Gazans Rush the Border

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Yesterday Israel arrested two Palestinians who crossed from Gaza into Israel. They were carrying knives and wire cutters. Now they are being interrogated.

Also yesterday, Israel shot and killed two Palestinians who rushed the border and threw explosives at IDF soldiers. They were attempting to cross the border.

On Friday there were numerous attempts to strike through the fence between Israel and Gaza, even ripping down the fence in certain places.

When looking at the Palestinian demonstration, one can see their technique. They burn tires in such a way to as to create double plumes of smoke. That way, the terrorists can advance between the plumes in order to attack the fence.

There is a lot happening. There is a lot of activity that needs to be monitored.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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Oliver Stone in Iran

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The great Oliver Stone, director of Born on The 4th of July, Platoon and JFK, visited Iran. While there, he lashed out at the United States. He called the United States "outlaws." When speaking, his words were received with a loud ovation.

"We are outlaws, we're doing something that is outlawed internationally, we had no permission to invade Iraq from the UN, we did it, and we continue to do this."

Stone went on to say that "national security has trumped artistic freedom," claiming "you cannot make a film critical of the United States' foreign policy."

Artists produce messages all the time. Many artists, like Oliver Stone, feel that the US government obstructs them. At the same time, many people in the US feel that artists - like Stone, push their own agenda on America through their artistry, like movies.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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Iran Says No to New Deal

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

As French leader Emmanuel Macron was lobbying US President Trump on fixing the Iranian deal, Iranian leader Hassan Rouhani was drawing his line in the sand.

Iran has made their stance on the deal public.

Iran likes the deal and will not accept any change in the nuke deal. Rouhani said that he has spoken to Macron and he: "told him explicitly that we will not add anything to the deal or remove anything from it, even one sentence. The nuclear deal is the nuclear deal."

In other words, it looks like the new deal is a no deal - even before we know what actually is in that new deal.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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German Leader: Don't Wear a Kippa

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Violence against Jews of Germany has reached a highpoint. And it may get even worse.

The Berlin Kippa March is a proud show of solidarity, it is a rejection of anti-Semitism and violence against Jews.

But the Jews of Germany are afraid.

Joseph Schuster, head of Germany's Central Council of Jews, suggested that Jews stop wearing their kippot and instead start wearing baseball caps. He said that he was "against showing themselves openly with a kippa in a big-city setting in Germany, and wear a baseball cap or something else to cover their head instead."

At the same time Israeli Chief Rabbi Lau, who has said that his office was flooded by requests for help sent him by German Jewry, proclaimed that the Jews of Germany should continue wearing their kippot with pride.

This is a classic divide between Israel and the Diaspora. Nothing can bridge this chasm.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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A Good Assassination

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The assassination of Fadi Albatsh in Malaysia by two men driving motorcycles was a massive blow to Hamas.

Israel hit Hamas very hard by assassinating Albatsh.

Here is how the game card is calculated: Over the past few months Israel has successfully closed down Hamas' secret and all important weapon - "the tunnel."

Israel has figured out how to detect and shut down Hamas terror tunnels.

Hamas saw what was happening and started investing in an alternative weapon - the drone.

That is where Albatsh fit in. Albatsh was designing and training Hamas drone operators and designing Hamas drones.

Albatsh was a huge asset to Hamas, they were banking on him. That is exactly why it was so important for Israel to remove him. This assassination saved countless lives.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Iran is Filled w Contradictions

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Iran is a complicated place. In Iran, there are competing forces each pushing their own agenda - some for more openness and some for more tradition.

So when Iranian TV reported that Iran's President Hassan Rouhani chastised the famous morality police, that was a big deal.

Iran's morality police enforce the dress code and they have been very physical against violators. One such incident was caught on video. The video went viral and was broadcast on numerous TV outlets and on social media.

Last year the head of the police, the person responsible for the morality division, made it publicly clear that they would no longer arrest violators.

Rouhani said that it is impractical to promote virtue through violence "by grabbing people's collars."
He said it will not work.

The interior minister has announced that the incident will be investigated.

This is one small glimpse into the internal struggles of Iran.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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Israeli Police Arrest settler Youth

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Israeli undercover police dressed as settlers arrested a youth from Yitzhar who was the subject of an arrest warrant.

The police entered in disguise so as not to cause a scene or endanger themselves.

Yitzhar is a hotbed of Jewish anti-Palestinian attacks. It is the HQ of "price tag" reprisals where Israelis strike out at Palestinians and their property in what they consider to be acts of reprisal.

The police have been cracking down on vigilantism and concentrating on arresting Jewish groups involved in illegal acts of violence.

