A7News: 'Disqualify candidates who oppose the state'

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Thursday, Sep. 06 '18, כ"ו באלול תשע"ח



HEADLINES:
1. 'DISQUALIFY CANDIDATES WHO OPPOSE THE STATE'
2. EU BLASTS ISRAELI SUPREME COURT DECISION
3. CASE CLOSED ON ORGAN DONATION RABBI: 'TREMBLING WITH EXCITEMENT'
4. MUFTI: DEFEND THE LAND
5. AN IRANIAN JOURNALIST IN THE DEFENSE MINISTER'S OFFICE
6. 'HEZBOLLAH FORCES THAT INFILTRATE ISRAEL WILL NOT RETURN ALIVE'
7. PARAGUAY ANNOUNCES RETURN OF EMBASSY TO TEL AVIV
8. WATCH: SEPTEMBER 11 MEMORIAL CEREMONY IN JERUSALEM


1. 'DISQUALIFY CANDIDATES WHO OPPOSE THE STATE'
by Arutz Sheva Staff

The 'Lech Yerushalayim' movement called for the disqualification of an Arab list for the upcoming municipal elections in Jerusalem.

The new list will be called 'Our Al Quds' ["Our Jerusalem"]. It will be headed by former Fatah movement member Aziz Abu Serra, who will be its candidate for mayor.

According to the Lech Yerushalayim movement, Abu Serra joined the Fatah youth movement - a faction within the Palestine Liberation Organization - after losing his brother, who died shortly after his release from an Israeli prison.

"Aziz published many articles in the movement's journal which were full of feelings of hatred and vengeance: Years later, Aziz and his family agreed to participate in a meeting of the Bereaved Families Forum, and is now a member of the forum and co-facilitator of the Kol Hashalom radio program. He also runs an organization for the empowerment of Palestinian youth," the movement noted.

Lech Yerushalayim chairman Maor Tzemach said: "Israel's sovereignty over East Jerusalem cannot be disputed and discussed. Coping with the municipal system of elements in East Jerusalem must be based on the acceptance of Israeli sovereignty in all of Jerusalem! A party that opposes the State of Israel and its sovereignty in Jerusalem must immediately desist."


2. EU BLASTS ISRAELI SUPREME COURT DECISION
by David Rosenberg

The European Union criticized the Israeli Supreme Court on Thursday, following the high court's ruling yesterday rejecting a petition filed by residents of an illegal Bedouin encampment near Jerusalem.

On Wednesday, the court rejected the argument made by petitioners filing on behalf of the "Khan al-Ahmar" encampment.

"The appeal before us is the fifth round in this saga," the three-judge panel wrote in their decision.

"In the ruing on previous appeals, we discussed the humanitarian complexities involved in the complete evacuation of the Khan al-Ahmar compound, but at the same time, there is no way to avoid carrying out the demolition orders. As difficult as an evacuation is, we can't get around the ruling, a definitive ruling made only recently."

The court ruled that the state may evacuate and demolish the encampment seven days after the decision was handed down.

Built in the 1990s on land belonging to the Israeli town of Kfar Adumim east of Jerusalem, Khan al-Ahmar is home to some 170 Bedouin, who have expanded the community in recent years with the aid of foreign governments.

In response to the court's decision, on Thursday the European Union issued a statement calling on Israel not to demolish the illegal outpost.

"We have seen the reports that Israeli High Court rejected yesterday the petitions by the residents of Khan al-Ahmar and will allow the Israeli authorities to proceed with the demolition," the statement read.

The European Union warned that by demolishing Khan al-Ahmar, Israel would undermine the "prospects for peace", as well as the possibility of achieving a two-state solution.

"The EU and its Member States have repeatedly stated their long-standing position on Israel's settlement policy, illegal under international law, and actions taken in that context, including the demolitions of Palestinian communities and (possible) forced transfers of population. The community of Khan al-Ahmar is located in a sensitive location in Area C, of strategic importance for preserving the contiguity of a future Palestinian state."

