Tag Archive for: Israel News

Palestinians Fail in UK
In preparation for the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Balfour Declaration on November 2, 1917, which recognized the right of the Jewish People to a state in the Land of Israel, the Palestinians have been trying hard to discredit the event.

They initially demanded that British Prime Minister Theresa May offer an apology for the declaration, but she refused. Then they tried to launch a viciously anti-Israel poster campaign that depicts the idyllic life of the Palestinians before the declaration contrasted to their status after the establishment of Israel. They planned to hang the posters at London Underground stations, where hundreds of thousands of people pass every day.

But Transport for London (TfL), the authority responsible for the transport system in Greater London, refused to allow the hanging of the posters on the grounds that the ads “did not comply fully with our guidelines” which prohibit “images or messages which relate to matters of public controversy or sensitivity.”

Now what?

For further reading click here.

IDF Hits Syria
In response to a rocket that strayed over the border and exploded in an open area of the Golan, the IDF attacked a Syrian army outpost near the town of Quneitra yesterday. The rocket caused no damage or injuries, and the IDF attacked caused no injuries. But the point was made.

The IDF spokesman said, “The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to undermine the sovereignty of the State of Israel and the security of its citizens. The IDF views the Syrian regime as responsible to what is happening on the ground.” PM Netanyahu echoed the statement saying, “Whoever tries to hurt us, we will hurt them. We will not tolerate ‘trickles’ and if they attack us, we return fire…”

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US on Hamas
Jason Greenblatt, President Trump’s special Mideast envoy, backed Israel’s recent decision to refuse to negotiate with a Palestinian unity government that includes Hamas unless Hamas accepts several conditions including disarming and recognizing Israel.

Greenblatt said, “The United States reiterates the importance of adherence to the Quartet principles: any Palestinian government must unambiguously and explicitly commit to nonviolence, recognize the State of Israel, accept previous agreements and obligations between the parties—including to disarm terrorists—and commit to peaceful negotiations. If Hamas is to play any role in a Palestinian government, it must accept these basic requirements.”

Hamas accused the US of bowing to Israeli pressure. Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, said, “Gone is the time in which Hamas discussed recognition of Israel. The discussion now is about when we will wipe out Israel.” He also stressed that Hamas would never disarm.

For further reading click here.

Water from Air
David Efron, Israel’s honorary consul in Puerto Rico, announced that Israel will provide Puerto Rico with technology to produce drinking water out of air to help alleviate the crisis on the island in the aftermath of hurricane Maria.

The Israeli made machine, which weighs between 1 to 2 tons, uses filters to purify the air and can produce up to 5,000 gallons of water a day.

For further reading click here.

Putin Joke
At a recent press conference Russian President Putin decided to divert some attention by cracking a joke about the IDF.

To hear the joke click here.

Breaking News
The Israeli navy destroyed a suspicious unmanned boat that was entering Israeli waters off of Gaza.

PM Meets Russian DM
PM Netanyahu and DM Avigdor Lieberman met with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu in Jerusalem today, a day after Israel fighter jets destroyed a Syrian army anti-aircraft missile battery that fired at them.

The PM stressed that Israel will not allow Iran to entrench its military forces in Syria. They also discussed the Iran nuclear deal, which Netanyahu warned would allow the Iranians to build nuclear weapons within 8 to 10 years.

Regarding Shoygu’s visit, Lieberman said, “This is his first visit, and as his first visit as defense minister, it is of extraordinary importance. “We greatly appreciate our relationship with Russia, especially the openness and frankness. We don’t always agree but we always speak frankly and openly. We believe that the moment there is open and frank dialogue, any problems can be overcome.”

Prior to the meeting, Shoygu, as part of his two-day trip, was escorted by Lieberman around the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Lieberman will head to Washington later this week to meet with US Defense Secretary James Mattis to discuss the Iranian issue.
 
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Sinai Retaliation
According to an London based Arab newspaper, Israeli jets bombed targets in the Sinai Peninsula Sunday evening in retaliation for two rockets launched at Israel from there hours before. According to the unverified report, Israeli jets appeared only once the Egyptian air force completed its own strikes in the areas of Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid in northern Sinai. ISIS claimed responsibility for the rocket attack.

