Reporting news that’s inconvenient to the Left is now “fear mongering” https://t.co/YgTH2DDZby
— Chaya Raichik (@ChayaRaichik10) June 20, 2024
“I don’t speak because I have the power to speak; I speak because I don’t have the power to remain silent.” Rav Kook z"l
Reporting news that’s inconvenient to the Left is now “fear mongering” https://t.co/YgTH2DDZby
— Chaya Raichik (@ChayaRaichik10) June 20, 2024
When an ally is attacked by terrorists, the fundamental principle of an alliance dictates that the victim must be provided unwavering support to defeat the terrorists and dismantle the terror infrastructure completely, ensuring that the terrorists cannot regroup to launch further attacks.
Without such a commitment, it, the trust between allies erodes, and terrorists are emboldened. The situation has become particularly dire for Israel, which has been facing brutal attacks on multiple fronts. Despite these assaults, the Biden Administration has not only failed consistently to support Israel after it was invaded on October 7, 2023, accompanied by thousands of missiles, but has also pressed for policies favoring Hamas and its sponsors and enablers, Qatar and Iran.
After yet another of Iran’s other proxy terrorist militias, Hezbollah, not only joined Hamas in attacking Israel but has kept escalating its attacks, the response from the Biden administration has been to warn — not Hezbollah or Iran against warmongering – but Israel. Instead of supporting Israel’s right to defend itself against coordinated and sustained attacks, the Biden administration’s public wavering (such as here, here and here) suggests a pro-terrorist shift in US policy away from Israel. This shift represents a betrayal that leaves Israel in the no-win position of either rejecting US proposals, or allowing Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis and other Iranian-backed terrorist groups to keep trying to advance their goal of ultimately destroying Israel.
When Iran itself, and not a terrorist proxy, launched an unprecedented missile and drone attack against Israel from Iranian soil on April 13, 2024, the assault was an act of war.
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| Terrorists from Gaza on the remains of an IDF tank on October 7th |
Just four days before October 7th, a lookout at the Nahal Oz military installation identified a terrorist training exercise near the Gaza border, Kan News reported.
According to the report, the exercise included approximately 170 who practiced launching rockets while attacking IDF tanks.
The exercise was identified at 9:00 a.m., and the lookout reported it properly to her superiors. According to security sources, although the exercise was extensive and unusual, it was described as "just any other exercise that was carried out in the Gaza Strip in the past."
The scenarios that were practiced during the exercise were implemented almost exactly on October 7th, both the rocket launches and the attacks on the tanks.
The IDF Spokesperson commented on the report:
"The IDF is investigating the events of October 7th and what preceded them. The purpose of the investigations is to learn lessons for the continuation of the fighting. The investigations are currently underway and when they are completed the findings will be transparently presented to the public."
US officials have serious concerns that Israel's aerial defense system would not be able to stand up against a large-scale Hezbollah attack if an all-out war were to occur, CNN reported on Thursday.
According to the report, Israeli officials told the US they are planning to shift resources from southern Gaza to northern Israel in preparation for a possible offensive in Lebanon.
“We assess that at least some” Iron Dome batteries “will be overwhelmed,” a senior administration official told the American news outlet.
According to an Israeli official, it would be more likely if Hezbollah conducted a large-scale attack principally using precision-guided weapons, which could be challenging for the system to defend against.
A separate US official confirmed to CNN that in the event of a full-blown war, the support Israel will need most is additional air defense systems and Iron Dome replenishments, which the US would provide.
The IDF declined to comment.
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) on Thursday sent a letter to US President Joe Biden, criticizing the Biden administration for withholding weapons and ammunition from Israel as it continues to battle Hamas.
In the letter, Cotton requested that the administration provide a complete list of all weapons and ammunition Israel has requested, as well as explanations for the delays.
