LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN

LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
March 31/2019

Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani

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Bible Quotations For today
The Healing Miracle of the Paralytic
Saint Mark ( 02/1-12): “The Healing Miracle of the Paralytic”: “When he entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was heard that he was in the house. Immediately many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even around the door; and he spoke the word to them. Four people came, carrying a paralytic to him. When they could not come near to him for the crowd, they removed the roof where he was. When they had broken it up, they let down the mat that the paralytic was lying on. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” But there were some of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you reason these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to tell the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Arise, and take up your bed, and walk?’ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”— He said to the paralytic— “I tell you, arise, take up your mat, and go to your house.” He arose, and immediately took up the mat, and went out in front of them all; so that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News published on March 30-31/2019
Praying For Others And The Healing Miracle of the Paralyzed Miracle
Aoun Leads Delegation to Tunisia Summit
Berri: Budget Should Have Been Approved before Cabinet Formation
Candidate Registration Closes for Tripoli By-Elections
Bassil: Lebanon, Arabs in Accord on Invalidation of U.S. Decision over Ghajar
World Bank Official: Lebanon Hasn't Done Enough to Introduce Reforms
Lebanese Forces: Problem is not in electricity plan, but in its hidden content that needs clarification
Shoukeir represents Hariri at the Lebanese-Chinese Investment Forum
Syrian lives must not be endangered to score political points

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on March 30-31/2019
Pope arrives in Morocco for two-day trip
Gazan Killed as Border Protests Test Calm ahead of Israel Vote
The Gaza Scam: Hamas eluded IDF payback by its main assault on Friday night, then showed “restraint” on Saturday
UK Lawmakers Reject Brexit Deal for Third Time/AFP/Saturday 30th March 2019

Titles For The Latest LCCC English analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on March 30-31/2019
Praying For Others And The Healing Miracle of the Paralyzed Miracle/Elias Bejjani/March 31/19
Syrian lives must not be endangered to score political points/The National/March 30/19
The Gaza Scam: Hamas eluded IDF payback by its main assault on Friday night, then showed “restraint” on Saturday/Debka File/March 30/19
Iranians are drowning but it is not the floods that are to blame/Camelia Entekhabifard/Arab News/March 30/19
What Arabs need to know about how the US works/Hafed Al-Ghwell/Arab News/March 30/19
40 years of peace with Israel - an Egyptian perspective/Mina Nader/Ynetnews/The Media Line/March 30/19

The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News published on March 30-31/2019
Praying For Others And The Healing Miracle of the Paralyzed Miracle
Elias Bejjani/March 31/19
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/73457/elias-bejjani-praying-for-others-and-the-healing-miracle-of-the-paralyzed-miracle/
On the fifth Lenten Sunday the Catholic Maronites cite and recall with great reverence the Gospel of Saint Mark ( 02/1-12): “The Healing Miracle of the Paralytic”: “When he entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was heard that he was in the house. Immediately many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even around the door; and he spoke the word to them. Four people came, carrying a paralytic to him. When they could not come near to him for the crowd, they removed the roof where he was. When they had broken it up, they let down the mat that the paralytic was lying on. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” But there were some of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you reason these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to tell the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Arise, and take up your bed, and walk?’ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”— He said to the paralytic— “I tell you, arise, take up your mat, and go to your house.” He arose, and immediately took up the mat, and went out in front of them all; so that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
This great miracle in its theological essence and core demonstrates beyond doubt that intercessions, prayers and supplications for the benefit of others are acceptable faith rituals that Almighty God attentively hears and definitely answers.
It is interesting to learn that the paralytic man as stated in the Gospel of St. Mark, didn’t personally call on Jesus to cure him, nor he asked Him for forgiveness, mercy or help, although as many theologians believe Jesus used to visit Capernaum, where the man lives, and preach in its Synagogue frequently. Apparently this crippled man was lacking faith, hope, distancing himself from God and total ignoring the Gospel’s teaching. He did not believe that the Lord can cure him.
What also makes this miracle remarkable and distinguishable lies in the fact that the paralytic’s relatives and friends, or perhaps some of Jesus’ disciples were adamant that the Lord is able to heal this sick man who has been totally crippled for 38 years if He just touches him. This strong faith and hope made four of them carry the paralytic on his mat and rush to the house where Jesus was preaching. When they could not break through the crowd to inter the house they climbed with the paralytic to the roof, made a hole in it and let down the mat that the paralytic was lying on in front of Jesus and begged for his cure. Jesus was taken by their strong faith and fulfilled their request.
Jesus forgave the paralytic his sins first (“Son, your sins are forgiven you) and after that cured his body: “Arise, and take up your bed, and walk”. Like the scribes many nowadays still question the reason and rationale that made Jesus give priority to the man’s sins. Jesus’ wisdom illustrates that sin is the actual death and the cause for eternal anguish in Hell. He absolved his sins first because sin cripples those who fall in its traps, annihilates their hopes, faith, morals and values, kills their human feelings, inflicts numbness on their consciences and keeps them far away from Almighty God. Jesus wanted to save the man’s soul before He cures his earthy body. “For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?” (Mark 08:/36 & 37).
Our Gracious God does not disappoint any person when he seek His help with faith and confidence. With great interest and parental love, He listens to worshipers’ prayers and requests and definitely respond to them in His own way, wisdom, time and manner. “Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened”. (Matthew 07/07 &08)
Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praises. Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will heal him who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up”. (James 05:15)
In this loving and forgiving context, prayers for others, alive or dead, loved ones or enemies, relatives or strangers, are religiously desirable. God hears and responds because He never abandons His children no matter what they do or say, provided that they turn to Him with faith and repentance and ask for His mercy and forgiveness either for themselves or for others. “
There are numerous biblical parables and miracles in which Almighty God shows clearly that He accepts and responds to prayers for the sake of others.
Jesus cured the centurion’s servant on the request of the Centurion and not the servant himself. (Matthew 08/05-33 )
Jesus revived and brought back to life Lazarus on the request of his sisters Mary and Martha. (John 11/01-44)
Praying for others whether they are parents, relatives, strangers, acquaintances, enemies, or friends, and for countries, is an act that exhibits the faith, caring, love, and hope of those who offer the prayers. Almighty God, Who is a loving, forgiving, passionate, and merciful Father listens to these prayers and always answers them in His own wisdom and mercy that mostly we are unable to grasp because of our limited human understanding. “All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matthew 21/22)
In conclusion: Almighty God is always waiting for us, we, His Children to come to Him and ask for His help and mercy either for ourselves or for others. He never leaves us alone. Meanwhile it is a Godly faith obligation to extend our hand and pull up those who are falling and unable to pray for themselves especially the mentally sick, the unconscious, and the paralyzed. In this realm of faith, love and care for others comes our prayers to Virgin Mary and to all Saints whom we do not worship, but ask for their intercessions and blessings.
O, Lord, endow us with graces of faith, hope, wisdom, and patience. Help us to be loving, caring, humble and meek. Show us the just paths. Help us to be on your right with the righteous on the Judgment Day.
God sees and hears us all the time, let us all fear Him in all what we think, do and say.

