Bibi's Hebron conundrum

David Wilder8 במרץ 2009

On September 7, 1995 Binyamin Netanyahu, candidate for Prime Minister, while visiting Hebron, issued the following statement:

The Jewish settlement will remain in Hebron permanently. If someone tries to take it away, my friends and I will be here, and they will have to take us away as well. It will be a fatal mistake to bring hundreds of armed Palestinian policemen here, and there will be a small area where the Jews can pass and where the police and IDF can operate. If there will be a conflict, the IDF will not be able to function and will quickly collide with the Palestinian forces. This is a prescription for tragedy. There is one body responsible, and that has to be the IDF".

On May 13, 1996 he declared "redeployment should be put off until the final settlement. Hebron is a very complicated problem. It is the oldest Jewish settlement in the world, and the Jewish community there is in great danger. We all remember what happened in 1929. It is preferable that such a complex matter be carefully considered at the final status talks."

Yet, in early 1997, during a press conference dealing with the Hebron Accords, Netanyahu proclaimed: "the ideological concepts he grew up believing are "not all within reach anymore," necessitating "hard decisions and generating a "meeting ground between vision and reality. This is leadership."

On January 14, 1997, Prime Minister Netanyahu, together with Yassar Arafat, signed the Hebron Accords, which were implemented six days later. Those accords divided Hebron into two sections, leaving over 80% of the city under the security control of the Palestinian Authority. Amongst the land abandoned were the Abu-Sneneh Hills, overlooking Hebron's Jewish community to the south, and Harat a-Shech, to the north. It was from these hills that Arafat's gunman terrorized Hebron for over two and a half years, shooting day and night, into people's apartments, cars and walking on the street. Abu Sneneh became infamous following the murder of ten month old Shalhevet Pass, exactly eight years ago.

The Jewish Community of Hebron continues to come under attack on numerous fronts. Only a few months ago outgoing Defense Minister Ehud Barak ordered the forced expulsion of families from Beit HaShalom, despite letters signed by some 50 Knesset members, both to him and to Attorney General Mazuz, demanding postponement of the eviction pending the elections and examination of new evidence.

The Israeli Supreme Court continues to allow extreme left-wing organizations, such as Shovrim Shtika (Breaking the Silence) and Bnei Avraham to incite Hebron's Arabs against the Jewish community under the guise of 'guided tours.' This, at tremendous cost to the state. In the words of attorney Sherman, representing the state, such 'tours' demand apportioning of large numbers of police and army forces to provide security during the 'tours.' However, he refrained from pointing out to the court that the police themselves define these events as blatant provocations which have led to an increase in unrest and violence in Hebron.

These 'tours' are conducted at the cost of Hebron residents' civil liberties. Police routinely close streets in Hebron to Jewish traffic because of the left-wing visits to the city. A Hebron resident was stopped by police and not allowed to reach his Tel Rumeida home because of the extremist's visiting an Arab family in the neighborhood.

Concurrently, ninety seven percent of Hebron is closed to Jews, and Jewish groups are prevented by the police from similar visits in cities such as Um-el-Fachem.

Arab violence in Hebron is on the rise. Almost daily rocks are hurled at Israeli automobiles driving between Hebron and Kiryat Arba, injuring drivers and passangers and causing damage to the cars. Two months ago two Jewish girls were physically attacked by Arabs on this road. Additionally, Arab terrorists armed with knives are apprehended weekly near the Tomb of the Patriarchs. During questioning they admit that their goal was to stab and kill Israelis. A few months ago a woman terrorist nearly killed a high-ranking police officer near Ma'arat HaMachpela.

At the same time, Hebron and Kiryat Arba leaders have been informed by the IDF central command that 'Tzir Tzion,' the Zion Road, beginning about a kilometer north of the entrance to Kiryat Arba, and continuing into Hebron, will soon be opened to Arab vehicular traffic. The last time the roadblocks on this road were removed and Arab traffic allowed free travel on it, two Israelis were killed in the space of 12 hours: Contractor David Cohen and Kiryat Arba Councilman Hezzy Mualem. This is the only road bridging Hebron to Kiryat Arba and is used hundreds of times a day by Jews traveling from Hebron to Kiryat Arba and from there to Jerusalem, and vice-versa. Unfortunately, Israel has, in the past year, witnessed a new type of terror, utilizing moving vehicles. Reopening this road is a sure recipe for continued terror aimed at Hebron-Kiryat Arba residents and the hundreds of thousands of visitors who tour the city annually.

How will incoming Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu react to these threats? What will be his attitude towards the Jewish Community of Hebron?

The cabinet decision approving the Hebron Accords in 1997 included the following statement: "The Government will act to maintain all the conditions and requirements necessary for the existence, security and consolidation of the Jewish community in Hebron." Will Netanyahu keep his promise? Will he provide full security for Hebron? Will he approve permits allowing Jews to build on Jewish property? Will he issue permits allowing Jews to legally purchase property from Arabs desiring to sell?

Not too long ago President Shimon Peres, speaking about the destruction of Gush Katif, told visiting American Jewish leaders: "I was for leaving Gaza. I feel myself as one of the persons mistaken…Whatever will happen in the future, we shall not repeat the mistakes we made in leaving Gaza."

