Latest news with #MosheArbel
Arab News
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Huckabee's criticism of Israel exposes the tip of the iceberg
Evangelical Christian and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee last week wrote a letter that criticized the Tel Aviv government for discriminating against Christians, focused mainly on evangelical missionaries who, he said, have repeatedly been denied tourist visas. Huckabee, who was appointed ambassador by President Donald Trump, sent the scathing letter to Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, warning that if the restrictions against evangelicals continue, the US may take reciprocal action against Israelis seeking US visas. Instead of responding to the concern about anti-Christian policies in Israel, which go far beyond evangelical missionaries, Arbel responded that Huckabee is not a team player. Avoiding addressing the issue at hand, Arbel, using typical Israeli doublespeak, criticized Huckabee for deviating from 'accepted working norms' and not acting in 'mutual trust' with Israel. What Arbel was saying is that Huckabee should stand by Israel and ignore any Israeli policy or law that exposes its fundamental discrimination against all non-Jews and denies Muslims and Christians their rights. Days later, Huckabee expanded his concerns to speak out against the violent Jewish settler attacks that have taken place in Taybeh, one of the few remaining Palestinian Christian villages in the West Bank. The US ambassador expanded his concerns to speak out against the settler attacks that have taken place in Taybeh Ray Hanania Most evangelical Christians in the US long ago abandoned the Christians of historic Palestine as part of their blind support for Israel, ignoring all the Tel Aviv government's abuses, injustices and violence. Now, Huckabee has taken the first steps to restoring these important ties. Palestinian Christians have long been the target of attacks by Israelis. But two weeks ago, the attacks reached a new level of violence when Jewish settlers targeted a church, businesses, homes, farms and vehicles in Taybeh. It took a few days and the interior minister's failure to acknowledge Huckabee's concerns, but the US ambassador expanded those concerns on Friday to address the growing violence against Christians by Jewish settlers. In his original letter, Huckabee explained that he was angry because Israel's government had stopped giving automatic visa approvals to certain evangelical groups and had instead begun investigating their activities. Why is Israel denying visas to evangelicals? It is only speculation, but it could be because the Israeli government's genocide in the Gaza Strip, which has seen it murder more than 60,000 people, mostly civilians and including many women and children, has stirred the conscience of the world. This includes evangelicals, who up until recently have been distant from the suffering of Christian Palestinians. Possibly, evangelical Christians are now returning to the true foundation of their faith, which is to support those who are suffering, not to defend the oppressors. Huckabee's expansion of concern from evangelicals being denied tourist visas to Palestinian Christians being targeted in the West Bank, including recently in Taybeh, could represent a pang of consciousness on his part. It could also reflect a change in policy from the White House and President Trump, who in the past has said much about the Israeli hostages in Gaza and their suffering but has been very cautious about empathizing with Palestinian suffering. The assaults against Christians go beyond the actions of Jewish settlers and reflect fundamental policies in Israel, which treats all non-Jews, especially Palestinian Muslims and Christians, as second-class citizens inside Israel and as unimportant in the Occupied Territories. The assaults against Christians go beyond the actions of Jewish settlers and reflect fundamental policies in Israel Ray Hanania Over the years, land confiscations have been a major problem that have forced many Palestinians to flee Israel's harsh environment of oppression and civil rights violations. Among the victims are Christians, who until now have gone unnoticed. Israel's confiscation of lands to build settlements exclusive to Jews is rarely reported on and generally goes under the radar. For example, my family, hardcore Christians from Bethlehem, have been constantly battling Israel's anti-Christian bureaucracy in an attempt to regain control of their land. My family's land in the West Bank, near East Jerusalem, which is today surrounded by Jewish-only homes in the illegal settlement of Gilo, was placed under severe restriction shortly after Israel's government annexed the area after the 1967 war. Despite dozens of trips to the 'Tabu,' the Israeli land registry office, my family was constantly pushed aside. After waiting hours, they were always told no one could see them. My mother's great-grandfather and his sister purchased the land in the 1890s and I covet the original Ottoman land purchase document. In 1970, despite our protests, Israel took unilateral action and demolished the house on the 33 dunums (8.5 acres) of land, sealed the water well and destroyed a small road. The land, which is adjacent to a small village called Sharafat, had more than 160 olive trees that my family allowed the village's Muslim residents to harvest free of charge every autumn. It has been clear since 1968 that the more that Israel's government discriminates against Christians — a topic that is rarely reported on in the media — the more American Christians have become silent and separate from Palestinian Christians. So, Huckabee's surprise expressions of concern are welcome. Many mainstream Christian organizations that have in the past ignored Palestinian Christian suffering may now end their public silence. If the evangelical movement were to speak up for these Christians, it could result in a seismic shift that undermines the growing extremism among many Israeli Jews. Unfortunately, until now, when concerns were expressed for Christians, especially in a political context by pro-Israel activists or leaders, it was usually a narrow concern. Huckabee's interventions raise awareness of the challenges Palestinian Christians face, as well as broader issues, including discrimination against Muslims.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Deri to remain in Netanyahu's security cabinet, Shas's Arbel rescinds resignation
