Israel

[ScottL]

Policewoman killed in Jerusalem attack 'fought like a lioness'

To my sister in arms

Dearest Hadas,

I can't believe that I'm sitting here writing to you under these circumstances, when you are no longer here. Ever since Friday, I've been feeling I'm living in a nightmare. I keep hoping that you'll open the door to our room and come in making too much noise and wake me up with your smile and that laugh of yours.

To lose a sister in arms for the second time is a nightmare. My heart hurts so much. I refuse to believe, refuse to accept. I try to remember the moments we had together -- the happy and the sad, the exciting and the mundane. It makes me sad that I don't remember it all, and it makes me frustrated to talk about you in the past tense. Had I known that this would happen, I would have taken your picture every moment, every second you were next to me.

This week we happened to recall how we met. The story of our friendship began a year and a bit ago, when I joined the unit as a new recruit. I entered the office and saw you sitting on a chair next to the computer. I never imagined that over time you would become my shoulder to lean on for anything, at any time.

Our beginning was not the best, as we were complete opposites and this caused a lot of friction. But you would always find a way to reconcile. It was then that I began to love you, and see you as a role model, a big sister.

Now that you are no longer next to me, who will take your place? Who will guide me and give me the best and truest advice there is? You always used to tell me: "It's all for the best, sister. Whatever needs to happen will happen, and what is yours will be yours and will come directly to you. As long as you wake up in the morning with family and friends who love you, you'll be happy."

It's hard for me to be happy now, but I promise to continue loving you forever, and that you will continue to be in our hearts, in our spirit and in our souls, every hour of every day.

My dear friend, you taught me so much. I remember all the funny moments we shared on our shifts. How we enjoyed every moment together, no matter how hard things became. How I realized that we are actually very similar. You completed me.

You were like a mother to all the girls in the unit. You always made sure that everyone was on good terms, that there wouldn't be any fighting and that we would always be smiling and happy. You were my angel, and you will always continue to be.

You were a true role model for every female fighter and commander in the Border Police. Your legacy will always be in our hearts and we promise to follow in your footsteps. Even though the despicable terrorist succeeded in taking you from us, we will never let him take your memory and your heroism.

Sisush! You would laugh if you heard me calling you that. We had so many plans and dreams. You left a unit in mourning and friends in pain, but it's at these sad moments that I'm happy and thankful to God for the opportunity to have known you and to have served with you. My sister in arms, you are a role model for me personally and for all female fighters in the Border Police. A role model for everyone in the State of Israel, the country you served faithfully until your last breath.

I promise I will never forget you. You will always be with me everywhere I go in life, every step of the way. I love you with all my heart and body, and I miss you. I know that we will meet some day, and hope that maybe somehow it will all turn out to be a bad dream.

Yours always.

Eden Panker served in the Border Police with Staff Sgt. Hadas Malka, who was killed in the stabbing attack in Jerusalem on June 16.

 

[ScottL]

Even the Lefty at Haaretz know the truth!

• Israelis Should Listen to Abbas - to Every Word - Gadi Taub
  Ha'aretz's May 29 editorial was "Listen to Abbas." I want to join this call. Listen very carefully. Abbas is very careful to use the term "two states," but not "for two peoples." Because the Jews are not a people in his eyes, the two states that Abbas refers to are a national Palestinian state and a country called Israel, to which "the refugees" eventually "will return." Two countries will be west of the Jordan: one theirs and the other - also theirs.
  Abbas knows from experience that it is sufficient to wrap this hostile position in a few terms that have a friendly ring - peace, harmony - so that well-meaning Israelis will hasten to interpret them according to their own wishes, ignoring everything else he says, allowing him to blur the fact that the Palestinians have refused every serious proposal put before them.
  Last month, during his visit to India, Abbas spoke of the Nakba - an injustice that, in his words, "began over 100 years ago with the appearance of Zionism with its false vision....Our people will not leave behind the issue of the Nakba until all their legitimate national rights are recognized, without exception - and first and foremost, the right of return."
  If we begin to listen to Abbas, methodically and over time, we will discover that he is not preparing himself for any compromise. The writer is a senior lecturer in communications and public policy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. (Ha'aretz)

 

[ScottL]

New Palestinian Attempt at UNESCO to Claim Hebron and the Patriarch's Tomb as a Palestinian Site - Amb. Alan Baker (Institute for Contemporary Affairs-Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs)

• Hebron, situated in the biblical region of Judea, is the site of the oldest Jewish community in the world, and since Bible times has been considered the second holiest city in Judaism after Jerusalem.
  
