Rise of A/S in the US

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The drastic rise in hate crimes targeting Jews has not fostered many responses on the grassroots level.

Some figures, like Senator Bernie Sanders, have even announced that they’ve had enough with all the condemning of anti-Semitism.

But there have been some inspiring attempts to help and assist the many frightened Jews. Especially frightened are those who are “obviously identifiable Jews.”

A group of martial arts experts in LA is being organized by a Remi Franklin, a Jewish martial arts instructor.

Franklin is coordinating jiujitsu, karate, mixed martial arts and boxer instructors who will escort Jews going to and from synagogue and will also secure synagogues in LA. His group is working together with a Jewish security group named Magen Am.

In interviews with the LA Times and The Forward, Remi Franklin explains that coordinating these communities combines his Jewish life and his martial arts life.

Haters of Jews need to witness strong powerful Jews and their friends standing together, standing tall and standing proud.

We need more people like Remi Franklin.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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US To RE-Open Jerusalem Consulate

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

US Secretary of State Tony Blinken has wrapped up his trip to Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

The secretary of state promised to re-open the US consulates in the Arab section of Jerusalem. He said that President Biden will ask congress for $75 million to re-open the consulate and for humanitarian assistance.
Why, you might ask, is there a need for a US consulate in Jerusalem - isn’t the embassy housed in Jerusalem?

The answer is that the consulate will serve the Palestinian community.

Blinken also indicated that President Biden will ask Congress for even more help for the Palestinians. Biden will ask for another $5.5 million in addition to the original request of $32 million slated for humanitarian aid.

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Jews Like Israel

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Pew Research Center Religion and Public Life published a study in mid-May which attached numbers to Jews and their attachment to Israel.

Look at these numbers.

45% of American Jews think that caring about Israel is essential to being Jewish. 37% think that caring about Israel is important. Only 16% of American Jews polled think that the Israel is not important.

The study was conducted between June 19, 2019 through June 3, 2020.

So - what conclusions can be drawn from the Pew Study?

The most important conclusion is that Israel is still important to the overwhelming majority of Jews in the United States.

I find that to be remarkably comforting. I would guess most of those 16% of Jews do not feel anything is important to their identity, not just Israel.
Poor souls.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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From Cease Fire to Peace - NO!

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Since the cease fire between Israel and Hamas went into effect, I have heard over and over that it is essential to ride the wave of momentum and to continue on. The assumption is that the cease fire will lead to a peace deal.

And I say - No way! Definitely not! To think this way is, quite frankly, to flaunt your ignorance. It is wishful thinking.

Hamas’ raison d’etre is the destruction of Israel, it is the basis of their charter.
Hamas does not want peace. For Hamas the cease fire was a protective move undertaken to prevent their total destruction.
Anyone who knows the region, knows this to be true.

So, you ask, why did the UAE and Qatar volunteer to help continue to broker a peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

And why did Egypt's foreign minister, during a visit to Jordan on Sunday, discuss ways to build on the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, ways de-escalate tensions in the Palestinian territories and ways to revive the Middle East peace process. And why was all of that announced in an official foreign ministry statement. They certainly understand the region.

The answer is - because, they have an ulterior meeting.

The Palestinian Authority is the only party that can negotiate peace with Israel. And right now the PA is not ready to take that step.

The UAE and Qatar and Egypt countries know that. But for the moment, they want to ride the wave of success and gain favor in the eyes of the United States and other Western countries.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Israel Orders 3rd Shot

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The United States and Israel are at odds about Iran.

The United States, along with the five other permanent members of the UN’s Security Council plus Germany are in serious talks with Iran about their nuclear development.

While that is happening, Israel attacked Iran’s Natanz nuclear lab knocking out their centrifuge system.

The United States made it very clear to Israel that they were unhappy about the attack. So Israel has agreed to step back and halt their aggressive strikes against Iran. The trade off is that Israel is expecting – or at least hoping, to have significant input into US and policy regarding Iran.

I would posit that Israel stepped up their strikes against Iranian targets in order to one day – which turns out to be now, pull back. Israel always intended to use these attacks as a valuable card to play with the United States.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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US & Israel at Odds

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The United States and Israel are at odds about Iran.

The United States, along with the five other permanent members of the UN’s Security Council plus Germany are in serious talks with Iran about their nuclear development.

While that is happening, Israel attacked Iran’s Natanz nuclear lab knocking out their centrifuge system.

The United States made it very clear to Israel that they were unhappy about the attack. So Israel has agreed to step back and halt their aggressive strikes against Iran. The trade off is that Israel is expecting – or at least hoping, to have significant input into US and policy regarding Iran.

I would posit that Israel stepped up their strikes against Iranian targets in order to one day – which turns out to be now, pull back. Israel always intended to use these attacks as a valuable card to play with the United States.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Syrian Elections

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

This year, Spring is the season of Middle East elections.
Syria has announced that on May 26th they will hold presidential elections.

Assad will win a third term as president. These are not true elections and his win is a certainty.

