'IDF does more than any other army to prevent civilian deaths' - Israel News, Ynetnews

INTERVIEW: Colonel Richard Kemp, former commander of British forces in Afghanistan, talks to Ynet about Israel's military and moral superiority over Hamas, and says Israel should hit Gaza harder and faster.

Attila Somfalvi

Published:  07.24.14, 11:52 / Israel News

Israel's military makes more effort than any other army to prevent civilian casualties, but should be more aggressive in Gaza, says Colonel (ret.) Richard Kemp CBE, the former commander of the British armed forces in Afghanistan and fierce international advocate for the IDF.

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"I would like to see the IDF operating much faster, going in perhaps harder and faster, that's what I would like to see," Kemp told Ynet on Wednesday.


"But having said that, I recognize - as you recognize - the pressures on Israel from all around the world to absolutely minimize the number of civilian casualties they're causing", he added. "I believe that on the basis of everything that I've seen, that everything the IDF does to protect civilians and to stop the death of innocent civilians is a great deal more than any other army, and it's more than the British and the American armies."
 

צלמים: אריק אלון ואורי דוידוביץ'

Colonel Richard Kemp

Kemp, who was a strong advocate for Israel in the wake of 2012's Operation Pillar of Defense in Gaza,  said he had come to Israel now "to get as close of a vew as I can of the current conflict, so I can make my own assessment of what's happened, to contribute to the international commentary that's taking place on Israel."

YNET: Arab-Israeli Soldier Hides His Uniform from Neighbors

Samir (alias), 26, a Muslim Arab from northern Israel and a married father of one, is a combat soldier in the IDF. He serves in a Home Front Command search and rescue battalion, whose men also perform combat activities. "I love the army," he says. "If I was born and raised in Syria, I would have served in their army. But I live here, so I decided to do my part and enlist."
    In Samir's village army service is not generally accepted. The few who volunteered are still the target of harassment. His wife and parents were the only ones who supported his decision. "I'm in a good place," he says. "If I can continue in the regular service, I will. If not, I will try and join the civilian emergency services: police or fire brigades." Despite the difficulties, Samir calls on Muslim youth to follow in his footsteps. "It's very gratifying," he says. (Ynet News)

YNET: US elections: How do haredim vote? Hundreds of thousands of American Orthodox Jews expected to take to polls Tuesday to vote for next president. While analysts believe most will support Romney, radical Satmar sect releases campaign backing Obama

The US presidential election is closer than ever, with some states hinging on a handful of votes – and this time around some of these votes belong to Jewish Orthodox citizens.

In Israel, Shas and United Torah Judaism control the black kippa public, but in the United States those donning the skullcap do not necessarily go to the polls as one. In the battle between pundits and analysts there is some disagreement on whether the haredim will overwhelmingly support any one candidate – or rather split between the two.

US Jews

'Ashamed of Israel, proud to be Jewish' / Tali Farkash They are politically involved, have high voter turnout rate and are no longer purely Democratic. Dr. Yehuda Kurtzer seeks to strengthen American Jewry's connection to Israel, but clarifies that Jewish vote has nothing to do with Israeli issue Full story

Will those wearing black vote "black"? Or will the conservative element bring them to the Republicans?

Of the 650,000 Orthodox Jews living in the US (which comprise 11% of the entire Jewish population), 400,000 are haredim, concentrated mostly in the New York and New Jersey area.

Their growth rate is estimated at 4% annually, which has led to their expansion into other states, specifically swing states such as Florida and Ohio. In 2008, most haredi votes went to John McCain, much like in the 2004 race, but what will happen this time around?

'Almost all lament the tense relations with Israel' (Photo: EPA)  

Journalist Binyamin Rose, editor of the English-language haredi magazine "Mishpacha", does not foresee a change. According to him, the question of relations with Israel and the conservative agenda make the case, and most of the ultra-Orthodox – like the Orthodox themselves – will support Mitt Romney.

A small minority, especially those coming from relatively lower social-economical means, will vote for the incumbent Barack Obama, as his administration holds the promise of wider economical support.

"There are those who feel more comfortable with the Democrats, and even if they dislike Obama and his policy towards Israel – they will prefer to stick with the benefits," says the haredi analyst.

"But the majority, which is better off and does not require this financial support, will vote Romney. They are quite frightened by the president's Middle East policy, and have grown tiresome of liberalism in regards to issues such as same-sex marriages."

Anti-Zionist ultra-Orthodox for Obama

The radical wings of the haredi camp, which is based in the US, thinks otherwise: During the last few weeks, the anti Zionist Satmar sect has been leading an intense campaign on haredi radio stations and internet networks.

Their goal is to persuade voters to neutralize the pro-Israeli factor in the election, with some even specifically calling for the election of Obama, who is perceived by some as hostile towards the community.

