PM Netanyahu Meets UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
Palestinian Violence on Temple Mount Spills Over to Western Wall
Palestinian Violence on Temple Mount Spills Over to Western Wall, Wounding Elderly Jewish Woman
Written by Michael Bachner/TPS on June 28, 2016
Jerusalem (TPS) – In a controversial decision, the Jerusalem police announced on Tuesday morning that the Temple Mount will be closed to Jews and to tourists until the end of Ramadan, following violent clashes between Muslim rioters and police forces this week. However, Palestinians continued to hurl stones even after this announcement, wounding a 73-year-old Jewish woman praying at the Western Wall which sits at the foot of the Temple Mount.
Since Sunday, young masked Palestinians have been gathering rocks, fireworks and other weapons during the night inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque in an attempt to to harm Jews at the holy site and prevent them from entering in the morning. Over the last years such riots have become standard during the last ten days of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month during which worshipers fast during the day.
The Temple Mount, located in Jerusalem’s Old City, is the holiest site in Judaism though Jewish access to the site is severely restricted. The site is also the third holiest to Muslims, who refer to it as Haram al-Sharif or as the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
These rocks were prepared today by Palestinian rioters on #TempleMount to throw at people visiting the Western Wall. pic.twitter.com/ZH2EXqny6m
— Ofir Gendelman (@ofirgendelman) June 28, 2016
Following the Palestinian violence in previous days the police decided to close the contested holy site to all non-Muslims, including Jews. The police statement said the ban is to last until the end of the week, but a sign at the entrance to the site said the ban was in effect until the end of Ramadan on Wednesday next week.
Several Israeli lawmakers voiced their opposition to the decision.
“[Public Security] Minister Gilad Erdan decided to close the Temple Mount to Jews and tourists because of Arab violence. Excuse me, but wasn’t it supposed to be the other way around?” wrote MK Shuli Mualem from the national-religious Jewish Home party on Twitter.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat also criticized the decision, saying that “decisions must not be made under threat of violent riots.”
Despite the ban on Jews, violence at the holy site continued even after this announcement. Having stocked up on rocks and other objects during the night once again, Palestinian rioters clashed with police forces and threw rocks at Jewish worshipers at the nearby Western Wall compound. The decision was also met by celebratory chants from the masked rioters.
A 73-year-old woman at the Western Wall was wounded from the rock throwing and was treated at the scene by Magen David Adom (MDA) medics. The woman suffered a head wound and was transported to Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital fully conscious and in light condition.
“The police is rewarding terror, and is punishing law-abiding Jews instead of punishing the violent Arab rioters,” said MK Nava Boker from Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Likud party. “A tragedy was miraculously avoided today when a rock thrown at the Western Wall ‘only’ wounded a woman. If we do not figure out how to deal with the rioters, next time there will be no miracles.”
Police forces pushed the rioters back, and began searching for the terrorists who threw the rocks at the Jewish worshipers. The forces arrested 17 individuals including an official in the Jordanian Waqf, the police announced, for involvement in the riots and the rock-throwing.
“The police views the disruption of order and rock-throwing at civilians and police forces severely, and will act strictly and forcefully to execute judgement with the rioters,” said a statement by the Jerusalem Police. “We are prepared to prevent the continuation of the order disruption with large forces throughout Jerusalem, especially in the Old City and Temple Mount.”
The Jordanian Minister of Media Affairs, Mohammad Momani, issued a statement on what he called the “Israeli violations on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound”, calling on Israel to “immediately halt them and respect the status quo,” Jordanian media reported. Momani called on the international community “to hold Israel accountable for their actions and to pressure Israel to comply with international conventions.”
The statement added that Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh had contacted Israeli officials, expressing Jordan’s “condemnation and utter rejection of the provocative Israeli practices,” demanding that they should be stopped immediately.
Five Muslims were arrested on Sunday morning for causing a public disturbance and obstructing policemen at the Temple Mount during Jewish and tourist entrance hours. The Muslim youths, some of whom were wearing masks, were yelling and taunting the Israeli visitors who continued to remain on the Temple Mount despite the disturbances.
MK Yehuda Glick, who survived an assassination attempt in 2014 for his Temple Mount activism, also responded to the decision to close the mount to Jews. “The past year proved that when we deal decisively with the violent extremists and inciters on the Temple Mount, the quiet is preserved,” he said. “I call on the Muslim leadership to show responsibility and understand that it is mainly them who will be hurt by the violence and terror.”
