A War on Two Fronts
My country is at war, and I have hardly any time to write about it.12:35AM: Pam has the text of John Bolton’s statement on today’s draft Security Council resolution vetoed by the US. Excerpt:
The draft Resolution before the Council was unbalanced. It placed demands on one side in the Middle East conflict but not the other. This draft Resolution would have exacerbated tensions in the region and would have undermined our vision of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security.Passage would also have undermined the credibility of the Security Council, which itself must be seen by both sides as an honest broker in the Middle East conflict. In this regard, public statements of UN officials must also accurately reflect positions agreed by member governments.
The United States worked hard with other delegations to achieve a more balanced text, one which acknowledged that Israeli military actions were in direct response to repeated rocket attacks into Southern Israel from Gaza and the June 25 abduction of Israeli Defense Force Corporal Gilad Shalit by Hamas. Regrettably, we were not able to reach consensus.
While we remain gravely concerned about the deterioration of the situation in the West Bank and Gaza, we remain steadfast in our conviction that the best way to resolve the immediate crisis is for Hamas to secure the safe and unconditional release of Corporal Shalit.
Establishing the foundations for a lasting peace, however, will require us to focus our attention not just on Hamas, but on the state sponsors of terror who back them — particularly Syria and Iran. Let us be clear that without the financial and material support of Damascus and Tehran, Hamas would be severely crippled in carrying out its terrorist operations. We call upon Syria and Iran to end their role as state sponsors of terror and unequivocally condemn the actions of Hamas, including this kidnapping. We yet again call upon Syria to arrest the Hamas ringleader, Khaled Meshal, who currently resides in Damascus. We stress again our condemnation of Syrian and Iranian support of Hizballah, which has claimed responsibility for the other kidnappings along the Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon.
We further call on the Palestinian Authority government to stop all acts of violence and terror and comply with the principles enunciated by the Quartet: renounce terror, recognize Israel, and accept previous obligations and agreements, including the Roadmap. The failure of the Palestinian Authority government to take these steps hurts the Palestinian people.
12:30AM: Here’s an interesting item from the Ha’aretz news ticker: Saudi Arabia says Hezbollah guilty of ‘irresponsible actions’ (Reuters)
12:28AM: Not to forget Gaza…another Kassam has been fired into Israel.
12:25AM: Ynetnews reports how some Arab readers of the Foreign Ministry website are supporting Israel against Hizbullah.
12:20AM: The BBC ask some Israelis about their views on this latest crisis.
11:48PM: Ynetnews: IDF officials estimated that the missile fired by Hizbullah to Haifa on Thursday evening was made in Iran.
The question is: are we going to go after Iran? I’m guessing no not yet.
11:43PM: The story behind the faces: The Jerusalem Post have this article on the 8 fallen soldiers.
11:26PM: I just heard more planes fly by.
11:25PM: The IDF has completed collecting the remains of the 4 soldiers killed in their tank by Hizbullah.
11:15PM: Tough-talking from our Defense Minister Amir Peretz.
“We expected Hizbullah to break the rules, and now we intend to break them.”
Catchy quote. I’m just not entirely sure he said it in English.
11:10PM: The US has vetoed the one-sided, Arab-backed Security Council resolution accusing Israel of a “disproportionate use of force”, and demanding we withdraw our troops from Gaza.
10:58PM: I interrupt this coverage to point out this post from Daily Kos: Imagine a world without Israel.
I find that there is a direct correlation between this kind of rubbish and either 1) anti-semitic sentiment or 2) extreme ignorance.
10:50PM: The IAF has again fired missiles at Beirut International Airport (as it had done earlier today).
10:45PM: Ynetnews reports that Minister of Education Yuli Tamir has instructed officials at the education ministry to close all summer camps for children in northern Israel.
10:40PM: This headline shows just why the UN is a useless body:
Close U.N. Vote Expected on Motion To Denounce Israel
10:33PM: American Idol, Israel style: Allison explains how tonight, the line was blurred between news and entertainment.
