Dr. Dori Gould, President of the Jerusalem Center for Public and State Affairs and former Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addressed the political issue in the context of the change of government in Israel today at a conference of the "Security Movement" a group of hundreds of ex-army officers.

“When we talk about Iran we focus on the atomic bomb, but its involvement in other countries of our region is much more worrying. "Netanyahu's speech to Congress in 2015 reviewed the situation in the region and the influence of the Iranian regime, and exposed the world to the hybrid fighting of the Revolutionary Guards through proxy forces," said Dr. Gould.

He stressed the danger that the Iranians are working to encircle Israel's borders with the forces identified with it and supported by it. Fortunately for us, that they are not succeeding in the mission despite investing enormous resources and attempts to influence the holy places for Shiites on Israel's eastern border."

The president of the Jerusalem Center added: "The western powers' understandings with the Iranians did not prevent the expansion of the latter and did not lead to regional calm, on the contrary. Tony Blair's research institute revealed that these understandings only accelerated Iranian ambition and influence. It is no wonder that between 2014-2021 Hamas managed to intensify, as their main sponsor, Iran, is also getting stronger. 

Unfortunately, all indications are that the agreement now being formed with Iran will only give them more power. This is exactly the importance of the "Security Movement", to be the gatekeepers and to inspire the public and decision makers. 

At the end of his remarks, he said: “The bottom line is that no matter which government is formed, in the end the Israeli government will not be allowed to give up the defendable borders of the defenders in the Jordan Valley. "The threat from the East has not stopped and it may take on a different character under Iranian influence," said the president of the Jerusalem Center for Public and State Affairs.

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Today on the Made in Israel Daily show we have a broadcast that emphasizes the importance of reporting the truth about Israel. Watch:

Eitan Biran, 5, the only survivor of the tragedy of the cable car accident in Italy, was released from the hospital and returned to his home in the city of Fabia. This, after yesterday he was updated on the deaths of his parents, younger brother and grandparents.

In the photo: 5-year-old Eitan (bottom right) with his family killed in the disaster (Photo: courtesy of the family)

The Israel Defense Forces have no policy of deliberately targeting civilians or civilian property and make every effort to give effective advance warning of impending strikes that could potentially affect the civilian population.

BY:  Amb. Alan Baker

The success of Israel’s “Iron Dome” anti-missile defense system in reducing the threat of over 4,000 rockets fired by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in May 2021 cannot in any way reduce the extent of the Palestinians’ criminal liability for severe war crimes in willfully and deliberately directing massive barrages of missiles toward civilian centers in Israel.
The deliberate and cynical use by Hamas and Islamic Jihad of their own civilians as human shields, as well as their use of mosques, hospitals, schools, and private houses as weapons storage facilities and firing platforms, are no less severe war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law.

The construction of tactical tunnels beneath urban civilian areas, hospitals, public facilities, and urban roads are also war crimes and grave violations of international humanitarian law.

The indiscriminate targeting of Israeli cities and civilians practiced by Hamas violates the rule of distinction in international law, which requires combatants to limit attacks to legitimate military targets.

Moreover, advocating a religious holy war aimed at creating a regional Islamic entity encompassing the whole of the territory of Israel appears to contravene the provisions of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention of Genocide.

For all such crimes, Hamas and PIJ leaders and commanders are accountable and prosecutable under international law.

The Israel Defense Forces have no policy of deliberately targeting civilians or civilian property and make every effort to give effective advance warning of impending strikes that could potentially affect the civilian population.

BY:  Amb. Alan Baker

The success of Israel’s “Iron Dome” anti-missile defense system in reducing the threat of over 4,000 rockets fired by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in May 2021 cannot in any way reduce the extent of the Palestinians’ criminal liability for severe war crimes in willfully and deliberately directing massive barrages of missiles toward civilian centers in Israel.
The deliberate and cynical use by Hamas and Islamic Jihad of their own civilians as human shields, as well as their use of mosques, hospitals, schools, and private houses as weapons storage facilities and firing platforms, are no less severe war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law.

