LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
May 23/17

Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani

The Bulletin's Link on the lccc Site
http://data.eliasbejjaninews.com/newselias/english.may23.17.htm

 News Bulletin Achieves Since 2006
Click Here to go to the LCCC Daily English/Arabic News Buletins Archieves Since 2016

Bible Quotations For Today
I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 11/17-27/:"When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.’"

Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things
Letter to the Philippians 03/13-21/:"Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. Only let us hold fast to what we have attained. Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation so that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself."

Titles For Latest LCCC Bulletin analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on May 22-23/17
The Other is a Partner, Not an Enemy/Ghassan Charbel/Asharq Al Awsat/May 22/17
The Power of a Strong State Department/Stephen M. Walt/The New York Times/May 22/17
Trump Can Remake the Middle East/Bernard Haykel/Bloomberg/May 22/17
Say ‘yes’ to to US President Donald Trump’s deal of the millennium/Sallai Meridor/Jerusalem Post/May 22/17
Trump Can Break the Israeli-Palestinian Impasse/A.J. Caschetta/Gatestone Institute/May 22/17
The Trump Visit to Saudi Arabia: Time for Course Correction/Dr. Abdulaziz Sager//Asharq Al Awsat/May 22/17
Trump's Saudi Speech: Pretty Good/Daniel Pipes/National Review Online /May 21/17
A Month of Islam and Multiculturalism in Britain: April 2017/Soeren Kern/Gatestone Institute/May 22/17
Netanyahu and Trump give hopeful speeches for the future/Ynetnews|/May 22/17
Saudi Arabia, kingdom of hatred, fighting radicalization/Ben-Dror Yemini Ynetnews|/May 22/17
A Saudi embrace against Iran/Nadav Eyal/Ynetnews/May 22/17

Titles For Latest Lebanese Related News published on May 22-23/17
Revival of ‘Electoral Law’ Talks Expected following Hariri’s Return from Riyadh
Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Meets Lebanese Prime Minister
U.S., Saudi Stress Importance of 'Backing Lebanese State, Disarming Hizbullah'
Bassil Says Lebanese Delegation Was 'Unaware' of Summit Statement
Aoun, Macron Stress Keenness on Lebanese-French Ties in Phone Talks
Geagea Suggests Cabinet Vote on Proportional Representation
Raad Says 'Chaos' Eyes Lebanon if Vote Law Isn't Devised By June 20
Family Gunfight Leaves Three Syrians Dead in Arsal
Ibrahim: Battle against Takfiris Didn't Stop Us from Chasing Spies
Hariri, Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Hold Talks in Riyadh
Israeli Surveillance Drone Crashes in Aita al-Shaab
Geagea at ceremony in Maarab recommends vote in Cabinet on election law
Kataeb regrets circumstances surrounding Lebanon's participation in Riyadh Summit
Israeli Skylark drone crashes in Aita Shaab
Army Strategy for Energy and Water launched at Beirut Military Club
Hasbani visits Sidon Orthodox Archbishopric
Arslan, Ameri tackle latest developments
Khoury, Mounzeri tackle recent developments
Khalil, EU officials discuss growth enhancement

Titles For Latest LCCC Bulletin For Miscellaneous Reports And News published on May 22-23/17
Trump Sees ‘Rare Opportunity’ for Peace as he Kicks Off Israel Trip
UAE Calls on Iran to Respect Neighbors’ Sovereignty
Emir of Kuwait Stresses Protection of Saudi Border from Houthi Attacks
Moqtada al-Sadr Calls on Iran to Abandon ‘Political, Confessional Polemics’
Sisi Underlines Facing Terrorist Groups without Prejudice, Settling Palestinian Cause
Riyadh Summit, Clear Reasons behind Iran and Syria Absence
King of Jordan Calls for Coordinated and Global Action to Counter Terrorism
Rouhani Says Trump's Saudi Summit was 'Show with No Value'
Trump In Israel Says 'Rare Opportunity' to Bring Peace to Region
Trump Says Iran Must Never be Allowed to Have Nuclear Weapons
Hamas Says Trump Smeared 'Reputation of Palestinian Resistance'
Erdogan Steps into 2nd Term Heading AKP with Promises to Uphold Security, Fend off Terrorism
Malaysian PM: New Map to Cooperate, Achieve Peace
Bahrain: Prison Sentence Against Isa Qassim, his Aides in Money Laundering Case
Islamic Leaders, Trump Inaugurate Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology

British police say 19 dead, 50 injured in Manchester ‘terrorist incident’
By Rua’a AlameriظAl Arabiya English Tuesday, 23 May 2017
A blast on Monday night at a concert in the English city of Manchester where US singer Ariana Grande had been performing left at least 19 people dead and about 50 injured in what British police said was being treated as a terrorist incident. Police said they were responding to reports of an explosion and that there were a number of confirmed fatalities and others injured at the arena, which has a capacity for 21,000 people. British police said that they are treating the blast in Manchester arena as a possible terrorist incident. A bomb disposal unit arrived outside the Manchester Arena after the reported explosion, British media reported. A statement from Manchester Arena says that the incident took place outside the venue. The statement reads: “We can confirm there was an incident as people were leaving the Ariana Grande show last night. The incident took place outside the venue in a public space.”
Alex Warren, who was near to where the incident took place told Al Arabiya English the blast "rocked the gate to the Manchester Victoria station entrance as people were leaving" the concert. "It's Chaos, and many people are separated from parents" he said, "people are very angry and upset here." A witness who attended the concert said she felt a huge blast as she was leaving the arena, followed by screaming and a rush as thousands of people trying to escape. “We were making our way out and when we were right by the door there was a massive explosion and everybody was screaming,” concert-goer Catherine Macfarlane told Reuters. “It was a huge explosion - you could feel it in your chest. It was chaotic. Everybody was running and screaming and just trying to get out.”Witnesses reported that many children were at the concert. A barman at the nearby Steven Charles Snooker Club, who gave his name to the Press Association as Tyler, said he saw people lying on the ground covered in blood. Meanwhile British train lines out of Manchester Victoria station were blocked, the network rail said. Manchester Arena, the largest indoor arena in Europe, opened in 1995 and has a capacity for 21,000 people, according to its website. It is a popular concert and sporting venue. A spokesperson for Ariana Grande’s record label said that the singer was “okay”. A video posted on Twitter showed fans screaming and running out of the venue.
Britain is on its second-highest alert level of “severe” meaning an attack by militants is considered highly likely. (With Reuters)


Latest Lebanese Related News published on May 22-23/17
Revival of ‘Electoral Law’ Talks Expected following Hariri’s Return from Riyadh
Paula Astih/Asharq Al-Awsat/May 22/17/Beirut– Lebanon is awaiting the return of Prime Minister Saad Hariri from Riyadh this week to resume discussions over a new parliamentary electoral law, in the wake of a quasi-consensus over “proportionality” as the basis of any new voting system. In recent comments, Interior Minister Nohad al-Mashnouq said that parliamentary elections would be held before the end of the year, without specifying whether the polls would be based on the 1960 electoral law or a new voting system. In this regard, well-informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that while a quasi-consensus has been reached over the adoption of a law based on the proportional system, the 1960 electoral law, which is based on the “winner-takes-all” system, remains “strongly present as Plan B” to save the country from a possible parliamentary vacuum. In separate statements on Sunday, officials from the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) and the Future Movement (FM) have voiced their support to holding the parliamentary elections based on a proportional law.
FPM MP Salim Salhab said: “The parliamentary elections will be held according to a proportional law… as we reject vacuum, extension and the 1960 law.”In an interview with a local radio channel, Salhab ruled out any form of foreign interference in the elections, adding that an internal compromise would be reached as soon as possible over an electoral law that provides a fair representation to the different national factions. Future MP Hadi Hobeish, for his part, said that a proportional law would likely be adopted, noting that elections would take place before the end of the year. He stressed that all political parties were opposed to the extension of parliament’s term, adding that the elections would be possibly held in October. The deputy secretary general of “Hezbollah”, Naim Qassem, said on Sunday that a proportional voting system would provide the best representation for the different factions.
In this regard, Qassem called for speeding up the adoption of a proportional law “with some amendments” that would “ease some parties’ political concerns”.

Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Meets Lebanese Prime Minister
Asharq Al-Awsat/May 22/17/Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense met in Riaydh on Monday with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Saudi Press Agency reported. During the meeting, they reviewed aspects of relations between the two countries and latest developments in the region, SPA said. The meeting came a day after Hariri attended the Arab-Islamic-US summit that was held in Riyadh during the visit of US President Donald Trump.

U.S., Saudi Stress Importance of 'Backing Lebanese State, Disarming Hizbullah'
Naharnet/May 22/17/The United States and Saudi Arabia stressed during their landmark bilateral summit in Riyadh over the weekend “the importance of backing the Lebanese state to extend its sovereignty across its entire territory,” a joint statement said. The statement carried by the Saudi official news agency SPA said the two sides also underscored the need to “disarm terrorist groups such as Hizbullah and put all arms under the legitimate supervision of the Lebanese army.” U.S. President Donald Trump had compared Hizbullah in a landmark speech on Sunday to extremist organizations such as Islamic State and al-Qaida, as he lauded the Lebanese army for fighting IS and Lebanon for hosting a huge number of Syrian refugees. “The true toll of ISIS, al-Qaida, Hizbullah, Hamas, and so many others, must be counted not only in the number of dead. It must also be counted in generations of vanished dreams,” Trump said.
Applauding the Gulf Cooperation Council for “blocking funders from using their countries as a financial base for terror, and designating Hizbullah as a terrorist organization last year,” the U.S. leader also praised Saudi Arabia for joining Washington this week in “placing sanctions on one of the most senior leaders of Hizbullah,” Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, who is the head of the party's powerful executive council. “Of course, there is still much work to do,” Trump added. He lamented that “from Lebanon to Iraq to Yemen, Iran funds, arms, and trains terrorists, militias, and other extremist groups that spread destruction and chaos across the region.” Trump also acknowledged the Lebanese army's role in fighting IS militants on the eastern border, saying “many are already making significant contributions to regional security” and that “the Lebanese Army is hunting ISIS operatives who try to infiltrate their territory.” A defiant Safieddine had stressed earlier on Sunday that the U.S. administration will not be able to “harm the resistance,” three days after he was blacklisted by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia in an unprecedented "joint terrorist designation." “When the U.S. administration was in a good situation, it did not manage to harm the resistance, and therefore this mentally impeded and mad U.S. administration led by Trump will not be able to harm the resistance and they will not get anything,” the Hizbullah official added.

Bassil Says Lebanese Delegation Was 'Unaware' of Summit Statement
Naharnet/May 22/17/Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil said after the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh Sunday that Lebanon adheres to President Michel Aoun's oath of office and to the ministerial statement distancing the country from foreign turmoil. “We were not aware of the Riyadh announcement and believed that no statement would be issued at the end of the summit. It was a surprise to know about its issuance and content when we were flying back to Lebanon,” said Bassil in a tweet. Bassil's comments came after the Riyadh summit issued a statement that compared Hizbullah party to extremist organizations. “We adhere to the oath of office, to the ministerial statement, and to the policy of distancing Lebanon from foreign difficulties in order to save the Lebanese people and the country's unity,” added Bassil. During the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh, U.S. President Donald Trump compared Hizbullah in a landmark speech on Sunday to extremist organizations such as Islamic State and al-Qaida. However he lauded the Lebanese army for fighting IS and Lebanon for hosting a huge number of Syrian refugees. The U.S. leader praised Saudi Arabia for joining Washington this week in “placing sanctions on one of the most senior leaders of Hizbullah,” Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, who is the head of the party's powerful executive council. In 2016, Bassil expressed Lebanon's rejection of an Arab League statement condemning Hizbullah over alleged interference in Bahrain.

Aoun, Macron Stress Keenness on Lebanese-French Ties in Phone Talks
Naharnet/May 22/17/President Michel Aoun on Monday called French President Emmanuel Macron, congratulating him in the name of the Lebanese people on his election as France's new leader and wishing him success, Lebanon's National News Agency said. During the talks, Aoun underscored “Lebanon's keenness on boosting the relations with France and improving them in all fields,” NNA said. Macron for his part thanked Aoun for his wishes, emphasizing that “France's support for Lebanon's sovereignty, independence and unity will continue.” He also said that he is looking forward to “developing the ties between the two countries.”Talks also tackled “the general situations in the Middle East region in light of the latest developments.”

Geagea Suggests Cabinet Vote on Proportional Representation
Naharnet/May 22/17/Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Monday called for a vote in Cabinet on the proportional representation electoral system. “Unfortunately, today we are facing a host of bad options: extension (of parliament's term), which is rejected and would deal a blow to the new presidential tenure; the 1960 law which would be considered a failure for the new presidential tenure..., or vacuum which is rejected by everyone,” Geagea said.
He was speaking during a Maarab ceremony to announce the candidacy of LF member Antoine Habshi for the Baalbek-Hermel Maronite parliamentary seat.
Geagea added that a “simple solution” would be to vote in Cabinet on the electoral law.
“The most important thing is political stability. For example we can tackle the full proportional representation law that has been proposed by the other camp, on the condition that we vote on its details in Cabinet. This is the only solution left,” the LF leader said.

