Monday, March 28, 2022

03/28 Links Pt1: Israel's Negev Summit wraps in unanimous condemnation of terror attack; Bereaved relatives mourn 19-year-old victims of Hadera shooting; Answering Israel's Ukraine Critics

From Ian:

Israel's Negev Summit wraps in unanimous condemnation of terror attack
The Negev Summit held with the participation of foreign ministers from Egypt, Bahrain, Morocco and the UAE as well as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken ended on Monday as participants all condemned the deadly terror attack in Hadera.

The summit was convened as world powers were set to sign a new nuclear deal with Iran and the United States was considering the removal of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps from its list of terror organizations, a move Israel and its regional partners strongly opposed.

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid who hosted the event said the participants had decided in the wake of the terror attack, to make their meeting an annual event.

"We are today opening a door before all the peoples of the region, including the Palestinians, and offering them to replace the way of terror and destruction with a shared future of progress and success."

"What we are doing here is making history, building a new regional architecture based on progress, technology, religious tolerance, security and intelligence cooperation," Lapid said.

"This new architecture - the shared capabilities we are building - intimidates and deters our common enemies, first and foremost Iran and its proxies."

Blinken who spoke after Lapid said Washington and its allies will work together to confront security challenges and threats including from Iran and its proxies.

Speaking at a rare Arab-Israeli forum in the Negev desert in southern Israel, Blinken also said Washington would continue to support the normalisation process between Israel and Arab countries but added that this should not be a substitute for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

The Foreign Minister of Bahrain Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani said he was proud to participate in the Negev Summit and added that attacks by Hezbollah and the Islamic State must end and that goal can only be achieved by working together.

He said his country would continue to search for ways to bring Israel and the Palestinians to negotiate peace.

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed the region lost 43 years since the signing of the peace agreement between Israel and Egypt but now was happy to be in Israel and learn about the country and the Israelis.

"It is clear to me that there is at least potential in the summit," he said. "We are trying to follow Egypt's foot step to build for a better and prosperous future," he said.

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said that his presence along with others participating in the Negev Summit was an appropriate response to the terror attack carried out in Hadera.
Hadera attack victims buried: 'Our lives have darkened, the ground shaken'
Yazan Falah and Shirel Aboukrat, the two Border Police officers killed in Sunday's terror attack in Hadera, were buried on Monday afternoon, with politicians and top police commanders attending the funerals.

Falah, 19, was buried in his hometown of Kasra Samia. Thousands of people attended the ceremony.

"Since we heard the news are lives have darkened and the ground has shaken," Falah's uncle, Amel Falah, eulogized.

"I wish the ground had swallowed me before your mother had to receive the tidings, I wish I was dead in your place," he said. "What will I say to your mother - my sister, who dreamed to see you marry? You left a wound in our hearts that will bleed forever," he said.

"He put himself in danger every day, and was and is a pillar of fire for us, the citizens of Israel," said Public Security Minister Omer Bar Lev. "We are here thanks to him and his brothers-in-arms," he said.

"You grew up to be a smiling, friendly comrade, always ready to help anyone in need," said Justice Minister Gideon Sa'ar. "All of Israel and its citizens were hit by agony and grief, and there are no words that can comfort the suffering family, who are saying goodbye with a pained, broken heart," he said.

Aboukrat, 19, was brought to rest at the Military Cemetery in Netanya. Aboukrat's mother, Dvorah, was heard shouting, "Shirel, how did I not keep you out of harm? I want you my daughter, wake up."

"How were you taken with such savagery?" said a cousin of Aboukrat. "You dreamed of being an officer in the Border Police and a police detective, you were lucky to achieve at least one," she said.

The two were killed and 12 others were injured when two terrorists, armed with 1,100 bullets, at least three sidearms, knives and wearing flack jackets opened fire on them on main street in Hadera on Sunday evening.
‘Salt of the earth’: Bereaved relatives mourn 19-year-old victims of Hadera shooting
Families and friends of the two Border Police officers killed in Sunday’s Hadera terror attack on Monday mourned the loss of the two 19-year-olds at the hands of terrorist gunmen.

