Joshua Davidovich is The Times of Israel's Deputy Editor
The Times of Israel liveblogged Thursday’s events as they unfolded.
Former Labor Party leader Shelly Yachimovich has announced she is supporting outside Avi Gabbay in the race for the party’s leadership.
In a Facebook post, Yachimovich praises Gabbay for opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he was environmental protection Minister in the government for the Kulanu party.
“His stance, as a single minister in the government, against Netanyahu and his corrupt gas extraction licensing agreement, is much more than a nice point in his past. It is a testament to the future,” she writes.
Gabbay is running against Amir Peretz in the Monday runoff for head of the socialist-minded party. Yachimovich had been widely expected to back whoever ran against Peretz.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stopped on the way to Haifa with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to put their feet in the surf at Olga Beach.
The two also take a spin in what looks like a dune buggy on the beach. Netanyahu describes the vehicle, which purifies water for drinking while driving along, as a “future Jeep,” and Modi praises it as “very important.”
The vehicle can provide drinking water for 22,000 people, according to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Crowds waving US and Polish flags have gathered in and around a Warsaw square where US President Donald Trump is set to deliver his first public speech in Europe.
Many have come from various corners of Poland and are holding banners with the names of their towns, including “Pila” or “Gorzow” in the west. Other banners on display in Krasinski Square feature the right-wing, pro-government Gazeta Polska newspaper.
Crowds are also gathering in neighboring streets, where screens have been set up for viewing.
Former president Lech Walesa is among the special guests in the VIP sector.
Poland’s leaders have promised Trump a warm welcome before he heads to Germany later Thursday for a summit of the world’s developed and developing nations.
— AP
Ivanka Trump, daughter of US President Donald Trump and a convert to Judaism, has laid a wreath at a memorial monument for the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising in Poland, just before her father is due to deliver a landmark address nearby.
Ivanka Trump is accompanied by Michael Shudrich, the chief rabbi of Poland.
On Wednesday, Poland’s Jewish community leaders said they “deeply regret” that Donald Trump has no plans to see the memorial during his visit to the capital this week.
“We trust that this slight does not reflect the attitudes and feelings of the American people,” said the statement released by Schudrich, Jewish Community of Warsaw president Anna Chipczynska and Leslaw Piszewski, president of the Union of Jewish Communities of Poland.
They said the omission of a visit to the memorial — which is dedicated to the victims of the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, when Jewish partisans took up arms against Nazi German forces in a doomed revolt — on Trump’s official schedule marks a break in tradition.
“Ever since the fall of Communism in 1989, all US presidents and vice-presidents visiting Warsaw had made a point of visiting the Monument to the Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto,” they said.
— AFP
Donald Trump has laid a wreath at the Warsaw uprising memorial, alongside his wife Melania.
A wreath-laying at the nearby memorial to the Warsaw Ghetto uprising is not on the official schedule, irking the local Jewish community, whose leaders said they “deeply regret’ the omission.
Trump then begins delivering his speech, saying it is an honor to lay the wreath there.
Trump calls the occupation by Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia during World War II “tough,” praising those who took part in the Warsaw Uprising of 1944.
“That’s trouble… that’s tough,” he says of World War II.
He also says the country “never lost its spirit” during the Communist occupation of the country.
Turning to concerns over terror, Trump says there are “dire threats to our security and to our way of life. You see what’s happening out there. They are threats. We are fighting and we will win, but they are threats.”
“We must stand united against these shared enemies to strip them of their territory and their networks,” he says, adding that American borders will be closed to “terrorism and extremism of any kind.”
“We are fighting hard against radical Islamic terrorism and we will prevail,” he adds.
Trump also calls on Russia to end its “destabilizing activities in Ukraine and elsewhere, and its support for hostile regimes, including Syria and Iran.”
He then launches into a tirade against paperwork and red tape.
Trump talks up his insistence that European countries pony up their share for NATO, drawing weak applause.
He says billions have poured in because of his drive to get the countries to open their wallets and that people are “shocked.”
“Europe must do more … by investing its money,” he says, applauding Poland for buying the Patriot missile defense system.
Continuing to praise Poles, he says people should come to learn about the country, giving the crowd a history lesson about the battle for the city’s Jerusalem Avenue.
