Hezbollah's Growing War Against The West

The Washington Post reports that Elaborate surveillance operation raises concerns about broader Hezbollah attacks:

The Israeli tourists on Arkia Airlines Flight 161 from Tel Aviv could not have known it, but their arrival in Cyprus July 6 was watched closely. A pair of trained eyes counted each passenger as the group exited the plane and boarded a shuttle, headed for resorts that had also been carefully studied and mapped.

Arlene Kushner on Obama's Visit To Israel And Netanyahu's Coalition

From Arlene Kushner:
February 10, 2013

Dealing As It Comes

I had recently shared my assessment that Iran and Syria and not "peace talks" with the PLO would be the main items on the agenda when President Obama visits Israel. 

Now you might want to now see this article, "Barack Obama's visit to Israel 'will focus on Iran, not peace talks'" (emphasis added):

Bulgaria's Courage in Naming Hezbollah Terrorists Contrasts With Fear Of Catherine Ashton and Others

Lee Smith writes about the novel approach of Blaming Terrorists for Terrorism, a not infrequently difficult action to take -- which makes Bulgaria's naming of Hezbollah as responsible for the terrorist bus bombing last year all the more significant:

It would be hard to overstate the resolve the Bulgarian government showed in making the announcement. “Sofia came under enormous pressure from among others the French and Germans to 'nuance' the report and avoid antagonizing Hezbollah,” says Omri Ceren, a senior advisor at The Israel Project. “That Bulgarian officials were willing to let the evidence guide them and expose who was behind the attack, even at this very delicate time for the European Union and for Bulgaria's place inside of it, took genuine political courage.”

February 6, 2013 Contact: TIP Press: press@theisraelproject.org Main Office Phone Number:  202-857-6644 White House and Congress Pledge To Support Bulgaria In Terror Investigation, Call On E.U. To Blacklist Hezbollah U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing by  Spokesperson Victoria Nuland in Washington, DC. [U.S. State Department / http://is.gd/91Cchg] Washington, February 6 – U.S. lawmakers and officials from across the political spectrum are emphasizing their support for Bulgaria and are calling on the European Union to blacklist Hezbollah a day after Sofia announced that Bulgarian investigators had discovered links between the Iran-backed organization and a July 2012 bombing in Burgas, Bulgaria that killed five Israelis and a Bulgarian.

The Middle East Media Sampler 2/6/13: Bulgaria Names Hezbollah In Terrorist Attack On Israelis

From +David Gerstman:

1) Implicating Hezbollah

The New York Times reports Bulgaria Implicates Hezbollah in July Attack on Israelis. (more via memeorandum)

The announcement could force the European Union to reconsider designating the Lebanon-based group as a terrorist organization and cracking down on its fund-raising. That would upend Europe’s policy of quiet tolerance of the group, which, in addition to operating schools and social services, is an influential force in Middle East politics, considers Israel an enemy and has extensive links with Iran. ... The United States, too, urged the European Union to condemn Hezbollah. John O. Brennan, President Obama’s chief counterterrorism adviser and his nominee to run the C.I.A., responded in a statement Tuesday: “We call on our European partners as well as other members of the international community to take proactive action to uncover Hezbollah’s infrastructure and disrupt the group’s financing schemes and operational networks in order to prevent future attacks.” But countries including France and Germany have been wary of taking that step, which could force confrontations with large numbers of Hezbollah supporters living within their borders.

Last August the New York Times reported Despite Alarm by U.S., Europe Lets Hezbollah Operate Openly:

Bulgaria Expected Today To Implicate Hezbollah in Terrorist Attack [UPDATE: Bulgaria Announces!]

The Commentator is reporting that Bulgaria bomb attack report implicates Hezbollah:

Nearly seven months after the bus bombing in Bulgaria that killed six Israeli tourists, the Bulgarian government is set to announce that "all roads lead to Lebanon" in the strongest sign yet that Hezbollah was the key perpetrator behind the attack.

Accomplice In Bulgaria Terrorist Attack On Israelis ID'ed -- His Identity Will Be Critical

Ynet News is reporting that Bulgaria identifies Burgas bombing accomplice:

Sofia issued arrest warrant for one of three foreigners who aided terrorist who blew up Israeli tourist bus in July. Chief investigator: Bomber did not plan to die

Bulgarian police have identified and issued an international arrest warrant for one of the three foreign nationals suspected of aiding the terrorist who carried out the attack on a bus full of Israeli tourists in the resort city of Burgas last July, local media outlets reported Thursday, citing police investigators. Five Israelis and a Bulgarian bus driver were killed in the bombing.

