ALIYAH SHIPPING GUIDE INTRODUCTION

ALIYAH SHIPPING GUIDE INTRODUCTION 

This guide is designed to help you make the best choices regarding your shipment of household goods to Israel. Educate yourself in advance of your move--use this guide, the Kef International website (www.kefintl.com), Nefesh B’Nefesh, get advice from people who have already shipped, and make sure to call KEF for a free consultation with Rabbi Adam Perlman, our expert shipping adviser. You can reach Rabbi Adam Perlman at adam@kefintl.com or call his number at 1-866-425-5224 ext. 152 

The Dead Sea 2 

1 OLEH RIGHTS Olim Chadashim have rights to three tax-free shipments within three years of their Aliyah. They are exempt from customs taxes for household goods, though they still pay port fees, port taxes, and VAT of 17% on services in Israel such as customs clearing and delivery. Some items are taxable, such as tiles, more than one of any appliance, exercise equipment, and outdoor furniture. Clothing, furniture, books, linens, toys, kitchen items, media, personal effects, one of each appliance, two computers, and two TV’s are exempt from customs taxes. Goods imported tax-free must remain in your possession for 6 years from the date of import. Gas grills can be imported, though they must be new, and they require special procedures and extra payments which can delay the clearing of your shipment through Israeli Customs. 

IMPORTING A CAR An Oleh Chadash has the right to buy or import one car or motorcycle with reduced taxes within three years of making Aliyah. Unlike household goods which are tax-free, vehicles have reduced tax, 76% instead of 125%. Unless you want an expensive car--over $45,000 in Israel, one that you can’t find there, or one that you are sentimentally attached to, it is best to buy or lease new or 2nd hand in Israel. A tax-reduced vehicle must remain in your possession for four years. Confirm with your shipper that your car has the features required for import. 

3 VOLUME ESTIMATE The first stage in getting a shipping quote is an onsite volume estimate/survey. This is free of charge and without commitment. Many companies will not do a free survey for you, but it is Kef’s practice to do a free onsite survey, whenever possible. The survey is best done 3-5 months before you move. If you are not sure what you will ship, tell the surveyor that some items are certainly going to be shipped and some items will maybe be shipped--and request two quotes. You will receive a survey report--an important reference for you and your shipper--with estimated volumes of each item or group of items and a total. Often, if estimated volume is under 600 cubic feet, you will be quoted a shared container shipment (i.e. a lift), 600-1000 cft, an exclusive 20’ container, 1200-2000 cft, a 40’exclusive container, or a 40’ high cube container (capacity about 2,200 cft). If you are undecided about how much to take, get quotes for various options. 

Volume and Weight 

Though volume is the main factor determining the type and cost of your shipment, weight comes into play for heavy items--a large piano, a safe, many boxes of books, or high end appliances. Domestic trucking is charged by weight, so shipments that begin far from major ports have a weight component. Estimate shipping weight by multiplying the cubic footage by 6.5 lbs/cft. 

Medium box, 3.5 cubic feet, 23 lbs. 3 seat couch, 80 cft, 520 lbs. 1-2 bedroom apartment, 1,000 cft, 20’ container, 6,500 lbs. 4-5 bedroom home, 2000 cft, 4 

40’ container, 13,000 lbs. 

TYPES OF SHIPMENTS 1) A shared container shipment (Less Than Container Load or LCL) shares a 40’ container with other shipments. 2) An FCL, full container load, is an exclusive container, 20’ or 40’ long for larger shipments. 

Shared Container Shipments (LCL) Shared containers are for smaller shipments. Kef normally packs all of your goods, though you can choose to pack non-breakables. Kef then brings the packed goods back to the warehouse, where they are loaded and sealed onto wood pallets or into wood crates. This separates and protects your goods and makes them easier to move. It adds 10%-25% to the size of your shipment. Your costs are based on gross or bruto volume, the final measurements, after crating or palletizing, before loading into the container. 5 

Rates per cubic foot for a shared container load are higher than for an exclusive container. Your quote will provide a rate for volume above the estimated or minimum volume. Some companies load shared containers “loose”—not on pallets or in crates. Though loading “loose” will make your shipment smaller and, therefore, less expensive, risk of loss or damage increases significantly. Cheap solutions are expensive, so make sure you choose a reliable shipper. 

