Israel News for 12-18-17

Rockets Fired
Last night, two rockets were fired into Israel from Gaza. One of the rockets damaged a residential home in the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council but caused no injuries. The other rocket fell in an open field. So far 18 rockets have been launched from Gaza into Israel since the US recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Maya, whose house was damaged by the rocket, told Ynet that she and her family “returned from lighting Hanukkah candles when the siren caught us at the entrance to the house. We ran to the bomb shelter, me, my husband and my two sons, and then there was a huge explosion. My car was destroyed by shrapnel.” She added, “unfortunately, we are experienced in this. The children are in shock, but we are in control.”

In response to the rocket attacks, Israeli fighter jets attacked six Hamas military targets in northern Gaza last night.

For further reading click here.

UN Vote
The UN Security Council is expected to vote today on an Egyptian drafted resolution calling for the withdrawal of the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The resolution has broad support in the council, but will most likely be vetoed by the US.

The resolution draft expresses “deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem“ and “affirms that any decisions and actions which purport to have altered, the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council.” It also calls on all countries to refrain from establishing diplomatic missions in Jerusalem.

Last year the UN Security Council passed a resolution stating that “it will not recognize any changes to the 4 June 1967 lines, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties through negotiations.” That resolution passed as a result of a decision by then President Obama for the US not to exercise its veto and to, instead, abstain.

For further reading click here.

Turkish Intentions
Turkish President Erdogan announced yesterday that Turkey would establish an embassy in East Jerusalem to recognize the city as the Palestinian capital. Of course, he’ll have to get Israel’s permission to do so.

For further reading click here.

Moving to Jerusalem
Despite the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and a law passed in the Knesset in 2015 mandating that all government ministries be located in Jerusalem, hundreds of government ministry offices are still not located in the capital. The Jerusalem municipality has brought legal action against the Finance Ministry in the Supreme Court, demanding it move 163 ministry units to the city. Apparently, moving to Jerusalem is not as easy as it sounds.

For further reading click here.

Uncovering Jerusalem
Culture Minister Miri Regev has ordered the Israel Antiquities Authority to undertake extensive archeological restoration of many historical Jerusalem sites, in order to strengthen Jewish bonds to the ancient city. The archeological digs will include the Old City but not the Temple Mount area. This will be the first time that the Israeli government will sponsor excavations in the Old City. Previous digs have been privately financed. The new archeological incentive is estimated to cost around $70 million.

For further reading click here.

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