October 12, 2018

In News Surrounding Israel by The Friends of Israel

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UNESCO: Rachel’s Tomb And Cave Of Patriarchs Part Of ‘Occupied Palestine’

The PX Commission of the Executive Board of UNESCO on Wednesday morning (10th) adopted resolution 28 and 29, titled “Occupied Palestine,” which state that the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron and Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem are “an integral part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory” and condemned the construction of the security fence and “other measures aimed at altering the character, status and demographic composition of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”

Both resolutions were sponsored by Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar and Sudan, and were approved within minutes at the commission’s meeting, which includes the 59 members of UNESCO’s Executive Committee.

The resolutions also refer to Israel as “occupier” and condemn “Israeli army violations against Palestinian universities and schools,” and criticize the construction of the security fence.

“When both Israel and the United States withdrew from UNESCO in 2017, they made a clear moral statement that UNESCO’s anti-Semitism will no longer be tolerated.  If and when UNESCO ends its bias against Israel, stops denying history and starts standing up for truth, Israel will be honored to rejoin,” Netanyahu stated.

PM Netanyahu said on Wednesday (10th) that, should UNESCO want to remove its “mark of shame” it must do more than host conferences and stop practicing anti-semitism, and it must stop the absurdity of passing resolutions that deny the connection between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel – between the Jewish people and their eternal capital.” .

(jpost.com)

 

Russia Challenges Israel’s Sovereignty In The Golan Heights

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed Israel’s claims for sovereignty in the Golan Heights when he stated Wednesday (10th) that “changing the status of the Golan Heights without the approval of the UN Security Council would consist of a violation of existing agreements,” Israel’s Ynet reported.

Lavrov was responding to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statements on Monday (8th) that Israel’s presence on the Golan Heights is “a guarantee for stability in the surrounding area.”

“The Golan Heights will always remain under Israeli sovereignty because otherwise we would have Iran and Hizbullah on the shores of the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee),” Netanyahu stated.

Israel’s presence “is a solid reality based on ancient rights” and “a fact that the international community must recognize,” he said.

“While Iran and Hizbullah are trying constantly to establish a force opposite us that would operate against the Golan Heights and the Galilee, Israel is thwarting this and as long as it depends on me we will continue to do so,” the prime minister stressed.

“We will continue to act with determination against Iran’s attempts to open an additional front against us on the Golan Heights, and in Syria we will act against all attempts to transfer lethal weapons to Hizbullah in Lebanon,” he added.

(ynetnews.com; worldisraelnews.com)

 

How Iran Plans To Take Gaza – Khaled Abu Toameh

→Even if Hamas were to be removed from power in Gaza, the Palestinians would continue to suffer under other radical groups such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).  Iran considers PIJ its main ally and puppet in Gaza. Through PIJ, Iran inserts its tentacles into the internal affairs of the Palestinians.

→Islamist fundamentalism is enshrined in the hearts and minds of tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza.  Both Hamas and PIJ do not recognize Israel’s right to exist and continue to call for an armed struggle to “liberate all of Palestine” from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River.

→The Iranian-funded PIJ has an armed wing called Saraya Al-Quds (Jerusalem Brigades), responsible for hundreds of terrorist attacks against Israel, including suicide bombings and rocket and mortar attacks.  Just last week, PIJ’s military wing again dispatched its heavily-armed fighters to the streets of Gaza in a show of force.

→Iran has strong reservations about trusting Hamas, based on the fear that Hamas is ready to reach a truce accord with Israel.  In the eyes of Iran, this would constitute a betrayal. Iran sees the PIJ as its real ally in the Palestinian arena and as a natural replacement for Hamas in Gaza.

→Those who believe that all would be well if Israel would only ease restrictions on Gaza inhabit some alternate reality.

(gatestoneinstitute.org)

 

University of Michigan Disciplines Professor Who Withheld Recommendation From Student Who Wanted To Study In Israel – Kim Kozlowski

The University of Michigan is disciplining associate professor John Cheney-Lippold who refused to recommend a student for study in Israel because of his support for Palestinians.  The tenured American Studies professor won’t get a merit raise during the 2018-19 academic year and can’t go on his upcoming sabbatical in January, according to an October 3 letter signed by Elizabeth Cole, the interim dean of UM’s College of Literature, Science and the Arts.

The letter stated: “Your behavior in this circumstance was inappropriate and will not be tolerated.  In the future a student’s merit should be your primary guide for determining how and whether to provide a letter of recommendation.  You are not to use student requests for recommendations as a platform to discuss your personal political beliefs.”

Cole also criticized him for using class time to discuss his views on the Palestinian-led BDS (Boycott, Divest, Sanctions) movement.  “This use of class time to discuss your personal opinions was a misuse of your role as a faculty member….The University formally and publicly opposes a boycott of Israeli academic institutions.

(detroitnews.com)

 

Pro-Hamas Vandals Strike Toronto Jewish School

Vandals struck a Jewish Day School in Toronto, defacing it with pro-Hamas and pro-Palestine graffiti, it was discovered Tuesday (9th) after Canada’s long Thanksgiving weekend.

“Free Palestine,” Long Live Palestine,” and “Long Life to Hamas” were the slogans that were written in black marker on the Leo Baeck Day School, South Campus.  

B’nai Brith Canada learned of the vandalism after a call to its anti-hate hotline.  The organization’s CEO, Michael Mostyn, said, “These despicable acts of vandalism supporting Palestinian terrorism targeted a Jewish school where Canadian children learn about Torah, the value of charity and community, and other important values and ethics.”

The head of the school, Eric Petersiel said in a statement that police are investigating the incident.  

“We must remain vigilant to ensure the perpetrator is brought to justice,” he wrote.

Hamas is on the foreign terror list of both the US and Canada.  It has taken responsibility for numerous acts of terror against Israel involving the deaths of civilians and calls for the destruction of the Jewish State.  Most recently, Hamas praised the murders of two Israelis killed at an industrial park in Samaria. It has waged a terror war using balloons and kites to set fire to Israeli territory near the Gaza Strip since March 30.

(jta.org)