• The most famous historic site in Hebron is the Cave of the Patriarchs, which, as described in the book of Genesis, Abraham purchased from Ephron the Hittite for over 400 silver shekels to bury his wife, Sarah. Abraham insisted on purchasing the cave through a publicly witnessed, legal transaction in the presence of all residents of the town.
• The Palestinian attempt to mislead the international community regarding the Jewish history and heritage in the town of Hebron and the Cave of the Patriarchs runs contrary to the PLO commitment to foster a positive and supportive public atmosphere, mutual trust, and good faith in the relations between the two peoples as set out in Article XVI of the 1995 Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip (Oslo II).
• Article VII of the Protocol annexed to the Oslo agreement, together with the 1997 Hebron Protocol, sets down agreed guidelines for Hebron within the context of joint governance of the holy places.
• It is high time that the international community wakes up to the blatant abuse and manipulation of bodies such as UNESCO by the Palestinian leadership.
• The damage caused by such abusive Palestinian political exercises - all with the aim of delegitimizing Israel and nullifying Jewish history and heritage - will be irreparable.
  
  The writer, former legal adviser and deputy director-general of Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participated in the negotiation and drafting of the Oslo Accords with the Palestinians.

 

[GasMan]

Who's Obama?

 

[SheriffJoe]

DESPITE SYRIA, ISRAEL-RUSSIA RELATIONS ARE THE WARMEST IN HISTORY

BYSETH J. FRANTZMAN

MARCH 25, 2017 04:20

Both countries understand each other’s redlines and are cooperating on other fronts.

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/De...a-relations-are-the-warmest-in-history-485062

=====================================================================

"Vlad The Cold-Blooded Killer"...

@)

 

[ScottL]

This is either infantile thinking, or another wasted effort to troll me because you're chappped by what I said in other threads.

Anyway fine, no problem. I'll address your post and pretend it was legit.

(But before I do let me say ...... Vlad, Great Guy )

Israel's relations with every country in the world are better than they've ever been. Like Egypt for example. Now if you think Bibi doesn't know Vlad is a cold-blooded killer you're more willfully blind than previously thought. The current Israel-Russia relationship sits on quicksand as they are allies of convenience.

Israel is using Russia because they got an offer they couldn't refuse, as what other choice do they have when Russia comes calling with their war machine already next door? Play ball and hope for a good outcome.

Meanwhile Russia is leveraging Israel as they do everyone else while they eyeball more territory to conquer and control. And now Vlad is threatening the US. Should Vlad flip and decide that turning against Israel benefits him he'll do it on a dime and with no repentance.

 

[SheriffJoe]

This is either infantile thinking, or another wasted effort to troll me because you're chappped by what I said in other threads.

Anyway fine, no problem. I'll address your post and pretend it was legit.

(But before I do let me say ...... Vlad, Great Guy )

Israel's relations with every country in the world are better than they've ever been. Like Egypt for example. Now if you think Bibi doesn't know Vlad is a cold-blooded killer you're more willfully blind than previously thought. The current Israel-Russia relationship sits on quicksand as they are allies of convenience.

Israel is using Russia because they got an offer they couldn't refuse, as what other choice do they have when Russia comes calling with their war machine already next door? Play ball and hope for a good outcome.

Meanwhile Russia is leveraging Israel as they do everyone else while they eyeball more territory to conquer and control. And now Vlad is threatening the US. Should Vlad flip and decide that turning against Israel benefits him he'll do it on a dime and with no repentance.

Wait...

You mean to tell me Israel is basing its warm Russian relations on the sound foreign policy principle of SELF-INTEREST rather than the futile UN/Dimocrap/John VcVain/Scott L approach of moral grandstanding sticking your nose into everyone's affairs?

So maybe Vlad doesn't live up to YOUR standards of morality (homosexual propaganda is banned in Russia - the horror!).

a) like or not, Russia is a world player
b) the cold war is over - relics from that era like NATO should be dissolved
c) the west shares MANY common interests with Russia

So why not seek common ground and get along with the Russians? (Oh chit...now Dimocraps are going to investigate me for collusion!)

