It
is with some intrepidation that I follow in the well worn shoes of David Hoyle
in writing this edition of News from Israel. David is taking a back seat role
after keeping us all updated with what is happening in Israel and to Israel for
many years.
January
saw National Holocaust Day and it was so good to see so many people, especially
on facebook posting their "I remember" selfies. Despite those who
would say it never happened, we must keep this memorial alive so that no one
forgets the awful atrocities of the past.
With
the whole of Europe being deluged with refugees from Africa and the Middle
East, once again Israel is being singled out for its stand on its dealings with
the vast numbers of refugees, mainly from Eritrea who are swamping the tiny country.
When there were just 100's coming to Israel they were welcomed and given jobs
but now it has gone into the thousands and Israel cannot cope. It has begun the
deportation of these refugees through secret negotiations with Uganda and other
African countries who are willing to take them, along with a £3500 cash payout.
The TV News station Al Jazerra was quick to show its bias against Israel for
its actions, which are not illegal.
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| STEVE LLOYD |
Despite
its own problems with the weather recently, Israel has again been sending aid
and rescue teams around the world.
Over
the festive period 40 volunteers from the Israeli recovery and rescue
organisation ZAKA helped with clean up and relief efforts after storms ripped
through homes in Johannesburg, South Africa.
ZAKA also assisted with operations over the same period in France, Costa
Rica, Ukraine and Russia.
The
IDF has destroyed another Hamas terror tunnel that stretched from the Gaza
Strip, through Israel and into Egypt.
The
mile-long tunnel ran past Israel military posts as well as gas and fuel lines.
It also went underneath the Kerem Shalom border crossing - Gaza' main point of
entry for humanitarian aid.
UN - Following President
Trumps declaration to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem, the UN was quick to
denounce his actions. Only a few small nations backed his move. The UK, one of
the United States closest allies also denounced the move.
Kosovo
President, Hashim Thaci said his mainly Muslim nation would have voted with America against the UN
resolution condemning Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's Capital. He
told the Albanian newspaper 'Express' that if Kosovo achieved full UN
membership ,it would vote "all the time" with America.
USA - President Trump has
been as good as his word - and slashed aid to the Palestinians by half.
America
will still give a UN Agency $60 million for Palestinians...but will withhold
another $65 Million for 'future consideration'. The decision is likely to
compound the difficulty in reviving peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians
and to further undermine Arabs faith that America can act as an impartial
arbitrator.
Trumps
aim is to Force Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas to the table to thrash out
a peace deal with Israel.
Mike
Pence the Vice President kicked off his recent visit to Israel by telling Prime
Minister Netanyahu that it was an "honour to be in Israel's capital,
Jerusalem".
It
was the first time a visiting dignitary had been able to utter those words with
Mr Netanyahu. The Vice President added that he was hopeful "we are at the
dawn of a new era of renewed discussions to achieve a peaceful resolution to a
decades-long conflict.
Pence
told the Knesset that the US embassy would move to Jerusalem no later than the
end of next year.
Palestinian
President
Mahmoud Abbas has denied a Jewish connection to Israel in a rambling,
invective-filled, fiery speech to the Palestinian Leadership. "Israel is a
colonial project that has nothing to do with Jews" he said. He also
pronounced the peace process as dead and accused Israel of killing it.
In
reply whilst travelling in India, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Abbas
had "torn off the mask" and exposed what he called "the
truth". "For too long, the Palestinian Authority has been pampered by
the International community, which did not dare to tell them the truth, that
has changed, for the first time, someone is telling him the truth to his
face".
India - India's leader,
Narendra Modi gave Prime Minister Netanyahu and his wife a very warm welcome on
their 6 day visit in January. The Indian Prime Minister insisted on being on
the tarmac when the El Al plane touched down, breaking the original plans and
protocol - something he had only done before for Barack Obama and Chinese
President Xi Jinping. The two leaders signed 9 key deals in areas like defence,
agriculture, aviation, cyber-defence, security and science.
Modi
even tweeted in Hebrew and used a Hebrew greeting when they met for 2 hours of
talks.
UK - Labour Friends of
Israel chairman Joan Ryan secured a recent Commons debate to proscribe
Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation. Labour urged its MPs not to outlaw the
terror group Hezbollah. It advised them that an outright ban could harm Middle
East Peace talks.
Slamming
the decision Labour MP Louise Ellman said "I am concerned that the Labour
Party does not appear to recognise the terrorist and anti-Semitic nature of
Hezbollah".
She
went on "This organisation's activists are inciting hatred on the streets
of London and the Police have not taken any action against them. This is no
time for equivocation - it is time to recognise that Hezbollah should be banned
in its entirety"
The
UK branch of Amnesty International caused anger when they cancelled a Jewish
Leadership Council meeting that was due
to be held at their London offices at the last minute.
JLC
Chairman Jonathan Goldstein said the action was 'disgraceful'.
Amnesty
claimed they could not "upset their partners" by entertaining people
who were opposed to their anti-Israel policies.
Mr
Goldstein said "It is disgraceful that a Jewish Charity is being barred
from Amnesty International UK Offices. For a long time the Anglo-Jewish
community has been deeply disappointed by Amnesty International UK's approach
to Israel and the Jewish community, yet, despite this, the JLC had continually
sought positive engagement." he added that by withdrawing the offer to
host the event, it was clear that Amnesty's claim "to protect freedom of
expression" was only on their terms".
Russia - Putin may face a
Jewish rival. Grigory Yavlinsky, a Jewish liberal politician, is emerging as
the main presidential challenger to the powerful Vladimir Putin. He has
submitted the required 100,000 signatures required to enter the presidential
race in March. At the age of 65, a co-founder of the Yabloko party now has the
chance of rallying the fractious opposition behind him following the disqualification
of Alexai Navalny, who was the only other recognise opposition. Watch this
space.
Winter
Olympics
- Israel's delegation to the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, will
number 10 athletes, doubling the country's previous high. Seven will take part
in the figure skating and one in the Skeleton, the other two will take part in
speed skating and alpine skiing.
Keep
praying for Israel, for the peace of Jerusalem and for the salvation of the
Jewish people.
Maranatha
Steve
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