I really love the seventeen 17 syllable restriction of classic haikus. It forces me to reduce my words and syllables to the very minimum while writing something important. Click for the first collection of Hamas/Gaza War Haikus; following is the second.
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| screenshot from my computer of the Jerusalem Post |
I think it's extremely important to remember that Israel's WAR FOR SURVIVAL has a number of fronts. From what I understand, the northern front is now quiet. But what does that mean? Did our enemies surrender?
Just a few weeks ago Israel decided that the time had come to try to destroy Iran's nuclear development, which seemed impossible, since we don't have strong enough bombs to go deeply enough. Also Iran immediately began bombing Israeli cities, and our Iron Dome and other defensive "machinery" only partially prevented destruction and death in Israeli cities. After the USA completed the bombing of Iran's nuclear development center, utilizing the damage that Israel had accomplished. This front also quieted down without anything that could be called a surrender by Iran.
Now Israel has returned to fighting in Gaza, Deja Vu.
Early in the war, I'd read in the newspapers and internet interviews with IDF reservists on the southern front who'd say it's the second, third or fourth time ... or more, they've battled and taken over the same sections of Gaza. After each of the previous wars, Bibi who was usually (or always) Prime Minister at the time, would declare that we "won," and the Gazans/Hamas/or whatever you want to call them had been stopped and "know that we're stronger." Then we'd leave, the terrorists would return and within a year or two or three, they'd attack us yet again.
What concerns me the most is how Begin's, and more recently, Bibi's avoiding cleaning the bureaucracy of those who obviously want to sabotage their government policies. In Begin's time, the Foreign Ministry, stocked with Leftist Labor supporters, didn't advise him according to his supporters' and voters' policies. People didn't vote him in to withdraw from the Sinai and destroy Jewish communities. It's very probable that Begin's depression towards the end of his rule, wasn't just because of the death of his beloved wife, but because his policies had alienated his closest friends and supporters.
When Begin's party got the most seats in the 1977 elections, it was a surprise for all. As I remember, none of the polls predicted such a political upheaval. Begin didn't have an "army" of followers to take over the bureaucracy. I don't think he had a real plan for an eventual win. For nineteen years, Herut and Liberals felt that they'd be permanent Opposition.
Upon establishing his government, instead of doing what was technically legal, replace government workers involved with policy. Instead he tried to make "friends" with them, called it being "noble," by not firing the Labor followers and Histadrut members. So political appointees became permanent policy makers, and they made sure the "right" people succeeded them, "a friend brings a friend." That's how the Judicial, the IDF, Foreign Ministry and the Shabak etc still follow Leftist Labor policies, even though the Labor party hasn't had a Prime Minister for decades. The only real ideological success/change was that Begin's Liberal-- meaning non-socialist--political partners did what they were elected to do by breaking the power and monopoly of the Histadrut in economics.
Binyamin Bibi Netanyahu continued the path Menachem Begin. That's why Judicial Reform never got done, nor did he put his own people in important security positions, so on October 7, 2023, he wasn't informed about the signs of Hamas Gazan preparation for war against us. Shabak head Ronen Bar has made it clear that he considers himself over the government and refused to recognize that he had been fired. My big question is why did it take so long for Bibi to even try to fire him...
Here we are a year and a half after that murderous invasion, no closer to #TotalVictory #谞讬爪讞讜谉诪讜讞诇讟 than we were on October 8th. Despite Bibi's brave bombastic speeches, his policies are weak and failing. Our soldiers are being killed, maimed, wounded and are exhausted. We don't act like victors. We haven't returned to Gush Katif. Bibi thinks we can just be policemen aka targets. Bibi doesn't have a vision for a greater future. I predicted this when I heard him speak in 2008.
Day after day, lives lost to terror-- this war doesn't seem even close to the end. For me the end of the war must be our victory. If Bibi serves us another one of his ceasefires, I truly dread the next war. I also dread the increased Arab terrorism from the released convicted Arab terrorists and their increased confidence.
I can't lie. With Netanyahu in the drivers seat, I'm not optimistic. Please prove me wrong.