"The consequences of a demolition of this community and the displacement of its residents, including children, against their will, would be very serious and would severely threaten the viability of the two-state solution and undermine prospects for peace. As the HRVP has said already in July, the EU expects the Israeli authorities to reconsider their decision to demolish Khan al-Ahmar."

Israeli security forces prepared for the demolition of Khan al-Ahmar in July, before the court intervened, issuing a temporary reprieve for the community in order to hear the latest appeal.


3. CASE CLOSED ON ORGAN DONATION RABBI: 'TREMBLING WITH EXCITEMENT'
by Mordechai Sones

Matan Chaim organization Chairman Rabbi Yeshayahu Haber, who encourages people to donate their kidneys to save lives, welcomed the State Attorney's decision to close the investigation file against him.

Rabbi Haber, who served more than 500 patients and donors, was questioned in September 2017 on suspicion of organ trafficking and was even sent to house arrest. Rabbi Haber saved many lives and even received a letter from the President.

In a conversation with Yisrael Hayom Rabbi Haber said "I knew for a few days it was going to happen, but I didn't know it had already come out," said Rabbi Haber, "You're the first to tell me; I'm happy, I'm shaking, I'm in shock.

"From the first day I knew there was nothing to the case," Haber said of the investigation. "I put everything on the table, I presented an opinion, I didn't move a nail without a legal opinion. There were economic interests that tried to hurt me because I do everything on a voluntary basis, but today I'm happy and delighted."

[video:2025485]


4. MUFTI: DEFEND THE LAND
by Arutz Sheva Staff

Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, the 'Mufti of Palestine,' condemned the Supreme Court ruling finalizing the demolition of the illegal Bedouin outpost of Khan al-Ahmar east of Jerusalem, calling it a "racist decision."

Hussein called on the Arab public to act against this "unjust" decision and to assist the steadfastness of the residents of the Bedouin community in light of the "ethnic cleansing of the occupation authorities" that was intended to connect Ma'aleh Adumim with Jerusalem.

"The Israeli policy is a blatant violation of the international humanitarian law that prohibits forcible expulsion of local residents," said Hussein, who stressed that in response, the Palestinian Arabs would stick to the land and their national principles.

Hussein blamed the Israeli government and the Trump administration for supporting the "racist expansionist" policy as fully responsible for the escalation of the situation in the region.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the petitions filed by residents of the illegal outpost of Khan al-Ahmar near Kfar Adumim, and ruled that the outpost would be evacuated.

"It is feared that there will be large riots and violence during the demolition, especially by non-residents, given the calls on social media to come and take part in violent protests," Justice Yitzhak Amit said.


5. AN IRANIAN JOURNALIST IN THE DEFENSE MINISTER'S OFFICE
by Uzi Baruch

For the first time, a senior Iranian journalist came to Israel for an interview with Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman.

The interview took place this week at the defense minister's office at the "Kirya" base in Tel Aviv. The interviewer was Mehrad Mirdamadi, the editor-in-chief of "Radio Farda" ("Tomorrow" in Farsi), which broadcasts from the city of Prague to tens of millions of Iranians.

This is the first time an Iranian journalist has visited the defense minister's office. In an interview held partly in Farsi and partly in English which was published this morning, Thursday, in Farsi on the Radio Farda website, the defense minister asked to convey a message to Iranian citizens.

"We hope that our message is very clear, we will do everything to prevent any Iranian attempt to establish military bases in Syria or to bring in other Shiite militias that threaten Israel," said Defense Minister Liberman. "Iran is a sovereign country and it has the right to maintain diplomatic and economic relations with Syria, but we will never agree to an Iranian military presence on Syrian soil and we will not accept Iran's efforts to harm Israel and destabilize the Middle East," Liberman said.

