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Sunday, Dec. 18 '16, י"ח בכסלו תשע"ז
HEADLINES:
1. FORMER PRESIDENT MOSHE KATSAV TO BE RELEASED FROM PRISON
2. POLL: ISRAELIS WORRY ABOUT INTERMARRIAGE
3. AGRICULTURE MINISTER: AMONA DEAL IS THE BEST WE CAN OFFER
4. SLOMIANSKY SUSPENDS HIMSELF FROM KNESSET COMMITTEE
5. GOVERNMENT APPROVES BUDGET FOR BULLETPROOFING BUSES
6. MINISTER GALANT: AMONA RECEIVED ME VERY WELL
7. NETANYAHU TO ERDAN: DESTROY ILLEGAL ARAB BUILDINGS
8. AMONA PROTESTERS CONFRONT CONSTRUCTION MINISTER
1. FORMER PRESIDENT MOSHE KATSAV TO BE RELEASED FROM PRISON
by Shlomo Pyutrikovsky
The Parole Board announced on Sunday their intent to release former President Moshe Katsav from prison.
Katsav was charged with rape, and was sentenced to seven years in prison. He has so far served only five of those years.
As in previous discussions, the prosecution opposed Katsav's release, claiming there had been no change which would justify early release. They also pointed out the fact Katsav did not take responsibility for his criminal acts and refused to express regret for committing them.
Katsav participates in the Israel Prison Service's sessions for sex offenders, but as mentioned has not admitted to actually committing any.
A few months ago, the Parole Board refused to release Katsav early, claiming it was "not yet the time to allow the prisoner to be released, and there is no reason to cancel the Board's previous decision."
However, they also said Katsav could appeal again within six months, as long as he continued participating in the aforementioned sessions.
2. POLL: ISRAELIS WORRY ABOUT INTERMARRIAGE
by Yoni Kempinski
A new study done in honor of the Week of Connection to Diaspora Jewry shows how deep the connection between Israel's Jews and Diaspora Jews really is.
One of the statistics the new study reveals is that the vast majority of Israel's Jews are concerned over intermarriage rates abroad.
The poll, which was published by Israel's Diaspora Affairs Ministry, included 1119 Israeli citizens, and showed 70% are concerned intermarriage rates among Diaspora Jews are a threat to the continuity of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.
As well, 84% of Israelis agreed with the sentence, "Diaspora Jews and Israeli Jews share a destiny, even though they live in different countries."
The poll also looked at Israeli Jews' connection to Judaism.
84% of Israeli Jews agreed Judaism (not including Torah observance) meant being part of a larger group of people who share roots and history, and 80% felt Diaspora Jews were their brothers.
Previous statistics have shown that over 25% of England's Jews have intermarried, and intermarriage in Europe is on the rise. However, Israeli expats are more likely to intermarry than Diaspora-born Jews. As well, 35% of American Jews are either married to or living with a non-Jewish partner.
3. AGRICULTURE MINISTER: AMONA DEAL IS THE BEST WE CAN OFFER
by Nitsan Keidar
Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel (Jewish Home) spoke about the Israeli government's newest offer to Amona's residents.
"I think the new solution offered by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Education Minister Naftali Bennett (Jewish Home) is a good solution, it's the best solution possible," Ariel said. "We've done everything we can, and we've accomplished much for all the settlements. I recommended to Amona's residents this his morning that they accept this solution."
He also said, "There are other difficulties. Amona's residents know them well. They were party to all the discussions last night and that's a big advantage, because they were there, they understood and they also agreed. Now they are explaining the situation to their friends, and I hope this will solution will pass and we'll be able to move forward.
"We've done very serious, responsible work here. The State is the one who has given these people legitimacy and has provided them with infrastructure. We will continue working with what we've been given for the good of all the settlements," Ariel said.
"Beginning tomorrow, the Knesset will discuss the budget for the move prior to its approval. No one is surprised. What's been done to the offices' budgets is the problem, not Amona, because Amona is not the main issue here," he noted.
"No one is attacking anyone in Amona. There are amazing people there. Minister Galant was not attacked. Someone touched his car. I was there with him," Ariel concluded.
4. SLOMIANSKY SUSPENDS HIMSELF FROM KNESSET COMMITTEE
by Shlomo Pyutrikovsky
MK Nissan Slomiansky suspended himself on Sunday from the Knesset's Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, which he chairs.
"I spoke to our party chairman, Education Minister Naftali Bennett, a short time ago about my decision to suspend myself from heading the Committee," Slomiansky said. "I informed Knesset Legal Adviser Eyal Yinon of my decision not to run the next meeting of the Committee, for the sake of upholding the honor of the position and the Committee, and the public."
He also said, "I am aware of the great responsibility my position entails, but more importantly, I think the right thing to do is to allow a fair investigation of these claims."
