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Israeli security cabinet set to discuss compromise, as Palestinian Authority cuts off all ties

The crisis in the Holy Land reached a critical mass over the weekend, as tensions over the Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa Mosque failed to dissipate, but, rather, exploded into scenes of carnage.

Three Israelis in the West Bank community of Halamish, who had gathered to celebrate the birth of a grandson, were brutally stabbed to death while eating their Sabbath dinner by a Palestinian teen, Omar al-Abed, who wrote on Facebook just hours before the attack that he was answering the call of al-Aqsa.

The slaughter came after five Palestinians were reportedly killed in clashes with Israeli security forces that have extended for ten days, with no signs of abating. The ongoing point of contention is the installation of metal detectors at various entrances to Jerusalems Temple Mountknown to Muslims as Haram Al-Sharifin the wake of the killing of two Israeli police officers on July 14 by Israeli-Arab gunmen who smuggled weapons into the compound.

Muslim leaders say installing magnetometers violates the longstanding status quo governing inter-religious relations at the site, agreed to when Israel voluntarily ceded administrative authority over Judaisms holiest place in the immediate aftermath of the 1967 war (in which its army conquered east Jerusalem). Israel does, however, maintain security control over the site, which accounts for the implementation of what the government describes as necessary enhanced security measures.

Amid the violence, Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas announced he was freezing contact with Israel on all levels until [it] commits to canceling all the [procedures] against our Palestinian people in general and Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa mosque in particular. This includes the suspension of security cooperation between the PA and the Israeli armythe first time Abbas has taken this step during his decade-long tenurelong deemed essential in maintaining order in the West Bank. For its part, the Islamic Waqf (Muslim Trust which administers the holy site) was instrumental in organizing protests against the metal detectors, and said it was likewise unwilling to discuss any compromise until the metal detectors are removed.

Speaking to The Media Line, Lt.-Col. (res.) Alon Eviatar, who previously led an Israeli army (IDF) intelligence unit focused on Palestinian terrorism in the West Bank, explained that the immediate ramifications of the PAs decision to cut ties with Israel may not be severe. Abbas knows he cannot freeze everything. There is still an understanding that the Palestinian security apparatus will work with Israel, but in a grey area, and nobody will talk about it.

Even in the middle of the Second Intifada [the Palestinian uprising from 2000-2005], Eviatar emphasized, the two sides continued to coordinate with each other. It is never an all-or-nothing. Israels ability to handle reduced security coordination was seemingly confirmed by Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman on Sunday, when he told local media that, Weve managed for many years without [full] security cooperation, and well manage now as well.

Moreover, many analysts attribute Abbas move exclusively to political considerations, pointing out that maintaining, at the very least, limited security ties with Israel is in the PAs best interest. The main reason Abbas declared the move is the political situation he is facing, contended Eviatar, who is also a former high-ranking official with COGAT, the Israeli military body that oversees the IDFs activities in the West Bank. Abbas is not popular at home and over the past week his status deteriorated because the Muslimmovements, including Hamas, the Islamic Movement [in Israel], the Waqf, etc are at the forefront of the protests, and more broadly what the Palestinians call the resistance against Israel.

These other bodies reject the security cooperationit is viewed as totally unacceptableand there have long been calls for Abbas to end the ties, Eviatar continued. Nothing is more important than Al-Aqsa, it is the first priority. You cannot imagine the power of the hate against Israel for what is going on, and the players in the Palestinian arena view Abbas as cooperating with the Israeli government during a time when you can feel the tension. He felt boxed in.

The onus thus seemingly falls on Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the Halamish killings, while describing the perpetrator as a beast incited by unfathomable hatred. The premier vowed to do the utmost to maintain security and take all necessary measures [to do so]. To this end, Netanyahus security cabinet was set to convene on Sunday to discuss alternatives to the metal detectors, including the option of using full body scanners, not unlike those used at airports.

As a first-step towards a possible compromise, overnightIsraeli police modified the entrance to the Lions Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem, the main access point for Muslim worshipers to the Temple Mount compound. Fenced-off sleeves were erected through which security forces will escort visitors, with newly-installedcameras able to identify suspects carrying weapons. Those behaving suspiciously may also be checked by police using hand-held metal detectors.

Maj.-Gen. Yoav Poly Mordechai, who heads COGAT, confirmed to BBC Arabic that, We are examining options and additional alternatives that will ensure safety and prevent a terror attack from happening again.

We are ready for another solution if the security will return, he continued, we do not want to change the status quo, but I want to say clearlywe want to prevent another attack at this holy site. Why are the Arab leaders not saying this? Is it permitted for Muslims to bring weapons to the third-holiest site for Muslims, and to open fire?

Critics of the government, however, have been asking another question: Is it better for the government to be right or to be smart? arguing that while the placement of the metal detectors may have been justifiable on security grounds, it was nevertheless not advisable given the plausibility doing so could ignite an upheaval; a reality which has, in fact, materialized.

