Monday, May 03, 2021

Fwd: AFSI Newsletter Israel Works to Restore Calm After Terror Attack ( in Samaria as well)



---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: AFSI/Americans For A Safe Israel <info@afsi.org>
Date: Mon, May 3, 2021, 5:10 PM
Subject: Israel Works to Restore Calm After Terror Attack
To: <faigerayzel@gmail.com>


Monday - May 3, 2021
Israel Works to Restore
Calm After Terror Attack

Three 19-year-old yeshiva students were injured, two of them seriously, in a drive-by shooting at a bus stop at Tapuah Junction on Sunday evening, Israeli authorities said.

The shots were fired from a passing car at the Tapuah Junction south of Nablus. The victims were all civilians, according to the Israel Defense Forces. All three victims are rabbinical students at the Yeshiva Gedolah in the Samaria Jewish community of Itamar.

"IDF troops returned fire at the vehicle, which fled the scene. IDF troops are searching for the vehicle and are setting up roadblocks in the area," the military said.

As of noon today, Yehuda Guetta, 19, is still in critical condition and there is an immediate danger to his life. Benaya Peretz, 19, is in very serious condition. The third wounded Israeli, Amichai Challah, 19, was released from the hospital after sustaining light injuries.

This attack is especially heartbreaking since it follows just days after the Mount Meron tragedy. In this terror attack, and in the Meron disaster, so many, but not all, of the victims were young people. Our friends in Yitzhar told us that the young people there are devastated with what has happened in both Meron and Tapuah. AFSI has very close friendships with residents and officials in Yitzhar. We've traveled there on our Chizuk Mission trips many times. AFSI raised the money that installed fire breaks, which one resident told us has made an enormous difference. Our hearts go out to the residents of Yitzhar and we stand side by side with them as they work through this latest violation of Israel's Sovereignty.

Americans For A Safe Israel mourns the loss of all the victims involved and prays for a speedy refuah for all those who are recovering.

Arabs Set Fire
to Burn Down Kumi Ori
Arabs from the Arab village of Urif on Monday morning lit a fire near the Kumi Ori neighborhood of Yitzhar in Samaria.

Arabs set the fire near the Jewish neighborhood and shouted at IDF soldiers who were trying to secure firefighters.

The Sovereignty Movement: Fifth Elections are Preferable to a Government Supported by Supporters of Terrorism

Rabbi Zvi Thau on Monday called for the creation of a 59-seat, right-wing coalition headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This would rely on the parliamentary support of the Islamic party Ra'am and was initially refused by MK Bezalel Smotrich, who was joined by the Sovereignty Movement, headed by Yehudit Katsover and Nadia Matar.

Yehudit and Nadia sent out the following message by email and social media:

The Sovereignty Movement responds to the dramatic pressure that is being exerted to gain the agreement of the Right to establish a minority government with the support of the United Arab List (Ra'am):

"This pressure was expected with the approach of the expiration date of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's mandate to establish a government; however, the stressful timetable is not sufficient to transform darkness to light and impurity to purity.

Establishment of a government dependent on supporters of terrorism constitutes a mortal blow to the ability of the government to promote the Zionist vision and dream."

The Second Fall of Khirbet Khurkosh: Who's Responsible?
As part of the illegal, EU-backed, Palestinian takeover of Judea & Samaria, an archaeological site near Ariel has been damaged by the Palestinian Authority. Despite Regavim alerting the authorities six times about the illegal structures, roads, and trees - no action has been taken.

Khirbet Kuhrkosh is an ancient historical site. Its historical artifacts indicate that a settlement existed at the site between the First Temple period (around 800 BCE) and the end of the Byzantine rule in Israel (7th century). The most impressive piece of history discovered at the site is probably an ancient cemetery, where many graves date back to the times of the Second Temple (from -352 BCE to 70 CE).
Anti-Semitism Against
Jewish College Students Must Stop!

Discrimination and anti-Semitism directed against Jewish college students continues, and in fact has increased. Accordingly, it is vitally important that Congress act in a bipartisan manner to continue to protect Jewish college students, in the same manner that other minority students are protected.

Do your part by calling local officials listed in the link below. For those who live outside these areas, the switchboard number for Congress is 202-224-3121. Ask to be connected to your Congressional Representative. Sample script and contacts for DC, NEW YORK, FLORIDA, NEW JERSEY, HERE.

