Arutz Sheva Daily Israel Report
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Wednesday, Feb. 15 '17, י"ט בשבט תשע"ז
HEADLINES:
1. NETANYAHU'S BROTHER-IN-LAW SENDS HIM CLEAR MESSAGE
2. CONGRESSMAN: BRING HADAR HOME!
3. 'LET NETANYAHU BRING POLLARD HOME'
4. ISRAELI ELECTRICITY ABETTS ENEMIES
5. 'ISRAEL RELEASED NEW HAMAS LEADER, WILL NOW FACE MORE TERROR'
6. JAPAN HOTEL OPERATOR UNDER FIRE FOR ANTI-SEMITIC REMARKS
7. J STREET CEO REFUSES TO SPEAK WITH ARUTZ SHEVA
8. VISITING TEXAN: ISRAELIS 'DELIGHTFUL AND WELCOMING'
1. NETANYAHU'S BROTHER-IN-LAW SENDS HIM CLEAR MESSAGE
by Benny Tucker
Bar Ilan University Professor Dr. Hagi Ben-Artzi, who is also Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's brother-in-law, spoke to Arutz Sheva about Netanyahu's upcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump, scheduled to take place on the evening (in Israel) of Wednesday, February 15.
"For the first time in many years, we have an historical opportunity here," Ben-Artzi said. "There is a Republican government, a government which is supportive and open to changing the status quo. There are a lot of people in the Trump administration who are not only supporters of Israel, but also support the settlement movement in Judea and Samaria.
"There is definitely a lot of hope this time - not just to receive approval to build thousands of more apartments, or to build in the settlement blocs, but also to solve the greater question of why, after fifty years, half a million Jews are under military jurisdiction instead of Israeli jurisdiction. We need to tell Trump, 'These settlers need to be a part of Israel, they need to have rights equal to everyone else's, just like in any other country. Enough is enough.'
"People say the Arabs are under occupation, but the truth is we're the ones who are suffering from an occupation. It's the left's bluff, they say we're 'occupiers,' but for twenty-something years, they've had the Palestinian Authority. They have a government, they have a parliament, they have institutions and their own rulers. They're not under military jurisdiction.
"We, on the other hand, are the only people in the world who are under military jurisdiction for fifty years already. We want it to stop, and we want sovereignty. It's human and it's logical. It's not just that the settlements aren't an obstacle to peace, like Trump said. Sovereignty in Judea and Samaria isn't an obstacle to peace, or to any future negotiations.
"We deserve equality, we deserve rights equal to those of everyone else. We fulfill 100% of our obligations: army, taxes, everything. So we deserve the benefits as well. All you need in order to destroy our homes is one Arab who claims it's his, and the Supreme Court doesn't even look into it.
"That's how they destroy entire towns, like what happened in Amona. It needs to stop. Amona was the straw that broke the camel's back.
"I'm telling Bibi today: If you are unable to state such a demand, if you are unable to lead its implementation, we will replace you. We will find someone else, be it Bennett, who I personally support, or be it someone else. We will find someone else.
"This is an historic moment, and this needs to be our main request from President Trump, when he is open and willing to listen to it.
"I've known Bibi for nearly thirty years. I worked with him for the first ten of those. In 1996, Bibi said that 'without Hagi, I would not have become Prime Minister.' In the past few years, our connection has become more sporadic, mostly because I criticized some things he did.
"But I still feel love for him, and I tell him today: Bibi, this is the moment for which you became Prime Minister. Until now, you worked on holding off the tide. Now is the moment of truth - make a break for it and normalize the lives of half a million Jews in Judea and Samaria.
"They voted for you and for the Jewish Home, and these are the voters the government is built on. This is a basic demand, and if, G-d forbid, you fail this test, then as Moredehai said to Queen Esther, 'Salvation will come to the Jews from a different place.'"
2. CONGRESSMAN: BRING HADAR HOME!
by Arutz Sheva Staff
[youtube:2024610]
Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) met last week with the parents of Lt. Hadar Goldin, whose body has been held in Gaza by the Hamas terrorist group since the counterterrorism Operation Protective Edge.
Mast, who served in in Afghanistan, stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) in 2010, while clearing a path for United States Army Rangers in Kandahar. The explosion resulted in the amputation of both his legs and one of his fingers.
A staunch supporter of Israel, Mast volunteered with the IDF in 2015, packing medical kits and moving supplies at a base outside Tel Aviv.
Mast promised Goldin's parents that he would raise their cause at Congress. Speaking at the House of Representatives, Mast called for efforts to be made to bring Goldin's body home.
"I did not know Hadar personally, but during my time serving alongside the IDF I knew so many who were just like him. I met some of the most humble and compassionate people that I've ever known.
"I chose to serve alongside the IDF," Mast continued, "because our friends in Israel fight for the same values that we fight to protect in our country: Human dignity, freedom and liberty.