The Assad family belongs to a minority group in Syria. They are Alawites. And Syria’s Alawites control their brutal security forces. Opposition is not tolerated. A part of the Syrian election law is that a candidate must have lived in Syria for the past 10 years.

There is no opposition within Syria.

In 2011, protests in Syria began in the south of the country. The protestors were asking for election and political reform. The protests were crushed and so began a civil war that has, for the past ten years, devastated the country.

The only question about Syria’s upcoming election is whether Bashar Assad will win 85% or 95% or even 98% of the vote.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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US Unhappy w Israeli Attacks

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The United States has made it known to Israel that they are displeased with the strikes on Iran.

The US is especially unhappy with Israel’s “boasting” about their success and claiming responsibility for the attacks - something that Israel has been loath to do in the past.

When there is an element of doubt it leaves the target, in this case Iran, questioning not just whether it was Israel but if the strike was a coordinated effort.
Was the United States involved? Was there intel from agencies from other countries? Were their neighboring countries involved?

The United States is concerned because Iran has announced that they are enriching uranium to 60%. That is 20 times the agreed upon enrichment level.

Because of strike on Natanz and the strikes on Iranian ships – all courtesy of Israel, the US is going to have a difficult time at the negotiation table in Vienna.

What we have here are two very arrogant nations. The United States is dictating to Israel. The US believes that they can tell the world what to do and what not to do. Israel, meanwhile, is telling the United States that they will do what is necessary in order to achieve safety for their citizens.

Neither country is about too change their point of view.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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PA Elections - Maybe?

 By Micah Halpern

Friday April 16, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Elections for the Palestinian legislature are scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 22nd.

Presidential elections are scheduled for July 31.

Polls are telling us that Fatah, the ruling party of the Palestinian Authority and the PLO, is having a difficult time getting a majority or - even a plurality.
Because of these polls, I anticipate that the elections will be postponed or even cancelled.

The Palestinians will blame it on Israel. They will claim that because Israel is not permitting Palestinians residing in Jerusalem to vote, they cannot hold a true election.

That of course is simply a smoke screen. It is a contrived excuse to save Fatah, with Abbas at its head, the embarrassment of losing. It really is a big deal. Losing this election would not just be an embarrassment – losing would mean the end of the Palestinian Authority and the end of Fatah as we know it.

In the meantime there are several parties that are contenders in this election.
They include Fatah and Fatah breakoffs - but Hamas is a contender as well.

If the elections take place there will be serious changes within the PA, if not a total implosion. The situation could certainly devolve into armed battle between factions.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Bidden Sanctions Russia

 By Micah Halpern

Thursday April 15, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

The Biden Administration has slapped Russia with a series of sanctions.

The announcement about these sanctions was unclear as to the timing. There was no date given for when these measures would take effect.

It did, however, explain that included in the sanctions will be a list of banned companies. Also included is the expulsion of diplomats. And finally, the sanctions will prevent US banks from buying any Russian bonds from Russia’s central bank, from their national wealth fund and from the Russian finance ministry.

This is a major step in the right direction. Russia has been a significant agitator in the US political arena and in US financial markets. When it comes to foreign affairs, the Russians tease and taunt the United States.

In response to the Biden announcement, Moscow said that they are considering a response which may also include counter sanctions against then United States. The Kremlin spokesperson explained that: "The principle of reciprocity for such matters has not been canceled, but everything will depend on the decisions made by the (Russian) head of state.”

Every decision in Russia, we all well know, is made by the head of state.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Drone In Israel

 By Micah Halpern

Wednesday March 17, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Israel conducted a drone exercise on Wednesday. This was not a military program, instead, it was a test of commercial deliveries using small mini drones.

The test took place in the city of Hadera. It was computer controlled and managed from Haifa, which is 35 miles away.

The drones, released 20 at a time, delivered pizzas and other small items.

The skies of Israel are filled with other drones, with planes and with helicopters and even with paragliders. Because of all this air traffic, the rules of delivery drones state that they must fly under an altitude of 360 feet.

Israel’s delivery drones all have emergency parachutes in case of malfunctions.
Should there be a malfunction, the parachute will make certain the drone and the package and anyone or anything on the ground is not damaged.

The exercise was a success. It looks like drone deliveries are soon to become a reality for Israelis.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Israel Hospitals Close COVID Wards

 By Micah Halpern

Tuesday March 16, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

On Monday March 15, 2021 Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv closed their last COVID ward.

The 18 remaining patients were transferred to other non-COVID care units.

This is enormously significant.

Ichilov is the largest medical center serving Tel Aviv. It is one of the largest medical campuses in Israel. Closing their COVID wards signals that Israel is in the final stretch of this pandemic.

Fewer and fewer people are dying of COVID in Israel. Fewer and fewer are becoming critically ill and requiring hospitalization. Vaccinations have topped 5 million will hit 7 million in the next few weeks.

The lock downs, the quarantines, the strict enforcement of rules and restrictions have paid off in lives saved and a pandemic that has been contained.

Good going Israel.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Israelis Take Israel to ICC

 By Micah Halpern

Monday March 15, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

An Israeli group named Anshei Emet (the People of Truth) have taken the State of Israel to the Hague, also known as the ICC – the International Criminal Court.

