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Yugoslavia to recognize
By Micah Halpern

Wednesday March 31, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Yugoslav’s new foreign minister, Donika Gervalla, gave an interview that made headlines in Israel and around the world.

Gervalla had just finished a conversation with Turkish President Erdogan. Erdogan was pressuring the Balkan nation to reconsider their diplomatic opening of relations with Israel and the opening of their embassy in Jerusalem.

In her interview with the online news site Kallxo.com she said “I believe that the issue of our embassy in Israel is a done deal. Why is it a done deal? Because we cannot get involved in diplomatic adventures to reconsider an issue that already has ended”.

Gervalla said Kosovo wants to strengthen ties with Israel but also wants to have “a good friendship, good ties with Palestinian authorities.”

Kosovo established diplomatic ties with Israel on Feb.1st of this year and earlier this month became the first European country and the first Muslim-majority country to establish an embassy in the western part of Jerusalem.

The Turkish president is, once again, stirring the pot – but Yugoslavia is not interested.


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Corruption in France
By Micah Halpern

Tuesday March 30, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Lest you think that only Israel has corrupt officials.

Former President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, has been convicted of corruption. He was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment - 2 of those years are suspended.
Sarkozy is the second former president in modern France to be convicted of corruption. The first is the late Jacques Chirac.

Sarkozy was convicted of offering a job in Monaco to Judge Gilbert Azibert in return for confidential information about an inquiry into allegations that he, Sarkozy, had accepted illegal payments from L'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt for his 2007 presidential campaign.

The payments came to light while conversations between Sarkozy and his lawyer, Thierry Herzog, were wiretapped after Sarkozy left office. Those wiretaps were in relation to another investigation into Sarkozy about alleged Libyan financing of the same 2007 presidential campaign.
Vive la France.

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Iron Dome 10 Yrs Old
By Micah Halpern

Sunday March 28, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Ten years ago, the Iron Dome defense system shot down its first rocket targeting an Israeli city.

The Iron Dome intercepted the rocket, launched by Hamas terrorists, midair.
It was nothing short of a miraculous achievement that then proceeded to give new life to the south of Israel.

Skeptics refused to believe that this defense system would be successfully deployed. The US Defense Department rejected the idea and the math behind it. They thought it would be too expensive, that the costs would outweigh the benefits.

But it did work. And it has brought a measure of security to those living and working in the southern part of Israel.

While it is not fool proof, the Iron Dome is a vast improvement over whatever defense systems Israel had once used. The system is constantly recalibrated to handle the changing nature of the threats against Israel.

When a terrorist’s rocket is shot into Israel, the Iron Dome will activate only if that rocket is going to land in a populated area. If the terrorist’s rocket is going to fall in Gaza or in an open field, there is no reason to waste money on shooting that rocket down. Each Iron Dome missile costs $30,000 to $40,000. There are eight missiles in a battery – if they are all deployed it would cost over $300,000.

The Iron Dome is a wonderful addition to the Israeli defense system. It is hard to believe that it has been ten years.

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Israel Yearns to be Boring
By Micah Halpern

Saturday March 27, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Eretz Nehederet is the most successful political satire show in Israel. The television show is a smash - hit enormously funny and enormously popular. The show pokes fun at Israel, at Israeli leaders and at life in Israel. Nothing is off limits.

Eretz Nehederet, like all sature, is social and political commentary.
The name, Eretz Nehederet, means a “Wonderful Country”.

The star of Eretz Nehederet is Eyal Kitsis. He is quoted as saying that he wishes there wee less fodder for his show to feed on. He yearns for a more boring and stable government. Of course, he acknowledges, that would hurt the show. But it would be good for the country. The situation, as it now exists, makes for very good satirical material.

Katsis said "I would like us to finally have a stable government and make a boring program.”

Most Israelis would agree. But after a few episodes, they would certainly find their favorite program boring.


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Biden Giving Aid to PA
By Micah Halpern

Friday March 26, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

The Biden administration is restoring relations with the Palestinians. The first official move signaling this change in US policy came in the form of a speech by the US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

The ambassador spoke before the UN Security Council at their monthly meeting. She announced that the United States will be giving $15 million to the Palestinians for humanitarian assistance. Especially for food in “vulnerable communities”.

