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1. US Congress Approves Iron Dome Spending
by Maayana Miskin
The United States Congress voted Thursday to approve $205 million in aid to Israel for the Iron Dome missile defense system. The funding passed by a vote of 410 to 4, with eight abstentions.
“With nearly every square inch of Israel at risk from rocket and missile attacks, we must ensure that our most important ally in the region has the tools to defend itself,” said House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman.
Iron Dome “could help save the lives of innocent Israelis who every day live in fear of rocket attacks on their homes, schools, and marketplaces,” said Florida congressman Ted Deutch. Deutch commended the Obama administration for offering the assistance.
US President Barack Obama announced his intention to provide the funding last week. The measure will now go before the Senate.
The Iron Dome is designed to stop short-range rockets, such as those used by terrorists in Gaza and southern Lebanon. However, experts say it cannot stop rockets from a distance of less than five kilometers, making it ineffective in protecting towns directly adjacent to the border.
The funding is a political coup for Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who touted the Iron Dome system during a visit to the US in April.
2. US Predicted to Enter Lebanon if Iran Gets Nukes
by Gil Ronen
An experts' simulation of a scenario in which Iran obtains nuclear weapons predicted that the United States would wind up entering Lebanon. The simulation was held at the Lauder School of Government in the Herzliya Interdisciplinary Center earlier this week.
The scenario was played out by former diplomats, military men and academicians, each of whom represented a top decision maker in the countries involved. U.S. President Barack Obama was played by Dan Kurtzer, the former U.S. ambassador to Israel. Israel's Prime Minister was played by former Ambassador to Washington Zalman Shoval, and the 'Defense Minister was Maj.-Gen. (res.) Eitan Ben-Eliyahu.
The simulation began with an opening scenario that was presented to the participants and to which they were asked to respond. The second round of the simulation was based upon the results of the previous round's interaction between the participants, as well as an additional imaginary event. All together, four different complex scenarios were played out.
The simulation's 40 participants played 20 countries and international bodies. The simulations showed the world reacting in a relatively moderate way to Iran's crossing the nuclear threshold. The U.S. would assemble a multinational force, it was predicted, and enter Lebanon.
In charge of the simulation was Prof. Alex Mintz, who said in the concluding session that “the main goal of the game was to examine what would happen if Iran had proven military nuclear capability. The simulation held today was a continuation of the simulation held several months ago at Harvard University, which reached two conclusions: meaningful advances by Iran en route to the nuclear bomb, and true concern of a diplomatic crisis between the US and Israel.”
3. Terror Teddy Bear Teaches Martyrdom
by Maayana Miskin
Hamas continues to educate children to become “martyrs” who die while waging war on Israel. In one of the latest episodes of its children's television show, Pioneers of Tomorrow, the terrorism-loving teddy bear Nassur urges children to sacrifice themselves, and a caller assures them that if they become martyrs, they will go to Paradise.
"Dear children, when we grow up, we will become martyrs, God willing... the pioneers of tomorrow will liberate the Al-Aksa Mosque," Nassur declares.
A caller from Holland then sings a song that begins, “When we get martyred we will go to Paradise... No, don't say we are too small.” The song concludes, “I am willing to sacrifice my blood for my country. Without Palestine our childhood means nothing.”
The episode, first aired in April, was translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).
Nassur's reference to Al-Aksa Mosque reflects recent accusations by Palestinian Authority clerics that Israel is attempting to damage the structure. The mosque, located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, is controlled by the Muslim Wakf; however, some clerics continue to accuse Israel of attempting to seize control of the site for Jewish use.
The character of Nassur is the fourth to co-host Pioneers of Tomorrow. Previous co-hosts, who worked alongside a girl named Saraa, included a Mickey Mouse look-alike named Farfur, a bee named Nahoul, and a rabbit called Assud.
The first three co-hosts were written off the show after starring for several months, and their young fans were informed that the characters had been murdered by Israel. Farfur was shown being beaten to death by Israeli agents, Nahoul was pictured dying of an illness after Israel denied him medical care, and Assud was depicted taking his final breaths after being wounded by an Israeli military offensive.
