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Monday, Apr 18 '11, Nissan 14, 5771
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1. Itamar: Despite the Trauma, We Must Build Our Land
by Elad Benari and Yoni Kempinski
IsraelNationalNews TVvisited the Samaria community of Itamar on Sunday, shortly after it was announced that the murderers of the Fogel family, who resided in Itamar and were brutally killed just over a month ago, had been caught.
“I’m not surprised [that the murderers were caught],” said Itamar mayor Moshe Goldshmidt. “We have a very strong army that does its job in putting its hand on the terrorists, and obviously we’re very happy about that, but unfortunately we’re very aware of the danger that surrounds our community and surrounds the entire land of Israel today.”
Goldshmidt pointed out that “we’re in a war situation. In a war situation, you catch one terrorist, you catch a couple, but unfortunately there are a lot more out there, and we do expect from the army and the leadership of the country to wake up and do what has to be done in order to prevent such terrible atrocities from occurring again.”
He called on the IDF “to be on the offensive and not be on the defensive all the time.”
As Pesach will be celebrated on Monday night and despite the recent difficulties and the emotions brought out by the capture of the murderers, Goldshmidt called on everyone “to find the inner strength to go on and to build, and not let the terrorists do what they want to do, [which is to] put fear and sorrow in our hearts. The Pesach holiday is a holiday which talks about the Jewish people leaving Egypt and reaching freedom and coming to the land of Israel eventually, and of course that’s our goal: to build our land and to be happy and go on living.”
Comment on this story
by Elad Benari and Yoni Kempinski
IsraelNationalNews TVvisited the Samaria community of Itamar on Sunday, shortly after it was announced that the murderers of the Fogel family, who resided in Itamar and were brutally killed just over a month ago, had been caught.
“I’m not surprised [that the murderers were caught],” said Itamar mayor Moshe Goldshmidt. “We have a very strong army that does its job in putting its hand on the terrorists, and obviously we’re very happy about that, but unfortunately we’re very aware of the danger that surrounds our community and surrounds the entire land of Israel today.”
Goldshmidt pointed out that “we’re in a war situation. In a war situation, you catch one terrorist, you catch a couple, but unfortunately there are a lot more out there, and we do expect from the army and the leadership of the country to wake up and do what has to be done in order to prevent such terrible atrocities from occurring again.”
He called on the IDF “to be on the offensive and not be on the defensive all the time.”
As Pesach will be celebrated on Monday night and despite the recent difficulties and the emotions brought out by the capture of the murderers, Goldshmidt called on everyone “to find the inner strength to go on and to build, and not let the terrorists do what they want to do, [which is to] put fear and sorrow in our hearts. The Pesach holiday is a holiday which talks about the Jewish people leaving Egypt and reaching freedom and coming to the land of Israel eventually, and of course that’s our goal: to build our land and to be happy and go on living.”
Comment on this story
2. PA Demands Release of Terrorist Killers
by Maayana Miskin
The Palestinian Authority called Sunday for the release of all PA Arab prisoners held by Israel, including terrorists and other murderers. PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas announced that he will not make peace with Israel until all prisoners are released.
Abbas' demand came as Israeli forces announced that they had captured two PA Arab men responsible for the murder of five members of the Fogel family in Itamar. He is asking for the release of the men, along with many others convicted of similar crimes.
The face of the PA campaign for prisoner release, Nael Barghouti, is also a murderer. Barghouti has served 33 years of a life sentence for a murder committed in the course of a terrorist attack. He has spent the longest term in prison of any PA Arab, and is referred to as “dean of the Palestinian prisoners” or by the honorific “Abu An-Nur” (lit. “Father of the light”).
PA officials referred to Nael Barghouti as a “political prisoner” during Sunday's events calling for prisoner release.
