Pages

▼

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

04/26 Links Pt1: Israel's Miraculous 75th Birthday; Glick and Sharansky: Today, Unify around Zionism; The Golan threats: Another phase in the ‘campaign between the wars’

From Ian:

Arsen Ostrovsky: Israel's Miraculous 75th Birthday
The country today has become a homeland for the Jewish people, yet all its citizens—even those who are not Jewish—are treated equally and afforded full civil rights. It has a unified capital again in the Holy city of Jerusalem; and a strong army, capable to thwarting any foe near or far. Israel's innovation, technology, and a dynamic creativity has become the envy of the world. The ancient language of Hebrew has been revived and is spoken by its people again.

And in Israel—unlike Europe or even parts of the United States—we do not have to fear walking the streets looking "too Jewish" or celebrating Jewish festivals.

Today, Israel has become a source of inspiration to the champions of hope and dignity, serving as a role model for all those fighting for their right to self-determination.

And all this has been achieved against insurmountable odds, against implacable enemies who still today refuse to accept the Jewish state's very existence.

In 1878, 70 years before the State of Israel was born, a young Jewish poet from Europe, Naphtali Herz Imber, penned the lyrics to the poem "Tikvateinu," meaning 'Our Hope' in Hebrew. In it he says, "Our hope is not yet lost, the ancient hope, to return to the land of our fathers."

In 1948, when modern Israel was established, the hope our people had carried for millennia became a reality and "Tikvateinu" became its national anthem.
JPost Editorial: Israel Independence Day, Remembrance Day: A hard-won miracle
Israel is a major military power, an economic marvel and a technological hub for the entire world. It wins Eurovision Song Contests and Nobel Prizes, develops cutting-edge innovations and agricultural wonders, and has produced a Wonder Woman.

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, 9.7 million Israelis inhabit this tiny land – 12 times the country’s population at the time of its founding – of whom 7.1 million are Jewish, two million are Arab, and a little more than half a million are of other backgrounds. Some 79% of the country’s Jewish population are tzabarim – Israeli-born – and 46% of the world’s Jews live in Israel.

Israel’s society is vibrant and its democracy is robust. The hundreds of thousands of Israelis who have poured into city streets every Saturday night for four months now, protesting for and against the government’s proposed judicial overhaul, may have different visions of Israel’s future, but they are fighting to ensure that the country their children inhabit is better than the Israel of today.

There are few songs that capture the complexities of life in Israel as simply but poignantly as Naomi Shemer’s ballad “Al Kol Eleh” (“For All of These”): “For the honey and for the sting, for the bitter and the sweet, for our baby girl, please preserve, my good Lord.”

The honey and the sting, the bitter and the sweet have always been a part of the Israeli experience, and they remain so today. As yesterday’s terrible terrorist attack – which took place just a few blocks from The Jerusalem Post’s downtown Jerusalem offices – illustrated so painfully, the fight to be a free people in our land continues.

Today we will shed tears of grief for the young men and women who have fallen in battle, and for the civilians of all ages – men, women, teens and children – who have been killed in acts of terrorism since before Israel’s birth.

Then, in an act as incomprehensible as it is natural to us, we will wipe away our tears and come together to rejoice in what we have built in this special corner of the world.

As the sun sets this evening, let us give thanks for all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we might celebrate 75 years of one of the greatest miracles of the modern era.

Chag Atzma’ut Same’ach – Happy Independence Day, Israel.


The Caroline Glick Show: Glick and Sharansky: Today, Unify around Zionism
In this special episode for Israel Independence Day, journalist Caroline Glick speaks with former Prisoner of Zion Natan Sharansky about the meaning of Israel and Zionism for the Jewish people in Israel and around the world.

Sharansky has spoken out against the government’s judicial reform effort, while Caroline is an outspoken advocate for massive reform of the legal system. Despite their differences, they spoke of the need for unity on Yom HaZikaron and Israel Independence Day.