The construction of tactical tunnels beneath urban civilian areas, hospitals, public facilities, and urban roads are also war crimes and grave violations of international humanitarian law.

The indiscriminate targeting of Israeli cities and civilians practiced by Hamas violates the rule of distinction in international law, which requires combatants to limit attacks to legitimate military targets.

Moreover, advocating a religious holy war aimed at creating a regional Islamic entity encompassing the whole of the territory of Israel appears to contravene the provisions of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention of Genocide.

For all such crimes, Hamas and PIJ leaders and commanders are accountable and prosecutable under international law.

Bangladesh Removes Israel Exclusion From Its Passport, Tells Palestinian Ambassador: 'We Are A Sovereign Country; We Will Decide What To Do'

On May 23, 2021, the government of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina confirmed that it had removed the words "except Israel" from the Bangladeshi passport.

In practical terms, this means that Bangladesh has, albeit theoretically, lifted a bar on its citizens from travelling to Israel.

Prime Minister Hasina, who was in office from 1996 to 2001 and has now been in office since 2009, is currently in a strong position, with the political opposition at its weakest, the Islamist religious opposition tamed, and Bangladesh forging ahead of its giant neighbor India in terms of per capita income. 

The landmark decision by the Hasina government is being seen in the context of a number of Islamic countries – notably the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco – having moved in the direction of normalization of diplomatic relations with Israel in recent years. 

Even in Pakistan, some eminent Islamic scholars have spoken publicly in favor of normalization of ties with Israel.

According to the Department of Immigration and Passports, new Bangladeshi passports will now declare: "This passport is valid for all countries of the world" – with the last two words "except Israel" being dropped."

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The obligation to wear masks will also be abolished in closed spaces in nine days - this was decided after a discussion held today (Sunday) in Magen Israel on the subject. The decision will take effect on June 15, about two weeks after it was decided not to renew the regulations relating to the green and purple label.

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In the personal, and open video, the Chacellor thanks Israel and the PM for the help his country received to fight the Corona Virus Pandemic.
PM Netanyahu sent back this message:

"Thank you very much my friend Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz!"

The one and only Caroline Glick absolutely destroys condescending Danish Ambassador Jesper Vahr who insisted that Israel should be happy that Europe discriminates against the Jewish state.

The exchange took place at the 2014 Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference. Six years have passed, yet Caroline's words are still as true and relevant as ever!

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Saudi Journalist Prof. Safouq Al-Shammari: Israel Should Respond To Hamas Missiles By Attacking Iranian Targets In The Region

Al-Watan (Saudi Arabia), May 27, 2021

"The title of this article may seem somewhat strange, especially since [I am addressing] a prime minister with whom I tend to disagree. However I believe that this disagreement enables us to be more objective, since, when presenting a position to someone you disagree with, emotions play no part. Someone might [also] ask, What is the point of presenting a proposal to the prime minister of a country with which you have no relations? The answer is simple: We have a specific [shared] interest, which I will discuss below…

"[The results] of the last war in Gaza were lamentable and destructive, especially for the civilians. This war was between Israel and Iran's proxy in Gaza, the Hamas movement, and it is possible that neither side suffered as much as the civilians on both sides. Israel bombed thousands of [targets] in densely-populated Gaza, and Hamas launched thousands of rockets. Numerous civilians on both sides were injured and killed.

"What is amazing is that, despite adopting a very pragmatic policy, Israel – or more precisely, Netanyahu, or Bibi, as he is known – does not attempt to punish the chief instigator [responsible] for this ongoing war, i.e. Iran! There is no doubt that, without Iranian incitement, this war would have been shorter, with less damage to civilians and infrastructure. [In fact,] this war could have been over before it began if Israel had performed a simple action, which could prevent all future wars and bring an end to the suffering of the poor civilians, who have nothing to do with these wars! Very simply, what will happen if Israel decides that every rocket fired by Hamas will be met with an attack on Iranian targets in Syria and elsewhere? After all, the Israelis have a list of thousands of Iranian targets in the area. The result will be that Iran will be the one restraining Hamas from launching missiles and [thus] preventing the fighting.

