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1. 'Land for Peace is Land for War'
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
Moshe Ya'alon, a former IDF Chief of Staff who this week joined the Likud party, declared Wednesday morning that the "land for peace" policy he once backed has proven that giving up Jewish land to Arabs brings war.
He once stated that Israel could defend itself without the Golan Heights, which outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has proposed giving to Syria. Ya'alon told Yaron Dekel, host of the It's All Talk Show on Voice of Israel government radio, "I was a believer in land for peace, but I have learned the past 15 years... it deteriorates our security."
Ya'alon was Chief of Staff during the government of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who made the unprecedented move of not extending his term of office because of Ya'alon's doubts about the plan to destroy all Jewish presence in the Gaza region and withdraw all IDF troops.
He said that the expulsion and the withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000 by former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, now Defense Minister, left Israel with Kassam and Grad attacks on the south and the Second Lebanon War in the north.
Ya'alon, who lives on a Kibbutz, explained that the values he grew up with no longer are represented in political parties he once identified with..
Referring to Israel's first Prime Minister David Ben Gurion, Ya'alon said that if he were alive today, he "would not choose Labor, Meretz or Kadima."
The new Likud member admitted that the decision to move into politics was not easy. "My heart said 'no' and my head said 'yes", he told reporters Tuesday. "The head won."
He explained Wednesday morning that he and his family will pay a heavy price for his entering politics, a path that is strewn with booby traps for the values he holds. "We need leadership in the face of the security, education and economic crises," he explained.
Asked if he wants to be Prime Minister, Ya'alon replied, "It is not an obsession. I did not even want to be an Army officer. I know people who wanted to be Prime Minister from the day they were born, but I am not one of them."
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by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
Moshe Ya'alon, a former IDF Chief of Staff who this week joined the Likud party, declared Wednesday morning that the "land for peace" policy he once backed has proven that giving up Jewish land to Arabs brings war.
He once stated that Israel could defend itself without the Golan Heights, which outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has proposed giving to Syria. Ya'alon told Yaron Dekel, host of the It's All Talk Show on Voice of Israel government radio, "I was a believer in land for peace, but I have learned the past 15 years... it deteriorates our security."
Ya'alon was Chief of Staff during the government of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who made the unprecedented move of not extending his term of office because of Ya'alon's doubts about the plan to destroy all Jewish presence in the Gaza region and withdraw all IDF troops.
He said that the expulsion and the withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000 by former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, now Defense Minister, left Israel with Kassam and Grad attacks on the south and the Second Lebanon War in the north.
Ya'alon, who lives on a Kibbutz, explained that the values he grew up with no longer are represented in political parties he once identified with..
Referring to Israel's first Prime Minister David Ben Gurion, Ya'alon said that if he were alive today, he "would not choose Labor, Meretz or Kadima."
The new Likud member admitted that the decision to move into politics was not easy. "My heart said 'no' and my head said 'yes", he told reporters Tuesday. "The head won."
He explained Wednesday morning that he and his family will pay a heavy price for his entering politics, a path that is strewn with booby traps for the values he holds. "We need leadership in the face of the security, education and economic crises," he explained.
Asked if he wants to be Prime Minister, Ya'alon replied, "It is not an obsession. I did not even want to be an Army officer. I know people who wanted to be Prime Minister from the day they were born, but I am not one of them."
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2. 'Brainless People Praise Rice'
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
A Jordanian professor, debating on Arab language television, said people who "sing the praise of Condoleezza Rice lack taste as well as brains."
The debate on "whether Arabs should employ violence against the United States" was telecast on the Al Jazeera network and was translated by The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).
Pro-Saddam Jordanian University Professor Ibrahim Alloush praised "all the resistance fighters – from Venezuela to Afghanistan, from Iraq to Lebanon and Palestine, [a especially martyrdom-seeking drivers in Jerusalem." Three Arab terrorists from eastern Jerusalem staged three vehicle attacks in the capital this year, killing three Jews and wounding dozens of others.
His comments sparked his debating opponent, liberal Kuwaiti journalist Sami al-Nisf, to charge that "Saddam [Hussei, with all his big talk, ended up like a mouse in a hole. We have tried this formula a hundred times. This is the same formula of Stalin, Hitler, Kim Il-Sung, Qaddafi, Saddam, and so on. These people destroy their countries."
