Author: AFSI Staff

The United Arab Emirates cannot have it both ways: Reconcile with the Jews and fund incitement against the Jews.

At the same time, UAE pours $51 million per year, with no strings attached, into the UN Relief and Works Agency budget.

This makes the UAE the fifth-largest contributor to UNRWA in the world, and the largest donor to UNRWA among the Arab nations. Indeed, UAE has quadrupled its donation to UNRWA. (In 2017, UAE donated $12 million to UNRWA.)

On August 8, the new school year began for the 288 UNRWA schools in Gaza. That was the day that Gazans resumed their campaign of launching firebombs over southern Israel, using UNRWA schools as their collective protective shields.

As long as hatred and delegitmization of Israel continues to be taught in UNRWA schools, generations of Arab children cannot be raised to understand nor look forward to a true and lasting peace.

Source:
The United Arab Emirates cannot have it both ways – opinion, by David Bedein. Jerusalem Post – September 8, 2020

Israel’s Security Cabinet announced Wednesday that it will not allow the return of bodies of terrorists killed by Israeli security forces to their families for burial. This measure is meant to deter future attacks and strengthen Israel’s bargaining position when facing off with Hamas.

The decision applies to the bodies of terrorists who wounded, killed or carried weapons, even if they were not affiliated with Hamas, and pertains to terrorists from Judea and Samaria, as well as terrorists from the Gaza Strip.

Exceptional cases will remain at the discretion of the defense minister, the Ministry of Defense noted.

The withholding of the terrorists’ bodies is “part of our commitment to maintain the security of the citizens of Israel, and of course to bring the boys home. I suggest to our enemy – that they understand and internalize the message well,” Minister of Defense Gantz stated.

#BringOurBoysHome

Source:
Once Again, Israel Orders Halt in Release of Terrorists’ Bodies, by Aryeh Savir, Tazpit News Agency. Jewish Press – September 3, 2020

Earlier this week Health Minister Yuli Edelstein devoted time to a meeting with Sovereignty Youth Movement representatives. They discussed Sovereignty in Judea and Samaria against the background of Israeli commitments not to raise the issue again made in the context of political steps with the United Arab Emirates.

Representatives of the movement raised their concern to Minister Edelstein about return to discussions of a Palestinian state and the existential danger to the future of Israel it poses, in addition to violating the principle of the People of Israel’s right to its Land.

“Neither coronavirus nor anything else should stop the important activity on behalf of our sovereignty in Judea and Samaria,” said the Minister, who praised the movement’s extensive activities.

At a time when Sovereignty is being used as a political bargaining chip, it’s critical now more than ever that Israeli youth understand the importance of and urgent need to APPLY SOVEREIGNTY NOW.

#SovereigntyYouth #ApplySovereigntyNow

Source:
Health Minister to Sovereignty Youth: ‘I’m committed to the sovereignty vision’, by Mordechai Sones. Arutz Sheva – September 1, 2020

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu trusts US President Donald Trump not to endanger Israel’s security, White House Special Adviser Jared Kushner said on Monday, aboard the first-ever direct El Al flight from Israel to the United Arab Emirates.

As for the first Israeli flight over Saudi Arabia, Kushner said the Saudis are “very gracious,” and that the flight is “a manifestation of what is possible in the Middle East.”

Americans For A Safe Israel is pleased to see the beginnings of what we trust will be a lasting and productive peace with the United Arab Emirates. Today’s historic first direct commercial flight from Israel to the UAE gets this initiative off to a good start. There are many things can be said about Israel’s new partnership with the UAE and potentially with what are rumored to be more peace deals in the works with other Arab states. Israel’s strength in the Arab world could possibly be used to place the Palestinian Authority into a corner, leaving them no choice but to recognize Israel’s right to exist. AFSI is will be watching closely on these developments.

We’ve been longing to see a real and permanent peace for Israel. The UAE agreement gives us a glimmer of hope into what a future peace can look like with other Arab states.

However, remember that Israel’s right to apply Sovereignty was sacrificed for this peace deal as required by the UAE in order for the agreement to be approved. Of course, we hope that Israel will apply Sovereignty at the first opportunity. When that will be is an unknown.

So, before you rush to take your next vacation in Abu Dhabi or were thinking of attending the Expo 2020 in Dubai (postponed to October 1, 2021) stay connected with AFSI. As soon as all of us are able to safely visit and travel throughout Israel again, we’d love to have you join us on our Chizuk Mission to Israel. A visit to the UAE can wait.

#SovereigntyNow #AFSIChuzukMission

Sources:
Israel-UAE flight lands safely in Abu Dhabi, F-35 talks to be held, by Lahaz Harkov. Jerusalem Post – August 31, 2020

First-ever direct Israel-UAE flight lands in Abu Dhabi following peace deal, by ANI News. August 31, 2020

Next Year in Dubai?, by Eric Ruskin. Arutz Sheva – August 31, 2020

The new Jewish community in Binyamin, Ma’ale Shai was evacuated for the third time, and on Shabbat night. The community is in memory of Rabbi Shai Ohayon, z’l, who was murdered in Petah Tikva last week,

Residents said they begged not to be forced to travel on Shabbat, but to no avail.

The Jewish families were evacuated from the site along with about twenty supporters who came to spend Shabbat with them. The residents reported extreme violence on the part of IDF and Border Police soldiers during the evacuation, which included using pepper spray against them.

