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Friday April 30, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
The stampede that took place in Meron, Israel on Lag B’Omer is nothing short of a catastrophe.
The numbers will continue to rise – as of this writing there are 44 dead Israeli celebrants and 150 injured.
We are getting some background information on the stampede.
Meron sits on top of a mountain. There is only one way in and out. 500,000 people were at Meron for Lag B’Omer. As some people were trying to descend the mountain, they fell. And then they were trampled.
Lag B’Omer is a celebration tribute to RASHBI aka Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, the traditional author of the Zohar, the work that forms the foundation of Jewish mysticism. People come to Meron to commemorate his Yahrzeit, the anniversary of his death.
They go to Meron and light bonfires. Why? There are many reasons.
In the Zohar Shimon bar Yochai is frequently referred to as Butzina Kadisha, which in Aramaic means “the holy candle.”
Zohar actually means splendor which really means light.
So in his honor, on this day, year after year, bonfires are lit.
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Thursday April 29, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
Azerbaijan's Economy Minister, Mikayil Jabbarov, announced that Azerbaijan will open an office in Tel Aviv. The office will advance tourism and diplomacy.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi has said about Azerbaijan: "Azerbaijan is our greatest friend and energy supplier. We will continue to work to develop relations."
This is new, important and very good news.
Azerbaijan and Israel have had diplomatic relations for over a decade.
Azerbaijan is a Muslim country.
Azerbaijan has tremendous assets of oil and natural gas.
Advancing tourism will help both countries.
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Wednesday April 28, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
Israel is starting to let tourists enter the country. Hopefully, the doors will soon be open to every tourist who wishes to enter.
Until now, Israeli authorities have been vigilant - not letting tourists in and even putting returning Israelis through a very rigorous regiment. Some have ankle monitors, others were put in forced isolation in hotels, still others isolated at home.
How can Israel’s behavior be compared to other countries? The Jerusalem Post asked the question of a health professional government source.
The source responded: “Countries around the world are open to varying degrees …
You have countries like Australia and New Zealand, which are totally shut to tourists, and then there is the European Union, which says that EU citizens can only move from country to country under certain conditions. Then you have countries like Estonia, Iceland and Slovenia that are letting in vaccinated people from certain countries only.”
“Then, on the other hand, we see countries like Greece, Cyprus and Portugal rushing to let people in as fast as they can. As a rule of thumb, countries whose economies are heavily dependent on tourism are willing to take greater health risks to reopen than others. In Israel, about 250,000 people are in the tourism industry, but in others, it makes up 20% of GDP.”
Not bad.
I predict that Israel will slowly continue to open.
Hundreds of thousands of Israelis are employed in businesses connected to tourism. Hotels, for example are slowly opening - 30% are still closed.
Tourism will certainly bolster, even lift, Israel’s economy.
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Tuesday April 27, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced, first to his cabinet and then to the EU, that he is postponing the Palestinian Parliamentary elections scheduled for the end of May.
The EU asked to delay the announcement to give them time to influence or pressure Israel.
Why pressure Israel? Because the reason given for the postponement was that Israel was not permitting people living in Jerusalem to vote in the election or to run for the Palestinian parliament.
While that is true, it is by no means the reason behind the postponement.
The real reason is that the polls, as well as common sense, show that Hamas has a united party and campaign while the PA is divided into many factions.
If the election were to be held, Abbas’ party will lose seats and lose power. According to all polls Hamas looks to gain the overwhelming plurality.
A victory for Hamas would be the end of Abbas and the Palestinian Authority. It would also mean a very different relationship between Israel and the Palestinians.
As I have been predicting over the past several months, there is no way Abbas will allow for an election - and then lose.
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Monday April 26, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
Delek Drilling, one of Israel’s largest energy companies, is selling 22% of Tamar - one of its offshore natural gas fields, to a conglomerate owned by the government of Abu Dhabi called Mubadala.
The price of the sale is set at $1.1 billion.
As of now the gas field, which has exceeded all expectations and is successfully driving down the price of natural gas, is jointly owned by Delek Drilling, Chevron, Isramco, which is an Israeli energy company, and a few smaller partners. Delek Drilling is owned by Israeli billionaire Yitzhak Tshuva.
