Visiting northern communities with aid group today

Won't be posting most of the day, since I will be visiting communities and IDF positions across the northern border delivering food, assistance, etc. via an organization I am currently working with.

Talk about being in the "Hot Zone."

I promise lots of pics and interviews by tonight, though, so stop back in about 12 hours or so...

JerusalemOnline news update: 00:00, July 31th (Video - Channel 2 TV)

> Israel regrets Kfar Kana deaths, but says the fight against Hizbullah goes on
> One wounded as 140 Katyushas hit Kiryat Shmona
> Special commentary by Nachman Shai – click here

'Cry to those Using Babies as Shields'

Paramedics carry the body of Lebanese man from under a demolished building
that was struck by IAF missiles in the village of Qana. (Photo: AP)

From Israel Matzav:

The IAF targeted rocket launching sites in the Lebanese town of Qana this morning with deadly results. A three-story building hit by IAF missiles collapsed, several houses that were used to launch Katyusha rockets were destroyed, and depending upon which estimate you believe, as many as sixty people may have been killed.

Nearly half the victims were reported to be children whose parents decided to place them in the line of fire after they were warned to evacuate due to the impending strike on the Katyusha launchers.

...a Lebanese blog post... says that Hezbullah is not allowing people to be rescued from at least one of the collapsed buildings:

To Israelis: Before believing your IDF's bullshit about Hezbollah hiding in that building, try just for a minute to imagine yourself stuck under a ton of rubbles, alive, but not being able to move because the beasts next door refuse to allow cranes to come and remove the rubbles. I’m sure you’d rather die a much quicker death!

Novelist Naomi Ragen in an incandescent ripost to world condemnation of Israel over the civilian deaths:

My son is in the army. He is nt the type at all, believe me. Quiet, studious, a writer, a lover of Jewish history, Talmud, ethics. He spent two years in a pre-army program in the Galilee called Karmei Chayil. He made many good friends there from all over the country, and now he and all his friends are in the army.

One of them I know well. A bit chubby, with payot, and a great laugh. He and my son have become like brothers. While both of them tried out for the elite paratroopers unit, only he made it in. He and his unit are the ones in Lebanon. They were there over a week, fighting under horrific conditions, running out of food and water. Even though the Israeli airforce dropped tons of leaflets warning civilians to flee because they were in terrorist territory and likely to be injured, they still encountered civilians. My son spoke to his friend yesterday,and this is how he described it:

"The village looked empty, and then we heard noises coming
from one of the houses, so we opened fire. But when we
went inside, we found two women and a child huddled in the
corner of the room. We were so relieved we hadn't hurt
them.

We took up base in one of the empty houses. And then
all of a sudden, we came under intense fire. Three rockets
were fired at the house we were in. Only one managed to
destroy a wall, which fell on one of us, covering him in
white dust, but otherwise not hurting him. I spent the
whole time feeding bullets to my friend who was shooting
non-stop. We managed to killed 26 terrorists. Not one of
us was hurt. Our commanding officer kept walking around,
touching everybody on the shoulder, smiling and encouraging
us: "We're are better than they are. Don't worry." It
calmed us all down.

And really, we were much better then them. They are a lousy army. They only win when they hidebehind baby carriages."

Please remember this when you hear about the "atrocity" of
the Israeli bomb dropped on Kfar Cana, killing many
civilians, a place from which Hezbollah has fired hundreds
of rockets at Israel. Unlike previous administrations, Mr.
Olmert has my respect when he says: "They were warned to
leave. It is the responsibility of Hezbollah for firing
rockets amidst civilians."

Terrorists and their supporters have lost the right to
complain about civilian casualties, since all they have done
this entire war is target civilians. Every single one of the
more than 2,500 rockets launched into Israel, is launched
into populated towns filled with women and children. Just
today, another suicide belt meant to kill civilians in
Israel was detonated harmlessly by our forces in Nablus. So
don't cry to me about civilian casualties. Cry to those
using your babies and wives and mothers; cry to those who
store weapons in mosques, ambulances, hospitals, and private
homes. Cry to those launching deadly rockets from the
backyards of your kindergartens and schools. Cry to the
heartless men who love death, and however many of their
troops or civilians die, consider themselves victorious as
long as they can keep on firing rockets at our women and
children.