The timing of partial containers, especially small ones, is very different than for exclusive containers; partial containers take longer and are less predictable. Though partial containers take just a day to pack and pickup, there are possible delays down the line. At origin, they wait for sufficient cargo to consolidate in a large container, and in Israel, after waiting to unload the container at the port, they wait to fill the delivery truck. 

Exclusive Container Shipments (FCL) 

Exclusive container shipments are for larger amounts of furniture and household goods. Unless there is difficult access or you need storage at origin, exclusive containers are loaded at residence, a “live load.” In some places, standard procedure is to pick up your goods in a truck and load the container at the warehouse. 

If you send the smallest container, a 20’, it not uncommon that on packing/loading day, you feel the need to send more than will fit. By then it is usually too late to switch to a larger container---you must leave things behind or send a second shipment. To avoid this, prioritize and label goods in advance of the pickup, so important items are loaded first, and things that don’t fit are less important. Just as it is impossible to 6 guarantee timing, it is also not possible to guarantee what will fit into a container. 

If your estimated volume is near the capacity of a 20’ container, and you may want to add more items, and move up to a 40’ container. Similarly, if your volume estimate is over 500 cubic feet and you may want to add more items, consider sending a 20’ container. Storage options for an exclusive container are pricey. 

Exclusive containers are safest, since they involve the least handling of your goods and the least opportunity for damage or loss. They are locked at origin and opened only at destination., 

STORAGE 

Decide in advance, and let us know, if you need storage-- there are storage options on both sides of the ocean. Partial containers are easier and cheaper to store, both before loading into the container at origin or after unloading from the shared container in the port in Israel. They have 2-4 weeks at origin and 28 days of free storage at the port in Israel and reasonable rates after that. Exclusive containers have only 2-4 days free storage at the destination port. 

Because of the high costs of leaving a container at port, plan to arrive in Israel at least a few days before the container is scheduled to arrive, in order to prepare and submit your documents for customs clearing. 

 7 MARINE INSURANCE 

Marine insurance is not included in shipping quotes. You pay as a percentage of the replacement value of your goods in Israel and have a choice of deductibles.   All-risk coverage with a $500 deductible might cost 2.00% of the insured value. To insure for $30,000, your cost will be $600. The deductible is one time for the whole shipment, not per item. You can insure self-packed (PBO, packed by owner) boxes only for loss and theft up to $300, and only if you list the contents beforehand. If you want to insure for damage as well, do not seal them-- let the packers inspect and seal. Make sure your shipper uses a reliable marine insurance provider who will not give you problems in the event of a claim. 

Kef has worked with the best for over 30 years. 

WHAT TO SHIP? 

Consider the cost and quality of your goods, the amount of space in your home in Israel, and the type of shipment you are sending. Shipping is not inexpensive, so don’t ship junk-send things you value. 

Costs are determined by size, so large items of no great quality are better left behind. Large ovens, ranges, washers, dryers, and high-end refrigerators are worth bringing, if you can fit them in your new home. Computers are worth shipping, if you already own them. TV’s, only if high end and compatible with the PAL-eg system in Israel. 8 

SHIPPING QUOTES 

All shippers use 3rd party shipping agents. This is important to understand. Israeli companies use a shipping agent at origin (e.g. North America) for packing. A North American company uses an agent in Israel for customs clearing and delivery. Signing a contract with a company based in Israel can help avoid surprise charges--and having to deal with unfamiliar Israeli agents with limited English and limited experience in dealing with Olim. Kef is happy to help you compare “apples with apples” between competing quotes. 

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Since companies use different terminology in their quotes, you should focus on the bottom line--how much you will pay for services provided. Study the “not included” section carefully to see what services are excluded and verify that port fees, port taxes, and terminal handling charges are included. Review your quotes and ask questions if anything is unclear. 

