A7News: Hundreds attend funeral of lone soldier

Arutz Sheva Daily Israel Report
http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com
------------------------------------------------
Delivered Daily via Email, Sunday thru Friday



Thursday, Mar. 28 '19, כ"א באדר ב תשע"ט





HEADLINES:
1. HUNDREDS ATTEND FUNERAL OF LONE SOLDIER
2. 'HAARETZ HAS BEEN ANNOYING US FOR ABOUT A CENTURY'
3. FARMERS EXPELLED FROM GUSH KATIF SHAFTED YET AGAIN
4. LEBANESE-AMERICAN ANALYST: PALESTINIANS HAVE BEEN REFUSING PEACE
5. 'BREAKING THE SILENCE GATHERS INFO ON CONSCRIPTED SOLDIERS'
6. SYRIAN TV CLAIMS ISRAEL ATTACKED IN ALEPPO
7. WATCH: NETANYAHU SAYS US AND ISRAEL WILL NEVER BE PULLED APART
8. POLL: LIKUD LEADS BLUE AND WHITE


1. HUNDREDS ATTEND FUNERAL OF LONE SOLDIER
by Arutz Sheva Staff

Close to 1,000 soldiers and civilians arrived Thursday at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem to pay their last respects to IDF soldier Alex Sasaki, who passed away this week.

Sasaki, a lone soldier from the Golani Brigade who immigrated from the United States to contribute to the state through combat service in the IDF, was found dead earlier this week.

On various Facebook pages, an appeal was made to the public to attend Alex's funeral out of respect and appreciation for his contribution to the IDF.
Among the participants at the funeral were Alex's friends from the Golani Brigade, cadets in an officers' course who were on a tour of Jerusalem, and many citizens who wanted to pay him last respects and support his family in their time of distress.

One of the soldiers told Israel Hayom, "The Education Corps issued a statement about Alex's funeral so that as many soldiers as possible could come to accompany him on his last journey." Alex's friends in the Golani Brigade covered his grave with the earth of Jerusalem as some of them cried. Alex's commander, Yonatan Lux, said kaddish for him.

"Your friends and commanders saw you as an inspiration, a loyal friend who performs his responsibility in the best possible way," lamented Lieutenant Colonel Itai Matak, commander of the 12th Battalion. "You came to Israel, enlisted and chose the difficult and significant path. For me, you are the embodiment of Zionism. You brought calm and unity. We will remember your joy for life and your smile that remained even on the cold and hard nights."


2. 'HAARETZ HAS BEEN ANNOYING US FOR ABOUT A CENTURY'
by Arutz Sheva Staff

President Rivlin today, Thursday, opened the Haaretz Israel Democracy Conference.

The president began his remarks by saying "one hundred years of independent Hebrew journalism should not be taken for granted. One hundred years of giving a platform to crucial and civil discussion and debate is hugely important."

"Haaretz succeeds in annoying and irritating us all from time to time, for more or less a century," said the president. "I have been reading Haaretz for 70 years so I know what I don't agree with, and when they write good things about me in Haaretz, I am really worried and have a good look at what I have done. And yet, I think that it is one of the most important newspapers for the existence of Israeli democracy."

"It has always been committed to giving space to opposing and contradictory voices in its editorials. It has committed to the principle that democracy is not only majority rule. It is committed to the principle of giving a voice to the voiceless. Sometimes it is irritating, sometimes absolutely infuriating, and on the contrary, I sometimes ask myself – perhaps they are right? In any case, I wish us all that we continue to be irritated by this important publication for the next hundred years," he continued.

President Rivlin added, "Journalism and newspapers are supposed to be the oxygen and the disinfectant of democracy. A place where all views are heard, but also a place where facts are established. I know that public trust in the 'media', in journalism and journalists, is at a low. I also know that more and more newspapers see their role as combatants in the political sphere. But it is important to remember, particularly now, that the survival of the traditional press is vital for democracy. In the age of social media, the age of fake news, when everybody can be a self-appointed journalist, journalistic standards are critically important: to filter, to check, to search for the truth. Only if the traditional press maintains these standards, which have been neglected, of fairness, accuracy, proportionality, allowing the right of response and the right of everyone to their reputation – only then can it fight for its place and ensure its survival in the long run. A place where everything is published, without distinction between truth and lies, between reality and fantasy, between news and promoted content, is a place without free press. And a place without free press is not democracy."

