A7News: Tzipi Hotovely offered to lead Jewish Home

Arutz Sheva Daily Israel Report
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Tuesday, Jan. 22 '19, ט"ז בשבט תשע"ט





HEADLINES:
1. TZIPI HOTOVELY OFFERED TO LEAD JEWISH HOME
2. SHAS CHIEF: WE'LL BACK NETANYAHU AS PM - EVEN IF HE'S INDICTED
3. WATCH: STONE-THROWERS CAUGHT RED-HANDED
4. REPORT: 21 DEAD IN ISRAELI STRIKES IN SYRIA
5. BRIDE ORPHANED IN CAR CRASH
6. REPORT: 11 DEAD IN ISRAELI AIRSTRIKES IN SYRIA
7. THESE ARE THE IRANIAN SITES THAT WERE ATTACKED IN SYRIA
8. NETANYAHU SPEAKS WITH RAMON CONTROL TOWER ON 1ST INBOUND FLIGHT


1. TZIPI HOTOVELY OFFERED TO LEAD JEWISH HOME
by Shimon Cohen

The Jewish Home offered Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely (Likud) leadership of the party if she bolted from the Likud, Hotovely told Arutz Sheva.

Since the departure of party chairman and Education Minister Naftali Bennett and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, the Jewish Home has struggled in the polls, often failing to clear the electoral threshold.

Without a party chairman, the Jewish Home has averaged roughly three seats in recent Knesset polls – shy of the 3.25% threshold to enter the Knesset, equivalent to 3.9 seats-worth of votes.

In their search for a new leader, party activists appealed to Hotovely on multiple occasions, offering her leadership of the Jewish Home if she would leave the Likud.

Speaking with Arutz Sheva Tuesday, Hotovely said she turned down the offers, saying she believes the Likud, ultimately, is the ideal political home for the Religious Zionist community.

"A number of leading rabbis [in the Religious Zionist] community turned to me – leading yeshiva deans – and said that given the [political] crisis the Religious Zionist movement now finds itself in following the departure of Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked, they want me to accept responsibility for the community which I grew up in.

"But I'll say it now openly that I refused their offers. A decade ago, I chose the Likud. I believe that the place for Religious Zionism is within the Likud, which is a large party with also has the most traditional and religious people. The more Religious Zionist people in the Likud, I believe, the better the interests of the community will be served, like teaching [students] to love the Torah and the Land of Israel. It is a national party that identifies with these values.

"Some of the people who turned to me approached me in person, while others called me on the phone, telling me they felt that there was no leadership [in the Jewish Home], and that there needs to be a politically savvy person with Religious Zionist values, and that they respect me and see me as a representative of the [Religious Zionist] community despite my being in the Likud, and that it would be natural for me to take the reins of power [in the Jewish Home].

"Despite the very well-intentioned appeals, I made it very clear to all of them that I intend to stay in the Likud and run for a term as Education Minister with the goal of bringing about major changes in the ministry."


2. SHAS CHIEF: WE'LL BACK NETANYAHU AS PM - EVEN IF HE'S INDICTED
by Hezki Baruch

The Sephardic haredi party Shas will endorse incumbent premier Binyamin Netanyahu for an additional term as Prime Minister after the April 9th elections – even if Netanyahu is indicted on corruption charges, Shas chief and Interior Minister Aryeh Deri said Tuesday.

Speaking at a special event Tuesday marking the launch of Shas' 2019 election campaign, Deri vowed that his party would not back any rival candidate's attempt to form a governing coalition, and that he would support Netanyahu even if Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit decides to indict Netanyahu.

The Prime Minister is currently facing possible indictments in three separate investigations, known as Case 1000, Case 2000, and Case 4000. Police have recommended Netanyahu be charged in the three cases, which stem from allegations Netanyahu and his family accepted cash and expensive gifts from a businessman in exchange for favors (Case 1000), claims Netanyahu advanced a newspaper's interests in exchange for favorable coverage (Case 2000), and allegations Netanyahu pushed regulatory changes to benefit the Bezeq telecommunications company in exchange for favorable coverage from a news outlet owned by the leading shareholder of Bezeq (Case 4000).

