A7News: 'Haredi lawmakers are to blame for political crisis'

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Wednesday, May. 29 '19, כ"ד באייר תשע"ט





HEADLINES:
1. 'HAREDI LAWMAKERS ARE TO BLAME FOR POLITICAL CRISIS'
2. 'LIBERMAN WON'T FOLD OR COMPROMISE'
3. COMEDIAN DROPPED BY NETFLIX OVER HOLOCAUST JOKE? 'FAKE NEWS'
4. EL AL LAUNCHES DIRECT FLIGHTS TO TOKYO
5. NETANYAHU CONSIDERING GIVING AYELET SHAKED A TOP SPOT IN LIKUD
6. IDF LAUNCHES AIRSTRIKE ON SYRIA
7. ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 17
8. RABBI CARLEBACH'S DAUGHTER VISITS FATHER'S DESTROYED VILLAGE


1. 'HAREDI LAWMAKERS ARE TO BLAME FOR POLITICAL CRISIS'
by Hezki Baruch

Avidgor Liberman's Yisrael Beytenu party on Wednesday rejected claims that it is responsible for the ongoing political crisis and accused haredi lawmakers of blocking the establishment of a Likud-led government.

With just hours to go before the Wednesday night deadline for forming a new government, Yisrael Beytenu MK Oded Forer blasted the Shas and United Torah Judaism parties, blaming them for the stalled coalition talks which could force Israel to new elections just months after the 21st Knesset was voted in.

"Let it be clear, the ones who are blocking the formation of a government are the haredi parties who insist on sticking their finger in the eyes of the public that serves in the army and does reserve duty," said Forer on Wednesday.

According to the Yisrael Beytenu MK, the haredi draft law which was drawn up in the previous Knesset has been accepted by haredi lawmakers, who now are simply refusing an arrangement whereby they would leave the Knesset plenum while the bill is voted on, enabling it to pass.

"The compromise arrangement under which they won't vote on [the bill] is reasonable, and the problems they are creating by sending Israel back to elections is their fault. I suggest the Likud focus its pressure in the right direction, instead of aiming it at us."

The secular right-wing Yisrael Beytenu has pushed for the passage of a draft law which would pressure haredi yeshivas to meet draft quotas imposed by the law.

Haredi lawmakers have pushed back against the proposal, calling instead for an amendment to Israel's Basic Laws which would override Supreme Court opposition to the present draft deferment system.

Unless the Likud can broker a compromise between the two sides by Wednesday night, Netanyahu's mandate for forming the next government will expire.

The Likud has vowed to dissolve the Knesset before that mandate expires, thus preventing President Reuven Rivlin from tasking the Blue and White party with forming a government.


2. 'LIBERMAN WON'T FOLD OR COMPROMISE'
by 103FM

MK Oded Forer (Yisrael Beytenu) on Wednesday morning told 103FM Radio why his party won't compromise on the Draft Law.

"The Draft Law is a symbol, it's a symbol of another process of submission to a caprice," he explained. "Because what's the Draft Law? The Draft Law is a compromise we've already made with the haredi parties. It's a law that they themselves will tell you - and I'm sure you've spoken to them in interviews as well as in closed rooms - they tell you that the law is fine with them."

"They have no problem with the law. Right now they're trying to make improvements,.they always prefer a different law... They're talking at the end of the day, about making it subject to the government's decisions, and that way we can change the entire law."

Regarding the question of whether Yisrael Beytenu is avoiding the issue by using the Draft Law as an excuse, Forer told 103FM, "Everyone likes conspiracy theories. I have two answers: One, try him. He offered a compromise. If he's trying to annoy Netanyahu, then the moment they offer a compromise, he'll find another excuse. So give him his compromise. Let the haredim not vote for the law."

"Second, for the past month and a half we've reiterated that we won't budge from our stance. We have a few basic principles we won't budge from," Forer said. "But what's happening? I still hear in the morning how everyone keeps banging their heads against the wall, saying he's going to give in, he has to get out of this mess. He's not going to give in, he's not going to be the one to compromise."

