Author: AFSI Staff

The prime minister’s visit came amid criticism over Israel’s lack of response to Monday’s rocket attack toward Israel, the first of its kind since May.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett toured southern Israel on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after Gaza-based terrorists launched two rockets towards the southern city of Sderot, for the first time since May’s Gaza operation.

The prime minister’s visit came amid criticism over Israel’s lack of response to the attack and growing concerns over Bennett’s inability to carry out a military campaign without the required support from his coalition.

“The purpose of this visit was to make sure that the IDF, the Southern Command and the Gaza Division are prepared – and they are, Bennett said. “Our mission here is to provide long-term security to residents of southern Israel and the Gaza border communities. We will choose the time, place and conditions of our response, not anyone else,” he added, stressing that Israel holds Hamas responsible for any and every attack carried out from Gaza. “Our only interest in Gaza is maintaining peace and returning our boys home,” Gantz said, adding that “Israel is determined to defend itself and will know how to when necessary.”

Israel has avoided responding militarily to a rocket fired from Gaza on Monday, due to supposed sensitive ongoing negotiations with Hamas that have the potential to reach a breakthrough, Channel 12 news reported on Tuesday. According to the report, which did not cite a source, there is a possibility of a deal that will allow Qatari funds to enter Gaza
(DANGER!!) and could include the release of Israelis being held by Hamas.

Can this explanation of why Bennett has not responded to Monday’s rocket attack be trusted? Without more transparency from Bennett’s government, it seems that Israelis are being pushed aside to appease the Arabs. Whether or not it’s ultimately true….those are the optics. As of this moment, that does not bode well for the mission of keeping Israel Safe and Sovereign.

Sources:
Bennett visits Gaza border, vows to respond to rocket attack ‘on our terms’, by Tobias Siegal/World Israel News, August 17, 2021

TV: Israel not responding to Gaza rocket due to progress in talks with Hamas, by Emanuel Fabian/Times of Israel, August 17, 2021

 

 

 

Six Jews from Lod have had their licensed personal sidearms confiscated by police recently, for no clear reason, according to a report in Makor Rishon.

The citizens were asked to come down to the police station to deposit their guns and were told the guns would remain there for around a month. After inquiring, some of them were told it was part of a murder investigation.

The residents said they hope this isn’t the beginning of a quiet attempt by police to disarm the Jewish citizens of Lod, or that it was based on false accusations by their Arab neighbors.

In response to the report, the police stated the confiscation is part of an investigation and they can’t provide any more details.

MK Bezalel Smotrich tweeted in response, “Once again, the Israeli police have abandoned the residents of Lod and are preventing them from defending themselves against riots and nationalist violence like the one we saw only three months ago. It is not a matter of luxury – the weapon is completely legal, and is in their hands according to law. immediately!”

MK Itamar Ben Gvir, responded: “We have reached the height of the absurdity of the failure and laxity police. The police have failed to protect the residents of Lod and now also want to take from them the last line of defense left to protect their lives. This is instead of confiscating the tens of thousands of illegal weapons that roam the area. The commissioner responsible for failure and default must lay down the keys and go home before there is any discrimination here.”

The residents of Lod were subject to a pogrom several months ago and there is no excuse for leaving them unable to defend themselves now.

Source:
Police Confiscating Guns from Jews in Lod, by Jewish Press News Desk, August 17, 2021

The Subcommittee on Objections in the Supreme Planning Council in the Civil Administration will convene next week, after an eight-month lull. It will debate—in coordination with the Biden administration—the approval of construction plans in various planning stages of a little more than 2,000 Jewish housing units in Judea and Samaria. This figure is at least 2,000 units shorter than the original plan, and it coincides with the Defense Ministry’s approval of 1,000 building permits for PA Arabs residing in Area C which is under full Israeli control.

The committee meeting, which was originally supposed to discuss the approval of construction plans for more than 4,000 housing units for Jews in Judea and Samaria, is only taking place because of pressure from the Yesha Council on Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. The settlers’ leadership has been demanding to set a date for the discussion, following the agreement between former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former President Donald Trump approving the issuing of building permits in Judea and Samaria every quarter.

