US Embassy Move - Only a Matter of Time
The US State Department notified Congress on Friday that the Jerusalem embassy would open in May to coincide with the 70th anniversary of Israel's independence, speeding up the process by converting a building currently housing consular services into the embassy. The State Department confirmed the timing of the move. "We are in touch with other countries, and it's only a matter of time before other countries join the US in moving their embassies to Jerusalem," said Netanyahu at a weekly Likud faction meeting.
Times of Israel report HERE.
Regarding the anticipated move, the Trump administration is considering an offer from Republican mega-donor Sheldon Adelson to pay for at least part of a new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem, four U.S. officials told The Associated Press. Lawyers at the State Department are looking into the legality of accepting private donations to cover some or all of the embassy costs, the officials said. Washington Post story HERE. | | Saving Israeli Democracy
Caroline Glick's Jerusalem Post Opinion piece discusses concern that If Netanyahu is forced from office, Israeli democracy will be critically, and possibly irreparably, debilitated.
"lsrael's system of democracy has been under assault for more than two decades. Since the early 1990's, elected officials have fought a losing battle to maintain their power. The legal fraternity and the police, acting with the enthusiastic support and often at the urging of the politically biased media, have seized politicians' governing prerogatives and powers one by one. These actions have all been justified in the name of the rule of law."
The revelation Sunday that a judge coordinated her decision on an upcoming hearing with an investigator could have severe repercussions for the Israeli justice system and jeopardize the public's faith in Israel's courts, a senior justice official said.
Breaking news indicates possible court collusion between the judge and the investigator in the Netanyahu case. Could this lead to a Day of Atonement for the justice system? That's what David Rosenberg's news brief in Artuz Sheva discusses. | | Confronting the Truth About Hezbollah
A call last Thursday by members of the European Parliament to EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini to designate the "political" arm of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization is an important development.
Danish MEP Anders Vistisen, one of the three co-initiators of the letter, said: "It is high time to acknowledge that Islamist-inspired terrorism is not only a threat to the Middle East, but is also the top threat to Europe's security."
| | Israel's Deep State
Daniel Greenfield's article in Sultan Knish is today's recommended reading.
Greenfield states, "If you think CNN's Trumpmania is bad, the Israeli police and media have spent the better part of a decade trying to invent ridiculous Netanyahu scandals."
Is the deep state interested in stopping Netanyahu or stopping Israel? Find out HERE. | | Shin Bet Foils ISIS Inspired Attack on Temple Mount
The Jerusalem Post reports that three Arab citizens of Israel from the village of Um el-Fahm were indicted Monday for plotting a terrorist attack on the Temple Mount in the name of Islamic State, the Shin Bet security agency announced.
According to the Shin Bet, the cell planned to carry out a shooting attack at the al-Aksa Mosque compound similar to the July 17 attack in which two Israeli police officers were murdered. | | Protecting Jewish Heritage in Europe
Under a declaration of cooperation, the United States Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad (CPAHA) and the Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs agreed to work together to preserve the cultural heritage of their citizens in Europe, including cemeteries, monuments, and archival material, which were decimated by the Holocaust and decades of communist rule. Arutz Sheva reports that "Under Ambassador Friedman's leadership partnering strategically with Israel has never been easier. We were able to accomplish this important milestone in record time because of the trust and credibility that the Ambassador on behalf of President Donald Trump has restored to America's crucial relationship with the State of Israel." | | Meeting with Senator Tom Cotton | AFSI's co-Executive Directors, Helen Freedman and Judy Freedman Kadish, were with Senator Tom Cotton, (R-AR) at a NORPAC event held at the home of Careena and Drew Parker in Englewood N.J. on Sunday morning, Feb. 25. Senator Cotton, who served in the U.S. Army from 2005-2009, graduated from Harvard University, and began his Senate term in 2014, impressed the large audience with his apparently total devotion to Israel and its concerns. On the topics of Iran, Russia, Syria, Lebanon, Mahmoud Abbas, the U.N., and more, Senator Cotton drew applause and thanks. We are fortunate to have Senator Tom Cotton in our corner. | | | Highlight: 2018 International Legal Forum for Israel | | On February 7, 2018, the first International Legal Forum for Israel brought 150 top legal experts from around the world to Jerusalem for a three-day conference. Under the leadership of Yifa Segal, Director of the International Legal Forum, with the cooperation of the Israel Bar Association and Israel's Ministry of Strategic Affairs, led by Minister Gilad Erdan, the Forum focused on countering international BDS efforts. Alex Traiman writes about this for JNS: https://www.jns.org/legal-summit-in-jerusalem-tackles-moves-against-international-bds-efforts/.
Below is a video capturing some of the highlights of this landmark conference. | | AFSI would like to thank the Estate of Samuel Dyen for his generous gift.
