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| Tuesday, Sep 29 '09, Tishrei 11, 5770 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
1. Iran Tests Advanced Missiles, Threatens Israel by Maayana Miskin  Iran fired some of its most powerful missiles on Monday as the Revolutionary Guard concluded two days of war games. Among the missiles tested, according to Iranian state media, were the Shahab-3 and Sajjil. Both missiles have a range of more than 1,000 miles, and are capable of hitting Israel, Europe, and United States military bases. On Sunday, the Revolutionary Guard fired a number of short-range missiles. Military leaders said they had also tested a multiple missile launcher for the first time, and had successfully fired two missiles at once. The announcement of the two-day war games, which began Sunday, was made at the same time as Iranian leaders admitted the existence of a covert uranium enrichment site. “Allah willing, this plant will be put into operation soon, and will blind the eyes of the enemies,” the Supreme Leader's Office said in an official announcement. Iranian officials said the exercises were unconnected to the discovery of the site, and had been planned for some time. Government-run media quoted military leaders as saying the exercises would serve as a message for “arrogant countries which intend to intimidate.” On Monday, Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi appeared on state television to threaten Israel with destruction in case of an Israeli strike on Iran. “If this [stri happens... its ultimate result would be that it expedites the Zionist regime's last breath,” he said. Vahidi claimed that Israel is “on a slope of destruction,” and that its “lifespan is today coming to an end,” whether or not it attempts to strike Iranian nuclear sites. Russia Worried Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday that his country was worried about Iran conducting test launches of missiles. Earlier in the day, Iran successfully test launched upgraded missiles capable of reaching Israel. Lavrov was quoted by several Russian news agencies as saying, "Of course it is worrisome, when missile launches happen against the backdrop of unresolved situation concerning Iran's nuclear program." After meeting with his Iranian counterpart at the United Nations in New York, Lavrov said that he urged Tehran to be "maximally cooperative" in its contacts with the International Atomic Energy Agency regarding its previously undisclosed uranium enrichment facility. "It's necessary to show restraint, and we talked about it as well," Lavrov said. Comment on this story 2. High Alert Continues in Jerusalem by Nissan Ratzlav-Katz  Jerusalem police were on heightened alert Tuesday morning following a day of rioting and violence on Yom Kippur. A wave of arrests in the capital is part of the police response. Thirteen Arabs from the predominantly Arab eastern part of Jerusalem were arrested overnight Monday, including a number of minors, in connection with violent disturbances before and during the Yom Kippur holiday. Twenty-two officers were wounded throughout the capital in violence that began on the Temple Mount on Sunday. Muslim rioting in eastern Jerusalem included the throwing of rocks and over 20 firebombs targeting police. Police and Border Guards had to be deployed in Jewish neighborhoods of the capital to ensure that the rioters did not endanger Jewish civilians. Police say more arrests are expected in coming days. Monday was also the anniversary of then-Defense Minister Ariel Sharon's visit in 2000 to the Temple Mount. The visit became a rallying point for the Palestinian Authority terror war... To read the rest of this important story, click here! Comment on this story  3. Holiday Attacks in Gaza, Jerusalem and Hevron by Maayana Miskin  Gaza terrorists fired three rockets at southern Israel over the course of the Yom Kippur holiday. One rocket landed within Gaza, while two others hit open areas in Israel. No injuries or damage were reported in the attacks. On Monday night, the IAF hit a rocket launcher in Gaza. Pilots reported a direct strike on the device, which was loaded and prepared to fire. It is not yet clear if there were casualties in the strike. In central Gaza, terrorists fired an anti-tank missile at an IDF patrol near the Gaza security barrier. The patrol returned fire. Gaza Arabs reported that two people were lightly wounded by IDF fire. The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack. In a separate incident in central Gaza, terrorists attacked IDF troops with gunfire. No injuries were reported among the soldiers. In Jerusalem: Firebombings, Arson Security forces faced attack in Jerusalem as well. In the Isawiya neighborhood in the northern part of the city, Arab rioters attacked Border Police officers. A total of 20 firebombings were reported in the area, as were dozens of rock attacks. Six