It turns out that this period of eight months during which the Subcommittee on Objections has not been convened parallels perfectly the time that passed since President Joe Biden’s inauguration. The subcommittee last met in January and approved only 792 housing units. Since then, thousands of housing units in various planning stages have accumulated in Yesha, and they’re awaiting approval. So in recent weeks, PM Bennett’s office has been working with the White House to receive our American allies’ approval to convene the committee. Many, including AFSI membership, are perplexed at the need for this approval to build.

Apparently, receiving Washington’s approval for what goes on in Israeli construction five minutes from Kfar Sabba required two gestures on the Lapid-Bennett-Gantz government’s part: first, let 1,000 Arab homes bloom on Israeli soil; and second, cut down the Jewish homes from more than 4,000 to about 2,000.

Yesha Council held an emergency meeting Thursday, following which they released this statement: “We are in an unacceptable situation whereby plans that were approved by Defense Minister Benny Gantz have been rejected by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. We oppose this unprecedented move to cut down construction plans in Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley, even though they are ready for approval. It’s inconceivable that plans that have been frozen on the committee’s desk for eight months will not be approved. This sets back the settlement enterprise for many years to come. We cannot continue to sit and wait.”

Mayor of Efrat, Oded Revivi says the Yesha Council’s frustration and condemnation of the construction work in both Jewish and Palestinian parts of Area C are the results of a narrow view. In a Jerusalem Post Opinion piece he states: Their view fails to recognize Israel’s triumph that a (Democratic) American administration did not condemn the decision of the Israeli government to build in Judea and Samaria, and most probably, secretly helped to draft it. This is the recognition and validation that we have been waiting for – even this less sympathetic administration understands that we are here to stay.

Obviously, this is bad for Israel and good for the PA Arabs. It gives the PA a lawful way to build up and take over land in an area where Israel has full legal control. We are beyond troubled by the move Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is making. Appeasing the Arabs and leaving Jews in Judea and Samaria in a bad position is not in the best interest of defending and securing Israel.

Sources:
Bennett Folds Under US Pressure, Cuts Down Settlement Construction to 2,000 Unit, by David Israel/Jewish Press, August 13, 2021

A bird’s-eye view of the settlement enterprise after Area C announcement, by Oded Revivi/Jerusalem Post, August 12, 2021

Palestinian terror groups on Monday resumed rocket attacks on southern Israel for the first time since the end of the 11-day Gaza war back in May.

Rocket alert sirens sounded in the afternoon hours in the city of Sderot as well as border communities of Avivim, Nir Am and Erez.

The Israeli military confirmed that one rocket launch from Gaza had been detected and the projectile was intercepted by the Iron Dome aerial defense system.

According to Islamic Jihad, the rocket fire is in revenge for the deaths of four Palestinian Authority Arabs who fired at IDF soldiers operating Sunday night near Jenin. The rocket was fired during the funeral for two of the terrorists who were eliminated in the shootout.

Sdot Negev Regional Council Head Tamir Idan called on the Israeli government to respond harshly to the rocket fire. “We are once again witness to a trend in which terror organizations dare to lift their heads and harm Israel’s residents. We cannot accept a situation in which there is rocket fire from Gaza and ‘drizzles’ of rockets. We demand that the government respond harshly and immediately, and cut down without delay anyone who attempts to harm us.”

Sources:
Southern Israel under Gaza rocket fire for first time since May war, by Ynetnews.com, August 16, 2021

Gaza terror group takes responsibility for rocket fire, by Arutz Sheva Staff, August 16, 2021

 

 

 

Palestinians briefly clashed with Israeli forces in Hebron on Friday over construction at the Tomb of the Patriarchs to make the site handicap accessible.

Photos showed Israeli Border Police troops firing stun and teargas grenades into a crowd of Palestinians that arrived to demonstrate near the site.

Construction at the holy site began on Monday. Plans include installing an elevator, bridge and path connecting the parking lot to the site. On Thursday, local mosques in Hebron called upon Palestinians to show up for Friday prayers and a demonstration at the site, according to media reports.

Making the Tomb of the Patriarchs handicap accessible is for the benefit of both Israelis and Palestinians. Once again, it’s clear that the PA’s hatred of Israel extends so far that they are willing to hurt their own people.