Events to promote the release of all PA Arabs in Israeli jails were held throughout Judea, Samaria and Gaza. In Jenin, prisoners' families protested outside the local Red Cross building. Mayor Kadoura Moussa expressed hope that “This year will be the year in which all prisoners from the West Bank, Gaza, Al-Quds [Jerusalem], and the 1948 territories [Israel], in all Israeli prison, will be released.”
In Shechem, a rally on behalf of terrorist prisoners was attended by Issa Qaraqe, the PA's “Minister of Prisoners' Affairs.” Qaraqe has frequently praised terrorists in the course of his work for the PA. On Sunday, he said, “Struggle is the story of the Palestinian people.”
Schools under PA rule dedicated one hour on Sunday to teaching students that all PA Arab prisoners should be released from jail. Mosques and churches joined the cause as well, calling to free prisoners in speeches and ringing the bells in a display of solidarity.
In Gaza, Hamas called to secure the release of PA terrorists by kidnapping Israeli soldiers.
Comment on this story
by Maayana Miskin
The Palestinian Authority called Sunday for the release of all PA Arab prisoners held by Israel, including terrorists and other murderers. PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas announced that he will not make peace with Israel until all prisoners are released.
Abbas' demand came as Israeli forces announced that they had captured two PA Arab men responsible for the murder of five members of the Fogel family in Itamar. He is asking for the release of the men, along with many others convicted of similar crimes.
The face of the PA campaign for prisoner release, Nael Barghouti, is also a murderer. Barghouti has served 33 years of a life sentence for a murder committed in the course of a terrorist attack. He has spent the longest term in prison of any PA Arab, and is referred to as “dean of the Palestinian prisoners” or by the honorific “Abu An-Nur” (lit. “Father of the light”).
PA officials referred to Nael Barghouti as a “political prisoner” during Sunday's events calling for prisoner release.
Events to promote the release of all PA Arabs in Israeli jails were held throughout Judea, Samaria and Gaza. In Jenin, prisoners' families protested outside the local Red Cross building. Mayor Kadoura Moussa expressed hope that “This year will be the year in which all prisoners from the West Bank, Gaza, Al-Quds [Jerusalem], and the 1948 territories [Israel], in all Israeli prison, will be released.”
In Shechem, a rally on behalf of terrorist prisoners was attended by Issa Qaraqe, the PA's “Minister of Prisoners' Affairs.” Qaraqe has frequently praised terrorists in the course of his work for the PA. On Sunday, he said, “Struggle is the story of the Palestinian people.”
Schools under PA rule dedicated one hour on Sunday to teaching students that all PA Arab prisoners should be released from jail. Mosques and churches joined the cause as well, calling to free prisoners in speeches and ringing the bells in a display of solidarity.
In Gaza, Hamas called to secure the release of PA terrorists by kidnapping Israeli soldiers.
Comment on this story
3. Murderer Was Allowed into Itamar for Olive Harvest
by Maayana Miskin
The IDF lifted a gag order on the investigation of the murder of five members of the Fogel family on Sunday, and revealed the identities of two young Palestinian Authority Arab men who have confessed to the vicious crime. The announcement caused particular excitement and distress for Itamar security workers, who recognized one of the killers as having been in the town shortly before the killings – with IDF permission.
Hakim Awad, 18, was permitted to enter Itamar along with other PA Arabs in order to harvest olives.
The IDF Civil Administration allowed PA Arabs from the nearby village of Awarta to harvest olives within Itamar that they claimed belonged to their village, despite concerns voiced by Itamar residents, who expressed fear that some PA Arabs could use the opportunity to learn the layout of the town in order to plan an attack.
Residents of Itamar even said they would be willing to pick the olives themselves, and deliver them to residents of Awarta, rather than open their town to potentially hostile PA residents. However, Civil Administration officials insisted that Awarta residents not only be given possession of the olives in question, but be allowed to harvest the produce themselves.
Residents reported Sunday that one of the PA “farmers” had been caught red-handed as he took pictures of IDF positions in Itamar during the harvest. The man was detained for questioning, but released on the orders of the Civil Administration.
