Edited extracts from ynetnews.com
A deal being announced in Cairo is not an agreement with Israel, but rather one between Hamas and the mediators – and that Jerusalem does not accept the framework in its current form.
Israel is demanding the complete disarmament of Hamas, including the removal of all weapons from Gaza and the full demilitarization of the Strip, as a prerequisite for any progress in the process. Jerusalem fears that leaving weapons in Gaza, even if stored in monitored facilities, would allow Hamas to regain control of them in the future and rearm at any time they want.
The issue of withdrawal has also remained one of the main obstacles in recent months. Hamas demanded guarantees of a full Israeli withdrawal before agreeing to discuss disarmament, while Israel insisted that demilitarization must come first.
The Israeli position places Jerusalem in a public dispute with the Americans.
The Peace Board’s “road map” grants Hamas in the Gaza Strip exactly the same status that Hezbollah currently holds in Lebanon. This means armed political influence through Hamas members who will be absorbed into the new police force established in Gaza, as well as behind-the-scenes management of central government institutions through Hamas officials who will retain their positions.
There is still a deep dispute between the sides over the synchronization between Hamas’ disarmament and the timing of the Israeli withdrawal to the Yellow Line. Israel claims that the withdrawal to the original Yellow Line will take place only after Hamas hands over its weapons. Hamas demands that Israel must first complete the IDF’s withdrawal to the security zone on the outskirts of the Strip, and only afterward the weapons will be handed over to the Palestinian ‘technocratic’ committee.
The real problem that Israel and its citizens will have to confront is that the road map leaves Hamas as a force of power in the Gaza Strip. The plan allows Hamas terrorists and its leadership to survive by guaranteeing their continued presence in Gaza.
Hamas will also keep a significant political presence that will allow it to re-inforce its influence in Gaza. All this comes in exchange for a questionable disarmament plan that at best dismantles Hamas’ heavy weapons, tunnels and weapons-production capabilities.
So what does Israel gain for its security and the security of its citizens from the road map? Not much! Israel is required to carry out a full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Israel is also required to halt military operations, including the targeted strikes. The IDF will have no ability to address violations of the agreement by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Not only does Israel have no veto over who will hold senior positions in the new government established in Gaza, it also has no right to conduct “hot pursuit” of terrorists if Hamas attacks or fires a mortar shell toward communities near the Gaza border.
Food for Thought: by Steven Shamrak
After publishing my political editorial for more than 25 years, I came to one important conclusion: There is no point in arguing with anti-Semites, be it common idiots or ‘political prostitutes’. The main focus must be on the Israeli government to persuade it to do the right thing: Defeat the enemies and reclaim the Jewish land!
Zionism is the Jewish
National Independence Movement.
Hamas began distributing individual weapons to the terrorist group’s operatives in the Gaza Strip amid the Board of Peace’s (BoP) Hamas disarmament deal. The goal of the rifle distribution is to ensure that weapons stay in the hands of Hamas members.
Another ‘HISTORIC’ Breakthrough
Donald Trump says talks between mediators and Hamas leaders have led to a breakthrough on Gaza involving Hamas disarming and Israel withdrawing from the enclave. Hamas official said the issue of weapons was tied to Israel’s withdrawal. The plan does not meet Israeli demands for Gaza’s complete demilitarization. (Weapons will remain in Gaza; Hamas will still be in control; and no IDF around.)
Silent Arab Majority Wants a pro-Israel Party
According to Nahil Zoabi, educator and public diplomacy advocate, there is a desire within Israeli Arab society for the establishment of a pro-Israel Arab political party that identifies with Israel’s values and character as a Jewish state. “The voice of the majority of the Arab sector in Israel is a quiet voice,” he said. “It wants to integrate and connect.”
Arab Israeli Ambulance Driver was Iranian Spy
Amir Hisham Mohammed Titi, 34, of the Arab town of Bi’ina in the Galilee, was charged for spying for Iran. He used his work as an ambulance driver, which gave him access to medical centers across the country, to photograph hospitals and provide an Iranian handler with information about their operations. During a visit by Herzog and Smotrich to the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya, Titi allegedly contacted his handler on his own initiative and alerted the Iranian operative that the two senior officials were at the hospital.
The US is Blocking Israel from Fighting Iran
Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, said that Israel is prepared to renew direct military action against Iran but is currently being restrained by the Trump administration. The defense minister emphasized that Israel’s position has not changed and warned that any future Iranian attack would trigger a forceful response.
IDF destroys multiple Hamas weapons depots in central and northern Gaza, including one hidden inside a mosque in the northern Gaza Strip. “This is as additional example of the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip exploiting civilian infrastructure for terrorist purposes by storing weapons in the heart of the civilian population,” the IDF noted.
Quotes of the Week:
“We are ready, we are willing, and we are committed. We need to end the state of hostility between Lebanon and Israel. Forever. And this (pact) could be a path forward for a just and lasting peace. But we cannot jump from A to B directly. We have to go through different steps.” – Joseph Aoun, Lebanese President – Hidden appeal to Israel to help Lebanon to destroy Hezbollah.
The US Friendship and Jewish Assertiveness
by Steven Shamrak (Dec 7, 2005)
Quite often an idea is expressed that the United States is a strong supporter of the State of Israel and Jewish people. Many Jews feel quite nervous when the United States is criticised by Jews and US friendship toward Israel is questioned.
I would like to state clearly and without any reservation: I am a strong admirer of US democracy. I spent half of my life living in the Soviet Union. Therefore, the notion of equality of every individual, freedom of speech and self-expression are very dear to me. I even appreciate the American government’s selfishness, as they put the interests of their own country and people first.
If Israel is to become a true democracy, I can only hope that the purity of all these principles will be adopted by the Jewish State.
But let us be truthful and face the reality of historical facts:
1. Knowing the German policy toward Jews before WW2, Jews were not permitted to immigrate to America. The US state department reprimanded and scared Hollywood Jewish producers by accusing them of “War mongering”. It was Charlie Chaplin, a non-Jew, who broke the taboo by making the comedy “The Great Dictator” exposing fascism. Not a single bomb was dropped on concentration camps, railroad lines, or bridges leading to them. After the war, American officials were actively involved in providing safe passage to Nazi criminals!
2. The United States supported the UN embargo of arms sales to the region after Israel declared independence in 1948. In the 50’s, the US abandoned Israel. And Israel was forced to find ‘new masters’ – France and UK – and fought the Sinai War on their behalf.
3. Consistent sabotage of Israel’s military successes through the years effectively perpetuated the Arab-Israeli conflict and prevented Israel from attaining decisive victory over her enemies. Past pressure on Israel by President Bush and Condoleezza Rice was just another symptom of the same old ‘sickness’. Nothing has changed since – the same was during Obama and Biden presidency, but with more disrespect.
I have stated many times that being pro-Jewish does not make me anti-anything. I am not against Arabs or Christians, nor against USA or Europe. I strongly believe that the Jewish people, in Israel and the Diaspora, must be united in pursuit of their own National Goal: “The right of Jews to live in peace on all Jewish land!”
This goal is completely justifiable morally, historically, religiously and even legally. We must not pay any attention and disregard what the anti-Israel demagogues and spin-masters are saying or fabricating. Their interests are in conflict with Jewish goals and should not be our concern! For too long, Jews have been accommodating and pleasing others with the detrimental effect to their own needs and interests.
It is time to become assertive and give high priority and consideration to Jewish national aspirations. History teaches us that nobody else did, does or will do!