Israel and the Middle East News Update

Thursday, September 15

Headlines:  Touting Aid Deal, Obama Says Israeli Security Requires Palestinian State  PM's Former Security Advisor Slams Handling of U.S. Military Aid Deal  Peres Remains in Serious, But Stable Condition  Hundreds of Israeli Intellectuals: ‘End Occupation for Israel’s Sake’  Lieberman Orders Israeli Defense, Military Officials to Boycott UN Envoy  US General: Israel Is Key to Fighting World's Terrorism Problem  Gaza Rockets Land in Southern Israel Prompting IDF Targeted Response  Saudi Prince Warns Iran Against Using Force to Pursue Rivalry

Commentary:  Washington Post: “Ehud Barak: Bibi’s Reckless Conduct Endangers Israel”  By Ehud Barak, Former Israeli Prime Minister (’99-’01) & Defense Minister (‘99-’01, ’07-’13)  : “The Secret Commitment”  By Nahum Barnea, Leading Israeli Journalist, Yedioth Ahronoth

S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace 633 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20004 www.centerpeace.org ● Yoni Komorov, Editor ● David Abreu, Associate Editor

News Excerpts September 15, 2016

Times of Israel Obama: True Israeli Security Requires Palestinian Statehood U.S. President said Wednesday that while the massive new military aid deal for Israel — Washington’s largest defense package to any country in history — would help Israel defend itself, “long-term security” can only be achieved by the creation of “an independent and viable Palestine.” In a statement released shortly after the signing, Obama described the memorandum of understanding as “just the most recent reflection of my steadfast commitment to the security of the State of Israel,” citing billions of dollars provided by his administration over the past eight years. See also, “Obama Prods Netanyahu After Signing US-Israel Aid Deal” (New York Times)

Ynet News PM's Former Security Advisor Slams Handling of U.S. Aid Deal Prof. Uzi Arad, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's former national security advisor, criticized his former boss on Thursday for his handling of the negotiations over the US military aid package to Israel, which was signed the previous day in Washington. “Netanyahu gambled and missed a historic opportunity,” Arad told Ynet. “I predicted this half a year ago that he would be wrong, and now I am vindicated. Reality slapped him in the face. Bibi made an error of judgment and as a result, handled matters incorrectly. As usual, the result is a loss compared with what was possible and what should have been. The State of Israel not only lost out by the fact that it received fewer weapons and less funding but also missed an opportunity to achieve significant diplomatic benefits.” See also, “Opposition MKs: PM's Frosty Relations with US Reduced Military Aid” (Times of Israel) See also, “Barak Slams US-Israel Defense Agreement” (Arutz Sheva)

Jerusalem Post Peres Remains in Serious, But Stable Condition Former president Shimon Peres remained in serious but stable condition on Thursday morning after suffering a stroke on Tuesday night. Slight improvements in his condition were seen Wednesday night according to Prof. Amit Segev, one of the senior doctors treating the former president. "Peres is showing slight signs of recovery," Segev explained, "He responds to the environment, when given a lower dose of anesthesia he moves his hands and attempts to remove the breathing tube."

Times of Israel

Hundreds of Israeli Intellectuals: End Occupation for Israels Sake Hundreds of Israeli artists and intellectuals urged world Jewry to challenge Israeli policy toward Palestinians, in a letter released Wednesday: “We call upon Jews around the world to join with Israeli partners for coordinated action to end the occupation and build a new future, for the sake of the State of Israel and the generations to come.” The 470 signatories include 48 winners of Israel’s most prestigious awards (Israel Prize and EMET Prize); 7 high-ranking IDF officers; 20 former Israeli Ambassadors, ministers, senior government officials and Members Knesset. Among the most well- known signatories are authors David Grossman and Amos Oz and Nobel Laureate Daniel Kahneman. 2

Ha’aretz Lieberman to Defense, Military Officials: Boycott UN Envoy Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman has instructed ministry employees and military officials to boycott UN Envoy to the Middle East Nikolay Mladenov. Orders were issued following Mladenov’s criticism of Israeli policies on settlement construction and toward the Palestinians, as well as of Lieberman himself. Two weeks ago Mladenov told the UN Security Council the illegal expansion of settlements and the lack of PA control in Gaza are the primary obstacles to peace. He added there had been “a surge in Israeli settlement-related announcements and continuing demolitions.” See also, “Central Bureau of Statistics: West Bank Settler Housing Starts Up 17% in 2016” ( Post) See also, “Lieberman Declares Boycott of United Nations Special Coordinator” (Arutz Sheva)

Jerusalem Post US General: Israel Is Key to Fighting World's Terrorism Problem “Israel is a key piece in the puzzle” to solving the world’s growing terrorism problem, US Brig. Gen. (ret.) Russell Howard said Wednesday at the IDC Herzliya Conference on Counter-Terrorism on the university’s campus. Howard made the comment as part of a panel on learning lessons from recent major terror attacks around the world. He expressed confidence about the US ability’s to cope with the ongoing terror threat, but serious concern that Europe was not up to the job.

