War in Israel: Update on Current Situation
January 23, 2025 - October 7 War, Day 475
The first Jewish Federations mission to northern Israel since the ceasefire in Lebanon went into effect concluded today. Participants included leaders from several communities, as well as Jewish Federations’ National Campaign Chair David Heller; Israel Emergency Response Committee Co-Chairs Steve Hoffman and Jeff Schoenfeld; and Jewish Federations of North America’s President and CEO Eric Fingerhut.
Ceasefire and Hostages
- The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that went into effect on Sunday, January 19 seems to be holding.
- On Sunday evening Israel Time, amidst highly emotional scenes, three hostages - all young women - were released following 471 agonizing days in Hamas captivity. Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher were in reasonable health (although Damari lost two fingers after she was shot on October 7) and are now recovering at specially-prepared facilities in Israel’s Sheba Hospital.
- Watch this video and see these photos of the emotional reunions between the women and their immediate families, as well as the following three clips of the hostages being reunited with their mothers shortly after arriving back in Israel:
- Some 90 terrorists have been released from Israeli jails as part of the agreement, with additional groups to be let out with each hostage who is freed in the future. In total, more than 1000 are scheduled for release; this causes profound heartache for many Israelis, especially those whose relatives and friends were murdered by these same terrorists. Israeli commentators have pointed out the stark contrast between the scenes of joyful families celebrating the safe return of their loved ones and scenes of the devastated families coping with the release of those who injured and/or murdered their family members.
- According to the terms of the agreement, four more hostages will be released this coming Saturday, with additional small groups coming out every seven days. In the sixth week (which will be the last week in this first stage of the deal), 14 hostages will be released. It is not yet clear how many of those scheduled for release could be dead, although it is believed that the majority are still alive.
- In another 12 days, discussions will begin on the second stage of the deal, aiming to reach agreement about the release of the remaining (more than 60) hostages, as well as a permanent ceasefire and other arrangements. Many commentators are skeptical that an agreement can be reached. They anticipate that Hamas will demand an intolerably high price for the remaining hostages, including an Israeli withdrawal from areas that the IDF deems to be imperative for them to occupy to prevent another October 7.
- Now that the ceasefire has begun, Israelis have been surprised and unsettled by scenes in recent days of Hamas fighters emerging from hiding and reestablishing the organization’s presence in Gaza,
- Since the ceasefire began, however, there have not been any rockets fired at Israel, which may mean that the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen are also abiding by the deal, despite not being signatories. Yesterday, US President Donald Trump began to reimpose the Foreign Terrorist Organization designation on the Houthis. In his first term, President Trump designated the group as an FTO, but the move was reversed by former US president Joe Biden due to concerns that the highest-level sanction was preventing aid organizations from delivering humanitarian assistance to civilians in Yemen.
Fighting Continues
- Despite the ceasefire with Hamas in the south, and with Hezbollah in the north, attacks against Israelis continue in other areas.
- Last Monday, reserve soldier Evyatar Ben Yehuda, 31, was killed in the northern West Bank when his military vehicle was patrolling a road that had not been cleared of threats. He hit an improvised explosive device (IED). Four other IDF soldiers were wounded in the attack, including a Battalion Commander. See here for a full list of IDF casualties.
- On Tuesday, four Israelis were wounded when a terrorist stabbed diners at an outdoor seating area of a restaurant in Tel Aviv. One of the victims was a wounded veteran of the current war. The terrorist was killed by a female border police officer who happened to be nearby. The terrorist was a Moroccan national who held a US residency permit. He had arrived in Israel just three days before the attack.
- Also on Tuesday, the IDF launched a large-scale anti-terror operation in the Palestinian city of Jenin. The operation will likely continue for at least a week; it has so far involved both ground troops and aircraft. The Palestinian Authority, which had recently operated against Hamas and Islamic Jihad elements in the city, pulled back from Jenin before the IDF forces entered. The city is known to be a center of terror activity in the West Bank.
- In the north, IDF soldiers operating in southern Lebanon are continuing to locate weapons and Hezbollah infrastructure. Yesterday, during searches of villages in south Lebanon, the military found Russian-made anti-tank missiles, grenades, and assault rifles. Similarly, Israel has now formally asked the US for an additional 30 days to carry out the withdrawal of its troops from southern Lebanon—this would take them almost to the brink of the 60-day deadline stipulated in the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah. Under the terms of that deal, Israel is required by January 26 to vacate all its positions in southern Lebanon in favor of the Lebanese Armed Forces. In recent weeks, however, Israel’s military has said that the Lebanese forces have deployed too slowly, consequently delaying the IDF’s withdrawal. Media reports suggest that the US prefers to see the withdrawal completed on time, by this coming Sunday.
