Sderot and the Zionist Congress

As the leaders of world Zionist organizations debate resolutions and make plans for the coming years, Israeli leadership has appeared to tied its own hands. Meanwhile, Sderot residents live in fear.

Michael Lawrence (KIC Founder) gives his view on the Zionist Congress irony. Listen now and leave your comment on the KICblog - www.kicisrael.blogspot.com

KICaudio launched

Tonight we have launched KICaudio - our new way to Keep It Current for worldwide KICblog readers. Whether you've been in a KICsession in Israel or you're just a KICfan, now you can hear KICupdates on Israeli news and Israeli Current Affairs whenever you want.

We invite you to listen in and leave us a KICcomment with your opinion.

Enjoy!

Un-Annan-Believable

I'd laugh it it wasn't so tragically amusing. It's unbelievable in fact and something so unbelievable could only come out of the mouth of someone so UNbelievable, so United Nations!

What Kofi has Annan been drinking? Not the Israeli Elite that's for sure. Mr Annan finds it hard to believe that Hamas would plant mines or bombs on a beach populated by Palestinian civilians. What is so hard to believe about that, Secretary-General, sir?

For years, Hamas, Arafat and friendly others have placed their women, children and non-combatants on the frontlines and often used them cynically as human shields and protection of their own backsides from IDF anti-terror operations. Hamas the terror government, like Hamas the terror group have ruined the minds of a generation of young people and educated only toward hate, violence and martyrdom. Arafat did the same, only more quietly. Hamas follows the Iranian loud mouth theory of diplomacy.

So what's wrong with Kofi? It's hard to believe Olmert tour of Western capitals last week meant much even if we did witness of the backslapping, smiles and agreement on some issues. Should we all be excited that polls in Europe have done a flip-flop from 2004 when Europeans voted Israel (not Iran, North Korea etc) as the biggest threat to world peace? They say Europeans like Israel more now. They realize Hamas and the Palestinians have squandered a chance for peace or separation or agreement or something...

The 'protect the world from war" organization has again, via its leadership, failed once again to understand or to admit their understanding of Israel's enemies. Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Fatah - they all do it. They expose their friends and family to war for the sake of Palestine - a cause that loses more hope each day as a result. Whether its the smuggling of weapons into civilian homes through underground tunnels, shooting missiles from civilian areas, hiding in schools, ambulances and the like, transporting missiles (destined for Ashkelon) through crowded city streets or laying anti-IDF bombs across civilian beaches.

Whatever means, whatever it takes, Hamas has no problem sending families to die. Oh yes, for Palestine, a state that those dead civilians will never see. Their cowardice has never impressed me - pleased to pay 12-year olds twenty shekels to blow themselves up but never running for martyrdom themselves.

I am lying aren't I? KIC, lies and videotape? I must be lying because a man as intelligent as Kofi Annan couldn't really be as wrong and as naive (or skewed) as all this.

I wish I was wrong.

Patience Exhausted

We moaned and we groaned about him and his lack of experience but let's face it – having a left-wing 'land for anything' man as Defense Minister can be rather helpful. It does rather restrict the extent of the criticism heaved at Israel by other countries and by Israelis themselves.

Even when the Israeli Air Force has killed Palestinian civilians along with terrorists, like today, it's more difficult to waive the peace and human rights finger at Peretz and Olmert than it was once when Ariel Sharon (not a word about him anymore) and Shaul Mofaz (still kept tragically busy in the far less honorable, no less important Transportation Ministry).

Our Prime Minister is traveling Europe openly advocating Israeli withdrawal (bilaterally or unilaterally) from 90% of the West Bank. He is not promoting continued control over the lives of the Palestinians. He even approved weapons to Mahmoud Abbas as recently as last night. On Sunday, Amir Peretz rejected the IDF recommendation to "let the IDF win", wanting to give Hamas more time to come to its senses. I am sure they appreciated the extra time to mull things over. Iran's President is enjoying similar time to think. If only thinking was all these people do when we go into extra time.

