Author: AFSI Staff

A guard tower overlooking the entrance to the tunnel used in the escape of six security prisoners from Gilboa Prison earlier this week was unmanned at the time of the prison break.

With the tunnel’s exit just a few meters away from the guard tower, initial reports had suggested the guard had fallen asleep on the job while the group escaped. But citing guards from the prison facility, the Ynet news site said that there was in fact nobody at the guard post at all.

The report said that the reason for the post being unmanned was unclear, and that a camera was pointed at the tunnel’s opening, but nobody was looking at the video feed.

Another news outlet reported that the tower had been vacant for over a month at the orders of the prison commander Freddy Ben Shitrit due to a manpower shortage.

This crack in Israel’s security is obviously disturbing and puts the country’s safety at risk. How did this security measure fall through the cracks? We will watch for an answer and trust that the problem will be addressed immediately.

Sources:
Guards say tower overlooking tunnel used in prison break was unmanned, by TOI Staff, September 9, 2021

Questions plague Israeli security forces after jailbreak, by AFP via Ynetnews, September 8, 2021

“I’m not going to put a date on it but we are getting closer to the point at which a strict return to compliance with the JCPOA does not reproduce the benefits that that agreement achieved.” That statement was by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken who told reporters Wednesday, sending out a warning to the Islamic Republic following a scathing report by the IAEA.

The nuclear watchdog said it had been “seriously undermined” after a number of inspections were banned by local authorities.

We pray the United States comes to the full realization that Iran is not serious about abiding by any agreement and should never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. No amount of US diplomacy can change a terrorist mentality with the goal of wiping Israel off of the map. Sanctions imposed by the Trump administration MUST stay in place!

Memo to Secretary Blinken: Time to wake up and face reality. This means no Iran “deal” of any kind – ever. That should be obvious to you now.

Source:
Blinken warns: U.S. close to giving up on Iran deal, by Eitan Divinsky/Arutz Sheva, September 8, 2021

What Is the Iran Nuclear Deal?, by Kali Robinson/Council on Foreign Relations, August 18, 2021

The Israeli government on Sunday requested yet another six-month delay from the Supreme Court, hoping to push off the implementation of a court order requiring the eviction of dozens of Bedouin squatters from an illegal encampment east of Jerusalem.

The Regavim Movement slammed the Bennett government over the state’s response in the Khan al Ahmar case, which was submitted to the High Court Sunday evening.

The government requested an additional six month delay of the deadline to submit its official position to the court in the matter of the illegal outpost on Route 1, slated for demolition over a decade ago. WHY? During this additional half-year period, the state intends to submit a confidential document to the court detailing all the considerations that impact the enforcement of demolition orders at the site.

Meir Deutsch, Director General of Regavim, sharply criticized the state’s response, and the conduct of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. “From the first day of the current government’s term, we have stressed that deeds, not words, are what count. Today it has become clear that contrary to its oft-repeated declarations, this government is continuing along the dangerous trajectory set by its predecessor, conducting its law enforcement system according to the whims of foreign governments.”

The Bedouin encampment built in Khan al Ahmar is illegal and continues to exist on legally owned Jewish land in Judea and Samaria. Israel should no longer delay in exercising her Sovereign rights to remove this illegal outpost. Sovereignty should not take a back seat nor be beholden to other nations who demand that Israel act according to their wishes.

Source:
‘The Bennett government is continuing on a dangerous trajectory’, by Arutz Sheva Staff, September 5, 2021

The Israeli government scored an important victory in the Knesset Thursday, with a state budget plan passing its preliminary vote in the Knesset plenum.

The Knesset voted 59 to 53 in favor of the budget framework Thursday afternoon, enabling the budget plan to pass its first legislative hurdle.

If fully approved by the Knesset, the budget will be the first spending plan approved in the Knesset since March of 2018.

By statute, the government must secure passage of a spending plan by November 4, or face the automatic dissolution of the Knesset and snap elections – Israel’s fifth since 2019.