"Don't you dare talk about Saddam that way!" the pro-Saddam Jordanian professor shouted. The journalist replied that the United States "considers these people to be idiots."
The moderator intervened and turned to Professor Alloush, "You want us to follow in the footsteps of Chavez and of Morales in Bolivia…right? In the recent past – without naming names – many Arab rulers locked horns with the U.S., and said: 'To hell with America,' but what was the result of all this?"
When journalist al-Nisf ,mentioned the name of United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the Jordanian professor exclaimed, "These people lack taste as well as brains if they sing the praise of Condoleezza Rice."
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by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
A Jordanian professor, debating on Arab language television, said people who "sing the praise of Condoleezza Rice lack taste as well as brains."
The debate on "whether Arabs should employ violence against the United States" was telecast on the Al Jazeera network and was translated by The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).
Pro-Saddam Jordanian University Professor Ibrahim Alloush praised "all the resistance fighters – from Venezuela to Afghanistan, from Iraq to Lebanon and Palestine, [a especially martyrdom-seeking drivers in Jerusalem." Three Arab terrorists from eastern Jerusalem staged three vehicle attacks in the capital this year, killing three Jews and wounding dozens of others.
His comments sparked his debating opponent, liberal Kuwaiti journalist Sami al-Nisf, to charge that "Saddam [Hussei, with all his big talk, ended up like a mouse in a hole. We have tried this formula a hundred times. This is the same formula of Stalin, Hitler, Kim Il-Sung, Qaddafi, Saddam, and so on. These people destroy their countries."
"Don't you dare talk about Saddam that way!" the pro-Saddam Jordanian professor shouted. The journalist replied that the United States "considers these people to be idiots."
The moderator intervened and turned to Professor Alloush, "You want us to follow in the footsteps of Chavez and of Morales in Bolivia…right? In the recent past – without naming names – many Arab rulers locked horns with the U.S., and said: 'To hell with America,' but what was the result of all this?"
When journalist al-Nisf ,mentioned the name of United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the Jordanian professor exclaimed, "These people lack taste as well as brains if they sing the praise of Condoleezza Rice."
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3. IDF Contradicts Olmert
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert misled the government and the public by claiming that he is waiting for the IDF to make recommendations before acting against rocket and mortar attacks on Israel, according to an IDF statement that contradicted Olmert's statement to the Cabinet.
Olmert told the Cabinet Sunday, "Following last week's Cabinet discussion...that I held this past Friday with Defense Minister Ehud Barak and senior defense establishment officials, I have instructed the latter to submit to me – as soon as possible – their proposals for formulating an action plan…to restore full quiet in the South."
However, Channel Two television quoted military sources as saying, "We already gave Olmert the plans - it is now up to him to decide."
Defense Minister Ehud Barak and the caretaker Prime Minister have stated several times the past two years that a military clash with Hamas is only a "matter of time" and that the IDF has the necessary means to respond according to government decisions.
"What plans does the Prime Minister mean--the ones we presented to him two weeks ago or the ones we saw a month ago?" one officer told the Hebrew newspaper Haaretz. "All of the operational plans regarding Gaza were presented to the cabinet and the security cabinet a long time ago."
Olmert also maintained before the Cabinet Sunday, "I know that tempers are rising and various voices are being heard. My Government has always acted, in such situations, with equanimity and sagacity."
Following another day of attacks that have returned the western Negev and Ashkelon to a daily routine of fear and panic, the Likud and Israel Is Our Home (Yisrael Beiteinu) parties collected enough signatures on Tuesday to force a special recess session next week to discuss the issue.
More than a dozen attacks were reported on Monday, including Kassam rockets that exploded six feet from a Kibbutz home and damaged greenhouses.
As of Tuesday night, more than half a dozen attacks were reported in the Western Negev, none of them causing any damage or serious injuries.
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by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert misled the government and the public by claiming that he is waiting for the IDF to make recommendations before acting against rocket and mortar attacks on Israel, according to an IDF statement that contradicted Olmert's statement to the Cabinet.