In her opening, Caroline discussed the left’s threats to wreak havoc during Memorial Day ceremonies at military cemeteries and the path that Israel must cross to bridge the gaps that divide society as Israel enters its 76th year.

Don’t miss this special discussion of the Jewish State, the Jewish people and Zionism!


Israel's 75th anniversary of Independence

1st Ethiopian-born Israeli minister on Independence Day

The Commentary Magazine Podcast: Israel’s Miracle and Washington’s Mess
On the occasion of Israel’s 75th anniversary, the podcast takes a look at why Israel has become a financial powerhouse while India (which gained independence in the same year) remains so economically problematic. And then, speaking of being economically problematic, we talk about the debt ceiling.


People around the world try finding Israel on map

Independence Day: Polish Palace Illuminated with the Colors of Israel
Honoring Israel’s Independence Day, on Tuesday evening, Poland illuminated their iconic Palace of Culture and Science in downtown Warsaw with the blue and white colors of the Jewish state.

Ambassador Yacov Livne called it a “vivid symbol of Israeli-Polish friendship.”

Last week, municipal sirens and church bells rang out in the Polish capital to mark the beginning of the 80th anniversary commemorating the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, the largest act of Jewish resistance against the Nazis during World War II that lasted one month, but were eventually slaughtered by the Nazi forces.

Ties between the two countries were soured after a Polish law was passed that limited claims to property looted during World War II, and which Israel called “anti-Semitic.” Poland had recalled its ambassador to Israel in 2021 after a similar move by Jerusalem. Only last month, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen visited Warsaw and the two countries agreed to return their envoys.


75 Years Later, We Continue to Fight and Honor.



From Independence War to current operations, a look at Israel's wars



Israel Celebrates 75 with Omri Caspi
“Anything is possible with a little bit of faith”

75 years ago today, we became a country.

It hasn't always been easy, but its been an incredible journey.

Join us and former NBA player Omri Casspi as we celebrate the incredible miracle that is Israel.


StandWithUs: The History of Tel Aviv & Israel
Celebrate Israel's 75th Independence Day by taking a TourWithUs through Tel Aviv, guided by Yoni Zierler, StandWithUs' Director of Tourism. Yoni leads us on a journey through Tel Aviv's rich history as we walk along the golden trail of independence and learn about the founding of both the city and the State of Israel. Happy Yom Ha'atzmaut (Independence Day), Israel!




Jewish National Fund reveals photos from Israel's early days of independence
In honor of Israel's 75th Independence Day, the Jewish National Fund revealed this week special photos of the country's early days of independence.

These include pictures from the 1950s, when the KKL-JNF worked to drain the Hula lake in northern Israel to prepare agricultural land. Considered the biggest Zionist accomplishment, the project was carried out by deepening the river bed of the Jordan river to the south of the valley and excavating two canals that drained the water from the lake and the marshes.

The original course of the Jordan that flowed in the valley was abandoned over the years and blocked. At the request of nature lovers, KKL-JNF left an area of approximately 3,000 dunams as the first nature reserve in Israel.

"In honor of the holiday, KKL-JNF archives wore white and excitedly revealed a number of rare photos from the first days of independence, from the work of draining the swamps, which were an integral part of building our country," Efrat Sinai, director of archives at KKL-JNF, said. "The photos remind us of the joy of independence and the sense of unity that accompanied it the establishment of the state. KKL-JNF wishes all the citizens of Israel – Happy Independence Day."
Massive mural in honor of Independence Day to be displayed at Ben-Gurion airport
A massive mural that depicts the 4,000-year history of the Jewish people was unveiled in Mexico Sunday and will soon decorate the arrivals hall at Ben-Gurion International Airport.

The mural – 44 meters long and five meters high – was painted by Mexican artist Julio Carrasco Bretón in honor of Israel's 75th year of independence as part of an initiative that began about a year ago with the blessing of President Isaac Herzog.

It was unveiled at an event attended by Foreign Minister of Mexico Marcelo Ebrard, Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli, and Isaac Assa, president and founder of the Israel Latin American Network (ILAN), and other senior government officials and heads of the Jewish community.