Here's last night's "Gnite:"
The war is dragging on...Poor leadership...Bibi's a brilliant orator, but...... being a Prime Minister demands other talents. If he had the other talents his orating skills would be the "cream on the cake," but without them, it's like getting sick because you just ate a bowl of sweet fatty cream...Our country is sick now, and some people are yearning for a leader with the confidence and bargaining talents of a Donald Trump. They see that Bibi is weak in those categories, but Trump is American, not Israeli. His job isn't to save us. We Israelis must save ourselves. He won't stop and threaten us like Biden managed to do.How is it that Biden, in his weakened state, still succeeded in terrifying and controlling Bibi Netanyahu? It doesn't say much for Bibi.Hamas acts victorious, proud of its accomplishments, in control of the situation. They tested us by sending the body of a Gazan rather than Shiri Bibas. It's obvious that it was a test, because the minute Israel made a forceful complaint about it, the correct body was sent.They're calling the shots...I'm praying for a miracle. Either Bibi has a sudden personality change and becomes a brave, strong, confident leader taking us to #TotalVictory, or he resigns and someone else becomes Prime Minister, someone capable of leading us to VICTORY.We're a small country and can't go on like this forever...Gd willing, tomorrow...
What do you think? Don't be shy. Please comment and share, thanks.
This is the message I wrote last night on Facebook. Israelis are now starting to face the fact that there are very few living hostages. Most have been murdered by the Hamas terrorists, and that includes the young Bibas family.
We're paying for the few survivors plus bodies and difficult to identify remains with live healthy convicted Arab terrorists. We're emptying the jails and filling the hospitals and cemeteries, including future Arab terror victims. This is insane, and the people responsible for our lack of immediate military response, government, security and IDF haven't been fired, charged etc. Almost none have even admitted mistakes to the citizens of Israel.
Think about it...
PS because of changes in blogger, I can't use any of my newer photos, just those that I've already posted.
Gnite
Most Israelis are trying to wrap their heads around the news that the two cute Bibas kids, their mother and probably most of the remaining hostages, really are dead, murdered by the Hamas terrorists adored by our enemies who claim to be our friends.In exchange the terrorists get more terrorists for their vicious perverse cruel "army" to murder more Jews.Yes, as far as I'm concerned, all those who support Hamas and/or chant "From the River to the Sea" etc are our enemies. They support the destruction of the State of Israel. Even if they're so stupid they've never seen a map of Israel, that's no excuse. It just means that they are dangerously useful idiots.Ditto to all of those who support a "two state solution," which would be the "final solution" for the Gd forbid destruction of the State of Israel.Yes, I'm blunt. I look at the facts.Bibi is a record-breaking Prime Minister. There have been more wars under his rule than an other Israeli leader. Actually I don't know if any other country has had as many wars as we've had since Bibi became PM. Of course, he doesn't call them wars, even when our enemies attack us, and we never have a real victory. When they finish their target practice, he proudly declares it's over "and they won't try anything again," but the ceasefire only lasts until the next time...Somehow Bibi has mesmerized the Likud and its loyal voters... he should have been fired years ago... He's a failure. Hamas is calling the shots and even decides where the released terrorists go.Under Bibi's rule Israel has surrendered.When is he going to be sent packing?AND PLEASE DON'T SAY THAT NOBODY COULD REPLACE HIM!We won't need elections if the replacement is from the Likud. It just must be someone not afraid to do the right thing. FIGHT TO WIN. None of that "moral" army garbage. No other country has done it, because it's the road to disaster, to losing a war.I hope I can fall asleep, but at least I wrote what I needed to say.Gd willing we'll meet again in the morning.
What I want is very simple.
I want a Prime Minister who clearly rules as Prime Minister of an independent sovereign country, who is not afraid to win a war, destroy our enemies. Stop the fokokt "morality" business. It endangers us and strengthens the enemy. This sicko policy has been followed for over twenty years, if not longer. I'm disgusted. Too many of our soldiers have been killed because of it, and now the country is in total danger. Bibi is a disaster, totally.
You know that I'm no youngster. I may forget why I walked into a room or names that I've known forever, but there are things I know and remember really well. One of them is that a young neighbor, who had been a friend of one of my sons, was killed in a badly planned army action, because the government was protecting the enemy. Yes, that faux fokokt morality Bibi is so proud of. I wrote this over twenty years ago “Aish Zarah—A Strange Fire” If you search this blog, you'll find many posts about Avihu Keinan, 讛讬"讚. I suggest you do it.
For me, this war is deja vu on steroids.
And to all those who claim that nobody could be better than Bibi... Duh?!? Have you noticed that Israel was attacked over a year ago, and it took not minutes, not even a few hours, but much longer for the IDF to come to the rescue of our embattled citizens? This was under Bibi's watch/rule. Bibi Netanyahu is the longest serving Prime Minister. Yes, simple math. So who's responsible? BIBI!
