Shells in the North, Shells in the South - An Israeli Dilemna

As we have all been seeing of late, Palestinian Militants in Gaza have once again begun raining shells on Southern Israel. Additionally, now shells from the Syrian Civil War have begun to fall on the Golan. As of yesterday, Gunners from the FSA (The Free Syrian Army - an odd collection of Social revolutionaries and, and Al-Qaeda operatives funded by the reactionary Gulf States) missed their mark and dropped mortars into the Golan. After numerous warnings the IDF reacted with Tanks stationed on the border and scored a direct hit on the mortar position. From YNET:

Twenty-four hours after the IDF first retaliated against a mortar that was fired from Syria and hit Israeli territory, another shell struck the Israeli side of the Golan Heights, just north of Tel Hazeka. No injuries or damage were reported.

Shortly thereafter, the IDF returned fire, using tanks deployed along the border to target two D-3 mortar launchers belonging to the Syrian army. A direct hit was identified.

This return of fire drew criticism from the FSA, a claim of partisanship by the Israelis on the side of the Butcher Assad. 

At the same time civilian communities in the South face heavy rocket fire from Militant groups in Gaza. According to Ma'an News, A group of Israeli tanks and Bulldozers were operating on the Gaza border around the security fence when gunmen from the Popular Resistance Committees opened fire on the Israelis.

Israeli military vehicles briefly penetrated the southern Gaza Strip earlier Thursday morning, leading to clashes with Palestinian militants.

The Popular Resistance Committees said its gunmen had confronted an Israeli force of four tanks and a bulldozer involved in a short-range incursion beyond Israel's border fence with the Gaza Strip.

"Terrorists opened fire at IDF (Israeli army) soldiers while they were performing routine activity adjacent to the security fence," an Israeli military spokeswoman said in Jerusalem. She said reports of Palestinians injuries were being checked.

A military official said the soldiers responded by firing at "suspicious locations" and said an Israeli soldier was lightly injured by mortar fire.

Palestinian fighters said they detonated an explosive device by an Israeli military vehicle near Khuzaa, east of Khan Younis.

In this case the Israelis struck back and since then the shells have been falling in the South. Of course, in recent months, militants from the South have been launching rockets into Israel on a regular basis and while no one has been killed there has been damage and fear in these civilian areas. On a personal note, having a friend at a kibbutz in the area - he tells me that the fire has been incessant and has caused damage.

Of course (and rightly so), the Israeli government has vowed to take steps to defend both borders and has done so. I don't think anyone in their right mind can argue with that. SO... where do they face any dilemma's?

Well... in the South, another Cast Lead Operation style runs the risk of bringing the Egyptians into the conflict OR if not actually into the conflict brings a potential abrogation of the Peace Treaty with Israel and return to the "Cold War" days of Nasser (and in the beginning Sadat). Currently the Egyptians are working with both the Israelis and Hamas to broker a cease fire deal and to be honest it is in the Egyptian regimes interest to get that cease fire. They can ill-afford a potential conflict with Israel as they continue to deal with an economy that has been shattered by greed and abuse.

However, the Muslim Brotherhood (the Parent organization of the ruling Freedom and Justice Party) has been out in the streets whipping up opposition to the Peace treaty in order to distract the Public from the economic woes of the nation AND to push an introduction of strict Sharia into the Egyptian Legal system.

SO, Egypt of course is in a dilemma in which should the Israelis respond in "Cast Lead" Fashion - the Egyptians in order to avoid a full scale internal political crises need to respond with gestures of their own. If they don't, they will face open revolt (a revolt that they are really to blame for by stoking crowds), and if they do they respond - they will face all the problems that come from the SCAF (the armed forces) losing commercial deals not too mention a conflict with their main benefactor; the U.S. Government.

At the same time the Israelis, heading into an election face issues of their own. PM Netanyahu HAS to do something regarding the Rocket Fire in the South. Today, Amos Harel and Avi Isaacheroff in Haaretz talked about the possibility that while there would not be a Cast Lead response - there might be a retaliation based around targeted assassination.

I suggest reading Harel and Isaacherof here as there is great insight into this dilemna where right now the only political winner is looking Hamas (who simply doesn't care what happens to Gaza or the local population as long as they can remain in the vanguard of "resistance"):

Gaza, however, remains the main problem for Netanyahu. The more intensely the southern residents protest what they see as the government's abandonment of their security, the more seriously he will have to consider taking tougher measures, with a resumption of targeted killings the most likely possibility. 

