Shalom and good evening, this is TV7 Israel
News broadcast to you from Jerusalem;
And in today’s top stories;
The Islamic Republic of Iran is seemingly
reducing the scope of its forces in Syria,
a withdrawal - the outgoing Israeli Defense
Minister Naftali Bennett exclaimed – needs
to be completed with Israel’s help.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh
warned that “the Palestinian issue might
face “a hot summer” in light of Israel’s
plans and measures to annex significant parts
of territories the Palestinians demand for
a future state.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell fails
to secure unanimous support to act against
Israel for its voiced plan – in line with
Washington’s initiative - to annex parts
of the West Bank.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is seemingly
reducing the scope of its forces in Syria,
a withdrawal - the outgoing Israeli Defense
Minister Naftali Bennett exclaimed – needs
to be completed with Israel’s help.
Speaking at a Defense Ministry ceremony in
Tel Aviv, as Alternate Prime Minister Benny
Gantz formally took over the reins of the
country’s defense establishment Bennett
confirmed that ‘Iranian forces are apparently
withdrawing from Israel’s northern war-torn
neighbor’.
"Iran is significantly reducing the scope
of its forces in Syria and even evacuating
a number bases.
Iran may have begun the withdrawal process
from Syria, but we need to complete the work.
It's in reach."
In a direct message to his successor, Bennett
urged Gantz to keep the pressure on the forces
of the Islamic Republic in Syria, until the
last of its troops departs – in one way
or another.
"Benny, I am passing you the baton when Israel
is in a good and stable security situation
that is especially quiet, and Iran has begun
a withdrawal process from Syria.
But if we for even a moment ease off on our
momentum of pressure and attack on them, it
could all be reversed at once."
In response to Bennett’s call for vigilance
and determination, the newly appointed Defense
Minister Gantz – who formerly served the
Israel Defense Forces Chief of General Staff
– reassured its predecessor that the Jewish
State will not be complacent under his watch.
“Israel’s borders are safe, yet unstable.
Around us, a raging storm (double meaning:
old Israeli military song), and we – together
with all of our defense bodies, will continue
to safeguard the security of Israel’s citizens,
by air, sea, land and cyber; Anywhere the
need arises.
We will protect Israel’s citizens from threats,
both far and near.
We will face threats that are regarded as
a ticking time bomb, and we will also neutralize
those that are growing their roots (entrenching)
along our borders, and elsewhere.
We will locate them, uproot them and annihilate
them.”
Defense Minister Gantz, who also serves as
Jerusalem’s Alternate Prime Minister, highlighted
his commitment to “strive toward peace”
by means of political solutions with Israel’s
neighbors – in line with the U.S. Administration’s
peace plan, which Gantz asserted ‘should
be accepted by Israel in full’.
“As someone who also acts in the political
dimension, I am committed to do everything
possible to advance political arrangements
and strive for peace.
Peace was and remains an important Zionist
aspiration.
Alongside this, and for this purpose, we will
continue to empower ourselves to seize regional
opportunities in general and to advance the
U.S. Administration's peace plan and President
Trump including all of its components, in
particular.”
Meanwhile;
The Palestinian Authority in Ramallah did
not immediately respond to TV7’s request
for a response; Nevertheless, in opening remarks
to the entity’s weekly cabinet meeting,
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh
warned that “the Palestinian issue might
face “a hot summer” in light of the illegal
plans and measures of the new Israeli government,
headed by Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz,
to annex the Palestinian side of the Jordan
Valley, the Dead Sea, and the settlements.”
The Palestinian premier also warned of the
dangerous repercussions of implementing such
plans, which would undermine the region's
foundations of peace.
Shtayyeh concluded by calling on the international
community “to take immediate practical steps
to curb these attempts by recognizing the
independent State of Palestine, on the borders
of June 67, with Jerusalem as its capital.”
Turning to the European Union’s headquarters
in the Belgian capital, Brussels, where;
Institution’s Foreign Policy Chief Josep
Borrell congratulated the formation of the
new government in Jerusalem and referred to
the state of Israel as “a key partner for
the European Union” which looks forward
to continue its work with the Israeli government
in a constructive and comprehensive way, on
numerous areas of mutual interest.
In an official statement from his bureau,
the top EU diplomat immediately went on to
address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
He highlighted the European Union’s aspiration
to support and facilitate the resumption of
meaningful negotiations between the two parties.
It is important to explain, however, that
the EU diplomat behavior vis-à-vis Israel
in recent months had led Jerusalem officials
to warn Brussels that Borrell’s actions
may ensure that “the EU’s role in any
process will be minimized.”
This statement related to the diplomats repeated
attempts to secure the support of the 27 EU
member states to condemn the Jewish State
for its aspiration to assert its sovereignty
over parts of the West Bank – while further
rejecting the Trump Administration’s peace
plan as inconsistent with international law.
EU officials told TV7 that the Foreign Policy
Chief went on to lobby European governments
against the American peace plan, apparently
dubbing it ‘a pro-Israeli initiative that
actively discourages the Palestinians from
negotiating a solution.”
Nevertheless, all of these efforts had ultimately
failed, since a growing number of European
member states, including Austria and Hungary
among several others, repeatedly block these
anti-Israeli efforts.
The latest reported failure by the top EU
diplomat was made apparent during a meeting
of EU Foreign Minister on Friday, when he
once again faced opposition to his anti-Israeli
efforts, when he seemingly sought to exploit
European concerns by proposing concrete deterrent
measures against Jerusalem.
“We must work to discourage any possible
initiative towards annexation.
This will require reaching out, by all of
us, to Israel, U.S., Palestinians and Arab
partners, using all channels that the EU and
the Member States have.
Our discussions on this complex topic will
continue, we will not advance events (anti-Israeli
measures).”
The EU Foreign Policy Chief further reiterated
his conviction that the only solution to the
conflict remains a two-state solution, and
once again urged both Israel and the Palestinians
to refrain from any unilateral actions.
“We are convinced that we need to work towards
bringing a solution to the Palestinian issue
and we reaffirm our position in support of
a negotiated Two-State solution.
For this to be possible, unilateral actions
from either side should be avoided and, for
sure, international law should be upheld.”
Despite Borrell’s activities against Israel
within the EU, the man responsible for Europe
Union’s Foreign Policy, continues to expect
Israel to accept the institution he represents
as an impartial mediator.
“The resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict remains a priority and it is one
of the strategic interests of the European
Union.
We continue being ready to participate on
it.”
Thank you for watching us.
As part of TV7’s global prayer initiative,
I would like to encourage you to join myself
and the team here in Jerusalem to pray today
for the salvation and peace of Ghana, alongside
our ongoing prayers for the peace of Jerusalem,
the peace and salvation of Israel, as well
as for all those who are impacted by the corona
contagion world-wide.
I am Jonathan Hessen, have an Erev Tov, and
we will see you again tomorrow at the same
time.
For more information on Israel and its region
visit our website at WWW.TV7ISRAELNEWS.COM
