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Like us and follow us today!                              Thursday , March 23, 2017
 
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DavidFriedman
Congratulations David Friedman,
U.S. Ambassador to Israel!


AFSI offers a hearty Congratulations to David Friedman, newly confirmed U.S. Ambassador to Israel!

Earlier today, the  Senate voted 52-46 on a procedural motion to invoke cloture, allowing for a final vote to be taken, and ensuring Friedman's nomination.

As reported, only two Democratic senators, Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Joe Manchin (D-WV), voted in favor of Friedman's nomination in the full Senate vote. Leading Senators Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), the senior Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, both voted against Friedman.

Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Ron Dermer, congratulated Friedman following the vote:  "Congratulations to David Friedman! Looking forward to working closely with you to make the US-Israel alliance stronger than ever." .

Friedman, an ardent supporter of Israel, will most likely live in his residence in Jerusalem even though the U.S. embassy is currently in Tel Aviv. Of course, we are hoping that both he and the U.S. Embassy will be together in Yerushalayim.




 
Upintheair
It's Still Up In The Air



Elliott Abrams, Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies, wrote the following on the Council on Foreign Relations website yesterday:

Trump policy is just taking shape and we do not know what forms of pressure were or will be put on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. But what we do know for sure is that...it would be a mistake to give the PA and PLO concessions in return for nothing and then hope for the best. It would be a mistake to reward Abbas merely for returning to negotiations he should never have left and that are not a favor to the United States or to Israel. As Trump policy develops, let's hope it treats the Palestinians as political actors (not objects of charity) with the power to make consequential decisions. And wrong decisions should have consequences, as should correct ones.

However, it was also reported yesterday that Trump's envoy Jason Greenblatt requested that Israel make concessions in advance, by ceasing construction outside of the "settlement blocs":

And, that Israel rejected the request (demand?):
Times of Israel:  Israel said to reject US demand for building freeze in isolated settlements

Finally today, there are denials from Israel that Trump ever demanded that Israel limit construction:
Arutz Sheva:  'Trump never demanded Israel limit settlement construction'

Which brings us to being no closer to understanding what was requested, demanded, agreed to, rejected, or denied.

What we do understand (and we hope Trump does too) is that Israeli concessions to enable negotiations have been tried before and are fruitless and ridiculous as well as dangerous. If one side does not even recognize the other side's right to exist, there is no reason for concessions, and of course, there is no reason for negotiations.


 
London
The Latest Terror Attack in London - What It's Really About

Daniel Greenfield sums it up:

Islamic terrorists aren't trying to defeat your values. They're trying to defeat you. Allahu Akbar isn't a debate, It's the conviction that Islam will win because Allah is stronger than your God. And Muslims will prove the point and disprove your religion by killing you.

Islamic terrorists don't operate like 19th century anarchists intellectually. Even if they borrow strategic and tactical ideas from them. 

They really are trying to kill you. And no you can't defeat them by asserting your values. Nice as they may be. You either beat them or they beat you. This isn't a war of ideas. The only way they win arguments is with corpses. 

THE TERRORISTS AREN'T TRYING TO "DEFEAT OUR VALUES", THEY'RE TRYING TO KILL US


 
may
View   A Powerful Video Of AFSI Chizuk Missions
 
Reservations are now closed for AFSI's historic May 2017 Chizuk Mission. However, AFSI will be returning to Israel in November during Parshat Chaye Sarah. Plan ahead and mark your calendars now!
 
Get a taste of an AFSI Chizuk Mission from our video on our website by clicking HERE .


 
Calendar
AFSI Calendar of Events
(Additional events can be found at israeladvocacycalendar.com)



Friday, March 24, 6:15 PM
Congregation Beit Edmond hosts Israeli Member of Knesset and Minister of Education & Minister of Disapora Affairs, Naftali Bennett,  for a special update from Israel, after Friday evening services beginning at 6:15 PM. 
Edmond J. Safra Synagogue 11 East 63 St. NYC

Tuesday, March 28, 6:00 PM (doors open)
Simon Wiesenthal Center presents Natan Sharansky speaking on Global Strategies to Defeat History's Oldest Hate
At Temple Israel, 112 East 75 St. NYC
6:00 PM - Doors Open 
6:30 PM - Lecture begins 
8:00 PM - VIP reception
Info: Michael Cohen 212-697-1291 or swcny@wiesenthal.com
Click HERE to register.

Wednesday, March 29, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Be an Ambassador Against BDS at the United Nations to combat the international campaign of demonization and delegitimization and to proclaim your unequivocal support for the State of Israel.
Register  HERE.

Sunday, April 2, 5:00 PM
Our Soldiers Speak sponsors their Annual Regional Conference, 2017, NYC:
What If The Two State Solution Is A Policy Of The Past?
A Strategic Assessment: Challenges. Alternatives. Opportunities.
At  The Paley Center for Media 25 West 52 St. NYC
Business Casual;  Wine & Cheese Will Be Served; Dessert Reception Will Follow
(Strictly Kosher)
Info: 516-672-6662;  Reserve HERE.  

Thursday, April 6, 6:00 PM
ISGAP presents: "How to Blunt Europe's Anti-Semitic BDS Campaigns
With Benjamin Weinthal, European Affairs Correspondent, Jerusalem Post, Fellow, Foundation for Defense of Democracies
Location: ISGAP Center, 165 E. 56th St. NYC, 3rd Floor
www.isgap.org

Thursday, April 20, 6:00 PM
ISGAP presents, "Violence Against Jews In The Unites States: A Historical Perspective And Analysis
Dr. Yehudit Barsky, ISGAP Research Fellow and Author;
At Columbia University, William and June Warren Hall, WJ Basement 107
1125 Amsterdam Ave., NYC

Sunday, April 23, 2:00 PM
Observance of Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day
At Congregation Emanu-El, Fifth Ave. & East 65 St.
Reserve tickets in advance  HERE.

Sunday, April 30, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
NYC's Upper West Side Celebrates Israel: Yom Ha'atzmaut Street Fair 2017
SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, May 9
21st Yeshivat Hesder Sderot Dinner
Terrace on the Park, Flushing, NY


 
Tel: 212-828-2424; 800-235-3658; Fax: 212-828-4538
www.afsi.org; judy@afsi.org; jonathan@afsi.org
Mark Langfan: Chairman
 Helen Freedman: Executive Director
Judy Kadish: Co-Executive Director
Jonathan Grauman: Research Analyst
 

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