A7News: Netanyahu in Europe: Strengthen the Saudis despite Khashoggi

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Friday, Nov. 02 '18, כ"ד בחשון תשע"ט



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HEADLINES:
1. NETANYAHU IN EUROPE: STRENGTHEN THE SAUDIS DESPITE KHASHOGGI
2. MOSHE 'CHICO' EDRI NAMED AS ISRAEL'S NEXT POLICE CHIEF
3. ATAR FAMILY LAID TO REST
4. SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING SUSPECT PLEADS NOT GUILTY
5. HOLLYWOOD HONORS THE IDF
6. NETANYAHU HAILS BRAZIL'S EMBASSY RELOCATION
7. WATCH: ISRAEL'S SPECIAL FORCES PRACTICE FOR WAR IN CYPRUS
8. EUROPE HELPS IRAN DESPITE NEW PROOF OF ITS THREATS TO FREE WORLD


1. NETANYAHU IN EUROPE: STRENGTHEN THE SAUDIS DESPITE KHASHOGGI
by Nitsan Keidar

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Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu took part today (Friday) in the Craiova Forum in Bulgaria, alongside the leaders of Greece, Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia.

Netanyahu is the first foreign leader to have been invited to the summit of nations as the guest of honor.

In the course of the joint statements to the press by the leaders, Netanyahu stressed Saudi Arabia's importance as a moderating element, despite the murder of political journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

"What happened in the Istanbul consulate was horrendous, and it should be duly dealt with," he explained. "At the same time I say that it's very important for the stability of the world – the region and the world – that Saudi Arabia remain stable. And I think that a way must be found to achieve both goals. Because I think that the larger problem is Iran, and I think that we have to make sure that Iran does not continue the malign activities that it has been doing over the last two weeks in Europe."

"We have helped uncover two terrorist attacks – one in Paris, and the other one in Copenhagen – organized by the Iranian Secret Service. And I think that blocking Iran is uppermost in our agenda for security, not merely for Israel, but I believe for Europe and the world as well."

Netanyahu also told reporters that Israel's invitation to the forum is "a great honor" for Israel and reflects Israel's rising status in the world. Each of the participating leaders, he divulged, promised him to work toward improving the way their countries vote on matters pertaining to Israel, in the EU and the UN.

Regarding the gas pipeline from the Leviathan field to Europe and the Balkans, Netanyahu said the participating countries are very interested in Israeli technology and seek friendship with Israel.

The EU is unhappy about Netanyahu's clear statements regarding his effort to change Europe's attitude toward Israel. The EU's spokesperson published a statement according to which "The European Union and Israel enjoy strong, reciprocal and useful ties. The EU is Israel's largest economic partner and we have a strong political alliance, and full commitment to the security and welfare of Israel."


2. MOSHE 'CHICO' EDRI NAMED AS ISRAEL'S NEXT POLICE CHIEF
by Tzvi Lev

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan announced on Friday that he will recommend Moshe 'Chico' Edri replace Roni Alsheikh as Israel's next police commissioner.

Edri beat out fellow police generals Yoram Halevi and David Bitan.

"Retired Major General Moshe Edri has impressive and proven command capabilities, along with many years of experience in a wide range of positions in the Israel Police and with great knowledge of the challenges facing the police in the coming years," said Erdan.

Moshe (Chico) Edri, married and father of three, holds a BA in Land of Israel studies from Bar Ilan University and an MA in Middle Eastern studies from Tel Aviv University and lives in Kfar Oranim. Edri, 51, has been serving in the Israel Police since 1990. He is a graduate of a religious high school in Kiryat Shmuel and served in the IDF as deputy commander of the Golani reconnaissance unit.

Following his discharge from the IDF, he joined the police and served in various command and field positions, including the commander of the Taybe police station, the commander of the Kfar Saba station, the commander of the Yarkon district, the commander of the Etgar unit, and headed the traffic police.

Edri has also commanded both the Jerusalem District and the Tel Aviv District.