Aoun Leads Delegation to Tunisia Summit
Naharnet/March 30/19/Leading an official delegation, President Michel Aoun traveled on Saturday to Tunisia to take part in the 30th Arab League Summit to be held in the Tunisian capital, the National News Agency reported. NNA said the delegation accompanying Aoun is comprised of: Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil, Interior Minister Raya el-Hassan, State Minister for Refugee Affairs Saleh el-Gharib, Culture Minister Mohammed Daoud, Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Hani Shmaitili, Lebanon’s Delegate to the Arab League Ali Halabi, Lebanon’s Ambassador to Tunisia Toni Franjieh. Aoun is scheduled to deliver a speech at the summit which kick starts on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Aoun will also meet with a number of heads of delegations participating in the summit.

Berri: Budget Should Have Been Approved before Cabinet Formation
Naharnet/March 30/19/Speaker Nabih Berri on Saturday reiterated the need for expediting approval of the country’s state budget, taking into consideration Lebanon’s “unenviable economic situation,” al-Joumhouria daily reported. “It is evident that our economic situation is unenviable. I wish they listened to me when I advised them to approve the budget before the cabinet was formed. We would have spared ourselves a lot of problems,” the Speaker told the daily. “I repeat, the budget is a priority, there is no room for more waiting and there is no justification for further government delay,” he added. Regarding the controversial file of electricity, Berri said: “I have sensed some positivism addressing this file. It must be addressed with serious and transparent efforts.”On suggestions to lease more power generating barges in order to cover for power shortage, the Speaker noted: “We have tried to lease barges before and the results were costly and exhausting for the treasury. I don't believe there is a possibility to return,” to that option.

Candidate Registration Closes for Tripoli By-Elections
Naharnet/March 30/19/The candidate registration process for Tripoli’s by-elections closed at midnight on Friday and eight candidates had registered with the Interior Ministry, a statement released by the ministry said. “At midnight on Friday 29/3/2019, candidate registration closed for the parliamentary by-elections to be held on 14/4/2019 in the lower constituency in Tripoli to elect a deputy for the Sunni seat vacated by Constitutional Council Resolution No. 10 on 21 February 2019,” said the statement. Eight candidates had registered with the Interior Ministry to run in the elections: Yehya Kamel Mawloud, Dima Mohammed Rachid Jamali, Samer Tarek Kabbara, Talal Mohammed Ali Kabbara, Omar Khaled al-Sayyed, Hamed Omar Amcha, Mahmoud Ibrahim al-Samadi, Mohammed Mosbah Aouni Ahdab. The deadline to withdraw a candidacy ends on April 3 at midnight it added.

Bassil: Lebanon, Arabs in Accord on Invalidation of U.S. Decision over Ghajar
Naharnet/March 30/19/Following the US decision recognizing the sovereignty of Israel over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil reiterated on Saturday that Lebanon rejects the US decision and “the Arab states agree” with him. “Lebanon proposes and the Arabs agree: reject the US decision over Golan Heights and consider it null and void,” said Bassil in a Tweet, adding that the decision “violates the UN Charter by forcibly taking over the territory of others.” Bassil also said that “Arabs support Syria’s right to restore occupied Golan, and support the “Lebanism” of Shebaa Farms, Kfarshouba Hills and the northern part of the town of Ghajar,” stressing Lebanon’s right to recover it. On Friday and during a visit to Bulgaria, Bassil also stressed that the Israeli-occupied Shebaa Farms and Kfarshouba Hills are “Lebanese land.”

