Several injured in Friday West Bank demonstrations

Palestinian lightly hurt when bit by IDF dog during weekly demonstration in village of Kedum; three people, including Israeli woman, hurt in Nabi Saleh protest.

By Nir Hasson and Gili Cohen Tags: IDFWest BankPalestinians

 

Israeli forces on Friday used a dog against Palestinian protesters in the West Bank village of Kedum. The dog bit the arm of one of the demonstrators for several minutes. Demonstrators said that the dog's military handler was unable to get the dog to release its jaws.

The Palestinian, who was lightly hurt, was detained. The incident occurred shortly after the start of the weekly demonstration in the village when protesters began throwing stones at Israeli forces. The Israeli forces released a dog to disperse a group of demonstrators. The dog jumped on one of them, brought him to the ground, and bit into his arm.

	Dog bites Palestinian demonstrator during protest in Kedum, March 16, 2012.
	Photo by: AFP

According to Jonathan Pollack, an Israeli pro-Palestinian activist, Israeli forces have used dogs in the past, but one has never bit a demonstrator before Friday's incident.

	Israeli forces walk past burning tires in Kedum, March 16, 2012.
	Photo by: AFP

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said in response to the incident: "During a violent and illegal disturbance in the village of Kedum, next to the settlement of Kedumim, west of Nablus, around 100 Palestinians gathered, rolled burning tires, and threw stones at security forces, who responded with riot dispersal means. One Palestinian was arrested for physically attacking forces at the location. Another Palestinian who was arrested was bit by a dog belonging to the forces during his arrest. He was treated at the scene by a military doctor and did not require evacuation."

Also on Friday, three demonstrators were hurt in a protest held in Nabi Saleh. One of the wounded was an Israeli woman who suffered a head injury from a rubber bullet. A Palestinian resident of Nabi Saleh was also hurt by a rubber bullet and another Palestinian resident of the village was hurt by a teargas canister.

Report: Iran officials told Assad to focus on Israel to divert attention from Syria crisis

 

Emails said to have been intercepted by Syria opposition and released by the Guardian show advisers indicated Syrian President should verbally attack Israel, center on Palestinian cause in a planned speech.

By HaaretzTags: SyriaBashar AssadArab SpringPalestiniansJerusalem

Syrian President Bashar Assad was advised by Iranian officials to divert attention toward Israel and the Palestinian cause in an effort to deflect criticism of his brutal crackdown, emails said to have been intercepted by Syrian opposition and released by the U.K.'s the Guardian indicated on Wednesday.

According to the Guardian, the messages were said to have been intercepted by the opposition's Supreme Council of the Revolution between June of 2011 and February 2012, and include missives from Assad's private account as well as that belonging to his wife, Asma.

	Syria President Bashar Assad and Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
	Photo by: AP

One email sent in December 31 indicated that Assad's aides advised the Syrian president on the contents on an upcoming speech following "consultations with a good number of people in addition to the media and political adviser for the Iranian ambassador."

In the composed memorandum, Assad was advised to stress the issue of Muslim identity through the use of Koran quotes, as well as centering on what the email called "Syria's principles," which included: "Resistance"; "Hostility to Israel, the first enemy of the Muslims"; and "Protection of Palestinian people's rights (real prayers should be in the direction of Jerusalem)."

"Maybe here the president can reiterate his stance by condemning forcefully the recent Israeli practices and policies to Judaise Al-Quds (Jerusalem)," the email added, saying that Assad should use "powerful and violent" language in his opposition to Israel.

"Here the subject of Israel comes up and it becomes necessary to put stress on the particular merits of the president by linking the foreign pressures on Syria, which differs in its toughness and content to other countries in crisis, with the geographical proximity to Israel and the position of the people and the regime towards Israel," the memo stated.

Culminating the email's section on Israel, the adviser said Assad should make "a clear distinction between the west's ambitions and people's demands and that the west and Israel are exploiting part of the Syrian people without their knowledge to break Syria, but the president has a great confidence in the patriotism of the entire Syrian people."

The emails released by the Guardian also indicated that the Syria leader received advice from noted Lebanese businessman Hussein Mortada, known for his links to the Iran. In one message, Mortada advised Assad to stop blaming al-Qaida for opposition attacks

"It is not out of our interest to say that al-Qaida organization is behind the operation because this claim will [indemnify] the U.S. administration and Syrian opposition," Mortada was quoted as saying, adding "I have received contacts from Iran and Hezbollah in my role as director of many Iranian-Lebanese channels and they directed me to not mention that al-Qaida is behind the operation. It is a blatant tactical media mistake."

