Arutz Sheva Daily Israel Report
http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com
------------------------------------------------
Delivered Daily via Email, Sunday thru Friday
Subscribe to this Daily Israel Report:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Subscribe/
Monday, Mar. 07 '16, Adar 27, 5776
HEADLINES:
1. ARCHAEOLOGISTS: KOTEL PLAN 'WILL CAUSE SORROW FOR GENERATIONS'
2. GAZA BELT TOWNS INVITE US VICE PRES. TO HAMAS 'FRONT LINE'
3. RARE FIRST TEMPLE-ERA SEAL FOUND IN CITY OF DAVID
4. SLAIN SOLDIER'S WIDOW SLAMS IDF MEMORIAL: HE'S NOT A 'VICTIM'
5. JEWS FEAR AS NEO-NAZIS GAIN SUPPORT IN EUROPE
6. CAN SODASTREAM'S ARAB-JEWISH ISLAND OF PEACE BE REVIVED?
7. IDF COMMANDER SUSPENDED OVER HAR BRACHA ATTACK
8. WATCH: BERNIE SANDERS IS 'VERY PROUD TO BE JEWISH'
1. ARCHAEOLOGISTS: KOTEL PLAN 'WILL CAUSE SORROW FOR GENERATIONS'
by Matt Wanderman
Gilad Korinaldi, the lawyer representing archaeologist Meir Ben-Dov and other experts, is trying to warn the government about the potential cultural damage that would be caused by adopting the expanded Kotel plan to accommodate non-Orthodox services.
"This is a type of serious human cultural crime: harming the antiquities and the cultural heritage assets of the People of Israel, as well as its strategic assets," he said.
Korinaldi is recruiting help in his fight and recently held an emergency meeting with prominent Religious Zionist officials, including Rabbis Melamed, Drukman and Shteiner. During their talk, he explained the legal aspects of the case.
"The government's decision to do a 'copy-paste' in creating a new Kotel while covering archaeological finds from the First and Second Temples, including a magnificent Herodian road, stands in complete contrast to international conventions on maintaining historic sites that the State of Israel initiated and signed at the United Nations."
Korinaldi also stated that senior archaeologists have submitted a petition to Prime Minister Netanyahu, which has not yet been publicly released.
The petition, which is titled "Prevent the Destruction of the Archaeological Park," strongly warns against "the danger of trampling the most important Jewish heritage site... which is the diamond in the crown of Jerusalem's archaeology."
It is signed by Dr. Gabi Barkai and Professor Amihai Mazar, winners of the Israel Prize for archaeology, Professor Israel Finkelstein, a member of the Israeli Academy of Sciences, Professor Amos Kloner, a retired Jerusalem archaeologist, Professor Roni Reich, the head of the Archaeological Council, Professor Ephraim Stern, the former head of the Archaeological Council, Dr. Ayelet Mazar, the director of the archaeological diggings at the City of David, and Hilel Geva, the director of diggings in the Land of Israel.
Korinaldi further said that he intends to appeal to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), asking it to open a comprehensive investigation into "the serious scandal in making the IAA's decision, asking how the decision was made, who gave the IAA's permission, and exposing the protocols from the internal discussions, all of which occurred while senior archaeologists in the organization strongly opposed the plan."
He added that "it is so surprising, given the position of Shuka Dorfman z"l, the legendary director of the IAA who devoted his life to the issue, and now is certainly turning over in his grave... and in light of the severe damage to antiquities that can be expected."
2. GAZA BELT TOWNS INVITE US VICE PRES. TO HAMAS 'FRONT LINE'
by Ari Soffer
The leaders of southern Israeli communities bordering Hamas-controlled Gaza have issued an invitation for US Vice President Joe Biden to visit during his upcoming trip to Israel.
Biden will arrive in Israel tomorrow (Tuesday), in what will likely be the final high-level Obama administration official to visit the Jewish state.
He will shuttle between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, holding talks with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, among other top Israeli officials, on issues including defense aid, the ongoing wave of Arab terror and the conflict in neighboring Syria.
But the heads of the Sha'ar Hanegev, Eshkol, Hof Ashkelon, and Sdot Negev Regional Councils have invited Biden and his wife to take a detour through Israel's Negev Desert, and witness the challenges and resilience exhibited by Israeli civilians living under constant threat of Palestinian rocket attacks.
"As you know, Israeli towns, kibbutzim and villages close to the Gaza border have for some time absorbed the brunt of violence directed towards Israeli civilians from extremist forces within Palestinian society. We have paid a heavy price, both in lives and quality of life, during periods of conflict," council heads Alon Schuster, Gadi Yarkoni, Yair Farjun and Tamir Idan wrote in a joint letter to Biden Monday.