Bequests are an important link between our past and the future and have always played an important role in providing valuable support for AFSI.
If you would like to consider naming AFSI in your will, and to discuss in confidence, please contact Judy Kadish. | | STAY CURRENT. STAY CONNECTED.
| | Monday - February 26, 2018 - 6:45 PM - 9:30 PM The KJ/Ramaz Community invites you to a panel discussion responding to rising levels of anti-Israel activity on our US campuses. Opening Remarks by Ambassador Dani Dayan, Consul General of Israel in New York Israeli Wine and sushi will be served. Doors open 6:45 pm. Panel discussion 7:30 pm. Admission free. RSVP HERE.
Saturday - March 3, 2018 - 8 PM KJ Conversations: Winning the Jewish Future Means Engaging Millenials with Rabbi Daniel Kaus and Aliza Kline Aliza Kline is founding executive director of OneTable, an online and in-person community that helps people in their 20's and 30's create a weekly, intentional Shabbat ritual. Rabbi Daniel Kraus is Director of Community Education at KJ. Admission free.
Wednesday - March 7, 2018 @ 7:30 PM UNRWA: Breeding Ground for Terror UNRWA stands for the United Nations Relief and Work Agency. It operates in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Its official mission is to deliver primary and vocational education. The reality is quite different. Arabic speaking experts, who work for The Center for the Near East Policy and Research, will discuss the Hamas infiltration of UNRWA refugee facilities and how it has affected the books and films shown to children attending UNRWA schools. Free but requires registration. Register HERE
Thursday - March 8, 2018 @ 8 PM Ambassador Ron Dermer in Conversation with Thane Rosenbaum Ron Dermer, the Israeli Ambassador to the United States, has risen to the challenge as an articulate and passionate defender of the Jewish state. Join FOLCS director Thane Rosenbaum for a wide-ranging and timely conversation with Ambassador Dermer. At the 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Avenue, NYC. Tickets from $35. Purchase tickets here.
Tuesday - March 13, 2018 @ 7:30 PM - PHILADELPHIA, PA AFSI Is Proud to Sponsor Marc Prowisor "Beyond the Headlines...Behind the Scenes: An Insider View on the Security Situation on the ground in Israel. Mark is a security expert from Israel's Shilo Region and speaks throughout the US. His primary focus is on the strategic and biblicaly significant Judea and Samaria regions that have been a hotbed of terrorist acts of violence against Jews. Free admission. Contact phillyafsi@gmail.com for more info. Held at Kehillas B'nai Shalom / Bensalem Jewish Outreach Center 2446 Bristol Road | Bensalem, PA 19020 Wednesday - March 14, 2018 @ 7 PM Ben Gurion's Epilogue: The Lost Interview See the critically acclaimed film Ben Gurion, Epilogue and hear its improbable backstory. With Dr. Clinton Bailey, prominent anthropologist and interviewer of David Ben Gurion; Alon Ben Gurion, grandson of David Ben Gurion; Yariv Mozer and Yael Perlov, filmmakers Moderated by Ambassador Ido Aharoni. Admission Free. Register Here. For more information contact info@emanuelstreickernyc.org The Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center - 1 East 65th Street, NYC
** Thursday - March 15, 2018 @ 6 PM ** Helen Freedman Receives Aishes Chayil Award at National Council of Young Israel Dinner - Celebrating Israel's 70th Year Guest of Honor Anthony Scaramucci 6 PM - Elegant Buffet Dinner. 7:30 PM Program. Lavish Viennese Dessert. Very Special Rates for AFSI members. AFSI tables are being arranged. Let us know you plan to be with us. Terrace on the Park, Flushing Meadows Park, NY
Tuesday - March 20, 2018 @ 6:30 PM The Unlikely Nazi Hunters: A Rare Conversation with Serge and Beate Klarsfeld Together, they tracked down Klaus Barbie—the "Butcher of Lyon"—and orchestrated his extradition to France, helped clinch the convictions of former Nazis and their collaborators and documented all 76,000 Jews deported from France. $36 General Admission; $18 Temple Members. Register Here. The Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center - 1 East 65th Street, NYC
Wednesday - March 21, 2018 @ 7:30 PM AFSI Sponsors Israel at 70 Lecture Series. Speaker and location to be announced.
Sunday - April 15, 2018 from 10:30 PM - 8:00 PM Upper West Side Celebrates Israel. Congregation Shearith Israel invites you to celebrate Israel's 70th Yom Ha'Atzmaut with a festival featuring indoor and outdoor activities. For more info contact Hai Piasezky haip@jafi.org | | Mark Langfan | Chairman Helen Freedman | Co-Executive Director | | | | | | |
