JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images

[source]

a) 49

b) 56

c) 62

d) 70

e) 81

Answer here.

I wouldn’t have guessed.

Barak: "How are ya big guy?"

Seemed like a good idea at the time.

Barak: "Now, now Heinz. Hands off the beans."

Barak last week decided not to authorize a preemptive strike before the terrorist attack on the Egyptian border, a senior official in Jerusalem said. Barak feared that the move would spark a serious conflagration in the Gaza Strip.

—-

Defense Minister Ehud Barak said during an interview with The Economist magazine published Friday that Israel will agree to Egypt deploying thousands of troops in Sinai even though the Israel-Egypt peace treaty strictly forbids it.

Barak, backed by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, said during the interview, that “the troops will have helicopters and armored vehicles, but no tanks beyond the lone battalion already stationed there.”

“Sometimes you have to subordinate strategic considerations to tactical needs,” Barak said.

According to The Economist, Barak did not downplay Israel’s long-term concern or the risk in what he is proposing. The new troops allowed into Sinai are unlikely ever to be withdrawn by any Egyptian government, according to the magazine.

 If anyone finds them, please send them to:

E Barak

PO Box 84, La La Land, Israel, 83234

As you were.

Egged bus 392 that was damaged in the shooting attack (Channel 2)

Dozens of people were hurt on Thursday after terrorists opened fire on two buses that were traveling in southern Israel near the city of Eilat. In addition to the shooting attacks on the buses, mortars were fired from the Egyptian border.

The first attack was on a bus traveling from Beer Sheva to Eilat, near the city of Netafim. Shortly after the bus attack, IDF forces engaged in a shootout with the armed men near the scene of incident.

Initial reports indicate that the shooting came from a car that was following Egged bus 392, traveling on Route 12 in southern Israel. According to reports, the passengers in the car opened fire at the bus, which held many soldiers returning from their bases.

Israeli security forces searched for the suspected vehicle and set up barricades in the area, and once they caught up with the vehicle a shootout between IDF forces and the gunmen erupted.

Two IDF helicopters were called to the scene in order to evacuate those wounded to Yoseftal hospital in Eilat.

Magen David Adom director told Army Radio that those wounded are all in light to moderate condition and remain conscious, and assured that the incident is under control.

Security forces are investigating whether the incident was a terrorist attack.

Five of the wounded are reportedly in critical condition.

8:58PM: The Iron Dome missile defense system has intercepted at least one Qassam rocket fired towards Ashkelon.

8:30PM: And the attacks continue: 2 more people were critically wounded when gunfire erupted close to the site of the deadly series of terror attacks, during a press conference by Defense Minister Ehud Barak and IDF chief Benny Gantz.

6:48PM: The IAF has reportedly struck Gaza.

6:35PM: Some reader reactions from the palestinian Ma’an News Agency report on the attacks:

2 ) Salma / Palestine18/08/2011 13:26smell of an “Israeli” intelligence operation. same old games.

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3 ) Omar / Gaza18/08/2011 13:32Good news, bravo Israel and well done.

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4 ) Heba / Jenin18/08/2011 13:34thought jews do not kill each other !

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5 ) Wissam / Palestine18/08/2011 13:35The target was a vehicle carrying SOLDIERS. Therefore this is not a terror attack but an internationally-sanctioned resistance operation against an occupying power.

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6 ) Goerge / Ramallah18/08/2011 13:35for Netanyahu and liberman It’s okay to kill some Jews to stay in the government .

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7 ) Ahmad / Nablus18/08/2011 13:41shame on you Netnyahu, cant you find a better way to silence the protesters against your government ? terror is not the soultion .

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9 ) Palestinian 4 ever / Palestine18/08/2011 13:54Zionists do not dare to re-occupy Sinai or gaze . Israel is so much weaker today than ever.

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10 ) chil / usa18/08/2011 13:55bravo, and this is not a terrorists attack, this was a military operation on military targets. if nato can seek out military targets and kills civilians in the process and get away with it then all is fair. if any civilians died its too bad they should know israel is a closed military zone that u enter at ur own risk. more attacks should happen like this. there’s no way that israel should be allowed to occupy palestine without paying a price.

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11 ) Ali / Amman18/08/2011 14:02We are not against Jews ……. But we will not allow stealing our land. We will not rest until we liberate all our land, all our Palestine

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12 ) Amjad ibn Hamas / Gaza18/08/2011 14:07hahhaha, Gen.Barak can not do anything, It’s the beginning of the end dear zionists.

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13 ) ebb / anflow18/08/2011 14:26long live al kataeb al aqsa

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14 ) Proud Palestinian / Dubai18/08/2011 16:00israeli elite commando soldiers fail to return fire. loool

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15 ) Mousa / Egypt18/08/2011 16:01Israel no longer can act against Sanai . cowards.

