Tag Archive for: Israel News

Election Results
With 97% of the votes counted, here are Israel’s election results, indicating the number of Knesset seats each party won:

Likud (Netanyahu) – 35
Blue White (Gantz) – 35
Shas (Ultra Orthodox) – 8
UTJ (Ultra Orthodox) – 8
Hadash-Ta’al (Left) – 6
Labor (Left) – 6
Yisrael Beytenu (Right) – 5
United Right – 5
Kulanu (Right) – 4
Meretz (Left) – 4
Ra’am-Balad (Arab) – 4

The New Right, led by Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked fell just over 4,000 votes short of crossing the 3.25% vote threshold, which means they get 0 seats. However, there are still around 200,000 votes (3%) that have yet to be counted. They are expected to be counted sometime on Thursday. These votes, cast by IDF soldiers, police officers, diplomats and their families, prisoners and hospital patients and staff, could potentially push the New Right over the threshold, giving them 4 seats. The votes could also push the Arab party or Meretz below the threshold and out of the Knesset.

So while the final standings are not yet final, the overall outcome is clearly a big win for Likud, Netanyahu and the right wing, which holds a 65 seat majority.

The clear majority of the country’s Jewish voters voted to the right. But they did not vote for the more extreme right wing parties, as is evident from the New Right’s inability to (at least for now) cross the threshold, and the United Right’s 5 seats. Had Bennett and Shaked not broken away from their Jewish Home party to start their own party, their combined block would probably have close to 10 votes. But that didn’t happen.

In order to form a governing coalition, PM Netanyahu will have to cater to his smaller partners. For the most part, these partners are more focused on domestic and economic issues rather than foreign policy and the peace process.

The Ultra Orthodox parties, which make up the third largest Knesset block with 16 seats, are primarily concerned with religious issues, financial aid and draft exemptions. Kulanu is also focused on domestic and economic issues. They are moderate on foreign policy. While Yisrael Beytenu is tough on security issues, its policies are not based on ideology.

What all that means is that PM Netanyahu will not be forced to make ideologically based policy decisions such as annexing territory (even though he promised to do just that), which would most likely put him at odds with the soon to be released Trump peace plan. As long as the PM gives his more moderate partners what they want domestically, he should have free rein over foreign policy and security.

Once all the votes are counted and President Rivlin directs Netanyahu to form a new government, the horse trading will begin with the prizes being ministerial portfolios. The religious parties will most likely be happy with the Interior Ministry and the Health Ministry, which they held in the previous government. Kulanu, with Moshe Kahlon, will probably want the Finance Ministry again. The big prizes of the Foreign and Defense Ministries will most likely remain within Likud, unless Netanyahu decides to hold on to one for himself.

Let the games begin.

Laid to Rest
Zachary Baumel, the IDF soldier who went missing in action during the 1982 Lebanon war, was laid to rest at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem Thursday. His body was returned to Israel a few days ago after Russian troops located them in the Palestinian refugee camp Yarmouk in Syria. The funeral was attended by PM Netanyahu, President Rivlin and other government ministers and officials.

Baumel’s body was located as a result of a 2 year long Israeli military intelligence mission, called Operation Bittersweet Song, initiated by then Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman. Israel asked Russia’s help in located the body, after Russia began military operations in Syria. Baumel’s was identified by his IDF overalls and Tzizit (ritual fringes), in addition to other forensic methods.

Russia’s President Putin said that Russian troops located the body, and will continue searching for the other 2 IDF soldiers who went missing along with Baumel. He said, “Russia considers it its duty to search for MIAs and that is what we will do.”  

In an unrelated news item, the Russian army chief of staff demanded that Israel give more warning time before any attacks on military targets in Syria.

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Election Update
According to the latest and final pre election poll released today, Blue and White will win 28 seats vs Likud 27. According to a poll released yesterday, Blue and White will win 30 seats vs Likud 26. A poll published on Wednesday showed Likud winning 30 seats and Blue and White 27.

