Israel News for 11-19-18
No Resignations
Education Minister Naftali Bennett and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, of the Bayit Yehudi party, announced today that they would not resign and bring down the government. The two had threatened to resign if Bennett was not appointed Defense Minister. But PM Netanyahu announced on Sunday that he would retain the defense portfolio for himself. The government currently has only a one vote majority in the Knesset.
For further reading click here.
Budget Cut
The government has approved a 22 billion shekel ($5.9 billion) budget cut that will affect all ministries. The cuts will take place over the next 20 years. The money saved will go to fund additional pay for police officers and prison guards. Some of it will also be used for aiding the Israeli communities on the Gaza border, hiring additional construction inspectors, and hosting the Eurovision Song Content. Each ministry budget will be cut by 1.3%. Non of the ministers were very happy with the cuts.
For further reading click here.
Wounded Officer
The IDF captain who was seriously wounded last week in the covert operation in Gaza in which a Lt. Colonel was killed, was released from hospital this weekend after his condition significantly improved.
For further reading click here.
Terror House
The house of terrorist Ahmed Nassar Jarrar, the head of the terror cell responsible for the murder of Rabbi Raziel Shevah last January, has been rebuilt only eight months after being destroyed by the IDF during a raid. The IDF is currently examining whether the reconstructed house could also be legally torn down.
For further reading click here.
Peace Coming
Rabbi Marc Schneier, president of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding (FFEU), who maintains extensive ties with countries in the Persian Gulf, says that he believes that the 6 Gulf states will soon open diplomatic relations with Israel. He said, “I believe we will soon see the official forming of relations with Bahrain, and the rest will follow.”
Over the past 15 years, Rabbi Schneier has visited many palaces in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. According to him, the Iranian threat is what stands behind the change in attitude toward Israel. But he thinks that economic opportunities are also a factor. He said, “The current Emir of Qatar and leaders in Saudi Arabia said that the combination of Gulf’s wealth and Israel’s high-tech knowledge could potentially transform the region into the most successful area in the world.”
Schneier said, “If in the past it was argued that the Gulf states would be willing to establish official relations with Israel only after peace with the Palestinians is achieved, then today the leaders of these countries say that merely returning to the negotiating table will suffice. I believe we will see diplomatic relations developing with all six Gulf states as early as 2019.
[This could be a major factor in Netanyahu’s decision not to invade Gaza at this time.]
For further reading click here.
Netflix Attacked
A new Netflix series set in Tel Aviv has come under social media attack for being filmed in Amman, Jordan. According to Lebanese newspaper Al Akhbar, Netflix decided to film in Jordan because of budgetary constraints. The production company is using street signs in Hebrew, cars with Israeli license plates and actors wearing IDF uniforms. The newspaper noted that the production at the local level is being handled by Jordanian company Desert Motion Pictures. Some Jordanians are not very happy. But the ones earning money from the production are probably not too upset. After all, business is business. [Can’t wait to watch the show.]
For further reading click here.
