Middle East Press on: Israel, Hezbollah, Sexual Assault, Israeli-Palestinian, Anti-Semite: New Age Islam's Selection, 28 November 2024
By New Age Islam Edit Desk
28 November 2024
Israel Must Remain Vigilant Of Hezbollah In Light Of The Ceasefire Deal
In Israel, We Must Continue Providing Support To Victims Of Sexual Assault
Is Biden To Blame For The ICC Warrants Against Netanyahu And Gallant?
Israel’s Ceasefire Deal With Hezbollah Jeopardizes The Lives Of The Hostages
Collaborations In Science, Medicine Crucial To Strengthen Israeli-Palestinian Ties
The Race Is On For ‘Anti-Semite Of The Year 2024’: A Badge Of Honour, Thanks To Israel
Israel And The Evangelical Conundrum
Outgoing President Must Use US Laws To Rein In Israel
Who Bears Responsibility For Delaying Palestinian Statehood?
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Israel Must Remain Vigilant Of Hezbollah In Light Of The Ceasefire Deal
By JPOST EDITORIAL
NOVEMBER 28, 2024
It is a promise Israelis have heard often as the IDF withdrew from territory in the past: If one bullet or one rocket is fired, the IDF will respond with full force and have full international legitimacy to do so.
Then-prime minister Ehud Barak and his ministers said as much when Israel withdrew completely from Lebanon in 2000, and then-prime minister Ariel Sharon and his ministers said the same when he pulled Israel out of Gaza in 2005.
But in each instance, Israel did not respond.
Hezbollah kidnapped three soldiers on October 7, 2000, less than four months after Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon, but the pledged full-force response did not come. Hamas began firing rockets at Israel within weeks of the Gaza withdrawal, yet the full might of Israel’s army was not unleashed against the terrorist organization.
Those pledges proved little more than empty words, and the failure to uphold those pledges led to disastrous consequences: the Second Lebanon War and Hezbollah’s monstrous buildup in Lebanon; Hamas’s Gaza takeover and, ultimately, the October 7 massacre.
In the run-up to the ceasefire with Lebanon that went into effect Wednesday morning, government officials have been repeating the same mantra: Any violation and Israel will act firmly and with overwhelming might.
The ceasefire agreement was less than five hours old when there were already tests of Israel’s resolve Wednesday: A vehicle carrying individuals Defense Minister Israel Katz identified as Hezbollah terrorists entered Kafr Kila, directly across from Metulla. The IDF fired warning shots to chase them away.
In another incident, individuals were seen near an Israeli tank in another southern Lebanon village, and videos appeared online of people returning to villages in the south, contrary to the agreement, which precludes this at the moment.
Testing Israel's resolve
All of this is a test of Israel’s resolve. If this ceasefire is to succeed, Israel needs to make the ground rules clear from the very start: Unlike in the past, it will not tolerate violations, even small ones, but will immediately take decisive action.
As former head of the National Security Council Yaakov Amidror said on Wednesday, the incidents immediately after the ceasefire took effect at 4 a.m. were “not a good start.”
“The IDF should not have fired warning shots but rather shots intended to kill,” he said, adding that the true test will come when a convoy of weapons or Hezbollah operatives enters southern Lebanon. “If we do not address this, we will fail. We must not ignore any minor violation. We must not concede anything, especially at the beginning.”
Why not? Because – as recent history makes clear – the beginning sets the tone for what will come next. If Israel acts in a determined way to show that this time it is serious and willing to act against any violation, then perhaps this time the deal can work.
But if, as in the past, the government decides not to act against clear violations of agreements, the enemy will see there is no price for not honoring the agreement and act accordingly.
Following the incident in Kafr Kila, Katz issued a statement instructing the IDF to act “decisively and uncompromisingly against such occurrences. Any identified Hezbollah member approaching restricted areas should be arrested, and if they pose a threat to IDF forces, they should be hit.”
Resolutely implementing the agreement serves another function: It may convince residents of the northern communities, many of whom have expressed disappointment with the deal and are hesitant to return to their homes, that the IDF is determined to protect them.
If they are unconvinced of this, if they see that Hezbollah – in the guise of innocent civilians – is returning to the border, they may deem it unsafe to return. Acting forcefully from the very beginning sends a message not only to the enemy but also to Israelis debating whether to go back to homes they fled under Hezbollah fire and fear of an invasion nearly 14 months ago.