After the evacuation, local Arabs posted joyous videos from Ma’ale Shai on social media, with singing and clapping over the bonfires that burned down equipment belonging to Jewish homes.

This scene is all too familiar. It reminds us of the awful days back in 2005, still fresh in our memory, of the expulsion of the Jews of Gush Katif from their rightful homes. This would not have happened had Sovereignty been applied properly.

Source:
Arabs Rejoice, Burn Down Outpost, following Police Expulsion of Jewish Residents on Shabbat Night, by David Israel. Jewish Press – August 30, 2020

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has frozen new housing construction in Israeli towns in Judea and Samaria, withholding new housing permits for the expansion of Israeli towns for more than half a year.

The Civil Administration Higher Planning Committee’s next meeting has been repeatedly pushed off, apparently at the instruction of Netanyahu, who has called for the rescheduling of the committee meeting to a later unknown date.

That has effectively blocked new construction in Israeli towns in Judea and Samaria, creating a de facto freeze.

There are 5,500 planned housing units waiting for approval from the Higher Planning Committee, half of which are slated to be built immediately following the final approval of the committee.

Yesha Council leaders blasted the repeated delays. “For more than half a year not a single housing unit has been approved in the area, and we haven’t been given a final date for the convening of the committee. We now find ourselves in the midst of a construction freeze in Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley.”

AFSI is deeply troubled by this latest news. Just last week Sovereignty was put on hold “temporarily” which could be for quite some time. Now Jews may not build on the land that is legally theirs. Whatever the politics are behind this decision, we know one thing: Israelis should not have to wait for approval to build on land that is theirs. Jews in Judea and Samaria should be able to build now and without limitations.

#SovereigntyNow #BuildJudeaSamaria

Source:
Yesha Council Outraged: Netanyahu freezing construction in Judea and Samaria, by Arutz Sheva Staff. Arutz Sheva – August 26, 2020

The Supreme Court ruled today that the housing units in the Binyamin community of Mitzpe Kramim must be demolished within the next three years. The judges further ruled that the State has the responsibility of demolishing the structures and gave the residents three years to find another place to live.

According to the ruling, “the evacuation of the buildings will take place only after the residents have found, within 36 months from the date of the ruling, a proper and appropriate alternative solution by allocating alternative land on state lands and erecting alternative structures or relocating existing structures to the alternative land.”

We previously reported that Sovereignty is on hold. Today we learn that building in Judea and Samaria is on hold. Now the Binyamin community is facing expulsion. Is this what a Sovereign nation should look like?

#SaveBinyaminCommunity

Source:
Supreme Court: Destroy Mitzpe Kramim, by Arutz Sheva Staff. Arutz Sheva – August 27, 2020

Every month, the Palestinian Authority publishes a monthly budget performance reports in Arabic, and for the international donor community a translation is published in English. The Arabic and English reports with hundreds of entries should be identical, which they are, except for one item in all the reports since February 2020: the Arabic includes the budget entry “Commission for Prisoners and Released” – which ostensibly documents the PA salaries to terrorists – while this entry is missing from the English.

The photo here above the Arabic chart with Palestinian Media Watch’s translation. Note the fourth sub-category (highlighted in yellow) which is in the Arabic – “Commission for Prisoners and Released Prisoners” – is missing in the English.

To date, the PA has not given in to international demands to stop paying salaries to terrorists. The Director of the Commission of Prisoners Qadri Abu Bakr himself told Palestinian TV that all the salaries continue to be paid in 2020. “Regarding the salaries, everything was perfect [yesterday]… We haven’t received a single call [of complaint] from any prisoner. They (i.e., family members) went to the banks and it was paid to them.”

Source:
PA budget reports differ from Arabic to English, by Maurice Hirsch, Adv. and Itamar Marcus. Palestinian Media Watch – August 25, 2020

The Knesset Land of Israel Caucus pushed back on President Trump’s peace plan this week stating that in lieu of annexation in Judea and Samaria, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must protect the entirety of the Area C for future Israeli Sovereignty.

The 43-member caucus, which has long campaigned for the application of Israeli Sovereignty over all Area C, spoke out in the aftermath of the suspension of plans to annex 50% of Area C as outlined Trump’s peace plan, in exchange for a peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

The caucus called on Netanyahu to strengthen existing Jewish communities slated for annexation and expressed particular concern for the 50% of Area C, which under the Trump plan, is designated for a Palestinian state. The caucus wants that territory to be preserved for Israel.

Source:
Caucus to PM: Expand West Bank settlements beyond Trump plan boundary, by Tovah Lazaroff. Jerusalem Post – August 26, 2020

The United States is promising to ensure that Israel still holds a military advantage in the Middle East under any future U.S. arms deals with the United Arab Emirates. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made this important statement on Monday as he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

“The United States has a legal requirement with respect to qualitative military edge. We will continue to honor that,” Pompeo said.

With the possibility on the horizon of other Arab nations establishing diplomatic relations with Israel, Pompeo also stated, “The opportunity for them to work alongside, to recognize the State of Israel and to work alongside them will not only increase Middle East stability, but it will improve the lives for the people of their own countries as well.”

#GuaranteeIsraelsMilitaryEdge #ArabDiplomaticRelationsWithIsrael

Source:
Pompeo in Jerusalem: U.S. will guarantee Israel’s Mideast military edge, by Associated Press. YNetNews – August 24, 2020