Save your sympathy for the mothers and sisters and
girlfriends of our young soldiers who would rather be
sitting in study halls learning Torah, but have no choice
but to risk their precious lives full of hope, goodness and
endless potential, to wipe out the cancerous terrorist cells
that threaten their people and all mankind. Make your
choice, and save your tears.

That terrorists have been unsuccessful in killing more of
our women and children is due to our army, God and prayers,
not to any lack of motivation or intention on their part.
If you hide behind your baby to shoot at my baby, you are
responsible for getting children killed.

You and you alone.

Israel media analyst fears 1973 Yom Kippur War - type attack on Tisha B'av - August 3rd (Exclusive Podcast)

That's the apocalyptic fear of David Bedien, head of the Israel Behind the News investigative news agency.

Bedein, speaking with Israel At Level Ground at Jerusalem's bustling central bus, awash with IDF soldiers - many headed for the front line with Lebanon - said he fears a major Hizbullah attack on the fast day of Tisha B'Av - August 3rd, in a manner similar to the combined attack against Israel by Arab states on Yom Kippur, 1973, an attack still deeply etched in blood in the Israeli psyche.

Listen to it all here.

Summer camp in Israel: Shayna, Merav and life with Katyushas

Merav & Shayna

(Colleague Brian Blum and I have something in common far beyond mere blogging: we both have 13-year-old daughters who are best friends - Shayna and Merav. Brian, wife Jody, myself along with dozens of other excited parents clustered around the bus to camp Shluchot Friday morning in Jerusalem, doting over our progeny and their gear one last time before they were boarded for two weeks of carefree fun. For them. We, on the home front on the other hand were less sanguine about the "matsav - situation," as Brian so eloquently describes - DB.)

For weeks, 12-year-old Merav has been buzzing about summer camp. On Friday, she heads off for her first overnight camping experience - two weeks at the "Kayitz b'Kibbutz" program at Kibbutz Shluchot, just south of Beit Shean in the Jordan Valley.

Much of Merav's excitement has been about what to bring. She's spent hours and not an insignificant number of her parents' shekels buying new gear - pajamas and a new bathing suit, a better sleeping bag, two disposable cameras, bug spray, suntan lotion, snacks for the bus ride, and many more items I've long since lost count of.

She has busily consulted with her friend Shayna, who was a camper the year before, on everything from what to expect on Shabbat to the type of boys she might meet. Together they have looked at pictures posted by the camp on its Web site. By this point, she knows just about all she can before actually getting there.

Except for one thing, which we haven't had the heart to tell her. We're not sure she should go.

You see, her camp is a two-hour drive north of Jerusalem. Which puts it potentially in Katyusha range of southern Lebanon.

Read it all.

Merav with mom, Jody and Brian Blum


Shayna and Dave

'But Seriously, Folks:' France, Lebanon to patrol Israel's northern border

• France to Israel: surrender has been underestimated
  
  Who said parody is dead? (All these links are real):
  

  The French and Lebanese armies will take part in the multinational peacekeeping force expected to take position along the southern Lebanese border, it was revealed following a meeting between US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem.

• Jews take day off from banking and entertainment industries to kick Hezbollah's ass back to 7th century
• EU to Israel: When attacked, hold national day of introspection and deep thought
• Annan: If you're Arab and live in a dump it's OK to bomb and kill. If anything it'll make you feel better

This Just In: Mel Brooks and the 'Art of War' (Video)

Abba Gav just plain nails it:

Hizballah's tactic of holding it's own people hostage as human shields is indeed working to an extent I haven't witnessed in years. It makes me think Nasrallah must have Mel Brooks, the master of this technique, on staff as a military consultant.

It worked for Cleavon Little in Mel Brooks' classic, Blazing Saddles. Sheik Nasrallah has clearly read, or rather watched Mel Brooks' version of "The Art of War" and thinks it will work again. Frankly, Kofi and the international community are reacting pretty much the same as the concerned lady in Brooks film, crying out: "Isn't anyone going to help that poor man?" The way they blame Israel for the deaths of civilians instead of Nasrallah, the one who intentionally imperils his own civilians and ours too, I'd have to say they might be proving Nasrallah right.