"Even today, during quieter times, our residents know that it is only a matter of time before they will find themselves, once again, eating and sleeping in bomb shelters. They are fully aware that they will provide the first pool of victims for armed terrorists creeping out of tunnels under their homes with the intent to wreak havoc.
"Despite these conditions – and perhaps also in response to them – we can boast vibrant communities that continue to flourish. Our children grow up in open spaces, green fields and breathe fresh air that our neighbors around the country can only dream of. Our region is home to a plethora of agricultural success stories and economic wonders."
The regional heads went on to praise the United States government for its continued military aid to the State of Israel - including tens of millions of dollars towards the Iron Dome missile defense system, which has saved countless Israeli lives.
"Many of these achievements are possible due to the generous support of our American friends, who share the same values that we Israelis hold as crucial to the existence of our democracies. It is in this spirit that we would like to express our gratitude to the US Administration, which has remained steadfast in its commitment to keeping Israel strong in the face of the threats at large," the letter reads.
"In celebration of the bond between our countries, we would like to invite you to visit us during your upcoming trip to Israel while the gorgeous red anemones are flowering in the Northern Negev. We are eager to give you a taste of the wonderful developments occurring down south and would be privileged to host you and your family so you may see them firsthand."
It is not known whether Biden will be taking up the offer.
3. RARE FIRST TEMPLE-ERA SEAL FOUND IN CITY OF DAVID
by Arutz Sheva Staff
Archaeologists have found two ancient seals with Hebrew names, dating back to the time of the First Temple, in Jerusalem's City of David. The objects belonged to a woman and a man, Elihana bat Gael and Sa'aryahu ben Shabenyahu.
"Finding seals that bear names from the time of the First Temple is hardly a commonplace occurrence, and finding a seal that belonged to a woman is an even rarer phenomenon," said a researcher with the project.
The artifacts were discovered in a prominent building that is believed to have served as an administrative center.
The Israel Antiquities Authority, along with the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and the City of David Foundation, have been digging at the former Givati parking lot for the past nine years.
Dr. Doron Ben-Ami, Yana Tchekhanovets and Salome Cohen, the archaeologists in charge of the site, explain that "Personal seals, such as those of Elihana and Sa'aryahu, were used for signing documents, and were frequently inlaid as part of a ring that was worn by the owner. In antiquity they designated the identity, genealogy and status of the owner of the seal."
Dr. Hagai Misgav further noted the significance of Elihana bat Gael's seal: "Seals that belonged to women represent just a very small proportion of all the seals that have been discovered to date. This is because of the generally inferior economic status of women, apart from extraordinary instances such as this. Indeed, the name Elihana does not appear in the Bible, and there is no other information regarding the identity of the woman, but the fact that she possessed a seal demonstrates her high social status.
Misgav added: "Most of the women's seal that are known to us bear the name of the father rather than that of the husband. Here, as in other cases, this might indicate the relatively elevated status of Elihana, which depended on her original family, and not on her husband's family. It seems that Elihana maintained her right to property and financial independence even after her marriage and therefore her father's name was retained; however, we do not have sufficient information about the law in Judah during this period."
4. SLAIN SOLDIER'S WIDOW SLAMS IDF MEMORIAL: HE'S NOT A 'VICTIM'
by Ido Ben Porat, Shoshana Miskin
Yael Weissman, the widow of Tuvia Yanai Weissman who was murdered in a stabbing attack at a Rami Levi supermarket last month, expressed frustration regarding the struggle over the inscription on her husband's gravestone at Mount Herzl.
Yael posted on her Facebook page that the Ministry of Defense refuses to write "killed in battle" on the tombstone and are instead writing, "fell in a terrorist attack."
"The inscription that will appear on your tombstone will be 'fell in a terrorist attack'. Just like that, you merely fell," wrote Weissman in a message to her late husband.
"But who decided? Why was it decided? Under whose authority? Yet nobody can answer me. I was never asked by anybody. I was there by your side seconds before you ran to save the lives of others," the widow wrote.
"If that was not a combat fight then what is?" asked Yael, "Somehow you can fight a terrorists with your bare hands, but if it is during shopping and you do not wear your uniform, it is not defined as 'battle'."
The Defense Ministry said in response that it "Participates in the heavy grief of the Weissman family. The memorial unit operates according to tombstone inscription regulations, and accommodates the circumstances based on the information obtained from various security agencies."
5. JEWS FEAR AS NEO-NAZIS GAIN SUPPORT IN EUROPE
by Shoshana Miskin
Prominent Jewish figures have expressed deep concern after the latest neo-Nazi party was elected in a European national parliamentary.
The Our Slovakia party gained 14 parliamentary seats in Slovakia's recent elections, taking its place at the National Council for the first time. The far right extremists scored 8 percent in an election that failed to produce a majority result.