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16 ) Fadi / Ramallah18/08/2011 16:08Mbrook Barak , what would you do? resign, no other choice. hahahahahah

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17 ) free palestine / u.s.a18/08/2011 16:08I want to know all casualties from each seperate attack, i hope they plan more of these attacks

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18 ) Rania / Nablus18/08/2011 16:10ITF soldiers, Don’t hold your breath : )

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20 ) abu Jihad / Gaza18/08/2011 16:21barak you coward , strike gaza again, for us there is nothing to lose.

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21 ) Palestinian fighter / Palestine18/08/2011 16:27the dead are of the most elite Israeli Special units, WOW . Our Congratulations to the Defense Minister Ehud Barak Lt. Gen. Beni Gantz Beni Gantz. . promise you more to come

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22 ) Omar / USA18/08/2011 16:35this is the only language that the Zionists understand. The Criminal State of Israel is responsible for the death and displacement of Millions of innocent people. Why is this a shock? Why are Jews who fought the Nazi’s heroes and the Palestinians who fight for freedom not?

There can never be peace with these zionists….. NEVER.

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23 ) michael handala / earth18/08/2011 16:46it came from gaza according to barak? That is a lie, it is conjecture,it is wishful thinking so that they can go back in and start doing the nazi slaughter of civilians again….Just the perfect false flag they were looking for to stop the birth of Palestine, and the coming of the 81 congressmen…Bad timing…for Palestine….

This is why peace is so far away.

6:30PM: As opposed to the cowardly terrorists, here is a real hero.

Reuters

Benny Belevsky, the bus driver on the 392 Egged bus that was attacked by terrorists on Thursday en route from Beersheba to Eilat, was able to prevent a tragedy from turning into a catastrophe by taking swift action in real time.

Witnesses say the 60-year-old driver continued to drive through the hail of gunfire, doing his best to escape the terrorists. Passengers on the bus also reported a few soldiers on board fired back at the terrorists as the bus sped away.

Just before Netafim junction I heard gunfire,” the driver told Ynet. “The bullets hit the bus and two of them shattered the window near me, passed just above my head and hit the ceiling. I am experienced enough to know that I should keep driving and that I mustn’t stop so that the damage doesn’t get worse.”

Belevsky added that the passengers panicked, and that some of them were hurt, but he knew he had to get to the IDF checkpoint at Netafim. “It was scary – you never think something like this will happen to you. But I did what I had to do,” he said.

The packed bus was filled with passengers, mostly on their way to a pleasant summer vacation. “The driver accelerated and was able to prevent a much more serious outcome,” one said

6:26PM: More details have emerged from the attack:

The 3 terrorists who fired at the bus were dressed in IDF uniforms

The cell that committed the attack was comprised of 10-20 terrorists

They made use of rifles and missiles

There was a fouth attack, which took place at 1:30 pm, whereby terrorists fired at another bus and a private vehicle, killing those inside

4:47PM: Channel 2 has reported that the bodies of the terrorists were rigged with explosives.

4:45PM: 2 children are reportedly among the dead, but that’s ok to Hamas and the other terror organizations, since they are considered legitimate targets.

4:42PM: According to an Israeli official, the terrorists went from Gaza into Sinai and then infiltrated Israel.

4:35PM: Run, cowards, run.

But before scurrying off in to hiding, a Hamashole said the group was not behind the attacks, but praised them anyway.

4:25PM: Reports of the death toll rising to 7.

4:22PM: Egypt has denied any involvement in the attack, with an Egyptian security official saying:

“Egypt was in no way involved in the incident, since it is difficult to penetrate the Egypt-Israel border.

Is he for real?!

4:20PM: In the wake of the terror attack, Magen David Adom is setting up stations to collect needed blood. Donations tomorrow (Friday) Jerusalem: Tachanat Mercazit and at the Mashbir 9:00 AM-1:00 PM
Modiin: Yishpero Center (next to Aeroflex & Mega Bul) 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Bring your Teudat zehut.

You can also call 1 800 400 101 for donating blood.

3:35PM: Still awaiting world condemnation of attacks, coupled with calls for Israel to show restraint and stop building houses.

3:32PM: Sky News report:

3:22PM: IDF Spokesperson announcement on the attack:

Combined Terrorist Attacks in Southern Israel

Combined terrorist attacks are currently taking place on Israeli territory, near the Israel- Egypt border, approximately 20 kilometers north of the city of Eilat.

Nine people were injured when terrorist opened fire at an Israeli bus approximately two hours ago. The injured were evacuated to receive medical care at a nearby hospital.

Several people were injured as a result of an explosive device, detonated on an IDF force that arrived at the scene and drove over it.

Crossfire between IDF forces, led by the Commander of the 80th Division, Brigadier General Tamir Yadi and the cell of terrorists is currently underway. Additional IDF and rescue forces are arriving at the scene.

IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant – General Benny Gantz arrived at the Division a short while ago and is currently holding an initial situation assessment.

The IDF calls on the public to avoid the area and allow security and rescue forces to carry out their tasks.