The Od Yosef Chai Yeshivah in Yitzhar is run by Rabbi Ginsburg. He is the author of the book about Jewish terrorist Baruch Goldstein entitled "Baruch HaGever" which means "Baruch the Heroic Man."

Rabbi Ginsburg has been at the heart of much of the vigilantism.
Several years ago Rabbi Ginsburg was charged with inciting violence, all charges against him were
dropped when he retracted his calls to violence.

Israel is a state of law and justice. Citizens may not take the law into their own hands and the police must arrest those who do.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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Palestinians Consumed w Hate

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Yesterday Israel celebrated her 70th anniversary of independence. But actually, the anniversary is today.

The anniversary is the 5th day of Iyar. When the 5th of Iyar falls on a Friday (as it did this year), the anniversary is officially celebrated on Thursday. This is Israeli law. It is a way to prevent a national desecration of the Sabbath.

So Thursday was the day before the anniversary. But yesterday was the day Palestinians mourned their Nakba, their catastrophe. What is interesting is that even the Palestinian catastrophe is artificial.

Palestinians chose to protest on a day that really is not the anniversary. In addition, Israel independence day is actually celebrated on the Hebrew date not the Gregorian date. That date should mean nothing to the Palestinians.

But the Palestinians are simply obsessed with their hatred. Listen to what Palestinian leader Ahmed Tibi, who is also a member of Israel's Knesset, said:

"What happened then was a Nakba - a human and national disaster on any scale ... Hundreds of thousands of Palestinian citizens live to this very day close to the villages they were uprooted from.
What's more natural, humanitarian and just than returning them to their homes in their abandoned villages and restoring their stolen property?"

"We must recognize our national identity as Palestinians, with empathy to the suffering and loss we've experienced since 1948, which continues to this very day in different ways," he went on to say.
"Empathy to another's suffering is an important aspect in narrowing gaps and bridging disagreements, including national conflicts. This is the time to recognize our Palestinian narrative."

Even the hatred was misplaced.




Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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70 Years is A lot for Anyone

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:
70 years ago today Israel declared its independence - and at that very same moment all her neighbors intensified their efforts to drive the Jews into the sea.

Our parents and grandparents could not imagine that Israel would thrive and live to celebrate a single year - and certainly not 70.

70 years later Israel is still struggling and fending off hostile neighbors.

In those 70 years Israel has transformed the Jewish people and the Jewish world. Then as it is now, a strong Israel in the aftermath of the Holocaust is a sign of stability and safety for all Jews, all around the world.

The world is a better place better place because Israel exists.
Israel has changed and touched almost every field and discipline. Art, music, literature, food, wine, economics, chemistry, biotech, computers and so much more.

That is powerful. That is something we can all hold on to.

Happy Birthday Israel. Yom HaAtzmaut Sameach.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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Gazans Fly Terror Kites

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Palestinians in Gaza have begun using an old weapon to terrorize Israel.
They are moving close to the border fence and flying kites - kites that have been lit aflame.

The wind often blows from east to west and when that happens, the kites quickly fly into Israel where they fall on the fields. The fields catch fire and the crops burn.

This is a particularly nefarious form of terror.

Palestinian terrorists are burning the fields of the very land they claim to love and say they will die for.

The terrorists believe that they are untraceable because they lift the kites high up in the air and light them far away from IDF view. They are mistaken.

These aren't ordinary store bought kites. Each kite is homemade and very large.
Each kite needs to be taken out and lifted. It several takes people to launch each kite.

Israel is not yet preempting the kites. They will soon. For now, they are sending fighters to douse the flames.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Iran Threatens Israel

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

People have been talking about the US strike against Syrian gas and chemical weapons.

Most have forgotten that, only days earlier, Israel bombed a Syrian base and killed 7 Iranians - all of them the creme de la creme of Iran's drone operators. Included among them was Colonel Mehdi Dehghan, the head of the Iranian clone unit.
Iran has not forgotten.

The Iranians have been announcing that they will exact revenge on Israel for the strike that killed 7 of their best men.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bassam Ghassemi has said: "Tel Aviv will be punished for its aggressive action." He added: "The occupying Zionist regime will, sooner or later, receive an appropriate response to its actions."

The response from Iran will come according to their timetable.

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Israel Discvoers Tunnel & Shows Secret Weapon

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Israel discovered another terror tunnel this weekend. It was the longest and the widest and most modern tunnel yet discovered.

This newly discovered tunnel emptied out just on the Israel side of the fence - literally right next to a location of the weekly protests held on the Gaza border.

When Israel announced that they uncovered and destroyed the tunnel they also unveiled that their new secret weapon - a multi dimensional unit of engineers, mathematicians, computer scientists, geologists and military experts.

