Israel refills Lake Kinneret, supplying Jordan on the way

 

( For the full story, see https://tinyurl.com/mws4396j  )

When the floodgates are open, a torrent of water gushes into a dry river bed and races to the shore of Lake Kinneret, a biblical lake in northern Israel that was being lost to drought and the growing population around it.

The water is fresh, high-quality, and expensive. Desalinated from the Mediterranean Sea and transported across the country where it awaits the order to replenish the lake should it start to shrink again.

This new network will also let Israel double the amount of water it sells to neighboring Jordan under a broader water-for-energy deal forged through a working, though often fractious, relationship.

After a heat wave or strong rain, the level of the lake makes national news. Alarms went off regularly this past decade following protracted droughts and receding shorelines.

So Israel built a chain of desalination plants along its Mediterranean coast putting it in the unlikely position of having a surplus of water, a bright spot in an arid region extremely vulnerable to climate change.

"All the extra water that (the plants) are producing, we will be able to bring it with the national water carrier system up north and into the Lake Kinneret," said Yoav Barkay, who manages the national carrier at state-owned Mekorot.

"With this environment of climate changes, you don't know what to expect next year and the year afterward," he said. "We are no longer depending on rain basically for water supply."

Water and peace

The refill system may be used more frequently with water exports to Jordan on the rise, he said. It can raise the lake's level by half a meter each year, according to Mekorot.

Water was a major component in the peace treaty the neighbors signed in 1994. The arrangement was for Israel to supply Jordan with 50 million cubic meters of drinkable water a year. That was doubled in late 2021.

Both countries are active participants in the pact, even as they accuse each other of exacerbating the broader problem of water shortages through the management of their shared and connected rivers.

Jordanian and Israeli officials have traded blame over river levels, reservoirs and the progress of a separate scheme to desalinate water from the southern Red Sea - all potentially highly charged issues in a tense region where water is scarce.

But there has been progress.

Around a year ago Israel and Jordan agreed to partner in a project that would see Jordan build 600 megawatts of solar generating capacity to be exported to Israel in return for the additional water supply.

Jordan’s minister of water and irrigation at the time said that climate change and an influx of refugees exacerbated Jordan’s water challenges, but that there are opportunities for regional cooperation to solve them.

Construction is now underway on a pipeline to again double the amount that will reach Jordan which means that some 200 million cubic meters of water - the same amount consumed by the five biggest cities in Israel combined - will be supplied to Jordan.

The national water carrier is empty at the moment, undergoing seasonal repairs and upgrades. At one junction in northern Israel, engineers work on a pipe more than large enough for them to stand inside. They are adding a new line that jets off to the city Beit Shean and from there east to the Jordan border. Mekorot hopes to complete it in 2026.

Hezbollah's latest tactic - blinding Israeli drivers, pedestrians nightly with lasers

 Hezbollah activists have been harassing residents of the northern town of Metullah from across the border for the last several weeks by using powerful lasers, Channel 11 reported Monday evening.

Standing on a hill in Lebanon that is perhaps 180 meters from the town, they shine a blinding green light into Jewish homes, at pedestrians, and perhaps most hazardously, into the eyes of Israeli drivers.

This kind of laser can cause irreparable damage to people’s eyes, including permanent blindness, the report said.

The IDF has not yet found a solution to the problem.

In an effort keep the long-distance stalkers away from their gathering spot, a large floodlight was placed for several days at the most directly affected area, the town’s popular promenade, to shine a revealing beam at them. This has not discouraged Hezbollah, and it was taken away a few days ago.

The Northern Command has turned to the UNIFIL forces that have been stationed on the border since 1978 and whose formal mandate includes assisting the Lebanese government to return its effective authority in the border area rather than leaving Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy, in charge.

This was one of the conditions Israel set down for ending the 2006 Second Lebanon War against Hezbollah forces that controlled the southern region of the country, but it has yet to be fulfilled. In the event, it would most likely make no difference, as Hezbollah is part of the government in Beirut and has infiltrated many of its own men into the Lebanese armed forces.

The UN has promised to intervene, but nothing has been done to date.

An army spokesperson apparently tried to put a positive spin on the military’s efforts, saying, “The IDF is in close contact with the residents of the sector and works in cooperation with them continuously to strengthen the sense of security in the area in the best possible way.”

Hezbollah is also trying to stymie other IDF moves in the area. While the terror group has seemingly given up on digging attack tunnels through to Israel, in parallel to the army’s current construction of 15-meter-high walls to prevent overland infiltration, Hezbollah is putting up simple but even taller towers on its side of the border so that the terrorists can continue to observe Israeli activity.

35-Year-Old Arab-Israeli Doctor Becomes Nation’s Youngest Medical Professor

 With thanks to  Abigail Klein Leichman, Israel21c

“At Sheba, I never felt there is discrimination between Arab or non-Arab,” said senior rheumatologist Dr. Abdulla Watad, who has co-authored about 200 scientific publications.

