reading click here.
Shabbat Rebuke
Haredi lawmakers slammed PM Netanyahu for conducting a government meeting on Shabbat. Netanyahu met informally on Saturday at his official residence in Jerusalem with Likud ministers regarding the establishment of the Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation.
Minister of Health Rabbi Yaakov Litzman of the United Torah Judaism Party (UTJ), said, “I was shocked to hear about Prime Minister Netanyahu’s meeting with a few government ministers that was held in desecration of Shabbat. This does serious damage to the sanctity of Shabbat and a change for the worse from the status quo prevailing throughout the years not to hold official government activities on Shabbat and holidays. Shabbat is a national day of rest, and throughout generations, the people of Israel know to keep the holiness of Shabbat and prevent desecrating it.”
MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni (UTJ) called the meeting “very serious and unprecedented and unacceptable, even if it was an unofficial consultation.” Gafni said that the Prime Minister’s Office told him that the ministers came over in an unofficial capacity and that Netanyahu did not and does not violate Shabbat. The Prime Minister’s Office also reportedly promised that it would not happen again.
For further reading click here.
Israel News for March 14, 2017
/by Arnie SingerPM Meets Greenblatt
PM Netanyahu met with US envoy Jason Greenblatt for over five hours in Jerusalem yesterday. The men discussed settlement construction and the peace process.
According to the PM’s Bureau’s statement, Netanyahu and Greenblatt reiterated both countries’ “commitment to promoting real and viable peace between Israel and Palestinians, which will strengthen Israel’s security and regional stability.”
Netanyahu told Greenblatt that he believes that under Trump’s leadership, peace between Israel and all of its neighbors, including the Palestinians, could be advanced, and that he is looking forward to working closely with the U.S. president to achieve that end.
Greenblatt reiterated Trump’s commitment to Israel’s security and to aiding Israel and the Palestinians in reaching a peace treaty through direct negotiations.
According to the statement, “The prime minister promised Mr. Greenblatt that he is totally committed to fostering prosperity in Palestinian economy and sees it as a way to improve the possibility of reaching peace.”
Today Greenblatt is scheduled to go to Ramallah to meet with PA President Abbas and other senior Palestinian officials. On Thursday Greenblatt will meet with opposition leader Isaac Herzog.
Accompanying Greenblatt on his trip is Yael Lempert, who held the Israel portfolio for the National Security Council at the White House during the Obama administration and has remained in the position under President Trump.
For further reading click here.
PA Office Shut
Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan has ordered the closure of a Palestinian Authority agency office that was carrying out surveillance and registering of Arabs who sold land to Jews. The agency was operating in the Best Hanina neighborhood of Jerusalem and was recording the names of Arabs wishing to sell homes and land to Jews and passing them to PA security services in Ramallah.
Erdan said, “The activities of this Palestinian Authority agency are part of a plan to undermine our sovereignty in Jerusalem and terrorize Arabs who sell real estate to Jews. We will continue to act with determination to prevent any Palestinian government foothold in Jerusalem.”
For further reading click here.
Huge Purchase
The U.S. chipmaker Intel will pay $14.7 billion to acquire the driverless technology firm Mobileye in what reportedly is the largest-ever purchase of an Israeli high-tech company.
In a joint announcement Monday, the companies said the combination “is expected to accelerate innovation for the automotive industry and position Intel as a leading technology provider in the fast-growing market for highly and fully autonomous vehicles.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel called Mobileye CEO Ziv Aviram to congratulate him, calling the deal in a tweet a source of “Israeli pride.” Aviram reportedly told Netanyahu that the company and its research would remain based in Israel.
Mobileye and Intel already are collaborating with BMW on a project that will see the production of 40 self-driving test cars. They are scheduled to hit the road later this year. The sale is expected to close in nine months, according to the companies.
For further reading click here.
Kipa Tailor
Have you heard the one about the Gaza tailor who makes Kipot (skullcaps) and exports them to Israel. It’s no joke. Abu Shanab, a 61 year old Gaza resident, has added an additional production line in his clothing factory to satisfy increased demand from Israel. The labor costs in Gaza are quite a bit cheaper than in Israel.