This ceasefire agreement could usher in a new period in the North and for Lebanon, but only if the agreement is honored, and only if Israel takes consequential action if it is not. The time to take that consequential action has already begun.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-831061
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In Israel, We Must Continue Providing Support To Victims Of Sexual Assault
By Maya Fish Baron
November 28, 2024
These are dark times – marked by war, women and men held captive by Hamas, relentless sirens, and countless people who have been displaced from their homes for over a year.
Amid this turmoil, two harrowing reports emerged on the same day.
First, the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel published its annual report, revealing staggering statistics:
80% of cases are closed without charges.
Most victims were harmed by someone close to them.
Reports by minors and men are underrepresented, meaning the real numbers are likely even higher.
Second, a story came to light about a 15-year-old girl assaulted by a group of 15 boys. Beyond the horrific violence, they threatened her into silence, leaving her isolated and terrified.
These stories leave us gasping for air, overwhelmed by tragedy after tragedy. And yet, we must take a deep breath. Because while we may feel helpless, we cannot afford to look away.
The required action is in our hands.
Unlike crises that require cabinet resolutions or political deals, these tragedies demand action from us– parents, professionals, and society as a whole.
As a society
What conversations are we having with our children– our sons and daughters? If you believe 15 is too young to talk about respect, consent, and responsibility, I urge you to read the report about the girl from the North. Waiting until they are teenagers is too late. These discussions must begin early, evolving as children grow.
As parents, we cannot dismiss these risks with phrases like “good kids” or “normative behavior.” These terms are comforting but dangerous. Even “good kids” can commit acts of sexual violence or find themselves swept up in a group dynamic, unable to stand up and say, “This is wrong. I won’t take part in this.”
Our responsibility is to ensure that when faced with critical moments, our children have the strength and awareness to choose the right path.
As professionals in the field
At ELEM, under the Welfare Ministry, we run programs addressing sexual violence – supporting both victims and offenders. It is clear that victims and their families need ongoing care, sometimes for a lifetime, as sexual violence leaves deep, enduring scars.
However, we must also focus on treating offenders, particularly minors. Without intervention, these harmful behaviors will persist, leaving more victims in their wake. Effective treatment includes accountability, confrontation of their actions, and developing empathy for the individuals they have harmed. This work is essential to breaking the cycle of violence.
No privilege to be indifferent
We must continue providing therapeutic support and fostering a societal dialogue rooted in accountability and awareness. This is no easy task, especially when most cases are closed without legal consequences. But beyond the criminal justice system, a social process is underway – and it is no less critical.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-831041
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Is Biden To Blame For The ICC Warrants Against Netanyahu And Gallant?
By Pesach Wolicki
NOVEMBER 28, 2024
In response to the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant, the US Defense Department was quick to express its opposition. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh stated on Thursday that “the United States fundamentally rejects the court’s decision to issue these arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials.”
While this condemnation is welcome, a strong case can be made that the ICC warrants never would have been issued if not for a series of decisions made by the Biden administration itself.
In March of 2020, the court announced the opening of an investigation into possible war crimes committed by US forces in Afghanistan. Then-president Donald Trump responded by issuing Executive Order 13928, threatening harsh sanctions on members of the ICC and their immediate family members, should they target the personnel of the US or its allies.
While the primary factor in the threat of sanctions was the court’s investigation of alleged US war crimes in Afghanistan, both the White House and secretary of state Mike Pompeo stressed in their statements at the time that the ICC’s “political persecution” of Israel was a contributing factor.
On February 17, 2021, just a few weeks after President Joe Biden assumed office, some 80 left-wing NGOs signed a letter to Biden calling on him to rescind the executive order. Notably, the list of signatories included a number of virulently anti-Israel groups such as J Street, whose sole raison d’etre is the demonization of Israel, and George Soros’ Open Society Foundation, which has reportedly been funding many of the anti-Israel, pro-Hamas demonstrations we have been seeing across the US since October 7. In April 2021, Biden complied with the request and rescinded Trump’s executive order. A few months later, the lead prosecutor of the ICC, Karim Khan, announced that he would be reopening the investigation into war crimes in Afghanistan but would not be including US personnel as a target of the investigation.