Watching the clip made me laugh before my morning coffee, as well. More bitterly than the coffee grounds, but still a laugh...

(Many links to useful analysis, as well)

Northern Exposure: R' Avi Weiss' solidarity visit to Israel

First thing in the morning from Daled Amos:

Rabbi Avi Weiss, the Senior Rabbi of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, returned this morning from a week long trip in Israel. While there, he kept a diary of his travels and experiences.

Day 1: Arrival in Tsfat
Day 2: Shabbat in Tsfat
Day 3: Haifa
Day 4: Tiberias and Nahariya
Day 5: Tsfat and Raanana
Day 6: Sderot, Kiryat Gat and Jerusalem
Day 7: Haifa and The Shomron

Rabbi Weiss is the founder and Dean of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School. He is also Senior Rabbi of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale and President of AMCHA: The Coalition for Jewish Concerns.

IDF Golani Brigade cmdr.: 'He who cannot defend Liberty does not deserve Liberty'

A moving, powerful address an IDF Golani Brigade commander, Cap. Uri Lavie to his troops before going into battle against Hizbullah:

"This is our time to rise to the challenge, put on the helmets and the bullet proof vests and make sure that the northern border is secure.

We shall fulfill any mission in a most effective manner, in face of any challenge.

If we shall not fulfill our mission we shall forfeit the right to exist.

We shall not lose this war, which we did not start.

Our duty is to serve as a defense force of the Jewish People, and to secure the peace of mind of the civilians in northern Israel.

If we shall not do it, no one will do it in our place.

For two thousand years we waited for the establishment of the Jewish State, and we are not going to roll back because a bunch of terrorists assume that they can scare us.

He who cannot defend Liberty does not deserve Liberty.

If we will not be able to fight until our last drop of blood, in order to secure the Liberty of our People on its own soil, our People will not enjoy Liberty.

There is time to talk and there is time to act. At this time, when missiles and Katyushas afflict the North all the way to Haifa, in addition to the two kidnapped soldiers, the ten soldiers killed and the dozens injured, it is time to fight and not to talk. We are the force, which has been chosen to fight, and we shall perform in the most effective manner.

I will be the first one to enter the battle and the last one to come out, and will do everything in my power to get you out alive and well. On Friday, with G-D's help, we will rejoin with our families. However, I cannot do it alone. Once we cross the northern border, you should exercise full alert and full responsibility toward your fellow soldier." (Ha'aretz, July 27, 2006)

(Hat tip: Judy Lash Balint)

Pundit Review Radio: Bloggers talking across the front lines

Pundit Review Radio. Seriously good stuff:

One of the great things about the blogosphere is the ability to connect with people in parts of the world where news is breaking. All of us now have access to the so-called ‘man on the street’ and it is great to get that perspective, which is often very different from what you see in the MSM.

We saw that firsthand last Sunday on Pundit Review Radio when we spoke live with Jerusalem-based video/photojournalist and blogger Dave Bender who operates Israel at Level Ground. Dave had some very compelling, thoughtful things to say about the situation in Israel, its impact on Lebanon and his family. You can listen to that interview by clicking here.

We plan on speaking with other bloggers in the Middle East in the coming weeks, and have sent out some feelers to Beirut-based blogs. More details as they solidify. This is the future of media.

I, for one, can't wait (especially talking mike-to-mike with Lebanese bloggers)...

Beit Kobi: Home for immigrant IDF soldiers

Views of rooms

Once a "lone soldier," (a single immigrant to Israel doing their required IDF service) myself, I fully support this group and their operation:

Beit Kobie is a non-profit foundation that has been formed in remembrance of Sgt. Kobie Ichelboim, a commander and a fighter in the IDF who was killed on March 10, 2002, in active duty, near Nezarim in the Gaza Strip.

The IDF was created in order to defend the state of Israel and its citizens. Besides this obligation, the IDF became a central adhesive in the Israeli society and assumed social tasks such as receiving new immigrants.

Beit Kobie provides a home and family for lone soldiers serving in the IDF.

