NYC Fining Non Maskers

 By Micah Halpern

Wednesday September 29, 2020

I've Been Thinking:

NYC Mayor Bill DeBlasio announced that the city will start fining people who are not wearing masks.

The mayor is particularly targeting Hareidi communities, but other communities and neighborhoods are also being inspected.

Until now many Hareidi neighborhoods have been totally non-compliant - to the point that they believed that COVID was over and that they had herd immunity.

But things are changing. People have begun to wear masks.

The fines can be up to $1000.

Over the past few weeks NYC is testing at 3% positive of all tests. That is a huge increase after months during which the positive rate was way below 1%.

Hopefully, the fines and the threat of fines and the presence of inspectors will jolt more and more people back into wearing masks.

It’s all about compliance – that’s how we save lives.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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What Does Sudan Want?

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Observers of the Middle East have speculated that Sudan will be the next country to normalize with Israel.

It is a good bet. Behind the scenes, however, there are some stumbling blocks.

According to the US, Sudan is still a state sponsor of terrorism. But the United States is dangling the carrot in front of Sudan by promising to remove Sudan from their terrorist list if the country moves forward with plans for normalization with Israel.

Sudan was put on the list because of its previous dictator, Omar al Bashir, who was in power for 30 years, from 1989 - 2019. Al Bashir gained power as a general in a coup. The list of his human rights atrocities inside Sudan and acts of terror outside his borders are too many to list here.

It would make sense for the United States to drop Sudan from their list. Except that, on Saturday, Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said that he does not want that link.

That probably means that he wants something bigger and better.
Dropping them from the list would allow foreign aid to a country in need. What could be better? We will probably find out soon.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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UAE Signs Israeli Soccer Player

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The Middle East is changing so quickly and in so many ways.
Dubai has signed Dia Saba, an Israeli soccer player, to a three year contact at $3 million. He will play for the UAE club Al Nasr SC.

Dia Saba currently plays for the Chinese club Guangzhou R&F. He has played for them for three and a half years. He still plays for the Israeli national team in international competition.

Before signing with China, Dia Saba played for the Israeli team Hapoel Beersheba.
The significance of this soccer deal is that sports is the ultimate equalizer.

In the Middle East soccer is almost more popular than God. This move shows just how easy it is to normalize relations.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Another Arab Country to Normalize w Israel

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Yesterday, US Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft told al Arabiyah, the largest international Arab cable television network, that she expects that at least one additional Arab country will join the UAE and Bahrain in normalizing relations with Israel.

There is little doubt that it will be either Oman or Sudan.

Unlike many other Arab networks, al Arabiyah has no agenda and can be trusted. I was a commentator for them for several years.

On Wednesday, the leaders of Sudan finished a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Abu Dhabi. It was reported – not by al Arabiyah, that no agreement was concluded. That report may or may not prove to be true.
Oman is also waiting to announce their agreement.

The Palestinians are up in arms, unable and unwilling to recognize this dramatic shift in the Arab world.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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PA Resigns Chair of Arab League

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The Palestinians were scheduled to chair the Arab League meetings for the next 6 months.

They resigned the chairmanship.

The Palestinians failed to convince the Arab League to condemn the UAE and Bahrain for committing to peace treaties with Israel.

They said that the treaties were an abandonment of the long-held agreement among Arab countries not to recognize Israel.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki told a news conference in the West Bank city of Ramallah that they were resigning the chairmanship. He said: “Palestine has decided to concede its right to chair the League’s council (of foreign ministers) at its current session. There is no honor in seeing Arabs rush towards normalization during its presidency.”

Maliki then read from a letter he sent to Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit informing him of the Palestinian move and criticizing the UAE and Bahrain, both Gulf Arab nations.

He said that peace deals with Israel "created a deep crisis in the Arab League."

This is a typical Palestinian response. They are hurting themselves in the hope that by hurting themselves, people will take notice.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Another Huge Explosion in Lebanon

 By Micah Halpern

Tuesday September 22, 2020

I've Been Thinking:

Another huge explosion in Lebanon.

This time, seven weeks after the first Beirut blast, the explosion was in an arms storage depot in the village of Ain Qana, just north of the port city of Sidon.

Two unauthorized sources say that the explosion, which was heard by other villages miles away, was triggered by a mishap.

Video shows a huge plume of black smoke.

The unauthorized sources also report that this very large weapons depot was located in the residential area of the village. The weapons belonged to Hezbollah.