IDF Activities
- The chief of the General Staff of the IDF, Hertzi Ha-Levi, announced his resignation on Tuesday, in the wake of taking responsibility for the failures of October 7. Similarly, the leader of the IDF’s Southern Command, Major General Yaron Finkleman, announced he will step down well. Ha-Levi said that before he resigns his post he will complete the IDF’s internal investigation into the failures on and before October 7.
- Last week, Israel’s Prime Minister's Office released its annual Report on Terrorism for 2024. Among other findings, it was revealed that:
- The number of terrorist attacks in 2024 was 18,365, in which 134 people were murdered and 1,277 people were injured.
- About 16,400 rockets were fired and crossed into Israel, of which some 15,400 were launched from Lebanon and some 700 from Gaza. October 2024 saw the greatest number of rockets fired at Israel, with more than 6,900 launches.
- Some 399 hostile UAVs crossed into Israeli territory. Rocket fire and UAVs caused much damage: 71 people were killed, 14 of whom were minors, and 892 people were injured. In addition, they caused close to 610 fires, which burned 92,417 acres of land belonging to the Nature and Parks Authority and more than 42,749 acres of grazing land.
- An additional 1,900 terrorist incidents were carried out in 2024, including stone throwing, Molotov cocktails, vehicle rammings, shootings, stabbings, assaults, explosive devices and throwing objects. July saw the highest number of incidents—191 attacks. November was the quietest month with 109 attacks. October was the most violent month, in which 37 people were murdered and 394 injured.
- The most common type of terrorist attack was stone-throwing, with 1,248 incidents. April had the most stone throwings, with 130 incidents and November was the quietest with 76 incidents. The next most common attacks were throwing random objects, arson and tire burning (162), throwing Molotov cocktails (140), shootings (132) and explosive devices (89).
- Yuval Raphael will represent Israel in the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest after winning Channel 12's Rising Star competition. Raphael, 24, from Ra’anana, is a survivor of the Nova music festival massacre and the fortified shelters where dozens fled the festival and hid during the October 7 Hamas attacks in 2023. Raphael chose to sing Abba’s Dancing Queen in memory of those who were killed at Nova.
Today’s suggested actions to support Israel in your local community:
- Read this Bloomberg News op-ed by retired US Navy admiral and former supreme allied commander of NATO James Stavridis on a strategy to defeat the Houthis.
- Watch this military training video of the Houthis promising that, “Israel will come to an end. We will disfigure their faces and we will cut down the blasphemy.”
- Watch and share this video clip on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook summarizing Israel’s aid mechanism into Gaza, and the challenges of delivering aid during war.
- Listen To the latest episode of The Glue with Eric Fingerhut and guests Pulitzer Prize-winning commentator George Will and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) for a compelling conversation from the recent General Assembly on antisemitism, Israel's path to victory in its war, the challenges on college campuses, and the shifting landscape of American politics since the election.
- Read and share the story of 24-year-old Elyakim Liebman from Kiryat Arba, known by his friends and family as “Elyak.” A foodie who loves cooking for others, Elyakim had just began a job as a cook in a Tel Aviv restaurant before October 7. That morning, he was working as a security guard at the Nova music festival, where he and his friend Eitan Mor rescued many of the partygoers. Rather than escaping, Elyakim returned to the festival to save more people, when he was abducted by terrorists along with his friend. Described as a young man with a loving heart, friends and family share that they are not surprised that Elyakim endangered his own life in order to save others. His parents and seven siblings are eagerly awaiting his return home.
Issue:
After Israel was attacked by a massive Hamas invasion on October 7, 2023 and by Hezbollah fire that began the following day, the IDF responded with defensive campaigns that left Hamas decimated and Hezbollah overwhelmingly weakened. The IDF has also targeted strategic military sites in Syria and Iran to prevent lethal attacks against the Jewish State. While the imminent threat of two Iranian proxies right on Israel’s borders is greatly reduced, the Houthis continue to attack Israel and ships in the Red Sea. The question remains, how will Israel act to deter further Houthi attacks?
Background:
- The Houthis are a terrorist group that operate in Yemen and have threatened to wipe Israel off the map. Iran has backed the Houthis with military, economic and political assistance and has included them in the “axis of resistance.”
- In November of 2023 the Houthis began attacking merchant ships in the Red Sea as a symbol of their solidarity with the Palestinian people. In total, the Houthis have hijacked, sunk or fired at dozens of ships, with devastating consequence for global trade, shipping costs and environmental safety, and have also launched dozens of projectiles into Israeli airspace.
- In its first incident, Houthis rebels hijacked the 25-person crew of the Galaxy Leader that was enroute to India. Its crew are still being held hostage.
- It is estimated that international shipping in the Suez Canal has plunged by 60% as a result of these attacks.
