Who is Anwar Eshki and Why is he Leading a Saudi Delegation to Israel?

Dore Gold, the Foreign Ministry Director General met with a Saudi delegation headed by ex-general Anwar Eshki. Never mind the fact that Saudis were so openly visiting with Israelis in Israel, the fact that such a high-profile and high ranking Saudi was heading the delegation has given buzz to a variety of internet rumors.

Both the Saudis and Israel have not tried to hide their once covert operation against Iran.  What has confused observers is the extent of the cooperation.  The Saudis and other Gulf States know that Israel will never be a danger to their regimes.  Up until now Israel had been an interesting foil for the autocratic leaders throughout the Sunni world, but now that Iran, emboldened by Russia, China, and the Obama administration looms like a menace over the Arabian peninsula, Israel is far more helpful against their mutual threat.

Besides the nuclear threat, Iranian subterfuge and active support for Shiite separatist movements and uprising in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have unnerved Riyadh and its allies. All of this is backdrop on Anwar Eshki’s visit to Jerusalem and burgeoning alliance between Israel and the Sunni states.

As of last year Eshki and Gold spoke together at a CFR sponsored event. Both outlined why it is ultimately necessary to work together against Iranian expansionism.  There were obvious differences, but the two painted a picture of tremendous mutual cooperation.

Anwar Eshki has been the main proponent of reaching out to Israel and seeking their cooperation against the Iranian regime.

“The main project between me and Dore Gold is to bring peace between Arab countries and Israel,” Anwar Eshki said in Wall Street Journal interview published last August. “This is personal, but my government knows about the project. My government isn’t against it, because we need peace. For that reason, I found Dore Gold. He likes his country. I like my country. We need to profit from each other.”

“We didn’t talk much about Iran at first,” he continued, “but I found that our idea and their idea was close together against Iran. We don’t like Iran to destabilize the area. We don’t like for Iran to attack Israel and destroy Israel. And we also don’t like for Israel to attack Iran and destroy Iran. This is my idea. He has another idea. But we are together.”

The meeting between Gold and Eshki come at a time of increasing chaos in the region.  Many observers believe that the Arab world has moved beyond the Palestinian issue as is evidenced in cooperation between Israel and Abu Dubai, Oman, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia on issues beyond security.  The Gulf States have realized that they need to learn how Israel has built an innovation power house in order to diversify their economies.

Israel and Arab Peace A Long Way Off, but Progress is at Hand

The Arab Initiative as a peace plan still exists.  It is floated every once in a while, but it is clear both sides have decided to let their differing contours for peace remain on the sidelines and instead focus on solutions and progress in the security and development spheres.

General Anwar Eshki’s visit is visible proof that peace is not necessary for cooperation, especially when the enemy is at your collective doors.

Is Jerusalem Under Seige?

When Jerusalem’s light rail was finally finished and operational, the first worry was how to protect it from a terrorist attack.  Over a decade ago, suicide bombers targeted the city’s busses at will, until Ariel Sharon launched operation Defensive Shield. Today Jerusalem witnessed a frighteningly close call when a potential suicide bomber was stopped in his tracks.

A suspicious man carrying a bag was stopped on the train and when the bag was opened, explosives were found.  On one hand what happened is testament to the security services successful strategy, on the hand as the mayor Nir Barkat suggested, the city was saved only by a miracle.

Up until now the light rail suffered plenty of rock attacks when he reached Arab neighborhoods. The residents of Jerusalem have grown used to this occurence, but a bombing is a whole different manner. No one wants to relive those dark days of the second intifada, when Jerusalem felt as if it was under siege.

The light rail must have increased security and the mayor may have to do what he has been reluctant to do and that is closing the light rail stops that go through Arabs neighborhoods in order to cut down on flow potential terrorist into the heart of the city.

