Thursday, June 29, 2006

Behind the Headlines: Rescuing Gilad Shalit from his Hamas kidnappers

Jerusalem, 29 June 2006

Behind the Headlines: Rescuing Gilad Shalit from his Hamas kidnappers
(Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman)

On Sunday, June 25, 2006, Palestinian Hamas terrorists crossed in a
tunnel from the Gaza Strip into Israel and attacked an IDF base at the
Kerem Shalom crossing. Two soldiers were murdered, four were wounded
(one seriously), and one soldier was abducted alive back to Gaza. Two
terrorists were also killed in the attack. Hamas took responsibility
for the raid, with its spokesman, Sami Abu Zahari, praising its
perpetrators as "heroes of the Palestinian people."

Israel considers the Palestinian Authority and its Hamas government to
be fully responsible for the Kerem Shalom attack and for the fate of
the kidnapped soldier, Cpl. Gilad Shalit. PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas
has all the necessary resources to ensure Shalit's release and Israel
calls on him to act immediately to resolve this crisis and avoid an
unnecessary escalation of the conflict.

Similarly, Israel calls on the international community to use its
influence vis-׳-vis Chairman Abbas to obtain the release of Cpl.
Shalit and to make clear to the PA the grave consequences of its
failure to release him safe and sound.

In the absence of PA compliance with its humanitarian request, Israel
reserves the right to take all necessary measures to implement the
safe return of its kidnapped soldier.

Israel's dead, wounded, and kidnapped soldiers were not the only
victims of Sunday's Hamas raid, for this terrorist raid is the latest
in a series of attacks by Palestinian terrorist organizations on the
main lifelines of the Palestinian population. The Palestinian
terrorist organizations, in their fanatic opposition to a peaceful
resolution of the conflict, regularly attack the crossings used to
transfer goods and humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population in
the Gaza Strip. Once again, Hamas has proven that it does not hesitate
to inflict harm on its own Palestinian population in pursuit of
Islamist jihad.

Sunday's attack also comes against the background of daily barrages of
Kassam artillery rockets fired by Palestinian terrorists at Israeli
towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip. Since Israel's complete
disengagement from Gaza almost a year ago, over 500 such rockets have
hit Israeli territory, killing and wounding scores of Israeli
civilians.

In targeting Israel's civilian population, the Palestinian terrorist
organizations deliberately and callously place their own civilians at
risk by launching these rockets from their own population centers.
They further display their contempt for their own countrymen by
attacking the very crossings which enable the entire Palestinian
population of Gaza to receive its essential supplies of food,
medications, and other daily needs.

Despite Israel's every effort to maintain the passage of goods and
humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population of Gaza, acts of
terrorism oblige the security authorities to interrupt the flow of
goods in order to safeguard those employed at the crossings and the
forces protecting them.

As any sovereign state, Israel will take whatever steps necessary to
protect its citizens and territory from Palestinian terrorism, the
responsibility for whose consequences lies solely with the Palestinian
Authority.

With this in mind, IDF units on June 28 began a combined, limited
operation in the Gaza Strip for the purpose of rescuing the kidnapped
soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit and bringing him safely home, while dealing
a blow to the Hamas terrorist infrastructure to prevent the
continuation of its attacks from Gaza on civilians inside Israel.

The IDF operation follows exhaustive, but unsuccessful, diplomatic
efforts to secure Shalit's release by giving PA Chairman Abbas the
opportunity to return him to his family. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni
held dozens of talks with her counterparts around the world, making it
clear that, while Israel has indeed given priority to diplomatic
efforts, it will not accept Hamas holding an Israeli citizen hostage
and will do everything necessary to secure his release.

Concern for the fate of Gilad Shalit is growing among the entire
population of Israel, for whom his release is a humanitarian matter of
the highest order. While Israel certainly did not leave the Gaza Strip
in order to return to it, the Government of Israel cannot accept its
citizens being attacked by terrorists inside its territory day and
night without exercising its sovereign right of self-defense.

Given that the Palestinian Authority is controlled by the Hamas
terrorist organization, which took responsibility for the attack in
which Cpl. Shalit was kidnapped, and after it became abundantly clear
that the chairman of the Palestinian Authority is incapable of
ensuring his return or preventing Kassam rocket fire, Israel had no
choice but to act on its own. This rescue operation can be terminated
immediately upon the release of Gilad Shalit.

It goes without saying that, in keeping with Israel's policy of
targeting only terrorist perpetrators, every effort will be made
during this rescue operation to avoid harming innocent civilians.
Israel expresses its hope that the international community will
continue to pressure the Palestinian Authority, the Hamas terrorist
organization, and its sponsors in order to bring about the release of
Gilad Shalit and thereby avoid a further escalation of the situation.

=======================================================

June 29th 2006

IDF SPOKESPERSON ANNOUNCEMENT

Aerial attacks on open areas in the northern and southern Gaza Strip

The IDF carried out aerial attacks on several open areas in the northern and
southern Gaza Strip yesterday.

The Palestinian Authority, led by the democratically elected Hamas
government is fully responsible for any attacks emanating from the Gaza
Strip and Israel holds it responsible for the safe and quick return of Cpl.
Shalit.

The IDF will continue to employ all means at its disposal to combat
terrorists and their infrastructure, in order to defend the citizens of
Israel and will continue to make every effort to return Cpl. Shalit home
quickly and safely.

====================================================

Posted with Permisson by Dr. Mike Cohen, The Galilee Institute
http://www.gogalil.com

=======================================================

Behind the Headlines: Arrest of Hamas Leaders

Jerusalem, 29 June 2006

Arrest of Hamas Leaders
(Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman)

Israel arrested last night several members of Hamas including a number
of senior officials, ministers and legislators, on the basis of their
being members and in some cases activists in a terrorist organization
whose activities are banned by law.

The rise of the Hamas terrorist organization to power was seen as a
grave development that brought the international community to demand
of the Hamas government an immediate cessation of terrorism. The
Government of Israel at that time acted with restraint in order to
give the President of the Palestinian Authority the opportunity to get
the Hamas government to abandon the path of terrorism and violence.

Recent events and especially those of the last few days prove that the
results of the elections in the Palestinian Authority were translated
into a government policy of terrorism. A manifestation of this policy
has been the continuing launching of Kassam rocket attacks against
communities in southern Israel and against the civilian population
with the explicit intention of sowing destruction and causing the
deaths of innocent people; the incursion into the territory of Israel
and the kidnapping of the soldier Gilad Shalit constituted a severe
escalation as part of the terrorist policy of the Palestinian
government.

Hamas' taking of responsibility for these events and for the
kidnapping of the soldier, as well as the demand for an exchange of
captives, prove that the main purpose of Hamas is not to care for the
welfare of the Palestinian people, but to carry out a terrorist policy
against Israel. Consequently, the Government of Israel decided, as its
basic obligation to its citizens, that it must fulfill its
responsibilities and carry out the requirements of the Ordinance for
the Prevention of Terrorism.

Israel's action was taken within the context of a normal legal
criminal procedure with the intention of questioning those who were
arrested. They are suspected of criminal offenses such as membership
or activities in a terrorist organization, membership in the
leadership of a terrorist organization and other possible offenses
that constitute a violation of the law according to the Ordinance for
the Prevention of Terrorism.

The action is a legal criminal procedure which will be subject to all
the rules governing such a procedure, i.e. those arrested will be
entitled to legal defense, and their detention and questioning will be
subject to judicial review. In the event that there is no basis for
putting someone among those arrested on trial, that person will be
released.

Israel's change of policy vis-׳-vis ministers and legislators who are
members and activists in Hamas was carried out in coordination and
with the approval of the judicial system, and Israel intends to
continue with the arrest of additional members of Hamas.

================================================

June 29th 2006
IDF SPOKESPERSON ANNOUNCEMENT

IAF fly -over the Presidential Palace in Syria

IAF planes carried out early yesterday morning, June 28th 2006, an
operational fly- over above the Presidential Palace near the city of Latakia
in Syria. The fly over is part of IDF activity based on the understanding
that Syria provides patronage and support for the leaders of terror
organizations, for most the Hamas, responsible for the abduction of Cpl.
Gilad Shalit.

The IDF will continue to use all means at its disposal against terrorists,
the terror leadership, terror infrastructure, and those who provide safe
harbor for terrorists, with the aim of returning abducted soldier Cpl. Gilad
Shalit to Israel quickly and safely.

=======================================================

Posted with Permisson by Dr. Mike Cohen, The Galilee Institute
http://www.gogalil.com

=======================================================

Eliyahu Pinchas Asheri Murdered by Terrorists + Funeral Information

June 29, 2006 07:00 Jerusalem Standard Time

It is with a heavy heart that we can now confirm that Eliyahu Pinchas,
the son of Miriam and Yitro Asheri of Itamar, 18, was in fact murdered
by terrorists on Sunday, June 15, 2006. Eliyahu was shot in the head
immediately upon his capture and signs of struggle were visible on the
body. Eliyahu was found dumped and partially buried in a field near
the A-Tira neighborhood outside Ramallah.

Eliyahu Pinchas, may HaShem keep him and safe keep his soul, will be
buried on the holy Mount of Olives after a funeral procession that
will depart from the Sanhedriyah neighborhood of Jerusalem at 2:30
P.M.

Maj.-Gen. Yair Naveh, OC Central Command, told IDF Radio this morning
that on Wednesday, Shin Bet operatives, assisted by elite police and
IDF forces arrested Popular Resistance Committees member Osam Abu
Rajil, who was suspected to have been involved in the kidnapping. Abu
Rajil, who was in fact personally involved in the kidnapping, led the
forces to a mountainside north of Ramallah, where Eliyahu's body was
found buried,

Naveh also told IDF Radio that the cell that abducted and murdered
Eliyahu was recruited, instructed and paid by Hamas Gaza for the
operation.

On Wednesday, dozens of students from the Neveh Tzuf Yeshiva took part
in a search for Eliyahu. Standing at the entrance to the nearby
Benjamin Region towns of Shilo and Ofra, the boys held photographs of
their missing friend, stopped cars and asked the drivers heading for
work if they hasd possibly seen him or maybe even given him a ride.

=======================================================

Australian's son executed
June 29, 2006 - 3:27PM
Copyright (c) 2006. The Sydney Morning Herald.