Arye Deri to remain in Netanyahu's security cabinet, despite Shas leaving government • Interior Minister Moshe Arbel to stay in role to complete 'urgent tasks' Shas's six ministers and one deputy minister handed in their resignations one after the other on Thursday, in the wake of a decision by the party's spiritual leadership council on Wednesday to leave the government over its failure to exempt haredi yeshiva students from IDF service. These included Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, Welfare Minister Yaacov Margi, Health Minister Uriel Busso, Labor Minister Yoav Ben-Tzur, Religious Affairs Minister Michael Malkieli, Minister Within the Education Ministry Haim Bitton, and Deputy Agriculture Minister Moshe Aboutboul. The ministers who resigned will continue to serve as Members of Knesset. Interior Minister Arbel stays temporarily to complete 'urgent tasks' Arbel later rescinded his resignation. In a short statement Arbel explained, 'In light of urgent administrative tasks requiring immediate attention at the Ministry of the Interior—whose delay could harm the public interest—such as completing the recovery plan and ensuring salary payments to the employees of the Nazareth municipality, which is [being governed by] an appointed [temporary] committee, I have informed the Prime Minister of my withdrawal from the resignation in order to complete these tasks.' Arbel added that the move had been coordinated with Shas chairman MK Arye Deri. The council, known as the Council of Torah Sages, directed its MKs to remain in the coalition for the time being. Therefore, despite the resignations, Deri, who was not a minister, will continue attending the government's National Security Cabinet meetings, according to his spokesperson. In a post on X headlined by the quote 'You must act according to the decisions they give you' (Deuteronomy 17:10) Margi wrote, 'With sacred reverence, I have submitted my resignation from my position as Minister of Welfare and Social Affairs—a role I have fulfilled for over two and a half years. Margi continued, 'Together with the dedicated staff of the Ministry of Welfare, I had the privilege of serving the people of Israel during one of the most challenging periods in the country's history, particularly in support of vulnerable populations and welfare recipients. I will continue to serve the public as a Member of Knesset and work for the benefit of all citizens of Israel,' Margi wrote. Netanyahu's government to survive Shas exit The fact that Shas will remain in the coalition means that while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has still lost his majority in parliament, the government will likely survive at least until the Knesset returns from its summer recess, which will run between July 27 and October 19. The coalition currently numbers 60 MKs, after the Ashkenazi-haredi party United Torah Judaism quit the government and coalition on Tuesday, also over the haredi IDF draft issue. In an interview on Kol Berama Radio on Thursday, Malkieli stressed that Shas was still a 'full partner of the national camp' and that there was 'still an opportunity to pass a law and bring us back into the government.' Solve the daily Crossword
MTV Lebanon
08-06-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Watch: Arson at a synagogue in Jerusalem
The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported a fire that broke out at the synagogue of Israel's former Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef in Jerusalem, with authorities suspecting it was arson. Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel commented, saying, "The attempted burning of Rabbi Yosef's synagogue is a frightening incident and an assault on a national symbol." Meanwhile, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir noted, "The scenes of the synagogue being set on fire and the swastika drawn are shocking. This event is concerning, carries anti-Semitic characteristics, and must not be tolerated."
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Gov't to advance deportation of terrorists with Israeli citizenship, Katz says
Ofir Katz noted that he had been fighting for this legislation for two years, calling the move "historic.' Four people convicted of terrorism are in the process of deportation and the revocation of their Israeli citizenship, Defense Minister Israel Katz, coalition whip Ofir Katz (Likud), and Interior Minister Moshe Arbel announced on Wednesday. A confidential status update discussion was held in the Knesset House Committee about the implementation of the law and where it stands, the three added. They said the process of expulsion has begun for hundreds more. The bill allowing the deportation was passed into law two years ago at the behest of Ofir Katz, who proposed it. The implementation had been held up since, said the three legislators. The convicted are set to be expelled to the West Bank. The law also states that they could go to the Gaza Strip, but it's not clear how much of a possibility that is given the Israel-Hamas War and that the enclave is mostly uninhabitable. The confidential discussion focused on monitoring the implementation of the law to remove citizenship and deport terrorists receiving payments from the Palestinian Authority. 'Terrorists and their supporters will not receive any compensation for what they do. Anyone who chooses murder and hate will be expelled, their citizenship will be nullified, and they will pay the full price,' said the defense minister. Adalah, a Palestinian human rights legal aid organization, explained, 'The government is reportedly advancing these measures under a 2023 amendment to the Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law, which authorizes the revocation of the citizenship or permanent residency of individuals convicted of an offense that constitutes an 'act of terrorism' as defined by… [the] Counterterrorism Law or other specified offenses, and that according to the interior minister, received monetary benefits from the Palestinian Authority.' Adalah added that it, along with the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, appealed to the High Court to strike down an earlier version of the law. The court upheld the law but ruled that the interior minister must grant permanent residency status to replace citizenship. The Knesset then passed the law revoking citizenship in 2023, without granting any legal status, if the individual received compensation from the PA, Adalah explained. Ofir Katz noted that he had been fighting for this legislation for two years, saying, 'This is historic.'
Washington Post
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Israel refuses entry to EU lawmaker accused of promoting boycotts of the country
TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel denied entry to European Parliament member Rima Hassan on Monday after accusing her of promoting boycotts of the country. Interior Minister Moshe Arbel said French politician Hassan has 'consistently worked to promote boycotts against Israel in addition to numerous public statements both on social media and in media interviews.'