3:20PM: AP report on the attack:

3:15PM: It’s been confirmed: 5 dead.

2:15PM: Hamas reports:

Occupied Om Ar-Rashrash- Two Israeli military buses carrying soldiers were ambushed by a group of unknown militant members in the occupied territories city of Eillat( Om Ar-rashrash) southern of the occupied Palestine, Thursday August18th, 2011.

Israeli sources reported in an initial details that six Israeli soldiers were killed, while 25 others have suffered moderate to mild injuries in the attack, which took place about 30km(18 miles) north of Om Ar-Rashrash.

To the terrorists, we are all “soldiers” and all of Israel is “occupied land.”

2:04PM: Several people have been reported dead, in addition to the 15 wounded. May G-d avenge their blood.

2:00PM: I have heard reports the terrorists have been killed.

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - MAY 25: In this handout image supplied by the Israeli Ministry of Defence, Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak (R) meets with Commander of the Chinese navy Admiral Wu Shengli (L) and Commander of the Israeli navy, Vice Admiral Eliezer Marom (C), on May 25, 2011 in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Photo by Israeli Ministry of Defence via Getty Images)

My contribution:

Barak: “Are you and Eliezer related?”

The squirrel in question (who some think is also a nut) is Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

Photo by BGNES

The Palestinians did not have a problem with Israel continuing settlement construction during past peace talks, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said following a meeting with United Nations Secretary General Ban ki-Moon on Thursday, saying that it was mutual mistrust, not settlement building, which was hindering the current round of direct negotiations.

—-

Speaking to reporters following his meeting with the UN chief in New York on Thursday, Barak said that, contrary to recent Palestinian claims, settlement building wasn’t the real bone of contention between Israel and the PA.

“We aren’t building any new settlements,” Barak said, indicating that Israel was “committed to the Road Map for Peace and to the two-state solution.”

Referring to the possibility that Israel was making it difficult for PA delegates to return to the negotiations table by continuing West Bank building, the defense minster said that claim was an exaggeration, adding that “43 years of construction hardly covers two percent of the West Bank.”

“[Former Prime Minster Ehud] Olmert’s government was engaged in profound talks with the Palestinians and [settlement] building then was double what it is today and that didn’t seem to be an obstacle,” Barak said, adding that when he was premier during negotiations with former PA chief Yasser Arafat building was “four times what it is today.”

The agreement was signed in Tel Aviv by head of the ministry’s MAFAT Research and Development Directorate, Brig.-Gen. Ofir Shoham, and the head of the US Missile Defense Agency, Lt.-Gen. Patrick O’Reilly.

In May 2009, the Obama administration said it would continue to support the Arrow project, as it had done since its inception over 20 years ago. However, Israel was concerned that the US would end the funding due to major cuts made to the US defense budget by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Development costs for the system are expected to reach some $100 million. The Arrow 3 will likely become operational in 2012-2013.

The Arrow 3 will be a longer-range version of the Arrow system currently in IDF operation, and will be capable of intercepting incoming missiles at higher altitudes and longer ranges. Israel and the US are also developing David’s Sling, a missile-based defense system for projectiles with a range of 70-250 kilometers.

Updates (Israel time; most recent at top)

11:00PM: IDF statement on the crash:

IAF Helicopter Crashes During Exercise in Romania

An IAF ‘Yasur’ (CH-35) helicopter has crashed earlier today during an exercise flight in Romania. On board the helicopter were seven personnel- four pilots, two aerial mechanics and a Romanian Air Force member. Extensive Searches are currently taking place on the scene.

Representatives of the IDF  have notified the crew members’ families  of the incident.

The IAF is preparing for the departure of an air plane to Romania, carrying medical teams, research and rescue teams etc.

Commander of the Air Force, Maj. Gen. Ido Nehushtan has corresponded with his Romanian counterpart, Maj. Gen. Ion- Aurel Stanciu, and has come to agreements with him regarding a mutual examination of the incident by the two militaries. Heading the Israeli research team is an IAF Brig. Gen

10:58PM: The palestinian Ma’an news is reporting all the Israelis on board were killed. However, given their track record when it comes to the truth, I suggest we await confirmation.

10:56PM: BREAKING NEWS: A helicopter carrying one Romanian and six Israeli soldiers has crashed in mountainous terrain in central Romania.

It is not yet known whether or not there are any survivors.

8:05PM: You have to hand it to the auto-translation. It can produce some rather..ehh….direct results.

2:25PM: Khaled Abu Toameh asks: Why the silence?

When was the last time the United Nations Security Council met to condemn an Arab government for its mistreatment of Palestinians?

How come groups and individuals on university campuses in the US and Canada that call themselves “pro-Palestinian” remain silent when Jordan revokes the citizenship of thousands of Palestinians?

The plight of Palestinians living in Arab countries in general, and Lebanon in particular, is one that is often ignored by the mainstream media in West.

How come they turn a blind eye to the fact that Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and many more Arab countries continue to impose severe travel restrictions on Palestinians?