The security guard's report may explain a comment a Shin Bet official made regarding the murders. The Shin Bet man said the killers had not spied on the town prior to the murders, because they were already familiar with its layout.
The IDF and the Civil Administration face pressure each year from the PA and the foreign and Israeli left to allow Arabs to harvest olives freely, regardless of security concerns. Many far-left groups, among them the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) and Rabbis for Human Rights, hold annual “olive harvest” events aimed at forcing Israel to allow PA Arabs to enter Israeli land during the harvest.
Comment on this story
by Maayana Miskin
The IDF lifted a gag order on the investigation of the murder of five members of the Fogel family on Sunday, and revealed the identities of two young Palestinian Authority Arab men who have confessed to the vicious crime. The announcement caused particular excitement and distress for Itamar security workers, who recognized one of the killers as having been in the town shortly before the killings – with IDF permission.
Hakim Awad, 18, was permitted to enter Itamar along with other PA Arabs in order to harvest olives.
The IDF Civil Administration allowed PA Arabs from the nearby village of Awarta to harvest olives within Itamar that they claimed belonged to their village, despite concerns voiced by Itamar residents, who expressed fear that some PA Arabs could use the opportunity to learn the layout of the town in order to plan an attack.
Residents of Itamar even said they would be willing to pick the olives themselves, and deliver them to residents of Awarta, rather than open their town to potentially hostile PA residents. However, Civil Administration officials insisted that Awarta residents not only be given possession of the olives in question, but be allowed to harvest the produce themselves.
Residents reported Sunday that one of the PA “farmers” had been caught red-handed as he took pictures of IDF positions in Itamar during the harvest. The man was detained for questioning, but released on the orders of the Civil Administration.
The security guard's report may explain a comment a Shin Bet official made regarding the murders. The Shin Bet man said the killers had not spied on the town prior to the murders, because they were already familiar with its layout.
The IDF and the Civil Administration face pressure each year from the PA and the foreign and Israeli left to allow Arabs to harvest olives freely, regardless of security concerns. Many far-left groups, among them the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) and Rabbis for Human Rights, hold annual “olive harvest” events aimed at forcing Israel to allow PA Arabs to enter Israeli land during the harvest.
Comment on this story
4. Passover Laws and Customs
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
Passover (Pesach) will take place this year between sunset on Monday, 18 April, and sunset on Monday, 25 April. The first and seventh days are marked as Sabbath-like holy days (Yom Tov) in which work is forbidden.
Jews outside of Israel, and those visiting Israel only for the holiday, observe an additional day in both the beginning and end of Pesach, which lasts eight days for them.
Jews are commanded to tell the story of leaving Egypt as if it had happened to them personally and not as a mere historical event, in order to emphasize the importance of our hard-won and precious freedom.
The government of Israel sold its “chametz,” leavened bread, to an Arab before the holiday in order not to transgress the commandment of not owning any chametz during the holiday. This includes any food product that contains leavened wheat, oat, barley, rye, or spelt products.
After a search for remaining chametz in houses Sunday night, Jews burn it the following morning, several hours before Pesach begins.
Dishes also are changed for the holiday or were made kosher through a procedure of cleaning them, leaving them unused for a period of time and then dipping them in boiling water. Not all materials can be made useable for Pesach.
In the absence of leaven, Jews will eat specially prepared unleavened bread, or matza, on Pesach, as was done at the Exodus, when the Jews did not have enough time to wait for dough to rise before leaving Egypt.
First-born males over 13 are required to fast on the day before Passover – in commemoration of the fact that first-born Jewish males were spared when first-born Egyptian males were killed during the tenth plague – but may be released of this obligation by participating in a special festive meal, like the ones that accompany the conclusion of study of a tractate of the Talmud or a circumcision, on the morning before Passover.