Beware of surprisingly low quotes—they may well have hidden charges or offer sub-par service. If you have any questions, call or email Rabbi Adam Perlman at Kef International and he will gladly help you. You can reach Rabbi Adam Perlman at adam@kefintl.com or call his direct number at 1-866-425- 5224 ext. 152. 

TIMING 

Timing of international shipments is never certain. Exclusive container shipments are faster and more predictable than shared container shipments. Shipping an exclusive container (FCL) takes at least 4 weeks door to door (more from the West Coast). Partial containers take longer, 7-11 weeks, and have less certain timing. 

PACKING 

Packing takes place at your home. Most quotes include all packing and packing materials. Some offer partial packing, where you are responsible for non-breakables such as clothing, books, toys, and linens. Fragile or expensive items may require custom crating at additional cost, to assure safe passage and allow proper insurance coverage. Packing is done in one day for shared shipments and 20’ containers. 

Larger or more complicated shipments take 2-3 days. Goods you pack yourself are listed as PBO (packed by owner) on the packing list and cannot be insured for damage; make sure breakables and furniture are professionally packed. Packing is done in one day for shared shipments and 20’ containers. Larger or more complicated shipments take 2-3 days. 

CUSTOMS CLEARING IN ISRAEL 

Olim receive a teudat zehut and teudat oleh from Nefesh B’Nefesh. You no longer need to go to customs yourself--NBN will open a file at customs for you. You will need to provide us with scans of documents, including passports, your new Israeli documents, and signed customs forms. Kef provides you with clear instructions at each stage of the move so you can have peace of mind throughout the moving process. 

DELIVERY IN ISRAEL 

Once cleared through customs, KEF arranges delivery to your residence. Exclusive containers take a few days for that process—partial containers take longer. Standard delivery includes placing goods where you want them, unwrapping furniture, assembling simple used furniture that was disassembled at origin, and discarding debris. Your quote is based on normal access, up to two floors without an elevator and parking within 25 yards of the house entrance. It is best to have 2 or more people at delivery, one to mark the list for items being delivered and one to show where to put them. 10 11 

EXTRA COSTS 

Difficult access at destination and storage are common reasons for extra charges. Less common causes are customs and security inspections, strikes, extreme weather and wars.. 

DECIDE ON A SHIPPER 

Aliyah is a stressful time. A reliable and responsible shipper will make your transition that much easier. Reliable communications, integrity, and a commitment to service are central to a good shipping experience. With expert advice and service throughout your move, Kef allows you peace of mind from door to door. 

We look forward to being of service! 

Achziv Beach 13 

KEF INTERNATIONAL (established in 1979) is the oldest of the relocation companies in Israel specializing in Aliyah. Kef is based in Jerusalem with toll-free access from the USA, Canada, France, and the UK. Staffed and managed by olim from the United States, Kef knows the Aliyah process intimately. Our expertise and experience allow us to provide the highest standard of service on international moves. 

More than 6000 customers have used KEF for their international moves and shipping. Whether you are moving to or from Israel or anywhere in the world, count on Kef for thorough information, expert advice, and the highest level of control throughout your relocation. With easy access and quick response time, KEF is with you all the way. - 

Our Services Include: 

Free onsite volume estimate of household goods 

- Pre-move consulting 

- Packing and containerization of household and newly-purchased goods, 

- Receiving deliveries of new items at our origin warehouse 

- Secure storage in Israel and abroad 

- Shipping by air or sea 

- Marine insurance 

- Customs clearing - Home delivery 

- Help in expediting insurance claims. 

Our Services Include: 12 13 

Expertise, Control and Responsibility. For 39 years, Kef has maintained secure relationships with top performers in packing, shipping, marine insurance, customs clearing, home delivery, installation and service contracts. 

Full Disclosure. Kef provides a comprehensive contract in plain English, detailing likely and possible fees--clear and complete, no ambushes or ambiguities. 