And where do these groups and individuals stand regarding the current debate in Lebanon about whether to grant Palestinians long-denied basic rights, including employment, social security and medical care?

Or have they not heard about this debate at all? Probably not, since the case has failed to draw the attention of most Middle East correspondents and commentators.

A news story on the Palestinians that does not include an anti-Israel angle rarely makes it to the front pages of Western newspapers.

The demolition of an Arab-owned illegal building in Jerusalem is, for most of these correspondents, much more important than the fact that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Lebanon continue to suffer from a series of humiliating restrictions.

Not only are Palestinians living in Lebanon denied the right to own property, but they also do not qualify for health care, and are banned by law from working in a large number of jobs.

Can someone imagine what would be the reaction in the international community if Israel tomorrow passed a law that prohibits its Arab citizens from working as taxi drivers, journalists, physicians, cooks, waiters, engineers and lawyers? Or if the Israeli Ministry of Education issued a directive prohibiting Arab children from enrolling in universities and schools?

But who said that the Lebanese authorities have not done anything to “improve” the situation? In fact, the Palestinians living in that country should be grateful to the Lebanese government.

Until 2005, the law prohibited Palestinians from working in 72 professions. Now the list of jobs has been reduced to 50.

Still, Palestinians are not allowed to work as physicians, journalists, pharmacists or lawyers in Lebanon.

Ironically, it is much easier for a Palestinian to acquire American and Canadian citizenship than a passport of an Arab country. In the past, Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip were even entitled to Israeli citizenship if they married an Israeli citizen, or were reunited with their families inside the country.

Lebanese politicians are now debating new legislation that would grant “civil rights” to Palestinians for the first time in 62 years. The new bill includes the right to own property, social security payments and medical care.

Many Lebanese are said to be opposed to the legislation out of fear that it would pave the way for the integration of Palestinians into their society and would constitute a burden to the economy.

The heated debate has prompted parliament to postpone a vote on the bill until next month.

Nadim Khoury, director of Human Rights Watch in Beirut, said, “Lebanon has marginalized Palestinian refugees for too long and the parliament should seize this opportunity to turn the page and end discrimination against Palestinians.”

Rami Khouri, a prominent Lebanese journalist, wrote in The Daily Star that “all Arab countries mistreat millions of Arab, Asian and African foreign guest workers, who often are treated little better than chattel or indentured laborers…The mistreatment, abysmal living conditions and limited work, social security and property rights of the Palestinians [in Lebanon] are a lingering moral black mark.”

Foreign journalists often justify their failure to report on the suffering of Palestinians in the Arab world by citing “security concerns” and difficulty in obtaining an entry visa into an Arab country.

But these are weak and unacceptable excuses given the fact that most of them could still write about these issues from their safe offices and homes in New York, London and Paris. Isn’t that what most of them are anyway doing when they are write about the situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip?

2:15PM: Honest Reporting has received hate mail from an UNRWA employee. Guess he forgot to use a bogus email address.

12:40PM: Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has warned that Israel will strike directly at Lebanese government institutions if Hizbullah launches rockets at Israeli towns.

If Hezbollah fires a rocket into Tel Aviv, “we will not run after each Hezbollah terrorist or launcher. . . . We will see it as legitimate to hit any target that belongs to the Lebanese state, not just to Hezbollah.”

8:25PM: Last night, 5 palestinians were arrested with improvised weapons, two firebombs, and a knife in their possession.

The Palestinians were arrested southeast of Nablus, by an IDF force patrolling near Beit Fourik village. The soldiers noticed two burning tires on the side of the road, and approached with caution until they saw two Palestinian men hiding nearby.

A preliminary investigation has revealed that the men were trying to attract soldiers with the tires, after which they planned to attack them with the weapons in their possession.

A military official said the incident was unusual. “The first interrogation revealed their intention,” he said. “In any case, proper conduct by the reserve force thwarted the intention of the Palestinian cell to ambush soldiers and attack them.”

Head of the Samaria Regional Council, Gershon Mesika, commended the troops on the arrest. “We are proud of the fighters and officers of the IDF, who fight terror day and night for all of the citizens of the state,” he said.

“The removal of checkpoints and irresponsible easements in restrictions for the terrorists of the Palestinian Authority, who are dubbed ‘police’, are part of the roulette played by the state with its citizens. This incident could have ended horribly. We must learn of determination in the fight against terror from the IDF.”

Last week a Palestinian was shot dead by an IDF force in the West Bank settlement of Barkan. The
soldiers noticed two or three Palestinians enter the settlement, and called on them to halt when they came within a few dozen meters of the homes.

The suspects split up, and soldiers say they identified a weapon in the hands of one. They attempted to arrest him but say that when he didn’t heed their calls or stop when they fired in the air, they were forced to kill him.

This after the palestinians fired more rockets and mortar shells into Israel.

Yet PA leader Mahmoud Abbas has the chutzpah to blame Israel.

President Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday that Israel’s continued settlement building on what would become a future Palestinian state was impeding a two-state solution and renewing the cycle of violence.

Where is the cycle of violence? The palestinians – whether in Gaza or Judea and Samaria – are launching attacks against Israeli targets. And even if they were doing it because of “settlement building” (which is not the case), how is this violence justified?

6:02AM: Excellent video on the Palestinian Authority’s use of humanitarian aid received from the international community.

The big question is: who would win?

Since America and Israel are allies, their soldiers won’t see each other on the battlefield. But tune into Spike TV for the season finale of “Deadliest Warrior” on July 27 and you’ll see an intriguing matchup of Navy SEALs vs. Israeli Commando. The hit show, which ends its second season, pits warriors against each other and has real-life representatives demonstrating weaponry and tactics. Using science and computer simulation, a result is tabulated. The winner is revealed through action sequences filmed with actors.

“We thought it would be a great finale because both are so iconic,” said executive producer Gary Tarpinian. “They are among athe greatest soldiers in the world. I can’t give away the ending but this was maybe the closest battle we’ve ever had.”

Tarpinian said the idea to use Israeli forces stemmed from his trip to Israel a decade ago when making the documentary “Operation Thunderbolt,” for The Learning Channel. He said he was impressed with the skill of Israeli forces in the dramatic Entebbe rescue, which saved hostages taken from an Air France flight that was hijacked. Tarpinian said he gleaned a lot of information in meeting with three prime ministers of Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu, Shimon Peres and Ehud Barak. Tarpinian said he remembers the unsuccessful rescue of American soldiers held hostage in Iran and figured it was the chief reason President Jimmy Carter didn’t get re-elected.

“It was a complete disaster,” he said. “So many people that I knew at the time would turn to me and say ‘geez, we should have let the Israelis do it.’ I don’t think you can get a higher compliment than that.”

Moti Horenstein, who served in several Israeli commando units, beginning in 1983, said he was happy to appear on the finale of “Deadliest Warrior.” Horenstein, a krav maga expert, with schools in Rockland County, New York and Miami, said he would bet Israeli forces would win in a battle against anybody.

“We are the best fighters because we have no choice,” he said. “We deal with violence 24/7.”

But Chris Osman, who served in Afghanistan as a Navy SEAL and is the co-author of “SEALs: The U.S. Navy’s Elite Fighting Force,” disagrees. The 36-year-old from San Diego said he’s sure of who would be victorious.

“The SEALs would win,” said Osman, who added that he’s a fan of the show. “We have better training, we’re better equipped and we have more combat experience. And the selection process is unbelievably tough.” Osman said he wrote his book to show not only the skills of the SEALs, but to show that the SEALs are “regular people who are exceptionally trained.”

Part of Deadliest Warrior’s success is due to the on air personalities of biomedical engineer Geoff Desmoulin, trauma expert Dr. Armand Dorian and computer whiz Max Geiger. The three serve as commentators, who get up close to the action.

Desmoulin, who has trained with Navy SEALs and has also taken lessons in krav maga in Vancouver, said he was extremely impressed with the SEALs’ shooting accuracy and was impressed with the Israelis’ hand- to-hand combat. Desmoulin, who emphatically shouts when things explode or there is a bloody show of aggression, uses a gel torso to mimic tissue of a human. There are high speed cameras to measure speed of impact as well as shock pads which measure lethality of explosions. There are also pig carcasses to measure effectiveness of blades and kill capacity. In some cases, cow flesh and bones are used.

“We did use the pigs, but we kept telling them they were kosher,” Desmoulin quipped.

Desmoulin said that aside from krav maga, there is another manner in which Israelis could have an advantage.

“In North America we don’t really start getting nasty until 18 years of age,” Desmoulin said. “Once you get desensitized to violence, you can think on your feet. It’s unfortunate but it makes them (Israelis) better warriors.”

But Dorian, a medical expert who is the decisive voice on the show for whether or not a bullet or a blade would result in a kill, says the Navy SEALs would have a huge advantage over the Israeli commando units in one area, due to an Israeli policy regarding the use of force.

“For the Israeli commando, collateral damage is not acceptable because of the fact that they fight inside their own homeland,” Dorian said. “For example, a Navy SEAL will put 30 slugs in the chest and if 10 go around the body, so be it. They just want to make sure of the kill. The Israeli commando will put only five shots in, due to the fact that he only has an opening of a few seconds and he knows that if he does miss, he may end up killing an innocent bystander. From a medical perspective, that’s huge because in a trauma room we’re taking care of a lot of collateral damage of innocent bystanders.”

Another person who thinks the Navy SEALs would have an advantage is John Shank, editor of Military Magazine. Shank said the recruitment process is the most stringent in the world, where only the best of the best make it. He added that they are trained to fight on different terrain and would be better suited to handle unpredictable situations.