Olmert told the Cabinet Sunday, "Following last week's Cabinet discussion...that I held this past Friday with Defense Minister Ehud Barak and senior defense establishment officials, I have instructed the latter to submit to me – as soon as possible – their proposals for formulating an action plan…to restore full quiet in the South."
However, Channel Two television quoted military sources as saying, "We already gave Olmert the plans - it is now up to him to decide."
Defense Minister Ehud Barak and the caretaker Prime Minister have stated several times the past two years that a military clash with Hamas is only a "matter of time" and that the IDF has the necessary means to respond according to government decisions.
"What plans does the Prime Minister mean--the ones we presented to him two weeks ago or the ones we saw a month ago?" one officer told the Hebrew newspaper Haaretz. "All of the operational plans regarding Gaza were presented to the cabinet and the security cabinet a long time ago."
Olmert also maintained before the Cabinet Sunday, "I know that tempers are rising and various voices are being heard. My Government has always acted, in such situations, with equanimity and sagacity."
Following another day of attacks that have returned the western Negev and Ashkelon to a daily routine of fear and panic, the Likud and Israel Is Our Home (Yisrael Beiteinu) parties collected enough signatures on Tuesday to force a special recess session next week to discuss the issue.
More than a dozen attacks were reported on Monday, including Kassam rockets that exploded six feet from a Kibbutz home and damaged greenhouses.
As of Tuesday night, more than half a dozen attacks were reported in the Western Negev, none of them causing any damage or serious injuries.
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4. UJC GA Delegates Speak Out
by IsraelNN Staff
The United Jewish Communities General Assembly is taking place in Jerusalem in honor of the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel. Over 2,500 delegates from Jewish Federations all over the United States joined representatives of organizations from Israel and others for four days of lectures, breakout sessions, and a choice of trips to over 60 places of interest in Israel. Optional locations included “In the path of the Patriarchs” to Gush Etzion, agriculture in the Jordan Valley, Sderot, Northern Israel after the 2nd Lebanon War, and meeting Gush Katif expellees.
Israel National News' Rochel Sylvetsky interviewed delegates at the National Convention Center in Jerusalem to find out their feelings about Israel’s achievements in 60 years, the gap between Israel’s technological progress vs. the escalation of security issues, and the debate over concessions to the Palestinian Authority. Brief video highlights of her interviews are featured below. A longer written report follows:
Email readers click here for video
The delegates had just heard President Shimon Peres’ address to the plenary in which he suggested that Israel close its eyes to its enemies’ faults and agree to concessions in order to make an attempt at peace. He compared this to a husband who shuts his eyes to his spouse’s failings so that they can build a home together. A random survey of delegates found that they did not accept Peres' words at face value and while they did not offer solutions, they were more cautious about insuring Israel’s safety.
President of Israel Shimon Peres to GA: We must close our eyes to make peace
Former IDF Commander in Chief, Moshe “Bogey” Yaalon, who spoke at a packed symposium afterwards, may have affected their opinions. He claimed that Iran, Hamas and Hizballah act rationally only with regard to their own survival and exhorted the West to use political and economic sanctions as well as the threat of military operations, which Israel might have to do alone, against Iran. Iran, he claimed, is already waging a proxy war against Israel via the latter two terrorist organizations.
A delegate from Tennessee claimed that one cannot impose peace, and that each side must desire peace in order to achieve it. The delegate said that Israel’s medical aid to Arabs could serve as an example of learning to accept Israel’s positive contributions to the region.
Andy Weinstein of Dallas, Texas, would not dictate policy to Israel, but was adamant that the first priority must be that Israel’s children are secure and safe in their homes.
Rabbi Joseph Blau of Yeshiva University, New York, felt that Israel must worry about its security first but try to find a way to have less conflicts in the coming sixty years.
Shira, a vivacious college student from Syracuse, New York, has just finished a year in Israel and is working in the US for Pardes Institute. She claims that many students find Israel safer than their hometowns so that this is not an issue in planning to spend time in the Jewish State. The security situation is too complicated for her to address, but she feels that American Jews who love Israel cannot even imagine giving up parts of the country.
