NOTE: Tomorrow’s scheduled “Zoom Briefing” will be delayed until next week—Sunday, September 22nd.
This edition partly focuses on a subject I have not previously addressed: the state of policing in Israel. While this issue has received little attention abroad, it is increasingly on the minds of many Israelis. Consequently, a significant portion of this update is dedicated to the issue. Itamar Ben-Gvir, the current Minister of National Security and arguably the most extreme cabinet member, lives in Hebron and has a criminal record. A few years ago, Prime Minister Netanyahu insisted that he would never include Ben-Gvir in his government. Yet, Ben-Gvir now serves as the Minister of National Security, overseeing the police.
Israel's police force has long faced significant challenges, and these difficulties have not been addressed under the leadership of Ben-Gvir. The deteriorating situation was highlighted by a bombing in Ramla, which resulted in four fatalities on Thursday and was linked to criminal activity. This was followed by another bombing in Akko the next day, further emphasizing the decline of the police force. After more than a year in office, conditions within the police have only worsened.
This year, out of 169 murders in the Arab sector, only 29 have been solved. Additionally, there have recently been several politically motivated arrests. For instance, last week, a woman was detained in jail over Shabbat for allegedly throwing sand at Minister Ben-Gvir on the beach.
Then, on Friday, an incident occurred involving the arrest of three Herzliya residents. According to the police, residents were detained for placing flyers on the chairs of worshippers at a synagogue where Likud Knesset member and head of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Yuli Edelstein, prays. The flyers, distributed the previous night, featured images of hostages, including members of the Bibas family, and carried the text “Let My People Go.” Additionally, they included a central image of Yuli Edelstein during his time as a Prisoner of Zion in the USSR. The Police Spokesperson explained that the suspects were "arrested on suspicion of trespassing at a synagogue in the city and distributing flyers there."
Officers from the Glilot police station and forensic personnel were called to the synagogue to collect evidence. The suspects were arrested and brought in for questioning by the police. It should be noted that the newly appointed Police Commissioner has ordered an investigation into this arrest.
All of these events have unfolded against the background of increasingly violent police actions at all the demonstrations against the government. Moreover, this week, under the direction of Ben-Gvir, the police announced a series of appointments to command positions that have faced widespread criticism.
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Doron Kadosh, Military Affairs correspondent for Galei Tzahal, wrote:
There has been a lot of justified criticism about the recent appointments in the IDF. I’ve written about it quite a bit here as well. But when you look at tonight’s round of appointments by Minister Ben-Gvir in the Israeli Police, it’s hard not to tear your hair out over this bizarre list. I recommend this short thread by Moshe Steinmetz from the Israeli public broadcasting association:
Police Commissioner, Dany Levi is emptying the upper ranks of the police of experience and creating a command staff that won’t challenge his own lack of experience.
A thread on the latest round of senior police appointments. The announcement about the appointments came out 3 minutes before the explosion in Ramla. Central District Commander Avi Biton didn’t even have time to realize that the Commissioner and Ben-Gvir were showing him the door.
Biton is one of the two most experienced commanders in the Police, and likely the one with the most integrity. At the scene of the quadruple murder, he avoided standing in front of the cameras with Ben-Gvir and the Commissioner. Later that evening, he was promised the Deputy Commissioner role, which was also promised to Peretz Amar, the experienced commander who was moved from Tel Aviv District after only a year to a made-up role of “Civil Defense.”
The Tel Aviv District, which has always been led by experienced commanders, will now be led by an officer who was just a Superintendent ten months ago. Worse yet, the challenging Coastal District will be commanded by an officer who was promoted to Deputy Commissioner only four months ago. And in Jerusalem? The minister who “backs the police” appoints an unworthy officer who falsifies the hearing protocol of his subordinates.
Many of the appointments were a surprise within the organization. Prominent Deputy Commissioners were not promoted – a way to maintain control. The minister and the Commissioner are showing the experienced Commissioners the door. Except one, the new appointments are all Deputy Commissioners being promoted, many without even a year of seniority in the rank.
Former Commissioner Shabtai once said he regretted not changing the command staff when he was appointed—he ended up with opposing Commissioners who thought they deserved to be Commissioners themselves. Levi, who has only been a Commissioner for a year, has learned that lesson well.
And he [Steinmetz] doesn’t even mention the scandal surrounding the appointment of Ben Gvir’s security secretary—the closest officer to him—as commander of the sensitive Shai District. This district is crucial for addressing the issue of escalating Jewish terrorism in the area, making it no surprise that Ben-Gvir chose his security secretary for this role. It’s alarming to consider the potential implications for other critical police units. Imagine, for instance, if the commander of YAMAM (the elite counter-terrorism unit) were chosen not for being the most skilled fighter and leader, like the current commander, a celebrated hero in Israel, but rather for being the most loyal and sycophantic to the minister.
