Staying Real in Israel
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Not that we are at all happy about it. This is MY neighborhood that we are talking about. My sons are in the Israeli Army. The handwriting has been on the wall for a long time, now. I have seen the coming war as inevitable since the end of the LAST war in Gaza. That’s because the Israeli government did not let the IDF finish the job.
What needed to be done before the Israeli army left Gaza, and STILL needs to be done:
1. Destroy, completely Hamas’s military ability, including weapons, supplies, command and control, military leadership.
2. Destroy ALL the smuggling routes used to replenish weapons supplies…and take control of the entire border area with Egypt where these weapons flow…that is, RE-take control of the Philadelphia corridor.
3. Remove Hamas from power in Gaza. They must be replaced by either more moderate Palestinian Authority leadership, or Israel has no choice but to re-take control until there is a reasonable alternative to fill the void.
I learned in dental school, long, long ago, that “There is never enough time to do the job right, but there is ALWAYS is enough time to do the job OVER”…
I can only hope that, if and when we DO do the job right, the price in Israeli blood will not be high…

One of Many Quassam Rockets That Fell on the Negev

Residents of south Israel fear another war brewing


Communities surrounding Gaza say death of two soldiers in Gaza Friday, along with continuous rocket fire, may be sign full-blown military conflict nearing. ‘We don’t deserve to live like this,’ Kfar Aza resident says

Reprinted from Ynetnews.com Tova Dadon

Residents of Israel’s southern region view the incident in which two soldiers were killed in Gaza Friday, along with the continuous rocket and mortar fire emanating from the Hamas-ruled territory, as a possible prelude to a full-blown war.

“There is a sense that we are on the brink of another war,” a member of Kibbutz Kfar Aza told Ynet on Saturday.

“Mortars have been falling here for a week now, just like in Operation Cast Lead,” said Orit Arjento, “I am in constant stress; running to the Internet to see if there is any news and debating whether I should close the window or leave it open, because of the mortars.

“Fortunately we have a secure room in our apartment, but still, jumping out of bed and making sure that all of the children made it to the secure room is not easy at age 52,” she said.

Prior to the launching of Operation Cast Lead, a mortar landed on the Arjento family home, directly hitting the room of teenage daughter Shir.

“We don’t deserve to live like this,” said Orit, who invited 30 guests from all over the country to attend the Pesach Seder.

“I can’t tell them (guests) that it is completely safe here. The ‘Color Red’ alert sounds on occasion,” she said.

Yoav Peled, security officer for the Shaar Hanegev Regional Council said, “This is the reality, and we’ve almost learned to live with it – after eight years (of rocket fire) and after the war.

“There is a sweeping decision not leave the region. I can’t say that everyone thinks as I do, but I can say with certainty that since Operation Cast Lead more and more people have relocated to the council’s communities; our kibbutzim are full,” he said.

This gorgeous young Israeli lady had to get permission from her commanding officer to attend the beauty pageant…which she won…She is an Israeli soldier on active duty in the army!!!
I bet MY army is prettier than YOUR army (and we fight pretty well, too)…

Miss Israel 2010 crowned


Shavit Wiesel, 20, wins beauty pageant in Haifa ceremony marking competition’s 60th anniversary

Reprinted from YNet News Roni Amar

Shavit Wiesel, 20, of Kibbutz Be’eri in southern Israel was crowned Miss Israel 2010 on Monday. The Miss Junior Israel title was awarded to Bat-El Jubi; Adi Sassi was named Miss Teen Israel; and the Miss Congeniality title was given to Shel Arazi. Another runner-up was Gal Erez.

Wiesel is an Israel Defense Forces soldier serving in the Teleprocessing Branch and has had a steady boyfriend for the past five years. After her army discharge she intends on volunteering and has expressed a interest in working with children with special needs.

During the ceremony, which was held in Haifa and hosted by model and presenter Hila Nachshon, singer Harel Skaat – Israel’s representative to the Eurovision song contest – and 1973 Eurovision winner Anne-Marie David performed a duet in French.

Other performance included that of singers Maya Bouskila and Moshe Peretz.

Among the judges were LaIsha women’s magazine editor Miriam Nofech-Moses, model and actress Agam Rodberg, singer Amir Faye Guttman and model and presenter Ilanit Levy.

Monday’s event marked the contest’s 60th anniversary and allowed the audience to vote and influence the judges’ choices for the first time.

When I talk about our sons AND our daughters fighting for the Land of Israel, I really mean it!!
Check out this ultra-hi-tech defense operation…being run by female soldiers in the Israeli Army…

The newly named Combat Intelligence Collection Corps is comprised of 60% female soldiers, who serve as scouts or fighters and watch every move made in the field

Reprinted from Israel Defense Forces Website

A decade ago in April 2000, the body known as Field Intelligence was born. Slowly but surely it took its first baby steps in building itself up with the formation of the Field Intelligence School, the establishment of the comprehensive information gathering battalions, the growth of the body to almost a third its original size, and the development of weapons that are to this day thought of as the best in the world. Half a year ago, in September 2009, the Corps decided that it had outgrown its nest, and went off on its own, separating from the Intelligence Corps.