Aya Goldberg, from Louisville, Kentucky is spending her husband’s sabbatical year here. She thought that the 2005 disengagement from Gush Katif was the right thing to do until she saw the results and is now against concessions to the Arabs. Her heart goes out to those expelled from Gush Katif, but she admits that her life is not affected by the plight of Sderot.
Rabbi Shonbrun, head of a 300-family Conservative congregation in Miami, Florida, proudly stated that three of his children have immigrated to Israel and that one of them started army service in the IDF Golani brigade this week. He wants to see a strong Israel. “What would happen”, he asked, “if Canada bombarded the US with rockets. We all know the answer. We can’t let our neighbors push us around.”
The GA ends on November 19, with a plenary on Tikkun Olam: Israel and the World after a session with Professor Stanley Fischer, Governor of the Bank of Israel, and Binyamin Netanyahu, head of the Likud party and former Prime Minister. The UJC plans to have more of its General Assemblies in Israel, to see from up close the results of its work and in order to help the Israeli economy.
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by IsraelNN Staff
The United Jewish Communities General Assembly is taking place in Jerusalem in honor of the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel. Over 2,500 delegates from Jewish Federations all over the United States joined representatives of organizations from Israel and others for four days of lectures, breakout sessions, and a choice of trips to over 60 places of interest in Israel. Optional locations included “In the path of the Patriarchs” to Gush Etzion, agriculture in the Jordan Valley, Sderot, Northern Israel after the 2nd Lebanon War, and meeting Gush Katif expellees.
Israel National News' Rochel Sylvetsky interviewed delegates at the National Convention Center in Jerusalem to find out their feelings about Israel’s achievements in 60 years, the gap between Israel’s technological progress vs. the escalation of security issues, and the debate over concessions to the Palestinian Authority. Brief video highlights of her interviews are featured below. A longer written report follows:
Email readers click here for video
The delegates had just heard President Shimon Peres’ address to the plenary in which he suggested that Israel close its eyes to its enemies’ faults and agree to concessions in order to make an attempt at peace. He compared this to a husband who shuts his eyes to his spouse’s failings so that they can build a home together. A random survey of delegates found that they did not accept Peres' words at face value and while they did not offer solutions, they were more cautious about insuring Israel’s safety.
President of Israel Shimon Peres to GA: We must close our eyes to make peace
Former IDF Commander in Chief, Moshe “Bogey” Yaalon, who spoke at a packed symposium afterwards, may have affected their opinions. He claimed that Iran, Hamas and Hizballah act rationally only with regard to their own survival and exhorted the West to use political and economic sanctions as well as the threat of military operations, which Israel might have to do alone, against Iran. Iran, he claimed, is already waging a proxy war against Israel via the latter two terrorist organizations.
A delegate from Tennessee claimed that one cannot impose peace, and that each side must desire peace in order to achieve it. The delegate said that Israel’s medical aid to Arabs could serve as an example of learning to accept Israel’s positive contributions to the region.
Andy Weinstein of Dallas, Texas, would not dictate policy to Israel, but was adamant that the first priority must be that Israel’s children are secure and safe in their homes.
Rabbi Joseph Blau of Yeshiva University, New York, felt that Israel must worry about its security first but try to find a way to have less conflicts in the coming sixty years.
Shira, a vivacious college student from Syracuse, New York, has just finished a year in Israel and is working in the US for Pardes Institute. She claims that many students find Israel safer than their hometowns so that this is not an issue in planning to spend time in the Jewish State. The security situation is too complicated for her to address, but she feels that American Jews who love Israel cannot even imagine giving up parts of the country.
Aya Goldberg, from Louisville, Kentucky is spending her husband’s sabbatical year here. She thought that the 2005 disengagement from Gush Katif was the right thing to do until she saw the results and is now against concessions to the Arabs. Her heart goes out to those expelled from Gush Katif, but she admits that her life is not affected by the plight of Sderot.
Rabbi Shonbrun, head of a 300-family Conservative congregation in Miami, Florida, proudly stated that three of his children have immigrated to Israel and that one of them started army service in the IDF Golani brigade this week. He wants to see a strong Israel. “What would happen”, he asked, “if Canada bombarded the US with rockets. We all know the answer. We can’t let our neighbors push us around.”