- Meanwhile, the Houthis continue to launch projectiles at Israel and on Monday fired a ballistic missile that was intercepted by Israel’s Arrow air defense system.
- Yesterday the US Central Command carried out a precision strike on a key command-and-control facility operated by the Houthis. This follows other US led strikes on Houthi assets throughout the year. Israel launched airstrikes on Houthi infrastructure in July and September. However, these strikes have not been successful in stopping Houthi aggression.
Support our campaign!
March for Israel
We are proud of the 10 buses bringing 500 Ocean County participants, joining hundreds of others from our area and hundreds of thousands, for the March for Israel today in Washington DC.
Together, we stand in support of Israel, against anti-semitism, and together as a community.
Loss. Destruction. Small Miracles
From one of our grantees' personal blog, Beth Steinberg, founding director of Shutaf:Visiting Kfar Aza 8 months later
Traveling south, some 8 months after October 7th, I feel ready, I hope, to see some of the destruction wrought on that terrible day. The hard news of last week, 4 more hostages declared dead - Chaim Peri, 79, Amiram Cooper, 84, Yoram Metzger, 80, and Nadav Popplewell, 51 - the first 3 from Kibbutz Nir Oz, Popplewell from Kibbutz Nirim, and 35 year old Dolev Yehud’s body identified through DNA findings in Kibbutz Nir Oz. Yehud was buried last week, mourned by his wife and 4 children, one of them born after October 7th. Continue reading here
Special Update on Rafah
Israel’s Rafah Operation and the US Reaction
The US is withholding some arms shipments to Israel in response to the IDF’s operation in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. Here's what you need to know:
Background
- Rafah, located on the Egyptian border, is the last major enclave deemed critical by Israel, to defeating Hamas. The IDF claims that is has disbanded 20 of 24 Hamas battalions in Gaza, but four of the remaining intact battalions and many Hamas senior leaders, as well as hostages, are believed to be in Rafah. According to military analysts, most of the weapons Hamas used to massacre Israelis on October 7 came through the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
- As a result of the fighting in the rest of the Strip, an estimated 1.3 million Palestinians are sheltering in Rafah, including many who followed Israel’s orders to evacuate northern Gaza to safer territory in the earlier stages of fighting.
- The US, and many other countries, have called on Israel to refrain from attacking Rafah due to concerns over a humanitarian crisis that could result from major fighting in the area. Egypt is also worried that an attack on Rafah could see hundreds of thousands of Gazans storming the border and entering Egypt.
- Washington has said that if an incursion must take place, then Israel needs to take considerable measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the civilians in the city.
- At the same time, negotiations over a ceasefire and the release of hostages continue. Many in Israel have argued that the only way to get Hamas to compromise and reach a deal, is through significant military pressure, especially in Rafah. Over the weekend, the Wall Street Journal reported that Israel had given an ultimatum saying that a Rafah operation would go ahead unless a hostage deal was reached by the end of the week.
Initial Incursion
- Over the weekend, rockets were fired from Rafah at the Kerem Shalom crossing, killing four Israeli soldiers and wounding seven others. The crossing, which facilitates dozens of aid trucks entering Gaza each day, was badly damaged in the Hamas attack, and was forced to close. (Israel has since speedily made temporary repairs to the facility, allowing the crossing to reopen today, and aid to Gaza to continue).
- On Monday, Israel issued evacuation orders to around 100,000 civilians in one area of Rafah. The warnings were sent via leaflets, text messages, and radio broadcasts, urging Palestinian civilians to move to nearby humanitarian zones in Al-Mawasi. The IDF facilitated the expansion of field hospitals and tents and an increase of water, food and medical supplies in the safe area.
- That evening, a low-level, pinpoint Israeli incursion into Rafah began, that did not involve major fighting.
- The IDF reported that during the operation, the military eliminated 20 terrorists in the area, struck Hamas targets and located several tunnel entrances.
- The IDF also established operational control of the Gazan side of the Rafah crossing, where special forces are currently scanning the area, after Israeli intelligence showed it was being used for terror purposes. The crossing is located some 1.8 miles from the Israeli border along the Philadelphi Corridor where weapons are frequently smuggled into Gaza from Egypt.
U.S. Reaction
- Yesterday, US President Joe Biden warned Israel that he will stop US weapons shipments earmarked for a Rafah offensive if the IDF embarks on a major military operation there. The President told CNN, “I’ve made it clear that if they go into Rafah… I’m not supplying the weapons that have historically been used to deal with Rafah.”
- Earlier in the day US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told the Senate Appropriations Committee the US had already paused one shipment to Israel of payload munitions due to concerns over Rafah.
