2021.10.25 國際新聞導讀：烏茲別克選舉投票率達80.8％，全民都支持現任總統Miryoyev連任、沙烏地未來打算出口氫能並推廣電動車、德國政府增加大屠殺存活者的基金、以色列在西岸加蓋3500坐ˇ屯墾區房子。

蘇老師講解國際新聞、中東與中亞歷史、中國事務、太空知識的頻道。 Diplomat's daily news review and history research on Middle East and Central Asia, China Affairs and Space Exploration

2021.10.25 國際新聞導讀：烏茲別克選舉投票率達80.8％，全民都支持現任總統Miryoyev連任、沙烏地未來打算出口氫能並推廣電動車、德國政府增加大屠殺存活者的基金、以色列在西岸加蓋3500坐ˇ屯墾區房子。
烏茲別克斯坦選舉投票率高，被視為民主的勝利
當該國前往投票站時，民主，而不是他的總統任期，是談話的焦點。
作者：托瓦·拉扎羅夫
2021 年 10 月 24 日 22:55
烏茲別克斯坦總統沙夫卡特·米爾濟約耶夫於 2021 年 10 月 24 日在烏茲別克斯坦塔什幹舉行的總統選舉期間在投票站投票。
（圖片來源：烏茲別克斯坦總統新聞服務部/REUTERS 講義）
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塔什幹——週一下午晚些時候宣布選舉結果時，烏茲別克斯坦總統沙夫卡特·米爾濟約耶夫預計將保留他的席位。
當這個國家週日前往投票站時，民主，而不是他的總統任期，是談話的焦點。
根據截至晚上 10 點計算的數字，約有 1630 萬人投票，佔該國合格選民的 80.8%。高投票率被視為該國剛剛起步的民主力量的證明。
自從五年前米爾濟約耶夫上台以來，這個曾經屬於蘇聯集團的主要是世俗的穆斯林國家越來越向西轉向。這與鄰國阿富汗形成鮮明對比，阿富汗今年夏天落入塔利班之手。
中央選舉委員會主席 Zayniddin Nizamkhodjaev 在塔什干設立的一個特別新聞中心宣布選民投票率時說，週日的選舉是“我們人民的歷史性成就之一”。
2021 年 10 月 24 日在烏茲別克斯坦塔什幹舉行的總統選舉期間，一名選民在投票站走近展示候選人信息的董事會，其中包括烏茲別克斯坦現任總統沙夫卡特·米爾濟約耶夫。（圖片來源：STRINGER/REUTERS）
房間裡立刻爆發出熱烈的掌聲，儘管沒有關於勝利者是誰的消息。
這表明“烏茲別克斯坦已經向新的民主社會邁進，”尼扎姆霍賈耶夫說，並補充說投票率是“重要的一步”，也是“政治激進主義正在增長”的標誌。
“我們代表中央選舉委員會向我們的人民表示深深的祝賀，”他說。
Nizamkhodjaev 說，超過 971 名當地和國際大眾媒體代表報導了選舉過程。
在該國參加選舉的人中有少數以色列記者，包括來自耶路撒冷郵報的記者，他們犧牲了烏茲別克政府，作為其努力強調該國民主的一部分。
這是一個在塔什幹郵報採訪的少數選民中普遍存在的主題。當被問及為什麼投票時，他們談論的是民主而不是任何一個具體問題。
20 歲的大學生 Mohiso Kalollova 和 21 歲的 Kumush Tilovoba 是在該國首都塔什幹排隊投票的人之一。
投票“建立我們的未來”很重要，卡洛洛娃說，她和她的朋友蒂洛沃巴計劃為米爾濟約耶夫投票，因為他們認為他對未來有最好的計劃。
22 歲的 Shaboddin Alievey 表示，投票是對“決定我們未來”的民主的個人承諾。他說他支持總統。
在一個單獨的車站外，白髮蒼蒼的亞庫·馬哈穆莫夫戴著淺藍色的面具坐在一張木凳上。
他說，投票“是我們的國家責任”。與年輕選民不同，他對自己的投票方式守口如瓶。在他的夾克上貼著一個圓形貼紙，上面寫著國旗，上面寫著：“我投了票，你投了嗎？”
小投票站的門廊上放著一張傳統的烏茲別克人tapchan沙發。它由木頭製成，有一張特大號床的大小，配有坐墊，中間有一張桌子，上面放著茶、葡萄、餅乾和堅果。
著眼於 COVID-19 大流行，在測量體溫並用消毒劑噴灑手之前，任何人都不能進入投票站。
負責塔什幹投票站之一的 Bibsora Khasanova 表示，選舉已經進行了 90 天。
一張有資格使用她的投票站的選民名單印在電腦紙上並掛在牆上。
在投票的房間裡留出了座位，以便五方的觀察員可以查看投票以確保其完整性。國際觀察員也有座位。
選民填寫紙質選票，然後將它們放入一個透明的塑料盒中。
所有五位候選人的照片都張貼在投票站的牆上。
他們包括 64 歲的米爾濟約耶夫；Narzulio Oblomurodov，46 歲，生態黨成員；以及 46 歲的阿利舍爾·科迪羅夫 (Alisher Qodirov)，他是該國民族復興民主黨 (Milliy Tiklanish Party) 的成員。另外兩名候選人是正義社會民主黨的 62 歲的 Bahram Abduhalimov；60 歲的人民民主黨成員馬克蘇達·瓦里索娃 (Maqsuda Varisova)。
與米爾濟約耶夫競爭的四名候選人是由支持總統的政黨提名的。
歐洲安全與合作組織在選舉前的一份報告稱，令人擔憂的是誰有資格參選，而不是選舉過程的透明度。
報告稱：“候選人資格受到限制，包括居住時間和官方語言能力要求。” “只有註冊政黨才能提名候選人，獨立候選人不得參選。”
批評人士表示，缺乏關鍵的辯論。博主和媒體評論員批評高級官員並提出敏感問題，但他們從未針對總統本人。
在烏茲別克斯坦，總統只有兩個五年任期。
米爾濟約耶夫預計的勝利將使他能夠深化他基本上成功的改革運動，並可能導致烏茲別克斯坦進一步對外貿易和投資開放，同時保持高度集權的政治體制。
他重建了這個資源豐富的國家與俄羅斯和西方的關係，這種關係在他的前任、烏茲別克斯坦獨立後第一任總統伊斯蘭卡里莫夫的領導下變得緊張。
米爾濟約耶夫還取消了對宗教活動的一些限制，控制了強大的安全部門，並監督了一些因卡里莫夫對異見人士採取零容忍態度而最終入獄的政治犯的釋放。
此外，他承諾通過快速經濟增長來減少貧困，並通過將部分權力下放給區議會來逐步下放決策權。
路透社為本報告做出了貢獻。
High turnout in Uzbekistan's election, seen as victory for democracy
Democracy, not his presidency, was the focal point of the conversation when the country headed to the polls.
By TOVAH LAZAROFF
OCTOBER 24, 2021 22:55
Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev casts a ballot at a polling station during a presidential election in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, October 24, 2021.
(photo credit: Uzbek Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS)
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TASHKENT – Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is expected to retain his seat when election results are announced late Monday afternoon.
Democracy, not his presidency, was the focal point of the conversation when the country headed to the polls on Sunday.
Some 16.3 million people cast their ballots, or 80.8% of the country’s eligible voters, based on numbers calculated by 10 p.m. The high voter turnout was viewed as a testament to the strength of the country’s fledgling democracy.
The largely secular Muslim country, once in the Soviet Bloc, has increasingly turned westward since Mirziyoyev came to power five years ago. It is a marked contrast with neighboring Afghanistan, which fell to the Taliban this summer.
Sunday’s elections were “one of the historical achievements of our people,” Central Elections Committee chairman Zayniddin Nizamkhodjaev said as he announced the voter turnout at a special press center set up in Tashkent.
A voter walks near a board displaying information about candidates, including Uzbek incumbent President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at a polling station during a presidential election in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, October 24, 2021. (credit: STRINGER/ REUTERS)
The room immediately broke into applause, even though no news had been given about who the victor was.
This shows that “Uzbekistan has moved forward to the new democratic society,” Nizamkhodjaev said, adding that the turnout was “a great step” and a sign that “political activism is growing.”
“We deeply congratulate our people on behalf of the Central Elections Commission,” he said.
The election process was covered by more than 971 local and international mass-media representatives, Nizamkhodjaev said.
Among those in the country for the elections were a small number of Israeli journalists, including from The Jerusalem Post, flown in at the expense of the Uzbek government as part of its endeavor to highlight the country’s democracy.
It was a theme that was prevalent among the small number of voters interviewed by the Post in Tashkent. When asked why they voted, they spoke about democracy rather than any one specific issue.
University students Mohiso Kalollova, 20, and Kumush Tilovoba, 21, were among those who had lined up to vote in the country’s capital of Tashkent.
It is important to vote “to build our future,” said Kalollova, who along with her friend Tilovoba planned to cast their ballot for Mirziyoyev because they felt he had the best plan for the future.
Shaboddin Alievey, 22, said voting was a personal commitment to democracy that “defines our future.” He said he supported the president.
Outside a separate station, gray-haired Yakue Mahmumov sat on a wooden bench, wearing a light-blue mask.
“It is our national responsibility” to vote, he said. Unlike the younger voters, he was tight-lipped about how he had voted. Pasted onto his jacket was a round sticker with the country’s flag that said, “I voted, have you?”
On the porch of the small polling station was a traditional Uzbek tapchan sofa. Made of wood, it is the size of a king-size bed, with cushions for seating and a table in the middle with tea, grapes, cookies and nuts.
With an eye to the COVID-19 pandemic, no one could enter the polling station until their temperature was taken and their hand sprayed with disinfectant.
