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1. Hamas Training Camps in the Judean Desert
by Hana Levi Julian
A complex network of caves embedded in the hills of the Judean Desert have become the latest venue for individualized Hamas terrorist training programs.
Evidence that Hamas terrorists have been training operatives right under the noses of the Palestinian Authority was found by IDF soldiers in a complex network of tunnels and caves during a raid earlier this summer. Etzion Brigade Col. Eran Makov led the raid, which was carried out after military officials received a tip from the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet).
Empty bullet casings and cartridges were found in some of the caves, as well as other bits of evidence of military activity, according to a senior military official quoted in a report published Sunday by The Jerusalem Post.
This is not the first time that terrorist tunnels have been found in Judea and Samaria.
Eleven months ago, IDF soldiers uncovered a 150-meter-long tunnel packed with explosives under the southern Judean city of Hevron. The tunnel had not been completed, and was angled towards Route 35, near Tarkumiya, according to the report.
An entire network of tunnels used by terrorists to launch attacks against IDF soldiers was also discovered in 2007 in the Casbah, the inner part of the open air market in the Samarian city of Shechem.
Both the IDF and the PA have been working to crack down on the Hamas terrorist infrastructure in Judea and Samaria. As a result, it is believed that only a few terrorists were trained together in the Judean Desert at any given time.
Cave embedded into the hillside in the photo above left is not seen from the road only a few yards away, appearing as a simple rock formation. Escape route inside a similar cave is seen in the photo below right. (Israel news photos: Hana Levi Julian)
Much of Judea is honeycombed with caves, many of which provided shelter for Arabs who lived in the region even as recently as a generation ago.
Just below the southern Hevron Hills, in fact, allegedly lie the ruins of most of the village of Iscariot, known in Hebrew as the "Kraiyot" -- an area marked by an entire complex of caves.
Many of the entrances have even been decorated by local Bedouin whose families lived in the caves, with stones taken from the remains of Byzantine churches, the descendant of one Bedouin tribe told Israel National News.
The same caves served in earlier centuries as living quarters for the ancient Jews during the Roman occupation and the Byzantine era.
"It is like the Tora Bora of the West Bank," said a senior Central Command officer. The appellation is a reference to the network of caves allegedly used by Al Qaeda terrorists and Taliban fighters in eastern Afghanistan.
Tour guide Younis Abu Hamad explains how the ancient residents of Judea "decorated" the homes they built from caves hidden in the desert hills. (Israel news photo: Hana Levi Julian)
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by Hana Levi Julian
A complex network of caves embedded in the hills of the Judean Desert have become the latest venue for individualized Hamas terrorist training programs.
Evidence that Hamas terrorists have been training operatives right under the noses of the Palestinian Authority was found by IDF soldiers in a complex network of tunnels and caves during a raid earlier this summer. Etzion Brigade Col. Eran Makov led the raid, which was carried out after military officials received a tip from the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet).
Empty bullet casings and cartridges were found in some of the caves, as well as other bits of evidence of military activity, according to a senior military official quoted in a report published Sunday by The Jerusalem Post.
This is not the first time that terrorist tunnels have been found in Judea and Samaria.
Eleven months ago, IDF soldiers uncovered a 150-meter-long tunnel packed with explosives under the southern Judean city of Hevron. The tunnel had not been completed, and was angled towards Route 35, near Tarkumiya, according to the report.
An entire network of tunnels used by terrorists to launch attacks against IDF soldiers was also discovered in 2007 in the Casbah, the inner part of the open air market in the Samarian city of Shechem.
Both the IDF and the PA have been working to crack down on the Hamas terrorist infrastructure in Judea and Samaria. As a result, it is believed that only a few terrorists were trained together in the Judean Desert at any given time.
Cave embedded into the hillside in the photo above left is not seen from the road only a few yards away, appearing as a simple rock formation. Escape route inside a similar cave is seen in the photo below right. (Israel news photos: Hana Levi Julian)
Much of Judea is honeycombed with caves, many of which provided shelter for Arabs who lived in the region even as recently as a generation ago.
Just below the southern Hevron Hills, in fact, allegedly lie the ruins of most of the village of Iscariot, known in Hebrew as the "Kraiyot" -- an area marked by an entire complex of caves.