Source:
Palestinians clash with Israeli forces over work at Hebron’s Tomb of Patriarchs, by Emanuel Fabian/Times of Israel, August 13, 2021

 

 

The Supreme Planning Council of the Civil Administration will approve thousands of housing units in Judea and Samaria next week. The council convenes for the first time in about seven months.

In recent weeks, there has been criticism from many elements in Judea and Samaria leadership, including from the chairman of the Yesha Council, David Elhayani, about the fact that the government does not approve of convening the planning council and promoting construction throughout Judea and Samaria.

Along with the approval for two thousand long-awaited housing units in Judea and Samaria, Defense Minister Benny Gantz for the first time approved for the Palestinian Authority the construction of 1,000 housing units in Area C.

During the formation of the government, it was reported that Yamina and New Hope demanded in the coalition negotiations to establish an administration that would handle the Palestinian takeover of Area C in Judea and Samaria. However, Benny Gantz insisted that the administration be under his responsibility under the Ministry of Defense. At that point, our friends at the NGO Ad Kan stressed to Bennett: “Giving up Area C in Judea and Samaria will lead to the loss of the cradle of the historic homeland of the people of Israel, and will return the State of Israel to the ‘Auschwitz borders’ on the eve of the Six Day War, and we are sure it is in your hands to prevent this.”

YESHA Council head David Elhayani has said that he thanks the government for allowing the construction of 2,000 housing units. However, he slammed the Civil Administration for not only not enforcing the laws on illegal construction by Palestinian Authority Arabs in Area C, but approving them.

In a separate but related Arutz Sheva report, the United Arab List wants Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s coalition to pass an “Electricity Law” which would connect tens of thousands of illegally built homes to the electricity grid. Will Bennett and Co. approve this as thousands of Jewish residents throughout Judea and Samaria still have no connection to an electrical grid?

“We must not tolerate a situation in which there are essentially two separate systems of justice and legal enforcement in the State of Israel,” Regavim’s statement continues, “with construction laws being rigorously enforced in the Jewish sector whereas in the Arab sector, homes that have been slated for demolition by the courts are not only not demolished but are actually connected to the state’s infrastructure. We demand of Prime Minister Bennett, Interior Minister Shaked, Construction Minister Elkin, and Justice Minister Sa’ar, that they issue a clear statement, right now, that this draft legislation is headed for the shredder.”

Since the Oslo Accords in Area C belongs to Israel and this approval will only enable PA Arabs to continue their goal of taking over Area C. The 1,000 housing units slated for the Arabs were approved so quickly. How come we never saw such a quick approval for the Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria? This is a disgrace and certainly doesn’t keep in line with Israel’s legal rights to Area C.

Source:
Thousands of units to be approved in Judea and Samaria, 1,000 for PA in Area C, by Hezki Baruch/Arutz Sheva, August 11, 2021

Gantz approves 1,000 PA units in Area C, by Arutz Sheva Staff, August 11, 2021

Emergency meeting outside Prime Minister’s Office, by Hezki Baruch/Arutz Sheva, August 12, 2021

What is the government offering Arabs in return for supporting the state budget?, by Hezki Baruch/Arutz Sheva, August 12, 2021

 

 

A Jerusalem court on Wednesday ruled that dozens of home demolitions in a flashpoint Palestinian neighborhood should be frozen for six months.

Israel had ordered the demolition of around 100 homes in Silwan, a Palestinian neighborhood on the edge of the Old City claiming they were built illegally on public land.

Wednesday’s court order froze most of those demolition orders until February 2022, while also allowing 16 homes to be razed immediately.

This week’s court decision came after Israel’s supreme court delayed ruling on the eviction of four families in East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.

Source:
Jerusalem court freezes razing of some Palestinian homes, by AFP, August 11, 2021

 

 

Israeli warplanes struck a number of sites in the Gaza Strip Saturday night in response to a wave of arson balloon attacks launched at Israel from the coastal enclave a day earlier, the military said.

The IDF said it struck a camp and a rocket-launching position in the Strip belonging to Hamas, adding that it would “continue to respond with strikes to terror attempts from Gaza.”

The airstrikes came after at least four brush fires were ignited in southern Israel by balloons carrying incendiary devices that were launched from the Hamas-run Strip on Friday.

