Israel News for 10-30-17
Settlers Protest
Over 2,000 people protested outside the Prime Minister’s Residence on Sunday evening, demanding funding for new security measures and bypass roads for settlements in Judea and Samaria (West Bank).
Yossi Dagan, the head of the Samaria Regional Council addressed the PM saying, “The security of half a million residents in Judea and Samaria cannot be forfeited! We’re here because we’re done with promises and spins. Mr. Prime Minister, we demand actions. We’re here in our thousands to say: With promises, you can’t prevent attacks. With promises you can’t build the Land of Israel.”
Welfare and Labor Minister Haim Katz declared that “Bypass roads and preventative measures are not luxuries. We must provide them, the sooner the better. I call on the prime minister, who wants the security of the citizens, to gather the government and pass the necessary budget as soon as possible.”
Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely told protesters that Netanyahu has committed to her to bolster security by allocating a budget for the measures the settlers are demanding.
Settler leaders have set up a protest tent outside the PM’s residence, which has been visited my several MK’s pleading their support.
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UN Follies
One of the main items on the agenda of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) meeting tomorrow in Geneva will be the discrimination against women in Israel. The Human Rights Council’s members currently include Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. Enough said.
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Border Fire
An IDF vehicle patrolling near the security fence along the Sinai border was fired upon from the Egyptian side of the fence. No soldiers were injured. The IDF said that the incident is believed to be a spillover of gunfire from Egypt. ISIS affiliated terror groups are active in the area.
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UK for 2 States
British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson wrote an op-ed in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Balfour Declaration in which he praised Israel for its achievements and pledged Britain’s continued support.
He also expressed the need for a Palestinian state. He wrote, ”I see no contradiction in being a friend of Israel—and a believer in that country’s destiny—while also being deeply moved by the suffering of those affected and dislodged by its birth. The vital caveat in the Balfour Declaration—intended to safeguard other communities—has not been fully realised. I have no doubt that the only viable solution to the conflict resembles the one first set down on paper by another Briton, Lord Peel … and that is the division of two states for two people.”
Regarding the borders of that state he said, “The borders should be based on the lines they stood on June 4, 1967—the eve of the Six-Day War—with equal land swaps to reflect the national, security, and religious interests of the Jewish and Palestinian peoples.”
Johnson concluded with, “It is Israelis and Palestinians who must negotiate the details and write their own chapter in history. A century on, Britain will give whatever support we can in order to close the ring and complete the unfinished business of the Balfour Declaration.”
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Judokas Return
The Israeli National Judo Team returned from the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam tournament with five medals including one gold and four bronze. The team was forced to hide its identity during the tournament and compete under the flag of the International Judo Federation. The Tal Flicker won the god medal in his weight category, he sang Hatikvah while the anthem of the International Judo Federation was played.
Minister of Sport Miri Regev greeted the team at the airport and they all sang Hatikvah together.
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