New IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz Assumes His Command

Israel's 20th IDF Chief of Staff, Benny Gantz, 51, has a long record of distinguished service in Israel's military establishment, Gantz began his military career in 1977, when he was drafted into the army and became part of the country's elite paratrooper brigade, after completing officers candidate school two years later. During his early years as a paratrooper, Gantz rose quickly in the ranks, and became a platoon leader and later a brigade commander.

Gantz has served in a number of prestige military positions, including Commander of the highly acclaimed Shaldag (Kingfisher) Air Force unit, Commander of the Paratroopers Brigade, Commander of the Reserves Division in the Northern Command, Commander of the Lebanon Liaison Unit; and Commander of the Judea and Samaria Division in 2000. His next military command position was Commander of the Northern Command, which he assumed in 2001. He was afterwards appointed to be the IDF's Military Attache to the US Armed Forces; which he held until his appointment as Deputy of Staff in 2009.

A true believer in the merits of higher education, Gantz took time off during his busy military career to attend both the IDF Command and Headquarters College and the National Security College, as well as Tel Aviv University, where he received a BA Degree in History. He also attended graduate schools, and received both an MA in Political Science from the University of Haifa, and another MA Degree in National Resource Management from the National Defense University in the USA.

Despite what might appear as having an illustrious military career, General Gantz's career has not been without some controversy. While serving as Commander of the Judea and Sameria Division on the West Bank Gantz was criticized after a border guard policeman guarding Joseph's Tomb, Corporal Madhat Yousef, was left to bleed to death after being wounded by a Palestinian sniper. Gantz was criticized for this action for not taking measures quickly enough to evacuate Corporal Yousef fast enough. Gantz was later exonerated by a military tribunal. Another incident involved Gantz building part of his home on disputed property. He later agreed to give up this land, and even dismantled structures he had built upon the disputed property.

On a whole, General Gantz's career has been very outstanding; and is considered by his military officer peers to be very qualified to assume the post for which he has now been chosen for. General Gantz takes over the COS position from Lt. General Gabi Ashkenazi, who became COS following the resignation of Gen. Dan Helutz in the aftermath of 2006 war against the Hezbollah in Lebanon. Ashkenazi succeeded in revamping the IDF, and turning it into a much better trained and organized military fighting force. During Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi' tenure as COS, the IDF was involved in both the 2008-9 Operation Cast Lead "mini-war" in Gaza, and the more recent May 31, 2010 Mave Mamara or "flotilla" incident, in which the IDF's commando raid actions were recently absolved by the Trikul Commission.

All in all, General Gantz assumes his command over a much improved and better equipped IDF that now has to face the reality of an increasingly unstable Middle East.

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Recent Carmel Wildfire Causes Surge in Fire Scouts Volunteers

Israel's recent disastrous fire on the northern Carmel mountain range has resulted in a surge of volunteers for the Fire Scouts, a branch in Israel's Scouting Movement. The Fire Scouts, a previously little known scouting group, has actually been in existence since 1959. Its 350 enthusiastic members, whose ages range between 15 and 18, are often in action in real fire fighting operations, as in the December 2 -5 fire in which one of the group's members, 16 year old Elad Rivan, lost his life.

The "firebug" desire to help augment the country's often strained firefighting resources by these young people often results in some of them becoming professional fire fighters upon completing military service. Such is a case of 21 year old Ben Geller who is now a full time fire fighter after finishing his army service. "I knew that at the age of 15 I had to volunteer somewhere. I asked myself, 'What am I going to do? Help the elderly? Volunteer in the Scouts? In Magen David Adom?' And then, one day, I don't know if it was because of some movie or an Internet site, I caught the firefighting bug," Ben was quoted when interviewed by Haaretz newspaper.

The services of these brave and enthusiastic youths are very much appreciated by the branches of the fire brigades with whom they frequently work. Avi Cohen, who heads the Haifa branch of Fire Scouts in which Elad Rivan was a member, says that he now runs 20 firefighting schools which fill up very quickly with students. He says that interest in taking the course has "caught on like a wild fire" since the onset of the Carmel fire disaster. Cohen is very proud of his kids and says "the moment they put on the uniform [of a fire scout] they change from rowdy to very disciplined and dedicated volunteers."

Regarding Elad Rivan, Cohen said the youth didn't register at any fire station. He simply put on his uniform and jumped on the first fire truck he saw heading in the direction of the fire on the Carmel. In fact, the regular crew didn't even know who Rivan was, or that he was so young. They accepted him simply as a fellow firefighter.
"We now have made some changes in which more control is made on the Scouts when they volunteer to fight a real fire" Cohen says. These changes involve each fire scout having to first report to his unit before being assigned to be with a fire brigade.

A professional firefighter for over 30 years Cohen says regarding the ferocity of the Carmel wildfire:

"The fire was very hard for us. I have been with the firefighters for more than 30 years, and I never had a fire like this. And not only me; no firefighter in this country has ever seen anything like it. Only in the movies - only in Hollywood."

Information on the Fire Scouts can be found by visiting the Fire Scouts forum on the Israel Firefighters website: www.102.co.il


http://www.haaretz.com/weekend/week-s-end/catching-the-firefighting-bug-1.329866

IAF Acquiring Advanced F-35 Aircraft Should not be Linked to Settlement Freeze Issue

Promises by the U.S. Administration to expedite the delivery of 20 sophisticated F-35 "stealth bomber" aircraft to the Israeli Air Force, is now part of a deal being offered on condition that Israel re-impose a ban on construction in the West Bank, according to news articles in the Jerusalem Post and other media sources. The aircraft are manufactured by Lockheed Martin and cost $ 135 million each; much more than the current upgrades of the F-16i fighter, which is the current mainstay of the IAF's fighter aircraft fleet.

The primary advantage of the F-35 is its ability to fly through enemy radar systems with less chance of being detected. According to a recent statement by Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, "the F-35 is the fighter plane of the future that will allow Israel to maintain its aerial superiority and its technological advantage in the region said. It will give the IAF better capabilities, both near and far, to help strengthen Israel's national security."

The promise by the US Administration in including these planes in the military aid package that Israel receives from America is reported to be tied to an overall agreement that will give Israel stronger support in the United Nations, in addition to the aircraft and other military aid to enable Israel to maintain its qualitative edge over its enemies – particularly ones like Syria and Iran. The additional 90 day moratorium on housing construction in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is focused primarily on convincing the Palestinians to resume talks with Israeli government authorities over the status of areas that will be included in a final peace agreement that will culminate in the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

The 90 day moratorium, which was discussed by Israeli PM Netanyahu with US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton during his recent visit to the US, is meant to be a good will gesture toward the Palestinians, according to US Administration officials.
However, opponents to this kind of a deal, including former IDF Chief of Staff Moshe (Boogie) Ya'Alon, call the deal a "honey trap" that could cause problems between Israel and the US in the future.

