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1. Israel Day Concert 'Rocks' New York
by Derek Cling and Eli Stutz
New York's Central Park came alive Sunday evening with the 17th Annual Israel Day Concert, attended by 20,000 people. The concert, dedicated to the memory of Dr. Manfred R. Lehmann, had a nationalist message of a united Jerusalem and a strong Israel.
Dr. Yosef Frager, concert organizer, told Israel National News that the concert was the biggest and best ever. "One major miracle was that the weather, which was predicted as cold with showers, turned out to be a beautiful day. Clearly providential," said Frager.
"Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele was the keynote speaker, followed by Likud MK Danny Danon, who made the trip in from Israel just for the concert," reported Frager. "Mr. Steele highlighted 'solidarity with Israel' as his main theme. He said, 'if you mess with Israel you are messing with 300 million Americans.'"
Frager said that Steele criticized U.S. President Obama on his mistreatment of Prime Minister Netanyahu on his recent trip to the U.S., and for not being nearly tough enough on Iran. On Jerusalem, Steele insisted that it should remain united and said that the PA is not really serious about peace. "Steele told me that he was looking forward to his trip to Israel," Frager said, "and MK Danon invited Steele to speak in the Knesset."
Other speakers included Davi Ha'Ivri, Rabbi Pesach Lerner, future Congressman and former New York Jets linebacker Michael Faulkner, future Congressman from North Miami Beach Courey Poitier (cousin of Sidney Poitier), Rabbi David Algaze, Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum, and Assemblyman David Weprin. The concert emcee was Nachum Segal, assisted by concert chairman Dr. Paul Brody.
Performers at the concert included Eitan Katz, Elad Snir, Israeli pianist extraordinaire Shlomi Aharoni, Gershon Veroba, Pey Dalid, Izzy Kieffer, YU’s new a cappella group, the Maccabeats, and Michael Ian Elias, performing songs composed by Cecelia Margules and Rami Yadid. Jerry Markovitz performed the anthems. Dr. Tzvi Pearlstein, an orthopedic surgeon from Florida, flew in to spur on the crowd with his popular pocket trumpet.
The founders of the concert are Carl and Sylvia Freyer, and the co-organizers are Meyer and Esther Chetrit and Jacqui and Tamar Ekstein.
Dr. Paul Brody, one of the organizers of the event, told Israel National Radio's Yishai Fleisher beforehand that it "promotes a united Jerusalem and the commitment to not giving up any land anywhere in Eretz Yisrael, and supports standing up to the mullahs of Iran." Brody explains that the Israel Day concert is meant to "send a message out to the people that we are showing great support" for the Nation and Land of Israel. "The main theme, however, is that Yerushalayim will be united forever because, after all, Eretz Israel and Yerushalayim is the Promised Land of the Jewish people, which will remain undivided for eternity. As it says in the Torah in Bereishit/Genesis – so from the beginning, the Land of Israel is ours, so I don’t even know why there's any kind of talk of dividing anything or giving away any part of Eretz Israel."
The concert was dedicated to the quick release of Jonathan Pollard, who has been incarcerated for over 25 years in a U.S. prison, and also to the quick release of Gilad Shalit from Hamas hands.
The concert's advertisement posters, which were put up all over New York City and beyond, show a picture of the Western Wall and proclaim "Jerusalem United Forever" and "No Further Concessions in Yehuda and Shomron." Brody says the main value in the concert being is that it "shows in massive numbers to the world and the Obama administration that we are here not to take anything sitting down and we're not going to be pushed around. The parade has its own value in Jewish pride and numbers to show what's going on."
The fact that Michael Steele spoke "is a resounding message," says Brody, "because he's a man of national stature, and I think Obama is going to be listening very well." Of MK Danny Danon, Brody says, "he's a wonderful speaker – he's not one of these politicians that signals right and turns left." In addition, David Ha'Ivri talked about standing firm in "settling the Land and not giving up Yehuda and Shomron."
Dr. Manfred R. Lehmann, to whose memory this year's concert was dedicated, "was a well known Jewish activist and philanthropist, and sort of a Renaissance man," explains Brody, who believes that "the attendance and support of everyone who comes will really help to ensure the survival of the State of Israel and the Jewish people." The concert was also held in memory of Rose and Rubin Madison of Häagen-Dazs fame.
