Category: Frontlines

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Silent Intifada Weekly Report [ Feb. 5 2016]

The Silent Intifada is produced weekly by HaKol HaYehudi, a magazine focused on the rights of Israeli residents of Judea and Samaria.  The Silent Intifada is the newest edition to our content partnership network.

Over 170 terror attacks murder one border police officer and injure seven Jews.

This week as almost every week there were dozens of terror attacks of varying severity not reported in most major media outlets. We report on these silenced events to present a fuller picture of the reality in Israel and balance the picture presented to innocent readers abroad. We hope that by reporting these incidents we can raise awareness so that actions can be taken to rectify this problem and improve reality in the Jewish State.

This past week (Fri. Jan. 29- Thurs. Feb. 4th) there were over 170 terror attacks recorded in the ‘Silent Intifada’ updates on Hakol Hayehudi. Among these were two shootings, two stabbings, and a number of incidents of throwing of stones and firebombs at vehicles, homes, and individuals. Seven Jews were injured as a result of these attacks and one was murdered.

On Wednesday Feb. 3rd, Hadar Cohen, a border police officer, was murdered near the Shechem Gate of Jerusalem’s Old City. After a border police patrol identified several Arabs acting suspiciously, they approached them to ask for their IDs. One of the Arabs pulled out an automatic rifle and others pulled out knives and began shooting and stabbing the officers. The commander, along with another officer, opened fired and neutralized the terrorists. Along with the guns, the terrorists were also found to have explosives that they had planned to use in the attack.

The father of Hadar Cohen HY"D, at her funeral.

The father of Hadar Cohen HY”D, at her funeral.

The same day, Arabs from Katna opened fire on an IDF patrol in the village. On Thursday Feb. 4th, a Jewish security guard was stabbed in Ramle. Later that night, Arabs penetrated Machane Ofer in Binyamin.

On Monday Feb. 1st, there were three attempted stabbings and an attempted vehicular attack. An Arab with a knife was caught near Beit Anun on his way to carry out an attack. Another Arab was caught with a knife in the Old City of Jerusalem. Near the town of Salit, an Arab attempted to stab IDF soldiers. In Tel Aviv, two Arabs attempted to ram into civilians with their vehicle and were later caught by police.

On Sunday Jan. 31st, a ‘Palestinian’ police officer shot at three soldiers near the Fucus checkpoint close to Beit El. Three soldiers were injured. That same day, Arabs attempted to ram over and stab soldiers on Route 443. At Gush Etzion Junction an Arab was also caught with a knife.

On Shabbat Jan. 30th, an Arab stabbed a Jew near the Shechem Gate in Jerusalem.

Full List of Attacks:

Thursday Feb. 4th

  • Arabs throw firebombs in Umm Salmona.
  • Arabs throw stones near Tekoa in Gush Etzion.
  • Arabs throw stones near Pesagot in Binyamin.
  • Arabs throw stones near Rachel’s Tomb.
  • Arabs throw stones near Hizme.
  • Arabs throw stones in Al-Hadr.
  • Arabs throw stones at the Pharmacy Junction in Hevron.
  • Arabs throw firebombs near Givat Assaf.
  • IDF forces catch two Arabs with knives near Rantis.

22:43- Arabs throw a firebomb at an IDF post near Al-Fawr in Har Hevron.

22:14- Arabs throw stones at vehicles on Route 443.

22:01- Arabs throw stones at a bus near Beit Umar in Gush Etzion.

22:00- Arabs throw firebombs at an IDF post in Gush Etzion.

21:49- Arabs throw firebombs at Jews on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

20:51- Arabs riot in Shuafat in Jerusalem.

20:03- Arabs throw firebombs in Halhul in Har Hevron.

19:31- Arabs throw stones at a bus near Beit Umar in Gush Etzion.

19:03- Arabs throw stones at a vehicle near Samtat Erez in Hevron causing damage.

19:02- Arabs throw firebombs at a bus in Ras Al Amud in Jerusalem.

18:58- Arabs throw stones on the Zevel Road in Binyamin.

18:54- Arabs riot in Kabatia in the Shomron.

