Terror and Response
Several terrorists crossed into Israel from Gaza yesterday and set fire to an abandoned IDF post before returning to Gaza. The terrorists videod the incident. In response the IDF launched air strikes that destroyed a Hamas terror tunnel and some Hamas boats that were going to participate in an attempt to break the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza.
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman tweeted about the strike, saying, “The IDF destroyed another tunnel belonging to the Hamas terror group tonight. Attempts to assail Israel from the air, through the fence and below-ground will be met with an iron wall and the IDF’s might.” He added, “It’s good for the heads of Hamas to internalize that their military project is a failure and invest all of their efforts in improving the life of Gazans.”
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New Construction
Around 300 new housing units have been put up for sale and will be constructed in the settlement of Beit El in Samaria (West Bank), near Ramallah. The construction of the homes was approved over 5 years ago. No new housing has been built in Best El over the past 10 years. The new housing units are part of a plan launched by Finance Minister Moshe Kahalon to provide affordable housing. Kahalon is in favor of annexing Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
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The Bunker
Israel’s Security Cabinet has begun holding its weekly meetings in a secure underground bunker in Jerusalem. The bunker, known as the “National Management Centre”, is beneath the government complex in Jerusalem and includes living quarters as well as command facilities. According to reports, the reason given for the new meeting location is to prevent leaks and spying attempts.
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Air Force Revelation
The commander of Israel’s Air Force, Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin, told foreign air force commanders at a conference in Herzliya that Israel is the first country in the world to use the new F-35 fighter jet in combat. He presented a photo of an Israeli F-35 jet circling over Beirut, saying, “We attacked twice in the Middle East with the F-35—we’re the first in the world to do so.” Israel recently purchased 50 of the new fighters from the US, and have so far taken possession of 10, and are apparently putting them to good use.
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New Conversion Bill
A new bill proposal has been submitted to PM Netanyahu that would make the State, through the rabbinical courts, the only body with the power to perform conversions. The bill would establish a new conversion authority in the Prime Minister’s Office that would be responsible for both civilian and military conversions. The bill would, in effect, prevent the recognition of conversions performed by rabbis not approved by the state authority. That would include Reform, Conservative and even some Orthodox rabbis. The proposal states that, “Conversion performed in Israel will be recognized for the purposes of any law only if it was performed by a rabbinical conversion court under the conversion authority. No legal relevance will be given to any conversion performed in Israel not by the conversion court in the conversion authority.”
Under the new law, all conversions performed abroad by a recognized Jewish community, including Reform and Conservative, would be accepted for legal matters, such as the Law of Return.
The proposed bill is part of an effort to reach some sort of compromise in the conversion debate by removing the power of conversion from the Chief Rabbinate and giving it to the Prime Minister’s Office. The PM would appoint the head of the new conversion authority, which would be independent of the Chief Rabbinate. The rabbinic judges will be appointed by a committee headed by the prime minister or his representative, in which there will be no Orthodox or ultra-Orthodox majority, and the Reform and Conservative movements will have a voice. The new conversions authority will also be able to recognize religious marriages of Jewish converts, which will further weakened the Chief Rabbinate, currently the sole body with such authority. Any appeals about the conversion process will be discussed by a higher rabbinical court, which will be established within the new conversions authority, and its decisions will be final.
The Reform Movement reacted to the proposal with mixed emotions. The movement’s executive-director Gilad Kariv said that “naturally, we do not support the idea of only having one option for conversion in Israel. However, we welcome the full recognition of Reform conversions in the Diaspora and the assurance to converts in Israel who are already citizens and residents that they will be listed in the civil registry as Jews. In addition, we welcome the apparent recognition of the need to drastically minimize the influence of the Chief Rabbinate on conversions, in light of this institution’s strict stance towards those who sought to convert in recent decades.”
It is doubtful whether the Haredi parties will allow the bill to pass, since they are against removing the power over conversions from the Chief Rabbinate, which they in effect control.
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New Embassy
Paraguay’s President Horacio Cartes inaugurated his country’s new embassy in Jerusalem on Monday. He remarked, “The opening of the embassy holds special meaning, because it expresses the sincere friendship and the brave solidarity between Paraguay and Israel.”
PM Netanyahu responded, “A great day for Israel. A great day for Paraguay. A great day for our friendship. You have not only the support of our government but the profound gratitude of the people Israel.” He added, “You’re an amazing friend to Israel,” Netanyahu told Cartes. “Under your leadership, Paraguay made courageous moves in the international arena and refused to take part in the lies against Israel. It’s time we do a lot more together and increase the cooperation between us. We’ve been discussing water, agriculture, security, and we are doing and want to do more. And we will.”
The Palestinians denounced the embassy move calling it illegitimate and illegal.
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Israel News for 6-11-18
/by Arnie SingerStabbing Attack
An 18 year old woman in Afula was stabbed and seriously wounded by an Arab from Jenin today. Police shot the suspect in the legs as he was fleeing the scene. It is still unclear whether the attack was nationalistically motivated.