World Bank Official: Lebanon Hasn't Done Enough to Introduce Reforms
Kataeb.org/Saturday 30th March 2019/A World Bank official who visited Lebanon this week said that the country has not done enough to introduce economic reforms amid growing challenges of controlling its public debt, the Finance Ministry said in a statement on Friday. "The reforms enacted so far do not rise to the expected level, and that is what we honestly said to the Lebanese government," the statement quoted World Bank MENA vice president Ferid Belhaj as saying.

Lebanese Forces: Problem is not in electricity plan, but in its hidden content that needs clarification
Sat 30 Mar 2019/NNA - In an issued statement by the Lebanese Forces Party on Saturday, it responded to recent "unjust accusations against the Party of obstructing the electricity plan," affirming that "the problem is not in the plan itself but in the details and ambiguous content that require more clarification." The statement stressed that the LF Party is dealing positively with the electricity plan, especially since most of its observations have been taken into account by the Water and Energy Ministry. It added that the Party's observations are based on ensuring the mechanisms of implementation to avoid any monetary losses in the future. The Party assured that it fully supports a speedy solution to the electricity crisis that has persisted for decades. It added that its approach is based on securing permanent electricity at competitive prices, and within a transparent mechanism that includes conducting tenders and reducing the budget deficit. "The Lebanese Forces Party commends the World Bank's position on electricity sector reforms and calls on officials to take full account of its observations, especially the emphasis on the need to reduce the budget deficit in an urgent and rapid manner," the statement underlined.

Shoukeir represents Hariri at the Lebanese-Chinese Investment Forum
Sat 30 Mar 2019/NNA - Telecommunication Minister, Mohamad Shoukeir, commended Saturday the Lebanese-Chinese bilateral relations, hoping for strengthened economic cooperation between both countries.
"There is no doubt that today there is a favorable environment for progress on this path [Lebanese-Chinese cooperation], which is reinforced by the solid and historical friendship between the two countries and the strength of our economic relations, as China is the first trading partner for Lebanon," he asserted. Shoukeir's words came as he represented Prime Minister, Saad Hariri, at the Lebanese-Chinese Investment Forum organized by the Fransabank Group, the Federation of Lebanese Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, and the Chinese Council for the Promotion of International Trade, which opened this morning at the Adnan Kassar Building for Arab Economy in Beirut. Economy Minister Mansour Bteish, MP Hadi Hobeish and representatives of economic bodies and business executives from Lebanon and China attended the opening session.
"Our forum today falls within this context, especially that it includes the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Chinese Council and the Federation of Lebanese Chambers for the establishment of the Arab-Chinese Arbitration Center, and another memorandum of understanding between said Council and the Lebanese Ministry of Industry to promote Chinese investments in the country's industrial zones," Shoukeir went on. He deemed that these two components are "key factors in driving the investment process and promoting bilateral economic cooperation."
Shoukeir announced that "Lebanon is preparing to launch a series of major projects for the rehabilitation of its infrastructure within the framework of the Cedar Conference for $11.8 billion....allowing for foreign companies to invest in these vital projects." Accordingly, he encouraged Chinese companies to invest in these projects, assuring them of Lebanon's readiness to provide all the necessary facilities in this regard. For his part, Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon, Wang Kejian, stressed the importance of activating cooperation between China and Lebanon. "The exchange of expertise and cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit and deepening cooperation contribute to supporting economic and social growth in Lebanon," Kejian added. He expressed his country's keenness on strengthening coordination with the Lebanese government in politics and economy, and its readiness to support the efforts exerted by Lebanon and the countries of the region to preserve its sovereignty, security and stability. Kejian added that China supports the exertion of greater efforts to help find solutions to hot issues in the region and contribute to the battle against terrorism.

Syrian lives must not be endangered to score political points
The National/March 30/19
Lebanese president has spoken of returning refugees to Syria without a peace deal
The upcoming Arab League Summit in Tunisia comes at a time when a number of heavy matters are weighing upon the Middle East. Yesterday, the Great March of Return marked its one-year anniversary with more bloodshed on the border of Gaza and Israel, and, in recent days, Israeli shells have rained down on the Palestinian territory in response to a suspected rocket attack. Arab leaders will be expected to unite against President Donald Trump’s recognition of the occupied Golan Heights as Israeli territory. This Syrian land has been under Israeli occupation since it was seized in the 1967 War, in violation of international law and UN resolutions. With protesters demonstrating in Sudan and Algeria, and unresolved conflicts in Libya and Syria, the one-day summit’s agenda is packed with hot-button issues.
However, the Lebanese are hoping that the gathering will shed light on an under-reported crisis. It is estimated that this fragile nation of four million has taken in an additional 1.5 million Syrian refugees, and their unregulated arrival has precipitated a wave of xenophobic sentiment and strained the country’s sluggish economy. President Michel Aoun is expected to urge Arab leaders to back their return to Syria, even in the absence of a peace deal. In defence of this clearly populist position, Mr Aoun has previously cited the case of Lebanon’s 500,000 Palestinian refugees, many of whom still live n decrepit, crumbling camps. They have been awaiting a political solution that will enable them to go back home since 1948.
The UN and the international community have opposed the return of Syrians. Only a week has passed since the fall of ISIS, and Syria remains vulnerable to violence and lacks basic infrastructure. Despite these dangers, some refugees have already made the decision to return. Activists have reported that many were imprisoned in government-controlled areas. Lebanon is obviously unable to manage its refugee population on its own and requires international assistance, but the plight of a displaced people should not be politicised and governmental responses should never put innocent lives at risk.