According to them, it is incorrect to assume Romney as good for the Jews, and such an action might turn out to be the verboten "Hitgarut Ba'Umot" (a provocation of the non Jewish nations) and will thus lead to anti-Semitism.

A. W., a Satmar Hasid from Kiryas Yoel in Monroe, recounts how the Satmar organization "Natrina," which runs "True Torah Jews," launched a campaign three weeks ago aimed at Jewish and haredi audiences, calling on them to vote for President Obama.

He says the campaign is aired hourly on all major radio stations, with the intent of persuading the haredim, as well as the greater Jewish audience, not to allow Israel to enter into the election, "something that could spark anti-Semitism."

The campaign directly attacked Benjamin Netanyahu, arguing that the prime minister of Israel tried to influence the US election and that US Jews are deeply concerned by such an action.

This time, they say, the PM's gross interference has really crossed a red line and it is possible that he has actively hurt US Jews' image. Those who desire to fix the damage declare that the statements of Israeli politicians do not represent the opinions of US Jews.

Binyamin Rose does not anticipate the campaign will have a major effect. He clarifies that "only the most extreme will make such a political calculation. In Satmar there is actually a feeling of solidarity with Israel, as well as sympathy and concern for the safety of those Jews living in Israel – despite its anti-Zionist ideology.

"Those who will vote for Obama will do so for financial reasons and in spite of his Israel policy – not the opposite."

Precious votes of Florida and Ohio

At the heart of the haredi support for the Republican party, according to Rose, lies the fact that as a group they feel like "a minority of minorities," together with their natural inclination to identify with groups they feel politically comfortable with.

In this case we are talking about Evangelists, which hold hawkish pro-Israel views (in terms of national security), as well as a conservative social outlook (traditional-religious).

Summing up, Rose points out that in the states where the haredim have the largest electoral weight, such as New York, their vote is completely ineffective because of the historical and incontestable Democratic control of these states – regardless of haredi support.

Obama and Romney at the Western Wall (Photos: Ohad Zwigenberg, AP)

This seems to be the case in New Jersey as well, where there is also a high concentration of haredim. On the other hand, in Florida and Ohio, where the haredim are a minority, by virtue of that fact that these are swing states, the haredi vote might in fact be of paramount importance.

Despite all this, he recalls, neither one of the candidates has put much effort into persuading this group – maybe because both understand that the camp in its majority will vote republican.

"Romney has chosen to invest his resources in more influential places. Just this last week he spent $11 million on his Pennsylvania campaign."

Sandy throws some weight behind haredi vote

And there are of course haredim who do not vote at all – but not necessarily on principle: "In Israel everyone receives an envelope to their home, inviting them to vote and directing them to their local voting station. However, in the US, you have to register on your own, you have to be proactive.

"Naturally you need some sort of interest or incentive to do so, and as such there are some who just give up, but they cannot be characterized. It is not ideological."

Chaim Shaulson, an Israeli journalist living in Brooklyn for the last three decades, who publishes the spicy blog "In the World of Haredim," believes that the haredi community has been given a unique opportunity to influence the results of the election in New York as well, potentially granting Romney an additional 29 electorates.

"Both candidates have yet to step foot here, we barely feel the campaigns – but this might turn out to be a mistake on their part."

In his thinking, Hurricane Sandy, which according to most analysts boosted Obama's popularity in light of his perceived successful reaction and leadership to the untimely emergency, might actually come back to haunt the president, as most residents of Manhattan have yet to fully return to their normal routine, and as such will have a hard time to get to the voting stations, resulting in a low voter turnout – thus increasing Republican prospects for wining the state.

"There is no fuel, people are getting around by horse and carriage because the thousands of cabs have been rendered useless," says Shaulson. "The government says it is a matter of days, but in the meantime it has been like this for a week.

"There, in the city, the majority supports the Democrats, and if the residents will not or cannot get to voting stations, then the Republicans will attempt to exploit the situation and steal the victory – mostly through the haredi vote."

Nonetheless, the haredi blogger is skeptical that such a dramatic scenario will in fact take place, as the governor of New York, a Democrat himself, has announced that voting in the state would be extended to two days because of the storm's impact.

Hence it seems that the haredi potential influence remains larger in Florida and Ohio. "The difference in those states is very small, and I believe that even tomorrow night, after CNN's exit polls, we will not know who is going to be president."

Selfish considerations

And what is the main factor or consideration for a haredi on his way to vote? Neither Obama's stand on Israel nor Romney's conservative world view. Rather, Shaulson, is of the opinion that it is money on their minds.

"In Borough Park they had the opportunity to place a representative in the New York Senate, but they preferred to close a deal with another candidate only for this type of reason, and he won," he says.

According to him, the haredi community is never officially affiliated with one of the sides for precisely this reason.

"This is not an ideological issue, only a selfish one", he argues. "They say that the world rests on three pillars –geld (money in Yiddish) kesef (money in Hebrew) and money (paraphrasing Jewish oral law, according to which the world rests on three pillars: Torah, work and charity of the righteous).

