US recognizes Jerusalem

Israel News for 12-7-17

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US Recognizes Jerusalem
Yesterday, President Trump announced that the US recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and that he has instructed the State Department to begin the process of moving the US embassy there.

Trump based his decision on several factors:

1. The law passed by Congress in 1995, by an overwhelming bipartisan majority, called the Jerusalem Embassy Act, which directed the federal government to recognize Jerusalem as the capital and to move the embassy there. The law was reaffirmed by a unanimous vote of the Senate six months ago. (Since that law, each President has signed a waiver every 6 months to override it.) Trump said, “While previous presidents have made this a major campaign promise, they failed to deliver. Today, I am delivering.”

2. The fact that not recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital has not helped bring peace. Therefore, “It would be folly to assume that repeating the exact same formula would now produce a different or better result.”

3. The US is simply recognizing the reality of the situation — that Israel is the functioning capital of Israel. He said, “But today, we finally acknowledge the obvious: that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital. This is nothing more, or less, than a recognition of reality. It is also the right thing to do. It’s something that has to be done.”

4. “Israel is a sovereign nation with the right like every other sovereign nation to determine its own capital. Acknowledging this as a fact is a necessary condition for achieving peace.”

Trump reiterated that the US is committed “to helping facilitate a peace agreement that is acceptable to both sides. I intend to do everything in my power to help forge such an agreement.”

He said that, “The United States would support a two-state solution if agreed to by both sides.” [Which means the US will NOT impose a two-state solution on Israel. As he said in the past, he’s open to whatever the parties decide — one state or two states.]

While recognizing Jerusalem as the capital, Trump also pointed out, “We are not taking a position of any final status issues, including the specific boundaries of the Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem, or the resolution of contested borders. Those questions are up to the parties involved.” [How this will effect Israeli construction in predominantly Palestinian areas of East Jerusalem isn’t clear yet, but Israel will most likely take it as a green light to continue.]

Trump said, “This sacred city should call forth the best in humanity, lifting our sights to what it is possible; not pulling us back and down to the old fights that have become so totally predictable. Peace is never beyond the grasp of those willing to reach. So today, we call for calm, for moderation, and for the voices of tolerance to prevail over the purveyors of hate. Our children should inherit our love, not our conflicts.”

He concluded with a call for peace, saying, “So today, let us rededicate ourselves to a path of mutual understanding and respect. Let us rethink old assumptions and open our hearts and minds to possible and possibilities. And finally, I ask the leaders of the region—political and religious; Israeli and Palestinian; Jewish and Christian and Muslim—to join us in the noble quest for lasting peace.”

Trump also announced that Vice President Pence will travel to the Middle East to meet with leaders and reaffirm the US commitment to the region.

The moving of the US embassy to Jerusalem is expected to take several years.

To read Trump’s entire speech click here.

Evangelical Push
One of the main factors that contributed to Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem and move the US embassy there was intense pressure from US Evangelical Christians.

Activists’ efforts included an email campaign launched by the group My Faith Votes. The group is chaired by Mike Huckabee, the former Republican presidential candidate and father of Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary. The group posted a form on its website and urged people to contact the White House to press for recognition of Jerusalem as the capital.

Another evangelical group, American Christian Leaders for Israel, which includes conservative activists Gary Bauer and Penny Nance, sent a letter to Trump warning that time was of the essence in moving the embassy.

“The faith community has talked to the administration for months and months about the need to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,” said Robert Jeffress, pastor at First Baptist Church in Dallas and an evangelical adviser to Trump. ”But the fact is, we didn’t have to do any convincing of this administration. This was a campaign promise that President Trump was happy to keep because he feels that way.”

To read more about this click here.

More to Come
Following the US recognition of Jerusalem, PM Netanyahu said today, “I would like to announce that we are already in contact with other countries which will issue a similar recognition. I have no doubt that the moment the American Embassy moves to Jerusalem, and even before then, there will be a movement of many embassies to Jerusalem. The time has come.”

Netanyahu added, “President Trump has immortalized himself in the chronicles of our capital. His name will now be held aloft, alongside other names connected to the glorious history of Jerusalem and of our people.”

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Israel’s embassies abroad have already began putting out feelers to see if other nations were willing to follow suit and recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move their embassies there.

For further reading click here.