WEBINARS CURRENT AND ARCHIVED

All listings reflect AFSI's mission to educate the public on the truth about Israel and to advocate for a Whole and Sovereign Israel.

Monday - May 3, 2021 | 4:00pm EDT
Challenging the Media, Politicians, Academia to End Jew Hatred
This webinar is In memory of Sarah Halimi, z'l", with Philippe Karsenty, in conversation with Brooke Goldstein. Philippe Karsenty is a French politician and founder of Media-Ratings, a company monitoring the French media for bias. Karsenty came to public attention when he was sued for libel by the public French television network, France 2, over accusations of staged footage by France 2 over the killing of a 12-year-old Palestinian boy, Muhammad al-Durrah. Brooke Goldstein is New York City-based human rights attorney, author, and award-winning filmmaker.

Tuesday - May 4, 2021 |11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
US Launch of FPA Member's "The Taming of the Jew!"
For centuries Brits and Americans went to other countries to report on their foibles. FPA member Tuvia Tenenbom turns the tables with "The Taming of the Jew," Israel's number one best-selling e-book, his "funniest and most disturbing book to date. For months on end, Tuvia, he roamed through the four nations that make up the sometimes not so United Kingdom—Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales. He interacted with anyone and everyone who came his way throughout his journey: from terrifying ghosts long dead to the highly esteemed lords and baronesses very much alive, most of whom happened to be anti-Semites. Tuvia Tenenbom joins Ian Williams, FPA President to discuss his experiences and the book The Taming of the Jew.

Wednesday - May 5, 2021 | 11:30am EDT
The $200 Billion China-Iran Agreement
Featuring Carice Witte and David Goldman. Carice Witte is the Founder and Executive Director of SIGNAL (Sino-Israel Global Network & Academic Leadership), an Israeli policy organization that specializes on China-Israel relations. David Goldman is Deputy Editor of Asia Times, where he has written the "Spengler" column since 2001.

Thursday - May 6, 2021 10:00am EDT
What Have We Learned From Biden's First 100 Days?
With the participation of: Prof. Mark Meirowitz, State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College; Shmuel Rosner, Jewish People Policy Institute, Kan News; Moderator: Prof. Eytan Gilboa, BESA Center.

Monday - May 10, 2021 | 11:00am EDT
The Age of Tolerance - UAE and Israel in the Ever-Changing Middle East
With Professor Uzi Rabi, Director, Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Tel Aviv University. Convener: Dr. Ramy Aziz, Research Fellow, ISGAP.

Tuesday - May 11, 2021 | 11:00am EDT
State Sponsored Anti-Semitism in Venezuela
With Sammy Eppel. Sammy is a member of the governing body of the Venezuelan Jewish community (CAIV). He is Acting Director of the Commission of Human Rights of B'nai Brith in Venezuela.

Wednesday - May 12, 2021 | 12:00pm EDT
The Promise of the Negev - The Future of the Negev
With esteemed Historian, Author & the Biographer of David Ben Gurion, Professor Michael Bar-Zohar and special guest Dr. Shlomi Codish, Director General of Soroka Medical Center. Prof. Bar-Zohar will discuss The Future of the Negev. What's next for one of the world's most exciting and complex regions?

Sunday - May 23, 2021 | 10:00am EDT
Re-Discovering The Land of Israel: The Artist Colony of Tzfat
Let's walk the winding alleyways of this mystical city together as we tour the city of Kabbalah. We will visit important synagogues, meet local artists, learn about Jewish mysticism from a leading Rabbi, and delve into its history both ancient and modern. With tour guide David Sussman.

Monday - May 24, 2021 | 11:00am EDT
A Look into Bernard Lewis' 'Semites and Anti-Semites'
With Frank Salameh of Boston College. Convener: Dr. Ramy Aziz, Research Fellow, ISGAP. In Arabic (with simultaneous English Translation).

Sunday - June 6, 2021 | 10:00am EDT
Re-Discovering The Land of Israel: The Old and the New in Tel Aviv/Jaffa
Described as the city that never sleeps, Tel Aviv is Israel's financial capital. Let's discover its roots, beaches, diversity, and the place where Israel's independence was discovered. With tour guide David Sussman.

