Israel News for 11-28-17
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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.”
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