All this, an Israeli leadership for separation and less confrontation and yet still a leadership, it appears… finally, that does want to fulfill its role of protecting the Jewish people from those who wish to hurt us. It's not an easy role and whether we are in fact the most moral army in the world as Olmert claims and whether we try our best to avoid civilian casualties – regardless - Israel, the IDF and Israelis will stand judged on the world stage by the harshest critics, the same armchair and other experts who judge American, British and other anti-terror action on a different diplomatic playing field.

Guilty before being heard? In the sad death of the family on the Gaza beach – yes! And now, when the media damage is done, will those who accused us stand up to withdraw those claims or at least pause and put away their knives until the case is closed? Muhammed al-Dura and Jenin revealed a world that requires no evidence in the court of world opinion. Will the world believe us when we say that only one IAF missie was fired, that the Kaytusha rockets themselves caused the civilian injuries after medics and civilians surrounded the van? Don't bet on retractions or apologies.

There are going to be more civilian deaths among Palestinians. It's unavoidable when terror cells transport, store and produce Qassam rockets and Kaytusha missiles in residential neighborhoods. We still have an obligation to do our utmost to strike only at those who wish to kill, injure and frighten our people. Those who do in fact threaten us should understand that even the Israeli left's patience has come to an end and that they, the terrorists will be responsible for the harm caused to innocent people, both in Israel and in their own hometowns.

Zionist Parties Awakening

Quite the academics aren't they! Terror stars of the Palestinian Authority have come up with a new line recently. "You see", they exclaim, "there's no difference between the Likud, Kadima and Labor. They're all occupying killers and murderers".
Duh! Why did it take you so long to come up with that prognosis guys?

Though in fact there are significant differences between these three Israeli political parties, those differences can appear to disappear more or less when what Israel faces is a renewal of 2002-like terror actions and warnings across the state. Already tonight we've seen the murder of an Jerusalem Arab near the main highway between Jerusalem and Modiin (injuring 4 other Arabs too). With at least part of Hamas deciding to end its peculiar ("let's spend the time building up an arsenal") 'calm time', Israelis await the very worst and hope for the best.

On Friday night, while cruising through the OU's Torah Tidbits, (this being before I knew of the tragic events in Gaza), I was rather taken aback by a notice inviting people to show solidarity through visits to Sderot and other Western Negev communities. Suddenly it struck me. The right were right.

Here we are, almost a year after Disengagement and now we're invited to solidarity trips for Sderot? Last year it was Netzarim and Neve Dekalim that we were asked to show sympathy for. Now the kibbutzim and small towns in the Negev. Ummm... oops! There's something wrong with this picture.

And Kadima and Labor (the foundations of the new government) recognize this picture very well. They've been having nightmares about it for some time but woken each morning happy to discover that it was all just a bad dream. Dream no longer...

There's room for criticizing the Sharon and Olmert governments' lethargic almost timid response to the constant Qassam and Katusha fire. That's not to say they've done nothing but Sderot and environs are now living a frightening existence. Hamas has declared its ultimate aim to make Sderot a ghost town and they are matching words with actions.

It's a shame that we are faced with an enemy again, the same enemy as 2002, that horrible year. Still, this realization may have finally awoken the Zionist giant and confirmed for the Palestinians what we pro-Israel folk always hoped was true - that is, that when it comes to Israel's right to exist in peace and security, each and every Zionist party will stand and deliver. While maintaining a sensible respect for Palestinian human rights, let's hope that Amir Peretz and crew let the IDF win - once and for all.

Confirmation, Panic Stations, Irritation

When I went to bed at 2am last night, it had become rather clear that indeed an Israeli had been kidnapped and taken away to Shechem (Nablus), terror town of the northern West Bank. Apparently the Hebrew University student had been statched from Jerusalem which was a touch worrying but not particularly surprising.