Raad Says 'Chaos' Eyes Lebanon if Vote Law Isn't Devised By June 20
Naharnet/May 22/17/Hizbullah MP Mohammed Raad warned that failure to agree on a new vote system before the constitutional deadline will trigger vacuum at the legislative and executive authorities, the National News Agency reported on Monday. Head of the Loyalty to the Resistance MP said political parties better agree on a new electoral law before June 20, “vacuum (at the legislative authority) is inadmissible in this country because it would mean the termination of the country, state and institutions.” The MP warned that vacuum at the parliament will be reflected at the government and presidency. Media reports circulated recently that the Shiite ministers allegedly plan to withdraw from the cabinet if an agreement on an electoral law is not reached before the parliament's term ends on June 20. “Agreement on an election law must take place before June 20. After this date, the country is threatened with chaos and instability," he said. "Vacuum does not mean the absence of a parliament but it rather means that we neither have a government nor a prime minister anymore. Moreover, the president of the republic will be left with nothing," he explained.

Family Gunfight Leaves Three Syrians Dead in Arsal
A gunfight that erupted overnight between two Syrian families in the outskirts of border town of Arsal, left three killed and several others injured, the National News Agency reported on Monday. A family dispute escalated into a machine gun fight between two Syrian families, one hailing from the Syrian town of Yabroud and another from Ras al-Maara, NNA said. The fight erupted in al-Malaab encampment and al-Jammaleh neighborhoods in Arsal. Three Syrian nationals were killed. They were identified as Jihad and Abdo Rahmoun from Ras al-Maara and Hassan al-Rifai.Other individuals were injured in the fight.

Ibrahim: Battle against Takfiris Didn't Stop Us from Chasing Spies
Naharnet/May 22/17/Associated Press/Naharnet/May 22/17/General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim stressed that the agency's strenuous efforts against terror groups entrenched on Lebanon's porous border, have not stop it from pursuing the battle against Israeli spies, Ad Diyar daily reported on Monday. The agency is increasingly vigilant in “monitoring and arresting Israeli agents,” said Ibrahim stressing that “the battle with Takfiri terrorism did not stop us from pursuing and dismantling networks dealing with the Israeli enemy,” he told the daily in an interview. Ibrahim's comments came after the detention of an Iraqi citizen over the weekend who was allegedly spying for Israel. “We are working on both lines in parallel without neglect, knowing that the Israeli and takfiri threats are two sides of the same terrorism," he stressed. Abbas pointed out that the Iraqi spy's detention came in line with the General Security’s “diligent” efforts, revealing that contacts were held with Iraqi authorities who were briefed on the details of the case. The National News Agency said on Saturday that the Iraqi citizen confessed that he was recruited by an arm of the Israeli Defense Ministry to gather information about the Lebanese army and certain personalities in Lebanon. The NNA report added that the person was also asked to recruit people in Lebanon to form a "sabotage network," and that he also recruited his brother in Iraq to spy for Israel. Lebanon and Israel technically remain at war, and more than 100 people in Lebanon have been arrested since 2009 on suspicion of collaborating with the Jewish state. Israel generally does not comment on such allegations.

Hariri, Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Hold Talks in Riyadh
Naharnet/May 22/17/Prime Minister Saad Hariri held talks on Monday in Riyadh with Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a statement issued by Hariri's media office said. Discussions between the two men focused on the Lebanese-Saudi ties and the latest developments in the region, it added. Hariri's meeting comes one day after leading a Lebanese delegation in the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh. Some 35 heads of state and government from Muslim-majority countries were in Riyadh for the summit, mainly from Sunni states friendly to Saudi Arabia.

Israeli Surveillance Drone Crashes in Aita al-Shaab
Naharnet/May 22/17/A small Israeli surveillance drone of the SkyLark type crashed Monday in the southern Lebanese border town of Aita al-Shaab, Lebanon's National News Agency said. The drone crashed near the U.N.-demarcated Blue Line on the Lebanese-Israeli border, NNA said. Israeli forces went on alert along the border in the wake of the incident as Israeli warplanes overflew the region, the agency added. Hizbullah-affiliated media reportedly took photographs of the drone before Lebanese authorities confiscated it for further inspection. The Israeli army meanwhile confirmed that a small Israeli military drone crashed in southern Lebanon on Monday afternoon. “The incident is being investigated,” the Times of Israel news portal quoted a military spokesperson as saying. “There did not appear to be a risk that classified information could be retrieved from the device,” the Israeli army said. According to the Times of Israel, it was the fourth time this year that an Israeli SkyLark drone crashed. Earlier this month, a senior Israeli army official told The Times of Israel that the incidents were not the result of a shared problem, but were caused by a mix of human and technical errors. In March, two SkyLark drones crashed, one in southern Syria and the other in the northern Gaza Strip. In January, a SkyLark drone crashed in southern Lebanon, prompting a mad dash by Israeli forces to recover the aircraft. The next day, Hizbullah reported that it had retrieved pieces of the destroyed drone.In August 2015, Hamas claimed it had captured an Israeli SkyLark drone in the Gaza Strip and reassembled it.

Geagea at ceremony in Maarab recommends vote in Cabinet on election law
Mon 22 May 2017/NNA - Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Monday said that the straightforward solution to the stalled election law would be to vote in Cabinet on the full proportional representation system, forwarded by the other political camp. "That's the sole remaining solution on the table," Geagea said during a ceremony to announce the candidacy of LF member Antoine Habshi for the Baalbek-Hermel Maronite parliamentary seat. Geagea regrettably said: "Alas, we're nowadays in front of dire options, either extending the Parliament's term and this is unwanted and considered a blow to the new tenure... or the 1960 vote law which is deemed a failure to the new tenure.. or vacuum which is rejected by all."As such, the LF leader highly recommended the notion of voting in Cabinet on the details of the full representation voting system as the "sole remaining way out."Geagea also highlighted the significance of political stability as "the most important thing."On the other hand, Geagea said it is due time for the LF to have a candidate running for the Baalbek-Hermel Maronite parliamentary seat.

Kataeb regrets circumstances surrounding Lebanon's participation in Riyadh Summit
Mon 22 May 2017/NNA - Kataeb Party regretted all the wooly circumstances that surrounded Lebanon's participation in the Riyadh Summit, starting from the absence of the presidency status from said summit, failing to inform the Lebanese delegation on final statement content, and crossing out Lebanon's word from the official speeches' listing. "All this is a direct result of the submission of political authority to the logic of arms and its subordinance to a regional axis, instead of its commitment to Lebanon's impartiality and sovereignty," Kataeb Party said in a statement issued in the wake of its periodic politburo meeting, presided over by Party chief MP Sami Gemayel. The meeting broached most recent developments on the local arena. The Phalange Party warned that this may usher the beginning of Lebanon's exit from international legitimacy, cautioning against serious repercussions on the political and economic situation in the country. Kataeb underlined that a fair election law that secures just representation of every political group immunes the country and protect it from sliding into the dark tunnel.

Israeli Skylark drone crashes in Aita Shaab
Mon 22 May 2017/NNA - An Israeli Skylark spy drone has crashed today in border Aita Shaab near the Blue Line, National News Agency correspondent reported on Monday.
Enemy troops immediately mobilized at the borders, as warplanes flew over the region.

Army Strategy for Energy and Water launched at Beirut Military Club
Mon 22 May 2017/NNA - A launching ceremony of the Lebanese Army Strategy for Energy and Water took place at the Central Military Club, Manara-Beirut, on Monday, with the participation of Minister of National Defense, Yaacoub Sarraf, representing President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Saad Hariri. The initiative is funded by the European Union, and implemented in collaboration with the Engineering Directorate at the Lebanese army and CEDRO Project. The event was also attended by Army Chief General Joseph Aoun, Chief of Staff General Hatem Malak, and a panel of diplomatic and military figures."Bringing this project into effect shall reduce a tremendous financial burden, and open the door to youth to find job opportunities," Minister Yaacoub indicated in his word. He added that the project would also "make an accomplishment" as to pollution. For his part, General Aoun noted that the Lebanese army included substantial potentials and expertise to help achieve the sought development. In turn, EU Ambassador to Lebanon Christina Lassen and UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag highlighted, in their respective speeches, the EU and UN confidence in the role of the Lebanese military.

Hasbani visits Sidon Orthodox Archbishopric
Mon 22 May 2017/NNA - Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Public Health Ghassan Hasbani, on Monday visited the Greek Orthodox Archbishopric in Sidon, where he was received by a panel of the city's Spiritual Gathering's figures, including Archbishops Elias Kfoury, Maroun Sader, and Elie Haddad, and Muftis Salim Sussan and Mohammad Osserian. In a word delivered on the occasion, Hasbani saluted the Gathering's action "which mirrors the national life in Sidon, where coexistence between Christians and Muslims is a model." He explained that his visit today aimed to take note of the issues the capital of the south was facing, especially on the level of healthcare and infrastructure. He also revealed that he was working on a comprehensive project regarding hospitals, indicating that part of the funding has been provided by the World Bank with the aim of modernizing public hospitals.

Arslan, Ameri tackle latest developments
Mon 22 May 2017/NNA - Head of the Lebanese Democratic Party, Minister of the Displaced, Talal Arslan, on Monday received at his ministerial office Iraqi Ambassador to Lebanon, Ali Al Ameri, with talks between the pair reportedly touching on most recent political developments in Lebanon and the broader region.

Khoury, Mounzeri tackle recent developments
Mon 22 May 2017/NNA - Culture Minister, Dr. Ghattas Khoury, on Monday received at his ministerial office Omani Ambassador to Lebanon, Mohammad Ben Bandar al-Mounzeri, with talks reportedly touching on most recent developments and bilateral relations, notably at the cultural level. Talks majorly dwelt on the Omani donation to build the House of Culture and Arts in Beirut.

Khalil, EU officials discuss growth enhancement
Mon 22 May 2017/NNA - Minister of Finance, Ali Hassan Khalil, on Monday welcomed European Union Ambassador to Lebanon Christina Lassen, and EU Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations Director General Michael Kohler. Talks reportedly focused on an array of financial and economic affairs, in addition to the means to provide easy loans for Lebanon, to invest in vital service sectors. Conferees also discussed the means to create job opportunities and bolster overall growth. Furthermore, the meeting touched on the ways to help Lebanon address the massive presence of displaced Syrians on its territories. Conferees accordingly highlighted the strategic partnership between Lebanon and the EU, and the latter's commitment to support the country in times of crises. "Development is the goal, and so are enhancing growth and creating job opportunities, something that the Ministry of Finance and the entire government are seeking," Minister Khalil indicated.

Latest LCCC Bulletin For Miscellaneous Reports And News published on May 22-23/17
Trump Sees ‘Rare Opportunity’ for Peace as he Kicks Off Israel Trip
Asharq Al-Awsat/May 22/17/US President Donald Trump arrived in Israel on Monday stressing the need for cooperation to achieve peace in the region and its people. Trump landed in Tel Aviv on Monday afternoon, welcomed by officials including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he walked along a red carpet ahead of a brief ceremony. He arrived in Israel to seek ways to achieve Israeli-Palestinian peace, speaking of a “rare opportunity” to bring stability to the turbulent region. Trump’s visit is part of his first trip abroad as president and follows an initial stop in Saudi Arabia, where he urged Islamic leaders to confront extremism. Security was extremely tight, with Israeli police deploying some 10,000 officers. The alleys and passageways of Jerusalem’s ancient Old City, which Trump will visit later in the day, were essentially under lockdown. “On my first trip overseas as president, I have come to this sacred and ancient land to reaffirm the unbreakable bond between the United States and the state of Israel,” Trump said.He said later: “We have before us a rare opportunity to bring security and stability and peace to this region and to its people, defeating terrorism and creating a future of harmony, prosperity and peace. But we can only get there working together. There is no other way.”For his part, Netanyahu said he hoped Trump’s visit would be a “historic milestone” in achieving regional peace. “May your first trip to our region prove to be a historic milestone on the path towards reconciliation and peace,” he said in a welcome speech to Trump. He said Israel shared the United States’ commitment to peace and that, “Israel’s hand is extended in peace to all our neighbors, including the Palestinians.” Ahead of talks with Netanyahu, Trump will tour two iconic sites in Jerusalem, a city holy to Muslims, Christians and Jews.The first will be the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built at the site where Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected. Afterwards, he is expected to become the first sitting US president to visit the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray and located in east Jerusalem. The Western Wall visit drew controversy before Trump even left Washington, when US officials declined to say whether it belonged to Israel. “Jerusalem was and will always be the capital of Israel,” Netanyahu said late Sunday, adding that the Western Wall “will always remain under Israeli sovereignty”. The status of Jerusalem is ultra-sensitive and has been among the most difficult issues in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Israel occupied east Jerusalem and the West Bank in 1967 in moves never recognized by the international community. It later annexed east Jerusalem and claims the entire city as its capital. The Palestinians see east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. On Tuesday, Trump will meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem in the West Bank, visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem and give a speech at the Israel Museum. Any leader would face an enormous challenge in seeking to bring the Israelis and Palestinians together for meaningful talks, and Trump’s inexperience and domestic political struggles will only add to it. He has spoken of his self-described deal-making prowess in declaring that the “ultimate deal” is possible, vowing “we will get it done”. “It is something that I think is frankly maybe not as difficult as people have thought over the years,” Trump said when meeting Abbas in Washington earlier this month.After Israel and the Palestinian territories, Trump will head to the Vatican along with Brussels and Italy for NATO and G7 meetings.