This is very good news. The idea that Israel is becoming a player in the region’s energy market is significant. The fact that Arab countries are partnering with Israel in energy drilling and marketing is monumental.
Times are changing. Ten years ago, this ever happening was just a dream.
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Sunday April 25, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
The highest court in France ruled that a Muslim man named Kobili Traore could not be tried and was not criminally responsible for murdering Sarah Halimi, a 65 year old Jewish woman, a retired doctor and teacher whom he threw out of her 3rd floor window.
Traore’s defense was that he was not responsible because he was under the influence of marijuana. The exact words were he was in a “delirious fit.”
As he threw her out the window, witnesses heard him shout Allahu Achbar – Arabic for God is the greatest.
Tens of thousands of people, all around the world, protested this decision by the French court. The main protest was held in front of the Eifel Tower where protesters held up signs which read “Jewish Lives Matter.”
French President Emmanuel Macron weighed in. This was the second time he commented on this highly unusual case. France respects the separation of powers and Macron instructed the minister of justice to change this law and to change it ASAP.
Macron said France: “does not judge citizens who are sick, we treat them … But deciding to take drugs and then ‘going crazy’ should not, in my opinion, take away your criminal responsibility.”
The president of France wants to reassure the Jewish community that the Republic would keep them safe. He said: “It’s not for me to comment on a court decision, but I would like to express to the family, to the relatives of the victim, and to all our Jewish citizens who were waiting for a trial, my warm support and the Republic’s determination to protect them.”
Macron’s remarks were quoted in the French daily LaFigaro.
This French law permits people to murder with total impunity, in the name of terror, by simply shouting the words “Allahu Achbar”. It is a truly perfect defense for a perfect crime if you want to murder Jews.
And that’s a problem.
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Saturday April 24, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
Iranian Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Hussein Baqeri, said that Iran will “teach Israel a lesson.”
This message cum warning was broadcast across Iranian media. It appeared in every outlet, on television, on radio and on the internet.
The general said: "Israelis think they can keep hitting Syria and make mischievous moves elsewhere and in the seas and not receive any response.”
"The moves made in the past few days and future moves against their interests will make them be wise."
"We don't announce anything about the incidents that happened recently, nor do we know who did it, but the resistance front will teach a very good lesson to Israel."
There’s more, he indicated that: "if Israel's actions against Iran" continue, it's "not clear how Iran will respond, but the Zionist regime will not remain peaceful." The expression “not remain peaceful” is Iran’s way of saying that Israelis will not have peace of mind or quiet moments in their homes.
These are direct threats.
There have been a number of military hits, back and forth between Israel and Iran and her proxies. The intensity has escalated. The targets have escalated.
The unanswered question now is will Iran increase or decrease the targets and the intensity.
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Friday April 23, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
Who can argue with Earth Day?
Earth Day should be the one event that unites everyone around the world. And yet, it was still a major event and a pleasant surprise when the UAE sponsored a tree planting – along with Israeli representation, at their embassy in Washington DC. The UAE ambassador planted an olive tree along with the Israeli ambassador. And a twin tree, an olive tree, will be planted in the garden of the Israeli embassy.
The UAE Ambassador Youse al Otaiba marked the occasion saying: “Warmer relations will help get us to a cooler planet. Normalization is already accelerating climate cooperation between the UAE and Israel. These efforts in innovation, promotion and finance will help deliver the benefits of low-carbon, sustainable economic growth across the region and world.”
Other ambassadors and dignitaries present at this special event included Ambassador Princess Lalla Joumala of Morocco, Ambassador Dina Kawar of Jordan, Ambassador Motaz Zahran of Egypt, and Deputy Chief of Mission Yousif Ahmed of Bahrain, Ambassador Barbara Leaf, Senior Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the National Security Council and Ted Deutch, Chairman for the
Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa and Global Counterterrorism on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
This will, hopefully, be one in a long list of events jointly celebrated by Israel and the UAE.
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Thurssday April 22, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
A follow up to yesterday’s entry.
The missile launched from Syria into Israel needs much further investigation.
It appears that the missile was a Russian made and supplied SA- 5 surface to air anti-aircraft missile. And although it flew over Jerusalem and into the Negev Desert, it now looks like it was actually a misfire from Syria.
