Housing Crash
The real estate market in Israel is one of those things that seems to keep going up perpetually, regardless of anything else happening in the country. It’s become practically impossible for young families, or not so young families, to purchase a home. Finance Minister Moshe Kahalon has been working on fixing the situation by increasing the supply of new homes by making it easier for construction companies to build and by taxing real estate investors.
Now one Israeli think tank has released a report predicting a massive real estate crash as a result of too much supply and a withdrawal of investors from the market. It doesn’t say when the housing crash might happen, but when it does, it will have a severe impact on the Israeli economy.
According to the report, “Even if falling prices make it easier for families interested in buying a home, it will seriously harm the construction industry and households that have invested their savings in buying homes for investment. Property developers have bought land and taken on long-term debt based on home prices remaining high for the long term. Declining prices are likely to push many of them into bankruptcy and to fire employees. In this scenario, property investors will see a big part of their paper profits disappear and their rental income is likely to fall.”
The math is simple: in two years, at the current rate of construction, there will be significantly more new housing units than the expected demand for them. As a result of increased taxes, investors will pull out of the market, thus further decreasing the demand. While that might be good news for new home buyers, existing owners and investors will see their equity erode.
But for the time being, the prices of homes keep on rising.
For further reading click here.
Rabbis Get Tough
A rabbinical court has confiscated the US passport of a 60 year old Hasidic real estate mogul, preventing him from leaving the country until he “persuades” his son to provide a divorce (Get) to his (the son’s) estranged wife. The son lives in the US and works with and is supported by his father.
According to the court documents, the wife suffered a stroke on a visit to Israel with her husband in 2005. Shortly after, the husband returned to the US. His wife and their two children stayed in Israel and she became an Israeli citizen. The court says the husband has ignored her request and a court ruling for a divorce as well as another ruling demanding that he pay alimony.
The father was in Israel last year on a family visit when he was summoned to the court, told to hand in his and his wife’s passports and barred from leaving the country. He was later sentenced to 30 days in prison for contempt of court.
The rabbinical court argued that by providing his son with a job and stipend, the father was responsible for his son’s intransigence. His lawyers argued he is being used as leverage to pressure his son and are appealing to the Supreme Court. They also claim that he fired his son and has tried to persuade him to give the divorce. Advocates for the wife claim that the husband, who has a girlfriend, spends his time in his home in Brooklyn and a luxury apartment near Miami, which are both owned by his parents.
The husband told an interviewer last year that he would grant the divorce on the condition that his two children would return to the US. The wife is now in her mid 30’s.
The US Embassy in Tel Aviv requested that the court return the father’s passport, but the rabbis rejected the request and called the embassy’s involvement in the case “unacceptable and intolerable.”
Don’t mess with this rabbinical court.
For further reading click here.
Security Sweep
Security forces arrested nine suspects in a sweep of several East Jerusalem neighborhoods last night. The individuals are suspected of throwing of Molotov Cocktails, rocks, the launching of fireworks and firing bullets into Jewish neighborhoods nearby.
The IDF also closed down two weapons factories in the West Bank overnight.
For further reading click here.
Wedding Gunfire
The IDF is cracking down on Arab wedding halls and other venues where guns are fired during wedding celebrations, which is an old Arab custom). It closed one wedding hall near Jerusalem today, after reports of gunfire at a wedding there on Sunday.
A senior official in the IDF’s Judea and Samaria Division said that “By acting in advance to prevent gunfire, we reduce the impact of illegal weapons, reduce the potential for lethal disaster and demonstrate better governance.”
For further reading click here.
France Rebuffed
Israel has rejected a French invitation to attend an international Middle East peace conference to be held in Paris later this year. In June of last year the French held a preliminary conference which included representatives from the UN, EU, US and major Arab countries, but did not include the Israelis or Palestinians.
Israel maintains its position that only direct negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians can lead to peace.
For further reading click here.
Interpol Rejects
As a result of intensive diplomatic efforts by Israel, INTERPOL, the International Criminal Police Organization, has rejected the Palestinian application for membership. Israel feared that Palestinian access to the organization’s sensitive intelligence information could very likely fall into the hands of terror groups.