The traditional Seder is held Monday night – Monday and Tuesday nights for Jews outside of Israel. The guide for the Seder is detailed in the Haggadah, literally "narration," which relates the story of the Exodus from Egypt.
A plate placed on the Seder table contains several special foods: a roasted egg, symbolizing the special sacrifices which were brought in the Temple; a roasted shank bone, recalling the special Passover lamb offered and eaten in Temple times; a mixture of chopped apples, nuts, wine and cinnamon known as charoset, symbolizing the mortar that the Hebrew slaves in Egypt used to make bricks; sprigs of parsley and lettuce, symbolizing spring; a bitter herb symbolizing the bitterness of slavery; and salt water, recalling the tears shed by the Hebrew slaves in Egypt.
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Three whole pieces of matza mark the division of the Jewish people into priests (Kohenim), Levites and the general population are also placed on the table. There are also other explanations for this custom, as there are for almost all of the customs.
During the course of the Seder, the Ten Plagues are recalled. When each of the Plagues is mentioned, each participant dips a finger into his/her cup of wine and removes a drop; even though the Jews were oppressed in Egypt, we are reminded that we must not rejoice over the Egyptians' suffering. Our cups of wine cannot thus be full.
One of the more popular Seder customs for children concerns the afikoman, a special piece of matza that is the last food eaten during the Seder. The head of the household customarily hides the afikoman somewhere in the house, and the children then search for it. Once found, the afikoman is "ransomed," since the Seder cannot continue until the afikoman is eaten. This helps to keep the children focused on the Seder and to pique their curiosity regarding the entire Passover epic.
On the morning of Tuesday 19 April, festive prayers, including a prayer for dew during the spring and summer, and special readings, will figure prominently in synagogue services.
During the intermediate days, between the first and last days, special prayers also are recited in synagogue. In Israel, all of Pesach is an official holiday for schools and most government offices.
Jewish tradition maintains that the parting of the Red Sea and the destruction of the Egyptian army occurred on the seventh day of Passover, but even though Passover celebrates the Exodus from Egypt, Jews nevertheless do not rejoice over the death of the Egyptians in the sea and only an abridged version of Hallel (Psalms 113-118) – a holiday prayer – is recited after the first day of Passover.
On the Sabbath of the intermediate days of Passover (Saturday 23 April), the day's special readings will include the Song of Songs and Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14).
From the evening of Monday 25 April, Jews will keep a nightly count of the 49 days (seven weeks), until the evening of Monday 6 June, one day before the holiday of Shavuot. This count commemorates the Temple offering of the omer, or sheaf of new grain, in keeping with the Biblical injunction of Leviticus 23:15-16.
Maimouna – an informal, yet widely celebrated holiday which originated among the Jews of North Africa, particularly those from Morocco – will be celebrated immediately after Passover, from sunset on Monday 25 April, until sunset on Tuesday 26 April. According to custom, families prepare elaborate tables with various sweets and baked goods, and host friends and family members. Whole neighborhoods often close as celebrations spill out into the streets and parks.
Comment on this story
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
Passover (Pesach) will take place this year between sunset on Monday, 18 April, and sunset on Monday, 25 April. The first and seventh days are marked as Sabbath-like holy days (Yom Tov) in which work is forbidden.
Jews outside of Israel, and those visiting Israel only for the holiday, observe an additional day in both the beginning and end of Pesach, which lasts eight days for them.
Jews are commanded to tell the story of leaving Egypt as if it had happened to them personally and not as a mere historical event, in order to emphasize the importance of our hard-won and precious freedom.
The government of Israel sold its “chametz,” leavened bread, to an Arab before the holiday in order not to transgress the commandment of not owning any chametz during the holiday. This includes any food product that contains leavened wheat, oat, barley, rye, or spelt products.
After a search for remaining chametz in houses Sunday night, Jews burn it the following morning, several hours before Pesach begins.
Dishes also are changed for the holiday or were made kosher through a procedure of cleaning them, leaving them unused for a period of time and then dipping them in boiling water. Not all materials can be made useable for Pesach.