Dr. Yossi Beilin, an architect of the 1993 Oslo Accords who served as a member in the Israeli parliament for twenty years, believes, in this case, that the government acted appropriately, perhaps, but stupidly too, because it is such a sensitive situation and any move can create an excuse for riots and demonstrations in the Muslim world.

As regards the Arab-Islamic world, Dr. Beilin, who held ministerial positions in the governments of Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres and Ehud Barak, explains that Muslims see the situation very differently. They really believe that Israel is doing whatever is necessary to change the status quo. And, regrettably, there are members of the government, including ministers, who are [reinforcing this perception] by saying that Jews should pray atop the Temple Mount.

Echoing the fears of many Israelis and Palestinians, Dr. Beilin concluded, If we are stupid [the violence] will continue and there will be another Intifada and people will be killed on both sides.

If we are wise, however, we will put an end to it today.

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Temple Mount Crisis: Violence Risks Spiraling Out Of Control - The Media Line

Outrage over plans by Poland's governing party to put the judicial system under its political control sparked another day of nationwide protests Saturday, with some people gathering outside the home of ruling party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski and accusing him of being a dictator.

Polish democracy icon and former President Lech Walesa addressed a protest in Gdansk, urging young Poles to fight to preserve the separation of powers that his Solidarity movement helped to achieve more than a quarter century ago when Poland threw off communist rule.

Later, thousands of government opponents gathered in Warsaw, Krakow and other cities to urge President Andrzej Duda to reject legislation that would give Law and Justice, the conservative ruling party, control of the Supreme Court and the judiciary.

"We are all in danger. Every citizen is in danger now," said Tomasz Gromadka, a 32-year-old playwright protesting in front of the home of Kaczynski, who is the power behind the government and presidency. "Because now they are taking the courts, then they will take the media, they will take everything. But we still have the streets. This is our power. I think we should do whatever we can."

The European Union and many international legal experts say the changes would mark a dramatic reversal for a country that has been hailed as a model of democratic transition over the past quarter century, and move Poland closer toward authoritarianism.

The party "is about to finish democracy," said Ewa Krasucka, a 32-year-old photographer. "Honestly I don't think we will stop him now, but at least in 10 years, in 15 years, when we will still be with these people in the government I will feel good with myself for being here now."

Many of the protesters then moved to the Supreme Court, where people sang John Lennon's "Imagine" and held up candles.

Law and Justice won parliamentary elections in 2015 with nearly 38 percent of the vote, which translated into a slim majority in the parliament. It has maintained support of about 35 to 40 percent of voters, according to recent polls, with many supporting its cash handouts for families and its conservative and pro-Catholic worldview.

The party says the changes are needed to reform a justice system that Kaczynski says was never purged of former communists after that system collapsed in 1989.

In Warsaw, 29-year-old lawyer Marzena Wojtczak disputed that logic, saying many judges working today had actually been anti-communist dissidents and others are too young to have been communists.

Demonstrations have taken place almost every day in Poland over the past week as lawmakers pushed forward with the legislation to impose greater control over the courts.

"This will sound strange, but this is the worst and best moment in Poland since 1989," Tomasz Lis, the editor of Newsweek Polska and an outspoken government critic, said on Twitter. "A great nation is defending democracy and its own freedom."

The Supreme Court's powers include ruling on the validity of elections, and government critics fear the ruling party could use friendly judges to falsify future elections. They also fear the courts, under political pressure, will prosecute political opponents.

After winning power in 2015, Law and Justice has acted quickly to cement its power, prompting numerous street protests.

The party has asserted control over government-owned media, purged the army of most of its leadership and has neutralized the power of the Constitutional Tribunal to block any new legislation that might violate the constitution.

On Saturday, presidential spokesman Krzysztof Lapinski said Duda sees some flaws in the new legislation on the Supreme Court. But he stopped short of saying whether the president would reject the bill or seek the opinion of the Constitutional Tribunal.

Duda has 21 days to sign the bill into law.

The European Commission has expressed its concerns about Poland's judicial changes and recently threatened to strip Poland of its EU voting rights, but has so far proven powerless to do anything. Any sanctions would require unanimity of the remaining 27 EU members.

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Protests across Poland over law to control judiciary - ABC News

The Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority gave $18 million in tax breaks to fund a $92 million Noah's Ark theme park.

The creationists behind a tax-payer subsidized replica of Noahs Ark in Kentucky are lashing out at the media for reporting on the parks tax evasion.

MEDIA AND BLOGGERS OUT OF CONTROL RE: ARK, wrote prominent creationist Ken Ham, in all capital letters.

Ham was responding to news that the Ark Encounter theme park lost $18 million in tax breaks after a deed transfer in which the for-profit LLC Answers in Genesis sold the park to a non-profit in an attempt to avoid paying local public safety taxes to Williamstown, Kentucky.

