Immigrants needed in Germany – but not welcomed

Okaz, Saudi Arabia, Rami Al-Khalifa Al-Ali  - August 14

Germany stands as the economic powerhouse of Europe, but this industrial might comes with a significant requirement: a robust workforce. The German government estimates there are currently over half a million vacancies across various sectors, especially in trades such as craftsmanship, mechanics, and construction work. To fortify its economy, Germany needs more than 400,000 new immigrants annually. Projections paint a daunting picture: By 2035, around seven million workers are expected to exit the labor market. Hence, the government must ramp up efforts to attract large numbers of immigrants. 

In recent months, legislative changes to immigration laws and streamlined paths to German citizenship have been introduced, serving as potential incentives for new arrivals. Nevertheless, the global competition for skilled immigrants is fierce, with nations like the US, Canada, and other European countries also vying for talent that fits their labor market demands. The alarm over an immigration crisis is often a media construct rather than an economic reality. Take the UK, for instance. While it has seen around 100,000 illegal immigrants, the British government has simultaneously sanctioned the entry of over 800,000 legal immigrants to meet labor market needs. 

Ironically, unemployment persists in certain segments because the typical Western citizen aspires to office jobs that align with their education and training. Beyond the sought-after roles of doctors, engineers, accountants, and programmers, there is an equally critical need for workers in construction, retail, and truck driving – jobs that demand physical effort and are often less appealing to native citizens. 

The crux of the issue transcends the attraction of highly educated professionals. It is about the pressing need for manual laborers willing to accept lower wages for physically demanding work. This dynamic is unlikely to change as competition for these workers is set to intensify, especially with China’s growing demand for labor. China faces its own demographic challenges, borne out of the now-abandoned one-child policy. The nation is grappling with a rapidly aging population, projected to have 24% of its citizens over the age of 65 by 2035. This demographic shift will place immense strain on China’s social and healthcare systems and result in a worker shortage, with the labor force expected to shrink by 0.5% annually until 2030, accelerating to 0.9% annually until 2050. 

Compounding this complex scenario is the rise of xenophobia and racism, which has bolstered far-right movements across multiple countries. The recent developments in Britain epitomize this contradiction; hostility towards immigrants stems less from economic concerns and more from issues of identity, globalization, political opportunism, and lingering racist sentiments from both distant and recent history. We are likely to see more of these phenomena in the near future, despite their incongruity with social and economic realities. Over short periods, political exploitation can overshadow societal and economic movements, creating a landscape fraught with contradiction and tension.

Has Israel a Gun Pointed at its Head?

 (Dr Aaron Lerner - columnist)

There's a bullet in the chamber of the gun pressed up against our temple.

And we are fully aware that once a United Nations Security Council Resolution invoking Chapter VII of the UN Charter a "bullet" is fired, a Russian veto would prevent President Trump from readily undoing the damage.

 Yes, Obama's "parting gift" to the Jewish State was a UNSC Resolution that didn't invoke Chapter VII. But times have changed.

So, for all the anger and frustration that the prime minister yielded to the blackmailer's bullet, one can understand why Mr. Netanyahu accepted this ridiculous deal that, if implemented, will ultimately result in Hezbollah, under the (at best) blind eyes of UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army, completely rebuilding and restocking their forward positions for a massive ground invasion.

The challenge Prime Minister Netanyahu faces is to prepare a "package" for President Trump - a viable, robust resolution of the situation in the north that Trump can embrace and adopt as his alternative to the sham deal imposed by the Biden administration.

Such a package would include intuitive features like a deep "no man's land" north of the Lebanese border. To be clear: this won't be a simple task.

Yes, we have many allies in Mr. Trump's team, but all kinds of international players will reach out to President Trump with exciting, ostensibly "groundbreaking" deals.

 Our package must be capable of being implemented in days rather than weeks or months.   And with no cost to America.

Of course, this is something to be shared only with Mr. Trump on January 20th.