“I write regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s public statement this week that your administration has been withholding weapons and ammunition from Israel and hampering its war effort against Hamas—a serious accusation from a trusted US ally,” wrote Cotton, a reference to Netanyahu’s video from this week, in which he expressed astonishment at moves from the Biden administration to hold up munitions shipments to Israel during the war against Hamas.
“Your administration responded by claiming that aid is flowing normally, with one official asserting, ‘We genuinely do not know what he’s talking about,’” added Cotton, in a reference to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s response to Netanyahu’s video.
“You claim that the only hold or delay is on the 2,000-pound and 500-pound bombs you refused to deliver earlier this year. But you’re deliberately misleading the American people and insulting a key ally,” charged the Senator.
“Your administration is engaged in bureaucratic sleight-of-hand to withhold this crucial aid to Israel during a shooting war. As you are aware, the Arms Export Control Act requires the administration to notify Congress before sending weapons to a foreign country. Your administration has manipulated this requirement by withholding this formal notification to Congress of approved weapons sales, including F-15s, tactical vehicles, 120-mm mortars, 120-mm tank rounds, joint direct attack munitions, and small diameter bombs. Your administration can then claim that the weapons are ‘in process’ while never delivering them,” he wrote to Biden.
“You’re playing politics with the nation’s honor and our ally’s security. Worse still, your administration lacks the honesty to communicate its true policy to the American people, instead preferring to hide behind weasel words and bureaucratic process,” continued Cotton
He added, “Any delays to military support to Israel blatantly disregard Congress’s bipartisan mandate to supply Israel with all it needs to defeat the Hamas terrorists and other Iranian-backed groups. Our ally is under sustained threat, and we must use all available resources to expedite military aid. Please provide the following information no later than July 1, 2024:”
“What weapons and ammunition are being withheld from Israel? Include any weapons or ammunition delayed more than two weeks beyond their original delivery date.”
“Provide a list of all foreign military and direct commercial sales requested by Israel and the status of each request. Provide explanation for any delays.”
“Provide a list of any weapons or ammunition Israel has requested be expedited, the status of each request, and an explanation for that status.”
“What issues are hampering you from expediting the delivery of weapons and ammunition to Israel? What, if any, legislative relief is required to address those issues?”
“How much of the recent supplemental funding passed by Congress has your administration expended to deliver weapons and ammunition to Israel?”
In response to Netanyahu’s video, the White House cancelled a high-level meeting that Israel’s national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer were scheduled to hold in Washington on Thursday.
The two ended up holding meetings with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Laly, the mother of Staff Sergeant (Res.) Saadia Yaakov Dery, 27 from Tel Aviv, who was killed in action over the last 24 hours in the Gaza Strip and whose name was cleared for publication this morning (Friday), eulogized him and spoke about her son's character.
"My Saadia was a child who prioritized everyone's wishes before his own. He did much more than expected of him in every field. He was a wise student, studied for rabbinic exams, and started his bachelor's degree in teaching. He studied every free minute and had a great sense of humor. He was an amazing father to Haleli and Yinon. He was a hero in soul and body and never complained. On October 7th, he was with us when he was called for duty. Saadia loved this people, loved the Torah and the land, and fought for it," the mother eulogized.
She addressed Israel's leaders directly: "Since the beginning of the war, I was silent; now I have an obligation not to be silent. I will not allow the enormous sacrifice we made and my fallen son to be in vain. In Saadia's name, we demand victory and absolute resolve. My son did not fall for the sake of a diplomatic arrangement but for a complete victory over the enemy."
Binyamin Regional Council Governor and Yesha Council Chairman Israel Ganz also eulogized Dery. "This was Saadia Yaakov: a man, a father, a warrior, a yeshiva student, and a warm and loving family man. The Binyamin Region bows its head to the finest fruit that grew in it and fell for all of us."