Bibsora Khasanova, who was in charge of one of the Tashkent polling stations, said the elections had been 90 days in the making.
A list of the voters eligible to use her station was printed on computer paper and hung on the wall.
Seats were set aside in the room where the ballots were cast so that observers from the five parties could view the voting to ensure its integrity. Seats were also available for international observers.
Voters filled out paper ballots and then placed them in a clear plastic box.
Photos of all five candidates were posted on the walls of polling stations.
They included Mirziyoyev, 64; Narzulio Oblomurodov, 46, of the Ecological Party; and Alisher Qodirov, 46, of the Milliy Tiklanish Party, which is the country’s National Revival Democratic Party. The other two candidates were Bahram Abduhalimov, 62, of the Justice Social Democratic Party; and Maqsuda Varisova, 60, of the People’s Democratic Party.
The four candidates running against Mirziyoyev have been nominated by parties that support the president.
A report by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe prior to the election said the concern was about who was eligible to run, rather than the transparency of the process.
“Eligibility to stand as a candidate is limited, including by length of residency and official language-proficiency requirements,” the report said. “Only registered political parties can nominate a candidate, and independent candidates are not allowed to run.”
Critics have said there was a lack of crucial debate. Bloggers and media commentators criticized senior officials and raised sensitive issues, but they never targeted the president himself.
In Uzbekistan, the president is limited to two five-year terms.
Mirziyoyev’s predicted victory will allow him to deepen his largely successful reform campaign and will likely lead to Uzbekistan opening up further to foreign trade and investment, while retaining a highly centralized political system.
He has rebuilt the resource-rich country’s ties with both Russia and the West, which had become strained under his predecessor, Islam Karimov, Uzbekistan’s first post-independence president.
Mirziyoyev has also lifted some restrictions on religious practices, reined in the powerful security services and oversaw a release of some political prisoners who had ended up behind bars due to Karimov’s zero-tolerance approach toward dissent.
In addition, he has pledged to cut poverty through rapid economic growth and gradually decentralize decision-making by devolving some powers to district councils.
Reuters contributed to this report.
對伊朗核發展的監測“不再完整”——國際原子能機構負責人
格羅西公開表達對德黑蘭的不滿意義重大：國際原子能機構試圖將任何衝突保密，以免破壞外交船。
作者：尤娜傑瑞米鮑勃
2021 年 10 月 24 日 18:48
2021 年 10 月 18 日，在美國華盛頓特區國務院舉行會議之前，國際原子能機構總幹事拉斐爾·馬里亞諾·格羅西（Rafael Mariano Grossi）在本傑明·富蘭克林廳與美國國務卿安東尼·布林肯（框外）交談。
（照片來源：MANDEL NGAN/POOL VIA REUTERS）
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IAEA 總幹事拉斐爾·格羅西 (Rafael Grossi) 在周末接受 NBC 新聞採訪時說，對伊朗核計劃的監測“不再完整”。
他的意思並不是伊朗伊斯蘭共和國完全抵制了其機構的核檢查員，而是繼續拒絕允許進入卡拉季關鍵設施的攝像機意味著世界可能永遠無法“重建”伊朗人的樣子正在做。
也許同樣重要的是，格羅西說德黑蘭在發展基本通信方面設置了障礙。
儘管他在 9 月中旬與伊朗新總統易卜拉欣·賴西（6 月當選）組建的伊朗新政府的低級別代表進行了首次會晤，但他在採訪中透露，他仍然與伊朗新任外長沒有接觸。侯賽因·阿米爾-阿卜杜拉希安部長。
“我從未和新任外交部長談過話，”格羅西說。“我希望能夠盡快有機會與他會面，因為這非常重要……所以當有問題時，當有誤解時，當有分歧時，我們可以談論它。我以前曾經有過，我認為“這將是正常的事情。
EBRAHIM RAISI 抵達德黑蘭的一個投票站，在上週的總統選舉中投票，他贏得了選舉。（來源：MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA（西亞新聞社）通過路透社）
格羅西公開表達對德黑蘭的不滿意義重大，因為 IAEA 通常試圖將任何衝突保密，以免動搖外交船。
然而，距離上一輪核談判已經有四個多月了——而賴西政府的持續跡象表明，它可能會將重啟談判拖延數月並在更長的時間內達成任何協議——他的耐心似乎越來越少。
格羅西試圖傳達更多細微的信息，他說他“沒有跡象”表明伊朗目前正在加速製造炸彈，但世界應該提防朝鮮的情況。
平壤在 2009 年將 IAEA 檢查員驅逐出該國，幾年之內，朝鮮已經開發了核武器庫。
“朝鮮的案例應該提醒我們，如果外交努力出錯，可能會發生什麼，”格羅西說。“這是一個明顯的例子。這是一個指示。這是一個燈塔。如果外交失敗，你可能會面臨對中東及其他地區產生巨大政治影響的局勢。”
儘管拜登政府幾個月來一直在發出聲音，稱伊朗以恢復 2015 年 JCPOA 核協議的限制來換取美國解除制裁的時間已經不多了，但迄今為止還沒有提到最後期限。
同樣，雖然以色列官員比美國官員更不耐煩地敲響了警鐘，但他們也沒有強加任何期限。
歐盟官員表現出最大的耐心，有些人明確表示，如果伊朗拒絕重返 JCPOA 或拖延進程，同時繼續其不斷升級的核違規行為，他們沒有“B 計劃”。
俄羅斯最近首次公開批評 Raisi，因為他的政府審查問題的速度緩慢，而不是迅速回到談判桌。但在與西方發生衝突時，莫斯科和北京普遍被視為支持伊朗的立場。
2021 年 7 月 5 日，德黑蘭附近的 Karaj Special Road 發生倉庫火災（圖片來源：VAHID AHMADI/TASNIM NEWS AGENCY）
與此同時，伊朗表示它有權拒絕原子能機構進入卡拉吉設施，因為以色列在 6 月的一次襲擊中對其進行了破壞。
耶路撒冷尚未承擔正式責任，但《耶路撒冷郵報》 此前證實了伊朗關於以色列參與的說法。
Monitoring of Iran's nuclear developments ‘no longer intact’ - IAEA chief
Grossi’s public airing of grievances with Tehran is significant: The IAEA tries to keep any conflicts under wraps so as not to rock the diplomatic boat.
By YONAH JEREMY BOB
OCTOBER 24, 2021 18:48
International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi speaks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (off frame) in the Benjamin Franklin Room ahead of a meeting at the State Department in Washington, DC, US October 18, 2021.
(photo credit: MANDEL NGAN/POOL VIA REUTERS)
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Monitoring of Iran’s nuclear program is “no longer intact,” IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi told NBC News in an interview over the weekend.
He did not mean that the Islamic Republic has completely boycotted his agency’s nuclear inspectors, but rather its continued refusal to grant access to cameras at the key facility of Karaj means the world may never be “able to reconstruct the picture” of what the Iranians are doing.
Maybe just as crucially, Grossi said Tehran has thrown up roadblocks in developing basic communications.
Although in mid-September he had first meetings with lower-level representatives of the new Iranian government put in place by new Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (elected in June), he revealed in the interview that he still has had no contact with new Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
“I have never spoken to the new foreign minister,” Grossi said. “I hope to be able to have the opportunity to meet with him soon because it’s very important… so when there is a problem, when there is misunderstanding, when there is a disagreement, we can talk about it. I used to have it before, and I would assume” that would be the normal thing.
EBRAHIM RAISI arrives at a polling station in Tehran to cast his vote in last week’s presidential election, which he won. (credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS)
Grossi’s public airing of grievances with Tehran is significant because the IAEA normally tries to keep any conflicts under wraps so as not to rock the diplomatic boat.
However, with more than four months since the last round of nuclear negotiations – and ongoing signs from the Raisi government that it may drag out restarting talks for months and reaching any deal for an even much longer period – his patience appeared to be running thin.
Trying to present additional nuanced messages, Grossi said he had “no indication” that Iran was currently racing forward to a bomb, but that the world should beware of the North Korean scenario.
Pyongyang threw IAEA inspectors out of the country in 2009, and within years, the North had already developed an arsenal of nuclear weapons.
“The case of the DPRK should remind us of what may happen if diplomatic efforts go wrong,” Grossi said. “It’s a clear example. It’s an indication. It’s a beacon. If diplomacy fails, you may be confronted with a situation that would have enormous political impact in the Middle East and beyond.”
Although the Biden administration has made noises for several months about time running out for Iran to return to the 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal’s limits in exchange for the US lifting sanctions, there has been no deadline mentioned to date.
Similarly, while Israeli officials have sounded the alarm more impatiently than American officials, they have also refrained from imposing any deadline.
EU officials have shown the most patience, some explicitly indicating that they have no “plan B” if Iran refuses to return to the JCPOA or drags out the process while continuing its escalating nuclear violations.
Russia recently gave a first public criticism of Raisi for the slow pace at which his government is reviewing the issue, as opposed to a quick return to the negotiating table. But Moscow and Beijing have generally been viewed as supporting Iran’s positions when in conflict with the West.
Warehouse fire along Karaj Special Road near Tehran, July 5, 2021 (credit: VAHID AHMADI/TASNIM NEWS AGENCY)
Meanwhile, Iran has said it has the right to decline IAEA access to the Karaj facility because Israel sabotaged it during an attack in June.
Jerusalem has not taken formal responsibility, but The Jerusalem Post previously validated Iran’s claims of Israeli involvement.
