Author: AFSI Staff

The State submitted its response to the Supreme Court Wednesday evening on its position regarding the Samaria community of Homesh. In its response the State said that “the law is to evacuate” Homesh.

Atiya Dimentman, widow of Yehuda Dimentman, appealed to Justice Minister Gideon Sa’ar to prevent Homesh from being destroyed again. Her letter reminds Sa’ar of the fact that it is close to the 17th anniversary the expulsion from Gush Katif and northern Samaria, and she also reminded the minister of his own words after her husband’s murder, in which he supported the regulation of Homesh, and also called for no reward for terrorism.

Yesterday, the leaders of the Knesset Land of Israel Lobby and the Homesh lobby sent a letter to Supreme Court President Esther Hayut demanding that the decision to evacuate Homesh be delayed until after the upcoming elections.

The MKs noted that a bill to save Homesh won a respectable majority in a preliminary vote in the Knesset before its dissolution and is expected to be voted on again and even passed into law by the Knesset that will convene after the elections. There is a significant chance that the victory of the right in the elections will bring about a significant change regarding the legal status of the yeshiva and the grounds for removing it.

Instead of looking to demolish Homesh, the State should be looking for ways to save it. We are grateful to the MKs involved for asking for a delay in the decision making process.

Sources:
State to Supreme Court: Homesh must be evacuated, no date set, by Israel National News, August 10, 2022

MKs ask Supreme Court to hold off on Homesh ruling until after election, by Israel National News, August 9, 2022

Terror victim’s widow: Don’t reward terrorism, build Homesh, by Israel National News, August 9, 2022

Justice Minister Gideon Sa’ar toured the ‘Gush Ma’arava’ area in Samaria Wednesday and received an overview of the Palestinian Authority’s moves to illegally take over land in Area C.

He noted that under the framework of the approval of the state budget and the coalition agreements of the New Hope party, additional resources to strengthen enforcement against the rampant illegal construction have been approved but not yet been implemented.

“We need a national plan to safeguard the lands in Area C in Judea and Samaria, but also in the Galilee and Negev. There is a problem here that must be addressed as a national priority.”

Yes, there is a problem here and it will continue until Sovereignty over Judea and Samaria is applied. The Jews of the Negev and Galilee must receive funds to fight the illegal takeover there. Judea and Samaria should be governed by the same laws as the rest of the country and get the same help as other regions. Sovereignty IS the National Plan to safeguard Area C.

Source:
Sa’ar: National plan needed to protect land of Judea and Samaria, by Israel National News, August 10, 2022

 

As Israelis entered Shabbat, and with Tisha B’Av to follow, Israel became the target of relentless rocket attacks by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). What transpired in Israel over the last few days was not just terrorism, but a WAR with the endless Arab goal of eliminating Israel.

On the night of August 1, 2022, the Israeli security forces operating in the Jenin refugee camp detained Sheikh Bassem al-Sa’adi, a senior PIJ figure. The PIJ then threatened to launch anti-tank missiles and rockets into Israel. After a number of tense days in the Gaza Strip sector, on Friday, August 5, 2022, at 16:16, the IDF killed Tayseer al-Jaabari, a member of the PIJ’s military council and the Jerusalem Brigades commander.

On August 6, 2022, the IDF killed Khaled Mansour, a senior PIJ operative. In recent days he was occupied with planning to attack Israel with anti-tank missiles and rockets as a response to the detention of Bassem al-Sa’adi in Jenin. Two other PIJ commanders were killed with him, one being Ziyad al-Mudallal, the son of Ahmed al-Mudallal, a senior figure in the PIJ’s “political bureau.”

IDF spokesman Brigadier General Ran Kochav stated that the PIJ fired 1,100 rockets, 200 of which fell in the Gaza Strip and 900 rockets crossed into Israeli territory. Kochav made it clear that: “More Palestinians were killed by the Islamic Jihad’s failed shooting than by the IDF’s shooting.”

Thankfully, no Israeli lives were lost although a number of Israelis were wounded by shrapnel or fell while running to protected spaces. Property casualties include: a rocket hit a house in Sderot causing extensive damage. A rocket hit a factory in Sderot’s industrial zone, causing a fire that damaged the factory. A rocket that did not explode was found in a parking space near an Ashkelon apartment house causing extensive property damage.

As Israel reportedly agreed to an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire that would come to an end at 8:00pm yesterday, the PIJ expanded the range of its rocket fire – just 8 minutes after a ceasefire was called. This new barrage of rockets targeted cities in central Israel. The terms of the final ceasefire agreement left open the problem that led to the escalation – the release of PIJ prisoners.

Americans For A Safe Israel wishes a speedy return to normalcy for all those in Israel who have needlessly suffered another period of trauma. We wish a Refuah Shlema to all those who have been injured and strength and comfort for the families and friends, and especially the children who are vulnerable to PTSD. We pray for the Israel Defense Forces and all of the Jewish Nation State’s security agencies that are working vigorously to protect and defend Israel. As always we pray for peace and better days ahead for all of Am Yisrael. And, we make it clear that Israel has a right to self-defense. Problem?

