On Wednesday, President Reuven Rivlin granted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the chance to form a government for the sixth time.
Following a meeting at the President’s residence with Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, which failed to bring about a breakthrough, President Rivlin formally gave Netanyahu four weeks to form the government stating to the press that Netanyahu had the best chance to form one. The deadline is October 24.
To be continued.
At the 74th United Nations General Assembly in New York City this past Tuesday, President Donald J. Trump, once again, stated his strong support for Israel at this annual gathering.
In his address to the audience of world leaders, Trump called upon all nations to normalize their ties with Israel.
He also lambasted Iran for its “bloodlust” and “illicit behavior.” After a pause in that part of his speech, Trump stated, “America will never tolerate such anti-Semitic hate. Fanatics have long used hatred of Israel to distract from their own failures.”
Americans For A Safe Israel applauds the release of an unprecedented United Nations report that links anti-Semitism to BDS.
The report titled “Combating Antisemitism to Eliminate Discrimination and Intolerance Based on Religion or Belief,” was released by the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Ahmed Shaheed. It defines anti-Semitism as a global phenomenon—not one largely confined to the United States and Europe. The Special Rapporteur recognizes that the sources of anti-Semitism are varied, coming from the far right, from members of radical Islamist groups and from the political left.
The report also recommends that all member states adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of anti-Semitism.
AFSI applauds the UN for taking this very important step with the release of this report. Now, the UN must, once and for all, put a stop the double standard that festers within its own walls when it comes to Israel. The UN is responsible for allowing virulent anti-Semitism to foment among member nations, many of whom are openly hostile to Israel. Without confronting this, the report cannot be effective in the long run.
What next steps will the UN take to turn the tide on anti-Semitism? AFSI will be watching.
Read the text of the report HERE.
Today is one week since the elections in Israel were held. Here is the latest update.
As of yesterday, Arutz Sheva reports that yesterday all representatives of the major parties (including the Joint Arab List) came to President Reuven Rivlin’s home – one by one- to declare their recommendation for who should lead the next government.
This morning, representatives of the smaller parties submitted their recommendations.
Now that all recommendations have been received, President Rivlin will decide who to give the mandate to form a coalition first. The Jerusalem Post reports that a meeting with Rivlin, Netanayhau and Gantz was set for 6:30 pm today, Israel time, at which it should be decided who will form the next government.
Netanyahu did not lose, and Gantz did not win ~Caroline Glick
Blue & White to Joint List: Will repeal law on illegal building ~Arutz Sheva Staff
‘Deal of the Century’ to be significantly delayed ~Nitsan Keidar
Speculation is rampant about how Israel’s September 17 elections will be resolved. With all but the votes of the IDF Soldiers and the diplomats counted, Blue and White has a slight lead over Likud but no way to form a government without Likud. Netanyahu has solidified a right-wing bloc of 55 that has pledged in writing to remain a bloc with him at the head. Gantz says he should head a unity government and wants it to be a “liberal” one.
Do you think Israel will have a third round of elections in February?
Or will someone put the country ahead of themselves and find a path to forming a government?
Since President Donald Trump’s election in 2016, Israel has benefited from many golden opportunities in its partnership with Trump. AFSI remains concerned about lost time – the lack of a functional government means more lost golden opportunities working with President Trump.
Election results hanging in the balance also mean a delay in the long awaited release of the ‘Deal of the Century.’
And what about promises made to reclaim the Jordan Valley and Hebron?
It’s true patience is a virtue but the loss of time in Israel’s case is not productive.
In the meantime, here are a few of the latest reports and opinions on the election:
Gantz says he should lead unity government, rejects coalition led by right ~TOI Staff
Elections Update: Still No Clear Winners: Another Round of Elections Appear to be on Horizon ~David Sidman
The Jewish state was invited to showcase its innovations in water technology, health and hi-tech at a major exposition in Dubai to be held on October 2020 through April 2021 at he the 2020 World Expo.
This opportunity represents Israel’s rising status, not only in the world-at-large, but in a region that has historically been hostile to Israel.
Preview Israel’s planned Pavillion at the 2020 World Expo HERE.
With just a day away from learning who will be Israel’s next Prime Minister, current PM Netanyahu has pledged to fulfill his promise to apply Sovereignty over the Jordan Valley – and without delay.
The subject of Sovereignty opened Netanyahu’s weekly Cabinet meeting. “We will apply sovereignty in the Jordan Valley and the Northern Dead Sea as soon as the next government is established in the next Knesset. I have appointed a work team headed by the director of the Prime Minister’s Office, which will formulate an outline for applying sovereignty,” said Netanyahu.
We like hearing it and the fact that on Thursday he promised to apply Sovereignty to the E1 area of Ma’aleh Adumim!
More to come? Netanyahu Vows to Annex Hebron, Kiryat Arba After Election.
What began as a farm at the end of the 1990’s, will now become a permanent and independent town. The Israeli cabinet voted on Sunday and approved Prime Minister Netanyahu’s proposal to authorize the community of Mevo’ot Yericho in the Jordan Valley.
The vote took place after Attorney General Dr. Avihai Mandelblit removed his opposition to holding a vote on the matter.
On both Tuesday and Wednesday this week, rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel’s Southern communities of Ashkelon and Ashdod. One attack earlier in the week forced Prime Minister Netanyahu to be rushed off stage at an election rally campaign appearance.
No injuries were reported on either day. There was shrapnel damage to one home.
In retaliation for these latest attacks on Israel, the Israel Defense Forces shelled Hamas military posts in the north.
What are Israel’s options to put a complete stop to these ongoing attacks against? Lately, there’s been much talk swirling around about a full scale military operation in Gaza. When and will it happen?
After five years of non-enforcement by the Civil Administration against illegal Arab construction in Gush Etzion, Israel’s Supreme court has had enough.
Justice Noam Solberg ordered the state to update the court within two weeks about the demolition date.
With so many illegal buildings constructed in Area C, it is in Israel’s best interest to enforce the law, assert its lawful rights and carry out demolition without delay. The fact that this has been delayed for five years demonstrates Israel’s systemic failure to implement correct action in a timely manner. Without action taken, the situation will only worsen, notes NGO Regavim.
