LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
November 02/17
Compiled &
Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
The Bulletin's Link on the
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Bible Quotations
Blessed are those who are persecuted for
righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Holy Gospel of Jesus
Christ according to Saint Matthew 05/01-12/:"When Jesus saw the crowds, he went
up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began
to speak, and taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be
comforted. ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ‘Blessed are
those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ‘Blessed
are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called
children of God. ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and
persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way
they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
So terrifying was the sight that Moses said, I
tremble with fear
Letter to the Hebrews 12/18-24/:"You have not come to something that can be
touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, and the sound
of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another word
be spoken to them. (For they could not endure the order that was given, ‘If even
an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to death.’Indeed, so
terrifying was the sight that Moses said, ‘I tremble with fear.’) But you have
come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the
firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the
spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new
covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of
Abel.
Titles For Latest LCCC
Bulletin analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on November 01-02/17
Salute To The Courageous & Patriotic Nawfal Daou/Marlaine
Badr/Face Book/
Shia Unrest in Hezbollah's Beirut Stronghold/Hanin Ghaddar/The Washington
Institute/November 01/17
Euro-Stans/Eyad Abu Shakra/Asharq Al Awsat/November 01/17
The European Project Needs a New Long-Term Vision/Jean Tirole/Bloomberg/November
01/17
Gaza Strip: Breeding Ground for Radical Terror Groups/Bassam Tawil/Gatestone
Institute/November 01/17
Yes, That Cartoon of Me Was Anti-Semitic/Alan M. Dershowitz/Gatestone
Institute/November 01/17
Might Xi Jinping's Star Be Burning Too Bright/David Ignatius/The Washington
Post//November 01/17
Qatar’s official nonsense/Mohammed Al-Hammadi/Al Arabiya/November 01/17
Respect for religious pluralism in Islamic history/Dr. Tayyeb Tizini/Al Arabiya/November
01/17
A new era: Women allowed in Saudi stadiums/Mashari Althaydi/Al Arabiya/November
01/17
America's Radicalization Problem: It's Local/Matthew Levitt/New York Daily
News/November 01/17
Titles For Latest LCCC Lebanese Related News published on
November 01-02/17
Salute To The Courageous & Patriotic Nawfal Daou
Bukhari Hands al-Rahi Invitation to Visit Saudi Arabia
President Aoun meets newly appointed Lebanese ambassadors
Mashnouq to Bassil: You'll Never be in Position Allowing You to Define My
Jurisdiction
Berri Warns: Israel's Planned Border Wall Will Violate Lebanon's Sovereignty
Maronite Bishops Say 'Heavy Burden' Syrian Refugees 'Risk Losing Their Identity'
Hariri: Expansion of Airport Capacity to Accommodate 5 Million More Passengers
Chamoun: Nothing Remarkable about Achievements During Aoun's Term
Report: Hizbullah Says Stances Against it 'Won't Impact' Govt Harmony
Drug Dealers Arrested in Mount Lebanon
Man Found Dead with Bullet Wound in Akkar
Information Ministry organizes 'protection of media creativity from piracy'
conference upcoming Friday at Serail
Berri: For swift action against Israeli violations of Lebanon sovereignty
Jumblatt offers condolences to Richard on New York terror attack victims
Bassil meets Tachnag delegation
Audi tackles political issues with Pharaon, meets ambassador of Ukraine
Lebanese Army refers Shadi Mahmoud Ammoun to judiciary for links to Daesh
Guidanian, Tunisian Ambassador tackle tourism cooperation prospects
Shia Unrest in Hezbollah's Beirut Stronghold
Titles For Latest LCCC Bulletin For Miscellaneous Reports
And News published on November 01-02/17
Kuwait’s ruler reappoints PM: state news agency
Blast kills 13 at wedding in India
Syrian opposition rejects Russia-sponsored congress
Iraqi army threatens Erbil over ignoring security pact
Russian bombers hit militant targets in Syria's Deir al-Zor
Extremist Arrested after Knife Attack Near Tunisia’s Parliament
Hamas Hands Over Gaza Border Crossings to PA Control
Parliamentary Demands to Exclude Ahmadinejad from EDC
5 Argentinian Friends on School Reunion Killed in the New York Attack
Lawyer: Catalonia’s Puigdemont Unlikely to Return to Spain
Cargo Ship with 10 Crew Sinks in Black Sea, Search Operations Underway
Former Israeli Minister in Prison over Corruption
Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns New York Attack
10 Bahrainis Stripped of Nationality, Convicted on Terrorism Charges
Putin Visits Tehran for Talks on Syria, Nuclear Deal
Hamas Hands over Egypt Border Crossing to Palestinian Authority
Latest Lebanese Related News published on November 01-02/17
Salute To The
Courageous & Patriotic Nawfal Daou
Marlaine Badr/Face Book/November 01/17
Marlaine Badr A man who loves the law and enforcing it, is a man of God. There
is no buts and maybe's. One of the most satisfying things about his political
discourse is knowing that we can go back and know he gives language its right
place.( his interpretation of UN 1701 resolution is accurate) One cannot argue
with him really. He has the law on his side.His emphasis on the United Nation's
resolutions is indicative of his professionalism and his political command. If
anything, President Awon deep down "Knows" he is speaking for
matters..................he himself cannot speak about and be against of, and I
believe............ the President (though he refuse to show it) is appreciative
of the fact that there is someone who says it like it is . When the Lebanese see
things as accurate as Naufal Daou, and are willing to do something about it,
then they can begin to hope for real change.
Bukhari Hands al-Rahi
Invitation to Visit Saudi Arabia
Naharnet/November 01/17/Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi held talks Wednesday
in Bkirki with Walid al-Bukhari, the chargé d'affaires of the Saudi Embassy in
Lebanon. “I was honored to visit His Eminence, Patriarch al-Rahi, and I handed
him an invitation to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and meet with the
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, and His Highness
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in a visit that is considered one of the most
official visits,” Bukhari said after the meeting, describing the possible visit
as “historic.” Asked about the date of the visit, the envoy said it will take
place “in the coming weeks.” Should the visit happen, al-Rahi will be the latest
high-ranking Lebanese figure to visit the kingdom in recent months. Prime
Minister Saad Hariri had visited Riyadh on Monday and Tuesday where he held
talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and State Minister for Gulf Affairs
Thamer al-Sabhan. Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and Kataeb Party chief MP
Sami Gemayel had held talks with the crown prince in the kingdom in late
September.
President Aoun meets newly appointed Lebanese ambassadors
Wed 01 Nov 2017/NNA - President of the republic, Michel Aoun, met, at Baabda
palace on Wednesday, with a panel of ambassadors newly appointed to represent
Lebanon abroad. The delegation included representatives to Rome (Mira Daher),
Syria (Saad Zakhya), Cyprus (Claude Hajal Dimashkieh), and Australia (Milad Raad).
Mashnouq to Bassil: You'll Never be in Position Allowing
You to Define My Jurisdiction
Naharnet/November 01/17/Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq lashed out fiercely
at Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil on Wednesday in connection with the bickering
over the mechanisms of the new electoral law. “I'm surprised that a minister
possessing experience and intelligence is failing to understand very simple
things, such as that the ongoing debate over (voter) pre-registration is a
political debate in which Minister Mashnouq is not a party,” Mashnouq said in a
statement. The dispute “is between Minister Jebran Bassil and those whom he
apparently does not dare to name,” Mashnouq added. “It seems that Minister
Bassil is no longer differentiating between his limit and the limit of others or
between his position as a minister and his dreams to become an authority above
the Constitution, the state and the institutions,” the minister added, accusing
Bassil of “unacceptable encroachment on jurisdiction and norms.” “I directly
tell Minister Bassil: You are not and will never be in a position allowing you
to define, to me or to my political group, our jurisdiction, role or status in
the Lebanese political system, which we exclusively draw from popular
legitimacy, parliamentary confidence and the Taef constitution,” Mashnouq went
on to say. “Your simplistic belief that you are in a position allowing you to
appoint or sack ministers or to change their portfolios and responsibilities
reflects personal and private dreams that have no place in the Constitution,” he
added. Bassil had on Tuesday described Mashnouq as “a friend on the personal
level” but accused him of “incompetence” regarding “the issue of the
implementation of the electoral law.”"There is political collusion from the side
overseeing the elections, or the interior minister, who is dealing in a lax
manner with the issue of (biometric voting) cards in order to hold the elections
without them. The current conduct regarding the issue of the card is an attempt
to underestimate the intelligence of the Lebanese and the Lebanese should
revolt,” Bassil added, warning of “an intention to rig” the elections.
Berri Warns: Israel's Planned Border Wall Will Violate
Lebanon's Sovereignty
Naharnet/November 01/17/Speaker Nabih Berri warned Wednesday that
Israel's planned border wall will violate Lebanon's sovereignty in several
points, as he slammed a recent visit by Israeli settlers to the occupied Shebaa
Farms. Speaking to MPs during the weekly Ain el-Tineh meeting, Berri also warned
that Israel intends to encroach on the Prophet Ibrahim religious shrine in the
Shebaa Farms. “Such attacks are a blatant violation of Lebanon's sovereignty and
require rapid communication with the international organizations in order to put
an end to them,” Berri added. Briefing the lawmakers on the content of a
classified report, the speaker said Israel's planned wall in the Western Sector
extends from “a point facing Ras al-Naqoura to a point facing the town of Alma
al-Shaab, and in the Eastern Sector it extends from a point facing Adaisseh to a
point facing Kfarkila.”“Although the UNIFIL commander has asked the Israeli side
not to build any structure in disputed areas, the Israeli maps show that the
wall will go through these areas in Naqoura, Alma al-Shaab and Adaisseh, not to
mention that the building of this wall will require bulldozing, drilling and
excavation works in agricultural areas owned by Lebanese citizens,” Berri added.
The speaker also condemned a recent visit by Israeli settlers, who were escorted
by Israeli troops, to the Mashhad al-Tayr area in the Shebaa Farms. “I join my
voice to that of our people in Hasbaya and Marjeyoun on the need for filing a
Lebanese complaint with the United Nations,” Berri added.
Maronite Bishops Say 'Heavy Burden' Syrian Refugees 'Risk
Losing Their Identity'
Naharnet/November 01/17/The Council of Maronite Bishops stressed Wednesday the
need for Syrian refugees to return home, warning that they are facing “the risk
of losing their identity” if they stay in Lebanon. “While underscoring
humanitarian and social solidarity with the Syrian refugees, the fathers stress
the need for them to return to their homeland, because they have become
threatened with losing their identity and are representing a heavy burden for
Lebanon at all levels,” said the Council in a statement issued after its monthly
meeting in Bkirki under the chairmanship of Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi.
“This refugee situation heavily impacts the Syrians themselves, especially those
of them who were born on Lebanon's soil,” the Council added. “Should the crisis
persist, there will be a generation of refugees who have no national identity,
so how would they be able to take part in Syria's future?” the bishops went on
to say. And while calling for “a safe refugee return supervised by world
powers,” the Council warned that “every day of delay is separating these people
from their vital space and from their national dignity and future.” At least one
million registered Syrian refugees live in Lebanon, almost 25 percent of its
population. Many more are believed to live unregistered, straining the country's
already fraying infrastructure.
