Category: Articles

The Regavim movement released a statement stating that the recent failure of the government to pass the Judea and Samaria Regulations Law was “but a small part of the overall problem” and that Israel needed to formulate a concise policy with regards to the future of Jewish life in Judea and Samaria or risk losing it all.

“Proprietary rights in Judea and Samaria remain under the Jordanian and Ottoman systems, and these laws are outdated, ineffective and in some cases even antisemitic. Even worse, perhaps, is the selective manner in which these laws are enforced by the Israeli judicial and military systems.”

Source:
Regavim: Israel has failed to formulate policy on Judea and Samaria, by Eitan Divinsky/Israel National News, June 9, 2022

 

 

 

Yehudit Katsover and Nadia Matar of The Sovereignty Movement visited the Israel National News studio to discuss matters relating to the sovereignty of Jerusalem.

On the Biden admin’s attempt to open a PA consulate in Jerusalem, Matar explains: “Indeed, there were rumors that they’re claiming they’re reopening, so we checked it out… and what we understood is that [the State Department] had to make the statement that they continue to push for it but they also understand that with this government that they’re not going to be able to open a consulate.”

Matar went on to say that despite the US not being able to open a consulate we cannot rest easy. “The very fact that they don’t open a consulate doesn’t mean that Jerusalem is not in danger and that is the message that we want to pass on.”

Source:
Sovereignty Movement: Make Jerusalem a metropolis to save it, by Yoni Kempinski/Israel National News, June 7, 2022

The Judea and Samaria Law presented by New Hope Justice Minister Gideon Sa’ar and supported by the coalition, fell Monday night in a vote of 58 to 52.

The law which expires at the end of this month would have continued to give the State of Israel jurisdiction over Israeli citizens living in “Area C” of Judea and Samaria thus giving them the same rights and responsibilities as Jews living anywhere in Israel. The law, which has been approved and reauthorized every five years since 1967, also affects law enforcement in Jewish communities in the region.

There will be attempts to fast track the bill again over the next few weeks, as well to find workarounds via the army. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said he would keep bringing the bill to the Knesset until it passes.

Not passing this bill is a significant indicator that the coalition, while technically still in existence, has fallen apart. MK Bezalel Smotrich speaks truth: “A coalition that cannot pass its bills and is artificially respirated by Ahmad Tibi and the Joint List is illegitimate and bound to fall. Residents of Judea and Samaria are strong and understand the importance of bringing down the anti-Zionist government.” Saar, who introduced the bill. has characterized it as a referendum on the ability of the coalition to govern.

We are no fan of the current coalition and would prefer to see a strong Zionist government in power that doesn’t go back on its promises. The Jewish Press article we sourced points out, “This could turn out be the opportunity to pass a sovereignty bill.” A failed vote for the Civil Administration to continue leaves Israel with few choices. The best, we believe, is to declare sovereignty, especially when one takes into account the very convincing allegations being made against the Civil Administration by Ad Kan (see video further below). We are hopeful for this outcome.

Source:
Judea and Samaria Law Fails to Pass Knesset Vote, by Hana Levi Julian/Jewish Press, June 6, 2022

 

 

The failed reappointment of Matan Kahana marks second Knesset defeat for Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s coalition. Yamina parliamentarian Idit Silman voted against reappointing her running mate Matan Kahana as Israel’s Minister of Religious Affairs.

With Silman voting against it, Kahana’s reappointment only received a tie vote (55-55), bringing the coalition its second defeat in a day. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett had stressed that the ballot was a vote of confidence in the government in an attempt to convince Silman to vote with her party.

After the voting result, Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu praised Idit Silman, calling her a “champion,” while Kahana, a former pilot, commented that this setback was only a “little blow to the wing.”

This is another defeat on a single evening after two coalition lawmakers voted against legislation to renew the application of Israeli criminal law and certain civil laws to Israelis living in Judea and Samaria.

Is Silman’s vote another move in the attempt to destabilize the current government?

Source:
Rebel MK torpedoes Israel’s minister of religious affairs reappointment, by i24NEWS, June 7, 2022

Community leaders in Judea and Samaria, including the Nahala movement led by Daniela Weiss and Zvi Elimelech Sharbaf, are considering establishing 10 communities at various points in Judea and Samaria during Joe Biden’s visit to Israel.

The admittedly provocative move of this group is a protest of the delay in implementing the Evyatar community agreement that was signed between the founders of Evyatar and the Bennett government a year ago.

Biden was expected to arrive in Israel in July for the first visit since his re-election. Reports today say his trip will be delayed and some are saying it’s due to the latest concerns with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s coalition crisis.

AFSI’s Chizuk Mission met last month with Daniella in her home (photo shown here) where she discussed all the issues facing Evyatar. We applaud Daniella for taking a bold stand in defense of Israel’s legal rights to the land.

Sources:
Daniella Weiss, Nahala Movement Plan 10 ‘In Your Face’ Outposts During Biden’s Visit, by David Israel/Jewish Press, June 6, 2022

‘No trip to announce’: Biden visit to Middle East ‘delayed’ or just not happening?, by Batya Jerenberg/World Israel News, June 7, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

A law banning the hoisting of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) flags in Israeli universities and academic institutions was approved last night in a preliminary reading in the Knesset plenum. The law was submitted after PLO flags were raised at recent “Nakba Day” rallies at Ben Gurion and Tel Aviv universities.

