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.

Caring For Israels Finest

LIBI, meaning "My Heart", is a special private fund that was established to provide assistance and services to serving in the Israel Defense Forces, otherwise known as the IDF. Funds received by LIBI are used to assist soldiers in a number of ways, including educational programs, medical assistance programs, assistance for lone or "boded" soldiers who immigrated to Israel without their immediate families, and have no place to go when on leave. The money raised by LIBI volunteers helps augment the already strained defense budget of Israel's government, which simply cannot provide the needed services and assistance that organizations like LIBI can provide.

With the Rosh Hashonah and Yom Kippur holidays soon upon us, the assistance provided by LIBI to immigrant soldiers helps them to participate Israel's major Jewish holidays. LIBI provides gift parcels for the soldiers which include clothing, toiletries, sweets, and other personal items as well as giving financial assistance to help the young soldiers pay for renting rooms and group apartments to enable them to feel that they are with "family". The Organization also helps the soldiers with finding places to stay with families in order to truly feel part of Israeli society.

And for soldiers who come form poor families, LIBI also helps provide financial assistance, including food vouchers, increased monthly pay, and special loans and grants to not only assist the soldiers, but help their families too.

LIBI also provides for needed medical equipment in hospitals and other medical facilities that care for soldiers, not only in time of war, but in the event of serious injury or illness. Funds donated by contributors abroad recently enabled the purchase to two ambulances to transport soldiers from their bases to hospitals for needed medical treatment. Medical aid raised by LIBI volunteers helped considerably during the 2006 War in Lebanon, when IDF solders suffered numerous casualties, requiring immediate medical attention. A special medical center to treat wounded and sick IDF solders was inaugurated at the Medical Corps Base in Beer Sheva. The center not only includes a modern surgical and convalescent treatment facility, but a complete dental treatment unit as well. LIBI also helped a special rehabilitation center at the Tzriffin Army base, outside of Tel Aviv. This center includes a special orthopedic treatment and convalescence unit to treat IDF soldiers to recover from serious orthopedic injuries.

One might think that it is easy to solicit enough funds to provide for these projects. In reality, LIBI personnel and volunteers must work very hard to solicit and receive the necessary funds, both in Israel and abroad. This work includes annual fund raising campaigns as well and special fund raising projects during the year. Although large sums of money are occasionally received from individuals and groups abroad, the LIBI fund receives most of its funds from small contributions from individuals and families. These amounts can be anywhere from the equivalent of 3 to 5 dollars, and even small donations are greatly appreciated. As was said once by Yizhak Rabin, an IDF Chief of Staff from 1964 to 68 and twice Israel's prime minister:

"Our soldiers prevail not by the strength of their weapons but by their sense of mission; by their consciousness of the justness of their cause, by a deep love for their country, and by their understanding of the heavy task laid upon them: to ensure the existence of our people in their homeland and to affirm, even at the cost of their lives, the right of the Jewish people to live their lives in their own state, free, independent and in peace"

Oketz Dog Wars

War Dogs


When Israeli army units go into battle, or on patrol, Man's Best Friends often go with them. In fact, these canine members of a special unit known as OKETZ (Hebrew for sting) have been so successful that when they are killed in action they are buried in special military cemeteries and receive full military honors.

Although dogs have been used by the Israeli military and police units for some time (police have their own K-9 units which are similar to those in the USA and other countries), the present format of the Oketz units have proven themselves to be invaluable in both locating explosives and other dangerous objects, as well as locating terrorists and other enemy persons during patrols into areas such as Gaza and the West Bank, not to mention during wartime. During the 2006 war in Lebanon, Oketz unit dogs were invaluable in finding explosives as well as during night patrols into enemy territory. Although several different kinds of dogs have been used for this kind of duty, including Rottweilers and German Shepherds, the most suitable breed is the Malinois or Belgian Shepherd, due to it's size, short fur, and color.