Latest LCCC English Miscellaneous Reports & News published on March 30-31/2019
Pope arrives in Morocco for two-day trip
Arab News/March 31/19/The spiritual leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics was invited by King Mohammed VI as part of a mission on the "development of interreligious dialogue"
Improving relations with other religions has been a priority for the Argentine pontiff
RABAT: Pope Francis arrived in Morocco on Saturday for a visit which will see him meet Muslim leaders and migrants ahead of a mass with the country's minority Catholic community.
The spiritual leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics was invited by King Mohammed VI as part of a mission on the "development of interreligious dialogue", according to Moroccan authorities.
Improving relations with other religions has been a priority for the Argentine pontiff, whose papacy has been marred by a wave of child sex abuse allegations against clergy.
The pope's plane landed in the capital Rabat shortly before 2 pm (1300 GMT) and he was greeted by the king who is known as the "commander of the faithful" in Morocco, where 99 percent of the population is Muslim.
The Moroccan capital has stepped up security ahead of the first papal visit to the North African country since John Paul II in 1985.
Buildings have been repainted, streets decorated and lawns manicured for the pope's two-day visit.
Francis was to be presented on arrival with dates and almond milk, before stepping into the popemobile and the monarch into a limousine.
They were to drive to a welcome ceremony at the Tour (or tower) Hassan mosque and a mausoleum, attended by 25,000 and beamed onto giant screens, before the king hosts Francis at the royal palace.
Wellwishers began packing the esplanade outside the 12th century incomplete mosque from midday as rain drizzled on them while others, including many Moroccans in traditional costume, lined the roads nearby.
Red carpets covered the ground at the entrance to the esplanade and two armchairs, red as well, were placed on a platform in front of the mosque.
Pope Francis
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Dear Moroccan friends, I am coming as a pilgrim of peace and fraternity. We Christians and Muslims believe in God, the Creator and the Merciful, who created people to live like brothers and sisters, respecting each other in their diversity, and helping one another in their needs.
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Pope Francis and Morocco's King Mohammed VI on Saturday declared Jerusalem the "common patrimony of humanity and especially the followers of the three monotheistic religions," during the pontiff's visit to Rabat.
"The specific multi-religious character, the spiritual dimension and the particular cultural identity of Jerusalem... must be protected and promoted," they said in a joint statement released by the Vatican.
Francis will also visit an institute where around 1,300 students are studying to become imams and preachers, teaching "moderate Islam" and backed by the king.
"It's a very significant event, the first time that a pope is welcomed to an institute for the training of imams," said Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti.
During the visit, Francis is due to hear from two students - one African and one European -as well as a statement by Morocco's Ministry of Islamic Affairs.
A concert drawing inspiration from Islam, Christianity and Judaism is also on the agenda.
Last month Francis visited the United Arab Emirates, where he met with Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the imam of Cairo's Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam's prestigious seat of learning.
The two signed a document on "human fraternity for world peace", which among other things called for "freedom of belief" and "full citizenship" rights for minorities.
Francis will not hesitate to refer to the text, which from now on he will give to all heads of state, Gisotti said.
In Morocco, where Islam is the state religion, authorities are keen to stress the country's "religious tolerance" which allows Christians and Jews to worship freely.
But Moroccans are automatically considered Muslim if they are not born into the Jewish community, apostasy is socially frowned upon, and proselytising is criminalised.
Those who try to "rock the faith of a Muslim or to convert him to another religion" risk a prison term of up to three years.
After years in the shadows, since 2017 the small number of converts have called openly for the right to live "without persecution" and "without discrimination".
Around 30,000 to 35,000 Catholics live in Morocco, many of them from sub-Saharan Africa.
The pope is due to finish his Saturday schedule by meeting migrants at a centre run by Catholic humanitarian organisation Caritas.
The charity runs day centres for migrants who are trying to reach Europe across the Mediterranean, as well as supporting their access to services.
The number of people taking the sea route from Morocco to Spain has increased recently due to the closure of the border with Libya.
In 2017, Caritas centres in Rabat, Casablanca and Tangier welcomed 7,551 new arrivals, according to the charity.
Rabat claims to have a "humanistic" approach to migration and rejects allegations by rights groups of "brutal arrest campaigns" and "forced displacement" to the country's southern border.
Francis has throughout his papacy highlighted the plight of migrants and refugees, calling on Catholics as well as politicians to show solidarity with those in need.
On Sunday, the pope will celebrate mass at a Rabat stadium with an estimated 10,000 people attending.

