News Digest — 11/21/24
Israeli Archeology Giant Killed After Joining Troops In Lebanon
On Thursday (21st), a distinguished Israeli scholar died in an exceptional incident in Lebanon. Zeev “Jabo” Ehrlich, 71, was killed in an encounter after crossing into Lebanon with Golani Brigade forces while researching an ancient fortress. His family has been notified of his passing. Another soldier, identified as Sgt. Gur Kehati, 20, from Nir Banim was also killed in the incident which is still being investigated.
Ehrlich stood among the leading authorities in the study of Judea and Samaria. As one of the founders of the Ofra Field School, he edited two influential book series focusing on the region. His scholarly legacy includes numerous academic publications and a weekly column in the Shabbat supplement of Makor Rishon.
Gush Etzion Council Head and former director of the Kfar Etzion Field School Yaron Rosenthal paid tribute to Ehrlich, “Our hearts still struggle to comprehend the devastating loss of our dear friend…Jabo was among the pioneering generation of our tour guides and scholars of Judea and Samaria. Our generation followed his path and drank in his wisdom with unquenchable thirst.”
“Throughout his decades of work, he guided, researched, and, with boundless curiosity, strived to explore every corner and examine every archaeological site. Few scholars in the field possessed his level of passion or demonstrated such complete devotion to the land. Personally, Jabo was not just a mentor, but a friend, and over many years, I learned invaluably from him. His absence will be deeply felt. We must now endeavor to follow the monumental legacy he leaves behind.”
Two weeks prior, Israel Hayom journalist Hanan Greenwood met Ehrlich in Nablus. Accompanied by Samaria Regional Brigade forces, the two visited Joseph’s Tomb and continued to Tel Balata. According to Greenwood, Ehrlich identified the historic site as the probable location of the biblical ceremony of the blessings and cursings. “During our drive through the city, Ehrlich shared discoveries about ancient catacombs as our vehicle slowed to observe the site.” Greenwood said that Ehrlich visited the site in his childhood when “one could wander here before the existence of walls and fences.”
IDF Kills Hezbollah Anti-Tank Missile Commanders; Says Group’s Firepower Dramatically Reduced
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) eliminated the commanders of Hezbollah’s anti-tank missile and operations unit in the coastal sector, the military announced on Wednesday (20th).
The commanders were responsible for terror attacks against Israeli citizens, including missile attacks on civilian communities in the Western Galilee and Israel’s coastal area.
Additionally, while operating in southern Lebanon, IDF soldiers located weapons storage facilities and struck terrorist command centers both from the ground and in the air.
The IDF also struck over 100 terror targets in Lebanon, including weapons storage facilities and military structures over the past day.
These announcements came after Northern Command chief Major-General Ori Gordin, conducted a situational assessment in southern Lebanon.
During the assessment, commanders discussed IDF action on the ground and creating the necessary conditions for the safe return of northern residents to their homes. They expressed appreciation for the efforts of both reservists and soldiers in active service for continued operations, the military said.
Major-General Ori Gordin was accompanied by the Commanding Officer of the Northern Corps and the Maneuvering Unit in the Ground Forces, Major-General Dan Goldfus, Commanding Officer of the 98th Division Brigadier-General Guy Levy, and Commanding Officer of the 7th Brigade, Colonel Elad Tzuri, the military said.
During the assessment, Gordin stated, “We are in the middle of an offensive in this area. There have been very good achievements so far, and you have played a big role in them.”
Gordin said that the IDF has dramatically reduced Hezbollah’s firepower, saying, “It begins with our firepower targeting the organization’s firepower capabilities, which have been dramatically reduced.”
He also addressed soldiers and reservists who served in Lebanon, remarking, “Everyone of you has set aside something important – whether it be your wedding date, the birth of your children, an exam at school, or a major project at work. All these things are deeply meaningful to all of you and you’ve put them aside.”
“This is just one example of your dedication, your pursuit of values, and the essence of Israeli society, which is so vital. For this, once again, my deep appreciation. And we must continuously express our gratitude to everyone involved.”
Israeli Forces Destroy Bomb-Making Labs In Jenin As Terror Crackdown Enters Second Day
Five Palestinian terrorists were killed as Israeli security forces destroyed four explosives laboratories in Jenin, the Israeli Defense Forces disclosed on Wednesday (20th) as a crackdown on terror groups entered its second day.
The army said it also confiscated weapons parts and five lathes used for producing weapons.
A camera warehouse used by terror groups and dozens of explosives were also destroyed. Seven terror suspects were arrested.
Meanwhile in Hebron, Israeli security forces arrested four wanted Palestinians, confiscated weapons and questioned dozens of other suspects.
This comes ahead of this weekend’s Jewish celebrations at the Tomb of the Patriarchs.
The Torah portion to be read Saturday (23rd) recounts Abraham’s purchase of the Cave of Machpelah where he buried Sarah. The other Patriarchs and their wives are also buried in the tomb.
The annual celebration draws thousands of Jews.
Since the October 7 attacks, Israeli security forces have arrested more than 5,300 wanted Palestinians in Judea and Samaria, of whom around 40% are associated with Hamas.
Hamas, Fatah Officials Warn: We Will Start Wars In Israeli Prisons
Israel Prison Services (IPS) Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi told the Knesset National Security Committee that a senior Hamas official in prison threatened a war inside Israeli prisons.
Yaakobi said that an imprisoned senior Hamas official told him, “You will end the war outside; we will start it inside prison.”