Netanyahu, who is preparing for January's election, is already being attacked in the political arena for not responding more forcefully. But he knows that his range of options against Hamas is limited. Israel is at this stage trying to avoid a ground operation a la Cast Lead. One reason is that the diplomatic reality now is far different than it was when that offensive was launched in 2008: Israel fears a direct confrontation with the new regime in Egypt and it knows that neither the United States nor Europe will be as tolerant of a large-scale military operation this time around.

There was no evidence Sunday along the Gaza border that the IDF was making any special preparations for an operation. Assassinations don't require very much preparation, though. All that's needed is a decision, but that, too, is a gamble, because it's hard to know how Hamas would react to such an initiative. Right now Hamas is looking pretty sure of itself. Its leaders didn't hesitate to take responsibility for some of the attacks over this past week, in a way that Israel saw as particularly provocative

Now, as for the North... Well, getting drawn into a civil war with a country that no matter who wins, will be hostile to Israel is yet another issue. If the FSA wins and ends the cruelty and barbarism of the Assad regime towards it's own people, chances are that an Islamist government (funded by the Saudi Wahabi regime and conservative Gulf States) would take control and in the chaos that would ensue, Israelis would face a Syrian regime with ties to Al-Qaeda on it's Southern Border.

On the other hand should Assad and his Iranian allies win in Syria, Israel would then face a solid Iranian alliance in the form of the Government of Syria AND the quasi Hizbollah State (formerly known as Lebanon </snark>) on their Northern border. A situation that can lead to nothing but no good.

If the Israelis intervene here (and as Harel and Isaacheroff report that they have no desire to do), they will immediately give a boost to whomever they intervene against. If they intervene against FSA and Al-Qaeda militants they give the militants the mantle of being the folks who are resisting not only Assad but also the "hated Israelis", and that would go a long ways to keeping the money and equipment flowing to the Rebels. At the same time should they intervene against Assad and the military, they make the rebels look like "Israeli tools" and hand the Assad regime an invaluable political point to justify it's continued war against it's own population.

SO.... we are left with this: "What is the answer?". Personally, I see no good responses here but I do see some opportunities. NOW, is a time when Israel can completely deflate Hamas by dealing with the Palestinians in the West Bank and working for a comprehensive Peace deal. This is a chance to open negotiations and for the Israelis to illustrate just WHY their security concerns need to be paramount. It can be a diplomatic win for them and if progress is achieved in negotiations in the West Bank can serve to show just how ineffective violent resistance is.

As for Syria, Israel needs to simply defend it's borders but should avoid anything further the more they simply respond yet not engage unless engaged the better it is. The Syrian situation is just one that can spin completely out control and cause massive havoc for the Israelis.

Finally as for Gaza, Personally I favor the Harel and Isaacheroff response (targeted assassinations) towards a Cast Lead style incursion. It may come to that in the end but, I think once the Hamas and Militant leaders get the message that if they show their heads in public they might just lose those heads.... they will be at the table with the Egyptian Leadership (and SCAF) telling them to make a deal. Because if the Israelis can isolate Hamas and separate them from the Palestinian polity. The Rocket fire just might possibly end.

PROGRESSIVE ZIONIST FRY'DAZE

This first story saddens me a great deal. At first I was outraged... and honestly I still am but, there is more to this than meets the eye. Nothing in the vandals past excuses this action but it does place it in context of the conflict. Tel Aviv: 'Price Tag' in Rabin memorial

First reprisal following Shalit deal? The memorial for Yitzhak Rabin in Tel Aviv was vandalized Thursday night. The words "Price Tag" and "Free Yigal Amir" were spray-painted on it.

Eye-witnesses reported that the perpetrator was arrested by Tel Aviv municipal guards. The suspect is Shvuel Schijveschuurder, 27, from Givat Shmuel whose parents were murdered in the Sbarro restaurant terror attack in Jerusalem in 2001.....

.....Nadav, an eye-witness, saw the man vandalizing the memorial. "I began crossing the junction towards him as he was finishing writing and pouring white paint. A municipal security guard chased after him. He entered a taxi and was forcefully taken out of it."

 According to the eye-witness, the guard asked the suspect "why did you do it?" and he replied: "You don't know who I am, my family was murdered." He was then taken into questioning.

