I have traveled that road plenty of times going to Efrat; it is a heavily traveled with a large security detail.

It seems the terrorists are becoming more emboldened; of course they have nothing to fear as long as Olmert, Livni, and Barak are running things.

I hope it is a peaceful Shabbat for your brother in law and everyone in Efrat.

Shabbat Shalom to you, Karen and family too.

Thank G-d we had a wonderful Shabbat in beautiful Efrat.

Friday's incident closed the tunnel road to Jerusalem for many hours - but who cares if "Settlers" are inconvenienced because of a terrorist act. The world is only bothered when the so-called Palestinians are inconvenienced by Israeli measures to prevent terrorism.

Lance's comment that the road is "heavily traveled with a large security detail" is not totally accurate. There are army jeeps that patrol the area, but the number and frequency are inadequate. The Government has substantially cut back protecting its citizens on this road - probably in an attempt to make us as uncomfortable as possible. The Gov't thinks that we will simply pack up our bags and leave.

Road 60 is traversed by Arab and Israeli cars alike and there is little stopping more terrorist acts. Interestingly, ever since Annapolis, the number of incidents have increased. Again tonight, at the same place as Friday's incident, Arabs were throwing "rocks" (boulders would be probably be more precise) at Israeli vehicles. Fortunately, Israeli troops were in the area and shot two of the perpetrators. Unfortunately, the Army is only permitted to shoot at their legs. Two Arab terrorist were hit and taken back by their cohorts to their village.

Thank G-d for His protection. Thank G-d for the Israeli army, whose troops are strong and brave despite our shameful government's policies.

@david:

kol hakavod to you and your family and friends for remembering, and not just in thought, who this land belongs to. regards to jeremy please.

Lance:

Yes, the terrorists are emboldened. Why not? They have Olmert, Livni and the Peace Now crowd in their corner.

David:

Karen and I talked about you and Elana and the kids at our Friday night Shabbos table. We thought of you all through Shabbos. Thanks so much for writing and letting us know what's happening on the ground. Shooting at the legs of terrorists is, to say the least, not an adequate response. No state can survive such an onslaught with such a feeble defense. The response must be an overwhelming offensive against the enemies of the Jewish people.

BTW- again tonight, Sunday, the road was closed in the same area because of a suspicious object. The Arabs fear us not. I wonder why?

David:

Very sorry to hear this, but not surprised. Efrat has obviously been targeted by the Arabs, by Olmert and his Pogrom Now enablers to become Judenrein.

Seraphic Secret maintains that the only way to deal with terror attacks is to hit back with overwhelming force. For each attack on Jews, the government must bulldoze one Arab village closest to the site of attack, and build a Jewish town on that land. Only when Arab civilians suffer for their collaboration will the terror cease.

Like it or not, this is war. War is not pretty.

David,

Thanks for the clarification....

I had it confused with the tunnel road.

Stay safe.

"We debate, we discuss, we are respectful"

"For each attack on Jews, the government must bulldoze one Arab village closest to the site of attack, and build a Jewish town on that land. Only when Arab civilians suffer for their collaboration will the terror cease."

"Arabs were throwing "rocks" (boulders would be probably be more precise) at Israeli vehicles. Fortunately, Israeli troops were in the area and shot two of the perpetrators. Unfortunately, the Army is only permitted to shoot at their legs."

This blog has no credability.

This blog has no credability.

And, evidently, no spell-check.

Just so you know, I am not a left winger, but
there are two things that drive me mad about the Israel Palestine debate. One is highly opinionated, badly informed left wingers that contantly engage in Israel bashing.

The second is rascist rightwingers who say outrageous things (such as above)and then claim that those who protest are anti Israeli bigots.

I am sorry for the bad spelling (credibility/constantly). I am currently very hung over. But this does not invalidate my previous point.

Ted - What exactly did I say that was outrageous? That the Israeli army should have the right to use lethal force against terrorists? These terrorists utilize boulders, pipe bombs and any other means available to them to kill and/or maim. Do you have a problem with Jews protecting themselves? Or is the only good Jew, a victim?

Come on Dave, (can I call ya Dave)

Im sure you're a smart guy. As a neutral (Im neither jewish, Muslim, Arab or Israeli)I find your language totally unreasonable. I have no problem with The IDF agressively pursueing terrorists but shooting at rock throwers with live ammo is excessive and you know it. And as for bulldozing entire villages in response to every attack as you suggest. Thats just counter terror.

