Author: Orit ben Tzvi

Orit is Israel Rising's regional and threat analyst. She has a degree from IDC in Middle East Diplomacy and has served both intelligence related activities for the IDF as well as advised privately for firms doing business in the region.
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Israeli Security Forces Uncover an Arms Smuggling Cell Connected to French National

(Communicated by the ISA)

The following has been cleared for publication:

The Israel Security Agency (ISA), in conjunction with the Israel Police, has uncovered a cell of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, Judea and Samaria and eastern Jerusalem that – in recent months – smuggled weapons from the Gaza Strip to Judea and Samaria via a French national, Romain Franck, who worked at the French Consulate in Jerusalem.

Roman Franck (ISA)

Franck smuggled weapons five times in recent months in a vehicle belonging to the French Consulate, which received lighter treatment at the border crossing security check, as is customary for such vehicles. Franck thus smuggled approximately 70 pistols and two assault rifles.

Franck received the weapons from a Palestinian resident of the Gaza Strip who was employed by the French Cultural Center in the Strip. The smuggled weapons were delivered to a Palestinian in Judea and Samaria who sold them to arms dealers.

Among those arrested for their involvement in the smuggling are a resident of eastern Jerusalem who works as a security guard at the French Consulate in Jerusalem and Palestinians from the Gaza Strip who were present in Judea and Samaria without permits. Nine suspects have been arrested so far, six of whom have been indicted by the State Attorney’s Office (Southern District).

The investigation clearly shows that Franck acted for financial gain, of his own accord and unbeknownst to his superiors. It was also learned that several of the suspects were involved in smuggling funds from the Gaza Strip to Judea and Samaria.

A senior ISA officer states, “This is a very grave incident in which the immunity and privileges granted to foreign missions in Israel was cynically exploited in order to smuggle dozens of weapons which could have been used in terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and members of the security forces.”

The foregoing investigation was conducted in coordination with the Foreign Ministry; the French authorities were updated regularly.

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Saudis to Go Nuclear?

In an interview with CBS 60 Minutes, Saudi Crown Prince Muhammed Bin Salman (MBS) inidicates that although his country is far superior to Iran they would have need of nuclear weapons to countrer Iran if the Iranians were able to build their own.

This of course is not new, except this time the message was delivered by MBS who many say may take over the Saudi Kingdom this year.  MBS has taken a very strong approach to long time conservatives in his country in hopes that his moves begin to open up Saudi Arabia.  The 32 year old would become the youngest Saudi King ever.

The architect behind the Qatar crisis, Yemen intervention, and much applauded reforms appears to be taken a no holds barred approach to Iran.  With the Syrian crisis and Yemen civil war at the forefront of issues in the Middle East, MBS has little room to maneuver with an ascendent Iran.

MBS told CBS, “Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible.”




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The Next Destruction: Homes in the Community of Tal Binyamin will be destroyed in 4 months

In the next four months, 15 buildings are slated for destruction in Tal Binyamin (Tapuach West), in Samaria. So far, the residents don’t know where they will be going or if they will be able to build new homes in the areas allotted to them in a High Court decision.

Twenty years ago, young families moved up to the “Tal Binyamin” hill (named after Talya and Binyamin Kahane HY”D, who were murdered in a shooting attack in 2001), just west of Kfar Tapuach, with the assistance of the Settlement Division, in accordance with decisions made by the State. One of those families were Rivka and Moshe Herzlich. Moshe is the brother of Talya Kahane HY”D, after whom the outpost is named.

There are currently 10 families there, and many children. Three years ago, Palestinians from a nearby village petitioned the courts to claim ownership of the land.The State’s decision was that some of the homes deviated just tens of meters outside of State land. As a result, the family homes in Tal Binyamin were declared to be outside of State lands. In the meantime, the Court ruled that the 15 buildings on the hill, including 9 homes and 6 buildings used for agricultural purposes, sheds, etc. must be evacuated, destroyed and rebuilt – moved to within State lands. Some of the mobile structures will be rebuilt only 50-100 meters away (from where they are now). The evacuation is to be completed within 4 months (until 22 June).

In the State’s response, it was said that the State is moving to legalize the area by officiallydeclaring it  State land. The State is moving to prepare an area of about 1000 dunam near the settlement, to be allocated to the local council to build a neighborhood. At the end of the process, the long-awaited legalization is to take place, and hundreds more residential units will be able to be built on the site.

The problem is that the road that links the neighborhood and the settlement, passes through land under survey. The State has until 22 April to present an affidavit to the Court that the survey procedures have ended and that the land can be declared.

The home of the Herzlichs, who have 8 children, is slated for destruction because it cannot be replicated. The family has to prepare and build an alternative home only 50 meters away from its present location. In practice, however, the proposal has yet to be realized due to bureaucratic problems. This is despite the fact that the Ministry of Defense is making every effort to complete procedures as soon as possible.

The Director of the Samarian Regional Council this week informed Herzlich that according to a new decision, there are changes that have been made to the agricultural areas, so that not all the structures involved in agriculture can be moved to the new area.

The Herzlich family is presently conducting a mass fundraising campaign via the crowdfunding platform JGive    ,to replicate their home in its new location. According to them, within a week they will start construction of their new home, which will be done simply and quickly in order to meet the deadline.

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Bibi Netanyahu to Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales: “Thank You for Recognizing Jerusalem”

Prime Minister Netanyahu, met with Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales today (March 8th) as part of his trip to Washington. Netanyahu said began his meeting with the following statement:

“Thank you for everything you’re doing, for recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. I hope soon you will move your embassy to Jerusalem; we hope.”

In response Morales said: “It is an honor and it is the right thing to do.”

On December 25th, just after President Donald Trump decided to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, President Morales did the same with this now famous Facebook post:

“Dear people of Guatemala, today I spoke with the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. We are talking about the excellent relations that we have had as nations since Guatemala supported the creation of the state of Israel.

One of the most important topics was the return of the embassy of Guatemala to Jerusalem.

So I inform you that I have instructed the chancellor to initiate the respective coordination so that it may be.

God bless you.”

During their meeting Prime Minister Netanyahu President Morales discussed deepening bilateral ties and cooperation between Israel and Guatamela. Guatemalan President Morales invited Prime Minister Netanyahu to visit his country. The Prime Minister thanked him for the invitation and also invited him to visit Israel.