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Israel Threatened

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“So shall all Your enemies perish, O Lord; but they that love Him
be as the sun that shines in full strength…”
Judges 5:31

Last week Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, officially endorsed and empowered 69-year-old heart surgeon, Masoud Pezeshkian, as the new Iranian President. Pezeshkian replaces President Ebrahim Raisi who died in a helicopter crash in May.


Iran’s New President: Pezeshkian

Pezeshkian was sworn in as Iran’s ninth President at a ceremony attended by senior officials from several countries including Armenia, Tajikistan, Egypt, Sudan, Iraq, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Cuba, and Brazil, and even the European Union envoy Enrique. Also present were Iran’s proxy leaders including the late Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh; Islamic Jihad head, Ziyad al-Nakhalah; Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General, Naim Qassem, and Yemen’s Houthi spokesman, Mohammed Abdulsalam.

During the ceremony, many chanted, “Death to Israel, Death to America.”

A day earlier, Pezeshkian warned Israel against attacking Lebanon, saying “heavy consequences” would ensue. Pezeshkian also reaffirmed support for the so-called “axis of resistance,” the Hezbollah and Houthis terrorists that support Hamas against the Zionist enemy – Israel.

The ceremony took place amid concerns of an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah following Hezbollah’s rocket attack which killed 12 children in a soccer field in the Druze town of Majdal Shams on the Israeli Golan Heights. In response, Israel struck Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, targeting and killing Fouad Shukur, a top Hezbollah commander allegedly behind the rocket attack. According to Israel, Shukur was responsible for most of Hezbollah’s superior weaponry as well as Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel since October 8, a day after the Israel-Hamas war erupted. [Image of Fouad Shukur from Post Register Lebanon]

Ismail Haniyeh

Hours later, in Iran’s capital, Tehran, a direct missile hit Haniyeh’s residence, killing him and one of his bodyguards. [Image from South China Morning Post]

Iran and the militant Revolutionary Guard group immediately blamed Israel for the surprise assassination that risks escalation into an all-out regional war. Iran’s supreme leader vows revenge against Israel. Israel had pledged to kill Ismail Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders over the group’s October 7th attack on southern Israel that erupted into war in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Israel has not taken responsibility for Haniyeh’s assassination. Without mentioning Haniyeh’s death, Israeli PM, Netanyahu, proclaims that Israel “will exact a very heavy price from any aggression against us on any front.There are challenging days ahead.”

Israel often refrains from commenting on assassinations carried out by its Mossad intelligence agency or strikes on other countries.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has stated that Israel doesn’t want war despite killing the Hezbollah commander in Beirut, “but we are preparing for all possibilities.” He did not mention Haniyeh’s death.

Haniyeh left the Gaza Strip in 2019 and lived in exile in Qatar. Israel has targeted Hamas figures in Lebanon and Syria but targeting Haniyeh in Iran’s capital was vastly more involved, though Israel has operated there under cover in the past.

Following Haniyeh’s assassination, Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declared that revenge was “our duty” and that Israel had “prepared a harsh punishment for itself” by killing “a dear guest in our home.” Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned that Israel would face a “harsh and painful response” from Iran and its allies around the region. The Iranian Parliament held an emergency meeting later that day.

Hamas said Haniyeh’s assassination “takes the battle to a new level and will have major repercussions on the entire region.”

Khalil al-Hayya, a powerful Hamas figure formerly close to Haniyeh, said that Haniyeh’s replacement would “follow the same vision” regarding negotiations to end the war and continue the same policy of resistance against Israel.

Haniyeh’s killing creates the potential for direct confrontation between Iran and Israel should Iran choose to retaliate.

Israel and Iran – Bitter Enemies

Bitter enemies for years, Israel and Iran risked war earlier this year after Israel hit Iran’s embassy in Damascus in April. Iran retaliated by sending about 300 missiles and drones into Israel, most of which were intercepted by Israeli and Israeli allies’ defense mechanisms. Israel countered with an unprecedented strike on Iran’s facilities. However, international efforts succeeded in containing the violence before an all-out war broke out.