officers were lightly wounded; one required hospitalization. Isawiya rioters also set fire to trees in the neighborhood. Firefighters managed to extinguish the flames. Police deployed in the nearby Jewish neighborhood of Giva Tzarfatit (French Hill) to ensure that the riots did not spread. Residents of the area reported hearing explosions and yelling from the direction of Isawiya. In the neighborhood of Mei Shiloach (Silwan), outside Jerusalem's Old City, Arabs threw two firebombs at Jewish homes. One firebomb failed to ignite, while the second caused a fire. No injuries were reported in the attack. Tensions were high in Jerusalem going into the Yom Kippur holiday due to Arab riots on the Temple Mount the day before. On Sunday, approximately 150 Muslims attacked a group of non-Muslim tourists who entered the Temple Mount as part of a routine tour. Eighteen police officers and 17 of the attackers were wounded in the subsequent clash. Eleven suspects were arrested. The incident caused rage in much of the Muslim community, and police were on high alert on Sunday and Monday. Rock Attack in Hevron A woman was lightly wounded by rocks thrown at her by Arabs as she walked from Kiryat Arba to the Maarat Hamachpelah Cave of the Patriarchs in Hevron. She was treated at the scene for her wounds. Comment on this story 4. New Goldstone Charge: Israel’s Actions 'Cowardly' by Hillel Fendel  UN investigator Richard Goldstone, who authored a recent report essentially equating the “war crimes” of Israel and Hamas, now says that Israel’s self-investigation has been cowardly. Goldstone spoke on Tuesday at the UN Human Rights Council - “a misnamed institution if there ever was one,” Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told the UN General Assembly last week in an internationally-acclaimed speech. Netanyahu decried the Human Rights Council's lack of response to the thousands of Hamas-fired rockets at Israel over the course of eight years. Goldstone said the international community must end the "culture of impunity" in the Middle East. "The lack of accountability for war crimes and possible war crimes against humanity,” he said, “has reached a crisis point; the ongoing lack of justice is undermining any hope for a successful peace process and reinforcing an environment that fosters violence." He said that Israel had been "pusillanimous" (cowardly) in investigating what he called in his report “war crimes” during its anti-terror offensive earlier this year, and that Hamas had been a "complete failure” in this regard. Goldstone’s report detailed 36 selected incidents during the fighting, and then found that while the terrorists had perpetrated war crimes by firing rockets at Israel, Israel’s response must also be similarly categorized. Israel’s Ambassador to the UN institutions in Geneva, Aharon Leshno-Yaar, said that Goldstone’s choice of specific incidents was “shameful.” He noted that the Goldstone report ignored Israel’s right to self-defense, and provided tactical support to terrorists and their methods. While the PA representative in Geneva praised the report for its “objectivity,” Leshno-Yaar said that Israel investigates its own actions “not because of the report, but despite it.” Comment on this story  5. Immediate Gush Katif Assistance Advised by Hillel Fendel   "... They fear that we in Gush Katif were able to salvage our spirit and values from the rubble, and that the towns will really be re-established and again be strong, contributing and faithful to the State of Israel. Believe me, their fears are well-founded!"  The State Commission of Inquiry on the Government’s Treatment of the Gush Katif evacuees plans to issue an unscheduled interim report – and all indications are that the government will be asked to take some immediate remedial steps to assist the expellees with housing and employment.The Commission was appointed by Supreme Court Chief Justice Dorit Beinisch earlier this year, and is headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Eliyahu Matza. Its interim report is to be released at 3:30 PM; the first copy will go to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. Most of the Commission’s expected criticism is expected to be directed at the previous government, headed by Ehud Olmert. Some 1,800 families living in the 21 communities of Gush Katif in the Gaza Strip, and four more towns in the northern Shomron, were forcibly expelled from their homes in the summer of 2005 by then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s government. The purpose of the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza was to make a "peace gesture," leaving Gaza under full control of the Palestinian Authority. The plan backfired, however, precisely as many had predicted: Hamas wrested violent control of the area from the Fatah-run arm of the PA, Hamas terrorists proceeded to fire thousands of rockets into