Despite data pointing to a consistent support of the Republican party by religious Jews, Shaulson is uncertain. "Today the public believes Obama more on economical issues. On the other hand, almost everyone laments the tense relations with Israel – even Satmar."

He refuses to commit to definite conclusions and hints that nothing is final and all remains open. "You will not find a single haredi synagogue in which worshippers were told on Shabbat who to vote for."

YNET: Amazon blasted over Nazi camp puzzle Online retail giant comes under fire over sale of jigsaw puzzle depicting ovens at Dachau crematorium. 'This is a real slap in the face for concentration camp survivors and relatives of victims,' says German politician

Online retail giant Amazon has come under fire over the sale of a jigsaw puzzle that depicts ovens at the crematorium at the Nazi death camp of Dachau, a media report said Sunday.

"This is a real slap in the face for concentration camp survivors and relatives of victims," conservative politician Gerda Hasselfeldt wrote in a letter to Amazon that was cited by Der Spiegel.

The 252-piece puzzle, being offered for $24.99, is sold on Amazon's American website as suitable for children aged eight and over, but it is not available for sale on Amazon's German website.

It shows a picture of two ovens at one of the two crematoriums at Dachau, where bodies of prisoners were burned.


Amazon's US media office did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

More than 200,000 Jews, gays, Roma, political opponents, the disabled and prisoners of war were imprisoned in Dachau during World War II. Between 32,000 and 43,000 people died in the Bavarian camp before it was liberated by US troops in April 1945.

"The Dachau memorial is a place of remembrance for the suffering of countless victims. It cannot be in Amazon's interest to sell such a game," wrote Hasselfeldt, parliamentary chief of the Christian Social Union of Bavaria, sister party of Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union.

ISRAEL MATZAV: YNet, the 'Jewish' Der Sturmer

YNet publishes an op-ed by Yaron London, which the Nazi weekly tabloid Der Stürmerwould have been proud to publish. The op-ed calls for 'shrinking' the country's Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) population.

I’ve heard all the prevailing views and none of them convinced me. When a question has no answer for a long period of time, we must realize that no answer exists and come up with another question. Hence, the correct question is not how to draft the haredim and draw them into the job market, but rather, what should be done in order to minimize their rate within Israeli society.

...

Once the haredi population declines, the gravity of the issue of enlisting them to the army would decline as well. In other words, the enlistment question is no more than a slight nuisance in the framework of a broad spiritual and political struggle, which Israel’s majority fears to engage in. Yet without a quick change in current trends, all hope will be lost in the coming years for the Hebrew state in its Zionist version. The haredim shall win.

...

Hasn’t the time come to openly say what we feel? Haredi society educates people to be parasites and cultivates poverty. Indeed, it is the most powerful agent of spreading ignorance, prejudice and all sorts of other nonsense. It is an enemy of the sciences, shuns the arts, disparages the rule of the people, hates women and exploits them. It despises those who are different, regardless of whether they are foreigners or members of our own people.

The strengthening of haredi society is a guarantee for weakening Israeli society to the point of ultimate defeat. Hence, the intellectual effort dedicated to the issue of IDF enlistment should be dedicated to the great challenge: Shrinking the ranks of the haredim.

What does he propose to do? Force birth control? Exterminate Haredim? Deport them abroad?

Can you imagine the outrage on the Left were one of the newspapers to publish an editorial calling the Arabs 'parasites' (the very same term that the Nazis used for Jews in the Reich) and calling for shrinking their population?

London should be indicted for incitement, and YNet should be heavily fined for publishing his despicable rant.

Neturei Karta "rabbis" insulted and beaten in Jordan "Global March"

YNet says:

Jordanian news sites have reported Friday afternoon that some 20,000 people are participating in a mass procession in Jordan. The protesters gathered at Jesus's baptism site, and are planning to march towards the border with Israel. Increased security presence was reported in the area.

According to reports, participants were yelling "where is the Arab League on Jerusalem?" and waving Jordanian and Palestinian flags alongside signs with anti-Israeli slogans.

Four rabbis from the extremist anti-Zionist Neturei Karta sect were also taking part in the march and carried signs reading: "Judaism demands the liberation of Jerusalem and all of Palestine."

Several rally participants expressed anger over the presence of Neturei Karta members, and a verbal altercation erupted between the two groups.

A Google search shows several articles that seem to indicate that the Neturei Karta nuts were actually beaten, quoting the official Petra news agency - but those articles have been updated and scrubbed without any mention of the NK members at all!

One comment remains on the Jordanzad site which scrubbed mention of the group. The commenter said "We Arabs will always calculate wrong .. there are rabbis involved with us against the occupation and we beat them and abuse them, how long will we be this stupid?

