IMRA Middle East News Updates

Israel & UK Issue Different Accounts of their PM's Conversation

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 13:54:29 -0500

Israel and UK Issue Dramatically Different Accounts of their PM's
Conversation =20
Dr. Aaron Lerner 21 January 2025

The Israeli version of the conversation has the UK PM saying they were
looking into their weapons freeze against Israel.

The UK version has the UK PM saying that the UK will do everything it =
can to
support the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state.=20

#1 Israeli version
PM Netanyahu Speaks with British PM Keir Starmer
Type: Media Statements
Government: The 37th Government
Publish Date: 21.01.2025
https://www.gov.il/en/pages/spoke-uk210125

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this afternoon, spoke with British =
Prime
Minister Keir Starmer, who thanked him for the release of British =
citizen
Emily Damari, and congratulated him on his actions for the release of =
the
other hostages.

Prime Minister Netanyahu raised the issue of the weapons export licenses =
to
Israel that have been frozen in the UK. Prime Minister Starmer said that =
an
evaluation of the issue is being carried out.

#2 UK version
Press release
PM call with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel: 21 January 2025
The Prime Minister spoke to Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu.
Published 21 January 2025
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-call-with-prime-minister-netanyahu-=
of-
israel-21-january-2025

The Prime Minister spoke to Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu
today.

The Prime Minister began by offering the UK=92s support for the =
hard-fought
and long-awaited ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which has now
entered its third day.=A0

He offered his personal thanks for the work done by the Israeli =
government
to secure the release of the hostages, including British hostage Emily
Damari. To see the pictures of Emily finally back in her family=92s arms =
was a
wonderful moment but a reminder of the human cost of the conflict, he
added.=A0

The leaders moved on to discuss the need to see the next stages of the
ceasefire deal implemented in full and on schedule, including the =
release of
the remaining hostages. The Prime Minister reiterated that it was vital =
to
ensure humanitarian aid can now flow uninterrupted into Gaza, to support =
the
Palestinians who desperately need it.=A0

Both agreed that we must work towards a permanent and peaceful solution =
that
guarantees Israel=92s security and stability. The Prime Minister added =
that
the UK stands ready to do everything it can to support a political =
process,
which should also lead to a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.=A0

They agreed to continue their close co-operation on defence and security
matters in support of wider stability in the region - particularly in =
the
face of the ongoing threat posed by Iran.

________________________________________
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis

Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus =
on
Arab-Israeli relations

Website: www.imra.org.il

Updated Checklist for 19 January 2026 - Did Things Work Out?

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 04:26:23 -0500

Updated Checklist for 19 January 2026 - Did Things Work Out?
Dr. Aaron Lerner 19 January 2024

"Fortune is the arbiter of one-half of our actions, but that she still
leaves us to direct the other half, or perhaps a little less."
Machiavelli's The Prince

I hope to share very favorable results when I review this checklist in
another year:

1. Iran
1.1. Does Iran still possess the equipment to make weapons-grade uranium?

1.2. Are there Israeli warnings regarding the potential that Iran makes
and/or acquires nuclear weapons which have not been satisfactorily
addressed?

2. Gaza Strip
2.1. Do Hamas and/or Islamic Jihad (either as they now call themselves or as
they relabel themselves) continue to have an active role in what goes on in
the Gaza Strip?

2.2. Does Israel have the intelligence on the ground to detect programs to
rebuild the "resistance"?

2.2.1. When such programs are detected, are they promptly quashed or
recorded in a "target bank"?

2.3. Is absolute "no entrance" enforced in the "security perimeter"?

2.4. Have adequate measures been implemented in the educational system in
the Gaza Strip so that it educates for peaceful coexistence with Israel?

3. Lebanon
3.1 Does Hezbollah have any presence and/or south of the Litani River?

3.2 Does Hezbollah posses any rockets or missiles anywhere in Lebanon?

3.3 Does Israel have effective independent capabilities to identify
violations of the ceasefire?

3.3.1 Are violation resolved by their eradication or are they recorded in a
"target bank"?

4. Judea and Samaria
4.1. Has Israel annexed any area in Judea and Samaria?

4.2. Has illegal Arab construction in Area C been significantly reduced as
compared to a year ago?

4.3. Is the number of final building permits (not the many intermediate
steps) for Israeli construction in the last 12 months significantly larger
than a year before?