And thus the Field Intelligence Corps was born anew. Within half a year it has received a new name, the Combat Intelligence Collection Corps, a new unit identification tag, a new pin and soon, a new beret whose color is shrouded and mystery and a point of curiosity all throughout the IDF. Aside for all that, the changes are minimal. The Corps will have the same officers, the same soldiers, 60% of which are female.

Lt. Col. Barak Cohen, the Nitzan Battalion Commander, says that the work done here proves itself. As an example he discussed the work of the scout soldiers in ports, during which the soldiers collected information on a suspect from Nablus over the course of two weeks. Day after day, for many hours at a time, these female soldiers followed him and learned his routine; when he leaves, who he spends his time with, and where. They understood how he dressed and which foods he preferred. They also identified all his acquaintances and created profiles for each of them as well. All of this scouting work was done in the open field, across from the crowded city, and therefore the girls had to camouflage themselves with the utmost success and do their job with speed and efficiency. After two weeks of gathering intelligence which led the scouts to an understanding of the suspect’s detailed behavior, the information was passed on to the unit of soldiers who were able to arrest the suspect within 20 seconds. The operation was deemed a success, as it was done with a minimum of struggle or damage, and all this is thanks to the scouting soldiers.

At the Push of a Button

The Military Operations Room in the Kissufim Base is of the most advanced in the Corps, and constitutes the integration of intelligence gathering and attack. It contains systems for both investigation and detection. And, of course, it also has many resourceful female scouts with nerves of steel, who succeed 24 hours a day in operating the Military Operations Room, and who watch the field all day long on their screens. Practically none of these girls have ever actually been in the field, but they spend all of their time “inside”. They remember it by heart, and know every bush, tree and stone, as they know how to identify even the smallest possible nuances that change in the field.

These female scouts recently simulated a cooperative joint operation with the “See-Shoot” system, which enables the scouts in the Military Operations Room to carry out gunfire from far away. “Identify the suspects!” shouted one scout to another, and quickly the girls began to thwart an incident and pass on information about two suspects to the forces in the field. They homed in on the suspects and followed them from afar the entire way. The forces began to arrive in the field, but they didn’t arrive quickly enough. “Permission to fire” the Military Operations Room Officer told a commander, who seated herself behind the See-Shoot System. The scout who identified the suspects directed the commander to the specific point, and the suspects were shot. Although this was all just a military exercise, it simulates many activities which have been carried out successfully without injuring any IDF soldiers. The identification and direct hits succeed all because of these alert female scouting soldiers, who sit behind the screens and guide the forces in the field.

The Girls Whose Eyes Don’t Shut

Lt. Col. Eran Gabai, Commander of the Nesher Battalion, placed a challenge before his soldiers. “Before you… are binoculars and the open field. Try to find the scouting stations of the fighters who are spread out in the field.” All of the soldiers squint their eyes, search and begin to sweat a little. “I have identified!” someone yells. Everyone goes over to one small modest hill under a tree. After three knocks, an entire staff of female fighters exits a place that only seconds before looked entirely sterile. At the end of an exhaustive 8 months of training during which the girls learn to be scouting or disguised fighters, they are divided up into teams that quickly become like families.

“We eat together, drink together, laugh, sleep and speak together, and most importantly, we work together,” says Cpl. Shir Eidelman, who one minute earlier seemed to be part of a hill. She is dressed in special disguise uniform, her face is painted the colors of the sand and even her weapon is colored that way as she describes her satisfaction with her job. “Not many people are familiar with our Company and I try to speak about it with everyone. And still, everyone understands the responsibility we have.” She says that often combat soldiers will be doubtful, but end up giving her respect and recognizing the significance of what she does. “Over the past few years it has become slightly more in the norm for there to be female combat soldiers, and they see that we have high motivation to defend our country and our soldiers.”

Nobody Knows the Field Better than These Girls

While other combat brigades move every few months to new territories, the female fighters in the Combat Intelligence Collection Corps, including the scouts, always remain in the same place. This instills in them vast knowledge, expertise and recognition of the depths of the field. “Because we are professionally trained in one region, there is no one who knows it better than we do.” Shir continues, “Therefore, we direct the soldiers and help them to know the field. We precede the strike.” And the need to spend days at a time together in a concealed place created a special bond. “Because we are together all of the time, we are each others’ best friends and know everything about each other. Strong friendship like this, built on spending many days together in a small place, cannot be made outside of the army.”