Understandings were reached on the controversial formation of a regulatory authority to streamline regulatory issues and bureaucratic hurdles. Meretz, a coalition member, has expressed concern that the reform will benefit business and industry at the cost of public health and the environment.

Netanyahu called the proposed Budget terrible. “It has cutbacks and raised taxes, in complete contradiction to your assurances,” he said. “You have harmed the farmers, the weaker classes, the periphery, the middle class.” Some sources have alleged that it benefits the “Israeli ruling class” that is helping Bennett maintain control of the government.

Despite those concerns, progress in getting a budget worked out still matters when it comes to having a functional State. We hope a fair and meaningful budget to benefit the country will be passed.

Sources:
First Budget Since 2018: Knesset passes state budget in preliminary vote, by Arutz Sheva Staff, September 2, 2021

Knesset approves key elements of state budget in first readings, by TOI Staff, September 2, 2021

Israel’s security services were successful in thwarting an unusual attempt to transfer advanced filtering equipment from the Hebron area in Judea and Samaria to the Gaza Strip. This equipment was apparently intended to be used by Hamas operatives as part of the organization’s terror tunnels project.

The shipment included filters, valves and even assembly instructions in Hebrew. The equipment was seized and an investigation has been launched by Israel’s security establishment.

Israel’s combined security agencies have thwarted thousands of attempts over the years to smuggle illicit materials and products into the Gaza Strip. This operation represents another successful mission in keeping safe and defending the country against terror.

Source:
Advanced equipment meant for Hamas tunnels seized by Israel, by World Israel News Staff, September 2, 2021

The joint statement of the President of the United States and the Prime Minister at the end of the meeting between the two emphasized a broad consensus between the parties on various issues, especially with respect to Iran and its nuclear armament.

However, on one issue Biden and Bennett agreed not to agree: construction in Judea and Samaria. It was decided that the Americans would not put pressure on Israel regarding the matter, and that Israel would not build there in a massive way. The status quo will continue as it was in previous governments. Biden, however, remains committed to the two state “dissolution”, which must be unacceptable to any sane Israeli government. Bennett, in his eagerness to please, does not appear to have made this point.

During the meetings in Washington, President Biden ordered the promotion of Israel’s entry into the visa waiver program, which, while not in effect yet, would serve both US citizens and Israeli citizens seeking to enter the United States.

This did not appear to be a news breaking meeting between the two. Niceties were exchanged and assurances of friendship and general statements in support of Israel were made. The burning issue of the US recognizing Israel’s legal right to build in Judea and Samaria, once again, received no support from the US.

Sources:
Report: Bennett and Biden agreed to disagree on Judea and Samaria construction, by Yoni Kempinski/Arutz Sheva, August 29, 2021

PM Bennett meets with US President Joe Biden, by Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, August 28, 2021

Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.’s Meeting with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett of Israel, by The White House, August 27, 2021

Former Jerusalem Mayor Likud MK Nir Barkat is seeking to call a special parliamentary session to discuss the Biden administration’s decision to open a Palestinian consulate in Jerusalem. Barkat has called the move “disastrous” for Israel. We agree with the former Mayor of Jerusalem.

Barkat was able to secure the signatures of 50 lawmakers necessary to hold a special session, slated to take place on Thursday, Sept. 2.

Source:
Knesset to hold special session on US plan to open Palestinian consulate in Jerusalem, by Ariel Kahana/Israel Hayom, August 30, 2021

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz has decided to take a number of steps to strengthen the Palestinian Authority following his meeting with PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas Sunday night. But, as far as we can see, he has asked nothing in return.

The government is slated to, among other things, lend the Palestinian Authority half a billion shekels ($155 million), which supposedly will be repaid from the June 2022 tax money Israel collects on behalf of the PA. This can only happen with the approval of Finance Minister, Avigdor Liberman. In addition, Israel will increase employment permits by 15,000 workers, add 1,000 workers in the tourism industry and proceed to issue building permits for Arabs in Area C. This government has agreed to maintain the status quo on Jewish building, yet it will issue permits to Arabs!

