Anniversary of Schalit capture marked
By JPOST.COM STAFF AND TOVAH LAZAROFF AND JONNY PA
06/25/2010 02:54
Miki Goldwasser tells gov't it must pay the price to free soldier.
Miki Goldwasser, mother of fallen IDF soldier Ehud Goldwasser who was kidnapped and killed in Hizbullah raid four years ago, spoke out at march in support of freeing Gilad Schalit in the city of Nahariya on Friday.
"Gilad was kidnapped because of the Israeli government's failures. He has yet to return home because of the continued failures of the Israeli government. You pay for your failures, sometimes dearly. If the State of Israel has not created deterrence until now, it will have to pay a negligibly high price in order to return a soldier to his family," Goldwasser said.
Over 600 people participated in the march in Nahariya.
Israel's government places the utmost importance on freeing soldier Gilad Schalit from his Gaza captivity but not at all costs, Defense Minister Ehud Barak reiterated from Washington on Friday.
"It is essential to bring him , but not at any price," Barak was quoted as saying by Channel 2.
Barak continued, "until now we have not succeeded to bring him back and this remains one of our [government's] central obligations."
Schalit's captivity commemorated in US, Europe
From Jerusalem, to Rome, to New York, supporters of captive soldier Gilad Schalit on Thursday cried out for his release as they marked the eve of the fourth anniversary of his kidnapping.
In Rome, the lights of the Colosseum were turned off. So too, the lights around the Old City walls in Jerusalem.
Lighting up the darkness at the walls was a sign showing the number of days, 1,460, that Schalit had been held by Hamas in Gaza, along with the line, "This is the time I have spent in captivity."
In New York, a flotilla of ships, called "The True Freedom Flotilla," sailed from Pier 40 around the Statue of Liberty and past the buildings of the United Nations.
Addressing a crowd in Rome, Gilad's father, Noam, asked the international community not to forget his son.
"As I stand here tonight, in the capital of Italy, Rome, which is one of the central, ancient and important cities in Europe and the civilized world, I call on the international community and the European one in particular not to forget Gilad," said Noam.
He noted that Gilad had been made an honorary citizen of Rome and was a European citizen, since he had dual French-Israeli citizenship.
"I'm asking that the same international community, and the European one in particular, which pressured Israel to take humanitarian steps on behalf of the people of Gaza, would use all means available to them to pressure Hamas to take one small humanitarian step on behalf of one of its own citizens, on behalf of Gilad," said Noam.
He added that his son's release would bring freedom to hundreds of Palestinian prisoners who would be let out of Israeli jails as part of a swap.
"Those who ask that their rights be respected, just also respect the rights of others," said Noam. "For four long years, our son Gilad, a young man of flesh and blood, who is now 23, has called out to us, a silent cry from the dark cellars of Hamas, a silent but resonant cry. He asks for only one thing: ‘Restore my freedom which was stolen from me four years ago,'" said Noam.
Call for Hamas to allow Schalit Red Cross visit
Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague issued a statement to commemorate the fourth anniversary of Schalit's abduction and called for his "immediate and unconditional" release.
"Today marks the fourth anniversary of the abduction of Israeli soldier, Staff- Sgt. Gilad Schalit," Hague said. "My thoughts are with Gilad's parents today. I sincerely hope that they will soon be able to welcome their son home."
Hague reiterated the British position, that Schalit's release must be immediate and unconditional and that Hamas must allow the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) access to him.
"The UK has long called for Gilad Schalit's immediate and unconditional release and we reiterate that call today. It is also vital that Hamas allows the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit Gilad immediately and ensure that he is in good health. His continued captivity without any ICRC access and with only very occasional, minimal contact with his family is utterly unacceptable."
The foreign minister called on Hamas "to renounce violence and take immediate and concrete steps towards the Quartet principles and to free Gilad Schalit without delay."
In New York, Israel's Ambassador to the UN Gabriela Shalev said, "For more than four years, the Hamas terrorist regime has denied Gilad Schalit's most basic rights, as well as any visit from international organizations. This is illegal and morally appalling.
"It is shameful that so many who claim to vigorously support human rights are totally silent in the face of this injustice."
Consul-General Asaf Shariv added, "It has been four years too long. Gilad Schalit has been held in captivity and deprived of humanitarian aid. He is being held as a prisoner with disregard to international law.
"Sadly, it is all too easy to see him as a symbol of yet another terrorist act. We know that Gilad is more than just that. Gilad is a son, a brother, and a friend. He is a young man who deserves to see the light of day, his parents and his country.
"The package of humanitarian aid that we attempt to deliver to Gilad, through the International Red Cross, is the very least he deserves. If delivered, this warranted act will be more than Gilad has seen since 2006."
On Sunday, Gilad's parents and their supporters plan to embark on an 11-day trek to Jerusalem from their home in the upper Galilee.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Turkish man plotted to kill rabbis'
By JPOST.COM STAFF
06/25/2010 17:28
Resident of eastern Turkey tracked after mailing threatening letter.
A man was arrested by Turkish security forces Friday for allegedly plotting to kill rabbis in Istanbul, AFP reported Friday, citing an earlier report by Turkish newspaper Milliyet.
RELATED:
How Erdogan overplayed his hand
Terra Incognita: Whitewashing genocide the easy way
The individual, Ismet Rencber, had been tracked after mailing a threatening anonymous letter to the main synagogue in Istanbul and was stopped by security forces upon his arrival at a relative's home in the city's suburbs.
Rencber, a mason from the city of Kars in eastern Turkey, denied that he intended to kill any Jews, but told investigators that he "hated Jews."