Hariri: Expansion of Airport Capacity to Accommodate 5
Million More Passengers
Naharnet/November 01/17/Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced on Wednesday that
Lebanon is preparing to increase the capacity of its airport to accommodate five
million extra passengers as part of a guideline prepared by the Ministry of
Works and based on a donation by the Middle East Airlines. “Today we have a
project to increase the capacity of 5 million extra passengers in an initial and
urgent phase, to be completed in the general guideline that the Ministry of
Works is preparing, based on a donation by the MEA to the Lebanese government,”
said Hariri. His remarks came at opening ceremony of the Middle East Training
and Conferences Center at Rafik Hariri International Airport. He added: “When
the reconstruction of the airport project began (during the term of late ex-PM
Rafik Hariri) after the end of the cursed civil war, the airport was receiving
less than one and a half million passengers. “When Rafik Hariri reconstructed it
to accommodate 6 million passengers, people asked: Why 6 million passengers, and
where will they come from? The result? Last year this airport received more than
7 and a half million passengers,” he added. “The number this year will be
bigger, because in July and August alone, the airport registered more than two
million passengers,” noted the PM. Turning to the MEA and its chairman Mohammed
al-Hout, Hariri said: “We are proud that in the era of Mohammed al Hout, this
company moved from being a deficit causer for the state to a successful company,
flying in the name of Lebanon all over the world. “From a company that was
losing tens of millions after the civil war, threatened to be closed, to a
company earning tens of millions a year with accumulated profits that reached
under its current management more than one billion dollars, and that builds
centers like the one we are inaugurating today, with its modern and
sophisticated equipment, which shows how much we all believe in Lebanon’s
leading role in the region and the world.”The PM also concluded by announcing
that the hall will be called after the governor of the Central Bank, Riad
Salameh, he said: “I am also proud to announce that the beautiful hall in which
we gather today, that was known so far as the DOME, is now called Riad Salameh
Hall.”
Chamoun: Nothing Remarkable about Achievements During
Aoun's Term
Naharnet/November 01/17/Head of the National Liberals Party MP
Dori Chamoun said on Wednesday there is “nothing remarkable” about the
accomplishments made during the term of President Michel Aoun, as the President
marked one year since assuming office.
“I can't see any thing outstanding that draws the attention,” he told the daily
in an interview. Noting that he “has not heard or read the President's speech,”
he added “this a tenure like other tenures, things are going the way they do,
and it could have been better," he said. Chamoun's comments came after remarks
made by Aoun during an interview with Lebanon's eight TV stations that marked
one year since assuming the presidency. Aoun pointed to a number of
“achievements,” he said :“We have approved a state budget, succeeded at the
diplomatic appointments and approved a new electoral law based on proportional
representation. The elections will be held according to the new law that will
achieve balance among the country's components.” Aoun also pointed out to the
army's battle against the Islamic State organization in the Lebanese mountains
that led to their ouster. He also pointed out to the need for the judicial and
security institutions to consolidate civil peace.”
Report: Hizbullah Says Stances Against it 'Won't Impact'
Govt Harmony
Naharnet/November 01/17/Hizbullah made no reactions to a series of fiery stances
against the party made by Saudi State Minister for Gulf Affairs Thamer al-Sabhan,
amid assurances that the diplomat's stances “will not affect agreements between
Lebanon's political parties,” al-Joumhouria daily reported on Wednesday.
Hizbullah sources who spoke on condition of anonymity told the daily: “The
matter will not affect the current agreements,” as they ruled out the
possibility it would reflect on Lebanon's government. The sources said they were
reassured about Prime Minister Saad Hariri's ”performance and role in
neutralizing Lebanon from ongoing disputes and separating controversial files
from the prevailing relationship between the political forces,” noting Hariri's
“reiteration that he won't let anything affect the country's stability.” They
stressed that the government “will distance itself from the prevailing
disputes,” voicing expectations that Sabhan's positions may not be tackled
during the upcoming cabinet meeting. On Monday, al-Sabhan lashed out at
Hizbullah and called for “toppling” the party as he promised “astonishing”
developments in “the coming days.” In an earlier tweet on Sunday, the Saudi
minister voiced surprise over what he called the “silence of the government and
people” of Lebanon over Hizbullah’s actions. Al-Sabhan has taken to Twitter to
blast Hizbullah several times in recent months.
Drug Dealers Arrested in Mount Lebanon
Naharnet/November 01/17/Police have cracked down on two drug dealers in the
Mount Lebanon districts of Jbeil and Keserwan, the Internal Security Forces said
on Wednesday. ISF police said that illegal “drug trade has spiraled in Mount
Lebanon, mainly in Keserwan and Jbeil, which prompted intensive investigations
that led to the arrest of the drug dealers on Tuesday,” an ISF statement said.
The two suspects, who turned out to be brothers, were arrested while driving
through al-Safra area aboard a Jeep Cherokee Laredo. Police have “confiscated
the vehicle which contained 20g of cocaine placed in 20 envelopes, 223g of
heroine in 71 envelopes, another 43g of cocaine in one envelope, a pistol, 4
mobile phones, an identity card that matched non of the suspects, $1530 cash
money and LBP140000 in addition to a laptop,” added the statement. The suspects
admitted that they were promoting drugs in the areas of Keserwan and Jbeil and
in the vicinity of the Casino du Liban for the benefit of a third man who was
identified by his initials as Aa.A. They said they got the drugs from the
Hammoudieh town and sometimes from a man nicknamed al-Khal. Efforts are ongoing
to arrest the rest of the ring.
Man Found Dead with Bullet Wound in Akkar
Naharnet/November 01/17/Police in the northern region of Akkar
are investigating the shooting death of a man, the National News Agency reported
on Wednesday. A man was found dead at his house in the Akkar town of Kroum Arab
after sustaining a gun shot wound, NNA said. The victim was shot with a hunting
rifle that he owned, it added. No arrests have been made. Investigations are
ongoing to uncover the details of the incident.
Information Ministry organizes 'protection of media
creativity from piracy' conference upcoming Friday at Serail
Wed 01 Nov 2017/NNA - Under the patronage of Prime Minister Saad
Hariri, the Information Ministry organizes a conference on 'the protection of
media creativity from piracy' upcoming Friday at the Grand Serail at 10.30 am.
The conference comes at the behest of Information Minister Melhem Riachy. The
event is organized in cooperation with the Internal Security Forces (ISF)
Directorate General and a group of leading media outlets. Speeches will be
delivered by ISF chief Major General Emad Othman, and Minister Riachy.
Discussion panels on relevant topics will be held.
Berri: For swift action against Israeli violations of Lebanon sovereignty
Wed 01 Nov 2017/NNA - Speaker of the House, Nabih Berri, shone light during
Wednesday's regular meeting with MPs at Ain-el-Tineh, on "the organized Israeli
attacks and violations of Lebanon's sovereignty," stressing on information and a
report revealing the enemy's intention to build a wall along the borders and to
sabotage Prophet Ibrahim shrine in Shebaa farms. "Such attacks are considered a
blatant violation of Lebanon and its sovereignty, and they entail a swift action
before the international stances to put end to the breaches," Berri said during
the meeting. Moreover, the Speaker informed the lawmakers about the content of a
classified report on the enemy's plan. According to him, the intended wall will
be erected from a point in the Western Sector off Ras Naqoura till a point off
Alma Shaab; in the Eastern Sector, the wall will extend from a point off
Adaisseh to reach a point off Kfarkila. "Even though the UNIFIL Commander had
asked the Israeli side not to build any construction in the reserved areas, but
the enemy's maps show that those points are indeed in Naqoura," Berri said. On a
different note, the Speaker reaffirmed that any bid regarding the energy dossier
would be only Okayed by the tenders' authority." "This is conclusive."
Jumblatt offers condolences to Richard on New York terror
attack victims
Wed 01 Nov 2017/NNA - "Democratic Gathering" head, MP Walid Jumblatt, on
Wednesday cabled US Ambassador to Lebanon, Elizabeth Richard, deploring the
terror attack in southern Manhattan, New York, which led to the falling of a
number of killed and injured. Jumblatt expressed sincere affinity and offered
heartfelt condolences to the families of victims, New Yorkers and the American
people.
Bassil meets Tachnag delegation
Wed 01 Nov 2017/NNA - Foreign Affairs Minister, Gebran Bassil, met on Wednesday
with a Tachnag Party delegation chaired by MP Aghop Pakradonian who, in the wake
of the meeting, underlined the strong relations between the Tachnag and the Free
Patriotic Movement. He also said he had discussed with Bassil the current
situation in Lebanon and the region, as well as the legislative deadline and the
role of Lebanese expatriates in the world. "We are preserving our old coalitions
with the FPM and others," he added, signaling the possibility of "weaving" new
coalitions in order to maintain the fair representation of the Armenian
community, the Tachnag party and the FPM.
Audi tackles political issues with Pharaon, meets
ambassador of Ukraine
Wed 01 Nov 2017/NNA - The metropolitan of Beirut, Elias Audi, received on
Wednesday Minister Michel Pharaon, with whom he addressed political issues and
an array of affairs related to the capital. Later, Metropolitan Audi met with
the Ukrainian Ambassador to Lebanon, Ihor Ostash. The diplomat said he discussed
cultural cooperation with his host, in the context of the launching of the
Ukrainian Cultural Forum to be held on November 27 to mark the commemoration of
25 years since the birth of Lebanese-Ukrainian diplomatic relations.
Lebanese Army refers Shadi Mahmoud Ammoun to judiciary for links to Daesh
Wed 01 Nov 2017/NNA - Army Intelligence Directorate referred the so-called Shadi
Mahmoud Amnoun to the concerned judiciary for links to the terrorist "Daesh"
Organization, army command said in a communiqué on Wednesday. Ammoun partook in
battles against the Lebanese army in Arsal and was involved in the assualt on
the army's post in Wadi Hmayyid in the year 2014. The apprehended Ammoun also
observed several persons inside the town of Arsal in an attempt to assassinate
them and abduct others from the town.
Guidanian, Tunisian Ambassador tackle tourism cooperation
prospects
Wed 01 Nov 2017/NNA - Tourism Minister, Avedis Guidanian, on Wednesday received
at his ministerial office Tunisian Ambassador to Lebanon, Mohamed Karim Boudali,
with talks reportedly touching on tourism relations between the two countries
and preparations underway a memorandum of understanding on cooperation and
tourism coordination. Both sides agreed to encourage tourism exchange between
the two countries.
Shia Unrest in Hezbollah's Beirut Stronghold
Hanin Ghaddar/The Washington Institute/November 01/17
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/?p=59962
The group is hoping to rein in rampant social problems by allowing government
authorities to crack down on its poorest constituents, but the plan could
backfire amid unprecedented anti-Hezbollah riots.
On October 25, Lebanese police raided unlicensed street vendors in the southern
Beirut suburb of Dahiya, the main headquarters of Hezbollah, causing rare public
expressions of discontent against the group. Internal security forces used
bulldozers to take down shacks in the Hay al-Sollom neighborhood, where vendors
mainly sold coffee and mobile phones. In response, dozens of citizens poured
into the streets burning tires and blocking roads, an act seen many times when
state authorities interfere in Dahiya. But this time protesters were caught on
television badmouthing not the central government, but Hezbollah and its leader
Hassan Nasrallah, who they blamed for the loss of their livelihoods and the war
in Syria. One woman addressed Nasrallah after she found her shop -- her only
source of income – flattened: "We all provided martyrs for you in Syria. I have
three injured sons. And this is how you're treating us?" Another man yelled at
the camera, "Syria can go to hell, along with Hassan Nasrallah!"
The shops had been there for decades and were previously protected from raids by
Hezbollah. It is common knowledge in Lebanon that government security
authorities never enter Dahiya unless they coordinate with Hezbollah officials,
and that the group often allows illegal ventures and hides criminals. This time,
however, it did not even bother to inform locals that the raid would be taking
place.
BREWING CLASS WARFARE
It is no coincidence that this exceptional act of revolt occurred in one of
Dahiya's poorest neighborhoods. As much as the Syria war has changed Hezbollah
militarily and expanded its regional role, it has also changed the Lebanese Shia
community and its perceptions of the group. Class divisions in Dahiya are more
drastic than ever -- the poor neighborhoods are providing fighters while the
upper middle class and rich neighborhoods are benefiting from the war.
