News Digest — 11/7/24
Israel Signs Deal To Acquire 25 F-15 Fighter Jets From Boeing
The Israel Defense Ministry said on Thursday (7th) it had signed an agreement to acquire 25 next-generation F-15 Fighter jets from Boeing Co.
It said the $5.2 billion agreement was part of a broader package of US aid approved by the US administration and Congress earlier this year and included an option for 25 additional aircraft.
The aircraft will be equipped with weapons systems integrated with existing Israeli weapons as well as having increased range and payloads.
“These advantages will enable the Israeli Air Force to maintain its strategic superiority in addressing current and future challenges in the Middle East,” the ministry said in a statement.
Delivery of the F-15 aircraft will begin in 2031, with 4-6 aircraft to be supplied annually, it said.
“This F-15 squadron, alongside the F-35 squadron procured earlier this year, represents an historic enhancement of our air power and strategic reach – capabilities that proved crucial during the current war,” the director general of the defense ministry, Eval Zamir, said in a statement.
Law Allowing Deportations Of Families Of Terrorists Approved In Second And Third Readings
The Knesset plenum approved early Thursday morning (7th) the second and third reading of a law allowing the deportation of the families of terrorists, proposed by MKs Hanoch Milwidsky (Likud), Eliyahu Revivo (Likud) and Almog Cohen (Otzma Yehudit).
61 MKs voted in favor of the legislation and 41 voted against it.
The law stipulates that the Minister of the Interior will be permitted to order the deportation of a family member of a terrorist, after a hearing, if it is proven that he/she knew in advance of his/her relative’s intention to commit an act of terrorism and did not make efforts to prevent the act.
In addition, the options will be given to deport a family member who expressed support or identified with the act, or published words of praise or encouragement for a terrorist act or a terrorist organization.
The validity of the deportation order for an Israeli citizen shall not be less than seven years and shall not exceed fifteen years, and for a permanent or temporary resident – shall not be less than ten years and shall not exceed twenty years.
The explanatory notes to the bill read: “In recent years, and in particular after the beginning of the Swords of Iron War, which broke out following the terrorist attack that began on October 7, 2023, the cases in which citizens and holders of a permanent residence permit in Israel incite to terrorism have increased, either by publishing direct calls to commit terrorist acts or by publishing words of praise sympathy or encouragement for these acts, supporting them or identifying with them.”
The notes further state that “from various studies conducted over the years, both by the National Security Council and by the IDF’s relation with dozens of terrorists with Israeli citizenship, it emerged that the terrorists’ only concern was what would happen to their families after an attack. There is no doubt that many terrorists will refrain from carrying out an attack, as long as they know that their families will be punished for it.”
Netanyahu Congratulates Trump ‘On History’s Greatest Comeback’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday morning (6th) congratulated Donald Trump on his US election win.
“Dear Donald and Melania Trump, congratulations on history’s greatest comeback! Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning to America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America,” the prime minister said in a statement.
Foreign Minister Israel Katz tweeted along with a photo of him and Trump, “Congratulations to President-Elect @ real Donald Trump on his historic victory. Together, we will strengthen the US-Israel alliance, bring back the hostages, and stand firm to defeat the axis of evil led by Iran.”
Minister Gideon Sa’ar tweeted, “Congratulations President @realDonald Trump on a truly historic victory. As a true friend of Israel with a proven commitment to Israel’s security, we welcome your strong and dedicated leadership as we work to build a better future of security and cooperation for the Middle East.”
Similarly, Education Minister Yoav Kisch, a member of Netanyahu’s Likud party tweeted, “Welcome back, Mr. President!!”
Culture Minister Miki Zohar, also from Likud, wrote, “Congratulations to US President Donald Trump. We are already looking forward to the next four years.”
18-Year-Old Israeli Killed In Rocket Strike In Masarik
The body of an 18-year-old Israeli youth was found Wednesday evening (6th) in the village of Masarik in northern Israel after he was killed by a rocket fired by Hezbollah.
Initial reports suggested that the youth was a foreign worker before he was identified. His body was found in an agricultural area after a barrage of rockets in the area.
The youth was killed when approximately 25 rockets were fired about 6 p.m. Wednesday evening (6th). He worked in agriculture in the community. When sirens began, he evidently left his car in an attempt to find shelter in a nearby ditch.
He was mortally wounded by shrapnel all over his body from one of the rockets that exploded in the area and was killed. A farmer passing by the area noticed him and called emergency forces, who pronounced him dead. There were severe shrapnel wounds throughout his body.
MDA EMT Netanel Ben Yehuda said, “We were led to the scene by a local farmer working in the area. We found the injured youth lying in the field, unconscious. We pronounced him dead.”
Regional Council chairman Moshe Davidovitz said that the youth was “one of our best sons.”
“He went out to open the irrigation in the fields. According to what I was told, he followed the instructions to try to find shelter in a ditch for safety, as there were no interceptions in the agricultural areas, he said.”
‘Israel Should Target Beirut’s Airport,’ In Retaliation For Hit Near Ben Gurion Airport Parking Lot – Expert
Israel should take a firm approach toward Lebanon and respond to the hit near Ben-Gurion Airport by targeting Beirut’s airport, Dr. Eddy Cohen, an expert on Middle Eastern affairs, said on Wednesday (6th) in conversation with Maariv.
