Saturday, August 05, 2023

08/05 Links: Palestinian terrorist kills Israeli in Tel Aviv attack; Iran, Russia Evade Sanctions; Biden Administration 'Funding Both Sides of Ukraine War'

From Ian:

Palestinian terrorist kills Israeli in Tel Aviv attack
An Israeli man was killed on Saturday evening in a Palestinian shooting attack in the heart of Tel Aviv.

Two municipal patrol officers attempted to question the terrorist, who was behaving suspiciously, at the corner of Montefiore and Allenby streets. He ignored their overtures, drew a handgun from his bag and opened fire on them as they got off their motorcycles.

The victim, named as Chen Amir, 42, was a municipal security guard who had engaged the terrorist. The second officer then chased after the terrorist and shot and killed him.

Amir was evacuated to the nearby Ichilov Hospital, where he died. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.

Shabtai identified the attacker as a Palestinian from Rummanah in the Jenin area in northern Samaria who was in possession of a “martyrdom” letter. The commissioner said the guards prevented a large terrorist attack.

Security services were investigating whether the Palestinian assailant had accomplices and how he entered Israel proper.

According to the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), the terrorist, Kamel Abu Bakr, 22, was a member of Palestinian Islamic Jihad who had been hiding in the Jenin refugee camp for the last six months.

He did not have an entry permit into Israel proper due to this affiliation.
Tel Aviv security officers hailed for ‘thwarting a much graver attack’
Israeli leaders on Saturday hailed a pair of Tel Aviv municipality security officers who confronted a Palestinian terrorist in Tel Aviv, one of whom was critically wounded while doing so, for potentially preventing a larger attack.

The slain officer was later named as Chen Amir, 42.

“I praise the Tel Aviv municipality patrolmen for their vigilance and pursuit, which thwarted a much more serious attack,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. “Our security forces will settle the score with all those who seek our lives.”

“Your courage will not be forgotten. You are true heroes,” tweeted Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai.

Speaking with a Channel 12 reporter at the scene, Huldai said “life must go on as usual.”

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also praised the response by security forces at the scene, as did President Isaac Herzog and opposition party leaders Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz.

“Security forces will continue to operate everywhere with a strong hand against terror,” Lapid tweeted. “Our enemies should know that we will pursue them and their inciters everywhere.”

“Our hearts are with the family, wife, and little daughters of Chen Amir who was murdered tonight in a terror attack in Tel Aviv,” Lapid tweeted later after Amir’s death was announced. “There are no words that can comfort over the loss, Chen was a hero who lost his life protecting the city’s residents.”




Why Jews Are Called the ‘Chosen’ People – and Why It’s Often Misunderstood
It still amazes me how often I hear non-Jews claim that Jews are arrogant and exclusive because we claim to be the Chosen People. And they happily ignore that Christianity and Islam proudly claim to be the Chosen People of God or Allah.

So, let’s examine what the Torah actually says. It was in last week’s Torah reading that the idea of a Chosen People is first mentioned.

“For you are a people dedicated to God and God shows you to be God’s treasured people; it’s not because you are the most numerous of peoples that God grew attached to you and shows you indeed you are the smallest; it was because God favored you and kept the oath made to your fathers.”(Deut. 7:6-8).

This week, the Torah returns to this theme — and there are a series of sentences that I think are crucial in clarifying exactly what it means.

There is no suggestion whatsoever of automatic superiority.


Caroline Glick: Esther Hayut sets Israel on fire
By adjudicating the Edelstein and Incapacitation Clause petitions, Hayut canceled the powers of Israel’s democratically elected institutions and seized them for the court. On Sept. 15, Hayut intends to end her judicial career by asserting that there can be no limits of any sort placed on the court’s powers.

As a short-term player, Hayut sees the game ending on Sept. 30. But, of course, on Oct. 1, Israel will be left to contend with the consequences of her actions. And those will be a disaster. Indeed, they already are. Halutz’s moves put Israel on the fast track to Halutz’s civil war.

Bell notes, “A parliament asserts its authority by passing laws. By annulling the Knesset’s power to enact laws, the court is destroying the last vestiges of Israel’s democratic institutions. How are democratic institutions supposed to assert their authority if it isn’t by passing laws? All that’s left is confrontation, by actually rejecting the authority of the court.”

Consider what happened in the United States before the Civil War. In 1957, the Supreme Court passed its Dred Scott decision. The decision determined that a slave would remain the property of his owner wherever he was. If he escaped to a free state, the court insisted that he was still a slave and that the free state was required to return the slave to his owner in the South. That decision meant that state legislators had no power to abolish slavery in the separate states. As states of the United States, they were required to be complicit with slavery.

Bell notes that “it took four years from the time the Dred Scott decision was delivered until the start of the Civil War. But the war became inevitable after Dred Scott.”

