"Seven Israeli Arabs affiliated with al-Qaida and Global Jihad have been arrested for allegedly murdering a taxi driver last year, and carrying out a series of terrorist attacks, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) revealed on Monday.
In a joint police-Shin Bet operation, Ahmed Ahmed, 21, Jalib Janam, 26, Wassim Allam, 23, Khidar Ziddana, 22, Ahbed Abu-Salim, 19, Adi Azzam, 23, and Oman Kakhibi, 22, all Nazareth residents, were arrested between May 11 and June 21. All seven were indicted Monday at the Haifa district court.
The seven said that they founded a group called Aljahabiyya and claim to follow Salafism, an extremist Sunni Islamic movement. Aljahabiyya was formed two years ago, and inspired by and affiliated with al-Qaida and Global Jihad. The group underwent a process of radicalization, using material found on the Internet, including pictures of weaponry and instructions to prepare explosives and perpetrate terrorist attacks. The seven downloaded al-Qaida propaganda movies and speeches by Osama Bin Laden.
"They accessed the Internet for jihadi ideology and indoctrination, and used it as an information source to listen to extremist clerics," Elgrisi said.
The group allegedly carried out attacks to avenge the murder of Arabs by Jews in Israel, and confessed to plotting to kidnap IDF soldiers and taking their weapons.
Ahmed, Janam and Zidanna were involved involved in the murder of taxi driver Yafim Weinstein, who was killed on November 30, 2009, as well as other attacks. In their interrogation, the three confessed to ordering Weinstein to a kibbutz near Nazareth, where one shot the taxi driver, and others assisted in destroying evidence. They reenacted the murder and led investigators to the place they hid the murder weapon used to kill Weinstein.
Weinstein, 54, a Nazareth Illit resident, was found murdered in his cab outside Kfar Hahoresh in November, leaving behind a wife, children and a grandchild. Details of the investigation were under a gag order until Monday morning." (JPost)
While the USA abhors the very notion of "profiling", Israel has been using it to successfully keep terrorists off its airplanes for years. The USA's "TSA" randomly decides who to check, resulting in excessive security checks for all sorts of people -- including infants and elderly -- who have never hijacked an airplane.
What a waste of time, energy and resources.
In 2006, the Boston Globe praised Israel's security, and what the USA could learn from Israel, yet that was 4 years ago, and not much has changed. There have been more terror attempts -- all of them from Muslim Extremists.
No sensible person imagines that ethnic or religious profiling alone can stop every terrorist plot. But it is illogical and potentially suicidal not to take account of the fact that so far every suicide-terrorist plotting to take down an American plane has been a radical Muslim man. It is not racism or bigotry to argue that the prevention of Islamist terrorism necessitates a special focus on Muslim travelers, just as it is not racism or bigotry when police trying to prevent a Mafia killing pay closer attention to Italians.
Of course most Muslims are not violent jihadis, but all violent jihadis are Muslim. ``This nation," President Bush has said, ``is at war with Islamic fascists." How much longer will we tolerate an aviation security system that pretends, for reasons of political correctness, not to know that?
Unfortunately, Israel has been dumbing-down when it comes to "ordinary" security -- such as terror on the roads. Israel's Ivory-Tower-based Supreme Court ruled against the IDF, that the Modiin-Jerusalem highway 443 must be opened to Palestinian vehicular traffic.
At the start of the most recent Intifiada in late 2000, the 443 highway became a shooting gallery -- as Palestinian terrorists shot up Jewish cars indiscriminately, killing men, women and children. 443 became a ghost road -- and I vividly recall driving the road wearing a bullet proof vest on my way home from work in Jerusalem.
Only after the IDF created alternate routes for the Palestinians, prohibited Palestinian traffic on 443, put up sentry points everywhere and beefed up patrols, did the road become safer again and the average Israeli motorist returned.
"Tuesday's decision came despite the court indicating last year that the road had become a key highway serving tens of thousands of Israelis whose safety would be endangered if Palestinians were allowed to use it unrestrictedly. " (JPost)
Safety of tens of thousands of Israelis...that's not an issue that should bother Israel's Supreme Court.
Their Ivory Tower isn't located anywhere near road 443.
The IDF knows what needs to be done for security, just as we know what needs to be done for airport security. The way things are going now, its only a matter of time before our Supreme Court changes our airline security screenings process as well.
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Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
"A tractor plowed into a police squad car on Menachem Begin Boulevard in Jerusalem on Thursday. The driver was apparently also trying to hit a nearby bus, but missed.