Household Goods. Kef arranges onsite estimates, expert packing and pickup of your household goods anywhere in the world. 

Marine Insurance. Kef offers the best marine insurance coverage available, maximizing your security and expediting claims. We offer a variety of deductibles, and our policies are extendable in commercial or port storage. 

Customs Clearing. KEF makes clearing as easy as possible. No need to go to the port--let our top-notch customs clearer's get the best results for you! 

Home Delivery. Our truckers are not only expert movers, they are polite, understanding and cooperative, as well. Kef informs you in advance about everything from special conditions that add costs to appropriate tipping. 

Storage. Kef arranges secure short and long-term storage and insurance. We offer partial delivery and partial storage, at the port and in private warehouses. 

Appliances, Furniture, and Household Goods. 39 years of experience allows us to provide accurate information about which products are worth importing, which can be serviced and the mechanics of getting them into your home. 14 

No Pressure, easy communication, transparency and service. 

Low Costs. Kef gives competitive prices and the highest level of service for packing, shipping, insurance, destination services and appliances. 

Consideration and Integrity. We speak your language and know the kind of service you expect. 

Hassle-Free. Give yourself the service you deserve. Allow Kef professionals to handle all the details for you at fair and competitive prices. 

SERVICE IS OUR PASSION. 

CONTACT US: USA: 1-866-425-5224 (toll free) Canada: 1-866-425-5224 (toll free) England: 0 203 129 6901 Israel: 02-673-5043 shipping@kefintl.com www.kefintl.com 

Israel says it has 'proof' of secret Iranian nuclear program

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahas accused Iran of lying about its nuclear program. (AAP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Iran of lying about its nuclear program and says Tehran continues to pursue its nuclear ambitions.

UpdatedUpdated 4 mins ago

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Iran has lied about not pursuing nuclear weapons, and has continued to preserve and expand its nuclear weapons knowledge after signing a 2015 deal with global powers.

"Iran's leaders repeatedly deny ever pursuing nuclear weapons," said Netanyahu on Monday. "Tonight I'm here to tell you one thing: Iran lied.

"After signing the nuclear deal in 2015, Iran intensified its efforts to hide its secret files," he said. "In 2017 Iran moved its nuclear weapons files to a highly secret location in Tehran."

Netanyahu said Iran continued to preserve and expand its nuclear weapons knowledge for future use.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had new "proof" of a secret Iranian nuclear weapons program, as the US considers whether to quit a landmark atomic accord that Israel opposes.

The Israeli Prime Minister, who has repeatedly called for the accord between world powers and his country's main enemy Iran to either be altered or scrapped, gave a presentation live on television including videos and slides allegedly exposing Iran's nuclear dossier.

He said Israel had obtained tens of thousands of files "a few weeks ago in a great intelligence achievement".

"Tonight we're going to reveal new and conclusive proof of the secret nuclear weapons programme that Iran has been hiding for years from the international community in its secret atomic archive," Netanyahu said.

"We're going to show you Iran's secret nuclear files."

Netanyahu alleged Iran's leaders repeatedly lied about their nuclear ambitions.

READ MORE

US concerned by 'destabilising and malign activities' of Iran: Pompeo

He claims the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement does not prevent Tehran from eventually obtaining nuclear weapons and says the lifting of sanctions has increased Tehran's ability to finance proxy militants in the Middle East.

Netanyahu also wants to see curbs on Iran's missile programme.

US President Donald Trump has a May 12 deadline to decide on whether or not to walk away from the deal, which he has derided as "insane" partly because its restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities begin expiring in 2025.

Most world powers however say the nuclear deal is working as intended for now and is the best way to keep Iran from acquiring the bomb.