- Nonetheless, Biden reiterated what he has repeated many time in recent weeks, and that is the US’ “ironclad” support and commitment to Israel’s security. Specifically, he told CNN, “We’re not walking away from Israel’s security. We’ve walked away from its ability to make war in those areas.”
- Biden also said that what Israel has done so far in Rafah does not constitute a major military operation in that southern part of the enclave.
Moving Forward
- The Israeli government will meet this evening to discuss next moves. While some have said that the US decision to withhold arms strengthens Hamas’s negotiating position, others have expressed confidence that Israel does have the capability of balancing its own security interests alongside its critical relationship with the US.
- Many Israelis and others have remained defiant. One “unnamed senior Israeli official” told N12 News in Israel that, “an attack on Rafah will occur in any event. We have enough supplies to accomplish this without external help.”
- Meanwhile, CIA Chief William Burns is again in the region trying to help the sides reach a hostage-release and ceasefire agreement, that would also halt further fighting in Rafah.
Jewish Federations continue to unquestioningly support Israel’s right to defend itself, including destroying Hamas’s capabilities to harm the Jewish state, while also strongly supporting the critical and close relationship between the United States and Israel.
We are closely monitoring the situation on the ground and are considering a public statement.
Further Reading
Newsweek: Israel Has Created a New Standard for Urban Warfare. Why Will No One Admit It?
Read about the international law aspects of press access during times of armed conflict in this article by active-duty army judge, Major Emily Bobenrieth.
David Horovitz: Silver linings in an ongoing nightmare
Surprise! Hamas has thousands more fighters than Israel initially thought
On 107.1: KEITH KRIVITZKY, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OCEAN COUNTY, discusses a fundraising campaign the organization kicked off to help raise $150-thousand-dollars for the people of Israel impacted since the October 7th terrorist attacks by Hamas, how the Federation is offering to match every dollar donated up to $50-thousand-dollars, and what it is like in Jerusalem.
We Stand With Israel Vigil
Update from Keith in Jerusalem
OP-ED published in Jerusalem Post 10.29 - https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-770686
| 10.26 Dear Friends, Greetings from Jerusalem. Everyone here is in waiting mode. For some movement – a return of hostages or the start of a ground war…as that forward motion might hint that there is some light at the end of the tunnel. Until then, people are going about their days in a sort of shared state of misery, wondering whether to do normal, every-day things or to stay home, near family, and feel somehow less vulnerable. |
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| An empty Tel Aviv promenade at 3 pm |
| The hostility to Israel and growing concerns about antisemitism around the world are just as troubling. Everyone in the Jewish community who is paying attention is shaken. As we should be. This is the price of family – when members of our family are suffering, we are all affected. |
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| Bring them home |
| Family also comes together to help each other in times of need. I am proud to say that our Israel Emergency Campaign has already passed $100,000. We still need your help to reach our goal – and any contribution you give will be matched dollar for dollar! Thanks to the many in our community who have shown their support so far, I am grateful that we have just made our first local emergency grants to help those struggling and in need of assistance in Israel. These include: · Funds to our core partners at the JDC, Jewish Agency, and the Jewish Federations of North America to address a wide array of social service needs during this crisis · Plus funds to several smaller organizations that coordinate volunteers and aid throughout the country (Lev Echad), provide counseling and support to families who have been displaced or lost loved ones (Koby Mandell Foundation), and work with lone soldiers and youth (Michael Levin Lone Soldier Center, Dror, Crossroads). Together, we can make a crucial difference! |
| Israel Emergency Campaign |
| Below, I share a version of an OpEd written recently to give a taste of what people are experiencing, and the trauma that exists, on the ground in Israel. The most common phrase used today is b’sorot tovot – which basically means may we hear good news. So I want to say to all of you: b’sorot tovot. May we all hear some good news soon. Thanks and Shabbat Shalom. Keith Keith Krivitzky, Managing Director Dispatches from a traumatized country I wanted to share with you some of the many conversations, messages, and news stories I have heard and seen since the horrific attack on October 7 in Israel. The trauma (and resilience) of Israeli society don’t always come across through news reporting on the current conflict. These are real events and conversations that happened, summarized (and sometimes translated) for clarity. Comments in italics are my own. Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin are working tirelessly to have their son, Hersh, returned after being kidnapped by Hamas from the Novo dance party on October 7. He is injured, having lost his arm below the elbow, and in need of medical attention. Join at 7:45 am tomorrow to show support as they head to the United Nations to plead his case, and that of the other hostages, to world leaders. (Jon and Rachel are friends.) Parents of at least two dozen fallen soldiers have sought to collect sperm from their fallen children. This is allowed under a special Health Ministry rule that was enacted following the start of fighting. (Touching and chilling at the same time.) At a recent lunch in Jerusalem, I was eating with friends who engaged in a serious discussion about where they would hide in their house if it was overrun by terrorists. When it was clear that there weren’t many good places, the discussion shifted to whether they should build out some hiding holes just in case. If don't have a protected room, a shelter, or an internal stairwell that can be reached during a rocket attack, find a space with as few windows, openings and external walls as possible, and that