Today’s Top Stories
1. Not again!? UNESCO adopted resolutions calling the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Rachel’s Tomb part of “Occupied Palestine.”
The resolutions also refer to Israel as “occupier” and condemn “Israeli army violations against Palestinian universities and schools,” criticize the construction of the security fence, deplore the destruction of Palestinian schools, including in the village Khan al-Ahmar and regret Israel’s excavation projects in east Jerusalem.
Continuing in its usual vein of denying Jewish history, @UNESCO has now declared the Cave of the Patriarchs and Rachel's Tomb to be Palestinian https://t.co/YG3lW1kbw1
— Lahav Harkov (@LahavHarkov) October 10, 2018
2. The University of Michigan disciplined Prof. John Cheney-Lippold for refusing to write a letter of recommendation for a student who sought to study in Israel, the Detroit News reports. Cheney-Lippold told junior Abigail Ingber his refusal was because he supported the boycott of Israeli academics.
But the campus controversy isn’t over yet: a second Michigan academic withheld a recommendation letter from another student planning to study in Israel for the same boycott reasons. Lucy Peterson, a graduate student instructor, had offered to write the necessary letter for Jake Secker is a 20-year-old junior, but backed out after learning Secker intended to study in Israel. More on the story at the Michigan Daily.
3. In an unexpected move, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley announced she would step down from her post at the end of the year. Her staunch support for the Jewish state in the hostile halls of the United Nations gave Haley rock star popularity in Israel. The New York Times laid out what’s known about Haley’s reasons for resigning and the possible replacements not named Ivanka.
Plenty of commentary below. More on Haley’s legacy at the JTA.
4. No Arrested Development: Associated Press would have you think Israel is holding BDS activist Lara Alqasem against her will.
Join the fight for Israel’s fair coverage in the news
Israel and the Palestinians
• Fatah lashed out at Qatar after Israel delivered to Gaza several truckloads of fuel sponsored by the Gulf state. Trying to pressure Hamas, the PA sought to block an Egyptian-mediated deal to deliver diesel fuel for energy-starved Gaza by refusing to coordinate the transfer. Israel delivered the fuel anyway, and even more deliveries were due to be made today.
• “A study of the impact of BDS on the Israeli economy estimates the damage at 0.004%, while some companies benefit from the boycott.” Adam Reuter explains in Globes:
I obtained a hint about the impotence of the BDS organization at the very beginning of the study. I constructed a false digital identity and applied to the organization as a young Australian interested in boycotting Israel. I asked what I should do. In response, the organization sent me a link to a page with hundreds, if not thousands, of names of international companies having connections with Israel. I was told to boycott them. When I saw the list, I burst out laughing. It included most of the companies selling some kind of products around the world. Boycotting them would have prevented me from buying things ranging from basic items at the supermarket to any kind of mobile telephone whatsoever, a refrigerator, or a car.
• Belgium acknowledges Pisgat Ze’ev as part of Jerusalem.
Window Into Israel
• Israeli police investigating government corruption arrested two senior officials in the Israel Lands Authority on Wednesday. The two “are suspected of receiving bribes in exchange for illegally providing information in order to advance the interests of others.”
• Two children, ages two and four, were killed in an apartment fire in the settlement of Beitar Illit. Another eight members of the family were injured. Israeli media reports quoted a witness who said a nightlight exploded and fell on a bed.
• Police in Toronto are investigating after signs at a Jewish school were vandalized with pro-Palestinian and pro-Hamas messages.
• Why am I not surprised by this? Fliers on four college campuses blame Jews for Kavanaugh assault allegations
Commentary
• Say it ain’t so, Nikki!
– Amb. Danny Danon: Nikki Haley, warrior for justice and truth
– Tovah Lazaroff: A sheriff in heels on Israel’s behalf
– Eric Cortellessa: With Nikki Haley’s departure, Israel loses its staunchest ally at the UN
– Anshel Pfeffer: Jerusalem’s dismay at Nikki Haley’s departure is sincere
– Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll: With Nikki Haley’s resignation, we Israelis lost a hero
– Herb Keinon: Haley’s resignation a loss, but administration still pro-Israel
– Chemi Shalev: Trump’s ‘sanity translator’ Nikki Haley will be missed most sorely by Netanyahu and right-wing American Jews
– Seth Frantzman: Mideast divided on Nikki Haley’s legacy
• Here’s what else I’m reading today . . .
– Zev Chafets: Lara Alqasem isn’t a threat to Israel, but banning her is
– Bret Stephens, Bari Weiss: Why is Israel scared of this young American?
– Dr. Eitan Orkibi: Fighting BDS activists is justified
– Khaled Abu Toameh: How Iran plans to take Gaza
– New York Daily News (staff-ed): University of Michigan academics drink the anti-Israel Kool-Aid
Featured image: CC BY-SA Connie; shekels CC0 Pixabay; Haley via UN Photo/Manuel Elias;
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