Fatah TV: All Israel is 'Palestine'
Incitement continues on Palestinian Authority television as well. A children's television show broadcast this week and translated by Palestinian Media Watch teaches that all of Israel is rightfully part of a state called Palestine.
During the show, children are asked to point to places they have visited “on the map of Palestine.” Children point to Israeli cities such as Haifa and Yafo (Jaffa). “So you've visited many different places in Palestine... It's good that we're always visiting new places in our state, Palestine,” the host replies.
4. Israel Plans Concessions, PA Plans Offensive
by Maayana Miskin
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met Thursday with United States envoy George Mitchell to discuss the indirect, US-mediated Israeli-Palestinian Authority talks. Netanyahu pledged to make “confidence-building measures” to the PA.
Analysts said Netanyahu is likely to turn more PA cities over to full Arab control. The PA deployed its armed police force in several cities during negotiations with Ehud Olmert's administration, which preceded Netanyahu's; Netanyahu is expected to suggest additional cities in which Israel will turn over responsibility for fighting terrorism to the PA.
Netanyahu may also agree to release PA Arabs held in Israeli prisons for terror-related offenses. Olmert released hundreds of terrorists in “good-will gestures” to the PA. Netanyahu has released some as well.
The prime minister is expected to tell Mitchell that Israel will give up land in Samaria in order to allow the construction of a highway for PA Arab use in the Ramallah area.
Erekat: Start With What Olmert Offered
PA negotiator Saib Erekat recently indicated that the PA no longer accepts some conditions agreed on during previous negotiations. In the past, talks took place under the assumption that a PA state would have a limited military, and that Israel would maintain its military presence in strategic regions such as the Jordan Valley. However, in a speech in Tel Aviv Erekat said, “There's talk of a limited military, but that doesn't mean a military that is not respected. We won't agree to that. We won't agree to [Israeli] military presence in the Jordan River Valley, or to [Israeli] control at sea.”
The PA wants to begin negotiations with what Olmert offered, Erekat said. He claimed that the previous prime minister offered to give the PA most of Judea and Samaria, and to swap land within pre-1967 Israel for the annexation of Israeli cities in Judea and Samaria. Olmert discussed “everything” regarding Jerusalem, he said.
PA Opens Diplomatic Offensive
As indirect talks continue, the PA has opened a diplomatic offensive against Israel on the international scene. In addition to leading a boycott of Israeli products produced in Judea and Samaria, senior PA officials are hoping to isolate Israel on the world stage.
Nabil Shaath, a senior Fatah official, said Wednesday that the PA must work to isolate Israel so completely that the Jewish state will be expelled from the United Nations. More immediately, Israel must be prevented from strengthening its ties with the European Union, he said.
Shaath, who spoke at a conference in Ramallah that was broadcast to Gaza, said he does not expect negotiations between the PA and Israel to achieve their aim. While talks continue, the PA should send daily messages to the US reporting any failure on Israel's part to follow through with offered concessions, he said.
5. EU Diplomat Quits Delegation Over 'Anti-Israel Propaganda'
by Maayana Miskin
Italian Member of European Parliament Gabriele Albertini, a senior foreign relations official, has stepped out of a delegation to Israel, calling the delegations planned trip an “anti-Israel propaganda mission.”
Albertini shared his views regarding the delegation with EU official Silvio Gonzato via email. The email was leaked to the EU Observer, which published part of Albertini's message this week.
"Out of the 25 deputies who are to take part in the mission, there are fewer colleagues than the fingers on one hand whom you could define as pro-Israeli or even neutral,” Albertini told Gonzato. “Rather than a peace-keeping mission, it looks like an anti-Israel propaganda mission is being prepared!”
The email followed a disagreement between Albertini and his fellow delegates after Israel refused to authorize the group to enter Gaza from Israel. While Albertini believed the delegation should alter its itinerary to allay Israel's concerns, other delegates voted to circumvent Israel's decision by entering Gaza through Egypt, and to show their displeasure by canceling a meeting with Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.
According to Albertini one delegate, German MEP Hans-Gert Poettering, wanted to hold a press conference criticizing Israel before the mission even began. Poettering's idea earned applause from his fellow delegates, he added.