15:47- Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Beit Hashalom in Hevron.

15:36- Arabs throw firebombs at a bus near Karmei Tzur.

14:41- Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Beit Umar.

13:10- Arabs throw stones at vehicles near 206 Junction.

12:38- Arabs throw stones at vehicles on the road from Jerusalem to Gush Etzion.

12:29- Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Adam causing damage.

11:26- Stabbing: A Jew is stabbed in Ramle.

Wednesday Feb. 3rd

  • Arabs riot in Salit Al Harita in the Shomron.
  • Arabs throw stones in Zeita.
  • Arabs riot in Kabatia in the Shomron.
  • Arabs throw stones at the Pharmacy Junction in Hevron.
  • Arabs throw stones at Har Adar.
  • Arabs throw stones at police officers in Silwan in Jerusalem.
  • Arabs throw stones near Tekoa in Gush Etzion.
  • Arabs throw stones at IDF forces in Suchiya in Har Hevron.
  • Arabs throw stones at vehicles in Hevron.
  • Arabs throw stones near Maalo Amos.
  • Arabs throw stones near Efrat.

20:03- Arabs throw firebombs near Beit Umar in Gush Etzion.

18:53- Arabs throw firebombs at IDF forces near Al-Aru in Gush Etzion.

18:29- Arabs penetrate Machane Ofer in Binyamin

14:46- Arabs throw stones at the fence of Kiryat Arba.

14:38- Arabs riot at the Shechem Gate in Jerusalem.

14:06- Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Al-Hadr in Gush Etzion.

14:04- Shooting and stabbing: Arabs open fire and stab Jews at the Shechem Gate in Jerusalem. A border police officer is murdered and another is injured seriously.

13:48- Arabs throw stones near Al-Arub in Gush Etzion.

12:22- Arabs throw stones at vehicles on Route 443 near Beit Horon.

9:01- Arabs throw stones at vehicles on Route 5 near Ariel.

4:12- Shooting: Arabs shoot at IDF forces in Katna.

Tuesday Feb. 1st

  • Arabs throw firebombs in Silwan.
  • Arabs throw firebombs near Beit El.
  • Arabs throw stones near Had Adar.
  • Arabs throw stones in A-Ram.
  • Arabs throw stones in Nazlat Issa.
  • Arabs throw stones in Issawiya in Jerusalem.
  • Arabs throw stones in Hizme.
  • Arabs throw stones near Susiya.
  • Arabs throw stones in Al-Arub.
  • Arabs throw stones in Dahit Al-Barid.
  • Arabs throw stones near Nachal Kfira.
  • Arabs throw stones in Ras Al Amud in Jerusalem.
  • Arabs throw stones near Dura.
  • Arabs throw stones near Pesagot.
  • Arabs throw stones in A-Tur in Jerusalem.
  • Arabs throw stones near Jiplatik in the Jordan Valley.
  • Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Umm Salmona.
  • Arabs riot near Pesagot.
  • Arabs throw stones  at Rachel’s Tomb.
  • Arabs throw stones at vehicles near the tunnels passage.

22:17- Arabs riot in Shuafat in Jerusalem.

20:40- Arabs throw firebombs at Givat Assaf.

20:14- Arabs throw firebombs at vehicles near Beit Horon.

20:05- Arabs throw firebombs at vehicles near Beit El.

19:40- Arabs throw firebombs at vehicles near Al-Hadr.

19:27- Arabs throw stones near South Kiryat Arba Junction.

15:24- Arabs throw stones at the fence of Kiryat Arba.

14:38- Arabs throw stones at vehicles near A-Tira on Route 443.

13:22- Arabs throw stones near the fence of Kiryat Arba.

12:40- Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Beit Hashalom in Hevron.

10:45- Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Beit Horon causing damage.

9:11- Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Neve Tzuf. One is caught.

8:58- Arabs throw stones near Beit Anun in Har Hevron.

Monday Jan. 31st

  • Arabs riot in Silwan in Jerusalem.
  • Arabs throw stones on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
  • Arabs riot in Qalandiya.
  • Arabs throw an improvised grenade at IDF forces in Dahashiya.