This group alleges that Israel is forcing citizens to vaccinate and that forcing them to vaccinate is a form of abuse. They also assert that people have died from the vaccine. Their biggest argument is that the reaction to the shot is a form of abuse.

In reality, the numbers tell an opposite story.

Only 0.25% of those in Israel who received the Pfizer vaccine had any significant reaction. That number is practically 0.

The case is absurd. This group and their decision to bring the case to the Hague takes anti-vaxxers to a whole new – and dare I say ridiculous, level.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Hackers Hack Israel

 By Micah Halpern

Sunday March 14, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

A hacker group successfully attacked an Israeli finance company. Now they are demanding a ransom of 1.9 million shekel. That’s about $570,000.

The group is called The Black Shadow.

The company they attacked is called KLS, a finance company that handles car payments.

The Black Shadow has begun to release the company’s private information on the web. They also deleted a significant amount of data.

This is not the first time The Black Shadow has cyber attacked an Israeli company.
Last December they successfully attacked Israeli Insurance company Shirbit. Following that attack the hacker group demanded - and received 200 Bitcoins which equaled $3.8 million.

KLS has refused to pay. They told The Black Shadow that they will not pay.

Micah@MicahHaleprn.com

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Discoveries in Egypt

 By Micah Halpern

Saturday March 13, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

A team of archeologists from Norway and France have discovered and unearthed a compound consisting of six churches and many isolation chambers. The remains are from the 5th century.

The finds are located in the Western desert. This dig further supports the idea that monastic life was commonplace in Christian religious life.

They found inscriptions. They found buildings that were cut into bedrock. They discovered that basalt stone as well as mud brick was used for building.

Archeological finds like this one are very helpful in our understanding of early Christian society.

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Fresh Water in ISrael

 By Micah Halpern

Friday March 12, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Just 18 months ago the water line in the Sea of Galilee was so dangerously low that it was below the bottom red line.

It was so low that pumping from Israel’s only freshwater lake was restricted to the bare minimum and nearly stopped. When the water level reaches the bottom red line, pumping must be restricted if not stopped.

Today, the Sea of Galilee is almost at full capacity. Israel is no longer in crisis for fresh water.

The Sea of Galilee was filled due to an unusual amount of rain and snow over the winter months.

If the water rises just a little more, the National Water Authority will open a dam and release water form the lake into the Jordan River. This is done in order to prevent flooding.

Imagine, six months ago water in Israel was at a dangerous low, today it is so high Israel can afford to siphon it off.

Israel needs water. For decades Israelis have been taught about the importance of water conservation. Water is so important for productive life and Israel has many plans to insure that the country continues to have fresh water.

Rain, of course, is not part of the plan but, thankfully, this year it arrived in the nick of time.

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Elections in Iran

 By Micah Halpern

Thursday March 11, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

I have written about the upcoming elections in Iran that will take place on June 18th.

Now we are hearing from “experts” explaining that, because of those elections, the window for the United States to come to an agreement with Iran before their election is about 10 weeks. That is all - just 10 weeks. After the election, they explain, the new president who will almost certainly +be even more conservative than Rouhani, the current president, will not welcome an agreement.

That entire analysis is wrong.

Who is to say that after an agreement is cobbled together and signed with the current government of Iran within the next 10 weeks, the incoming government will not rip it to shreds if for no other reason than to prove that they do not support relations with the United States and with the West.

This is Iran we are dealing with!

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Stevie Wonder Prize in Israel

 By Micah Halpern

Wednesday March 10, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Stevie Wonder will be awarded the Wolf Prize from Israel. As always, the award was announced by the Israeli President, Ruby Rivlin.

The Wolf Prize is awarded to artists and scientists. It’s quite impressive.

Not surprisingly, Roger Waters – a blatant and outspoken hater of the Jewish State, is asking Stevie Wonder to reject the prize. Waters is a singer, songwriter, musician and composer. He is a also rabid supporter of BDS and he never misses an opportunity to attack Israel or to use his fame and music popularity to force others to boycott Israel.

Waters has reached out to just about every single performer scheduled to come to Israel. He publicly calls them out and uses Twitter to embarrass them.

Thus far, Waters’ campaign has had only very limited success.

And Stevie Wonder is still scheduled to accept the award.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Bomb @Israel Embassy in India

 By Micah Halpern

Tuesday March 9, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

There was an explosion outside the Israeli embassy in New Delhi, India, this past January.

Until now it was thought that ISIS – which claimed responsibility in the aftermath of the explosion - had planned and executed the terror attack.

But India has now concluded that Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were behind the terror attack which was detonated by remote control.

A note, written in English was found nearby the site of the attack.

Turns out that the note was a deliberate attempt to mislead investigators.
According to the note, the attack was to avenge the deaths of several “martyrs”.
The martyrs listed on the note were Qassem Soleimani, Iran’s Islamic
Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) commander who was killed in a January 2020 United States drone strike; Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a top Iraqi militia commander who was killed along with Soleimani; and Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the architect of Iran’s nuclear program, killed in a November 2020 attack that Tehran has blamed on Israel.