Sources:
Israeli-Palestinian Islamic Jihad escalation in the Gaza Strip: Operation Breaking Dawn, by The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, August 8, 2022

Despite ceasefire talks, terrorists expanded range of rockets, by Lauren Marcus/World Israel News, August 7, 2022

Operation Breaking Dawn: A Closing Balance Sheet, by Udi Dekel, The Institute for National Security Studies, August 8, 2022

 

 

 

Israeli President Isaac Herzog this morning visited the town of Sderot and met with many local authority heads including Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi.

President Herzog began his remarks, saying: “I come here on behalf of the people of Israel to say thank you to you, and through you to all our citizens in the Gaza border area and in the town of Sderot. Without this region, there would be no State of Israel. You are the gateway to the State of Israel and you are the wall protecting the State of Israel.”

We know Herzog’s intention with this visit was to give support to the Sderot community after the last few days of relentless rocket attacks they sustained. However, let’s protect the State of Israel in a better way and declare Sovereignty over all of Judea and Samaria. The residents of Sderot, resilient and determined as they are to stay in place, have endured being on the front lines of these attacks for far too long. Just because they stay does not mean they get used to being attacked. They should no longer have to serve as a shield that protects Israel. Sovereignty is the shield needed NOW!!

Source:
Pres. Herzog to local leaders in southern Israel: ‘Without you, there would be no Israel’, by Israel National News, August 8, 2022

 

 

 

 

Residents of Israeli communities along the Gaza border are essentially being held hostage by security measures implemented to keep them safe in the face of rising tensions with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist organization.

The IDF reinforced its Gaza Division with 100 reserve troops who were called up Tuesday, along with three active duty companies, to help implement the security measures. This was in response to threats by PIJ to attack Israel in retaliation for the Monday night arrest of Bassam al-Saadi, the group’s local commander in Jenin, and his son-in-law and aide, Ashraf al-Jada.

A closure has been imposed on Gaza Envelope communities — no one in, and no one out during daylight hours – while roads in the area, including some main highways, are likewise shut down to traffic. Kibbutzim Nahal Oz, Netiv Ha’Asara and Kerem Shalom have been blockaded entirely, although some of the other communities have alternative exit routes. Soldiers used massive shipping containers to blockade the roads, hoping to prevent a terrorist attack (photo above). Train service has been suspended between Ashkelon and Sderot, and between Ashkelon and Netivot. Several bus lines have been suspended as well and Zikim beach is closed. The alert is, for the time being, expected to continue on Friday.

The PIJ’s threats against Israelis are real and being taken very seriously. Residents now live with a measure of uncertainty and the summer programs for children have been moved to bomb shelters. Despite residents being under a “hostage” type scenario, they are mostly supportive of the security reinforcement measures the IDF has placed upon them. We pray that this ends soon with no confrontations or escalation of terror attacks.

Sources:
Israel Mulls Next Step as Tensions Continue, Gaza Envelope Residents Held Hostage by Safety Measures, by Hana Levi Julian/Jewish Press, August 4, 2022

With the focus on Iran, the West Bank simmers in the background, by Dr. Eric R. Mandel/JNS, August 3, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

The Palestinian Authority has commandeered another archeological site in Samaria and has converted it into a “Palestinian National Archaeological Park,” the latest in a series of Israeli heritage sites in the area lost to the PA.

The PA is continuing to destroy Tel Aroma, a Hasmonean-era fortress in Samaria which it seized in February 2020 and converted it into “a Palestinian tourist site,” as part of its campaign to seize Jewish heritage sites and transform them into “Palestinian sites” while systematically demolishing archaeological findings.

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, stated Wednesday that “in recent years, we have witnessed a new type of terrorism whose goal is to harm Jewish history in Samaria. The Palestinian Authority is working to destroy any historical evidence that Samaria, along with the entire Land of Israel, belongs to the people of Israel.”

Dagan also stated that no other country in the world would allow the history of its people to be obliterated this way. Israel’s inaction on this critical issue shows its weakness and only scores wins for the PA. Israel needs to act now and start exercising its legal rights and governing all of Israel.

Source:
PA destroys Hasmonean fortress, declares area ‘Palestinian national archaeological park’, by Aryeh Savir/TPS, August 3, 2022

 

 

 

 

Jewish activists announced their purchase of a three-story Palestinian building in Hebron near the Tomb of the Patriarchs on Sunday. This is the second such publication of a property acquisition this year. The building has been named “House of Liberty.”

The PA prohibits the sale of property to Jews and deems it to be a criminal activity punishable by imprisonment. Yishai Fleisher, International Spokesperson For the Jewish community of Hebron assures us that the Arab seller of the property is safe.

The move is part of a long-term campaign by Hebron’s Jewish community and its supporters to expand its property holding in the section of the city under IDF military control.

