Dispatch from Jerusalem

Another Side of War

{image_1}This will give you a glimpse into the daily lives of Israelis during Operation Pillar of Defense (November 14–21).

A Surprise Announcement

{image_1}The Ramat Gan Safari Park announced that Anya, a western lowland gorilla, had given birth to a female baby. Two weeks later the Safari announced that yet another baby gorilla had been born to Lia. The sex of the newest arrival is still not known, as the keepers prefer to leave new babies undisturbed with their mothers for the first few weeks following their birth. The Safari's alpha male, Lucas, has so far fathered ten infant gorillas since he came to the Safari from Holland in 1997.

Delayed Bar Mitzvah

{image_1}Twenty Holocaust survivors from the central Israeli town of Ramat Hasharon celebrated their bar mitzvah at the Kotel (Western Wall). The ceremony, which marks a boy’s coming of age, is usually celebrated at age 13.

Israel Successfully Tests Magic Wand System

{image_1}Israel's Defense Ministry and the US's Missile Defense Agency have completed the first round of tests on the Magic Wand system. The tests were reportedly successful, raising the chances of future investment. The interceptor missile system is being developed for the Defense Ministry by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the US's Raytheon Co. It was designed to intercept Hizbullah missiles fired from Lebanon.

Netanyahu Vows: Israel Will Defend Her People!

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Israel Will Continue to Build

Addressing the weekly cabinet meeting after Palestinian unilateral action at the United Nations, Netanyahu clarified that Israel will “continue to build in Jerusalem and in all the places of the State of Israel's map of strategic interests. The PA's unilateral move at the UN is a blatant violation of agreements, and therefore the Israeli government rejects the General Assembly resolution.

The Heart of Hatred

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We Will Free Jerusalem

Khaled Meshaal, Hamas Politburo Chief, speaking at a rally commemorating the 25th anniversary of Hamas was quoted as saying, “Jihad and the armed resistance is the only true path to liberation. We will free Jerusalem, inch by inch, stone by stone…”

Watchmen, Take Your Position!

{image_1}“And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: ‘Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?’ Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: ‘Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!’” (Esther 4:13–16.).

Watchmen, Take Your Position!

{image_1}“And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: ‘Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?’ Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: ‘Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!’” (Esther 4:13–16.).

Operation Pillar of Defense

{image_1}Operation Pillar of Defense was launched in November 2012 after years of rocket attacks on southern Israeli communities. During the eight days of the operation, Hamas fired 1,506 rockets at Israel. The Iron Dome system intercepted 421, and 152 fell in Gaza itself. Five Israeli civilians were killed by the rockets and a further 240 were injured. An 18-year-old soldier also died in the attacks. Homes, schools, and apartment blocks were hit by the rockets. Three and a half million Israelis were put at risk. The use of the Fajr-5 rockets brought both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv within range.

Operation Pillar of Defense

{image_1}Operation Pillar of Defense was launched in November 2012 after years of rocket attacks on southern Israeli communities. During the eight days of the operation, Hamas fired 1,506 rockets at Israel. The Iron Dome system intercepted 421, and 152 fell in Gaza itself. Five Israeli civilians were killed by the rockets and a further 240 were injured. An 18-year-old soldier also died in the attacks. Homes, schools, and apartment blocks were hit by the rockets. Three and a half million Israelis were put at risk. The use of the Fajr-5 rockets brought both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv within range.