Arab Reaction
Reacting to Trump’s speech, Palestinian Authority President Abbas said, “Trump’s decision will not change the reality in the city of Jerusalem. This is a Palestinian, Arab, Islamic city and it is the capital of the Arab Palestine.” He said, “With this announcement, the American administration has chosen to violate all international and bilateral agreements and resolutions and it has chosen to violate international consensus.” Other Palestinian leaders echoed his sentiments.

Hamas called for rage, violence … all the usual stuff you’ve come to expect from a terror group.

Hundreds of Palestinians protested at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem, carrying Palestinian flags. Among other things, protesters called out “We will sacrifice our lives for al-Aqsa.” In the West Bank, thousands of Palestinians protested in several different cities, including Jenin, Hebron, Bethlehem and Ramallah. Protests also took place in Gaza.

Jordan’s Foreign Minister said, “Jordan rejects the decision and all its implications and will continue to work for an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Tunisia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Lebanon, Syria — all strongly condemned the US move.

The UN Security Council will meet on Friday to discuss.

The US State Department has asked Israel to “restrain” its response to the Jerusalem recognition.

For further reading click here.

Attackers Arrested
Last night, security forces arrested 20 Palestinians from the village of Qusra suspected of taking part in the attack on a group of Jewish children on a hike in the area last week. Other terror suspects were also arrested.

For further reading click here.

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Israel News for 12-6-17

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Jerusalem Speech
At the time of this writing we are all waiting to hear what US President Trump will say regarding Jerusalem in his speech later today. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders yesterday declined to provide any clues.

A spokesman for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said Tuesday that President Trump informed him in a telephone conversation that he intends to move the US Embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Abbas “warned of the dangerous consequences such a decision would have to the peace process and to the peace, security and stability of the region and of the world.”

The White House spokesperson said that Trump also had telephone conversations with PM Netanyahu and King Abdullah of Jordan regarding the embassy move. King Abdullah then called Abbas to stress, “his full support with his Palestinian brothers in respect to their historic rights inherent in Jerusalem and of the need to work together to face the consequences of Trump’s decision and halt whatever will harm the hopes of the Palestinian people to build a state with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

King Muhammad VI of Morocco sent Trump a memo in the name of 57 Arab and Muslim nations expressing concern and disapproval of the expected move. The European Union, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the Arab League have all warned that any such move would have repercussions across the region.

Trump is expected to announce the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and his intention to move the US embassy there, but that the process of moving would take several years. In the meantime he is expected to sign the waiver allowing the embassy to remain in Tel Aviv for the time being.

Israel’s security forces are on high alert against the threat of wide spread violence in the wake of Trumps announcement.

For further reading click here.

Taylor Act
The US House of Representatives, in a bipartisan vote, overwhelmingly passed the Taylor Act. The bill states that US financial aid to the Palestinian Authority will only be made available if the State Department certifies the Palestinians are serious about ending “acts of violence against Israeli citizens and United States citizens that are perpetrated or materially assisted by individuals under their jurisdictional control.” The PA is also required to revoke any laws or regulations authorizing the payments to terrorists or their families and must publicly condemn the acts of violence.

The bill is named for Taylor Force, an MBA student at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee and a West Point graduate who was visiting Israel in March 2016 when he was stabbed to death by a Palestinian terrorist.

For further reading click here.

Mount of Olives
A new bus line that takes passengers directly to the Mount of Olives, where the oldest Jewish cemetery if located, launched this week. Hundreds of people have already used the new line to visit the cemetery.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat initiated the idea, working together with Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz (Likud) and the Jerusalem Cemetery Council. According to Barkat, “The Mount of Olives is a very important place, and it is critical that there be a bus line which goes there. I am sure that thanks to this new line, many more people will visit the Mount of Olives. I thank Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz for his help and support in advancing and approving this line.”

For further reading click here.

Important Update
If you read yesterday’s email titled Important Update you know that we’ve launched our annual fundraiser. We need your support to continue publishing the best English language Israel news summary and to reach a great many more readers and help them connect to Israel each day.

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You can mail us your donation made out to IsraelAM, 292 Edgewood Ave, Teaneck, NJ 07666
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israel air force

Israel News for 12-5-17

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IDF Hits Syria
According to Al Mayadeen, a news outlet affiliated with Hezbollah, Israeli aircraft fired six missiles at a military scientific research center in the Jamraya area on the outskirts of Damascus late Monday night. Three of the missiles were reportedly intercepted by Syrian aerial defense missiles. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights corroborated the report. No casualties were reported. The Jamraya area contains many military facilities as well as what is likely a chemical weapons production and storage site.