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Kite Fires
Ten different fires broke out on Saturday in Israeli communities on the Gaza border—mostly in the Be’eri and Kissufim area—as a result of incendiary kites flown from the Gaza Strip. Firefighting forces, security coordinators and farmers were able to gain control of all of the fires, and no one was hurt. However, damage was caused to crops and wooded areas.
In response to the recent terror fires, residents from Gaza border communities gathered this week in Kibbutz Or HaNer for a tree-planting ceremony. Ofir Libenstein, a member of Kibbutz Kfar Aza who is leading the initiative, “The kites phenomenon completely destroyed a lot of forests and groves in our area, and we decided, as a community activity, to give back to nature what has been taken from it. “Beyond the financial damage, there’s also damage to the Gaza border residents’ morale, and we have decided to come together as a community and change this reality. The residents are coming together—families and children—to plant the trees.” He added, “This is the first of the activities, and in the coming days we will continue planting trees. We’re motivated by the slogan: ‘They’re burning, and we’re planting.'”
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Kite Killer
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, a premier Israeli arms company, has developed a new drone to counter the threat posed by incendiary kites. The Z’vuv HaEsh (Firefly) drone, which has been developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, will be presented for the first time at the Eurosatory exhibition in Paris next week, where the latest land and air defense and security gear goes on display.
The Firefly, which weighs only 3 kilograms, can be armed with a warhead weighing up to 350g and can remain in the air for up to 15 minutes before crashing and exploding into an enemy outpost or anti-tank missiles depot. It can also be flown through a window of an enemy building and detonated there. Its electric engine gives it the strategic advantage of silence, enabling it to creep up on its target until the moment it explodes.
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Austrian Visit
Austrian Chancellor Sebastion Kurz arrived in Israel yesterday for his first official visit. He met with Holocaust survivors and invited them to visit Austria this year, saying his government would pay for the trip. He also invited them to visit the chancellor’s office in Vienna. Kurz visited Yad Vashem and laid a wreath at the Hall of Remembrance. He tweeted, “I visited Yad Vashem together with Holocaust survivor Victor Klein and with the president of Vienna’s Jewish community, Oscar Deutsch. It’s always exciting to be there. We have a responsibility not to forget the Nazis’ horrible acts and to fight any form of anti-Semitism.” He also visited the Jerusalem’s Old City, the Western Wall and the cemetery on Mt. Hertz.
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Dedication
Today’s issue is dedicated to the commemoration of the Yahrzeit (anniversary of passing) of my grandfather Chaim Ahron ben Abraham Aba (Singer). He was born in the town of Mosciska (Galicia) in 1900, led his family into hiding during the Holocaust and then brought them to Toms River, NJ. He passed away on this Hebrew date in 1962. May his soul be elevated and may his memory serve as a blessing.
Israel News for 6-8-18
/by Arnie SingerKites Spreading
Mimicking tactics that have been increasingly used as part of violent Gaza border protests in recent weeks, Palestinians in the West Bank yesterday launched what are believed to be the first incendiary kites used there. The kites were flown over the settlements of Matan, Yarhiv and Nirit, three Jewish communities in the West Bank near the central Israeli city of Kfar Saba. One of the kites caused a fire in a field, which was quickly put out without major damage, while another struck a power line, causing a power outage in the area for several hours.
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Gaza Tensions
The IDF is beefing up its security presence in the Gaza region in anticipation of protests by thousands of Palestinians along the border on Friday afternoon to mark the annual Al Naksa Day, which commemorates displacements caused by Israel’s 1967 Six Day War victory. The IDF has been dropping leaflets into Gaza urging residents to stay away from the border fence. In a video broadcast on the Hamas-controlled Al-Aqsa TV station, Hamas called upon residents to make their way to the “March of Return and to destroy the blockade.”
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Terror Medic
A few weeks ago, Palestinian health officials and witnesses claimed IDF forces shot dead Razan Najjar, a 21 year old volunteer medic, as she ran towards the border fence to reach a casualty. Social media videos allegedly showed Najjar and a cohort of medics walking toward the fence and raising their hands to reach a wounded man lying on the ground. Najjar wore a dark blue headscarf and a white coat with the logo of the Palestinian Medical Relief Society.
But yesterday, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee posted a video on his Facebook page showing Najjar throwing a gas grenade. The Arabic text on the video says, “She’s not a merciful angel. Hamas used her as a human shield.”
An initial IDF investigation of the incident found that while a small number of bullets were fired during the incident, the gunfire wasn’t aimed at the Palestinian nurse. One possibility is that Najjar was killed by the ricochet of a bullet. The IDF said the investigation is still ongoing.
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Iranian Protests
Tens of Thousands of Iranians took part in anti-Israel rallies across the country to mark Jerusalem Day, also known as Al-Quds Day, burning the Israeli flag and chanting “Death to Israel” and “Death to America”. The speaker of Iran’s parliament, Ali Larijani, said, “Israel and Saudi Arabia are the source of chaos in the region. The Saudi Arabia, Israel and American triangle wants to turn the region into a chaotic scene. The region’s security will be threatened if they corner Tehran.”
