Gujarat is all set to have a ‘cow farm’ if the Israeli company planning to set it up in the State gets the neccessary clearances from the Union Government.

The Israeli company which has been leased 143 hectares of land for the farm by the State government for a period of 30 years, is waiting for clearances from the Government of India, Israeli Consul General Orna Sagiv told PTI over phone.

She was in the city for the inauguration of an Israeli film festival organised by the Vadodara chapter of the Friends of Israel Society.

In the first of the two-phased project, nearly 4,000 cows are to be imported from Israel for setting up a state-of-the-art dairy plant on 43 hectares of land at Ambasan village in Mehsana district, Sagiv said.

Israeli cows are known for higher milk yield. Sagiv further said that several Israeli companies were interested in investing in Gujarat adding her country was also willing to provide expertise to local civic bodies in helping resolve urban issues.

“Well, it could be worse. We could be in a Gaza smugglers’ tunnel.”

Well, kind of:

http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2008/12/01/did-mumbai-terrorists-torture-jews/

Thanks to reader Alex Stein for forcing me to write a post I hate to write with every fiber of my being. An Indian news report claims that many of the Mumbai hostages were tortured before being killed and that the Chabad hostages were tortured most brutally of all. IF (and I stress “if” because stories like this must be confirmed and reconfirmed before they are accepted as truth) this story is true, it could set back Jewish-Muslim relations years if not decades. Not to mention, that it will further alienate Israeli Jews from believing it is possible to live in peace with the region’s Muslims.

Ya think?

Interestingly enough, Silverstein has a hard time understanding how the constant terrorist attacks on Israeli soil led many of us to this conclusion a long time ago. In fact, according to his worldview, anyone who has formed this conclusion is a bigot.

Further, if it is true, then I will have to withdraw my earlier claims that anti-Semitism was an ancillary part of the strategy involved in this attack. If the Jewish victims were tortured savagely, then it will lead me to believe that there are much stronger links to Al Qaeda than I previously believed. Until now, I’d never thought that Pakistani militants hated the west and Jews specifically as Al Qaeda does. I’d thought their cause was more locally-determined. If the news is correct, then I think Pakistan, India and the entire region have a much bigger problem on their hands then previously thought.

Notice how it is the possibility of torture that has led Silverstein to rethink things. Had the terrorists merely murdered the Jews without torturing them, he would not have revised his conclusion.

Finally, I would urge that when and if they find the mastermind of this attack that he should be tried before an international tribunal. The horror of these acts needs to be addressed not by the justice system of a single country, but by international justice. The world needs to universally condemn such brutalism.

Curiously, Silverstein has never shown such indignation towards the palestinian masterminds of terrorist attacks against Israelis.

I don’t wish to offer unsolicited advice to my Muslim readers, friends and others, but the Mumbai attack appears to have been done in the name of Kashmir, Palestine and Muslim suffering in general.

Now, much like after 9/11, it is critical that the world hear from sane Muslims that this is a way they reject utterly and absolutely. To do so does not mean that Muslims must renounce their criticism of, or grievances against conditions they face.  It means they must ostracize those who kill in the name of Islam or Muslim suffering.

Like Hamas for example?

I have been dedicated to Muslim-Jewish dialogue for many, many years.  This horrific story will not deter me from my commitment.  But it will set back all of our good work by so very much.  I simply cannot understand the bestial savagery that lurks in the human mind (and note I said “human” mind and not “Muslim” mind–since the beast lurks in all of us).

Finally, I want to again emphasize that Alex provided only a single Indian source to confirm the torture claim.  The Times of India, one of the nation’s most respected papers doesn’t mention this story [see UPDATE below].  Further, that news source does not name any of the doctors it quotes.  Unnamed sources in this situation should not be considered reliable.  Other previous elements of the Mumbai terror story were shown to be false on further investigation. It’s entirely possible that this claim too will prove false, though I fear it may not.  If anyone can confirm that this report is false, please let me know ASAP.

UPDATE: Thanks again to Alex for pointing me to this Times of India story that acknowledges the possibility of torture, but in a very preliminary and tentative way, unlike the Rediff story.

Notice how Silverstein is exacting such high standards of proof before he will accept as fact the torture story. Yet bring him the most flimsy hint of IDF or Jewish misdeed, and he’s all over it like a rash.

Many Muslims said they are worried such carnage is besmirching their religion.

“The occupation of the synagogue and killing people in hotels tarnishes the Muslim faith,” said Kazim al-Muqdadi, a political science lecturer at Baghdad University. “Anyone who slaughters people and screams `Allahu Akbar’ (God is Great) is sick and ignorant.”