Matan Gavish, a krav maga expert, who said he was in special ops for Israel and even got to train Navy SEALs in the Israeli fighting technique, said it would be close. The 28-year-old, who will open Krav Maga Academy on 27th Street in downtown Manhattan next month, said the SEALs have tremendous brute force and are the largest soldiers he’s seen. But he rationalized that Israeli forces would win for the same words used in a commercial for Mountain Dew.

“We been there, done that,” he said.

Gavish also said he thinks more people will be turned on to krav maga when seeing its practicality.

“You use your natural movements,” he said. ‘You don’t have to trick your body into moving like a tiger or a snake.”

But Israeli commando units were able to trick their enemies, sometimes by using disguises. Most notably, Barak dressed as a woman before opening fire. Tarpinian said he was told Barak made for a striking woman. Do the SEALs ever dress up like women? Osman said he could not recall such a case, though they do dress in enemy garb and grow beards, while Desmoulin said it’s not an easy answer.

“I can tell you this,” he said. “If they did, they would never tell and they would never say it on camera.”

Tarpinian said some who served in Israeli commando units rejected offers to be on the show, saying they took an oath to keep things secret.

“We’re not looking to give away trade secrets,” Tarpinian said.

“Deadliest Warrior” is not without controversy. Some object to the level of violence on the show. But more complaints came from an episode which featured a battle of the Irish Republican Army vs. The Taliban. Tarpinian said some in England were furious at the idea, saying it was tantamount to a glorification of terrorism. They added that the show to stick to using “real warriors.” Tarpinian said there are no endorsements made and that the show merely shows the weaponry and real tactics used in order to demonstrate a historical context.

Desmoulin added that it was a “bad guy vs. bad guy” episode and called it “a sensitive issue and an intriguing one.” Other shows have included Nazi Waffen-SS, vs. Viet Cong, while another had Somali Pirates vs. Medellin Cartel. Another question is the secret of how the computer simulations work, where the battle is run 1000 times to produce a winner. Tarpinian said he isn’t prepared to give away formulas that took a lot of time and money to produce.

Many fans are jazzed up to see the Navy SEALs because of their storied tradition, says Desmoulin. The episode marks the fourth time American soldiers will appear on the show. U.S forces have a record of 2-1, so far. SWAT defeated Germany’s GSG9 and the CIA defeated the KGB, in an episode that showed how to use a briefcase gun. In the first season, the Green Berets were defeated by Russian Spetsnaz. A video game version of the show is now available for download on Xbox. Spike TV will broadcast a marathon of “Deadliest Warrior,” on Tuesday with the finale airing at 10 p.m. Eastern Standard time.

“I hope the Israelis win,” Gavish said. “But it’s a show, so you never know. I will definitely be watching.”

Let the debate begin in the comments.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak issued a statement saying that the ship was “an unnecessary provocation,” and it would have been better had it not set sail.

“It is possible to bring merchandise into Gaza, after it has been checked, through the Ashdod port,” Barak said. “However, we will not allow the entrance of arms and ammunition into Gaza. We recommend to the organizers of the flotilla to accompany Israeli naval ships into Ashdod or to sail directly for El-Arish.”

The Amalthea departed on Saturday evening from a port southeast of Athens, carrying 2,000 tons of cargo, including sacks of rice and sugar, and corn oil and olive paste, mostly donated by Greek companies and charities, organizers said.

In addition to 15 volunteers – all from Libya, except for a Nigerian and a Moroccan – the ship has a crew of 12 from Cuba, Haiti, India and Syria.

Greek authorities said on Saturday night that the ship was headed for Egypt. “We confirmed the destination in talks with the Libyan ambassador and the ship’s agent,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Grigoris Delavekouras said earlier in the day.

But Al-Jazeera, which has a reporter on the vessel, reported that its Cuban captain was indeed headed for Gaza.

—-

Barak spoke on Saturday with Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman about the issue. Despite numerous rumors about other vessels trying to break the Gaza blockade, this would be the first ship – if it indeed it tries to reach Gaza – to do so since the IDF’s raid on a Turkish vessel on May 31 that left nine people dead.

—-

“There is no problem in getting civilian supplies into Gaza now,” one government official said. “But the idea that cargo can go into Gaza without being checked is unacceptable.

Israel will enforce that all cargo going into Gaza needs to be inspected, and will not allow a precedent where the security envelope will be broken.”

The official said that as a result of Israel’seasing the restrictions of what is allowed into Gaza, there was now a greater understanding internationally for Israel’s naval blockade.

Foreign Ministry Avigdor Lieberman spoke a number of times over the past few days with his Greek and Moldovan counterparts about the Amalthea, and those conversations left a feeling in Jerusalem, according to ministry officials, that the ship would not sail for Gaza.

On Friday, Israel asked that the UN step up efforts to prevent the ship from setting sail.

In an official letter to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Ambassador to the UN Gabriela Shalev asked the international community to use its power to halt the ship.

“Israel calls upon the international community to exert its influence on the government of Libya to demonstrate responsibility and prevent the ship from departing to the Gaza Strip,” the envoy wrote.