Abu Shanab said, “We make all kinds of clothes and recently began making the skull caps worn by Israeli rabbis and Christian priests.” He added, “In the foundation of our religion, we believe in Christianity and Judaism, we believe in the prophets Musa (Moses) and Issa (Jesus), so we have no problem making headwear even if they are for Jews or Christians.”
Abu Shanab said he is also in talks with an Israeli buyer to produce the long coats worn by ultra-Orthodox Jews.
For further reading click here.
Government Dressup
To celebrate the Purim holiday, many government officials and members of Knesset dressed up in costume. To see a few of them, click here.
The Brigade
If you need some inspiration along with the history of the beginnings of the IDF, then you must read The Brigade by Howard Blum, which tells the story of the Jewish brigade that served in the British army during WWII. Many of the future leaders of the IDF got their training and first combat experience in the brigade. The Jewish soldiers of the brigade did a lot more than fight the Nazis. Click here to read more and by the book.
If you’re searching for any book on Israel, Click here. We get a small commission for anything you buy on Amazon for a full 24 hours after you use the link. In other words, if you end up buying a computer and lawnmower, we get the commission on that too. It’s a great way to support us while getting great deals on your shopping. And it doesn’t cost you a cent! So please use this link for all your Amazon shopping.
Israel News for March 13, 2017
/by Arnie SingerTerror Attack
Around 4am today a terrorist stabbed two Border Police officers in a small security station near the Lion’s Gate in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City.
According to Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld, “What we know is the terrorist arrived in the area and parked his vehicle while police officers were stationed at that checkpoint as part of general security. He then took the opportunity to follow them when they entered the entrance to the police point and stabbed both of the officers, moderately wounding them. The officers responded in a life-threatening situation and opened fire and shot and killed the terrorist.”
Both officers were treated at the scene by Magen David Adom paramedics and transferred to Hadassah University Medical Center in moderate and light condition.
The terrorist was identified as a 25 year old resident of the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Jabl Mukaber. Following the attack police searched the terrorist’s house and arrested four of his relatives. They also prevented a mourner’s tent from being erected outside the terrorist’s home.
For further reading click here.
US Negotiator
Jason Greenblatt, US President Donald Trump’s special representative for international negotiations, is scheduled to arrive in Israel today. He will meet with PM Netanyahu, President Rivlin, acting National Security Council head Yaakov Nagel and Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories head Maj.-Gen.Yoav Mordechai. Greenblatt will also meet with PA President Abbas.
Greenblatt will discuss guidelines to govern construction in settlements. Netanyahu and Trump agreed during their meeting in Washington last month to establish a mechanism to work out these guidelines and Greenblatt is to head that mechanism.
This comes in the aftermath of a phone conversation between Trump and Abbas in which Trump, “emphasized his personal belief that peace is possible and that the time has come to make a deal.” He stressed that such a deal would have to “be negotiated directly between the two parties,” and that the US could not impose a solution. Trump also invited Abbas to the White House “in the near future.”
Greenblatt’s discussions are expected to go beyond the settlement issue and include exploring ways to restart the peace process.
For further reading click here.
Jerusalem Purim
Whereas most of the world celebrated the holiday of Purim yesterday, Jerusalem is celebrating today. That’s because according to the Book of Esther the Jews of Shushan, the Persian capital which was surrounded by a wall, fought their enemies for an extra day and celebrated a day after the Jews in cities without walls. Therefore, all cities that were walled at the time of the Purim story celebrate Purim on the 15th day of Adar instead of on the 14th. Party lovers have the opportunity to celebrate two days of festivities!
If you missed our special Purim issue [which has received rave reviews] and what to read it today on Shushan Purim, click here.
Space Photos
French astronaut Thomas Pesquet took photos of the Dead Sea from outer space. To see the photos click here.
The Israel News Purim Issue – 2017
/by Arnie SingerWikileaks Bombshell
Wikileaks has just uncovered documents and recordings proving that the US election was definitely rigged — by Israel. According to the documents, the Russian ambassador to the US was actually an agent for the Mossad, and was used to make everyone believe that Russia as behind the election hacking.
A telephone conversation recorded between Netanyahu and Trump several weeks before the election had the PM assuring Trump that Israeli intelligence along with a secret consortium of high tech startups had figured out a way to hack into election computers. He also was heard telling Trump, “from now on you had better damn well be the best friend Israel has ever had. Remember, we can make you and we can just as easily break you.”
