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Get ready for extensive move in energy stocks as drivers take to the road, as they always do this time of the year, Biden has to replenish oil reserves at a higher price than he obtained when he played politics for the mid year election which will drive prices even higher, China comes on board as their own economy begins a recovery Russia cannot store oil or gas and therefore must store in ships or sell
and Saudis just slapped Biden's face for his "boastful" words. a year ago.
Goldman says 150 which seems a bit aggressive but Goldman likes headlines.
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I suspect the Trump Haters will not know when to stop so the persecution of Trump will continue and could well fly back in their face like an echo.
Americans do not like bullies and Bragg may find his bragging rights down around his ankles before the witch hunt if over..
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Glad I do not drink beer.
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Sent to me by a dear, long time friend who as some bones to pick with Bibi.
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During the Bennet-Lapid government, we prepared for danger on the Temple Mount, called for silence from the Gaza Strip, responded decisively to terrorism from the West Bank, brought an achievement against Lebanon and suppressed Iran. In other words, exactly the opposite of the actions of the current government in its first 100 days | Special to Ynet: Rosh Hamalal (National Security Council) and the former Mossad official responds to Netanyahu's escape from responsibility speech
Dr. Eyal Hulata
Netanyahu's accusing finger speech, this week in Kirya
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech On Sunday, I also watched, in which he chose - like some of his ministers in recent times - to disavow responsibility for the deterioration of the security situation and blame it on the previous government, in which I served as a national security advisor. I will let the politicians deal with the political narratives. As a professional who has dedicated his entire adult life to protecting the security and strengthening the strength of the State of Israel, I will deal with the facts and leave them to your judgment - the readers.
The Temple Mount has been the central explosive of the region for many years. The Bennett-Lapid government took office a few weeks after the " Wall Guard " operation , which was imposed on the Netanyahu government after months of security deterioration, which were preceded by years of tensions in the compound, the lack of strategy and fickle decisions, including the placement of the magnetometers in 2017 , following which there was a significant increase in the incidents of violence on the mountain
Violent events on the Temple Mount, stone pelting and calls by Hamas to protect the Al-Aqsa Mosque were of course also during the Bent-Lapid government, but in 2022 there was advance preparation that included operational, political and informational preparation that ensured the freedom of worship in the holy places during the three holidays that occurred in those days - Passover , Ramadan and Easter.
During the Bennet-Lapid government, the residents of the Gaza Strip experienced the quietest period in many years. True, the achievement was based on the success of "Guardian of the Walls", but more importantly - on the policy outlined immediately after it: an uncompromising response to any threat from the Gaza Strip. Every balloon, every rocket, every attempt to upset the balance was met with an immediate and strong response. Zero involvement, maximum deterrence, actions and not words. This policy did not harm and even helped in the matter of the captives and the missing. During the previous government, we came closer than before to completing a humanitarian agreement for their return home.
The documentation of the interceptions of the Iron Dome in my name surrounds Gaza
In the " Dawn " operation in August 2022, Yair Lapid, Benny Gantz and Naftali Bennett effectively led a short campaign, only three days, against the Islamic Jihad, while keeping Hamas out of the circle of combat and reaping maximum achievements. Two of the organization's senior leaders in the Gaza Strip were eliminated, along with dozens of other terrorist operatives. 0 deaths on the Israeli side, and 0 rockets fired by Hamas.
In total, Hamas fired about 15 rockets during the 18 months of the Bennet-Lapid government. This is the lowest figure in the last 20 years. On the other hand, in the 100 days of the current Netanyahu government, dozens of rockets have already been fired by Hamas and we did not respond to a significant portion of them at all.
Palestinian terrorism in the West Bank and inside the Green Line
The first months of the Bennet-Lapid government combined an operational effort to thwart terrorist attacks and an economic effort to restore peace to the streets and stability to the Palestinian Authority. Bennett, Lapid and Gantz led an informed policy of economic relief for the population on the one hand, and on the other hand full force operational assault, while returning to activity in the city centers against terrorist organizations. The result was the curbing of the increase in terrorist activity alongside the reduction of the number of illegal residents and a significant increase in the number of legal workers and the improvement of the Palestinian economy.
