20 feb 2015
Israeli analyst at the left-wing Israeli newspaper Haaretz Zvi Bar'el has criticised Benjamin Netanyahu's suggestion that European Jews should migrate to 'Israel' to escape what the prime minister claims is a "growing wave of anti-Semitism" and the "Islamic State threat". Bar'el pointed out that 'Israel' is unable to fulfil Netanyahu's promises to new immigrants.
"Actually, not only the Jews of Europe aren't safe. The Jews of Israel have a hard time being convinced that their haven can face up to the threats in the region that Netanyahu warns them of daily," wrote Bar'el in an article published by the newspaper.
"Fear in Israel is greater, the crime level is higher and the terrorism threat is more real," said Bar'el. "Let's assume that thousands of Jews do decide to abandon their businesses, studies, homes and livelihoods and board rescue flights to Ben-Gurion International Airport. What will they find here?" added Bar'el.
Bar'el described a list of negative realities that Europe's Jews would face if they migrated to 'Israel': "They will see right-wing videos portraying the Israeli left as Nazi collaborators out to destroy the country. They'll learn how fortunate they are not to have come here as refugees from Eritrea or Sudan, or even as Jewish immigrants from Ethiopia. Jews who have suffered European anti-Semitism will trade it in for Israeli racism. They'll discover they've become citizens of an occupying country, the occupation that has contributed to that same anti-Semitism that made them pack their bags in the first place."
IBar'el also noted that Israel's murder rate is 1.8 per 100,000 people while in France it's 1 per 100,000 and in Denmark 0.8. "Last year, 27 people were killed in terror attacks here. In France and Denmark not a single person was," Bar'el wrote, although he stressed that the data indicates that the situation in Europe could get worse, but in 'Israel' the risk that the situation could get worse is far greater.
Bar'el claims that immigrants to 'Israel' would in no time discover that their safety isn't subject to the whims of the Islamic State or Al-Qaida, and they won't suffer murderous manifestations of anti-Semitism. But to be real Israelis, they'll have to adapt to Israeli depression and the constant fear of war or mass destruction, or both.
Bar'el compared 'Israel' to Europe by saying that Jews in Europe are taught to demand a high quality of life however, in 'Israel', anyone seeking a quality of life like that in Berlin is considered to be a traitor.
"Please don't confuse 'Israeliness' with Jewishness," he advised European Jews. "Israelis don't go crazy for foreigners even if they're Jewish. Just ask the Russians. About 150,000 of the immigrants from the former Soviet Union have left; ask the Ethiopians, the Bukharans and the Kurds, who decades after arriving are still identified by where they came from."
The Israeli analyst concludes by saying that of course Jews are welcome to migrate to 'Israel' and, of course, they will receive a warm welcome at the airport. "But remember that Israel swallows its immigrants hastily. It doesn't digest them."
"Actually, not only the Jews of Europe aren't safe. The Jews of Israel have a hard time being convinced that their haven can face up to the threats in the region that Netanyahu warns them of daily," wrote Bar'el in an article published by the newspaper.
"Fear in Israel is greater, the crime level is higher and the terrorism threat is more real," said Bar'el. "Let's assume that thousands of Jews do decide to abandon their businesses, studies, homes and livelihoods and board rescue flights to Ben-Gurion International Airport. What will they find here?" added Bar'el.
Bar'el described a list of negative realities that Europe's Jews would face if they migrated to 'Israel': "They will see right-wing videos portraying the Israeli left as Nazi collaborators out to destroy the country. They'll learn how fortunate they are not to have come here as refugees from Eritrea or Sudan, or even as Jewish immigrants from Ethiopia. Jews who have suffered European anti-Semitism will trade it in for Israeli racism. They'll discover they've become citizens of an occupying country, the occupation that has contributed to that same anti-Semitism that made them pack their bags in the first place."
IBar'el also noted that Israel's murder rate is 1.8 per 100,000 people while in France it's 1 per 100,000 and in Denmark 0.8. "Last year, 27 people were killed in terror attacks here. In France and Denmark not a single person was," Bar'el wrote, although he stressed that the data indicates that the situation in Europe could get worse, but in 'Israel' the risk that the situation could get worse is far greater.
Bar'el claims that immigrants to 'Israel' would in no time discover that their safety isn't subject to the whims of the Islamic State or Al-Qaida, and they won't suffer murderous manifestations of anti-Semitism. But to be real Israelis, they'll have to adapt to Israeli depression and the constant fear of war or mass destruction, or both.
Bar'el compared 'Israel' to Europe by saying that Jews in Europe are taught to demand a high quality of life however, in 'Israel', anyone seeking a quality of life like that in Berlin is considered to be a traitor.
"Please don't confuse 'Israeliness' with Jewishness," he advised European Jews. "Israelis don't go crazy for foreigners even if they're Jewish. Just ask the Russians. About 150,000 of the immigrants from the former Soviet Union have left; ask the Ethiopians, the Bukharans and the Kurds, who decades after arriving are still identified by where they came from."
The Israeli analyst concludes by saying that of course Jews are welcome to migrate to 'Israel' and, of course, they will receive a warm welcome at the airport. "But remember that Israel swallows its immigrants hastily. It doesn't digest them."
Yisrael Beiteinu leader downplays significance of Prime Minister Netanyahu's planned US speech on Iran nuclear program, urges firm stance on Iran.
Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman made comments Friday night downplaying the significance of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's planned speech before Congress next month about the threats of Iran's nuclear program.
"In two previous occasions, when Menachem Begin made the decision to destroy the Iraqi nuclear reactor, there were no speeches or public debates. We woke up one morning – and there was no reactor. The same goes for what we read in the press about Syria. We woke up one morning and the reactor was gone. No speeches or tales were involved," Lieberman said, speaking to Channel 2 News on Friday.
The foreign minister added, "it's not my place to analyze the prime minister and he is familiar with and knows the international arena just as well as I do. It doesn't seem right to hand out grades to Netanyahu less than a month before elections, but just as in previous occasions, ultimately it is our responsibility and we have to make decisions."
Commenting on differences between Israel and the US over Iran, Lieberman said: "With all due respect to the US government, this is our issue and our responsibility. We need determination here, and have to stop with the constant whining. No agreement will prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. We must decide and act accordingly."
