17 Elul 5777
8 September 2017
The News on the Israel Street
Palestinian terror in the last 24 hours . . .
*Many of the most hideous Palestinian terrorists come from Yatta, just outside of Hevron. Overnight, Shin Bet and IDF forces from the Yehuda Brigade uncovered a cache of machine guns, pistols, and ammunition while pursuing wanted Palestinian terrorists there.
*As any regular reader of israelstreet knows, the area around Tekoa is a prime spot for Palestinian terrorists to assault Israeli motorists making their way along Route 356.
A small segment of the notoriously curvy 356 from Tekoa to Herodian National Park–continuing past Herodian will take you to Jerusalem (picture: Google Maps screenshot).
Yesterday, following an undercover operation that has gone on for the last month, 17 terrorists were indicted. The operation was a joint effort of General Security Service, Border Police, and the IDF.
17 “rock and Molotov” throwing terrorists is a good start, but just a drop in the bucket. Similar operations should be undertaken along other roads such as 60, 443, 457, 458 to mention a few.
Israeli justice sinks into the National Enquirer* sewer . . .
Trust your humble servant when he tells you that all of the Israeli media is jumping up and down with joy this morning over the news that Attorney General Mandleblit is informing Sara Netanyahu today that she will be indicted in the so-called “dormitories” affair. Apparently, Mandleblit offered her a plea-deal, but she refused.
The “dormitories” affair refers to the “case” involving the misuse of public funds. We’ve been through this hundreds of times on this blog, but what funds did Sara Netanyahu supposedly misuse?
Money used to buy garden furniture, money used to buy take-out pizza for her kids, money used to pay an electrician to fix a dangerous electrical problem in the official residence, money spent looking after her dying father, the list goes on. The point is that none of these charges are substantial, and for Mandleblit to pusillanimously go along with the media witchhunt speaks volumes about his lack of character.
It also speaks volumes about how Mandleblit has allowed himself to be cowed by the media (and probably by the demonstrations in front of his house).
The indictment of Sara means that the indictment of Bibi cannot be far behind. Can’t you just feel the buzz of excitement emanating from Channels 1, 2, and 10?
How pathetic.
*National Enquirer is a sleazy tabloid that is sold at every grocery checkout stand in the U.S.
Speaking of sleazy . . .
The so-called “Palestinian Foreign Ministry” has awakened this morning with a condemnation of U.S. Ambassador David Friedman’s recent comments about the “alleged occupation” of Judea and Samaria.
Our slimy neighbors call Friedman’s statement a blatant violation of international law, a violation of institutions and agreements of which the U.S. is partner to, a deviation from the declared positions of American administrations over the decades, a contradiction of U.N. Security Council Resolutions, and a violation of the Ramallah leash law.
Wait . . . a violation of the Ramallah leash law? There is no leash law in Ramallah; dogs wander around at will. This is just your humble servant’s crude attempt at humor today.
The point is that the Palestinians have thrown the kitchen sink at Friedman. It’s the standard sink they throw all the time.
TODAY’S BLOG:
Has A Small Dose of Reality Come To Trumpland?
The Trump shrug at the press conference yesterday.
In modern times, many people cialis cialis uk are undernourished. In any interpersonal interaction, be open to the idea of discussing their impotence purchase levitra no prescription as most consider it to be a highly embarrassing and emasculating condition. But the most preferred and popular treatment for erectile dysfunction is viagra pills online. The powerful PDE5 inhibitor is also offered in different flavors such as fruit flavors, mint, chocolate and others http://www.learningworksca.org/a-golden-opportunity/ cheap viagra 100mg thus, giving the person’s mouth a satisfying breath which can help also in spicing the sexual actions.
It was a very standard press conference attached to the Emir of Kuwait’s visit to the White House yesterday. Standard statements were made by the Emir and Trump applauding each other and each other’s countries.
Following the statements, both leaders fielded a number of questions from the assembled reporters.
One question naturally caught my attention.
From a reporter for Al-Arabiya television addressed to President Trump:
“You dispatched a team to Israel and Palestine, and you are about to meet the leaders of both countries in the U.N. soon. Do (sic) we expect a new American initiative to move the process forward?”
Trump:
“The Palestinians and the Israelis we are discussing we are working (sic). They say it is the world’s most complex and difficult deal. You know that, but it is something that could happen. I believe that the relationships that we have with both can help. It’s an event that has never taken place.
Sometimes people think they’re close, and it never happens or it never happens successfully. I think we have a chance of doing it. I think the Palestinians would like to see it happen. I think the Israelis would like to see it happen, and usually when you have two groups who would like to see something happen, good things can happen.
So I think that there is a chance that there could be peace, but again I say that a little bit reluctantly. We are going to give it our best. We have tremendous talent working on that particular transaction. As you know, David Friedman the ambassador is very much involved. We have a great group of people; we’ll see what happens.”
Much of this we have heard before: “the world’s most complex and difficult deal”, both sides want peace, etc.
But some of it we have not.
Most notably missing was Trump’s usual bravado that he can make it happen. It was replaced with “I think we have a chance”, followed in short order by “I think there is a chance there could be peace.”
And then the hammer fell: ” . . . but again I say that a little bit reluctantly.” And it wasn’t just the words, but the way Trump said it, shrugging his shoulders, and spreading his arms with palms up as if to say: “What can I do?”
Then another hammer fell: “We have tremendous talent working on that particular transaction. As you know, David Friedman the ambassador is very much involved.”
David Friedman? When has Trump ever mentioned David Friedman? It is always his son-in-law Jared Kushner who gets first billing along with Jason Greenblatt.
And to mention Friedman in answer to a reporter from Al-Arabiya is almost astonishing. After all, the entire Arab world is fully aware of who Friedman is and what perspective he brings to the table.
Your humble servant doesn’t want to make too much of too little or to overparse (especially when it comes to Trump), but it seemed yesterday as if a small dose of reality has arrived in Trumpland.
That would be welcome.
A student from Malawi, who had worked with an Israeli health volunteer in his country battling AIDS, came up to us as we walked down the street in the UC-Davis Picnic Day Parade and wanted to carry the Israeli flag.