Palestinian statehood; aid in Gaza; and internal struggles

Palestinian statehood recognition is an obstacle to peace

In the lead-up to the opening of the UN General Assembly 80th Session in New York at the end of September, France, England, Canada, Australia, and other states have announced in recent weeks that they will recognize “Palestine” as a state. According to many commentators, this is a disastrous measure that will prevent the release of the remaining Israeli hostages and undermine any prospects of long-term peace. According to Prof. Alan Dersowitz:

• “It is a recipe for anarchy, terrorism, and Islamic extremism with no counterbalancing benefits. It will make a two-state solution more difficult to achieve because a Hamas-controlled state would never recognize Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people, and Israel would never recognize a “state” that was created — invented — without direct negotiations and reciprocal commitments. So the virtue signaling and electoral pandering of these hypocritical governments will surely backfire and cause more deaths and suffering on both sides.”

According to Prof. Gil Troy:

• “Palestinian extremists may be running the world’s oldest diplomatic con. They get the world to condemn Israel for opposing a two-state solution, while mainstream Palestinian ideology seeks a one-state solution, leaving no room for a Jewish-democratic state, “from the river to the sea,” meaning the Jordan to the Mediterranean.”

Netanyahu provokes backlash with comments about “Greater Israel”  

Several Arab countries expressed furious anger on Wednesday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a day earlier that he felt a connection to the vision of the “Promised Land” and “Greater Israel.” In a TV interview on Tuesday evening, Netanyahu was asked by network anchor Sharon Gal if he “feels a connection” to a “vision” of the biblical Promised Land, as depicted in an amulet that Gal had just given him. Netanyahu responded: “Very much.” This caused many Arab leaders to erupt furiously, claiming that Netanyahu is impeding a peace agreement.

Israel rejects claims it is blocking aid in Gaza

Israeli authorities have rejected the claim made this week by more than 100 international aid organizations alleging that Israel is blocking the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories) said in a social media post on Thursday: “We reject false claims made by over 100 international organizations alleging Israel blocks humanitarian aid to Gaza,” COGAT stated. COGAT stated that “the reality is entirely the opposite of the claims that were published,” saying that Israel facilitates aid entry while Hamas exploits the situation to control the civilian population.

Israel developed a new aid mechanism to ensure that assistance reaches the Gaza civilian population rather than Hamas. Under this system, organizations must undergo a structured registration process, including providing a list of their Gaza-based staff for prior security screening. COGAT stressed that the registration process is based on clear professional and security criteria designed to preserve the integrity of humanitarian efforts and prevent terrorist infiltration. “It is a transparent, clear process that was presented to all organizations in advance,” it said. Refusal by some aid organizations to share the required information and cooperate raises “serious concerns about their intentions and the possibility of links between the organization or its employees and Hamas,” the statement continued.

By contrast, nearly 20 international organizations that complied with the procedure are bringing aid into Gaza regularly and in full cooperation with Israel. As proof, COGAT noted that about 300 truckloads of humanitarian aid enter the Gaza Strip each day, via registered organizations.

Lack of unity in Israel

In a time of protracted war and amidst great tensions, it is not surprising that emotions and opinions are heated. Everyone in Israel – including its leaders – is exhausted, and frustrated that the war in Gaza is taking so long. But it is concerning that there are many public disagreements and conflicts between the leaders of Israel’s various arms of government. Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu and IDF chief Eyal Zamir are in a bitter conflict about how to pursue the war in Gaza. Netanyahu has ousted the former Bin Shet leader, as well as the Attorney General. To mention just a few. And there are tensions between many the leaders of all of these agencies.

Last week, 19 former senior Israeli security officials issued a joint video message with a call to end the war in Gaza, arguing that Israel has racked up more losses than victories and that the fighting has dragged on for political reasons rather than strategic military need. Netanyahu has lashed out, claiming that “former officials who once led Israel’s security branches” lost their belief in the need to obtain victory in war. Netanyahu said that ethos was being restored: “We are bringing that word back, because without it there is no meaning to our existence here. Either we win, or those who seek to destroy us will win.”

Let us pray for unity of heart and mind between Israel’s leaders.
Pray that they will have great wisdom in the decisions to be made.

Pray that the people of Israel will not seek to relay on their own strength, but look increasingly to the Lord for their salvation and strength.

Pray for Israel’s enemies – that their evil plans will be thwarted, and that they will turn from their wickedness.

Pray for the remaining hostages, that they will be released miraculously.
Pray for the coming of the Prince of Peace, who alone can bring true shalom.

The Palestinians remain the greatest obstacle to Palestinian statehood
Palestinian rejectionism and jihadi antisemitism keep reinforcing one another—and inflaming the Middle East.
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Israel rejects NGOs’ claim of Gaza blockade, blames Hamas for aid exploitation
The COGAT post also stated that 20 organizations have thus far complied with these new requirements, allowing for approximately 300 humanitarian aid trucks to enter the Gaza Strip daily.
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Arab nations fume after Netanyahu says he feels connection to vision of Greater Israel
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Arab League and Palestinian Authority issue statements condemning PM’s comments, slamming ‘mentality steeped in colonial delusions’.
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NYT building vandalized after Gaza story correction issued
Unknown individuals spray-painted the building hours after the paper amended a controversial report on a starving Gazan boy.
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Can Impose Sanctions On Iran If No Solution By Month-End: European Nations
Britain, France and Germany have stepped up warnings to Iran about its suspension of cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency
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The generational price of the false Gaza ‘genocide’ narrative
Those who validate blood libels about Israel’s deliberately starving Palestinians are complicit in the antisemitic attacks on Jews that will happen long after the war ends.
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