Similarly, I found a cache of another article, now scrubbed, that had said "Before the start of ceremonial events were four rabbis of the movement of American Jews 'Neturei Karta' who reject the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the State of Israel from the ground up, beaten and insulted by a group of young participants in the march, before the organizers intervened and expelled the rabbis."

Poor, poor NKidiots. Don't you feel sorry for them, being beaten by the people they love so much?

YNET: Jerusalem's new smash hit: Maccabi Mea Shearim b-ball team They don't have a budget or a seal of approval from rabbis – but they are well-equipped when it comes to faith and one of their players is the grandson of Shas' Rabbi Ovadia Yosef

They play in black uniforms, hide their 'peyes' behind their ears. They don't have a budget or a seal of approval from rabbis – but they are well-equipped when it comes to faith. Meet Jerusalem's new smash hit: the Maccabi Mea Shearim basketball team.

This week, the team, whose members all live in or around the famous Jerusalem ultra-Orthodox neighborhood - faced a team of Zionist religious bachelors from the neighborhood of Rehavia, Yedioth Aharonoth reported.

One by one they come on court: Yitzhak Pinksi, 19, guard, a student in the well-known haredi yeshiva Mir, who came to Israel from Milwaukee. "I wake up very early to run, and one night a week I allow myself to leave the yeshiva early so I can play basketball," he says.

He is followed by Natan Frenkel, 22, married with two children who is known for playing in a wedding band.

The grandson of Shas' spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, Yonatan Yosef, aged 31, is next, followed by Ari Gelhar, 24, a haredi working in the filed of communication.

The other two players did not wish to expose themselves: "It is not really accustomed in the haredi world. Some would look at us differently if we would come out with this hobby." It appears a basketball player does not rank high for a shidduch.

"We have decided to prove once and for all that haredi also know how to play basketball," says Gelhar.

And it appears he is right as the Mea Shearim team defeats the Rehavia team 24-17. "How are they in such good shape?" wonders Roi from the opposing team. "Aren't they supposed to be studying torah all day?"

The haredi team points to Yonatan's relation to Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. "Maybe the good luck came from there."

Maccabi Mea Shearim is now seeking to join the city-sponsored synagogues league and take their hobby to the next level.

YNET: Saudi cleric: Kidnap soldier - get $100,000 Famous Muslim cleric Dr. Awad al-Qarni offers reward in response to similar cash prize offered by Israeli bereaved family. Hamas minister: Gaza pullout enables us to keep Shalit captive

A week after the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, top Saudi cleric Dr. Awad al-Qarni is offering a $100,000 reward to anyone who kidnaps Israeli soldiers.

He is responding to an ad published by the Libman family offering a similar reward for anyone who catches the person who murdered their relative Shlomo Libman. Libman was killed by terrorists near the settlement of Yitzhar in 1998.


"The press reported that the Zionist settlers will pay huge amounts of money to whoever kills the freed Palestinian prisoners," al-Qarni said. "In response to these criminals I declare to the world that any Palestinian who will jail an Israeli soldier and exchange him for prisoners will be rewarded with a $100,000 prize," he wrote on his Facebook page.

Al-Qarni's Facebook page

Al-Qarni's post has already received more than 1,000 likes and extensive coverage in Hamas-affiliated newspapers in Gaza.

Al-Qarni is a famous Muslim cleric who often guests on TV shows and operates his own website where he discusses various religious law issues. The Palestine-Islam issue is particularly close to his heart.


Meanwhile in Gaza, Hamas Minister Fathi Hamad admitted that Israel's withdrawal from the Strip enabled Hamas to hide Gilad Shalit for so long.

In an interview with Lebanese daily as-Safir Hamad said that the "military campaign in Gaza abolished any security coordination with Israel and the Strip's liberation allowed us to conceal Shalit for five years."

"The press reported that the Zionist settlers will pay huge amounts of money to whoever kills the freed Palestinian prisoners," al-Qarni said. "In response to these criminals I declare to the world that any Palestinian who will jail an Israeli soldier and exchange him for prisoners will be rewarded with a $100,000 prize," he wrote on his Facebook page.

Al-Qarni's Facebook page

Al-Qarni's post has already received more than 1,000 likes and extensive coverage in Hamas-affiliated newspapers in Gaza.

Al-Qarni is a famous Muslim cleric who often guests on TV shows and operates his own website where he discusses various religious law issues. The Palestine-Islam issue is particularly close to his heart.


Meanwhile in Gaza, Hamas Minister Fathi Hamad admitted that Israel's withdrawal from the Strip enabled Hamas to hide Gilad Shalit for so long.

In an interview with Lebanese daily as-Safir Hamad said that the "military campaign in Gaza abolished any security coordination with Israel and the Strip's liberation allowed us to conceal Shalit for five years."

