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Articles by Yaacov Ayish
Israel, US must confront China threat - opinion
As Israel formulates its approach to the Biden administration, one priority needs to be the development of a cooperative strategy for addressing China and its rise. Israel and the United States view China differently, and that divergence will remain a source of bilateral tension until a joint approach is formulated. The urgency of a joint US-Israel approach to China is highlighted by two recent developments.
How to Lose the Nuclear Game in the Middle East
Amid a devastating pandemic that has killed more than two and a half million people globally, forced families apart, and upended the global economy, it is no surprise that Iran’s nuclear program isn’t dominating public discourse. Yet a collective failure to reckon with its dangers—and, more pressingly, of a deal that fails to permanently prevent Iran from obtaining the bomb—could have disastrous ramifications years down the line.
The Biden Administration Must Fix Flawed Iran Nuclear Deal
Israel is widely suspected of orchestrating the recent assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, an Iranian brigadier general and scientist believed to have founded the regime’s covert nuclear weapons program. If true, the incident once again demonstrates Israel’s willingness to use force to stymie Iran’s nuclear capabilities, which it views as a critical threat.
International Community Must Constrain Hezbollah to Protect Israel
The use of human shields is among the most heinous violations of international law – and a favored tactic of Hezbollah, as recent events have once again illustrated. An arms depot belonging to the Shiite terrorist group exploded in a southern Lebanese house on September 22, a week before the Israeli military identified three Hezbollah missile sites in Beirut. Two were underneath residential buildings where dozens of families live, and another near two gas companies and a gas station.
Israel must partner with US in the great power competition with China
Amid China’s race to overcome American regional and global dominance, there have been growing concerns in Washington over Beijing’s access to Israeli technologies. PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY President Mahmoud Abbas attends a virtual meeting about Israel and the UAE normalizing ties, in Ramallah on September 3.
Israel’s Security Imperatives in the Jordan Valley
While there has been much debate over Jerusalem’s expected decision to apply Israeli law to the Jordan Valley, the move’s underlying security imperative is not often recognized. As a retired Israeli major general, I believe that Israeli sovereignty over the valley is critical to Israel’s ability to defend itself by itself. The benefits outweigh the potential costs, and the move would not preclude a future agreement with the Palestinians. Israel faces myriad security threats.
Israel’s Security Imperatives in the Jordan Valley
While there has been much debate over Jerusalem’s expected decision to apply Israeli law to the Jordan Valley, the move’s underlying security imperative is not often recognized. As a retired Israeli major general, I believe that Israeli sovereignty over the valley is critical to Israel’s ability to defend itself by itself. The benefits outweigh the potential costs, and the move would not preclude a future agreement with the Palestinians. Israel faces myriad security threats.
Israel Can Help America Keep Its Technological Edge
Tensions between the United States and China continue to escalate amid the coronavirus crisis and show no signs of abating. One long-standing rivalry surrounds the race to control emerging technologies that will shape the future. To improve its position, America should intensify collaboration with allies who are technology trailblazers, like Israel.
New fires fanned by strong winds flare near Chernobyl in Ukraine
More than 1,000 people are involved in trying to extinguish the fires. By REUTERS APRIL 16, 2020 21:25 A view shows burning trees and a road covered in heavy smoke in the exclusion zone around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (photo credit: STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE OF UKRAINE IN KIEV REGION/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS) New fires broke out in the area around the defunct Chernobyl nuclear plant on Thursday, fanned by heavy winds that have made it harder to put out the blaze, Ukrainian officials said.
World Jewish Congress releases videos ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day
The WJC had initially intended to bring over 50 people who were born in the Bergen-Belsen Displaces Persons camp back to where they were born, but the initiative was postponed due to COVID-19. Ronald Lauder in his New York Office (photo credit: NOA GRAYEVSKY) The World Jewish Congress (WJC), in light of Holocaust Memorial Day events being postponed worldwide due to the coronavirus pandemic, has releaased numerous video clips and films relating to the Holocaust for the public to watch online.
Hilltop youth escape IDF quarantine facility
Group is suspected of attacking three Palestinians earlier this week. An Israeli border police officer and Israeli soldier at a temporary "checkpoint" in Jerusalem on April 16, 2020. (photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90) A group of far-right youth who were placed in a coronavirus quarantine facility by the IDF near the Dead Sea have escaped from the facility, taking thousands of shekels worth of military equipment with them.
RIGHT FROM WRONG: Israel’s ‘no exit’ strategy?