Many of the entrances have even been decorated by local Bedouin whose families lived in the caves, with stones taken from the remains of Byzantine churches, the descendant of one Bedouin tribe told Israel National News.
The same caves served in earlier centuries as living quarters for the ancient Jews during the Roman occupation and the Byzantine era.
"It is like the Tora Bora of the West Bank," said a senior Central Command officer. The appellation is a reference to the network of caves allegedly used by Al Qaeda terrorists and Taliban fighters in eastern Afghanistan.
Tour guide Younis Abu Hamad explains how the ancient residents of Judea "decorated" the homes they built from caves hidden in the desert hills. (Israel news photo: Hana Levi Julian)
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2. New American Poll: Support Israel, Blame Hamas
by Zalman Nelson
A majority of Americans support Israel and blame Hamas and the Palestinian Authority (PA) for the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, according to a new poll commissioned by The Israel Project.
Americans blame the PA for the current conflict in Gaza (56 percent to 18 percent) and “Hamas leaders who control Gaza” for the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza (66 percent to 17 percent), the Public Opinion Strategies and Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research poll of registered voters revealed.
Nearly half of Americans say they have seen, read or heard “a lot” about the military conflict in Gaza Strip, and sided with Israel’s anti-terror efforts over the PA by a 57 percent to 8 percent margin. The figures are virtually unchanged from pre-Gaza War polling in November 2008 (57 percent to 6 percent).
“Americans accept Israel’s justification for acting in Gaza because they accept Israel’s stated obligation to defend the safety of its citizens and the understanding that no country would allow rockets to fall on its citizens without taking action,” said Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research Dr. Stanley Greenberg.
Polled voters said they believe the Israeli-PA conflict is about ideology and religion (73 percent), and peace can only be achieved by acknowledging each other’s right to exist. Only 19 percent said they thought the conflict is really about land.
Americans also faired well when polled on their knowledge. Close to two-thirds of Americans knew that Israel withdrew all its troops and settlers from Gaza three years ago and that PA and Hamas terrorists have been regularly shooting rockets into Israel for years. A full 46 percent of Americans correctly identify Iran as a main supporter of Hamas’ terror activities.
Middle East peace can be achieved by getting the PA to stop shooting rockets into Israel (91 percent), getting the PA to stop teaching hate (90 percent), stopping Iran from arming, funding and training terrorists (87 percent), and getting Iran to stop its nuclear program (76 percent), said responders. In addition, stopping military incursions into Gaza (53 percent), opening all Gaza borders to the free flow of goods and services (55 percent), or stopping settlement expansion and giving up land to the PA (54 percent) are not necessary for achieving peace.
Despite tremendous domestic issues, nearly two-thirds of Americans believe their country must still work hard to bring peace to the Middle East and stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons (80 percent).
"Even in this time of war, while Americans are being confronted with difficult images and reports from Gaza, they remain supportive of Israel and concerned about the threat of Iran," said Neil Newhouse of Public Opinion Strategies.
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by Zalman Nelson
A majority of Americans support Israel and blame Hamas and the Palestinian Authority (PA) for the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, according to a new poll commissioned by The Israel Project.
Americans blame the PA for the current conflict in Gaza (56 percent to 18 percent) and “Hamas leaders who control Gaza” for the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza (66 percent to 17 percent), the Public Opinion Strategies and Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research poll of registered voters revealed.
Nearly half of Americans say they have seen, read or heard “a lot” about the military conflict in Gaza Strip, and sided with Israel’s anti-terror efforts over the PA by a 57 percent to 8 percent margin. The figures are virtually unchanged from pre-Gaza War polling in November 2008 (57 percent to 6 percent).
“Americans accept Israel’s justification for acting in Gaza because they accept Israel’s stated obligation to defend the safety of its citizens and the understanding that no country would allow rockets to fall on its citizens without taking action,” said Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research Dr. Stanley Greenberg.
Polled voters said they believe the Israeli-PA conflict is about ideology and religion (73 percent), and peace can only be achieved by acknowledging each other’s right to exist. Only 19 percent said they thought the conflict is really about land.
Americans also faired well when polled on their knowledge. Close to two-thirds of Americans knew that Israel withdrew all its troops and settlers from Gaza three years ago and that PA and Hamas terrorists have been regularly shooting rockets into Israel for years. A full 46 percent of Americans correctly identify Iran as a main supporter of Hamas’ terror activities.
