Bibi: Terror groups ‘assumed wrong’ that Israel would not retaliate
(JNS.org) Just before the cease-fire agreement that ended eight days of intense fighting between Israel and Hamas went into effect, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a press conference Wednesday, “The government decided to launch [Operation Pillar of Defense] in light of terror attacks from Gaza, which were escalating in intensity and frequency over recent months.”
“I warned that we would respond harshly to these attacks when we chose to. I warned that we would exact a heavy price. The terror organizations assumed that we would not retaliate. They assumed wrong,” Netanyahu said. “We enacted military force in keeping with diplomatic considerations. After a conversation with [U.S. President] Barack Obama I agreed that it would be wise to give a cease-fire a chance.”
Netanyahu was explaining his decision to refrain from launching a ground invasion in Gaza. Thousands of IDF reservists were called up in the last week in preparation for such an invasion, but if the cease-fire continues to hold, the reservists will be sent home without having entered the Strip.
The prime minister was speaking to the press at the Prime Minister’s Office, accompanied by Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
“We hit the top commanders of the terror organizations. We annihilated thousands of rockets aimed at [Israel’s] south and most of the rockets aimed at the center. We destroyed Hamas command centers. All of this was carried out with the full support of leaders in the international community,” Netanyahu said.
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California student board regrets resolution’s procedure, ‘marginalizing language’ on Israel
(JNS.org) The University of California Student Association (UCSA) board of directors on Nov. 20 expressed regret for several aspects of a resolution two months earlier that condemned HR35—a unanimously passed State Assembly resolution urging California schools to squelch nascent anti-Semitism and crack down on anti-Israel demonstrations.
UCSA’s board said in a statement that it was “unaware that the resolution would be presented by members of UC Berkeley’s Students for Justice in Palestine” and also unaware of “the confidential e-mail communication happening between members of SJP.” The board said it agreed that such procedure “undermines the democratic process.”
“This issue has prompted the board to re-evaluate its procedures and guidelines regarding the co-sponsoring of resolutions by third-party organizations,” the board said.
The board recognized the “negative impact that the resolution’s language had on the Jewish community and our campus climate” through the inclusion of phrases such as “illegal occupation” when referring to Israel. The UCSA resolution’s main focus was supposed to be the protection of freedom of speech, but its language went astray and “blurred the lines between advocating for free speech and taking a stance on the Israeli-Palestinian issue,” according to the board.
Regarding the resolution’s discussion on Shabbat, the board said that move was not made “with the intention of excluding Jewish students from the conversation,” but rather, with scheduling considerations in mind. The board said it is willing “to take the necessary steps to be more considerate and inclusive of different students and their religious practices when determining the UCSA calendar for next year.”
Israel and Hamas reach ceasefire, Clinton announces from Egypt
(JNS.org) U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr announced from Cairo on Wednesday that Egypt has brokered a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. The ceasefire was set to begin at 9 p.m. Israeli time.
“This is a critical moment for the region. Egypt’s new government is assuming the responsibility and leadership that has long made this country a cornerstone for regional stability and peace,” Clinton said during the press conference announcing the agreement, according to Yedioth Ahronoth.
U.S. President Barack Obama also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. While Obama commended Netanyahu for agreeing to the ceasefire and the Israeli prime minister wants to give it a chance to hold, Israel may need to take further military action if the agreement fails. The ceasefire agreement was reached despite the fact that a terrorist blew up a bus earlier in the day in Tel Aviv, injuring more than 20 people.
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International leaders strongly condemn Tel Aviv terrorist attack, back Israel
(JNS.org) Western allies are standing strongly behind Israel following the terrorist attack on a bus in Tel Aviv that injured several dozen people.
With President Obama traveling in Asia, the White House issued a statement condemning the bombing saying “attacks against innocent Israeli civilians are outrageous.”
“The United States reaffirms our unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security and our deep friendship and solidarity with the Israeli people,” the statement concluded.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon issued a statement saying he was “shocked” by the attack and condemns it “in the strongest possible terms,” according to the Jerusalem Post.
“There are no circumstances that justify the targeting of civilians,” he said.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius also condemned the Tel Aviv attack “in the strongest terms” and said “targeting civilians at a time when everything must be done to reach a cease-fire.” Similar sentiments were echoed by the British Foreign Secretary William Hague.
Meanwhile, separately the German embassy stated that it will give NIS 250,000 to Natal, Israel’s Trauma Center for Victims of Terror and War.
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Russia’s foreign ministry called the attack a “criminal terrorist act.”
The strong international support Israel is receiving, especially from European allies, is a far cry from the reaction during Operation Cast Lead in 2008. Analysts credit Israel’s strong emphasis on reducing civilian casualties in bombing, reluctance for a ground invasion and a massive public relations campaign for the international support it has garnered. The support may prove beneficial for the upcoming Palestinian UN membership vote on Nov. 29.
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India executes terrorist from 2008 Mumbai attack that killed Chabad emissaries
(JNS.org) The lone surviving terrorist from the 2008 Mumbai attack was hanged in the early hours of Nov 21. in an Indian prison, the Associated Press reported.
Mohammed Ajmal Kasab’s execution was carried out after India’s President Pranab Mukherjee rejected his plea for mercy.
“It was decided then that on Nov. 21 at 7:30 in the morning he would be hanged. That procedure has been completed today,” Union Home Sushil Kumar Shinde said.
Kasab was part of a 10 man Pakistani Islamic terrorist squad which killed 166 people at various targets over a three day period in November 2008, including a local Chabad House that killed six including Rabbi Gavriel Noach Holtzberg and his wife, Rivka, who was five months pregnant. Their two-year-old son Moshe survived the attack after being rescued by his Indian nanny.
According radio transmissions picked up by Indian intelligence at the time, the terrorists were told by their organizers that “the lives of Jews were worth 50 times those of non-Jews.”
India blames Laskhar e-Taiba, a Pakistani terrorist organization, for carrying out the attacks.
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Preceding provided by JNS.org