Israel turned down the delegates' request to enter Gaza due to concern that diplomatic missions to Gaza give moral support to Hamas. Israeli officials also noted that the EU delegation planned to “concentrate its program around interlocutors representing the views of only one side of the conflict.”
6. Tale of Terror: Father Tells How He Saved His Family
by Yehudah Yifrach, Amona
Were it not for the miracle that befell us, this column would never have been written. Statistically speaking, the space it takes up on the web page is probably congruent to the space that would have been taken up to a routine factual description of the shooting attack, including the predictable political reactions and some two-sentence eulogies.
The content of the report can also be imagined. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton denounced the grisly terror attack in which six members of a family from Amona were murdered, and called on the sides to cease violence and return to the negotiating table.
The Israeli team in the proximity talks froze all contacts for 48 hours in protest of the attack. President Shimon Peres said we must talk peace as if there were no terror and fight terror as if there were no peace. And so on and so forth.
But the Hand of the Almighty guided matters in a different direction, and so I can sit here and write the following lines.
This is what happened: we were on our way for a Shabbat at the pre-military academy in Neveh Tzuf. After taking the turn at the “British Police Junction” I began thinking, for no apparent reason, about some of the well-known shooting attacks that took place on the roads, and about families that were wiped out by terrorists. I remembered the Tzur family (ambushed by terrorists who murdered two of them, a mother and her son, near Beit El, in 1996), the Hatuel family (ambushed by terrorists who murdered five, a mother and four daughters, near Gush Katif, in 2004), the Schijveschuurder family (five of whom were killed in the Jerusalem Sbarro restaurant suicide bombing in 2001), not without asking myself why these negative thoughts were appearing just now...
About two kilometers west of the junction we reached a curve where one must slow down. Suddenly I heard shots from very close range. I shouted to my wife: 'they are shooting at us, get down!' and I slammed down the gas pedal in order to get out of the kill zone. But then I saw that the engine's power had died and that it simply was not responding. I shifted to lower gear and pumped the gas pedal but the engine was dead. The first bullet had cut the radiator pipe, penetrated through the manifold into the engine, exited with a bang through the oil sump and hit the asphalt below. In one second, the oil spilled out of the engine and it died.
A terrible feeling of helplessness. We are inside a tin box that is slowly rolling along. The terrorists continue to fire at us in a controlled fashion, one bullet every two or three seconds. With me in the car, which has turned into a death trap, are my wife and four agitated children who could get hit at any second. A true lose-lose situation: I can't stop the car and charge the terrorists with my gun because then the full car remains exposed like a duck in a shooting range. I can't escape because the motor is gone.
I figured that the shooting was coming from the mountain's extension south of the road and so I turned hard to the opposite lane in order to reach the slope and get out of the Palestinians' range. When the car stopped I got out quickly, took out the kids and threw them into the bushes on the mountainside. The little one started shouting “mommy” and ran to the center of the road with me following her, lifting her up and simply throwing her to her sister. Only then did I cock the handgun and start looking for the terrorists. I surmised that they would be drawing near in order to confirm the kills and so I began advancing in their direction so as to prevent them from reaching the family. I was trying to plan how to conduct an effective battle with ten bullets in a small Glock 26.
When I failed to identify the terrorists I decided to stop the first car that passed, get the family into it and get them out of the fire zone as fast as possible. Two Palestinian cars that I tried to stop simply stepped on the gas and got away, nearly running me over. They were immediately followed, by chance, by an IDF security coordinator from one of the communities, who helped me get the family out of danger. Then a Border Police patrol came, blocked the road and began combing the area. As far as we were concerned, the event had ended.
It was a true open miracle. I look at the topography and the distances and I simply cannot fathom how they missed. They were standing on the road in front of a seven-seat vehicle that rolled along slowly, fired bullets in single shot mode, in a controlled fashion, one after the other – but missed all of them, except for the first bullet that hit the engine.
Personally, this is not an easy experience. Although I had already come under fire during my military service, this is the kind of thing one just can't get used to. Rabbi Nachman from Breslov once described the next world thus: “Just as I am in this room now, and then I leave this room and go to the next room and close the door after me.” Some of this frightening banality becomes tangible when you look the angel of death in the whites of his eyes.