Source: AAP - SBS, AFP - SBS

Lag B'Omer Festival 100 Years Ago -- April 30, 1918

Lag B'Omer Festival 100 Years Ago -- April 30, 1918 Posted: 29 Apr 2018 10:15 PM PDT The Enigmatic Photograph from the Library of Congress: Lag B'Omer & Jewish Children’s Parade exactly 100 years Ago Jewish children's procession -- where, why, when? Among the thousands of very old and recently digitalized pictures from a Library of Congress collection of photos from Palestine, there is this captivating picture. All the original Library of Congress caption explained was that the picture was taken between 1910 and 1930 and that it is  a “Group of children and adults in procession in street, some holding a banner with a Star of David.”  Today, the caption reads: Procession may have taken place on April 30, 1918, on Lag Ba'Omer, when visits were traditionally made to the tomb. British army tents in background, indicate year of 1918. (Source: L. Ben-David, Israel's History - A Picture a Day website, August 19, 2011)  Title devised by Library staff. (Source: L. Ben-David, Israel's History - A Picture a Day website, August 19, 2011) Who are the hundreds of children?  Why are the boys and girls separated?  Where are they marching to? Where is this picture taken? And why is there a tent compound on the left horizon? Photo analysis and comparison to an aerial photograph from 1931 and contemporary pictures indicate that the children are walking south on the Nablus Road (Derech Shchem) in the direction of the Damascus Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem. Behind them is the road that veers to the right toward Mt. Scopus.  The road leads to a neighborhood built around the grave of a High Priest named Shimon the Righteous (Hatzadik) who lived in the days of the Second Temple.   The boys and girls come from ultra-Orthodox schools, evidenced by the boys’ hats and frocks. The girls are wearing ultra-Orthodox fashion: shapeless, modest smocks. But wait, the second batch of girls, those behind the Star of David banner (might they be from a “Zionist” school?) are wearing more stylish dresses and hats. Enlargement of the army camp. Note the permanent  structure surrounded by tents. The tents belong to a British army camp after they defeated the Turks in 1917 and were deployed along the northern ridges stretching from Nebi Samuel to the Mount of Olives. The compound appears similar to other British army compounds in Library of Congress photographs.    The day started off cool, and the girls have shed their sweaters.  It’s a warm Spring day, and from the shadows it’s probably around 2 PM.  Shimon Hatzadik's tomb today (Israel In fact, the day was Tuesday, April 30, 1918.  The procession is almost certainly an organized outing of several Jerusalem schools taking place on Lag Ba’Omer, four weeks after Passover.  Traditionally, on Lag Ba’Omer Jews flock to the Galilee mountaintop of Meiron to the grave of Shimon Bar Yochai, one of the most famous scholars in the Talmud.  But some 100 years ago, travel to Meiron would have taken days.  Instead, the children took a hike to Shimon Hatzadik’s grave, a known custom 100 years ago in Jerusalem. The picture was taken just four months after the British forces captured the city of Jerusalem. The city's Jewish residents received the soldiers as their saviors -- saving them from severe hunger and deadly diseases. The children had much to celebrate. The parade route today (picture taken from the 8th floor of the Olive Hotel) (IDP) Veteran Jerusalemite Shmulik Huminer wrote in his memoirs: “Anyone who could travel to Meiron on Lag Ba’Omer would go, and there take place miracles and wonders.  But the residents of Jerusalem who couldn’t afford to travel to Meiron have as compensation the cave of Shimo Hatzadik located at the edge of the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood north of the Old City.” Today, Lag Ba’Omer is a day when Jewish children still go out to parks and forests to celebrate.  In Jerusalem, many traditional Jews still visit Shimon’s grave. Comparison of buildings from 1918 and today. Second stories were added to the buildings over the years. (IDP) The houses around the tomb where Jews lived 100 years ago were abandoned under threat of Arab pogroms in the 1920s and 1930s.  The Hadassah convoy massacre in 1948, in which almost 80 Jews were killed, took place on the road beneath the building with the very prominent arches.  In recent years, however, Jewish families have returned to the Shimon Hatzadik neighborhood.