Hezbollah is a Shiite terror group that is sponsored by Iran. Hezbollah fights in Syria on Iran’s behalf and has wrested near total control of southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah’s religious leadership and membership is motivated by an oath all members gladly make to destroy Israel.

So yes, it could have been a mishap. It could have been sabotage. It could have been a mission carried out by the Israeli Mossad.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Honduras To Open Emb in Jerusalem

 By Micah Halpern

Monday September 21, 2020

I've Been Thinking:

Honduras announced that they will be opening an embassy in Jerusalem by the end of the year.

The announcement came on the twitter account of the Honduran president.
President Hernandez wrote: "To strengthen our strategic alliance, we spoke to arrange the opening of the embassies in Tegucigalpa and Jerusalem, respectively." He continued: "We hope to take this historic step before the end of the year, as long as the pandemic allows it."

This announcement follows last week’s announcements by both Serbia and Kosovo about their hope to open their embassies in Jerusalem.

A good number of other countries have announced their intention to move their embassies to Jerusalem. They include, Brazil, Hungary, Moldova and Romania.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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It's Rosh Hashanah

 By Micah Halpern

Friday September 18, 2020

I've Been Thinking:

It’s Rosh Hashanah.
Another year has passed and a new one is upon us.
This, however, was no normal year – we all know that.
Traditions ground us and gives us stability. But this year, almost all traditions were thrown away, altered and re-shaped to meet the demands of our new reality.
Loss and crises flood my memory as I prepare for a new year.
And I wonder – can the community, any community, our community, sustain itself through another year like the one that is ending. And indeed, next year will be a year filled with the crisis called COVID-19. It will be different. Not the same crisis. But it would be naïve to think that this is all gone.
COVID is rolling back into certain areas with a vengeance. Those who thought the pandemic was waning thought wrong and arrogantly.
I know that our community must adapt to the change and to the risks involved. Real changes. Changes that include technology and changes that focus on services. Changes that will be hands-on, changes that will be small group oriented and changes that will be online.
Communities need to truly assess what they need. And then they need to go about raising the funds and implementing the programs that will achieve their goals.
Figuring that out is one of the most important items on my thought list as we enter the new year. May it be a Shannah Tovah, a good and healthy and productive year, for us all.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Palestinian - Israelis Love the Peace Accords

 By Micah Halpern

Thursday September 17, 2020

I've Been Thinking:

The sides have been drawn. Those in favor and those against the Abraham Accords.

The Palestinians have made their discontent known to all who will listen.
But what about Palestinian Arabs that live in the State of Israel? They have been totally silent. And there is a good reason for that silence.

Palestinians citizens of Israel understand the tremendous benefits brought about by the agreement between the UAE and Israel.

Personal benefits.
Business opportunities.

Several Palestinians with Israeli citizenship have already opened Palestinian restaurants in the UAE. Others see tourism opportunities. Still others see educational and college opportunities.

And some Palestinian Israelis are hoping to culturally translate Israel to UAE and Bahraini leaders in business and politics. They know Hebrew and understand the Israeli mindset and they know Arabic and understand the Arabic world.

They see an opportunity that is expanding way beyond the tiny borders of Israel – which has already tremendously expanded past the borders enclosing Palestinians who are not citizens of Israel.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Abraham Accords

 By Micah Halpern

Wednesday September 16, 2020

I've Been Thinking:

Tuesday was a historic day at the White House. The Abraham Accords were signed between the UAE, Israel and the US.

As we know. is following suit and it looks like Oman will be next on the list. And that may well happen in the next week.

Oman will not be long before joining the illustrious group.

Lolwah Alkhate, Qatar's Assistant Foreign Minister, said his nation is not planning to join Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates in normalizing ties with Israel.

Over the past three years Qatar has moved out of the Sunni sphere of influence.

They were at odds with the UAE and other Sunni states like Saudi Arabia when they joined Iran’s side. Qatar rejected the position of the Gulf States on Iran.

They want Arab countries to support Iran and relieve pressure being put on them by the United States.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Israel Must be Bi Partisan

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu flew in and out of Washington, DC to participate in the Abraham Accords singing ceremony.

Netanyahu spent time in the White House with President Trump. It is no secret that the two men are friends.

We have been told that while in the United States, Netanyahu did not reach out to Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential candidate.

If that is indeed true, Netanyahu needs to correct that oversight.

He can call from the plane. He can call from Jerusalem immediately upon his return home.

No matter who wins the US presidential election, Israel must have access and the Prime Minister of Israel and he must be on very friendly terms.

