Arutz Sheva Daily Israel Report
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Wednesday, Mar. 30 '16, Adar Bet 20, 5776
HEADLINES:
1. UN'S BAN APOLOGIZES FOR SAYING 'OCCUPATION'
2. 'THE PROSECUTOR HAS NO EVIDENCE AGAINST THE SOLDIER'
3. 'HEVRON SOLDIER ACTED ACCORDING TO WARTIME PROTOCOL'
4. JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME PRAYS AT KOTEL, LOSES ISRAEL FIGHT
5. PUTIN WITHDRAWING FROM SYRIA? AU CONTRAIRE
6. DEM. SENATOR: INVESTIGATE ISRAEL'S 'GROSS VIOLATIONS OF RIGHTS'
7. EGYPTIAN BANK PUBLISHES SHEKEL EXCHANGE RATE, RAISES A RIOT
8. WATCH: ARAB WAVES PLO FLAG IN FRONT OF COPS ON TEMPLE MOUNT
1. UN'S BAN APOLOGIZES FOR SAYING 'OCCUPATION'
by Ari Yashar
UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon has apologized for using the label "occupation" - no, not in the context of Israel's presence in its Biblical heartland of Judea and Samaria which he regularly condemns, but rather in Western Sahara.
Ban's change of heart came after the government of Morocco turned hostile on his "occupation" comments, made earlier this month in a visit to Algerian refugee camps for the Sahrawi people who claim ownership of the Western Sahara.
In response, there were mass protests in Morocco and the state expelled dozens of UN peacekeepers stationed in Western Sahara within three days, a move that the local Sahrawi groups warned could bring about war in the region.
Morocco has occupied the mineral rich region since it was handed to its troops by Spain in 1975, when Madrid ended its colony there. The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) holds a government-in-exile in Algeria, arguing for its rights to rule over the region, and the Algerian-backed Polisario Front has been fighting for independence in the disputed territory.
But apparently Morocco's hostilities were enough to have Ban reverse his terming of the region as "occupied," as on Monday UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric backtracked for him, reports Reuters on Tuesday.
"His use of the word was not planned, nor was it deliberate. It was a spontaneous, personal reaction. We regret the misunderstandings and consequences that this personal expression of solicitude provoked," said Dujarric.
"Nothing (Ban) said or did in the course of that trip was meant to offend or express hostility toward the Kingdom of Morocco, which is a valued member of the United Nations. The position of the United Nations has not changed. He has not and will not take sides on the issue of Western Sahara."
The UN Security Council had been divided on the standoff with Morocco, as UN officials called on the Council to give a statement backing Ban. Eventually last Thursday the Security Council did so, but it did not order Morocco to cancel its expulsion orders or address Ban's "occupation" label.
In 1991 the UN brokered a ceasefire in Western Sahara and established its peacekeeping mission there, known as MINURSO. Following Ban's comments, Morocco ordered the UN to evacuate dozens of civilian staff and close a MINURSO military liaison office within three days, and likewise announced it was cancelling $3 million in funding for the UN operation.
Regarding Israel's presence in Judea and Samaria, which Ban and the UN have repeatedly condemned as being an "occupation," the 2012 Levy Report proved that the presence is legal under international law. However, two consecutive governments have yet to adopt the report.
2. 'THE PROSECUTOR HAS NO EVIDENCE AGAINST THE SOLDIER'
by Arutz Sheva Staff
Attorney Ilan Katz, who is heading the defense team for the soldier who last Thursday shot a wounded terrorist in Hevron, said on Wednesday that the soldier's lawyers will not agree to him being stood on trial for homicide.
In the incident, the soldier was filmed by an Arab activist for the radical leftist NGO B'Tselem shooting a terrorist, who minutes earlier together with an accomplice stabbed and wounded a soldier. The soldier has argued he shot the terrorist over concerns he was moving to detonate a bomb belt that was thought to be hidden under his unseasonable coat.
That version of events was vindicated by a Magen David Adom (MDA) investigative committee, which found concerns that the terrorist had a bomb had not been ruled out. Experts have backed the soldier's actions, and hundreds of protesters have demanded his release.