Palestinian militants claim they've executed an Israeli settler, the
son of an Australian.

The body of Eliyahu Asheri, 18, was found overnight in the West Bank
city of Ramallah, news agencies reported Palestinian security sources
as saying.
Initially the Jerusalem Post website reported that a charred body
found in the Ramallah area was not Asheri's but a Palestinian killed
in a feud.

But it later reported that Israeli troops had confirmed the body was
that of Asheri.
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said, "Israeli
authorities have confirmed that a body recovered in Ramallah is that
of Israeli national Eliyahu Asheri.

"Mr Asheri was kidnapped in the West Bank by Palestinian militants.

"`We utterly condemn such barbaric acts which do nothing for the
prospect of a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict.''

Eliyahu's mother had earlier pleaded to the kidnappers to spare her son's life.
"We ask them to return him alive to us and call on the public to pray
for his wellbeing. He had not done anything wrong and there is no
reason why they should do him wrong,'' Miriam Asheri was quoted as
saying on the ynetnews.com website.

The website said Eliyahu had been kidnapped at a hitchhiking spot.

The Australian Jewish News reported this week that Eliyahu's father,
Yitro Asheri, is originally from Adelaide. It said he converted to
Judaism 20 years ago and moved to Israel shortly after.

Eliyahu had been kidnapped over the weekend by the Popular Resistance
Committees.

The group issued a statement today in Gaza saying it had executed the
18-year-old.

The group, which has links to the ruling Hamas, had threatened to
execute the Israeli if Israel did not halt its invasion of Gaza.

St Kilda Rabbi Philip Heilbrunn, who converted Yitro Asheri about 20
years ago, had earlier called on members of the Jewish community to
pray for the kidnapped man.

"A young boy, Eliyahu Pinchas Asheri, son of Yitro Asheri, is the
child of a wonderful ger tzedek [convert] whom I converted over 20
years ago. Please ask everyone to say tehillim for him as well. His
father is a most remarkable person who is a real tzaddik,'' the Rabbi
said in a statement, quoted in the Australian Jewish News.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/06/29/1151174307183.html

=======================================================

Posted with permission by Dr. Mike Cohen, The Galilee Institute
http://www.gogalil.com

=======================================================

NBA Taps Two Israelis for First Time

Two Israeli born players were selected in tonights 2006 NBA Draft. Lior Eliyahu, a 6'9" 225 pound forward from Hapoel Galil Elyon/Golan in Israel's premier basketball league was drafted 44th by the Orlando Magic and Yotam Halperin, a 6'5" 210 pound guard was taken 53rd by the Seattle Sonics.

The two follow in the footsteps of Doron Sheffer, the only other Israeli ever selected. Sheffer was selected 36th in the 1996 draft by the Los Angeles Clippers but elected to return to Israel rather than attempt to develop an NBA career.

According the the unofficial NBA Draft prospectus published by ESPN
Eliyahu has natural scoring instincts, meaning he can score in a
variety of situations and from a variety of places on the floor. He
can pull up off the dribble and hit the mid-range shot, he can drain a
3-pointer, or he can take the ball to the basket. He has above average
but not sensational athletic ability.

Eliyahu averaged a team-high 16.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists
in 25 games in his third season with Hapoel Galil Elyon/Golan of the
Israeli Premier League. Named to the EuroCup All-Star Game for the
second straight season after scoring 19.2 points in six games. Earned
All-Tournament honors after scoring 18.0 points and grabbing 6.3
rebounds at 2005 under-20 European Championships. Member of Israel's
silver medal-winning squad at under-20 European Championships in 2004.

From the NBA Draft Camp Scouting Report:

Widely regarded as the first Israeli-born player to potentially make
it to the NBA, Eliahu still has a lot of work ahead of him to make the
jump to the league. He is a raw player with tremendous skills and
athletic ability, but there are several obstacles in his path. While
Eliahu has shown a variety of offensive abilities, the competition he
faces is sub-par. Nevertheless, scouts always seem interested in a
player that is 6-foot-9 and can hit an NBA-range 3-point shot, take
the ball off the dribble and doesn't play atrocious defense. Eliahu
opened some eyes at the European under-20 Championships in Russia this
past summer, averaging 18.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Eliahu
has the foundation in place to become a productive NBA player. He
needs a few more years' seasoning overseas to refine his game. Also
delaying his potential NBA future is a two-year required military
stint with the Israeli army. Though he may be a few years away from
his NBA debut, Eliahu is firmly on the draft radar for this year and
several years to follow.

For more visit Lior's draft page on NBA.com:

http://www.nba.com/draft2006/profiles/LiorEliyahu.html

Yotam Halperin, a 6'5" 210 pound guard became only the third Israeli
born player to be selected by the NBA in its annual draft, the second
this year. Yotam was selected 53rd by the Seattle Sonic in tonights
2006 NBA Draft.

From His Unofficial Scouting Report on ESPN.com:

Strengths: Halperin has terrific size for an NBA point guard.
Offensively, Halperin is intriguing since he's the type of player that
can score from anywhere on the floor, being both a terrific shooter
and slasher as well as possessing a solid mid-range game. As a point
guard, his ball-handling skills, court vision and basketball instincts
all lead to believe that he has what it takes to continue to play the
position in the NBA as well.

Weaknesses: The first thing you notice is that Halperin is not as
athletic as your average NBA guard, being highly fluid and
coordinated, but not all that explosive. His first step in particular
is not all that impressive, often needing a screen, some nifty
ball-handling skills or other crafty tricks to be able to get by his
man already at the European level.

Outlook: Halperin is considered a very strong second-round prospect
with a chance of moving into the late first round with good workouts.

From his Sports Illustrated pre-draft profile:

ANALYSIS: It's been a breakthrough season for Halperin, who until this
season was just another good player on one of the deepest teams in
Europe, Maccabi Tel Aviv. This season the Israeli native took his game
to Slovenia, where he played for Union Olimpija Ljubljana, also a top
European team, but a place where Halperin would be an unquestioned
starter and allowed to grow. By the middle of the season, it was
apparent that Halperin was one of the best young guards in Europe.
Although he is the size of a typical shooting guard, Halperin is at
his best with the ball in his hands, making decisions and also making
big shots when his team needs them. He has all the leadership
qualities for the position and is cool in the game's biggest moments.
He can shoot the three-pointer and also make plays for himself and his
teammates by beating his man off the dribble. He sizes up game
situations well and always seems to be on the same page with his
coaching staff. In Europe, Halperin is a better athlete than most
players he will face, but even in the NBA he will have enough
athleticism to get by. Unlike many European guards, Halperin is a
better than average defender.

To view Yotam's official 2006 NBA Draft page please visit NBA.com at:

http://www.nba.com/draft2006/profiles/YotamHalperin.html

===================================================

Posted by Dr. Mike Cohen http://www.gogalil.com

===================================================

Eliyahu Asheri Murdered - 30 Hamas Legislators Arrested

[Galilee Institute Note: Many rumors have been circulating in recent
hours regarding the well being of Eliyahu Asheri, the posibility of a
third hostage (Noah Moskovich, 62, of Rishon Lezion, who has been
missing for two days now), the charred remains of a body near Ramallah
and the buzzing of President Assad's palace in Latakiya. Rumors will
continue to run rampant over the next few days as all news outlets in
Israel and internationally continue to follow the events and report
"up-to-the-minute." We again urge caution. TGI will do all it can to
get the stories to you in a responsible and timely matter after a
fact-checking and source valuation process." The following is the best
assessment of the situation as of 05:00 AM Jerusalem Standard Time]

=========================================================

Eliyahu Pinchas Asheri

A spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees in Gaza issued a
report early Thursday morning (01:30) claiming that the PRC had
executed 18-year-old Eliyahu Asheri, the Israeli civilian youth
presumed kidnapped since Sunday.

The IDF has confirmed (04:30) that a patrol of combat engineers
working on intelligence information located a body in vehicle in a
Wadi near Ramallah that fits Asheri's description. Initial findings
indicate that the youth may have been shot as early as Sunday. The
body is now in transit by ambulance to the Ofer military base for
identification. No official statement has been made at this hour.

Palestinian sources have told Israel Radio that the arrest of a senior
Fatah member on Wednesday assisted the in locating the body.

A charred body found by police near Ramallah earlier on Wednesday was
identified as a Palestinian man who was killed in a local feud. The
positive identification was made by the Israel's Institute for
Forensic Medicine at Abu Kabir.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3268843,00.html

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1150885858552&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull

http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,19626353-5001028,00.html

=========================================================

Buzz of Assad Palace

In unofficial statements the IDF Spokesperson's Office reported that
four Israel Air Force F-16 aircrafts carried out a low-altitude aerial
flight over Syrian President Bashar Assad's palace, near the city of
Latakia in northern Syria.

According to the official IDF dispatch (only Hebrew version avilable
at this time) the flight was carried out as part of the Israel Defense
Forces' operation and that Israel views the Syrian leadership as the
main sponsor of terror groups headed by Hamas.

"The IDF will continue to employ all operational options at its
disposal against Palestinian terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip and
the Hamas terrorist organization in order to return Corporal Shalit to
Israel quickly and peacefully," read the dispatch.

=======================================================

Operation Summer Rain

The Associated Press and other news services quoting Arab sources are
reporting that Israeli forces have arrested as many as 30 Hamas
members currently serving in public positions in the PA. Known to have
been arrested are the deputy prime minister of the PA, Nasser
al-Shaer, three cabinet ministers (including labor minister, Mohammed
Barghouti and of Jerusalem Affairs Khaled Abu Arfa), four legislators,
the mayor of Kalkiliya and his deputy as well as Hamas spokesmen
Mahmoud Abu Tir and Mahmoud Atuan.

The arrest operation began shortly after midnight and took place in
Ramallah, Shchem, Kalkilya, Jenin and Jerusalem. All arrested are
affiliated with the Hamas terrorist orgamization.

========================================================

PM Olmert Speaks With UN Secy.-Gen. Annan
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert spoke this evening (Wednesday), 28.6.06, with UN
Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who telephoned in order to be updated on the
situation. The latter said that he had spoken with both Syrian President
Bashar Assad and Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Abu Mazen and had urged
them to assist as much as possible in releasing IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit.