3. ATAR FAMILY LAID TO REST
by Yoni Kempinski, Eliran Aharon

Hundreds of people attended the funerals of the eight members of the Atar family from Psagot who perished in the fatal road accident near the Dead Sea. The funerals took place in the Netanya cemetery.

Meital Tzviel, a close friend of the Atar family, spoke in sorrow about the joy that characterized the Atar family and the community's coping with the disaster.

"When we heard about it, we refused to believe it," she said. "The heart is broken and I do not know how to accept it. I do not know how to tell the children how to deal it," says Meital. "We received the news, but it still hasn't registered. How can we commemorate such an amazing family as the Atar family? What can you take from them? "

Tzviel's family lived for years near the Atar family, and Meital relates talks about her friend Shoshi:" We lived together for years in the neighborhood. Shoshi was a good friend and there was a lot of nobility, wisdom, sensitivity and a desire to listen and to know. Educating the children was the main thing for them, they invested a lot in it."

"Really amazing children, the freedom that was given them and the dynamic with them, we would look and admire their growth - amazing family. Wherever I would see her we would stop and talk, and it was not just any conversation but deep conversation."

Tzviel explained how her children and those of the Atar family had a strong connection, and how the Atar kids were like members of her own household. "My children refused to believe it and said, 'We love them, how did it happen, how could that be?' They were very happy children, very funny, with lots of love for life, and this is a very prominent feature they had - and they received it from their parents."

Meital describes her conversation this morning with her son, who lost his good friend."My son said this morning, 'What, will I not see Yaakov Yisrael on the bus? We always talk before, talk afterward, make jokes, he will not be there?' And he just started to cry."

Meital believes in the ability of the Psagot community to cope and rise up from the disaster: "This community has gone through disasters, but I think that this community is amazing, it's an amazing community, there's an amazing community emergency response team (Tzachi) here and everyone acts without desire to receive something in return, and knows exactly what to do and how. And in situations like this, we see even more how amazing this community is."

The court extended the remand of the driver of the jeep who on Tuesday hit a car belonging to the Atar family from Psagot, killing all eight members of the family.

The suspect driver was brought before a judge, who ruled he was suspected of using prohibited substances before getting behind the wheel.

Heavy mourning has been felt on the streets of Psagot in Binyamin since it became known that the entire Atar family was wiped out on their way to a family trip in southern Israel: Yariv was 45 and Shoshi was 47. The children were Yaakov Yisrael, 12; Ateret, 11; Ayala, 9; Moria, 7; Yedid, 5; and Avigail, 3.

Yariv worked for a computer company and his wife Shoshi was a special education teacher at Keren Or in Jerusalem. The children attended elementary school and preschools in Psagot and the eldest son attended the Yeshiva High School in Mateh Binyamin in Beit El.

The Atar couple arrived in Psagot about 13 years ago, not long after their wedding. The family lived in the Ai neighborhood and about two years ago moved to the central neighborhood and established their place in the community.

"A noble family that surrounded everyone around them with their joy, they were people of kindness on an unimaginable level." Rabbi Yosef Weitzen, the rabbi of the village, said. "We have to do a soul-searching - but soul searching for eight people I don't know how to do."

Miriam Dadon, a close friend of the late Shoshi Atar, eulogized her, "Instead of getting a happy embrace for my son's Bar Mitzvah, we'll have to give another kind of hug. She was an island of sanity who always thought for the good."

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4. SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING SUSPECT PLEADS NOT GUILTY
by JTA

The suspect in the shooting attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue that left 11 worshippers dead pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Thursday morning in a federal courtroom.

Robert Bowers also requested a jury trial in the case, which includes 44 charges, 32 of them punishable by death.

Bowers, his arm bandaged, walked into the courtroom in a red prison jumpsuit and handcuffs. In a court appearance earlier this week he used a wheelchair.

CBS affiliate KDKA reporter Andy Sheehan described Bowers, 46, as "looking unpenitent. Perhaps somewhat defiant."

The charges against Bowers include the obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death and using a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to a crime of violence. They also include federal hate crime charges.