For further reading click here.
Israel News for November 9, 2016
/by Arnie SingerTerror Attempt
A Palestinian tried to stab an IDF soldier with a screwdriver and was shot and wounded by soldiers at the scene. The soldier who was stabbed was wearing a bulletproof vest, which protected him from the stabbing. He was not injured. The attack took place at a checkpoint outside of the town of Huwara in the northern West Bank.
For further reading click here.
PM Congratulates Trump
Prime Minister Netanyahu released a statement congratulating Donald Trump on his victory saying, “President-elect Trump is a true friend of the State of Israel. We will work together to advance the security, stability and peace in our region. The strong connection between the U.S. and Israel is based on shared values, shared interests and a shared destiny. I’m certain that President-elect Trump and I will continue to strengthen the unique alliance between Israel and the United States and bring it to new heights.”
Opposition leader Isaac Herzog (Zionist Union) congratulated Trump on Facebook: “Warm wishes to the president of the strongest and biggest global power: Donald J. Trump!”
In an announcement to the press, Herzog added that “the U.S. elections are a continuation of a global trend of rejecting the old ruling elites and a wish for a clear and emphatic change. Trump’s election is the continuation of a social, economic and political tsunami which we’ve seen in many countries, which will also bring about a change in Israel.”
Education Minister Naftali Bennett expressed his hopes in a Trump presidency saying, “Trump’s victory is a tremendous opportunity for Israel to immediately announce its intention to renege on the idea of establishing Palestine in the heart of the country, a direct blow to our security and the justice of our cause. This is the president-elect’s outlook as it appears in his platform, and that definitely should be our way. Salient, simple and clear. The era of the Palestinian state is over.”
Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked called Trump, “a true friend of Israel.” She added, “I am certain Trump will know how to lead the free world to success in the goals of the global war against terror. This is an opportunity for the American government to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, the eternal capital of Israel. This will symbolize the close relationship and courageous friendship between the two nations.”
Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely echoed those sentiments saying, “Congratulations to the new President Donald Trump. I look forward to the fulfilling of the promise to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. That would be an important historic move.”
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat also referred to Trump’s promise to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, saying, “Mr. President-elect, you were always a staunch supporter of the city of Jerusalem, the capital of the State of Israel and the beating heart of the Jewish people, and for that I thank you. I’m certain that throughout your term you will continue strengthening the status and sovereignty of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move the U.S. Embassy to the city.”
Will Donald Trump be the president who finally follows through and moves the embassy to Jerusalem?
For further reading click here.
Israel News for November 8, 2016
/by Arnie SingerHousing Crash
The real estate market in Israel is one of those things that seems to keep going up perpetually, regardless of anything else happening in the country. It’s become practically impossible for young families, or not so young families, to purchase a home. Finance Minister Moshe Kahalon has been working on fixing the situation by increasing the supply of new homes by making it easier for construction companies to build and by taxing real estate investors.
Now one Israeli think tank has released a report predicting a massive real estate crash as a result of too much supply and a withdrawal of investors from the market. It doesn’t say when the housing crash might happen, but when it does, it will have a severe impact on the Israeli economy.
According to the report, “Even if falling prices make it easier for families interested in buying a home, it will seriously harm the construction industry and households that have invested their savings in buying homes for investment. Property developers have bought land and taken on long-term debt based on home prices remaining high for the long term. Declining prices are likely to push many of them into bankruptcy and to fire employees. In this scenario, property investors will see a big part of their paper profits disappear and their rental income is likely to fall.”
The math is simple: in two years, at the current rate of construction, there will be significantly more new housing units than the expected demand for them. As a result of increased taxes, investors will pull out of the market, thus further decreasing the demand. While that might be good news for new home buyers, existing owners and investors will see their equity erode.
But for the time being, the prices of homes keep on rising.
For further reading click here.
Rabbis Get Tough
A rabbinical court has confiscated the US passport of a 60 year old Hasidic real estate mogul, preventing him from leaving the country until he “persuades” his son to provide a divorce (Get) to his (the son’s) estranged wife. The son lives in the US and works with and is supported by his father.
