A7News: Angela Merkel to resign as party chief

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Monday, Oct. 29 '18, כ' בחשון תשע"ט



In the wake of some unfortunate news in Bet El Institutions, please assist today:
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HEADLINES:
1. ANGELA MERKEL TO RESIGN AS PARTY CHIEF
2. CAN REPUBLICANS HOLD ON TO CONGRESS?
3. 'THE PEOPLE WANT TO BOMB TEL AVIV'
4. WATCH: ISRAELI MINISTER VISITS GRAND MOSQUE OF ABU DHABI
5. SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING VICTIMS IDENTIFIED
6. 11 KILLED IN PENNSYLVANIA SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING
7. BRITISH LAWMAKER BLAMES PITTSBURGH SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING ON ISRAEL
8. ABBAS: PAYING TERRORISTS IS OUR 'RED LINE'


1. ANGELA MERKEL TO RESIGN AS PARTY CHIEF
by David Rosenberg

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is planning on resigning as head of the Christian Democratic Union, sources close to the chancellor said Monday morning.

A number of German media outlets reported Monday that Merkel is set to step down as chair of the CDU, but is hoping to remain chancellor, after being reelected in September, 2017.

The decision comes following a regional election in the state of Hesse on Sunday, which saw the center-right CDU and its coalition partner, the center-left Social Democratic Party, both lose ground again to rivals on the left and right.

While the CDU remained the largest faction in the Hesse regional election with 27% of the vote, the vote marked the party's poorest performance there since 1962, dropping 11.3% from the party's 38.3% in the 2013 election.

The Social Democrats fell by a comparable amount – 11.1% - declining to just 19.8% of the vote, nearly tied with the Green Party, which rose from 11.1% in 2013.

The right-wing AfD party, which made massive gains in last year's general election, also increased its share of the vote, rising from 4% in 2013 to 13.1%.

Earlier this month, the Christian Social Union – an ally of the CDU – suffered similar losses in a regional election in Bavaria, dropping from 101 seats in the local legislature to 85, while the Greens and AfD won again made significant gains.

The CDU's and CSU's losses in the local elections come on the heels of the party's decline in last year's general election, fueled in part by a popular backlash against Merkel's immigration policies, which have led to a rapid increase in the number of asylum seekers residing in Germany.

The party's declining electoral fortunes have put pressure on Merkel within the CDU, and likely prompted her decision Monday' to resign as party chair. According to German media outlets, Merkel informed party leaders that she would not run for reelection as the CDU's chief in a vote scheduled for December.

Despite her plans to resign, Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported that Merkel intends to stay on as Chancellor.

Merkel as led the CDU for 18 years, and has served as Chancellor since 2005.


2. CAN REPUBLICANS HOLD ON TO CONGRESS?
by David Rosenberg

With just eight days left until this year's mid-term elections, Republican prospects for retaining control of Congress continue to rise, buffeted in part by what some have called the "Kavanaugh Effect", named after US Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

For much of the campaign cycle, both generic ballot polls and polling of individual races suggested that the election would likely result in a "Blue Wave", with Democrats sweeping control of the House of Representatives and picking up as many as 40 or 45 seats.

In the Senate, Democrats seemed poised to make gains by picking up Republican seats in Arizona, Nevada, and even deep-red Tennessee – potentially flipping the Senate as well, despite the fact that only 9 of the 34 seats up this year are held by Republicans.

The polling data seemed to reinforce the narrative that the Democratic base, still frustrated over President Trump's surprising 2016 win and angered by his policies on immigration, would turn out en masse, while Republican voters would vote in smaller numbers, as is often the case with supporters of the party in power.

By mid-September, according to the RealClearPolitics average of polls, Democrats were averaging 31 net pickups in the House of Representatives, 8 more than the 23 they need to take control over the 435-seat lower chamber.

In the Senate the RCP average showed the Democrats with an average net pickup of one seat in the Senate, bringing the upper chamber to 50-50, with Vice President Mike Pence as the tie-breaker.

But since a televised Senate hearing featuring testimony by Judge Brett Kavanaugh, President Trump's nominee to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy, and Kavanaugh's accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, polls have shown a distinct shift in the GOP's favor.

Kavanaugh's impassioned rebuttal to his accuser's claims not only secured his confirmation – which passed by a narrow 50-48 margin – but also placed the spotlight on Democratic lawmakers who voted against Kavanaugh's confirmation. Culture wars over political correctness and the role of gender and race in the public sphere seemingly reinvigorated Republicans and Republican-leaning voters.

During the three weeks after the September 27th hearing, Republicans went from a one-seat net loss in the Senate, according to the RCP average, to a three-seat net gain.

Republicans gain ground in the House as well, cutting the average Democratic lead from 17 seats and an average of 31 pick-ups to an average lead of just 4 seats with 24 pick-ups. As Democrats need 23 pick-ups to take control of the House, this places Republicans on the cusp of retaining control of the lower chamber.