"Am Yisrael Chai" tells the history of the Jewish people from the creation of the first man to the establishment of the State of Israel. It includes depictions of the creation of the people of Israel, the forefathers, the Exodus from Egypt, the Temple, the prophets and monarchies, Spain, Hasidism, Zionism, the Holocaust and the early immigration to pre-state Israel.

Ebrard called the mural "historic" because "not only does it tell the extraordinary story of four thousand years of the history of the Jewish people, but it also synthesizes the relation between the Mexican people, the Jewish-Mexican community and the people of Israel."


UNSC holds Israeli-Palestinian conflict debate on Israel's Memorial Day

No Palestinian land was ever stolen!
The Palestinian narrative alluding to the illegal occupation of their stolen land is a false narrative that has been repeated and promoted so often that it has morphed into fact. The ongoing propaganda and lies about occupation and theft of supposedly Palestinian land must be continuously challenged. The claim of occupation originates from 1967 despite the fact that there was no Palestinian land in 1967. There was land occupied by Jordan from 1948 – 1967 which Israel won back in 1967. That land as per the League of Nations Mandate 1922 ratified by UN Charter 1945, Article 80 among others, is within the legally defined borders of Israel. The legally binding principles of Acquired Rights and Estoppel since codified in the Vienna Convention of 1969, Article 70 (1)(b) endorsed and confirmed these borders which include Judea and Samaria, (the West Bank) and paradoxically Gaza. The third Chamber of the Court of Appeal of Versailles 2013 in a case brought by the Palestinian Authority was the last ruling upholding and endorsing Israel’s sovereignty.

The only land in dispute which Israel occupies not within her legally defined borders is the Golan but as Syria is still technically at war with Israel that geography may still legally be occupied by any warring party until the conflict is officially terminated.

Thus in a few simple sentences referencing legal rulings as defined within Internationally established Treaties and Charters as codified in International law we have exposed the revisionist history, false narrative and lies that dominate mainstream media output and political debate on the Israel Palestinian issue.

Another myth that is often circulated and promoted is that Jews and Zionists were in control of 6% of the land before the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians before 1948. This too is a lie, a false narrative and revisionist history at its most perfidious. The truth and the facts are again rather different. To discredit this mythology, we must refer to two examples of British administrative bureaucracy at its finest – the Hope Simpson and Peel Reports of 1930 and 1937 respectively. Hope Simpson reveals that the areas of land were segregated into five distinct categories defined as Mulk, Miri, Waqf, Mewat and Metruke.
State Department spokesman scolds reporters during ‘nakba’ discussion
Earlier in the briefing, Said Arikat, who writes for a Palestinian paper and often attacks Israel, said that Ryiad al-Maliki, the Palestinian foreign minister, called at the United Nations for an end to the nakba. (The Arabic term for “catastrophe” is used to refer to Israel’s modern-day creation in 1948.)

“Do you agree with him that the Palestinian nakba, the time has come to end it?” Arikat asked Patel

“Said, we have been clear and consistent from this podium, from across this administration, about the need for a negotiated two-state solution, a state for the people of Israel, a state for the Palestinian people,” Patel said. “So that continues to be our administration’s approach to this.”

When Arikat persisted, asking “When should serious negotiations begin, in your view?” Patel said that Foggy Bottom’s position is that there should be a resolution as soon as possible; “that is why we have spoken to this quite consistently before.”

Arikat also mentioned “a bipartisan resolution in Congress” today that “basically omits the Palestinians completely. I mean, it talks about Israel. It talks about the celebration of independence, and so on. But even the lip service that was paid in the past for the two-state solution was not even mentioned altogether.”

He asked the State Department spokesman if that disturbed him.

Patel said he hadn’t seen the resolution and would not comment on “pending products coming out of our Congress.”

“But what I will say is two things,” he said. “One, we would congratulate Israel on its upcoming 75th anniversary. But also, you have seen us—this administration—be quite clear about our views on a two-state solution as well as our views about ensuring the dignity and the equal measures of prosperity, of equal measures of justice, when it comes to both the Israelis and Palestinians as well.”