Thursday night is American Idol night in Israel. That is to say, it’s the night when A Star is Born, the local equivalent of American Idol is aired on the most popular of Israel’s three broadcast channels.My seven year old daughter and I have a weekly ritual watching it together. As the news of the day unfolded, I thought of how disappointed she would be when it would be cancelled for news coverage.
But now I see that they are airing it anyway — but tonight, it’s non-competitive. It’s a special broadcast designed to entertain and raise the morale of the many families in the north and near Gaza who are confined to their homes and need the distraction.
A little live-blogging — one of the singers competing — they are down to the final ten — a beautiful Ethiopian girl named Israela Asago just said she expects to be called up for reserve duty — she deals with the parachutes for the paratroopers. Now, in the middle of the show, they are broadcasting live from a bomb shelter in Kiryat Shmona with a bunch of children in it. They are going to take requests from people who live in the north and sing whatever songs they ask for….
Now they are interviewing a family in Nahariya who watched a missile land and explode into the building next to theirs, killing one of their neighbors.
10:30PM: Thought I would post this picture from Nahariya, just so you really understand that we are under attack, and need to hit Hizbullah hard.
10:25PM: And speaking of Laurence, he has drawn my attention to this footage from Gaza, in which Fox News’ David Lee Miller almost gets himself killed.
10:18PM: A helping hand from my fellow Jews in America.
Within a number of hours on Thursday the Jewish Agency and the United Jewish Communities of North America raised $1 million so that children living under fire in northern Israel can spend the summer at the agency’s youth villages in central Israel.
And props to Laurence for sending me some gelt (slightly less than $1 million) to help with my bandwidth costs. But I’m thinking Magen David Adom could be a good starting point for anyone interested in donating.
10:10PM: Arutz Sheva reports that thousands of tourists and foreign employees are fleeing to Syria from Lebanon.
Not sure if that’s such a wise move..
9:55PM: Regarding my last update, a commenter on a Lebanese blog posts that leaflets are being dropped above Beirut and some southern areas.
9:53PM: The IDF have told Beirut residents to stay away from Hizbullah offices. I assume this is being done via leaflets.
9:48PM: A Safed man has died of wounds sustained in a Katusha attack. The death toll is now 3.
9:42PM: I just heard some IAF planes flying over my house. Just saying.
9:41PM: Israel is reportedly attacking targets in a suburb south of Beirut – a suburb renowned for being a Hizbullah stronghold.
9:40PM: I missed this..a second woman died earlier of her wounds from a Katusha attack. She was 70-years-old.
9:28PM: Reuters report that Israeli navy gunboats are shelling targets near Beirut airport.
9:25PM: Ynetnews reports that a child is trapped under some rubble after the building he/she was in took a direct hit from a Katusha.
9:23PM: Now Kiryat Shmona has been hit by Katushas.
9:19PM: Amnesty International doing what they do best, and by best I mean worst: international law Thursday, calling for Israel to halt attacks on civilian targets and for the Lebanese militia group Hizbullah to treat two kidnapped IDF soldiers humanely. “Israel must put an immediate end to attacks against civilians and against civilian infrastructure in Lebanon, which constitute collective punishment,” said Malcolm Smart of the London-based rights group. “Hizbullah must stop launching attacks against Israeli civilians and it must treat humanely the two Israeli soldiers it captured on 12 July and grant them immediate access to the International Committee of the Red Cross.” Amnesty stopped short of calling for the soldiers’ release since both Lebanon and Israel were signatories of the Geneva Conventions, said Donatella Rovera, also with Amnesty. The Geneva Conventions offer protections to prisoners of war. So let’s get this straight. Amnesty don’t call for our soldiers’ release because they are afforded protection as prisoners of war. So Amnesty acknowledge that this is a war, yet condemn Israel for defending herself and launching attacks against enemy combatants and infrastructure. That’s Amnesty International for you. Morally bankrupt. And frikkin’ irrelevant. 9:14PM: Random thought: who would have thought that coverage of Operation Summer Rains in Gaza would be eclipsed by something else so quickly. 