沙特阿拉伯希望成為氫能的主要供應商 - 能源部長
沙特阿拉伯是世界上最大的石油出口國，計劃到 2030 年生產和出口約 400 萬噸氫氣。
通過路透
2021 年 10 月 24 日 13:38
2021 年 6 月 27 日，沙特阿美公司在沙特阿拉伯宰赫蘭科技谷科技園展示氫汽車技術的媒體之旅中，一名男子在加氫站為汽車加油。
（圖片來源：路透社/HAJER ABDULMOHSIN）
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沙特阿拉伯希望成為最大的氫氣供應商，該國能源部長阿卜杜勒阿齊茲親王周日表示。
這位部長補充說，世界上最大的石油出口國打算到 2030 年生產和出口約 400 萬噸氫氣。
沙特阿美首席執行官阿明納賽爾今年早些時候表示，這家沙特阿拉伯國有石油生產商正在其主要市場尋求氫氣承購協議，以擴大產量，並看到了強勁的增長潛力。
2021 年 6 月 27 日，沙特阿美公司在沙特阿拉伯宰赫蘭科技谷科學園展示氫汽車技術的媒體之旅中，一名男子在加氫站為汽車加油。（來源：REUTERS/HAJER ABDULMOHSIN）
越來越多的國際呼籲減少化石燃料投資並將重點轉向可再生能源。
這位部長還表示，沙特計劃製造電動汽車。
Saudi Arabia wants to be top supplier of hydrogen - energy minister
Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter intends to produce and export something within the neighborhood of about 4 million tons of hydrogen by 2030.
By REUTERS
OCTOBER 24, 2021 13:38
A man refuels a car at Hydrogen refuelling station during Saudi Aramco's media trip to demonstrate Hydrogen automotive technology at Techno Valley Science Park in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, June 27, 2021.
(photo credit: REUTERS/HAJER ABDULMOHSIN)
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Saudi Arabia wants to be the biggest supplier of hydrogen, the country's Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al-Saud said on Sunday.
The world's biggest oil exporter intends to produce and export something within the neighborhood of about 4 million tons of hydrogen by 2030, the minister added.
The chief executive of Aramco, Amin Nasser, said earlier this year the Saudi Arabian state oil producer is looking for off-take agreements for hydrogen in its key markets to expand its output and sees strong potential for growth.
A man refuels a car at Hydrogen refuelling station during Saudi Aramco's media trip to demonstrate Hydrogen automotive technology at Techno Valley Science Park in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, June 27, 2021. (credit: REUTERS/HAJER ABDULMOHSIN)
There are growing international calls for reductions in fossil-fuel investment and for the focus to shift towards renewable energy sources.
The minister also said the kingdom plans to manufacture electric cars.
以色列的大屠殺倖存者將獲得 2000 萬新謝克爾的補助
大約 3,700 名從德國政府領取養老金的大屠殺倖存者現在將有資格獲得增加的付款。
作者：傑瑞米·沙龍
2021 年 10 月 24 日 19:04
以色列貨幣的說明照片
（圖片來源：MARC ISRAEL SELLEM）
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在與德國財政部談判後，政府已為生活在以色列的大屠殺倖存者每年額外獲得 2000 萬新謝克爾的款項。內閣週日批准了該協議。
大約 3,700 名從德國政府領取養老金的大屠殺倖存者將有資格獲得增加的付款。談判由社會平等和養老金領取者部和大屠殺倖存者權利管理局進行。
所有有資格領取德國養老金的人每月將額外獲得 100 歐元，根據當前匯率約為 373 新謝克爾，每年約為 4,470 新謝克爾。
Israel's Holocaust survivors to be supplemented NIS 20 million
Some 3,700 Holocaust survivors who receive pensions from the German government will now be eligible for the increased payments.
By JEREMY SHARON
OCTOBER 24, 2021 19:04
Illustrative photo of Israeli money
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
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The government has secured an extra NIS 20 million in annual payments for Holocaust survivors living in Israel following negotiations with the German Finance Ministry. The cabinet approved the agreement on Sunday.
Some 3,700 Holocaust survivors who receive pensions from the German government will be eligible for the increased payments. The negotiations were conducted by the Social Equality and Pensioners Ministry and the Authority for the Rights of Holocaust Survivors.
All those eligible for German pensions will receive an extra €100 per month, about NIS 373 according to the current exchange rate, which would be around NIS 4,470 a year.
In addition, another €500,000 will be distributed annually to Holocaust survivors suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitively degenerative disorders.
The Authority for the Rights of Holocaust Survivors had asked the German government for additional support because of economic and mental-health hardships suffered by survivors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Social equality minister Merav Cohen submits her resignation from the parliament to Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin. (credit: Courtesy)
“The experience of lockdowns within four walls that we all experienced during the coronavirus period opened old wounds for many Holocaust survivors, who experienced lockdown and social isolation as children during the Holocaust,” Social Equality and Pensioners Minister Meirav Cohen said. “In order to assist in the mental-health treatment of those old wounds, and in light of the deteriorating economic situation of elderly Holocaust survivors as a result of the coronavirus crisis, we were able to obtain the assistance of the German government and get additional funds through the cooperation that exists between the governments, and I give my thanks and appreciation to the German government for that.”
The increased German assistance is in addition to an extra NIS 300m. the current government has added to the state budget for the welfare of Holocaust survivors, as well as an increase of NIS 1.5 billion for income support, which Holocaust survivors whose monthly income falls below certain levels will be able to claim, she said.
“We will work day and night so that the elderly in Israel, in general, and Holocaust survivors, specifically, can live in the dignity they deserve,” Cohen said.
將允許另外 9,000 名巴勒斯坦工人進入以色列
獲准僱用巴勒斯坦人的以色列人本周可以為更多工人申請許可證。
通過LAHAV哈爾科夫
2021 年 10 月 24 日 19:25
巴勒斯坦勞工於 5 月通過希伯倫附近的一個檢查站前往以色列工作。
（照片來源：MUSSA QAWASMA/REUTERS）
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巴勒斯坦領土政府活動協調員周日宣布，以色列本週將再向 9,000 名巴勒斯坦人發放工作許可證。
根據今年政府決定將巴勒斯坦工人的配額增加 15,000 名，來自猶太和撒馬利亞在建築行業工作的巴勒斯坦人將被允許在主權以色列工作。
COGAT 表示，將根據政治梯隊的決定，“很快”允許額外的巴勒斯坦人在以色列工作。
獲准僱用巴勒斯坦人的以色列人本周可以為更多工人申請許可證。
8 月份做出的增加在以色列工作的巴勒斯坦人數量的內閣決定是鑑於政府旨在加強巴勒斯坦民族權力機構的經濟以及提高猶太和撒馬利亞巴勒斯坦人的生活質量的目標。
2021 年 10 月 19 日，以色列國防部長本尼·甘茨 (Benny Gantz) 出席在耶路撒冷以色列議會以色列議會舉行的國防和外交事務委員會會議。（圖片來源：YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90）
國防部長本尼·甘茨當時在推特上說，“這是加強巴勒斯坦和以色列經濟以及我們共同利益的重要一步。”
COGAT 少將 Rassan Alian 在 8 月份表示，“經濟穩定是維護該地區安全的關鍵。”
除了 15,000 份建築許可證外，還將向在酒店業工作的巴勒斯坦人發放另外 1,000 份許可證。
目前約有 120,000 名巴勒斯坦人持有以色列工作許可證，其中 30,000 人在猶太和撒馬利亞的以色列城鎮工作。
以色列建築商協會表示，建築領域缺乏工人，該決定“將允許來年的建築數量大幅增加。授權數量是達到政府設定的建築數量所需的最低限度，至少為 70,000每年都有新房。”
9,000 additional Palestinian workers to be allowed into Israel
Israelis licensed to employ Palestinians can file applications for permits for more workers this week.
By LAHAV HARKOV
OCTOBER 24, 2021 19:25
PALESTINIAN LABORERS head to work in Israel through a checkpoint near Hebron, in May.
(photo credit: MUSSA QAWASMA/REUTERS)
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Israel will grant 9,000 more Palestinians work permits this week, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories announced on Sunday.
The Palestinians from Judea and Samaria working in the construction industry will be allowed to work in sovereign Israel pursuant to a government decision this year to increase the quota of Palestinian workers by 15,000.
COGAT said the additional Palestinians will be permitted to work in Israel “shortly, in accordance with the decision of the political echelon.”
Israelis licensed to employ Palestinians can file applications for permits for more workers this week.
The cabinet decision, made in August, to increase the number of Palestinians working in Israel came in light of the government’s aim to strengthen the Palestinian Authority’s economy and the quality of life for Palestinians in Judea and Samaria.
Israeli minister of Defense Benny Gantz attend a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on October 19, 2021. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)
Defense Minister Benny Gantz tweeted at the time that “this is an important step that will strengthen the Palestinian and Israeli economies and our shared interests.”
COGAT Maj.-Gen. Rassan Alian said in August that “economic stability is the key to preserve the security in the region.”
In addition to the 15,000 for construction, another 1,000 permits will be given to Palestinians working in the hotel industry.
Some 120,000 Palestinians currently have Israeli work permits, 30,000 of which are for working in Israeli towns in Judea and Samaria.
The Israel Builders Association said that field of construction is short on workers and the decision "will allow a dramatic increase in building in the coming year. The amount authorized is the minimum necessary to reach the amount of construction the government set, of at least 70,000 new homes each year."