"Last night, an hour before the news, we were in contact with the dear mother Laly, as she came up with ideas and initiatives to improve the response to bereaved families. She was running between bereaved families and encouraging them, even yesterday. Last night they knocked on her door. I want to send a big hug to his wife Racheli, the parents, and the whole family. The spirit of victory of Saadia and his friends must continue to beat and we must strengthen the leaders to strike the enemy to the end. Do not stop a minute too soon," said Ganz.
Dery originally came from the town of Eli in Binyamin. He is survived by his wife Racheli, and his children Haleli, 2, and Yinon, 1.
His parents, Laly and Chaim Dery, are central figures in Eli. Laly was a member of the Binyamin Regional Council and a public activist. Saadia had six siblings.
Dery will be laid to rest on Friday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. at the Holon Military Cemetery.
A scandal has erupted at Heathrow Airport after security staff were accused of wearing badges with the Palestinian flag and symbols of solidarity with Palestine, creating a hostile environment for Jewish and Israeli passengers. The incident occurred on Sunday at Terminal 4’s Fast Track lane, where five security staff were wearing the badges while scanning luggage for passengers bound for Tel Aviv on an El Al flight.
Passengers complained that the badges made them feel intimidated and uncomfortable, prompting UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) to demand an investigation into the incident. UKLFI alleges that the staff breached Heathrow’s uniform policy and the Equality Act 2010 by wearing the “highly offensive” badges.
The security guards were reportedly replaced, and their badges were confiscated following passenger complaints. This incident comes after a similar incident on another El Al flight, where passengers were made to feel singled out and targeted at customs.
UKLFI has written to Heathrow’s services director, expressing concern that the security staff’s actions created an “intimidating and hostile environment” for Jewish and Israeli passengers. A Heathrow spokesperson responded, “Everyone should feel safe and welcome at Heathrow. We have guidance on what colleagues can wear at work, and if that guidance is not followed, we will ensure those items are removed immediately, as was the case in this instance.”
According to the report, Yuval, a senior manager at a high-tech company in Silicon Valley in the U.S., was happy to receive a letter from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) last week about his application for a green card. But he was shocked by the content of the letter:
“In your application form you stated that you served in the Israel Defense Forces between 2005-2008. You must provide us with additional information about your military service so that we can make a final decision on your case,” the letter read.
“You must submit an affidavit under oath, describing your military service,” the letter continued. “As part of this affidavit, the following questions must be addressed:
Did you participate as a combatant in battles during your military service? If so, please describe your activity/role in these battles; Did you command soldiers in the army? If yes, please describe the aspects of your command; Have you ever guarded (or commanded others to guard) detainees? Did you use explosives during your military service? If so, detail the types of weapons or explosives you were trained on.”
“Have you ever actually used weapons or explosives? If so, what weapons or explosives did you use? How did you use weapons or explosives? On how many occasions did you use weapons or explosives? How often did you use weapons or explosives? Did you use a weapon and/or an explosive against another person? If so, the circumstances must be detailed, and explain why you used a weapon and/or an explosive against another person/people.”
According to the letter, if Yuval did not provide an affidavit with answers satisfactory to the USCIS within eight days, he could be expected to be deported from the U.S.
| Who is this Putz???? |
Police say they made four arrests.
One protestor held a sign which read “Israel is an Antisemitic country”.
An Associated Press photographer snapped a photo of the sign, and it has gone around the globe.
The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit announced on Friday morning the names of two IDF reserve soldiers who were killed in battle in the central Gaza Strip: Sergeant First Class (Res.) Omer Smadga HY’D, 25, from Ganot Hadar, and Sergeant First Class (Res.) Saadia Yaakov Dery HY’D, 27, from Tel Aviv.
Both soldiers were part of the 9203rd Battalion, 3rd “Alexandroni” Brigade.
In the same incident that claimed the lives of Smadga and Dery, three other reserve soldiers from the 3rd “Alexandroni” Brigade were severely wounded. They were evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment, and their families have been notified.
These deaths bring the total number of troops killed in the ground offensive against Hamas and operations on the Gaza border to 313.