Knesset

2024-05-05

Protests and actions calling for have been ramping up as media reports that Hamas is close to accepting a hostage deal spread over the weekend. Families of in the Israel-Hamas war, who were joined by additional protesters, marched from their tent near the Knesset to the prime minister's office, where they blocked an entrance demanding an invasion of Rafah Sunday morning, said the Valor Forum who organized the march. They were joined outside the prime minister's office by numerous ministers reiterating their demands, including National Missions Minister Orit Strock, Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, National Security Minister , and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Smotrich addressed the prime minister and other ministers in Israel's war cabinet at the protest, calling on them to immediately renew Israel's military action in Gaza with full force, saying that the public will not allow them to throw victory down the drain. Saturday night, the Hope Forum, a forum representing some family members of hostages who support increased military pressure against Hamas, called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign if he cannot "take the pressure and order the IDF to win." Israeli minister of Public Security Itamar Ben Gvir attends a protest of bereaved families of Israeli soldiers killed in the Gaza Strip calling for the continuation of the war outside the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem, May 5, 2024. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90) The forum criticized ongoing talks with Hamas, saying that "Disgracefully, in addition to fading on the battlefield in the past few months, there is negotiation with sub-humans who slaughtered us." The forum went on to say that the anticipated positive response from Hamas is meaningless and causing the prime minister to delay conquering Rafah and rescuing the loved ones of the forum members. The forum added that they hold Netanayhu responsible for actions to save their families and that waiting for an answer from Hamas is a "humiliation of the Jewish People." This is the first time the Hope Forum has called for the resignation of the prime minister if he does not act, and in this call, they join another contingent of hostage families who have been calling for Netanyahu's resignation for a few weeks, saying that he is blocking a deal that would bring the hostages home. Sunday's march followed a similar protest led by the Valor Forum Saturday night, following Saturday's reports that Hamas will likely accept a hostage deal in the coming days. "Talk of surrendering to Hamas has brought families of the fallen from the entire Israeli spectrum out to the streets to demand that the war go on," said the Valor forum. The forum called to make clear to the members of Israel's government that they "don't have a mandate to give in to Hamas. Our sons did not fall for nothing."  ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-29

In a statement on Monday, called on the public not to publicly celebrate Mimouna due to the war. celebrated the day after the end of the Passover holiday and originates with North African Jews; this year, it will be celebrated on April 30. The holiday quickly spread to other groups in Israel and is now celebrated across different heritage groups. Celebrations often take the shape of open house parties with a wide variety of food; guests are expected to go from house to house, celebrating with each household, although this is less common in modern times. Politicians quickly picked up on this and at Mimouna parties. PRIME MINISTER Naftali Bennett, Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked and Deputy Minister for Regulatory Matters in the Prime Minister’s Office Abir Kara attend Mimouna celebrations in Moshav Shilat last week. (credit: FLASH90) Rabbi Amar previously served as the Israeli Sephardi Chief Rabbi from 2003 to 2013, and shortly after finishing his term, became Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem in 2014. "Since we are already past the holiday, it is not appropriate for us to celebrate in public with drums and dancing when so many of our brothers are hostages and wounded," he said in the message. "We will dedicate this night to strengthening ourselves by studying books of faith and security. We will thank the Holy One, blessed be He, for all His graces, and ask for a speedy future redemption of the people of Israel." Rabbi Amar used to hold a public Mimouna event every year with rabbis and public figures, but this year, he canceled it. A Walla report published on Sunday indicates that the top leadership of the country, who have traditionally been guests of honor at the celebrations of their activists and supporters throughout the country, are not expected to participate this year.  Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana, last year even held an open Mimouna event in the Knesset building for the first time, but this year does not intend to celebrate publicly. The head of the opposition, Yair Lapid, the National Unity Party head, Benny Gantz, as well as the Yisrael Beytenu head, Avigdor Lieberman, are also not expected to celebrate this year. "What is there to celebrate these days?" was the common response to the inquiries. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-28

Israel instructed its embassies abroad to prepare for a severe should the International Criminal Court issue arrest warrants against top Israeli leaders and army brass over their actions in Gaza, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, , and IDF Chief of Staff Herzl Halevi. (Likud) issued messages on the matter both to Israeli missions abroad and to Jewish organizations, suggesting that the latter work with local authorities to increase security. He also spoke with on the issue.  The ICC has not issued any formal statement on pending action, since its Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan confirmed in November 2023 that he was investigating the situation in Gaza, the West Bank, and east Jerusalem, including actions relating to the Israel-Hamas war that began on October 7. Israel has feared that Khan plans to issue arrest warrants in the near future, possibly even this week. "We expect the [ICC] to prevent the issuance of arrest warrants against senior Israeli officials in the political and security echelons," Katz said. Foreign Minister Israel Katz at a discussion and a vote on the expulsion of MK Ofer Cassif at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, February 19, 2024. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90) “There is nothing more distorted than attempting to prevent Israel from defending itself against a murderous enemy openly calling for the destruction of the State of Israel," the Foreign Minister explained as a referenced the IDF campaign in Gaza to destroy Hamas. “If the warrants are issued, they will harm the commanders and soldiers of the IDF and provide a morale boost to the terrorist organization Hamas and the axis of radical Islam led by Iran against which we are fighting,” he said. Katz later posted on X that ”Arch-murderers like [Iranian Supreme Leader Ali] Khamenei, [Hezbollah leader Hassan] Nasrallah and [Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya] Sinwar are waiting in hope that the ICC at The Hague will judge Israel. What an absurdity.” Israel Democracy Institute Senior Fellow and international legal expert Yuval Shany said that Khan could issue such warrants at this stage in the process.  If he does, Khan is also likely “to issue arrest warrants against leaders of Hamas,” Shany said. Those against whom the warrants are issued are expected to surrender themselves to the court, and if they don’t, they have to avoid traveling to countries that could extradite them, Shany explained.  Russian President Vladimir Putin is in a similar situation Shany said, given that the ICC issued an arrest warrant against him in March 2023 over his actions in Ukraine. “He is very careful where he travels,” he said. Ultimately, Shany said, those who fail to appear before the court would forfeit their right to appeal the indictment against them. “But this is further down the road. We are still not there” yet, he stated. Shany said that at present Israel is very much in the dark, given that no action has been taken and it does not know what charges would be detailed in the indictments. If the warrant focuses on problems with humanitarian aid in Gaza that is one thing, he said. If it delves into the use of weaponry in Gaza, that is another thing, he added. “It's too soon to .. evaluate how deep is the hole in which the Israeli leadership finds itself,” Shany said. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-27