Sunday - June 27, 2021 | 10:00am EDT
Re-Discovering The Land of Israel: The Golan Heights
One of Israel's most scenic areas. It boasts extinct volcanoes, Israel's largest mountain, sits along the border of Israel, and has a rich Jewish history. This episode will feature Major Ya'akov Selevan (AFSI has had the pleasure of touring with Ya'akov) who will discuss with us the political climate of the Golan Heights. With tour guide David Sussman.
****AFSI ARCHIVED WEBINARS****

The Big Lie of Khirbet Humsa: The Newest Version of Palestinian Authority/European Union TOXIC CONCOCTIONS
Under the headline "In thrice-demolished village, a Mideast battle of wills," the AP reported that after its initial demolition in November, the Jordan Valley Bedouin encampment Khirbet Humsa was demolished again on February 2 and a third time on February 4. Naomi Kahn, Director of the International Division of the Israeli NGO, REGAVIM, gives us the real story of this Big Lie.
Recorded February 21, 2021 | Video HERE

Jews Are Indigenous to Israel
Activist Ryan Bellerose sees Israel as "a light unto nations" and a formula for success.
Specifically, the State of Israel, whose establishment Bellerose considers the "greatest human rights story ever," can offer a blueprint for securing land and rights for other indigenous tribes around the world.
Recorded February 10, 2021 | Video HERE

Habithonistim – Helps Keep Jews Safe Everywhere
Canadian Anti-Semitism Education Foundation (CAEF) presents Israel's Defense and Security Forum featuring Brigadier General (Ret.) Amir Avivi. Amir Avivi is the Founder and CEO of Habithonistim, comprised of more than 1,700 high ranking reserve and retired Officers, Commanders, and Operators of all Branches of the Israeli Security Establishment, focused on promoting the national security of the State of Israel. Israel existence and prosperity is crucial for Jewish safety and security around the world. Co-Sponsored by Habithonistim – Israel's Defense & Security Forum, Americans For A Safe Israel, and Canadians For Israel's Legal Rights.
Recorded January 28, 2021 | Video HERE

Israeli Politics: The Emerging Landscape
In dialogue with Dr. Mordechai Kedar
Recorded December 30, 2020 | Video HERE

United Jerusalem Forever
With Daniel Luria, Executive Director of Ateret Cohanim's headquarters in Israel. He lives and breathes Jerusalem and tries to get the Jewish People involved in this vital national project of keeping a united Jerusalem in Jewish hands and strengthening Jewish roots in and around the Old City. AFSI Chizuk Missions regularly tour the Old City with Dan, marveling at the progress that Ateret Cohanim continually exhibits.
Recorded December 9, 2020 | Video HERE

Sovereignty - What Are We Waiting For?
A timely discussion about Sovereignty with Co-Chairs of the Women in Green, Nadia Matar and Yehudit Katsover.
Recorded November 17, 2020 | Video HERE

Winning the Debate Over the Palestinian Arab/Israeli Conflict
Mendy Neeman is an authorized speaker on geopolitics for Birthright. Additionally, he serves as a staff member at the C.P.D.H. (Center for Public Diplomacy and Hasbara) and gives presentations to the IDF combat officer course, and other units as well. His presentations deal with the Palestinian Arab/Israeli conflict and demonstrate a unique way to easily address the most complicated issues.
Recorded November 4, 2020 | Video HERE

Israel's Sovereignty Entitlements Under International Law in Respect to Jerusalem and the Disputed Territories
With Dr. Jacques Gauthier an international jurist, scholar and human rights advocate. Dr. Gauthier's highlighted the nexus between the historical facts and events which support the legitimacy of Israel's sovereignty claims to all of Jerusalem and the disputed territories.
Recorded September 30, 2020 | Video HERE

How Judicial Activism in Israel Endangers Sovereignty in Judea and Samaria
With Simcha Rothman and Preface by Daniel Seaman. Meshilut, The Movement for Governability and Democracy, was founded with the purpose of strengthening the rule of Israel's elected officials by restoring the balance between the judicial and legislative branches of government. | Video HERE
Recorded September 9, 2020

