The 26th Memorial Day for PM Rabin Generated Public Controversy Again: Rabin was assassinated 26 years ago by a right-wing Jewish extremist, an observant law student who wanted to put an end to the Oslo Accord, which was signed by Rabin, together with Yasser Arafat and Shimon Peres and aimed to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the accord, Israel promised to withdraw from Palestinian Territories and to enable the establishment of a Palestinian State. The adoption of the agreement resulted in huge push-back from right-wing supporters who expressed their resentment in violent demonstrations all over the country, which ended in the assassination of Rabin at the end of a peace support rally in the main square of Tel Aviv that has since been named after Rabin.
Shortly after Netanyahu was elected PM, Netanyahu participated in the demonstrations against Rabin and the Oslo agreement. The Rabin family and many others hold him responsible for the resulting toxic climate that enabled the assassination.
This year, for the first time, Netanyahu decided not to attend the official memorial ceremony at Mt. Herzl and instead dedicated his speech at the memorial gathering of the Knesset to complain about how he became the major victim of Rabin’s legacy. His speech generated a strong wave of resentment and anger among the liberal camp in Israel.
Far Right MK Ben Gvir Clashed with MK Odeh at a Hospital Over his Visit to an Administrative Detainee on Hunger Strike: the altercation between MK Itamar Ben Gvir (Jewish Power) and MK Ayman Odeh (Joint Arab List) occurred at the Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot, where a Palestinian Administrative Detainee was hospitalized due to a prolonged hunger strike. Administrative detention allows the authorities to arbitrarily imprison a person without due legal process and without pressing any charges against him.
The two members of Knesset clashed over Ben Gvir’s intention to visit the detainee, without the consent of his family, but with approval from the Hospital’s director general. MK Ben Gvir intended to prove that the Palestinian enjoys fantastic conditions despite being a terrorist and an enemy. MK Odeh tried to block Ben Gvir and pushed him, as he forced his way into the patient’s room. Ben Gvir filed a complaint against Odeh.
Politicians and activists on both sides of the political spectrum took to social media; some condemning Ben Gvir for the provocation, and the hospital for allowing him to visit the Palestinian detainee under its care, while others criticized MK Odeh for losing his temper and pushing Ben Gvir.
PM Bennett Met with President Putin to Discuss Political, Economic and Regional Issues, Including Iran: PM Bennett met with President Putin today (Friday) in the Russian town Sochi, to discuss, among other issues, Iran’s nuclear plans. According to various media sources, Putin expressed his support for continued monitoring and supervision of Iran’s nuclear development, and analysts project that Bennet will attempt to leverage Putin’s position.
Prior to PM Bennett’s visit, the Kremlin put pressure on Israel to allow Russian tourists and visitors who received the Russian Sputnik Covid vaccine to enter Israel, even though the vaccine has not as yet been approved neither by the FDA nor by the World Health Organization. In what is believed to be a gesture of good will by the Israeli government in preparation for PM Bennett’s first visit to Russia since his inauguration, Israel is considering allowing entry to those who pass a COVID-19 antibodies test at the airport. But, due to the new COVID variant that was discovered earlier this week in Israel, the health authorities are still considering how to address the issue of the Sputnik vaccine and Bennett could not make the gesture to the Russian President.
Other tourists, who are vaccinated with recognized vaccines may be able to enter Israel, depending on negative PCR tests in a few weeks time. This would be good news for the Israeli tourist industry that has been virtually paralyzed for almost 2 years.
A 30 Year Old Murder Case May Have Been Solved After A Documentary Series Was Aired on TV: at least 3 suspects were arrested and they may be indicted for the 2 murders. The case tells the story of the disappearance of two people who may have been part of a Hassidic cult. The case was not solved until a documentarian dived into the case after 30 years and revealed some new evidence that was helpful to the police. The investigation was under the radar and under a gag order for months and went public earlier this week when the police made the arrests.
15 People Were Recently Arrested In Turkey, And Were Accused Of Being Israeli Mossad Operators: All the detainees are of Arab origin, some are Palestinians. At least 200 Turkish security personnel were involved in the arrest that took place two weeks ago at four different Turkish locations. The Turkish authorities announced that they were collecting information on Palestinians and students in Turkey and their whereabouts. Israel has not commented on the arrest. It is important to say in this context that after years of diplomatic strife between the two countries, there is currently a warming-up process.
For Further Reading:
Bennet and Putin: Here, here, here, here
Odeh & Ben-Gvir: Here, here, here