It is also being reported that the authorities know the country of origin of the suspected accomplice -- but are not yet releasing that information.

Arlene Kushner On Latest About Israeli Victims Of Bulgarian Terrorist Bombing

From Arlene Kushner

July 22, 2012

Wishing for Good News

Wishing fervently, as a matter of fact.  But compelled to report on what is...

The Israelis murdered in the terror attack in Bulgaria were brought home Thursday night.  There were five Israeli victims, not seven as originally thought -- as one body was that of the Bulgarian bus driver and one that of the terrorist.

A brief military ceremony was held at the airport on their arrival.

"Five coffins," said Tourism Minister Stas Meseznikov, "five dreams and one giant hole in our hearts."

The Middle East Media Sampler 7/20/2012: Major Setbacks For Syria's Assad

1) "And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command"

In Assassination in Damascus, the editors of The New York Times write:

For 17 months, President Bashar al-Assad of Syria has waged bloody war against his people from his redoubt in Damascus, convinced that he could weather the storm. A bombing on Wednesday that killed at least three of his most senior aides — including the defense minister and Mr. Assad’s powerful brother-in-law — shows that the war can reach deeply into the capital.

Arlene Kushner On Progress In Establishing Jewish Rights To Land In Israel

From Arlene Kushner:

July 19, 2012

The Balance

Today I'm going to start with the good stuff I never wrote about yesterday, because I was too heavy-hearted about the terror attack. What we must keep in mind -- why my sharing that good stuff is important -- is that in spite of the obscenities and the horrors, we are also making progress in some very positive ways.

Those who are devoted to Jewish rights in the Land saw this as a significant victory this week:

The Judea and Samaria Council for Higher Education voted on Tuesday that Ariel University Center be accorded full accredited status as a university. It will be the first institute of higher learning to be accorded this status beyond the Green Line.

The Middle East Media Sampler 7/19/2012 Implications Of Terrorist Bomb In Bulgarian

From DG:

1) Viva la deference

In deference to Turkey, the United States neither invited Israel to the Global Counterterrorism Forum nor listed Israel as a country suffering from terrorism. (h/t Noah Pollak)

In deference to the sensibilities of Arab nations there will be no moment of silence at the London Olympic Games later this summer to memorialize the Israeli athletes killed at the Munich Olympics in 1972.

Despite these instances of deference Israel continues to be targeted by terror.

Why The UN and EU Prefer Not Admitting Bulgaria Bombing Was A Terrorist Attack

Israeli‬ tourists killed in ‪Bulgaria‬ and the UN has nothing to say. No condemnation. Website, Twitter feed, Nothing.
Marc Leibowitz, Twitter

Of course, eventually the UN did find its voice and say something. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon condemned the terrorist bombing in Bulgaria (sort of):

New York/Beijing, 18 July 2012 - Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the attack in Bulgaria

The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest possible terms today's deadly bombing attack on a bus carrying Israeli tourists outside of the Burgas airport in Bulgaria. The explosion reportedly killed at least seven and injured more than 30 people, some critically. The Secretary-General expresses his condolences to the victims and their families, to the Governments and people of Bulgaria and Israel.

Anne Bayefsky On The Obama Administration and The Terror Bombing In Bulgaria

For Immediate Release: July 18, 2012

Contact:  Anne Bayefsky info@eyeontheun.org (917) 488-1558 Follow us on Twitter

Countering Terror Against Israelis and the Obama Administration This article by Anne Bayefsky appears today on PJ Media. The terrorist attack against Israeli civilians in Bulgaria, the flurry of drive-by visits from members of the Obama administration to Israel in the past few days, and the President’s failure to visit the Jewish state throughout his tenure, should prompt a consideration of the extent to which Mr. Obama really understands Israel’s life-and-death struggles. Particularly telling is the recent roll out of the President’s signature global anti-terrorism institution, the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF).

On Anniversary of Argentinian Bombing, Israelis In Bulgaria Targeted By Terrorists Again (3 Updates)

We deem it proven that the decision to carry out an attack July 18, 1994 on the AMIA (the Argentine Jewish Mutual Association, a Jewish charities association headquarters in Buenos Aires) was made by the highest authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran which directed Hezbollah to carry out the attack
Argentine chief prosecutor Alberto Nisman, quoted in Long War Journal, US designates two Hezbollah operatives in Venezuela as terrorists

Now, eighteen years later, there has been another terrorist attack bombing--this time in Bulgaria, even as relatives of the victims of the Argentinian terrorist attack still demand justice.