20160325

Was the airplane of Israel's new chief of the disputed territories sabotaged?

Brig. Gen. Munir Amar's (left) plane crashes 7-weeks into governing Territories
Israeli Brigadier General Munir Amar, chief of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Unit (COGAT), was killed on Friday when the light plane he piloted crashed into a cliff about fifteen minutes after takeoff, Israeli news site Ynet reported. Gen. Amar, the only person aboard, had only assumed the role from a Jewish Israeli 7-weeks ago.

COGAT's website describes the unit as "responsible for implementing the government's policy in Judea and Samaria and vis-à-vis the Gaza Strip" and "constitutes the civilian authority for residential zoning and infrastructure and is responsible for addressing the needs of Israeli settlements in the West Bank."

Amar's predecessor, Brig. Gen. David Menachem, had lead constant efforts to improve and develop the economy and infrastructure of Judea and Samaria, assist the local population, and maintain Israel's security.

Examples include introducing initiatives to develop the agriculture, hi-tech and export sectors in Judea and Samaria; increasing the number of Palestinian workers in Israel; 

facilitating the entrance of Palestinian men over 55 and women over 50 into Israel without requiring a permit; and generally increasing cooperation between Israel and the Palestinians.


Before assuming his COGAT position on February 3rd, Amar served as commander of the IDF's Arab-speaking Sword Battalion, commander of the Hermon Brigade, and commander of the Home Front Command's Northern District.

Amar, 47, was a married father of three and a resident of the Druze town of Julis in the western Galilee, Israeli news site Walla reported.

Source: i24 News 25 March 2016

20160311

Rubio & Kasich's own state primaries vital on route from R.J.C. to A.I.P.A.C.

The campaigns of Republican presidential candidates Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio face ironic challenges- to win among their own state constituents- in the March 15th primaries. 

Kasich confident after strong finish in Michigan, by Jim Provance, Toledo Blade March 9.
Voicing confidence after his good finish in Michigan on Tuesday, Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s presidential aspirations now rest on his home state on March 15. He hopes to carry Ohio’s 66 delegates as a badge of honor into remaining primary states, and perhaps a contested Cleveland convention. Read more
John Kasich and Marco Rubio face Judgment Day in their home states on March 15. Both are losing. By Peter W. Stevenson, Washington Post, 4 March 2016

Florida and Ohio are almost always two of the most hotly contested states in American presidential politics — in November, not in March. Or at least, not until March 2016, when Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio desperately need to win their home states in order to stay in the race to the GOP nomination.
We hearken back to the Republican Jewish Coalition Spring gathering where, for the past 2 years, John Kasich and Marco Rubio where introduced to Jewish Republicans (among other candidates) for support.