FDD: Jordan Draws Closer to Iran While Displaying Hostility to Israel
Expert Analysis
“The warming of ties between Jordan and the Islamic Republic of Iran comes amidst a flurry of reports suggesting an Iranian diplomatic offensive among traditional U.S. allies. Jordan has every reason to try to deconflict with Iran, given the sheer amount of mayhem the clerical regime has caused inside Jordan — from Shia militias to Captagon. But Jordan must tread carefully if it wishes to remain in good standing with Washington and Jerusalem. The U.S.-led regional order hangs in the balance.” — Jonathan Schanzer, FDD Senior Vice President for Research

“Jordan has long been concerned about Iranian attempts to destabilize the kingdom, so it’s unsurprising that Amman would quickly follow Riyadh in seeking a détente. The problem, of course, is that the closer you get to the snake, the more likely it is to bite you.” — Richard Goldberg, FDD Senior Advisor

Jordan’s Escalating Rhetoric
The growing rapport between Tehran and various Arab countries marks a departure from the trend of increasing Arab-Israeli normalization fostered by the 2020 Abraham Accords. Despite being one of the first Arab countries to establish relations with Israel nearly 30 years ago, Jordan has recently displayed a more hostile face. Its official rhetoric about Israel has grown increasingly negative, if not vitriolic, in both public forums and Jordan’s government-sponsored media.

Concerns of Destabilization
King Abdullah raised concerns during a conversation with former U.S. National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster in May 2022 that Iranian forces in Syria could soon destabilize his country. Jordan also faces threats from Iran-backed militias in both Iraq and Syria, the latter of which traffic Captagon, an amphetamine-like drug, on behalf of the Syrian regime. There are also Iranian assets reportedly operating in the Red Sea, Amman’s outlet to international waters. Jordan is the third largest recipient of U.S. foreign aid, having received around $2.6 billion in 2020.
JCPA: Does the Recent Jordanian Smuggling Incident Reflect a Dangerous Development with Amman?
With the blessing and encouragement of the Iranian leadership, radical Palestinians used the presence of thousands of worshippers at the Al Aqsa Mosque on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount to incite and generate tension and violence by repeatedly broadcasting the false accusation that Israel intends to destroy the Mosque. This, in turn, led to waves of violence and terror against Israelis and Jews throughout the area, requiring Israel’s police to act to restore order.

Jordan’s Irresponsible Official Statements
No less regrettable is the reaction by the Jordanian leadership, which, despite being fully aware of the false basis for such incitement and the fact that groups of fanatics armed with clubs, fireworks, and rocks initiated violence within the holy Mosque, chose to join the choir of political elements condemning Israel.

Such Jordanian statements included an accusation by Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi alleging unprovoked aggression against peaceful Palestinian worshippers, adding, “Israel is pushing us into the abyss of violence and undermines the peace treaty with Jordan.”1

In a similar statement, Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sinan al-Majali threatened:
“Should the Israeli police assault worshipers again, in an attempt to empty [the mosque] of worshipers, in preparation for major incursions into the mosque,” it would “push the situation towards more tension and violence, for which everyone will pay the price.”

“The Israeli government bears responsibility for the escalation in Jerusalem and in all the occupied Palestinian territories and for the deterioration that will worsen if it does not stop its incursions into the holy Al Aqsa Mosque…and its terrorization of worshipers in these blessed days.”2

Jordan faces a tough internal predicament navigating between its majority Palestinian population, on the one hand, which constantly exerts political pressure to act with hostility towards Israel, and, on the other hand, its ruling Hashemite minority, Bedouin tribes, and aristocracy, which looks at the Hashemite kingdom’s broader strategic and global interests, as well as the welfare of its population.