21:55- Arabs throw stones near Dolev in Gush Talmonim.

18:49- Arabs riot in Jeba in Binyamin.

18:07- Arabs throw stones at a bus near Beit Umar in Gush Etzion.

18:06- Arabs riot at Adam Junction.

16:57- Arabs throw stones near Umm Raichan in the Shomron.

16:34- Arabs throw stones near Nahliel in Binyamin.

15:22- Arabs throw stones at a bus near Beit Umar in Gush Etzion.

15:01- Arabs throw stones at Kiryat Arba.

14:04- Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Beit Umar in Gush Etzion.

13:42- Attempted stabbing: An Arab is caught with a knife near Beit Anun.

13:10- Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Karmei Tzur in Gush Etzion.

10:39- Attempted stabbing: An Arab is caught with a knife in the Old City of Jerusalem.

9:40- Attempted vehicular attack: Two Arabs are arrested after attempting to ram over Jews in Tel Aviv.

7:42- Attempted stabbing: An Arab attempts to stab IDF soldiers near Salit.

Sunday Jan. 30th

  • Arabs throw firebombs in Bachrat A-Sheikh.
  • Arabs throw stones in Harmela.
  • Arabs throw stones in Hizme.
  • Arabs throw firebomb in Silwan in Jerusalem.
  • Arabs throw stones at IDF forces near Abu Dis.
  • Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Beit Awwa in Har Hevron.
  • Arabs throw stones at Jews near Kadaron.
  • Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Beit Umar in Gush Etzion.
  • Arabs throw stones near Halamish in Binyamin.
  • arabs throw stones near Tekoa.
  • Arabs throw stones near Karmei Tzur in Gush Etzion.

21:49- Arabs riot at A-Ram Junction in Binyamin.

21:40- Arabs riot in Shuafat in Jerusalem.

20:16- Arabs throw firebombs at vehicles near Ofra. 

19:51- Arabs throw stones at a bus near Uja in the Jordan Valley causing damage.

19:16- Arabs throw firebombs at vehicles near Al-Hadr.

18:11- Arabs throw stones at vehicles on Route 443 causing damage.

17:08- Arabs throw stones at the light rail in Shuafat in Jerusalem causing damage.

16:21- Attempted stabbing: An Arab attempt to stab Jews at Gush Etzion Junction.

16:14- Arabs throw stones at a security patrol near Kiryat Arba.

16:13- Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Al-Hadr in Gush Etzion.

16:12- Arabs throw stones at the light rail in Shuafat in Jerusalem causing damage.

14:44- Arabs throw stones at vehicles in Hawara in the Shomron.

14:24- Attempted vehicular attack and stabbing: An Arab attempts to ram into soldiers and stab them on Route 443.

11:09- Shooting: An Arab shots three soldiers near Beit El.

1:16- Arabs throw stones at vehicles in Wadi Ara causing damage.

Shabbat Jan. 30th

  • Arabs break the fence to Naalin in Binyamin. 
  • Arabs riot in Shuafat in Jerusalem.
  • Arabs riot in Beit Kar.
  • Arabs riot near Beit El.
  • Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Beit Umar causing damage.
  • Arabs riot in Ein Yael in Jerusalem.
  • Arabs damage the fence near Ju’nes close to Qalqilya and throw firebombs.
  • Arabs throw stones near Beit Awwa.
  • Arabs throw stones in A-Tur.

17:35- Stabbing: A Jew is stabbed near the Shechem Gate in Jerusalem.

Friday Jan. 29th

  • Arabs throw stones in Yavad.
  • Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Umm Salmona causing damage.
  • Arabs throw stones near Turmusaya.
  • Arabs throw stones near Anatot.
  • Arabs throw stones near Givat Assaf.
  • Arabs throw stones near Nachal Kfira.
  • Arabs throw stones near Efrat.
  • Arabs throw stones at the Beqaot checkpoint.
  • Arabs throw firebombs near Beit Moshel.
  • Arabs throw stones in Nabi Saleh.
  • Arabs throw stones in Huta.
  • Arabs throw stones in Al-Fawr.
  • Arabs throw firebombs in Hizme.
  • Arabs throw stones in Kaidida.
  • Arabs throw stones in Kabatia.
  • Arabs throw stones in Beit Umar.
  • Arabs throw stones in Sheikh Jarrah in Jerusalem.