More shocking was to awake not only to the news that US citizen (non-Israeli) Benjamin Bright-Fishbein had been released and that he'd actually created this whole saga himself by visiting Nablus on his own volition, apparently with kippah (skullcap) and all. He sat happily(!) in a Nablus cafe smoking Nargila before being invited to make a video to the world, with special guest star, Mr Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade.

Should I refrain from further cynicism?

Which side of his brain convinced him that Nablus is nice at this time of year? No Palestinian town is nice for any Jew or Israeli (or really for any Westerner) even on a nice day. While it's not illegal for non-Israelis to visit there, one must say that Benjamin's latter admission that he made a horrid mistake doesn't quite cover the explitives that the security forces are saying under their breath right now.

What kind of 'orientation' and introduction to Israel do they give to foreign Jewish students at Hebrew Uni. How could it be that he had no inkling of what awaited him?

He's a lucky boy and as someone noted in a ynet comment, thank G-d no IDF soldiers were injured in having to rescue him and that no Palestinian terrorists had to be exchanged for him.
I do hope he'll be asked to pay some of the bills for his adventure - a little deterrent for others considering visiting our friendly neighbors.

I've had contact with other foreign born Israeli Jews who venture to Ramallah and other pretty towns for social activities and even to have their haircuts and the like. When they end up starring in the next Zarqawi-style video, I'll feel bad for them but I'm unsure that wilful stupidity deserves IDF risk & rescue.

One thing that did come out of all this is just how disorganized and splintered these terror gangs are and in fact how frightened they can become. Though controversial in the eyes of some, I maintain that the assaisinations of Palestinian terror leaders does in fact make terrorists think twice or three times before carrying out an action. Additionally, international pressure appears to take its toll at times. As has been noted several times in past hours, it appears the tough terror guys suddenly crawled into a hole when realizing Benjamin was an American. As one Israeli official put it, maybe Zarqawi's end might have made the cafe kidnappers imagine their own 72 virginless fate.

Israeli kidnapped - as yet unconfirmed by Israel

West Bank militants say they kidnapped Israeli

NABLUS, West Bank (Reuters) - West Bank militants claimed on Sunday to have kidnapped an Israeli man who said in a videotaped statement that his captors would kill him if Israel did not free Palestinian prisoners.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, which issued a copy of the tape, said the man was kidnapped near the West Bank city of Nablus. The group said he was an Israeli.

There was no immediate confirmation of a kidnapping and the Israeli army was checking the report. Militants have made false claims about kidnappings before, but have never produced videos showing abductees.
T
he man in the tape appeared to be in his 20s and held up an identity card from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem which gave his name as Benjamin Bright-Fishbein. He wore the skullcap of a religious Jew.

"If the prisoners are not released, they will execute me," he said in Arabic.
Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades is part of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement.

© Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.

RE-KIC

After some months away from the KICscreen, I am back KICing online and for groups in Israel. I want to thank my colleague Ashley Perry for his insightful and thought-provoking KICcontributions over the last several months. He's kept things more than ticking over and helped those who rely on their daily KIC for Israeli news and opinion and for advice on facing Israel advocacy challenges.

Now that the long days and night of legal studies for the Israeli bar are over, I am looking forward to renewed Israeli news and Advocacy discussion here at the KICblog and to being a part of your educational Israel experience while your group explores this land.

I want to take this opportunity to welcome the newest KICmembers - a group of Scandinavian Bnei Akiva year program participants to whom I guided through Israel Advocacy issues and a leadership discussion 2 weeks ago. With the KICdiary filling up fast, I am looking forward to getting back to sharing my views and current affairs interest with others again.

Things are forever changing in Israel so don't forget to pass over buying the monring's paper because things do change sooo fast here that the print versions are quite literally yesterday's news by the time day breaks.

We'll try to keep it current for you and we welcome your comments on Israel today, the Jewish World and beyond.

Michael

KICHoliday

Like the rest of Israel, the KICteam is taking a break for the week of Pesach. Israelis are out at the beaches and the national parks and frankly we all deserve to KIC back and relax just a little.

