Category: Articles

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

Stung by accusations that his government’s policy on Iran endangered the country, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett took a tough stance Wednesday, vowing that Israel would not hesitate to take any measures to defend itself.

“Israel will not restrain itself when ensuring its security,” said Bennett at the memorial service for the founder of modern political Zionism, Theodor Herzl, at the Jerusalem site that bears his name. The State of Israel will always defend itself,” he said. “We will act resolutely and continuously against any emerging threats, both within and without.”

Bennett was speaking after Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Foreign Minister Yair Lapid had promised the U.S. a policy of “no surprises” regarding Israel’s response to the Iranian threat. Netanyahu claimed this could pose a serious threat to Israel’s security.

Bennett also downplayed reports of internal disputes in his patchwork coalition, made up of eight parties from across Israel’s political spectrum, saying that there was broad consensus on most issues under consideration.

“We are learning how to manage our disagreements. We are managing to understand what we do agree on, and that’s a lot. Most of the things that have an impact on our lives are agreed upon by all of us, so we can move forward quickly and harmoniously.”

Whatever kinks Bennett’s coalition is working through, we pray they are all in 100% agreement that Iran can never obtain nuclear weapons. That should be obvious to all.

Source:
Bennett: Israel will not restrain itself when defending itself, by Gilad Cohen/Ynetnews.com, July 1, 2021

After months of legal proceedings, an illegal Arab structure that invaded state lands in Samaria and threatened the integrity of the Khirbat Kurqush archaeological site was demolished on Wednesday.

The Regavim movement sharply criticized the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, which acted to enforce the law at the site only in response to a petition to the High Court and a series of warnings received throughout the construction process of the illegal Arab structure.

The building in question was part of an ongoing invasion carried out from the area of ​​the village of Bruqin, located within the Palestinian Authority, towards the industrial area of ​​the city of Ariel, which is in Area C, under full Israeli control. The takeover area is legally defined as survey lands, which are state lands in Area C whose registration has not yet been completed.

“We welcome the enforcement of the law, but we fail to understand why the Civil Administration only woke up after being reprimanded and fined by the High Court following the petition we filed in the matter,” said Regavim attorneys Avi Segal and Yael Sinmon. “The whole purpose of the order for the removal of new structures is to allow for immediate enforcement within a few days, and here it lasted so many long months. The Civil Administration is trying to shake off public criticism of its inefficiency, but if in this case it acted so slowly, it’s no wonder that it fails systemically in its role of preserving the open spaces in Judea and Samaria,” the attorneys said.

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, noted that “the protection of the historical treasures of this country is our duty, and the repeated attempts of the barbaric Palestinian Authority to damage historic assets—not only of the State of Israel but of all mankind—must be stopped. The government, with all its offices, must do its part in this regard.”

Photo courtesy of Regavim

Source:
High Court Heeds Regavim’s Petition, Enforces Demolition of Invasive Arab Structure in Archaeological Site, by David Israel/Jewish Press, July 1, 2021

Evyatar residents in Samaria on Monday approved by a large majority a compromise outline reached with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked, and Defense Minister Benny Gantz.

According to the approved outline, Evyatar’s residents will leave the place by the end of the week, all the homes will remain intact, and the defense ministry will establish a base for an IDF company on the grounds immediately.

Then, on Rosh Chodesh Elul, in about six weeks, a new Hesder yeshiva will be established on the site, which will employ some of the residents and provide housing to the students.

Meanwhile, a directive will be issued to the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories to complete a land survey of the area within six months. That land will be cleared by the survey and be declared state land, on which a community will be established in coordination with the prime minister, the defense minister, the head of the Samaria regional council, and the Nahala movement.

Otzma Yehudit chairman MK Itamar Ben-Gvir stated that the outline is “ludicrous,” seeing as the Israeli government regulates thousands of Bedouin homes in the Negev, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t regulate the settlement of Evyatar.”

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, pointed out the outline includes both a military presence and a horizon for ‘settlement,’ making it a strategic outline. Establishing ‘settlements’ in the Land of Israel and the Samaria ‘settlements’ at the heart of the state is a difficult national mission. The Land of Israel is paid for with pain, and neither side here has defeated the other. In the end, our main mission is to build the Land of Israel and maintain unity among the people of Israel with love for Israel.”

Though opposing in their viewpoints, both Ben-Gvir and Dagan are right. We are grateful that Evyatar is not slated for full demolition like other Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria have been in the past. That a compromise had to be reached on legally owned Jewish land to examine if the ‘outpost’ can be legalized troubles us. It doesn’t sound like full Sovereignty is being enforced.

Source:
Compromise Reached on Evyatar: Residents Leave, New Hesder Yeshiva Established, by David Israel/Jewish Press, June 28, 2021