A few weeks ago, at the occasion of the special Yom Kippur Kotton Tefillos said in Beit Tefillah Shul of Ramat Beit Shemesh, in reaction to the ongoing war in both North and South of Eretz Yisrael, I delivered a message between Minchah and Ma’ariv. And the point made was that HaKodosh Baruch Hu runs and manages the world with an organized system—–the system being middah k’negged middah (measure for measure). This means that the consequences of mankind’s deeds, both wicked and righteous, is always appropriate, fitting, and indeed, more often than not, the direct result of the deed itself(See Rambam Commentary to Mishnah,Avos,2:6).
The Story of Benny Darom …
On year ago, Tuesday on the English calendar, just a few days before the expulsion, this article appeared on Katif.net A year later, it seems important to revisit the ficticious Benny Darom and the lingering mental, psychological traumas surely being suffered by more than a few of the soldiers who took an active part in the expulsion, the eviction of Jews from Gush Katif.
This fictional story of Benny Darom bears rereading; One year ago our brethren were ousted at legalized gunpoint from Gush Katif, from all that was Theirs, from a part of Eretz Yisrael.
Sunday War News …
At Least 11 Dead, 13 Hurt, in Massive Hezbollah Rocket Barrage Across North
Excerpt;
“A direct hit on an open area in the northern community of Kfar Giladi, as Hezbollah renewed its rocket fire against Israel with what was described as an enormous barrage.”
For more background, click; Ten Killed in Katyusha Attack near Kiryat Shemonah
Excerpt;
“A massive wave of Hizbullah-fired rockets hit throughout northern Israel around noon. One of the rockets hit a group of people sitting outside the Kfar Giladi cemetery, killing nine and critically wounding four more. Several of the casualties were members of one family. Elsewhere in the area another man was killed.”
More on IDF Officers Merhavia and Klein: Killed in Action in Battle of Bint Jbail — Their Connections With Expulsions Past and Future(?)
The Open Wound of Gush Katif, By Nadav Shragai
For context and for pictures, click here, here and here
When Makor Rishon’s photographer, Miri Tzahi, saw the photo of First Lieutenant Amihai Merhavia, who was killed in the battle of Bint Jbail, it jogged something in her journalist’s memory. She thought she had seen this face before.
Tzahi, who is about publish the album, “Katif – Nine days in Av,” featuring hundreds of photos of the “days of the expulsion,” searched through her computer archive and found a series of photos from around four years ago, showing Merhavia during the violent evacuation of Havat Gilad (Gilad Farm) in Samaria.
Olmert’s Continuing Obsession With Expulsion…
Column One: Amateur Hour is Over, By Caroline Glick
The good news is that Israel has not lost the war. We can win. As the IDF’s long awaited ground assault is demonstrating, on a tactical level, the IDF has been able to learn on the go, and learn well.
The bad news is that Israel’s national leadership has so far managed to take every political and strategic advantage that Israel has, and turn it into an impediment. Today, assuming Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will let us win, what three weeks ago could have been a rapid victory will now be costly and slow.
Where Has North American Jewish Charities Been Since the Expulsion of Jews from Gush Katif??
For context, Read what former recording secretary, of the Jewish Federation of Greater Clifton-Passaic Buddy Macy has to say here and here about abandonment by American Jewish Federations of the Jews expelled from Gush Katif.
Jewish Charities Seek $300 Million for Israel , ByAlan Cooperman
Excerpts;
An umbrella organization of North American Jewish charities said Wednesday it will seek to raise a minimum of $300 million in emergency humanitarian funds for Israel this year, one of the largest short-term goals in its history. Howard Rieger, president and chief executive of United Jewish Communities, formerly known as the United Jewish Appeal, said its approximately 120 board members voted unanimously to launch the Israel Emergency Campaign. Rieger called the $300 million figure “a floor, not a ceiling,” and the amount raised probably “will grow beyond that.” The aim is to raise the money fast, ideally within weeks, UJC officials said.
Shabbos War News …
Kassam Rocket Lands Near Nir Am
Anti-Tank Rocket Attack in Lebanon
Excerpt;
“Israel loses seven civilians, five IDF soldiers. Simultaneously, thousands of Israelis enter rocket range when long-range rockets land in Hadera, Zichron Yaacov area. On other side, 40 terrorists killed in southern Lebanese villages, more than 170 targets struck from air.”
Three Killed in Latest Rocket Bombardment in West Galilee
Excerpt;
“A rocket scored a direct hit at their home on Saturday in a western Galilee Arab-Israeli town. The three were a 60-year-old woman and her two daughters, both in their 30s. 170 rockets landed in Israel throughout the day, with 120-130 of those falling in one hour in the late afternoon.”
Thursday, Friday War News …
Palestinians Open Fire at Troops Near Jenin
Chronology of Rocket Attacks in the North
Rocket Barrage Hits Kiryat Shmona, Safed Areas
IDF Calling on Southern Lebanese Residents to Move North
IAF Attacks Beirut’s Bridges and Bekaa Valley Power Station
Excerpts;
IAF fighter jets attacked at least 15 targets around Beirut on Friday – three bridges linking Beirut with north Lebanon and a bridge linking Beirut to the south.
It was the first time Israel struck a major Christian population center to the north of the Lebanese capital. Four civilians were killed and ten wounded in the strike, according to the Lebanese Red Cross.
Hard-Hearted Olmert’s Compulsion: Just Can’t Give Up on “Convergence”…
Olmert Says War Will Advance Realignment, Refusals Result
Excerpts;
Speaking with The Associated Press on Wednesday, Prime Minister Olmert said, “I’ll surprise you. I genuinely believe that the outcome of the present [conflict] and the emergence of a new order that will provide more stability and will defeat the forces of terror will help create the necessary environment that will allow me… to create a new momentum between us and the Palestinians.”
“We want to separate from the Palestinians,” he added. “I’m ready to do it. I’m ready to cope with these demands. It’s not easy, it’s very difficult, but we are elected to our positions to do things and not to sit idle.”
Thursday War News …
Israeli Troops Raid South Gaza; 8 Killed
Excerpts;
“About 50 tanks, accompanied by bulldozers, moved into an area close to the Gaza-Egypt border before dawn, taking up positions near the long-closed Gaza airport. Israeli aircraft fired missiles at groups of Palestinian gunmen, killing four. The attacks also wounded 26 people, at least 10 of them militants.”
Casualties in Acre, Kiryat Shmona, Near Ma’alot
Excerpts;
“Eight people were killed and dozens wounded in a massive rocket barrage on northern towns Thursday afternoon. Police reported that 130 rockets were fired into Israel within 90 minutes between 16:00 p.m. and 17:30 p.m. on Thursday afternoon.”