Fueled by significant increases in support among male voters, Republican-leaning voters, and middle class voters, the Republican gains in the polls have benefitted the president as well, pushing his approval rating according to the RCP average of polls from 41% on the eve of the Kavanaugh hearing to 45%.

Online gamblers now see the GOP as favorites to retain control of the House, with MyBookie putting the odds at -140 to +110 in favor of Republican control – meaning that to win $100 in such a bet on the site in favor of the GOP, a gambler must bet $140. If Democrats win, however, a $100 bet would net the gambler $110.

This year's midterm could result in some significant surprises, however, with turnout rates reaching record highs for the post-World War II era.

According to data compiled by University of Florida professor of political science Michael McDonald, turnout in 2018 is on track to hit at least 48% - not seen since 1966 – and potentially reaching as high as 51%, the highest since 1914, The New York Times reported.

"If these patterns persist, we could see a turnout rate at least equaling the turnout rate in 1966, which was 48 percent, and if we beat that then you have to go all the way back to 1914, when the turnout rate was 51 percent," he said. "We could be looking at a turnout rate that virtually no one has ever experienced."


3. 'THE PEOPLE WANT TO BOMB TEL AVIV'
by Dalit Halevy

Thousands of Gazan Arabs held demonstrations throughout the Gaza Strip to protest the elimination on Sunday of three Arab terrorists east of Deir al-Balah by Israeli aircraft.

According to the IDF statement, the shooting at the three, 13-year-old youths, was carried out after they were found placing an explosive near the border fence. The Arabs claimed, on the other hand, that the boys had set up a trap to capture birds.

The demonstrators called on terror groups to respond to the killing of the youths. "The people want revenge," the demonstrators called out to Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

In Gaza City, demonstrators chanted: "The people want to bomb Tel Aviv" and "Oh warrior, oh Habib, bomb, bomb Tel Aviv."


4. WATCH: ISRAELI MINISTER VISITS GRAND MOSQUE OF ABU DHABI
by Hezki Baruch

[video:2048934]

Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev (Likud) visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque of Abu Dhabi, following an invitation by United Arab Emirates representative Sheikh Muhammed.

Completed in 2007 after ten years of construction and at a cost of over half a billion dollars, the mosque is one of the United Arab Emirates' most popular tourist attractions.

During the visit, Minister Regev wore traditional attire in respect of local customs, and removed her shoes upon entering the site.

"This mosque has a feeling of friendship and peace," Regev wrote in the mosque's guest book. "I wish [the people of] Abu Dhabi good tidings and peace to all."

Minister Regev's visit to the mosque caps off her historic trip to the UAE, during which she joined Israeli judokas at a tournament in Abu Dhabi.

The event marks the first time the Israeli anthem has been played in an Arab Gulf state

Regev's trip to the UAE, which began on Thursday, coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's visit to neighboring Oman, the first for an Israeli leader since 1996.

On the same day, an Israeli gymnastics delegation was in Qatar for the beginning of the world championships being held in Doha.

Miri Regev inside the mosque
צילום: חן קדם מקטובי



5. SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING VICTIMS IDENTIFIED
by David Rosenberg

The eleven victims of Saturday's deadly mass-shooting attack on a synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania have been identified.

Eight men and three women were among the dead, authorities announced Sunday, including 71-year-old Dan Stein, 75-year-old Joyce Feinberg, 65-year-old Richard Gotfried, 97-year-old Rose Malinger, 66-year-old Jerry Rabinowitz, 59-year-old Cecil Rosenthal and his 54-year-old brother David Rosenthal, 84-year-old Bernice Simon, Bernice's 86-year-old husband Sylvan Simon, 88-year-old Melvin Wax, and 69-year-old Irving Youngner.

The gunman, 46-year-old Robert Bowers, was reportedly inside the synagogue for roughly 20 minutes, shooting congregants and guests who had arrived for a circumcision ceremony held in the Tree of Life synagogue.

Bowers was armed with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle and several handguns.

After 11 people were killed and 2 others wounded, Bowers exited the synagogue, but was confronted by police officers, who opened fire on him.

During an exchange of fire with officers, Bowers wounded four officers on the scene, before he was shot and wounded. Bowers then surrendered himself to police and was placed under arrest.

Investigators said they were treating the mass-shooting as a hate crime, and confirmed Sunday that Bowers had made anti-Semitic statements and expressed a desire to massacre Jews during the 20-minute shooting attack.

"During the course of his deadly assault on the people of the synagogue, Bowers made statements regarding genocide and his desire to kill Jewish people," US Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania Scott Brady said Sunday.


6. 11 KILLED IN PENNSYLVANIA SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING
by Tzvi Lev

[youtube:2048844]

At least 11 people were killed after a gunman opened fire at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue. According to the report, the gunman yelled "All these Jews need to die".

The gunman has been preliminarily identified as 46-year-old Robert Bowers. The shooting reportedly happened during a circumcision ceremony and over 12 people were shot. 80 people were in the Synagogue during the shooting. Bauer also shot three police officers.

