Two Israelis were killed and Seven Injured (Three are in critical condition) After a Deadly Terrorist Attack in the Center of Tel Aviv. The Palestinian Shooter Was Found and Killed Early this Morning: A young Palestinian from the Jenin refugee camp arrived at Dizengoff Street in the center of Tel Aviv, which has many bars and restaurants packed with young people especially on Thursday nights. He started shooting, and then escaped. Law enforcement units, including police special forces and army special units, chased him for hours until he was found early morning in Jaffa and was killed during the chase. Tel Aviv residents were instructed to shelter in place until the situation would be more clear. PM Bennett held a special assessment meeting with key figures from intelligence and security to decide on a policy towards what seems to be another round of terror in Israel. Earlier this week, Israeli army forces killed three Palestinians in the Jenin refugee camp, based on intelligence that they were part of a terrorist squad planning an attack.
Last week Israeli officials did all they can to try and calm down the region, with intensive talks and meetings with Jordan King Abdullah, and earlier this week defense minister Gantz talked to the head of the Palestinian Authority, President Aabbas, and promised to take some steps to trust building towards the Muslim holy month of Ramadan that started last weekend.
A Key Member of the Coalition Defected to The Likud From the Coalition Causing a Political Crisis in PM Bennett’s Government: Idit Silman, a member of the Yemina party (the party of PM Bennett), who also served as the head of the coalition, decided to defect. Silman, who belongs to the national zionist community, claimed she can no longer carry the burden of serving a coalition that doesn’t align with her ideological views. Her act led to an earthquake in the already fragile coalition that was based on a very small majority of one vote. Now there is a balance between the opposition and the coalition at 60 seats each.
The trigger for her decision was a dispute within the coalition over a Supreme Court ruling that hospitals will not be able to ban visitors from bringing Hametz to patients during the Passover holidays (food that is not Kosher for Jewish Passover). Right wing supporters and observant members of the coalition feel unhappy with the ruling, but the straw that broke the camel’s back was the announcement the Minister of Health from the left-wing Merez party that no one will be able to ban bringing non-Kosher food into hospitals during passover.
Silman, and other members of the Yemina party were constantly targeted by right wing activists who accused them of betraying their right wing constituency by joining a government based on left-wing parties and especially the Joint Arab List, which is affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood. Yemina has only six seats, and one of their members long ago announced that he cannot be counted on as a member of the coalition. Other members of Yemina in the Knesset have already delivered an ultimatum to PM Bennet. They demanded that the government initiate building in the settlements in the West Bank.
The government has not fallen as yet, but it is one step closer now, and it will be challenging to pass any legislation if it has no clear majority.
This is still a developing story.
As the Holy Month of Ramadan Begins, Clashes Between the Jerusalem Police and Palestinians Resume: the month of Ramadan, which started last weekend, is marked by fasting from dawn to dusk. The fast is broken at sunset with the traditional Iftar, and with families congregating to share food. Following the series of deadly terror attacks in the weeks preceding Ramadan, security forces warned against an escalation in tensions and violence. Applying lessons learned from the violent clashes last year during Ramadan, the police did not erect blocks at the Damascus Gate, where Palestinian families and youth congregate in the evenings. Also, the police have so far refrained from using stun grenades and water cannons. Yet, some clashes between Palestinians and the police have occurred, leading to the detention of mostly young Palestinian men each night.
An event that could have sparked an escalation in the tense situation was the visit of foreign minister Ya’ir Lapid (Yesh Atid), who came to voice his support for the security forces at Damascus Gate. Hamas spokespersons condemned the visit and warned that it could lead to retaliation. Yet, for the time being, Hamas has not retaliated. Members of the government also criticized Lapid for the visit at such a sensitive time. PM Bennett has spoken with King Abdullah of Jordan, to thank him for publicly condemning the terror attacks against Israeli civilians and his call to keep the calm and prevent escalation during the month of Ramadan.
Israeli Citizen Sentenced to Death by UAE Court Over Drug Trafficking: Fidaa Kiwan, a 43-year-old Arab citizen of Israel from Haifa, was arrested a year ago by the UAE police and sentenced to death, after half a kilo of cocaine was found in her apartment in Dubai. Kiwan, a photographer, was visiting Dubai for work. Her local lawyer will appeal the sentence, and it is possible that it will be reduced to a long prison term. The Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement that they are aware of the case, which is handled for Israel by the Dubai consular staff. Kiwan’s family, who were refused visitation rights, have reached out to former deputy minister of communications, Ayub Kara’, and asked for his assistance in the matter. The UAE is known for its strict legislation and policies against drug trafficking.
New Public Transportation Pricing Reform to Take Effect Before Summer: minister of transportation Merav Michaeli (Labor) and finance minister Avigdor Liberman (Israel Beitenu) announced this week the launch of the “equal commute” reform. The reform is designed to encourage Israelis to use public transportation by reducing train, tram, and bus fares for all. Under the new reform, senior citizens over the age of 75 will receive a free pass, and senior citizens under 75, children and youth, and people with disabilities will receive a 50% discount. The “equal commute” reform will apply to all regions in the country, thus correcting previous inequalities in public transport fares, with certain discounts applied exclusively to Haredi localities.
For further reading:
Terrorist Attack: Here, here, here, here
Political Crisis: Here, here, here, here
Ramadan: Here, here
, here, here
Death sentence: Here
Public transport: Here