Besides direct retaliation on Israel, Iran could increase attacks through its proxies, the so-called “Axis of Resistance,” including Hezbollah, Hamas – mainly Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria – and Yemen Houthi rebels.

Netanyahu’s Response

Netanyahu declares that Israel will continue its war in Gaza until Hamas is totally eliminated. He asserts that Israel’s achievements in recent months are due to resisting pressure to end the war at home and abroad.

Hamas’ demand to end the war; to release a small number of abductees and to continue supplying weapons into Gaza while remaining in power is unacceptable to Netanyahu. Israel will never agree to demands that endanger its security; it would be a complete surrender to the terrorist group. Israel will continue fighting until complete victory is achieved, declares Netanyahu.

Please Pray

  • May all the plans of the enemy be null and void, in Yeshua’s name.
  • May the enemy’s traps be traps unto themelves.
  • May the enemy fall into each and every trap it prepares for Israel.
  • May confusion reign among Israel’s enemies. 
  • Please Lord, send Your warring angels to thwart each and every rocket thrown  at Israel.
  • May the God of Israel glorify His Name in bringing victory to Israel, His inheritance.  
  • Please continue to stand together with us for the protection of Israel from her surrounding enemies.
  • Father God, we worship You and thank you for giving the Israeli government and the army commanders wisdom and unity in making crucial decisions  during these challenging times.
  • Lift up in prayer the hostages in Gaza, the many thousands OF evacuees from their homes and the soldiers in line of duty and those in the reserves.
  • Father God, we thank You for drawing many Israelis to You during these war times(almost 10 months now)
  • We especially pray for the families who have lost loved ones, fathers, children, relatives and friends during the war.

Other image: Enormous Funeral for the 12 child victims of the bombing of a children’s soccer field in Madjal Shams. Photo from The Guardian

Israel at War

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– Update From October 18

Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they took captive the whole captivity (communities)… But I will send a fire upon the wall of Gaza, which shall devour its palaces.” Amos 1:6-7 NKJ


Hamas, the ruling organization in the Gaza Strip, is a cruel, violent anti-Zionist, anti-Semitic, Islamist terror group that seeks to destroy Israel. As a result of constant attacks on Israeli civilians, Israel and dozens of countries have designated Hamas a terrorist organization. Israel and “The Quartet on the Middle East” (US, Russia, UN, EU) imposed economic sanctions on Hamas and Gaza, including the cessation of foreign aid to the Hamas government, as well as restrictions on movement, imposed by Israel.

To lift these economic sanctions and movement restrictions, Hamas must: renounce violence against Israel, recognize Israel, and honor all previous agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

However, Hamas has not, and will not, recognize Israel as the legitimate State of the Jews in the Land of Israel.

Iran has been providing Hamas and the other terror organizations in Gaza with material and financial support as well as military training, and Turkey reportedly harbors some of its top leaders.

The death toll of Israelis killed by Hamas’ brutal attack on innocent Israeli civilians on Oct. 7, is as of now at least 1,400 Israelis. The attack from Gaza included the firing of thousands of rockets on Israel and the infiltration of Israeli cities and communities near the Gazan border by more than 2,500 terrorists who butchered and tortured men, women, children, and infants, cutting babies’ throats and burning children alive. They shot parents in front of their children, and children in front of their parents.

Hamas has abducted more than 160 Israelis into Gaza. Hamas raped a young woman over and over again and may have even killed some.

Israel has responded by bombing Hamas facilities, targeting their leaders and those responsible for the brutal attack on Israel.

Israeli leaders vow that this war’s target is the elimination of Hamas once and for all. More than 300,000 Israeli military troops are waiting near the Gazan border to enter the Strip in order to achieve Israel’s goal.

However, the longer Israel waits, the more difficult the task becomes. Now, Israel is waiting for the end of Biden’s visit in order to act upon her military plans and objectives.

On this 11th day of the war, as President Biden has just arrived in Israel, new developments may change his and Israel’s plans.

His original plan was to force Israel to allow supplies for “Humanitarian aid” to enter Gaza. His help and support of Israel is mixed with his ultimate plan/desire to bring about the establishment of a Palestinian state in Judea and Samaria and the Gaza Strip after the elimination of Hamas.

After meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Biden was to have a summit meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas, to further his plan of the “Two State solution.”

However, a new development on the ground has occurred. A Gazen hospital was hit by a rocket last night. According to multiple Israeli intelligence sources, a failed Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) rocket launch, aimed at Israel, hit the Gaza hospital killing, allegedly, hundreds of Palestinians.

“We have indication that the PIJ organization is responsible for the failed launch that hit the hospital,” stated IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari. “An analysis of IDF operational systems indicates that a barrage of rockets was fired by terrorists in Gaza, passing in close proximity to the hospital at the time it was hit,” Hagari added.

“The entire world should know: It was not the Israeli army that attacked the hospital in Gaza, but the barbaric Gazan terrorists,” wrote Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Those who brutally murdered our children also murder their own children.”

For years, terrorists have been using Gazan hospitals, mosques, schools, residential buildings, and other public buildings as caches for their weapons and missile launchers.

Hamas uses its population – children included – as human shields, knowing that Israeli reprisals on residential facilities will convince the world of Israel’s inhumane assaults on “innocent civilians,” thereby causing a worldly outcry against Israel to abandon her goal of eliminating the terrorists, while hundreds of missiles continue to hit Israel, targeting Israeli civilians.

Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas has canceled the planned meeting summit with Biden and the Arab leaders scheduled for today, Wednesday.

PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ advisor Mahmoud Al-Habbash has declared that Hamas’ massacre against Israeli civilians last Saturday is considered legitimate self-defense: “We are enacting our legitimate right in resisting these invaders (the Zionists) defending ourselves, and defending our holy sites and our people… This occupation is temporary. Regardless of how long it takes, and regardless of how many sacrifices there will be, this occupation will leave sooner or later.”

Under Palestinian Authority law, every terrorist who is killed attacking Israel is defined as a “Martyr” whose family is immediately rewarded by the PA with a 6,000 shekels ($1,511) grant and a 1,400 ($353) per month allowance for life.

We are praying and standing on the Word of the God of Israel.

Amos 1:6-7 NKJ: “Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they took captive the whole captivity (communities)… But I will send a fire upon the wall of Gaza, which shall devour its palaces.”

Zechariah 9:5: “Gaza will writhe in agony…for her hope will wither. Gaza will lose her king (leader.) Vs. 7: I will take the blood from their mouths, the forbidden food from between their teeth. Those who are left will belong to our God.

Proverbs 19:21: “There are many plans (devices) in a man’s heart. Nevertheless, the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.” (men can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose and plans will prevail.)

The Hospital Blast – Image from Times of Israel.

Please pray for this situation: 

  • Pray that God grant wisdom and courage to PM Netanyahu as he meets with Biden.
  • Pray against the plans of men; that God’s plans and purposes prevail.
  • Pray for the right tactics to eliminate Gazan terrorists.
  • Pray for the safety of the hostages and their safe to their families.

Israel is at War!

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Violent Surprise Attacks by Hamas

We awoke yesterday, Saturday at 6:30 am to the sound of piercing sirens and hurried to the “sheltered” room we normally use as our office in our apartment.

We heard the loud sound of several “booms” as rockets were exploding when intercepted by the Iron Dome. After a short interval of quiet when we left the room, there was another siren and we hurried back to the “shelter.”

This went on the entire day as Ashdod was bombarded by rockets from nearby Gaza (about a 45-minute drive from us.)

Although we are used to Hamas’ arbitrary rocket attacks, this was different; Hamas declared war on Israel.

Not only did they launch over 3,000 rockets* at southern and central Israel, but they also broke through the strong border fence with bulldozers, allowing several trucks of armed terrorists to infiltrate Israeli communities, murdering innocent citizens and taking hostage soldiers, women, children, and the elderly into the Gaza Strip.

Hamas Bulldozes Border Fence.

By the afternoon, battles continued at 22 locations, while barrages of rockets continued into Israel. They hit as far as Tel Aviv, where the siren interrupted a government emergency meeting. Sirens also sounded multiple times in Jerusalem and its vicinity, beginning at 8:15 a.m. until about noon.