The conflict between Israel and US over the Iran nuclear talks took another turn this week when the White House said that Israeli officials had mischaracterized US negotiations on Iran's nuclear program and criticized what it called "a continued practice of cherry-picking" and leaking information out of context.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the Obama administration is mindful of the need to keep the negotiations private and accused Israel of distorting the US' position.
"I think it is fair to say that the United States is mindful of the need to not negotiate in public and ensure that information that's discussed in the negotiating table is not taken out of context and publicized in a way that distorts the negotiating position of the United States and our allies," Earnest said at a news briefing.
"There's no question that some of the things that the Israelis have said in characterizing our negotiating position have not been accurate," he added. "There's no question about that."
He also denied reports that Washington is limiting the information it gives Israel about the Iran talks. "I know that there were some initial reports that indicated that the United States is no longer communicating with our allies in Israel about the ongoing negotiations with Iran. That obviously is false," Earnest said.
"There are any number of meetings that have taken place in recent weeks and are scheduled for the weeks ahead that indicate the continued close communication and coordination between US national security officials and their Israel counterparts," he added.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, also accused Israel of "selective sharing of information" but declined to say what information had been cherry-picked.
"I think it is safe to say not everything you are hearing from the Israeli government is an accurate reflection of the details of the talks," Psaki said.
The negotiations between the United States, Russia, China, France, Germany, Britain and Iran have reached a crucial stage, as the countries previously agreed to deliver a basic framework agreement by the end of March and a final agreement due by June 30.
Earnest would not discuss details of US-Israeli consultations on Iran nuclear negotiations.
"But I think it is fair to say that the United States is mindful of the need to not negotiate in public and ensure that information that's discussed in the negotiating table is not taken out of context and publicized in a way that distorts the negotiating position of the United States and our allies," he said.
Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman made comments Friday night downplaying the significance of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's planned speech before Congress next month about the threats of Iran's nuclear program.
"In two previous occasions, when Menachem Begin made the decision to destroy the Iraqi nuclear reactor, there were no speeches or public debates. We woke up one morning – and there was no reactor. The same goes for what we read in the press about Syria. We woke up one morning and the reactor was gone. No speeches or tales were involved," Lieberman said, speaking to Channel 2 News on Friday.
The foreign minister added, "it's not my place to analyze the prime minister and he is familiar with and knows the international arena just as well as I do. It doesn't seem right to hand out grades to Netanyahu less than a month before elections, but just as in previous occasions, ultimately it is our responsibility and we have to make decisions."
Commenting on differences between Israel and the US over Iran, Lieberman said: "With all due respect to the US government, this is our issue and our responsibility. We need determination here, and have to stop with the constant whining. No agreement will prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. We must decide and act accordingly."
The conflict between Israel and US over the Iran nuclear talks took another turn this week when the White House said that Israeli officials had mischaracterized US negotiations on Iran's nuclear program and criticized what it called "a continued practice of cherry-picking" and leaking information out of context.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the Obama administration is mindful of the need to keep the negotiations private and accused Israel of distorting the US' position.
"I think it is fair to say that the United States is mindful of the need to not negotiate in public and ensure that information that's discussed in the negotiating table is not taken out of context and publicized in a way that distorts the negotiating position of the United States and our allies," Earnest said at a news briefing.
"There's no question that some of the things that the Israelis have said in characterizing our negotiating position have not been accurate," he added. "There's no question about that."
He also denied reports that Washington is limiting the information it gives Israel about the Iran talks. "I know that there were some initial reports that indicated that the United States is no longer communicating with our allies in Israel about the ongoing negotiations with Iran. That obviously is false," Earnest said.
"There are any number of meetings that have taken place in recent weeks and are scheduled for the weeks ahead that indicate the continued close communication and coordination between US national security officials and their Israel counterparts," he added.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, also accused Israel of "selective sharing of information" but declined to say what information had been cherry-picked.
"I think it is safe to say not everything you are hearing from the Israeli government is an accurate reflection of the details of the talks," Psaki said.
The negotiations between the United States, Russia, China, France, Germany, Britain and Iran have reached a crucial stage, as the countries previously agreed to deliver a basic framework agreement by the end of March and a final agreement due by June 30.
Earnest would not discuss details of US-Israeli consultations on Iran nuclear negotiations.
"But I think it is fair to say that the United States is mindful of the need to not negotiate in public and ensure that information that's discussed in the negotiating table is not taken out of context and publicized in a way that distorts the negotiating position of the United States and our allies," he said.
House hit by mortar shell in Sderot during Operation Protective Edge
At least 1,000 children from Sderot undergo psychological treatment due to trauma following Operation Protective Edge, but despite government’s decision to reinforce city's Mental Health Center, there is only one psychiatrist available.
While many Sderot residents suffer severe psychological trauma due to their prolonged exposure to an unstable security situation, there is only one psychiatrist available to the 22,000 people living in the Negev city.
Despite data indicating a rise in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) rates among locals and requests for psychological help, such services are sparse in the area: one psychiatrist passed away, and another has been ill for a long period of time, leaving the frustrated patients with practically nowhere to turn to for emotional care, with only one psychiatrist left working in the city.
Employees of the Center for Social Rights in Sderot recently sent a warning letter to the Health Ministry as part of a joint effort between students from the Sapir Academic College and locals. “There is no need to elaborate on the situation in the city, but we would like to remind (the Health Ministry of) the decision of the government on July 13, 2014 regarding the ‘running of a night medical clinic and the reinforcement of the staff at the Sderot Mental Health Center,'" wrote Attorney Eitan Michaeli and Attorney Becky Cohen-Keshet, volunteers of the city’s Center for Social Rights and with Physicians for Human Rights.
"Not only was the reinforcement not given, but the Sderot residents who need psychological support and individual therapy are left untreated. We were contacted by worried locals who sense severe neglect on the part of those responsible for mental health services," they wrote.