Shirel Abukarat’s family immigrated to Israel from France in 2006.

“We escaped France in pursuit of security and this is where she died, in our country. It doesn’t make any sense. I wanted to provide them with a good life,” Abukarat’s mother Dvora told the Ynet news site.

Moshe, Abukarat’s uncle, described her as a proud Zionist and a good student.

“She was full of spirit and had a big heart,” he told Army Radio. “She loved this country and was an excellent student. She achieved everything she set her mind to and was an excellent soldier. She really loved the Border Police.”

“We had everything in France,” he noted, but the family decided to immigrate as “we are very Zionist.”

“I guess this is our fate, living by the sword. I just hope the leaders at the top start making operational decisions and realize who we’re dealing with here,” he told Ynet.

Asked whether he had any complaints about the Israeli security services, Moshe said there is nothing to do when faced with lone-wolf terrorism.

“We have the best security services in the world,” he said, noting that real-time prevention is limited “when two brainwashed, highly extreme guys suddenly decide to get up and kill in the name of Islam or Islamic State.”

Despite the tragedy, he said, “we are strong. We will cope, we will overcome because we don’t have any other choice. We can’t let ourselves be weak. We won’t let them beat us. We’ll cry, we’ll mourn, it won’t be easy.”




Islamic State is back, and the Israel Police, Shin Bet need to play catch-up - analysis
One of the terrorists, Ibrahim Agbarieh, tried to join Islamic State, Haaretz reported.

One of the Hadera attackers also had previously posted photos that show him next to Raed Salah, leader of the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel. Since his release from prison earlier this year, Salah has been spearheading the call for violence.

There is real concern by the security establishment of copycat attacks following the two deadly ones this past week. There is fear that religious radicalization and Ramadan, Passover and Easter will lead to an explosion not seen in Israel for many years.

Following the two attacks, security forces have increased their alert and readiness levels across the country, not only in Jerusalem and the West Bank.

In addition to the lone-wolf terrorists like Israel has seen in the past, including the attacker from Beersheba, terrorist groups such as Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah – all of which praised the attack – may try to carry out more of them to fan the flames.

In addition to the religious holidays, in May, there will be the first anniversary of Operation Guardian of the Walls, which saw riots across the country in mixed Jewish and Arab cities like Lod and in the Negev, as well as Land Day and the continued tensions in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah.

The police officer’s brother was not responsible for the attacker’s actions, sources told the Post. While that is true, the question remains: The writing was on the Facebook walls of the attackers. If they missed the attacks in Beersheba and Hadera, what is in store for Israel in the coming months?
Islamic State Claims Responsibility for Shooting Attack in Israel
The Islamic State published a short statement claiming two fighters representing the “Islamic State in Palestine” carried out an attack resulting in the death of two police officers and the injury of others. The group identified “Ayman Ighbariya” and “Khaled Ighbariya” as the perpetrators of the attack.

“At least two members of the Jewish police were killed, and others were wounded, in a double attack by Islamic State fighters in northern Palestine,” the statement said.

Local news outlets reported two Israeli border police officers were killed, and several other officers were injured in a shootout with the attackers.

Additionally, one of the attackers was reportedly arrested by Turkish police in 2016 as he “tried to reach Syria to join the Islamic State group.”

Prior to the assault, a video was uploaded to Facebook where the two jihadists swore bayat (oath of allegiance) to the Islamic State and its new leader, Abu al-Hassan al-Hashemi al-Qurayshi.

The Islamic State’s claim was published by the organization’s Amaq News Agency. Citing “military sources,” Amaq reported that two jihadists of the Islamic State succeeded in reaching Herbert Samuel Street in Hadera, Israel and started shooting at a force of “Jewish police.”

The statement also noted the strike came days after an Islamic State-inspired terrorist, Abu al-Qia’an, launched an “operation” in Be’er Sheba that resulted in the death of four Israeli civilians. The claim refers to Qia’an as an inghamasi (suicide commando) suggesting he may have also been a member of the Islamic State, although Israeli security officials believe he was a lone-wolf.

