10 jan 2020
The legislation puts into law 'Memorandum of Understanding' reached between Israelis and Americans 4 years ago; the bill was rushed due to growing tensions in the Mideast and includes provision that bans boycotting Israel
Republican and Democratic U.S. senators introduced legislation on Thursday to provide $3.3 billion in annual aid to Israel, seeking to put into law an aid agreement between the two countries reached in 2016 amid concern over rising Middle East tensions.
Republican Senator Marco Rubio and Democratic Senator Chris Coons co-sponsored the bill, a standalone provision of a broader measure that stalled a year ago.
The measure that stalled last year included some provisions broadly supported by members of both parties, including the aid, but it also included a plank that would have let state and local governments punish Americans for boycotting Israel.
Opponents, including many Democrats, saw that provision as an impingement of free speech.
Rubio and Coons introduced the bill amid increased tensions in the Middle East after President Donald Trump ordered a drone strike that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani and Tehran retaliated with a missile attack on an Iraqi base housing U.S. soldiers.
On Thursday, the region remained on edge as Iran spurned Trump's call for a new nuclear pact and its commanders threatened more attacks.
The bill would put into law a "Memorandum of Understanding" reached between Israel and the Obama administration from four years ago that was the biggest pledge of U.S. military assistance made to any country.
In statements emailed to Reuters, Rubio said Israel faces "unprecedented threats" and Coons said: "The events of the past few days are a stark reminder of the importance of U.S. assistance to Israel's security."
Republican and Democratic U.S. senators introduced legislation on Thursday to provide $3.3 billion in annual aid to Israel, seeking to put into law an aid agreement between the two countries reached in 2016 amid concern over rising Middle East tensions.
Republican Senator Marco Rubio and Democratic Senator Chris Coons co-sponsored the bill, a standalone provision of a broader measure that stalled a year ago.
The measure that stalled last year included some provisions broadly supported by members of both parties, including the aid, but it also included a plank that would have let state and local governments punish Americans for boycotting Israel.
Opponents, including many Democrats, saw that provision as an impingement of free speech.
Rubio and Coons introduced the bill amid increased tensions in the Middle East after President Donald Trump ordered a drone strike that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani and Tehran retaliated with a missile attack on an Iraqi base housing U.S. soldiers.
On Thursday, the region remained on edge as Iran spurned Trump's call for a new nuclear pact and its commanders threatened more attacks.
The bill would put into law a "Memorandum of Understanding" reached between Israel and the Obama administration from four years ago that was the biggest pledge of U.S. military assistance made to any country.
In statements emailed to Reuters, Rubio said Israel faces "unprecedented threats" and Coons said: "The events of the past few days are a stark reminder of the importance of U.S. assistance to Israel's security."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned statements made by US ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, in which he emphasized the right of Israeli presence in the occupied West Bank which he described as ‘Judea and Samaria.’
The Palestinian News and Info Agency reported that Friedman, speaking at the Kohelet Forum Conference in Jerusalem, said: “Judea and Samaria – the name Judea says it all – is territory that historically had an important Jewish presence. As they say, it is the biblical heartland of Israel.”
He also referred to the US declaration that Israeli settlements in the occupied territory are “not, per se, inconsistent with international law,” and opted to describe the West Bank issue as a population issue, stating that it is “certainly the most complicated of the issues because of the large indigenous Palestinian population.”
Friedman reportedly said during the conference held with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, that the US Administration is preparing for other announcements regarding the occupied West Bank.
The foreign ministry condemned Friedman’s remarks as indicative of US disregard for UN resolutions and international law, which regard the West Bank as occupied territory.
It stressed that such statements are an open incitement for Israel to commit more crimes against the Palestinian people, their property, homes, and holy places.
The Palestinian News and Info Agency reported that Friedman, speaking at the Kohelet Forum Conference in Jerusalem, said: “Judea and Samaria – the name Judea says it all – is territory that historically had an important Jewish presence. As they say, it is the biblical heartland of Israel.”
He also referred to the US declaration that Israeli settlements in the occupied territory are “not, per se, inconsistent with international law,” and opted to describe the West Bank issue as a population issue, stating that it is “certainly the most complicated of the issues because of the large indigenous Palestinian population.”
Friedman reportedly said during the conference held with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, that the US Administration is preparing for other announcements regarding the occupied West Bank.
The foreign ministry condemned Friedman’s remarks as indicative of US disregard for UN resolutions and international law, which regard the West Bank as occupied territory.
