IMRA Middle East News Updates https://www.imra.org.il Middle East News & Analysis en-US 1728457303 1728457303 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Capalon Internet 2.0 imra@netvision.net.il (Aaron Lerner) News & Analysis IMRA Middle East News Updates https://www.imra.org.il https://www.imra.org.il/imra_sm.png 144 97 Weekly Commentary: Woodward Reveals Biden Can't Concede Bibi Correct https://www.imra.org.il/story.php?id=74244 <p>Weekly Commentary: Woodward Reveals Biden Can't Concede Bibi Correct<br /> Dr. Aaron Lerner 9 October 2024</p> <p>While critics of Israel in general and prime minister Netanyahu in<br /> particular, welcomed with glee excerpts from Bob Woodward's book "War," of<br /> President Biden cursing Mr. Netanyahu, the excerpts actually reveal the<br /> disturbing inability of Mr. Biden to concede that he and his team have been<br /> consistently wrong in their assessments and advice.</p> <p>Since the October 7, 2023 debacle, Israel has been constantly reassessing<br /> the situation and revising its planning and operations accordingly.</p> <p>This while the Biden team remains stuck on the same messianic fantasy that<br /> creating a sovereign Palestinian state will magically put an end to the<br /> existential threat of those committed to a "no Jewish state" solution.</p> <p>The New York Times report on the book relates that:</p> <p>+++<br /> In April, for instance, the president questioned Mr. Netanyahu's conduct in<br /> the war in a phone call, asking, according to the book, "What's your<br /> strategy, man?"</p> <p>When Mr. Netanyahu insisted that the Israeli military needed to push deeper<br /> into southern Gaza and invade the southern city of Rafah, a key border<br /> crossing with Egypt, the president, using Mr. Netanyahu's nickname,<br /> dismissed this response.</p> <p>"Bibi, you've got no strategy," Mr. Biden replied, according to Mr.<br /> Woodward.</p> <p>In May, Mr. Biden halted a shipment of 3,500 bombs to Israel out of concern<br /> that they would be used in the Rafah operation and cause excessive civilian<br /> casualties. After Mr. Netanyahu proceeded with the invasion of Rafah anyway,<br /> Mr. Biden told advisers that Mr. Netanyahu was a liar, using an obscenity,<br /> and added that "18 out of 19 people who work for him" were also liars, the<br /> book says.</p> <p>He questioned Mr. Netanyahu's motivations, saying that "he doesn't give" a<br /> damn about Hamas but gives a damn "only about himself," although he used an<br /> earthier term than "damn."<br /> +++</p> <p>The outcome of the Rafah operation was completely at odds with the warnings<br /> of the Biden team.</p> <p>It took a fraction of the projected time with a bare minimum of civilian<br /> losses.</p> <p>But instead of adapting to this reality, Mr. Biden remains angry.</p> <p>And his team remains doggedly driven to impose its two-state solution<br /> fantasy.</p> <p>This while another self-serving fantasy regarding Iran drives American<br /> policy.</p> <p>That Iran, whose theology is committed to the destruction of the Jewish<br /> State, world dominance and sees an apocalypse which would also destroy Iran<br /> as a welcome path to Paradise, can also somehow be placated by the creation<br /> of a sovereign Palestinian state.</p> <p>The Woodward book reveal a dark hour in American leadership as a desperate<br /> world seeks light.</p> <p>________________________________________<br /> IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis</p> <p>Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on<br /> Arab-Israeli relations</p> <p>Website: www.imra.org.il</p> Wed, 09 Oct 2024 03:01:43 -0400 https://www.imra.org.il/story.php?id=74244 Text: Naftali Bennett calls to destroy the Iranian Nuclear Program Now https://www.imra.org.il/story.php?id=74243 <p>Translation: Naftali Bennett calls to destroy the Iranian Nuclear Program<br /> Now <br /> Dr. Aaron Lerner 8 October 2024<br /> For the original video:<br /> https://twitter.com/naftalibennett/status/1843535376448692374<br /> https://www.facebook.com/share/r/64516QXgtoVxvbKn/</p> <p>Now that the arms of the Iranian terrorist octopus, Hezbollah and Hamas, the<br /> strongest arms, are really weakened.</p> <p>For the first time, we have the ability to act against Iran without fearing<br /> a terrible and intolerable reaction.</p> <p>We can seriously damage the Iranian nuclear program which casts a heavy<br /> shadow over our future.</p> <p>It is in our hands to ensure the future of our children, our grandchildren.</p> <p>The Iranian regime of terror and murder stands exposed and vulnerable for<br /> the first time.</p> <p>The Iranian people also long for it to be overthrown.