Sanders Clarifies
After a phone conversation with Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) CEO Jonathan A. Greenblatt on Thursday, Presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders clarified his statements about Palestinian casualties during the 2014 war in Gaza.
The ADL had blasted Sanders for saying, “over 10,000 innocent people were killed in Gaza.” According to the ADL, “even the highest number of casualties claimed by Palestinian sources that include Hamas members engaged in attacking Israel is five times less than the number cited by Bernie Sanders”. It added that, “accuracy and accountability are essential for the voting public, but also for U.S. credibility in the international community.”
In his clarification, Sanders said his recollection was indeed inaccurate and that the interviewer corrected him in the course of the conversation – a correction that he said he accepted. Sanders promised that he would make every effort to set the record straight.
We’re waiting.
For further reading click here.
Iranian Missiles
The US-Iran nuclear deal might slow down Iran’s race to develop a nuclear weapon, but it doesn’t seem to have done much to stop Iranian aggression in other forms. Want proof? The US is building a secret army base in central Israel that is designed to withstand ballistic missile attacks. The purpose of the base is to protect American assets in the area, specifically the US army’s radar facility in Dimona.
Iran’s ballistic missiles, which are capable of reaching Israel and can be fitted with nuclear warheads, have prompted partial American sanctions, with some American lawmakers calling for harsher measures to punish the Iranian regime.
The US army isn’t putting its trust in any agreement with the Iranians. Neither should anyone else.
For further reading click here.
Armor or Miracle
Last week we told you about an Israeli tank that suffered a direct hit during a training exercise, but non of the tank’s crew was hurt. Some called it a miracle. Others attributed it to powerful Israeli armor. Earlier today, an IDF bulldozer drove over an explosive planted by terrorists near the Gaza border fence. No one was injured and no damage was caused by the explosion. Good armor or miracle?
For further reading click here.
Terror Cell Busted
IDF, Shin Bet and police forces have busted a twelve member terror cell in Samaria responsible for carrying out at least six attacks against civilian vehicles traveling on Route 443 and Israeli security forces stationed near their village.
Driving on the 443, one of the two main highways connecting Jerusalem with the center of the country, just got safer.
For further reading click here.
Ethiopian Aliya
The government has agreed to increase the number of Falashmura that will be brought to Israel from Ethiopia this year from 500 to 1,300. There are currently around 9,000 Falshmura waiting to immigrate to Israel, but Israel has been stalling bringing them over. Budgetary reasons have been given for the delay, but some claim that racism might be the real reason.
The government agreed to increase the quota in response to MKs Avraham Neguise and David Amsalem (Likud), who refused to take part in any Knesset votes until the issue was resolved. With a narrow coalition majority, the votes of the two MKs are in many cases crucial to passing government sponsored legislation and preventing the government’s collapse.
Neguise, an Israeli of Ethiopian origin, and Amsalem, both accepted punitive measures for their having violated coalition discipline by failng to vote. Both lawmakers’ duties will be restricted until August. Neither will be permitted to propose legislation or agenda items, nor will they be permitted to address the plenum until August.
The Falashmura are descendants of Ethiopian Jews who converted to Christianity under duress. They are required to convert to Judaism in Israel. The government has pledged to bring the rest of the community to Israel within the next 5 years.
For further reading click here.
Turkish Potential
Here’s another sign that relations between Israel and Turkey might be on the mend. At least 15 Turkish energy companies are considering forming a consortium to promote a natural gas import deal from Israel. They could potential import 8 billion cubic meters (BCM) of Israeli gas.
Turkey consumes 50 BCM of gas annually and wants to reduce its dependency on Russian gas, which supplies about 55-60% of the country’s needs. About 30% of the gas consumed in Europe comes from Russia, and Europe too is seeking to diversify its sources. So there’s plenty of potential for Israel.
But there are some challenges. Before a gas export deal can go ahead, Israel and Turkey must sign a reconciliation agreement. That has yet to happen.
Other complications include: Egypt, which would likely gain preferential treatment should it want to import Israeli gas; and Cyprus, which would have to approve any Israel-Turkey pipeline, which would have to pass through its territorial waters.
Let’s be optimistic.
For further reading click here.
Sanders Clarifies
After a phone conversation with Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) CEO Jonathan A. Greenblatt on Thursday, Presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders clarified his statements about Palestinian casualties during the 2014 war in Gaza.
The ADL had blasted Sanders for saying, “over 10,000 innocent people were killed in Gaza.” According to the ADL, “even the highest number of casualties claimed by Palestinian sources that include Hamas members engaged in attacking Israel is five times less than the number cited by Bernie Sanders”. It added that, “accuracy and accountability are essential for the voting public, but also for U.S. credibility in the international community.”
In his clarification, Sanders said his recollection was indeed inaccurate and that the interviewer corrected him in the course of the conversation – a correction that he said he accepted. Sanders promised that he would make every effort to set the record straight.
We’re waiting.
For further reading click here.
Iranian Missiles
The US-Iran nuclear deal might slow down Iran’s race to develop a nuclear weapon, but it doesn’t seem to have done much to stop Iranian aggression in other forms. Want proof? The US is building a secret army base in central Israel that is designed to withstand ballistic missile attacks. The purpose of the base is to protect American assets in the area, specifically the US army’s radar facility in Dimona.
Iran’s ballistic missiles, which are capable of reaching Israel and can be fitted with nuclear warheads, have prompted partial American sanctions, with some American lawmakers calling for harsher measures to punish the Iranian regime.
The US army isn’t putting its trust in any agreement with the Iranians. Neither should anyone else.
For further reading click here.
Armor or Miracle
Last week we told you about an Israeli tank that suffered a direct hit during a training exercise, but non of the tank’s crew was hurt. Some called it a miracle. Others attributed it to powerful Israeli armor. Earlier today, an IDF bulldozer drove over an explosive planted by terrorists near the Gaza border fence. No one was injured and no damage was caused by the explosion. Good armor or miracle?
For further reading click here.
Terror Cell Busted
IDF, Shin Bet and police forces have busted a twelve member terror cell in Samaria responsible for carrying out at least six attacks against civilian vehicles traveling on Route 443 and Israeli security forces stationed near their village.
Driving on the 443, one of the two main highways connecting Jerusalem with the center of the country, just got safer.
For further reading click here.
Ethiopian Aliya
The government has agreed to increase the number of Falashmura that will be brought to Israel from Ethiopia this year from 500 to 1,300. There are currently around 9,000 Falshmura waiting to immigrate to Israel, but Israel has been stalling bringing them over. Budgetary reasons have been given for the delay, but some claim that racism might be the real reason.
The government agreed to increase the quota in response to MKs Avraham Neguise and David Amsalem (Likud), who refused to take part in any Knesset votes until the issue was resolved. With a narrow coalition majority, the votes of the two MKs are in many cases crucial to passing government sponsored legislation and preventing the government’s collapse.