We should already be working feverishly, in coordination with our American allies, so the program can be locked in with President-elect Trump in the days to come.

Educating with antisemitism

 The process of educating Gazan children from day 1 must be changed if Israel is to avoid returning to October 7^th.  Literature from the Hamas education system was found during the IDF actions in Gaza. Among the items discovered were approximately 1,500 antisemitic books, indicating a systematic process of instilling hatred and promoting terrorism against Israel from the first day of education in the Hamas system.  

Items included children's books teaching how to murder Jews by running them over or stabbing them, a book by senior Hamas official Mahmoud al-Zahar titled The End of the Jews, and other literature that places all responsibility for wars in the Middle East on Israel, advocating for the murder of all Jews. 

Additionally, booklet about senior terrorists were found, as well as special documentation from Hamas summer camps funded by foreign donations and photos of babies on home sofas alongside shrapnel grenades and mortar shells.

Ceasefire in Lebanon?

According to many sources, following US representative Hochstein’s visit to Israel last week and to Beirut, a ceasefire deal is “close” with Lebanon.

A leader of the Shi’ite movement Amal, Berri has served as an interlocutor for talks between the U.S. and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorist organization.

Following the visit, Hezbollah secretary-general Naim Qassem said that Hezbollah had reviewed the proposed ceasefire, issued its response to Hochstein, and that the matter was now up to Israel.

Hochstein reportedly pressed top Israeli officials over the weekend, warning them that this marks the administration’s final attempt to broker a ceasefire, and that a rejection by Jerusalem would end efforts by the Biden White House to bring the two sides to a deal.

Netanyahu has reportedly agreed in principle to the ceasefire deal, and is now mulling how to present the decision to the Israeli public.

While the ceasefire deal has yet to be finalized and some key sticking points remain, it would reportedly include three major provisions, and would be implemented in three stages.

According to reports last week, under the American proposal:-

a) Hezbollah would be required to withdraw its forces away from the Israeli border and north of the Litani River, with the terrorist group also obligated to disarm, in keeping with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.

b)  a U.S.-led committee would be tasked with ensuring compliance with the ceasefire.

c)  Israel would retain the right to respond militarily in Lebanon to violations of the ceasefire, but only after the committee exhausts other avenues for restoring the peace.

Clause (c) is the real problem for Israel since every monitoring group established to keep the peace has failed in its mission whether it was the border with Egypt, Syria or Lebanon. In the current wording, Israel’s actions would be severely limited in the case of violations as a ”committee” has to evaluate other avenues before giving the green light for Israeli action.

In the first stage of the deal, a ceasefire would be imposed during which Hezbollah would withdraw from the southern bank of the Litani River.

Afterwards, Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanese territory.

In the third and final stage, Israel and Lebanon would enter into talks regarding contested border areas.

Gazan Aid Stolen by Hamas and Crime Gangs

 Conditions in Gaza have drastically changed since the war began. The blockade and tightly regulated aid have led to the resurgence of the smuggling industry. Tobacco products, now more expensive than ever and in greater demand, have become a critical commodity. 

Control over these goods has given immense power to those handling them, allowing them to operate largely without interference from IDF in designated closed areas, according to the Washington Post.

The United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Gaza described cigarette smuggling as a "real cancer."

 Georgios Petropoulos, head of the Gaza sub-office of the UN Co-ordinator for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated, “Recently, we’ve found cigarettes hidden inside cans and other food products. This suggests the smuggling process starts during packaging, likely in Egypt.”

UN reports from the end of the week revealed that aid trucks entering Gaza are frequently looted upon crossing the Kerem Shalom border from Israel. Of the 109 trucks that passed through in the last few days, 98 were hijacked. Drivers were forcibly removed, detained for hours, and in some cases severely beaten. Gangs of masked gunmen reportedly fired on the convoys and used grenades during these attacks.

According to reports, these gangs are not affiliated with Hamas but are instead local smuggling groups that have grown significantly since the war began. Their rise is attributed to the collapse of Hamas’ civilian infrastructure, including its policing mechanisms.