For further reading click here.

No Evacuation
Israel’s Labor Party Chairman Avi Gabbay drew harsh criticism from many members of his own party for comments that he made in a TV interview relating to settlements.

When asked whether he felt that the West Bank settlements of Ofra and Eli should be evacuated in a future peace agreement, Gabbay replied, “If we make a peace agreement, why should we evacuate? I think that the dynamics or terminology we have become accustomed to here, where ‘if you make peace—you evacuate,’ are not necessarily true. If you make a peace agreement, you can find solutions that do not require evacuation.”

Gabbay also said, “I believe that the Land of Israel belongs to the Jews. God promised Abraham the entire Land of Israel, but I also believe that since there are 4.5 million Arabs here, we have to compromise in order to create a situation in which we live in our country with a Jewish majority”.

Despite the attacks from many party members, Maj. Gen. (res.) Amiram Levin, also a member of the Labor Party, expressed support for Gabbay’s remarks saying, “In negotiations one should not concede in advance, Gabbay’s starting point is correct. Thanks to the settlers, we will be able to conduct tough negotiations with the aim of leaving the majority of our settlements without sacrificing security, but we must rid ourselves of our reign over more than 2.5 million Palestinians.”

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Hebron Building
According to a report by left wing watchdog group Peace Now, the Israeli government has approved the construction of 31 housing units in the Jewish area of Hebron. If the report is true, it will be the first time that Jewish homes are built in the city in almost 15 years. There are currently 1,000 Jews living in the heart of Hebron, with its 216,000 Arab residents.

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Yeshivah Blast
In a scene reminiscent of a Hassidic gathering, the famous Lithuanian style Yeshivah Ponevich, in Bnei Brak, celebrated the day after Simchat Torah with a massive, song filled, event.

To watch the event click here.

Recognize Israel
Jason Greenblatt, the US President’s special envoy to the Middle East, took to Twitter yesterday to urge the Palestinians to recognize Israel. He Tweeted a statement that read, “The United States stresses that any Palestinian government must unambiguously and explicitly commit to nonviolence, recognition of the State of Israel, acceptance of previous agreements and obligations between the parties, and peaceful negotiations.”

Greenblatt also praised Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and his Fatah delegation for visiting the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip in an attempt to reconcile with Hamas and return PA rule to Gaza.

In an interview with Egyptian television, PA President Abbas said that he would demand that Hamas dismantle its military wing in Gaza and said, “I won’t accept the reproduction of the Hezbollah experience of Lebanon”, where Hezbollah operates independently of the Lebanese government.

Abbas also acknowledged that, “The time will come for a Palestinian state, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon.”

For further reading click here.

Settlement Expansion
PM Netanyahu today told Likud members in the city of Ma’aleh Adumim, which is located in the West Bank (Judea) that, “Ma’aleh Adumim will always be part of the State of Israel” and that “we will build thousands of housing units here.” He added, “this is new news, in new times, regarding ancient objectives.”

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IDF Fault
The IDF has concluded its investigation into the events surrounding the terror attack that claimed the lives of three members of the Salomon family in Halamish this summer. The investigation blamed the IDF units responsible for protecting the settlement as well as the settlement’s civilian security personnel. Several low ranking IDF commanders have been reprimanded and one has been court martialled.

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Mossad Citation
For the first time ever, the PM presented the Prime Minister’s Citation award to Mossad teams. The citation was awarded to entire units within the Mossad, rather than to individual operatives. The PM said, “I salute you for the initiative, the daring, the professionalism, the planning and the execution.“ Mossad Director Yossi Cohen accepted the award.

Netanyahu added, “The Mossad works like a synchronized fist. All its parts are recognized (with this citation), and what is no less important, really, is the coordination with other bodies. I salute you, and I salute your families, who are an important part of your action.”

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Stolen Bombs
Dozens of explosive devices, including mines, were stolen yesterday morning from an IDF combat engineers base in the Golan Heights. An investigation has been launched. The assumption is that the stolen equipment will be sold to criminal organizations.