GILAD'S FIRST NIGHT HOME - Schnitzel, French fries and pasta Back in Mitzpe Hila, Gilad Shalit begins struggle to return to normal life. Army doctors visit Shalit residence to coordinate further tests on freed soldier. Gilad seen taking short stroll outside accompanied by his mother Aviva

Gilad Shalit woke up in his home in Mitzpe Hila on Wednesday for the first time in five and a half years. Medical Corps representatives, including doctors have arrived at the Shalit residence to coordinate further tests on the freed soldier.

Gilad was later seen leaving the house for a short stroll outside, accompanied by his mother Aviva. He was wearing a black t shirt, sunglasses and baseball cap with an IDF sign on it and had a big smile on his face.

First stroll: Gilad with Aviva Shalit (Photo: Avishag Shaar-Yashuv )

Noam Shalit and Ya'ara Winkler, girlfriend of Yoel Shalit left to run some errands, Noam told waiting reporters: "Gilad feels good. He needs quiet; we're trying to get back to normal." He also asked that the reporters give the family some space.


Gilad left the Gaza Strip gaunt and pale. En route to Tel Nof from Kerem Shalom he felt ill and subsequently underwent a series of medical tests. He will spend the next few days undergoing further examinations.

צילום: צלמי ynet

Watch Gilad take short stroll in Mitzpe Hila

The street where the Shalits reside will remain blocked by police for the coming week. Northern District Police chief Roni Atiya said "We shall block the entrance to the house so long as the family asks us to."

Noam Shalit: 'Gilad needs peace and quiet' (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

The Shalit family issued a message on all major Israeli newspapers thanking the activists, sympathisers and the public at large for its support. "After 1,941 long days and nights we wanted to say thank you," the message said. "Thank you to the millions of people in Israel and the world who supported us, marched with us and gave us strength in the hours, days and rough years since Gilad's abduction."

The Shalit family issued a message on all major Israeli newspapers thanking the activists, sympathisers and the public at large for its support. "After 1,941 long days and nights we wanted to say thank you," the message said. "Thank you to the millions of people in Israel and the world who supported us, marched with us and gave us strength in the hours, days and rough years since Gilad's abduction."

Gilad arrives home (Photo: IDF)

On Tuesday evening, the five members of the reunited Shalit family sat down for their first joint dinner in five and a half years after one of the most dramatic days Israel has known. The family will now attempt to return to normal life.
  
For his first meal at home Gilad had his favorites – schnitzel, French fries and pasta. Friends of the family said that while Gilad appeared exhausted and gaunt Tuesday, he ate with great appetite. At the table, he was joined by his father Noam, mother Aviva, brother Yoel, and his girlfriend Yaara. His sister Hadas did not stay for dinner.

Apart from his immediate family, the only person allowed into the Shalit residence is an army psychologist who will accompany Gilad as he attempts to go back to normal life.

Cleaning in Mitzpe Hila (Photo: Avishag Shaar-Yeshuv) 

Initial tests showed that Shalit's general condition is better than expected. "I expected you to be surprised by my good condition," the former captive quipped while undergoing tests by military doctors. Officials said Shalit's nutritional state is also reasonable.

Gilad will be undergoing dental and orthopedic tests in the coming days. A Medical Corps doctor and an expert on shell-shocked victims will be at hand in Mitzpe Hila to provide Gilad with any care he may need.

He will be closely watched in the coming weeks and later be placed under the responsibility of the Defense Ministry's Rehabilitation Department.

Noam and Aviva Shalit with French ambassador (Photo: AFP)

Meeting French ambassador

France's ambassador to Israel, Christophe Bigot, visited the Shalit family on Tuesday evening to deliver a letter from President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Shalit has French nationality through his grandmother.

"Today, I want to pay homage to your courage during this terrible trial and to tell you of our joy and our emotion," said the letter, the contents of which were made public by Bigot. "France never forgot you," it said.

During his brief visit, Bigot told reporters, Shalit told him that while in captivity he had watched nature programmers and sport, including the Tour de France on television. "I invited Gilad to be guest of honour at the next Tour de France if he would like to come to France with his family next summer," Bigot told AFP.

The French ambassador has forged a close and warm relationship with the Shalit family over the years.

Bigot observed that Gilad was in much better shape than he himself had expected.

Rabbis Share Halachic Psak Against Shalit Deal

Rabbi Dov Lior and Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu have expressed harsh criticism of the Gilad Shalit prisoner swap deal in which over 1,000 security prisoners are set to be released in exchange for the captive Israeli soldier.

Rabbi Lior, who is the rabbi of Kiryat Arba and heads its yeshiva on Sunday published a halachic manifesto in which he explained the halachic claims against the Shalit deal, which he had previously called “a humiliation of the Israeli people,” stating he does not think “anything good will come of it.”

In a letter he opened with “To our brothers the people of Israel”, the rabbi warned that “there is no doubt that surrender to terrorist extortion can endanger our brothers who reside here in the future, as previously happened when many of the terrorists who were released went back to their old habits and that is a real threat to the people of Tzion. This is why we cannot save one and almost definitely endanger the entire population.”

