But the official claimed that the Israeli attitude toward this issue may be shifting. Already a subscriber? ", Labor leader Merav Michaeli said in a statement that "the Labor faction is to immediately leave the discussions in the Knesset and join the protest in Tel Aviv." His death was announced by his synagogue, Young Israel of West Hartford, Connecticut. Other media outlets previously spoke with ex-IDF soldiers who were heading to fight in Ukraine. Berkeley Moshav reimagines Jewish communal future by re-creating the village models of the past. The Israeli ex-commando in charge of the program, identified as Danny, said the program started as a rescue mission for stranded Jews from war-stricken areas in Ukraine, who quickly began to require armed escorts as the fighting escalated. It takes just a few seconds. Diana is a medic and wants to put her skills to use. Among those who came to the embassy in Tel Aviv Wednesday was a 45-year-old Ukrainian Israeli named Slava. Slava says hes not deterred by the idea that the Ukrainian army might eventually be unraveled by the fighting and forced into guerrilla style militias. Israeli forces on Wednesday caught two suspects in the killing of 27-year-old Israeli-American Elan Ganeles earlier this week. News site Ynet spoke to two men who were. Lawmaker Simcha Rothman (L) at the Knesset's constitution committee, on Tuesday. Thats why we know and choose to look the other way, the official added, refusing to say who in the Israeli defense establishment was aware of the secret facility. Mounted police officers use stun grenades in Tel Aviv, on Wednesday. It was the . Nothing as simple as some would have us believe. Do you rely on The Times of Israel for accurate and insightful news on Israel and the Jewish world? She argues it's essential to be in the streets as she has been for the last two months of protests and strikes. "The Supreme Court gets its authority from legislation, from elected officials. Jewish comedian Modi Rosenfeld, a mainstay for Orthodox audiences, is gay. She called the opposition to the government's proposed judicial overhaul "just a pathetic excuse for the inability of the media and the left to accept the will of the voter. Members of the opposition boycotted the vote, which was approved by nine lawmakers who voted in favor. Were not only fighting for Ukraine, but for ourselves, he said. Earlier, the police used water cannons against the protesters. Hili Ringel, a 40-year-old mother of two who works as a UX designer is protesting even though her immigrant parents, from Argentina, fear it's too late to save Israeli democracy. This website uses cookies to Get email notification for articles from Haaretz. He only offered his first name. The first Israeli special forces veterans arrived in Ukraine to fight on the side of Ukraine against Russian aggression. And Im telling you candidly, and this might sound a little insulting, but I do think I have to say it: Our relations are not bad, not bad at all. Facebook. subscription. Veterans of the Military Intelligence's elite Unit 8200 have joined a growing list of army reservists threatening to refuse to perform reserve service in protest of the government's . Credit: Reserve officers protest movement, Haaretz Daily Newspaper Ltd. All Rights Reserved, Comparing West Bank rampage and Tel Aviv protesters, Netanyahu warns against crossing 'red lines', Hundreds protesting in front of Prime Minister Netanyahu's private residence in Jerusalem, 11 arrive to receive emergency aid from wounds sustained during protests, Police use stun grenades, water cannons against Tel Aviv protesters. Russia's top state. It's skilled in exerting pressure, making phone calls, threatening. He immigrated to Israel earlier this year, hoping to join the Israeli army, but. This month, a senior military official characterized the artillery duel in eastern Ukrainian as savage. Ex-soldiers from the Israel Defense Forces' elite Golani brigade have joined the fight against Russia alongside the Ukrainian army, Hebrew-language media reported Wednesday. Healthcare workers near the Rabin Medical Center, on Wednesday. These are the best people in the country.". The veterans, aged between 40 and 60, have fought around the world including Afghanistan and Iraq. Women dressed as characters from Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale" are protesting across Israel as part of a feminist struggle to spotlight the harm the Netanyahu government's judicial revolution will cause to womens rights. So now we have a request. logged you out. We will not tolerate a situation in which people act as they please [against the law] neither in Hawara nor in Tel Aviv," he said. Thats why we started the Times of Israel ten years ago - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world. Cookie Notice Youll get the Monitor Weekly magazine, the Monitor Daily email, and unlimited access to CSMonitor.com. The protesters marched to the place from Aza Street, where they demonstrated in front of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's private home. The protester fled in panic. Read the full article to understand everything you need to know as the battle for the fate of the countrys democracy intensifies. Activists also plan to try