Dr. Abdulla Watad, 35, from the Israeli Arab village of Jatt, has become the youngest Israeli physician to receive a full professorship in the Tel Aviv University Faculty of Medicine.

This title is normally earned by much older physicians.

Watad is a senior rheumatologist and deputy director of the Internal Medicine B ward at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan. He has co-authored about 200 scientific publications.

In the video below, Watad expresses appreciation to his mentors at Sheba, Prof. Howard Amital, director of Internal Medicine B and of Sheba’s Institute for Autoimmune Diseases; and Prof. Yehuda Shoenfeld, senior physician at the Institute of Autoimmune Diseases.

Watad graduated from an Italian medical school and began working at Sheba in 2013. In 2018, he did a research fellowship at the University of Leeds.

“Being an Arab is always something really interesting in Israel because we would like to be involved in the daily work and research and also treating patients. And to be fair, at Sheba, I never felt there is discrimination between Arab or non-Arab,” he said.

“To be successful you need four things: desire, setting a goal, hard work and a mentor who believes in you,” Watad continued. “A person should believe in himself and know that he can go far.”

Does Judicial Reform go far Enough?

 

What’s in the bill? While tens of thousands protest against;

reports show that Israelis overwhelmingly support judicial

reforms. So why are these reforms necessary – and will they

work as intended? Adv. and Head of Galey Israel Radio,

Ziv Maor joins to discuss.

Israeli car thefts double; 95% end up in Palestinian Authority

Car thefts in Israel have more than doubled in the last year, according to insurance company data.

Between 1,200 and 1,300 cars were stolen in December alone, a 100% increase over the same month in 2021. The price of spare components has risen sharply due to supply chain interruptions and a shortage of new autos, increasing the demand for stolen parts.

Ninety-five percent of stolen autos wind up in the Palestinian Authority. This could be termed an economic intifada. The newer cars are even “ordered in advance” for use in the Palestinian Authority, the older ones for the spare parts.

The average cost of a stolen car is $24,000-25,000, requiring insurance companies to pay out more than $31 million each month and more than $366 million for the year.

Insurance rates have risen 10% due to increased theft, however, data from ta digital insurance service suggests that the rise could be closer to 20%.

The Mazda 3 is the most commonly stolen vehicle, followed by the Kia Picanto, Mazda 6, Hyundai Tuscon, Kia Niro, Mazda CX5, Kia Sportage, and Hyundai Kona.

It seems that car thieves have not yet figured out what to do with electric cars.

Tel Aviv had the most car stolen, accounting for 10% of the total, followed by Petah Tikva (9%), Jerusalem (6%), Beersheva (5%) and Netanya (4%).

 

US Claims Looted Artifact as "Palestinian"

 The U.S. lauds a gift as a “historic repatriation,” to the Palestinian Authority when there is no indication as to what makes this object culturally Palestinian.

2,700-year-old cosmetic spoon that the U.S. gave to the Palestinian Authority.

American and Palestinian officials gathered recently at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in Bethlehem for what was described as “the historic repatriation of a rare Palestinian cultural object.”

During the ceremony, the Department of Homeland Security’s investigative arm (Homeland Security Investigations) delivered a 2,700-year-old cosmetic spoon to the Palestinian Authority. The ancient tool is carved from ivory and has an etched winged figure into its front side. It was used to ladle incense onto fires and braziers at rites venerating the gods and the dead.

P.A. Minister of Tourism Rula Maayah welcomed the U.S. delegation.

“This artifact is important as it acquires its real scientific and archaeological value in its authentic location,” Maayah said. “The artifact that is being delivered today is a cosmetic tool that was used to pour incense and it dates to the Assyrian civilization 700-800 BC.”

Modern concepts of “Palestine” only began to emerge in the mid-19th century. It would not be until the mid-20th century—two decades after the birth of the State of Israel—that Arabs in the disputed territories would begin to show signs of a distinctive national identity.

The artifact was seized from Jewish-American billionaire Michael Steinhardt as part of a criminal probe in New York. As part of a deal to avoid prosecution, Steinhardt agreed in late 2021 to turn over $70 million worth of stolen antiquities that authorities claim were illegally acquired in Israel.

Officials say the cosmetic spoon first surfaced on the international art market in January 2003, when Steinhardt bought it from an Israeli antiques dealer who has been accused of dealing in illicit Israeli and Middle Eastern antiquities.

There is no indication as to what makes this object culturally Palestinian. Yet the head of the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs, George Noll, stated that his office “is proud to facilitate the return of this rare antiquity, an example of Palestinian cultural patrimony.(?)”

“This is a historic moment between the American and Palestinian people and a demonstration of our belief in the power of cultural exchanges in building mutual understanding, respect, and partnership,” said Noll.

Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New York Ivan J. Arvelo said, “We are honored to join our partners today in the historic repatriation of this artifact to the Palestinian Authority.”