Belgian Shepherd pups are chosen at an early age and sent to special training schools which last several months. During this training period, each dog is assigned to a soldier who has also undergone a special preliminary training course prior to being assigned his or her "buddy". Both dogs and their handler literally live and work together and form a close bond with each other. This relationship becomes so close that both animal and human literally depend on each other for survival when on duty.
Often, the dog becomes the personal pet of his trainer after leaving active duty.

When an Oketz dog is killed during a patrol or other operation, they are buried in a special pet cemetery located in the central part of the country. The cemetery is a special memorial place for these fury heroes, and includes a special inscription at the cemetery entrance, that translated into English reads: Walk softly, for here lie soldiers of Israel. On each miniature tombstone is inscribed the dog's name, date of death, and that the dog died during military action.

The use of these dogs has become so successful that they are hated by Arab in areas where the dogs are often sent on patrol, due to the Arab's frequent acts of violence during political and similar demonstrations, especially in the West Bank. Despite the occasional controversies surrounding their use, these brave "dogs of war" have proven their value time and time again, and have saved many human lives. Their use by the Israeli military will continue to be an outstanding contribution to helping to preserve the future of the State of Israel.

Hativat Golani Brigade Attracts Israeli Youth

Formed during the early years of Israel's existence as a defensive unit to protect Israel's Northern border with Lebanon and Syria, the Hativat Golani Brigade resulted from the combination of two older fighting units, the Lebanon and Carmeli brigades, to form what is now considered as one of the country's top infantry units.

Since its formation in February, 1948, the Hativat Golani has seen action in every major war involving Israel, as well as numerous smaller military actions, especially those against terrorist infiltrations and special operations in the West Bank.

Known by their brown berets and olive tree arm patches, Hativat Golani is one of the most decorated combat units and is often likened to such foreign military combat units as the U.S. 1^st Calvary Brigade and the British SAS. Also known as the "Farmer's Brigade" with their brown berets denoting their attachment to the soil, Golani fighting units have some of the toughest training programs of any modern military organization in the world today.

The Golani Brigade is divided into four infantry battalions, including a special reconnaissance battalion, "The Egos" and a special unit battalion that includes anti-tank and engineering companies. The Sayeret Golani, the brigades most elite unit, is the one that pulled off the Entebbe Operation in July, 1976.

Golani units have seen intense military action on Israel's border with Lebanon, especially during the 1982 Operation Peace for Galilee campaign, and countless border skirmishes with the Hezbollah in Lebanon. More recent combat activities involving Golani Brigade soldiers include operations in the West Bank, and the 2006 war in Lebanon.

Young Israeli youth are particularly attracted to signing up for this unit, and many Golani Brigade soldiers have hailed from kibbutzim and moshavim (agricultural settlements).

Golani Brigade soldiers are known for their high military camaraderie; for this reason many young Israeli youth are willing to undergo the brigade's intense training program, in which many do not pass. Israel's current Army Chief of Staff, Major General Gabi Ashkenazi, an agricultural moshav member, was Hativat Golani Brigade's Commander from 1986 to 88.

Golani Brigade badges and insignia, including Golani Warrior, Palsar Golani Sayeret badges and "Olive Tree" arm patches are highly prized among military insignia collectors the world over. This is particularly true for the Golani Recon Sayeret Battalion, whose members are often compared with the elite American Army "Rangers" combat unit.

Givati Brigade - Israel's Southern Defense Strength

The IDF's Givati Brigade went into action again on Monday in Israel's southern border with Gaza. Often considered to be the equivalent of the Israeli Military's famed Golani Brigade, stationed mostly on Israel's northern borders with Lebanon and Syria, the Givati Brigade is the IDF's elite mechanized infantry brigade whose primary function is to defend Israel's long southern border with both Egypt and the Gaza Strip.