There is a saying that history repeats itself; such is the case in Saturday’s brutal attack. Fifty years ago, on Saturday, October 6, on the day of Judaism’s holiest day, the attack of Yom Kippur from Egypt and Syria, caught Israel by surprise.
 

Caught Off-Guard . . . Again

This time, Saturday October 7 at 6:29 A.M., the morning of the celebration of Simchat Torah, “Joy of the Torah”, a surprise war began with rocket fire, invasion of Israeli communities by sea and air, and ground attacks on residents and service people.

The Israeli army and intelligence are considered to be the strongest military in the Middle East and the best intelligence in the world. How were they completely caught off guard this Saturday?

Israel wrongly estimated as she did fifty years ago before the surprise attack in the Yom Kippur War, that the enemy had no desire to fight Israel’s strong army.

The IDF (Israeli Defense Force) failed to guard the Gaza border while concentrating its efforts against terrorists in Judea and Samaria. Israel also failed to discern Hamas’ plan to infiltrate border communities and murder and abduct soldiers and civilians.

Israel was unprepared for the cover of thousands of rockets that allowed terrorists into neighboring communities.

Presently, Israelis are united against the common enemy and have put aside divisive matters such as judicial reforms.
 

Hamas

Hamas blames the Jewish state for “desecrating Al-Aqsa,” which is the whole Temple Mount area and not just the Al-Aqsa mosque itself according to the Palestinians. When Jews went up recently on the Temple grounds, far from the mosque itself to celebrate Succoth, the Feast of Tabernacles, Hamas then called on the all Palestinians to ‘Carry out attacks on the [Jewish] settlements with all the means and tools at your disposal’.

Hamas claimed that they had forewarned Israel not to approach the Temple Mount, and named the current attack on Israel, “The Al-Aqsa Storm.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel was at war.

“Hamas launched a murderous surprise attack on Israel and its citizens. I’ve instructed (our forces) first of all to clear the terrorists from communities they have infiltrated…I’ve ordered an extensive call-up of reserves to respond in a war the enemy has never seen before. We are at war and we will emerge triumphant.”

Meanwhile, Hamas has called Israeli Arabs and Palestinians in Judea and Samaria, as well as in Jerusalem to join the ‘struggle’ against the “Zionist enemy.”

Moreover, the Taliban terrorist organization is supporting Hamas: “If the Muslim countries neighboring Israel grant us the right of passage, we will join and conquer Jerusalem.” said one Taliban member.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has declared, “Hamas has made a grave mistake…and launched a war against the State of Israel. IDF troops are fighting against the enemy at every station. The State of Israel will win this war.” Gallant approved the draft of reserve soldiers in accordance with the IDF’s requirements.

Meanwhile, dozens of Israeli fighter jets took out several Hamas locations in the Gaza Strip. Knowing that Hamas terrorists hide among civilians, the IDF warned Gazan residents in Arabic, “For your security, you must leave your homes at once.”

“Israeli residents in the south and center are required to be in close proximity to protected areas, and those in the Gaza periphery should remain within a secure space,” the IDF announced, adding that Hamas is responsible and will pay dearly. 
 

The Damages as of This Writing*

As of now, it is estimated that at least 700 Israelis have been murdered by the Hamas terrorist offensive attack.

About 2,380 wounded Israelis were evacuated to hospitals across the country. Of these, 22 are in critical condition, 17 are in critical condition, 200 are in serious condition, 226 are in moderate condition, 451 suffered only light injuries, 11 suffered shock, and the rest are being evaluated.

A call to donate blood was followed by an overwhelming response by many Israelis.

Hamas claims to be holding 163 Israelis hostage in the Gaza Strip. A spokesperson for Hamas’ military arm said, “The number of Israeli captives is several times higher than what Netanyahu believes (about 130.) They have been spread through all of the roads in Gaza, and they will go through what the population in the Strip is going through.”

AGAIN, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Saturday:

“Since this morning, the State of Israel has been at war. Our first objective is to clear out the hostile forces…and restore security and quiet to the communities that have been attacked. The second objective, at the same time, is to exact an immense price from the enemy, within the Gaza Strip. The third objective is to reinforce other fronts so that nobody should mistakenly join this war.”