UAE Calls on Iran to Respect Neighbors’ Sovereignty
Asharq Al-Awsat/May 22/17/Riyadh- UAE has described the Iranian role as negative and a dangerous challenge through the interventions that trigger sectarianism and extremism. It called on Iran to reconsider its policies, to respect the sovereignty of its neighbors, to communicate based on good-neighborliness and abstain from interfering in what supports security and safety in the region. The UAE has paid a tribute to the historic initiative of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for convening the Arab Islamic American Summit. “This cordial invitation to attend and participate in this historic summit promises an exceptional era that brings a genuine dialogue among civilizations, true interaction among cultures and a serious vision of a peaceful, safe and secured world that enjoys stability and growth for all of us with no exception,” UAE said in a statement. “This historic event inaugurates a new phase of distinguished relations between the US and our states within a framework of strategic cooperation and openness towards other cultures and civilizations and the keen desire to achieve stability and to push further towards addressing all issues of common interest,” according to the statement.
It added that this new phase will contribute to building bridges among peoples, overcoming gaps, transcending differences and moving forward towards greater understanding and more alliances at all levels. The UAE believes that “extremism and terrorism are by no means linked to a given culture, religion, society or state. It is a danger faced by all of us with no exception. It believes that no state, community, organizations or individuals can face this imminent danger alone and in isolation from the others.” It also commended the Islamic Alliance, led by the Saudi Arabia, which establishes a leading model of cooperation and international alliances to counter extremism and violence. “We call on Iran to cease interference, respect the sovereignty of its neighbors, and communicate on the basis of good-neighborliness and not to interfere with the region’s security and stability,” the statement concluded.

Emir of Kuwait Stresses Protection of Saudi Border from Houthi Attacks
Asharq Al-Awsat/May 22/17/Riyadh – Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has stressed the importance of safeguarding Saudi Arabia’s border against continuous attacks by Houthi insurgents in Yemen. Speaking before the Gulf-US summit held in Riyadh, the Emir said that developments in Yemen pose a threat to security and stability in the region, especially Saudi Arabia. “We do not deny here the urgent need for help from our allies topped by the United States of America, as the conflict is not only with Yemen, but there is an outside party that provides them with weapons and money to kill the people of Yemen and neighboring countries”. The Emir stressed that a solution would only be political and through pressure on the warring parties to return to the negotiating table. He mentioned that Kuwait hosted the Yemeni peace consultations for more than three months, but unfortunately they did not produce any positive results. Things became more complicated as a result of external interventions. The Emir pointed out that the deteriorating situation in Syria forces everyone to move as quickly as possible to end the disaster there. “We believe that the United States of America has a great role in putting an end to this conflict while at the same time we appreciate its efforts in this regard,” the Emir stated. With regards to the Middle East peace process, the Emir highlighted that the impasse necessitates a breakthrough, to avoid its negative repercussions on the region. The Kuwaiti Emir urged Washington to exert pressure on the Palestinian and Israeli sides to find a just and comprehensive solution. “We believe that the relations between states of the region must be based on the basic rules of international law, foremost of which is respect for the sovereignty and systems of states and non-interference in their internal affairs under any pretext and the deepening of good-neighborliness,” he said. He hoped that the new Iranian presidency will embody the foundations of non-interference in order to achieve security and stability in the region. The Emir said that more efforts need to be exerted to eliminate ISIS, making it a priority for the world to enjoy security and peace. “The achievements of the coalition countries and the US-led forces to liberate Mosul and the city of Raqqa reflect this cooperation and coordination,” he said. The Emir expressed his aspirations for working together to strengthen strategic partnership in all its dimensions, and concluded: “Together we can face the challenges that surround our region and our world.”

Moqtada al-Sadr Calls on Iran to Abandon ‘Political, Confessional Polemics’
Asharq Al-Awsat/May 22/17/Baghdad – Iraqi Sadrist Movement Leader Moqtada al-Sadr called on the Iranian government to stay away from “political and confessional polemics”, which have yielded negatively on the region. Sadr’s statements came in a letter addressed to the Iranian leadership on the occasion of the re-election of President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday. Sadr congratulated Rouhani for his victory, but urged the Persian State to end regional policies of “negative” impacts. “We congratulate the Iranian people for the victory of their reformist, moderate candidate despite the fervent political rivalry,” Sadr said in a statement. The Iraqi cleric, on the other hand, urged the Iranian government to “steer away from all kinds of policy that negatively affect the region,” adding that “the situation can bear no more” escalation. He also urged Tehran to adopt a policy of openness towards regional countries, which he did not name, and to “give up political and sectarian disputes”.It was the first time since 2003 that an Iraqi politician and religious leader asks Iran to end its confessional policies. Rouhani, who is in office since August 2013, was elected president for a second term, by gathering on Saturday more than 57% of Iranian votes. He was competing against his conservative opponent, Ebrahim Raisi. Sadr met on Saturday with anti-corruption activists in al-Najaf, who were recently released by an armed group, the Baghdad Post reported. Unidentified gunmen in SUVs abducted the seven activists on May 9 in Baghdad, the interior ministry said. In a press statement, Sadr said: “I declare my readiness to protect them (activists) in coordination with the government.”

Sisi Underlines Facing Terrorist Groups without Prejudice, Settling Palestinian Cause
Asharq Al-Awsat/May 22/17/Riyadh- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi told the Arab-Islamic-US summit in Riyadh on Sunday that there are four elements to deal with terrorism – facing terrorist groups without prejudice, confronting all dimensions of the terrorism phenomenon, eradicating terrorist groups’ ability to recruit new fighters and settling the Palestinian cause based on a fair, final and comprehensive solution. He commenced his speech with conveying the salutation of Egyptian Muslims and Copts. Sisi said that the summit has a symbolic value and the decisiveness amongst everyone reflects the wish to renew partnership between Arab and Islamic states, and the US. In this context, the president talked about Egypt’s battle with terrorist groups in North Sinai and the attempt to obliterate terrorism with the least human losses. He pledged to defeat terrorist groups and to partner and lend a helping hand to all allies in the battle against all these organizations everywhere. Sisi wondered about the safe havens for training fighters of terrorist groups. “Who is buying from them natural resources that fall under their control such as oil?” he further asked. “Where do they get their funds from?”He hinted that some countries are involved in financing terrorist organizations and providing them with safe havens. He said some countries refuse to share information they have about terrorist activity even with the Interpol. Sisi praised US President Donald Trump’s vision and decisive policies in facing terrorism. “I have no doubt that the US contribution will bring about the qualitative change needed in the fight against terrorism,” he said. He also asked the summit for a timeframe for presenting a comprehensive strategy to eradicate terrorism.

Riyadh Summit, Clear Reasons behind Iran and Syria Absence
Abdullah Al Haydah/May 22/17/As expected, Iran and Syria weren’t invited to the Arab-Islamic-US summit that was concluded in Riyadh on Sunday. There are several reasons but the result is one: isolating them. Whether they weren’t invited or they didn’t attend, it is all the same. Certainly, if they were present they wouldn’t have been in a good situation after hearing the words of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and US President Donald Trump who were clear that the Iranian regime sponsors terrorism and spreads extremism. King Salman stated that the Iranian regime is the spearhead of international terrorism since the revolution of Khomeini and until today. Trump said that Iran is spreading destruction and chaos in the region and is responsible for funding terrorism and must be isolated by all countries of the world. During a joint press conference with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said that Iran and Syria did not attend the Riyadh Summit and must stop triggering sectarianism and meddling in the affairs of the region’s countries. Tillerson affirmed that Iran should stop its support to terrorism and its interference in the affairs of Yemen, Iraq and Syria as well as its backing to Lebanon’s “Hezbollah”. Iran has had a golden opportunity to achieve its strategy through importing its revolution so it exploited the developments in the Arab world. Yemen became a theatre, Iraq was taken hostage by its militias and Syria became another point in the quest to achieve the strategy of chaos in the region. The case is the same in Yemen that is in distress because of the crimes committed by the Houthis – the military and political arm of Iran in the troubled republic.

King of Jordan Calls for Coordinated and Global Action to Counter Terrorism
Asharq Al-Awsat/May 22/17/Riyadh – King of Jordan Abdullah II called for coordinated and global action at every level to counter terrorism, reiterating that a fair solution for the Palestinian cause must be reached. During the Arab-Islamic-US summit held in Riyadh on Sunday, the monarch said the meeting is an effective response to the serious threats facing the world. He stated that the future will be shaped by actions, urging: “We all have to work in partnership in four key areas.”The King explained the four key areas include the grave challenge of terrorism and extremism. “Only a holistic approach can address the complex layers of the threat, from its evil ideas to its attack on prosperity and security. As you have mentioned, this demands coordinated and global action at every level,” King Abdullah told the summit. He reiterated that success requires mutual trust as well as strength, explaining that the fight will not be won if “we do not recognize our friends as our friends and our enemies as our enemies.”Terrorist groups employ a false religious identity and their aim is to mislead and polarize societies and peoples, he added. King Abdullah stressed that terrorist groups do not inhabit the fringes of Islam and described them as outlaws of Islam. He noted that Arabs and Muslims make up the majority of the terrorists’ victims, adding that intolerance and ignorance will only aid terror groups. “A second and equally vital challenge is a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian cause, based on the two-state solution and the Arab Peace Initiative. This can bring an end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and guarantee peace for all, Israelis, Arabs and Muslims,” said the King. He described the absence of a Palestinian state as a core issue for the region that has driven radicalism and instability into the Muslim world. The international community has a direct interest in a just peace, he pointed out, adding that the Arab and Muslim world offered its full support for effective negotiations. Addressing US President Trump who was present at the summit, King Abdullah thanked him for his determination to work towards bringing a settlement to this festering conflict. He told the Riyadh summit that safeguarding Jerusalem must be a priority and it is vital to relationships among the three monotheistic faiths, insisting that any attempts to create new negotiating factors on the ground will have a “catastrophic” impact. He urged all attendees to become engaged in averting these dangers. “To me personally, and to all Jordanians, the Hashemite Custodianship of Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian Holy Sites is an unbreakable, historical responsibility and an honor to undertake on behalf of the Arab and Muslim nations,” he informed them.
King Abdullah mentioned that the fourth critical task is to sharpen public focus on the values that will protect and enrich humanity’s future: mutual respect, compassion and acceptance. There are nearly two billion Muslim men and women today, who enrich the world with their kindness, generosity, justice, civic family duty and faith. “Their lives express Islam’s teachings on acceptance, humility before God, compassion and peaceful coexistence,” he said. The king concluded his speech by stressing that the future is based on deeds not words, adding: “We are all accountable for our commitment to fight radicalization in all its forms. We must enhance our joint efforts, so that we are better able, with God’s help, to serve our peoples and future generations.”

Rouhani Says Trump's Saudi Summit was 'Show with No Value'
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/May 22/17/Iran's newly re-elected President Hassan Rouhani on Monday dismissed his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump's summit with Arab leaders in Saudi Arabia this weekend as "just a show.""The gathering in Saudi Arabia was just a show with no practical or political value of any kind," Rouhani said at a press conference. In a jibe at the billion-dollar deals signed between Trump and the Saudi government, Rouhani said: "You can't solve terrorism just by giving your people's money to a superpower." He said Friday's election in Iran that saw Rouhani convincingly defeat hardline challenger Ebrahim Raisi had been a message to the world that Tehran was ready for engagement. "We wanted to tell the world that on the basis of mutual respect and shared interests, we are to ready to have interaction," he said.

Trump In Israel Says 'Rare Opportunity' to Bring Peace to Region
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/May 22/17/US President Donald Trump spoke of a "rare opportunity" to bring stability to the region as he landed in Israel on Monday to seek ways to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts. Trump also hailed the "unbreakable bond" between the United States and Israel as he spoke at a brief ceremony at the airport in Tel Aviv after landing. "On my first trip overseas as president, I have come to this sacred and ancient land to reaffirm the unbreakable bond between the United States and the state of Israel," Trump said. He said later: "We have before us a rare opportunity to bring security and stability and peace to this region and to its people, defeating terrorism and creating a future of harmony, prosperity and peace. But we can only get there working together. There is no other way."Trump will hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later in the day and travel to the occupied West Bank on Tuesday to meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.

Trump Says Iran Must Never be Allowed to Have Nuclear Weapons
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/May 22/17/U.S. President Donald Trump traveled to Jerusalem on Monday to seek ways to achieve Israeli-Palestinian peace, but also used the visit to again lash out at Iran. Trump's visit is part of his first trip abroad as president and follows an initial stop in Saudi Arabia, where he urged Islamic leaders to confront extremism while also criticizing Iran. It also comes as he contends with a raft of problems back home, including a special counsel investigating whether his associates colluded with Russia. Trump landed in Tel Aviv on Monday afternoon, welcomed by officials including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he walked along a red carpet ahead of a brief ceremony. He later traveled by helicopter to Jerusalem and, in remarks at Israeli President Reuven Rivlin's residence, launched his latest salvo against Iran."The United States and Israel can declare with one voice that Iran must never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon -- never ever -- and must cease its deadly funding, training and equipping of terrorists and militias," Trump said. "And it must cease immediately."While in Saudi Arabia, Trump accused Iran of fueling "the fires of sectarian conflict and terror" while calling for its international isolation.
Tight security
Security was extremely tight for the Israeli leg of the visit, with police deploying some 10,000 officers. The alleys and passageways of Jerusalem's ancient Old City, which Trump visited later in the day, were essentially under lockdown. Ahead of talks with Netanyahu, Trump was touring two iconic sites in Jerusalem, a city holy to Muslims, Christians and Jews. The first was the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built at the site where Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected. He could be seen entering the holy site along with first lady Melania Trump under heavy security. Afterwards, he is expected to become the first sitting U.S. president to visit the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray and located in east Jerusalem. The Western Wall visit drew controversy before Trump even left Washington, when U.S. officials declined to say whether it belonged to Israel.
The status of Jerusalem is ultra-sensitive and has been among the most difficult issues in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Israel occupied east Jerusalem and the West Bank in 1967 in moves never recognized by the international community. It later annexed east Jerusalem and claims the entire city as its capital. The Palestinians see east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.
Enormous challenge
Ahead of their meeting, Netanyahu's security cabinet adopted a series of measures aimed at benefiting the Palestinian economy, moves seen as confidence-building measures requested by Trump. They reportedly included new building permits for Palestinians in the part of the West Bank entirely under Israeli control, which occurs only rarely. Most of the West Bank is under complete Israeli control and Palestinians face extremely long odds in being granted building permits in those areas, while Israeli settlement building has meanwhile continued.
"On my first trip overseas as president, I have come to this sacred and ancient land to reaffirm the unbreakable bond between the United States and the state of Israel," Trump said at the airport after arriving. He said later: "We have before us a rare opportunity to bring security and stability and peace to this region and to its people, defeating terrorism and creating a future of harmony, prosperity and peace." On Tuesday, Trump will meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem in the West Bank, visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem and give a speech at the Israel Museum.
Any leader would face an enormous challenge in seeking to bring the Israelis and Palestinians together for meaningful talks, and Trump's inexperience and domestic political struggles will only add to it. He has spoken of his self-described deal-making prowess in declaring that the "ultimate deal" is possible, vowing "we will get it done." Trump has sent mixed signals about how he will approach the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He cast uncertainty over years of international efforts to foster a two-state solution when he met Netanyahu at the White House in February.
Embassy move unclear
At that meeting, he said he would support a single state if it led to peace, delighting Israeli right-wingers who want to see most of the West Bank annexed. At the same time, he urged Israel to hold back on settlement building in the West Bank, a longstanding concern of Palestinians and much of the world. Trump advocated during his campaign breaking with decades of precedent and moving the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, deeply alarming Palestinians. He has since said the move was still being looked at.
Trump's seeming openness to at least some of Abbas's concerns has given Palestinians more reason for hope than many may have expected, but still reason to remain wary, some analysts say. On the Israeli side, Netanyahu heads what is seen as the most right-wing government in the country's history, and members of his coalition were elated with Trump's election. Some even called for an end to the idea of a Palestinian state. Trump's actions since have left them disappointed, with the embassy remaining in Tel Aviv -- at least for now -- and the White House seeking to restart peace efforts. However, the United States remains Israel's most important ally, providing it with more than $3 billion in defense aid annually. After Israel and the Palestinian territories, Trump will head to the Vatican along with Brussels and Italy for NATO and G7 meetings.

