By Aaron David Miller, CNN

Miller: While the U.S. entangles itself in the nuclear negotiations,     Iran is gaining a freer hand to assert its regional influence

(CNN)If I had to describe the U.S.-Iranian relationship in one word it would be “overmatched.”

We’re playing checkers on the Middle East game board and Tehran’s playing three-dimensional chess. Iran has no problem reconciling its bad and contradictory behavior while we twist ourselves into knots over our tough choices, all the while convincing ourselves that America’s policy on the nuclear issue is on the right track.

Iran isn’t 10 feet tall in this region, but by making the nuclear issue the be-all and end-all that is supposed to reduce Iran’s power, the United States is only making Tehran taller. Consider the following:
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By Yoram Ettinger, ISRAEL HAYOM

Sixty-seven years ago, upon Israel’s declaration of independence, Life magazine noted (May 31, 1948) the odds facing the 600,000 Jews of the newly born economy-starved and militarily embargoed Jewish state: “King Abdullah of Transjordan sent his Arab Legion against Jerusalem. … Egypt’s planes repeatedly bombed Tel Aviv. Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia pitched in. … The Arabs cut off Jerusalem from the coast by blocking the road to Tel Aviv. … The old walled city came under artillery fire. … A three-pronged attack was compressing the [Jewish] defenders into the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. … King Abdullah’s Arab Legion was spearheading the Arabs’ land offensive. … The Jews had little but light anti-aircraft to fight off these attacks. … A country the size of Connecticut is ringed by hostile neighbors. … Time and geography favor the Arabs, and England, which does not recognize Israel, is sending the Arab states arms, [while] Israel’s friends in the U.S. aim to lift our embargo on arms. … Can Israel survive?”
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Very Good News Israel

In Israel and in many other countries, the age of 67 is when adults usually leave employment and start receiving their old-age pension.  But as the State of Israel celebrates its own 67th birthday it shows no sign of stopping its work to benefit humanity, and is even increasing its tremendous pace of innovation.

There have been many recent Israeli medical advances to combat that scourge of aging – cancer.  They include Rosetta Genomics’s microRNA-based test helps physicians select the best treatment options for patients with secondary cancers.  Another is the joint project that 68-year-old Israel Technion Professor and Nobel Prize Winner Aaron Ciechanover has initiated with India’s Sun Pharma to develop new cancer treatments.  Also at the Technion, Israeli-Arab Professor Hossam Haick has proved that his NaNose breath-test cancer detector was just as effective as older, slower, costlier and more invasive alternatives.  And you should hear 72-year-old Tel Aviv University Professor Dan Peer describe the nano-technology that promises one-day to retire cancer completely, from the list of killer diseases.
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January 27, 2015
One-Fifth of Israelis Identify with the National-Religious Sector
National-Religious Split Over Gays in Shul, Female Religious Court Judges, Refusal of Orders

The Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) has released its first comprehensive survey of Israel’s national-religious community.

In recent decades, Jewish Israeli society has experienced a shift of elites and ideologies, including the systematic movement of the national religious camp from the margins to the socio-political center stage. The transformation of Israeli society has strategic implications for the country’s character, the balance of power within the ruling institutional system, the national agenda, and even the foreign and defense policies of the state.

Previously thought to be no more than 10% of the Israeli population, the 2014 National-Religious Sector Survey reveals that more than one-fifth of Israeli Jews identify with the national-religious sector. 21% of Israeli Jews state that, to a large or very large extent, they belong to the National-Religious sector in terms of both their lifestyle and outlook. (23% state they belong to a slight extent, and 53% state they do not belong at all.)
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By Isi Leibler, JPOST

The Bible quotes Balaam describing the Jews as “a people that dwells alone and is not counted among the nations.” Alas, that aptly describes the status of the Jewish state on the 67th anniversary of its rebirth. Yet despite enormous challenges confronting us, we have every reason to celebrate.

Yes, Israel is the only country in the world whose right to exist and defend itself is continuously challenged.

We have neighbors who still dream of driving us into the sea; we face an ongoing global tsunami of anti-Semitism; the world judges us by double standards; Israel is an oasis in a region in which primitive barbarism reigns as hundreds of thousands of people are butchered as a matter of routine.
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By Jerry Gordon, NER

A one minute siren sounded throughout Israel at 8:00 p.m. Israel time, Tuesday beginning a day long observance of Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day for more than 23,320 fallen IDF soldiers and civilian victims of terrorism. To gain some perspective of the sacrifice that Israel has sustained in maintaining its security, 23,320 fallen would be equivalent to more 115,000 US military personnel fallen based on the percentage of the more than six million Jews in Israel.