“We are at war. In war, one needs to be level-headed. I call on all citizens of Israel to unite in order to achieve our highest goal—victory in the war,” Netanyahu added.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said that the world has seen the true face of Hamas, which is a terrorist army that murders innocent men, women, and children in cold blood. He claimed that the terrorist organization is Iran’s proxy that carried out an unprovoked, heinous attack against the Jewish state on a Jewish holy day [Simchat Torah]. Innocent civilians have been massacred and wounded, and many are still under attack.

“The State of Israel will take all measures necessary to eliminate this clear and immediate danger to our citizens. Israel will overcome in the face of all challenges.

I call upon the family of nations. This war waged against us marks a line in the sand. Now is the time to hear clear, unequivocal condemnation of Hamas, its allies, and its backers in Iran. Now is the time to stand firm with Israel in support of its just and moral battle in the face of an abhorrent enemy,” said the president.

Israel’s opposition leader Yair Lapid voiced his full support of the government war effort: “At times like these, there is no opposition or coalition in Israel. We will give full backing to the security forces for a harsh response against terrorism and its proxies,” said Lapid. “The whole world must stand with Israel as we defend ourselves from terror. We must mobilize the international community against [Palestinian] terror.”
 

Operation Swords of Iron

The IDF (Israel Defense Force) named the war against Hamas, “Operation Swords of Iron.”

At the end of the Sabbath day and Simchat Torah, the war continued with rockets, shootouts, and attempts to free hostages from terrorists who had infiltrated their homes. One terrorist threatened to set off a grenade that would kill the residents of their home.

Approximately 50 residents of Kibbutz Be’eri were taken hostage and held by terrorists in the Kibbutz cafeteria. Many hours later, they were freed by Israeli Special Forces, and the terrorists were killed.

Early this Sunday morning, Israeli Security forces regained control of the city of Sderot police station that was captured by terrorists early Saturday morning. Ten terrorists were killed. Among those killed by the terrorists were the city’s fire station chief and a firefighter. Danger remains, as more terrorists are still at large in the city.

In an Al Jazeera interview, A Hamas spokesman said that the attack on Israel is “absolutely a message” to Muslim countries seeking normalization with Israel. He urged them to absolve themselves of this “great shame.”

Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan remarked,
“Today is Israel’s 9/11 moment. Life for us will never be the same after today’s vicious terror attacks by Hamas terrorists. 250 murdered Israelis is the equivalent of over 8,000 Americans. When we say never again, never again is now. May God bless the State of Israel.”

“Moses answered the people (Israelites) ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD (YEOVAH) will bring you today…the LORD will fight for you, you need only to be still.'” Exodus 14:13-14 NIV

The Plan

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“The land [of Israel], moreover, shall not be sold permanently, because the land is Mine[The Lord, God of Israel]; for you are only strangers and residents with Me.” 
Leviticus 25:23
 
“You descendants of Abraham, His servant, you sons of Jacob, His chosen ones! He is the Lord our God; His judgments are in all the earth. He has remembered His covenant forever, the word which He commanded to a thousand generations, the covenant, which He made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac. Then He confirmed it to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, saying, “’To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion of your inheritance.’”
Psalm 105:5-11
 

The Main Instigator of the Demonstrations

Former Israeli PM Ehud Barak and former head of the Left-Wing Labor party, served in this office from September 1999 until February 2021.
 
In July 2020, several years before the current Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition took power and before the Judicial Reform initiative was on the new government’s agenda, former Israeli PM Ehud Barak gave an interview on Forum 555, (a group of retired pilots and navigators) where he introduced his detailed “master plan” for creating civil unrest in a future Benjamin Netanyahu coalition.

We see his plan implemented in the current massive demonstrations against Netanyahu’s government, which began with Barak’s instigation at the start of the new government’s formation when the reform was not yet an issue.

