From Arlene Kushner
August 19, 2011"Terror Update"
I have learned that the Shin Bet had picked up information days ago about an attack initiated from the Sinai that was being planned by the Popular Resistance Committees. Thus, troops -- from the Counter-Terrorism YAMAM Unit and the elite Golani Brigade -- had already been deployed along the Israel-Sinai border.The expectation had been that PRC was planning abduction of one or more Israelis, possibly soldiers, in a stealth operation under cover of night. What happened, then, according to reports, diverged from what had been anticipated not only in terms of time of day, but also locale, as the terrorists entered Israel at a point not far from an Egyptian military installation.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Arlene Kushner On New Details Of Yesterday's Terrorist Attack
Video: Latma--Palestinian Independence, and A Tribute To Israeli Fine Arts And Film
We don't want to live, we want you to die.Here is this week's Latma:
Tawil Fadiha, Palestinian Minister of Uncontrollable Rage
Mideast Media Sampler 08/19/2011
From DG:
1) Clarity
Back in February, Barry Rubin warned:
Another problem is border security. Again, we are told that it is in the interest of Egypt, especially the army, to avoid having terrorists cross the border into Israel. Yet similar logic has often proven mistaken in previous, similar cases. With junior officers and soldiers sympathizing with Islamism or radical nationalism, the orders of the generals back in Cairo might not be followed with a high degree of discipline. There are already reports of al-Qaida planning to infiltrate into the Sinai to launch cross-border attacks.He bolstered his case by referring to an article in the Jerusalem Post:
Barry Rubin: Finally: Obama Administration Calls for End to Syrian Dictatorship But Reveals Its Own Worldview
by Barry Rubin
After months of rebellion in Syria and heavy repression there, the Obama Administration has finally called for the downfall of that country’s dictatorship.
That is a welcome event though this announcement carries indications that it has taken too long and is not entirely being done for the right reasons. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton began:
“For months, the world has borne witness to the Assad regime’s contempt for its own people. In peaceful demonstrations across the nation, Syrians are demanding their universal human rights. The regime has answered their demands with empty promises and horrific violence, torturing opposition leaders, laying siege to cities, slaughtering thousands of unarmed civilians, including children.”
In other words, the U.S. government has waited a really long time (“for months”) and nobody has done anything (“borne witness”) while the regime has been given every chance by the Obama Administration to offer some meaningless compromises (“empty promises”) in order to preserve an anti-American, terrorist-supporting, aggressive, repressive dictatorship. But it didn’t slaughter enough civilians and children to repress the revolution so now it must go away.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Arlene Kushner On The Terrorist Attack
From Arlene Kushner:
August 18, 2011"Does It Ever End?"Many of you will have heard already, of course. But I want to put out this post this evening concerning a terrorist attack that hit Israel today.Perhaps one day we will see the end of it. But not yet, certainly.This attack was different in its locale and its technique from what we've seen more commonly: Multi-pronged, it took place in the desert not far outside of Eilat.Because we're talking about something that happened over the last few hours, and many facts are not yet confirmed, I find that different sources are providing variant versions of what transpired. In due course, there will be more clarity.
~~~~~~~~~~
Briefly, now...
PM Netanyahu Statement Following Today's Events in the South
PM Netanyahu Statement Following
Today's Events in the South
Firstly, I would like to express my condolences to the families of the civilians murdered, and to those of the soldiers who fell while responding to today's terrorist attacks.
I share their pain. I know that their lives will never be the same. I also want to express my hopes for a speedy recovery to those injured in these attacks and are currently undergoing treatment in hospital.
Barry Rubin: Do Iraqi Documents Give Some Hints About the Iranian Regime’s Nuclear Strategy?
by Barry Rubin
Using captured Iraqi documents, Hal Brands and David Palkki, have published an interesting short paper for the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI), “Why did Saddam Want the Bomb? The Israel Factor and the Iraqi Nuclear Program.”
Mideast Media Sampler 08/18/2011
From DG:
1) Not sorry, Turkey
Isabel Kershner reports Israel Says It Won’t Apologize to Turkey for Deadly Flotilla Raid
Turkey has demanded an official apology, compensation to victims’ relatives and a lifting of the blockade on Gaza as conditions for normalizing its heavily strained relations with Israel, formerly an important ally.
...
A diplomatic source, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the delicacy of the subject, said the American request for such an apology was reiterated on Tuesday in a phone call between Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.The Israeli official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Turks kept adding conditions for a reconciliation, raising uncertainty in Mr. Netanyahu’s government over whether they were sincere and whether they would consider the case closed even if a deal were reached.
More Information From The IDF On Today's Palestinian Terrorist Attack
Here is a summary of a briefing.
An IDF briefing today discussed what is being described as a multi-layered attack by a
terrorist squad that infiltrated from Gaza, a complex attack against Israelis starting with an attack on an Israeli civilian bus.
The first attack was on a civilian bus heading from Shizafon to Eilat, the most southern city in Israel, approximately 20km north of Eilat. The bus was targeted with heavy fire which resulted in injuries.
The second incident took place not too far from the first incident. At the second incident, an IED was activated towards a vehicle, which also resulted in some injuries.
There was also an exchange of fire between IDF forces and the terrorist squad. Seven of the terrorists were targeted.
Other details:
An IDF briefing today discussed what is being described as a multi-layered attack by a
terrorist squad that infiltrated from Gaza, a complex attack against Israelis starting with an attack on an Israeli civilian bus.
The first attack was on a civilian bus heading from Shizafon to Eilat, the most southern city in Israel, approximately 20km north of Eilat. The bus was targeted with heavy fire which resulted in injuries.
The second incident took place not too far from the first incident. At the second incident, an IED was activated towards a vehicle, which also resulted in some injuries.
There was also an exchange of fire between IDF forces and the terrorist squad. Seven of the terrorists were targeted.
Other details:
Barry Rubin: News Flash: New Phase in War as Terrorists Cross Egypt-Israel Border, Many Dead
Please note: Barry Rubin will be updating this article as more becomes known
by Barry Rubin
by Barry Rubin
This isn’t just another terrorist attack—it’s a major escalation, a new phase in the Arab-Israeli conflict in two ways. First, it is the bitter fruit of the U.S.-backed downfall of the government of President Husni Mubarak in Egypt. Second, it is probably the first successful al-Qaida attack on Israel. (The Palestinian Popular Resistance Committees, a Gaza-based al-Qaida affiliate is the prime suspect.)
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