The attack in Hadera represents one of the few achievements by the Islamic State in Israel. In 2017, a Palestinian cell representing the Islamic State launched an offensive in Jerusalem’s Old City. Armed with knives and guns they killed one female border patrol officer and wounded several others before being shot dead by Israeli security forces.
"Brother of ISIS Terrorist is Israeli Police Officer"
The brother of one of the two Arab terrorists who killed two police officers and wounded six other people is himself a cop.

A police investigator at a precinct in Kfar Saba, the terrorist’s brother is said to be “an excellent police officer, who was in shock after the attack,” according to Israel Police.

Although he did not come to work the day after the attack, the officer is not expected to resign.

ISIS Claims Responsibility for Hadera Attack, 2nd Without Intelligence Warning

Ayman and Ibrahim Akbar, two cousins from the Israeli Arab city of Umm al Fahm, were both supporters of the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organization, which claimed responsibility for Sunday night’s attack in Hadera.
Hezbollah praises Hadera terrorist attack as ‘response’ to Negev Summit - analysis
The terrorist attack in Hadera is an example of Palestinian “steadfastness in confronting the occupation,” according to Hezbollah.

It was an example of a Palestinian response to the “infamous and treacherous normalization meetings [in Israel] by some Arab regimes,” the Lebanese terrorist group said in a statement published on pan-Arabist satellite television Al Mayadeen, which tends to be pro-Iranian and pro-Hezbollah.

This is a reference to the Negev Summit that is taking place this week as Israel hosts the foreign ministers of Bahrain, UAE, Morocco and Egypt.

The statement indicated that the attack was an “independent” Palestinian decision, which appears to mean it does not have a guiding hand linked to Hezbollah or Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which are known terrorist factions backed by Iran.

“The operation is the most important and most effective practical response to the infamous and treacherous normalization meetings that some Arab regimes are carrying out with the enemy entity,” the statement said, according to Al Mayadeen.

The statement called this a heroic “confrontation” with Israel. The article noted that the perpetrators were from Umm el-Fahm, a large Arab-Israeli city.

Iran’s Fars News Agency also highlighted the attack. Fars is considered close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The IRGC and Iran generally back Hezbollah. The statement at Fars called this a “martyrdom operation” and said Hezbollah had congratulated the perpetrators.

The attack was a way for Palestinians to confront Israel with “all available means and tools,” the statement reiterated, adding that it took place as foreign ministers from Arab states were having meetings in Israel. “These meetings are useless because the real decision is the decision of the Palestinian people,” the statement said.


Answering Israel's Ukraine Critics
Criticism of how Israel has responded to Russia's invasion of Ukraine has intensified, while becoming progressively more untethered from the facts. Regarding Israel's refusal to give Ukraine its Iron Dome defensive anti-missile system, beyond the practical issues there's a moral one. Numerous countries have anti-missile systems. Israel is one of very few that regularly uses its system to defend itself from neighbors that periodically launch missiles at it. Its supply of Iron Dome interceptors is already badly depleted due to last May's rocket barrages by Hamas, which is why Congress recently approved a special allocation to help it purchase more.

Consequently, giving Ukraine some of its limited stock of Iron Dome batteries and missiles would leave Israel's own population vulnerable. And no government has a moral right, let alone a duty, to protect another country at the expense of protecting its own citizens. By contrast, less immediately threatened countries could give their anti-missile systems to Ukraine without endangering their own populations. None of them have. Yet there has been no public outcry over their refusal to provide missile defense systems to Ukraine.

There's one sanction on Russia that Israel genuinely does flout: the aviation boycott. That's because Russia has a large Jewish population and thousands have expressed interest in moving to Israel due to the war. Israel cannot and should not ban flights from a country with which it's not at war as long as there are Jews who need to leave.
Israeli Ex-Commandos Secretly Train Ukrainians
Israeli ex-commandos have been training Ukrainians at a secret facility in western Ukraine, Yediot Ahronot reported Friday.

An Israeli official said the political echelon is aware of the covert program but has chosen to look away.

"We are all united in our support and solidarity toward the Ukrainian nation...which has been exposed to the worst kind of Russian aggression," he said.