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Women of Wall
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit has ruled that Women of the Wall, a multi-denominational feminist organization, will no longer be permitted to pray like all women in the Western Wall plaza, and will be restricted to a separate section fenced off by the police and the Western Wall’s custodian. Mandelblit said that anybody violating the new terms could be subject to forced removals by the police.
The decision was reached following a request by the police and the Western Wall Heritage Foundation to separate monthly prayer services held by members of the group from other women who visit the site in order to reduce tensions that erupt between the two. The police explained that the main aim was to enable security for the Women of the Wall, but they have refused to abide by new conditions, demanding that they be allowed to pray wherever they choose and calling for intervention from the attorney general.
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Gay Parade
Over 200,000 people are expected to attend Tel Aviv’s 20th annual Gay Pride Parade, which kicked off today at 12 noon. Tel Aviv Mayor Huldai delivered remarks at the start of the parade saying, “I am proud to stand before you. I remember how it was 20 years ago when we began the march and I see the atmosphere of freedom here. We have progressed a lot, but there is still a way to go. We will smash down legislative barriers so that all people are equal,” he vowed. “The parade represents a moral significance that says: We are here until we reach this goal.”
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Israel News for 6-6-18
/by Arnie SingerBreaking News
IDF troops carrying out a raid to capture terrorists in Nabi Saleh, northwest of Ramallah, were attacked by a mob throwing rocks. According to an IDF spokesman, “One of the Palestinians flanked the troops and hurled the rock, striking a soldier’s head.” The soldier opened fire at the attacker, seriously wounding him. IDF medics attempted to save the wounded terrorist, but he died. An army spokesperson said the incident “is being examined”.
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Kite Terror
An incendiary kite flown from Gaza sparked a major fire in an open field across from the Sapir College in the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council, near the southern city of Sderot, on Tuesday afternoon. Heavy smoke covered the college building as firefighters were dispatched to the area and worked to prevent the fire from spreading to the nearby road and into the college. Fires also broke out in 7 other locations near Gaza from incendiary kites. There were no reports of injuries.
The Defense Minister said that 600 incendiary kites have been launched into Israel from Gaza, of which 400 have been intercepted by the IDF. The other 200 have burned 9,000 dunams of crops and forests. He vowed to take whatever action is necessary to stop the terror.
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European Trip
PM Netanyahu kicked off his 4 day European trip with a meeting in Berlin with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday. He met with French President Macron in Paris yesterday and is meeting with Britain’s PM May in London today. Netanyahu’s main objective is to highlight Iran’s ongoing terror activities and muster European support against Iran, despite understanding that the Europeans will most likely not join the US in withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal.
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Golan Initiative
Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon endorsed a new plan today to rapidly develop the Golan and raise its population from 22,000 to 100,000 within a decade. The plan, which was written by Deputy Minister Michael Oren, calls for forming an inter-ministerial committee led by Finance Ministry Director-General Shai Babad to improve the quality of life in the Golan and bring more tourists to the area. The idea of building up the Golan has support in both the government and the opposition.
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Soccer Snub
The Palestinian Football Association praised the Argentinian national soccer team for cancelling a scheduled “friendly” game with Israel which was supposed to have been held in Jerusalem this week. The Argentinians were under intense pressure from Palestinians and pro BDS forces to cancel the pre-World Cup practice match. The game was originally supposed to be held in Haifa, but Israeli Culture Minister Miri Regev decided to relocate the game to Jerusalem in honor of Israel’s 70th anniversary. Prime Minister Netanyahu briefly addressed the match’s cancellation saying, “We’re moving on, guys.”
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Giuliani Interview
Rudy Giuliani gave an exclusive to Globes yesterday at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem in which he spoke candidly about a wide range of issues including the recent embassy move and Trump’s peace plan. To read the interview click here.
Israel News for 6-4-18
/by Arnie SingerTerrorist Infiltration
Early today 2 terrorists carrying an axe attempted to cut the border fence and cross into Israel from Gaza. IDF troops arrived at the scene and shot and killed one of the terrorists. The other terrorist was wounded and managed to escape back into Gaza.
Last night, terrorists from Gaza cut through the border fence and infiltrated into southern Israel, where they set fire to a container containing equipment used for the construction of an anti-tunnel barrier along the border. The terrorists escaped back across the border into Gaza. No injuries were reported but significant damage was caused.
Also yesterday, an incendiary kite sent from Gaza started a fire that swept through the Shokeda Forest in southern Israel. PM Netanyahu called for implementing a plan that would allocate compensation taken from Palestinian Authority (PA) funds for Israeli communities bordering Gaza that suffer damage as a result of terror activity from Gaza.
On Saturday night 4 rockets were fired into Israel from Gaza. Three out of the four rockets were intercepted by Iron Dome. The Israel Air Force responded to the rockets by attacking Hamas military targets in Gaza.
