Tel Aviv Diary June 14, 2023
Part One of Judicial Overhaul Passes 1st Reading,Demonstrations Throughout the Country, Pilots Threaten to Cease Reserve Duty. Are We Heading Off a Cliff? Plus business and a review
The past week in Israel has been filled with tension on multiple fronts, primarily surrounding the government's attempts to reshape the judicial system to amplify its power.
The contentious events commenced with the government’s weekly cabinet meeting, where the Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara was summoned. Her attendance aimed to provide a large cluster of cabinet members with an opportunity to castigate her for the police and prosecutor's office handling of the recent, continued anti-government demonstrations. A recurring argument from the right-wing suggests that their supporters who protested the disengagement from Gaza (in 2005) were dealt with much more severely than demonstrators today. The Police Commissioner, also present at the meeting, declared that to date, not a single police officer has required hospitalization due to the actions of demonstrators.
In contrast, it is crucial to remember that numerous police officers and army personnel were injured by protesters during the Gaza disengagement. During the disengagement in 2005, Israel’s current Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich was found with a large quantity (700 kg) of gasoline, sparking suspicions of his involvement in plans for a major terrorist attack aimed at halting the disengagement.
During the cabinet meeting, in an another unprecedentedly vulgar move, several ministers called for dismissal of Attorney General Baharav-Miara — to her face. The attacks on the AG became so virulent that Netanyahu had to intervene to restrain Minister Amsalem, who retorted that Netanyahu should not weigh in on the matter, as he has a conflict of interest, due to the fact he is currently on trial.
Later in the week, a recording from the cabinet meeting surfaced, in which Netanyahu could be heard pounding on a table and fiercely questioning the Israeli Air Force pilots' threat to cease volunteering for reserve duty training, shouting that such an act jeopardizes the country's defense capabilities. The veteran pilots have stated that they will end their voluntary service if Israel's democratic nature diminishes. They are being accused of insubordination. However, it's vital to understand that the pilots, who typically serve one day a week of reserve duty on a voluntary basis, are not guilty of insubordination by choosing to stop volunteering. According to the Defense Service Law, a reserve notice must be issued 60 days in advance. Moreover, it is worthy to note that 60% of active Israeli Air Force pilots are reservists.
FOR THE RECORD — RE: THE GAZA DISENGAGEMENT
A brief note on the issue of Gaza's disengagement (2005), which some government members persistently reference: To me, Israel’s disengagement from Gaza is history; history that I plan to write about soon. However, I learned from a close friend's daughter who lives in a religious community, just how much the community members — including those who were toddlers at the time — are thoroughly obsessed with the disengagement. It's as if they had all been raised with the slogan "Remember the disengagement," akin to how Texans are taught to remember the Alamo
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Later on Sunday, the security cabinet (which had not convened for months) held a meeting to discuss the deteriorating situation in the West Bank. The primary topic of discussion was how to reinforce the Palestinian Authority, a measure the security services consider crucial. However, some cabinet members believe the Palestinian Authority should collapse. Both Smotrich and Ben Gvir believe Israel should do everything possible to undermine the Palestinian Authority. Although they are unable to answer the question of who will provide day-to-day administration in Ramallah, Bethlehem, and other areas (should the PA collapse), Smotrich and Ben Gvir remain intent on dismantling any remaining power the Authority still holds.
That was Sunday.
Monday, the Knesset approved the initial reading of the law that would eliminate the court’s ability to use “reasonableness” as a basis to review government actions. This legislation would prohibit any individual or group from suing to halt an action of any government official on the grounds of it being unreasonable. A source of rigorous dispute regarding this proposed law is its unconditional protection of government actions, including any government appointments, irrespective of how unqualified the appointee might be for a job. The bill passed strictly along party lines, despite Gantz's plea to return to negotiations at the President's house.
Tuesday was dubbed a “day of national resistance". Early in the morning, key intersections across the country were blocked. As the morning progressed, a large rally of high-tech workers took place in Tel Aviv, centered at the Kaplan-Begin intersection in front of the government building complex, across from the Azrielli Center Mall. No longer under the nuanced command of Tel Aviv district commander Ami Eshed, the police took a much more aggressive stance against the demonstrators, using their horses to clear the crowd, even on the sidewalk. Several demonstrators were injured, with some requiring hospital treatment. The sheer number of protesters eventually overwhelmed the police who, even with their horses, could not contain the crowd. The junction was soon taken over by the demonstrators, closing it to traffic.
In the afternoon, the central show of resistance was a demonstration at Ben Gurion Airport, where approximately 20,000 people showed up to voice protest. The day ended with substantial demonstrations in Haifa, Jerusalem, and the largest mass, back on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv
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The general sense is that the streets have become more tense, with some drivers attacking demonstrators. On Thursday evening, Likud supporters began a campaign to block entrances to various, random Kibbutzim. When questioned about their choice of targets, they struggled to explain, eventually claiming the kibbutzim were part of the "privileged class" fighting Judicial reform to maintain their power.