Federal prosecutors are seeking approval to pursue the death penalty against Bowers.

Bowers, who is in jail without bail, faces a penalty of death or life without parole, followed by a consecutive prison sentence of 535 years.


5. HOLLYWOOD HONORS THE IDF
by Arutz Sheva Staff

Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) raised $60 million at its annual Western Region Gala on Thursday.

Held at the landmark Beverly Hilton Hotelt, he figure represents the most money raised at any single FIDF event in the organization's history. The sold-out gala, which has become one of Los Angeles' premier charitable events, united over 1,200 supporters from across the country to support the brave men and women of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Guests at the star-studded gala included prominent names such as actor Ashton Kutcher, pop star Pharrell Williams, actor Gerard Butler, and vocalist Katharine McPhee.

"We are thrilled that so many members of our community, including major Hollywood figures, are coming together to help us support the brave men and women of the IDF," said event organizer and business mogul Haim Saban. "

Cheryl and I are extremely proud to chair this event for the 12th year, and to be part of this incredible organization that inspires more and more supporters and contributions every year."

The top donations announced at the event were $10 million from Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson and $10 million from Haim and Cheryl Saban.

Rabbi Eckstein, who has contributed more than $45 million to FIDF in the last few years, donated $5 million at the gala. "We are so deeply grateful to FIDF for the commendable support they provide the real heroes of Israel, the men and women on the front lines, and The Fellowship is proud to be their partner in this vital mission," said Eckstein.

The event featured a special performance by Pharrell Williams. Presiding as the evening's master of ceremonies was Staff Sgt. (Res.) Izzy Ezagui, an American who moved to Israel, became a decorated squad commander in the IDF, and returned to the battlefield after losing an arm in combat.

The gala presented a moving program, which told the 70-year history of Israel through the eyes of its heroes, including the multigenerational story of the Duvdevani family, whose members are commended for their heroic actions protecting Israel.

The experiences of the IDF's paramedics – the heroes behind the heroes – were shared through the stories of Staff Sgt. Yotam, a paramedic in the Paratroopers' Brigade, who helped an American soldier in need of critical medical treatment during Operation Swift Response, an international exercise in Poland;

Staff Sgt. Erez, who served as a combat medic in the "Egoz" unit of the Golani Brigade during the 2014 Operation Protective Edge, and supported his unit in the Shuja'iyeh neighborhood of Gaza, arriving at the scene under heavy fire and saving the life of his severely injured commander; and Lt. Noam, a paramedic in the Armored Corps who attempted to perform resuscitation on a critically wounded soldier during Operation Protective Edge, despite his low chances of survival.

Guests also celebrated the triumph of the human spirit as Col. Shai Siman-Tov, who was critically wounded during Operation Protective Edge, shared his story. His injuries left him paralyzed and in need of a wheelchair; however, undeterred by his injury, Shai returned to the IDF and is now a team leader at the Tactical Command College. In 2017, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel.

Funds raised at the gala will provide much-needed and well-deserved services such as academic scholarships to combat veterans, financial assistance for soldiers in-need, support for Lone Soldiers throughout their service and upon release, crucial aid for wounded veterans and the families of fallen soldiers, weeks of rest and recuperation for entire IDF units, as well as educational, cultural, and recreational facilities.


6. NETANYAHU HAILS BRAZIL'S EMBASSY RELOCATION
by Elad Benari

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Thursday hailed Brazilian president-elect Jair Bolsonaro's plan to move his country's embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

"I congratulate my friend Brazilian President-Elect, Jair Bolsonaro, for his intention to move the Brazilian Embassy to Jerusalem, a historic, correct and exciting step!" Netanyahu said in a statement.

Bolsonaro had earlier announced via Twitter that he intended to uphold his campaign promise.

"As previously stated during our campaign, we intend to transfer the Brazilian Embassy from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem. Israel is a sovereign state and we shall duly respect that," he wrote.