Trump and Netanyahu both deny the veracity of the documents and recordings, blaming Radical Islamic Terror for orchestrating the forgeries. Presidential advisor Steve Bannon placed the blame on a secret international Jewish cabal. Jared Kushner and Trumps group of Jewish advisors, aides and confidants were in a closed door meeting in the White House basement and unavailable for comment.
Culinary Controversy
The latest controversy to engulf the White House revolves around a recent request by Ivanka Trump to make the White House kitchen kosher. Presidential advisor Steve Bannon reportedly is willing to accept a separate kosher kitchen in addition to the existing one.
Ivanka is adamant about a one kitchen solution, claiming that there’s absolutely no reason why everyone, kosher or not, cannot eat from the kosher kitchen. Bannon is sticking to his two kitchen solution saying, “every American should have the freedom to choose the food they want to eat without interference from the Jewish controlled food industry.” He added, “there’s no way in hell I’m eating gefilte fish!”
President Trump weighed in on the issue say, “I like one kitchen and two kitchens…whatever they agree upon.” He added, “And by the way, Ivanka makes the best gefilte fish you’ve ever tasted…the best!”
UN Condemnation
The UN General Assembly passed an Iranian sponsored resolution condemning Israel for the massacre of thousands of Persians during the reign of King Ahashverosh. The Iranian ambassador read passages from the Book of Esther as proof of the carnage. The Israeli ambassador denied responsibility, pointing out that the Sate of Israel only came into existence in 1948. In addition he held up a copy of the bible and reminded the assembly of Israel’s biblical right to its ancient homeland.
Annexation Agreement
In an unexpected turn of events, the far right and far left Knesset factions have reached an agreement regarding the annexation of large Jewish settlement blocks. According to the deal, Israel will annex areas of NYC, Long Island and New Jersey which have heavy concentrations of Jews.
The Chief Rabbinate, along with most rabbinic leaders, are fully behind the idea. The rabbis assert that according to Maimonides, any territory conquered (or annexed) by Israel automatically becomes part of Israel and attains the status of holy land.
Orthodox Jewish groups in the New York area are celebrating the plan. A statement released by an umbrella organization representing them said, “we welcome the opportunity to be able to fulfill our spiritual potential and halachic obligations without having to disrupt our comfortable lifestyle and move to the hot and dangerous Middle East.”
The majority of Israelis are also in favor of the plan, which will allow them to finally move to NY guilt free. Real Estate prices in Israel are expected to plummet, as demand in overpriced Anglo populated areas disappears.
The annexation plan is facing strong opposition from Nefesh B’nefesh. The Republican lead Congress and the White House have expressed interest in the plan and are anxious to remove New York and New Jersey from the electoral map.
Baseball Warning
The Israel National Baseball team currently competing in the World Fall Classic tournament in S. Korea has unexpectedly pulled off several victories and is plowing forward towards the championship. The team is doing so well that PM Netanyahu has issued them a special warning: In the event that they play the US team in the championships, they are to lose the game. According to a high ranking source in the Prime Ministers Office, the PM is afraid of upsetting US President Trump and wants to make sure that nothing occurs that could in any way ruffle the President’s feathers.
A senior White House advisor categorically denied the report, saying that Trump was the best friend Israel and the Jews ever had. When asked directly by a reporter, Trump responded, “I think the Israeli baseball team is doing really great things and we will always support them. But they should probably hold back just a bit, for the time being.”
It’s still unclear what the Israeli team will do if they play against Russia.
Women’s Rights
Women’s rights groups are in an uproar regarding a recent pronouncement by the Supreme Haredi Council of Sages to change the name of the Book of Esther to the Book of Mordecai and to make changes in the text diminishing the queen’s primary role in the story.
The Council claims that having a woman in such a prominent and visible position is contrary to the laws of female modesty. It also points out that the name Esther is derived from the pagan deity Astarte – “Queen of Heaven”, and therefore should not be uttered. In addition, the sages fear that saying the feminine pagan name could lead men to impure sexual thoughts, which combined with alcohol on Purim could be spiritually fatal.
[The council denied that the origins of the name Mordecai derived from the pagan deity Marduk.]
