2 mar 2015
The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry, called Monday on Israel and Egypt to change their failed policies and adopt a ‘Gaza first’ strategy.”
Following his two-day visit to Gaza, Serry said in a statement that “Gaza is a political problem which must be addressed as part of ending the occupation and achieving a two-state solution.”
“I am convinced that there can be no peace without addressing Gaza’s needs first,” he underlined.
“I urgently call on all stakeholders, including… Palestinian factions, Israel, Egypt, the international community and donors, to change their failed policies and adopt a ‘Gaza first’ strategy.”
Moreover, Serry continued, the ongoing blockade of the Gaza Strip had rendered the area “more isolated than ever” due to the many restrictions still in place at Israeli crossings and with the Rafah crossing “practically closed.”
“We, in the UN, have always been in the forefront in calling for an end to the blockade as a prerequisite for a stable, functioning economy in Gaza. You also cannot have a stable, functioning economy without a more durable ceasefire and a recognized, legitimate and inclusive government leading Gaza’s recovery.”
The Egyptian army decided to close the Rafah crossing, Gaza's only terminal to the outside world, and to demolish the underground tunnels along the border since the ouster of the freely elected president Mohamed Morsi on early July 2013.
Serry, whose seven-year mandate is set to expire shortly, said he was encouraged that “some progress” towards the reconstruction of Gaza was being made but still lamented the “overall slow pace” of rebuilding.
“To date, over 72,000 people have been cleared to receive construction material… and around 55,000 have actually purchased material to rebuild their homes.”
“I fully understand the frustration of the people in Gaza,” the Special Coordinator declared. “Many of those who now have access to building materials lack the money to buy them or to carry out the works.”
He noted that only a small percentage of the $5.4 billion pledged at the Cairo Reconstruction Conference last October had been disbursed.
According to a recent UN assessment, as it stands now, over 100,000 homes were damaged or destroyed in Gaza during last summer’s 51-day Israel war on the blockaded Strip. The destruction affected more than 600,000 people and many still lack access to the municipal water network. Meanwhile, blackouts of up to 18 hours per day are common.
Following his two-day visit to Gaza, Serry said in a statement that “Gaza is a political problem which must be addressed as part of ending the occupation and achieving a two-state solution.”
“I am convinced that there can be no peace without addressing Gaza’s needs first,” he underlined.
“I urgently call on all stakeholders, including… Palestinian factions, Israel, Egypt, the international community and donors, to change their failed policies and adopt a ‘Gaza first’ strategy.”
Moreover, Serry continued, the ongoing blockade of the Gaza Strip had rendered the area “more isolated than ever” due to the many restrictions still in place at Israeli crossings and with the Rafah crossing “practically closed.”
“We, in the UN, have always been in the forefront in calling for an end to the blockade as a prerequisite for a stable, functioning economy in Gaza. You also cannot have a stable, functioning economy without a more durable ceasefire and a recognized, legitimate and inclusive government leading Gaza’s recovery.”
The Egyptian army decided to close the Rafah crossing, Gaza's only terminal to the outside world, and to demolish the underground tunnels along the border since the ouster of the freely elected president Mohamed Morsi on early July 2013.
Serry, whose seven-year mandate is set to expire shortly, said he was encouraged that “some progress” towards the reconstruction of Gaza was being made but still lamented the “overall slow pace” of rebuilding.
“To date, over 72,000 people have been cleared to receive construction material… and around 55,000 have actually purchased material to rebuild their homes.”
“I fully understand the frustration of the people in Gaza,” the Special Coordinator declared. “Many of those who now have access to building materials lack the money to buy them or to carry out the works.”
He noted that only a small percentage of the $5.4 billion pledged at the Cairo Reconstruction Conference last October had been disbursed.
According to a recent UN assessment, as it stands now, over 100,000 homes were damaged or destroyed in Gaza during last summer’s 51-day Israel war on the blockaded Strip. The destruction affected more than 600,000 people and many still lack access to the municipal water network. Meanwhile, blackouts of up to 18 hours per day are common.
US ambassador to UN tells AIPAC delegates ties with Israel 'should never be politicized' and backs Obama to assure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons.
A top Obama administration official declared Monday that the relationship between the United States and Israel "should never be politicized," while defending President Barack Obama's high-stakes bid for a nuclear deal with Iran.
UN Ambassador Samantha Power's address came amid heightened tensions between the long-time allies, sparked by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plans to address Congress at the invitation of Republican leaders. The White House has criticized the move as a breach of diplomatic protocol.
Power insisted that the strain surrounding the speech obscures the broader security ties between the US and Israel and their shared commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. "Israel's security and the US-Israel partnership transcend politics and it always will," Power said at the annual policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the largest pro-Israel lobby in the US.
Senior US officials have said the politics surrounding a speech by Netanyahu to the US Congress scheduled for Tuesday threaten to damage the US-Israel relationship, one of the United States' closest alliances. Netanyahu addressed the gathering Monday morning after Power. "My Congress speech is not intended to show disrespect to Obama or the office that he holds," the prime minister said, in response to criticism of his US visit two weeks before the Israeli elections.
Susan Rice, Obama's national security adviser, was also scheduled to speak Monday night and discuss the ongoing US-led Iranian nuclear negotiations. Rice has been particularly sharp in her criticism of Netanyahu's plans to address Congress, calling the move "destructive" to the fabric of the US-Israel relationship. The Israeli leader is deeply suspicious of Obama's efforts to reach a nuclear agreement with Iran, fearing the US and its negotiating partners are prepared to leave Tehran on the cusp of developing a nuclear weapon. Power said the US prefers a diplomatic route to prevent Iran from building a bomb, but suggested Obama would turn to other tactics if a deal cannot be reached.
"If diplomacy should fail, we know the stakes of a nuclear armed Iran," she said. "We will not let it happen." US and Israeli officials have reported progress on a deal that would freeze Iran's nuclear program for 10 years, but allow it to slowly ramp up in the later years of an agreement. Netanyahu has vigorously criticized the contours of such an agreement, saying it suggested the US and its partners had "given up" on stopping Iran from being able to get a bomb.
A Netanyahu adviser told reporters traveling with the prime minister to Washington Sunday that he was not coming to the US capital to offend Obama. "The prime minister is here to warn, in front of any stage possible, the dangers" of the agreement that may be taking shape, the adviser said, speaking anonymously under a policy that bars the official from speaking on the record.
The adviser said Israel was well aware of the details of the emerging nuclear deal and they included Western compromises that were dangerous for Israel. Still, he tried to lower tensions by saying that Israel "does not oppose every deal" and was merely doing its best to warn the US of the risks entailed in the current one. Secretary of State John Kerry, who is in Switzerland for another round of nuclear negotiations, warned Israel against releasing "selective details" of the negotiations.
"Doing so would make it more difficult to reach the goal that Israel and others say they share," Kerry said. The US is seeking to secure a framework agreement to curtail Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief ahead of a late-March deadline. The US is negotiating alongside Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China.