The Plan

“The wicked, in his haughtiness, does not seek Him. There is no God in all his schemes.” Psalm 10:4

In his plan, before the cameras, Barak said that with funding and investments in the millions of shekels, they would first deliberately instigate a civilian revolt and protests, falsely presenting a danger which could lead to a civil war—as he would urge the opposition to create clashes with the police. He stated, “The more clashes with the police, the stronger and more effective the revolt since it speaks to the entire population.” He said he was willing to help financially as much as needed, including purchasing national flags.

*Pictured above: Ehud Barak, Image from The Jerusalem Post

Asked during the interview about him possibly returning as Prime Minister like his success of 1999, Barak said, “A friend of mine, a historian, once told me, ‘Ehud, they will call you when bodies are floating in the Yarkon River.’ (A large stream in Tel Aviv.) I wish to stress, not the bodies of illegally residing Palestinians from the territories and not Israeli Arabs. The floating bodies will be of Jews that were killed by Jews.”

In his arrogance, though he was considered one of the worst Prime Ministers and his government lasted only less than two years, Barak said, “I am more suitable and prepared than any other person in the country to take the wheel [as Israel’s Prime minister] should Netanyahu somehow disappear from the scene, and should Israel’s situation worsen on various fronts.”

It is obvious that Ehud Barak’s main purpose is to bring down Netanyahu and take his place as Prime Minister of Israel. And to accomplish this he is willing to stir up thousands of Israelis with false slogans and false intimidations.

Ehud Barak learned about non-violent demonstrations from Martin Luther King’s fight for black American civil rights and Gandhi’s fight against British rule in India. According to Barak, they taught him about ‘tenacity and persistence in keeping up the protests, boycotts and civil disobedience.’

However, in contrast to King’s and Gandhi’s just and truthful causes, Barak’s are false and based on lies, personal ambition, and hatred for his opponent. He and his cohorts know very well their slogans are false and they are counting on the gullibility of leftists who swallow the lie that the judicial reform poses an existential threat to Israeli democracy.

A second outrageous lie is that without judicial oversight, the government will allow Israel to become a religious/orthodox country. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – who himself is not religious as well as most of his Likud party, which is the largest in the coalition – has assured the nation that this will not happen as long as he is Prime Minister.

As the demonstrations continue, Barak is very satisfied so far, believing that he will succeed in toppling Netanyahu’s government, even at the cost of civil war.

Current Likud government Transportation Minister Miri Regev has sent a letter to Attorney General Miara, demanding that an investigation be opened against former Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Forum 555, on suspicion of “illegal gathering, civil disobedience and an attempted coup d’état.”

*Pictured: Miri Regev from The Jerusalem Post

A former pilot and a founder of Forum 555 said in an interview “Indeed, the coup d’état has been in the planning for a number of years headed by Ehud Barak, and is not connected to any political and/or legislative event.”

Peaceful protest is legitimate; however, a call for mutiny is a crime.

“At the height of their severity, we see the result from the horrific statement by one who served as Prime Minister and Chief of Staff,” said Regev. “We cannot and we will not ignore these repulsive words, especially since they were said by someone who served in such important positions in the State of Israel.”
 
“We cannot ignore these things, now when we see the plan concocted years ago becoming a reality, and chaos that endangers the public’s welfare and safety is reigning in the streets. Therefore, I demand that a criminal investigation against Ehud Barak and members of the 555 organization be opened immediately and that they be brought to justice for the illegal acts which they have committed,” Regev concluded.

However, it seems that Attorney General Miara does not intend to do anything against Barak, not until “the purpose for the protest has been achieved.”

*Pictured: Gali-Baharav-Miara from JNS.org

Democracies

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US Democracy/Republic

Unlike the ancient Greek democracy, the US system is at its core, not a pure democracy, but a constitutional republic with democratic elections, as clearly stated in the U.S. Constitution: “The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican form of Government.” This differs from the original ancient Greek democracy, which the American founders believed to be a corrupt form of government. There are fundamental differences between pure democracy and constitutional republic forms of government.

The Difference between a Democracy and a Republic

The key difference between a democracy and a republic lies in the limits placed on government by the law, which has implications for minority rights. Both forms of government use a representational system, where citizens vote to elect politicians to represent their interests and form the government.