With coalition negotiations and battles between diplomatic and social policies in full swing, the IDF fighting off Gazan rocket fire, re-entering disengaged Gaza for the first time and Iran raising the stakes daily, there will be plenty for us to KIC you with come post-Pesach.

As well as Ashley-inspired analysis, Michael will be back at the end of April after months of law study. In addition, the KICteam will be back running sessions across Israel and have already received several invitations for the coming months. And if you want a bit of punch in your KIC, watch out for new online and session initiatives from the KICcrew which are due to be launched shortly.

We thank you for reading and look forward to your comments in the future. If you haven't subscribed to the KICblog you can do so at the top of this page. We would also welcome your placing of a KIClink on your blog or webpage.

Chag Pesach Kasher vSameach!

KICPoll Results - Israel Vote 2006

KICPoll - Israel Vote 2006

Which party receives your support on March 28?

RESULT

Kadima 28.0% (14)
National Union - Mafdal 18.0% (9)
Yisrael Beiteinu 16.0% (8)
Other 10.0% (5)
Likud 8.0% (4)
Labor - Meimad 8.0% (4)
United Torah Judaism 4.0% (2)
Shas 4.0% (2)
Arab Parties 2.0% (1)
Meretz 2.0% (1)

Total votes: 50

LIVE on Election Day with KIC

I have been invited to host an incredible online event that will span eight hours of Israeli Election Night coverage this coming Tuesday. Among other things, I will be co-hosting the first four hours of the event and I will be facilitating LIVE discussion and debate of the policies, personalities and campaigns.

What a way to KICstart Israel Elections 2006!

As the first exit polls reach us, I will be there to KICoff the analysis of the results, the possible coalition ramifications and so on.

Don't miss out on seeing this LIVE and being a part of the event which will host several well-known world Jewish leaders and well-known personalities from the media and beyond.

More than 4000 others are already registered - sign up now and be there when history is made!

Michael Lawrence

Japanese Wives... or Knives?

Police: Arrested Palestinian planned on carrying out shooting attack

An interrogation of an Palestinian arrested in Hebron in possession of tear gas and a Japanese wife (pardon me? - KIC) found that the suspect planned to overcome a soldier with the teargas, snatch his weapon, and use it to carry out a shooting terror attack. The investigation continues. (Efrat Weiss)

Click here for more Israel news from Ynetnews.com

(Best media muddle of the week, surely! - KIC)

Kiwi-Israeli Group Established

Even though we've lost Conrad Smith for the season, NZ rugby fans in Israel can still ghold their heads high after the new INZFA (Israel-New Zealand Friendship Assocation) established last week. There was a launching event in Ra'anana covered by the Jerusalem Post and though the rain (which Israel needs) caused many to decide aginst the drive north, it was still a successful event which saw Kiwis, their families and ex-shlichim reunite.

The INZFA's main goals are to establish cultural and sporting exhanges between the land of the long white cloud and the land of our longing. G-d willing we'll see artists, musicians and sportspeople climbing on board the INZFA initiative.

My only hope is that next time we can get some younger faces there. In my role on the INZFA committee I hope to bring in those younger faces, encourage Aliyah and build a support network for New Zealand olim/immigrants. This is something Nefesh b'Nefesh and the like do well. We might not have the same money but we can still set up a supportive environment for the Kiwi olim. I'll also be looking to encourage Israel year programs of Habonim, Bnei Akiva and AUJS and help to provide Kiwi support and open homes for those participants too. I also hope to encourage and work towards the sending of more educators and support toNew Zealand Jewry from Israel.

There are a lot of bridges to be built and rebuilt between New Zealand and Israel. To get involved with the INZFA in New Zealand or in Israel contact Yitzchak Treister.

Petition Against 'Paradise Now'

A petition worthy of your consideration - from an Israeli who justifiably can not see any benefit from giving an award to 'Paradise Now'.