"We support Binyamin Netanyahu completely, and we will only endorse him for prime minister, even if he is indicted, so long as the law permits him [to serve]."

"Prime Minister Netanyahu knows that his most loyal and reliable partners are us, the members of the Shas party. We never threatened him or made coalition crises. We were more loyal partners to him than some members of the Likud. So Likud voters should understand that by voting Shas, they get two [things]: Netanyahu [as prime minister], and also the country which they love: traditional, respecting religion, and our [religious] heritage."

Deri also expressed optimism regarding his party's electoral prospects, despite polls showing Shas barely clearing the electoral threshold.

"I've heard more than a few people say that Shas is finished; it had a good run and now it can get off the stage. There are even some people who try to 'help us'. I want to tell everyone, we don't need any favors."

"For thirty years now, the Sephardic community has been taking care of itself, and that will continue. I don't want to think what would happen to our community if they wouldn't have Shas. They would be lost, invisible."


3. WATCH: STONE-THROWERS CAUGHT RED-HANDED
by Kobi Finkler

📹 To watch the video: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/257972

IDF soldiers arrested five Arabs who rioted and threw stones at civilians and soldiers in Tel Tekoa, Gush Etzion. The incident and arrests took place last weekend.

Captain Omer Ayalon, a company commander in Battalion 636, said that "the battalion carries out many activities in the area in order to gather information and arrest rioters by various means. We will continue to operate in the Tekoa area and continue to ensure quiet and security for the residents."

The IDF stated that the fighters "are investing great efforts in this area in order to eradicate terror incidents and will continue to act as much as necessary in order to allow the residents of the region full security."


4. REPORT: 21 DEAD IN ISRAELI STRIKES IN SYRIA
by David Rosenberg

The death toll in an Israeli attack on Syrian and Iranian targets inside of Syria has risen from 11 to 21, an anti-Assad monitor group claimed Tuesday.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based group opposed to the Assad regime, said Tuesday morning that the number of casualties in Israel's airstrikes Monday had risen to 21.

"There are 15 foreigners among the dead, including 12 from the Iranian forces," SOHR chief Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. "Six Syrians from the regime were also killed."

That figure includes 12 Iranian soldiers from the Revolutionary Guards, 6 Syrian soldiers, and three other non-Syrian nationals.

The SOHR claimed that three Israel Air Force squadrons were involved in the predawn attacks Monday morning, which reportedly also included the firing of surface-to-surface missiles.

Israel has confirmed it attacked military targets in Syria in response to the launching of a surface-to-surface rocket that was carried out on Sunday by Iranian Quds forces operating in Syrian territory.

The targets hit by the Israeli attack included Syrian-operated air defense systems and Iranian munitions depots, an intelligence site, and an Iranian-operated military training camp.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu warned Iran Monday that Israel would continue to strike at Revolutionary Guards positions in Syria, and that the IDF was prepared to retaliate for any Iranian escalations.

"We are acting against Iran and against the Syrian forces that abet the Iranian aggression. Whoever tries to hurt us – we hurt them. Whoever threatens to destroy us will bear the full responsibility."


5. BRIDE ORPHANED IN CAR CRASH
by Sponsored Content

When Michal* was only 19 she tragically lost her both parents in a car crash. This is Michal's story:
"I lost my parents recently, after they were in a horrible car accident. I was already engaged. Since then all of my savings toward the wedding went toward things like paying bills … buying my siblings winter coats and shoes … I work 3 jobs just to get by."

Michal is one of the 33 orphans in Israel facing a difficult challenge: they are making a wedding this month without their parents. Tragically, their parents have passed away and are no longer alive to provide for their children. Fortunately, they have been selected to participate in Kupat Ha'ir's orphan wedding campaign for Chodesh Shevat.

"My chassan is an orphan as well. We are praying that we will be able to make enough to get us started in a basic apartment. We'll still be supporting my siblings with our jobs, but it would be so nice to have some simple second-hand furniture of our own."

This young kallah will be able to start her married life with some financial security if the campaign for Chodesh Shevat succeeds in reaching its goal. Step in and be her parents, they are not here to help her prepare for the wedding or for life after marriage.