In the absence of leaven, Jews will eat specially prepared unleavened bread, or matza, on Pesach, as was done at the Exodus, when the Jews did not have enough time to wait for dough to rise before leaving Egypt.
First-born males over 13 are required to fast on the day before Passover – in commemoration of the fact that first-born Jewish males were spared when first-born Egyptian males were killed during the tenth plague – but may be released of this obligation by participating in a special festive meal, like the ones that accompany the conclusion of study of a tractate of the Talmud or a circumcision, on the morning before Passover.
The traditional Seder is held Monday night – Monday and Tuesday nights for Jews outside of Israel. The guide for the Seder is detailed in the Haggadah, literally "narration," which relates the story of the Exodus from Egypt.
A plate placed on the Seder table contains several special foods: a roasted egg, symbolizing the special sacrifices which were brought in the Temple; a roasted shank bone, recalling the special Passover lamb offered and eaten in Temple times; a mixture of chopped apples, nuts, wine and cinnamon known as charoset, symbolizing the mortar that the Hebrew slaves in Egypt used to make bricks; sprigs of parsley and lettuce, symbolizing spring; a bitter herb symbolizing the bitterness of slavery; and salt water, recalling the tears shed by the Hebrew slaves in Egypt.
Three whole pieces of matza mark the division of the Jewish people into priests (Kohenim), Levites and the general population are also placed on the table. There are also other explanations for this custom, as there are for almost all of the customs.
During the course of the Seder, the Ten Plagues are recalled. When each of the Plagues is mentioned, each participant dips a finger into his/her cup of wine and removes a drop; even though the Jews were oppressed in Egypt, we are reminded that we must not rejoice over the Egyptians' suffering. Our cups of wine cannot thus be full.
One of the more popular Seder customs for children concerns the afikoman, a special piece of matza that is the last food eaten during the Seder. The head of the household customarily hides the afikoman somewhere in the house, and the children then search for it. Once found, the afikoman is "ransomed," since the Seder cannot continue until the afikoman is eaten. This helps to keep the children focused on the Seder and to pique their curiosity regarding the entire Passover epic.
On the morning of Tuesday 19 April, festive prayers, including a prayer for dew during the spring and summer, and special readings, will figure prominently in synagogue services.
During the intermediate days, between the first and last days, special prayers also are recited in synagogue. In Israel, all of Pesach is an official holiday for schools and most government offices.
Jewish tradition maintains that the parting of the Red Sea and the destruction of the Egyptian army occurred on the seventh day of Passover, but even though Passover celebrates the Exodus from Egypt, Jews nevertheless do not rejoice over the death of the Egyptians in the sea and only an abridged version of Hallel (Psalms 113-118) – a holiday prayer – is recited after the first day of Passover.
On the Sabbath of the intermediate days of Passover (Saturday 23 April), the day's special readings will include the Song of Songs and Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14).
From the evening of Monday 25 April, Jews will keep a nightly count of the 49 days (seven weeks), until the evening of Monday 6 June, one day before the holiday of Shavuot. This count commemorates the Temple offering of the omer, or sheaf of new grain, in keeping with the Biblical injunction of Leviticus 23:15-16.
Maimouna – an informal, yet widely celebrated holiday which originated among the Jews of North Africa, particularly those from Morocco – will be celebrated immediately after Passover, from sunset on Monday 25 April, until sunset on Tuesday 26 April. According to custom, families prepare elaborate tables with various sweets and baked goods, and host friends and family members. Whole neighborhoods often close as celebrations spill out into the streets and parks.
Comment on this story
5. Securing the State of Israel for Passover
by Chana Ya'ar
Israel's defense establishment began its traditional measures Sunday to secure the state for the Passover holiday.
A general closure on the Palestinian Authority-controlled areas, in effect from midnight Sunday night, will extend for the duration of the week-long holiday. The closure will end at midnight Monday night, April 25.