The announced they plan to protest on Saturday evening, according to Walla. The families of the hostages called for widespread protests demanding a deal for the release of their loved ones who were for over 200 days since October 7. According to the report, around Saturday afternoon, the families of the hostages will release a statement to the media from the Begin Gate entrance of the Kirya Base in Tel Aviv. Following their statement, at around 8:00 p.m., the main demonstration will be held there. On behalf of the families' headquarters, it was stated that "in light of recent reports regarding that may lead to further deaths of hostages held in Gaza and the recent reports of another attempt of a deal, the families of the hostages will release a statement to the media,” according to the Walla report. “In the statement, the families will also address the ongoing refusal of the Israeli government - and the one who leads it - to commit to ending the war in exchange for a deal that would bring everyone home, and to Gantz and Eisenkot’s responsibility no the subject." THOUSANDS ATTEND an anti-government protest outside the Knesset last week. The slogans on the signs include: ‘Elections now.’ (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90) Simultaneously, another demonstration will be held by activists advocating for democracy, calling for a change of government and setting a new date for elections. The protest will take place at 7:30 p.m. at Democracy Square on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv. According to the organizers' announcement, Saturday’s protest will be led by Li Hofman-Agiv, the field director of Bonot Alternativa. Among the speakers at the central rally will be: Einav Zangauker, the mother of Matan Zangauker who was abducted to Gaza, Colonel (Res.) Ben-Melech Yarkoni, a former combat pilot for 35 years and former director of the Airport Authority, and Professor Yaniv Roznai from the Robins Institute for Legal Challenges at the University of Reichenstein. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-27

The Rothschilds have come to the rescue yet again. For more than 150 years, members of the Rothschild family have been contributing individually and collectively to the development of the country which for almost 76 years has been known as the State of Israel. Rothschild generosity helped to transfer the personal archive of the late , who was widely recognized as one of the most remarkable thinkers and orators of our times. Respected by Jews and non-Jews around the globe for his clear moral vision, Sacks had amassed an extraordinary archive, which arrived at the National Library of Israel in Jerusalem in 50 large boxes, which, when digitized, will certainly add to the library’s prestige. Sacks was chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth for 22 years and was greatly admired by Jews and non-Jews in many parts of the globe. A letter written by Sacks just before Passover 1998 relates to a period of disunity within the Jewish world. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, 1948-2020. (credit: The Rabbi Sacks Legacy) “The Haggadah is not predicated on a simple concept of Jewish unity,” he wrote. “It presents to us a portrait of four children around the table. They are not the same. One is wise, one a rebel, one is simple, and one unable to ask. Their perspectives are different. Their voices are not in harmony. But they sit at the same table. They are members of the same family. They tell the same story. “We are the people who carried with us the indelible recollection of centuries of suffering, not because we revel in it, not because we see ourselves as victims, but in order to remember that whatever else divides us, history unites us.” Lady Elaine Sacks stated that her late husband had expressed great enthusiasm for the new National Library of Israel, which he had described as “the Home of the Book for the People of the Book.” “It is fitting that his personal archive will be housed there,” she said. The Rothschild branch that supported the acquisition of the archive was the Rothschild Foundation Hanadiv Europe. What’s interesting is that although the Rothschild family has played a significant role in the development of Israel through its support of education (including pioneering educational television), culture, industry, healthcare, women’s rights, archaeology, and national buildings such as the Knesset and the Supreme Court, not all the Rothschilds were or are Zionists; some are not halachicly Jewish, and some are not Jewish at all. Yet the Rothschild name is indelibly linked with Israel, and during emergencies when footing of the bill does not fit in with the national budget, it’s often a Rothschild who picks up the tab. ■ THE FRIENDS and acquaintances acquired by American journalist and social entrepreneur Tom Weiss during his years in Israel will be sad to hear that he died suddenly last week. Some of those who knew him in Israel were surprised to learn that he was 61 at the time of his death, because he always looked and acted much younger. Most people thought that Weiss – physically fit, with loads of energy and a friendly, hyper personality – was 20 years younger than his biological age. Although he wanted to stay in Israel, Weiss returned to the US some four years ago to take care of his ailing mother. He was her sole caregiver. She died in January of this year, leaving Weiss to live alone. It was because he lived alone that he had been dead for two days before his death was discovered. His good friend Gil Hoffman – who is executive director of , and a columnist with The Jerusalem Post, where he was previously the longtime senior political correspondent – is organizing a memorial tribute to Weiss at the Shir Hadash synagogue at 1 Yaakov Rubin Street, on Thursday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m. ■ URBAN PLANNERS don’t give sufficient thought to facilities for adults and children with disabilities. How can a person with a mobility problem reach a shelter in time to avoid a rocket? For that matter, is there a near enough to reach? This is a problem which frequently confronts residents in the North and the South. For some children with disabilities who were evacuated from their homes which are under attack by Hezbollah in the North and Hamas in the South, Jerusalem proved to be the perfect place. When war broke out, Shalva, the Israel Association for the Care and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, opened its doors to evacuees from southern border communities and told them that they could stay for as long as they needed. The invitation was extended in particular to youth with disabilities, some of whom have been receiving therapeutic treatment at Shalva for five months and longer. If there was no such facility, these youngsters would really be in trouble. The fact that Shalva represents the ever-widening vision of its founders, Kalman and Malki Samuels, has, over the years, enabled thousands of youngsters to find their strengths and to utilize those strengths. How many similar facilities are included in the building boom that is changing the face of Jerusalem? Does Mayor Moshe Lion have an answer? ■ ON ANOTHER note, people who find it difficult to digest matzah for a whole week can look forward to eating mufletas straight after Passover, when the nation will be celebrating Mimouna. [email protected] ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-27