Defense Minister Liberman said in the interview to the Iranian people: "Iran invests in terror instead of working for the younger generation. Instead of developing the economy and science, the Iranian regime invests only in military exercises and terrorism. It is a fanatical regime which has wasted, up until now, more than 13 billion dollars, and spends more than 2 billion dollars each year on terror financing throughout the Middle East. This is against the interest of the Iranian people. Why is a country with among the largest oil reserves in the world investing so much in a nuclear program and ballistic missile development? "


6. 'HEZBOLLAH FORCES THAT INFILTRATE ISRAEL WILL NOT RETURN ALIVE'
by Kobi Finkler


A senior officer in the Northern Command today, Thursday, sent a firm message to Hezbollah terrorists, referring to the possibility that a Hezbollah force would try to infiltrate an Israeli community.

The senior officer said that since Hezbollah recognizes its inferiority to the IDF, its men will try to carry out an attack on an Israeli community near the border.

"I believe that they can have excellent achievements in raids," he said. "But if Hezbollah believes that this force will be able to enter, do damage and return to Lebanon - as far as we are concerned that won't happen - it will not be able to return. We will kill them all," he said.

The senior officer added that there had been a tremendous improvement in the quantity and quality of intelligence information available to the IDF about Hezbollah.

"Our intelligence on Hezbollah has grown significantly, and what I know about Hezbollah compared to a few years ago has improved dramatically," he claimed. "It's a difference. Because of intelligence, it will be hard for them to surprise us. It allows the IDF to take risks because it assesses that they will not respond."

"Despite this, we are preparing for the attempt to surprise us on the border with Lebanon," the senior officer revealed. "If Hezbollah drops large forces into the villages and tries to go from there and hurt us, it will also be an opportunity for us to hit them."

Meanwhile, the IDF cleared for publication some of the details of the extensive engineering effort carried out in recent years on the northern border, as part of preparations for possible fighting in the area. The barrier is similar to the barrier being built in the Gaza Strip.

Currently, forces are completing the first section of the barrier, about 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) in length. In addition, work to uncover strategic positions is taking place to allow for a more efficient system of lookout, locating, and identifying in the area. The strategic objective of the engineering barrier is to delay Hezbollah and help defend northern residents.

Northern Command reports three points on the route of the barrier at which there is not agreement on the exact location of the border, and negotiations are underway with the Lebanese and UNIFIL on the matter. There is concern in the command that as a result of the escalation in the pace of construction of the barrier, friction and perhaps even a local confrontation with the Lebanese army or Hezbollah will develop.

[video:2046999]


7. PARAGUAY ANNOUNCES RETURN OF EMBASSY TO TEL AVIV
by Tal Polon

Three-and-a-half months after transferring its embassy to Jerusalem, the government of Paraguay has announced that it is moving the embassy back to Tel Aviv.

Speaking to reporters, Paraguayan Minister of Foreign Affairs Luis Castiglioni said that "Paraguay wants to contribute to an intensification of regional diplomatic efforts to achieve a broad, fair and lasting peace in the Middle East."

It is unclear what the timetable will be for the return move.

In response to the announcement, Prime Minister Netanyahu instructed the foreign ministry to return the Israeli ambassador to Paraguay back to Israel for consultations, and to close the Israeli embassy in Paraguay.

"Israel views with great severity the unusual decision of Paraguay which will cloud relations between the countries," the foreign ministry said.


8. WATCH: SEPTEMBER 11 MEMORIAL CEREMONY IN JERUSALEM
by Arutz Sheva Staff


[youtube:2047019]

US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman delivered remarks at the annual ceremony in honor of victims of the September 11 attacks at the 9/11 monument in the Jerusalem hills.

"Welcome to all of you – fellow Americans, Israeli friends, families of the 9/11 victims and victims of other acts of terror, members of the diplomatic corps, among them representatives of countries who lost citizens on 9/11, Member of Knesset Nachman Shai, Mr. Ed Blank, honored guests. Let me offer a special thanks to our friends and cosponsors from Keren Kayemet Le'Yisrael-Jewish National Fund and Jewish National Fund USA. And let me also say how honored we are to be joined by Nefesh b'Nefesh, Sar-El, the Alexander Muss High School in Israel, and by United Airlines representatives.