The obvious implication was that dropping the US from the investigation was a quid pro quo for the rescinding of the Trump executive order. Had US personnel been targeted by the ICC in the wake of Biden’s move, there would have been significant pressure to reinstate the sanctions. In short, Biden left Israel exposed.
MORE TO the point of last Thursday’s arrest warrants, consider the alleged crimes listed. The warrants assert that Netanyahu and Gallant are responsible “for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.”
These claims are spurious, to say the least. Israel has allowed more than enough humanitarian aid into Gaza. According to the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the agency responsible for the transfer of aid into Gaza, more than 3,000 calories per day per civilian have been provided.
Combatant to civilian casualty ratio lowest in the history of urban warfare
As for the claim that Israel is responsible for crimes against humanity and murder, it has been well-documented that the combatant to civilian casualty ratio in Gaza has been the lowest in the history of urban warfare. In the words of Col. John Spencer, head of Urban Warfare Studies at West Point, “No army has ever done more than Israel to protect civilians.”
And yet, in every statement about the war in Gaza, Biden administration officials affirm and even promote these false narratives. State Department officials continue to repeat the false claim that there is a scarcity of food and that Israel is not doing enough to ensure that humanitarian aid is making it to Gazan civilians.
As for the ICC claim that Israel is guilty of “crimes against humanity,” consider the statement by Deputy Press Secretary Singh quoted above. Immediately after stating that the US rejects the ICC decision to issue the warrants, she added the following:
“But in terms of our support for Israel, we’re continuing to support Israel with the assistance it needs in its fight against Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t continue to make clear our concerns on the conduct and how they are conducting those operations, whether it be in Gaza or on the northern border.”
“Concerns” about how Israel is conducting the war in Gaza? Instead of pushing back on the libelous claims, instead of praising Israel for going beyond what is required or expected to protect civilians in Gaza, Singh said that the administration is “concerned by the prosecutor’s rush to seek arrest warrants and some of the processes that this has played out in.” In other words, the disagreement with the ICC is about process, not the substance of the false claims against Israel.
The Biden administration publicly decries the court’s warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, but in all likelihood, without the rescinding of Executive Order 13928 and the administration’s continued perpetuation of libelous narratives about Israel, the ICC warrants never would have been issued.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-831038
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Israel’s Ceasefire Deal With Hezbollah Jeopardizes The Lives Of The Hostages
By Itamar Marcus
NOVEMBER 28, 2024
Israel’s deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon will severely complicate – and potentially undermine – negotiations for the release of the hostages in Gaza.
As Israel ends the war with Hezbollah, enabling its citizens to return to their homes in the North, the terms agreed to with the terrorist group will inevitably be seen by Hamas as the precedent for releasing Israel’s hostages. Accepting anything less than what Hezbollah achieved would cause scorn for Hamas among Palestinians as well as the broader Muslim world.
Comparing what Israel is giving Hezbollah in Lebanon with Israel’s redlines in Gaza, the danger becomes clear. In Lebanon, in exchange for international supervision, Israel is offering a complete withdrawal and a return to many pre-war conditions, allowing villages that previously concealed terror infrastructure and tunnels to be rebuilt and repopulated. The Jewish state has rejected international supervision in Gaza, declaring that it must maintain control of strategic locations such as the Philadelphi Corridor and prevent reconstruction of infrastructures near the border. All of these are positions that Hamas will now have to reject based on the Lebanon precedent – or be dishonored as weaker than Hezbollah.
Another Hezbollah achievement is maintaining its status quo in Lebanon. There is no demand by Israel to further dismantle its military or political power. This stands in direct contrast to one of Israel’s fundamental objectives of the Gaza war: the complete dismantling of Hamas’s political and military capabilities. Hamas will now point to the Hezbollah precedent and demand similar Israeli concessions for releasing the hostages.
Reinforcing Hamas’s strategy of intransigence
The process leading to this deal sends Hamas another problematic message. The terrorist group has watched Israel modify its positions under the weight of American pressure and internal discord. Reports have even called this agreement Israel’s go-away present to Biden. This will only reinforce Hamas’s strategy of intransigence. Why compromise when they can wait for Biden, Trump, and the political pressure at home to do their work? Especially since the passage of time is lethal for the hostages, while Hamas with the continuous stream of humanitarian aid coming in, has all the time in the world.