Neguise, an Israeli of Ethiopian origin, and Amsalem, both accepted punitive measures for their having violated coalition discipline by failng to vote. Both lawmakers’ duties will be restricted until August. Neither will be permitted to propose legislation or agenda items, nor will they be permitted to address the plenum until August.
The Falashmura are descendants of Ethiopian Jews who converted to Christianity under duress. They are required to convert to Judaism in Israel. The government has pledged to bring the rest of the community to Israel within the next 5 years.
For further reading click here.
Turkish Potential
Here’s another sign that relations between Israel and Turkey might be on the mend. At least 15 Turkish energy companies are considering forming a consortium to promote a natural gas import deal from Israel. They could potential import 8 billion cubic meters (BCM) of Israeli gas.
Turkey consumes 50 BCM of gas annually and wants to reduce its dependency on Russian gas, which supplies about 55-60% of the country’s needs. About 30% of the gas consumed in Europe comes from Russia, and Europe too is seeking to diversify its sources. So there’s plenty of potential for Israel.
But there are some challenges. Before a gas export deal can go ahead, Israel and Turkey must sign a reconciliation agreement. That has yet to happen.
Other complications include: Egypt, which would likely gain preferential treatment should it want to import Israeli gas; and Cyprus, which would have to approve any Israel-Turkey pipeline, which would have to pass through its territorial waters.
Let’s be optimistic.
For further reading click here.
Israel News for April 14, 2016
/by Arnie SingerMissile Defense Money
Democratic and Republican members of the US Congress are calling on President Obama to quadruple the amount allocated in the 2017 financial year for developing Israel’s missile defense systems. The amount currently allocated is $150 million, which the legislators want increased to $600 million. This amount is in addition to the $3.1 billion that Israel will receive in US military aid for 2017.
Sources explain that the military aid given to Israel has direct benefits for the US. A large portion of the manufacturing and development of Israel’s new missile defense systems is done in partnership with US companies, which means more jobs in the US. The US also views Israel’s missile defense systems as a battle test for the US technologies used in them.
The message is clear: a strong Israeli missile defense system is not only good for Israel, but also good for America.
For further reading click here.
Soldier Charged
The prosecutor in the Jaffa military court announced yesterday that the soldier who shot a neutralized terrorist in Hebron 3 weeks ago will be charged with manslaughter. The soldier was originally charged with murder. The investigation and the trial continues. The soldier remains in open detention on an IDF base.
For further reading click here.
Flag Burning
IDF soldiers were inspecting vehicles near the town of Awarta south of Nablus yesterday when they discovered a Palestinian flag in one of the cars. The soldiers removed the flag and burned it.
The IDF Spokesman issued a statement saying, “the incident is known to the commanders and was investigated. A preliminary investigation found that the incident was out of the ordinary and that the force acted improperly, and against the instructions of their commanders.”
The squad commander was relieved of his command and sentenced to 20 days in military prison. Another soldier was sentenced to a 28-day detention.
For further reading click here.
Criminal Mayors
The Israel Police has recommended the criminal prosecution of the mayors of three municipalities including Ramat Gan and Zichron Yaakov on charges that include bribery, fraud, breach of trust and issuing threats. The cases are all separate. You don’t want to hear more about political corruption in Israel, right? That’s what I thought.
For further reading click here.
Belgian Blunder
The Belgian Foreign Minister ignited a storm of controversy yesterday when he compared the Muslim terrorists who hid in Brussels for months to “the Jews who hid here during the Nazi occupation,” in a television interview. He later clarified that his comments pertained to ”the mechanism of hiding,” rather than the people hiding.
Everyone’s got the Jews on their mind. Hmm.
For further reading click here.
Ukraine PM
The Ukraine has elected its first ever Jewish Prime Minister. Volodymyr Groysman, 38, was nominated by Ukraine’s president and voted in by parliament by a vote of 250-57. He has close ties with the Jewish community and with Israel. There are currently 360,000 Jews living in the Ukraine.
Looks like hell might have actually frozen over.
For further reading click here.
Matzah Exports
According to a report by the Finance and Industry Ministry, Israel exported $12 million of Matzah in 2015. Around $7 million of that went to the US. The UK imported $1.7 million, Italy around $1m., France $700,000, Belgium $600,000, Australia $360,000, Argentina $130,000, Holland $103,000, Brazil $88,000, Romania $25,000 and Azerbaijan $19,000. Surprisingly, $4,500 worth of mitzvah went to Nigeria and $1,600 to Congo.
Israeli wine exports totaled $36.5 million. A third of those went to the US and Canada. France imported around 25% of the total, followed by the UK, Germany, Belgium and Italy.
Enjoy!
For further reading click here.
Israel News for April 13, 2016
/by Arnie SingerAnti McDonalds
Health Minister Yaakov Litzman,of the Haredi UTJ party, has declared war on McDonalds. It has nothing to do with Kosher issues (Israel has kosher McDonalds branches). Litzman is at war with all fast food, because of health reasons.
Speaking at the Israel Heart Society’s annual conference Litzman said, “There’s no need to eat junk food. McDonald’s out. Not in our country. There’s no need to eat McDonalds.”
About 600,000 Israelis suffer from diabetes, with some 90 percent suffering from type 2 diabetes which causes severe damage to health. It is caused, among other things, by a poor diet, obesity and lack of exercise.
Litzman added, “Children should be educated not to eat junk food. Not to eat so many sweets. It’s right for diabetes and it’s right for the heart. That’s what we’re going to do in the coming year – prevention.”
McDonald’s responded to Litzman’s comments saying, “We are sorry that the health minister chooses to express himself in a non-scientific manner and chooses populist remarks that make headlines but don’t reflect what is happening across the chain. McDonald’s Israel carried out a comprehensive health reform over a decade ago that is highly respected in the European community. We hope that it isn’t the operation of the chain on Shabbat that is at the base of Minister Litzman’s irresponsible, unfounded and unscientific attack on McDonald’s.”
No, I don’t think this has anything to do with Shabbat. Just unhealthy food.
For further reading click here.
Temple Mount Wedding
According to the Temple Institute, an organization dedicated to preparing for the establishment of a third Temple on the Temple Mount, a Jewish couple recently had their marriage ceremony performed on the mount. No, there wasn’t any sushi or even chicken and certainly no band. The wedding party consisted of 13 Jews, one of whom distracted the Waqf guards while the others concealed the bride and groom. Then the groom surreptitiously placed the ring on his bride’s finger and whispered the traditional phrase, “Behold you are betrothed to me with this ring, according to the laws of Moses and Israel.” Mazal Tov!
