By Fred Fleitz, CENTRE FOR SECURITY POLICY

On September 10, 2014, President Obama announced his strategy to “degrade and destroy” the Islamic State and to arm and train moderate Syrian rebels to fight against the Assad regime. As Americans head to the polls today, this strategy is on the brink of collapse.

The Islamic State has continued to make gains on the ground and commit atrocities since the president announced his strategy. Over the weekend, the Islamic State executed 322 members of the pro-U.S. Albu Nimr Iraqi tribe in Anbar province, including dozens of women and children whose bodies were dumped in a well.   Pleas by the Sunni tribe for weapons to defend itself were ignored by the Bagdad government.
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J-Street poll also finds support for nuclear deal with Iran and an active U.S. role in peace process but also for Israeli operation in Gaza. IT ALSO FINDS THAT 47% APPROVE OF THE US PRESSURING ISRAEL. THAT’S WAY TOO HIGH.

HAARETZ

Despite widespread public dissatisfaction with President Barack Obama, American Jewish voters did not significantly stray from previous voting patterns in this week’s mid-term elections and favored Democrats over Republicans by a 69%-28% margin, according to a new poll released on Wednesday.

The phone survey of 800 Jewish voters who actually cast a ballot on Tuesday was commissioned by J Street and carried out by Jim Gerstein of Gerstein, Bocian, Agne Strategies. It found potentially widespread support for a nuclear agreement with Iran and for a more active American role in the peace process. According to the poll, American Jews are somewhat critical of settlements in the territories but overwhelmingly supported Operation Protective Edge in Gaza; their attitude towards Prime Minister Netanyahu is more favorable than to most other American political personalities.
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By Prof. Paul Eidelberg, President, Israel-America Renaissance Institute

Since the anti-Israel and pro-Muslim Obama Administration may not veto UN Security Council sanctions against Israel, it is of crucial importance to inform American Congressmen and opinion makers of Israel’s contribution to American security and economic well-being, which has been deliberately ignored by Mr. Obama and his advisers.

Although some of the data in this paper should be updated, on the whole it is current enough to be taken seriously by American officials and the media.

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Dr. Joseph Sisco, a former Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian affairs, once told erstwhile adviser PM Menachem Begin: “I want to assure you, Mr. Katz, that if we were not getting full value for our money, you would not get a cent from us.”  American congressmen and industrialists are pragmatists, not moralists.  Let’s compare in simply terms what America gives Israel and what Israel gives America.  Read more…

Ministerial Committee on Legislation to debate proposal seeking to subject the Israeli citizens of Judea and Samaria to the full extent of Israel’s civil and criminal codes • Current situation effectively imposes dual legal system on the area.

By Gideon Allon and Israel Hayom Staff

Habayit Hayehudi MK Orit Struck

The Ministerial Committee on Legislation is scheduled to debate a new bill seeking to subject the Israeli residents of Judea and Samaria to the full extent of Israeli law.

According to Israel’s Defense (Emergency) Regulations of 1967, while most articles in Israel’s criminal and civil codes apply across Judea and Samaria, the area is simultaneously under military law, meaning its Israeli citizens are subjected to a dual legal system. Furthermore, many legal amendments enacted in Israel over the years, especially those pertaining to property and labor laws, exclude the settlements.
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by Isi Leibler, Word from Jerusalem
November 5, 2014

I would hesitate writing this column had I not served as a national Jewish leader who faced similar dilemmas to those confronting the American Jewish leadership today, many of whom I was engaged with in various battles against enemies of the Jewish people and Israel.

Yet, with considerable regret and notwithstanding notable exceptions, I believe that today the major leaders within the American Jewish establishment are failing to stand up and be counted, despite chilling signals that the United States administration is about to abandon Israel, effectively revoking the U.S.-Israel alliance on which we are deeply dependent. There are even hints that U.S. President Barack Obama may forgo the U.S. veto at the United Nations Security Council that protects Israel from censure and sanctions — which could have disastrous repercussions. This is taking place at a time when much of the world regards Israel as they did Czechoslovakia in the 1930s.

Another serious issue is that Obama has again breached a solemn undertaking and appears prepared to consummate a deal with the Iranians, enabling them to achieve nuclear status.
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Three critically wounded after incident in capital near Old City; Hamas terrorist shot dead by police.

By Ari Sofer and Ari Yashar, INN

One person has been killed and at least 14 wounded in Jerusalem, when a terrorist drove a car into a crowd of pedestrians at the Shimon Hatzadik train station, located on Shimon Hatzadik street north of the Old City and not far from the Municipality building.

Shortly after the attack one of the victims who was critically wounded was pronounced dead on his way to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem. Two other victims are hospitalized there in critical condition.

Police and medics are on the scene, with at least three people at the scene said to be critically wounded, at least two others moderately injured, and several others lightly wounded.
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The second point below reaffirms Israel’s criticism of Sweden’s vote because it make an agreement hard to achieve, i.e., because it will make the PA more intransigent. Unfortunately she didn’t explain herself here.