In the letter, Rabbi Lior specified the halachic principle that captives are not redeemed for more than their own blood.

The Kiryat Arba rabbi also warned against the true intentions of Hamas: “The terrorists have a tendency to humiliate the State of Israel…and who knows if they weren’t interested in torpedoing the move and all this was only done to dishonor Israel,” he wrote, stressing that “this is why there is no room to accept their demands.”

Rabbi Lior noted that his statements came “in response to people’s request that he publish a manifesto on the halacha’s stance on the deal for the release of captive soldier Gilad Shalit”, and that in spite of the objections to the deal, “it doesn’t mean that every effort should not be made to secure his release.

“For example, by not holding terrorists in ‘five star’ conditions in prison and by preventing any aid from reaching the Hamas government in Gaza… but not by actions that could endanger and humiliate Israel.”

The rabbi noted that he was happy to see the show of sympathy and joy at the news of “the return of the captive soldier to his family and the nation. This is where the basic truth of Israel’s mutual trust and love are revealed in all thir scope and depth, though we must look at the event from all its perspectives and draw practical conclusions. ”

‘Precious to us all’

Also on Sunday, Tzefas chief rabbi Rav Shmuel Eliyahu also expressed his opposition to the Shalit deal. At a visit to the Jewish Quarter in Yerushalayim’s Old City, the rov said that the deal was contrary to the Torah’s practices as the Torah forbids the release of murderers.

“The halachic outlook negates the release of murderers. The blood of Gilad Shalit is precious to us all and we all love him, but his blood is no redder than that of anyone else.”

He added that: We unite beyond any dispute and love one another. We are strengthening this love.”

Brother of Ramallah lynch victim: Barak lied to me Brother of Vadim Norzich, father of Yossi Avrahami slam prisoner exchange that will include the release of Abed Alaziz Salaha who was documented in the horrific photo with his hands covered in blood

"The government lied to all the bereaved families. They promised the bereaved parents that the terrorists would never get out. Ehud Barak made a personal promise to me that this terrorist would never see the light of day. I knew that day that he had lied to me. I told everyone that it was only a matter of time before the next deal. I saw the Goldwasser and Regev deal and I knew that it was only a matter of time before the murderers of my brother (are released)."


The painful monologue above belongs to Michael Norzich, brother of Vadim, who was murdered by a mob in Ramallah in the year 2000. Michael said that no one called to tell him that one of the murderers of his brother is included in the list of 477 prisoners who will be released as part of the first phase of the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal.


Abed Alaziz Salaha, who was photographed in the horrific photo with his hands covered with blood in what has become the symbol of the second intifada, was sentenced to life in prison but is expected to be released on Tuesday.

Abed Alaziz Salaha waves his blood-covered hands after Ramallah lynch (Photo: Imagebank/AFP)

"The pain is stronger today," Michael told Ynet. "Not because of the deal itself but because of the way it is carried out. It is not a deal but a major loss. It is a twisted deal. You don't release at any cost. There is a price. You cannot give it all."



 On the one hand, the bereaved brother says, the family is happy for the parents and siblings who will see their son Gilad Shalit come home. "On the other hand, our family is angry that nobody cared about our sensitivity. No one (in the government) experienced our pain," he said.


Michael does not feel any pity for the families of the Palestinian prisoners. "They are all the devil's children. I don’t feel sorry for them and not for the tears of their mothers. A mother that sends her child to blow up?!"


Meanwhile, Simo Avrahami will once again surround himself in mourning. Over a decade after his son Yossi was brutally murdered in Ramallah together with Vadim Norzich, he received the news that the infamous murderer will be included in the prisoner swap deal.


I intend to sit Shiva for Yossi for a second time," he told Ynet, "like thousands of other bereaved families." Avrahami was also forced to hear the news of the terrorist's release from the media.


"I have nothing against the Shalit family, they acted as expected of any family whose son has been kidnapped but I did expect more from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, they should have exhibited some consideration and not have cheated thousands of bereaved families."


The Ramallah lynch took place on October 12, 2000, when a mob of Palestinians murdered two IDF soldiers, Vadim Norzich and Yossi Avrahami, and mutilated their bodies.

The lynch occurred at the start of the al-Aqsa Intifada and despite attempts by the Palestinian Authority to erase any documentation of the brutal murder, the horrific images reached every corner of the world and sent shockwaves in Israel.

Salaha, 30, from the village of Dir Jarid near Ramallah, was arrested in 2001 and admitted that he was part of the mob that stormed the police station, and that he strangled one of the soldiers while the others beat him.

When he saw that his hands were covered with the soldiers' blood, he went to the window to proudly show his hands to the mob below.