The GA ends on November 19, with a plenary on Tikkun Olam: Israel and the World after a session with Professor Stanley Fischer, Governor of the Bank of Israel, and Binyamin Netanyahu, head of the Likud party and former Prime Minister. The UJC plans to have more of its General Assemblies in Israel, to see from up close the results of its work and in order to help the Israeli economy.
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5. PA Using Media for Saudi Plan
by Maayana Miskin
The Palestinian Authority will promote the Saudi Plan in a series of full-page advertisements to be displayed in Hebrew language newspapers in Israel beginning on Thursday. The program, which includes allowing millions of foreign Arabs to move to Israel, will put PA ads in Israeli papers for the first time in history.
The project is being coordinated by MK Ahmed Tibi, who also is translating the Saudi Plan from Arabic to Hebrew.
PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas decided to run the ads because he feels Israelis have not given the Saudi Plan the consideration it deserves, MK Tibi explained. “Abu Mazen [Abbas's terrorist nickname—ed believes that this initiative is the best method to solve the conflict, and he thinks that up to this point the Israeli public and Israeli politics have not been given a chance to truly understand the initiative."
Abbas believes that more Israelis will support the Saudi initiative if they have a chance to read it, according to MK Tibi, who added that "this is an historic opportunity." The advertisements will be “a big first step, but not the last step” in the PA's attempts to promote the initiative, he said.
The ads will be titled “The Arab Peace Initiative,” with the subtitle, “Full relations and diplomatic ties between Israel and 57 Arab and Muslim states in exchange for a comprehensive peace agreement and a full end to the occupation.” Tibi hopes to run the ad in Yediot Acharonot, Maariv, Haaretz and Yisrael HaYom.
The ad will also include quotes from Saudi Prince Abdullah calling for “a full Israel withdrawal from all Arab territories conquered in 1967” and promising “normal relations in the context of a comprehensive peace with Israel, by convincing Arab states that a military solution to the conflict will not bring peace or security.”
Under the Saudi Plan, Israel would be required to give away the Golan Heights, all of Judea, Samaria and most if not all of eastern Jerusalem, including the Old City and the Temple Mount. Israel would not be allowed to maintain sovereignty over densely populated areas in Judea and Samaria, and would be required to remove more than 300,000 Israeli citizens living in the area.
Israel would also be required to find “a solution” for millions of foreign Arabs claiming descent from those who fled the country during the War of Independence. Israeli supporters of the plan say the clause would allow Israel to reach peace without accepting the foreign Arabs as citizens. However, groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and many of the foreign Arabs themselves, say they are willing to accept nothing less than residence in Israel and full citizenship.
The Saudi Plan has received praise from President Shimon Peres, although he said he does not support the plan as is but believes it to be a good starting point for negotiations.
Comment on this story
by Maayana Miskin
The Palestinian Authority will promote the Saudi Plan in a series of full-page advertisements to be displayed in Hebrew language newspapers in Israel beginning on Thursday. The program, which includes allowing millions of foreign Arabs to move to Israel, will put PA ads in Israeli papers for the first time in history.
The project is being coordinated by MK Ahmed Tibi, who also is translating the Saudi Plan from Arabic to Hebrew.
PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas decided to run the ads because he feels Israelis have not given the Saudi Plan the consideration it deserves, MK Tibi explained. “Abu Mazen [Abbas's terrorist nickname—ed believes that this initiative is the best method to solve the conflict, and he thinks that up to this point the Israeli public and Israeli politics have not been given a chance to truly understand the initiative."
Abbas believes that more Israelis will support the Saudi initiative if they have a chance to read it, according to MK Tibi, who added that "this is an historic opportunity." The advertisements will be “a big first step, but not the last step” in the PA's attempts to promote the initiative, he said.
The ads will be titled “The Arab Peace Initiative,” with the subtitle, “Full relations and diplomatic ties between Israel and 57 Arab and Muslim states in exchange for a comprehensive peace agreement and a full end to the occupation.” Tibi hopes to run the ad in Yediot Acharonot, Maariv, Haaretz and Yisrael HaYom.
The ad will also include quotes from Saudi Prince Abdullah calling for “a full Israel withdrawal from all Arab territories conquered in 1967” and promising “normal relations in the context of a comprehensive peace with Israel, by convincing Arab states that a military solution to the conflict will not bring peace or security.”