Hamas Says Trump Smeared 'Reputation of Palestinian Resistance'
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/May 22/17/Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas accused U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday of smearing the name of "Palestinian resistance" to Israeli occupation during a speech on Islam. Addressing Muslim leaders in Riyadh on Sunday, Trump called for unity against "Islamic terror," specifically naming Hamas and the Islamic State group. Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhum said Trump's remarks were "aimed at besmirching the reputation of the Palestinian resistance."The movement refused to be treated as a "terrorist" organization, he told AFP. Senior Hamas official Mushir al-Masri said Trump was "aligning himself with the policies of the (Israeli) occupier."In his speech, Trump called on Muslim leaders to confront "the crisis of Islamic extremism and the Islamists and Islamic terror of all kinds." He specifically named Sunni jihadist groups IS and al-Qaida and Lebanon's Shiite movement Hizbullah alongside Hamas. Hamas used force to seize control of the Gaza Strip from secular Palestinian rivals in 2007 after winning an election. It is considered a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union and Israel, with which it has fought three wars in the Gaza Strip since 2008. Trump arrived in Israel Monday and is due to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later in the day. He is to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Tuesday as he seeks ways to restart moribund Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts.

Erdogan Steps into 2nd Term Heading AKP with Promises to Uphold Security, Fend off Terrorism
Said Abdul RazzakAsharq Al-Awsat/May 22/17/Ankara – After recently winning over sweeping powers by a referendum’s yes vote, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was re-elected to head the nation’s ruling party. Erdogan has just returned to rule the Justice and Development Party (AKP) after 998 days of running foreign and internal issues, and spearheading efforts to counter the Gulen movement, which Turkey designated as a terror organization. Turkey has been overwhelmed with the continued state of emergency declared after the attempted coup in mid-July 2016. With a two-hour speech at the third extraordinary general AKP conference—at which a single candidate for party leadership was put forward in early implementation of the constitutional amendments voted by the April 16 referendum– Erdogan reviewed the party’s history over the past decade and its achievements in fields of economy, health, education, services and various state facilities. “We are together again after three years,” Erdogan said in his candidate speech. “Our hearts were not divided… we lived as one heart.”In a thank you speech, Erdogan vowed the congress would mark a “new start” for Turkey. “In the next few months, from the fight against terror to the economy, from expanding rights and freedoms to investments, in every field, this new period will be a leap for Turkey.”In a thinly-veiled promise to see the end of the Gulen movement, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), and ISIS in Syria and Iraq, Erdogan told thousands of cheering supporters in the Ankara sports arena that “rather than facing our people with our heads down tomorrow, we prefer to stand tall today against the scum at home and abroad.”Responding to internal and external criticism calling to end Turkey’s state of emergency announced upon the backdrop of the failed coup attempt, Erdogan said drew comparisons with Europe’s France. “In France, they declared a state of emergency for a year because of the killing of 15 people. We suffered the loss of 249 martyrs, as well as the wounding 2,193 of our citizens in the abortive coup attempt, how could we be asked to abolish the state of emergency? We will uphold maximum security until things return to normal. ”Erdogan became the first president to lead a party since 1950, taking back the AKP reins from Binali Yildirim, who remains prime minister until elections set for 2019.

Malaysian PM: New Map to Cooperate, Achieve Peace
Asharq Al-Awsat/May 22/17/Riyadh – Malaysian Prime Minister Mohammed Najib Abdul Razak has stressed the importance of holding the Arab Islamic American Summit in this timing, describing it as a historic summit that would come out with a new map for cooperating and achieving peace.
Abdul Razak commended efforts of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to serve Islamic causes, adding that the latest visit of King Salman to Malaysia reinforced the cooperation especially on the economic level – Aramco invested USD7 billion in an oil refinery project with Petronas – Malaysian oil and gas company. He pointed out that his country’s ties with Saudi Arabia are one of the reasons that push Malaysia to fully back this summit and agree with its purposes to increase forgiveness and coexistence as well as to reinforce security and stability. He also emphasized that Arab states must join efforts and introduce religion tolerance, adding that the Malaysian government reinforces the concept of moderation. Malaysian Prime Minister affirmed that the terrorism phenomenon is not linked to Islam and most terrorists say that they were deceived by false preachers. He continued that there should be no doubts that terrorists’ threat of Islam is still in its highest level. Abdul Razak noted that Malaysia suffered the first attempted terrorist attack last year and deterred other operations. Malaysian Prime Minister concluded that fighting terrorist ISIS is a major point on today’s agenda and Malaysia with US President Donald Trump are both committed to eradicate terrorism. He also called on Islamic states to face terrorism in a quick and decisive manner.

Bahrain: Prison Sentence Against Isa Qassim, his Aides in Money Laundering Case
Obaid Al-Suhaymi/Asharq Al Awsat/May 22/17/Manama- Bahrain’s Judiciary gave on Sunday Isa Qassim and his aides Hussein Youssef Al-Qassab and Mirza Al-Darazi, a one-year suspended prison sentence on charges of illegal fundraising and money laundering. The verdict also fined each one of the three accused a sum of $265,000 and the confiscation of the seized assets related to the case. Still, the three accused men and the Public Prosecution could either appeal or refer the case to the court of cassation, before the verdict is final. The case of Isa Qassim emerged after the Bahraini government dissolved the religious society of Al-Tawiya al-Islamiya in June 2016, while deliberations have continued for about a year. Qassim’s case also started when the Bahraini Security Authorities said they found a large sum of money in one of his private bank accounts. A report issued by the Bahraini Central Bank uncovered that the deposits in Qassim’s four bank accounts have reached $14 million, adding that Qassim had already withdrawn a sum of $6.6 million from these accounts. On July 20, 2016, Bahrain revoked Qassim’s citizenship, accusing him of sowing sectarian divisions. Bahrain’s Public Prosecution had launched intensive investigations to find out all the facts and follow up on the evidence relating to the process of how Qassim’s funds were raised, collected and spent, by monitoring and documenting the banking and financial movements made by the defendants. On Sunday, the Public Prosecution Advocate General stated that the High Criminal Court issued its verdict in the case concerning the illegal collection of funds and the laundering of money obtained through criminal offences. The court also ruled a fine of 100,000 Bahraini Dinars for each and the confiscation of the seized assets related to the case, Bahrain’s News Agency (BNA) said.The advocate General said the Public Prosecution is currently looking into the verdicts to determine whether it will appeal, BNA added.

Islamic Leaders, Trump Inaugurate Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology
Abdul Hadi Habtoor/Asharq Al Awsat/May 22/17/Riyadh – Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and US President Donald Trump inaugurated in Riyadh on Sunday the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology (EATEDAL ) along with the leaders and representatives of 55 Arab and Islamic countries. EATEDAL seeks to become a global authority on combatting extremist ideology and a beacon for disseminating moderation. The inauguration took place after the Arab-Islamic-US summit that was held in Riyadh also on Sunday. King Salman stressed at the opening that terrorism is the product of terrorism and that the decision to establish EATEDAL stemmed from the need to confront it. The center will help fortify families and communities and protect them against the lure to join terrorism. This will take place in cooperation with peace-loving countries and international organizations, he added.
He stated: “As part of our ongoing war against terrorism, we stress our determination to destroy ISIS and other terrorist groups regardless of their religion, sect or ideology. This is what prompted us to establish the Islamic Military Coalition to Combat Terrorism, in a pioneering step to counter terror.”For his part, Trump hailed the inauguration of EATEDAL, deeming it an important step in the confrontation against terrorism and terrorist groups around the world. He noted that more than 90 percent of terror victims come from the Islamic world, adding that there is a responsibility on these people to expel and shun the extremists in order for them to live in peace.EATEDAL will combat terrorism on the ideological, media and digital levels. On the ideological level, the center will seek to spread moderation. The media aspect seeks to devise a media strategy and offer material that calls for peaceful coexistence. Extremist ideology will meanwhile be monitored on the digital level.
The media and digital monitoring will take place around the clock. The gathered information will be analyzed in order to determine the reason for such extremism. It will be countered with moderate ideology and the production of media material that calls for tolerance.
Secretary General of EATEDAL, Dr. Nasser al-Baqmi described the center as a “decisive” step that is based on the world’s firm will to stand against terrorism. The center enjoys “unprecedented” technical capabilities in combating extremist ideology and its activities over the internet and social media. It will develop high quality programs that are capable of monitoring and analyzing extremist content with high accuracy, he revealed. The center’s technical capabilities can operate in all languages and dialects that are commonly used in extremist ideology. Two advanced demos are being developed. They will be able to pinpoint the geographic locations that are harboring terror and extremist ideology, said Baqmi. The demos will help determine the digital platforms and shed light on extremist hubs and secret sources of recruitment. Saudi Arabia set up EATEDAL within 30 days only through the exceptional efforts of more than 350 qualified Saudi youths.It is a product of international cooperation to confront extremist ideology that leads to terrorism, which the common enemy of the world. EATEDAL was established with the help of many countries and includes a number of international experts in countering extremist media rhetoric.

Latest LCCC Bulletin analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on May 22-23/17
The Other is a Partner, Not an Enemy
Ghassan Charbel/Asharq Al Awsat/May 22/17
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/?p=55533
What do we do with the other who does not resemble us? The other who lives across the sea, in the nearby neighborhood, or the same building. The other who comes from a different history, who drinks from wells other than ours, who sleeps on a different heritage, who reads other books. Can we coexist with him in his loud global village? Is his difference a constant threat to us? Is a clash with him inevitable because the place only fits one color? Should we be separated from him by walls of hate and caution?
What do we do with the other who is different? Do we sever the ties that bind us? Do we protect our identity with isolation? Do we surrender to those stoking fear, paving the way for wars of civilizations, religions and cultures? Do the peaceful moderates withdraw and leave the scene for the extremists to take over the minds and lead the youths to murder and suicide?
In the past two decades, these were pressing questions directed to the Arab and Islamic world. They were asked after the September 11 attacks, again after ISIS seized Mosul and are asked every time a terrorist bloodies a city, whether near or far.
Experience and the days have shown that the Arab and Islamic world is the primary enemy of the terrorists and its main target. Targeting the west was aimed at severing ties they believed were helping the Arab and Muslim countries in weathering the storm.
The Arab and Islamic world is the main target of terrorists. Al-Qaeda has not created as much damage to the west as it did to our countries. The same can be said of ISIS. Creating the clash with the west was aimed at facilitating recruitment and paving the way for taking over the Arab and Islamic world.
We are not exaggerating if we say that we are in the midst of a world war that was launched by reckless terrorism that is hiding behind religion. The bloody bombings have left us with this impression. It has forced the other to fear becoming a target, not just in his security and stability, but also in his right to be different. Experience has shown that targeting the two towers has bloodied the Arab world more than New York. The slaughter of hostages has bloodied the Islamic world more than it has bloodied the countries of the hostages.
The Arab and Islamic world has found itself in a tight spot. At times it found itself in the position of the accused. The factories of terrorists have been set up on its land and their practices are harming their security, stability and interests. Roaming fighters are violating everything. Country borders, principles of coexistence and religion’s essence of tolerance. These countries have found themselves at a loss at how to explain themselves. The other also has forces that are trying to take advantage of this difficult scene.
Taking bold decisions – difficult decisions – was necessary. Leaving the grey area and naming things as they are was necessary. Moving from the war on terrorism to the war on extremism itself was necessary. The culture of extremism births suicide bombers and roaming fighters.
This needed a country that enjoys deep credibility on the Arab and Islamic scenes in order to launch the war on extremism itself and turn it into a constant fixture of its internal and foreign policies and a daily practice in society. The observer of the Riyadh summits quickly realizes that the battle against extremism is the essences of these meetings.
The war on extremism and strengthening the bridge with the other and turning him into a partner in stability and prosperity is the essence of the Saudi-US summit. The same could be said of the Gulf-US summit. This was very clear during the Arab-Islamic-US summit.
It is no easy feat to bring Arab and Islamic leaders to meet US President Donald Trump in Riyadh. The scene was unprecedented and has many connotations. The location has its significance and a message to deliver. The image of Trump addressing the Arab and Islamic leaders was extraordinary indeed. It was predicted that the term of this man will be one of great turbulence in ties with the Arab and Islamic world. Someone however seized the right moment and took action. He prepared papers, data, and reasons and made a move at the right time. This is how the door was open to hold the Riyadh summits.
The man who was addressing the leaders comes from a different heritage. He drinks from different wells. No good can come from turning him into an enemy, which will lead our countries into the trap of extremists. It is not necessary to have similarities between the two sides. Countries have interests and calculations. It is important to create common areas where they can meet. Our countries need what the other possesses in advanced technology that can stay ahead of the times and save their economies. They also need a partnership of interests that encourages them to play a greater role in achieving fair settlements in regional affairs, including the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
We can say that the first bridge is the war on extremism. The Riyadh summits came to confirm that this decision has indeed been taken and that the war has begun. Starting from this partnership that eases fears and doubts, we can begin building economic, political and defense ties. This is all driven by interests as countries are not charities.
A time will come when you, individuals and countries have to choose: belonging to a future, the price of which should be paid. You cannot forge ahead in the future alone. Partners are needed. The other is also needed. The Riyadh summits have many connotations.
**Ghassan Charbel is the editor-in-chief of Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper.