there are no ceramics, porcelain and glass that could shatter. Upon an alert, stay against an inner wall, and sit under the window line and not across from the door. Remember: the further inside the building, with as many cement block or concrete walls as possible between you and the place of the explosion, the more protected you will be from being hit by shrapnel and blast. Wait for 10 minutes to protect yourself from intercepted rockets that might fall to the ground. (From guidelines issued by the Home Front Command. Depending on where you live, you have 30-90 seconds to reach shelter after an alert.) The City of Jerusalem and Magen David Adom are sponsoring a blood drive on Monday at Teddy Stadium. Blood type O is urgently needed. (Magen David Adom is Israel’s version of the Red Cross. There have been many blood drives throughout the country with people waiting up to 7-8 hours to donate.) The Jerusalem coordinating center is looking for donations of basic items like clothes and toiletries as well as volunteers to help the thousands of people relocated from rocket attacks and fighting in the south near Gaza. Many had to flee their homes, bringing little with them. (Currently there are more than 200,000 evacuees displaced in Israel. The number of volunteers has also been impressive, with numerous and almost immediate responses to requests for help like this.) FYI - there is a “breast milk bank” with donated milk to provide to babies of mothers kidnapped or killed. Please spread the word. The funeral for Netanel, a lone soldier, will take place at Mt. Herzl in Jerusalem at 12:30. His family is flying in from London - please show up to attend so that they can see he also has family in Israel. (A lone soldier is someone serving in the army, in many cases volunteering, with no family in the country. My friend went to this funeral, which was interrupted by sirens warning of a rocket attack. Attendees had to leave as soon as it was over as there were back-to-back funerals for those killed so far in the war.) Know who is sending messages in your Whatsapp group. An organization called “Love Israel” is asking for the names of Israeli soldiers so they can pray for them. DO NOT GIVE THEM ANY INFORMATION. These are terrorists trying to get information! (Also chilling. Whatsapp groups are group chats. There have been many such messages, including cases where phones of hostages have been used to send messages from their captors in Gaza.) My friend recently said goodbye to a colleague who had moved to Israel to flee the war in Ukraine. His family has now moved to Kishinev to escape war here. (This is a sad irony given that the Kishinev pogroms, to which the October 7 attack has been compared, added momentum to Jews seeking to build a home in Israel where they could defend themselves.) Sadly, more and more of these messages and sad stories are shared every day. **** PS – I urge you to demonstrate your support and contribute to our Israel Emergency Campaign . Thank you. And if you have made it this far, you might also want to listen to this radio interview broadcast this past Sunday: KEITH KRIVITZKY, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OCEAN COUNTY DISCUSSES EFFORTS TO HELP ISRAEL FROM JERUSALEM - 107.1 The Boss (1071theboss.com) |
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From JFNA before Shabbat 10.27:
Dearest Friends and Colleagues:
| July 24, 2023 Dear Friends, Following hours of high tension, protests and political maneuvering in Israel, the “Reasonableness” Bill that will reduce the Israeli Supreme Court’s power to strike down some government decisions passed its third reading in the Knesset, and is now law. The new law passed with 64 votes in favor and 0 against, as opposition MKs boycotted the final vote on the bill in protest. The law stipulates that courts can no longer use a “reasonableness” standard to strike down decisions made by the cabinet or government ministers, including appointments. See further background on the new law here and see here to read arguments on why many feel it will diminish the checks and balances of the Israeli system of government. The law passed after almost 30 hours of continuous Knesset debate that began on Sunday morning. During that period, hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets across the country both in favor of and opposed to the bill. This morning, hundreds chained themselves to the entrances to the Knesset to try and prevent MKs from entering the building. Many businesses, shopping malls and other venues were shuttered. On landing back in Israel last night from an official visit to the United States, President Isaac Herzog went straight to the hospital bed of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (who had a pacemaker implanted yesterday), before meeting opposition leaders, to try to reach a compromise. This morning the President said, “We are in a state of national emergency. This is the moment for responsibility…During these decisive hours, I call on elected officials to act with courage, and to reach out in order to arrive at an understanding.” Within the Knesset, last-minute attempts were made to amend the bill or to come to a broader compromise (see more here), but none of these efforts ultimately bore fruit. The leadership of the Jewish Federations of North America will be meeting this afternoon to consider further steps. In the meantime, please join our webinar tomorrow, Tuesday, July 25 at 12PM ET to hear the latest developments and examine possible repercussions. Register here. As always, please do not hesitate to contact us for any assistance you might need in your communities. For further reading see: Reasonable guardians? How repealing ‘reasonableness’ may affect top custodians of law An explainer on “reasonableness” by Prof. Amichai Cohen As judiciary fight reaches a climax, both sides set to lose Rebecca Caspi Senior Vice President Israel and Overseas Director General, Israel Office | |
July 24: In these crucial days when Israel's Knesset decides the future of the Israeli judiciary, the leaders of the National Institutions and the Jewish Federations of North America have sent a letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu and Leader of the Opposition, Yair Lapid, emphasizing the need for unity and peace within our home. They call for respectful dialogue, moderation, and a shared commitment to the future of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.