One resident, referred to as A., 31-years-old, has been receiving treatment in the mental health clinic for the past two and a half years, since being injured in a work accident, and suffers from PTSD. He usually meets with a social worker in the clinic, and receives medical and medicinal treatment from a psychiatrist. “Lately, I didn’t have that, and it affected me in a bad way. The medicines had negative effects, but there was no one to consult with, so I decided to stop taking them. I was out of balance – nervous and impatient, and ultimately it led me to suicidal thoughts.”
Lawyer Michaeli explained: “In Sderot, there are people with different levels of mental illness, like any other city. They are entitled to receive treatment. They shouldn’t have to go to Be’er Sheva or Ashkelon. Beyond that, many are mentally ill due to the security situation over the past 14 years." The mental health center, he explained, operates as a joint venture between the Barzilai Medical Center and the Sderot Municipality. “One psychiatrist died and was not replaced, another psychiatrist has been ill for the past two months, and now there is only one psychiatrist. The social worker who was there resigned, but said he was willing to work part-time until they found a replacement; however, they rejected his offer."
“We sent a letter to the Health Ministry and got a call on the same day…it was clear from the conversation that they hadn’t done anything regarding the issue until then,” Michaeli said. The effort partially paid off, however, when a social worker began working part-time in the center. The Health Ministry said in response: “The Health Ministry and the Barzilai Medical Center are making every effort to recruit mental health personnel for work in the periphery, including Sderot.”
“It takes between 1-2 years to heal such trauma"
Dr. Benny Fisher, head of the Education Ministry's Administration for Rural Education and Youth Immigration, said at the Be’er Sheva Conference on the Wellbeing of the Child held at Ben Gurion University that about 1,000 children are in therapy because of Operation Protective Edge.
Talia Levanon, Director of the Israel Trauma Coalition, also spoke at the conference and expressed her concern about the future of the children living under trauma. “What kind of adults will they become? They will suffer developmental delays, coping difficulties…these are just some of the reactions that can arise as a result of a situation of ongoing stress.”
Zamira Ben Yossef, the principal of a school in the western Negev, added that the educational teams were also in need of care. “A significant number of students and teachers have been in a state of post-traumatic stress for months, which is hurting both their personal well-being and their studies.” Yael Adar, the Eshkol Regional Council Education Department Manager, said that the children living in the council “do not go outside to play, because they always have to be in a protected area. They don’t live a normal life.”
According to her, in a period of calm, it can take about one to two years to heal trauma. Considering that such conditions do not exist in the Gaza-border communities, there are many cases of children and even teenagers who returned to sleep with their parents, and shower with the door open, despite a conflicting desire for privacy.
At least 1,000 children from Sderot undergo psychological treatment due to trauma following Operation Protective Edge, but despite government’s decision to reinforce city's Mental Health Center, there is only one psychiatrist available.
While many Sderot residents suffer severe psychological trauma due to their prolonged exposure to an unstable security situation, there is only one psychiatrist available to the 22,000 people living in the Negev city.
Despite data indicating a rise in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) rates among locals and requests for psychological help, such services are sparse in the area: one psychiatrist passed away, and another has been ill for a long period of time, leaving the frustrated patients with practically nowhere to turn to for emotional care, with only one psychiatrist left working in the city.
Employees of the Center for Social Rights in Sderot recently sent a warning letter to the Health Ministry as part of a joint effort between students from the Sapir Academic College and locals. “There is no need to elaborate on the situation in the city, but we would like to remind (the Health Ministry of) the decision of the government on July 13, 2014 regarding the ‘running of a night medical clinic and the reinforcement of the staff at the Sderot Mental Health Center,'" wrote Attorney Eitan Michaeli and Attorney Becky Cohen-Keshet, volunteers of the city’s Center for Social Rights and with Physicians for Human Rights.
"Not only was the reinforcement not given, but the Sderot residents who need psychological support and individual therapy are left untreated. We were contacted by worried locals who sense severe neglect on the part of those responsible for mental health services," they wrote.
One resident, referred to as A., 31-years-old, has been receiving treatment in the mental health clinic for the past two and a half years, since being injured in a work accident, and suffers from PTSD. He usually meets with a social worker in the clinic, and receives medical and medicinal treatment from a psychiatrist. “Lately, I didn’t have that, and it affected me in a bad way. The medicines had negative effects, but there was no one to consult with, so I decided to stop taking them. I was out of balance – nervous and impatient, and ultimately it led me to suicidal thoughts.”
Lawyer Michaeli explained: “In Sderot, there are people with different levels of mental illness, like any other city. They are entitled to receive treatment. They shouldn’t have to go to Be’er Sheva or Ashkelon. Beyond that, many are mentally ill due to the security situation over the past 14 years." The mental health center, he explained, operates as a joint venture between the Barzilai Medical Center and the Sderot Municipality. “One psychiatrist died and was not replaced, another psychiatrist has been ill for the past two months, and now there is only one psychiatrist. The social worker who was there resigned, but said he was willing to work part-time until they found a replacement; however, they rejected his offer."
“We sent a letter to the Health Ministry and got a call on the same day…it was clear from the conversation that they hadn’t done anything regarding the issue until then,” Michaeli said. The effort partially paid off, however, when a social worker began working part-time in the center. The Health Ministry said in response: “The Health Ministry and the Barzilai Medical Center are making every effort to recruit mental health personnel for work in the periphery, including Sderot.”
“It takes between 1-2 years to heal such trauma"
Dr. Benny Fisher, head of the Education Ministry's Administration for Rural Education and Youth Immigration, said at the Be’er Sheva Conference on the Wellbeing of the Child held at Ben Gurion University that about 1,000 children are in therapy because of Operation Protective Edge.
Talia Levanon, Director of the Israel Trauma Coalition, also spoke at the conference and expressed her concern about the future of the children living under trauma. “What kind of adults will they become? They will suffer developmental delays, coping difficulties…these are just some of the reactions that can arise as a result of a situation of ongoing stress.”
Zamira Ben Yossef, the principal of a school in the western Negev, added that the educational teams were also in need of care. “A significant number of students and teachers have been in a state of post-traumatic stress for months, which is hurting both their personal well-being and their studies.” Yael Adar, the Eshkol Regional Council Education Department Manager, said that the children living in the council “do not go outside to play, because they always have to be in a protected area. They don’t live a normal life.”