Second suspect in Fogel family murder pleads guilty Amjad Awad, charged with murder of five members of Fogel family in Itamar massacre last March together with cousin Hakim, admits to crimes

Awarta resident Amjad Awad, 19, who was charged with the murder of five members of the Fogel family in the Itamar massacre last March together with his cousin, Hakim, has admitted to the crimes ascribed to him – five counts of murder.


The judges in the Samaria Military Court sought to examine the primary evidence in the case before deciding whether to convict him by his own admission.


Amjad was the mastermind behind the massacre. Together with Hakim he brutally murdered Ehud Fogel, 36, Ruth Fogel, 35, 11-year-old Yoav, 4-year-old Elad and 2-month-old Hadas. His cousin helped him by holding down the children and shooting Ruth after Amjad stabbed her.

Amjad Awad (Photo: Hagai Aharon)

Last month, the court sentenced Hakim, 18, to five consecutive life sentences and another five years in prison - a total of 130 years behind bars. In court, Hakim claimed that security forces had tied up and killed two residents from his village last year.

"I'm 18 and am going through puberty. Not every young man at this age thinks of murder, just a Palestinian man whose land has been occupied. This is what the State does to me every day. When I want to leave my village, I need to undergo a search that always includes being beaten."

Moments before the sentence was read out, Hakim Awad managed to say that he was not sorry and explained that he murdered the Fogels "because of the occupation". The judges said then that they avoided sentencing him to death "because it wasn't effective with those kinds of people".

YNET: Netanyahu to address General Assembly ahead of PA bid Prime minister to fly to New York ahead of Palestinians' historic statehood appeal. 'Israel doesn’t get a fair hearing in the General Assembly, I have decided to go and tell the truth,' he says

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that he will travel to New York City and address the UN General Assembly ahead of the Palestinian bid for statehood. His address has been set for next Wednesday.


The announcement was made shortly after Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki said that the Palestinian Authority will submit its bid for full UN membership with the UN Security Council on Friday, September 23.


Netanyahu met Thursday with Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas. Speaking at a press conferees held in Jerusalem after their meeting, Netanyahu said: "I have decided to personally convey the message of direct negotiation and striving for peace at the General Assembly – I know Israeldoesn’t get a fair hearing at the General Assembly. It has an automatic majority which is quick to denounce Israel. I have decided to go… to tell the truth."

Israel's position, he said, has remained the same: "The only way for a Palestinian state to come to be is through negotiations. The PA's decision (to appeal to the UNSC) could change tomorrow. I'll be at the UN. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will be at the UN. We could save the trip – Ramallah is only 10 minutes away. Direct negotiations are the simplest way to achieve peace.

"I hope that the Palestinians will eventually understand that there is no other alternative," he said.

Addressing recent remarks by the PLO's Ambassador to the United States, who said that any future Palestinian state must be free of Jews, Netanyahu said that he "regretted to hear a Palestinian official speak of Judenrein. It is a disgrace and I expect the Palestinian Authority to denounce the statement."

Czech PM Necas told reporters that Prague does not support any unilateral steps, but refrained for detailing how his country will vote on the Palestinian recognition.

"At this time, we are still unfamiliar with the content (of the bid) and with the procedure set for the vote… any unilateral steps can only harm the peace process, and as I said, we do not support any unilateral steps."

YNET: S&P upgrades Israel's credit rating Ratings agency cites Israel's 'prosperous and resilient economy, strong institutions, ongoing fiscal consolidation, and robust external performance'

Standard & Poor's has raised Israel's long-term foreign currency credit rating from A to A+.


The ratings agency cited Israel's "prosperous and resilient economy, strong institutions, ongoing fiscal consolidation, and robust external performance."


S&P also praised the country's fiscal leadership for "careful macroeconomic management" and noted anticipated revenues from recently discovered natural gas deposits offshore.

However, S&P also noted the "significant geopolitical risks" faced by Israel and the country's substantial public-sector debt.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on the credit upgrade, saying it was the result of Israel's "responsible and serious" economic policy.


In a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, Netanyahu noted that the government is committed to its economic policy, stressing that any fiscal recommendations made by the socioeconomic committee will be applied whilst maintaining a healthy and stable economy.

Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz noted with satisfaction that "this is an honorable accomplishment for the Israeli economy and its successful handling of the global crisis, which has been threatening Western economies for about three years."

According to Steinitz, the accomplishment is particularly impressive in light of the debt crisis and high unemployment rate which have affected the credit rating of many countries worldwide.

Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer welcomed the decision as well, saying that he "praised the government and Treasury for their intention to pursue a responsible budgetary policy."

Israel's economy has weathered the global economic downturn with relative success.

The agency left local currency ratings unchanged at AA-/A-1+.

YNET: Hints of high life in poverty-stricken Gaza Smart hotel which aspires to five-star service, shopping outlet that boasts Gaza's first in-store escalator and sparkling supermarket stocked to rafters have all opened their doors this summer in Palestinian enclave

Amidst the poverty and deprivation of the Gaza Strip, a few small signs of prosperity have started to emerge, giving violence-weary locals a taste of comfort that is taken for granted in much the rest of the world.