What could be more appropriate than Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu standing on the stairs leading to Ma'arat HaMachpela, conceding that the Hebron Accords, dividing Hebron, were an error on his part, guaranteeing never again to enact policies endangering the existence of Hebron's Jewish community, while promising concrete measures fulfilling his past government's commitment to provide maximum security and strengthen the first Jewish city in the land of Israel!

THIS LAND IS OUR LAND - FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA!

Liberating the Land of Israel

ONE SETTLEMENT AT A TIME!

Ofra Settlement, West Bank - Israel

Dear World: Does the return of the Jewish People to the Land of Israel bother you?

If the answer is yes - GET USED TO IT!
http://www.eyc.xbuild.com/

A Good Deed Never Goes Unpunished...

Blogmaster's Opinion: When will we ever learn..? There is an easy solution to this consistent and unchanging Arab terrorism and here are my thoughts...First: I think that we should simply declare that the West Bank is now the new Palestinian State. Second: Assist all the residents of Gaza AND East Jerusalem to "disengage" and facilitate their expeditious movement out of Gaza to the West Bank (the new Palestine). Third: Allow no "Palestinians" entry into Israel (if they have a medical emergency, they can go to Lebanon, Syria, Jordan or Egypt...certainly their Arab brothers can provide adequate care). Four: Last but not least, retake Gaza, Rebuild Gush Katif, and develop the Israeli land that has been illegally occupied by the "Palestinians". Sounds like a plan to me. Of course the EU, the U.N. and the liberals in the U.S. will scream and demand sanctions against the "Jewish State" (get it..."Jewish State :?). Well so what, when have they ever supported Israel? While initially fraught with problems, the retaking of Gaza and relocating its residents would ultimately insure Israel's territorial integrity, greatly enhance our security, and make the Middle East a much more stable region. Just my 2 shekels worth...

~~~~~~~~~~
You know the saying that a good deed never goes unpunished?
(From Arlene Kushner's Blog)

For Ramadan, Israel is attempting to ease the passage of Palestinians through checkpoints. At the checkpoint at Hawara, outside of Nablus, where numerous terrorists have been nabbed, a humanitarian lane has been established for emergencies. An Arab woman ran through that lane and threw acid in the face of the soldier manning the post.

~~~~~~~~~~

Shomron Hilltop Torched!

25 Adar II 5768

Elnaqam, one of the hilltops adjacent to K'far Tapu'ah Hill was torched Sunday night, and the police aim to complete the pogrom. Will they really bother to come to confiscate the ashes?

Elnaqam 4: One year ago

Sunday night the Tapu'ah Response Team and volunteer fire dept woke up to a horrible fire on the Tapu'ah hilltop known as El Nakam-4. The last remaining tent that housed a Torah study-hall, dormitory and dining hall for the small unique canine yeshiva was torched at approximately 3:00 AM. Miraculously, no holy books were damaged and nobody was harmed in the fierce fire, which is believed to have been started by gas firebombs tossed lit into the tent.

Elnaqam 4: Yekutiel Ben-Ya'akov praying early Monday morning

Firefighters controlled the blaze by 4:00 AM and military trackers were unable to find conclusive signs or direction of the fleeing arsonists.

The entire hill has been slated for destruction by the IDF Central Commander Gad Shamni like most other "illegal" hills in Judea and Samaria. The police were scheduled to tear down the remaining tent at 6:00 AM and to seal the area off. The forty specially trained canines that were kept and/or trained on the hill were removed several weeks ago, after the Administrative Closure Order was leaked out early to the directors of the Canine Yeshiva program. Clearly, it was this horrible breach in security that enabled the terrorists to sneak on to the hill and carry out their attack.

Yekutiel Ben Yaakov, Director of the program said

"I wonder if Shamni will still send his troops to confiscate the ashes he has brought about of our once thriving hilltop. If it was not sad it would be comical. Our dogs and students have saved countless lives in Israel. We will continue to do so. How many Jews will Israeli leaders continue to sacrifice to appease the international community? How far will Shamni and Olmert go to strip Jews in Israel of any basic right or tool of self defense against pogroms like the ones we are seeing here in Israel these days?"

For more information call 054-4876709
(972-54-4876709 from outside of Israel)

E-mail: JewishLegion@aol.com
Donate online www.defendisrael.net

Or send a generous check now to help rebuild:

"Canine Yeshiva Academy"
P. O. Box 6592
Jerusalem Israel

Cross-posted on Esser Agaroth

Israeli operations against Hamas

Behind the Headlines:

Israeli operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip

On Saturday, 1 March 2008, a senior security source briefed reporters of leading international newspapers regarding the current IDF operation in Gaza. Following are highlights of the briefing:
(Communicated by Israeli security sources)

Direct hit by a GRAD rocket damages

an Ashkelon home, March 2, 2008 (Photo: Edi Israel)