During that time, special authorization based on humanitarian, medical and exceptional need will be required for PA Arabs to cross into pre-1967 Israel. Those requiring such authorization will be referred to the Civil Administration for Judea and Samaria.
PA Arab Christians will be permitted to pass through the closure in order to celebrate events associated with the Easter holiday.
Meanwhile, Magen David Adom emergency medical service will be on its second-highest level of preparedness beginning Monday evening.
An emphasis is being placed on the Negev and Lachish areas due to the escalation in Gaza-based terrorist activity.
MDA will continue with a specially-elevated level of preparedness during the intermediate days of the holiday as well, focusing its attention on sites that draw large crowds.
Hundreds of police and traffic volunteers will also be out early Monday to direct traffic ahead of the Passover holiday, which begins at sunset.
By Monday evening, the focus will shift to drunk drivers, with special attention paid to entertainment spots and the roads around them.
During the intermediate days of the holiday, police will be deployed at national parks that traditionally draw large crowds.
Comment on this story
by Chana Ya'ar
Israel's defense establishment began its traditional measures Sunday to secure the state for the Passover holiday.
A general closure on the Palestinian Authority-controlled areas, in effect from midnight Sunday night, will extend for the duration of the week-long holiday. The closure will end at midnight Monday night, April 25.
During that time, special authorization based on humanitarian, medical and exceptional need will be required for PA Arabs to cross into pre-1967 Israel. Those requiring such authorization will be referred to the Civil Administration for Judea and Samaria.
PA Arab Christians will be permitted to pass through the closure in order to celebrate events associated with the Easter holiday.
Meanwhile, Magen David Adom emergency medical service will be on its second-highest level of preparedness beginning Monday evening.
An emphasis is being placed on the Negev and Lachish areas due to the escalation in Gaza-based terrorist activity.
MDA will continue with a specially-elevated level of preparedness during the intermediate days of the holiday as well, focusing its attention on sites that draw large crowds.
Hundreds of police and traffic volunteers will also be out early Monday to direct traffic ahead of the Passover holiday, which begins at sunset.
By Monday evening, the focus will shift to drunk drivers, with special attention paid to entertainment spots and the roads around them.
During the intermediate days of the holiday, police will be deployed at national parks that traditionally draw large crowds.
Comment on this story
6. Mossad's David Meidan Appointed New Shalit Negotiator
by Gil Ronen
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu appointed David Meidan, a senior Mossad man who heads a department in the intelligence agency, as his special emissary for the return of abducted IDF soldier First Sgt. Gilad Shalit.
Meidan will replace Haggai Hadas, who will soon end a two-year stint as emissary in the Shalit matter.
Meidan has served in the Mossad for many years. In his capacity as department head, he has been involved in some activities that are connected to painful problem of Gilad Shalit. The Prime Minister chose Meidan over several other candidates for the job because of the fact that he is already well-versed in the Shalit case and is acquainted with all of the involved elements.
Meidan and Hadas will carry out an orderly transition of authority, and Meidan will accompany Hadas for a learning period before assuming full responsibility for the Shalit file.
Netanyahu and his wife Sarah met with the parents of Gilad Shalit Monday evening. The Prime Minister told them that Israel is carrying out numerous actions, most of which are not publicly known, in order to bring their son home, and that these actions will continue in the future. "It was important to me that no vacuum form in our handling of this matter," he said.
Comment on this story
by Gil Ronen
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu appointed David Meidan, a senior Mossad man who heads a department in the intelligence agency, as his special emissary for the return of abducted IDF soldier First Sgt. Gilad Shalit.
Meidan will replace Haggai Hadas, who will soon end a two-year stint as emissary in the Shalit matter.
Meidan has served in the Mossad for many years. In his capacity as department head, he has been involved in some activities that are connected to painful problem of Gilad Shalit. The Prime Minister chose Meidan over several other candidates for the job because of the fact that he is already well-versed in the Shalit case and is acquainted with all of the involved elements.
