11 Elul 5780
31 August 2020
Photo of the Day
Scuba diver Omri Omasi in Eilat took this photo of an unusually large (by Red Sea standards) manta swimming underneath the cold water off the coast of Chof Al-Mog (Coral Beach).
The News on the Israeli Street
The daily Corona (Covid-19) update as of 8 am this morning . . .
There are 114,020 confirmed cases—an increase of 555 since this time yesterday
92,796 of these confirmed cases have recovered—an increase of 692
444 are in critical condition–an increase of 6
127 of the most critically ill are on ventilators—an increase of 11
919 have died–an increase of 13
There are 21,224 active cases.
As you know from yesterday’s blog, lab workers have gone on strike which means that very few Corona tests are being processed–hence the low increase in confirmed cases.
The battles continue between Corona Czar Ronni Gamzu, the Knesset Corona Committee, and the Netanyahu government. Yesterday more questionable countries such as Italy were designated “green” meaning that Israelis returning to Israel from them will not have to go to self-quarantine. Also, Gamzu’s designation of Israeli cities as “red” or “green” will apparently go into effect on September 6.
The biggest battle, however, is over the opening of the school year which supposedly takes place tomorrow. The Netanyahu government has decided that schools will open come hell or high water; however, the teacher’s union is threatening to strike because adequate Corona precautions have not been taken in the classroom. Also, the question remains whether parents will send their kids to school during the current Corona spike.
Hot, hotter, and hottest . . .
At 2:33 pm yesterday afternoon, Israelis set an all time record for electricity consumption with 14,089 megawatts being used. This eclipsed the previous record of 13,854 MW used on May 20th of this year.
All that electricity is keeping everyone’s air conditioners operating as Israel finds itself in the throes of another blistering heat wave.
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The “highs” in the weather forecast for today:
Tel Aviv 32 C (90 F), Haifa 32, Jerusalem 35 (95), Ashdod 36 (97), Beersheva 37, Tiberias 43 (109), Eilat 45 (113).
Exceedingly high humidity in some areas means that the “real feel” temperature is much higher. For example, here in Ashdod yesterday, the actual temperature was 35 C but it felt like 39 C because of the humidity.
TODAY’S BLOG:
“The Fighter Acted Contrary To Expectations”
In case you missed it on OneIsrael two days ago, here is the link to the absurd spectacle in Hevron in which our soldiers were pelted by “rock” and projectile throwing Palestinians. Click here to see the video.
The video went viral here in Israel because it showed our soldiers not responding to any of the assaults despite the fact that one was wounded.
Of course, none of us in the OneIsrael blogosphere were surprised because our soldiers have been neutered by idiotic “humanitarian” rules of engagement created by the IDF General Command and by endless prosecutions of soldiers when they did act to defend themselves and their fellow soldiers.
In this context, the comments of Col. Avichai Zafrani yesterday were shocking:
“On the face of it . . . the behavior seen in the video is not expected behavior. [Soldiers] are required to prevent such incidents and to use force at their discretion and according to the instructions for opening fire.”
Say what?
IDF soldiers are condemned and prosecuted for using force, and now they are supposed to “use force at their discretion”?
Zafrani went on to say that “the investigation [of the incident] will be presented to the commander of the Central Command, Maj. Gen. Tamir Yedi, and actions will be taken accordingly.”
Actions will be taken accordingly? Does this mean that the soldier or soldiers will now be punished for not taking action?
The situation is beyond ridiculous.
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.