The note also said warned that the attackers are watching and can strike at any time.

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Elections in Iran

 By Micah Halpern

Monday March 8, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

On June 18th, right around the corner, an election is scheduled in Iran. Candidates are starting to emerge.

One of the most likely candidates, and with an excellent chance of succeeding in this election, is named Saeed Mohammad. Mohammad is the director of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He also runs the largest commercial enterprise in Iran called the Khatam al Anbiya Construction.

Mohammad has no political experience. But that will not sideline him. He is very close with the Supreme Leader the Ayatollah Khamenei, the man who makes all decisions in Iran. In addition, his role in the IRGC gives him a great credential.
And he is also the employer of 10’s of thousands of people. Or he was – Mohammad just stepped down from that position in order to dedicate time to his run for the presidency.

Name recognition. A close connection to the Grand Ayatollah. An insider. Remember the name. Saeed Mohammad may very well become the next president of Iran.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Crisis in Kindergarterns

 By Micah Halpern

Sunday March 7, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Israel’s ministry of education announced that over 500 kindergartens have been closed because of COVID. It is the largest number yet.

The kindergartens have been closed either because the children have been exposed to COVID or because their teachers have contracted COVID. In an effort to protect the teachers and the students and their families, the kindergartens had to be shuttered.

Anat Dadon, director of pre-school unions in Israel is quoted saying: "Parents are sending their children [to kindergarten] knowing they may be exposed to a carrier of the virus."

"We have not seen so many kindergartens forced to close and staff and children made to quarantine since the start of the pandemic."

The simple fact is that, in Israel, for the next few months, there will continue to be rolling closures of schools as students and teacher continue to test for COVID and some of them come back with positive test results.

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Dalai Lama Says Vaccinate

 By Micah Halpern

Saturday March 6, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Today the Dalai Lama got received his COVID 19 vaccine.

It was the first of the two vaccines he will get.

After receiving the shot, the 85 year old Tibetan spiritual leader spoke to the world.
He spoke to his ardent followers and to all who listen to him. He urged them all to be brave and to get the vaccine.

The Dalai Lama was the latest in a series of leaders - especially spiritual leaders, who are urging people to vaccinate. They are combatting a growing number of anti-vaxxers who have created conspiracy cults. Thee claim that COVID is a hoax.

They claim that the vaccine will cause damage to one’s health.

It is these conspiracy theories that are the real hoax. The Dalai Lama stood up and is helping to save the lives to his followers.

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A/S In England

Friday March 5, 2021

I've Been Thinking:

A mother complained that the homework assignment for her 7 year old son depicted the Jews as killing Jesus.

As a result, the site that the homework was on took down the 19 pages dealing with Jews as the killers of their god.

On the site, under the title The Trial, there was the following quote: “The Jewish leaders wanted Jesus to be guilty. They found it difficult to find anything that he had done wrong even though they paid people to lie about him. Eventually they asked him if he was the Son of God. Jesus replied I am. This was enough. They said this was an insult to God. Jesus was taken before Pontius Pilate the Roman Governor.”

And it goes on.

In the Christian Bible, on the several occasions where it is written that Jesus says that he is the son of God, it is only inferred. He never actually says those words.

There are people who are teaching children to hate Jews because they are the killers of their god. It is medieval. But it is happening today.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Assad Tested Positive

Thursday March 4, 2021

I've Been Thinking:

President Assad of Syria and his wife Asma tested positive for COVID. Both the president and his wife are 55 years old.

Asma had cancer nearly three years ago. She was treated and has fully recovered. The presidential office said that they have only mild symptoms, are in isolation in the palace and will return to work in a few weeks.

Several important points have emerged with that report.

Telling us that Assad and his wife have COIVD is unusual – it is not the modus operandi in Syria. Not telling us how serious the cases are is also very telling. The Syrian president’s office lies all the time. They are not lying about the COVID, but they are most certainly lying about the symptoms.

As an example of a lie - according to Syrian health officials only 16,000 people in Syria have contracted COVID. That cannot be the case.

In a dictatorship, information about the president or about national health are almost never made public and what is made public is almost never accurate.
It will be interesting to see if any further details – truth, half truths or lies – will be released.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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COVID

Wednesday March 3, 2021

I've Been Thinking:

Israel is investing millions of shekels to combat fake news on the internet about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Over the past few weeks, as Israel has hit major milestones in vaccine numbers and prepares to vaccinate the remained of their still unvaccinated population, an online movement has developed spreading hoaxes and lies about the vaccine.

Those behind these hoaxes couch their lies in pseudoscience and medicine.
Israelis who have not yet been vaccinated have done so out of choice. They need to be convinced. And because of these fake news sites, it is harder to sway them.

Experts say that these hoaxers are endangering individual lives as well as the greater health and well being of the population of the nation.

500,000 Israelis over the age of 50 still have not been vaccinated. They will get sick and some will die - simply because they were told lies about the vaccine.
Websites quoting real Israeli medical experts are now on counter websites. In simple terms, they explain the science behind the vaccines. They are debunking the myths. Hopefully, they will be saving lives.

