Abbas’ Advisor Mahmoud Al-Habbash: We Shall Not Relinquish a Single Micromillimeter of the Western Wall  

In a Friday sermon, Mahmoud Al-Habbash, advisor to PA President Abbas on Religious and Islamic affairs, said that the Al-Aqsa Mosque, along with the Al-Buraq Wall (the Western Wall) was an Islamic religious endowment and could never belong to non-Muslims. “We cannot possibly relinquish a single millimeter, a single stone, a single micromillimeter of the Al-Buraq Wall and of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque,” he said in the sermon, which was delivered on June 9 and broadcast by the official Palestinian Authority TV.
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June 15, 2017 | 5:20 pm | 1 Comment »

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Is State or the President in charge of American Foreign Policy  

Regarding Qatar and Kurdistan, it is time for America to choose the right side.

Qatar, a small Sunni Gulf state with a long history of Islamist associations, has emerged as the epicenter of the Middle East conflict. On one side are Iran, Turkey, Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood aligned with Qatar, and on the other side the Saudis, UAE, Kuwait and Egypt.

For American national security interests, management of this divide is crucial to stabilize the region. Despite Qatar’s anti-American, antisemitic and pro-Iranian views, it hosts an important but not indispensable American air base that targets Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria and Iraq, and the Taliban in Afghanistan.
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June 15, 2017 | 12:15 pm | Comments »

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When Palestinians are Hopeless, Terror Declines; When Hopeful, Terrorism Increases  

BESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 498, June 15, 2017

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: It is a widespread belief that Palestinian hopelessness feeds terrorism and the prospects for peace decrease it. This has always been false. In fact, the opposite is true: when Palestinians feel hopeless, Palestinian terrorism declines; when they are hopeful of gaining the upper hand, Palestinian terrorism increases. An Israeli iron fist is necessary to save both Israeli and Palestinian lives.

The common mantra that Palestinian hopelessness increases terrorism and that the prospects for peace decrease it has always been fake news. Palestinian terrorism invariably rises in tandem with their hopes of gaining the upper hand.
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June 15, 2017 | 10:35 am | 2 Comments »

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Trump’s Jews and Obama’s Jews  

The Left is losing the culture war within the Jewish community.

Seen from above, the 2016 electoral map of New York City is blue with dots of red. Trump’s home district is blue, but across the water a red wedge slices into Brooklyn. Around that red wedge are districts where Hillary won 90 percent of the vote and Trump was lucky to get 5 percent. Inside it, he beat her in district after district.

The voters who handed him that victory are the Chassidic Jews of Williamsburg who dress in fur hats and black caftans. Their districts, crammed in by hipsters and minorities, are a world away from the progressive activist temples whose clergy went into mourning at Hillary’s loss.
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June 15, 2017 | 9:57 am | 2 Comments »

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Axing UNRWA: The End of the Beginning?  


Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu broke from the Government of Israel’s longstanding policy and stated that UNRWA, the internationally funded UN body dedicated to providing health, education, welfare and legal services to Palestinian “refugees,” should be shut down. This dramatic shift is long overdue in a region where refugee populations have grown enormously but where Palestinians continue to receive overdue attention.

Netanyahu’s statement, made to U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley during her visit to Israel last week, came shortly after the discovery of yet another terror tunnel underneath a UNRWA-run school in Gaza.
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June 15, 2017 | 9:38 am | Comments »

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Israel continues to give away area C  

T. Belman. Israel must look upon Area C like its our land rather than to see it as something that will eventually be returned to the PA. Better still, Israel should bargain for Qalqilya to be evacuated and given to Israel, because it is a thorn in our side, and the residents should me moved to Ramallah, or better still, Jordan.

While were at it we should include all land west of the broad red line. This is the narrowest part of Israel.

Bennett and Shaked slam approval of 14,000 housing units for Arab residents of Area A which will be in Area C. ‘We have to promote our own interests – not those of the PA’

Education Minister Naftali Bennett and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked responded Wednesday to the publication of 14,000 residential units in Qalqiliya at the expense of Area C.

