Signs of the Times

Agricultural Production Jumps

Despite efforts to write off agriculture as an “old economy” industry, becoming less relevant in the high-tech era, figures released by Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) reveal that the Israeli agricultural sector is thriving and growing.

Water shortages and steep water price hikes have not hampered what the statistics show is a growth industry. The value of agricultural production jumped by 28.7% in the period from 1999 to 2004.

Egypt, Libya, and Yemen Supply Weapons

Israeli military intelligence has determined that three Arab countries— Egypt, Libya, and Yemen—serve as the chief suppliers of weapons to the Palestinian insurgency in the Gaza Strip.

Get Ready for the Hamas State

The Gaza Strip is becoming the Hamas state, no doubt about it.  Former Shin Bet (Israeli internal security organization) director Avi Dichter publicly warned that Hamas is setting up in Gaza an “army of thousands of armed men  based on the model of Hizbullah in Lebanon.”

Palestinians Use Truce to Regroup

Palestinian militant groups, weakened by more than four years of fighting against Israel, are utilizing the relative calm of an informal truce with Israel to strengthen their positions politically and militarily

Rice: US $100 a Month to Terrorists “On Pension”

United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has proposed a US $100 monthly allowance to terrorists who agree to lay down their arms and retire or find another profession, in a proposal of a pension fund for at least 1,000 terrorists.

Hamas Turns Street Signs Into Kassams

Hamas is using the lull in Israel’s offensive actions to stock up on Kassam rockets, mines, and mortar shells in the Gaza Strip, according to defense sources.

Kassam rocket makers have begun stealing and using street-sign pipes because of a lack of raw materials. Apparently, street signs are becoming rare in Gaza. Hamas is working at a heightened pace to produce more weaponry, in order to be better prepared for future hostilities if and when the de facto cease-fire breaks down and they are again targeted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Hamas, Hizbullah Agree on War Against Israel

Hamas and Hizbullah agreed to continue the war against Israel. Leaders from the two groups met in Beirut and discussed strategy amid efforts to arrange a Palestinian Authority cease-fire with Israel. The Islamic terrorist organizations rejected the cease-fire and said they would maintain the war against the Jewish state.

Russian Lawmakers: Outlaw All Jewish Organizations

Moscow (AP)—A group of nationalist lawmakers is calling for an investigation aimed at outlawing all Jewish organizations in Russia, accusing Jews of fomenting ethnic hatred and provoking anti-Semitism. In a letter dated January 13, about 20 members of the lower parliament house, the State Duma, asked Prosecutor General Vladimir Ustinov to investigate their claims and, if they are confirmed, to launch proceedings “on the prohibition in our country of all religious and ethnic Jewish organizations as extremist.” Arguing that Jews were to blame for anti-Semitism, the authors of the letter want Jewish groups outlawed based on legislation against extremism and fomenting ethnic discord.

PA TV Cultivates Culture of Terror and Death

The promises of Palestine Liberation Organization chief Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) notwithstanding, official Palestinian Authority (PA)-controlled television continues to encourage Arab males to seek death while attacking Jews, and their mothers to rejoice in their demise. “Creating a supportive social environment for terrorists has been a critical factor in the Palestinian Authority’s successful promotion of suicide terrorism,” wrote Palestinian Media Watch director Itamar Marcus in March.

Lebanese President- “We Want Peace With Israel”

Senior diplomatic officials, who met with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud late last year, quoted him as saying, “We want peace with Israel, and we object to the firings of Katyusha rockets [from Lebanon] to its territory.”