It must be noted that the Israeli government effected a total disengagement from Gaza in August 2005 that resulted in the eventual takeover there by the fundamentalist Hamas Islamic political entity and the subsequent bombardment of Israeli cities and settlements by missiles launched from within Gaza. This action resulted in the Operation Cast Lead military action taken by Israel at the end of December, 2008.

The reality of what is occurring in Gaza is evidence that a qualitative military edge is not an important factor in dealing with adversaries such as Hamas, and that aircraft like the F-35 are needed to deal with enemies further a field – especially Iran with its ongoing nuclear program; which is feared by most Israelis as being designed to enable the Islamic Republic to have a nuclear weapons capability.

For their part, the Palestinians, represented by persons such as PA President Mahmoud Abbas, PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, and PA Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat want Israel to return to the June 5 1967 borders as a basis for a final settlement.
Judging from what has happened in the Gaza Strip, Israel needs more than just "a promise of stealth warplanes" to deal with potential enemies who are located less than 20 miles from Israel's main population centers. This aircraft acquisition by the IAF should therefore not be linked to the settlement construction issue in the West Bank.

Photo: www.sanfranciscosentinal.com

The Lone Soldier and the Sukkot Festival

Imagine how lonely the Israel High Holiday season must be when a lone soldier (known as a chayal boded in Hebrew) has no family or other relatives to go to when given a few precious days of military leave. Such is often the case for the more than 5,000 IDF soldiers who fall into this category; and after enduring the most important religious holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, may have been left out on one of Israel's most joyous annual festivals, the festival of Sukkot.

The lone soldiers who choose to come by themselves to Israel and serve in the IDF come from many countries and from all types of economic and cultural backgrounds. The more fortunate ones who came from countries like the USA, the UK, France, and other Western countries, usually receive some form of financial assistance from their families back home to help supplement the amount they receive as a monthly military wage of approximately 1,000 Shekels ($250), with a supplement of 200 Shekels ($50) per month which is supposed to cover living and personal accommodation for lone soldiers. This amount is literally all that those from poorer countries like Ethiopia, the former Soviet Union, Argentina and other countries have to live on, when on military leave. And with the cost of living rising in Israel at an alarming rate, this amount is insufficient to maintain a tiny apartment; even if shared with other lone soldiers, which is so often the case.

There are a number of independent organizations in Israel who give help to lone soldiers and help them find housing to stay in on weekends and holidays, as well as warm families to visit on Shabbat and other religious holidays. Such is also the case on Sukkot, the eight day festival that began this year on Wednesday, September 22 and lasted until the completion of Simchat Torah, on September 30. One of the most well known of these organizations is the Michael Levine Memorial Center in Jerusalem; which was established in memory of Michael Levin, who came to Israel as a lone soldier from Holland Pennsylvania and was killed in August 2006 during the 34 day war against the Hezbollah in Lebanon. The center is located at 25 Keren Hayesod Street in Jerusalem and provides a warm place to stay to soldiers on leave who do not have families to go to.

It is an old tradition in Judaism to host guests or Ushpizin (Aramaic for "guests") in your sukkah every day during the holiday of Sukkot. This tradition is now especially relevant for lone IDF soldiers who choose to connect their fate with the IDF and the State of Israel; or whom for various reasons had to leave their countries of origin and find refuge in the Jewish Homeland. It can only be hoped that these brave young men and women found a warm and loving place to be during this year's Sukkot festival, and did not have to spend the festival alone on their army bases simply because they had no place to go.

Locations like the Michael Levin Center go a long way towards making these fine young people feel that their contribution to Israel's security is appreciated by the country they chose to live in, and the army they are now a part of.

Can T-shirts Become a Political Weapon?

When an Israeli joins the Israel Defense Force, he or she is issued, among other items, several Tzahal t-shirts in colors matching the standard uniform. However, after the Israeli Navy Commandos stopped the Turkish flotilla, causing a public relations outcry, one former Navy commander had a novel idea of changing the drab Israel Military T-shirts to use as a political tool.

It was no secret that the bad press Israel received after the incident would inspire copycat flotillas from other Israel detractors. In an interview with the Jerusalem Post, retired Admiral, Ami Ayalon made suggestions of how Israel could have handled the military issue of stopping the boat from illegally breaking the sea-embargo while advancing Israeli public relations. One of his ideas was that, when boarding the ship, or when docking the boats at an Israeli port, the soldiers could have worn T-shirts showing the face of Gilad Schalit, the Israeli soldier who was kidnapped by Hamas, the terrorist group which controls Gaza, and the initial reason for the blockade.

Ayalon’s theory was that the media who eagerly filmed Israeli soldiers commandeering boats would then have a visual reminder why the blockade was necessary and that Gilad Schalit’s rights were being violated by Hamas.

I’m not sure such an idea would, as Ayalon suggests, direct some of the media traffic away from the plight of Gaza to the plight of a kidnapped Israeli soldier, but I would definitely be interested in seeing the IDF media office consider ways to incorporate some positive PR into their operations.

Israel's Desert Regions are Great Tourism Spots, Despite Summer Heat

It's mid summer, and many people would think that Israel's desert regions are the last places to visit when daytime temperatures soar to as much as 42 degrees Celsius (109 F). Actually the desert has a lot to offer, including the Negev and Arava regions, where an annual rock festival is due to take place on July 29 and 30 in Park Golda, about 20 km outside of Beer Sheva.

"Actually, the weather in many desert areas is much more comfortable than along the coast , due to much lower humidity and cooler nights" days Eran Doron, the organizer of the Moon Nights Desert Rock Festival. Besides events such as this festival, many people are attracted to the desert due to the sheer beauty and serenity of the terrain, especially at night. For star gazers, taking in the desert sky from places such as Mizpeh Ramon (where Israel's largest astronomical telescope is located) is a delight that has few equals.

