October 18, 2018
Muslims Rage Over Australia’s Openness to Jerusalem Embassy Move
The Palestinians and several Muslim countries expressed indignation after Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced he was considering recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moving the country’s embassy to the city.
Morrison revealed the possibility in a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday (15th). “I’m very thankful to him for this. We will continue to strengthen ties between Israel and Australia,” Netanyahu tweeted following their talk.
Morrison, Australia’s new prime minister, said on Tuesday (16th) he was “open” to following the US, which 10 months ago announced it was moving its embassy to Jerusalem. The idea was proposed to him by Dave Sharma, a member of his party and former ambassador to Israel.
“When sensible suggestions are put forward that are consistent with our policy-positioning, and in this case pursuing a two-state solution, Australia should be open-minded to this – I am open-minded to this and our government is open-minded to this,” Morrison told reporters.
Meanwhile, The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called on Morrison to reconsider his move, claiming it would be “in violation of international law and United Nations resolutions.”
While many Arabs and Muslims expressed sharp opposition to the US relocation of its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in May and threatened action, the strong rhetoric did not manifest itself in violent protests.
(worldisraelnews.com; ap.com)
Israeli Defense Minister: Gaza Border Violence “Cannot Continue” – Judah Ari
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Tuesday (16th) that IDF commanders dealing with Gaza “all have reached the understanding that the situation as it is today cannot continue.” Since March 30, Palestinians in Gaza have participated in a series of riots that have included shooting attacks and bombings as well as sending incendiary balloons and kites into Israel. In recent weeks the clashes have become a daily event.
Lieberman said that “persuasion and international cooperation have failed to bring about a negotiated armistice with Hamas and we have exhausted all other options in Gaza.” “When Hamas says that it’s going to continue rioting on the border until there is an end to the blockade, we need to accept that as it is, without interpretations,” Lieberman said. A blockade is in place to prevent arms and hostile forces from entering Gaza. “Getting rid of the blockade has one meaning…allowing Hizbullah members and Iranians into Gaza.”
Lieberman stated Tuesday (16th) that he felt “dealing Hamas a serious blow would get Israel 5 years of quiet.”
(timesofisrael.com)
Telling The Truth About The IDF – Yoseph Haddad
→Next week, Harvard University will be hosting the organization “Breaking the Silence” (BTS), an organization funded by anti-Israel groups that incites against the State of Israel and defames the IDF.
→I served in the IDF during the Second Intifada. I also stood at checkpoints, stood guard, arrested people and fought in the Second Lebanon War. As an Israeli Arab and IDF soldier in the Golani Brigade, I served together with Jews of all backgrounds, Druze and Bedouin. We were all equal, we were all brothers fighting side by side, and I can testify that I served in the most humane and moral army in the world, with the highest code of ethics and human values.
→The IDF is an army that is level-headed and always keeps as its ultimate highest value, human life. The IDF is an army that will bend over backwards to save lives and to ensure that innocent individuals are not harmed, even if it means complicating the military operation.
→It is possible that there were incidents that did not live up to these standards, but these were the exceptions; they were not the norm and they were not the code by which the IDF is guided. They do not reflect the IDF nor the State of Israel.
→During the Second Lebanese War, I was badly injured after I was hit by a Kornet missile that was fired by Hizbullah. My fellow soldiers saved my life while under attack; they risked their own lives to save mine.
→Two days after BTS takes its stand at Harvard University, I will be there to speak to the students with “Reservists on Duty.” The truth will prevail.
The writer, a resident of Nazareth, is an Arab Israeli Christian.
(jpost.com)
Iran’s Growing Influence in Syria Sparks Concern – Nisan Ahmado
Iran’s involvement and military footprints in Syria have some experts concerned that Tehran might establish a long-term presence in the country in an effort to project regional power. “Iran is solidifying its presence in Syria in three different approaches: militarily, economically, and politically. Tehran is sealing long-term deals and agreements with the weak Syrian state to ‘reconstruct the Syrian military industry,’” said Majid Rafizadeh, president of the International American Council on the Middle East. “This will give the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp], the Quds Force and Iran’s intelligence the perfect excuse to remain in Syria, set up more military bases, and further infiltrate Syria’s security apparatuses.”
The US State Department reported earlier this month, “Since 2012, Iran has spent over $16 billion propping up the Assad regime and supporting its other partners and proxies in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.”
Hanin Ghaddar, an expert at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said, “Iran brought the families of its Shiite militias from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq to live in the properties that used to belong to the Sunni communities before displacing the Sunnis to other areas….There can be many steps taken to contain Iran at this point. Demographic changes need to be countered, refugees returned, and Hizbullah in Lebanon contained. There needs to be helpers to work with local allies and local tribes and the land-bridge needs to be cut between Iran and Syria.”
(voanews.com)
Haredi Man Attacked While Walking To NYC Synagogue
Lipa Schwartz, an American ultra-Orthodox Jew, was attacked in New York City on Sunday (14th) while walking to the synagogue
The attack took place at 7:30 am, in Brooklyn’s Borough Park neighborhood.
Schwartz, 62, was on his way to the synagogue at 13th Avenue and 46th Street, carrying his tallit and tefillin, when a black vehicle pulled up next to him.
The driver, who appeared Middle Eastern, got out and chased Schwartz, caught up with him and assaulted him, punching him in the face and yelling at him.
Schwartz tried to defend himself and was able to escape, but was chased by his attacker.
“I knew it’s either I fight myself out of this, or I might be dead,” Schwartz told local media.
The NYPD was called to the scene and arrested the attacker, 37-year-old Afzal Farrukh of Staten Island, who was charged with assault, a hate-crime, harassment and more.
The Hatzolah aid organization evacuated the victim to the hospital, where he was treated for cuts and bruises to the head.
“Baruch Hashem (Bless The Name) , I’m out of the hospital with some minor bruises, but the trauma of being attacked by someone…will stay with me forever,” Schwartz said.
(ynetnews.com; jta.org)