She also said that the Biden administration supports Israel and that Israel is often “unfairly singled out by one-sided resolutions and actions in international bodies.”
She said that too often, criticism of Israel “veers dangerously into antisemitism. Antisemitism, as with all forms of hate, works directly against the cause of peace.”

This entire turnaround is troubling. Despite the kind words and caring sentiment the UN ambassador expressed for Israel, the resuscitation of US / Palestinian relations will inevitably spin around and hurt Israel.

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Iran Hits Israel Ship
By Micah Halpern

Thursday March 25, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Iran shot another missile at an Israeli tanker. It happened in the Arabian Sea. The tanker was hit and damaged.

The tanker is owned by an Israeli businessman and registered in the name of a Haifa company named XT Management. The ship was on its way to Tanzania from India. The attack took place between India and Oman.

A similar incident occurred to another tanker, called the Helios Ray, in the Gulf of Oman in February.

Israel is investigating and will determine two important things.

First, how to punish those responsible for theses attacks. Second. how to protect Israeli ships.

Punishing those responsible for these acts of terror might incentivize those making the decisions and calling the shots to stop these acts of terror and destruction against Israeli ships.

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Soccer A/S in Argentina
By Micah Halpern

Wednesday March 24, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

In Argentina fans shouted “Chaca is coming along the road, killing the Jews to make soap.”

This is a direct anti-Semitic slur directed against Jews.
Chaca is short for Team Chacarita.

The ream was was preparing for a game against their long-time rival, Atlanta.
Atlanta, like Chaca, comes from the Villa Crespo neighborhood in Buenos Aires.
Many Jews live in this neighborhood.

But Atlanta has a long history of positive and open relations with their Jewish fans, their administrators and even some players. Jewish fans have supported Atlanta for years - ever since its founding in 1904.

This is not the first time a reference to soap has been made. In 2000, Chaca fans threw soap and Nazi flags at Atlanta fans. Then they chanted “the Jews were made of soap”.

In 1988 Argentina passed laws forbidding this hate speech, making it illegal and punishable by imprisonment. Yet, in certain circles, it persists.

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Israel's Elections
By Micah Halpern

Tuesday March 23, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Today is election day in Israel. Four elections in two years.

It is expected that, this time around, there will be a very low voter turnout. As of noon, only 24% of voters had cast their ballots. It is hard to build voting enthusiasm when it looks like nothing more than a repeat performance for the fourth time in a row.

It appears that the results will be more of the same.

The final tally will not be in until Friday. Big winners, so far, are Netanyahu and Bennet and Religious Zionists. Big losers are Blue and White and Saar’s New Hope party.

The big question is: This time around, will Netanyahu have enough votes to forge a government of likeminded parties without compromising too much on his political platform.

FYI - anyone who was deluded or naïve enough to think that corruption charges would derail the sitting prime minister’s election, does not understand Israel. No one chose to vote against Netanyahu because of the charges against him.

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Nigerian Variant of COVID in Israel
By Micah Halpern

Monday March 22, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Israel has detected a new Nigerian variant of COVID. This new variant is closely related to the South African variant.

The strength of the variant is still being studied.

These variants are extremely dangerous. They are growing in number and it is not certain that any of our vaccines will protect people against these new and newer variants.

As far we know, UK, New York, South African, Brazilian and now the Nigerian variants are out there.

It appears that vaccines, to some extent, do provide protection against the UK, New York and South African variants.

The Brazilian and the Nigerian are still question marks to be determined.

The pandemic is not yet behind us. We need to be vigilant. We need to be cautious.

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Israel Court - Teachers Must Vaccinate
By Micah Halpern

Sunday March 21, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

The Tel Aviv Regional Labour Court ruled that an assistant teacher in a special education program who refuses to vaccinate against COVID and refuses to get tested can be barred from entering the school.

The court ruled that while the personal rights of the assistant teacher are important, those rights cannot encroach on the safety and security of the students and their families.

This case will certainly soon appear Israel’s Supreme Court. Hopefully, by then, the Israeli Knesset will have passed laws dealing with this issue so that the High Court will have a basis upon which to rule.

