Yom Kippur and Beyond: A new (and better?) year for Israel news and views

	October 14, 2005

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OPENING LINES: Despite everything, the nation of Israel survives and thrives Despite the difficulties and sufferings of the preceding year, Israel turns a page and welcomes a year we can only hope and pray will be better than the last. In the spirit of the indomitable Jewish people, one can -- one must -- see the cup not half-empty, but half-full and, perhaps, with a little luck and divine providence, filling up. We are heartened by the winning of the Nobel Prize in Economics by Israel "Robert" Aulmann -- what a fortuitous name! An everyman great-grandfather with a flowing beard and a twinkle in his eye. The fact that this religiously observant member of Professors for a Strong Israel wore an orange ribbon to the university, even after the expulsion, shows me that among our most brilliant thinkers are those who see the local reality the way we do. It is also true that many smart people yet see reality otherwise, but then again, many also were filled with great hope by the signing of the Oslo Accords at this season more than a decade ago. I was not among them and, like Professor Aulmann, I do not see the Jewish-Arab dispute concluding peacefully in the coming generations. But like him, I can also celebrate with my family, and with my talented colleagues who produce this and our other publications, the day-to-day joys of life in a small but beautiful Jewish country, blessed with sunshine, human warmth, and an intensity of existence not matched in many places I know of. We learned that there is strength in numbers and, even if the numbers fell short this time, the revealed reality is that the birthrate and influence of the post-Zionist Jewish left will wane and weaken before the birthrate and influence of the anti-Zionist Arab enemy will have a chance to destroy the Jewish State. The past year saw a resurgence of immigration of Jewish from North America and France and eastern Europe, people coming here with faith in building their lives in a nation where they will be part of the majority, not an embattled minority. Israel is now, and will henceforth be, the country with the largest Jewish population. Democratically, the forces that believe in a strong Jewish state will have their chance at the polls to prevail, and once in power, will know what to do to ensure our nation continues to survive and thrive. Each Sabbath we raise our glasses in sanctifying over wine the Divine blessings we have been given. It is tradition to fill out cups to the brim--indeed, to create a meniscus whose surface tension suspends the wine above the brim. Israel is a bit like that--always threatening to spill over, occasionally doing so, yet always full -- of life, of passion, and of faith in the coming of something better. That is the Israel I know, the Israel I love, and the Israeli to which I will cleave in the days and years to come. Publishing Israel Insider is a labor of love, and it is a rough and tumble mission to try and do justice to the words and ideas that coming flowing to us, through us, and from us on a daily basis. I apologize to any whom I have wronged, knowingly or unknowingly in the course of the year. I will try to do better in the coming one. I thank you all for sharing moments of your lives with us, and I hope and pray that the year to come will be better for all of us. And, for those of you who fortunate enough to celebrate the transformative Feast of Booths, may it be a wonderful week of spiritual celebration under the palm fronds and stars, with the scent of etrog and the sound of wind in rushes filling your senses! Reuven Koret Publisher My Man of the Year: Israeli Nobel Prize winner in economics says he "feels great" after award Israeli-American economist Robert J. Aumann won the 2005 Nobel prize in economics for developing "game theories" that help explain conflicts. INSIDER QUOTE I don't want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve immortality through not dying. Woody Allen Articles Every inch counts in battle over path of Israel's security barrier Court challenges and protests, domestic and foreign -- are reshaping what started out three years ago as a route drawn solely by the Israeli government. New Film explores anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, 9/11 claims about Jews Filmmaker Marc Levin offers up the claims about the "Protocols of the Elders of Zion" authenticity while also debunking them and 9/11-related claims. Mrs. Kaboom: Profile of the Palestinian's first female bombmaker Hamas' first female bombmaker is a 22-year-old university graduate recruited in Gaza and sent to the West Bank to teach others to assemble explosives, IDF stops would-be teen bomber, captures long-time bombing fugitive Israeli forces arrested six Palestinians, including a 14-year-old boy coerced by militants into becoming a suicide bomber and a senior Hamas terror fugitive. Female bombmaker nabbed as security forces smash Hamas terror cells Three Hamas cells were broken up by Israeli security, including the first-ever known female master bomb maker in the group among 117 arrests. Israeli leftist leader: Roadmap now a trap The international roadmap for peace between Israelis and Palestinians is not being taken seriously by any of those involved in it. Israeli Nobel Prize winner in economics says he "feels great" after award Israeli-American