| Week ending Shabbat, July 29, 2006 |
4 Av, 5766 |
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Bomb Shelter Bride:
Nine days of attacks by Hezbollah guerrillas have forced many in northern Israel to spend their days in reinforced bunkers, but that didn't stop Shlomi Boskila and Maya Lugasi got married anyway, defying the threat of rocket attacks Thursday with a wedding in an underground bomb shelter. "This shows Hezbollah and (its leader Hassan Nasrallah) that not even 20,000 missiles can destroy the happiness of the bride and groom," said Boskila, the 29-year-old new husband. Nearly seventy-five people, at least half of which were reporters, packed the fifteen-square-yard shelter. Most of the guests stood for lack of space for seats. "For 25 years I have married people, but this is the first time in a shelter," said Rabbi Nissim Malka. When Boskila broke a glass (a wedding tradition where joy is tempered by the remembrance of the destruction of the Temple in 486 B.C.E.) the crowd broke into dance.
Injured Lebanese woman treated in Israel:
A Lebanese woman injured in the Israel-Lebanon conflict was brought to the "enemy's" side for treatment. Israeli forces transferred the woman from Maroun al-Ras, Lebanon to an ambulance waiting on the border. Her son was permitted to accompany her as she was taken to a Safed hospital. "{The woman sustained an injury to the chest, most likely from a bullet," said Dr. Shapira Calin. "She was treated by MDA crew members in the field, and is now in our trauma unit. Her condition is moderate to severe; we have not yet completed all of the requisite exams to determine her exact condition." It is unclear whether Israel or Hizballah forces shot her.
650 French Jews Move to Israel:
In spite of the Re-Engagement War, 650 immigrating French Jews arrived Tuesday. This group represents the largest number to arrive in a single day since 1971. The new immigrants arrived on two chartered Israir flights, one with 500 passengers from Paris and the other with 150 Jews from Marseille. They arrive in Ben Gurion Airport Tuesday afternoon and were greeted by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The immigrants have received logistical assistance from AMI - the French Aliyah organization, similar to its North American (and British) counterpart Nefesh b'Nefesh. Similar to the lavish ceremonies organized by Nefesh b'Nefesh, the French arrivals were greeted with refreshments and a large stage set up at the airport, with hundreds of friends, relatives and Aliyah enthusiasts on hand to greet them. AMI reports that many of the new immigrants will be moving to northern Israel, and like the planeload of North Americans that arrived last week, refused to postpone their plans due to the two-front war that has two million Israelis living in bomb shelters and temporary quarters. Recent polls have shown that more half of young French Jews do not see themselves staying in France in the future.
U.N. Official Terms Hizbullah 'Cowardly':
European countries and foreign media, from the outset of Israel's retaliation to the Hizbullah terrorist war against Israel, have charged that the Jewish state has caused a humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, but Jan Egeland, head of the United Nationals humanitarian efforts, accused Hizbullah of "cowardly blending" among women and children. He said he heard that the terrorists were pleased that civilians suffered more than their own terrorists. "I don't think anyone should be proud of having many more children and women dead than armed men," he added. The charges by Egeland that Hizbullah is violating the civil rights of Lebanese are an important turn in the war of public opinion and come only one day after a BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) reporter told listeners that he saw Hizbullah terrorists exploiting civilians.
Egeland did not spare criticism of Israel, which he said has killed innocent civilians in its attacks on Hizbullah strongholds. Visiting American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni Monday night that it is important to prevent a humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. Israel already has opened up a corridor to help medical supplies and food enter the country."
Israel has launched an unprecedented campaign to explain to foreign media and to Jews in the Diaspora that Hizbullah executed acts of war against Israeli citizens that require a sovereign nation to defend itself. Prime Minister Olmert told a visiting Jewish delegation Monday, "I don't recall such an event in which it was absolutely clear to [so many people] who were united in supporting the State of Israel and accepting the Israeli reaction as inevitable and totally natural ... The attacks both in the south and the north were an outright violation of the basic fundamental right of the State of Israel ... and it was an act of war." "A nation that respects itself cannot afford to accept these threats. We will fight Hizbullah and we will not stop unless we will be able to guarantee the security and safety of the State of Israel even if I have to fight a year or two years.
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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