This is part of the fall-out from the deal for Gilad Shalit. There are names on the list of freed prisoners who are mass murderers and people are rightly concerned about their release. However, the IDF and the Shin Bet say that they feel that this deal makes sense and that the security risks will not be increased with the prisoners who are slated for release.
These despicable "Price Tag" attacks have been on the rise with the recent vandalization of Arab cemeteries in Jaffa

Some 25 tombstones were vandalized at two Jaffa cemeteries belonging to Muslims and Christians. The messages “Death to Arabs” and “Price tag” were spray painted on the graves.

Police forces arrived at the site and launched an investigation into the incident, but no suspects had been arrested for the time being. The acts prompted Jaffa residents to hold an emotional rally on Jaffa's streets Saturday evening.

President Shimon Peres condemned the vandalism acts at Jaffa’s Christian and Muslim cemeteries, referring to them as “despicable acts that disgrace us and contradict the moral values of Israeli society.”

The hard right seems to now be expanding their hatred and trying to add "fuel to the fire" in an effort to forestall any efforts at peace.

But it is not only the Israeli right that is upset. According to German intelligence: Iran could try to sabotage Gilad Shalit swap deal, mediator says

Iran could still try and sabotage a prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas that would set Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit free, top German intelligence officials said on Friday, adding that the situation will continue to remain "fragile" until Shalit's arrival in Israel.....

Speaking to reporters in the Berlin headquarters of German intelligence (Bundesnachrichtendienst, or BND), the officials expressed their satisfaction with the completed deal, and from their contribution to its completion, adding, however that the situation was still "fragile" until the terms of the deal take place on the ground.

The German officials especially stressed their fear of an Iranian move to sabotage the deal's execution, claiming that Iran, who wields significant influence on Hamas, was not happy about the Israel-Hamas agreement.

Related to that: Haniyeh: Gaza paid 'dear price' to free prisoners

Ismail Haniyeh said Friday that "Our people today will harvest the fruit of one destination of Jihad and steadfastness. "Gaza has paid a dear price of blood and martyrs and agonies in actions the occupation had carried under the slogan of freeing Shalit," Haniyeh told a crowd of worshipers before prayers in a Gaza City mosque.

"The great Palestinian people paid all that price in order to free the prisoners because we believe that the value of man is derived from the value of the homeland."

Israel will release a list of prisoners to be released in the beginning stages on Saturday. The first part of the exchange is to happen on Tuesday... I think many on both sides will be waiting with "baited breath" to see how this works out.

The first part of the exchange is to happen on Tuesday... I think many on both sides will be waiting with "baited breath" to see how this works out.

Our second story: Palestinian Authority cuts ties with pro-Palestinian U.S. lobby over criticism of UN statehood bid

The Palestinian Authority has cut ties with a major U.S. pro-Palestinian lobby on Thursday, in what seemed to be continued fallout over the group's conspicuous criticism of a Palestinian move to gain recognition in the United Nations.

The American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) had been a key link between the Palestinian leadership and the U.S. administration in recent years, especially due to the lobby's moderate political stance, and as a result of the friendship between the lobby's head, Dr. Ziad J. Asali, and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad....

....However, the sound relationship between the PA and the ATFP began fraying over efforts by the head of the Palestinian delegation to the U.S., Ma'an Erekat, to distance the pro-Palestinian lobby.

Those tensions increased dramatically, additionally, over the Palestinian bid for statehood at the UN late last month, a move Asali openly criticized for its potential to mire relations with U.S. President Barack Obama's administration.

Currently the Palestinian Authority is on the full diplomatic offensive with the U.N. after reports of Israeli continued building in East Jerusalem

JERUSALEM (AFP) -- Israel has formally submitted plans for a new settlement neighborhood of 2,610 homes in annexed East Jerusalem, Peace Now said on Friday.

East Jerusalem's first new district in 14 years, Givat HaMatos, lies within Bethlehem's original municipal borders and will cut off the West Bank city from East Jerusalem, the group said.

Peace Now said building up the neighborhood, standing between Israeli settlements Gilo and Har Homa, was "a game changer that significantly changes the possible border between Israel and Palestine."

"Unlike recent plans that caused controversy in Gilo and Pisgat Zeev which expanded the footprint of existing neighborhoods, the new plan creates an entirely new footprint of a new Israeli neighborhood in East Jerusalem," Peace Now said in a statement.

The Palestinians have repeatedly said that they will NOT sitdown and negotiate with the Israelis as long as they Israelis continue to build in the West Bank.
SO rather than enter direct negotiations with the Israelis Official: PLO will apply to join UN agencies

RAMALLAH (Reuters) -- The PLO will apply for full membership of as many United Nations agencies as possible as part of push to advance national interests, an official said. The plan is likely to generate more criticism from the United States, which has pledged to veto a Palestinian request last month for full membership of the United Nations, if it comes to a vote in the Security Council.