In 2009, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to combat anti-Semitism in his country in the wake of IDF Operation Cast Lead. "There has been no anti-Semitism in the history of this country," Erdogan told members of his party at the time. "As a minority, they're our citizens. Both their security and the right to observe their faith are under our guarantee.
There are 23,000 Jews in the predominantly Muslim country of more than 70 million. Most live in Istanbul, and many have prominent roles in banking and education.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IAF Hits Gaza Terror Targets after Mortar Barrage
by Maayana Miskin
Israel responded late on Thursday night to a series of terrorist mortar shell and rocket attacks from Gaza that took place earlier in the day. IAF planes hit three terror-related targets in the area.
The targets were a weapons storage facility in northern Gaza and two smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza. Arab sources stated that one person was injured in the strike on the tunnels.
IDF spokespeople confirmed that the operation was a response to Thursday's attacks. "The IDF will not tolerate attempts to harm Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers," they said.
"The IDF will respond with force and determination to any element using terrorism against the state of Israel. The IDF sees the Hamas terrorist group as bearing sole responsibility for what happens in Gaza," they continued.
On Thursday, Gaza terrorists fired nine mortar shells and one rocket at Israeli towns in the western Negev. Several of the shells fell short and exploded within Gaza. No injuries were reported in either the Negev or Gaza. (IsraelNationalNews.com)
Related Links:
?Gaza Terrorists Bombard Israelis in Northern Negev
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jewish Dancers Attacked in Germany
by Maayana Miskin
A Jewish dance group was attacked in Germany last Saturday while performing during a street festival in Hanover. The incident led to discussion this week of the phenomenon of anti-Semitism among immigrant youth.
Members of the Haverim dance group were pelted with stones as they took the stage. One dancer was injured. As youth threw stones, they screamed "Juden Raus" (Jews out).
Six suspects ranging in age from nine to 19 have been identified. Five of the six are Muslim immigrants.
Charlotte Knobloch, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, said the incident showed the "widespread" hatred of Jews and Israel in Germany's Muslim immigrant community. "It particularly saddens me that those anti-Semitic views can already be seen with such vehemence among children and youths," she told the Die Welt newspaper.
Another Central Council member, Stephan Kramer, expressed concern, telling the Associated Press, "This latest incident shows something we have not experienced before: A growing radicalization of young Muslims, which affects not only the Jewish community but the entire German community."
Hanover Mayor Stephan Weil said his city had filed charges against the attackers. They stand accused of incitement to racial hatred and causing bodily harm.
Jewish organizations in Germany said anti-Semitic incidents had been unusually frequent in recent weeks following a clash between IDF commandos and members of a Turkish terrorist group. The clash took place at sea as the Turkish citizens, along with other foreigners, attempted to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza.
Attacks based on anti-Israel hatred were not unheard of prior to the flotilla clash either: In May, attackers set fire to a synagogue in western Germany, leaving a letter that said, "Until you leave Palestinians alone, we won't leave you alone." (IsraelNationalNews.com)
Related Links:
?European Jews Fear Rise of the Right
?European Anti-Semitism Worse Since 2008
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jon Voight, US senators rip Obama over Israel
Academy Award-winning actor Jon Voight this week again demonstrated his deep commitment to the Jewish state by publishing an open letter to US President Barack Obama blasting him for "putting Israel in harm's way."
Published in The Washington Times, the letter accused Obama of being "the first American president that lied to the Jewish people, and the American people as well, when you said that you would defend Israel… against all their enemies."
Instead, Voight wrote that Obama is aiding the Jewish state's enemies in "propagandizing Israel," and in so doing is "promoting anti-Semitism throughout the world."
Voight insisted that the US and the rest of the West owe Israel much more.
"You have brought this to a people who have given the world the Ten Commandments and most laws we live by today," he concluded.
Voight, a Bible-believing Christian, is an longtime, outspoken supporter of Israel. He visited the Jewish state in 2008 to participate in Israel's 60th Independence Day.
In their own letter to President Obama, 87 out of 100 US Senators took a more diplomatic approach, but also chided the commander-in-chief for not being more supportive of Israel in a time when its enemies are starting to circle.
"Israel's opponents have developed clever diplomatic and tactical ploys to challenge its international standing," read the letter.
The senators singled out the exaggerated focus on Israel at the recent Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty summit, which Obama publicly criticized, but ultimately was responsible for. They also suggested that Washington should be backing up Israel in the Gaza flotilla controversy, rather than trying to ride the fence.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lieberman: EU Ministers Should Visit Gaza
JERUSALEM, Israel - Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman recommended that EU ministers visit the Gaza Strip, Israel's channel 2 reported on Thursday.
During a meeting with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini in Rome, Lieberman suggested he lead a delegation of foreign ministers from France, Germany, Britain, and Norway, among others, on an information-gathering tour to see how Gazans are faring.
Lieberman further suggested the tour include a visit to the port at Ashdod to see how goods arriving by sea are transferred for land transport to Gaza.
He also suggested the ministers see the city of Sderot near the border with Gaza, which has been targeted by thousands of rockets and mortar shells fired from the Strip.
Lieberman's recommendation represents a turnaround of the government's policy over the past year, which was geared toward isolating Hamas, the Palestinian faction ruling the Gaza Strip.
The government did not want to provide the Islamist group with public relations opportunities to strengthen its legitimacy abroad.
In a related matter, Israel plans to increase the number of trunks transporting goods to Gaza from 125 to around 380 per day, bringing it back to pre-blockade levels.
Israel imposed the economic blockade following a bloody military coup in June 2007 that left Hamas in control.