Headlines June 5: Jerusalem Day, 2-state Security Proposal, India’s Bnei Menashe

Mayor Barkat says contested Jerusalem Day march in Old City ‘appropriate’
[The Jerusalem Post]

 

Israel on Friday announced a series of gestures to relax restrictions on the movement of Palestinian Arabs during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
[Arutz Sheva]

 

Arabs were involved in 59 percent of the murders in Israel in 2015, almost three times their share in the population (21 percent)
[Haaretz]

 

Israel will spend 8.1 millions shekels, or about 2 million dollars, to bring more than 712 members of India’s Bnei Menashe community to Israel this year.
[Forward]

 

Former Israeli and US security and diplomacy officials have presented two proposals for achieving a two-state solution, based on systems that they say would satisfy Israel’s security needs in the West Bank while providing Palestinians the sovereignty they require.
[The Jerusalem Post]

Ain’t Dividing Jerusalem!

Seemingly in connection with the upcoming 49th anniversary of the liberation of Jerusalem in the Six Day War of 1967, Israeli Channel 10 has put out a program “investigating” the current possibility of redividing and abandoning Jerusalem. This is despite the fact that hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of Jews around the world view the reunification of Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty as a miraculous event. (However, not as “miraculous” as the fact that Channel 10 still exists regardless of the fact that no one watches it.)

Here is a link to their program: http://10tv.nana10.co.il/Article/?ArticleID=1190486
I thought it would be helpful to go through some of the various inaccuracies and faults in the piece and then provide a more accurate (albeit brief) description of the current situation.
In the piece, 2 leftist reporters travel to a few mixed neighborhoods in Jerusalem – Maale Zeitim/Ras al-Amud, Kfar Teimanim/Ir Dovid/Silwan and the Old City. They speak with both Jews and Muslims along the way to understand the “real situation”.
Cost of Security:
One of the issues that seems to really bother the “reporters” is the cost of security for the Jews living in the mixed neighborhoods. First of all, I’m not sure we put a price limit on security – it’s pretty important. However, if one would want to, it’s not the simplest of sciences. For example, ,leftists complained about the supposed high cost of securing the Gaza Strip and its Jewish residents before the “disengagement”. However, this pales in comparison to the cost of having the airport for the entire country closed for days and for the Iron Dome batteries that are now necessary as a result of that disastrous policy.  Would these “security experts” prefer that the residents defended themselves? I think its safe to say that they would be at least slightly more aggressive and costly than the current system.
Legal Extortion Claim:
While in Ir Dovid, the “investigators” suggested that if Jews are unable to purchase specific houses from arabs, they seek legal action to have the arabs evicted. This is preposterous. Does anyone really believe that Jewish activists simply file frivolous legal cases against random Arabs in an attempt to steal their legally owned houses? It only gets more and more absurd!
Niso Shacham vs. Arieh King:
Next, after taking shots at all of the Jewish residents of the area, they decide to take aim at one particular resident – Arieh King. One doesn’t have to agree with all of King’s ideas, but he is a member of City Council, the head of a non-profit organization and not accused of any crimes. This is in stark contrast to the infamous and disgraced Niso Shacham, who is brought in to malign Mr. King. Shockingly (even to me), nothing is mentioned of Shacham’s dishonorable removal from the police force for a whole slew of crimes, such as sexual harassment, fraud and indecent acts. This guy is a pariah, not a source of credible information. This is beyond pathetic!
Arab “Testimony”:
Of course its only reasonable to hear from the arab residents. So we get to hear from Mr. Rajabi in Kfar Teimanim/Silwan. Its remarkable that Mr. Rajabi finds time to breathe in between all the lies and nonsense he is spouting. He owns everything and there is no terror. Wow. This is not even questioned by our seasoned reporters. They could have easily researched the number of attacks on Jews in Silwan – in the thousands – before speaking to this known liar and instigator. They even complain about the lack of cooperation they receive from the Jewish residents to provide proof of the attacks – while standing in front of a door covered in paint and ash from numerous attacks! Nobody is this stupid. The agenda is clear.
Borders:
When examining the previous, and what they hope is the future border dividing Jerusalem, there is no mention of previously Jewish neighborhoods, like Shimon HaTzadik/Nachalat Shimon and Nissan Bek, that existed and again exist on the “wrong side of the border”. So they bring in an “expert” – Danny Tirza – the famed planner of the “Separation Fence/Wall that is “protecting” us from terror. Of course he is unable to conclude that his life work is a total waste of time and inconsequential and therefore posits that Jerusalem can still be redivided, despite the efforts of those trying to prevent that. However, he does say one important thing: If Jews build in “Abu Dis”/ Kidmat Tzion, then the whole scheme will have been scuttled. I can’t think of a better pitch to be used by those trying to attain support for this project. G-d willing, success is right around the corner!
Conclusion:
The major failure of the program is the lack of focus on MOMENTUM. Where is the momentum? Clearly, the momentum is on the side of those strengthening the Jewish Presence in all of Jerusalem. The successes of Ateret Cohanim, Ir Dovid/ELAD, Arieh King and others in just the past few years is staggering. And there is no reason to believe that the pace will do anything but increase. As lawsuits conclude – in our favor! – and as more and more Arabs see the financial incentive to sell (like just a few weeks ago in the “Muslim Quarter”), the number of Jews living in these areas will increase dramatically. Another glaring example that will prove the point (but of course was was ignored in the leftist propaganda news report), is Kfar Teimanim. The number of Jewish residences has more than doubled in the last 2 years and will likely double again in the next year or so. Additionally, the historical Yemenite Great Synagogue has been reclaimed and is in the process of full renovation. The number of new Jewish residents in Ir Dovid in the past few years has also skyrocketed. The Shepherd Hotel Project, next to Shimon HaTzadik neighborhood, is nearing completion. Additional building projects are awaiting approval in Shimon HaTzadik, Beit Hanina, Silwan, the Old City, and of course, Kidmat Tzion.
The leftist dream of a divided Jerusalem is turning into a nightmare very quickly. They are just too asleep to realize. “Jerusalem, if I forget you…”
Yom Yerushalayim Sameach!
Ben Packer
Old City, Jerusalem