So, too, the moment the Supreme Court nullifies the Knesset’s power to limit its powers, it renders civil war in Israel inevitable.

Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin has been harshly criticized for his handling of the judicial reform process. But whether his package was perfect or the process was properly managed is really beside the point. Levin rightly viewed his judicial reform package as a race against time to protect Israel’s democratic institutions from the court. He may have been too slow.

In media interviews last week, Netanyahu noted that the court lacks the power to adjudicate these issues. He wouldn’t say whether he would follow their decisions. He insisted instead that the government will abide by the rule of law. On Thursday, it was reported that Netanyahu is considering the option of re-legislating the Basic Laws if the court strikes them down.

In the absence of any significant political or legal figure on the left coming to his senses and rejecting Hayut’s maniacal power grab, Netanyahu’s reported plan of simply keeping the government’s nose to the grindstone, and moving forward, may be Israel’s only hope of avoiding a disaster of biblical proportions.
Masses protest overhaul, with toned-down Tel Aviv rally in shadow of terror attack
Masses rallied nationwide Saturday evening for the 31st consecutive week against the government’s attempt to overhaul the judiciary, with the main rally in Tel Aviv being held in the shadow of a fatal Palestinian terror attack in the city that took place just as the demonstrations were beginning.

Some 105,000 people were estimated by Channel 13 — citing the CrowdSolutions firm — to have attended the main rally at Tel Aviv’s Kaplan Street, which began following a march from Kikar Dizengoff that started at 7 p.m. — around when the shooting attack took place elsewhere in the city.

Tel Aviv municipal security officer Chen Amir, 42, was shot and killed by a member of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group after the terrorist raised officers’ suspicion in the bustling Nachalat Binyamin neighborhood. The terrorist was shot dead by Amir’s colleague, and a senior police source was later quoted by the Ynet news site as saying the gunman had possibly planned to target the anti-overhaul protesters at Kaplan.

In light of the attack, protest organizers held the mass rally as planned, with increased police presence and without music being played from the loudspeakers during the demonstration. They also didn’t move to block roads, as they have in most weeks after the rally — in order to not complicate access for the security forces and emergency services in the attack’s aftermath.

“Even in difficult and painful moments, it is our duty to keep fighting for Israeli democracy,” organizers said in a statement. “The regime coup harms national security and the Israeli society’s resilience.”
Iran, Russia Evade Sanctions; Biden Administration 'Funding Both Sides of Ukraine War'
The Biden Administration also tried to deny that it had issued another waiver to Iraq to pay $500 million to the Iranian regime. According to a report by the Free Beacon, the waiver was issued "a day after Biden administration officials denied Iran's claims that the United States had paved the way for Tehran to receive the $500 million."

The regime will most likely use the funds to further arm and assist Russia in its invasion of Ukraine, to brutalize its own citizens, to undermine US national security interests, to fund its terrorist and militia groups across the Middle East and to expand more deeply into Latin America.

"Of course the Biden administration lied that they wouldn't waive sanctions on Iran just days before they did so. They know that by allowing money to pour into Iran, they are not only endangering the safety and security of Americans but also undermining everything they claim to believe about defeating Putin. They say that Iran is a terror sponsor and Russia's top military backer, but appeasing Iran and getting back into a nuclear deal with the Ayatollah is more important to them. They are funding both sides of the Ukraine war." -- Senator Ted Cruz, Free Beacon, March 24, 2023.

Russia is learning from Iran on how to evade sanctions as well.... Examples include: "the switching of ownership of companies and properties to family members or affiliates, the use of trading companies to source foreign exchange...."

Russia and Iran have signed an agreement to build a sanction-proof $1.7 billion intercontinental rail system for global trade in an apparent effort to compete with the Suez Canal. To bypass sanctions, Iran and Russia in February 2023 also signed an agreement to integrate their banking systems.

Iran recently joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), headed up by Russia and China. The SCO will allow the mullahs to further increase their trade and revenues in spite of sanctions.

Last year, the Biden Administration issued a waiver that had been rescinded by the Trump Administration, permitting companies from Europe, Russia and China to advance work in Iran's nuclear sites. This was most likely done in the hope of reviving the nuclear deal...

Only because of the Biden administration's weak leadership, policies of appeasement and reluctance to seriously enforce sanctions have Russia and Iran been able to create so much devastation at such an unprecedented level.
The Israel Guys: US Judge Defies Joe Biden & Sentences an Anti-Semite to Death | Security Update From Israel
Today in Israel, 2018 Tree of Life Synagogue shoot was finally sentenced, we’re going to get into that, also we’re going to get into a controversy concerning a community here in Judea and Samaria, and Israel’s supreme court maybe doing something right for a change, along with a security update with all the latest prayer points.