We can expect to hear Hamas reiterate its demands very shortly: “We will not release the hostages without receiving the same conditions that Hezbollah received – end of the war, complete Israeli withdrawal, and rebuilding up to the border.” Accepting these would mean that the goal of dismantling Hamas’s political power and military will not have been achieved. Hamas will be seen as the victor by all Palestinians, solidifying its position as the unchallenged power not only in Gaza but in Judea and Samaria as well.
In a few years, not only will Hamas be on the way to returning Gaza to its position on October 6, 2023, but it will be well on the way to achieving the same dominance throughout the West Bank. This is unthinkable for Israel.
When negotiating the end of this two-front war, Israel should have recognized that every concession to Hezbollah will become a precedent and a demand of Hamas. The tragedy is that in seeking to stabilize the North so 80,000 citizens can return to their homes, Israel may be irreparably undermining the return of the hostages, the most fundamental reason for the year-long war in Gaza. Whereas Israel can continue the war indefinitely and may eventually succeed in destroying Hamas’s infrastructures, time is the one fundamental commodity that for the hostages is quickly running out.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-831037
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Collaborations In Science, Medicine Crucial To Strengthen Israeli-Palestinian Ties
By Mahmoud Khweis
NOVEMBER 28, 2024
In recent years, feelings of despair and hopelessness about the future of the region – particularly in Israeli-Palestinian relations – have intensified. Yet, despite and perhaps because of these political challenges and tensions, we must ask ourselves what can be done to build a better future that is founded on trust and cooperation between both sides.
To achieve this, business collaborations are crucial to strengthen ties between Israelis and Palestinians, specifically in scientific and medical fields, with each side bringing its capabilities and experience to the partnership. This is not a vision of an unrealistic “New Middle East,” but rather a tangible pathway.
Scientific diplomacy and innovation would be able to reduce the existing tension and have proven to play a critical role in conflict zones where political hostility is part of everyday reality. Such initiatives are increasingly recognized by major global players such as the European Union, United States, China, Russia, and others, working to resolve conflicts worldwide.
Jerusalem, despite the differences between east and west Jerusalem and the city’s unique political, religious, and cultural challenges, provides fertile ground for medical, scientific, and business collaborations – connecting communities and transforming lives.
A recent study conducted by Jinnovate (The Jerusalem Innovation Center for Healthtech), and the first to investigate the landscape of the healthtech system in east Jerusalem, presented a rather grim picture.
In east Jerusalem, there are seven hospitals; three of them offer general emergency services: Makassed Hospital (259 beds and six operating rooms), Augusta Victoria Hospital (171 beds and intensive care units), and Saint Joseph Hospital (155 beds), serving nearly 390,000 east Jerusalem residents.
In contrast, hospitals in west Jerusalem, such as Hadassah, Shaare Zedek, and others, have approximately 2,425 beds as per the Health Ministry report from 2023, and far more advanced resources. These disparities reveal a significant inequality in access to advanced healthcare services between the two parts of the city.
These gaps could serve as a foundation for building bridges and partnerships aimed at reducing health inequality in the city. By creating these connections, we can also foster collaboration among people who dedicate their lives to combating diseases and providing life-saving care, driven by a universal commitment to treating others – regardless of sector or boundary.
In this regard, it is worth highlighting that the human resources texture in some medical centres in west Jerusalem demonstrates how Jewish, Muslim, and Christian physicians and nursing staff work together to supply patients with quality medical care – for instance, in Shaare Zedek Medical Center and Hadassah Medical Center, Ein Kerem.
Moreover, collaborative research and development between hospitals and medical centres in Jerusalem and an understanding of common needs can create a platform for Israeli and Palestinian entrepreneurs to jointly develop medical solutions that benefit public health.
This trend is not new in the scientific community. Since 2000, over 50 joint scientific organizations and multi-year projects with Israelis and Palestinians have been established, resulting in more than 800 shared scientific publications and collaborations across various fields.
To continue promoting initiatives that not only advance medical innovation but also build mutual trust and serve as a basis for business activities that generate economic value, several practical tools should be considered:
Establishing a knowledge-sharing platform
A platform for knowledge sharing and meetings can enable Israeli and Palestinian doctors, researchers, and entrepreneurs to exchange information and collaborate on advanced research projects.