According to the court documents, the wife suffered a stroke on a visit to Israel with her husband in 2005. Shortly after, the husband returned to the US. His wife and their two children stayed in Israel and she became an Israeli citizen. The court says the husband has ignored her request and a court ruling for a divorce as well as another ruling demanding that he pay alimony.
The father was in Israel last year on a family visit when he was summoned to the court, told to hand in his and his wife’s passports and barred from leaving the country. He was later sentenced to 30 days in prison for contempt of court.
The rabbinical court argued that by providing his son with a job and stipend, the father was responsible for his son’s intransigence. His lawyers argued he is being used as leverage to pressure his son and are appealing to the Supreme Court. They also claim that he fired his son and has tried to persuade him to give the divorce. Advocates for the wife claim that the husband, who has a girlfriend, spends his time in his home in Brooklyn and a luxury apartment near Miami, which are both owned by his parents.
The husband told an interviewer last year that he would grant the divorce on the condition that his two children would return to the US. The wife is now in her mid 30’s.
The US Embassy in Tel Aviv requested that the court return the father’s passport, but the rabbis rejected the request and called the embassy’s involvement in the case “unacceptable and intolerable.”
Don’t mess with this rabbinical court.
For further reading click here.
Security Sweep
Security forces arrested nine suspects in a sweep of several East Jerusalem neighborhoods last night. The individuals are suspected of throwing of Molotov Cocktails, rocks, the launching of fireworks and firing bullets into Jewish neighborhoods nearby.
The IDF also closed down two weapons factories in the West Bank overnight.
For further reading click here.
Wedding Gunfire
The IDF is cracking down on Arab wedding halls and other venues where guns are fired during wedding celebrations, which is an old Arab custom). It closed one wedding hall near Jerusalem today, after reports of gunfire at a wedding there on Sunday.
A senior official in the IDF’s Judea and Samaria Division said that “By acting in advance to prevent gunfire, we reduce the impact of illegal weapons, reduce the potential for lethal disaster and demonstrate better governance.”
For further reading click here.
France Rebuffed
Israel has rejected a French invitation to attend an international Middle East peace conference to be held in Paris later this year. In June of last year the French held a preliminary conference which included representatives from the UN, EU, US and major Arab countries, but did not include the Israelis or Palestinians.
Israel maintains its position that only direct negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians can lead to peace.
For further reading click here.
Interpol Rejects
As a result of intensive diplomatic efforts by Israel, INTERPOL, the International Criminal Police Organization, has rejected the Palestinian application for membership. Israel feared that Palestinian access to the organization’s sensitive intelligence information could very likely fall into the hands of terror groups.
For further reading click here.
Israel News for November 7, 2016
/by Arnie SingerJerusalem Arabs Squatting
As the deadline for the implement of the Supreme Court’s order to evacuate the settlement of Amona nears, Jerusalem’s mayor Nir Barkat has sent the Attorney General a unique request. Since the eviction of the Amona residents is based on the court’s ruling that the settlement is built on Palestinian owned land, Barkat is requesting that the AG investigate the passibility of applying the ruling to Arab’s illegally living on Jewish property in East Jerusalem.
Apparently thousands of Arabs currently live on Jewish property abandoned when the Jordanians expelled all Jews from Jerusalem in 1948. Barkat is suggesting that the Arab squatters be evicted from those properties, based on the Supreme Court ruling that is calling for the eviction of the Amona residents.
Barkat said to the AG, “If the judgement of the court is to stand, it is not right for there to be one law for the Jews and another law for the Arabs. So I ask you to hold a hearing to determine the state’s legal position on this matter.”
For further reading click here.
EU Recommends Reparations
The European Union committee responsible for relations with North Africa and the Middle East has recommended that member states seek reparations from Israel for buildings destroyed by Israel which were financed by the EU.
The buildings in question are all located in Area C of the West Bank, which is fully administered by Israel and comprises about 60% of the territory, including all Jewish settlements. The buildings demolitions were constructed without the proper permits.
The Foreign Ministry pointed out that according to the Oslo Accords, Israel alone is responsible for civilian issues in Area C, including planning and building. It said, “As is customary in every country of laws, Israel does not allow construction without proper permits. In this case the construction is done without government approval in a non-residential area and therefore Israel executed its authority and demolished the buildings.”