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No Tennis
Israeli tennis player Dudi Sela, ranked 77th in the world, left the match he was in on Friday afternoon at the ATP Tour Shenzhen Open when he realized that it was almost sunset and Yom Kippur was about to begin.

The match was tied at 1 set to 1 set when Sela informed the umpire around 8 minutes into the tie breaking set that he would have to forfeit the match. By doing so he also forfeited his chance at reaching the semi-finals.

We salute Sela for being true to his faith and principles. He is a winner in our book.

For further reading click here.

Books
On Simchat Torah, in a little over a week, we will complete the reading of the Torah and begin again from Genesis. Then we’ll read one parsha (Torah portion) each week. In a book called Deep Waters: Insights into the Torah and the Jewish Holidays, I’ve included original insights and lessons on each of the 52 Torah portions and on all of the Jewish holidays. Each lesson is usually no longer than a page or two, so you can absorb it minutes. The book is for people of all levels of Jewish knowledge, from beginner to advanced. And the book is available on Amazon Prime, so you can get it quickly and return it if you don’t like it (but you will like it).

To get your copy of Deep Waters click here.

Settlement Demands
The Yesha Council, representing the communities (settlements) in Judea and Samaria, presented PM Netanyahu with a list of grievances against his “discriminatory” policy against settlements and demanded that he commit to approving 10,000 new housing units in the settlements.

A few months ago, the government announced that NIS 116 billion from the state budget would be invested into a multi-year plan aimed at developing infrastructure. The plan, which was supposed to be implemented between 2017 and 2021, includes 147 projects throughout the state.

However, settlers were disheartened by the fact that according to the figures of the plans, the West Bank, which comprises an area equal to one-quarter of the size of the State of Israel and which has about 2.5 million inhabitants, is to be the recipient of a mere NIS 70 million, constituting 0.6 percent of the total budget.

Yesha representatives complained, “While in small Israel, both in the urban centers and in the periphery, huge investments are being made, in Judea and Samaria there is neglect that has been going on for years of everything related to the development of transportation, water, electricity and gas infrastructure.”

Yesha leaders are upset that Netanyahu doesn’t seem to be taking advantage of what appears to be a very pro-Israel US administration. The PM, however, does not want to antagonize the Trump, who has asked him to hold off on settlement expansion. Trump officials reportedly told the PM not to be a “Hazer” (the Yiddish word for pig) when it comes to settlements.

For further reading click here.

Interpol Farce
Despite intense lobbying by Israel and the US, the Interpol general assembly yesterday voted 75 to 24 (with 34 abstentions) to admit the Palestinian Authority into the international policing organization.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki hailed the vote as a “victory for law enforcement” and “voice of confidence in the capacity of law enforcement in Palestine.” He promised to uphold Palestinian commitments to combating crime and strengthening the rule of law.
 
Zeev Elkin, Israel’s Minister of Environmental Protection and a close associate of Netanyahu, said in retaliation for the Palestinians joining Interpol, Israel should cancel gestures granted to the Palestinians, including work and entry permits, and special travel permits for Palestinian leaders.

Commentary
So even though “Palestine” is not a state and the PA openly supports terror by paying pensions to the families of terrorists and by not condemning all acts of terror against Israel, the Palestinians will now be privy to all the valuable counter terrorism intelligence used by Interpol in the war against terror. Let’s hope too much info isn’t leaked to Hamas or other related terror organizations.

For further reading click here.

Busy Borders
Security forces had a busy day at Israel’s borders yesterday. Two fighter jets were scrambled near the Jordanian border when a Jordanian civilian aircraft got a bit too close to the border. The plans returned to base when it became clear that the plane would not cross the border.

In the south, IDF forces apprehended a Palestinian who crossed the Gaza border into Israel. He was taken for questioning and appeared to be unarmed.

For further reading click here.

Training Tragedy
Two IDF soldiers in an artillery who were killed in a training accident in the Golan Heights early Wednesday morning when a self-propelled cannon overturned into a ditch. The two were Second Lieutenant Avshalom Armoni, 22, of Beit Horon and Sergeant Avinoam Cohen, 22, of Jerusalem. Four other soldiers were injured. Armoni was the cousin of Na’ama Henkin, who was killed with her husband Eitam in a drive-by shooting terror attack in October 2015.