On Friday night, Arab media reported Israel had attacked an Iranian military base in the al-Kiswah area.

For further reading click here.

Embassy Move?
Anticipation is building as to whether President Trump will officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move the US embassy there. The White House said that announcement on the decision will be made “in coming days”. Senior US officials have said that Trump will probably sign a waiver postponing the embassy move for at least another 6 months. But they also said that Trump will most likely give a speech on Wednesday unilaterally recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

The US administration has instructed its consulates and embassies in the Middle East to raise their alert level for fear of protests against American institutions. Israel’s security forces are preparing for possible violence by Palestinians and attacks by Hamas.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his parliament that Turkey “could go as far as us cutting diplomatic ties with Israel.”

Yair Lapid, the head of the opposition Yesh Atid party, responded to Erdogan’s threat saying that all of the world’s embassies should be located in Jerusalem and that Israel cannot be threatened. Israeli government officials across the board echoed Lapid’s reaction.

The Arab League has warned the US against recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, calling such a move “naked aggression”. The Palestinian Authority warned that the move would destroy Washington’s role as mediator between Israelis and Palestinians and that the Palestinians would stop all contacts with the US.

Now we wait.

For further reading click here.

Terrorists Arrested
The Shin Bet announced that they have arrested two suspects in the terror attack last Friday in Arad that killed IDF soldier Ron Yitzhak Kukia. Both suspects are Israeli citizens. No further information has been released.

For further reading click here.

Modesty Signs
For almost three years, women in Beit Shemesh have been asking the municipality to remove “modesty signs” placed around the city by Haredi activists. The signs warn women not to walk on the street unless they are dressed in a way that reflects Haredi standards of modesty as relates to clothing. The municipality has not removed the signs even though a administrative court ruling in 2015 demanded the signs come down by July 2017, and fined the city NIS 10,000 for every day the signs remained up.

On Monday the Supreme Court issued an ultimatum to the Beit Shemesh municipality ordering the removal of modesty signs by Sunday, December 12th.

For further reading click here.

Clean Energy
Speaking at the Israel Energy and Business Convention, Minister of National Infrastructure, Energy, and Water Resources Dr. Yuval Steinitz said, “By 2030, Israel will no longer use any gasoline or coal.”

Citing statistics showing that 2,200 Israelis die of air pollution each year, Steinitz said, “Our new national task, now that the natural gas reservoirs and renewable energy are making it possible, is to wean Israel from polluting fuel. I intend to adopt the Dutch vision – by 2030, Israel will have no air pollution. This means using no polluting fuels – coal, fuel oil, and diesel fuel – in electricity production, transportation, and industry.”

For further reading click here.

boy israeli flag

Israel News for 12-4-17

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Self Defense
The investigation into the shooting death of one of the Palestinians, who attacked a group of young boys on a bar mitzvah hike in Samaria last week, by the father of one of the boys is continuing. The father, who was one of two adult escorts on the hike, is being accused of involuntary manslaughter. The IDF claims that the hike did not have the required authorization from the IDF. But the accused father yesterday presented an email that he sent to the proper IDF authorities requesting authorization, and he claimed that he received verbal authorization.

Naomi Ofen, whose son was among the hikers, remarked, “My son came back traumatized. He said they were going to die. He’s still suffering from anxiety and it’s shameful the army and police are treating the heroes who saved the children as criminals and distorting the picture by turning the assaulted into the assailant.”

Meanwhile, a group of settlers hiked to the location of the incident near the village of Qusra today to demonstrate the right of Jews to hike anywhere in the country. They were attacked by Palestinians throwing rocks. Security forces arrives at the scene. There was gunfire. One Palestinian was reported injured.

To see a brief video of the encounter click here.

Saudi Plan
Last month PA President Abbas visited Saudi Arabia to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to Palestinian, Arab and European officials who heard Abbas’s version of the conversation, the peace plan proposed by the prince would grant the Palestinians limited sovereignty over a non contiguous state in only parts of the West Bank. The vast majority of Israeli settlements in the West Bank would remain. The Palestinians would not be given East Jerusalem as their capital and there would be no right of return for Palestinian refugees and their descendants.

The White House on Sunday denied that was its plan, saying it was still months away from finalizing a blueprint for peace, and the Saudi government denied that it supports those positions. The Saudis have also denied the plan.

The reported Saudi peace plan, coupled with rumors that President Trump will officially declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel and move the US embassy there, are making the Palestinians extremely uneasy (to say the least).