He also stated that a senior Fatah official told Yaakobi, “We will have our Independence Day inside the prison.”
During the Knesset session, Yaakobi said, “These quotes reverberate with me, and I am preparing myself with the means and preparing the team accordingly.”
Yaakobi became the new Israel Prison Service Chief in May 2024, and his appointment was approved by the government.
In an interview with Ma’ariv on Wednesday (20th), Yaakobi underscored the critical role of IPS in safeguarding public safety, referring to security prisons as “Israel’s eighth front.”
“The prison service must have strong intelligence,” Yaakobi stated. “We possess the potential to greatly enhance both security and crime prevention, directly impacting public safety beyond prison walls.”
Yaakobi expressed concerns over the infiltration of staff by criminal and terrorist organizations, calling for rigorous prevention measures. “Prominent crime organizations attempt to infiltrate our ranks,” he said. “That;s why polygraph tests are essential.” He further disclosed the dismissal of several staff members involved in smuggling contraband.
Focusing on the threats posed by security prisoners, Yaakobi characterized the situation as akin to other major fronts Israel faces. “This is an active and existing front,” he explained. “We call it the “eighth front,” alongside Lebanon, Iran and Iraq. We’re adapting leadership and developing offensive tools to confront it.”
Yaakobi also addressed intelligence coordination efforts. “We’re seizing hundreds of weapons and intercepting countless plots,” he noted. Intelligence, shared by IPS and Shin Bet, has revealed numerous plots to harm staff members. “These threats remain very real,” Yaakobi warned, calling for adequate funding to bolster intelligence capabilities.
US Vetoes UN Security Council Resolution On Gaza Ceasefire, Says Proposal Must Call For Release Of Hostages
The United States on Wednesday (20th) vetoed a UN Security Council resolution for a ceasefire in Israel’s war in Gaza, accusing council members of cynically rejecting attempts at reaching a compromise.
The 15-member council voted on a resolution put forward by its 10 non-permanent members in a meeting that called for an “immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire” and separately demanded the release of hostages.
Only the U.S. voted against it, using its veto as a permanent council member to block the resolution.
A senior US official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity ahead of the vote, said that the US would only support a resolution that explicitly calls for the immediate release of hostages as part of a ceasefire.
“As we stated many times before, we just can’t support an unconditional ceasefire that does not call for the immediate release of hostages,” the official said.
Ahead of Wednesday’s vote, Britain put forth a new language that the US would have supported as a compromise, but that was rejected, the US official said.
Israel Is A U.S. Ally, Not A Client – Rotem Sella
Israel wants to be an American ally, not an American client. A client relies on a patron for military protection and financial largess. An ally is self-reliant and pursues common interests with another country.
While President Biden provided support, every step of the way he has micromanaged Israel. He pushed for a weakened invasion of Gaza. He withheld weapons to try to stop Israel from fighting in Rafah, where Hamas’ leader was hiding. He enforced delivery of humanitarian aid that Hamas stole. He urged Israel not to respond seriously to Hezbollah’s rocket fire. All of this prolonged the war and put Israeli soldiers at great risk.
If Israel was a weak state that needed the U.S. to fight its battles, that approach might make sense – but it isn’t. When a strong U.S. ally is discouraged from strengthening its position, both the ally and America are undermined.
Israel targeted Houthi infrastructure that America shied away from hitting. Israel wiped out Hezbollah’s missiles and leadership. Israel crippled Hamas and killed Yahya Sinwar. Israel destroyed Iran’s air defenses and weapons facilities. These actions advanced the interests of the U.S. and Israel. This is the benefit of having an ally instead of a client.
Since the October 7 attack, about 800 Israeli soldiers have been killed in a war to secure our country. Israelis don’t expect American soldiers to risk their lives for Israel’s sovereignty.
The writer is publisher of Sella Meir Press in Jerusalem, which published the Hebrew edition of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s autobiography. (Wall Street Journal)
(wsj.com)
‘Israel We’ve Got Your Back’ Vows New Senate Majority Leader
The new leader of the Republican Senate Caucus, who is expected to be voted in as Senate Majority Leader in January, vowed that under his leadership, the upper chamber of Congress will “have Israel’s back.”
South Dakota Senator John Thune, who recently won an internal leadership race for control of the Republican Senate Caucus, held a press conference Tuesday (19th), castigating Senate Democrats over failure to take action against the International Criminal Court’s attempts to have senior Israeli officials arrested.
“That is outrageous, and it is unlawful. The ICC rogue actions are a threat to our ally Israel and, left unchecked, could pose a threat to America in the future.”
Thune also ripped Senate Democrats pushing measures which would bar the sale of billions of dollars worth of military equipment to Israel, including the latest variant of the F-15 fighter jet, tank shells, and guided missiles.
Fortunately, the Senate overwhelmingly blocked resolutions on Wednesday night (20th) which would have halted the sale of these arms to Israel, with lawmakers voting 79-18, with one Senator responding “present.”
“The refusal to have our ally’s back and the hesitation to call out anti-Semitism in our own country has consequences,” Thune said. “It enables bad behavior and bad actors around the world and encourages others to abandon Israel in their time of need.”
Republicans picked up four seats in the upper chamber in the November elections, giving them a 53-47 majority in the incoming Congress.
Once the new Congress is seated on January 3rd and Thune elected Majority Leader, he said, the Republican-controlled Senate would make Israel a “top priority in the next Congress.”
“So to our allies in Israel, and to the Jewish people around the world, my message to you is this: Reinforcements are on the way.”