“The many tourists and Jews wishing to enter the holy mount cannot become hostages again and again in the hands of a violent mob, incited by extremist Muslim clerics,” added Glick.
Netanyahu Praises Outgoing UN Secretary General, Rebukes UN Treatment of Israel
Netanyahu Praises Outgoing UN Secretary General, Rebukes UN Treatment of Israel
Written by Jonathan Benedek/TPS on June 28, 2016
Jerusalem (TPS) – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised outgoing United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on Tuesday for his friendship and efforts to improve Israel’s standing in the UN during a press conference with the visiting secretary-general.
“I remember well when you came to Israel in 2013, you said that Israel must be treated equally at the UN,” Netanyahu said. “I appreciate your candor and this clear moral stance.”
“It was exemplified in your efforts to secure the final Palmer report which was very important for Israel,” continued Netanyahu.
The Palmer report in 2011 recognized the legality of Israel’s blockade on the Gaza Strip, which is primarily geared towards preventing the importation of weapons and arms into the coastal territory controlled by the Hamas terrorist organization. The report also questioned the sincerity of the leaders of the Mavi Marmara flotilla to Gaza, particularly of Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH), an Islamist organization operating in Turkey that sponsored the flotilla. (It did? What do you mean questioned the sincerity? And is IHH an Islamist org? Is that how they describe themselves or is that your perspective?)
Secretary-General Ban attributed such efforts on his part to his further understanding of Israel’s perspective from his many conversations with Netanyahu.
“My conversations with you, Mr. Prime Minister, have helped me understand Israel’s frustrations and fears, the frustration that sometimes your country is held to a different standard at the United Nations, the fear that your country and people are under constant threat,” Ban Ki-Moon told Netanyahu.
“After nearly 10 years as secretary-general, I can proudly say that I have always been a committed friend of Israel,” he added. “I have worked hard to show in words and in deeds, my sincere friendship for Israel.”
Nevertheless, Netanyahu lamented that Israel continues to be treated very unfairly at the UN.
“Regrettably, the goal of treating Israel fairly remains unfulfilled across a wide spectrum of UN activities and UN forums,” Netanyahu said.
“Your visit comes as the UN Human Rights Council is meeting,” continued Netanyahu. “As it always does, the Council will condemn Israel, the country that does more to promote and protect human rights and liberal values than any other in the blood-soaked Middle East. Our progressive democracy has faced more country-specific resolutions, more country-specific condemnations at the UN Human Rights Council than all the other countries combined.”
The UN Human Rights Council had already conducted an “Agenda 7” debate on Monday, which focuses on Israel’s “human rights abuses” against Palestinians. A number of western countries boycotted the debate in protest of the Council’s unfair treatment and focus on Israel.
Netanyahu urged Ban to do everything possible to help reform the UN system regarding its level of fairness.
“I know that your desire for all countries to be treated fairly and equally remains true today,” Netanyahu. “I urge you to dedicate your last six months as secretary-general of the United Nations to trying to right this wrong. It’s not just for Israel’s sake. It’s for the credibility of the UN.”
Hatzolah’s Disaster Preparedness & Safety fair
Hatzolah’s Disaster Preparedness & Safety fair
Hatzolah of Los Angeles, our communities own all volunteer Emergency Medical Response Service, is hosting a HUGE Disaster Preparedness and Safety Fair this coming Sunday at Yeshiva Aharon Yaakov Ohr Eliyahu (241 S. Detroit St., LA 90036) from 12-4pm.
The event will be bringing together many agencies to teach all ages about Fire, Earthquake, Personal, and Home safety.
Some of the highlights include:
•Smokey the Bear LIVE
•FREE Pocket First Aid kit for the first 800 attendees!!!
•DWP Power safety
•Sheriff’s SWAT team & Bomb Squad
•LIVE Jaws-of-Life demonstration
•Earthquake Simmulator
•Free Child Fingerprinting
•Car Seat Safety
•Fire Truck moon bounce
•Urban search and Rescue
•Heavy Rescue
•Helicopter flyovers
•Classic & Hollywood Police cars (Adam 12, Robocop, CHiP’s)
• And MUCH MUCH more!!!
