Category: Articles

Israel’s security cabinet on Sunday authorized the deduction of the amount the Palestinian Authority pays terrorists and their families from the taxes and tariffs Israel collects for the Ramallah-based government.

The deduction came to NIS 597 million, which the National Bureau for Counter-Terror Financing in the Defense Ministry reported was the sum of PA funds that went to indirect support for terrorism in 2020.

PA funding for terrorists has increased since 2019, when it totaled NIS 517.4m.
The cabinet authorized that it had read the report, and the Finance Ministry may begin deducting one-12th of the sum each month, according to law.

The PA pays convicted terrorists and the families of those killed while committing acts of terrorism a monthly sum. The living terrorists receive more, depending on their prison sentence. That means the greater the severity of the crime, i.e., the more Israelis killed and wounded, the more they receive each month.

The PA’s Pay-for-Slay serves as a benefits program along with rewards and incentives for violence against Israel. We trust the ultimate ending of this story will be that terrorism against Israel just doesn’t pay. No pun intended.

Source:
Gov’t to deduct NIS 597m. from Palestinian Authority over ‘pay for slay’, by Lahav Harkov/Jerusalem Post, July 11, 2021

A Bedouin Israeli millionaire who briefly ran for Knesset with former defense minister Moshe Ya’alon was charged on Monday with passing information to Iranian intelligence through contacts in Lebanon. This report comes from the Shin Bet security service after a gag order on the case was partially lifted.

Yaqoub Abu al-Qia’an is a former politician and construction magnate (see his compund above) who is a resident of the Bedouin town of Hura in the southern Negev region. He was indicted at the Southern District Court in Beersheba on charges of contact with a foreign agent and passing information to an enemy.

Meir Deutsch, Director General of Regavim issued a statement: “The fact that Abu-Alkiyan, a millionaire with extensive property and business holdings who maintains close ties with leaders of Israel’s economy, passed sensitive security information to Iranian operatives proves that the rising tide of nationalism in Israel’s Bedouin sector is not connected to often-heard complaints of poverty or discrimination. This very real and very serious developing trend is an expression of radical currents that are re-shaping the Bedouin community in the Negev. Israel is now paying the price for years of denial and wishful thinking. The government must face up to reality – and there’s not a moment to waste.”

Statement and photo courtesy of Regavim

Source:
Bedouin Israeli millionaire charged with spying for Iran, by Judah Ari Gross and TOI Staff/Times of Israel, July 12, 2021

The Mughrabi Bridge to the Temple Mount was built as a temporary solution in 2007. It connects The Kotel to the Temple Mount and is now in imminent danger of collapse.

Israeli authorities appear to be deflecting the issue, and officials are refusing to take responsibility. People want to know why.

MKs Simcha Rothman and May Golan, are working to find a solution. AFSI has ties to this team so stay tuned.

Source:
Is Temple Mount’s Mughrabi Bridge falling down?, by Israel Kasnett/JNS, July 9, 2021

Tragedy ahead? Mughrabi Bridge to Temple Mt. in imminent danger, by ILTV, July 12, 2021

 

 

Israel’s Ambassador to the United States and the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, addressed the General Assembly on Tuesday after the adoption of the UN’s biennial Global Counterterrorism Strategy. He said, “For Israel, the adoption of the GCTS is, unfortunately, not a theoretical or academic exercise. During the weeks we sat here debating this resolution, Israeli civilians from our capital in Jerusalem to Tel Aviv and Ashkelon, sat in bomb shelters because of Hamas’s relentless terror attacks.”

Following many diplomatic efforts by Ambassador Erdan and the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations, the resolution determining the UN’s strategy to combat terrorism included a number of important items that are significant achievements for Israel. At Israel’s request, and only one month after Operation Guardian of the Walls, the UN condemned the use of human shields by terrorist organizations, a well-known method of operation by Hamas and Hezbollah.

In addition, the UN condemned, for the first time, anti-Semitic terrorism and recognized its existence. This important and significant decision comes against the backdrop of the current wave of global anti-Semitism.

The UN resolution also condemned the use of the Internet as a tool to encourage and recruit terrorist operatives and called on Internet companies to take responsibility for misuses of the technology. This is a goal Ambassador Erdan has worked for since his time as Israel’s Minister of Public Security and in the international arena at the UN.

Ambassador Erdan stated, “As I have said before, terrorism is terrorism is terrorism, and can never – and should never – be explained away, justified, or excused – no matter what.”

Despite the fact that this recognition by the UN is long overdue, AFSI applauds the step they have taken. It’s a positive step in combating Jew/Israel hatred within the walls of the UN and we will be watching to see how this progresses. We also thank and congratulate Ambassador Erdan for his tireless work on behalf of Israel. Yasher Koach!!

