Category: Articles

Helen Freedman and Judy Freedman Kadish, AFSI’s Co-Executive Directors, traveled down to Washington DC on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 for two days of meets and greets with pro-Israel Members of Congress and their supporters.

A gala dinner on Tuesday night, sponsored by EMET, featured founder and leader Sarah Stern, along with a host of honorees. Mark Levin, famed radio and now TV personality, led off the list. He said his first trip to the Holy land, just last year, “actually changed his life”. And he was happy to be present at the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem. He was effusive in his praise of Trump’s policies regarding Israel, and labeled the media “disgusting, with blood on its hands,” especially with its coverage of the recent events in Gaza.

The other honorees echoed his sentiments, and it was a welcome experience to be with 400 people, all applauding our President. Senator Tom Scott of South Carolina emphasized the importance of Israel to the US, not only for its technological contributions but as the only democracy in the Middle East. The Senator is a sponsor of the much needed Anti-Semitism Awareness Act.

Starting early Wednesday morning, AFSI’s Co-Executive directors, Helen and Judy, spent the day in discussions on Capitol Hill. The meetings were at the offices of great friends of Israel who sponsor and sign onto legislation that benefits Israel in many ways: Congressmen Ron DeSantis, Lee Zeldin, Pete Roskam, Duncan Hunter and Doug Lamborn. We discussed the travesty of the UNWRA situation and the 3D education the Arab children are receiving, focusing on the demonization, delegitimization, and destruction of Israel. We spoke about the tragedy of the destruction of Netiv HaAvot, that very day, and the fact that Sovereignty would make such actions obsolete. The absurdity of discussing a two-state solution with the PA, an entity dedicated to Israel’s destruction, was also agreed upon. The Taylor Force Act, as well as support for the U.S.-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2018 (House: HR 5141, Senate: S.2497) were also discussed.

The healthy exchange of ideas and information made it clear that AFSI has much to offer in terms of our “facts on the ground” information. We intend to intensify our efforts to convey the benefits of our experiences in Israel to these offices and others on a more regular basis.

 

On Tuesday, June 12, 2018, the historic summit between President Trump and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-Un concluded by signing a joint statement, in which the United States committed to providing guarantees of security to North Korea in exchange for denuclearization.

Trump said he was suspending military exercises on the Korean Peninsula and that he expected the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, to move “very quickly” to dismantle his nuclear arsenal after. Trump said economic sanctions against North Korea would remain in place.

Mr. Kim stated, “We had a historic meeting and decided to leave the past behind. The world will see a major change.”

While there are still serious human rights issues that future conversations must include, the overall agenda remains complicated and sensitive – one whose outcome holds great importance for America, Israel, and the world. AFSI is hoping for continued positive and productive meetings between the two leaders.

Full Trump-Kim Summit Statement HERE.

Fifteen families in the Jewish community of Netiv Ha’Avot have been removed from their homes. All because of a 15 meter housing infraction.

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked said this is “…a completely unnecessary evacuation, stemming from a serious mistake: It began with a mistaken state response that was given a few years ago – that we fixed fundamentally. …this is where it ends. In the last three years, we’ve changed the discourse: Instead of asking ‘when to evacuate’, today we ask how to regulate.”

AFSI officially decries this evil and senseless decree once again watching the destruction Jewish homes based on unproven, undocumented Arab claims. The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, must override the Israeli Supreme Court on all issues that call for the destruction of Jewish land and homes.

Arutz Sheva report HERE.

 

Final approval was received on a project to build the largest industrial zone in Judea and Samaria, which will cover an area of approximately 2 million square meters.

Yossi Dagan, Samaria Regional Council head said that “this is an historic move that is expected to change the face of …Samaria.”

Work on the ground is expected to begin by the end of the year. More HERE.

In the past three years, nearly $25 million was contributed by the European Union for the express purpose of facilitating Arab control over Area C.

Yesterday, Regavim presented undisputable data to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee in a hearing convened by the Subcommittee on Judea and Samaria.

Said Yishai Hemo, field coordinator for Judea and Samaria at Regavim: “In light of the scope of the P.A.’s activities and the massive funding that enables this program, the Civil Administration must treat agricultural land seizure as a phenomenon of strategic importance, and not merely as a localized violation of law.”

South Tel Aviv Riots Continue
AFSI has been to south Tel Aviv many times, most recently this past April when we met with May Golan, tireless crusader to save the community from the Sudanese and Eritrean infiltrators and destroyers. Since these illegals now have loud defenders in the Israeli and world community, they continue to act brazenly against the Israelis, knowing they will get away with it. AFSI lends its full support to May Golan and her comrades. The government MUST control the situation.

Southern Tel Aviv has been described as “hell” due to the government’s failure to deal with ongoing violent rioting by the infiltrators. More HERE.

Why Won’t the IDF Stop the Kites Before They’re Launched?
It appears that the army can see the Arabs preparing their kites on the Gaza side of the border, with the intention to BURN ISRAEL and the JEWS. Why aren’t they stopped before the kites are launched, and before they can start the horrible fires that do so much damage to the crops of Israeli farmers and to the valuable trees, so lovingly planted in Israel?