Hatzolah has also partnered with the “ring” doorbell app to offer never before seen discounts on this device that the LAPD is saying is catching and preventing burglaries.
Watch a news report here:
For more information, please call (310)247-0584
Global Hakhel Event This Sunday
Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar and Shluchim RabbisMoshe Bryski, Mendel Kaplan and Mendel Lipskar will address Sunday’s global Hakhel Unity Farbrengen live from locations around the world.
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Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar and Shluchim Rabbis Moshe Bryski, Mendel Kaplan and Mendel Lipskar will address Sunday’s global Hakhel Unity Farbrengen live from locations around the world.
Famed performer Bentzy Marcus of the popular 8th Day band will be performing live during the program.
Tens of thousands around the US and Canada will join simultaneously for “Connection & Commitment: A live, interactive coast-to-coast farbrengen” in preparation for Gimmel Tammuz on Sunday, June 26 – 20 Sivan 5776.
Hundreds of communities will gather together to join the historic event, joining live with Anash communities across the USA and Canada.
Join a live, broadcasting location at one of the following cities:
Crown Heights
Beth Rivkah 310 Crown St. Brooklyn NY 11225
1:00 PM EDT
Featuring live entertainment by singer Chaim Fogelman and a kid-friendly program.
Houston, TX
Lubavitch Center 10900 Fondren Road
1:00 PM CDT
Los Angeles, CA
Bancroft Middle School 929 N Las Palmas Ave Los Angeles Ca 90038
10:30 AM PDT
South Florida
Broward County Convention Center 1950 Eisenhower Blvd, Fort Lauderdale
1:00 PM EDT
Monsey, NY
Tzemach Tzedek Shul 2 Langeries Dr. Monsey NY 10952
1:45 PM EDT
Montreal, Canada
Montreal Torah Center 28 Cleve Rd. Hampstead, QC H3X-1A6
1:45 EDT
Pittsburgh, PA
Yeshiva Schools – 2100 Wightman St 15217
2:00 PM EDT
Can’t join in person? Watch online on COLlive.com or at
Chabad.org/OrVechom
Broadcast begins at 2:00pm EDT
A special raffle will be held at each participating communities’ local event for a trip to the Rebbe’s Ohel for Gimmel Tamuz.
The raffle will be drawn in each city throughout the course of Sunday’s event and the winner will receive a free trip to NY, representing his/her community.
“Community Rabbonim, leaders and activists in these locations are energized and creating a large scale excitement for this coast-to-coast act of unity among the family of Chassidim in this year of Hakhel,” organizers said.
Organizers are fielding requests from many cities to join this event by organizing a local viewing in their city.
Communities still wishing to join: it is not too late and can be done by emailing info@orvechom.com to register and for more info.
Israeli Leaders Slam Palestinian President for ‘Blood Libel’ and ‘Lies’ in EU Speech
Israeli Leaders Slam Palestinian President for ‘Blood Libel’ and ‘Lies’ in EU Speech
Written by Michael Bachner/TPS on June 23, 2016
Jerusalem (TPS) – Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin, responded on Thursday evening to harsh attacks voiced earlier against Israel by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during his speech at the European Union Parliament in Brussels. Abbas urged the world to take action against “Israeli atrocities” and repeating debunked rumors that Israeli rabbis had “called to poison Palestinian water supplies.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasted the speech, saying that Abbas had “showed his true face” in Brussels.
“Someone who refuses to meet President Rivlin and Prime Minister Netanyahu for direct negotiations and spreads a blood libel in the European Parliament falsely claims that his hand is extended in peace,” said Netanyahu, referring to a potential meeting between Abbas and his Israeli counterpart Rivlin proposed by EU officials that Abbas reportedly declined to attend.
“Israel is waiting for the day when Abu Mazen stops spreading lies and engaging in incitement,” Netanyahu added, referring to Abbas by his nickname. “Until then Israel will continue to defend itself against Palestinian incitement that motivates acts of terrorism.”
Abbas harshly attacked Israel during his speech, calling its policies towards the Palestinians “racist” and “fascist.” He also stressed, however, that the Palestinian Authority is prepared to make peace with Israel.