This is apparently the first time a Jewish marriage ceremony has taken place on the Temple Mount since the destruction of the Temple in the year 70 CE. The question is, were weddings ever performed on the Temple Mount, even when the Temple existed?
A full video of the event has not been released, but if you want to see a photo of the actual ring placing ceremony, click here.
Important Message
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In addition to the financial support, it’s important to us to see that our work is considered valuable and that our investment in this mission is worth continuing. So if you find this email to be a valuable resource, please show your support — click here.
Poland Trip Scrapped
Zeev Dagani, principal of the prestigious Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium, has decided to stop sending students on the traditional annual heritage trips to Poland because he feels that the trip has an “ultranationalistic” influence on the students.
It seems that seeing the concentration camps and experiencing the places where the holocaust occurred instills the students with a bit too much Jewish pride and Israeli patriotism for the principal’s tastes. Instead of the trip, the school will institute a more intensive holocaust education program and a trip around Israel to see the effects of the holocaust and speak with survivors.
For further reading click here.
Travel Warning
Israel’s Counter-Terrorism Bureau yesterday issued travel warnings relating to credible threats against Israeli citizens in more than 30 countries. But when you see the list you’ll realize that, other than Turkey, the countries listed aren’t the kind of places you’d be planning to travel to anyway.
The countries on the list include Afghanistan, Libya, Sudan and Somalia, Algeria, Djibouti, Mauritania, Tunisia, Burkina-Faso, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Malaysia, Mali, Pakistan, Niger, Turkey and Togo, Bahrain, Egypt Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan, Morocco, Oman, Kenya and Nigeria.
So are you cancelling your Pesach travel plans?
For further reading click here.
Demolition Stopped
The Prime Minister’s Office has blocked the demolition of an illegally built Arab house in an apparent attempt to avoid increasing tensions among the Arab population before the Pesach holiday season.
The home in question was built illegally in 1992, adjacent to a local market. In 1974, the land around it was declared to be part of a national park, which put it under the jurisdiction of the Israel National Park Authority.
Aref Tutunji, the owner of the home, which houses 11 people in just three rooms, expressed his approval of the government’s decision to stop the demolition, saying, “The Palestinian press wanted me to speak against the state of Israel, but I won’t badmouth the state. I was hospitalized for a year in an Israeli hospital and the state pays for my children’s education. I won’t argue with police officers if they come over to demolish (the home), but I ask one thing from the state: I just want my home.”
A government official said that the demolition was not cancelled permanently, just postponed. He added, “These days, everyone needs to make calculated decisions in order to not enflame the region.”
For further reading click here.
Demolition Accomplished
In contrast to the last story, the government wasn’t worried about increasing tensions before Peach when it demolished the home of a Jewish couple in Beit El yesterday that was built without the required permits. The couple, Uri and Inbal Aloni, had built their home next to their horse ranch, which provides services for special needs children. By the way, Inbal is currently in the advanced stages of pregnancy.
Double standard?
For further reading click here.
More Rain
Israel is getting hit, or blessed, with more rain, which will continue throughout the week. You can’t really complain about rain in Israel.
For further reading click here.
Israel News for April 12, 2016
/by Arnie SingerClimate Change
The Israeli government has unanimously approved a plan for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and improving energy efficiency. The plan is part of the effort to meet the commitment made by Israel along with many other countries at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris.
Under the government’s plan, NIS 500 million will be allocated to provide government guarantees for loans for energy efficiency programs, and NIS 300 million will be allocated to provide grants for energy efficiency projects in enterprises and local government, with an emphasis on assisting small and medium-size businesses and less well-off local authorities. It is estimated that such energy efficiency measures will save the Israeli economy some NIS 30 billion, and will take Israel towards meeting the goals set at the Climate Change Conference.
The government will also examine ways of further lowering greenhouse gas emissions, including the reduction of the use of coal and a switch to natural gas that will substantially reduce air pollution. It will also examine ways of making transport more efficient and reducing the number of journeys people take. A team will be set up for removing barriers to the development of the Israeli cleantech industry; tax incentives will be provided to encourage the use of renewable energy and the use of energy efficient equipment; and green construction projects will be promoted.
Minister of Environmental Protection Avi Gabai said, “The State of Israel is at the start of an unprecedented revolution. The plan combines reduction of environmental damage and air pollution with stimulation of economic growth, economic savings, and greater efficiency in industry and public authorities.”
For further reading click here.
Drone Dome
Israeli defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has unveiled a system designed to detect and destroy hostile drones. They call it the Drone Dome. The system uses a radar and cameras to detect and track the movements of enemy drones flying in prohibited areas and then disrupts its electronic systems, ending its flight.
According to the company, “Drone Dome has 360-degree circular coverage and is designed to detect, track and neutralize drones classified as threats flying in no-fly zones. Drone Dome has a very fast response time, [and] it causes minimal collateral interruptions to the surrounding urban environment, with maximum safety to friendly aircraft.”
This could be a game changer.
For further reading click here.
Pope Cap
The Pope will soon become a financial supporter of Israel. Well, not exactly. You see, back in 2014 the Pope trading his iconic white skullcap for an identical copy held by an Italian television host. The trade was recorded by TV cameras and broadcast throughout the world. According to Church doctrine, after a pope dies, his articles of clothing become “relics” that are forbidden from being sold.
So the man who got the Pope skullcap has decided to put it up for auction (while the pope is still living) and donate the bulk of the proceeds to the Wolfson Medical Center’s Safe a Child’s Heart organization.
Save a Child’s Heart (SACH) is an Israel-based international nonprofit organization, known worldwide for its commitment to saving lives by improving cardiac care for children from developing countries and creating centers of medical competence in these countries. SACH has saved the lives of 4,000 children from 50 developing countries and trained more than 100 medical team members from these countries.
The Pope’s cap is expected to fetch around $40,000.
For further reading click here.
Israel News for April 11, 2016
/by Arnie SingerPA Arrests
The Palestinian Authority’s General Intelligence Services (GIS) arrested three Palestinians near Ramallah who were suspected of planning an attack Saturday night against Israelis. The GIS confiscated an M-16 and a nine millimeter hand gun from the men, who had mysteriously disappeared from their shared apartment in Ramallah a week and a half ago.
Hamas condemned the arrest, writing on its official website that it, ”reflects a rise in the frequency of security cooperation between the PA security forces and the occupation to abort the Palestinian Intifada and target the Palestinian resistance.”
Majid Faraj, the chief of the Palestinian General Intelligence, claimed back in December that his forces have arrested 100 Palestinians and prevented 200 attacks against Israelis during the recent wave of terror.
For further reading click here.
Chinese Love
Leading Chinese investment company Fosun Group has signed an agreement with the shareholders of Ahava to fully acquire the Israeli Dead Sea cosmetics company for NIS 290 million ($77 million). The deal was signed last night at a special event at Jerusalem’s David Citadel Hotel, with many Israeli government officials in attendance.