Two police officers were in the car when it was hit and both sustained mild injuries. [An Israeli civilian taxi driver shot the terrorist, and then...] Other police officers patrolling nearby shot the terrorist.
Magen David Adom emergency services were immediately dispatched to the area. The paramedics treated both the injured officers and the tractor driver, who reportedly sustained severe injuries.
One of the police officers and the terrorist were taken to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem. The other police officer was taken to the capital's Shaare Zedek Medical Center. The tractor driver was later pronounced dead." (ynetnews)
This is tractorattack #3 in Jerusalem in the past year, plus a car ramming attack near Jaffa street and the Merkaz Harav terror attack. In all of the above cases, civilians actively took part in neutralizing the terrorist.
My question is, how is the taxi driver related to the other civilian heroes who killed the terrorists? Did he drive them somewhere? Did he study with them? Who will be the first to find the terrorist-killing Jewish Geography link with the taxi driver hero?
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
9:26 PM Gaza rockets fall in a Kibbutz, east of Gaza. Damage to cow barn, no injuries. Note: As opposed to when I previously blogged about the Second Lebanon War, I will not be giving specific locations of where rockets land (unless there are serious injuries and the military censor has already permitted it). During the last war, Israeli Arabs used "google earth" to pinpoint Katyusha strikes in Israel to help Hizbolla calibrate their targeting. We will not help the Palestinians (though why they still have internet access, VIA ISRAEL is a mystery to me).
And now...I'm going to try and go to sleep, and will only post very urgent items till early morning. I'm on a Magen David Ambulance shift tonight (EMT, and driver), so I need to try and get some sleep. See you in the AM.
--Jameel @ The Muqata, and crew.
8:56 PM IDF targets Gaza tunnels -- Israeli air strike destroys 40 smuggling tunnels near Rafah crossing, Philadelphi Route in less than four minutes; Palestinians say two people killed, 25 injured. Another Gazan reportedly shot dead while trying to cross into Egypt. (YNET)
8:47 PM Israeli Arabs rioting on Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Police on their way. Israeli Arabs from Kafr Kassem are throwing rocks at Jewish motorists on Road 5, only 5 minutes away from Petach Tikva and Rosh Haayin. 3 Jewish motorists wounded lightly near Lod, by Israeli Arabs throwing rocks. One Jewish motorist wounded lightly by rocks on road 65 (Wadi Arah). As of 8:47 PM, 22 Qassam rockets (including Grad missiles) were launched at Israel today from Gaza. One of the Grad missiles landed in "Gan Yavneh", north of Ashdod. Raod 55 in the Shomron had many rock throwing incidents by Palestinians at Jewish motorists; by Azzoun, Laqif, and Nabi Alias. No injuries reported, but damage was done to cars.
4:16 PM A 9 year old's "Rocket estimation table"
Translated from INN. 9 year old "Shir" wrote a list for herself in case of rocket attacks on her home in Southern Israel. This way she knows how long it takes to run to the bomb shelter from everywhere in her home, from the time she hears the air raid siren.
From the living room -- 10 seconds to run to the bomb shelter. From Or's bedroom -- 10 seconds to run to the bomb shelter. From the dining room -- 6 seconds to run to the bomb shelter. From Shir's Bedroom -- 13 seconds to run to the bomb shelter From my parents bedroom -- 10 seconds to run to the bomb shetler. From the hall bathroom -- 10 seconds to run to the bomb shleter.
4:00 PM All sorts of things going on. Rockets just landed in the Eshkol region (east of Gaza). No reports of injuries. Over 150 Arabs rioting at the Kalandia Checkpoint in NorthEast Jerusalem. The Naharia (northern Israel) Hospital just opened its underground command center and emergency bunker provisions. MDA has brought it's Ambulance-MediVac Helicopter to Kiryat Gat (Southern Israel) to help deal with the ongoing rocket attacks. Rock Attack in the Galil -- Northern Israel against Israeli Jewish motorists by Israeli Arabs (outside the village of Dir Al-Assad) on Raod 85. No injuries -- there are reports of damage to cars.
3:59 PM Jameel's back. Just had to deal with a car accident outside our settlement. Car flipped over -- all occupants walked out. Simply a mind-boggling miracle.
3:38 PM I'm not sure about the text, but some graphic pictures of what's happening on the ground in Gaza. (Litvshe)
2:49 PM Rockets land in open areas east of Gaza. No injuries.