Hebrew memes circulating on social media poked fun at the current form of warfare, which involves not charging at the enemy with tanks and rifles, but rather binging on Netflix and junk food. A man wears a face mask with David Star at the Nachlaot Neighborhood in Jerusalem on April 12, 2020. A full closure on 17 Jerusalem Neighborhoods went into effect today at noon in efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
COVID-19 defeats the last of the Partisan Avengers
Benjamin Levin, a partisan who lived in the Vilna forests and survived a Siberian gulag, succumbed to COVID-19.
Educating the Educators about the Holocaust
An interview with three professors participating in the March of the Living Dean's Program. By MATAN DANSKER APRIL 16, 2020 18:21 Professor David Machlis (photo credit: Courtesy) Professor David Machlis, an economist at Adelphi University in New York and is co-founder and vice chairman of the March of the Living, which is the largest annual international, experiential Holocaust education program in the world. It has taken place in Poland without interruption since its inception in 1988.
'Never Means Never' campaign shows importance of fighting antisemitism
‘Corona will come to an end, but there will be no end to our fight against antisemitism and racism,’ says March of the Living president Phyllis Heideman. By TALIA LEVIN APRIL 16, 2020 17:08 DR. SHMUEL ROSENMAN, co-founder and chairman of the International March of the Living, flanked by Mossad head Yossi Cohen (left) and Shin Bet head Nadav Argaman in 2018 (photo credit: YOSSI ZELIGER) The March of the Living has taken place in Auschwitz-Birkenau annually for the past 32 years.
Kinneret water level rises by 2.5 cm over 48 hours, 16 cm below red line
In February, the Water Authority announced that it would open the dam in late March if the Kinneret reached 20 centimeters below the upper red line. Kinneret water level continues to rise, April 16, 2020 (photo credit: FIRAS TALHAMI/WATER AUTHORITY) The water level of the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) rose by 2.5 cm between Tuesday and Thursday, bringing the water level to 208.96 meters below sea level, according to the Water Authority.
Coronavirus damage to Israeli businesses valued at $12b.
Industries hit hardest by the coronavirus outbreak include the tourism sector, hospitality, and non-food retail, which have all seen revenues drop by more than 80%. A man carries his shopping bags and wears a face mask in a street in Ashkelon while Israel tightened a national stay-at-home policy following the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Ashkelon, Israel March 20, 2020.
Coronavirus in Israel's Arab sector 'was a matter of time'
Authorities fear the number of cases will rise and call on the government to impose a lockdown for Ramadan Home Front Command representatives give toys to an Arab-Israeli woman (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) It was a matter of time before the coronavirus struck the Arab villages in Israel, spreading like an unchecked wildfire among families living in multi-generational homes.
The culinary mystery behind shaped stone balls in Paleolithic Israel
The Qesem Cave was inhabited between 400,000 and 200,000 years ago.
Coronavirus survey: Israelis getting used to the situation
When asked to rank their current stress level, respondents answered with an average of 5.22 on a scale of one to ten.
Coronavirus: Jewish pop star Pink donates homemade soup to those in need
Pink encouraged her fans and followers to follow her example and donate food to those in need during these trying times. U.S. singer P!NK smiles during a question and answer session at Humberside Collegiate Institute in Toronto April 7, 2006. (photo credit: REUTERS) Jewish pop-rock singer Pink has donated homemade soup to people in need during the coronavirus outbreak, she announced over social media, using the hashtag #feelsgoodtodogood.
How Israel's Home Front Command has mobilized hotels to fight coronavirus
Israel mobilizes hotels to fight coronavirus; the ‘Magazine’ went to one to see how this unique approach is giving people a chance to socialize while living with the contagion. THE YA’ARIM Hotel in Ma’aleh HaHamisha has been transformed into a place of recovery for those with mild symptoms who are healthy, catering to haredi guests who have been tested (photo credit: SETH J.
How New York hassidic communities have been buffeted by coronavirus
‘We didn’t want to get up in the morning because we didn't want to hear any more bad news.’ On the streets of Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighborhood (photo credit: SERGE ATTAL/FLASH90) The news from the Jewish communities of New York has been fearful and unrelenting. Every day of the last few weeks has brought bitter tidings of more victims of the coronavirus epidemic, more funerals and more sorrow.
IDF not thinking about an exit strategy from the coronavirus
Troops from closed bases will be allowed to return home Sunday for 3-4 days IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi visits Bnei Brak (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) The IDF is not considering an exit strategy but rather a strategy to handle the coronavirus for the coming months, the military said Thursday. “We understand that it’s going to be a long term event but at the same time people want to return to their lives,” IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Hidai Zilberman told reporters.
Navigating the crisis: How does El Al's anticipated bailout stack up?