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US Israel Agree on Iran

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Most great agreements are hammered together behind closed doors.

Announcements of the final product are much more impressive when details of the day-to-day bickering inherent in forming an agreement are kept in the shadows.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced that the United States and Israel have come to an agreement about Iran.

Both countries agreed that there be no surprises. That means that Israel will not attack Iran without tell the United States in advance. And the United States will not open doors for Iran or enter negotiations or begin a new strategy without letting Israel know in advance.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said: "If anyone thought the Americans would run to make an agreement with Iran, up until now it did not happen, and I hope it does not happen in the future".

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Israel Regional Defense Pact

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Israel has launched an effort to create a regional defense pact.

The idea is to come to strategic agreements with numerous countries in the region, bonding together as a group, enabling group members to better protect themselves from aggressive outliers.

This defense pact will function similarly to NATO. If one country is attacked it is, by treaty, seen as an attack on all member nations.

The plan was reported by KAN, a Hebrew language radio network in Israel. It credited Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi with the idea for the plan and the follow through.

So far, the players joining Israel are UAE and Bahrain. I predict that both Egypt and Jordan will follow suit.

The outliers that will be isolated in this defense pact are Iran and Syria.

This could be a very useful – and intimidating, defense tool.

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A/S Professor Fire in Michigan

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Nothing surprises me anymore when it comes to anti-Semitism.

A science professor at Ferris State University in Michigan named Thomas Brennan was fired because of his tweets. There is no hiding it – his tweets were outright anti-Semitic.

The Torch, which is the university student newspaper at Ferris State, printed a screenshot of one of his tweets. It read: “Covid19 is another jewish revolution.”

At the time, the university’s president, David Eisler, said the school was “shocked and outraged by these tweets.” He added that the tweets were “extremely offensive and run counter to the values of our University and our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.”

In November, Brennan was placed on administrative leave until an investigation was concluded.

As a defense, Brennan explained that he thought there were people invading his body and mind. He claims that he was not in control when he wrote those tweets.

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Iran Attacks Israeli Ship

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

This week an Israeli cargo ship, the Helios Ray, was hit by 2 missiles while above sea level in the open sea. The shop docked in Dubai in order to repair the holes.
The attack was almost certainly the work of Iran.

Israeli Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi said: "This past weekend we received a reminder from one of the biggest threats in the region, who reminded us that Iran is not only a nuclear threat, but a spreader of terrorisms which carries out terrorist acts and actions against civilian targets."

Iran has identified a very weak link in Israeli security – Israeli shipping in the open seas. Cargo ships at sea are totally defenseless. Israeli ships flying the Israeli flag have only limited security.

This ship, the Helios Ray, was not flying an Israeli flag. It travelled under a Bahaman flag. But Iran knew its origin.

Israel must figure out how to defend ships on the high seas.

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Gantz Visits Jordan

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The head of Israel’s Blue White Party, Benny Gantz, met with King Abdullah of Jordan on Friday.

The purpose of the meeting was to point out to Israelis that Prime Minister Netanyahu was not welcome in Amman. Bibi has never successfully developed or expanded relations with Jordan.

Gantz is a serious underdog in the upcoming March 23rd elections.

This tete a tete in Jordan was an attempt by Gantz to illustrate how much more likeable to the Arab world he is than Bibi Netanyahu is.

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Syria Gets Vaccine from a Friend

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

There have been some very interesting developments on the COIVD vaccine front.

One of the most fascinating is mostly speculation - but it is still, very plausible.
Syria received the Russian Sputnik V vaccine. It was given to them by a “friendly nation.” That was how Syrian Health Minister Hassan Ghabash put it, as reported by the official Syrian media outlet SANA.

Now here is where it gets interesting and speculation begins: Russia was running interference and playing mediator between Israel and Syria to swap prisoners for an Israeli woman who accidently wandered into Syria.

To sweeten the pot, Israel bought the Russian vaccine and had the Russians deliver the vaccine to Syria. So who’s the “friendly nation”? That would be Russia.

The private equity company in Russia handling the sale and distribution of the Sputnik V vaccine would not comment.

We may never know the truth or learn more details. But quite possibly, Israel bought the vaccine from Russia and had it sent to Syria in exchange for the release of an Israeli woman.

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Vaccine Diplomacy

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

I call it Vaccine Diplomacy.

Israel is giving COVID vaccines to countries that have already moved, or promised to move, their embassies to Jerusalem.

Israel is giving vaccines to those countries that have opened their diplomatic doors to them.

The ability to vaccinate your citizens, when vaccines are expensive and difficult to come by, is of the great benefits of creating relations with Jewish State.

Honduras, Guatemala and the Czech Republic will all benefit from Israel’s Vaccine Diplomacy.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu explained that: “Our stock is above and beyond what Israelis need; we have more than enough to help out.”

More countries are in line to receive COVID vaccines from Israel – and more and more vaccines are arriving in Israel.

Pfizer was, for a long time, the only vaccine administered in Israel. That’s because Israel agreed to transmit to all the details of the public rollout to Pfizer, allowing the drug company to use Israel as their test country.

