Havat Gilad was created on private land owned by Moshe Zar in 2002, in response to the murder of Gilad Zar by Arab terrorists in 2001. Labeled an “unauthorized outpost” by the Israeli government, it has existed all these years struggling to buy water and electricity, since the government would not supply these humanitarian needs. We are aware that if these basic requirements were denied to Arabs in Gaza, the world would be up in arms, but somehow Jews in the Jewish state could be treated this way.

Now that Rabbi Raziel Shevach, a 35 year old father of six and mainstay of the community has been murdered by Arab terrorists, the government is ready to supply electricity. We hope they will also remember the water.

Artuz Sheva reports today that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has ordered that the community of Havat Gilad in Samaria be connected to Israel’s national electricity grid immediately, days after Rabbi Raziel Shevach, z’l, was gunned down by Arab terrorists just a few hundred yards away from his home.

While we can appreciate this important development for the residents of Havat Gilad, we simply CANNOT accept why it took so long for electricity to be connected. Moreover, we are angered by the fact that a death prompted action to be taken.

Remember – Donations to the Shevach family are sorely needed. AFSI members and friends can send checks to AFSI, 1751 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10128. Checks should be made out to AFSI, but EARMARKED for the SHEVACH FAMILY.

AFSI’s Co-Executive Director, Helen Freedman, will be leaving for Israel on Sunday, bringing with her duffel bags filled with clothing and toys for the six fatherless children, all donated by an anonymous donor. She will be offering condolences to the family from the entire AFSI family, as well as giving them funds that have already been raised for them.

We don’t want to comment on the nonsense of the Steve Bannon, Michael Wolff book except to say that Steve Bannon is falling all over himself now, apologizing to President Trump and his family for his falsehoods. Unfortunately, as with all “corrections”, they get ignored, while the first impression remains. The book is selling out to those who delight in denouncing the President. We, who so appreciate his positive moves towards Israel, Iran, and the entire Middle East, as well as his coping with Russia, North Korea, and the United Arab Nations, have no intention of spending one dime on the book, nor would we read it if it were given to us. We also appreciate what President Trump has done with the economy, health care, immigration, fossil fuels, and on and on. May he continue to defy his critics with good deeds. May he go from strength to strength.

Once again Stephen Flatow writes a factually correct, sensible, important article. In agreeing with Ambassador David Friedman’s request to the State Department to stop referring to Israel as an “occupier” in Judea and Samaria. It is sad that our pro-Arab State Department continues to deny history, international law, the Bible, and just plain facts on the ground. As Flatow points out, 98% of the Palestinian Arabs (we don’t use the word ‘Palestinians” since this is a fabricated word, and there is no ‘Palestine’, but for reasons of being understood, we use PA), live in 40% of the area in Judea and Samaria where they have had total control over the past 22 years. The huge Arab cities of Jenin, Nablus (Shechem), and Ramallah are totally self-governing. The Jewish communities built in biblical Judea and Samaria are centers of study, growth, healthy living, positive productivity, where Jews proudly proliferate as they reclaim their heritage. They are not “occupiers.”

Flatow speaks about the true “occupiers” – Mahmoud Abbas, who refused to hold elections in 2009 when his term expired, and continues with his terrorist grip on the PA. In Gaza, “Hamas is now beginning its second decade of illegally occupying Gaza,” but one never hears the term “occupation” referring to that terrorist entity.

Thanks to Ambassador Friedman for giving the world a reality check, and thanks to The Jewish Press for always being there to print such critically important articles as this one. AMBASSADOR FRIEDMAN IS RIGHT: THERE IS NO ISRAELI ‘OCCUPATION.’

Helen Freedman
Co-Executive Director
Americans for a Safe Israel/AFSI

Who is responsible for the recent protests taking place in Iran?

Will the Iranians fighting for justice, freedom and civil liberties prevail?

In a thought provoking, in-depth essay on this subject, read the OpEd in today’s Arutz Sheva. Dr. Mordechai Kedar elaborates on:

1. The important questions we should be asking
2. The internal factors to understand
3. Major points the international community needs to consider
4. What the future scenario may look like

“As head of the Entry into Israel Law, I made it clear that I will use my authority to prevent the entry of members of organizations and individuals whose sole purpose is to harm the State of Israel and its security. These people take advantage of the law and our hospitality to act against Israel and slander the Land. I will work against this in every way.”
Interior Minister Aryeh Deri.

And IM Deri has made good on his word.

Today’s Arutz Sheva reports that the Israeli government has compiled a list of anti-Israel organizations backing the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement whose activists will not be allowed to enter Israel. The names of the boycott organizations will be transferred to the Immigration and Population Authority in the Ministry of the Interior for the purpose of preventing entry into Israel.

President Donald Trump pledged to help Iranians “take back” their government Wednesday, as his White House weighed new sanctions against elements of the regime involved in a violent crackdown against protestors.

Though no specifics were stated, a senior administration official said that the White House was “looking across the board” at sanction authorities allowing Trump to target organizations or individuals involved in human rights violations, censorship or preventing free assembly.

The strong support being shown by the White House is in direct contrast with former President Obama’s inaction and silence during the 2009 Green Revolution uprising. A recent Washington Examiner editorial argues that Obama’s inaction was purposefully executed in order to forge ahead and not disturb his then plans for what we know now as the disastrous “Iran Nuclear Deal.”

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Tuesday called the UN to take concrete steps to support Iranians, after anti-government protests erupted over the weekend.

“The UN must speak out,” Haley told reporters in New York City. “All freedom-loving people must stand with their cause. The international community made the mistake of failing to do that in 2009. We must not make that mistake again.”

AFSI continues to applaud President Trump and Ambassador Nikki Haley for their steadfast position on supporting basic civil liberties, freedoms and justice for and oppressed Iranian people. Their stance on this issue moves us closer toward a SAFE ISRAEL.

For more click here.

AFI’S Chairman Mark Langfan’s most recent publication is in yesterday’s Arutz Sheva. Mark writes about Russian President Valdimir Putin who he says has put all his eggs in one basket in the Middle East and which is now crashing down.

Given the financial and geopolitical situation, Putin may have thought that in betting on Iran he had the strong horse. Recent events make it appear he had the wrong horse.

Read Mark’s full article HERE.

Due to the overwhelming demand in Jerusalem for the 70th Anniversary we have not yet completed calculating our costs. Final cost to be announced but is expected to be in line with previous missions. To secure your spot please make a down payment of at least $500 by January 11, 2018.

Register TODAY for AFSI’s 70th Anniversary Chizuk Mission!
Israel will be brimming with celebrants.

Act NOW so that we can guarantee your reservation!

CLICK HERE FOR THE ITINERARY AND TO REGISTER

On behalf of our Chairman, Mark Langfan, the Board of Directors, and everyone at Americans For A Safe Israel/AFSI, we extend sincere condolences to Minister of Knesset Yehuda Glick, and his eight children on the passing of his wife, and their mother, Yaffa, z’l.

May the family be comforted among all those who mourn for Zion and Jerusalem, and may they know no more sorrows.

The Likud Central Committee met Sunday evening and gave its unanimous support for a draft resolution urging its leaders to formally annex large parts of Judea and Samaria. The Women in Green started it all and AFSI has been a proud partner from the beginning. We rejoice in this important development. Arutz Sheva report here.

Women in Green leaders Nadia Matar (left),
Yehudit Katsover (right) with Minister of Jerusalem Affairs and Environmental Protection, Ze’ev Elkin (center).