Views of facilities

Please donate or help out whatever way you can:

Beit Kobie (registered friendly society # 58-039-424-5)
45 Sheinkin st., P.O.Box 45, Givatayim 53111.
Phone: 972-3-5732216 , Fax: 972-3-5732210 , Mobile: 972-53-730837
E-mail: info@kobi.org.il
Web Site: http://www.blogger.com/www.kobi.org.il

Israel & Hizbullah: Krauthammer slams one out of the park (Op-ed)

IDF soldiers killed in Bint Jbeil battle

Charles Krauthammer:

'Israel's moral scrupulousness is being paid in blood — and yet they're still branded as evil personified'

"...Israel's response to Hezbollah has been to use the most precise weaponry and targeting it can. It has no interest, no desire to kill Lebanese civilians. Does anyone imagine that it could not have leveled south Lebanon, to say nothing of Beirut? Instead, in the bitter fight against Hezbollah in south Lebanon, it has repeatedly dropped leaflets, issued warnings, sent messages by radio and even phone text to Lebanese villagers to evacuate so that they would not be harmed."

Read it all.

Intel's 'Core 2 Duo,' Israel and heroic freakin' geeks

Dell, HP destops with Core 2 Duo chip

We cannot lose with this kind of dedication to purpose, this kind of international support, and yes: this kind of Israeli geekdom:

Intel's much heralded "Core 2 Duo" processor was introduced over the last few days. As if writing posts like this on a Dell-E1505 with an ole-fashioned "Core Duo" wasn't fast enough...

Intel had been falling behind rival AMD over the past couple of years, both in processor speed and in power consumption. The only bright spot was the Pentium M, which was designed in Intel's Haifa labs.

Intel is now betting the company on the same wizards who designed the Pentium M, and from early reviews, the new architecture out of Israel appears to blow AMD and all other competitors away.

More amazing is that Intel's Haifa workers have remained on the job continuously even while under constant rocket bombardment. Some worked from home, some worked from bomb shelters with Wi-Fi connections, but all of them continued to work with no loss of productivity.

Intel never explicitly trumpets Israel as the source of its innovations, but a small acknowledgment comes from the name of the laptop version of this chip: Merom, named after a lake in Israel during Biblical times.

From the JPost:

"Output has not been affected by the violence," said Koby Bachar, spokesman for Intel Israel. "The factory is still open although some of our employees are working from home and connecting to our server from there [as a result of the situation]."

Similarly, the city as a whole, which is renowned for its concentration of R&D and engineering activity, continues to work despite the attacks.

Yitshak Apeloig, president of the Haifa Technion, Israel's major science and engineering school, said the city's R&D activity was still functioning with approximately 75% of workers still attending work and many working from home."

---

When the 1973 Yom Kippur War erupted, the Israeli army asked a couple of Technion professors to come up with a way to scramble the guidance systems of incoming Russian-made missiles that were pummeling some towns, Technion spokesman Amos Levav said during an interview at the campus two weeks ago. The mission was accomplished in a couple of days.

(Note to those offended by the term "geek, geekdom," etc: please allow me a moment to remove my eyeglasses before you take that well-earned swing...)

(Hat tip: Elder of Ziyon)

'Hazak V'amatz, Be Strong - Be Brave' (Zionist Plugola)

Jewsy Couture, a Cafe Press shop is flogging the "Hazak V'amatz, " "Be Strong - Be Brave," tee-shirts, From their webpage they offer:

"special merchandise in support of Israel and from now until August 7th, we would like to donate all profits from these particular goods to the Israeli Red Cross. We have a t-shirt, a sweatshirt, a hoodie, button packs, and magnet packs at reduced prices to encourage everyone to show their solidarity with Israel during this difficult time. Please help us spread the word.

Meryl Yourish sez' the company's owners are "job-hunting at the moment, so this is a pretty big gesture when they could use the money themselves."

Like she sez,' Check it out.

Just how much of Beirut has the IDF demolished? (Map)

The scenes of devastation by the IDF in Beirut and southern Lebanon are awful, the loss of innocent life among non-combatants deeply regretted by Israel and Israelis of all political stripes.