Meidan and Hadas will carry out an orderly transition of authority, and Meidan will accompany Hadas for a learning period before assuming full responsibility for the Shalit file.
Netanyahu and his wife Sarah met with the parents of Gilad Shalit Monday evening. The Prime Minister told them that Israel is carrying out numerous actions, most of which are not publicly known, in order to bring their son home, and that these actions will continue in the future. "It was important to me that no vacuum form in our handling of this matter," he said.
Comment on this story
7. Finnish Elections Replicate Euroskeptic Parties Breakthrough
by Amiel Ungar
Normally, nobody aside from political science buffs paid much heed to the Finnish elections. This time Europe was fully tuned in due to the rise in the polls for the True Finns, a populist party that opposes bailouts for the EU's beleaguered members.
Now the interest in Finland will persist as the True Finns quintupled their vote moving from 4% to19%. While the polls preceding the elections had predicted that support for the True Finns was ebbing as their opponents mobilized their voters, the True Finns did 4% better than expected.
Their leader Tino Soini declared bluntly "The party is over…Why should Finland bail anyone out? We won't allow Finnish cows to be milked by other hands."
The Finns have a long history of financial sobriety. Of all the European countries who took loans from the United States in the First World War, only Finland paid back in full, something that endeared Finland to the Americans. This may have deterred Stalin from swallowing up Finland along the lines of Eastern Europe following the Second World War. Following a major recession from 1991-1994, the Finns overcame it on their own. They now expect others to do the same.
The True Finns may not be able to block Finland's one billion dollar contribution to the bailout (the Eurozone requires unanimity and Finland must ratify the decision in a parliamentary vote), but they may very well transform Finland into a pocket Germany that will insist on harsh payback terms to those countries receiving the assistance.
The Social Democratic Party also opposes the bailout because it feels that the bankers rather than the taxpayers should assume part of the pain. The National Coalition Party, the biggest vote getter with 21%, will have to take either the True Finns or the Social Democrats into the coalition.
The True Finns have now repeated the breakthrough of populist Euroskeptic parties throughout Scandinavia. Soini is a friend of Nigel Farage of the United Kingdom Independence Party, that wants Britian to leave the European Union. The European Parliament increasingly has to deal with a parliamentary faction, composed of various nationalist parties, that is opposed to the idea of an ever closer union of the member countries.
Like many of his nationalist brethren, Soini is pro Israel as appeared from this statement in an election debate:
“I don’t want to take Finland to war anywhere. This is an extremely grave reminder of the development that’s happened in different Arab countries, but when Mubarak left there wasn’t a democracy that materialized, there is a 75 year old general currently in power, that’s what has happened.
Where the Middle East is concerned, I am a friend of Israel I dare to say, which is surrounded by hostile Arab states. It has (Israel) the right to live and to exist.
Comment on this story
by Amiel Ungar
Normally, nobody aside from political science buffs paid much heed to the Finnish elections. This time Europe was fully tuned in due to the rise in the polls for the True Finns, a populist party that opposes bailouts for the EU's beleaguered members.
Now the interest in Finland will persist as the True Finns quintupled their vote moving from 4% to19%. While the polls preceding the elections had predicted that support for the True Finns was ebbing as their opponents mobilized their voters, the True Finns did 4% better than expected.
Their leader Tino Soini declared bluntly "The party is over…Why should Finland bail anyone out? We won't allow Finnish cows to be milked by other hands."
The Finns have a long history of financial sobriety. Of all the European countries who took loans from the United States in the First World War, only Finland paid back in full, something that endeared Finland to the Americans. This may have deterred Stalin from swallowing up Finland along the lines of Eastern Europe following the Second World War. Following a major recession from 1991-1994, the Finns overcame it on their own. They now expect others to do the same.
