Israel Weekly News Roundup, Feb. 3 2023
5 Things you need to know
A deadly Weekend in Jerusalem: Alqam Khayri, a 21-year-old Palestinian resident of East Jerusalem shot and killed seven and wounded three people last Friday, in Neve Yaacov, A Jewish low-income neighborhood in east Jerusalem. The following day, a 13-year-old Palestinian shot and wounded two Jews near the Old City.
The security cabinet convened an emergency meeting on Saturday evening, and decided on several steps, designed to “combat terror and exact a price from terrorists and their supporters”, according to PM Netanyahu. Such steps include rapid sealing off and demolition of the family homes of perpetrators and strengthening/expansion of Jewish settlements in the OPT (Occupied Palestinian Territories).
On the order of minister of national security Itamar Ben-Gvir, Security forces sealed the home of the shooter who carried out the deadly Jerusalem attack, after its residents were promptly ordered to evacuate the house. In many cases, sealing the home entails pouring concrete into the home and is a precursor to later demolition.
While police forces raided Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem during the weekend, the Shin Bet (Central Security Service) chief, Ronen Bar, warned against sealing off East Jerusalem areas, as it may cause an escalation in violence.
Politicians from across the political spectrum released immediate condemnations of the terror attacks and sent their condolences to the families and wishes for a full recovery to the wounded. This, while human activists also lamented the loss of lives on both sides, reminding the public of the nine people killed in Jenin just days before the attacks in Jerusalem.
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken Visits Jerusalem and Ramallah: During his two day visit to Israel, Blinken met with PM Netanyahu, minister of defense Yoav Gallant (Likud), head of the opposition Yair Lapid and a group of civil society leaders. When arriving at Ben Gurion Airport, Blinken said he arrived in Israel at a "pivotal moment".
Blinken’s visit occurred during the heated public debate surrounding the government’s legal reforms, which critics refer to as a “legal coup”, or a “regime coup”. While Blinken did not address the US administration’s concerns over the legal reforms directly, he did say, at his meeting with PM Netanyahu that the relationship between the United States and Israel is based on democratic values, one of which is reaching a consensus regarding "new proposals". Netanyahu, in response, promised in the joint statement to the two that Israel and the US will both remain strong democracies.
Blinken's comments made headlines in the Israeli media; some analysts commented that Blinken’s statement was too evasive, while one far-right Israeli minister angrily responded that PM Netanyahu did not need a lesson in democracy from Blinken, and that the US administration should not interfere with Israeli domestic affairs.
Following his meeting with Secretary Blinken, minister of defense Yoav Gallant said: "Your visit to Israel comes at a critical time and sends a clear message to our adversaries and partners in the region: the US and Israel are united against the Iranian threat and against anyone who tries to destabilize the region”.
While in Jerusalem, Blinken also met with a select group of civil society leaders, representing the LGBTQI community and shared society groups. The meeting, which was quite unique for a visit of such a senior US official, addressed the concerns of civil society leaders regarding the ramifications of the current legal initiatives for political minority groups such as LGBTQI people and the Arab community.
Following his meetings in Israel, Blinken met in Ramallah with the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas. According to Palestinian sources, the meeting was somewhat disappointing, as it did not address any of the PA’s grave concerns. Blinken reiterated the US administration’s concerns over the PA’s threats to drop security coordination with Israel. Following his meetings in the region, Blinken spoke of "concrete steps" to be taken by both sides to reduce the level of violence. He mentioned that members of his team would be staying on to work on them. When asked to elaborate further on this statement, he did not reply.
Attorney General In a Professional Position, Netanyahu Cannot Be Involved in the LegislatIve Changes, Due to Conflict of Interest, Protests Against Proposed Government Legislation and Changes Grow Rapidly: In a detailed and comprehensive professional opinion document, the attorney general decided that PM Netanyahu cannot be involved in the legislative process, since this may influence his criminal case which is being debated in the district court in Jerusalem. PM Netanyahu immediately announced that he rejects the opinion. Meanwhile PN Netanyahu’s Government continues the process of legislation which will dramatically change the checks and balances between the state agencies, the Supreme Court, the Government and the Knesset (Parliament). The change will give more power to the ruling political coalition in a way that it will practically make the court useless and it will no longer be able to protect minorities or citizens who are subject to infringement of their civil rights. Growing circles of professionals are protesting every day all over the country. The main demonstrations gather every Saturday night especially in Tel Aviv, but also in other major cities in the country, Jerusalem, Haifa, Be’er Sheva and others. The protests of the high-tech professionals concerns the government especially because this is considered to be the engine of the Israeli economy, and some of the companies and their senior management have announced that they will relocate their businesses elsewhere if the proposed changes are implemented.
An Alleged Sexual Harassment Scandal Pushed the Head of the Israeli Bar Association to Step-Down: Advocate Avi Himi, the chair of the Israeli bar had to step down after a breaking news story reported that he allegedly exposed himself during a video call conversation with a young female colleague without her consent. It was also revealed that he recommended her for a judgeship. In the last few months, Himi, who grew up as a Likud supporter (Netanyahu’s right wing party) changed his views and became one of the most vocal supporters of the protest against the judicial revolution led by the government. Many claim that this was a political targeting to intentionally discredit him and the entire protest. Himi claims that he had an affair with the young lawyer, which lasted several years and was mutually consensual. Meanwhile he decided to resign and the public debate in this issue is polarized and heated.
A Mysterious Attack On Iranian Military Targets Related to the Irans Nuclear Plans: Unmanned drones attacked targets deep in Iran and destroyed some of the facilities that are connected to the Iranian nuclear plans to assemble an atomic bomb. The New York Times attributed the attack to Israel, based on Israeli sources. Israeli officials did not approve the information as published in the New York Times. But it is important to know that Israel usually prefers to keep the responsibility for such military operations vague. It is also important to know that in the last week Israeli and American military forces conducted an extensive joint military exercise in the region, which was related to the attack in Iran according to some analysts. There is also concern in Israel that a revenge operation by Iran on Israeli or Jewish targets will ensue.
For Further Reading;
Jerusalem: Here, here, here, here
Blinken: Here, here, here, here
Attorney General and Demonstrations: Here, here Here, here, here