</p> <p>This is a one-time window of opportunity in which we have both the<br /> legitimacy and the ability to severely damage the Iranian regime and its<br /> nuclear program.</p> <p>There will always be constraints and reasons why not.</p> <p>There will always be pressures.</p> <p>But you have to remember: the arms of the octopus, Hezbollah, Hamas, can<br /> grow again as long as the head is working, but if you cut off the Iranian<br /> head, then the entire octopus will die.</p> <p>That is why the Iranian nuclear program needs to be attacked in addition to<br /> mortally wounding its leadership and economy.</p> <p>We must not be content with attacking Iranian military bases or noisy but<br /> inconsequential actions that were only intended to convey a message.</p> <p>The time for messages is over.<br /> ________________________________________<br /> IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis</p> <p>Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on<br /> Arab-Israeli relations</p> <p>Website: www.imra.org.il</p> Tue, 08 Oct 2024 04:41:31 -0400 https://www.imra.org.il/story.php?id=74243 Pres. Biden: Israel has the right to defend itself (fighting back may be another story?) https://www.imra.org.il/story.php?id=74242 <p>[IMRA: Take note that there never was - nor apparently never will be - a<br /> word from the Biden Administration condemning Palestinian "civilians" who<br /> actively decided to act as human shields, thus sacrificing themselves and<br /> their families for Hamas, rather than heeding calls from the IDF to evacuate<br /> to safety.]</p> <p>Pres. Biden: Israel has the right to defend itself (fighting back may be<br /> another story?) <br /> October 07, 2024<br /> Readout of President Biden's Call with President Herzog of Israel<br /> https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/10/07/read<br /> out-of-president-bidens-call-with-president-herzog-of-israel/<br /> Statements and Releases<br /> This morning President Biden spoke with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on<br /> the solemn occasion of the one-year anniversary of the horrific Hamas<br /> October 7 terrorist attacks. </p> <p>President Biden expressed his deepest condolences to the people of Israel<br /> and to the families of the 1,200 innocent people - including 46 Americans -<br /> massacred by the terrorist group Hamas on a day of unspeakable brutality. He<br /> stressed that the United States will never give up until we bring all of the<br /> remaining hostages home safely.</p> <p>President Biden conveyed his commitment to the safety of the Jewish people,<br /> the security of Israel, and its right to exist, and reaffirmed his support<br /> for Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Iran and all<br /> Iranian-backed terrorist groups, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the<br /> Houthis.</p> <p>The President also expressed deep sadness for the loss of innocent life in<br /> Gaza and the ongoing suffering of Palestinian civilians as a result of the<br /> war that Hamas unleashed. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to<br /> achieving a deal in Gaza that brings the hostages home, secures Israel,<br /> alleviates the suffering of Palestinian civilians, and paves the way for a<br /> lasting peace with Hamas never again able to control Gaza or reconstitute<br /> its military capabilities. </p> <p>###<br /> ________________________________________<br /> IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis</p> <p>Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on<br /> Arab-Israeli relations</p> <p>Website: www.imra.org.il</p> Mon, 07 Oct 2024 12:49:13 -0400 https://www.imra.org.il/story.php?id=74242 Weekly Commentary: Finance Minister Smotrich Does Know Better https://www.imra.org.il/story.php?id=74241 <p>Weekly Commentary: Finance Minister Smotrich Does Know Better <br /> Dr. Aaron Lerner 1 October 2024</p> <p>Israeli critics of the Netanyahu's government's handling of the economy<br /> often slam finance minister Bezalel Smotrich for being clueless.</p> <p>These critics are letting Smotrich off too easy.</p> <p>Smotrich is an incredibly fast learner. </p> <p>He first demonstrated this skill when, as minister of transportation after<br /> "Herod" Katz, Smotrich set records in advancing projects.</p> <p>This wasn't luck. Smotrich intensively studied the situation, often asking<br /> his team questions no one ever raised. It wasn't long before projects were<br /> accelerated far beyond anyone's expectations.</p> <p>Smotrich was the same fast study at the Ministry of Finance. </p> <p>So Smotrich isn't clueless. </p> <p>Instead, like Prime Minister Netanyahu, Smotrich is fully aware of the heavy<br /> cost we pay today and the disaster we will face in our future, if the<br /> current arrangements for Haredi society continue.