Israel, and Israel was faulted for "blockading" Gaza. As the rockets increased, Israel finally responded militarily in late 2008, leading to a period of quiet – which appears to be ending these very days, with the resumption of Hamas rocket attacks into Israel. Four Years Later: High Rate of Unemployment and Psychological Problems Meanwhile, most of the expelled families still do not have permanent housing, and 16.2% of them are unemployed, according to a survey carried out by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. A similar survey last year found that 18.8% of the expellees were out of work. Unemployment in the 21 communities of Gush Katif itself, in the years before the Disengagement/expulsion, was close to 0%. Unemployment in Israel in general stands at 7.9%. The survey also found that the average monthly wage among the expellees stands at 5,201 shekels – nearly 38% less than the average Jewish salary in Israel, 8,308 shekels. In addition, half of the former residents receive psychological or psychiatric treatment; 37% say they can’t sleep because of their worries; 31% said they feel pressure; 24% said they have lost self-confidence; and 19% said they feel depression. Five Years With No Permanent Home Expellee Doron Ben-Shlomi says that in his community’s designated new location, in eastern Lachish (between Kiryat Gat and southern Judea), “the tractors started work on the infrastructures only two months ago, and we have heard from the Housing Ministry that that it will take another 6-8 months before we can start building our homes – about five full years after we were thrown out.” Haaretz Columnist: The Expellees are Extorting Us Not surprisingly, as national awareness grows of the injustice done to the thousands of people who were thrown out of their homes, some on the other side of the political spectrum upgrade their attacks on the expellees. Nechemiah Strassler, economic columnist for the Haaretz daily, writes, “The Gush Katif evacuees have succeeded in mocking us yet again… The evacuation of Gush Katif was humanistic, considerate, broad-minded, and generous… They won’t allow the matter to drop off the public agenda. The settlers and the enemies of peace will never allow this sore to heal. They are using the Gush Katif evacuees as a political lever to turn the Disengagement into such a great and expensive trauma that no Prime Minister will ever again be willing to take a chance on doing the same in the West Bank. And if there is no evacuation, there will be no retreat and no peace – and that is, after all, their supreme goal.” One former resident, Reuven Moshe, now living in what he calls the “refugee camp” of Nitzan, responded, “Our demands are simple: Give back what you took; it’s not my problem how much it costs you. I don’t think the State has a right to take a shekel from me and give me back a half-shekel.” Reuven was unemployed for 3.5 years after the expulsion, and recently found work in the Gush Katif Residents Committee. "The Spirit of the Communities Will Live!" Strassler also wrote that it was a mistake for the government to allow the residents to demand that their destroyed community-structures be rebuilt. To this, Anita Tucker, one of the first Jewish residents in Gush Katif and a builder of the town of Netzer Hazani there, said that Strassler and his ilk "fear that the Gush Katif people were able to salvage their spirit and values from the rubble, and that the towns will really be re-established and again be strong and contribute to the State of Israel and be faithful to the State of Israel. Believe me, their fears are well-founded! The compensation that has been given is totally not reasonable and currently does not allow us to build what we had anew - but our Nation of Israel is getting its act together, and it will be done!" Comment on this story 6. Jews Evade IDF, Spend Yom Kippur in Homesh by Maayana Miskin  Jewish activists living in Homesh, in northern Samaria, were joined for the Yom Kippur holiday by rabbis, academics, and activists from central Israel. The unusually large Jewish presence came after two months in which IDF soldiers expelled Jews from the area on several occasions, often on the Sabbath. Those who were present reported that IDF soldiers attempted to expel them from the area on Sunday as the holiday approached. However, activists were prepared for the attempt, and ran and hid. The soldiers eventually left, and Homesh residents and their guests returned to their pre-fast meal. Rabbi Dr. Matanya Ben-Gedalya, one of the worshippers who joined Homesh activists for the holiday, described the prayers as inspiring. “I have not seen such heartfelt prayers in several years,” he told Arutz Sheva's Hebrew news service. “We prayed for the entire Jewish people, and for the state. We prayed that G-d would open our leaders' eyes, and that we would merit to return to Homesh and Sa-Nur this year.” Homesh