The IDF operation began on Wednesday morning (27 February), when word was received of the intention of a special team of Hamas terrorists that had arrived from Syria and Iran to enter Israel and to cause damage and to perhaps abduct soldiers or civilians. Under cover of bad weather, they intended either to enter Israel through a tunnel or to use ropes to cross over the security wall and then penetrate an army outpost or civilian settlement in attempt to abduct civilians.
The orders for the operation came directly from Damascus and Teheran. Israeli forces managed to locate and kill the five members of the team, and in response, Hamas attempted to create a new equation in the region, whereby Hamas would fire rockets in retaliation to every Israeli attack. Hamas has been following a policy of brinkmanship since June 2007, in an attempt to retain its power.
Iranian-made 122 mm. GRAD missiles, which were smuggled into Gaza, were launched at Ashkelon during the events in Rafiah. The rockets were employed as a means of increasing the range of Hamas missiles, placing more Israelis into the line of fire. The current supply of rockets held by the Hamas is adequate for the launching of a few dozen daily, for many days. This, however, is also dependant on Israeli actions.
On Saturday (1 March 2008), Israel hit one of the rocket sites, destroying several hundred mortars. The IDF strategy is to try to hit rocket storage and launching facilities. Some of the rockets have a range of 20 kilometers; they originated with the Hizbullah in Lebanon, and Syria and Iran managed to smuggle them into Gaza when the border to Rafah was breached. The exact quantity of rockets that were smuggled in is unknown.
A large Israeli force, formed by the Givati Brigade stationed near Jabaliya, entered the Gaza Strip on Friday (29 March) and engaged the terrorists.
The number of Palestinian casualties is not clear, as media reports differ from actual fact. While there are definitely civilian casualties, it is a recognized Hamas tactic to use civilians as shields and to launch rockets from population centers. When civilians protest these actions, Hamas transfers them elsewhere.
Current Israeli estimations predict that rocket fire will continue. Some of the Hamas leadership has fled, while all the living quarters of the leadership are empty. It seems apparent that the Israeli government has decided to show the Hamas leadership that it was a mistake to launch extended range missiles.
The length and extent of the operation will be decided by the government. At this stage it seems that the extent of the operation will be greater than previous operations, as it is necessary to contend not only with Hamas capabilities, but also with their intentions, and to show them that they cannot keep shooting at Sderot and Ashkelon with impunity. This is not the broad operation into Gaza spoken of previously. If Hamas, supported by Iran and Syria, increases its activities, the Israeli government has additional options. The Hamas leadership is not currently targeted but this may change in the future as it is a question of policy.
While no limited operation can stop all the rockets, the current operation has two aims:
The operation was initiated in Jabaliya, the area from which most of the launchings take place.
To demonstrate to Hamas that they will suffer additional casualties if the rocket launchings continue. If Hamas continues its rocket launching policy, it will bring the broad military operation upon itself.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad instructors who were trained in Iran and Syria and who entered Gaza via Egypt, are now training the Hamas forces in the Gaza Strip.
While it was problematic for Hamas to smuggle certain types of weapons through the dozens of tunnels beneath the border, during the period the border was open they managed to bring in heavy trucks filled with armaments and ammunition. The Syrians and Iranians were able to arrange the supply of new weapons, which is why Israel must now contend with previously unknown weapon types.

Daughters Of Zion Video

The following video was recently produced to publicize the plight of young Jewish prisoners, who up until recently were held in prison for refusing to participate with the corrupt, Israeli Judicial system. One 16-year-old is still being held. The video exposes the Israeli prison system, which is abusive to religious activists.


This video also has the goal of publicizing the Jewish People's struggle for its Homeland.

Thanks to Voice Of Judea for the video link.

Those interviewed or who provide commentary include Nadia Matar of Women In Green, Rabbi Yeshayahu Hollander, of the nascent Sanhedrin, Prof. Hillel Weiss, and a young activist encouraging her friends to maintain their faith and hope.

The introduction to the video reads:

"Young female religious teens are being held in jail for the crime of being on a hilltop in Judea - Samaria, Israel. The media calls them ... all » "settlers" Here is their story, jail conditions and see their motivation and determination. "

Several young women attempt to block the police van carrying their friends. Please keep in mind that it is a violation of the girls right to be handled by male law enforcement officers.

Although all but one of the girls haa been released, there are still expenses to be covered.


To help contribute to the emergency campaign for their release:


From the U. S. 011-962-54-489-6709


mishallyisrael@yahoo.com

Cross posted on The (Not) Forgotten Prisoners Of Zion Blog

ISRAEL - GET OUT OF THE WEST BANK - SAYS RICE

Blogmaster's Comments: Well, here we go again, Condoleeza Rice is again flexing her muscles and threatening Israel. Read between the lines and it is not rocket science to see clearly that the U.S. is on a path of appeasement with the Arabs. The Price?... Why more Jewish Land of course! Israel needs to become independent of the United States for military hardware and supplies. I for one am sick and tired of the United States treating Israel like a naughty child and favoring Israel's enemies. Perhaps an allignment with China would better serve Israel's interests in the region. America's foreign policy regarding the Middle-East is obvious and transparent...Keep America's heel on Israel and kow-tow to the Saudis, Egypt and Jordan. It's all about oil - simple as that. If the United States were forced to choose between Israel and the Arabs, who do you think would be left out in the cold???

