Islamist rams vehicle into IDF force; Israeli coalition formation postponed -TV7 Israel News

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Palestinian Authority paves over Hasmonean fortress, destroying remains of ancient wall

Arutz Sheva Staff

After declaring ancient Hasmonean fortress a ‘Palestinian Heritage Site’, PA paves over the fortress, destroying remains of wall, cisterns.

The Palestinian Authority, taking advantage of the absence of Civil Administration inspectors during the coronavirus shutdown, is consolidating its takeover of “Tel Aroma,” a Hasmonean fortress in Samaria. The PA’s most recent project has caused unspeakable damage to the antiquities at this unique site: Yesterday (Sunday) a fleet of heavy engineering tools from the Palestinian Authority and the Beta Village Council arrived at Tel Aroma, and paved a road leading toward the remains of the fortress.

Nearly three months ago, Regavim’s “Preserving the Eternal” Project documented and reported on an access path that had been steamrolled at the site, and the massive flagpole and Palestinian Authority flag, visible for miles, that had been erected on top of the ancient ruins of Tel Aromah, near the Jewish community of Itamar.

The Tel Aroma Fortress is the northernmost of eight fortresses established by the Hasmonean Kingdom to protect Israel’s eastern border. It is situated on a commanding ridge that controls the passage between the Jordan Valley and the heart of Samaria.

In recent months, the Palestinian Authority has been making concerted efforts and investing considerable resources to take over the site, installing generators and perimeter lighting, erecting tents alongside the huge flagpost platform, and manning them 24/7. Senior PA and Beta Municipality officials recently held a ceremony, at which the Hasmonean fortress was declared a “Palestinian Heritage Site,” a claim that purportedly affords them the “right” to carry out the work that has caused the destruction of the fortress wall and reservoirs.

This is the culmination of a year-long process of ongoing destruction, according to members of “Preserving the Eternal,” a non-profit project of the Regavim Movement that works in cooperation with the Shomron Regional Council’s Infrastructure Department to preserve historic and archaeological sites in Judea and Samaria.

Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan assessed the destruction of the site, and said: “Enforcement authorities must give this matter the attention it deserves; they have a responsibility to live up to, this is their job and we expect them to do it. This systematic destruction of Jewish heritage sites throughout Judea and Samaria cannot continue. We demand that they put an immediate stop to the ongoing destruction of Tel Aroma; we call upon the relevant authorities to take action without delay.”

Eitan Melet, Field Coordinator for the Preserving the Eternal Project who documented the recent roadwork and destruction at the site, called on Defense Minister Naftali Bennett to intervene immediately: “Minister of Defense Bennett, you have left a significant imprint on the Ministry of Defense in a short period of time. Now is the time to establish the legacy of your tenure – a legacy that will prove that the State of Israel protects its eternal birthright in the Land of Israel.”

Regavim and its Preserving the Eternal Project call – once again – on the Prime Minister to adopt the National Emergency Plan for the Preservation of Historic Sites, which was presented to the government last year. “It is inconceivable that the State of Israel, which signed international treaties for the preservation of ancient sites, is allowing this wholesale destruction to continue.”

IDF unaware how many weapons Israel has authorized to PA – Exclusive

YONAH JEREMY BOB

The NGO Lavi filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the IDF Spokesperson’s Office on August 19 2019.

Palestinian Fatah members carry their weapons as they take part in a Nakba parade, at Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp near the port-city of Sidon. / (photo credit: REUTERS)

The IDF does not know how many weapons Israel has authorized the Palestinian Authority to possess under the Oslo Accords, The Jerusalem Post has learned.

The NGO Lavi, which says it strives to protect Israeli citizens’ rights and to encourage proper management by the state, filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the IDF Spokesperson’s Office on August 19.

The office recently responded, and the Post obtained a copy of that response.

The response said that, “After a thorough review… the IDF could not locate the information requested.”

Further, the IDF Spokesperson’s Office referred Lavi to the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) but never said the information was classified.

Lavi had preempted such a defense by the IDF, citing a Ynet article in which partial numbers related to vehicles given by Israel to the PA were publicized.

The Post contacted COGAT, which said it would look into the issue. After several days, it had not responded.