</p> <p>Literally billions of shekels towards unsupervised educational institutions<br /> which intentionally fail to provide their students with the skills needed to<br /> be highly productive members of society as adults. </p> <p>Economic arrangements to encourage men to choose poverty over gainful<br /> employment.</p> <p>And that's not even mentioning the profoundly financially mismanaged<br /> institutions not subject to any serious oversight.</p> <p>"Do not place a stumbling block before the blind" (Leviticus 19:14).</p> <p>These days leading up to the Jewish New Year we have been privileged to<br /> witness what happens when our leaders make courageous decisions to ensure<br /> our physical security.</p> <p>We urgently need the same courage to address the financial challenges our<br /> society faces.</p> <p>Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich is well equipped, in coordination with PM<br /> Netanyahu, to lead his team to design and implement the measures and<br /> policies necessary to ensure our financial future.<br /> ________________________________________<br /> IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis</p> <p>Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on<br /> Arab-Israeli relations</p> <p>Website: www.imra.org.il</p> Tue, 01 Oct 2024 06:34:05 -0400 https://www.imra.org.il/story.php?id=74241 President Herzog Says Hostage Families In Echo Chamber https://www.imra.org.il/story.php?id=74240 <p>President Herzog Says Hostage Families In Echo Chamber <br /> Dr. Aaron Lerner 30 September 2024</p> <p>In an interview on Chanel 12 on Sunday night, President Herzog declined to<br /> endorse the position of some of the hostage families that a deal must be<br /> made at any cost.</p> <p>Herzog observed that both those pushing for a deal at any cost and those<br /> rejecting any possible deal are in "echo chambers" preventing them from<br /> considering arguments supporting any position other than their own.<br /> <br /> ________________________________________<br /> IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis</p> <p>Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on<br /> Arab-Israeli relations</p> <p>Website: www.imra.org.il</p> Mon, 30 Sep 2024 18:10:42 -0400 https://www.imra.org.il/story.php?id=74240 YNET: (Repeat of Peretz) Netanyahu Behind Decision To Destroy Long-range Missiles and Cruise Missiles https://www.imra.org.il/story.php?id=74239 <p>YNET: (Repeat of Peretz) Netanyahu Behind Decision To Destroy Long-range<br /> Missiles and Cruise Missiles <br /> Dr. Aaron Lerner 30 September 2024</p> <p>The brass and ex-brass PM Netanyahu faced weren't as hostile as the ones<br /> then DM Peretz did when he, as Peretz did, said to make the destruction of<br /> the missiles a priority. </p> <p>For a recording in which MK Peretz describes how he bucked the brass and<br /> insisted that the IAF first destroy long range missiles at start of 2nd<br /> Lebanon War.<br /> http://youtu.be/SM_LMb10qsQ</p> <p>Translated excerpt from "This is how the decisions that led to Nasrallah's<br /> elimination were made | A look from the inside, step by step"<br /> Ron Ben-Yishai YNET 00:11 30 September 2024<br /> https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/hk51pxvar</p> <p>...While the Air Force delivered the first strikes according to the plan it<br /> had trained for years, the Prime Minister urgently convened a security<br /> discussion on the 21st of the month, on Saturday night.</p> <p>The IDF presented Netanyahu and the small security forum with three courses<br /> of action for the northern front. </p> <p>The first was to continue the campaign as it was</p> <p>The second was to carry out targeted and destructive strikes on dual-use<br /> Lebanese infrastructure</p> <p>The third, proposed by the IDF, was a version of a full-scale war, including<br /> fire strikes and ground maneuvering, depending on developments.</p> <p>Then the Prime Minister said: "I want to put a fourth option on the table -<br /> to target military infrastructure, senior leaders, and strategic assets -<br /> that is, the heavy and long-range missiles and cruise missiles in<br /> Hezbollah's possession."</p> <p>After a long discussion in the security forum, and after Galant and the<br /> Chief of Staff raised the possible risks, foremost among them a regional war<br /> without informing the Americans, the decision was made to act according to<br /> the plan proposed by Netanyahu....<br /> ________________________________________<br /> IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis</p> <p>Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on<br /> Arab-Israeli relations</p> <p>Website: www.imra.org.il</p> Sun, 29 Sep 2024 18:20:20 -0400 https://www.imra.org.il/story.php?id=74239