Category: Articles

Yesha Council Chairman David Elhayani called for the replacement of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu with a new leader whose actions would be more in line with the official positions of the Likud party.

In an interview with Arutz Sheva, Elhayani referred to the criticism leveled at him from the right, which blamed his strident opposition to the Trump Administration’s peace plan for causing the historic opportunity to apply Sovereignty in Judea and Samaria to be missed. “I am proud and we are proud that we prevented this bad plan,” he said, noting that he believes the American plan was intended only to bring about the establishment of a Palestinian state and would eventually lead to the evacuation of tens of thousands of settlers.

Netanyahu, he said, must promote Israeli interests, including the application of Israeli Sovereignty over Area C, without any connection to the American plan.

AFSI does not endorse Elhayani’s call to replace Prime Minister Netanyahu. That’s a matter for the people of Israel to decide. However, Elhayani’s statement is a direct result of his justifiable frustration with one too many missed opportunities to apply Sovereignty.

With that said, we share Elhayani’s frustration and continue to call for SOVEREIGNTY NOW OVER ALL ISRAEL.

#SovereigntyNow #SovereigntyOverAreaC

Source:
‘Netanyahu has abandoned the Likud’s positions; he must go’, by Shimon Cohen. Arutz Sheva – September 10, 2020

Samaria Regional Council chairman Yossi Dagan responded Thursday to criticism of a news piece on the tourism industry in Samaria, comparing it to the BDS movement.

“We are happy to continue to cause high blood pressure, especially for the far-left whiners,” Dagan told Arutz Sheva. “These delusional ‘TV reviews’ are hallucinatory BDS-style political theater.”

According to him, the television criticism “represents a handful of troublemakers from the extreme left, ridiculous and hateful people who represent the minority even of the extreme left in Israel.”

“Judea and Samaria deserves fair coverage just like any other place in the country,” he added. “In practice, despite the sourness sown by a handful of people, the people of Israel point with their feet and travel in Judea and Samaria. This happens because of the amazing landscapes, the tranquility, the springs, the historical roots and the diverse attractions.”

Source:
‘We’re happy to make extreme leftists cry’, by Yeonatan Gottlieb. Arutz Sheva – September 10, 2020

Earlier this year, you participated in the election for US delegates to the 38th World Zionist Congress (WZC), the international “parliament of the Jewish people”. The American Zionist Movement (AZM) administered the voting and is pleased to share with you the ballot results and plans for the Zionist Congress.

You came through and helped right-wing coalitions (combined) come in ahead of the left-wing. We’re pleased to let you know that you have strong representation now – Your official Delegate to both the World Zionist Congress and World Likud Congress is AFSI’s Co-Executive Director Judy Freedman Kadish.

Read more HERE.

Harvard University named Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat — who serves as secretary general of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) — as a fellow at the Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.

Erekat, a man who called random stabbing attacks on Israeli citizens by Palestinian terrorists “self-defense,” will be charged with mentoring students and giving seminars in the school’s “The Future of Diplomacy Project.”

PLO member Erekat is one of four new fellows appointed by the school to the project. Commenting on the appointments, faculty chair Nicholas Burns said that the new fellows “will strengthen our capacity to learn the lessons of effective diplomacy and statecraft.”

We beg to differ as Erekat’s anti-Israel past speaks for itself. Shame on Harvard University for allowing this appointment to happen. This venerable institution hired an individual who preaches about the delegitimization of Israel’s existence. This appointment is not only bad for Israel and the Jewish people, but Americans as well.

Source:
Harvard Hires PLO Executive to Mentor Students, by Meira Svirsky. Clarion Project – September 8, 2020

Justice Noam Solberg yesterday rejected Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s request to delay the State’s response to the Regavim petition in the Khan al-Ahmar case for six months, and criticized the State’s conduct.

In a decision issued, Judge Solberg wrote, “The request to postpone the date of the hearing is embarrassing. The petition before us is the last link, at this time, in the chain of petitions filed regarding the evacuation of the Khan al-Ahmar compound.”

Regavim’s Spokesperson issued a statement: “The Khan al Ahmar case long ago ceased to be an isolated case of a single illegal outpost. It has been an exemplar case of the way the state acts – or more precisely, how it fails to act – when faced with Palestinian Authority’s takeover of Area C. The government has violated its own commitment, reflected in the High Court of Justice’s ruling many long months ago. The time has come to put a stop to this inexcusable conduct. We call upon the High Court to issue a final judgement in this case, requiring the government to raze this illegal outpost immediately and to pay the court fees incurred by its interminable and inexcusable procrastination.”

Area C belongs to Israel. Time to evacuate Khan al-Ahmar.

Source:
Judge Solberg v. Netanyahu: ‘Embarrassing request’, by Mordechai Sones. Arutz Sheva – September 7, 2020

The United Arab Emirates cannot have it both ways: Reconcile with the Jews and fund incitement against the Jews.

At the same time, UAE pours $51 million per year, with no strings attached, into the UN Relief and Works Agency budget.

This makes the UAE the fifth-largest contributor to UNRWA in the world, and the largest donor to UNRWA among the Arab nations. Indeed, UAE has quadrupled its donation to UNRWA. (In 2017, UAE donated $12 million to UNRWA.)

On August 8, the new school year began for the 288 UNRWA schools in Gaza. That was the day that Gazans resumed their campaign of launching firebombs over southern Israel, using UNRWA schools as their collective protective shields.