As of now, in Israel, the rights of the individual do not outweigh the right of the many. Teachers have the right to say “no” to both the vaccine and to COVID testing. But they cannot work in schools or in hospitals.

This is also established law in the United States – and not just as it relates to COVID vaccines. It is about other critical vaccines, as well. A good example is the response to an outbreak of polio, which was thought to have been eradicated in the United States, in the New York City area several years ago.


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Congress Invites Rivlin
By Micah Halpern

Saturday March 20, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Both Houses of Congress have invited Israeli President Ruby Rivlin to address a joint session. The invitation is a farewell gesture to the Israeli president whose term of office ends on July 9th.

This is a wonderful swansong for Rivlin. It also – and perhaps more importantly, is an indication that there is still a strong bipartisan spirit of support for Israel in Congress.

COVID will be the determining factor in whether or not President Rivlin comes to Washington.

Reuven “Ruby” Rivlin has been a wonderful diplomat for Israel. He has fulfilled his role with grace and dignity. The role of an Israeli president is to generate non-partisan, worldwide support for Israel – and Rivlin has succeeded par excellence.

Most recently he travelled to Europe for talks with the heads of state from countries including France, Germany, Austria, Romania, Bulgaria and Portugal. He spoke to them about the plan of the ICC, the International Criminal Court, to prosecute Israel for war crimes.

Rivlin was very successful in swaying world opinion. Ruby Rivlin will be leaving large shoes for Israel’s next president to fill.

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Iran Threatens DC
By Micah Halpern

Friday March 19, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

According to an AP report, United States intelligence has discovered that Iran was planning a USS Cole-style attack on Fort McNair.

The intel, which comes from the NSA, the National Security Agency, also indicated that the US Army Vice Chief of Staff was a target.

Fort McNair is in Washington DC. Literally, it is in the nation’s capital. It is in closer proximity to the White house than the Pentagon or the CIA.

Fort McNair is also home to the National Defense University which includes the National War College. Included is the Capstone Program which brings 100 flag officers from 50 countries around the world to learn together.
As a target – it is prime. And that is why it was chosen by Iran.

The USS Cole was a US Navy destroyer situated in the Gulf of Aden in Yemen. In October of 2000 a small rubber boat filled with explosives pulled up alongside the destroyer and blew a huge hole in the ship. 17 sailors were killed.

A USS Cole-style attack is an attack against a significant US military target, This was a very serious threat.

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Contracting COVID Twice
By Micah Halpern

Thursday March 18, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

On Wednesday, the highly respected medical journal Lancet published a very important peer reviewed article about re-infection from COVID.
The research was done in Denmark.

This research challenges the conventional wisdom that you cannot get COVID twice. The Denmark study puts numbers to the possibility of reinfection and to its risks.

The study divides people into two groups, those below 65 years of age and those older than 65.

If you are under 65, you have an 80% chance of recovery from a second COVID infection. If you are 65 or older, you only have a 47% chance of recovery if you contract COVID a second time.

The study explains that contracting COVID a second time is extremely uncommon.
They explain that new variants need to be studied. And they suggest that the new variants might be a reason for contracting COVD a second time.

Importantly, the study asserts that, should you contract COVID a second time, and if you are over 65 years old, it could very well be life threatening.

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Drone Deliveries in Israel
By Micah Halpern

Wednesday March 17, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Israel conducted a drone exercise on Wednesday. This was not a military program, instead, it was a test of commercial deliveries using small mini drones.

The test took place in the city of Hadera. It was computer controlled and managed from Haifa, which is 35 miles away.

The drones, released 20 at a time, delivered pizzas and other small items.

The skies of Israel are filled with other drones, with planes and with helicopters and even with paragliders. Because of all this air traffic, the rules of delivery drones state that they must fly under an altitude of 360 feet.

Israel’s delivery drones all have emergency parachutes in case of malfunctions.
Should there be a malfunction, the parachute will make certain the drone and the package and anyone or anything on the ground is not damaged.

The exercise was a success. It looks like drone deliveries are soon to become a reality for Israelis.