可再生能源是應對氣候危機的答案嗎？
與不可再生能源或化石燃料不同，可再生能源取自可以在相對較短的時間內被替換的自然資源。
作者：SHIRA SILKOFF
2021 年 10 月 24 日 20:09
以色列南部的一座 55 兆瓦太陽能發電廠。
（圖片來源：MOSHE SHAI/FLASH90）
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當 19 歲的法國物理學家 Edmond Becquerel 在 1839 年發現，通過在浸入導電溶液的電極上照射光，他可以產生電流時，他可能從未想過他的實驗會成為最常用的實驗之一的基礎。當今可再生能源的來源 - 太陽能。
太陽能是將太陽光的能量轉化為電能，與風能、水能、潮汐能、地熱能和生物質能一起，是世界上最流行的六種可再生能源之一。
可再生能源取自可在相對較短的時間內被替換的自然資源，例如，太陽能從太陽中汲取能量，該能量不會因使用太陽能而耗盡。因此，它不同於不可再生能源，不可再生能源的使用會耗盡不可自然補充的資源，或者可能需要數千年才能得到補充的資源，例如煤炭、天然氣和石油。
不可再生能源已被證明對環境有害，因為燃燒過程會釋放二氧化碳作為副產品。然後二氧化碳被困在大氣中，因此，它是當今氣候變化和全球變暖的主要原因。然後通過露天開採等開採方法對環境造成進一步破壞，因為它會使景觀貧瘠並破壞該地區的植被，以及石油洩漏。
另一方面，可再生能源不會將污染物排放到大氣中，也不會被耗盡。雖然以前是一種更昂貴的選擇，但隨著技術的進步，可再生能源變得越來越具有成本效益，並且維護成本相對較低。最重要的也許是，在當今的氣候緊急情況下，可再生能源幾乎沒有造成溫室氣體排放。
上海一座燃煤電廠附近的監控攝像頭（圖片來源：REUTERS/ALY SONG/FILE PHOTO）
儘管使用可再生能源比使用化石燃料具有明顯的優勢，但它在全球的使用仍然不如煤炭、石油或其他不可再生能源的使用普遍。Compare the Market 於 2020 年 1 月發布的一項研究顯示，德國在使用可再生能源方面處於領先地位，英國位居第二，瑞典位居第三。美國落後於澳大利亞和土耳其，排在第 10 位。
許多人認為可再生能源是未來，隨著世界努力防止全球氣溫上升超過 1.5 攝氏度，轉向可再生能源似乎是確保成功的最有效方法。今年 8 月發布的政府間氣候變化專門委員會(IPCC) 報告顯示，有證據表明溫室氣體排放導致全球氣溫自 1850-1900 年以來上升了約 1.1 攝氏度。該報告還顯示證據表明，雖然人類活動對氣候造成了重大破壞，但現在影響另一個方向的變化還為時不晚。如果 CO2 停止釋放到大氣中，情況可能會在到達不歸路之前穩定下來。
“穩定氣候需要大力、快速和持續地減少溫室氣體排放，並實現二氧化碳淨零排放。限制其他溫室氣體和空氣污染物，尤其是甲烷，可能對健康和氣候都有好處，”IPCC 第一工作組聯合主席翟盤茂在撰寫報告時說。
限制溫室氣體排放和實現二氧化碳淨零排放的答案當然是可再生能源。迄今為止，至少有 140 個國家承諾實現碳中和，其中大部分承諾都集中在 2050 年左右。
迄今為止，不丹和蘇里南這兩個國家已經實現了碳中和，實際上被認為是碳負的——這意味著它們去除的碳比排放的多。下一個有望實現其目標的國家是烏拉圭，它已承諾到 2030 年實現同樣的目標。緊隨其後的是芬蘭、奧地利、冰島、德國和瑞典，它們都希望到 2045 年實現目標。
任何國家承諾實現碳中和的最晚日期是 2060 年，烏克蘭、哈薩克斯坦和中國都打算在近 40 年後實現他們的目標。最近，沙特阿拉伯和巴林也紛紛效仿，也希望在 2060 年之前實現他們的目標。
中國是世界上最大的溫室氣體排放國，沙特阿拉伯緊隨其後，他們的承諾意義重大，這表明各國正在開始做出必要的改變，儘管速度很慢，以防止對氣候造成不可逆轉的損害。
然而，以色列是少數幾個尚未承諾碳中和的國家之一，而是選擇了到 2050 年將溫室氣體排放量從 2015 年的水平減少 85% 的計劃。足夠重要。
如上所述，減少或消除碳排放的方法是通過使用可再生能源，無論是太陽能、風能、水力還是潮汐。
但是這些是如何工作的呢？
太陽能
太陽能來自太陽能或光伏 (PV) 電池，由矽樹脂或其他材料製成，可將陽光直接轉化為電能。然後通過小規模的屋頂面板或大規模的太陽能農場將電力分配到該地區的家庭和企業。
風能
風能是美國最常用的可再生能源，也是最便宜的能源之一。能源是使用風力渦輪機戰略性地放置在高風速區域，如山丘或空地。
水力能源
水能繼風能之後成為第二大最常用的可再生能源形式，它通過使用高速渦輪葉片將快速流動的水轉化為電能。然而，水能只有在規模較小的情況下才能實現。大型水力發電廠被認為是不可再生的，因為它們轉移了自然水道，限制了動物種群的進入。
潮汐能
潮汐能是可再生能源的最新形式，它使用潮汐攔河壩，其工作方式與傳統大壩類似，以收集能量。但是，如果不小心操作，這些方法可能會對周邊地區的野生動物造成傷害。
在全球能源回顧國際能源機構（IEA）在2021年發布的顯示在正確的方向積極擺動，當談到在不可再生能源的利用可再生能源。審查顯示，2020 年全球二氧化碳排放量下降了 5.8%，這是有史以來最大的降幅。然而，IEA 還預測 2021 年將增長 4.8%，因為下降可能是由於 COVID-19 大流行，這意味著它有望反彈。
聯合國氣候變化會議 (COP26) 網站指出，為了實現《巴黎協定》中設定的目標並防止地球升溫 1.5 攝氏度，轉向可再生能源和遠離化石燃料的步伐必須比氣候變化快五倍。現在的速度。他們說，為了做到這一點，各國必須在 2030 年或 2040 年之前停止使用煤電，具體取決於國家的經濟狀況，並大幅增加使用可再生能源生產的清潔能源。
“我們不能等待採取行動應對氣候變化的威脅，”COP26 網站上寫道。“我們必須共同努力保護我們的星球和人類，並確保我們所有人擁有一個更綠色、更有彈性的未來。”
Is renewable energy the answer to the climate crisis?
Renewable energy sources are drawn from natural resources which can be replaced over a relatively short period of time, unlike nonrenewable energy, or fossil fuels.
By SHIRA SILKOFF
OCTOBER 24, 2021 20:09
A 55-MEGAWATT solar power plant in Israel's south.
(photo credit: MOSHE SHAI/FLASH90)
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When 19-year-old French physicist Edmond Becquerel discovered in 1839 that by shining a light on an electrode dipped in conductive solution he could create an electric current, he likely never imagined that his experiment would become the basis for one of the most commonly used sources of renewable energy today - solar power.
Solar power is the conversion of energy from sunlight into electricity and it is one of the six most popular renewable energy sources used across the world, along with wind energy, hydro energy, tidal energy, geothermal energy, and biomass energy.
Renewable energy sources are drawn from natural resources which can be replaced over a relatively short period of time, for example, solar power draws energy from the sun, which is not depleted by the use of solar energy. In this way, it differs from non-renewable energy sources, the use of which depletes resources that are not naturally replenishable, or which may take thousands of years to be replenished, such as coal, gas, and oil.
Nonrenewable energy sources have been proven to be dangerous for the environment, due to the carbon dioxide the burning process release into the atmosphere as a byproduct. The CO2 then gets trapped in the atmosphere, and as a result, is the leading cause of climate change and global warming today. Further damage is then done to the environment through methods of extraction such as strip mining, as it leaves the landscape barren and destroys the vegetation in the area, and oil spills.
Renewable energy sources, on the other hand, do not release pollutants into the atmosphere and cannot be depleted. While previously a much more expensive option, renewable energy is becoming more and more cost-effective as technology increases and is relatively cheap to maintain. Most importantly perhaps, in today's climate emergency, is that little to no greenhouse gas emissions have been caused by renewable energy sources.
A surveillance camera is seen near a coal-fired power plant in Shanghai (credit: REUTERS/ALY SONG/FILE PHOTO)
Despite the seemingly obvious advantages to using renewable energy over fossil fuels, its use across the globe is still less common than the use of coal, oil, or other nonrenewable sources. A study released by Compare the Market in January 2020 showed Germany leading the way in the use of renewable energy, with the UK coming second, and Sweden third. The US lagged behind at number 10, below Australia and Turkey.
Renewable energy is seen by many to be the future, and as the world fights to prevent the global temperature from increasing past 1.5c, the switch to renewable energy sources seems to be the most effective way to ensure success. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report released in August of this year, showed evidence that the emission of greenhouse gasses is responsible for global temperatures rising by approximately 1.1c since 1850-1900. The report also showed evidence that while human action has caused significant damage to the climate, it is not too late to influence change in the other direction. Should CO2 cease to be released into the atmosphere, the situation could stabilize before it reaches the point of no return.
“Stabilizing the climate will require strong, rapid, and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and reaching net-zero CO2 emissions. Limiting other greenhouse gases and air pollutants, especially methane, could have benefits both for health and the climate,” IPCC Working Group I Co-Chair Panmao Zhai said at the time of the report.
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The answer to limiting greenhouse gas emissions and reaching net-zero CO2 emissions is, of course, renewable energy. At least 140 countries to date have pledged to reach carbon neutrality, with most of the commitments being centered around the year 2050.
Two countries to date, Bhutan and Suriname, have achieved carbon neutrality, and are in fact considered carbon-negative - meaning they have removed more carbon than they have emitted. The next country expected to match their goal is Uruguay, which has pledged to do the same by the year 2030. Not far behind are Finland, Austria, Iceland, Germany, and Sweden, all of whom hope to meet their goal by 2045.
The latest date that any country has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality is 2060, with Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and China all aiming to reach their goal almost 40 years from now. Most recently, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have followed suit, also hoping to hit their goal by 2060.