A top Obama administration official declared Monday that the relationship between the United States and Israel "should never be politicized," while defending President Barack Obama's high-stakes bid for a nuclear deal with Iran.
UN Ambassador Samantha Power's address came amid heightened tensions between the long-time allies, sparked by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plans to address Congress at the invitation of Republican leaders. The White House has criticized the move as a breach of diplomatic protocol.
Power insisted that the strain surrounding the speech obscures the broader security ties between the US and Israel and their shared commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. "Israel's security and the US-Israel partnership transcend politics and it always will," Power said at the annual policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the largest pro-Israel lobby in the US.
Senior US officials have said the politics surrounding a speech by Netanyahu to the US Congress scheduled for Tuesday threaten to damage the US-Israel relationship, one of the United States' closest alliances. Netanyahu addressed the gathering Monday morning after Power. "My Congress speech is not intended to show disrespect to Obama or the office that he holds," the prime minister said, in response to criticism of his US visit two weeks before the Israeli elections.
Susan Rice, Obama's national security adviser, was also scheduled to speak Monday night and discuss the ongoing US-led Iranian nuclear negotiations. Rice has been particularly sharp in her criticism of Netanyahu's plans to address Congress, calling the move "destructive" to the fabric of the US-Israel relationship. The Israeli leader is deeply suspicious of Obama's efforts to reach a nuclear agreement with Iran, fearing the US and its negotiating partners are prepared to leave Tehran on the cusp of developing a nuclear weapon. Power said the US prefers a diplomatic route to prevent Iran from building a bomb, but suggested Obama would turn to other tactics if a deal cannot be reached.
"If diplomacy should fail, we know the stakes of a nuclear armed Iran," she said. "We will not let it happen." US and Israeli officials have reported progress on a deal that would freeze Iran's nuclear program for 10 years, but allow it to slowly ramp up in the later years of an agreement. Netanyahu has vigorously criticized the contours of such an agreement, saying it suggested the US and its partners had "given up" on stopping Iran from being able to get a bomb.
A Netanyahu adviser told reporters traveling with the prime minister to Washington Sunday that he was not coming to the US capital to offend Obama. "The prime minister is here to warn, in front of any stage possible, the dangers" of the agreement that may be taking shape, the adviser said, speaking anonymously under a policy that bars the official from speaking on the record.
The adviser said Israel was well aware of the details of the emerging nuclear deal and they included Western compromises that were dangerous for Israel. Still, he tried to lower tensions by saying that Israel "does not oppose every deal" and was merely doing its best to warn the US of the risks entailed in the current one. Secretary of State John Kerry, who is in Switzerland for another round of nuclear negotiations, warned Israel against releasing "selective details" of the negotiations.
"Doing so would make it more difficult to reach the goal that Israel and others say they share," Kerry said. The US is seeking to secure a framework agreement to curtail Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief ahead of a late-March deadline. The US is negotiating alongside Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China.
|
|
WATCH: Speaking to AIPAC ahead of Congress speech, PM devotes most of address to stressing that 'friendship between US and Israel grows stronger and stronger.'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the America Israel Public Affairs Commitee annual conference in Washington DC on Monday, in the first of two major speeches during his visit to the US. "Reports of the demise of Israel-US relations are not just premature, they're wrong," he told the assembled delegates. "You're here to tell the world that our alliance is stronger than ever," Netanyahu added and said that the relationship between the two |
countries "is going to get even stronger in the coming years."
"My Congress speech not intended to show disrespect to Obama or the office that he holds," the prime minister said, in response to criticism of his US visit two weeks before the Israeli elections.
He emphasized that "America and Israel are more than friends, we are like a family. Disagreements in the family are always uncomfortable but we must always remember that we are family."
As the leader of the Jewish State, Netanyahu claimed he had a duty to warn of threats to the Jewish people. "The days in which Jewish people are passive in the face of those who want to annihilate us are over."
"Today, we are no longer silenced, today we have a voice, and tomorrow as prime minister of the one and only Jewish state, I plan to use that voice. American leaders worry about the security of their country, Israeli leaders worry about the survival of their country. I think that encapsulates the difference," Netanyahu said.
The second, and more controversial, is his speech Tuesday to Congress, in which he will decry the agreement currently being formulated between Iran and the world powers over the former's nuclear aspirations.
"Despite occasional disagreements the friendship between the US and Israel grows stronger and stronger, decade after decade, and our friendship will weather the current disagreement as well. Because we share the same dreams, because we pray, hope and aspire to that same better world," Netanyahu told the AIPAC delegates.
The speech to a joint session of Congress, following an invitation issued by Republican House Speaker John Boehner, was planned without notifying the White House, something seen as a major breach of protocol.
Critics have accused Netanyahu of seizing the opportunity to boost his own chances in the on March 17 elections in Israel, and indeed a Likud MK said Sunday that the party was hoping the speech would have a positive impact domestically. Netanyahu has also come under fire for further straining an already tense relationship with the American president, at a time when Israel is facing increased international isolation.
The Obama administration, known to have tense ties with the Netanyahu government responded coolly to the plan. President Barack Obama said he would not meet with Netanyahu during his time in Washington, citing the proximity to the Israeli elections, while Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry are out of the country.
"My Congress speech not intended to show disrespect to Obama or the office that he holds," the prime minister said, in response to criticism of his US visit two weeks before the Israeli elections.
He emphasized that "America and Israel are more than friends, we are like a family. Disagreements in the family are always uncomfortable but we must always remember that we are family."
As the leader of the Jewish State, Netanyahu claimed he had a duty to warn of threats to the Jewish people. "The days in which Jewish people are passive in the face of those who want to annihilate us are over."
"Today, we are no longer silenced, today we have a voice, and tomorrow as prime minister of the one and only Jewish state, I plan to use that voice. American leaders worry about the security of their country, Israeli leaders worry about the survival of their country. I think that encapsulates the difference," Netanyahu said.
The second, and more controversial, is his speech Tuesday to Congress, in which he will decry the agreement currently being formulated between Iran and the world powers over the former's nuclear aspirations.
"Despite occasional disagreements the friendship between the US and Israel grows stronger and stronger, decade after decade, and our friendship will weather the current disagreement as well. Because we share the same dreams, because we pray, hope and aspire to that same better world," Netanyahu told the AIPAC delegates.
The speech to a joint session of Congress, following an invitation issued by Republican House Speaker John Boehner, was planned without notifying the White House, something seen as a major breach of protocol.
Critics have accused Netanyahu of seizing the opportunity to boost his own chances in the on March 17 elections in Israel, and indeed a Likud MK said Sunday that the party was hoping the speech would have a positive impact domestically. Netanyahu has also come under fire for further straining an already tense relationship with the American president, at a time when Israel is facing increased international isolation.
The Obama administration, known to have tense ties with the Netanyahu government responded coolly to the plan. President Barack Obama said he would not meet with Netanyahu during his time in Washington, citing the proximity to the Israeli elections, while Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry are out of the country.