Ham quoted CCO Mark Looy, who said, We are saddened that the City Council did not extend the courtesy of discussing this ordinance with us before passing it and taking it public, and was not willing to negotiate further.

However, the Ark has burned enough bridges in town that the City Council may have been left with little choice.

They cant be trusted to do the ethical thing, so at this point, the City Council is squarely within their rights to institute rules without contacting Ken Ham first, Hemant Mehta explained. They tried to work together. Ken Ham tried taking advantage of them as hes done many times before with all the tax breaks hes received. What more is there to negotiate?

Not only has Ark Encounter evaded local taxes, but Ken Ham has blamed Williamstown for dreadful attendance at the theme park. Ham has also blamed atheists for tax-payers getting fleeced by the project.

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Media 'out of control': Owner of Ark theme park trashes press for reporting he's ducking taxes - Raw Story

Newly appointed White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci has voiced support on social media for strong gun-control laws, which would be a major departure from the positions of President Trump.

After the Sandy Hook shootings at a Connecticut elementary school in December 2012, Mr. Scaramucci tweeted, I have always been for strong gun control laws.

In August 2012, he wrote on Twitter, We (the USA) has 5% of the worlds population but 50% of the worlds guns. Enough is enough. It is just common sense it apply more controls.

The gun-control group Everytown for Gun Safety, led by Trump foe Michael Bloomberg, seized on Mr. Scaramuccis past comments.

Scaramuccis comments underscore recent national polling data: Gun violence prevention is not a partisan issue, said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. A vast majority of Americans including gun owners, NRA members and Republicans overwhelmingly support common-sense gun laws.

She added, While NRA leaders may have a seat at the table in Trumps White House, there are millions of Americans standing on the side of gun safety, possibly including the new White House Communications Director. Its time for the entire White House and current administration to join us in speaking out against gun violence and eradicate the gun lobbys guns everywhere, for anyone agenda.

Excerpt from:
Trump's new White House communications chief has voiced support for gun control - Washington Times

For a year, the big question of Russiagate has boiled down to this: Did Donald Trumps campaign collude with the Russians in hacking the DNC?

And until last week, the answer was no.

As ex-CIA director Mike Morell said in March, On the question of the Trump campaign conspiring with the Russians there is smoke, but there is no fire, at all. Theres no little campfire, theres no little candle, theres no spark.

Well, last week, it appeared there had been a fire in Trump Tower. On June 9, 2016, Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort met with Russians in anticipation of promised dirt on Hillary Clintons campaign.

While not a crime, this was a blunder. For Donald Jr. had long insisted there had been no collusion with the Russians. Caught in flagrante, he went full Pinocchio for four days.

And as the details of that June 9 meeting spilled out, Trump defenders were left with egg on their faces, while anti-Trump media were able to keep the spotlight laser-focused on where they want it Russiagate.

This reality underscores a truth of our time. In the 19th century, power meant control of the means of production; today, power lies in control of the means of communication.

Who controls the media spotlight controls what people talk about and think about. And mainstream media are determined to keep that spotlight on Trump-Russia, and as far away as possible from their agenda breaking the Trump presidency and bringing him down.

Just days into Trumps presidency, a rifle-shot intel community leak of a December meeting between Trump national security adviser Gen. Michael Flynn and Russias ambassador forced the firing of Flynn.

An Oval Office meeting with the Russian foreign minister in which Trump disclosed that Israeli intelligence had ferreted out evidence that ISIS was developing computer bombs to explode on airliners was leaked. This alerted ISIS, damaged the president, and imperiled Israeli intelligence sources and methods.

Some of the leaks from national security and investigative agencies are felonies, not only violations of the leakers solemn oath to protect secrets, but of federal law.

Yet the press is happy to collude with these leakers and to pay them in the coin they seek.

Consider the original Russiagate offense.

Confidential emails of the DNC and John Podesta were hacked, i.e., stolen by Russian intelligence and given to WikiLeaks. And who was the third and indispensable party in this Tinker to Evers to Chance double-play combination?

The media itself. While deploring Russian hacking as an act of war against our democracy, the media published the fruits of the hacking.

If the media believed Russian hacking was a crime against our democracy, why did they publish the fruits of that crime?

Not only do our Beltway media traffic in stolen secrets and stolen goods, but the knowledge that they will publish secrets and protect those who leak them is an incentive for bureaucratic disloyalty and criminality.

Our mainstream media are like the fellow who avoids the risk of stealing cars, but wants to fence them once stolen and repainted.

Bottom line: Trump is facing a stacked deck.

People inside the executive branch are daily providing fresh meat to feed the scandal. Anti-Trump media are transfixed by it. It is the Watergate of their generation. The Pulitzers are calling. And they love it, for they loathe Donald Trump both for who he is and what he stands for.

Writes for Creators Syndicate.

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Opinion: Mainstream media and the real crimes of Russiagate - MyAJC