It stressed that such statements are an open incitement for Israel to commit more crimes against the Palestinian people, their property, homes, and holy places.
by Quds News Network
US Ambassador to the occupation state of Israel, David Friedman, on Wednesday, spoke at a conference in occupied Jerusalem, announcing the US intention to recognize the West Bank as part of the Israel, claiming that the illegal settlements are not in violation of international law.
“Since coming here I’ve worked to add one more item to a busy agenda: helping to find a fix to the issues that still linger from the Six Day War,” he said in the conference at which he and Netanyahu spoke.
Friedman adopted the Israeli narration about the 1967 war in which the Zionists occupied the West Bank, the Golan Heights, and Gaza, claiming that “in just six days of battle, Israel tripled in size, gained critical buffers against its enemies, reunited Jerusalem and demonstrated to the entire world that it was here to stay.”
“But it didn’t make peace with everyone and when we came into office the lingering issues included three of significant importance, we have approached them in ascending order of complexity.
The status of:
1) Jerusalem
2) the Golan Heights
3) Judea and Samaria.
He also claimed that Jerusalem is the capital of “Israel” according to “biblical history” and US law.
“I thank God that President Trump had the courage and the wisdom to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move our embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv,” he added.
He described the US decision to deem the West Bank settlements legal as “certainly the most complicated of the issues because of the large indigenous Palestinian population.”
Friedman claimed that the West Bank is Jewish because its Jewish name is simply very Jewish. “Judea and Samaria – the name Judea says it all – is territory that historically had an important Jewish presence,” he said.
Interestingly, he also stated that following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, Palestine (which Zionists deny ever existed) was occupied by the British forces, but then he comes to the strange conclusion that Palestine, being under the British mandate, was rightfully owned by the British and had to be exclusively granted for the Jews.
“After the Ottoman Empire fell, Judea and Samaria, along with the rest of what was then referred to as Palestine, became subject to a British Trust which was subject to the Balfour Declaration, the terms of the San Remo conference and the League of Nations Mandate.
In simple terms, the British were obliged to facilitate settlement of the Jewish People in this land. That’s not to say that Jewish settlement was exclusive, that no one else had the right to live there. But Jews certainly did.
“So, intuitively, who has a good claim to the land? Israel, whose historical and legal rights were recognized by the League of Nations, Jordan, which was there for only 19 years with virtually no legitimacy, and which, in any event renounced its claim to territory West of the Jordan River in 1995, or the Ottomans who washed their hands of Palestine after WWI. The answer, with all due respect to all the scholars, seems obvious.”
US Ambassador to the occupation state of Israel, David Friedman, on Wednesday, spoke at a conference in occupied Jerusalem, announcing the US intention to recognize the West Bank as part of the Israel, claiming that the illegal settlements are not in violation of international law.
“Since coming here I’ve worked to add one more item to a busy agenda: helping to find a fix to the issues that still linger from the Six Day War,” he said in the conference at which he and Netanyahu spoke.
Friedman adopted the Israeli narration about the 1967 war in which the Zionists occupied the West Bank, the Golan Heights, and Gaza, claiming that “in just six days of battle, Israel tripled in size, gained critical buffers against its enemies, reunited Jerusalem and demonstrated to the entire world that it was here to stay.”
“But it didn’t make peace with everyone and when we came into office the lingering issues included three of significant importance, we have approached them in ascending order of complexity.
The status of:
1) Jerusalem
2) the Golan Heights
3) Judea and Samaria.
He also claimed that Jerusalem is the capital of “Israel” according to “biblical history” and US law.
“I thank God that President Trump had the courage and the wisdom to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move our embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv,” he added.
He described the US decision to deem the West Bank settlements legal as “certainly the most complicated of the issues because of the large indigenous Palestinian population.”
Friedman claimed that the West Bank is Jewish because its Jewish name is simply very Jewish. “Judea and Samaria – the name Judea says it all – is territory that historically had an important Jewish presence,” he said.
Interestingly, he also stated that following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, Palestine (which Zionists deny ever existed) was occupied by the British forces, but then he comes to the strange conclusion that Palestine, being under the British mandate, was rightfully owned by the British and had to be exclusively granted for the Jews.
“After the Ottoman Empire fell, Judea and Samaria, along with the rest of what was then referred to as Palestine, became subject to a British Trust which was subject to the Balfour Declaration, the terms of the San Remo conference and the League of Nations Mandate.
In simple terms, the British were obliged to facilitate settlement of the Jewish People in this land. That’s not to say that Jewish settlement was exclusive, that no one else had the right to live there. But Jews certainly did.