Israel will also begin determining the humanitarian status of thousands of Palestinian Arabs living without documentation in Judea and Samaria today, including people who came from the Gaza Strip years ago, and visitors who came from abroad and married at an older age.

Religious Zionist Party leader Bezalel Smotrich slammed Gantz for “meeting with a man who denies the Holocaust, who pays salaries to terrorists and is suing him and the State of Israel in The Hague.” Smotrich warned that “Israeli society does not understand the potential damage this event can inflict on the diplomatic level.” Showing such weakness can only be harmful to world opinion of Israel.

We are outraged by the moves this administration is making. Jews living in Judea and Samaria still live under Civil Administration which does little to protect their rights, while the application of Sovereignty hangs in the balance.

Source:
Israel to lend PA 500 million shekels, by Arutz Sheva Staff, August 30, 2021

Gantz-Abbas meeting irks Israeli right and Hamas alike, by Shahar Klaiman/Jewish News Syndicate, August 30, 2021

The White House announced that the first meeting between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett scheduled for today is postponed due to the deadly suicide bombing at Kabul airport in Afghanistan. The meeting will take place Friday.

Bennett and Biden were slated to discuss security cooperation and regional challenges facing the US and Israel, including the Iranian nuclear threat. Bennett’s goal is to reach shared principles on countering Iran with Biden – preferably with a public statement – such as never letting Iran attain a nuclear weapon instead of just “not on my watch,” as Biden has said in the past. It was also Bennett’s intention to let Biden know he wants stability in the region and not two states.

As of this writing 60 people were killed in the Afghan terror attack, 13 of the casualties were US soldiers. More than 150 are wounded or in critical condition. Shortly after this, the US Pentagon confirmed that a second explosion occurred at Kabul airport’s Abbey gate. As of 2:15pm today a third explosion and gunfire were reported.

Israel’s safety is foremost on our mind. Biden and his advisors have created a deadly situation and enabled the galvanization of terror. He’s made a mockery of the United States and we have yet to hear any appropriate statement reassuring us things are under control. His weak and incompetent “leadership” left behind in Afghanistan brand new American weapons – weapons of war – worth billions of dollars (Humvees, military helicopters, F-15s). Those critical military assets are now in the hands of the terrorist Taliban and this represents an enormous threat to Israel and the entire Middle East region – not to mention the Western world. Naturally, many of the international players will reassess the value of a US alliance under this government. Perhaps this will push Israel to become even more self-reliant. Prayers for citizens may be all that is left and we pray we are very wrong on that.

Sources:
Biden-Bennett meeting pushed off following Kabul blast, by Arutz Sheva, August 26, 2021

Bennett to Americans: We want stability, but not two states, by Lahav Harkov/Jerusalem Post, August 25, 2021

Samaria Regional Council chairman Yossi Dagan responded to Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s remarks in an interview with the New York Times, in which he said his government would build in Judea and Samaria, will not establish a Palestinian state but will also not apply Sovereignty.

“Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said some things that are important and some things that cannot be accepted in any way. The statement that a terrorist state will not be established in the heart of the country is an important statement and so is the statement that this government will not resolve the ‘Israeli-Palestinian conflict,'” Dagan said.

“The messianic attempts in the past to try to reach solutions here and now of retreats in exchange for terror have not proven themselves and there is no reason for them to continue. At the same time, the statement that there will be no Sovereignty is a statement that is unacceptable, as is the statement about restricting construction in accordance with natural growth.”

It’s unconscionable at this point that the application of Sovereignty over Judea and Samaria is not a priority on Bennett’s to do list. Without Sovereignty how else can Israel guarantee her self-defense and be fully secure?

Source:
Yossi Dagan: Bennett’s statement is unacceptable, by Yoni Kempinski/Arutz Sheva, August 26, 2021