17:54- Arabs throw 15 firebombs at security forces in Issawiya in Jerusalem.

16:31- Arabs riot in Malach.

15:21- Arabs riot in Jalazun.

14:48- Arabs riot on the Modeh Road.

13:47- Arabs riot in Kadum in the Shomron.

12:00- Arabs approach Mitzpe Yitzhar and flee after being identified.

Originally published on HaKol HaYehudi

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Confining Meir Ettinger, Israel Tries to Derail a Revolution

When one strolls the streets of Jerusalem these days, Meir Ettinger’s picture is everywhere. The posters demand justice for the young activist.  After all no one has charged him with anything and yet he remains in administrative detention, now for another four months.  Ettinger tried to influence the latest decision by going on a hunger strike, which rallied many rightwing activists behind him, but the security apparatus appeared unshaken.

The question that remains is what is the State of Israel so threatened by, which causes them to hold Ettinger for so long?

To answer this one must look back into the annals of Zionist history.

Although the Zionist movement’s goals were to attain statehood in the Land of Israel, the movement grew in various ways and approaches in reaching this goal. For most the state was a solution to a greater issue. Three distinct types of Zionism had formed by the time the Jews of the Holy Land revolted against the British Empire.

Settling the Land Leads to Sovereignty

Practical Zionism sprung forth in the late 19th Century by way of land purchases in Israel. Led by the “Lovers of Zion” movement Practical Zionists believed that the most important action to take was to settle as much of the Land of Israel as possible.  In their eyes independence would be driven by control and could only be sought after once the land was settled.  Statecraft was not on their radar.  

Speeches Will Gain Us Standing

Political Zionism took to heart the failure of the European Jews’ emancipation and decided to win supporters for resettlement in the Land of Israel.  Those who ascribed hope for the Jewish Nation in the international community believed that a Jewish State could be attained by appealing to “friendly” nations of the need to avoid a Jewish catastrophe.

Herzl was a Political Zionist.  Although the World Zionist Congress and World Zionist Organization (under Jabotinsky) achieved global notoriety, sovereignty was not decided in the halls of law around the world.  Only one form of Zionism merged all the necessary components to be able to take on the British Empire.

Zionism is about National Jewish Liberation

When Menachem Begin became the head of the Irgun he adopted the Lehi’s outlook on Revolutionary Zionism.  This is of course not a surprise as the Israel Eldad became the philosophical head of Lehi after Avraham Stern was killed. Eldad and Begin were good friends and chess partners. Their brand of Zionism saw the direct need to push each and every occupying power out of the Land of Israel.

Zev Golan writes in his book Stern and his Gang, “For Lehi, sovereignty was not a solution but a goal, an expression of Jewish culture, as any nation-state is the expression of a people’s culture. The few hundred Lehi fighters of 1943 declared themselves determined to fight  war to liberate the homeland from the foreigner.  It mattered not to them whether this foreigner was Turk, as it had been, British as it was then, or someone else in the future.”

The Lehi fighters desired to “establish the Hebrew kingdom based on our historic rights, on our national desire as expressed in all the messianic longings and attempts [Lohamey Herut Israel, Collected Writings].”

The Revolution Continues

When we succeeded in chasing the British Empire out of the Land of Israel, the nation was not ready for its destiny.  It’s true the State of Israel is successful, but goals of the Zionist Revolution as envisioned by Begin and Eldad have never been accomplished.  

Building a true Jewish State, one that pushes its sovereignty to all corners of our biblical promise has not come about.  Large areas of our ancestral homeland lie under the feet of foreign occupation.  The Temple Mount, “liberated” by fearless Jewish warriors in 1967, stands defiled and trampled by the urinating masses of Muslims who care more about controlling the holiest site to Jews than treating it with respect.