Middle East peace can be achieved by getting the PA to stop shooting rockets into Israel (91 percent), getting the PA to stop teaching hate (90 percent), stopping Iran from arming, funding and training terrorists (87 percent), and getting Iran to stop its nuclear program (76 percent), said responders. In addition, stopping military incursions into Gaza (53 percent), opening all Gaza borders to the free flow of goods and services (55 percent), or stopping settlement expansion and giving up land to the PA (54 percent) are not necessary for achieving peace.
Despite tremendous domestic issues, nearly two-thirds of Americans believe their country must still work hard to bring peace to the Middle East and stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons (80 percent).
"Even in this time of war, while Americans are being confronted with difficult images and reports from Gaza, they remain supportive of Israel and concerned about the threat of Iran," said Neil Newhouse of Public Opinion Strategies.
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3. New Iranian Defense Minister is Suspected Terrorist, Gloats
by Hillel Fendel
“My appointment nullifies the Zionists’ wave of propaganda and psychological warfare,” gloats suspected terrorist mastermind Ahmad Vahidi, Iran’s new Defense Minister. The choice of Vahidi was overwhelmingly confirmed by Iran’s parliament on Thursday.
Vahidi has long been wanted by Argentina in connection with the horrific bombing of a Buenos Aires Jewish center in July 1994, in which 85 people were killed and more than 300 wounded.
Interpol had a “red notice” for his arrest in wake of the bombing of the Argentine Israeli Mutual Association (AMIA) Jewish Community Center. One step short of an international arrest warrant, it means that the person is wanted by one or more nations and that Interpol seeks to assist in identifying or locating him.
Vahidi said on Sunday that his approval for the post was a sign that the people want stronger Iranian defense and deterrence. "It is also a testimony of the anti-Zionist spirit of the Iranian parliament and Iranian people,” he said, “and a stamp that nullifies the wave of propaganda and psychological war started by the Zionists… Zionist propaganda always creates the opposite reaction in the Iranian government.”
On Thursday, Vahidi said the parliament’s vote was a "decisive slap to Israel."
In a statement two weeks ago, when the suspected terrorist was first nominated to the post, Israel’s Defense Minister Ehud Barak said the appointment "proves yet again the nature of the Iranian regime and its leaders' intentions."
U.S. Objects
The United States reacted negatively to the news, calling it a "step backward.”
"Rather than taking a step forward to engage [the wor,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P.J. Crowley, “Iran today is taking a step backward by putting into a high office a well-known individual suspected of participation in a terrorist act.”
Jewish Leader in Argentina Calls for Stronger Stand
AMIA’s Vice President, José Scaliter, told the Spanish-language Jewish News Agency (AJ) that Argentina and other countries have economic interests that prevent them from speaking out more forcefully against Iran. Calling the appointment of Vahidi an “absolute shame,” Scaliter said it “shows that the Iranian regime doesn’t care about any representation from the rest of the world. They keep playing their game, they keep moving forward on their nuclear program, and they keep supporting terrorism, without caring about anything.” He said that various countries “have commercial interests with Iran that due to their internal pressures cannot be broken… It is serious that the UN doesn’t condemn effectively a member country [Ira that is promoting the disappearance of another member country [Israe.”
Speaking specifically about his own government, Scaliter stressed that the “Argentinean Government maintains a balanced policy. On the one hand, it is aware that it needs to criticize the appointment, but on the other, it still has commercial interests. Relations with [Venezuelan dictator Hu Chavez become closer and Venezuela is the main country in the region that promotes Iran… Argentina wants to please everybody. In this case, such thing cannot be done. This is a serious issue and it has to set its position.”
The Simon Wiesenthal Center urged the United Nations to bar Vahidi from entry to the UN. The Center's dean Rabbi Mavin Hier wrote to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon that the nomination "makes a mockery of all victims of international terrorism, is an offense to Argentine sovereignty and is a scandal for the international community."
Comment on this story
by Hillel Fendel
“My appointment nullifies the Zionists’ wave of propaganda and psychological warfare,” gloats suspected terrorist mastermind Ahmad Vahidi, Iran’s new Defense Minister. The choice of Vahidi was overwhelmingly confirmed by Iran’s parliament on Thursday.
