The Right idea, the Wrong execution: Chikli’s antisemitism conference controversy
The Jerusalem Post 30 March 2025

Extracts:

• Chikli's response

The campaign of pressure was led by the newspaper Haaretz according to Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli, who continued to lambast Haaretz as an
anti-Israel “beacon of lies” that doesn’t represent the Jewish people

Hebrew University of Jerusalem Professor Gadi Taub also slammed the newspaper during the panel entitled “progressivism fell captive to antisemitism” declaring it to be “antisemitic”

Chikli’s message was reiterated by Israeli-Canadian businessman and philanthropist Sylvan Adams

The World Jewish Congress Israel Region president in his speech advised,
Adams said, in reference to the controversy over the attendance of far-right European politicians,

The Right idea, the Wrong execution: Chikli’s antisemitism conference controversy
The Jerusalem Post 30 March 2025

Extracts:

• notably right-leaning list of attendees

Also notable was the list of people who pulled out of associating with the conference – including the United Kingdpm’s apolitical Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, along with organizations who make combating antisemitism their bread and butter, such as the Anti-Defamation League

In an attempt to stem the tide of officials boycotting the conference, Israeli President Isaac Herzog offered a compromise: a private meeting with world Jewish leaders at his home the night before the main event, without those controversial figures (which the Post attended) — Stop! catering to the radicals

Politicians from across Europe attended Chikli’s gathering

But one who was supposed to – Milorad Dodik, president of Republika Srpska, the Serb-majority entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina – was disinvited after an international arrest warrant was issued just hours before he was scheduled to speak

The Right idea, the Wrong execution: Chikli’s antisemitism conference controversy
The Jerusalem Post 30 March 2025

Extracts:

• defeating antisemitism

France’s National Rally leader, Jordan Bardella, told those gathered that the best option to defend French Jews against Islamism and radical leftism was his party, committing France to fight antisemitism as defined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition

*Marine Le Pen is currently on trial for alleged fake jobs scam and embezzlement of funds from the European parliament

If the far-right is the Jews' best hope of defeating antisemitism, we must work harder to find solutions to this problem

The government of Israel is more than right to hold a conference on antisemitism

The Diaspora Ministry is right to try its best to tackle an issue that has raised its head in ways unseen and unimaginable since the Holocaust
However the government need not to bring any more controversy to itself The conference should have been all-encompassing

The Right idea, the Wrong execution: Chikli’s antisemitism conference controversy
The Jerusalem Post 30 March 2025

Extracts:

• Chikli’s antisemitism conference controversy

Since October 7 Jews across the entire religious and political spectrum have been targeted because they are Jews

The criminals who have emerged since the Hamas terror attacks have never cared about what type of Jew they are attacking.

And Chikli’s conference should have done the same
It should have been all-inclusive to bring in Left and Right, religious and non-religious and Jewish and non-Jewish to speak about what can be done
The overshadowing of the conference was unfortunate for both Israel and its government However it was a step in the right direction

Maybe next time, the government can ensure an inclusive, all-embracing get-together that can include everyone affected by antisemitism

NATO member Turkey keeps getting away with his anti-Israel Rhetoric and calls for the destruction of Israel an ally

From: Ynet news March 31, 2025
Erdogan in Eid al-Fitr holiday greeting: 'May Allah destroy Israel'

Turkish president called for Israel’s destruction during a mosque visit marking the end of Ramadan:
'May Allah destroy Zionist Israel. We must see everything happening in Palestine, unite and be strong'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan launched a harsh criticism of Israel on Sunday, saying:
1. "We see what is happening in Palestine.
2. May Allah destroy Zionist Israel in his holy name.
3. We must see what is happening there, and therefore, we must unite, be strong, and be brothers here.
4. May Allah always strengthen our unity."

Erdogan made these remarks after visiting a mosque to mark the holiday of Eid al-Fitr, the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak, a Turkey expert at Tel Aviv University's Dayan Center, reacted to Erdogan's statement, saying:
"As far as I remember, this is not the first time he has said something like this, but it is shocking.

Here we have a head of state who is explicitly calling for Israel's destruction.
However, he frames it as a wish in Allah's name rather than saying he would do it himself."

Regarding Erdogan’s choice of words, Yanarocak explained: "Allah has 100 names, and one of them is 'Al-Qahhar,' which means 'The Destroyer.'

Erdogan is essentially saying:
We have reached the end of the holiday, and instead of using the word Allah, he uses 'Al-Qahhar,' whose role is clear—to bring about Israel’s destruction."

Erdogan, who is currently facing mass opposition protests in Turkey, has made particularly aggressive statements against Israel during the war in Gaza.

Earlier this month, as Israel resumed military operations:
1. he labeled it a "terror state"
2. and Turkey supports diplomatic efforts to maintain a ceasefire.

During the war, Erdogan also compared Israel to the Nazis. "They have already surpassed Hitler.