“We objected to the plan called ‘carrot and stick,’ which was and remains a program of reward for terror and the promotion of the Palestinian takeover of Area C. There is no doubt that the plan’s meaning is stringent against the very limited scope of construction approved by the prime minister for Israeli settlements.”
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June 15, 2017 | 7:59 am | 2 Comments »

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Resistance Axis Forces Directly Threaten U.S  

We Are On The Brink Of War On Syria-Iraq Border; The U.S. Will Pay Dearly If It Acts Against Us In Syria

By: N. Mozes* MEMRI

Introduction

On June 9, 2017, forces of the resistance axis, which is headed by Iran and the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, reached the Syria-Iraq border. This is an important accomplishment of these forces vis-à-vis the U.S. and its allies, and it not only boosts the morale of the resistance but it is key in the continued struggle over the future of Syria and the balance of power in the region. The presence of the resistance axis at the border will create territorial continuity across Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, up to the Mediterranean, strengthening the axis and also preventing U.S. intervention in Syria and the consolidation of its presence there.
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June 15, 2017 | 6:08 am | Comments »

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‘Disgusting and Embarrassing’: Film on Rampant Muslim Anti-Semitism in Europe Finally Aired  

A film which “proves” endemic anti-Semitism among Europe’s growing Muslim community has finally been aired, just days after its release was cancelled by Arte, the Franco-German television network that commissioned it.

The documentary was uploaded to the German newspaper Bild‘s website on Tuesday with the banner headline “Jew-Hatred: Bild Shows the Documentary Which Arte Won’t.” It then continued: “The TV documentary proves the hatred of Jews in Europe, some of which have only two words: disgusting and embarrassing.”

As Breitbart Jerusalem reported, the commissioning editors at Arte were accused of censorship after shelving the investigative piece about European Jews facing persecution by Muslim migrants. Arte defended the decision by saying it was not “balanced” and the topic was really “very sensitive”.
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June 14, 2017 | 6:02 pm | 4 Comments »

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Trump’s 7 guidelines for relaunching Israeli-Palestinian talks  

June 11, 2017

A first principle would be that of peace between the two parties that puts an end to the conflict. Another element would be the right of each side to determine its future and character, in the context of peaceful coexistence. A third principle would be stringent security and anti-terror arrangements, especially regarding Israel’s security and Palestinian demilitarization. The guidelines will also include a role for Jordan and the Arab League in security monitoring after a permanent agreement, backed by the United States; settlement building restraint by Israel during the negotiations; and normalization of relations by the Arab states with Israel in parallel to the negotiations. Finally, the guideline will determine that the negotiations need to deal with all permanent status issues, including Jerusalem and refugees.

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June 14, 2017 | 1:43 pm | 7 Comments »

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The Ethnic Instability of Iran  

Avoiding all political correctness, there are some ancestral reasons that Iran should have been easy to deal with.  However, the last administration coddled the mullahs in Iran and let opportunity fly away.  It may be too late to do anything about it right now; however, later on, after Iran is in pieces, there could be a basis for change.

Iranians (historically called Persians) are not Arabs.  Iran (Persia) was home to a  set of rather mighty empires, most notably the Achaemenid Empire, which fell to Alexander, then later on the Parthian and Sassanid Empires, which kept the Roman Empire at bay until Emperor Heraclius (Bzyantine/East Roman Empire) finally defeated them in A.D. 628.
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June 14, 2017 | 11:29 am | Comments »

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The White House’s plan for peace in the Middle East  

T. Belman. This plan is about normalization first. Without solving any major issue, it starts the normalization process first. Plus it seeks to make the status quo better by allowing expansion of Area B and restricting Israeli construction outside the settlement blocs.

But what is this about Jordan helping us with security. A week or so ago there was a reference to something like this, Jordan was to have some security responsibilities in J&S.

President Trump’s plan: reduce building in Judea, Samaria, use Jordan and Gulf states to help with Israel’s security.

US Middle East Envoy Jason Greenblatt spoke to senior Israeli officials and representatives of the Palestinian Authority about the US plan for negotiating a final status agreement, Channel 20 reported.

Among the items mentioned in the US proposal were: slowing building in Judea and Samaria, creating security arrangements in partnership with Jordan and the Gulf states, and normalizing Israel’s relations with the Arab countries.
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June 14, 2017 | 9:56 am | 21 Comments »

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The Qatar Crisis: Signs of Weakness  

BESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 497, June 14, 2017

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The decision by some Persian Gulf and Arab nations to cut diplomatic ties with Qatar is indicative of the deep crisis brewing in the region over the lack of real Sunni leadership. This situation could represent an opportunity for Israel if it treads lightly.