“Israel must shut down the Beirut airport – we have full legitimacy to do so now,” he said, adding, “International airlines see the threat to the area of Ben-Gurion Airport, and it deters them, so we need to respond quickly.”
Hezbollah may continue trying to target the airport, and if we don’t respond, it could disrupt its regular operations. If we strike Beirut and shut down the airport, they (Hezbollah) will be deterred,” he noted.
Since a Hezbollah rocket hit a parking lot at Ben Gurion on Wednesday (6th), Cohen emphasized that such an action would clarify to Hezbollah the cost of its attacks and lead to international pressure on Lebanon.
Cohen noted that Donald Trump’s victory in the US elections on Tuesday (5th) may grant Israel greater freedom of action in the Middle East, particularly against the Iranian threat.
Cohen expressed hope that Trump would return to his tough stance on Iran, reinstate economic sanctions, and even support Israel in action against Iran’s nuclear program.
“Trump was always proactive and took a more aggressive approach toward Iran, and I believe he will reinstate the sanctions and support us if we choose to target the nuclear project.”
Cohen noted that there is widespread support for Trump and his tough approach in the Arab world, especially among Gulf states that fear Iran.
He noted that Gulf States, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, were pleased that Trump was elected due to their antagony with Iran.
‘Something We Can Fix,’ Store Manager Says, After Windows Of LA Jewish Businesses Smashed
Israel Gabay was in the middle of praying when he received a text informing him that someone had smashed a window at Mezuzah Gallery, where he is the store manager, and had stolen some jewelry.
“In the beginning, I didn’t think so much about it as a hate crime,” Gabay told JNS.
Then he learned that glass windows had been smashed at other shops in the heavily-Jewish neighborhood of Pico-Robertson. “The majority of them were Jewish stores,” he told JNS,
Multiple business owners, who asked not to be named, told JNS that someone used a golf club to break windows in the Jewish Los Angeles neighborhood between 4:30 and 5:30 a.m.
“At the present time, the LAPD is still investigating this morning’s (Wednesday, 5th) spate of vandalism in the Pico-Robertston area. So far, we know of several businesses impacted, many of which are Jewish-owned,” Jeffrey Abrams, the Los Angeles regional director of the Anti-Defamation League told JNS. “We do not have an exact figure at this time.”
“The nature of the vandalism was primarily shattered windows,” Abrams added. The LAPD did have a presence in the neighborhood this morning and ADL, a key member of the local Jewish Security Alliance, will keep the community informed as we learn more.”
Photos and videos that circulated on social media suggested that Got Kosher Bakery, Glatt Mart, Bargain Oakhurst Pharmacy and Elat Market were also vandalized.
Abrams told JNS that he hopes those involved “will be brought to justice” to determine if the crimes were motivated by hate.
“Hate crimes are message crimes and intend to cause fear in the communities they target,” the ADL leader said. “Similarly, strong sentencing for hate crimes sends the message that anti-Semitism and bigotry of all kinds will not be tolerated in our city.”
Katy Yaroslavsky, a member of the Los Angeles City Council, wrote that the “vandalism against Jewish-owned businesses in Pico-Robertson is alarming and unacceptable.”
“On a day when Angelenos are casting their votes and shaping the future of our city, it’s especially troubling to see acts that harm our community,” she wrote.
“My office is working with city departments to clean up the affected businesses as quickly as possible, and coordinating with the LAPD to ensure a full investigation.”
Gabay told JNS that it could have been worse than the attack on the store he manages.
“We can change the glass,” he added. “It’s something we can fix. It’s not a big deal.”
At Swearing-In Ceremony, Argentina’s President Compares Jewish FM To Biblical Abraham
JTA – When it came time to swear in his new foreign minister, Argentinian President Javier Milei turned to one of his favorite topics: the Torah.
Milei, who is not Jewish, cited the week’s Torah portion, “Lech Lecha,” when inaugurating Gerardo Werthein, a Jewish businessman who is assuming the role.
Milei fired Werthein’s predecessor, in part because Argentina voted at the United Nations against the US embargo of Cuba. Werthein had previously been Argentina’s ambassador to the United States.
In public comments during a ceremony on Monday (4th) at Casa Rosada, his official residence, Milei drew a connection between the Torah portion, which describes God sending Abraham to the land of Canaan to create a great nation, and Werthein’s task in steering Argentina’s foreign relations.
“The powers of heaven are sending you signals, Gerardo, because it speaks of the beginnings of Abraham’s travels throughout the world, spreading the message of the Creator,” Milei said in Spanish, according to a video shared online by an Argentine news agency.
“God tells him in this parasha that he will have a lot of influence on the nations of the world, and gives him an important responsibility to bring the message of the Torah, of life and freedom to the entire world.”
A Parasha is one of 54 portions of the Five Books of Moses read each Shabbat in synagogue; Jews study the week’s portion according to a fixed calendar.
The Catholic-born Milei has been famously drawn to Judaism and said he intends to convert once he leaves office. (He says it would be impossible to serve as president and observe Shabbat fully, a commitment that involves abstaining from writing, driving, and using electricity for a full day.)
He studies regularly with a rabbi, Axel Wahnish, whom he appointed as his ambassador to Israel. He has also cited Jewish stories at other events at Casa Rosada, including when he told the Hanukkah story and gave a menorah to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is Jewish, last year.