Brig. Gen. Eli Pollack, the head Combat Intelligence Collection Officer, explains the renewed branding. “We decided to place the responsibility of Intelligence back in the hands of the Corps, and to busy ourselves with proper collection. We established our own Corps because collection is a professional thing which demands training and instruction, and today we are advancing the training of the fighters and the female scouts. The task of this structure is extremely important, and it gathers information in all shapes and sizes all year long.” When asked about documentation about the joint operations, he says “The Corps has placed an emphasis on bringing evidence and proof, and constitutes one of the information centers. The threats have not finished, and it is on us to be prepared and organized for anything. We watch from the fence to inside the enemies’ territory and we respond to every incident which occurs in the operational zone.”

The Israeli Army is like no other fighting force. And it’s great to see such high motivation of our children, in spite of international pressure to constantly belittle and degrade the IDF. Our sons and daughters are fighting to defend the Homeland of the Jewish people, not only a civic responsibility, but a religious one as well. It is a great “mitzvah”, a fulfillment of a biblical Torah commandment to defend the holy soil of the Land of Israel and its inhabitants.
BTW, proud to say that my son will be one of those “March 2010 recruits”…to a combat unit!!

76% of Recruits Request Combat Positions


2010 shows the highest percentage of recruits joining IDF combat units in the history of the IDF

Reprinted from Israel Defense Forces Website

The current IDF draft is characterized once more by an increase in the desire to join combat units. According to data publicized on Wednesday (Mar. 3) by the Head of the Human Resources Directorate, Maj. Gen. Avi Zamir, at a conference in honor of soldiers injured during Operation Cast Lead, 76% of the March recruits expressed the desire to be deployed in combat units, as opposed to 73% in March 2009. This is the highest percentage of all times of soldiers expressing this desire.

The great demand also presents a few challenges to the Human Resources Directorate. There is, for example, a shortage of soldiers who will serve in combat supporting positions such as cooks, technicians, mechanics, drivers and others.

“We are very satisfied with the data of the upcoming draft, which represents a peak of all times,” said Maj. Gen. Zamir at the ceremony. “This is an excellent youth, with the desire to contribute in the most significant places.”

The March draft will begin on Sunday (Mar. 7) with the new Golani Brigade recruits.

Army intelligence…often given as THE prime example of an oxymoron…I see why…
Not the brightest of lights serving in Israel’s finest…Sometimes this “Yiddishe Kopf” (Jewish head) stuff is taken a bit too far…

IDF calls off West Bank raid due to Facebook leak

The Israel Defense Forces called off a raid in Palestinian territory after a soldier posted details, including the time and place, on the social networking website Facebook, Army Radio reported on Wednesday.

Reprinted from HaAretz

The soldier – since relieved of combat duty – described in a status update how his unit planned a “clean-up” arrest raid in a West Bank area, Army Radio said.

“On Wednesday we clean up Qatanah, and on Thursday, god willing, we come home,” the soldier wrote on his Facebook page, refering to a West Bank village near Ramallah.

The soldier also disclosed the name of the combat unit, the place of the operation and the time it will take place. Facebook friends then reported him to military authorities.

The Israeli military spokesman’s office had no immediate comment.

Israel says raids in the West Bank are aimed at detaining militants suspected of planning attacks on Israelis. Palestinian officials say the incursions undermine efforts by the Western-backed Palestinian Authority to enforce law and order in the territory.

This is another example of the “New Anti-Semitism”…That is, good old-fashioned Jew-hating clothed in the mantle of “anti-Zionism”. “I don’t hate Jews, just the Zionist ones. It’s about Israel, not Judaism, they say.” “The persecution of the poor palestinians.” Boloney, BS, cockey, poo….The same old anti-Semitism in it’s modern, politically- correct form. They’ve found a way for their bigotry and hatred to become acceptable, once again, in the parlors of high society…

Just like it was in the 1930′s and 1940′s…before the Holocaust…


The UK and Israel have rarely had an easy relationship

UK officer says views of Israeli forces ‘anti-Semitic’

A former senior British army officer has said international media including the BBC are being exploited by “dark forces” who want to harm Israel.

By John McManus
BBC News

Col Richard Kemp, who was a commander in Afghanistan, said some international criticism of the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) was motivated by anti-Semitism.

He was speaking at a dinner in London hosted by a pro-Israel lobby group.

Col Kemp had defended the actions of the IDF at the UN Goldstone Hearings into the Gaza incursion of 2008.

The Israeli minister for Information and the Diaspora, Yuli Edelstein, was also present at the dinner hosted by the Zionist Federation.

He refused to comment on rumours that the Israeli secret service Mossad had fraudulently used the passports of British citizens during an operation to kill the Hamas boss Mahmoud al-Mabhouh.

Col Kemp, who is now retired from the Army and makes a living from writing, said the advice he received from the Israeli armed forces on how to tackle Afghan suicide bombers had been invaluable, and formed the basis of official army guidelines used by soldiers on the ground there.

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