Their faces were blurred but we saw them at work in a 54 second clip.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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US Strike on Syrian Gas & Chemicals

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Now that the US, Great Britain and France have bombed Syrian chemical and gas weapons factories, Assad can breathe a sigh of relief. He was bracing for the inevitable, and now it's over.

The multinational raid on Syria was a gesture - nothing more.

As they promised, the US sent a message. But other than that, they probably did nothing more, certainly not prevent another gas or chemical attack.

Nothing changed on the ground. No difference was created by US action.
Hezbollah, Syria and Russia have not been touched or impacted in any way.

Israel is no safer and neither is the Middle East.

Most important, neither are the innocent people of Syria.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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No Direct Conflict w Iran

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:
Is a conflict between Iran and Israel inevitable at this stage?

No - it is not.

There is certainly the possibility of conflict, but it is doubtful that the conflict will be direct. Iran will probably permit - or perhaps order - Hezbollah, its proxy, to strike Israel.

As of last count Hezbollah had amassed 130,000 rockets and missiles, a large percentage of which can hit deep into Israel.

Israel knows that Iran and Hezbollah are operating on a hair trigger.

Israel knows that if Hezbollah launches an attack it will inflict harm on Israel. Israel also knows that she needs to protect herself. And that means targeting sites that warehouse weapons that can be used against Israel and their command and control systems.

In the end, rather than full blown conflict, there will probably be a skirmish between Israel and Hezbollah.

If necessary, Israel will hit Hezbollah hard enough to knock them out of the game for a period of time. Israel will want to do this from the air. The IDF does not want to commit forces on the ground.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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Putin Calls Bibi

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Russian President Vladimir Putin called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to tell him that
Israel should not act in Syria. Do not, he said, destabilize Syria.

Netanyahu reiterated that Israel could not tolerate an Iranian base in Syria.

Israel's Sunday airstrike against T-4 that killed 14 people including 7 Iranian military advisers should not be an excuse for Iran to attack Israel.

Israeli advisers are in unanimous agreement that if Iran acts in any way against Israel they will topple Assad and destroy all Iranians positions in Syria.

Putin got the message loud and clear that Israel is not playing a game with Iran.

So whatever game Russia is playing with the US, Israel is engaged in a battle to keep Iranian military bases as far from its borders as possible.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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Israel Not Interested in Conflict w Russia

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:
Israel is not interested in directly engaging in conflict with Russia - especially with Russian military soldiers and advisors on the ground in Syria.

Israel wants to reduce the tension that already exists - and is rapidly increasing, between Israel and the Russia.

Israel also does not want a direct conflict with Iran - but that conflict may be inevitable
Israel has a dilemma - the need to keep their country and citizens safe may involve strikes against Syria and Iran and Russians may be in the area.

There is little doubt that this conflict is potentially explosive and can spiral completely out of control.

Here's a warning: Russia and certainly Iran may be baiting Israel to act in order to accelerate the conflict.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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Israel Tells Russia & Iran Beware

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

There is little doubt that Israel was behind the attack on the T-4 military base in Syria. Four Iranian military advisers, including an expert drone operator, were killed during the attack which also took out at least one of their drones.

Israel struck the base from Lebanese airspace.

The Russians witnessed the attack and were quick to point the finger at and condemn Israel.

There could have also been Russian advisers in T-4 and Russia would have wanted to warn their people - but this time Israel did not give them advance notice of their planned attack.

The airstrike was a warning. Israel is sending a message to Russia and Iran that they are not shying away from using force. Israel is saying that despite the international attention, they are not afraid to strike and engage in actions against Russian and Iranian troops.

That is an important statement.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

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England Opens Naval Base in Bahrain

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

On Thursday England's Prince Andrew was in Bahrain and he, together with the Crown Prince of Bahrain, officially opened a permanent British naval base.

This is a very large step and the culmination of a series of diplomatic efforts dating back to 2014.

Bahrain is a critical location for the West.

Bahrain is host to the US 5th Fleet. It is perfectly pitched to guard the Straits of Hormuz, the narrow stretch of water through which 1/3 of the world’s oil travels every single day.

Bahrain has close ties with Saudi Arabia and the US and Great Britain.

Most important, Bahrain is in place to check Iran. 85% of Bahrainians are Shiite Muslims and obviously close to Iran. The ruling family is a branch of the Saud family.

Bahrain wants to make certain that Iran's power and influence is checked in order to maintain order on their island.

The British navy will use this new base to help secure the region and keep it stable and friendly to Western interests.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Saudis Prosecute Princes for Terror

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The Saudi public prosecutor has announced that he is investigating and will be charging several of the Saudi princes who were arrested last year.

The Saudi deputy attorney general was quoted in the pan-Arab newspaper Al Sharq Al Awsat which is published in England.