Vahidi has long been wanted by Argentina in connection with the horrific bombing of a Buenos Aires Jewish center in July 1994, in which 85 people were killed and more than 300 wounded.
Interpol had a “red notice” for his arrest in wake of the bombing of the Argentine Israeli Mutual Association (AMIA) Jewish Community Center. One step short of an international arrest warrant, it means that the person is wanted by one or more nations and that Interpol seeks to assist in identifying or locating him.
Vahidi said on Sunday that his approval for the post was a sign that the people want stronger Iranian defense and deterrence. "It is also a testimony of the anti-Zionist spirit of the Iranian parliament and Iranian people,” he said, “and a stamp that nullifies the wave of propaganda and psychological war started by the Zionists… Zionist propaganda always creates the opposite reaction in the Iranian government.”
On Thursday, Vahidi said the parliament’s vote was a "decisive slap to Israel."
In a statement two weeks ago, when the suspected terrorist was first nominated to the post, Israel’s Defense Minister Ehud Barak said the appointment "proves yet again the nature of the Iranian regime and its leaders' intentions."
U.S. Objects
The United States reacted negatively to the news, calling it a "step backward.”
"Rather than taking a step forward to engage [the wor,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P.J. Crowley, “Iran today is taking a step backward by putting into a high office a well-known individual suspected of participation in a terrorist act.”
Jewish Leader in Argentina Calls for Stronger Stand
AMIA’s Vice President, José Scaliter, told the Spanish-language Jewish News Agency (AJ) that Argentina and other countries have economic interests that prevent them from speaking out more forcefully against Iran. Calling the appointment of Vahidi an “absolute shame,” Scaliter said it “shows that the Iranian regime doesn’t care about any representation from the rest of the world. They keep playing their game, they keep moving forward on their nuclear program, and they keep supporting terrorism, without caring about anything.” He said that various countries “have commercial interests with Iran that due to their internal pressures cannot be broken… It is serious that the UN doesn’t condemn effectively a member country [Ira that is promoting the disappearance of another member country [Israe.”
Speaking specifically about his own government, Scaliter stressed that the “Argentinean Government maintains a balanced policy. On the one hand, it is aware that it needs to criticize the appointment, but on the other, it still has commercial interests. Relations with [Venezuelan dictator Hu Chavez become closer and Venezuela is the main country in the region that promotes Iran… Argentina wants to please everybody. In this case, such thing cannot be done. This is a serious issue and it has to set its position.”
The Simon Wiesenthal Center urged the United Nations to bar Vahidi from entry to the UN. The Center's dean Rabbi Mavin Hier wrote to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon that the nomination "makes a mockery of all victims of international terrorism, is an offense to Argentine sovereignty and is a scandal for the international community."
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4. London Mayor Recommends Ramadan Fast for All
by David Lev
I urge people, particularly during Ramadan, to find out more about Islam, increase your understanding and learning, even fast for a day with your Muslim neighbor and break your fast at the local mosque.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has recommended that non-Muslims take the opportunity of the month of Ramadan to fast, along with their Muslim neighbors, in order to promote "understanding between cultures."
Johnson told members of a London mosque that with Muslims so much a part of London life, it would be befitting for non-Muslims to get to know their fellow Londoners' customs and religion better.
"Whether it's in theater, comedy, sports, music or politics, Muslims are challenging the traditional stereotypes and showing that they are, and want to be, a part of the mainstream community," Johnson said. ''That's why I urge people, particularly during Ramadan, to find out more about Islam, increase your understanding and learning, even fast for a day with your Muslim neighbor and break your fast at the local mosque. I would be very surprised if you didn't find that you share more in common than you thought," he said.
'Muslims are at the heart of every aspect of society," he added. "Their contribution is something that all Londoners benefit from. Muslim police officers, doctors, scientists and teachers are an essential part of the fabric of London." There are currently 1.6 million Muslims in Britain, most of whom fast during Ramadan, Muslim community officials told reporters.
Not all Londoners embraced the idea. A local English Democrat leader, Steve Uncles, blasted Johnson's comments, saying that "the indigenous culture of this country is based on Christianity and Paganism. Of course, as an open and tolerant society, if people want to practice other religions, then good luck to them. But the state should not be funding them because otherwise we will lose our culture."