The drive for membership of the UN agencies, prepared over the past two years, is part of a plan to get ready for statehood, said Omar Awadallah, who heads the UN department at the foreign ministry.

"Our policy is now towards gaining membership of all international organizations, and specialized organizations of the United Nations as a full member," he told Reuters in an interview. "We are not looking for confrontation, we are looking to secure our rights," he said.

Anyway, there is a lot here to discuss so please do and let's keep this substantive and productive.

BREAKING: SHALIT DEAL!!!!!!

Breaking... Both Haaretz and Al-Arabiya are reporting that are reporting adeal reached between Hamas and the Israeli Government for the release of Gilad Shalit.

According to Haaretz:

How it happened / The breakthrough that led to the Shalit:

David Meidan, the top Israeli official in charge of Shalit talks, has been spending the last few days in Cairo, contemporaneously with senior officials in Hamas' military wing. Both sides agreed to show flexibility one last time in order to seal the deal.

On Sunday, Netanyahu convened an eight-hour Forum of Eight meeting which lasted until 4 A.M., a meeting the very existence of which was placed under gag order. Ministers who attended the meeting refused to reveal any of the issues discussed.

On Monday, the diplomatic-security cabinet was assembled to discuss the details of a possible Shalit prisoner exchange deal.

Despite all of those meetings, Netanyahu insisted on the deal being approved in the widest cabinet forum possible. At 6 P.M. Tuesday, ministers received a message informing them of an emergency meeting.

Some of the ministers were not even informed as to the subject of the meeting, with Netanyahu personally calling others to update them and ask for their support as the deal comes to be approved by the government.

and from the folks who broke the story at Al-Arabiya

Israel has agreed a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas to secure the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who will be “coming home” in a few days, Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday.

“We have concluded arduous negotiations with Hamas to release Gilad Shalit. He will be coming home in the next few days,” the prime minister said in a nationally televised address.

Shortly after the announcement tens of thousands of people flooded into the streets of northern Gaza to celebrate the deal that will see Palestinian detainees freed in exchange for Shalit.

In a statement, Hamas said tens of thousands of people were taking part in celebratory rallies after a deal that is expected to see hundreds of Palestinians released in exchange for the captured Israeli soldier.

Azay YOFFEEE - This is great that Gilad will come home....

Shalom

Progressive Zionist FRY'D DAZE - Yom Kippur Edition

Welcome to the Progressive Zionist - Yom Kippur Edition of Fry'd Daze.

I am writing this early due to the fact that Yom Kippur starts later tomorrow night for me (I am on the West Coast of the U.S. and I don't plan on being on the computer for 24 hours once sundown hits. SO... without further ado, here we go.

Our first story is from Maan and Haaretz where it is being reported that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas spoke and told the European Council:

Addressing the council's parliamentary assembly in Strasbourg, Abbas appealed to Europe to support Palestine's bid for full UN membership, which is under review by a Security Council standing committee.

"Today we are at the heart of the Arab spring: we say that the hour of the Palestinian spring has struck," he told European parliamentarians.

"You supported the Arab spring which was seeking democracy and freedom," he said.

"Now the Palestinian spring has arrived, asking for freedom and an end to the (Israeli) occupation. We deserve your support."

Abbas further went on to say :

Abbas told the Europeans that Palestinians were not against negotiations, but they must take place in a more constructive environment, with greater clarity about the conditions, and with a freeze on Israeli settlement building on Palestinian lands.

"We don’t intend to isolate Israel or take its legitimacy but we want to gain our legitimacy and decide our future and our goals without occupation and settlements," the president said.

To that end Abbas is running counter to the Quartet proposal which is trying to get the Palestinians back to the negotiating table but does not specifically end all Israeli settlement activity. Given that President Abbas is now traveling the world to get U.N. approval he seems to be wanting to build a State without having to actually talk to the Israelis.

On the other hand, Mr. Abbas has a point in that P.M. Netanyahu has made it clear that some/most of the settlement activities will continue in areas that Israel now claims for itself. Currently Abbas is looking for a settlement along the lines of the 1967 borders while Netanyahu at best is offering only about 50% of the West Bank in a combination of the Lieberman plan meets the Allon plan. So one can see his point if he thinks this is all worthless. I personally think he should talk to the Israelis but, I am can't honestly say at the same time that I wouldn't at least think about doing what he is doing.