For the past three years, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, mostly linked to Hamas and other terror groups, have launched thousands of balloon-borne incendiary and explosive devices into southern Israel. This form of terror has caused widespread fires and significant damage to agricultural fields, nature reserves and private property. Israel’s strong response over the weekend is within its legal rights as a Sovereign nation to defend and protect the country.

IDF strikes Hamas sites in Gaza after arson balloons spark fires in south, by Emanuel Fabian/Times of Israel, August 7, 2021

Israel’s Ambassador to the US and the United Nations Gilad Erdan sent an urgent letter to the Security Council and the UN Secretary-General in which he strongly condemned Hezbollah’s rocket attack from Lebanon into Israel. Erdan stated this is in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 that was intended to resolve the 2006 Second Lebanon War.

Hezbollah terrorists fired 19 rockets into Israel on Friday from Lebanon. The Iron Dome defense system intercepted 10 of the rockets. Another six exploded in open spaces in Israel, and three fell short in Lebanon. No injuries or damage were caused by the attack.

The IDF immediately shelled targets in Lebanon in a limited fashion, and stated that “we will not tolerate any aggression against Israeli civilians and remain prepared for any operational situation.”

Erdan noted in his letter that the attack, “The recent attacks and growing tensions in the region, exacerbated by Iran’s activities and arming of its proxies, especially Hezbollah, demonstrate once again the urgent need to actively enforce UN Security Council Resolution 1701,” he said, calling on the UNSC to “unequivocally condemn these grave violations, and to remain seized on these matters in its upcoming deliberations on Security Council Resolution 1701.”

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett started Sunday’s cabinet meeting with the subject of Lebanon. He stated that the “..State of Lebanon and the Lebanese Army must take responsibility for what is happening in their backyard,” he said, adding that it “is less important to us whether it’s a Palestinian group or independent rebels. Israel will not accept shooting into its territory,” Bennett said.

Source:
Following Hezbollah Attack in North, Israeli Envoy Warns of ‘Havoc and Destruction’ in Lebanon, by Aryeh Savir/TPS, August 8, 2021

Bennett: Israel won’t accept rocket attacks from Lebanon, by Lahav Harkov/Jerusalem Post, August 8, 2021

Planner of the attack: “If time could go backwards, I would carry out what I did, in the same manner.”

Today, August 9, 2021, marks 20 years since the attack on the Sbarro pizza restaurant in Jerusalem. 15 people were murdered, including 5 members of one family, and 130 people were injured.

As a reward for carrying out the attack, each month the Palestinian Authority (“PA” )pays a total of $8,006 (25,800 shekels) to the imprisoned terrorists and the families of the dead terrorists, who were involved in the attack.

By now, the PA has paid Abdullah Barghouti, the terrorist who built the bomb and is responsible for the murder of 67 people in various attacks, a cumulative sum of $285,571 (921,500 shekels). Every month, the PA pays him a salary of $2,255 (7,300 shekels). In addition, the PA has paid the family of the suicide bomber $68,498 (221,400 shekels). Every month the PA continues to pay his family an allowance of $432 (1,400 shekels). The minimum wage in the PA is 1,450 shekels/month ($44).

One of the main terrorists in the attack on the Sbarro restaurant was Ahlam Tamimi. Tamimi has confessed to choosing the target of the attack and leading the suicide bomber to the restaurant. Although Tamimi was convicted and sentenced to 15 cumulative life sentences, she currently lives in Jordan after being freed as part of the first part of the deal to secure the release by Hamas of abducted IDF soldier, Gilad Shalit.

Before she was released, Tamimi was interviewed on Israeli Channel 1, and the interview was broadcast on PA TV. After explaining that she was the one who chose the target of the attack, Tamimi was asked if she knew how many children had been killed in the attack. When she heard that 8 children had been murdered, Tamimi broke into a huge smile.

Nothing has changed since then and the PA’s attitude and that of the liberal left remains in a state of intentional ignorance. The PA’s sole goal is to work toward the complete delegitimization and destruction of the State of Israel. When will the world wake up and hear the truth?

Source:
Blood money: The PA has already paid $1,183,257 to the terrorists who blew up the Sbarro pizza shop murdering 15 and injuring 130, by Maurice Hirsch, Adv./Palestinian Media Watch, August 8, 2021