Gazan Killed as Border Protests Test Calm ahead of Israel Vote
Agence France Presse/March 30/19/A Palestinian was killed by Israeli fire on the Gaza border early Saturday, hours ahead of mass protests that could severely test a fragile calm between the Jewish state and the territory's Islamist rulers Hamas. They mark the first anniversary of the often violent weekly border demonstrations in which around 200 Palestinians and an Israeli soldier have been killed. They also come just 10 days before a keenly contested general election in Israel. Right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a stiff challenge from centrist former military chief Benny Gantz and wants to avoid accusations of being soft on Hamas. Late Friday, Hamas officials said a deal had been reached that would see the protesters refrain from approaching the border fence, in exchange for Israeli concessions. But there was no confirmation from Israel and it was unclear to what extent the group can control the protesterss. While demonstrations have taken place at least weekly since March last year, Hamas has been building up the anniversary protests for several months. The group's leader Ismail Haniya has called for a million people to gather across five protest sites, and mosques in Gaza late Friday used loudspeakers to encourage a mass turnout. The protests peaked in May, when Israeli forces shot dead at least 62 Palestinians in a single day in clashes over the transfer of the US embassy to Israel to the disputed city of Jerusalem.
Shrapnel
Early Saturday, protester Mohammed Saad, 20, died after being hit by shrapnel from Israeli fire, the Gaza health ministry said. Witnesses said he had been taking part in an overnight demonstration. The designated protest sites remained calm early Saturday, with only a few dozen young demonstrators present, overseen by Hamas security officers. "These marches will not end until after the separation fence is removed," protester Ismail Ghoban said. "This is our land, not for anyone else."The demonstrators are calling for Palestinians to be allowed to return to land their families fled in the 1948 war that accompanied the creation of Israel. Israel says any such mass return would spell the end of a Jewish state. Demonstrations are expected to peak on Saturday afternoon, with tens of thousands potentially taking part. Two million Palestinians live in impoverished Gaza, crammed between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean. Analysts highlight the desperate living conditions and lack of freedom of movement as driving forces behind the weekly protests. Israel has maintained a crippling blockade of the enclave for more than a decade, and Egypt often closes Gaza's only other gateway to the outside world. The UN says more than 90 percent of the water is unsafe for drinking and residents receive less than 12 hours of mains electricity a day. While the protests were initially largely peaceful, they have become more violent as Hamas has appeared to exert increasing control. Demonstrators burn tyres, throw rocks and even try to damage the border fence. Small groups have also attached incendiary devices to balloons before floating them over the border in an attempt to set fire to nearby Israeli homes and farmland. Israel says the blockade is necessary to contain Hamas, and the army has increased its presence along the border in recent days. Several thousand troops, including dozens of snipers, are positioned at various locations along the border. Palestinians and human rights organisations accuse Israel of excessive use of force.
Risky game
Hamas and Israel have fought three wars since 2008 and analysts say a fourth remains likely. On Monday, a rocket fired from Gaza struck a house north of the Israeli commercial capital Tel Aviv, wounding seven people. In response, the Israeli military struck dozens of Hamas targets in Gaza until a ceasefire was reached. A security delegation from Egypt, the go-to mediator between Hamas and Israel, has since shuttled between the two sides to head off a new escalation. Hamas officials said Friday that Egypt had brokered an agreement whereby the marches would remain peaceful if Israel agreed to allow more Qatari aid into Gaza and eased its economic blockade. Israeli officials declined to comment. Fears remain that serious violence could provoke Netanyahu into a reaction. Hugh Lovatt, Israel-Palestine analyst at the European Council of Foreign Relations, said Hamas was trying to use the protests to get concessions from Israel. "Hamas seems to think that the runup to Israeli elections, and Netanyahu's desire to maintain calm in Gaza, has given it increased leverage," he said. "But as we have seen with Israel's military buildup along the Gaza border, this could be a risky strategy." The UN humanitarian coordinator for the Palestinian territories, Jamie McGoldrick, spoke of positive signals from all sides and said he was "quietly hopeful" it would remain calm.

The Gaza Scam: Hamas eluded IDF payback by its main assault on Friday night, then showed “restraint” on Saturday
Debka File/March 30/19
While announcing a big anniversary march on Saturday, March 30, Hamas caught Israel by surprise on Friday night, when a 240-firebomb blitz was aimed for five hours at Israel troops by just 200 Hamas terrorist pros. Hamas then proceeded to stage a “restrained” event at the scheduled time on Saturday. Bracing for the worse the next day, the IDF Friday night was satisfied with firing just three tank shells at a Hamas position.
But people living in the vicinity of Gaza reported that on Friday night the earth and the walls of their homes shook as never before under the impact of the ferocious Hamas blitz. Since the main event was still ahead, Israeli officials and commanders were satisfied with a muted response. But the fierce assault the night before enabled Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to strut at the head of 40,000 Palestinians on Saturday and claim victory in the contest. “Israel is now on trial,” he told the cheering masses. “Next year’s March of Return demonstrations will be nothing like this year’s!” he shouted.
Since by Saturday, the main event was relegated to the past and Israel’s reprisal was a non-event, Hamas could claim credit for staging the March of the Million with restraint, its operatives conspicuously scurrying about in the crowd and pushing them back from the Israeli border fence.Although three Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire and scores injured, the terrorists could signal the Egyptian truce brokers that they had behaved reasonably, and it was now up to Israel to make the running. This Hamas scam was the epitome of low, malign cunning. If Israel and the IDF prove willing to swallow the humiliation meted out to their prized Golani and Paratroop units at by Palestinian terrorists without an appropriate response, they should not be surprised to find people starting to believe the lie propagated by Hizballah leader Hassan Nasrallah that the IDF is no longer fit for ground combat and its commanders are afraid to send the troops into battle. Perhaps the last word is still to come. It was announced that the strength the IDF massed over the past week around the Gaza Strip is to remain in place in the coming days.