Silent Intifada Weekly Report [March 4 2016]

The Silent Intifada is produced weekly by HaKol HaYehudi, a magazine focused on the rights of Israeli residents of Judea and Samaria.  The Silent Intifada is the newest edition to our content partnership network.

12 Jews were injured in over 100 terror attacks this week.

This week as almost every week there were dozens of terror attacks of varying severity not reported in most major media outlets. We report on these silenced events to present a fuller picture of the reality in Israel and balance the picture presented to innocent readers abroad. We hope that by reporting these incidents we can raise awareness so that actions can be taken to rectify this problem and improve reality in the Jewish State.

This past week (Friday Feb. 26th- Thurs. Mar. 3rd) there were over 115 terror attacks recorded in the ‘Silent Intifada’ updates on Hakol Hayehudi. Among these were shootings, stabbings, attempted stabbings, and an attempted lynching. In addition, there were a number of incidents of arson and throwing of stones and firebombs at vehicles, homes, and individuals. Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are thrown at IDF forces in several incidents and at Jewish homes. Twelve Jews were injured as a result of these attacks.

Penetrations into Jewish towns throughout Judea and Samaria have become standard during this terror wave. On Monday Feb. 29th two Arabs, armed with knives, penetrated the town of Eli. The two approached a family home and when the husband opened the door, they began attacking him. He managed to close the door on them and keep them outside. He was injured lightly as a result of the attack. During searches of the area, the two Arabs attempted to stab soldiers and were shot.

On Thursday, an Arab stabbed a police officer near the town of Uja and injured him.

On Wednesday, Arabs stabbed two soldiers near the town of Har Bracha and injured them moderately. The two terrorists fled the area. In addition, two Arabs were seen approaching the town of Yitzhar. Large forces were rushed to the area and the two Arabs were found in the area with crowbars and hammers. Strangely enough, the two were released by the Shabak after they claimed they were not terrorists and were instead simply “looking for gold”.

Also on Wednesday an Arab stabbed a Jewish farmer in the Moshav of Talmi Bilu in the Negev. Finally, that same night, Arabs opened fire on a police vehicle belonging to members of the Nationalistic Crimes Unit which focuses on harassing Jewish settlers. The two officers, who were just coming back from harassing Jews in Yitzhar, fled the scene, rather than attempting to search for the terrorists. One of the officers was injured lightly.