"I often bring my family here, and we camp out so we can see the stars better", says David Miron, a high tech engineer who lives in a small village near Netanya. David says that he has been an amateur astronomer for years and is never bored by the fantastic views of stars and constellations from Mitzpeh Ramon. For those who don't fancy camping out, Mitzpeh Ramon has the Ramon Inn that offers guests excellent accommodations, as well as desert trekking tours by camels or jeeps. The Inn has a spacious indoor swimming pool and has tours available for guests who want to learn more about the unique ecosystems of the Mitzpeh Ramon valley; which was actually created by centuries of wind and water erosion, and not by a falling asteroid or meteor as some people believe. Information about the hotel and area touring can be had by calling 972-8-6588822.

Both the Negev and Arava contain a number of nature reserves, including the well known Hai Bar wildlife reserve near Kibbutz Yotvetah. At Hai Bar, visitors can see native Negev and Arava wildlife such as wild asses, Nubian Ibex, gazelles, and other species, including ostriches in natural surroundings. Kibbutz Yotvetah has one of Israel's largest dairies with a 550 cow dairy herd. The Kibbutz also has large mango and date plantations that are irrigated by a large underground water reservoir that is said to have much more water in it than the Sea of Galilee (Kineret). Many Negev settlements have "tapped" this water source for agriculture; and although the water is considered as too brackish to drink, it is adequate for growing many crops, including tomatoes and peppers, olives, pomegranates, and others. Those interested in learning more about the unique ecological projects being conducted in the Negev and Arava can contact the Ramat Negev Agro Research Center, www.moprn.org/, where educational tours are conducted concerning the use of underground brackish water in local agriculture.

For those who seek surface water in the desert, it can be found in pools at the Ein Avdat Canyon, located not far from Kibbutz Sde Boker, where Israel's first prime minister, David Ben Gurion, spent his last years; and is buried with his wife Paula. Evidence of human settlement, dating back to prehistoric times, has been found in the canyon, most likely due to the availability of water that is trapped there by springs and during winter rains. Sde Boker has both a nature reserve and a number of environmental and agricultural field schools, including projects dealing with solar energy.

For bicycle touring enthusiasts a number of bike trails are available along the legendary Nabatean spice routes that were in use more than 2,000 years ago. So whether you are interested in a desert rock festival, a wilderness trekking experience, or simply a night of uninterrupted star gazing, the Negev and Arava regions have much to offer. More information can be had through the Ramat Ha Negev website: www.rng.org.il

Israel's Answer to "Get the Hell out of Palestine"

People are still talking about the interview of veteran Hearst Syndicate reporter Helen Thomas by Rabbi David Nessenoff in front of the White House on May 27, 2010. The interview was connected with a tour being made by young Jewish media people, which Rabbi Nessenoff and his son were part of. Ms. Thomas, a veteran White House media reporter, had covered events there for more than 50 years, involving US Presidential administrations going back to Dwight D. Eisenhower.

When asked by Rabbi Nessenoff what advice she had for the young journalists who were on a tour to the White House, she said "go for journalism and keep learning – you'll never regret it". But when he asked her what advice she had in light of Jewish Heritage Month in regards to Jews and Israel, her "off the cuff" remarks came as a complete surprise when she said: "I think they [the Jews] should get the hell out of Palestine!" When the Rabbi asked why she felt this way, she replied "They [the Jews] have been occupying land that belongs to people who have lived there for hundreds of years. Jews should go back to where they came from, such as Poland Germany, etc."

When asked if she had any knowledge to back up her remarks, Ms. Thomas said that "I am of Arab extraction", since her family emigrated from Lebanon more than 80 years ago.

Needless to say, Ms. Thomas's remarks have made reverberations around the world, especially the Jewish World. The reaction was so strong that Thomas was forced to make a public apology for her remarks on June 4, and announced her "retirement" from the Media a few days later. Rabbi Nessenoff, who was virtually unknown until his interview with Thomas, accompanied by video clips made by his son's cell phone, says that he has received thousands of hate messages and even death threats in the aftermath of the interview, making him wonder if the remarks made by Thomas are an indication of how many Americans really feel towards Israel.



While also shocked by Ms. Thomas's candid remarks, Israelis are used to hearing such jargon, especially from countries in the Middle East as well as many European countries. That these remarks came from a veteran member of the US press corps, however, was most upsetting; but are also seen as just a part of the unusually heavy amount of "Israel bashing" that has been going on in the world media in recent weeks. This is especially true in the aftermath of the first encounter involving Israeli commandos and the so-called "Free Gaza Peace Flotilla" on board the Turkish vessel Mavi Marmara.

Israel's resilience in the face of such adversity is not going to be diminished by PR ploys conducted by those trying to champion the Palestinian cause, especially that of the tyrannically ruled Hamas regime in Gaza. In fact, Jews are coming to Israel in even larger numbers, due the efforts by groups such as Nefesh b'Nefesh, which has brought more than 30,000 North American and British Jews to settle in Israel in past 9 years.

Now, another organization called Aish Machal is planning on bringing young Jewish high school graduates to Israel for a one year program of voluntary service either in the IDF or in a number of National Service projects in various parts of Israel. The idea of this project is to not only to help these young people make a better "connection" to their Jewish Homeland, but with the idea that some of them will decide to complete their university studies in Israel and also settle there. Aish Machal is a combination of the religious Aish ha Torah religious youth organization and the Mahal or voluntary Israel Defense Forces program which has been in existence in Israel since the War of Independence in 1948. Some of Israe's most outstanding English speaking or "Anglo Saxon" citizens came to Israel originally on Mahal, or on other similar volunteer programs which continue to this day.

These programs show people like Helen Thomas (who said she "regretted" her remarks made to Rabbi Nessenoff) that the Jews of Israel have no intention of "going back where they came from", as they are already "Home".

Information on Aish Mahal volunteer programs can be found by accessing the websites www.JoinTheIDF.com and www.MyIsraelYear.com




Photos of an event in Jerusalem involving IDF soldiers and Aish Machal Volunteers.

IDF Stops "Free Gaza" Flotilla on High Seas

A six vessel flotilla of humanitarian aid has been boarded and stopped from proceeding to the Palestinian port of Gaza City. The flotilla, said to be bringing relief supplies from Turkey, was boarded around 4:30am Monday morning, May 31, by Israeli commando soldiers who dropped down from helicopters and boarded with commando rubber dingys. In the mayhem that followed at least one soldier's automatic weapon was wrested from him by an activist who opened fire against the boarding commandos, who in turn returned fire, killing several activists and wounding many others. It now appears that those on board the vessels were expecting to engage Israeli military personnel as they were wearing life vests and wielding various weapons such as knives and clubs.