With China being the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gasses, and Saudi Arabia following close behind, their pledges are significant, and a sign that countries are beginning, albeit slowly, to make the required changes in order to prevent causing irreversible damage to the climate.
Israel, however, is among one of the few countries yet to pledge carbon neutrality, instead opting for a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85% from 2015 levels by the year 2050. While still a significant step, some feel that it is not significant enough.
As mentioned above, the way to reduce or eliminate carbon emissions is through the use of renewable energy sources, be it solar, wind, hydro or tidal.
But how does each of these work?
Solar Energy
Solar energy is sourced using solar or photovoltaic (PV) cells, made from silicone or other materials, which transform sunlight directly into electricity. The electricity is then distributed through rooftop panels on a small scale, or solar farms on a much larger scale, to homes and businesses in the area.
Wind Energy
Wind energy is the most commonly used source of renewable energy in the US and is one of the cheapest. Energy is sourced using wind turbines strategically placed in areas with high wind speeds, such as hills or open fields.
Hydro Energy
Hydro energy follows wind energy as the second most commonly used form of renewable energy and turns fast-moving water into electricity through the use of high-speed turbine blades. However, hydro energy is only renewable if done on a smaller scale. Large hydroelectric plants are considered nonrenewable, as they divert the natural course of water, restricting access for animal populations.
Tidal Energy
Tidal energy is the newest form of renewable energy and uses tidal barrages, which work in a similar way to traditional dams, in order to harvest energy. However, if not done carefully, these methods can cause harm to wildlife in the surrounding area.
The Global Energy Review released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) for the year 2021 has shown a positive swing in the right direction when it comes to the use of renewable energy over nonrenewable energy sources. The review showed a decline of 5.8% in global CO2 emissions throughout 2020, the largest ever measured decline. However, the IEA also predicted a growth of 4.8% in 2021, as the decline was likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning it is expected to rebound.
The UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) website states that in order to meet the goals set out in the Paris Agreement and prevent the earth from heating by 1.5c, the move towards renewable energy and away from fossil fuels must happen five times faster than the present speed. In order to do this, they say, countries must end the use of coal power by the year 2030 or 2040, depending on the economic status of the country, and drastically increase the use of clean power, produced by renewable energy sources.
"We cannot afford to wait to act against the threat of climate change," reads the COP26 website. "We must work together to protect our planet and people and ensure a greener, more resilient future for us all."
約旦在約旦河西岸定居點批准出售 1,300 套公寓後抨擊以色列
左翼政治家和活動家對西岸定居點將銷售 1,355 套住房表示憤慨。
作者：KHALED ABU TOAMEH , TZVI JOFFRE
2021 年 10 月 24 日 21:38
在西岸的 Beit El 建造 300 套住房
（照片來源：禮貌）
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約旦週日猛烈抨擊以色列，稱其“拒絕並譴責”在西岸建造 1,355 套住房的計劃。上週，美國對以色列計劃在定居點建造 3,000 座新房屋以及將兩個非法前哨合法化表示擔憂。
週日，以色列土地管理局和建築和住房部長 Ze'ev Elkin 公佈了住房單元的營銷招標。該公告發布之際，有報導稱，總理納夫塔利·貝內特 (Naftali Bennett) 面臨美國要求凍結此類計劃的壓力。
宣布的內容包括 Ariel 的 729 個單位、Beit El 的 346 個單位、Elkana 的 102 個單位、Geva Binyamin 的 90 個單位、Emanuel 的 57 個單位、Karnei Shomron 的 22 個單位和 Beitar Illit 的一個單位。
根據約旦通訊社（Petra）發表的一份聲明，約旦外交部發言人海賽姆·阿布·福爾“警告不要在被佔領的巴勒斯坦領土上建造新的定居點”。
他說，以色列的舉動“違反了國際法和相關[聯合國]安理會決議。”
埃爾金對推銷新房的決定表示歡迎。
“正如我們承諾的那樣，我們交付了，”他說。“在猶太復國主義企業的願景中，加強和擴大猶太和撒瑪利亞的猶太人定居點是必要且非常重要的事情。在猶太和撒瑪利亞的建設長期停滯後，我歡迎銷售超過 1,000 套住房。我將繼續在猶地亞和撒馬利亞維持猶太人的定居點。”
工黨領袖梅拉夫米凱利和梅雷茨負責人尼贊霍洛維茨週日向貝內特抱怨說，他們厭倦了對國防部長本尼甘茨和右翼部長的決定感到驚訝。他們對甘茨將六個巴勒斯坦非政府組織指定為恐怖組織的決定以及定居點建設決定感到憤怒。
但該聯盟的消息人士稱，有關聯盟緊張局勢的報導被誇大了。內政部長阿耶萊特·沙克德 (Ayelet Shaked) 在周日晚間接受三個頻道的採訪時表示，儘管她自己與內閣同事發生了爭執，但她無意離開政府。
梅雷茨 MK Mossi Raz 對這一消息表示憤慨，強調“右翼政府不計梅雷茨”，“與上屆政府相比偏右 10 度”。
“在以色列境外建造定居點會傷害以色列，”他說。
非政府組織 Peace Now 對招標表示反對，並表示：“再次證明，這不是一個變革政府，而是一個使用類固醇的右翼政府。”
“對政治現狀的承諾結果證明是在[前總理本傑明]內塔尼亞胡吞併政策的道路上洗白，”它說。“很不幸地看到，當右翼正在慶祝推動建立一個雙民族國家的另一個步驟時，政府內兩國 [解決方案] 的支持者保持沉默。工黨和梅雷茨必須醒悟過來，要求立即停止破壞未來政治解決前景的定居點建設狂潮。”
Beit El 的 346 個單元得到了前政府的批准，但由於計劃中的公寓位於 Binyamin 地區旅的領土上，因此遇到了困難。Beit El 委員會負責人 Shai Alon 與總理辦公室和建設和住房部的有關方面合作，於週日獲得了招標的批准。
“這是 Beit El 的假期，”Alon 說。“我們現在已經採取了關鍵步驟來疏散 IDF 並讓起重機開始工作。連同將要建造的廣闊商業區，我們很快就能在 Beit El 中看到我們在成為以色列母親城市和賓亞明首都的道路上所不知道的圖像。”
招標公告是在有報導稱民政最高規劃委員會計劃批准西岸定居點約 3 100 套新住房和 C 區巴勒斯坦村莊約 1 300 套住房的規劃和建設之後不到一周宣布招標的。.
“以色列在巴勒斯坦被佔領土上的定居點政策，包括定居點建設或擴建或沒收財產或驅逐巴勒斯坦人，是一項非法政策，破壞了建立平靜的努力和兩國解決方案的機會，這將帶來全面而公正的和平，”約旦發言人說。
巴解組織高級官員艾哈邁德·馬伊達拉尼 (Ahmad Majdalani) 表示，在相關事態發展中，預計巴勒斯坦領導人將於週日晚些時候在拉馬拉舉行緊急會議，討論“以色列極端主義右翼政府”的政策。
他告訴巴勒斯坦權力機構的巴勒斯坦之聲廣播電台，鑑於以色列不斷努力“埋葬兩國解決方案”，巴勒斯坦領導人將討論撤銷巴解組織對以色列的承認的可能性。
巴解組織和法塔赫官員過去曾威脅要撤銷巴解組織對以色列的承認，以抗議以色列的政策和決定以及美國前總統唐納德特朗普的政府。
1993 年，巴解組織承認以色列享有和平存在的權利。該公告包含在前巴解組織領導人亞西爾·阿拉法特致前總理伊扎克·拉賓的一封信中。
2018 年，巴解組織中央委員會建議巴勒斯坦領導人暫停承認以色列並停止與以色列國防軍在約旦河西岸的安全協調，直到以色列政府在 1967 年前的路線上承認一個以東耶路撒冷為首都的巴勒斯坦國。
巴勒斯坦權力機構總理穆罕默德·施泰耶週日表示，在定居點建造新住房的計劃“使世界，尤其是美國，面臨著面對和挑戰以色列強加的既成事實的重大責任”。
他呼籲國際社會讓以色列“為侵略我國人民付出代價”。
吉爾霍夫曼為本報告做出了貢獻。
拜登時代第一，以色列推進1300多座定居點房屋建設
有報導稱，本周西岸將有 3,000 座定居者房屋與 1,300 座巴勒斯坦人房屋一起被批准。聯合國，約旦，巴勒斯坦權力機構，梅雷茨黨譴責決定
由機構和TOI 工作人員提供今天，下午 6:47
2017 年 1 月 25 日，巴勒斯坦勞工在約旦河西岸城市納布盧斯附近的以色列定居點 Ariel 的一個新住房項目的建築工地工作。（法新社照片/Jack Guez）
建設和住房部周日在一份聲明中宣布，將在西岸定居點建造 1,300 多所新房屋。
“猶地亞和撒瑪利亞的 1,355 所房屋的招標已經公佈，”部委聲明說，使用的是約旦河西岸的聖經名稱。這些房屋計劃在七個定居點建造，其中包括 Ariel 的 729 個、Beit El 的 346 個、Elkana 的 102 個和 Adam 的 96 個。這是自美國總統喬·拜登（Joe Biden）於 1 月就職以來首次宣布這一消息。拜登曾表示反對擴大定居點。
住房部發布營銷招標是一個官僚步驟，即使在獲得國防部的“最終驗證”批准後，大型定居點的項目也需要通過。
“正如我們承諾的那樣，我們現在正在貫徹執行，”建築和住房部長 Ze'ev Elkin 週日表示。“加強和擴大猶太和撒瑪利亞的定居點是猶太復國主義事業的必要和非常重要的部分。” 埃爾金說，“在猶太和撒瑪利亞的建築長期停滯之後”，他對繼續推進建設表示歡迎。
希伯來媒體上週報導說，本週預計將在西岸 C 區建造 3,000 多座新定居點房屋以及約 1,300 座巴勒斯坦人房屋。該建設計劃原定於 8 月獲得批准，但被推遲。
媒體報導指出，納夫塔利·貝內特總理正面臨拜登的壓力——拜登於 8 月底在白宮會面——要求限制定居點建設。右翼亞米納黨領袖貝內特是定居點擴張的長期支持者，也是建立巴勒斯坦國的直言不諱的反對者。
美國總統喬拜登於 2021 年 8 月 27 日在華盛頓特區白宮橢圓形辦公室會見總理納夫塔利貝內特。 (Nicholas Kamm/AFP)
週五，美國國務院發言人 Ned Price 表示，美國對有關新定居點住房計劃的報導“感到擔憂”。他呼籲以色列和巴勒斯坦人“避免採取加劇緊張局勢並削弱通過談判達成兩國解決方案的努力的單方面步驟”來解決衝突。
作為對埃爾金周日宣布的回應，梅雷茨 MK Mossi Raz 在推特上表達了他對貝內特領導的政府的不滿——他是該政府的成員。
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“亞米納政府無視梅雷茨，”拉茲寫道。“它比上屆政府向右移動了 10 度。在以色列境外建造定居點會傷害以色列。”
狹窄的執政聯盟必須在接下來的幾週內通過 2021 年的預算，貝內特和其他部長警告說，不要在投票前搖擺不定。如果拖延已久的預算未能在 11 月 14 日截止日期前通過，聯盟將自動解散，從而引發新的選舉。
2020 年 6 月 11 日，在約旦河西岸的 Yakir 定居點看到建築工程。 (Sraya Diamant/Flash90)
巴勒斯坦權力機構總理穆罕默德·施泰耶週日在每週一次的內閣會議上發表講話，呼籲世界各國，尤其是美國，就定居點建設對巴勒斯坦人民構成的“侵略”“對抗”以色列。
聯合國中東和平進程特別協調員 Tor Wennesland 表示，他對以色列繼續建造定居點“深表關切”。“我重申，根據國際法，所有定居點都是非法的，仍然是和平的重大障礙，必須立即停止，”他在一份聲明中說。
約旦外交部發言人 Haitham Abu Al-Ful 抨擊定居點建設和對巴勒斯坦土地的普遍“沒收”是“非法的”。他還譴責這一聲明“違反了國際法”。
另外在周日，埃爾金宣布其部門計劃將約旦河谷的房屋數量增加一倍，以便到 2026 年讓居住在該地區的 3,000 戶家庭受益。埃爾金表示，該部門計劃投資 2.24 億新謝克爾（7,000 萬美元）建造 1,500該地區 21 個定居點的新住宅。這些房屋尚未得到有關當局的批准。
In 1st in Biden era, Israel advances construction of over 1,300 settlement homes
Announcement comes amid reports 3,000 settler homes will be okayed this week in the West Bank alongside 1,300 Palestinian homes; UN, Jordan, PA, Meretz party condemn decision
By AGENCIES and TOI STAFFToday, 6:47 pm
Palestinian laborers work at the construction site of a new housing project in the Israeli settlement of Ariel near the West Bank city of Nablus on January 25, 2017. (AFP Photo/Jack Guez)
More than 1,300 new homes are set to be built in West Bank settlements, the Construction and Housing Ministry announced in a statement on Sunday.
“Tenders for 1,355 homes in Judea and Samaria have been published,” a ministry statement said, using the West Bank’s biblical name. The homes are slated to be build in seven settlements, including 729 in Ariel, 346 in Beit El, 102 in Elkana and 96 in Adam. The announcement is the first of its kind since US President Joe Biden — who has voiced his opposition to settlement expansion — took office in January.