Responses to the Guardian

Here are some reactions to the article by Chris McGreal:

1. A Response to the Guardian's G2 Supplement

2. Why Depict Israel Like A Chamber of Horrors?

I'm sure there will be other responses like these seeing as it is so simple to see the inaccuracies in the first article.

London Sightseeing

Let's go for a little trip and take in the sights and sounds of London. Ahhh... Europe. Wonderful spot for a vacation or an escape from reality.

Letting Tzahal Win

Suddenly the Israeli government is behaving like any Western democracy should. Now we are starting to see the operational ability and intelligence brilliance of the IDF as they have FINALLY been given the green light to respond to missile fire on Israeli homes inside Israel proper.

Maybe there was hesitation because such military responses leaves the comment "Oops maybe Disengagement didn't separate us as well as we had expected" etched in to the sands of Gaza. Of course it iss election time and no doubt Kadima need to strike a balance between striking at illegal Jewish communities and striking at Islamic terror. It appears Israel will not be deterred by the cartoonist terror gangs of this neighborhood. Or maybe, just maybe, the Qassam-inflicted fracturing of a baby boy's skull on Friday was what was required to jolt Kadima forward - (excuse the too often repeated play on words).

It's peculiar isn't it that in a week that we've faced a barrage of missile fire in the north and the south, witnessed a murderous stabbing attack and stopped numerous suicide bombers, that Shin Bet security chief Yuval Diskin should come out against land gifts when there is in fact noone on the other side to ensure secure and responsible administration of those gifts. Chief-of-Staff Yaalon lost his job basically by saying similar things prior to Disengagement.

Amazing really then that most Israelis still back the Kadima unilateral borders approach to peacemaking and security. Amazing really and yet hardly surprising. Is there any other country in the world that boasts 6 million Prime Ministers?

Land of Israel Lovers

Arutz-7 came across a very important piece of commentary - important enough in my opinion that it be posted to the KICblog. It made me think... and think again.

Yehoram Gaon Decries War Against Land of Israel Lovers

They call them, justifiably, law-breakers. But... law-breakers are those who fire Lau missiles at their competing gangsters' homes and kill people along the way, and drug-dealers and pimps. So with all the due respect that you do not give them, at least agree with me that the law-breakers in Amona have a different type of motivation.... Why are they, of all people, being persecuted?

Do you realize how many building violations there are in Israel? Why specifically them, and why specifically now? And who wants to prove what this time, and to who, and why specifically at their expense? Like Hillel the Elder, I sandwich in this matza not only the establishment, but also the leadership of the settlers... But it appears that the youth no longer have leaders other than this land. The land is leading and directing and forcing its will, and sending them to fight for it, and they agree to do so - like a lover for his loved one, with great truth and without compromise. Zionism '06.

I know it's not popular today to say nice things about the settlers. All my colleagues in radio and television are very, very angry at them - but what to do? Only one who fights for his land, cities and fields, and for every caravan and every clod of earth, acquires it, by virtue of his love and dedication.

Read this important opinion IN FULL at Arutz-7 (Israel National News)

Can You Smell Something?

I will never have a great deal of time for Btselem (the Israeli Human Rights Organization) - not because the work they do is not important but because their valuable goals come soaked in bias, misleading statistics and one-sided advocacy.
For that reason, I was surprised to see them issue a demand to Attorney-General Menachem Mazuz in which they request an investigation into police abuse of non-violent protestors at Amona.

I've been unable to decipher the truth from the various Amona reports. I can't fathom how anyone could have succeeded in doing so. Anyone who bellows about facist settlers deserving a beating or about Nazi Jewish soldiers or politicians aren't helping me in my personal analysis.

For me, video coverage helps me to understand what went happened. Look, there might be more than meets the eye but frankly this footage from Amona sits uncomfortably in my mind and in my soul (to be honest).

I don't know what was going on outside this camera frame or whether police and soldiers had been abused physically prior to this, but as far as I can see this is an unprovoked baton beating of non-violent protestors. As Btselem (Defender of National-Zionist Rights too!) will verify, that such action is against human rights and international law.