US Secretary of State 'concerned' by reports of an information leak; Iranian foreign minister says agreement dependent on removal of sanctions.
US Secretary of State John Kerry is warning that public discussion of details of the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran will make it more difficult to reach a deal that prevents the country from developing atomic weapons.
In comments to reporters in Geneva on Monday, Kerry said he was concerned by reports that some details of the talks would be revealed in coming days. He did not elaborate, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will speak in opposition to a potential Iran deal in an address to Congress on Tuesday.
Israeli officials say Netanyahu plans to discuss elements of the negotiations that he finds problematic and dangerous to Israel. Although Kerry did not identify Netanyahu as someone who might talk about details of the negotiations, he strongly hinted that was the case.
Also speaking in Geneva on Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said a deal could be concluded this week if the United States and other Western countries have sufficient political will and agree to remove sanctions on Tehran.
"Our negotiating partners, particularly the Western countries and particularly the United States, must once and for all come to the understanding that sanctions and agreement don't go together," he said. "If they want an agreement, sanctions must go... We believe all sanctions must be lifted."
Kerry's comments regarding a potential information leak were unprompted by any question and came in his prepared opening remarks to a press conference after he delivered a speech defending Israel at the UN Human Rights Council.
"We are concerned by reports that suggest selected details of the ongoing negotiations will be discussed publicly in the coming days," Kerry said. "I want to say clearly, doing so would make it more difficult to reach the goal that Israel and others say they share in order to get a good deal. Israel's security is absolutely at the forefront of all our minds but rightly so is the security of all the other countries in the region, so is our security in the United States."
Immediately after the press conference, Kerry headed to nearby Montreux, Switzerland to begin a new round of nuclear negotiations with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif. Those talks are expected to last until Wednesday and will be underway when Netanyahu speaks in Washington to both the America Israel Public Affairs Committee on Monday and Congress on Tuesday.
Kerry cited "some progress" in the talks as negotiators bear down in trying to reach an end of March target to reach the outline of a final deal that they want by July.
But, he also said much more work was needed to ensure that all possible pathways for Iran to develop a nuclear weapon are verifiably closed off.
"Right now, no deal exists, no partial deal exists and unless Iran is able to make the difficult decisions that are required there won't be a deal," he said.
Zarif told reporters that that Iran, whose disagreement with six world powers over how fast sanctions should be dropped is one of the main obstacles to a final nuclear accord, had demonstrated its political will by bringing its highest authorities to the talks and leaving "no stone unturned". Asked about his expectations for talks this week with US Secretary of State John Kerry, Zarif said things were advancing. "We have made some progress since last time and if there is the political will to accept that an agreement and sanctions cannot go together, then we can have an agreement this time."
The objective of the negotiations is a deal that ensures Iran's nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful and also ensures that all sanctions are lifted, Zarif said. Asked if what the West sees as the possible military dimensions of Iran's nuclear activity had been discussed, Zarif said: "We talked about all the issues we were supposed to talk about." Iran denies seeking nuclear energy for bomb purposes.
Also at Geneva, US Secretary of State John Kerry said there had been some progress in the Iran nuclear talks but there was "a long way to go and the clock is ticking."
He also voiced concern about the possibility of selective leaks in the coming days about the talks, which he will resume with Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Montreux, Switzerland.
US Secretary of State John Kerry is warning that public discussion of details of the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran will make it more difficult to reach a deal that prevents the country from developing atomic weapons.
In comments to reporters in Geneva on Monday, Kerry said he was concerned by reports that some details of the talks would be revealed in coming days. He did not elaborate, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will speak in opposition to a potential Iran deal in an address to Congress on Tuesday.
Israeli officials say Netanyahu plans to discuss elements of the negotiations that he finds problematic and dangerous to Israel. Although Kerry did not identify Netanyahu as someone who might talk about details of the negotiations, he strongly hinted that was the case.
Also speaking in Geneva on Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said a deal could be concluded this week if the United States and other Western countries have sufficient political will and agree to remove sanctions on Tehran.
"Our negotiating partners, particularly the Western countries and particularly the United States, must once and for all come to the understanding that sanctions and agreement don't go together," he said. "If they want an agreement, sanctions must go... We believe all sanctions must be lifted."
Kerry's comments regarding a potential information leak were unprompted by any question and came in his prepared opening remarks to a press conference after he delivered a speech defending Israel at the UN Human Rights Council.
"We are concerned by reports that suggest selected details of the ongoing negotiations will be discussed publicly in the coming days," Kerry said. "I want to say clearly, doing so would make it more difficult to reach the goal that Israel and others say they share in order to get a good deal. Israel's security is absolutely at the forefront of all our minds but rightly so is the security of all the other countries in the region, so is our security in the United States."
Immediately after the press conference, Kerry headed to nearby Montreux, Switzerland to begin a new round of nuclear negotiations with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif. Those talks are expected to last until Wednesday and will be underway when Netanyahu speaks in Washington to both the America Israel Public Affairs Committee on Monday and Congress on Tuesday.
Kerry cited "some progress" in the talks as negotiators bear down in trying to reach an end of March target to reach the outline of a final deal that they want by July.
But, he also said much more work was needed to ensure that all possible pathways for Iran to develop a nuclear weapon are verifiably closed off.
"Right now, no deal exists, no partial deal exists and unless Iran is able to make the difficult decisions that are required there won't be a deal," he said.
Zarif told reporters that that Iran, whose disagreement with six world powers over how fast sanctions should be dropped is one of the main obstacles to a final nuclear accord, had demonstrated its political will by bringing its highest authorities to the talks and leaving "no stone unturned". Asked about his expectations for talks this week with US Secretary of State John Kerry, Zarif said things were advancing. "We have made some progress since last time and if there is the political will to accept that an agreement and sanctions cannot go together, then we can have an agreement this time."
The objective of the negotiations is a deal that ensures Iran's nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful and also ensures that all sanctions are lifted, Zarif said. Asked if what the West sees as the possible military dimensions of Iran's nuclear activity had been discussed, Zarif said: "We talked about all the issues we were supposed to talk about." Iran denies seeking nuclear energy for bomb purposes.
Also at Geneva, US Secretary of State John Kerry said there had been some progress in the Iran nuclear talks but there was "a long way to go and the clock is ticking."
He also voiced concern about the possibility of selective leaks in the coming days about the talks, which he will resume with Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Montreux, Switzerland.
|
|
Secretary of State warns council over 'deeply concerning record on Israel', says it risks undermining its own credibility.
US Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday delivered a vigorous defense of Israel before the United Nations Human Rights Council, urging its members to end what he branded an "unbalanced focus" on Israel that could undermine its credibility. His remarks came as the Obama administration attempts to blunt complaints that it has not been strong enough in its support for Israel, criticism now centered on its pursuit of a nuclear deal with Iran. |
Even as a bitter US-Israel dispute over a possible Iran deal was expected to heat up in Washington later Monday, Kerry affirmed America's steadfast commitment to its top Mideast ally and called on the council to take a more balanced approach toward Israel.