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Icholov Closes COVID Wards
By Micah Halpern

Tuesday March 16, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

On Monday March 15, 2021 Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv closed their last COVID ward.

The 18 remaining patients were transferred to other non-COVID care units.

This is enormously significant.

Ichilov is the largest medical center serving Tel Aviv. It is one of the largest medical campuses in Israel. Closing their COVID wards signals that Israel is in the final stretch of this pandemic.

Fewer and fewer people are dying of COVID in Israel. Fewer and fewer are becoming critically ill and requiring hospitalization. Vaccinations have topped 5 million will hit 7 million in the next few weeks.

The lock downs, the quarantines, the strict enforcement of rules and restrictions have paid off in lives saved and a pandemic that has been contained.

Good going Israel.

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Israel to the ICC
By Micah Halpern

Monday March 15, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

An Israeli group named Anshei Emet (the People of Truth) have taken the State of Israel to the Hague, also known as the ICC – the International Criminal Court.

This group alleges that Israel is forcing citizens to vaccinate and that forcing them to vaccinate is a form of abuse. They also assert that people have died from the vaccine. Their biggest argument is that the reaction to the shot is a form of abuse.

In reality, the numbers tell an opposite story.

Only 0.25% of those in Israel who received the Pfizer vaccine had any significant reaction. That number is practically 0.

The case is absurd. This group and their decision to bring the case to the Hague takes anti-vaxxers to a whole new – and dare I say ridiculous, level.

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Hackers Hack Israel
By Micah Halpern

Sunday March 14, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

A hacker group successfully attacked an Israeli finance company. Now they are demanding a ransom of 1.9 million shekel. That’s about $570,000.

The group is called The Black Shadow.

The company they attacked is called KLS, a finance company that handles car payments.

The Black Shadow has begun to release the company’s private information on the web. They also deleted a significant amount of data.

This is not the first time The Black Shadow has cyber attacked an Israeli company.
Last December they successfully attacked Israeli Insurance company Shirbit. Following that attack the hacker group demanded - and received 200 Bitcoins which equaled $3.8 million.

KLS has refused to pay. They told The Black Shadow that they will not pay.

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Archeology in The MidEast
By Micah Halpern

Saturday March 13, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

A team of archeologists from Norway and France have discovered and unearthed a compound consisting of six churches and many isolation chambers. The remains are from the 5th century.

The finds are located in the Western desert. This dig further supports the idea that monastic life was commonplace in Christian religious life.

They found inscriptions. They found buildings that were cut into bedrock. They discovered that basalt stone as well as mud brick was used for building.

Archeological finds like this one are very helpful in our understanding of early Christian society.


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Sea of Galilee Nearly Full
By Micah Halpern

Friday March 12, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Just 18 months ago the water line in the Sea of Galilee was so dangerously low that it was below the bottom red line.

It was so low that pumping from Israel’s only freshwater lake was restricted to the bare minimum and nearly stopped. When the water level reaches the bottom red line, pumping must be restricted if not stopped.

Today, the Sea of Galilee is almost at full capacity. Israel is no longer in crisis for fresh water.

The Sea of Galilee was filled due to an unusual amount of rain and snow over the winter months.

If the water rises just a little more, the National Water Authority will open a dam and release water form the lake into the Jordan River. This is done in order to prevent flooding.

Imagine, six months ago water in Israel was at a dangerous low, today it is so high Israel can afford to siphon it off.

Israel needs water. For decades Israelis have been taught about the importance of water conservation. Water is so important for productive life and Israel has many plans to insure that the country continues to have fresh water.

Rain, of course, is not part of the plan but, thankfully, this year it arrived in the nick of time.


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Timeline for Iran Deal
By Micah Halpern

Thursday March 11, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

I have written about the upcoming elections in Iran that will take place on June 18th.

Now we are hearing from “experts” explaining that, because of those elections, the window for the United States to come to an agreement with Iran before their election is about 10 weeks. That is all - just 10 weeks. After the election, they explain, the new president who will almost certainly +be even more conservative than Rouhani, the current president, will not welcome an agreement.

That entire analysis is wrong.

Who is to say that after an agreement is cobbled together and signed with the current government of Iran within the next 10 weeks, the incoming government will not rip it to shreds if for no other reason than to prove that they do not support relations with the United States and with the West.