 UN data cited by The Washington Post indicates that armed gangs operate with impunity and some reports allege that these groups have established "control headquarters" in zones cleared of civilians and declared closed military areas by the IDF.

 The stealing of humanitarian aid has become widespread in Gaza. These gangs, often linked to local crime families, are stealing not just food but other essential goods arriving through Israeli crossings. Gaza residents stress that these armed looters are unaffiliated with Hamas. Historically, these crime families were targets of Hamas police and intelligence efforts.

 An anonymous Israeli official told The Washington Post that Israel is aware that “some looters have ties to Hamas, and some do not.”

Female IDF trailblazers mark historic achievements in defense

 For full article go to  https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-830063

On a chilly morning earlier this week, a team of female IDF soldiers gathered their gear and prepared to embark on a mission into southern Lebanon. Among them was Cpl. Tehila, 21, who adjusted her pack—laden with equipment that weighed nearly half her body weight—and exchanged determined glances with her comrades. For the first time in Israel’s history, women combat soldiers were about to cross the border into enemy territory. Their task was as monumental as it was dangerous: to gather intelligence, pinpoint Hezbollah positions, and direct fire to protect Israel’s northern communities.

Such scenes are becoming more common in the IDF, where women are not just breaking barriers but leading in roles traditionally dominated by men. Israel’s military has consistently demonstrated its commitment to equality, offering women meaningful opportunities to serve and contribute, even in combat positions. In a region dominated by radical ideologies that suppress women’s rights, the IDF’s pioneering approach sets it apart—not just from its neighbors but from many Western democracies.

This week, two groundbreaking events underscored the IDF’s leadership in empowering women. The first was the announcement of Israel’s first religious women-only combat unit, to be deployed within the Combat Intelligence Corps. As reported by The Jerusalem Post, this initiative addresses the surge of religious women eager to serve in the IDF, including 350 who joined combat roles in the aftermath of October 7.

We are witnessing a rise in the number of religious women eager to join in defending Israel in this existential war. For 18-year-old recruit Rina Mays from Ramat Beit Shemesh, this opportunity represents both a personal and collective mission: “I’ve always dreamed of contributing to my country in a meaningful way... this unit felt like the right path for me.”

In another momentous achievement  female combat soldiers from the Ayit Battalion carried out an operational mission in southern Lebanon, marking the first time women had participated in such an endeavor. Their work involved intelligence gathering, pinpointing anti-tank missile sites, and guiding fire against Hezbollah positions, showcasing their operational effectiveness in high-stakes scenarios.

Dismantling sexist notions

Cpl. Shani, 20, described the mission’s challenges: “We walked about 1.5 kilometers into Lebanon, established a position in the field, maintained camouflage, and began intelligence collection. Operationally, we entered areas untouched by Israeli forces since the Second Lebanon War.” These missions not only reaffirm the IDF’s trust in its female soldiers but also dismantle outdated notions about women’s roles in the military.

While many Western nations celebrate symbolic strides in gender equality, Israel delivers measurable results. Female soldiers are actively shaping Israel’s defense strategies, often in some of the most dangerous arenas.

This commitment is particularly striking in a region where many societies deny women basic rights, let alone the opportunity to serve in their country’s defense. Israel’s example highlights the values it shares with other Western democracies: equality, freedom, and opportunity. Yet, these achievements are often overlooked or misunderstood by the international community.

The world should recognize Israel’s unique position as a Western democracy in a challenging region and celebrate the extraordinary contributions of its female soldiers. By empowering women in its military, Israel continues to lead the way in demonstrating that equality and strength go hand in hand. 

Ceasefire with Lebanon?

 The emerging ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah terrorist organization includes the following principles, the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom has learned:

Hezbollah will withdraw its forces north of the Litani River and will not renew its military presence in the area between the Litani and the Israel-Lebanon border.