The purchase is just one example of increased Chinese investment in Israel. Bosun’s CEO Liang Xinjun said, “We feel very confident about the market in Israel and continue to seek suitable investment opportunities in different areas in the country. We are glad to have succeeded in acquiring such a famous, strong and successful brand as Ahava under this mutually beneficial agreement. We will endeavor to extend the success of this brand to China and other countries.”
For further reading click here.
Ancient Glaziers
An Israel Antiquities Authority excavation at the foot of Mount Carmel near Haifa has unearthed kilns (a type of oven) used to make glass. These kilns are roughly 1,600 years old (dating to the Late Roman period), and indicate that Israel was one of the foremost centers for glass production in the ancient world.
Yael Gorin-Rosen, head curator of the Israel Antiquities Authority Glass Department, explained, “This is a very important discovery with implications regarding the history of the glass industry both in Israel and in the entire ancient world. We know from historical sources dating to the Roman period that the Valley of Akko was renowned for the excellent quality sand located there, which was highly suitable for the manufacture of glass. Chemical analyses conducted on glass vessels from this period which were discovered in Europe and in shipwrecks in the Mediterranean have shown that the source of the glass is from our region. Now, for the first time, the kilns have been found where the raw material was manufactured that was used to produce this glassware.”
Looks like modern Israeli technology and ingenuity has a solid foundation to rest on.
For further reading click here.
New Chief Rabbi
Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, the Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv and former Chief Rabbi if Israel, announced that he will be retiring from his post next year when he reached the age of 80. That means that Tel Aviv will be looking for a new Chief Rabbi.
Most large cities in Israel have two chief rabbis, one representing the Ashkenazic community and the other the Sephardic, but since 2002, with the appointment of Rabbi Shlomo Amar (Sephardic), Tel Aviv has only had one. Rabbi Lau was appointed in 2005, after having serves as Tel Aviv Chief Rabbi from 1985 until 1993. Tel Aviv mayor Ron Huldai has made it clear that the tradition will continue and only one rabbi will be appointed as Tel Aviv chief.
Interestingly, the city doesn’t save any money by only having one chief rabbi. According to official records, Rabbi Lau has been earning a double salary. Apparently he’s been pulling a double workload. So it’s a good job. It’s also been the stepping stone to the Chief Rabbinate of Israel on many occasions.
The big question is whether the new chief rabbi will be Sephardic or Ashkenazic?
For further reading click here.
Saudi Haircuts
Can a haircut affect a soccer game? Yup.
A soccer match in the Saudi professional soccer league was stopped by the referee in order to fix the haircuts of three players whose hairdos were not in accordance with Sharia law.
Apparently, the Mohawk style, where you shave the sides of your head leaving the hair on top, is prohibited by Sharia as being a “heretic hairstyle.” According to an Islamic fatwa, a person cannot cut one part of his hair but leave the other part of it untouched. He must either cut all his hair or leave all his hair untouched.
So during the game, the ref stopped play and pulled the three players aside, where they were examined by the proper authorities and then given quick trims by their trainers (or were they official team barbers?).
You gotta respect their commitment to their religious laws. Hey, at least they didn’t take any heads off, just some hair. And we have no idea whether the haircuts effected the score of the game.
To watch the video click here.
Israel News for April 8, 2016
/by Arnie SingerSanders Clarifies
After a phone conversation with Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) CEO Jonathan A. Greenblatt on Thursday, Presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders clarified his statements about Palestinian casualties during the 2014 war in Gaza.
The ADL had blasted Sanders for saying, “over 10,000 innocent people were killed in Gaza.” According to the ADL, “even the highest number of casualties claimed by Palestinian sources that include Hamas members engaged in attacking Israel is five times less than the number cited by Bernie Sanders”. It added that, “accuracy and accountability are essential for the voting public, but also for U.S. credibility in the international community.”
In his clarification, Sanders said his recollection was indeed inaccurate and that the interviewer corrected him in the course of the conversation – a correction that he said he accepted. Sanders promised that he would make every effort to set the record straight.
We’re waiting.
For further reading click here.
Iranian Missiles
The US-Iran nuclear deal might slow down Iran’s race to develop a nuclear weapon, but it doesn’t seem to have done much to stop Iranian aggression in other forms. Want proof? The US is building a secret army base in central Israel that is designed to withstand ballistic missile attacks. The purpose of the base is to protect American assets in the area, specifically the US army’s radar facility in Dimona.
Iran’s ballistic missiles, which are capable of reaching Israel and can be fitted with nuclear warheads, have prompted partial American sanctions, with some American lawmakers calling for harsher measures to punish the Iranian regime.
The US army isn’t putting its trust in any agreement with the Iranians. Neither should anyone else.
For further reading click here.
Armor or Miracle
Last week we told you about an Israeli tank that suffered a direct hit during a training exercise, but non of the tank’s crew was hurt. Some called it a miracle. Others attributed it to powerful Israeli armor. Earlier today, an IDF bulldozer drove over an explosive planted by terrorists near the Gaza border fence. No one was injured and no damage was caused by the explosion. Good armor or miracle?
For further reading click here.
Terror Cell Busted
IDF, Shin Bet and police forces have busted a twelve member terror cell in Samaria responsible for carrying out at least six attacks against civilian vehicles traveling on Route 443 and Israeli security forces stationed near their village.
Driving on the 443, one of the two main highways connecting Jerusalem with the center of the country, just got safer.
For further reading click here.
Ethiopian Aliya
The government has agreed to increase the number of Falashmura that will be brought to Israel from Ethiopia this year from 500 to 1,300. There are currently around 9,000 Falshmura waiting to immigrate to Israel, but Israel has been stalling bringing them over. Budgetary reasons have been given for the delay, but some claim that racism might be the real reason.
The government agreed to increase the quota in response to MKs Avraham Neguise and David Amsalem (Likud), who refused to take part in any Knesset votes until the issue was resolved. With a narrow coalition majority, the votes of the two MKs are in many cases crucial to passing government sponsored legislation and preventing the government’s collapse.
Neguise, an Israeli of Ethiopian origin, and Amsalem, both accepted punitive measures for their having violated coalition discipline by failng to vote. Both lawmakers’ duties will be restricted until August. Neither will be permitted to propose legislation or agenda items, nor will they be permitted to address the plenum until August.
The Falashmura are descendants of Ethiopian Jews who converted to Christianity under duress. They are required to convert to Judaism in Israel. The government has pledged to bring the rest of the community to Israel within the next 5 years.
For further reading click here.
Turkish Potential
Here’s another sign that relations between Israel and Turkey might be on the mend. At least 15 Turkish energy companies are considering forming a consortium to promote a natural gas import deal from Israel. They could potential import 8 billion cubic meters (BCM) of Israeli gas.