The Power of a Strong State Department
Stephen M. Walt/The New York Times/May 22/17
President Trump clearly admires America’s military. He has put generals in charge of the Pentagon, the National Security Council and the Department of Homeland Security, and he has called for a big increase in military spending. He was quick to order missile strikes after chemical weapons were used in Syria, and he plans to send more troops to Afghanistan. At the same time, Mr. Trump appears to have little regard for traditional diplomacy. America’s armed forces are undeniably impressive, but Mr. Trump’s veneration of military power and disregard for diplomacy is mistaken. Many of America’s greatest foreign policy successes were won at the negotiating table, not on the battlefield: Think of the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the country in 1803, or the formation of NATO and the Bretton Woods economic institutions, equally farsighted acts that enhanced American influence. Similarly, the 1968 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty slowed the spread of nuclear weapons and made it easier to monitor states with nuclear ambitions. The list goes on: Richard Nixon’s opening to China in 1972 tilted the balance of power in our favor and helped smooth the United States’ exit from Vietnam; Jimmy Carter’s stewardship of the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty ended a conflict that had produced four wars since 1948. Adroit diplomacy managed the collapse of the Soviet Union and the reunification of Germany. More recently, patient negotiations led to an agreement with Iran that reversed its progress toward a nuclear bomb.
The United States had more than half a million troops in Vietnam at the peak of the war and still lost. The 1991 Persian Gulf war was a short-term triumph but did not yield a stable peace. The 2003 invasion of Iraq led to a costly quagmire, to enhanced Iranian influence and, eventually, to the creation of ISIS. The American military has been fighting in Afghanistan for nearly 16 years, and the Taliban today controls more territory than at any time since 2001. United States airstrikes helped drive Muammar el-Qaddafi from power in Libya in 2011, and the country is now a failed state.
These campaigns were unsuccessful not because the Pentagon lacked resources, or our soldiers lacked valor or our generals don’t know how to lead. They failed because the United States’ leaders either picked the wrong fights or could not translate battlefield successes into political solutions. Unmatched military might means little unless it is wedded to realistic political goals and effective diplomacy.
To be sure, military strength can facilitate diplomatic success. Diplomacy is first and foremost about reaching mutually beneficial arrangements that others will accept and not look to overturn.
Paradoxically, the stronger we are, the more important diplomacy becomes. America’s vast power makes even its closest allies nervous, and diplomacy is needed to assuage others’ concerns and persuade them to follow our lead. Doing this requires officials with a sophisticated knowledge of other states’ interests, a keen appreciation for how America’s actions are perceived and the awareness that even weaker opponents have the ability to resist if we cannot persuade them. That is why Secretary of Defense James Mattis once bluntly warned, “If you don’t fully fund the State Department, then I need to buy more ammunition.”The State Department would no doubt benefit from certain reforms. But putting America’s diplomats on a starvation diet is not the way to do it. Gutting the State Department will dissuade smart and ambitious people from entering diplomatic service and make it harder for those who remain to acquire the professional training they need as they rise in the ranks — something our more lavishly funded military does quite well. If Mr. Trump continues to privilege force over diplomacy, the United States will continue to blunder into trouble, upset allies unnecessarily and be unable to end its present conflicts on favorable terms. Diplomacy is an essential part of a successful foreign policy.

Trump Can Remake the Middle East
Bernard Haykel/Bloomberg/May 22/17
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/?p=55540
One of Donald Trump’s key goals since becoming president has been to systematically reverse the policies of his predecessor. So it’s no surprise that Trump’s visit this weekend to Saudi Arabia, his first to a foreign country, will signal a break with Barack Obama’s foreign policy in the Middle East.
This is both promising and potentially troubling. On the plus side, Trump has a unique opportunity to reframe America’s engagement with the region, by addressing a set of problems ranging from Israel’s relationship with Arab nations to the Islamist radicalization that began with the Iranian revolution in 1979 and has culminated with the so-called “ISIS caliphate” in Iraq and Syria.
But there are also pitfalls to avoid, in particular how America is to confront Iranian regional ambitions and how to get back on a path to resolving the Palestinian-Israeli struggle.
That Riyadh and Jerusalem are the first stops on this trip is clearly Trump’s attempt to distance himself from Obama’s rapprochement with Iran. The previous administration’s calculation here involved creating a balance of power between the regional actors, namely Saudi and Iran, in order to diminish the US military footprint in the region. However, Obama’s strategy — as seen from the ongoing wars in Iraq, Syria and Yemen and the escalating tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran — has failed.
Trump, in contrast, has a strong desire to side forcefully with America’s traditional allies, Saudi Arabia and Israel, and has made a point of identifying Iran as the source of instability in the region. Not incorrectly, he sees Iran as having used the cover of the nuclear agreement reached with six major powers in 2015 to increase its influence throughout the region, especially through the use of non-state actors such as “Hezbollah” in Lebanon and Syria, Houthis in Yemen and the “Popular Mobilization Units” in Iraq. In so doing, Iran has waged stealth war on Arabs by providing weapons, ideological indoctrination and training to militias across the entire region.
Trump will be fêted in Riyadh for giving primacy to America’s strategic relationship with the kingdom, and will be hailed as a partner by moderate Muslim states such as Jordan and the United Arab Emirates in the war against extremist radical movements like ISIS as well as “Hezbollah” in Lebanon.
Extremists who are equally at war with states like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, cannot be defeated without an alliance with the wider Arab world. The Saudis, for example, have warded off several al-Qaeda attacks against the homeland, and have allowed their territory to be used as a base for US attacks against al-Qaeda and ISIS. Trump will certainly acknowledge this, and is expected to give a major speech on Islam and the West. (President Trump already delivered a speech during the Riyadh Summit on Sunday)
In return, Saudi Arabia is likely to announce significant investments in infrastructure projects in America (perhaps as much as US $40 billion) and that it will be buying $100 billion or more in US arms. This will be framed as part of the kingdom’s effort to achieve two principal aims: diversifying its economy and investments, and strengthening its military capabilities and ability to protect itself instead of placing the burden on the US. Emphasis will be placed on the two countries’ historic economic and political partnership — the summit’s slogan is “Together We Prevail.”
But the meetings won’t be solely about the bilateral relationship. Another major topic will be the 70-year Arab-Israeli conflict. And thus Jerusalem will be the next stop after Riyadh.
The risk here lies in the manner in which Trump attempts to restart the Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations.
That road map requires Israel to offer substantive near-term concessions to the Palestinians, and ultimately a viable state. In return, Israel would get full recognition and normalization of relations with the Arab nations.
For this to play out, Israel must immediately offer the Palestinians something tangible, such as permanent cessation of all settlement construction in the West Bank. If not, Iran, Assad, “Hezbollah” and the Houthis — the self-proclaimed axis of resistance to Israel and the West — will have a strong argument to the Muslim world that revanchism is the only avenue for dealing with Israel.
Another difficulty lies with how Trump will handle Iran, now that he will reposition the US squarely with Saudi Arabia. His former national security advisor, General Michael Flynn, famously put Tehran “on notice” for testing a ballistic missile. But what does this mean in practice? A direct American strike on Iran is inconceivable without an open Iranian provocation such as an attack on a US Navy ship in the Persian Gulf.
On Wednesday, it kept in place waivers of nuclear sanctions against Iran after acknowledging that Tehran was complying with the agreement’s terms. So deciding on where and how to put pressure on Iran is important.
Yemen offers the best arena to begin to roll back Iranian influence. Tehran is clearly involved in supporting and supplying weapons to the Houthi rebels, attempting to create a Hezbollah-like force that can harass Saudi Arabia across the border.
It should be possible to make the regime understand that its foray in Yemen will come at a cost, say the sinking of any ship that is found carrying weapons to the Houthis, along with new sanctions. Instead, opening up a dialog with Iran about Yemen, which would include Saudi Arabia and its allies, might start the process of de-escalation across the entire region.
Perhaps more importantly, it would also show that without America’s active engagement, the region will remain a boiling cauldron, and that Obama was wrong by adopting a hands-off policy in the Middle East. Trump should like that.

Say ‘yes’ to to US President Donald Trump’s deal of the millennium
Sallai Meridor/Jerusalem Post/May 22/17
A successful Trump visit should deal with the larger picture.
Should Israel say “yes” or “no” to US President Donald Trump’s deal of the millennium? My answer is: Yes... but.
Let’s start with the “but.”
What can be wrong with trying? Well, we may lose a lot if we fail. There may be another wave of terrorism, we may lose our quiet achievements with the major Arab states, there will be a frustrated president in the White House and Iran and Islamic State will both emerge as victors.
And if negotiations produce a failed Palestinian state, we may end up with Iran or Islamic State, if not both, right on our border. Add the uncertainty of the broker, his knowledge of the complex issues and his deep understanding of Israel’s critical security needs, and the “but” becomes very significant.
So, why “yes”? Maintaining the status quo for a long time could be impossible, risking deterioration in Israel’s security and international standing. At the same time, Israel has a vital interest in defining its borders with solid security and an overwhelming Jewish majority. Defining such borders could be achieved through negotiations, or unilaterally, with the support of the US, only after a genuine attempt to reach an agreement has failed.
Recent changes in the Arab world may open opportunities to make progress toward peace and we should not miss out on them. Not least, we owe it to our children – whom we ask of to be ready to give their lives for the country – to make every effort to prevent war and advance peace. So what is the bottom line? If we are convinced that the US administration is aware of the complexities and risks involved and is ready to act carefully with “exit strategies” to avoid collapse, and if we can be certain that they deeply understand and support Israel’s security requirements in the territories, then by all means, our answer should be “yes.”
And one more thing: A most serious mistake of the Obama administration was to believe the “Palestinian problem” was at the core of every conflict, and that resolving it would bring a cure to all plagues. A successful Trump visit should deal with the larger picture. It should focus on preventing Iran from being closer to achieving nuclear weapons and from continuing to spread terrorism and instability. It should generate a shared vision for Syria that would prevent the strengthening of Hezbollah and keep the terrorist organization and Iran far from the Golan Heights.
It should enhance joint efforts to support regional moderates and their relations with Israel. It should further develop US-Israel relations in many areas, including missile defense and cybersecurity, energy, water and joint aid projects in the third world, and it should send a clear message to friends and foes that the bond between the US and Israel is bipartisan, unbreakable and also the key to progress and success in the future.
**The author served as ambassador to the US from 2005 to 2009.

