Kassam rocket hammers Ashkelon schoolyard

Palestinians in Gaza fired a two-engined Kassam rocket into central Ashkelon at about 19:15 Tuesday evening.

There were no injuries in the attack, although several residents were treated for trauma at the
ORT Ronson High School, where the rocket punched a meter-and-a-half hole in the schoolyard.

Security forces say the projectile, reportedly fired from the ruins of the former community of Nisanit in northern Gaza, traveled some 15 kilometers to hit the major southern city, in the first such strike of its kind.

Between Gaza, on the far left and the major coastal city of Ashkelon, some 15 km distant on the right, lies a major power station, strategic national facilities, an oil farm, a national pipeline, chlorine tanks and military facilities. Kassam rocket fire in the last two years has already hit several of these locations.

More at YNETnews.

More at The Jerusalem Post.

More at Haaretz.

'Hold on thar', Baba Amir, I'll do all the thinnin' around here!' (Satire)

Another Tack: Mideastern horse opry (semi-fictional)
---------------------------------
Sarah Honig, THE JERUSALEM POST Jun. 29, 2006
---------------------------------
Outlaw gunslinger Quickdraw, holed up in his hideout, had long been scheming to take over the town. He positioned snipers atop all the surrounding hills and ordered them to fire randomly at passersby. Sometimes Quickdraw's snipers missed, and sometimes they didn't.

Sheriff Straightshooter's resolute undertakings to wallop Quickdraw clinched his electoral victory and that coveted tin badge. To the townsfolks' dismay, however, it emerged that Straightshooter was a bit leery of gunplay. Over the years his fearsome reputation had rendered him anathema to society's more genteel elements. He yearned for their approval. Besides, the circuit judge was on his tail for alleged past hanky-panky.

Straightshooter's overriding priority became the protection of his rear-end from legal assault. His braggadocio notwithstanding, Straightshooter figured that getting Quickdraw mightn't be in his own best interest, even if the community breathed free. Straightshooter therefore quit tracking Quickdraw's assorted crew of cattle-rustlers, horse-thieves and train-robbers in the renegades' roost.

Instead Straightshooter drove all south-of-town ranchers out of the terror fiefdom's vicinity, explaining to the outraged uprooted cowmen that it was for the best. Their presence, Straightshooter asserted, enraged Quickdraw. With them out of his sight there was no pretext for savagery. Quickdraw and his gang would contentedly luxuriate in their newly acquired territory, devote their energies to improving the abandoned spreads, and make an honorable living. In no time they'd become fine upstanding neighbors, the sort you invite over for a summer picnic.

"YOU DON'T know them like we do," screamed the dispossessed families. "These thugs are after the whole shebang. Show them a finger and they want the entire arm." But Straightshooter's savvy mouthpieces branded the homeless settlers "alarmists and panic-mongers." They became so unpopular that nobody cared about their plight. Their atavistic land-fixation might drag the peaceful populace into superfluous bloody confrontations. The eviction of these public enemies was their own private misfortune - one nonetheless highly warranted because the rest of the town was made safer thereby.

However, just to banish any lingering, latent anxiety, Straightshooter assured his voters that "should Quickdraw be up to no good after we give him control of the range, he'll feel the full force of our retaliation. We'll exact a heavy price for unprovoked pot-shots. After our supreme sacrifice for peace, judgmental gentry everywhere will side with us and back all necessary measures to defend our people.

We demonstrated our good will, and good will pays off. Our improved image will afford us freedom of action. We will show Quickdraw that it's downright dangerous to rile us." Stirring stuff. Strong enough to get Straightshooter reelected.

YET, UNCOOPERATIVE salvos continued coming. The citizenry was getting uptight. It was only a matter of time before bodies filled the streets. Buckshot glanced off church walls and shattered schoolhouse windows. Miraculously, the kids were out of harm's way. But lucky streaks are finite. Hesitant murmurs of discontent became audible, particularly on the town's southern outlying fringes, on the wrong side of the track - the one that ordinarily doesn't count.

The newspaper owner, in cahoots with Straightshooter, blasted uncool calls for action. Deputy Sheriff Shimon took on edge-of-town crybabies. "Snipers-shmipers," he exclaimed before saloon groupies, "so what happened already? We've seen worse. Let them hang tough and not disturb our peace with their constant whining."

But despite attempts to downplay the sniping, such a surfeit thereof would be considered war in any other county. Folks might be wondering whether supercilious Straightshooter was pretending to be unperturbed in order to avoid admitting that the ranchers' expulsion had been for naught. Could it be that Straightshooter's hangers-on feared highlighting the fact that, contrary to hype, they had won no perks from non-local citified snobs?