"It's a lot easier, that instead of Netanyahu spending all his energies, for already a month and a half, he's putting enormous energies into pressuring Avigdor Liberman, I'm telling you my opinion...spend the same amount of energy, believe me, into pressuring the haredi parties."


3. COMEDIAN DROPPED BY NETFLIX OVER HOLOCAUST JOKE? 'FAKE NEWS'
by David Rosenberg

An Australian comedian whose special was reportedly dropped by online streaming giant Netflix over a Holocaust joke is taking aim at media coverage of the controversy, accusing news outlets of pushing "fake news" and misrepresenting him as anti-Semitic.

The story began last month following a stand-up performance by Isaac Butterfield, an Australian comic and social media start with about 900,000 followers on YouTube, at the Melbourne Comedy Festival.

During the show, Butterfield, who is known for his off-color "shock humor" and politically incorrect jokes, launched into a segment mocking vegans – a frequent target of his videos on YouTube.

In the segment, Butterfield joked about gassing a vegan, while commenting on intolerance.

"I've had vegans come to my show before. I had one sit right in the front row," Butterfield said at the April 11th show. "And he said 'I'm a vegan mate, and proud of it!'"

"And I was like, 'Do you really believe in all that kind of stuff?'"

"And he said 'I do! And I thought if you got to know me, maybe you'd change your mind on vegans forever.'"

"That is so ridiculous that I would change my mind just because I got to know him. I mean, that's like a Jew in 1942 turning up at Auschwitz."

"Anyway, we gassed the…[vegan]."

The show drew criticism after one audience member complained to the Australian Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC), claiming that Butterfield had said "imagine the joy of people when they heart the Jews were sent to the gas chambers."

When the ADC criticized Butterfield in an email for his alleged comments, the comedian responded with a one-sentence reply "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the oven."

After a firestorm of criticism, Butterfield apologized for the email. "That wasn't the right move to say this," Butterfield admitted regarding his "if you can't stand the heat" email. "I did apologize to that lady…I don't want to insult people."

But Butterfield denied the audience member's claim that he had said the line "imagine the joy of people when they heart the Jews were sent to the gas chambers," posting footage of the segment in question to back up his claim.

"I have never and would never and do not judge people based on their skin color, their religious beliefs, their ideologies, any genders, and sexual preference."

Earlier this month, the UK's Daily Mail reported that the controversy and allegations of anti-Semitism had cost Butterfield "a lucrative comedy special deal" with Netflix.

This claim had Butterfield crying foul Tuesday, accusing the Daily Mail of pushing "fake news".

"Here's the funny part…I never had a Netflix deal. You printed a lie," said Butterfield, calling reporting on the cancelled comedy special "nothing short than a fabrication."

"I made a video about this [comedy special] talking about a streaming site, but I never mentioned the name, I never mentioned the deal, and I never mentioned Netflix."


4. EL AL LAUNCHES DIRECT FLIGHTS TO TOKYO
by Ido Ben Porat

El Al will launch a direct route from Israel to Tokyo, Japan, marking the first-ever direct flights between the two countries.

Flights will begin in March 2020, using three of El Al's new Boeing Dreamliner 787 jets. The company will begin selling tickets soon.

The direct flights to Japan are part of El Al's plan to expand its flight routes in accordance with the needs of both Israeli travelers and international travelers arriving in Israel, the numbers of which have grown considerably in recent years. As well, the company is working to renew its fleet, so that by 2020 it will include 45 planes, including 16 Dreamliners.

The Tel Aviv-Tokyo flight will take 11 hours and 15 minutes, while the return flight will take approximately 12 and a half hours. Currently, Israelis wishing to fly to Japan need to take two flights, resulting in nearly 24 hours of travel.

Michael Strassburger, El Al's V.P of Commerce & Industry Affairs, said, "Japan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and now Israelis can visit it via a comfortable direct flight in the new Dreamliner planes. Over the past two years, we have received many requests from our customers to operate direct flights to Japan."