UN Secy.-Gen. Annan also said that he was concerned over the situation in the
PA and asked that Israel act with restraint. Prime Minister Olmert said
that Israel is doing everything to release the soldier and prevent the
firing of Kassam rockets at Israel. He added that the PA is doing nothing
to either bring about the release of Cpl. Shalit or to halt the firing of
Kassam rockets at Israeli communities.

The Prime Minister said that Israel has lost patience and must act in
order to release Cpl. Shalit and prevent the firing of Kassam rockets
at Israeli communities. He said that Israel is acting to defend itself
and is taking all necessary steps not to harm civilians.

=======================================================

PM Olmert Speaks With Egyptian President Mubarak
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert spoke today (Wednesday), 28.6.06, with Egyptian
President Hosni Mubarak, who telephoned in order to be updated on the latest
developments in southern Israel. The Prime Minister updated the Egyptian
President on the latest actions that have been taken in the Gaza Strip and
thanked him for Egypt's assistance in the efforts to lower tensions and to
bring about the release of abducted IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit.

========================================================

FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT ON THE EXECUTION OF RUSSIAN DIPLOMATS IN IRAQ

(Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman)

An Al Qaida-lnked Iraqi terrorist organization announced on Sunday, 25.6.06,
that it had executed four Russian diplomats who had been kidnapped on
3.6.06. Israel expresses regret and outrage over the deaths of the Russian
diplomats. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni extends her condolences to the
diplomats' families and expresses her solidarity with the Russian people.
She emphasizes Russia's, Israel's and the entire enlightened world's common
struggle against terrorism and hopes that those who perpetrated this
criminal act will be captured and punished to the fullest extent of the law.

==========================================================

Posted with permission by Dr. Mike Cohen http://www.gogalil.com

==========================================================

Group holding Asheri says it will soon issue demands

The Popular Resistance Committees has claimed to be holding Itamar
resident Eliyahu Asheri, missing since Sunday, and said late Wedneday
morning it will soon issue its demands in exchange for information
about him.

In a statement broadcast on Al-Jezeera, the spokesman referred to
Asheri by his full name, as it appears on his identity card. A Kol
Yisrael reporter says no other media outlets had referred to Asheri's
middle name.

Earlier, the organization threatened to kill Asheri if Israel does not
halt its military operation in the Gaza Strip.

Israel's former Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu has called on the public
to recite Psalms 142, 143 and 144 for the welfare of Eliyahu Asheri
and the kidnapped soldier, Gilad Shalit.

Israel Radio 28.06.2006 13:52

=======================================================

Nablus resident throws explosive device at troops

An explosive device was thrown at IDF troops operating in Nablus on
Tuesday night. No one was hurt. In Judea and Samaria, IDF troops
detained seven wanted Palestinians. The arrests were made around
Kabatiya, near Jenin, Nablus, Bethlehem and Jericho. The Palestinians
arrested belong to the Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and Fatah.

Israel Radio 28.06.2006 14:14

========================================================

Homefront Command holds 2-day drill in north

The IDF Homefront Command is conducting a drill in the north of the
country. It will continue until Wednesday evening, and resume
Thursday.

During the exercise, there will be heightened traffic of security
vehicles, sirens will be heard, and soldiers will be seen in
protective gear.

Israel Radio 28.06.2006 14:14

=======================================================

Military Inteligence: soldier held in s. strip, kidnapping directed
from Hamas, Syria

A senior Israeli intelligence officer says that according to current
information in the IDF's hands, abducted soldier Gilad Shalit is being
held in the southern Gaza Strip by members of the Hamas
infrastructure.

According to the military officer, Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail
Haniyeh does not know the exact place in which Shalit is being held,
but is familiar with the group of kidnappers.

The Israeli officer said Prime Minister Haniyeh and Foreign Minister
Mahmoud A-Zahar are trying to bring about the release of the soldier,
but that the Hamas military wing is not receiving orders from the
Hamas leadership in the Palestinian Authority, but from Khaled Mashaal
in Syria.

The senior intelligence officer, briefing the Knesset Foreign Affairs
and Defense Committee, said the kidnappers might be trying to transfer
Shalit to some other place in the Gaza Strip, or to outside the Gaza
Strip. The Egyptians, he said, have stepped up their preparedness at
the Philadeplhi corridor between Gaza and Egypt, but the crossing is
not hermetically sealed, and smuggling through tunnels is still
possible.

The Israeli intelligence officer also told the Knesset committee that
the international community is not pressuring enough to ensure the
release of the Israeli soldier, and Egypt is the only "bright spot,"
as he put it. He also said that forces loyal to Palestinian Authority
President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) are not showing determination.

Israel Radio 28.06.2006 09:47

======================================================

Operation Summer's Rain commences in response to the kidnapping of an
Israeli soldier, in an effort to return him to Israel as quickly and
peacefully as possible.
(Communicated by the IDF Spokesman)

The Air Force has begun to attack targets in Gaza City. Tuesday night
a bridge in the central Gaza Strip was bombed to lessen the danger
that the kidnapped Israeli soldier, Corporal Gilad Shalit, would be
moved around. An electrical power station in southern Gaza was also
attacked to handicap and disrupt operations of the terrorist
organizations connected, directly or indirectly, to the kidnapping.

In addition, an IDF ground force took over control of the Dahaniya
airfield in the southeastern Gaza Strip. Dahaniya is a strategic post
for observation and command of the vicinity of Rafah and southern
Gaza. It was taken over so as to make it more difficult for
terrorists to smuggle their captive out of the area.

"We must understand that this campaign against terror is not a
campaign of 'bang and we're done,'" explained Chief of Staff
Lieutenant General Dan Halutz. Rather, he said, "this is an ongoing
campaign. We must do everything required, in a continuing manner, to
deal with them. It would seem that the ceasefire has been
misinterpreted by the other side. The facts speak for themselves."

The IDF will continue to employ all operational options at its
disposal against Palestinian terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip in
order to return Corporal Shalit to Israel quickly and peacefully.

(11:50 28/06/2006)

=========================================================

Jerusalem, 28 June 2006

IDF Enters Southern Gaza Strip to Secure Release of Abducted Soldier
(Communicated by the IDF Spokesman)

In response to the abduction of IDF soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit on June
25, IDF forces entered the southern Gaza Strip during the night,
moving into the region of Dahaniya in the southeastern Gaza Strip.

The IDF operation has included:

- Artillery fire at open areas in the southern Gaza Strip.
- Aerial attacks on three bridges in the central Gaza Strip.
- Aerial attack on electricity transformer station south of Gaza city
- Entry of armored forces into the Dahaniya area, mainly the abandoned
airport. The area of Dahaniya represents a strategic control and
observation point over the area of Rafah and the southern Gaza Strip.
So far there has been one incident of gunfire and anti-tank missile
fire at the forces, but no injuries or damage were reported.

The purpose of these actions by the IDF is to prevent the kidnappers
from transferring the soldier within or out of the Gaza Strip and
otherwise disrupt their activity, and to send a clear message to the
terror organizations holding the soldier captive that if he is not
released safely and quickly, further operational means remain
available to the IDF.

The IDF holds the Hamas government responsible for the fate of the
missing soldier.

The IDF will continue to act with determination and to employ all
means at its disposal to combat terrorists and their infrastructure,
in order to defend the citizens of Israel and will continue to make
every effort to return Cpl. Shalit home quickly and safely.

The IDF is currently firing artillery at open areas in the southern
Gaza strip, the objective of this is to impair the terrorists
capability to move the abducted IDF soldier, coroporal Gilad Shalit,
from his current loaction and is part of the ongoing effort to see his
safe return home.

========================================================

IDF targets electricity transformer station in Gaza Strip
(Communicated by the IDF Spokesman)

Wednesday 28/06/2006 17:01

The IDF carried out an aerial attack on an electricity transformer
station south of Gaza city early this morning, June 28, 2006.

The IDF will continue to employ all means at its disposal against
Palestinian terrorist infrastructure in the Gaza Strip in order to
ensure the quick and safe return home of Corporal Gilad Shalit.

=========================================================

IDF targets bridge in central Gaza Strip as part of ongoing effort to
return kidnapped soldier
(Communicated by the IDF Spokesman)

Wednesday 28/06/2006 16:57

Following the attack against an IDF post inside Israel on Sunday June
25, 2006 in which two IDF soldiers were killed and a third kidnapped,
the IDF carried out an aerial attack early this morning, June 28,
2006, of a bridge in the central Gaza Strip.

The objective of targeting this bridge was to impair the terrorists'
ability to transfer the kidnapped soldier, Corporal Gilad Shalit, to
other areas.

The IDF will continue to act with determination and to employ all
means at its disposal to combat terrorists and their infrastructure,
in order to defend the citizens of Israel, and will continue to make
every effort to return Corporal Shalit home quickly and safely.

The Palestinian Authority, led by the democratically elected Hamas
government, is fully responsible for any attacks emanating from the
Gaza Strip, and Israel holds it responsible for the safe and quick
return of Corporal Shalit.

===========================================================

Posted with permission by Dr. Mike Cohen http://www.gogalil.com

==========================================================

PRC threaten to 'butcher' Asheri on TV

PRC threatens to kill kidnapped teen

Early Wednesday morning, the Palestinian Popular Resistance Committees
threatened to kill Eliyah Asheri, an 18-year-old resident of Neve Zuf in the
Samarian Mountains. On Monday, the PRC issued a claim that it had kidnapped
Asheri.

The defense establishment is taking very seriously the possibility
that Eliyahu Asheri, a student at the Yeshiva of Itamar missing since Sunday,
has been kidnapped by the Popular Resistance Committees. With that, members of
the PRC have yet to follow through on their vow to present evidence that they
have "abducted an Israeli settler."

The 18-year old yeshiva student was last seen at 8 pm on Sunday at the French
Hill junction in Jerusalem.

The PRC said they were "holding a settler" in a Palestinian city. The
group said it would soon announce what its demands of Israel are to
gain the release of what is said to be another kidnapped Israeli.