I would have thought the killing of people in aforementioned synagogue would also have tarnished the Muslim faith. But what do I know? I’m just a Jew.

And further on in the report:

“I think that Muslims should raise their voice against such actions. They should forge a coalition to fight such phenomena, because it harms them and damages their image,” said Ali Abdel Muhsen, 22, a Muslim engineering student in the West Bank city of Nablus.

How about because it is morally reprehenisible?

Yes, clearly there are Muslims out there who condemn such attacks since they tarnish the image of Islam. What I want to hear more of are Muslims who condemn such attacks because they are plain wrong.

They said that just one look at the bodies of the dead hostages as well as terrorists showed it was a battle of attrition that was fought over three days at the Oberoi and the Taj hotels in Mumbai.

Doctors working in a hospital where all the bodies, including that of the terrorists, were taken said they had not seen anything like this in their lives.

“Bombay has a long history of terror. I have seen bodies of riot victims, gang war and previous terror attacks like bomb blasts. But this was entirely different. It was shocking and disturbing,” a doctor said.

Asked what was different about the victims of the incident, another doctor said: “It was very strange. I have seen so many dead bodies in my life, and was yet traumatised. A bomb blast victim’s body might have been torn apart and could be a very disturbing sight. But the bodies of the victims in this attack bore such signs about the kind of violence of urban warfare that I am still unable to put my thoughts to words,” he said.

Asked specifically if he was talking of torture marks, he said: “It was apparent that most of the dead were tortured. What shocked me were the telltale signs showing clearly how the hostages were executed in cold blood,” one doctor said.

The other doctor, who had also conducted the post-mortem of the victims, said: “Of all the bodies, the Israeli victims bore the maximum torture marks. It was clear that they were killed on the 26th itself. It was obvious that they were tied up and tortured before they were killed. It was so bad that I do not want to go over the details even in my head again,” he said.

Corroborating the doctors’ claims about torture was the information that the Intelligence Bureau had about the terror plan. “During his interrogation, Ajmal Kamal said they were specifically asked to target the foreigners, especially the Israelis,” an IB source said.

It is also said that the Israeli hostages were killed on the first day as keeping them hostage for too long would have focused too much international attention. “They also might have feared the chances of Israeli security agencies taking over the operations at the Nariman House,” he reasoned.

No doubt just a “theatrical statement of hate….cynically exploiting anti-Semitism in order to further inflame world opinion and curry favor with the Muslim jihadi set.”

You can watch developments live here.

In the meantime, please say Psalms for Gavriel Noach ben Freida Bluma, Rivka bas Yehudis and Moshe Tzvi Ben Rivkah, and anyone affected by the tragedy.

Updates (Israel time)

7:35AM: At least 4 bodies have been reportedly found inside the Chabad center, but it is currently not known whether or not they were Israelis.

8:25AM: Two of the Aussies murdered by the terrorists.

8:28AM: Heart-breaking:

The two-year-old son of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivka is asking about the whereabouts of his parents, his nanny told Ynet.

—-

The nanny, Sandra Samuel, is a local who had been living with the family. She and the toddler are currently staying in the Israeli Consulate in Mumbai. “The baby is okay, but I have no idea about the couple. Nobody told us anything,” she said.

“In the evening his mother always puts him to sleep and now he doesn’t understand what’s going on,” she added.

11:15AM: More explosions and gunfire have been heard from the Mumbai Chabad house, with reports that the fourth and fifth floors have been evacuated.

11:25AM: It is times like this I feel like quitting blogging and joining an Indian commando unit.

12:05PM: 2 Israeli businessmen have been released from Mumbai’s Oberoi Hotel.

You have all probably already heard about the devastating terror attacks in Mumbai, India, which have left at least 101 people dead and 314 injured. My prayers go out to the families of the victims.

In addition, some people have been taken hostage, including Chabad Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his family. According to the Chabad website:

Terrorists attacked multiple locations in Mumbai, India, late Wednesday night, with much of the gunfire occurring near the Chabad-Lubavitch center run by Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg.

—-

Of particular concern to authorities is the report of two gunmen taking foreign tourists hostage at the five-star Oberoi Hotel. The Indian military was reportedly making preparations to take the hotel by force before daybreak. Another 100 tourists and three members of India’s parliament were holed up in the Taj Mahal Hotel.

One friend of Gavriel Holtzberg reported receiving an e-mail from the Mumbai rabbi at 11:30 p.m. local time. The Israeli Consulate was in touch with Holtzberg, but the line was cut in middle of the conversation. No further contact has since been established. Other reports on IBN showed the Chabad House’s building as being occupied by terrorists, but no further information could be confirmed.

