While in Israel last week, I learned a new term: Deconfliction. It's used to describe the contact between Russia and Israel in Syria. It's a very tense time because of the expansion of Iranian influence near Israel's border with the apparent tacit approval of the USA and Russia. Israel is doing everything possible to stop this and not get into a war with Russia. As per David Lesch of the New York Times: The Trump administration has so far seemed willing to cede Syria to Russia, but this really means ceding it to Iran.
Expert: Hizbullah Has Built Tunnels into Israel - David Schenker (Cipher Brief)
Hamas Leader: Iran Is Our Largest Backer Financially, Militarily (Asharq Al-Awsat-UK) with Iran's help, Hamas is accumulating military power in preparation for a battle for the liberation of Palestine.
Netanyahu Raising Alarm on Iran, Again - Ben Caspit (Al-Monitor)
Iran Commands 70,000 Combatants in Syria - Zvi Bar'el (Ha'aretz) Iranian troops and militias have been given Syrian army bases and civilian facilities, like a university located between Damascus and the southern town of Sweida where the Iranians installed SAM-1 anti-aircraft batteries.
Hizbullah Has Been Active in America for Decades - Colin P. Clarke (National Interest)
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Canadian Groups Express Concern as UNRWA Boosts Funding to Palestinians - Paul Lungen (Canadian Jewish News)
'A Weapon Against Its Neighbors': Former Al-Jazeera Bureau Chief Speaks Out Against Network- Seth J. Frantzman (Jerusalem Post)
Al Jazeera Exposed: Blood Libels, Defamation and Lies - Daniel Pomerantz (Honest Reporting)
Opposing U.S., France Says No Need to Change UN Lebanon Force Mandate (AFP) Anne Gueguen, France's deputy permanent representative to the UN, said Wednesday that France wants the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to stick to its current mandate, opposing U.S. calls to strengthen the force's authority to deal with arms movements by Hizbullah. France contributes 800 troops to UNIFIL's 10,500-strong force. A Security Council vote on renewing UNIFIL's mandate is expected on August 30.
Washington Institute Hires Fired WSJ Reporter - Michael Wilner (Jerusalem Post) Solomon, in a phone call, said that virtually every single missile system in the Arab world has some tieback to the regime in the North. He will also examine the DPRK’s role in developing the chemical and nuclear weapons programs in Syria and Iran.
PA: Israeli Cities of Jaffa, Haifa, Safed, Tiberias, and Acre Are All in "Palestine" - Itamar Marcus (Palestinian Media Watch)
Military Training in PA Summer Camps Run by Jibril Rajoub - B. Chernitsky and S. Schneidmann (MEMRI)
How an Underground Wall Can Save Lives - HR in a Minute (Honest Reporting Video)
At the Golan border, I listened to one of the UN troops talking to tourists. He was stationed safely inside the Israeli border and his team was looking at Syria through a type of binocular. He made a point to say (with great disdain) that the Israelis are now advertising their assistance to Syrian refugees. Looking at his position, his tone was puzzling.
Taking Israeli Aid, Syrian Rebel Says Crisis on Golan Overrides Old Hatreds - Judah Ari Gross (Times of Israel)
Israeli Doctors Treat Syrian Victims of the Civil War - Shlomo Maital (Jerusalem Post)
Israeli Doctors Treat Syrian Victims of the Civil War - Shlomo Maital (Jerusalem Post)
After summer vacation, Middle East gears up for conflict as usual- Avi Issacharoff (Times of Israel) This week the United Arab Emirates made its first monthly transfer of $15 million to Hamas in Gaza in exchange for allowing Abbas' rival Mohammed Dahlan a foothold there. The Emirates, never previously known for affection toward Hamas, offered the money to help Dahlan and, mainly, to weaken Qatar's influence upon Hamas.
There will be no Update next week as I will be traveling and have very limited internet access.
Hope you all have a fabulous Labor Day weekend.