According to an Israeli military spokesmen, orders had been given to do what was necessary to maintain order as well as protect the lives of the soldiers involved in the operation. At least 10 activists were killed during the confrontation.

The activists, whose Free Gaze organization had set sail from Turkey a few days previously, had been monitored constantly by Israel and advance warnings had been given to the vessels not to try to "run" the blockade that the IDF has had on Gaza; by land as well as by air and sea. An offer had even been made to allow the aid flotilla unload its cargo at Ashdod Port, where the aid supplies would be permitted to proceed on to Gaza in trucks. The activists had a number of media representatives on board from Turkish TV and newspapers, as well as foreign media people from news bureaus such as Al Jazeera.

After gaining control of the vessels and their occupants, orders were given to tow the vessels to Ashdod, where the activists would be processed and treated for any wounds they sustained during the boarding operation. The more seriously wounded were evacuated by helicopter for treatment in Israeli hospitals.

Prior to the attack, Hamas political leaders in Gaza City were preparing a grand welcome for the Free Gaza flotilla and their occupants, hoping to gain more international support for their cause. Upon hearing news of the commando action, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haninyeh gave a call for all Palestinians to refuse to engage in peace talks with Israel. Various governments in Europe and elsewhere also strongly condemned the action.

For its part, Israeli government leaders, including Prime Minister Natanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak stated that "Israel will never give up the power to defend itself. In response to anti-Israel chants made by some of the 700 people who were on board the captured vessels, Asst. Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said: "Israel strongly condemns such statements as we publicized in various Medias today. The fact that such statements were made indicates the hatred these people have for the Jewish State."

The activists, including Nobel Prize laureate Mairead Corrigan-Maguire, will be deported from Israel after processing.

Israel currently allows around 15,000 tons of food, medicine and other humanitarian aid into Gaza on a weekly basis. Much of the aid on the vessels included electric wheel chairs, pre-fabricated houses and water purification equipment.

Once unloaded at Ashdod, the confiscated aid will be examined, and if found suitable will be delivered into the Gaza Strip via land crossings such as the Erez crossing, through which weekly humanitarian aid is usually channeled. This will be permitted despite the violence that has occurred, which the IDF claims was provoked by the aid group officials.

Shavuot and 'Bikurim' Festivals are Here

Delving through a mountain of blintzes, salads and cheese cakes (photo), many people look forward to the festival of Shavuot, the last important Jewish holiday of the year and also known as Bikurim or 'First Fruits' of the harvest. The holiday, which begins Tuesday evening, or the fifth day or the Hebrew month of Sivan, causes thousands of Israelis to rush to their favorite supermarket to stock up on provisions which such zeal that one would think that it was a week long festival instead of just one day.

One thing that may have been the cause for the abnormally large supermarket crowds, as well as the congested highways is that people are encouraged to visit many nature parks and Kibbutzim cooperative settlements which usually stage harvest pageants in which their members, especially children are dressed in special costumes to commemorate the bringing in of wheat and other crops.

Temperatures are still relatively comfortable, and Israel is blessed with a variety of natural sites, offering something for everyone. Those who are inclined can take advantage of these green spots, as well as seaside beach facilities on the Mediterranean Sea, Dead Sea, and Gulf of Eilat.

The parks and beaches surrounding Israel's only large fresh water lake, the Kinneret, are often very crowded, with many people camping out and cooking a variety of roasted meats on their barbeques or 'mangals'. The unpleasant side of this experience includes the overcrowding and the debris or garbage left behind, often scattered all over the park or beach front.

This year in particular, it is suggested that people think about conserving Israel's precious water resources as the country's only major fresh water lake, the Kinneret, is still very low, despite the rains which came this past winter. Another 'water issue' that people should become more interested in is the sad state of the Lower Jordan River, which for most of it's 115 kilometer distance after leaving the Kinneret is no more than a sewage canal, carrying a combination of raw sewage from towns and settlements along it's banks and saline water that is diverted into it from salt springs and fish ponds. Scientists studying the river's present situation fear that the Lower Jordan may even "run dry" by the end of 2011 when this sewage and saline water is treated by new sewage treatment plants and diverted to farmers for agricultural use.

From a religious standpoint, Shavuot is one of Israel's most important Jewish festivals, as it commemorates the receiving of the Torah or Laws of God which Moses received from God on Mt. Sinai. The name Shavuot, or "weeks", means the culmination of the seventh week from when the Children of Israel left their bondage in Egypt and began their long journey to the Land of Israel. For religious Jews, the entire night is spent in study and prayer which culminates the following morning. As noted at the beginning of this article, the holiday is also symbolized by eating dairy meals, especially various cheese dishes. Shavuot is the last major Jewish holiday of the year and also ushers in the summer period when many young couples get married in Israel.

Whether one celebrates this beautiful holiday from a religious or secular standpoint, the festival of Shavuot is beautiful time to be in the Land of Israel.

Blue and White - Made in Turkey

Every year, a new theme appears before the Israeli public dealing with the country's annual Fallen Soldier's Remembrance Day and Independence Day celebrations, which immediately follows the day when the people of Israel pay tribute to those who have fallen in battle or were victims of acts of terror. This year, the campaign takes on a familiar tone with emphasis being made to induce people to be more "blue and white" (the colors of Israel's national flag) by thinking more "Israeli". This includes listening to Israeli music, going to Israeli movies, theater, and other cultural performances; and especially in regards to purchasing products and services originating in Israel.

Along this line, a commercial being run on television stations and in cinemas is displaying a white T-shirt with a special design in blue, including a blue heart. This logo, made to resemble the horizontal stripes of our national flag, contains the words in Hebrew: Kulanu Cahol Levan, which means in English: "We are all Blue and White". While this symbolism is nice and is meant to inspire more patriotism in the Israeli public, there is one small catch: the label inside the shirt, showing who manufactured it, clearly says that these shirts are not made in Israel, but in Turkey; a country which is becoming more Islamic in its world outlook, and increasingly hostile to Israel.

The purpose of the revelation in this article, however, is not to try to generate public hostility towards a country which used to have strong personal and military ties with the Jewish State and where thousands of Israeli tourists still visit annually, despite the ravings of Turkish political officials – especially its present Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Edogan. No, the purpose of this article is to show that unfortunately fewer and fewer products can be considered as "blue and white" as it is becoming increasing harder to find things that are made in Israel; except for food and cleaning products (and even many of these are now being imported from abroad).

