Israel Funding University Research into Super Secure Quantum Communications

This system in the lab at the Hebrew University’s Quantum Information Science Center is used to control light in optical fibers, shaping the wavefront of photons using a fiber piano. (Photo courtesy of Yitz Woolf for Hebrew University)

Imagine a communications system that uses some of the smallest particles known to man, and then imagine that that system makes that communication even more resistant to hacking. Israel certainly is, which is why the nation’s Ministry of Defense awarded 7.5 million shekels ($2.12 million) to Hebrew University to pursue research into quantum communications. The project’s ultimate goal is develop the talent and technology necessary to develop a system that “will prevent eavesdropping, protect data privacy and secure national infrastructure,” said a press release from the University.

Quantum communications—which is based on quantum physics and the special characteristics of matter and light at the infinitesimally small scale—could be the key to the future of securing data. “Current methods of encrypting data are increasingly vulnerable to attack as the increased power of quantum computing comes online,” said the press release. “Quantum communication systems use the laws of physics to secure data and are therefore resistant to attack.” … Continue Reading

Netanyahu: Disband UN Refugee Agency that ‘Perpetuates’ Palestinian Problem

United Nations vehicle. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) was founded almost 70 years ago to specifically support Palestinian refugees, while millions of other refugees of the world are supported by the U.N. High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). This despite the reality that so-called Palestinian refugees have spent decades away from the land inside Israel that they claim and have effectively settled in numerous locations and countries. That disparity in U.N. treatment was cited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a reason to incorporate Palestinian refugees into the UNHCR and get rid of UNWRA altogether.

“I regret that UNRWA, to a large degree, by its very existence, perpetuates—and does not solve—the Palestinian refugee problem. Therefore, the time has come to disband UNRWA and integrate it into the UNHCR,” said Netanyahu on Sunday in comments released by his office. And perpetuating a refugee crisis for decades isn’t the only thing going wrong with UNRWA. … Continue Reading

US Envoy to UN Says Jerusalem Embassy Move Could Be ‘Part of Peace Process’

U.S. Ambassador the U.N. Nikki Haley. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Mission to the UN

United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, a strong supporter of Israel at the international body, implied that the plans to move the U.S. embassy to Israel to Jerusalem could be some type of negotiating point or inducement in a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians. Asked by CNN’s Jack Tapper if the embassy move—delayed by Trump last week—could be “leverage” for a peace deal, Haley did not directly confirm or deny that it could be. Instead, she acknowledged it could play a role.

Haley, according to a transcript of her interview with CNN’s State of the Union posted to the CNN website, said that President Donald Trump “knows that it could be very much a part of the peace process… He hasn’t changed his position on moving the embassy. It’s all about time. So I think that he wants to see how the peace process plays out and then handle it accordingly.” Israel has expressed their disappointment at the delay, following promises by Trump to move the embassy to Israel’s capital, a common practice with embassies in other nations. The peace process, a priority for Trump, was named in a White House statement as a reason for not moving the embassy now. … Continue Reading

Netanyahu in Africa: Include Us in African Union, Support Us at United Nations

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) conference.
Photo courtesy of Kobi Gideon / Israeli GPO

Israel wants to partner with African nations to build a better future for Africa. They also hope to build a better future for Israel, too—specifically, in international organizations such as the United Nations and the African Union. “Our growing bilateral relations should also be reflected, I believe, in international forums,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday in comments released by his office during a visit to Liberia.

Netanyahu went on to ask for African nations’ “support in rejecting anti-Israel bias at the United Nations,” as well as calling for Israel to again be an observer state of the African Union (AU). Regarding the AU status, Netanyahu said, “Now, it’s clearly—and I say this openly, especially with my great sympathy and affinity for Africa. It’s definitely in our interest. But, ladies and gentlemen, I fervently believe that it’s in your interest too, in the interest of Africa.” … Continue Reading

Israel Supports London: ‘Terrorists Worship Death’ But ‘We Will Defeat Them’

Israel stands with the British in the face of terror. UK, Israeli flags. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock

For the second time in three months, terrorists drove a vehicle into a group of civilians in London and launched a stabbing spree—two types of attacks that are all too familiar to Israel. But despite the common grief they share with the British, the Israeli condolence message was not just one of sympathy. It was one of resolute and united defiance in the face of terror.

“These terrorists worship death. They murder indiscriminately, but they will not frighten us,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday in comments released by his office during a visit to Africa.

“They will not terrorize us. They will only harden our resolve to defeat them. And together, together here in Africa, in the Middle East, in Europe, everywhere—together, we will defeat them faster.” The Israeli message in response to terrorism has long been to take a hard line against extremism, a sentiment that was also coming from British Prime Minister Theresa May after the last attack. … Continue Reading

Trump Stops US Embassy Move to Jerusalem, For Now

Trump disappoints Israel with embassy decision. U.S. President Donald Trump (left) meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right). Illustrative. Photo courtesy of Kobi Gideon (GPO)

Like the three American Presidents before him, Donald Trump formally signed off on a stay that will prevent the United States Embassy to Israel from moving to Jerusalem, in contradiction to repeated promises from President Trump. However, a statement posted on Thursday to the White House website noted that the promise still lingers. “As he has repeatedly stated his intention to move the embassy, the question is not if that move happens, but only when,” said the Presidential statement.

As provided for under the U.S. law governing the embassy location, national security interests were cited by President Trump as a reason for the decision, although he also went into some additional detail. “President Trump made this decision to maximize the chances of successfully negotiating a deal between Israel and the Palestinians, fulfilling his solemn obligation to defend America’s national security interests,” said the White House statement, which gave no timetable or circumstance for when the embassy move might happen. Regardless of whether it’s a permanent no or just a delay, Israel was disappointed by the decision. … Continue Reading