In any case, the right wing block is still projected to win a 64 seat majority, which would give PM Netanyahu the only clear path towards forming a government. There doesn’t seem to be any clear path for Blue and White leader Benny Gantz to form a government, even if he wins the most seats. A lot will depend on the actual voter turnout on election day, next Tuesday. And of course, political parties have been known to make deals that they said they never would, in order to be in the government.

Yair Lapid, the number 2 Blue and White candidate, is in France today to meet with French President Macron, who invited him to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian and Iranian issues and the fight against antisemitism in Europe. It seems like Macron wants to give Lapid a pre election boost, similar to the one President Trump apparently gave to PM Netanyahu by recently meeting with him in the White House.

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Moon Pics
The Beresheet lunar lander, Israel’s first spacecraft, has sent back its first pictures taken from the far side of the moon after successfully establishing a lunar orbit.

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Healthy Diet
Research carried out by Dr Christopher Murray, Director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington in the US has found that Israel has the world’s least unhealthy diet. His study says, “The countries with the lowest rates of diet-related deaths were Israel (89 deaths per 100,000 people), France, Spain, Japan, and Andorra.” The UK ranked 23rd and the US 43rd.

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Islamic Jihad
Sources in the security forces are reporting that the Gaza terror group Islamic Jihad is preparing a “significant” terror attack in the coming hours or days in order to undermine a possible ceasefire arrangement between Israel and Hamas. Security forces along the Gaza border have noticed unusual activity by Islamic Jihad forces. The terror group denied the reports.

Gaza Fishing
In an apparent move towards a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, Israel has expanded the permitted fishing zone in Gaza from 22km (12 nautical miles) to 28km (15 nautical miles). The zone has been totally closed since the first rocket attack from Gaza last Monday.

This move is part of the smaller scale ceasefire agreement reached last week following the escalation on the Gaza border, and it might potentially be a part of the broader deal currently being indirectly negotiated. In addition, the Kerem Shalom and Erez border crossings, which have also been closed since last Monday, were reopened on Sunday morning.

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PA Penalty
Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon (Kulanu) last night signed an order to deduct 42 million NIS ($11,578,350) from the taxes transferred each month to the Palestinian Authority. Under a law passed last summer, Israel can withhold PA tax funds as long as the PA continues to pay salaries to terrorists who attacked Israeli citizens.

Kahlon said, “I believe there is no place for giving prizes to terrorists. This is an important battle in our justified war against Palestinian terror. We have national honor, and there is justice in the world. It is unthinkable that we should ignore the salaries paid to terrorists, and this is why I made this decision. We are committed to terror victims.”

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Fake Social
An internet watchdog group called the Big Bots Project released a report claiming that a large network of fake social media accounts has been disseminating over 130,000 posts in support of PM Netanyahu and Likud and against Ganz and Lapid.

The report does not identify a direct link between the network and the Likud or any of its staff. It says, however, that the network’s activity raises suspicions of serious criminal offenses, including violations of the Election Law, campaign financing, privacy laws, income tax and more. Likud denies the allegations.

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Brazil Mission
During a visit by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to Israel, Brazil opened a new trade mission in Jerusalem last night. The move falls short of earlier signals that Brazil would relocate its embassy to Jerusalem. The Brazilians are apparently reluctant to damage their trade relations with Arab countries. Brazil has not officially recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

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Gaza Update
The ceasefire was broken last night when a rocket was fired from Gaza at the Israeli communities near the Gaza border. There were no casualties or damage.

In response to the rocket fire, Israeli jets carried out airstrikes against Hamas positions in Gaza. More rockets were fired from Gaza at the major Israeli city of Ashkelon during the night. The rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome system.

The Prime Minister, back from Washington, said that Israel may take further action. The IDF called up more reserves and is increasing its troop strength along the border.

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Terror Suspects
Security forces arrested 3 terror suspects near Bethlehem last night. Palestinians rioters attacked the security forces. Palestinian sources report that one rioter was shot and killed and 3 others wounded.