Against those who continue to call Hamas a terrorist organization while seeking Israel’s sympathy, we will continue to support the Palestinian struggle for independence under all circumstances and defend it courageously.

Maybe we cannot announce everything we are doing, but I can say that our sensitivity toward Palestine cannot be underestimated," he said.

Last year, speaking before the Turkish parliament, Erdogan declared: "Anyone who speaks against us will be ashamed in the end.
From this podium, I salute the Palestinian struggle and commemorate all the heroes of the Palestinian people who have fallen since October 7"

US conducts 15 strikes in Yemen
The Jerusalem Post 01 April 2025

Extracts:

• US conducts 15 strikes in Yemen

Houthi media reported early Tuesday morning,
A Houthi spokesman also announced,

How much did it cost the US to intercept the missile launched from Yemen to Israel?
The Jerusalem Post 01 April 2025

Extracts:

• Houthis David's sling and stones vs US Goliath THAAD

US-operated THAAD Air Defense System was activated to try and intercept the Yemeni Missile

The US has positioned a THAAD missile battery in Israel to reinforce the Israeli Arrow system and the two intercepted yesterday's barrage from Yemen

The pair of ballistic missiles launched on Sunday from Yemen, which sent hundreds of thousands of Israelis to shelters, were intercepted simultaneously by an Israeli Arrow missile and an American THAAD missile, evident from debris found after the interception in Hebron

Last October, a THAAD battery arrived in Israel, transferred by the Biden administration to reinforce Israel's missile defense system following missile barrages from Iran — the largest ever launched

The THAAD is the US equivalent of the Israeli Arrow system but differs significantly in design and operation
Both systems were developed after the 1991 Gulf War, when the Patriot system failed to intercept Iraqi Scud missiles

The Patriot was originally developed as an anti-aircraft system and later converted to intercept ballistic missiles
Both the US and Israel realized, based on its performance during the war, that a dedicated system was needed for this purpose

How much did it cost the US to intercept the missile launched from Yemen to Israel?
The Jerusalem Post 01 April 2025

Extracts:

• Israel's Arrow-2 system vs US THAAD

Israel Aerospace Industries developed the Arrow-2 system with American funding for the Israeli Air Force
Lockheed Martin developed the THAAD for the US Army

Although Arrow's development wasn't always smooth and the system experienced failures in tests THAAD's development was slower due to more numerous failures Consequently, Arrow was delivered to the Israeli Air Force in 1998 and entered service in 2000 while THAAD only entered service in 2008

Although they are designed to operate against similar targets, they differ greatly in their method of operation and cost

The Israelis developed a missile that hits near the target and destroys it with a stream of hot metal fragments

The Americans insisted on "Hit to Kill"—a direct hit on the target
This approach requires greater precision in tracking the target and maneuvering the missile but eliminates the need for a warhead

Israel Aerospace Industries used direct hits only with Arrow-3 which intercepts its target in space where an explosion is meaningless and only metal-to-metal contact can destroy the target

Both systems reach similar and enormous speeds of 9,000-10,000 km/h

Additionally, the American system is lighter, allowing it to be transported by cargo planes to combat zones
The Arrow is heavier as it was designed to protect Israel from fixed bases or while being towed by trucks to new sites

For the defense of US territory itself, other larger and even more expensive interceptors were developed to deal with intercontinental missiles from Russia and North Korea

How much did it cost the US to intercept the missile launched from Yemen to Israel?
The Jerusalem Post 01 April 2025

Extracts:

• Israel's Arrow-2 system vs US THAAD cost

THAAD has been purchased by the UAE and Saudi Arabia

A dramatic difference between the two systems is the cost:
each Arrow interceptor costs $2-3 million, compared to a THAAD interceptor costing about $12-15 million

This is one of the reasons THAAD has so far only been purchased by the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which can afford its costs
Germany, which evaluated THAAD against Arrow-3 chose the Israeli system

The first operational interception by THAAD was carried out in January 2022 in the UAE when it was launched against a missile fired by the Houthis

THAAD doesn't add capabilities to Israel that Arrow doesn't already have but additional interception systems increase the Israeli Air Force's ability to intercept even larger barrages should more come from Iran

The defense establishment has been training for several years in the joint operation of THAAD and the SM-3 missile system installed on American missile destroyers carrying the Aegis system

These systems are able to share targets and use each other's radars for enhanced effectiveness

How much did it cost the US to intercept the missile launched from Yemen to Israel?
The Jerusalem Post 01 April 2025

Extracts:

• Trump – Golden Dome

Israel Aerospace Industries is currently developing the next generations of the interception system — Arrow-4 and Arrow-5 — designed to counter new threats while reducing the cost of interceptors as much as possible to enable the purchase of greater quantities

While the Iron Dome will be reinforced this year by the Magen Or laser system (both produced by RAFAEL) a laser powerful enough to intercept ballistic missiles is not expected in the foreseeable future Therefore, Arrow and THAAD will remain the workhorses of Israel and the US in this field

The US is considering using Arrow for the Golden Dome, the air defense system initiated by the Trump administration to protect US territory from significant missile attacks, similar to those that have targeted Israel and Ukraine in recent years

If Israel still standing....