Germany strongly opposed the EU committees decision. The decision is non-binding.
For further reading click here.
Missing Soldier
In August of 1997, IDF soldier Guy Hever left his artillery base in the Golan and has not been seen since. The IDF has conducted several searches over the years but no information has ever been found on what happened to Hever. It will conduct a new search this week, focused on the Golan Heights and Jordan Valley, although it claims that the search is not based on any new information obtained.
The IDF released a statement saying, “The State of Israel and the IDF are deeply committed to its missing sons and to those who are in captivity. The IDF will continue to do everything in its power to resolve the case of Guy Hever.”
For further reading click here.
No Phone Searches
The IDF will no longer be allowed to search the phones of soldiers without a warrant, even if they have the soldier’s consent. An appellate court overturned the conviction of a soldier that was based on a search of his phone without a warrant.
Each year the military police search over 2,000 phones of soldiers with their consent, which is usually obtained through threats of confiscation of prosecution. The searches are done in a cellphone laboratory and provide access to a vast amount of data, including data the user has erased. This can include personal correspondence, medical documents and even legal advice that might be covered by attorney-client privilege.
For further reading click here.
Israel News for November 4, 2016
/by Arnie SingerTerror Attack
Yesterday afternoon a Palestinian attempted to stab soldiers at a bus stop outside of the settlement of Ofra in Samaria (West Bank). The terrorist was shot and killed by soldiers before causing any harm.
Last night terrorists opened fire on an IDF position outside of the Palestinian Authority city of Tulkarem in Samaria, just east of Kfar Saba. One soldier was lightly wounded. The terrorists fled the scene and are being searched for by IDF forces.
In an unrelated development, the Shin Bet and police arrested three terrorists in connection with an October 2015 Molotov cocktail attack that wounded a three-year-old girl north of Jerusalem. The terrorists were ages 43, 34 and 27.
For further reading click here.
Supreme Court Battle
There is a battle going on between Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked and Supreme Court President Justice Miriam Naor. Shaked wants to push legislation through that would prevent the Justices from vetoing new appointments to the court. The court is vehemently against that.
The issue is heating up particular now, as four new Justices are due to be appointed. There are a total of 15 Justices on the Supreme Court, and the political and philosophical leanings of the new appointees could significantly impact the court’s rulings going forward. Shaked wants the court to move to the Right.
To read more about this issue click here.
Israeli Ambassador in Dubai
The Foreign Ministry has revealed that Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, participated in a conference in Dubai a few days ago along with other UN ambassadors, in his role as chairman of the UN Legal Committee. The visit was the culmination of months of secret, behind the scenes work to get the necessary approvals and permissions to enter the country. The trip was kept secret, since Israel has no official relations with the Arab country. The Prime Minister of Dubai also participated in the conference. Danon also met with other Dubai government officials.
For further reading click here.
Israel Canada Agreement
Israel and Canada have signed an agreement to promote cooperation between Israeli and Canadian universities. The agreement was signed this week during the visit of a Canadian delegation of parliament members and other leaders to Israel, Jordan and the West Bank.
The Canadian-Israeli agreement will promote joint research, provide scholarships and arrange for student exchange visits. The budget will initially be half a million shekels.
Israel’s Science, Technology and Space Minister Ofir Akunis, who signed the agreement, remarked, “This is the first agreement of its kind with Canada at a federal level. We expect it will expand and lead to the arrival of entrepreneurs from both countries. The accord expresses the recognition of Israeli abilities, creativity and clarity of thought.”
For further reading click here.
Israel News for November 3, 2016
/by Arnie SingerJerusalem Construction
The Jerusalem municipality approved the construction of 181 new housing units in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo yesterday, which is considered to be part of occupied territory according to international law.
Later in the day, the US State Department condemned the new construction as an obstacle to a two-state peace solution and saying that it raises questions as to Israel’s commitment to a negotiated settlement with the Palestinians.
Seven hundred housing units, intended mainly for the ultra-Orthodox community, are planned for at the site. The new area of construction, called “Gilo Slopes,” slightly extends the neighborhood toward the valley that separates it from the Palestinian village of Wallajah.