Although perhaps the most original, Johnson's is far from the only effort by Western politicians to honor Ramadan and Muslims. Last week, U.S. President Barack Obama hosted a Ramadan break the fast meal at the White House. "Islam, as we know, is part of America," Obama said during the dinner. "Together we have a responsibility to foster engagement grounded in mutual interest and mutual respect."
A report Saturday said that Egyptian police had arrested 155 people in the southern city of Aswan for not fasting during Ramadan. According to local reports, police have targeted people seen eating or drinking anything during daylight hours. According to one local official, the police campaign is evidence of an increased Muslim fervor among police, while another official said that the local government was trying to appease Islamists, who have increased in popularity in recent months.
There was no word on whether London Mayor Johnson was planning to suggest that Muslims and Christians fast on Yom Kippur in order to better understand their Jewish neighbors.
Comment on this story
by David Lev
I urge people, particularly during Ramadan, to find out more about Islam, increase your understanding and learning, even fast for a day with your Muslim neighbor and break your fast at the local mosque.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has recommended that non-Muslims take the opportunity of the month of Ramadan to fast, along with their Muslim neighbors, in order to promote "understanding between cultures."Johnson told members of a London mosque that with Muslims so much a part of London life, it would be befitting for non-Muslims to get to know their fellow Londoners' customs and religion better.
"Whether it's in theater, comedy, sports, music or politics, Muslims are challenging the traditional stereotypes and showing that they are, and want to be, a part of the mainstream community," Johnson said. ''That's why I urge people, particularly during Ramadan, to find out more about Islam, increase your understanding and learning, even fast for a day with your Muslim neighbor and break your fast at the local mosque. I would be very surprised if you didn't find that you share more in common than you thought," he said.
'Muslims are at the heart of every aspect of society," he added. "Their contribution is something that all Londoners benefit from. Muslim police officers, doctors, scientists and teachers are an essential part of the fabric of London." There are currently 1.6 million Muslims in Britain, most of whom fast during Ramadan, Muslim community officials told reporters.
Not all Londoners embraced the idea. A local English Democrat leader, Steve Uncles, blasted Johnson's comments, saying that "the indigenous culture of this country is based on Christianity and Paganism. Of course, as an open and tolerant society, if people want to practice other religions, then good luck to them. But the state should not be funding them because otherwise we will lose our culture."
Although perhaps the most original, Johnson's is far from the only effort by Western politicians to honor Ramadan and Muslims. Last week, U.S. President Barack Obama hosted a Ramadan break the fast meal at the White House. "Islam, as we know, is part of America," Obama said during the dinner. "Together we have a responsibility to foster engagement grounded in mutual interest and mutual respect."
A report Saturday said that Egyptian police had arrested 155 people in the southern city of Aswan for not fasting during Ramadan. According to local reports, police have targeted people seen eating or drinking anything during daylight hours. According to one local official, the police campaign is evidence of an increased Muslim fervor among police, while another official said that the local government was trying to appease Islamists, who have increased in popularity in recent months.
There was no word on whether London Mayor Johnson was planning to suggest that Muslims and Christians fast on Yom Kippur in order to better understand their Jewish neighbors.
Comment on this story
5. Secret IDF Report: Ron Arad Died in 1995
by Zalman Nelson
Downed Israeli navigator Ron Arad was known to be alive nine years after he crashed in Lebanon in 1986, and apparently died in the mid-1990s while still held in captivity by the Lebanese Shiite terrorist group Amal, according to a secret IDF military intelligence report.
Sources quoted Sunday in the Hebrew-language daily Yediot Acharonot said the report reviewed all available evidence on Arad’s status after his F-4 Phantom was shot down over Lebanon, he was captured by Amal, and then later turned over to Iran. A secret committee established four years ago under former Military Intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Farkash prepared the report and concluded that Arad died from an unknown illness.
Zeevi-Farkas’ committee reviewed the entire sequence of events which transpired following the plane crash and kidnapping on October 16, 1986, including the Israeli Intelligence community's efforts to recover information regarding Arad, and Germany brokered negotiations between Israel and Amal.
