Settlement growth facts shatter myths
October 16, 2015 | Ahron Shapiro
On October 14, reporter Chaim Levenson from the left-leaning Israeli paper Ha’aretz – perhaps hoping to sow dissension in Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s razor-thin 61-seat coalition – wrote an article chiding Netanyahu for misleading right-wing coalition partners by “bragging” that the population in Israel’s West Bank settlements had grown substantially under his administration.
The article exposed that the increase was attributable to the high birth rate in a handful of seam-line settlements – not new construction. In fact, the article is revealing in a number of ways, as it refutes certain popular myths about settlements that have been embraced by both journalists and politicians, including US Secretary of State John Kerry.
Myth and Reality about the current terror wave in Israel
October 15, 2015
This Update contains further analysis of the roots and dynamics of the wave of terror attacks which have been rocking Israel in recent weeks and which saw a major upsurge Tuesday, with three Israelis killed and nine wounded in 4 terror attacks in Jerusalem and the Tel Aviv suburb of Ranaana. This followed a weekend which saw a dozen Israelis wounded in a series of stabbings, along with a suicide car bombing attempt.
These are the children
October 14, 2015 | Ari Wenig
These are the children whose funerals are tragically considered to be a greater celebration than their weddings, or graduations.
Undercover agents and provocateurs – a world of difference
October 14, 2015 | Ahron Shapiro
In the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age on October 10, Fairfax used the world “provocateurs” in a caption for an illustrative photo showing Israeli undercover police officers arresting rioting Palestinians.
To accuse Israel of entrapping Palestinians by inciting them to violence – the role of a provocateur – is a serious allegation. But what really happened?
The PA role in the escalating terrorist violence in Israel
October 9, 2015
Today’s Update takes a close look at the ongoing wave of terrorism that has engulfed Israel in recent days, and in particular the undeniable and disturbing role that the Palestinian Authority’s leadership has played by inciting the Palestinian public to violence against Israelis.
Rising Palestinian incitement to violence
October 9, 2015 | Ari Wenig
This week has seen a shocking rise in Palestinian violence and terrorism, with countless incidents of stoning, stabbing and attacks across Israel. The civilian aggression is inextricably linked to the incitement from their leadership. Press statements, online posts, published cartoons, videos – the violence is being encouraged through various mediums, and the perpetrators are being publically celebrated as heroes.
Abbas’ UN “Bombshell”
October 1, 2015
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas gave his much-foreshadowed speech at the UN General Assembly yesterday, and it only partially contained the “bombshell” that Palestinian sources repeatedly said it would. Amid a litany of accusations against Israel, and a rejection of renewed negotiations, Abbas did make a rather ambiguous statement that ” we cannot continue to be bound by” the Oslo Accords which he accused Israel of violating. However, he failed to offer any sort of specifics as to what this implied, turning this claim into more of a threat than a genuine change on the ground. This Update is devoted to analysis of Abbas’ claims and supposed “announcement”.
Speaking Violence, Hearing Silence
September 27, 2015 | Ari Wenig
The hypocricy is almost breathtaking: pleading to the international media for an end to violence at the risk of “an intifada that we don’t want”, whilst simultaneously inciting Palestinians to do “everything in [their] power” to stop the Jews “defiling [the Al-Aqsa] with their filthy feet”, assuring them that “martyrs will be rewarded… by Allah”. The speaker was President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, and the bulk of the international media and political community responded with indifference.
Media appearances by AIJAC guest Elliott Abrams
September 25, 2015
UPDATED – A selection of links to writings, quotes and media appearances by AIJAC’s distinguished guest Elliott Abrams – senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, Deputy National Security Adviser and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush and an assistant Secretary of State to President Ronald Reagan.
Media appearances by AIJAC guests Bassem Eid and Hillel Neuer
September 25, 2015
This post contains links to media by AIJAC guests Bassem Eid and Hillel Neuer during their recent visit to Australia and New Zealand.
Bassem Eid is founder of the East Jerusalem-based Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group, while Hillel Neuer is executive director of UN Watch, a human rights NGO in Geneva, Switzerland.
