| Week ending Shabbat, May 13, 2006 |
15 Iyyar, 5766 |
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Hevron Conflict Ended:
Sunday morning Israeli Defense Force [IDF] soldiers and police officers stormed the Hevron home [as we reported last week] with the intent to evacuate Jewish residents who insist that the rental of the house was a legal agreement. The three faithful families with many young children voluntarily vacated the house shortly after troops had entered. Ariel Melamed, one of the forced evacuees said, "I believe the entire Israeli public should be worried, because every Jewish purchase of property is now in danger of being nullified based on some imaginary claim or other." The families had taken up residency in the building after the Jewish Community of Hevron purchased it from its Arab owners a month ago. They also chose to rent the building in the event that the purchase would be challenged, which in fact, now has happened. No less than eight Arab families now are claiming ownership over the two-story building, insisting that the purchase papers were invalid. The Jews said in response that this claim was to be foreseen, since Arabs who sell to Jews are in danger of their lives and therefore [after the fact] often deny the sale.
Preparing for the Next Battle:
Judea and Samaria community leaders met Monday for a lengthy session to discuss the future of their communities and their approach to the new Israeli government, with the intent of thwarting further Israeli withdrawals. Binyamin Regional Council Head Pinchas Wallerstein, [best known for calling on Gaza disengagement objectors to "violate the law and go to jail"] told reporters that they had discussed the new government's position, expected dates for the removal of unauthorized outposts, and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's so-called convergence plan for further "West Bank" pullouts. In light of the failure to foil the Gaza and northern Samaria disengagement the group decided to look for an outside consultant to formulate the struggle against more withdrawals.
Israeli Navy Prevents Explosives Delivery:
An Israeli navy patrol boat thwarted an attempt to smuggle at least a half a ton of explosives into Gaza from Egypt by way of the Mediterranean Sea on Israel's Independence Day [May 3]. While on a routine mission off the Gaza coast the patrol boat spotted three suspicious vessels at the Israel-Egypt border as they were crossing into waters declared off limits by the IDF. The patrol boat began pursuit of the boats with the intent to seize them, but the vessels deliberately sailed into an area crowded with Arab fishing boats from Gaza. The patrol boat commander decided not to open fire on the suspected vessels in an effort to avoid the possibility of hitting a fishing boat. Though the vessels in question subsequently escaped, they ended up dumping their cargo into the sea.
New Poll: Jews Want Arabs to Leave Israel:
According to the 2006 democracy index released Tuesday by the Israel Democracy Institute, 62 percent of Jewish Israelis want the government to ask Arab residents to leave the country. This certainly squelches PM Olmert's assertion that the recent election was a "mandate" for his unilateral withdrawals! A mere 14 percent said ties between Arabs and Jews are good, and 29 percent said a Jewish majority is required for decisions of crucial national significance. Also, according to the annual survey, 79 percent of Israelis trust the IDF more than any other institution, followed by the High Court of Justice, the media, and the Knesset. The most optimistic results were that 86 percent of respondents said they were proud to be Israeli and 90 percent said they wish to continue living in Israel in the long run.
Tour Israel for Hanukkah:
Join us as we explore Israel from a genuine Biblical Zionists perspective. Meet the people who are continuing the Biblical narrative in the Land today. See for yourself how ancient prophesies are being fulfilled. Discover how you too can participate in the ongoing process of Biblical Redemption. Join us for an opportunity of a lifetime, to see the real Israel from the viewpoint of those who are living the Bible today. The experience will change your life.
The tour has been coordinated and will be guided by Associate Pastor Jon Klein [pictured left].
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