As partners in shaping the destiny of the Jewish people, we urge leaders to seek common ground for the well-being of Am Israel. Let us remain united, a beacon of hope, strength and unity for the entire Jewish community.
July 23 United in Support of Israel & the Latest on Judicial Reform
| Dear Friends, Like everyone who loves and cares about Israel, we are following the news from our Jewish State today with great concern and anxiety. We wish Prime Minister Netanyahu a complete and speedy recovery and pray that his newly installed pacemaker will provide the health benefits that his doctors seek. As a vote on the first piece of legislation that would change the balance of power between the government and the Supreme Court approaches, protests in Israel both for and against the legislation continue to grow. Efforts to seek compromise also continue, including a visit by our good friend President Herzog to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s hospital room immediately upon his arrival back from his historic trip to the United States, and further meetings with Opposition Leaders Lapid and Gantz, as well as the notable involvement of Israel’s Histadrut Labor Federation. We of course hope for and encourage these efforts at compromise as the very best possible outcome for the country. Whether compromise is achieved on this bill or not, the divisions in Israeli society caused by this bitter debate are deep. Even as we approach Tisha B’av, the day on which we commemorate the destruction of the Temples and the loss of Jewish sovereignty for two millennia, it is apparent that the work of building a flourishing Jewish State, to which Jewish Federations are committed, is not done. Israelis with whom we have worked for years – and who have always helped us put Israel’s political debates in perspective – have been issuing dire warnings. The rhetoric that some Israeli officials are directing at segments of society that disagree with their positions is growing harsher and, God forbid, the unity of the IDF is even at risk. This contentious behavior is seeping into our own communities, and we know it would be even worse if our Federations weren’t making constant efforts to bridge the gaps and keep us all working together. All of us in the Jewish Federation system will devote the necessary efforts and resources to helping Israel build the social, legal and political structures that can bind the wounds of the past few months and engender the widespread support and respect needed to solve the most vexing issues the country faces. Many of these efforts are already underway, including support for organizations such as the Jewish People’s Policy Institute, the Israel Democracy Institute, our own iRep coalition on religious pluralism, and support for LGBTQ organizations in Israel, as well as many other important efforts of individual Federations. We will all work together to develop additional steps we can take to help build Israel’s civil society. It is important to emphasize that our efforts to date on judicial reform have not been in vain. Every conversation, every meeting, every fly-in, has had an impact. This week’s Knesset session – whatever happens – is but one moment in a long-term struggle that will play out over many years. Nevertheless, the stakes this week go far beyond the particulars of the bill under consideration, and all sides know it. To the governing coalition, the failure to pass this bill would be a major setback. To the opposition, the passage of even a minor bill on the topic of judicial reform would embolden the government to take further steps in the same manner. Yet the particulars do matter. It is difficult to provide a succinct summary of the legislation under consideration and why it has engendered such strong feelings because the details are complicated and because concerns about the bill must be understood in the context of Israel’s system of government, which does not readily translate to our own systems in the United States and Canada. We will delve more deeply into this subject at a webinar this Tuesday – whether the bill has passed or not – at 12PM ET. In the webinar, we will also consider the impact of President Herzog’s visit to Washington D.C. and New York. Jewish tradition holds that the age of prophecy ended with Malachi. There are several explanations given throughout Jewish texts for this, but the one that resonates with us today was offered by Rabbi Hayyim Angel: “No longer having prophets to tell us what God wants of us enabled mature human participation in the natural covenant between God and humanity.” We are in the Three Weeks of mourning stretching from the 17th of Tammuz to Tisha B’av. In a remarkable coincidence, the seven and one half year long cycle of studying a page a day of Talmud – daf yomi – focused during these Three Weeks on the destruction of the Temple, and especially on the opinion of the sages that the Temple was destroyed because of divisions within the Jewish people. In yet another coincidence, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog addressed a Joint Session of the United States Congress on Rosh Chodesh Av – the first day of the month of Av, the beginning of the intense Nine Days from the first to the ninth of Av. We may not have prophets, but our history, our sages and even our Jewish calendar are screaming at us, trying to get our attention. We still have time for “mature human participation in the covenant,” but the harm that has been caused is real and will require serious efforts at repair. President Herzog has led the call for dialogue and civility. His trip to the United States was a triumph of leadership and diplomacy. We must do everything we can to bolster his resolve and help him carry this burden. We must also use all the considerable influence of the North American Jewish community to insist that all sides in Israel take a step back from their extreme positions and return to negotiations. In the Talmud, Rabbis Akiva and Tarfon famously debate the relative merits of study and action. Rabbi Akiva wins the argument by concluding that study is greater because it leads to action. We must learn the lessons of our Torah and our history and, as Rabbi Akiva taught, turn those lessons into action. Join us on Tuesday at 12PM ET as we continue to study and consider our role in this important moment. Julie Platt, Chair, Board of Trustees Eric Fingerhut, President & CEO |