HaRav Mordechai Shmuel Edelstein shlita will personally pray for all those who give 330 shekel ($90) at the kever of his father, HaRav Yaakov Edelstein ztz"l, on his upcoming yarzheit. Rav Edelstein shlita has also released a powerful statement that: "They will merit to see nachas from all their children, and to find fitting matches for them easily."

33 young orphans are praying that you will take advantage of this incredible opportunity to have one of the gedolei hador daven for you. 33 orphans are hoping that you will open your hearts to their suffering and be their parents on their wedding day.

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6. REPORT: 11 DEAD IN ISRAELI AIRSTRIKES IN SYRIA
by David Rosenberg

A total of 11 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Syria overnight, a monitor group claimed Monday morning.

Israeli fighter planes hit a number of Iranian positions in Syria, the IDF said Monday morning, in response to the launching of a surface-to-surface rocket that was carried out on Sunday by Iranian Quds forces operating in Syrian territory.

The targets of the predawn Israeli strikes Monday morning included Iranian weapons depots, an Iranian intelligence site, and a military training camp used by Iranian forces in Syria. The Israeli strikes also targeted multiple Syrian surface-to-air missile batteries.

According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an anti-Assad NGO, a total of 11 people were killed in the Israeli attacks.

Of the 11 people killed, two were Syrians, the SOHR claimed.

"Israeli strikes targeting Iranian and Syrian military positions near and south of Damascus killed at least 11 fighters including two Syrians," SOHR chief Rami Abdel Rahman said.

Russia's military claimed four Syrians were killed in the attacks, with another six injured. It did not specify how many Iranians were killed in the strikes.

The Israeli attacks included both fighter jets and long-range cruise missiles, Russia claimed, adding that Syria's air defense network downed more than 30 Israeli missiles.

📹 To watch the video: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/257912


7. THESE ARE THE IRANIAN SITES THAT WERE ATTACKED IN SYRIA
by Elad Benari

📹 To watch the video: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/257907

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said on Monday morning that the IDF air strikes in Syria overnight Sunday targeted Iranian Quds Forces military targets in Syria in addition to Syrian aerial defense batteries.

The attack on the Quds Force targets was carried out in response to the launching of a surface-to-surface rocket that was carried out on Sunday by Iranian Quds forces operating in Syrian territory into Israeli territory and was aimed at the northern Golan Heights. The IDF's Iron Dome aerial defense system intercepted the rocket.

The following military targets were struck as part of the IDF's attack targeting the Iranian Quds military sites in Syria: munition storage sites and a site located in the Damascus International Airport, an Iranian intelligence site and an Iranian military training camp.

During the strike, dozens of Syrian surface-to-air missiles were launched, despite clear warnings to avoid such fire. In response, several of the Syrian Armed Forces' aerial defense batteries were targeted.
The sites attacked in Syria overnight Sunday. Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit

"In firing towards Israeli territory yesterday, Iran once again offered definitive proof of its real intentions of its entrenchment in Syria, which endangers the State of Israel and regional stability," said the IDF Spokesperson's Unit.

"The IDF will continue operating determinedly to thwart Iranian entrenchment in Syria."

"In addition, the IDF holds the Syrian regime responsible for everything taking place within Syria and warns the Syrian regime against targeting Israel or permitting it to be targeted," it added.

The IDF is prepared for a wide variety of scenarios and will continue operating as needed in order to defend Israeli civilians, the statement said.

For the time being, the Mount Hermon ski site will not open for visitors on Monday.


8. NETANYAHU SPEAKS WITH RAMON CONTROL TOWER ON 1ST INBOUND FLIGHT
by Mordechai Sones

📹 To watch the video: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/257935

In anticipation of the first flight landing at Ilan and Assaf Ramon Airport in Eilat, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu contacted the control tower in the field.

"Ramon, this is Arkia 763. We are very moved to be on the first flight to Ramon Airport. We see you clearly. The airport is very important vis-à-vis our national security, the development of the Negev and Eilat, and the development of civil aviation.

"This truly is very, very moving. This moment and this airport cause us to remember Ilan, Asaf and Rona Ramon. The Ramon family will be with us here. We are due to land."

Ramon Airport
Yonatan Sindel/Flash90
Ramon International Airport in the Timna Valley, southern Israel
Flash 90