Monday
Yom Shnee
17 Adar 5785
March 17 2025
The Astonishingly Egregious Quote of the Day
In a recording released yesterday by Army Radio, former IDF Chief of Staff Halevi had the gall to stand in front of residents of Nir Oz–47 of whose residents were murdered on October 7 and another 76 taken hostage— and blather:
“I have no choice but to praise Hamas for the deception it perpetrated on us. They used disturbances and humanitarian concerns to lull us to sleep and prepare the attack and they succeeded. In all the military exercises we did and in all the discussions we had, we didn’t imagine that 5% of what happened on October 7 could happen.”
Halevi doesn’t get it and never will.
It was not Hamas that lulled the IDF asleep.
It was Halevi and the rest of the IDF General Command.
“We didn’t imagine that 5% of what happened on October 7 could happen.” “
It is unbelievable to think that Halevi and the General Staff had so little imagination that they couldn’t even imagine terrorists attacking right across the border.
What in the world was the leadership of the IDF doing when they should have been preparing for terrorist attacks?
By the way, an IDF probe of the events at Nir Oz on October 7 which was released Friday shows that no soldiers arrived at Nir Oz before all terrorists and their hostages had left–despite the fact that the Army’s 450th Battalion was only 2 kilometers away.
The probe rationalized that the IDF did not go to Nir Oz because the 450th Battalion was sent elsewhere, and because Nir Oz is relatively small and “geographically isolated”.
Halevi and his minions must be held accountable for their gross negligence and ineptitude.
The Photo of the Day
3 more Adir F35i aircraft landed in Israel and joined the Air Force. This brings to 39 the total number of F35i’s are now in service.
A Long-Overdue Announcement from PM Netanyahu Last Night
It may be long-overdue but it was startling nonetheless that PM Netanyahu summoned up the cajones to announced that he wants to fire Ronen Bar, the head of Shin Bet. Never mind that Bar failed miserably on October 7 and has acted questionably concerning “Qatargate”, we can still expect the Left to rally around him like some sort of hero.
Netanyahu’s announcement:
“Due to ongoing distrust, I have decided to bring to the government a proposed resolution to terminate the position of the head of the Shin Bet.
Citizens of Israel, we are in the midst of a war for our very existence – a war on seven fronts. At all times, but especially in such an existential war, the Prime Minister must have full confidence in the head of the Shin Bet.
But unfortunately, the situation is the opposite – I don’t have that kind of trust. I have a continuing distrust of the head of the Shin Bet. A distrust that has grown over time.
Due to this ongoing lack of trust, I decided to bring to the government this week a proposed resolution to terminate the position of the head of the Shin Bet.
And I want to make it clear – I am full of appreciation for the women and men of the Shin Bet. They do dedicated and important work for the security of us all.
As the prime minister in charge of the Shin Bet, I am certain that this step is necessary for the rehabilitation of the organization, for achieving all of our war goals, and for preventing the next disaster.”
As aforestated, the “Left” was quick to pounce:
Attorney General Bahar Meara: “The decision is not familiar to me. Prior consultation with me is required.”
Yair Golan, Head of the Labor Party: “Netanyahu declared war on the State of Israel.”
***
In a unrelated question of trust, it was revealed yesterday that a senior member of the Netanyahu circle has been revealing to anti-government protesters where Bibi and Sara are going to be sleeping each night. An investigation has been opened.
On the Ground in Gaza
*In what has become a daily occurrence, the IDF eliminated another terrorist who was attempting to plant IEDs near our soldiers. This time the location was Netzarim.
On the Ground in the North
The IAF struck Hezbollah assets (above) in the town of Einatha in southern Lebanon last night. The attack was apparently in response to gunfire from Lebanon directed at Avivim.
On the Ground Around Jerusalem
*A Palestinian terrorist was wounded yesterday as he climbed the protection wall near Qalandiya and tried to infiltrate Israel.
On the Ground in Yemen
The U.S. continues pounding the Houthis.
American National Security Advisor Michael Walz noted last night that “we have killed many Houthi leaders.” Defense Secretary Hegseth said this morning that American attacks will continue as long as the Houthis continue hitting shipping in the Red Sea.
And the Houthis indicated this morning that they will continue doing so.
Ben Gurion Blooms Again
The Israel Airports Authority said yesterday that 1.8 million passengers are expected to fly in and out of Ben Gurion Airport during April–an increase of 65% over last year.
March traffic increased by 60% to 1.4 million.
And so it goes on a sunny morning here in Israel . . . so far . . .
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.