"[What actually happened was that] Israel attacked [Iran's] arm, namely Hamas, harmed the civilians among whom Hamas operatives take cover, while disregarding the head, which is Iran. But  if,  every time [Hamas launched rockets, Israel]  attacked Iranian targets, the world would not have conducted [smear] campaigns against Israel, and perhaps even the Palestinians themselves would have supported these actions and perceived them as revenge for the thousands of Palestinians Iran has killed in Syria. Arab countries would not condemn these actions either, and even the Abraham Accords would be strengthened. Israel would be presented as the country that fights the destruction sown by Iran in the region, and the picture would thus reverse itself: the sweeping Arab and international anger at Israel would turn into satisfaction! The Israeli home front would [also] enjoy quiet, and the Israeli citizens would be protected.

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Lebanese Camille Dory Chamoun: "The Israelis do not want war. If you do not attack them, they will not attack you. But when you allow acts of aggression against Israel to be launched from your land, you will surely encounter a painful strike in return."

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The smuggling routes of Hamas in Gaza go through Egypt and Sinai. Abbas Kamel, head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service, is apparently familiar with them. But it suits him to turn a blind eye  

Don't let the high-profile visit by the head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service, Abbas Kamel, mislead you. I wrote about it previously – Egypt is responsible for almost every rocket that is launched at Israel from Gaza, whether manufactured locally in Gaza or imported from Lebanon, Syria or any other place.  

To manufacture rockets in Gaza, Hamas needs to import raw materials and machinery. To import parts or entire rockets, Hamas needs a logistical route. In both cases, the logistical route passes through Egypt and Sinai. The sea is to the west, and the State of Israel is to the north and the east.   

You also shouldn't believe the reports by the Defense Ministry or politicians in the Knesset that Hamas obtained the materials it needs for its rocket network by disguising them as humanitarian aid. Occasionally, these kinds of materials are captured at the border crossings controlled by Israel, but most of it is brought in via the Philadelphi route, either above it or below it.    

During 11 days, Hamas launched 4,000 rockets. How many does it have in its storehouses? It appears that it has several thousand more. For this amount of rockets, you need a lot of metal, materials for creating propulsion, materials for manufacturing engines, machinery and more. Manpower needs to be sent overseas for training, and then returned to Gaza afterwards. How do you go overseas from Gaza? You guessed it, via Egypt. Again, officially via the Rafah border crossing or unofficially via the Philadelphi route.      

Does Kamel know about this? Well, he's supposed to know about it. The Egyptian intelligence services are very concerned about the Islamic movement, and therefore they monitor Hamas in Gaza. People, goods, messages in the media and more. It isn't by chance that Kamel always serves as a mediator. Hamas listens to him because it is dependent on him.     

The smuggling route of Hamas to Gaza passes, at least according to assessments, via the seaports somewhere in the area of the Gulf of Aden (the Middle East or Africa), via a land route to Egypt, and then via Sinai to Gaza. Kamel and the intelligence service that he is responsible for are aware, apparently, of most of this smuggling activity that passes through Egyptian territory.      

One of the questions being asked is why Egypt doesn't do anything or isn't doing enough to limit the buildup of power by Hamas. Well, one of the assumptions is that Egypt intentionally turns a blind eye. Why? Two main reasons. First, to maintain the status quo with the Islamic movement in Egypt, the biggest political threat to the rule of al-Sisi. Second, to keep Gaza as a bargaining chip with Israel. Although there is a peace agreement between the two countries, Egypt still sees Israel as an enemy.    

While the peace agreement prevents a symmetrical war between the countries, but it is less effective in reducing terror against Israel. Egypt can claim that, as is, it has difficulty asserting control over the Sinai Peninsula while facing Islamic State (even though Israel allowed Egypt to bring military forces into Sinai), and therefore, when the question of Hamas is raised, the Egyptians can say "we're doing what is possible." 

