The Day in Israel: Thurs Feb 26th, 2009

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Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu plans to have a “decisive and meaningful” meeting with Kadima leader Tzipi Livni, and could try to tempt her with additional offers in order to win her over.

Updates (Israel time; most recent at top)

11:52PM:  A Jewish community center in Venezuela has been attacked by unidentified assailants who threw an explosive at the building.

10:48PM: Since my last update:

  • We struck a couple more smuggling tunnels (can’t you just feel the deterrence?)
  • Holocaust-denying Bishop Dick Williamson apologized for the hurt caused by his Holocaust denying, but did not say he had changed his views
  • US and Syrian diplomats met in Washington in a bid to improve strained ties

6:28PM: Could some of the ancient Israelites have ended up in Japan? Is this where the Ark of the Covenant is hidden?

Part 1:

Part 2:

I don’t know what to make of this. On one hand, there seems to be a connection, with the likes of Rabbi Avichail involved. On the other hand, some of the things presented as facts are anything but, such as Jewish festivals and Hebrew words & letters of which I have never heard.

In any event, it is fascinating, and could explain the Jewish penchant for Asian food.

6:10PM: A short time ago, palestinian terrorists fired yet another Qassam into Israel.

I guess the bomb-the-smuggling-tunnel approach is not working so well.

5:30PM: A short time ago, the IAF struck some smuggling tunnels. I’m shocked, shocked I tell you!

2:15PM: Doesn’t he know the bathshit crazy, anti-Semitic Egyptian cleric market is already crowded?

2:05PM: Looks like the Elders of Moron have some competition.

A group of former international peace negotiators on Thursday urged the world and Israel to abandon the policy of isolating Hamas and engage with the Islamist militant group.

“The policy of isolating Hamas cannot bring about stability. As former peace negotiators, we believe it is of vital importance to abandon the failed policy of isolation and to involve Hamas in the political process,” the group said in a letter published in the British newspaper The Times.

The letter said the futility of the policy had been demonstrated by Israel’s recent offensive against Hamas in Gaza.

Israel, the United States and the European Union consider Hamas a terrorist organization. Since the group took over the Gaza Strip in a bloody 2007 coup, the international community has largely complied with an Israeli-led blockade of the coastal territory and boycott of its rulers.

But the group stated that, “Whether we like it or not, Hamas will not go away. Since its victory in democratic elections in 2006, Hamas has sustained its support in Palestinian society despite attempts to destroy it through economic blockades, political boycotts and military incursions.”

Among the letter’s signatories were former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans, former United Nations special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Alvaro de Soto, former leader of the Social Democratic Liberal Party of Northern Ireland John Hume, as well as former Israeli foreign minister Shlomo Ben-Ami.

11:12AM: Two houses were damaged in the Qassam attacks earlier this morning. While no-one was injured, some Sderot residents were treated for shock.

9:22AM: Today’s palestinian rocket firing shenanigans have begun, with 2 Qassams hitting Israel.

IAF smuggling tunnel strikes to begin later.

8:55AM: Turkish President Abdullah Gul may be visiting Israel in the coming months to put an end to the crisis in relations between our countries.

I say a visit to Sderot should be placed high on the agenda.

6:00AM: Former Republican nominee for US President John McCain seems to have gone over to the dark side.

AP

5:46AM: Ha’aretz reports that Israel’s Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) recently intensified its attacks on International Atomic Energy Agency head, Mohamed ElBaradei, for his failure to persuade Syria to allow visits by IAEA inspectors to three suspected nuclear sites, his focus on criticizing Israel, negligence in handling all matters relating to the Iranian nuclear crisis, and resemblance to Mr Potato Head.

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