October 23, 2020

Israeli Chamber of Commerce Inks Deal with Bahraini Counterpart

Israel's Pension System Ranked 3rd Best Worldwide

Over 70% of Holocaust Survivors Need Financial Aid

French Police Conduct Raids Following Beheading Attack

Thousands of Israelis Vie for World Record: Largest Beach Clean-Up

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The UN arms embargo on Iran expired after 13 years on Sunday, as the signatories of the Iran Deal refused to cooperate with US efforts to extend it.

In light of the US triggering “snapback sanctions” meant to stop the restrictions on Iran from expiring, “virtually all UN sanctions on Iran returned, including reimposition of the UN arms embargo,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on September 19.

However, the other parties to the Iran deal did not accept the American move as valid.

“Every nation that seeks peace and stability in the Middle East and supports the fight against terrorism should refrain from any arms transactions with Iran,” Pompeo said. “Providing arms to Iran will only aggravate tensions in the region, put more dangerous weapons into the hands of terrorist groups and proxies, and risk increasing threats to the security of Israel and other peaceful nations.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif called it “a momentous day for the international community, which, in defiance of malign US efforts, has protected” the Iran deal. (JPost / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you protect Iran’s neighbors—and the rest of the world—from their nuclear ambitions.”

Israel and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to establish a new air route for commercial flights, linking the Tel Aviv metropolitan area with Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

On Sunday, the Israeli Transportation Ministry and UAE officials agreed to set up the new air route with 28 weekly flights between Tel Aviv and Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The deal will be formally signed by the two sides on Tuesday, during a ceremony with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

In addition, the agreement will permit flights from the UAE and Ramon Airport in southern Israel, near the city of Eilat, with no limit on the number of commercial flights. Furthermore, 10 cargo flights will be permitted between the UAE and Israel every week.

It is expected that the first flights between Israel and the UAE will begin within a matter of weeks. (INN / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you bless those traveling between these countries and that you protect them and their communities from the spread of Coronavirus.”

A delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) took off on Tuesday morning towards Israel's Ben-Gurion Airport as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE Financial Affairs Minister Obaid Humaid Al Tayer will meet to sign several agreements between Israel and the UAE.

One such agreement states that citizens can travel between the two countries without the need for visas, according to the Prime Minister's Office. 

The delegation took off, accompanied by a number of representatives from the United States, including US special representative for international relations Avi Berkowitz, who tweeted a photograph of his flight ticket to Israel from the UAE. (JPost / VFI News)

“God, we ask that you continue to foster peace and understanding where there once was conflict.”

Israel's Chamber of Commerce has signed an agreement of cooperation with the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), marking the opening of trade ties between the two countries following the establishment of formal ties on Sunday, according to a government press release.

The two commerce bodies agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding for business cooperation, which was signed by Uriel Lin, president of the Israeli Association of Chambers of Commerce, and Ze’ev Lavie, director of the association's foreign relations division. They were joined by an official delegation of representatives from the BCCI.

Lin praised the decision to build closer trade ties with Bahrain, saying in a statement that "This is another move that the Association of Chambers of Commerce is making today to expand two-way trade relations with the Gulf states, starting with direct cooperation agreements with countries with which we have peace agreements and diplomatic relations – and from there also as a springboard to all the Gulf states." (JPost / VFI News)

“God, we thank you for the progress that has been made toward a more peaceful and prosperous region.”

The Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index rated Israel's pension system 74.7 out of 100, giving it a B grade and placing it third out of the 39 countries surveyed.

This was Israel's first year being included on the 12-year-old index. The two countries that placed ahead of Israel, the Netherlands and Denmark, were the only two given an A grade, and are already widely regarded as having the best pension systems in the world.

For comparison, the US and UK both were graded C+. More than half of the countries on the list saw their ratings drop this year as global economies contend with the economic fallout from the COVID-19 crisis.

Broken down, Israel's pension system ranked fourth for sustainability, seventh for integrity, and 12th for adequacy.

"Israel’s retirement income system comprises of a universal state pension and private pensions with compulsory employer and employee contributions," the report said. "In most cases, annuities are paid from the private pension system." (JPost / VFI News)

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. - Romans 15:1-2

Some 70% of Holocaust survivors require financial assistance, up 3% from three years ago, according to a report published Monday by State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman.

Three years ago, the Foundation for the Welfare of Holocaust Victims, which is under the Finance Ministry, was advised to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the needs of those who survived the Holocaust and are now living in Israel. It was provided with a budget of NIS 17 million and was able to obtain data on 22% of known survivors in three years.

Distress buttons, which summon medical help when pressed by the elderly in their homes, are funded by donations, and the 9,000 survivors who currently have them might lose them. The website maintained by the foundation as a primary source of information used by survivors to claim their pensions and rights was said to be “in need of improvement.” (JPost / VFI News)

Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse. - Proverbs 28:27

French police on Monday launched a series of raids targeting Islamist networks, three days after a history teacher who had shown his pupils a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed was beheaded in a suburb of Paris.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin vowed there would be "not a minute's respite for enemies of the Republic", after tens of thousands took part in rallies countrywide on Sunday to honor the teacher, Samuel Paty, and defend freedom of expression.

15 people have been detained so far, including four pupils who may have helped the killer -- an 18-year-old of Chechen origin who was killed by police -- to identify the teacher in return for payment.

Law enforcement carried out 40 raids on Monday, mostly around Paris, with many more planned, AFP reported.

"We want to harass and destabilize this movement in a very determined way," one ministry source said. (INN / VFI News)

Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely. - Proverbs 28:5

Thousands of volunteers are expected to take part in an attempt to break the world record for the largest beach clean-up on Israel’s coasts along the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) on October 30.

The event was organized by the Mediterranean People coalition, environmental groups, local authorities, and thousands of volunteers. The goal is to raise awareness of the importance of cleaning the environment and beaches and to influence decision-makers concerning establishing additional marine reserves, banning plastic at beaches, and enforcement.

Local authorities have continued working throughout the coronavirus crisis to keep beaches clean along the Kinneret. Every year, about eight million tons of plastic are thrown into the world’s seas and oceans. (JPost / VFI News)

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. - Genesis 2:15

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