In conclusion, the buildup of power by Hamas would not have been possible without the help of Egypt, with the regime of al-Sisi and Kamel's organization either actively helping or turning a blind eye. The Israeli intelligence services are not effective in terms of Egyptian territory and the Sinai, based on a (justified) perception that terror in Gaza is preferable to war with Egypt.    

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The U.S. senator said Arab leaders had told him privately that they would insist that they be allowed to enrich uranium at the same levels that the international community allows Iran.

In a report by The Times of Israel during his visit to Jerusalem, South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsay Graham said Tuesday that the region may one day wake up to uranium enrichment plans all across the Middle East.

The Republican senator met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who described the Republican senator as a "great friend," saying, "No one has done more for Israel than you."

Graham agreed with the views of Israel and several Arab Gulf states regarding the lack of trust in the Iranian nuclear program, noting that if "the world speaks with one voice and confronts Iran," the race for nuclear weapons in the region can be avoided.

He said, "Tehran should feel more pain because of its misconduct" regarding uranium enrichment, which has reached record levels recently.

Iran and the United States have entered into indirect negotiations in the Austrian capital Vienna, with the aim of rescuing the nuclear deal from which former President Donald Trump withdrew in 2015, an agreement that Israel publicly opposes.

The nuclear agreement signed in 2015 between Iran and the major powers stipulates that Tehran will be allowed to enrich uranium with a purity of no more than 4 percent in exchange for the removal of economic sanctions on the country.

Iran, however, gradually violated the agreement after the United States unilaterally withdrew and raised uranium enrichment levels to 60 percent.

In addition, the prominent US legislator stressed that in the United States there are bipartisan concerns about the Iranian nuclear program and Tehran's support for "terrorist" groups in the region.

Graham says he and Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez will post a statement in the Washington Post calling for an alternative to the nuclear deal.

"The French position is that Iran and the Arabs can get all the nuclear energy they want from an international fuel bank, without allowing them to enrich their countries," he explained.

He noted that the Israeli politicians he met were "very impressed" with the idea, and said that he and Mendez would pass the idea on to the Biden administration.

Graham adds: "Iran seems capable of being the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world, and nothing deters it," he added: "The neutralization of Hamas and Hezbollah will take place in the absence of Iranian support."

The United States, the European Union and other Western countries have Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon, on their terror list.

"When it comes to threats to state security in Israel, all roads lead to Tehran," Graham continued.

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Israel’s Health Ministry said on Tuesday it found the small number of heart inflammation cases observed mainly in young men who received Pfizer’s (PFE.N) COVID-19 vaccine in Israel were likely linked to their vaccination.

Pfizer has said it has not observed a higher rate of the condition, known as myocarditis, than would normally be expected in the general population. On Tuesday, it did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In Israel, 275 cases of myocarditis were reported between December 2020 and May 2021 among more than 5 million vaccinated people, the ministry said, in disclosing the findings of a study it commissioned to examine the matter.

Most patients who experienced heart inflammation spent no more than four days in hospital and 95% of the cases were classified as mild, according to the study, which the ministry said was conducted by three teams of experts.

The study found "there is a probable link between receiving the second dose (of Pfizer) vaccine and the appearance of myocarditis among men aged 16 to 30," it said in a statement.

According to the findings, such a link was observed more among men aged 16 to 19 than in other age groups.

A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory group last month recommended further study of the possibility of a link between myocarditis and mRNA vaccines, which include those from Pfizer and Moderna Inc.

CDC monitoring systems had not found more cases than would be expected in the population, but the advisory group said in a statement that members felt healthcare providers should be made aware of reports of a "potential adverse event."

The Israeli ministry released the statement, which contained no recommendations, ahead of a widely expected decision on whether to begin vaccinating youngsters aged 12 to 15 in Israel.

It said a team examining that issue would make its recommendation to the ministry's director-general, but gave no date.

Israeli media reports said a decision on including the 12-15 age group in the country's vaccination programme could come as early as Sunday.

Israel has been a world leader in its vaccination rollout.

With COVID-19 infections down to just a handful a day and total active cases at just 340 across the country, the economy has fully opened, though restrictions remain on incoming tourism.