• High Energy Laser Weapon

IRON BEAM is a 100kW class High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) that is expected to become the first operational system in its class

It quickly and effectively engages and neutralizes a wide array of threats from a range of hundreds of meters to several kilometers
Engaging at the speed of light IRON BEAM has an unlimited magazine, with almost zero cost per interception and causes minimal collateral damage

• RAFAEL Israeli defense technology company

RAFAEL was founded in 1948 as Israel's National R&D Defense Laboratory for the development of weapons and military technology

Complementing RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems's IRON DOME
1. it can be integrated with a range of platforms
2. and can become part of any multi-layer defense system

RAFAEL is considered a global leader in the field, developing Directed Energy systems including HEL systems for over 30 years
The company works closely with Israel’s Defense Ministry and serves as the HEL National Center for Excellence and the National Lethality Laboratory

The Jerusalem Post October 4, 2024
According to IDF reports, Iran launched 181-200 ballistic missiles at Israel this past Tuesday

Around $200 million is a hefty sum for a missile barrage and certainly not an insignificant portion of Iran's missile stockpile.
However, from Tehran's perspective, it represents a relatively light hit to their finances.
According to a Reuters report, Iran has managed, even under international sanctions, to export oil worth $35 billion annually

This missile barrage cost them the equivalent of just two days of exports
1. not something they would do daily,
2. but also not an expense the country would struggle to manage every few months,
3. especially while neglecting other branches of the military to invest in missile technology.

The Jerusalem Post October 4, 2024
Missiles Economics

Defense is more expensive than offense over $500 million just this one
The unwritten rule is that the interceptor missile always costs more than the missile being intercepted.

The issue of cost is one which motivated the development of the Iron Beam laser interception system which is currently being developed by the Defense Ministry and RAFAEL.

Iran launched 181-200 ballistic missiles at Israel this past Tuesday
1. According to IDF reports, the IDF's air defense system intercepted most of them.
2. According to American reports, the United States, through its missile destroyers, intercepted 12 missiles

The interception cost estimate would be about $450 million — more than double the cost of the Iranian missile barrage.

Preliminary report, Iran's ballistic missile attack on Israel on October 1 caused an estimated NIS 150 million to NIS 200 million ($40 million to $53 million) in damages to property

The Jerusalem Post April 2, 2025
Yemen’s Houthis say four killed in strikes blamed on U.S.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels say overnight airstrikes on Hodeida province killed four people in an attack they blame on the United States.

“The casualty toll of the American aggression targeting the Water Management building in… Hodeida governorate… rose to four martyrs and three wounded,” says Houthi health ministry spokesman Anees Alasbahi, updating an earlier toll of three dead.

Houthi media had reported U.S. strikes on areas controlled by the Iran-backed rebels, including water infrastructure in Hodeida and three strikes in the northwestern region of Hajjah. Strikes also hit the group’s northern stronghold of Saada.

The United States has not confirmed it carried out these strikes.

Look, let's get the terrorists let's get 'em all -- let's get the terrorists let's get 'em all now

Arab News April 1, 2025
Israeli PM due to fly to International Criminal Court member state this week

Amnesty International has called on Hungary to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following reports that he will visit the EU member state on Wednesday at the invitation of his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban.

Netanyahu is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in November over Israel’s conduct in Gaza.

Orban, a close ally of Netanyahu, has said he would not enforce the warrant.
As a member state, Hungary is required to enforce any arrest warrant issued by the ICC.

Visit ‘must not become a bellwether for the future of human rights in Europe’

Al Jazeera April 1, 2025
U.S. has given Israel ‘complete green light now to act with impunity”

Tahani Mustafa, from the International Crisis Group, says most analysts aren’t surprised
1. Israel has expanded its military assault to seize more land in Gaza
2. and “depopulate” Palestinians from the territory.

“Many of us anticipated these evacuation zones were going to be expanded in the coming weeks and months in order to concentrate Palestinian populations into these so-called ‘safe zones’, which we know over the last 17 months of open war-fare that there is no such thing as safe zones,” Mustafa told Al Jazeera.

Israel’s “expansionist government” filled with politicians from the far right is now fully backed by the U.S. government of Donald Trump, she noted.

1. “[The U.S.] really doesn’t see the need to deal with the facade of trying to broker any sort of rhetorical peace here, or
2. try to pretend to be an impartial broker in this conflict.
3. "The Trump administration itself has already hailed the depopulation of Gaza.”
4. The U.S. attitude gives Israel “the complete green light now to act with impunity”

Then War over