Saturday, August 7, 2010

ALERT: TRAVEL WARNING: ISRAEL, WEST BANK AND GAZA

Travel Warning
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs

Israel, the West Bank and Gaza

August 05, 2010

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, and about threats to themselves and to U.S. interests in those locations. The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to remain mindful of security factors when planning travel to Israel and the West Bank and to avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip. This replaces the Travel Warning issued June 20, 2010 to update information on the general security environment in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.

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The Gaza Strip and Southern Israel
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The State Department strongly urges that U.S. citizens refrain from all travel to the Gaza Strip. This recommendation applies to all U.S. citizens, including journalists and aid workers. U.S. citizens should be aware that as a consequence of a longstanding prohibition on travel by U.S. government employees into the Gaza Strip, the ability of consular staff to offer timely assistance to U.S. citizens there is extremely limited.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) strictly controls the crossing points between Israel and the Gaza Strip, and has essentially sealed the border. The security environment within Gaza and along its borders, including its border with Egypt and its seacoast, is dangerous and volatile. U.S. citizens are advised against traveling to Gaza by any means, including via sea. Previous attempts to enter Gaza by sea have been stopped by Israeli naval vessels and resulted in the injury, death, arrest, and deportation of U.S. citizens. From December 27, 2008, through January 17, 2009, the IDF conducted a major military operation in Gaza. Israel and Hamas, a State Department-designated foreign terrorist organization that violently seized power in Gaza in June 2007, declared separate truces to end the fighting. Occasional small clashes continue to occur along the border.

Rockets and mortars are still occasionally fired into Israel from Gaza, and the IDF continues to conduct military operations inside Gaza, including airstrikes. The IDF has also declared an exclusion zone inside Gaza along the border with Israel and has taken lethal measures against individuals who enter it. In addition, rockets have been fired recently into the Eilat and Aqaba areas. U.S. citizens in Eilat and southern Israel are advised to ascertain the location of the nearest bomb shelter.

In the past, some rockets have travelled more than 40 km (24 miles) from Gaza and landed as far north as Yavne and Gadera and as far east as Beersheva. As a result of possible IDF military operations in Gaza and the ever-present risk of rocket and mortar attacks into Israel from Gaza, U.S. government personnel travelling in the vicinity of the Gaza Strip border, to include the city of Sderot, require approval from the Embassy's Regional Security Office.

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The West Bank
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The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to exercise caution when traveling to the West Bank. Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces are now deployed throughout the West Bank, including all major cities. As a result, violence in recent years has decreased markedly throughout the West Bank. Nonetheless, demonstrations and violent incidents can occur without warning. Vehicles have also been the target of rocks, Molotov cocktails and gunfire on West Bank roads. The IDF continues to carry out security operations in the West Bank. Israeli security operations, including incursions into Palestinian population centers, can occur at any time and lead to disturbances and violence. U.S. citizens can be caught in the middle of potentially dangerous situations. Some U.S. citizens involved in demonstrations in the West Bank have sustained serious injuries in confrontations with Israeli settlers and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The State Department recommends that U.S. citizens, for their own safety, avoid demonstrations.

During periods of unrest, the Israeli government sometimes closes off access to the West Bank and those areas may be placed under curfew. All persons in areas under curfew should remain indoors to avoid risking arrest or injury. U.S. citizens have been killed, seriously injured, or detained and deported as a result of encounters with IDF operations in Gaza and the West Bank. Travel restrictions may be imposed by Israel with little or no warning. Strict measures have frequently been imposed following terrorist actions, and the movement of Palestinian Americans, both those with residency status in the West Bank or Gaza as well as foreign passport holders, has been severely impeded. Current security-related restrictions on travel by U.S. government employees to the West Bank hinder the ability of consular staff to offer timely assistance to U.S. citizens.