Jews are still murdered for daring to return to their ancestral homeland and politicians care far more about Western values than being proud Jewish leaders.

Meir Ettinger was arrested six months ago, and is still confined because he dared to speak the truth.  There have been no charges filed against Meir, but he is the most “dangerous man in Israel.” Why? Simply, because he called for the revolution to continue.  And why not?  Afterall Jewish destiny at the end of the day is Messianic. Meir’s revolt was not physical.  If it was it would not last.  The government in Israel is scared of the most potent revolt of all, an awakening that we have incomplete work here.  For that the elites who run the State of Israel are truly scared.

They are scared because their destiny expresses the internal struggle held within.  That we may actually be who we say we are and our return is more than just a temporal liberation, but rather the ultimate liberation which if allowed to reach fruition can liberate the entire world.

Deep down inside we all know the system we live in is a system that defines state institutions as divine. However, a system that disconnects itself from its divine mission does not get to claim inherent divinity.  Divinity is attained by expressing that which is held within each one of us.  The Zionist Revolution will only be complete when the State returns to the mission it was intended for and that is the complete and total liberation of Zion with the goal of setting up a true and righteous kingdom.

 

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Martyrdom, Suicide-by-Police or Both?

A recent Times of Israel article attempts to pinpoint the motivating factor behind the current terror wave. What drives Arab teenagers to go on a stabbing spree knowing they will most probably be shot dead by an officer? Do they have suicidal tendencies and are just committing “suicide-by-police?” Or are they committing terror in the name of religion? Or is it a mix of both?

The writer interviews Professor Ariel Merari, a prominent expert in the psychology of terrorism, who assessed the personality of failed self-martyrs. His studies show that “most of the would-be martyrs displayed a dependent and avoidant personality style, a profile that made them more amenable to group, leader, and public influence.” Others were assessed as having an impulsive and emotionally unstable style. Some of the would-be martyrs displayed sub-clinical suicidal tendencies and some displayed symptoms of depression.

Analysis of the terror and suicide attacks

There are two part of the article though that caught my attention:

“It’s not that there is one cause and that’s it — like incitement. Incitement certainly plays an important role. Even a person who really wants to die for personal reasons could do it several different ways. But the fact that Islam forbids suicide is key. If someone commits suicide, his family become outcasts. If he really wants to die, in the current political climate, it is very convenient to do it this way, to commit suicide by police. Because then the entire society will say, ‘How wonderful, he is a shahid, he is a hero. They will not say he committed a religiously forbidden act.”

According to that statement by Merari, it is clear that it is society’s fault for encouraging and praising those who carry out terror attacks and become martyrs. Yes, Merari’s reports are accurate and the subjects of his studies probably do have emotional or psychological issues that make them more prone to become self-martyrs. However, when the society and its leaders publicly encourage terror attacks and martyrdom they are providing the self-martyr justification for his actions. It is the incitement, brainwashing lies and anti-Israel propaganda being spread by the Palestinian Authority and Hamas that are breeding self-martyrs in their society.

Adam Lankford explains this problem in his article in the Scientific American “What You Don’t Understand about Suicide Attacks:”

Unfortunately, “martyrdom” has become a dangerous loophole: it is the only way Islamic suicide attackers believe they can guarantee their own death, and yet go to heaven instead of hell. In the Middle East and Asia, they typically commit suicide bombings. In the United States, they tend to use firearms instead of bombs, and plan on dying via “suicide by cop.” In both cases, these attack methods help disguise their suicidal motives. It is commonly claimed that they do not want to die, they just care more about harming the enemy than they do about their own survival.

But the disguise is wearing thin. As I have argued elsewhere, the key to deterring Islamic suicide attackers—both in the United States and around the world—is to expose their suicidal motives and close the “martyrdom” loophole, once and for all. Until suicide attackers are widely seen for the desperate, traumatized, and mentally ill people they really are—instead of “psychologically normal” altruists—America will continue to suffer Islamic mass shooters who seek glory and heavenly rewards through death.

