That is what that amazing woman Rachel Frankel, mother of Naftali, is
asking of all of us.
Credit: Channel 2
news
Not coincidentally, this dovetails with what I wanted to ask today as
well.
Investing energy in anger about the boys’ kidnapping, focusing on
fear for them and other negative thoughts is not constructive in terms of what
we are all seeking. The nature of the energy that is put out into the
world does make a difference. And what is needed now – in addition, of course,
to prayers! – is positive energy. Send the boys feelings of love. Picture them
safe. Mentally hug them. Reassure them.
This truly helps, my friends. Spread the word.
~~~~~~~~~~
Last night, seven more Palestinian Arabs were arrested in an IDF sweep in
Arab areas of Judea. One of those arrested was Omar
Abu Aysha, the father of Amer Abu Aysha, who has been missing since the
kidnapping and has been named as a likely abductor.
Some 190 sites were searched.
Some 190 sites were searched.
~~~~~~~~~~
The IDF is looking at ways to prevent future abductions by taking such
actions as installing both cameras and better lighting at intersections where
hitchhiking takes place.
”We will create a more robust military presence in
the hitchhiking stops, which will hopefully deter future kidnappings,” said Lt.
Col. Shimon Peretz, deputy commander of the Judea Brigade.
~~~~~~~~~~
Prime Minister Netanyahu announced at today’s Cabinet meeting that he is
going to take steps to outlaw the northern branch of the Islamic Movement of
Israel.
One is tempted to say, “Mazel tov. What took so long?” It has
been apparent for some time that this group is affiliated with and fronts for
Hamas. Its head, Sheikh Raed Salah, is in and out of prison because of his
activities.
What finally did the trick it seems, is the demonstration held in the
northern Israeli Arab village of Umm al-Fahm (which is at the heart of Islamic
Movement territory) on Friday against the IDF operation to find the kidnapped
boys. In fact, there were calls, in fact, for further kidnappings, and
rocks were thrown at police.
~~~~~~~~~~
We have been subjected in the last few days to a barrage of rockets from
Gaza – 12 just over the weekend. What happened last night is that a rocket
hit a plastic factory in Sderot, causing it to burst into flames and ultimately
injuring four persons.
Credit: APF/David
Buimovitch
The Air Force retaliated, hitting several sites in Gaza last night and this
morning:
“The strikes targeted a weapons
factory in the northern part of the strip, another weapons facility and a
“’error center’ in central Gaza and six sites in the southern strip, three of
them concealed rocket launchers, the IDF said.
“Direct hits were confirmed on all
sites.”
http://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-jets-target-gaza-rocket-sites-in-response-to-rocket-fire/
http://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-jets-target-gaza-rocket-sites-in-response-to-rocket-fire/
The number of rockets launched from Gaza in June was 4.5
times the number in May. And Hamas Deputy Leader
Moussa Abu-Marzouk has admitted that Hamas is doing nothing to stop the
launching of those rockets.
Thus is attention being given to a link between the kidnapping and the
rocket launching.
~~~~~~~~~~
All the expected pronouncements – from, for example, Minister of Defense
Ya’alon - have been forthcoming regarding the fact that we won’t tolerate rocket
attacks on our people. Netanyahu, for his part, is saying that, “We are prepared to widen our operation in
Gaza, should the need arise."
But I caution, “should the need arise” is the operative phrase. There has
been a bit of troop movement, but this all may be saber rattling. If our
intention to go into Gaza is taken seriously, and the rockets stop, we won’t go
in. Whether we should anyway is another discussion.
Lieberman suggests it’s time to seriously consider taking back Gaza.
~~~~~~~~~~
Some tentatively good news: Martin Indyk has resigned as special envoy to
the “peace talks.” He is going to return to his former positions at the
Brookings Institute in Washington DC, as vice president
and director of foreign policy.
This signals that the government has a significantly reduced hope of
achieving a negotiated peace between Israel and the PA, and, if we are lucky, it
means less pressure will be put on us.
But – naturally – this does not mean we are home free. State
Department spokesperson Marie Harf said that Indyk would continue to “work closely with the secretary on these issues from his
position at Brookings.”
While a permanent replacement for Indyk would not be
named now, Frank Lowenstein, who had been part of the “team,” would act in his
stead on a temporary basis.”
Harf elaborated (emphasis
added): “We’re in a pause right now. The secretary and the president, certainly,
are still committed to trying to make progress here. While the direct
negotiations have taken a pause, our efforts behind the scenes to work
with both parties to get them back to the table are
ongoing.
”It’s challenging, certainly, but we’re still in discussions and we’re still in negotiations talking to them about how they could do that.”
”It’s challenging, certainly, but we’re still in discussions and we’re still in negotiations talking to them about how they could do that.”
Oh joy.
~~~~~~~~~~
What makes the situation more problematic, and
disturbs me far more than Indyk does, is the willingness of certain Israelis to
go along with this.
There is, of course, Tzipi Livni, who was chief
negotiator during the recent talks. Now she gushes about how committed Indyk was
ta the peace process, how he understood the importance of it to Israel – and how
“we will continue to act” in this spirit.
And our president-elect Ruby Rivlin. In a
speech to journalists three days ago, he praised a condemnation of the
kidnapping by Abbas, and said he saw this as “an
opportunity to restore trust between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, if it
can ever happen.”
I found this terribly worrisome and began to wonder if he was taking
“president’ lessons from Peres. First, it’s impossible to “restore” trust
unless it previously existed, and it never has. And then - in light of the
Fatah Facebook page that celebrated the kidnapping and statements by other
members of the PA questioning whether there really was a kidnapping - he waxed
far too enthusiastic about a pro forma statement that Abbas really had to
make.
~~~~~~~~~~
It’s pretty easy to see what’s coming down the road: Abbas will break off
from Hamas, and will be heralded as a moderate and a hero for doing so.
The fact that Abbas funds terrorists in our prisons and incites like crazy
against us will be forgotten. He will be embraced, once again, as a
“partner for peace.” And unless I’m very much mistaken (and oh how I pray
that I am!) our prime minister will be on board at some level, talking about his
readiness to go to the table again. Ever the willing player.
~~~~~~~~~~
©
Arlene Kushner.
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