Israel’s air defense did not shoot the missile down. The Israeli system is designed against surface to surface missiles, not surface to air missiles. Surface to air missiles are not at all accurate when used to hit targets on the ground.
The design of the SA-5 is actually not to hit the target aircraft but to blow up near it. If it misses its target, the missile self-destructs.
In this case, the rocket blew up mid-air.
Although, Iran claims that this missile was in retaliation for the Natanz bombing, it seems unlikely. It is also unlikely that Syria is using anti-aircraft weapons to attack Israeli targets on the ground.
These missiles have a long range and they can clearly threaten Israeli aircraft. As an example, in 2018 Syria shot down both an Israeli fighter jet over Israel and a drone. Israel quickly retaliated by hitting five rocket launch sites in Syria.
Syria has the weapons to launch more attacks against Israel. But Syria clearly does not want to escalate for fear of Israeli counter attacks.
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Wednesday April 21, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
Syria launched a missile strike against Israel’s nuclear plant in Dimona, located in the Negev Desert in the very south of Israel.
Israel’s anti-missile defense system went into effect and Patriot missiles were launched from all over Israel. Reports of the Patriots were heard in Israel’s north, in Jerusalem and near Dimona.
And then, in response, Israel immediately struck targets outside of Damascus.
DImona, Israel’s nuclear facility is at the other end of Israel. This was not an errant rocket or a mistake.
This was a tit for tat. Israel attacked Iran’s nuke facility in Natanz so Syria, an Iranian proxy, attacked Israel’s nuke lab.
Iran’s hardline Kayhan newspaper published an opinion piece by Iranian analyst Sadollah Zarei suggesting that Israel’s Dimona facility be targeted after the attack on Natanz. Zarei cited the idea of “an eye for an eye” in his remarks.
He wrote that action should be taken “against the nuclear facility in Dimona ... This is because no other action is at the same level as the Natanz incident.”
It seems pretty obvious that Iran is trying a “Hail Mary”, throwing a long pass trying to hit Dimona. Israel did not confirm that they successfully shot down the missile, but it certainly did not hit Dimona.
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Tuesday April 20, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that Israel has signed agreements with Pfizer and with Moderna for 9 million more vaccines to be used for a second round of COVID shots.
Netanyahu said that they will start revaccinating the country, children included, in six months. He told the country to prepare their shoulders and to prepare their children because in 6 months the vaccine will be approved for children.
In addition, the prime minister told Israelis that they are bidding on building factories which will produce vaccines in Israel.
Israel has determined that, without a doubt, there is a need for a booster shot to control the COVID virus. The new vaccines will be tweaked to protect against the new variants that are punching through the old vaccines.
Six months puts us at October, just after the New Year and High Holidays.
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Monday April 19, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
The United States and Israel are at odds about Iran.
The United States, along with the five other permanent members of the UN’s Security Council plus Germany are in serious talks with Iran about their nuclear development.
While that is happening, Israel attacked Iran’s Natanz nuclear lab knocking out their centrifuge system.
The United States made it very clear to Israel that they were unhappy about the attack. So Israel has agreed to step back and halt their aggressive strikes against Iran. The trade off is that Israel is expecting – or at least hoping, to have significant input into US and policy regarding Iran.
I would posit that Israel stepped up their strikes against Iranian targets in order to one day – which turns out to be now, pull back. Israel always intended to use these attacks as a valuable card to play with the United States.
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Sunday April 18, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
This year, Spring is the season of Middle East elections.
Syria has announced that on May 26th they will hold presidential elections.
Assad will win a third term as president. These are not true elections and his win is a certainty.
The Assad family belongs to a minority group in Syria. They are Alawites. And Syria’s Alawites control their brutal security forces. Opposition is not tolerated. A part of the Syrian election law is that a candidate must have lived in Syria for the past 10 years.
There is no opposition within Syria.
In 2011, protests in Syria began in the south of the country. The protestors were asking for election and political reform. The protests were crushed and so began a civil war that has, for the past ten years, devastated the country.
The only question about Syria’s upcoming election is whether Bashar Assad will win 85% or 95% or even 98% of the vote.
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Saturday April 17, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
The United States has made it known to Israel that they are displeased with the strikes on Iran.
The US is especially unhappy with Israel’s “boasting” about their success and claiming responsibility for the attacks - something that Israel has been loath to do in the past.
