Where is the "Spirit of Entebbe"?

Even as the nation prays for the safe return of kidnapped soldier Gilead Shalit, reports now indicate that yet another Israeli appears to have been abducted by Palestinian terrorists.

This afternoon, fears mounted that 18-year old Eliyahu Ashri, of the community of Itamar outside Shechem (Nablus), may have been taken hostage over the past day or two by the Palestinian Popular Resistance Committee, which is believed to be holding him in Ramallah.

And so, over the course of just 72 hours, the people of Israel have had their sense of personal security shattered, as the Government stands by and does nothing (thus far) to rescue the beleaguered captives – other than issue empty, meaningless threats.

It is hard to believe that this is the same country that once did everything in its power to protect its citizens and bring them home.

Indeed, next week marks thirty years since the heroic Israeli operation to free Jewish and Israeli hostages who were being held at Entebbe, Uganda, by Palestinian hijackers and terrorists.

For years afterwards, the "spirit of Entebbe" guided this country, and deterred its enemies from daring to repeat such hijinks.

Only by regaining that spirit, and hitting back at our foes, can we hope to dissuade them from further atrocities.

The sooner Mr. Olmert and his government adopt that approach, the safer the people of Israel will be.

Comments

[hfranco]

forget about entebbe that was ions ago.the present gov't and for that matter country has lost its jewish identity by giving up the idea of zion and the land promised by hashem and therefore the protection of it's people and jews all over the world!!!! inept corrupt politicians are now the rule of thumb, not the exception!

[Mark Walker]

Olmert will never adopt the Entebbe approach. Why should he? He must break the back of the Jews so he can cheerfully destroy your country.

[M. D'Souza]

Israel needs a Natanyahu to lead the country to bring back the Spirit of Entebbe, in which a Natanyahu sacrificed his life while rescuing hostages in Uganda.

[Patricia Dougherty]

I believe the spirit of Entebbe died when Israel began to depend upon the USA. I am a USA citizen and have constantly been disappointed with my government's position with the best friend that we have. Ms. Rice, if you can believe this, has asked Israel to WAIT for diplomacy to work. Since when has diplomacy worked with the Palestanians? They just elected murderers and terriorists to power. I have greatly admired the patience, humanity and courage of the Israeli's but it is too much to ask a nation to sit by while their citizens are kidnapped and brutally treated. I think Israel should do like the USA does, act in their own best interests and pay less attention to it's so called friends. I worry about this young man, as you know, recently these same people, who are truely barbarians murdered, very brutally, one of our soldiers. I did not see any plea from the USA to wait for diplomacy. My government often asks others to do things we would not do. It is very hypocritical and I cannot tell you how ashamed I am.

[David Seelenfreund]

Yes, we can blame Israel's dependence on America for losing some of its bravado. However, I blame Israel's lack of leadership. It seems Kadima and Labor are willing to concede versus fighting back. When I hear Olmert state that he is tired of war, of fighting, I hear surrender when the Arabs are still intransigent and bent on Israel's downfall.Israel needs strong leadership. They need someone who is willing to do whatever it takes to defeat the enemy without worrying about World Opinion. Somehow, Israel forgot that the world would prefer a weak Jew versus a strong Jew. Israel's government is too concerned about their image versus Jewish lives. Although they have gone into the Gaza, this will only be half a__ operation. They must be strong and determined to defeat this enemy.

[Herbert]

Well, theres something like that here:
http://http://spiritofentebbe.blogspot.com

Okay, that's NOT what you asked for. It's just a sign that there are some people out here missing this spirit, too.

[blogrfactor]

I agree with your key points, however - whatever the IDF does, they have to be careful of the media and especially not do what was captured by Reuters, today - check out the picture at http://blogrfactor.blogspot.com

[Chaya]

I completly agree that Israel is too dependent on the U.S., and too concerned with the "International" Community. Any time any U.S. official says anything about Palestinian "civilians", there are many rebuffs that should be used concerning Iraqi civilians. Israel should give a certain time frame for return of the kidnapped Jews, and halting rockets. If the time frame is not met, begin destruction of all P.A. leaders, terrorists, etc. End of Story.

[FERN SIDMAN]

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF ELIYAHU PINCHAS ASHERI, ZTK"L

BY: FERN SIDMAN

On this day, June 29th, 2006, the 3rd day of Tammuz 5766, the nation of Israel buried a true Eved Elokim, a faithful servant of the Almighty G-d of Israel. Today thousands of Jews across the State of Israel attended the funeral of 18 year old Eliyahu Pinchas Asheri, ZTK"L, the yeshiva student from the settlement of Itamar who was kidnapped and murdered by Arab terrorists. Asheri, a student at the pre-military yeshiva academy in N'vei Tzuf in the western Binyamin region was last seen at 9:00 p.m. on Sunday at the French Hill junction in northern Jerusalem. He was hitching a ride to his yeshiva in N'vei Tzuf.