But the second point is very hypocritical, because the US keeps calling for ’67 lines plus swaps. Is that not also “a unilateral step…that attempt[s] to prejudge the outcome of final status negotiations.” Ted Belman

State Department spokeswoman says PA’s resolution to “end the occupation” attempts to “prejudge the outcome of final status negotiations.”

By Ben Ariel, INN

The United States made clear on Tuesday that it is against the Palestinian Authority’s plan to submit a draft resolution to the UN Security Council calling for an end date for “Israeli occupation”.

State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said that Secretary of State JohnKerry reiterated to Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat, during a Monday meeting in Washington, that the U.S. was opposed “to unilateral steps by either party that attempt to prejudge the outcome of final status negotiations.”

Urging the UN to call for an end to the Israeli occupation “contradicts their stated goal of a two-state solution and having their own state, an aspiration we support,” Psaki added.
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Many new identifiers live in Africa, Asia and South America. They feel connection to lost tribes and to Jews forced to convert during Inquisition.

By Judy Maltz, HAARETZ

Bnei Menashe children of India.

The number of people who believe they are descendants of the Jews or the ancient Israelites about equals the number of known Jews, those who are counted in official international censuses, an expert on Judaizing movements says.

Speaking on Monday at a Jerusalem conference, the British historian Tudor Parfitt suggested that what he called a shadow community of Jews numbers between 13.5 million and 14 million.

In many cases, he said, this voluntary affiliation with the Jewish people is a relatively new phenomenon. Members of these newly identified Jewish communities could be found in places as diverse as northeastern India, Papua New Guinea, Nicaragua, the jungles of South America and southern and central Africa, he said. Many also can be found in black communities in the U.S.
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See also: Iran Denies Agreeing to Ship Uranium to Russia

According to officials quoted by the New York Times, Moscow would convert uranium to special fuel rods for Bushehr, which would make it difficult for Iran to use them to make a nuclear bomb.

Ynetnews, Reuters

Russia could play a significant role in the West’s effort to stop Iran from becoming a nuclear threshold country after Tehran has reportedly agreed to ship much of its uranium to Moscow, officials and diplomats involved with nuclear negotiations told The New York Times in a story published on Tuesday.

The plan is contingent on the P5+1 nations (US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany) reaching a long-term nuclear agreement with Iran in talks due to expire later this month.

According to the diplomats, the discussed solution to the impasse in talks over Tehran’s 28,000 pounds of uranium is for Moscow to convert the uranium into specialized fuel rods to be used in Iran’s Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power plant.

Once converted into fuel rods, the Times reported, it would be extremely difficult for Iran to use them to make a nuclear weapon.
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Arab rioters wound police with rocks and fireworks, Jews temporarily banned as ‘status quo’ continues; MK Zoabi at site clashes with police.

By Uzi Baruch, Gil Ronen, INN

Israeli police clashed with rock-throwing protesters on the Temple Mount compound on Wednesday, police spokeswoman Luba Samri said.

“Dozens of masked protesters threw rocks and firecrackers at security forces who then entered the Temple Mount and pushed the demonstrators back inside the mosque,” the spokeswoman told AFP.
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By MICHAEL R. GORDON and ERIC SCHMITTNOV, NYT

WASHINGTON — Iraqi security forces, backed by American-led air power and hundreds of advisers, are planning to mount a major spring offensive against Islamic State fighters who have poured into the country from Syria, a campaign that is likely to face an array of logistical and political challenges.

The goal is to break the Islamic State’s occupation in northern and westernIraq, and establish the Iraqi government’s control over Mosul and other population centers, as well as the country’s major roads and its border with Syria by the end of 2015, according to American officials.

Iraqi and Kurdish forces have made inroads in recent weeks in securing territory threatened or captured by the Islamic State, including the Rabia border crossing with Syria, the oil refinery in Baiji north of Baghdad, the northern town of Zumar, and Jurf al-Sakhar southwest of Baghdad.

But the major push, which is being devised with the help of American military planners, will require training three new Iraqi Army divisions — more than 20,000 troops — over the coming months.

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By Ben Ariel, INN

The United Nations on Tuesday said that a program to reconstruct Gaza after this summer’s war with Israel has begun, The Associated Press (AP) reports.

Middle East peace process coordinator Robert Serry said the program started Monday with the sale of construction materials to 700 Gaza residents whose homes were damaged.

Palestinian Authority estimates say that as much as $6 billion will be required to repair the damage sustained during the conflict, noted AP.

Serry added that some 60,000 Gaza residences need to be repaired immediately.

The UN envoy said a few months ago that the global body was ready to check imports of construction material sent to Gaza in order to ease Israel’s concerns that supplies could be used to rebuild Hamas tunnels.
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BY: Adam Kredo, Free Beacon
November 4, 2014 3:10 pm

Lawyers for the Obama administration compared Israel’s control of Jerusalem to Russian claims over the Ukrainian territory of Crimea during oral arguments this week before the Supreme Court in a case concerning the rights of U.S. citizens to list Jerusalem as part of Israel on their passports.