"I hope that he will not be stood on trial," Katz told Channel 10 in an interview. "But in any case we will not agree to any compromise on (him being charged with) crimes of homicide. There is no basis to accuse him of crimes of manslaughter, at the very most there was a mistake in judgement here."
The attorney noted that in a hearing on Tuesday to extend the soldier's detention the murder clause was never even raised by the prosecutors, even though in a hearing last Friday the soldier was accused of murder.
"In the first request to extend the detention (last Friday) it was specifically written that the soldier is suspected of murder charges. Yesterday it was written: 'illegal use of a weapon,' and 'illegal shooting.'"
Katz emphasized that "the military prosecutor understood already at this stage that they don't have any evidence that will help them prove the claims, and the court also shortened the detention extension request to just three days."
The military court in Qastina on Tuesday extended the soldier's detention to Thursday, but noted that the evidentiary foundation against him "is not unequivocal."
Despite the protest of hundreds of Israelis outside the court, the soldier was brought in to the hearing while handcuffed. However, during the long proceedings he was allowed to privately meet with his parents. He has been the subject of condemnation from IDF brass and politicians, with one of his prime accusers being Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon (Likud).
3. 'HEVRON SOLDIER ACTED ACCORDING TO WARTIME PROTOCOL'
by Benny Tocker
Attorney Binyamin Malka, one of two lawyers defending the IDF soldier who last Thursday shot a wounded terrorist in Hevron, spoke to Arutz Sheva on Wednesday about the ongoing court drama.
At a military court hearing last Friday the soldier was accused of murder, but on Tuesday the military prosecutor made no mention of murder, and the judge said the evidence against the soldier was "not unequivocal."
"The decision of the judge to extend the arrest only by two days, even though the prosecutor asked for nine days, speaks for itself," Malka told Arutz Sheva.
"Even the judge said that the evidence is not unequivocal and the attempt to present it as unequivocal belies the truth."
Malka said he is convinced that the truth will out, saying, "we expect that the prosecutor will accept the version of the soldier, which is the correct (version), that he acted according to the regulations at a time of battle. There is another hearing on Thursday and we are encouraged."
The soldier has argued he shot the terrorist - who minutes earlier together with an accomplice stabbed and wounded a soldier - over concerns he was moving to detonate a bomb belt that was thought to be hidden under his unseasonably thick coat. That version of events was vindicated by a Magen David Adom (MDA) investigative committee.
In response to the arrest there has been an uproar, and hundreds of protesters showed up at the military court in Qastina on Tuesday to support the soldier.
According to the attorney, the protests of support have greatly strengthened the soldier's family.
"We give the legal and emotional cover for the soldier and the family, we see the protests, it isn't a legal matter, but certainly it encourages the family that they are being showered in love, but that doesn't have an influence (on the case)," said Malka.
The soldier has been the subject of condemnation from IDF brass and politicians, with one of his prime accusers being Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon (Likud).
IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot on Wednesday morning sent out a special message to IDF soldiers and commanders in the wake of the shooting incident.
In the message, Eizenkot said, "the commanders, and I at their head, will continue to give backing to every soldier who makes a mistake in the heat of battle against an enemy endangering the lives of citizens and soldiers."
However, the Chief of Staff added, "we will not hesitate to mete out justice on soldiers and commanders who deviate from the operational and moral measure according to which we act."
"The eyes of the nation are on us with expectations of security while preserving the moral image of the IDF."
4. JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME PRAYS AT KOTEL, LOSES ISRAEL FIGHT
by Ari Yashar
Action film legend Jean-Claude Van Damme is currently in Israel on a five-day visit to the Holy Land, but the famous martial arts star apparently let opponents of Israel get the best of him in a short bout on Facebook Tuesday.
Van Damme began his private holiday in Tiberias, and on Tuesday went to the Old City in Jerusalem where he donned a large kippah and prayed at the Kotel (Western Wall), where he left a note in a crevice of the wall remaining from the Holy Temple.
However, the skilled combatant soon found himself in for a fight after he posted a picture on Facebook showing him standing by the Old City walls near Yafo Gate, with the famous Tower of David seen in the background.