UK Lawmakers Reject Brexit Deal for Third Time
AFP/Saturday 30th March 2019
British MPs on Friday rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's EU divorce deal for a third time, opening the way for a long delay to Brexit -- or a chaotic "no deal" withdrawal in two weeks. The pound slipped as lawmakers defied May's plea to end the deadlock that has plunged Britain into a deep political crisis, defeating her withdrawal agreement by 344 votes to 286. Britain had been due to leave the EU on Friday, the long-heralded March 29 "Independence Day", but with paralysis in parliament May asked European leaders last week for a little more time. She now faces having to explain what happens next, after EU Council President Donald Tusk immediately called a Brussels summit for April 10. The EU has set a deadline of April 12 for a decision, with two likely options: Britain leaves with no deal at all, or agrees a lengthy extension to allow time for a new approach. The prime minister has said it would be "unacceptable" to ask voters to take part in European Parliament elections in May, three years after they voted in a 2016 referendum to leave the EU. MPs have repeatedly rejected a "no-deal" outcome, fearing catastrophe if Britain severs ties with its closest trading partner with no plan in place. However, this is still the default legal option, and the European Commission said after Friday's vote that this remained the "likely scenario". This was echoed by the French presidency, which said London must "urgently present an alternative plan in the next few days".German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas added: "We are running out of time to prevent a disorderly Brexit."
Election talk
Thousands of flag-waving protesters gathered outside parliament on Friday to accuse MPs of betraying Brexit, holding up signs saying "Give Our kingdom back" and "Free Britain now". Inside, May said she would keep pressing for an "orderly Brexit", but added: "The implications of the house's decision are grave." The prime minister had offered to quit if MPs backed the deal, but while some of her critics fell in behind her, 34 of the 314 MPs in her Conservative party still rebelled. "I fear we are reaching the limits of this process in this house," she said. Her comments sparked speculation she might call an election as the only way to break the impasse, something opposition parties have called for. But her spokesman said she did not believe this would be "in the interests of the country". May's authority lies in tatters after weeks of turmoil, but officials have hinted she might yet try to bring the deal back to MPs for a fourth and final time.Her spokesman noted the numbers against the deal were falling, from a majority of 230 in January, to 149 earlier this month and now 58, adding: "We are at least going in the right direction."
MPs can end this nightmare
The failure by parliament to agree the terms of Brexit has left businesses unable to plan even a few weeks ahead. "We are running out of words to express how sick business leaders are of being stuck in this spirit-sapping limbo," said Edwin Morgan, interim chief of the Institute of Directors. May has blamed MPs, but they say it is her refusal to change course that is blocking any solution. "It is clear that this House does not support the deal... and if the prime minister can't accept that, then she must go," opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said. Tired of waiting, MPs this week gave themselves unprecedented powers to vote on various options for Britain's future relationship with the EU. A proposal for a new customs union got close to passing in a first round, as did a plan for a referendum on May's deal, with more voting planned next Monday and Wednesday. "Only MPs can end this nightmare for businesses," said Josh Hardie, of the CBI business lobby group. The risk that MPs decide to agree closer ties to the EU, or even stop Brexit altogether, persuaded some proponents to reluctantly back May's deal.
They included some of her staunchest critics such as former foreign minister Boris Johnson -- a leading contender to replace her -- and MP Jacob Rees-Mogg. But May's Northern Irish allies, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), still held out, saying planned arrangements to keep open the Irish border after Brexit remained unacceptable. "We are not prepared to see our constitutional position altered by Brussels in a fit of pique for daring to leave the EU," said MP Sammy Wilson, the DUP's Brexit spokesman.

Latest LCCC English analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on March 30-31/2019
Iranians are drowning but it is not the floods that are to blame
Camelia Entekhabifard/Arab News/March 30/19
Despite all the economical hardship reported in Iran due to the implementation of US Sanctions, Nowrouz — the Iranian New Year, which fell on March 21 — promised the prospect at least of a happy national celebration to makes people feel better about the future.
Unfortunately massive floods swept the nation during the holidays. Across the country, in the north and then the center and south, communities were overwhelmed by massive storms and rainfall that killed at least 70 people and caused widespread damage.
After years of drought, suddenly Iran faced heavy rain. But although this was much needed to boost water levels in rivers and reservoirs and help the agricultural industry, it turned to be deadly and destructive.
On Tuesday, a line of vehicles at the Quran Gate entry to the city of Shiraz was washed away by floods. The city of world famous poets Saadi and Hafez, which is considered the most romantic destination for Iranian and international tourists, especially during Nowrouz, became a graveyard for visitors who drowned inside their cars. Nowrouz marked one of the saddest events in the history of the city, and the country.
The forecast for most Iranians remains gloomy and gray without much hope, and when their businesses and offices reopen on April 3 after the holiday no one expects a miracle that will lead to any changes.
Experts quickly began investigating to determine why these storms had proved to be so deadly and destructive. The answer is not difficult to find, given 40 years of mismanagement and failure in the realms of politics, the economy and city services.
The once-famous Persian gardens have been consigned to the pages of history, as none of them were preserved by the Islamic Republic. To make more money, the authorities allowed their own people to cut down trees, destroy green spaces and flatten hilltops to build skyscrapers and shopping malls. These changes to the nature and character of cities without compassion or studying the ramifications have caused much damage.
US President Donald Trump’s sanctions are having an effect on the Iranian economy but, unfortunately, it is mainly on the lives of ordinary people rather than the regime or their associated terrorist groups in the region.
Iranians who have been complaining about the economic hardship they are suffering and the mismanagement of the economy could not believe it when they heard that members of Hezbollah are also complaining of hardship, according to the New York Times reports. Iranians believe these Shiite militias and their regime supporters are complaining simply to make Trump believe that his sanctions are proving effective, as the regime gives priority to the militias ahead of ordinary Iranian citizens.
Ayatollahs can rule the Iranian people with an iron fist and spread the fear of arrest and oppression if anyone complains about hardship or lack of free speech; they cannot do that to Hezbollah or Hashd-Shaabi or supporters of Assad because the regime’s continued existence depends on them, not the people of Iran. The forecast for most Iranians remains gloomy and gray without much hope, and when their businesses and offices reopen on April 3 after the holiday no one expects a miracle that will lead to any changes.
• Camelia Entekhabifard is an Iranian-American journalist, political commentator and author of Camelia: Save Yourself By Telling the Truth (Seven Stories Press, 2008).
Twitter: @CameliaFard