Now however the Moderna has arrived. And Israel has more than enough vaccine, allowing them to be generous to their “friends” in need.

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Iran Election June 18

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Most people have not marked the date on their calendars, but on June 18th there will be a presidential election in Iran.

The present government, which is run by “moderate” Rouhani will be replaced by – who knows. The field is full of conservatives. Included in the roster of contenders is Irani’s current Foreign Minister Muhammad Javad Zarif.

It is too soon to predict the outcome of the election for two simple reasons.
Reason number one is that the Supreme Leader has not yet made his opinion public. And as we all know, in the end it is The Grand Ayatollah who decides who wins an election.

Reason number two is that the only issue of significance in Iran right now is the nuclear question which is all about sanctions and the economy. Until the Biden administration puts their plan of action into play, neither the candidates nor current
Iranian leadership will be able to respond.
We must all be patient and wait.

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Monitor Leaders

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

It is important to monitor the activities of leaders of allied countries, not just the actions of our enemies. Their travel and their health can be very telling.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is recovering from a successful surgical operation. The report was issued by the state news agency.

The Crown Prince underwent laparoscopic surgery for appendicitis in the King Faisal Specialist Hospital in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

This is very good news from all points of view.

Most important is that the Crown Prince was quickly diagnosed and that he was brought to a local hospital where a successful and quick surgery was performed.
This shows a change in Saudi policy. In the past, the Crown Prince would have been flown to another nation for his surgery.

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Arrest Rioters

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The rioters who broke into the Capitol on January 6th are, slowly, slowly, all being arrested.

The rioter who sat in Mike Pence’s seat in the Senate and who shouted and posted horrific Jew hatred saying that the Jews control the government and Israel controls governments around the world has been arrested.

His name is Christian Secor. His internet name is “Groyper.” He follows and supports white supremacists. He has praise for shooters who spray their bullets across crowds and murder innocent people and for the neo-Nazi rally that was held in Charlottesville, VA in 2017. His web-posts are littered with racist Jew hatred and with conspiracy theories.

The Department of Justice has prioritized their agenda. Fighting extremism is high on their list.

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Israeli Nano Satellite

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Tel Aviv University launched a nano satellite from Virginia. The satellite is, as the name implies, tiny. It is only 4 inches by 4 inches by 12 inches and weighs just over 5 lbs.

This nano satellite will orbit the earth at an altitude of 250 miles, racing at a speed of 5 miles per second which puts it at a speed of 17,150 mph (27,600 kph). An entire orbit of the earth will occur every 90 minutes.

Tel Aviv University’s nano satellite entered orbit on a NASA supply ship on its way to the international space station. It split off into orbit when it hit its proper altitude.

This is truly remarkable. The technology was created by a few engineers in a university lab - not by a multi-billion dollar company with hundreds of engineers and physicists.

We are witnessing the future of satellites and it is a great equalizer. It is called “New Space technology” as opposed to “Old Space Technology”.
And Israel is on the cutting edge of this technology.

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COVID Cure

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Enlivex is an Israeli biotech company specializing in immunotherapy. The company is working on a cure for COVID. They just completed Phase II of trials and the results are very promising.

The drug Enlivex is testing and improving is called Allocetra.

In this second stage, sixteen patients who were all in severe or critical condition survived a 28 day experimental Phase II treatment. At the end of the trial, two of the sixteen patients were in still in critical condition and on ventilators. The other fourteen patients were fully recovered, healthy and released from the hospital.
The average duration of hospitalization after receiving Allocetra, for those who were discharged, was 5.3 days.

In the Phase I trial of the drug, five patients were all in severe condition when they started receiving Allocetra. Their average stay in the hospital was 10 days and they all recovered.

The most significant finding in this study is the improvement that was seen from the first to the second trial. Nearly a 50% improvement. And the time spent in the hospital once the drug was administered went from ten days to five.

There is hope.

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Chief Rabbi Fires a Judge for not Vaccinating

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Israel’s Chief Rabbi David Lau suspended a rabbinic judge who serves on the conversion court.

As president of Supreme Rabbinical Courts, Rabbi Lau has the authority to suspend judges for behaviors deemed inappropriate. This judge refuses to take the COVID vaccine.

In a statement issued by Rabbi Lau, he wrote: “It is forbidden for a person to damage his own body and all the more so that of someone else”.

Lau said that the dangers of COVID-19 are a verifiable fact and that any dangers inherent in the vaccine are uncertain, and that it is, therefore, an obligation to get vaccinated.

He explained: “Someone who does not get vaccinated is not only likely to harm himself but is also likely to harm someone else.”

According to the Chief Rabbi, protecting one’s health allows people to “fulfil our obligations in a world of significance … Someone who does not fulfill this command rejects the good that God granted his world by giving us the possibility of getting out of the distress caused by the coronavirus.”

According to Jewish law, Rabbi Lau is correct. According to Israeli law, I’m not sure if suspending the rabbi for these reasons is legal.

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Israel Attacks Hezbollah

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Israel has sent a very clear message to Hezbollah.