"According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, approximately 40,000 Israelis visited Japan in 2018, while 20,000 Japanese visited Israel. The movement in recent years has grown at a fast pace and we are sure that opening a direct route between the countries will increase travel and significantly strengthen the economic and diplomatic ties between Israel and Japan.

"The direct flights to Japan join a list of other new direct routes launched recently by El Al, including to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago, and they significantly expand the options for tourism, entertainment, and the direct access both businesspeople and tourists have to these destinations."


5. NETANYAHU CONSIDERING GIVING AYELET SHAKED A TOP SPOT IN LIKUD
by Arutz Sheva Staff

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is considering bringing Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked into the Likud and reserving a spot high on the Likud's Knesset list if the country heads to new elections this year, Kan reported Wednesday morning.

Citing senior Likud officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, the report claims that Netanyahu hopes to bring more right-wing voters to the Likud by bringing in Shaked and giving her a senior position within the party if the current Knesset is dissolved and new elections scheduled.

A spokesperson for the prime minister said that no decision had been made with regards to bringing Shaked into the Likud, while Shaked herself did not respond to the report.

Earlier this week, Shaked denied claims that she was considering running with former Defense Minister Avidgor Liberman's Yisrael Beytenu party.

A source in Yisrael Beytenu told News 13 that the meeting between Shaked and Liberman was one of the reasons Liberman does not fear new elections. Rumors claimed the the source was implying that Liberman and Shaked would run in a joint list.

Sources close to Shaked said she and Liberman have been very friendly for a long time, and that they met privately several times in the past. However, they also said Shaked is interested in joining the leading Likud party.

"I thought this would be my parting speech, and that I would leave the Justice Ministry next week. But politics has its own rules and we can't know what will happen by Wednesday. What I can say is that yesterday's rumors about me are incorrect," the Justice Minister said in response to the rumors of a run with Yisrael Beytenu.


6. IDF LAUNCHES AIRSTRIKE ON SYRIA
by AFP and Arutz Sheva Staff

The IDF confirmed that it had launched an airstrike on Syrian territory Monday evening following reports of an attack on the province of Quneitra

One Syrian soldier was killed and two others wounded in the Israeli missile strike, the official SANA news agency reported.

"An Israeli missile targeted Tel al-Shaar in Quneitra," the Syrian news agency said, adding a "military vehicle was targeted and there are wounded."

The IDF stated that the strike had targeted a missile launcher following an attack on an Israeli aircraft. The missile did not strike the plane and landed in Syria.

"Earlier today, Syrian anti-aircraft systems fired at an IDF fighter jet during a routine flight in northern Israel.
The anti-air projectile landed in Syrian territory and the mission was completed as planned," the IDF stated.

"In response, a short while ago, the IDF targeted the launcher that had fired. The IDF sees any threat against its aircraft with great severity and takes measures to defend them."


7. ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 17
by Hezki Baruch

The special committee discussing the dissolution of the Knesset determined on Monday evening that the elections for the 22nd Knesset will take place on Tuesday, September 17, 2019.

The date, however, is not final and is expected to change ahead of the final vote in the Knesset plenum. Committee chairman MK Miki Zohar (Likud) said at the start of the discussion, "Anyone who votes against the bill helps Benny Gantz form a government."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is continuing his efforts to prevent elections and establish a right-wing government. The businessman who is conducting the coalition negotiations on behalf of MK Avigdor Liberman, Shmuel Hayek, is expected to return to Israel overnight Monday and continue with the talks.

Earlier on Monday, Netanyahu instructed Likud ministers and Knesset members to launch an attack against Liberman over his decision to oppose the establishment of a right-wing government.

"I've now informed the Likud ministers and Knesset members: After evaluating a new situation - open season on Liberman," Netanyahu said.

The Prime Minister earlier said that there was still time to form a coalition and avert new elections.