2:43 PM Last night, while the IAF/IDF "Bor" Primary Command Center in the Tel Aviv "Hakirya" neighboorhood was on full alert, Chabad-Lubavtich representatives arrived to deliver jelly-donuts and light Chanuka candles. (Source, Chabad-On-Line)
2:37 PM Furious Israeli Arabs riot over IDF Gaza Raid. Protestors force the closure of Northern road 77 next to Beit Rimon. Israeli Police responding.
2:32 PM Israeli Government Approves call up of 6,700 reservists. (Jameel notes, I wonder if that will include me...how will I keep liveblogging?!)
YNET Reports: The government on Sunday approved Defense Minister Ehud Barak's demand to operate a national economy emergency system in the Gaza vicinity communities and draft about 6,700 Israel Defense Forces reserve soldiers.
The reservists will be called up ahead of the possibility of expanding the military operation in the Gaza Strip, subject to the approval of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. A national economy emergency system was not operated during the Second Lebanon War.
2:28 PM Hamas declares victory over Israel in an official leaflet -- overcoming the IDF blockade on Gaza. The "proof" of their victory is that they hit Ashdod with 2 "GRAD" missiles.
2:20 PM Walla News reports that over 30 Fatah terrorists were killed this morning by an IAF raid in Gaza (the jail they were in was hit by an IAF bomb). Additionally, the Gush Etzion - Hevron road is temporarily closed because of rock throwing.
2:15 PM Israel Radio (Reshet Bet/Channel B) Reports of a young (Jewish) infant who was lightly to moderately wounded by rock throwing Palestinians at Tzomet Zif near Hebron. The infant was wounded when rocks crashed through the car's windows. Additional rock throwing has been reported in Beit Omar (also in the Hevron district).
2:13 PM Air Raid Sirens and "Color Red" warning system acitvated to the East of Gaza strip in the Eshkol region. Reports of one Qassam landed with no damage or injury.
2:11 PM Israel National News reports that Ashkelon's Barzilai hospital has evacuated the top (5th) floor out of concern for additional rocket attacks. The "Elder of Zion blog is keeping good track of all the incoming rockets -- see his December Rocket Calendar, here.
12:34 PM No wounded in the past 5 minute rocket attack on Ashkelon.
12:33 PM 3 explosions heard in Ashkelon...ongoing Sirens and "Color Red" warning system in Southern Israel communities.
12:29 PM Explosions heard in Ashkelon -- probable Rocket hits. MDA and emergency forces responding.
12:27 Air Raid Siren in Ashkelon. Incoming Missiles expected.
11:21 PM (Off topic from the war) Last year, I managed to get to Kever Yosef (Joseph's Tomb) in the city of Shechem (Nabulus), and I posted a video of the night time event (including live gunfire). A few days ago, more people rededicated the tomb and cleaned it up. Pictures here
11:12 AM IAF continues to pound Gaza terror targets. Reports of Hamas casualties in Rafiah (Southern Gaza). Reports from Israelies that IAF aircraft are partoling Israel's Northern border to send a clear message to Hizbollah, not to attack.
Video from earlier this morning in Gaza:
10:56 AM Reminder from the last Gaza Op. Israeli IDF bulldozers left some grafitti, permanently bulldozed into the Yassir Arafat Gaza airport's runway. You can see it for yourself via google maps/google earth here: 31.237564, 34.271239 (+31° 14' 15.23", +34° 16' 16.46").
10:53 AM Hamas announces via Jihad Radio: We will soon hit the Zionist enemy with a new type of rocket that they are not expecting. (sourced by Islamic Jihad Radio, via rotter.net).
10:48 AM Fellow Blogger Aussie Dave is also Liveblogging the war. Check him out here. YNET reports that Two additional Qassam rockets have landed in open areas in the Eshkol Regional Council.
Eleven rockets have been launched from the Gaza Strip since Sunday morning. No injuries were reported, but several buildings sustained damage.
10:42 AM Earlier this morning, rockets landing East of Ashdod, over 40 kilometers from Gaza. Sirens have been heard this morning in Yavneh. (YNET)
10:37 AM Al Jazeera reports that IDF armored columns approaching Gaza. Reshet Bet (IBA Channel 2 Radio) confirms IDF tanks at Gaza's borders.
Blueye reports that Gaza residents are receiving "telemarkteting" style phone messages from the IDF advising them that an attack is imminent.
8:24 AM Over 60 factories and 500 small businesses will be closed today due to security considerations in Israel's Gaza enevelope area. School is not in session due to the Chanuka vacation.