Palestinians must make peace or shut up, Saudi crown prince said to tell US Jews

Palestinians must make peace or shut up, Saudi crown prince said to tell US Jews

In meeting last month in New York, Mohammed bin Salman castigated Abbas and predecessors for spurning opportunities for 40 years

By TOI staff Today, 9:06 pm 4

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, crown prince of Saudi Arabia, attends a meeting at the United Nations in New York City, March 27, 2018. (Bryan R. Smith/AFP)

At a meeting with Jewish leaders in New York last month, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman castigated the Palestinian leadership for rejecting opportunities for peace with Israel for decades, and said they should either start accepting peace proposals or “shut up.”

Citing what it said were multiple sources, Israel’s Channel 10 News on Sunday night quoted what it said were remarks made by the crown prince at the meeting that left those who were present “staggered” by the ferocity of his criticism of the Palestinians.

“For the past 40 years, the Palestinian leadership has missed opportunities again and again, and rejected all the offers it was given,” the Saudi leader reportedly said.

 “It’s about time that the Palestinians accept the offers, and agree to come to the negotiating table — or they should shut up and stop complaining,” he reportedly went on.

Prince Salman also told the US Jewish leaders that “the Palestinian issue is not at the top of the Saudi government’s agenda” and elaborated, “There are much more urgent and more important issues to deal with — such as Iran,” according to the TV report.

Nonetheless, the crown prince reportedly stressed that there would have to substantive progress toward an Israeli-Palestinian accord before the Saudis and other Arab states would deepen their relationships with Israel. “There needs to be significant progress toward an agreement with the Palestinians before it will be possible to advance negotiations between Saudi Arabia and the Arab world and Israel,” he was quoted saying.

The TV report dated the meeting to March 27, during the prince’s extensive visit to the US. It did not name those present. The Saudi Embassy said that the crown prince was to have met that week with Jewish leaders, including Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism; Rabbi Steven Wernick, head of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism; and Allen Fagin, executive vice president of the Orthodox Union. That meeting, however, which also included Christian leaders, took place on March 28.

The TV report was based on a cable to the Foreign Ministry from an Israeli diplomat in the New York consulate, who was briefed on the meeting by those present, and three other sources who were familiar with the content of the meeting. One of those present told the TV channel that the group was staggered by what the prince had to say, and all but fell off their chairs.

A number of news reports, including by The New York Times and Reuters, have claimed in recent months that the Saudi crown prince has pressured Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to accept a much-anticipated Trump administration peace proposal.

After he met with Jewish and Christian leaders on March 28, the Saudi Embassy in Washington said the meeting “emphasized the common bond among all people, particularly people of faith, which stresses the importance of tolerance, coexistence, and working together for a better future for all of humanity.”

A statement from the embassy added that “the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always, and will continue to champion expanding dialogue, building a better understanding among the faiths, and focusing on the shared humanity of all peoples.”

No specific details of what the faith leaders and crown prince spoke about were released.

In an interview published a few days later,  the crown prince recognized Israel’s right to exist and extolled the prospect of future diplomatic relations between his kingdom and the Jewish state.

In an extensive interview with The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg, the prince laid out his vision for the future of the Middle East, including the possibility of cooperation with Israel.

Asked whether he believes “the Jewish people have a right to a nation-state in at least part of their ancestral homeland,” he replied: “I believe that each people, anywhere, has a right to live in their peaceful nation. I believe the Palestinians and the Israelis have the right to have their own land.”

However, in keeping with the terms of his kingdom’s regional peace proposal, the Saudi crown prince added that an agreement with the Palestinians was a prerequisite to formal relations. “But we have to have a peace agreement to assure the stability for everyone and to have normal relations,” he said.

Did he have “no religious-based objection to the existence of Israel?” he was further asked. To which the crown prince replied: “We have religious concerns about the fate of the holy mosque in Jerusalem and about the rights of the Palestinian people. This is what we have. We don’t have any objection against any other people.”

Asked about anti-Semitism in Saudi Arabia, he said: “Our country doesn’t have a problem with Jews. Our Prophet Muhammad married a Jewish woman. Not just a friend — he married her. Our prophet, his neighbors were Jewish. You will find a lot of Jews in Saudi Arabia coming from America, coming from Europe. There are no problems between Christian and Muslims and Jews. We have problems like you would find anywhere in the world, among some people. But the normal sort of problems.”