The official added, "The truth is, we're pretty sick of the Russian story in Syria and how they keep screwing us over. Yes, we are fully coordinated with them, but we were never deceived - they are not on our side."

"They talk to us right after coordinating with the Syrians, Iranians and with Hizbullah in Syria. They are on their side and are making our life extremely difficult. We shouldn't forget that."
The Palestinians and the Crisis in Ukraine
While 144 countries condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the UN, the Palestinian Authority remained silent. The Palestinians regard the Ukrainian struggle as competing with them for international attention. They are frustrated that their struggle is cast by many as terrorism, while the struggle in Ukraine is treated as a just war for freedom.

The Palestinian leadership is careful to avoid damage to their relations with Russia, which they consider an ally. PA President Mahmoud Abbas, who earned his doctorate in Russia, does not want to harm his relations with an actor that is likely to challenge U.S. dominance in the region.

Nor has any broad-based popular support among the Palestinians for Ukraine been visible. The Palestinian leadership understands that after the war in Ukraine, international attention and monetary donations will be invested in the rehabilitation of that country, in part at the expense of the Middle East.
Russian Opposition Journalist Targeted With ‘Jewish Pig’ Slur for Critical Coverage of Ukraine War
A prominent Russian dissident journalist has faced antisemitic intimidation for speaking out against the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Alexei Venediktov last Thursday discovered a severed pigs head and a sticker bearing Ukraine’s coat of arms along with the slogan “Judensau” (“Jewish pig”) outside the front door of his Moscow apartment.

Venediktov is the editor of the liberal Echo radio station in Moscow. The station, which has been broadcasting since 1990, was kicked off air by the Russian authorities because of its critical coverage of the war in Ukraine.

Venediktov, who is of Jewish descent, expressed amazement on his Telegram channel that such an antisemitic provocation could occur in the “country that defeated fascism.”

“Why not just fix a six-pointed star to my door?” he added sarcastically, referring to the Star of David that symbolizes Judaism.

The antisemitic phrase “Judensau” dates back to the medieval period. Several churches in Germany are decorated with sculptures mocking the Jewish prohibition on the consumption of pork by showing Jews on their knees suckling a pig.


PMW: On Women’s Day Fatah presented its heroic women - a child murderer, a plane hijacker, and other terrorists
PA Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh chose to highlight the PA’s terror mom, Um Nasser Abu Hmeid, whose “achievement” is being the mother of 6 terrorists responsible for at least 10 murders

PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas chose to stress Palestinian women’s “heroic role in the struggle,” addressing women in their roles as “mother, sister, daughter, wife, friend, prisoner, wounded, Martyr”

Fatah: “On March 8 the entire world, and particularly the Palestinian people... celebrate Women’s Day in appreciation for the effort and sacrifices Palestinian women have made. Martyr Dalal Mughrabi (i.e., led murder of 37) joined Fatah in 1973 and commanded the Kamal Adwan operation… in which over 30 Israelis were killed… Fighter Theresa Halsa (i.e., terrorist hijacker)… enlisted to [Fatah’s] Black September. She participated in the operation to hijack a Sabena plane carrying Israeli passengers… Fatima Barnawi (i.e., terrorist, placed bomb in movie theater)… participated in the movie theater operation in 1967”

“There were prominent names in the Palestinian struggle’s history such as female fighter Theresa Halsa, Rima Issa [Tannous] (i.e., terrorist plane hijackers), Shadia Abu Ghazaleh (i.e., terrorist bombmaker), Reem Riyashi (i.e., suicide bomber, murdered 4), Fatima Al-Najjar (i.e., suicide bomber, wounded 3), Ayyat Al-Akhras (i.e., suicide bomber, murdered 2), Dalal Mughrabi (i.e., terrorist who led murder of 37, 12 of them children), Laila Khaled (i.e., terrorist plane hijacker, involved in murder of 1), Martyr Zakiya Shammout (i.e., terrorist, murdered 1)” – article in official PA daily


Fatah Official Jamal Al-Huwail Praises “Lone Lion” Who Murdered Israelis in a Beersheba Knife Attack

Palestinian FM Riyad Al-Maliki: Ukraine Crisis Exposes International Community's Double Standards

Poll: 73% of Palestinians Want Abbas to Step Down
A poll conducted in the West Bank and Gaza between March16-20, 2022, found a rise in Fatah's popularity.