Hundreds of women from women’s rights groups joined by followers of pagan deities dressed up in I Dream of Jeannie costumes to protest in the streets of Meah Shearim. Thousands of Haredi men came out to watch.
Israel News for March 8, 2017
/by Arnie SingerDefense Meetup
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman met on Tuesday in Washington with U.S. Secretary of Defense Gen. James Mattis. The two discussed security issues shared by Israel and the US including Iran, Syria and Lebanon. They agreed on the need to act to strengthen the moderate forces in the region and create a coalition to fight terrorism.
Lieberman told Mattis, “We need an active America in the region.” He also said, “The strategic cooperation between Israel and the U.S. is vital and crucial not only for the security of Israel, but for security and stability throughout the Middle East and this also has implications on global security.”
Lieberman also met with US Vice President Mike Pence. According to a White House statement, the vice president underscored the “unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to upholding Israel’s qualitative military edge.” The two agreed on the need to “counter threats posed by Iran and its proxies as well as terrorist organizations,” and discussed ways in which the American and Israeli militaries could cooperate to address threats. Syria and other issues in the Middle East were also discussed.
Lieberman thanked Pence for his condemnation of recent antisemitic incidents in the United States.
According to a statement by the defense minister’s office, Lieberman told Pence that he expects to see the US embassy move to a new site in Jerusalem soon.
For further reading click here.
UN Discussions
US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley met for the first time with Palestinian UN envoy Ambassador Riyad Mansour. After the meeting Haley tweeted that the Palestinians should “meet with Israel in direct negotiations rather than looking to the UN to deliver results that can only be achieved through the two parties.”
Mansour said that Haley “raised the desire to see the two parties engaging in negotiations” and indicated that the United States was considering a fresh bid to revive talks. He added, “I don’t know at what level they want to do that, but once we receive a request to that effect, we will respond to it accordingly.”
For further reading click here.
Women in IDF
IDF Chief Rabbi Yigal Levinstein condemned the idea of women serving in combat positions in the IDF, during a speech at the Bnei David pre-army preparatory yeshiva in Eli. He called the idea “insane” and questioned the femininity of women who serve in combat. He said that religious women must, under no circumstances, serve in combat roles.
Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman responded to Levinstein’s comments Tuesday, saying, “Since the founding of the state, women have served in the IDF and made a tremendous contribution to the security of Israel. Rabbi Levinstein’s tirade is not only an insult to Israeli women, but also to the IDF and its heritage and to the basic values of the State of Israel. When I return from the United States, I will reconsider the position of Rabbi Levinstein in preparing our young men for IDF service.”
Speaking at a meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Wednesday, Netanyahu said Israel was “proud” of its history of integrating females into its fighting forces, going back to biblical times.
He said, “Female Jewish fighters, from the time of Yael the heroine to the present — with Hannah Senesh and the fighters in the Etzel, the Palmach and the Lehi and the IDF, heroic warriors in the police and Border Police that we see here on the streets — are an active, and sometimes very senior, part of our national defense. We are proud of it, and will will further it. It’s important to say this in the most clear fashion.”
For further reading click here.
Eilat Expansion
Under a new agreement signed between the government and Eilat, nine new neighborhoods with a total of 18,372 housing units, 6,930 new hotel rooms and additional industrial zones will be built in the city. The agreement also budgets funds for transportation and other infrastructure, development of the town’s coastal strip, an international sports center, municipal parks, and a waste facility.
Eilat Mayor Meir Yitzhak Halevi commented, “The agreement, which was reached after lengthy negotiations, will cause a dramatic turnaround in construction of major infrastructure. In a city like Eilat, bypass roads, parks, beaches, and so forth will put it on the road to economic independence, and turn it into a metropolis. This is big news for Eilat residents.”
For further reading click here.
PM Smoking
One of the allegations that the Israel Police is investigating the Prime Minister for is that Netanyahu allegedly received pink champagne for his wife and cigars worth hundreds of thousands of shekels from Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan. But the PM has announced that the cigar accusation cannot be true because he could not possibly have smoked such large quantities of cigars “due to a problem in his nasal cavity.” Apparently, there are several months a year when he cannot smoke at all. Netanyahu has referred the investigators to his personal physician for confirmation.
[If there’s no smoke, there’s no fire, right?]