As long as hatred and delegitmization of Israel continues to be taught in UNRWA schools, generations of Arab children cannot be raised to understand nor look forward to a true and lasting peace.

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The United Arab Emirates cannot have it both ways – opinion, by David Bedein. Jerusalem Post – September 8, 2020

Israel’s Security Cabinet announced Wednesday that it will not allow the return of bodies of terrorists killed by Israeli security forces to their families for burial. This measure is meant to deter future attacks and strengthen Israel’s bargaining position when facing off with Hamas.

The decision applies to the bodies of terrorists who wounded, killed or carried weapons, even if they were not affiliated with Hamas, and pertains to terrorists from Judea and Samaria, as well as terrorists from the Gaza Strip.

Exceptional cases will remain at the discretion of the defense minister, the Ministry of Defense noted.

The withholding of the terrorists’ bodies is “part of our commitment to maintain the security of the citizens of Israel, and of course to bring the boys home. I suggest to our enemy – that they understand and internalize the message well,” Minister of Defense Gantz stated.

#BringOurBoysHome

Source:
Once Again, Israel Orders Halt in Release of Terrorists’ Bodies, by Aryeh Savir, Tazpit News Agency. Jewish Press – September 3, 2020

Earlier this week Health Minister Yuli Edelstein devoted time to a meeting with Sovereignty Youth Movement representatives. They discussed Sovereignty in Judea and Samaria against the background of Israeli commitments not to raise the issue again made in the context of political steps with the United Arab Emirates.

Representatives of the movement raised their concern to Minister Edelstein about return to discussions of a Palestinian state and the existential danger to the future of Israel it poses, in addition to violating the principle of the People of Israel’s right to its Land.

“Neither coronavirus nor anything else should stop the important activity on behalf of our sovereignty in Judea and Samaria,” said the Minister, who praised the movement’s extensive activities.

At a time when Sovereignty is being used as a political bargaining chip, it’s critical now more than ever that Israeli youth understand the importance of and urgent need to APPLY SOVEREIGNTY NOW.

#SovereigntyYouth #ApplySovereigntyNow

Source:
Health Minister to Sovereignty Youth: ‘I’m committed to the sovereignty vision’, by Mordechai Sones. Arutz Sheva – September 1, 2020

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu trusts US President Donald Trump not to endanger Israel’s security, White House Special Adviser Jared Kushner said on Monday, aboard the first-ever direct El Al flight from Israel to the United Arab Emirates.

As for the first Israeli flight over Saudi Arabia, Kushner said the Saudis are “very gracious,” and that the flight is “a manifestation of what is possible in the Middle East.”

Americans For A Safe Israel is pleased to see the beginnings of what we trust will be a lasting and productive peace with the United Arab Emirates. Today’s historic first direct commercial flight from Israel to the UAE gets this initiative off to a good start. There are many things can be said about Israel’s new partnership with the UAE and potentially with what are rumored to be more peace deals in the works with other Arab states. Israel’s strength in the Arab world could possibly be used to place the Palestinian Authority into a corner, leaving them no choice but to recognize Israel’s right to exist. AFSI is will be watching closely on these developments.

We’ve been longing to see a real and permanent peace for Israel. The UAE agreement gives us a glimmer of hope into what a future peace can look like with other Arab states.

However, remember that Israel’s right to apply Sovereignty was sacrificed for this peace deal as required by the UAE in order for the agreement to be approved. Of course, we hope that Israel will apply Sovereignty at the first opportunity. When that will be is an unknown.

So, before you rush to take your next vacation in Abu Dhabi or were thinking of attending the Expo 2020 in Dubai (postponed to October 1, 2021) stay connected with AFSI. As soon as all of us are able to safely visit and travel throughout Israel again, we’d love to have you join us on our Chizuk Mission to Israel. A visit to the UAE can wait.

#SovereigntyNow #AFSIChuzukMission

Sources:
Israel-UAE flight lands safely in Abu Dhabi, F-35 talks to be held, by Lahaz Harkov. Jerusalem Post – August 31, 2020

First-ever direct Israel-UAE flight lands in Abu Dhabi following peace deal, by ANI News. August 31, 2020

Next Year in Dubai?, by Eric Ruskin. Arutz Sheva – August 31, 2020

 

The new Jewish community in Binyamin, Ma’ale Shai was evacuated for the third time, and on Shabbat night. The community is in memory of Rabbi Shai Ohayon, z’l, who was murdered in Petah Tikva last week,

Residents said they begged not to be forced to travel on Shabbat, but to no avail.

The Jewish families were evacuated from the site along with about twenty supporters who came to spend Shabbat with them. The residents reported extreme violence on the part of IDF and Border Police soldiers during the evacuation, which included using pepper spray against them.

After the evacuation, local Arabs posted joyous videos from Ma’ale Shai on social media, with singing and clapping over the bonfires that burned down equipment belonging to Jewish homes.

This scene is all too familiar. It reminds us of the awful days back in 2005, still fresh in our memory, of the expulsion of the Jews of Gush Katif from their rightful homes. This would not have happened had Sovereignty been applied properly.

Source:
Arabs Rejoice, Burn Down Outpost, following Police Expulsion of Jewish Residents on Shabbat Night, by David Israel. Jewish Press – August 30, 2020