In Hay al-Sollom, posters of "martyrs" cover the walls, and funerals for young
men have become a daily occurrence. The war is present in every home, where news
reports and discussions center on Syrian battles and deaths. In other
neighborhoods, however, the war is very distant, in large part because wealthy
Shia do not send their sons to fight. On the contrary, many Hezbollah officials
have taken advantage of the war economy to expand their local investments.
Shops, restaurants, hotels, and cafes are now booming in prosperous areas of
Dahiya and the south.
The growing wealth gap helps explain last week's riot, with the poor expressing
their frustration toward Hezbollah officials who live in fancy apartments, drive
brand-new cars, and send their children to private schools and universities in
other neighborhoods. Previously, this frustration had been contained because
Hezbollah maintained its role as protector of all Shia, rich or poor. So why did
the group suddenly decide to step aside for a government raid?
"MY DAHIYA" PROJECT
According to sources in Dahiya, Hezbollah authorities not only allowed the raid,
they actually asked for it. Bulldozing shops in Hay al-Sollom is part of a
larger plan called Dahiyati (My Dahiya), launched in September. The plan is
based on an effort by the three municipalities in charge of Dahiya to beautify
it and make it a more comfortable place for residents. It includes removing a
chaotic network of illegal structures that cause traffic jams and overcrowding
in certain neighborhoods.
But Hezbollah's real objective is not beauty or comfort. Rather, many residents
see the plan as cover for the group to confront the main challenges it faces in
Dahiya: rampant small crime, drugs, and prostitution. These problems have
proliferated since 2011 amid the war in Syria.
Hezbollah has dragged the Shia community into wars with Israel many times in the
past, but these conflicts were relatively short, and local Shia were usually
rewarded by ample money and services afterward. The Syria war is different,
however. It has been dragging on for years, costing Hezbollah its image as a
"resistance" group and its ability to provide social services, taking the lives
of many young men in the process. Once the group became consumed by events next
door, it could no longer keep a lid on drug cartels, petty criminals, and
illegal construction back home. Shia street clashes increased in Dahiya and
complaints grew louder, showing that livelihood and basic services are much more
significant to locals than Hezbollah's prestigious new regional role. Families
who could afford it began to leave the district, heading south or to other areas
of Beirut. In response, Hezbollah felt compelled to act, hence the "My Dahiya"
project.
A LAYER OF FEAR
Although last week's outbursts were immediately contained -- the people who
badmouthed Nasrallah were forced to apologize on camera -- the deeper problems
persist. These who were made to apologize are no doubt feeling even more
humiliated than ever, and their apologies were based on fear, not regret. In
addition, now that Hezbollah faces new U.S. sanctions, many local Shia believe
they will be the ones to pay the price. In their view, sanctions will not stop
the group from expanding its regional activities or operating in Syria, but
simply force it to implement harsher economic measures at home, meaning poorer
Shia might suffer the most.
Many locals are also afraid that if Hezbollah stops protecting them, they will
become vulnerable to further crackdowns by state authorities. Still others fear
that Hezbollah's status as the most powerful faction in Lebanon's government and
institutions will make it more likely to crack down on discontent itself. Poor
Shia are therefore caught in a dilemma: they do not want to provide more martyrs
for the Syria war, but they do not want to be labeled as citizens who defy the
authorities either, especially if doing so risks their chances of accessing
services and surviving.
After the Hay al-Sollom incident, the question is how authorities can deal with
this discontent. Hezbollah and anti-Hezbollah groups alike are asking themselves
the same question. For Hezbollah, this issue is now its most formidable
challenge. The group seems to believe it can handle international sanctions and
rival political pressure without changing its approach, but internal discontent
within the Shia community could implode its support base.
For now, the "My Dahiya" project will probably continue, though Hezbollah may
seek less severe ways of implementing it. But any such measures can still be
expected to create more discontent and frustration, mainly in poor neighborhoods.
WORK WITH THE SHIA, NOT HEZBOLLAH
Hezbollah has long rallied the Shia community around it based on a clear
formula: "I am your protector and provider, but you have to embrace my ideology
and my wars and forget you are citizens of the Lebanese state." This approach
worked for decades -- until Hezbollah became a state with no services. Today,
poorer Shia are well aware that "My Dahiya" is not really for them, but rather
an effort to make the district more appealing to investors and less of a
headache for Hezbollah. The gap between the group's wealthy officials and poor
"martyred" foot soldiers is widening, leaving the people searching for an
alternative it can no longer provide. In the end, the situation will likely
develop in one of two ways: either public anger will be contained by force and
the poor will simply surrender to the new rules, or their resentment will lead
to more tension and clashes with the rich neighborhoods of Dahiya.
Whichever scenario unfolds, local Shia are primarily being driven by the fear of
losing their livelihood. Rhetoric in the streets of Dahiya is now dominated by
talk of employment opportunities, small loans for investment opportunities, and
basic services. Poor Shia have come to realize that ideology and "divine
victories" do not put food on the table, so the only alternative they are
looking for today is an economic alternative. If Hezbollah cannot provide it,
they will look for it elsewhere.
At this point, anti-Hezbollah political alternatives supported by the West are
no longer feasible. Western governments should therefore shift toward a
longer-term strategy of using economic programs to give disillusioned Shia a
viable means of meeting their basic needs, working with the Lebanese private
sector and international organizations such as the World Bank and IMF. Favorable
political rhetoric will follow.
**Hanin Ghaddar, a veteran Lebanese journalist and researcher, is the Friedmann
Visiting Fellow at The Washington Institute.
Latest LCCC Bulletin For Miscellaneous Reports
And News published on November 01-02/17
Kuwait’s ruler reappoints PM: state news
agency
Reuters/November 01/17/DUBAI: Kuwait’s ruler reappointed his
prime minister on Wednesday and asked him to form a cabinet, the official state
news agency said on Wednesday, after the government stepped down earlier this
week in an expected cabinet reshuffle. The major oil producer has the oldest
legislature among the Gulf Arab states and experiences frequent cabinet
resignations amid tensions between the government and lawmakers.Prime Minister
Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Sabah had tendered his resignation on Monday.
Blast kills 13 at wedding in India
AFP/November 01/17/NEW DEHLI: At least 13 people including a pregnant woman were
killed when an electricity transformer exploded outside a wedding ceremony in
western India, police said Wednesday. Dozens of guests had assembled for the
ceremony outside a family home in the western state of Rajasthan when the
transformer exploded, spewing hot oil and metal shards. “Four people died on the
spot,” local police superintendent Rameshwar Singh told AFP. “We are
ascertaining the cause of the blast.”Singh said several others were being
treated for severe burns after the disaster, which triggered protests against
the electricity department. Locals said they had raised concerns about the
maintainance of the transformer with officials, but nothing had been done. They
also said a circuit-breaker failed to work after the blast, exacerbating the
disaster as live wires fell onto the crowd late Tuesday in the state capital
Jaipur.
Transformers are part of the electricity distribution system and help maintain a
uniform current. India’s power distribution system is prone to accidents, mostly
because of poor maintainance and underfunding in rural areas. Nearly 10,000
people died due to electrocution in India in 2015, according to the most recent
data available from the national crimes records bureau. Rajasthan chief minister
Vasundhara Raje has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident.
Syrian opposition rejects Russia-sponsored congress
ReutersWednesday, 1 November 2017/The Syrian opposition has rejected a new,
Russian-sponsored initiative to reach a political settlement to the Syrian
conflict, and Turkey protested against the invitation of the Syrian Kurdish side
as Moscow’s peacemaking bid hit early complications on Wednesday. Having
intervened decisively in the Syrian war in 2015 in support of President Bashar
al-Assad, Russia now hopes to build on the collapse of ISIS to launch a new
political process towards ending the six-year-long conflict. Damascus has said
it is ready to attend the November 18 Sochi congress which is set to focus on a
new constitution, saying the time is right thanks to Syrian army gains and the
“terrorists’ obliteration”. But officials in the anti-Assad opposition rejected
the meeting and insisted any peace talks be held only under UN sponsorship in
Geneva, where talks have failed to make any progress towards ending the conflict
since it erupted in 2011. The congress amounted to a meeting “between the regime
and the regime”, said Mohammad Alloush, a member of the opposition High
Negotiations Committee and a senior official with the Jaish al-Islam rebel
group. The HNC was surprised it had been mentioned in a list of groups invited
to the congress and would “issue a statement with other parties setting out the
general position rejecting this conference”, Alloush told Reuters. The
Turkey-based Syrian National Coalition (SNC), a political opposition group, said
the congress was an attempt to circumvent “the international desire for
political transition” in Syria.“The Coalition will not participate in any
negotiations with the regime outside Geneva or without UN sponsorship,” SNC
spokesman Ahmad Ramadan told Reuters.
Defeating militants in Syria
A Russian negotiator said on Tuesday that Syrian groups who choose to boycott
the congress risked being sidelined as the political process moves ahead.
Russia has invited 33 Syrian groups and political parties to what it calls a
‘Syrian Congress on National Dialogue’. Russian President Vladimir Putin first
mentioned the idea of the congress last month, saying that he believed Moscow
and the Syrian government would soon finally defeat militants in Syria. Helped
by Russia’s air force and an array of Iran-backed Shi’ite militias, Assad has
defeated many of the Syrian militants who were fighting to topple him, leaving
him militarily unassailable and the militants confined to enclaves in the west.
Damascus and its allies have also recovered swathes of central and eastern Syria
from ISIS in recent months, while a separate campaign by US-backed Syrian
Democratic Forces (SDF) has driven ISIS from other areas of the country. The
separate campaigns are now converging on ISIS’s last strongholds in Deir al-Zor
province at the Iraqi border.Russia’s decision to invite the Kurdish groups
which dominate the SDF to Sochi triggered Turkish irritation on Wednesday.
Ankara, which views the dominant Syrian Kurdish groups as a national security
threat, said it was unacceptable that the Kurdish YPG militia had been invited.
Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said Turkish and Russian officials
had discussed the issue and that he had held meetings of his own to “solve the
problem on the spot.”Turkey views the YPG and its political affiliate, the PYD,
as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has been waging a
three-decade insurgency in Turkey.
Iraqi army threatens Erbil over ignoring security pact
Staff writer, Al Arabiya EnglishWednesday, 1 November 2017/The Iraqi army
announced that Kurdistan region ignored security agreements that have been
approved previously, giving the region a "final deadline" to implement the
security pact. In a statement issued Wednesday by the Joint Operations Command
in Iraq, the army confirmed that Kurdistan’s forces are structuring their
defenses and moving forces throughout the negotiation period, adding that "this
is a policy of stalling and treason to target our troops." The Iraqi army
stressed that the actions on Erbil’s side are unacceptable, contrary to set
agreements and that they will secure the border areas with Kurdistan if Erbil
doesn’t commit. The Joint Operations Command praised the "high responsibility
and wisdom" manifested by the Iraqi Prime Minister Commander-in-Chief of the
Armed Forces Haider Abadi, sending a high-level military technical delegation to
hold a series of meetings with the security delegation of Erbil and give a
deadline for several days to prevent bloodshed and to ensure the protection of
citizens. However, according to the statement of the Iraqi army, Kurdistan
leadership and its delegation rejected the draft agreed upon in negotiations by
the federal envoy with Erbil. The statement highlighted that it is clear that
Erbil negotiators wasted time and pulled out at the last minute forcing
negotiations back to square one. "What they have (Erbil) submitted is absolutely
unacceptable," the statement added. The statement stressed that "the federal
forces are required to secure areas and borders, protect the civilians and have
strict instructions not to clash and prevent bloodshed, but if armed groups
associated with Erbil fired missiles or bombed at federal forces, killed members
and intimidated the citizens, they will be pursued by the forces of the federal
law and will not be safe."
