Posted on 06/25/2006 6:41:17 PM PDT by Alouette
The political outcome of Hamas' raid on Israelis at Kerem Shalom on Sunday is that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's convergence plan is being set aside for now.
Three elements have foiled Olmert's scheme. First, the government and the Israel Defense Forces failed to formulate a convincing security response to the continued attacks against Israel from the Gaza Strip. Under such conditions it is impossible to convince the public that there is logic in a pullout from the West Bank, which will bring the Hamas militants closer to Israel's population centers.
Recent surveys have showed broad public opposition to the convergence. The demographic threat at the root of the plan sounds frightening, but it is still distant and not palpable. The Qassams and the Hamas are nearby and obvious to everyone.
(Excerpt) Read more at haaretz.com ...
Warning! This is a high-volume ping list.
Yep, they are almost as dumb as democrats.
"Palestinians never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity" - Abba Eban
(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")
"We will respond, and the response will be mighty. It won't be an operation of one or two days. A border has been crossed," Olmert said during the meeting.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3267245,00.html
Cabinet: IDF to prepare for extensive operation
Prime minister convenes security cabinet to discuss Israel’s next steps in response to Kerem Shalom attack, in which Palestinian attackers killed two soldiers, kidnapped third. Army instructs to focus on gaining release of hostage, prepare for wide-ranging incursion to be implemented at later date
Ronny Sofer
During a security cabinet meeting convened by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Sunday it was decided not to deal an immediate military response in Gaza following the attack on Kerem Shalom, but to first focus on the safe return of the kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.
The cabinet discussed potential responses to the attack, in which two IDF soldiers were killed and Shalit was kidnapped. After examining numerous possible courses of action, the cabinet was decided the IDF would prepare for a wide-ranging military operation in Gaza, to be implemented at a later stage.
"We will respond, and the response will be mighty. It won't be an operation of one or two days. A border has been crossed," Olmert said during the meeting.
The prime minister asked minister and security staff to first enable the first step of returning the kidnapped soldier home safely.
The cabinet issued a message following the meeting saying, “Israel sees in the event Sunday morning at Kerem Shalom a most severe incident. The responsibility is on the Palestinians, on Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, the government and the PA. Israel will take all the necessary steps to return the captured soldier Corporal Gilad Shalit to his home. The cabinet approved the military ranks to carry out the necessary preparations to accomplish this mission.”
Further, the cabinet noted: “Not a single person involved in the incident will be immune. The cabinet gave the army the go-ahead to prepare forces for an urgent military operation. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Amir Peretz will approve the operations as things develop.”
Simultaneously, Israel will conduct diplomatic contacts with the international community to represent its stance. Asaf Shariv, Olmert’s media advisor, will focus efforts on a public relations (hasbara) campaign geared towards Israeli and international media to accomplish this aim.
'We are activating all the tools available to us'
Ahead of the cabinet meeting, Peretz communicated a message to Shalit’s kidnappers: “I want to inform all who are involved, anyone who has hand or foot in the soldier’s welfare, in our view, anyone that brings harm to the soldier, should know that his blood is on his own head and on the heads of his leaders.”
“We intend to respond to this morning’s incident in a way that all those involved, who made a pact in this attack against the State of Israel, will understand that the price from such acts will be painful. If things don’t change, it could be painful sevenfold.”
The defense minister, in making his statements, appeared weary. He spoke quietly, but his threats were firm. “We are activating all the tools available to us. There will be additional, supportive activities, to the military action, and I hope that after the cabinet meeting we will be able to announce our plans,” he said.
Avi Cohen contributed to the report
First Published: 06.25.06, 21:10
Latest Update: 06.25.06, 21:31
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3267293,00.html
Al-Aqsa Brigades: Chemical warfare if Israel invades Gaza
Fatah’s armed wing says it has developed biological, chemical weapons. ‘We say to Olmert, Peretz: Your threats of invasion do not frighten us. We will surprise you with new weapons you have not faced until now,’ Al-Aqsa Brigades says
Roee Nahmias
The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Fatah’s armed wing, announced that it has developed biological and chemical weapons, Palestinian news agency Ramattan reported.
“With the help of Allah, we are pleased to say that we succeeded in developing over 20 different types of biological and chemical weapons,
this after a three-year effort,” the group said in a leaflet it has distributed. “We say to (Prime Minister Ehud) Olmert and (Defense Minister Amir) Peretz: Your threats of invasion do not frighten us. We will surprise you with new weapons you have not faced until now. As soon as an IDF soldier sets foot on Gazan land, we will respond with a new weapon.”
The organization said it would not hesitate to use the substances, adding that they can be placed on rockets similar to those fired at Israeli communities surrounding Gaza.
“If Israel invades Gaza, we will declare open warfare without limits, as long as that is what the occupier wants,” the Brigades said.
