Tag: Lebanon

Elections

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Israel Analysis

Elections

By Jim Fletcher copied from Koenig World Watch Daily

You can almost smell the desperation of Netanyahu’s political enemies to upend his political career. Rarely in my lifetime have I seen a more hated politician. I believe this is essentially due to the Netanyahu threat to globalism and Leftist pro-terrorism policies. I won’t fall into the left-wing trap of first listing his bad qualities. No quantifying things here.

I will focus on the things he’s accomplished for his people in the last 40 years. Fifty years ago, his older brother Jonathan fell at Entebbe, as hostages were rescued from terrorists and the Ugandan army. Bibi has said this is what drove him to politics. All three Netanyahu brothers served in the elite counter-terrorism unit, Sayeret Matkal.

Beginning in the early 80s, Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu began what would become a robust political career. His perfect English, practiced in American schools, was the perfect match for his intellect and quick-study traits. Starting in the Israeli embassy, he networked heavily among Western diplomats and politicians. Combining humor and charm with sober-minded vigilance, he set out to make sure Israel stayed safe.

That was no small order back then, or now. Israel’s situation from a human perspective was always precarious. Bibi also at least understands the biblical issues. He and Menachem Begin are the only Israeli prime ministers to hold Bible studies at the residence in Jerusalem.

His father, Benzion, was a renowned history professor and fierce Zionist. Good for him. Unapologetic, he stood for Israel’s right to self-determination his whole life, and he knew early Zionists like Ze’ev Jabotinsky. The three Netanyahu brothers, growing up in a Jerusalem suburb, learned Zionism around the family dinner table.

Bibi won his first premiership in 1996, fending off Shimon Peres, who had lost his way by embracing disingenuous “peace” partners. He fell into the trap of thinking a robust economy would turn the “Palestinians” away from their thirst for Jewish blood. Nothing will, and some understood this. Charles Krauthammer once famously wrote about Peres’ vision for a “Maginot Line of five-star hotels” in Arab lands. Meaning, the “Palestinians” don’t care about no stinking robust economy. They remain committed to wiping Israel off the earth.

All this to say, we are now hearing from the usual suspects in Western media that Israel is ready to move on from Netanyahu in the upcoming October elections. He has served as prime minister for 19 of Israel’s modern 78 years. Remarkable.

His successes have infuriated his enemies, of whom there are many. I suspect the media reports of his political demise—which have been trotted out for years—are largely bogus. They are even now using Trump’s alleged movement away from Netanyahu in much the same way Clinton and Obama sent their goons to Israel to interfere in Israeli elections.

But the Israeli people, even those who dislike him, know that Netanyahu has held off the genocidal terrorists. Notwithstanding October 7—which was inevitable—Netanyahu has held the killers at bay for 30 years. Never pleasing everyone, he has retained his Zionism against political realities. I predict he will win again.

Until he does, he has some interesting foes. Recent polling (I rarely trust this form of propaganda, which is intended to persuade the masses, many of whom can’t think for themselves) suggests that Netanyahu’s chief rival is Gadi Eisenkot, a former general and chief of general staff. Allegedly, as of this week, his party, Yasher, holds a lead over Likud. Remember, Israeli elections depend on the party, even over the candidate.

Eisenkot, born in Eilat, has a glittering resume. He has a post-graduate degree from Haifa University and was a member of the elite Golani Brigade. 

He also advocates for a two-state solution and draft exemptions for a percentage of the haredim.

In other words, he’s a typical heroic IDF man that becomes dumb when he enters politics.

A two-state solution? 

Are you daft, man?

Israel, especially after 10/7, can never agree to give those devils a state. To do so is to commit suicide. This is the non-starter issue.

Also, a Wikipedia entry for Eisenkot says this:

“Eisenkot advocates for a state rooted in national-Jewish values but with equal rights for all citizens. He supports a two-state solution with the Palestinians, prioritizing the Jordan Valley and settlement blocs, and advocates a long-term ceasefire and demilitarization in the Gaza Strip.

