That’s Odd

Babis and the Czech Republic for recognizing the importance Jerusalem plays for Judaism and the State of Israel.

“The changes in the Middle East should be based on a recognition of the reality and historical truth that the city of Jerusalem has been the spiritual center of the Jewish people and its capital for over 3000 years, and the capital of Israel,” said Ashkenazi.

Ashkenaz also thanked the Czech government for recently adopting the definition of IHRA anti-Semitism. The Czech Parliament’s lower house had approved a resolution in 2019 adopting the international IHRA working definition of anti-Semitism, allowing law enforcement to prosecute hate crimes more effectively.

The definition defines anti-Semitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews” and includes attacks against Jewish religious and community institutions.

The Czech Republic is the latest country to follow the U.S.’s relocation of its diplomatic offices to Jerusalem. Since former President Donald Trump moved the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem in 2018, Guatemala, Papua New Guinea, and now the Czech Republic have followed suit.

A handful of others have promised to do so as well, including Honduras, Brazil, and Serbia, but have not yet made the move.

Tensions with Jordan

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shuttered Israeli airspace to flights to and from Jordan after the Kingdom torpedoed his scheduled visit to the United Arab Emirates.

Netanyahu had been slated to make his first-ever visit to the United Arab Emirates last Thursday when Jordan banned him from crossing its airspace. The ban followed a dust-up between Israeli border guards and Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah a day earlier that saw the monarch turned away after attempting to enter Israeli with too many bodyguards.

In retaliation, Netanyahu shuttered Israeli airspace to Jordan-bound flights, ordering the Transportation Ministry to close the skies immediately. Netanyahu issued the order without first consulting with the Foreign and Defense Ministries, which enjoy a close working relationship with Jordan.

Netanyahu’s comprehensive flight ban is unprecedented and violates the 1994 Peace Agreement between the two countries. The directive was strongly opposed by the Transportation Office, who warned that it would cause international airlines significant financial damage and harm Israeli-Jordan ties irreparably.

According to reports, Transportation Ministry officials slow-walked Netanyahu’s order, hoping that the government would block it before it could be enacted. Two hours after it was enacted, Netanyahu directed that the skies be reopened to Jordanian flights following pressure from the IDF.

No Jordan-bound flights had been turned back during the two hours the ban was in effect, avoiding a significant diplomatic crisis experts say may have scrapped the Israeli-Jordanian peace agreement.

On Wednesday, Israel had prevented Crown Prince Hussein from visiting the Temple Mount after he arrived at the border crossing with more than the number of agreed-upon bodyguards. While Israel allowed up to 10 security officials to accompany the royal, he insisted on arriving with a protective delegation consisting of over 30 people.

Kosovo Opens Jerusalem Embassy

Kosovo’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday it has formally opened its embassy to Israel in Jerusalem.

The move was made after the establishment of diplomatic ties with Israel on February 1 and a Kosovo-Serbia summit held at the White House in September.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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and Diaspora announces that the Kosovo Embassy in the State of Israel, with headquarters in Jerusalem, officially has been opened,” said the statement.

Kosovo is the first European country and Muslim-majority one to establish its embassy in Jerusalem, following the U.S. and Guatemala.

Kosovo’s decision was taken when outgoing Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti met with Serb President Aleksandar Vucic at the White House in September with then-U.S. president Donald Trump.

“Setting of the plaques and the state flag at the Kosovo Embassy in Israel reflects the Government of Kosovo’s commitment to comply with the pledge for establishing the diplomatic mission to Jerusalem,” it said.

Albin Kurti, prime minister-designate, has found himself in a difficult diplomatic position ahead of taking up his post after pressure from Turkey, a close ally of the new Western Balkan country, to change its mind about the Jerusalem location.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned Kosovo that the move could damage future relations with his country.

David Flamm

O 410-616-9186 C 718-404-5598 david@flammins.com

www.flammins.com

Dead Sea Scroll Discovery

This week, the Israel Antiquities Authority unveiled the first Bible scroll fragments found in decades and numerous other dazzling artifacts from the “Cave of Horror” above the Dead Sea. Among the discoveries was a huge, 10,500-year-old complete woven basket, the oldest in the world. It’s been 60 years since other major scroll finds, and archeologists are excited that the discoveries this week could hold promise of what can be discovered in the other 20 caves. 500 caves in the Judean Desert in an unprecedentedly wide-ranging and physically daring operation involving rappelling down rockfaces and setting up work camps on sheer cliffs.