A note on this "privileged class", a term I often hear from Judicial reform supporters, or more specifically, opponents of opposition to Judicial overhaul. The Likud has successfully depicted all opponents of weakening the judiciary as “educated Ashkenazi members of an elite, overly-entitled group”. So much so, that the hatred projected against the opponents by some of the Likud supporters is palpable. They despise IAF pilots, those who fly day and night to protect us, and high-tech workers, those who pay most of the taxes and have transformed the country into the prosperous powerhouse it is today. This hatred is dangerously misplaced and is being exploited by cynical politicians to maintain support for views that are widely and truly unpopular.
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The most audacious comments have come from ultra-Orthodox politicians, who have decried the pilots' threat to cease volunteering, even though the smallest handful of the members of their communities have ever served a single day in the military.
Next Monday has been designated as another “day of national disruption”, and like last week, Saturday night will witness weekly demonstrations in which hundreds of thousands continually participate.
The direction of what happens next is up to Netanyahu. It's clear that if the government passes the Judicial reform legislation in its current form, many pilots and other critical military personnel will indeed cease to volunteer. As Israel faces imminent security threats, this could be very dangerous. There is one person who can prevent the pilots and others from stopping all their acts of civil disobedience, and that's Benjamin Netanyahu. All he has to do is put the Judicial overhaul on hold. The million dollar question is — Will his coalition partners allow him to do so...?
US-Israel Relations
On Sunday, in an interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria, President Biden stated that Israel’s current government is the most extreme in the country’s history. Biden also refrained from committing to a date when he would invite Netanyahu for a visit to the White House, focusing instead on the forthcoming visit of President Herzog. The President’s remarks ignited a storm of reaction in Israel, with several coalition members vehemently criticizing Biden.
On Wednesday, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman published an article titled "The US Reassessment of Netanyahu's Government has begun" . The article received extensive coverage in Israel, combined with Biden's comments, has led a plurality of Israelis to worry about the state of US-Israel relationships.
Ahead of his trip to Washington, President Herzog met with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Reports from Netanyahu's office suggested they discussed Herzog's intention to tell Biden that Israel opposes any interim agreement with Iran. Meanwhile, Washington announced that the meeting would center on the shared democratic values between the two countries.
DEFENSE
On Tuesday, Palestinians announced they had launched two rockets from the Northern West Bank towards a Jewish settlement. A few hours later, the IDF confirmed they had found remnants of a rocket.
Defense Minister Galant visited Azerbaijan on Wednesday evening and Thursday. Israel has close relations with this Shiite country, which borders Iran. During the visit, Galant stated that Israel's security services have thwarted 50 terror plots by Iranians in recent years
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On Wednesday, on the anniversary of the start of the second Lebanon war (2007), a group of Hezbollah fighters attempted to damage the border fence. The IDF used a none lethal explosive device to repel them from the borders. In a speech on Wednesday, Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah, threatened Israel with a war.
ARAB SECTOR VIOLENCE
The surge in killings within Israel's Arab population continues. Over a 24-hour period on Wednesday, five people were killed. Another killing occurred on Thursday night, bringing the total to 123 killed this year.
A PIECE OF HISTORY— REPARATIONS (1952)
As the country's population more than doubled, Israel found itself in desperate need of economic aid. Initially, Israel appealed to the Four Powers occupying Germany, demanding restitution from the Germans for the lives and property lost by the Jewish population. The Four Powers, however, declined to get involved. Left with no other choice, Ben Gurion, the Israeli Prime Minister, reluctantly agreed to consider accepting funds directly from West Germany.
Dr. Nachum Goldmann, the head of the World Jewish Congress, met with German Chancellor Adenauer, who concurred that an initial claim of $1 billion would serve as an apt starting point for negotiations regarding the final amount and method of payment. Upon reaching this juncture, Ben Gurion chose to bring the issue before the cabinet and the Knesset for approval.
Menachem Begin, leader of the Herut party, objected fervently. Addressing a large crowd in Zion Square, just a few blocks from the Knesset, Begin expressed his vehement opposition:
"When you fired at us with cannons, I gave the order 'No!' Today I shall give the order 'Yes!' This will be a battle of life and death. Today, the Jewish Premier is on the verge of declaring that he will go to Germany to receive money, thereby selling the honor of the Jewish people for monetary gain and casting eternal shame upon us. Every German is a Nazi. Every German is a murderer. Adenauer is a murderer. All of his aides are murderers. Yet, they consider money to be our justice. This abomination will be perpetrated for a few million dollars.”
Thereafter, Begin implored the crowd to march towards the Knesset. The police failed to halt the demonstrators, and during the ensuing violence both outside and within the Knesset, 92 police officers and 32 civilians were injured. In response, Ben Gurion was compelled to deploy the army to restore order.