"Shalom from Jerusalem, Israel!! IL," read Van Damme's comment on the post, but within around ten minutes according to the edit history of the post the barrage of anti-Israel responses apparently forced him to edit to the current message: "Hello from Jerusalem!!"
While the pro-Palestinian outrage may have caused him to edit the post, which can be viewed here, a muted victory remained for the Jewish state: in the picture the action star is wearing a hat emblazoned with the word "ISRAEL."
In the comments on the post, anti-Israel sentiment abounded, with one user writing: "you should say salam from palestine," while another wrote: "Jeruzalem is not from israel But from Palestina."
Some users fought back, however, with one saying, "Israel loves u. U shouldn't care about other ppl who think that its another country, u and I and the rest of the world knows who is good and who is not Long live ISRAEL."
Van Damme is not new to the Old City - back in 2000 he filmed "The Order" in the ancient city, including a scene in which he fights while dressed as a haredi Jew.
5. PUTIN WITHDRAWING FROM SYRIA? AU CONTRAIRE
by Ari Yashar
Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month ordered the "main part" of his forces out of Syria in a surprise withdrawal - but according to a Reuters analysis on Wednesday, he has since increased the deployment of equipment to the region.
Putin has continued his campaign to prop up Bashar al-Assad's regime even after the withdrawal announcement on March 14, and apparently he is intent on maintaining enough firepower on the ground to be able to rapidly escalate Russian actions if Assad is threatened.
Reuters notes that the naval icebreaker Yauza, a main supply vessel for Russian forces in Syria, did not return to its Arctic Ocean port after Putin's announced withdrawal, but instead three days after the declaration left the Russian Black Sea for Tartous, Russia's naval facility in Syria.
Photographs of the ship analyzed by the news agency showed it was carrying very heavy cargo, as it sat so low in the water its load line could barely be seen. It is unclear what exact equipment was on board.
Aside from the Yauza, Russia also sent the Caesar Kunikov and the Saratov to the Mediterranean Sea shortly after the withdrawal - both are landing ships, generally used to transport troops and armor, and both were clearly very heavily loaded.
Russia pulled around half of its fixed-wing strike force from Syria in the days after the withdrawal was announced, according to Reuters, but an examination of shipping data, official information, info from naval sources and photographs by bloggers of Russian ships passing the Bosphorus strait show the military buildup in Syria is not being brought to a close.
Rather it seems Russia has more war ships in the Mediterranean near the Syrian coast than at the time of Putin's announcement, with more than 12 naval craft accounted for in the region. They are there to guard cargo ships, but they likewise can fire devastating cruise missiles from the sea.
In addition to increasing the equipment being shipped to Syria, the analysis indicated that several ships returning from Syria to Russia appeared unloaded on their way home, and showed no signs of carrying heavy cargo.
6. DEM. SENATOR: INVESTIGATE ISRAEL'S 'GROSS VIOLATIONS OF RIGHTS'
by Ari Yashar
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), together with ten House members, has asked the US State Department to investigate claims that Israel has committed "gross violations of human rights," and depending on the results to cut military aid to the Jewish state.
The letter addressed to Secretary of State John Kerry was dated February 17, and was published by Politico on Tuesday night after the news site received it from "an organization that provided input for it."
Leahy's letter targets both Israel and Egypt, and is significant because the senator authored a law conditioning US military aid to foreign countries based on whether their forces commit abuses.
The letter lists claims that Israel's army has conducted "extrajudicial killings," an accusation frequently aired by the Palestinian Authority (PA) to delegitimize the self-defense of citizens and soldiers who have shot attacking Arab terrorists during the recent terror wave raging since last September.
It also accuses Egyptian security forces of extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances, in addition to the crackdown on protests at Rab'aa Square in 2013 in which nearly 1,000 people died.
"In light of these reports we request that you act promptly to determine their credibility and whether they trigger the Leahy Law and, if so, take appropriate action called for under the law," reads the letter, noting the law to condition military aid.
That law bans aid to particular military units that commit human rights violations, but doesn't necessarily affect other units or the total amount of aid.