According to her, in a period of calm, it can take about one to two years to heal trauma. Considering that such conditions do not exist in the Gaza-border communities, there are many cases of children and even teenagers who returned to sleep with their parents, and shower with the door open, despite a conflicting desire for privacy.
Habtom Abraha with his daughter. "They told me 'we'll call you', but they never did."
While Compulsory Education Law states that all children have right to register in schools regardless of parents' migration status, in practice, several local authorities refuse to admit children in local kindergartens.
As tens of thousands of parents registered their children in kindergartens for the next school year, a number of asylum seekers in Israel attempting to do the same were barred from doing so, encountering systematic policies of discrimination enforced by a number of local authorities.
According to the Israel Compulsory Education Law, all children, regardless of their parents' migration status (whether legal or not, refugees or infiltrators), are entitled and required to attend a recognized educational institution. The law applies to all children living in Israel, no matter their status in the Population Registry. The regulation also applies to children of migrant workers residing in Israel and at the age of compulsory school attendance, regardless of the formal status of their parents.
The Education Ministry, local authorities, and school principals are required to provide full education to all children according to their needs, including, for example, psychological services, free education for children ages three and older, and more.
Despite the unequivocal language of the law, dozens of asylum seekers recently contacted ASSAF (Aid Organization for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Israel) after they were prevented from enrolling their children to kindergartens, encountering statements such as "this isn’t the right place for you," or "go to Tel Aviv".
ASSAF said it received several calls from families living in Yavne who were inquiring about the issue, while the organization's volunteers reported that a number of such residents left the city and moved to Tel Aviv due to the difficulties they encountered in their attempts to register their children.
Similar calls were made by asylum seekers living in Kiryat Malachi, Bat Yam, Petah Tikva, Bnei Brak and Tel Aviv.
In some of the cases, the parents' request to enroll their children was rejected after they were asked to provide documents they could not obtain – an identity card, a resident visa valid for up to one year, or a residential lease signed by the parents (many asylum seeker families share an apartment with other asylum seekers, but at times only one person is signed on the lease).
Among those who contacted ASSAF was Habtom Abraha, 33, an Eritrean asylum seeker who wanted to register his three-year-old daughter Bat El to a kindergarten in Yavne, where he lives. "They told me they wouldn't accept my daughter, they said 'you don't deserve to be here, go to Tel Aviv'," he recounted in a conversation with Ynet. "The secretaries sent me from place to place, told me 'come back tomorrow, we'll call you', but they never did, and when I tried to check with them regarding the issue, they told me there was no decision."
Following the claims made by Abraha and other asylum seekers, the aid organization's management contacted the Yavne municipality, which said that the issue was being taken care of. However, when Abraha attempted to register his daughter once more, he was again rejected. His daughter was finally admitted to the local kindergarten after the Yavne mayor received a direct appeal from the organization – but only on condition that Abraha proves that he holds a one-year resident permit. Abraha's explanations that he had been living in Israel for the past five years, and that because of Interior Ministry procedures permits could not be renewed for two months – did not make a difference.
A source in the education system confirmed the claims, and explained that: "The three weeks allotted for registration for kindergartens in the months of January and February pose a difficulty for Israeli parents, who register online, but for asylum seekers the process is even more complicated." According to him, "asylum seekers do not know what will happen to them tomorrow, so they encounter many difficulties in registering their children for school when it's scheduled to begin in eight months."
It is important to note that the Israel Compulsory Education Law states that children at the age of five and older are required to attend an educational institution - meaning the education system is required to admit such students to schools.
More than 50,000 Africans - mainly Sudanese and Eritreans - have crossed into Israel surreptitiously through a once-porous, and now fenced, Egyptian border in the past eight years.
Many say they seek asylum from war-torn homelands, but Israel dismisses most as illegal job seekers - although some have been granted limited visas.
Since July 2009, only four requests for asylum have been recognized by Israel out of 5,573 filed by Sudanese and Eritrean nationals. The data was revealed as part as a High Court petition against the Infiltration Protection Act – which the court already shot down twice.
Moreover, the petition revealed that out of 3,165 petitions filed by Sudanese nationals, at least 2,184 have yet to be answered.
While Compulsory Education Law states that all children have right to register in schools regardless of parents' migration status, in practice, several local authorities refuse to admit children in local kindergartens.
As tens of thousands of parents registered their children in kindergartens for the next school year, a number of asylum seekers in Israel attempting to do the same were barred from doing so, encountering systematic policies of discrimination enforced by a number of local authorities.
According to the Israel Compulsory Education Law, all children, regardless of their parents' migration status (whether legal or not, refugees or infiltrators), are entitled and required to attend a recognized educational institution. The law applies to all children living in Israel, no matter their status in the Population Registry. The regulation also applies to children of migrant workers residing in Israel and at the age of compulsory school attendance, regardless of the formal status of their parents.
The Education Ministry, local authorities, and school principals are required to provide full education to all children according to their needs, including, for example, psychological services, free education for children ages three and older, and more.
Despite the unequivocal language of the law, dozens of asylum seekers recently contacted ASSAF (Aid Organization for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Israel) after they were prevented from enrolling their children to kindergartens, encountering statements such as "this isn’t the right place for you," or "go to Tel Aviv".
ASSAF said it received several calls from families living in Yavne who were inquiring about the issue, while the organization's volunteers reported that a number of such residents left the city and moved to Tel Aviv due to the difficulties they encountered in their attempts to register their children.
Similar calls were made by asylum seekers living in Kiryat Malachi, Bat Yam, Petah Tikva, Bnei Brak and Tel Aviv.
In some of the cases, the parents' request to enroll their children was rejected after they were asked to provide documents they could not obtain – an identity card, a resident visa valid for up to one year, or a residential lease signed by the parents (many asylum seeker families share an apartment with other asylum seekers, but at times only one person is signed on the lease).
Among those who contacted ASSAF was Habtom Abraha, 33, an Eritrean asylum seeker who wanted to register his three-year-old daughter Bat El to a kindergarten in Yavne, where he lives. "They told me they wouldn't accept my daughter, they said 'you don't deserve to be here, go to Tel Aviv'," he recounted in a conversation with Ynet. "The secretaries sent me from place to place, told me 'come back tomorrow, we'll call you', but they never did, and when I tried to check with them regarding the issue, they told me there was no decision."