4.4. Has there been a significant decline in terror attacks in Judea and
Samaria?

5. IDF
5.1. Has Israel followed through with the implementation of the various
domestic production projects to make Israel "sanction resistant"?

5.2. Is the IDF successfully drafting enough people to meet its needs?

6. Haredis
6.1. Is there effective financial and pedagogic oversight of Haredi
educational institutions?

6.2. Have subsidies, taxes, etc., been revised to discourage able-bodied men
from choosing poverty rather than full-time work?

6.3. Were Haredis drafted in accordance with the capacity of the IDF to
accommodate them (10,000 in 2025)?

6.3.1. Were these Haredis from the mainstream of Haredi society?

6.3.2. Were these mostly young single men?

7. Saudi Arabia
7.1. Has Israel upgraded its relations with Saudi Arabia?

7.1.1. Was this achieved without Israel making any commitment, no matter how
vague, to advance on the "two-state solution"?

________________________________________
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis

Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on
Arab-Israeli relations

Website: www.imra.org.il

Checklist for 19 January 2026 - Did Things Work Out?

Sun, 19 Jan 2025 17:03:31 -0500

Checklist for 19 January 2026 - Did Things Work Out?
Dr. Aaron Lerner 19 January 2024

"Fortune is the arbiter of one-half of our actions, but that she still
leaves us to direct the other half, or perhaps a little less."
Machiavelli's The Prince

I hope to share very favorable results when I review this checklist in
another year:

1. Iran
1.1. Does Iran still possess the equipment to make weapons-grade uranium?

1.2. Are there Israeli warnings regarding the potential that Iran makes
and/or acquires nuclear weapons which have not been satisfactorily
addressed?

2. Gaza Strip
2.1. Do Hamas and/or Islamic Jihad (either as they now call themselves or as
they relabel themselves) continue to have an active role in what goes on in
the Gaza Strip?

2.2. Does Israel have the intelligence on the ground to detect programs to
rebuild the "resistance"?

2.2.1. When such programs are detected, are they promptly quashed or
recorded in a "target bank"?

2.3. Have adequate measures been implemented in the educational system in
the Gaza Strip so that it educates for peaceful coexistence with Israel?

3. Judea and Samaria
3.1. Has Israel annexed any area in Judea and Samaria?

3.2. Has illegal Arab construction in Area C been significantly reduced as
compared to a year ago?

3.3. Is the number of final building permits (not the many intermediate
steps) for Israeli construction in the last 12 months significantly larger
than a year before?

3.4. Has there been a significant decline in terror attacks in Judea and
Samaria?

4. IDF
4.1. Has Israel followed through with the implementation of the various
domestic production projects to make Israel "sanction resistant"?

4.2. Is the IDF successfully drafting enough people to meet its needs?

5. Haredis
5.1. Is there effective financial and pedagogic oversight of Haredi
educational institutions?

5.2. Have subsidies, taxes, etc., been revised to discourage able-bodied men
from choosing poverty rather than full-time work?

5.3. Were Haredis drafted in accordance with the capacity of the IDF to
accommodate them (10,000 in 2025)?

5.3.1. Were these Haredis from the mainstream of Haredi society?

5.3.2. Were these mostly young single men?

6. Saudi Arabia
6.1. Has Israel upgraded its relations with Saudi Arabia?

6.1.1. Was this achieved without Israel making any commitment, no matter how
vague, to advance on the "two-state solution"?
________________________________________
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis

Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on
Arab-Israeli relations

Website: www.imra.org.il

PA Agrees To Allow Armed Jihadist Forces To Remain In Jenin

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 16:49:30 -0500

Palestinian Authority Agrees To Allow Armed Jihadist Forces To Remain In
Jenin
[The Jenin Battalion is a local jihadist militia affiliated with Hamas and
the Islamic Jihad]

Jenin Battalion, Palestinian Authority reach agreement after 44-day standoff
Royanews 18 January 2025
https://en.royanews.tv/news/56891

Palestine

The Jenin Battalion and the Palestinian Authority reached an agreement on
Friday evening, concluding a 44-day standoff in Jenin Refugee Camp.

