Ep 398 Wed. July 27, 2022

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1. The father of one of the Israelis who is currently being held captive by Hamas in Gaza pleaded to the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday to save his son. His son Hisham has been in captivity for the last seven years, and Hamas recently released a video showing him lying in bed with a gas mask on to aid his breathing, highlighting his weakened state. Hisham’s father told the council, “Hamas is playing with the feelings of the family through the news it delivers.” He also emphasized that his son has special needs and international laws have protections against those with disabilities. Hamas has also held Israeli citizen Avera Mengistu captive since September 2014, and holds the bodies of two Israeli soldiers believed to have been killed during the 2014 Gaza war. On August third, activists plan to march to the Gaza border to demand the release of the two Israelis and the two deceased Israelis.
2. Israeli Defense Force troops demolished the homes of two Palestinian terrorists allegedly behind a deadly shooting that took place in April. On April 29th, the terrorists gunned down and stabbed a 23-year-old security guard working at a security post outside of the Israeli settlement Ariel. A petition from the families of the terrorists to not destroy their homes was rejected by the Supreme Court, and the demolition was scheduled for a date after President Biden’s visit. While many human rights organizations criticize the army for demolishing homes of terrorists’ families, the IDF believes home demolition is a key deterrent to prevent other potential attackers who are considering following suit. What do you think of this practice? You can get in touch and let us know.
3. Two largely contested housing plans that were delayed by Biden’s visit are now coming to fruition through legislation advancements. The first is called the “lower aqueduct plan” and is the establishment of around 700 Jewish homes, or 1,446 housing units, across the Green Line in East Jerusalem. The Green Line is a term that emerged after Israel’s establishment in 1948, and refers to the border separating pre-1967 Israel from post ’67. After the Six-Day War, the territories captured by and currently held by Israel beyond the Green Line are East Jerusalem, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and the Golan Heights. About half of this housing plan crosses the Green Line, however, the project as a whole sits next to the area that borders Bethlehem, making the entire project controversial. This plan would break up contiguity between Palestinian areas of the city, which advocates of a two-state solution argue is detrimental to the future of a two-state possibility. Givat Shaked, the second housing plan, entails 700 units that would be located in the same area of the city as the lower aqueduct settlements. A staffer from the left-wing group Peace Now said that Givat Shaked will be located on the last remaining plot of land on which the crowded Palestinian neighborhood of Beit Safafa could have developed, given that it is hemmed in on almost all sides by other areas of land. United States President Joe Biden opposes building settlements across the Green Line, so it’s speculated the plans were not made official until after his visit in order to keep the attention on Israeli military advancements and talks with Iran.
4. Recently discharged IDF officers had created a volunteer organization to support a small Tanzanian community. The organization, called Afrikan, was established by former IDF soldier Rafi Ryker. Ryker spent two months traveling Tanzania after completing his service when he came across a local village named Malindi. After speaking with the residents and hearing about their struggles, such as schools with no electricity, water, roofs or windows, truancy or not showing up to school, and lack of food, Ryker decided to help. The idea is that volunteers would introduce organizational and management skills to the community in order to create a sustainable solution. Plus the Israelis would bring some materials needed for the projects. Afrikan works with local Tanzanian authorities, and ninety percent of their budget goes toward transportation, workers’ salaries, locally sourced materials and supplies.
5. The Jerusalem Post highlights a pro-Israel Spanish-language media group that is combatting the spread of antisemitism and misinformation in the media. The group is called Fuente Latina and it seeks to provide a more accurate story for Spanish-speaking audiences. Just before the 2020 election, a slew of antisemetic conspiracy theories hit the Spanish media, including some mainstream outlets. Antisemitic information in the news continues to be prevalent today. Fuente Latina works to increase research, media coverage, and engagement of Latin American Jews. More than 180 Latin American media and entertainment professionals, including telenovela stars, TV hosts, and actors, have endorsed the initiative.
6. The Health Ministry is issuing an extreme temperature warning throughout Israel as the heatwave intensifies, with an expected peak coming tomorrow, so that’s Thursday. Officials say the elderly and those with chronic diseases should be particularly careful, but everyone should avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun and make sure to stay hydrated. Tel Aviv hit 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) today and is expected to hit 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 degrees Fahrenheit) tomorrow. Jerusalem hit 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 degrees Fahrenheit) today and is expected to hit 24 degrees Celsius ( 93.2 degrees Fahrenheit ) tomorrow. Israel has had relatively mild heat this summer, especially in comparison to European countries who are experiencing heat-induced forest fires that scientists say are directly linked to global warming. Make sure to stay safe these next few days.