The Politics of Sovereignty
With Likud member and Minister of Knesset Ariel Kallner. MK Kallner's top priority is the issue of Sovereignty throughout the entire land of Israel. | Video HERE
Recorded August 11, 2020

Zeev Jabotinsky Memorial and Tribute. Jabotinsky's Legacy More Relevant Now Than Ever
Yifa Segal, Director of The International Legal Forum, moderated AFSI's 2020 tribute to the

Tuesday, April 06, 2021

Fwd: Israel's Loss of Sovereignty from ZOA Michigan Kobi Erez



---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Zionist Organization - Michigan Region <kobi@mizoa.org>
Date: Tue, Apr 6, 2021, 3:34 PM
Subject: Israel's Loss of Sovereignty
To: <faigerayzel@gmail.com>


Loss of Sovereignty 

by Kobi Erez - ZOA Michigan Director

Imagine this: It's Friday night; a family has finished eating a nice Shabbat dinner. One of the daughters, a ten year-old girl, is sleeping peacefully in her room. Her parents are sleeping in a room nearby. All of a sudden, three Bedouin men from a nearby village break into the house, enter the girl's room and cover her mouth so no one will hear them repeatedly rape her. It sounds like a nightmare, doesn't it? But it's not. 

This horrendous crime happened just last month in February 2021. When the victim's father was interviewed by Israeli media outlets, he said: "The Negev has lost all sense of security, Bedouin outlaws do whatever they please while my family is broken". And he's right. While many Bedouin are law abiding citizens and even serve at times in the IDF, this type of crime perpetrated by Bedouin is nothing new. Over the past few years, in addition to a long string of robbery and sexual crimes, Bedouin criminals have also been breaking into IDF bases and have stolen over half a million bullets and various types of sophisticated army equipment and assault weapons. The gangs often use these weapons to extort businesses and steal from farmers. It was also recently discovered that they have created underground tunnels that they use to produce illegal drugs. 
Bedouin criminals on a tractor with stolen weapons from an IDF base 
The Israeli government has known about this criminal pattern for years, but has done nothing to stop it. Unlike in the United States, it is difficult to obtain a license to carry a gun in Israel. This leaves law-abiding citizens with no means for defense while criminals gather illegal weapons. Israeli police have also been lacking the resources and, frankly, the motivation to deal with this kind of organized crime that is so common in the Israeli-Arab community. What's most frustrating is when police do arrest a criminal, Israeli courts usually grant a laughable sentence. Similarly, the IDF specifically forbids its soldiers from firing at anyone who infiltrates an army base to steal equipment. What kind of an army doesn't defend its own bases? The offenders do as they please because the Israeli government has systematically allowed them to.

Gangs shooting in the air as a sign of celebration at a wedding in an Israeli-Arab community


The crisis in southern Israel is a symptom of a deeply rooted problem in the Israeli psyche. Since the first Palestinian Intifada in 1987, Israel has been apologizing for defending itself to the point that Israel will risk its own civilians and soldiers. Current IDF rules of engagement deter soldiers from using their weapons, even when their lives are at risk. Another example: In the 2014 Operation Protective Edge against Hamas, the IDF decided to move its forces into the city of Sagaya in Gaza without bombing Hamas targets first. This move was intended to take extra precautions so as to not potentially hurt Palestinians, even though citizens of the town were warned well beforehand to evacuate the area. This kind of supposedly moral decision led to the unnecessary death of many Israeli soldiers. But these "compassionate" rules of engagement went beyond just IDF soldiers. Palestinians used empty schools to bomb Israeli civilians and Israel, instead of immediately taking out Hamas's rocket launcher, allowed Hamas to shoot at Israeli cities for days. This decision resulted in the death of Daniel Tregerman, a four year-old Jewish boy and the injury of many other Israeli civilians from rocket fire. What other country puts the safety of its enemies over the safety of its own people? This is one of the reasons that motivation to serve in the IDF is at its lowest since the inception of the state of Israel. 

Daniel Tregerman who was killed by a Hamas rocket


There is an ancient teaching in Judaism that sums up the reality in Israel today: "A person who is compassionate to the cruel will ultimately become cruel to the compassionate". It's time to turn this unethical policy around. Israel must regain its strength to deter criminals and terrorists from acting. This means changing the laws of engagement so Israeli civilians and soldiers are not afraid to defend themselves. The Knesset must change the law and implement much harsher sentences on criminal behavior. Above all, Israelis need to believe that they have the right to the land and that defending its own people, even at the expense of its enemies, is the absolute moral thing to do. Americans need to aggressively and publicly voice support for Israel's right to defend its citizens and soldiers.