8:16 AM BBC cites reason for war: Obama and upcoming Israeli elections.
Gazans document IAF airstrikes - video and pictures.
Saturday Night/Sunday Morning
12:39 AM As Israel's southern communities continue to get hit by rockets, the IDF is moving tanks and ground forces into position for the upcoming (probably) ground assault into Gaza. This evening, the Homefront Command (Pikud Ha'Oref) announced the reccomendations for tomorrow. People within 20-30 kilomters of Gaza, including Ahsdod, Kiryat Gat, Rahat, Gedera, Yad Binyamin, etc. should be in areas where they can get to a bomb shelter within 45 seconds of hearing an air-raid siren. 10-20 Kilometers of Gaza (Netivot) within 30 seconds. 0-10 kilomters (Sederot, Ashkelon) within 15 seconds.
So far, over 228 Palestinians killed in Gaza, most of them were wearing Hamas uniforms. Over 750 wounded.
One Israeli has been killed in Netivot by a Qassam rocket, 10 wounded, 1 seriously.
"The IDF has also begun mobilizing tanks and reinforcement infantry troops to the Gaza region in the event a ground incursion is ordered. In an interview with the British SKY network, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that ground forces would indeed enter the Strip if the move was deemed necessary by Jerusalem. " (YNET)
Israel's Leftwing made sure to get their message out as well:
Around 300 activists took part in the protest, in order to condemn what they called Israel's "genocide and war crimes". The demonstrators marched through the streets of Tel Aviv until they reached the ministry's headquarters.
Many cried slogans such as "No to war – yes to peace", and carried signs saying "Israel's government is committing war crimes", "Negotiation instead of slaughter", and "Lift the siege from Gaza". (YNET)
Exclusive Photos: High Quality Targets destroyed by IAF fighters on Saturday in Gaza.
Translations by Muqata. Sourced from rotter.net in Hebrew, here.
Video of precision IAF Attacks on Gaza today.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
14 Year old Danny Katz was your average Israeli teenager. Walking to visit his friends in Haifa, his life was interrupted when he was kidnapped by 5 Israeli Arabs on December 8, 1983. His badly beaten corpse was found a few days later in a cave in Carmel. In 1991, the five Arab men who confessed to the crime, were sentenced to life imprisonment for abducting, sexually assaulting and murdering Katz. According to the original indictment against the five, they met a few days before the murder and decided to kidnap and kill a Jewish child. (YNET)
Fast Forward to 2007.
The Katz family receive a phone call from a journalist asking for a comment. They ask, "a comment on what?" The journalist says, "You didn't know? President Shimon Peres has just reduced the life sentences on your son's killers."
Humiliated. Shocked. Outraged, Danny's brother told reporters: "Peres hasn't even warmed the presidential seat and already he is busy releasing the vile men who murdered my brother."
To the dear Katz family: Welcome to the club called "Annoyances of the State"
You are now official annoyances of Israel, for you dare to criticize Israel's President.
This club contains all sorts of unfortunate people...
Families of Terror Victims who demand justice for killers...or at a minimum, that terrorists won't be freed. (Update next week - mentioned on radio this morning, not in print yet)
Senior State Employees who whistleblow about corruption. (Finance Minister Ronnie Bar On has informed the accountant-general, Yaron Zelekha that his contract would not be renewed at the end of October, when he is set to complete a four-year tenure...Zelekha reported Ehud Olmert's involvemnt in tailoring the tender sale of Bank Leumi to his personal cronies. YNET)
Sederot residents who wish for some measure of safety for this children when going to school.(Yet another Qassam rocket his Sederot today...Sderot's parents association has been threatening not to allow the school year to open in the town on September 2, due to the government's failure to complete the fortification of classrooms and schools. YNET)
Elderly Holocaust survivors who receive a pittance of a stipend from the government. (‘Israel demanded reparation funds from Germany, but did not allocate them in a just and logical manner,’ Dalia Itzik says. MK Pines-Paz: According to the deal, if Anne Frank were alive today she would not have been recognized as a Holocaust survivor YNET)
Gush Katif residents who were evicted from their homes...and would appreciate some relief -- in terms of housing or employment...or even acknowledgment of their plight. You don't need a link for this...as I bring it up every other week.
The list goes on.
My heart goes out to the Katz family -- because the way Peres, Olmert & Co. treat citizens here, if you're an annoyance, you're an enemy.
Unfortunately, Shimon Peres treats the real enemies of the State with much more compassion that he does for the members of the Annoyances of the State club.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael
