Schlaglicht Nummer 17/24, Aktuelles aus israelischen Zeitungen, 1. – 15. Oktober 2024

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Die Themen dieser Ausgabe:

1. Krieg mit der Hizbollah und Raketenangriffe aus dem Iran
2. Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur und der 7. Oktober
3. Macron kündigt Waffenembargo an
4. Weitere Themen

1. Krieg mit der Hizbollah und Raketenangriffe aus dem Iran

Nach den verstärkten israelischen Angriffen gegen die libanesisch-schiitische Terrororganisation Hizbollah, darunter die gezielte Tötung von Hizbollah-Chef Hassan Nasrallah, reagierte der Iran mit einem erneuten massiven Raketenangriff auf Israel. Es war der zweite in diesem Jahr. Die meisten der 180 Raketen wurden laut israelischem Militär von Israel und einer von den USA geführten Verteidigungskoalition abgefangen. Ein Todesopfer gab es in der palästinensischen Stadt Jericho, zwei Verletzte in Tel Aviv. Medienberichten zufolge hatte der Iran zwei israelische Luftwaffenstützpunkte und das Hauptquartier des israelischen Geheimdienstes Mossad ins Visier genommen. Ministerpräsident Benjamin Netanyahu sprach von einem „großen Fehler“, für den der Iran bezahlen werde. Beobachter_innen rechnen fest mit einem israelischen Vergeltungsschlag. Unterdessen dauert der Krieg zwischen Israel und der Hizbollah mit unveränderter Härte an. Erstmals seit fast zwei Jahrzehnten drangen israelische Bodentruppen wieder in den Libanon ein. Rund ein Jahr nach Beginn des Gaza-Kriegs verlagerte sich damit der Schwerpunkt der Kämpfe auf den Norden. Bei Raketenangriffen auf Beirut kamen weitere führende Kommandeure der schiitischen Terrororganisation zu Tode. Angesichts der hohen zivilen Opferzahlen mahnte das Weiße Haus zur Zurückhaltung. Israel müsse zudem sicherstellen, dass das Leben von UN-Blauhelmsoldaten und Angehörigen der libanesischen Streitkräfte nicht gefährdet werde. Die Umsetzung diese Forderungen ist allerdings sehr schwierig, da sich Hisbollah-Kämpfer oft in zivilen Einrichtungen und in unmittelbarer Nähe von UN-Posten verschanzen. Laut dem UN-Flüchtlingshilfswerk UNHCR befinden sich derzeit rund 1,2 Millionen Menschen im Libanon auf der Flucht. Auf israelischer Seite können weiterhin ca. 60.000 Menschen nicht in ihre grenznahen Wohnorte zurückkehren. Zudem wurden bei einem Drohnenangriff auf ein Militärlager vier israelische Soldaten getötet und Dutzende zum Teil schwer verletzt.

Israel's considerations in retaliating against Iran

(…) Hezbollah is a terrorist army, not preparing to defend territory but rather for the survival of the organization and its infrastructure (…) as a terrorist army (…) their goal is to (…) cause maximum casualties and pain to the attacking army. Hezbollah is aware of the IDF's sensitivity to casualties and abduction (…). Unfortunately, there's always a need to "pay the price” until combat methods are fully adjusted down to the smallest details, including fire coverage and maneuvering in an area where the topography, geology, dense vegetation and structures on the outskirts of the villages present new challenges. (…) It seems that Hezbollah in southern Lebanon has not yet been fully broken, but the IDF is managing to advance, minimize casualties and, most importantly, achieve all of its objectives. (…) Meanwhile, the IDF is preparing for retaliatory strikes in response to the Iranian missile attack. (…) away. Someone once said that Israel doesn’t have a border with Iran, but Iran has a direct border with Israel, referring to Hezbollah, which threatens the country from Lebanon and Syria on Iran's behalf. (…) Iran is an enemy of a completely different caliber, and only the Iranian people (…) can topple the Ayatollah regime and replace it with a more reasonable government that isn’t committed to spreading the Islamic Revolution and destroying Israel. How does this relate to the response to the Iranian missile attack? Instead of thinking about a retaliatory and deterrent response, Israel needs to see its response to the Iranian missile attack as part of a long-term campaign aimed at bringing down the Iranian regime. (…) Therefore, the retaliatory strikes must avoid rallying the Iranian people around their fanatical religious leadership and instead emphasize the alienation between much of the population and its leadership, making it clear to those Iranians who fear the regime and obey it that it’s weaker than it appears and can be overthrown. Ultimately, Israel’s strikes on Iran should focus on weakening the regime’s power bases rather than causing destruction that would further worsen the social and economic distress of the Iranian people. The Mossad and the IDF (…) know how to target them. (…)

Ron Ben-Yishai, YED, 05.10.24

Taking Shelter….Again

(…) In what reality is it acceptable for huge parts of the world population to throw Israel under the bus while this is going on? Israel is fighting off Hamas in the South – a self-declared, brutal, terrorist organization (…)! Israel is fighting off Hezbollah in the North – another self-declared, very powerful terrorist organization (…)! And now this is the second direct attack on Israel from Iran in the last 6 months. Iran (!) I open up the international news sites “Iran attacks Israel: No casualties” No casualties? Do you know why there are no casualties? Because Israel knows it is surrounded by enemy states, because every building in Israel, by law, has to have a bomb shelter in close proximity, because Israel has developed a huge arsenal of advanced missile defense systems, all of this in order to prevent casualties. (…) This is not a time for impartiality.

Ariella Tenenbaum, TOI, 06.10.24

How Israel Should Attack Iran

It was and remains only a question of when and how, not if (…) Israel will (…) strike back against Iran "today (…). I believe that Israeli decision makers are agonizing over which targets to hit. The uranium enrichment plants at Natanz and at Fordo are dozens of meters underground. There are a number of important possibilities that Israel must consider. The first is that the attack on Iran's nuclear sites will not succeed or will not cause significant damage. (…) The second concern is that a too-successful strike could cause radioactive fallout and emissions of hazardous chemicals that would harm tens of thousands of people. An additional concern is that if other strategic targets are chosen, such as petroleum refineries and other gas and oil infrastructure, this would deal a severe blow to Iran's already shaky economy. But it could also cause huge fires that would kill and injure large numbers of people and lead to an ecological disaster. And Israel would be blamed for the resulting spike in world oil prices. (…) In my opinion, the attack should focus on Revolutionary Guards' targets, such as their main headquarters in Tehran, air force bases, air defense systems and command, control and communication centers, concurrent with a cyberattack that will temporarily paralyze civil infrastructure such as gas stations, rail traffic, ports, power stations and airports. (…) The Netanyahu government should make every effort to avoid getting caught up in a long war with Iran (…).

Yossi Melman, HAA, 06.10.24

Cease-fire call from Nasrallah’s deputy signals possible turning point for Lebanon

Naim Qassem (…) expressed support for Lebanon's Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri's call for a cease-fire before any further discussions on the conflict's future could take place. Is this policy shift an admission of defeat? (…) Notably, Berri’s cease-fire call made no mention of the Palestinian issue, and other Lebanese faction leaders have similarly avoided linking the Gaza war to the situation in Lebanon. This puts Israel in a difficult position. Stopping the war now would allow Hezbollah to rebuild its military strength after suffering severe blows. On the other hand, prolonging the conflict comes with heavy economic, military and international costs, not to mention the toll in lives and injuries, all before any agreement to force Hezbollah’s withdrawal north of the Litani River is reached. An Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon would allow Iran to reinvest billions of dollars to rebuild Hezbollah into an even greater threat, even if the group temporarily pulls back from the border. Prolonged fighting also serves Tehran poorly, as Hezbollah can no longer effectively shield Iran from potential attacks on its nuclear facilities. Israel also cannot accept a cease-fire without a meaningful diplomatic resolution (…). This may be what diplomats and mediators are hoping for: to leverage Hezbollah’s current weakness to create real change in Lebanon, first by cutting off arms to Hezbollah, deploying the Lebanese army to more territory, and disarming non-state groups. Ideally, this would also free Lebanese politics from Hezbollah’s grip, allowing for the appointment of a new president and prime minister. (…) victory will not be achieved unless Israel has a clear goal and strategy—true for both of its fronts. (…) Without them, Israel's tactical military successes could ultimately lead to defeat.

Avi Issacharoff, YED, 09.10.24

Israel: Guardian of the free world

(…) The evil and darkness of fundamentalist Islam are universal, not just directed against Israel, but Israel is at the forefront of the fight against them (…). Israel is the front line of the West, democracy, and progress, against absolute darkness. Israel settled the score with Hezbollah terrorists, whose hands are stained not only with Jewish and Israeli blood but also with Lebanese, Syrian, French, and American blood. All suffered from Nasrallah's iron fist, but only Israel eliminated him (…). The baklava and candies distributed in the streets of Syria out of joy over the elimination of senior Hezbollah officials prove that Israel is the only one who dared to confront these monsters. (…) The same applies to the Iranians. The Iranian people are ruled by an oppressive and cruel regime and cannot rise up against it, and no country in the world is confronting this evil government. (…) We rightly criticize ourselves for our misconceptions. But for one moment, it's also permissible to pat this amazing country on the back. A country that fights not only for its own life but for an entire world of freedom.

Sara Ha'etzni-Cohen, IHY, 10.10.24

How Israel's gradual tactics outmaneuvered Hezbollah

(…) This time, Israel adopted a more nuanced approach, entering the conflict gradually and strategically, leveraging extensive intelligence and precise firepower. (…) the IDF began degrading Hezbollah's launch capabilities, not only along the line up to the Litani River, under Northern Command's responsibility, but also further north (…) the Air Force targeted sites gathered over years by Military Intelligence, including thousands of short- and medium-range rockets that threatened as far as Haifa. Surprisingly, Nasrallah "maintained the boundaries," and the conflict remained contained, during which he lost a significant portion of his firepower. (…) this led to an unforeseen operational opportunity — to activate a plan involving communication devices initially intended for the war's opening strike. This plan, nearly exposed, was executed successfully in collaboration with the military and Mossad. (…) The next phase involved a pre-planned assault on Hezbollah’s rocket and precision missile arsenal. Thousands of pre-identified targets were attacked, but the IDF announcements focused on evacuating weapon storage sites rather than a full-scale war to create the impression of a limited conflict. Days later, the political echelon expanded the decision to eliminate Nasrallah. (…) Unlike Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who operates like a fugitive, Nasrallah managed operations himself, making his removal highly significant. (…) Simultaneously, operations targeted military production infrastructure in Beirut, coastal missiles, and imposed an unofficial blockade on Lebanon by striking Syria and preventing Iranian transport planes from reaching Beirut. This was complemented by a ground maneuver aimed at clearing Hezbollah's infrastructure for occupying northern communities. The military now believes it's essential to maximize the strategic gains through a diplomatic plan while Israel holds the upper hand, rather than prolonging aimless combat. (…) it is prudent to await the Israeli strike on Iran and, particularly, the Iranian response. These exchanges could potentially expand the regional conflict, but they will not diminish the achievement against Hezbollah.