Turkey consumes 50 BCM of gas annually and wants to reduce its dependency on Russian gas, which supplies about 55-60% of the country’s needs. About 30% of the gas consumed in Europe comes from Russia, and Europe too is seeking to diversify its sources. So there’s plenty of potential for Israel.
But there are some challenges. Before a gas export deal can go ahead, Israel and Turkey must sign a reconciliation agreement. That has yet to happen.
Other complications include: Egypt, which would likely gain preferential treatment should it want to import Israeli gas; and Cyprus, which would have to approve any Israel-Turkey pipeline, which would have to pass through its territorial waters.
Let’s be optimistic.
For further reading click here.
Sanders Clarifies
After a phone conversation with Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) CEO Jonathan A. Greenblatt on Thursday, Presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders clarified his statements about Palestinian casualties during the 2014 war in Gaza.
The ADL had blasted Sanders for saying, “over 10,000 innocent people were killed in Gaza.” According to the ADL, “even the highest number of casualties claimed by Palestinian sources that include Hamas members engaged in attacking Israel is five times less than the number cited by Bernie Sanders”. It added that, “accuracy and accountability are essential for the voting public, but also for U.S. credibility in the international community.”
In his clarification, Sanders said his recollection was indeed inaccurate and that the interviewer corrected him in the course of the conversation – a correction that he said he accepted. Sanders promised that he would make every effort to set the record straight.
We’re waiting.
For further reading click here.
Iranian Missiles
The US-Iran nuclear deal might slow down Iran’s race to develop a nuclear weapon, but it doesn’t seem to have done much to stop Iranian aggression in other forms. Want proof? The US is building a secret army base in central Israel that is designed to withstand ballistic missile attacks. The purpose of the base is to protect American assets in the area, specifically the US army’s radar facility in Dimona.
Iran’s ballistic missiles, which are capable of reaching Israel and can be fitted with nuclear warheads, have prompted partial American sanctions, with some American lawmakers calling for harsher measures to punish the Iranian regime.
The US army isn’t putting its trust in any agreement with the Iranians. Neither should anyone else.
For further reading click here.
Armor or Miracle
Last week we told you about an Israeli tank that suffered a direct hit during a training exercise, but non of the tank’s crew was hurt. Some called it a miracle. Others attributed it to powerful Israeli armor. Earlier today, an IDF bulldozer drove over an explosive planted by terrorists near the Gaza border fence. No one was injured and no damage was caused by the explosion. Good armor or miracle?
For further reading click here.
Terror Cell Busted
IDF, Shin Bet and police forces have busted a twelve member terror cell in Samaria responsible for carrying out at least six attacks against civilian vehicles traveling on Route 443 and Israeli security forces stationed near their village.
Driving on the 443, one of the two main highways connecting Jerusalem with the center of the country, just got safer.
For further reading click here.
Ethiopian Aliya
The government has agreed to increase the number of Falashmura that will be brought to Israel from Ethiopia this year from 500 to 1,300. There are currently around 9,000 Falshmura waiting to immigrate to Israel, but Israel has been stalling bringing them over. Budgetary reasons have been given for the delay, but some claim that racism might be the real reason.
The government agreed to increase the quota in response to MKs Avraham Neguise and David Amsalem (Likud), who refused to take part in any Knesset votes until the issue was resolved. With a narrow coalition majority, the votes of the two MKs are in many cases crucial to passing government sponsored legislation and preventing the government’s collapse.
Neguise, an Israeli of Ethiopian origin, and Amsalem, both accepted punitive measures for their having violated coalition discipline by failng to vote. Both lawmakers’ duties will be restricted until August. Neither will be permitted to propose legislation or agenda items, nor will they be permitted to address the plenum until August.
The Falashmura are descendants of Ethiopian Jews who converted to Christianity under duress. They are required to convert to Judaism in Israel. The government has pledged to bring the rest of the community to Israel within the next 5 years.
For further reading click here.
Turkish Potential
Here’s another sign that relations between Israel and Turkey might be on the mend. At least 15 Turkish energy companies are considering forming a consortium to promote a natural gas import deal from Israel. They could potential import 8 billion cubic meters (BCM) of Israeli gas.
Turkey consumes 50 BCM of gas annually and wants to reduce its dependency on Russian gas, which supplies about 55-60% of the country’s needs. About 30% of the gas consumed in Europe comes from Russia, and Europe too is seeking to diversify its sources. So there’s plenty of potential for Israel.
But there are some challenges. Before a gas export deal can go ahead, Israel and Turkey must sign a reconciliation agreement. That has yet to happen.
Other complications include: Egypt, which would likely gain preferential treatment should it want to import Israeli gas; and Cyprus, which would have to approve any Israel-Turkey pipeline, which would have to pass through its territorial waters.
Let’s be optimistic.
For further reading click here.
Israel News for April 7, 2016
/by Arnie SingerSanders Stumble
Looks like US Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders might need to brush up on foreign policy matters, especially relating to Israel. In an interview with the NY Daily News, Sanders estimated that 10,000 Palestinian civilians were killed during Operation Protective Edge in 2014. He said, “I’m just telling you that I happen to believe…anybody help me out here, because I don’t remember the figures, but my recollection is over 10,000 innocent people were killed in Gaza. Does that sound right?”
No Bernie, it doesn’t. The actual number of casualties in Operation Protective Edge is about 2,125, of which lost half were armed terrorists.
He added, “My understanding is that a whole lot of apartment houses were leveled. Hospitals, I think, were bombed. So yeah, I do believe and I don’t think I’m alone in believing that Israel’s force was more indiscriminate than it should have been.” Well, he’s right about not being alone in his beliefs.
Where does Bernie get his information about Israel from? He should subscribe to this email :)
In any case Sanders did say that he lived in Israel, has family there, and believes in Israel’s right to exist without being threatened by terror. But…
To listen to the entire interview click here.
Terror in Disguise
Security guards in the Beersheva central bus station got suspicious when they saw a 17 year old and a 19 year old trying to enter the station. Both were wearing kippot and tzizit (Jewish religious garments). They were also speaking Arabic. Big mistake. The guards alerted nearby police who took the teens in for questioning. Why do you think two Arab teens were trying to enter the bus station wearing kippot and tzizit? Any ideas?
For further reading click here.
Terrorist Garden
Yesterday Jerusalem police destroyed a garden in the Ras al-Amud neighborhood that had been planted in memory of 47 terrorists killed during the recent wave of terror. An olive tree sapling was planted for every one of the 47 terrorists commemorated in the garden, alongside a placard with a picture and the name of the terrorist, as well as graffiti on a nearby wall praising these terrorists’ actions.
A ceremony to establish the “martyrs’ garden” took place three weeks ago, whereby members of the community were invited to bless the memory of these terrorists and plant an olive tree sapling in their name.