to disrupt railway traffic at various train stations across the during the morning rush hour. The men are joined . The Christian Science Monitor has expired. It doesn't actually have the authority to overrule laws, and if they get this authority we simply need to 'shut the door'. Several dozen pro-democracy protesters gathered Wednesday evening outside a Tel Aviv hair salon, after spotting the wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Sara, getting a haircut. "Dear Benny Gantz," Michaeli said in a tweet, "these are not talks it's a trap, and if you fall into it, Israeli democracy will be severely harmed.". When you have a chance to stand up to a bully in the world, he says, you take it.. ", "My parents came here from Argentina, my husband immigrated from Argentina when he was 24. A selection of the most viewed stories this week on the Monitor's website. Some 30 people on the Israeli side were killed in Palestinian attacks. The entire country has re-organized itself for war in a very short period of time, an Israeli instructor identified as R. told the newspaper. In the shooting, Palestinian gunmen opened fire on an Israeli-owned vehicle and reportedly fled east toward Jericho. ", Halutz added that "We aren't a flock that can be told 'go left' or 'go right' and automatically obeys. After leaving the Knesset along with other opposition lawmakers to join pro-democracy protesters in Tel Aviv, opposition leader Yair Lapid addressed the demonstrators, urging them to "keep fighting until we win. Israel Defense Tactical. While the forums do have people claiming to be combat veterans, many seem to be young people who have never seen combat or even picked up a gun, heading to Ukraine in search of adventure in. Most of those showing up are, like Mr. Dumansky, veterans of the Israel Defense Forces. If Ukraine falls, people who oppose democracy will raise their heads, it will encourage malign forces all over the world and Putin will want to help them.. When there's blood in the streets?". Both bills will now advance to a vote in the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee. Merav Michaeli, chairwoman of Israel's Labor party, responded to Gantz's statement, urging him not to "legitimize Netanyahu's coup" by agreeing to hold talks. Israel's President Isaac Herzog spoke Wednesday evening following the day of nationwide pro-democracy protests, saying that he will not allow the country "to reach the point of no return. But look at Kharkiv, a city of 1.5 million people, and suddenly from all sides there are tanks. Scan this QR code to download the app now. News site Ynet has featured a report about special forces joining the fray. twitter This thread is archived New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast 2.9K 1 421 421 comments Best NicSquat 10 mo. Three suspects were found at the Aqabat Jabr refugee camp, which has become a West Bank flash point. People tell me Were afraid to speak out in favor of the reform, because were afraid of losing our job. There are a great many conversos, said lawmaker Simcha Rothman, the chair of the Knessets Constitution, Law and Justice Committee who is spearheading the government's efforts to weaken the courts. Israel's Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi suggested on Wednesday that the right-wing government pass a bill that would create a new court in an interview given on right-wing Channel 14. The two were captured at the Aqabat Jabr refugee camp in the West Bank. The precise location of the facility was not disclosed due to fears it could be located by Russian intelligence. But according to Sari Bashi, an international human rights lawyer, volunteers who join the Ukrainian army, even if they do not hold dual Ukrainian citizenship, are entitled to POW protections as long as they are not compensated as mercenaries. The first Israeli special forces veterans arrived in Ukraine to fight on the side of Ukraine against Russian aggression. Press alt + / to open this menu. Israels Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who also acts as a minister in the defense ministry, called for the destruction of a West Bank Palestinian village on Wednesday, days after it was attacked by a mob of settlers who torched dozens of homes and reportedly killed one resident. Israeli security forces at the site of the shooting on Monday evening. Photograph: Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images. This was announced on March 4 in his Telegram channel by the deputy of the Verkhovna Rada from the EU faction Oleksiy Goncharenko. The Yesh Atid and the Labor parties announced that they decided to walk out of the Knesset building in Jerusalem and join "the thousands of patriotic protesters in Tel Aviv, who demonstrate against the aggressiveness of the government and the destruction of Israeli democracy. Israel is in the midst of a huge political crisis. (Screen capture: YouTube), Syrian students wave the Syrian, Russian and Palestinian flags under a billboard bearing the portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin during a demonstration in support of Russia, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, at the Aleppo University campus in the Syrian city, March 10, 2022. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Zion Ordnance Group. The fact that Israelis are actively training Ukrainians to oppose the Russian army is highly unusual, especially considering the refusal of Israel to provide Ukraine with any military equipment, even defensive gear, despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys repeated appeals. From Ukraine, she says shes ashamed of the hate that comes from Russia, my motherland, toward Ukraine., What motivated me to come to Ukraine and help are the horrors that I saw in the field, she says. Haaretz.com, the online English edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, gives you breaking news, analyses and opinions about Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World. Our work isn't possible without your support. Sign in to stop seeing this, Two killed in Jerusalem terror ramming, including 6-year-old boy; driver shot dead, Iran displays ballistic missile with Death to Israel written in Hebrew, IDF teams rescue 10-year-old boy trapped under rubble for 100 hours in Turkey, Demolition of Israeli democracy starts next week; Netanyahu must heed Herzogs plea, Ben Gvir slams police for not using force against protesters; top cop backs officers, She helped us, told us when to do what: Israeli doc describes rescuing Turkish girl, Chabad emissary dies 2 months after drowning incident in which her baby was killed, MK Rothman calls to jail former AG Mandelblit for incitement over interview, Justice minister accuses AG, Supreme Court chief of leading coup attempt, No different from a putsch with tanks: Levin assails legal officials for requiring Netanyahu to respond to petition to declare him unfit because of alleged conflict of interest, In extraordinary tirade, Netanyahu ally blames terror ramming on Supreme Court chief, Coalition heads: Court hearing on PMs fitness for office equivalent to military coup, Abbas says PA to request full UN membership, cites battle raging over Jerusalem, At Arab League event, Palestinian Authority leader claims Balfour Declaration was aimed at getting rid of the Jews in Europe, establishing a Jewish entity as a colonial outpost, Israeli forces demolish wildcat outpost after settlers start residing there, United Hatzalah puts early end to Turkey quake relief operation amid safety concerns. We shouldnt forget that, the official added. Sometimes, we call things boring simply because they lie outside the box we are currently in.. I get into my car and start crying because I love my country, but I feel like I'm losing it. An update on major political events, candidates, and parties twice a week. Two days later on February 4, the bodies of two British . Wanting to be prepared for their arrival there, and uncertain what equipment and gear the Ukrainian army would be able to provide, they set out together to go shopping. Outside the black iron gates of the Ukrainian Embassy in Tel Aviv, the days are punctuated by a parade of people who immigrated to Israel from Ukraine as children or teenagers. Sports & Recreation. Israeli ex-soldiers are now fighting the Russian army alongside Ukrainian troops, wishing to defend the country they emigrated from. And here [in Israel] there are not tanks on the streets. "There are police officers who were injured today as result of protesters' violence, and we will bring those responsible to justice," he added. I couldnt forgive myself if I didnt come here and give any help that I can provide.. The original call to join the defense of Ukraine, Europe, and the world came from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in besieged Kyiv. They talk to us right after coordinating with the Syrians, Iranians and with Hezbollah in Syria. Ganeles was shot and killed while visiting Israel for a wedding. Protesters against the judiciary overhaul blocked the main road to Jerusalem in the early hours of Wednesday. Thank you, David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel, Terror attack in Jerusalem; IDF rescues continue in Turkey. log out. Without national resilience there's no national security. The protesters yelled out "Shame!" "I can't sit at home," she said. Please try again or choose an option below. Both men declined to give their full names. That theyre not alone in volunteering speaks to the universal values at stake in the war. 21-27 next last Israeli Special Forces veterans have arrived in Ukraine to fight against Russia 1 posted on 3/8/2022, 12:32:03 PM by Meet the New Boss If so, please join The Times of Israel Community. Monitor journalism changes lives because we open that too-small box that most people think they live in. ", National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir issued a statement following the clashes between the police and demonstrators, saying that he "backs the police officers in their use of measures to disperse the anarchists who rioted and tried to block the Ayalon highways. The police said that they used riot control after the protesters sat on the road and refused to evacuate. . JERUSALEM (AP) Israeli police on Wednesday fired stun grenades and water cannons at demonstrators who blocked a Tel Aviv highway, while protesters scuffled . Protesters at Hod Hasharon, on Wednesday. If you were to come up with a punchline to a joke