To read the entire NYTimes article click here.

Case Closed
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit announced last night that he was closing the investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against Bayit Yehudi MK Nissan Slomiansky because of insufficient evidence.

The investigation was initially launched by police on the basis of the testimonies of several women who accused Slomiansky of sexually inappropriate behavior. Slomiansky claimed he never sexually harassed anyone and postulated his accusers may have misinterpreted his warm and affectionate behavior.

A statement issued on his behalf claimed, “MK Nissan Slomiansky has never harassed women. After a meeting with several rabbis, he understood that his warm and affectionate behavior, which is the same toward everyone, is sometimes interpreted in a different way, and for that he is sorry. MK Slomiansky has been serving the public for 40 years, including time in the Knesset, and he will continue to do so.”

Case closed.

For further reading click here.

No to Corruption
Tens of thousands of people participated in the “March of Shame” Saturday night in Tel Aviv in protest of government corruption and what demonstrators said was foot-dragging in the investigations against PM Netanyahu.

The demonstration was specifically aimed at the Recommendations Bill, which would prohibit the police from recommending indictments, leaving all recommendations in the hands of the government prosecutor or attorney general. The bill, which passed its first Knesset reading, is viewed by many as an attempt to protect PM Netanyahu from an ongoing police investigation against him.

The PM denies that the bill is aimed at protecting him and has instructed the bill’s sponsored to modify the wording of the bill to specifically exclude the PM’s personal situation.

He posted via Facebook: “The recommendations bill is a good bill. It protects human dignity. Unfortunately, the bill has been used as a political battering ram against an elected government that has made unprecedented security, economic, social and diplomatic achievements. To ensure the discussion on the bill remains on topic and is not used for political propaganda, I’ve asked MK Amsalem to ensure the bill is worded in a way that it does not apply to the investigation conducted into my affairs.”

The bill was scheduled to be voted on again in the Knesset today but was postponed until next week in light of hesitation from ministers in the Bayit Yehudi and Kulanu parties. The government needs the votes of all of its coalition MK’s in order to pass the bill.

For further reading click here.

Shabbat Law
The government approved Sunday the so-called “supermarkets bill,” which gives the Interior Ministry the power to overrule municipal bylaws and order the closing of supermarkets during Shabbat. The bill also states any new bylaw pertaining to opening shops or recreation centers on Shabbat will have to be approved by the interior minister himself. It will not apply, however, to existing bylaws approved by the High Court, such as the ones allowing supermarkets to remain open in Tel Aviv.

The bill, sponsored by Interior Minister Aryeh Deri (Shas), passed by a vote of 10 – 2. The dissenters were Yisrael Beytenu’s Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman and Minister of Immigrant Absorption Sofa Landver.

The bill is part of a compromise proposed by PM Netnayhu to placate the Haredi parties and keep them in his coalition. It will need to be approved by the Knesset to become law.

For further reading click here.

Bad Cash
The new Israeli 50 shekel banknote recently released features the image of the late poet Saul Tchernichovsky. The new bill has stirred anger in the nationalistic and religious sectors because the poet was married to a Russian born Christian woman, with whom he had a daughter.

Dr. Hagi Ben-Artzi, brother of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife, Sara, remarked, “Shaul Tchernichovsky has become a symbol of assimilation, of assimilation ideology. It is inconceivable that such a person, as important a poet as he may be, should become a symbol in the State of Israel.”

Prominant Sephardic rabbi Bension Mutzafi that he felt it was prohibited to look at the poet’s image on the bill. Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, the head of the Ateret Cohanim yeshiva in Jerusalem, said, “Tchernichovsky was indeed an incredibly talented author and poet, and is tied to the people of Israel, but a terrible dishonor was deeply imprinted on his life, as he was married to a gentile woman, a very religious Christian,” adding that it was unthinkable that an intermarried poet should be “glorified on the nation’s banknote.”

For further reading click here.

idf soldier killed arad

Israel News for 12-1-17

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Terror Stabbing
A soldier waiting for a bus outside a mall in the southern city of Arad was stabbed to death last night, in what police are calling a nationalistically motivated terror attack. An eye witness recounted the incident, saying “Someone came up to the soldier from behind and stabbed him. I saw him lying down (on the ground). My friend called me over when it happened, he tried to stop the bleeding with a towel.”

