Author: AFSI Staff

The scenes from Jenin and northern Samaria recall the scenes from Gaza, enhancing our understanding that without sovereignty, we will continue to spill our blood in the war against terrorism.

As long as the Israeli government continues the vacillation and indecision of its predecessors, failing to enforce clear, resolute and responsible sovereignty over the territory, the earth will continue to seethe and rage, while underneath, plans to remove us from here will continue to be devised, while above it weapons will continue to be stockpiled in terrorist warehouses, endangering all of our lives.

That is why targeted operations aimed at clearing out terror nests followed by a quick exit from Jenin, Shechem the Gaza Strip or any other place in Judea and Samaria will never suffice.

Sovereignty means responsibility, capitulation leads to lawlessness. The terror is calling us with thousands of pealing bells – to take ownership and apply sovereignty and governance over the Land of Israel.

Source:
What does Jenin have to do with us?, by Yehudit Katsover and Nadia Matar/Israel National News, July 5, 2023

The IDF’s international spokesman, Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, spoke to Israel National News about the ongoing operation in Jenin. “Jenin has become a hornet’s nest of terrorism over the past few years, and there were some treacherous events last week,” he says. “We were waiting for the right timing – intelligence-wise, weather-wise – to launch an extensive operation aimed at dismantling the terrorist infrastructure. Jenin is infested with weapons, command centers, IEDs, munitions, you name it.”

“We used a surprise tactic – they expected us to come by land, but we attacked from the air. The ground forces were mobilized to create confusion. I can’t go into our strategy beyond that. We’ll have to see how the day ends, but I think it was a successful start.”
“All our best forces are in Jenin. We started with a command center right in the center of the camp, and we’re slowly going from one target to another within the camp. We’re trying to break the mindset of the camp as a safe haven for terrorists. We’ll go on as long as we need to.”

It is the State of Israel’s duty to restore peace and security to its citizens. AFSI supports this major counter-terrorism operation that is critical to stopping the current wave of attacks by dismantling and destroying the terrorist infrastructure and those who support it. We join with peace-loving Jews worldwide and pray for the safety and success of the Israel Defense Forces in their principled battle for peace and sovereignty.

Source:
IDF: Jenin is a hornet’s nest of terrorism, infested with weapons, explosives, by Yoni Kempinski/Israel National News, July 3, 2023

Iran uses a valley in Kermanshah, Iran to base its Qiam-1 ballistic missiles, according to a new report from the Alma Education Research and Education Center.

“Not only do we have positive identification of the Qiam-1 ballistic missile arsenal in Kermanshah, Iran but you can even look directly into the missile base from an overlooking observation point,” the Center said last week.

The missiles are allegedly kept in dozens of bunkers in three underground sites. One of them is in Konesht Canyon. There are “dozens of missile bunkers” dug into this canyon, the research center says.

Source:
Iran stores arsenal of ballistic missiles in dozens of bunkers in hidden valley – report, by Seth J. Frantzman/Jerusalem Report, July 3, 2023

Clashes broke out between police and anti-government protesters during a demonstration at Ben Gurion Airport today. The anarchists entered the reception hall for arriving passengers. Police attempted to remove the protestors and four were arrested.

Earlier today, a large group of protesters blocked the entrance of trucks to the Port of Haifa, placed barbed wire curls on the road, and burned tires. Police were deployed in downtown Haifa, but reports say the anarchists were left to do as they please.

Instruction from the anarchy leaders was written to the protesters that “there is no need to demean protest symbols and flags, the police will take care to protect the protesters and allow the democratic demonstration that will help stop the dictatorial and extreme moves of the Israeli government led by Netanyahu.”

“Protect the protestors”??? To what extent are the police letting things slide? Instructions like that sends a clear signal that demonstrators have free reign to do as they please with no consequences. That’s disturbing and the law in this case must be applied evenly to protestors on both sides.

Sources:
Protestors clash with police at Ben Gurion Airport, 4 arrested, by Israel National News, July 3, 2023

Despite IDF Operation, Anarchists Block Haifa Port, Plan Sabotage at Ben Gurion International, by David Israel/Jewish Press, July 3, 2023

During the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, the ministers held a discussion on the establishment of the new community of ‘Ramat Arbel’ in the Galilee. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the announcement of the new community makes today a “holiday” for the State of Israel.

Below message from the Nachala Movement:

Exactly one year passed since Nachala movement established Ramat Arbel.

This miracle (25 years passed without any new Jewish settlement in the Galilee, until today), is rightfully attributed to the relentless efforts of Nachala and the pioneers of Ramat Arbel, striving to create a dramatic change in the demographics of Galilee. A lot of money was invested in plans and theoretical strategies by the various Government departments. Only one channel was ignored – the road trodden by pioneers and inspired by the old fashioned Zionistic spirit.

This spirit is the number one asset of Ramat Arbel and it managed to reach the top of the pyramid and received the full support of Netanyahu and the enthusiastic blessing and vote of all Ministers.

We thank God for giving Nachala the ability to adhere to the grains of sand of Ramat Arbel in face of so many hardships. ברוך ה׳ שהחיינו וקיימנו והגיענו לזמן הזה.

We congratulate the Nachala movement for their continuing push to settle all of the land of Israel. AFSI has and will continue to do all that we can to support the amazing work of Nachala!

Source:
Netanyahu: New Galilee settlement makes today a holiday for Israel, by Israel National News, July 3, 2023

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was facing pushback from members of his coalition on Thursday after telling the Wall Street Journal that key sections of the coalition’s judicial overhaul were either buried or would change.