"Right now, those standing for election to the Knesset are under examination, but the free press itself is also under the spotlight – its standards, its sifting of important and trivial, its ability to ensure that we citizens are as well-informed about the positions of the candidates and those who seek to lead us," he continued.

"My dear friends, it is not easy to be a president who is invited to speak at conferences during election season. Rather than continue to choose my words carefully, let me return to the previous century and speak about Salman Schocken."

The president spoke about Salman Schocken: "Salman was a man of vision and of deed. He saw the vital need to develop and strengthen the Jewish spiritual and cultural foundations of the Zionist endeavor. Allow me to also think out loud, for a moment. Although Salman 'only' bought the paper as a wedding present for his son, I think in honor of Haaretz's centenary, it would be right to revive the paper's Judaism supplement – in his name. Today, Haaretz flies the flag of democracy, but perhaps a comprehensive supplement would give voice to a wider discussion on Zionist ideology that believes in the right and the duty of the Jewish people to create a democratic framework for the state in the Land of Israel."


3. FARMERS EXPELLED FROM GUSH KATIF SHAFTED YET AGAIN
by Mordechai Sones

Can the State, which has given agricultural land to Gush Katif evacuees to help rehabilitate them, demand the land back? The court will have to decide the matter following a mammoth suit filed by agricultural families from Gush Katif evacuees, Israel Hayom reported.

According to the families, including the family of former MK Tzvi Hendel, only after they built themselves up and invested tens of millions of shekels constructing greenhouses and other working structures, the State claimed there was a problem with the land rendering it impossible to build greenhouses there.

In a petition filed with the Central District Court against the Israel Lands Authority, it was claimed that the families received land after they were evacuated from Ganei Tal and received land for housing and agriculture in Geranium Park in the Ashkelon area. However, according to the families, they received notice from the State they would have to evacuate the land without compensation or an alternative arrangement.

According to them, the State has undertaken to be able to establish greenhouses and engage in agriculture. The State also provided them with a building permit and gave them a lease agreement. But after a few years they received notice that they had to dismantle the greenhouses because wells were discovered in the area, so the land may not be used for real estate.

According to the families, the damage they will suffer from reneging on the agreement, the dismantling and the transfer may reach tens of millions of shekels and bring about their economic collapse.


4. LEBANESE-AMERICAN ANALYST: PALESTINIANS HAVE BEEN REFUSING PEACE
by Mordechai Sones

📹 To watch the video: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/261050

American Mideast Coalition for Democracy Co-Chair Tom Harb said in an interview on Al-Alam TV (Iran) that the "Palestinians" began with their refusals of peace with Israel with the 1947 Partition Plan, explaining that Arab countries are starting to think about their own interest since the Palestinians haven't offered any solutions, reports the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).

He also said that Lebanon's economy is weak and that foreign companies are unwilling to invest in it because of Hezbollah's unchecked influence.

'Palestinians'
Flash 90



5. 'BREAKING THE SILENCE GATHERS INFO ON CONSCRIPTED SOLDIERS'
by Arutz Sheva Staff

The Ad Kan Organization is continuing to attack Breaking the Silence. In a new video, published for the first time since the Attorney General's contentious decision to close the complaint against Breaking the Silence due to a 'lack of public interest,' Ad Kan reveals that Breaking the Silence gathers intelligence information from conscripted soldiers, government employees and others.

The video begins with Breaking the Silence investigator Avichai Stoller attempting to calm down an undercover Ad Kan member worried about providing testimony. Stoller says, "Don't worry about it. We have interviewed conscripted soldiers. Like you know these things… also government employees and people who by law cannot be exposed."

Later in the video, another Breaking the Silence activist, Nadav Bigelman, is seen speaking to a group of activists saying, "Good morning, I am Nadav from Breaking the Silence. I gave testimony even while I was a conscripted soldier."

In a third part of the video, a conversation between an undercover Ad Kan member and Bigelman is played. The two discuss another female soldier and Bigelman says "Tell her I would like to speak with her. Let's sit down and talk and move on from there." The Ad Kan member responds, "Are you sure? But she is still a conscripted soldier?" Bigelman says, "For sure!" The Ad Kan member again asks, "But can she even give testimony now?" and Bigelman ends the discussion with, "Yes. People regularly interview while serving. Of course."