Eliav Breuer is a Jerusalem Post success story. Starting out his time here as a member of the breaking news desk, Breuer was instrumental in making sure the team always had accurate up-to-date coverage on the latest developments in Israeli politics. His hard work over time didn’t go unnoticed. Soon enough, he rose to become our chief political correspondent, a central pillar of the Post’s reporting team. After a considerable amount of time away due to his military reservist duty in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Breuer is now back to being a staple in the Knesset, reporting on the important news taking place in the Israeli corridors of power. In Jerusalem sat down with Breuer to talk about his journalism journey, and some of the highlights of his career thus far. Surprisingly, his favorite anecdote is not one related to his political reporting.THE KNESSET building in Jerusalem holds one of the world’s smallest legislatures. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST) This is “Behind the Bylines,” where we bring you a look at the people behind the articles that keep our paper running. My parents are both Canadian, but they spent time in the United States. In 2001, they were living in Chicago and eventually decided to make aliyah. I was eight years old at the time, and grew up in Jerusalem. I finished my degree at Shalem College in the summer of 2020 after majoring in philosophy. I decided to utilize my native English skills for work, and spent a year doing freelance translation. This was a time period that included the COVID pandemic, protests on Balfour Street, the US election, January 6, Operation Guardian of the Walls, rioting in Israel’s mixed cities, an Israeli election, and more. I was always interested in news and politics, but the events of that year had me glued to my phone and constantly checking the news. I was looking for a full-time job at that point; after seeing an ad for a job on The Jerusalem Post’s news desk, I went for it. I was spending my time translating into English and watching news and thought, ‘Why not make a living out of it?’ Renowned American lawyer for the Post related to allegations against him connected to the Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal. In the article, Dershowitz commented on an interview he had given on BBC, where he was presented as a legal expert analyzing the verdict, despite being a non-neutral party. I watched the interview and thought that Dershowitz had mischaracterized and misrepresented the interview in his op-ed. making this argument and, more generally, criticizing his public conduct. Lo and behold, Dershowitz responded in a . His tone was angry and criticized my op-ed. The exchange ended there, but it became a running joke in the office. Every time Dershowitz appeared in the news or wrote to the Post, my colleagues made sure I knew. There is a lot of information and stories that can be found on social media or government websites. Sometimes, instead of spending a lot of energy trying to get the inside track, it is worth digging a little into information that is readily available. Who knows what you’ll find?  ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-25

Pulitzer Prize winner Peggy Noonan, in an opinion piece last week in The Wall Street Journal, stated the bad leadership is a national-security threat. She was, of course, speaking about the situation in the US. In her piece she states: “The quality of our leaders is deteriorating, and we’re so used to it it’s not alarming us anymore.” In reading that sentence I could not help but see the parallels to our own situation here in Israel and the political process that almost ensures that the people who rise to the top are not necessarily the best people for the job. No doubt, our recent leadership is not up to the level of those who led us in the past – David Ben-Gurion, Golda Meir, Menachem Begin, Chaim Weizmann, , Chaim Herzog – people who, even if we disagreed with their decisions, we respected their integrity and professional acumen. And more importantly, we never questioned that those decisions were always in the best interests of the State of Israel and not made to further their own political careers. While the general populace seems to have accepted this situation and normalized it, the fact that this is the case is also noticed by our enemies. After all, everything that goes on here is covered in the worldwide press as if Israel is the most important country in the world. How else to explain the massive worldwide demonstrations against Israel and often against Jews as well who make up just 0.2% of the world’s 8 billion people? Given that all of this is seen by our enemies makes bad leadership a national security problem. It is what makes our enemies think we are weak and even worse, stupid, for having put some of our leadership in the positions they now hold. The Knesset building, home of Israel's legislature, in Jerusalem, on November 14, 2022 (Illustrative). (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST) What has contributed to this situation and how do we correct it? A correction is needed now more than ever in light of the events of and the seemingly endless war with Hamas; our inability to get all of our hostages released further highlights this. A major part of our problem is the structure of our parliamentary system which makes ministerial assignments a reward for party loyalty and support for the ruling coalition. As a result, the people who head our ministries are not the best people in Israel for the job, but rather individuals who have “paid their political dues” and are rewarded by giving such people “suits” that are too big for them and “shoes” they cannot fill. How else to explain , a lawyer with no economic background, as Minister of Finance? Or Itamar Ben-Gvir, also a lawyer, convicted in 2007 of incitement to racism who was rejected for mandatory service in the IDF because of his extreme right wing political views, now serving as Minister of National Security? Or Uriel Buso, another lawyer with no health management experience, now serving as MinIster of Health. And the list goes on. WHAT ISRAEL must do after the end of the current war with Hamas, is to restructure the ministerial cabinet so that the next prime minister can pick the best people in the country for each of the positions available. The finance minister, for example, should be someone from the financial community who has experience in managing relatively large organizations in the sector with experience in world economics and the operation of capital markets. The Minister of National Security should be a person experienced in the public sector, the defense arena and/or have a background in private security involvement with an understanding of national security issues. The Minister of Education needs to be one of the most talented educational administrators in the country with experience in heading large educational institutions. The same should be true for every ministry and, truth be told, Israel has a surfeit of qualified people in each of the sectors involved. The challenge, of course, has always been to get the best and the brightest to come into the political arena. Generally, when such people are approached, they smile and say they are not willing to deal with the gutter politics that comes with running for office. However, the above approach would make it possible for qualified people to enter government service and have their expertise tapped for the good and welfare of the country, without having to negotiate the electoral swamp. On the assumption that Israel would be willing to accept this change in the Cabinet structure, the next step, after identifying suitable candidates, would be for a small group of well-respected members of the community to meet with each prospect individually to encourage them to agree to give 2-3 years of their time to the rebuilding of Israel’s political platform. As an optimist believing in the continued success of Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people, I am convinced that these prospects would rise to the occasion and answer the call. Former US defense secretary Jim Mattis once tellingly said: “The example that America knows how to govern itself is one of the compelling aspects of our national security.” This is no less true for us here in Israel. Our future is dependent on the world’s perception of Israel as a militarily strong, politically well managed economic powerhouse. Our future security as a nation depends on the public impression that all three of these aspects are believed to be true. It is now our job to make this happen. We can do no less. The writer has lived in Israel for 40 years, is CEO of Atid EDI Ltd., an international business development consultancy. He is also the Founder and Chair of the American State Offices Association, former National President of the Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel and a past chairperson of the board of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-14