about the Monitor, that would probably be it. According to the hospital, the injuries include bruises, cuts and burns from stun grenades. A weekly digest of Monitor views and insightful commentary on major events. TEL AVIV, Israel. Your session to The Christian If you have questions about your account, please Obviously, Israel cannot afford to anger Russia and lose that friendly support. Ehud Barak, left, and Isaac Herzog, in a 2017 file photo. Members of Knesset will be able to override the court's decision with the help of the so-called "override clause.". "I think he was startled of how he himself acted and stopped for a moment, and then the officer arrived. In the meantime, the first Israeli shipment of humanitarian aid has arrived on . unless you renew or As Russian forces press on with their offensive into Ukraine, one Israeli national is helping the locals put up a resistance. "We're defending central Kyiv. Also Wednesday, the Palestinian Red Crescent reported that another suspect was killed in a gunfight with the Israeli army as he was trying to flee. On Nov. 2 Israel's Defense Minister Benny Gantz spoke with Secretary of Defense Lloyd . Citing an Israeli official, the Yedioth Ahronoth report indicated that the political echelon is aware of the covert program but has chosen to look away. His military specialty was sharpshooter. Novesky, who came to Israel in 1998, is seen in the article carrying a Ukrainian flag while wearing the Israeli forces uniform and leaning on a military vehicle. The American says he sees the Russian invasion of Ukraine as nothing less than evil. Im a soldier! Another is a former U.S. paratrooper from Atlanta, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was true then and it's true today. The case was transferred to the handling of the military police. The second bill that passed would restrict the attorney general's ability to declare the prime minister unfit for office. His military specialty was sharpshooter. Nearly 150 Palestinians were killed in those areas. PM Netanyahu: 'My door is open', Around 1,000 protesting in front of Knesset after marching through Jerusalem, Israeli Government Coalition Member to Be Probed for Incitement After Hawara Rampage, Shin Bet security service chief forbids operatives from participating in anti-gov't protests, Palestinian 'village of Hawara needs to be wiped out': Israel's Finance Minister, liked a tweet by deputy Samaria Regional Council, Knesset passes two controversial laws in preliminary vote as thousands protest across country, Yair Lapid at Tel Aviv protest: Police must ignore Ben-Gvir's attempts to bring unrest, Former Mossad, Shin Bet and IDF heads decry effort to turn Israel into a de facto dictatorship, Tel Aviv hospital: 11 arrived to receive emergency aid from injuries sustained during protests, 39 arrested in Tel Aviv alone, according to police, Protesters in Tel Aviv try to block one of the main highways in Israel, Police use additional stun grenades in Tel Aviv, 'The right to protest is not the right to anarchy,' Netanyahu says, Water cannon used against protesters in Tel Aviv, Opposition leader Lapid to Police Chief: 'Ignore the political and dangerous attempts being made by Ben-Gvir to fan the flames', Ben-Gvir: 'We were tolerant with the anarchists, but now we'll use all available means', 'Police not private militia of Ben-Gvir or Netanyahu,' Labor leader says, 500 protesters rally near Ben Gurion University in Be'er Sheva in the Negev, Groups of women dressed as handmaids protest judicial coup in Ra'anana, Police use stun grenades, mounted officers against protesters, Clashes intensify in Tel Aviv demonstration, Cop filmed kneeling on protester's neck as demonstrators against judicial coup clash with police in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu's coup for dummies: Israel's constitutional crisis explained, Protesters block traffic near the Savidor Central railway station in Tel Aviv, Protester in Tel Aviv: 'You're messing with the wrong generation', 'There are amazing people here in Israel, and we are the majority', Protesters on Tel Avivs Kaplan St. singing Ein li eretz acheret (I have no other land), Protesters burn tires at the Sde Boker Junction in the Negev, southern Israel, Knesset committee approves key legislation in judicial overhaul plan, Rabin Medical Center workers protest judicial coup, Transportation Minister Regev: These aren't demonstrations, they're a coup attempt, Down with the High Court: An interview with the architect of Israels judicial coup, Hundreds of protesters rally against judicial coup in Haifa, northern Israel, Police begin to forcibly remove protesters from Tel Aviv street, Israel's communications minister suggests creating new court, taking authority from Supreme Court, Former Shin Bet Chief: 'This is a government of terror', Former IDF chief of staff: 'No dialogue as long as a gun is pointed to our head', Hundreds protest at the Eretz Israel Museum in Tel Aviv, More than 2,000 Protesters rally at the city of Herzliya, Protesters rally at the city of Hod Hasharon, central Israel, Protesters block traffic at the Hakfar Hayarok intersection in central Israel, Israel's National Security Minister Ben-Gvir: We will not allow anarchists to block major roads.