Police destroyed the garden after confirming that it was built on public land without the required permits (the terrorist angle wasn’t sufficient cause?). The police is now searching for those responsible for planting the garden.
For further reading click here.
More Gas
Despite Israel’s substantial gas reserves, the Israel Electric Company (IEC) has just signed a deal with British Petroleum (BP) to import liquified natural gas to help the electric utility cope with excess demand for gas during peak periods. Why aren’t they just using gas from the local Tamar gas reserves? Because it’s cheaper to import.
The IEC pays $5.70 per BTU for Tamar gas. The BP gas, which originates in the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago costs $4.80 per BTU. You do the math.
For further reading click here.
Knesset Safety
Last week a group of Knesset members (MKs) went on an official visit to Georgia and Armenia. However, Deputy Prime Minister Yaron Mazuz (Likud) refused to cross the border into Armenia following reports of war in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is an ethnically Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan. Although the fighting was happening far from the minister and the delegation’s location, Mazuz still requested to be returned to Israel.
Mazuz claimed that he wasn’t feeling well. Then his office released a statement that he was advised by the Security Directorate of the Prime Minister’s office not to cross the border due to the security situation in the region. Apparently, non of the other MKs got the warning.
Maybe Mazuz is in the wrong line of work?
For further reading click here.
Health News
According to a study released yesterday by Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Israelis are generally getting healthier. The life expectancy of Israeli men has gone up 3.6 years since 2000 to 80.3 and the life expectancy for women has risen 3.2 years to 84.1.
The mental health picture is a bit less cheery. Almost a third of Jewish Israelis suffer from depression, with men more likely to suffer than women (39% vs 27%). Almost half of all Israeli Arabs admitted to suffering from depression.
So people are living longer, but are not happy about it?
For further reading click here.
Israel News for April 6, 2016
/by Arnie SingerIDF Kosher
The IDF is taking unusual measures to make sure that those who avoid the draft because of religious exemptions are being totally “kosher”.
In one case the army saw a social media post in which a girl described having a sexual relationship with an Israeli Haredi man, saying that he broke her heart. She posted a photo of him. It turns out that he had an exemption from military service because he was listed as a full time yeshiva student.
In response, the army summoned the yeshiva student to an induction center to enlist, maintaining that the student was merely keeping up a guise of religious observance — the grounds for his deferment request — and therefore should not be exempt from service.
The IDF is even considering opening a special cyber unit to track ultra-Orthodox students on social media, monitoring those who were openly eschewing ultra-Orthodox practice and drafting them, according to a Channel 10 report. The unit would be tasked with verifying that the Haredi yeshiva students were living in accordance with Jewish religious observance.
So basically the IDF will be inline with the Yeshiva heads and rabbis. They’ll both be making sure that students are strictly following religious law. Who can argue with that?
For further reading click here.
Left Behind
In 1961 Eli Cohen, an Israel of Sephardic decent, was sent to spy on Syria by the Mossad. For the next four years Cohen succeeded in penetrated the highest levels of the Syrian government and sending Israel a steady stream of reliable intelligence, which ended up saving countless lives in the 1967 Six Day War. Cohen was captured in 1965 and executed. For the last 50 years Israel has tried to get Cohen’s remains back so that they can receive a proper burial in Israel. Cohen’s widow Nadia has spearheaded the effort.
In 2007, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert asked Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was very close to Assad, to help in the matter. In 2010 PM Netanyahu sent asocial Ronald Lauder to Assad to ask for the remains. Now President Rivlin has asked Russian President Putin to help. Given their large military presence in the country and their role in saving Assad from defeat, Rivlin hopes that the Russians can persuade Assad to finally return Cohen’s remains.
Putin has promised that he will look into the matter.
For further reading click here.
Blood Money
The family of Muhannad Halabi, the terrorist who murdered Rabbi Nehemia Lavi and Aharon Banita in Jerusalem’s Old City last October, has purchased a new villa after the IDF demolished their home in January. The purchase of the massive mansion was made with money donated by the Palestinian public.
Speaking in the Knesset today, Deputy Knesset Speaker MK Oren Hazan (Likud) responded to the news saying, “It appears that the Palestinian Authority has found a creative solution to the housing crisis – a family that sends a representative to murder a Jew will be awarded with a luxurious villa, in addition to the honor that the family receives.”
He added, “I have said in the past and say again, the demolition of the homes of terrorists is an effective punishment, but it requires followup and accompanying steps! We have to take off the kid gloves and start acting with a hard hand against these murderers who benefit at our expense, including the expulsion of families.We must negate the stipends, negate their residency and send them to Gaza, Syria or any other attractive destination.”
For further reading click here.
Kotel Compromise
Moshe Gafni, the senior Knesset Member of the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) haredi party, implied yesterday that his party would accept the government’s compromise agreement allowing a non-Orthodox prayer area at the southern end of the Kotel, under one condition: that there will be a separate entrance for the new area.
A joint entrance is apparently one of the critical demands of the Reform and Conservative movements and the Women of the Wall organization, and it is unlikely they will agree to concede on this point.
Referring to the issue Gafni said, “They can go wherever they want, they can do whatever they want but not together with us. We will not allow them to be with us in any way. Not at the entrance to the Kotel, not at the exit, we won’t allow in any way recognition of the Reform, and not those similar to them.”
Gafni added that if this change is accepted then further deliberations would be needed to decide on who will manage the non-Orthodox site, but indicated that an agreement on this would be possible.
For further reading click here.
Good Reading
If you enjoy reading this newsletter you should check out my books:
Deep Waters: Insights Into the Torah and the Jewish Holidays contains deep and meaningful original insights and explanations that can be easily digested and communicated.
Each lesson is usually no longer than a page or two, so you can absorb it minutes. You can read a section every week or at the Shabbat table, and before each major holiday. Deep Waters can be appreciated by readers with a Judaic studies background as well as by readers with hardly any Jewish knowledge. BTW, it’s got lots of good stuff about Pesach, so get it soon!
Click here to get it on amazon (prime).
The Outsider’s Guide To Orthodox Judaism is a handbook (that means it’s brief and to the point) that explains Orthodox Judaism’s basic beliefs, rituals (like Sabbath and Kosher), lifestyle, lifecycle events, holidays, and more. Also included is a list of holidays and time-line of Jewish history.
Whether you’re an “outsider” looking to learn more about Orthodox Jews or an “insider” looking to explain what you do to your employer or coworkers, this book is perfect for you. Give a copy to your boss and save the awkward questions and conversations!
Click here to get it on amazon (prime).
Goodbye, Mom: A Memoir of Prayer, Jewish Mourning, and Healing is a practical and spiritual guide embedded within the true story of a son’s struggle to deal with his mother’s passing. It is a moving story of hope and prayer, love and respect, mourning and grieving, and healing.