The soldier killed was 19-year-old Ron Yitzhak Kukia from Tel Aviv, who served in the Nahal infantry brigade. He will be laid to rest on Sunday at 12pm at Kiryat Shaul Cemetery. Kukia was posthumously promoted from the rank of corporal to sergeant.

More than 250 policemen and soldiers were deployed across Arad this morning, searching for the terror suspects.

Residents of Arad left flowers and lit candles at the site of Kukia’s murder.

For further reading click here.

Police Investigating
Yesterday we told you about the group of children that was attacked by Palestinians and that the two adults escorting the group, one of whom was a father of one of the boys, opened fire at the Palestinians, killing one man.

Today the escorts are being questioned by police who are investigating whether the shooting was justified or not.

For further reading click here.

Inspiration from Samaria
Here’s an inspiring music video of the women’s choir of Samaria, Hallel, singing Modeh Ani, a song of thanksgiving for all the things we’re blessed with. The video includes stunning scenes of the Samarian landscape.

To watch the video click here.

IDF in Jenin

Israel News for 11-30-17

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Children Attacked on Hike
A group of 25 children and 2 adult escorts (at least one of whom was a parent) were attacked by Palestinians while they were on a hike in Samaria near the settlement of Migdalim and the Arab village of Kida.

The group was attacked by dozens of Palestinians throwing rocks and then took refuge in a cave while Palestinians continued their attack. After firing warning shots into the air that went unheeded, one of the parents escorting the group fired at the attackers, hitting a 48 year old man who later died of his wounds.

One of the Israeli escorts suffered a light head wound and the other sustained an injury to one of his arms.

The Samaria Regional Council said in a statement that there were approximately 100 Palestinians who attacked the group of children and parents.

IDF forces arrived at the scene soon after the attack and dispersed the crowds and attempted to treat the wounded terrorist.

Avraham Binyamin, a spokesperson for the Yitzhar settlement, said the hike was part of a “bar mitzvah trip for one of the children.”

For further reading click here.

Gaza Attack
The IDF has released a statement saying, “A short time ago, our forces struck four terror targets in the Gaza Strip. The attack came in response to a ballistic attack carried out toward a military position adjacent to the northern Gaza Strip. We view the Hamas terror organization as responsible for the events in the Gaza Strip.”

The IDF attacks, using tanks and aircraft, came in response to 15 mortar shells that were fired from Gaza into Israel today.

For further reading click here.

New Samaria City
A special committee appointed by the Interior Ministry’s director general has recommended the creation of a new city in Samaria (West Bank). The new city would be created by joining together the existing settlements of Etz Efraim, Sha’arei Tikva, Oranit and Elkana. Construction would be done on the lands currently separating the settlements, which has until now been prohibited due to political considerations. It would be the first new city to be established in Samaria since Ariel, 20 years ago.

The four settlements that would form the new city have a total of 22,000 residents. While the Finance Ministry would need to invest over NIS 100 million in the city’s formation, the government would end up saving money since the settlements would no longer need to maintain 4 separate service systems.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Hotovely commented on the decision, saying, “Unifying the four Samaria settlements and creating a new city is the correct, appropriate decision and constitutes a clear, meaningful statement to the world: the settlement grows and strengthens.”

She added, “It also signifies an enormous budgetary investment in Samaria by the Finance Ministry, while also being a cost-saving measure for the state and strengthening Judea and Samaria. Every additional city in Judea and Samaria is an important increase in strength. (Interior) Minister Aryeh Deri is worthy of every praise for this important move.”

The new city would lie just across the Green Line and moments from Highway 6.

For further reading click here.

Gaza Shuttle
Israel on Wednesday launched a program to provide shuttle service for Gazans who need to travel to the US Consulate in Jerusalem.

In recent months, Israel has barred Gazans from entering Israel for visa interviews at the US Consulate after some applicants fled into hiding in Israel to seek work. The restrictions have prevented several hundred people from applying at the Consulate for visas to travel or study in the US.

Unfortunately, two of the passengers on the initial shuttle run ran off and are in hiding in Israel.

For further reading click here.

Hotovely Punished
PM Netanyahu yesterday canceled a scheduled trip by Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely to participate in a diplomatic dialogue in Prague. The move by the PM was apparently in response to comments Hotovely made in an interview with i24 that American Jews do not understand the reality of life in Israel because they do not send their children to the military or live under the threat of missile fire.

After Netanyahu threatened to fire her as a result of intense pressure for him to do so from various politicians and US Jewish organizations, Hotovely apologized for her remarks.