Trump Can Break the Israeli-Palestinian Impasse
A.J. Caschetta/Gatestone Institute/May 22/17
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/?p=55543
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/10395/trump-israel-palestinians-peace
While the "land for peace" formula -- pressuring Israel to hand over land to those it has defeated for the promise of peace to come -- pleased Arab governments and career diplomats at the State Department, it was a disaster on the ground. Each new concession was seen by Palestinian leaders as signaling an Israeli weakness ripe for exploitation, stoking their fantasies of ultimate victory and thus prolonging the misery of the Palestinian people and everyone involved. History shows that wars end definitively only when one side has no more hope at all of success, as happened in Germany and Japan after World War II. The Palestinians still have not given up their fantasy of a Palestinian state "from the river to the sea." The best way for Washington to advance a peace process is by convincing the Palestinian leaders of Israel's insurmountable strength. "After the leadership recognizes this reality, the Palestinian population at large will follow, as will eventually other Arab and Muslim states, leading to a resolution of the conflict," explains Middle East Forum President Daniel Pipes, the driving intellectual force behind the newly-created Israel Victory Congressional Caucus.
In Saudi Arabia on Sunday, President Trump declared unswerving American commitment to help Riyadh in "confronting the crisis of Islamic extremism and the Islamist and Islamic terror of all kinds." A new coalition of American lawmakers believes he should make an equally important commitment to Israel when he lands there today.
Official U.S. policy on the Israeli-Palestinian dispute has long been centered on a "grievance-based approach" to conflict resolution and counterterrorism. Addressing the stated grievances of Palestinian extremists, the reasoning goes, reduces their motivations for fighting and enables their leaders and those of Arab states to make peace. Thus the perennial goal of American diplomacy has been to pressure or coax the democratic State of Israel into making concessions to the authoritarian PLO-turned-Palestinian Authority (PA) in hopes that they will placate the Palestinian masses (most of whom, including 1.6 million in Hamas-ruled Gaza, do not live in disputed territory).
While the "land for peace" formula -- pressuring Israel to hand over land to those it has defeated for the promise of peace to come -- pleased Arab governments and career diplomats at the State Department, it was a disaster on the ground. Each new concession was seen by Palestinian leaders as signaling an Israeli weakness ripe for exploitation, stoking their fantasies of ultimate victory and thus prolonging the misery of the Palestinian people and everyone involved.
History shows that wars end definitively only when one side has no more hope at all of success, as happened in Germany and Japan after World War II.
Of course, unconditional surrenders of the kind that took place on the deck of the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay have been rare since the creation of the UN shortly thereafter. Wars often linger on for years, even decades, as winning sides are dissuaded by international pressure from bringing conflicts to an end.
An old-school exception to this rule came in 2009, when Sri Lanka broke free of its decades-old cycle of conflict with the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelan (LTTE). Eschewing yet another round of negotiation, followed by impasse, terrorist strikes, and government retaliation, the government launched a decisive, all-out war to defeat the LTTE and fully reclaim the northern part of the island nation.
Since then, Sri Lanka has been effectively terrorism-free. Tamil nationalists still have their grievances, of course. But with Sri Lanka having risen over the past eight years to become "South Asia's most prosperous country" and an oasis of calm considered to be "at the forefront of the hot destinations queue" for South African tourists, few feel aggrieved enough to pick up a gun.
Israel's situation is not so very different than that of Sri Lanka. The Palestinians still have not given up their fantasy of a Palestinian state "from the river to the sea."
The best way for Washington to advance a peace process is by convincing the Palestinian leaders of Israel's insurmountable strength. "After the leadership recognizes this reality, the Palestinian population at large will follow, as will eventually other Arab and Muslim states, leading to a resolution of the conflict," explains Middle East Forum President Daniel Pipes, the driving intellectual force behind the newly-created Israel Victory Congressional Caucus. If President Trump really wants to succeed where others have failed in resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict, he should demonstrate that the U.S. supports its Israeli ally unreservedly. He might start, for example, by announcing from Israel this afternoon that the United States is moving its embassy to the country's capital of Jerusalem. **A.J. Caschetta is a Shillman-Ginsburg fellow at the Middle East Forum and a senior lecturer at the Rochester Institute of Technology.
© 2017 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.

The Trump Visit to Saudi Arabia: Time for Course Correction
Dr. Abdulaziz Sager//Asharq Al Awsat/May 22/17
US President Donald Trump starts his first overseas trip with three key summits in Saudi Arabia beginning May 20, 2017. This includes a summit between the US and the leadership of the Kingdom, a subsequent US-GCC summit as well as the Arab Islamic American summit bringing together 56 Arab and Muslim leaders. Given its wide scope, and the fact that the President chose Saudi Arabia as the first stop in his maiden overseas trip, the visit has generated high expectations.
The GCC states have generally greeted the Trump presidency positively and expressed cautious optimism about the way forward. For one, the election of a new president in the United States brought to an end the presidency of Barack Obama whose term in office was seen in the Gulf region as increasingly problematic as time went on. While initially sharing the widespread hope of a new era in US policy toward the Middle East as exemplified by President Obama’s Cairo speech in 2009, the enthusiasm waned due to the president’s perceived cautious and even naive approach to the very real challenges the region faces.In fact, the GCC states see past US policies as being partly responsible for providing a fertile ground for Islamic extremism represented by groups such as the Islamic State, for allowing Iran to greatly expand its influence throughout the Middle East at the expense of the region’s stability, as well as opening the door for a renewed Russian influence in the Middle East that is seen as anything but positive.
Second, early indications are that the Trump administration will take a different approach from that of the preceding one when it comes to the key issues of concern to the GCC states. This includes the fight against extremism and terrorism in all its forms, Iran’s expansionist policies in the region, and the hitherto tepid US approach toward engaging strategically with the GCC states on all levels as a means to stem the current cycle of instability and violence. Saudi officials have stressed that the Kingdom and the United States share similar views and see eye-to-eye on the key issues impacting their relationship.
On these fronts, it is anticipated that the three summit meetings to be held in Riyadh will build on the initial meetings that have so far taken place in Washington when, for example, the Deputy Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud, met with President Trump in March 2017 or when UAE Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayid Al Nahyan was received by the President on May 15.
While it is not expected that all problems will be solved or detailed policies agreed upon in all areas, there is an expectation on the GCC side that the statements coming from the new administration will become more concrete and specific. Clearly as far as the Arab Gulf states are concerned, the time for empty rhetoric and false promises is past, as the challenges in the Middle East are simply too real and pressing.
Thus, in order to sustain the initial GCC support for the present US administration, the member states will be looking to the United States to start playing a constructive role in the Middle East with a clear commitment to bring about peace and stability. To move in this direction, the policy approach has to be constructed around four key pillars.
First, the GCC and the US share a wide-ranging commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms. To be sure, the GCC has shared and will continue to share the costs, responsibility and burden in this regard. American officials have repeatedly identified the GCC states as one of the best counterterrorism partners the US has.
Second, there is a need to operationalize the containment policy vis-à-vis Iran on all fronts. This includes Iranian regional expansionism, its support for terrorism, its missile program and nuclear policy. On the nuclear agreement with Iran, the GCC will support the US demands for the need to amend the agreement to achieve the basic objective that Iran will never be able to produce a nuclear weapon. Meanwhile, it should be clear that Tehran is expected to stick to the letter as well as the spirit of the accord, which up to this time is not the case.
Yet on this front, the GCC states also do not want to the US to end the agreement without clearly knowing what the alternative is. Overall, there is an urgent need for Iran to be constructive in the region and stop its support for violent non-state actors such as Hizbollah, the Houthis, and the sectarian militias in Iraq which are tearing apart the state framework in the Middle East.
Third, linked to the above, more emphasis needs to be given to maintaining the integrity of the state structures in the region and finding viable ways to stem the growth of militias and violent non-state actors. In the post-Arab Spring phase, the states in the Middle East have been put under pressure from these actors resulting in increased fragmentation and growing extremism and sectarianism. Unless a new approach to counter this development is found quickly, there is little hope for a turning the page towards peace and security in the region.
Fourth, the current Russian expansion into the region has proven to be a negative factor by and large as exemplified by the continuing atrocities in Syria. Yet, Russia’s strength and success has mostly been the result of the weak and indecisive approach taken by the United States up to this stage. The missile strikes on Syria following the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime was an initial powerful signal indicating a shift in the US position. The GCC will need to hear more about what the US is proposing in its regional agenda. On all these issues, the GCC states stand ready to do their share and fulfill their end of the bargain. For this to happen, however, the summit meetings must produce the sense that there will be concrete changes in policy strategies. In the end, a common agenda on bringing back security and stability to the Gulf will also bring more tangible economic and business benefits for both the US and the GCC. This will truly produce a win-win situation. But the full benefits will not accrue until a more constructive US policy approach to the region is implemented.

Trump's Saudi Speech: Pretty Good
Daniel Pipes/National Review Online /May 21/17
http://www.danielpipes.org/17603/trump-saudi-speech-pretty-good
In Riyadh, on the first stop of his tri-monotheism tour that will take him to Jerusalem and Rome (sorry, Mecca was not available), Donald Trump gave a major speech on a wide range of topics – the Middle East, jihadi violence, Iran, an "Arab NATO," and Islam. It's a mixed performance, but overall positive.
First, what's wrong with the 34-minute speech: It's incoherent, jumping from topic to topic and then back again. It's neither eloquent nor insightful (as in, "Terrorists do not worship God, they worship death"). In places, it consists of Obama-like euphemisms, such as the statement that history's great test stands before us, one goal that transcends every other consideration: "to conquer extremism and vanquish the forces of terrorism."And it's farcical to announce the opening in Riyadh, the headquarters of Wahhabism, of a "Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology." I bristled at Trump calling Saudi Arabia "sacred land." I gagged on the warm praise for King Salman, someone implicated in contributing tens of millions of U.S. dollars during the 1990s to finance jihadi violence in Bosnia and Pakistan.
The context of the speech is acutely worrisome: U.S.-Saudi agreements totaling over $380 billion grants a tyrannical regime added influence over Americans. The $110 billion Saudi purchase of U.S. arms makes a vast arsenal available to a government whose goals differ profoundly from those of most Americans.
Donald Trump signs huge agreements with the Saudi government. These not inconsiderable reservations aside, it's a good speech that signals a major shift in the right direction from the Obama years, particularly concerning Iran and Islam. Most important is Trump's willingness to point to the ideology of Islamism as the enemy. This matters exceedingly: just as a physician must first identify a medical problem before treating it, so a strategist must identify the enemy before defeating it. To talk about "evil doers," "terrorists," and "violent extremists" is to miss the enemy's Islamic core.
In this regard, the key passage of the speech (at 22:25) states "there is still much work to do. That means honestly confronting the crisis of Islamic extremism and the Islamists and Islamic terror of all kinds." (The prepared text read "Islamist extremism and the Islamist terror groups" but when speaking, Trump made these changes. While Islamist is more precise than Islamic, politically, both make the same point.) It was unprecedented and noteworthy for an American leader to declare this not just in the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia but also at the Saudi-conjured "Arab Islamic American Summit" with leaders from some 50 Muslim-majority countries present. "I have your number," Trump effectively announced. "So, don't play games with me."
The guest list for the "Arab Islamic American Summit."
He confirmed this point several times in the speech: "Muslim-majority countries must take the lead in combatting radicalization"; "Muslim nations must be willing to take on the burden, if we are going to defeat terrorism and send its wicked ideology into oblivion"; a mention of the human toll of "ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas, and so many others"; and his call to stand together "against the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews, and the slaughter of Christians." No fuzziness here about the nature of the problem.
MEF's proposal for a White House Commission on Radical Islam.
But one statement does not a policy make. George W. Bush and Barack Obama spoke on occasion about, respectively, "Islamofascism" and "Islamists." Obama even spoke of "jihadists." But these explicit terms had no real bearing on their policies. Similarly, British prime ministers Tony Blair and David Cameron gave wondrously good speeches about Islamism, but these had even less impact on their government's actions. For Trump's speech to make a difference, it must be the start of a consistent approach to recognizing that Islamist ideology stands at the heart of the conflict – and that violence is only one of its manifestations, and perhaps not the most dangerous of them. A good way to start would be to recall Trump's speech as a candidate last August, when he pledged that "one of my first acts as president will be to establish a commission on radical Islam ... to identify and explain to the American public the core convictions and beliefs of radical Islam, to identify the warning signs of radicalization, and to expose the networks in our society that support radicalization." The commission will "develop new protocols for local police officers, federal investigators, and immigration screeners."
Let's go, Mr. President – it's time to appoint a White House Commission on Radical Islam.
*Mr. Pipes (DanielPipes.org, [twitter.com/danielpipes]@DanielPipes) is president of the Middle East Forum. © 2017 by Daniel Pipes. All rights reserved.