Or could it be that Straightshooter sincerely failed to realize that disengagement had proved a calamity? Could it be that Straightshooter was fanatically addicted to throwing more good money after bad and couldn't resist playing retreat-roulette? Did Straightshooter no longer realize that his bravado, rather than deter, triggered the miscreants' heckling horse-laughs in the vacated homesteads?

Belatedly Straightshooter did fire off a few warning rounds, first at empty wasteland to make sure nobody got hit, then at dirt roads frequented by snipers en route to shooting sprees. A great outcry sounded in the halls of justice far removed from frontierland whenever outlaw riflemen bite the dust. Cosmopolitan guardians of conscience fully sympathized with Quickdraw's vows of vengeance.

Straightshooter seemed jinxed. Some of his return fire had inadvertently struck the gangsters' kin. Sophisticated society was now utterly revolted. Straightshooter was accused of disproportionate breach of propriety.

IF STRAIGHTSHOOTER wants to challenge Quickdraw to a gunfight, dueling rules must be strictly obeyed. These decree that Quickdraw may rely on the backup of any number of bandit gunslingers, use all the pistols he wishes, fire off as many slugs as he can, whenever and in whichever direction he desires.

To keep things on the up-and-up, Straightshooter cannot pull the trigger until Quickdraw has. Moreover, Straightshooter - representing lawful authority - may only aim at Quickdraw's already airborne bullet, ascertaining that only the tip of said projectile is nicked, and only in the final phase of its deployment just before it makes deadly impact.

Sderot school official points to damage from Kassam rocket on classroom. (Photo: Dave Bender)

Unable to own up that unilaterally surrendering strategic holdings was a disastrous gamble, Straightshooter - ostensibly still intent on saving his community from Quickdraw's limitless lust - now plans to cede lots more property east of town.

With settlers out of sight, Quickdraw's pretext for savagery will vanish. Good neighbors will gather for summer picnics. Otherwise, will a real angry Straightshooter show Quickdraw how downright dangerous it is?

Nativ Ha'asara resident examines damage from Kassam at her home, that killed Dana Galkowitz in July, 2005. (Photo: Dave Bender)

Stay tuned for the rerun.

More reports I've prepared on Kassam attacks, injuries and damage here.

Israeli gov't to Palestinians: My tunnel's bigger than yours

"Hoooly City, Robin! Iran's launching nuke-tipped Shihab 3 missiles at Israel, Fatah's firing Kassams and mortars out of Bethlehem at Gilo, and Palestinian drones and hang gliders have been spotted swooping in from Ramallah!"

"Whaddya' we gonna' do, Batman?"

"Quick! Let's take the secret elevator down to the Bat Tunnel, and get the hell outtahere - first!"

"According to the Jerusalem weekly Yerushalayim, the government is spending tens of millions of shekels on an underground bunker and escape tunnel to be used by the prime minister and senior members of the government in case of emergency. A special elevator shaft has reportedly been completed under the area scheduled for future construction of the new building that will house the Prime Minister's Office and official residence in Kiryat Hale'om (the National Precinct).

"In an emergency, the (Bat) elevator would drop the prime minister, senior government officials (and whoever is a "friend of a friend,") underground to a special reinforced bunker, complete with a situation room equipped with sophisticated communications and other equipment, in which the government can continue to meet and function.

"In addition, the shaft connects to an underground escape tunnel, where vehicles will be stored, in case the prime minister or other senior officials have to make a speedy exit from the city. The western exit of the escape tunnel (which the newspaper claims has already been built) is located in Emek Arazim, adjacent to the Route One exit from the city."

You think I'm making this stuff up, right? Wrong, boy blunder.

Talking with Esther Wachsman about terror - UPDATED (Exclusive Podcast)

Family photo of IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit. (Photo: Ynet)

UPDATE - Tuesday, 0700: (Half an hour after the expiration of Hamas' ultimatum, the "Army of Islam," one of the three Palestinian groups holding Shalit released a statement saying "The discussion is closed; we will not release any information of the fate of the soldier, whether he is dead or alive."

Meanwhile, Knesset security cabinet member Haim Ramon told Army Radio at 07:20 that Israel operated properly in not negotiating with Hamas, and dismissed reports of a possible deal where Shalit would be transferred to Egyptian or French custody, until Israel released Palestinian security prisoners. Ramon said the only place Shalit would be transferred to would be back to his family and home.)

I had the honor of interviewing Esther Wachsman soon after IDF troops killed Hamas mastermind Salah Darwazi, who was behind the abduction and murder of her son, Nachson in 1994. It was a deeply moving, and thoughtful discussion.

It is my fervent hope, with just six hours left as this is posted before the Hamas ultimatum runs out on the threat against the life of Gilad Shalit, that her words are heeded.

May Shalit return safely to his family and home in Mitzpe Hila.