When there is an element of doubt it leaves the target, in this case Iran, questioning not just whether it was Israel but if the strike was a coordinated effort.
Was the United States involved? Was there intel from agencies from other countries? Were their neighboring countries involved?
The United States is concerned because Iran has announced that they are enriching uranium to 60%. That is 20 times the agreed upon enrichment level.
Because of strike on Natanz and the strikes on Iranian ships – all courtesy of Israel, the US is going to have a difficult time at the negotiation table in Vienna.
What we have here are two very arrogant nations. The United States is dictating to Israel. The US believes that they can tell the world what to do and what not to do. Israel, meanwhile, is telling the United States that they will do what is necessary in order to achieve safety for their citizens.
Neither country is about too change their point of view.
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Friday April 16, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
Elections for the Palestinian legislature are scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 22nd.
Presidential elections are scheduled for July 31.
Polls are telling us that Fatah, the ruling party of the Palestinian Authority and the PLO, is having a difficult time getting a majority or - even a plurality.
Because of these polls, I anticipate that the elections will be postponed or even cancelled.
The Palestinians will blame it on Israel. They will claim that because Israel is not permitting Palestinians residing in Jerusalem to vote, they cannot hold a true election.
That of course is simply a smoke screen. It is a contrived excuse to save Fatah, with Abbas at its head, the embarrassment of losing. It really is a big deal. Losing this election would not just be an embarrassment – losing would mean the end of the Palestinian Authority and the end of Fatah as we know it.
In the meantime there are several parties that are contenders in this election.
They include Fatah and Fatah breakoffs - but Hamas is a contender as well.
If the elections take place there will be serious changes within the PA, if not a total implosion. The situation could certainly devolve into armed battle between factions.
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Thursday April 15, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
The Biden Administration has slapped Russia with a series of sanctions.
The announcement about these sanctions was unclear as to the timing. There was no date given for when these measures would take effect.
It did, however, explain that included in the sanctions will be a list of banned companies. Also included is the expulsion of diplomats. And finally, the sanctions will prevent US banks from buying any Russian bonds from Russia’s central bank, from their national wealth fund and from the Russian finance ministry.
This is a major step in the right direction. Russia has been a significant agitator in the US political arena and in US financial markets. When it comes to foreign affairs, the Russians tease and taunt the United States.
In response to the Biden announcement, Moscow said that they are considering a response which may also include counter sanctions against then United States. The Kremlin spokesperson explained that: "The principle of reciprocity for such matters has not been canceled, but everything will depend on the decisions made by the (Russian) head of state.”
Every decision in Russia, we all well know, is made by the head of state.
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Wednesday April 14, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
Israel celebrated 73 year of independence.
This was no small feat. 73 years ago, most people doubted that Israel would survive a single year - no less 73.
This past year was tough for everyone world over. But Israel seems to have emerged out of the dark tunnel called COVID.
In honor of Independence Day, for the first time in thirteen months, the city of Tel Aviv held large outdoor concerts for children. There was a limit of 650 children per concert and all the children were given a free COVID rapid test within an hour of the concert. The test gave results in 15 minutes. The test was developed by an Israeli bio tech company and results came back in fifteen minutes.
As required for all large gatherings, even outdoor gatherings, masks were worn.
Life is not yet back to the normal we used to live, but in Tel Aviv as in all of Israel, a new normal is developing. And life goes on.
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Tuesday April 13, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
Iran is masterful at using their own media to develop a narrative.
And one of the literary devices they often use, is making things up.
The Iranians exaggerate. For example: They say that they have more weapons than they really have, or that they have new weapons. They say that they have attacked and hit targets which never happened and is all sheer fantasy. And they deny the damage or the extent of the damage to their infrastructure, military and population, all the time.
So, when Iran threatens revenge against Israel on the same day that they claim to have discovered, conquered and destroyed a Mossad house in Iraq – fake news antennae must go up.
Fact is, there are no such Mossad houses in Iraq to discover. The entire episode looks great on Iranian media and it makes Iranian leadership look strong for having avenged the Natanz strike, which Israel purportedly perpetrated, but it is a total fiction.
But fiction and fantasy never stops Iran.
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Monday April 12, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
Ephraim Halevy is the former head of Israel’s Mossad.