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Nato Exercise
IDF Paratroopers will participate in a large scale Nato military exercise being held in Germany, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. They will train with the 173rd Brigade of the European Command of the US Army. Soldiers from 10 other countries will also take part in the exercise. Paratroopers will also participate in another exercise that will take place in Eastern Europe.
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Singing Star
Israeli singing star Shiri Maimon confirmed that she will be starring in the hit musical “Chicago” on Broadway, beginning on September 21. She announced the news at a large Israeli celebration at Times Square last night.
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Israel News for 6-1-18
/by Arnie SingerIran Withdrawing
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Thursday that Iranian advisers and Hezbollah fighters will be withdrawing from the southern Syrian regions of Daraa and Quneitra near Israel’s Golan Heights. Israel and Russia have been in constant talks to figure out a way to keep Iran out of the border area. Defense Minister Lieberman visited the Russian Ministry of Defense in Moscow yesterday. One Russian news outlet reported that Russia would like to reach an agreement that would deploy Russian military police and order the pullout of all Iranian forces from the border region. Syrian President Assad has denied that there are any Iranian troops in Syria.
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Gaza Quiet
Israel and Hamas have seemed to enter into a bilateral ceasefire. Israel’s security cabinet agreed on Wednesday night to halt military attacks against Hamas and other terror targets in Gaza after a massive IDF response to the rocket fire from Gaza earlier this week. The IDF will continue building the underground barrier along the Gaza border and will also continue searching for and destroying terror tunnels. Israel is also considered easing some economic restrictions against Gaza.
Meanwhile, terrorists are still sending incendiary kites into Israel, and the Hamas sponsored marches near the border are set to continue, although the numbers of participants is expected to be much lower.
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Security Council
The UN Security Council is expected to vote today on a Kuwaiti sponsored resolution condemning excessive Israeli force against Gaza, while also condemning the firing of rockets from Gaza at Israeli civilian areas. US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley blasted the proposal for discussing “excessive” Israeli force while making no mention of Hamas, the Islamic militant group that rules Gaza. She said, “It is a grossly one-sided approach that is morally bankrupt and would only serve to undermine ongoing efforts toward peace between Israelis and Palestinians.” Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon also sharply criticized the proposal. The US is expected to veto the resolution if necessary.
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Palestinian Aid
Yesterday the government unveiled a program to invest massive amounts of funds in Palestinians neighborhoods of east Jerusalem. The program will invest 2 billion shekels, or $560 million, in three core areas: education, infrastructure and helping Palestinian women enter the work force. The money will be spent on a variety of programs, including nine pilot projects, in the coming five years, with the aim of attracting further government and private investment down the road.
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Prison Prayer
The Israel Prison Service (IPS) has acceded to the request of Chief Sephardic Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef and formulated a procedure that would enable haredi prisoners to pray in suits and hats, as is their normal custom. The prisoners will be able to use their personal clothing until the prison service obtains IPS tasted and approved clothing.
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Israel Parade
The annual Celebrate Israel Parade will march up Fifth Avenue in NYC this Sunday, in celebration of Israel’s 70th birthday. The parade will run between 57th st. and 74th st. between 11am and 4pm. If you’re in the NY area, come out to show your support for Israel. We’ll be there – around 72nd St. – So top by and say hello!
For more info click here.
Whale Visit
A Blue Whale, the largest of the whale species, showed up for an unexpected visit in the Gulf of Eilat and Red Sea this week. It was the first ever documented visit of a Blue Whale in the area. The visitor was around 20 meters long. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature data, less than 12,000 of the whales exist in the world today.
For video and photos click here.
Israel News for 5-30-18
/by Arnie SingerGaza Escalation
Yesterday morning 30 mortar shells were fired into Israel from Gaza. One of the shells landed in the yard of a kindergarten in a kibbutz near the border. Thankfully no children were there. Five Israelis, including 3 soldiers, were wounded from shrapnel from other explosions. Red Code warning alarms were sounded throughout the region including in the cities of Ofakim, Ashkelon and Sderot, throughout the afternoon and into the evening. The IDF said that 25 mortars were intercepted by Iron Dome missiles on Tuesday. On Monday night machine gun fire from Gaza hit several structures and vehicles in Sderot. There were no casualties.
In response to the mortar attacks, the IDF attacked 40 terror targets in Gaza belonging to both Hamas and Islamic Jihad, including weapons storehouses, outposts and a Hamas tunnel near the Kerem Shalom border crossing which penetrated 900 meters into Israeli territory. Then, in response to more rocket fire, the IDF hit another 25 Hamas targets overnight. The IDF said that among the targets were drone storage facilities, rocket and armament manufacturing installations, training camps, military installations, advanced naval armaments and anti-aircraft missile components. However, the IDF did not target homes of commanders in the terror groups or mounted any targeted killings.
There were no casualties reported in any of the attacks.