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Jerusalem
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The State Department urges U.S. citizens to remain vigilant while traveling throughout Jerusalem, especially within the commercial and downtown areas of West Jerusalem and the city center. Spontaneous or planned protests within the Old City are possible, especially after Friday prayers. Some of these protests have led to violent clashes. Travelers should exercise caution at religious sites on holy days, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Isolated street protests and demonstrations can also occur in areas of East Jerusalem, including around Salah Ed-Din Street, Damascus Gate, and the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. U.S. government employees are authorized to visit the Old City during daylight hours only except between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Fridays. The area of the ramparts on the city wall between Herod’s Gate and Lion’s Gate is off-limits to U.S. Government personnel at all times. The Sherover or Haas Promenade (scenic overlook) located in Armon Hanatziv is open to U.S. government personnel during daylight hours only.

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Travel Restrictions for U.S. Government Personnel
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Personal travel in the West Bank for U.S. government personnel and their families is allowed for limited mission-approved purposes in the areas described below. They may travel to Jericho, or to transit through the West Bank using Routes 1 and 90 to reach the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge, or the Dead Sea coast near Ein Gedi and Masada. They may also travel north on Route 90 from the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge to the Sea of Galilee. Use of these routes is approved for transit purposes during daylight hours, with stops permitted only at Qumran National Park off Route 90 by the Dead Sea. Each transit requires prior notification to the Consulate General's security office.

U.S. Government personnel and family members are permitted both official and personal travel on Route 443 between Modi'in and Jerusalem without prior notification, during daylight hours only. All other personal travel in the West Bank, unless specifically authorized for mission-approved purposes, is prohibited.

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General Safety and Security
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Israeli authorities remain concerned about the continuing threat of terrorist attacks. U.S. citizens are cautioned that a greater danger may exist around restaurants, businesses, and other places associated with U.S. interests and/or located near U.S. official buildings, such as the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv and the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem. U.S. citizens are also urged to exercise a high degree of caution and to use common sense when patronizing restaurants, nightclubs, cafes, malls, places of worship, and theaters, especially during peak hours. Large crowds and public gatherings have been targeted by terrorists in the past and should be avoided to the extent practicable. U.S. citizens should take into consideration that public buses, and their respective terminals are "off-limits" to U.S. government personnel. U.S. government personnel have been directed to avoid protests and demonstrations. Personnel have also been urged to maintain a high level of vigilance and situational awareness at all times.

In the Golan Heights, there are live landmines in many areas and visitors should walk only on established roads or trails.

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Entry/Exit Difficulties
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U.S. citizens planning to travel to Israel or the West Bank should read carefully the detailed information concerning entry and exit difficulties in the Country Specific Information sheet at:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1064.html

U.S. citizens in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip are strongly encouraged to register with the Consular Sections of the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv or the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. Occasional warden messages issued by the Embassy and the Consulate General are e-mailed to registered U.S. citizens and are posted on State Department websites to highlight time-sensitive security concerns.

U.S. citizens who require emergency services may telephone the Consulate General in Jerusalem at
(972) (2) 628-7137, after hours (for emergencies): (972) (2) 622-7250, or the Embassy in Tel Aviv at (972) (3) 519-7575, after hours (for emergencies): (972) (3) 519-7551.

Current information on travel and security in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States and Canada, or, from overseas, 1-202-501-4444. For additional and more in-depth information about specific aspects of travel to these areas, U.S. citizens should consult: the Country Specific Information for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza; and the Worldwide Caution. These along with other Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts and Country Specific Information are available on the Department's Internet website at http://travel.state.gov. Up-to-date information on security conditions can also be accessed at http://usembassy-israel.org.il orhttp://jerusalem.usconsulate.gov.

Additionally, U.S. citizens are encouraged to sign up to receive security-related information from the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv via email at the following link:http://telaviv.usembassy.gov/consular/acs/index.aspx

DECEMBER 17, 2009: obama team bungles again - LOSING LEBANON

Losing Lebanon

Obama team bungles again

By BENNY AVNI

Last Updated: 7:38 AM, December 17, 2009

Posted: 1:00 AM, December 17, 2009

SOURCE: NY POST

The Obama administration is effectively siding with America's enemies in Lebanon.

Sure, President Obama said all the right things after his Monday meet-and-greet with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman. But Suleiman is aligned with Syria -- and thus, by proxy, with Iran and the Hezbollah terrorists.