Joint Arab List MKs at swearing-in ceremony: 'We vow to fight the Zionist Occupation'

Members of the Joint Arab List insult the State they are elected to serve at the swearing-in of the 24th Knesset.

Members of the Joint Arab List issued a provocative statement at the swearing-in of the 24th Knesset today (Tues, April 6).

The first party MK to arrive for the ceremony, Sami Abu Shehadeh, changed the original wording of the pledge of allegiance to the State of Israel to, "I swear to fight the Zionist Occupation. I swear to fight the Apartheid regime." Asked by Knesset speaker Yariv Levin to correct his "mistake," Abu Shehadeh repeated the previous statement. MK Aida Toma Suleiman, the List's sole Jewish MK Ofer Cassif and party chairman Ayman Odeh followed suit, vowing to fight the state they were elected to serve.

Important to note is that according to statute 16 of the Knesset Basic Law, an MK who doesn't vow allegiance to the State "will not benefit from the rights allotted to Knesset members so long as he fails to do so."

Based on this legal statute, Joint List members will be required to follow through with the correct wording of the oath at an upcoming Knesset session if they wish to benefit from rights reserved for Israel's MKs.

To follow up on the day's events, as the National Anthem was about to be played before the closing of the session, Joint List MKs were seen leaving the hall, leading to a verbal exchange with other members of the assembly.
Released Arab Israeli who killed IDF soldier gets hero's welcome in hometown

Rushdi Hamdan Abu Mukh, imprisoned for 35 years, is paraded in streets of Baqa al-Gharbiyye; family of victim Moshe Tamam demands his citizenship be revoked

Hundreds of residents of the Arab Israeli city of Baqa al-Gharbiyye held a welcoming ceremony Monday for a resident who was released from prison after serving 35 years for the murder of an Israeli soldier in 1984.

Rushdi Hamdan Abu Mukh was a member of the terror cell that killed Moshe Tamam. The other members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine cell were all also Arab Israeli citizens, and all were given life sentences.

Video posted on social media showed Abu Mukh being given a hero's welcome and paraded through a main street in the city. No Arab Israeli lawmakers were reported as attending Abu Mukh's arrival in the city, though on hand was former MK Ibrahim Sarsour, a former leader of the Ra'am party, which is seeking to join a ruling coalition in the wake on last month's elections.

The Tamam family has appealed to both Interior Minister Aryeh Deri and Public Security Minister Amir Ohana with a demand that Abu Mukh's citizenship be revoked.

IDF soldier Moshe Tamam, who was murdered in 1984 

"As a family, today our hearts are broken," Tamam's niece Ortal Tamam told Ynet. "To see the murderer of my uncle released as a hero, received with adoration and return to his life in a community close to my family home is heartbreaking."

Abu Mukh's PFLP cell originally planned to kidnap an IDF soldier and transfer him to Syria as a bargaining chip for the release of imprisoned terrorists, but instead decided to slay Tamam after capturing him at the Netanya junction as he made his way home from his base. He was later killed near the West Bank city of Jenin.

Security forces caught the cell members and they were sentenced to life in prison in 1986, but in 2012 then-president Shimon Peres decided to reduce Abu Mukh's sentence to 35 years.

Abu Mukh is said to be one of the highest-paid recipients of monthly Palestinian Authority stipends, part of a controversial program that awards those who carry out terror attacks on Israelis.

The Ra'am party, whose former leader Sarsur attended the welcoming ceremony for Abu Mukh, sits in a potential kingmaker position for forming the next government following the inconclusive elections last month.

With the Knesset divided between those who want Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to remain in office and those who want to oust him, both sides have been courting Ra'am, a conservative, Islamist party.

Last week party leader Mansour Abbas gave a press conference in which he called for peace and cooperation between Arab and Jewish citizens in Israel.

However, establishing a government that relies on even outside support from Ra'am faces opposition on both sides of the divided Knesset, with some seeing the party as anti-Zionist and accusing it of supporting Palestinian terrorism.

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