“So, intuitively, who has a good claim to the land? Israel, whose historical and legal rights were recognized by the League of Nations, Jordan, which was there for only 19 years with virtually no legitimacy, and which, in any event renounced its claim to territory West of the Jordan River in 1995, or the Ottomans who washed their hands of Palestine after WWI. The answer, with all due respect to all the scholars, seems obvious.”
9 jan 2020
Hungarian PM says European Union 'not clear on Iranian issue'; says his country will keep troops in Iraq as long as Baghdad abides by agreement between the two governments
Hungary wants the European stance on the U.S.-Iran conflict to be closer that held by the Unites States, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Thursday.
The European Union's foreign ministers meet on Friday in Brussels to discuss the Iran crisis, with a focus on easing tensions between Washington and Tehran.
"I would like for the European stance, which is not clear on this Iranian issue, to be oriented towards the Israeli-United States stance," Orban told a news conference.
Orban has warm relations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"You stand up for Israel and you stand up for the truth and I want to thank you for it," Netanyahu said during a visit to Jerusalem by Orban last year.
"It is a very important alliance," Netanyahu said of the relationship between Hungary and Israel.
European Council President Charles Michel said on Thursday he had spoken to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and urged Tehran to comply with a 2015 arms control agreement with world powers to curb its nuclear ambitions. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons.
Meanwhile U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday urged world powers to quit the accord that Washington abandoned in 2018 and work for a new deal. Iran has rejected new talks.
Orban, who has frequently chafed at EU policy, met Trump last year, when Trump lauded him for being tough on immigration, a policy area in which the two leaders have similar visions.
The prime minister also said Thursday that his country will keep its troops stationed in Iraq as long as Baghdad abides by the agreement between the two governments.
Orban told reporters that plans were in place should the Hungarian troops need to be evacuated, which would take place “immediately” if Iraq pulls out of the agreement.
Hungary has been member of NATO since 1999 and currently has about 150 troops in Iraq’s Kurdish region.
Hungarian troops are deployed in several international missions around the world, carrying out mostly tasks like peacekeeping and partnership building.
Hungary wants the European stance on the U.S.-Iran conflict to be closer that held by the Unites States, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Thursday.
The European Union's foreign ministers meet on Friday in Brussels to discuss the Iran crisis, with a focus on easing tensions between Washington and Tehran.
"I would like for the European stance, which is not clear on this Iranian issue, to be oriented towards the Israeli-United States stance," Orban told a news conference.
Orban has warm relations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"You stand up for Israel and you stand up for the truth and I want to thank you for it," Netanyahu said during a visit to Jerusalem by Orban last year.
"It is a very important alliance," Netanyahu said of the relationship between Hungary and Israel.
European Council President Charles Michel said on Thursday he had spoken to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and urged Tehran to comply with a 2015 arms control agreement with world powers to curb its nuclear ambitions. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons.
Meanwhile U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday urged world powers to quit the accord that Washington abandoned in 2018 and work for a new deal. Iran has rejected new talks.
Orban, who has frequently chafed at EU policy, met Trump last year, when Trump lauded him for being tough on immigration, a policy area in which the two leaders have similar visions.
The prime minister also said Thursday that his country will keep its troops stationed in Iraq as long as Baghdad abides by the agreement between the two governments.
Orban told reporters that plans were in place should the Hungarian troops need to be evacuated, which would take place “immediately” if Iraq pulls out of the agreement.
Hungary has been member of NATO since 1999 and currently has about 150 troops in Iraq’s Kurdish region.
Hungarian troops are deployed in several international missions around the world, carrying out mostly tasks like peacekeeping and partnership building.
8 jan 2020
The National Bureau for Defending Land and Resisting Settlements stated, in its latest weekly report, that the Israeli government still ignores the international community’s stance, along with resolutions of international legitimacy which consider Israeli settlements a war crime.
Israel acts as a state above the law, as a result of the American support that considers settlements in the occupied West Bank as legitimate, and does not contradict with international law.
Furthermore, the United States is expected to firmly oppose the opening of the International Criminal Court an investigation into war crimes committed by Israel in the Palestinian territories.
Within this context, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he would achieve more historical accomplishments, in the coming years, if he wins the upcoming elections.
Netanyahu put forth a plan of 6 points that includes setting final borders for the occupying state, pushing the United States to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea, and exerting pressure on the United States to recognize Israeli sovereignty over all settlements in the West Bank, without exception.
It was noted that the joint Israeli ministerial team will meet to discuss the annexation of the above-mentioned areas, early next week.
The American administration’s stance has encouraged the Israeli government and settlement societies to escalate settlement construction in the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem. The pace of settlement expansion, in the year 2019, increased by 70% over 2018.