For further reading click here.
Terrorist Sentenced
The terrorist who brutally murdered Dafna Meir, a mother of six, last January outside her front door in Otniel was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. His family was also ordered to pay 1.75 million shekels in compensation.
Natan Meir, Dafna’s widower, reacted to the verdict saying, “It’s hard to be happy and receive some solace. I was hoping that this person would not be granted an ounce of compassion to someone who committed such an act, and I feel that this happened here.”
He added, “There was a point when the murderer’s father asked for compassion. I told the judges that compassion should be given to the injured party and not the one who caused harm and to the man asking for compassion for his son after he committed such an act, which shows that his education was lacking. I told the judges that if God forbid I was standing in his shoes, I would ask them to punish my sons in the most severe way possible.”
For further reading click here.
PM Responds to Kotel Protest
The Prime Minister’s Office released a statement today in response to yesterday’s Kotel demonstration in which Reform and Conservative rabbinic leaders carrying Torahs led hundreds of marchers to the Kotel to protest the fact that the government has not implemented its agreement to create an egalitarian prayer area at the southern end of the Kotel. The statement reiterated that the PM had urged the Reform and Conservative leaders to be “patient” and that, “unilateral breaches of the status quo at the Kotel harm our attempts to reach a compromise. The regretful events that took place at the Kotel plaza do not help advance an agreed solution to prayer arrangements.”
The non-Orthodox leaders responded by trying to give the PM the benefit of the doubt by placing the blame for the government’s inaction on the Ultra Orthodox coalition members. But they added, “After a frustrating year without implementation of the resolution [and with] an unprecedented incitement campaign against Reform Judaism … the government should meet its commitment to the Jewish world. We call on the Prime Minister to announce the full and immediate implementation of the cabinet resolution.”
It turns out that the protesters had received a special permit from police allowing them to bring Torah’s to the Kotel, something that is ordinarily prohibited. The security personnel at the scene were apparently unaware of the permit, which is why they tried to prevent them from entering the area, forcing them to push their way through.
To see video and images of the demonstration click here.
Israelis in Sinai
The battle against ISIS related terrorist groups in Sinai is not stopping Israelis from visiting. According to the Israeli Airport Authority, over 60,000 Israelis crossed the border at Eilat to enjoy Sinai’s Red Sea beaches in September and October. The total number of Israelis visiting Sinai is on track to hit 200,000 by the year end. That’s almost double the number for 2015, but only half of the 400,000 that visited in 2004.
For further reading click here.
Voting Error
The new state budget for 2017-2018 was voted on in the Knesset yesterday and passed by a massive margin of 92-17. But it turns out that 30 members of the opposition mistakenly voted in favor of the budget because they thought they were only voting for a specific clause in the budget. It wouldn’t really have made a difference, since the budget would still have passed its first reading with a wide margin, but the embarrassing mistake gave MK’s from the coalition the chance to take some shots at the opposition, questioning their ability to govern — “Is this an example of how you would run the country?”
Everyone makes mistakes, right?
For further reading click here.
Israel News for November 2, 2016
/by Arnie SingerKotel Demonstration
Early this morning, hundreds of protesters led by a delegation of prominent Conservative and Reform rabbis carrying Torah scrolls marched towards the Kotel to protest the governments inaction in creating an agreed upon egalitarian prayer area at the southern end of the Kotel.
The demonstrators were blocked from entering the Western Wall plaza by security personnel. Scuffles between marchers and security guards broke out. Eventually the rabbis succeeding in breaking through and making their way to the Kotel with their Torahs. Kotel regulations prohibit bringing your own Torah to the site.
At the Kotel they were confronted by Orthodox protestors, both male and female. There was pushing and shoving and lots of angry words. A few of the rabbis, including Yizhar Hess, the head of the Conservative Movement in Israel, were reportedly pushed to the ground.
The demonstration was scheduled to coincide with the monthly prayer service held by the Women of the Wall on Rosh Chodesh, the first of the Jewish month (today is Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan).
Leaders of the protest included Rabbi Steven Wernick, chief executive officer of The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, and Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism.