The first part of the book describes how I dealt with my mother’s terminal illness, specifically her final days. Several chapters are dedicated to explain how prayer can be used as a healing tool (based on Jewish sources). I also describe the proper way to deal with a loved one who is dying.
The second part of Goodbye Mom describes the entire Jewish mourning process including tahara, funeral, burial, shiva, shloshim, kaddish, and unveiling, through the author’s personal experience. While there are many wonderful guides to Jewish mourning, learning from someone’s personal experiences is the most powerful and effective way.
The appendix contains a practical guide to the entire Jewish mourning process.
Click here to get it on amazon (prime).
Israel News for April 5, 2016
/by Arnie SingerElectric Bill
Have you paid your electric bill? Well, the Palestinian Authority hasn’t paid its for a while. Israel provides electricity to the West Bank through several Palestinian distribution companies. The PA currently owes the Israel Electric Company close to $460 million. So yesterday the company cut power to Bethlehem by 50% after doing the same in Jericho a few days earlier. Last year, it briefly cut off power to parts of the West Bank several times. It has also deducted money from regular tax transfers to the Palestinians to help cover the debts.
The PA gets hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign aid every year in addition to the taxes it collects domestically. Now they need to pay their electric bills.
For further reading click here.
Jordanian Workers
If you’re planning a vacation in Eilat, there’s a good chance you’ll here Arabic spoken by the hotel staff. No, they won’t be Palestinians. Israel has just authorized 500 Jordanians to work in hotels in Eilat ahead of vacation season. They will join the 400 Jordanians already working there. The workers will go home to Jordan every night.
According to the Tourism Ministry the Jordanians will primarily be employed in cleaning, dishwashing and room service. The Ministry said that efforts have been made to encourage Israeli workers to fill the jobs in Eilat including giving them bonuses, free lodging and day care. But “surprisingly”, Israelis aren’t interested in the jobs.
Lucky we made peace with Jordan.
For further reading click here.
Affirmative Action
While discrimination against Sephardim is alive and well in the Ashkenazi Haredi community in Israel, there now seems to be a solution, at least for some Sephardim.
Rav Chaim Kanievsky, recognized as the premiere posek (halachic authority) in the hared community, received a question that read as follows: “Can a man whose children are not being accepted into an Ashkenazi yeshiva change his Sephardi family name to an Ashkenazi sounding name so that his kids will be accepted?”
Rav Kanievsky answered, “This is not considered trickery. The main thing is that the kids get into yeshiva.” Problem solved, as long as you don’t look Sephardi.
For further reading click here.
Meat Bust
After an investigation by the Israel Police, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Health, nine people were arrested yesterday for smuggling meat from the Palestinian territories into Israel.
Here’s how it worked. A Palestinian importer bought meat in South America that was intended for the Palestinian Authority and imported it via Haifa’s port. From Haifa the meat was stored in the Palestinian town of A-Ram outside of Jerusalem, and from there it was smuggled into Israel through various checkpoints under substandard conditions that are contrary to Ministry of Health regulations. The meat was brought to a storage area in Atarot, where it was repackaged with forgeries of kosher certifications, expiration dates and veterinary authorizations. From there it was distributed to popular restaurants and shops throughout the country.
The investigators will now try to determine whether restaurant owners were involved in the fraud.
For further reading click here.
Deja Vu
If your stomach is feeling particular strong today, you might be able to handle this story about the “kosher” restaurant in Lviv, Ukraine (formerly known as Lviv and Lemberg – depending on who ruled the city). Before WWII the Jewish population of the city numbered 110,000, which was one third of the entire population. Then the Nazis took over in 1941 and, with the enthusiastic encouragement and assistance of the local Ukrainians, murdered almost all of them. There are currently 1,200 Jews living in Lviv, but the memory of the Jews seems to still be on the minds of the locals.
One of the ways that they commemorate their city’s Jewish past is with a small restaurant called The Golden Rose, named after a 16th century synagogue that stood next door until it was blown up by the Nazis in 1943. The restaurant has Jewish art and symbols on its walls. The waiters wear Hasidic hats with peyos attached and joke about Jewish stereotypes. The menus have no prices, because Jews like to bargain. You get the picture. You can also find these types of eateries in Krakow and Kiev, and probably other places in the blood-soaked “Old Country”.
Is it politically incorrect to say that I hope they all finally get what they deserve? Oh well.
To read more about one reporters experience in this Lviv restaurant, click here.
War Against Toys
Toys R’ Us, the iconic US based toy store chain, is under attack in Jerusalem by, guess who — the Haredim. The toy store chain is implementing a global campaign to do away with gender categories of toys. In other words, no more grouping or categorizing of toys based on gender. The Jerusalem branch has come under fire from elements in the Haredi community who are threatening to boycott the store and “excommunicate” it, claiming that the new policy threatens modesty and is a bad influence on its youth. According to one boycott proponent, “Toys R Us is trying to change creation, confuse the genders, and go against human nature as God created it.”
Personally, I always found the super heroes in tights thing extremely confusing. Would making them wear pants solve this whole gender dilemma?
For further reading click here.
Israel News for April 4, 2016
/by Arnie SingerMeir Ettinger
Meir Ettinger, the grandson of the late Rabbi Meir Kahane, has been held in administrative detention by the Shin Bet for seven months for allegedly leading the “Price Tag” acts of violence perpetrated by settler youth against Palestinians in the West Bank. No official chargers have yet been brought against him.
Ettinger’s wife gave birth to a son last week, but the Supreme Court ruled yesterday that he will not be permitted to attend the bris. The court upheld the ruling of a Beersheba district court that prohibited Ettinger from leaving prison to attend the event, claiming that there is a security risk to releasing him.
Ettinger’s wife refuses to hold the bris in the prison, but the family has offered to hold the event near the prison and follow any security guidelines ordered by the Israel Prison Service (IPS).
The Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi of Israel David Lau sent a letter to the director of the IPS asking that he do everything possible to allow Ettinger to attend his son’s bris. But the courts have ruled.
The IPS routinely releases prisoners serving sentences for violent crimes on weekend furloughs. Why is releasing Ettinger, who has not even been charged for a crime, to attend his only son’s bris, such a problem?
For further reading click here.
Ryan in Israel
US Speaker of the House Paul Ryan is visiting Israel, as part of a bipartisan delegation, on his first official trip abroad as Speaker. He denied the possibility that he would run for president if chosen as the republican nominee in a contested convention. Regarding Israel he said, “I’m proud that my first trip as speaker is a return to Israel. At this critical moment, it is essential that we reaffirm the historic alliance between our two nations and work together to address the mutual security threats that we face.”
You never know.
For further reading click here.