Russian bombers hit militant targets in Syria's Deir al-Zor
ReutersWednesday, 1 November 2017/Six long-range strategic bombers took off from
their bases in Russia to hit militant targets in the Syrian province of Deir al-Zor
on Wednesday, Russian news agencies cited the Russian Defence Ministry as
saying. The Tu-22M3 planes flew over Iran and Iraq to hit the targets which
included “terrorist” strongholds and depots with weapons and ammunition, TASS
news agency reported. The Russian Defense Ministry released footage on Wednesday
of the Tu-22MZ bombers taking off and dropping bombs on ISIS group positions
outside the militant-held town of Boukamal (Abu Kamal) on the border with Iraq.
Syrian government forces are battling the militants outside the town. Russia has
been providing air cover for the Syrian government’s operations against ISIS and
rebels since 2015 but it has mostly used an airfield in Syria. The Russian
military said the airstrikes destroyed the militants’ command posts and
ammunition depots.(With AP)
Extremist Arrested after Knife Attack Near Tunisia’s
Parliament
Asharq Al Awsat/November 01/17 /A suspected militant was arrested on Wednesday
after wounding two policemen in a knife attack near the parliament building in
the Tunisian Capital, the interior ministry said. The assailant was known to
authorities and said after the attack that he considered the police to be
"tyrants", according to the statement. One of the policemen was taken to
hospital for treatment after being injured in the neck, while the other was only
lightly wounded, it said. Large numbers of police were deployed to Tunis’ Bardo
square in the aftermath of the attack, a witness said. Blood could be seen on
the ground in the square. The square is opposite the parliament building and
close to the Bardo museum, the site of a militant attack against foreign
tourists that killed 21 people in March 2015. An official at the police station
where the man was taken after being detained said the attacker was in his 20s
and appeared "very aware of what he did"."He spoke calmly and showed no
remorse," the official said, asking to remain anonymous. Tunisia suffered two
other major attacks that year, one against tourists at the beach resort of
Sousse and the other against presidential guards in the capital. Since then,
security has been boosted at strategic sites while Tunisian authorities have
cracked down on militants, dismantling dozens of networks.
Hamas Hands Over Gaza Border Crossings to PA Control
Asharq Al Awsat/November 01/17 Hamas began ceding control of the Gaza Strip's
border crossings with Israel and Egypt to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on
Wednesday under an agreement brokered by Cairo last month to end a decade of
internal divisions. Witnesses said that employees from Abbas' Palestinian
Authority (PA) moved into Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings on the Israeli border
and Rafah crossing on the Egyptian border, as Hamas counterparts packed up
equipment and departed on trucks. At Rafah, large murals of Abbas and Egyptian
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi decorated the entrances to the passport hall and
Palestinian and Egyptian flags flew over the compound. Mufeed al-Husayna, a PA
minister, gave a short speech at the crossing, saying all the border crossings
were being handed over. "We began today, under the directive of the prime
minister (Rami Hamdallah), to exercise our duties by receiving all the
crossings," he said, thanking the Egyptians for mediating the deal. "There is no
yellow and green. All our Palestinian people are under the Palestinian flag," he
added, referring to the flag colors of the political parties that signed last
month's reconciliation deal. Hamdallah is due to visit Gaza again in the coming
days, he added. Citing security concerns, Israel maintains tight restrictions on
the movement of people and goods at its crossings with the Gaza Strip, including
an almost blanket ban on exports from the territory. Hamas’ move on Wednesday
marked the most concrete implementation of the Oct. 11 reconciliation deal
struck in Cairo. Ministers from the Abbas-backed government of national
consensus have begun gradually to assume their duties in Gaza in past weeks and
on Tuesday took over the revenue accounts of the Rafah and Kerem Shalom
crossings, officials said. Hamas had used those revenues - taxes and fees
collected from merchants and passengers - as part of its Gaza budget, to pay
salaries of the 40,000 to 50,000 employees it has hired since 2007. Those wages
will now be paid by the PA, under the Cairo agreement. The Palestinian Authority
will begin operating the Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings immediately, officials
said, while in Rafah the operation will await further security arrangements such
as deploying a force from Abbas' presidential guards and Cairo completing
innovations on its side of the facility.
Parliamentary Demands to Exclude Ahmadinejad from EDC
Asharq Al Awsat/November 01/17 Nearly two weeks after Iranian
Parliament’s Audit Court announced that former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
spent $1.3 billion of Iran’s oil income “illegally”, the deputy head of a
conservatives’ faction has called for his expulsion from the influential
Expediency Discernment Council, EDC. Member of parliament Gholamali Jafarzadeh
said om Tuesday, “As it is proven that Ahmadinejad has violated the law, he must
be expelled from EDCS”, according to ILNA. Earlier in October, Iranian
parliament’s Audit Court had announced Ahmadinejad’s violations, ordering him to
repay $1.3 billion. The ruling accused Ahmadinejad that during his presidency
from 2008 to 2013 oil revenues were unlawfully spent without being properly
transferred from the oil ministry to the treasury. Asked by ILNA what should be
done with Ahmadinejad, who obviously cannot repay such an amount, Jafarzadeh
responded, “As a rule, those responsible for such violations are condemned to
lose their governmental positions. Therefore, Ahmadinejad should be expelled
from EDC”. After completing his eight years of presidency in 2013, Ahmadinejad
was appointed as a member of EDC by Supreme Leader Ali Kahmenei’s decree, on the
grounds of his “priceless efforts” during his presidency. Commenting on that,
Jafarzadeh said that when Khamenei appointed Ahmadinejad, the former president’s
financial mishandling was not revealed. Nevertheless, at the moment, expelling
him from EDC is necessary.
Notably, Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's Plan and Budget Commission
Golamriza Tacgerdun revealed last week that mounting suspicions against
Ahmadinejad are enough to take to court. More so, Tacgerdun said Parliament
Speaker Ali Larijani had ignored the revealing reports which make a strong case
against Ahmadinejad. For his part, Ahmadinejad dismissed the charges and
threatened to divulge a “cowardly scenario” by “bands of power and wealth”.
Moreover, he has alleged that a “cabal” is waging war against the leading
officials of his administration.
5 Argentinian Friends on School Reunion Killed in the New
York Attack
Asharq Al Awsat/November 01/17 Argentina on Wednesday mourned a group of friends
who fell victims during the bike path terror attack in New York near the World
Trade Center. The 5 friends were part of a group of 8 friends celebrating the
30th anniversary of their high school graduation from the Polytechnic School of
Rosario, Argentina. They were all on a trip to New York and Boston, where their
classmate, Marro, lives. The Argentine foreign ministry identified them as Ariel
Erlij, Hernan Diego Mendoza, Diego Enrique Angelini, Alejandro Damian Pagnucco,
and Hernan Ferruchi. Erlij, who owned a steel mill, paid for the trip, according
to Argentina's La Nacion newspaper. Several other victims were architects.
Argentina's consul in New York, Mateo Estreme, told La Capital in Rosario that
the survivors in the Argentine group are in a state of shock. Only days earlier,
before flying to the US, they had posed for a group photo, all of them wearing
T-shirts with the word "Libre," or Free, according to AP. "Four died at the
scene and another young man died when he was taken away by an ambulance," Jose
Nunez, a national deputy who was a friend of several of the men, told La Nacion.
The Argentinian government released a statement expressing “its sincere
condolences for the death of Hernán Diego Mendoza, Diego Enrique Angelini,
Alejandro Damián Pagnucco, Ariel Erlij and Hernán Ferruchi.”The attack killed
eight people and seriously injured 11. The deputy prime minister and foreign
affairs minister of Belgium said in a tweet that one of the dead was Belgian, AP
reported.
Lawyer: Catalonia’s Puigdemont Unlikely to Return to Spain
Asharq Al Awsat/November 01/17 Catalonia's dismissed leader Carles Puigdemont
will not return to Spain as there is a "good chance that he would be detained",
one of his lawyers has said. Speaking to Dutch public newscaster NOS late
Tuesday, Belgian lawyer Paul Bekaert said "as far as he told me that's not going
to happen" when asked if his client would go back to Spain. "That's because we
are awaiting further reactions from the Spanish authorities to see what's going
to happen," Bekaert said, speaking by phone to the Nieuwsuur actuality program.
The lawyer also told the Associated Press on Wednesday that Puigdemont "is not
going to Madrid and I suggested that they question him here in Belgium. It is
possible."Puigdemont together with 13 other former members of his administration
has been summoned by Madrid’s National Audience, which deals with major criminal
cases. He and his government were sacked on Friday by Prime Minister Mariano
Rajoy hours after passing a unilateral declaration of independence from Spain
through the regional parliament, a vote boycotted by the opposition and
considered illegal by Spanish courts. On Monday, Spain's chief prosecutor said
he was seeking charges of rebellion -- punishable by up to 30 years behind bars
-- sedition and misuse of public funds. But the 54-year-old Puigdemont is in
Brussels, where he surfaced after reportedly driving to Marseille in France and
taking a plane to the Belgian capital. At a packed and chaotic news conference
Tuesday, Puigdemont said he was in Brussels "for safety purposes and freedom"
and to "explain the Catalan problem in the institutional heart of Europe". He
denied that he intended to claim asylum but said he and several other former
ministers who traveled with him would return only if they have guarantees that
legal proceedings would be impartial. Bekaert told NOS he believed "there is a
good chance that Puigdemont will be detained" should he return to Spain. Asked
whether Puigdemont would face a fair trial in Spain, the lawyer said "it would
be premature (to say), but that would certainly be an argument we would use at
an eventual extradition request". Attention in the crisis over Catalonia is now
turning to the December election, called by Rajoy when Madrid took over control
of the autonomous region.
Cargo Ship with 10 Crew Sinks in Black Sea, Search
Operations Underway
Asharq Al Awsat/November 01/17 A Turkish cargo ship with 10 crew
on board sank on Wednesday morning in the Black Sea near the Asian side of
Istanbul and a search and rescue operation is underway, the coast guard said.
The cause was still unclear. The ship, Bilal Bal, sent a distress signal early
on Wednesday, November 1, the coast guard command said in a statement. The ship
was carrying cast iron from Turkey’s northwestern province of Bursa to the
northern province of Zonguldak, Dogan news agency reported. “Unfortunately, one
of our cargo ships sank in ... the Black Sea,” Prime Minister Binali Yildirim
said. Search and rescue operations were continuing, he said. Three boats, one
helicopter and one plane belonging to the coast guard were conducting search and
rescue operations, according the coast guard. Lifeboats, life jackets and other
gear believed to belong to the stricken vessel were found on the surface, the
coast guard said. Five boats more were deployed to aid in the operations, as
well as a remotely operated underwater vehicle from the Turkish naval forces, it
said. The ship left from a port in the northwestern province of Bursa on Friday,
Hurriyet daily reported.
Former Israeli Minister in Prison over Corruption
Asharq Al Awsat/November 01/17 Former Tourism Minister Stas
Misezhnikov will serve 15 months in prison for breach of trust as part of a plea
bargain agreed with the State Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday. Charges of drug
possession against Misezhnikov were dropped as part of the deal and he will also
pay a 70,000 shekel ($20,000) fine. According to the amended indictment,
Misezhnikov will admit that while serving as tourism minister, he allocated a
budget of 1 million shekels to a student festival held in Eilat in 2010, while
at the same time asking the organizers of the festival to employ his girlfriend
Julia Roth. The Prosecution agreed to drop charges stating that Misezhnikov
during his tenure was sending his advisers to purchase cocaine and that he used
drugs during official occasions. Misezhnikov is one of 35 figures in Yisrael
Beiteinu Party who were arrested for various corruption accusations, and they
all worked under the leadership of the minister of defense and head of Yisrael
Beiteinu Avigdor Lieberman. Among these figures are heads of settlements in the
West Bank. There have been strict discussions in the media and politics
regarding the role of Lieberman and the reason that prevents the police from
investigating him.
Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns New York Attack
Asharq Al Awsat/November 01/17 An official source at the Saudi
Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned the truck-ramming attack in
the US city of New York, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. The
source offered the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's condolences to the families of the
victims, the US administration, and the friendly American people, SPA said. The
official source reiterated the Kingdom's rejection and condemnation of such
terrorist acts, reaffirming its solidarity with friendly countries against all
forms and manifestations of terrorism and extremism, the agency added.
10 Bahrainis Stripped of Nationality, Convicted on
Terrorism Charges
Asharq Al Awsat/November 01/17 The Fourth High Criminal Court
stripped 10 defendants from their Bahraini citizenship and sentenced nine to
life imprisonment. They had been charged with forming an outlawed group that
plotted "terror" attacks, smuggling arms and ammunition into Bahrain, traveling
to Iran and Iraq for military training and possessing arms and ammunition.
Attorney General Ahmed al-Hammadi said that the Fourth High Criminal Court
issued on Tuesday a verdict against 10 defendants, sentencing nine of them to
life imprisonment over charges of association with a terrorist group, while
sentencing the tenth to one month imprisonment and a fine of 100 dinars for
possession of a sword without a license from the competent authorities, also
revoking the nationality of all the defendants. The prosecution relied on
evidence from prosecution witnesses, confessions of the accused, and technical
evidence, including reports of the forensic evidence directorate. It said it was
informed on the arrest of a terrorist group, “and investigations indicated that
a person, who moved and was deceased in Iraq, was recruiting Bahraini elements
before traveling in order to send them to Iraq and Iran to receive military
training." He was able to establish a terrorist group inside Bahrain to carry
out terrorist attacks aiming at destabilizing Bahrain. After fleeing Bahrain
before his death in 2014, he managed to recruit three convicts in the same case,
all who fled to Iran. The report also included a fourth convict who recruited
six convicts in the case and facilitated and arranged for seven convicts to
travel to Iran for military training and to receive shipments of weapons and
materials used in the manufacture of explosive materials after their
return.Three convicts in the case provided secret caches of weapons received by
the cell from Iran. The three suspects were also helped to flee to Iraq early in
2014 to receive military training and carry out terrorist operations in Bahrain.
Putin Visits Tehran for Talks on Syria, Nuclear Deal
Associated Press/Naharnet/November 01/17/Russian President
Vladimir Putin met Iran's leadership Wednesday in Tehran as the two Damascus
allies push a Syria peace plan and the Kremlin offers its backing for a landmark
nuclear deal facing U.S. opposition. Putin -- on his first visit to Tehran since
2015 -- held talks with President Hassan Rouhani, before he was due to meet
supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Kremlin strongman will also take part
in a three-way summit with Rouhani and the leader of ex-Soviet Azerbaijan Ilham
Aliyev aimed at bolstering economic ties between their energy-rich nations.
Moscow said Syria will be a focus of Putin's visit, which comes after Russia,
Iran and Turkey pledged after negotiations in Kazakhstan on Tuesday to bring the
Syrian regime and its opponents together for a "congress" to push peace efforts.
Russia and Iran, key military supporters of President Bashar al-Assad, and
Turkey, which backs Syrian rebels, have organized a series of peace talks in the
Kazakh capital Astana this year, agreeing on the establishment of
"de-escalation" zones in various parts of the war-torn country. Wednesday's
talks will also focus on the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which saw sanctions lifted
in exchange for limits on Tehran's atomic program and which is under pressure
from U.S. President Donald Trump. Tehran signed the deal with six countries
including Russia and the United States, but Trump last month refused to certify
the agreement, drawing criticism from Moscow which slammed the U.S. president's
"aggressive and threatening rhetoric" against Iran.
Syria peace push
Ahead of Putin's arrival, Iran's official IRNA news agency reported Russia's
chief of staff Valery Gerasimov flew into Tehran for talks with his Iranian
counterpart Mohammad Bagheri to discuss "Syria...and the fight against
terrorism."
The military might of Moscow and Tehran in Syria has helped prop up Assad's
forces and turn the protracted conflict in his favour with a string of key
battlefield victories. Since the start of the year Russia has looked to cement
the gains from its game-changing intervention by spearheading the peace push at
talks in Kazakhstan, positioning itself as a broker between key players Iran and
Turkey and largely bypassing the West. Up until now the focus has been on
quelling the violence on the ground and the three powers have established four
"de-escalation zones" around rebel-held territory in the country. The zones were
initially credited for bringing about a significant reduction in bloodshed, but
international aid groups say they are currently failing to curb the fighting.
Now Moscow seems keen on expanding its peace drive in search of a political
settlement and on Thursday got Iran and Turkey to agree an initiative for a
"Congress of Syrian National Dialogue" that aims to bring together some 33
delegations in the Russian city of Sochi on November 18.
Opposition to U.S.
Putin and the Iranian leadership are also set to find common cause in their
fierce opposition to Trump's stance on the 2015 deal to curb Iran's nuclear
ambitions. The U.S. leader's decision not to certify the deal has been opposed
by the other international powers that signed off on it as they insist the
agreement is working. The lifting of the sanctions under the nuclear deal
has opened Iran up for business and Russian firms are competing to bolster their
involvement in the country. Moscow and Tehran have had close military and
economic relations for some time, and in the nuclear field Russia has already
built one reactor at Iran's Bushehr plant and just started work on two new ones.
Putin's arrival in Iran comes a day after the U.S. Treasury added 40 Iranian
individuals and entities already targeted by sanctions to a counter-terrorism
blacklist. Despite initial opposition, Trump in August signed off on a sanctions
bill targeting Russia, Iran and North Korea after it was passed overwhelmingly
by Congress.
Hamas Hands over Egypt Border Crossing to Palestinian
Authority
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/November 01/17/Hamas handed over
control of the Gaza Strip's borders with Egypt and Israel to the Palestinian
Authority on Wednesday in the first key test of a landmark reconciliation accord
agreed last month. The handover signaled that Islamist movement Hamas remained
committed to a deal that would eventually see it give up full control of the
Gaza Strip and bring an end to a 10-year rift with rivals Fatah. It not only
handed over control of the crossings, but also completely dismantled its own
checkpoint along the border with Israel, leaving only the one operated by the
Palestinian Authority (PA) there, with trucks carting away furniture and
material. A ceremony was held to formalize the handover at the Rafah border with
Egypt. "There is no yellow and green. All our Palestinian people are under the
Palestinian flag," said Mufeed al-Husayna, a PA minister, referring to the flag
colors of the political parties that signed last month's reconciliation deal.
Speaking at the Rafah ceremony, Husayna said: "We began today, under the
directive of the prime minister (Rami Hamdallah), to exercise our duties by
receiving all the crossings." Palestinian and Egyptian flags were flying at the
Rafah ceremony, alongside large pictures of PA president Mahmoud Abbas, who is
also the leader of Fatah, and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. At
a separate checkpoint with Israel, an AFP photographer saw Hamas installations
being dismantled and carted away, as PA and Hamas officials oversaw the
handover. Hisham Adwan, director of information for the Hamas crossings, told
AFP that PA employees would have full control of the borders. Under an
Egyptian-brokered deal agreed on October 12, the PA is due to resume full
control of the strip by December 1, with the borders the first test.
The agreement set November 1 as the deadline for handing over control of the
borders.
Worsening conditions
Many issues remain to be resolved, however, particularly the fate of Hamas'
25,000-strong armed wing. Israel, which has fought three wars with militants in
Gaza since 2008, has said it will not deal with any Palestinian unity government
that includes Hamas unless the Islamist movement disarms and recognizes the
country, among other demands. The United States has also called on Hamas to
disarm and recognize Israel. Hamas has ruled Gaza since 2007, when the Islamists
seized control in a near civil war with Abbas's Fatah, based in the occupied
West Bank. Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza for a decade, citing the
need to control Hamas and stop it from obtaining weapons or materials that could
be used to make them. Egypt has largely closed its border as well. The Rafah
crossing was not open on Wednesday despite the official handover. Azzam
al-Ahmad, Fatah's chief negotiator, told Palestinian media that the Rafah
crossing would be opened on November 15, but there was no confirmation from
Egypt. The Gaza Strip's two million residents suffer from worsening humanitarian
conditions, with only a few hours of power a day and a lack of clean water.
The reconciliation agreement has raised hopes that a more regular opening of the
Egyptian border could ease humanitarian suffering.
'Positive momentum'
"The return of the crossings should facilitate the lifting of the closures,
while addressing Israel’s legitimate security concerns, and unlock increased
international support for Gaza's reconstruction, growth, stability and
prosperity," Nickolay Mladenov, the United Nations special coordinator for the
Middle East peace process, said in a statement. Israel's government had not
responded, but a statement from the Israeli body responsible for affairs in the
Palestinian territories said they would meet with PA officials in the coming
days to discuss the new situation. Multiple previous pushes for reconciliation
have collapsed and an incident this week threatened to undermine the latest
attempt. On Monday, seven Palestinian militants were killed when Israel blew up
a tunnel stretching from the Gaza Strip into its territory. Such tunnels have
previously been used for attacks. The incident raised fears the timetable could
be delayed, but both the PA and Hamas stressed they remained committed to the
agreement. Officials from both factions accused Israel of trying to disrupt the
deal, while the Israel's army said it was forced to act after its sovereignty
was breached. In another step in the reconciliation process, all major
Palestinian factions are due to meet in Cairo later this month to discuss the
formation of a unity government.
Latest LCCC Bulletin analysis & editorials from
miscellaneous sources published on November 01-02/17
Euro-Stans'
Eyad Abu Shakra/Asharq Al Awsat/November 01/17
So the worst has come to pass, and the two protagonists of the “Catalonia
Crisis” have slid into open confrontation; as neither Barcelona is happy with
the ‘marriage’, nor Madrid is willing to entertain a ‘divorce’.
The Pro-Independence Catalonian Regional Government – i.e. ‘the secessionists’
as Spain’s Government calls them – are regarded by Madrid as rebels, and their
referendum on Independence illegal and unconstitutional. The picture is not the
same, however, in the Catalonian capital Barcelona, where Pro-Independence
parliamentary groups see things differently. They have insisted on seeking
‘divorce’ and won the vote in the Region’s parliament 70 to 10, in the 135 seat
assembly, after the anti-Independence deputies had walked out.
This means that Catalonia, like Scotland during its own independence referendum
in 2014, is a deeply divided society. There is no large majority with a
well-defined idea about where it is going, its alternatives, and the future of
co-existence with current domestic partners, and Europe and the world community
beyond.
Calling for a full independence may have been a decisive factor that was
reflected in the relatively small margins; for in Catalonia, and against in
Scotland. This is quite different from what we saw a few days ago in two
significant referenda in two of Italy’s richest Regions, Lombardy and Veneto. In
both there were huge majorities (%98.1 in Veneto and % 95.3 in Lombardy) for
those favoring stronger autonomy and more diluted relationships with the rest of
Italy.
The message from Italy is clear; as although both regions are led by the
northern ‘isolationist’ and Northern League - which regards the richer
Industrialized North as “more European” while the poorer agrarian-touristic
South as “more Mediterranean” – the organizers neither sought full secession,
nor made the referenda results binding. Such an attitude shows the organizers’
deep understanding of Italy’s fragile structure and interesting contradictions,
and their wise tendency to rush things during a critical period in the history
of Europe, indeed the whole world.
In Italy, contrary to what we see in Spain, the political players seem more
patient, although economic, cultural and linguistic differences are as common.
While there are Basque and Catalan speakers in northern Spain, there are German
and French speakers in northern and northwestern Italy, respectively; and while
there are both radical and socialist Lefts confronting the remnant of Francisco
Franco’s fascist legacy, there are radical and socialist Italian lefts
confronting the fascism legacy of Benito Mussolini. Furthermore, as there exist
active secular and pluralist trends throughout Spain, Italy’s Left even managed
during the Cold War era to dominate city councils of major cities, including
Rome, the political capital and spiritual center of Catholicism.