From The Jerusalem Post:

"Esther Wachsman, mother of Nachshon who was kidnapped and killed by Hamas terrorists in October 1994, has told The Jerusalem Post that the army and the establishment have learned nothing from her son's ordeal.

"No one is so blind as those who will not see," said Wachsman poetically, during an interview late Wednesday night."

Read it all.

---

From Haaretz:

"I don't know if we're living in George Orwell's "1984" - where good was bad, bad was good, peace was war and war was peace - in Chelm, the city fabled for its stupidity, or in evil Sodom. In any event, this is not the country I moved to 36 years ago out of Zionist enthusiasm, as the daughter of Holocaust survivors.

"At that time I felt that I had the privilege of being part of the history of this new/old country, to get married here, to give birth to my seven sons in the Jerusalem to which we had prayed to return for 2,000 years. There was no mother prouder than me when my oldest son joined the Israel Defense Forces, wearing the uniform of the Golani Brigade, and his two younger brothers did the same. Nachshon was our third son to join the elite Orev Golani unit, and we were very proud that he had fulfilled all the expectations on which he was raised: love for the people, the land and the heritage.

"And then, in October 1994, our Nachshon was kidnapped by Hamas. In a tape that was transferred from Gaza and played on television, he was seen appealing to then prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, with a rifle aimed at his temple, with his hands and feet bound and with a terrorist pushing him to speak. And he spoke: "The group from Hamas kidnapped me. They are demanding the release of Sheikh Yassin and another 200 murderous terrorists from Israeli prison. If their demands are not met, they will execute me on Friday at 8 P.M."

Read it all.

---

From YNETnews:

"A senior Hamas government official said Monday that 'the crisis with Israel over the kidnapping of a soldier (Gilad Shalit) should be resolved through diplomacy,' signaling the group may be softening its line after issuing a harsh ultimatum to Israel that expires in less than 10 hours."

Dry Bones: The Palestinian Holiday Calendar

Great stuff. Go there and look at more of local history.

Israeli scientists find way to 'starve' cancer cells

"Cancer cells are seen amidst healthy cells in an undated photo from the National Cancer Institute. Scientists at an Israeli university have found a promising new way to stop the growth and spread of cancer cells" (Copy, Photo: Reuters)

(This goes well as a counterpoint, in a perverse, yet life-affirming sort of way, to the noxious, pathetic UK Jihadi screed below. Speaking personally as a stepfather of a teenage daughter who struggled mightily - and has won out against a stage-three lymphoma, thanks to Israeli doctors and staff at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem, this report is wonderful news. This really is the land of miracles.)

FRUIT RESEARCH YIELDS WAY TO CURB CANCER

"Scientists at an Israeli university have found a promising new way to stop the growth and spread of cancer cells while carrying out research to boost the size of peaches and nectarines, the university said on Sunday.

"The Hebrew University of Jerusalem scientists found that a protein similar to one researched in their project had the effect of blocking blood supply to tumors.

"'By blocking the blood supply to the tumors, actibind halted the ability of malignant cells to move through the blood stream,' the university said.

"'Their approach has been shown to inhibit the malignant cells without affecting normal cells and without the severe side effects of traditional treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy,' it said."
---
The original story: "My family is undergoing a crash course in hanging on for dear life in a struggle against cancer. And in one bitter lesson along the way, I am once again reminded of the gaping hole Palestinian terrorism slashes deep within Israeli lives and society."

(Hat tip: Atlas Shrugs)

Soldier's abductors set deadline for Israel

"The three Palestinian militant groups behind the kidnap of an Israel Defense Forces soldier on Monday gave Israel until 6 A.M. Tuesday to release Palestinian prisoners or "pay the consequences."

"The groups said that if they did not hear from Israel by that time, they would consider the abduction of Corporal Gilad Shalit a "closed case," but did not elaborate on the implications of the statement.

"'Military Communique 3" issued Monday said: "If the enemy does not agree to our humanitarian demands... we will regard this case as closed.'"

The Jerusalem Post has more.

Meanwhile, "The London-based Al Hayat newspaper reported on Monday that Egyptian representatives in the Gaza Strip confirmed that kidnapped IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit is alive."

And the IDF is operating in the northern Gaza Strip, as of early Monday morning, reports YNETnews.

Northern Gaza Strip, with 'Beit Lehiya,' and 'Beit Hanoun' (L-R) neighborhoods, also exploited as Kassam rocket firing areas , circled in red. Several Israeli communities were also located in the same areas, with Palestinian rocket crews now firing from atop the ruins and rubble towards Sderot to the east and Ashkelon to the north. (Photo: Haaretz)

Hoop Dreams: Israel - 'Home Game' the movie

Screenshot: 'Home Game'

(I viewed a segment of this film on Israel Channel 2 television soon after the disengagement, when the overall story was still a raw, painful trauma for Israel. I quite impressed, both with the production values, and of a simple tale wrapped in a complex story, told well, no matter where the viewer stands on Israel's political/security spectrum. Israel At Level Ground will feature a one-on-one podcast interview with the producers soon. - DB)

"The success of Gush Katif as a community was the spirit of togetherness that flourished within. Through good times and bad times, the communities stuck together and pulled through - together.