One of the rockets fired from Gaza hit an Israel Electric Company facility transferring electricity into Gaza. The rocket damaged equipment, causing three power lines supplying electricity to the strip to malfunction. The electric company said that an initial evaluation showed it would take several days to fix the equipment and resume regular supply. Another of the rockets fired last night hit a house in one of the Israeli communities near the border, but miraculously, there were no injuries. And yet another rocket hit a stadium in Netivot, causing damage but no casualties.
In total, in less than 24 hours, over 100 rockets and mortar shells were fired at Israel, with some 40 intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system. Most of the launches were carried out with the help of timers, making it harder on the IDF to track perpetrators before or after a launch.
Israeli analysts are saying that the fact that Hamas did not fire any mid to long range rockets and that the IDF attacks were planned to cause no casualties indicates that both sides want to avoid an escalation of the conflict into all out war. Hamas has apparently ceased firing more rockets today and is preventing other terror groups in Gaza, like Islamic Jihad, from firing rockets.
Israeli ministers are denying that any ceasefire agreement has been made with Hamas.
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World Reactions
Representatives of the US, France, Ireland, the EU and the UN condemned the Hamas rocket attacks from Gaza.
Jason Greenblatt, US Middle East envoy, tweeted, “Reprehensible – mortars fired from Gaza at a kindergarten and community in Israel! Hamas has failed – all it can offer is terror. Palestinians in Gaza need real leaders to work on Gaza’s real problems with its water, its economy and so much more.”
A spokeswoman for the French Foreign Affairs Ministry published a statement saying, “France unequivocally denounces fire at civilian populations that only luckily did not claim any victims. France is unconditionally committed to Israel’s security. France denounces the resumption of violence, which is not congruent with a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney tweeted, “I strongly condemn firing of rockets from Gaza at Israel today. I continue to advocate strongly for people of Gaza who live in impossible conditions, but this Hamas-led violence undermines Palestinian cause + is counterproductive to political progress.”
Emanuele Giaufret, the EU envoy to Israel, tweeted, “As kids were preparing for school this morning a barrage of rockets from Gaza fell on southern Israel. One landed outside a kindergarten. I know the resilience of communities in southern Israel but indiscriminate attacks are totally unacceptable and to be condemned unreservedly.”
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UN Security Council
US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley called for a Security Council meeting to condemn the rocket attacks from Gaza. She said, “Mortars fired by Palestinian militants hit civilian infrastructure, including a kindergarten. The Security Council should be outraged and respond to this latest bout of violence directed at innocent Israeli civilians, and the Palestinian leadership needs to be held accountable for what they’re allowing to happen in Gaza.”
The United States circulated a draft statement calling on the council to condemn “in the strongest terms the indiscriminate firing of rockets by Palestinian militants in Gaza” toward Israel. The council will hear a report from UN envoy for the Middle East Nickolay Mladenov during the meeting scheduled today.
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Israel News for 5-25-18
/by Arnie SingerSoldier Wounded
A soldier in the elite Duvdevan unit taking part in an operation to capture a group of terrorists in the al-Am’ari refugee camp near Ramallah was hit on the head and severely wounded by a concrete slab thrown at him from a window. The IDF and Shin Bet are searching for the terrorist who threw the slab. The wounded soldier is fighting for his life at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem.
Regarding the soldier’s injury, an IDF official said, “His helmet was destroyed. He fell on his back and suffered another blow. So he was hit hard in the head and was evacuated.” He added, “This was a necessary raid to arrest several terrorists who carried out attacks in the past. The soldier was wearing full protective gear, including a helmet, and while he was standing close to one of the homes the marble slab was thrown down at him.”
The operation, which is based on Shin Bet intelligence, is part of the IDF’s Judea and Samaria Brigade’s wide scale activity to thwart attacks during the month of Ramadan.
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman tweeted, “Our hearts are with the Duvdevan soldier and his family in their difficult time, with all of Israel praying for his recovery. We consider the incident to be very grave. The callous terrorist who harmed him will not know rest. Before long, we will get our hands on him—dead or alive.”
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Syrian Strikes
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Syrian state media have reported that the Dabaa air base, that houses Hezbollah fighters near Homs, was attacked overnight by jets. Syrian news sources claim that the jets were Israeli. Opposition news sites reported that 25 Iranian and Hezbollah fighters were killed in the strike. The pro-Hezbollah newspaper Al Akhbar reported on Friday morning that the attack on the military airbase was “the largest by the Israeli Air Force since the night of the missiles,” a term used in reference to the night in which Iran launched 32 rockets at Israeli targets earlier this month.
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Settlement Construction
Defense Minister Lieberman said yesterday that he plans to seek approval next week for the construction of around 3,900 new homes in Jewish settlements in the West Bank. He said a regional planning board would be asked to designate 2,500 of the housing units for immediate construction, and another 1,400 to follow. The housing units will be distributed mainly between the settlements of Ariel (400), Ma’ale Adumim (460), Kiryat Arba (15), Avnei Hefetz (130), Talmon (180), Kfar Etzion (160) and Halamish/Neve Tzuf (60).