Rescue package negotiations between Israel's flagship carrier El Al and the Finance Ministry are still ongoing after more than six weeks of talks and repeated warnings of imminent collapse. An Israeli flag is seen on the first of Israel's El Al Airlines order of 16 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner jets, as it lands at Ben Gurion International Airport, near Tel Aviv (photo credit: REUTERS/AMIR COHEN) This, in addition to some $50b. in grants and loans offered under the Trump Administration's $2tn.
Yad Vashem launching testimonial channel for Holocaust survivors
Yad Vashem will be launching a temporary television channel for Holocaust survivors to share their stories in partnership with Cellcom TV. PEOPLE VISIT the Hall of Names at the Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Center in May. (photo credit: RONEN ZVULUN / REUTERS) Yad Vashem, in partnership with Cellcom TV, will be launching a testimonial television channel for Holocaust survivors on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day, April 20.
ASAP, ACPAI launch portal to report coronavirus-related discrimination
“The Jewish and Asian-American communities have been unfairly targeted for the spread of this deadly virus,” said Ronald S. Lauder. Antisemitic sticker found stuck to the window of a Hamburg subway car.
IDF tech to convert simple breathing device into ventilator
Monitors will convert CPAP machines into respirators for corona patients The monitor the IDF created in cooperation with Sheba hospital (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) As the number of coronavirus cases continues to grow, Israel’s Health Ministry has placed an order for 1,000 advanced monitors developed by the IDF which will help convert simple breath regulating devices into respirators.
Israelis underestimating gravity of gov't surveillance, expert warns
“The Israeli public is not aware of their right to privacy as citizens in other countries are, maybe it is not in our culture, we consider ourselves very open,” Dr. Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler said.
Coronavirus: India charges Muslim leader with culpable homicide
India's tally of coronavirus infections has since jumped to 12,380, including 414 deaths. By REUTERS APRIL 16, 2020 09:17 A man watches India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation on a television announcing the extension of a nationwide lockdown till May 3, to limit the spreading of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in in New Delhi, India, April 14, 2020.
The case for supporting museums in the time of COVID-19
There is significant historic precedence for supporting arts and cultural organizations during times of significant economic and global crises. By RACHEL LITHGOW APRIL 16, 2020 15:33 Tower of Faces at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (photo credit: WIKIMEDIA) When I was a little girl, my favorite place in the world was New York’s American Museum of Natural History.
Thousands join virtual March of the Living Memorial Project
During the past day, public figures, Jewish leaders and ambassadors sent their messages in remembrance of those who perished during the Holocaust. The virtual plaques were written in memory of Holocaust victims and in honor of Holocaust survivors, and include messages stressing the need to fight antisemitism and racism wherever they are found.
US officials investigating possible coronavirus origin in Wuhan lab
Intelligence officials do not believe the virus was a bioweapon deliberately developed by China, but may have been transmitted from a bat to a human in the laboratory.
Israeli professor to donate $1m. to WHO following Trump funding cuts
"In the spirit of global solidarity, we call upon all people to cooperate and help each other in these difficult times." Yuval Noah Harari of Hebrew University of Jerusalem attends a session at the 50th World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2020 (photo credit: REUTERS/DENIS BALIBOUSE) Prof.
Rivlin hands mandate to Knesset, bypassing Netanyahu
The president says he doesn’t see possibility of forming a government, and hopes Knesset members can form a majority to prevent fourth elections. An empty Knesset Plenum (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST) President Reuven Rivlin called time on Blue and White leader Benny Gantz’s efforts to form a government, bypassed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and gave the mandate to form a coalition to the Knesset, on Thursday morning.
Coronavirus death toll surges to 141 people
29 residents of senior center in Ashkelon infected * Government to discuss exit strategy Lockdown on some Jerusalem neighborhoods begins in effort to stop coronavirus spread, April 12, 2020 (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM) The number of people sick with the novel coronavirus rose to 12,591 on Thursday, as the Passover closure was lifted. Some 174 people are in serious condition, among them 140 who are intubated. Some 141 people have died and 2,626 people have recovered from the virus.
Foreign Ministry projects, risks, opportunities in post-coronavirus days
When it comes to countries turning inward in light of the pandemic, Oren Anolik and Uri Resnick pointed out that Israel has mostly benefited from globalization. Foreign ministry workers seen at the foreign minister situation room at the Ministry of Foreign affairs in Jerusalem on February 13, 2020.
Can you get COVID-19 twice?
“We cannot predict how long immunity to this virus will stand,” Prof. Ronit Sarid explained.
