Israel News for June 6, 2017
Senate Resolution
The U.S. Senate approved a non-binding resolution marking the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem. The bill, sponsored by Sens. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the majority leader, and Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the minority leader, was approved 90-0 and called on the president to move the embassy to Jerusalem.
The resolution does not endorse a final status solution for the city, but instead reaffirms “that it is long-standing U.S. bipartisan policy that the permanent status of Jerusalem remains a matter to be decided between the parties through final status negotiations towards a two-state solution.”
On Wednesday, the Israeli embassy in Washington is hosting an event in the Capitol marking the reunification. Lawmakers from both parties are expected to attend. A similar event will simultaneously take place, via simulcast, in Jerusalem. Speakers will include Rep. Paul Ryan in Washington and PM Netanyahu in Jerusalem.
For further reading click here.
UN Chief Statement
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticized Israel’s “occupation” of the West Bank and called for the establishment of a Palestinian state in a statement marking the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Six-Day War. He called for the establishment of a Palestinian state through “direct negotiations to resolve all final status issues on the basis of relevant UN resolutions, agreements and international law.”
He also said, “This occupation has imposed a heavy humanitarian and development burden on the Palestinian people. Its perpetuation is sending an unmistakable message to generations of Palestinians that their dream of statehood is destined to remain just that, a dream; and to Israelis that their desire for peace, security and regional recognition remains unattainable.”
The ADL responded, “While we share his desire for a return to negotiations to achieve a two state solution, this anniversary cannot be viewed in a vacuum. It is grossly misleading to examine only the enduring effects of the war while ignoring the context in which the war took place — the belligerence of the Arab states in the spring of 1967, and the silence of the international community in the face of these threats and its failure to ensure the rights to free passage of international waterways.”
For further reading click here.
Aliyah Stats
Here are some Aliyah (immigration to Israel) statistics you might not be aware of:
Since 1948 Israel has absorbed 3.2 million immigrants, 43% of whom arrived since 1990 (remember the Russian aliyah?).
In 2016 there were around 26,000 immigrants, which is 7% less than in 2015. 57% of those immigrants came from Russia and Ukraine, 17% from France and 11% from the US. The numbers from France dropped 36% from the two previous peak years.
Most of the new immigrants moved to large cities, and most had university degrees (or higher). In addition to the new immigrants, around 4,200 Israeli citizens who had been living abroad for more than 7 years returned to live in Israel.
For further reading click here.
Hassidic Wedding
The grandson of the Belzer Rebbe got married in Israel this week. Thousands of Hassidim took part in the festivities. To watch a video of some of the celebrations click here.
Israel Forever
Special thanks to the Israel Forever Foundation for featuring an article about IsraelAM on their blog and Facebook page, which reaches almost a half million followers. To read the article click here — and please show it some love by sharing it too!
Balfour Petition
The Israel Forever Foundation is working on a monumental drive to to collect 1 million signatures by the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration on November 2, 2017 to be presented to world bodies, organizations, and heads of state, to remind the world that Israel was established with the full backing and support of the international community.
To sign this important petition click here.