I guess the Americans would get failed grades in history if they were still at school

 

Zelensky's Blackmailing of Israel

 Ukraine’s President Zelensky asked Prime Minister Netanyahu for weapons in an exchange for support against a UN resolution sending Israel to the world court. Bibi refused.

Netanyahu’s refusal caused Ukraine to abstain instead of voting against. However, Netanyahu’s “no” sent signals to Putin that Israel is willing to remain neutral in the current NATO-Russia war being played out in Ukraine.

The reasons for Bibi’s pushback against Ukraine is connected to Putin’s cover for Iranian expansion into Syria and Lebanon. Bibi does not need Russia to help Iran anymore than they already are. Rebuffing Zelensky also sends a message to the USA, that Israel is staying neutral when it comes to Ukraine.

Having said all this, Israel is sending a massive amount of humanitarian aid for the Ukrainians including a field hospital set up on the Polish border with Ukraine

Israeli special forces, police assist to rescue Palestinian kidnapped for ransom

 Hebron resident in his 60s was physically unharmed after being kidnapped, held for ransom in Arab-Israeli city during business dispute.

From - World Israel News

Israel’s Yasam special operations unit and the Israeli police rescued a Palestinian man on Saturday evening, raiding a compound in an Arab city in northern Israel and arresting several suspects.

Issa Sayat, a Palestinian contractor in his 60s from the Hebron area, was kidnapped fo ransom last Wednesday near Rosh HaAyin in central Israel.

Sayat’s son called Israeli police, reporting that his father’s kidnappers were demanding a large ransom in exchange for his safe return. The incident took place within the context of an ongoing business dispute, the son said.

Shortly after the call was made on Wednesday, Israeli police arrested three men, all residents of the Arab city of Umm Al-Fahm, and seized vehicles they suspected were used in the kidnapping.

Another man was arrested the following day.

According to a report, the IDF and police collaborated in a joint effort to find Sayat, using “covert technological” means, including tracing cell phone signals, in order to locate him.

On Saturday evening, security forces raided a compound in Umm Al-Fahm, rescued Sayat, and arrested additional suspects, who were presumably holding him captive.

Sayat was physically unharmed and transported to a local police station.

 

Intervention Of World Powers In Israel's Wars - Part 1

In every war or military operation in which Israel has been involved, the intervention of world powers has always been to the detriment of Israel, resulting in the inevitability of further wars.

The article below published by a friend of mine is taking a look at each war and the resultant foreign intervention.

(Cross posted from Grandma's Army)

1. THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE 1948

The U.S. did not send any military aid to Israel, both before, during, and after the War of Independence. Not only that, but they took an active part in preventing Israel’s attempts to smuggle weapons into Israel, mostly when Americans were involved. The biggest example was Adolph Schwimmer, whose story was told in previous blogs.

Since then, until today, the U.S. State Department has been hostile towards Israel’s interests. Even Ronald Reagan, who was perhaps the most friendly President, did not question the State Department when it came to Israel’s most sensitive issues. The only exception was during the time when Mike Pompeo, was President Trump’s Secretary of State.

Not only did Israel have to contend with five Arab States, but the U.K. decided to give the Egyptians a hand when they saw that Israel’s air-force was proving their superiority. After sending armed scouting flights over the battle area, they blatantly attacked four of Israeli’s fighters with nineteen modern warplanes in the last, critical air battle of the war.

2. THE SINAI WAR 1956

There were two reasons that Israel consented to  join a military campaign together with the U.K. and France. One was to put an end to the infiltration of terrorists from the Egyptian border and Gaza Strip. who were murdering Israeli citizens living in  the border settlements - and even penetrating to the centre of the country. Between 1948 and 1956, 1,300 Israeli citizens were killed or wounded, and more than 6,000 terrorist activities were recorded. Then, in September 1955, in violation of international agreements, Egypt threaten to close the Straits of Tiran, which would effectively stop Israel’s sea trade.

While the U.K. and France launched an air operation, bombing Egyptian airfields near Suez, the IDF’s armoured corps swept across the desert, capturing virtually the entire Sinai.

Israel’s failure to inform the U.S,. of its intentions, combined with ignoring appeals not to go to war, upset President Eisenhower who joined the Soviet Union  to force Israel to withdra

President David Ben-Gurion agreed in principle to withdraw from the peninsula, but demanded assurances that the Straits of Tiran wouldn't be blockaded again, and that the UN Emergency Force  in Sinai wouldn't be withdrawn, just due to the sole demand of the Egyptians.

President Dwight Eisenhower conceded that "no nation has the right forcibly to prevent free and innocent passage in the Gulf and through the Straits giving access thereto," and that "the United States, on behalf of vessels of United States registry, is prepared to exercise the right of free and innocent passage and to join with others to secure general recognition of this right," explicitly stating that blocking the straits is unacceptable.

U.S pressure resulted in an Israeli withdrawal from the conquered areas without obtaining any concessions from the Egyptians, sowing the seeds of the 1967 war.