Most clothing sold in Israel is now imported, as it is in other countries such as in Western Europe, the U.K., and the USA. It's a sad fact of life, as most Israeli textile manufacturing companies have long since closed their doors, putting hundreds – perhaps thousands of people out of work with virtually no chance to find jobs in similar endeavors. This is also true for other products including electrical goods (long since outsourced), furniture and household consumer items, and especially in what used to be Israel's "jewel in the crown", polished diamonds and other precious stones. Try to find a diamond cutting and polishing factory in Israel today – nearly all of them are now operating in Asian countries like Thailand, India, China, and in Russia. While the owners of these factories may have names like Shlomo, Yossi and Avi, their workers do not, as the lower wages in these countries are just too enticing to try to keep these operations going in Israel.

Now, the last bastions of Israeli industrial genius, high tech industries, are themselves in danger of being outsourced to India and China. If this happens, the slogan "We are all blue – white" should be changed to another one: "we are all black and blue".

Perhaps a little more effort needs to be made to find ways of inducing more blue and white manufacturing to remain in and even return "home". For our industrial, economic and moralistic future depends on being truly "blue and white".

Is the Mossad Really the Blame for the Assassination in Dubai?

More than six weeks have passed following the January 19 killing of Hamas operative and master terror architect, Mahmoud al-Mahhouh, in his hotel room in the UAE Sheikdom of Dubai. Of the more than 18 suspects alleged to be involved in this "hit", all carrying forged passports with "stolen" identities of people living as far away as Australia, the main perpetrators suspected of planning and carrying out are members of what many are calling the act the "handy work" of Israel's chief security organization, the Mossad.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/dubai/7287207/Dubai-assassination-squad-carried-diplomatic-passports.html

The history of Israel's elite intelligence gathering and operations organization began virtually with the country's independence in May, 1948. Israel's early leaders, most particularly David Ben Gurion, Israel's first prime minister, saw a dire need to establish a special organization to replace earlier covert ones such as the Palmach, and Irgun, which had been involved in activities such as arms smuggling and manufacturing, smuggling of Jewish refugees into Palestine, and clandestine paramilitary operations that had been used against the British Mandatory Forces during the period of the British Mandate. From the Mossad's origin, on December 13, 1949, the main duties of those involved in this new branch of the Defense Ministry was to provide an external political information gathering service which included covert intelligence gathering beyond Israel's borders. Other activities of this new organization was to bring Jews to Israel from difficult locations abroad (especially Arab lands) and prevent terrorist acts against Israeli targets abroad. This activity in itself led to what has now become one of the Mossad's more well know activities: the planning and carrying out of special operations beyond Israel's borders.

Since the Mossad's formation, these "special operations" have included those such as the capture of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann, the tracking down and assassination of Arab terrorists who wee involved in the massacre of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich Germany; the assassination of Yehia El-Mashad, and Egyptian atomic scientist who was assisting Iraq to build it's first nuclear reactor (1980); the 1968 commandeering of the German ship Scheersberg A with a cargo of 200 tons of yellowcake uranium which was instrumental for developing Israel's own nuclear program; the assassination of numerous terrorists, including several prominent Palestinians such as Khalil Ibrahim al-Wazir (Abu Jihad) a Fatah military commander in Tunis in 1988; the near assassination of Hamas political leader Khaled Mashal in Amman Jordan (1997), the alleged killing of Hizbollah military leader Imad Mughniyeh in Damascus in February, 2008; and of course the recent Assassination of Hamas military leader Mahmoud al-Mahboubh, who Dubai police say was most likely injected with some kind of poison, as well as b being subjected to apparent torture while being interrogated by his killers.

Not every Mossad operation is successful; as was the case with Khaled Mashal (when two captured Mossad agents were traded back to Israel for the release of 80 high profile terrorists, including then Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin (
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Natanyahu went personally to Jordan to apologize to King Hussein); and in the case of two Israelis being apprehended in New Zealand with false passports, resulting in a diplomatic row between the two countries. Even though the "objective" of the Dubai operation was successful (if the Mossad was indeed involved), the operations involved have proved to be more costly than the benefit gained by al-Mahbouh's killing; especially the diplomatic fall-out that has resulted from the countries from which the passports and false identities were used. Australia's P.M. Kevin Rudd said that the using of 3 Australian passports in this operation "is of the deepest concern by my government".

But isn't the use of fake and stolen identities used in intelligence organizations all over the world, including the American CIA, British MI-5 and Russian KGB intelligence services? They surely are.

Despite the fallout from the Dubai affair, the Mossad will continue to engage in their very needed activities, as the survival of Israel vitally depends of these activities, including the "special operations" that the al-Mahbouh's assassination is definitely a part of.

Israeli Tennis Star Shahar Peer Claims Her Place in Dubai

Israeli tennis ace, Shahar Peer, earned her place in the Dubai Tennis Championship by reaching the tournament semi-final event by defeating the No.10 ranked player, Li Na, China's first Grand Slam tennis star. Peer, age 22, managed to defeat Na, who forfeited the second game against Peer due to suffering a back injury. Peer, who was refused a visa to play in Dubai last year, considered her playing there a moral victory; not only for herself but for Israel as well.

"It's not easy being Israeli in a place like Dubai; I'm the only player who has not played on center court (the court where the matches are televised and the top players are seen on)" she said. This was especially true, following the world-wide attention given the assassination of a top Hamas agent, Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, a few weeks before; and whose death is now being blamed on Israel's Mossad intelligence organization.

Shahar played against American tennis star Venus Williams in the semi-final event, losing against the No. 3 ranked player by 6-4, 6-1. But despite her loss to Williams (whom Peer has played against twice) the plucky Sabra athlete was still upbeat and considered her reaching the semi-finals well worth all the security problems she had to face during her stay in the Arab Emirate state. "From a tennis standpoint as well as a psychological standpoint, it was really an experience that I'll never forget. This was a dream week in which almost everything came together at the right time. If someone were to ask me if I would've been happy with this result a while ago, I would've gladly taken it", she said upon arriving back in Israel.

Due to security concerns, Peer could not mix with other tennis players and spent most of her stay in her hotel room – except when she was playing, of course. American tennis star Venus Williams said afterwards that she "really admired Shahar's courage and fortitude" and may have even helped Peer's attendance by saying that she would only go the tournament if Shahar Peer was allowed to play.

Currently ranked No. 22 in the world, Shahar's performance in Dubai may elevate her to be "within the top 20" in world ranking (she has previously been ranked as high as 17). Her reaching the "semis" in Dubai may also help her performance in other tournaments this year, including ones like the French Open and Wimbledon.