However, even considering that, there can be no excuse for Jordan’s irresponsible official statements, which falsely accused Israel of “violating the sanctity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by police forces, and attacking worshipers in an attempt to empty it of worshipers ahead of major invasions of the mosque.”
Seth Frantzman: The Golan threats: Another phase in the ‘campaign between the wars’
Are the threats to the Golan a new normal?
There was another threat in early April when Iran flew a drone from Syria over the Golan and it was brought down. That makes at least three incidents in the area in a month. How many incidents represents a new trend and phase in the Campaign Between the Wars. Back in the fall of 2017 reports said that Russia had rejected demands to encourage the Syrian regime to keep Iran and Iran-backed units over 60km from the border when the regime returned to the area. This is important because Russia was sending military police down to the area at the time. Syrian rebels were reconciling with the regime. The US also has a garrison at Tanf which is around 260km from the border. Tanf garrison has an exclusion zone of 55km around it. If you do the math and subtract 60 km from 260 and then subtract another 55 you end up with a 145km gap where Iran would have influence between the exclusion zone of Tanf and the suggestion of a zone of non-Iranian entrenchment near the Golan.

However, Iran doesn’t want that. Instead the Iranian octopus keys in various units between Albukamal and Deir Ezzor along the Middle Euphrates River Valley (MERV) where it targets US forces, and then near Tanf and the Golan and at T-4 base near Palmyra. This is how Iran operates in southern and central Syria. In the north it also flies weapons into Aleppo under the cover of earthquake aid. The overall conclusion is that Iran is up to a lot of activity in Syria and that although it may face challenges, the artillery incidents near the Golan point to continued Iran-backed activity that is close to the border. This is a shift from Iran’s movement up by Aleppo in February and March. That movement led to reports in Syrian regime and Iran media of numerous airstrikes on Iranian shipments in Syria in March. Iran responded with the drone incident in early April and followed up with the “unity of front” campaign over Passover and now the apparent threats near the Golan led by the Iranian commander in the Syrian regime 4th division, and a key Hezbollah intelligence officer. It should be noted that back in August 2019 Hezbollah also moved a drone team up to an area near the Golan. That unit was neutralized in August 2019. But Hezbollah didn’t stop there, it continued to build up a Golan file according to the Alma Research and Education Center’s 2020 report. The recent threats may be a new manifestation of that.

During the Syrian civil war there were often threats to the Golan. Relative quiet appeared to increase after 2018. Now in 2023 the tensions appear to be building again.
Websites of Israeli port hacked; Sudanese group said to claim responsibility
A Sudanese hacker group claimed to bring down the internet sites of two Israeli ports on Wednesday as the Jewish State celebrated its Independence Day, the Ynet website reported.

A group of hackers that goes by “Anonymous Sudan,” which has claimed other recent online assaults on Israeli sites, said it targeted the Haifa Port website and that of the Israel Ports Development & Assets Company, which manages the country’s ports.

According to the report, the attack used a DDoS or denial of access method that overwhelms a site’s servers with requests.

The Haifa port website appeared to be operating mid-morning, however, the Ports Development site was not available. There was no immediate comment from the ports on Israel’s Independence Day.

On Monday, the same group claimed to have taken down the National Insurance Institute website and that of the Mossad spy agency. The NII confirmed the attempted hack but denied it brought down its site. Mossad did not publicly respond to the claim, though it rarely issues any public statements.

“Message to Israel, we do not want any mediation from you in Sudan, put all your mediation in your ass,” the group added, referencing a report earlier in the day that Israel had offered to mediate between the currently warring factions in Sudan.

Monday’s purported attack followed a successful hacking attack by Anonymous Sudan earlier this month against Israel’s national mail service and major banks.


BREAKING: Ramming Attack in Jerusalem on Eve of Memorial Day
As Israel prepared to honor those who have given their lives for their country on Memorial Day, a terrorist ran over six people in Jerusalem and as usual, the media distorted the story with misleading and propaganda headlines. Get the real story on today’s program.






Buy the EoZ book, PROTOCOLS: Exposing Modern Antisemitism  today at Amazon!

Or order from your favorite bookseller, using ISBN 9798985708424. 

Read all about it here!
 

 

at