Virtual conferences and in-person professional workshops in various medical fields can promote professional partnerships. It is worth mentioning that these activities and actions already exist, and the platform would only organize the efforts efficiently. Supporting health-related business ventures
Governments and international investments that recognize the value in business ventures promoting medical technologies, medical devices, and digital health solutions can foster collaboration. This can be achieved through support for accelerator programs and prioritizing increased grants for start-ups that promote such cooperation.
The Israel Innovation Authority, for example, plays a valuable role by supporting ventures in east Jerusalem, providing opportunities to grants to seed-stage start-ups that operate in the Jinnovate centre for research and development purposes.
Such efforts can encourage private investors (“angels”) and venture capital firms to invest in initiatives that yield returns while also generating social impact by fostering joint medical ventures.
Developing professional training programs in Jerusalem’s health centers
Promoting initiatives that integrate professional training for Israeli and Palestinian medical teams can strengthen skills and knowledge while building relationships based on sharing knowledge and skills and a better anchoring for each side’s capabilities and advantages. This could include programs focused on enhancing medical care standards, clinical trials, and implementing innovation within east Jerusalem’s medical centres.
A commitment to promote and leverage medical entrepreneurship and innovation, while connecting medical centers with entrepreneurs, can serve all by improving medical care and initiating entrepreneurial energy, and at the same time creating a true model for a better way to interact together.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-831036
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The Race Is On For ‘Anti-Semite Of The Year 2024’: A Badge Of Honour, Thanks To Israel
by Omar Ahmed
November 27, 2024
The so-called “Antisemite of the Year” award, presented annually by StopAntisemitism—a self-proclaimed US watchdog—has once again become a spectacle of ridicule with online voting currently underway, revealing the absurd extremes to which the term “anti-Semitism” has been stretched and weaponised. What was once a label meant to genuinely combat discrimination against Jewish people has now become a hollow accusation, wielded for political ends, particularly to silence the growing critics of the Israeli Occupation state.
This year’s nominees reflect just how disconnected the term has become from its original meaning, thanks to years of conflating criticism of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism, ultimately rendering the term almost meaningless, while serving as a badge of honour for those fearless activists who choose to speak out, despite the risks and costs to their lives and livelihood.
On 24 November, Stop Antisemitism announced on X: “It’s that time of year again! VOTE and help us crown the 2024 Anti-Semite of the Year! Some nominees might even be proud to make this infamous list.”
“Last year, Rashida Tlaib swept the vote. This year, 10 new Jew-haters are competing for the dishonour. Help us pick the top 3, to be announced on December 15, with the ultimate Jew-hater crowned on January 6, 2025,” it added.
The irony of this year’s nominations could hardly be lost on anyone. Among the ten individuals nominated are figures like Bassem Youssef, an Egyptian-American comedian who, as an Arab happens to be a Semite himself, and poker player and internet celebrity Dan Bilzerian, known more for his playboy and lavish lifestyle, whose connection to the Palestinian cause or criticisms of Israel is tenuous, at best, has even been compelled to speak out against Jewish supremacy and the genocide in Gaza.
Both have appeared on Piers Morgan’s Uncensored show, discussing their views on Israel. Bilzerian’s appearance recently went viral over his strong condemnation, not only of the Occupation state, but criticism of aspects of Judaism including Talmud and what it says about non-Jews and Jesus.
These names are joined by others like Turkish-American streamer and political commentator, Hasan Piker, US congresswoman Cori Bush, Hollywood actor John Cusack, climate activist Greta Thunberg, mixed martial artist Jake Shields, content creator Jess Natale, social media influencer and political commentator Jackson Hinkle, and conservative commentator Candace Owens—a diverse collection of individuals that exposes the lack of a coherent criteria for what makes someone an “anti-Semite” according to StopAntisemitism.
Youssef, widely known for his satire, has taken to social media to poke fun at his inclusion on the list. He tweeted to his 11.7 million followers, “Please vote for me. I cannot lose this,” and in another post said: “An Arab should win this,” adding in jest “if Candace and Dan win I will not accept the results and storm the X headquarters.”
His tongue-in-cheek reaction, shared by other nominees, exposes the absurdity of the entire endeavour—an award so ridiculous that those listed are now proud to claim it, making it a badge of honour rather than a mark of shame the Zionist group thinks it is.