Israel and Saudi Arabia have no official relations and the kingdom does not recognize the Jewish state. Israel has hinted at clandestine ties with Saudi Arabia in recent years, stressing the two countries share an interest in countering Iran. The rumors of covert relations have been denied by Saudi officials. Still, a Saudi general visited Jerusalem in 2016 and met with Israeli lawmakers, and Saudi officials have met with Israeli officials on several occasions in public. Saudi Arabia also allowed Air India to fly to and from Tel Aviv via its airspace, last month.

Discussing whether a shared concern over Iran was bringing Israel and Saudi Arabia together, he said: “Israel is a big economy compared to their size and it’s a growing economy, and of course, there are a lot of interests we share with Israel, and if there is peace, there would be a lot of interest between Israel and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and countries like Egypt and Jordan.”

Salman also discussed the threat to the Middle East he said was posed by Iran, even saying that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic, “makes Hitler look good.”

“Hitler didn’t do what the supreme leader is trying to do. Hitler tried to conquer Europe. This is bad,” he explained. “But the supreme leader is trying to conquer the world. He believes he owns the world. They are both evil guys. He is the Hitler of the Middle East. In the 1920s and 1930s, no one saw Hitler as a danger. Only a few people. Until it happened. We don’t want to see what happened in Europe happen in the Middle East. We want to stop this through political moves, economic moves, intelligence moves. We want to avoid war.”

Shortly afterwards, Saudi King Salman reaffirmed his nation’s support for the Palestinians in a conversation with US President Donald Trump.

The king “reaffirmed the kingdom’s steadfast position toward the Palestinian issue and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital,” the official Saudi Press Agency said.

THE FORMULA FOR ISRAEL'S TRIUMPH - By David M. Weinberg

THE FORMULA FOR ISRAEL'S TRIUMPH

Tags: Advocacy, Bible, Am Yisrael, Antisemitism, Judaism, Jerusalem, Zionism

By David M. Weinberg

Anti-Semitism rears its ugly head for the first time in recorded history against the first ‎person born as a Jew -- against our biblical forefather Isaac -- in the chapters read in ‎synagogues around the world this weekend.‎

The story of how Isaac's detractors nevertheless came around to embrace him is a tale ‎pregnant with deep policy relevance for the modern State of Israel. It suggests a ‎spiritual, diplomatic and defense path forward.‎

The biblical narrative is well-known: Isaac settles in Philistine Gerar (after being ‎instructed by God not to migrate to Egypt, despite a famine in the promised land). ‎God blesses Isaac with great wealth. His crops succeed a hundredfold; his flocks and ‎herds grow large. ‎

The locals become intensely jealous of Isaac, then contemptuous of him, then spiteful. ‎They seal the water wells that Isaac has successfully dug, despite the fact that this is ‎self-destructive. Philistine malice ruined a precious resource they could have shared.‎

‎("Sinah mekalkelet et hashura," taught Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Hatred messes people up. ‎It destroys the hater, as much as it targets the hated.)‎

The local chieftain, King Avimelech, then expels Isaac from the city, because, he says, ‎‎"you [Isaac] have been become too powerful [wealthy] for us."‎

Nahmanides, a prolific 13th-century biblical and Talmudic scholar, explains that ‎Avimelech was shamed by the fact that Isaac was richer than he; setting in place a ‎pattern of resentment and violence that has characterized Jewish-Gentile relations for ‎centuries since. ‎

Isaac settles in a nearby valley, but here, too, the locals pick a series of fights with him ‎over additional wells that he successfully digs. These include water holes that Isaac's ‎father Abraham had dug in earlier years, but they too had been malevolently potted. ‎Brazenly, Isaac reopens them. Only when Isaac moves farther away, first to Rehovot ‎and then to Beersheba, does he find quiet.‎