The True Finns may not be able to block Finland's one billion dollar contribution to the bailout (the Eurozone requires unanimity and Finland must ratify the decision in a parliamentary vote), but they may very well transform Finland into a pocket Germany that will insist on harsh payback terms to those countries receiving the assistance.
The Social Democratic Party also opposes the bailout because it feels that the bankers rather than the taxpayers should assume part of the pain. The National Coalition Party, the biggest vote getter with 21%, will have to take either the True Finns or the Social Democrats into the coalition.
The True Finns have now repeated the breakthrough of populist Euroskeptic parties throughout Scandinavia. Soini is a friend of Nigel Farage of the United Kingdom Independence Party, that wants Britian to leave the European Union. The European Parliament increasingly has to deal with a parliamentary faction, composed of various nationalist parties, that is opposed to the idea of an ever closer union of the member countries.
Like many of his nationalist brethren, Soini is pro Israel as appeared from this statement in an election debate:
“I don’t want to take Finland to war anywhere. This is an extremely grave reminder of the development that’s happened in different Arab countries, but when Mubarak left there wasn’t a democracy that materialized, there is a 75 year old general currently in power, that’s what has happened.
Where the Middle East is concerned, I am a friend of Israel I dare to say, which is surrounded by hostile Arab states. It has (Israel) the right to live and to exist.
Comment on this story
8. Teen Victim Of Bus Attack Dies
by Maayana Miskin
Sixteen-year-old Daniel Viflic died Sunday in Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva, a week and a half after being critically wounded in a Hamas missile attack on a school bus.
His funeral procession left from his family's home on HaYarkon street in Beit Shemesh to the city's Etz Chaim cemetery at 10 p.m.
Gaza-based terrorists fired an anti-tank missile at the bus Daniel was riding in as it drove near the Nahal Oz crossing, close to the Kibbutz Sa'ad junction. The attack took place shortly after dozens of children had been let off the bus, and only Daniel and the bus driver remained on board.
Daniel sustained head wounds, shrapnel injuries and major blood loss in the attack. He was airlifted to Soroka, where doctors fought to save his life.
At the time of the attack the teenager had been on his way to visit his grandmother, who lives in the Negev.
Daniel's health deteriorated during his stay in intensive care. His father Yitzchak said Tuesday that the situation was “very critical,” and “There is nothing we can do now but pray.”
His mother Tamar told the Hebrew-language daily Ma'ariv, “I talk to him. I tell him, 'My child, be strong. Be strong, Daniel. Soon you will come home, in a few days. Everything will be fine.'”
Supporters have spent the past several days praying for Daniel's welfare and raising money for his family, which closed the family business temporarily in order to be at his side.
Comment on this story
by Maayana Miskin
Sixteen-year-old Daniel Viflic died Sunday in Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva, a week and a half after being critically wounded in a Hamas missile attack on a school bus.
His funeral procession left from his family's home on HaYarkon street in Beit Shemesh to the city's Etz Chaim cemetery at 10 p.m.
Gaza-based terrorists fired an anti-tank missile at the bus Daniel was riding in as it drove near the Nahal Oz crossing, close to the Kibbutz Sa'ad junction. The attack took place shortly after dozens of children had been let off the bus, and only Daniel and the bus driver remained on board.
Daniel sustained head wounds, shrapnel injuries and major blood loss in the attack. He was airlifted to Soroka, where doctors fought to save his life.
At the time of the attack the teenager had been on his way to visit his grandmother, who lives in the Negev.
Daniel's health deteriorated during his stay in intensive care. His father Yitzchak said Tuesday that the situation was “very critical,” and “There is nothing we can do now but pray.”
His mother Tamar told the Hebrew-language daily Ma'ariv, “I talk to him. I tell him, 'My child, be strong. Be strong, Daniel. Soon you will come home, in a few days. Everything will be fine.'”
Supporters have spent the past several days praying for Daniel's welfare and raising money for his family, which closed the family business temporarily in order to be at his side.
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