'Don't give Israel the opportunity'
Simultaneous to the al-Aqsa Brigades threats, diplomatic talks are continuing in an effort to return the kidnapped IDF soldier to Israel. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit warned of further escalation in Gaza, stressing that both Israel and the PA must take steps to restore calm and trust in a way that would promote negotiations and the renewal of the peace process.
Aboul Gheit, who called on the sides to act with restraint, demanded that Israel refrain from taking steps that would complicate the situation and increase Palestinian suffering. He also demanded that the PA take measures to control factions carrying out operations similar to Sunday’s attack on the IDF outpost in Kerem Shalom.
The minister added that Egypt is in the midst of intensive talks with the Palestinians, Israel and the US government in a bid to resolve the crisis.
The Palestinians have confirmed that negotiations are being held, saying PA President Mahmoud Abbas spoke with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on the matter.
Meanwhile, PA Deputy Prime Minister Nasr el-Din al-Shaar and PA Presidency Secretary-General Tayeb Abdul-Rahim called on the Palestinian armed factions to safeguard the kidnapped IDF soldier’s life so as “not to give Israel the opportunity to invade Gaza.”
(06.26.06, 00:32)
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3267274,00.html
Islamic Movement offers to mediate in kidnapping
Arab-Israeli organization offers to mediate between Israel, Palestinian kidnappers; soldier's grandfather asks Israelis to 'pray for miracle'
Hagai Enav
The Islamic Movement in Israel has offered to mediate between the government and Palestinian kidnappers to secure the release of an Israel Defense Forces soldier kidnapped by gunmen near the border with the Gaza Strip on Sunday morning.
MKs Ibrahim Sarsur and Abas Zkoor of the United Arab List-Ta'al faction, which is affiliated with the movement, said they would mediate talks for the release of Gilad Shalit if both Israel and the kidnappers agree.
The Islamic Movement called on the kidnappers to release Shalit, and urged Israel to act with restraint.
Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger meets grandfather of kidnapped soldier (Photo: Hagai Aharon)
United Arab List-Ta'al leader Talab El-Sana called on Palestinian groups involved in the kidnapping to keep the soldier alive and urged Israel to avoid carrying out a reprisal operation and to shelve its target assassination policy.
"We need to return to the negotiations table and solve the problems through dialogue, because only through deliberation it is possible to reach agreements and not through kidnapping and murdering innocent civilians," he said.
'We are optimistic'
With Israel choosing to give diplomacy a chance while keeping a rescue operation in the cards, the soldier's family expressed optimism about their son's fate.
"The feeling is very difficult, but we hope for the best," Tzvi Shalit, Gilad's grandfather said.
The family is anxiously awaiting news from Gaza at their home in the Galilee village of Mitzpe Hila.
Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger visited the family Sunday evening in a show of support.
"The rabbi gave us hope and said he will pray for him (Gilad). We have to be hopeful. Gilad is a dear grandson who integrated well into
the brigade he served in. We are dealing with the situation. It happened to some families in Israel in the past and we believe and hope for the best all the time," the grandfather said.
Nitzan, a family friend said: "When I heard in the morning about the incident from a friend I immediately called my father who serves in the Armored Corps to ask what had happened. I hardly finished my question when he told me that Gilad is the kidnapped soldier."
"He has an entourage of friends. He is very quiet and introverted, and loves his family. We all hope he will return home soon," she said.
"I call on Palestinian religious leaders to work for the release of Gilad safely," Rabbi Metzger said. "We are the sons of Abraham our father and both religions will be judged from above for their behavior."
(06.25.06, 22:49)
http://www.arutzsheva.net/news.php3?id=106028
Gaza Diplomats: We Have Found Kidnapped Soldier
05:08 Jun 26, '06 / 30 Sivan 5766
(IsraelNN.com) Diplomats living in Gaza have stated that they have located the whereabouts of Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier kidnapped yesterday during the terror attack on Kerem Shalom. The prime minister has stated that Israel will not agree to the release of Arab prisoners, and Israel has threatened to strike at senior Hamas figures, including members of the PA government, if Shalit is not released.
The diplomats, who are involved in negotiations for his release, told the Ha’aretz newspaper that Gilad is being treated well. Although he is injured, he is in a good state of health. They also expressed their hope that he would be freed soon. The diplomats have stated that they know which group is responsible for his kidnap, but have refused to divulge this information.
Israel is currently involved in intensive negotiations, with the help of Egyptian mediators, for the soldier’s release. Messages have sent to the Palestinian Authority threatening serious action against leading Hamas figures if Gilad is not released soon. Defense Minister Amir Peretz and Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Dan Chalutz have stated that they consider the Palestinian Authority and its officials as responsible for the soldier’s welfare.
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