“He views Syria, Lebanon, and Iran not as existential threats, but rather emphasizes the internal challenge of domestic polarization in Israel. Eisenkot advocates for a two-state solution with the Palestinians to maintain a Jewish-democratic state and avoid a bi-national state, but insists on retaining portions of the occupied West Bank, including the Jordan Valley and settlement blocs.”

Is he serious? Syria, Lebanon and Iran are not existential threats? 

This can’t be a serious candidacy. Do you really think Israelis would entrust their security to such a person?

I don’t. 

Syrian President Meets With Trump

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Once again the bromance between Trump and the Syrian President throws a monkey wrench into Israeli security. Trump desperately wants to be a statesman, but leaving Netanyahu alone to do what is best for Israel would be the proper call. Reposted from All Israel News. Rh

President Donald Trump asked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to remove Israeli troops from Lebanon and Syria in a recent phone call, Axios reports.

“They don’t want you there. You should redeploy,” Trump reportedly told Netanyahu in a phone conversation last Thursday, according to a U.S. official who spoke with Axios.

According to Israel Hayom, Trump conveyed the Syrian demand for the withdrawal of IDF troops from its territory, but did not present it as an American demand.

The phone call between the two leaders came a day after Trump met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Turkey.

Read the full story 👇

https://allisraelnews.com/trump-tells-netanyahu-to-remove-israeli-troops-from-lebanon-syria-report

War Update

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Trump capitulations on a fantasy deal with Iran has emboldened them to re start the missile launches toward Israel. Once again how does one make a deal with terrorist? This should have been finished. Rh

Israel’s finance minister Smotrich intends to demand in this morning’s security cabinet meeting to turn the equation that Iran tried to create between itself and Lebanon on its head and focus mainly on a strong response in Lebanon. For every Iranian missile, dozens of buildings in Dahieh should be taken down.

According to his equation, two or three hundred buildings in Beirut should have fallen last night. This is much easier, more accessible, and more effective than a response in Iran, including taking advantage of the opportunity with long-term gains for the security of northern residents, like the “money plow” under which the IDF destroys the contact villages in southern Lebanon, so that Hezbollah will beg the Iranians to stop.

Conversely, this could also bring the Iranians to be flexible in negotiations with the Americans, after a month and a half of their insistence and American backing down. In such a case, Trump would also appreciate it, and Israel would again earn points with him for initiative and boldness that change reality. Trump always likes to take credit for others’ successes, and this is not bad for Israel.

Smotrich suggests saving the armaments and efforts against Iran for the moment when we decide to go after the energy infrastructures that will paralyze Iran and cripple its economy. In his opinion, it is a shame to waste capabilities on exchanges of blows within standard equations. In cost-benefit tests, strikes in nearby Lebanon are much more efficient than strikes in distant Iran that are not part of a comprehensive move where you go all the way without limitations.

An interesting thesis. Even more interesting if Netanyahu adopts it or if he has another ace up his sleeve.

(Amit Segal)

Secretary of State Rubio

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Marco Rubio says the U.S. will not give sanctions relief to Iran in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

If Iran wants to be able to move its oil again through the strait, they will have to reopen the straits.

If they refuse to do so, then we have other options available to us, but we would prefer to negotiate the opening of this.

Marco Rubio says there are indications that Mojtaba Khamenei is alive and becoming increasingly involved in decision-making.

A final thought from Mark Levin. Don’t always agree with Mr Levin, but he is right on this post. I totally agree. Rh

Mark Levin criticized President Trump’s demand from Israel to halt attacks on Hezbollah in Beirut:

WHAT IF HEZBOLLAH WAS A MEXICAN DRUG CARTEL FIRING MISSILES INTO OUR COUNTRY?

Simple questions:  What would we do if Mexican drug cartels fired thousands of missiles into our country, depopulating the Southwestern part of the United States?  Would we limit our response to defensive military action?  Would we halt attacking their main location because it was near a city?  What would we do?

