Yom Reva’ee
Tuesday
13 Nisan 5783
April 4 2023
The Incomprehensible (and Worrisome) Statement of the Day
IDF Spokesman:
“A fighter jet intercepted an unidentified aircraft over the Gaza Strip a short time ago. The aircraft was detected in the skies of the Gaza Strip and was under the surveillance of the Air Force’s control unit all the way to Jerusalem. The aircraft did not cross into the territory of the State of Israel and did not pose a threat at any stage.”
Join your humble servant in scratching your head. How in the world did an unidentified aircraft fly from Gaza to Jerusalem without crossing into the territory of the state of Israel?
And why in the world would the IDF/IAF allow an unidentified aircraft from Gaza fly to Jerusalem?
The News on the Israeli Street
The war between Israel and Iran . . .
For the 4th time in 4 days, IAF aircraft hit Iranian targets in Syria–this time in the Sayeda Zanab suburb of Damascus near the international airport. The apparent targets were newly installed anti-aircraft radar systems. Anti-aircraft missiles fired at the Israeli planes exploded near Tiberias.
Meanwhile, the bodies of a number of Revolutionary Guards were returned to Tehran yesterday from Syria for a martyrs’ funeral amid cries of “Death to Israel” and promises of impending revenge.
The war in Judea and Samaria.
Shooting attacks:
Palestinian terrorists opened fire on Israelis near the Beitot Junction in the Hawara area again.
Palestinian terrorists engaged in intense firefights with IDF troops operating in the alleys of Shechem yesterday.
Palestinian terrorists opened fire toward Kibbutz Ma’ale Gilboa hitting several houses. No Israelis were physically wounded; the terrorists escaped.
Palestinian terrorists attacked IDF soldiers near the entrance of Yavd beside Jenin.
Palestinian terrorists opened fire on IDF soldiers in Daheisha beside Bethlehem. No Israelis were physically wounded; at least one terrorist was seriously wounded.
IED, Molotov, and “rock” attacks:
Palestinian terrorists attacked Israelis on the Gilad Highway between Yitzhar and the Sela IDF outpost, on the Gush Etzion-Hevron Road near Al-Aruv, near Yatev, at Marda near Ariel, in Beta south of Shechem, and in many other locations.
On the Gaza border.
An armed Palestinian terrorist was captured while trying to breach the security fence.
Carnage on the roads . . .
A 6-month-old baby, Herut Leibovich, was killed yesterday after a bus hit her baby stroller on Kerey Hayesod Street in Jerusalem.
Since January first, 9 children between the ages of 0-14 have been killed in car accidents on Israeli roads—5 of the children were under 4 years old.
The tragic and unacceptable fact is that Israel (according to the Or Yerok Association) is one of the most dangerous countries in terms of child deaths in car accidents in the developed world. On average, 30 children are killed each year.
And Israel doesn’t do anything about it.
No more fireworks on Israel Independence Day . . .
A thing of the past . . . fireworks at Independence Day (photo Photo by Hadas Parush, Times of Israel).
In an attempt to be sensitive to IDF veterans suffering from PTSD, the following cities have announced that they will not permit any fireworks on Independence Day: Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Beer Sheva, Givatayim, Rishon Lezion and Modi’in.
While your humble servant believes he understands the possible effects of the of the fireworks, they are no more traumatic than the constant sonic booms heard all over the country not to mention other explosive noises that regularly occur in construction areas.
TODAY’S BLOG
Another Terror Attack, Another Civilian Hero
Breaking News (11:30 am Israel time)
A Palestinian terrorist from Hevron has just stabbed two soldiers outside the Tzrifin Army Base near Rishon LeZion. One soldier is reportedly in “critical condition”, the other in “serious”.
It turns out that Benny Meshulam, a volunteer with the paramedic United Hatzalah service, was driving by when he saw the terrorist stabbing the soldiers. He immediately stopped his car, ran out, and subdued the terrorist.
Benny Meshulam after stopping the terrorist this morning, and after administering aid to the stabbing victims.
When others came to hold the terrorist, Benny immediately went to give medical aid to the soldiers.
Benny Meshulam is another Israeli civilian hero of the type that step up at every terror attack.
And so continues the rash of terrors before the beginning of Pesach (Passover) which starts at sundown tomorrow. With the government agreeing to a flood of Palestinians entering Israel to celebrate Ramadan, no one should be surprised.
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.