Iran’s nuclear enrichment facility was struck with a cyber-attack. The attack turned out the lights in the facility. It literally turned off the electricity in the Iranian nuclear enrichment center.
Around the world fingers pointed at Israel. Leadership in Israel did not deny responsibility – nor did they claim responsibility. They did, however, publicly comment that Iran was due for a lesson.
Halevy had something to say about the entire situation. He said: "Apparently, those in Israel in the political leadership want [the attack] to be attributed to Israel. Therefore, it must be assumed that the attack was indeed carried out by those who are now suspected [of perpetrating it]"
He continued:
"We will make a big mistake if [we will think of Iran] as an opponent who has two left hands, that is not true."
When Ephraim speaks, we should all pay attention.
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Sunday April 11, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
The talks in Vienna between Iran and the P-5+1 to kickstart the Iranian nuke deal are not pleasing everyone.
We know that Israel, for example, is very skeptical of the outcome of these talks.
So is Saudi Arabia.
Tariq al Humaid, a very popular Saudi columnist, wrote in the international paper of Saudi Arabia, Asharq al Awsat, that many people do not trust Iran. He wrote: “There is Gulf apprehension regarding the Vienna talks.” His comment should not come as a surprise. Iran and Saudi Arabia are arch enemies.
The 6 world leaders pushing the nuke deal will not pay much attention to Saudi Arabia’s analysis, just like they are not paying attention to Israel. But Iran is paying attention. And Iran is pleased that the interests of Israel and Saudi Arabia are being ignored. It ups the Iranian advantage.
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Saturday April 10, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
According to a study done in Israel, the South African COVID variant can “breakthrough” the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
That is not good news. Actually, it is very bad news.
The study was composed of 400 unvaccinated people and 400 double vaccinated people. The result of the study is that people who were not vaccinated were 8 times safer against the South African variant than those who had been vaccinated.
The good news is that there is very little incidence of South African COVID in Israel.
In South Africa however, the variant is predominant.
This study has not yet been peer reviewed. But, the essential lesson to be learned is: do not use the Pfizer vaccine in South Africa.
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Friday April 9, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
The police and the justice department in Norway fined their prime minister for violating COVID restrictions after Prime Minister Erna Solberg held a party to celebrate her 60th birthday. Thirteen members of her family were in attendance.
Solberg was fined 20,000 Norwegian Crowns which comes to about $2,500.
The prime minister had apologized - but Norwegian leadership and the justice department knew that her apology was not enough. They knew that the country cannot have a situation where the there are two sets of rules.
That’s why they chose to fine Prime Minister Solberg and to make her punishment public. So they needed to fine her and make it public. Gatherings are limited to 10 people and they would tolerate no exceptions.
The irony of this situation is that Prime Minister has been on the front line insisting that people act responsibly during COVID.
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Thursday April 8, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
Iran announced a 10-day lockdown. The announcement was made after a fourth wave of COVID hit the country hard, very hard. This information was made public by state media.
Using state media in this way is not at all typical of Iranian leadership. Under normal circumstances, Iran would not want outsiders to know the extent of their damage and the enormity of the threat. But COVID is not normal and they needed to inform the public of the shutdown so they bit the bullet and used the media for all to see.
The decision was made to shutter 23 of Iran’s 31 provinces for 10 days. Shuttering means no schools, no theater, no sports and the closing of all public gatherings.
Ramadan begins in the midst of the closure. This year, that means that there will be no families gathering together to break their fasts as is the custom.
The psychological pain of this closure will surely have a harsh impact on the people of Iran.
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Wednesday April 7, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
In 2018 then-President Trump stopped all aid to the Palestininas.
Now things are about to change.
The Biden administration has announced that they have a plan to give $235 million to the Palestinians. This is the second time in one week that the Biden administration announced the granting of money to the Palestinians.
First, they promised $15 million. Their new plan calls for $150 million through the United Nations relief agency UNWRA, $75 million in U.S. economic support and $10 million in development funding. These figures came to light in a notice emailed by the administration to congressional offices.
The US State Department has said that the monies are legal and in line with US policy toward the Palestinians.
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Tuesday April 6, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
The P 5+1 met with Iran in Vienna. They met to take a look at the Nuke Deal.