As a matter of fact, no large or medium sized European country is free of
secessionist currents of suppressed wishes for ethnic, cultural or regional
distinctions and privileges. In the ‘Old Continent’, where there is a widespread
acceptance of separating the state and church – perhaps more than anywhere else
in the world – one notices the maturing of the experience of ‘co-existence
through accumulation’, including accumulation imposed or effected from above
through wars, alliances of elites, and royal intermarriages. In the ‘Old
Continent’ ‘interests’ - nothing but ‘interests’- play the central role in the
nation-building process.
Religions in Europe have never been a sufficient element in bringing about
unity. Christian states have fought long wars showing that religion on its own
is never a uniting factor; indeed, one of the most salient proofs is that
Christian powers led the two warring coalitions of the two world wars, with the
Ottomans being the exception in the first, and the Japanese in the second. This
applies, as we are aware, to the Muslim states throughout history, in Asia and
Africa.
Religious sects too, neither in the past nor the present, are enough to create a
secure union or even alliance. Germany and Great Britain are both predominantly
‘protestant’, Russia and Ukraine are likewise predominantly ‘orthodox’; and in
Spain secessionist fires rage in ‘catholic’ regions against a ‘catholic’ center,
and at a much less acute situation the same is true in Italy. On the other hand,
in the Middle East, it is well known known that Turks, Kurds and Arabs, are not
only predominantly Muslim, but also Sunni; and yet, there is an old conflict
between the Turks and the Kurds, moreover after Saddam Hussein was deposed, the
Kurdish leadership in Iraq sided with the Shi’ite political parties and militias
against Sunni parties and militias, and this continued up until the last few
weeks.
Added to the above, even sharing one landmass is not enough to turn neighbors
into one country. Sweden and Norway share the bulk of the Scandinavian
Peninsula, and Spain and Portugal share the Iberian Peninsula but still they
have remained independent.
Then, what about language? Even speaking the same language did not convince the
American Colonies to remain loyal to the British Crown, and did not prevent
Canada, Australia, and New Zealand from achieving independence, and never
tempted Spain’s colonies in the Americas to unite in one nation.
Last but not least, there is the element of ethnicity.
Well, as pertains to the notion of unity based on ethnicity or race, the purity
of race is scientifically unproven. It does not exist in major societies not
living isolated from historical trade routes and in territories fought over by
liberators and attacked by conquerors. No one ethnicity or race automatically
means or insures political unities; otherwise, we wouldn’t have known
animosities and wars of all kinds between members of the same ethnicity, such as
the those between the Russians and Poles who are both Slavs, the English and
German who are both Germanic (in fact the British royal family is of German
origins), the Pashtuns and Tajiks of Afghanistan both of whom are
Indo-Europeans; just to mention a few.
To conclude, one must say that what creates nations are ‘interests’ of the
people(s) if they have the right to choose freely and responsibly in a
democratic environment; and these days, although history of nations is full of
myths and folklore – some of which may be true or untrue – wise leaders are
becoming more realistic. The notion of ‘globalization’ in Europe now needs to be
re-defined, and the same goes for ‘Arabism’ in the Arab world.
After the West’s long co-existence with the ‘nation-state’ and trials with
‘pluralism’, and the Arabs’ confusion in dealing the two opposites of ‘state of
partition’ (of the ‘Arab nation’) and ‘minority rights’, here come the
experiments of the Catalonians, Scots and Kurds to ring alarm bells to all
nations.
The European Project Needs a New Long-Term Vision
Jean Tirole/Bloomberg/November 01/17
Back in the 1950s, the European Union's founders had a long-term vision for
managing the potentially dangerous period following World War II. Today, we once
again need a long-term vision.
The euro area has two main options: the current strategy of improving the
Maastricht Treaty, designed to ensure the fiscal discipline required for many
states to share a currency; or a more ambitious move toward federalism, which
would require greater risk sharing among member states. Neither is compatible
with the desire for more sovereignty. This is the heart of the problem.
The Maastricht approach focuses on controlling government debt and deficits. To
that end, independent fiscal councils have been introduced in member states.
These can be useful in identifying issues such as systematically optimistic
growth forecasts, which make projected deficits appear smaller. But to be
effective, they must have the power to require prompt corrective action and be
staffed by Europeans rather than citizens of the countries concerned. All of
this works against the current impulse toward national sovereignty.
The federalist option goes even further. Starting with the U.S. at the end of
the eighteenth century, many countries reacted to the difficulties of their
member states by increasing the federal capacity to go into debt and by
introducing systematic fiscal transfers among their members. This implies a
greater level of risk sharing than the euro area countries currently allow. It
would entail the issuance of jointly guaranteed bonds, a federal budget and
joint insurance plans for deposits and unemployment -- all of which would act as
automatic stabilizers, offering support for countries in temporary difficulties.
The practical importance of such risk sharing is debated: In the US, for
example, financial diversification might be a more important stabilizer.
Nonetheless, the sharing of risk -- by reducing the excuses for poor performance
-- may have helped the federal government refuse bailouts for states, a policy
it has maintained since the 1840s.
The federalist vision requires that countries meet two preliminary conditions.
First, every insurance contract must be signed behind the veil of ignorance. You
wouldn’t sell me insurance if you suspected that my roof had a good chance of
falling in tomorrow -- which is why the countries of northern Europe are wary of
entering such agreements with the countries of the south. This asymmetry might
be corrected by identifying and isolating the problems inherited from the past
and dealing with them adequately. For example, in introducing a European system
of deposit insurance, banks' existing troubled assets could be dealt with by
transferring them to “bad banks,” which would remain the responsibility of each
member state.
A second and much more fundamental condition is a set of common rules to limit
moral hazard. Such rules should concern those areas of potential mismanagement
that can force a country to ask for help. We have seen, for example, that the
supervision of banks should not be carried out at the country level, because the
banking sector and the politicians then have too much influence over the
process.
Setting rules for common unemployment insurance is more complex. The jobless
rate in euro area countries is only partly determined by the economic cycle,
which by itself would justify a mechanism of insurance among countries. It also
depends on how governments approach such issues as job protection, social
security contributions, occupational training, collective negotiations and the
protection of professions. Those countries whose choices produce an unemployment
rate of 5 percent will not wish to share an insurance system with those whose
choices create a 20 percent rate. The same goes for pension and legal systems.
Harmonizing policies will require ceding some sovereignty, an idea which even
some of those who claim to be federalists still oppose.
Granting extended powers to the European parliament will not make the federalist
approach more acceptable. First, there must be an agreement on a foundation of
common laws and regulations, as was the case -- in a more modest way -- during
the initial phase of the European project. More generally, each member state
will fear that the profound contractual incompleteness of a top-down “political
Europe” will produce a result even more distant from its aspirations than what
we have today. The consequences of federalism should be understood by everyone
before we set out on this path.
Federalism is sometimes much more than an insurance policy among regions of a
single federation. In other words, transfers between regions can be more
structural than conditional. In the U.S., wealthy states such as California and
New York systematically and substantially subsidize poor states such as Alabama
and Louisiana. Puerto Rico currently receives 30 percent of its gross domestic
product from the rest of the U.S. Germany makes large, regular transfers among
its Länder, which all receive about the same amount per inhabitant. Italy
transfers resources from the north to the south, the U.K. from the south to the
north, and Catalonia to the rest of Spain. In Belgium, Flanders transfers funds
to Wallonia, whereas financial flows used to move from Wallonia to Flanders.
In the end, everything depends on the willingness of wealthy regions to finance
poor regions. We still have an imperfect understanding of what would determine
this willingness. Clearly a common language and nationalist feeling help
generate the unidirectional transfers in Italy. It can also be argued that the
strong separatist movements in regions like Catalonia in Spain and Flanders in
Belgium are linked to a sense of cultural and linguistic distance. More
generally, the welfare state is usually more developed in homogeneous
communities. For better or worse, groups are more receptive to redistribution
when the beneficiaries are close to them culturally, linguistically,
religiously, and racially.
It's hard to say what path Europe will take. But if we Europeans want to live
together, we have to accept the idea of losing a little more of our sovereignty.
To achieve this in an era of increased nationalistic fervor, we must
rehabilitate the European ideal and remain united around it. This is no easy
task.
Gaza Strip: Breeding Ground for Radical Terror Groups
Bassam Tawil/Gatestone Institute/November 01/17
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/11257/gaza-strip-terror-groups
Hamas is doing its utmost to conceal the truth about ISIS in the Gaza Strip,
while the Palestinian Authority (PA) is continuing to pretend as if Hamas is
headed toward moderation as a result of the "reconciliation" accord.
Hamas presents itself as the sole and legitimate ruler of the Gaza Strip and as
if it is in full control of the Gaza Strip.
If the "reconciliation" agreement is implemented, Majed Faraj, commander of the
PA General Intelligence, and considered a strong candidate to succeed Abbas in
the West Bank, will soon find himself working with his Gaza Strip counterpart --
a convicted terrorist who serves as a "general," named Tawfik Abu Na'im.
Hamas claims that Israel was behind the attempt on the life of Tawfik Abu Na'im,
a top Hamas security official in the Gaza Strip. There is good reason to
believe, however, that ISIS was behind the assassination attempt, which took
place in the Gaza Strip on October 27.
Abu Na'im, commander of Hamas's security apparatus, was lightly injured when an
explosive device hidden beneath his car exploded after Friday prayers in a local
mosque. Even before Abu Na'im was rushed to hospital, several Hamas officials
and spokesmen publicly held Israel responsible. This claim, of course, came
without any evidence to support their charge.
Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Hamas political bureau, visits top Hamas security
official Tawfik Abu Na'im at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on October 27, 2017.
(Image source: Mohammad Austaz, Hamas Media Office)
Abu Na'im, who was released from an Israeli prison in 2011 after 23 years behind
bars for terror-related offenses, is one of the founders of Hamas's military
wing, Ezaddin Al-Qassam.
Since his release and return to the Gaza Strip, Abu Na'im, who holds the rank of
"general," has been dubbed the "man of difficult missions."
Only a handful of Hamas officials know the nature of the "difficult missions"
Abu Na'im is said to have carried out on behalf of the terrorist movement. What
is certain, is that these missions were anything but humanitarian in nature.
Those who are familiar with Hamas's "missions" cannot but conclude that the
"general" was involved in terrorist activities such as the digging of tunnels
and the smuggling of weapons. It is also likely that he was involved in planning
terror attacks and preparing Hamas for another war against Israel. Hamas is now
claiming that Abu Na'im was targeted by Israel precisely because of his
involvement with Hamas's terrorist activities. Hamas is also claiming that by
targeting its "general," Israel is seeking to sabotage the recent
"reconciliation" agreement between Hamas and President Mahmoud Abbas's
Palestinian Authority (PA). Ma'mun Abu Amer, a Palestinian expert on Israeli
affairs, argues that Israel is the only beneficiary of the assassination of a
senior Hamas official. "Israel is trying to sabotage the reconciliation and
create chaos in the Gaza Strip," he alleged. He even went as far as claiming
that Israel is behind a number of ISIS-inspired terror groups in the Gaza Strip.
This last claim is significant. Why? Because it contains a hint as to the
identity of the party that is really behind the assassination attempt on the
life of Abu Na'im: another ISIS-inspired groups. In the Gaza Strip, most
Palestinians do not seem to be buying the Hamas claim that Israel was behind the
assassination attempt.
It is, in fact, an open secret among Palestinians there that ISIS-inspired
terrorists were the ones who planted the explosive device beneath Abu Na'im's
vehicle.
In addition to his involvement with Hamas's anti-Israel terrorism, Abu Na'im was
also responsible for a crackdown on ISIS-inspired groups and individuals who
have been openly challenging the Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip. Hamas considers
these groups and individuals a major threat to its totalitarian regime and
hegemony over the Gaza Strip. Many of the ISIS-affiliated jihadis in the Gaza
Strip are former disgruntled members of Hamas who broke away from the group
under the pretext that Hamas is too soft, and is failing to carry out enough
terror attacks against Israel.
