Oy. More soldiers killed and captured. More families in pain, worry and heartache. My prayers go to the Holy One for the soldiers killed & captured, their families and for the soldiers who are looking for them.
One excellent way to stay connected to what is happening is to read Aussie Dave’s blog, Israellycool, updated every few minutes and with many important links. Read today’s post or the entire blog.
Sent with prayers, hope and care/concern for the family of Israel.
For the Asheri family the worst has happened. Their son, Eliyahu, is dead. It is a sad day for the people of Israel – a member of our communal family is dead because of hatred. The Jerusalem Post opens their article by writing,
The IDF confirmed early Thursday a report the Popular Resistance Committees issued from Gaza that it had executed Eliyahu Asheri, 18, of Itamar, who was kidnapped earlier this week in the West Bank. [Read the rest of the article...]
The BBC reported the story before IDF confirmation. I realize that the BBC is well known for being pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel in its bias. However, I don’t understand their wording on the report of Asheri’s death. The headline reads, Militants ‘kill’ Israeli settler - why is it that quotes are around the word ‘kill’? Was he not a human? Was he not a life worth living? Did he not really live, thus not really die, necessitating the quotes? I find this usage disturbing. Certainly the BBC should have acknowledged that the IDF had not yet confirmed the tragedy, but this does not necessitate the quote marks. Feel free to let me know if you have a better explanation.
May the Holy One bring comfort to Eliyahu’s parents, family and friends.
UPDATE: More details in Haaretz‘s article.
By now you are likely aware of the present situation in Israel – (on June 25th) Hamas/Palestinian Authority Terrorists kidnapped an Israeli soldier named Gilad Shalit and (on June 27th) a tennage settler named Eliyahu Asheri.
Here are pictures of them:
Gilad Shalit
Eliyahu Asheri
Gilad was taken after the PA soldiers dug a tunnel outside of the Gaza/Israel border, killed two Israeli soliders and took him prisoner. What a nightemere. The PA did respond to requests to release him with anything reasonable for Gilad. (They supposedly want all women and teens who are in prison because they are convicted of particpation in terrorist attacks to be freed.) The world isn’t doing much to help (nothing new there) and today Israel began taking limited action to get him back in an operation called “Summer Rain.” As reported in the Jerusalem Post and Haaretz, Israel is doing this only to get Gilad back (G-d willing alive and well) and not to retake Gaza. Infact, they are doing everything possible to severly limit civilian injuries or involvment. (Hamas makes this very difficult, for they are well known for putting their operations headquareters and offices within preschools, apartments and the like to try to prevent an attack on them. Hamas, in otherwords, uses their own children as human shields.)
Many bloggers are covering events as they unfold, including fequent updates by the (excellent) Israeli blogger Aussie Dave on his site IsraellyCool. Keep checking this post for updates. Here are links to Aussie Dave’s original posts on the kidnapping of Gilad Shalit and Eliyahu Asheri.
May Gilad and Eliyahu return safely and soon. Please keep them in your prayers.
UPDATE: There are reports of a THIRD kidnapping, this time of Noah Moskovitch! (Hat tip to Aussie Dave.) OY
UPDATE: More information on Noah Moskovitch courtesy Aussie Dave.
UPDATE: YNet has the text and video of a letter from Gilad Shalit’s parents, Noam and Aviva, to the kidnappers and Gilad. (Thanks to On the Face)
Here are some links on today’s hateful bombing:
Lisa’s powerful eye-witness post, including pictures
May the Holy One send healing to the wounded and comfort to those whose lives have been forever changed.
Flashes of the nightmere of a few years ago….bombings on Pesach….hateful responses to freedom…death in a time of life and renewal….
Dr. Barry Melnik, an Israeli doctor on vacation in London, heard one of the explosions in the underground last Thursday and rushed to the scene to help. Read his inspiring and courageous story on Israel 21c.
May each of us find ways to step forward and act heroically in difficult times.
Shalom, salaam, peace.
More terror in Israel. A suicide bomber detonated outside a mall in Netanya today. 3 [Update on 7/13/05 – the number is now sadly 4] people are already known to be dead and about 24 90 injured.
More hate and death. I just don’t understand it.
Here are some links to news stories:
Ha’aretz (English)
CNN
New York Times
May G-d be with all.
What do we say to children of all ages about yesterday’s terror, death and destruction of lives? The Jewish Education Center of Cleveland has put together a curriculum for just such a question. It can be used at camp, religious schools, by rabbis or even individually. The curriculum is free and can be accessed at JECC-Response Curriculum – London Bombings. You will also find links to many other curricula in response to world and local events.
What are Muslim bloggers saying about today’s terror attack? Islamicate shares her thoughts and collects what others on the web are saying.
En’sha’allah, b’ezrat hashem (God willing), hate will soon cease.
Another day of terror, pain, war and bloodshed. Sad. So sad.
My heart, thoughts and prayers are with all effected.