During a single, 24-hour period, Israel engaged in an exercise during which the Israeli air-force attacked 3,000 targets.

The targets were all essential infrastructure and military sites. They hit bridges, electric grids, airports, arms depots and underground command and control centers.

This is the first air-force drill of its kind. It was so big and so real.
Israel carried out this one-of-a-kind exercise in public. In an almost unprecedented move, the exercise was broadcast to the media.

Israel was transmitting a message to Hezbollah both through the air and through the air waves. The message was clear. Israel is prepared to respond to any attack or act of aggression from Lebanon.

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Rabbis in Arab States

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The rabbis of fourteen Arab countries have created an alliance.

Israel’s Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yossef endorsed the new group which is named the Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States. The chairman of the alliance is Rabbi Mendy Chitrik, the Chabad representative in Turkey.

Rabbi Chitrik explained the background behind this alliance and said: “The establishment of this alliance to unite all the Jewish communities in these places with the recognition of government officials in each state is very welcome and will assist in the provision of Jewish needs of the members of these different communities.”

The fourteen countries participating in this alliance are: Tunisia, Morocco, Uganda, Nigeria, Kosovo, Albania, Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Uzbekistan, North Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates. Additional members are the Russian Muslim-majority republics of Tatarstan and Bashkortostan.

According to Rabbi Chitrik: “Our purpose is to advance Jewish life in these countries and focus on Jews who still work and live in the Muslim world … It is important for us to have our voice heard in countries where we live, so we work with government officials to maintain the Jewish past and sustain Jewish life in the present.”

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Iran Stops Synagogue Thieves

 By Micah Halpern

Monday February 15, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Iran arrested a gang of thieves as they were tunneling into an ancient synagogue in Urmia, a city in the north western region of the country.
Urmia is the 10th largest city in Iran.

The gang’s plan was to steal synagogue treasures and then to sell them.

In the past, it was Torah scrolls that were stolen from synagogues in Iran. In one case, a Torah was found and returned to its rightful synagogue – all by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps.

It was the Iranian Revolutionary Guards that discovered the tunnels and arrested the thieves.

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Israel's Borders and Drugs

 By Micah Halpern

Sunday February 14, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Israel’s borders with her neighbors are, first and foremost, security risks.

They are also the point of entry for illegal drugs.

When an Israeli soldier was injured in shootout on the Egyptian border, the reason was clear. The Egyptian army and drug smugglers were shooting at each other when the Israelis arrive. The soldier was not hit by a bullet, but by shrapnel.

In the end, the drug smugglers were stopped.

Most drugs enter Israel through its borders, very often from the Egyptian border.
Bedouins excel at drug smuggling. For Bedouins, borders do not exist. Crossing borders and delivering product is not a violation of Bedouin tradition.

This tradition must be broken.

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Israel Gas to Gaza

 By Micah Halpern

Saturday February 13, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Israel has signed on to an agreement to import natural gas to Gaza.

The agreement was signed between Israel, Qatar, the United Nations and the European Union. The deal was brokered by Qatar.

The agreement has two parts.

Part one involves Israel providing gas to the Palestinian Authority.

Part two includes the construction of a pipeline from Israel to the Gaza Strip. The European Union and Qatar will allocate money for the pipeline.

Israel has already signed contracts with Egypt and Jordan, so it makes sense that they should supply natural gas to Gaza.

It is hard to imagine, but Israel is now a major player in the supply of natural gas.

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Herzl's 150 year Birthday

 By Micah Halpern

Friday February 12, 2021
I've Been Thinking:

Theodor Herzl’s spectacular work. Der JudenStaat. was published in February of 1896.

In this pamphlet Herzl presented his plan for changing the Jewish people through the creation a state. Herzl argued that a state will transform the Jewish people.

The title Der Judenstaat is most often mistranslated. Whereas as “The Jewish State” is the translation we most often here, it is fundamentally a wrong translation of Herzl’s idea. The best translation of Der Judenstaat is the “State of Jews”.

Herzl wanted Jews to come together, he wanted to create a mini-Switzerland in the Middle East. Herzl did not want a state imbued with Judaism.

Herzl proposed that, rather than one language, all languages be spoken in the new state. That way, he felt, it would bring the culture of the world to the new state.
He warned that two languages should not be spoken.

Those languages were Hebrew and Yiddish.

About Hebrew he said: who among us knows enough Hebrew to order a train ticket. And About Yiddish he said: Yiddish is the language of the ghetto, the new state is a rejection of the ghetto.

Herzl actually went to the Sultan of Turkey and offered to balance his books in exchange for giving Jews land in Palestine. Obviously, the deal never went through.

Theodor Herzl is the father of modern Zionism. This year commemorates the 125th anniversary of one small publication that changed the world. Not just the Jewish world, the entire world.

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Teva to Help Produce COVID Vaccine

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Kare Schultz, the CEO of Teva Pharmaceuticals, announced that the company has been approached by, and they have approached the manufacturers of, COVID vaccines to help produce more product.

