Israel Demolishing Homes of Palestinian Families in the West Bank Whose Relatives Are Suspected of Carrying Out Attacks; Netanyahu Warns U.S. Against Military Coordination with Iran

Israel to step up demolition of Palestinian homes

November 17, 2014

AP - The development indicated that Israel is intensifying its much maligned policy of punitive destruction of homes of suspected attackers.

The assaults the attackers are accused of involved deadly intent against civilians — ramming vehicles into commuters at Jerusalem light rail platforms, for example — rather than just throwing stones or Molotov cocktails at Israeli soldiers.

The Israeli military said that in recent weeks, an unspecified number of notices warning of impending house demolitions have been issued to Palestinian families in the West Bank, whose relatives had carried out the attacks.

The military said that families have 48 hours to petition against the notices. Should they fail to do so — or should the petitions be rejected — the houses would become subject to immediate demolition.

Also Monday, the Israel Police said they designated several homes in east Jerusalem for destruction or sealing, but were awaiting final government approval before going ahead.

The demolitions are based on instructions from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who earlier this month said the home destruction policy would be implemented in response to a wave of Palestinian attacks against Israelis in Jerusalem, mostly against the background of tensions over a disputed holy site in the city.

The policy was largely suspended in 2005, after security authorities questioned its efficacy, but many Israelis continue to back it.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said police were now prepared to carry out house destructions or sealings in east Jerusalem "as soon as a final government decision is given."

He did not say how many homes would be demolished.

Meanwhile, the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem said that four east Jerusalem homes belonging to relatives of Palestinian attackers had recently been visited by police, apparently in preparation for their demolition or sealing.

B'Tselem has denounced the punitive demolitions policy.

Israeli Prime Minister Has A Warning for the U.S.

November 16, 2014

Business Insider - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared on CBS' "Face The Nation" Sunday morning where he decried alleged cooperation between the US and Iran in the fight against the jihadist group Islamic State (also known as ISIS or ISIL).

In addition to warning against military coordination, Netanyahu stressed Iran should not be allowed to keep or grow its uranium enrichment program through the P5+1 nuclear negotiations, which have a deadline of Nov. 24.

To bolster his arguments, Netanyahu argued Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has "participated in rallies and chants of 'death to America' and 'death to Israel.'" 

"This is not a friend, neither in the battle against ISIS nor in the effort — the great effort that should be made to deprive it of the capacity to make nuclear weapons," said Netanyahu. "Don't fall for Iran's ruse. They are not your friend."

Netanyahu said Israel is "fully coordinated" with the US in the fight against ISIS, which he characterized as a "global conflict" against jihadists.

"The Middle East is awash with militant Islamists," he explained.

Netanyahu went on to say the main groups in this tide of extremism are ISIS and Al Qaeda on "the Sunni side" and Iran and Hezbollah on the "Shi'ite side."

The Israeli leader was also asked about an interview published by The Atlantic last month where an anonymous Obama administration official was quoted referring to him as "chickens--t." Netanyahu declined to directly respond to the quote, but dismissed speculation US relations with Israel have deteriorated. 

"Look, I'm not going to deal with anonymous sources that issue all sorts of critical statements. I think that's not appropriate," said Netanyahu. "I will say this, I think the relationship between Israel and the United States is very, very strong."