Following the claims made by Abraha and other asylum seekers, the aid organization's management contacted the Yavne municipality, which said that the issue was being taken care of. However, when Abraha attempted to register his daughter once more, he was again rejected. His daughter was finally admitted to the local kindergarten after the Yavne mayor received a direct appeal from the organization – but only on condition that Abraha proves that he holds a one-year resident permit. Abraha's explanations that he had been living in Israel for the past five years, and that because of Interior Ministry procedures permits could not be renewed for two months – did not make a difference.
A source in the education system confirmed the claims, and explained that: "The three weeks allotted for registration for kindergartens in the months of January and February pose a difficulty for Israeli parents, who register online, but for asylum seekers the process is even more complicated." According to him, "asylum seekers do not know what will happen to them tomorrow, so they encounter many difficulties in registering their children for school when it's scheduled to begin in eight months."
It is important to note that the Israel Compulsory Education Law states that children at the age of five and older are required to attend an educational institution - meaning the education system is required to admit such students to schools.
More than 50,000 Africans - mainly Sudanese and Eritreans - have crossed into Israel surreptitiously through a once-porous, and now fenced, Egyptian border in the past eight years.
Many say they seek asylum from war-torn homelands, but Israel dismisses most as illegal job seekers - although some have been granted limited visas.
Since July 2009, only four requests for asylum have been recognized by Israel out of 5,573 filed by Sudanese and Eritrean nationals. The data was revealed as part as a High Court petition against the Infiltration Protection Act – which the court already shot down twice.
Moreover, the petition revealed that out of 3,165 petitions filed by Sudanese nationals, at least 2,184 have yet to be answered.
Despite claims to have evidence linking V15 to the Zionist Camp, judge recommends ruling party withdrew their injunction request against the organization, which they accused to be using foreign funds for left's election campaign.
After holding an urgent press conference in which they accused the Zionist Camp and Meretz of receiving foreign funds for their election campaign raised by leftwing NGO V15, the Likud had to backtrack on its petition against the NGO on Thursday over lack of sufficient evidence to back their claim.
Two weeks ago, Likud MKs Ofir Akunis, Miri Regev, Tzipi Hotovely, Yariv Levin and others held a press conference claiming they had incriminating evidence against Zionist Camp leader Isaac Herzog, which prove that the NGO V15 was working illegally on his behalf to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But on Thursday, the party informed the Jerusalem District Court it decided to withdraw its petition against V15, saying it was hard to find a "smoking gun" against the organization. Judge Zvi Segal accepted the request to withdraw the petition.
Segal recommended this course of action on Wednesday after a long hearing on the Likud's petition to halt the activity of V15. The judge gave the Likud's representative, Attorney David Shimron, 24 hours to withdraw the petition. In his request to withdraw the petition, Shimron noted that in light of the fact the issue is being investigated by the Criminal Department in the State Attorney's Office following a complaint filed to the police, and in light of Judge Segal's recommendation that the evidence on display necessitate closer examination, as well as in light of the court's comment that there was an evidentiary difficulty in proving the extent of the affiliation between V15 and the aforementioned parties - the Likud decided to withdraw the petition while insisting on the State Attorney's investigation and that of the State Comptroller.
The Likud party stressed that "the meaning of Judge Zvi Segal's decision is that a thorough investigation is required: Who is funding the V15 organization, and from whom foreign money is coming to unseat the Likud government headed by Netanyahu. Judge Segal's decision is a warning to V15 and to the Zionist Camp. The police and State Attorney have the measures to expose the truth hiding behind V15 and we call on law enforcement authorities to immediately open an investigation."
Earlier this month, the Likud party accused the Zionist Camp and Meretz of breaking election fundraising and propaganda laws by receiving donations raised by NGOs funded by foreign donors. In a petition filed by the Likud party to the Central Election Committee, the party alleges that the organizations Molad (the center for the renewal of Israeli democracy), OneVoice (organization supporting the two-state solution), Project 61 (which deals with election polls) and V15 (Victory 2015, an organization seeking to replace the government) are funding the left-wing's elections campaign.
The petition claims that these organizations are conducting indirect election propaganda, linked to the Labor party and Meretz, not in accordance with elections campaign laws. The Likud demanded an injunction to be filed against V15 and Project 61, forbidding them from continuing their campaigns. "The Likud movement is calling on investigative authorities to continue their work to follow the sources of funding for the left's campaign, which is supported by radical leftwing organizations who seek to change the government with money.
We won't let the 'NGOs affair 2' happen," the party said Thursday. The Zionist Camp said in response: "We feel bad for Bibi, who will have to now think of a new spin so, heavens forbid, no one talks about his failures in security, the cost of living and housing. We won't be surprised if tomorrow morning we wake up to a press conference held by the prime minister's subjects in which the snow will be presented as a conspiracy by the Zionist Camp to overthrow the Netanyahu regime. This is what Bibi is like, the lower he is polling, the more he is lying."
The V15 organization said in response: "What started with a bizarre and farfetched press conference ended today with an embarrassing admission of surrender by the Likud to the District Court in Jerusalem. The Likud's decision to backtrack on their request for an injunction and from the court petition is another link in a chain of losses Likud has suffered to V15 in this election campaign. We regret that what was left of the glorious Likud movement is a weak performance of the (Netanyahu) family's lawyer and a noisy group of MKs and ministers who ingratiate themselves to their detached leader. Judge Zvi Segal also realized that behind V15 are Israelis determined to bring back hope and replace the government."
After holding an urgent press conference in which they accused the Zionist Camp and Meretz of receiving foreign funds for their election campaign raised by leftwing NGO V15, the Likud had to backtrack on its petition against the NGO on Thursday over lack of sufficient evidence to back their claim.
Two weeks ago, Likud MKs Ofir Akunis, Miri Regev, Tzipi Hotovely, Yariv Levin and others held a press conference claiming they had incriminating evidence against Zionist Camp leader Isaac Herzog, which prove that the NGO V15 was working illegally on his behalf to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But on Thursday, the party informed the Jerusalem District Court it decided to withdraw its petition against V15, saying it was hard to find a "smoking gun" against the organization. Judge Zvi Segal accepted the request to withdraw the petition.