 The Israel Defense Forces will pull back from Hezbollah’s current first line of positions in Lebanon, returning to the international border. The Lebanese army will dismantle Hezbollah’s remaining infrastructure in the area between the border and the Litani within 60 days of signing the agreement.

 The agreement will include international guarantees from the United States and Russia to prevent Hezbollah from rearming. As part of this framework, Syria will be responsible for stopping any weapons transfers from its territory to Lebanon, in contrast to the situation that prevailed in the years before the war.

In any instance of a violation of the agreement—whether by Hezbollah’s rearming or military actions against Israel or Israelis—the IDF will have the right to act in response, with international backing.

Israel Hayom has also learned that Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer will depart for Russia, as previously reported by Army Radio, and then to the United States to finalize the remaining details of the agreement. Among other meetings, he is expected to meet with President-elect Donald Trump.

Last night, a senior government official confirmed to Israel Hayom that substantial progress had been made in diplomatic negotiations on the northern front.

Noa Tishby - Progrom in Amsterdam

 

Arab-Israeli soccer fan spoke Arabic to violent mob, saved Jewish fans

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

A Druze Israeli said he spoke Arabic to Muslim attackers and warned Jewish Israelis during a violent anti-Israel riot that broke out after a soccer game in Amsterdam on Thursday.

Melhem Asad, from Kisra-Sumei, a Druze town in Israel, described how Dutch security guarded Israelis on their way to the Ajax-Maccabi game in Amsterdam. Still, the security situation fell apart at the conclusion of the game.

Asad told Channel 12, “We felt very safe, but at the end of the game the situation changed completely.”

“The fans were simply abandoned, we all got on the trains and headed for the hotels, and the local police just messed up, big time. They didn’t secure us, they didn’t watch over us, we felt very exposed,” he said.

Asad heard a group of people speaking in Arabic about their plans to attack Israelis, and that is when he realized he could use the fact that he spoke Arabic to confuse their plans.

He said, “I heard people from across the street talking in Arabic and planning on how and where to attack the Maccabi Tel Aviv fans. I took advantage of the fact that I spoke Arabic and shouted at them. They thought I was one of them.

Asad continued, “I told them that the Jews were no longer here, that they had fled. I did everything to confuse them; I knew exactly where our fans were, and it worked. I convinced them to go in the other direction.”

After Asad had confused some of the mob’s plans, he ran to warn the Israelis. He recounts, “I ran towards groups of Israelis and warned them that people were trying to harm us.”

Asad told them to take them off their Maccabi shirts after he heard members of the mob saying they would attack anyone wearing a Maccabi shirt. He ran into bars and restaurants to warn Israelis.

“My goal was to save everyone possible; I saw the amount of hatred and the number of people. I started running between bars, restaurants, alleys, wherever I knew the fans were passing on the way back from the game,” Asad said.

He said that the incident in Amsterdam made him think of October 7th and the hatred of Hamas terrorists who attacked Israelis.

“My heart burned at that moment. Unfortunately, I could not save everyone, but I tried to warn as many Israelis as possible. I feel that God sent me at the right moment and in the right place to save those who can.”

One Kibbutz on Gaza Border Starts to Rebuild Lives

 

This kibbutz on the Gaza border shows hope, energy and resilience
at its best as the residents of Nirim start rebuilding their lives

Life on the Border - Haifa where it is not at all normal

 (From my friend in Haifa,  Forest Rain Marcia - Life on the Border)

Here’s a tiny snippet of Israeli reality that is not at all normal –

Today I am at home, working on my computer. As I work, the alerts of sirens elsewhere beep on my phone. Every beep a siren screaming at other Israelis to run for their lives.

I saw the pattern of the alerts and it was obvious that they were getting closer to my location. I thought to myself, “maybe I should get up and go pee before the sirens go off and I have to run for the shelter.”

I didn’t get up – and the sirens went off. I grabbed my phone, keys and ran down to the shelter.

The other neighbors who were at home came down too. The young parents worried about their baby in his daycare (elsewhere in Haifa). The young woman with her two little dogs. Other neighbors.

