Israel and The Sin of Expulsion

Former U.S. Ambassador Dennis Ross Calls for Pollard Release

For context, click here.

Commentary;

Until this occurs Jonathan Pollard continues to languish in prison in the US.
MB read more

After Eilat Suicide Bombing: Olmert Instructs IDF to Maintain Current Policy

Full Text:

“Prime Minister Ehud Olmert instructed the IDF on Tuesday to maintain the existing cease-fire with the Palestinians, and not to alter its operations following Monday’s suicide bombing in Eilat, which killed three people. Israel Radio reported that in a meeting with several defense heads, Olmert rejected a number of anti-terror proposals.”

Kassam Rocket Lands Short in Gaza

Soldiers Discover Bombs near Shechem and Gaza read more

Who is Moshe Katsav?, by Elyakim Haetzni (Ynet)

Commentary:

This author has kept the blog pretty much out of the Katsav episode. But one can’t help noticing that those complicit in the Expulsion from Gush Katif are falling, one-by-one; Sharon by way of debilitating stroke, Major-General Udi Adam, Chief-of-Staff Halutz and now the slow, painful fall of a hypocritical President who didn’t stand against the expulsion, didn’t stand against the police and Yassam attrocities in Amona, has been totally silent regarding the former Gush Katif residents who have NOT been compensated and are largely jobless and much more. He only bothered to raise a stur in his own defense. Divine retribution? MB read more

Related Story:Peretz Orders IDF to Launch Operations Inside Gaza

Notice the wording in the report, as opposed to the banner headline;
“Defense Minister Amir Peretz… ordered the IDF to prepare to launch operations inside the Gaza Strip and against the infrastructure that enabled the suicide bomber who killed three people in Eilat earlier in the day to cross from Gaza into Israel.”

Related Story: PM, Peretz to Discuss Bombing Response

Excerpt;
“The identity of the terrorist organization responsible for Monday’s attack would help determine how Israel will respond.” read more

Sinai Border Wide Open to Illegal Workers, Terrorists, by Shelly Paz (Jerusalem Post)

Military Source: “It is clear to us that borders without fences cannot stop illegal aliens or terrorists. The vast majority of terror attempts are stopped and there has been an increase in overall effectiveness, but it is still a drop in the bucket.”

Excerpts;

“The border between Israel and Egypt is easy to cross, there is no real obstacle, just a low fence that is easy to cross,” Yossi Edelstein, supervisor of the Foreigners Enforcement Department in the Interior Ministry, said Monday. read more

IAF Strikes Terror Tunnel in the Northern Gaza Strip

We’re Very Proud, [Eilat] Bomber’s Family Declares

Eilat Suicide Bomber’s Mother: “As he walked out of the house, he asked me to wish him good luck, I wished him good luck and I knew of his decision to become a martyr. Although I was aware of his intention, I did not know exactly when he was planning to carry out a martyrdom attack.”

4 Palestinians Arrested for Possessing Explosives [At Checkpoint East of Tulkarem]

IDF Arrests Twenty-Two Wanted [Tanzim] Terrorists [Near Shechem] read more

Our Parsha opens by stating; “It happened when Pharoh sent out the people that Hashem did not lead them by the way of the Philistines, because it was near, for Hashem said, ‘Perhaps the people will reconsider when they see a war, and they will return to Mitzriyim.'” (Sefer Sh’mos, Perek 13, posuk 17)