Under the Saudi Plan, Israel would be required to give away the Golan Heights, all of Judea, Samaria and most if not all of eastern Jerusalem, including the Old City and the Temple Mount. Israel would not be allowed to maintain sovereignty over densely populated areas in Judea and Samaria, and would be required to remove more than 300,000 Israeli citizens living in the area.
Israel would also be required to find “a solution” for millions of foreign Arabs claiming descent from those who fled the country during the War of Independence. Israeli supporters of the plan say the clause would allow Israel to reach peace without accepting the foreign Arabs as citizens. However, groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and many of the foreign Arabs themselves, say they are willing to accept nothing less than residence in Israel and full citizenship.
The Saudi Plan has received praise from President Shimon Peres, although he said he does not support the plan as is but believes it to be a good starting point for negotiations.
Comment on this story
6. IDF Returns to Gaza
by Hana Levi Julian
IDF ground forces re-entered Gaza on Tuesday in what the army referred to as a “routine operation” to hunt for bombs planted along the security barrier.
Palestinian Authority sources said IDF tanks and bulldozers entered southern Gaza near the An-Nahdah neighborhood in eastern Rafiah, a key town which straddles the border with Gaza and Egypt, at approximately 9:00 a.m.
Residents in the area told the Associated Press (AP) that IDF bulldozers cleared out fields and leveled other areas east of Rafiah, about 500 meters from the barrier.
The IDF confirmed the activity in a statement quoted by the AP, saying it was “a routine operation to uncover explosive devices near the border fence in [Ga.” A military spokesman added that two mortars were fired at the soldiers, but no one was injured and no damage was caused in the attack. IDF troops did not return fire.
The Bethlehem-based Ma’an news agency reported that the Hamas terrorist organization’s military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, claimed to have launched a “projectile” at the IDF vehicles as they crossed into Gaza.
According to the report, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)’s military wing, the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades also claimed to have exchanged shots with Israeli special operations forces in the Al-Bura neighborhood of Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza.
More than 140 homemade short-range Kassam rockets, medium-range Grad Katyusha rockets and mortar shells have been fired at Jewish communities in southern Israel in the past two weeks. The IDF has killed at least 17 Gaza terrorists, destroyed a key kidnappers’ tunnel and intercepted numerous other would-be attackers in the same period.
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by Hana Levi Julian
IDF ground forces re-entered Gaza on Tuesday in what the army referred to as a “routine operation” to hunt for bombs planted along the security barrier.
Palestinian Authority sources said IDF tanks and bulldozers entered southern Gaza near the An-Nahdah neighborhood in eastern Rafiah, a key town which straddles the border with Gaza and Egypt, at approximately 9:00 a.m.
Residents in the area told the Associated Press (AP) that IDF bulldozers cleared out fields and leveled other areas east of Rafiah, about 500 meters from the barrier.
The IDF confirmed the activity in a statement quoted by the AP, saying it was “a routine operation to uncover explosive devices near the border fence in [Ga.” A military spokesman added that two mortars were fired at the soldiers, but no one was injured and no damage was caused in the attack. IDF troops did not return fire.
The Bethlehem-based Ma’an news agency reported that the Hamas terrorist organization’s military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, claimed to have launched a “projectile” at the IDF vehicles as they crossed into Gaza.
According to the report, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)’s military wing, the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades also claimed to have exchanged shots with Israeli special operations forces in the Al-Bura neighborhood of Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza.
More than 140 homemade short-range Kassam rockets, medium-range Grad Katyusha rockets and mortar shells have been fired at Jewish communities in southern Israel in the past two weeks. The IDF has killed at least 17 Gaza terrorists, destroyed a key kidnappers’ tunnel and intercepted numerous other would-be attackers in the same period.
Comment on this story
7. Showdown at Peace House
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
A packed hall in Kiryat Arba Tuesday night heard supporters call for a massive and non-violent struggle to keep the Hevron Peace House in Jewish hands. However, warnings were issued that if the government carries through with its plan, police violence may make the Amona expulsion of two years ago seem like child's play.
At the Amona expulsion, several people, including two Knesset Members and a senior IDF reserve officer, suffered serious wounds and broken bones. One youth struggled for his life after mounted police trampled and beat him.