"On August 1, 2014, when Hadar was only 23 years old, he was killed by Hamas terrorists, just after a ceasefire had been declared in the Protective Edge war in Gaza. Hamas terrorists maliciously dragged his body away from his home and into an underground tunnel. They stripped and left his clothing and have held his corpse ever since," Mast said.
"We know that Hamas does not value human life. They seek to destroy all that Israel and the United States hold dear…we must now enter into a new chapter: One where we support our Israeli allies and stand side by side with them in the fight for freedom."
Mast pointed out that Israel entered the ceasefire at the urging of former Secretary of State John Kerry and the UN, who "should bear some responsibility for ensuring [Hadar's] body is returned home."
"I urge the United Nations to step up for what is right. Show some spine! Show some result and stand against Hamas. To not be a rug that Palestinians trounce across as they shop the United Nations to fulfill their agenda while never being held to account for their acts of terrorism and their acts against human dignity," he continued.
Mast urged the new administration "to take the necessary steps to help bring Hadar home and ensure his family can finally give him a proper burial."
3. 'LET NETANYAHU BRING POLLARD HOME'
by Uzi Baruch
Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel spoke today (Tuesday) at the 14th Jerusalem Conference and discussed Netanyahu's upcoming meeting with US President Trump: "It is absolutely clear that between Jordan and the sea there will be only one sovereign state, the State of Israel. I wish Prime Minister Netanyahu well and say to him: Do not surprise the US administration; tell them you are going to pass the Ma'ale Adumim annexation law first and then move on to all of Area C in Judea and Samaria. This is what he should present the President."
Minister Ariel added a call to the US president: "I want to appeal to the US President and tell him to allow the Head of State the option of taking one more passenger on the plane, Mr. Pollard. The Nation who dwells in Zion wishes after more than thirty years for Jonathan and his wife Esther to come to the land of our ancestors and be here together with all of us."
The Minister also related to the Western Wall zoning plan: "Before all else, we must state at all times, in every place: We should be up on the mountain, the Temple Mount - that is the place. We have great respect for the Western Wall ... But one must remember that The Holy Place is on the Temple Mount.
"A few months ago Netanyahu's government decided to approve the new zoning layout, effectively recognizing Reform Judaism. I voted against the resolution; it offends that which is holy to the Jewish People, and with all due respect to world Jewry, there is no reason to recognize Reform Judaism in Israel. In Israel it is different, and should be different. Therefore, together with the Chief Rabbinate and other members of the government, we told the Prime Minister to change the layout or we will fight it as much as we can," said Ariel.
Minister Ariel also referred to High Court proceedings regarding the opening of business on Shabbat in Tel Aviv: "There is a Supreme Court case about opening business in 'the Holy City Tel Aviv'. Everyone knows that what happens in Tel Aviv will happen in most of the country, and what is happening today in Tel Aviv is sheer flouting of the law ... order must be restored. The minimum is to maintain the status quo, business closed on Shabbat - and the matter is largely in our hands to influence ... We will make every effort to preserve public Sabbath observance."
[video:2024599]
4. ISRAELI ELECTRICITY ABETTS ENEMIES
by Yoni Kempinski
[video:2024603]
After Israel Electric Company CEO Yiftach Ron-Tal on Monday promised to cut off electricity in Gaza if the bill is not paid, Arutz Sheva interviewed him on the subject, asking for more details.
"We've heard this promise that you'll cut electricity to Gaza if they don't pay their electric bill. The question is, what is really going to happen?" an Arutz Sheva reporter asked.
"First of all, we've already cut it off, several times," Ron-Tal responded. "Secondly, we're a government company. Processes such as this need to be done only with government approval. We're not completely independent - not at all. If it wasn't a government company, we would cut of the electricity.
"If we weren't' a government company, which deals with a sensitive diplomatic issue, I think it would be correct business-wise in this situation to cut it off. And that's also the law - you can't buy something and not pay for it, you can't receive a service and not pay for it. There's no such thing. It doesn't happen.
"But yes, we've cut it off a few times.
"We are in the process of negotiating - and I hope this will work out - a solution. And the solution will be as follows: First of all, an initial payment of 570 million NIS, as a kind of down payment. This was already agreed on three months ago.
"Second of all, the rest of the debt will be paid in 48 monthly payments, beginning as soon as the agreement is signed. Third - and this is still being negotiated - a plan for ensuring there will be no more 'bleeding,' that there will be no more debts accrued.
"Fourth, and this is most important, an external guarantor for the PA which will ensure there will be no more debt accrued.
"We should be finished negotiating this plan within the next three months. And we believe. If it ends positively, I really hope this problem will be behind us. And if not, we'll have to think about what our next steps will have to be legal steps. We will have to tell the relevant parties and we will have to cut their electricity off.
"I don't like knowing that the electricity we supply to Gaza is being used to dig tunnels. It's not okay, but it exists. I state my opinion only when it is appropriate to state it. And the alternative is worse. The alternative is that there will be electricity in Gaza - and the Egyptians are connected to Gaza, but they hardly supply any electricity.