Segal recommended this course of action on Wednesday after a long hearing on the Likud's petition to halt the activity of V15. The judge gave the Likud's representative, Attorney David Shimron, 24 hours to withdraw the petition. In his request to withdraw the petition, Shimron noted that in light of the fact the issue is being investigated by the Criminal Department in the State Attorney's Office following a complaint filed to the police, and in light of Judge Segal's recommendation that the evidence on display necessitate closer examination, as well as in light of the court's comment that there was an evidentiary difficulty in proving the extent of the affiliation between V15 and the aforementioned parties - the Likud decided to withdraw the petition while insisting on the State Attorney's investigation and that of the State Comptroller.
The Likud party stressed that "the meaning of Judge Zvi Segal's decision is that a thorough investigation is required: Who is funding the V15 organization, and from whom foreign money is coming to unseat the Likud government headed by Netanyahu. Judge Segal's decision is a warning to V15 and to the Zionist Camp. The police and State Attorney have the measures to expose the truth hiding behind V15 and we call on law enforcement authorities to immediately open an investigation."
Earlier this month, the Likud party accused the Zionist Camp and Meretz of breaking election fundraising and propaganda laws by receiving donations raised by NGOs funded by foreign donors. In a petition filed by the Likud party to the Central Election Committee, the party alleges that the organizations Molad (the center for the renewal of Israeli democracy), OneVoice (organization supporting the two-state solution), Project 61 (which deals with election polls) and V15 (Victory 2015, an organization seeking to replace the government) are funding the left-wing's elections campaign.
The petition claims that these organizations are conducting indirect election propaganda, linked to the Labor party and Meretz, not in accordance with elections campaign laws. The Likud demanded an injunction to be filed against V15 and Project 61, forbidding them from continuing their campaigns. "The Likud movement is calling on investigative authorities to continue their work to follow the sources of funding for the left's campaign, which is supported by radical leftwing organizations who seek to change the government with money.
We won't let the 'NGOs affair 2' happen," the party said Thursday. The Zionist Camp said in response: "We feel bad for Bibi, who will have to now think of a new spin so, heavens forbid, no one talks about his failures in security, the cost of living and housing. We won't be surprised if tomorrow morning we wake up to a press conference held by the prime minister's subjects in which the snow will be presented as a conspiracy by the Zionist Camp to overthrow the Netanyahu regime. This is what Bibi is like, the lower he is polling, the more he is lying."
The V15 organization said in response: "What started with a bizarre and farfetched press conference ended today with an embarrassing admission of surrender by the Likud to the District Court in Jerusalem. The Likud's decision to backtrack on their request for an injunction and from the court petition is another link in a chain of losses Likud has suffered to V15 in this election campaign. We regret that what was left of the glorious Likud movement is a weak performance of the (Netanyahu) family's lawyer and a noisy group of MKs and ministers who ingratiate themselves to their detached leader. Judge Zvi Segal also realized that behind V15 are Israelis determined to bring back hope and replace the government."
Still From Shas Ad - YouTube
The Shas ultra-orthodox Jewish Party, headed by Aryeh Deri, started a campaign addressing the Arab citizens of Israel in an attempt to gain their votes in the upcoming general election, by using the fact that Arabs and Haredi Jews are largely marginalized in Israeli politics.
The party is now carrying slogans such as “With Deri; our revolution is coming,” as a move meant to appeal to Arab voters, largely marginalized by the system in Tel Aviv, especially the ongoing displacement of Bedouins in the Negev, and the lack of services for Arab communities, the Arabs48 news website has reported.
However, what the party seems to be trying do is to gain Arab votes without offering to include Arab candidates in the upcoming election of March 17.
The campaign started in northern areas in the country after hiring people experienced in rallying voters, and managed to bring dozens to attend the Shas conference under the slogan “it is time to live in dignity.”
Shas is known for voting for laws that largely target the Arabs in the country and seriously limit their freedoms, and never voted against laws that were seen as anti-Arab.
Nevertheless, Shas officials are alleging that the party’s campaign, directed to the Arab sector, stems from what it called “socioeconomic similarities” between the Arab sector and Haredi religious eastern Jews in the country.
The Arabs48, a senior Arabic news agency in the country, said that while Shas is trying to recruit Arab votes by attempting to locate similarities between the two sectors, it willingly ignores the real concerns the Arabs have, and the serious issues they encounter.
It said Shas ignores the consistent injustices the Palestinians face, especially since Israel was established in the historic land of Palestine by displacing and removing the indigenous Arab population to establish a Jewish country in their homeland.
What Shas is trying to do in the election is an attempt to use the suffering of the Palestinians in the country by finding similarities that do not translate to a political and social joint future, it added.
“2.000.000 Million present but invisible persons, 930.000 hungry children,” the video ad states, “To us, they are all present, Jews and Arabs – Shas”.
Shas published a video ad for its campaign talking about the middle class and the suffering of the poor in the country, working as cleaners in homes, and as simple laborers while the rich plan vacations abroad.
Israeli sources said some Shas leaders are supporting this campaign in the Arab sector, but prefer to keep it from being exposed to traditional Shas voters who are likely refrain from voting in the March 17 election if they knew Shas is trying to gain Arab votes.
Recently Arab parties, and for the first time, decided to unite under one umbrella in the upcoming election, in an attempt to increase their chances of gaining more Knesset seats. The coalition also includes communist party supporters and the Islamic movement in the country.
The unified list could create a marginal increase in representation from 11 to a minimum of 12-14, with the little potential of gaining a few more seats if they managed to bring voters who support other parties such as Labor, Kadima or even the Likud.
After the coalition was announced, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman of the Israel Our Home Party described the move as “a threat to Israel’s very existence.”
“Now we see what they always kept hidden, what we already knew, their true mission,” Lieberman said, “Whether they are Islamist, Communists or Jihadists, they are all united to bring an end to Israel as a Jewish State.”