Another correspondence of note was between Assad's wife Asma and the daughter of the emir of Qatar, Hamid bin Khalifa al-Thani, in which the Qatari noblewoman both advised Assad to step down as well as indicated that Qatar may be able to present the Syrian leader's family with asylum.

"My father regards President Bashar as a friend, despite the current tensions – he always gave him genuine advice," she was cited by the Guardian as writing, saying that the "opportunity for real change and development was lost a long time ago. Nevertheless, one opportunity closes, others open up – and I hope it's not too late for reflection and coming out of the state of denial."

A later email seemed more direct, saying that: "Just been following the latest developments in Syria … in all honesty – looking at the tide of history and the escalation of recent events – we've seen two results – leaders stepping down and getting political asylum or leaders being brutally attacked. I honestly think this is a good opportunity to leave and re-start a normal life."

"I only pray that you will convince the president to take this an opportunity to exit without having to face charges. The region needs to stabilise, but not more than you need peace of mind. I am sure you have many places to turn to, including Doha."

Petizione al Ministro on. Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata per la condanna dei missili su Israele

Gentilissimo signor Ministro,
anche se in questi giorni la situazione diplomatica sta diventando piuttosto pesante per l'Italia, volevo chiederLe se può esprimere un messaggio di condanna, come già fatto da Stati Uniti d'America e Francia, per l'incessante lancio di missili che i terroristi residenti nella Striscia di Gaza, stanno compiendo contro le città del sud di Israele. Sto seguendo con molta attenzione la vicenda ed aggiornando costantemente il mio blog (che ha visto più di mille contatti negli ultimi due giorni di cui il 50% dagli Stati Uniti e un buon 10% dalla Federazione Russa) http://israelianintelligence.blogspot.com, e ritengo che l'Italia non possa mantenere silente su quanto sta accadendo. Specialmente perché questi personaggi del terrorismo palestinese, non fanno altro che rovinare il lavoro di pace incessante in cui l'Italia ha avuto un importante ruolo di mediazione, e rendere sempre più difficili le condizioni di vita sia dei cittadini israeliani sia di quelli palestinesi.
Credo che la comunità degli amici di Israele in Italia si attenda questo suo gesto che non farà altro che rafforzare la nostra amicizia.
La saluto cordialmente,
Ettore Lomaglio Silvestri


A questa petizione è già giunta l'adesione dell'on. Enzo Raisi.

Summary of Overnight Events

Posted on March 11, 2012

Overnight, IAF aircraft targeted a terrorist squad that was in the final stages of preparing to fire rockets at Israel from the northern Gaza Strip.

In addition, a short while ago, IAF aircraft targeted two rocket launching sites, in the northern Gaza Strip, used by terror organizations to fire medium-range rockets into Israel (over 40 kilometers).

Direct hits were identified.

The IDF is prepared to defend the residents of Israel and will respond with strength and determination against any attempt to execute terrorist attacks. Hamas uses other terror organizations to carry out terror attacks against the State of Israel and will bear the consequences of these actions in any future operation embarked upon by the IDF in order to eliminate the terror threat and restore the relative calm to the area.

For real time information follow @idfspokesperson on Twitter, or subscribe to the IDF Facebook page.

All new information can be found in the updating post: Israel Under Fire: More Than 130 Rockets Fired From Gaza at Israel

Iron Dome intercepts Gaza rockets over Ashdod, as escalation continues for third day

IDF conducts three strikes in Gaza overnight and Sunday morning, killing two Palestinians; Iron Dome has intercepted more than 30 rockets since Friday.

By Gili Cohen , Yanir Yagna, Avi Issacharoff, Barak Ravid and ReutersTags: GazaGaza rocketsIDFHamasIslamic Jihad

 

Ten rockets fired from the Gaza Strip were intercepted by the Iron Dome system in the Ashdod area on Sunday morning, as the escalation in Israel's south continued for a third day.

Overnight and on Sunday morning, the IDF conducted three strikes in Gaza, in which two Palestinians, including a teenager, were killed.