But here's a map showing exactly just how much Israeli air force jets and offshore naval barrages toppled in the Lebanese capital (hint: you'll have to look real, real close):

Hat tip: Vital Perspective and Serandez)

American-born, Israeli musician, IDF artilleryman on northern border (Music)

Eli Deutsch

A Soldier:
American-born IDF artillery corps soldier Elie Deutsch serves in a religious Hesder unit that is currently stationed on the northern border of Israel.

A Song:
Elie, a budding musician, is working on his first Jewish music album. Elie’s music career has taken a backseat to his National obligations since his army discharge has been indefinitely delayed due to the current military situation.

A Project:
By “selling” a downloadable audio album with Elie’s music and conversation clips, we will direct the proceeds to assist the people who need it the most; residents of the north and our weary soldiers, while promoting the career of one of “our own” dedicated IDF soldiers in the process.

Your $10 payment entitles you to download a zipped audio file that includes 5 songs from IDF soldier/musician Elie Deutsch's album-in-progress. The file also includes clips from conversations recorded by Elie and his army friends, who are currently fighting in an artillery unit on the Northern Front.

Go to the site, listen to the clips, and do your part!

(Hat tip: Meryl Yourish)

This Just In: Jolie, Bono sign Mideast peace accord (Editorial Cartoon - Satire)

Surrender Dorothy!

Hopes for a lasting peace in the Middle East were raised today when a comprehensive Mideast peace accord was signed by Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie and Bono, the lead singer of the rock band U2.

Just hours after Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made a surprise visit to Beirut to confer with Lebanese officials, Dr. Rice found that her efforts were largely upstaged by the high-wattage amateur diplomacy of the two global superstars.

Elsewhere, according to Democratic National Committee chief Howard Dean, "If you think what's going on in the Middle East today would be going on if the Democrats were in control, it wouldn't, because we would have worked day after day after day to make sure we didn't get where we are today. We would have had the moral authority that Bill Clinton had ... when he brought together the Israelis and the Palestinians."

Read it all.

(Blooging will be light for the next few days, with a chance of local showers, and highs in the mid 80's due to pressing projects I am working on. Do check back here, though... DB)

JerusalemOnline news update: 00:00, July 26th (Video - Channel 2 TV)

Eight soldiers killed in face-to-face battle over Bint Jbiel
Hezbullah using Sagger rockets against paratroopers
IAF strike topples Hizbullah HQ in Tyre

Hizbullah: Blending into the crowds (Editorial Cartoon)

The U.N. official quoted below has been spouting the typical moral equivalence about the Israel/Hezbollah war, but his specific criticism of Hezbollah is surprisingly frank and accurate. From FoxNews: U.N. Chief Accuses Hezbollah of 'Cowardly Blending' Among Refugees.

The U.N. humanitarian chief accused Hezbollah on Monday of "cowardly blending" among Lebanese civilians and causing the deaths of hundreds during two weeks of cross-border violence with Israel.

The militant group has built bunkers and tunnels near the Israeli border to shelter weapons and fighters, and its members easily blend in among civilians.

Read more here

'Israel is the summit of human decency in the ME' (Video)

Noted screenwriter and commentator Ben Stein on Fox News on why the US and Israel are in the same corner, internationally.



And here is conservative commentator Debbie Shlussel with a similar take:


(Hat tip: Life of Rubin)

Hot Orthodox Supermodel: Havi Mond (Original Content)

Havi Mond

By Dave Bender for Atlanta Jewish Life
Havi Mond, a fast-rising Star of David in London’s modeling firmament, says that while getting kosher cuisine catered to her photo shoots and occasionally missing lucrative weekend gigs at first posed limitations, her clients don’t seem to mind at all, perhaps even spinning it as some sort of atavistic “ethnic chic.”

It’s like an updated version of some 1940s cinematic shmattes-to-riches tale, where the shy, small-town girl gets her lucky break in the big city. In 2001, the then 16-year-old Mond was out strolling with her aunt during a visit to London, when “a booker from the Select Modeling agency saw me in the street, started speaking with us and said she would like me to come to the modeling agency to start working with them.”

Read it all, and make my day for writing it. Hear an excerpt of the interview.

IMPORTANT: Toy Drive for Israeli kids in hospitals, shelters (UPDATED)

Here's a way to help children in hospitals and bomb shelters in northern Israel:

As the owner of www.toystore.co.il I am leading my own personal campaign to send thousands of dollars worth of toys to the children of Northern Israel. Instead of enjoying themselves in summer camp, the Israeli children living in Northern Israel are currently spending long tense days in their local bomb shelters. There is a huge need for toys and games to keep them occupied.

As of Friday, July 22, we have distributed over $12,000 of toys. Some of the recipients of our donations have been Rivka Ziv Hospital in Safed (Tsfat), city wide Community Centers in Safed, the Merom HaGalil Regional Council (who has distributed to their 24 towns and villages), and city wide Community Centers in Tiberias.

Read more - and please do buy Blue & White: Here, here, here, here, here (Yes. I like toys. You got a problem with that?) and there are certainly plenty of "Google-able " others...

(Hat tip: Carl at Israel Matzav)

UPDATE: And since we're talking about kids and hospitals, Chani over at Torah.org, notes that they're launching a new "Prayer for Israel" campaign to get people praying and learning for the wounded and ill. So - whatever and wherever you believe - do put in a good word for us with the senior management, for your sake as well as ours.

But wait - Don't touch that dial! There's even more! They're giving out prizes to the bloggers in random drawings, and they'll link to everyone who joins, too!

Now. All please rise and intone after me: "They tried to kill us, We won, Let's eat."

Pundit Review Radio Interview (Permalink)

Blogging will be light for the next 48 hours, due to several projects I'm working on concurrently. More about them in coming days. Good stuff.

• In the meatime, here's a video of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert addressing surpporters of Israel.
• Here's the permalink to my interview on Pundit Review Radio early Monday morning. These Bahs-tonians - and their listeners are folks worth paying attention to.
• A heads-up from Soccer Dad, who's hosting the next edition of Hevel Havelim on July 30 - so get them entries over to him ASAP...
• PajamasMedia has an great roundup of events near and far (thanks for the origami link post, guys - I couldn't believe it either...)
• Slate has the ultimate Middle East "Buddies List."
• Abbagav has a solid takedown on spun media coverage of the IDF deconstruction of Lebanon.
  
• IDF tankers? Toodle along the bucolic highways and byways of southern Lebanon, via this useful map, just don't expect too many HoJos or rest stops along the way. Good Hizbullah hunting.
  
• And finally, speaking of maps Truth Laid Bear has a most excellent live (any more live, and it would jump through your screen) map of bloggers in the area.
  

This Just In: Jews, Arabs in int'l origami parley near Gaza. Really.

Machine gun

In radio broadcasting, too-surreal-too-believe stories like the following are often referred to as an, "...and finally," as in a final oddity mentioned at the end of the news report, to lighten the usually grim mood:

Origami tank and driver

Days of peace in Kibbutz Zeelim in Eschol regional council:

Jewish and Arab people will be preparing artistic paper folding models side by side in an International Origami conference taking place in Kibbutz Zeelim from July 26^th.

On Wednesday July 26^th an international Origami conference will begin in Kibbutz Zeelim in Eschol regional council. During this conference Jews and Arabs will participate side by side and for 4 days will be creating special artistic paper folders in the "Origami magic inspired by desert magic" conference.

The conference will include paper folding workshops and an exhibition featuring special paper folding models. The conference will be hosting two worldwide known paper folding artists:

· Mr. John Montrol U.S.A which has written over 20 Origami books including complicated paper folding insects and animals models without using glue or scissors.

· Mr. Paul Jackson- An international Origami artist and master which has written over 26 Origami books that have been published in over one million copies and translated to many languages.

The conference will be open from July 26^th until July 29^th, during these days the exhibition will be open freely for the public and will include paper folding models and Origami books sales. This is an extraordinary opportunity to get acquainted with this unique art. The conference will also include workshops for the general public enabling everyone to experience paper folding.

The conference participants and visitors will be offered accommodation in Kibbutz Zeelim's guesthouse and other settling populations in the area. This is a great opportunity to combine between a visit in the conference and exhibition and the wide variety of family attractions the Habsor district can offer:

A tractor ride, wildlife reserve, "Hamam Zeelim" including a pool and Jacuzzi with termomineral natural water and dried sauna, Spa treatments, a tour to Israel's longest rope bridge above the Habsor stream, Bedouin tent and many more.