For further reading click here.
Israel News for March 7, 2017
/by Arnie SingerTerror Stabbing
A 40 year old Haredi resident of Betar Illit (located near Jerusalem in the West Bank) was getting his car fixed at an Arab garage in the area. When the repair was done and Arab man asked him for a lift. Thinking that he was a worker at the garage, the Haredi man agreed. Before reaching a checkpoint the Arab asked to get out. But before he left he took out a knife and stabbed the driver in the side. He then fled the scene. The Haredi man was treated by paramedics at the checkpoint and then evacuated to Sharei Tzedek hospital in Jerusalem. The incident is under investigation.
For further reading click here.
Military Appeal
The Military Advocate General has filed an appeal against the lenient 18 month sentence given to IDF soldier Elor Azaria, who was convicted of manslaughter after allegedly shooting dead a wounded Palestinian terrorist in Hebron.
According to the appeal, “The prosecution will argue that according to the law, the respondent (Azaria) should receive a harsher sentence, and his punishment should be 36 to 60 months, or the punishment determined by the minority opinion at the military court (30 months).”
The appeal also noted, “In its verdict, the military court delivered a decisive and clear message about the sanctity of life and the purity of arms, and emphasized that the needless killing of a person, even if he is a terrorist, is illegal, morally wrong and goes against the IDF’s values.”
For further reading click here.
No Entry
The Knesset has passed a bill denying entry visas to anyone who is not a citizen or permanent resident in Israel, if he, or the organization or body for which he works, knowingly and publicly calls to boycott Israel or who participated in a boycott against Israel. The new law is a blow to the BDS movement.
The law passed despite vehement opposition. MK Tamar Zandberg (Meretz) slammed the bill as one “which opposes freedom of expression, serves as political censorship and is designed to silence dissent.” MK Roy Folkman (Kulanu), one of the MK’s who proposed the bill, said that “we can feel national pride and also believe in human rights. We can defend Israel’s name and honor, and there’s no shame in it.”
For further reading click here.
Israeli Baseball
Israel’s national baseball team (yes, you heard right) has qualified for the the World Baseball Classic (WBC) tournament in Seoul, South Korea , and it’s hitting the ball out of the park. Team Israel beat Korea 2-1 in ten innings on Monday and then smashed Chinese Taipei 15-7 today. Israel will take on the Netherlands tomorrow.
The WBC tournament is held every four years and includes 16 teams. The top two teams from each of the four groups in the tournament will advance to the second round of the World Baseball Classic next week in Japan.
Team Israel includes several current and former Jewish American Major League Baseball players. World Baseball Classic rules state that players who are eligible for citizenship of a country may play on that country’s team.
In an article published on Sunday, ESPN described the Israeli team as “the Jamaican bobsled team of the WBC.”
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Holy Graves
As the holiday of Purim approaches, you might be interested to know that the tombs of Mordecai and Esther are located in the Iranian city of Hamedan and are visited by Iranian Jews and Moslems. The tomb of the Prophet Habakuk is also located in the Iranian city of Shushan, the ancient Persian capital made famous in the Book of Esther.
There is a Chassidic rabbi from Israel who travels to Arab countries to inspect and pray at the graves of holy Jews located there. He has been to Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and even Gaza.
To watch a short video about this fascinating story click here.
Israel News for March 6, 2017
/by Arnie SingerAnti-Terror Operations
Early today, a special anti-terror unit of the Border Police shot and killed a wanted terrorist while attempting to arrest him in Al-Bireh near Ramallah. The terrorist, Basel Al-Araj, 31, was the leader of a terror cell that planned attacks against Israelis and was in charge of procuring weapons for the attacks.
IDF forces also arrested 12 other terror suspects in the West Bank and confiscated thousands of shekels destined for terror financing.
Yesterday afternoon, Border Police officers arrested two suspects at the Tapuach Junction. One of them was found to be carrying a knife. They are suspected of planning to carry out a terror attack at the junction.
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No Annexation
Defense Minister Lieberman told the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that extending Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank would be a mistake and lead to a diplomatic crisis with the United States and the Trump administration. He said, “I am saying it as clearly as possible: We received a direct message from the United States saying that Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank will lead to a crisis with the new administration.”