The letter was sent by attorney Shmuel Schneider and was also initiated and prepared by attorney Maurice Hirsch, former chief prosecutor of the West Bank Courts.

According to Hirsch, the IDF Spokesperson’s Office was responsible for having the information.

Under one of the agreements signed as part of the Oslo Accords in September 1995, Israel authorized the PA to possess up to 4,000 rifles, up to 4,000 pistols, 15 light unarmed vehicles for dispersing protests and various levels of ammunition.

However, the same agreement allowed Israel to increase the number of weapons it could approve for the PA to possess.

A core part of the letter was asking to what extent Israel has authorized the PA to possess additional weapons since 1995.

More specifically, Lavi asked whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, any of his defense ministers, any COGAT officials or any IDF Central Command chiefs have approved an increase in the number of permitted PA weapons in the last seven years.

The IDF response was somewhat unexpected, as Palestinian weapons are frequently confiscated as illegal by cross-checking them against various databases, and approving additional weapons to the PA would likely leave behind some kind of record so that Israel could determine in the future whether the authority was violating the limits.

Hirsch said the response and lack of information was problematic and gave the impression that the IDF was avoiding oversight on the issue, which could facilitate more weapons and illegal weapons in PA areas.

Z nimi żyłem, z nimi piłem, ich kochałem – Marek Hłasko

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Mother’s Day: Son beats the odds and serves in the IDF

Arutz Sheva Staff

Daniel Tabarzar was diagnosed with William’s Syndrome as a baby – yet he defied the odds and is now in the IDF’s Special in Uniform program.

Soldiers gather for Special in Uniform event

Some celebrate Mother’s Day with flowers; others honor the family matriarchs with gifts. Yet on this Mother’s Day, one woman seeks to inspire fellow moms worldwide by sharing how she received the greatest gift that any mother could ask for—her child’s happiness and success.

Daniel Tabarzar, 19, was diagnosed with William’s syndrome at the age of one year old, much to his parents’ Rami and Merav’s chagrin. This genetic disorder affects various parts of the body, causes facial features that are often described as elfin, and results in assorted heart problems and intellectual disabilities. After overcoming their initial disappointment, the Tabarzars vowed that they would support their son throughout his challenges and do whatever it took to ensure that Daniel led a happy, fulfilling life.

Daniel is very musical and possesses excellent speech capacities; yet his hand muscles were negatively affected by the disorder, and he has difficulty writing, though he can type well both on the computer and phone. At the age of 18, during his senior year of high school, Daniel received his military exemption from the IDF, an exemption automatically delivered to anyone with physical or mental disabilities. While some are relieved to receive this exemption, Daniel was devastated.

“He was so frustrated that he started crying and begged us to fight for him to get into the army. Rami and I told him that we would do everything in our power to help him get drafted, and then we found Special in Uniform.”

A collaborative effort of Lend A Hand to A Special Child, JNF-USA, and Israel Defense Forces, Special in Uniform offers extensive training to young men and women with physical and/or cognitive disabilities and incorporates them into appropriate positions in the IDF. The focus is on independent functioning, contributing positively to society, and the astonishing range of their abilities, as opposed to their disabilities.

Special in Uniform’s two-year volunteer training program culminates with graduating youths receiving their soldier’s IDs and being placed in military bases across Israel where they cull from the knowledge and skills that they acquired to perform important jobs on base, forget their disabilities and focus instead on their versatile abilities and talents. At Special in Uniform, kids with low self-worth mature into independent, confident young men and women who believe in themselves and their abilities. Throughout their years of military service, they acquire important social and life skills that empower them to meld seamlessly into society and, later, the workforce.

Daniel joined Special in Uniform as a volunteer, but after only one year, received his soldier’s ID and now serves as a full-fledged soldier. “He is so proud to be part of the army,” says Merav, “and we are so proud of him and all his accomplishments.”

Today on Mother’s Day, Merav has a special message for mothers of all children—special and mainstream. “Never give up on your children. Always believe in them, and you’ll see how far they’ll get in life! We were committed that Daniel should have a great life, and since coming to Special in Uniform, his life really has been great. They’ve taught him skills, abilities and responsibilities that make him feel fulfilled and accepted by all his peers, and this is truly the greatest gift that any mom could ask for.”