Tel Aviv Diary September 2, 2022
Iran Deal??Ben Gvir/Smotritch,Air Force Tankers,Meron Commission and much more!
POLITICS
Last Friday, Former Prime Minister Netanyahu hosted Bezalel Smotritch of the Religious Zionist party and Itamar ben Gvir of the Otsma Yehudit party at his home in Caesarea. Netanyahu refused to let them leave until they agreed to run together in the upcoming election. Netanyahu was responsible for sanitizing Ben Gvir, when he forced the pair to run together in the previous election. As a result, after many years of trying, Ben Gvir became a MK. This time, it seems likely Netanyahu promised Ben Gvir a cabinet position. However, Netanyahu is not solely responsible for Ben Gvir's rise. The former PM shares that responsibility with Israeli television stations that have hosted Ben Gvir more than any other MK— Why? Because Ben Gvir’s outlandish and sometimes racist views make for good television.
Following the agreement in Caesarea, there have been renewed calls for Labor and Meretz to run together. An ad appeared in Israeli newspapers on Wednesday making that call. Labor Head Meirav Michaeli threatened to sue. Michaeli remains obstinate in her refusal to merge with Meretz.
MILITARY
Israel reportedly attacked Syria twice on Wednesday night. According to reports, Israel was trying to stop an Iranian plane carrying weapons for Hezbollah from landing. Israel first hit the airport at Homs, and when the aircraft changed route for Damascus Airport, Israel struck there.
On Thursday, the Defense Ministry signed a contract with Boeing to purchase four K-46 tankers, for $967 million. Currently, the IAF flies converted El Al-707s as tankers. These aircraft were old when I last flew in an Air Force 707, back in 1981. The new tankers will only be delivered in 2025. This time gap, combined with the fact that Israel’s laser defense system will also not be fully operational for a few years, underlines why Israel is interested in putting off a confrontation with Iran for several years
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Defense Minister Gantz spent last weekend in Washington before flying to Japan. During that time, Gantz discussed the possible emerging Iran agreement with National security Advisor Jake Sullivan. In Japan, Gantz signed an agreement for cooperation between the IDF and the Japanese Defense Forces. Japan is expected to double its Defense budget over the next two years, thus providing many opportunities for collaboration.
Meanwhile, the status of the Iranian talks is still not clear. Sources in the White House were cautiously optimistic before receiving the Iranian response to the latest proposal last night. At this point they are saying that the Iranians have backtracked . If you read Israeli headlines, the renewed agreement with Iran is a done deal — which is far from the case. Officially, Israel is against the agreement, while others take a more nuanced approach, believing it may be the best of the terrible options. In reality I have been saying for the last few months that the Iranians do not want an agreement, and the talks are kabuki theater, all show.
Politically, Netanyahu, who persuaded Trump to withdraw from the previous agreement, is relentlessly attacking the current government, claiming they have been asleep at the wheel, while this “terrible agreement” is being reached. Netanyahu has been claiming the new deal is much worse than the previous agreement. In the meantime, nobody has suggested an alternative plan, other than Israel's ongoing campaign, which hurts Iran, but does not stop the their nuclear program.
Prime Minister Lapid and President Biden discussed the Iran accord and other issues on Wednesday. The Head of Mossad is going to Washington to brief American lawmakers and his intelligence counterparts on the latest Mossad information regarding the Iranian nuclear program.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Lapid spoke with Ukrainian President Zelensky, for the first time as Prime Minister. After the call, Zelensky once again called on Israel to join the sanctions campaign against Russia. I won't repeat myself too much by saying that Israel's position on Ukraine is an embarrassment and, unfortunately, is not at all on the public agenda.
The World Zionist Organization threw itself a party in Basel to celebrate 125 years since the first Zionist Congress. As a result, President Herzog met with the leader of Switzerland, and we received many photos of Israelis looking out from the balcony of the Hotel Les Trois Rois, just as Herzl did in his famous original balcony photo.