In addition to the international diplomatic repercussions of annexation, Lieberman pointed out that by Israeli law the Palestinians “would have to receive Israeli residency, like Palestinians in east Jerusalem. This means that Israel will have to pay them a minimum of NIS 20 billion in social security on the first day.”
Lieberman’s comments came amid a renewed drive by right-wing politicians and the Knesset Land for Israel cuacus to annex the third largest West Bank settlement, Ma’aleh Adumim, which is located just outside of Jerusalem.
It’s part of a larger drive by right-wing politicians to annex Area C of the West Bank, which is under Israeli military and civilian rule. The politicians want to transform military rule into sovereignty. All of Israel’s West Bank settlements are located in Area C of the West Bank, which is also home to some 300,000 Palestinians. The bulk of the Palestinian population lives in Areas A and B of the West Bank, which are under the autonomous civilian rule of the Palestinian Authority.
A debate and vote on the annexation of Ma’aleh Adumim was supposed to take place yesterday but it was postponed due to pressure from PM Netanyahu.
Lieberman also addressed the situation in Gaza and security in the West Bank.
For further reading click here.
Jerusalem Logo
Culture Minister Miri Regev (Likud) presented the new official logo that will mark the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Jerusalem on Sunday at a cabinet meeting. Jerusalem was liberated and reunited in June, 1967 during the Six Day War.
The tag line of the logo is, “Jerusalem – united and unifying”. The logo also proclaims, “50 years since the liberation of Jerusalem.” Regev pointed out, “If we are unable to say to ourselves that we liberated Jerusalem from generations of foreign occupation, how can we complain about the world.” She added, “This logo tells the true story of Jerusalem.”
The color of the logo is gold. The number five is in the form of a lion and a harp and the zero contains a Star of David above the Western Wall.
To see the logo and read more about it click here.
Pot OK
The Cabinet has voted to approve a proposal to decriminalize the recreational use of marijuana. The proposal must be drafted into legislation, which must then be approved by the Knesset.
Under the proposed policy, first-time offenders in possession of up to 15 grams and smoking publicly would be fined and not receive a criminal record. The fines would continue, doubled, until the fourth offense, when the possessor of the marijuana can be indicted. First-time minor offenders would be referred to a treatment program.
Selling and growing marijuana would remain criminal offenses. Medical marijuana is already legal.
Prior to the vote, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “This must be done cautiously and in a controlled manner. On the one hand, we are open to the future. On the other, we also understand the dangers and we will try to balance between the two.
For further reading click here.
Israel News for March 2, 2017
/by Arnie SingerTerror Attack
A Palestinian terrorist infiltrated the Mor Farm outpost near the settlement Teneh Omarim in the southern Mount Hebron area of Judea. A resident, Shabtai Kushelevski, heard noises and exited his house, where he saw the terrorist holding two knives. He ran home to get his gun, chased by the terrorist. They both entered the home, where the terrorist stabbed him before his wife and children.
Luckily, the Kushelevski family dog Sofie jumped into action and attacked the terrorist, allowing Kushelevski to grab his gun and shoot and kill the terrorist. Kushelevski was only lightly injured.
Yekutiel Ben Yakov, Director of the Israel Dog Unit (IDU), a non-profit organization that helps place protection dogs throughout Judea and Samaria said, “We continue to urge Jews to arm themselves with dogs, which have proven to be the most effective biological weapon. The proper use of dogs can save many Jewish lives.”
For further reading click here.
Rocket Strike
A rocket fired from Gaza landed in an open area near the coastline south of Ashkelon. There were no reports of damage or injuries. There were also no claims of responsibility, although Israel holds Hamas responsible for any attacks emanating from Gaza.
For further reading click here.
PM Praises Trump
In the wake of President Trump’s public condemnation of anti-semitism in his address to Congress on Tuesday night, PM Netanyahu, in a pre-recorded message to the Jewish People Policy Institute’s annual conference, told participants he “appreciate[s] the fact that in the last few weeks and days, President Trump and Vice President Pence have taken a strong stance in condemning anti-Semitism.”
He said, “This is what we expect too from European leaders. Most of them have done it and this is what we must demand from governments around the world because Jews around the world should not live in fear. World leaders need to unequivocally condemn anti-Semitism wherever it is found.”
For further reading click here.