Israel Radio 28.06.2006 10:09

[Galilee Institute Note: There are currently many conflicting reports
regarding Mr. Asheri's whereabouts. Different PRC reps are both taking credit
and denying his kidnapping. Asheri spent Shabbat and Sunday with the head of his
Yeshiva system, Rabbi Haim Drukman, at the rabbi's home and was in good spirits
upon departure. After leaving a friend's house in Beitar Elite just south of
Jerusalem he was seen several times, including at the popular northern Jerusalem
hitchhiking post near the French Hill. He was supposed to be heading home to
Neve Zuf in the Samarian Mountains but never arrived.

The announcement below by the PRC rep is concidered credible because
he used Asheri's middle name, Pinchas, a name that was not made public by Israel
or the family.

We will do all in our power to keep you informed on this breaking
story without transmitting actualy baseless rumor. If we err, we will
attempt to do so on the side of caution.

To send a message to the Asheri family please visit http://www.gogalil.com]

=======================================================

PRC threaten to 'butcher' Asheri on TV
---------------------------------------------------------------------
By Rebecca Anna Stoil and JPost.com Staff
THE JERUSALEM POST Jun. 27, 2006
---------------------------------------------------------------------

According to a Palestinian Resistance Committees statement Wednesday
morning, the group claimed it was holding, "Eliyahu Pinchas Asheri,"
the 18-year-old Itamar resident who went missing on Sunday.

A spokesman for the group, known only as Abu Abir, told Al-Jazeera
satellite TV early Wednesday that Asheri would be "butchered in front
of TV cameras" if the IDF operation in Gaza did not stop. "Our
patience is running out," said Abu Abir.

"I am announcing for the first time that the kidnapped Zionist Israel
is searching for is the same settler who is being held by us. He is
aged 18-and-a-half... and is a soldier in a pre-military academy,"
said Abu Abir, the terrorist group's mouthpiece. The claim was being
taken very seriously by security forces because Asheri's middle name,
Pinchas, had not been revealed to the public.

The PRC also said that no more information about Asheri would be given without a
price.

Two days after IDF soldier, Cpl. Gilad Shalit, was captured by
Palestinian terrorists near Gaza, security establishment officials
began assessing on Tuesday evening that the 18-year-old had, in fact,
also been kidnapped by Palestinian terrorists.

Sources had revealed the assessment was based on circumstantial
evidence, while the IDF and Shin Bet had no concrete proof, Israel
Radio reported.

Asheri, a yeshiva student and resident of the Samarian town of
Itamar, was reportedly seen twice on Sunday night, both times
attempting to hitchhike. Rabbi Avihai Ronsky of Itamar told The
Jerusalem Post that Asheri, a student at the Neveh Tzuf pre-military
academy, was last seen near Beitar, attempting to hitchhike home.

A fellow student at Neveh Tzuf told police that he had spotted Asheri
trying to hitch a ride at the French Hill hitchhiking post in
Jerusalem on Sunday night.

Asheri's father arrived at the Ariel police station to report his son
missing on Tuesday afternoon. According to police, the youth's parents had been
under the impression that their son was at Neveh Tzuf, and that in Neveh Tzuf,
Asheri's companions believed that he was with his family.

Asheri's disappearance was coupled with a number of alarming
announcements and intelligence leads coming from Palestinian terror
organizations that led security officials to fear the worst.

Shortly before midnight on Monday evening, the Palestinian Resistance
Committees issued a statement announcing that they had kidnapped an
Israeli settler in the West Bank, saying that the kidnapping was part
of an operation called "Horsemen's Rage," intended to avenge the
targeted killing of the group's leaders by Israel.

"One of our elements in the West Bank succeeded in kidnapping the
settler as part of a chain of reactions against the Zionist attack,
and as revenge for the blood of Palestinian martyrs," said the
statement, which was issued by the Salah al-Din Brigades, the PRC's
military wing.

"We have information about the attack, but we will not pass it on at
this point in order to keep the ball in the Zionist court, and so that the
Zionists continue in their confusion. We will allow actions on the ground to
speak for us." The group also had formed a special unit to kidnap IDF soldiers
and settlers in the West Bank, PRC spokesman Abu Abir said.

According to Abu Abir, the new unit, which consists of several dozen
gunmen, is called Knights of Rage. "We will continue our attacks on
Israel until the leaders of Israel are brought to their knees," he
said. "[Prime Minister Ehud] Olmert and [Defense Minister Amir] Peretz must know
that we will never be defeated and that we will continue to fight for our
rights."

In addition, security sources claimed that they had received two
independent pieces of intelligence information, one indicating that
Palestinians had killed an Israeli on Sunday night, and one indicating that
Palestinians were holding the body of an Israeli. On Tuesday night, IDF forces
were reportedly combing villages in the Ramallah area.

Meanwhile, in Itamar, Asheri's neighbors were trying to do their best
to search for clues that could help locate the missing teenager. In
the early evening, a busload of residents, adults and youth, were sent out to
comb busy intersections on Route 60, the north-south road
transecting the West Bank, carrying pictures of the missing youth in
the hopes that a traveler would recall seeing the student.

Other Itamar residents held a prayer vigil for Asheri, the oldest of
six children, described by a neighbor as "a smiling, nice boy."

"There is a feeling here of unknowing, of concern, of wanting to do
something," said resident Orit Deri. "We just discussed the fact that
God tests us because he knows we can stand the test. We are strong and we are
unified."

Eliyahu Asheri's father, an immigrant from Australia, and mother are
veteran members of the close-knit Itamar community.

The IDF confirmed that ever since the attempted kidnapping of two
teenage girls near the Tapuah Junction ten days ago, security forces
have been received general warnings of kidnapping attempts in the West Bank. The
IDF spokesman's office said that they had been working
together in recent days with settlements' security officers in order
to warn settlers as to the danger of kidnapping attempts.

====================================================

Posted with permission by Dr. Mike Cohen http://www.gogalil.com

====================================================

IDF LAUNCHES "OPERATION SUMMER'S RAIN"

June 28th 2006

IDF targets bridge in central Gaza Strip as part of ongoing effort to
return kidnapped soldier

(Communicated by IDF Spokesperson)

Following the attack against an IDF post inside Israel on Sunday June
25th 2006 in which two IDF soldiers were killed and a third kidnapped, the IDF
carried out an aerial attack early this morning, June 28th 2006, of a bridge in
the central Gaza Strip.

The objective of targeting this bridge is to impair the ability of the
terrorists to transfer the kidnapped soldier, Cpl. Gilad Shalit.

The IDF will continue to act with determination and to employ all means at its
disposal to combat terrorists and their infrastructure, in order to defend the
citizens of Israel and will continue to make every effort toreturn Cpl. Shalit
home quickly and safely.

The Palestinian Authority, led by the democratically elected Hamas
government is fully responsible for any attacks emanating from the Gaza Strip
and Israel holds it responsible for the safe and quick return of Cpl. Shalit.

Full brief on Sunday's attack available here:

http://www.intelligence.org.il/eng/eng_n/pdf/kerem_shalom_e.pdf

===================================================

IDF RADIO: "Operation Summer's Rain" Launched

Midnight: IAF helicopters attack and destroy electrical facilities
causing power outages in neigborhoods of Gaza City and Han Yunes.

00:15: IAF helicopters destroy three central bridges and ground forces divide
Gaza Strip into three parts in an attempt to hamper possible movement of
terrorists holding Cpl. Shalit.

02:00: Elements of the Golani brigade backed by APCs and tanks moved
into position at Denhenya Aiport close to the Rafiach Crossing point
into Egypt.

02:25: Special forces take positions and remain on high alert.

Summer's Rain is expected to be a "rolling and ongoing" operation with the sole
purpose of securing Cpl. Shalit's safety and removing
terrorist elements that continue to fire rockets towards Israel.

Upon completion of their stated assignment, IDF forces will return to the
positions established in Sept. 2005

===================================================

IDF isolates southern strip to prevent transfer of kidnapped soldier

The IDF has launched the first stage of an operation in the Gaza
Strip. The operation code-named Summer Skies is initially designed to
cut off and isolate the southern part of the Gaza Strip where it is
believed kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit is being held.

The IDF attacked three bridges Tuesday night to the north and south of Gaza City
and fired artillery at the southern Gaza Strip to prevent the transfer of the
kidnapped soldier to the north or to the south and into the Sinai.

IAF planes also attacked the sole power plant in the Gaza Strip and
infantry forces entered and deployed in the area of Dahaniye.
Palestinian sources said that nine missiles were fired at the power
plant and this led to a huge fire and an electricity outage in large
parts of the Gaza Strip. They say that power was partially restored.

Reports from the Gaza Strip say that IDF tanks backed by helicopter
gunships entered near the southern town of Rafah. The force was led by
bulldozers to clear boobytrap bombs.

A Hamas leader called on the organization's fighters to confront the Israelis.

Just hours before the incursion, Channel Two television reported that
international mediators involved in talks with the kidnappers had
given up, saying negotiations were going nowhere. An Egyptian official concurred
that talks with Hamaas officials in Gaza were on hold but insisted negotiations
were still taking place with Hamas leaders in Syria.

Israel Radio 28.06.2006 09:47

==================================================

4 Kassam Rockets Launched

Four Kassam rockets landed in Israeli territory early this morning.
Three rockets landed in the agriculteral farms of Netiv Ha'Asara just
north of the Gaza Strip and one additional rocket landed in an open
field. No injuries or damage wa reported.

IDF Radio 28.06.2006 08:32

==================================================

Posted with permission by Dr. Mke Cohen http://www.gogalil.com

==================================================

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Israel Beyond Politics 27 Jun 2006

Israeli elected member of UN women's committee (CEDAW)
(Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman)

Dr. Ruth Halperin-Kaddari elected to the UN Comittee for Elimination
of Discrimination against Woman

On Friday, June 23, Dr. Ruth Halperin-Kaddari, head of the Rackman
Center for the Advancement of the Status of Women at Bar-Ilan
Univeristy, was elected by 96 states at the United Nations center in
New York to one of the prestigious UN bodies dealing with women's
rights - the UN Comittee for Elimination of Discrimination against
Woman.

The election of an Israeli expert to this committee was made possible
through the joint efforts of the Foreign Ministry's Division for
International Organizations and the United Nations, the Permanent
Mission of Israel to the UN, and Israeli embassies throughout the
world. It reflects the high esteem accorded to Israeli experts in the
field of international humanitarian law and helps contribute to the
positive image of the State of Israel on the international arena.