If their relationship is not strong and secure, the potential damage is incalculable.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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More on the Peace Train

 By Micah Halpern

Monday September 14, 2020

I've Been Thinking:

First UAE then Kosovo now Bahrain.

And now Oman. Oman state media issued a statement saying that Oman welcomed Bahrain's decision to normalize relations with Israel and hopes it will contribute to Israeli-Palestinian peace.

In one weekend, from a Friday to a Sunday, two Arab countries followed UAE. And earlier in the week Kosovo, a Muslim country, did the same. That makes it three countries in one week.

The Bahraini government statement read:
"Bahrain hopes this new strategic path taken by some Arab countries will contribute to bringing about a peace based on an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands and on establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as capital."

A few days after the UAE / Israel accord was announced on Aug. 13, Israel’s intelligence minister explained that Oman could also formalize ties with the country. Oman has welcomed the UAE and Bahraini decisions but has not commented on its own prospects for normalized relations.

Such statements are normally seen as the final steps in the process. In this case they are the first public statements, but they are also the last country to come out after long and secret talks with Israel.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Iranian War Games

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

I just finished watching videos of Iranian war games. I saw military drills and exercises that took place over three days in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz.

The drills covered about 800 square miles. Included in the exercise were the
Iranian air force, navy and army. There were jet fighters, drones, helicopters, submarines and of course, ground forces. Iranian Special Forces swam and invaded land targets. Surface-to-surface missiles were shot and surface-to-air and air-to-surface missiles were all tested in what Iranian military considered real battle conditions.

It was impressive.
It was meant to impress.

The US 5th Fleet was right there watching. The US took no action. The US made no comment.

Tensions are always high in the area. But now, with Gulf countries waiting in line to recognize Israel, Iran is feeling their dream of a united Muslim world confronting the West crumbling down.

There is little chance that Iran’s dream will re-emerge – not even as a talking point among most of the Muslim world.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Chad May Open Emb in Jerusalem

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Chad is a country in central northern Africa. It is a majority Muslim country.
And now, Chad is considering opening an embassy in Jerusalem.

This week a high-level delegation from Chad visited Jerusalem. They met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on Tuesday. During the meeting, Netanyahu said: “I do not only want to mark the relations between our countries, but to promote them even more.”

This will not be the first time Chad had an embassy in Israel.

After the Yom Kippur War in 1973, Chad closed their embassy and cut off ties with Israel. They were one of 30 African countries that cut ties with Israel in ‘73.

And then, in 2018 the president of Chad visited Israel and Netanyahu visited Chad in 2019.

Chad realizes how useful good diplomatic, economic and tech relations with Israel can be. They will almost certainly open their embassy in Jerusalem sometime soon.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Suha Arafat Likes UAE Deal

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Suha Arafat, the widow of Yasser Arafat, has come out in favor of the Israel / UAE peace deal.

Suha also apologized to the UAE for the disrespect Palestinian have shown the UAE, UAE leaders and UAE symbols.

Suha did not mention any names, but she did say that while she has received threats from many Palestinians because of her pro-peace deal comments, she has not been threatened by Palestinian President Abbas.

On her Instagram account Suha Arafat posted the following: “In the name of all the noble Palestinians, I am apologising for the UAE people and leadership for the profanation [sic] and burning of their flag in Jerusalem and Palestine and for insulting the symbols of the beloved UAE.”

On Egyptian TV where Suha appeared twice, speaking about the threats she received from Palestinian leadership, she had a message for those leaders. She said: do not touch my monthly stipend of $11, 830.

Arafat also appeared on Israeli TV station Kan and explained how important the deal was and that Palestinians have not yet realized that this is a game changer.

Good for Suha Arafat. She is taking a stand and is not afraid of the ramifications.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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2 More to Open Emb in Jerusalem

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

On Friday, at a ceremony in the White House, Serbia and Kosovo agreed to normalize economic ties between their countries.

And in the middle of that signing ceremony, both Serbia and Kosovo agreed to establish embassies in Jerusalem.

Kosovo will be the first majority Muslim country to open an embassy in Jerusalem.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu made an announcement soon after the DC ceremony saying that: “Kosovo will be the first country with a Muslim majority to open an embassy in Jerusalem ... As I’ve said in recent days - the circle of peace and recognition of Israel is expanding and more countries are expected to join.”

These are powerful moments in history.