Our next story is from Ynet where the paper is reporting the apprehension of the criminals who killed Asher Palmer and his 18 month old son Yonatan.

Two Palestinians from Halhul were arrested on Tuesday on suspicion they murdered Asher Palmer and his infant son Yonatan near Kiryat Arba last month. The two were arrested following an investigation involving the police, the Shin Bet and the IDF.

A gag order has been placed in the identities of the detainees and the details of the investigation.

During their interrogation, the suspects admitted to throwing the stone which caused the deaths of Asher and Yonatan. The stone was hurled from a driving car. Police are also looking into the possibility that the two are behind 17 other cases involving stones being hurled at Israeli vehicles.

Funeral of Asher and Yonatan Palmer (Photo: Noam Moskowitz)

Three other Palestinians were also arrested and confessed to taking Palmer's gun after the attack. Police have found and are in possession of the weapon.

All I can say is that I wish the Palmer family peace and hope that all of us would send condolences for this horrible tragedy.

Next we have a Haaretz piece on the Social Protest Movement in Israel and where do they go from here:

The organizers of this summer's social protests are busy planning their next steps, as they are far from satisfied by the recommendations of the Trajtenberg committee on socioeconomic change. Stav Shafir, one of the tent camp protest organizers, is preparing a strike by students when the universities and colleges are scheduled to start their new academic year at the end of this month, immediately after the mass protest rally planned for October 29.

The social protest movement is now facing a turning point. The last remaining tent encampments in Tel Aviv were demolished at the beginning of the week and most of the protesters have gone home. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was unable to push the Trajtenberg committee's recommendations through his own cabinet on Monday - and has yet to provide the protesters with any concrete results. Netanyahu appointed the committee to provide answers to the protesters' demands, but the organizers have rejected the proposals, saying the recommendations may be correct in principle, but they will do little to make any major changes in policy, or in citizens' lives.....

.....A big student rebellion at the beginning of the school year is quietly being organized," wrote Shafir yesterday on her Facebook page. She said the strike would shut down the system and "return it to our hands," and asked for help from students.        

The plan is for the strike to start immediately after the mass rally scheduled for October 29. Shafir said she is looking brave students to volunteer to help organize the strike.

"Our demands, after two and a half months on the streets, have not been answered. We cannot return from the summer to our studies and work when our society is still falling apart - there is no public housing, nor proper employment, and no new social budget. So we are not returning until we receive what we deserve," Shafir said.

Given what is happening in America with the Occupy Wall Street movement this is particularly timely in it's newsworthyness. These young people are working for change in their country as people are working for change in ours. I recommend one reads up on both the U.S. and Israeli movements - it is interesting stuff.

Finally we have this from Carlo Strenger at Haaretz: An Open Letter to Mahmoud Abbas on Yom Kippur

Please just read this letter

You, Mr. Abbas, know that Israelis will never accept the right of return. This, for them, is a red line they will never cross. Today, the vast majority of Israelis were born here. In the last six decades, a vibrant culture has come into being here. They have nowhere to go – and they don’t want to go anywhere. This is their home, and they will fight for it without compromise.

This is not the just the view of people like Netanyahu and Avigdor Lieberman, for whom, as you know, I have little sympathy. It is the view of Tzipi Livni, of Shaul Mofaz and Shelly Yechimovich. You need to realize that it is even the view of the three remaining MKs of Meretz, Israel’s party most committed to liberal values.

You are faced with a terrible dilemma, Mr. Abbas. Your legitimacy as leader of the Palestinian people seems to depend on not renouncing the right of return. Your success in establishing a state for your people depends on convincing Israelis that you accept Israel as the homeland of the Jews.

It will also help you gain support from EU countries, who would be more inclined to support your bid for UN recognition if it were connected to recognition of Israel as the state of the Jewish people. You may remember that Spain, the country spearheading support for your UN bid, also just recognized Israel as a Jewish state – and you might take this as a lead for a fruitful line of action.

Mr. Abbas, I know that this proposal is very difficult for you to accept. I write to you on the eve of Yom Kippur, because my heart is weary and full of sorrow, because I see the two-state solution slipping away, and along with it the State of Israel as I had hoped to see it – and the State of Palestine that I believe your people deserves.
Let me wish you all G'mar Chatimah Tova... and please discuss.

Shalom
.

...As the Chickens come home to Roost

It is a scientific axiom... for every action there is a reaction. In Israel this is proving to be the case, after months or years of promoting a settler agenda for the nation the right is seeing it's "chickens coming home to roost".