The following day, Ben Gurion addressed the nation via radio:
"Yesterday, a malevolent hand was raised against the sovereignty of the Knesset - the beginning of an attempt to destroy democracy in Israel. The leader and instigator of this revolt, Mr. Menachem Begin, stood in Jerusalem's Zion Square yesterday, inciting the crowds... I do not dismiss Mr. Menachem Begin’s proclamation that he is preparing for a battle of life or death. As Premier and Defense Minister, I feel duty-bound to assure the people - have no fear! The state possesses sufficient forces and resources to protect Israel’s sovereignty and freedom, to thwart thugs and assassins from seizing control, and to foil sustained acts of terror within the state. The State of Israel will not be turned into Spain or Syria.”
On January 9th, 1952, the Knesset voted 61-to-50 to authorize the government to negotiate a final agreement with Germany. The ensuing agreement, signed between Foreign Minister Sharett and German Chancellor Adenauer on September 10, 1952, known officially as “The Shilumin Agreement”, mandated Germany to pay Israel $820 million in goods and services over a span of 12 years. An additional sum of $120 million was allocated to the Jewish Claims Conference for the compensation of Jews residing elsewhere. These sums have incrementally increased over the years. The initial payment of $820 million played a pivotal role in Israel's growth during the 1950s by providing a significant portion of foreign investment.
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While the government-to-government agreement was important, the Bonn Federal Indemnity Law of 1954, which provided funds to individual survivors, was equally significant. This law ensured compensation to individual survivors. By 1964, the German government had dispensed 7 billion Deutsche marks to survivors and their heirs, twice the amount provided by the government-to-government agreement. These payments persist to this day.
ECONOMY
The inflation rate in Israel dropped to 4.2% on a yearly basis; lower than expected (i.e., 4.4% that was expected). In June inflation was 0%. Food prices went up, as well as health costs, while the price of fruit and vegetables went down, as did the cost of clothing.
BUSINESS
Cobwebs, an intelligence company has been bought by Spire Capital — The price was not announced, but the expectation is that it was approximately $200 million. The Cobwebs purchase was one of smaller number exits completed this year. In the first half of the year only 43 Israeli companies were purchased; a 48% drop from the year before. The total value of these purchases was $2.28 billion (the lowest number in six years).
Spirulina food-tech innovator, SimpliiGood by AlgaeCore Technologies Ltd., unveils a breaded chicken cutlet analog composed primarily of the nutritious micro-algae spirulina. The plant-based version of a breaded cut of chicken not only takes on the appearance, flavor, and structure of real chicken breast but also possesses a naturally dense nutritional profile that could outpace that of real chicken. This could solve one of the greatest hurdles of the alt-protein movement.
Catering to the growing field of “meatless meat,” the novel cut is composed of 80% pure, fresh, minimally processed spirulina micro-algae, to which is added prebiotic fibers. The new adaptation offers health and environmentally conscious consumers a highly nutritious, clean-label, alternative to chicken nuggets and brings a new point of versatility to the way the highly concentrated nutrition of micro-algae can be consumed. It will also be instrumental in edging the industry closer to satisfying the palate’s craving for a meaty “umami” experience and heightening the enjoyment of plant-based alternatives
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The Israeli cybersecurity start-up, Savvy, was established in August 2021, but has been operating under the radar without media coverage. This week , the company was revealed for the first time after raising $30 million – $8 million in a seed round in 2021, from Cyberstarts and Lightspeed venture capital funds, and an additional $22 million in a Series A round, completed two months ago, led by Canaan Partners and with participation from previous investors.
Savvy operates in the realm of protecting organizations from employees' usage of third-party applications. The widespread adoption of SaaS (Software as a Service) applications, which are cloud-based and do not require download or installation, allows employees to enhance their productivity and efficiency by using external tools. However, this also presents a significant security challenge, as the organization is not always aware of the employees using these tools, which could potentially lead to data leaks.
Elbit Systems Ltd. announced that it was awarded a contract worth approximately $114 million with an Asian-Pacific country to supply two long-range patrol aircraft (LRPA) equipped with an advanced and comprehensive mission suite. The contract will be carried out over a period of five years. The two LRPA aircraft will be based on new ATR 72-600 and Elbit Systems will integrate in each aircraft a mission suite that includes a Mission Management System, Electro-Optics, Radar, SIGINT, Communication and more.
A TASTE OF TEL AVIV— IBN EZRA
A RESTAURANT REVIEW, by Tali Schulman
Located on the outskirts of Shuk Levinsky, Ibn Ezra stands out as an exceptional Israeli grill restaurant. It is the brainchild of Elran Scherpler, the son of Ezra, the esteemed owner of Azura, a renowned restaurant in Jerusalem, now with a new location in Tel Aviv. At Ibn Ezra, you can savor a diverse selection of classic meat dishes accompanied by an array of delectable side salads, all prepared to perfection. Notably, this culinary gem is also Kosher.
Although grill restaurants typically don't top my list of must-visit places, Ibn Ezra defies expectations. Initially offering only lunch during its first year, they have now expanded their offerings to include dinner on Tuesday through Thursday. This presents an excellent opportunity to explore Shuk Levinsky and indulge in the mouthwatering delights of authentic Mizrachi cuisine.
For more Tel Aviv restaurant recommendations, you can find me on Instagram @talischulman where I save all my food adventures in my highlights
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