MAAN NEWS AGENCY---------------------------

Israel must stop the occupation of the West Bank,

says US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

Date: 26 / 07 / 2007 Time: 15:13

Bethlehem – Ma'an – The United States Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice said on Thursday that Israel must end the occupation of the West Bank. She made the statement in an interview with Radio Sawa, an American-Arabic station. Rice pointed out that US President George W. Bush, in a speech last week, had made it clear that Israel's future should be limited to Israel itself, concentrating on developing the Galilee and Negev. The US Secretary of State also stressed that a Palestinian state must be established. Rice, together with US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, will arrive in the region sometime next week for a series of meetings with the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf States. Bush called for an international conference on Middle East peace last week, to be held this autumn. Secretary Rice said that she expects the Middle Eastern representatives she will be meeting next week will express their support for the conference. Rice made her comments a day after the historic visit to Jerusalem by the foreign minister of Egypt, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and Jordan's foreign minister, Abdelelah Al-Khatib, who came to the city as representatives of the Arab League.The dignitaries came to promote the Arab peace initiative, which the Arab League reiterated during the Riyadh summit earlier this year. They met with Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. According to a senior Israeli government source, talks with Saudi officials have been taking place through a third party for some time. During the meeting, Olmert stressed the importance of other Arab countries joining the peace process, alluding especially to Saudi Arabia. Haaretz, the Israeli daily newspaper, quoted Aboul Gheit as saying to Olmert that "we hope Israel and the Palestinian Authority [PA] will make sufficient progress in their meetings to create the necessary atmosphere for normalising relations between Israel and the rest of the Arab world." Olmert in response said that Israel and the PA "have begun a process of dialogue that will naturally also lead to negotiations with the PA on the main issue that will enable the establishment of a Palestinian state." Israel's Prime Minister confirmed that he intends to negotiate with PA President Abbas on a "declaration of principles" for the establishment of a Palestinian state. "There are […] quiet understandings," said Olmert.

HAMAS IN CONTROL OF ANTI-AIRCRAFT MISSILES AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!

Anti-Aircraft Missiles Held By "Moderate" PA Seized By Hamas

Dr. Aaron Lerner Date 6 July, 2007

Yediot Ahronot correspondent Alex Fishman reports in today's edition that
senior Israeli security officials are concerned that Hamas has seized large
quantities of weapons - including anti-aircraft missiles - that were being
held by the "moderate" PA security forces until Gaza fell to Hamas.

Fishman notes that the Palestinian Authority smuggled the weapons "in
violation of all the understandings and all the agreements".

According to Fishman, Hamas found in the armories of the PA and Fatah Gaza
forces (the forces that United States General Dayton's program was arming
and training) Strella anti aircraft missiles, Sagger anti-tank missiles,
Grad B 122mm Katyushas, 12.7mm DShK (Dushka) Machine Gun, thousands of
assault rifles, thousands of other anti-tank missiles, and rocket propelled
grenades as well as millions of bullets, communications equipment, night
vision equipment, telescopes and more.

Fishman notes that the Hamas force now numbers some 6,000 troops and that
thanks to the "contribution", the Hamas army can now grow to 14-15 thousand.

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(Mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
Website: http://www.imra.org.il

SYRIA CONTINUES ARMING PFLP FOR ATTACKS ON ISRAEL

Note: There is a tremendous amount of "Open-Source Intelligence" (information that is easily obtained from published sources accessible in the public domain, e.g. news papers and magazines, the internet, broadcast media, Arab websites, blogs, etc.) that indicate that an attack on Israel by Syria and Palestinian forces (supplied by Iran) is imminent. The enormous quantity of sophisticated weaponry being transferred into the hands of Palestinian terrorists in Lebanon is unprecedented. Syrian military buildups North of the Golan Heights are being reinforced with large contingents of artillery, armor, and troops (Syria says that their military deployment is merely training maneuvers). It is a well known fact that Syria possesses anthrax vials, containers of mustard gas, and other chemical and biological weapons intended for use against Israel. Tensions in Jordan are apparent and sources there are concerned that if Syria attacks Israel, Jordan may be drawn into the conflict. While Egypt is not expected to immediately support an Arab attack on Israel, radical Islamic elements there may force Egypt to abrogate its peace treaty with Israel. In other words, the Middle-East is a powder keg and Israel is the target. The U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has publicly recognized the Syrian preparations for war against Israel but, as we all know, the United Nations is impotent. At the first sign of hostilities, U.N. forces would be withdrawn and aggression against Israel would not be confronted. It has happened many times in the past...one only has to remember what happened in the Sinai in 1973. The United States is over committed as it is and in all probability would do nothing to support Israel when the attacks begin (other than to re-supply military materials but even that limited assistance is questionable). In other words, as we all realize, Israel must stand alone, only this time the enemy has new weaponry that will cause Israel's cities to resemble London during the Blitz. Israel's Civilian Government is fiddling around and wasting what little precious time we have to prepare for the oncoming onslaught which analysts believe may come as soon as late August. We can only hope that our new Defense Minister (who has proven courage and abilities necessary) will be able to overcome the tremendous obstacles facing him and the IDF. If we are to survive, only pressure from the public will cause Olmert to act to defend Israel. The old adage "Pray for Peace but Prepare For War" has never had more urgency. B’nai Elim Blogmaster

U.N. chief worried about arms smuggling

By Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press Writer | June 29, 2007

UNITED NATIONS --Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Syria and Iran on Friday to do more to prevent arms smuggling to Lebanon, citing "disturbing reports" from the Lebanese and Israeli governments of alleged violations of the U.N. arms embargo.