Last night PM Netanyahu tried to dissuade the protestors from marching, saying, “We have one people and one wall — it’s our wall,” he said. “The less publicly we talk about it, the better chance we have to resolve it. The last thing we need is more friction, as that will make a solution more difficult.”
For further reading click here.
Coming Home
Earlier today, 250 new immigrants from Ukraine arrived in Israel. They included 117 families and 52 children. Many of the new olim had lived in areas involved in the fighting between Russia and Ukraine. The new immigrants will receive assistance from the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ), including the cost of the flight plus $1,000 for each adult and $500 for each child.
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, President of the IFCJ: “As a part of our engagement with Aliyah we are often exposed to moving stories of Jews from all around the world that have been through numerous troubles and now at last are fulfilling their Zionist dream and coming to live in Israel. We assist thousands of Jews from tens of countries from the Ukraine through Brazil to come and live in Israel. We help all immigrants when integrating into the Israeli society and economy by closely following up and providing financial aid so that we can assure the best possible integration.”
For further reading click here.
Israel News for November 1, 2016
/by Arnie SingerTerror Shooting
Yesterday, a Palestinian Authority police officer approached an IDF checkpoint at the entrance to Ramallah and opened fire with a Kalashnikov automatic rifle. Three soldiers were wounded, one moderately and two lightly. The terrorist was shot dead by soldiers. He was identified as Muhammad Turkman, a 25 year old from Jenin who worked as a guard at the Palestinian Legislative Council building in Ramallah. He apparently walked to the checkpoint after finishing his work shift, without revealing his plans to any of his co-workers.
Last night IDF forces raided Turkman’s home, arrested his brother and confiscated the family’s work permits that allow them to enter Israel.
For further reading click here.
Amona Request
The State Attorney General has petitioned the Supreme Court to postpone the evacuation of the Amona settlement that is scheduled to take place on December 25th. In its petition, the state claims it is seeking to carry out the evacuation peacefully and without incident, but that it is unable to provide alternative living solutions for residents within the next two months.
The state emphasized that if the court rejects the request, it will be prepared to carry out the evacuation by the date set in its ruling.
The Amona residents oppose any relocation and have pledged to fight for their homes.
Right wing Knesset members are pushing a so-called “regulations bill” that would legalize Amona and other illegal outposts in the West Bank. In its request for extension, however, the state emphasized that it is not seeking to legalize the outpost in its current location. The extension request included a statement saying, “The attorney general expressed his opinion that there is a legal impediment to promote the above-mentioned bill proposal in light of the illegality it entails, being contradictory to international and national law.”
Left wing MKs and officials blasted the request for extension, claiming that the government has already had nearly two years since the court’s initial evacuation order to figure out the logistics of the evacuation and that it is just stalling to try and eventually legalize the settlement.
For further reading click here.
Hospital Rush
Israelis are apparently getting sick a lot these days. All the major hospitals in the country are reporting that their emergency rooms and departments are reaching the 200% capacity level. Wait times in some places are as long as six hours.
According to Dr. Mickey Halberthal, the deputy director of Rambam Medical Center, “This is a catastrophe, and it isn’t even winter yet. We are calling on people to exercise judgment and to seek assistance from their healthcare providers and their clinics before going to the hospital.”
For further reading click here.
Kotel Train
Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz has announced his intention to extend the soon to be completed, new Tel Aviv-Jerusalem high speed railway to the Kotel, via a tunnel that would end just outside the Old City.
The new railway line is expected to cut commuting time between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to 28 minutes from 78 minutes. The trains will reach speeds of up to 160 kph (100 mph) and depart every 15 minutes in each direction carrying up to 1,000 passengers.
Construction work is expected to be completed by the end of 2017 and train will begin operations for passengers in time for Passover 2018.
For further reading click here.
Impure Runways
The Israel Airport Authority has began making repairs and upgrades to the runways at Ben Gurion Airport. While that’s good news for future travelers, it’s bad news now for Kohanim (members of the Jewish priestly class).
For the next two weeks, one of the runways that will be used as an alternate to the one under repair will cause planes taking off to fly a flightpath that will take them directly over a cemetery in Holon, which Kohanim are forbidden to do.