And also, you referred to the "so called Palestinians". Im my country I always confront those who question the legitimacey of the Israeli state. And I will do this too with those who mock and belittle the Palestinians. To refer to them as a "so called" people is similar to a denial of their right to exist, something that rightly enrages Israelis when the looney lefties imply it about the Jewish state.

Rocks and boulders kill - Period. If one is driving on a highway and has a rock thrown at his windshield (and I live in the area so I have seen that what has been thrown is more a boulder than a rock) don't you think it could kill or maim the driver? Live ammo is not only warranted, but is completely justified. Additionally, if that same perpetrator, or members of his gang, are repeatedly out there planting pipe bombs, involved in shootings, etc. in my eyes they are terrorists and shall be dealt with by the army with deadly force.

As to so-called Palestinians, can you tell me why the Jews are not considered Palestinians? Or, can you tell me who the Arab leader of Palestine was before the Jewish state was established? What was their national flag?

BTW: Ted, I dislike being called Dave.

Ted:

You write: "Shooting at rock throwers is excessive."

The essence of warfare is the use of excessive force to destroy your enemy before they destroy you.

The reason the UK will not survive into the next century as a free and democratic state, but will most certainly devolve into a barbaric Islamic state, is because this common sense doctrine will be shrugged off as, y'know, excessive.

David, you persist with your belief that the Palestinians are not really a people. you are perfectly entitled to that opinion however, you cannot hold on to it and simultaneously say that you want peace, because wanting peace and never accepting the Palestinians as a people with a legitimate claim to the land, are two completely incompatable points of view.

And that goes for Robert too, Are you really saying that every rock thrower is your emeny and has to be killed. "The essence of warfare is the use of excessive force to destroy your enemy before they destroy you." If you believe this applies to rock throwers too, its as good as a declaration that you don't want peace.

Has anybody ever heard of plastic bullets ?

Guys, I appreciate you're both battle hardened commentators (and in David's case observers) but opinions like these really must be moderated, for everybodys sake.

Robert, im not Brittish but I am aware of this theory. I dont quite see it happening though. I have Arab neighbours, and they dont have horns on their heads.

Ted:

1. Every rock thrower is an enemy, yes. Try an experiment: get into a car, drive along a highway and have someone heave a rock or boulder at your car from an overpass. Chances are, you might die or be crippled for life. Put your wife or child in the car. Study the results. It's not pretty.

2. I have heard of plastic bullets. The Arabs never use them. Why should I? Again, the essence of warfare is the use of overwhelming force. We're not playing games here. We're fighting Islamic jihadists who strap explosives to women with Downs Syndrome and then send them into markets crowded with civilians.

3. The Arabs were offered a state and peace in 1948. They rejected it and instead went to war. Same in 1967. Same in 1973. The charter of Hamas and Fatah both call for the physical elimination of the State of Israel and its replacement with an Islamic State.

4. Thus, realistically I am no longer interested in peace especially with proudly genocidal enemies.

5. I am interested in victory over jihadists who have not only rendered 22 Arab countries Judenrein, but would do the same to every country on the planet. Not just Israel, but Europe and America.

6. This blog has never accused Arabs of bearing horns. This is, in fact, a medieval Christian belief that has now become a common libel against Jews in the Arab world.

Robert
1. The experiment you suggest I try. Well thats not gonna happen because I would never purposely move my family to land that is in dispute. And I would never ever ever, under any circumstances put my childs life at risk because of a political or religious conviction that I have.

2. I never mentioned anything about fighting "Islamic jihadists who strap explosives to women with Downs Syndrome and then send them into markets crowded with civilians", with plastic bullets, I was referring to rock throwers. And please, stop saying they throw boulders, this does not happen, unless Israel is being attacked by the incredible hulk.

3&4. You admit you don't want peace, as a neutral whose only agenda is to see a peaceful and just resolution to the conflict, why should I think of you as one of the good guys.

5&6
This nonsense about the Arabs going to take over Europe is becoming tiresome. Anybody who suscribes to this cannot be considered a serious commentator. The truth is that as a staunch zionist you want to encourage the perception that jews are not safe in Europe so as to convince them to migrate to Israel. This perception is largely false.
I lived in Dubai for two years. I witnessed the vile anti semitism of many Arabs at first hand (including the horns on their head libel)and I always confronted it. As a non jew though, I dont think that racism against jews is a worse trait than racism against another group. Do you ? Because this site has plenty of it. Did I just read in another debate on this blog, "Jews are a canary in the coalmine of civilisation". Can some moderates please help me out here.