A Month of Islam and Multiculturalism in Britain: April 2017
Soeren Kern/Gatestone Institute/May 22/17
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/?p=55537
Some forms of “honor based” abuse, such as “breast ironing,” often go undetected because teachers are unaware that it exists. Helen Porter said: “Breast ironing has been carried out for many generations and is usually performed by mothers who wish to prevent their daughters from being sexually attractive to men in a bid to protect them from child marriage and pregnancy, sexual harassment, rape and the spread of HIV… In the UK, girls in London, Leicester and Birmingham are most at risk.”
The Charity Commission asked Islamic Relief to explain why it invited a hardline Muslim preacher to star in a fundraising tour of Britain. Yasir Qadhi, a Saudi-educated American academic, has been recorded telling students that killing homosexuals and stoning adulterers was part of Islam. Qadhi, who featured in an eight-city tour, described Islamic punishments such as cutting off the hands of thieves as “very beneficial to society.” The commission also questioned two other charities, Muslim Aid and Read Foundation, about their sponsorship of a speaking tour by Qadhi in 2015
Sainsbury’s and Asda, two of Britain’s largest supermarket chains, refused to sell Easter eggs that tell the story of Christianity. Both chains, however, sold eggs that are not specifically Christian, including a halal version made by the Belgian firm Guylian. Stephen Green, of the lobby group Christian Voice, said: “You are whitewashing the Christian message out of Christian holidays. It’s difficult to find any explicitly Christian products, like Christmas cards, in supermarkets.”
“It’s all right for the judge respecting the human rights of the prisoner, but what about the human rights of the prison staff he was threatening to behead?” — Philip Davies, a Tory MP for Shipley.
April 1. The British Home office stripped Sufiyan Mustafa, 22, of his UK passport after he traveled to Syria to fight with jihadists. Mustafa is the youngest son of the cleric Abu Hamza, who was sentenced to life in prison in the United States after being convicted of terrorism charges. Mustafa complained that he is now stateless and stranded in Syria:
“Britain is the place where I was born and lived. I have never been a threat to national security in Britain and will not commit aggression on its population because our religion does not allow attacks on unarmed innocents.”
April 1. Frankland Prison in County Durham became the first of its kind to open “a prison within a prison” to isolate Islamic extremists. Convicted terrorists are to be moved to a “jihadist prison block” to reduce the risk of other inmates being radicalized. A government report recommended that the “most subversive extremist prisoners” should be jailed separately to tackle the problem of jihadists radicalizing their fellow inmates.
April 5. A BBC investigation found that online services in Britain are charging divorced Muslim women thousands of pounds to take part in “halala” Islamic marriages. Halala involves the woman marrying a stranger, consummating the marriage and then getting a divorce, after which she is able to remarry her first husband. Some Muslims believe that halala is the only way a couple who have been divorced, and wish to reconcile, can remarry. The BBC reported that women who seek halala services are at risk of being financially exploited, blackmailed and even sexually abused. One man, advertising halala services on Facebook, told an undercover BBC reporter posing as a divorced Muslim woman that she would need to pay £2,500 ($3,250) and have sex with him in order for the marriage to be “complete” — at which point he would divorce her. The man also said he had several other men working with him, one who he claims refused to issue a woman a divorce after a halala service was complete.
April 5. The Salafi Independent School, an Islamic private school in Small Heath, was found to have placed an advertisement for a male-only science teacher. Although the advertisement, which breached the Equalities Act, was retracted, the headmaster claimed that the role must be occupied by a male teacher because of “religious observance reasons.” The decision prompted calls for the school to be investigated, amid fears it promotes “gender-based discrimination” and threatens to undermine “British values.”
April 6. Ummariyat Mirza, a 21-year-old from Birmingham, was charged with planning to carry out a jihadist attack with a knife. He was also charged with possessing a bomb-making guide, the Anarchist Cookbook, and an extremist document called the Mujahideen Poisons Handbook. Police also charged Zainub Mirza, a 23-year-old from Bordesley Green, Birmingham, with sending Islamic State propaganda videos and executions to others to encourage jihadist attacks.
April 7. The Food Standards Agency launched an investigation into the Malik Food Group, one of Britain’s largest halal slaughterhouses, over allegations of animal cruelty after an undercover video showed a slaughterman repeatedly sawing at the necks of sheep with a knife as they passed down a conveyor belt. The animals appeared not to have been killed instantly and some were seen heaving and jumping as they went down the line. More than 100 million animals are killed in the UK every year using the halal method, which forbids stunning animals prior to having their throats cut. The filming was carried out by the pressure group Animal Aid. Its spokesman Luke Steele said:
“Our investigation has uncovered barbaric and deliberate cruelty being inflicted on animals, in horrific scenes unlike any we have ever seen before. There is no doubt that law breaking continues to be an inherent problem in abattoirs.”
April 9. The Brexit pressure group Leave Means Leave called on the British government to adopt a five-year freeze on unskilled migrants and impose a 50,000-a-year cap on all new arrivals. The group, backed by former Cabinet ministers as well as 15 Tory MPs, says that Brexit provides a “golden opportunity” to stem immigration. The group is especially concerned about unskilled migrants, who are believed to make up some 80% of newcomers to the EU. Former Conservative cabinet minister, Owen Paterson MP, said:
“Mass migration at its current level has fostered resentment, depressed wages and placed an excessive burden on our public services. Once we have left the EU, the government must enact a new bespoke immigration policy — like a British Working Visa System — to bring immigration levels down to the tens of thousands.”
April 10. Walsall Council backed out of a pilot project to introduce voter identification measures at elections amid concerns over how staff would handle Muslim women wearing veils. Conservative leader Mike Bird said the idea was “more trouble than its worth” and may lead to “confrontation” at polling stations. The government is planning to run the pilot schemes at local elections in 2018. It would see participating councils request identification from voters at polling stations to crack down on electoral fraud.
April 10. Two Birmingham teachers at center of Trojan Horse affair — an alleged plot to introduce conservative Islamic ideology into several Birmingham state schools — applied to have disciplinary proceedings against them thrown out. A lawyer representing Hardeep Saini, the former deputy head of Golden Hillock School and Monzoor Hussain, the former principal of Park View School, said the case against his clients is prejudiced. The teachers appeared with three others before a disciplinary panel of the National College for Teaching and Leadership in Coventry.
April 10. Azad Ali, an Islamist who has said that he supports killing British soldiers, was named a director of Muslim Engagement and Development (Mend), a controversial Muslim pressure group which advises the British government. Ali recently said that the jihadist attack at Westminster on March 22, 2017 was not an act of terrorism.
April 11. The Association of Teachers and Lecturers, a teachers’ union, called for more information and training for school staff on how to spot the signs of “honor-based abuse.” Some forms of abuse, such as “breast ironing,” often go undetected because teachers are unaware that it exists. Helen Porter, who proposed the motion, said:
“Breast ironing or breast flattening, is the pummeling or pounding of a pubescent girl’s breasts with hard or heated objects in an attempt to stop them developing. It often lasts for 20 minutes at a time and may be repeated daily for up to 10 months. To state the obvious it is extremely painful and can contribute to breast infections, cysts, cancer, depression and complications in breast feeding.
“Breast ironing has been carried out for many generations and is usually performed by mothers who wish to prevent their daughters from being sexually attractive to men in a bid to protect them from child marriage and pregnancy, sexual harassment, rape and the spread of HIV. It is practiced in Cameroon, countries of western central Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe. In the UK, girls in London, Leicester and Birmingham are most at risk.”
April 11. The Charity Commission, which regulates charities in England and Wales, asked Islamic Relief to explain why it invited a hardline Muslim preacher to star in a fundraising tour of Britain. Yasir Qadhi, a Saudi-educated American academic, has been recorded telling students that killing homosexuals and stoning adulterers was part of Islam. Qadhi, who featured in an eight-city tour, described Islamic punishments such as cutting off the hands of thieves as “very beneficial to society.” The commission also questioned two other charities, Muslim Aid and Read Foundation, about their sponsorship of a speaking tour by Qadhi in 2015.
April 13. Twenty nine people, facing more than 170 charges relating to the sexual exploitation of 18 children, appeared at Huddersfield Magistrates Court. The 27 men and two women were charged with offenses including rape, trafficking, sexual activity with a child, child neglect, child abduction, supplying drugs and making of indecent images of children.
April 14. Sainsbury’s and Asda, two of Britain’s largest supermarket chains, refused to sell Easter eggs that tell the story of Christianity. Both chains, however, sold eggs that are not specifically Christian, including a halal version made by the Belgian firm Guylian. The Real Easter Egg range, which claims to be the only one that names Jesus on the box, includes a 24-page story-activity book explaining the death and resurrection of Christ. It says that “eggs are a symbol of hope and new life.” Meaningful Chocolate boss David Marshall said Sainsbury’s and Asda appeared to be “not very comfortable, for some reason, with stocking Easter eggs for the Christian community.” Stephen Green, of the lobby group Christian Voice, said: “You are whitewashing the Christian message out of Christian holidays. It’s difficult to find any explicitly Christian products, like Christmas cards, in supermarkets.”
Sainsbury’s and Asda, two of Britain’s largest supermarket chains, refused to sell Easter eggs that tell the story of Christianity. (Photo [illustrative] by Graeme Robertson/Getty Images)
April 15. Pupils at the Kilmorie Primary School in Lewisham, London were taken on a school trip to the Lewisham Islamic Centre where they met Shakeel Begg, an imam whom the High Court recently described as an “extremist” who “promotes and encourages religious violence.” The trip by state school students, aged eight and nine, to meet Begg, the imam at the mosque attended by Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, the killers of Fusilier Lee Rigby in Woolwich, provoked widespread outrage. Mr. Justice Haddon-Cave warned that Begg’s role as imam put him in a position to “plant the seed of Islamic extremism in a young mind.” Begg praised the children for their desire to learn about Islam.
April 22. Mohammed Aslam, an independent candidate for mayor of Greater Manchester, caused controversy after he delivered his election manifesto completely in Urdu on the BBC. Janice Atkinson, an independent member of the European Parliament, tweeted: “If you can’t/won’t speak English you have no right to stand in elections. You cannot represent our people, culture and values. Stand down.”
April 22. Nadir Syed, a 24-year-old jihadist serving life in prison for plotting to behead someone in a jihadist attack, won a High Court case which ruled that his human rights were breached after he was placed in solitary confinement. Syed was placed in isolation at the top-security Woodhill prison after he led other Muslim inmates in chanting “Allahu Akbar” (“Allah is Greatest”), banging on cell doors and threatening to decapitate wardens. Philip Davies, a Tory MP for Shipley who sits on the Justice Select Committee, said:
“It’s all right for the judge respecting the human rights of the prisoner, but what about the human rights of the prison staff he was threatening to behead? The reason why so many people have lost faith in the justice system is because you get ridiculous decisions like that.”
April 23. Ahmadi Muslims in Cardiff said they were facing discrimination from other Muslims in the city. The Ahmadi branch of Islam believes Mohammed was not the final prophet, a view considered blasphemous to other Muslims.
April 24. The United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), in its new general election manifesto, pledged to ban the burka from being worn in public. Party leader Paul Nuttall said the Muslim face coverings are “a deliberate barrier to integration” and also pose a security risk. The manifesto also proposed to outlaw Sharia law and make it a legal obligation to report female genital mutilation to police.
April 25. Prime Minister Theresa May was accused of ignoring Muslim voters after she scheduled the general election in the middle of Ramadan. Muslim politicians from Labour and the Scottish National Party said they feared reduced voter turnout among Muslims on June 8, during Ramadan, which takes place between May 26 and June 24. Labour’s Yasmin Qureshi, MP for Bolton South East, said:
“It is unfortunate that Theresa May has scheduled the election to take place during the holy month of Ramadan. I know this will present challenges to Muslim voters and those who wish to campaign. At best I can only suggest that this did not even feature in her thinking, which is disappointing.”
SNP MSP Humza Yousaf, the Scottish Government Minister for Transport and the Islands added:
“I think it would be fair to say that a lot of people in the Muslim community feel that they were certainly not even factored at all into the conversation or the thinking because it will have an impact, I suspect, on turnout.”
April 26. Palestinian leaders vowed to sue the British government after it refused to apologize for the 1917 Balfour Declaration, which paved the way for the creation of Israel in 1948. The British government said:
“The Balfour Declaration is an historic statement for which HMG does not intend to apologise. We are proud of our role in creating the State of Israel. The task now is to encourage moves towards peace.”
Manuel Hassassian, the Palestinian “ambassador” to the UK, said the response meant that “the Queen and the Government of Britain will not apologize to the Palestinian people.” He said that unless the position was reversed and the UK formally recognized the state of Palestine, a lawsuit would be pursued. “This is the only condition upon which we can close this file permanently,” he said.
April 26. Damon Smith, a 20-year-old convert to Islam, appeared in court on charges that he left a bomb on a subway in London on October 20, 2016. Footage from surveillance cameras showed Smith getting onto a carriage with a backpack and then, four minutes later, getting off the train without the bag, which contained a homemade bomb and which did not go off. Jurors at the Old Baily court were told that Smith had downloaded an al-Qaeda article entitled, “Make a bomb in the kitchen of your Mom,” which contained step-by-step instructions on how to make a homemade bomb. The court also heard that Smith had a keen interest in Islam, guns, explosives and gambling, and collected pictures of extremists, including the alleged mastermind of the 2015 Paris terror attacks. Smith, who suffers from autism, admitted to making the device but claimed he only meant it as a prank.
April 26. Wealthy Pakistani asylum seekers with £250,000 ($325,000) in savings who claimed asylum in Britain before taking £40,000-a-year in benefits were each sentenced to ten months in prison. Syed Zaidi, 41, and his wife Rizwana Kamal, 40, claimed they were being persecuted at home so flew to Britain with their family asking the Home Office for food and shelter. The couple, who have three children, were given free accommodation and other welfare payments worth £150,000 over four years at taxpayers’ expense, despite having more than £250,000 saved in seven different bank accounts. They then bought two cars and moved in a Victorian terraced house in Denton, near Manchester, but were prosecuted after a whistleblower called the Home Office.
April 27. The Church of England said that British children should be required to learn about Islam. Derek Holloway of the Church of England’s education office said that Christian parents who do not want their children to learn about Islam should not be allowed to withdraw their children from religious education lessons. At present, parents can insist that their children take no part in religious education lessons and do not have to provide a reason. Holloway said that parents with “fundamentalist” Christian beliefs who did not want their children to learn about other world views risked leaving pupils with little understanding of Islam and without the skills to live in a modern and diverse Britain. Holloway did not say whether Muslim children should to be required to learn about Christianity and Judaism.
April 27. Khalid Mohamed Omar Ali, 27, was arrested on suspicion of preparing a jihadist attack near the British Parliament. He was detained with a backpack full of knives just five weeks after six people were killed in a jihadist attack in the same area.
April 27. Police revealed that Khalid Masood, the 52-year-old convert to Islam who killed six people (including himself) and injured 50 others in the jihadist attack in Westminster, London, on March 22 left a last message: he declared that he was waging jihad in revenge against Western military action in the Middle East. Immediately after the attack, Deputy Assistant Metropolitan Police Commissioner Neil Basu said that Masood’s motives may never be known: “We must all accept that there is a possibility we will never understand why he did this. That understanding may have died with him.”
April 27. Haroon Syed, 19, from Hounslow, West London, pleaded guilty to plotting a jihadist attack on an Elton John concert in Hyde Park on September 11, 2016. The court heard how Syed tried to obtain weapons online, including a bomb vest or explosives, and surfed the web to find a busy area in London to launch a mass-casualty attack.
April 28. Jade Campbell, a 26-year-old convert to Islam from West London, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for possessing materials likely to be useful to a person planning or committing an act of terror and for making a false statement to obtain a passport. Police searching her mobile phone found a copy of the al-Qaeda article, “Make a bomb in the kitchen of your Mom.” Another article concerned sending and receiving encrypted messages. Internet searches found on her phone included “how to join ISIS” and “how to marry someone from ISIS,” as well as searches for flights to Istanbul and border crossings between Turkey and Syria.
April 29. Mohamed Amoudi, 21, was arrested on charges of planning a jihadist attack on a crowded tourist area of central London. Amoudi was investigated for allegedly attempting to travel to Syria to join ISIS, and had been held by police in 2015. Born in Yemen, Amoudi has been linked to the controversial human rights group Cage, which campaigns against what it says is oppressive counter-terrorism policing against Muslims.
April 30. Cardiff Crown Court sentenced Mohsin Akram, a 21-year-old asylum seeker from Pakistan, to 15 months in prison for attacking his wife, Mariam Hussain, with a hammer when she forgot to cook his dinner. Sentencing Akram, Judge Tom Crowther said:
“It seems to me you wanted not a real person but some imaginary figure who not only would bear your children but would constantly dote on you. So angry did you become that your life didn’t correspond to this teenage fantasy that you started to belabor her with a hammer, first one then two in a sustained attack that left her badly bruised all over her body and deeply shaken. During the attack on her in a gesture clearly designed to isolate her and underline your control over her, you made a point of breaking a tablet computer that was the only link she was allowed to the outside world.”
Hussain said she was furious that the judge chose not to deport Akram and called on the Home Office to review his asylum status once he is released from prison.
**Soeren Kern is a Senior Fellow at the New York-based Gatestone Institute. Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter.
© 2017 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/10390/islam-multiculturalism-britain-april