July 11, 2023 Dear Friends, Today has seen very high tension in Israel, with perhaps the most significant developments since the new government was formed just over a half a year ago. The debate and protests over the issue of proposed judicial reforms intensified dramatically, with protest groups launching a “National Day of Resistance” as a first bill moves through the legislative process. Last night, the controversial Reasonableness Standard Bill passed in a first reading in the Knesset (in a 64 to 56 vote). Today, it will be brought before the Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, where it will be further debated in preparation for a second and third reading in two weeks, after which it would become law. If passed, the bill would block Israel's courts from applying a "reasonableness standard" to decisions made by elected officials. This standard was established by the courts decades ago, and allows judges to strike down decisions made by the prime minister, ministers or other government officials if they believe the decision is beyond the scope of what “a responsible and reasonable authority would do.” (See more about the bill and its background here and here). Examples of this clause's use in the past include a case in which Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman decided to unilaterally end funding for day care centers for some parts of the Haredi sector in the middle of a school year (the Supreme Court overturned his decision) and more recently, the prime minister’s decision to appoint Shas Party leader Aryeh Deri as Interior Minister and Health Minister. (Deri has been previously convicted by the courts, and according to the Supreme Court, had pledged not to re-enter public life; a claim Deri denies. See more here). The actual cases in which the courts overturned government decisions have been few, averaging less than one a year in the past quarter century. The proposed law has been softened from its original version. The new version, currently before the Knesset, still allows judges to strike down decisions by unelected government officials, but would prevent it from having oversight of decisions of ministers and the prime minister. Opponents of the proposed change see this as giving unbridled power to elected officials, without appropriate checks and balances. Tens of thousands of Israelis began protesting early this morning. Dozens of major roads in the country have been blocked, including the main Jerusalem – Tel Aviv Highway, one of the country’s busiest and most important corridors and the alternate route into the city – 443 – along with the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv. Police used water cannons and dragged demonstrators away from the Jerusalem – Tel Aviv Highway, and one protestor suffered a head injury from the high-pressured water. (See video footage here). Other protestors are attempting to disrupt activities at Israel’s only major international gateway, Ben Gurion Airport. In response, Energy Minister Israel Katz called for the arrest of a protest leader "for sedition and disruption of public order.” Police have detained at least 40 people for disruptions. A crowd of several hundred people have also gathered outside the Histadrut Labor Federation Headquarters in Tel Aviv, demanding that Israel’s largest labor union declare a general strike. While the Histadrut, which has the power to shut down large sections of the economy, has not yet joined today’s protests, its leader, Arnon Bar-David, warned of possible action today. Meanwhile, some 300 IDF reservists in cyberwarfare units have issued a letter saying they will not show up for reserve duty in protest against the proposed reforms. As most of you know, shortly after the new government was sworn in just over six months ago, it announced proposals to launch a series of sweeping reforms to the way the country is governed. (For details, see Jewish Federations’ Resource Page here). The past half year has seen much back and forth on the issue, with the protests increasing and decreasing in intensity, according to the government’s changing stance. Notwithstanding Prime Minister Netanyahu comments to English-language media that he intends only to move ahead with those aspects of the reforms where there is widespread consensus (see, for example, his interview with the Wall Street Journal here), members of his coalition have made contradictory statements, and the process of turning some proposals into law continues, spearheaded by Netanyahu’s Likud party. Israel’s President Isaac Herzog has been working hard to get all sides to agree to a compromise proposal, and to return to the negotiating table. For now, however, those talk have been halted. Jewish Federations have repeatedly called on all sides to join the talks under the President’s auspices (see here). We will continue to monitor developments, and report as needed. Meanwhile, please feel free to share Jewish Federations’ comments, as well as this update. Rebecca Caspi Senior Vice President Israel and Overseas Director General, Israel Office |
Update on Security in Israel 5.12.23
Dear Friends,
Despite the optimism in yesterday morning's update that a ceasefire was likely, within a few hours Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) fired multiple barrages of rockets at Israeli population centers, killing one civilian in the city of Rehovot and injuring others. The rocket attacks continued for a number of hours. While overnight only sporadic rocket-fire took place, a number of launches remain underway at the time of writing. There is wide-spread speculation that this may be a final volley before a formal ceasefire begins.