The end of the video quotes the decision of Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit who said, "And even if we assume that the organization possesses information it is not authorized to possess, it seems that there is no public interest in opening a criminal investigation." The video then asks, "Is there still no 'public interest'?"

Gilad Ach, Director of Ad Kan, said "It appears that Breaking the Silence receives millions of dollars from foreign governments, gathers classified military intelligence from soldiers and government employees still serving as conscripts, even with the knowledge that such actions violate the law.

"The recordings in the video prove that Breaking the Silence has no lines they will not cross to obtain the information they desire, including violating the law by interviewing soldiers and government employees still serving. The amount of intelligence information, the reliability of the information, and the ways it was obtained, all demand an investigation in order to protect IDF soldiers and determine where classified information is being stored. Moreover, the true reason for the gathering of this information by Breaking the Silence must be determined and we cannot accept a mere statement about 'a lack of public interest.'"

Breaking the Silence Spokesman Dean Issacharoff said in response, "Arutz Sheva hahaha."

It is worth recalling that just under three years ago, Channel 2 published a report about Breaking the Silence based on recordings provided by Ad Kan. The report demonstrated that Breaking the Silence gathers intelligence information on IDF soldiers. Later, Ad Kan filed a complaint with the police and Israeli Prosecutor's Office against Breaking the Silence. The complaint was rejected by the Prosecutor's Office. Ad Kan has continued to fight this decision by appealing to the Attorney General who recently ruled that the prosecution's decision should be upheld and that there is no 'public interest' in a criminal investigation.

Video (Hebrew):

📹 To watch the video: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/261045



6. SYRIAN TV CLAIMS ISRAEL ATTACKED IN ALEPPO
by Elad Benari

The official Syrian news agency SANA reported on Wednesday evening that heavy explosions were heard at the airport in the city of Aleppo.

According to the report, a number of "enemy airstrikes" struck the Shiekh Najjar District of the city.

Syrian state television reported that the attack was an Israeli attack and noted that "Syria's air defense forces intercepted several missiles."

It was also reported that the attack targeted warehouses used by the Iranian forces operating on Syrian soil.

The entire city of Aleppo is reportedly in darkness as the electricity flow to the city stopped immediately after the attack began.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that there were casualties in the attacks on Aleppo.

Last month, official Syrian media outlets claimed that Israeli tanks had opened fire on positions in Kuneitra on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights.

Subsequent reports claimed that the attack was an Israeli airstrike and that it killed two members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards.

Israel did not comment on the reports.


7. WATCH: NETANYAHU SAYS US AND ISRAEL WILL NEVER BE PULLED APART
by Gary Willig

📹 To watch the video: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/260943

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu addressed the AIPAC policy conference from Israel Tuesday.

Netanyahu had been scheduled to speak at Israel live in Washington DC. However, he flew back to Israel following the rocket attack on the town of Mishmeret which destroyed a home and injured seven people Monday morning.

The prime minister began by addressing Israel's ongoing military response to the rocket fire from Gaza. "We are prepared to do a lot more. We will do what is necessary to defend our people and to defend our state."

He praised the bipartisan support for Israel by both Republicans and Democrats, saying that that bipartisanship is "the way it should always be."

Netanyahu thanked US President Donald Trump for signing an official order recognizing Israel's sovereignty on the Golan Heights.

"Yesterday, at the White House, President Trump again made history. He formally recognized Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Now that decision deserves enormous applause," he said.

"The Golan Heights is indispensable for our defense. It's part of our history. When you put a shovel in the ground there, what you discover is the ruins of ancient synagogues. Jews lived there for thousands of years and the people of Israel have come back to the Golan. Israel holds the high ground, and we shall never, ever give it up. It's part of Israel," the prime minister said.

Netanyahu also thanked President Trump for recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, and withdrawing from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

He said that those who wish to pull the US and Israel apart "will fail. Our shared values are too deep, our shared interests are too strong, our shared destiny too intertwined."

"But having said that, I must tell you that we must never take anything for granted. Those who seek to defame this great organization AIPAC, those who seek to undermine America's support for Israel, they must be confronted. Despite what they claim, they do not merely criticize the policies of Israel's government. In Israel that happens every five minutes. They do something else. They spew venom that has long been directed at the Jewish people.