This round of appointments tonight in the police is another alarming demonstration of what is happening to Israel’s Police—a body that has undergone a hostile takeover by a minister who is trying to destroy whatever good remains here.
Looking at this should serve as a warning of what absolutely must not, under any circumstances, happen to the IDF and Shin Bet. The chief of staff and the head of the Shin Bet need to think carefully after tonight about whether they should hand over their keys soon. It’s clear that both will eventually have to end their roles due to the terrible failure of 7/10, but the timing of when they do this is critical. They must do everything in their power to prevent any harmful influence on the IDF and Shin Bet, so that there won’t be even a shred of similarity between them and Ben Gvir’s occupied police force.”
Here is what acclaimed veteran journalist Ben Kaspit wrote to the new Police Commissioner:
Dear Commissioner,
If you’ve already decided to ‘look into the sequence of events’ regarding the arrest of the women in Herzliya, I would appreciate it if you also investigate the ‘sequence of events’ of the harm caused to this man, who stood with a sign outside the house of Yoav Kisch in Hod Hasharon. The videos were uploaded here earlier; if you want, we can send them privately.
This is what his son wrote:
‘This is my father (Yitzhak Shaham, former head of the weapons department in the Shayetet in the 1970s) after he was knocked down and dragged on the sidewalk by police officers near Kisch’s house this morning (14/9/2024). There’s no doubt that the real enemy is an 80-year-old retired lieutenant colonel.’
If you didn’t understand, here’s a summary:
An 80-year-old man, a former lieutenant colonel in Shayetet 13, trying to exercise his right to protest in a democratic country. He wasn’t bothering anyone, didn’t have a megaphone, and wasn’t violent.
The violent ones were the thugs your police force sent there to harm him. These are senior officers: the head of the Kfar Saba station and others.
Finally, another acclaimed veteran journalist, Nadav Eyal, wrote the following:
The abandonment of the police into the hands of a convicted criminal and a Kahanist sect has led to exactly the expected results. Ben Gvir was normalized by Netanyahu for the sake of power and then by sensationalist media. He is now doing what was expected and completely destroying the rule of law.
The shouting on Twitter doesn’t impress anyone. He is a minister who can take a senior police officer and promote him at record speed. That’s what matters: power and money.
Democracies usually don’t fall due to extreme constitutional changes like those of Yariv Levin, but rather through the appointment of cowards, flatterers, and regime loyalists to key positions. Since power is more important than anything, the inevitable outcome is the destruction of state institutions and a general deterioration in the quality of life; loyalty is more important than professional ability.
The only professional ability required is serving the regime. They appoint incompetent, irresponsible people, especially those bad at anything other than propaganda (this is the current environment around the Prime Minister).
Corruption is long-term, and it’s a pyramid scheme: those who Ben Gvir brings in know deep down that they are unworthy and know they will pay a heavy price later if the pyramid scheme collapses. Hence, mutual, mafia-like commitments are formed in such regimes.
For us, these are early days, and perhaps there is still time to save the situation. But for that to happen, the criminal and his flattering spokespersons cannot be legitimized. He cannot continue in his role. This won’t stop because of protests but only due to the awakening of decent people on the right. It’s hard; the bitter truth is that the leaders of the camp have enlisted and are enlisted to protect Ben Gvir. In the media, in the Knesset, and in the government as well. By the time they act, it will be too late.
This is a serious situation. The police’s conduct is in constant escalation, in an internal competition of violence, heavy-handedness, and flattery to the political echelon. Those who arrest people for distributing flyers, like in Putin’s Red Square, will continue—if not stopped—toward fake charges for protest leaders, politicians, and journalists, in addition to increasing violence. The loss of trust in the police will lead to harsh protests, which, in the eyes of Ben-Gvir’s police, will justify a harsh response, and the cycle will repeat. When the fighting takes place in the streets, Libeskind will write that it’s the fault of the left and the media. All of this is happening during a time of war, when every Israeli, especially patriots, should be demanding unifying and consolidating leadership, not a bunch of hollow arsonists.
There are still good people in the Israeli police, and not a few. They see the place being destroyed. They need to be told: do not leave, under any circumstances. Do not vacate any position. Fight for the rule of law, document its violation.
Last night, Israel’s Channel 12 released the following interesting poll:
Bennett Sets Record in Prime Minister Suitability Rating—
Bennett - 40%
Netanyahu - 29%
Gantz, once again, takes the lead over Netanyahu:
Gantz - 34%
Netanyahu - 30%
Against Lapid, Netanyahu still retains the lead:
Netanyahu - 31%
Lapid - 29%
WEEKLY DEMONSTRATIONS
Tonight, the large weekly demonstration- rallies were held both in Tel Aviv and across the country. A key speaker cautioned that the government's current trajectory could lead to Israel having 101 cases similar to "Ron Arad." Arad, an Israeli Air Force navigator, was shot down over Lebanon in 1986, and his fate remains unknown.
IN THE NORTH
It’s been an intensely combative day in the North, with 12 separate barrages, including one barrage of 60 rockets targeting the Safed area overnight. The rockets ignited several fires. In response, the IAF has conducted deep strikes into Lebanon.
Recent reports indicate that after 11 months Netanyahu will finally add “The return of the Northern citizens to their homes, safely” as an official war objective.
GAZA
Today, two rockets were fired from Gaza towards the Ashkelon area. In response, residents of the area in which the launch occurred in Northern Gaza have been ordered to evacuate their homes. This tactic aims to deter Hamas from launching rockets due to internal civilian pressure. Additionally, the Foreign Minister of the UAE announced today that his country will not participate in a post-conflict plan without a clear roadmap for a Palestinian state.
The first statement was tweeted by Samer Sinijlaow, Chairman Jerusalem Development Fund, followed by comment on Sinijlaow’s remarks by Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a Palestinian-American and Member of the Atlantic Council.
I’ve been speaking to Israelis for 35 years. For some that makes me a contradictory political figure. But I’m not – I’m just a pragmatist who realizes it’s in our own best interests to hear them out. And I can tell you, Israelis have real, well-founded concerns about security. Other than for the far right, this is not just a pretext or a delay tactic.
When you start hearing the concerns of the other side, you understand how to approach a solution. More security for more freedom. It’s not a complicated arrangement. All it takes is political will.
The objective here is not defeating Israelis – it’s defeating the fear inside Israelis. This is not doing Israelis a favor, it’s what we need to do for ourselves.
Samer is right: unfortunately, there is an unwillingness to acknowledge that Israeli society, no matter how much one might disagree with the policies of the current government that’s dominated by the far right, does have legitimate security needs that are fundamental to any meaningful resolution and path forward. This does not negate Palestinians’ proper, urgent, desperate, and equally legitimate need for security. Nevertheless, after the Second Intifada, the experience following the withdrawal of Israeli settlements from Gaza, and the horrendous October 7 attack, large segments of Israeli society, including those who were historically/traditionally pro-peace and coexistence, were radicalized by the armed resistance narrative.
Israeli security is central to obtaining Palestinian rights, self-determination, freedom, independence, and sovereignty. This is not a zero-sum or mutually exclusive equation. The sooner that the Palestinian national project and the future/forward-looking leaders of the pro-Palestine movement realize this, the more likely it’ll be that Palestinian grievances and pursuits of equality and freedom will be elevated to the levels that will achieve results and move the needle on this issue.
This morning, I was walking to synagogue with my daughter, son-in-law, and grandkids. Today is my mother's yahrzeit. My daughter attends the synagogue where I grew up. Along the way, on a road I've walked countless times in my life, a man came speeding down the street, nearly hitting my grandkids, who were wearing kippot. He then pulled into a driveway and shouted, “You people don't belong here,” followed by some other remarks I couldn’t make out.
BUSINESS
Hortica
The start-up company Hortica, operating in the field of precision agriculture, recently filed an urgent request to initiate insolvency proceedings due to its inability to meet its financial obligations to employees, tax authorities, Bank Hapoalim, and other creditors. The Lod District Court accepted the request and appointed attorney Evyatar Kramer as a temporary trustee for the company to preserve its assets and prevent any sale or transaction without legal approval.
Hortica, founded in 2019, developed an autonomous system for growing plants in a controlled environment. The system uses sensors and cameras to monitor growing conditions and make real-time adjustments for various factors such as temperature, lighting, fertilization, and airflow. The system operates in a closed loop, meaning that all resources needed for plant growth are conserved and recycled within the system—aiming to ensure sterility and protection from external contaminants while minimizing resource use.
According to the application documents submitted last week by Attorney Ido Einat from the law firm Naschitz, Brandes, Amir & Co., the company has accumulated debts totaling approximately 3 million shekels, and its attempts to formulate a debt settlement plan encountered difficulties due to the inability to raise additional capital from potential investors. Of the total debt, about 800,000 shekels is owed to employees, including 95,000 shekels for a disputed claim by an employee, details of which are not specified.
Around 1 million shekels is classified as debt to the Tax Authority and National Insurance Institute; approximately 310,000 shekels is owed to Bank Hapoalim; and around 275,000 shekels is owed to Ben Tzur Nursery, from which the company rents greenhouse space and offices in Moshav Tirat Yehuda near Ben Gurion Airport. The remaining debt, approximately 640,000 shekels, is divided among several creditors, including the law firm Naschitz, Brandes, Amir, the accounting firm Deloitte, and other suppliers.