Jewish WWE announcer Howard Finkel dies at age 69
Details surrounding his death have yet to be made public. By JERUSALEM POST STAFF APRIL 16, 2020 19:32 Sammy Guevara and Yuval Goldschmidt hit the air and the canvas at IPWA's Cinema City Wrestling show in Ramat Hasharon (photo credit: SAGI DAYAN) Howard Finkel, a Jewish announcer for the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) passed away on Thursday, at the age of 69. Details surrounding his death have yet to be made public. The WWE made Finkel's death known, while adding their condolences.
Coronavirus testing continues to plague Israel’s Health Ministry
Grotto: ‘The challenge is one of both quantity and quality’ Magen David Adom medical team members, wearing protective gear, are handling a Coronavirus test from a patient in Jerusalem, April 7, 2020. (photo credit: OLIVIER FITOUSSI/FLASH90) Speaking Thursday, a day after the Health Ministry reported conducting 9,269 tests - down from 11,501 on April 14 and 10,401 the day before - Grotto defended his ministry.
#NeverMeansNever: 'To Forget would Kill the Victim a Second Time'
This year’s March of the Living has been cancelled due to the Coronavirus. In its place, a wide-ranging campaign entitled ‘Never Means Never’, is being launched to combat anti-Semitism and racism. Holding a Torah scroll, Ed Mosberg marches with his granddaughter on the March of the Living in 2018. (photo credit: MARCH OF THE LIVING) “To forgive or forget would mean to kill the victim a second time.
Education system prepares to reopen: Smaller classes, no elderly teachers
Earlier on Thursday, the Director-General of the Health Ministry Moshe Bar Siman Tov stated that the return to studies would not happen soon. A GROUP of junior high school students are demanding the government fulfill its educational duty to them.
Palestinian official hopeful a prisoner swap will be reached soon
“We are hopeful that a balanced deal will be achieved.
Muslim helps haredi woman with coronavirus light Passover candles
The woman, who had lit candles on every occasion for 70 years straight, was able to keep her tradition going. By JERUSALEM POST STAFF APRIL 16, 2020 14:28 Ebrahim Ayuty holding the candles he purchased for the woman. (photo credit: UNITED HATZALAH) A 90-year-old haredi woman from Bnei Brak was evacuated to a coronavirus hotel in Tel Aviv after testing positive for COVID-19 just before the last day of Passover.
Antisemitism in the time of coronavirus
Along came the Coronavirus and a flashback to medieval and Nazi-style defamation, such as the accusation that French Health Minister, Agnès Buzyn, poisoned the wells. People attend a national gathering to protest antisemitism and the rise of antisemitic attacks in the Place de la Republique in Paris, France, February 19, 2019.
Morocco blocks evacuation of Israeli citizens after spat with UAE
In the meantime, the Israelis stuck in Morocco are split between hotels in Marakesh and the Jewish community in Casablanca By JERUSALEM POST STAFF APRIL 16, 2020 10:54 Tourists wait to be repatriated to their countries from Marrakech airport, Morocco (photo credit: YOUSSEF BOUDLAL / REUTERS) After agreeing to allow the evacuation of Israeli citizens from the country due to the coronavirus outbreak, Morocco subsequently blocked the evacuation after Israel and the United Arab Emirates agreed...
Austin school district provides WiFi school bus hotspots for students
Within this transition comes complication, mainly with low-income families who will have a hard time adjusting to this change in scenery, either due to lack of resources, internet connection, etc.
Polish leaders block bill stopping restitution of property
Poland’s ruling party took a stand on Wednesday against a far-right push to stop the restitution of property owned by Jews and others before the Holocaust. By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ/JTA APRIL 16, 2020 04:49 JEWS LIVING in a shtetl in Poland (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons) Poland’s ruling party took a stand on Wednesday against a far-right push to stop the restitution of property owned by Jews and others before the Holocaust.
Russia carried out anti-satellite missile test - US military
The test was of Russia's new Nudol anti-satellite missile system, analysts projected, launching from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome about 800 km (497 miles) north of Moscow. By REUTERS APRIL 16, 2020 04:43 Satellite view of Israel and the Middle East (photo credit: COURTESY NASA/PUBLIC DOMAIN) Russia carried out a test of an anti-satellite missile on Wednesday, the US military said, calling it an example of the threats the United States faced in space.
Gates ups pandemic funds to $250 mil, Trump WHO move makes 'no sense'
President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday a halt in US funding to the WHO, saying it had "failed in its basic duty" in allowing the pandemic to take hold. By REUTERS APRIL 16, 2020 04:31 Bill Gates (photo credit: WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS) Pulling funding from the World Health Organization (WHO) is a dangerous and nonsensical move when the world is facing the health crisis brought by the COVID-19 disease pandemic, Melinda Gates said on Wednesday.
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