Ammonia, an essential ingredient for life, could kill thousands of Israelis. The reason: its ammonia supply in northern Israel is a sitting duck for an attack by Hezbollah. Less than a year ago, Hezbollah leader, Nasralla, threatened the Haifa facility, calling it his "atomic bomb." It remains an obvious target.
There are two huge markets, mostly undeveloped, that are opening up to Israel: China and India. While the Western world largely ignores them, Israel is pursuing these Asian countries in the East where, in general, there is a unique openness to the Jewish state.
As the US and Europe struggle with the growing phenomena of fundamentalist Islamic terror, most are failing to maintain both parts of a duel responsibility: protect citizens from terror — and from racism. Israel is keenly aware of these obligations and the tension between them. Its struggle to honor that tension, without denying or rejecting either part, is ongoing. From that conscious struggle, Europe and the US have a lot to learn.
It would be a mistake to think there is, or will be, smooth sailing between Jerusalem and Trump's new administration in Washington D.C. When Netanyahu meets with the new US president, he will have four pressing concerns.
Why is Trump sending mixed messages about moving the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem? Probably because Israel is asking him to take a different approach to regional peace. If so, it is likely Netanyahu is asking Trump to wait. There are bigger issues at stake.
During his first week at work, President Trump has not been idle regarding Israel and the Middle East. He is halting Obama's transfer of $221 million to the PA, working with Putin to oust Iran from Syria, and, in spite of reports to the contrary, still intends to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem.
Apparently, Trump and Putin have done more than greet one another on the phone. According to DEBKAfile, they have struck a deal regarding Syria. Under that deal, Iran and its proxies must depart, leaving the US in charge of security along Syria's border with Israel. On the other hand, it solidifies Russia's presence in the Middle East. Moscow is not about to leave.
Officially, Israel has been in a state of war with Syria since 1948. Regardless, it has provided birthing care to Syrian mothers, provided state-of-the-art surgery for crippled young people, and has rescued at least one Syrian fighter. Now it is giving refugee status to 100 orphans along with a path for permanent residency in the Jewish State.
Israel is preparing to build 2,500 homes in its communites in Judea and Samaria. It also plans a new Palestinian industrial park near Hebron, the ancient capital of King David and burial site of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekkah, Jacob and Leah. The PLO, under the leadership of President Mahmoud Abbas, is apoplectic, calling the collective move a "war crime."
Israel is in first place to win Google's $20 million prize for being the first to land a privately funded robotic vehicle on the moon. Israel's craft, designed to hop on the lunar surface, is set for launch before the end of this year. Read about it and see the video here.