In a speech denouncing rights abuses in places like Syria, North Korea and Ukraine, Kerry spent several minutes on what he called the council's "deeply concerning record on Israel."
"No one in this room can deny that there is an unbalanced focus on one democratic country," he said, decrying the fact that no country other than Israel has a permanent agenda item on the council's schedule. "It must be said the (council's) obsession with Israel actually risks undermining the credibility of the entire organization."
The council frequently targets Israel for criticism in resolutions and investigations, notably over military action it has taken against Palestinian militants in Gaza. A new report commissioned by the council about last year's Gaza war is expected to be released later this month.
Kerry and other US officials have said the Obama administration's commitment to Israel's defense is unbreakable. On Sunday, and again at the council on Monday, Kerry noted the administration has intervened to protect Israel from condemnation at the United Nations and other international forums several hundred times in the last two years.
"We will oppose any effort by any group or participant in the UN system to arbitrarily and regularly delegitimize or isolate Israel," he said. "When it comes to human rights no country on earth should be free from scrutiny but neither should any country be subject to unfair or unfounded bias."
Kerry noted in particular that the human rights council would this year consider a resolution sponsored by Syria denouncing Israel's conduct in the Golan Heights. Kerry said it made no sense to consider this when thousands of Syrians are fleeing to the Golan and many are getting medical treatment there from Israeli physicians.
Kerry's speech to the council was the first of several addresses on Monday that focus on the U.S.-Israel relationship. Later Monday in Washington, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, and President Barack Obama's national security adviser, Susan Rice, as well as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are to speak to America's leading pro-Israel lobby. Netanyahu on Tuesday is to deliver a speech to a joint session of Congress, warning about the threat posed by Iran and arguing against a nuclear agreement that may result from the current negotiations.
The row over Netanyahu's speech to Congress has been waging since it was announced last month and is likely to continue after it has been delivered. Netanyahu arrived in the US on Sunday night, ahead of Tuesday's address, which is being skipped by dozens of Democratic lawmakers, among them Vice President Joe Biden.
Shortly after his speech in Geneva, Kerry was to resume nuclear negotiations with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in the Swiss city of Montreux.
Those talks are expected to last through at least midday Wednesday, after which Kerry will travel to Saudi Arabia to discuss the talks with the country's new king and then to London where he will brief foreign ministers of the other Gulf Arab states. Both Israel and the Sunni Gulf Arabs have grave concerns about Shiite Iran's nuclear program.
In a speech denouncing rights abuses in places like Syria, North Korea and Ukraine, Kerry spent several minutes on what he called the council's "deeply concerning record on Israel."
"No one in this room can deny that there is an unbalanced focus on one democratic country," he said, decrying the fact that no country other than Israel has a permanent agenda item on the council's schedule. "It must be said the (council's) obsession with Israel actually risks undermining the credibility of the entire organization."
The council frequently targets Israel for criticism in resolutions and investigations, notably over military action it has taken against Palestinian militants in Gaza. A new report commissioned by the council about last year's Gaza war is expected to be released later this month.
Kerry and other US officials have said the Obama administration's commitment to Israel's defense is unbreakable. On Sunday, and again at the council on Monday, Kerry noted the administration has intervened to protect Israel from condemnation at the United Nations and other international forums several hundred times in the last two years.
"We will oppose any effort by any group or participant in the UN system to arbitrarily and regularly delegitimize or isolate Israel," he said. "When it comes to human rights no country on earth should be free from scrutiny but neither should any country be subject to unfair or unfounded bias."
Kerry noted in particular that the human rights council would this year consider a resolution sponsored by Syria denouncing Israel's conduct in the Golan Heights. Kerry said it made no sense to consider this when thousands of Syrians are fleeing to the Golan and many are getting medical treatment there from Israeli physicians.
Kerry's speech to the council was the first of several addresses on Monday that focus on the U.S.-Israel relationship. Later Monday in Washington, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, and President Barack Obama's national security adviser, Susan Rice, as well as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are to speak to America's leading pro-Israel lobby. Netanyahu on Tuesday is to deliver a speech to a joint session of Congress, warning about the threat posed by Iran and arguing against a nuclear agreement that may result from the current negotiations.
The row over Netanyahu's speech to Congress has been waging since it was announced last month and is likely to continue after it has been delivered. Netanyahu arrived in the US on Sunday night, ahead of Tuesday's address, which is being skipped by dozens of Democratic lawmakers, among them Vice President Joe Biden.
Shortly after his speech in Geneva, Kerry was to resume nuclear negotiations with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in the Swiss city of Montreux.
Those talks are expected to last through at least midday Wednesday, after which Kerry will travel to Saudi Arabia to discuss the talks with the country's new king and then to London where he will brief foreign ministers of the other Gulf Arab states. Both Israel and the Sunni Gulf Arabs have grave concerns about Shiite Iran's nuclear program.
1 mar 2015
Commanders for Israel's Security
Over 180 former officials from Israel's security establishment have called on Netanyahu to cancel his speech before Congress: 'Instead of working with Obama, Netanyahu is poking him in the eye.'
“Netanyahu’s speech to Congress and the destruction of the close strategic alliance between the US administration and Israel will bring Iran closer to a nuclear bomb,” over 180 of Israel’s top former military and intelligence officials said Sunday.
Netanyahu took off for the US Sunday morning to give a speech to Congress that has sparked outrage both in Israel and the US, where critics have accused him of using the speech to bolster his own political chances in the March 17 Knesset elections.
The group, known as Commanders for Israel's Security, warned that Netanyahu’s upcoming speech to Congress is a clear and present danger to the strategic alliance between the US and Israel, and actually helps Iran.
At a press conference held Sunday in Tel Aviv, as Netanyahu was taking off for the US, six former generals (some considered legends among Israelis), attempted make the case that far from preventing the Iran from reaching a nuclear bomb through a deal with the world, Netanyahu's speech will actually bring Iran closer to such a goal.
“When the Israeli prime minister argues that his speech will stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, he is not only misleading Israel – he is actually strengthening Iran,” said Gen. (res.) Amnon Reshef, the former head of Israel’s armored corps and the founder of the group.
Gen. (res) Amiram Levin, the former northern district commander for the IDF who also served as deputy chief of the Mossad, explained that Iran gained from the political divide the speech has caused among Israel supporters in the US. “The American people see the rift between Israel and the administration. The Israeli public sees it. And more important: the Mulas in Iran see it. Iran wants Netanyahu’s speech – since it understands that it will weaken Israel’s bipartisan bond with the US.
"For Iran, a strategically weak Israel is an asset which will help Iran’s efforts to obtain nuclear weapons, since they know that it will prevent a viable military option against them," Levin explained. Gen. (res.) Ran Ronen, a famous pilot and former Israeli console in Los Angles said Netanyahu speech would aleinetie the White House and thus poses a real security threat to Israel.