Hotovely’s office said that her trip was not canceled, just postponed at the request of the Prime Minister’s Office, until 2018. The PM’s office had no comment.

For further reading click here.

Embassy Move Reports
In the aftermath of comments made by US VP Pence that President Trump was actively considering “when and how” to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, reports are circulating that an announcement by the White House officially recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel might be imminent. The reports also support the VP’s remarks that Trump is seriously considering the embassy move.

But at a press conference Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders denied that any such announcement was imminent saying, “This is a premature report. We have nothing to announce.”

Jordan’s King Hussein, meeting with US lawmakers in Washington yesterday, said that moving the embassy before a comprehensive peace solution is reached “would have implications on the Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim scene, and would threaten the two-state solution.”

He added, “moving the embassy must come within a comprehensive solution that leads to the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem [sic] as its capital, living side by side with Israel,” and that a move now “could be potentially exploited by terrorists to stoke anger, frustration, and desperation in order to spread their ideologies.”

For further reading click here and here.

Nov.-29-1947

Israel News for 11-29-17

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Partition Anniversary
On Nov. 29, 1947 (70 years ago) the UN General Assembly passed a resolution calling for Palestine to be partitioned between Arabs and Jews. The vote was 33 in favor (including the USSR), 13 against, 10 abstentions and 1 absent. That momentous vote led to the established of the modern State of Israel. [Since then there hasn’t been much celebrating by Israel at the UN.]

The partition plan was accepted by the Jewish Agency for Palestine, which represented the Jewish community. The Arab leaders rejected the plan. Civil war broke out between Arabs and Jews right after the UN resolution was passed. When the British withdrew from the country, the State of Israel declared its independence on May 15, 1948. Then the Arab nations invaded, were defeated and … here we are.

To read more about the details of the partition plan and the breakdown of the voting by country, click here.

Embassy Move
Yesterday, US VP Mike Pence spoke at an event at Israel’s Mission to the United Nations in Queens, NY, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the United Nations’ vote calling for the establishment of a Jewish state. At that time the UN was located in Flushing, Queens. In his remarks Pence said, “President Trump is actively considering when and how to move the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.”

He added, “America stands with Israel because her cause is our cause, her values are our values and her fight is our fight,” added Pence. “The days of Israel-bashing at the United Nations are over.”

The VP was greeting with thunderous applause and a standing ovation.

For further reading click here.

Rwanda Plan
During his one day visit to Kenya, PM Netanyahu met with the leaders of several African nations including Rwanda, Gabon, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, South Sudan, Botswana, Namibia and Ethiopia. In his talks with the President of Rwanda, the PM discussed a plan to transfer over 10,000 illegal African infiltrators from Israel to Rwanda, in exchange for a payment per head. He also announced the upcoming opening of a new Israeli embassy in the Rwandan capital. The PM also spoke with all the leaders about issues related to cooperation in energy, agriculture, technology and security.

For further reading click here.

Most Promising Startups
Globes.com, the Israeli business news outlet, has named its top 10 most promising startups in Israel. The number one spot goes to a project management software company, monday.com. The number two company is minutemedia.com, a sports fans content platform.

To see the entire list and learn more about each company click here.

Healing List
Last week we published a call for prayers for the recovery of the sage Rabbi Shteinman, who’s condition has since improved slightly. That got us thinking about the power of prayer, especially when done by an entire community.

So we’ve decided to launch a new project to give people the opportunity to send us the name(s) of individuals that are ill and desperately need our prayers. We’ll publish those names at the end of each IsraelAM issue, so that everyone can see and add them to their own prayers. We will start the list fresh at the beginning of each week.

So please take this opportunity to email us the names you want included in our “healing list”. The traditional Jewish custom is to include the person’s Hebrew name and mother’s name, like “Moshe ben Sarah”. But if you don’t know the Hebrew name or the person isn’t Jewish, just send in the person’s name in English.

We’re excited and honored to be able to provide this platform to unite thousands of people in prayer for the benefit of those who need healing.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu surrounded by Knesset members after a vote on the state budget for 2015-2016, November 18, 2015.

Israel News for 11-28-17

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Protecting the PM
The Recommendation Bill has passed its first reading in the Knesset. The bill stipulates that when police conclude their investigations into a case they can no longer attach a recommendation whether to indict the suspect. Instead they must let the State Attorney’s Office decide on the matter independently. The bill is viewed by many as an attempt to protect PM Netanyahu from the police investigations he is currently under. Opposition leaders lashed out at the bill, while supporters say it has nothing to do with protecting the PM.