BICOM Gaza Rockets Land in Israel Prompting IDF Targeted Response A rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel last night, prompting Israel to strike three strategic Gaza targets in response. The rocket landed in an open field in the Eshkol region. There were no injuries or damage reported. Warning sirens were not sounded as Israel’s alert system determined that the projectile was heading for an unpopulated area. Several hours after the incident, Israeli Air Force jets struck a number of strategic Hamas targets in the northern Gaza Strip. See also, “IAF Attacks Hamas Infrastructures Following Rocket Fire” (Arutz Sheva) See also, “IDF Hits Hamas Targets in Gaza” (Ynet News)

Reuters Saudi Prince Warns Iran Against Using Force to Pursue Rivalry A senior Saudi official, responding to Iranian criticism of Riyadh's management of the haj pilgrimage, urged Iran to end what he called wrong attitudes toward Arabs and warned it against any use of force in its rivalry with the kingdom. Mecca province governor Prince Khaled al-Faisal, in remarks likely to be seen as a reference to Iran, added that the orderly conduct of the pilgrimage this year "is a response to all the lies and slanders made against the kingdom". The remarks carried by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Wednesday evening follow an escalating war of words between Shi'ite Muslim Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia since a crush at the annual haj pilgrimage a year ago in which hundreds of pilgrims, many of them Iranians, died. See also, “Saudi Arabia to Iran: Attack Us at Your Own Risk” (Jerusalem Post)

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Washington Post – September 14, 2016 Ehud Barak: Netanyahu's Reckless Conduct Endangers Israel By Ehud Barak  During the past two years, a sense of gloom has taken over my country, as pride in Israel’s accomplishments and self-confidence grounded in reality have given way to fear-mongering, victimhood and internal quarrels.  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu enabled a militant, nationalist minority to carry out a hostile takeover of his party, Likud; to form a majority in his cabinet; and thus to hijack our national agenda in the service of a messianic drive toward, as it’s often put, “a single Jewish state, from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.” This overarching ambition is bound to culminate in either a single, binational state, which, within a generation, may have a Jewish minority and likely a Bosnia-like civil war, or else an apartheid reality if Palestinian residents are deprived of the right to vote. Both spell doom for the Zionist dream.  Netanyahu’s reckless conduct has also undermined Israel’s security. Israel has reached a new military-aid agreement for the next decade with the United States. The damage produced by Netanyahu’s irresponsible management of the relations with the White House is now fully manifest. Israel will receive $3.8 billion a year — an important contribution to our security but far less than what could have been obtained before the prime minister chose to blatantly interfere with U.S. politics.  Moreover, given the more than 20 percent cumulative rise in the cost of arms since the last 10- year agreement entered into force (in 2007), the newly agreed-upon amount represents no greater purchasing power — and even these funds will be conditioned on Israel refraining from requesting additional funding from Congress. Accentuating the degree of mistrust, according to new details reported Wednesday, the administration secured an Israeli written commitment to return any additional money that Congress might provide. In the past, Congress has added — with White House consent — $600 million to $700 million every year for Iron Dome and other defense systems.  Additionally, Israel will have to accept a gradual reduction of more than $750 million a year in funds for our defense industries. Consequently, either vital security projects will be canceled or the same amount will be reduced from important domestic programs.  Expressing our opposition to the Iran nuclear deal was certainly legitimate. But instead of holding a candid dialogue behind closed doors with President Obama, Netanyahu went behind his back to deliver a speech to Congress, shaking the foundations of bipartisan support for Israel and dividing Jewish opinion.  Likewise at home, Netanyahu has consistently nourished fear of existential threats and unleashed ghosts of enemies from within, when domestic realities called for unity and confidence and regional developments required a sober assessment and steady hand. The Middle East is a tough neighborhood. Hezbollah, Hamas, the Islamic State and a more potent Iran are not imaginary adversaries.