Chabad-Lubavitch representatives in New York and Israel are working alongside the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai and a volunteer team of local residents to ascertain the well being of the Holtzbergs and other Jews in the area.

People are urged to say Psalms for Gavriel Noach ben Freida Bluma, Rivka bas Yehudis and Moshe Tzvi Ben Rivkah, and anyone affected by the tragedy.

I will try to keep you updated during the day.

Updates (Israel time)

9:45AM: Ha’aretz reports the Israeli rescue service Zaka said that Rabbi Holtzberg’s wife and two-year-old child have been released.

9:48AM: According to Reuters, at least 5 Israelis are among at least 100 hostages at the Oberoi Hotel in Mumbai.

9:55AM: There are reportedly at least 4 terrorists in the Chabad building.

10:05AM: According to JPost, the terrorists released Rabbi Holtzberg’s son and nanny, but the Rabbi and his wife remain inside, alive but unconscious.

10:55AM: Yeshiva World News is liveblogging the Chabad situation.

1:00PM: Indian commandos and police are reportedly preparing a final assault on the Chabad House.

1:12PM: According to the Foreign Ministry, 10-15 Israelis are being held hostage in Mumbai, and another 20-25 have yet to contact their families in Israel.

2:22PM: One of the terrorists told a television channel he belonged to an Indian Islamist group calling itself Deccan Mujahedeen, seeking an end to the persecution of Indian Muslims. By persecution of Indian Muslims, I assume he means depriving them of a global Caliphate.

2:32PM: Reuters reports that the terrorists at Mumbai Chabad are ready to discuss a hostage release.

3:22PM: More information regarding the last update: One of the terrorists phoned an Indian television channel to say he was prepared to free his Israeli hostages if the government agreed to talks.

3:35PM: According to Ynet, Rabbi Holtzberg and his wife lost their eldest son two and a half years ago.

4:36PM: According to Yeshiva World News, “American media reports state that three Israelis were killed in the Mumbai Chabad House. At this time, there is absolutely no confirmation from any official Israeli sources.” I pray this isn’t true.

6:02PM: Based on information received by Israel’s most senior officials, there are real fears for the lives of the Israeli hostages being held by terrorists in the Chabad House.

6:05PM: I am about to embark on my drive home. I pray that by the time I get home in an hour or so, I will hear some good news.

7:40PM: Israel’s channel 2 reports 8 to 10 hostages have been released from the Chabad center.

7:52PM: An Indian source has reported that the Rabbi and his wife have been released.

8:06PM: A female Israeli held hostage at the Chabad house reportedly called the Israeli Embassy at gunpoint, in order to state the terrorists’ demands. No word on whether she was one of the hostages reportedly released.

8:09PM: The Israeli consul general in Mumbai has stated that according to Indian news reports, 8-12 hostages were released. But he could not confirm whether it did indeed occur, saying “It could even be the building next door. We are still investigating.”

8:27PM: According to this Indian Twitterer:

more hostages coming out of Nariman house. they look unharmed. thank god

10:00PM: An hour and half since the last update, and still things are not clear. Many conflicting reports, and no real sign that the Rabbi and his wife were released.

10:40PM: A diplomat has confirmed that no hostages have been freed from the Chabad center. Drats.

11:00PM: A loud explosion has reportedly rocked the Chabad house.

A 2cm long fish apparently found it’s way into the penis of a 14-year-old boy from India in a bizarre medical case.

The patient was admitted to hospital with complaints of pain, dribbling urine and acute urinary retention spanning a 24-hour period. According to the boy, the fish slipped into his penis while he was cleaning his aquarium at home.

Professor Vezhaventhan and Professor Jeyaraman, who treated the boy and later wrote a paper on the case, explained: “While he was cleaning the fish tank in his house, he was holding a fish in his hand and went to the toilet for passing urine. When he was passing urine, the fish slipped from his hand and entered his urethra and then he developed all these symptoms.”

After detecting the fish in the boy’s bladder, Vezhaventhan and Jeyaraman used a technique known as cystourethroscopy to insert a special set of forceps down the patient’s penis. Unfortunately, the fish was just too slippery to grip, so they resorted to using a rigid ureteroscope with a tool attached that is normally used for removing bladder stones.

The fish the urologists removed, which Practical Fishkeeping believes to be a small member of the Betta genus, measured 2cm long and 1.5cm wide.

He was later admitted into counseling to help him overcome any trauma.

I’ve heard of fly fishing, but this is ridiculous.