A7News: Israel and Arab Gulf state relations: 'Extraordinary times'

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Thursday, Dec. 20 '18, י"ב בטבת תשע"ט



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HEADLINES:
1. ISRAEL AND ARAB GULF STATE RELATIONS: 'EXTRAORDINARY TIMES'
2. 'THE ENTIRE JEWISH PEOPLE WILL PRAY FOR NETANEL THIS SHABBAT'
3. WATCH: THE FAILED 'TWO-STATE SOLUTION'
4. 'I HOPE US CONTINUES TO FOCUS ON HEZBOLLAH'S ACTIVITIES'
5. BUILD THEIR NEW HOME
6. WHITE HOUSE CONFIRMS US WITHDRAWAL FROM SYRIA
7. 'IF HEZBOLLAH ATTACKS, WE WILL BURY IT IN THE RUBBLE OF LEBANON'
8. ARAB MK: TERRORISTS ARE 'FREEDOM FIGHTERS'


1. ISRAEL AND ARAB GULF STATE RELATIONS: 'EXTRAORDINARY TIMES'
by Eliran Aharon

📹 To watch the video: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/256446

Foundation for Ethnic Understanding President Rabbi Marc Schneier spoke to Arutz Sheva about his groundbreaking work bringing understanding and normalization between Israel and the Arab Gulf states: "We're living in extraordinary times," Rabbi Schneier said. "There's a warming of relations between the Arab Gulf states and Israel. And one particular area where I think I've been very, very successful is making it clear to both Gulf leaders and to Muslim interfaith leaders that you cannot separate out Israel from Judaism.

"Meaning, Israel's not a seventy-year-old political reality for the Jewish People. Israel's at the very core; it's at the very center of Judaism, of our religion. So that asking to break out Israel from Judaism is like my asking halal and shariya to be broken out of Islam."

Rabbi Marc Schneier with Adel Al Jubeir (Saudi Arabia)
Foundation For Ethnic Understanding
Rabbi Schneier described the changes in attitudes he has observed over the years of his work: "So I've been involved with the Gulf states for close to twelve years. And ten years ago I would hear comments like, 'You know, Rabbis, we have nothing against Jews; it's the Zionists, it's the Israelis.' I no longer hear those comments, I no longer have that conversation. There is a recognition that if you want to engage in dialogue with the Jewish People, with the Jewish community; if you want to engage in an interreligious dialogue between Islam and Judaism, that you also need to acknowledge that Israel is very much at the core of the Jewish religion."

"Things are changing. I'm not going to sit here and to represent that 'we have arrived at the Promised Land' of Jewish/Muslim relations, or the Promised Land of Gulf/Israel relations. And if I can remind our viewers that in the Torah it took forty years to get to the Promised Land. I'm not suggesting that it will take that long to get to the Promised Land in terms of relations between Israel and the Gulf, but the wonderful news is that the journey has begun. And it's a journey that's moving in a very positive direction today."

Indeed, in December 1964, Bahrain hosted the Arab Regional Israel Boycott Conference. Today, they are looking to grow their own Jewish community: "The fact is that even in the Gulf I've been asked by different leaders, from Bahrain, from Khatar, from the United Arab Emirates to assist them in helping to build Jewish life in the Gulf. For example in Bahrain there is a Jewish community. A small Jewish community. But I've been asked by the King of Bahrain to help not only preserve the Jewish community, but to help grow the Jewish community, and what would it take to grow the Jewish community.

"These are all very, very positive developments along the journey; discussions that would not have taken place ten years ago, five years ago, even two years ago."
Rabbi Marc Schneier with UAE's Sheikh Nahyan (October 2018)
Foundation For Ethnic Understanding
They want peace with Israel, they want a connection with Israel?

"They very much desire establishing relations with Israel. Most people believe that their primary reason is the existentialist threat coming from Iran. I would make that reason number two. Number one, what I hear from most Gulf leaders, whether it's from Saudi Arabia or whether it's from Qatar or others, is that the primary reason is econimics, and I've heard comment like 'With our wealth and Israel's brain trust, Israel's technology, we could develop together the most powerful region in the world.

"My work focuses on the six Gulf states. That's Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait. I'm prepared to suggest or to predict that in the year 2019 you're going to see either one or two Arab Gulf states establishing relations with Israel. I do believe the first state will be the Kingdom of Bahrain. The King of Bahrain consistently - at least since I've known the King for seven-and-a-half years - has consistently made pronouncements in support of Israel. Just last week the Foreign Minister of Bahrain applauded Israel for cleaning out the tunnels in the north, and just a few days ago the Foreign Minister of Bahrain tweeted his support for Australia for recognizing West Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel."

📹 To watch the video: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/256446

"So you see theat the Kingdom of Bahrain has been very, very consistent in supporting Israel and wanting to establish diplomatic relations with Israel."

"In Bahrain you have a very tiny Jewish community of thirty-seven Jews. It's the only Gulf state that has an official synagogue, and the King would very much like to see that community grow.

"Recently we discovered that there is a small Jewish congergation in the Emirates, in Dubai, and again the Emirates would like to see that community grow.