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Election Update
According to 2 new polls just released, Blue and White holds a 30 to 28 seat lead over Likud. However, the right wing block has increased its seat total to either 63 or 65, which would give PM Netanyahu the ability to form a new government. At this point it doesn’t seem like Blue and White has a path to successfully forming a government, even if it joins with the Arab parties, which it has said that it won’t do.

Meanwhile, over 5,000 Israeli government employees working overseas will be allowed to cast absentee ballots today.

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Startup Nation
McDonald’s Corporation has announced an agreement to acquire Israeli AI startup Dynamic Yield, which develops personalization and decision logic technology for a sum reportedly over $300 million.

McDonald’s said that it will utilize the Tel Aviv based company’s decision technology to provide an even more personalized customer experience by varying outdoor digital Drive Thru menu displays to show food based on time of day, weather, current restaurant traffic and trending menu items. The decision technology, McDonald’s added, can also instantly suggest and display additional items to a customer’s order based on their current selections.

Dynamic Yield was founded in 2011 by CEO Liad Agmon and CTO Omri Mendellevich and has raised a total of $83 million dollars. The company has 200 employees in Tel Aviv and New York.

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Rocket Hits
A rocket fired from Gaza at 5am today hit a house on Moshav Mishmeret, north of Kfar Saba (which is north of Tel Aviv). The house was destroyed, seven people (including 2 children) were injured and 4 family dogs were killed. The Iron Dome missile defense system was not operational in that area.

The IDF said that the rocket was fired by Hamas from a Hamas position in southern Gaza, a distance of around 120 kilometers. IDF troops, including reservists, are deploying near the Gaza border. Hamas leaders were reportedly evacuating to shelters in anticipation of IDF strikes.

The attack came just hours after several Hamas prisoners stabbed two guards at Ketziot Prison in southern Israel, moderately wounding one of them. In an attempt to restrain the prisoners, at least 11 of the incarcerated were wounded, two critically. Following the incident, Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group issued a threat, warning Israel of “consequences for its aggression that will be felt by soldiers and citizens.”

PM Netanyahu, currently in Washington, said, “There has been a criminal attack on the State of Israel and we will respond forcefully. In light of the security events I have decided to cut short my visit to the US. In a few hours I will meet with President Trump; I will return to Israel immediately afterwards in order to manage our action from close at hand.”

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Policial Fallout

Politicians from right to left criticized PM Netanyahu for being weak on security.

Blue White Party leader Benny Gantz said, “Netanyahu has lost his grip on Israel security and Israeli citizens are again experiencing sirens and a direct hit on a house. There is a security bankruptcy and Netanyahu needs to pack up immediately and go back to Israel to deal with this serious escalation. Will he still be satisfied with Hamas’ announcement of a mistake or will he finally concentrate on the security of the country’s citizens and not on his legal affairs? Someone who doesn’t respond with aggressiveness and force and pays protection to Hamas, now gets rockets on the Sharon.”

Yair Lapid and Moshe Ya’alon, the other Blue and White leaders, echoed Gantz’s comments.

New Right Party leader Naftali Bennett said, “Israel’s deterrence has collapsed, and it has to be said in all honesty, Netanyahu has failed against Hamas. Releasing terrorists, scared to destroy the homes of terrorists, restraint in the face of the rockets on the south – all of which led Hamas to stop being afraid of Israel. Netanyahu is a good prime minister but a failed defense minister. The time has come to appoint Bennett as defense minister in order to defeat Hamas.”

Rafi Peretz, leader of the Union of Right Wing Parties alliance, said, “A policy that allows incendiary balloons to threaten Alumim and Ein Habesor allows terrorist to fire missiles at Tel Aviv and the central region.”

Labor Party leader Avi Gabbay said, “Netanyahu is responsible for the poor security situation. He has lost our deterrence and strengthened Hamas. The time has come for us to deal with Hamas with courage and not with Netanyahu’s cowardice.”

Economy Minister Eli Cohen of the Kulanu party, along with other ministers, called for the return of targeted assassinations of Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders.

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