In a report to the Security Council on implementation of the resolution that ended last summer's 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah, Ban said the reports "constitute a major impediment to the establishment of a permanent cease-fire and a long-term solution" that would bring peace to Lebanon.

The report was issued three days after a U.N.-appointed team said security along the Lebanon-Syria border is insufficient to prevent arms smuggling and Lebanon should quickly establish a mobile force to intercept any flow of weapons.

In the latest report, Ban said Lebanon informed him that on June 6, four trucks were seen by the Lebanese armed forces traveling from Al-Kafeer in Syria to Lebanon, ultimately to an outpost of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestinian in Jabal al-Maaysara. Each truck carried two vehicles mounted with 40-barrel rocket launchers, he said.

At the same time, he said, Israel claims Syria and Iran are transferring "sophisticated weaponry" across the Lebanon-Syria border every week, including long-range rockets, anti-tank and anti-aircraft defense systems. Israel says this has enabled Hezbollah "to rearm to the same levels as before last year's war or beyond," but has not provided evidence, he said.

Syria "has denied any involvement in effecting breaches of the arms embargo," Ban said.

Nonetheless, the secretary-general said, Syria, Iran and other regional states "have a particular responsibility to ensure that the provisions related to the arms embargo" in the August 2006 resolution that ended the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict are fully respected.

"The Syrian Arab Republic, in particular, has a shared responsibility in controlling its borders with Lebanon ... including in safeguarding against breaches of the arms embargo," Ban said.

He noted Syria's willingness to consider working with European governments on improving border security, and urged Syria "to do more to control its border with Lebanon."

The February 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri sparked huge protests against Syria, which was widely seen as culpable. Syria denied involvement but was forced to withdraw its troops from Lebanon, ending a 29-year presence.

© Copyright 2007 The New York Times Company

IDF - Six Soldiers Combat Wounded in W. Bank

yaakov katz and jpost.com staff, THE JERUSALEM POST Jun. 27, 2007

6 troops wounded by bomb in W. Bank

Two IDF officers and four soldiers were wounded during operations in the West Bank overnight Wednesday.

One officer and two soldiers were moderately wounded when a bomb was thrown at the troops operating near Nablus. Two other soldiers were lightly wounded in the incident. A second officer was wounded in a separate IDF operation in the West Bank.

All of the wounded were evacuated to Tel Hashomer hospital for treatment.

Earlier on Wednesday, at least 12 Palestinians were killed and another 40 wounded as IDF infantry and armored units swept into the northern and southern Gaza Strip to rout out Palestinian gunmen.

Overnight Tuesday, troops from the Givati Brigade, backed by tanks and attack helicopters, entered the southern Gaza Strip near the Sufa Crossing and began searching homes on the outskirts of Khan Yunis for terror suspects. Simultaneously, ground forces swept into an area near the Karni Crossing and began searching for tunnels and explosive devices.

Clashes erupted immediately and, in what sources in the Southern Command said was "fierce resistance," the Palestinians, some affiliated with Hamas and Islamic Jihad, fired anti-tank missiles at the incoming troops.

Two IDF soldiers were lightly wounded during the operation near Karni when their armored personnel carrier was hit by an anti-tank missile.

"The troops only went two kilometers deep into Gaza," a source in the Southern Command said. "And, as can be seen from the resistance, the terrorists were heavily deployed near the border, waiting to attack."

In a report strongly denied by the IDF, the Palestinians claimed that an IAF aircraft bombed a car and killed Ra'ad Fanuna, a high-ranking Islamic Jihad operative implicated in manufacturing Kassam rockets and firing them at the western Negev.

The IDF said that it was not behind the attack. The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) refused to comment.

Islamic Jihad vowed revenge for the death of Fanuna, who had been wanted by Israel.

Palestinians also claimed that four people were killed, including a child, by a tank shell which hit a home in the Gaza City neighborhood of Sajaya. The IDF denied the report. The army did confirm, however, that troops had killed a number of gunmen in the area.

Also Wednesday, six Kassam rockets fired from northern Gaza landed in and around Sderot, and eight mortars landed in open areas in the western Negev. No casualties were reported in the attacks.

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's office released a statement condemning the IDF operations.

"The crimes that were committed in the Gaza Strip by the Israeli occupation must be strongly condemned," read the statement.

The statement continued: "This bloody escalation, which was initiated by the Israeli government, is a distinct violation of the cease-fire, and will lead to a chain of retaliations and the prolonging of violence."

The PA chairman's office went on to say that "this aggression comes only a single day after the Sharm e-Sheikh summit and calls into question whether Israel really intends to seal an agreement and negotiate to end the occupation."

In another incident overnight Tuesday, one Palestinian gunman was killed and three more were wounded in a fire fight with soldiers near Jenin.