Good to see Bibi understands all this...even though you do not!

 

[ScottL]

Joe, pretend to laugh all you want. But if you think you're going to alter my posts and change my reasons for how I decide my views by calling me a homo you can talk to yourself.

 

[SheriffJoe]

Joe, I just really need some good dick but lately I haven't even been able to get my cranky ass out of bed!

Shush()*

 

[ScottL]

So here is the poster who whined incessantly about another poster blowing up threads, and cried to get him banned .... now blowing up this thread because he's chapped that the poster who started it can't be bullied into agreeing with his fringe right stances on every other issue.

 

[SheriffJoe]

So here is the poster who whined incessantly about another poster blowing up threads, and cried to get him banned .... now blowing up this thread because he's chapped that the poster who started it can't be bullied into agreeing with his fringe right stances on every other issue.

Why so sour lately? It's LGBT Pride Month!

 

[ScottL]

Great burn Joe. I won't be back until after 6:30. You could get a lot more shots in before then, since everyone knows you have nothing else to do.

 

[SheriffJoe]

Great burn Joe. I won't be back until after 6:30. You could get a lot more shots in before then, since everyone knows you have nothing else to do.

What's next? Inviting me to your private box at CBP and public announcements of the next BIG SCOTT L NATION BBQ?

hno:

 

[Dave007inVegas]

What's next? Inviting me to your private box at CBP and public announcements of the next BIG SCOTT L NATION BBQ?

hno:

Honest to god I was thinking the exact same thing.

 

[ScottL]

Turning everyone who disagrees with you into your version of the world's worst person is a game you two play as a temporary salve for your low self-esteem. No one else here is buying it.

 

[ScottL]

Israel and Jordan Grow Closer as Iranian Foothold in Southern Syria Grows Stronger - Amos Harel (Ha'aretz)
Israel and Jordan are concerned about the growing Iranian influence in Syria and Iraq.
They are also concerned that Iran will deploy forces from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and Shi'ite militias, particularly Hizbullah, in the vicinity of Syria's borders with Jordan and Israel.
According to press reports, Israel has provided Jordan with intelligence and security assistance in the face of threats by Islamic State and rising Iranian hegemony in the region.

Germany to Send Fighter Jets to Train in Israel - Gili Cohen (Ha'aretz)
Almost 70 foreign planes from nine countries, along with hundreds of pilots, will take part in the biennial Blue Flag exercise in Israel in November.
Germany, one of the participating countries, will for the first time send fighter jets to the exercise, alongside an aerial refueling plane, pilots and senior officials from its army and air force.
In addition, India will send combat planes, France will send its Rafale fighter aircraft, and Greece, Italy, Poland and the U.S. will also send planes and crews.
As part of the exercise, foreign crews will practice handling the threat of advanced surface-to-air antiaircraft missiles.

• 
  [*]Saudi Arabia's New Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Is Good News for Israel and U.S. - Zvi Bar'el
  Many expect that in the not-too-distant future, Saudi King Salman, who is ill, will step down and hand the scepter to his son, the new crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, 32. Bin Salman's firm anti-Iranian positions make him an important partner for Israel and the U.S. He also agrees with America on the need to thwart Russian influence in the region; to topple President Bashar Assad's regime in Syria; and to act firmly against ISIS and other radical organizations, from the Muslim Brotherhood to Hizbullah. During the last two years, several Arab websites have reported that bin Salman also met with top Israelis. (Ha'aretz)
• Unlikely Allies: Israel and the Saudis - John R. Bradley
  Israel's Channel 2 interviewed Saudi policy analyst Abed al-Hamid Hakim last week in Jeddah. After word of the interview got out in Saudi Arabia, there was no serious backlash. Having worked for a number of years in the heart of the government-controlled media in Jeddah, I know that such an interview could never have taken place without the go-ahead from the very highest levels of the Saudi regime.
  An equally unprecedented column about the Jewish state duly appeared in the Saudi daily Al Riyadh, which is closely guided and monitored by the government. After praising the peace accords Israel has signed with Egypt and Jordan, Musaid al-Asimi wrote that there was no reason for Arabs to "unjustifiably demonize" Israel. Iran, not Israel, he concluded, must henceforth be considered Saudi Arabia's regional enemy. (Spectator-UK)
• How Fear Changed Saudi Arabia - Walter Russell Mead
  Saudi Arabia used to be one of the most cautious players in the world of diplomacy. Not anymore. In the past three weeks, the Saudis have launched a coordinated diplomatic offensive against neighboring Qatar, hinted at new ties with Israel, and turned up the heat in their confrontation with Iran. Meanwhile, they continue to bomb Yemen to support their local allies in that country.
  So what is behind the new Saudi activism? Fear. It's an emotion that comes naturally to an oil-rich kingdom with a relatively small population in a neighborhood full of predatory rivals. For years the Saudis felt they could take shelter behind a strong and confident America. In Riyadh, the Age of Insecurity began when President Obama's outreach to Iran - and his willingness to overlook its unprecedented regional aggression in his quest for a nuclear deal - left the Saudis feeling isolated and betrayed.
  As American politics becomes less predictable, countries that have grounded their national strategy on the stability of an American alliance must reassess their options. The writer is professor of foreign affairs and humanities at Bard College. (Wall Street Journal)