Israel lost more than 6,373 in its War of Independence in 1948 to 1949, more than one percent of the 600,000 Jews in the country at the time. The IDF toll in the October War of 1973 with Egypt and Syria was more than 2,656 dead and more than 11,656 injured.
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THE TOWER

The PLO Council voted last month to call for suspending Palestinian Authority security cooperation with Israel. This decision may gut the only thing keeping the PA in power, and will likely lead to increased Palestinian violence—and Palestinian deaths.

On the night of July 24, 2014, anywhere between 10,000 and 25,000 Palestinians squared off against Israeli security forces at the Qalandiya checkpoint between Ramallah and Jerusalem. It was the largest demonstration the West Bank had seen for at least a decade. In running battles that lasted several hours, protestors shot fireworks and hurled stones at the Israeli forces, and there were even reports of gunfire—a rarity since the days of the second intifada. Israeli army and Border Police officers responded with force, leaving two Palestinians dead and some 300 injured.
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A nuclear deal is only the beginning. The president’s goal, at the expense of America’s allies, is full-fledged détente with Iran.

By Michael Doron, MOSAIC

When President Obama took to the podium in the White House rose garden on April 2, his mood was victorious. With evident pride, he announced that negotiators in Lausanne had reached a “historic understanding with Iran, which . . . will prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon.”

In truth, the negotiators had reached no understanding, historic or otherwise. Obama was celebrating something that did not exist—at least not yet. Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif had failed to agree on a text describing the terms of the so-called “Lausanne framework.” In its place, each issued a separate “fact sheet.” On some key issues the documents contradicted each other; on others they were entirely mute. Statements from officials did little to clarify the discrepancies or rectify the omissions. One official statement even seemed to widen the areas of disagreement.
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DEBKA, April 20/15

Anxiety about the new terror tunnels they sense Hamas is excavating under their feet is no longer confined to Israelis living in proximity to the Gaza Strip, or the soldiers serving there.

Israel’s northern borderland dwellers, who can see Hizballah’s yellow flags in from their balconies, have the same concerns. Their reports of mysterious underground explosions are confirmed by thousands of Israeli troops conducting field exercises in the neighborhood. The soldiers attest to heavy earthmoving equipment, explosions, burrowing, and shaking ground on the Lebanese side of the border, giving the area the appearance of a huge subterranean building site.
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by Tricia Miller, Ph.D., Dexter Van Zile, CAMERA

Sojourners, a magazine that caters to liberal Evangelical Protestants in the United States, has a well-documented reputation for promoting anti-Israelism.

In June 2013, the magazine published an article that falsely portrayed Israel as being at the center of Christianity’s collapse in the Middle East when in fact, the Jewish state is the one country in the region where the population of indigenous Christians has increased over the past several decades.

A few months later, the magazine published an article by Ryan Rodrick Beiler about the deaths of Palestinians during Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012. In the article, Beiler omitted a number of facts that demonstrated that Hamas played a significant role in causing the death of civilians in Gaza during this conflict. With this article, Beiler revealed that he is part of the propaganda war against the Jewish state. It’s an odd thing for Ryan Rodrick Beiler, a photojournalist and writer who describes himself as “in pursuit of peace and justice.”
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T. Belman.  France and Britain are now drafting a new resolution on the Israel/Arab conflict. According to the TOI,

“It’s the responsibility of this council to adopt a consensual and balanced resolution that sets the parameters of a final status and a timeline for the negotiations, French UN Ambassador Francois Delattre told a council meeting, according to Reuters.

Britain’s UN Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said that Britain saw merit in a council resolution “setting out the parameters for a peaceful and negotiated solution.”

“But this will require proper consultation to achieve the full backing of the council,” he was quoted by Reuters as saying.

The following article was written in Dec 23/14 and illustrates the difference in the French draft and the Arab draft. That what they have to resolve in order to get consensus.

By Daoud Kuttab, al Monitor, Dec 23/14

Two resolutions that on the surface appear similar have been presented to the UN Security Council on Palestinian statehood. Dina Kawar, Jordan’s UN representative, on Dec. 17 presented the Palestinian draft backed by the Arab League, while France presented what seems to be a European counter version, which has the tacit agreement of Washington. The Jordanian version will be the main focus of the discussions that will most probably begin after the Christmas and New Year’s holiday.

While in some ways the two versions are similar, a few clear differences are evident both in content and in operational language. In the preamble of the two drafts, five differences stand out.
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By Ted Belman

Haaretz published an article yesterday which suggested that Herzog  should approach Kahlon to form a left wing coalition which included the Arab Joint list. This coalition would have 63 seats. It even suggested that Kahlon should also be offered a rotating premiership.

Given that Kahlon wants lower the cost of living and housing, protect the High Court and withdraw from most of J&S, there would not be ideological problems.