“Our hands are extended with a desire to peace,” he said, directing his remarks to Israel. “We have the political will to achieve peace and we ask, do you have the same will to achieve peace and to acknowledge the historic injustice that your state has exacted on our country?”
President Rivlin also responded to Abbas’ speech on Thursday, expressing disappointment that Abbas has refused to meet with him.
“It is strange that Abbas repeatedly refuses to meet with Israeli leaders and then repeatedly turns to the international community for support,” said Rivlin in a statement. “We cannot build trust we have built if we do not start talking directly without intermediaries. Direct talks are the only way to build confidence and restore the conditions for peace between Palestinians and Israelis.”
Israeli lawmaker Avi Dichter, who chairs the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and is a former director of the Shin Bet security agency, also responded to what he described as “falsehoods” propounded by Abbas during his Brussels speech.
“With a series of historical distortions and crocodile tears, Abu Mazen today described the 1948 Palestinian Nakba [disaster], without mentioning the fact that the Arab leaders in 1947 were the ones who determined their fate,” said Dichter. “The Jewish leaders accepted the partition plan, while the ‘Abu Mazens’ of that time rejected the UN proposal and the Arab armies invaded Israel in order to wipe out the Jews and take 100% of Israel.”
Former Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon responded to the speech as well, referring to Abbas’ claim that Ya’alon and Ehud Barak, a former Israeli prime minister, recently called Israel was a “fascist” state. While Barak did make a similar accusation, Ya’alon did not.
“Abu Mazen is not only lying as usual, continuing his malicious blood libels against the State of Israel,” wrote Ya’alon, who has announced he will run for prime minister in the next elections, on his Facebook page. “He is also exploiting the healthy democratic discourse in Israeli society, which does not exist in his society, and is putting words in my mouth I did not say.”
“Abu Mazen’s conduct, speeches and evasions of direct negotiations with Israel without preconditions, are further proof that he never intended to go for an agreement including recognition of our right to exist as the only nation state of the Jewish people,” added Ya’alon.
Netanyahu Presents ‘Jewish Nobel’ to Violinist Itzhak Perlman
Netanyahu Presents ‘Jewish Nobel’ to Violinist Itzhak Perlman
Written by Anav Silverman/TPS on June 23, 2016
Jerusalem (TPS) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu awarded the Genesis Prize, also known as the “The Jewish Nobel,” to world-renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman, in a special ceremony hosted by acclaimed Hollywood actress Helen Mirren on Thursday evening. The ceremony took place at the Jerusalem Theater in front of numerous Israeli dignitaries and international figures. Both Mirren and Perlman spent a very busy week in Jerusalem prior to the award ceremony, appearing in various press conferences and events and visiting sites across the city.
The Tel Aviv-born Perlman, who contracted polio at the age four and lost the use of his legs, is a long-time advocate for rights of the disabled. The international virtuoso of the violin took the time earlier in the week to participate in a marathon for 170 athletes with disabilities held in Jerusalem, in partnership with Etgarim, the Israel Association for the Disabled.
“You are an advocate for those whose bodies are disable but whose spirits never are,” Netanyahu told Perlamn during the ceremony. “Winning the Prize is not the end but the beginning.”
Perlman said that he plans to utilize the Genesis Prize award of $1 million for projects for people with disabilities as well as music programming for the young in North America and Israel. During a press conference at the Jerusalem Press Club on Wednesday, Perlman told reporters that it was an honor to receive the award, now in its third year.
“The Genesis Prize is especially meaningful to me – to receive this award here in Israel in the country of my birth,” commented Perlman, who left Israel when he was 13 after completing his initial training at the Academy of Music in Tel Aviv. Appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show soon after arriving to the US, Perlman propelled into the international arena.
Perlman went on to study at the Julliard School, where he teaches today. He has performed as a conductor with major orchestras across the world including with the New York Philharmonic, Montreal Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic and Israel Philharmonic. In addition, Perlman has been awarded 16 Grammy Awards and four Emmy Awards, most recently for the PBS documentary, Fiddling for the Future, a film about the Perlman Music program, founded by him and his wife, Toby, for young musicians that need support to enable their music talents to flourish.
He has also been involved with major movie music, collaborating on scores for American films, Schindler’s List and Memoirs of a Geisha as well as the 2002 Chinese film, Hero.
