Israel News for 11-20-17
Pardon Rejected
President Reuven Rivlin has rejected a request to pardon Elor Azaria, the IDF soldier convicted of manslaughter for shooting a neutralized terrorist in the head and killing him. Azaria is serving a year and a half sentence.
Azaria filed his request a month ago, telling the president: “I unfortunately did not receive a just trial. This is how I feel, and nothing can change it. In any case, I ask for a measure of justice and mercy, the essence of the presidential pardon, from His Honor the President in this request.”
In a letter to Azaria explaining his decision Rivlin wrote, “… an additional lightening of your sentence would harm the resilience to the Israel Defense Forces and the State of Israel. The values of the Israel Defense Forces, and among them the Purity of Arms, are the core foundation of the strength of the Israel Defense Forces, and have always stood strong for us in the just struggle for our right to a safe, national home, and in the building a robust society.”
He added, “In addition, in September 2017, the Chief of Staff saw fit to further ease your sentence and reduce the punishment by four months from the prison sentence imposed upon you, for reasons of compassion and while taking into consideration your military service as a soldier in the operational arena.”
Defense Minister Lieberman and Culture Minister Miri Regev both lashed out at President Rivlin’s decision not to pardon Azaria. Rivlin was also attacked on social media, where images of him wearing an Arab kaffiyeh were posted. Police are investigating what they are considering to be incitement to violence against the president. Opposition MKs are calling on PM Netanyahu to speak out in defense of the president.
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Terror Judgement
The Jerusalem District Court has ordered the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the terrorists who killed three Israelis on Highway 443 in 2001 to pay 62 million shekels to the victims’ families. The PA was ordered to pay 40% of the damages. The verdict clearly place blame on the PA for supporting terror activity.
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Haredi Arrests
Hundreds of protestors from the Jerusalem Faction blocked several main highways and intersections in Jerusalem and Bnei Brak yesterday to protest the drafting of Haredi yeshiva students by the IDF. Some of the demonstrations turned violent and around 40 demonstrators were arrested.
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IDF Strikes Syria
IDF tanks in the Hermon area fired warning shots at Syrian army positions in the northern Golan Heights in Syria on two separate occasions. The IDF claims Syria violated the 1974 ceasefire agreement on the Golan Heights by using heavy tools to fortify a military post in the demilitarized zone between the countries. The IDF complained to the UN peacekeeping force stationed in the area before firing the warning shots. IDF tanks were deployed to Mount Hermon earlier last week.
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Cruise Time
Did you know that 85,000 Israelis went on cruises this year? Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) believes that number will rise by 20% next, and they’re looking to take advantage of it by offering route with a variety of kosher supervision and second vacations at half price. According to NCL’s managing director, Israel is in sixth place worldwide in the number of per capita cruise passengers.
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