Shalom and good evening, this is TV7 Israel
News broadcast to you from Jerusalem.
And in today’s top stories:
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterates
Israel’s resolve to force Iran’s military
out of Syria.
The Islamist Hamas threatens Israel with war
over prospects of expending its sovereignty
over parts of the West Bank.
The United Arab Emirates and Israel sign a
historic cooperation agreement on efforts
to fight the corona contagion.
Israel reiterates its demand of the Islamic
Republic of Iran to immediately remove its
military forces from Syria.
Speaking at the Israeli Air Force pilots’
course graduation ceremony, Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu highlighted the “three
main challenges” which the IDF is forced
to contend with in its numerous areas of operation
– as part of activities that aim to ensure
Israel’s national security interests.
"Three main challenges are before us, and
we are taking action without respite against
them: First, we are taking constant action
against the efforts of Iran and its proxies
to entrench militarily in Syria.
The Iranian military must leave Syria.
Second, we are taking action against the efforts
of our enemies to develop precision missiles
in Syria, Lebanon and other areas.
Third, and most importantly, we will not allow
Iran to attain nuclear weapons.”
The Israeli Premier also seized the opportunity
to reiterate his informed-view about Iran’s
nuclear-related aspirations and the international
acknowledgement of the matter, which highlights
the severity of the situation.
“I must tell you that Iran is continuing
to lie to the international community in its
effort to achieve a bomb.
I have been claiming this for years and today
the International Atomic Energy Agency, the
IAEA, understands this.
Two weeks ago, the IAEA reported that Iran
is stepping up the pace of its uranium enrichment
and, in effect, is continuing to violate the
(JCPOA) nuclear agreement with the major powers.”
And while Iran and its regional proxies repeatedly
voice rhetoric vis-à-vis aspirations to annihilate
the Jewish State; Netanyahu emphasized the
dangers posed to those who try to attack Israel.
“We regard with utmost seriousness the threats
of destruction against Israel by Iranian and
pro-Iranian elements.
And especially here, at the pilots' course
graduation ceremony, I reiterate: Whoever
tries to attack us places himself in very
great danger, seven-fold.
Our struggle against Iranian aggression in
the region is designed – first and foremost
– to defend ourselves, to defend the State
of Israel.
However, this struggle, this effort, serves
the interest of stability in and for the entire
region.”
The Israeli leader went on to announce a historic
arrangement that has been reached with the
United Arab Emirates, which does not have
official diplomatic relations with Israel,
to cooperate in the fight against the coronavirus.
“Our ability to act against the corona pandemic
could also serve the entire region and is
also creating for us the opportunity for open
cooperation, which we have hitherto not had,
with certain countries in the region.
In a few moments, the health ministers of
the United Arab Emirates and the State of
Israel will announce cooperation in the fight
against the coronavirus.
This cooperation will be in research and development,
and technology, fields which could improve
the health security of the entire region.
This is the result of continuous and intensive
contacts over the past few months.
It will be a blessing for many in our region.”
Following the Premier’s announcement, the
Israeli Health Ministry’s Director General
published a statement which officially announced
(quote) “Businesses from the private sector
of the United Arab Emirates will sign with
Israeli businesses agreements for the purpose
of developing research pertaining to the fight
against the corona (contagion).”
The statement further highlighted “Cooperation
in the fields of health of science bridges
over historic political challenges in the
region, as part of a reality in which humanitarian
endeavors are prioritized for the purpose
of finding a solution for the corona pandemic.”
In other yet related news,
the Islamist Hamas organization, which controls
the Gaza Strip, declared “Israeli plans
to annex the occupied West Bank and Jordan
Valley will be regarded as a declaration of
war against the Palestinian people.”
In a filmed statement by the spokesman of
Hamas’s Izz Adin al Qassam Brigades Abu
Obaida further stressed that if Israel opts
to assert its sovereignty over the disputed
territories in question “it would pay a
heavy price.”
And while threats levelled at Israel by the
Islamist organizations in Gaza are not uncommon,
Jerusalem’s top defense officials are taking
note of the aforementioned, among other indications
of possible escalation.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi,
during a tour of Israel’s northern sector,
emphasized the need for the military to maintain
its preparedness for any scenario.
The top IDF officer stressed that while the
military is currently engaged in areas of
operations vis-à-vis Hezbollah, Hamas and
the Palestinian Islamic Jihad; dynamic preparedness
must be maintained for the possibility that
political decisions would turn into public
unrest and terror throughout the sectors of
Judea and Samaria over the next several weeks.