Another serious incident was a near-lynching that occurred in Qalandiya. Two soldiers who drove their vehicle through the town were attacked by an Arab mob that firebombed their vehicle and began shooting at them. The two managed to escape from the area and the vehicle was entirely destroyed. During operations to remove the destroyed vehicle, one soldier and one border police officer were injured.

On Friday night, an Arab worker stabbed a security guard at a mall in Maale Adumim with an axe. The security guard was injured seriously and he remains in serious condition at the Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital.

Lastly, there were several attempted attacks this week. At the Fucus checkpoint, Arabs attempted to stab soldiers. Arabs from Jalazun fired shots at the town of Beit El, but thankfully no one was injured. Arabs threw IEDs at security forces in Mevo Dotan in the northern Shomron and in Yavad in Binyamin.

Full list of attacks:

Thursday Mar. 3rd

21:18- Arabs throw firebombs at vehicles near Givat Assaf in Binyamin.

20:24- Arabs throw firebombs at IDF forces in Al Arub in Gush Etzion.

19:00- Arabs riot in Issawiya in Jerusalem.

18:15- Arabs throw stones at a bus on the Husan Bypass Road.

18:00- Arabs throw stones at Maale Levona Junction.

14:15- A Jew is injured after Arabs throw stones at him near the Old City of Jerusalem.

6:52- Stabbing: A police officer is injured when an Arab woman stabs him in Uja.

1:20- Shooting: A police officer is injured when his vehicles is shot at near Rehelim Junction in the Shomron.

Wednesday Mar. 2nd

  • Arabs throw firebombs in Marcha.
  • Arabs throw stones in Silwan.
  • Arabs throw stones in Zeita.
  • Arabs throw firebombs near Jericho.
  • Arabs riot in A-Tur in Jerusalem.
  • Arabs riot near Dir Nizem in Binyamin.
  • Arabs throw stones near Al-Fawr in Har Hevron.
  • Arabs throw stones in Dahariya in Har Hevron.
  • Arabs throw stones in Silwan in Jerusalem.
  • Arabs throw stones in Ras Al Amud in Jerusalem.
  • Arabs throw stones in Yavad.
  • Arabs throw stones in Tekoa.

23:04- Arabs place a roadblock on the Zion Road in Hevron.

21:43- Arabs throw stones at the fire station in Nazareth.

21:08- Stabbing: An Arab stabs a farmer in Talmi Bilu in the Negev.

20:30- Arabs throw firebombs at a bus near Breikha.

20:00- Arabs riot in Silwan.

19:29- Arabs throw firebombs at vehicles near Dotan in the Shomron.

19:17- Stabbing: Arabs stab two soldiers near Har Bracha.

19:07- Two Arabs are caught attempting to penetrate the town of Yitzhar in the Shomron.

18:12- Arabs throw firebombs and stones at at vehicles near Efrat.

5:20- Penetration: Two Arabs penetrate the town of Eli in Binyamin and attack a resident leaving him moderately injured.

Tuesday Mar. 1st

  • Arabs throw stones in Issawiya.
  • Arabs throw stones in Hizme.
  • Arabs throw stones in Nachal Kfira.
  • Arabs throw stones near Shaar Binyamin.
  • Arabs throw stones in Shuafat.
  • Arabs throw stones in Silwan.
  • Arabs throw stones near Rawabi.
  • Arabs throw stones in Beit Anun.
  • Arabs throw stones near the Tunnels Road to Gush Etzion.
  • Arabs throw stones in A-Tur.
  • Arabs throw stones near Rachel’s Tomb.
  • Arabs throw stones in Abu Dis.
  • Arabs throw stones in Ras Al Amud in Jerusalem.
  • Arabs throw stones near Halhul in Har Hevron.

22:42- Arabs riot near Har Adar.

22:01- Arabs throw stones at vehicles near the Maccabim checkpoint on Route 443.

20:01- Arabs throw firebombs at a bus near Beit Umar in Gush Etzion.    

16:17- Arabs throw firebombs at a bus near Beit Umar in Gush Etzion.

15:16- Arabs throw stones near Al-Hadr in Gush Etzion.

14:47- Arabs throw stones and riot in Madama in the Shomron.

14:05- Arabs throw stones near Azun in the Shomron.