2. “For Every Israeli Concession, a Palestinian Provocation”
by Hillel Fendel
“We are seeing a process in which every time we make another concession, we are spat upon in return,” says a top Yesha Council leader. “After Netanyahu’s two-state declaration, the Palestinians tried to have our IDF officers arrested in Europe. After we announced the construction freeze, they started calling public squares after terrorists. Now we agreed to proximity talks, and they start burning our produce.”
Naftali Bennett, director-general of the Council of Jewish Communities in Judea and Samaria (Yesha), was called upon on Sunday to address the latest burning issue, that of the PA boycott of Israeli-made produce in Yesha. The boycott is a flagrant violation of the Oslo Accords – specifically, the Paris Agreement of 1994 governing economic relations between Israel and the PA. The agreement stipulates there be no trade borders between the Israeli and Palestinian Authority economies, and is predicated on fair business practices – such as no boycotts.
Leading PA officials, such as prime minister Salam Fayyad, have pushed very strongly for the boycott, and chairman Mahmoud Abbas has joined the bandwagon as well. Abbas said over the weekend that the boycott is not illegal, “because the settlements are illegal.” This, despite the fact that neither the Fourth Geneva Convention nor the original UN Resolutions 242 and 338 declare the settlements illegal.
“The government has not taken any significant action against the PA boycott,” Bennett told Arutz-7’s Hebrew newsmagazine, “except for some weak declarations of discomfort, and so the Yesha Council is trying to fill the void, together with Knesset Members.”
The Council is working on two levels: Encouraging Israelis to purchase the boycotted products, and attempting to have the government restrict PA imports.
“We have translated, from Arabic, the list of boycotted products,” Bennett said, “so that Israelis will know what they should buy [see below – ed]. Many don’t realize that the boycott includes even products made in parts of Jerusalem, the Jordan Valley and the Golan Heights! But most important is that the government should stop PA imports. It is laughable that we allow them to trade with the world while they implement economic terrorism against us.”
A boycott of united Jerusalem areas would affect the boycotters adversely. The Har Chotsvim industrial park, adjacent to the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood which caused Biden and Obama's distress, is home to world famous Teva Pharmaceuticals and Intel, among others.
Bennett said that Israel need not fear that such a move would instigate a wave of protests against Israel. “We must stop making concessions and ignoring their aggressions,” he said. “We should have stopped the proximity talks as soon as this boycott was announced, in keeping with Netanyahu’s old policy of ‘if they give, they will get, and if they don’t give, they won’t get.’”
Israel National News has translated and abridged the Hebrew version of this list and the Yesha website has posted it in Hebrew.
Among the affected businesses are the following:
Beigel & Beigel (pretzels)
B & D (juices, rice cakes, natural spreads)
Abadi Bakery
Golan Dairy
HaSharon Fruits
Achva (halva and cookies)
Tekoa Mushrooms
Maya (spices, dry fruits)
Shamir Salads
Zahavi Yemenite Foods
Tzuriel Cheeses and Yogurts
Tara Dairies
Field Produce (nuts)
Aroma (fresh spices)
Nahar HaYarden [Jordan River] dates
Taaman (chocolates, canned foods, juices)
Achiya olive oil
Mei Eden mineral water
Adanim Tea
Super Drink
Golan Wineries
Carmel Wineries
Barkan Wineries
Rav Bariach locks and doors
Schick Design furniture
Beitili furniture
Fried blankets, towels
Carmel carpets
Palphot student aids, greeting cards
Tal-El recycling
Bianco cleaning products (Nicole, scotch-brite)
Zro’ot Barkan (electronic product stands)
Multi-Lock
Supergum rubber, plastic, insulation
Brita water filters
Gazoz carbonated drinks
Progressive kitchen utensils
Adir plastics
P.V. Ran – plastic and paper
Lipsky plastic piping
Amgazit gas products
Fibertech piping
Ay Tech computer accessories
Dr. Byte computer and office accessories
Intellinet security and marketing
Zrichah Industries
AFIC printing
Ahava mineral products
Mineral Kar
3. 'Historic' Debate to Determine if Arab MKs will Lose Privileges
by Gil Ronen
The Knesset's House Committee is set to debate Monday a proposal by MK Michael Ben-Ari (National Union) to strip several Arab Knesset members of their immunity from criminal prosecution and other privileges.