Every year, becomes Israel’s wealthiest man – albeit for just a week. This Abu Ghosh native, who works at the Ramada Jerusalem Hotel, is the man who buys all of Israel’s hametz [leavened products of five species of grain] every year ahead of Passover. It’s an important job, filling a major role in preparing for the Passover holiday. Then, when the holiday is over, he gives it all back – all through a complicated and ceremonial transaction.  So how does this all work? Why does he do it? And what is his job when not buying all of Israel’s bread? Ahead of Passover, In Jerusalem spoke with Jabar to answer these questions. I’m the food and beverage manager at the Ramada Jerusalem Hotel [a short distance from the Knesset and within easy access to the Old City], and I’ve worked there for 40 years. In my time, I’ve ended up meeting many different important figures – rabbis, members of Knesset, ministers, etc. Bread (credit: VICTORIA SHES/UNSPLASH) In 1995, I was approached by then-chief rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, who said he needed my help. I asked what I could do, and he explained to me about the situation with hametz ahead of Passover.  In the past, the country would sell their hametz to an Arab man from Jaffa. But it turned out that his maternal grandmother was Jewish. Rabbi Lau then had a problem. He couldn’t keep selling to this man, so he had to find someone else. They found me, and I’ve been doing it for 28 years. It is very expensive! It costs me NIS 50,000 to buy all the bread, and I buy it from everyone. [Laughs] Yes, I buy the hametz at the Ramada hotel. I even buy the . I buy it all. Of course, according to the standards of the Eda Haredit.  Yes, exactly. But it doesn’t bother me much. The ceremony will take place on Sunday, April 21, at the in Jerusalem, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the chief rabbis, and witnesses. I pay them the down payment for all the bread, and then I am supposed to pay them the rest at the end of Passover. When I can’t pay them the full amount, the purchase is voided, and the hametz goes back to its original owners.  In addition, during shmita years [a year every seven years when Jews are forbidden to farm], I also buy all the agricultural land in Israel.  No, the opposite. People seem to think it’s nice.  [Laughs] Yes. Even if it’s for just a week, I become a very rich man!  It’s difficult. It’s a big hotel, so it takes a lot of work and a lot of time to get the place ready and kosher for Passover. But, baruch Hashem, we are able to get it done ahead of time. And no, there are no kitniyot in the hotel.■ ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-11

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace on Wednesday as part of his diplomatic visit to France and Germany, where he also met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The Knesset speaker met privately with the French president. The meeting dealt with the continuation of fighting in the Gaza Strip, with an emphasis on the operation expected to take place against the Hamas battalions in Rafah, the humanitarian aid that Israel provides, the possibility of a military operation against Hezbollah in the North, and Iran’s threats to act against Israel. Ohana explained the current situation to Macron and requested that he continue to stand by the State of Israel as he did immediately after the . The Knesset speaker stressed to the French president that “there is no scenario in which Israel refrains from dealing with the four Hamas battalions in Rafah. Otherwise, this would mean that so that it can repeatedly carry out October 7 attacks, as they have thus far declared” that they will. “There is an operative plan to evacuate the population from the area while also worrying about humanitarian issues,” he said, “just as we did in the north of the Gaza Strip when the fighting first started.” Knesset speaker Amir Ohana holds a press conference at the Knesset in Jerusalem. September 6, 2023. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90) Regarding the issue of humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip, Ohana said: “If there is hunger in Gaza – it is in the tunnels with our hostages. Since the beginning of the war, Israel has brought hundreds of thousands of tons of humanitarian aid into the Strip – food, medicine, and more, and this despite the protest and opposition of many” in Israel. “That’s why the claims that Israel does not bring in aid are absurd. So far, over 20,000 trucks carrying 417,000 tons of aid have entered the Strip,” he said. “In some cases, Hamas robs them from its citizens using violence.” Ohana told Macron that “the proposal to impose sanctions on Israel – as well as the proposed UN resolution for a ceasefire without the release of the hostages or unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state – play into the hands of Hamas.” Hamas’s leader in Gaza, Yahya “Sinwar, who inflicted the greatest horror on the Jewish people since the Holocaust, is watching the media, rejoicing and saying to himself: ‘I won. I will accept the ceasefire, even without paying the price of releasing the hostages.’” In their conversation, Ohana also referred to the Iranian issue and noted that: “We are approaching the moment of truth vis-à-vis Iran. The free world must not allow Iran to exit the war as it entered it.“The ayatollah regime – which, even now, continues its threats to attack Israel – is not only Israel’s enemy but the enemy of the free world; we all share the values of freedom – freedom for women, freedom for LGBT people, freedom of speech even for government opponents. What is the status of these rights and freedoms in Iran? What are the values that the ayatollahs’ rule represents?” he asked.“In the Middle East, the State of Israel is the state that represents the values of the free world,” Ohana said. “The rule of the ayatollahs is the enemy of the values of freedom and the enemy of peace that Israel worked to achieve with Arab countries – something that Hamas tried to stop on October 7. The history books are being written as we speak. The whole world is watching the clash of civilizations approaching us, and at this moment, we must decide: how do we want our countries to be – and how will we remember them?”As for the possibility of opening up a northern front, the Knesset speaker noted: “Those who are disturbed by the possibility of an all-out war should do one thing – get Hezbollah to move away from the border in order to remove the threat to the safety and security of the residents of the North. No citizen in France would agree to live under such a threat – the same is true in Israel. This reality will change through diplomatic and military means or a combination of the two.”Additionally, on Tuesday, Ohana met with the French Senate President Gérard Larcher, and National Assembly of France President Yaël Braun-Pivet. Knesset Deputy Speaker Hanoch Milwidsky and Knesset member Sharon Nir, both members of the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, also joined the meetings. Also present were Eilat and Yair Samrano, the mother and brother of Yonatan Samrano, who was kidnapped and murdered on October 7 by Hamas from the Nova party at Re’im.  ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-07