TEACHERS’ STRIKE
A teacher's strike was averted at nearly the 11th hour. An agreement was reached on Wednesday morning, a total of 24 hours before the opening of school. The agreement gives a substantial raise to teachers, in what I believe is a vain hope of attracting more, and better teachers. It will cost NIS 4 billion. Of course, the professionals at the Ministry of Finance immediately called for an across-the-board budget cut to pay for the new contract — ignoring the NIS 40 billion budget surplus Israel has had so far this year.
Israel suffers from a severe shortage of teachers, as well as principals. But more importantly, because of the top-down nature of the system, with the Ministry of Education determining almost everything relating to curriculum and teaching methods, the system is extremely conservative and resistant to change. This has made the Israeli educational system unable to adapt to meet the needs and the children of the 21st century.
MERON COMMISSION
The Meron commission, investigating the causes of the Meron tragedy in which 45 people were trampled to death last year on Lag B'Omer, issued letters of warning to a long list of people who they said would be negatively impacted by their report. It included Former Prime Minister Netanyahu, Former Minister of Internal Security Amir Ohana, and Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai. When Netanyahu testified, he claimed he did not know of the dangers in Meron, despite a State Controller’s warning. Netanyahu’s action or, more accurately, lack of action on Meron is a summation of his 11 years as Prime Minister. In the many areas that did not directly interest him, he took no action. He held no minister accountable for anything, and allowed many of Israel’s problems to fester and get worse.
BUSINESS
IAI sold two reconnaissance aircraft to Italy for $500 million. This brings the number of advanced electronic reconnaissance aircraft IAI has sold Italy to 4.
Theranica completed a $45 million C-round of funding. The company produces an electronic patch that reduces pain from Migraines. New Rhein Healthcare Investors led the round.
Websense raised $3 million in an initial financing round. The company is developing a product to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome – SIDS. Websense is basing its product on three unique patents it has developed. The product measures various health signs of infants and, together with AI, will be able to detect a child at risk.
A PIECE OF HISTORY
THE RAILROAD
The idea to build a railroad from Jaffa to Jerusalem originated in the 19th century, from such figures as Moses Montefiore and Conrad Shick. A French company received the franchise to build the line the Société du Chemin de Fer Ottoman de Jaffa à Jérusalem et Prolongements. The Ottomans did not want the stations to be too close to the old cities of the time. Thus, the Jaffa station was built about a mile from the old City of Jaffa, as was the Jerusalem station. In October 1890, the Jaffa station was completed, and the first test run of a train took place. Ten thousand people, representing half the population of Jaffa, attended the event. On May 24, 1891, the section between Jaffa and Ramla was opened to the public. On September 26, 1892, the train station in Jerusalem was completed, and the first trains started running between Jaffa and Jerusalem. After the establishment of the state of Israel, the station was closed, and rail services moved to Tel Aviv South (Rakevet Street in Tel Aviv). In 2005, work began on restoring the station and adjacent buildings. It became known as “The Tachana,” and is a popular entertainment venue today.
ENTERTAINMENT— SERIES REVIEW
HIT AND RUN
Hit and Run is an Israeli/American show whose early episodes take place in Israel, and the later episodes take place in New York. The creator of Fauda developed this engaging show. The storyline follows a retired Israeli security official who marries an American woman who is a dancer. However, his wife is killed, and everything he thought he knew about her turns out to be fiction. The story follows his attempts to discover the truth about her and those he believes killed her. The show is suspenseful and will keep your interest. However be prepared to be disappointed. The writers did not expect the show to run only one season, so it ends with a cliffhanger that will never be resolved.
A TASTE OF TEL AVIV — by TALI SCHULMAN
HACARMEL 40
This week we're going super casual, however, still incredibly delicious at Hacarmel 40. You can find them inside Shuk Hacarmel (at Hacarmel 40, of course), at a simple and unassuming stand where they serve a variety of fresh fish and seafood — but most notable is their fish sandwich. Often compared to the fish sandwiches of Turkey and Greece, Hacarmel creates the perfect bite with fresh bread, crisp veggies, delicious sauce and of course perfectly cooked fish. Along with your sandwich, definitely don't miss their delicious ceviche! Try to make it there during the week, as on Fridays the line can get pretty long. But I promise, it's worth the wait!
Find me on Instagram @talischulman, and checkout my saved highlights for all my favorite restaurant adventures!
