Daily Summary
Israel’s President Herzog planning official visit to Turkey
February 15, 2022 — The trip is controversial and requires delicate preparations, in view of the recent escalation in tension between the two nations due to statements by Turkish President Recep Erdogan considered to be hostile, if not simply antisemitic. Erdogan has openly supported Hamas, the terrorist group that has continued to target Israel, including during the Gaza conflict last May.
Nancy Pelosi to visit Israel this week
February 14, 2022 — American support for Israel has traditionally been a bipartisan issue. However, in recent years progressives within the Democrat Party have pushed back on support, with the issue becoming very heated as the US voted to support funding for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense in 2021. Members of the so-called “Squad” of Democratic radicals have been the most vocal in resistance to Israeli support, repeating the rhetoric of BDS movement leaders in opposition to Israel and in blind support of the Palestinian people.
Report on US college antisemitism reveals top locations, incidents from 2021
February 11, 2022 — A new report on antisemitism on US college campuses was released this week by the group Jewish on Campus that revealed the top campuses and forms of antisemitism from the past year. The university with the most reports of antisemitism was the University of Vermont. The school recorded 58 incidents in 2021, according to the report. In addition, in somewhat of a surprise, the majority of antisemitic reports occurred in person rather than online. In total, 544 reports were found from 228 universities. Though mostly focused on the US and Canada, a few international incidents were also included in the report.
Former US ambassador to Israel David Friedman’s book says Evangelicals saw ‘providence’ in his selection
February 10, 2022 — Friedman recalls: "Having a relationship with the leaders of some eighty million faithful who felt the same way was incredibly empowering. It gave me the confidence to know that what I felt was right morally was also right politically.”
Kuwait bans new movie over starring actress Gal Gadot
February 9, 2022 — For some Arab nations, the boycott of Gadot’s latest film is connected to the antisemitic Palestinian campaign of the BDS movement, which seeks to destroy Israel by boycotting, divesting and sanctioning Israeli products and services, while it masquerades as a show of support to the Palestinian people.
Christian ally of Israel Mike Evans nominated for Nobel Peace Prize
February 4, 2022 — “Mike Evans is a fighter for freedom in a world of darkening and narrowing horizons. In his devotion to Israel, Mike has consistently demonstrated the moral clarity that is necessary to defend Israel against the lies and distortions of its enemies, and championed the Jewish people’s claim to the Land of Israel.” said former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Gantz stops at US Navy base in Bahrain during surprise visit to nation
February 3, 2022 — Cooperation between the IDF and the Fifth Fleet has been strengthening, as is the cooperation between our defense establishments. This is a strategic asset in face of growing challenges in the maritime arena and in the region in general.
IDF to add new Star Wars defense against missiles and drones with lasers
February 2, 2022 — The news also comes as Israel and other nations in the region have continued to conduct joint naval exercises to further preparations for defense. Israel is not alone in its concerns regarding Iran, a motivating factor that has helped push nations to cooperate together through the Abraham Accords and other initiatives in the Middle East.
Upcoming Amnesty International report blasted for antisemitic bias
January 31, 2022 — The Amnesty International UK report attacks Israel using similar themes of “progressives” in US and European political movements that seek to undermine the Jewish state. However, as the recent Abraham Accords have shown, Israel continues to build its relationships with neighbors in the Middle East that show its diverse government and economy that seeks to improve the region for all peoples.
Bipartisan group of US lawmakers urges Blinken to end UN commission on Israel
January 28, 2022 — “COI’s mandate is designed to accelerate the political, economic, and legal challenges to Israel and undermine its legitimacy by pressuring international legal institutions to take action against Israeli leaders,” a bipartisan letter “COI’s mandate is designed to accelerate the political, economic, and legal challenges to Israel and undermine its legitimacy by pressuring international legal institutions to take action against Israeli leaders,” said a bipartisan letter by 42 lawmakers to Secretary of State Blinken. The letter doesn't mention Israel's right to defend itself.
New TikTok feature introduced to address Holocaust misinformation
January 27, 2022 — The change was announced on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the date that marks the liberation of Auschwitz. “Hateful behavior of any kind is incompatible with our values and the inclusive environment we are building at TikTok. We condemn antisemitism in all its forms and deploy a combination of technologies and moderation teams to remove antisemitic content and accounts from our platform, including Holocaust denial or any other form of hate speech directed at the Jewish community,” TikTok said in an announcement.
President Herzog to make historic visit to UAE next week
January 26, 2022 — “We have the privilege of making history by making the first visit by an Israeli president to the United Arab Emirates. This important visit comes as the Israeli and Emirati nations are busy laying the foundations of a new shared future,” Herzog said. The president's itinerary includes stops in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and representing Israel at Dubai Expo 2020.