"Religious and non-religious, Sephardim and Ashkenazim - they all built up an exemplary community model that represents how Israeli society as a whole could look like and behave.

"That togetherness spirit of Gush Katif reminds us of what we were once proud of in the State of Israel and what it could be once again.

"Home Game" the movie tells the story about the last basketball tournament in Gush Katif.

The annual Gush Katif basketball tournament was the highlight of the summer for all the youth of Gush Katif, who waited all year to play and cheer on their teams to bring home the tournament trophy - a true example of the community spirit that existed throughout Gush Katif.

"The movie is about the determination, faith and struggle of the Netzer Hazani community basketball team to win the 2005 basketball tournament during the time that they were also struggling against the Israeli government plans to uproot them from their homes.

"The 2005 tournament should have been like every other, but it wasn't, because this time the Israeli government was in the midst of closing off their communities to the rest of Israel in preparation to uproot them and their families from their homes.

"However, even with this surreal reality around them, the tournament went on and brought out the best of them!"

Certainly worth viewing, and buying.

Halachic FYI on viewing the film for observant Jews, during the coming "Three Weeks" leading up to Tisha B'av, where general entertainment is gradually curtailed:

"Rav Yigal Kaminetzsky has given his approval to see "Home Game" the movie during the 9 days and even during the week of Tisha Ba'av. Rav Kaminetzsky told the movie's director 'that since the movie deals with the uprooting of families from Gush Katif it is permitted to watch the movie during the 9 days and even during the week of Tisha Ba'av.'"

'Israel is cancer, Islam is answer': UK Jihadi group

"Radical Muslims in Britain have blasted Hamas for failing to carry out a "real" Islamic holy war, and have called for a Jihad against Israel following the recent escalation of the Israeli – Palestinian conflict in the Gaza Strip."

"In an earlier statement, the same group said that "Israel is a cancer, Islam is the answer.'"

I dunno', ya' s'pose that the glaring image above had anything to do with setting the tone of public discourse about Israel?

Naaah, huh?

Didn't think so either...

But - just to be on the safe side, for those of you who are still wondering, do go over and check out Melanie Phillips's, "Londonistan:"

"The suicide bombings carried out in London in 2005 by British Muslims revealed an alarming network of Islamist terrorists and their sympathizers. Under the noses of British intelligence, London became the European hub for the promotion, recruitment and financing of Islamist terror and extremism - so much so that it has been mockingly dubbed 'Londonistan'. In this ground-breaking book, Melanie Phillips pieces together the story of how Londonistan developed as a result of the collapse of British self-confidence and national identity and its resulting paralysis by multiculturalism and appeasement. The result is an ugly climate in Britain of irrationality and defeatism, which now threatens to undermine the alliance with America and imperil the defence of the free world."

"Melanie Phillips’s Londonistan is a last-minute warning for Britain and for much of the free world ... This book is powerful and frightening, but also courageous. In dictatorships, you need courage to fight evil; in the free world, you need courage to see the evil."

—Natan Sharansky

Don't say we didn't warn you...

(Hat tips to Simply Jews, and Yourish)

Two dead as Israeli jets hammer PA PM Haniyeh's Gaza office

"The Israel Air Force On Saturday night attacked the office of Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza, causing a fire in the building.

"According to Palestinian eyewitnesses, two missiles hit the northern part of the building containing the office, which was empty due to the late hour. One person was reported wounded in the strike."

"This is the policy of the jungle and arrogance," Haniyeh told Reuters, adding that the strike "targeted a symbol of the Palestinian people."

The official IDF statement:

July 2nd 2006

"IDF SPOKESPERSON ANNOUNCEMENT

"IDF aerial attack on the office of Ismail Haniya

"Early this morning, July 2 nd 2006, the IDF carried out an aerial attack on
the office of Ismail Haniya, prime minister of the Palestinian Authority
from Hamas.

"Hamas is a terror organization which regularly plans and carries out attacks
against Israel, including attacks carried out in recent weeks. The IDF holds
the Palestinian Authority and the democratically elected Hamas government
responsible for the attack and the fate of the abducted soldier.

"The IDF will continue to act with determination and to employ all means at
its disposal to combat terrorists and their infrastructure, in order to
defend the citizens of Israel and to secure the safe and unconditional
return of Cpl. Gilad Shalit."

Baleboosteh has more from Down Under.