These moments in which I am sitting in front of the keyboard could easily have been a time of funerals and heart-rending eulogies, G-d forbid. Over Ayelet, who is completing a coaching course and has begun writing her new book; the gifted Maayan who writes the family newspaper every week; Atara who finally learned to ride a bicycle without training wheels; Renana who loves to sing and little Malachi, who started walking on his own this week.
When I look back at Friday I also think to myself how banal the final day of life can be. Which reminds me how short and precious life is, and how important it is to live them to the fullest and in the most meaningful way, to be present and not to waste energies on grand passions and illusions and vanity.
But beyond the personal story there is 'the big story.' We usually live the personal story. We are busy with work and career, family, life's pressing demands. News and politics fly over our heads, they do not really bother us or interest us. But in the background there is always the big story – the story of the Jewish nation that returned to its land and established national independence after 2,000 years of diaspora, and the enemies still want to destroy it, as they do in every generation. There are moments in life when the big story invades the small story. These are moments of concentrated, distilled time, of a collective content that takes over the screen and demands attention. We cannot really escape from it because it is part of our life, our experience, our narrative.
And the big story reminds us of the painful truth that we strive so hard to deny: the Palestinians' culture of jihad, blood and death sucks its strength from our feebleness. The statistics clearly show that whenever 'peace' talks began, the curve of Jewish death and bereavement rose steeply. Identification, understanding and empathy – perceived as manifestations of enlightenment in Western culture – are seen by Muslim culture as proof of weakness and flaccidity, and invite another violent outburst. And thus did Oslo beget the Intifada, and so did the retreat from Lebanon and the Disengagement lead to the Second Lebanon War and and to the flareup in Gaza, and so, tragically, is the government of Israel now preparing the next explosion.
This is not easy to say, but my family and I were almost murdered because Binyamin Netanyahu is sending teams to the 'proximity talks.' The writing has been on the wall for a long time, in large red letters, but we would rather bury our heads in the sand of sweet illusions. We want to immerse ourselves in a fantasy of a new Middle East in which the wolves and the lambs play backgammon together and dip pitas in a common plate of hummous. But reality bites and brings us back down to its hard ground, to the coldness of details and the precision of facts. And the truth is simple: we live in a bad neighborhood, surrounded by real enemies. And if we do not wake up and make our stand we will not be able to survive here.
Translated by Gil Ronen
7. Film: IDF - Most Humane Army in the World
by Hillel Fendel
A Soldier's Story, released by American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), shows why the IDF is known as the world's most humane army.
The movie shows Maj. Ro'i Levy of the Golani Brigade discussing a dilemma he faced during Operation Cast Lead - similar to dilemmas faced countless times by other IDF soldiers and officers.
"I saw a group of perhaps 200 Arab girls [in Gaza], and behind them I saw three terrorists placing a Kassam rocket into a launcher, ready for launching at Israel. The only weapon with which I could respond was a machine gun - which is not accurate."
The narrator then places the burning question in bold relief: "Should Maj. Levy have ordered his soldiers to fire their machine guns, and risk killing Palestinian children - or hold their fire and allow terrorists to fire Kassam rockets at Sderot, possibly killing Israeli children?"
The end of the story, Maj. Levy, is that he "did not pull the trigger - and the terrorists in fact launched a Kassam rocket."
"Did I do the right thing?" he asks - and the question is left hanging, on the stark backdrop of the common practice of Israel's enemy of taking shelter behind children.
An IDF pilot tells another aspect of Israel's humanity-in-war: "When I have sighted a target, I have to inform headquarters a minute before I am ready to shoot, and then again 30 seconds before, and then again ten seconds before - just in case a civilian has entered the picture in the interval. It has happened many times that with ten seconds to go, I am ordered not to fire..."
The pilot similarly said that even when he is being shot at, he is not permitted to return fire "unless it is verified where the bullets are coming from at me. How can I know that he's not shooting from within a kindergarten?" Hamas has no such qualms, aiming rockets indiscriminately at residential areas, schools and kindergardens, which, for example, have killed a college student when a rocket hit the Sapir campus and a young girl returning from her youth group meeting.