Tsunami Threat
As if Israel didn’t have enough problems, you can add Tsunamis to the list. Apparently, the Mediterranean Sea is a vulnerable region for tsunamis. Around 25% of all recorded tsunamis in human history have taken place in the Mediterranean. About every 100 years a significant tsunami takes place in the sea, and around every 250 years a tsunami strikes the shoreline of Israel. Tsunami warnings are received in Israel once every three months on average. The last such warning was received on April 15, 2015, due to an earthquake off Cyprus that measured 6.1 on the Richter scale. Another warning was received the day after, due to an earthquake near Crete of the same magnitude.
But don’t worry. This morning Israeli emergency crews participated in the country’s first tsunami simulation to practice effective responses in case a monster wave ever hits. The exercise, named “Nachshol Kachol” (Blue Tidal Wave), included evacuating people from the beaches of Ashdod and Ashkelon to safe gathering points.
Still want that beachfront villa?
For further reading click here.
Pot Meetup
You might be surprised to hear (or not) that the first international conference of the marijuana industry is being held in Tel Aviv. That’s probably because while personal use of cannabis without a prescription is forbidden by law in Israel, cannabis research in the Holy Land is among the most advanced in the world. In fact, since 2014, US companies have invested $50 million in Israeli companies engaged in research and development of the cannabis plant. That’s not that much, considering that the legal marijuana market in the US is projected to reach $23 billion annually by 2020.
Could this be Israel’s new technology cash crop? Will the start up nation become the light up nation? It could, at the very least, reduce the sky high stress level of most Israelis. Nothing wrong with that.
For further reading click here.
Single Malt
Whiskey aficionados will now be able to turn to Israel for their single malts. And of course, it’ll all be certified kosher. The new distillery, called Milk and Honey, is located in Tel Aviv and will be exporting over a million bottles very soon.
To watch a video report about this, click here.
Trump Bris
Donald Trump’s grandson had his bris on Sunday without having his grandpa at his side. Trump was busy campaigning in Wisconsin. In any case he likes to be the center of attention, which would have been difficult at the Orthodox bris. In any case, Mazal Tov to the Trumps and Kushners! We couldn’t find the Hebrew name of the young prince, but if you want to see photos of the royal family heading to the bris, click here.
Israel News for April 1, 2016
/by Arnie SingerConversions Sanctioned
Israel’s Supreme Court ruled yesterday that the State must recognize Orthodox conversions performed outside of Israel as valid under the Law of Return and that the converts must be registered by the Interior Ministry in the population registry as Jews.
Prior to the ruling the Chief Rabbinate had complete control over determining what conversions, performed abroad, to accept as valid. Only conversions by Orthodox rabbis approved by the Rabbinate (they have a list) were recognized. While those converted by rabbis not on the “list”, including non Orthodox rabbis, were eligible for Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return, they were not registered as Jewish. As a result, they could not marry in Israel, since all marriages must be registered by the Chief Rabbinate (although, as we reported a while back, the rabbinic court of the Haredi community – Edah Haredit – can also register marriages).
The Supreme Court ruling seems to wrest total control over conversions from the hands of the Chief Rabbinate. But the Court made it clear that its ruling only refers to conversions performed by Orthodox rabbis in Orthodox communities outside of Israel. That didn’t make the Chief Rabbinate feel any better about the ruling. It wants to be the sole determiner of “who is a Jew” in Israel, and has fought vehemently against an alternative rabbinic court established by National Religious Orthodox rabbis in Israel to perform conversions. The Supreme Court’s ruling does not apply to conversions performed in Israel.
Rabbi Seth Farber, the director of ITIM, an organization that helps converts deal with the Chief Rabbinate, said, “This is a game changer for conversion in Israel, because it says black and white that the Chief Rabbinate does not have a monopoly on conversion in the Jewish state. This paves the way for hundreds of converts who converted through Giyur Kahalacha [the alternative rabbinic court in Israe] to be registered as full Jews in Israel. Over the coming months we hope to engage both the government and the Chief Rabbinate to address how Giyur Kahlacha’s conversions can be recognized by it for the purposes of marriage.”
The Chief Rabbis along with ultra-Orthodox government ministers and Knesset members attacked the court’s ruling and pledged to pass legislation to circumvent. They claim that the court has no right to meddle in religious issues that are protected by the “status quo.” Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau stated, “The Supreme Court and its justices will not decide who is a Jew; only the torah of Israel will.”
Will the Supreme Courts ruling really have a practical effect? Yes, converts who convert outside of Israel by Orthodox rabbis will have to be registered as Jews by the Interior Ministry. But the rabbinate still controls marriage registration. So when the convert goes to register for marriage with their local rabbinate, the rabbis can still refuse to register them, claiming that their conversion was invalid. Just because they are registered as Jews by the government does not preclude the rabbinate from finding a reason not to register them for marriage.
So while the court’s ruling certainly puts pressure on the rabbinate and sets a precedent for further action to take full control over conversion from the Chief Rabbinate, it remains to be seen whether the ruling will have any practical effect.
For further reading click here.
Abbas Speaks
In an apparent bid to boost his image with the West and counter claims by PM Netanyahu that he refuses to meet with him to discuss peace, PA President Abbas told Channel 2 News that he is working hard to fight terror. He said, “Our security forces go into the schools to search pupils’ bags and see if they have knives. You don’t know this. In one school, we found 70 boys and girls who were carrying knives. We took the knives and spoke to them and said: ‘This is a mistake. We do not want you to kill and be killed. We want you to live, and for the other side to live as well.'”
Regarding meeting the PM Abbas said, “I will meet with him, at any time. And I suggested, by the way, for him to meet.” He declined to reveal why his suggestion didn’t come to fruition.
Abbas said he was willing to take action against Palestinians that Israeli intelligence deems a threat. “If he (Netanyahu) gives me responsibility and tells me that he believes in (the) two-state solution and we sit around the table to talk about (the) two-state solution, this will give my people hope, and nobody dares to go and stab or shoot or do anything here or there.”
Do you believe him?
For further reading click here.
Tank Hit
In an IDF training exercise on the Golan Heights yesterday, a tank was struck by a shell fired from another tank. Miraculously, despite receiving a direct hit and sustaining serious damage, the second tank’s crew was unharmed. On inspection, it was revealed that the tank’s armor had prevented the shell from penetrating, though the tank itself was severely damaged. But I’ll stick with the miracle theory.
For further reading click here.
Dubai Baby
A pregnant woman from Dubai was entering the West Bank from Jordan via the Allenby border crossing when she began feeling contractions. An IDF officer who was present at the scene gave her initial medical treatment at the border crossing, after which he accompanied her to a hospital in Jericho.
The woman was so thankful to the officer, that she named her baby after him – Hadi. The officer was Druze. But still…
The Palestinian media is trying to deny the story. Of course.
For further reading click here.