Israel's Knesset (parliament) officially began its spring recess today (Sunday) and will reconvene on May 19 following Israel's Independence Day. While it is not uncommon for parliaments to hold monthslong recesses, Members of the Knesset from the opposition criticized the coalition for its refusal to cancel the recess during wartime, and also considering the fact that there are still 133 Israelis being held hostage in Gaza. Protests against the government and in favor of a hostage deal also voiced these criticisms, but the coalition went forward with the recess. Still, the Knesset's recess does not mean Israel's parliament completely shuts down. The Knesset's 15 statutory committees and additional ad hoc committees may convene to debate legislation during the recess, subject to approval by the Knesset Home Committee. Even if the Home Committee, traditionally led by a coalition member, denies a committee chairperson's request to convene the committee, the Knesset Speaker himself may also authorize committee sessions in "special cases" at the request of the committee's chairman, the government, or one-third of the members of that specific committee. The Knesset building, home of Israel's legislature, in Jerusalem, on November 14, 2022 (Illustrative). (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST) In any case, the committees do not hold votes during the recess and thus can only debate legislative proposals without approval. The Knesset plenum can also still convene during the recess but not carry out voting. The Knesset Speaker must convene the plenum at the request of at least 25 MKs. However, these Knesset meetings only include "agenda proposals," which largely include speeches on a given topic and not actual legislation. The government may also demand to convene the Knesset in a written request from the government secretary to the Knesset secretary. The fact that no votes are held during the recess means that the Knesset cannot use its central tool to send the country to an election if it wishes to do so – passing a bill for the Knesset to disperse itself. However, at the request of 61 MKs, the plenum must convene within a week in order to vote on a no-confidence motion. Known as "constructive no-confidence," this process replaces the existing government with a new one without the country having to hold an election. This has never happened in Israel's history and is extremely unlikely. Israel's government ministries continue to operate as usual during a Knesset recess, but the recess makes it very unlikely for the government to fall until the Knesset reconvenes on May 19. Members of the opposition thus accused the coalition of refusing to cancel the recess in order to guarantee the government's stability for another six weeks. A number of issues threatened the government's stability on the eve of the recess, including a crisis between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the haredi parties in government over a push to draft haredi men into the IDF and threats by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to leave the government over potential concessions in a hostage deal. Knesset members currently make NIS 47,583 a month before taxes, including during recess. The Knesset last raised its members' salaries by 5.1% in January 2023. They also receive a car and other services. Yesh Atid announced on Sunday that its Members of Knesset would "not rest" and continue working during the recess. The party called the coalition's decision to recess "disconnected" and listed a number of actions it would take during the recess, including a "roaming office" that would meet with evacuees at hotels, tours in areas that were damaged during the war, visiting the injured in hospitals, and participate in protests against the government. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-05

Israel’s parliament (Knesset) held its final plenum session on Wednesday before beginning its annual spring recess, which officially starts on Sunday and is scheduled to continue until May 19. In recent days, Knesset members from the opposition and family members of Israelis being held hostage in Gaza have criticized the fact that parliament was recessing despite the ongoing war and amidst a broad uptick in protests against the government and in favor of . During the plenum session, protesters smeared yellow paint on a window that divides the visitor’s balcony from the main hall. The Knesset could convene during the recess under certain circumstances and is likely to do so, but the governing coalition refused requests by the opposition to completely cancel the break. The Knesset building, home of Israel's legislature, in Jerusalem, on November 14, 2022 (Illustrative). (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST) Opposition leader and Yesh Atid head did try to prevent the break from occurring, urging coalition lawmakers to reconsider and halt the scheduled recess. In a fervent plea, he implored on social media, “As we embark upon the final week of Knesset sessions before the recess, it defies belief that we would proceed with business as usual at such a critical juncture.” Lapid emphasizes the gravity of the situation, stating, “Hostages don’t get reprieves, and those on the frontlines in Gaza don’t get breaks.” Shira Albag, mother of hostage Liri Albag spoke on Tuesday during an emotional session of the The Committee on the Status of Women and Gender Equality, stating “[The hostages] are undergoing rape on a daily basis and you’re ignoring it. I hear her shouting to me, ‘Mother, save me, Mother’ and I want to die there. You are silent and are going on recess, for the glory of the State of Israel.”  In a commendable response, Committee Chair MK Pnina Tamano-Shata pledged to the hostages’ families, “This committee won’t go on recess at all. When you want to come here, the committee is open to you.” For the past few weeks, it has seemed as if the ruling coalition may fall apart, mainly due to the issue of haredi draft to the IDF. For a government to fall, the Knesset would need to convene and vote to disperse itself, and opposition MKs accused the coalition of refusing to cancel the recess to block the option of bringing down the government at least until May. Regardless of how the Knesset protocol works – and the fact that most MKs are not actively involved in the war cabinet or the direction this conflict is taking – Israel’s politicians must be aware of the message this sends to the public, and how they are perceived: like they are putting themselves before the well-being of the country. Ordinary Israelis – those who have balanced IDF reserve duty with work and life, wives left at home with spouses away on military duty, parents trying to balance the stresses of war with maintaining normalcy for their children – these people do not get the chance to take a six-week break from life. Every day continues for them, without the security and the knowledge that in a month and a half, they get to return to their jobs. Things must change during the war. In the last few days of March, following a consultation between Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and , the IDF confirmed on Friday that it would not hold the Air Force Flight and Fleet in Eilat on this year’s Independence Day. The military explained that the step came as a result of the army’s focus on the war and upon a recommendation of the commanders of the navy and the air force. This is an admirable and understandable position for the military to take, as minimal as it may seem. While certain aspects of Israeli life have tried to get back to being as normal as possible, the country is still in the middle of the most serious war it has seen in 50 years, and all the signals point to things getting worse before they get better. Did any other politicians take such a stance regarding their six-week vacation? Or is it business as usual for the elected policymakers, who believe they are deserving of such a break? As our soldiers continue to fight on the frontlines in both the North and the South of the country, and as the hostages – and their families – fear every second for their lives and continue to battle the unknown at the hands of Hamas terrorists, we wish our MKs a happy and peaceful vacation. You don’t deserve it. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-03