The operation’s stated goal is to be one step ahead of the antiquities looters who comb these caves, where the original caches of Dead Sea Scrolls – thousands of pieces of varied ancient scripture and writings dating from circa 400 BCE to 300 CE – were found by Bedouin shepherds starting in 1946.

In the operation to date, Amir Ganor, the head of the IAA’s anti-theft unit, said that most of the 600-plus Judean Desert caves have been mapped using drone technology and hi-tech mapping. That work, he said, has revealed 20 caves “with the potential for good artifacts” that will hopefully be carefully excavated in phase two of the project. Another 25 percent of the desert still needs to be surveyed in the first phase.

The operation is being undertaken by the IAA in cooperation with the Staff Officer of the Archaeology Department of the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria (COGAT), and has been funded in part by the Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage. Each body allocated about a third of the entire project budget from its institutions.

The inter-office cooperation is key to the success of the operation: About half of the Judean Desert, including the original source of most of the Dead Sea Scrolls at Qumran, is located in the West Bank beyond the Green Line, where the IAA does not have jurisdiction.

Pfizer CEO: Bibi “Obsession” for Vaccines

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla described the relentless pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sub-

jected him to in order for him to pick Israel as a testing ground for the pharma giant’s COVID-19 vaccine.

Signed in late December, the deal between Israel and Pfizer ensured a virtually limitless supply of vaccines in exchange for detailed information on the drug’s effectiveness. The agreement is said to be a key reason why Israel currently leads the world in vaccination rates, with over 50% of the total population already having received both doses.

In an interview with Channel 12 last Thursday, Bourla described what made Pfizer choose Israel out of the two dozen countries vying to be the pharmaceutical behemoth’s test case. While acknowledging Israel’s optimal conditions, including a small population with hermetically-sealed borders, Bourla said that it was Netanyahu’s incessant calling that sealed the deal.

“I was talking with several heads of state. I spoke with your prime minister, he convinced me that Israel is the place with the right conditions,” Bourla recounted. “I was impressed, frankly, with the obsession of your prime minister. He called me 30 times.”

The Pfizer executive also cited Israel’s “extraordinary healthcare system” and “very high degree of economic data” that convinced the company to pick it as a test case. However, Bourla hit back at claims by Netanyahu that he had singlehandedly brought Israel its flood of vaccines, clarifying that Pfizer would have chosen it even with a different premier at the helm.

Asked about Netanyahu’s frequent claim ahead of the March 23 elections that only he can bring vaccines to Israel, Bourla stressed that his company signs supply contracts with states, not individual leaders.

“We are not contracting with individual companies or organizations.… The vaccines will be sold to every country, irrespective of who is the leader,” he clarified.

Israel’s collaboration with Pfizer has resulted in the country claiming the highest vaccination rate in the world, with 95% of adults over the age of 60 already having gotten both jabs. The rapid inoculation has helped Israel to dramatically relax its COVID-19 restrictions, allowing bars, restaurants and cafes to open last week for the first time in half a year.

A New LaserGuided Mortar

The IDF unveiled a cutting-edge laser-guided mortar that will enable troops to fight in dense urban environments while avoiding collateral damage to noncombatants.

Known as “Iron Sting,” the 20mm mortar has recently undergone final trials in a testing site in southern Israel. The completion of testing enables the start of serial production ahead of the system’s supply to the IDF.

The series of tests was carried out using two networked Cardom mortar systems developed by Elbit Systems: a “Cardom” system, mounted on an M113 APC and a “Cardom Spear” system, mounted on a Hummer 4X4 SUV.

Developed by Elbit in collaboration with the Directorate of Defense R&D in the Israel Ministry of Defense and the IDF’s Ground Forces, Iron Sting’s operational use will revolutionize ground warfare and equip battalions with more accurate and effective firepower.

Its upgraded accuracy, which is unmatched by any corresponding weapons system currently available, allows smaller infantry units to conduct operations in dense, built-up environments. Due to the high concentration of civilians, such operations were traditionally restricted to special forces, limiting the IDF’s flexibility during wartime.

With the mortars costing significantly less than the accurate yet expensive missiles the IDF uses to flush out terrorists barricaded in buildings, a regular infantry platoon can now be deployed on a mission once reserved for elite units. This allows the IDF to better counter enemies in open terrains and remain hidden in crowded urban environments.