For further information regarding accommodation, attractions, and restaurants please visit the following web site: www.habsor.co.il, for further details about the Origami conference: www.zeelim.co.il, www.origami.co.il.

Origami rocket

...and who knows, the damn things might even work...

Meanwhile, for the as-yet-origami-challenged, from Haaretz:

An Israel Defense Forces shell landed near a crowd of people in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahiya on Monday, killing at least two people, Palestinian hospital officials said. An IDF spokeswoman said she was checking the report. Earlier Monday, an Israel Air Force helicopter fired a missile at a two-story house at the entrance to the Shati refugee camp next to Gaza City, causing damage but no casualties, Palestinians said.

A Qassam rocket fired from the Gaza Strip landed in the western Negev town of Sderot on Monday. No injuries or damage were reported.

Sparks fly when pro-Israeli attends anti-Israel rally (Editorial cartoon - Video)

Signs of the Times (Cox & Forkum)

Parody and editorial exagguration, right?

Wrong.

From Solomonia:

This past Friday, the Muslim American Society held their "Justice for Palestine and Lebanon Protest" at Boston's City Hall Plaza referred to at the end of this post. The Boston Globe has its report here: Muslims, Christians protest bombardment of Lebanon

Oh, but that's not the full story. No, no, my friends. You see, freelance operative Seva Brodsky was in the house, camera in hand -- and there was much jostling, grabbing, profanity and threats of violence directed toward our intrepid defender of Israel and America. The remainder of this post is either submitted by, or based on descriptions from, Seva. The pictures and video are his. Any asides from me are placed in brackets, Mr. Brodsky's submission is below in pull-quote format.

Read it all.

'Day By Day:' Israel & Hizbullah (Editorial Cartoon)

'Day By Day' by Chris Muir

Talking Israel on Punditreview Radio - Incredible show (Podcast)

Just finished an invigorating 45 minute live-on-air web/broadcast interview with these guys:

(Kevin Whalen and Gregg Jackson)

of Punditreview Radio on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Leader. Thanks guys - you were phenomenal hosts, and worth getting up at 3 AM for. Too bad I had my alarm set for 4 AM... (no, no, it's ok. Really! I was getting up to answer the phone anyway, when you called...)

A big shoutout to Boston-area listeners Frank, Tom and Joel who called in with thoughtful questions about the situation here (and here I wuz,' x-pectin' RANTERS!), and bloggers "warsaw44," and "Jason" who clicked through to my blog during the show with comments:

"warsaw44 (39 minutes ago)

Great slide show, Dave. I'm listening to you on WRKO right now. Glad I listened in as I'd never have found your blog and vids."

---
"Jason has left a new comment on your post "A Little Good News Today (UPDATED)":

"Just gave a hundred bucks to FIDF [Friends of the IDF]. Do you need help getting the word out?"

Jason, that's just what we - you, warsaw44, the callers, Greg and Kevin and anyone else stopping by here are doing to assist Israel in these difficult hours. I am certain your donation is greatly appreciated. I'm certainly flattered that our discussion about events here prompted you to do it.

Howz' about it, readers? More donation pages and ways to aid Israel are here, here and here.

Jeez, how I miss doing live American radio (sigh). I got my start right out of high school at "Mighty 90," KPFT 90.1 listener-sponsored "peace, love, and fellow third-worlders unite" radio in Houston. Way back then in geologic time, I was producing "Embrace The Earth " (tree-huggers) and "What's Nu" Jewish-Israeli affairs... Little did I - or the station and its listenership know that years down the road... well, look where I got to, ma!

"Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week Kevin and Gregg give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Hailed as “Groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 7-10 pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Leader."

The program will be archived and available for listening - check back here on Tuesday for the direct link.

UPDATE: Ahh, 5:15 AM and the birdies are a-twitterin' away here in Jerusalem and the caffiene jolt is softening. A bit. Time for packing in a solid 15 minutes nap before I haveta' get up...