But not everyone was pleased. Turkey expressed disappointment. Palestinian leadership said that they would cut ties with countries that open embassies in Jerusalem or establish ties with Israel.

To date, only the United States and Guatemala have opened embassies in Jerusalem.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Iran's Abuses

 By Micah Halpern

Friday September 4, 2020

I've Been Thinking:

This week Amnesty International released a report stating that following the
November 2019 protests in Iran, many of those thought to be involved in the protest had been arrested and tortured and sexually abused.

The immediate reason for the protests was a 200% increase in the price of gasoline. People took to the streets. They also created traffic jams by stopping their cars on busy streets causing huge backups. The protests spread across over 100 cities in Iran.

Iranian security services were sent to crush the protests. Those who were supposed to defend the right of the citizens against abuse, were silent.

The internet, which was the vehicle through which the protestors communicated, was shut down for an entire week. No internet - total black out. No communication – and the protests disappeared.

The Amnesty report was disturbing but not surprising. Iran is a human right abuser on par with China and North Korea.

This report is an important reminder, we need to remember what kind of country Iran is and what Iran stands for.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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COVID Spikes in Israel

 By Micah Halpern

Thursday September 3, 2020

I've Been Thinking:

COVID is spiking in Israel. Over 3000 cases in 24 hours – 2 days in a row.
Deaths have reached 1,000.

Several cities, towns and neighborhoods are the centers of contagion. They are called Red Zones. Their numbers skew national numbers. As a result, the national numbers, with an almost 10% contagion rate, are extremely worrisome. The Covorna Virus Cabinet just shut them down and sealed them off from the rest of Israel.

If those communities are not brought under control, authorities will be forced to institute another national lockdown. And soon - possibly even before Rosh Hashanah.

The Hareidi community and the Arab community are neither going to be tested nor are they complying with protocols. They claim herd immunity, but they are getting sick.

Several very prestigious leading rabbis have called for their communities not to test for fear that their schools will be closed. They are convinced that the testing and high COVID positive numbers will cause others to have a negative opinion of the Hareidi community.

800 students from the Hareidi yeshiva world tested positive yesterday. The number is, in actuality, much higher because many students did not test. That is about 30% of all COVID positives in Israel from a community that is only 10% of the population. The percentage is even higher when you take into account their age group, 18-25. In that group, these 800 positive Hareidi yeshiva students probably comprise over 50% of the Israel’s positives.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Iran & the Internet

 By Micah Halpern

Wednesday September 2, 2020

I've Been Thinking:

Average Iranians crave the internet – especially young Iranians.

Religious leadership in Iran, on the other hand, has clamped down on the internet, they have blocked access to the internet. They filter everything, especially social media. They even block game sites. And last year they shut down the internet for a week in order to prevent protestors demanding a change in religious leadership, from communicating,

TunnelBear is a company that provides VPN. VPN stands for virtual personal network. It is a program that makes it appear as if you are on your computer in a location that is different from your actual location. When an Iranian uses a VPN, government filters do not work.

TunnelBear is giving 10GB of free VPN, which is about 800 hours of web surfing, to every Iranian. They are also persuading other VPN providers to offer free services to Iranians.

The problem is that in order to get a VPN, you first need to get online. So TunnelBear has created a way to get onto the internet without using an Iranian host.

This move is a deal changer. Access to an unfiltered internet might possibly bring about the fall of the religious regime in Iran.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Iran Jew Hatred

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

For years Iran has insisted that they hate Israel, not Jews.

But this is what the Supreme Leader, the Grand Ayatollah, had to say about Jared Kushner:

"The UAE along with Israelis and evil Americans like the Jewish member of Trump's family are working together against the interests of the Islamic world ... I hope Emiratis wake up and pay for what they did."

Khamenei was, of course, referring to Kushner, Donald Trump’s Jewish son-in-law.

This just proves what we already surmised. All the Iranian rhetoric about being merely anti-Zionist, not anti-Semitic is simply veneer maintained to hide their deep-rooted hatred of all Jews - not just those Jews who live in Israel.

The Supreme Leader’s comments were broadcast on Iranian TV.

They included a tongue lasing of the UAE: "Of course, the UAE's betrayal will not last long, but this stigma will always be remembered. They allowed the Zionist regime to enter the region and forgot Palestine …The Emiratis will be disgraced forever."

Israel and the UAE united in order to confront Iran. Iran was never a friend of the Gulf nation or of any Arab nation. That is now abundantly clear. They only pretended to be, Iranian leadership told lies of convenience.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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