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Israel Analysis Is Lebanon becoming safer? By Jim Fletcher

Below is a fascinating article found on watch.org, written by Jim Fletcher with information from an insider who has lived in Israel for many years. Lots to break down and chew on, but exactly what I have feared about the Middle East and the regional chaos that always seem to be bubbling beneath the surface. Rh

My friend Brian Schrauger is an invaluable source for facts on the ground in Israel. For several years, he has been a journalist over there (he’s from the U.S.). He is my go-to source for what is really going on there. His recent interview with Lt. Col. Sarit Zehavi was most enlightening.

She is the founder of the Alma Research and Education Center, and a serious Lebanon analyst. In the interview, she made a couple fascinating points that, again, the West does not know because we aren’t there. Brian also added a real human element by talking about his beloved daily walks; a year ago he was on a walk and all of a sudden, noticed rockets overhead. He was not near a shelter and hoped he wouldn’t be hit by debris.

The situation in the North has been chaotic, at best. Zehavi noted that actually, children are more resilient than the adults, in coping with the attacks. 

For eight months, Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel. For 14 months after Oct. 7, life in that area was unbearable. So, what about Syria and Lebanon? As Brian pointed out, “All the attention is on Iran.” 

Well, the answer is, Syria and Lebanon continue to be lethal threats. Unfortunately. The beeper operation, the brilliant, James Bond-ish actions by the IDF degraded Hezbollah. They didn’t eradicate the terror state.

Now, in the interview, Zehavi did discuss Iran.

“Trump made a promise. He didn’t have to make a promise, but he did. If he will fail to keep his promise, it will be a great damage to his reputation.”

“I do understand his position.” She says there is not a real opposition within Iran. Zehavi makes an interesting point about Afghanistan and Iraq, about U.S. involvement there. If we hadn’t been there, those two countries would today have huge missile stockpiles and nukes. So that gave me a perspective I had not had. Prior to hearing that, I, like many people, were frustrated with the withdrawal and considered much of the Bush Doctrine to, in the end, have been shortsighted. But Zehavi makes a superb point that our involvement in those countries did yield positive results. At least those two countries today, while deeply hostile to the West, do not have the capabilities to harm us.

“We have to be very consistent, thorough, and brave,” Zehavi said. If Iran is not confronted now, we’ll have to do it in 10 years. 

Back to Israel’s northern borders.

Reconstruction of Hezbollah is well underway. “Hezbollah is one step ahead” of Israel in reconstructing. She says Israel killed only 20 percent of the field commanders for Hezbollah. “We need to make sure they cannot make decisions.” 

On a good note, Hezbollah cannot launch an invasion, as Hamas did. Problem is, Hezbollah has had decades to burrow-into the system. “The Lebanese government is far from taking on Hezbollah. They claim they disarmed 10,000 rockets, but where is the confirmation?” No matter what we hear in the West, the Lebanese government and the armed forces are not doing the job.

During the height of the northern tensions, 60,000 Israelis evacuated for more than a year.

Additionally, Hezbollah continues to plant itself within the government. Brian says it is the hope of the Trump Administration that this will not happen, but there is no real effort to thwart that now. 

Near the Lebanon border, Israeli houses are being built with safe rooms, so multiple agendas and models are being used by Israel to protect its citizens.

As to Syria…Brian says the leader looks Western. Zehavi says it’s much more problematic with Syria. Very much worried that in 10 years, Syria will be very bad. “Assad was a dictator but not motivated by religious reasons.” This stretches all the way back to the father of Bashir Assad, Hafez Assad (the leader during the turbulent 70s and 80s). Very bad guys, yes, but not religious ideologues like bin Laden, etc. 

Zehavi noted that “If you involve Islamic radicalism in the government and military, eventually you will get terror.” This is the crux of the problem in Syria and Lebanon.

Al Quaeda and ISIS are becoming stronger in Syria, she says. Zehavi pointed to Ahmed al-Sharaa building radical schools, 70 schools, throughout Syria. Educating future generations to be radical Islamists. The new Syrian president has not reformed at all!

