Touring northern border, Lieberman vows no Iran presence in Syria
In remarks apparently addressed to Russia, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Wednesday (15th) said Israel will not tolerate Iran’s presence in Syria as part of a US-Russian ceasefire deal that will reportedly allow Iranian-linked militias to remain in the country.
“We simply will not allow Shiite and Iranian entrenchment in Syria. And we will not allow all of Syria to become a forward operating base against the State of Israel. Whoever doesn’t understand that – should,” Lieberman said.
(timesofisrael.com; worldisraelnews.com)
Lawmakers urge Trump Administration to remove Iranian presence from Syria – Adam Kredo
A bipartisan group of Congressmen wrote to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday (14th) to warn that Syria is falling into Iran’s hands and to urge the administration to present Congress with a plan for combating the Islamic republic’s foothold in Syria. They noted intelligence that Iran is using Syria to establish weapons factories that arm Hizbullah. If the U.S. does not take immediate action to combat Iran’s presence in Syria, it is likely to establish a permanent military foothold in the country, which would endanger U.S. troops and allies such as Israel.
“The United States urgently needs a strategy for Syria that includes plans to prevent Iran from encroaching on Israel and Jordan, as well as blocking Iranian arms exports to Hizbullah,” said Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla), one of the letter’s authors. Others who signed the letter include Republican Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif) and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md).
(freebeacon.com)
Netanyahu thanks Mexico
Prime MInister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday (14th) thanked Mexico’s President Enrique Pena Nieto, and its Foreign Minister, Luis Videgaray, for siding with Israel at the UN.
“Thank you President of Mexico @EPN and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Videgaray for refusing to go along with one-sided anti-Israel resolutions at the UN, Deeply value your friendship,” tweeted Netanyahu.
(israelnn.com)
Israel’s offer of aid to quake victims in Iran/Iraq turned down
Israel has offered to send medical assistance for the Iraqi and Iranian victims of Sunday’s (12th) earthquake through the International Committee of the Red Cross, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this week. An official within the Prime Minister’s Office said the offer was rejected.
“I’ve said many times that we have no quarrel with the people of Iran. Our quarrel is only with the tyrannical regime that holds them hostage and threatens our destruction. But our humanity is greater than our hatred.” said Netanyahu.
(timesofisrael.com; israelhayom.com)
170 Israelis safe in Zimbabwe after military coup
Following the military coup in Zimbabwe, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday (15th) that there are currently 170 Israelis in the country. 108 are in the capital city of Harare and 64 are in the city of Bulawayo.
They were advised by the local Jewish community council to stay indoors and as of now there are no reports of any injuries among them. Israel’s ambassador in Pretoria, South Africa is in constant communication with the community.
(jpost.com)
France: Muslims in, Jews out
While Jewish symbols disappear from France, Islamic symbols proliferate, from burkinis on the beaches to veils in the workplace. Jews who have not fled France are trying to become “invisible.”
France’s suburbs are rapidly becoming apartheid societies. Hatred of Jews has become the gateway to “la France soumise” – the submission of France.
Anti-Semitism has returned as one of Europe’s worst diseases. France hosts Europe’s largest Jewish community, and Jews have been fleeing the suburbs to either emigrate or move to gentrified districts of the cities, where they feel more protected. What happens to the Jews will have a seismic impact on the entire continent.
As Le Monde reported in a chilling new inquiry, anti-Semitism now knocks daily at the doors of the French Jews. it has been creating a serious migratory trend. French Jews have become “internal refugees.”
(worldisraelnews.com)
Iran’s President: Saudi Arabia begged Israel to bomb Lebanon
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani accused Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday (15th) of “begging” Israel to bomb Lebanon.
“It is very reprehensible and shameful for a Muslim country in the region to beg the Zionist regime to bomb the people of Lebanon,” Rouhani said at a government meeting, according to Iranian-English-language news network, PressTV.
It is unprecedented in history for a Muslim country to take such measures, and this indicates the immaturity of the individuals, who have come to power in those countries,” the Iranian president added, apparently referencing Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
(presstv.ir; afp.com; )
Saudi Grand Mufti forbids fighting against Jews – Israel invites him to visit
Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh, responding to a question on television, said that fighting against israel was inappropriate and that Hamas was a “terror organization.”
Israeli Communications Minister Ayoub Kara wrote on his official Twitter account on Monday (13th): “We congratulate Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia as well as the head of Ulema (Islamic scholars), for his fatwa forbidding the fight against the Jews and forbidding to kill them. I invite the mufti to visit Israel; he will be welcomed with a high level of respect.”
(aa.com)
Israeli terror victims visit White House, say killer’s family will get Palestinian Authority stipend – Eric Cortellessa
Michal Salomon – whose husband, father-in-law, and sister-in-law were brutally murdered by a Palestinian terrorist who broke into their home in July in Halamish in the West Bank – met President Trump’s Mideast peace envoy Jason Greenblatt in the White House on Tuesday (14th). Salomon “expressed dismay that the family of the terrorist will be receiving compensation from the Palestinian Authority for his action,” a senior White House official said.
The U.S. Senate is to vote in December on the Taylor Force Act that would significantly cut U.S. funding to the PA if it doesn’t stop paying monthly stipends to families of terrorists who kill Israelis. Supporters of the move argue that the payments encourage terrorism.
(timesofisrael.com)
Donald Trump send out invites to White House Hanukkah party
U.S. President Donald Trump will continue the White House tradition of hosting a Hanukkah party this year.
Invitations have been sent out for the December 7 event, Maggie Haberman, White House reporter wrote Monday (13th) on Twitter. Hanukkah begins this year on the evening of December 12.
Invitees typically include the heads of American Jewish organizations, Jewish members of the administration and Congress, and other prominent American Jews.
(jta.org)