“Ten years of research and development have led us to this moment when we can provide the IDF’s ground forces with advanced capabilities made for the modern battlefield,” said Head of Research and Development in the DDR&D Brig. Gen. Yaniv Rotem.

“This laser and GPS- guided mortar munition provides troops with a precise firing capability that has only been implemented in missiles and air munition thus far. This is a very complex program and a groundbreaking system on the international level.”

“The Ground Forces command is leading the process of integrating the ‘Iron Sting’ into the IDF. This precise, guided mortar munition is groundbreaking for IDF battalions, equipping them with accurate and organic firepower,” added Head of the Weapons Department in the IDF’s Ground Forces, Col. Arik Avivi.

“This capability has so far been reserved to large and complex missiles. Thanks to this impressive technological development, it will now be implemented in mortar munitions on a wide scale.”

Is Israel Behind Iranian Ship Explosion?

Tehran is accusing Israel of orchestrating an explosion on an Iranian cargo ship last week as tensions between the two adversaries heat up.

The Shahr e Kord container ship had gone up in flames last Wednesday after being hit by an explosive device. In a statement, Iran said that an investigation into the blast concluded that Israel was responsible, adding that the ship was intentionally targeted by small-arms fire that may have come from fighter planes.

“Considering the geographical location and the way the ship was targeted, one of the strong possibilities is that this terrorist operation was carried out by the Zionist regime [Israel],” said a member of Iran’s investigatory commission.

Israel did not respond to the accusations. The explosion occurred the same day as a blockbuster Wall Street Journal report alleged that Israel lay behind a slew of Iranian ship explosions as part of a tit-for-tat war between the two countries.

According to the report, Israeli maritime special forces blew up dozens of Iranian-flagged vessels carrying weapons to proxy militias such as Hezbollah in Lebanon. The campaign also saw Israel attack oil tankers ferrying illicit fuel that violated U.S. sanctions “out of concern that petroleum profits are funding extremism in the Middle East.”

While none of the tankers sank from the bombings, at least two were forced to limp back to port. The report followed a blast on the Israeli-flagged Helios Ray near Oman last month that senior Israeli defense officials attributed to Iran.

“Whenever the region moves toward peace, this [Israeli] regime tries to create unrest for a clear reason,” charged Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Saed Khatibzadeh on Sunday.

“[Israel] finds its survival in war, crisis and chaos. Iran would consider all options when it finds out who has been involved in this operation, and will resort to them to protect its legitimate rights.”

Charges for Capitol Riot

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is preparing for court proceedings for as many as 400 people who allegedly participated in the Capitol riot on January 6.

In a statement on Monday, the DOJ said that it would soon begin to accept guilty pleas from defendants, calling the investigation among the

MARCH 2021

NOT A TRACE OF ILLNESS

To the chashuve administration of Tehillim Kollel,

It is already four years since my family and I signed up for an active membership with Tehillim Kollel. roughout the years, we saw many open instances in which the Tehillim accompanied us and showered us with brachah. May Hashem continue to help us…

Nevertheless, I wanted to share a most interesting anecdote…

Lately, as I was going over my personal accounts, I tried to remind myself what had prompted me to begin my membership with Tehillim Kollel years back. What was the cause that made me choose a partnership with the minyan that says Tehillim daily?

I asked about it at home, and we remembered that exactly four years ago, my special father-in-law was diagnosed

with the terrible machalah that no Yid should know about.

It floated back to mind, how broken and hopeless the situation felt then. And, today, four years later, there is no trace of the illness, baruch Hashem. My father-in-law is completely cured. Baruch rofeh cholim!

Our family simchos are enhanced by the presence of a grandfather. He dances at our weddings, healthy and fresh, and the grandchildren enjoy spending time in his home. It’s all in the merit of those heartfelt tefillos by the Tehillim minyan, whom I myself nearly forgot about…

You can publicize this letter – Yidden should know what a great koach hatefillah we have, how great the power of the Tehillim is. How lucky we are, Yiddishe children!

Y.A.Z., Boro Park

WEEKLY COLUMN OF RECENT EPISODES BY TEHILLIM KOLLEL

Sign up for our annual mermbership: 718.705.7174

Info@TehillimKollel.org

www.TehillimKollel.org “largest in American history.” While probes have been ongoing since the violence on January 6, prosecutors had been waiting for Merrick Garland to be sworn in as Attorney General before proceeding.

“Based on the information we received from supervisors, it sounds like things are moving along. I hope to have plea offers for these parties soon,” said Assistant US Attorney Amanda Fretto. “That could happen within a few weeks.”