European Jewish Congress President Dr. Moshe Kantor explained that hate-groups disguised as democratic parties are entering European parliaments. "This is an extremely worrying trend and something that all moderate parties and politicians from the Left and Right should work against."
"There should be clear red lines placed on their full participation in the parliamentary process, chairing committees or entering coalitions," said Dr. Kantor.
Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European Rabbis said that, "The rise of a neo-Nazi party, the People's Party-Our Slovakia, in the Slovakian election is distressing. The Party's rhetoric creates division within society, causes social unrest and its approach has focused on preaching hate rather than tolerance and respect."
Our Slovakia is the latest neo-Nazi party to win in a European national election after Svoboda in Ukraine and Golden Dawn in Greece, in addition to European municipal level far-Right parties.
6. CAN SODASTREAM'S ARAB-JEWISH ISLAND OF PEACE BE REVIVED?
by Shoshana Miskin
One week after SodaStream laid off its last 74 Palestinian workers after pressure from the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement, a petition for the government to re-instate permits to work in Israel is gaining momentum.
[youtube:2013215]
CEO of SodaStream International, Daniel Birnbaum said, "We proved that we can live and work here in peace, Jews and Palestinians side-by-side, but unfortunately the state prevents this due to a bureaucratic decision. The signatories know that we need to fight for every option to live and work together with our neighbors - we do not have many opportunities like this."
The children of factory workers, set up a Facebook page called "Peace Intifada", lead the campaign requesting the return of Palestinian workers permits.
The petition page reads: "We are the children of employees of SodaStream which worked in co-existence for years. Our parents are proof that one day there could be peace. The Israeli government decided not to extend the (work) visas of 74 Palestinian workers, which resulted in their dismissal".
"We know that more than 120 thousand Palestinians work in Israel every day, so do not think that 74 workers will be the downfall of the economy or threaten national security. We urge the Israeli government to allow the continued employment of workers and to prove to the world that peace is possible. Bibi, even if you give up on peace, we are not ready," read the petition.
"The very fact that Palestinians and Jews worked side by side not only shows the possibility to live together in peace, it also proved that the BDS claim that Israel is an apartheid state is quite false. I ask of (Prime Minister) Binyamin Netanyahu to find a way to let 74 employees go back to work alongside Israelis. Thus, we will continue the unique model of coexistence, and together as one, we will beat the BDS lies," said Birnbaum.
So far, 4153 people signed the petition.
7. IDF COMMANDER SUSPENDED OVER HAR BRACHA ATTACK
by Kobi Finkler
A company commander in the Kfir Brigade was suspended Sunday due to a stabbing attack last Wednesday at a military post adjacent to Har Bracha in Samaria, in which two soldiers were wounded - moderately and lightly - by Arab terrorists.
Kfir Brigade Commander Col. Guy Hazut on Sunday night presented an investigation of the attack to Division 340 Commander Brig. Gen. Oren Avman, which showed deficiencies and serious irregularities in the norms and values of the combat soldiers regarding their safeguarding of their weapons, comradeship and dedication to the mission.
Avman accepted the findings of the investigation and the recommendations that arose from it. A command warning was recorded for the company commander by the division commander, and likewise the commander was suspended for the coming year.
In addition a platoon commander and sergeant were dismissed from their duties.
Regarding the two soldiers who were wounded in the attack, it was decided that they would be allowed return to their regular military activities after recovering from their wounds.
The two Arab terrorists in the attack succeeded in approaching the military post adjacent to Har Bracha, stabbing the soldiers and then escaping from the scene after trying to steal their weapons.
Apparently, the terrorists were foiled only by a serious and potentially lethal breach of military commands by the soldiers themselves, who were not carrying their weapons at the time.
8. WATCH: BERNIE SANDERS IS 'VERY PROUD TO BE JEWISH'
by Shoshana Miskin
Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said he is "very proud to be Jewish" during Sunday night's Democratic presidential debate in Flint, Michigan.
When the Independent senator from Vermont was asked about reports that Jews were disappointed that supposedly downplayed his Jewish roots during his campaign, he boldly responded, "I am very proud to be Jewish, and being Jewish is so much of what I am."
"Look, my father's family was wiped out by Hitler in the Holocaust. I know about what crazy and radical and extremist politics mean. I am very proud of being Jewish and that is an essential part of who I am as a human being," said Sanders.
Sanders defeated Clinton in the Maine Democratic caucuses on Sunday. However, front runner Hillary Clinton still has more delegates - 1,130 compared to Sanders' 499.
It takes 2,383 delegates to win the nomination.
[youtube:2013208]
------------------------------------------------
Subscribe to this Daily Israel Report:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Subscribe/
