Tel Aviv Diary October 14, 2020
Agreement with Lebanon, Unrest in WB and Jerusalem, Doctor Shortage, Ukraine and more
AGREEMENT WITH LEBANON
I had been somewhat pessimistic about the chances Israel could successfully reach a consensus with Lebanon over the economic waters and the gas fields, until the arrangement was reached last weekend. After the Lebanese withdrew their last-minute demands, both Israel and Lebanon signed off on the agreement. The US-brokered deal recognizes the buoy-line Israel created after its withdrawal from Lebanon as the international boundary. Israel stipulated to Lebanon’s right to drill in the area under dispute. In return, Israel is approved to receive 17% of the value of gas found in the previously disputed area.
Former Prime Minister Netanyahu and his supporters continue to attack the agreement as “surrender to Hezbollah”. Still, as opposed to what Netanyahu said initially, i.e., that he would not honor the agreement, the former PM has ceased making that threat, because he knows the newly negotiated deal is a decent agreement that provides additional peace insurance on our Northern border — at a cost of future income Israel does not need. Opinion polls, so far, have shown that Netanyahu's attacks on the agreement have not been effective, as a majority of Israelis support the agreement, and only 23% opposed. Israelis do not care about gas income, which has long been promised, but yet to show up in the governments coffers in any meaningful way, though clearly understand the cost of a potential war with Hezbollah.
THE UPCOMING ELECTION
It has been another quiet week in politics, even though the election is only three weeks away. The new agreement with Lebanon has dominated the news; a deal that is likely to marginally help Lapid.
The Supreme Court overturned the Election Commission’s decision regarding Balad, allowing the Balad party to run for Knesset. The High Court also approved Amichai Chikli remaining on the Likud party list. Nevertheless, the polls, (which I still have not bothered to report), basically continue to show no real change — with the greatest likelihood being that no one can form a new government.
DEFENSE
It has been a tough week for the IDF, with two soldiers killed by Palestinians in drive-by shootings. The first was Border Police Sgt. Noa Lazar (age 18), attacked at a checkpoint at the Shufat Refugee Camp.
The second, Staff Sgt. Ido Baruch (age 21), shot by a gunman in a passing car. Baruch was protecting a settler march. As I write this, the shooters, in both cases, remain at large
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In addition, there has been nightly rioting in East Jerusalem. As a result, the police have activated four reserve battalions of Border Police. The situation was worsened by the arrival of Itamar Ben Gvir, who pulled his gun on Arabs throwing stones in his general direction.
Israel’s management of East Jerusalem has been a significant failure for Israel over the past decades. We claim Jerusalem is a unified city, however, the government’s investment in East Jerusalem and its large Arab population have been minimal. As example, refer to the above shooting — A soldier was killed at the entrance to the Shu'fat Refugee Camp. Shu'fat is a refugee camp that still exists inside the city of Jerusalem, 55 years after we gained complete control of the city. There is something very wrong with the situation, and two generations of Israel leaders are responsible. Moreover, no Israeli leader has been willing even to discuss the problem, beyond slogans.
This morning there were clashes between the IDF and Palestinians in Jenin. A Palestinian doctor was killed when he apparently took part in the attack on IDF soldiers. The Fatah in Jenin announced that “he was a martyr killed while fighting with the resistance”.
MEDICAL FIELD
One of Israel’s biggest failures is in the field of medicine and its inability to train a sufficient number of doctors. Israel produces the lowest number of doctors (per 100,000 people). Israel's doctors are also aging, with almost 50% currently ages 55 years old or older. Who will care for Israel's rapidly growing population in the coming years? The questions loom large, and as of yet, no one has presented a plan
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UKRAINE
It was reported that Israel has been providing critical intelligence to the Ukrainians on the Iranian drones, as well as other intelligence. I am sure this military cooperation is a two-way street, and Israel is learning a great deal about how these drones are used.
IRAN
I am no expert on Iran, and I have long downplayed the chances of a revolution succeeding. When a government is willing to kill their own people it’s doubtful the people will prevail. However, what is happening in Iran these last few weeks has led me to question my earlier opinion. I still think it’s unlikely, but now that the oil workers have joined the protest, a successful revolution might be possible.
What the protest in Iran has achieved is to “deep six” any chances for a renewed JCPOA. The White House made clear renewal of the agreement is not on the agenda at the moment, and that the only thing they are currently concentrating on is how they can help the demonstrators.
BUSINESS
Banias Labs, a custom chip foundry established in 2020, was sold to Canadian Alpha Wave for $240 million. The company reported that, while operating in stealth mode, it has raised $40 million to date.
SecuriThings reported it raised an additional $21 million. The company specializes in securing IoT devices. SecuriThings has now raised a total of $39 million.
UBS Bank reported that the Tel Aviv real estate bubble is one of the worst in the world
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NETFLIX
Netflix is now showing a new Israeli series called “Nevsu”. The story line follows a mixed couple (Ethiopian husband and his Ashkenazi wife), along with their respective parents, as they navigate the tensions of blending their distinctive heritages in modern times. “Nevsu” is a sitcom and can be funny at times. Full disclosure, I’ve never been much of a sitcom fan, as sitcoms tend to get laughs by exaggerating ethnic generalizations and other cliché characteristics. That being said, I am confident the show will be popular on Netflix, since it deals with a variety of universal themes. Nevertheless, I did not care for it.
A PIECE OF HISTORY—
On May 1, 1921, a march was planned by the Achdut Avodah (a Socialist Zionist organization) with the approval of the police, in support of workers' rights. The Jewish Communist party also planned a march calling the establishment of a Communist state in Palestine, which did not have police approval. The Jewish Communist party members marched anyway. When the parallel demonstrations met, fighting broke out between the two.
The Arabs in Jaffa took advantage of the mayhem and began to attack Jewish homes throughout the city, killing many residents. The Jewish hostel, where new immigrants resided upon arrival, was a notable target. The police who were called to help are reported to have taken part in the attacks on Jewish residents. The fighting soon spread beyond Jaffa. A farm in Abu Kabir was attacked, and the owners, their sons, two renters, and the writer Yosef Haim Brenner were killed.
The British High Commissioner, Herbert Samuel requested additional troops from Egypt to put down the rioting. When it was over 47 Jews, and 48 Arabs lay dead. Another 146 Jews and 73 Arabs were wounded. Most of the Arab deaths came from clashes with British troops who were trying to end the riot.
RESTAURANT REVIEW BY TALI SCHULMAN
A TASTE OF TEL AVIV — OUZERIA
Today we go back to basics, to Ouzeria. A classic Tel Aviv institution making some of the best Mediterranean food in town, in my humble opinion. The menu is sectioned by ingredient (veggie, fish and meat), providing a hearty selection for almost any diet, and truthfully you cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. Through my many visits over the years I have only ever enjoyed the fantastic food, wonderful selection of wine, and incredibly fun atmosphere. A couple of my favorite dishes include the beet ravioli (the ravioli is made of beets, not filled with them), and the corn cream artichokes. Fair warning, the inside is small, and cramped, the music is always loud, and you’re most likely going to be offered a shot of Ouzo — so do not go if you are not looking to have a good time
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