As for the horse riding over people - you be the judge. Send this post to others and let them judge too.

Concerns have been raised by the President, political parties (even the lefter-wing) and rights groups. The Knesset is being recalled for a special session on the confrontation itself. Kadima MKs however accuse the protestors as provoking the harsh response.

I'm against lawlessness and I'm against illegal building whether by Arab or Jew. Regardless - something smells here. It reeks of politics and electioneering.

Tell me I'm wrong... please.

Trouble

UPDATE (1133): Israeli policewoman hurt seriously

UPDATE (1119): Radio coverage LIVE from Amona. (KIC takes no responsibility for opinions or content provided in that coverage)

It's not looking like Disengagement at all. The extent of confrontation and violence at Amona in Samaria (today being shut down by the Israeli government) seems to already be spiraling well beyond the Gush Katif experience. In respect of internal Israeli unity, Disengagement #1 was difficult enough. Now, we see a determination by protestors that is further increased and was expected to be so when it came to the West Bank areas, much of which is holy land as far the Jewish people are concerned.

MKs wounded (including broken bones) and dozens of other injuries to protesters and forces. Rocks, batons, oil, horses... once again, today is a tough day for most Israelis, regardless of political opinion.

Get reading those English Israel news sites - all of them. Haaretz, Arutz-7, Ynet, Jpost...
(You'll see the media playing to its perceived audience). How is the media in your country covering this confrontation?

How do you see it? A blatant campaign move by Olmert or the upholding of the Rule of Law in a democratic society?
Let us know - leave a KICcomment.

Worldwide Exam Time

It's interesting actually living at the heart of the matter, rather than watching it through the 29" flat screen divine provider of all information. Yesterday, here in an area of Jerusalem populated largely by Jerusalem Arabs, the directors of my work place recommended we avoid walking outside the fences of our offices today in order to avoid finding ourselves in any predicament.

As the taxi driver said to be this morning as he 'escorted' me to work, "Isn't it strange? They vote and we are frightened".

It is rather peculiar that we should be afraid to walk some streets on Palestinian election day. Israeli security officials are aware of the risks of unrest and violence and hence the very noticeable increase in police forces in and around this area. To no surprise though, there's probably more concern (reflected in intelligence reports) that election rejectionists Islamic Jihad (among others) will try to turn the heat up by murdering Jews. Why not they say? What else is there to do on election day?

What else indeed? How about taking the opportunity to take an opportunity? A little wise, constructive and forward-looking voting might do the trick. Or not.

As regular KICreaders are aware, Ashley Perry has been keeping you current for the last few weeks while I prepare for the rather daunting law exams of the Israeli Bar Association. Still, I reasoned that it might be worth my while giving a quick KICpost seeing as it's exam time for others too - and not just law students.

These vital Palestinian elections lay down the gauntlet to the world (and in particular the Europeans). They might not have quite known what they were in for when they happily registered for the Middle East Craziness 101 course. Regardless, it's exam time now and we'll be waiting to see the results.

If Hamas gains much of the vote, and even more so if they become a party in the ruling PA government, the world must be seen to reject this result. Democracy - great! Hitler rose to power through democratic means, a means not dissimilar to Hamas' popularity, that also relies on and abuses citizenry desperation, poverty and brainwashed fanaticism. This most famous and most powerful of Palestinian terror groups has by no means changed its 'all of Palestine by all means' platform and like its friends Hezbollah, it continues to follow instructions and receive financial backing from Iran (remember them?) and others.

The Europeans (and even the Americans at times) have played with the idea of relations with these murderers. When it comes to the crunch, declarations of intent by world powers mean precious little right now. Their actions towards a Hamas-controlled PA will tell us much more.

In my books, any whif of 'the people of spoken' from world leaders would be a most revolting switch in the war on terror. It's a multiple choice question but there is, by definition, only one correct answer to circle. Failing this exam, not through lack of knowledge but by misguided and dishonest diplomacy, would be an international kick in the guts for the thousands of Israeli terror victims, the 3000 of 9/11, the 50 or so of 7/7, the 200 in Spain, the 200 in Bali, the thousands of Iraqi terror victims and those Palestinians who do desire true peace.

