A7News: 'We'll keep using Damascus gate, we won't be afraid'

Arutz Sheva Daily Israel Report
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Wednesday, Jun. 12 '19, ט' בסיון תשע"ט





HEADLINES:
1. 'WE'LL KEEP USING DAMASCUS GATE, WE WON'T BE AFRAID'
2. 'WHO'S IN CHARGE OF THE CAVE OF THE PATRIARCHS?'
3. 300 PALESTINIAN FARMERS JOIN TEL AVIV AGRO CONVENTION
4. ISRAELI-ARAB SOLDIERS DEMOTED FOR SHOOTING DURING PARTY
5. SYRIA SAYS ISRAEL ATTACKED IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE COUNTRY
6. IDF SOLDIERS, PA SECURITY FORCES EXCHANGE FIRE IN SHECHEM
7. SHAKED: I WILL WIN THE MOST SEATS
8. 'IT WAS IMPORTANT TO SARA TO SEE THAT I WASHED MY HANDS'


1. 'WE'LL KEEP USING DAMASCUS GATE, WE WON'T BE AFRAID'
by Eliran Aharon

📹 To watch the video: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/264493

Gavriel Lavi, one of two Israelis wounded in a stabbing attack in the Old City of Jerusalem last month, was discharged from Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem Wednesday.

Lavi was critically wounded in the May 31st terror attack in the Old City, during which a 19-year-old Palestinian Arab terrorist stabbed and wounded two Israelis before being shot and killed by Israeli security personnel.

Forty-seven-year-old Lavi was initially listed in critical condition, but was later downgraded to serious but stable condition.

"I realized that I was between life and death," said Lavi Wednesday. "Thanks to the prayers from my friends in yeshiva, everything turned around for the best."

"All of the prayers gave me so much strength and helped me not despair because of my difficult situation."

Despite his brush with death, Lavi said he would not be deterred from visiting the Old City of Jerusalem via the Damascus Gate, which lies in a predominantly Muslim Arab area, where confrontations between locals and Jewish visitors are common.

"We'll keep going through Damascus Gate and won't be afraid."

In addition, 16-year-old Yisrael Meir Nachumberg was also wounded after the terrorist attacked him as Nachumberg rode his bike back to his yeshiva following morning prayers. Last week, Nachumberg was released from Hadassah Medical Center.


2. 'WHO'S IN CHARGE OF THE CAVE OF THE PATRIARCHS?'
by Hezki Baruch

Former Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar (Likud) protested Israel's "endless" negotiations with the Palestinian Authority (PA) regarding whether, when, and how to make the Cave of the Patriarchs (Me'arat Hamachpelah) handicapped-accessible.

"We'ere not talking here about a specific issue regarding a wall, an elevator," Sa'ar said Wednesday at a Knesset meeting on the issue. "We're talking about a fundamental issue: Who's in charge? Who's in charge of the Cave of the Patriarchs?"

"I was amazed to hear that we are negotiating with the Palestinian Authority, granting the Palestinian Authority a legal standing that it doesn't have."

Sa'ar noted that "according to the agreements" the Cave of the Patriarchs is under Israeli control, and noted that the PA's refusal to cooperate is not new.

"The Palestinian Authority is also a group that we are fighting regarding our rights in Israel, including at the Cave of the Patriarchs. So they're the ones who are going to help us?" he questioned.

"It harms our rights to hold negotiations with the Palestinian Authority on this issue. This is the Cave of the Patriarchs, it's a site that has been handed over to the authority of the State of Israel."

Though "there are worshipers from both nations," he said, "history and our tradition require completely different treatment of this place."

"Fifty years after Jews settled in Hevron, it's time we started acting like the ones in charge of the Cave of the Patriarchs.

"I propose to clearly demand the Prime Minister and Defense Minister act. I suggest also adding a limitation on the very idea of negotiations with the Palestinian Authority on this issue. Let's act, there's no reason for more delays."

Pushing for follow-up, Sa'ar concluded: "If we have another meeting in the month of June, there's a chance Israel's Knesset might take this seriously."

Last year, over 100 Likud movement members signed a petition demanding the Cave of the Patriarchs - a site with many stairs - be made wheelchair accessible, so that handicapped visitors from every part of society, as well as handicapped tourists, be able to visit.

However, Arab MKs, as well as the Palestinian Authority, have staunchly refused to cooperate.


3. 300 PALESTINIAN FARMERS JOIN TEL AVIV AGRO CONVENTION
by Yoni Kempinski

Three hundred Palestinian Arab farmers from Judea and Samaria visited Tel Aviv for the annual Agro Mashov agriculture and gardening convention.

The two-day event, which began Tuesday, is being held at the Tel Aviv Convention Center, and showcases the latest Israeli agricultural technology.

Israel's Civil Administration, which governs most of Judea and Samaria, permitted the Palestinian Authority residents to enter Israel specially for the convention, enabling them to learn from Israel's agricultural industry and boost the Palestinian Arab economy in Judea and Samaria.

The Palestinian Arab farmers met with Israeli farmers and businessmen involved in the agriculture industry, laying down the foundation for future business ventures and cooperation.

"Agriculture is an important driver of the economy in Palestinian society," said the Civil Administration's Samir Moadi, who added that the coordination between Israel and Palestinian farmers was "closer now than ever before."

"The participation of Palestinian farmers is crucial for the goal of integrating them into Israeli agriculture and the global market."