According to the paper Saud al Hamad, the deputy attorney general, will be charging the princes for involvement in money laundering and terror sponsorship.

This is the move we have been waiting for.

This is not a power play, it is a move wresting people with enormous power and influence who consider themselves above the law away from committing illegal and immoral acts like terror.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Gaza Plans for Friday Protests

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Beginning Friday, Palestinians are planning a second week of protests at the Gaza-Israel border.

Last Friday Palestinians gathered at several points along the border. The total numbers were in question. Palestinians said 100,000 protesters turned out,
Israel said the numbers were closer to 15,000. Looking at YouTube videos there were probably 30,000 protesters at the peak of the protest.

This Friday the Palestinians have called for 12,000 tires to be brought to the sites and set aflame. They also asked Palestinians participants to come with large mirrors.

The purpose of both these maneuvers is to make it harder for Israeli snipers to identify targets. Palestinians will also position their own snipers to shoot Israeli snipers.

The mirrors will reflect the sun and the tires will create a cloud of black smoke.

The danger of burning so many tires is devastating to the environment and to all the people around. The heat generated from the fire will be excessive.
According to weather predictions, the wind will blow west which means the smoke will blow back on the Palestinians and, in the end, not screen the protesters.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Iran Says US & Israel Interfere in Syria

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani convened a press conference as he boarded his plane at Mahrabab airport in Tehran on Tuesday. Rouhani was en route to Ankara, Turkey to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

According to Rouhani, the problems of Syria are caused by Israel and the United States - they are interfering and that they do not respect Syria.

"There's interference from Zionist forces in Syria which has increased problems. They don't respect Syrian national sovereignty. They bomb areas in Syria. They support terrorists. These are all issues which have increased Syria's problems."

"The Americans are against the Syrian government establishing its authority throughout the whole country and are even thinking of a breakup (of the country)."

Two important notes: First, Rouhani will never refer to Israel by name, he refers to them only as the Zionists. Second, we must wonder why it is that the US and Israel are interfering in Syria and not Russia and Iran.

It's all about perspective. Iran and Russia see their actions as correct because that's what supports their point of view.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Saudi Crown Prince Recognizes Israel

By Micah Halpern

Tuesday April 3, 2018
I've Been Thinking:
Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed ibn Salman sat down for an extensive interview with Jeffrey Goldberg, editor and chief of the Atlantic. The most important points in their discussion were Saudi recognition of Israel's right to exist in peace in her own land and the need for a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians.

The Crown Prince said: "I believe that each people, anywhere, has a right to live in their peaceful nation. I believe the Palestinians and the Israelis have the right to have their own land." ... "But we have to have a peace agreement to assure the stability for everyone and to have normal relations."

He also described his reservations: "We have religious concerns about the fate of the holy mosque in Jerusalem and about the rights of the Palestinian people. This is what we have. We don't have any objection against any other people."

And he explained that there were great mutual benefits to be had in bringing Israel into the region's sphere of economic engagement: "Israel is a big economy compared to their size and it's a growing economy, and of course there are a lot of interests we share with Israel and if there is peace, there would be a lot of interest between Israel and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and countries like Egypt and Jordan."

About anti-Semitism the Crown Prince said: "Our country doesn't have a problem with Jews. Our Prophet Muhammad married a Jewish woman. Not just a friend." he married her." ... Our prophet, his neighbors were Jewish. You will find a lot of Jews in Saudi Arabia coming from America, coming from Europe.
There are no problems between Christian and Muslims and Jews. We have problems like you would find anywhere in the world, among some people. But the normal sort of problems."

Speaking about Iran the Crown Prince paralleled the Iranian Grand Ayatollah to Hitler, calling him worse than Hitler: "I believe the Iranian supreme leader makes Hitler look good. Hitler didn't do what the supreme leader is trying to do. Hitler tried to conquer Europe. ... The supreme leader is trying to conquer the world."

These on the record comments represent a watershed.
Now we watch and see what comes next.

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Putin To Visit Turkey and Iran's Leader

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

On Tuesday and Wednesday Russia's President Vladimir Putin will visit Turkey.

Putin will have talks with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and will participate in the opening of the first stage celebrating the completion of the first unit of the Russian built nuclear energy station in Turkey.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani will also visit Turkey. Putin and Rouhani will meet face-to-face and the three leaders will have quality time together.

The most critical issue on Turkey's agenda will be a discussion about the Kurds - especially US support of the Kurds.

Iran deep concern about the May deadline of the infamous "nuke deal" is also on the agenda.

Russia is Iran's advocate. The voices of Iran and Turkey are magnified exponentially because Russia is on the ground and in direct head-to-head competition with the US in the region.

Of course, Israel and the Palestinians will also come up. On that subject, Russia will be silent.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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