David Bedein shares his ​unedited May 30, 2018 footage of ​Gaza’s incendiary kite flyers who dispatch kite bombs to cause havoc in Israel. Why does the IDF not attack them? ​

Terrorism is Not Art
Tragically, Israel must confront enemies from without and from within. The IDF, b’ezrat haShem, is able to defeat Israel’s exterior enemies, but the ones from within survive and thrive. Why should a situation like the one described below continue to be tolerated?

The Bezalel Academy of Art is showing an exhibit that mourns known terrorists along with a swastika spray painted on a wall in the Academy.

It seems this institution has lost all sense of reality. Are they forgetting something? Read Dov Trachtman’s Arutz Sheva OpEd HERE.

 

AFSI has visited the Netiv HaAvot community, spoken with the residents, and has officially decried the evil and senseless decree to once again destroy Jewish homes based on unproven, undocumented Arab claims. The Israeli Supreme Court must be overruled in all such cases.

On Tuesday morning June 12, 15 Jewish families from the Netiv HaAvot neighborhood of Elazar in Gush Etzion will be evicted from their homes as a result of an Israeli High Court of Justice order. The homes are slated for demolition two days later. This is the result of an absurd and illogical ruling.

For months the families, along with their neighbors, friends, and supporters near and far, have been engaged in a campaign to try to save their homes. But barring a miracle, the decree of the Court is final.

We’re talking about 15 Zionistic, patriotic, tax-paying, army and reserve serving families, who live in Israel, and were simply trying to live normal lives and raise their families on a beautiful stretch of earth in the Land of Israel.

But none of this matters now.

Once the security forces arrive, and remove the families, this will no longer be an issue of POLITICS or a question of who was right or who was wrong. It will no longer be a question of whether or not JUSTICE was served.

On June 12, once that first knock is heard on the door, and that first family is asked to leave their house, then it becomes a HUMANITARIAN issue.

Therefore, it is our responsibility as Jews, family members, friends, and neighbors of those who will be evicted from the homes which they built, in some cases with their bare hands, to SHOW OUR UTMOST SUPPORT, IN THEIR TIME OF NEED.

Please don’t treat June 12, like any other day, because it just isn’t. Those who will be losing their homes and relocated are going to be going through a lot. Other Netiv HaAvot residents, especially the children, whose homes will remain intact, will also be embarking on challenging days ahead, filled with many questions, possibly without many answers.

 **** SEE AFSI ACTION ALERT BELOW ****

How to Save Netiv HaAvot Houses From Being Destroyed

This message is from David Bedein, Director of Israel Resource News Agency and Center for Near East Policy Research

The campaign for Netiv HaAvot, like the failed campaigns for Amona, Migron, Beit El, Ofra, is premised on the false notion that decisions from the High Court of Justice (Bagatz) must be acted upon.

That flies in the face of Israeli reality.

There are tens of Bagatz decisions which have not been enforced by the government of Israel, due to public pressure.

Everything has to do with how much pressure is placed on the PMO (Prime Minister’s Office) in the next few days, from people around the country and around the world, not from the people in Judea.

Everyone has at least 10 friends or relatives who were to ask 10 friends or relatives to bombard Bibi’s office with a simple request:

Ignore the Bagatz. It does not make sense to destroy a community because of a 15 meter housing infraction.

If 1,000 people call the PMO four times a day with this message, in an assertive yet not abusive way, those 4,000 calls will affect policy.

Telephone of the PMO: 011-972-3-610-9898 | Fax of the PMO: 011-972-2-560-5000

Messages can be sent through the website: pmo.gov.il/English | or on Twitter: @Netanyahu

A plan to strengthen American recognition of the Golan Heights was presented last week to Israeli and US officials in Washington. The plan is part of an extensive effort by members of the US Congress, led by Senator Ted Cruz, to anchor the Israeli hold on the Golan Heights through American support. House Member Ron DeSantis has also promoted a similar initiative  More HERE.

That’s the quote from an angry parent whose child attends The Beacon School.

AFSI stands with and supports The National Council of Young Israel (NCYI) who sent a letter to NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza urging them to take action after The Beacon School recently held a moment of silence for “Palestinian victims” associated with the recent protests in Israel.

Read HERE for a copy of the letter

In addition to parental outrage, The Beacon School’s action made Jewish students feel very uncomfortable. It was learned that the head of Jewish Voice for Peace has a daughter in the school. Coincidence?

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In what appears to be a cease-fire as of Wednesday morning, PM Netanyahu says terror groups will pay dearly if the attacks continue. More HERE.

Israel was under fire since Tuesday in what is now the worst barrage of rocket attacks aimed at the Jewish state since Operation Protective Edge in 2014.

At 7 am Tuesday morning, 3 rounds of 28 mortar shells each were fired at southern Israel with at least 2 exploding inside communities in the Eshkol region, including one that struck the yard of a kindergarten shortly before children were due to arrive.

The Israel Defense Forces, always well prepared to protect and defend the state, issued a statement on May 29. Read HERE