In 1988, Israel determined that Arad had disappeared from the home of the Amal officer guarding him. By the mid 1990s, he was believed to have been transferred to Iranian hands and German mediation efforts focused on Tehran. At one point during the 1990s, Iran informed a German mediator that they had no information on the status or whereabouts of Arad and Israel should contact the Lebanon-based Hizbullah terror group.
To read the rest of this compelling story, click here!
Comment on this story
by Zalman Nelson
Downed Israeli navigator Ron Arad was known to be alive nine years after he crashed in Lebanon in 1986, and apparently died in the mid-1990s while still held in captivity by the Lebanese Shiite terrorist group Amal, according to a secret IDF military intelligence report.
Sources quoted Sunday in the Hebrew-language daily Yediot Acharonot said the report reviewed all available evidence on Arad’s status after his F-4 Phantom was shot down over Lebanon, he was captured by Amal, and then later turned over to Iran. A secret committee established four years ago under former Military Intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Farkash prepared the report and concluded that Arad died from an unknown illness.
Zeevi-Farkas’ committee reviewed the entire sequence of events which transpired following the plane crash and kidnapping on October 16, 1986, including the Israeli Intelligence community's efforts to recover information regarding Arad, and Germany brokered negotiations between Israel and Amal.
In 1988, Israel determined that Arad had disappeared from the home of the Amal officer guarding him. By the mid 1990s, he was believed to have been transferred to Iranian hands and German mediation efforts focused on Tehran. At one point during the 1990s, Iran informed a German mediator that they had no information on the status or whereabouts of Arad and Israel should contact the Lebanon-based Hizbullah terror group.
To read the rest of this compelling story, click here!
Comment on this story
6. Hareidi-Religious Join Outpost Struggle
by Maayana Miskin
As Israel's government weighs a proposal that would forbid Jews to build homes in Judea and Samaria, a new group has joined the struggle to continue settling the land. Unlike the many other organizations associated with the battle to build Jewish outposts, the latest group to join the fray is affiliated with the hareidi-religious community.
The organization, Halamish, gained a name for itself on Friday with the construction of a small outpost near the hareidi-religious city of Modiin Illit (Kiryat Sefer). The outpost has been dubbed Givat Sefer, and already includes a beit midrash building for studying Torah.
Men in the beit midrash
Rabbi Yitzchak Brand of Emmanuel visited the outpost and called on others to join in the building efforts. “We call on every person who is able to do so to fight the evil decree, the building freeze in Judea and Samaria,” he said. “They want to force America on us, to make America the ruling power in Judea and Samaria.”
Every structure built in Judea and Samaria is precious, he added. “Each and every house that is built in the land of Israel connects the Jewish people to G-d.”
Halamish – Hareidim for Settlement
Halamish is an acronym for the Hebrew words “Hareidim l'maan mityashvei Yosh” -- hareidim for Judea and Samaria settlers. Members of the group said their new outpost was built in response to rumors of an imminent construction freeze in the region, and to the government's refusal to approve construction within Modiin Illit.
The group has not limited its activities to building, and is also active in petitioning hareidi-religious MKs. “Is this why we elected you – so that we could live in neglected warehouses and dank cellars?” the organization asked MKs.
Many young couples in the rapidly growing hareidi-religious community have been unable to find a place to live due to the increasing housing shortage, and some have resorted to living in one-room “apartments” originally built as storerooms.
In addition, Halamish is involved in raising awareness of the construction freeze within the hareidi-religious community. “The heavens themselves cry out against the ongoing building freeze in our holy land. Hareidi MKs, wake up!” says a sign posted throughout nearby neighborhoods.
Comment on this story
by Maayana Miskin
As Israel's government weighs a proposal that would forbid Jews to build homes in Judea and Samaria, a new group has joined the struggle to continue settling the land. Unlike the many other organizations associated with the battle to build Jewish outposts, the latest group to join the fray is affiliated with the hareidi-religious community.
The organization, Halamish, gained a name for itself on Friday with the construction of a small outpost near the hareidi-religious city of Modiin Illit (Kiryat Sefer). The outpost has been dubbed Givat Sefer, and already includes a beit midrash building for studying Torah.
Men in the beit midrash
Rabbi Yitzchak Brand of Emmanuel visited the outpost and called on others to join in the building efforts. “We call on every person who is able to do so to fight the evil decree, the building freeze in Judea and Samaria,” he said. “They want to force America on us, to make America the ruling power in Judea and Samaria.”