13:43- Arabs throw stones in Hevron.

1:05- Arabs riot in Anata.

Monday Feb. 29th

  • Arabs throw stones near Zeita in the Shomron.
  • Arabs riot in Hevron.
  • Arabs throw stones near Hizme.
  • Arabs riot in Silwan in Jerusalem.

22:50- Shooting: An Arab mob attempts to lynch two soldiers in Qalandiya. The soldiers’ vehicle is set on fire and the soldiers manage to escape the mob. During efforts to retrieve the destroyed vehicle, one soldier and one border police officer are injured.

22:32- Arabs throw an IED at IDF forces near Mevo Dotan in the Shomron.

20:00- Arabs throw stones near Pesagot in Binyamin.

19:24- Arabs set fire to trees in Sde Kalev in Har Hevron.

16:51- Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Sinjil in Binyamin.

16:44- Arabs throw stones at vehicles in Hawara.

10:28- Arabs throw firebombs at a vehicle at the Beitot Junction in the Shomron.

Sunday Feb. 28th

  • Arabs throw stones in Silwan.
  • Arabs throw stones near Al Bira.
  • Arabs riot in Abu Dis.
  • Arabs riot near Yasuf in the Shomron.
  • Arabs from Yavrud throw stones at vehicles near Ofra.
  • Arabs throw firebombs at vehicles near Nili.
  • Arabs throw firebombs at vehicles near Assaf Junction.
  • Arabs throw stones in Joyes.
  • Arabs throw stones near Efrat.
  • Arabs throw stones near Yavad.

22:26- ARabs throw stones at vehicles near Beit Umar in Gush Etzion.

20:18- Arabs throw stones at a bus near the Old City of Jerusalem.

20:00- Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Silwad in Binyamin.

19:34- Arabs throw stones at vehicles on Route 443.

17:20- A police officer is injured from stone throwing by Arabs during rioting in Issawiya.

13:38- Arabs place a roadblock consisting of stones near Susiya.

11:56- Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Al-Hadr in Gush Etzion causing damage.

8:22- Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Azun.

Shabbat Feb. 27th

  • Arabs throw firebombs at vehicle on Route 60 near Migron.
  • Arabs throw stones in Silwan.
  • Arabs throw stones at Beit Ovadiah.
  • Arabs throw stones near Tapuach Junction in the Shomron.
  • Arabs riot in Yavad.
  • Arabs riot in Abu Tor in Jerusalem.
  • Arabs riot in Shuafat in Jerusalem.

22:58- Arabs throw firebombs at vehicles near Beit Umar in Gush Etzion.

22:16- Arabs throw IEDs at IDF forces in Yavad in the Shomron.

22:08- Shooting: Arabs from Jalazun fire shots at homes in Beit El.

20:00- Arabs throw stones near Al Ram in Jerusalem.

19:10- A police officer is injured during Arab riots in Issawiya in Jerusalem.

18:56- Arabs throw stones at a police vehicle in Nazareth.

10:06- Arabs riot in Ras Al Amud in Jerusalem.

Friday Feb. 26th

  • Arabs throw stones at a police car in Yafia in the north.
  • Arabs throw stones near Jenia in Binyamin.
  • Arabs riot near Rachel’s Tomb.
  • Arabs attack police forces in Silwan in Jerusalem.
  • Arabs throw stones near Nachal Kfira.
  • Arabs riot in Bitunia.
  • Arabs riot near Lita.
  • Arabs riot in Ras Al Amud.
  • Arabs riot in Tekoa in Gush Etzion.
  • Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Hizme in Binyamin.
  • Arabs riot in Azun.
  • Arabs throw firebombs at IDF forces near Rachel’s Tomb.

20:10- Arabs riot near the Gaza border fence.

16:50- Attempted stabbing: An Arab attempts to stab IDF soldiers at the Fucus checkpoint.

15:23- Arabs throw stones at the Elbar army outpost.

14:37- Arabs riot near Jalazun.

13:03- Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Ariel.

13:02- Arabs riot near Bilin.

12:38- Arabs riot near Kiryat Arba.

1:50- Stabbing: An Arab stabs a security guard at a mall in Maale Adumim leaving him critically injured.