Some 55% of Israel's population has already been vaccinated. As of Tuesday, restrictions on social distancing and the need for special green vaccination passes to enter certain restaurants and venues were scrapped.

Good news!

The cable car from the Technion in Haifa was initiated today for the first time.

There will be the first station from the heart of the Haifa bay and the next stop will be at the University of Haifa.

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Egyptian Intelligence Minister Abbas Kamal, who is expected to arrive in Israel this morning, will meet at noon with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Intelegence Minister Eli Cohen and National Security head  Meir Ben-Shabbat as part of the discussions following the round of fighting in Gaza.

Photo: Reuben Casto

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Othman Alsich, co-CEO of Siraj: "The emphasis of the program is on uncompromising excellence and professionalism, since the Bedouin student does not have the connections and relative advantage of other candidates, he must be excellent."

This week, the first course in software engineering and computer science for the residents of the Bedouin society in the Negev ended, which was held as part of the economic project "Code Negev" - a special course for integrating into work in the Israeli software development and high-tech professions. 

The course was taught by the Siraj Association, which works to promote high-tech in Bedouin society, together with Experis Academy. The graduates of the course are all residents of Rahat, Lakia, Tel Sheva, Segev Shalom, El Pora, Wadi Elnam and Hashmazana - and in the near future, they will be able to integrate into jobs in the high-tech industry in the Negev.

The "Code Negev" Economic Initiative of the Ministry of Development of the Negev and Galilee Periphery and Eshkol Negev Mizrahi was established with the aim of promoting quality employment in the Negev and training the residents of the Eastern Negev to work in the Negev high-tech field As part of the economic project, two professional training centers were opened for software development positions in C and Full Stack technologies in Dimona and Be'er Sheva, operated by Experis Academy.

"Strengthening employment in the Negev is an important goal. In order to provide quality employment to the residents, we established the "Code Negev" project, which provides residents and residents of the eastern Negev in general and Bedouin society in particular with opportunities for quality employment in the high-tech field through professional training and guaranteed placement in the Negev high-tech industry."

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The 6-year-old girl is in the Tel-Aviv hospital Ichilov after undergoing a bone marrow transplant for the past month,
also during Operation "Guardian of the Walls". The incident came to light after a few days after the defense minister announced that aid to the Gaza Strip would be limited to humanitarian matters only.

A new study has shown that the vast majority of Israeli parents want to vaccinate their children, Israel Hayom reported.

The study, led by the Technion's Professor Ayelet Baram-Tsabari, the Midaat organization, and Dr. Arga Atad from IDC Herzliya.

The study showed that most Israeli parents intend to vaccinate their children against COVID-19, and just 6.3% have already decided not to give their children the vaccine.

The study included 1,118 Hebrew-speaking parents of children ages 12-15, who were asked whether they would vaccinate their children when the COVID-19 vaccine is approved and available in Israel.

A majority (57.6%) stated their desire to vaccinate their children, while approximately one-third said they have not yet decided, and just 6.3% said that they have already decided against the vaccine. Approximately 450 parents were asked what encouraged them to give the vaccination, and the responses, in descending order, were concern that their children will contract coronavirus, a desire to acquire Green Passports for everyone, and social responsibility.

While many parents would like Green Passports for their children, the vast majority (95%) expressed opposition to the idea of intentional infection as a means of achieving this goal.

After a successful Covid-19 vaccination campaign, on the 1st of June, Israel will finally lift most of its restrictions.*

As of now, Israel's weekly new covid-19 cases stand at only 27 people. Only 59 patients are in critical condition and as of now, confirmed cases in the entire country stand on 0.1%.

In total 832,375 people recovered from Covid.
5,440,000 had at least one vaccine shot.
5,113,00 received also the second shot.
Amongst ages 50+, 92% have been vaccinated or recovered from Covid.

May we see an end to the pandemic worldwide soon!

*The public will still be required to wear protective masks in closed spaces, and Ben-Gurion airport restrictions still apply