8:57PM: Shimon Peres is being interviewed by an arrogant Sky News presenter, who is accusing Israel of waging war on Lebanon. Again, I’m no fan of Peres, but he’s replying beautifully to the tosser. For instance, when asked why civilians are being killed in Lebanon, Peres replied that Israel does not want one civilian to be killed, and he recommends that if any civilians are in a house with a missile, then he suggests they leave the house, or give up the missile (Peres had earlier explained that Hizbullah have hidden missiles in civilian areas, in people’s homes). 8:47PM: Ha’aretz reports that Hizbullah have denied firing Katushas at Haifa. I guess they just fell out of the sky… Earlier today, Hizbullah threatened to strike Haifa if we attacked Beirut (3:18PM update). We did not attack Beirut, but I guess Hizbullah couldn’t wait. 8:45PM: A barrage of Katushas have landed in Nahariya and Safed. The toll now stands at 1 dead and 122 wounded. 8:36PM: The 2 soldiers abducted by Hizbullah are Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev. You can read more about them here. (Regarding reports that they were Druze, there was some confusion stemming from the fact that a Druze soldier was missing. However, his body was recovered late yesterday – he was one of the soldiers killed in the Hizbulah attack). 8:25PM: They hit Haifa 20 minutes ago! As the Jerusalem Post notes, this is the farthest that a rocket has ever reached into Israel.Amnesty International urged Israel to abide by
9:05PM: Haifa residents have been asked by IDF Home Front Command to stay close to bomb shelters.
About the Author
An Australian immigrant to Israel, Aussie Dave has been blogging since early 2003.Filed Under: General
Take care of yourself. I have been waiting, not with anticipation but with dread, since 2000 for the next all-out Arab-Israeli war to begin. This may finally be it. There is also no doubt in my mind that Hezbollah acted at the behest of Iran and Syria. Ahmadinejad has been threatening Israel with extinction since he came to power, and this may be the first salvos in his war to make that happen. God help us all…………….
I believe the report on the Lebanese army is exaggerated, as the COS of the army is not walking the line of backing Hizbullah!
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea described Hizbullah’s abduction of two Israeli soldiers in an early morning cross-border raid as “dangerous” and called for “the Cabinet to be the only institution to make the country’s critical decisions from now on.”
“Only when decisions are made within Cabinet or Parliament can these be regarded as the choice of the Lebanese people,” Geagea said in an interview with LBCI television.
“We have dozens of detainees in Syrian jails,” Geagea added. Why don’t we carry out a similar action against Syria?”
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=73930
Widening Into War?: The Israeli Response in Lebanon and Gaza
July 13, 2006 04:00 PDT France says Israel war acts “disproportionate,” and joins Russia in “condemning the escalation of the Middle East conflict.” In a joint press conference held right now with German chancellor Angela Merkel, President Bush has ass…
Stay safe.
An updating blog inside Israel
[LINK] Israellycool This blog, by an anonymous 31-year-old Jewish man who moved to Israel from Australia in 2000, gives a view of the current hostilities from the Israeli perspective. He plans to post updates throughout the
I agree with the alleged Lebanese army’s statement. I, too, acknowledge “Hizbullah’s right to resist Israeli aggression.” Anyone has that right.
Except that Israel is not the aggressor here. Israel is the defender, as it always has been since 1948.
May the hand of the Lord guide you.
Continuing Coverage of Israel at War
This post is a continuation of the comprehensive coverage I started yesterday of Hezbollah’s attack on Israel and the subsequent response.
First of all, I updated my post about the KIA soldiers below with two more names.
There are reports that …
Israel Attacks Lebanese Targets
Israel is advancing its Lebanese front: Israel has now struck a Lebanese air base, the first attack against the Lebanese military. Israel has also hit the Beruit International Airport, which is part of Israel’s sea and air blockade against Lebanon….
Israeli blogs
Blogger Israellycool writes:When I went to bed last night, Israel had already decided on a severe response to yesterday’s events on the northern border. Our Air Force has since launched a number of attacks, including a strike on Beirut International
Have an easy fast (assuming you are)! My wife and I are praying for the return of the soldiers and for Israel to quickly destroy Hamas, Hizbullah, etc., as well as your safety and the safety of all those targeted by Hizbullah and Hamas attacks.
