Author: AFSI Staff

Americans For A Safe Israel rejects this week’s ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ), which only serves as a tool in the political campaign against Israel.

The ECJ ruled that under EU rules on food labelling, products must be clearly defined where they are from — particularly if they come from Israeli towns outside of the pre-1967 ‘Green Line’.

The ruling’s entire objective singles out and perpetuates an ongoing double standard against Israel. There are over 200 ongoing territorial disputes worldwide, yet the ECJ has not rendered a single ruling related to labeling products originating from those territories.

This ruling is political and discriminates against Israel. 

Gabriel Groisman is an attorney who is on the legal team representing Israel’s Psagot Winery, which is at the center of this battle. Groisman is adamant that EU law does not require what he calls discriminatory labeling against Israeli products. He also agrees that EU member states are not free to set their own labeling laws, as France has tried to do.

AFSI views this ruling as nothing more than a concerted effort to delegitimize Israel and its lawful claim to the land of Judea/Samaria. We suggest the EU take a refresher course in the facts on the truth about Israel.

This fight will continue.

Suggested reading: The European Union Labels Itself Biased ~Amb. Alan Baker

Early this morning, Islamic Jihad commander Bahaa Abu Al-Ata was assassinated by Israel in the Gaza Strip in a targeted killing operation carried out jointly by the IDF and the Shin Bet.

An immediate threat to Israel, Abu Al-Ata, chief of Islamic Jihad’s Al Quds Brigades’ Gaza Strip branch, was considered one of the most radical terrorists in Gaza – even within Islamic Jihad. He was seen as a rising force within Gaza, due in part to his close ties with Tehran.

Approximately 190 rockets have been launched at Israel since the removal of Al-Ata. Interception rate by Iron Dome is 90% at this time.

As of this writing, 39 people in total have been treated for injuries a as a result of the rocket attacks. Among them: a 35-year-old man was lightly injured by rocket fire; an 8-year old girl is in serious condition in Holon after she lost consciousness suddenly during the 8 am rocket attack. A rocket struck a home in Netivot causing damage to the building but no injuries.

For the first time since 2014’s Operation Protective Edge, the IDF ordered a closure of schools and businesses in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area.

Hamas seen limiting response to Abu al-Ata killing ~Dan Zaken

Read the Jerusalem Post’s timeline of Red Alerts and rocket interceptions HERE.

#israelunderfire #jihadenough

The absence of a functioning government in Israel and ongoing news of Iran’s capability to enrich its uranium leaves Israel – and us – on edge.

A recent report from Reuters says a spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) stated, “Iran has the capacity to enrich uranium up to 60%.”

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed what could be a nightmare scenario for Israel. The estimate of Israeli intelligence that was published a year ago, predicted that the Iranians will violate the agreement gradually and grow until they reach a range from which they could break through to a military nuclear program within a few months.

The deadline is fast approaching: Blue and White leader Benny Gantz has until November 20 to form a coalition.

Gantz said yesterday that his party would be willing to consider compromising on some of its positions in the interest of forming a broad unity government alongside Likud and Yisrael Beytenu.

Naftali Bennett, leader of the New Right party, was appointed Defense Minister yesterday, replacing Netanyahu who had been in the post since Leiberman’s resignation. He was sworn in (in a bunker) today.

A recent poll among voters shows a disturbing statistic: 52% of Blue and White Voters in Favor of Coalition with Arab Parties ~Alon Einhorn. We find this unthinkable.

We think all (except perhaps the Arab list) of Am Yisroel are in agreement that political differences must be put aside for the moment and attention turned outward to defending Israel (and the West) against Islamic Jihad and Hamas.

The title of today’s lead article is the main point stressed in the second of two excellent videos that accompany today’s Artuz Sheva article by Mordechai Sones. It’s a must read and we ask that you forward this to your contacts to view the videos, which give clear and concise explanations as to “why” Israel must have defensible borders.

In recent days, Sovereignty Movement heads Yehudit Katsover and Nadia Matar sent letters to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz calling on them to include Jordan Valley sovereignty in the fundamental principles of the unity government that the two and their staffs are negotiating.

“Israeli sovereignty in the Jordan Valley is a course of action capable of uniting the citizens of Israel: Right, Zionist Left, and Center, around the Zionist value of enhancing control of the Land of Israel. …even if it is not the full and comprehensive step of applying Israeli Sovereignty over all the expanses of the Land of Israel, it is an additional, significant step toward realization of the Zionist vision of Israeli Sovereignty in its land.” stated Katsover and Matar in their letter.