The decision by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Yemen, and other Arab nations to sever diplomatic ties with Qatar is a sign of weakness. The fact that the Sunni Arab world was unable to impose its basic approach on a small peninsular emirate is indicative of the deep crisis brewing in the Gulf over the lack of real leadership in the Sunni world.
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June 14, 2017 | 9:34 am | 5 Comments »

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The Political Legacy Of The Paris Accord Departure  

It expanded the chasm between ‘everyday’ Democrats and ‘country club’ Democrats

Now the Republicans are the party of “the little guy” — the truckers, the farmers, welders, secretaries, waitresses — and the Democrats have become the party of the big money interests, Google, Facebook, George Soros, Bloomberg. Nowhere is this better illustrated than by President Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord.

The billionaire country club Democrats and their brethren in the media are not going to have their incomes affected like people in the colonies whose livelihood is dependent on abundant low cost energy. We in the “colonies” resent dictatorial policies emanating from the “kingdom of D.C.”
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June 14, 2017 | 6:14 am | 2 Comments »

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Zelda Young interviews Ted Belman  

Zelda Young, a friend of mine hosts the Zelda Show from Toronto. She interviews all the top people on issues of importance to the Jews of the world. She has been doing it 5 days a week for 30 years. Her audience is about 300,000 per day.

Every Monday she interviews me on all things pertaining to Israel.

Last Monday my interview started at 20 minutes.  Please go here and listen to it.

http://www.zeldayoung.com/june-12-2017/

June 13, 2017 | 4:08 pm | 3 Comments »

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Knesset Hearing On Applying Israeli Law to Judea-Samaria,  

The Legal Grounds Campaign has embarked on a game-changing Knesset effort, expanding on the recent Shaked-Levin government directive, which looks to ensure equal treatment for all Israeli citizens no matter on which side of the Green Line they reside.

ZOA

June 8. ZOA Israel director Jeff Daube, also co-chairing with Arlene Kushner the respected Legal Grounds Campaign largely supported by ZOA, was invited to testify at a special session of the Knesset House Committee coinciding with the Six Day War’s golden anniversary this week. The hearing, convened to explore ways of adapting Israeli law for fairer treatment of citizens in Judea and Samaria, was well attended by government ministers and Knesset members, who welcomed the chance to demand an end to fifty years of marginalization based on residence.

Ministers Ayelet Shaked and Yariv Levin, also present at the hearing, promoted their recent directive requiring that government bills include Judea and Samaria from June 1st onward.
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June 13, 2017 | 3:29 pm | 12 Comments »

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China, Europe, and the US: Are Changes Coming to the World Order?  

BESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 496, June 13, 2017

Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel und der chinesische Ministerpräsident Li Keqiang gehen im Rahmen der Deutsch-Chinesischen Regierungskonsultationen in Berlin in einem Supermarkt einkaufen.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:The German Chancellor’s daily routine has been attracting wide attention of late. Angela Merkel met recently with US President Donald Trump, followed by meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang. Merkel expressed some of her colleagues’ thoughts after meeting Trump by saying, “Europe can no longer completely rely on its longstanding US alliance”. The timing of the Chinese visit, shortly after Trump’s visit, was not coincidental. China has a vision of joining forces with Europe to counterbalance the US, and President Trump’s reception in Europe made this vision more plausible.
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June 13, 2017 | 3:20 pm | Comments »

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Military crisis in Qatar may spark Gaza outbreak  

DEBKA

Palestinians fills jerricans with drinking water from public taps during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in Rafah refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip on June 11, 2017. Photo Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90 

The electricity cutback in the Gaza Strip, engineered by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to flex muscle against Hamas rule, was just one piece on the checkerboard created by the crackdown Egypt, Saudi Arabia Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have imposed on Qatar for supporting terrorist groups like the Palestinian extremist Hamas. Therefore, Hamas leader Yahya Sanwar had little to expect from his mission to Cairo last weekend to persuade the El-Sisi government to ease its restrictions on the Gaza Strip.
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June 13, 2017 | 3:12 pm | 1 Comment »

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The Climate Confederacy  

After President Trump rejected the Paris Climate treaty, which had never been ratified by the Senate, the European Union announced that it would work with a climate confederacy of secessionist states. Scotland and Norway’s environmental ministers have mentioned a focus on individual American states. And the secessionist governments of California, New York and Washington have announced that they will unilaterally and illegally enter into a foreign treaty rejected by the President of the United States.

The Constitution is very clear about this. “No state shall enter into any treaty.” Governor Cuomo of New York has been equally clear. “New York State is committed to meeting the standards set forth in the Paris Accord regardless of Washington’s irresponsible actions.”

Cuomo’s statement conveniently comes in French, Chinese and Russian translations.
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June 13, 2017 | 2:34 pm | 2 Comments »

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