This WAR isn't the first under Bib's rule. Honestly, I lost track. All those attacks over the years must be considered wars, even though Bibi insisted on giving them different names. And then he never fought to win, destroy the enemy. He just "mowed" them to "silence" as if they had accidentally misfired onto Israel's cities.
I don't understand how Israelis who consider themselves on the "Right" keep lying to themselves. The Left who have taken over the streets since they can't win elections are a different story... not for now.
Likud voters have been conned.
I'm not a political party loyalist. I'm a CPA's daughter and look for the bottom line. What's the policy? What have they done, accomplished. I look at the facts. That's why I consider Netanyahu totally unsuccessful and dangerous. I heard him promise to be a "centrist" in 2008. Read this, because it explains it all. Centrists aren't leaders, and we need a true brave leader NOW!
I'm devastated to discover that the story of Nachshon stepping into the sea, which caused it to split is just midrash. I was looking for the Bible verse and it doesn't exist.Many friends admitted to the same mistake. Scrap that blog post.
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| Sefaria |
I have no doubt that nothing has changed for the Jewish People, from three thousand plus 3,000+ years ago, until today. When we, the Jewish People and State of Israel use our strength, united against our enemies we will prevail, but if we show weakness we will lose.讜ְ讛ָ讬ָ֗讛 讻ַּ讗ֲ砖ֶׁ֨专 讬ָ专ִ֥讬诐 诪ֹ砖ֶׁ֛讛 讬ָ讚֖讜ֹ 讜ְ讙ָ讘ַ֣专 讬ִ砖ְׂ专ָ讗ֵ֑诇 讜ְ讻ַ讗ֲ砖ֶׁ֥专 讬ָ谞ִ֛讬讞ַ 讬ָ讚֖讜ֹ 讜ְ讙ָ讘ַ֥专 注ֲ诪ָ诇ֵֽ拽׃Then, whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; but whenever he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
12讜ִ讬讚ֵ֤讬 诪ֹ砖ֶׁ讛֙ 讻ְּ讘ֵ讚ִ֔讬诐 讜ַ讬ִּ拽ְ讞讜ּ־讗ֶ֛讘ֶ谉 讜ַ讬ָּ砖ִׂ֥讬诪讜ּ 转ַ讞ְ转ָּ֖讬讜 讜ַ讬ֵּ֣砖ֶׁ讘 注ָ诇ֶ֑讬讛ָ 讜ְ讗ַ讛ֲ专ֹ֨谉 讜ְ讞֜讜ּ专 转ָּֽ诪ְ讻֣讜ּ 讘ְ讬ָ讚ָ֗讬讜 诪ִ讝ֶּ֤讛 讗ֶ讞ָ讚֙ 讜ּ诪ִ讝ֶּ֣讛 讗ֶ讞ָ֔讚 讜ַ讬ְ讛ִ֥讬 讬ָ讚ָ֛讬讜 讗ֱ诪讜ּ谞ָ֖讛 注ַ讚־讘ֹּ֥讗 讛ַ砖ָּֽׁ诪ֶ砖ׁ׃But Moses’ hands grew heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur, one on each side, supported his hands; thus his hands remained steady until the sun set.
David volunteered to fight the giant and then rejected the offer of Saul's weapons and protective gear. He became our king, and even the Messiah is descended from him, because he always recognized that it's Gd's power that controls our victories and defeats, not conventional armies and weapons.讜ַ讬ֹּ֙讗诪ֶ专֙ 讛ַ驻ְּ诇ִ砖ְׁ转ִּ֔讬 讗ֲ谞ִ֗讬 讞ֵ专ַ֛驻ְ转ִּ讬 讗ֶ转־诪ַ注ַ专ְ讻֥讜ֹ转 讬ִ砖ְׂ专ָ讗ֵ֖诇 讛ַ讬ּ֣讜ֹ诐 讛ַ讝ֶּ֑讛 转ְּ谞讜ּ־诇ִ֣讬 讗ִ֔讬砖ׁ 讜ְ谞ִֽ诇ָּ讞ֲ诪ָ֖讛 讬ָֽ讞ַ讚׃And the Philistine ended, “I herewith defy the ranks of Israel. Get me a man and let’s fight it out!”11讜ַ讬ִּ砖ְׁ诪ַ֤注 砖ָׁ讗讜ּ诇֙ 讜ְ讻ָ诇־讬ִ砖ְׂ专ָ讗ֵ֔诇 讗ֶ转־讚ִּ讘ְ专ֵ֥讬 讛ַ驻ְּ诇ִ砖ְׁ转ִּ֖讬 讛ָ讗ֵ֑诇ֶּ讛 讜ַ讬ֵּ讞ַ֥转ּ讜ּ 讜ַ讬ִּֽ专ְ讗֖讜ּ 诪ְ讗ֹֽ讚׃ (驻)When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and terror-stricken.