Saudi strategic expert Muhammad Al-Qabiban says Israel has a right to defend itself and its borders from Iranian ‘lackeys’ like Hezbollah.

Report: Blue&White Ready for Sovereignty in Jordan Valley ~David Israel

Please view the below videos and keep in mind that they are dated.

Clearly AFSI believes in a whole Israel and does not envision a future with any Palestinian State within its borders,whether or not demilitarized. See video “Why Israel Must Have Defensible Borders.”

The need for Sovereignty in the Jordan Valley as a barrier is clear, as is the need for Sovereignty in all of Judea and Samaria. It is stating the obvious that Israel cannot rely on any United Nations actors as we’ve seen in every arena of their involvement – including “peacekeeping.” UNEF, UNIFIL,UNDO and others have all been failures. See video “Sovereignty in the Jordan Valley: A MUST.“

Chairman of the Jordan Valley Council, David Elhayani, was elected earlier this week as the new Yesha Council Chairman. Elhayani sat down for an interview with Arutz Sheva.

Speaking in his first phone call since the election, Elhayani’s priority was to call for Sovereignty, around which all heads of authorities and Yesha Council leadership should unite.

Elhayani said about sovereignty, “…Anyone who doesn’t live in Judea and Samaria and doesn’t live the daily life in Judea and Samaria doesn’t understand that there’s no other option.” Even Arabs who work in the Jordan Valley want Sovereignty “…because they know that the PA is corrupt and that their rights are preserved, they know that under Israeli Sovereignty they will enjoy the fruits of democracy.”

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement yesterday about the recently published findings of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) investigation into UNRWA and calls for the full and transparent release of all findings of the investigation.

The recent resignation of UNRWA’s Commisioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl is only a first step in a long process that is needed to eliminate corruption, increase transparency, and prevent further politicization of the agency.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz stated: “UNRWA’s conduct illustrates that the agency is part of the problem, and not part of the solution. The agency perpetuates the refugee issue in a political manner, and in doing so distances any possibility for a future resolution. The international community needs to find a new model that will provide humanitarian assistance to those who truly need it, and must remove from the agenda the futile idea of the return of the refugees.”

Friday night, Arab terrorist groups fired 10 rockets into Israel. One house in Sderot (owner Rinat Cohen) sustained damage but thankfully it’s a miracle there were no injuries. The photo here shows a car hit by shrapnel.

Sderot Mayor, Alon Davidi, called for an operation to eradicate Hamas. How much longer can the residents and their children in the South live this way?

According to the IDF, Israeli Air Force jets carried out strikes back at Hamas targets in response to the launching of rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory earlier in the evening. “The IDF sees with great severity rocket attacks against Israeli territory, is in a high state of readiness, and will continue to act as necessary against attempts to harm Israeli civilians.”

While Israel believes PIJ was behind the rocket barrages, the IDF holds Hamas responsible “for all acts in and emanating from the Gaza Strip.”

EU condemns rocket fire from Gaza: ‘Unacceptable and must stop immediately’ ~TOI Staff

New Right Chairwoman and former Justice Minister MK Ayelet Shaked submitted a bill yesterday, to apply the State of Israel’s law, jurisdiction and administration to the Jordan Valley, Gush Etzion and Maale Adumim areas.

Shaked explained that there is a window of opportunity that should not be squandered. “There is currently a window of political opportunity and readiness from the US for such an annexation process, which will not return. Therefore, we must not hesitate or wait, and must take advantage of this window of opportunity immediately and begin the process of applying sovereignty over these areas.”

Shaked also noted that this is another reason that Israel should not be dragged into additional elections.

AFSI agrees. THE TIME FOR SOVEREIGNTY IS NOW!!

Minister Smotrich Pushing ‘Sovereignty Through Transportation’ ~Ariel Kahana

In recent weeks, Israel’s military has begun to believe that Tehran intends to eventually retaliate against Israel’s regular airstrikes against its forces and proxies in the region.

In response, Amikam Norkin, Israeli Air Force chief, said yesterday that the military’s multi-tiered network of air defense systems were “on alert” amid a general threat of attack by Iran.

“Even as we speak, Arrow, Patriot, David’s Sling (pictured here) and Iron Dome batteries are on alert,” Norkin said.

AFSI reported earlier this week that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran intends to attack Israel from Yemen, which may make intercepting such a strike more difficult as the IDF’s intermediate and long-range air defenses are better positioned to shoot down incoming attacks from Israel’s north, rather than from the south.

Is Israel Equipped to Win a War Against Iran? ~Anna Ahronheim