This is the third time that an Israeli legal expert has been elected
as a member of CEDAW, which deals with important issues of civil
rights in general and women's rights in particular. The committee
comprises experts from 23 different states.

Dr. Ruth Halperin-Kaddari has served as chairperson of the Advisory
Committee to the Authority for the Advancement of the Status of Women
in the Prime Minister's Office. She was responsible for preparing
Israel's first two reports to CEDAW and is the author of Women in
Israel: A State of Their Own (2004).

====================================================

Underground world found at quarry
(Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman)

Previously unknown species discovered at cave located within premise
of cement factory in city of Ramle

Researchers were amazed to discover eight species of previously
unknown invertebrates, bacteria and single-cell organisms in the heart
of an active quarry in the southern city of Ramle. Factory
administrators vowed to give researchers free access to the cave and
to keep it intact. "It is a unique site on an international scale,"
Prof. Amos Frumkin of the Hebrew University's Geography Department
said during a press conference held Wednesday morning. "So far we have
identified eight species of invertebrates, most of which were not
known before."

The cave, which spans across 2.5 kilometers (roughly 1.5 miles) and is
100-meter (roughly 30 feet) deep, is the second largest lime cave in
Israel. In order to explore the cave researchers are required to climb
ropes and crawl through most of it. Due to its scientific significance
and the fact it is located inside an active quarry, the cave is
currently closed to visitors.

Four species of invertebrates were found in the lake inside the cave;
the other four species inhabit the cave's terrain. The lake is a
habitat for bacteria that synthesize the sulfur in the water as a
source for energy, thus creating the nutritional infrastructure for
the cave's aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

The cave's uniqueness is due mainly to its isolation from the outside
world, since the cave's surface is situated under a layer of chalk
that is impenetrable to water. The underground cave includes an
underground lake, in which the crustaceans were found. The lake is
part of the Yarkon-Taninim aquifer, one of Israel's two aquifers, yet
is different in temperature and chemical composition from the main
waters of the aquifer. The lake's temperature and salinity indicate
that its source is deep underground.

The species have been sent to biological experts in both Israel and
abroad for further analysis and dating. It is estimated that these
species are millions of years old.

Yoel Feldschue, director-general of Nesher Industries, said today that
Nesher will preserve the ecosystem which has been revealed in the
center of its quarry in order to avoid any damage to the important
findings there. He added that he is hopeful that the planning
authorities will enable the company to operate in alternative areas in
order to help preserve the site.

=================================================

Israeli doctors deliver new smiles

'Operation New Smile' established by Israeli doctors provides needed
plastic surgery and medical care in the Third World.

By Laura Wiessen
(Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman Courtesy of Israel 21c)

When Dr. Eyal Winkler, Dr. Yitzchak Zilinsky and Dr. Yigal Shochat,
three experienced plastic surgeons from Israel's Sheba Medical Center
arrived in Huancayo, Peru this past February, they knew what to
expect. Waiting outside the rural local clinic were about 70 children,
all suffering from some variation of cleft lip/ palate disorder.

Cleft lip/palate is a birth defect in which either the lip or the
palate (roof of mouth) or both failed to close in the womb, leaving a
separation that can affect eating, speech, and hearing. After hearing
about the visit from the Israeli doctors, these children and their
families flocked to the clinic, for free, quality treatment for the
potentially life-threatening defect. For most of them, this would be
their only opportunity.

The mission to Huancayo, in the Peruvian Andes, was the sixth cleft
lip/palate mission to the developing world for Sheba. Winkler has been
leading the Sheba team since 1998, when Interplast, an international
organization providing free reconstructive surgery for people in
developing nations, asked the hospital to join them on a mission to
Katmandu, Nepal.

Winkler was one of three Sheba doctors who went to Nepal, and by the
end of the week, he was hooked. After the Nepal mission, Winkler and
Sheba administrators decided that they wanted to operate these
missions on their own. As hospital CEO Dr. Ze'ev Rothstein explains
"our policy is to extend help wherever it is needed."

So they created 'Operation New Smile' - with the goal of providing
needed plastic surgery and medical care in the Third World. Operation
New Smile's mission hinges on creating cooperative relationships with
doctors and medical technicians in the countries where they work.

"It's not just I'm landing in Hanoi airport and I'm saying the great
Dr. Winkler is here and bring me your kids," explains the jovial
doctor with a smile. "We want to work together with them. It's a
mission of cooperation, it's a mission of sharing techniques and
assisting each other and learning and teaching at the same time," said
Winkler.

In Israel and the West, surgery to correct these deformities is common
and occurs early in a child's life. A child born with cleft lip will
be treated by the age of 10 to 20 weeks, and with a cleft palate by
the age of 18 to 24 months. Because of the important role of the
palate in speech and in eating, it is considered critical to correct
the deformity early in order to allow a child to develop normally.

"In the Third World there are thousands or maybe tens of thousands of
kids, nobody really knows, that are both born undiagnosed prenatally
with cleft lip/palate problems and that do not receive treatment."
Operation New Smile is doing what it can to change that. In 1999, the
Sheba team traveled to Haiphong, Vietnam on their first 'Smile'
mission. Four doctors went with the Sheba team - two plastic surgeons,
a pediatrician and an anesthesiologist. They worked 12 hours a day for
a week, operating on babies and toddlers up to three years old. In the
end, they operated on between 30 and 50 children suffering from cleft
lip/palate.

The team's first emergency intervention came at the end of 2001. A
fire, most likely caused by makeshift fireworks, broke out in the Mesa
Redonda section of Lima, Peru. Hundreds of people were killed and
hundreds more disfigured in the chaos. The Peruvian government
appealed for help, and Israel sent Winkler and a colleague to Lima
immediately.

"We packed some bandages, some ointments, some knives and started our
long way to Peru. We were there within 72 hours of disaster. And we
found ourselves in one of the hospitals working hard with the [local]
team, shoulder to shoulder," recalls Winkler. He and colleague, Dr.
Joseph Haik, now head of Sheba's Burn Unit, worked with the Peruvian
doctors and medical staff for approximately ten days, treating
hundreds of patients.

Peruvian president, Alejandro Toledo and his wife Eliane Karp de
Toledo were grateful for the doctors' work, thanking them publicly in
a press conference and taking them on a private helicopter ride above
the Andes. First Lady Eliane de Toledo had spent several years living
in Israel, and when. Winkler told her about Operation New Smile's work
with cleft lip/palate children she offered to help them set up
missions in Peru. The group has done three subsequent cleft lip palate
missions to Peru, two to the Amazonian region of Peru in 2001 and
2004, and the most recent to Huancayo in February.

Funding for the missions comes from wherever. Winkler and the hospital
can find it - sometimes the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs helps,
sometimes private donors, and sometimes the doctors pay out of their
own pockets. Sheba offers the doctors the time off and the surgical
instruments they bring with them and leave behind for their colleagues
in the countries they visit. He hopes that he can establish regular
sources of funding that will enable the group to organize more
missions to areas in need.

For some children, the treatment can mean a whole new life. In
Huancayo, they met a ten year old boy called "Onze" or eleven in
Spanish. He had gained this nickname because of an eleventh finger.
The boy also had a cleft lip. "He was hidden by parents, never brought
to parties as a child," explains Winkler. "And when he went to school,
everybody laughed at him because he had a tiny finger coming out of
first finger."

The team operated on Onze, removing the extra finger and correcting
the cleft lip. "The first time he saw himself in the mirror he started
weeping. His parents acted like we were Jesus Christ coming the save
them, they called us savior, savior," says Winkler, obviously moved by
the experience.

It's making this kind of a difference in the lives of people around
the world that makes Winkler and the Sheba team eager to organize more
missions.

===================================================

Cornerstone laid for MDA first aid station in Sahnin
(Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman)

The new station will be built with the help of a donation by Magen
David Adom UK.

On Tuesday, June 20, 2006, the cornerstone was laid for a new MDA
first aid station to be established in the Arab Israeli town of
Sahnin, with the help of a $750,000 donation collected among the
British Jewish community by the Friends of Magen David Adom in the
United Kingdom. This donation will be used to construct a new and
modern building that will enable the local teams of workers and
volunteers to work in an agreeable atmosphere, a far cry from the
existing building used by MDA. The new building will include training
rooms, a volunteers club, a clinic and blood donating premises.

This is the first time that an MDA Friends' Society from abroad is
sponsoring a first aid station in the Arab sector in Israel. Over the
past years, MDA has intensified its efforts to provide better service
in the less populated periphery, more distant from hospital care.
Within this framework, MDA has strengthened its ties with the local
community in Sahnin, training citizens in first aid courses,
organizing blood drives, enrolling new volunteers, training young
mothers and dispensing humanitarian services. The building of the new
station in this town is the result of intensive cooperation and
understanding between MDA directorate and the town leadership with the
encouragement of MDA Friends' Society in the UK.

MDA Director General Eli Bin commented: "The erection of this building
in Sahnin actually expresses the fundamental principles of MDA,
Israel's National Emergency Medical Services, of equality and
availability of MDA services at all times and in all places, in town
centers and periphery alike, reflecting the spirit and principles of
the Red Cross and Red Crescent International Movement - the right of
all human beings to receive medical relief without discrimination of
race, creed or gender."

The cooperation between the local authorities and MDA directorate is
the crown of MDA activities in the non-Jewish sector and an emblem of
true co-existence.

======================================================

Posted by Dr. Mike Cohen http://www.gogalil.com with permission of MFA

======================================================

Erez security crossing has been reopened for foreign journalists

June 26th 2006
IDF SPOKESPERSON UPDATE

The Erez security crossing has been reopened for foreign journalists wishing
to enter or exit Gaza.

Due to the current security assessments journalists with Israeli citizenship
or those holding a dual citizenship cannot enter the Gaza Strip at the
present time.

==============================================

Posted by Dr. Mike Cohen http://www.gogalil.com with permission of IDF

==============================================

IDF News Roundup for Tuesday Morning 27/6/06

4 Kassams land in w. Negev; IDF tanks, infantry deployed around GS

Four Kassam rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip at southern Israel
on Monday night, with one of them landing on an electricity pole in
Sderot, lightly wounding four people and cutting off electricity to
the neighborhood in which Defense Minister Amir Peretz lives. The four
injured people were treated at the Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon, and
a team of workers restored electricity to the area.