In March 2022, an outbreak of terrorism took place with severe attacks in Beer Sheva , Hadera , Bnei Brak , Tel Aviv and Elad - and following them, the government launched Operation "Breakwater", which included intense offensive activity in Jenin and Nablus. The result was quick and calmed the area in preparation for Ramadan in April 2022. The operational achievement before and during Ramadan allowed Prime Minister Bennett to make the decision to hold the parade of flags in May 2022, while making clear to Hamas the consequences of attempts to cancel the parade (the same parade, by the way, before Bennett took office In 2021, it was canceled by Netanyahu at the last minute and the rollout was Hamas's excuse for the shooting that led to the "Guardian of the Walls". It is very doubtful if the conditions on the ground will allow the parade this year.)
The activity of the forces as part of "Breaking the Waves" from the arrest of Muhammad Nabulsi
In September 2022, there was another increase in terrorist incidents in Judea and Samaria, led by the Lions' Den organization. Prime Minister Lapid and Defense Minister Gantz led a determined operational activity to attack the heads of the organization , to extradite its key operatives and to return weapons to the PA. This operational achievement, weeks before the elections in Israel, proved that it is possible to calm the area without degenerating into a broad conflict. On the other hand, in the first 100 days of the Netanyahu government, we are witnessing a significant increase in the amount of terrorist activity in Judea and Samaria and from Judea and Samaria, and an especially high number of Jewish deaths.
The Bennett-Lapid government began its term with the harsh reality of nationalist violence among some Israeli Arabs while guarding the walls, unimaginable amounts of illegal weapons, criminal organizations making billions of shekels and the lack of intelligence and operational capabilities to effectively deal with the phenomenon. The "Safe Route" program, led personally by Prime Minister Bennett and later by Lapid, laid the foundations for a multi-year process aimed at restoring security to the streets, reducing the number of murders in Arab society, reducing the extent of organized crime, and supporting social rehabilitation processes.
Despite the short time the program operated, the results in the first half of 2022 were impressive - a decrease of approximately 20% in the volume of murders in Arab society, the confiscation of more than 200 million shekels from the funds of criminal organizations and a considerable increase in the number of cases, arrests and convictions for the variety of relevant offenses. These achievements were not enough to significantly improve the sense of security of the Arab public, but my belief is that the continuation of the efforts alongside the implementation of the increase in resources for the Ministry of Internal Security in the 2023 budget (and in the process also the establishment of the Israeli Guard in accordance with the approved plan, based on volunteers under the command of the Israel Defense Forces) could have continued The trend is increasing and going until the phenomenon is eradicated.
On the other hand, in the first 100 days of the Netanyahu government, the trends are the opposite: there is again a significant increase in murders in Arab society, which first and foremost indicates a change in priorities, since without a doubt the Israeli police know very well what can and should be done.
The most unfounded statement of all the accusations of Netanyahu and his government ministers is the damage to deterrence following the naval agreement with Lebanon , which had a narrow and focused window of opportunity to sign before the Lebanese president left office. Prime Minister Lapid had an opportunity that it was doubtful would return in the coming years, and with the backing of all the heads of the security system, he led the move even though he appreciated and expected criticism from the opposition.
The accusation on the part of the opposition at the time - the leadership today - as if Israel had surrendered to Hezbollah's threats, is far from reality and unfortunately constituted ammunition for our enemy during the negotiations. Despite this, we ended up with a precedent-setting recognition of the border of the territorial waters, with the complete surrender of Hassan Nasrallah, who opposed any agreement with Israel, with the activation security of the Shark reservoir and with the ability to act to locate additional reservoirs in areas that until the agreement were in dispute.
The argument that the attack in Megiddo and the shooting by Hamas from Lebanon are a consequence of the naval agreement is a complete lie aimed at throwing sand in the eyes of the public. Hezbollah, which did its best to hide its involvement in the attack in Megiddo , failed to do so. On the other hand, the current Israeli government's choice to react with demonstrable restraint to this attack certainly has an effect on the erosion of deterrence against Hezbollah.
Hizbollah is undoubtedly aware of the strengthening of Hamas in southern Lebanon, but opinions differ as to whether it actually gave permission to shoot during the Passover holiday . Opinions are not divided on the fact that he avoided shooting himself and even avoided responding to the IDF's response by firing at Hamas targets in Lebanon. Recall that in August 2021, Hezbollah did not hesitate to fire rockets at the Golan Heights following an attack in southern Lebanon. If Israeli deterrence was eroded following the naval agreement - why does Hezbollah not respond At least as he responded in August 2021? The agreement prevented an unnecessary flare-up in October 2022, and if the Israeli government does not act responsibly, it will further lead to a flare-up without Israel - or Hezbollah - wanting it.
