An IDF force arrested 3 Arabs carrying a knives and grenades who had infiltrated into Israeli territory from Gaza on Tuesday. They admitted under interrogation that they had intended to attack soldiers.

Eshkol Regional Council head Gadi Yarkoni commented, “…the capture proves the efficiency of security forces and the strength of spirit among our people.” Source – Arutz Sheva 

The IDF is readying itself for a march by Gazans starting on March 30 and ending six weeks later on May 15 to coincide with Israel’s 70th Anniversary. Islamic Jihad officials have called on thousands of Gazans to march en masse towards Israel to demonstrate for their so-called “right of return” in what has been dubbed the “March of the Return.” Detailed information can be found on The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center.

IDF General Yoav Mordechai firmly stated, “…we will take harsh and tough measures against any attempt by demonstrators to reach the security fence or try to break into Israeli territory. The Israeli response will be strong, not just against the demonstrators. We intend to do everything to prevent violent demonstrations and terror demonstrations.”

Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Gadi Eizenkot has warned that the army has been given authorization to open fire ahead of mass protests on the Gaza border planned for Friday if there are any attempts to cross the Gaza border fence into Israel.

According the Professor Daniel Pipes it is.

If Palestinian defeat is good for Israel, it is ironically even better for Palestinians, who will finally be liberated from ugly ambitions, revolutionary rhetoric, and genocidal fantasies. An educated and skilled people can then improve its life by building its polity, economy, society, and culture. And if diplomacy is now premature, issues such as Jerusalem, borders, and resources can be fruitfully discussed after a Palestinian defeat.

Read Pipe’s excellent OpEd HERE

World Jewish Congress (WJC) President Ron Lauder’s opinion piece in The New York Times on March 18 unconditionally demands a Palestinian State as the solution to the Arab war against Israel. Lauder ignores the fact that Palestinian Arabs rejected Israel’s statehood offers three times in the last 17 years, not to mention rejecting Statehood in 1937 and 1947 because it required accepting Israel, which they won’t do because their goal is its destruction.

In a nutshell, Lauder is placing the entire blame on Israel. This is a disgrace for a leader of a major Jewish organization.

An excellent OpEd in Arutz Sheva by Dr. Martin Sherman dissects Lauder’s article and sets the record – and Ronald Lauder – straight.

The last few months have been characterized by a slow but steady heightening of security tensions in Gaza, Judea and Samaria (to whose issues one must add knifings and ramming attacks) and Lebanon, Syria and the developments involving Hezbollah, Iran and Russia.

The escalating tension makes it imperative for Israel to raise its level of response, because continuing to retaliate on the response level of the past years does nothing to deter Israel’s neighbors nor does it restore tranquility and security to Israel’s population.

Read Dr. Mordechai Kedar’s Arutz Sheva OpEd 

The UN Human Rights Council recently passed five anti-Israel resolutions in what they are calling “human rights violations” and “violations of international law.”

In response to this Danon threatened that there would be “significant consequences.”
US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley blasted the UNHRC for its continuous anti-Israel bias, stating “when the Human Rights Council treats Israel worse than North Korea, Iran, and Syria, it is the Council itself that is foolish and unworthy of its name,” said the American Ambassador.

Source – Arutz Sheva 

The PA is now demanding that US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman be added to a ‘global terror list.’

Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren (Kulanu), now an MK and Deputy Minister in the Netanyahu government, suggested an appropriate response:

“Palestinian Authority demands that US Ambassador David Friedman be placed on the “global terror list.” Wouldn’t it be fitting if the PA’s Washington representative were placed on the first flight out of the country?”

AFSI agrees. Read the story HERE 

Fifteen Jewish families have been forced out of their homes – homes that are on Jewish owned land.

Even though the Defense Ministry gave the Hebron Jewish community the right to purchase the property, it has not authorized their presence in the homes.

Beit Machpela is one of the places AFSI visited on its recent trip to Hebron. We were hosted by Yifat and Shalom Akobi in their beautiful new home, and taken to the rooftop to view all of Hebron. It is a shameful blot on Israel’s Supreme Court that Jews continue to be expelled from their homes in Israel.

Source – The Times of Israel 

Senior Israeli officials applauded President Trump’s selection of former United States Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton to replace outgoing National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster, noting Bolton’s strong support for Israel and his opposition to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, called Bolton a “true friend of Israel going back many years, someone with a great deal of knowledge about the inner workings of the government.”

Full story HERE 

The Taylor Force Act, legislation that seeks to cut financial aid to the Palestinian Authority unless it ends its payments to terrorists and their families, has been passed by Congress as part of a massive $1.3 trillion spending bill.

“Passage of the Taylor Force Act will serve as a shot across the bow to President Abbas, as he must be held accountable for the Palestinian Authority’s record of incitement and subsidizing of terror. It is my hope that by enacting this bill, we can put an end to the Palestinian Authority’s disturbing practice all while honoring the memory and sacrifice of Taylor Force,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a statement.

Source: Jewish National Syndicate-JNS) 

Aharon Pulver, head of the Israel Independence Fund and Simcha Rothman, of Meshilut, were the guests of AFSI at the West Side Institutional Synagogue on February 14 for AFSI’s Israel at 70 Lecture Series where they spoke about critical issues in Israel today. AFSI is grateful to Rabbi Marc Golub and the JBS for filming the event and making these fascinating talks available on TV and through the links. The evening concluded with remarks from AFSI’s Co-Executive Directors, Helen and Judy, along with a tasting of wines from Judea and Samaria, accompanied by informative commentary.