For further reading click here.

PM Petition
PM Netanyahu signed a petition yesterday calling on President Reuven Rivlin to reconsider granting amnesty to Elor Azariya, the IDF soldier convicted for shooting to death a wounded terrorist. Last week the President refused a request by Azariya for a pardon and came under fierce attack by right wing MK’s and segments of the public.

Regarding the petition, the President’s office pointed out that, “it is important to remember that according to the policy used in the handling of pardons over the years, a renewed request for amnesty can be submitted only six months after the president’s decision was made in the previous application of the convicted person, unless there is a material change in the circumstances of the application.”

For further reading click here.

Under Pressure
A senior Palestinian Authority (PA) official told Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom that, “the PA is under tremendous pressure from countries in the region to return to the negotiating table with Israel and to fully and comprehensively renew security coordination with Israel, in an attempt to create a regional front in the fight against terror and Iranian influence in the region.”

He said that Egypt, in particular, was pressuring the PA in light of the recent terror attack in Sinai and Egypt’s suspicion that some of the terrorists fled to Gaza through Hamas smuggling tunnels in Rafiah with the knowledge of senior members of the organization.

For further reading click here.

Off to Africa
PM Netanyahu landed in Nairobi, Kenya this morning for a one day official visit to attend the inauguration of Kenya’s president. The PM will also hold meetings with several African heads of state.

The PM said that the purpose of his trip “is to deepen ties with Africa, including by establishing connections with nations with which we do not have diplomatic relations.” He added, “Four diplomatic offices have been opened in Africa in the past two years, and I hope that by the end of today I will be able to announce the opening of yet another Israeli embassy in an African nation. And this is just the beginning.”

For further reading click here.

Israel News for 11-27-17

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Health Minister Resigns
Health Minister Yaakov Litzman of the Haredi United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party resigned from his cabinet post yesterday in protest of government supported work being done on the national railway. Litzman’s decision was based on the instructions of his rabbi, the Gerrer (Gur) Hasidic Rebbe. Although he resigned from his cabinet position, Litzman remains a member of Knesset (MK) and the UTJ remains a member of the government coalition, at least for the time being.

In his resignation message Litzman said, ”The Holy Shabbat is the national day of rest, and we have been taught to safeguard against Shabbat’s desecration. Sadly, and with great pain, due to government work that has been carried out in public by Israel Railways for a long time now, I have decided to resign from my position as health minister. I cannot take ministerial responsibility for the public, state-condoned desecration of Shabbat, in opposition to the Jewish people’s sacred values, status quo and coalition agreement.”

He added, “I’m happy for the privilege I had to promote and improve Israel’s health system. I acted in every way to benefit those who are ill, without discriminating between populations and communities. I resign with my head held high, with a sense of purpose, of merit and Jewish calling. I will continue to do all I can for the people of Israel, anywhere and in any way.”

Not So Fast
In order to avert a coalition crisis (which would occur if the Haredi parties pulled out), PM Netanyahu struck a deal with the Haredi parties that would include passing a law to allow a deputy cabinet minister to exercise the powers of a full cabinet minister. That would allow Litzman to stay on as Deputy Health Minister while retaining his original powers. The Supreme Court had previously ruled that giving a deputy minister full ministerial powers to be illegal, but the new law would circumvent that ruling.

Litzman, however, said that he would reject the deputy minister compromise unless the government passed laws prohibiting all railway work on Shabbat and strengthening the protection of the Shabbat, including the closure of all supermarkets on Shabbat.

As part of his compromise deal PM Netanyahu promised that the government would pass laws strengthening the Shabbat work prohibitions. However Likud members of the Ministerial Committee for Legislation refused to promote the proposed legislations at last night’s ministerial meeting. Likud officials, who don’t wish to be seen as caving in to Haredi demands, instructed Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, who heads the Ministerial Committee for Legislation, not to put the bills up for discussion.

The Justice Ministry is continuing to work on the legislation that would allow Litzman to maintain his powers while serving as deputy Health Minister.

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UN Blacklist
Israel and the US are working feverishly to prevent the publication of a UN blacklist of companies operating in the West Bank or East Jerusalem.

Israeli officials say that about 100 local companies that operate in the West Bank and east Jerusalem have received warning letters that they will be on the list. In addition, some 50 international companies, mostly American and European, also have been warned.