Lieberman said, “We committed to building in Judea and Samaria and we are fulfilling that commitment. We will approve 2,500 new housing units next week at the planning council for immediate construction in 2018. In the coming months we will seek approval for thousands of additional housing units. We will continue to populate and develop Judea and Samaria with actions.”
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Stop Funding
Israel called on the European Union today to halt funding to more than a dozen European and Palestinian non-governmental organizations that it says promote boycotts against Israel, claiming that the financial support violates the EU’s stated policy that it opposes boycotts against Israel.
A report published by Israel’s Strategic Affairs Ministry said, ”The state of Israel expects the EU to act with full transparency and reveal the scope of its financial aid to organizations that have ties to terror and promote boycotts against Israel” the report said. “Israel strongly urges the EU to fully implement in practice its declared policy of rejecting boycotts against Israel, and to immediately halt funding to organizations which promote anti-Israel boycotts and de-legitimization.”
The EU had no immediate comment.
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Recognize Golan
In an interview with Reuters this week, Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz called on the US to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan. He claimed that the move would be a strong message against Iranian aggression in the region. He said, “It’s time for the US to recognize the historic truth, the historic fact, and strengthen Israel.”
Israel captured the Golan from Syria in the 1967 Six Day War, and officially annexed the Golan in 1981. There are currently over 20,000 Jews living in towns, settlements and kibbutzim in the Golan. There are also around 20,000 Druze living in several villages near the Syrian border.
For further re reading click here.
Royal Visit
Prince William, direct heir to the British throne, will come to Israel at the end of June for the first-ever visit by a member of the British royal family. He will arrive in Amman, Jordan on June 24 and visit the historic city of Jerash the following day. On the evening of June 25 he will come to Tel Aviv and the following day will be spent in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. June 27 will be spent in Tel Aviv and Ramallah in the West Bank and June 28, the final day of the trip will be devoted entirely to Jerusalem.
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Israel News for 5-23-18
/by Arnie SingerTerror and Response
Several terrorists crossed into Israel from Gaza yesterday and set fire to an abandoned IDF post before returning to Gaza. The terrorists videod the incident. In response the IDF launched air strikes that destroyed a Hamas terror tunnel and some Hamas boats that were going to participate in an attempt to break the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza.
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman tweeted about the strike, saying, “The IDF destroyed another tunnel belonging to the Hamas terror group tonight. Attempts to assail Israel from the air, through the fence and below-ground will be met with an iron wall and the IDF’s might.” He added, “It’s good for the heads of Hamas to internalize that their military project is a failure and invest all of their efforts in improving the life of Gazans.”
For further reading click here.
New Construction
Around 300 new housing units have been put up for sale and will be constructed in the settlement of Beit El in Samaria (West Bank), near Ramallah. The construction of the homes was approved over 5 years ago. No new housing has been built in Best El over the past 10 years. The new housing units are part of a plan launched by Finance Minister Moshe Kahalon to provide affordable housing. Kahalon is in favor of annexing Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
For further reading click here.
The Bunker
Israel’s Security Cabinet has begun holding its weekly meetings in a secure underground bunker in Jerusalem. The bunker, known as the “National Management Centre”, is beneath the government complex in Jerusalem and includes living quarters as well as command facilities. According to reports, the reason given for the new meeting location is to prevent leaks and spying attempts.
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Air Force Revelation
The commander of Israel’s Air Force, Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin, told foreign air force commanders at a conference in Herzliya that Israel is the first country in the world to use the new F-35 fighter jet in combat. He presented a photo of an Israeli F-35 jet circling over Beirut, saying, “We attacked twice in the Middle East with the F-35—we’re the first in the world to do so.” Israel recently purchased 50 of the new fighters from the US, and have so far taken possession of 10, and are apparently putting them to good use.
For further reading click here.
New Conversion Bill
A new bill proposal has been submitted to PM Netanyahu that would make the State, through the rabbinical courts, the only body with the power to perform conversions. The bill would establish a new conversion authority in the Prime Minister’s Office that would be responsible for both civilian and military conversions. The bill would, in effect, prevent the recognition of conversions performed by rabbis not approved by the state authority. That would include Reform, Conservative and even some Orthodox rabbis. The proposal states that, “Conversion performed in Israel will be recognized for the purposes of any law only if it was performed by a rabbinical conversion court under the conversion authority. No legal relevance will be given to any conversion performed in Israel not by the conversion court in the conversion authority.”
Under the new law, all conversions performed abroad by a recognized Jewish community, including Reform and Conservative, would be accepted for legal matters, such as the Law of Return.
