Today’s Top Stories
1. Israel designated the Al-Quds TV network a terror organization. The move bars the network from operating in Israel. The Defense Ministry said the channel acts as the propaganda arm of Hamas. Haaretz explains:
The channel, which first went live in October 2008 and broadcasts from Beirut, has offices in the Gaza Strip as well as in Ramallah and Jerusalem. It makes use of local companies to produce content.
Owners, journalists and photojournalists of a production company which collaborates with Al-Quds and is based in the Arab-majority northern city of Umm Al-Fahm were summoned on Monday morning for questioning.
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2. The Jerusalem Post takes a closer look at divisions within Hamas over international initiatives to rehabilitate Gaza:
Here’s the dilemma Hamas is facing: On the one hand, if Hamas accepts these initiatives, its rivals – first and foremost the ruling Fatah faction – will accuse it of “selling out to Israel and the US,” and giving up Palestinian national rights in return for economic projects and humanitarian aid.
On the other hand, rejecting proposals to improve the living conditions its constituents could aggravate the situation and possibly prompt desperate Palestinians to revolt against the Hamas regime.
3. Since Egypt opened the Rafah border crossing with Gaza on May 18, some 18,000 Palestinians have left the Strip. Who is fleeing and what does this mean for Gaza?
Most of those who are leaving aren’t ordinary Gazans, because getting out of Gaza requires financial resources, political networking, energy and initiative and – above all – somewhere to go to, in a world increasingly hostile towards immigrants. Hence, most Gazans who make it out are necessarily Gaza’s most resourceful, highly-educated, promising, accomplished, and sometimes wealthiest people.
The exit of these Gazans over the last few months constitute a clear attenuation of the territory’s future: A mass brain drain and human capital flight . . .
Hamas leaders dismiss the numbers of emigrants as a “small fringe.” However, had it not been for the Egyptian’s pre-specified capacity to process about 500 people a day (of which 400 are from an endless waiting list and about 100 “coordinated passages” – the result of bribes), the numbers would certainly have been far more shocking.
4. Reaching out to Israeli audiences, Daniel Pomerantz discussed HonestReporting’s work and the nature of media bias on Radio Eretz FM‘s Noam Nir (in Hebrew). Forward to 1:35:55.
Israel and the Palestinians
• A flotilla seeking to symbolically break the Israeli blockade of Gaza was left the Strip today. Organizers say the boats will carry sick and injured Palestinians who have been unable to travel abroad to Cyprus. There was no information about yet about the Israeli navy intercepting the boats when this roundup was published.
Israel enforces a blockade of the Strip to prevent weapons smuggling.
• Reacting to Australia cancelling $10 million in aid to the PA over terror stipends, Palestinian official Nabil Shaath displays a stunning sense of entitlement.
• No injuries reported after shots fired at West Bank settlement of Beit El on Monday night.
• Hamas’ Gaza strongman, Yahye Sinwar, broke his arm in a traffic accident. According to Palestinian reports picked up by the Times of Israel, no foul play is suspected.
• Worth reading: The Washington Post takes a closer look at Israeli efforts to reduce Palestinian lone-wolf terror attacks by monitoring social media.
• A by the numbers look at terror kites, per figures reported by Ynet.
– More than 100: Days since Palestinians launched the first terror kites
– 678: Fires sparked across farmlands and woodlands near Gaza border
– 9,160: Dunams of land consumed (around 2,263 acres)
– 6,000: Dunams of agricultural produce consumed (around 1,482 acres)
– 15,100: Dunams of Jewish National Fund land consumed (around 3,731 acres)
– 33: Number of fires fought on Monday alone
Window Into Israel
• Another minor earthquake rumbled northern Israel near the Kinneret Lake, “bringing the number of tremors in the area in recent days to more than 40.” Israeli media raised concerns about the nation’s earthquake preparedness:
Out of 1,600 schools deemed three years ago to be in danger of collapsing, just 53 have since been reinforced, Hadashot TV reported Monday.
None of the 108 dangerous material factories, ordered two years ago by the Ministry of Environmental Protection to strengthen their structures, has completed the process, the report added.
They’re taking the earthquake threat seriously in Tiberias. More on the national preparedness at Globes.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had another round of police questioning about the “Bezeq affair.” Police are investigating whether the PM had an understanding with Bezeq’s majority shareholder, Shaul Elovitch in which Netanyahu gave the telecom giant regulatory benefits in exchange for favorable coverage on the Elovitch-owned Walla! News site. Netanyahu denies any wrong-doing.
• Tel Aviv‘s Deputy Mayor Asaf Zamir announced that he’s going to challenge Mayor Ron Huldai in municipal elections. Residents of the White City go to the polls in November.
Around the World
• The courtroom battle against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions continues. Legal Insurrection updates the latest on a lawsuit against the American Studies Association, which adopted an academic boycott of Israel.
• We knew all along that Students For Justice in Palestine never believed in a two-state solution. Now SJP confirmed it in an op-ed in the California Aggie, the student paper of U. California, Davis. Backstory at The Algemeiner.
Lastly, it is an ideological fantasy to really believe that progress is possible so long as the state of Israel exists. Underlying this naive fantasy is the belief that a state that engages in racist laws, systematic killings and home demolitions can also function as a beacon of peace. The goal of Palestinian resistance is not to establish “love” with those who are responsible for the suffering of the Palestinian people; it is to completely dismantle those forces at play.
• Muslim Democratic congressional candidate calls Israel ‘apartheid regime,’ the JTA reports.
• Knife-wielding man threatens Zurich Jewish family on way to synagogue.
Commentary
• Here’s what else I’m reading today:
– Tony Badran: Iran’s two-front strategy against Israel
– Amos Harel: Israel tightens Gaza blockade – but ball is in Hamas’ court
– Herb Keinon: Why close the Kerem Shalom crossing now?
– Yossi Yehoshua: Protective Edge deterrence has eroded
– Yaakov Selavan: While you were busy denouncing Israel
– Yoav Limor: Syria strike is a message to Iran ?
– Eytan Halon: What does Boris Johnson resignation mean for UK-Israel relations?
– Daniella Peled: Too little, too late on anti-Semitism from Corbyn and UK Labour Party
Featured image: CC BY Christine Rondeau; flames CC BY palo; Tel Aviv via YouTube/Moshe Tutian girl CC BY-NC Roland Scheerer;
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