Hezbollah, recall, is responsible for killing 220 US Marines in 1993 and for the murder of scores of innocents in places as far as Argentina.

Meanwhile, the administration in the last few months has told the heads of the Western-allied Lebanese factions -- who used to visit Washington to discuss ways to confront Iran, Syria and Hezbollah -- not to bother, because no one would see them.

Suleiman: Pal of US enemies met with prez.

Sure, Obama noted Monday that "President Suleiman and I aren't going to agree on every issue with respect to how Israel, Lebanon, the Palestinians, Syria, are interacting." He also called for an end to arms smuggling to Hezbollah and repeatedly called Lebanon's place in the region "critical."

But simply by holding the meeting -- when he has yet to schedule one with Lebanon's pro-Western prime minister, Saad Hariri -- Obama was sending a message about who America sees as important.

The Suleiman visit comes after years when the White House avoided hosting any Lebanese officials. The invitation was extended months ago as part of Obama's signal to the region that President George W. Bush's go-it-alone era is being replaced by "engagement."

Note, too, that the visit came soon after the Beirut Cabinet gave its seal of approval for Hezbollah to keep its vast arsenal: On Dec. 2, the government declared that the southern Lebanon-based "resistance" organization (which is only second to al Qaeda on America's list of terrorist groups) can remain armed to the teeth, so it can "liberate" Lebanese lands from Israeli control.

Never mind that Hezbollah remains an illegally armed militia: The accords that ended the Israel-Hezbollah war were supposed to strengthen existing UN Security Council demands to disarm the terror group. (Ironically, law-breaking Lebanon will join the council Jan. 1.)

The Bush administration may have turned its back on Lebanon after initially supporting its attempt to become independent and democratic. But at least it always made clear to everyone in the region where it stood and what were its aims. The Obama team, by contrast, let the Lebanese president come calling shortly after the Lebanese government publicly thumbed its nose at what officially remains US policy.

And what tops Suleiman's shopping list? He wants Washington to increase military aid to his country. I'm told he might even get some -- if not the helicopters or fighter jets that he really wants.

Meanwhile, we're fast losing Lebanon. With Washington AWOL, the people who bravely shook off the Syrian occupation during the mid-decade Cedar Revolution have now fallen prey to Syrian and Iranian influence. The Shiite Hezbollah dominates the nation's politics.

Last month, as Hezbollah gathered for its yearly general conference, its activists spewed the usual anti-US and anti-Israeli hatred, but also put on a show of independence from Iran. Western analysts bought it -- dutifully reporting that Hezbollah is now completely "Lebanonized."

The reality is exactly the opposite: As Shimon Shapira of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs notes, Lebanon is now more "Hezbollahized" than ever.

Iran is laying low for now, keeping its ties to Hezbollah behind the scenes, but Tehran is still the puppet master. It's smuggling advanced missiles and other hardware to Lebanon, arming Hezbollah to the teeth and waiting for the right time to unleash its proxy army against Israel.

Nor has Hezbollah dismantled its worldwide terror organization that could strike anytime -- again at Iran's command -- from bases in Latin America and elsewhere.

America, therefore, should reject any Lebanese Army request for arms. In Lebanon's current reality, it's as good as sending arms to Hezbollah.

Most important, the administration should end its neglect of Lebanon. The country is fast reverting to its '70s role as a favorite base for terrorists affiliated with some of our worst enemies -- but today's terrorists can do far more harm.

Further negligence could see the Land of Cedars go the way Afghanistan went after the victory over the Soviet invaders. And we all remember how badly that turned out for us.

beavni@gmail.com

Lebanese president vows to arm military with advanced weaponry

President Suleiman lauds army's performance during Tuesday's border clashes with Israel, says 'it's necessary to resist Israeli aggression.'

By DPA

HAARETZ

Lebanese President Michel Suleiman toured Saturday the area where Lebanese and Israeli military forces clashed and vowed to arm the country's troops with advanced weaponry.

