Israel

My friends, I think it would be lovely if we could segue directly to early April and time for the Israeli elections. But, unfortunately, that will not be possible. And so, I will continue to share basics of the campaign, without an undue focus on details that might seem obscure …

The IDF began its Operation Northern Shield at the beginning of December when it revealed Hezbollah attack tunnels leading from within Lebanon into Israeli territory. Since then five tunnels have been exposed and the IDF has begun destroying them. One of the more innovative ways has been to pour liquid …

“Thunderbolt!” Of a political nature. I referred in my last posting to the campaign circus that was about to begin.  Turns out it is likely to be even more of a circus than I had anticipated.  There is a feeling in many quarters that we could really do without that …

There is a profusion of events to report on, none of which is likely to be greeted as good news. So we’ll take it as it comes…. ~~~~~~~~~~ We can begin with news about the Israeli election, which has been set for April 9. The Knesset voted to dissolve itself …

If the “West Bank” was part of the “Hashemite Kingdom” up to 1967, how did it suddenly become the Palestinians’ long-yearned-for homeland which, up until then, they were submissively willing to cede to an alien potentate? As the new elections approach, the “Palestinian problem” is once again likely to dominate …

I have written countless times about the UN and its various institutions and their depraved, insufferable bias against Israel. Last week we saw it all in action once again as the UN found it impossible to condemn Hezbollah – Hezbollah! One of the world’s most violent and vicious terrorist organizations …

Many battles have been fought by the Jewish people from time immemorial to the present day and almost miraculously the identity of Jews within the Jewish State of Israel will be maintained until eternity. One battle we have lost however is the one alluding to public relations where continuous failure …

There is no greater irony than the spectacle of scores of ex-senior security officials, who spent their adult life defending Israel, now promoting a political initiative that will make it indefensible.   I used these very excerpts in an article I wrote some thirty months ago, entitled “Imbecility squared”, addressing …

First order of concern: I have learned from Chaim Silberstein, father of Shira Ish-Ran, that she has had extensive surgery on the site where the bullet entered her abdomen during the terror attack outside Ofra. She is in a lot of pain and facing a long recovery and rehabilitation. He …

Im Tirtzu Press release: Jerusalem’s Chief Rabbi: Israel Has Obligation to Help Free Palestinians Imprisoned for Selling Land to Jews The Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Jerusalem, Aryeh Stern, issued an unprecedented halachic ruling that Israel has an obligation to help free Palestinians who have been imprisoned for selling land to …

    And I do not think the world ever will, for we are an extraordinary people. These are tough times here in Israel, as we confront horrendous terrorism. And what we have seen in the past several days are instances of remarkable courage and strength – positive thinking in …

Last week, the nation of Israel came together to mourn the loss of Amiad Yisrael, the three-day-old infant murdered in the terrorist attack near the community of Ofra. Amiad Yisrael z’l was delivered via an emergency C-section, after his mother Shira, 30 weeks pregnant, was badly wounded during the attack. …

Shira and Amichai Ish-ran are a beautiful young couple.  Twenty-one years old, they got married this year. Looking at them, most people would see radiant youth, loving eyes and warm smiles. How many would realize that these are people made from steel? On the last day of Chanukah, Amichai and …

Please read this to the end and share broadly. His chances weren’t good. He suffered severe trauma while still in utero, after his mother Shira Ish-Ran was shot in the lower abdomen. Delivered at 30 weeks via an emergency C-section, this tiny baby held on for four days, as doctors …

What is happening is not to be believed; certainly not to be tolerated.  And so there is no response more appropriate than anger.  With it, of course, pain – for those who are suffering. This is a picture of Shira and Amichai Ish-Ran on their wedding day.  How joyous they …

I begin this post with an urgent message: Issam Akel is an American citizen; he has residency papers and lives in eastern Jerusalem. Two months ago, he was taken into custody by the Palestinian Authority and has been tortured. It is feared that his life is in danger. His crime? …

Earlier in the week, the IDF announced the beginning of Operation Northern Shield after discovering Hezbollah efforts to construct a network of terror tunnels on the Lebanon border. President of the Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) Jeremy Leibler said, “the discovery of these terror tunnels proves that Hezbollah is in …

There seems to be a lot of confusion about Chanukah – to the point where it appears to be deliberate. Let’s begin with what it’s not about. 1. It’s not a Jewish Christmas In many circles, Chanukah seems to have become an imitation Christmas – a holiday of food, lights, …

But this time we are looking at the possibility of war in the north, a far more serious war than one with Hamas would be. One 200 meter (656 foot) tunnel has been identified and is in process of being dismantled. It begins at a home in the village of …

Israeli Citizens Tell CEO of the New Israel Fund: “Leave us Alone Already” At the request of those who have been harmed by the New Israel Fund, Im Tirtzu produced several videos providing the opportunity for Israeli citizens – minorities, bereaved parents, wounded soldiers and others – to tell their …