"There's no reason to drag the country to unnecessary elections that will cost a fortune and paralyze us all for another half a year," Netanyahu said.



8. RABBI CARLEBACH'S DAUGHTER VISITS FATHER'S DESTROYED VILLAGE
by Arutz Sheva Staff

📹 To watch the video: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/263811

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (Keren L'Yedidut) has quickly mobilized to raise more than NIS 1 million in emergency assistance for residents of Mevo Modi'im, a small moshav (agricultural community) located west of Jerusalem and near the Israeli city of Modiin. The moshav sustained a massive fire last Thursday that destroyed at least 40 out of the community's 50 homes.

From the NIS 1 million, the Fellowship will be providing up to $5,000 in assistance for each family of Mevo Modi'im. The amount distributed in each case will be determined and prioritized according to a number of factors and criteria provided to The Fellowship by relevant authorities. At the same time, The Fellowship is in constant communication with the National Emergency Authority, Israel Fire and Rescue Services as well as the Hatzalah emergency response organization to ensure that assistance gets provided as quickly as possible.

The fire, one of many around Israel, which was stricken on Thursday with sweltering temperatures rising above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, was large enough to have damaged some 7,940 dunams of land belonging to Israel's Nature and Parks Authority and Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael - Jewish National Fund. Originally assumed to have been caused by faulty electrical wiring, the fire is now being investigated as a possible incident of arson.

Mevo Modi'im was founded by the late, famed Jewish singer and composer, Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. Known as "The Singing Rabbi" during his lifetime for his many unique, original tunes and styles of prayer, Rabbi Carlebach inspired many, some of whom followed him to Mevo Modi'im.

"Every Sabbath eve, the men of the moshav would come to our house," Rabbi Carlebach's daugher, Dari said standing in her father's old home with The Fellowship's president, Yael Eckstein by her side. "My father had a special perfume, which everyone said was special, that he would spray each one of them with for the Sabbath. On Sabbath morning, the guys would be in the kitchen eating and drinking coffee, sharing words of Torah. Even at three in the morning, people would stop by the home to consult and speak with my father."

Unsurprisingly, the moshav's residents followed in Rabbi Carlebach's footsteps. "There's no one like the people of Mevo Modi'im," Dari continued. "They do not have a lot of money but their houses are open for guests all the time. Now they need a lot of help. Many are left with nothing but the clothes on their bodies. Their money has been burnt along with all their property."

Nevertheless, Dari remains determined that Mevo Modi'im will overcome the destruction: "My father said that fire can destroy and kill but one's internal fire cannot be extinguished. I know that the internal fire has not been 'burned' and that this moshav will once again thrive because the nation of Israel is very strong. It is impossible to burn the heart that dwells inside the collective soul of the moshav."

The Fellowship's President Yael Eckstein conveyed The Fellowship's determination to help Mevo Modi'im rebuild. "For the past 13 years, The Fellowship has been a central hub for assisting citizens in times of emergency. We are continuing to assume that role in this regard by providing the residents of Mevo Modi'im with over NIS 1 million that we have raised already. In fact, the Jewish community immediately turned to The Fellowship to provide the emergency aid in light of our track record in responding to every other emergency in Israel including our prior donation of 8 firetrucks and basic needs to victims in previous fires."

Eckstein added: "We would of course also be remiss not to thank our Christian friends and lovers of Israel from around the world who provided matching funds. During times like this one can see who is there to respond immediately, not only from the Jewish community but from millions of Christians around the world."

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) was founded in 1983 to promote better understanding and cooperation between Christians and Jews, and build broad support for Israel. Today it is one of the leading forces helping Israel and Jews in need worldwide – and is the largest channel of Christian support for Israel. The Fellowship now raises more than $140 million per year, mostly from Christians, to assist Israel and the Jewish people. Since its founding, The Fellowship has raised more than $1.5 billion for this work. The organization has offices in Jerusalem, Chicago, Toronto, and Seoul.