On Tuesday, while Israeli troops were trimming a tree on the border fence between Israel and Lebanon, Lebanese soldiers opened fire at an observation post some 300 meters from the fence in Israeli territory. A senior Israel Defense Forces officer was killed, and another was seriously wounded. Two Lebanese soldiers and a journalist were also killed in the ensuing clashes.

Speaking to Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) members in Adissyeh in southern Lebanon, where the clashes took place, Suleiman commended their performance during Tuesday's fighting, saying "it's necessary to resist Israeli aggression."

	Lebanon's President Michel Suleiman inspects the area where clashes between Israeli forces and the Lebanese army took place on Tuesday in southern Lebanon on August 7, 2010.
	Photo by: Reuters

Suleiman said the cabinet will put forward a plan at its next session to arm the Lebanese military "with all that is necessary."

"Lebanon will work with friendly countries to provide it with more advanced equipment," Suleiman said. Arming the military is aimed at "protecting the dignity of the nation," he added.

Together with Defense Minister Elias al Murr, Suleiman inspected the army base in Adissyeh and met UN officers also present in the area.

Suleiman said Lebanon will "cooperate with UNIFIL in the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701."

UN Resolution 1701 of August 17, 2006 ended a 33-day war between Israel and Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah during which some 1,200 people, mainly Lebanese civilians, died.

AND

Israel blames U.S., France for arming Lebanon

United States has given Lebanon approximately $400 million over the past year to purchase arms, despite Israel's objections.

By Barak Ravid and Shlomo Shamir
HAARETZ

Published 02:16 04.08.10
Latest update 02:16 04.08.10

Israel will launch a diplomatic campaign calling on the United States and France to stop their military assistance to Lebanon following Tuesday's exchange of fire on the northern border.

	A UNIFIL peacekeeper waves a UN flag as Israeli troops patrol the border fence in the southern Lebanese village of Adaisseh, Lebanon on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010.
	Photo by: AP

"Countries are providing the Lebanese army with advanced weaponry for it to fight Hezbollah, and instead the Lebanese army is using the weapons to fire on IDF soldiers," a senior official in Jerusalem said on Tuesday.

The United States has given Lebanon approximately $400 million over the past year to purchase arms, despite Israel's objections. France has also sent a great deal of weaponry to Lebanon, including advanced anti-tank missiles.

Israel is expected to ask the U.S. Congress to limit its approval of financial aid to Lebanon for arms purchases.

The United States and France issued sharply worded messages to Jerusalem and Beirut yesterday, calling for immediate de-escalation. Top White House Middle East adviser Dan Shapiro phoned Israel's ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren, asking him to inform Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the administration expects him to act with restraint. A similar message was sent to Lebanon's ambassador to Washington, Antoine Shadid.

Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner telephoned Defense Minister Ehud Barak, asking that Israel show restraint and "check the facts surrounding the events." Barak asked Kouchner to make it clear to Lebanon that any further baiting of Israel would lead to an even harsher response. Barak called the incident a "planned provocation."

The UN Security Council held a closed-door session on Tuesday after the event. The head of the UN peacekeeping forces, Alain Le Roy, presented the council with the results of UNIFIL's initial probe of the incident. Le Roy did not blame either side for the incident, nor did he accept Israel's claim that the Lebanese troops opened fire first.

The Security Council made do with issuing a short statement at the end of the meeting, calling on both sides to show restraint.

Senior officials in Israel were angry the Security Council had not found Lebanon responsible for the incident.

Earlier on Tuesday, Israel's UN envoy Gabriela Shalev wrote to the UN secretary general and the president of the Security Council, saying that Israel had coordinated its work near the border fence with UNIFIL and that the Lebanese army opened fire first, in a flagrant violation of Security Council Resolution 1701.

The deputy chief of Israel's delegation to the United Nations, Ambassador Daniel Carmon, told Haaretz that "the two attacks yesterday on an Israeli patrol were not decided on by a single soldier or local commander."

The True Nature of Hammas - Video and "Meeting held between Israeli, Hamas officials

True nature of Hammas. I spared you the horror parts

Note:
Yesterday, I posted an article demonstrating the BILLIONS of DOLLARS the United States has poured into the training of Palestinians; and the money the Obama administration is continuing to give to Gaza/Hamas. Perhaps it is time Americans stood up and asked our representatives in Washington one question - "WHY"?

