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| Week ending Shabbat, March 17, 2007 |
27 Adar, 5767 |
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Attacks Thwarted
The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) succeeded in preventing two shooting attacks targeting the Jews of Gush Etzion and the southern Jerusalem Har Homa neighborhood during the past week. The attacks were planned in Gaza by the Popular Resistance Committee, a terrorist logistical planning group made up of members of all of the Arab terror groups operating in the "Palestinian" Authority. Early Thursday morning, IDF soldiers in Bethlehem arrested three terrorists involved in the implementation of the attacks. Ta'a Hassan Abu Alya was wanted for a number of shooting attacks in Gush Etzion that failed to injure or kill anyone and for the production of explosives. Yakoub Aymad Al-Kadar Nubani was involved in shooting attacks in the same region in 2001, at the start of the Oslo War. Mahmoud Abed Raba was poised to carry out attacks on the southern Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Homa and motorists using the main Tunnels Road leading from the capital southward to Gush Etzion. Israel's reentry into PA-assigned Bethlehem and its environs in 2002 drastically reduced the many shooting attacks originating in the area since the start of the Oslo War two years earlier. Rock and fire-bomb attacks are on the rise, however.
In Hevron on Sunday, an Arab woman with a 10-inch knife was arrested by Border Police while attempting to carry out a knife attack at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hevron. The woman told investigators that she intended to stab a soldier.
Arabs hurled rocks at a Jewish motorist adjacent to the Hawara checkpoint near Shechem in northern Samaria. The passengers and driver escaped unharmed but the vehicle was damaged. A bus was later targeted at the same location, with no damage or injuries resulting.
Near Ramallah, a Jewish woman was injured by rocks thrown at her car from the Arab village Luban A-Sharkiya. She was treated at the scene as IDF forces searched for her attackers.
Arabs also stoned an Israeli car near Hevron Saturday night, near the village of Idna. The car was damaged but the Jewish motorists were unharmed. Also on Saturday night, IDF forces discovered a terrorist laying explosives by the fence surrounding southern Gaza. The soldiers opened fire and wounded the terrorist, who fled.
In the ocean opposite the Gaza-Egyptian border Saturday night, IDF Navy troops opened fire on boats they suspected of smuggling arms. The vessels were in a no-sail zone and appeared to make contact with an Egyptian boat, at which point goods and packages were exchanged. The Navy tracked the boats until dawn, when they managed to reach the Gaza shore and were met by crowds of local Arabs. Foreign press reports claimed the boats were fishing boats, but the IDF spokesman responded that the incident involved “smugglers, not innocent fisherman.” Last May, a shipment of more than a ton of explosives to be used in missile-manufacturing was intercepted by the Navy en route to Gaza. Intelligence assessments are that since the IDF's Disengagement from Gaza, a large amount of weapons and explosives does make it through undetected.
Cheney: Don't Show Weakness
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney both warned Americans at the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) that an early pullout by US-led forces from Iraq would be a disaster for the entire Middle East. Livni told participants at the Washington event that "impressions are important" in this region and added, "This is relevant concerning decisions on Iran, it is true regarding Iraq, and it is true throughout the Middle East." The Foreign Minister underscored the nuclear threat presented to the region by Iran's drive to develop nuclear energy and its extreme Islamist views. Many in the global community are convinced the Islamic Republic is intent on building a nuclear weapon and well on the way to doing so.Livni also added pointedly that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has made no secret of his intent to annihilate the State of Israel. "To address extremism is to address Iran," she said. "It is a regime which denies the Holocaust while threatening the world with a new one." Livni also appealed to Arab nations for help in dealing with the "Palestinian" Authority. "You have the power to change reality and to encourage the "Palestinians" to embrace co-existence," she told the 5,000-strong crowd. "Normalize relations with us now," the Foreign Minister exhorted Israel's neighbors, "and peace will come."
Cheney, who together with Livni, headlined the list of power brokers who were set to address this year's conference, reiterated his country's support for Israel in its struggle against radical Islam. He too, spoke about the need to not rush out of Iraq, which, he said, could end up harming Israel if its enemies feel empowered. The American Vice President also chided opponents of the war in Iraq who have called on the Bush administration to ratchet up the pressure on Iran. "It is simply not consistent for anyone to demand aggressive action against the menace posed by the Iranian regime while at the same time acquiescing in a retreat from Iraq that would leave our worst enemies dramatically emboldened and Israel's best friend, the United States, dangerously weakened," said Cheney. He added that the international Al-Qaeda terrorist organization - or Iran - would benefit the most from an early American pullout from Iraq. "A sudden withdrawal of our coalition would dissipate much of the effort that's gone into fighting the global war on terror," he said.
Second Temple-Jewish Town Discovered
In the course of preparing tracks for the new light-rail system in Jerusalem, remains of an ancient Jewish community just north of the Holy Temple have been uncovered. Rescue digs, required by law before any major construction work in Jerusalem and environs, have found a major set of remains of a Jewish town from post-Second Temple times. A long strip of land, around 100 acres in size, has been uncovered in which can be seen roads, alleys, houses, public buildings, a ritual bath, and more. The community was located east of the old Roman highway leading from Jerusalem to Shechem (Nablus) - roughly along the same route as today's Shechem Way, or Highway 60. Evidence shows that the community - the largest from that period yet uncovered in the Jerusalem vicinity - was inhabited by a well-to-do and religiously observant populace. In addition to the mikveh (bath), many stone utensils were found - popularly used because they could not become ritually defiled, according to Jewish Law. Many coins were also found, including a rare gold one (pictured above) depicting Trainus Caesar (98-117 CE). Trainus began his reign 30 years after the Second Temple was destroyed. Antiquities Authority dig manager Rachel Bar-Natan said that this was only the second coin of its type found in Israel, and the first one within the Green Line. The site was first discovered during infrastructure work for the light-rail system being built in Jerusalem by the Moriah Company.
North American Aliyah - Now Monthly Flights
Nefesh b'Nefesh, the "Aliyah" (immigration to Israel-literally "going up") assistance organization known for its chartered flights and magnificent ceremonies for North American immigrants, has now instituted monthly Aliyah flights. Forty-two new immigrants arrived on the first such flight Tuesday. The organization, faced with a constantly growing numbers of olim (new immigrants), decided to offer monthly spaces in groups aboard regular commercial flights for the convenience of the olim, rather than compelling the new arrivals to wait for one of the half-dozen charter flights. Until Wednesday, most Nefesh b'Nefesh groups of olim have been greeted by political dignitaries, with a festive ceremony taking place in a large hangar. No such ceremony greeted these olim. When the pilot announced that there were olim on the plane, the other one hundred fifty passengers - returning Israelis, American visitors, both Jews and non-Jews, as well as veteran olim, all clapped and wished the new olim well. It was a source of inspiration for everybody aboard.
Tour the Biblical Heartland of Israel
The Tzemach Institute has joined forces with the Christian Friends Of Israeli Communities (CFOIC) in planning a special tour of the heartland of biblical Israel. 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 with Sondra Baras of CFOIC and will be guided by Associate Pastor Jon Klein [pictured left].
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