And then a strange thing happens. Avimelech and his top general come running after ‎Isaac seeking a peace treaty; a blood covenant, no less. "But why are you all-of-a-‎sudden so solicitous of me?" Isaac asks incredulously. "Just yesterday, you detested ‎me and booted me out!"‎

Now listen to the beautiful punch line of the story: "It's because we now see that God is ‎with you," the two Philistine leaders exclaim. "We realize that you are blessed by God, ‎and we're better-off partnering with you than alienating you."‎

What brought about this significant turnabout in the Philistine approach to ‎Isaac? What turned their antipathy into admiration, and their bitterness into respect? ‎

The traditional Jewish commentators suggest that three factors weighed on the minds of ‎Avimelech and his army chief of staff. First, they were awed by Abraham's faith and Isaac's persistence. ‎

Abraham and Isaac were true believers who didn't cut and run when the going got ‎tough. They played the long game, cleaving to their belief system. ‎

Isaac, especially, had the courage to continue his father's ideological journey, even ‎though few expected Abraham's monotheistic mantras to last beyond his charismatic ‎lifetime. That's why Abraham's wells (perhaps these were his "kiruv," or outreach, ‎centers) were shut down when he died. It was assumed that Abraham's oddball ‎religious insurgency would die along with him. Yet Isaac dug in and forged ahead with ‎his father's revolution. ‎

Second, you can't argue with success! Isaac was clearly blessed -- whether by divine ‎power or by fortune. He showed creativity, ingenuity, and, we might even say, ‎technological prowess. Why not benefit from such a source of bounty, rather than ‎besmirching and battering it?‎

Third, Isaac was powerful. Nahmanides posits that Isaac maintained his father's army ‎of 300 armed mercenaries, as well as alliance understandings with other tribes in the ‎region. Isaac was someone to be feared. And while Isaac hadn't fought back when ‎pushed out of Gerar, Avimelech had to be concerned that one day Isaac would come ‎roaring out of the desert to clobber him -- just as Abraham had once defeated the ‎powerful armies of four other local kings.‎

The lessons for the modern State of Israel are vividly clear. ‎

First, the nations of the world will respect the people of Israel for adherence to faith, ‎just as Avimelech honored Isaac for his devotion.‎

Jewish fealty and authenticity, not the flight from Jewish identity, is what guarantees ‎both Jewish continuity and non-Jewish admiration. When we are loyal to the biblical ‎moral codes and the demands of Jewish history, world powers will reward us with ‎their loyalty, too. When we evince high regard for our traditions, the world will express ‎high regard for our aspirations. Respect our own culture, and we will earn their respect, ‎too.‎

By the way, this is an explicit divine promise. See Deuteronomy 4:6-8. ‎

The takeaway is that reintroducing basic Jewish and Zionist identity studies in the ‎Israeli school system, after decades of neglect, is critical to Israel's domestic and ‎diplomatic future. A further takeaway is that Israel must play the long game, like our ‎forefathers: hewing to the land and trusting that Providence will help in overcoming ‎all adversities.

Matam Hi-Tech Park in Haifa

Second, Israel should continue to invest in its high-tech, cyber tech, biotech, water tech, ‎environmental tech and other cutting-edge competencies. It must maximize its ‎expertise in these fields, and in development work, immigrant absorption, early ‎childhood education, disaster management, and so much more -- to build alliances ‎around the world. People don't argue with success, they rally round it! Like Isaac, we ‎have every reason, altruistic and selfish, to share our advances and blessings with the ‎world.‎

Third, keep our gunpowder dry and muskets at the ready. Maintain a large, fierce ‎army. Be judicious about the use of force, like Isaac, but resolute in achieving ‎legitimate military objectives, like Abraham. ‎

In specific terms, this indeed means buying updated Dolphin submarines and F-35 jet ‎fighters, and investing in large ground formations as well as in intelligence technology.‎

Take heed of the biblical Isaac story: Faith, fortune and power are the ingredients that ‎guarantee Israel success against its adversaries.‎

David M. Weinberg is director of public affairs at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies. 

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