This particular building is located in Hebron’s Old Town, which the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization inscribed on its World Heritage in Danger list and registered it under the name of the “State of Palestine.”

This is the power that Zionist activism produced and we fervently hope that this new building will lead to a continuous and expanding Jewish presence in Hebron.

Source:
Israeli settlers purchase Hebron home from Palestinian owner, by Tovah Lazaroff/Jerusalem Post, July 31, 2022

 

 

 

The Palestinian Authority has recently doubled the monthly stipend of one terrorist imprisoned in Israel, and given a significant increase to four others, part of its controversial conduct of paying terrorist and their families. Four terrorists who carried out a series of bombings in Jerusalem 20 years ago recently received a 14.29% raise in their stipends.

Israel’s security cabinet decided on Sunday to offset about NIS 600 million from the tax money that Israel collects on behalf of the PA and freeze it. This is the same amount that the PA transferred in 2021 to terrorists imprisoned in Israel and to their families. The funds will be offset in 12 segments, NIS 50 million a month.

The PA’s policy of “pay to slay” has been widely condemned. Many countries – Canada, the US, Australia, and Holland have halted direct aid to the PA until their policy is completely abolished. However, this does not appear to be an incentive for the PA to stop destroying Israel. Prioritizing terror over the welfare of its people, the PA has vowed to proceed with the policy it claims is a form of welfare.

It appears that terrorists may be the only ones keeping up with inflation!

Sources:
PA Doubles Salaries to Terrorists Who Murdered 12 People in Hebrew U and Halamish, by Aryeh Savir/Tazpit News Agency, August 1, 2022

Israel deducts NIS 600m from tax transfers to PA over terror funding, by Aryeh Savir/Tazpit News Agency, August 1, 2022

 

Politicians protested in real time to no avail the IDF’s confiscation two hours before the Sabbath of the Homesh Yeshiva’s solar panels, leaving the community without electricity on one of the hottest weekends of the year.

Former Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein (Likud), head of the “Homesh First” lobby in parliament, blasted Defense Minister Benny Gantz, “who sent the forces” to take the panels that would leave the students in darkness. “I strongly condemn any harm to the Jewish settlement, of course, but one thing does not give me rest – why does Benny Gantz always send troops just before Shabbat? Where does this obtuseness and disregard for the sanctity of the Sabbath come from?”

The violence against Jews in this area continues to increase and they remain largely unprotected by their own government. Along comes Benny Gantz who always sees fit to send troops to torment Homesh just before Shabbat. This is intentional harassment and only ends up rewarding terrorism. Maybe he really doesn’t get it or maybe he wants them to get it where it really hurts.

Source:
Outrage as gov’t shuts down electricity for yeshiva ahead of boiling-hot Sabbath, by Batya Jerenberg/World Israel News, July 31, 2022

 

 

 

The community of Mitzpe Kramim received a huge win yesterday that ends a 17-year old battle. The immediate result of the Supreme Court’s ruling is that the 54 families of Mitzpe Kramim will not be forced to leave their homes. This reversal has the potential to serve as a domino effect for other communities in Judea and Samaria.

In a 4 to 3 decision the ruling determined: A real estate transaction made in good faith between the agency in charge of government-owned and abandoned property in Judea and Samaria and a buyer of any property that the agency considered at the time of the transaction to be government property, will not be disqualified even if it is proven that the property was not government-owned at that time. This applies only within the boundaries of the existing “settlement,” and while providing adequate compensation to the registered owners or to anyone who proves their ownership.

it should be noted that Arab “ownership” is primarily the result of land grants by Jordan. We challenge anyone to show that Jordan had any legal authority to make those grants under any international or other law. Should grants made with no legal authority be recognized at all?

In any event, established in 1999, Mitzpe Kramim is located on a mountain ridge overlooking the Jordan Valley in the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council. The ruling ends the nightmare that began in 2005 by Ariel Sharon, who used Attorney Talia Sasson to viscously attack the entire “settlement” enterprise. Sasson vigilantly and meticulously mapped every single spot where existing Jewish homes may have extended into Arab-owned territory and condemned all of them to demolition via court orders.

David Israel points out in his Jewish Press article that there may be even better news resulting from this week’s ruling: what worked for Mitzpe Kramim should work for an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 other Jewish homes in Judea and Samaria. Wherever Jews in Judea and Samaria can make the case that they purchased the land or it was given to them in good faith, believing it was not the private property of some local Arab, those homes will be safe.

This is amazing news and we hope it is the catalyst needed in Judea and Samaria to help protect the legal rights of the Jewish communities there. It also favorable that the judge in this case, Justice Noam Solberg, is a conservative – just saying. It should not be underestimated how badly the left-wing of the Supreme Court has hurt development in Judea and Samaria. We pray the tide is starting to turn.

Source:
Supreme Court Regains Sanity Sparing Thousands of Jewish Settlers from Uprooting, by David Israel/Jewish Press, July 28, 2022