"There's only one power station in Gaza, and it hardly produces anything. Israel is basically the only one providing Gaza with electricity. Even now, the average citizen only has electricity for half of the day. I think we should allow them to build their own power station and get them off our backs. There's no reason in the world we shouldn't do that."
The Palestinian Authority provides 70 million NIS wort of Israeli electricity to Gaza every month, and has promised to foot the bill. However, they have not paid the bill, and currently owe Israel over 2 billion NIS (more than $530 million).
5. 'ISRAEL RELEASED NEW HAMAS LEADER, WILL NOW FACE MORE TERROR'
by Eliran Baruch
[youtube:2024604]
Middle East expert Dr. Ephraim Arera warned that the election of Yihya Sinwar as the new leader of the Hamas political office in Gaza yesterday is detrimental to Israeli security.
Dr. Arera criticized the government's decision to release Sinwar as part of the deal in which Gilad Shalit was returned to Israel after years of captivity in Gaza in 2011. He had been given four life sentences for murdering Israelis and PA policemen, and was involved in the capture and murder of IDF soldier Nachshon Wachsman in 1994.
"He is a terrorist who has been among the founders of the Izzadin al-Qassam [Brigades]...the military wing of Hamas. And so, for the first time, a prominent military personality will be the leader of the political Hamas wing in the Gaza Strip," Dr. Arera said.
"He is well-known as a hard-line politician, and his aim is to have an ongoing war and battle against Israel. The best way, according to him, is to prepare a huge terrorist attack against Israel, and immediately afterwards for all Hamas leaders to go underground, forcing Israel to commit to war against the Gaza Strip with no tangible results."
6. JAPAN HOTEL OPERATOR UNDER FIRE FOR ANTI-SEMITIC REMARKS
by AFP
The operator of a Japanese hotel chain is already in hot water for denying a Japanese World War II atrocity has come under fire for reported anti-Semitic remarks.
Toshio Motoya is CEO of APA Group, which calls itself Japan's largest hotel chain, and has drawn China criticism for writing a book denying the 1937 Nanjing massacre happened and placing copies in hundreds of APA hotel rooms.
The group also runs 40 hotels in North America and its February edition of an in-house magazine for guests staying at its Canada properties contained the anti-Semitic remarks.
"Jewish people control American information, finance, and laws, and they benefit greatly from globalization because they move their massive profits to tax havens so they don't have to pay any taxes," Motoya said in the magazine, according to Canadian online news website National Observer and the Japan Times newspaper.
In response to a complaint by the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, Motoya denied being anti-Jewish.
"It is very unfortunate that my writings gave you an erroneous impression that I hold anti-Semitic beliefs," he said in a statement posted on the federation's website.
The APA Group, however, denied the statement was meant to say sorry.
It "is not an apology," the hotel said Wednesday in a written reply to questions submitted by AFP. "It was issued to resolve the misunderstanding because (Motoya) was being stigmatized as an anti-Semite."
The text of the February issue's website version was revised and the printed version replaced with the March edition.
APA said Motoya changed the text and removed sentences that drew "misunderstanding."
"Some expressions were slightly exaggerated, although they were meant to educate the Japanese," APA said.
Actions and comments deemed anti-Semitic have frequently drawn controversy in Japan, with ignorance rather than malicious intent usually blamed.
Last year, Sony Music and the producer behind a Japanese girl band apologized for having the singers perform in military-style costumes resembling Nazi uniforms.
And rock band Kishidan angered the Simon Wiesenthal Center in 2011 when they wore a costume the Jewish organisation said resembled a Nazi uniform.
7. J STREET CEO REFUSES TO SPEAK WITH ARUTZ SHEVA
Jeremy Ben Ami, the CEO of the leftist American organization J Street, refused to speak with a reporter from Arutz Sheva in Washington, D.C. today.
Political sources in the prime minister's entourage stated that the refusal to conduct the interview is due to Arutz Sheva's ideology and its relationship with President Trump' pick for US Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman.
It is not the first time Ben Ami has refused to speak with Arutz Sheva.
Ben Ami told reporters in Washington that Friedman lacks the temperament and "is not fit for the role of ambassador."
"It is important that Israelis understand that 75% of American Jews do not support Trump, but it is important to note that we don't know what his policy regarding the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians will be, if he will go down the path of the ideology of the settlers and David Friedman, or if he will pursue a rational path."
8. VISITING TEXAN: ISRAELIS 'DELIGHTFUL AND WELCOMING'
by Arutz Sheva Staff
Rhonda Wieboldt is a resident of Dallas, Texas, who has worked for a leading computer company for 27 years and arrived in Israel last night for the first time in her life as part of a 10-day journey to Israel led and organized by former Governor Mike Huckabee.
She spoke with Arutz Sheva of her great excitement about the recent US presidential elections, supporting Israel, and her recommendation that the world come and witness the truth about Israel firsthand.
Huckabee comes annually for his traditional trip to support Israel, this time with 400 activists.
[youtube:2024648]
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