According to the IDF, troops operating in the area surrounded a building in which the gunmen were hiding. When the four attempted to escape, the soldiers opened fire, moderately wounding one of the gunmen, who was subsequently arrested.

The remaining gunmen fled back into the building. When they made another attempt to flee an hour later, IDF troops opened fire again and wounded them. The gunmen threw a bomb at the soldiers during the operation, but no troops were hurt in the incident.

The two were taken to Ha'emek Hospital in Afula and were set to be transferred to the Shin Bet for questioning.

The "Executive Force" planned the military coup in Gaza

Azzam Al-Ahmad: the founders of the Executive Force planned the military coup in Gaza

Date: 25 / 06 / 2007  Time:  13:42
www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=23307

Bethlehem - Ma'an - Speaker of Fatah bloc in the Palestinian Legislative
Council (PLC), Azzam Al-Ahmad, said on Monday that notions of "elimination
and replacement" dominated Hamas' understanding of the nature of elections.

Al-Ahmad held a press conference in Ramallah, in the central West Bank, in
order to comment on the public address of deposed Prime Minister, Ismail
Haniyeh, on Sunday. Al-Ahmad said that Hamas devastated all Palestinian
institutions.

Al-Ahmad accused Hamas of disabling the PLC by being antagonistic towards
the political partnership. "Hamas wants to establish a state which they do
not deserve and they must talk reasonably about the law."

Al-Ahmad alleged that those who committed the military coup in Gaza are the
same people that established the Hamas-affiliated Executive Force and
refused to assimilate it into the Palestinian security forces.

"The mutiny trend within Hamas, comprises those who rejected the Mecca
agreement and dubbed it 'Al-Hudaybiya Reconciliation' [a treaty between the
prophet Mohammad and his rival clan of Quraysh, who opposed Islam]," says
Al-Ahmad.

Al-Ahmad added, "We established a joint operation room, something which we
had agreed in a meeting in the presence of President Abbas, Haniyeh, myself
and [Abbas aide] Tayeb Abdel Rahim, yet Hamas insisted on knowing the
personal details of the security services' members, in order to prepare for
their coup."

Al-Ahmad also claimed that "Israel has destroyed the security services in
order to pave the way for Hamas to finish and subdue them.

"We will provide documents to prove that countries, parties and Palestinian
factions intended to distort the image of the Palestinian people and show
that they can not govern themselves," Azzam Al-Ahmad says. 

HAMAS WEAPONS CACHES IN WEST BANK

MAAN NEWS AGENCY (Arab Press)

---------------------------

Iran assisted Hamas' takeover in Gaza, intelligence chief claims

Date: 24 / 06 / 2007 Time: 15:17

Ramallah - Ma'an - Hamas political and military leaders held meetings in Syria to prepare for the military takeover of the Gaza Strip, the deputy chief of the Palestinian intelligence service, Maj. Gen. Tawfiq Tirawi, claimed on Sunday.

He also accused Iran of assisting Hamas with training and funding prior to the Gaza takeover and warned that Hamas has caches of weapons in the West Bank which are intended for "a military revolution" against Fatah.

In a press conference in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Tirawi fiercely criticized Hamas, describing them as “mutineers.”

"The current stage has revealed the real face of the mutineers who never believed in the Palestinian national agreement and independence,” Tirawi said. “They also refused to join the Palestine Liberation Organisation and aborted the first Palestinian uprising when they created an opposite program to that of the Palestinian forces, simply because their program contradicted the Palestinian national program."

Maj. Gen. Tirawi also accused Hamas of “treachery," saying that Hamas saw the 2006 Palestinian Legislative Council elections as an opportunity to overcome the Palestinian national program.

Having won the elections but then failed to govern the Palestinian territories single-handedly, Hamas was forced to follow the path of dialogue, Tirawi said.

Tirawi also accused Hamas of carrying out a series of assassinations against members of the Palestinian security services and the Fatah movement. The deputy intelligence chief then challenged Hamas to prove that the Palestinian security services were involved in any single assassination attempt against Hamas members.

Responding to the declarations of Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya, Tirawi said, "The rebels want to distort the patriotic Palestinian security services' members, who do not need Hamas' praise despite the fact that Hamas used to applaud them during the elections time so as to get their support."

On Friday evening, Al Hayya accused the security services of collaborating and cooperating against Hamas with the Israel and the US, in addition to many other countries.

He accused the security services, who are considered loyal to Fatah, of not only spying on the Hamas movement, "but also on Arab countries and officials, including ministers and strategic sites".

Tirawi also addressed Hamas’ alleged assassination attempt of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and its goals. He said: "We challenge Hamas to prove that the video cassette which proved Hamas’ involvement in an attempt to assassinate the Palestinian president was fabricated. The aim of that assassination was to take advantage of the Palestinian law which reads that the speaker of the PLC, who is a Hamas leader, becomes the president once the president is absent."

Tirawi admitted that the security services failed, and that they are learning from their mistakes. Besides, he added, the security services were not given orders to attack. They were only defending themselves, he said.

With regards to the investigation committee, he said that the committee is authorized to summon anyone to testify, including President Abbas himself.

