Author: Gavriel Dan

Gavriel Dan spent a number of years covering social movements in Israel, the wider middle east and Europe. He is considered an expert in embedding himself with various groups and causes in order to get accurate and rich information.
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SYRIAN WAR: Regime Forces Capture Strategic Hill Near the Golan, Jihadists Ask for Truce

According to Al-Masdar News, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has captured the strategic hilltop of Tal Marwan, following a fierce battle with the jihadist rebels of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham. Tahrir Al-Sham was formerly an Al Qeida linked Al Nusra Front before  chainging its name.

With their collapse imminent, the jihadist rebels are at the mercy of the Syrian Arab Army’s missile battalions.  These battalions can now shoot artillery shells and rockets with incredible accuracy due to the fact that Tal Marwan overlooks Mughar Al-Mir.

According to a military source in Damascus, the jihadist rebels have waved the white flag at Mughar Al-Mir and asked for terms in order to secure  their departure from the town.

In exchange for their transfer, the Syrian Army will have full control of the Beit Jinn pocket, which would mark the end of the jihadist rebel presence in west Damascus.

The Beit Jinn pocket, which serves as Israel’s buffer against a combined Syrian-Iranian push on the Golan Heights has been the only card played by Israel against the regime forces now approaching Israel.

While Israel has not openly supported any side in the Syrian Civil War, Jerusalem makes no secret that the stronger the buffer zone between Israel and Syria is, the harder it will be for the Syrian-Iranian axis to make trouble.




Despite rumors of an arrangement hatched out between the USA and Russia over controlling the Syrian and Iranian forces, the fast moving nature of both nations’ armies towards Israel appears to render those verbal agreements pointless.

As the Syrian Regime continues to strengthen, Israel may have to enter the Syrian Civil War an dpush back against Assad’s forces or face a far more formidable enemy than before.

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BREAKING: One Stabbed Outside Jerusalem’s Central Bus Station, Response to Trump’s Announcement

In an apparent response to Trump’s announcement that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, a terrorist attacked a security guard at Jerusalem’s heavily trafficked Central Bus Station.  The guard was stabbed in the chest and in serious condition.

Police are reporting that the terrorist has been neutralized.




Abbas has called for days of rage and although this failed to spur large-scale intifada style protests and attacks, it evidently has inspired lone wolf attackers.  The question remains on whether today’s attack is the beginning of something larger or just a one-off.  Much depends on Israel’s response to the attack.  If the government comes down hard on Arab neighborhoods, it will force the local leaders to reassess their encouragement of anti-Israel riots.

 

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Minister Naftali Bennett Cancels Event With Far-Left NGO That “Defends Terrorists”

Education Minister Naftali Bennett announced the cancellation of a ministry-sponsored conference set to be held tomorrow with the far-Left NGO Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), following a letter signed by 45 bereaved families accusing ACRI of assisting terrorists and their families.

“ACRI is a radical delegitimization organization that, among its various anti-Israel activities, fights against us, the bereaved families, in a direct way by defending terrorists who murdered our children, parents, brothers, husbands and wives, ”  wrote the bereaved families.

“Unfortunately,” continued the letter, “this organization and others like it repeatedly defend vile murderers. It is inconceivable that the Ministry of Education would work with this organization. We need to fight those who bolster terrorism with a firm hand, not provide them with funding from the taxpayer’s pockets.”

In response to the letter, Minister Bennett announced the cancellation of the conference and instructed the CEO of the ministry to reassess any further cooperation with the organization.

“After information was brought to my attention that [ACRI] consistently works to defend terrorists who murdered Israelis, I instructed the Ministry of Education to cancel its participation in the activity that was supposed to take place with this organization,” said Bennett.

“The Ministry of Education will not cooperate,” continued Bennett, “with organizations that harm IDF soldiers or defend our enemies.”

Matan Peleg, Chairman of Zionist organization Im Tirtzu that has been assisting the bereaved families, said: “It is unthinkable that the Ministry of Education would maintain a connection with a political organization that slanders Israel and IDF soldiers. This is an organization that advocates on behalf of terrorists in Israeli courts by means of extensive funding from foreign governments and the New Israel Fund.”

Peleg continued: “This is one of the most controversial issues in Israeli society and the most painful for bereaved families. It is time for all government ministries to denounce these delegitimization organizations, the sooner the better.”

 

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WARNING SIGNS: Dollar Continues to Weaken as the Skekel Keeps its Momentum

The shekel/dollar has fell below the key NIS 3.50/$ rate reaching 3.497.

In a further example of a strengthening Israeli economy due to its diversification of trading partners, the exchange rate between the shekel and dollar has continued to fall and now has broken below the key NIS 3.50/$ rate. While this may not hold, the trend seems to be a weakening dollar across the board.

The dollar has sunk to a new two month low against the euro. This is following positive data about the German economy. In contrast to this the US Federal reserve meeting earlier this month expressed concern about recent weak US economic data.

The Israeli economy has continued to surprise, showing great 4th quarter results and a higher than predicted GDP.  Israel has continued to expand its trading partners and diversify its economy.

Partnerships with India, and many countries in East Asia have contributed to Israel’s growth.

In years past, Israel’s Central Bank has bought dollars to help lift the rate back up, but in recent dips they have refrained from doing this do to adverse effects to other currency rates.  It remains to be seen if the central bank will step in if the rate continues to fall.