The publication of marketing tenders by the Housing Ministry is a bureaucratic step that projects in larger settlements are required to go through even after receiving “final validation” approval for construction by the Defense Ministry.
“Just as we promised, we are now following through,” said Construction and Housing Minister Ze’ev Elkin on Sunday. “Strengthening and widening the settlements in Judea and Samaria is a necessary and very important part of the Zionist enterprise.” Elkin said he welcomed moving forward with the construction “after a long period of stagnation in building in Judea and Samaria.”
Hebrew media outlets reported last week that more than 3,000 new settlement homes are expected to be advanced this week alongside some 1,300 Palestinian homes in the West Bank’s Area C. The plans for that construction were slated for approval in August, but were delayed.
Media reports have indicated that Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is facing pressure from Biden — whom he met in late August at the White House — to restrict settlement building. Bennett, leader of the right-wing Yamina party, is a longtime proponent of settlement expansion and an outspoken opponent of the establishment of a Palestinian state.
US President Joe Biden meets with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on August 27, 2021. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP)
On Friday, US State Department spokesman Ned Price said the US was “concerned” about reports of new settlement housing plans. He called on Israel and the Palestinians to “refrain from unilateral steps that exacerbate tension and undercut efforts to advance a negotiated two-state solution” to the conflict.
In response to Elkin’s announcement on Sunday, Meretz MK Mossi Raz tweeted his displeasure with the Bennett-led government — of which he is a member.
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“The Yamina government is disregarding Meretz,” wrote Raz. “It’s heading 10 degrees more to the right than the last government. Building in settlements outside of Israel harms Israel.”
The narrow governing coalition must pass a 2021 budget in the next few weeks, and Bennett and other ministers have warned against rocking the boat in the run-up to that vote. If the much-delayed budget does not pass by the November 14 deadline, the coalition will automatically dissolve, triggering new elections.
Construction work is seen in the West Bank settlement of Yakir, on June 11, 2020. (Sraya Diamant/Flash90)
Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh, speaking at a weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, called on world nations, and especially the US, to “confront” Israel over the “aggression” that settlement construction poses for the Palestinian people.
The UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, Tor Wennesland, said he was “deeply concerned” by continued Israeli settlement construction. “I reiterate that all settlements are illegal under international law, remain a substantial obstacle to peace, and must cease immediately,” he said in a statement.
Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesman Haitham Abu Al-Ful blasted settlement construction and the general “confiscation” of Palestinian land as “illegitimate.” He also condemned the announcement as “a violation of international law.”
Separately on Sunday, Elkin announced his ministry’s plan to double the number of homes in the Jordan Valley, in order to reach 3,000 families living in the area by 2026. Elkin said the ministry plans to invest NIS 224 million ($70 million) to build 1,500 new homes in 21 settlements in the area. Those homes have yet to be approved by the relevant authorities.
Jordan blasts Israel after 1,300 apartments approved for sale in West Bank settlements
Left-wing politicians and activists expressed outrage as 1,355 housing units are set to be marketed in West Bank settlements.
By KHALED ABU TOAMEH, TZVI JOFFRE
OCTOBER 24, 2021 21:38
300 housing units being built in Beit El in the West Bank
(photo credit: Courtesy)
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Jordan slammed Israel on Sunday, saying it “rejects and condemns” plans to build 1,355 housing units in the West Bank. Last week, the US expressed concern about Israeli plans to build 3,000 new homes in settlements, as well as the legalization of two illegal outposts.
Marketing tenders for the housing units were published on Sunday by the Israel Lands Authority and Construction and Housing Minister Ze’ev Elkin. The announcement comes amid reports that Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is under US pressure to freeze such plans.
The announcement includes 729 units in Ariel, 346 in Beit El, 102 in Elkana, 90 in Geva Binyamin, 57 in Emanuel, 22 in Karnei Shomron and one in Beitar Illit.
Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesman Haitham Abu al-Foul “warned against building new settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories,” according to a statement published by the Jordan News Agency (Petra).
He said the Israeli move was “a violation of international law and relevant [UN] Security Council resolutions.”
View of the Israeli settlement of Ariel, in the West Bank on July 2, 2020. Photo by Sraya Diamant/Flash90 (credit: SRAYA DIAMANT/FLASH90)
Elkin hailed the decision to market the new homes.
“As we promised, we delivered,” he said. “Strengthening and expanding Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria is a necessary and very important thing in the vision of the Zionist enterprise. After a long period of stagnation in construction in Judea and Samaria, I welcome the marketing of over 1,000 housing units. I will continue to maintain Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria.”
Labor leader Merav Michaeli and Meretz head Nitzan Horowitz complained to Bennett on Sunday that they were tired of being surprised by decisions made by Defense Minister Benny Gantz and right-wing ministers. They are angry about Gantz’s decision to designate six Palestinian NGOs as terrorist organizations, as well as the settlement construction decision.
But sources in the coalition said reports about tensions in the coalition were inflated. Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked said in interviews with three channels on Sunday night she had no intention of leaving the government despite her own disputes with her colleagues in the cabinet.
Meretz MK Mossi Raz expressed outrage at the announcement, stressing that “the right-wing government does not count Meretz” and is “10 degrees to the right of the previous government.”
“Construction in settlements outside Israel harms Israel,” he said.
The NGO Peace Now expressed opposition to the tenders, saying: “Again it has been proven that this is not a government of change, but a right-wing government on steroids.”
“The commitment to a political status quo turned out to be a laundering of words on the way to [former prime minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s annexation policy,” it said. “It is unfortunate to see how while the Right is celebrating another step that promotes a binational state, supporters of the two-state [solution] within the government are silent. Labor and Meretz must wake up and demand an immediate halt to the construction frenzy in the settlements that harms the prospect of a future political solution.”
The 346 units in Beit El were approved by the former government, but it ran into difficulties due to the planned apartments being on territory belonging to the Binyamin Regional Brigade. Beit El Council head Shai Alon worked with the relevant parties in the Prime Minister’s Office and the Construction and Housing Ministry to obtain approval for the tenders on Sunday.