Formed in 1948 during the War of Independence, what became known as the Hativat Givati Brigade has seen combat action in virtually all of Israel's wars with her Arab neighbors. Since the start of the second Palestinian uprising, better known as the "Al Aqsa Intifada" or "the second Intifada" in the year 2000, Givati Brigade forces have been deployed along the borders of the Gaza Strip, and have seen action on numerous occasions against Palestinian insurgents and terrorists who continue to engage in acts of terror against Israeli towns and settlements in the country's southern regions.

Givati Brigade soldiers, distinguished by their special insignia and purple berets, have been decorated time and time again for acts of bravery under fire; including such notable operations as the one in 2004, when Palestinian terrorists used UN vehicles in order to transport fighters and arms for use against Jewish settlers living in Gaza settlements.

The Givati Brigade is divided into three battalions: Shaked, Zabar, and Rotem. They also have special units involved in reconnaissance, amphibious assault operations, and engineering units. One unit in particular, the 846 Shualey Shimshon, or Samson's Foxes, was patterned after the famous British 'Desert Foxes' Battalion that distinguished itself in North Africa during WWII.

Since Israel's disengagement from Gaza in August 2005, Israeli forces, including those of the Givati Brigade, have had to re-enter the Strip on several occasions to either capture or kill terrorists and militia forces suspected of planning and carrying out acts of terror against Israel. Many of these military actions have been in response to continued launchings of home-made "Kassam" rockets, of which more than 4,000 have been launched against Israelis, most notably targeting towns such as Sderot.

Following the kidnapping of IDF Corporal Gilad Schalit in June 2006, Givati Brigade soldiers have been involved in a number of military actions inside Gaza, including Operation Summer Rains, which resulted in over 300 terrorists being killed, and Operation Hot Winter in early 2008.

In the aftermath of several attacks on Israelis involved in transporting fuel and other supplies into Gaza, and the continuous missile barrages, including those of longer range against the city of Ashqelon, the IDF is said to be planning another large scale offensive on the level of Operation Summer Rain. Meanwhile, small Givati units continue to enter the Strip to carry out operations against Hamas and other Palestinian terrorists such as the most recent one on June 16, in which 3 Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists were killed.

The Givati Brigade, like the Golani Brigade in the north, will continue to do its duty to protect Israeli civilians for as long as this is necessary, since no peace has yet been made with groups like Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and others bent on attacking innocent people in Israel. We who live in the Jewish State owe a great deal to these fine young men who constantly put themselves at risk to guard and protect their fellow Israeli citizens.

The IDF Rebuilds Its Military Infrastructure

The Israeli Defense Forces, otherwise known as the IDF, have undergone considerable upgrading since the 2006 war in Lebanon. Following the appointment of former Golani Brigade commander Lt. General Gaby Ashkenazi to IDF Chief of Staff, virtually all branches of Israel's military, especially its ground forces, have undergone a number of changes to prepare for a possible future war with the Hezbollah and possibly Syria as well. Askenzaki is well suited for his new role as he has considerable combat experience and is well acquainted in ground combat fighting, as he was a commander of what many consider to be the IDF's top fighting unit.

Being a field commander, General Ashkenazi is much more suited to head the IDF than his predecessor, Dan Halutz, who formerly headed the Israeli Air Force before his appointment to be C.O.S., by then Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in 2005. One of General Ashkenazi's major tasks has been to improve the morale in IDF military units, especially among reserve soldiers, considered to be the backbone of the country's military. Gross logistical failures during what is now called the Lebanon II War, resulted in many reserve soldiers saying that they would refuse to fight in a new conflict unless considerable changes were made to enable them to have the required equipment and training needed to face an enemy that has grown much stronger and is better equipped than in previous years.

For security reasons, a number of these revisions have not been disclosed to the general public. One of main problems that many IDF officers have had is in regards to the type of warfare known as asymmetric warfare that is now being fought not only by Israel against its enemies but by other armies such as the American-led coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Russian forces in provinces such as Chechnya. In asymmetric warfare, different ideologies and the will to fight often results in a lesser equipped enemy having an advantage over a stronger, better equipped army.