"Again the Jews are cast as a force for evil. Again the Jews are charged with disloyalty. Again the Jews are said to have too much influence, too much power, too much money," he said.

"Ladies and gentlemen, do you know what the best way to respond to this kind of hatred is? We read it just a few days ago in the book of Esther, when Mordechai confronted Haman of Persia. The best way to respond to those who espouse this kind of hatred is not to bow down to them, it's to stand up to them!

"The Jewish people do not bow down. We stand up, we fight, and we win!" Netanyahu declared.

"My friends, ladies and gentlemen, some people will just never get it. They'll never understand why the vast majority of Americans – Jews and non-Jews alike – support Israel.

In a jab at Rep. Ilan Omar, Netanyahu said: "Take it from this Benjamin, it's not about the Benjamins."

"The reason the people of America support Israel is not because they want our money, it's because they share our values. They just don't' get it. It's because America and Israel share a love of freedom and democracy. It's because we cherish individual rights and the rule of law. It's because we don't judge people by the color of their skin, their religion or their sexual orientation.

"I am proud of Israel's vibrant democracy, where no one – no one – is a second-class citizen. All of Israel's citizens are first-class citizens. All of Israel's citizens whether Jew or Arab, Muslim, Christian, or Druze, have exactly the same individual rights. We vote in the same elections. We're subject to the same laws. We study in the same universities. And we are also treated in the same hospitals.

"But Israel is also the one and only country on earth in which the Jewish people exercise our collective right of self-determination. And that right is expressed in the Star of David that is on our flag, in the Hatikvah that is our national anthem, in Hebrew our official language and most powerfully, in the right of every Jew across the world to automatically immigrate to Israel and become a citizen if they choose to do so.

"It is these features of our collective existence that the Nation State bill enshrined into an historic constitutional law. And contrary to the false attacks and allegations, it did not denigrate any individual rights, which remain sacred and equal for all our citizens. And it will always be that way.

"Israel will always be a democracy, just as Israel will always be the Jewish State, a place where all Jews anywhere can always call home, no matter how they pray or how they wish to conduct their lives. Israel is the home of all Jews.

"That is why we all celebrate today the democratic, Jewish State of Israel. We know the truth," he said.


8. POLL: LIKUD LEADS BLUE AND WHITE
by David Rosenberg

A new poll released Wednesday shows Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu positioned to win a fifth term as premier, with his Likud party leading its nearest competitor, the Blue and White party of former IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz.

According to the poll, conducted by Panels Politics for Walla!, the Likud holds a narrow lead over Blue and White, 31 to 30. That's a smaller margin than the three-seat lead the Likud enjoyed in the previous Panels Politics poll released last Tuesday, but still represents a better position for the Likud than other recent surveys, which show the Blue and White party leading by two to three mandates.

The new survey also shows Netanyahu's most likely coalition allies winning an outright majority in the 21st Knesset. The right-wing – religious bloc, including the Likud, United Torah Judaism, Shas, New Right, Union of Right-Wing Parties (URP) Kulanu, Yisrael Beytenu, and Zehut, would win a total of 68 seats if new elections were held today.

While the Likud fell slightly in the new poll, from 32 seats in last week's Panels Politics survey to 31, the libertarian-leaning Zehut rose from four to five, and the haredi UTJ rose from six to seven.

Shas and the center-right Kulanu remained stable at four a piece, while Yisrael Beytenu sank from five to four.

The New Right remained stable with six, and the Union of Right-Wing Parties – a joint ticket of the Jewish Home, National Union, and Otzma Yehudit – stayed at seven.

Former Yisrael Beytenu MK Orly Levy's center-left Gesher faction failed to cross the threshold in both last week and this week's surveys, with 2.6% of the vote in Wednesday's poll.

To enter the Knesset, a party must win 3.25% of the vote.

Labor rose from eight seats to nine, while the far-left Meretz fell from six to five.

The joint list of Hadash, the Israeli Arab communist party, and Ta'al, an Arab nationalist party, fell from nine seats to eight in this week's poll.

The second Arab party, a joint list of the United Arab List and Balad, did not pass the threshold, receiving just 1.9% of the vote.