“The idea of an override clause, where the parliament, the Knesset, can override the decisions of the Supreme Court with a simple majority, I said, I threw that out… It’s out.” The override clause would give the Knesset the power to enact laws that are immune to judicial review.

However, MK Miki Zohar contradicted the Prime Minister’s statement, saying that “my assessment is that the override clause will come in the future.” Zohar added, “Netanyahu’s intention is mainly to calm things down, to say ‘we want to promote reform, but at a [moderate] pace and not in a blitz.” The Prime Minister also indicated that he would modify the portion of the Judicial reform law that would give the ruling coalition much more power to appoint judges.

Not one to hold back, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir accused Netanyahu of “surrendering” to mass protests against the planned judicial shakeup, saying that “we were elected to bring governance and change; reform is a cornerstone of that promise.”

Will Netanyahu drop this controversial part of the judicial reform, thereby limiting the reform overhaul? Or is he just shaking things up to keep the left quiet for the time being? He says he is looking for a “middle ground.” Is there one to be found? Only time will tell.

Sources:
‘Surrender’: Coalition MKs up in arms after PM says he’s dropped ‘override’ clause, by Times of Israel, June 29, 2023

Israel’s Netanyahu Revives Judicial Overhaul Stripped of Most Controversial Piece, by Dov Lieber and Michael Amon/Wall Street Journal, June 29, 2023

The Lobby for the Application of Sovereignty over the Jordan Valley First was launched in the Knesset on Wednesday. It is being led by MKs Dan Illouz (Likud) and Yossi Taieb (Shas), with the cooperation of the Sovereignty Movement.

The lobby was established with the goal of attaining a significant achievement in the area of the application of sovereignty over the Jordan Valley First, in the present term of Knesset.

During the event, the Jordan Valley Declaration was signed, calling for broad cooperation on the matter. Also, a comprehensive plan for the application of sovereignty was presented addressing its various challenges and solutions.

World Zionist Organization head Ya’akov Hagoel who participated in the event, said: “It has been 56 years since we liberated Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria and the Jordan Valley, and there is still no sovereignty. We are patient people, but we are also running out of patience – we must act.”

Source:
Lobby for Jordan Valley sovereignty launches in Knesset, by Israel National News, June 28, 2023

A banner glorifying the two Hamas operatives who brutally murdered four Israelis last week in a terror attack was prominently displayed on the Temple Mount on Wednesday morning. The Temple Mount was shuttered to Jewish visitors for two days during the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha.

The large poster, which includes the Hamas terror group’s flag, depicts the perpetrators of the shooting attack, Khaled Sabah and Mohanand Shahada, along with phrases praising the terrorists as “our honor” and “generous soldiers who gave their blood.”

Beyadenu said in a statement that “this incitement banner, which lauds terrorists and was created on behalf of Hamas, has been hung on the Temple Mount like on every Muslim holiday. The banner is proof of “both the need to clean the Temple Mount of terrorists” and the “disgraceful conduct of the Israeli government, which allows this shame.

Source:
‘Incitement to murder’: Banner glorifying Hamas terrorists displayed on Temple Mount, by Lauren Marcus/World Israel News, June 28, 2023

Samaria Regional Council chairman Yossi Dagan responded Monday evening to the rocket fire from Jenin. He accused the Israeli government of failing to properly respond to the wave of terrorism from Judea and Samaria.

He stated that northern Samaria has become a capital of terrorism that unleashes countless attacks on Israelis. “Why is this government waiting? How long will it wait before it embarks on Operation Defensive Shield 2 and destroys the terrorist infrastructure between Shechem and Jenin?! If the Israeli government does not launch a military operation, we will start talking about the ‘northern Samaria envelope (similar to the Gaza envelope).”

Dagan is 100% correct and his projection on what could potentially happen if an offensive measure is not implemented must never become a reality.

Source:
Samaria council head: What is the govt. waiting for to launch an operation?, by Israel National News, June 26, 2023

The US government will stop funding and participating in research, development, and scientific cooperation projects in Judea and Samaria. This reversal comes three years after then President Donald Trump approved the cooperation.

Apparently, the decision to cancel the Trump Administration’s policy change was made at the US State Department two years ago. However, it was only recently necessary to act upon the policy in practice because of Ariel University’s request submitted for a grant for a scientific project beyond the so-called ‘Green Line.’

AFSI is grateful to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) for speaking out on this outrageous reversal. Sen. Cruz blasted the Biden administration for imposing an anti-Israel “boycott” following its “outrageous” and “antisemitic” reversal of Trump’s policy. Cruz’s statement indicated he “will do everything possible to reverse this decision and prohibit such antisemitic discrimination by the U.S. government in the future.

While on the subject of Biden’s constant undermining of Israel, let’s remember his failure to enforce the Taylor Force Act. This Act is a Federal Law, yet somehow Biden keeps getting money to the PA, which only aids in empowering the terrorists.

Ariel University has shown nothing but amazing contributions to both science and medicine along with being a model for peaceful co-existence with Arabs. Biden’s policy reversal does nothing to promote the cooperation between Jews and Arabs that he so desperately seeks, especially through his endless quest for two-state delusion. Biden has now taken something good for both sides and turned it into a wrench that will hurt Jews and Arabs who seek lifesaving medical care, education, and jobs.

Sources:
US announces resumption of research boycott of Judea and Samaria, by Israel National News, June 25, 2023

Ted Cruz Slams Biden Administration for ‘Outrageous, Antisemitic’ Discrimination Against Israel, by Joshua Klein/Breitbart, June 25, 2023