U.S. Solicitor General Donald Verrilli, who is rumored to be in the running to replace outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder, drew the comparison on Monday while he attempted to convince the Supreme Court that Jerusalem is not officially part of Israel.

The controversial case hinges around Menachem Zivotofsky, who was born in Jerusalem in 2002. Zivotofsky’s parents requested that Menachem’s U.S. passport bear “Jerusalem, Israel” as his place of birth, a request that was denied by the Obama administration on the basis of its longstanding policy to not recognize the holy city as part of Israel.
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Islamic State Calls For The Invasion Of Jerusalem

The ultimate goal is ISIS has always been the destruction of Israel

The allied rocket strike attacks on ISIS in Syria and Iraq have certainly slowed down their forward momentum, but has not even come close to stopping them. The Russian Times today reports that the Islamic State has seized it’s second oil field in Syria in a week:

Islamic State militants claim to have gained control of the Jahar gas field in central Homs province from the Syrian army. The militants posted pictures on social media boasting of the capture, which they now consider part of their ‘Caliphate.’ The photos depict an Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) flag raised over the field as well as captured Syrian tanks and weapons, says SITE, a jihadist web monitoring service. IS says they have captured two tanks, seven four-wheel drive cars, and several machine guns after clashes with regime forces. Last Thursday, the insurgents took control of the Sha’ar gas field, where they killed at least 30 pro-government soldiers, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). Read more…

The Bush  letter of ’04: (10 years ago)

As part of a final peace settlement, Israel must have secure and recognized borders, which should emerge from negotiations between the parties in accordance with UNSC Resolutions 242 and 338. In light of new realities on the ground, including already existing major Israeli populations centers, it is unrealistic to expect that the outcome of final status negotiations will be a full and complete return to the armistice lines of 1949, and all previous efforts to negotiate a two-state solution have reached the same conclusion. It is realistic to expect that any final status agreement will only be achieved on the basis of mutually agreed changes that reflect these realities

First, the United States remains committed to my vision and to its implementation as described in the roadmap. The United States will do its utmost to prevent any attempt by anyone to impose any other plan.

Israel should maintain that the exchange of letters by PM Sharon and Pres Bush, 10 years ago, amount to an agreement which is still binding today, though Pres Obama has disavowed it. Israel should argue that the agreement is binding on the US and therefore she can continue to build in these settlements. Furthermore it should remind Obama that the US is committed to prevent any other plan from being presented. Ted Belman

New east Jerusalem construction plan gets go-aheadJerusalem District Planning and Building Committee approves plan to build 500 housing units in Ramat Shlomo, across Green Line • U.S. condemns move • President Reuven Rivlin: Jerusalem will not be divided again.

By Yori Yalon, Daniel Siryoti, Yoni Hirsch, Israel Hayom Staff and The Associated Press

Israel should take the position that they will build according to the Bush letter and n0t Obama’s denial of it. She should also reiterate, Peace, yes: 67 lines plus swaps never. Ted Belman

Presenting a peace plan in secretary of state’s meeting with Palestinian negotiator would be unproductive, State Dept. spokeswoman says; ‘It’s up to the parties to take steps.’

AFP, YNET

Top US diplomat John Kerry on Monday was to meet the chief Palestinian negotiator but would not unveil an American peace plan, an official said, adding such a move would be unproductive.

“There are no current plans to introduce a peace plan,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said, dismissing reports that proposals would be laid on the table during Kerry’s meeting with Saeb Erakat in Washington.

Kerry’s bid to broker a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians ended in failure earlier this year, leaving bitter recriminations on both sides. Read more…

America needs to be a policeman, not a priest.

By Bret Stephens, WSJ

It’s been nearly a decade since George W. Bush delivered his second inaugural address, which contained this remarkable line:

“It is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world.”

If the GOP takes the Senate on Tuesday and wants to learn how to speak foreign policy again, it has to unlearn that line.

Republicans know what’s wrong with Barack Obama ’s foreign policy. He has given the U.S. the reputation of a faithless friend and feckless foe. He sent thousands of troops into Afghanistan with no intention of defeating the Taliban, raising the cost by cheapening the goal. He squandered a hard-won win in Iraq with a fumbled exit.
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Because the national-religious rabbinic leadership has been unable to impose its will on the fate of Judaism in Israel for so long, a backlash has developed.

By Jeremy Sharon, JPOST

\The intense battle waged in recent months, over the conversion bill that was approved by the government on Sunday reflects a broader battle within Israel between competing perspectives on how to deal with the challenges that face Judaism in the modern Jewish state.

This battle has been brewing for many years and pits the more rigid, unyielding stance of the haredi world to protect Judaism from outside influence or dilution, against the desire within parts of the national-religious leadership to preserve traditional Orthodox Judaism as the mainstay of Jewish identity in Israel by utilizing the flexibility of Jewish law to accommodate difficult circumstances currently facing the Jewish people. Read more…