	Iron Dome anti-rocket battery in action, March 11, 2012.
	Photo by: AP

A weapons manufacturing site and a rocket launching squad were among the targets of the IDF strikes.

More than 110 rockets have been fired at Israel from Gaza since Friday. More than 30 rockets have been shot down by the Iron Dome, which is designed to only intercept rockets identified as heading toward populated areas.

On Sunday morning, a rocket exploded in open territory in the Ramat Eshkol Regional Council, causing no injuries or damage.

Schools was called off in Sunday in Ashkelon, Be'er Sheva, Ashdod and other regional councils in Israel's south, affecting more than 200,000 students.

So far, 17 Palestinians, 16 of them militants, have been killed in the latest round of Israel-Gaza border violence that began on Friday.

A Thai worker in an Israeli community near the Gaza border was seriously wounded in a rocket attack on Friday.

The rocket salvos from Gaza began on Friday after the Israel Air Force launched a strike in Gaza that killed the leader of the Popular Resistance Committees, Zuhir al-Qaisi, who was believed to be planning a large terror attack on Israel's southern border.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with regional council heads in Israel's south and said Israel will continue to strike whoever plans attacks on Israeli citizens.

Read this article in Hebrew

Palestinians inspecting the effects of a motorcycle bombing executed by the IAF, Khan Younis, Gaza, March 10, 2012.AFP

What Is The Popular Resistance Committee?

Posted on March 10, 2012

You may have heard about the Popular Resistance Committee and wondered what is was, or how it relates to what’s going on in Gaza and Israel. Here’s a recap:

On Friday, March 9th 2012, IAF forces targeted a PRC squad who had been planning a combined terror attack meant to take place via Sinai in the coming days. This sparked a barrage of rocket fire towards the towns in southern Israel, injuring four and causing damage to property.

Zahir Kaisi, the senior PRC operative targeted this Friday. Source: http://www.raya.fm/

So who are the PRC?

The Popular Resistance Committee was founded in September 2000, and since has categorically refused any form of reconciliation with Israel. The PRC acts as a sub-contractor for Iranian elements in Lebanon and within the Hezbollah, carrying out terror attacks against Israelis in return for funds.

The PRC are funded and supported directly by Hamas, the terror organization controlling Gaza. By allowing the PRC to operate as an ostensibly independent proxy, Hamas is able to carry out terror attacks against Israelis while maintaining an official stance of “restraint”. In addition to monthly funding, Hamas also provides the PRC with weapons and battle training.

Emblem of the Popular Resistance Committee

List of Terror Attacks Against Israel

• June 21, 2009: An IDF force on routine patrol identified four IEDs placed along the border fence near Kissufim (central Gaza Strip). As the IEDs were being disarmed operatives fired two mortar shells and live fire at the force.

• July 5, 2009: Three mortar shells were fired at an IDF patrol near the Sufa Crossing in the southern Gaza Strip.

• July 23, 2009: A group of Israelis working near the Sufa crossing came under fire. After the incident, fire was opened at an IDF force that was patrolling the area.

• January 1, 2010: Four mortar shells were fired at the village of Kerem Shalom and a rocket was fired at Kissufim.

• March 1, 2010: An anti-tank rocket was fired at an IDF force conducting a sweep near the security fence in the Beit Lahiya region (northern Gaza Strip).

• May 21, 2010: During a routine IDF patrol near the security fence in the southern Gaza Strip, an IDF tracker was shot and seriously wounded by sniper fire.

• July 30, 2010: A 122-mm Grad rocket landed in the city of Ashkelon. A local civilian was treated for shock. It was the first standard rocket fired in over a year and a half.

• August 18, 2011: Egged Bus #392, en route to the popular resort destination of Eilat, was ambushed by PRC terrorists, who opened fire on the bus’s passengers, injuring fourteen.
• Almost simultaneously, a bomb tore through another civilian bus, killing the driver. Sisters Flora Gaz and Shula Karlinsky and their husbands were on their way home from Eilat when they were murdered by PRC terrorists who ambushed them and fired an anti-tank missile at their car.
• PRC terrorists then shot and killed Staff Sergeant Moshe Naftali and Chief Warrant Officer Paskal Abrahami.

Bus No. #393 was shot en route to Eilat.

If you learned something new from this post you should probably follow us on Twitter or read more about rocket attacks toward Israel.