Dateline Jerusalem — As Israel prepares for the coming new year, 5,775 years from the birth of mankind, the country is cognizant of the fact it is a peaceful island surrounded by a sea of terrorist sharks. We must constantly be on alert.
Israel's vigilance has paid off. Palestinians in the “West Bank” (historically known as Judea and Samaria since biblical times, and only renamed “West Bank” during Jordan’s 19 years of control, 1948-1967) planned a major terrorist attack on Israel for the Jewish new year. Shin Bet (Israel's security agency) discovered the plans and thwarted the attack. Several were arrested. Huge amounts of weapons and ammunition were confiscated. Just the other day, alert Border Patrol officers detained a Palestinian who tried to illegally enter Israel. The man had a pickaxe hidden under his clothes. He said he intended to attack soldiers in Jerusalem.
On the Eastern front, Israel downed a Syrian Sukhoi-24 fighter jet that had entered Israeli airspace. Now Syria is complaining to the United Nations that Israel is taking the side of the rebels against Syria. Does it not occur to anyone that Israel only is protecting itself? In recent days, rockets, mortar shells and stray gunfire have wounded Israelis along the border. Israel also shot down a Syrian drone last month when it strayed into Israeli airspace. U.N. “peacekeepers” (they do everything but keep the peace), are now huddled in a base on the Israeli side of the border. It is too dangerous for them on the Syrian side. The U.N. should be grateful that it has a safe haven in Israel.
On the Western front, Hamas has not been quiet during this “cease-fire.” As we saw during the Gaza War, Hamas controls nearly everything in Gaza. Hamas is responsible for control of Gaza although there may be individual militants and other terror groups firing rockets and mortars. When there have been violations of the cease-fire, they should not be claiming that it never happened or that they did not do it. Hamas terrorists have been busy firing rockets and missiles that have not landed in Israel. One rocket misfired and exploded in the Mediterranean Sea, falling short of Israel. Last week there were three rocket launches. None landed in Israel. Interesting that Hamas is launching rockets, mortars, and missiles during the “peace talks” in Egypt. It seems Hamas is reconstructing Gaza, but not above ground. They are back at digging terror tunnels.
Now Hamas is threatening to walk out on the “peace talks” because Israel, while trying to arrest the two terrorists who kidnapped and murdered the three Israeli students, may their memories be a blessing, killed the two terrorists in a gunfight that ensued when they opened fire on Israeli soldiers and Border Patrol. Several arrests were made of other collaborators. The kidnappers hid in a secret basement floor of a large home in the Hebron area. Soldiers also found a cache of weapons. The kidnapping of the three religious students, who were lured into the car of the Hamas terrorists dressed as religious Jews offering them a ride home for Shabbat, triggered the Gaza War.
As I sit here by my window and think of the past year, its joys and sorrows, I am reminded of Israel's contributions to medicine, technology, and humanity. I think of how during wartime and some other unbearable circumstances, Israelis pulled together as a people. The perfect blue sky, heat from the sun, low humidity (for a change), and a view of palm trees, exotic ferns, colorful blooming trees and flowers outside my apartment window. Appropriately, they reflect the beauty of Israel, as a nation and as a people. Springtime in mid-September is a wonderful way to end the year 5774. Shana tova. Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, safe and sweet new year.
L'hitraot. Shachar