However, President Abbas' popularity has not risen and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh would defeat Abbas in a presidential election by 54% to 38%. 73% want Abbas to resign.

60% of West Bankers say they cannot criticize the PA without fear. 56% in Gaza say they cannot criticize Hamas authorities without fear.

58% oppose a two-state solution for Palestinian-Israeli relations. 52% supported a return to armed confrontations and intifada. 70% oppose an unconditional resumption of Palestinian-Israeli negotiations.

73% believe the Qur'an contains a prophecy on the demise of the State of Israel. Only 13% believe that the most vital Palestinian goal should be to establish a democratic political system that respects freedoms and rights of Palestinians.


Iran Struck Iraq Target Over Gas Talks Involving Israel: Officials
A nascent plan for Iraq’s Kurdistan region to supply gas to Turkey and Europe — with Israeli help — is part of what angered Iran into striking the Kurdish capital Erbil with ballistic missiles this month, Iraqi and Turkish officials say.

The March 13 attack on Erbil came as a shock to officials throughout the region for its ferocity, and was a rare publicly declared assault by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

The IRGC said the strike hit Israeli “strategic centers” in Erbil and was retaliation for an Israeli air raid that killed two of its members in Syria.

The choice of target, however, baffled many officials and analysts. Most of the 12 missiles hit the villa of a Kurdish businessman involved in the autonomous Kurdistan region’s energy sector.

Iraqi and Turkish officials who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity this week said they believe the attack was meant as a multi-pronged message to US allies in the region — but that a key trigger was a plan to pump Kurdish gas into Turkey and Europe, with Israel‘s involvement.

“There had been two recent meetings between Israeli and US energy officials and specialists at the villa to discuss shipping Kurdistan gas to Turkey via a new pipeline,” an Iraqi security official said.

Iran’s foreign ministry and the IRGC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A senior Iranian security official told Reuters the attack was a “multi-purposed message to many people and groups. It’s up to them how to interpret it. Whatever (Israel) is planning, from energy sector to agriculture, will not materialize.”
Legal Docs Tie Quincy Institute’s Amir Handjani to Spy Operation
A pro-Iran pundit at the Koch- and Soros-backed Quincy Institute was more involved than previously known in an international private spy operation targeting critics of a Gulf State sheikh, according to new court filings.

In a U.K. affidavit filed last month, a British private eye said the Quincy fellow and onetime foreign agent Amir Handjani, along with a lawyer for Ras al Khaimah (RAK), a small United Emirates Kingdom, "instructed" him to investigate who was funding a Jordanian businessman's lawsuit accusing the RAK of detaining and torturing him at a black site prison. The private eye said he later enlisted an Israeli hacker to handle the case. The affidavit does not specify who was specifically targeted in the investigation.

At the time, Handjani was an adviser to Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al Qasimi, the authoritarian ruler of RAK, which is implicated in several lawsuits that accuse its leadership and advisers of hiring private spies and hackers to dig up dirt on enemies. RAK is one of the seven monarchical states that make up the United Arab Emirates and its ruler is known to have deep financial and diplomatic ties to Iran.

Handjani has been a vocal media advocate for the Iran nuclear deal from his perches at several prominent D.C.-based think tanks including the Truman National Security Project and, until last year, the Atlantic Council. His role as an adviser to hostile foreign leaders and as a registered foreign agent for Saudi Arabia's public investment fund—while simultaneously serving as a think tank donor and expert—illustrates the seedy and complicated ways that foreign governments can influence American political discourse, where his work has been featured in publications like Foreign Policy and Bloomberg.

Handjani has denied knowledge of the alleged hacking campaigns, but the private investigator's court testimony is raising questions about Handjani’s role in authorizing at least one private spy operation carried out in 2020—and has led to a request that Handjani turn over records as part of a separate U.S. federal lawsuit.


Iranian FM: We Have Good Relations with UAE But Meeting with Any Israeli Is Betrayal of Palestinians







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