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Bolsonaro, who has been dubbed "the Trump of Brazil", was elected in a runoff on Sunday, defeating Workers' Party candidate Fernando Haddad by a ten-point margin, 55% to 45%.

Like Trump, he had vowed during the election campaign to relocate his nation's embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Bolsonaro also called for the closure of the Palestinian Authority embassy in the Brazilian capital, Brasilia.

"Is Palestine a country? Palestine is not a country, so there should be no embassy here," he said, adding, "You don't not negotiate with terrorists."

The Brazilian move would be following in the footsteps of the US and Guatemala.

Another country which relocated its embassy to Jerusalem was Paraguay, though its President Mario Abdo Benitez recently reversed his predecessor's decision and announced the embassy would move from Jerusalem back to Tel Aviv.


7. WATCH: ISRAEL'S SPECIAL FORCES PRACTICE FOR WAR IN CYPRUS
by Tzvi Lev

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The IDF's elite "Maglan" special forces and the Israeli Air Force reading for all-out war in a week-long exercise in Cyprus.

The war games was a joint exercise with the Cypriot National Guard, in which forces practiced for a variety of scenarios. Troops practiced counter-terrorism, urban warfare, open terrain warfare, sabotage and combat medicine in a unique exercise which enhanced the IDF's specialized capabilities in scenarios dealing with various terror groups.

This exercise was another milestone in the meaningful cooperation between the armed forces of Israel and Cyprus, as it is the third exercise conducted by the IDF in cooperation with the Cypriot National Guard on Cypriot soil. Joint exercises were conducted with the Cypriot National Guard in Israel as well.

"During the exercise, the soldiers of the "Maglan" unit were engaged in complex missions and demonstrated professionalism and combat readiness, as part of the ongoing cooperation between the armies in recent years," said Maglan Commander Lt. Col. R.:

"Over the course of the week the troops dealt with dynamic and alternating assignments, adverse weather conditions and detailed enemy simulation. The unique nature of this exercise is that it presents a tactical, physical and mental challenge to the forces, and I am proud to report that the soldiers and commanders have dealt with all the tasks in an exceptional manner."

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Cypriot International Cooperation Unit head Lt. Col. Adonis Charalambous added that "This is a significant exercise that illustrates the ongoing cooperation between the Cypriot army and the IDF in recent years."

"Our soldiers gain significant experience in every joint exercise with IDF commando units, especially in the areas of urban warfare and combat techniques. We are concluding an outstanding exercise and are confident that the successful cooperation with the IDF will continue in the future."

Maglan training in Cyprus
IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Maglan training in Cyprus
IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Maglan training in Cyprus
IDF Spokesperson's Unit


8. EUROPE HELPS IRAN DESPITE NEW PROOF OF ITS THREATS TO FREE WORLD
by Yochanan Visser

This could have been the week that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the 2015 landmark nuclear deal with Iran, should have been terminated by the European powers which negotiated the agreement together with the Obama Administration.

On Tuesday, Denmark announced it had foiled an Iranian plot to assassinate Iranian dissidents on Danish soil.

An Israeli diplomat later revealed the Mossad had tipped off the Danish government about the planned murder of an Arab Iranian opposition leader who Iran suspects of having played a role in the September 22 shooting attack on a military parade in Ahvaz, Iran. The attack killed 25 Iranian military personnel, many of them members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

The foiled terror attack followed an earlier Iranian attempt to target a conference of the Iranian opposition in Paris which was foiled with the help of Mossad intelligence.

"The Mossad's efforts have led to thwarting Iranian terrorism in France, Belgium, Austria, Germany and now Sweden and Denmark," the Israeli source was quoted as saying.

The JCPOA was meant not only to curb Iran's nuclear aspirations, but also to allow it to be become normal nation which would be a responsible member of the international community.

A Wall Street Journal editorial blasted the European Union for not implementing fresh sanctions on Iran as the Danish government demanded after foiling the assassination of members of the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahvaz.

"The European Union looks unserious about a real internal threat," the WJS editors wrote after Frederica Morgerini, the EU's foreign-policy chief refused to take action against Iran and replied to the Danish demand by saying she was "following events".