Bilzerian, for instance, added to the comedy of the situation by changing his X profile bio to boast, “Nominated for anti-Semite of the year.” He also urged his followers to vote for him, saying, “Guys, I don’t normally ask you to do things, but this is important, please go vote for me.”
Confident in his chances of winning the awards, Bilzerian added that Youssef should be disqualified “as he’s probably the only real Semite on the list,” before conceding that “If Nick Fuentes was on the list, I would have to concede out of respect as he OG of this,” referring to the controversial far-right pundit.
Other nominees like Jackson Hinkle and Jake Shields also made light of their nominations, encouraging their followers to turn the award into the farce that it is.
The so-called watchdog organisation behind the award, StopAntisemitism, has a long history of advocating for Zionist agendas, often equating any criticism of the Israeli Occupation with anti-Semitism. Its approach has been to target and doxx individuals and groups speaking out against Israel’s ongoing aggression in Gaza, effectively acting instead as an attack dog for the Occupation state.
This year’s absurdly diverse nomination list shows that the organisation is not concerned with real anti-Semitism, but rather aims to silence critics of Israeli policy by any means necessary. It is worth noting that last year’s winner, Palestinian-American and US Representative, Rashida Tlaib, was labelled the “Anti-Semite of the Year” for her support of the BDS movement, calling Israel an apartheid state and advocating for Palestinian rights—actions that resonate with growing numbers of people across the globe as a legitimate critique of Israel’s actions.
With still no ceasefire for Gaza in sight, where tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed and entire neighbourhoods reduced to rubble, it is hardly surprising that public figures with no previous involvement in the Israel-Palestine conflict are now openly condemning Israeli actions, regardless of the consequences.
Figures like Bilzerian, who previously had no discernible stake in the issue, are now embracing the label of “anti-Semite”—not because they necessarily harbour hatred toward Jewish people, but because the label itself has become a farce, detached from reality. The term, once used to highlight hate and discrimination, has been cheapened to such an extent that being named “Anti-Semite of the Year” is now seen as an accolade by those willing to speak out against Israel’s many crimes against humanity.
The spectacle surrounding the “Antisemite of the Year” award speaks to the growing irrelevance of StopAntisemitism’s online crusade. Ultimately, this year’s awards exposes the collapse of any meaningful dialogue around “anti-Semitism”, Zionism, and Palestinian rights. The nominees’ collective response—turning the award into a joke—is further proof of the growing sentiment that these accusations are baseless, used more for political gain than for the protection of Jewish communities.
If the term is to hold any meaning, it should be divorced from political agendas and restored to its original purpose: combating hatred and discrimination, not shielding a state from accountability. That said, while StopAntisemitism is at it, they should have included the International Criminal Court (ICC) on their list, after last week’s historic decision to issue international arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over war crimes, fuelling the meme that anything remotely critical of Israel is anti-Semitic, Netanyahu predictably and without a degree of irony, branded the ruling “anti-Semitic.”
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20241127-the-race-is-on-for-anti-semite-of-the-year-2024-a-badge-of-honour-thanks-to-israel/
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Israel And The Evangelical Conundrum
Dr. Dania Koleilat Khatib
November 27, 2024
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was ecstatic with Donald Trump’s US election victory. Trump’s new administration will be heavily served by evangelicals, from his pick for secretary of defense to the ambassador to Israel. Netanyahu sees this as the opportunity of a lifetime to realize his dream of a “Greater Israel:” kicking the Palestinians off their land and taking over all of historical Palestine. However, things might not turn out the way he and his messianic government imagine. And the evangelicals might not be the allies to Israel that Netanyahu wishes.
The messianic extremists in Netanyahu’s government would be happy to annex the West Bank. Already, there has been talk of resettling in Gaza. Trump might agree to the West Bank’s annexation in the same way he agreed to the annexation of the Golan Heights in his first term. He could do that to please his base of evangelicals, who are driven by Christian nationalism, not by a love of Israel or the Jews.
However, the pertinent question is: what comes after? If Israel were to annex the West Bank, what would it do with the Palestinians? It is important to note that Israel is the only country in the world that has not defined its borders at the UN. It has left the door open for any annexed land. However, if it annexed the Occupied Territories, even with Trump’s blessing, that does not mean he would agree to the Israeli extremists’ ultimate goal: ethnic cleansing.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich this week reiterated his call for Israel to occupy the Gaza Strip and reduce the Palestinian population there “by half within two years.” But ethnic cleansing was much easier to hide in 1948 and 1967 than it is today. Now, with the rise of social and independent media, it would be difficult to hide something as big as ethnic cleansing.