An added edge seen in the letter is the fact that despite being sent to Kerry over a month ago, it was released publicly only now, days after an IDF soldier last Thursday was filmed shooting a wounded Arab terrorist in Hevron, again sparking claims of "extrajudicial executions."
The soldier has argued he shot the terrorist - who minutes earlier with an accomplice stabbed a soldier - over concerns he was moving to detonate a bomb belt that was thought to be hidden under his unseasonable coat. That version of events was vindicated by a Magen David Adom (MDA) investigative committee.
Leahy's letter also criticizes America's political relationship with Israel and Egypt, implying US officials may have ignored rights violations in the Jewish state and the Nile state.
"According to information we have received, the manner in which US military assistance has been provided to Israel and Egypt, since the Camp David Accords, including the delivery of assistance at the military service level, has created a unique situation that has hindered implementation of normal mechanisms for monitoring the use of such assistance," reads the letter.
7. EGYPTIAN BANK PUBLISHES SHEKEL EXCHANGE RATE, RAISES A RIOT
by Arutz Sheva Staff
Egypt's second-largest state bank Banque Misr raised an uproar last week by publishing the exchange rate between the Israeli shekel and the Egyptian lira - in response to the heavy criticism, Egypt reminded that the shekel is still forbidden for use in commerce inside the country.
An outpouring of Egyptians criticized what they viewed as a step towards normalization with the Jewish state. Despite the 1979 peace treaty Egypt remains openly hostile towards Israel, as was displayed earlier this month when 467 out of the 595 Egyptian MPs voted to dismiss MP Tawfik Okasha for the "crime" of meeting with Israel's ambassador to Egypt.
The publication of the shekel exchange rate was condemned on websites identified with the Egyptian opposition and the Muslim Brotherhood.
"The military regime is flying a test balloon before the Egyptian public for normalization with the enemy. (President Abdel Fattah) al-Sisi found a magic solution to escape the dark tunnels of economic failure through the Zionist gate," accused a site associated with the Brotherhood.
Other backlash noted how just days after the exchange rate publication, al-Sisi asked each Egyptian with a cell phone to donate one lira to the state every morning, so as to help rescue the country from its poor economic situation.
"Donate a shekel to Egypt every morning," reads a tag that has been popping up on Egyptian social media ever since, in a paraphrase of al-Sisi's appeal. Images have also been spread superimposing al-Sisi's face on an Israeli coin.
The Muslim Brotherhood on its site noted that the publication of the exchange rate comes despite the fact that Egypt's Central Bank banned the use of the "occupation's currency" in banks in Egypt.
Zaki al-Ranimi, a spokesperson for Egypt's Central Bank, said in response to the uproar that the shekel does indeed remain forbidden for commercial use in Egypt, and that there is a supervisory committee enforcing the ban on Egyptian banks.
The exchange rate was only published because the currency is traded in banks worldwide, said al-Ranimi. He added that al-Sisi had no connection to the publication.
Despite the response of the Central Bank, some economists have estimated that the publication of the exchange rate stems from quiet understandings reached between Israel and al-Sisi's government on easing matters for Israeli tourists.
8. WATCH: ARAB WAVES PLO FLAG IN FRONT OF COPS ON TEMPLE MOUNT
by Reut Hadar
An Arab activist was filmed on Wednesday morning waving the flag of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) terrorist organization on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, in an attempt to spark clashes with a group of Jews touring the site.
[video:2013991]
The Jews visiting the site repeatedly asked the police officers who were accompanying them to prevent the Arab from waving the PLO flag, as waving either Israeli or PA flags on the holy site is forbidden.
However the police did not stop him, and only after a large amount of time had passed and the activist actually walked into a police officer did they detain him and distance him from the site.
"The symptom of ignoring the provocations of the Arabs continues full force," said the Returning to the Mount movement in a statement.
"How can it be that at a place where they arrest Jews for waving the flag of Israel they don't arrest Arabs with a PLO flag?" posed the movement.
In another flag incident, a Christian man last August was attacked by Arabs for waving an Israeli flag at the site, and then detained by police.
Despite being liberated by Israel in the 1967 Six Day War the Temple Mount, which is the holiest site in Judaism, remains under the de facto control of the Jordanian Waqf which has banned Jewish prayer at the site.
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