DAY 121 OF THE GAZA WAR: Ben-Gvir Strikes Again, Laser Defense System, Lebanon, Cabinet Meeting

Tel Aviv Diary, February 4, 2024

Today’s headlines were dominated by an interview Minister of National Security Ben-Gvir granted to the Wall Street Journal. Minister Ben-Gvir did what he's best known for: stirring up controversy. Ben-Gvir asserted he thinks “the Biden administration is hampering Israel’s war effort” and said he believes “Republican presidential Donald Trump would give Israel a freer hand to quash Hamas.” Ben-Gvir went on the say :“Instead of giving us his full backing, Biden is busy with giving humanitarian aid and fuel [to Gaza], which goes to Hamas. If Trump was in power, the U.S. conduct would be completely different.”

Ben-Gvir’s caustic declarations caused immediate backlash here in Israel. MK Arye Deri, Head of the Shas party tweeted:

Thank you, President of the United States Joe Biden. The people of Israel will forever remember you for standing with Israel during some of our toughest hours. You and America are kingdoms of kindness. Even among friends and allies, there are differences of opinion. You have been willing and are paying both a personal and political price to help us, and for that, we will always be grateful. May God protect you and the United States of America.

At the cabinet meeting Netanyahu criticized Ben-Gvir, albeit without using his name.

Israel is a sovereign state. We greatly appreciate the support we have received from the Biden administration since the outbreak of the war: support in armaments, support in international institutions, sending forces to the area, and more. This does not mean there are no differences of opinion between us, but so far, we have managed to overcome them by employing decisive and thoughtful decision-making.

I want to tell you something from my experience: There are those who say “yes” to everything, even in situations where "no" must be said. They receive applause from the international community, but endanger our national security. And there are those who say “no” to everything, receiving applause at home, but they too endanger vital interests. I tell you from experience: Wisdom is knowing how to navigate difficult situations— to say “yes” when possible and "no" when necessary.

I do not need help to know how to navigate our relations with the USA and the international community while firmly maintaining our national interests. Thank God, I have been doing this for years.

As a sovereign state fighting for its existence and future, we make our own decisions, even in cases where there is no agreement with our American friends.

I want to clarify our policy — the primary goal [of this war] is the elimination of Hamas. To achieve this goal, three things are required:

First, the reduction of Hamas' battalions. To date, we have disbanded 17 out of Hamas’s 24 battalions. Most of the remaining battalions are stationed in the south of the Strip and in Rafah — and we will deal with them too.

Second, cleansing operations are required after disbanding the battalions, as our forces are doing very decisively, conducting raids in the north and center of the Strip.

Third, neutralizing the underground [terror network] is required, as our forces are doing systematically in Khan Younis, and all parts of the Strip. This requires more time.

We will not end the war before completing all of its objectives: the elimination of Hamas, the return of all our captives, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.

Efforts to release our captives continue all the time. As I also emphasized in the expanded cabinet — we will not agree to just any deal, and not at any price. Many things that are being reported in the media as if we already agreed to them, such as, details related to the release of terrorists, we simply will not accept.

In recent days, we have exposed to the world that UNRWA collaborates with Hamas, and that some of its people even participated in the massacre and kidnapping on October 7. This only strengthens what we have known for a long time — that UNRWA is not part of the solution; UNRWA is part of the problem. The time has come to start the process of replacing UNRWA with other bodies that are not tainted by support for terror.

Ben-Gvir violated the most basic laws of diplomacy. An Israeli, or any other foreign leader, should never endorse a candidate in an upcoming election. Of course, Ben-Gvir does not understand the danger and uncertainty Trump brings to American Foreign Policy, and thus to Israel.

DONALD TRUMP

It should be noted that Trump stated on Fox News today:

When we took out Soleimani, you know Israel was supposed to do it with us. Two days before the take-out, they said, ‘We can’t do it. We can’t do it.’ I said ‘What?’ ‘We can’t do it.’ Then I had a certain general, who’s great, I said, ‘So General, do we do it ourselves?’ He said, ‘We can, sir, it’s up to you.’ I said, ‘We’ll do it.’

According to Israeli sources, Trump is once again telling a story that is not true, in order to fit his narrative.

GAZA

Fighting continues in Gaza, primarily in the southern city of Khan Younis.  The Army continues to say it “only needs another few days to finish.” In the meantime, the IDF is eliminating approximately 100 terrorists each day and capturing another 100 — including many who took part in the October 7th massacre

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The IDF announced the death of one soldier on Saturday evening. Sgt. First Class (res.) Shimon Yehoshua Asulin (24). Asulin was the 225th IDF soldier to be killed since the ground operation began

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In the meantime, Hamas is attempting to reassert power in the Northern regions of Gaza, from which Israel has already pulled back. Without a post-withdrawal plan and no alternative leadership to assume control, Hamas is poised to take over. This raises the question of what we have truly accomplished.

LEBANESE BORDER

While the weather in Israel continues to be rainy and cold, there were longer periods of sun. Whether Hezbollah launched more rockets and missile attacks today than in recent days for that reason, or as an answer to the Army spokesman’s statement last night, is unclear. American envoy Amos Hochstein is in Israel for discussions with government officials . After Hochstein’s meeting with the  Defense Minister Gallant, it was stated that Israel favors a diplomatic solution to the conflict on the Lebanese border, but is prepared for a military response, if necessary.

LASER DEFENSE SYSTEM

I heard a fascinating interview with the Deputy CEO of Rafael, the company known for producing the Iron Dome Missile Defense System, and a wide array of advanced weaponry. Rafael is at the forefront of developing a laser defense system, which he mentioned is slated for full deployment by 2025. The Deputy CEO said this system will be integrated into the Iron Dome, creating an exceptionally sophisticated defense network. Incorporating laser intercept technology will enable a computer to assess and select the most suitable response for each incoming rocket or missile, taking into account its unique characteristics. This strategic approach optimizes defense efficiency by ensuring the optimal system is deployed against each specific threat.

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A PIECE OF HISTORY:

Herzl Publishes the Jewish State

The 1896 publication of Der Judenstaat was the end result of a process that converted Herzl from an assimilated Austrian Jew to one who cared deeply about the Jewish people. From 1891 to 1895, Herzl served as the Paris correspondent of the Neue Freie Presse, a liberal, influential Viennese daily.

During his years in Paris, Herzl witnessed the rise in French anti-semitism, culminating in the Dreyfus Affair. This event convinced Herzl that the only solution to the Jewish 'problem' was a Jewish exodus from those countries espousing antisemitism. In May 1895, Herzl met with Baron Maurice de Hirsch to discuss the Jewish problem, but nothing substantive came of the discussions. During that year, Herzl worked on outlining his plan, originally titled: “An Address to the Rothschilds” (Europe's most prominent Jewish family)

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In 1896, after having shown portions of his proposal to various friends and supporters, Herzl decided that he had to publish the plan as a whole and reworked it, naming the book “Der Judenstaat” (The Jewish State). Herzl’s book received a varied, but mainly positive, responses from European Jewry. “Der Judenstaat” provided the first clear vision of political Zionism. It called for the establishment of a Jewish State, as the only solution to the Jewish problem. Herzl used the book's publication as a springboard for the launch of political Zionism.

TODAY’S ZOOM