The proposed bill is part of an effort to reach some sort of compromise in the conversion debate by removing the power of conversion from the Chief Rabbinate and giving it to the Prime Minister’s Office. The PM would appoint the head of the new conversion authority, which would be independent of the Chief Rabbinate. The rabbinic judges will be appointed by a committee headed by the prime minister or his representative, in which there will be no Orthodox or ultra-Orthodox majority, and the Reform and Conservative movements will have a voice. The new conversions authority will also be able to recognize religious marriages of Jewish converts, which will further weakened the Chief Rabbinate, currently the sole body with such authority. Any appeals about the conversion process will be discussed by a higher rabbinical court, which will be established within the new conversions authority, and its decisions will be final.
The Reform Movement reacted to the proposal with mixed emotions. The movement’s executive-director Gilad Kariv said that “naturally, we do not support the idea of only having one option for conversion in Israel. However, we welcome the full recognition of Reform conversions in the Diaspora and the assurance to converts in Israel who are already citizens and residents that they will be listed in the civil registry as Jews. In addition, we welcome the apparent recognition of the need to drastically minimize the influence of the Chief Rabbinate on conversions, in light of this institution’s strict stance towards those who sought to convert in recent decades.”
It is doubtful whether the Haredi parties will allow the bill to pass, since they are against removing the power over conversions from the Chief Rabbinate, which they in effect control.
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New Embassy
Paraguay’s President Horacio Cartes inaugurated his country’s new embassy in Jerusalem on Monday. He remarked, “The opening of the embassy holds special meaning, because it expresses the sincere friendship and the brave solidarity between Paraguay and Israel.”
PM Netanyahu responded, “A great day for Israel. A great day for Paraguay. A great day for our friendship. You have not only the support of our government but the profound gratitude of the people Israel.” He added, “You’re an amazing friend to Israel,” Netanyahu told Cartes. “Under your leadership, Paraguay made courageous moves in the international arena and refused to take part in the lies against Israel. It’s time we do a lot more together and increase the cooperation between us. We’ve been discussing water, agriculture, security, and we are doing and want to do more. And we will.”
The Palestinians denounced the embassy move calling it illegitimate and illegal.
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Israel News for 5-18-18
/by Arnie SingerGaza Update
Israel partially resumed the supply of cooking gas and diesel fuel to Gaza via the Kerem Shalom border crossing after Palestinians set the crossing on fire several times over the last few weeks. The pipeline repairs have been completed. Twelve tanks of diesel fuel and one tank of gas were transferred into the strip on Thursday to test the repaired system. If no leaks are found, the supply of fuel and gas will continue on Monday.
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Senior Hamas official Salah Bardawil told Palestinian media on Wednesday that 50 of the 61 Palestinians killed in the Gaza Strip border riots Monday were members of Hamas. Also on Wednesday, Israel trucks carrying medical equipment for hospitals in Gaza were prohibited from entering Gaza by Hamas.
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Following Monday’s deadly border riots, Hamas leaders told people to stay away from the border, which is why the area has been relatively quiet since then. The reason for this is because Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh met with Egyptian intelligence leaders on Sunday, who promised that Egypt would open the Rafah border crossing (between Egypt and Gaza) to allow humanitarian aid if Hamas would stop its provocations along the Israeli border. Hamas reportedly promised to cease all military (terror) activity along the border. As a result, the IDF has decreased troop numbers in the area, although it is still on high alert.
The month long Muslim holiday of Ramadan began yesterday.
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Yesterday, Kuwait submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council calling for the stationing of a UN force along the Gaza border to protect Gaza’s residents. The resolution also demands that Israel, “immediately cease its military reprisals, collective punishment and unlawful use of force against civilians, including in the Gaza Strip.” The US is expected to veto the resolution.
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Romania Deal
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the manufacturer of the Iron Dome missile defense system, has signed an agreement with Romanian company Romaero to allow the transfer of know-how and production of Rafael-developed systems in Romania in the framework of procurement programs for the Romanian army already approved by the Romanian parliament. The agreement refers to air defense systems, including rocket interception system Iron Dome and its naval version; Samson remote controlled weapons stations; and Spike anti-tank missiles.
Is it a coincidence that Romania is on the verge of deciding to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem?
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New Publisher
Israel’s free daily newspaper “Israel Hayom” announced that its publisher Asher Baharav and CEO Zippi Koren are leaving. Taking over the job of publisher will be Dr. Miriam Adelson, the wife of Sheldon Adelson, who owns the paper.
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Buffet on Teva
Berkshire Hathaway, controlled by the “oracle of Omaha” Warren Buffett, has doubled its stake in Israeli Pharmaceutical giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (TEVA). The announcement sent Teva’s shares soaring 5% in after hours trading. Buffett’s company now holds 40.5 million Teva shares worth about $693 million and representing a 3.45% stake in Teva, which has a market cap of $20.5 billion.
Time to buy TEVA?
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Shavuot
The holiday of Shavuot begins on Saturday night and extends for one day in Israel and two days outside of Israel (Sun and Mon). The holiday literally means weeks, and is the culmination of the counting of 7 weeks (49 days) from the second day of Passover. Shavuot is described in the Torah as the harvest festival during which farmers bring their first produce to the Temple in Jerusalem. Shavuot is also the anniversary of the giving of the Ten Commandments and Torah at Mount Sinai. The Book of Ruth is read in the synagogue, and dairy meals are traditionally eaten. It is also customary to stay up all night (first night) to study Torah.