The High Court last week dismissed evidence that Jews bought the Peace House from an Arab, who later denied the deal after he received death threats from local Arabs.
Leaders at the Kiryat Arba rally urged supporters to join Peace House residents and to cram into the area while efforts are made to persuade the government to cancel its plans. They pointed out that they "don't know when they [poli will come" to expel the Peace House residents because "they are too afraid" to appear when there is a large presence of supporters.
Calls were issued for people to be on standby 24 hours a day to rush to the area if forces approach the building, which Jews say was paid for in cash.
One supporter from Givatayim demonstrated for the crowd how to use a gas mask in case of a chemical attack. "I am not kidding," he said. "These people [poli hate us and I believe they want to kill [u."
Knesset Member Otniel Shneller, whose Kadima party officially backs a Jewish presence in Hevron, told the crowd that he "has no doubt that the Peace House was bought according to the law and that it is important for the security" of Hevron. The building is located on the road between Kiryat Arba and Hevron.
National Union MK Uri Ariel declared, "If they come to evacuate us, we will be there. We will defend ourselves against anyone who attacks us. This is a house of peace. Here there is peace, and we will continue to buy houses" from Arabs.
Kiryat Arba-Hevron Rabbi Dov Lior told the crowd, "This house, which was redeemed with blood, belongs to the people of Israel. We have not stolen it from anyone; we bought it. It should be seen as a symbol for how to stand up for the rights of the Israeli people."
Shas party MK Zev Nissim moved into the Peace House on Tuesday to show his support for the residents, but anti-nationalist Peace Now leader Yariv Oppenheimer charged he broke the law. "We demand that legal proceedings be brought against him," he declared.
"The court order is illegal and we will fight for our rights. There is no reason for the evacuation," Hevron spokesman Noam Arnon told the French news agency AFP. "We will defend this house with our bodies."
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by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
A packed hall in Kiryat Arba Tuesday night heard supporters call for a massive and non-violent struggle to keep the Hevron Peace House in Jewish hands. However, warnings were issued that if the government carries through with its plan, police violence may make the Amona expulsion of two years ago seem like child's play.
At the Amona expulsion, several people, including two Knesset Members and a senior IDF reserve officer, suffered serious wounds and broken bones. One youth struggled for his life after mounted police trampled and beat him.
The High Court last week dismissed evidence that Jews bought the Peace House from an Arab, who later denied the deal after he received death threats from local Arabs.
Leaders at the Kiryat Arba rally urged supporters to join Peace House residents and to cram into the area while efforts are made to persuade the government to cancel its plans. They pointed out that they "don't know when they [poli will come" to expel the Peace House residents because "they are too afraid" to appear when there is a large presence of supporters.
Calls were issued for people to be on standby 24 hours a day to rush to the area if forces approach the building, which Jews say was paid for in cash.
One supporter from Givatayim demonstrated for the crowd how to use a gas mask in case of a chemical attack. "I am not kidding," he said. "These people [poli hate us and I believe they want to kill [u."
Knesset Member Otniel Shneller, whose Kadima party officially backs a Jewish presence in Hevron, told the crowd that he "has no doubt that the Peace House was bought according to the law and that it is important for the security" of Hevron. The building is located on the road between Kiryat Arba and Hevron.
National Union MK Uri Ariel declared, "If they come to evacuate us, we will be there. We will defend ourselves against anyone who attacks us. This is a house of peace. Here there is peace, and we will continue to buy houses" from Arabs.
Kiryat Arba-Hevron Rabbi Dov Lior told the crowd, "This house, which was redeemed with blood, belongs to the people of Israel. We have not stolen it from anyone; we bought it. It should be seen as a symbol for how to stand up for the rights of the Israeli people."
Shas party MK Zev Nissim moved into the Peace House on Tuesday to show his support for the residents, but anti-nationalist Peace Now leader Yariv Oppenheimer charged he broke the law. "We demand that legal proceedings be brought against him," he declared.
"The court order is illegal and we will fight for our rights. There is no reason for the evacuation," Hevron spokesman Noam Arnon told the French news agency AFP. "We will defend this house with our bodies."
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