We are gathered to remember and to honor the memory of those lost on this day 17 years ago. Today we remember a day that began like so many others, with rides to school and commutes to work, early flights for meetings and familiar routines with those quick hugs and goodbyes. It was a normal day like this one – with a clear blue sky. But it quickly became an infamous day, one that would be filled with clouds of smoke and a day when a nation, and much of the world, would be shaken to its core. A day when nearly 3,000 lives were snatched from the families who loved them. Today, 17 years later, we can each remember exactly where we were when we witnessed those horrific scenes. We cannot forget the day we saw the world we thought we knew crumbling before us.

Never before had we felt so vulnerable and so angry. Never before had a foreign enemy attacked us so brutally and so close to home.

Our friends in Israel unfortunately knew exactly how we felt, haven fallen victim to countless terrorist attacks of equal barbarism. While some in this region – enemies of both Israel and the United States – chose to celebrate, the people of Israel cried with us, mourned with us, and sought to comfort us from a pain they knew only too well.

To the bereaved families with us today – from this and other terror attacks – we cannot begin to imagine the pain you've endured these many years. We will never fully understand how difficult it has been for you to carry on, to summon the strength to rebuild your lives.

In this beautiful plaza, at this inspiring location, we remind the families of those lost and we confirm to people everywhere, that we stand together – Americans and Israelis – and that together we continue to heal and to build, in a spirit of solidarity and commitment to the future.

This year, we gather in the most meaningful and poignant period in the Jewish calendar. We meet today a few days before Rosh Hashana. The Torah teaches that we are created in the "image of G-d" "Betzelem elokim," confirming the uniqueness of every single human being. Each life lost represents a precious and unique individual, who has no replacement or substitute.

Rosh Hashana is also known as Yom Hazikaron – Day of Remembrance, and one of the main sections of the prayer service is zichronot - remembrances – a time to remember our personal histories and our actions during the past year.

Why is remembering so important? Why are we here again, 17 years later, in remembrance of those nearly 3,000 people who were killed on that tragic day? Sometimes people will say to us when we are grieving, "You must not keep thinking about the past. It's not healthy. The past is gone. You have got to focus on the future." As well-meaning as this advice might be, the advice is misguided. For remembrance — recalling events, conversations, occurrences from the past — is one of the important ways that we mourn. Memory is basic to human life. History is an exercise in remembering – not forgetting – and the events of 9/11 are now and will always be part of our collective memory. And, simply put, we remember to maintain our vigilance that atrocities of the past will never recur.

Remembering the past is critical as we think of the future, a future without terror and a future of peace and reconciliation, a future where all our children and grandchildren can live side by side in peace, security and cooperation.

We at the American Embassy in Jerusalem are committed to achieving peace and reconciliation, and we work tirelessly to open communication channels between Israelis and Palestinians, Israeli Jews and Arabs and others minority communities in Israel, and open communication channels throughout the region—helping us all to better realize and focus on our shared goals and values, rather than our differences.

No country can take democracy for granted and the challenges to both of our country's democracies never cease. We each have the responsibility to do everything possible to protect and sustain our democracies from threats to their survival, including threats from terrorism. As we stand together today and share in the tragedy of September 11, 2001, Israel and the United States also share a deep friendship, a rock-solid security alliance, strong economic bonds, and a shared spirit of innovation. All of these are based on a foundation of shared values including ensuring security and peace for our peoples; and to do what we can to help the citizens of all countries live freer, more prosperous, and more democratic lives.

Recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel by moving its Embassy here is emblematic of the strong and unbreakable bilateral relationship between the United States and Israel. It's an opportunity to reaffirm our deep and enduring ties as well as convey the recognition that we share a common commitment to historical truth. How fitting it is that the only September 11th Memorial in the world that lists by name all those who lost their lives in this attack, is located here in Jerusalem.

I would like to wish everyone here Shana Tova Tikatevu v'taihatemu, May you be inscribed and sealed for a healthy, prosperous and successful new year in a world at peace.

Thank you."




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