Bee

and, this just in from Haaretz:

Report: Secret meeting held between Israeli, Hamas officials

Sources say meeting held in order to warn Hamas against kidnapping settlers in the West Bank to use as leverage to free Palestinian prisoners.

By Jack Khoury

A secret meeting took place between Israeli and Hamas officials this past week, the London based newspaper Al-Sharak Al-Awsat reported on Saturday.

According to Palestinian sources quoted in the report, the former Treasury Minister in the Hamas government of Ismail Haniyeh, Omar Abed al-Razak was taken from Nablus, in the West Bank, to the Israeli city of Netanya on Tuesday.

The Palestinian sources say the meeting was held in order to warn Hamas against kidnapping Israeli settlers in the West Bank.

The Israel Defense Forces recently said that intelligence has shown Hamas leaders in Damascus are pressuring followers in the West Bank to abduct Israeli settlers and citizens.

The IDF West Bank division commander warned Israeli settlers to be on alert for possible abduction attempts across the territory, a warning based on intelligence and interrogations of Palestinians arrested for involvement in plotting such kidnappings.

The IDF added that it believes such a kidnapping would be used by Hamas as a bargaining chip for short-term gains and not for major negotiations such as in the case of Gilad Shalit, who has been in captivity for four years and for whom Hamas wants hundreds of prisoners.

Although the sources would not reveal the definitive reason behind the meeting, it has been suggested that the Israeli and Hamas officials discussed the deal to free captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit as well as the recent rocket fire that fell on Eilat and Ashkelon.

Al-Razak denied the report, saying the information was "completely untrue" and "lacking any basis".

"Hamas officials in the West Bank cannot move freely and are prohibited from entering the 1948 territory," Al-Raza said.

	A West Bank checkpoint near Nablus
	Photo by: Daniel Bar-

Friday, August 6, 2010

Shalom! Peace! Enjoy the weekend! - music videos

Richard Clayderman-Don't ask me why

Richard Clayderman-Sukiyaki

ILANIT - I'am an Israeli

Hamas leaders in Syria urge West Bank operatives to kidnap Israeli settlers

IDF West Bank division commander, Brig. Gen. Nitzan Alon, has warned Israeli settlers to be on alert for possible abduction attempts across the territory.

By Chaim LevinsonSource: HAARETZ

The Israel Defense Forces West Bank division commander, Brig. Gen. Nitzan Alon, has warned Israeli settlers to be on alert for possible abduction attempts across the territory.

	Israelis waiting at a hitchhiking stand near the settlement of Ofra
	Photo by: Eyal Warshavsky

In a letter sent to Yesha Council leaders, Alon said that the warning is based on intelligence and interrogations of Palestinians arrested on involvement in plotting such kidnappings.

The IDF said intelligence has shown Hamas leaders in Damascus are pressuring followers in the West Bank to abduct Israeli settlers and citizens.

The IDF added tnat it believes such a kidnapping would be used by Hamas as a bargaining chip for short-term gains and not for major negotiations such as in the case of abducted soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been in captivity for four years and for whom Hamas wants hundreds of prisoners.

	Youth barricading entrance to a West Bank settlement to protest demolitions.
	Photo by: (Archive)

"The threat of kidnapping is significant," Alon wrote the settler leaders. "We must especially remind youths to take safety precautions when hitchhiking."

In the wake of Alon's letter, settler leaders held information session with youths to reiterate to hitchhike only within their settlements and not on main routes in the West Bank or late at night.

The Shin Bet Security Service has arrested a number of Palestinians suspected of involvement in alleged plots to kidnap Israeli settlers. In some of the cases, the Shin Bet said there was more than intent and that suspects had gathered intelligence leading up to an attempt.

During the second intifada, several Israelis were kidnapped in the West Bank: In 2003 a taxi driver was kidnapped and taken to the village of Bitunia, but was rescued by an elite IDF unit. In 2006, a youth from the settlement of Itamar was abducted and taken to Ramallah and then later murdered by his captors.

