Yom Chamishee, Thursday
13 Adar 5781
February 25, 2021
Happy Purim (graphic courtesy Congregation Brith Shalom, Bellaire Texas).
Happy Purim!
The holiday begins tonight at sundown. We hope you nosh some Hamentaschen, and don’t forget to drink so much that you can’t tell the difference between “Praised be Mordechai” and “Cursed be Haman”!
In your humble servant’s opinion, the cutest Queen Esther in Israel.
The News on the Israeli Street
Palestinian terror in the last 24 hours . . .
Palestinian terrorists planted two IEDs near the Ohad Gate at Beit El. They were defused by sappers.
Palestinian terrorists attacked a bus with “rocks” near the Avraham Hassano Junction at Hevron.
Palestinian terrorists attacked Israeli motorists with Molotovs and “rocks” on the Gush Etzion-Hevron near Al Khader, on the Jerusalem-Gush Etzion Road near the Tunnel Checkpoint, and beside Efrat among at least a dozen other places.
The daily Corona (Covid-19) update . . .
Please note that these numbers encompass from 8 pm yesterday to 8 pm today (Thursday):
765,492 Israelis have been confirmed with the virus since the pandemic began last March.
There are 3,941 newly confirmed cases.
770 are in critical condition—a decrease of 25
249 of the most critically ill are on ventilators—a decrease of 10
5,673 have died–an increase of 25
There are currently 40,810 active Corona cases in Israel.
An estimated 4.6 million have now received at least one dose of vaccine.
Remember why Israel ludicrously closed down Ben Gurion Airport? . . .
The idea was that by closing the airport, Israel could keep Corona mutations out of the country–particularly the South African mutation.
This morning the Health Ministry announced that there are now 444 cases of the South African Corona in Israel, not to mention thousands of the British mutation, and even dozens of people with the California mutation.
And still, the airport is closed (except for the idiotic El Al rescue flights which are flying in ever more Corona-sick Israelis from abroad).
By the way, if it hasn’t already occurred, it is only a matter of time until there is an Israeli mutation.
A follow-up to Israel giving 19 countries Corona vaccine . . .
It turns out that, as usual, King Bibi (aka PM Netanyahu) made the decision to transfer the vaccines without consulting the Ministry of Health, the Foreign Ministry, the Defense Ministry–or anyone else.
As one senior official noted: “These vaccines are not private property that Netanyahu owns. These are vaccines that Israeli citizens paid for, state assets, and by law Netanyahu must obtain the consent of the relevant ministries.”
TODAY’S BLOG:
The IDF Significantly Upgrades Its Capabilities
Israel expands its missile capability . . .
A new Israeli missile from Rafael.
Defense contractor Rafael announced today that it has created Israel’s first air-to-air missile which has a range of more than 100 km.
The lightweight missile contains a dual pulse rocket engine and Activia radar heads that will give Israeli fighter jets enhanced performance capabilities. To put it a different way, this range means that Israeli aircraft will be able to shoot down opposing aircraft within Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, or even Egypt.
Speaking of a defense upgrade . . .
At long last, the IDF has decided on a helicopter to replace its aging fleet of transport helicopters that dates back to the 1960s.
The new helicopter is the Lockheed-Martin Sikorsky CH53K King Stallion.
Two CH-53Ks belonging to the U.S. Marine Corps.
Here are the specs according to Lockheed-Martin.
Lift Capacity:
With a 36,000 lb payload capacity, the CH53K is the most powerful helicopter in the world. It can carry everything from a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) to a Light Armored Vehicle (LAV).
Range:
The CH53K can travel distances and in environmental extremes with triple the cargo and double the range of its nearest competitor.
All-environment performance:
The CH53K retains its performance in high, hot, low visibility, and sea-based environments.
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Click here to watch a youtube video on the CH53K.
It is quite surprising that neither the missile nor helicopter upgrade has happened before now because both will be crucial in the event of war.
A student from Malawi, who had worked with an Israeli health volunteer in his country battling AIDS, came up to us as we walked down the street in the UC-Davis Picnic Day Parade and wanted to carry the Israeli flag.