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Israeli
Israeli's Journal
Israeli's Journal
May 24, 2023
By TOI STAFF
23 May 2023.
Most Americans think that Washington should reassess its ties with Israel if Jerusalem passes a controversial, drastic overhaul of the judiciary, according to a survey that examined opinions in both counties on the ties between them.
According to the poll, presented at the Herzliya conference by Amnon Cavari of The Institute for Liberty and Responsibility at Reichman University on Monday, 60 percent of Americans back a reevaluation of the bilateral relationship if the overhaul is legislated.
A similar number said the US should critique Israel over the plan, though there were sharp divisions between Republicans and Democrats on the issue.
The Gallup poll found that while most Israelis accept that Jerusalem should take into consideration Washingtons opinion on some matters, that does not extend to all issues, including military operations.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government is pushing the overhaul plan, which it says is needed to rein in an over-intrusive High Court of Justice. Critics say the reforms will sap the court of its ability to act as a check and balance to the executive and legislative branches, dangerously damaging Israels democratic character.
Continued @ https://www.timesofisrael.com/60-of-americans-back-reevaluating-ties-with-israel-if-judicial-reform-passes-poll/
60% of Americans back reevaluating ties with Israel if judicial reform passes - poll
Similar figure thinks Washington should critique Jerusalem over planned legislation; Israelis acknowledge need to consider US opinions on some matters, but not allBy TOI STAFF
23 May 2023.
Most Americans think that Washington should reassess its ties with Israel if Jerusalem passes a controversial, drastic overhaul of the judiciary, according to a survey that examined opinions in both counties on the ties between them.
According to the poll, presented at the Herzliya conference by Amnon Cavari of The Institute for Liberty and Responsibility at Reichman University on Monday, 60 percent of Americans back a reevaluation of the bilateral relationship if the overhaul is legislated.
A similar number said the US should critique Israel over the plan, though there were sharp divisions between Republicans and Democrats on the issue.
The Gallup poll found that while most Israelis accept that Jerusalem should take into consideration Washingtons opinion on some matters, that does not extend to all issues, including military operations.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government is pushing the overhaul plan, which it says is needed to rein in an over-intrusive High Court of Justice. Critics say the reforms will sap the court of its ability to act as a check and balance to the executive and legislative branches, dangerously damaging Israels democratic character.
Continued @ https://www.timesofisrael.com/60-of-americans-back-reevaluating-ties-with-israel-if-judicial-reform-passes-poll/
May 23, 2023
By Eitay Mack May 22, 2023
Earlier this month, the European Unions embassy in Israel announced that it was canceling its Europe Day reception, scheduled for May 9, over far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvirs insistence on speaking at the event. Far from proving the strength of the human rights values of the European countries, as stated by the EU delegations spokesperson, the decision is just another illustration of these countries hypocrisy in their engagement with Israel-Palestine.
The announcement came after a week of media reports suggesting that the EU delegation was hoping the Netanyahu government would send another minister to the reception instead. If they would have been fine with another minister from the most extreme-right government in Israels history speaking at the event, the EU diplomats may as well have gone ahead with Ben Gvirs participation and just covered their heads with blankets while he spoke.
Continued @ : https://www.972mag.com/european-union-ben-gvir-human-rights/
Eitay Mack is an Israeli human rights lawyer working to stop Israeli military aid to regimes that commit war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Avoiding an Israeli fascist isn't the brave move the EU thinks it is
Cancelling an event with Ben Gvir does not make up for a history of European interests that give Israel the green light to carry on with its illegal policies.By Eitay Mack May 22, 2023
Earlier this month, the European Unions embassy in Israel announced that it was canceling its Europe Day reception, scheduled for May 9, over far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvirs insistence on speaking at the event. Far from proving the strength of the human rights values of the European countries, as stated by the EU delegations spokesperson, the decision is just another illustration of these countries hypocrisy in their engagement with Israel-Palestine.
The announcement came after a week of media reports suggesting that the EU delegation was hoping the Netanyahu government would send another minister to the reception instead. If they would have been fine with another minister from the most extreme-right government in Israels history speaking at the event, the EU diplomats may as well have gone ahead with Ben Gvirs participation and just covered their heads with blankets while he spoke.
Continued @ : https://www.972mag.com/european-union-ben-gvir-human-rights/
Eitay Mack is an Israeli human rights lawyer working to stop Israeli military aid to regimes that commit war crimes and crimes against humanity.
May 22, 2023
By TOI STAFF and JACOB MAGID
Today.