What Arabs need to know about how the US works
Hafed Al-Ghwell/Arab News/March 30/19
There is a widespread, erroneous belief in the Arab world that the White House and the president are the most important political powers in the United States. This perception seems to have dominated Arab governments, leaders, businesses and people for many decades and reflects a deep misunderstanding of US political and economic structures.
It also reflects a projection of the reality of Arab countries on to the US, in the sense of a belief among Arabs that the US is run like their own countries, where the ruler is the ultimate decision maker and, therefore, the only one who matters.
This misunderstanding is what drives all Arab efforts in the US to focus, almost exclusively, on lobbying and courting the White House and the administration. Instead, they should widen their efforts to include Congress, business, the media and non-governmental organizations, among others. These people wield enormous power, often more than the president.
To explain this and demonstrate a better way of making the US understand, and even sympathize more with, Arab interests and concerns, one must at least first understand the reality of the American political, economic and social structures. Given the limited space available here, I will focus on politics, although much the same applies to the economic and social dimensions of the American reality.
The Constitution of the United States, the very backbone of the American system, describes how the national government, the states and local government share power. The purpose of government is to protect the rights of its citizens and, to that end, the Constitution divides the national government into three branches — executive, legislative and judicial. The powers of each branch are limited, which forms a tripartite system of “checks and balances” that grants each branch sufficient power to “check” the others.
In addition, there are 50 states, each with its own constitution and even an army. These states are bound by a political union that gives them the jurisdiction to govern a specific geographic territory and share sovereignty with the federal government. States are further divided into counties that also have delegated governmental authority but no sovereignty.
States function like the federal government in the sense that they also have three coequal branches of government with separate and independent powers — the legislative, executive and judiciary branches.
Arabs need to remember that the US system of government is unlike any other; it depends and survives on the very idea of its citizens being able to lobby their federal, state and local governments.
This multi-layered system provides American citizens with complete access to their government on all levels. It also ensures that they feel represented across all parts of this vast and complex country, where most states command as much power and wealth through a complex tax system as many countries around the world. For example, the total gross domestic product of Wyoming, the smallest US state by population — about 600,000 people — is about $42 billion, the same as that of Jordan. California, the largest state, has a GDP of $3.8 trillion, more than all 22 Arab countries combined.
Delving a little deeper, there are 435 members of the US Congress, each of them representing approximately 711,000 people, and 100 senators, two for each of the 50 states. Each state also has its own elected governor, and its own House of Representatives and Senate which represent the various districts in each state.
So, how to influence the United States?
One of the most effective ways to have real influence with the federal government, both the executive branch (in other words the White House) and Congress, is through direct links with the states and their districts. This can happen by investing in and buying from businesses in each district, especially the small businesses that are responsible for the majority of US jobs. In doing so, any country will gain allies across the US who will feel strongly that they are a major partner and represent a major share of their business. This will make it practically impossible for the government and Congress in Washington to ignore their interests in any US policy formulations. The people in these districts will not allow that to happen and will defend that partner country with their votes and voices.
To understand the real power present in these small districts and how important their jobs and economic interests are to them, I will refer to a conversation I had with one of the elders of the Republican Party, a former congressman, governor, and chief of staff to the president. He told me: “When I was in all of my positions, including the White House, I can assure you that whenever I received a call from a chief executive of one of the major corporations, I would listen and try to help, but never felt pressure to do anything to accommodate them. But when I received 10 calls from 10 small-business owners telling me that this or that country is important to their business, I sure paid attention and made sure to listen to them very carefully.”
Arabs need to remember that the US system of government is unlike any other; it depends and survives on the very idea of its citizens being able to lobby their federal, state and local governments. Without this, the complete legitimacy of the system would collapse. The voice of one small community is far more powerful in Washington than any fancy lobbying firm representing a foreign government or interest.
Hafed Al-Ghwell is a non-resident senior fellow with the Foreign Policy Institute at the John Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. He is also senior adviser at the international economic consultancy Maxwell Stamp and at the geopolitical risk advisory firm Oxford Analytica, a member of the Strategic Advisory Solutions International Group in Washington DC and a former adviser to the board of the World Bank Group.

