Israel News for 12-5-18
IDF Operation
The IDF launched Operation Northern Shield on Tuesday morning to expose and neutralize terror tunnels Hezbollah has constructed along the Israel-Lebanon border since 2006. The IDF claims that the tunnels are not operational and do not pose an immediate threat to Israel. The work is currently taking place in Israeli territory, but IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Ronen Manelis noted that “Neutralizing the tunnels will not necessarily be done in our territory.” The operation is meant to last a few weeks.
One tunnel has already been found, stretching from a residential structure in the south of Kafr Kela in Lebanon and reaching 40 meters (130 feet) into Israeli territory. The IDF said it took Hezbollah two years to dig the 200-meters-long (656 feet) tunnel in the rocky terrain. One tunnel has already been found, stretching from a residential structure in the south of Kafr Kela in Lebanon and reaching 40 meters (130 feet) into Israeli territory. The IDF said it took Hezbollah two years to dig the 200-meters-long (656 feet) tunnel in the rocky terrain.
US National Security Advisor John Bolton said, “The US strongly supports Israel’s efforts to defend its sovereignty, and we call on Hezbollah to stop its tunneling into Israel and to refrain from escalation and violence. More broadly, we call on Iran and all of its agents to stop their regional aggression and provocation, which pose an unacceptable threat to Israeli and regional security.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying, “There is no doubt regarding Israel’s right to ensure its national security, including by preventing anyone from entering the country.”
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Domestic Violence
Around 30,000 people participated in a rally last night in Rabin Square in Tel Aviv against domestic violence directed at women. Other demonstrations took place throughout the day in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and other cities and towns.
Demonstrations also took place in many Arab towns and cities. Dozens of men and women in Tira, Qalansawe and Tayibe protested throughout the day. They held up photos of women who were murdered and demanded to continue the struggle and put an end to domestic violence. A joint Jewish-Arab demonstration took place at the Givat Haviva Junction.
PM Netanyahu convened a special ministerial committee today to discuss the fight against domestic violence. The PM equated domestic violence to terrorism.
He said, “The victims are women who suffer from violence and beatings, and we are committed to implement the existing plans. I understand there is a larger budget than I thought, but it is not being utilized properly. A budget that is not utilized is like it doesn’t exist at all. We know what sums we have (at our disposal), and we will now act to get these funds out. If necessary, we’ll add funding too.”
Regarding the abusers, the PM said, “You don’t handle terrorism by only treating the victim. No one would imagine fighting terrorism without handling the terrorists. Those who can be rehabilitated, will be. But primarily we need punishment for these criminals.”
Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan noted he prepared a multi-year plan to bolster the fight against domestic abuse by giving the police and the welfare authorities the tools they need to combat the phenomenon, including harsher punishments.
The PM ordered the fast tracking of a bill proposed by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked and Minister Erdan to combat domestic abuse using technological supervision. The bill would allow police to place GPS devices on suspected abusers to track their movements.
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Fire Prep
A State Comptroller’s report just published on the massive 2010 Carmel Forest fire that killed 44 people, reveals that local authorities and emergency services have not implemented the safety and preparedness measures learned from the tragedy. In addition, the comptroller warned about the authorities’ failures in dealing with high-rise buildings’ fires, which may turn into “death traps” for the buildings’ residents.
The Ministry of Public Security’s emergency department said that it is currently formulating and implementing a national emergency plan for dealing with a multi-faceted wave of fires.
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