The United States expressed deep misgivings with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvirs provocative visit to the Temple Mount Sunday, chiding the Israeli hardliner for using inflammatory rhetoric and politicizing the holy site.
The statement from State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller also spoke out against Jerusalem for lifting a ban on Israelis entering the area of the former Homesh outpost, paving the way for settlers to return and build a formal settlement there.
Ben Gvir, leader of the extremist Otzma Yehudit party, took a highly visible tour of the Temple Mount on Sunday, boasting that he was flexing Israels sovereignty over the flashpoint site holy to both Jews and Muslims.
We are also concerned by todays provocative visit to the Temple Mount/Haram al Sharif in Jerusalem and the accompanying inflammatory rhetoric, the State Department said.
This holy space should not be used for political purposes, and we call on all parties to respect its sanctity, it added.
During the tour, Ben Gvir made clear that his visit was intended to send a political message.
We are in charge here, Ben Gvir declared
Continued @ :
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-flogs-ben-gvir-for-provocative-inflammatory-tour-on-tense-temple-mount/
US flogs Ben Gvir for 'provocative, inflammatory' tour on tense Temple Mount
State Department slams far-right minister for politicizing holy site with visit meant to show Israeli muscle; move paving way for resurrection of Homesh outpost also pannedBy TOI STAFF and JACOB MAGID
Today.
The United States expressed deep misgivings with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvirs provocative visit to the Temple Mount Sunday, chiding the Israeli hardliner for using inflammatory rhetoric and politicizing the holy site.
The statement from State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller also spoke out against Jerusalem for lifting a ban on Israelis entering the area of the former Homesh outpost, paving the way for settlers to return and build a formal settlement there.
Ben Gvir, leader of the extremist Otzma Yehudit party, took a highly visible tour of the Temple Mount on Sunday, boasting that he was flexing Israels sovereignty over the flashpoint site holy to both Jews and Muslims.
We are also concerned by todays provocative visit to the Temple Mount/Haram al Sharif in Jerusalem and the accompanying inflammatory rhetoric, the State Department said.
This holy space should not be used for political purposes, and we call on all parties to respect its sanctity, it added.
During the tour, Ben Gvir made clear that his visit was intended to send a political message.
We are in charge here, Ben Gvir declared
Continued @ :
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-flogs-ben-gvir-for-provocative-inflammatory-tour-on-tense-temple-mount/
May 17, 2023
By TOI STAFF
Today, 4:59 am
The US is urging calm and restraint ahead of a highly controversial nationalist parade through the Old City of Jerusalem on Thursday, where tens of thousands of Jewish Israelis are expected to march through the Muslim Quarter waving Israeli flags. The event will come less than a week after Israel and terror group Palestinian Islamic Jihad finalized a ceasefire agreement following five days of deadly conflict.
The annual rally of religious nationalists is regularly a tense affair, with thousands of largely Orthodox participants marching from Independence Park to the Western Wall to mark Israels reunification of East and West Jerusalem during the 1967 Six Day War. The Jerusalem Day march has gained notoriety over the years, as it is often marred by hate speech and sometimes violence by Jewish participants toward Palestinians.
On Tuesday, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said Washington would continue to urge the parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric and activities that would inflame tensions, in response to a question about the controversial march during a press briefing.
Continued @ :
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-urges-calm-restraint-ahead-of-contentious-jerusalem-flag-march-in-old-city/
US urges 'calm, restraint' ahead of contentious Jerusalem Flag March in Old City
State Department spokesperson says Washington supports right of peaceful expression, calls to refrain from actions, rhetoric and activities that would inflame tensionsBy TOI STAFF
Today, 4:59 am
The US is urging calm and restraint ahead of a highly controversial nationalist parade through the Old City of Jerusalem on Thursday, where tens of thousands of Jewish Israelis are expected to march through the Muslim Quarter waving Israeli flags. The event will come less than a week after Israel and terror group Palestinian Islamic Jihad finalized a ceasefire agreement following five days of deadly conflict.
The annual rally of religious nationalists is regularly a tense affair, with thousands of largely Orthodox participants marching from Independence Park to the Western Wall to mark Israels reunification of East and West Jerusalem during the 1967 Six Day War. The Jerusalem Day march has gained notoriety over the years, as it is often marred by hate speech and sometimes violence by Jewish participants toward Palestinians.
On Tuesday, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said Washington would continue to urge the parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric and activities that would inflame tensions, in response to a question about the controversial march during a press briefing.
Continued @ :
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-urges-calm-restraint-ahead-of-contentious-jerusalem-flag-march-in-old-city/