The companies have not been publicly identified, but one official said they include Israeli banks, supermarkets, restaurant chains, bus lines and security firms, as well as international giants that provide equipment or services used to build or maintain settlements.

The effort to block the list has shown some signs of success. The UN’s Human Rights Council, which ordered the list’s publication, said the release of the report has been pushed back again, from December to early next year.

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No to Uber
The Tel Aviv district court has prohibited Uber from operating in Israel, citing insurance issues as the main reason for its ruling. The company has been offering ride sharing services in certain areas in Israel since last year.

Under Israeli law, only registered taxi drivers can accept fares for a ride and the Transportation Ministry would have to change its regulations for Uber to be used legally. Uber has tried to circumvent the law by offering ride sharing services where the drivers are charging their fee simply to cover the costs of maintaining their cars.

The Transportation Ministry has been trying to force Uber out of Israel, contending that it does not properly vet its drivers and its cars are not subject to the safety requirements that regular taxis are required to have. Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz also says that allowing Uber to enter the Israeli market would destroy the local taxi industry.

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Amazon Coming
According to anonymous sources in the know, Amazon is planning to set up its ecommerce and fulfillment operations in Israel. The company is reportedly negotiating the lease of warehouses in central Israel for operational activities and for supplying the local market.

Currently, Amazon’s deliveries to Israel are supplied mainly through shipping centers in Germany, the U.K., and the U.S. The company also has sales and delivery outposts in other European countries like Italy and Spain. This operational structure leads to high shipping and delivery fees that in turn inflate the prices of the products and also increases delivery times to the country, which can currently take up to a few weeks.

The rumored move by Amazon into the Israeli market will most likely hurt local Israeli retailers. But consumers will clearly benefit.

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Rav Steinman

Israel News for 11-22-17

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Call to Prayer
Haredi rabbinic leaders have called on all yeshiva students to interrupt their regular studies to recite psalms to pray for the recovery of Rabbi Aharon Steinman, the 103 year old sage who is the leader of the Haredi (Lithuanian) community in Israel. The rabbi was rushed to the hospital in Bnei Brak this morning with a high fever and is in serious condition. His full name is Rabbi Ahron Yehuda Leib ben Gittel Faige.

Early today PM Netanyahu called MK Moshe Gafni, the leader of the Degel Hatorah party that represents the Lithuanian Haredi community, to ask about the rabbi’s condition and said that the entire nation of Israel is praying for his full and speedy recovery.

Also this morning Rabbi Steinman’s eldest daughter, who is 72, suddenly passed away as a result of a massive heart attack. She was buried this morning.

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Office Closure
The US State Department has declined to renew the permit for the PLO office to operate in Washington, DC because of Palestinian Authority attempts to bring action against Israelis in the International Criminal Court (ICC). The decision is based on a 2015 Congressional provision directed that the Palestinians may not try to influence the ICC concerning investigations into Israelis.

President Trump now has 90 days to permit the office to remain open if he decides that “the Palestinians have entered into direct, meaningful negotiations with Israel”. A State Department spokesperson said that negotiations are in the process to keep the office open. Meanwhile the Palestinians have threatened to freeze all communications with the US if their office is closed.

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Gaza Infiltration
IDF forces spotted two Palestinians illegally infiltrating into Israel from northern Gaza yesterday and opened fire wounding one of the infiltrators. Both men were arrested and additional armored forces arrived to secure the border area. The IDF is on high alert on the border in response to threats of revenge attacks following Israel’s destruction of a major terror tunnel earlier this month.

Also, Israeli border guards confiscated tons of explosive substances that were attempting to be smuggled into Gaza from Israel.

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Tough Talk
The Lebanese government is talking tough against Israel. First the foreign minister told a Russian newspaper that, “We should not be provoking Israel into a war simply because it is likely to lose it. We should restrain Israel from starting a war exactly because Lebanon is sure to win it.” Now the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces Joseph Aoun called on soldiers near the Israeli border to be on “full readiness” and warned that they should be ready to face “threats of the Israeli enemy and its violations.”

Lebanon believes that Saudi Arabia is trying to persuade Israel to take military action against Iranian backed Hezbollah, which for all practical purposes controls the country. Saudi Arabia and Iran are arch-enemies.

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New Airport
The brand new Ilan and Asaf Ramon International Airport, located 18 kilometers north of Eilat, will be opening in a few months. What’s the big deal? To read 10 reasons to be excited click here.