“This is a holiday for Beit El,” Alon said. “We have now taken the critical step to evacuate the IDF and bring the cranes to start work. Together with extensive commercial areas to be built, we will soon be able to see in Beit El images we have not known on the way to becoming a mother city in Israel and the capital of Binyamin.”
The announcement of the tenders comes less than a week after reports that the Supreme Planning Council of the Civil Administration was planning to approve the planning and construction of about 3,100 new housing units in West Bank settlements and about 1,300 housing units in Palestinian villages in Area C.
“The Israeli settlement policy in the occupied Palestinian territories, including settlement construction or expansion or confiscation of property or the displacement of Palestinians, is an illegal policy that undermines efforts to establish calm and the chances of a two-state solution that would bring about a comprehensive and just peace,” the Jordanian spokesman said.
In a related development, Palestinian leaders were expected to hold an emergency meeting in Ramallah later on Sunday to discuss the policies of the “extremist right-wing government in Israel,” senior PLO official Ahmad Majdalani said.
The Palestinian leaders will discuss the possibility of revoking PLO recognition of Israel in light of its ongoing efforts to “bury the two-state solution,” he told the PA’s Voice of Palestine radio station.
PLO and Fatah officials have in the past threatened to withdraw PLO recognition of Israel to protest the policies and decisions of Israel and the administration of former US president Donald Trump.
In 1993, the PLO recognized Israel’s right to exist in peace. The announcement was included in a letter sent by former PLO leader Yasser Arafat to former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin.
In 2018, the PLO Central Council recommended that the Palestinian leadership suspend its recognition of Israel and halt security coordination with the IDF in the West Bank until the Israeli government recognized a Palestinian state on the pre-1967 lines with east Jerusalem as its capital.
The plan to build new housing units in the settlements “puts the world, especially the US, in front of great responsibilities to confront and challenge the fait accompli imposed by Israel,” PA Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said Sunday.
He called on the international community to make Israel “pay the price for its aggression against our people.”
Gil Hoffman contributed to this report.
據報導，定居者襲擊巴勒斯坦橄欖收割機，燒毀汽車
來自 Adei Ad 前哨的小組說，至少用胡椒噴霧對付了一名男子；事件發生在 2 人因涉嫌在該地區襲擊定居者而被捕後的幾天
通過TOI人員2021 年 10 月 23 日，下午 5:03
據巴勒斯坦媒體報導，週六，一群定居者襲擊了巴勒斯坦人，並在拉馬拉附近的約旦河西岸城鎮外破壞了車輛。
據巴勒斯坦權力機構官方瓦法通訊社報導，來自 Adei Ad 前哨的以色列人在收穫橄欖時襲擊了附近 Turmus Ayya 的村民，一名男子在被胡椒噴霧弄髒後需要接受治療。
據報導，定居者還放火燒了一輛汽車，並破壞了另外三人。
“這就是恐怖的樣子，”左翼梅雷茨黨的 MK Mossi Raz 發推文說。
事件發生之際，極端主義定居者的襲擊事件最近有所增加，其中許多人在本月早些時候開始的約旦河西岸秋季橄欖收穫期間專門針對巴勒斯坦橄欖園。
週日，警方逮捕了兩名嫌疑人，他們涉嫌上週在 Adei Ad 外毆打兩名士兵並襲擊一名巴勒斯坦男子。據稱，一群定居者摧毀了靠近拉馬拉的另一個巴勒斯坦村莊附近的巴勒斯坦人擁有的橄欖園，隨後發生了襲擊事件。
另外，檢察官週四對兩名以色列未成年人提起罕見的起訴，指控他們參與了最近對南希伯倫山的一個巴勒斯坦村莊的投擲石塊襲擊，據報導，該襲擊造成至少 12 名巴勒斯坦人受傷，其中包括一名 3 歲男孩。
定居者在西岸對巴勒斯坦人和以色列安全部隊的襲擊和破壞通常被稱為“價格標籤”襲擊。肇事者聲稱他們是對巴勒斯坦暴力或被視為敵視定居者運動的政府政策的報復。
Settlers reported to assault Palestinian olive harvesters, burn car
Group from Adei Ad outpost said to mace at least one man with pepper spray; incident comes days after 2 arrested over alleged settler attack in area
By TOI STAFF23 October 2021, 5:03 pm
A screen capture from video shows a car burning near the West Bank village of Turmus Ayya, after it was allegedly set ablaze by settlers from a nearby outpost, October 23, 2021. (Screen capture: Twitter)
A group of settlers on Saturday attacked Palestinians and vandalized vehicles outside a West Bank town near Ramallah, according to Palestinian media reports.
Israelis from the Adei Ad outpost assaulted villagers from nearby Turmus Ayya as they harvested olives, with one man requiring medical treatment after being maced with pepper spray, the Palestinian Authority’s official Wafa news agency reported.
The settlers also reportedly set a car on fire and vandalized three others.
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“This is what terror looks like,” tweeted MK Mossi Raz of the left-wing Meretz party.
The incident came amid a recent uptick in attacks by extremist settlers, many of them specifically targeting Palestinian olive groves amid the fall olive harvest in the West Bank that began earlier this month.
On Sunday, police arrested two suspects for allegedly macing two soldiers and attacking a Palestinian man outside Adei Ad last week. The assault came after a group of settlers allegedly destroyed a Palestinian-owned olive grove near another Palestinian village close to Ramallah.
Separately, prosecutors filed rare indictments on Thursday against two Israeli minors for their alleged involvement in a recent stone-throwing assault on a Palestinian village in the South Hebron Hills that reportedly left at least 12 Palestinians injured, including a three-year-old boy.
Assault and vandalism by settlers against Palestinians and Israeli security forces in the West Bank are commonly referred to as “price tag” attacks. Perpetrators claim that they are retaliation for Palestinian violence or government policies seen as hostile to the settler movement.
普京將與以色列及其敵人保持聯繫
與貝內特的熱情會晤是莫斯科更廣泛地區戰略的一部分，其中包括與伊朗和敘利亞的戰略夥伴關係
通過拉扎爾·伯曼 今天，下午 6:27
俄羅斯總統弗拉基米爾·普京（右）和總理納夫塔利·貝內特於 2021 年 10 月 22 日在俄羅斯索契會晤期間發表講話。（葉甫根尼·比亞托夫、人造衛星、克里姆林宮照片來自美聯社）
在以色列和俄羅斯政府看來，納夫塔利·貝內特總理對俄羅斯總統弗拉基米爾·普京的首次正式訪問取得了巨大的成功。
住房部長澤耶夫埃爾金是俄語母語人士，曾陪同本傑明內塔尼亞胡訪問俄羅斯，然後與前總理分手，他在周五向以色列記者的簡報中表示，這次會議是“十年來舉行的最溫暖、最親密的會議之一”。 ”——而且兩人還討論了“個人問題”，比如領導力。
會議在預期的兩個小時內進行了很長時間，因為領導人漫步在普京位於索契的 Bocharov Ruchey 住所的場地上，然後進去喝酒聊天。
Bennett-Lapid 政府對強調個人聯繫的興趣是顯而易見的。內塔尼亞胡的陣營長期以來一直聲稱，以色列和俄羅斯之所以能夠渡過危險的緊張局勢，完全是因為這位前總理與普京之間的關係融洽。
但俄羅斯方面也試圖與以色列新政府保持連續性，普京稱讚他與內塔尼亞胡的“非常務實和信任的關係”，並表示希望他們繼續與貝內特合作。
雙方的熱情當然表明希望就困難問題進行建設性對話，但以色列的樂觀情緒應該受到俄羅斯支持耶路撒冷最頑固的對手的影響，並且在貝內特任職期間將繼續這樣做。
9 月，伊朗武裝部隊總參謀長穆罕默德·侯賽因·巴蓋里將軍在伊朗德黑蘭郊外已故革命創始人阿亞圖拉霍梅尼的神殿前舉行的紀念伊拉克 1980 年入侵伊朗 36 週年的閱兵式上發表講話2016 年 2 月 21 日。（美聯社照片/Ebrahim Noroozi）
該地區的領先者
中東報告與分析中心主任喬納森·斯派爾 (Jonathan Spyer) 表示：“顯然，人們希望保持連續性。”
與此同時，米特維姆研究所中東問題專家 Ksenia Svetlova 表示，與以色列保持公開對話是克里姆林宮更廣泛區域戰略的一部分，其中包括與伊朗和敘利亞等國家的伙伴關係。
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“俄羅斯正在中東的許多劇院上映，”她告訴以色列時報。“它認為自己是可以牽線搭橋的領先者，為此它需要與各方建立積極的關係。”
還有俄羅斯的做法本地區和以色列比沒有更好地說明訪問莫斯科通過的前看到伊朗軍區參謀長貝內特的行程。
就在貝內特和普京在黑海沿岸友好交談的前幾天，伊朗參謀長穆罕默德侯賽因巴克里正在莫斯科大幅擴大俄羅斯對德黑蘭的武器銷售。
2018 年 1 月 29 日，總理本雅明·內塔尼亞胡（右）、俄羅斯總統弗拉基米爾·普京（左）和當時的環境保護部長澤耶夫·埃爾金在俄羅斯莫斯科會面。 （PMO 提供）
伊朗軍方負責人在與俄羅斯國防部長和參謀長舉行會談後表示：“武器協議的締結及其在不久的將來實施將大大加深我們的關係。”
“當埃爾金或貝內特說普京關注以色列的安全需求時，這種關注與向伊朗提供先進武器、先進系統等究竟有什麼關係？” 斯維特洛娃問道。“我不會太重視會議的熱情或長度。我會更關注俄羅斯的戰略。”
在支持敘利亞的巴沙爾·阿薩德政權，並在這個飽受戰爭蹂躪的國家與真主黨建立深厚的行動聯繫的同時，俄羅斯確實看到了繼續與以色列合作的核心利益，以色列是一個與美國結盟的民主國家，與它有著如此積極的關係.