In all, two rockets fell in Sderot, while two others landed in the
western Negev.

Tanks reinforced by IDF infantry have been deployed around the Gaza
Strip and they are ready for a massive ground operation if the
government decides that this is necessary following the killing of two
soldiers and the abduction of a third soldier by Palestinian gunmen in
an attack on the IDF post at Kerem Shalom on Sunday.

Israel Radio 27.06.2006 09:20

==============================================

US, France call for soldier's release while urging government restraint

The United States, France and other countries have called for the
immediate release of Corporal Gilad Shalit, who also has French
citizenship.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack noted that
there are a lot of parties working to resolve the issue, and he urged
Israel and the Palestinian leadership to exercise restraint and avoid
steps which would further escalate the situation.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged Israel to give diplomacy a
chance to win the release of Shalit. Speaking to reporters in
Scotland, where she landed for a refuelling stop en route to Pakistan,
Rice said, "There really needs to be an effort now to try and calm the
situation, not to let the situation escalate, and to give diplomacy a
chance to work to try to get this release." She added that there is a
concerted international effort to win the soldier's freedom.

Israel Radio 27.06.2006 09:22

==============================================

IDF dismisses reports PRC abducted settler

The IDF has dismissed Palestinian reports that an unidentified settler
was abducted in the West Bank on Monday night. The Palestinian news
agency quoted the Popular Resistance Committees as saying it had
kidnapped a settler, but provided no further details.

Israel Radio 27.06.2006 09:21

==============================================

France, Egypt join efforts to secure safe release of kidnapped soldier

Intensive efforts continue to try to secure the release of Corporal
Gilad Shalit, the 19-year-old soldier who was abducted in Sunday's
raid on the army outpost near Kerem Shalom on the Israelis side in the
southern Gaza Strip.

France has said it has made contact with "all concerned parties,"
regarding the release of Shalit, who holds dual Israeli-French
citizenship. An embassy spokesperson said French officials in Paris
have been in touch with Palestinian officials, and that the French
ambassador plans to meet with relatives of the soldier later Monday.

Egypt has also been involved in the mediation efforts. Emissaries in
Gaza reportedly made contact via a mediator with Shalit's captors, and
offered medical assistance for the soldier. It was not immediately
clear whether the captors accepted the offer. Reuters quotes one
mediator as saying that they have been told that Shalit is in good
condition and is being treated well.

Haaretz on Monday morning quoted Gaza-based diplomats as saying they
know both where the soldier is being held and the organization
affiliation of the captors but would not relay the information to the
paper. The sources said he is in good condition.

There were conflicting reports Monday morning over who is holding
Shalit. One of the groups involved in Sunday's attack, the Popular
Resistance Committees, denied an earlier media report that it is
holding the soldier. A spokesman for the group said it had no
information about him.

Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas has called for Shalit's release.

The Hamas government spokesman, Ghazi Hamed, says he has heard that
Shalit is in good condition and that his captors are treating him
well. Speaking on Reshet Bet, Hamed said the Hamas government would
like for the crisis over the kidnapping to be resolved quickly and
quietly. If Israel avoids an esclataion of the situation, Hamed said,
a solution could be found. Hamed said the Palestinian government is in
contact with "all of the parties" but said he has no information on
the kidnappers demands. In earlier comments broadcast on CNN, Hamed
urged the captors to treat Shalit well.

Foreign Minister Tzippi Livni briefed members of the diplomatic corps
in Jerusalem on Monday morning. She asked them to press Palestinian
Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas and the Hamas-led government to release
Shalit.

Meanwhile, the IDF chief of staff has appointed General Giora Eiland
(res) as head of the team that will investigate the attack at Kerem
Shalom. The team is to submit its findings by July 10.

Israel Radio 26.06.2006 13:35

==============================================

Army demolishes tunnel used in Palestinian raid

IDF troops Monday morning demolished the tunnel used by the
Palestinian gunmen to infiltrate the army post near Kerem Shalom.

Israel Radio 26.06.2006 13:35

==============================================

PRC carries out Kerem Shalom attack planned by assassinated chief

The London-based newspaper Al-Hayat reports that the Sunday's attack
at Kerem Shalom was planned by the commander of the Popular Resistance
Committees, Jamal Abu Samhadana, before he was assassinated by Israel
several weeks ago.

According to the report, members of the group decided to carry out the
raid to avenge the killing of Abu Samhadana and the head of the
group's military wing, Abdel Kuka.

Israel Radio 26.06.2006 13:35

==============================================

Communications from IDF Spokesperson for 27/6/06

(08:30 27/06/2006)
IDF forces arrested 43 wanted Palestinians in Judea and Samaria.

==============================================

(08:29 27/06/2006)
Palestinians opened fire at an IDF force operating in Silat Al
Harithiya, northwest of Jenin. No injuries or damage was reported.

==============================================

Chief of Staff Appoints team to Investigate Sunday's Events

Monday 26/06/2006 17:37

The Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Dan Halutz, commanded the
establishment of a professional investigation team in order to
investigate the circumstances and the events that occurred on Sunday,
25/6/06. At the head of the investigating team will be the former head
of the National Security Council, the Major General in reserves Giora
Island.

Yesterday (Sunday, 25/06/06) a terrorist cell composed of terrorists
active in the Hamas and Popular Resistance Committees organizations
infiltrated into Israeli territory in the area of Kerem Shalom and
Sufa crossings. The terrorists infiltrated Israel through a tunnel
that originated from the Rafah area. The terrorists used mortar and
anti-tank firing methods, and attacked military targets, among them a
tank. IDF forces returned fire on the forces, killing at least two
terrorists. During the event two soldiers were killed, Lieutenant
Hanan Barak, 20 years old from Arad, and First Sergeant Pavel
Slutsker, 20 years old, from Dimona. Corporal Gilad Shalit has been
missing since the event.

This morning (Monday, 26/06/06) IDF forces detonated the tunnel which
was used during the terrorist infiltration into the Kerem Shalom area
yesterday. IDF forces uncovered the opening of the tunnel inside a
Palestinian house located about 350 meters from the fence, and the
length of the tunnel is about 650 meters.

==============================================

Weapon Smuggle Attempt Thwarted

Two swimmers attempting to cross the Egyptian border into the Gaza
strip were identified on Thursday (22/06/06), while they were carrying
weapons. An attempt to stop the two was made while they were still on
the Egyptian side of the border, with full cooperation from the
Egyptian Border Guard.

After the two crossed the border and entered the Gaza strip, warning
shots were fired in their direction, and after they did not respond a
shooting was conducted against one of the smugglers. During the
shooting the smuggler was about 100 meters from the beach. The second
smuggler was not fired at out of concern of injuring people not
involved in the incident, since he was closer to the populated area
along the beach. Due to the shooting the two abandoned the weapons.

According to Ashdod base commander, Colonel Yoram Lax, "there is a
higher possibility of smuggling weapons through the sea. The sector in
which we operate is characterized by recurring terror organization
efforts to smuggle weapons. "We spend most of our efforts on thwarting
such smuggle attempts out of the understanding that there is a greater
possibility to smuggle larger amounts of weapons through the sea."

==============================================

Additional Findings Confirm: Shrapnel Not from IDF Shell

The Investigative Committee headed by Major General Meir Kalifi
continues to investigate the causes of the June 9 explosion on the
coast of Gaza.

"I can say unequivocally that all findings to date confirm the central
conclusion of the Investigative Committee: that the incident did not
result from fire by IDF forces that day," Major General Kalifi said
this evening.

An additional piece of shrapnel was removed during surgery on Adham
Ralya on Wednesday, June 14, and was sent for initial analysis by the
IDF Technology Unit. "Examination of the second piece of shrapnel,"
said Major General Kalifi, "proves conclusively that this was not a
155-mm shell. As also has been demonstrated by the first piece of
shrapnel, based on analysis of the composition and content of the
shrapnel, and of course on examination of the explosive compounds
found on the second piece, evidence of 155-mm shells was clearly
absent."

All new evidence obtained to date thus confirms the central conclusion
of the Investigative Committee: that the event did not result from IDF
fire during the day's operations.

==============================================

New Feature: Today in IDF History
(Communicated by IDF Spokesperson)

39 years ago, today (27/6/67): Pilots return from captivity

Two Air Force pilots, Captains Yitzchak Galantz-Golan and Gideon Dror,
returned from captivity in Iraq. The two, who were shot down while
attacking airfield 3H in Iraq, were released in exchange for 428
Jordanian prisoners.

36 years ago, today (27/6/70): Battles with Syria

During two days of battles in the Golan, Syrian military bases near
Damascus and Sawida were bombarded; border posts were temporarily
besieged; 25 tanks were destroyed and one captured; four Mig fighters
were shot down; 200 Syrian soldiers were wounded, dozens killed, and
38 taken captive. IDF losses: 10 killed, 27 wounded, and an Israeli
aircraft was shot down and its pilot taken captive. The operation met
its goals. Aggression in the Syrian sector was curbed, and the Syrian
border remained quiet for three years.

30 years ago, today (27/6/76): Air France Jet Hijacked

An Air France aircraft that had been on its way from Lod to Paris with
258 passengers aboard was hijacked after a stop in Athens and flown to
Benghazi, Libya, and then on to Entebbe, Uganda. The hijackers
demanded the release of terrorists imprisoned in Israel, Germany,
Switzerland, and Kenya. The hijacking was done by the terrorist
organization of Wadia Hadad, with the support of Ugandan leader Idi
Amin. During the IDF's counterattack in Entebbe, the captives were
freed. The operation was executed quickly and successfully. The seven
terrorists were killed. Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Netanyahu,
commander of the Israeli force, was mortally wounded during the battle
and one soldier, Surin Hershko, was seriously wounded. Three of the
captives were killed and six wounded. An additional captive, Dora
Bloch, had been taken to a Ugandan hospital and was murdered there.

==============================================

Posted by Dr. Mike Cohen http://www.gogalil.com with
permission of IDF and Israel Radio

==============================================

Monday, June 26, 2006

2 Soldiers Killed - 1 Kidnapped - PM Olmert Convenes Political-Security Cabinet

(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

The Political-Security Cabinet convened this afternoon (Sunday),
25.6.06, and made the following decisions:

1. Israel views the terrorist incident that occurred today with utmost severity.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) - the PA Chairman and the PA government - is
responsible for the event with all this implies.

