Druze Security Guard Praised for Apprehending Suicide Bomb Attacker and Saving Many Lives

On Sunday morning, a Palestinian carrying a bag with explosives was apprehended by a Druze security guard at a populated Jerusalem light rail station. A security guard spotted the suspicious man, tackled him to the ground and neutralized the threat. A bomb squad arrived and detonated the bag after closing down several blocks from vehicles and pedestrians.

The terrorist, in his 20’s and from Beit Ula near Hebron, was also found carrying several pipe bombs and knives. During questioning he admitted his plan to carry out an attack on the light rail train.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat of publicly thanked the Druze security guard and his team for their heroism. “This morning, thanks to the vigilance of the light rail security guards, a large terror attack was averted,” said Barkat. The Druze people have long been considered indigenous allies of Israel and they are upstanding citizens in Israeli society, volunteering in the army and protecting its citizens.

This attack attempt is just another one in the recent terror wave which started in October 2015 as a result of incitement by the Palestinian Authority to attack Jews.

The Anti-Defamation League, Israel Policy Forum, and the Republican Party’s Platform…Is it that Bad?

The Republican party’s platform has been hailed as the most pro-Israel platform ever.  If this is the case then why does the ADL and Israel Policy Forum have such a problem with it?

David Halperin, the executive director of the Israel Policy Forum is quoted as saying the following: “It’s unfortunate because president George W. Bush was the president who really famously articulated the idea of two states living side by side in peace and security, which is the kind of baseline goal of US policy ever since.”

According to the Jerusalem Post, Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League seemed to agree. “We are disappointed that the platform draft departs from longstanding support of a two-state solution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict – and the shared vision of successive American presidents and prime ministers of Israel, including the current leadership in both countries, who believed it was the only viable way to secure Israel as both a Jewish and democratic state. We hope the delegates will reconsider and reaffirm this pillar of U.S. policy toward Israel in the final platform,” Greenblatt said in a statement.

These two statements reflect what many mainstream Jewish leaders feel about America’s policy towards Israel. They have locked the two-state solution in as the only solution.  In an expression of pure Orwellian logic, anyone, breaking the two-state paradigm is deemed anti-Israel.  If this logic was true then the majority of Israelis that have decided to remove support for a two state solution are also anti-Israel.

What the Republican party platform actually does, is recognize that the facts on the ground have changed and the Israeli populace no longer supports the failed two-states for two peoples paradigm as a solution to the Israeli-Arab conflict. If anything the RNC should be praised for acknowledging the truth, not derided.

American Jewish leadership is at a cross-roads.  With Israel rising to a stature of global leadership, it no longer is as reliant on America, especially American Jews for help.  This puts self proclaimed American Jewish leaders in a tight spot. The faster they realize that a strong independent Israel means disposing of the two-state solution, there will be more of chance that these moribund organizations will remain relevant, but that kind of thinking would take a miracle.

Headlines July 12: Temple Mount Visit in Memory of Ariel, Israel Attacks Sinai Terrorists

13-year-old terror victim’s parents, accompanied by many friends and supporters, go up to Temple Mount.
[Arutz Sheva]

 

Israeli Drones Attack Sinai Terrorists with Egypt’s Approval
[The Jewish Press]

 

PM Netanyahu meets with former British PM Tony Blair and discuss the future of peace and security in the region.
[Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

 

Terrorist sentenced to life for deadly Jerusalem bus attack
[Arutz Sheva]

 

Israel to UNESCO: ‘We’re not ISIS, don’t sever our ties to the Temple Mount’
[The Jerusalem Post]

 

Liberman bans group ‘set up by Hezbollah and Iran to attack Israelis’
[The Jerusalem Post]

Headlines July 11: Facebook Terror Lawsuit, Azaria Crowdfunding, Philistine Cemetery

Facebook charged with aiding terror in billion dollar lawsuit
[Arutz Sheva]

 

An online crowdfunding campaign to support IDF Sgt. Elor Azaria, who is on trial in the fatal shooting case of a subdued Palestinian attacker, reached NIS 400,000 by Monday morning, some 12 hours after it launched.
[The Jerusalem Post]

 

A Philistine cemetery has been discovered for the first time in Israel, possibly shedding light on the mystery of the Philistines’ origins. According to biblical accounts, the Philistines were the arch-foes of ancient Israel.
[The Jewish Press]

 

Israeli security forces succeed in catching Palestinian intelligence agents that were engaging in weapons dealing
[Arutz Sheva]

 

UNESCO to Question Jewish Ties to Western Wall in Arab-Sponsored Draft Resolution
[The Jewish Press]

 

Parents of fallen soldier Oron Shaul are expected to physically block the visitation of families of terrorists at Nafcha Prison.
[Arutz Sheva]

Headlines July 3: Gaza Rocket Hits Kindergarten, 58 Muslim Extremists Arrested, Hamas Threatens Glick, Elie Wiesel Dies at 87

Hamas Animated Video Threatens Assassination of MK Glick
[The Jewish Press]

 

Nobel Prize winner and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel dies at 87
[The Jerusalem Post]

 

Jerusalem police have arrested 58 Muslim extremists involved in recent riots and disturbances on the Temple Mount.
[Arutz Sheva]

 

In 5-hour meeting, National Security Cabinet passes new measures to counter terrorist incitement.
[Arutz Sheva]

 

Israel welcomes the Quartet’s recognition of the centrality of Palestinian incitement and violence to the perpetuation of the conflict. This culture of hatred poisons minds and destroys lives and stands as the single greatest obstacle to progress towards peace.
[Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

 

A kindergarten building in Sderot is badly damaged in a Gaza rocket attack on the Sabbath.
[The Jewish Press]

 

In an emotional video released Sunday morning, the children of Rabbi Michael “Miki” Mark, who was murdered by Palestinian gunmen on Friday,  pleaded with the public to attend their father’s funeral.
[The Jerusalem Post]