Over 300 people have already been charged for their role in the violence, including dozens of known right-wing extremists. Prosecutors say that they will soon file charges against Oath Keepers, an anti-government militia that arrived at the Capitol outfitted in military and tactical gear including bulletproof vests and ballistic helmets.

Since protesters breached the Capitol in early January, police have already executed 900 search warrants in 49 states, seized 15,000 hours of video footage and 1,600 cellphones, and interviewed over 80,000 people. One-hundred people will be charged by March 20, with authorities asking courts for more time due to the sheer size of the probe.

“The investigation and prosecution of the Capitol Attack will likely be one of the largest in American history, both in terms of the number of defendants prosecuted and the nature and volume of the evidence,” federal prosecutors said.

$27M for George Floyd’s Family

The Minneapolis City Council awarded $27 million to the family of George Floyd as compensation for his death last summer at the hands of a police officer.

The settlement stemmed from a federal civil rights lawsuit the Floyd family had filed against the city and five police officers. Floyd was allegedly killed by Derek Chauvin, a Minneapolis police officer who kneeled on Floyd’s neck for eight minutes last May before Floyd died.

“I do want to – on behalf of the entire City Council – offer my deepest condolences to the family of George Floyd, his friends, and all in our community who are mourning his loss,” said Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender. “No amount of money can ever address the intense pain or trauma caused by this death to George Floyd’s family or to the people of our city.”

Floyd’s family thanked the city for the unprecedented settlement and pledged to use some of the money towards promoting local African-American businesses. Floyd’s relatives added that no sum could make up the pain they were experiencing for their loss.

“Even though my brother is not here, he’s here with me in my heart,” said Philonise Floyd, George’s younger brother. “Because if I could get him back, I would give all of this back.”

“Our family suffered an irreplaceable loss May 25 when George’s life was senselessly taken by a Minneapolis police officer,” added George’s sister, Bridgett. “While we will never get our beloved George back, we will continue to work tirelessly to make this world a better, and safer, place for all.”

The Floyd family’s lawsuit had accused Minneapolis of allowing a deep-seated culture of racism to flourish within the police department. According to court filings, Chauvin would not have kneeled on Floyd’s neck had the officer been forced to undergo mandatory sensitivity training beforehand.

The settlement comes as prosecutors continue with the jury selection for Chauvin’s murder trial. He pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree unintentional murder and second-degree manslaughter.

“George Floyd’s horrific death, witnessed by millions of people around the world, unleashed a deep longing and undeniable demand for justice and change,” said Ben Crump, the lead attorney representing the Floyd family.

Crump stated that this settlement “sends a powerful message that black lives do matter and that police brutality against people of color must end.”

Biden Backs Up Cuomo

President Joe Biden offered cautious support for embattled Governor Andrew Cuomo, saying that the New York governor shouldn’t resign until a full investigation is concluded.

“I think the investigation is underway, and we should see what it brings us,” Biden said on Monday when asked by reporters at the White House.

The New York Democrat is facing growing calls to resign after almost a dozen harassment allegations against women surfaced. Cuomo is also under fire for his 2020 Executive Order mandating nursing homes to accept COVID-19 patients, which ultimately led to the death of an estimated 15,000 seniors – way more than his administration admitted to earlier in the year.

The litany of scandals has led prominent Democrats to demand Cuomo’s resignation, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. The White House, though, has refrained from demanding that Cuomo step down and has offered the controversial governor cautious support even as the scandal widens.

On Sunday, White House deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated that Biden did not expect Cuomo to resign until “a full and comprehensive investigation” was conducted.

“Every woman that comes forward ... they should be heard, they should be listened to and they should be respected,” she told MSNBC. “That’s what the President believes, that’s what the Vice President believes.”

Later in the day, White House chief of staff Ron Klain said that Cuomo should remain in office until the probe “runs its course.”

“What the President said is that there’s a process. These charges are very serious charges. They ought to be investigated and that process ought to run its course,” Klain said.

Cuomo maintains his innocence, denying the allegations and chalking them up to a misunderstanding.

“I did not do what has been alleged,” Cuomo said over the weekend. “I never harassed anyone, I never assaulted anyone, I never abused anyone.”

Border Crisis Intensifies Under Biden

amid a worsening migrant crisis on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Illegal immigration has exploded ever since Biden defeated former President Donald Trump in November, leading to the worst border crisis in years. Buoyed by Biden’s promises to reverse Trump’s hardline immigration policies, migrants have flocked to the border, while immigration officials remain helpless.