Yossi Yehoshua, YED, 13.10.24

2. Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur und der 7. Oktober

Die hohen jüdischen Feiertage Rosh Hashana und Yom Kippur standen in diesem Jahr ganz im Zeichen des Krieges, der mit dem Hamas-Massaker am 7. Oktober 2023 begann. Der grauenvolle Überfall mit über 1.200 Todesopfern und mehr als 250 in den Gazastreifen Verschleppten weckte bei vielen Assoziationen zum Yom-Kippur-Krieg 1973, der ebenfalls mit einem überraschenden Überfall begann. Unterschiedlich ist, dass das Ziel diesmal die Zivilbevölkerung war, dass Kinder, alte Menschen und Frauen brutal ermordet und als Geiseln genommen wurden. Das Hamas-Massaker und das Versagen der israelischen Sicherheitsdienste haben die gesamte Nation in tiefe Verunsicherung gestürzt. Beim Morgengrauen des Jahrestages versammelten sich Angehörige der beim Nova-Musikfestival Ermordeten und Entführten an dem Ort, wo das Musikfestival stattgefunden hatte. Überall in Israel fanden Dutzende Gedenkfeierlichkeiten statt. Dabei wurde wiederholt die Forderung an die Regierung laut, umgehend eine Waffenruhe und die Befreiung der noch immer in den Händen der palästinensischen Islamisten befindlichen 101 Geiseln herbeizuführen. Israels Regierungschef Benjamin Netanyahu gab sich am Jahrestag des Massakers indes weiter unnachgiebig: Israel werde weiterkämpfen und „gemeinsam werden wir siegen“, erklärte er in einer Fernsehbotschaft.

Year of Despair Ends with One Ray of Hope: The Israeli Public Still Rejects Netanyahu Government

(…) On the eve of the Jewish New Year, 5785, Israel is in a regional war that's only escalating, with an abandoned north, masses of people evacuated from their homes and 101 hostages still in Gaza. (…) When a siren is heard, there's no way of knowing if the missile will come from Gaza, from Lebanon, from Iran or "only" from Yemen. (…) In the midst of all that, the judicial coup hasn't stopped for a moment. (…) Under such circumstances, the only suitable cliché is "May the year and its curses end," if you're really insist on giving a blessing. But if you're momentarily afflicted (…) to insist on finding a positive side for everything – you should look at the latest poll of Knesset seats that was released this week by Channel 12 News. Although the largest party was Likud, with 25 seats, the seats that were added to it are taken from the realms of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. (…) In terms of the "blocs," the opposition parties get 71 seats, and the coalition party 49 (…). If Naftali Bennett joins the race, the opposition reaches 74 seats and the coalition 46. (…) There's no reason to glorify Netanyahu as an undefeated genius. Even during a week when Sa'ar was recruited and Nasrallah was assassinated. He was defeated once, not so long ago, and it could happen again.

Noa Landau, HAA, 02.10.24

It Has Been One Year: A Reflection

It has been one year. (…) One year since the deadliest massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust. (…) One year of families fighting tirelessly, day and night, with every ounce of strength left, to bring their loved ones home. One year of losing brave soldiers who gave their lives to defend the nation of Israel and our people. (...) One year of families in the north being displaced by fires and rocket attacks. One year of fighting on multiple fronts by multiple groups calling for our death. (…) One year of seeing American and Israeli flags burned in protest. (…) One year of sleepless nights, wondering about the fate of our people. One year of indescribable and overwhelming pain, grief, anger, and loss. But it has also been one year of the Jewish people standing more united and resilient than ever before. One year of communities coming together in unimaginable ways to support one another. (…) One year of witnessing miracles, such as zero Israeli deaths during the largest ballistic missile attack on Israel in history. (…) One year since they tried to completely destroy us like many generations before them, yet here we continue to remain, standing strong, refusing any other fate. It has been one year. (...)

Maya Homa, TOI, 06.10.24

October's defining dates - comment

The first anniversary of the October 7 massacre has understandably and naturally completely eclipsed the 51st anniversary of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, which began on October 6. The pain of one event – October 7, 2023 – is raw, exposed, and felt by the entire nation. Its ramifications are tremendous, and the aftershocks are potentially as great as the initial shock, still reverberating across the nation, the region, and the world. On the other hand, October 6, the Yom Kippur War, happened over half a century ago. (…) time has a way of dulling even the most intense hurt. (…) The back-to-back anniversaries – October 6 and October 7 – beg for comparison. Both were preceded by runaway Israeli hubris, intelligence meltdowns, over-dependence on physical barriers (…) and stunning defeats in the initial hours. Both were also marked by quick military reversals. (…) In 1973, the population of Israel stood at approximately 3.3 million people. Two thousand six hundred fifty-six soldiers were killed in that war, or about one Israeli for every 1,242. The number of soldiers killed in proportion to the size of the population, and the impact that loss had on the nation’s psychology, was astounding. In addition, also weighing heavily on the nation’s psyche, 295 IDF soldiers were taken prisoner. Dozens of others were tortured and killed. By contrast, just two weeks before October 7, 2023, Israel’s population stood at 9.8 million. Since then, 1,697 people have been killed – 885 civilians and 812 soldiers and security forces. The scale of civilian involvement in this tragedy is stark: 255 people were kidnapped, 91% of them civilians. A year later, 101 remain in captivity, with only half believed to still be alive. The circumstances of the fatalities are completely different. All of those killed in the Yom Kippur War were soldiers, while more than half who have been killed since October 7 are civilians. Plus, there is no comparison between prisoners of war and civilian hostages – including babies in their mothers’ arms – kidnapped from their homes. Yet the psychological impact on the country is the same – the mourning, the heaviness, the loss, the pain. (…) October 7 was followed by October 8. October 7 was the pogrom. October 8 was the day after the pogrom. And here is where Jewish history took a twist into new territory. In the past – before the Jews had a state – the day after a pogrom was marked by counting the dead, sweeping the streets clear of debris, burying the fallen, and wondering where to flee to somewhere safe. On October 8, Israel counted the dead, began mopping up the terrorists, and buried the fallen – but then the Jews did something unprecedented in Jewish history: they responded to the pogrom with fierce might. (…) October 7 was an all too familiar moment in Jewish history, a cruel flashback from the past. October 8 was unique. On October 7, that – too – bears remembering.

Herb Keinon, JPO, 06.10.24

Let them go home, now!

They are more than numbers, more than headlines – they are sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, and friends. Over a year on, these are the names, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, of those still languishing in the hands of Hamas. Each name is a heart still waiting to come home. (...) Let them go home, now!

Editorial, JPO, 07.09.24

The day the wall of 'can't be' was shattered

(…) Soldiers at their posts, partygoers at a festival, parents in the border communities, worshippers heading to the synagogue in nearby cities, and Israelis in more distant places where sirens would soon pierce the morning air – all of their realities would soon turn into a science fiction nightmare. And who could have believed it until it actually happened? What was about to occur would end the lives of some and change the lives of everyone else. From this moment on, every day is a footnote to October 7, 2023. (…) Aside from the loss of life, this is the greatest damage from Hamas’ surprise attack: The shattering of the "it can't happen" wall that a person builds over a lifetime. This wall is made of bricks that allow for normalcy in an abnormal place, a mental framework where bad things can happen, but certain things simply won’t. That is the core of the unspoken agreement between Israelis and life in Israel, between them and the state, enabling their survival here. From this moment on, every day is a footnote to October 7, 2023. That thousands of terrorists would cross the border, that the IDF wouldn’t respond for hours, that battles would continue inside Israeli territory even 72 hours later – that "can’t happen." It's not a failure to imagine these events, but rather an inability to do so. (…) trust in everything has evaporated, and suddenly, one can imagine anything. This erosion of security is something no strike in Lebanon or Tehran can fix. No bomb is big enough, no bunker deep enough, to make a person forget how thin the layer of protection truly is. (…)

Nir Tsadok, YED, 07.10.24

3. Macron kündigt Waffenembargo an

Während Israel an mehreren Fronten Krieg führt, schlägt Frankreichs Staatschef Emmanuel Macron neue Töne an und fordert einen Lieferstopp von Waffen an Israel. Es sei vorrangig, zur Suche nach einer politischen Lösung zurückzukehren, meinte der französische Präsident, der sich in der Vergangenheit persönlich für eine Entschärfung an der israelisch-libanesischen Grenze eingesetzt hatte, damit allerdings keinen Erfolg hatte. Nun kündigte er ein Embargo Frankreichs an. Allerdings sollen Defensivwaffen wie Raketenabwehrsysteme von dem Lieferstopp ausgenommen sein. Lieferungen aus Frankreich machen derzeit nur einen sehr kleinen Teil der Bestückung des israelischen Militärs aus. Die USA hatten in der Vergangenheit aufgrund der israelischen Kriegsführung im Gazastreifen mit einem Teil-Embargo gedroht und Rüstungslieferungen zum Teil verzögert. Ungeachtet der Tatsache, dass die wiederholten Mahnungen aus dem Weißen Haus bei Israels Ministerpräsident Benjamin Netanyahu kaum Gehör fanden, wurden die Lieferungen fortgesetzt.

France’s Contradictory Stance Undermines Israel’s Fight Against Terrorism

In a startling display of political inconsistency, French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a weapons embargo against Israel at a time when the nation is valiantly defending itself against a coalition of terrorist organizations and Iranian aggression. This abrupt shift (…) raises serious doubts about France’s reliability as an ally in the global fight against terrorism. (…) Israel is at the forefront of a battle not just for its own survival but for the security of the free world. In the past few weeks alone, Israeli forces have eliminated terrorist leaders responsible for the deaths of numerous French and American citizens—individuals with hefty U.S. bounties on their heads. These are not just Israeli adversaries; they are enemies of all nations that value freedom and human life. (…) President Macron’s stance is not just misguided—it is dangerously irresponsible. By proposing an arms embargo against Israel, France is effectively penalizing a nation that is on the front lines of the global struggle against terrorism. Such a move emboldens terrorist organizations, signals a lack of resolve among Western nations, and undermines the principles of justice and security that France purports to uphold. (…) Leaders like Macron, along with counterparts who exhibit similar hesitation, risk betraying the very values they are sworn to protect. This treachery of weakness serves only to embolden those who seek to sow chaos and destruction. Contrast this with the moral clarity exhibited by Prime Minister Netanyahu, whose steadfast leadership under fire exemplifies the resolve needed in these tumultuous times. (…) In the face of a united axis of terror, Western leaders must exhibit unity and strength, not wavering resolve. (…)

Mike Touzard, TOI, 06.10.24

The assault on Judaism: Will the US hold Macron accountable as France takes the lead

Judaism is under a dual assault: A physical assault coming from Iran and its proxies and an ideological assault coming from the West. (…) France's President Emmanuel Macron linked the two when he announced that France has stopped providing arms to Israel that are used in its war against Hamas and encouraged others to do the same. This is a stunning development with historical consequences. War is a zero-sum game. When one wants to support a party in war, it can either provide weapons to that party or try to prevent weapons from being used by the opposing party fighting it. (…) Macron’s statement comes four months after France pledged to collaborate with the International Criminal Court, whose prosecutors are seeking to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant, as well as preparing the ground for the mass arrest of Israeli soldiers. This would mark the second time in 80 years that France complied with arrest warrants issued against Jews on mass. (…) Perhaps it is time for France to accept responsibility for the murder of its Jews and, for its own sake, pay compensation to its Jewish victims, just as Germany does. Perhaps if France pays for its role in the 20th Century assault on Judaism, it would be less enthusiastic about taking a leading role in the 21st Century assault on Judaism. (…)