His parents, Yitro and Miriam Asheri reported him missing on Monday, but according to reports from the IDF he had already been murdered by that time. According to Arutz Sheva, "A Ramallah Tanzim terror cell, taking orders from the Gaza headquarters of the Popular Resistance Committee, carried out the kidnapping and murdered of pre-military Torah academy student Eliyahu Asheri, according to the IDF."

The report went on to say, "Itamar resident Eliyahu Asheri, z'l, died immediately when he was kidnapped on Sunday, according to OC Central Commander Yair Naveh. Naveh told reporters at a briefing on Thursday that the 18-year-old victim was not kept alive, as claimed by the terrorist group that abducted him, but was "without a doubt murdered immediately."
Popular Resistance Committees terrorists claimed they had kept Asheri alive until Tuesday while considering the possibility of holding him for ransom. Said Naveh, "They had absolutely no intention to hold negotiations."

According to The Jerusalem Post, (6/27/06), "On Wednesday, elite police and IDF forces arrested Popular Resistance Committees operative Osam Abu Rajil, who was suspected to have been involved in the kidnapping. Abu Rajil led the forces to a mountainside north of Ramallah, where Asheri's body was found buried, Army Radio reported. Naveh confirmed Thursday that Abu Rajil was personally involved in the kidnapping.

On Tuesday, a spokesman for the Hamas-affiliated PRC told Al-Jazeera that Asheri would be "butchered in front of TV cameras" if the IDF operation in Gaza did not stop. "Our patience is running out," he said. "I am announcing for the first time that the kidnapped Zionist Israel is searching for is the same settler who is being held by us. He is aged 18-1⁄2... and is a soldier in a pre-military academy," said the spokesman, who identified himself as Abu Abir."

In addition, Arutz Sheva reported that, "The IDF did not say whether the assault rifles which the Olmert government and the United States transferred to PA President Mahmoud Abbas, (Abu Mazen) earlier this month were used at any point in the kidnapping or murder. WorldNetDaily reported in the name of "sources close to the Al Aqsa Brigades" that the guns had been used in two separate shooting attacks against Israelis within days of the transfer."

Roads in Jerusalem were closed in honor of the funeral, which is to end with the youth's burial in the Mt. of Olives cemetery. Eliyahu's teachers and family, one after the other, spoke about what a sweet person he was. Over and over it was mentioned that Eliyahu's prayers were "like fire."

"You went up to Heaven in a storm, like Eliyahu (Elijah) the prophet," Eliyahu's mother Miriam eulogized, in a calm and determined voice. "Now, Eliyahu - stand before G-d and speak out in favor of the Nation of Israel - don't let up until our Father in Heaven agrees to reveal Himself to His people."

Yitro Asheri spoke of his son, recalling that he would always sit in their home and make peace between his siblings. "When you get to Heaven," the Australian immigrant said, addressing his son, "make peace within our people and between the Nation of Israel and our Father in Heaven."

Asheri added that the world has much less prayer in it now that Eliyahu is gone and implored all of Israel to "Pray! Pray - because you are righteous and G-d desires your prayers."

Eliyahu's mother Miriam told Voice of Israel Radio this morning, "At this time, I do have not much to say, for the pain is so unbearable; I can barely find a way to hold it. But one thing I can say is that many times in the past years, because of the many disagreements-between-brothers we have in this country, many times I asked G-d to give me, first of all, love in my heart for everyone. And now, following this terrible thing that happened to us, it has become clear to me how really great the Nation of Israel is - how much help we have received, and all the volunteers, and the army - there are no words to describe it... And this was the way of Eliyahu as well..."

Rabbi Chaim Druckman, the national head of the Bnei Akiva Yeshivot movement and Eliyahu's adopted grandfather, said at the funeral that sometimes funerals are like sunsets, but that Eliyahu's passing is like the sun going dark at noontime. "This is not just a private funeral, but one belonging to all of Israel," he said. "His murderers intended to kill any one of us and all of us."

Rabbi Avi Ronski, the Rabbi of Itamar and the man who has been tapped to become the next Chief Rabbi of the IDF, said at the funeral, "It is now clear that they murdered Eliyahu very soon after they kidnapped him, and all their announcements and threats afterwards were merely psychological pressure against us."

The murder of Eliyahu Asheri comes on the heels of a Hamas terrorist attack several days ago when a Hamas 8-man force crawled through an underground tunnel into Israel, lobbing grenades and bombs at a military outpost killing two IDF soldiers, Lt. Hanan Barak, 20, from Arad and Sgt. Pavel Slutzker, 20 from Dimona A third soldier, Corp. Gilead Shalit from Mitzpe Hila was kidnapped.

