DAY 118 OF THE GAZA WAR: Hostages, A Biden Doctrine for the Middle East, A New History Section

Tel Aviv Diary, February 1, 2024

HOSTAGES

The state of the ongoing hostage negotiations continued to dominate the news today. The primary focus of the day revolved around the anticipated reaction to the proposed agreement. By day's end, there had been a number of conflicting reports. The only definitive information that emerged from reports was that Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas's Political wing, is presently in Cairo, engaging in discussions with the Chief of Egyptian Intelligence.

Hopes in Israel are high that a framework can be reached to release captives considered to be “humanitarian hostages” and the women soldiers. At the moment, we have no idea if such a  deal is likely to materialize.

IN GAZA

Minister of Defense Galant stated that “the IDF’s work in Khan Younis is almost complete, and that next they will deal with Rafah.” Exactly what that declaration means is a good question.

As fighting continued in Khan Younis, a brigade re-entered Gaza City—a region from which Israel had previously withdrawn—to prevent Hamas from regaining control over the area. It's unclear what the intended course of action would be in the event of a ceasefire

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There were reports that an agreement has been reached with Egypt on how to deal with Gaza’s Philadelphia Corridor, which includes the building of an underground fence that will be paid for by the Gulf States.

IN THE NORTH

Hezbollah carried out multiple attacks, including a strike on an IDF post at Har Dov, as well as assaults on Metullah, Kiryat Shemonah, and other locations along the border. Today, the Army Chief of Staff made a visit to the Northern border.

A Biden Doctrine for the Middle East

One of my readers wrote me to ask what I thought about Thomas Friedman's article today in the New York Times, titled: “A Biden Doctrine for the Middle East is Forming. And It's Big.” The first track entails a strong response to Iran; the third track calls for normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. It’s the middle track I find problematic.

Friedman writes:

On the second track would be an unprecedented U.S. diplomatic initiative to promote a Palestinian state — NOW. It would involve some form of U.S. recognition of a demilitarized Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip that would come into being only once Palestinians had developed a set of defined, credible institutions and security capabilities to ensure that this state was viable and that it could never threaten Israel.

Opinion polls show that given the right circumstances, a majority of Israelis would support a plan to establish a Palestinian state. However, “NOW” the “right circumstances” are far from present. The events of October 7th convinced most Israelis that whether or not their hatred is justified, Palestinians really do hate us. Moreover, since opinion polls indicate that Hamas is even more popular in the West Bank than in Gaza, there are very few Israelis who feel now is the right time to award the Palestinians with any additional power. I agree with the American Administration that there needs to be a Palestinian State, albeit sometime in the future, and not immediately, now.

President Biden issued an executive order today imposing sanctions on four West Bank settlers for their attacks on Palestinians. The action is a clear call to Israel to address an issue it has historically neglected, which is to rein in the settlers who have assaulted Palestinians. No Israeli government has done a good job dealing with this problem, and certainly not this coalition, which contains top leaders accused of engaging in similar acts in the past.

Here is the official State Department announcement:

The United States has consistently opposed actions that undermine stability in the West Bank and the prospects of peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike. This includes attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and Palestinian attacks against Israelis. There is no justification for extremist violence against civilians, whatever their national origin, ethnicity, or religion.

The United States is today implementing a series of measures to address such actions in the West Bank and impose accountability for those responsible for them.

The Department of State is imposing financial sanctions on four Israeli nationals/individuals connected to violence against civilians in the West Bank. These designations have been imposed under a new Executive Order establishing U.S. authority to issue financial sanctions against those directing or participating in acts or threats of violence against civilians, intimidation of civilians to cause them to leave their homes, destruction or seizure of property, or terrorist activity in the West Bank.

Israel must do more to stop violence against civilians in the West Bank and hold accountable those responsible for it. The United States will continue to take actions to advance the foreign policy objectives of the United States, including the viability of a two-state solution, and is committed to the safety, security, and dignity of Israelis and Palestinians alike.

This new E.O. authorizes the imposition of sanctions on any foreign person determined to be responsible for or complicit in, or to have directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in actions – including directing, enacting, implementing, enforcing, or failing to enforce policies – that threaten the peace, security, or stability of the West Bank, as well as other specified harmful activities.

OTHER PARTS OF THE MIDDLE EAST

Last night, the US and UK carried out their tenth attack on Houthi positions. Concurrently, reports have emerged that Iran has withdrawn its military officers from Syria following the deaths of several officers over the past few weeks, allegedly due to Israeli actions. Meanwhile, the Middle East awaits the US’s response to the recent killing of its soldiers in Jordan.

BUSINESS

The Israeli cybersecurity company, Oasis Security, announced fundraising $40 million, of which approximately $35 million was raised in Series-A. The company specializes in identity protection and has developed a cybersecurity platform for mapping, managing, and securing non-human identities in organizations. Non-human identities include, among others, tokens, service accounts, API keys, and RPA accounts.

Oasis was founded in 2022 by Danny Brickman, who serves as the CEO, and Amit Zimmerman, who serves as the VP of Product. The two met during their military service in Unit 81 of the Intelligence Corps. Before founding the company, the duo collaborated on several projects, some of which won the prestigious Israel Security Award.

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For those who have been following the newsletter since its inception, you might recall the weekly section dedicated to Israeli history. By the time the war began, we had progressed to around the time of the Yom Kippur War in the chronology. During the past four months, the number of subscribers to the Israel Update has nearly quintupled, meaning most of my readers have ever seen this section. So, starting today, I will begin the “History of Israel” series again from the first entry:

THE FIRST ALIYAH: BILU

The name Bilu stands for “Bet Ya'akov L'chu V'Nelcha"(House of Jacob, come ye and let us go”), as quoted from Isaiah. The movement was founded in Kharkiv, Russia, in 1882 by Jewish students reacting to the pogroms in Russia at the time. Bilu’s goal was to resettle in the Land of Israel. The first 14 members of Bilu arrived in Palestine in July 1882. The initial “Biluim”settled in Mikve Israel and Rishon L'Tzion as farm hands. Some Bilu members learned a trade and settled in Jerusalem.

In 1884, members of Bilu formed the settlement of Gedera. In 1890, a second influx of settlers from Russia arrived in Palestine. A number of new settlements were established during that period, including Rechovot and Hadera. While the Rothschilds had not initially supported the Bilu, they began supporting the farming efforts of the new arrivals, and helped them establish vineyards, as well as, wine production.

In 1903, by the end of the period known as the “First Aliyah,” 350,000 dunams of land had been purchased, 20 agricultural settlements were built, and 720 families, comprising 6,000 people lived in the new settlements. Of the 50,000 Jews living in Palestine at the time, 10,000 were part of what became known as “the new Yishuv.”