Gol Kalev JPO, 06.10.24

Arms embargoes on Israel dangerous, looking towards Ukraine in

(…) Arms embargoes are nothing new to Israel. The US embargo on arms sales to Israel lasted until 1965, nearly two decades after the state’s founding, when 200 M-48 Patton tanks were sold to the country. As a result, Israel developed a homegrown arms industry, and the country is the ninth-largest arms exporter in the world, with a focus on advanced technology. Israel’s defense exports were worth more than $13 billion in 2023. Due to the Abraham Accords, a surprising 25% of the sales were to the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco. (…) Today’s battles also involve cyber-attacks, unmanned aerial vehicles (…), rockets, and missiles. Rocket attacks on civilian Israeli (…) led Israel to develop the Iron Dome. Iron Dome, in service since 2011, is very effective, keeping Israeli civilian casualty numbers low during outbreaks of violent attacks from Hamas and Hezbollah. (…) To appreciate the importance of the Iron Dome to Israel’s well-being, one need only look at the other war zone in the news lately; that is, of course, Ukraine, where daily Russian missile attacks result in deaths and injury to many Ukrainian civilians. There’s no Iron Dome in Ukraine.

Jacob Sivak, JPO, 09.10.24

No forgiveness

(…) There is no way to forgive world leaders like French President Macron, British Prime Minister Stammer, and Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau for slapping arms embargoes on Israel. They profess "robust" support for Israel's "right" to defend itself but deny Israel the wherewithal to do so when Israel is in actual need. Their protestations of friendship for Israel have been shown shallow. (…) The Jewish People and true defenders of freedom globally never should forgive United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who will be remembered, if at all, as a slimy stain on the history of the UN. He has yet to denounce the massacre and sexual atrocities committed by Hamas murderers on October 7, and has not led any efforts to declare them a terrorist organization, nor has he unequivocally condemned Iran's direct missile attacks on Israel. (…) Everybody knows, but is curiously afraid to acknowledge, that antisemitism and anti-Zionism (…) have become genocidal in their agenda and brutally exclusionary to entire communities – against all Jews. (…) On the home front in Israel, there are people and movements that I find hard to forgive too, although I want to. These are leaders and actors who should make amends and can be granted absolution if they repair their ways. This runs in all political directions. (…)

David M. Weinberg, IHY, 13.10.24

4. Weitere Themen 

US-Wahlkampf

My choice is clear: Why I will vote for Kamala Harris as an Israeli-American

(…) Kamala Harris has a stellar record throughout her career, strengthening this critical alliance. That makes her the only choice in this election (…). Since her early days as a US senator (…) Harris has demonstrated unwavering support for the US-Israel relationship and Israel’s security. After October 7, Harris was crystal clear that Israel was attacked by a terrorist organization – Hamas – and that it had the right and duty to defend itself. In the year since she has consistently stressed that she will always ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups. Moreover, as vice president, she has stood shoulder to shoulder with President Biden as he made crucial decisions ensuring Israel’s security. (…) Furthermore, this past year, Harris was an aggressive advocate to ensure Israel received $14 billion in supplemental support to defend itself against Iran and its proxies. In contrast, former president Donald Trump opposed this supplemental package, and his running mate, J.D. Vance, voted against it.

(…) Harris has consistently fought against the scourge of antisemitism throughout her career. (…) Compare this stellar track record of unwavering support for Israel’s security to Donald Trump’s erratic history. Trump says he supports Israel, but he only does so when it suits him, and he will turn on Israel on a dime when it goes against his personal interests. (…) As an Israeli-American, I find his claim that if Kamala Harris wins this election, Israel will be wiped off the map not just ridiculous but insulting. Israel is a strong, proud, and independent nation that has fought for its existence, established a vibrant democracy, and become a startup nation. Trump does not understand that and views Israel as simply a weak vassal of the United States. (…) The choice for Jewish voters and all voters could not be more straightforward. 