If all these people did indeed die so that we should learn and grow, the world must prove that here and now.

UPDATE (Thursday morning): Here we are Mr & Mrs World - here is your exam paper. You may begin. Good luck!

Jan 23rd - online Israel course

Register now for the next online eAcademy "Stating the Case" course. A course run by the Israeli Foreign Ministry and the Jewish Agency for Israel, it is taught by well-known experts in the field. This is an opportunity to learn and discuss the topics at the heart of the Middle East conflict from the comfort of your own home.
The video lectures review the security fence, terror and Israel's responses, refugees, human rights, disengagement and beyond.

Join now!

Chevron Tales

At a session I gave to an AUJS Birthright group on Saturday night, we looked at Israel's relationship with the media. To a great extent, we looked at Western media but I did point out that even in Israel itself, each newspaper, TV station and the like present a different view on a specific event.

A case in point is Disengagement, where some news outlets demonized the Israeli residents of Gaza ("settlers", as the unhelpful label reads). Similarly, we have a situation unfolding now in Judaism's second holiest city, Chevron, where IDF police and soldiers are facing off against their brothers and sisters.

From one side of the Israeli media spectrum, we are receiving reports of egg throwing, rock hurling, Nazi salutes, masked crazies and extremist Jews who are being removed from homes occupied by Palestinians until a few years ago. From other sources, we are told of police abuse and brutality against excitable ideological Jewish teenagers and the subsequent loss of historic Jewish sites that extend back to before the 1929 murder and expulsion of Chevron's Jewish community by Arabs residents. And then there are the Palestinians who claim that the IDF is allowing attacks by Jews.

Still there are others like President Katsav and the Mafdal (National Religious Party) who have called for an end to any violence against IDF soldiers. Attacking an IDF soldier is a big major taboo in this country and there are Rabbis who are coming out strongly to warn against crossing those red lines and others. These are people who would tie orange ribbons on their cars and yet they educate to a more widely-appreciated tune.

What is clear is that what we are talking about, in the words of Police Insp.-Gen. Moshe Karadi, are "small groups of hoodlums," and that "we met them during the disengagement and we will continue to deal with them appropriately." He added that most Hebron residents were "law-abiding citizens".

We should not therefore allow ourselves to be taken in by any naive blanket condemnation of a certain people or group thereof.

All this is Israel's democracy and freedom of speech and press at work and I'm proud that such exists. Such a wide range of opinion never surfaces from (or is permitted to surface from!) Palestinian or other Arab societies. Yet it leaves the onlooker confused at best and judgmental at worst. It's not difficult to predict how the international media (and Joe Smith of surburbia) will make up his mind.

Having received these unique clips (below) from a man who also recorded Disengagement with his own video camera, I invite you to delve into his live take on Chevron and beyond. I took a tour of the Gaza Jewish communities with him before Disengagement and while he is a tremendous guy, I leave it over to each KICreader to evaluate Shlomo's commentary, footage and analysis.

I have to say that his Chevron footage as it stands does not indicate any horrific police treatment. In fact, what I can see is a sad repeat of Disengagement whereby we are sadly forced to watch Jew challenge Jew. Our political views aside, it's simply a KIC in the guts to watch it all unfold again and we all know who benefits the most from the internal strife.

Take a look at the video clips and so on through the link below and leave a comment on the KICblog to let us know your thoughts.

Michael and the KICteam

*************************************

URGENT UPDATE FROM CHEVRON FROM EDITOR SHLOMO WOLLINS

ARMY INVADES MAIN AVRAHAM AVEINU NEIGHBORHOOD IN CHEVRON

This is Shlomo Wollins reporting from the Holy City
of Chevron,which has just been invaded (contrary to promises
from security forces) and the army has taken control of the Avraham Aveinu
neighborhood...the army has locked down all the buildings and is going house
to house toforcefully evict the children...