What do you think about attacking Syria instead of Lebanon? Wouldn’t that be more productive for destroying Hizbullah? (E.g., Captain Ed)
I think you’re definitely right in noticing that the tide has shifted here in Europe with regards to Israel. People here are starting to identify with Israel’s battle against militant Islam and see it as part of their own.
The political elites in the EU and elsewhere still takes the same old stance of condemnation of every Israeli move, but eventually the change of opinion in the public will reach them too. I, for one, am sick and tired of these hacks condemning Israel in my name.
Stay safe, and also a small suggestion, maybe you should do your updates with most recent last, you know sort of chronilogical from top to bottom, I’m in the states and check your blog several hours after you’ve written and have to sort of scroll up to read everything in order, but hey do whatever makes sense to you, and keep up the good work,
10:30PM: Thought I would post this picture from Nahariya, just so you really understand that we are under attack, and need to hit Hizbullah hard.
That picture is actually up on the top on the Swedish newspaper DN’s website right now. It’s great to see that some of the Swedish media is trying to have a balanced reporting from the events.
Be safe and thanks for the live updates.
Don’t Mess With Israel
When are the Palestinians, Hezzbolah, and Hamas going to figure out that Israel is never going ot go away. They are there to stay, and have the best militarty in the Middle East. Every time the Muslims in the area
Fisked the “world without Israel” diarist. What a schmuck.
Imagine a world without Israel
A world without Israel
…
You said that you heard IAF planes from your home, but what city do you live in? (I missed that)
Beit Shemesh, which is between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Thank you for the updates. Stay safe and know that many of us are praying for the safe return of the soldiers and for the safety of the Israelis.
Imagine a world without Israel?????
What rubbish…if not Israel, I am sure the islamo-maniacs would find some other issue to kill for.
How about: imagine a world without Islam?
Watching, reading, praying, supporting Israel.
SELF RESTRAINT IS FATAL
BY: FERN SIDMAN
As a young person growing up in New York City, I was a member of Brit Trumpeldor of America, better known as the Zionist Youth Movement Betar, founded by the great Zionist leader, Ze”ev Jabotinsky. When I joined Betar at the age of 12, every potential member was required to enroll in the Tironut program. Tironut, or basic training, as it were, was an intensive series of lectures and seminars covering a wide range of topics including Jewish history, the history of the Zionist movement and the glorious legacy of Betar and the Jewish underground that valiantly battled the British during the mandatory regime, prior to the creation of the State of Israel.
I learned about a young Jew from Poland named Shalom Tabachnik, a/k/a Shlomo Ben Yosef, a member of Betar who came to live in the land of Israel and who settled on the northern settlement of Rosh Pina. On Thursday, April 21, 1938, the 20th day of Nissan 5698, Ben Yosef and two Betar colleagues attempted to defend the settlement of Rosh Pina from an impending Arab attack, emanating from the neighboring Arab village of Djani. An automobile carrying Arabs approached Rosh Pina. Ben Yosef and his two fellow Betarim stepped out on the road and tried to stop the automobile. A single shot was fired and the Arabs fled in panic.
A few hours after the incident the three young men were arrested by the British police. They gave themselves up without any struggle. “Despite the fact that not a single drop of blood was shed at Rosh Pina and despite the fact that the police knew very well that the three young men had only fired into the air in order to discourage the Arabs from passing through the settlement, the British decided to create a big “terrorist” incident out of the Rosh Pina affair. The very fact that Jews had resolved to withstand an Arab attack made them feel afraid. Their plan to frighten Jews from coming to Palestine would be endangered if Jews were to fight back. They knew very well that the Jews could put an end to the Arab “revolts” in a few days.” (Triumph on the Gallows, Itzhak Gurion, 1950)
On June 29, 1938 Ben Yosef was hanged on the gallows by the British authorities. His last words in a conversation with friends were, “Havlagah” (self-restraint) is fatal.”
Today I also thought of the brave and courageous defender of the settlement Tel Chai. I thought of Yosef Trumpeldor, for whom Betar is named. I thought of his efforts to defend Tel Chai against Arab attacks. No stranger to military conflicts, Trumpeldor was the highest ranking Jewish officer in the Czar’s army during the Russo-Japanese war of 1905. I thought of him and of his last words when he was gunned down by an Arab bullet while defending the settlement in 1920.