She cited Al-Sharaa’s interview with Christiane Amanpour (the longtime journalist who is no friend of the West), in which she asked him straight out, “Are you a terrorist?” Zehavi said you would think he would say I was a terrorist, once I was young and stupid. But he didn’t do that. Instead, he blamed America and Israel!

What are we doing propping this guy up?

It seems to me that Western weakness is contributing mightily to these problems. It is deeply troubling that we have Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner running point on all this.

All in all, an eye-opening interview. We must remain vigilant, my friends. It feels very much like plugging leaks in a dam designed to keep out terrorists.

Israeli Airstrikes Target Hezbollah Rebuild as IDF Finds More Hamas-UNRWA Ties

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11/7/2025 05:46:19 AM Chris Mitchell

This my friends is why there can never be true peace in the Middle East. When one enemy is defeated (at least as far as the woke world will let), immediately another hater of Israel raises its demonic head! It’s Israel against the world. Praying that America never turns her back on Israel. God help us if we do. Rh

JERUSALEM, Israel – Israel has launched its largest attack on Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon since the 2024 ceasefire began. Thursday’s escalation signals Israel’s determination to prevent the Iranian-backed terror group from rebuilding its arsenal of weapons.

The Israel Defense Forces announced they completed a series of strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure and weapons facilities. The military claims Iran’s proxy continues to reestablish its terrorist stronghold and poses a clear and present danger to the State of Israel.

Before the attack, the IDF issued an evacuation warning to the Lebanese, a measure to prevent civilian casualties since the weapons facilities are in the midst of populated areas.

Israel’s Knesset received a briefing reportedly warning that Hezbollah, with help from Iran, is rebuilding its military strength faster than Israeli strikes can stop it. The setback Israel dealt Hezbollah in the 2023-24 campaign is fading, the military believes, and Hezbollah is smuggling weapons through Syria and by sea, and it is also producing its own arms.

The IDF says its attacks on Thursday are “just a preview” of what is to come if the Lebanese army doesn’t fully disarm Hezbollah.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the bombings, but said that negotiations are the only way to end the near-daily Israeli attacks on his country.

The U.S.is pressuring the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah, as well. However, in an open letter, Hezbollah pledged to resist any attempts to take its weapons, and it criticized Aoun for considering any negotiations with Israel.

One member of a Lebanese Christian party stated, “Hezbollah insists on dragging us into another destructive war. It is unacceptable for a minority held hostage to dictate the fate of the free majority.”

Meanwhile, the IDF released documents showing evidence of an incestuous relationship between Hamas and UNRWA, the United Nations agency for the Palestinians. It uncovered details of Hamas operatives employed by UNRWA and documents revealing Hamas’s use of UNRWA facilities.

Israel’s military uncovered lists of UNRWA employees side by side with Hamas operatives, where the same individuals held both civilian and military IDs.

It’s just the latest evidence showing how the U.N. agency and Hamas worked together in the Gaza Strip. UNRWA is funded by many European nations, Australia, and Canada, among others. 

JNS poll: Israeli public believes now is the time to attack Iran’s nuclear installations 

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Israelis also say the Biden administration seeks to undermine Israel’s war effort, support Trump over Harris by more than 50 points. 

CAROLINE B. GLICK

Israelis are almost unanimous in their support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision not to coordinate the airstrike that targeted Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah with the Biden administration in advance of its commission, a new JNS poll conducted by Direct Polls show.

JNS asked, “According to reports, Israel did not coordinate with the United States in advance of it carrying out its operation to assassinate Hassan Nasrallah. Do you think it was the right decision or the wrong decision?

Eighty-three percent of respondents responded that it was the right decision. Nine percent felt it was the wrong decision. Eight percent did not know.

For the past several decades, Hezbollah ground forces and missile arsenal in Lebanon have deterred Israel from attacking Iran. Fearing that Iran would order Hezbollah to attack Israel with daily barrages of thousands of missiles and order its ground forces to invade the Galilee, Israel delayed acting directly against Iran’s nuclear and missile installations.