In April 2021, at the end of Netanyahu's previous term, Iran began enriching uranium to a level of 60%. It was the crossing of a tangible and dangerous red line, without an adequate response. The American administration responded by announcing that it would accelerate its intention to return to the nuclear agreement, in particular to stop enrichment to a high level, but the Bennet-Lapid government regretted its decision to prevent this and to fight Iran in other ways.
During her 18 months in office, we worked decisively and effectively to persuade the Americans to refrain from giving Iran what it wanted - not only a return to the nuclear agreement, but also the lifting of sanctions on the Revolutionary Guards, and worse than any closure of the military nuclear files investigated at the IAEA since the disclosure of the nuclear archive. These efforts bore fruit. In August 2022, the possibility of returning to the nuclear agreement was finally taken off the table and an international coalition was formed with the consent of the US, Great Britain, France and Germany to isolate Iran and deter it from breaking into the nuclear.
At the same time, Israel significantly increased its activity against Iranian entrenchment in the region, and even, as various publications claimed, returned to offensive action within Iran itself. Without unnecessarily expanding on the matter, anyone with a sound mind understands that this was a serious injury to Iran's ability and motivation to act against us and a reinforcement of Israeli deterrence.
On the other hand, in the first 100 days of the Netanyahu government, we are experiencing an erosion of Israel's leading position vis-a-vis Iran. The Gulf countries, which cautiously approached us in their policy towards Tehran, are now on the opposite trend. The agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran led by China is a clear example of this. Israel's agenda vis-à-vis the US and European countries is loaded with issues that should not be a priority for national security, and these prevent us from leading to the worsening of Iran's isolation following the supply of weapons to Russia and the mass protests in Aria.
In conclusion, at the end of 2022, the National Assembly, headed by me, wrote a situation assessment document that stated that Israel is in a challenging but positive national security balance. This did not happen by itself. This is the result of daily work and persistent effort, under the leadership of the political echelon and combining arms of all the bodies, by defining policies, goals and strategy, but more importantly - in the realization of all these.
The entire government acted with the feeling that this is our shift, that we must act and not shirk responsibility, aim to harm our enemy while calming the area and not ignite it unnecessarily, do what is necessary and not talk or look for culprits, implement decisions that will determine the reality on the ground, in a variety of actions that cannot be detailed.
Mainly - the government remembered that the Holy of Holies of Israel's security rests on its shoulders, and with it also a huge responsibility. Netanyahu's accusation that the inheritance he received is the reason for the deteriorating security situation does not first and foremost respect him and his government, nor does it correspond to reality. The facts are before you, for your judgment.
And:
Irresponsible journalism too often fans the flames of violence.
Honest Reporting
Weeks of Hamas provocations about al-Aqsa and rocket attacks on Israeli civilians from Gaza and Lebanon were covered like this:
By framing and blaming Israel as the aggressor, the media validated Palestinian terror groups' incitement of anti-Israel violence.
As a result, Palestinian terrorists brutally murdered three British-Israeli women execution-style, and killed an Italian tourist in a car-ramming attack on the Tel Aviv boardwalk.
Yet again, these events were covered irresponsibly yet predictably, without naming any perpetrator:
“Violence in Tel Aviv leaves at least one dead” - The Guardian
“Daughters of British rabbi die in West Bank drive by shooting” - The Sunday Times
Just like in previous times of crisis, our MediaCentral press center took the lead in providing briefings for and engaging the foreign journalists based in Israel.
At the same time, HonestReporting was busy fighting back against the false narratives being pushed on traditional and social media. We publicly corrected dozens of egregiously false headlines, stories, and social influencer accounts. (See an inexhaustive roundup here).
And, I took the message straight to broadcast media - from BBC to Al Jazeera - to ensure that they had the story straight, too.
Dangerously bad reporting of what happened at al-Aqsa and on the Temple Mount was used as an excuse for Palestinian violence during Ramadan. Innocent civilians were murdered; and too many Israeli families spent Passover in bomb shelters.
Please support our efforts to expose and correct anti-Israel media bias, and amplify the truth behind the fictitious headlines and stories. Make a tax-deductible donation to HonestReporting today.
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