A smart hotel which aspires to five-star service, a shopping outlet that boasts Gaza's first in-store escalator and a sparkling supermarket stocked to the rafters have all opened their doors this summer in the Palestinian enclave.


Their appearance does not mean that wealth and well-being are spreading in the tiny territory, because they are not. But they indicate a fresh willingness by outsiders to invest in Gaza and eye future potential.

"I have heard about this from my friends and today is my first visit. It is amazing," said Ali Mohammed, 45, a telephone technician who had come to buy chocolates at the central Al-Andalusia store, which is spread out over three floors.

"It is as if we were not in Gaza. The blockade is everywhere to be seen out there, but not in here."

Israel has imposed a strict blockade on Gaza in response to repeated rocket attacks from Islamist militants over the past six years. However, some of the restrictions have eased over the last 12 months, allowing Al-Andalusia to come to life.

A group of Palestinian businessmen, many educated abroad, have hooked up with foreign investors to put $4 million into the enterprise, using their contacts to help fill the shop with merchandise from around the Middle East.

Some is imported legitimately through Israel, other goods come via the smuggling tunnels that link Gaza to Egypt, giving shoppers an unusual amount of choice all under one roof.

For the elite"We originally wanted to build a proper shopping mall, but we started with this as a test," said general manager Ihab Al Esawi, who expects to recoup the original investment within three years, so long as war with Israel does not spoil their plans.

"You have to have faith," he said with a smile.

Up to 2,000 people a day visit the store, including many young children who endlessly ride the spanking new escalator – only the second moving staircase to be installed in the enclave and the first to be put in a shop that is open to everyone.

"This is so exciting," said 10-year-old Bilal Haboush, clutching onto the handrail, his eyes wide open with joy as if he were riding the latest roller coaster at Disney World.



Remarkable hotel terrace (Photo: AP)

Elevated prices in Al-Andalusia and the nearby Metromarket, a supermarket that would not look out of place in a wealthy Gulf state, mean that only the Gaza elite can shop there regularly.

The UN Palestinian refugee agency, UNWRA, says that some 1.2 million of Gaza's 1.5 million inhabitants are registered as refugees, with unemployment running at around 45% - one of the highest rates in the world.

"The combination of persistently high unemployment and the continuing deterioration of the real wages of working people underlie significant levels of poverty," UNWRA said in a report published in June.

But small pockets of wealth do still exist, and the Islamist group Hamas, which has a firm grip on power in Gaza, looks increasingly interested in seeing local businesses flourish as a way of diversifying their revenue streams and creating jobs.

It is hard to gauge Hamas' involvement in the private entities that have emerged over the past year, but they surely could not operate without prior approval, and if nothing else, they provide the cash-strapped group with badly needed taxes.

"Hamas is shifting from being just a military movement and a charity, towards ... looking to make money," said Omar Shaban, the head of the Gaza-based Pal-Think think-tank.

"Even Hamas now understands what it means to have a good life, that it is not all about Jihad and martyrdom. They are starting to go to hotel terraces with their families. It is a good thing. They feel they have something to lose," he added.

Hotel oasis, or mirage?

One of the more remarkable hotel terraces in the whole Middle East opened earlier this year in the northern corner of the Gaza Strip, close to a Hamas military training base and one of the territory's largest refugee camps.

Originally conceived as offices when building started in the 1990s, the designs later morphed into a 220-bedroom hotel which was due to be operated by the luxury Movenpick chain.

But they pulled out before a guest had even moved in after Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007 following a brief civil war. A subsequent tightening of the Israeli blockade, not to mention repeated clashes between the two sides, left the project on ice.

The dust-sheets were finally removed this year, with Spanish group ArcMed agreeing to run the newly named Al Mashtal, sending in a couple of experienced managers to train the 70 local hires.

Tourism is not an option in a territory where access to outsiders is tightly limited, but a handful of international aid workers plus the occasional wealthy Palestinian expatriate visiting family have stayed the night, while the restaurants and pool-side cafes see much more activity from well-heeled locals.

The pool itself is off limits for communal bathing because of local rules banning men and women from swimming together.

But without a radical change in the regional picture and a dramatic change in relations between Israel and the Gazans, it is hard to imagine the hotel's local client base widening.

"The middle class here is shrinking. People are falling into poverty or else just fleeing," said Gazan economist Shaban.

Standing like an oasis on the scruffy seafront strip, it is clear Al Mashral cannot escape the reality of life in Gaza. Just two weeks ago an Israeli missile strike killed two Islamist gunmen riding a motorcycle some 500 meters from the hotel.

So is it a triumph of hope over adversity?

"Only time can answer this question," says the somewhat terse Spanish manager, Rafel Carpinell.