Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday disclosed that Iran was building an airport in southern Lebanon a mere 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the Israeli border, with the aim of using it as a launch pad for terrorist attacks against Israel.
The Iranian flags are visible on the runways of Kilat Jabar, said Gallant who also alleged that Iran “is planning to act against the citizens of Israel,” using the runway as a base.
National Unity will support the judicial reform compromise outline discussed in the last week no matter Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s motivation for pushing for it, party leader Benny Gantz said on Monday.
“In the last few days, the president advanced an outline in which I saw a base for widespread agreements that would protect the democracy and the value of a politicization of the judiciary system and would give the other side an opportunity to influence to some degree because at the end of the day, the victory of one side or the surrender of the other will cost us dearly,” he said. “I’m not interested in Netanyahu’s motivation. If there is a solution on the table that will protect democracy, I will be there.”
The president’s compromise outline, which was leaked last week, sees the government legislating a less extreme reasonableness clause amendment as well as a freeze on judicial reform legislation for 18 months.
Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir today criticized the resumption of talks at the President’s Residence and made it clear that Otzma Yehudit would not support the move.
“I am in favor of negotiations, but against surrender,” clarified Minister Ben-Gvir and explained that “the reform is important for the State of Israel, it will balance the three authorities – the legislative, executive and judicial branches. Surrender in the President’s House means humiliating more than half of the people.”
As quoted in the Times of Israel, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says his Religious Zionism party will agree to some “concessions” to reach judicial compromises but will not budge on its demand to increase right-wing representation the nation’s top court. “I told the prime minister that we are ready for dialogue and agreements, including concessions, in order to bring about unity among the people, in order to keep the IDF united and strong, and Israeli society intact,” Smotrich says in a statement in Jerusalem. “But at the same time, we strongly oppose dictates and ultimatums from those who lost the elections, did not win the trust of the people, and are trying, by threats of refusal [to perform military service] and harm to state security, to dictate their position to us by force. Under no circumstances will we agree to give up on diversity in the selection of judges in order to represent all the communities in the State of Israel, and we will not agree to a situation in which the opposition, which lost the elections, can trample, and run over the right-wing in the Judicial Selection Committee,” the Religious Zionism party head says.
As long as Prime Minister Netanyahu compromises in good faith, Gantz will be there to move judicial reform forward. (What is this about waiting 18 months to put reforms into effect?) Major hearings were schedules for today. If they reach a compromise that all parties will accept it will be a great step. As Ben Gurion said, “Anyone who does not believe in miracles is not a realist.”
Ben-Gvir: ‘Otzma Yehudit will not support negotiations’, by Israel National News, September 11, 2023
The Mount Hebron spokesman’s office reported that this past Shabbat about 30 Arab rioters managed to infiltrate the town of Otniel in Judea, south of Hebron. The rioters were spotted before they entered the community, and its security patrol was waiting for them when they crossed into the town. The head of Otniel’s security called the IDF for help.
The rioters reportedly vandalized property, damaged equipment, and destroyed a tent used by the local youth for prayer and Bible study.
They say “rioters,” we say, “terrorists.” Any violation at any time of Israeli land and the Israeli people, whether on Shabbos or not, is a violation of Israel’s sovereign rights.
Source:
Arab rioters infiltrate Jewish town near Hebron, by TPS via World Israel News, September 10, 2023
Mazal Tov! 18 years after the Disengagement, the wedding of Ahuvya Yair, son of MK Limor Son Har-Melech of Otzma Yehudit, was held last night on the ruins of the village of Homesh.
The bridegroom, Ahuvya Yair, was only 14 months old at the time of the attack, in which his father, Shuli Har-Melech, was murdered, and Limor was moderately injured.
Son Har-Melech was one of the most prominent activists against the Disengagement from Judea, Samaria, and Gush Katif and also served as the “PR officer” of Homesh in its various stages of the struggle.
This weekend’s wedding is a testament to the strength and endurance of the people of Homesh. It’s only through their fortitude and determination that Homesh will be rebuilt and stronger than ever.
The Israel Defense Forces on Wednesday set the boundaries of three new communities in Judea, marking the first step in the legalization under Israeli law of nine communities that received official government approval earlier this year.
Two of the new towns, Avigayil and Asael, are located in the South Hebron Hills, while the third, Beit Hogla, is part of the Megilot Regional Council near the Dead Sea.
Yesha Council Chairman and Gush Etzion Regional Council head Shlomo Neeman hailed the move as a “meaningful step” that will advance communities in Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley.
This is the type of productive news we like to hear about. Regulation – Independence – Building new communities. Next step – Sovereignty!
Source:
IDF approves legal borders of three new Judea communities, by JNS Update Desk, September 7, 2023
The head of the Samaria Council, Yossi Dagan, spoke with Israel National News about the continued attempts of the Palestinian Authority to destroy the biblical altar of Joshua in Samaria. He called on the Prime Minister to take responsibility for preserving the heritage and archaeological roots of the Jewish people.