12讜ְ讚ָ讜ִ讚֩ 讘ֶּ谉־讗ִ֨讬砖ׁ 讗ֶ驻ְ专ָ转ִ֜讬 讛ַ讝ֶּ֗讛 诪ִ讘ֵּ֥讬转 诇ֶ֙讞ֶ诐֙ 讬ְ讛讜ּ讚ָ֔讛 讜ּ砖ְׁ诪֣
The State of Israel will only be safe, secure and truly sovereign when our political leaders are willing to accept what King David instinctively knew. Gd is our "secret weapon," and as long as we stay loyal to Gd, we will be victorious and thrive.讙ַּ֧诐 讗ֶֽ转־讛ָ讗ֲ专ִ֛讬 讙ַּ诐־讛ַ讚ּ֖讜ֹ讘 讛ִ讻ָּ֣讛 注ַ讘ְ讚ֶּ֑讱ָ 讜ְֽ֠讛ָ讬ָ讛 讛ַ驻ְּ诇ִ砖ְׁ转ִּ֨讬 讛ֶ注ָ专ֵ֤诇 讛ַ讝ֶּ讛֙ 讻ְּ讗ַ讞ַ֣讚 诪ֵ讛ֶ֔诐 讻ִּ֣讬 讞ֵ专ֵ֔祝 诪ַ注ַ专ְ讻ֹ֖转 讗ֱ诇ֹ讛ִ֥讬诐 讞ַ讬ִּֽ讬诐׃ (住)Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and that uncircumcised Philistine shall end up like one of them, for he has defied the ranks of the living God.
37讜ַ讬ֹּ讗诪ֶ专֮ 讚ָּ讜ִ讚֒ 讬ְ讛讜ָ֗讛 讗ֲ砖ֶׁ֨专 讛ִ爪ִּ诇ַ֜谞ִ讬 诪ִ讬ַּ֤讚 讛ָֽ讗ֲ专ִ讬֙ 讜ּ诪ִ讬ַּ֣讚 讛ַ讚ֹּ֔讘 讛֣讜ּ讗 讬ַ爪ִּ讬诇ֵ֔谞ִ讬 诪ִ讬ַּ֥讚 讛ַ驻ְּ诇ִ砖ְׁ转ִּ֖讬 讛ַ讝ֶּ֑讛 (住) 讜ַ讬ֹּ֨讗诪ֶ专 砖ָׁ讗֤讜ּ诇 讗ֶ诇־讚ָּ讜ִ讚֙ 诇ֵ֔讱ְ 讜ַֽ讬讛讜ָ֖讛 讬ִ讛ְ讬ֶ֥讛 注ִ诪ָּֽ讱ְ׃The LORD,” David went on, “who saved me from lion and bear will also save me from that Philistine.” “Then go,” Saul said to David, “and may the LORD be with you!”
After all these milenium when our enemies have attempted to destroy us and blame us for their sins and blame us for surviving and blame us for Gd's protection the miracles which have missiles land in empty fields and our smaller armies defeat larger, more numerous Arab armies etc.
Five rockets fired from Syria explode near communities in the Golan Heights. No injuries but a power outage was reported in the area.I checked international news sites like Reuters and Associated Press, but it wasn't mentioned. If you're counting on getting your news from there, and most newspapers are only secondary news sources getting their primary news from those news sites, you wouldn't know about those attacks on Israel. All they bothered featuring were Israel's retaliatory attacks on Gaza. Balanced coverage?
"Mah pitome, why do something new?"
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| stiff upper lip |
There's no "balance" proportionality when it comes to how people see Israel. We're expected to turn the other cheek, keep that stiff upper lip, those mantras of the goyim that they don't uphold.and:"Gaza is Free”. Hamas' “Victory” Videos
Hamas declares victory as Israel withdraws from Gaza under U.S. pressure
Special to WorldTribune.comTEL AVIV — Israeli infantry and armored units have been withdrawing from the Gaza Strip amid plans to suspend the offensive against Hamas and its Palestinian militia allies.The State of Israel isn't willing to take over Gaza. We keep on doing "maintenance work" to make life livable for Israelis in the south. There are now going to be more shelters, protected rooms etc. This is the real-life version of the joke I've blogged before:
The Israeli military said it was close to demolishing all of Hamas’ weapons tunnels, including those that penetrate Israel.