Tirawi stated several examples to prove that Fatah has always adhered to national unity and rejected inter-Palestinian fighting. He recalled an incident between the late president, Yasser Arafat, and a president of an Arab state who asked Arafat to get rid of the Iraqi-affiliated "Rejection Front", and Arafat refused.

Tirawi also claimed that the late Hamas leader, Imad 'Aqil, who was believed to have been assassinated by Israel, was in fact assassinated by a Hamas-affiliated imam of a mosque.

Tirawi also narrated an anecdote implying that Hamas members also "collaborated" with Israel. He said that the brother of a Hamas spokesperson, called Mushher Al-Masri, came to the West Bank with the aim of carrying out a bombing operation inside Israel. However, his brother, the Hamas spokesman, told the Palestinian security services to send him back to the Gaza Strip.

Tirawi also assured that the Palestinian intelligence agency is an information body, not a military one. The agency includes only a limited number of armed men, Tirawi said, who are used only to defend their bases if they come under attack.

He added, "We are responsible for our people in Gaza and the West Bank, and we have to protect all civilians."

He also called on Fatah's main armed wing, the Al Aqsa Brigades, to join the security forces in maintaining law and order through the security institutions. He assured that any lawbreakers would be pursued and punished.

In the case of the Hamas prisoners being held in Fatah prisons, Tirawi said that this issue would be ended soon. However, he added that anyone who has weapons which are intended for destruction or killing would be punished.

Tirawi also alleged that Hamas has weapons which are intended for "a military revolution" against Fatah. In order to prevent such a situation, the security services will declare a state of emergency, Tirawi said.

At the end of the press conference, Tirawi also slammed Iran for assisting Hamas with training and funding prior to the Gaza takeover. He also alleged that some Arab parties trained members of Hamas' armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, in their military bases.

**updated 16:45

Israel's Support of Fatah Terrorists = An Egregious Error!!!

Note: How can anyone agree that arming those who are sworn to kill us is a good idea? Even if we see Fatah as the lesser of two evils, the monies and arms that we transfer to Fatah will ultimately be used to kill Israelis. Olmert admits that there is more than a distinct possibility that this so-called "Aid" will fall into the hands of Hamas or others bent upon our destruction. Stupid?... No, this is beyond stupidity or lack of judgment, it is perfidiousness at it's worst. The $562 Million would be better spent on the victims of the destruction of Israeli towns and homes during the "evacuation" of Israeli land in the Gaza Strip. Why is "the Risk Taker" Olmert still in power??? After his inept handling of the Lebanon War we thought the government would topple! Now he is taking another ill-advised risk that can only lead to more terrorist attacks and Israeli dead. Israel is a ship without a captain and a broken rudder, steaming in circles with no clear destination and no one willing to take the helm and set the proper course. B'nai Elim Blogmaster

9 Tammuz 5767, Monday, 25 June 2007

Gov't OKs $562 Million Transfer to Fatah Terrorists

9 Tammuz 5767, 25 June 07 03:22

by Gil Ronen

(IsraelNN.com) The Israeli government approved a phased transfer of $562 million Sunday to the terrorist Palestinian Authority (PA), headed by Fatah's Mahmoud Abbas, also known as 'Abu Mazen'. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert acknowledged that there is a risk that Abbas will cave in to pressures from the Arab world and again form a "unity government" with Hamas. In case this happens, Olmert admitted, the funds being transferred will likely fall into Hamas' hands.

Olmert said, however, that he left his meeting with US President George W. Bush with the message that the transfer of funds would open "a window of opportunity for 'the peace process.'"

The first installment of the transfer is expected to be handed over within the next few days. The government was assured that the transfer is to be accompanied by the establishment of an "oversight mechanism" that will supposedly ensure that they do not fall into terrorist hands.

The funds in question are tax monies collected by Israel for the PA from residents of eastern Jerusalem. They were frozen after the Hamas won the PA elections in 2006.

The money transfer will be the chief "gesture" the government intends to present to Abbas in Monday's regional summit meeting at Sharm el-Sheikh. Diplomatic sources said there was no intention at the moment to hand over more weapons and ammunition to Abbas, but hinted that Israel would be forthcoming if asked by American mediator Keith Dayton to take additional steps – presumably, to ease restrictions on movement in Judea and Samaria.

Only two ministers voted against the measure: Avigdor Lieberman and Yitzhak Aharonovich of Yisrael Beiteinu. However, Minister Lieberman said Sunday that his party would not leave the ruling coalition despite the decision. “Abu Mazen, [Fatah Gaza terror leader Mahmoud] Dahlan, and the rest of those wimps have no intention of arresting even one terrorist,” Lieberman said, adding that "Abbas is an opportunist who tours the world but has violated every agreement." However," Lieberman added, "Yisrael Beiteinu will remain in the coalition in order to influence the government from within."

Olmert was asked about the risk involved in easing restrictions on the PA, and replied: "When you make a move like this, you have to be willing to take risks, although it isn't easy."

At this point, Minister Lieberman said "the problem is that we only take risks and never get anything in return. Oslo A, Oslo B, the Disengagement. We took risks but what good did it do?"