40 years of peace with Israel - an Egyptian perspective
Mina Nader/Ynetnews/The Media Line/March 30/19
The anniversary of the US-brokered accord stirs complex emotions in the largest country in the Arab world, where some highlight the economic benefits the agreement brought, while others cannot see the deal lasting
CAIRO - Just days before the 40th anniversary of the March 26, 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, Egyptian lawmakers lashed out at Washington for new “assaults on the rights of the Arab world.”
In a statement issued by Egypt’s parliament, legislators slammed US President Donald Trump’s imminent recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights – captured from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War – and the State Department’s u-turn on a five decades of policy of referring to the West Bank as “occupied” territory.
“All tragedies begin in the field of language,” wrote Yousef Al-Qa’id, a renowned Egyptian novelist and Nasserist parliamentarian, in a blog post ahead of the statement’s release.
“The word normalization means…there was an existing relationship that then (changed),” Qa’id said. “So when (Egypt’s then-president Anwar) Sadat decided to speak in the (Knesset in 1979), and the flags of the Zionist enemy were raised in Cairo, all of us were consigned to captivity of a normalizationwith the deadly terrorist, (Israel’s then-prime minister Menachem) Begin, whose hands were stained with the blood of the Palestinians.”
The Egypt-Israeli peace accord included billions of dollars in American economic and security assistance for both countries, and their defense ministries reap benefits from the agreement. Yet the accompanying 1978 “Framework for Peace in the Middle East,” which included stipulations for Palestinian self-rule, remains unfulfilled, thus fueling the rage of Egyptians like Qa’id.
To Alexandria researcher and writer Amin El-Mahdy, the legacy of the 1979 pact is a twisted reality in which neither Egyptians nor Israelis fully believe in its long-term viability. “For 30 years, Egyptians paid the price of war with Israel, and for the last 40 have suffered the cost of a militarized peace,” says Mahdy.
“This all fits the racist orientation of the Israeli right – while in Egypt, merely talking about coexistence and cooperation with the Israeli people or daring to ask for a visa to visit Tel Aviv became a type of social crime that leads to… the risk of assassination.”The researcher/writer sees a of connection between what he claims is the way Israel has prolonged the conflict with its insistence on maintaining control over the Palestinians and that the Egyptian military dominate in matters of civil society. “Begin preferred Israeli settlements to peace but was outflanked by the victorious generals Yigael Yadin and Ezer Weizman, plus the 1,500 (Israeli) army officers who signed a statement calling for peace,” Mahdy said. “On the other hand, while Sadat believed peace was the key to Egypt’s progress, he headed a feudal military regime defeated in battle that viewed negotiations with suspicion. Internally, anti-Semitism and a rejection of peace are still the official policy fed to the Egyptian people,” he said.
Mahdy noted Sadat’s 1981 assassination during a military parade, saying, “thus, the peace process went sideways and the security and economic relations between the two states are purely a military arrangement.”
Abdel al-Fattah el-Sisi, Egypt’s current leader, has another view of the peace agreement. Since assuming power in 2014, he has stated on multiple occasions that resolving the Palestinian issue would eliminate one of the most important factors contributing to Middle East instability and one of the primary justifications for acts of extremism and terrorism. He also said that a Palestinian-Israeli deal would allow for a “warmer peace” between Egypt and the Jewish state. Sisi’s foreign minister, Sameh Shukri, departed this week for talks in Washington as Egypt and the wider Arab world become increasingly anxious about the contours of Trump’s “deal of the century,” an Israeli-Palestinian peace plan expected to be released soon after Israel’s April 9 elections.
“I am waiting like the rest of us to see if it (comprises) political and economic plans… that aim to reach a settlement whereby there can be a Palestinian state along the (1967 borders, which was) accepted by former prime minister (Ehud) Olmert,” Ahmed Aboul Gheit, secretary-general of the Arab League, tells The Media Line.
“If we see a Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel and a package that would generate enough activity and vitality in the Palestinian economy, we’ll (consider) it,” he says. “But if it is limited to only an economic blanket for the Palestinians trying to cover the (absence) of a political settlement…it won’t work.”One “economic blanket” that has kept the peace from evaporating was the establishment of Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZ) by US Congress in 1996. Since taking effect in February 2005, they have allowed products jointly manufactured by Egypt and Israel duty-free entry into the US.
QIZ products make up 46 percent of Egypt’s total exports to the US, and 52% of non-oil exports.
Egypt’s exports from QIZ rose by 17%, to $878 million, in 2018, up from $751 million in 2017, according to Egyptian Trade Ministry sources.
“QIZ is an excellent step toward consolidating the ideas of peace and building coexistence in the region,” says Cairo entrepreneur Ramy Kamil. “Land is allocated to me in the industrial zone in Beni Suef Governorate, and I am hoping to build a factory for ready-made clothes that can directly employ 500 full-time workers and about 600 seasonal employees.”
Kamil notes that this opens up the US market.
“It’s a great gain for Egypt," he says. "Exports within this framework reached nearly $1 billion and provided job opportunities for thousands of Egyptian workers who became more aware that the gains of peace are greater than the gains of wars and conflict.”
Reprinted with permission from The Media Line