Finally, JNS asked which candidate for U.S. president Israelis believe will be more sympathetic to Israel’s interests. Sixty-five percent of respondents said Republican candidate Donald Trump would be more sympathetic to Israel’s interests. Just 13% of Israelis believe that Democratic candidate Kamala Harris would be more supportive of Israel. Fifteen percent of respondents said that both would be equally sympathetic to Israeli interests and 7% said neither would be sympathetic to Israel’s interests.

The results of the JNS poll align with results of one commissioned by Channel 14and conducted last week by Direct Polls. That survey, carried out the day before Israel’s elimination of Nasrallah, asked the public whether they believed that the U.S. has weakened or strengthened Israel in its struggle to remove military threats to its national security from the south and the north of the country.

Fifty-seven percent of respondents said the U.S. has weakened Israel. Thirty-five percent responded that the U.S. has strengthened Israel. Eight percent didn’t know.

The thrust of both polls indicate that Israelis believe that the Biden administration does not share or support Israel’s war goals and are concerned that the administration will use the lame-duck period
between the Nov. 5 presidential election and the inauguration of the next president on Jan. 20, 2025, to undermine Israel’s capacity to win the war.

Direct Polls questioned a sample of 520 adults (aged 18 and older) representing Israel’s general population.

JNS asked the public whether Israel should now seize the momentum it has gained through its recent strikes on Hezbollah to attack Iran before the U.S. elections. Sixty-two percent of the public answered affirmatively. Twenty-six percent said that Israel should abstain from using its momentum to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities ahead of the U.S. elections. Twelve percent said they did not know.

This time it is different, there seems to be a resolve that was never in Israel before to do what they feel they must do to protect themselves. Next step could be the nuclear facilities in Iran. It will have to be done sooner or later. Later may be too late. God be with Israel. Protect and guide them according to your will. Amen Rh

Israeli General to CBN News: Israel Has No Choice but to ‘Attack with All Our Capabilities’

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Chris Mitchell CBN News

JERUSALEM, Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Sunday that Israel stands ready to defend itself against any enemy attack. There is also the possibility that the Israel Defense Forces will go on the offensive.

Netanyahu sees the situation as a seven-front war where Iran and its proxies are trying to strangle the Jewish state.

“Their visible aggression is insatiable, but Israel is not helpless,” Netanyahu said. “We are determined to stand against them on every front, in every arena, far and near. Anyone who murders our citizens, anyone who harms our country, will be held accountable. He will pay a very heavy price.”

Some anticipate Iran will launch a bigger attack than April 13th, when some 350 missiles and drones rained down across Israel, resulting in only minor damage.

The Alma Research Center in northern Israel estimates a combination of “ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs from many sites in western Iran” could be launched.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has dispatched a fighter squadron to the Middle East, and the head of the Central Command, General Michael Kurilla, is already here in the region.

Retired IDF General Amir Avivi tells CBN News Kurilla is expected to play a valuable role in helping coordinate a similar coalition effort that protected Israel in April.   

“It enables to really assist Israel to deal with all the different threats – whether it’s ballistic missiles, a UAV, and any other capability Iran might shoot at Israel or Hezbollah – and it increases dramatically the chances of really being able to secure Israel in the best way possible,” Avivi explained.

He added, “There is no 100 percent, but it definitely improves a lot – the chances of really dealing very well with most of the capabilities Iran and Hezbollah have.”

We asked the general about Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah’s threat that he may hit Tel Aviv or other civilian centers in Israel, and how Israel would respond if it happened.

Avivi replied, “If Hezbollah will shoot Israeli centers? This is a full-scale war. We have no other choice but to attack with all our capabilities. And I can tell you that Israel can inflict huge, huge damage on Hezbollah and also Lebanon. Overall, if (they would fire on) Israeli cities and infrastructure. Israel would destroy all the infrastructure of Lebanon, and they need to take that into account.”