Besides Israel's ground forces, including the highly acclaimed Givati brigade, the armor corps in which the Ga'ash Formation is the largest armor group, and special units such as the Egoz special operations unit, the IDF is also upgrading the Naval Forces and Air Forces.

Speaking at a recent officer's school graduation ceremony at Mitzpeh Ramon, both General Ashkenzi and Defense Minister Ehud Barak (a former C.O.S. himself) warned that the IDF must be ready to face the threat of possible regional conflict that could break out at any time, especially following the assassination of Hezbollah's top terror strategist Imad Monighyeh in March 2008, and in light of Hezbollah's recent political gains in the Lebanese parliament.

Throughout Israel's 60 years as an independent country, its army has had to make constant upgrades in its ability to meet the challenges facing the Jewish State in light of constantly changing realities. Only in this way can a small country such as Israel meet the challenges of facing its enemies and prevailing against them.

Reflections on Israeli POW's and the public's reaction towards them on Israel's 60th

Last Friday, May 2nd, a very interesting article appeared in the Weekend supplement of the Jerusalem Post, Israel's oldest English language newspaper. The article, entitled Stigma of Surrender, and written by correspondent Larry Derfner, dealt with Israelis who had been taken prisoner in various wars, especially the Yom Kippur War of 1973 and the first Lebanese War of 1982. Former Israeli POW's who had been taken prisoner and later released, recounted their experiences in the hands of the enemy, and what happened to them after their final release. Many of them said that the treatment they received by IDF authorities who "interrogated" them afterwards was (from a psychological basis) almost as bad as when they were prisoners of war, or of terrorists.

With Israeli soldiers such as Gilad Schalit, Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser still not back home after nearly two years, this year's Soldier's Remembrance Day and Independence Day celebrations will take on a special meaning for members of their families, as well as for many other Israelis.

Israel will be celebrating its 60th anniversary as an independent state this week; and the matter of captured and missing soldiers is an issue even more important, especially in light of recent offers to affect a prisoner exchange with the Hamas organization for captured soldier Gilad Schalit.

Many people in Israel feel that trading this young soldier's life (assuming he's still alive) for several hundred Hamas and other terrorists who will only go back to killing Jews, is not going by the old Rabbinical context of "he who saves one life has saved the entire world". This time it's entirely different.

I wouldn't want to be in the shoes of either Mr. and Mrs. Schalit or the Prime Minister in regards to what to do in this situation. Israeli prisoners have mainly been repatriated in wartime - and at that most were from the Egyptians who were only slightly more humane than their Syrian allies.

Regarding soldiers captured or taken prisoner by terrorist groups, it's nearly always been a death sentence - except for some like Elhanan Tennenbaum, an Israeli reserve officer who was captured while in Dubai on a "business trip" and later transported to Lebanon, and who may have had "connections" which enabled him to stay alive.

Some people feel that Israeli solders should be issued a cyanide pill, like Mossad agents are, and if they have the opportunity, to simply swallow it. At least it prevents the suffering, including by such as Ron Arad, who may actually have died long ago (this was supposedly verified by Russian and other foreign diplomats who received inside information).

That's the sad reality of being captured as an Israeli soldier. So much for the "Pinchas Shevi" (POW ID Card) issued every IDF recruit. Some say that it's not worth the paper it's printed on!

Or is it?

I'm quite sure that if one talks to parents and relatives of the three young men mentioned here, they will definitely agree that Israeli soldiers should not only come back alive but should be given the honor that they truly deserve. In fact, I'm sure these relatives feel that Israeli leaders are not doing enough to ensure their loved ones' release.

As Israelis celebrate 60 years of independence, they should also take time to reflect on these brave young men who so much deserve to come home – with honor – to their loving and waiting families.