Masses descended on Jerusalem starting Sunday for for the return of the Gaza hostages and against the government. This comes in the wake of the Knesset's upcoming regularly scheduled recess beginning Wednesday. With the return of mass anti-government protests, those saying that the protests are helping Hamas and Israel's enemies by projecting weakness and division have also returned. We've heard it from politicians and leaders, people on the street, and friends, but these people are fighting the last war. We are unlikely to ever know the effect of protests before on the Hamas attack. Regardless of these, the cracks in Israeli society have already been shown, and no amount of "unity" will convince Israel's enemies that this togetherness extends beyond the superficial. Israel has an emergency unity government - temporary almost by definition; the haredi draft bill is casting a spotlight on the fact that only part of Israel's society is tasked with its defense, and polls show that the people overwhelmingly do not have faith in the government. No amount of Yachad Nenatzeach ("Together We Will Win") stickers will make these things disappear. The question of whether or not the protest movement drove Israel to an existential crisis by threatening to leave its defense systems was answered on October 7, when protesters showed up for reserves en masse. A protest march towards the Knesset (credit: OREN ALON) We are already at war; the terror organizations and countries that seek to destroy us already know about the disagreements rocking this country. This is the war that we have already lost. The war we must turn to now, if we want to appear as a single front to our enemies, is the war for a country that is actually healed, whose society is actually unified, or at least knows how to live together. The only way to do this is to tackle the social issues we have been kicking down the road for decades. This is what the protestors seek to do. There are numerous ways to fight and work for a better society, and protest is certainly one of them. It is also far from obvious that the protests were divisive. Many of those calling the protests divisive really mean that they do not agree with what the protestors are saying, but how much you agree with a statement is not a measure of how divisive it is. The protest movement has unified vast cross-sections of Israeli society from multiple geographic and political corners of the country. Protests brought hawkish army-veteran group Brothers in Arms together in coalitions with left-wing anti-war protestors calling for peace and an "end to the occupation." This coalition building and work in the name of common goals despite deep differences is exactly the type of work Israeli society must do. The protests also lent Israel essential credibility in the eyes of the world, which it needs if it wants global legitimacy to fight the Israel-Hamas war. Moody's, in its downgrade of Israel's credit rating, took very positive note of the protests, saying that they provided strong checks and balances. V-Dem Institute’s 2024 Democracy Report has for the first time in 50 years, in part due to "government attacks on the judiciary." Protests mostly countered this attack. European coverage of Israeli protests showed Europe a side of Israel not often spoken about there - the liberal side, fighting for equal rights for all. Israeli media took note of this change in coverage, showcasing European headlines about Israel as a liberal democracy. Israel's standing in the world as a credible liberal democracy is vital to ensure the continued support of its allies in the war against Hamas. Those saying that the protests are hurting the war effort also leave out an important part of the protest organization's story. For the first days and even weeks of the war, evacuees and other victims of the Hamas attack expressed the sentiment that the government was nowhere to be found. Israel's civil society stepped in almost immediately to provide help. Within two days, the main protest organization coalition formed a civilian "war room" that supplied everything from clothing, food, and shelter to evacuees to food, uniforms, and tactical gear to soldiers. Thousands of volunteers collected and purchased gear while thousands more drove this gear around the country to soldiers and civilians in the north and south. This unbelievably quick mobilization could not have happened without the preexisting structure and networks that the protesters had formed. The idea that the protests are hurting the war effort or helping Hamas is a nice one if you don't want protests, the change they might bring, or don't agree with what the protesters are saying. However, this doesn't mean that this talking point, no matter how many times it is repeated, is true. True unity comes with the acceptance of opinions other than our own and the right of those who hold them to free speech and protest. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-03

Israel's political system should agree to hold a national election in September as it approaches a year since the war against Hamas broke out on October 7, National Unity chairman MK said in a press conference on Wednesday evening. The statement was the first time Gantz mentioned a specific month as a goal for an election since joining Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an emergency government days after the Hamas massacre in October. Gantz said that he had spoken to "political leaders" in recent weeks about the topic, updated the prime minister, and will "continue dialogue on the subject." According to Gantz, an agreement to hold an election will give Israel the time to continue its war efforts while enabling the citizens of Israel to know that "trust will soon be renewed between us." It will also prevent a schism amongst the people and, hopefully, lead to other "Zionist and responsible" leaders joining the government during the interim period. He also argued that this would give Israel international backing.Benny Gantz holds a press conference at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, April 3, 2024 (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90) Gantz's statement came a night after a in which a protester threw a torch at a police cavalry officer, and police officers used force against family members of hostages. "What Israel needs is "quiet in the ballot box, and not flames in the streets," Gantz said. Gantz stopped short of saying he would leave the government if the prime minister did not accept his demand. "We will do everything for our proposal to be accepted; I will not detail what Netanyahu said in response," he said. Gantz's call for an election came after United Right chairman called earlier on Wednesday for a consensus election in January and joined calls by opposition parties Yesh Atid, Yisrael Beytenu, and Labor. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-02