The kidnapping of Corp. Shalit, prompted the IDF to launch its "Operation Summer Rains" offensive Wednesday with the entry of Israeli forces into Southern Gaza. The stated goal: The release of kidnapped solider Gilad Shalit.

In addition to knocking out electricity in much of Gaza, the operation has included an aerial missile attack on an electricity station south of Gaza City, aerial attacks on three bridges in the central Gaza Strip, over dry river beds, artillery fire at open areas in the southern Gaza Strip and entry of armored forces into the Dahaniya area, mainly the abandoned airport, where the IDF has set up a headquarters. This area represents a strategic control and observation point over the southern Gaza Strip.

In response to the murder and kidnapping, Israeli forces arrested one-third of the Hamas-led Palestinian Cabinet and 20 lawmakers early Thursday and pressed their incursion into Gaza.

Today is a day of tremendous grief and mourning for the family and friends of Eliyahu Asheri. It is also a day of mourning for the entire nation of Israel. It is not easy to forget a day on which a young Jew was buried. A young Jew, heinously murdered by Arab savages. A Jew who feared G-d and walked in the way of his ancestors, in the way of Hashem's holy Torah.
It will be difficult to forget the looks of profound grief and misery etched on the faces of his parents, his siblings, his friends and neighbors. The murder of Eliyahu Pinchas Asheri was the murder of a part of each and every one of us. For the murder of Eliyahu Pinchas Asheri could have been the murder of our own son or brother. Ask any parent that has lost a child and they will tell you that they never get up from sitting shiva. The sadness and despair is all consuming and does not diminish with the passing of time.

We are commanded by the Almighty G-d of Israel to be our brother's keeper, for we are all one nation, a collective body and soul. When one of us grieves and suffers, we all grieve and we all suffer. Today we have lost a brother and our tears flow freely and without respite. And we ask, why was Eliyahu Asheri murdered? Why was it he that had to spend his last moments on this earth as a captive of barbaric Arab terrorists who have no respect for the sanctity of life?

We may never know the answer, however we do know that the blood of Eliyahu Asheri is on the hands of those who control the government of Israel. Of those who aid and abet Arab terrorists by evacuating thousands of Jews from their homes in Gush Katif and who plan to uproot more Jewish settlements in the ultimate goal of creating "peace" with our Arab enemy. The blood of Eliyahu Asheri is on the hands of those in the government of Israel who transfer thousands of assault rifles and a million rounds of ammunition into the hands who those who seek our destruction.

We can blame a government of Israel who oppresses the free speech of Jews who oppose the Olmert convergence-realignment plan. We can point our fingers in outrage and indignation at a government who is bent on national suicide. A government comprised of spiritually bankrupt leaders that lead us to believe that genuine and long lasting "peace" can come to fruition with an enemy that has sworn our destruction. An enemy who interprets territorial compromise and conciliation as acts of weakness and surrender and who respond with even more contempt and disdain.

It is true that the government of Israel is one that is devoid of belief and faith, true belief and faith in the G-d of Israel and Torah. It is a government that has elevated the concepts of a westernized democracy into their own personal god. A government that displays a callous disregard when Jewish blood is spilled. We must express our anger and our outrage and rise up in indignation at the actions of a government who is responsible for the murder of our brother, Eliyahu Pinchas Asheri. For Eliyahu's murder can be harbinger for the potential murders of our own brothers.

Let us raise our collective voices in prayer and supplication to the Almighty G-d of Israel. Let us plead with Hashem to give us the strength, courage, fortitude and tenacity to oppose a government that does not protect its people. Let us beseech the Almighty to provide comfort, strength and courage to the Asheri family and to all of the nation of Israel, for on this day, a part of each and every one of us has died.

[I. Joan Pinilla]

A visit to local blogs is always a first hand impression of what people really are. Their hidden virtues and fears.
Good things are in Israel's people, but nothing but hate is found in the major number of Israel citizens to the arabs, and arrogance to the rest of the world; just despise for human rigths and laws. No mentions to the shame of loosing lives, whatever their nature. How can you say that Israel is a democracy?
That makes distinction of a terrorist, is not that Mr. Bush says or the organisation you have on your side -even if you are a victim- but the abuse of war fare in a non-war presumption and outlaw. It's dishonour to kill civilians even in war, that's for palestinians, Hezbollah and for Israel. It's nondemocracy to use army out of war, and even palestinians have human rigths, even wars have their rules.
If you don't show respect for your opponent, you don't deserve respect from the international community, nor honour. If you are a victim you must use law, not revenge or actions to a people not found guilty themselves. That's basic for democracy even for peace. Out of that, you are also a terrorist.
The major shame is the sadness of loosing lives in every side just for your blindness. Having friends in both sides one knows very well. If you just look for enemies you only gonna find enemies, and that's a sad world, that's a perpetuum.
In peace and war, hope you the best.

I. Joan Pinilla, Infrantry Col., Spanish Army.