Incidentally, Shahar Peer was in the Israeli military and excelled in marksmanship; during her basic training. She spent her compulsory service as a secretary, while she also practiced playing tennis.

The Haiti Earthquake: Israeli Aid Teams Go Into Action

Last Wednesday's horrific 7+ magnitude earthquake in Port Au Prince Haiti, has all but devastated this island nation, said to be the poorest in the Western Hemisphere. This catastrophe, which many seismologists say may dwarf the 2008 earthquake in China (which killed more than 100,000) may even wind up being one of the worst in recorded history with possibly as many as half a million souls lost to the quake's massive destruction, and many thousands more succumbing to disease, hunger, and thirst.

Earthquakes are common in many parts of the world, especially in east and Southern Asia, the American West Coast, Mexico and Central America, and in many of the world's oceans. After all, it was a massive undersea earthquake off the western coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra that resulted in the massive tsunami tidal wave that killed more than 250,000 people on December 26, 2004. Closer to home, the 1999 earthquake in Izmit, Turkey, resulted in more than 17,000 known deaths, and caused widespread devastation. And like this earthquake and the recent ones in Iran and China, the exact death toll will never be known as literally thousands are buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings and will never be found.

Events like the one in Haiti, makes me, as a blogger, inclined to pause and reflect on how these sudden natural calamities not only cause widespread grief and sorrow, but also bring people together in what can be referred as their finest hour, to rescue those trapped, provide food and medical aid for the sick and injured survivors, and even bring smiles to the faces of those who have lost literally everything, including close family members.

When these tragic events occur, there are countries which are ready and willing to send aid to help alleviate the suffering of those most affected by an earthquake or other form of disaster, including a massive car bombing or other act of terrorism. One of these countries, Israel, became involved in this type of action following a massive car bombing of a military police station in southern Lebanon in 1982. This attack, resulting in the deaths of more than 50 border policemen and soldiers, caused the building they were sleeping in to literally collapse. The resulting death toll might have been much less had properly trained rescue teams been available to find and extract people from the rubble. As a result of this tragedy, the Israeli IDF created a special disaster rescue unit that through the years has not only seen action in aiding Israeli victims of disasters, but also many others as well. This rescue team has seen action in place like the US Embassy in Nairobi Kenya, which was the victim of a terrorist bombing, earthquakes and terror attacks in Mexico and other parts of Central and South America and of course the earthquake in Turkey. Israeli aid and medical teams were also call into action in Thailand and Sri Lanka following the 2004 tsunami there, where they set up a field hospital and also helped to find and identify victims of the tragedy, many of whom were decomposed beyond recognition.

With this new disaster in Haiti now upon us, Israeli rescue and aid units have already been mobilized, including two plane loads of aid workers and badly needed supplies. This aid comes from the people of Israel with the sheer idea of offering aid to their fellow human beings. And like other tragic events that these aid and rescue teams have been involved in, the Israeli delegation will undoubtedly do their part of help alleviate the suffering of many unfortunate victims.

One well known Israeli humanitarian, Abie Nathan, was an outstanding example of an Israeli who gave everything he had to come to the aid of the victims of such disasters – no matter whom or where they happened to be. Nathan's own daughter, living in Haiti for several years, was initially amongst the missing but has since made contact with her family and is thankfully unharmed.

For a short period of time at least, all kinds of people come together to render aid and comfort of those who are victims of such tragic events, and political and sectarian differences are cast aside. The assistance given by aid groups such as those from Israel may make many realize that those giving such aid and comfort, simply are a cut above those who don't – and Israel's tireless disaster aid workers are certainly no exception.

"The terrorists' Magna Carta": a former Israel Justice Minister speaks out against the Goldstone Report

Now that the well publicized Goldstone Report is being circulated throughout the Western World, it's legal foundation, as well as the credibility of it's "research" is being increasingly brought under scrutiny by political and legal authorities in the few countries where this document has not been accepted as prima face evidence of what really occurred during the 21 day Israeli-Palestinian war in Gaza, referred to by Israel as Operation Cast lead.

The 575 page report, said to be based on more than 10,000 pages of documents, photos and other "evidence" appears to put the onus of the blame on Israel, while whitewashing most, if not all, of actions by the Hamas led "militants", including using many Palestinians as human shields ("Hamas created a human shield of women and children, the elderly, and the mujahadeen against the Zionist bombing machine", as stated by a Hamas member and noted on p. 475 of the Report).

As a rebuttal to this report - which has been accepted by the UN Council on Human Rights by the lopsided vote of 25 to 6 - one of Israel's most distinguished legal authorities, Professor Daniel Friedman, who served as Israel's Justice Minister from February 2007 until March 2009, wrote a scathing rebuttal to the report. The report was completed by a UN sanctioned commission headed by another prominent legal personality, Judge Richard Goldstone, who like Friedman is also of the Jewish faith.

To put it bluntly, Professor Friedman dissects the so-called legal document, particularly the sections in which Israeli military forces are accused of being responsible for the killing of more than 1,200 Palestinians, the majority of whom were actually Palestinian "militants" or according to Friedman and Israeli political leaders, outright terrorists. In Freidman's letter, published in the Friday edition of the Jerusalem Post, he wrote: "false accusations against Israel are made in the absence of evidence or even contrary to the evidence, while the innocence of the terrorists is presumed even in the face of convincing evidence of guilt".

Friedman also noted statements given by outside military officials, including British Col. Richard Kemp, who said before a session of the UN Human Rights Council in October, that "the IDF took extraordinary measures to give Gaza civilians notice of areas to be targeted, dropping over 2 million leaflets and making over 100,000 phone calls….The civilian casualties were a consequence of Hamas' way of fighting. Hamas deliberately tried to sacrifice their own civilians".

What can be more to-the-point than that?

Later on in his letter, Professor Friedman notes that the make-up of the UN investigative commission itself included such people as Prof. Christine Chinkin, who one of the signatures to a letter published in the London Sunday Times in January that was entitled "Israel's bombardment of Gaza is not self-defense – it's a war crime". This should have resulted in Prof. Chinkin being considered as unfit to sit on the Goldstone Commission, but instead, Goldstone said he had no problem with her participation, and even considered Prof. Chinkin to be an "intelligent, sensible, even-handed person". "Even handed" indeed! Goldstone himself, when touring Gaza on a personal fact-finding mission following the fighting (see photo), was accompanied by Hamas officials who appeared to literally stage the entire visit, including statements by so called "witnesses to Israeli atrocities". Professor Friedman points out that both Hamas and Hizbollah are experts in diverting public away from their own criminal acts, and that both organizations are being aided and trained by Iran. Friedman even goes on to say that actions of groups like Hamas and Hizbollah are not unlike those of criminal organizations like the Mafia in regards to "respect for the law".