was demolished in the 2005 “Disengagement,” as were two other Jewish communities as well as Sa-Nur, all in northern Samaria. The group “Homesh First” has led a campaign to resettle the town, and has managed to create a steady Jewish presence at the site for more than two years. Homesh First activist Yossi Dagan expressed hope that in merit of the sacrifice demonstrated by those working to resettle Homesh, Israel would return to northern Samaria and resettle the Jewish towns destroyed in the Disengagement. Comment on this story 7. Tel Dan: Archaeology, Nature and Biblical History by Shalom Pollack  Want to see a sensational archaeological find in the middle of one of the most beautiful places in Israel? Make the trip to Israel’s northeast corner where the Jordan River spills into the always lush Hula Valley, the foot of majestic and sometimes snow-capped Mount Hermon. View of the Hula Valley Ministry of Tourism Tel Dan is a favorite place to take visitors and to marvel at. Why do so many people love this place? Tel Dan gets embraces archaeology, nature, and Biblical history in one sweep. Known as Laish to its original Canaanite inhabitants, the area was conquered by the tribe of Dan (Judges: 18) when they sought a safer place to live in the wake of recurring Philistine attacks in their original tribal portion near Beit Shemesh. The place was perfect, as beautiful and bountiful as it is today. Tel Dan-Israelite Gate Wikimedia Commons When Lot, Abraham’s nephew was captured by the four kings of the north, Abraham led an expedition to free him (Genesis 14:14). The city gates of Dan from Abraham’s time have since been uncovered by archaeologists -- imagine! You can sit in the very gate that Abraham sat. This is more than just where the Bible comes alive. You can also view inscriptions with the words, “House of David, King of Israel.” Apparently this was part of a boast made by Hazael, King of Aram in which he falsely claimed to defeat the Jewish forces that stemmed from the Davidic dynasty. When Yirovam ben Navat broke away from the kingdom of Rechavam, son of Solomon, he took 10 of the12 tribes with him to prevent the kingdom from reuniting. To distract the people from the lawful king and from the symbol of unity -- the Temple in Jerusalem -- he established pagan worship in the form of golden calves (Kings I 1: 28) and erected them at the borders of his kingdom, one in Beit El on the southern border with Judah (Judea) on the way to Jerusalem, and the other at the northern border, Dan. Tel Dan-Canaanite Gate Wikimedia Commons You will be able to see the actual altar of Yiravam ben Navat. It’s as if you’re viewing the actual drama unfold from the Book of Kings. Tel Dan didn’t seem to lose any of its original beauty and vitality during the long exile of the Jewish People and absence from their land. It didn’t become a wasteland under the thumb of brutal conquests and neglect as much of Israel did. The waters of Mount Hermon have not ceased rushing through her streams from time immemorial. The majestic streams have maintained its youthful beauty. Snow-capped Mt. Hermon Ministry of Tourism In 1939, Tel Dan was established, despite the fact that its creation was against British law. The British occupying administration at the time had issued the infamous “White Paper” severely curtailing Jewish immigration to Israel, just as the Jews were fleeing Hitler’s grasp. The British placed a “settlement freeze” on the Jews, one that was ignored by young idealistic pioneers, who resisted the draconian anti-Jewish decrees to establish new Jewish villages throughout the land. During the 1948 War of Independence when Arabs attacked from the Golan, the Dan kibbutz evacuated women and children and stood fast against the Syrians that advanced towards them from Syria’s high vantage point. The Jewish residents lived for 19 years under the shadow of the Syrian guns. In 1967, all that changed. With the Syrians swept from the Golan, Kibbutz Dan could breath easy and enjoy the exquisite beauty of their home. When visiting the nature reserve today, one can enjoy the calming effects of the sounds of rushing water, the chirping of exotic birds and the sights and smells of a collage of ferns, plants and trees. At the crossroads of three continents and sitting on the great Syrian-African rift, Tel Dan hosts a wide variety of species within its 120 acres. Shalom Pollack is a veteran Israel tour guide, who guides and plans tours for families and groups. He also writes and lectures on Israel and will be on a lecture tour in the U.S. in October-November. 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Everyday of Freedom is an Act of Faith for my writings ============> http://robertoscaruffi.blogspot.com for something on religions ===> http://scaruffi1.blogspot.com
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
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