In a republic, a constitution, or charter of rights, protects certain inalienable rights that cannot be taken away by the government, even if it has been elected by a majority of voters.

In a so-called pure democracy, the majority is not restrained in this way. It can impose its will on the minority. It also differs from a representative democracy in which constituents choose leaders to govern according to their interests.

The US is a democratic republic that guarantees fundamental rights and liberties and features an electoral system combining direct elections for legislators and indirect voting (through an electoral college) for the President. 

Other Nations

Given that the US is a republic with democratic elections, Americans may not understand how it compares with other forms of government.

For example, unlike the United States, the United Kingdom has a constitutional monarchy that has democratic elections. Although the UK has a legislative system, its Parliament’s historical foundations are not entirely democratic. Whereas the House of Commons is an elected body, the House of Lords is hereditary, though its authority to originate legislation has been curtailed over the years. Yet, unlike Israel, its government is rarely delegitimized.

Some Muslim countries, like Malaysia, enshrine Islam as the national faith; citizens must be Muslim to be considered ethnic Malaysians. Even though they have constitutions and legislative bodies, certain rights and freedoms are subservient to Islamic law as applied by Sharia courts, and there is no separation between religion and state (which is seen as a purely western invention). 

The Knesset from the .gov site

Israel

Israel is a parliamentary democracy, consisting of legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Its institutions are the Presidency, the Knesset (parliament), the Government (cabinet), and the Judiciary.

The system is based on the principle of separation of powers, with checks and balances, in which the executive branch (the government) is subject to the confidence of the legislative branch (the Knesset) and the law guarantees the independence of the judiciary.

The President in this system has just a few symbolic duties, with no political power. Defined by law, his duties are mostly ceremonial and formal, such as ceremonially opening the first session of a new Knesset; accepting the credentials of foreign envoys; signing treaties and laws adopted by the Knesset; appointing judges, the governor of the Bank of Israel and heads of Israel’s diplomatic missions abroad. He can pardon prisoners and commute sentences, on the advice of the minister of justice.

The President is elected once in seven years by a simple majority of the Knesset from among candidates, nominated based on their personal stature and contribution to the state.

The Israeli parliament, The Knesset is the legislative authority elected in a general election.

The Knesset, through its committees, conducts general debates on government policy and activity, as well as on legislation. Debates are conducted in Hebrew, but members may speak Arabic, as both are official languages; simultaneous translation is available.

Every citizen is eligible to vote for the Knesset from age 18 and to be elected to the Knesset from age 21. Knesset elections, for a tenure of four years, are general, national, direct, equal, secret, and proportional, with the entire country constituting a single electoral constituency. The Knesset may dissolve itself or be dissolved by the Prime Minister before the end of its term. Until a new Knesset is formally constituted following elections, full authority remains with the outgoing one.

Knesset elections are based on a vote for a party rather than for individuals, and the many political parties, which compete for election to the Knesset, reflect a wide range of outlooks and beliefs. Knesset seats are assigned in proportion to each party’s percentage of the total national vote.

The Government (cabinet of ministers) is the executive authority of the state, charged with administering internal and foreign affairs, including security matters. Its policy-making powers are very wide and it is authorized to take action on any issue, which is not delegated by law to another authority. Like the Knesset, the government usually serves for four years, but its tenure may be shortened if the Prime Minister is unable to continue in office due to death, resignation, or impeachment when the government appoints one of its members (who is a Knesset member) as acting Prime Minister.

In the case of a vote of no confidence, the government and the Prime Minister remain in their positions until a new government is formed. All the ministers must be Israeli citizens and residents of Israel; they need not be Knesset members, but a majority usually are. Ministers, with the approval of the Prime Minister and the government, may appoint a deputy minister in their ministry; all deputy ministers must be Knesset members.

To date, all governments have been based on coalitions of several parties, since no party has received enough Knesset seats to be able to form a government by itself.

The Judiciary – Israeli law guarantees the absolute independence of the judiciary. Judges are appointed by the President, upon recommendation of a special nominations committee, comprised of Supreme Court judges, members of the bar, and public figures. Judges’ appointments are for life, with a mandatory retirement age of 70.