economist Robert J. Aumann won the 2005 Nobel prize in economics for developing "game theories" that help explain conflicts. Abbas-Sharon summit postponed weeks due to differences A meeting between Israeli PM Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has been postponed for several weeks. Proselytizing No. 3 Air Force Commando at new job The Air Force Academy announced Friday that its No. 3 commander is leaving, after he was cleared of allegations that he proselytized non-Christian cadets. Jewish Mystics to Madonna: Lay off our sage! A song on Madonna's upcoming album dedicated to a Kabbalist rabbi is drawing criticism from some rabbis. Abbas-Sharon summit in doubt over disagreements on key issues A summit between the Israeli and Palestinian leaders was suddenly thrown into doubt Sunday after Israel's defense minister rejected key Palestinian demands. Israeli Arabs convicted of plotting to blow up train, Tel Aviv skyscrapers Three Israeli Arabs pleaded guilty to planning to plant bombs on a commuter train track and discussing bombing Tel Aviv's Azrieli Towers. Israel to Pakistan: Let us help you In response to Pakistan's worst earthquake on record, Israel has offered assistance in the aftermath. Palestinian Authority builds on top of Morag's rubble PA leader Abbas laid the cornerstone for a new housing project to be built on ruins of the Israeli town of Morag, which the Sharon government wrecked. White House denies Palestinian claim that Bush said God directed policy The White House called "absurd" Palestinian claims that Bush said God directed his foreign policy. "He's never made such comments," a spokesman said. RECENT VIEWS Sounds of the City By Isabel Maxwell 'Twas the Night before Yom Kippur... and all through the city.... not a creature was stirring. Except me. Compensation for administrative detention: a small step forward By Dr. Aaron Lerner The court decision to award $22,000 in damages to Noam Federman for falsely placing him under house arrest is a positive step, but hardly enough. An open letter to religious Israelis By Orit I want to witness a cultural and spiritual revolution in Israel to recreate a vibrant, strong and successful Jewish State. That requires taking risks. Tshuva By Paula R. Stern Tshuva is the act of acknowledging what we have done wrong, apologizing for our transgressions and doing our best to repair the damage we have done. The loss of dignity, and decency, in Disengagement By David Bedein The government of Israel and its supporters who now stand idly by, while the Katif expellees remain homeless, owe these people more than money. No Forgiveness, No Pardon, No Atonement? By David Wilder Pardon for the expulsion doesn't come easily. We must accept upon ourselves that we will do anything and everything to never let it happen again. Hashem and The Hurricanes By Irwin N. Graulich Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia says "Katrina was God's retribution for (US support of) the Gaza withdrawal," and no one has him committed? We can only go up from here By Isi Leibler Even supporters of disengagement would agree that by any benchmark this has been an annus horribilis, an awful year on the Israeli domestic scene. Congratulations, with Reservations By Micah D. Halpern I have never been a big El Baradei fan, but recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize are to be congratulated and applauded. Israel will lose everything it does not fight for By David Bedein Sentiments alone will not "sell" the importance of Judea and Samaria or the dangers of the PLO. Opponents of the giveaway must speak "security." Reject the land link, for what it's worth to argue By Ted Belman Israel has no obligation to provide Arabs with work or electricity or land links. To deny these things to the Arabs would be an act of self defense. A virtual tour of "Apartheid" Israel By Angela Bertz Join us as we take a whirlwind tour around Israel, exploring its cosmopolitan, tolerant and diverse character, and comparing it to its neighbors. No preparation By Rachel Saperstein Families displaced from Gush Katif homes, living in crowded hotel rooms, share the bitter memory of a home lost ... a synagogue burnt to the ground. Rice soft on Hamas and disarming Palestinian terrorists By Dr. Aaron Lerner Israel has sent a signal to friends of Israel that all is well in Washington when the opposite is the case. Crunch Time By M.J. Rosenberg The good news is that Sharon and Abbas appear ready to resume the cooperation that is in both peoples' interests, and is a prelude to negotiations. Briefs Palestinian delegation surprised to get Bush IDF installing new radar systems next to Gaza Secular Jews pray in community centers, not shuls on Yom Kippur Right-winger held in jail to be awarded compensation Jews vandalize Ultra-Orthodox shul in London USEFUL LINKS Israel News in English Wiresearch/Newsportals about Israel Israel Insider Yahoo Jerusalem Post Google Israel news (by relevance) Haaretz (English) Google Israel news (by recency) Israel National News   Ynet News   Israel News in Hebrew Other Maariv Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ynet Israel Defense Forces Haaretz CoP/JCPA Daily Alert Galei Tzahal (IDF Radio) WebLog of Mideast Politics Voice of Israel (Second Network) OpinionJournal Best of the Web The Israel Insider daily briefing is a limited circulation newsletter intended for supporters and subscribers only. 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