“Our eyes are not closed at all. We are all aware of the damage that the Palestinian Authority tries to do time and time again to the site on Mt. Ebal. The Palestinian Authority is systematically trying to destroy the heritage sites of the Jewish people, including in Judea and Samaria.”
Druze activists are emulating their Jewish counterparts in Judea and Samaria (YESH) with the establishment of outposts on state land in northern Israel.
The blatantly illegal outposts are being set up in Carmel and the Galilee by Druze activists wearing bright yellow tee shirts proclaiming “Ad Kan.” It is ironic to note that there is also an Israeli NGO called “Ad Kan” that was started in 2015 by Israeli security personnel to defend Israel’s Zionist character from internal and external anti-Israel forces.
This is but another form of an illegal land grab. We await the government’s response, which we trust will be swift.
Israel harshly criticized the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) this week for plans to designate the ancient city of Jericho as a Palestinian World Heritage site. The vote could come in two weeks when the World Heritage Committee convenes in Saudi Arabia in two weeks.
MK Dan Illouz (Likud) blasted the decision, saying “Jericho is first and foremost a city of biblical significance… and was the crossing point of the Israelites into the Land of Israel after wandering in the desert for forty years following the Exodus from Egypt. In a letter to UNESCO President Audrey Azoulay, Illouz referred to this Israel hating decision as archaeologically false, plus “an insult to Jews, but also an insult to Christians around the world who admire the site for its biblical history.”
The Knesset Land of Israel Caucus conducted an emergency field tour of threatened archaeological sites of the region. Avraham Binyamin, Regavim’s Director of Parliamentary Affairs said: “Once again, UNESCO has been exposed as an anti-Israel body that denies facts and history and violates its own charter, principles, and signed treaties. The enormity of Jewish history that lies on and below the surface of Jericho cannot be obscured, and we must not allow the Palestinian Authority to rewrite history while it continues to demolish and erase the ancient Jewish history of this land.”
The PA has also been slowly destroying the archaeological site of Joshua’s altar described in the Bible. Despite assurances by the Israeli government that they would work to prevent the destruction, construction has begun on an entire neighborhood on Mount Ebal in Northern Samaria
Yes, Israel cannot allow this to happen, but it needs to act now. Land grabs have been going on for way too long and now a so-called “world body” like UNESCO wants to help speed up the process. We will watch closely to see what steps Israel’s leadership takes to stop this latest attempt to eradicate Israel from the map.
Press Release: Knesset Caucus Emergency Field Tour, Naomi Linder Kahn/Regavim, September 3, 2023
WATCH: MK Simcha Rothman Speaks on the UNESCO Vote on Jericho
Minister for the Advancement of the Status of Women May Golan, a resident of south Tel Aviv, spoke with Arutz Sheva about Saturday’s violent clashes between Eritrean infiltrators in her neighborhood.
Golan says that while riots of this scope are unprecedented, “I’m not surprised, I’m not surprised at all. I know that the majority of the public here in Israel and the public that follows Israel is surprised, but I’ve been witnessing this violence for decades, and I know what these people are capable of. We have a serious problem with the illegal infiltrators who come here because we lack a serious immigration policy in Israel, one that I’ve been fighting for the past 15 years.”
Thanks to May Golan’s steadfast work on this issue, there appears to be not only hope, but action, on the horizon. It was announced that MK Simcha Rothman will advance a bill greatly limiting migration into Israel. If the bill passes, Israel will have a set annual quota for people gaining refugee status in the country.
May Golan is a longtime friend of AFSI, and she has been dedicated to bringing attention to and demanding a solution for the Eritrean (and Sudanese) infiltrators. With Israel’s security forces always on the highest alert to defend the country against terrorism, one would think the violent attacks by these illegal immigrants would be a priority in Israel’s security arsenal to protect its citizens. An immigration policy was needed yesterday but we are grateful to learn of MK Rothman’s initiative. May and Simcha receive AFSI’s highest praise for keeping this critical matter front and center with the public and the Knesset.
Sources:
Minister Golan to INN: ‘Infiltrators hate Israel’, by Yoni Kempinski/Arutz Sheva, September 4, 2023
Beyadenu has filed a petition with Israel’s High Court of Justice against the government, the police, and the Jerusalem municipality. Their petition calls for immediate action to prevent the Jordanian Waqf from disposing of garbage within the Temple Mount area.
Tom Nisani, CEO of Beyadenu, expressed concern, stating, “Imagine what would happen if, heaven forbid, garbage were deposited in front of the Vatican’s Papal residence. The situation on the Temple Mount is even more grave. Until the State of Israel demonstrates reverence for its holy places, it cannot expect others to respect its connection to them.”
The dumping of garbage on Israel’s holiest site, the Temple Mount, is deliberate and Israel’s security authorities must step up to the plate, condemn it, and fully enforce the law. The word “disgrace” doesn’t even come close to describing how pathetic this repeated scenario is. We are at a loss for words.