Knesset Members Ahmed Tibi and Taleb al-Sana of Raam-Taal, Muhammad Barakeh and Afu Agbariya (Hadash), and Jamal Zahalka and Hanin Zoabi (Balad) arrived in Libya on April 23 for a visit that included a meeting with the country's dictator, Muammar Qaddafi, and was calculated to stir outrage in Israel.
Following the trip, MK Ben-Ari said the Arab MKs have been abusing Israeli democracy for a long time and called the journey to Tripoli “the straw that broke the camel's back.” Israeli democracy, he said, must defend itself.
A small majority of the House Committee members are from parties considered to belong to the right wing. The coalition is represented by committee chairman MK Yariv Levin, and other members include MKs David Rotem and Robert Elituv (Yisrael Beitenu), Zeev Elkin, Tzion Pinyan and Danny Danon (Likud), Nissim Zeev and Avraham Michaeli (Shas) and Rabbi Eliezer Mozes of UTJ.
MK Ben Ari said that the debate Monday would be the true test of the right wing coalition in the Knesset. “This is an opportunity to show a yellow card [used when penalties are committed in a soccer match – ed.] to the Knesset Members who spit on the State of Israel and debase the symbols of state, and who incite throughout the world against the soldiers of the IDF and the citizens of Israel.”
A Knesset member's essential immunity ensures that he will not bear criminal or civil responsibility for any act which he performed as part of his work as a Knesset member. In addition, Knesset members have immunities relating to searches, detention, criminal hearings and legal proceedings that are not connected with their work as Members of Knesset.
Additional rights of Knesset Members include the right of free movement within the territory of the state without limitations, and the right to a certain amount of free telephone and postal services.
4. Hamas Asks for Ties with Obama as It Sends Killers to Israel
by Gil Ronen
The Hamas de facto government in Gaza seeks direct ties with the United States government. According to the Arab newspaper A-Sharq Al-Awsat, Hamas conveyed the message to a delegation of US political activists and members of academe, and asked them to relay it to President Barack Obama's administration.
Hamas's message included a request that the US drop its opposition to the idea of a reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas. The US sees Hamas as a terrorist group while accepting its rival Fatah as a legitimate political movement.
At roughly the same time that Hamas met with the US delegation, a terror squad headed for Israel from Gaza was intercepted by IDF forces Friday.
The IDF released photographs from the scene of the incident that show the weapons found on the terrorists and provide proof that the terrorists were on their way to carry out an attack. Gaza-based sources had tried to claim that the two were teenagers attempting to cross the border to look for work.
IDF Spokesman's Unit photograph shows vests, armaments carried by terrorists.
5. The Emanuels Feast in Eilat – Israel Foots Bill
by Gil Ronen
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and his family dined on seafood at an Eilat restaurant and left the bill for the Israeli Tourism Ministry, according to reports in Israeli media. The report was met with consternation by MK Dr. Michael Ben-Ari of the National Union, who wants the bill sent back to Emanuel.
Emanuel is in Israel on a private visit, not an official one, with his parents, wife, children and other family members, to make preparations for his son's upcoming Bar Mitzvah. Upon arrival in Israel Friday, the Emanuels headed for Eilat, where they dined on seafood at a restaurant. After the (unkosher) meal, which included cheviche (citrus marinaded seafood), calamari (fried squid), various fish, salads and hamburgers, the bill was handed over to a Ministry of Tourism representative who accompanied the Emanuels.
Ben-Ari fired off a letter to the Attorney General in which he said: "I was amazed to hear that following the sumptuous meal at the 'Boston' restaurant Emanuel handed the bill to a Ministry of Tourism representative who was present. In my humble legal opinion there is no possibility of making the State of Israel pay for such a meal, as part of a private visit by the White House Chief of Staff and his family.”
"The public coffers are not up for grabs and the fact that the gentleman [Emanuel] sponsors anti-Semitic policies in the White House is certainly no justification for digging into the public coffer at the expense of the old lady in the corridor of the hospital,” Ben-Ari added – in a reference to the shortage of hospital beds in Israel, which is attributed to budgetary problems.
"I ask you, sir, to immediately cancel the debiting of the Ministry of Tourism's account and to promptly send the bill directly to Mr. Emanuel's private home,” he added.