Demand for the COVID shot is tremendous. And that demand is only increasing.
Every country in the world needs to have their residents inoculated and creators of the vaccines need more and more vaccine. They cannot keep up with the need and so they are looking for help.

Teva is an international company. It was created in Israel, it manufactures in Israel and Israel is one of its major centers, especially in R&D.

This is a good idea. The shortage of vaccines is due to inability to produce enough vaccine fast enough.

A contract between Teva, the largest producer of generic drugs in the world, with whichever company needs the help, will be a win-win for each and every one of us.

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Iranian New Attack Boats

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Iranian media has reported that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard has 340 new, small, attack boats.

Some of the boats are from England and they are called Bladerunner.

Some are from China and are called “China Cat”.

Some are from North Korea and are called Taedong -B. These are attack boats with the capability of going under water.

Some of the boats were filmed and photographed. Some had drones attached to them. Others had rocket launchers attached.

Part of the strength of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard comes from their fleet of small boats that travel under the radar. An additional 340 attack boats would be a massive upgrade to their fleet.

But - many analysists are doubting the veracity of the claim as reported by Iranian media. Some doubt that all of the 340 attack boats are new. Others doubt that there are even 340 of them at all.

It might all be a big fake. Iran enjoys the game of intimidation.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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David Schoen Kiddush HaShem

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The lead defense lawyer for former President Donald Trump in his second Senate impeachment trial is David Schoen.

Schoen is an orthodox Jew and he requested that the proceedings halt from Friday evening through Saturday evening, during the Sabbath.

The request, which was granted by Senator Chuck Schumer, also Jewish but not as observant a Jew as Schoen, raises several questions. One of those questions is about how long will the trial actually take? Will it take over 4 days – an interesting question given that the Senate is not scheduled to meet during the week known as President’s Week?

From the Jewish perspective, the appointment of Schoen to lead attorney is a tremendous “Kiddush Hashem”, an act which elevates and highlights the beauty of Judaism and God.

It is a clear demonstration that accommodations can and should be made for Sabbath observers and that Sabbath observers can and should request the accommodations. It is a clear demonstration that being a Sabbath observer should not be thought of as a professional hindrance.

Schoen did not make his request of the Senate at the last minute, he let them know upfront. Respect is a two-way street.

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ICC Sides W Palestinians

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The Palestinians have always felt secure about imploring the international community to plead their case and to defend them.

Their use of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague is a perfect example. The International community - and especially the ICC, is a reflection of the thinking and the tone of power as it is set on the international scene.

For 4 years under the Trump presidency, the Palestinians and their cause were sidelined. And for the past year even their fellow Arabs relegated Palestinian issues to the margins.

Things changed once Joe Biden took office. And now the Palestinians are making certain not to miss this opportunity. Not waiting for the result of Israeli elections scheduled for March 23rd, the Palestinians have mounted a diplomatic full court press in Europe.

They are also pursuing Israel by way of the ICC. And the ICC has ruled that they now have jurisdiction over the Palestinian territories.

Israel needs to clearly show where they stand - especially on the issue of Palestinian statehood.

For years Israel embraced ambiguity. It was safe. But because of the changes in the White House, real decisions are going to be forced upon the region. In order to properly respond, Israel must know its options and plan adequately and appropriately.

This is not just important, it is crucially important.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Royal Coth Found in Desert

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

A fragment of royal purple cloth, dating to 1000 years BC, was recently discovered in the Israeli desert, near the Dead Sea, in a place called Slaves Hill.

The dig in which the cloth fragment was unearthed has been dated to the reign of King David.

The royal purple color of the cloth is officially known as argaman. Cloth of that color, which came from a murex sea snail, was more valuable than gold. The color does not change over time. It does not fade. 3000 years later the purple is the same purple.

The textiles made their way from the Mediterranean coast where the snails were caught to Jerusalem where the clothing was worn.

This small fragment is proof that there was much more interaction between geographic areas and socio-economic groups than historians and archaeologists had thought. It is now clear that people of the rural desert and royalty must have interacted.

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PA Plants Trees for Terrorists Memory

 By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The Palestinian Authority has begun planting trees to memorialize terrorists.

The PA decided to plant trees so that they can “sanctify” terrorists and make certain that they “eternally remain in our hearts”.

According to an advisor to Abbas: “[t]he initiative… honors the Martyrs, who are the most ‎precious thing we have in our history”‎

The father of a terrorists expressed his pleasure at this initiative and said:“Every day we will grow a tree, every day we will grow a Martyr”.

The list of people the PA has chosen to honor with trees is astonishing – and abhorrent. They include:

“Self-sacrificing fighter Martyr Dalal Mughrabi” - who led the mass-murder of 37 Israeli ‎civilians, including 12 children.

“Martyr commander Fathi Shaqaqi” - founder of the terror organization Islamic ‎Jihad. ‎“Martyr commander Salah Khalaf” – who planned the massacre of 11 Israeli ‎athletes during the Olympic games.

Thank you to PMW, Palestinian Media Watch, for their descriptions of these Palestinian terrorists and for bringing this initiative to our attention and to the attention of the world.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

Read my latest book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=halpern%2C+micah

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