"And then even in Qatar, for example, at their large university, which is a goup of many universities from the United States, there can be between 75-100 university students and college professors who are Jewish, so you see that in different Gulf states you do have tiny, small Jewish communities."

Saudi Arabia's King Salman welcomes Trump to dance with sword during welcome
Reuters
"Of all the six Gulf states, the one that is the most public, the one that is the most visible in working closely with the Israeli government is the Stae of Qatar. So that the money that was brought to Gaza was not only brought with the blessing of the Israeli government, it was brought at the request of the Israeli government. So Qatar and Israel would be a wonderful example of an Arab Gulf state and the State of Israel working and cooperating together."

"People are very excited, if not euphoric, and are very supportive of my work. When in modern Jewish history have you had the forces of the United States, specifically the Trump Administration, the State of Israel, and the six Gulf states all coming together - all these forces coming together.

"This is a time of great opportunity and great expectations and why I for one am very, very optimistic that we can see a very genuine, authentic, comprehensive peace for the region that would be a great benefit not only to the Israelis but to the Palestinians as well."

Rabbi Schneier with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain
Foundation For Ethnic Understanding
Area map
iStock
📹 To watch the video: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/256446

Dubai Marina
iStock
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
iStock
Kuwait Sunset
iStock
Muscat, Oman
iStock
Doha, Qatar
iStock
UAE Aerobatic Team Al Fursan (Fursan Al Emarat) performs at Marrakech Air Show
iStock
Manama at night, Bahrain
iStock



2. 'THE ENTIRE JEWISH PEOPLE WILL PRAY FOR NETANEL THIS SHABBAT'
by Uzi Baruch

"This coming Shabbat we, all the people of Israel, secular and religious, will pray for the critically wounded soldier Netanel Felber, who is fighting for his life," Education Minister Naftali Bennett wrote Wednesday.

The Chairman of the Jewish Home visited the soldiers Naveh Rotem and Netanel Felber, soldiers of the "Netzach Yehuda" battalion who were wounded in last week's terror attacks.

Bennett also wrote that "Netanel's condition is very serious because of a severe head wound. The doctors are administering treatment but the truth is that, with a wound like this, they are very limited." He added that Netanel's parents ask the Jewish people to pray this Shabbat for his healing. "All the people of Israel, secular, religious and haredi - we will pray as one for Netanel."

Felber's Hebrew name for prayer is Netanel Ilan ben Shayna Tzipora.

During the visit, the soldier Naveh Rotem, who was wounded in an attack at an army post near the town of Beit El, told the minister about the moments in which he was attacked by the terrorist. "At that moment I thought to myself that this could not happen, my wife could not stay alone. We grappled as I tried to break free in order to get in a position to shoot. The last picture I remember was the terrorist standing over me with a rock."

Naveh added that a resident of Beit El who passed by with her car in the area saved him. "She saw the terrorist attacking and began honking and calling for help."


3. WATCH: THE FAILED 'TWO-STATE SOLUTION'
by Arutz Sheva Staff

📹 To watch the video: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/256447


4. 'I HOPE US CONTINUES TO FOCUS ON HEZBOLLAH'S ACTIVITIES'
by Arutz Sheva Staff

📹 To watch the video: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/256444

Former Secretary of Defense and CIA Director in the Obama administration Leon Panetta discussed with Galei Tzahal the US intention to withdraw forces from Syria amid recent discoveries of Hezbollah's terror activity on Israel's northern border.

"My view is that Hezbollah has always threatened the security of Israel, that's been one of their goals, so it's not surprising that the Israelis would determine that some of the recent actions by Hezbollah are aimed at the possibility of creating problems in Israel," Panetta said.

"When I was director of the CIA and secretary of defense, we viewed Hezbollah as one of those terrorist groups that was seeking to undermine security in the Middle East, and we continued to focus on their activities.

"I'm hopeful that the US is continuing to do that."


5. BUILD THEIR NEW HOME

📹 To watch the video: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/256413

Beit Haggai Youth Village opens its gates and its heart to deprived youth from all over Israel who are unable to remain at their parents' homes for a variety of reasons. These at-risk youngsters have no family environment in which to thrive. Most come from religious backgrounds.

Beit Haggai Youth Village, established 30 years ago, is located in Beit Haggai, 10 km. (6 mi.) south of Hebron. The village operates according to a unique Family Model: Specially-trained couples with children each take in about ten youngsters aged 13-18, living under one roof as a family in a spacious home. The parents serve as role models and with their warmth, love and the surrounding professional infrastructure, they succeed in rehabilitating these young men and reintegrating them into Israeli society.

At the Village, they learn to get along with other youngsters, under the supervision of their "adoptive" couple. The school they attend has an advanced curriculum and atmosphere tailored to their needs, providing all necessary physical and emotional support. The couples make sure to provide the youngsters with a healthy, normative family environment, including family dinners, homework supervision, provision of clothing, regular medical care, social services and social and recreational activities.