Perlman, father of five, will mark his 70th birthday with three album releases. The household name in classical music will also perform in worldwide concert tours. “What keeps me a young 70 is continuing to teach, conduct and perform,” he said.
When asked what the secret for his musical success is, Perlman told Tazpit Press Service (TPS) that his career required long hours of work and practice. “I worked hard all my life,” he told TPS. “It’s all about the work – along with some talent,” he said with a smile.
The Genesis Prize is a global award designed to celebrate Jewish identity and achievement, and was co-founded by Michael Fridman, an international businessman and philanthropist of Russian-Jewish heritage, along with partners, German Khan, Peter Aven and Stan Polovets. Launched in 2013, the award operates as a partnership between the Prime Minister’s Office of the State of Israel, The Office of the Chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel, and the Genesis Prize Foundation, whose offices are in New York and Tel Aviv. The award is financed by the Genesis Prize Foundation, which relies on a permanent endowment of $100 million.
The two previous recipients of the Genesis Prize have been the 2014 laureate, former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, and 2015 laureate, Hollywood actor Michael Douglas.
WATCH: Army Post Nearly Torched by Palestinians
WATCH: Army Post Nearly Torched by Palestinians
Written by Michael Zeff/TPS on June 22, 2016
Ein Yabrud (TPS) – An Israeli army guard post near the Palestinian city of Ramallah was attacked on Wednesday night by Palestinian assailants who threw rocks and hurled burning tires, causing a fire to erupt at the post, known as a pillbox.
The outpost, which is located between the Palestinian village of Ein Yabrud and the Jewish community of Orfa, suffered some exterior damage but no one was hurt during the incident as the post appeared to be unmanned at the time of the attack.
Hebrew writing on the post’s concrete exterior reads: “No smoking.”
GADI ROUACHE OF LA TO SHOWCASE PRO-ISRAEL APP AT EXCLUSIVE GLOBAL SUMMIT IN JERUSALEM
GADI ROUACHE OF LA TO SHOWCASE PRO-ISRAEL APP AT EXCLUSIVE GLOBAL SUMMIT IN JERUSALEM
Rouache selected to participate in ROI Community Global Summit, June 26-30
LOS ANGELES, June 22 — Gadi Rouache of Los Angeles, who designed Talk Israel, the first pro-Israel advocacy mobile app, has been selected to participate in the 2016 ROI Global Summit in Jerusalem, an exclusive, high-profile gathering of young global innovators taking place June 26-30.
The Talk Israel mobile phone application serves as a collaboration platform for pro-Israel organizations and helps advocates talk about Israel by delivering and providing personalized content and access to pro-Israel media outlets. In addition to this non-profit initiative, Gadi, a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, also mentors students there. Beyond his non-profit efforts, Gadi has worked on campaigns for Walt Disney Studios, NBC Sports Network, Amazon Studios, Yahoo!, Warner Brothers, Hyundai, and Spark Capital. For more details on Gadi please visit:https://www.schusterman.org/users/gadi-rouache.
Thanks to his extraordinary vision and innovation, Gadi was selected among 150 of the Jewish world’s leading young change makers from 29 countries who will convene for intensive networking, skill-building and ideation at the 2016 ROI Global Summit, the flagship program of ROI Community, an initiative of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation.
This year’s participants bring a diverse set of interests and accomplishments, ranging from building an online support system used by thousands of victims of sexual abuse around the world; to making Jewish text more accessible through humorous takeoffs on biblical stories; to establishing a yoga organization that provides low income Kenyan women with the skills to become self-sufficient yoga instructors; and much more. These 150 innovators share a commitment to building a more vibrant, inviting and inclusive Jewish future for the benefit of the Jewish community and the broader world. For a full list of this year’s participants, please visit: https://www.schusterman.org/roicommunity/2016-roi-summit-participants.
“Since its inception in 2006, the ROI Summit has convened some of the most promising young Jewish minds, providing them with a platform to showcase their ideas, challenge each other and develop their visions for change. We feel lucky to be able to look back on a decade of community activity, to learn from our challenges and success over the years and to see the tangible impact that our members have created in communities across the globe,” said Justin Korda, executive director of ROI Community. “This group of change makers is injecting the Jewish world with a boost of energy and creativity that will shape the Jewish future for years to come.”
For more details on this year’s ROI Global Summit, visit: https://www.schusterman.org/roicommunity/2016-summit.