On the other hand, Israel is already facing scrutiny from the international community. It has been accused of genocide by the UN’s special rapporteur on Palestine. Pope Francis alluded to a possible genocide. There is a genocide case in front of the International Court of Justice. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defence chief. Hence, it is unlikely that the world would allow another wave of ethnic cleansing. Arab countries also know that each wave is a problem for generations to come.
However, annexation could be a way to coopt the progressive left, depending on how Trump presents it. Many on the progressive left do not talk about a Palestinian state. They talk about decolonizing Palestine, about it being free from the river to the sea. Hence, annexation might be accepted if it was presented as allowing everybody who lives there, regardless of their ethnicity or religion, to live in dignity, have equal rights and be free from oppression.
Trump’s major domestic battle is likely to be over the deportation of immigrants. So, he will not want to open another front with the progressives regarding Palestine. The Palestinian cause could be a way for him to please his base and appease the opposition at the same time.
Also, Trump does not share the worldview of Netanyahu, who advocates striking Iran and changing the regime in Tehran. He campaigned on an antiwar platform. Even in June 2019, when the Iranians shut down an American drone, he refrained from hitting Iran. Israel underestimates Trump’s isolationist streak. He would not want to wage another war in the region for Israel’s sake.
Trump knows very well that the population transfer that Netanyahu dreams of could be a trigger for a regional war. Evicting 3 million Palestinians to Jordan would cause an existential threat to the Hashemite kingdom. In this case, Hamas could be revived and a front extending from Iran to Iraq to Jordan and possibly Syria would open. Will Trump want to run this risk? In addition, the US would be the subject of scrutiny both internationally and domestically if it allowed another wave of ethnic cleansing.
There is another factor that Netanyahu is not really paying attention to: Project 2025. Trump intends to increase the executive power of the president. This would basically mean less pressure from Congress. Several times in the past, from George H.W. Bush to Barack Obama, when the president tried to impose anything on Israel, they were chastised by the significantly pro-Israel Congress. If Trump is able to sideline Congress, he would be able to put more pressure on Israel to prevent any evictions from the West Bank.
Annexation might be the objective of this messianic Israeli government that is blinded by ideology. However, its members should be careful what they wish for. Trump might agree to it and, if he does so, it might not be exactly how Netanyahu imagined it.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2580949
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Outgoing President Must Use US Laws To Rein In Israel
Ray Hanania
November 27, 2024
When an elected American official has to worry about getting re-elected, they often restrain themselves and avoid pursuing controversial policies. But when the reelection option is no longer available and they are in what is termed a lame duck period of office, the elected official can do whatever they want within their powers without worrying about voter consequences or their critics.
That is the situation Joe Biden is currently in as he prepares to relinquish the powerful office of president of the United States. He is effectively more powerful today than he was on the first day of his presidency.
As president, Biden can take actions that do not require approval from Congress, including major foreign policy moves. These include negotiating agreements and recognizing foreign governments. As the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, he can also take many military actions, such as ordering military operations or unit deployments, though long-term actions would require eventual congressional approval under the US War Powers Act.
We have already seen Biden exercise these powers with respect to the Ukraine-Russia war. Biden this month removed restrictions that had been placed on Ukraine’s use of US-supplied long-range missiles, allowing them to be fired into Russia and not simply used against troops that had entered Ukrainian territory.
This decision changes the war’s dynamics, giving Ukraine’s armed forces the ability to launch offensive assaults to counter Russia’s bombings of its cities and other targets. Ukraine’s other major weapons suppliers in NATO, including the UK and France, now appear to have followed suit and removed restrictions on the arms they supply or are at least considering doing so.
Why can Biden not do the same thing with Israel and stop the flow of US weaponry and funding that is fuelling Tel Aviv’s genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza?
During the past year, the majority of people injured or killed in Gaza have been civilians. Although it is estimated that more than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed, there is no way of knowing the precise number because Israel prohibits foreign journalists from entering the Strip.
There is more than enough justification for Biden to do now what his administration failed to do when Israel began its war on Gaza last October. All he has to do is apply the American laws that prohibit the supplying of weapons to foreign nations that engage in the killing of civilians and genocide.