4. ISRAELI-ARAB SOLDIERS DEMOTED FOR SHOOTING DURING PARTY
by Arutz Sheva Staff

Two Israeli-Arab soldiers in the IDF were demoted and fined recently for bringing an army firearm to a family celebration and shooting dozens of rounds in the air, Reshet Bet reported Wednesday morning.

The two soldiers signed onto a plea bargain deal with army prosecutors, admitting that they brought an army weapon to a celebration and fired off dozens of rounds from the roof of a building during the event.

As part of the plea bargain arrangement, the two will be demoted, fined, and given 45 and 60 days probation respectively.

"The army court handed down probation, fines, and demotions to two soldiers who were convicted as part of plea bargain of criminal use of a weapon," an IDF spokesperson said in response to the report.

"The arrangement took into consideration the commendable service of the soldiers, the length of time between the committing of the crime until the sentencing, and personal circumstances. One of the soldiers completed his regular service before the sentence was handed down."


5. SYRIA SAYS ISRAEL ATTACKED IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE COUNTRY
by Elad Benari

Syria's official news agency SANA reported overnight Tuesday that the country's defense systems intercepted a number of missiles fired from Israel into southern Syria.

According to reports, the Israeli attack targeted the town of Tell al-Hara, located in the Daraa region, an area considered a strategic point overlooking the Golan Heights.

It was also reported that there were no injuries in the attack but that damage was caused to buildings. In addition, Syria claims that Israel used technological means to disrupt radar systems during the attack.

Last Thursday, several anti-aircraft missiles were fired toward Mount Hermon from Syria. No injuries were reported.

Three days earlier, Syrian media reported that the T-4 airbase in Homs had come under fire from "hostile missiles".

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least five people were killed and three injured in an Israeli attack at the airbase, which houses Iranian warehouses and centers.

According to the organization, an Iranian Revolutionary Guards missile depot and one vehicle were destroyed.


6. IDF SOLDIERS, PA SECURITY FORCES EXCHANGE FIRE IN SHECHEM
by Ben Ariel

Palestinian Arab officials reported on Monday night that IDF forces had surrounded the building of the Palestinian Preventive Security headquarters in Shechem (Nablus).

According to the officials, an exchange of fire broke out, likely between the IDF soldiers and the Palestinian Arab security officers stationed at the building. The circumstances of the incident are unclear at this time.

The Shechem governor of the Palestinian Authority, Ibrahim Ramadan, claimed that the forces had fired at Preventive Security headquarters. He said that one member of the PA security forces was wounded.

Ramadan also said that the shooting took place on the first, second and third floors of the headquarters. He claimed that Israel did not update the Palestinian District Coordination Office before entering Shechem.

The IDF confirmed the incident in a statement released Tuesday morning, adding that no Israeli personnel were injured in the shooting.

"Overnight, during an operational activity of IDF troops to apprehend terror operatives in the city of Nablus, fire was exchanged between IDF troops and a group of armed men who were identified by the troops as suspects. In retrospect, the men were Palestinian security forces. No injuries to IDF soldiers were reported. The incident will be reviewed."


7. SHAKED: I WILL WIN THE MOST SEATS
by Arutz Sheva Staff

Former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked stated that she wants to lead a united list of the various small right-wing parties, Kan 11 News reported.

"I will bring the most seats," Shaked told Jewish Home party activists last week.

Shaked announced earlier Tuesday that she would run for the Knesset in the upcoming elections despite failing to clear the electoral threshold in the previous elections in April.

Speaking at a conference hosted by the Associate of Corporate Counsel Israel (ACC) in Tel Aviv, Shaked responded to questioning from journalist Ben Caspit regarding her plans for the upcoming election.

"I'll be returning now," the former Justice Minister said.

Shaked, who less than two months ago announced she was leaving politics, began hinting at a possible return after coalition talks between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and allies failed to yield an agreement, culminating in a decision to dissolve the Knesset and go to early elections.

Last week, Shaked alluded to a possible return to the Justice Ministry, just days after Netanyahu fired her, transferring the ministry to Likud MK Amir Ohana.


8. 'IT WAS IMPORTANT TO SARA TO SEE THAT I WASHED MY HANDS'
by Arutz Sheva Staff

Shira Raban, the haredi woman who worked for Sara Netanyahu and who is now trying to sue her, gave her first testimony in an Israeli labor court.

Raban has sued for 225,000 NIS ($62,828), claiming she was abused by Sara Netanyahu.

On Tuesday, she was interrogated by Sara's lawyer, attorney Yossi Cohen.

"On the first day, I understood that something is illogical," Raban said. "This wasn't a work day, it was abuse. It was important to Mrs. Netanyahu that they guide me correctly on the first day, that I understand the rules of the second story, and that I wash my hands before and after each activity."

"Mrs. Netanyahu was at Kikar Hamedina that day, with Nicol Raidman," Cohen pointed out.

Cohen also told the judge: "I'm going to examine her regarding every single text. What happened with Manny Naftali will not happen again here. They've spilled my client's blood and today is the day of correction."

Two weeks ago, Sara Netanyahu sent the court a statement regarding Raban. In the statement, she wrote, "During the claimant's entire term of employment, I met her a handful of times, always in the presence of other employees and always for a very short time. When and how was I cruel to the claimant? Maybe she has had untrue visions of abuse, or maybe someone decided to use her name to write ugly falsehoods, without her knowledge?"