The point is that the Palestinian leadership needs to stop promoting martyrdom. This is why I was disturbed by the last line of the Times of Israel article:

Asked about the current wave of terror, Merari said the political climate needs to change. “The Palestinian public needs hope. We offer them nothing that gives them hope for independence. They are under occupation.”

The blame is on the occupation? Aren’t there Christian Arabs also under the “occupation”? Yet, we don’t see suicide stabbing, shooting and car-ramming attacks performed by them in Israel. It is clear that Islam, at least the way it is being taught in Gaza and the West Bank, plays a huge role in recruiting suicide attackers for the sake of Jihad and martyrdom. I agree that the Palestinian people need hope. That hope will come when its leadership decides to take steps toward a peaceful coexistence with Israelis and stops preaching baseless propaganda and hate.

David Bukay from the University of Haifa concluded in his article “The Religious Foundation of Suicide Bombings:”

“It is fashionable among Western analysts and academics to explain away suicide bombing with discussion of “root causes” that omit religion. Many cite a history of exploitation by Western powers, Israel’s existence, government oppression, poverty, lack of education, and alienation as reasons why desperate individuals decide to blow themselves up to murder others. But attention to suicide bombers’ own justifications suggest that, for them, Islam and its call for jihad is the primary motivation.”

Is there a solution to terror?

The problem of terror attacks against innocent civilians is only getting worse. (As I type these words I hear gunshots outside. Three Arab terrorists were shot after attacking Israelis. Knives, guns and bombs were found. But I digress..) While Merari is correct in suggesting there are a mix of factors that motivate a terror attack, the solution to preventing terror attacks is unclear. It seems that the underlying motivator and fuel for terror attacks is incitement based on religion with the reward of martyrdom, social acceptance, heroism and even monetary compensation for the families of terrorists. The Israeli government needs to implement laws that will demotivate perpetrators from carrying out an attack. Currently, it seems that home demolishing is not enough of a punishment to prevent future attacks. The motivation factor needs to be diminished or removed completely.

One solution that can serve to demotivate someone contemplating a terror attack may be to deport terrorists’ family members. As Israel’s Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel suggested:

“The Israeli government and the political-security cabinet must make a clear decision to deport terrorists and their families to Gaza or any other country which will accept them. Our country must rid ourselves of these murderers.”

Are there other solutions to the current terror wave? Please let us know. Your comments and suggestions are welcomed. Please comment by text or audio below.

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Why Have Israelis Dropped the Two State Solution?

A recent Democracy Institute poll shows support for annexation of Judea and Samaria equal to its opposition. Given the fact that Israelis have endured over 20 years of Oslo education, the poll seems to be indicative of changing attitudes towards Judea and Samaria.

If this poll is accurate, the question arises: What caused the Israeli public to change of course?

Gaza a Turning Point

The destruction and uprooting of Jewish communities in Gaza was hailed at the time as the best chance for peace.  Israelis trusted Ariel Sharon and even believed the security guarantees offered by the Bush administration. Over the following 10 years Israelis’ basic assumptions about the world have been proven false. Assumptions include the following:

  • Arabs are interested in stability
  • Secularism will win out
  • America can always be trusted
  • Giving up land will bring peace
  • Security experts know what they are talking about

Given the above list, Israelis see no reason to give up on Judea and Samaria.  More and more these territories are seen as an integral part of the Jewish nation. However, despite the positive change in attitude towards annexation, other results from the poll should caution those in the Land of Israel camp.

For example, 61% of the Israeli public disagrees with maintaining the status-quo.  This result can be seen as a positive affirmation that Israelis want to push some sort of solution forward.  The question for those in the National Camp, is whose solution?

Those on the Right should take the opportunity to push forward a clear plan of action in reference to annexation. The goal should be to win the support of the slight majority willing to undergo some sort of geopolitical change.  If not, amnesia of past events will eventually take over again and endanger Israel.

Israel's_loss_of_land_1920_-_2012[1]

The Right needs to educate the country on Israel’s historical rights to all of the Land of Israel and what has been given up over the years.  The current culture in Israel and the geopolitical instability throughout the Middle East affords the country an opportunity to reverse some of the territorial setbacks that have occurred in the past.