Haim Saban, JPO, 09.10.24

Americans, go out and vote

(…) The election of the US president is arguably the most important democratic event in the world, and it happens every four years like clockwork. What takes place on that fateful November day has the potential to impact billions of people around the world. (…) The fact that voter turnout in the US is as low as it is comes as a surprise. American history is rife with numerous struggles and wars over the right to vote. That so many people would fight and die for that right shows just how important voting is. Voters can change the balance of states and, as a result, the entire election. Florida went from a swing state to solidly Republican. Wisconsin, long thought to be a Democratic stronghold, was won by Trump in 2016. Voters in Pennsylvania helped turn the tide in 2020, helping push Biden to victory. Just because a state seems to be guaranteed red or blue doesn’t mean it can’t be changed. And that change may very well start with you because it’s true – every vote matters. Israel is one of the many locations around the world whose future may be heavily linked to whoever is next to helm the White House – Donald Trump or Kamala Harris. Without endorsing any candidate, we are encouraging all Americans (…) to vote in November. Go make sure you’re registered; try to get a chance to secure an absentee ballot if needed. But vote. Because the race is expected to be close, and it may very well come down to just a few people to make a difference. It’s too important to be apathetic.

Editorial, JPO, 11.10.24

Blauhelme zwischen den Fronten

UNIFIL ineffective and should leave S. Lebanon

UN peacekeeping missions often succeed only in maintaining peace when there is no active conflict to address in the first place. (…) UNIFIL's effectiveness has fluctuated, showing characteristics of both successful and failed peacekeeping missions. (…) once Israel handed over control of southern Lebanon, UNIFIL failed to prevent Hezbollah's takeover of the vacated territory. (…) UNIFIL's ineffectiveness is underscored by ongoing Hezbollah attacks on Israeli communities since October 7. Not only has UNIFIL failed to curb this aggression, but it also acts as a human shield for Hezbollah, whose militants deliberately hide behind UNIFIL positions, provoking fire that inadvertently harms peacekeepers. International condemnations of Israel resulting from these incidents only benefit Hezbollah. Given the assumption that the responsibility for maintaining a demilitarized zone will eventually be transferred to the Lebanese army, UNIFIL's presence in the region is unnecessary, making the Prime Minister's call for UNIFIL's removal justified and necessary. (…)

Michael Oren, YED, 14.10.24

UNIFIL is ineffective and fails to fulfill its peacekeeping mission

(…) The supreme irony of the situation lies in the very title of the body – the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. Never was an organization less interim than UNIFIL. Today, 46 years after it was established by the UN Security Council, it is still in place. (…) irony upon irony, the one thing the interim force has failed to do throughout its 46 years is keep the peace. (…) UNIFIL’s mandate did not directly include confronting non-state militias – a factor that has doubtless contributed to UNFILF’s ineffectiveness over the years. (…) Ever since 2020, Hezbollah has been establishing and strengthening its military footprint in the heart of UNIFIL’s area of operations. (…) Passed in August 2006, UNSC Resolution 1701 ended the hostilities, expanded UNIFIL, required Lebanon to assert its sovereignty in the south, forbade the rearming of terrorist groups, and required the “unconditional release” of the kidnapped soldiers – whose bodies Hezbollah only returned as part of a 2008 prisoner exchange with Israel. UNIFIL was either incapable or unwilling to exercise its expanded powers. As a result, its presence in ever-increasing numbers has done nothing to prevent Hezbollah from taking over the whole of south Lebanon, and allowing it to become the world’s most heavily armed non-state actor, with much of its arsenal concentrated in UNIFIL’s area of operations. (…) There are some 10,000 UNIFIL troops deployed across southern Lebanon. They have done virtually nothing to control the persistent bombardment of Israel (…).

Neville Teller, JPO, 14.10.24

HAA = Haaretz

YED = Yedioth Ahronoth / Ynetnews

JPO = Jerusalem Post

IHY = Israel HaYom

TOI = Times of Israel

GLO = Globes

Published: Oktober 2024.

Responsible:

Dr. Ralf Melzer,

Head of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Israel

Editors:

Susanne Knaul

Judith Stelmach

Homepage: israel.fes.de

Email: fes(at)fes.org.il