According to Palestinian sources, the agreement includes the release of
detainees, an end to the pursuit of resistance weapons, and allowing
security forces to operate within the camp.

The Jenin Battalion issued a statement confirming that the deal was
finalized following an extensive meeting between battalion representatives,
community leaders, and security officials.

The Palestinian Authority agreed to the battalion's demands, including
ceasing actions against resistance members and their weapons, releasing
detainees, and initiating the reconstruction of homes damaged during the
siege.

Palestinian police are set to enter the camp's main areas starting tonight,
while a reconciliation committee is expected to arrive Saturday morning to
finalize the arrangements.

The battalion emphasized its commitment to the agreement as long as the
Palestinian Authority honors its pledges.

A Palestinian police and civil defense force arrived at the camp amidst
chants from residents supporting the resistance.
________________________________________
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis

Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on
Arab-Israeli relations

Website: www.imra.org.il

Steve Witkoff to Negotiate Evacuation of Hamas from Gaza?

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 13:52:27 -0500

Steve Witkoff to Negotiate Evacuation of Hamas from Gaza?
Dr. Aaron Lerner 18 January 2025

President-elect Trump shares Israel's determination that Hamas will not be
in control of the Gaza Strip.

Therefore, it follows that the negotiations now with Hamas will focus on
arrangements for the evacuation of Hamas from the Gaza Strip.

It is believed that the simplest arrangement is for the evacuation to be
carried out via the El Arish Port, which is around 53 kilometers from the
Gaza Strip.

The El Arish Port can handle, subject to weather conditions, around 10,800
passengers a day, using small vessels that shuttle passengers to larger
passenger vessels anchored offshore.

Turkey, which until the fall of Assad housed some three million Syrian
refugees, is considered the most practical partner for both providing the
transportation and absorption of the evacuees.

It remains unclear who, beyond those in the military wings of Hamas and the
other various terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip, as well as the
senior levels of the "civilian wings" of the groups, would be part of the
evacuation.

It has been suggested that, as a practical matter, the families of the
evacuees will have the option to also move to Turkey.

Others assert that anyone in Gaza should be provided the option to move to
Turkey.

A more conservative suggestion is that Gazans with visas to other countries
or foreign passports be allowed to exploit the evacuation to reach an
airport in Turkey so that they may begin their journey.

To ensure the safety of the evacuees until they leave the Gaza Strip, the
last hostage body will be handed over to the Red Cross upon the departure of
the last convoy of evacuees from the Gaza Strip.
________________________________________
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis

Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on
Arab-Israeli relations

Website: www.imra.org.il

Weekly Commentary: Actionable Items for Day 1 via Executive Order - Tell Trump Team

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 03:36:34 -0500

Weekly Commentary: Actionable Items for Day 1 via Executive Order - Tell Trump Team
Dr. Aaron Lerner 15 January 2025

President -Elect Trump's team is feverishly completing the preparation of the huge stack of Executive Orders which he will sign on January 20th.

There are many things that Mr. Trump could sign that day which would serve Israel's interests. But for the benefit of friends and supporters of Israel who have Mr. Trump's ear - or the ear of someone who has contact with that top tier of people - and want to lobby for items without risking the embarrassment that 'doormat Israel' might waive an item as unnecessary, I am cutting my wish list down to a "bare-bones" list:

Priority Actionable Items for Day 1 via Executive Order

1. Rescind Restrictions on Israeli Individuals and Organizations
What it does: Revokes Executive Orders signed by President Biden imposing sanctions or restrictions on Israeli individuals and organizations, such as those related to settlements in contested areas.
Why it matters: Reaffirming U.S. support for Israel and reversing punitive measures enhances bilateral trust and demonstrates a renewed commitment to the alliance.

2. Amend AI Chip Export Restrictions
What it does: Reclassifies Israel’s status to allow the purchase of unlimited quantities of advanced AI chips, similar to NATO allies.
Why it matters: Ensures that Israel’s technology industry remains competitive globally and fosters deeper U.S.-Israel technological cooperation.

________________________________________
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis

Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on Arab-Israeli relations

Website: www.imra.org.il