During the 30 years since Beit Haggai Youth Village was founded, hundreds of graduates have gone on to preparatory programs for higher education, enlisted in the IDF, integrated into Israeli society and established outstanding families.

But to continue our successful endeavors, we need you!

We want to provide all our students with family housing in permanent structures rather than temporary quarters. Over the coming 48 hours, a mass fund-raising campaign will be conducted to enable the construction of an additional Family Unit.

We feel it is most important to respond to these youngsters' special needs by providing them with a completely homelike atmosphere. Those who have never experienced stability and security in their lives will finally be able to acquire a sense of permanence, strength and protection.

Please help us build a new home for them.

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6. WHITE HOUSE CONFIRMS US WITHDRAWAL FROM SYRIA
by Arutz Sheva Staff

The White House confirmed Wednesday that it has started withdrawing US troops from Syria, following reports that the US was considering a complete withdrawal from the country.

"We have started returning United States troops home as we transition to the next phase of this campaign," White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed in a statement.

"Five years ago, ISIS was a very powerful and dangerous force in the Middle East, and now the United States has defeated the territorial caliphate," Sanders said. "These victories over ISIS in Syria do not signal the end of the Global Coalition or its campaign."

She added that the US and its allies "will continue to work together to deny radical Islamist terrorists territory, funding, support, and any means of infiltrating our borders."

A US official told Reuters that all State Department personnel in Syria will be evacuated from the country within 24 hours, and that all US forces will depart within 60 to 100 days, once the final operation against ISIS has been completed.

US President Donald Trump tweeted Wednesday afternoon that his only reason to have US troops in Syria was to defeat ISIS, a mission which he said the US has accomplished.

"We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency."

According to Reuters, the United States still has about 2,000 troops in Syria, many of them special operations forces working closely with an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, which is led by Kurdish YPG forces.

The US move comes as Turkey threatens a new offensive against the US-backed Kurdish forces in northern Syria. Erdogan has repeatedly threatened to attack the YPG Kurdish militia operating east of the Euphrates River. The YPG has been battling ISIS with the assistance of the US.

Earlier on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova blasted the US presence in Syria at a news briefing, Reuters reported.

"From being a factor in the fight against terrorism, the illegal American presence in Syria is becoming a dangerous obstacle to the path to a settlement," she said.



7. 'IF HEZBOLLAH ATTACKS, WE WILL BURY IT IN THE RUBBLE OF LEBANON'
by Arutz Sheva Staff

On Wednesday, the United Nations Security Council held a special session to discuss Hezbollah's violation of Resolution 1701. The discussion took place at the request of Israel and the United States following the diplomatic efforts of Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, after the beginning of Operation Defensive Shield.

Ambassador Danon revealed to the Security Council members an aerial photograph of a "private compound" in the southern part of Kfar Kila about 80 meters from the Blue Line, from which an attack tunnel crossed the border into Israel, passing close to a UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) observation post.

Danon said that "Israel gave UNIFIL precise information about the location of the tunnel, but UNIFIL told the Lebanese army, which then was stopped when it tried to reach the area. This enabled Hezbollah to continue with concealing the tunnel's operations."

"Lebanese army officials are working for Hezbollah, while UNIFIL is not working ot fulfill its mandate in the region in the necessary manner," added the ambassador.

Ambassador Danon revealed an additional aerial photograph of the Lebanese town of Kfar Kila, in which he showed documentation of Hezbollah's terrorist infrastructure, including two tunnels that penetrated the border into Israel, along with observation posts and information gathering and weapons storage areas.

Ambassador Danon said: "Hezbollah has built a terror base in the region against Israel, and inside a civilian population. This not only clearly violates Resolution 1701, but also uses Lebanese civilians as human shields. If Hezbollah dares to attack Israel, it will be buried in the rubble of Lebanon."


8. ARAB MK: TERRORISTS ARE 'FREEDOM FIGHTERS'
by Arutz Sheva Staff

MK Hanin Zoabi (Joint List) harshly criticized the bill on the expulsion of the families of terrorists which passed its preliminary reading in the Knesset today, Wednesday, and called terrorists "freedom fighters."

"The collective punishment of family members of Palestinian freedom fighters, with or without legal process, constitutes a war crime as well as a moral offense," Zoabi wrote on her Twitter account.

"The Hague is waiting, and we have to do everything in order for the real criminals to be tried."

The 'Expulsion Bill', which would empower the IDF's Central Command chief to authorize the expulsion of relatives of terrorists responsible for attacks against Israel, went up for a preliminary vote before the Knesset plenum Wednesday, passing by a margin of 69 to 38.

If passed, the chief of the IDF's Central Command would be able to order relatives of terrorists to be expelled from their homes within seven days of a terror attack, and sent to a different area within Judea and Samaria.

MK Moti Yogev (Jewish Home), who drafted the bill, said the move was needed to restore Israel's deterrence against terrorism.

"Deterrence is the bedrock of Israel's security, a means of reducing terror attacks and saving lives while preserving law and order."

The Knesset voted on the bill following a string of terror attacks in Judea and Samaria, most of them perpetrated by the Hamas terrorist organization.