Bibi knows this is a real possibility. He is trying to cut his first deal with Kahlon. They are close. Once that deal is done, he can focus on the other parties. He can cut a deal with Liberman who wants to be Foreign Minister again, wants the death penalties for convicted terrorists and wants to retain the draft law. All this Bibi can agree to even if Shas is not happy. Shas is not needed to form a right wing government. Liberman also wants a commitment to destroy Hamas in next Hamas war.

Finally, if Shas is ignored,  Bibi can give Bennett the Religious affairs portfolio which he really wants. A deal will have to be cut for lifting the construction freeze and perhaps embracing the Levy report. This will remove some power from the Defense Minister who controls J&S presently. That would make it less important for Bennett to be Defense Minister.

I believe that Bibi will form such a right wing government.

Amnesty refuses to investigate rise in anti-Semitism in the UK – but commissioned a 123-page report on ‘Islamophobia’.

By Ari Soffer, INN

By Ted Belman

Ayelet Shaked spoke up:

“I explained to the Likud that we won’t sit in a government that sells the Ministry of Religious Services to Shas, that freezes construction in Jerusalem and Judea-Samaria, and that doesn’t institute any reforms in the judicial system,”

This is the first time I read that anyone was talking about ending the construction freeze. Its about time.

Bayit Yehudit isn’t bluffing. It can’t join a government that wont lift the freeze and won’t reduce the power of the High Court.

By Ted Belman

In 2013 Greece had a population of 11 million, and their government Debt to GDP is 175%, the highest in the EU. Their GDP in 2013 was $275 billion and thus their Debt was $380 Billion.

It must be much worse today. The E&U is prepared to lend them the needed money but the Greeks are not prepared to accept the hardship that goes with the loan.\

I have a suggestion. Israel should arrange to borrow $100 billion dollars on a fixed interest basis and offer to give the money to them in exchange for accepting 2 million Palestinian immigrants below the age of 40.

If they go for the deal, Israel would ferry them to Greece at no extra cost.

Then Israel would be free to annex both Gaza and J&S.

Sounds like a plan

On a smaller scale, Greece needs $100 million right away to avoid bankruptcy. Israel could agree to give them the money for taking in an agreed number of Palestinians. Maybe Greece would like that better.

By Amb. Freddy Eytan, JCPA

• France has suffered numerous Iranian-sponsored terror attacks both on its own soil and in Lebanon. When conducting talks with Iran on the freeing of hostages, France often encountered deception and subterfuge. Thus, France has learned its lesson and continues to harbor resentment toward Iran.

• From a historical perspective, France is concerned about the nuclear threat to Israel and believes the Jewish state’s security must be ensured.

• France has made clear that –
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By Jerry Gordon, NER

Illegal migrants in overloaded boat in Mediterranean

The EU is in the midst of another refugee crisis in the Straits that separates Sicily from North Africa. The flash point of the humanitarian crisis is the Island of Lampedusa 297 kilometers offshore of Tripoli, Libya. 168 kilometers north of Lampedusa is the Island Republic of Malta which is also in the crosshairs of this crisis. Refugees from the Jihadist conflicts throughout the Middle East, North and Sub Sahara Africa, even South Asia packed into a flotilla of overloaded vessels make a bee-line for this Italian landfall with less than 5,000 full time residents, where heretofore they received a welcome. Off shore of Lampedusa is a flotilla of EU coast guard vessels on rotating duty alert for distress calls escorting floundering vessels to port on the Italian Island and hence to Sicily and the Italian mainland. Unfortunately, these days Italian and EU coast guard vessels search for the bodies of illegal migrants washed overboard.
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T. Belman.  And yet the UK insists on labeling products prouced in Judea and Samaria.

BY DAVID SHAMAH, TOI

Israel and the UK have entered into yet another joint scientific research agreement. The agreement, between the British Royal Society, the world’s oldest and most prestigious scientific fellowship, and the Israel Academy of Science and Humanities will fund research in a number of scientific areas, as well as provide funding for 12-15 post-doctorate exchange fellows to study in each country.

The agreement was signed over the weekend by Sir Paul Nurse, president of the Royal Society, and Professor Ruth Arnon, president of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities. Helping to fund the fellowship program will be the Sir Ralph Kohn Foundation.
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By DR. ROBIN MCFEE, FSM

“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.” Benjamin Franklin

On this day of remembrance Yom Hashoah Ve-Hagevurah, when Israelis took time last night and today to honor those who perished during the Holocaust, and to honor those who stood up to the evil in Warsaw who were perpetrating the Jewish genocide, it seems fitting to talk about righteousness, and virtue. To the Left these are arcane, even inconvenient notions. To the Right, they are defining issues upon which a society rises or falls.

Even understanding the far Left, it still boggles the mind that the titular leader of the free world – Barack Obama – continues to be the supporter, errand messenger, and apologist for dictators, especially a Nazi look-a-like Iran, while chastising and undermining Israel whenever he can.
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