“The US and its president are not enemies of Israel. They are its closest allies. A policy that alienates them is not only wrong – but also poses a strategic threat to Israel’s security. Pushing Israel to the front of the international effort to foil Iran’s nuclear program will not only cause these efforts to fail, it will also prevent an effective international military action if one will be needed.”
Reshef, the founder of Commanders for Israel’s security, reiterated that the movement is non-partisan and included members from the entire political spectrum in Israel – including Likud. “We are not telling Israelis who to vote for and are not politically motivated. All we care about is Israel’s security and the policy needed to strengthen it – including a security-diplomatic initiative between Israel and moderate Arab countries,” he said.
Only a few days ago, in an exclusive interview to Ynet's print publication, the former head of the Mossad, Meir Dagan, told Ynet that he agrees with prime minister on threat posed by a nuclear Iran, but warned that Netanyahu "is single-handedly motivating the Americans into rushing to reach an agreement." "Netanyahu," Dagan claimed, "is the person that has caused Israel the most strategic damage when it comes to the Iranian issue is the prime minister."
Over 180 former officials from Israel's security establishment have called on Netanyahu to cancel his speech before Congress: 'Instead of working with Obama, Netanyahu is poking him in the eye.'
“Netanyahu’s speech to Congress and the destruction of the close strategic alliance between the US administration and Israel will bring Iran closer to a nuclear bomb,” over 180 of Israel’s top former military and intelligence officials said Sunday.
Netanyahu took off for the US Sunday morning to give a speech to Congress that has sparked outrage both in Israel and the US, where critics have accused him of using the speech to bolster his own political chances in the March 17 Knesset elections.
The group, known as Commanders for Israel's Security, warned that Netanyahu’s upcoming speech to Congress is a clear and present danger to the strategic alliance between the US and Israel, and actually helps Iran.
At a press conference held Sunday in Tel Aviv, as Netanyahu was taking off for the US, six former generals (some considered legends among Israelis), attempted make the case that far from preventing the Iran from reaching a nuclear bomb through a deal with the world, Netanyahu's speech will actually bring Iran closer to such a goal.
“When the Israeli prime minister argues that his speech will stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, he is not only misleading Israel – he is actually strengthening Iran,” said Gen. (res.) Amnon Reshef, the former head of Israel’s armored corps and the founder of the group.
Gen. (res) Amiram Levin, the former northern district commander for the IDF who also served as deputy chief of the Mossad, explained that Iran gained from the political divide the speech has caused among Israel supporters in the US. “The American people see the rift between Israel and the administration. The Israeli public sees it. And more important: the Mulas in Iran see it. Iran wants Netanyahu’s speech – since it understands that it will weaken Israel’s bipartisan bond with the US.
"For Iran, a strategically weak Israel is an asset which will help Iran’s efforts to obtain nuclear weapons, since they know that it will prevent a viable military option against them," Levin explained. Gen. (res.) Ran Ronen, a famous pilot and former Israeli console in Los Angles said Netanyahu speech would aleinetie the White House and thus poses a real security threat to Israel.
“The US and its president are not enemies of Israel. They are its closest allies. A policy that alienates them is not only wrong – but also poses a strategic threat to Israel’s security. Pushing Israel to the front of the international effort to foil Iran’s nuclear program will not only cause these efforts to fail, it will also prevent an effective international military action if one will be needed.”
Reshef, the founder of Commanders for Israel’s security, reiterated that the movement is non-partisan and included members from the entire political spectrum in Israel – including Likud. “We are not telling Israelis who to vote for and are not politically motivated. All we care about is Israel’s security and the policy needed to strengthen it – including a security-diplomatic initiative between Israel and moderate Arab countries,” he said.
Only a few days ago, in an exclusive interview to Ynet's print publication, the former head of the Mossad, Meir Dagan, told Ynet that he agrees with prime minister on threat posed by a nuclear Iran, but warned that Netanyahu "is single-handedly motivating the Americans into rushing to reach an agreement." "Netanyahu," Dagan claimed, "is the person that has caused Israel the most strategic damage when it comes to the Iranian issue is the prime minister."
The Hamas Movement has expressed its belief that there is coordination between Israel and the Egyptian regime against the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip.
In recent facebook remarks, spokesman for Hamas Sami Abu Zuhri said this collaboration was vindicated by Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman last night when he said that the Egyptian court verdict against Hamas made Israel in a better position to end its rule in Gaza.
Abu Zuhri called on the Arab countries to take urgent action to redress the collapse and decline of the Egyptian position towards the Palestinian cause.
"No matter how much is the size of the Israeli alliance with the Egyptian regime, the Israeli occupation will remain the real enemy of the region's peoples," the spokesman said.
In press remarks on Saturday evening, Lieberman hailed the Egyptian court ruling that labelled Hamas as a terrorist organization and called for doing the same thing with the Arab citizens inside Israel.
He threatened to work on depriving the Arab citizens, who oppose Zionism, of Israeli citizenship and expel them from Israel.
One month after its armed wing al-Qassam Brigades was designated a terror group by the Egyptian court for urgent matters in Cairo, the same court on Saturday ruled the Hamas Movement itself a terrorist organization.
In recent facebook remarks, spokesman for Hamas Sami Abu Zuhri said this collaboration was vindicated by Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman last night when he said that the Egyptian court verdict against Hamas made Israel in a better position to end its rule in Gaza.
Abu Zuhri called on the Arab countries to take urgent action to redress the collapse and decline of the Egyptian position towards the Palestinian cause.
"No matter how much is the size of the Israeli alliance with the Egyptian regime, the Israeli occupation will remain the real enemy of the region's peoples," the spokesman said.
In press remarks on Saturday evening, Lieberman hailed the Egyptian court ruling that labelled Hamas as a terrorist organization and called for doing the same thing with the Arab citizens inside Israel.
He threatened to work on depriving the Arab citizens, who oppose Zionism, of Israeli citizenship and expel them from Israel.
One month after its armed wing al-Qassam Brigades was designated a terror group by the Egyptian court for urgent matters in Cairo, the same court on Saturday ruled the Hamas Movement itself a terrorist organization.
From left: Trajtenberg, Herzog and Livni in the Ynet studio
Iin interview to Ynet, Livni and Herzog accuse PM of disregarding Israelis' socioeconomic plight, vow to end Israel's growing international isolation.
Zionist Union leaders lashed out at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday for his planned speech to Congress on Tuesday, accusing him of using the Iran crisis to win votes in the upcoming Knesset elections.
The speech, which has been the subject of criticism in Israel and the US, will slam the agreement on Iran's nuclear program currently being drafted by the US and other world powers.
"There is no dispute about the Iranian threat, but the speech will not help and not change anything, but just could cause damage," the party's leader Isaac Herzog said during a studio interview at Ynet. "Netanyahu is destroying (our) American alliance for a few votes at the ballot box."
The party's number two, Tzipi Livni, also weighed in, saying that, "Netanyahu is destroying the relationship with the United States."
The two were accompanied in the studio by Manuel Trajtenberg, a renowned economist and the Zionist Union candidate for finance minister.