“Israel reserves the right under international law to prevent this ship from violating the existing naval blockade on the Gaza Strip,” Shalev told Ban Ki-moon.

“The declared intentions of this mission are even more questionable and provocative, given the recent measures taken by Israel to ensure the increase of humanitarian aid flowing into the Gaza Strip,” Shalev wrote in her letter.

Amalthea’s journey to Gaza was expected to take up to 80 hours, meaning that the ship would arrive at El-Arish or Gaza early on Wednesday morning.

Youssef Sawani, executive director of the Gaddafi International Charity and Development Foundation, insisted the goal remained to unload the supplies in Gaza. He said the ship would not seek confrontation with the Israelis.

If Israel does not allow the ship into Gaza, the group will seek “any other appropriate destination – El-Arish or other – to deliver the goods to the people in need,” Sawani said.

“I think the Israelis need to understand we are not provoking any kind of action, we are not in military action, we are a peaceful, humanitarian organization,” he said.

MK Ahmed Tibi (Ta’al) confirmed an Al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper report that he was helping the flotilla organizers. He said he had given them a list of what was needed in the Gaza Strip, including certain medicines, a special kind of milk and generators for hospitals.

National Union MK Arye Eldad, who like Tibi is a medical doctor, said Israel should insist on transferring the supplies by land.

“Medicine, milk and generators are all good, but they can all be brought to Gaza via Ashdod,” Eldad said. “Tibi is trying to make Israel look bad. He cares about hurting Israel, not about helping Gaza.”

Updates (Israel time; most recent at top)

11:50PM: Ynet reports:

Interior Minister Eli Yishai has bestowed temporary residential status upon Sandra Samuel, the Indian nanny who saved the life of Moshe Holtzberg during the terror attack in Mumbai. The status is a first step towards permanent citizenship.

“This is a humanitarian move necessary for anyone who saves a Jewish life,” Yishai said Sunday.

The citizenship process began with an appeal by the Holtzbergs to the Interior Ministry. The extended family of Gavriel Holtzberg, who was murdered along with wife Rivka in the attack on the Chabad center in which they worked, asked that Samuel be allowed to remain in Israel in order to continue caring for Moshe.

Immediately upon her arrival in Israel a year and a half ago Samuel received a work permit, and sources say she will be granted full-fledged citizenship within a year.

“She risked her life in order to save Jews and we are obligated to take care of her,” the interior minister said. “The family has impressed upon me that she is vital to the continuing rehabilitation process, following the terrible disaster they have undergone.”

8:12PM: A number of Israelis acquainted with former senior Middle East editor for CNN Octavia Nasr think her tweet in praise of deceased Hizbullah terrorist Grand Ayatollah Fadlallah was ‘uncharacteristic’, and claim her coverage of Israel was balanced for the most part.

8:08PM: Senior Hizbullah terrorist Sheikh Nabil Kaouk has warned they have a list of military targets inside Israel to hit in any future war.

8:00PM: Desperately seeking Susan a sense of humor:

Israeli, foreign and Palestinians activists protest against the building of Jewish settlement and against the Jewish settlers living in the Palestinian territories, as they gather at the Israeli manned Beit Romano settlement checkpoint, in the old city of the West Bank town of Hebron, on July 10, 2010. The sign held by the protestors refers to a video clip showing Israeli soldiers dancing as they patrol the streets of Hebron. (HAZEM BADER/AFP/Getty Images)

For the record, Jews have been living in Hebron for way longer than those Arabs referred to as palestinians.

5:10PM: Britain’s ambassador to Lebanon Frances Guy has said she regrets any offense caused by her blog praising dead terrorist Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah.

Ambassador Frances Guy was criticized by Israel for an article on her Foreign Office blog titled “The passing of decent men”, in which she said she was saddened by the Shiite cleric’s death and that the world “needs more men like him willing to reach out across faiths”.

The Foreign Office said on Friday the article had been removed from her website “after mature consideration”.

—-

In a new entry, dated July 9, Guy said her earlier posting had been an attempt to “acknowledge the spiritual significance to many of Sheikh Fadlallah and the views that he held in the latter part of his life”.

Guy said she had “no truck with terrorism wherever it is committed in whoever’s name”, and that it was possible for Hezbollah “to reject violence and play a constructive, democratic and peaceful role in Lebanese politics”.

4:44PM: Oddball story of the day:

Israeli soldiers threatened to storm a Palestinian village in the northern West Bank on Friday night to look for a missing hyena, confused residents told Ma’an.

According to locals, the soldiers say they believe a resident of Kafr Thulth, near Qalqiliya, is hiding the alleged hyena. The residents have emphatically denied the allegations.

Nevertheless, military liaison officials threatened to raid the village if the hyena is not returned, villagers said, expressing astonishment at the escalation and the prospect of the army taking over the town to look for a wild animal. Several officials reiterated that no one in the village has the hyena, but the soldiers say otherwise.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said that while the army does not normally deal with animal-related inquiries, she would investigate. According to an initial inquiry, she said, no hyenas have been reported missing.