As of this past Monday, incarceration centers for illegal immigrants were at 755% capacity. The Department of Health and Human Services’ refugee office is currently looking after 8,800 unaccompanied children, with authorities at a loss as to what to do with them.

The lack of adequate facilities to house the detainees has led to what many describe as a “humanitarian crisis,” with children allowed to shower only once a week.

As the situation worsens, Republicans are noting that the Biden administration’s pro-immigration rhetoric is out of touch with the reality on the ground. On Monday, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy led a dozen GOP lawmakers on a tour of the border in El Paso in which they highlighted the health and security risks the crisis is causing.

“I came down here because I heard of the crisis. It’s more than a crisis. This is a human heartbreak,” McCarthy. “It didn’t have to happen. This crisis is created by the presidential policies of this new administration.”

Twitter accounts belonging to other GOP lawmakers showed the group focusing squarely on the immigration snafu in hope that the crisis can define Biden’s first 100 days in office. Assisting the effort is the administration’s refusal to define the reality as a “crisis,” allowing the Republican Party to paint Biden as disconnected and out of touch.

“We recognize this is a big problem,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki when asked if Biden viewed the border crossings as a crisis. “[We] always get into the fun of labels around here, but I would say our focus is on solutions,” Psaki added.

Clearly the numbers are enormous. This is a big challenge, and it certainly is a reflection of using every lever of the federal government to help address that.”

Polar Bear Hotel

Where do polar bears go when they go on vacation?

China has opened up the world’s first polar bear hotel.

The Polar Bear Hotel, part of the Harbin Polarland theme park in Heilongjiang’s capital and largest city, Harbin, opened its doors on Friday with the promise of round-theclock polar bear viewing from all 21 guest rooms.

“Whether you’re eating, playing or sleeping, polar bears will keep you company,” Harbin Polarland’s official WeChat account said in a post dated March 11.

The polar bears are viewed by guests in a glass enclosure. The bears sit on artificial ice and enjoy small pools of water. When temperatures permit, the bears are let outdoors, as well.

Viewing bears on your next vacation seems to be a great attraction. Rooms range from 1,888 to 2,288 yuan ($290.10 to $351.56) per night, and interest in the hotel is “very high.”

Of course, not everyone is enthused about bears hanging out in hotels.

“Polar bears belong in the Arctic, not in zoos or glass boxes in aquariums – and certainly not in hotels,” Jason Baker, senior vice president at animal rights group PETA, said. “Polar bears are active for up to 18 hours a day in nature, roaming home ranges that can span thousands of miles, where they enjoy a real life.”

We can barely contain our excitement.

Lipstick on a Pig

Pet pigs have been forced to wear pet dogs’ clothes – until now.

Doreen Burke, 44, adopted her pet “mini” pig Rosie more than six years ago. Eventually she realized that she would have to make clothing for Rosie, as there were no pig clothes to be found.

“At the point that I got her, September 2, 2014, there wasn’t a lot on the internet about mini pigs and so I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into,” Burke of Port Charlotte, Florida, said. “Turns out there’s really no such thing as a mini pig.”

Burke was told that Rosie would grow to be around 40 to 50 pounds. She now weighs 200 pounds and has outgrown any pet clothes on the market.

“I would never give my pig up, but I quickly realized that there wasn’t real access to clothes that actually would fit her, so I decided to teach myself how to make them,” Burke said.

Since then, Burke has launched a pet pig fashion line called the Snort Life.

“I’m passionate about my pig and have always been into fashion so it just worked,” she said. “The business happened organically.”

She realized that there are others out there with the same pig problems.

“People are out there trying to fit pigs into dog clothes and they aren’t built the same and each pig needs custom clothing to fit properly,” Burke said. “That’s when I decided to start Snort Life.”

Customers send Burke their pet pigs’ measurements, and she sews the outfits during her evenings when she’s done with her full-time job.

“I’ve made costumes for birthdays, tuxedos for weddings, motorcycle jackets, clowns, cop uniforms, newsboy outfits, cowboys, you name it,” Burke said.

“With the rise of social media, I think people like to dress up their pets and show them off so I wanted to ensure that I’m providing a way to do it safely for pigs,” she added. “I really just like making people happy and it makes people smile seeing pigs dressed up in cute outfits, while also knowing the pig isn’t being squeezed into dog clothes.”

Happy as a pig in mud.