General Kochavi further asserted that “the
nearing developments could (also) evolve into
a war in Gaza.”
Meanwhile, Israeli Alternate Premier and Defense
Minister Benny Gantz, who also spoke at the
ceremony of the Israeli Air Force pilots’
course graduation, warned the leadership of
Islamist Hamas organization over prospects
of war.
“To the Hamas leadership, which boasts with
words, I suggest they remember that they will
be the first to pay the price for their aggression
– if it were to take place.
The IDF is the strongest military in the region
and the price for every attempt to harm the
citizens of Israel will be both powerful and
painful.”
Meanwhile,
the Head of Hamas’s Political Bureau Islamist
Haniyeh held a discussion with the United
Nations Special Coordinator for Mideast Peace
Nikolay Mladenov, during which they particularly
discussed “Israeli annexation plans and
the (American) deal of the century.”
According to the leader of the international
recognized terror group, the U.N. envoy reassured
him that the world body “opposes annexation
plan given that it breaches its resolutions,”
remarks warmly welcomed Hamas.
And while the office of the U.N. special coordinator
did not immediately respond to TV7’s request
for comment; he made his position clear in
a briefing to the U.N. Security Council meeting
a day prior.
“In closing, I would like to again highlight
the immense risks we face over the coming
weeks and months, as we confront the very
real possibility of annexation and its consequences.
If implemented, these steps could dramatically
alter local dynamics - triggering instability
across the occupied Palestinian territories
and maybe beyond.
This conflict has been marked by periods of
extreme violence, but never before has the
risk of escalation been accompanied by a political
horizon so distant, an economic situation
so fragile, in a region so volatile.
It is crucial for all stakeholders to take
action that will enable the parties to step
back from the brink.
The goal must be to urgently reengage in dialogue
that will halt unilateral steps, chart a positive
way forward and avoid a descent into chaos.”
Meanwhile in Washington,
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stressed
that the matter of asserting Israeli sovereignty
over parts of the West Bank is a decision
that only Jerusalem can make.
“We unveiled a Middle East peace vision
some number of months ago now, and we’re
continuing to work down that path.
Decisions about Israeli and extending sovereignty
in other places are decisions for the Israelis
to make, and we are talking to all of the
countries in the region about how it is we
can manage this process forward.”
Secretary Pompeo further highlighted the Trump
Administration’s end objective for the so-called
“vision for peace.”
“Our end state objective.
It’s, I think, the objective that the prime
minister has certainly acknowledged he wants,
right.
He wants our Middle East peace vision to be
successful.
The Gulf states have all indicated that they
are hopeful that we can put that in place.
I regret only that the Palestinian Authority
has refused to participate in that.”
Secretary Pompeo concluded by highlighting
the evident American frustration with the
Palestinian refusal – yet voiced hope that
in the coming weeks real progress will be
made.
“We simply asked that they come to the negotiating
table based on what’s outlined in the Vision
for Peace, and they have chosen not to.
They have chosen to threaten, to bluster,
to assert that they’re going to deny the
ability to do security proper – that’s
not good for the Palestinian people.
It’s dangerous for the people that live
in those places too.
What we’ve asked is for them to come together,
for Israel and the Palestinian people to come
to the table to negotiate a path forward and
to find a resolution to this decades-long
challenge.
I remain hopeful that in the coming weeks
we can begin to make real progress towards
achieving that.”
Thank you for watching us.
I would like to update you that in light of
Heaven TV7’s summer broadcast schedule – TV7
Israel News and Jerusalem Studio will take
a break from broadcasts for much of July.
We will use this time to fix some of the technical
issues that challenged our productions in
recent weeks, and – with the Lord’s grace
– we are scheduled to resume our daily news
segments and in-depth Jerusalem Studio panels
on July the 27th.
I want to especially thank all of our dedicated
supporters for your prayers and financial
donations – and if you have not yet partnered
with us – I do encourage you to pray about
it.
Furthermore, I would like to encourage you
to continue praying for the Peace of Jerusalem,
the Salvation of Israel – and as part of
our initiative, during this period, please
intercede on behalf of your own respective
countries.
I am Jonathan Hessen, have an Erev Tov and
a Shabbat Shalom – and I am looking forward
to seeing you all again on July the 27th.