This is Iran we are dealing with!

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Waters to Stevie Wonder - Boycott Israel
By Micah Halpern

Wednesday March 10, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Stevie Wonder will be awarded the Wolf Prize from Israel. As always, the award was announced by the Israeli President, Ruby Rivlin.

The Wolf Prize is awarded to artists and scientists. It’s quite impressive.

Not surprisingly, Roger Waters – a blatant and outspoken hater of the Jewish State, is asking Stevie Wonder to reject the prize. Waters is a singer, songwriter, musician and composer. He is a also rabid supporter of BDS and he never misses an opportunity to attack Israel or to use his fame and music popularity to force others to boycott Israel.

Waters has reached out to just about every single performer scheduled to come to Israel. He publicly calls them out and uses Twitter to embarrass them.

Thus far, Waters’ campaign has had only very limited success.

And Stevie Wonder is still scheduled to accept the award.

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Iran Bombed Israeli Embassy in India
By Micah Halpern

Tuesday March 9, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

There was an explosion outside the Israeli embassy in New Delhi, India, this past January.

Until now it was thought that ISIS – which claimed responsibility in the aftermath of the explosion - had planned and executed the terror attack.

But India has now concluded that Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were behind the terror attack which was detonated by remote control.

A note, written in English was found nearby the site of the attack.

Turns out that the note was a deliberate attempt to mislead investigators.
According to the note, the attack was to avenge the deaths of several “martyrs”.
The martyrs listed on the note were Qassem Soleimani, Iran’s Islamic
Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) commander who was killed in a January 2020 United States drone strike; Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a top Iraqi militia commander who was killed along with Soleimani; and Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the architect of Iran’s nuclear program, killed in a November 2020 attack that Tehran has blamed on Israel.

The note also said warned that the attackers are watching and can strike at any time.

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Elections in Iran
By Micah Halpern

Monday March 8, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

On June 18th, right around the corner, an election is scheduled in Iran. Candidates are starting to emerge.

One of the most likely candidates, and with an excellent chance of succeeding in this election, is named Saeed Mohammad. Mohammad is the director of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He also runs the largest commercial enterprise in Iran called the Khatam al Anbiya Construction.

Mohammad has no political experience. But that will not sideline him. He is very close with the Supreme Leader the Ayatollah Khamenei, the man who makes all decisions in Iran. In addition, his role in the IRGC gives him a great credential.
And he is also the employer of 10’s of thousands of people. Or he was – Mohammad just stepped down from that position in order to dedicate time to his run for the presidency.

Name recognition. A close connection to the Grand Ayatollah. An insider. Remember the name. Saeed Mohammad may very well become the next president of Iran.


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Israel Closes Kindergartens
By Micah Halpern

Sunday March 7, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Israel’s ministry of education announced that over 500 kindergartens have been closed because of COVID. It is the largest number yet.

The kindergartens have been closed either because the children have been exposed to COVID or because their teachers have contracted COVID. In an effort to protect the teachers and the students and their families, the kindergartens had to be shuttered.

Anat Dadon, director of pre-school unions in Israel is quoted saying: "Parents are sending their children [to kindergarten] knowing they may be exposed to a carrier of the virus."

"We have not seen so many kindergartens forced to close and staff and children made to quarantine since the start of the pandemic."

The simple fact is that, in Israel, for the next few months, there will continue to be rolling closures of schools as students and teacher continue to test for COVID and some of them come back with positive test results.


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Dalia Lama Gets the Shot
By Micah Halpern

Saturday March 6, 2021
I've Been Thinking:


Today the Dalai Lama got received his COVID 19 vaccine.

It was the first of the two vaccines he will get.

After receiving the shot, the 85 year old Tibetan spiritual leader spoke to the world.
He spoke to his ardent followers and to all who listen to him. He urged them all to be brave and to get the vaccine.

The Dalai Lama was the latest in a series of leaders - especially spiritual leaders, who are urging people to vaccinate. They are combatting a growing number of anti-vaxxers who have created conspiracy cults. Thee claim that COVID is a hoax.

They claim that the vaccine will cause damage to one’s health.