3:52PM: The Free Gaza terror enablers have posted some photos of the nine men killed on the Mavi Marmara, after attacking Israeli naval commandos with guns, knives, poles and other weapons. Of course, the photos are designed to show these men as peace-loving husbands and fathers.

I found this one to be particularly interesting.

What’s the bet he put his Taekwondo to good use on the ship?

3:42PM: Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s address to the Council on Foreign Relations, which took place last Thursday.

12:58PM: Quote of the day:

“Our situation in recent months can be compared to the 1970s, when Zionism was being called racism.”

- Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Gabriela Shalev, commenting on Israel’s current standing in the UN

11:45AM: Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull responds to calls to boycott Israel.

Having performed concerts in the Middle East region many times over the last few years, I am well aware of the ethnic and religious tensions existing, not only in the coiuntries concerned, but in the broader international diasporas representing the various groups and their interests.

Having long maintained the position that culture and the arts should be free of political and religious censorship and a distance kept between them, I took a decision, nonetheless, in February of 2009 that any future concerts in Israel by me or Jethro Tull would be for the benefit of charitable donations to bodies representing the development of peaceful co-existence between Arabs, Jews and Christians, and the fostering of better Palestinian/Israeli relations.

I speak only for my own share of concert profits here – I am not about to tell the rest of the musicians or crew what views they should hold or what to do with their remuneration. Nor do I feel pressured by human rights groups, national interests or any individuals to perform or not to perform in Israel or anywhere else. I make up my own mind in light of available facts, with my own experience and a sense of personal ethics.

To those who tell me I should “boycott” Israel (or, for that matter, Turkey or Lebanon), I can only point out that on my travels around the world I am continually reminded of atrocities carried out historically by many nations who are now our friends, and it serves to strengthen my resolve that some degree of peace and better understanding may result from my and other artists’ professional and humble efforts in such places. If I had the opportunity to perform today in Iran or North Korea, hell – I’d be there if I thought it would make a tiny positive net contribution to better relations.

It’s a long time since Pearl Harbor, Auschwitz, Hiroshima and the firestorm of Dresden and I hope that, one bright day sometime in the future, it will seem a long time since the blockading of the supply flotilla to Gaza and the bombing of Israeli citizens by Hamas and Hizbolla.

So, I decided many months ago not to profit from my work in this troubled region and hope that interested parties on all sides will understand and respect my decision and resolve. The details of recipients of my charitable donation will be posted for the benefit of the doubters, as usual, on this website later in the year.

Of course, it’s not the first time he has said the show must go on in Israel.

11:18AM: A former Iranian fighter-cum-US-spy has called for a preemptive strike on Iran, and estimated that his former country will attack Israel and Europe.

A former fighter in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) turned US spy offered a rare glance into one of the most complex countries in the Middle East.

During a conference held at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy on Friday, Reza Kahlili (pseudonym) estimated that Iran will eventually attack Israel, Europe and the Persian Gulf states. He called for a preemptive strike on the regime in Tehran, but not on the Iranian people or the country’s infrastructure.

Kahlili accused the Obama Administration of being naïve. According to him, the American overtures are viewed by the Iranian regime as a sign of weakness, while the Iranian people consider the efforts to engage the regime an act of betrayal against their struggle for freedom.

Click here to listen to Kahlili speak at conference

“This is a messianic regime. There should be no doubt – they are going to commit the most horrendous suicide bombing in human history. They will attack Israel, European capitals, and (the) Persian Gulf region at the same time,” said Kahlili in one of his first public appearances to promote his new book “A Time To Betray: The Astonishing Double Life of a CIA Agent inside the Revolutionary Guards of Iran”.

Kahlili said he joined the Revolutionary Guard following the Islamic revolution of 1979, but volunteered to work for the CIA when he became disillusioned with the Khomeini regime after witnessing acts of rape, torture and murder.

Kahlili, arrived at the conference wearing a surgical mask, sunglasses and a baseball cap to conceal his identity. Out of concern for his safety, as well as that of his family inside Iran, his voice was also disguised.

For 10 years, under the code name “Wally,” he relayed the secret operations of the IRGC back to American intelligence, eventually fleeing to the United States. In the aftermath of 9/11, Kahlili reestablished contact with his sources in Iran and began once again providing information to the CIA, according to the Washington Institute.

6:18AM: Irish minister for justice Dermott Ahern said Ireland is seeking to stop an EU initiative that would enable Israel to receive sensitive information about European citizens, due to concerns about the use that Israel would make of this information.

This after Ireland expelled an Israeli diplomat in the wake of Dubai passport-gate.

Meanwhile, the Irish seem less concerned with Russia.

6:05AM: Wow: I have not heard many Israeli politicians speak like this, let alone American ones.

Allen West is running for Congress. More here.