"I feel great pain at the thought that something I did was interpreted differently than I intended it to be, and if I knew who we were talking about, I would apologize," Slomiansky added.
Slomiansky is also head of the committee dealing with the Regulation Law.
He was recently rumored to have committed several acts of sexual harassment, but no victims have yet come forward.
The Committee is expected to meet next on Monday morning.
5. GOVERNMENT APPROVES BUDGET FOR BULLETPROOFING BUSES
by Hezki Baruch
The Israeli government has approved Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz's (Likud) proposal to add more bulletproof buses in Judea and Samaria.
The buses will be used to transport students and residents in Judea and Samaria, allowing Israelis to travel without fear of a shooting or boulder-throwing attack.
The new plan will includes the addition of 113 more bulletproof buses between the years 2017 and 2021, and will cost the Israeli government 215 million NIS.
Katz said on Sunday morning, "I see great importance in adding bulletproof buses in Judea and Samaria. This will strengthen the settlements and allow us to increase the frequency of buses to different settlements, while at the same time ensuring the safety of Israeli citizens."
Samaria Regional Council Head Yossi Dagan said, "This is a critically important decision."
"I thank the Transportation Minister for finally bringing about this change, which will return Judea and Samaria's residents to their natural place as Israeli citizens with rights equal to those of Israel's other students and citizens," he added.
MK Moti Yogev (Jewish Home) who heads the Subcommittee for Foreign and Security Issues in Judea and Samaria, said, "This will provide a crucial, important, and safe solution for travelers and improve the quality of life for Judea and Samaria's residents. I thank all those who have helped advance this issue."
6. MINISTER GALANT: AMONA RECEIVED ME VERY WELL
by Nitsan Keidar
Construction MInister Yoav Galant (Kulanu) spoke in a Knesset meeting about his visit to the town of Amona, which is slated for demolition.
"Amona received me very well," Galant told the Knesset, emphasizing, "There are a handful of Lehava activists, and Itamar Ben-Gvir leades them. Most of these are bored high schoolers, around 16 years old, and they made a bit of noise.
"It was a dent in the armor and nothing more. What I came to say was very simple: We cannot have divisions within the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Amona's residents and the settlers in general will be the ones injured if there is a violent fight with IDF soldiers," Galant added.
He also said, "We are a legal country. We keep the law and we will uphold the rulings of the Israeli Supreme Court. We will build settlements and we will continue building throughout Judea and Samaria."
On Sunday morning Galant's car was surrounded by protesters shouting, "You should be ashamed of yourself!" and "Israel is not for sale" as he tried to leave Amona.
7. NETANYAHU TO ERDAN: DESTROY ILLEGAL ARAB BUILDINGS
by Hezki Baruch
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu spoke on Saturday night with Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan (Likud), requesting him to enforce laws against illegal building in the Arab sector, and to begin demolitions in the coming days.
Most of the illegal Arab buildings are located in the Negev, Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria.
"Netanyahu is determined to enforce the law against illegal building in both the Jewish and Arab sectors equally," said a spokesperson.
Netanyahu's request comes after the decision to demolish the Jewish town of Amona in the coming days.
Right-wing voters have harshly criticized the government for working to destroy Jewish homes while dozens of illegal Arab homes are built every day and the government ignores them.
The European Union, as well as foreign governments, funds illegal Arab building in Israel, attempting to create facts on the ground.
Previously, Netanyahu promised repeatedly not to hold a double standard in demolishing illegal construction.
8. AMONA PROTESTERS CONFRONT CONSTRUCTION MINISTER
by Eliran Aharon, Amona
[youtube:2022154]
Construction Minister Yoav Galant (Kulanu) arrived at Amona on Sunday morning and met with the town's secretariat, as well as residents' representatives and Yesha Council heads.
"We'll find a way to build Amona even bigger," Galant said during his visit.
After leaving the secretariat, Galant was met by protesters yelling, "You should be ashamed! You've sold Amona, you've sold the mountain. Israel is not for sale!" as well as chants of, "We don't give away Israel's land."
Galant's secrity detail successfully dealt with the protesters, among them right-wing attorney and activist Itamar Ben-Gvir.
After spotting Ben-Gvir, Galant told him to "educate these youth."
On Sunday morning, Amona residents gathered in Ofra to discuss a new solution suggested to them by Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Education Minister Naftali Bennett on Saturday night.
In order to allow the government time to request the Israeli Supreme Court to delay the demolition, Amona residents been told to announce their decision by 12pm on Sunday.
The new solution would allow 24 families to stay on the mountain in adjacent Lot 38, while previous versions allowed for only 12 families to stay. The new version also includes a clear timetable stating when the government intends to fulfill each of it's promises to Amona's residents, and details who would be directly in charge of completing the project.
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