2. Israel will take all necessary actions in order to bring about the
release of abducted soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit.

This objective has top priority and, to this end, the Cabinet approves all the
preparations that were presented to it by the security establishment.

3. The PA will bear full responsibility for any harm to Cpl. Shalit.
No person or organization will have immunity at this time.

4. The Cabinet approves the security establishment's recommendations to prepare
and deploy the necessary forces in order to be ready for urgent military action
as obligated by the PA's actions and intentions.

5. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Amir Peretz will
decide to approve actions against targets among the terrorist organizations and
the PA according to the recommendations of the security establishment.

6. Contacts will continue with the international community in order to maintain
the international pressure on the PA leadership with the
objectiveof bringing about Cpl. Shalit's release.

7. Prime Minister Olmert's Media Adviser Asaf Shariv will coordinate
the media and the information campaign regarding both Cpl. Shalit's
abduction and actions designed to bring about his release (the Prime Minister's
Office, the Foreign Ministry, the Defense Ministry, the IDF and the security
services).

===============================================

Soldier kidnapped

Military sources say Corporal Gilad Shalit's bloodstained bulletproof vest was
found not far from the scene of the attack.
He was apparently wounded in the chest, and abducted by the Palestinian gunmen
who carried out the attack. The head of IDF Manpower, Major-General Eliezer
Stern, met his family in Mitzpeh Hila, and told them that Gilad had walked
against his will at the site of the incident.

Chief-of-staff Dan Halutz said that to the best of the army's knowledge, Shalit
is believed to be wounded but alive. Halutz told reporters that Hamas bears
responsibility for his fate, and the IDF is doing everything necessary via the
appropriate channels to bring about the soldier's release.
In response to questions, Halutz said that the army was unaware of the existence
of the tunnel used by the Palestinian gunmen to attack the outpost.

In addition to the missing soldier and the two IDF fatalities, six other
soldiers were wounded in the attack. One was listed in moderate condition, one
in light-to-moderate condition, and the others were lightly wounded.

The head of the Gaza battalion, Brigadier-General Aviv Cochavi, said that in the
pre-dawn attack, eight Palestinian gunmen reached the post through a 300-meter
tunnel dug under the border. The gunmen then split into three squads -- one
firing an anti-tank missile and grenades at an IDF tank, killing two soldiers. A
second squad fired a missile at the IDF observation post at Kerem Shalom. And a
third group blew up an armored personnel carrier, which was empty at the time.

IDF troops killed two of the gunmen in the ensuing clash. Palestinians said the
six other cell members returned safely to Gaza. Hours after the initial
infiltration, heavy IDF fire continue in the area as troops carried out searches
for the missing soldier. Soldiers entered Palestinian terroritory in the
southern Gaza Strip, where forces demolished several structures. An alert was
declared in the nearby Israeli communities of Kerem Shalom and Sufa. And the
border crossings to Gaza were closed.

Several armed groups claimed responsibility for the attack, including the
Popular Resistance Committees, which said members of the Hamas military wing and
a previously unknown group called the Islamic Army also took part. The armed
groups said the operation was in response to Israel's assassination this month
of Popular Resistance committees leader Jamal Abu Samhadana and air strikes
targetting Kassam rocket-launching cells in Gaza. Palestinian sources told a Kol
Yisrael reporter that the Damascus-based senior Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal
authorized the attack. The Hamas government said it had no information on the
kidnapped soldier, but urged any group holding him to treat him well. A Hamas
spokesman, speaking in Hebrew, also urged Israel not to move toward an
escalation of the situation.

The kidnapped soldier, Corporal Gilad Shalit, was the first to be seized by
Palestinians since the abduction of Corporal Nachshon Waxman, an American
Israeli who was also 19, in 1994. Waxman was killed along with three kidnappers
when IDF commandos stormed the safe house in which he was being held. Armed
groups have in the past captured soldiers, dead or alive, as bargaining chips
for the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Israel Radio 25.06.2006 21:41

==========================================================

Names of Two IDF Soldiers Killed Released
(Communicated by IDF Spokesperson)

The names of the two soldiers killed today are:

Lt. Hanan Barak, 20, from Arad and St.-Sgt. Pavel Slotsker, also 20, from
Dimona.

Lt. Barak will be buried at 8:00 p.m. Sunday night in Arad. The time of St.
Slotsker's funeral has not yet been released.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Two IDF soldiers killed, four wounded, and one missing in attack on army outpost

Two IDF soldiers were killed, four troops were wounded and one soldier
was missing Sunday in a coordinated attack by armed Palestinian groups
on an army post near the Kerem Shalom border crossing between Israel
and the southern Gaza Strip.

The condition of the missing soldier was not immediately known, and an
army search team entered Palestinian territory in the southern Gaza
Strip to look for him.

The Popular Resistance Committees claimed responsibility for the
attack, saying members of the Hamas military wing and a previously
unknown group called the Islamic Army, also participated. The armed
groups said the operation was in response to Israel's assassination
this month of Popular Resistance Committees leader Jamal Abu Samhadana
and air strikes aimed at Kassam rocket launching cells. Palestinian
sources told a Kol Yisrael reporter that the attack had been
authorized by the Damascus-based senior Hamas official Khaled Mashal.

In the pre-dawn raid, at least eight gunmen reached the IDF post
through a tunnel dug under the border. The gunmen split into three
squads, one of them firing an anti-tank missile at an Israeli tank. A
second squad fired a similar missile at the IDF observation tower in
the area. A third group blew up an armored personnel carrier, which
was empty at the time.

Two IDF troops were killed in the attack, and four others were
wounded, one seriously and one moderately. The two others were lightly
hurt. It was not immediately clear whether the missing soldier was
wounded or dead.

At least two Palestinians was killed in the raid. In the Gaza Strip,
the Hamas military wing said that six of the cell members had returned
safely to Gaza. It said the two gunmen killed belonged to the Hamas
military wing and the Islamic Army.

Hours after the initial infiltration, heavy IDF fire was continuing in
the area as troops carried out searches for additional terrorists. An
Israeli search team entered the southern part of the Gaza Strip to
look for the missing soldier.

An alert was declared in the nearby Israeli communities of Kerem
Shalom and Sufa, where residents were ordered to remain in the
community. The border crossings to Gaza and Egypt were closed.

The strike came days after Israel warned that terrorists were planning
an attack on the area. The alert caused the Gaza-Egypt border to be
shut down for several days last week.

Israel Radio 25.06.2006 13:41

====================================================

"The soldier is alive" says IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/objects/pages/PrintArticleEn.jhtml?itemNo=730994

IDF chief of staff says abducted soldier alive
http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-3266818,00.html

Soldier: Terrorists fired some 20 missiles at post
http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-3266979,00.html

====================================================

Posted by Dr. Mike Cohen http://www.gogalil.com

====================================================

Security Cabinet Delays IDF Retaliation

The ministerial security cabinet has authorized the prime minister and defense
minister to decide on the timing of a military retaliation. However, at this
point it was decided to focus on gathering intelligence on the whereabouts of
abducted soldier Corporal Gilad Shalit.

The US is putting heavy pressure on Palestinan Authority leader
Mahmoud Abbas to locate Shalit and see to his release. In the
meantime, the IDF is preparing for a large scale military operation.

Minister Benyamin Ben Eleazer said that the attack is an escalation of the
conflict. Minister Shaul Mofaz told the meeting that the IDF
should have retalitated against earlier attacks. Ministers Herzog and
Yishai believe that right now all efforts must be focussed on
gathering intelligence as to the whereabouts of the abducted soldlier
and free him.

Prime Minister Olmert asked the ministers to enable the return of
Gilad Shalit before any other decisions are made.

Israel Radio 25.06.2006 21:44

===============================================

Al-Aksa claims biological, chemical capabilities
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Khaled Abu Toameh, THE JERUSALEM POST Jun. 25, 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Aksa Martyrs' Brigades group announced on Sunday that it its
members have succeeded in manufacturing chemical and biological
weapons to be used against Israel.

In a leaflet distributed in the Gaza Strip, the group, which belongs
to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah party, said
the weapons were the result of an effort that has lasted for three
years.

The statment was a response to an Israeli Security Cabinet decision to
give the IDF the green light to prepare all the forces necessary for a
military operation against Gaza terror cells.

As of 9:00 p.m. a large contingency of Golani and Givati Brigade
infantry troops, along with elite units, were amassing on the Israeli
side of the Gaza security fence for a possible ground operation there
to rescue kidnapped soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit.

According to the statement, the first of its kind, the group managed
to manufacture and develop at least 20 different types of biological
and chemical weapons.

The group said its members would not hesitate to add the new weapons
to long-range rockets that are being fired at Israeli communities
almost every day. It also threatened to use the weapons against IDF
soldiers if Israel carried out its threats to invade the Gaza Strip.

"We want to tell [Prime Minister Ehud] Olmert and [Defense Minister
Amir] Peretz that your threats don't frighten us," the leaflet said.
"We will surprise you with our new weapons the moment the first
soldier sets his foot in the Gaza Strip."

========================================================

Suggested Reading: Will There Be a Palestinian Civil War? - Pinhas Inbari

http://www.jcpa.org/brief/brief005-27.htm

The full text of the National Conciliation Document of the Prisoners

http://www.jmcc.org/documents/prisoners.htm

Prisoners' Document: Peace Plan or "Phased Plan"?

http://www.camera.org/index.asp?x_context=2&x_outlet=34&x_article=1132

========================================================

Posted by Dr. Mike Cohen http://www.gogalil.com

========================================================

Friday, June 23, 2006

Land of Milk, Honey -- and Oil?

NEWS ANALYSIS
By Sonja Ryst, Business Week

http://www.businessweek.com/print/bwdaily/dnflash/jun2006/nf20060623_7344_db016.htm?chan=db

Land of Milk, Honey -- and Oil? A Texas Christian wants to take his Zion
Oil & Gas public to finance energy exploration in Israel. Will investors
hear the call? John Brown, a born-again Christian who believes the Bible
will guide him to oil and gas in Israel, is planning to test the faith of
investors in the U.S. in the next few weeks. The Texas-based novice oilman
who founded Zion Oil & Gas is aiming to raise between $2.45 million and $14
million in an initial public offering, tentatively slated for July, to fund
drilling at a kibbutz northeast of Tel Aviv. God, Brown says, "has promised
in the Bible to bless Israel with one of the world's largest oil and gas
fields."