Prof. Friedman ends his rebuttal with a stern warning to Western societies to realize that actions of groups like Hamas are no better that those by organizations like the Taliban and Al Qaeda, and that all of these groups, especially Hamas, are now going to use the findings of the Goldstone Report as their "Magna Carta" to commit further acts of terror and intimidation with full assurance that they will be left alone by such world bodies as the UN Human Rights Council. Friedman warns that the result of this report will no only be damaging to Israel but to the entire Western world as well, as terror organizations like Hamas, Al Qaeda and others now have immunity.

Immunity! With this "immunity" we are all losers in a world battle against an uncompromising and unrelenting enemy.

Nearly 100 young single Jews arrive in Israel on final summer Nefesh b'Nefesh flight

Nearly 100 young Jewish singles from North America arrived in Israel Tuesday, September 8, aboard a chartered El Al Nefesh b'Nefesh (NBN) flight from New York. The singles, all new Olim, arrived at Ben Gurion Airport on the flight that made up a total of 204 New Olim or immigrants, on the last seasonal NBN flight that brought a record 3,000 new Olim to Israel this summer alone. The singles, numbering 24 men and 57 women, decided to try their luck at finding a Jewish spouse in the country that now has the largest number of Jews of any country in the world, including the USA.

What better way to celebrate the coming of the Jewish New Year of 5770?

One young immigrant, Zach Taylor, even wound up proposing to a young female arrival, Nechama Simon, in a touching scene that was later shown on TV. They were a good example of what many singles were saying in that they had good opportunity to "check out other singles on the flight". Many of the young arrivals came also to do army duty, saying that they feel it is their obligation as Jews to serve in the IDF. This summer alone, a total of 14 flights, 4 of them chartered and the rest group flights brought the largest number of NBN Olim to Israel since the Ailyah organization was founded in 2001. Since then, more than 28,000 new Olim from North America and the UK have arrived in Israel, courtesy of Nefesh b'Nefesh.

When asked why so many singles decided to try to try their luck in Israel, many said it was because of the continuing economic situation in America. But many others said it was because they felt something was profoundly missing from their lives. "I love Israeli women, they're much more mature and down to earth than American girls" one young man, Aviel Weinstein (age 26) said. As for Israeli men, Ruth Sagman, 21, from Montreal was quoted as saying: "Israeli men are much more respective of women" (hopefully she won’t follow what is often happening here in the news).

Nefesh b'Nefesh, together with the Jewish Agency, provides the new arrivals with a number of grants and subsidies to help them ease into the mainstream of Israeli life; providing the new Oleh commits to staying at least 3 years in Israel.

Among those on hand to greet the new Olim were a large group of former NBN arrivals, young Israeli soldiers handing out flowers and waving flags, and a number of government and political figures. Among these notables were Opposition Party Leader and Kadima Party head Tsipi Livni and new Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky, himself a former Oleh and Prisoner of Zion from the former Soviet Union.

A Mother's Son: Miki Goldwasser remembers her son Udi on Remembrance Day

As we once again remember the more than 22 thousand soldiers and civilians who have been killed in wars and acts of terror, we living in Israel cannot help but wonder how women such as Miki Goldwasser, the mother of Ehud (Udi) Goldwasser, can go from being in a state of sad remembering to one of joy when Yom HaZicharon (Soldiers Remembrance Day) changes in just 24 hours to the festivities of Yom HaAtzmaut.

Ehud Goldwasser, together with another soldier, Eldad Regev, were kidnapped on July 12, 2006 by the Hezbollah along the border with Lebanon. For two agonizing years, their exact fate had been unknown (at least to their loved ones) until their bodies were finally returned to Israel in two black boxes on July 16, 2008, virtually 2 years after their Humvee jeep had been attacked by enemy fire. Along with Udi's wife Carnit, his mother Miki had waged a relentless campaign to have him returned to his family, only to have him come home as another fallen soldier.

Miki was recently interviewed by the Jerusalem Post, during which time she talked about her son and what kind of person he had been during his short life of only 31 years. She recalled how he had become so much in love with life, and with his country and his wife, with whom he had planned to raise a family following their graduation from university (they were both graduate students at the Technion when the Lebanon II war broke out). She spoke about Udi's childhood and how, from a very early age, he had decided that he could live nowhere else but in Israel.

Udi's love of life was shown many times during his life, both at home, in school, in the army, and especially with Carnit, the love of his life, and childhood sweetheart. Although Udi had lived abroad with his parents from time to time (his father Shlomo was a merchant marine ship captain) Udi knew that he could live his life only in the country he loved. Miki recalled how her son had once told her that even though it was comfortable living in places like South Africa, he could only fulfill himself by living in Israel. He and Carnit were together for more than nine years before they finally married, and were only together as husband and wife for 10 months before that fateful day in July, 2006.

Both Miki and Shlomo have been active in the ongoing campaign to free captive soldier Gilad Schalit, and they have been regular visitors to the Schalit home in Moshav Mitzpeh Hilla in the Western Galilee. They understand what Noam and Aviva Schalit, Gilad's parents, are going through. And she is even more determined to perpetuate Udi's memory by helping other families whose sons have also fallen for the country they loved.

This is just one example of the brave young men and women who dedicate themselves to their country; and to their parents – ones like Miki and Shlomo Goldwasser.

Hopes rise for release of captive Israeli soldier

There appears to be increased optimism that captured Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit may soon be released from his nearly 3 year captivity by Hamas militants in Gaza. Schalit, whose army armor corps unit was attacked on June 25, 2006 while on patrol alongside Israel's Kerem Shalom border area; was taken back to Gaza by his captors following the ambush on his armored personnel carrier in which two Israeli soldiers were killed and three were wounded. Since then, no actual photographs or video films have been shown to indicate his condition, and only three letters have been given to his parents, Noam and Aviva, to confirm that the young soldier is alive.

Since his capture, intense local and international efforts have been made to secure his release from a captivity that is now in its 961st day. Until now, the release of the young soldier, who has been promoted to Staff Sergeant, has been delayed numerous times by unacceptable demands made by Hamas which has included releasing more than 1,000 Palestinians including several who have been found responsible for involvement in a number of deadly terror attacks against Israeli civilians.