He has not mentioned the city’s Jewish ghetto, or the uprising there and some analysts are pointing to his praise of the Polish narrative, which denies Polish complicity in the Holocaust.
“Those heroes remind us that the West was saved with the blood of patriots,” he says of Polish freedom fighters.
“Just as Poland could not be broken, I declare today that the West will never ever be broken, our values will prevail,” he says.
“Let us all fight like the Poles, for family, for freedom, for country and for God,” he adds, concluding his speech.
British police say the man who bombed an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester wasn’t part of a large network, but other people involved in the attack may still be at large.
Russ Jackson, head of counterterrorism policing for northwest England, said Thursday that police may make more arrests in the investigation.
Salman Abedi, a Briton of Libyan heritage, detonated a knapsack bomb as crowds were leaving Manchester Arena on May 22, killing 22 people and himself.
In the days after the attack, police arrested 22 people on suspicion of terrorism offenses and said they had rounded up a large part of Abedi’s network. But all the suspects were subsequently released without charge.
Jackson says detectives want to question Abedi’s younger brother, who has been detained in Libya.
— AP
Shas MK Yigal Guetta has been hospitalized while visiting Prague, Israel’s Foreign Ministry says.
A spokesman says he is being treated and is in touch with the Israeli consul there.
According to the Kikar HaShabat website, Guetta has been hospitalized since Monday, when he felt ill while walking around the city. Efforts are being made to transport him back to Israel for further treatment.
The chief rabbi of Poland says it is “sad” that US President Donald Trump chose to skip a visit to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising memorial.
Michael Shudrish accompanied Trump’s daughter Ivanka to the site, where she laid a wreath and recited kaddish before visiting the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews located next to the memorial.
Schudrich calls Ivanka’s presence at the memorial “very, very important… not only because she’s a Jew, because her grandparents-in-law are survivors of the Holocaust, but also as a human being it’s important.”
“But it’s sad because her father President Trump is the first US president in 25 years not to visit the Warsaw Ghetto Heroes Monument,” he tells AFP.
POLIN spokeswoman Zaneta Czyzniewska tells AFP that the museum only “found out today” that Ivanka Trump would be visiting the monument dedicated to the Jewish partisans who took up arms against Nazi German forces in a doomed revolt.
— AFP
The Federation of Hungarian Jewish Communities is asking Prime Minister Viktor Orban to immediately end a political ad campaign targeting Hungarian-American investor and philanthropist George Soros.
Federation president Andras Heisler says in a letter to Orban released Thursday that while the government’s campaign is not “openly anti-Semitic” it is “very capable” of arousing uncontrolled passions, including anti-Semitism.
The government last week launched a billboard and television ad campaign seeking to discredit Soros’ pro-migration views. The posters and billboards show a smiling Soros with the caption “Let’s not allow Soros to have the last laugh!” and a notice claiming that 99 percent of Hungarians reject illegal migration.
Some of the posters in Budapest and other large cities in Hungary were defaced with slogans like “stinking Jew” written across the Soros image.
— AP
Local officials say that more than 78 people have been killed after a truck overturned in an accident in Central African Republic’s city of Bambari.
Oumar Tidjani, a member of the young Muslims association of Ouaka, says 75 others were injured at the Ngouro bridge about 13 kilometers (8 miles) from Bambari. He said the victims are mostly traders who piled into the truck to go to the weekly market in Maloum.
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Hospital workers confirm that 59 bodies are in the morgue and at least 18 others are with families for burial.
The president’s office appeals to drivers to not transport so many people at once given the terrible conditions of the roads.
International Red Cross workers in Bambari are helping to treat and transfer the wounded.
— AP
Israeli tennis star Dudi Sela has his back against the wall in Wimbledon play against American John Isner.
Isner is leading Sela 2-1, two days after the Israeli beat Marcell Grenollers in five sets to advance to the second round.
On Wednesday, Sela was dropped from doubles play along with Brazilian Andre Sa after going up 2-0 against American Nicholas Monroe and Australian Artem Sitak.