Jamaal Bowman’s anti-Israel posture fuels primary opposition back home
Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) has long had a contentious relationship with Jewish community leaders in his district, many of whom have vocally objected to his increasingly hostile positions toward Israel.

The last few days, however, have contributed to a new level of frustration with the Bronx progressive, who is facing scrutiny from Jewish voters for opposing a House resolution rejecting claims that Israel is a racist state and subsequently boycotting Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s address to a joint session of Congress.

“The Jewish community is furious, and it comes from a long and recent chain of events,” Justin Brasch, the Democratic president of the White Plains Common Council, said in an interview with Jewish Insider on Thursday. “People text, email and call me every single day expressing frustration with Congressman Bowman.”

For months, Jewish activists and establishment Democrats in New York’s 16th Congressional District, which includes Westchester County and the Bronx and is home to a sizable Jewish community, have been looking to recruit a viable primary challenger to run against Bowman in 2024, when he will be seeking his third congressional term.

“The recent vote and joint session issues have spiked interest in finding an opponent,” said one prominent Democratic leader in Westchester who has taken issue with Bowman’s approach to Israel. “There’s been a lot of consternation and disappointment.”

Now, one potential challenger has stepped forward to confirm he has been approached, even if he has yet to announce his plans. In an email to JI on Thursday, George Latimer, a Westchester County executive who served in the state legislature, said that “a number of individuals” have been urging him to oppose Bowman. The veteran Democrat stressed, however, that he has not “made a decision to seek the seat” and remains “fully focused” on his current job.


Two Israelis Arrested After Murder of Palestinian Near Ramallah
Police on Saturday morning arrested two Israelis suspected of involvement in the murder of a 19-year-old Palestinian in the village of Burka near Ramallah on Friday.

There were reports of violent clashes between Israelis and Palestinians in a grazing area near the village last night. According to the police, a deceased Palestinian was evacuated from the site by the Red Crescent, while the MDA (Magen David Adom) team took care of an Israeli with a head injury.

Five other Israelis were also arrested in connection with the incident.

The Israeli army claimed that its forces were not present at the time of the shooting, suggesting that the Palestinian was shot dead by Israelis residing in the settlements.

An investigation is underway to examine evidence indicating that the shootings were carried out by individuals from the illegal outpost of Oz Zion. A military source pointed out that Israeli forces only arrived at the scene after the shooting, confirming that she was not behind the incident.

According to information from the security apparatus, before the shooting, the Israelis damaged Palestinian property in the village, which then triggered the violent clashes.

During these clashes, one of the Israelis allegedly opened fire with live ammunition, resulting in the death of the Palestinian and wounding five other people. The police forces and the army are continuing their investigation into this case.


Kuwait Calls on Lebanon Minister to Retract Comments
Kuwait’s foreign minister on Saturday criticized comments made by Lebanon’s caretaker economy minister Amin Salam about the rebuilding of part of Beirut’s port, in a fresh diplomatic disagreement between Lebanon and Gulf states.

Salam on Wednesday had urged Kuwait to rebuild Lebanon’s main wheat silos, which were built in 1969 with a grant from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development and gutted by the Beirut port blast of 2020.

Salam said Kuwait could decide to rebuild the silos with “the stroke of a pen”.

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah said Salam’s comments were “incompatible” with political norms on how decisions were made and urged the Lebanese minister to retract them to protect bilateral ties.

Salam was quoted by Lebanese media on Saturday as saying his comments were referring to how quickly the decision could be taken, but that he meant no offense.

Lebanese-Gulf relations deteriorated in 2021 over comments by Lebanon’s then-information minister about the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen.

At the time, Gulf countries, including Kuwait, withdrew their envoys to Lebanon. They returned in 2022.


SUMMARY OF BBC NEWS WEBSITE PORTRAYAL OF ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS – JULY 2023
Throughout the month of July 2023, forty written or filmed reports relating to Israel and/or the Palestinians appeared on the BBC News website’s ‘Middle East’ page, some of which were also published on other pages and six of which were carried over from the previous month

Among the stories from PA and Hamas controlled areas that were ignored by the BBC during July were the PA’s arrests of journalists, activists and a Hamas official, attempts to form a ‘unity government’ and related talks in Cairo, arrests of PIJ members by PA security forces and related demonstrations, violence at a mosque in the Gaza Strip, the death of a Khan Younis resident during the demolition of a wall and anti-Hamas demonstrations in the Gaza Strip.
Row in Germany Over Locating Israeli Youth Exchange Office in City With Medieval Anti-Jewish Carving
A row has broken out in Germany over the location of a German-Israeli youth organization, with the country’s top official combating antisemitism insisting that one of the proposed venues, the city of Wittenberg, is inappropriate because of the presence of an antisemitic carving at the entrance to its 800-year-old church.