A few weeks ago, Abu Na'im's men managed to detain one of the prominent
ISIS-affiliated fugitives, Nur Issa, in the Gaza Strip. Issa had been wanted by
Hamas for nearly two years before he was captured in a Hamas security operation.
The detention of Issa enraged ISIS and its supporters in the Gaza Strip and
Syria.
According to some sources, shortly before the assassination attempt, Abu Na'im
received a telephone call from an unnamed ISIS operative in Syria. The ISIS
operative reportedly who made threats against Abu Na'im's life because of the
Hamas crackdown on ISIS members and the detention of Issa. Abu Na'im, however,
according to the sources, apparently did not take the threat seriously,
Abu Na'im is the second senior Hamas official who has reportedly been targeted
by ISIS-inspired groups in the Gaza Strip. Earlier this year, Mazen Fuqaha,
another senior Hamas operative, was gunned down outside his home in the Gaza
Strip. There, too, Hamas pointed the blame at Israel. Three Palestinians were
arrested and executed after a secret trial, in which they allegedly confessed
that they had carried out the assassination of Fuqaha on the instructions of
Israel. However, only very few Palestinians in the Gaza Strip seem to believe
this claim by Hamas. Many are convinced that Fuqaha was killed by
ISIS-affiliated terrorists.
Hamas knows the truth about the responsibility of ISIS for targeting members of
Hamas. Yet, this is a rather inconvenient truth that Hamas prefers to hide.
First, it is not comfortable for Hamas to admit that ISIS has long been
operating under its nose in the Gaza Strip. Second, it is not convenient for
Hamas to admit that its members are defecting to ISIS and other more extremist
Islamist terror groups in the Gaza Strip. Third, the timing of last week's
assassination attempt on the life of Abu Na'im is particularly problematic for
Hamas, as it coincides with its "reconciliation" agreement with Abbas and his
Palestinian Authority. Hamas presents itself as the sole and legitimate ruler of
the Gaza Strip and as if it is in full control of the Gaza Strip.
Hamas does not want Abbas or the rest of the international community to know
about the ISIS threat to its regime, as this could have a negative impact on the
"reconciliation" agreement and perhaps scare Abbas away from the Gaza Strip.
Particularly disturbing, meanwhile, is that Abbas's top Palestinian Authority
officials were among the first Palestinians to phone the Hamas general and
arch-terrorist, Abu Na'im, to congratulate him on surviving the botched
assassination attempt.
Of special significance is a phone call Abu Na'im received from Majed Faraj,
commander of the PA General Intelligence in the West Bank. Faraj is one of the
most powerful figures in the West Bank and is considered a strong candidate to
succeed Abbas. Moreover, Faraj enjoys the full political and military backing of
the US and other Western countries. If the "reconciliation" agreement is
implemented, Faraj will soon find himself working with his Gaza Strip
counterpart -- a convicted terrorist who serves as a "general," named Tawfik Abu
Na'im.
If and when Faraj and the Palestinian Authority ever set foot in the Gaza Strip,
they too will have to face the reality that ISIS is already operating there and
that it poses a threat not only to Hamas, but also to the PA itself. If ISIS
sees Hamas as being too moderate and pragmatic, one can only imagine what ISIS
thinks about President Mahmoud Abbas and his Palestinian Authority.
For now, however, Hamas and the PA continue to prefer the ostrich routine,
burying their heads in the sand. Hamas is doing its utmost to conceal the truth
about ISIS in the Gaza Strip, while the PA is continuing to pretend as if Hamas
is headed toward moderation as a result of the "reconciliation" accord.
Hamas and the Palestinian Authority point accusing fingers at Israel rather than
deal with the perils that stare each of them in the face. And it works: this
incessant, knee-jerk blame of Israel distracts the world from seeing that the
Gaza Strip has become a breeding ground for radical Islamist terror groups.
Abbas knows very well that Hamas is not going to change its ideology, but is
nevertheless proceeding to get into bed with his nemesis. Hamas knows very well
that ISIS is already in the Gaza Strip, but continues to claim Israeli
conspiracies. The question is, for how long will Abbas and Hamas manage to fool
everyone all of the time?
**Bassam Tawil is a Muslim based in the Middle East.
© 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.
Yes, That Cartoon of Me Was Anti-Semitic
Alan M. Dershowitz/Gatestone Institute/November 01/17
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/11263/dershowitz-antisemitic-cartoon
When the official newspaper of Berkeley published a color caricature of me as a
spider-like creature with one leg stomping on a Palestinian child and another
holding an IDF soldier spilling the blood of an unarmed Palestinian, there was
universal condemnation of what was widely seen as a throwback to the
anti-Semitic imagery of the Nazi era. The chancellor condemned the cartoon,
stating that "its anti-Semitic imagery connects directly to the centuries-old
'blood libel' that falsely accused Jews of engaging in ritual murder."
Writing in the Daily Cal, students from a pro-Israel organization at Berkeley
debunked the claim that the cartoonist and the student paper editors at the
Daily Cal could not have known that this cartoon was seeped in traditional
anti-Semitic stereotyping:
"In the cartoon, Dershowitz is depicted with a hooked nose and a body of a large
amorphous black sphere. His exaggerated head and contorted legs and hands evoke
images of a spider. The rhetoric of Jews as 'invasive' insects in society,
trying to take over resources and power, has long been used to justify violence,
persecution and murder. The two elements of the cartoon, with Dershowitz's face
in the front and the black body in the back, plays into the anti-Semitic trope
of Jews as shape-shifting, sub-human entities using deception and trickery in
order to advance their own agendas. This rhetoric is nowhere more common than in
Nazi propaganda, and can be traced far beyond WWII in European and American
media."
The students also wrote about the "pain" the anti-Semitic cartoon had caused
them:
"To a Jewish student on this campus, seeing this cartoon in the Daily Cal is a
reminder that we are not always welcome in the spaces we call home... Telling
Jews that we can or cannot define what is offensive to us, because of our status
as privileged minority in the United States, is anti-Semitic."
Some students also pointed to the swastika that had defaced my picture on a
poster outside Berkeley Law School, as evidence of a pervasive anti-Semitism
disguised as anti-Zionism on that campus.
Not surprisingly, it was only an op-ed writer for the Forward who not only
denied that the imagery was anti-Semitic, but actually justified it:
"The mere appearance of blood near a Jew is not a blood libel. The State of
Israel has an army, and that army sometimes kills Palestinians, including women
and children. When you prick those people, I am told, they bleed. It is perverse
to demand of artists that they represent actual, real Israeli violence without
blood, just because European Christians invented a fake accusation."
But how then does the writer justify my depiction as a hulky black spider with
an overbearing shape and twisted spider-like hands – imagery traditionally used
to depict Jews as offensive, venomous insects? The Forward also did not show
readers the color cartoon. Instead they showed them a black and white version
that makes it harder to see the spider like imagery.
Echoing the editor of the Daily Cal, the op-ed writer published by the Forward
also argued that the cartoon was a legitimate criticism of my talk. But the
cartoonist has now admitted that he didn't hear my talk. Nor did the Daily Cal
report on it. Had they listened, they would have heard a pro-peace, pro
two-state, pro compromise proposal.
Would the Forward publish an ope-ed that justified comparable images of women,
blacks or gays? The baseball player, Yuri Gurriel, who made a slanted-eye
gesture was also reflecting the "truth" about facial differences, but no one
would suggest that it wasn't a racist stereotype.
By publishing an op-ed that defends bigoted caricatures only of a Jewish
supporter of Israel –- when no college newspaper would ever peddle stereotypes
of other ethnic, religious or social groups –- the Forward too engages in an
unacceptable double standard.
**Alan M. Dershowitz, Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law, Emeritus, at Harvard
Law School and author of, "Trumped Up! How Criminalization of Political
Differences Endangers Democracy," which is now available.
© 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.
Might Xi Jinping's Star Be Burning Too Bright?
David Ignatius/The Washington Post//November 01/17
WASHINGTON -- President Xi Jinping's command at this month's Communist Party
gathering was so complete that President Trump likened him to a "king." But some
China analysts are wondering whether Xi has overreached.
Xi dominated the stage, literally and figuratively, at the party's 19th
Congress, which ended this week in Beijing. His consolidation of power has
nearly erased the collective leadership style of his recent predecessors and
vaulted him into a Chinese pantheon occupied only by Mao Zedong and Deng
Xiaoping. "Xi Jinping Thought" is now celebrated as the guide to a "new era" for
China.
Xi's capture of the commanding heights was summarized in a private report by
Pamir Consulting, a leading advisory firm in China. During Xi's first five years
in office, Pamir reported, his anti-corruption campaign has disciplined 1.53
million party members and prosecuted 278,000, including 440 ministerial or
provincial officials and 43 Central Committee members, about 11.4 percent of
that body.
Xi has purged the Chinese military, too. Under his rule, 13,000 officers have
been sacked and more than 50 general officers have been imprisoned for
corruption, by Pamir's count. In place of the ousted generals, Xi has installed
new commanders for the joint staff, army, navy and air force of the People's
Liberation Army. Members of this reshaped PLA now appear to control nearly 20
percent of the party's reconstituted Central Committee.
Xi also reigns supreme in the factional battle at the top of the party
leadership. Of the 25 members of the Politburo, 17 are his allies, Pamir
estimates. His faction has four seats on the Politburo's seven-member standing
committee. And for the first time in several decades, the leadership hasn't
signaled who will succeed Xi after he completes his second five-year term as
party secretary, suggesting that he may ignore the 10-year limit that capped
recent Chinese leaders.
Trump appears to see a kindred spirit in Xi. He made a congratulatory telephone
call Wednesday and praised Xi's "extraordinary elevation" in a tweet. "Some
might call him the king of China," Trump said in a television interview.
What could go wrong for a leader with such sweeping authority? Several leading
analysts argue that Xi's dominance is now so complete that it carries a kind of
vulnerability. He owns China's economic and foreign policies so totally that
he'll get blamed for any setbacks. Perhaps more important, his power play may
worry older Chinese who remember the damage done by Mao's cult of personality.
"Beneath the confetti, there's an uncomfortable apprehension among some of
China's elderly leaders who recall the capriciousness and brutal realities of
one-man rule," explains Kurt Campbell, who ran the State Department's Asia
policy during the Obama administration and was in Beijing to observe the
congress.
Will other top Chinese officials dare to question Xi? Analysts noted the mostly
impassive posture during Xi's long speech from Jiang Zemin and Zhu Rongji,
former president and prime minister, respectively. The gathering wasn't attended
by Li Rui, a deeply respected 100-year-old former secretary of Mao who suffered
during the Cultural Revolution and helped establish the institutions of post-Mao
collective leadership.
Xi's concern about dissent was perhaps signaled by a recent internal party
document that, according to a Chinese source, warns against criticism of party
leadership, Communist history, traditional Chinese culture and national heroes.
That implies a ban on criticism of Xi himself.
The scope of Xi's ambition isn't just domestic or personal power. He outlined at
the congress an agenda for China's growth through 2050 into a "modernized strong
country" that can dominate technology, finance and security. China five years
ago spoke of its ambitions to be a regional power, but Xi now describes a China
that can frame a new global order.
Trump's America poses a tricky problem. For now, Xi chooses to reciprocate
Trump's embrace. China is planning for Trump's arrival next month as if it's a
royal visit, much as the Saudis received him last May. An elaborate welcoming
ceremony is planned, perhaps followed by a photogenic meeting of Xi's
grandchildren and Trump's. (Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump are said to be coming
with their family.)