The Netanyahu-Modi romance has officially jumped the shark (or water desalination dune buggy) as the Israeli leader gives his Indian counterpart/new bestie a picture of the two sharing a walk on the beach from earlier in the day.
On the picture, Netanyahu writes: “To Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with deep friendship for your historic visit to Israel.”
Modi is due to leave Israel later in the day.
Labor party also-ran Omer Barlev says he will not support either Avi Gabbay or Amir Peretz in the runoff vote to pick a new leader for the party.
Barlev finished in last place among the top contenders, with just six percent of the vote.
Barlev says he supports the party and both candidates are fine.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has wrapped up his visit to Israel, taking off from Ben Gurion airport to the G-20 summit in hamburg, Israeli media reports.
Modi was in Israel for three days for what many have described as a love fest between Jerusalem and Delhi, and particularly Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.
Modi will join world leaders from 19 other nations in Hamburg.
Israeli Tennis star Dudi Sela is on the cusp of advancing to the third round of Wimbledon after coming back against American John Isner.
The two are tied 2-2 after 4 sets.
A win for Sela, ranked 90th in the world, would be a major upset against 21st-ranked Isner.
Israeli tennis player Dudi Sela has advanced to the third round of Wimbledon play with a stunning come-from-behind win against American John Isner.
Sela, ranked 90th in the world, wins 6-7, 7-6, 5-7, 7-6, 6-3.
He pumps his fists in the air after defeating Isner, ranked 21 in the world.
He will next face Bulgarian Grigor Dmitrov, the 11th ranked player across the globe.
The European Parliament has advised the European Union to freeze accession talks with Turkey amid growing concerns over the country’s human rights and democracy. Turkey rejects Thursday’s move, calling it an attempt to “sabotage” relations with the EU.
The legislature voted 477-64 with 97 abstentions to approve a non-binding report recommending the suspension of the negotiations in the wake Turkey’s referendum in April that approved constitutional amendments to give the president sweeping new powers.
The parliament called on the EU’s 28 states to formally suspend the talks “without delay” if the constitutional reforms are implemented without change in Turkey.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim says what matters is the opinion of EU leaders and that there was no change in Turkey’s aim for EU membership.
“The EU should determine its vision for its future and decide whether or not it will walk with Turkey,” he says.
Wrapping up his visit to Israel, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweets a farewell message in Hebrew and English.
“I thank the people and Government of Israel for their hospitality. This successful visit will add more energy to India-Israel relations,” he writes.
אני מודה לעם ישראל וממשלת ישראל על האירוח החם. ביקור מוצלח זה יוסיף אנרגיות חדשות ביחסי הודו-ישראל. pic.twitter.com/ZeYS3eE4xk
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 6, 2017
Modi took off from Israel after a farewell ceremony with Netanyahu, following a three-day visit meant to bolster ties that both leaders described as “historic.”
At least one person has been injured in an apparent explosion in Jaffa in southern Tel Aviv, police say.
The extent of the victim’s injuries are not immediately clear.
According to initial reports, the explosion was the result of a grenade being thrown on Azza Street.
Police say they are on the scene investigating.
The International Criminal Court says South Africa should have arrested Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, wanted by the ICC for alleged war crimes, when he visited the country in 2015.
However, in a show of leniency, the court at The Hague, Netherlands, says it will not refer South Africa’s failure to comply with its obligations to the court’s governing body or the United Nations Security Council. It based that decision partly on South Africa’s effort to seek a ruling on the case in an effort of cooperation.
South Africa and other signatory countries have a legal obligation to arrest anyone sought by the ICC under the Rome Statute, the court’s founding treaty. Lawyers for South Africa had argued that the treaty does not oblige authorities to arrest heads of state of countries who are not members of the court, such as Sudan.
Bashir is indicted for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Sudan’s Darfur region. He was allowed to leave South Africa even though a local court ordered authorities to arrest him.
— AP
A border policeman is being treated after being attacked during a routine security check at Damascus Gate outside Jerusalem’s Old City, police say.
The suspect attacked the cop after refusing to show identification, according to a statement.
Police say no weapon was used. The suspect was arrested and an investigation was launched.
The officer was taken to a hospital for treatment. His condition was not immediately available.
Police say the explosion in Jaffa was likely an underworld assassination attempt.