 

[ScottL]

Destruction of Israel Is Muslim World's Top Priority (Tasnim-Iran)
Iranian people attending nationwide demonstrations on International Quds Day stressed that attempts to eliminate and destroy Israel - the region's cancerous tumor - remain "the Muslim world's top priority."
On Friday, demonstrators also described efforts to liberate the holy city of al-Quds [Jerusalem] as one of the Islamic Revolution's primary goals.

 

[ScottL]

Why Israel Is Saving Syrian Rebels - Terry Glavin (Maclean's-Canada)
On a hospital bed at the Ziv Medical Center in Safed, Israel, a Syrian rebel called Ramadan told me:
"All my life I was told Israel is my enemy. I grew up like that, to believe that Israel is the devil. But all the world is against us, and only Israel is our friend. The world is killing us. Israel is saving us."
More than 3,000 Syrians have been taken in by Israeli hospitals over the past four years.
When the Syrians are discharged from hospital and brought back to the Syrian border, great care is taken to conceal the Israeli origin of everything in the "care packages" they're given. No Hebrew lettering on medications. No evidence of Israeli origin on anything.

 

[ScottL]

An Arab Paramedic in Jerusalem (Magen David Adom-CAMERA)
Magen David Adom Paramedic Muhammed Abd Elrhaman, who has already witnessed many terror attacks during his years of service, fought to save the life of Sgt. Hadas Malka, who had been stabbed by a Palestinian terrorist at Damascus Gate in Jerusalem.
He said, "Each time that we see the scene of a terror attack we run in, when logic dictates to run away to survive. But this is who we are, this is what we know, and this is what we must do."

 

[ScottL]

• 
  [*]Israel Tells UN: Hizbullah Set Up Observation Posts under Guise of Environmental NGO - Itamar Eichner
  Hizbullah has set up a network of observation posts along the Israel-Lebanon border under the guise of a civilian organization called Green Without Borders, according to intelligence Israel has passed on to the UN Security Council. The Hizbullah-funded group's declared goal is to raise awareness to environmental protection. In April, a group of civilians denied the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) access to an observation post belonging to Green Without Borders. Israel's letter to the UN included photos of the observation posts and maps detailing their exact locations.
  "This evidence proves Hizbullah is working along the Blue Line under the guise of civilian activity, while violating UN Security Council Resolutions 1701 and 1559," Danon wrote. "Hizbullah continues to grow its strength in southern Lebanon and is threatening the stability of the entire region. The international community must not turn a blind eye to these dangerous threats." He called on the Security Council to demand that the Lebanese government dismantle the observation posts immediately. (Ynet News)
  
  [*]Hizbullah Setting Up Weapons Industry in Lebanon with Iranian Help - Gili Cohen
  Maj.-Gen. Herzl Halevi, director of Israeli Military Intelligence, told the Herzliya Conference, "Over the last year Iran has been working to set up independent production facilities for precise weaponry in Lebanon and Yemen. We cannot remain indifferent to this and we don't."
  Halevi also criticized the performance of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), saying: "With all due respect to the force, which does important work, it claims it isn't seeing a Hizbullah entrenchment in south Lebanon." (Ha'aretz)