Last week we had a settler mob in Anatot beating on Leftist activists, vandalizing cars and a host of other violent activities.

Writing on Ynet: Yishai Rosen-Zvi talks about this in his editorial: Lynch the Leftists. In this article Rosen-Zvi had this to say:

.....Friday evening, at the end of Rosh Hashana, a lynching was carried out outside the settlement of Anatot. No less. View the videos online and see for yourselves. Fortunately, the incident ended with only 26 people wounded and several razed cars, with no fatalities. However, those exposed to the story via the media heard at most about “clashes” between leftist activists and settlers. Three people were held by police for questioning – leftists, of course.....

....“There are some guys who wish to come here and kick your ass,” “you dogs,” “you whores are sleeping with Arabs, “all the residents will come here,” “there will be death here.” What does it sound like? An angry mob marching with raised fists and yelling, with blazing eyes, “death to the Arabs.” A stone is hurled, a spike (knife?) is pulled out, people are lying on the road, bleeding; broken noses, shattered windows. What does it look like?

I saw the video on that and indeed it was a mob scene. As I mentioned in another place it is understandable that the people in Anatot were pissed off - here are people telling them they are "colonist land thieves", telling them they have to give up their homes to give to people who belong to a polity that wants them out of Israel completely. So I get that they are pissed. Not only that, but the people standing up for those that want to take away their homes, cleanse their families from Israel are fellow Jews and fellow Israelis. That is is even more maddening. HOWEVER.. That is simply no excuse for forming a lynch mob, verbally assaulting people, and beating them. That is no reason to contravene democratic norms. Moreover it is indicative of a horrible trend that is allowed and even encouraged that has seriously racist tinges to it.

The fact that people were attacked and bloodied in the manner of a good old mob attack all for speaking out for their political beliefs is disgusting and should be dealt with but it was not. It was simply pushed aside, not dealt with. In fact, it was the leftists who were questioned - even though it was the mob that used violence. Where as Jews, have we seen this before? We have seen this throughout our history. Except that the violence was perpetrated on us. No matter how obnoxious the activists were that is no reason to assault people.

But the government, a government that seems to be going out of its way to support the elements of the mob, a government that seems to be run increasingly by the outright rightists on the YESHA Council and by Yisrael Betainu seems to want to shut down criticism. Loyalty oaths, laws about directing speech and behavior aimed at leftists.. this is not characteristic of a democracy.

So now the chickens have come home to roost. From Haaretz: Dozens of settlers surround IDF patrol in West Bank and assault soldiers

The incident began after rumors circulated that the Gal Yosef illegal outpost is about to be evacuated. At approximately 9 P.M. the settlers erected roadblocks and blocked the entrance to the outpost with their cars.

	Masked West Bank settlers, top, clashing with Palestinians in the village of Assira al-Kibliya yesterday.
	Photo by: AP

An IDF patrol vehicle that arrived on the scene was blocked by settlers. The soldiers tried to turn back, but were stopped by more roadblocks.

The vehicle was then surrounded by a few dozen youth from nearby settlements. When the soldiers asked them to let the vehicle pass, one of the soldiers was punched in the face, prompting a violent clash between the two sides. Soldiers who were called to the scene were able to detain one of the attackers, but he managed to escape.


A senior IDF commander said that "the army sees this incident as crossing a red line, and the settlers who were involved in violence against the soldiers will be arrested soon by the police."
Officers serving in the West Bank have reported recently that tensions between security forces and settlers are on the rise. According to one senior office, "the security forces spend more time dealing with incidents involving Israeli citizens than confronting Palestinian terrorism."

So now this behavior is leading to attacks on the soldiers. The very people charged with defending the nation, these are the people that the Rightists are attacking.

Is this defending Israel? Is burning a Mosque in the Galilee making Israel safer? Is this something that the government really wants to encourage. We criticize this behaviour in Hamas and the P.A. We rightly criticize these organizations for their allowing the demonization of Israel. Well, if we do that then where is our criticism when our own side engages in this.

The "Red Line" has indeed been crossed, what is the government going to do about it. When mobs of settlers shouting racist slogans and beating on those who are not committing violence are not only left alone but encouraged, well then something needs to change. Now is this a call to support the Palestinians, no... Those of you who know me, know that I criticize their violence as well. It is a call for Israel to really take a hard look at what is happening and deal with those reactionary elements that bring out the worst of what should be a "light unto nations"

Shalom.