Only 59% of Israelis believe their nation has a responsibility to ensure the , marking a slight decrease from the previous year, according to a new survey. This statistic emerges alongside a compelling expectation from the Israeli public: A striking 95% insist that Diaspora Jews should support Israel during conflicts. The survey, conducted by the Diaspora Ministry, is part of the Diaspora Engagement Index, designed to explore Israelis' attitudes towards the Jewish diaspora. It revealed a landscape of hope, expectation, and concern, reflecting on the deep ties that bind the global Jewish community, particularly against the backdrop of increasing challenges and Avi Cohen-Scali, director general of the Diaspora Ministry, pointed to the findings as evidence of a significant moment of unity. "When faced with existential threats, Israelis feel an unwavering connection with their diaspora counterparts," he commented.  Further illuminating the survey's findings, 60% of Israelis surveyed view recent conflicts as positively impacting relations with the Jewish diaspora, suggesting a strengthening of global Jewish bonds in adversity. This perspective is supported by a notable increase in the secular population's sense of shared destiny with diaspora Jews, which rose by 15% compared to last year, alongside a 14% increase in the perceived importance of the global Jewish community's size.Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli seen in the Knesset on April 2, 2024 (credit: NOAM MOSHKOWITZ/KNESSET SPOKESPERSON) The survey also addressed the concerns of Israelis about antisemitic attacks targeting Jews abroad. Despite the overwhelming majority (82%) expressing worry about such incidents, the proportion of Israelis who feel a national responsibility towards the safety of global Jewry has slightly declined. This indicates a complex dialogue within Israel about the extent of its protective role towards Jews living outside its borders. The results advocate for a more inclusive approach to Israeli policymaking, suggesting that over half (56%) of Israelis believe the views and interests of diaspora Jews should influence decisions on foreign policy and security that could affect Jews internationally. In response to these insights, the Ministry emphasized the critical importance of reinforcing connections between Israel and the Jewish diaspora and intensifying efforts to combat antisemitism.  ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-02

The anti-government protests gained momentum over the weekend, following a statement by some of the hostages' families that is thwarting negotiations for a deal. Accordingly, Saturday and Sunday saw stormy demonstrations in front of the Knesset, on par with the anti-Netanyahu protests that occurred when Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was fired. Maariv's political reporter Matan Wasserman referred to the protests in a conversation on 103FM: "We saw a very high presence of protesters who express pain over the situation, which they say is perhaps the worst situation the country has ever been in, along with a desire to make a change. It started already on Shabbat evening; we saw a coalescence of protests, between the hostage protests and the political protests. Alongside that demonstration, a complex of hundreds of protest tents was set up in front of the Knesset. "They aspire to have a permanent presence in the Knesset," Wasserman said. "For the protesters, the goal is to reach elections." Later, Moshe Redman, one of the leaders of the protest against the government, said on Ben Caspit and Yinon Magal's radio program that "The greatest gift to Hamas is [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu's rule. Hamas does not want elections. Netanyahu built [Hamas], and it brought him billions. "This paralysis that gripped us on , among other things, because [the toxic government] fostered the illusion that taking to the streets would harm security, the war, the hostages – the one harming them is Netanyahu and his government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference, March 31, 2024. (credit: Marc Israel Sellem/Jerusalem Post) "If this government does not disappear from the world, we could keep going here for another six months without the hostages being returned, without discussing , without solving the problems in the North. Netanyahu only cares about himself and an intolerable political blunder. The citizens voted with their feet and arrived, More than a hundred thousand people. 500 people slept here last night and stayed for the demonstration," he added. Redman continued: "Hamas really believes that the government of Netanyahu and the religious Zionists is the best for them. Think if you were [Hamas chief Yahya] Sinwar now, you have a weak government in front of you, without public support, without international support – that's good for you. "Will Netanyahu become a religious Zionist? No, he just depends on the zealots. Hamas wants Netanyahu. What has Al Jazeera been broadcasting for months and years? All products of the Netanyahu years: Tunnels, the strengthening of Hamas, kidnappers. What was Hamas before Netanyahu? Nothing, he made it, he built it," he concluded. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-01

The protest for the release of the hostages picked up speed over the weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, stormy demonstrations were held in dozens of locations, including the and in front of the Knesset in Jerusalem.  , the brother of Itzhak Elgarat, who was taken hostage in the Gaza Strip, sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday morning, saying that he is "waiting for the end of the term to return the hostages - as an achievement for the elections." "This is not a protest, it is a struggle. We are fighting to get them back and will not remain silent. If it does not suit Netanyahu that these are his people, he should get a new country, a new people. What is he waiting for? That we come to Sara and say ‘thank you?’ It's shameful that this is what we deal with." Later, Elgarat said that Netanyahu "is like the captain of the Titanic, lost at sea and telling us that in a moment he will defeat Hamas."  He added, "[Netanyahu] wants to release the hostages towards the end of his term, which he will have as an achievement to present in the elections. Everything with him is calculated." Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference in Jerusalem on March 31, 2024. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/POOL) Finally, he shared a chilling moment from his last conversation with his brother Itzhak before he was kidnapped to and lost contact with him.  "When Itzhak spoke to me on the phone before the abduction, he said, 'This is the end, this is the end.' It's not his end, but the end of Netanyahu." Yesterday, as mentioned, demonstrations took place in front of the Knesset in Jerusalem and in front of the Kirya in Tel Aviv.  During the protests, the police dispersed some of the demonstrators on Begin Street in Jerusalem using water cannons after they blocked it.  Additionally, several dumpsters were set on fire in the area. After a short time, the road was reopened to traffic. Against the backdrop of the protest against the government in Jerusalem, several clashes were recorded between activists of "Brothers in Arms" and ultra-Orthodox Jews near Mea Shearim. This occurred after about a hundred protesters arrived at the square and expressed support for the "." Two people were arrested on the spot, one for knocking down a police motorcycle and the other for lighting an Israeli flag on fire. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-01