The number of settlement units submitted for approval, during the past year, amounted to about 10,000 settlement units, compared to 6,800 over the last two years, at a time when the occupation authorities demolished some 617 buildings in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, over the year 2019, which led to the displacement of 898 Palestinian families.
On the other hand, the Israeli Civil Administration intends to approve the construction of 2.000 housing units at settlements in the occupied West Bank, while the Israeli High Council for Planning announced the approval of the structural map of the Harash settlement: 258 housing units that were illegally constructed in an Talmon settlement, 147 housing units in the Mitzpe settlement in the Jordan Valley, 100 housing units in the Neve Tzof settlement, 72 housing units in the Ariel settlement in Salfit Governorate, and 107 units in the settlement Elon Moreh will be soon approved.
In Qalqilia, Israeli occupation forces bulldozed lands in Izbat Wadi al-Basha, to the south of the city, in order to open a road that serves the Alf Manashe settlement, which has been built on Palestinian lands since 1981, and is expanded annually at their expense.
Furthermore, the so-called “Civil Administration” announced the confiscation of 165 dunams from Qalqilia lands, in favor of the above-mentioned bypass road and the “El-Yahoo” checkpoint.
In Jerusalem, Israeli settlement societies have established a biblical museum of three floors with an area of 1390m2 in the Al-Ein Al-Fawqa area of Silwan, meters away from Al-Aqsa Mosque, on the southern side, with the aim of promoting it from an allegedly Jewish historical perspective, at the expense of the Christian/Islamic version.
To further challenge the feelings of the Palestinian people in Hebron, Israeli Minister of Defense Naftali Bennett stormed Al-Ibrahimi Mosque, in conjunction with the Hanukkah lighting ceremony.
He was accompanied by Israeli commander Itamar Bin Haiem, the head of the “Kiryat Arba” settlement bloc, Eliyahu Liebman, and the head of the religious school, Hanniel Atruj. During the raid, Bennett said that he couldn’t think of a better place than Hebron to light the last Hanukkah candle.
In a dangerous development, the occupation municipality in Jerusalem approved the establishment of educational institutions affiliated to the Israeli occupation instead of the UNRWA’s schools in Jerusalem.
The occupation municipality began this strong step with support from both the Israeli government and the American administration. against the UNRWA, to prevent its activities and presence, there, by the beginning of 2020, arguing that it prolongs the issue of Palestinian refugees.
Israel acts as a state above the law, as a result of the American support that considers settlements in the occupied West Bank as legitimate, and does not contradict with international law.
Furthermore, the United States is expected to firmly oppose the opening of the International Criminal Court an investigation into war crimes committed by Israel in the Palestinian territories.
Within this context, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he would achieve more historical accomplishments, in the coming years, if he wins the upcoming elections.
Netanyahu put forth a plan of 6 points that includes setting final borders for the occupying state, pushing the United States to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea, and exerting pressure on the United States to recognize Israeli sovereignty over all settlements in the West Bank, without exception.
It was noted that the joint Israeli ministerial team will meet to discuss the annexation of the above-mentioned areas, early next week.
The American administration’s stance has encouraged the Israeli government and settlement societies to escalate settlement construction in the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem. The pace of settlement expansion, in the year 2019, increased by 70% over 2018.
The number of settlement units submitted for approval, during the past year, amounted to about 10,000 settlement units, compared to 6,800 over the last two years, at a time when the occupation authorities demolished some 617 buildings in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, over the year 2019, which led to the displacement of 898 Palestinian families.
On the other hand, the Israeli Civil Administration intends to approve the construction of 2.000 housing units at settlements in the occupied West Bank, while the Israeli High Council for Planning announced the approval of the structural map of the Harash settlement: 258 housing units that were illegally constructed in an Talmon settlement, 147 housing units in the Mitzpe settlement in the Jordan Valley, 100 housing units in the Neve Tzof settlement, 72 housing units in the Ariel settlement in Salfit Governorate, and 107 units in the settlement Elon Moreh will be soon approved.
In Qalqilia, Israeli occupation forces bulldozed lands in Izbat Wadi al-Basha, to the south of the city, in order to open a road that serves the Alf Manashe settlement, which has been built on Palestinian lands since 1981, and is expanded annually at their expense.
Furthermore, the so-called “Civil Administration” announced the confiscation of 165 dunams from Qalqilia lands, in favor of the above-mentioned bypass road and the “El-Yahoo” checkpoint.
In Jerusalem, Israeli settlement societies have established a biblical museum of three floors with an area of 1390m2 in the Al-Ein Al-Fawqa area of Silwan, meters away from Al-Aqsa Mosque, on the southern side, with the aim of promoting it from an allegedly Jewish historical perspective, at the expense of the Christian/Islamic version.