Lightning Strike: Huge F-35 Deal Will mean JSF Lands in Israel

Cost Offsets

The JSF saga continues, but it is nearing its end.

We may not be gaining access to critical JSF components, but the tough to swallow price tag may now be muted according to Israeli sources. In the form of a 4 billion dollar manufacturing cost offset which will somewhat lessen the economic sting of a JSF costing twice as much as an F15 latest gen Boeing fighter..

Israeli defense companies have scored one of the biggest deals in the industry’s history: They will be making about $4 billion worth of parts for the next generation of American fighter jets, industry sources told TheMarker.
While no official announcement has been made, Israeli defense officials have been talking with the U.S. defense companies involved in the development and production of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. [...]

It is a testament to how badly Israel, the US & Lockheed want to make this whole thing work. After the JSF balloon in cost, both the USA & Lockheed need orders for the jet badly. Israel needs help paying for it.

Prestige

The IAF is indeed a huge win in the jet fighter realm.. The Israeli airforce is world renowned and other countries pay close attention to Israeli procurement. Israel would be the 1st original non official partner on board buying the jet. A huge prestige win for Lockheed & a needed vote of confidence in the JSF.

We can only go with 19 instead of 75 for now, but rest assured a procurement win of 20 or so from Israel will eventually mean a few hundred JSFs sold to other countries down the road. Something the Pentagon & both Lockheed will need to bring down the cost of the jet for US use via mass export / increased production over the next two decades.

A large local manufacturing win in Israel will lighten the JSF costs significantly. Please Israel, Lockheed and the US Congress - Which is committed to Israel's security & having us fly the latest US fighter. If these design wins are confirmed, the JSF will be landing in Israel soon to Boeing's F-15 displeasure. (Photo courtesy USAF)

Nothing is official, but if Israel can lend abiltiy, expertise & benefit from the gigantic JSF economy of the future it is almost a certainty that the JSF will have a trump card the F-15 cannot compete with on price alone.

There are other factors at play between the two jets competing over Israeli airspace, but the JSF cost balloon was a substantial & critical one.

August 05th 2010 - Source: The Hashmonean

Ground Zero Mosque Iman Hates America (Video included)

Sean Hannity continues his programs strong reporting by exposing the words of radical Islamic Iman Feisal Abdul Rauf.

Unwilling to denounce Hamas and other terrorist organizations, Feisal Abdul Rauf doesn’t deserve approval to build his Mosque next to Ground Zero. Ground Zero is sacred ground because of the thousands killed there by Islamic terrorists on 9-11.

Source: Impeach Obama
Posted by Patrick on August 6, 2010

h/t Oded

Also:

No Mosque at Ground Zero

h/t WAOMJ

"Just another week" .... By: Elder of Ziyon

Friday, August 06, 2010

Just another week in the 62-year old siege of the Jewish state

It is worthwhile to step back and notice the events of the week:

A rocket was fired into Israel from Gaza, hitting a rehabilitation center. (Another attempted firing of a rocket exploded prematurely.)

Five or six rockets were fired from the Sinai towards Israel, killing a Jordanian.

And snipers from the Lebanese Army killed an Israeli officer and wounded another.

All of these attacks were unprovoked. All of them were intended to kill Israelis.

In other words, here was just another week when Israel was fired upon from all directions. Not a terribly atypical week, either.

With all of the insults that are hurled at the State of Israel every hour of every day permeating the media, it is easy to forget that Israel really is a nation surrounded by hundreds of millions of people who want to see it disappear; and some of them are motivated to actually do something to help that process along.

The question isn't how can Israel act as bad as people say it does - the question is how come it doesn't! How can a tiny nation, literally surrounded by enemies, manage to keep its collective sanity and morality? How come there isn't martial law? How come Egypt has been in an official state of emergency for almost the entire time since 1967, and Israel isn't? How can Israel remain an oasis of Western values and of liberal standards when in such a constant state of alert against attacks from all directions?

Some people don't believe in miracles. But it is hard to look at Israel and think it is anything but.

NeoEarth