It may take some Divine help for him to pull the venture off. Hundreds of
wells have been drilled in Israel in the past 60 years, but none has yielded
significant production. Explorers turned up natural gas off the southern
coast in recent years, but British Gas walked away from its drilling rights
there in recent years. And locals are dubious. "The Israelis are skeptical,"
says Eldad Weiss, founder and board member of an Israeli oil and gas
services provider, Paradigm. He cites "a great history of disappointment for
oil and gas companies in Israel."

Financially, Brown may also be pushing his cause uphill. He tried to raise
money in an IPO two years ago, but couldn't collect the $6.5 million
required by the American Stock Exchange. He scrapped the deal and returned
most of the $3.7 million he collected from hundreds of investors. He did
eventually collect $8.8 million, largely through private placements, to pay
part of the costs for drilling a well.

EVANGELICAL INTEREST. But he's now betting that high interest in oil, along
with hints that his experts say suggest they're on to something, will once
again woo investors. He claims that some 6,000 people—many probably U.S.
evangelicals—contacted Zion about buying shares. "We can tell from the way
they communicated that some are Christian evangelical ones that believe
those who help Israel will be blessed," says Zion Chief Executive Officer
Eugene Soltero. Less than a hundred of the prospective investors, he says,
are from Israel.

Zion filed paperwork for the IPO in January, hopes to price it at $7 a
share, and is awaiting regulatory clearance. Brown hopes to do the offering
as soon as July. "Market conditions have a lot do with it," says Michael
Zarraga, vice-president of Network 1 Financial Securities, underwriter on
the planned offering.

Brown's vision of where to drill might not convince most hard-boiled oilmen.
Indeed, Amit Mor, chief executive officer of Israel-based consulting firm
Eco Energy, argues: "there are places in Israel that are more promising."
But Brown relies on a passage in Deuteronomy that refers to Asher, a son of
the patriarch Jacob, dipping his foot in oil. His Web site, www.zionoil.com,
features a map showing the company's well, Ma'anit #1, in relation to the
Biblical land Asher controlled.

ON AN OIL MISSION. Brown, 66, had worked as a manager at an agricultural
and automotive toolmaking company until he had a religious awakening while
visiting Israel in 1983. He says he had "an experience with the Lord" while
reading the Bible and coming across a passage about a helpful "stranger" who
hailed from afar. Brown felt he was that stranger and his mission was oil.

Brown, who now owns a building contractor in Dallas, attracted experienced
oilmen. One is 59-year-old Philip Mandelker, general counsel of Zion Oil &
Gas, who represented the Israeli government in negotiating the oil pacts in
the Sinai peninsula and Gulf of Suez during the 1970s. And CEO Soltero, 63,
had formed the independent private energy outfit Cimarron Resources in 1985.


His experts maintain there is real reason for encouragement. Last spring,
the team found luminescence in some of the rock they had fetched, suggesting
it contained hydrogen and carbon—though that could amount to either natural
gas or just tar. Still, they also saw gas bubbling up as they drilled. "Our
sense is that the hydrocarbon is oil and gas," says Soltero. "We don't know
how much and whether or not we can produce it economically."

LAST DAYS. Certainly, Israel could use both and oil and gas. Eco Energy's
Mor says the country will need about 4.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas
between now and 2020, and its gas reserves amount to just about 1.3 trillion
cubic feet. Egypt last year agreed to fill most of the gap for the next
decade, but Israel would like to meet its own needs. As for oil, Israel
needs about 220,000 barrels a day, which it gets primarily from Russia.

Brown says the big oil and gas field he's looking for will be discovered in
the last days before the Messiah returns. Just what kind of a return his
investors will get then isn't all that clear.

Source:
http://www.businessweek.com/print/bwdaily/dnflash/jun2006/nf20060623_7344_db016.htm?chan=db

==========================================================================

Posted by Dr. Mike Cohen http://www.gogalil.com

Israel's Magen David Adom Accepted by Int'l Red Cross

22 Jun 2006

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies votes to include Israel's Magen David Adom as a full member of that organization.

(Communicated by the Israel Foreign Ministry Spokesman)

Israel welcomed today (22 June) the decision of the International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, taken last night, to
include Israel's Magen David Adom as a full member of that organization.
Thus, an historic injustice which endured for over 57 years has been finally
redressed.

Official Statement of International Committee of the Red Cross

Source: http://www.icrc.org/web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/geneva-news-220606?OpenDocument&style=custo_print

International conference paves the way for red crystal

The 29th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent has amended the Statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to incorporate the additional emblem of the red crystal, which now has the same status as the red cross and red crescent. In addition the participants to the International Conference requested that the ICRC and the International Federation recognize
and admit the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PCRS) into the Movement.

As a consequence of this successful outcome the ICRC has now recognized the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and the Israeli
National Society, Magen David Adom (MDA), and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies will admit both
National Societies. This outcome extends the universality of the Movement to an important area of Red Cross and Red Crescent
operations and strengthens the operational cooperation of the two National Societies with each other and with their international partners
in the Movement.
The Conference had been convened as a follow-up to the diplomatic conference of States in December 2005, which adopted the Third
Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions, creating an additional protective emblem for the Movement, known as the red crystal.

The chairman of the International Conference Mohammed Al Hadid declared that: ‘‘This is an historical moment for the International Red
Cross and Red Crescent Movement. We urge all governments to respect the red crystal, in addition to the red cross and the red crescent’’.

The acceptance by States party to the Geneva Conventions of the Movement’s amended Statutes also means that National Societies can
benefit from the flexibility afforded by the Third Additional Protocol in the use of the red crystal or of a combination of emblems recognized
by the Conventions.

The use of the red crystal will also provide additional protection to war victims and humanitarian workers in conflict situations where the
red cross or the red crescent cannot be used.

The ICRC, the International Federation and the National Societies might use the red crystal temporarily and in exceptional circumstances.
However no State or National Society is obliged to make any change to the emblem it uses. The ICRC and the International Federation will
not change their respective names and emblems.

The International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent brings together representatives of the national Red Cross and Red
Crescent societies, the International Federation and the ICRC, with representatives of the States that are party to the Geneva Convention.
In total 178 National Societies attended and 148 States.

For further information, or to set up interviews (ISDN lines available in Geneva), please contact:

Ian Piper, ICRC Tel: +41 22 730 2063 or + 41 79 217 3216 (mobile)
Marie-Françoise Borel, International Federation Tel: +41 22 730 4346 or + 41 79 217 3345

The International Federation, Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, and the International Committee of the Red Cross together
constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.


Official Statement of American Red Cross
Source: http://www.redcross.org/pressrelease/0,1077,0_314_5446,00.html

American Red Cross Welcomes Israel's Magen David Adom and Palestine Red Crescent Society to International Red Cross and Red
Crescent Movement
Wednesday June 21, 10:02 pm ET

WASHINGTON, June 21 - Today, the American Red Cross welcomes and celebrates the membership of Magen David Adom (MDA) and
the Palestine Red Crescent Society to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The inclusion of these two National
Societies is a significant step towards universality for the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

For MDA, admission is long overdue. Since Israel gained Statehood in 1948, the American Red Cross has fought for international
recognition of MDA as Israel's equivalent to the Red Cross. To underscore this commitment and encourage action on this issue, the
American Red Cross has withheld $45 million in dues since May 2000 to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies.

"We are extremely pleased that a wrong has been made right and that MDA is now an equal partner with the 184 other National Societies
that comprise the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement," said Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, American Red Cross Chairman. "MDA is a
world-class emergency response organization and has a great deal of expertise to offer other National Societies and the world during
critical times of need."

For more than 50 years, the American Red Cross Board of Governors had considered admission of MDA to the Movement a policy priority.
MDA had been denied access to the Movement because they used the Red Star of David, which is not explicitly referenced in the Geneva
Conventions.

In December 2005, a Diplomatic Conference adopted the Third Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions. The Third Additional
Protocol to the Geneva Conventions enables MDA to continue to use the Red Shield of David when operating in Israel and, when operating
outside of Israel, to use the Red Shield of David inside the newly adopted Red Crystal emblem.

The success of the Diplomatic Conference was due in large part to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Agreement on
Operational Arrangements between MDA and the Palestine Red Crescent Society in which both Societies committed to take concrete
steps to improve humanitarian conditions in these areas. The MOU also paved the way for the membership of both societies in the
Movement. As a result of these agreements, Palestinians now receive urgently needed medical and humanitarian services more quickly.

"In righting this injustice, the American Red Cross is grateful for the courage, resolve and support of the Governments of the United States
and Switzerland, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies,
our sister Red Cross and Red Crescent societies around the world, and the many organizations and Members of Congress who have
been steadfast in their support for MDA's admission," said McElveen-Hunter.

MDA is a critical tracing partner to the American Red Cross Holocaust and War Victims Tracing Center. A resource of hope, the Center has
responded to 40,000 requests worldwide for information on the fate of those affected by the Holocaust and, in 1,200 miraculous cases,
has reconnected loved ones. For further information on the Center, go to http://www.redcross.org/services/intl/holotrace/index.html.

For more information on this topic, please visit http://www.redcross.org/mda/.

The American Red Cross has helped people mobilize to help their neighbors for 125 years. Last year, victims of a record 72,883
disasters, most of them fires, turned to the nearly 1 million volunteers and 35,000 employees of the Red Cross for help and hope. Through
more than 800 locally supported chapters, more than 15 million people each year gain the skills they need to prepare for and respond to
emergencies in their homes, communities and world. Almost 4 million people give blood-the gift of life-through the Red Cross, making it
the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The Red Cross helps thousands of U.S. service members
separated from their families by military duty stay connected. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, a global
network of more than 180 national societies, the Red Cross helps restore hope and dignity to the world's most vulnerable people. An
average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a
government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: American Red Cross

================================================================================

Posted by Dr. Mike Cohen (http://www.gogalil.com)