Herzog, like former Mossad chief Meir Dagan, told Ynet that no one is disputing the threat posed by a nuclear Iran, but warned that Netanyahu's approach only served to harm Israel's position.
"There is no dispute about the Iranian threat. We are very aware of the threat and know how to handle it," Herzog said.
"The controversy is about the way to do that. The speech will not help nor change anything, but can only cause damage. The world will not listen to him, nor will the negotiators. This is a mistake that Netanyahu is making. The Jewish community in the United States has said, 'do it after the elections.'"
Livni also accused the prime minister of using the speech as a way of garnering more votes in the March 17 Israeli elections, which polls show will be a tight race between Zionist Union and Netanyahu's Likud.
"Netanyahu is destroying the relationship with the United States for the sake of a few votes in the polls," she said. "Every Israeli prime minister has to get along with the American president and Netanyahu has destroyed that. He has destroyed the alliance."
The Zionist Union leaders also discussed their economic platform, again lambasting the prime minister for what they said were failed policies.
"I said I'd be taking three steps," said Herzog. "I will implement Trajtenberg's housing program, strengthen the strategic alliance with the United States and try to begin a process to resume dialogue, based on a regional platform. If we have to take certain steps, we will take them." Trajtenberg maintained that Herzog would give priority to socio-economic issues, currently under the spotlight following a damning report on Israel's housing crisis.
"Finally we will have a prime minister who has raised his banner on socio-economic issues before taking office, and after," said Trajtenberg.
:This is a fundamental change. We will raise households of elderly people over the age of 70 over the current poverty line. Everything is budgeted for, unlike the promises of the other parties, promises that have no budgetary grounding. We have presented a credible and responsible plan that (our) prime minister will lead, and otherwise it will not happen."
Livni, meanwhile, vowed to end the current international wave of antipathy towards Israel, saying that the party would fix the currently tense ties with key ally the US.
"At the moment this world and Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas) are against the Israel of Netanyahu," Livni said. "As soon as we are elected, we will change that. We will end the isolation, and it will be Israel and the world against Hamas." Livni stressed that a Zionist Union-led government would prevent the transfer of money to isolated settlements, and Herzog pointed out that, "In 2009 to 2011, the settlements were budgeted for NIS 10 billion."
Regarding the conflict between political blocs, Herzog said: "We have not attacked (Yesh Atid leader) Yair Lapid, we are only saying one thing – anyone wants to replace Netanyahu and anyone who wants to end the Netanyahu government must support me, support us."
Iin interview to Ynet, Livni and Herzog accuse PM of disregarding Israelis' socioeconomic plight, vow to end Israel's growing international isolation.
Zionist Union leaders lashed out at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday for his planned speech to Congress on Tuesday, accusing him of using the Iran crisis to win votes in the upcoming Knesset elections.
The speech, which has been the subject of criticism in Israel and the US, will slam the agreement on Iran's nuclear program currently being drafted by the US and other world powers.
"There is no dispute about the Iranian threat, but the speech will not help and not change anything, but just could cause damage," the party's leader Isaac Herzog said during a studio interview at Ynet. "Netanyahu is destroying (our) American alliance for a few votes at the ballot box."
The party's number two, Tzipi Livni, also weighed in, saying that, "Netanyahu is destroying the relationship with the United States."
The two were accompanied in the studio by Manuel Trajtenberg, a renowned economist and the Zionist Union candidate for finance minister.
Herzog, like former Mossad chief Meir Dagan, told Ynet that no one is disputing the threat posed by a nuclear Iran, but warned that Netanyahu's approach only served to harm Israel's position.
"There is no dispute about the Iranian threat. We are very aware of the threat and know how to handle it," Herzog said.
"The controversy is about the way to do that. The speech will not help nor change anything, but can only cause damage. The world will not listen to him, nor will the negotiators. This is a mistake that Netanyahu is making. The Jewish community in the United States has said, 'do it after the elections.'"
Livni also accused the prime minister of using the speech as a way of garnering more votes in the March 17 Israeli elections, which polls show will be a tight race between Zionist Union and Netanyahu's Likud.
"Netanyahu is destroying the relationship with the United States for the sake of a few votes in the polls," she said. "Every Israeli prime minister has to get along with the American president and Netanyahu has destroyed that. He has destroyed the alliance."
The Zionist Union leaders also discussed their economic platform, again lambasting the prime minister for what they said were failed policies.
"I said I'd be taking three steps," said Herzog. "I will implement Trajtenberg's housing program, strengthen the strategic alliance with the United States and try to begin a process to resume dialogue, based on a regional platform. If we have to take certain steps, we will take them." Trajtenberg maintained that Herzog would give priority to socio-economic issues, currently under the spotlight following a damning report on Israel's housing crisis.
"Finally we will have a prime minister who has raised his banner on socio-economic issues before taking office, and after," said Trajtenberg.
:This is a fundamental change. We will raise households of elderly people over the age of 70 over the current poverty line. Everything is budgeted for, unlike the promises of the other parties, promises that have no budgetary grounding. We have presented a credible and responsible plan that (our) prime minister will lead, and otherwise it will not happen."
Livni, meanwhile, vowed to end the current international wave of antipathy towards Israel, saying that the party would fix the currently tense ties with key ally the US.
"At the moment this world and Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas) are against the Israel of Netanyahu," Livni said. "As soon as we are elected, we will change that. We will end the isolation, and it will be Israel and the world against Hamas." Livni stressed that a Zionist Union-led government would prevent the transfer of money to isolated settlements, and Herzog pointed out that, "In 2009 to 2011, the settlements were budgeted for NIS 10 billion."
Regarding the conflict between political blocs, Herzog said: "We have not attacked (Yesh Atid leader) Yair Lapid, we are only saying one thing – anyone wants to replace Netanyahu and anyone who wants to end the Netanyahu government must support me, support us."
28 feb 2015
The Union for Palestine, a coalition of pro-Palestine organizations in the United States of America, announced launching a campaign next week to protest the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Natanyahu’s speech before the Congress next Tuesday.
In a statement on Saturday, the Union said that the campaign will include publishing ads in streets, public buses, and trains in seven US big cities against the visit.
The campaign aims at educating the American people on the effects of last summer’s Israeli aggression on Gaza, and the Congress use of US tax money in supporting the Israeli army against civilians in the Israeli-besieged enclave, the statement revealed.
“It sends a clear message to the US Congress that the US military aids are no longer acceptable in light of the Israeli violations against human rights in occupied Palestine.
The statement quoted Jackie Chase, a member of the Union for Palestine, as saying “the Israeli enforced blockade against the Gaza Strip is still preventing the entry of the supplies needed for the Gazan people”.
“This is, unfortunately, done by the support of the United States. We seek to have this stopped immediately by delivering our voice to lawmakers in Congress via this campaign”, she added.
For his part, the coordinator of the Organization Coalition of the Boycott of Israel in the United States, Sinan Shekdih, said that “Netanyahu's visit and the controversy raging on it in the US media is an opportunity to educate the Americans about the Israeli daily crimes and breaches of human rights committed with the help of funding from taxpayers in the United States”.
