Pro-Israel

The left-wing in American politics must be chewing on their arms. Through much of this year, they mounted pro-Hamas rallies. They went to Kamala Harris’ events to heckle her. They somehow must have thought that if the Democrats lose, Israel will be isolated.

They were so wrong. The Nov. 5 elections did not only deliver the popular vote, both houses of the US Congress and, of course, the presidency to the Republican right wing. The incoming administration will be the most hardline ever on the matter of Israel.

One senior American legislator quipped that the emerging new Trump Cabinet is more pro-Israel than the Israeli Cabinet. That is so true.

All the first-wave Trump appointees to key defense and intelligence posts are hardcore pro-Israel ideologues. 

Pete Hegseth, the incoming secretary of Defense, emerging from the Christian Right, often spoke of Israel in biblical terms. He views Israel’s right to self-defense as absolute and described the two-state formula as a delusion. The former soldier and Fox television host even produced a documentary about Israel’s wars.

Incoming secretary of State Marco Rubio has been vocal in his condemnation of Iran and its proxy militias. After his nomination was announced, he declared that every element of Hamas should be destroyed.

The designated US ambassador to Jerusalem, Mike Huckabee, is a long standing friend of Israel. He declared that there is no such thing as “Palestinians.” His position on the matter is clear: “There is no such thing as a West Bank. It’s Judea and Samaria. There is no such thing as a settlement. They’re communities, neighborhoods, cities. There is no such thing as an occupation.”

Named Trump’s National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration’s preference for reining in Tel Aviv in the Gaza and Lebanon wars. For him, “to stop Iran from having nuclear weapons, we need a very clear use and threat of military force.”

The incoming US ambassador to the UN, Elise Stefanik, has long been a staunch defender of Israel. As a member of the US Congress, she harshly interrogated presidents of the elite universities about antisemitic activities in the campuses. She posts daily about the hostages held by Hamas.

Tulsi Gabbard has been nominated director of National Intelligence. She left the Democratic Party last year, saying sections of the party supported Hamas and other jihadist groups.

Then there is Trump himself. A month ago, he publicly urged Netanyahu to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities as Tel Aviv prepared its counterstrike. Now he has assembled a team of senior officials who will echo that view.

Netanyahu’s policy will be given free rein.

Breached

Why would anyone hack the database of a government printing unit?

There have been recurrent reports, including from our Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), that the database of the APO Production Unit Inc. has been hacked. The original printing facility was funded decades ago by the Asian Productivity Organization, explaining its name. It now does security printing jobs for government – including tax stamps for the BIR and passports for the DFA.

The APO Production Unit is under the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), now headed by Cesar Chavez. Most of the senior officers and board members, however, were installed when the PCO was headed by Cheloy Garafil. Aileen Manalo serves as chairperson and Gil Carlos Puyat serves as president of the government corporation.

Neither the PCO nor the officers of APO have come out to assure the public about the reported breach of its database. Secretary Chavez ought to look into the matter. While at it, he might want to inquire into how this agency is being run.

Since the APO printing plant has been relocated to the LIMA Technology Center in Batangas, it has operated quietly, often unseen by the officials charged with supervising its operations.

Years ago, APO attracted some controversy when it entered into a joint venture with a private company. The joint venture was justified as a way for the government printer to acquire new technology to enable it to meet government’s security printing needs.

The partnership gave the joint venture partner 90 percent of the corporation, leaving government with only 10 percent. The ownership structure reflects in the share of profits even as APO enjoys near-monopoly over government security printing needs.   

With government as its only client, the APO printing facility should be a simple business to run. Lately, however, APO has been on a shopping spree of sorts, resulting in its executives and trustees traveling all over to close deals.

With the printing unit now in the public eye because of the reported computer breach, concerned employees are trying to call attention to what they describe as highly questionable purchases.

One dubious purchase involves two Norde HP Digital Machines worth P270 million. The machines are supposed to be used to print tax stamps. It turns out that even at that fantastic price, APO is acquiring merely refurbished pieces of equipment. APO also needs to get approval from the BIR before they could use these machines.

Even as APO procured the Norde HP machines, the unit also purchased about P50 million worth of C15 paper. This particular type of paper will be useless if the new machines are to be used.

There are other complaints raised by employees of the printing unit. Sec. Chavez should take a closer look.