Then a stranger came running in, panting. She left her care in the middle of the road and wasn’t sure where to go for shelter. We calmed her down and told her to just focus on catching her breath. It’s better to worry about her car being in other people’s way than to go out to early and risk shrapnel.

We waited our 10 minutes, according to safety guidelines and everyone went back to what they were doing before.

And that was better than yesterday –

I was on the highway, in the center of Israel when the sirens went off. We were in the left lane and had to get to the right side of the road where there was a bit of a shoulder. The concept is to get as far away from the cars as possible and, if there is no shelter, to lie flat, as low as possible and pray that any shrapnel flies over your head and doesn’t pierce your body.

Just getting to the side of the road wasn’t easy. Some people, in panic, kept on driving and could have easily hit anyone crossing the highway. We managed it, climbed over the rail and discovered there was a ditch to lie in – better than nothing and certainly better than being on the same level as the cars. When there is a blast car windows can shatter and become piercing shrapnel

We found ourselves in the ditch with a mixture of other people. Those who haven’t seen the results of missile impact are less careful about following safety guidelines than those of us who have. It's important to lie down, not just kneel and to get as far away as possible from anything that can turn into shrapnel.

 

There was a young woman, perhaps 17 who was on the phone with her dad so he could tell her what to do. She was worried about leaving the car and didn’t know how to protect herself. We showed her how to lie down and explained why and then took pictures so she could show her dad that she implemented what he was trying to explain on the phone. A young mother was holding a little girl, perhaps 10, trying to pretend that everything was normal. People were going back to their cars too quickly so I reinforced what the mother was doing, telling the little girl that her mom was right, that it’s important to wait the full 10 minutes and that she was very brave. She told us her name and smiled. The mother who had a harder time smiling, told us that it was the second time in the same day they were having that experience.

The booms from the interceptions were very loud. Very close. They make little puff clouds in the sky that are not at all cute when you know that they are death interrupted.

At night we heard the news that a young man was killed by shrapnel when he got out of his car to lie down in a field, according to instructions. He was alone and the missile was too close, the shrapnel hit the wrong way and there was no one there to provide emergency care.

This is our reality and it’s not at all normal.

One Gazan Citizen, Two Jobs!

(With thanks to Ben Herskowitz)

 
               

Why The IDF Destroyed This Girl’s House In Lebanon

written by David Mark November 4, 2024 

The video below has been making the rounds on social media in the attempt of defaming the IDF and tricking viewers into believing that Israel blew up an “innocent Lebanese” home. 

While it’s true the IDF destroyed this girl’s home in Khiam, her video does not tell the truth. Khiam is a known Hezbollah stronghold. It has been used to target Metula with non-stop rocket and anti-tank fire since October 8th. It is also Hezbollah’s main position blocking the IDF from reaching the Christian city of Marjaayoun which rests on the southern side of the Litani River.

A Lebanese woman who lives outside of Lebanon identified the piano in her home (more like a palace...) in the city of Khiam in southern Lebanon in a video posted by IDF soldiers on social media. She published the "after" and then the "before". The piano survived.

 

This same house, with its piano is nothing other than a major command center for Hezbollah. 

 That’s right, Julia Ali’s house was not some sort of innocent upper middle class home with a beautiful piano. It was a major Hezbollah position used to fire cornet missiles at Israeli civilians in northern Israel. That means Julia and her family are more than likely Hezbollah operatives and due to their purposeful targeting of civilians they are guilty of war crimes.

So why is this important?

Villages like Khiam and others close to the border with Israel are not some peaceful towns that have nothing to do with the conflict. They serve as the forward bases for Hezbollah soldiers themselves. Often times, the families in these buildings are members of Hezbollah. In other instances, Hezbollah chased out the families and took over their houses.

All of this should be a reminder that Jihadists condone the use of “civilians” as part of their armed conflict against their enemies. For Jihadists there are no civilians, just soldiers with different roles.