General Security Service (Shabak) chief Yuval Diskin told the government that Abbas, whose forces were clobbered in Gaza, is weak in Judea and Samaria as well. "The Fatah is divided and crumbling," he said. "He is not as strong in Judea and Samaria as one might think."

Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai (Shas) said that by handing over the money in stages, "we will be able to ensure if Abu Mazen's strengthening is only declarative… If he does not get stronger we will stop transferring money."

"Lieberman is a partner to terror"
Four members of the National Union / National Religious Party fired a simultaneous rhetorical salvo at Minister Avigdor Lieberman, for his decision to stay in the government despite the decision to aid the PA.

MK Aryeh Eldad called the decision “foolish and criminal,” and called on Minister Lieberman to leave the coalition, saying that Lieberman was now a “partner to terror” despite voting against the money transfer. He noted that the government was now Hizbullah's partner in arming Fatah.

MK Effie Eitam called on Lieberman to leave the government as well, saying the government’s decision “proves that Lieberman has zero influence.” Eitam added: "Lieberman's earlier statement – 'if Hamas is not taken apart, the government will be taken apart' – was proven today to be a hollow one. Meanwhile, the Hamas took apart Gaza and Olmert is taking apart Lieberman in the government."

MK Uri Ariel said "Minister Lieberman is trying to be a member of the government without being responsible for its failures… These funds are fueling terror and no sleight-of-tongue will change this."

MK Tzvi Hendel asked – "How far shall we take this folly? Instead of bringing back our deterrence capability and finishing off Gaza's terror and its leaders, Olmert is nurturing a new false Golden Calf in the form of Abu Mazen and the Fatah, and thus building the basis for a new keg of terror which will go off in Judea and Samaria."

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Ahmadinejad - Israel's Days Are Numbered

Ahmadinejad Says Israel's Destruction Is Imminent!

UN Chief 'Shocked' At Iran's Call For Israel's Destruction

UNITED NATIONS (AP)--Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was "shocked and dismayed" at a report that Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the world would witness the destruction of Israel soon, the United Nations said Thursday.

The official Islamic Republic News Agency reported Sunday that the hard-line president, who has made anti-Israeli comments in the past, referred twice to Israel's impending destruction.

"The secretary-general points out that the state of Israel is a full and longstanding member of the United Nations with the same rights and obligations as every other member," U.N. deputy spokeswoman Marie Okabe said in a statement.

"He reminds that under the United Nations Charter, all members have undertaken to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state," Okabe said.

IRNA quoted Ahmadinejad as saying last summer's war between Israel and Hezbollah showed for the first time that the "hegemony of the occupier regime ( Israel) had collapsed, and the Lebanese nation pushed the button to begin counting the days until the destruction of the Zionist regime."

"God willing, in the near future we will witness the destruction of the corrupt occupier regime," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying during ceremonies marking the 18th anniversary of the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who is known as the father of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Ahmadinejad and his regime must be attacked and destroyed as soon as possible. If the United States won't stand up to the Iranian Hitler, then Israel must strike first. An attack on Iran will necessitate Israels preemptive strike against the Syrian military build-up on our Northern border. It is doubtful that any other Arab countries will involve themselves on the side of Syria or Iran. The longer we wait, the stronger our enemies become and inaction will be measured in Israeli lives. Blogmaster

IDF Captures Rabbi Binyamin Ze'ev Kahane's Murderer !

IDF arrests Kahane's son's murderer in Ramallah

Yaakov Katz and jpost.com staff,
THE JERUSALEM POST May. 28, 2007

A senior commander of the Aksa Martyrs Brigades who is responsible for the deaths of several Israelis was arrested in a joint IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Services) operation in Ramallah on Monday.

Officials said that Khaled Shawish, head of the Tanzim in Ramallah, was behind the shooting attack that killed , son of Rabbi Meir Kahane, and his wife Talia in December 2002.

Shawish was also responsible for dozens of other attacks, including suicide bombings in Jerusalem as well as other shooting attacks on roads in the area, that left a total of five Israelis dead and dozens wounded.

Officials said that Shawish, 26, has been wanted by the IDF since 2000 and has spent most of his time in hiding near the Mukata. In 2001, Shawish was wounded during clashes with the IDF.

Security officials said that Shawish was a dominant force within the Palestinian terror infrastructure and added that his arrest was a success for IDF and the Shin Bet. He was arrested while in possession of a gun.

The Al Aksa commander - a senior officer with the Palestinian National Security Force - was also a bomb maker who taught Tanzim operatives how to manufacture explosives and explosive belts and how to lay roadside bombs. He planned to kidnap both civilians and IDF troops.

In March 2002, Shawish dispatched a suicide bomber who exploded on King George St. in Jerusalem killing three people and wounding 35. In February 2002 he dispatched a suicide bomber that wounded two people.

Also Monday, soldiers arrested two Tanzim operatives in Jericho. Palestinians reported that one of the men was seriously wounded when he was shot by troops during the arrest operation.

Earlier, IDF soldiers conducting sweeps near Jenin discovered homemade weapons, which they confiscated.

Overnight Sunday, IDF forces arrested eight Palestinian fugitives during operations in the West Bank.

THE NEXT GENERATION.....WAR OR PEACE