Israeli reserve soldiers return to Israel on July 30 after fighting in the Gaza Strip. /AP
“Our understanding is that our objectives, most importantly the destruction of the tunnels, are close to completion,” military spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner said.
The withdrawal came amid U.S. pressure for an immediate and unilateral ceasefire by Israel. During the 25-day campaign, at least five Israeli ceasefires were violated by Hamas in which nearly a dozen soldiers were killed and another abducted.
“It has failed to achieve any of its goals and would be a clear defeat for the occupation army and for its leaders,” the Hamas bloc in the Palestinian Legislative Council said. “Gaza resisted, endured and will achieve victory.”
For years Israeli governments have been enacting the punchline of the old joke about how various nations react to the news that G-d will be flooding the world again, in "two months." While the other nations try to figure out how to send maximum numbers of people out in spaceships and the like the Israeli says:It's no longer funny. It's very depressing.
"Now we have two months to learn how to live underwater."
These photos of armored personnel carriers leaving Gaza* reflect the changing strategy of the IDF. Throughout the night, as Israeli soldiers left Gaza, air strikes continued on Jebaliah. (Jerusalem Online)*emphasis mine
Israeli Gaza-Area Residents Dreading IDF Pullback; ‘Tunnel Threat Taking Fear to New Level’
Despite local reports that alluded to major moves out of Gaza territory, the IDF Spokesman was far cagier when speaking with The Algemeiner.
The IDF, according to Ynet News, pulled out “the majority of its ground forces back to staging areas outside Gaza on Sunday.”However, the army, for its part, only allowed that, “At the moment, (IDF) forces are moving in order to fulfill ongoing missions to defend Israel, and reaching goals the army set for itself,” a spokesman said, in a telephone interview. (Algemeiner)
Duh!?!? Weren't we supposed to finish them off? Here are signs I saw in Jerusalem's Kikar Tzarfat, Paris Square:Citing that its operation to demolish Hamas tunnels was nearing its end, Israel started to withdraw some of its ground forces from Gaza. As we noted earlier, this development comes after the Israeli cabinet decided it would no longer seek a ceasefire with Hamas and called off negotiations to be held in Cairo. (Yahoo)
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| SOLDIERS EXAMINE three motorcycles discovered last week in a tunnel in the Karni crossing area that terrorists intended to use in an attack on communities near the Gaza border. Photo: IDF |
And [we thank You] for the miracles, for the redemption, for the mighty deeds, for the saving acts, and for the wonders which You have wrought for our ancestors in those days, at this time—
In the days of Matityahu, the son of Yochanan the High Priest, the Hasmonean and his sons, when the wicked Hellenic government rose up against Your people Israel to make them forget Your Torah and violate the decrees of Your will. But You, in Your abounding mercies, stood by them in the time of their distress. You waged their battles, defended their rights, and avenged the wrong done to them. You delivered the mighty into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands of the few, the impure into the hands of the pure, the wicked into the hands of the righteous, and the wanton sinners into the hands of those who occupy themselves with Your Torah. You made a great and holy name for Yourself in Your world, and effected a great deliverance and redemption for Your people Israel to this very day. Then Your children entered the shrine of Your House, cleansed Your Temple, purified Your Sanctuary, kindled lights in Your holy courtyards, and instituted these eight days of Chanukah to give thanks and praise to Your great Name.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Uri Heitner: If top goal of an IDF operation is not to get hurt then mission is superfluous
Reserve duty. We came up to the line for active duty and met the area
commander for a briefing.
At the end he remembered that he hadn't yet presented to us the main point:
"and the most important thing is that you all return home safely. All of
this activity isn't worth it to us if one hair on the head of one soldier
should fall," said the commander, pleased with himself for the populist
remark.
This wasn't a one time occurrence. It took place many times, with many
commanders, including one regional commander.
These remarks always angered me.
If the most important thing is that we return home safely then why did you
call for us? After all, we could have remained safe at home. Not a hair on
our heads would have fallen if we stayed there.
If this is more important than the mission then the mission is completely
superfluous.
Victory first and foremost depends on fighting spirit. We were victorious in the past thanks to our fighting spirit and we failed in the Second
Lebanon War because of the lack of fighting spirit. I am not talking about
the fighting spirit of the soldiers and the lower ranking officers but
instead mainly of that of the senior IDF command and the government
leaders..
Uri Heitner, Kibbutz Ortal
In a letter published in Nekuda - May 2007 edition
English Translation by IMRA
