Today’s Top Stories
1. The IDF shelled Hamas positions on Wednesday after Palestinians started a fire near the Gaza border. The army is gearing up for massive Hamas-organized protests along the border on Friday connected to “Land Day.” AP previews what’s in store. According to Arab media reports picked up by Israel HaYom, “Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian and Egyptian security officials have been secretly cooperating with the aim of preventing a Hamas-orchestrated march planned for Friday from the Gaza Strip from becoming violent.”
The PA is said to be concerned that any violence in Gaza will spark riots across the West Bank. Jordan is worried that riots in the West Bank could spill into its territory. Egypt is concerned about riots on its shared border with the Gaza Strip and about the possibility of Palestinian masses breaching the border.
2. Military Police probe finds Palestinian double amputee Ibrahim Abu Thuraya was not killed by IDF snipers. According to Ynet, “the sniper fire had ended at least an hour before the time Abu Thuraya was hurt according to Palestinian reports.”
At the time of the original event, HR’s Daniel Pomerantz explained the background on i24 News:
3. Some Jewish groups are slamming Trump’s new U.S. National Security Advisor pick John Bolton for “bigotry” and being “anti-Muslim.” Meanwhile The Daily Beast reports that while serving as UN Ambassador under the George W. Bush administration, Bolton apparently went behind Condoleeza Rice’s back numerous times to protect Israel at the UN.
Israel and the Palestinians
• I initially thought this was satire.
Having female terrorist leaders like Dalal Mughrabi, killer of 37, is proof of gender equality in Fatah, according to Abbas' Secretary General.
Read more about this here: https://t.co/COGRdgKUO3
— Pal Media Watch (@palwatch) March 27, 2018
• Morocco’s foreign minister visited the Temple Mount’s Al-Aqsa Mosque on Tuesday, accompanied by Palestinian Authority Jerusalem Gov. Adnan al-Husseini and PLO Ambassador to Morocco Jamal al-Shobaki along with officials from the Wakf Islamic trust which administers the holy site, the Jerusalem Post reports. “An Israel Foreign Ministry spokesman declined to comment on the Moroccan minister’s visit to the mosque.”
• Israeli Border Police caught a Palestinian from Hebron trying to smuggle himself into Jerusalem in the trunk of a car. The driver, an eastern Jerusalem resident was arrested. It’s not clear if the Palestinian was looking for work, engaged in criminal activity, or tied to a terror group.
Window into Israel
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was released from the hospital after being diagnosed with mild viral infection. Doctors at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital sent the 68-year-old PM home with instructions for rest and medicine. Although he was fully conscious, the Times of Israel points out “the prime minister risked mass confusion by apparently choosing not to appoint a temporary replacement.”
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office told The Times of Israel they were “not aware” if a temporary deputy prime minister had been appointed who would take over if Netanyahu were to be sedated or otherwise incapacitated. Army Radio reported that throughout the check-up he was conscious and capable of fulfilling all his responsibilities as prime minister.
Around the World
• What did a Jewish reporter learn from an afternoon with three Iranian journalists?
• Reuters: Croatia favors Israeli offer of used F16s for air force.
The Israeli offer, which according to the media reports is worth some $500 million, includes a squadron of 12 already used F-16s.
• San Francisco State U. president apologized for campus anti-Semitism, says ‘Zionists welcome on campus.’ Background at the JTA.
• There is an ongoing problem of Muslim anti-Semitism in Germany. Der Spiegel explores.
Commentary/Analysis
– Richard Landes: Mideast pack journalism: Everybody agrees
– Judah Ari Gross: Gaza infiltration puts IDF limitations on display at the worst possible time
– Yoav Limor: Gaza: Israel’s policy dilemma
– Elior Levy: Abbas’ sanctions on Gaza are bad news for both the Palestinians and Israel
– Raphael Ahren: In spy wars, Israel chooses Russia over UK, but Trump could play spoiler
– Norman Bailey: Israel and the presidents-for-life club
– Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman: A strategic vision for the Eastern Mediterranean
– Cnaan Liphshiz: What a Jewish reporter learned from an afternoon with 3 Iranian journalists
– Hadley Freeman: Why did I protest against Corbyn? Look at his long list of evasions
– Karol Markowicz: Liberals refuse to face the left’s growing anti-Semitism
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Featured image: CC BY-NC-ND sinkdd;
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