Every structure built in Judea and Samaria is precious, he added. “Each and every house that is built in the land of Israel connects the Jewish people to G-d.”
Halamish – Hareidim for Settlement
Halamish is an acronym for the Hebrew words “Hareidim l'maan mityashvei Yosh” -- hareidim for Judea and Samaria settlers. Members of the group said their new outpost was built in response to rumors of an imminent construction freeze in the region, and to the government's refusal to approve construction within Modiin Illit.
The group has not limited its activities to building, and is also active in petitioning hareidi-religious MKs. “Is this why we elected you – so that we could live in neglected warehouses and dank cellars?” the organization asked MKs.
Many young couples in the rapidly growing hareidi-religious community have been unable to find a place to live due to the increasing housing shortage, and some have resorted to living in one-room “apartments” originally built as storerooms.
In addition, Halamish is involved in raising awareness of the construction freeze within the hareidi-religious community. “The heavens themselves cry out against the ongoing building freeze in our holy land. Hareidi MKs, wake up!” says a sign posted throughout nearby neighborhoods.
Comment on this story
7. IDF Chief Counsel: International Law is 'Sacred'
by Gil Ronen
The IDF's Chief Counsel, Brig.-Gen. Avichai Mandelblit, said in a weekend lecture that the IDF is utterly committed to international law in all of its actions and defended the decision not to bomb the hospital where Hamas's heads were hiding during the IDF's operation in Gaza in January.
Speaking at a Jerusalem seminar titled “Fighting and Winning within the Framework of the Law,” Mandelblit said that the IDF would never put aside the laws laid down by international law, adding that “all of the commanders hold it sacred.”
"The IDF's clear position – and I have already worked with three chiefs of staff – is that we must always act within the [internationa laws,” the kippah-wearing attorney said. He was quoted on the IDF's website.
'Morals and principle'
"We have a decision based on values, morals and principle to fight in the way laid down by the law,” Mandelblit said. He explained that the International Law Department in the Military Prosecution was growing all the time, because of the growing international awareness regarding international law. He added that following the Second Lebanon War, the IDF decided to “deepen” the presence of legal advisers in the army, and that nowadays every division has its own legal adviser, whose main job is to determine the legality of the targets of the division's fire.
One such proposed target which would have been illegal “beyond any doubt” despite its “decisive operational importance” according to Mandelblit was the Shifa hospital in Gaza, where Hamas's top leadership was hiding during Operation Cast Lead in December 2008 and early 2009.
"If we had bombed Shifa because Hamas's heads were hiding there, then we would have killed about 500 civilians, and that is completely disproportional,” he stated.
Comment on this story
by Gil Ronen
The IDF's Chief Counsel, Brig.-Gen. Avichai Mandelblit, said in a weekend lecture that the IDF is utterly committed to international law in all of its actions and defended the decision not to bomb the hospital where Hamas's heads were hiding during the IDF's operation in Gaza in January.
Speaking at a Jerusalem seminar titled “Fighting and Winning within the Framework of the Law,” Mandelblit said that the IDF would never put aside the laws laid down by international law, adding that “all of the commanders hold it sacred.”
"The IDF's clear position – and I have already worked with three chiefs of staff – is that we must always act within the [internationa laws,” the kippah-wearing attorney said. He was quoted on the IDF's website.
'Morals and principle'
"We have a decision based on values, morals and principle to fight in the way laid down by the law,” Mandelblit said. He explained that the International Law Department in the Military Prosecution was growing all the time, because of the growing international awareness regarding international law. He added that following the Second Lebanon War, the IDF decided to “deepen” the presence of legal advisers in the army, and that nowadays every division has its own legal adviser, whose main job is to determine the legality of the targets of the division's fire.
One such proposed target which would have been illegal “beyond any doubt” despite its “decisive operational importance” according to Mandelblit was the Shifa hospital in Gaza, where Hamas's top leadership was hiding during Operation Cast Lead in December 2008 and early 2009.
"If we had bombed Shifa because Hamas's heads were hiding there, then we would have killed about 500 civilians, and that is completely disproportional,” he stated.
Comment on this story