There are five laws that restrict how foreign countries can use US money and weapons. However, until now, the outgoing administration has refused to enforce them.
The Leahy Law prohibits the US government from using any funds to assist foreign security force units when credible information exists that implicates that unit in the commission of gross human rights violations.
The Foreign Assistance Act prohibits the allocation of financial assistance to any foreign government that “engages in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.”
The Arms Export Control Act states that foreign nations that receive US military aid can only use the weapons for legitimate self-defense and internal security.
The War Crimes Act forbids breaches of the Geneva Conventions, which define the rules of warfare and prohibit the mistreatment of noncombatants and civilians, such as willful killings, torture or inhuman treatment, willfully causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health, and unlawful deportation or transfer. These are all methods routinely used by Israel to enforce its illegal occupation of Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
And the Genocide Convention Implementation Act was enacted in 1987 and establishes genocide as a specific crime. It provides for criminal penalties for individuals who commit or incite others to commit genocide.
Each of these five laws give Biden the power to take action against Israel and end the ferocity of its military assault against Gaza and Lebanon.
What does Biden have to lose? The election is over. His party lost. The outgoing administration has eight weeks to make up for its grievous failure of the last 13 months and try to stop the killing of civilians.
Even if this action does not end the war or if Israel continues the carnage, at least it could help to restore a moral foundation to the administration’s legacy. Does it really want to be known as the administration that stood by as Israel killed more than 44,000 Palestinian civilians and thousands more Lebanese civilians?
But the White House is hostage to Netanyahu, who needs the genocide to continue in order to derail the three corruption cases against him. It was these charges that pushed Netanyahu to form a coalition with the most extremist elements in Israeli society and extend his time in power.
As a consequence, Netanyahu has no compelling reason to end the genocide and he will most likely continue the violence. He may even expand it to include Iran and any other regional nation that refuses to surrender to Israel’s hegemony.
When the details of Israel’s atrocities become public — and one day they will — the US will be harshly judged for not acting. Unless it acts now.
It is the right thing to do.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2580938
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Who Bears Responsibility For Delaying Palestinian Statehood?
Bakir Oweida
November 27, 2024
According to an op-ed in the widely circulated Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, there are fears in Israel that the Biden administration may back a UN Security Council resolution calling for an independent Palestinian state before President Joe Biden’s term ends in the coming weeks. The article, penned by former Israeli Ambassador to Washington Michael Oren, carries particular weight given both the newspaper’s influential position in Israeli society and Oren’s deep understanding of US-Israeli relations and broader Middle East policy. Should Biden pursue such an initiative, Oren suggests it would be motivated less by Palestinian advocacy and more by a desire to challenge Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies, who have taken an increasingly confrontational stance, even toward America.
This debate echoes questions raised in last week’s discussions about accountability in the Palestinian leadership. When should the Palestinian people demand answers from their leaders about diplomatic strategies and negotiation outcomes? The historical record of the past three decades clearly demonstrates a pattern of missed opportunities and leadership shortcomings in achieving even basic independence.
Effective peace negotiations, just like warfare, require strategic flexibility — knowing when to press forward and when to step back. A stark example of a missed opportunity came 26 years ago, when President Bill Clinton made a bold diplomatic gesture by visiting Gaza on Dec. 13, 1998. At what was meant to be the future site of Palestine’s international airport, Clinton and his wife Hillary were welcomed by Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and his wife Suha. Clinton had privately assured multiple Arab officials of his intention to announce his backing for Palestinian statehood from the UN podium before leaving office.
The stark contrast between those aspirations and today's reality raises pressing questions for Palestinians about their leadership’s handling of the conflict. Today’s Palestinians have the right to question how their various political factions have managed these diplomatic battles on their behalf — not just regarding recent events like the Al-Aqsa Flood attack, but throughout the entire course of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
While each phase of a national struggle has its unique political constraints, there is value in examining past decisions to avoid repeating historical missteps. Palestinian miscalculations dating back to the 1947 UN Partition Plan — with the 77th anniversary of its adoption approaching — have repeatedly cost opportunities for statehood and resulted in territorial losses. The Gaza Strip, once central to Palestinian aspirations, may never return to its previous state.
Does lamenting these lost opportunities serve any purpose? Perhaps yes, if it helps prevent further displacement.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2580935
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