Source:
For first time, UN condemns anti-Semitic terror, use of human shields, by Arutz Sheva Staff, July 7, 2021

The Knesset plenum approved overnight Wednesday a bill that allows four MKs to split from their faction, even if they do not constitute one-third of said faction, as was the former rule. The immediate ramification is that instead of having to seduce and lure ten Likud MKs to jump ship and receive cushy jobs in his government, Bennett only has to convince four Likudniks to go towards the light. Also, several Likud MKs, most notably former Shin Bet chief Avi Dichter, were deeply unhappy with having to kill the family reunification provision which Likud had helped pass every single year since 2003.

The defection bill was approved by a majority of 60 MKs, against 54 opponents. Somehow, the Joint Arab List MKs, who could have altered the results, were absent from the vote. The reason is that everybody and his cousin know that once Bennett succeeds in converting those four Likudniks, it would devalue the RA’AM party’s participation, and RA’AM, as every Arab child knows, is the archenemy of the Joint Arab List. If RA’AM loses its influence (a.k.a. power to blackmail) over Bennett, Arab voters would stop being mesmerized by all the goodies uncle Mansour Abbas can bring home.

Source:
In coalition boost, Knesset okays budget extension, law easing Likud defections, by Raoul Wootliff/Times of Israel, July 7, 2021

Bennett’s Big Win: 4 MKs Allowed to Defect from Likud, Join Coalition Government, by David Israel/Jewish Press, July 7, 2021

 

 

 

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office responded Thursday to condemnations by the US regarding the demolition of terrorist Muntasser Shalabi’s home. Shalabi was indicted in an Israeli military court over the attack in May in which student Yehuda Guetta was shot dead.

Shalabi, 44, is a US citizen, and following the Wednesday night demolition, the US condemned Israel for what it called a “unilateral” step which “undercut efforts to advance a negotiated two-state solution”

In a statement, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said: “The Prime Minister appreciates and respects the US government. At the same time, he acts only in accordance with considerations for the State of Israel’s security, and to protect the lives of Israeli citizens.”

Biden needs to stay out of Israel’s business, especially when it concerns the defense of the State of Israel and her right to defend itself in any way it deems necessary.

Source:
Israel responds to US condemnation of terrorist’s punishment, by Arutz Sheva Staff, July 8, 2021

In a major blow to Israel’s fledgling coalition, the Knesset on Tuesday morning failed to approve an extension of the contentious Palestinian family reunification law, after a rebel member of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s Yamina party voted against the measure.

The early morning vote — after an all-night debate — ended in a tie, with 59 lawmakers supporting the motion and 59 opposing it, meaning the law will expire later Tuesday.

Bennett early Tuesday had declared that he regarded the vote as a motion of confidence in the government, after reaching a compromise agreement with the coalition’s Islamist Ra’am party and the left-wing Meretz and Labor to extend the law by six months instead of for a year. “Whoever votes in favor [of the legislation] is expressing confidence in the government. Whoever votes against, is expressing no confidence in the government,” Knesset Speaker Mickey Levy said on Bennett’s behalf.

However, even if the opposition had mustered an absolute majority of 61 MKs in the vote, the government would have remained intact. To bring down the coalition, the opposition would need to muster 61 or more votes, backing a specific, named candidate for prime minister, in a formal motion of no confidence in the government.

The family reunification law, which blocks the automatic granting of Israeli citizenship or residency to Palestinians on the basis of marriage to an Israeli, was first enacted in 2003, and has been extended annually.

Prime Minister Bennett blasted the Opposition and Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday. He accused them of “directly hurting Israel’s security, out of a sense of bitterness and despair.”

Tovah Zimuky of Ynetnews.com offers this outlook: The failure of the vote is merely a symbolic act that will lead to further bickering between the opposition and the coalition over who is more hawkish and more patriotic. It will not actually lead to Israel being flooded with requests by Palestinians married to Israelis. Instead it will primarily lead to an increase in family reunification requests filed with the Interior Ministry and the Shin Bet security service, with a similar rise in petitions to the High Court of Justice from those who will be refused.

Failing to extend the Citizenship Law represents what should have been a critical moment for Israel’s leadership. At a time like this, we hoped the Opposition and the ruling coalition would have come together to work for the sake of the security of the Jewish Nation State, not to mention, for the good of the citizens of Israel and the country overall. While petty politics took preference, Israel’s security is now at risk and that is deeply concerning.

The Citizenship Law was intended to strengthen Israel’s security, not burden it and it’s failure to pass is one more headache Israel doesn’t need. We pray that the Citizenship Law will be reintroduced to the Knesset in the near future.

Sources:
In blow to coalition, Knesset knocks down extension of family unification law, by Michael Bachner, Tal Schneider and Aaron Boxerman/Times of Israel, July 6, 2021

PM Bennett after defeat: ‘The Opposition hurt Israel’s security – but we’ll fix it’, by Arutz Sheva Staff, July 6, 2021

Expiry of Citizenship Law is a headache for Israel, not a disaster, by Tova Zimuky/Ynetnews.com, July 6, 2021

 

Israel’s decision to evict all 53 Jewish families from Evyatar should send a clear signal to the European Union (EU) that its days of financing and facilitating the building of unauthorized Arab structures in Area C are over.