Related:
Radical Judaism in Israel http://sabbah
The Shas ultra-orthodox Jewish Party, headed by Aryeh Deri, started a campaign addressing the Arab citizens of Israel in an attempt to gain their votes in the upcoming general election, by using the fact that Arabs and Haredi Jews are largely marginalized in Israeli politics.
The party is now carrying slogans such as “With Deri; our revolution is coming,” as a move meant to appeal to Arab voters, largely marginalized by the system in Tel Aviv, especially the ongoing displacement of Bedouins in the Negev, and the lack of services for Arab communities, the Arabs48 news website has reported.
However, what the party seems to be trying do is to gain Arab votes without offering to include Arab candidates in the upcoming election of March 17.
The campaign started in northern areas in the country after hiring people experienced in rallying voters, and managed to bring dozens to attend the Shas conference under the slogan “it is time to live in dignity.”
Shas is known for voting for laws that largely target the Arabs in the country and seriously limit their freedoms, and never voted against laws that were seen as anti-Arab.
Nevertheless, Shas officials are alleging that the party’s campaign, directed to the Arab sector, stems from what it called “socioeconomic similarities” between the Arab sector and Haredi religious eastern Jews in the country.
The Arabs48, a senior Arabic news agency in the country, said that while Shas is trying to recruit Arab votes by attempting to locate similarities between the two sectors, it willingly ignores the real concerns the Arabs have, and the serious issues they encounter.
It said Shas ignores the consistent injustices the Palestinians face, especially since Israel was established in the historic land of Palestine by displacing and removing the indigenous Arab population to establish a Jewish country in their homeland.
What Shas is trying to do in the election is an attempt to use the suffering of the Palestinians in the country by finding similarities that do not translate to a political and social joint future, it added.
“2.000.000 Million present but invisible persons, 930.000 hungry children,” the video ad states, “To us, they are all present, Jews and Arabs – Shas”.
Shas published a video ad for its campaign talking about the middle class and the suffering of the poor in the country, working as cleaners in homes, and as simple laborers while the rich plan vacations abroad.
Israeli sources said some Shas leaders are supporting this campaign in the Arab sector, but prefer to keep it from being exposed to traditional Shas voters who are likely refrain from voting in the March 17 election if they knew Shas is trying to gain Arab votes.
Recently Arab parties, and for the first time, decided to unite under one umbrella in the upcoming election, in an attempt to increase their chances of gaining more Knesset seats. The coalition also includes communist party supporters and the Islamic movement in the country.
The unified list could create a marginal increase in representation from 11 to a minimum of 12-14, with the little potential of gaining a few more seats if they managed to bring voters who support other parties such as Labor, Kadima or even the Likud.
After the coalition was announced, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman of the Israel Our Home Party described the move as “a threat to Israel’s very existence.”
“Now we see what they always kept hidden, what we already knew, their true mission,” Lieberman said, “Whether they are Islamist, Communists or Jihadists, they are all united to bring an end to Israel as a Jewish State.”
Related:
Radical Judaism in Israel http://sabbah
19 feb 2015
Ynet has learned that the World Zionist Organization's executive committee decided to end the Prime Minister Office's oversight over the controversial division spearheading West Bank settlements, in move that could in fact increase transparency, harm settlement funding.
World Zionist Organization's executive committee decided Thursday morning to retake control over the controversial Settlement Division – which has recently inspired anger after a young MK and local media revealed that it had been indirectly receiving large amounts of funds for building West Bank settlements.
For nearly half a century, the WZO's Settlement Division played a key role in managing land and infrastructure in the bitterly disputed settlements. The division is officially affiliated with the WZO, but is funded and run through the Prime Minister's Office.
Although its funding comes entirely from the government, its finances are largely kept secret, a fact which has put it inthe cross hairs of local media outlets and MK Stav Shafir, who claim that settlements and political pet projects are getting the lion's share of the budget. Coupled with reports of possibly illegal abuse of funds, the division has faced calls for reform from both the left and center, especially ahead of the March 17 election.
The executive committee's decision is unorthodox and it remains unclear whether the state will fight the move. Regardless, the WZO vows it will work to increase transparency and make its records public. Moreover, the WZO said it will appoint a special comptroller to look into the division's workings.
The move was led by left-wing party Meretz's faction in the committee, led by the party's director-general Dror Morag.
The World Zionist Organization, an international body founded more than a century ago, promotes Jewish education and immigration to Israel. It serves as an umbrella group for a host of international Jewish groups and youth movements. The Settlement Division was founded with the goal of creating and supporting rural communities in the West Bank, Golan Heights and other areas in Israel proper.
As part of the Israel Police's ongoing investigation into a large political corruption scandal, the Lahav 433 Anti-Fraud Unit recently raided the division's offices and seized various documents. The raids took place at the Settlement Division's northern, central and southern district offices.
The investigation focused on tenders issued by the Settlement Division for projects that were carried out in the regional councils whose heads have been arrested as part of the wide-scale corruption probe – Shomron Regional Council leader Gershon Mesika, Tamar Regional Council leader Dov Litvinoff, and Megilot Regional Council leader Mordechai Dahman – all in the West Bank.
Thus far, police haven't arrested any suspects from the Settlement Division, which every year receives several financial packages that significantly inflate its original budget. These monetary transfers, carried out with the approval of the Knesset Finance Committee, are often said to stem from the coalition agreements between the various political parties. The Settlement Division is very closely linked to both Yisrael Beytenu and Bayit Yehudi, and the body employs several officials from these parties.
As revealed by Ynet's economic sister website Calcalist some six months ago, the Settlement Division's budget has increased by more than 600 percent since the beginning of the year.
Calcalist recently reported that the Justice Ministry soon would recommend the division's closure. Officially, Justice Ministry officials would confirm only that the issue was being investigated.
Last year, the Knesset's Finance Committee, chaired by pro-settlement lawmaker Nissan Slomiansky from the Bayit Yeudi, increased the Settlement Division's funding for 2014 to about $126 million, more than eight times the sum originally budgeted for the group, according to data from the oBudget.org transparency website.
World Zionist Organization's executive committee decided Thursday morning to retake control over the controversial Settlement Division – which has recently inspired anger after a young MK and local media revealed that it had been indirectly receiving large amounts of funds for building West Bank settlements.
