The Israeli man brutally murdered near the town of Hermesh in northern Samaria has been identified as Meir Tamari, a 32-year-old Hermesh resident.

Tamari, who was shot dead by terrorists on Tuesday afternoon, was married and the father of two children, ages one and three. Tamari moved to Hermesh four years ago, after marrying his wife, who grew up in the town. Just recently, the couple finished building their home.

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, said, “This terror attack occurred just meters from a checkpoint which, if it were active, this terror attack would have been prevented. We begged that the checkpoint be reopened, we warned that we would pay in blood, and we were not answered. If the government of Israel had not caved to international pressure and removed the security checkpoints, including this checkpoint, Meir would be here with us today, and this evening.”

Source:
Israeli murdered near Hermesh identified as father of two, by Israel National News, May 30, 2023

A designated terrorist organization is running an international student exchange program for Palestinian students in cooperation with France and the United Kingdom, according to an Israeli NGO.

The exchange program, run by the Union of Agricultural Work Committees, claims to “strengthen young people in relation to agricultural and environmental activities.” Scheduled for July, it includes visits to Marseille, Berlin, and Hebron. According to the admission criteria, priority will be given to residents of Area C, an administrative zone controlled by Israel.

Israeli NGO Regavim wrote a letter to the Israeli Defense Ministry and Israel Defense Forces last week demanding that immediate steps be taken. “Israel must act immediately to block the UAWC’s ability to operate on the local and international stage to spread its terrorist agenda, and to cut off the UAWC’s ability to maintain international contacts that funnel European money to the PFLP. The Israeli government’s failure to act against the activities of this terrorist organization constitutes abandonment of territory under Israeli jurisdiction.”

Source:
Palestinian terror group runs student exchange program with Europe, by TPS via Ynetnews, May 30, 2023

Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, speaking at a conference on Monday evening, revealed a new strategy of the IRGC naval forces – constructing “floating terror bases.” In his discussion, Gallant also addressed the measures required to contend with Iran’s regional aggression and the threat posed by the Iranian nuclear program.

Gallant said the Iranian plan “is a concerning, ‘pirate policy’. The floating terror bases are an extension of Iran’s ongoing maritime terrorism, as seen in its actions in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea. This is a structured plan designed to threaten trade and flight routes – both military and civilian – and to create a permanent threat in the maritime arena.”

Gallant added: “The way to confront Iranian terrorism in the air, at sea, and on land is through international cooperation and the creation of coalitions.”

Israel is still trying to secure international cooperation in opposing the Iran nuclear “deal.” With that said, what kind of cooperation does Gallant think can be created for this?

Source:
Gallant Reveals: Iran Converting Commercial Vessels into Floating Terror Bases, by Jewish Press News Desk, May 23, 2023

Israel’s defense echelon has received information claiming that Homesh residents plan to move their town from its current location to one which sits on State land, without receiving the necessary permits from the IDF.

According to a report by Galatz, the move is likely to take place in the middle of the night, likely on Saturday night, and the goal is to create facts on the ground, due to concerns that the State will hesitate to normalize Homesh due to international criticism.

Former Ambassador MK Danny Danon said, “We are a country of law, and we need to do this in coordination with the IDF. The international community? Let them focus on condemning the acts of terror that we experience here, and not on the possibility that a few people will come and pray in a place where they used to live.”

Source:
Without approval: Homesh to be moved to State land, by Israel National News, May 23, 2023

The chairman of the Knesset Constitution and Law Committee, MK Simcha Rothman, believes that the judicial reforms he and Justice Minister Yariv Levin proposed has not been completely dropped from the government’s agenda. This is despite the ongoing negotiations to pass a different version of the reforms at the President’s Residence.

“I believe that the reform is not finished, it will be implemented, and also that the coalition and its leaders do not plan to allow endless time wasting in negotiations that lead nowhere,” Rothman said in an interview with Israel National News – Arutz Sheva.

When asked about the source of his confidence, Rothman said that, beyond his faith in G-d, he knows that the problem is that “the reforms are real problems that every coalition, and certainly this coalition, will encounter every day. I know that the majority of the public wants reform. Reality is stronger than any theoretical argument.”

“The positions are clear. The entire public, in an almost complete consensus, knows that there is no legitimacy for a court elected in this way with a veto for judges to overturn laws. It seems that there are parties who are interested in ensuing that the negotiations are extended indefinitely. This is not good for the country, the justice system and the coalition.”

Rothman said that he is one of the people who believe that the negotiations are on their way to “blowing up.” Rothman is right and if the opposition continues to abuse the right to sit and negotiate peacefully and rationally, they will certainly lose.