The explanatory notes to the bill state that it “draws a red line between a legitimate protest and a protest during which flags are flown by those who do not recognize the State of Israel or pose a threat to its existence, in bodies budgeted or supported by the state.”

Just yesterday, a large Palestinian flag hung by a left-wing group near the Diamond Exchange in Ramat Gan was taken down after sparking social media criticism and public calls by lawmakers for its removal.

Israel’s beautiful blue and white flag is a symbol of its Sovereignty as one free nation. It proudly waves as a reminder of all that Israelis have defended and sacrificed for the country. AFSI applauds the 63 Knesset members who voted in favor of this important bill, which included Prime Minister Naftali Bennett (16 opposed while Yesh Atid, Blue and White and Labor parties were absent). The bill recognizes that hostile enemies of Israel should never be permitted to dictate their message of hatred and violence in this way.

Sources:
Bennett votes in favor: Knesset approves law banning waving of PLO flags, by Hezki Baruch/Israel National News, June 2, 2022

Palestinian flag comes off Ramat Gan tower after outcry, by TOI Staff/Times of Israel, June 2, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

It was reported earlier this week that in lieu of the immediate reopening of a PA Consulate in Jerusalem, Washington was planning to appoint the current top State Department diplomat for the region, Hady Amr, as a special envoy to the Palestinians.

In a briefing on Tuesday, Price rejected any report of the US shelving the opening of a PA Consulate in Jerusalem. Price was asked to comment and responded that the reports were inaccurate. “We remain committed to opening a consulate in Jerusalem. We’re continuing to discuss this with our Israeli and our Palestinian partners, and we’ll continue to consult with members of Congress as well. Meanwhile, at this very moment, we have a dedicated team of colleagues working in Jerusalem, in our Palestinian Affairs Office, focused on engagement with and outreach to the Palestinian people.”

Traditionally, the U.S. Department of State has been hot bed of anti-Semitism and Jew hatred. It continues on this destructive path towards Israel. Governmental changes seem to have little effect on this Department. It would be interesting and worthwhile to discover why. For now, we take comfort in remarks made by Mark Zell, Chairman of Republicans Overseas Israel. “The US does not have the legal authority to establish or expand a consulate in Jerusalem without Israel’s consent. That is international law. They understand that. They can’t open a consulate to the Palestinians in Israel without the Israeli government’s consent. The Israeli government said no, so that is why they didn’t do it.”

Source:
Price: US committed to reopening consulate to Palestinians in J’lem, by Reuters and ILH Staff/Israel Hayom, June 1, 2022

 

 

 

Israel’s National Security Council chairman Eyal Hulata and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan have concluded the latest meeting of the US-Israel Strategic Consultative Group in Washington.

The SCG has met several times since the start of the Biden administration to coordinate efforts aimed at curbing the various threats posed by Iran. The meeting was attended by foreign policy, defense and intelligence officials from both governments.

The officials committed to coordinate on efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and toward deterring Iran’s aggressive regional activities. They also discussed economic and diplomatic steps to achieve these goals and reviewed ongoing cooperation between the U.S. and Israeli militaries.

It’s great that Hulata and Sullivan agree that Iran should never be able to obtain nuclear weapons. If the US agrees on this, then they need to wake up and commit to no negotiations with Iran at all. At the expense of sounding like a broken record, the US needs to cancel the Iran “deal”, continue to impose sanctions and recognize the threat it poses to not only Israel, but the entire Western world. The West needs to assist the Iranian people in overthrowing the dangerous theocracy that rules the country with an iron fist. Attempts by young Iranians are being made but communications are being cut off and other roadblocks are in the way. This is an important fight to join. We must find a way to help now!

Source:
Israeli, US national security convene meet of strategic group aimed at addressing Iran, by Jacob Magid/Times of Israel, June 1, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Tuesday published documents he said were taken from Iran. The documents, procured in the daring 2018 raid, show Iranian intelligence spied on the UN’s atomic agency in order to better cover up its rogue nuclear activities.

Bennett tweeted a link to the Google Drive files, which are in Persian, along with a video in which he responded to remarks by Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian dismissing the spying allegations last week at the Davos Economic Forum as “Zionist lies.” (Prior to this, the files had been shown only to the US.) “Iran lied to the world, Iran is lying to the world again right now, and the world must make sure that Iran doesn’t get away scot-free,” Bennett warned.

As Iran continues to be exposed for its true intentions and continues to repeat its lies, the pressure on Israel continues to grow with urgency for her to be prepared against any attack by Iran.

Source:
‘The proof’: PM publishes seized papers he says show Iran spied on UN nuke watchdog, by TOI Staff and Agencies, May 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

Israel’s Justice Minister threatened to topple the government if it fails to pass a bill extending the term of enforcement of Israeli civil law in Judea and Samaria. He recently warned coalition partners that a vote against the Judea and Samaria Law would be tantamount to dissolving their own government.

“Coalition members who vote against this law are basically saying ‘I don’t want this government to exist’,” Sa’ar said.

The Judea and Samaria Law, renewed every five years by the Knesset, is a temporary measure which applies Israeli civil law to Area C – the territories under full Israeli control – in Judea and Samaria, without establishing Israeli sovereignty over the area. Again the Arabs are showing their muscle – no Israeli government should succumb to its blackmail although it appears that several factions are making outlandish offers to procure their votes.

We can’t say it enough times – apply sovereignty now! ENOUGH!! Do the right thing and let Israel exercise her legal right to the land.

Source:
‘Vote against Judea and Samaria Law, and this government is done’, by Israel National News, May 31, 2022