The talks were successful and they decided to meet again in a few days. The P 5+1 are the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany.
Iran and these major powers will continue to discuss ways to revive the 2015 nuclear deal that former U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned in 2018.
Following the meeting, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Abbas Araqchi told Iran state television: "The talks in Vienna were constructive... our next meeting will be on Friday.”
He added that Tehran would not suspend its enrichment of uranium to 20% fissile purity in return for the release of $1 billion of its funds blocked in other countries because of U.S. sanctions reimposed on Iran since 2018.
Interesting. Iran is running this how and they are holding strong.
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Monday April 5, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
Jordan’s crown prince, the King’s half-brother Hamsa bin Hussein, was put under house arrest. An investigation against him was opened.
The visit by the head of the army to the home of the crown prince was made public for the entire country to witness. Everyone needed to see that King Abdullah does not tolerate any challenge to his leadership.
The crime Crown Prince Hamsa bin Hussein committed was posting an on-line serious critique of Jordanian leadership claiming that it was corrupt.
The back story is that, not too long ago, Prince Hamsa was removed from the line of succession after attempting to position himself for the kingship and maybe even ousting his half-brother King Abdullah.
When King Abdullah discovered Hamsa’s newest challenge to his leadership, the King’s hand was forced and he had to act to make an example.
The story is still developing. There are rumors being spread that the situation between these brothers is on the mend. Hamsa publicly signed a letter pledging support to the King.
There is little tolerance in Jordan for those who challenge the king. House arrest is getting off easy.
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Sunday April 4, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
Vladimir Putin signed a law that now allows him to run for president for two more terms.
His current term ends in 2024, so the new law would keep him in power until 2036.
If there was any doubt in anyone’s mind about the “democratic” (and I put democratic in quotes for a reason) nature of Putin and the country he leads, this is another cogent and essential example of his style and objectives.
Of course, he still needs to run for reelection and to win … but why would Putin change the constitution if he was not assured of a successful re-election bid.
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Saturday April 3, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
Sudan repealed a law prohibiting any interaction with Israel. The boycott law, which was originally enacted in 1985, had prevented any trade with companies or citizens of Israel.
On October 23, 2020 Sudan and Israel normalized relations.
It is still unclear, however, what that entails. Sudan’s local press quoted ranking leaders as saying that they will not recognize Israel and send an ambassador. But that was probably just bluster.
It clearly looks like normalization means trade. It also probably means tech and military advice. And it certainly means agricultural and medical technology assistance.
Baby steps are still steps. Slowly, slowly, one at a time.
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Friday April 2, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
Here is some very good news about investments in Israel.
Israeli cyber companies broke an all-time record and concluded the first quarter of 2021 having raised $1.5 billion in 17 different transactions.
Israel is in second place worldwide in the volume of investments made in cyber companies in the distribution of investments. First place goes to the United States.
Israel’s performance is a continuation of a 2020 trend, when investments in Israeli companies reached $2.9 billion and accounted for 31% of all cyber investments in the world.
These investments could help Israel return to normal after the devastating damage of the COVID pandemic.
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Thursday April1, 2021
I've Been Thinking:
The United States issues a Human Rights Report every year. The report is an update on the ongoing status of human rights across the world. This document is essential in understanding the status of worldwide human rights – and human rights violations, and in pinpointing those areas that the United States deems to be in need of more work, more money and more influence in order to bring about improved human rights.
Israel and the Palestinians are always mentioned in the Human Rights Report.
Under the Trump administration the chapter title dealing with their area was changed from “Israel and the Occupied Territories” to “Israel the West Bank and Gaza”.
The big question this year was: Would the Biden administration revert back to the Obama language in the Israel and the Palestinians chapter, or were they continuing with the Trump perspective on those areas?
The State Department clarified the issue: in some places in the body of the report it refers to the areas as “occupied”.
Ned Price, the US State Department Spokesperson said that the report: “does use the term ‘occupation’ in the context of the current status of the West Bank.”
Lisa Peterson is the highest level State Department official currently in the human rights bureau, she is the deputy secretary. Peterson explained the new / old terminology saying that the report generally uses geographical names and that “Israel, West Bank and Gaza” was easier and clearer for readers.”
So indeed there is a small and important change happening. Progress is progress.
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