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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

 

Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter jets bombed several terror targets in Lebanon on Wednesday night, for the first time in several years, in response to a rocket attack on Israel’s north earlier in the day.

The IDF stated that the attacks hit areas from which the three rockets were fired, and “the infrastructure used for terrorism.” “IDF attacks will continue and even intensify in the face of terrorist attempts against the State of Israel and its citizens,” it stated, placing the onus on the state of Lebanon, which “is responsible for what happens in its territory. The IDF warns of continued attempts to harm Israeli citizens and their sovereignty.”

“Not only is rocket fire from Lebanon at Israeli civilians an act of terrorism, it also is indicative of the Lebanese government’s lack of governance of terrorist organizations operating in Lebanon. The Lebanese government is responsible for all attacks from Lebanon,” the IDF underscored.

The military action was Israel’s response to a rocket attack on the upper Galilee in which two rockets exploded in open spaces near the city of Kiryat Shmona, injuring no one, but causing mass blazes that burned throughout the night.

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price stated that the US “absolutely condemns the rocket attacks from armed groups based in Lebanon that were fired into Israel. As the President has said, as Secretary Blinken has said, that Israel has the right to defend itself against such attacks.”

We appreciate the US’s stated support for Israel’s right to defend itself. However, if Hezbolllah, which controls Lebanon, keeps getting “humanitarian” financial aid how can attacks against Israel stop? Biden said to a UN-sponsored donor conference for Lebanon which was led by France, “Today I’m announcing nearly $100 million in new humanitarian assistance. But no amount of outside assistance will ever be enough if Lebanon’s leaders do not commit to do the hard but necessary work of reforming the economy and combating corruption,” he added. Humanitarian assistance to Lebanon equals continued funding of terror attacks against Israel.

Sources:
IAF Bombs Targets in Lebanon in Response to Rocket Attacks, by Aryeh Savir/TPS, August 5, 2021

Right After Attacking Israel, Biden Vows to Give $100 Million to Hezbollah, by David Sidman/Israel 365 News

Ninety-nine percent of stoning and firebombing attacks in Judea and Samaria in 2019 resulted in plea deals and lenient sentences, according to new research on thousands of violent attacks on Jews in that year.

According to the research data, published by Lavi, a nonprofit that works for civil rights and good governance, and Zionist NGO Im Tirtzu, fewer than a third of those involved in stonings, 408 out of 1,283, received a prison sentence. A majority of such incidents ended with the perpetrators either being put on probation or made to pay a fine.

Of the 865 firebombings reported in Judea and Samaria in that same time year, just 285 resulted in a prison sentence, despite the offense carrying a potential maximum sentence of 20 years.

By contrast, Lavi and Im Tirtzu noted that of the 15 indictments filed by the Jerusalem District Attorney’s Office against Arab residents of eastern Jerusalem for firebomb attacks, just five resulted in a plea deal, while 10 ended with convictions and sentences.

“We refuse to accept a situation in which the lives of residents of Judea and Samaria are threatened time and again by rioters, and when those rioters are finally arrested, they have an open door in the form of a lenient plea deal waiting for them at the Military Prosecutor’s Office. We call on the military’s prosecution system to get its house in order as far as the Military Prosecutor’s Office’s wholesale signing-off on plea deals with defendants on security offenses is concerned,” said Lavi chairman Avichai Buaron.

In a statement, representatives for Im Tirtzu’s Policy and Research Department said: “The Military Prosecutor’s Office is on the frontlines of the legal fight against terrorism, and as such, it must lead an unrelenting battle against those who initiate and carry out terrorist activity. The picture revealed by the data analysis is incredibly bleak. Instead of being the spearhead in the war on terrorism and striving for contact and victory, the Military Prosecutor’s office prefers to reach plea deals with the terrorists.”

Plea deals and lenient sentences for terrorists do not sit well with AFSI. A molotov cocktail thrown at a Jew with the intent to kill is an act of terror against all Israel and must be punished accordingly. Period.

Source:
Palestinian firebomb terrorists ‘get a plea deal in Judea and Samaria,’ says Israeli non-profit, by Hanan Greenwood/JNS, August 2, 2021