The "deliverables" at the Trump-Xi summit will be mutual commitments on North
Korea and trade. To oversee the Sino-America account, Xi is said to be readying
Yang Jiechi, a former ambassador to Washington, as deputy prime minister with
oversight of foreign policy. Chinese strategists have traditionally argued that
it's wise to appear less powerful than you really are, and take adversaries by
surprise. This approach is no longer possible for a monarchical Xi. He must
beware the weakness inherent in his dazzling display of strength.
Qatar’s official nonsense
Mohammed Al-Hammadi/Al Arabiya/November 01/17
The Qatari emir has surprised me by what he said this week in interview with
CBS. But, when it comes from Qatar then it is shouldn’t actually come as a
surprise. Sheikh Tamim is trying to show the world that the boycotting countries
do not want to begin dialogue because they only want a regime change. He tried
to appear as if he is ready to have dialogue and make concessions. But what has
Qatar done in the last five months to show this?
He continued giving hints about sovereignty, claiming that the four countries
seek to violate Qatari sovereignty. As for their relations with the “honorable”
Iran, the prince explained that this rapprochement is due to closed border with
Saudi Arabia and the boycott imposed on Qatar.
This is not really strange as two days earlier, we heard of former Prime
Minister Hamad bin Jassem’s admiration of Israel. When he wanted to compare Arab
countries with other countries, he did not choose Britain, Finland, Singapore or
South Korea, but he went directly to the Israeli model to show how he is
impressed with it, saying that it is country that has no oil, but it has goals.
The appropriate response to all these Qatari official statements might be what
Bahraini King Hamad bin Issa said yesterday, stressing that it is time to take
firmer action against those ask the support of the other countries against
neighboring countries. The king added that Qatar proved that it does not respect
the agreements upon which the GCC was established. This has led to the king
rethinking Bahrain’s participation in the upcoming GCC summit; he said: “Bahrain
cannot attend any summit or meeting, attended by Qatar unless it reforms its
approach, returns to its correct path and responds to the demands of the
boycotting countries.”So all has became clear again, Doha has to stop this
nonsense, media games and trivial campaigns. The statements from the Qatari
officials are not showing responsibility and are not addressing the crisis. They
are just maneuverings that have made Qatar fail to get out of the crisis in its
early phases. Everyone should see the reality of this crisis and know that the
four boycotting countries have approached Qatar for years to hash out
differences, but Qatar instead insisted on escaping the many issues.
Respect for religious pluralism in Islamic history
Dr. Tayyeb Tizini/Al Arabiya/November 01/17
The Pact of Umar was a ‘treaty’ forged during the conquest of Jerusalem more
than 1400 years ago, at the beginning of Islamic history. It contributes to
laying down the foundations of coexistence between Muslims and non-Muslims. In
it are answers to most contemporary issues, such as: How do we deal with our
enemies who fight us, how do we treat women and children during times of war, is
every means permissible to kill enemies, who use women and boys as human shield,
etc. These questions have been addressed in an enlightened manner by modern laws
and customs with the aim of preserving human values and dignity.
Islamic rules of engagement
On comparing modern rules of engagement and laws of war that establish the
safety of civilians during times of conflict and with Islamic thought and
jurisprudence we find many convergences. The reflection of Islamic approach can
be drawn from the instructions of first Caliph, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, may Allah be
pleased with him, gave to the army of Osama bin Zaid before the latter’s
campaign: “Stop Oh people that I may give you ten rules for your guidance in the
battlefield. Do not commit treachery or deviate from the right path. Do not
mutilate dead bodies. Neither kill a child, nor a woman, nor an aged man. Bring
no harm to trees, nor burn them with fire, especially those which are fruitful.
Slay not any of the enemy's flock, save for your food. You are likely to pass by
people who have devoted their lives to monastic services; leave them alone.”
(cf. History of Al Tabari, Part 3, p 226).
This text is replete with humanitarian profundity and dates back 1,400 years.
Even in modern times (especially the 20th century), these values were
acknowledged, for example in the Introduction to International Humanitarian Law,
Geneva: International Committee of the Red Cross under the section titled:
Islamic Arab history. We have witnessed the emergence of religious and
ideological divisiveness in all its ugliness, which presents a bleak picture of
the Arab world.
“In a conscious look at the long-standing Arab-Islamic heritage, we can see how
keen it is to assert egalitarian traditions by adding to its humane character
and urging adherence to them in terms of mutual respect. This is consistent with
the provisions and spirit of international humanitarian law, which protects the
rights of combatants and victims of armed conflict.”
This tradition was evident in the era of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him),
the first Caliph Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), and was passed on to
the second Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab, (may Allah be pleased with him), who laid
the foundations of coexistence between Muslims and non-Muslims.
This is exemplified in the incident when the Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab when he
travelled from Jabiyah in Damascus to Jerusalem. In accordance with a pact
between him and the Christians, he entered Jerusalem and set up a separate room
which he cleaned with his companions and prayed there.
Being the leader of the victorious army, he could have prayed in the Church of
the Holy Sepulchre but he did not. When asked why he did not pray inside the
church, he answered: “If I had prayed inside the church, I was afraid Muslims
would say, ‘This is where Omar prayed’, and then may try to establish a mosque
in its place.” This shows The Pious Caliph’s great wisdom and commitment to
values of tolerance.
Review Islam with new knowledge
In light of these glorious Islamic traditions, why don’t we tackle the issue of
tolerance and coexistence in our times, where religious and sectarian wars have
again raised their ugly head and have destroyed countries like Syria!
We have witnessed the emergence of religious and ideological divisiveness in all
its ugliness, which presents a bleak picture of the Arab world.
While speaking about Islam, we are aware that it is capable of rational
interpretation. In spite of several interpretations of religious texts at
present, we believe there is room for re-interpretation in the light of new
knowledge in disciplines of sociology, politics and history through which we
could review traditional understanding of sacred texts, in order to promote the
spirit of tolerance and respect for pluralism and human rights.
A new era: Women allowed in Saudi stadiums
Mashari Althaydi/Al Arabiya/November 01/17
The decision that the Saudi sports authority has taken to allow women and
families to enter football stadiums is one of the most important bold and
commended steps the Saudi government has taken recently. Before this
decision there was another drastic changed that echoed loudly and there’s no
exaggeration in that. I meant the ruling to allow women to drive. As was
expected, and this is not unusual, there are those who are resisting these
changes on the pretext of religion, socio-cultural excuses or both. But the
strength of rejection today is not as it was in yesterday’s Saudi Arabia ... We
are really changing ... This is evidence to a healthy prospect because those who
don’t change become doomed to annihilation and stagnation.
There is a common collective and individual psychological procedure. The norm
lies in rejecting the new and generating doubts about it no matter how useful
and beneficial the change may be. The new is resisted even if it has nothing to
do with a forbidden acknowledged and testified religious law. Yet, religious
jurisprudence is applied simply as a cover for the social psychological denial.
This behavior has been apparent in more than one country and in more than one
religion or religious sect. The ancient Iraqi social researchers mentioned what
they have called Shiite clerics’ resistance to opening formal educational
schools.
When the printing press was founded as the most important invention to spread
knowledge in the Middle Ages, the scientists of Asitane (Istanbul nowadays)
Astana, capital of the Ottoman Empire, and the ‘Sheikhs of Islam in it’ stood
against the printing press. So, in 1728 Ottoman scholars issued a fatwa
forbidding the printing of all religious books and limiting permissibility – how
generous of them – to print non-religious books only. As for the resistance on
formal female education, you can go on and on about this. This resistance is not
only in Najd, but also in Hejaz. Yet, it’s not just in Najd and Hejaz, but also
in the Gulf such as Kuwait and Sharjah. The again, it’s not only in the Arab
world but in many Muslim countries, as per the thorough explanation of Saudi
researcher Abdullah al-Washmi in his book “Fitnat Alkawl Bitaaleem Al Banat”
(The Fitna in educating girls).
Speaking of this, I recall the Saudi scene of when some religious Sheikhs
resisted modernization manifestations, even the simple ones. A time where it was
forbidden for a man to wear a watch on his wrist. Others include:
- Football
- Holding theatrical plays
- Training soldiers on foreign systems
- Men were forbidden to clap because it resembled them to women
- Women were forbidden to have a side parting that allowed their hair to wrap
around one side of their neck
These are not assumptions, but they’ve been stipulated in a book written by the
late Sheikh Hamoud al-Touegri, who died in 1993.
Rejecting the new is usual behavior, however it is decreasing and disappearing
with time and the disappearance of any concern over it, unless there are people
who seek to create a fake case. But not to those who seek from rejecting the new
to create a mobilization issue.
Welcome to the New World, Saudi women.
America's Radicalization Problem: It's Local
Matthew Levitt/New York Daily News/November 01/17
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/?p=59965
The Trump administration's focus on border security and 'terrorism prevention'
is not well suited to countering homegrown attacks like the one New York just
suffered.
Tweeting in the wake of yesterday's vehicular terrorist attack in Manhattan,
President Trump quickly pointed to his preferred counterterrorism plan: border
security. "We must not allow ISIS to return, or enter, our country after
defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere. Enough!" Forget the fact that
Uzbekistan does not appear on any of the President's various iterations of the
travel ban, that's beside the point. The problem is that the kind of terrorist
threat New York just suffered has nothing to do with border security. The most
pressing terrorism threat facing American communities today is local, not
foreign. The solutions must be local too.
The suspect behind yesterday's attack, Sayfullo Saipov, a 29-year-old from
Tampa, Florida, reportedly emigrated to the U.S. from Uzbekistan in 2010. The
investigation is in its early stages, but if previous cases are any indication,
it is likely Saipov did not come to this country -- legally or illegally, that
is still unclear -- as a violent extremist. Odds are, he was radicalized here.
According to a March 2017 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report, "most
foreign-born, U.S.-based violent extremists likely radicalized several years
after their entry to the United States." DHS' findings echo a U.S. House
Homeland Security Committee December 2016 report, which concluded that "the
United States faces its highest Islamist terror threat environment since 9/11,
and much of the threat now stems from individuals who have been radicalized at
home." Today's most immediate threats are mostly from homegrown violent
extremists who act in small groups or as lone offenders. Simply stopping people
from certain countries from entering the United States does not address the
problem. Even the strictest immigration policies fail to address this issue,
because radicalization happens here.
To make matters worse, authorities have long warned of the likelihood of
vehicular attacks in the United States. In December 2010, the FBI and DHS
co-authored a report warning of "ramming attacks" and the ease with which a
truck could be rented for such a purpose, as apparently happened yesterday in
New York. Al Qaeda's Inspire magazine recommended wannabe jihadists consider car
rammings as a particularly effective terrorist tactic. There is no such thing as
100% success in the counterterrorism world, even when authorities know to expect
certain types of attacks.
The good news is that we are not without effective responses to Homegrown
Violent Extremism (HVE). The DHS report concluded that radicalization trends in
the U.S. present opportunities for tailored programs to counter violent
extremism (CVE). A bipartisan report from The Washington Institute also
identified local communities as being "on the frontlines of defense against
homegrown violent extremism." Getting ahead of the curve and preventing the next
homegrown violent extremist from being radicalized requires a CVE strategy that
empowers communities and builds trusting partnerships with and within local
communities to prevent and counter violent extremism.
But here too, the Trump administration shows signs its counterterrorism approach
is behind the times. DHS officials have indicated they now prefer to reframe CVE
efforts as "terrorism prevention," but it is not at all clear the kind of local,
community-based programs that can effectively counter extremism here in the
homeland would be included in this new, more muscular but likely less effective
framing.
Homegrown terrorism is often less sophisticated than terrorism carried out by
groups trained abroad, but as yesterday's Halloween attack in New York
underscored they can be painfully successful. Military success against the
Islamic State will almost certainly lead to a drop in terrorism in the West, but
no travel ban will stop the next HVE attack by someone who is radicalized only
after arriving here in the United States.
**Matthew Levitt is the Fromer-Wexler Fellow and the director of the Stein
Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence at The Washington Institute.