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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