In a statement on Saturday, the Union said that the campaign will include publishing ads in streets, public buses, and trains in seven US big cities against the visit.
The campaign aims at educating the American people on the effects of last summer’s Israeli aggression on Gaza, and the Congress use of US tax money in supporting the Israeli army against civilians in the Israeli-besieged enclave, the statement revealed.
“It sends a clear message to the US Congress that the US military aids are no longer acceptable in light of the Israeli violations against human rights in occupied Palestine.
The statement quoted Jackie Chase, a member of the Union for Palestine, as saying “the Israeli enforced blockade against the Gaza Strip is still preventing the entry of the supplies needed for the Gazan people”.
“This is, unfortunately, done by the support of the United States. We seek to have this stopped immediately by delivering our voice to lawmakers in Congress via this campaign”, she added.
For his part, the coordinator of the Organization Coalition of the Boycott of Israel in the United States, Sinan Shekdih, said that “Netanyahu's visit and the controversy raging on it in the US media is an opportunity to educate the Americans about the Israeli daily crimes and breaches of human rights committed with the help of funding from taxpayers in the United States”.
Zionist Union politicians visit majority Arab-populated area of Wadi Ara in Haifa district and met with protests who call center-left group 'radical right wing.'
A protest broke out Saturday afternoon in the majority Arab-populated area of Wadi Ara in Israel's Haifa district as a response to a visit by Zionist Union leaders Isaac Herzog and Tzipi Livni.
The protesters, which included members of the secular Palestinian "Members of the Homeland" movement (Abnaa el-Balad), called out against the two politicians and waved Palestinian flags.
The protesters also carried signs that read "Zionist Union – Radical right-wing," and "You are the enemy of the Palestinian nation." The group shouted at Herzog and Livni to leave the town and during the protest a fight broke out between the protesters and Arab Zionist Union supporters at the scene. The protestors reportedly spat at the pro-Herzog and Livni supporters, a group of Arab Israeli citizens.
Israeli police forces were at the scene of the scuffle and arrested three protesters who identify with the "Members of the Homeland" movement, including the group's leader Raja Aghbaria. One man who took part in the protest said: "We do not want anyone from the Zionist Union to come here. They are accomplices to murders against the Palestinian nation."
"Unfortunately we are seeing people from the Arab sector supporting the racist Zionist Union who will operate against the Palestinian nation and the Arab sector in the future. We call on everyone who supports them to leave them and think of a different political route that could benefit us," said the protester.
A protest broke out Saturday afternoon in the majority Arab-populated area of Wadi Ara in Israel's Haifa district as a response to a visit by Zionist Union leaders Isaac Herzog and Tzipi Livni.
The protesters, which included members of the secular Palestinian "Members of the Homeland" movement (Abnaa el-Balad), called out against the two politicians and waved Palestinian flags.
The protesters also carried signs that read "Zionist Union – Radical right-wing," and "You are the enemy of the Palestinian nation." The group shouted at Herzog and Livni to leave the town and during the protest a fight broke out between the protesters and Arab Zionist Union supporters at the scene. The protestors reportedly spat at the pro-Herzog and Livni supporters, a group of Arab Israeli citizens.
Israeli police forces were at the scene of the scuffle and arrested three protesters who identify with the "Members of the Homeland" movement, including the group's leader Raja Aghbaria. One man who took part in the protest said: "We do not want anyone from the Zionist Union to come here. They are accomplices to murders against the Palestinian nation."
"Unfortunately we are seeing people from the Arab sector supporting the racist Zionist Union who will operate against the Palestinian nation and the Arab sector in the future. We call on everyone who supports them to leave them and think of a different political route that could benefit us," said the protester.
The Hamas Movement said that the former Mossad chief's remarks about the military failure of premier Benjamin Netanyahu in the Gaza Strip was an additional Israeli admission that the Palestinian resistance had soundly defeated the Israeli army.
Spokesman for the Movement Sami Abu Zuhri stated on Friday that all the Israeli government's attempts to mitigate the impact of its defeat by the resistance in Gaza would be doomed to failure.
Former head of the Mossad Meir Dagan had said that Netanyahu's attitude towards regional issues caused great strategic damage to Israel, admitting, in particular, that the last war on Gaza had failed miserably.
Dagan stated in an interview conducted by Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper that the way Netanyahu always dealt with internal and external issues would not serve Israel's interests and would inflict, instead, strategic losses upon Israel.
Spokesman for the Movement Sami Abu Zuhri stated on Friday that all the Israeli government's attempts to mitigate the impact of its defeat by the resistance in Gaza would be doomed to failure.
Former head of the Mossad Meir Dagan had said that Netanyahu's attitude towards regional issues caused great strategic damage to Israel, admitting, in particular, that the last war on Gaza had failed miserably.
Dagan stated in an interview conducted by Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper that the way Netanyahu always dealt with internal and external issues would not serve Israel's interests and would inflict, instead, strategic losses upon Israel.
Cultural differences, language barrier, relative older age of Ethiopians who immigrated to Israel, creates hardships for members of Ethiopian-Jewish community.
Although the vast majority of Ethiopian Jews immigrated to Israel during the 1980's and 1990's, economic and social problems related to the hardships of immigration are still evident in their lives today.
Moshe Selomon, a social entrepreneur, spoke to Tazpit News Agency about the actions he thinks should be taken in order to upgrade the social status of the Ethiopian community in Israel.
"The Ethiopian community needs governmental aid because it lacks economic resources. Usually, the starting point for members of the community is different from the starting point of Israelis whose families are already established in Israel," Selomon told Tazpit.
"Most Israelis get some kind of financial help from their parents when buying their first home. When my parents bought an apartment I was the one helping them. Not everyone can afford that, so for me it is obvious that there is a need for some sort of affirmative action by the Israeli government," he told Tazpit News Agency.
Approximately half of Ethiopian families live under the poverty threshold.
In addition, cultural differences, the language barrier, and the relatively older age of some Ethiopians who immigrated to Israel, have created inherent hardships for many members of the 125,500 strong Ethiopian-Jewish community. Integrating into Israeli society was and is still a struggle for many.
Aftamo Yosef, a department manager at Israeli NGO Tzeida Laderech, translated as "Provisions for the Road", explains how his organization helps Israelis from all social groups, among them Israelis of Ethiopian origin. "We mentor young men and women in different stages of their military service. Whether it's calling an officer on behalf of a young soldier, providing moral support, or simply explaining to his parents an army related issue, we give the soldiers and the candidates our full support," he told Tazpit News.
Yosef explains that such support is vital to soldiers and military candidates from the Ethiopian community. Due to the fact that a lot of Ethiopian immigrants arrived to Israel at a relatively senior age, they were not eligible for military service. As a result, some parents from Ethiopian origin do not understand some of the hardships and dilemmas their children endure while serving or preparing for service in the IDF. "IDF service will be absent as a topic of discourse within those families," Yosef told Tazpit.