To further challenge the feelings of the Palestinian people in Hebron, Israeli Minister of Defense Naftali Bennett stormed Al-Ibrahimi Mosque, in conjunction with the Hanukkah lighting ceremony.
He was accompanied by Israeli commander Itamar Bin Haiem, the head of the “Kiryat Arba” settlement bloc, Eliyahu Liebman, and the head of the religious school, Hanniel Atruj. During the raid, Bennett said that he couldn’t think of a better place than Hebron to light the last Hanukkah candle.
In a dangerous development, the occupation municipality in Jerusalem approved the establishment of educational institutions affiliated to the Israeli occupation instead of the UNRWA’s schools in Jerusalem.
The occupation municipality began this strong step with support from both the Israeli government and the American administration. against the UNRWA, to prevent its activities and presence, there, by the beginning of 2020, arguing that it prolongs the issue of Palestinian refugees.
6 jan 2020
Hike sees lawmakers' monthly salary rise to NIS 45,251, ministers' pay increases to NIS 50,623 - fourfold national average of NIS 11,000
Knesset members voted to raise their monthly salary by 2.8% starting January, despite more than a year of parliamentary inaction due to the political turmoil engulfing Israel.
A lawmaker's monthly pay was increased by NIS 1,232 ($354) per month to NIS 45,251 ($12,992), while ministers see their wages increased to NIS 50,623 ($14,535$) per month. The average national salary is approximately NIS 11,000, roughly one quarter of what lawmakers earn.
President Reuven Rivlin will also see an increase in his salary, receiving NIS 64,616 ($18,552) a month, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - who is currently seeking permission to solicit donations for his legal expenses - will see his monthly income grow to NIS 56,295 ($16,163).
Only 15 MKs asked to be excluded from the pay rise, including Yisrael Beytenu Leader Avigdor Liberman, Likud lawmaker Ofir Katz and Labor leader Amir Peretz.
Just five MKs from Blue & White declined the increase, despite the party's previous announcement that all of its lawmakers would refuse to receive the pay rise.
All 120 members of Knesset went on hiatus in December 2018 due to the April 2019 elections. Parliament was active for a mere total of two and a half months in 2019, due to Israel's major parties inability to form a government, the two national elections and the upcoming third ballot in March.
The 23rd Knesset is supposed to be inaugurated on March 16, two weeks after the elections. Members of Knesset go on recess for Passover soon after, returning in mid-May - all while receiving their monthly salary.
If a government is indeed formed after the March 2 elections, Knesset will be resuming work after a year and a half of inactivity during which MKs also received their monthly salary.
According to the National Insurance Institute, there are approximately 2 million Israelis living in poverty, including 800,000 children, while the stipend given to the elderly stands at NIS 1,554 ($446) a month.
Knesset members voted to raise their monthly salary by 2.8% starting January, despite more than a year of parliamentary inaction due to the political turmoil engulfing Israel.
A lawmaker's monthly pay was increased by NIS 1,232 ($354) per month to NIS 45,251 ($12,992), while ministers see their wages increased to NIS 50,623 ($14,535$) per month. The average national salary is approximately NIS 11,000, roughly one quarter of what lawmakers earn.
President Reuven Rivlin will also see an increase in his salary, receiving NIS 64,616 ($18,552) a month, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - who is currently seeking permission to solicit donations for his legal expenses - will see his monthly income grow to NIS 56,295 ($16,163).
Only 15 MKs asked to be excluded from the pay rise, including Yisrael Beytenu Leader Avigdor Liberman, Likud lawmaker Ofir Katz and Labor leader Amir Peretz.
Just five MKs from Blue & White declined the increase, despite the party's previous announcement that all of its lawmakers would refuse to receive the pay rise.
All 120 members of Knesset went on hiatus in December 2018 due to the April 2019 elections. Parliament was active for a mere total of two and a half months in 2019, due to Israel's major parties inability to form a government, the two national elections and the upcoming third ballot in March.
The 23rd Knesset is supposed to be inaugurated on March 16, two weeks after the elections. Members of Knesset go on recess for Passover soon after, returning in mid-May - all while receiving their monthly salary.
If a government is indeed formed after the March 2 elections, Knesset will be resuming work after a year and a half of inactivity during which MKs also received their monthly salary.
According to the National Insurance Institute, there are approximately 2 million Israelis living in poverty, including 800,000 children, while the stipend given to the elderly stands at NIS 1,554 ($446) a month.