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 Yet as a former prime minister, defense minister and chief of staff, I state unequivocally: While never to be taken lightly, none of these forces constitutes an existential threat.  Despite seven wars, two intifadas and a host of military operations, Israel has emerged as the most successful nation-building project of the 20th century: powerful scientifically, economically and militarily, with a vibrant culture. What made this possible is sorely lacking today: a vision that unifies; an action plan that is realistic; and bold, far-sighted leadership that navigates both while holding a compass, not a weather vane. Israel needs a policy that restores credibility to our relations with Washington; prioritizes the unity of the people over the unity of the land; enhances security via cooperation with like-minded nations; and promotes democratic values rather than messianic visions.  Our people need a policy that does not seek shelter in arguing over the availability of a Palestinian partner but rather takes the initiative by implementing the Security First plan recently presented by more than 200 of Israel’s most respected former top commanders. The plan would bolster our security while preserving the two-state option and prospects for regional cooperation.  Under Security First, Israel would withdraw none of its forces and hold overall responsibility for security over the West Bank as a “security deposit” until an agreement with the Palestinians ushered in other security arrangements. It calls for completion of the security fence around the West Bank major settlement blocks; a freeze on Israeli construction activities east of the fence; legislating a voluntary evacuation-compensation law to enable settlers who wish to relocate west of the fence to do so; establishing an administrative council and funding a development plan for the Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem; securing the status quo in all holy sites; authorizing Palestinian infrastructure, agriculture and housing development in the 60 percent of the West Bank that is under Israeli control; and issuing an unequivocal Israeli statement reiterating its commitment to a negotiated two-state solution and announcing that Israel has no claim to sovereignty over Palestinian areas beyond the security fence.  An alternative policy would also welcome the opportunity for an international conference on Middle East issues with leading moderate Muslim countries and embrace the Arab Peace Initiative as a basis for negotiations, subject to certain essential modifications.  We are strong and should be self- confident enough to take the initiative. Failure to alter the current course will exacerbate the challenges to Israel’s security, well-being, international standing and domestic cohesiveness. On the other hand, acting decisively will secure the Israel we fought for and unleash the talent and resourcefulness of our people to attain as-yet- untold achievements.  If the government doesn’t steer away from its dangerous path, it will have to be replaced by a more responsible, attentive and courageous one — headed by whomever the people choose. Ehud Barak was prime minister of Israel from 1999 to 2001 and defense minister from 1999 to 2001 and 2007 to 2013.

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Yedioth Ahronoth – September 15, 2016 The Secret Commitment By Nahum Barnea  The memorandum of understanding that was signed yesterday in Washington between the US administration and Israel is a generous act that demonstrates the Obama administration’s devotion to Israel’s security and his adherence to the commitment that he gave to Democratic senators during the fight over the nuclear agreement with Iran. Thirty-eight billion dollars is a huge sum, one that no other country receives, no matter how good its relationship with the United States is. Barack Obama has given that, not anyone else. He deserves our gratitude.  That said, the tension in the triangle between Jerusalem, a Republican Congress and the White House nevertheless has left its mark on the agreement. Obama sought to put an end, once and for all, to Congress’s involvement in the relations between the administration and Israel. He achieved that in this agreement. Ostensibly, Israel won’t be able to play between the different powers in Washington, to get something from the White House and then send the Jewish lobby to the senators in an attempt to get something more.  After Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who heads the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that he was not bound by the agreement and that he would give to Israel additional aid beyond the scope of the agreement, the White House threatened to cancel the agreement. Netanyahu was forced to write a letter, the precise contents of which have yet to be published. In this letter Israel undertakes not to ask for additional aid from the two houses of Congress. He made an additional commitment: if Congress does give Israel any aid without its having asked for it, Israel will return that sum to the administration.  That is an unusual commitment. On the positive side, it demonstrates that the two most important political institutions in the world are competing with one another over who will give more to Israel; on the negative side, it is indicative of the administration’s suspiciousness towards the Israeli government and Israel’s friends in Congress.  The agreement also stipulates that two bonuses that were given to Israel in the previous memorandum of understanding are to be cancelled: the annual allocation of USD 400 million to purchase fuel will be cancelled the moment the current agreement comes into effect, viz., October 1, 2018; and the IDF’s annual USD 850 million allocation to purchase goods from the Israeli defense industries will be gradually phased out. The fuel allocation was a nice gift at the time, but now that Israel has become a natural gas superpower, it is gratuitous. The allocation to buy goods from the Israeli defense industries was damaging to the American defense industries. The decision to cancel it is justified.  To the Americans’ credit one needs to say that they did not cut those sums out of the aid package. That means, in practical terms that in the context of the defense aid package Israel will be able to purchase an additional squadron of F-35. The defense aid package guarantees that Israel will be able to maintain its qualitative edge in the realm of acquisitions over the next 12 years. That is equally true when it comes to missile defense systems. The agreement places the [additional] allocations that were given by Congress to develop the missile defense systems in the body of the aid package. The sum is identical.

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 In total, as has been reported here in the past, the defense aid will increase by between 200 and 300 million dollars annually, a significant sum, but one that is far lower than the sum that was being discussed before Netanyahu gave his speech in Congress. When one factors in inflation, the sum [being given] is close to the current reality.  White House officials with whom I spoke last night underscored just how flexible the agreement is: if Israel were to find itself in a state of emergency, another war or an Intifada the spirals out of control, a discussion about increasing the aid will be possible. The following is my own interpretation: anything is possible, except for a game between the White House and Congress. Nahum Barnea is a leading Israeli journalist for Yedioth Ahronoth. In 2007, he was awarded the Israel Prize.

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