I have posted massive update, with 13 video clips (ranging from 30 seconds
to 11 minutes in length--in streaming format) as well as 3 audio clips....
go to this link to view and listen

http://israelreporter.com/2006/01/16/exclusive-video-coverage-of-chevron-shuk-struggle/

This situation here is very dangerous.... pls forward this link to EVERY
person in America that cares about Chevron and the Jewish children here, who
with great bravery and injury are defending the land of ALL the Jews... also
pls post to blogs, forums, and forward to journalists...we must involve
American Jewry here, or Chevron will be entirely lost in the Olmert
regime, that misguided Israelis are about to elect in landside...

The state of Israel is in dire peril....pray for us...

Shlomo

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Shlomo Wollins, Publisher & Editor
http://www.israelreporter.com/
054-7388-054

Voting Now - Blog Awards

Voting stations are open for the Jewish and Israeli Blog Awards 2005. This KICblog has been nominated in two categories. (Sounds like the Oscars doesn't it?!!)

Put a KIC into our campaign in the Best Israel Advocacy Blog category and the Best Politics and Current Affairs Blog category or vote for others if you're that way inclined. Make sure to read the voting rules before jumping in to the fray.

If you're feeling extremely generous, send this post through to your fmaily and friends so they can get a KIC out of this blog as well and maybe they'll feel inclined to vote for us too.
Enjoy and thanks...

Every Israeli Morning, A Different World

Like a cricket batsman run out without facing a ball, our Prime Minister Ariel Sharon appears to have been beaten by a ball that came from a direction he least expected... and that we least expected until a few weeks ago. We pray for his speedy recovery. May G-d reduce his suffering and give him strength.

World media is going mad, I mean, has gone mad. It's just incredible how very center of the world Israel is. Jews make news it appears. Post-disengagement sees Sharon as a respected and strong world leader with the courage to take tough decisions even against his own instinct and that of many Israelis. The way the media relate to him now is quite unrecognizable on days gone past.

It is no exaggeration that the Israeli political scene has just taken a big hit by an earthquake of Hollywood proportions and the aftershocks will continue up until election day and beyond.
Riding high (very high!) in the polls, Sharon is largely viewed as the only man able and willing (even if with heavy heart) to finally lead the Israeli people away from those who seek to hurt us. It isn't that he likes Palestinians nor trusts them. How could he? Still, he recognized their need for separation from us too and wanted to use his next term to draw the final boundaries of the Jewish state, with or without Palestinian goodwill and cooperation.

His recent UN speech saw him proudly stand and declare to the the entire world that this Land has enveloped Jewish history for thousands of years and that it is a land to which he feels utmost commitment and love. And yet, a few sentences later he recognized the right of the Palestinians to a State and to rights. He believed that regardless of wholesome Jewish rights to the land, modern realities led us to new understandings of what the future must be.

I'm not eulogizing him yet. Still, it's worth considering the fate of Kadima and its leaders who jumped from various ships to have a free ride on the Arik Sharon bandwagon to power. Noone holds the clout nor the respect that Sharon does, neither within Kadima nor elsewhere.

It's incredible when you think about it, that PM Rabin was murdered while pursuing a risky (proven to be very risky) 'land for peace' path. Many say that had Rabin lived, we would have had peace now. People trusted Rabin and believed that his strength would lead to quiet and growth.
Sharon, also a great military figure-come-politician holds similar (though not identical) aspirations. In his pursuit of separation (also a Rabin goal), Ariel Sharon has also been cut down in his prime.

Coincidence? Uncanny? Strange? Sad? Hmmm...

Even if many Israelis did not agree with him nor his methods, all MKs and citizens pray for his recovery. Sharon was a stable, solid leader and the ever-hungry neighborhood bullies are sure to remind us how much we will miss his Jewish-Zionist pride, his insight and experience.

I think I've said it before (yes, in several posts in the last month)... three months is a very long time in the life of the State of Israel!