Author: AFSI Staff

Justice Minister Yariv Levin has expressed his lack of faith in the process by which the Judicial Selection Committee chooses judges.

According to Israel Hayom, Levin recently told political sources that, “There will not be judicial appointments using the method of Ayelet Shaked. I do not believe in this approach for performing appointments. What is important to me is not this appointment or that one but correcting the method from its foundations.”

The site explained that Levin therefore will not agree to make “deals” for judicial appointments, in which the government and judges veto each other’s picks, such that too-liberal judges will be vetoed by the coalition, while judges deemed too conservative would be vetoed by the judges on the Judicial Selection Committee.

Levin and Hayut have already made several appointments together, on a variety of positions in the judicial system, and they meet every week. However, there remains a question regarding whether Hayut will agree, before her retirement, to approve the appointment of two conservative justices, as Levin desires.

Source:
Justice Minister: We won’t appoint judges the way Ayelet Shaked wanted, by Israel National News, June 1, 2023

Residents of a normally tranquil cul-de-sac in the Gush Etzion town of Efrat were rudely awakened at 6:30am on Thursday by an anarchist protest unfolding outside the residence of Professor Moshe Koppel. Koppel is the founder of the Kohelet Policy Forum and one of the architects spearheading Israel’s much-needed judicial reform.

The morning prayers at the nearby synagogue merged with the cacophony of drums, horns, and megaphones, as the protesters sought to make their grievances known. However, even among the approximately 75 protesters, unanimity regarding the precise purpose of their demonstration was noticeably lacking.

While one irate neighbor, displeased by the unexpectedly early morning awakening, resorted to spraying the protesters with a garden hose (which the protesters promptly tied in a knot), the majority of Koppel’s neighbors came down to the street and opted for conversation and interaction with the demonstrators – Bnei Brak style, albeit without the Cholent.

Yishai Fleisher, the spokesperson for Hebron, and his wife Malkah engaged in discussions with many of the protesters with the goal to comprehend the source of their ire.

Some protesters expressed their anger with religious Jews, while others railed against Judea, Samaria, and the “Occupation”. One protester was busy claiming all Christians are actually Jews, but even the other protesters weren’t accepting that one. References to democracy were made, and some even claimed to be protesting against judicial reform.

By 8:00am, the majority of the protesters had dispersed, returning to their respective origins. However, a few stragglers chose to continue conversing with the amiable residents of Efrat.

One of Koppel’s neighbors, a lawyer trained in the United States, recounted attempting to engage the protesters in discussions on democracy and constitutional law. To his dismay, he discovered their limited understanding of these fundamental concepts, with some even unaware of the number of justices required in Israel to overturn a Knesset law.

If any conclusions can be drawn from this morning’s excitement in Efrat, it is that while using garden hoses may seem like a more satisfying solution at 6:30am, engaging in conversation and education holds a much better chance for a long-term victory against these protests and the professionals who are organizing them.

We would like to see all of this set a badly needed example and put into motion a path for healthy and productive dialogue – without anger, threats, and violence – not only on judicial reform, but on many other matters challenging Israel.

Source:
Early Morning Protest Held Outside Kohelet Founder’s Home in Efrat, by Jewish Press News Desk , June 1, 2023

Construction work initiated by the Samaria Regional Council began last week several hundred meters from the site of the existing Homesh Yeshiva. The yeshiva was quietly relocated to the new location overnight Sunday. Students from the Homesh Yeshiva and volunteers moved the yeshiva several hundred meters, from “disputed land” to the school’s permanent location on state land.

According to a report by Israel Hayom Tuesday morning, Israel’s Education Ministry, headed by Yoav Kisch (Likud), is planning to allow organized group visits to Homesh by schools and youth movements, like the Ariel religious youth movement. This is teaching the Zionist way from the ground up!

This has been a long-term goal of the residents and a fresh step in the government’s efforts to legalize it. But not to our surprise, how differently the same move is viewed by the US. The US is “deeply troubled” and couldn’t resist an opportunity to criticize Israel because the move will undermine their delirious dream of a two-state solution. Too bad!!

Sources:
DIY: How to Build a Yeshiva in Northern Shomron, by Video of the Day/Jewish Press, May 29, 2023

Report: Education Ministry to organize student trips to Homesh, by Israel National News, May 30, 2023

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