Last September, German and Israeli ministers agreed to expand the work of ConAct, which has been facilitating exchange schemes for young people from the two countries for the past 21 years. Wittenberg is the location of its office in Germany.

However, Felix Klein — the top federal official tasked with combating antisemitism — stated this week that the office should not be based in Wittenberg for as long as St. Mary’s Church, which dates to the 13th century, continues to display an obscene stone carving, known as the “Judensau,” that depicts a group of Jews suckling a pig. The carving is one of the earliest examples of antisemitic tropes expressed through artistic endeavor.

At least 50 churches in Germany display the same medieval image, with the most well-known example visible at the church in Wittenberg. A group of Jews are seen on their knees eagerly suckling the teats of a pig, an animal whose meat is forbidden under Jewish law, alongside the words “Vom Schem Hamphoras” — an insulting corruption of one of the names for God in the Jewish tradition.

Over the last decade, at least two attempts have been made to legally compel the church to remove the carving and place it in a museum. Both efforts — in 2016 and 2022 — failed, with Germany’s Federal Court of Justice ruling in 2022 that the efforts of the church to contextualize the image had transformed from a “monument of shame” into a “memorial.”

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Klein said that “in order for Wittenberg to become the seat of the German-Israeli Youth Office, the antisemitic ‘Judensau’ must first be removed.”
Putting her foot in it: Tourist poses for pictures in shoes laid out on Budapest riverbank - unaware that they're a tribute to hundreds of Jews shot there in the war
An unaware tourist tried to get a photo, whilst standing on a memorial for hundreds of Jews who were killed in Budapest during World War II.

People have been left stunned by a Reddit video of a woman clamoring onto the iron shoes cemented next to the Danube river, while a man attempts to take a 'perfect' photo of her.

Usually, visitors leave flowers in the iron shoes that adorn the promenade or they light candles as a sign of respect for the hundreds of Jews who died in the tragedy.

But this tourist can be seen, in her black and white polka dot dress, among the flowers and candles scattered across the 60 pairs of 1940's style shoes.

The memorial serves as a stark reminder of the events which took place nearly 70 years ago.


Also known as 'The Shoes on the Danube Bank', stands in memory of Jews who were shot by members of the Arrow Cross Party.

Each pair of shoes standing as a poignant reminder of their missing owner.

Stunned by the woman's actions, a Reddit user commented: 'Some people are out here walking around without a clue in their head and it's scary.'

Another chimed in: 'I’ve been there and simply can’t understand how anyone wouldn’t know exactly what it is. Bronzed shoes from the 30s-40s facing the river?

'Even the most basic awareness of world history should help one fill in the blanks.'
Jamie Foxx apologizes for Instagram post that echoed antisemitic trope
Performer Jamie Foxx apologized Saturday for posting a cryptic statement online that seemed to parrot antisemitic tropes.

“Hey guys, I want to apologize to the Jewish community and anyone else who was offended by my post,” Foxx wrote on Instagram. “I know my words were clumsy and have caused offense. That was never my intent. To clarify, I felt betrayed by a fake friend, and that’s what I meant about ‘they,’ nothing more.

“I have love in my heart for everyone. I support the Jewish community and all faiths, and I’m against all hate! Once again my deepest apologies,” he added.

In the original Instagram post, Foxx wrote: “They killed this dude name Jesus… what do you think they’ll do to you?” The post was followed by the hashtags #fakefriends and #fakelove.

It wasn’t immediately clear to whom Foxx was referring. Jewish deicide, the belief that Jews are collectively responsible for the killing of Jesus, has fueled antisemitism for centuries.

Commentators online linked the post to Jews, with some applauding the rhetoric and others sounding the alarm.


Israeli troupe brings laughs - but no clothes - to NBC’s ‘America’s Got Talent’
Anyone who has visited an Israeli beach is likely familiar with the popular beach paddle game known as matkot.

For millions of TV viewers and a live audience of 1,400 at NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” a trio of Israeli performers who go by Bomba, or bomb in Hebrew, offered an intimate introduction to the sport on Tuesday’s episode.

The circus trio emerged with only six wooden matkot paddles, one ball and … no clothing. Keeping the necessary parts covered, the three performers juggled, hit the ball to one another and cautiously walked back and forth across the stage. They performed to Quincy Jones’ famous jingle “Soul Bossa Nova.”

The act, which lasted just under two minutes, elicited countless gasps and considerable applause from the panel of judges and the live audience. A few grimaces were sprinkled in as well, especially when the paddles slipped.

After the performance, which earned a standing ovation, the trio came back out on stage wearing pink bathrobes.

“Is this a famous Israel show? Do people love this?” judge Sophia Vergara asked them.

“Not yet,” one of them replied.




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