It is these conspiracy theories that are the real hoax. The Dalai Lama stood up and is helping to save the lives to his followers.


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Teaching Site Says Jews Killed Jesus
By Micah Halpern

Friday March 5, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

A mother complained that the homework assignment for her 7 year old son depicted the Jews as killing Jesus.

As a result, the site that the homework was on took down the 19 pages dealing with Jews as the killers of their god.

On the site, under the title The Trial, there was the following quote: “The Jewish leaders wanted Jesus to be guilty. They found it difficult to find anything that he had done wrong even though they paid people to lie about him. Eventually they asked him if he was the Son of God. Jesus replied I am. This was enough. They said this was an insult to God. Jesus was taken before Pontius Pilate the Roman Governor.”

And it goes on.

In the Christian Bible, on the several occasions where it is written that Jesus says that he is the son of God, it is only inferred. He never actually says those words.

There are people who are teaching children to hate Jews because they are the killers of their god. It is medieval. But it is happening today.


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Assad Has COVID
By Micah Halpern

Thursday March 4, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

President Assad of Syria and his wife Asma tested positive for COVID. Both the president and his wife are 55 years old.

Asma had cancer nearly three years ago. She was treated and has fully recovered. The presidential office said that they have only mild symptoms, are in isolation in the palace and will return to work in a few weeks.

Several important points have emerged with that report.

Telling us that Assad and his wife have COIVD is unusual – it is not the modus operandi in Syria. Not telling us how serious the cases are is also very telling. The Syrian president’s office lies all the time. They are not lying about the COVID, but they are most certainly lying about the symptoms.

As an example of a lie - according to Syrian health officials only 16,000 people in Syria have contracted COVID. That cannot be the case.

In a dictatorship, information about the president or about national health are almost never made public and what is made public is almost never accurate.
It will be interesting to see if any further details – truth, half truths or lies – will be released.


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Hoaxes About COVID
By Micah Halpern

Wednesday March 3, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Israel is investing millions of shekels to combat fake news on the internet about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Over the past few weeks, as Israel has hit major milestones in vaccine numbers and prepares to vaccinate the remained of their still unvaccinated population, an online movement has developed spreading hoaxes and lies about the vaccine.

Those behind these hoaxes couch their lies in pseudoscience and medicine.
Israelis who have not yet been vaccinated have done so out of choice. They need to be convinced. And because of these fake news sites, it is harder to sway them.

Experts say that these hoaxers are endangering individual lives as well as the greater health and well being of the population of the nation.

500,000 Israelis over the age of 50 still have not been vaccinated. They will get sick and some will die - simply because they were told lies about the vaccine.
Websites quoting real Israeli medical experts are now on counter websites. In simple terms, they explain the science behind the vaccines. They are debunking the myths. Hopefully, they will be saving lives.

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Agreement Btw US & Israel on Iran
By Micah Halpern

Tuesday March 2, 2021
I've Been Thinking:


Most great agreements are hammered together behind closed doors.

Announcements of the final product are much more impressive when details of the day-to-day bickering inherent in forming an agreement are kept in the shadows.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced that the United States and Israel have come to an agreement about Iran.

Both countries agreed that there be no surprises. That means that Israel will not attack Iran without tell the United States in advance. And the United States will not open doors for Iran or enter negotiations or begin a new strategy without letting Israel know in advance.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said: "If anyone thought the Americans would run to make an agreement with Iran, up until now it did not happen, and I hope it does not happen in the future".


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Israel Launching Regional Security Pact
By Micah Halpern

Monday March 1, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Israel has launched an effort to create a regional defense pact.

The idea is to come to strategic agreements with numerous countries in the region, bonding together as a group, enabling group members to better protect themselves from aggressive outliers.

This defense pact will function similarly to NATO. If one country is attacked it is, by treaty, seen as an attack on all member nations.

The plan was reported by KAN, a Hebrew language radio network in Israel. It credited Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi with the idea for the plan and the follow through.

So far, the players joining Israel are UAE and Bahrain. I predict that both Egypt and Jordan will follow suit.

The outliers that will be isolated in this defense pact are Iran and Syria.

This could be a very useful – and intimidating, defense tool.

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