The victim, in his 20s, is being treated for severe injuries, the Magen David Adom rescue service says.
Police say the explosion was caused by a device on a motorcycle.
Hungary is rebuffing charges of anti-Semitism back after Jewish community leaders sent a letter to Prime Minister Viktor Orban asking him to immediately end a political ad campaign targeting Hungarian-American investor and philanthropist George Soros.
Janos Lazar, Orban’s chief of staff, says the anti-Soros campaign did not have any anti-Semitic connotations and reiterated the Hungarian government’s “zero tolerance” toward anti-Semitism.
“This matter is not about George Soros’ ancestry or identity but about what he does,” Lazar said after a weekly Cabinet meeting. “Viktor Orban considers Soros a successful, very smart and very talented Hungarian person.”
The government last week launched a billboard and television ad campaign seeking to discredit Soros’ pro-migration views. The posters and billboards show a smiling Soros with the caption “Let’s not allow Soros to have the last laugh!” and a notice claiming that 99 percent of Hungarians reject illegal migration.
Some of the posters in Budapest and other large cities in Hungary were defaced with slogans like “stinking Jew” written across the Soros image, which Heisler said confirmed the federation’s fears and were reminiscent of “the dark periods of Hungarian history.”
Orban met Thursday with several European rabbis and Israeli Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau, telling them he was committed to religious freedom for Jews.
“Hungary’s Jewish community is under the unconditional protection of the government,” Orban told Lau, according to the Hungarian leader’s spokesman.
— with AP
A clause in a controversial ethics code restricting political speech on campus will be taken out, Channel 10 news reports.
According to the station, sections of the code, which caused a political storm when they were released last month, will be rewritten by a panel from the Council for Higher Education.
The ethics code, written by Prof. Asa Kacher at the behest of Education Minister Naftali Bennett, includes elements that forbid professors from expressing political views in the classroom.
A clause forbidding professors from supporting a boycott of Israel will reportedly remain in place.
The German government says Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Donald Trump have discussed issues including North Korea, the situation in the Middle East and the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
A brief government statement gives no further details of Thursday’s discussion, which lasted a little over an hour, other than to say they discussed “some issues on the G-20 agenda.” It said Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel also participated.
Merkel and Trump have met on three previous occasions. Merkel has visited the White House, and the two also participated in May in a NATO summit and the Group of Seven summit in Italy.
— AP
Police and protesters are clashing as thousands of people take part in a protest against the Group of 20 summit titled “G-20: Welcome to Hell.”
Demonstrators gathered at a riverside plaza used for Hamburg’s weekly fish market Thursday before setting off on a march through the city.
Police initially said a few bottles were thrown as the march set off. Police using loudspeakers also were calling on about 1,000 demonstrators to remove masks.
Hamburg has boosted its police with reinforcements from around the country for the G-20 summit, so that 20,000 officers are on hand to patrol the northern German city’s streets, skies and waterways.
More than 100,000 protesters are expected in the city for the summit, according to police.
— Agencies
Thousands in Jerusalem are attending the gala opening of the Maccabiah Games, Israel’s version of the Olympics for locals and Diaspora Jews.
Delegations from countries are marching out one by one in alphabetical order at Teddy Stadium in the capital. Here comes the Dominican Republic’s sole representative!
Organizers say 10,000 athletes and 20,000 fans are expected at sporting events around the country.
The games are slated to last until July 18.
German police are using water cannon and tear gas to clear a hardcore of masked anti-capitalist demonstrators in Hamburg, AFP reporters say.
Protesters are throwing stones, firecrackers and bottles at police. Riot police in helmets are working to disperse a group of around 1,000 hard-left protestors wearing black hooded tops and masks.
— AFP
Some two dozen disabled people briefly blocked a major intersection on Route 1 outside Jerusalem as they continue their campaign demanding better disability benefits from the government.
The wheelchair bound protesters blocked southbound lanes on Route 1 at the Latrun interchange for over a half hour before police dispersed the demonstration.
Earlier today, disabled demonstrators clashed with police and blocked a major interchange north of Tel Aviv at a similar protest.
The protests are the latest in a series of escalating actions disabled citizens have taken to push for an increase in state benefits.