Today, I thought of the last words of Shlomo Ben Yosef and Yosef Trumpeldor when I read of Katyusha rocket attacks on cities in northern Israel. Besides Nahariya, it was reported that Rosh Pina and Tel Chai had been hit by rocket fire and that the airport in Rosh Pina was shut down. I thought of Shlomo Ben Yosef and Yosef Trumpeldor when I heard Ehud Olmert’s response to the rocket attacks by the Syrian backed Hizbollah militia in Lebanon. According to a news report from Arutz Sheva, “Olmert was clear that the multi-pronged attack, which involved ground forces as well as Katyusha rockets, was not an act of terror, but ‚Äúan act of war‚Äù and said the Israeli response would be ‚Äúvery restrained but very, very painful.‚Äù
Seems like the word restraint keeps rearing its head. The Associated Press reported that, “U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for restraint. “We would not want to see an expansion, an escalation, of conflict in the region,” he said. Mr. Annan was joined by US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, who was quoted by Associated Press as saying, “All sides must act with restraint to resolve this incident peacefully and to protect innocent civilians and civilian infrastructure.” If we’ve learned anything from this two front war that threatens to explode like a powder keg, we’ve learned that the calls for restraint from world leaders only apply to Israel. Seems like the age old double standard concerning the actions of Israel are in full swing.
While the State of Israel engages Hizbollah terrorists on its northern border and Hamas terrorists on its southern border, let us remember the words of the young Betari from Rosh Pina. Let us remember the words of this simple Jew whose courage and bravery move us to tears. Let us remember the actions and examples that Yosef Trumpeldor set for his people and his beloved nation of Israel, so many years ago.
It is these axioms that must shape our destiny in the current military conflict. We must address the world clearly and unequivocally. We must shout from the rooftops, the words of Shlomo Ben Yosef. Yes, it is true. Self restraint is fatal. We know that self restraint only emboldens our enemies. We know that the Arab enemy mocks and ridicules Israel when self restraint is elevated to the level of a religious commandment. We know that only swift action without trepidation or hesitation can ensure our preservation.
The facts are clear and cannot be debated. Three Israeli soldiers are being held captive by our Arab enemy and eight Israeli soldiers lay dead as a result from the brazen attacks from Hizbollah. Jewish settlements, towns and cities are being barraged by Katyusha rocket attacks on our northern front and continued Kassam rocket attacks are being staged by our Arab enemy In Gaza. This is the time to throw off the yoke of “restraint”. Our survival and preservation as a people and nation are at stake. Now is the time conquer our proverbial nemesis, better known as fear of world opinion. Now is the time to reach out to the Almighty G-d of Israel.
Now is the time to know that Hashem marches into battle with us. As Jews, we are never alone. Hashem will be with us, if only we allow Him to be. If only we bend our collective necks to the yoke of Heaven and walk in His ways and remain faithful to His commandments. Hashem commands us to show no mercy on our enemies. We are commanded to fear only G-d and to treat our enemies accordingly. To engage in bold and decisive military actions that will permanently disable Hizbollah and Hamas. If we can summon up the strength to quash our own egos and accept Hashem’s dominion, the battle will be fought for us.
On this 17th day of Tammuz, may our prayers reach the Almighty G-d of Israel and may He protect His nation Israel.
Just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate these updates. U.S. blogs & traditional media haven’t been following the situation that closely (before today, anyway), so I’m grateful for a source of information.
My prayers are with you and all of Israel.
I know I speak for most Americans in saying we stand with Israel.
Why is This Jewish War Different From All Other Jewish Wars?
It’s the first Jewish war (conventional one, anyway) that is being blogged, with the late-breaking newsworthiness and slice of life reassurances that blogging affords…. Israellycool liveblogs breaking developments.
As an American, I say I definitely support Israel. I always have supported Israel, now more than ever. Pay no attention to the Daily Kos, they are messed up people anyway, they always support Islamo-fascists.