About ROI Community:
ROI Community is an international network of activists and change makers who are redefining Jewish engagement for a new generation of global citizens. ROI Community members channel a diversity of perspectives, skills and interests toward a shared passion for advancing ideas and partnerships that will strengthen Jewish communities and improve society. Through its capstone Summit and an innovative suite of ongoing opportunities for professional development, networking and financial support, ROI empowers its members to take an active role in shaping the Jewish future.
Founded in 2006, ROI Community is part of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, a global enterprise that supports and creates innovative initiatives for the purpose of igniting the passion and unleashing the power in young people to create positive change in their communities. www.roicommunity.org
Israelis Weigh Pros and Cons of a Potential “Brexit” From the EU
Israelis Weigh Pros and Cons of a Potential “Brexit” From the EU
Written by Jonathan Benedek/TPS on June 22, 2016
As British voters decide Thursday on whether the United Kingdom is to remain in the European Union, Israelis have taken the opportunity to express what they feel are the potential positives or negative aspects of a possible exit from the EU.
“We call on everyone that supports Israel to ‘vote leave’ and deal a major blow to this mammoth bureaucracy that has an unhealthy obsession with Israel,” said Ari Briggs, spokesman for the Israeli organization Regavim.
The Regavim organization, whose mission is “to ensure responsible, legal and accountable use of Israel’s national lands,” has challenged continued EU illegal construction in Judea and Samaria for a considerable period of time. The organization helped launch and sponsor a campaign by pro-Israel expats from Britain to convince British voters to vote for a “Brexit,” or a British exit from the European Union.
“We haven’t been able to have an impact on the EU meddling in our affairs so we had to to take it to them,” explained Briggs to Tazpit Press Service (TPS). “All the funding for illegal building in Area C of Judea and Samaria is coming from the EU.”
Briggs and his organization are frustrated that they have been unable to achieve any significant results in bringing about a cessation to the continued illegal construction by the EU.
“We’ve gone to the courts and they have said that the EU has diplomatic immunity,” Briggs elaborated to TPS. “We have sent letters, asked EU representatives to speak with us, and written newspaper articles and exposés throughout Europe. We have even had hearings held within the European Parliament and nothing has worked.”
Regavim aimed in its campaign to explain how continued illegal construction by the EU in Judea and Samaria was in fact also a British issue.
“We saw the opportunity of a Brexit where Britons have the ability to vote on whether to stay or leave the EU as an opportunity to have our voice heard,” Briggs said to TPS. “When they understand the damage that the European Union is doing with the hard-earned tax pounds of British citizens, it could potentially influence how British people will vote.”
Former Israeli Ambassador to the UK Dror Zeigerman challenged the claim that a Brexit would serve Israel’s interests.
“I would like to stress that Israel is not part of this decision and it is not an Israeli matter,” the former ambassador told TPS. “But I think if we should say anything at all, it is that it would probably be better for Israel that the UK stay in the EU.” Zeigerman’s opinion is based on his assertion that the UK’s strong friendship with Israel serves to help Israel in its relationship with the rest of Europe.
“We need the UK to be part of Europe because we do not have many close friends there,” Zeigerman argued to TPS. “The current UK government is friendly to Israel and it is better that they have influence within the EU.”
“If we need someone to give us support on an important issue, we can rely on Great Britain and on Prime Minister Cameron in particular,” continued Zeigerman. “So I think we would lose a great friend in the EU if the UK left.”
Zeigerman’s remarks echoed statements by Prime Minister David Cameron made earlier this week. Speaking at a fundraising dinner for the Jewish Care welfare organization, Cameron asked, “Do you want Britain, Israel’s greatest friend, in there opposing boycotts, opposing the campaign for divestment and sanctions, or do you want us outside the room, powerless to effect the discussion that takes place?”
Regavim flatly dismissed the arguments made by Prime Minister Cameron and Ambassador Zeigerman.
“Brussels does what its wants including spending hundreds of millions to harm Israel, irrespective of Westminster,” Briggs remarked to TPS. “It’s time that Jews hit back against the EU’s anti-Israel policies. A Brexit will mean a smaller EU budget to harm israel.”
Meanwhile, senior Israeli officials have abstained from taking any official position on the Brexit referendum.