It is not known where the Bar Mitzvah ceremony will take place. Nationalists have said that they will prevent Emanuel from celebrating at the Kotel (Western Wall). There have been reports that the ceremony will be held at the Robinson's Arch part of the Wall, which is slightly removed from the public area and which serves those of the Reform and Conservative communities who wish to hold prayer services that differ noticeably from traditional ones, as only traditional services are allowed at the public part of the Wall.
The media-savvy Emanuel made no attempt to keep his family's culinary experience in Eilat -- at the expense of the Israeli taxpayer -- from becoming known to the Israeli media and even posed for a picture with the restaurant's chef. The event might therefore be interpreted by some as a deliberate message by Emanuel, in keeping with a line of theatrically insulting messages to Israel delivered by the White House since it came under Emanuel's direction. The most notorious of these was the photograph released by the White House of President Barack Obama speaking to Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu with his feet propped up on his desk and the soles thrust at the camera.
6. Hamas Arrests, Returns Egyptian Officer
by Eli Stutz
Hamas's Fathi Hamad, who holds the Interior Ministry portfolio, reported that Hamas security forces arrested an Egyptian officer who infiltrated the Gaza Strip in order to gather information. The officer has been returned to Egypt, and Hamas has asked Egyptian authorities to establish a security committee to coordinate between the parties.
In an interview to "Palestine On-Line," Hamad criticized the continued detention of Palestinian Authority residents in Egyptian prisons, which he says are abuses with no justification, and he called for their immediate and unconditional release. He described the Egyptian policy in this area as diverging from the precepts of Islam, saying, "Egypt must turn its investigations toward the Israeli occupation, and not send officers to infiltrate Gaza to gather information about Hamas or torture our people arrested in Egypt to obtain information against Gaza."
Hamad made it clear that relations between Egypt and the Hamas government are very limited and go through unofficial channels. He said that coordination has been reduced by the diplomatic deadlock following the failure of the reconciliation talks between Hamas and Fatah. Hamad said Egyptian security forces contact Hamas when they have information about security threats in Sinai.
Last week the Rafah crossing connecting Egypt to the Gaza Strip was opened for six days, during which 6,000 people passed through the crossing. Hamas government officials thanked Egypt for opening its border and called on it to leave the crossing open permanently.
7. Israel: World Leader in Recycled Water
by Eli Stutz
In recent years, Israel - the world's leader in water recycling - has advanced by leaps and bounds in desalination and recycling water. Israel recycles 70% of its waste water and sewage, and in distant second place is Spain, with a mere 12%.
In addition to its major natural water resources, the Kinneret and the mountain and coastal aquifers, Israel already has several desalination plants in operation, and several more planned. Together they are projected to eventually provide for two-thirds of the country's water needs.
A new plant in Hadera was dedicated last week, which is projected to supply 10% of the country's water. The plant's cost is 1.5 billion shekels. It was inaugurated in a ceremony attended by President Shimon Peres, who raised a glass of desalinated water to toast the occasion.
The Hadera plant uses reverse osmosis technology, which means the sea water does not have to be heated, as is done in larger plants in the world that are less environmentally friendly. The entire process of desalinating the water takes 35 minutes from the time it enters pipelines in the sea.
Israel's first large desalination plant (the largest of its kind in the world) was founded in Ashkelon with an investment of over 1 billion shekels, led by IDE Technologies in cooperation with Israel Chemicals and the Delek Group. The Ashkelon plant began work in 2005, and provides about 115 million cubic meters per year of desalinated water at good quality and low cost. A desalinization facility at Palmahim began work in 2007, providing 45 million cubic meters of water annually. Another desalination facility, totaling 150 million cubic meters per year, is planned to be located near the mouth of Nahal Sorek.
Israel also has several sewage treatment plants. After the water is treated, it can be used for agricultural purposes, or returned to natural water sources. The treatment is multi-staged: first the larger particles and bodies are removed from the water. The second stage involves organic treatment to rid the water of microorganisms and disease. Finally, phosphorus and nitrogen are removed, allowing the water to be returned to the system. There are major sewage treatment institutes in Karmiel and Ashdod.
Israel's total water consumption is rising steadily, and it stands today at approximately two billion cubic meters per year. The forecast for 2015 is for 2.5 billion cubic meters per year. Most of the usage is for agriculture and industry, not home use. Still, the Israel Water Authority continues to encourage the public to conserve water, for example, by not letting running water before a hot bath or shower go to waste.
