Commentary #1
These stories may not seem related, but just maybe they are. Something to think about? Could this be what when former NSC Chairman Major General Giora Eiland had in mind in suggesting to ” … Compensate Egypt with 150 square kilometers in the southern Negev …”?
BBC: Gaza Rockets Real Threat to Israel
Excerpt;
I’m sure the Education Ministry, together with a bit of the volunteering spirit that has yet to completely disappear from Israeli society, could help organize a much calmer summer for hundreds of kids than the one they are expecting. The “message” of such a plan would not be to flex our national muscles. Rather, it would show simple, human and obvious concern for the welfare of children who see through the lies that “we are doing our best” as they continue to shake with fear.
Commentary #2;
This one is particularly irksome. When do Jews stop running scared and drop that meek, weak mindset? What about the credo until now of the “new Jew?” That is, not showing fear, not being intimidated by enemies and not allowing terrorists to disrupt day-to-day life. Or is Ehud Olmert’s “I’m too tired” indeed symptomatic of a national maliase and lack of “fire in the belly?” MB
Cost of Fortifying Schools Around Gaza: NIS 160M
Full Text;
The cost of fortifying schools in communities surrounding the Gaza Strip stands at approximately NIS 160 million, a team of specialists from the IDF’s Home Front Command estimated on Wednesday.
According to Army Radio, it is still unclear which body would fund the project. A senior officer predicted that it would take about six months to complete it.
Commentary #3;
6 Months to complete this project while the kids in Sderot and other venues in the South are in daily danger? 6 Months to complete, or 6 months to fund (if even then)? Whatever happened to that budget surplus widely reported a 2 1/2 months ago?
This author refers you back to Commentary #1 where reference is made to seemingly unrelated stories. In this vein, while this blog does not view DEBKAfile as being a credible source unto itself, the headline dated June 13, 2006 “As Israeli Prime Minister Takes His Realignment Plan From One European …” and the article to which it is linked “Will Olmert Give up Sderot too?” just might be the piece of the jig-saw puzzle referred to by General Eiland’s “150 square kilometers in the southern Negev.”
Take note of this story from NOVEMBER, 2005;
Sderot Schools Await Fortification Against Rocket Attacks
To repeat, the the question about the costs and completion date of fortification of schools in S’derot and other communities “near Gaza”, Why 6 months? Why must Jewish children be endangered for at least 6 months? Why must Jews run with fear as in millennia in Chutz L’Aretz? Is Olmert indeed planning to abandon the Negev or a substantial portion of it, including Sderot?
Israel’s MSM gives short-shrift to our G’d-Given right to be in the south, as in Gaza, as in Chevron, as in Gilo, etc. Is the real message behind these seemingly unrelated stories that S’derot and the Negev now also appears expendable to the regime? David Ben-Gurion would turn in his grave. For Sde Boker, too is in the Negev. Do the lefties even recollect their history?
P.S. This on today’s Israel National News Reports;
Gov’t to Protect 24 Schools In 7-Km Radius of Gaza
Excerpts;
After 107 rockets landed in the Negev in less than a week, and following demonstrations and a hunger strike, the government will finally start reinforcing the schools located in range of Kassams.
Officials found 24 schools in a seven-mile radius of Gaza which require protection. Half of the schools were located in Sderot.
It is expected that most of the schools will be reinforced by September, said officials. Two will need to be completely rebuilt. The cost of reinforcing the roofs of the other 22 schools will total some NIS 165 million.
In an effort to save time and money, Peretz directed the Ministry’s in-house contractor to carry out the project rather than offer the job on a public tender.
Commentary #4;
This author will believe this when he sees it. Wasn’t it just 12 days ago when we saw DM Amir Peretz peering toward the crater in the ceiling of a S’derot classroom? And didn’t Peretz and Yuli Tamir then announce that funding for fortifications of classrooms was on the way only to reverse themselves the very next day? Doesn’t the old saying go; “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me?” MB