After they were convicted at the beginning of the month of assaulting a civilian, the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court on Tuesday overturned the conviction of Israel Police officers Shay Ezra and the Yotam Gregir. The two were accused of violently assaulting a civilian named Chaim Mizrahi, near an in the Geula neighborhood in January 2022. A court sentenced the two collectively to about 200 hours of public service and compensation of about NIS 8,000 to the complainant. "In the balance between the violation of the victim's rights and the violation of the continued employment of the accused in the , I found that it is possible to be satisfied with a non-conviction and an accompanying punishment, which includes, among other things, the termination of the complainant," Judge Sharon Lari Bavli noted in her decision, adding: "I do not condone the actions of the accused. These are serious actions... and I got the impression that the victim was harmed by the actions on an emotional level [as well]." However, the judge added: "I heard the witnesses as part of the evidence for the punishment and I looked at the letters of recommendation and the certificates that were submitted and I got the impression that these are police officers whose conduct is not characterized by the crimes they were convicted of. These are two decorated police officers who were praised by their commanders. "The defendants themselves expressed sincere regret for their actions... The defendants apologized to the complainant, and that's a good thing." Additionally, she explained, "The two defendants testified about the personal damage they suffered as a result of the criminal proceedings.  Israel Police officers seen handling protesters near the Knesset, in Jerusalem, on March 20, 2024 (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM) "The conviction of the defendants would mean, with a high probability, the termination of their employment with the Israel Police. I do not believe that this result is proportionate under the circumstances of the case," she explained. "In this regard, I would like to clarify that the fact that the defendants have not been fired or suspended so far does not guarantee that they will not be fired as long as the conviction remains. However, the fact that their commanders are [also] supportive of them continuing their work strengthens my conclusion that these are ." ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-03-31

Demonstrators gathered outside the Knesset on Sunday, calling for the dissolution of the Knesset and setting an immediate date for elections. Speakers included Yair Lapid, head of Yesh Atid, several parents of hostages or victims of October 7, as well as Moshe Redman, one of the leaders of the Judicial reform protest movement. A tent city was reportedly set up outside of the Knesset building. Demonstrations began at 7 p.m. The three main points of the demonstration, according to a spokesperson, were: 1. Announcing a date for the elections, which will be held as soon as possible and before the anniversary of the October 7 disaster. 2. Promotion of a deal for the return of the hostages. 3. Canceling the scheduled recess of the Knesset at a time when the hostages have not yet returned and hundreds of thousands of displaced Israelis have not yet returned to their homes. The demonstrations and the protest camp were coordinated and approved by the Israel Police. The entire Israeli public, in all its shades, was invited to join and participate in this important struggle for the country's future. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-03-31

Some 50 bereaved families are calling for the removal of Hadash-Ta'al MK and faction leader Ayman Odeh from his position in the Knesset following his recent claim that the IDF is committing massacre and allowing for according to a report by 103fm radio last week on Thursday.  The submitted complaint was led by attorney Yizchak Buntzel, who lost his son in combat during Buntzel explained that the complaint was submitted to the Knesset Ethics Committee due to the "defamatory things said." Buntzel elaborated that "Odeh unrestrainedly opened his gaping mouth and fired harsh allegations against the soldiers who allow him to step on this land and live in peace, while not contributing anything to Israel in return." Furthermore, Buntzel claimed that Arab Knesset members, in general, "time and time again humiliate us. They harm our soldiers who are currently fighting in battle."HADASH MK Ayman Odeh, leader of the Joint Arab List, speaks at the Knesset in this file photo. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM) "We decided to take action - fifty families - and submit a complaint to the Ethics committee's Chairman," Buntzel explained. "The time has come to put an end to this type of talk spoken by Arab Knesset members." leading up to the submitted complaint were that "what the army is - is a crime, it's killing, it's murder, it's a massacre." These remarks were met by immediate protest from fellow MKs as Odeh was removed from the Knesset plenum. "מה שהצבא עושה שם זה רצח, זה טבח - הרעבה של ילדים" - ח"כ איימן עודה הוצא מהמליאה בעקבות אמירותיו נגד צה"ל והביקורת על המצב ההומניטרי בעזה In response, Odeh's party Hadash wrote on X that Odeh "was taken off the Knesset podium by a Likud MK. Odeh was removed for demanding the rest of Israel's 'opposition' to do its job and criticize the massacre and starvation Israel is inflicting on Gaza. The Knesset is de facto preventing anti-war speech." ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-03-27

On Wednesday, an emergency conference occurred at the Knesset with the "Purple Vest Mission," discussing emergency disaster aid for people with disabilities. The website states that the current mission in Israel began as an initiative on October 7, following the Swords of Iron War outbreak.  However, they have been around since March 2022, when the Russia—Ukraine war started with multiple delegations being sent to Ukraine. Access Israel created the group to promote "accessibility and inclusion for all types of disabilities in all areas of life." In Israel, the group's main goal is to provide critical support to people with disabilities, the elderly, and their families in regions targeted by missile attacks. "No one is left behind" is the group's main slogan, emphasizing its dedication to ensuring everyone can stay safe in a rocket attack. One of the panel topics discussed creating and life-saving systems more accessible to people with disabilities.  A bomb shelter in the center of Israel is opened in preparation for retaliation from Gaza after overnight launch of Operation Shield and Arrow, May 9, 2023. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/MAARIV) Members of (MKs) Debi Biton, Penina Tamno Sheta, and Shirley Pinto led the conference, which was attended by other ministers.  Booths of civil society organizations, including the Israeli Accessibility Association, Better, and Rightear, will be set up outside the conference hall at the Knesset. Among the panel speakers, some notable speakers include Esther, the mother of two children who were evacuated from Kibbutz Nir Am, and Dor Ben Ami, a Sderot resident who is the head of Emergency Resilience at Link 20. The main aim of this conference is to provide immediate solutions to the issue of inadequate physical and mental accessibility response options for individuals affected by the war. ...قراءة المزيد

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