DAY 122 OF THE GAZA WAR: No Answer From Hamas, Galant Demands Political Plans for Gaza, Smotrich Claims "We Are Not a Banana Republic"
Tel Aviv Diary, February 5, 2024
HOSTAGES STILL HELD BY HAMAS, 122 DAYS AND COUNTING…
Another day has passed, a day marked by vigorous debates among cabinet and Knesset members, as well as TV pundits, over the terms we should or should not accept in a hostage deal. Yet, the day is ending, once again, with no response from Hamas.
The cause of Hamas's silence remains unclear. A leading theory suggests that making contact with Sinwar has proven exceptionally difficult because he is in hiding. Alternatively, Hamas could be conducting psychological warfare against us and the hostages' families. It is also possible there could be internal disagreements within Hamas itself. While any of these theories might hold merit, the true situation remains unknown. Consequently, the hostages' families are left to shoulder the psychological strain.
GALANT’S PRESS CONFERENCE
Defense Minister Gallant conducted a press conference where he offered little new information. Galant asserted that Sinwar is “effectively cornered” and would “be located soon”, a claim we have heard before. Minister Galant did once again call on the government to make political decisions; something this government appears unable to accomplish. Galant stated: “Now is the time to make the right decisions, so we can achieve the political goals we've set for the war.” Galant went on to say that reaching a political decision would allow “a departure into a new arena, in which it will be possible to expand the circle of peace over the circle of terror.”
During his press conference, Gallant also publicly disparaged Minister of National Security Ben-Gvir, by explicitly stating Ben-Gvir is not part of the circle of individuals who make decisions regarding security matters.
IN GAZA
Fighting continues in efforts to dismantle the last Hamas brigade remaining in Khan Younis. The Army has indicated that it will take a few more days to complete this task. A significant portion of the combat appears to be taking place underground, although, the Army has released limited information about this aspect of the fighting. There is concern that if the army locates Sinwar, he might choose to take his own life, along with the lives of all the hostages he is holding captive.
Furthermore, the Army is cautiously re-entering sections of the central refugee camps that it had not fully secured previously. As it is believed that some of our hostages are being held in these areas.
The IDF is making preparations for both the eventuality of a ceasefire, and the situation where a ceasefire fails to come materialize.
US IMPOSES SANCTIONS
In response to the United States’ imposition of sanctions on four settlers for their actions against Palestinians, Bank Leumi and the Postal Bank have implemented restrictions on the bank accounts of these individuals. This move prompted a strong reaction from our Minister of Finance, who criticized the banks and demanded the lifting of the sanctions. Minister Smotrich emphasized that Israel should not be treated as a "banana republic,” subject to directives from the United States. The Bank of Israel backed the banks' decisions, explaining that the Banks had no alternative. Failure to comply with the US sanctions on the individual accounts could lead to the banks themselves facing sanctions, including the potential rise of being severed from the SWIFT financial messaging system. This underscores the complex interplay between international regulations and national sovereignty.
HOPES & PRAYERS …
We are holding onto hope for a positive outcome to this story unfolding at Sheba Medical Center. A reserve soldier, injured in Gaza, is battling a life-threatening fungal infection. Fortunately, Pfizer is in the advanced stages of the approval process for a drug that could potentially save the reserve soldier’s life. Throughout the weekend, efforts were intensified at Tel Hashomer to coordinate with Pfizer's headquarters to secure doses of this medication, in a bid to save the soldier's life. The encouraging news is that the drug has been dispatched from Dublin and is en route to Israel. Our hopes are pinned on this treatment being successful in saving the soldier.
BUSINESS
The Israeli high-tech sector has faced challenges in recent months. Data from the Central Bureau of Statistics indicates a reduction of approximately 10% in the high-tech industry workforce over a span of just eight months.
Moreover, this month has been marked by numerous announcements of layoffs. Notably, the Israeli firm SolarEdge disclosed plans to lay off 900 employees, including 550 in Israel. SolarEdge was joined by several well-known startups, such as: Orca Security and Trigo, which parted with 15% of their workforce (65 and 30 employees, respectively).
The Israeli firm Innoviz also revealed plans to reduce its workforce by 13% (equating to roughly 70 employees in total). While the announcement did not detail the distribution of layoffs across its various locations, the majority of the Innoviz workforce is based in the company's headquarters in Rosh HaAyin.
On a positive note, there were firms that raised significant financing during January 2024:
Startup Ask-AI raised $11 million, and is attempting to separate itself from Web Summit, whose CEO made some extremely anti-Israel statements after October 7th.
The cybersecurity startup Turk raised $42 million.
The startup Mush Foods raised $6.2 million.
Wiz founders invest in a startup that protects your company from GenAI.
Israeli startup Oasis has now been revealed with a fundraising of $40 million.
First unicorn of 2024: Aqua Security raised $60 million.
The Israeli firm Anecdotes raised $25 million.
A crypto startup expanded its fundraising round by $11 million.
Cyabra raised an additional $5.7 million.
Startup SeeTree raised $17.5 million.
The hi-tech exits of January 2024:
The American company Delinea acquired an Israeli startup for $50 million and opened a development center here.
The Israeli firm Snyk acquired Helios.
Duve acquired the Israeli Easyway.
–––––––∞–––––––∞–––––––∞–––––––∞–––––––∞–––––––∞–––––––∞–––––––
A PIECE OF HISTORY
First Zionist Congress
Herzl had been surprised by the overwhelmingly positive response from publishing his book “Der Judenstaat” (“Jewish State”), and he began to meet with Zionist leaders throughout Europe. In January 1897 members of the German Kadima Society recommended Herzl call a meeting of Jews worldwide to work towards creating a Jewish State.
After receiving support for the idea, Herzl sent out invitations to a conference to be held in Munich, Germany, that August. The organized Jewish community in Germany objected to holding the conference. The Executive Committee of the Rabbis of Germany explained its objection stating that a Jewish state should only come into being after the arrival of the messiah. In addition, the German Rabbis claimed that to work to create a Jewish state conflicted with the loyalty to the Fatherland, i.e., Germany.
Herzl moved the meeting to Basel, Switzerland, attracting 204 representatives from 15 countries, including delegates from the United States. The delegates were requested to wear their finest attire. Additionally, journalists from across Europe attended the conference, thanks to Herzl's efforts.
Theodor Herzl was the opening speaker, and upon rising to speak, he was greeted with a prolonged ovation that lasted 15 minutes. When he eventually began his address, Herzl declared, “We are here to lay the foundation stone of the house that will shelter the Jewish people.”
Following Herzl's address, others, including Max Nordau, spoke and presented practical steps needed to move forward with the creation of a Jewish homeland. In the course of this congress, the World Zionist Organization was founded. A resolution, subsequently referred to as "The Basel Program," that delineated the aim of Zionism, was ratified. This aim was articulated as the creation of a "home for the Jewish people secured by law" in Palestine. Consequently, the aspiration of the World Zionist Organization was realized through the establishment of a Jewish homeland 50 years later, marking the birth of the modern state of Israel.
My weekly radio show: