NOTE: Unless events warrant, the next Tel Aviv Diary will be published on Sunday, November 10th.
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I had hoped to skate by this morning and skip writing the diary entry I promised to make up for the entry I did not post yesterday. Sadly, the events overnight in Amsterdam have compelled me to document them. Following last night's soccer match, in which Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv was defeated by Europa League's Ajax, a large group of Muslims who had been waiting outside attacked the Israeli fans. With nearly 2,900 Maccabi supporters in Amsterdam, almost all found themselves confined to their hotels for safety. Many barricaded their doors in response to reports that some assailants had broken into hotels looking to target Israelis.
Initially, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised all Israelis to leave Amsterdam as quickly as possible. However, it soon became clear that an immediate departure was not feasible. In response, Prime Minister Netanyahu directed the government to expedite the evacuation of Israeli nationals. This time, it appears the government is acting with speed, funding special charter flights for this purpose.
As of 10 AM today, El Al has already dispatched a Boeing 777 wide-body aircraft to Amsterdam. In a rare move, given the severity of the situation—with lives in danger—the Chief Rabbis have authorized El Al to operate flights on Shabbat to assist the stranded Israelis. This is notable because El Al typically does not operate on Shabbat, and most of its aircraft are grounded during this time. The primary challenge now is assembling flight crews, as many pilots are currently on reserve duty. Already, a Boeing 787 flight has been arranged to depart overnight.
Israeli telecommunications companies have declared free international calling for all Israelis in Amsterdam to facilitate communication during this crisis. "Passport," an emergency insurance provider, is sending two evacuation planes equipped with medical staff to transport injured Israelis back home. Newly appointed Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar departed this morning to the Netherlands for an urgent diplomatic visit. Additionally, the National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi) has announced that all injured individuals will be officially recognized as victims of terrorism and will receive the corresponding benefits and care.
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The larger, most pressing question is why these incidents are happening and what measures can be taken in response. A similar scenario unfolded during the Eurovision event a few months ago, where Israelis had to travel under stringent security measures and maintain a low profile. I think we must face the fact that in places with large concentrations of Muslims, there is a strong possibility of encountering radicalized individuals who view Israelis and Jews as targets.
While this doesn't apply to all Muslims, we must carefully scrutinize the messages being promoted within certain mosques and religious circles. The increase in antisemitism in Canada in recent years appears to coincide with a rise in Muslim immigration. Similarly, many of the most dangerous incidents on U.S. university campuses this past year have frequently featured Muslim activists at the center of the protests.
Europe has consistently faced greater challenges than the U.S. and Canada in managing the impact of a significant influx of immigrants from the Middle East. The events in Amsterdam last night are extreme, following a year of conflict, and reflect a complex dynamic. The attacks on Jews and Israelis, in the name of Palestine, driven by calls for a "Global Intifada"—as seen in Amsterdam last night—ironically highlight the very reasons for Israel's establishment and the necessity of its strength and resilience. The last time there were widespread attacks on Jews in Amsterdam, there was no one to help and nowhere to run. Today, however, the sovereign state of Israel is capable of taking decisive action, having dispatched planes to evacuate its citizens. Additionally, it's worth noting that the Dutch police have reported the arrest of over 60 suspects involved in these incidents. Both the Prime Minister and the King of the Netherlands have condemned these actions, which they define as antisemitic in the strongest terms.
The Prime Minister of the Netherlands
IN THE KNESSET
During a tumultuous Knesset session last night, Gideon Sa'ar officially took office as Foreign Minister, and Yisrael Katz was appointed Defense Minister. Despite the pressing need to streamline government operations in response to Israel's economic challenges, the Knesset approved the establishment of a new ministry. Ze'ev Elkin was appointed minister of the newly created office and tasked with rebuilding communities along the northern border and in areas surrounding Gaza. The current Minister for Development of the Galilee and Negev publicly voiced a sentiment held by many—that this new ministry represents an unnecessary expenditure, primarily aimed at securing Sa'ar's support for the government.
Over the past two days, the deaths of two soldiers were reported. The first was Sergeant Ariel Sosnov (20), from Jerusalem, who died on Wednesday in a rocket attack on Avivim. The second was Master Sergeant (Res.) Guy Shabtay (39), also from Jerusalem, who served as an Army rabbi. Tragically, Shabtay succumbed to his injuries two weeks after being wounded in combat in Lebanon
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GALLANT MEETS WITH FAMILIES OF HOSTAGES
Accompanied by his wife, outgoing Defense Minister Gallant met with the families of the hostages. Visibly moved and with tears in his eyes, Gallant apologized for failing to bring their loved ones home. He affirmed that the IDF had achieved all of its objectives in Gaza, attributing the delay in securing the hostages' release solely to political leadership. Gallant emphasized that Prime Minister Netanyahu is the sole decision-maker and maintains complete authority over all decisions. Moreover, Gallant explicitly stated that there was no legitimate justification for Israel to insist on maintaining control of the Philadelphia corridor, asserting it was merely a ploy to delay reaching an agreement.
Over the past two days, there has been constant rocket fire from Lebanon targeting the North. Thankfully, there have been no new casualties have been reported so far. However, there appears to be an increase in the daily number of rockets launched, and their coordination seems to have improved. Just before I released this update, there was a large barrage that included parts of the center of the country but not Tel Aviv.
A MOMENT OF SIMCHA AMIDST ONGOING WAR
A moment about our trip yesterday. We attended the wedding of the daughter of close family friends, held at a location about 20 miles south of the Dead Sea, on the Jordanian border. It had been many years since my last visit to the area, and the drive through Beersheva and Dimona showcased the stark, sometimes breathtaking beauty of the Negev.
The ceremony, set against the serene desert backdrop with the sun setting, was stunning. For a brief moment, one could almost forget that we are in the midst of a war—if not for the young men at the wedding, dressed in festive attire but also carrying loaded automatic weapons. The groom's reserve unit, which is currently active, had granted his fellow platoon members leave to leave to attend the wedding.
It turns out that even this remote location, far from any cities, was not immune to the war. This morning, a lone Houthi missile was intercepted over the very area where we had been just the day before, with warning sirens sounding across the entire region. I can only imagine what would have happened if the attack had occurred 12 hours earlier. In that scenario, with no shelters nearby, two hundred of us—including many women dressed in their finest—would have been forced to lie on the dusty ground, hoping for the best.
ANTISEMITISM IN THE US
The issue of rising antisemitism in the U.S. is complex, and I plan to explore it more extensively throughout this month. On one hand, there are almost daily reports of attacks on Jews; on the other hand, Jews continue to be elected to office in diverse areas. For instance, in North Carolina, a state that former President Trump carried, Josh Stein, who is Jewish, has been elected as the new Democratic governor. Similarly, in San Francisco, Daniel Lurie, another Jewish philanthropist, was recently elected as the new Democratic mayor. Daniel is the son of Rabbi Brian Lurie, a former San Francisco Jewish Federation leader and a dedicated Zionist with whom I collaborated a generation ago.
BUSINESS
The Israeli Ministry of Defense has signed a massive deal with the U.S. government to acquire advanced fighter jets from the American defense giant, Boeing. The deal comprises the purchase of 25 new F-15 jets, with an option to acquire an additional 25 jets in the future, enabling the establishment of a second squadron. This transaction will be financed through the annual $3.8 billion in U.S. defense aid allocated to Israel.
The new F-15 jets are of the IA model, the most advanced version, equipped with cutting-edge weapons systems. These include advanced radar capabilities and the capacity to carry a substantial payload of munitions for extended-range missions. This morning, the Ministry of Defense announced that acquiring this model will "ensure the Air Force's strategic superiority in addressing both current and future challenges in the Middle East." The initial delivery of these jets to Israel is scheduled for 2031, with subsequent deliveries of four to six jets annually.
Eyal Zamir, Director General of the Ministry of Defense, stated that the new aircraft deal is part of a comprehensive, structured plan to enhance the endurance and force-development of the IDF in the coming years. Since the war began on October 7, his office has signed procurement contracts totaling approximately 150 billion shekels. Zamir added that the newly ordered F-15 squadron will complement a third squadron of F-35 jets, which Israel ordered from Lockheed Martin earlier this year. Zamir noted, "This acquisition represents an unprecedented future enhancement for the Air Force and bolsters the long-term strategic capabilities of the IDF and the State of Israel, a vital asset as evidenced by the current conflict." He also remarked that the Ministry of Defense is actively pursuing additional deals to strengthen all branches of the IDF—air, land, sea, and intelligence.
For many years, there has been an argument within the Israeli Air Force (IAF) between those who advocate purchasing additional F-35 jets, known for their nearly undetectable radar signature, and proponents of the tried-and-true F-15, which boasts a significantly larger bomb capacity. Ultimately, Israel resolved to purchase both types of aircraft.
ZIM
One might not expect high-tech innovation from an Israeli shipping company. Nevertheless, Israeli shipping company ZIM has announced a significant high-tech innovation—The HoopoSense Solar Tracker, which transforms regular containers into smart containers. According to the company,
The HoopoSense Solar Tracker sets a new industry standard with its advanced power efficiency, boasting a battery life of over 12 years—sufficient to last a container’s entire lifecycle. This eliminates the need for costly replacements. Each tracker provides precise location data and features a unique, industry-first built-in door-opening detection system with 99% accuracy, enhancing cargo security by monitoring unauthorized access throughout the container’s journey. Additionally, the tracker meets ATEX-1 standards for secure products, making it suitable for LNG vessels and diverse marine environments.
Unlike traditional trackers that require additional door sensors, draining battery power and increasing device and installation costs, Hoopo’s all-in-one tracker enables rapid rollout and reduces the risk of future malfunctions linked to add-on devices. This solution provides ZIM and its customers with the market’s most reliable and cost-effective method.