Knesset member Uri Maklev (UTJ) is working with Ben Gurion Airport and a committee of rabbis (and kohanim) to find a solution. In the meantime, Kohanim leaving Israel, who want to avoid passing over the cemetery, will have to do so via Jordan or by cruise ship from Haifa. But they’ll be able to get refunds on their El Al tickets already purchased or postpone them for later dates.
For further reading click here.
Israel News for October 31, 2016
/by Arnie SingerTerror Ramming
A Palestinians rammed his car into Border Police officers at a checkpoint near Hebron yesterday. Three officers were lightly wounded and evacuated to Shaare Tzedek hospital in Jerusalem. The terrorist was shot dead by other officers at the scene.
Shortly before, a five year old boy was injured when the car he was traveling in near Gush Etzion was stoned. The boy was taken to Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem.
For further reading click here.
Terrorist Sentenced
A year ago on Rosh Hashana, four Palestinians decided to stone Israeli cars driving on the main rode in the Armon Hanetziv neighborhood of Jerusalem. They attacked a driven by 64 year old Alexander Levlovich who, as a result, drove off the rode, hit a tree and was killed. He is considered to be the first victim of last year’s wave of terror.
Today one of the attackers, a minor, was sentenced to 9 years in prison as a result of a plea bargain agreement, after agreeing to testify against his accomplices. The attorneys representing the other defendants are also seeking plea bargains for their clients, including one that would give the primary defendant an 18 year sentence. The Levlovich family is objecting.
For further reading click here.
Rabin Memorial
November 4th will mark the 21st anniversary of the tragic assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. But the organizers of the rally announced yesterday that the annual memorial rally in Rabin Square would be cancelled, due to a lack of funding and sponsors. After hearing this, opposition Labor Party leader Isaac Herzog declared that his party will sponsor an alternate rally, on short notice. Details will follow in the next few days.
For further reading click here.
Trump Kotel Note
Donald Trump has written a note to be placed in the Kotel. He apparently wrote the note after a conversation with his daughter Ivanka, and gave the note to one of his advisors. The note was photographed and sent to Yediot Ahronot before being inserted into the Kotel. It said, “May you bless the United States, our armed forces and our allies. May your guiding hand protect and strengthen our great nation.”
To see the original click here.
Thousands Celebrate
Thousands gathered to celebrate the anniversary (hillula) of the death of Rabbi Shimon Hatzadik, the High Priest and Sage who lived in third century BCE Jerusalem. He was known for his great piety and as the leader who greeted Alexander the Great when he approached Jerusalem. The tomb is located in the Shiekh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem.
To see photos and a video of the celebration click here.
To read more about Shimon Hatzadik click here.
Israel News for October 28, 2016
/by Arnie SingerTerrorist Arrested
The Shin Bet announced yesterday that they arrested a terrorist who was planning to carry out a shooting attack against security forces and civilians in Jerusalem. He was also involved in a number of rock and molotov cocktail throwing incidents as well as aiming fireworks at security forces. His Facebook page was full of posts praising terror, supporting Hamas and inciting violence.
The arrest was made three weeks ago. The suspect, Muhammad Mussa Muhammad Abassi, was a resident of the Ras al-Amud neighborhood of East Jerusalem, which gave him the ability to move freely throughout Jerusalem.
Peres Unveiling
The tombstone for Shimon Peres was unveiled today. PM Netanyahu, President Rivlin and family and friends were present for the ceremony. The stone contains several inscriptions.
One from David Ben Gurion says, “the spiritual character and Israel’s inner strength will be a main factor in the future of our security and our international position.”
Another, from Isaiah says, “and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
Another, an excerpt from a poem by Hayim Nahman Bialik says, ‘For one more song he had…And see now, the song has perished, His song is lost, gone for good.”
Peres is described on the gravestone as “one of the founding fathers of the state which he served his entire life.” His most distinguished political positions are also listed, including president of Israel, prime minister, defense minister, foreign minister and finance minister. Also listed are some of his most significant contributions to Israel’s security including the establishment of the Dimona nuclear reactor.
Finally, his family chose to describe Peres as, “a statesman, a lover of books, poetry and art, a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, a visionary and a pragmatist.”
For further reading click here.
Altalena Monument
A new monument was unveiled today at the Nahalat Yitzhak cemetery in Tel Aviv to commemorate the 16 Irgun members who were killed when their ship, the Altalena, was shelled by the fledging IDF in June of 1948. The incident is shrouded in controversy and confusion, and nearly lead to a civil war in Israel.
PM Netanyahu said, “Great pride is accompanied by great pain that lasts until today. Five weeks after the founding of the state Jews shot Jews. All that happened due to an exaggerated sense of strength, hasty decision making and firing unnecessarily. Bitter pride led to bloodshed that left deep scars that hurt the soul of the nation. Menachem Begin will be remembered as someone who prevented major disaster with his restraint and his spirit. He made us unify even in the most difficult of moments.”
To read more about the Altalena incident click here.
To read more about the unveiling ceremony for the new monument, click here.
Stormy Weather
Israel experienced its first major rainstorms last night and today, which resulted in flash flooding and sandstorms in the south. Eilat was hit particularly hard with massive torrential rains equaling its average annual estimated rainfall amount. Streets and hotels were flooded and the airport was temporarily shut down.
The bad weather forced the plane carrying the President of Fiji and 20 members of his entourage to make an emergency landing in Eilat. The President was on his way to inspect his troops, which are part of the Multi-national Force and Observers mission (MFO) stationed in Sharm el-Sheikh in Sinai. He was met by the airport director and taken to a hotel.
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Israel News for October 27, 2016
/by Arnie SingerChild Terrorists
Two eight year old Palestinian boys carrying knives were arrested by IDF soldiers at the entrance to Migdal Oz, in Gush Etzion. The boys told investigators that they had been dropped off at the settlement by a man who gave them the knives and instructed them to commit a stabbing attack. Since they’re under 12, which is the minimum age for criminal responsibility, the boys were returned to their families.
For further reading click here.
Kotel Controversy
Israel’s Supreme Court has given the government a November 17 deadline to explain why it has not implemented its agreement to create a new non-Orthodox prayer space at the southern end of the Kotel.
The deadline was set in response to a petition submitted by the Reform and Conservative movements, the Women of the Wall and several other Israeli organizations. The petition demanded that the government either build a new egalitarian space at the southern part of the Kotel as promised in the compromise agreement or create separate egalitarian spaces at the existing Kotel prayer area.
Over the High Holiday period, government leaders reportedly received 20,000 emails from around the world urging them to follow through with their agreement to create the new Kotel prayer space. The emails were part of an organized campaign by the non-Orthodox movements to pressure the Israeli government into action.
The leaders of the world Reform and Conservative movements will be in Jerusalem next week attending the annual Board of Governors meeting of the Jewish Agency. The keynote speaker at the opening session will be Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, who will undoubtedly be asked to explain the government’s position on the Kotel matter. The Reform and Conservative leaders will also participate in a morning prayer service at the Kotel, organized by Women of the Wall.
The Supreme Court will also be hearing an appeal by the Liba Center, a pro-Orthodox non-profit group, against the Kotel compromise agreement.
For further reading click here.
Jerusalem Construction
The Jerusalem municipality and the government will be launching a massive eight year construction project around the area of the Binyanei Hauma. The project will include building 230,000 square meters in industrial space, 130,000 square meters of hotels, and 49,000 square meters in commercial, entertainment, and leisure space. There will be 24 new buildings, including 14 skyscrapers with at least 24 stories each and nine buildings with 36 stories.
There will also be major new transportation projects including a massive five story underground parking lot with 1,300 spaces, and two new light rail stations. The Central Bus Station and the Central Railway Station will also be renovated.
The projects are estimated to create over 40,000 jobs.
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Tefillin in Moscow
Israel’s Minister of Science, Technology and Space Ofir Akunis (Likud), who is leading the Israeli delegation to an international technology conference that began in Moscow yesterday, paid a visit to Moscow’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar. A photo of the visit was spread via WhatsApp. A friend of the minister’s who saw the photo immediately responded to Akunis saying, “Warm regards to Rav Lazar with love from Israel. There’s no way you’re getting out of there without the rabbi putting teffilin on you…”
What do you think happened next?
To watch a video click here.