Israel News for 5-18-18
Gaza Update
Israel partially resumed the supply of cooking gas and diesel fuel to Gaza via the Kerem Shalom border crossing after Palestinians set the crossing on fire several times over the last few weeks. The pipeline repairs have been completed. Twelve tanks of diesel fuel and one tank of gas were transferred into the strip on Thursday to test the repaired system. If no leaks are found, the supply of fuel and gas will continue on Monday.
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Senior Hamas official Salah Bardawil told Palestinian media on Wednesday that 50 of the 61 Palestinians killed in the Gaza Strip border riots Monday were members of Hamas. Also on Wednesday, Israel trucks carrying medical equipment for hospitals in Gaza were prohibited from entering Gaza by Hamas.
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Following Monday’s deadly border riots, Hamas leaders told people to stay away from the border, which is why the area has been relatively quiet since then. The reason for this is because Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh met with Egyptian intelligence leaders on Sunday, who promised that Egypt would open the Rafah border crossing (between Egypt and Gaza) to allow humanitarian aid if Hamas would stop its provocations along the Israeli border. Hamas reportedly promised to cease all military (terror) activity along the border. As a result, the IDF has decreased troop numbers in the area, although it is still on high alert.
The month long Muslim holiday of Ramadan began yesterday.
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Yesterday, Kuwait submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council calling for the stationing of a UN force along the Gaza border to protect Gaza’s residents. The resolution also demands that Israel, “immediately cease its military reprisals, collective punishment and unlawful use of force against civilians, including in the Gaza Strip.” The US is expected to veto the resolution.
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Romania Deal
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the manufacturer of the Iron Dome missile defense system, has signed an agreement with Romanian company Romaero to allow the transfer of know-how and production of Rafael-developed systems in Romania in the framework of procurement programs for the Romanian army already approved by the Romanian parliament. The agreement refers to air defense systems, including rocket interception system Iron Dome and its naval version; Samson remote controlled weapons stations; and Spike anti-tank missiles.
Is it a coincidence that Romania is on the verge of deciding to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem?
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New Publisher
Israel’s free daily newspaper “Israel Hayom” announced that its publisher Asher Baharav and CEO Zippi Koren are leaving. Taking over the job of publisher will be Dr. Miriam Adelson, the wife of Sheldon Adelson, who owns the paper.
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Buffet on Teva
Berkshire Hathaway, controlled by the “oracle of Omaha” Warren Buffett, has doubled its stake in Israeli Pharmaceutical giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (TEVA). The announcement sent Teva’s shares soaring 5% in after hours trading. Buffett’s company now holds 40.5 million Teva shares worth about $693 million and representing a 3.45% stake in Teva, which has a market cap of $20.5 billion.
Time to buy TEVA?
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Shavuot
The holiday of Shavuot begins on Saturday night and extends for one day in Israel and two days outside of Israel (Sun and Mon). The holiday literally means weeks, and is the culmination of the counting of 7 weeks (49 days) from the second day of Passover. Shavuot is described in the Torah as the harvest festival during which farmers bring their first produce to the Temple in Jerusalem. Shavuot is also the anniversary of the giving of the Ten Commandments and Torah at Mount Sinai. The Book of Ruth is read in the synagogue, and dairy meals are traditionally eaten. It is also customary to stay up all night (first night) to study Torah.
Happy Shavuot!!