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以俄合作的一個主要組成部分是敘利亞的衝突化解機制，以色列國防軍通過該機制在對該國進行空襲前不久通知位於敘利亞海岸的赫邁米姆空軍基地的俄羅斯指揮官。
說明：2020 年 7 月 20 日，據稱以色列對敘利亞大馬士革以南發動空襲後，濃煙滾滾（法新社）
俄羅斯很清楚，以色列針對伊朗在敘利亞的據點長達數年的“戰爭之間的戰爭”，使其與大馬士革和德黑蘭的合作以及重建敘利亞的努力變得複雜。
“似乎也有與以色列共存並確保這些項目不會相互衝突的明確願望，”斯派爾說。“這是因為俄羅斯接受了這樣一種觀點，即以色列的行動不會從根本上挑戰俄羅斯的項目。”
普京還承認，以色列的空襲是針對伊朗而不是俄羅斯，也不是特別針對阿薩德。
耶路撒冷戰略與安全研究所所長 Efraim Inbar 認為，敘利亞存在某種利益趨同。“他們也不希望伊朗在敘利亞變得太強大。”
莫斯科也承認以色列在該地區的軍事優勢，並且不想在它在敘利亞只有最少的軍隊的情況下選擇與世界上最強大的空軍之一進行戰鬥。
儘管如此，仍有一些重要的俄羅斯聲音在推動對以色列在敘利亞的行動採取更強硬的立場。近幾個月來，俄羅斯高級國防官員對以色列國防軍的行動提出越來越多的批評，據說國防機構正在倡導俄羅斯加大對耶路撒冷的反擊力度。
“普京和外交部長對以色列活動的看法截然不同，”斯維特洛娃說。“他們相信他們必須與大多數或所有球員保持良好的關係，並給每個人他們想要的東西。他們明白，以色列不能接受伊朗在敘利亞擴大影響力。”
俄羅斯國防部於 2018 年 9 月 23 日發布的計算機模擬顯示，在一架紅色偵察機附近的以色列噴氣式飛機在敘利亞海岸附近被敘利亞軍隊意外擊落，以應對以色列的空襲。（俄羅斯國防部新聞服務通過美聯社）
自從俄羅斯公開指責以色列在 2018 年擊落了一架 Il-20 軍用飛機後，俄羅斯已經建立了一個新機制，給予俄羅斯更多的警告時間。儘管莫斯科將繼續要求更多的提前通知，但該系統運行良好。
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此外，普京與軍方之間的好警察、壞警察的例行公事也可能會繼續下去，提醒以色列不要太過分，並繼續對俄羅斯總統的合作態度表示感謝。如果普京不希望敘利亞的衝突持續下去，它就會突然停止。
雖然俄羅斯和以色列在敘利亞的關係將繼續對雙方有益，但貝內特和普京也不會就 2015 年五常與德黑蘭之間的核協議或在維也納舉行的恢復談判達成任何意外的啟示。它。
“我們不應該抱有任何幻想，認為我們可以在伊朗核計劃上與他們進行協調，”英巴爾說。“他們將伊朗視為削弱美國在該地區地位的反美勢力。”
俄羅斯官員關於以色列在敘利亞發動襲擊的公開聲明的基調，尤其是平民，將成為兩國關係狀況的重要標誌。目前，以色列應該期待與俄羅斯在敘利亞繼續進行戰術合作，而俄羅斯仍然是以色列一些最危險敵人的戰略夥伴。
Putin will maintain ties with Israel, as well as its enemies
Warm meeting with Bennett is part of Moscow’s broader regional strategy, which includes strategic partnerships with Iran and Syria
By LAZAR BERMAN Today, 6:27 pm
In the telling of both the Israeli and the Russian governments, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s first official visit with Russian President Vladimir Putin was an unmitigated success.
Housing Minister Ze’ev Elkin, a native Russian speaker who accompanied Benjamin Netanyahu on his trips to Russia before breaking with the former prime minister, said in a Friday briefing to Israeli journalists that the meeting was “among the warmest and most intimate held this decade” — and that the two men also discussed “personal matters” like leadership.
The meeting ran long over the expected two hours, as the leaders strolled through the grounds of Putin’s Bocharov Ruchey residence in Sochi and went inside to chat over drinks.
The Bennett-Lapid government’s interest in stressing the personal connection is clear. Netanyahu’s camp has long claimed that Israel and Russia were able to navigate dangerous tensions solely because of the rapport between the former prime minister and Putin.
But the Russian side, too, sought to put forward a narrative of continuity with Israel’s new government, with Putin hailing the “quite businesslike and trusting relations” he’d had with Netanyahu and expressing his hope that they continue with Bennett.
The warmth emanating from both sides certainly indicates a desire for constructive dialogue over difficult issues, but Israel’s optimism should be tempered by the fact that Russia supports Jerusalem’s most bitter adversaries, and will continue to do so during Bennett’s tenure.
Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri delivers a speech during a military parade marking the 36th anniversary of Iraq’s 1980 invasion of Iran, in front of the shrine of late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini, just outside Tehran, Iran, on September 21, 2016. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
A leading player in the region
“There clearly is a desire for continuity,” said Jonathan Spyer, director of the Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis.
At the same time, according to Ksenia Svetlova, Middle East expert at the Mitvim Institute, maintaining open dialogue with Israel is part of the Kremlin’s broader regional strategy, one that includes a partnership with countries like Iran and Syria.
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“Russia is playing in a number of theaters in the Middle East,” she told The Times of Israel. “It sees itself as a leading player that can pull strings, and for this it needs positive relations with all sides.”
There is no better illustration of Russia’s approach to the region and Israel than the visit to Moscow by Iran’s military chief of staff in the leadup to Bennett’s trip.
Only days before Bennett and Putin chatted amicably on the shores of the Black Sea, Iranian chief of staff Mohammad Hossein Baqeri was in Moscow to drastically expand Russian arms sales to Tehran.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and then-environmental protection minister Ze’ev Elkin meet in Moscow, Russia, January 29, 2018. (Courtesy PMO)
“The conclusion of weapons agreements and their implementation in the near future will significantly deepen our relationship,” said Iran’s military chief, after holding talks with Russia’s defense minister and chief of staff.
“When Elkin or Bennett say Putin is attentive to Israel’s security needs, how exactly does this attentiveness line up with providing advanced weaponry, advanced systems and more to Iran?” asked Svetlova. “I wouldn’t give too much importance to the warmth or to the length of the meeting. I’d pay attention more to Russia’s strategy.”
While backing the Bashar Assad regime in Syria, and developing deep operational ties with Hezbollah in the battle-torn country, Russia does see a core interest in continuing its cooperation with Israel, the one US-allied democratic state with which it has such positive ties.
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A major component of Israeli-Russian cooperation is the deconfliction mechanism for Syria, through which the Israel Defense Forces informs Russia commanders at the Hmeimim Air Base on the Syrian coast shortly before it carries out airstrikes in the country.
Illustrative: Smoke billows following an alleged Israeli airstrike targeting south of Damascus, Syria, on July 20, 2020 (AFP)
Russia is well aware that Israel’s years-long “campaign between wars” against Iranian entrenchment in Syria complicates its own cooperation with both Damascus and Tehran, and its attempts to rebuild Syria.
“There also appears to be a clear desire to coexist with Israel and to make sure these projects don’t collide with each other,” said Spyer. “It comes from a Russian acceptance of the view that Israel’s actions do not fundamentally challenge the Russian project.”
Putin also recognizes that Israeli airstrikes are directed at Iran, not Russia, and are not especially directed at Assad either.
There is something of a convergence of interests in Syria, argued Efraim Inbar, president of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security. “They don’t want Iran to get too strong in Syria either.”
Moscow also recognizes Israel’s military advantage in the region, and has no desire to pick a fight with one of the most powerful air forces in the world while it has only minimal forces in Syria.
Still, there are important Russian voices pushing for a harder line against Israeli operations in Syria. In recent months, senior Russian defense officials have been increasingly critical of the IDF campaign, and the defense establishment is said to be advocating for Russia to push back harder on Jerusalem.
“Putin and the foreign minister see Israel’s activity quite differently,” said Svetlova. “They believe they must maintain good relations with most or all the players, and give everyone something they want. They understand that Israel cannot accept an expansion of Iranian influence in Syria.”
A computer simulation released by the Russian Defense Ministry September 23, 2018, purports to show Israeli jets near a Russian reconnaissance plane, in red, off Syria’s coast before it was accidentally shot down by Syria forces responding to the Israeli air strike. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)
Since Russia publicly blamed Israel for the Syrian military shooting down one of its Il-20 military planes in 2018, a new mechanism has been in place in which the Russians are given more warning time. Though Moscow will continue to press for more advance notice, the system is working well enough.
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Moreover, the good cop, bad cop routine between Putin and the military is likely to continue as well, reminding Israel not to push the envelope too far, and to continue showing its gratitude to Russia’s president for his cooperative approach. If Putin didn’t want the deconfliction over Syria to persist, it would come to a sudden halt.
While the Russia-Israel relationship in Syria will continue to be useful for both sides, Bennett and Putin are also not about to come to any surprise revelations over the 2015 nuclear agreement between the P5+1 and Tehran or over the talks in Vienna to restore it.
“We shouldn’t have any illusions that we can coordinate with them on the Iranian nuclear program,” said Inbar. “They see Iran as an anti-American force that weakens the US position in the region.”
The tenor of public statements coming from Russian officials about Israeli attacks in Syria, especially from civilians, will be an important indication of the state of the relationship. For now, Israel should expect tactical cooperation with Russia to continue in Syria, while Russia remains a strategic partner for some of Israel’s most dangerous foes.
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