In the early evening hours yesterday, a particularly intense round of rocket fire from Gaza caused millions of Israelis to run to shelters, including in major cities in the country’s center, such as Tel Aviv and Rishon Letzion. In an apparent malfunction of the Iron Dome defense system (see details here), one rocket hit an apartment building in the city of Rehovot that did not have its own shelters. One person was killed, nine others were injured, and the building suffered major damage. See further details here and here.
So far, more than 880 rockets have been fired at Israel from Gaza during Operation Shield and Arrow, now entering its fourth day. Of these, some 672 crossed the border from Palestinian territories into Israel, with the rest falling short, or landing in the sea. Iron Dome has been activated 260 times, and has had a 91% success rate during the current operation. See here for a PIJ-produced video of a rocket being launched. 12 Israelis have been wounded as a result of the rocket fire and thousands more are suffering from various forms of trauma. Millions have had their lives interrupted. See here for an article about one family’s life under fire.
Meanwhile the IDF continued to strike PIJ military targets, and says that the terrorist organization has suffered a major blow, including losing many of its top commanders. In total, 170 terror targets have been hit. See here for a video of the IDF striking a PIJ military post and here for footage of a strike on a mobile rocket launcher. The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza says that 31 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since fighting began. According to the IDF, at least four Palestinians have been killed, including children, as a result of failed rocket launches from Gaza. See further details here.
According to media reports, strong efforts are still underway to finalize a formal ceasefire, under Egyptian mediation. In an indication of the country’s willingness to de-escalate, Israeli officials have repeatedly stated that “quiet will be met with quiet.” See more here.
Jewish Federations’ partners, including the Jewish Agency for Israel, JDC, and the Israel Trauma Coalition, are addressing needs on the ground. The Jewish Agency’s Fund for Victims of Terror is providing immediate financial support to families whose homes were directly hit by rocket fire and is helping them with urgent needs. In addition to aid provided by the Government of Israel, the fund also grants supplementary aid to families affected by rocket fire, assists with rehabilitation needs, and addresses the needs of children and families dealing with post-traumatic stress. The Fund, which operates thanks to donations from Jewish Federations and others, was established 20 years ago and to date has supported 9,000 families affected by terrorist incidents and rocket fire, with grants totaling $20 million. Since the beginning of this year, the Fund has awarded grants to the residents of the Gaza border and victims of terror attacks totaling $220,000, and has also run special camps for approximately 350 children and teenagers dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC), another Federation partner, reports that close to 60% of residents living near the Gaza border have temporarily left their homes and are staying in areas further away from the conflict. ITC says the number of calls to trauma help lines have more than doubled in recent days, with the city of Sderot seeing the highest number of calls, by far. ITC says that the majority of the calls come from parents looking for advice as to how to calm their children. Due to the security situation, most trauma care is taking place over Zoom, but professionals visit homes in person where rockets have fallen within close proximity.
Jewish Federations of North America remain in close contact with the Israeli government, our partners, and others to monitor the situation. We will continue to update as needed.
Meanwhile, we are hoping for a quiet weekend here in Israel, and wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom.
Rebecca Caspi
Senior Vice President Israel and Overseas
Director General, Israel Office
From the Consulate General of Israel 5.11.23
At the end of the third day of Operation "Shield and Arrow,” I wanted to share with you an update on the developments:
· As of 4pm ET, the Islamic Jihad has fired more than 800 rockets which were aimed at Israeli civilian communities, reaching the area of Tel Aviv.
· 1.5 million Israelis are at rocket range.
· An apartment building in Rehovot, the Central District of Israel (about 20 kilometers south of Tel Aviv) was hit. One person was killed and eight others were injured. Three houses in Sderot were directly hit by rockets. No injuries were reported.
· 20% of the rockets launched by the Islamic Jihad have fallen inside Gaza. These misfires have killed four innocent Palestinian civilians, including a ten year old child. The Islamic Jihad is a threat to the innocent men, women and children in Gaza, placing them in the line of fire.
· The IDF targeted two commanders in the Islamic Jihad’s Rocket Launching Force. Ali Ghali, the Commander of the Rocket Launching Force, a central figure in IJ, was responsible for the recent rocket barrages launched against Israel. Abu Deka, Deputy Commander of the Rocket Launching Force, was directly responsible for the barrage of rockets fired toward Israeli civilians in the last few days.