Netanyahu and Trump give hopeful speeches for the future
Ynetnews|/May 22/17
Following a day filled with holy sites and speeches cementing US's ties with Israel, US Pres. Trump and PM Netanyahu give a joint press conference; Netanyahu says that 'for the first time in many years, I see a real hope for change,' while Trump adds that I've been amazed by the generousity of your incredible people. Words fail to capture the experience, it will leave an impression on me forever.'
After a day filled with diplomatic greetings (and selfies), as well as a historic visit to the Western Wall, US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at a joint press conference at the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem.
Netanyahu spoke first, saying that "Sara and I are absolutely delighted to welcome you and Melania to the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the jewish state and the united capital of the Jewish people. You've been to the Western Wall, one of the holiest sites of Judaism and you've been to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, we protect Christian sites, Muslim sites, Jewish sites, we are committed to the freedom of all faiths and the rights of all.
Trump's speech
"I appreciate the fact that you're the first acting president to visit the Western Wall and the people of Israel thank you. I want to thank you especially today for your commitment to Israel and its security. I want you to know how much we appreciate the change in American policy on Iran, which you annunciated so clearly an hour ago. I look forward to working closely with you. I believe we can march back iran's goal to become a nuclear state."
Netnayahu continued by saying, "For the first time in many years, I see a real hope for change. the Arab leaders you met yesterday could help change the atmosphere and they could create the environment for a real peace.
"Lincoln said there is no city on earth he'd like to see more than Jerusalem," quipped Netanyahu. "Well Mr. President, there is no city you're more welcome in."
Trump spoke next, saying that "You honored me and Melania by being one of the first leaders to visit the White House. I've been amazed by the generosity of your incredible people, because it's all about the people. Words fail to capture the experience, it will leave an impression on me forever.
Trump outlined the US's relationship with Israel by describing a "friendship built on our shared love of freedom, human dignity and our shared hope for an Israel at lasting peace. We want Israel to have peace.
"We are more than friends," Trump corrected himself. "We are great allies and we have so many opportunities in front of us, but we must seize them together.
"There are many things that can happen now that couldn't happen before. During my travels, I have seen many hopeful signs that lead me to belive we can achieve a peaceful future in this region.
"In my visit to Saudi Arabia, I met with many leaders of the Arab and Muslim world, including the king (of Saudi Arabia—ed) who treated us so beautifully, and who really wants to see great things for the world. I got to know him well and he really does.
"We are willing to work together and I believe a new level of partnership is possible and will happen, which will bring more security to this region and the united states. This includes a renewed effort at peace between the Israelis and Palestinians."
Trump also mentioned Netanyahu's efforts regarding toward peace with the Palestinians. "He's working very hard at it, it's not easy. I hear it's one of the toughest deals of all and I have a feeling we'll get there, I hope.
"We're going to have very productive discussions," added Trump. "There's a lot of love out there.
"Our deep and lasting friendship will only grow deeper and stronger as we work together in the days ahead. Truly it is a land of wonders, and its my honor to be here with you."
The Trumps' first day in Israel was marked by a busy schedule. Earlier in the day, Melania Trump and Sara Netanyahu visited Haddassah Medical Center and met with the children staying there.
Trump became the first sitting US president to visit the Western Wall earlier Monday. Wearing a kippah, President Trump arrived at the plaza, where he read several psalms and placed a handwritten note in the wall.
Trump visits Western Wall
Trump's note was removed shortly after his departure in an effort to avoid a repeat of the 2008 so-called "Obama incident," when a yeshiva student took the then-presidential candidate's note and leaked it to the media, causing embarrassment. The president signed the guest book, writing, "This was a great honor—peace!"
"We have before us a rare opportunity to bring security and stability and peace to this region and its people, defeating terrorism and creating a future of harmony, prosperity and peace," Trump said upon landing.
"We must work together to build a future where the nations of the region are at peace, and all of our children can grow and grow up strong and grow up free from terrorism and violence."
He stressed that "we can only get there working together, there is no other way."
Meanwhile, Palestinians leaders have reacted to Trump's visit with mixed feelings ranging from cautious optimism to apathy and anger.
Despite trump vowing to Palestinian Presdient Mahmoud Abbas to do whatever is necessary" to negotiate a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah regards Trump's visit with the caution, especially in light of the indications broadcast by Trump and his team of restarting the peace process after three years of total stagnation.
The distinguished welcome ceremony Trump was treated to upon landing was briefly derailed when MK Oren Hazan grabbed the president's hand and took a selfie with him.
Hazan nudged himself into the line of Israeli dignitaries greeting Trump upon his arrival at the airport in Tel Aviv. After shaking Trump's hand, Hazan said, "I wish I could take a selfie with you." Trump responded "What?" but an undeterred Hazan took out his phone and posed alongside an unamused Trump, while Netanyahu tried to bring the moment to an end by pulling on Hazan's arm.
Trump concluded his brief speech by reaffirming "the unbreakable bond between the United States and the State of Israel," adding "We love Israel, we respect Israel... the people of the United States of America are with you."

Saudi Arabia, kingdom of hatred, fighting radicalization?
Ben-Dror Yemini Ynetnews|/May 22/17
Op-ed: While US President Trump announces the opening of a global center for combating extremist ideology in Riyadh, the Saudis keep funding the most radical elements of Islam.
In his speech in Riyadh on Sunday, US President Donald Trump announced the opening of a new Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology. Since the announcement was made in all seriousness and not as a satire, it was one of the unfortunate moments of the war on radicalization. It seems the gap between words and reality has never been bigger.
There were many nice words in the speech, even appropriate words. But while Trump talks about opening the joint center, Saudi Arabia keeps funneling a fortune towards the funding of Islamic radicalization. Trump spoke about soldiers from the Gulf who are fighting terror, but as we speak, Saudi tycoons keep funding the Taliban, with the leadership’s knowledge.
It’s safe to assume that Trump did not read Dr. Dore Gold’s critically-acclaimed book Hatred’s Kingdom before leaving for Saudi Arabia. Nor has he read Prof. Vali Nasr’s research on the massive Saudi funding of the distribution of Wahhabism and Salafism in the past few decades, which created the ideological infrastructure for global jihad and the huge wave of terror that is troubling the West and mercilessly hitting the Muslims themselves.
This massive funding, of course, goes hand in hand with the fact that Saudi Arabia is one of the most unenlightened countries in the world. Forty-nine countries are defined as “not free” in the 2017 Freedom in the World index. Saudi Arabia is among the bottom 10. Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia is at the center of a double paradox: On the one hand, it offered endless support to Salafist organizations, but has become the bitter enemy of global jihad because of its cooperation with the United States; on the other hand, it has not learned its lesson and keeps funneling a fortune to education systems, Islamic centers, imams and mosque that continue along the same Salafist line.
Trump is not the first leader to trust Saudi Arabia. Britain established centers for Islamic studies in a bid to make the Muslim students more moderate. Saudi Arabia offered to help. It transferred 233 million pounds to these centers in eight leading universities. Prof. Anthony Glees published a study revealing the grim outcome: More radicalization among those young students. Saudi capital is funneled to leading universities in the US as well, weakening academic freedom. Trump is no different from the professors who receive donations. They too are living in denial. One has to be really naïve to believe that Saudi Arabia would suddenly make a historic change.
The map of interests of the past few years creates an odd situation, in which the Sunni states, led by Saudi Arabia, stand in the same front with Israel and the American administration. It’s not the result of love. It’s happening primarily because of the shared enemy—Iran. Even Dr. Gold, who understands the problem much better than others, and who has no illusions about Saudi Arabia, was one of the architects of the renewed ties—mainly secret ties—between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Yes, there are shared interests.
The problem is that interests have a blinding power. The Obama administration suffered from blindness when it signed the nuclear agreement, completely ignoring Iran’s long reach. In his speech Sunday, Trump rightfully spoke about Iran’s support and funding of terror, but there is only one country which does it more than Iran—Saudi Arabia.
And now Trump is repeating the same mistake. He is arming the kingdom of hatred, thereby continuing his predecessors’ policy. For nearly a decade now, Saudi Arabia has been at the top of the arms import list. From 2008 to 2015, the kingdom purchased weapons for $93.5 billion (compared to $30.1 billion purchased by Egypt and $14.3 billion by Israel). There are no accurate estimates of the parallel expenses in the area of Wahhabism exports, as they involve both governmental capital and private capital, but different estimates point to a fortune. Saudi Arabia is far from the glory days as a rich oil country, but when it comes to weapons and radicalization it seems to have no limitations.
Trump did not forget to praise Saudi Arabia for advancing the status of women. That is as true as saying that Saudi Arabia is fighting radicalization. The Saudi king, on his part, claimed that Iran was the big exporter of terror. No one was allowed to mention, of course, that most of the perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks were Saudis. Have I already mentioned that the gaps between words and reality has never been wider? Well, I must say it again.

A Saudi embrace against Iran
Nadav Eyal/Ynetnews/May 22/17
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/?p=55552
Op-ed: A day after leaving Saudi Arabia, the American president’s speech seems to be a continuation of the traditional line adopted by all presidents since the 9/11 attacks. In lieu of the Trump who built his political career on condemning Islam and Muslims, we got Trump’s oath of allegiance to the Sunni narrative in the Middle East.
A rare historic moment took place in Riyadh on Sunday: US President Donald Trump found himself in an awkward situation. Why? The amount of flattery he was showered with appeared to be too much, even for him.
It happened during his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who went to the trouble of defining him as “a unique personality that is capable of doing the impossible.” Trump, who is no stranger to megalomania, burst out laughing and replied: “I agree.”
It was a symbolic moment in his trip to Saudi Arabia, which focused on anointing the president with refined oil and dollar bills. The deal it devised was simple: We will embrace you and do the sword dance around you, add a huge check for the arms deals and you will create an anti-Shiite, anti-Iranian axis.
It’s a deal which works for both sides: Trump wants to show that he is providing budgets and workplaces to the American arms industry, which supported him in the presidential election. The Saudis are terrified by Iran’s progress and achievements in Yemen. There is also the war in Syria, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the oil prices. The last point is critical: If the oil prices remain low, the International Monetary Fund predicts that the Saudis will lose their foreign currency reserves by 2020, which means the kingdom will become a failure: After decades of cheap oil, it has missed the opportunity to build a real economy—75% of its income is still from oil.
Trump’s speech was basically a continuation of the traditional line adopted by all US presidents since the 9/11 attacks: The battle is not between religions or civilizations, but between “barbaric criminals,” the terrorists,” and the “decent people.” Between the good and the bad. An attempt to embrace the Arab world which opposes terror, and emphasize its centrality—while pushing the radicals away. Ironically, of course, the speech took place in the homeland of Wahhabist Islamist radicalism. But irony is not an obligation in the Trump era.
Where is the Trump who built his political career on condemning Islam and the Muslims? The Trump who said, “I think Islam hates us”? Well, he has evaporated. Some people are trying to define every comment he makes as a “historic” change from the Barack Obama era, but a review of his predecessor’s Cairo speech demonstrates that the call on the Muslim nation to denounce terror, the distinction between terrorists and law-abiding Muslims, the opposition to the “clash of civilizations” characterized the Obama rhetoric as well. Obama also signed $115-billion arms deals with Saudi Arabia. Trump signed on $109 billion—a deal which was prepared during the Obama era. The Saudi promise for another “$350 billion over 10 years” is written on the shifting sands of Hejaz.
What was different about the speech was the American president’s oath of allegiance to the Sunni narrative in the Middle East: A day after the Iranians celebrated a reformist victory, America informed them that it is actually severing ties. The Saudis were satisfied, and satisfaction may have been recorded in Jerusalem as well.
It’s hard for us, as Israelis, to accept the fact that the president’s visit here is a supplement of his important visit to the Arab world. But this is reality: The money is there, and so are the big troubles, as Trump sees them—the radicalization which is followed by the violence.
The real American-Israeli dialogue began as Air Force One landed at Ben-Gurion Airport on Monday. Does Trump intend to invest a real political capital in Mideast peace, or is it only rhetoric? Will he push the parties into an agreement, or will he settle for “sincere efforts,” as American diplomacy is accustomed to? And most importantly, what part will Israel play in the regional alliance that is taking shape against Iran and in the possibilities of a conflict with the Islamic Republic? This possibility, without a doubt, increased significantly on Sunday evening.
*Nadav Eyal is Channel 10's chief international correspondent.