Happy Shavuot!!
Israel News for 5-16-18
/by Arnie SingerRiots and Response
Yesterday was Nakba day, which is the day that the Palestinians commemorate the “catastrophe” of the declaration of the State of Israel and the subsequent self imposed exile and expulsions of around 300,000 Arabs. Most of those Arabs were either instructed to vacate their towns and villages by the Arab governments attacking Israel, who promised them Jewish property after the Jews were defeated and “thrown into the sea”. Many also fled because of fictitious rumors that the Jews would massacre them, while a small number were, in fact, expelled by the IDF.
The Palestinians traditionally commemorate Nakba Day with widespread protests, which often turn violent. The fear was that as a result of the opening of the new US embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, the Palestinians would unleash their fury at the US and Israel with massive violence on Nakba Day, resulting in tremendous loss of life, But while several thousand Palestinians did clash with IDF troops in 18 different locations, only one Palestinian was killed and two Israeli soldiers lightly wounded in the riots.
Along the Gaza border, only around 400 Palestinians protested yesterday and no casualties were reported. One of the primary reasons for the relative peace was because the IDF sent drones over the border to drop tear gas canisters in order to keep people away from the border. This tactic succeeded on averting loss of life and dispersing any potential trouble.
The situation on Monday was very different. While the US embassy was being inaugurated in Jerusalem, around 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza massed along the border fence and attempted to break down the fence and infiltrate into Israel. Waves of thousands of “protesters” rushed the fence. Many tried to cut the fence with wire-cutters. Some tried to place explosive devices along the fence.
In the face of this massive attempt to breach the fence and cross the border into Israel by tens of thousands of Palestinians, the IDF was forced to use deadly force to defend the border and its soldiers. More than 1,200 were shot and wounded, with 116 in serious or critical condition and 61 killed. A joint investigation conducted by the IDF and the Shin Bet following the violence found that 24 out of the 61 people killed were terrorists affiliated with Hamas or Islamic Jihad. According to reports from the scene, the IDF exercised extreme restraint in its reaction to the attack, which greatly reduced the casualties that could have otherwise resulted.
Regarding the moving of the US embassy and the assertion that it destroys all hope for a peace agreement, the fact is that the embassy is located in the western part of Jerusalem which has always been recognized as being part of Israel. So locating the US embassy in its current location makes no statement regarding the status of east Jerusalem.
In fact, President Trump clearly stated that the US was not making any decisions regarding the status of east Jerusalem and rumors have circulated that Israel might even be asked to withdraw from certain Arab areas of east Jerusalem, which would become part of a Palestinian capital, as part of a potential peace agreement. These rumors were never confirmed, but the fact remains that a US embassy in west Jerusalem recognizes only that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital, not that the entirety of what is considered part of Jerusalem today (like certain areas of east Jerusalem) must always remain under Israel’s jurisdiction.
What the US has done is stand up for truth and reality — that Jerusalem as a whole is not on the negotiating table and will remain Israel’s eternal capital. Now perhaps a real, practical agreement between Israel and the Palestinians can be achieved. But only if the Palestinians agree to participate.
World Reaction
In response to the violence and loss of life along the Gaza border on Monday, the UN Security Council convened an emergency session, called by Kuwait. US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley told the council, “Those who suggest the Gaza violence has anything to do with the location of the American embassy are sorely mistaken. Rather the violence comes from those who reject the existence of the State of Israel in any location … We must remember that the terrorist organization Hamas is the one undermining regional stability for many years before the US decided to move the embassy. It was Hamas who set fire to the Kerem Shalom crossing, the main crossing through which equipment and food arrives in the Gaza Strip.”
Regarding the IDF response to the attacks Haley said, “Who among us would accept this type of activity on your border? … No country in this chamber would act with more restraint than Israel has.”
In other reactions, Turkey expelled the Israeli Ambassador and other diplomats, while other European countries called for an investigation into the bloodshed.
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Guatemalan Embassy
Guatemala’s President Jimmy Morales inaugurated his country’s embassy in Jerusalem today. He tweeted, “Today we mark a historic day in the friendly relations between Guatemala and Israel.”
PM Netanyahu said (at the ceremony), “It’s not a coincidence that Guatemala is opening its embassy in Jerusalem among the first, you were always among the first. You were the second country to recognize Israel, but you had a very important role in this. Your ambassador to the United Nations, Jorge Granados, was very active in lobbying the countries at the UN at the time to support the Partition Resolution, which was effectively the recognition of the Jewish state by the United Nations.”
In conclusion, the PM said, “In this spirit of friendship and a common bond, we welcome you to Jerusalem for the opening of this embassy. I look forward to discussing with you the practical ways that we can advance this friendship and this alliance.”
Paraguay has said it will move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem by the end of May.
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