On Sunday, Israel’s Foreign Minister Yair Lapid claimed that Israel’s failed PR policies are partially to blame for the biggest rise in anti-Semitism since World War II. Josh Hasten, on this week’s edition of “Israel Uncensored,” said that Lapid’s comments were ridiculous, and Israel’s Foreign Minister shouldn’t be making excuses (especially using self-blame) for Jew-hatred, a 4,000 year old phenomena. While Israel’s PR efforts might need an overhaul, Hasten argued that there was no correlation between the anti-Semites’ hatred, and the way Israel presents itself.
Photo Credit: Goodreads
Israel Uncensored
Can Jews Pray on the Temple Mount?
Over 1,600 Jews ascended The Temple Mount on Sunday, Tisha B’av to mourn the destruction of both Temples, and show their yearning for the construction of the Third Temple. Some groups were attacked by Arabs, while others were forced off the Mount after singing Hatikva, Israel’s national anthem. A statement released by Prime Minister Bennett on Sunday indicated that Jewish prayer should be allowed at Judaism’s holiest site, yet that statement was walked back this morning, indicating that the “status quo” remains in effect. In other words, Muslims can pray up there, but Jews can not. This story, plus all the latest news from Israel, on today’s Israel Uncensored with Josh Hasten.
Sderot Hesder – Israel’s Physical and Spiritual Frontlines
On today’s Israel Uncensored with Josh Hasten, an interview with Rabbi Ari Katz, Director of PR, Max and Ruth Schwartz Yeshivat Hesder Sderot. Katz described how the student-soldiers of the institution give back to the community during times of war and times of quiet. The Hesder, located a kilometer from the Gaza border, is also in the midst of a fundraising campaign to expand their campus and “rocketproof” their remaining unprotected buildings. Also on today’s show, the latest news from Israel.
Can We Trust the UN to Oversee Gaza Funding?
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the UN has agreed to distribute Qatari funds to the people of Gaza, in order that the money isn’t diverted to Hamas’ terror arsenal. Can Israel rely on the UN, the same body which turns a blind eye to the Hezbollah arms build up in Lebanon, whose UNHRC condemns Israel each and every time it meets, and whose UNRWA supplies Arab students with textbooks full of anti-Israel hate? On this week’s Israel Uncensored with Josh Hasten, Josh predicts that at the end of the day, the money will no doubt end up in Hamas’s coffers.
Israel Sends Teams to Help in Surfside, Florida
An IDF engineering team along with a United Hatzalah psychotrauma and crisis response unit have traveled from Israel to Surfside Florida, to help in the rescue efforts and to work with the families of those still trapped in the rubble of this week’s condo building collapse. Whether it’s an earthquake in Haiti, a tsunami in Asia, or any other natural disaster, or emergency situation, time and time again Israel has proven to always be there. Our prayers are with the community of Surfside. This plus all the latest news from Israel on today’s edition of Israel Uncensored with Josh Hasten.
Photo Credit: United Hatzalah spokesperson
Delayed EU Report Admits PA Textbooks Incite Against Israel
After an unexplained delay, the European Union finally released a report acknowledging that Palestinian Authority textbooks encourage violence against Israel and the Jewish People. The textbooks in question are being directly funded by the EU, in addition to the salaries of the teachers who are spewing the hatred contained in the books. The question now is, will the EU withhold funding to the PA, or continue business as usual despite the reports findings? This topic, plus all the latest news from Israel, on this week’s Israel Uncensored with Josh Hasten.
Razor-Thin Coalition Takes Over Under New PM Bennett
Amidst jeers from his detractors, new Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was sworn in last night as Israel’s 13th Prime Minister, with a razor-thin majority of support from 60 MK’s. From his new perch as head of the opposition, former Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed that his Likud Party would be back leading the country shortly. A turbulent Knesset session featured nearly constant hecklers from Bennett’s political foes when he spoke, while Netanyahu’s speech also faced some interruptions. Will the government last a full four years? What are some of the obstacles in Bennett’s path? And how about the looming Iranian threat? These topics and more news from Israel on this week’s Israel Uncensored with Josh Hasten.
Photo Credit: Photo Credit: U.S. Secretary of Defense / Chris Yunker
Yamina and Likud Weigh in on Government Coalition
On today’s special edition of Israel Uncensored with Josh Hasten, interviews with Jeremy Saltan, English Operations Director for the Yamina Party and Danny Seaman, Political Analyst and long-time Likud supporter. Saltan says that the upcoming wide-ranging government coalition headed by Naftali Bennett will be even more right-wing than governments led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Seaman argues that it is inconceivable that Bennett is slated to be Israel’s next prime minister as his party only secured seven seats in this past election. Listen to both interviews to get a true understanding of what Yamina and Likud representatives/supporters are saying respectively, as Israel inches closer to a new government.
Photo Credit: Adi Cohen Zedek (עדי כהן צדק) / U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jack Sanders
Prime Minister Bennett?
Last night, Yamina party head Naftali Bennett announced that he will be forming a governing coalition with Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid and other anti-Netanyahu parties in order to unseat the Prime Minister. Unless something dramatic happens over the next few days, it looks like Bennett will become Israel’s PM for the next two years, followed by Lapid for the following two. The move angered many right-winger voters who accused Bennett of breaking an election promise that he would not serve under Lapid. Does Prime Minister Netanyahu have any more rabbits under his hat or is this the end of his current 12 year run (15 years in total) as Israel’s PM?
Photo Credit: The Israel Project: Mati Milstein
Who Won the Latest Israel/Hamas Confrontation?
Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire this past Friday morning after 12 days of fighting in which Hamas fired over 4,000 rockets at the Jewish State, killing 13 Israelis, while Israel struck back targeting hundreds of terror targets and killing over 200 terrorists. Who gained the upper hand as a result of this latest round of conflict? While Israel certainly delivered a strong blow to Hamas, the terror group wasn’t destroyed and has the capabilities to start launching rockets again at any time. Plus Hamas is still holding on to two Israeli civilians and two IDF soldiers killed in the 2014 war. So who won this round? Josh Hasten gives his opinions on this week’s edition of “Israel Uncensored.”
Photo: Josh Hasten – Home destroyed by Hamas in Ashkelon