These inherent circumstances make Tzeida Laderech's support of Ethiopian soldiers very important. Throughout the last decade, the state of Israel has taken some affirmative action. Measures including expanding the number of state employed Israelis of Ethiopian origin, and enabling more youth of Ethiopian origin to receive education in leading secondary schools. Nevertheless, affirmative action has not solved all of the community's problems.
Both Selomon and Yosef believe Israel's integration policy could be better. Selomon explains, "The authorities tried to integrate us by erasing our special characteristics and heritage. It's a common problem with every wave of immigration that arrives to Israel," Selomon told Tazpit. Indeed, there is a certain expectation in Israel, that immigrants will become Israelis very quickly. Such an expectation can be unrealistic and painful to immigrants, as they are expected to forfeit old cultural characteristics. "I strongly believe each group in the Israeli society brings its own flavor.
Therefore, Israeli society should embrace diversity, in order to create a better more inclusive atmosphere, where there is a place for all the groups that compose the Israeli society," Selomon told Tazpit News.
Yosef points out to a different problem, he explains that because the high ratio of Ethiopian soldiers gone AWOL, the IDF decided to better integrate soldiers of Ethiopian heritage by enrolling them to a special course they take in the first four months of their service. Although the special course can be beneficial to some soldiers, Yosef sees the course as creating separation instead of integration. Yosef elaborates, "The majority of soldiers in this course are of Ethiopian origin, that way there's no integration.
The army sought out better integration and created nothing but separation.
Furthermore, if a certain IDF rookie needs that course, that’s an individual need." According to Yosef "there are many IDF rookies of Ethiopian origin that are straight A students with no criminal record whatsoever. Enrolling them to such a course will be a waste of time and can only damage their motivation," Yosef told Tazpit News. Yosef claims better integration will be achieved only when the Jewish Ethiopian identity is empowered. In addition, Israelis should have better knowledge of the Ethiopian Jewish culture, and "myths and barriers need to be broken," Yosef concluded.
Selomon thinks there's an important role for successful Israelis of Ethiopian origin to play in the battle for better integration. "I am actively bringing back successful Israelis of Ethiopian origin to their old neighborhoods, so they can act as role models and empower the communities they grow up in," he told Tazpit News. "In addition to governmental aid, I believe the community needs to find its inner strength in order to fully integrate into Israeli society," said Selomon.
"The Ethiopian community possesses great power. It's the same power that enabled us to walk for thousands of kilometers in order to immigrate to Israel. This power needs to be harnessed to the benefit of the Ethiopian community and Israeli society."
Although the vast majority of Ethiopian Jews immigrated to Israel during the 1980's and 1990's, economic and social problems related to the hardships of immigration are still evident in their lives today.
Moshe Selomon, a social entrepreneur, spoke to Tazpit News Agency about the actions he thinks should be taken in order to upgrade the social status of the Ethiopian community in Israel.
"The Ethiopian community needs governmental aid because it lacks economic resources. Usually, the starting point for members of the community is different from the starting point of Israelis whose families are already established in Israel," Selomon told Tazpit.
"Most Israelis get some kind of financial help from their parents when buying their first home. When my parents bought an apartment I was the one helping them. Not everyone can afford that, so for me it is obvious that there is a need for some sort of affirmative action by the Israeli government," he told Tazpit News Agency.
Approximately half of Ethiopian families live under the poverty threshold.
In addition, cultural differences, the language barrier, and the relatively older age of some Ethiopians who immigrated to Israel, have created inherent hardships for many members of the 125,500 strong Ethiopian-Jewish community. Integrating into Israeli society was and is still a struggle for many.
Aftamo Yosef, a department manager at Israeli NGO Tzeida Laderech, translated as "Provisions for the Road", explains how his organization helps Israelis from all social groups, among them Israelis of Ethiopian origin. "We mentor young men and women in different stages of their military service. Whether it's calling an officer on behalf of a young soldier, providing moral support, or simply explaining to his parents an army related issue, we give the soldiers and the candidates our full support," he told Tazpit News.
Yosef explains that such support is vital to soldiers and military candidates from the Ethiopian community. Due to the fact that a lot of Ethiopian immigrants arrived to Israel at a relatively senior age, they were not eligible for military service. As a result, some parents from Ethiopian origin do not understand some of the hardships and dilemmas their children endure while serving or preparing for service in the IDF. "IDF service will be absent as a topic of discourse within those families," Yosef told Tazpit.
These inherent circumstances make Tzeida Laderech's support of Ethiopian soldiers very important. Throughout the last decade, the state of Israel has taken some affirmative action. Measures including expanding the number of state employed Israelis of Ethiopian origin, and enabling more youth of Ethiopian origin to receive education in leading secondary schools. Nevertheless, affirmative action has not solved all of the community's problems.
Both Selomon and Yosef believe Israel's integration policy could be better. Selomon explains, "The authorities tried to integrate us by erasing our special characteristics and heritage. It's a common problem with every wave of immigration that arrives to Israel," Selomon told Tazpit. Indeed, there is a certain expectation in Israel, that immigrants will become Israelis very quickly. Such an expectation can be unrealistic and painful to immigrants, as they are expected to forfeit old cultural characteristics. "I strongly believe each group in the Israeli society brings its own flavor.
Therefore, Israeli society should embrace diversity, in order to create a better more inclusive atmosphere, where there is a place for all the groups that compose the Israeli society," Selomon told Tazpit News.
Yosef points out to a different problem, he explains that because the high ratio of Ethiopian soldiers gone AWOL, the IDF decided to better integrate soldiers of Ethiopian heritage by enrolling them to a special course they take in the first four months of their service. Although the special course can be beneficial to some soldiers, Yosef sees the course as creating separation instead of integration. Yosef elaborates, "The majority of soldiers in this course are of Ethiopian origin, that way there's no integration.
The army sought out better integration and created nothing but separation.
Furthermore, if a certain IDF rookie needs that course, that’s an individual need." According to Yosef "there are many IDF rookies of Ethiopian origin that are straight A students with no criminal record whatsoever. Enrolling them to such a course will be a waste of time and can only damage their motivation," Yosef told Tazpit News. Yosef claims better integration will be achieved only when the Jewish Ethiopian identity is empowered. In addition, Israelis should have better knowledge of the Ethiopian Jewish culture, and "myths and barriers need to be broken," Yosef concluded.
Selomon thinks there's an important role for successful Israelis of Ethiopian origin to play in the battle for better integration. "I am actively bringing back successful Israelis of Ethiopian origin to their old neighborhoods, so they can act as role models and empower the communities they grow up in," he told Tazpit News. "In addition to governmental aid, I believe the community needs to find its inner strength in order to fully integrate into Israeli society," said Selomon.
"The Ethiopian community possesses great power. It's the same power that enabled us to walk for thousands of kilometers in order to immigrate to Israel. This power needs to be harnessed to the benefit of the Ethiopian community and Israeli society."