Hundreds of people attended the funeral of Avinoam Cohen at Mount Hertlz military cemetery yesterday. He was a student at the Elon Moreh yeshiva. His sister had given birth just a few hours after the accident and came to the funeral on a stretcher, straight from the hospital.

Cohen’s father eulogized, “Today, the people of Israel lost a pure soul, right before Yom Kippur. For 22 years we had this gift and we now have to return it, and we did. It hurts, it hurts, it hurts. But we accept it.”

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Gift to UN
Israel presented the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO) with a replica of a portion of the Arch of Titus depicting the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The replica, created by Israel’s Antiquities Authority, depicts a triumphal procession by Roman soldiers returning from destroying the Second Temple and carrying the Temple’s Menorah.

Israel hopes that the replica, which will be put on display at UNESCO’s headquarters, will serve as a reminder that the Second Temple had existed on the Temple Mount, a fact denied by the Arab states and the Palestinians.

For further reading click here.

PM Bows to Trump
PM Netanyahu told his security cabinet last night that he would postpone a meeting scheduled for this week of the West Bank Civil Administration’s planning committee, at the request of US President Trump. The PM told the ministers present that he had no intention of humiliating the Trump administration by making decisions relating to settlements, particularly since Trump’s special advisor Jason Greenblatt will be visiting the region this week.

For further reading click here.

Missile Aid
The US Senate last week voted to increase US aid to Israel for development and production of anti-missile defense systems. The US House of Representatives approved the same amount for the Israeli missile defense programs in July.

The Trump administration proposed granting Israel $147 million for its anti-missile programs in the 2018 fiscal year. At Israel’s requests, the Senate increased the grant by $558 million to $705 million, $100 million more than the aid that Israel received last year for this purpose.

US aid for the missile programs is unlinked to the $3.1 billion annual military aid, which was the amount set by the 10-year Israel-US memorandum of understanding. Missile aid comes from the US Department of Defense budget, while military aid is part of the US foreign aid budget.

Starting in 2019, when the new memorandum of understanding goes into effect, military aid will total $3.8 billion annually – $3.3 billion in regular military aid and $500 million in aid for the missile program. Israel will no longer be able to ask Congress to supplement this aid. This condition was demanded by the Obama administration, in an attempt to prevent Congress from giving Israel too much US taxpayer money.

One question remaining is whether Israel will have to pay back $75 million granted by Congress as part of the regular defense budget after the memorandum was signed.

For further reading click here.

Interpol Lobbying
Israel and the US are lobbying to persuade Interpol, the international policing organization, to deny membership to the Palestinian Authority. Israel claims that Palestinian acceptance to Interpol will only politicize the organization and give Palestinians another platform to harass Israel from. Israel also fears the PA would manipulate Interpol to put out arrest warrants for high ranking Israeli officials, and that classified documents passing through the police organization relating to terrorism would trickle down to Hamas and terrorist groups related to Fatah.

The Interpol General Assembly is currently meeting in China to decide on how to proceed.

For further reading click here.

New UN Rep
Danielle Daseta, an Ethiopian immigrant, has been appointed Israel’s new representative for environmental, developmental and economic issues at the UN. As part of her new position, Daseta will be promoting Israeli innovation and collaborations with other members of the international organization. Daseta made Aliyah in 1984 with her family during Operation Moses.

For further reading click here.

IDF in Mexico
An Israeli delegation, made up of 71 IDF soldiers and officers, has been conducting search and rescue operations in Mexico City in the aftermath of the massive earthquake that hit the city last week.

PM Netanyahu spoke on the phone to Israeli Ambassador to Mexico, Yoni Peled, and the commander of the IDF delegation, Col. Dudi Mizrahi, over the weekend. He said, “You are doing is a mitzvah. You are shining Israel’s light in the world, a big light. It is important from a humanitarian standpoint and also to show the world the true Israel. You are making the State of Israel very proud.”

To view images of the IDF rescue efforts click here.