Tree of Life Congregation was founded more than 150 years ago and joined with the newer Or L'Simcha Congregation about 5 years ago to form the Tree of Life*Or L'Simcha Synagogue affiliated with the Conservative Movement.

The attack was condemned by President Trump, who tweeted that he is "Watching the events unfolding in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Law enforcement on the scene. People in the Squirrel Hill area should remain sheltered. Looks like multiple fatalities. Beware of active shooter. God Bless All!"

Trump later said during a rally on Indianapolis that "There must be no tolerance for anti-Semitism in America or for any form of religious or racial hatred or prejudice"

"We are praying for the families of the victims and our hearts go out to the wounded law enforcement officers in Pittsburgh."

"I was heartbroken and appalled by the murderous attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue today," said Prime Minister Netanyahu.

"The entire people of Israel grieve with the families of the dead. We stand together with the Jewish community of Pittsburgh. We stand together with the American people in the face of this horrendous antisemitic brutality and we all pray for the speedy recovery of the wounded."

Diaspora Affairs Minister Naftali Bennett condemned Saturday's grisly shooting, tweeting that "The State of Israel and the Israeli government received with shock and pain the reports of the terrible attack on the Jewish community in Pittsburgh. We anxiously follow the reports and pray that the event will end soon."

"At the same time, I have now instructed the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs to prepare to assist the community in every possible way. Our hearts are with the families of those killed and injured. May the memory of the murdered be blessed. "

Israeli officials say that Prime Minister Netanyahu is closely following the situation in Pittsburgh. The shooting was also condemned by Jewish Agency Chairman Isaac Herzog.

"A terrible massacre during the Shabbat service at the Etz Hayyim Synagogue in Pittsburgh," said Herzog. "We at the Jewish Agency are sore and distressed by the disaster of the warm Jewish community of Pittsburgh. The Jewish Agency is ready to assist in any way to the Jewish community in Pittsburgh and expresses its deep sorrow over the loss of life and the injury to the wounded."

[album:open:10694]



7. BRITISH LAWMAKER BLAMES PITTSBURGH SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING ON ISRAEL
by JTA

Jenny Tonge, a British House of Lords lawmaker with a history of making anti-Semitic statements, suggested that the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting was the fault of Israel's policy toward Palestinians.

"Absolutely appalling and a criminal act, but does it ever occur to Bibi and the present Israeli government that it's [sic] actions against Palestinians may be reigniting anti-Semitism?" wrote Tonge on Facebook Saturday. Bibi is the nickname of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

Tonge's text was about a URL to a Haaretz article about the shooting that day at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pennsylvania's second-largest city.

At least 11 people were killed in the attack, which occurred as worshipers were celebrating a brit milah, or circumcision. The alleged gunman, a 46-year-old white male named Robert Bowers, shouted "All these Jews need to die," according to reports.

Last year, Tonge, who was suspended from the Liberal Democrat party for anti-Israel rhetoric and later quit over the suspension, accused pro-Israel Jews of creating anti-Semitism in Britain by not criticizing the Jewish state.

David Collier, an activist and blogger who documents anti-Israel and anti-Semitic vitriol, wrote on Facebook and tweeted: "This is truly shameful. As the blood still stains the floor of the synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS, tries to turn the blame onto Israel." He added: "Baroness Jenny Tonge is an absolute disgrace."

[twittervideo:2048886]

Anticipating criticism, Tonge also wrote in her original post about "Bibi": "I suppose someone will say that it is anti-Semitic to say so?"

The post later disappeared from Tonge's Facebook feed.

She later posted a quasi retraction, citing a post by Robert Cohen, a British blogger on Israel and the Palestinians.

"I bow to this great article by Robert Cohen and acknowledge that to think that the Israeli government's persecution of the Palestinian people had anything to do with the actions of this gunman, may have been too hasty. We must wait for his trial and testimony to try to understand better this 'white' supremacy movement in the USA," she wrote.


8. ABBAS: PAYING TERRORISTS IS OUR 'RED LINE'
by Arutz Sheva Staff

Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas called the PA's continued payments to terrorists a "red line" that would not be halted under any circumstances.

"The salaries of the shaheeds (martyrs) are our red line. We absorb a lot of pressure, but we will not compromise or give up on this matter, the money will go to them - until the last expulsion," Abbas said during a speech at the Executive Committee of the PLO Sunday.

Abbas used his speech to attack the Trump Administration and curse US President Donald Trump.

"They are talking about the deal of the century.What remains to be done? The embassy was transferred to Jerusalem. UNRWA canceled the Americans and they claim there are only 40,000 refugees.

"We will not give up East Jerusalem, which was conquered from us in 1967. We will not compromise on an inch of the Palestinian capital," Abbas said. "All of East Jerusalem is ours."

He added that he would not be willing to try to bring about a separation between the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian Authority, despite the sanctions he has imposed on Gaza to weaken the Hamas government recently.

At the end of his speech, the PA chairman declared that this was "the most dangerous stage for the Palestinian people," adding that "we must strengthen ourselves and stand up to the US and Israel."




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