Area C comprises about 60% of the Judea and Samaria and has been under Israel’s full security and administrative control since the 1995 Oslo Accords were signed.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s declaration in January 2020 – made before he was elected Israel’s Prime Minister – should now set off alarm bells in the EU:

“Our objective is that within a short amount of time, and we will work for it, we will apply [Israeli] sovereignty to all of Area C, not just the settlements, not just this bloc or another… We are embarking on a real and immediate battle for the future of the land of Israel and the future of Area C”.

AFSI prays Prime Minister Bennett will stay true to his word and that Israel will see the full application of Sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.

Sources:
Israel signals end to EU-funded unauthorized building in Area C, by David Singer/Arutz Sheva, July 5, 2021

The Evyatar Outpost: Israel’s New Pioneers, by Maj. Gen. (res.) Gershon Hacohen/BESA Center, July 5, 2021

Israeli aircraft struck a Hamas rocket launcher and weapons factory in the Gaza Strip over the weekend in response to incendiary balloons that were launched towards southern Israel from the enclave throughout the weekend.

“The strikes were made in response to the arson balloons fired towards Israeli territory. The IDF will continue to respond firmly against terror attempts from the Gaza Strip,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said in a statement.

During the strikes, machine guns were fired towards Israel but did not set off any alarms, the military said. There were no reports of any injuries in the strikes or from the machine-gun fire.

At the start of the cabinet meeting on Sunday, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said, “I would like to clarify again: Things have changed. Israel wants quiet and we have no desire to harm the people of Gaza. However, violence – balloons, marches, harassment of any kind – will be met with a severe response.” People want to live a peaceful life where they practice craps online, work, do sports, etc.

Source:
Israel strikes Hamas targets in response to incendiary balloons, by Anna Ahronheim/Jerusalem Post, July 4, 2021

 

 

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett agreed to advance the legalization of Evyatar as part of a compromise agreement by which its residents would agree to voluntarily evacuate. They will be offered the possibility of resettling in Evyatar if the land is verified to be state-owned.

The compromise deal was announced earlier this week by the Nahala movement and the Samaria Regional Council, which spearheaded Evyatar’s construction last month. The scope and the speed of the community’s ability to receive a nod of approval for a new Jewish community on a Judea/Samaria hilltop is unusual and represents a victory for the grassroots movement. Nahala movement head Daniella Weiss said. “The strengths of Evyatar’s residents illuminate the Zionist spirit.”

Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan said he was ultimately satisfied with the agreement. “The compromise we agreed upon is not the deal of our dreams,” he said. “But each side took steps to meet the other for the sake of Israel in these difficult days when the nation is divided.”

Meretz MK Mossi Raz condemned the deal in no uncertain terms, hinting at a possible coalition crisis just weeks after the new government was sworn in.

Bezalel Smotrich stated: “There’s a limit to hypocrisy. As long as Khan al-Ahmar and tens of thousands of other illegal Arab structures remain standing, there is no reason in the world for Evyatar to be evacuated. The settlers showed responsibility and agreed to a compromise that discriminated against them – to avoid a confrontation. The government must stand behind the agreements and if it withdraws them it would bear full responsibility for the results.”

MK Itamar Ben-Gvir warned Evyatar residents to watch out because “I fear Bennett will cheat you. He did not say this was a core promise. I’m afraid that the government will eventually decide to evacuate the settlement of Evyatar and claim that ‘we promised not to evacuate, but we didn’t promise to abide by the arrangement.”

While a compromise is not the decision we hoped for, it will have to do for now. The full evacuation of another Jewish community on legally owned Jewish land is something we cannot bear to hear about again. Community leaders are positive about this deal and no buildings will be demolished. We hope Prime Minister Bennett, if he keeps this “Frankenstein Coalition” (term borrowed from Jonathan Pollard) together will keep his word and not reverse course. We pray that the government confirms – what we know to be true – that Evyatar is found to be on state-held land and that the Jewish presence there will be regularized with no delay.

Sources:
Bennett to advance Evyatar outpost legalization, settlers to evacuate, by Tovah Lazaroff/Jerusalem Post, July 1, 2021

Meretz outraged over Evyatar deal, hints at coalition split, by Arutz Sheva Staff, June 30, 2021

Ben-Gvir Warns Evyatar Settlers Bennett Is Out to Swindle Them and He May Not Be Entirely Wrong, by David Israel/Jewish Press, June 30, 2021

What Does Smotrich Know About Evyatar and Why Are Bennett’s People Angry at Him?, by David Israel/Jewish Press, June 29, 2021