(MK Rothman and Professor Alan Dershowitz will debate at the June 4 Arutz Sheva conference. We are still waiting for a registration link for this event.)

Source:
Constitution Committee Chair: Judicial reform talks will blow up, by Israel National News, May 22, 2023

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has begun intensive talks with various government ministries with the aim of doubling the number Jews in Judea and Samaria.

Smotrich has drawn up a comprehensive proposal that calls not only for a rapid increase in the amount of housing available in Judea and Samaria, but also all the necessary infrastructure expansion needed to support another 500,000 residents in the region, including roads, public transportation, employment opportunities, and educational facilities. The sources said that Smotrich demanded that the plan should be implemented within the next two years.

Smotrich’s key demands call for the building of proper infrastructure for all existing Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria to further this goal, whether their legal status has been finalized or not.

It’s high time to implement Smotrich’s plans so that these communities can have the dignity they righfully deserve knowing that the necessary infrastructures for daily living are in place. Just do it!!

Source:
Smotrich to gov’t ministries: Prepare to double number of Jews in Judea and Samaria, by Batya Jerenberg/World Israel News, May 21, 2023

On Sunday, Minister Itamar Ben Gvir visited the Temple Mount for the second time since taking his post and said: “We are the owners of Jerusalem and the entire Land of Israel.” Jordan condemned the visit, calling it a “flagrant violation” of the status quo.

The status quo, established by the Jordanian Wakf agency in the summer of 1967, after the then-Defense Minister gave it the keys to the Temple Mount, prohibits Jews from praying on the Temple Mount. However, in recent years the police have stopped enforcing the prohibition and refrain from arresting Jews who pray in the eastern corner of the compound. Waqf guards who tried to interfere with the prayers were arrested and removed from the compound.

Source:
Sunday Ben Gvir Prayed on Temple Mount, by David Israel, May 21, 2023

Negotiating teams from the Opposition and Coalition have made significant progress towards a deal on judicial reform.

Both sides have reached an accord over two key issues: the future use by courts of the reasonableness standard, and the status of ministerial legal advisors. Resolution of these two points has allowed negotiators to focus entirely on the most contentious issues, including the makeup of the judicial appointments committee, and the proposed judicial override.

MK Simcha Rothman remains “pessimistic regarding the chances of reaching an agreement,” stating “the Opposition has become enamored with protests, at the expense of the country.”

We are grateful two key issues are out of the way and pray that the rest of the judicial reform process can move forward in a productive manner satisfactory to both sides.

Source:
Report: Judicial reform talks nearing compromise deal, by Israel National News, May 17, 2023

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has instructed the IDF GOC Central Command Yehuda Fuchs to sign a decree that could allow Jewish residency in the former community of Homesh. This would fully implement the lifting of restrictions under the 2005 Gaza Disengagement Law.

Gallant’s decision is one of major security and political significance that has prompted the IDF to prepare for boosting forces in Homesh and mobilizing forces to protect civilians who will now be legally allowed to visit the area after almost 20 years.

Together with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Gallant is also considering a measure that would give official legal status to the yeshiva that was recently established in the former community without state sanction.

The timing of the AFSI Chizuk Mission to Israel is exquisite and we trust it brought some good vibes for Homesh! If Americans for a Safe Israel has been but a small part of the energy that ultimately saves Homesh, then we’ve fulfilled a small part of the AFSI mission.

Source:
Gallant instructs IDF to sign decree allowing Jewish presence in Homesh, by Amir Ettinger/Israel Hayom, May 18, 2023

Beyadenu CEO Tom Nisani on Tuesday issued a call for a “mass gathering of Jews to ascend to the Temple Mount to assert Jewish sovereignty over the site and a silent protest of the policies in place enacted by police and government that restrict Jewish rights.” The group added that on Jerusalem Liberation Day, Thursday, May 18, its goal is “to reach 5,000 ascenders in one day.”

Homefront Commander Chief, Raphi Milo issued a restraining order against Nisani for one month stating sensitive information suggests Nisani “will commit acts of provocation which can endanger the security of the Temple Mount and the Old City.”

Nisani responded to the allegations and restrainig order letter: “I, who gave 10 sleepless years of my life to the 8200 unit, am endangering the state while the Palestinian Authority and Hamas are given free rein?

Source:
Beyadenu Wants 5,000 Jews on Temple Mount for Jerusalem Day – as Police/IDF Seek to Block Activist, by David Israel/Jewish Press, May 17, 2023