"The European Union is displaying a fundamental lack of seriousness about a country uninterested in distinctions between bombs, missiles and assassinations," the editorial board of the WSJ concluded.

It's even worse.

After the US Administration withdrew from the JCPOA and re-imposed sanctions on Iran the EU attempted to throw a lifeline to Iran's ailing economy updating a 'Blocking Statute' which was meant to allow European companies to continue their business dealings with Iran despite the new sanctions.

In July the EU held a meeting with the remaining participants in the JCPOA and vowed to find "practical solutions in order to maintain the normalization of trade and economic relations with Iran."

It didn't prevent a host of European companies from terminating their operations in Iran and it also didn't help to improve the economic situation in the Islamic Republic.

With the Trump Administration set to introduce new sanctions which are meant to strangle Iran's petrochemical industry the Islamic Republic is bracing for more hardships.

"The situation was (already) hard for people in the recent months, and it may be hard in the next several months too," Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said during a televised Cabinet meeting this week.

The Iranian President accused the Trump Administration of making the Iranians "angry at their government," but claimed the population of the Islamic Republic is "mad at America and its crimes - not at their government and its ruling system."

The already existing sanctions forced the Iranian government to reshuffle the economy after the Iranian currency Rial hit a new low against the dollar.

One dollar now buys 140,000 Rials down from 50,000 at the beginning of 2018, according to the Central Bank of Iran.

Rouhani acknowledged that part of the huge economic problems in Iran has to do with the "high rate of exchange of hard currencies" but said Iran's "foreign currency reserves were better than any in the past five years."

Problems in Iran further increased after the country was struck by a mysterious computer virus earlier this week.

The virus is more dangerous than the Stuxnet virus which targeted Iran's uranium enrichment industry several years ago.

Iran "has admitted in the past few days that it is again facing a similar attack, from a more violent, more advanced and more sophisticated virus than before, that has hit infrastructure and strategic networks," the Israeli broadcaster KAN reported on Tuesday.

KAN said Israeli officials refused to comment on the discovery of the virus, but pundits in Israel think the Mossad and perhaps the CIA are behind the operation just as they developed the Stuxnet virus.

The problems Iran is currently facing have yet to effect its belligerent military operations abroad which are mainly targeting the United States and Israel.

On Saturday, the IRGC provoked the US military in the Persian Gulf when two armed IRGC speedboats harassed the USS Essex aircraft carrier while Centcom commander Joseph Votel visited the ship.

CNN reported that at one point the Iranian vessels "crossed in front of the Essex about 300 yards away from the ship."

Since 2016 there have been 50 of these Iranian attempts to harass US navy ships in the Persian Gulf.

At the same time, the IRGC in Syria ordered Islamic Jihad to launch more than 30 rockets from Gaza at southern Israel, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

The missile attacks brought Israel to the brink of a new Gaza war which was averted only after the Egyptian government intervened.

On Monday, the Israeli air force responded by targeting an Iranian weapons transport in Syria which was bound for Hezbollah.

The transport reportedly contained guided missiles which would allow Hezbollah to launch precision attacks on Israeli population centers and military infrastructure in the Jewish state.

On Thursday, Syrian media reported that Iran is continuing its entrenchment in southern Syria despite that.

Abolfazl Tabatabai, personal representative of Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was spotted in the southern Syria city of Daraa where he conducted talks with Syrian officials and commanders.

Tabatabai's visit coincided with new reports that Hezbollah is encroaching on the Israeli border at the Syrian Golan Heights while the Iranians are now controlling Syria's border with Jordan.

According to Adham al-Krad, the former commander of the Free Syrian Army, the Iranians are 'Shiittizing' the border region in southern Syria and delivering weapons to "anonymous entities".

With Russian help the Syrians are forming new divisions in southern Syria consisting of rebels who signed a reconciliation agreement with the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

A Syrian military analyst told Enabbaladi News that the Iranian forces in southern Syria now threaten the national security of Israel.





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