Parsha Shelach 5768: Shelach Turned Upside Down
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By Moshe Burt
Observing the political governmental scene in Israel today, this author’s memories harken back to the mid-1980s in Philadelphia, in the years just prior to becoming Ba’al Teshuva.
The conservative synagogue attended for Rosh Hoshana and Yom Kippur had a practice of bringing in a young JTS guest Rabbi to help and assist the synagogue’s long-time Rabbi who was getting on in years. This particular Yomim Tovim, they brought in a young fellow who proceeded to pitch the philosophies of Breira, one of the leftist-agendized predecessors of Shalom Achshav.
Why Not an Ongoing Re-Take of Gaza?
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IMRA’s Dr. Aaron Lerner asks; “Why should analysts straightjacket themselves by refusing to even consider an ongoing occupation as an option?”
Ask this question a slightly different way; Why not re-take and re-settle Jews in Gaza? Ask further, was Sderot and the rest of the Negev under a constant level of bombardment when Jews lived in Gush Katif? Were Ashkelon and Ashdod being hit and under threat when there were Jewish towns and communities in Gaza? Aren’t Kassams, Katyushas and mortars now being launched on Sderot, Ashkelon and Negev Kibbutzim from areas formerly inhabited by Jews? And, after all, isn’t Gaza part of OUR Biblical, historical land?
Friday War News: 50 Mortars, Kassams, Katyushas Lambast Ashkelon, Eshkol Region, Major Gaza Border Terror Attack Averted; Molotov, Rock Attacks, Tanzim Operative Nabbed
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Israel Still Seeks Truce After 50 Projectiles [Mortar Shells, Kassam and Katyusha rockets] Pound Negev, by Yaakov Katz and Herb Keinon (Jerusalem Post)
IDF: We Prevented Major Gaza Border Terror Attack
Excerpt;
Gaza militants were planning to use the heavy barrage as a diversion in order to carry out a massive attack at the border fence between Israel and the Strip.
A heavy vehicle approached IDF troops stationed at the Gaza border fence at an alarming speed, the IDF described the attempted attack. The soldiers opened fire and forced the vehicle to stop. The IDF said that it was the soldiers’ quick response that likely prevented a serious attack.
Thursday War News: Mortar Shells, Rockets Hit Negev, Terrorist’s Home Explodes From Work Accident, 2 Armed Terrorists Killed Placing Bomb at Security Barrier; More Rock Throwing, 3 Terrorists Nabbed
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Mortar Shells, Rockets Fired at Western Negev
IDF Denies Gaza “Strike”; Terrorist’s Home Explodes [Explosion Was a “Work Accident”]
IDF Forces Kill 2 Terrorists [Carrying Kalashnikov Assault Rifles and Placing Bomb Next to Security Barrier], by Hana Levi Julian (Israel National News)
IDF Forces Kill Palestinian Gunman Near Border Fence With Gaza
Rock Throwing Near Maale Levona
IDF Arrests 3 in Overnight Raids
Woman Lightly Injured as Palestinians Throw Rocks at Car [Near Bethlehem]
The Perfidy of Corrupt Governance Against Jewish Masses
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Commentary;
There are a few recent themes which stick out like sore thumbs and which beg comment.
There is the piece by Stewart Weiss, a director of a Jewish Outreach Center in Ra’anana, applying to today the virtues of Civil Disobediance, which date back to anti-slavery abolitionist Henry David Thoreau of 1840s and 1850s America.
Weiss cites Thoreau in asserting;
When the government does not act, then the citizens must step forward and do what is necessary.
In opposition to the United States’ support of slavery, he [Thoreau] refused to pay taxes in 1846. He spent a night in jail and remarked,
“Under a government which imprisons anyone unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison.” His subsequent essays on civil disobedience provided an antidote for helpless citizens who feel they lead lives “of quiet desperation.”
Wednesday Night War News: 3 Gaza Terrorists Offed by IDF, Security Cabinet Reapproves March Delay on Gaza; Another Arab Nabbed With Knife Near Kalkilya, Buses, Cars Stoned in Yesha
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Three [Gaza] Terrorists Eliminated in Two IDF Strikes
Security Cabinet Communique: Reapproves its 5 March Decision [Holding Off on Gaza Action], by Dr. Aaron Lerner (IMRA)
Rock Attack in Judea [Near Bethlehem]; Two Lightly Hurt
IDF Troops Arrest Palestinian in Possession of Knife in Kalkilya Area
Israeli Cars Damaged When Pelted With Stones in Ramallah Area
Two Israeli Buses Damaged in… Stoning Incidents [Near Ramallah, Hevron]
Wednesday War News: 6 Mortar Strikes Including Kibbutz Nir Oz Again, IDF Strikes on Terrorist Cells, Gaza Operation on Hold, Again; 28 Terrorists Nabbed, IDF Fired on Near Shechem, Pal Tries Entering With Fake ID
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IDF Strikes Terrorists, Sufa Crossing Closed
Security Cabinet Rules Out Gaza Operation for Time Being, by Herb Keinon (Jerusalem Post)
Related report; IDF General in Reserves:’Do-Nothing Approach Will Destroy Hamas, by Hillel Fendel (Israel National News)
Excerpt;
General Yoram Yair: “Our problem is that we don’t have a long-term policy…”
IDF Tank Fire Kills One Terrorist [near Khan Yunis]
Mortar Shell Lands in Western Negev Kibbutz [Nir Oz], Lightly Wounding One Person
More Tuesday War News: Kassams, Mortars From Gaza; Stonings Near Kalandia, Female Arab Carrying 13 cm Blade Knife
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Additional Mortars from Gaza [on Targets in the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council]
Kassam Lands in Negev [in Open Spaces in Sdot Negev Regional Council]; No Injuries Reported
Palestinians: IDF Air Strike Kills Three Hamas Operatives [After 18 Mortar Shells Fired]
Excerpt;
“Shortly after noontime, at least 18 mortar shells fired by Palestinian gunmen… landed in open areas throughout the Gaza periphery, and no wounded were reported.”
Monday, Tuesday War News: 2 Kassams From Gaza, Another Smuggling Tunnel, IDF Destroys 4 Kassam Launchers; Stones, Molotovs Thrown, IDF Finds Arab With 6 Pipe Bombs at Hawara Checkpoint
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Two Kassam Rockets Hit Sha’ar Hanegev Region; None Wounded
Palestinian Killed as Smuggling Tunnel Collapses in Rafah
IDF Troops Destroy Four Kassam Rocket Launchers in Gaza
Jewish Car Stoned in Mount Hebron Area
Palestinian Shot by IDF Force [Southwest of Bethlehem] After Hurling Molotov Cocktail
Palestinian Arrested After IDF Troops Find Half-Meter-Long Knife in His Car
Palestinian Carrying Six Pipe Bombs Stopped at Hawara Checkpoint [Near Shechem]