For nearly half a century, the WZO's Settlement Division played a key role in managing land and infrastructure in the bitterly disputed settlements. The division is officially affiliated with the WZO, but is funded and run through the Prime Minister's Office.
Although its funding comes entirely from the government, its finances are largely kept secret, a fact which has put it inthe cross hairs of local media outlets and MK Stav Shafir, who claim that settlements and political pet projects are getting the lion's share of the budget. Coupled with reports of possibly illegal abuse of funds, the division has faced calls for reform from both the left and center, especially ahead of the March 17 election.
The executive committee's decision is unorthodox and it remains unclear whether the state will fight the move. Regardless, the WZO vows it will work to increase transparency and make its records public. Moreover, the WZO said it will appoint a special comptroller to look into the division's workings.
The move was led by left-wing party Meretz's faction in the committee, led by the party's director-general Dror Morag.
The World Zionist Organization, an international body founded more than a century ago, promotes Jewish education and immigration to Israel. It serves as an umbrella group for a host of international Jewish groups and youth movements. The Settlement Division was founded with the goal of creating and supporting rural communities in the West Bank, Golan Heights and other areas in Israel proper.
As part of the Israel Police's ongoing investigation into a large political corruption scandal, the Lahav 433 Anti-Fraud Unit recently raided the division's offices and seized various documents. The raids took place at the Settlement Division's northern, central and southern district offices.
The investigation focused on tenders issued by the Settlement Division for projects that were carried out in the regional councils whose heads have been arrested as part of the wide-scale corruption probe – Shomron Regional Council leader Gershon Mesika, Tamar Regional Council leader Dov Litvinoff, and Megilot Regional Council leader Mordechai Dahman – all in the West Bank.
Thus far, police haven't arrested any suspects from the Settlement Division, which every year receives several financial packages that significantly inflate its original budget. These monetary transfers, carried out with the approval of the Knesset Finance Committee, are often said to stem from the coalition agreements between the various political parties. The Settlement Division is very closely linked to both Yisrael Beytenu and Bayit Yehudi, and the body employs several officials from these parties.
As revealed by Ynet's economic sister website Calcalist some six months ago, the Settlement Division's budget has increased by more than 600 percent since the beginning of the year.
Calcalist recently reported that the Justice Ministry soon would recommend the division's closure. Officially, Justice Ministry officials would confirm only that the issue was being investigated.
Last year, the Knesset's Finance Committee, chaired by pro-settlement lawmaker Nissan Slomiansky from the Bayit Yeudi, increased the Settlement Division's funding for 2014 to about $126 million, more than eight times the sum originally budgeted for the group, according to data from the oBudget.org transparency website.
"As elected PM I would neither release prisoners nor negotiate with Hamas," Chairman of the Zionist Union Isaac Herzog said Wednesday.
Speaking during a visit he paid to Gaza-border communities on Wednesday, Herzog said if he were to be elected Israel’s next prime minister he would not "release murderers with blood on their hands and won’t negotiate with Hamas."
"In order to change the situation, we need to take initiative, and we will work to promote the demilitarization and rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip,” Herzog further claimed
“Netanyahu failed in taking care of security, and we will give the proper response and create a new political horizon,” he added.
He laid out the three central tenets of the Zionist Union's security platform, including returning security forces to the area after Netanyahu's government removed them for budgetary reasons, building defense mechanisms like an underground wall to block Hamas' terror tunnels and "hitting terror hard," which he said also includes not freeing terrorists or negotiating with Hamas.
Former head of the Israeli military intelligence Amos Yadlin, meanwhile, slammed Netanyahu for releasing Palestinian prisoners as part of peace talks held under the US auspices.
In a related development, the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties are expected to announce in the next few days that after the elections, they will recommend that the President charge Binyamin Netanyahu with forming the next government, Channel 7 reported Wednesday.
The reports indicate that Shas decided to support Netanyahu following his announcement that he will cancel criminal sanctions affiliated with the Draft Bill. United Torah Judaism is expected to issue a similar statement.
Netanyahu welcomed the decisions, saying both parties are co-partners in Israel’s political arenas.
On Tuesday, Netanyahu claimed, during a meet-the-press event, that if he is re-elected he will act to remove legislation that allows for the jailing of ultra-Orthodox men who refuse to show up for their national service — a move that drew praise from ultra-Orthodox parties who may be key players in Netanyahu’s next coalition.
During the meeting Netanyahu explicitly declared that he intends to include the Haredi parties in the future government.
Speaking during a visit he paid to Gaza-border communities on Wednesday, Herzog said if he were to be elected Israel’s next prime minister he would not "release murderers with blood on their hands and won’t negotiate with Hamas."
"In order to change the situation, we need to take initiative, and we will work to promote the demilitarization and rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip,” Herzog further claimed
“Netanyahu failed in taking care of security, and we will give the proper response and create a new political horizon,” he added.
He laid out the three central tenets of the Zionist Union's security platform, including returning security forces to the area after Netanyahu's government removed them for budgetary reasons, building defense mechanisms like an underground wall to block Hamas' terror tunnels and "hitting terror hard," which he said also includes not freeing terrorists or negotiating with Hamas.
Former head of the Israeli military intelligence Amos Yadlin, meanwhile, slammed Netanyahu for releasing Palestinian prisoners as part of peace talks held under the US auspices.
In a related development, the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties are expected to announce in the next few days that after the elections, they will recommend that the President charge Binyamin Netanyahu with forming the next government, Channel 7 reported Wednesday.
The reports indicate that Shas decided to support Netanyahu following his announcement that he will cancel criminal sanctions affiliated with the Draft Bill. United Torah Judaism is expected to issue a similar statement.
Netanyahu welcomed the decisions, saying both parties are co-partners in Israel’s political arenas.
On Tuesday, Netanyahu claimed, during a meet-the-press event, that if he is re-elected he will act to remove legislation that allows for the jailing of ultra-Orthodox men who refuse to show up for their national service — a move that drew praise from ultra-Orthodox parties who may be key players in Netanyahu’s next coalition.
During the meeting Netanyahu explicitly declared that he intends to include the Haredi parties in the future government.