A number of countries have tried to intervene on Schalit's behalf, including European ones like Germany and France. Due to his holding French nationality, Schalit was recently named an Honorary Citizen of Paris. Even the Catholic Church has tried to gain his release, through its representatives in Gaza; but until now, these efforts have been to no avail. Gilad's parents have been involved in a number of international rallies to gain more attention to the plight of their son; and recently, Aviva Schalit was featured on a weekend news magazine for the Israeli Channel 2 TVnetwork.

Following the 22 day Operation Cast Lead military actions between Israel and Hamas, diplomatic efforts have been stepped up on Schalit's behalf, and several meetings have been held in Cairo to work out a deal to gain his release. The Hamas organization, whose infrastructure was severely damaged during the war, which also left more than 1.300 Palestinians dead, appear to want to enter into a long period of quiet with Israel in order for them to rebuild installations damaged or destroyed. Schalit himself was reported by his captors to have been injured by explosions during the action.

Schalit's release is now a top priority for the Israeli government and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and other government officials are demanding that Schalit be released before Israel agrees to enter into a serious truce with Hamas and other Islamic terror organizations in Gaza. For their part, the Hamas leadership seems to be more in favor of the young soldier's release, providing certain "conditions" be met, including opening of border crossings to allow sufficient aid and supplies to enter the place that many people refer to as an "open air prison". There is also the matter of exchanging hundreds of Palestinian militants for a young man who never harmed anyone and only joined the army unit he was stationed in because he considered it his duty, since his elder brother Yoel had also served in this unit.

All everyone can hope for now is that Gilad is alive and in some measure of good health, despite the suffering that both he and his family have endured during this long period.

The IDF Launches Air and Ground assaults on Hamas militants

Following a barrage of rockets and mortar rounds on southern Israeli towns and settlements, Israeli air and ground forces began Operation Cast Lead on December 27 2008 against Hamas militants who have been firing scores of rockets on targets as far as Beer Sheva and Ashdod. The combined air and ground actions have so far resulted in substantial damage to the infrastructure of the Hamas organization including the destruction of numerous government buildings and other structures and the deaths of more than 400 Hamas militants. Israeli casualties include 4 deaths and scores for people wounded or treated for shock and trauma. The constant rocket launchings against Israel have caused a certain amount of property damage as well, leaving the IDF no choice other than to launch the military operations to severely limit Hamas' ability to strike Israeli targets.

While these measures against Gaza may seem harsh, in the end they may actually save the people living there as it appears that the Hamas organization has less regard for their welfare than its leaders try to portray. Even though Hamas has provided some help to local Gazans, that assistance has come at a price. And that price is the hold that Hamas has over the very lives of the people. If that is not tyranny, then what is?

Something has to be done to break the cycle of hatred that inspires Palestinian parents to praise their children when they choose to become suicide bombers and throw their lives away for what they consider to be "holy martyrdom". Young children are taught to hate literally from birth, and those who are leading them, i.e. the Hamas controlled government, even encourages this kind of activity.

As for Israel's current military assault against Gaza, which has unfortunately killed and injured scores of ordinary Gaza citizens, the Israeli government was left with no choice after residents of southern Israeli cities and towns were once again subjected to bombardment by rockets launched from Graze following the end of the six months old cease fire. Even U.S. President George Bush and President Elect Barack Obama were quoted as saying that they would advocate the same retaliation if their families were subjected to such actions.

It wasn't so long ago that more than 150,000 Gazans worked in Israel, and supporting their families with their wages. A substantial amount of trade was also affected between the two sides; and once a European automobile manufacturer even considered building a vehicle assembly plant in Gaza City. All this is history now, and with unemployment in Gaza reaching official figures of more than 50%, opportunities in "The Strip" are virtually nil.

When the fighting finally does stop, a good portion of Gaza's infrastructure will have to be rebuilt, resulting in construction jobs for many Gaza workmen currently unemployed. But for the long term, the people of Gaza will be much better off with a different leadership which is more receptive to developing peaceful coexistence with its Israeli neighbors, rather than continuing the cycle of violence that has been in effect for so long. As for who will eventually save Gaza, in the end, only the people of Gaza can save themselves from the hardships and misery they are now facing.

President Obama and the Jewish State

In what has been heralded as a historic moment for his country, Senator Barack Hussein Obama was elected November 4 as the 44th President of the U.S.A. by a more than 2 to 1 Electoral vote margin and by more than 7 million popular votes. Obama defeated Senator John McCain, whom many people living in Israel believed would be the better choice for carry on the close relationship between their country and the U.S.A. Now that the election is over, the big question is how the new president will act towards the Jewish State; as well as towards Israel's neighbors, including the Palestinians, Lebanese, Syrians, and other Arab entities who are still in either a state of conflict or war against Israel.

President-elect Obama has visited Israel twice: once in early 2004 after becoming a U.S. Senator, and last June while still a presidential candidate. During Obama's three day whirlwind last summer, he met with Israel government officials and visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial as well as the Western Wall. He also toured briefly in the southern town of Sderot, which at that time was under siege from Palestinian launched Kassam rockets from neighboring Gaza. During this visit, he pledged that if elected president his administration would continue its close relationship with its Israeli ally, a pledge that he has continued to reiterate on to this day.

Now that Barack Obama is going to be the next American president, only time will tell if he will honor this pledge which includes assurances that his country will help Israel maintain its qualitative strategic edge over its enemies, including Iran. This pledge will undoubtedly be tested, possibly not long after the new president is inaugurated on January 20, 2009. Towards the end of the presidential campaign, Senator Joe Biden, Obama's running-mate for Vice President, was quoted as saying that he believed that during the first six months of the new president's term he will be tested by adversaries in order to see how he will stand up against a threat to his country. This statement was taken seriously by many, an even used by his opponent in campaign ads to say that Obama might not be able to meet the challenge of this kind of threat.

That the forewarned threat might involve Israel, is something that concerns many people, including Israel's political and military leaders. Israel is itself scheduling parliamentary elections for January, 2009, after Kadima Party leader Zippy Livni could not form a coalition government following her winning the recent primary elections in her party. The outcome of these scheduled elections will determine who will be working with the new president, who himself will just beginning his term of office. Obviously, a right winged Israeli government led by Likud Party leader Binyamin Natanyahu will not be as flexible as one led by Ms. Livni. But we will only know this after the elections take place. Obama has shown that he can be a good listener. The big question now is how well he will be able to "listen" to what is needed to solve the problems dealing with Israel and her adversaries.