In its court filings, Hortica claims that it successfully completed the technological development phase but struggled to transition to the commercial stage. Its forecasts anticipated that the second half of 2023 would be the breakthrough leading to operational profitability, but external events beyond its control, it claims, derailed these plans.
The outbreak of the Iron Swords War in October 2023 caused severe disruptions to the company's operations. Four of its ten employees — including the co-CEO, development managers, and analytics manager — were called up for military reserve duty, leading to a complete shutdown of operational activities. Hortica was also forced to freeze its hiring processes for three additional employees due to the halted operations and placed most of its staff, except for one, on unpaid leave. The freeze in activity significantly impacted Hortica's cash flow, making it difficult to continue advancing domestic and international projects.
Throughout the Intifidah there was constant pressure to resume peace talks with the Palestinians. There was also constant pressure to improve the conditions in the West Bank and the limitations that Israel put on Arafat. During an interview to CBS News with Dan Rather on April 14, 2002, Prime Minister Sharon shared the following remarks:
As a soldier that participated in all the wars, I know that it happens that there are civilian casualties, and every casualty is a tragedy. But the difference between us and the Palestinians is, we are looking for terrorists. When they choose targets, they are looking for civilian targets—celebration places, weddings, bar mitzvahs, people coming out from synagogues—and that is the most terrible thing.
I know the world is worried . . . I got many phone calls from heads of state complaining that Mr. Arafat has only a candle for light there. But I have not gotten a call about a family—father, daughter, son—that was killed, and the mother is in very bad condition in the hospital. Nobody said a word about it. I didn’t hear anything about a funeral for two children of a family, and the parents do not know [of their deaths] because both of them are in the hospital in critical condition. Nobody is worried about it. Nobody has said a word about it, and it brings me back to the point that Israel is the only place in the world where the Jews have[…]
On June 24, 2002, President Bush delivered a speech in which he called for new leadership among the Palestinians, effectively supporting Sharon's stance that Arafat was not a suitable partner for peace negotiations. Read the speech.
For the next year throughout the intifadah, the US continued efforts to advance the peace process. In collaboration with Russia the EU and the UN—collectively known as the Quartet—and in close consultation with Israel they issued a Road Map for Peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
PHASE I: Ending Terror and Violence, Normalizing Palestinian Life, and Building Palestinian Institutions
Palestinian leadership issues an unequivocal statement reiterating Israel’s right to exist in peace and security and calling for an immediate end to all acts of violence against Israelis anywhere.
Israeli leadership issues unequivocal statement affirming its commitment to the two-state vision of an independent, viable, sovereign Palestinian state living in peace and security with Israel, and calling for an immediate end to violence against Palestinians anywhere.
Palestinian institution-building includes drafting a constitution for Palestinian statehood and conducting free elections.
Israel withdraws from Palestinian areas occupied since September 2000, as security progresses, freezes all settlement activity, and dismantles outposts. It takes measures to improve the Palestinian humanitarian situation.
PHASE II: Transition
An independent Palestinian state is created with provisional borders and attributes of sovereignty. The Palestinian leadership continues to act decisively against terror and to build a practicing democracy based on tolerance and liberty.
PHASE III: Permanent Status Agreement and End of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Palestinian reform is consolidated and its institutions stabilized while effective security performance is sustained. Israeli-Palestinian negotiations aim at a permanent status agreement in 2005.
A second international conference convened by the Quartet leads to a final, permanent status resolution on borders, Jerusalem, refugees, and settlements. It also supports a comprehensive peace settlement between Israel and Lebanon and Israel and Syria, as soon as possible.
On May 23, 2003, Sharon convened a cabinet meeting to approve the quartet road map
At the start of the meeting, Sharon said:
This is a very difficult day for me, I completely understand your apprehension, and I will do everything in my power to change the points that we are all concerned about regarding the status of Jerusalem, the Right of Return, and not returning to pre-1967 borders. At this stage, I don't want to confront the Americans, who are our closest friends and allies, nor let the world conclude that we reject the peace process. Believe me, I know very well what is good for Israel and for the Jewish people. Everyone can speak his mind today, but before the meeting ends we have to take a vote.
The cabinet voted 12 in favor and 4 abstention, including Bibi Netanyahu. The next day, at a Likud caucus meeting, Sharon was attacked, saying this was worse than Oslo. His response was, “What would you suggest? That we continue to dominate and control a population of three and a half million Palestinians that is growing by leaps and bounds? How will we deal with that? You might not like to hear it, but I am telling you we must put an end to the occupation. This occupation is ruinous to Israel.
While Sharon wanted a way to end the occupation, he doubted the Palestinians would be able to fulfill their obligations under the Road Map.
Not sure how you put this out day in and day out. Power to you Marc. Good to meet.